TO THE CANDID READER

The Author.

The Poem on the Vanity of the World, or the Secular Song, has been published several times before. However, I now present it to you for the first time in the style of a Contest, driven by the clamor of Mars original: "clamore Martio." Mars is the Roman god of war. Balde implies the poem is presented with a forceful, military intensity., the crash of trumpets, and certain goading spurs. If I accept my own omens, I expect to carry away no reward for my labor other than Vanity itself. Many will condemn the Poem and the Poet, the Writer and the Book, with the most unrestrained criticism. What shall I do? I will prepare my heart well with these thoughts: I shall wipe away the witty bitterness of detractors with an indulgence of spirit and a modest cheerfulness. Such cheerfulness is quite hateful to the likes of Momus In Greek mythology, Momus is the personification of satire and mockery, often used by authors to represent harsh critics.. If necessary, I will repeatedly chant my usual solemn refrain:

original: "Vanitas Vanitatum, dixit Ecclesiastes, Vanitas Vanitatum, & omnia Vanitas." This is a famous quote from the biblical book of Ecclesiastes 1:2, traditionally attributed to King Solomon.

From this oracle of the wisest and most experienced King, I have drawn a hundred lines in every direction as if from a single point. I have followed Vanity with laughter for what is ridiculous, tears for what is mournful, sarcasm for what is proud, and pity for what is wretched.

Saint Chrysostom John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) was an important Early Church Father known as the "Golden-Mouthed" for his eloquence. treated this same argument most eloquently in his Sermon on Eutropius, which is found in the fifth volume of his Works. I have transferred a good part of that sermon here and placed it at the beginning to serve as a sort of synopsis. This is done so that it may be clear how deservedly the wretched Eunuch filled Stanza 62. At the same time, the mention of this one man, strengthened by the testimony of the holy Father, may increase the credibility of the others. Eutropius the Eunuch, a Patrician and Consul, and the Prefect of the bedchamber for the Emperor Arcadius, gave the Golden Orator an occasion to rail against the inconstancy of Fortune. This happened when Eutropius, having offended the Prince, hid under the altar of the Church. Ironically, he had previously attempted to abolish the Right of Asylum The right of a person under pursuit to find sanctuary and protection from arrest within a church. for that very same Church.