Note 2 — CONTENTS
Reading edition
Cantiones Sacrae for 5 Voices with Basso Continuo for Organ.
by
RICHARD DEERING, Englishman, Organist to the venerable English Nuns in the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Brussels. Antwerp. at the house of Peter Phalese 1617.
Dedication
To Sir William Stanley, Knight, renewed at home and in Military life, Councillor at war to the most honourable and invincible Catholic King, his most worshipful Lord.
For long my Music has desired to come forward. She is not unpolished (for she was born in the first City of the World) but she is modest. For it is customary with new men, especially those that are bashful, not to bring their offspring however excellent to the light, until they find some distinguished man, whose approval if they win, they need fear neither the abuse of rivals nor the criticism of the ignorant.
But what patron should my music choose in preference to your lordship? When permitted to relax your mind from military cares, you think no delight, no pleasure greater than music. To music you give the chief place after war, in which none surpass you. Therefore let my child go forth with you for its patron. If you are the first to smile upon it as it takes its first modest steps, you will give it wonderful courage, for greater things. Live, flourish and conquer.
In War we long for Peace; Peace endeth wars, Music makes jocund Peace to know no jars.
Your most obedient servant, R. Deering.