Solemn Orations in Praise of the Divine Elector Princes of Saxony, Maurice and Christian I (1602) - Page 11

ORATION I.
B 2

occur, that all Imperial Virtues, all ornaments of a good and salutary prince, seem to have conspired in Maurice alone.

1409.

What then? Shall I celebrate the splendid birth of Maurice? But this has been done by many until now: nor is there anyone who is ignorant that Maurice, Elector, derived his origin from Frederick called the Warlike, the founder of our Academy nearly two hundred years ago, the first Elector of Saxony, and from Frederick the Second the Peaceful, son of the Warlike, likewise Elector, from Albert, son of the Peaceful, and finally from Henry, son of Albert. If anyone, even if firm and strong, were to attempt to set forth the virtues of each of these in an oration, not only would days fail him, but also his voice and his lungs. Shall I speak of the youth and education of Maurice? But that has much in common with other young princes; although Maurice produced excellent specimens of a heroic nature early on. Shall I celebrate the marriage of Maurice celebrated with Agnes, daughter of the most brave prince, the Landgrave? But neither is this unique. Shall I commemorate the deeds of Maurice during his 12 years of rule? That has been done in part at another time, and each year would require its own oration: Where shall I turn myself in such abundance and richness of material? Let others exert their oratorical strength in commemorating the Maurician expeditions against the most monstrous enemy of the Christian name, the Turkish Tyrant, against the King of France, Francis, against the agnate Elector, and finally against the Emperor Charles V himself, who was holding the Elector and the Landgrave in chains beyond his promised faith: Let them celebrate those most ample honors, the Electoral dignity nearly equal to royal Majesty, which he obtained from the Caesar in a public solemnity at Augsburg original: "Augusta Vindelicorum": let them proclaim the expedition undertaken at the will of the Caesar, at the expense of the entire