J. WESTERBAEN AAN HUYGENS

1655, 22 December.

...Dum trepido ad horum et arundinum umbras, prodiit tan- dem post tres ab editione odarum istarum menses libellus cuius- dam anonymi, qui se Vondelium aut Vondelii praecursorem ap- pellat. Placuit huic tenebrioni personam induere viri, quem mihi putabat aliquatenus infestum, ut forsitan illum sibi hyperas- pisten in arenam hanc contra me hoc pacto alliceret, qui me cum larvis luctantem porro conficeret. Etsi autem haec cordatis, si spernerentur, vilescere posse videbantur, tamen ne silentium meum in conscientiam duceret hic lucifuga, et id serio trium- pharet apud illos, qui inter sacrum et saxum discernere non norunt, visum fuit aliquid calumniis et obtrectationibus illius reponere, cuius exemplar ad te mitto.

J. v. d. VONDEL AAN BALTHASAR MORETUS

1656, 21 September.

Eerentveste ende Hooghgeleerde Heer Balthasar Moretus oft het ghebeurde dat toonder deses de somme van twalf guldens by V.E. versocht, soo bidde vriendelyck hem die te tellen waeraen my vriendtschap sal gheschieden. Ick ben bereyt die terstont aen Hendrick Barentsens of den bode wederom te betaelen, en zyt na groetenis Gode bevolen. In Amsterdam 1656 den 21 September onderteekent J. v. Vondel.

J. WESTERBAEN TO HUYGENS

December 22, 1655

...While I was anxiously waiting in the shadows of these reeds, a small anonymous book finally appeared three months after the publication of those odes. The author calls himself Vondel or a precursor to Vondel. This shadowy figure decided to take on the persona of a man he thought was somewhat hostile to me, perhaps to lure him into this arena against me as his champion, hoping he would defeat me while I wrestled with phantoms.

Although it seemed to wise people that these things could be ignored and would lose their value, I felt it necessary to respond to his slanders and accusations. I didn't want my silence to be taken as an admission of guilt by this skulker, who might then triumph seriously among those who cannot distinguish between sacred and profane. I am sending you a copy of my response.

J. v. d. VONDEL TO BALTHASAR MORETUS

September 21, 1656

Honorable and Highly Learned Sir Balthasar Moretus, if it happened that the bearer of this requested the sum of twelve guilders from Your Excellency, I kindly ask you to give it to him, as it will fulfill my friendship. I am ready to repay it immediately to Hendrick Barentsens or the messenger. With greetings, I commend you to God. In Amsterdam, September 21, 1656, signed J. v. Vondel.