FOREST POEMS

BOOK I.

CONCERNING HUNTING.

TO NICOLAUS STEPHANUS,

original: "Lecantas Radagisios." These are likely Latinized versions of the brothers' hereditary titles or estates.

original: "FF. Germanos" for Fratres Germanos, meaning brothers born of the same parents, not necessarily ethnic Germans.

An ornate decorative initial letter N features floral motifs and a woven basket, a common decorative element in eighteenth century printing.

I do not remember easily seeing such a great similarity of character and faces in any brothers as Nature has expressed and virtue has shaped in you, who flourish with every kind of distinction. Both of you possess a lively disposition and a similar physical form, reflecting your ancestors in your countenances. However, among your highest gifts, I have always admired much more the most pleasant union of your minds and interests. Indeed, by a most beautiful discovery, you have reconciled Diana and Pallas, goddesses who are certainly at odds and friendly in almost no agreement except for their shared virginity.
Diana is the Roman goddess of the hunt and the wilderness. Pallas Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, craft, and war. Balde uses them here to represent the active life of the hunter versus the contemplative life of the scholar.
These goddesses, who are said to have once avoided each other's sight in the councils of the gods because of their different ways of living and acting, now dwell peacefully and familiarly within the threshold of your home. Neither hinders the other; both assist you. The pleasure of hunting, when introduced, does not diminish the desire for knowledge. The former exercises the body, while the latter exercises the mind.

Harps hang from the antlers of stags; hunting spears are joined with quills for the lyre, and reeds are prepared for various uses.
The "reeds" (calami) likely refer to both arrows for the hunt and pens for writing, illustrating the brothers' dual interests.
The teeth of wolves and boars smooth the paper that is to be used for the most learned letters.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, animal teeth or stones were often used to burnish or smooth paper to make it suitable for fine writing.
The same study could be seen as both Maenalian and Castalian.
Mount Maenalus in Arcadia was sacred to Pan and associated with hunting. The Castalian spring on Mount Parnassus was sacred to the Muses and associated with poetic inspiration. Balde is saying their home is a place for both sport and art.
Without a declared profession, no...