Andreas Ornithoparcus his Micrologus, or Introduction: containing the art of singing Digested into foure bookes. Not onely profitable, but also necessary for all that are studious of musicke. Also the dimension and perfect vse of the monochord, according to Guido Aretinus. By Iohn Douland lutenist, lute-player, and Bachelor of Musicke in both the Vniuersities. 1609.

THE FIRST CHAPTER.

Of the Profit and Praise of this Art.

BOêtius that Romane, (whose wit in Musicke no man euer mended; nay, neuer attained to, in the first Chapter of his Musicke) writes, That there is such efficacie in Harmoni∣call Consents, as a man though he would, cannot want them. For Musicke driueth away those cares which driue away sleepe, stilleth crying children, mitigateth the paine of those which labour, refresheth wearied bodies, refor∣meth appassionate minds. And euery liuing soule is so ouercome with Mu∣sicall sounds; that not onely they which are of the gallanter sort (as saith Ma∣crobius) but euen all barbarous Nations doevse Songs, either such as stirre them vp to an ardent embracing of vertue; or doe melt them in vnwor∣thy pleasures: and so are they possessed with the sweetnesse of Harmony, that by Musicke the Alarum to warre is giuen, by Musicke the Retraite is sounded, as if the Note did both stirre vp, and after allay that vertue of for∣titude. Now of the two, that Musicke which we call Mensurall, doth specially performe these effects. For this (as Isidorus saith) stirreth vp not onely men, but also beasts, serpents, birds, and Dolphins with the sweetnesse of the har∣mony. By this did Arion preserue himselfe in the middle of the sea; by this did Amphion the Dircaean gather together stones for building the Theban walles. By this did Timotheus the Phrygian so enflame Alexander Magnus, the Conquerour of the whole world, that he rise from the table where he sat, and called for his armes; and afterwards changing his Moode on the In∣strument, did cause him to put off his armour, and sit downe againe to ban∣quet. By this did Dauid the princely Singer, helpe Saul the King of Is∣rael, when he was vexed with an vncleane Spirit; by this, not onely the great God, the maker of all things, but also the furies of the Stygian God are delighted, appeased, and mitigated. For this is the Lady and Mistresse of all other Arts; which can delight both those that be in Plutoes iurisdiction, and those that abode in Neptunes fields; and those that liue in Iupiters eter∣nally-lightsome Mansions. This Art onely, leauing the earth, flyeth vp before

the tribunall seat of the highest Iudge; where together with the Instruments of the Saints it soundeth, where the Angels and Archangels doe incessant∣ly sing Hymnes to God, where the Cherubins, and Seraphins, cry with a continuall voyce, Holy, holy, holy. Besides, no Art without Musicke can be per∣fect: wherefore Pythagoras appointed his Schollers they should both when they went to rest, and when they awaked vse Melodies. Besides, Musicke doth gouerne and sharpen the manners and fashions of men. For euen Nero whilst he gaue himselfe to Musicke, was most gentle, as Seneca witnesseth: but when hee leauing of Musicke, and set his minde on the Diabolicall Art of Nicromancie, then first began that fierce crueltie of his; then was he changed from a Lambe to a Wolfe, and out of a most milde prince trans∣formed into a most sauage beast. But least I digresse too farre, and least we proceede from vnknowne beginnings, I will briefly set downe what this Mu∣sicke is. Therefore Mensurall Musicke is a knowledge of making Songs by fi∣gures, which are in forme differing, and hauing the quantity of Moode, time, and Prolation: Or it is an Art, whose Harmony is effected by the variety of figures and voyces.