Note 76 — Early Typography. CHAPTER III.
Reading edition
That Gutenberg considered himself an injured man is clear from statements which occur in both J. F. Faust’s and Arnold de Bergel’s accounts. The former states that Gutenberg was greatly angered by the lawsuit, and not only refused to be present at the close of the proceedings, but afterwards left Mentz for Strasburg, where he established a printing office of his own. This is not exactly correct; but as it shews the belief that existed in the Faust family, it is probable that he may have supplied Mentelin, the first printer there, with types and material to commence with. Bergel states, that when the originator of the contract (Faust) began to see some hopes of gain, he raised a discord which led to a rupture: that Gutenberg protested the strife was unjust, but the upshot was a separation, each one trusting to himself and his own press. The following lines shew this, and hint also at the belief that the tribunal before which the lawsuit was tried, was under influences adverse to Gutenberg; the old grudge of Burgher versus Noble, still making itself manifest.
“Hic dum cernebant raras procedere merces, Sanxerunt dextris foedera pacta suis: Quæ Deus, aut fortuna dabit, communia sunto, Æqualis nostrum sitque laboris onus. Foedera sed lucri raro concordia nutrit, Indiga sunt pacis dissidioque patent. Sit postquam autores quæstus spes cepit habendi, Ad lites vertunt pectora capta leves. In partes abeunt, sinceraque pacta resolvunt, Et promissa cadunt, irrita fitque fides; Cuilibet ut propriis serviret pergula prelis, Et sibi multijugas quisque pararet opes. Non tulit injustas mens Gutenbergica rixas, Testatur Superos foedera rupta Deos. Caussa fori tandem pavidi defertur ad ora; Scribitur ac illis dica nefanda fori. Tempore sed longo res est tractata dicaci Lite, hodie pendet judicis inque sinu.” Encomion Chalcographiæ, v.v. 245–263.