VONDEL AAN HUYGENS’).

1644, 16 v. Herfstmaand.

Edele Heer van Zuilichem.

Ick ben noch in uw E. schult voor de paspoorten ten dienst van myne dochter het verleden jaer, door den heer Wickevort mij toegezonden, behalven andere genoten gunsten, die ick wenschte te verdienen: nu zyn my door zekeren Bruno uwe E. luchtige en geestige buitensprongen toegezonden, die ick met vermaeck hebbe gelezen, ende verwondert blyve dat uwe E. zonder tyt noch zoo- veel tyts vindt: dan uwe E. aengebore lust kan zich niet spanen van de hengstebron, die u noch meer schynt te smaken dan alle hoffelycke weelden en leckernyen. Nu hebben zommige liefhebbers en Mecenaten der Nederlantse Poesye myne kleine ver- stroide gedichten by een versamelt en doen drucken, waer van ick uwe E. hier een exemplaer toezende, hoewel het slechts ver- warmden kost is ten meestendeel. Onder het drucken voeghde ick er noch eenige grafschriften by, waeronder een is van uwe za(lige) gemalin uw lelie of rooze, behalven hare lyckklaght uwe Ed. voor dezen gezonden. Ick wenschte gelegenheit te hebben om my over uwe Ed. goetgunstigheit te mogen wreken: ondertusschen bidde ick Godt uwe Ed. en zyn Hoogheit te willen sparen ten ge- meenen beste en blijve

Edele Heer van Zuilichem

t’Amsteldam uwe Ed. ootmoedige dienaer 1644 den 16 van Joost van den Vondel. Herfstmaent. Adres: Aen myn heer den heer Constantyn Huigens Ridder Heer van Zuilichem etc. In s’Gravenhage, of in’t leger, met een paxken.

BARTHOLDUS NIHUSIUS AAN FABIO CHIGI TE KEULEN

1644, 5 November.

...En et poema Belgicum in Summum Pontificem; quod est elegans admodum. Composuit id Justus Vondelius, nuper factus Catholicus, quem D. Marius vocitare solet Hollandiae Pindarum ac Sophoclem; admiraturque a multis jam annis, de vernacula poesi, tota haec natio. Sed et rigidi aliqui hic loci Calvinistae de Innocentio X loquuntur perhoneste, ac sperant per eum denique redditam iri mundo pacem.

Amstelodami v Novembris 1644.

MATTHEUS VOSSIUS AAN DEN RAADSPENSIONARIS JOAN DE BRUNE

1644, 22 November.

Optassem Vondelius in vertendis Annalibus meis fuisset progressus. Caeterum is, postquam ad pontificios defecit, nunc mavult tempus aliis terere. Interim serio operam dabo, ut per alium fieri possit.

VONDEL TO HUYGENS

1644, October 16

Noble Lord of Zuilichem,

I am still in your debt for the passports you provided for my daughter last year, sent to me by Mr. Wickevort, along with other favors I wish I could repay. Now, a certain Bruno has sent me your witty and spirited writings, which I read with pleasure. I am amazed that you find time for them despite your busy schedule. But your natural inclination cannot be separated from the creative source, which seems to delight you more than all courtly luxuries and delicacies.

Some enthusiasts and patrons of Dutch poetry have collected and printed my scattered poems, and I am sending you a copy, although it is mostly reheated fare. During the printing, I added some epitaphs, including one for your late wife, your lily or rose, besides her lament that I sent you earlier. I wish I had the opportunity to repay your kindness. Meanwhile, I pray to God to spare you and His Highness for the common good.

Noble Lord of Zuilichem,

From Amsterdam, your humble servant,
Joost van den Vondel
October 16, 1644
Address: To my lord, Mr. Constantijn Huygens, Knight, Lord of Zuilichem, etc., in The Hague, or in the camp, with a package.

BARTHOLDUS NIHUSIUS TO FABIO CHIGI IN COLOGNE

November 5, 1644

...And the Dutch poem about the Supreme Pontiff, which is very elegant. It was composed by Joost Vondel, who recently became Catholic. Mr. Marius often calls him the Pindar and Sophocles of Holland, and he has been admired for many years by this entire nation for his vernacular poetry. Even some strict Calvinists here speak very respectfully of Innocent X and hope that he will finally bring peace to the world.

Amsterdam, November 5, 1644.

MATTHEUS VOSSIUS TO THE GRAND PENSIONARY JOAN DE BRUNE

November 22, 1644

I wish Vondel had made more progress in translating my Annals. However, since he converted to Catholicism, he now prefers to spend his time on other things. In the meantime, I will seriously try to have it done by someone else.