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Petitions from and Privilege granted to Gerard Voss for his Latin translation of the works of St. Ephrem of Syria, Rome (1589)
Source: 140 Sec Brev Reg F 314 (1589)
Citation:
Petitions from and Privilege granted to Gerard Voss for his Latin translation of the works of St. Ephrem of Syria, Rome (1589), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
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9 translated pages
Chapter 1 Page 1
Petition 1
[315r]
Most blessed father,
[1-8] Already the first volume has been printed of all the works from the Greek which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained thus far of our father Saint Ephrem of Syria, having been given in Latin and having been illustrated all over with marginal commentary by me, I deem however that lest that work published recently in Rome, be changed or altered, or corrupted, whether by negligence or ill-will or any other pretense, or deformed by mistakes, or otherwise changed perchance in title, or form, either by adding or subtracting:
[8-19] I beg for an indemnity of the work already being published, Your Holiness, that your motu proprio may warn, interdict, and restrain all the Christian faithful, especially printers of books, and booksellers, existing here and everywhere—for ten years counted from the date of the present decrees—should not dare or presume without my written license to print this first volume of works of Saint Ephrem, already published by me, and two others of the same Saint, afterwards to be published—God willing—for a span of as many of years to be counted from the publishing of each one of them, or to publish them either with another title, or form, or changed under any pretense, or translated into any other language, or having thus been published, to sell them, or to hold them for sale,
[19-22] under the usual penalties and censures that are assigned in this matter, and they will extend broadly in the MOTU proprio itself. Whose prompt and agreeable expedition it will especially please to commit to the Reverend Secretary of Papal Letters in this truly pious and favorable matter. &c.
Your Holiness' humble and most devoted servant,
Gerard Voss, Priest and Doctor of Holy Theology, etc.
Chapter 1 Page 2
Petition 2
[316r]
To the most reverend and divine Vestri,
[1-10] Truly, it seems remarkable, that although I expended, gratuitously, and in best spirit for the Church of God, and the Universal Christian republic, so many labors in [which] I seek to translate into Latin the works of the Saint and the notable holy writing of the writer [Ephrem of Syria], and in printing these in Rome thus far, and this business was entrusted to me by your holiness, and the Motu Proprio having been conceded already in the same way, such great difficulties may be tied to me in remitting the fee for[XXX] the expedition of the same motu proprio. Just as you have heard such very effective reasons from me myself, so too have you heard and understood exceedingly from Reverend Doctor Buccapaduli in person why I do not insert another matter, and as such you may settle the truly just matter, or if it may be necessary, you may propose it to the Reverend Doctor in that congregation of the secretaries, and you may expedite the privileges by joint consent.
[11-15] The reason why I desire to apply for that motu proprio, is this: lest this work, having exacted so much of my labor at the Holy Apostolic Throne, and having been printed, might be mutilated and corrupted by others elsewhere (as is wont to occur, not without ecclesiastical detriment); wherefore I long to be free, as the sole author, so to speak, to grant to others the ability to print this same work elsewhere, and if some bookseller wishes such a thing, he would require it from me.
[16-19] This is the first eastern father, which has been translated from Greek to Latin, now for the first time is printed in Rome, having been dedicated to Your Holiness, from whose sacred hands I accepted that first work in the Greek language, whence it would truly seem out of character and absurd, if we were to be consumed by those onerous taxes in an as yet similar matter.
[20-22] Truly and frankly I say, if that Motu Proprio is not conceded and expedited for me through all things freely, I have decided to disregard it entirely, & to defer every matter, therefore I would wish that the matter be judged well, so that a better resolution may be given.
Always most dedicated to your services,
Gerard Voss, Doctor etc.
Chapter 1 Page 3
[317]
To the Most Reverend and Divine Doctor Vestri
Secretary of Papal Letters, etc.
[317bis]
To Our Holiest Father
To Monsignor Vestri
For R
Doctor Gerard Voss
Privilege
[314r]
To the beloved son Gerard Voss, Priest of the Diocese of Liege
Master in Theology
Pope Sixtus V
[1-10] Beloved son, greetings, etc. Since we have learned you have arranged for the first volume of all the works of Saint Ephrem of Syria—which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained in Greek, and having been recently translated into Latin by you, and having been illustrated throughout with marginal notes—to be printed.
[4-10] We, who are accustomed to foster the talents of all learned men, and wishing that you proceed with special favor and grace, so that especially, as much as the volume is already published, so much the rest in succession may issue uninterrupted as correctly as possible, nor be changed, or altered, or corrupted, or distorted by blemishes caused either by ill-will or negligence, or changed by adding or subtracting anything in any way.
[10-16] By motu proprio, not due to your insistence of the petition offered to us in this matter, nor due to that of another on your behalf, but from our certain knowledge, and from the plenitude of Apostolic power, by apostolic authority in the tenor of the present decrees we interdict and prohibit one and all the Christian faithful, of either sex, especially the printers of books, and booksellers, situated as in Rome, and in its district, and in the whole Ecclesisastical State, under [penalty] of five hundred ducats of gold (the type which is used by the Apostolic treasury) to be brought to our Apostolic treasury, by accused himself, and the loss of all the books and the type fonts—so also in all Italy, and outside it in any location or established nation
Chapter 1 Page 4
[314v]
[1-2] under penalty of a greater sentence of excommunication latae sententiae, to be incurred by him himself without another declaration.
[2-10] For ten years computed from the date of the decrees, no one should dare or presume to print the aforementioned first volume already published, nor each and every one of the rest of the volumes of the same works of thesaid Saint Ephrem, to be translated into the Latin language by you, and thereafter to be published similarly, for the duration of the decade, from whichever of them is to be numbered the first, without your written license, or having been changed in title or form by any pretext, or having been translated into any other language, or thus published, to sell them, or to offer them for sale.
[10-16] We order the venerable brother patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries of places, and their Vicars General or officials in spiritual matters, and in the said ecclesiastic state the legates, vicelegates, governors, powers, and other officials, so that as much and as often as they should be requested through you or in your name, they would carry out these decrees against the disobedient, and cause them to be observed, with the help of the secular arm to be called upon also in this matter, or consulted, if there is need.
[16-21] Notwithstanding constitutions, apostolic ordinances, statutes and customs—strengthened by oath, apostolic confirmation, or any other reinforcement— or privileges, indulgences, and apostolic letters however conceded and confirmed to any persons whomsoever: we expressly and specifically in this matter derogate, as well as from all other things contrary whatsoever, with all being expressed sufficiently in the present decrees, and if they are to be inscribed according to what was said,
Chapter 1 Page 5
[318r]
[1-6] the holders of these letters remain effective in their strength. Moreover, we wish that in jurisdiction anywhere, or beyond, the same credit which would attach to the present letters originally exhibited should be applied to copies of these present, even printed in these volumes themselves. Dated in Rome at St. Peter's under the Ring of the Fisherman, on 22nd day of April, 1589, in the fourth year.
M. Vestrius Barbianus
Chapter 1 Page 6
Chapter 1 Page 7
Chapter 1 Page 8
Chapter 1 Page 9
Privilege
[Reprinted Privilege 1589 ed.]7
POPE SIXTUS V
To the beloved son Gerard Voss, Priest of the Diocese of Liege
Master in Theology, etc.
[1-3] Beloved son, greetings, and Apostolic blessing.8 Since we have learned you have arranged for the first volume of all the works of Saint Father9 Ephrem of Syria—which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained in Greek, and having been recently translated into Latin by you, and having been illustrated throughout with marginal notes—to be printed.
[4-7] We, who are accustomed to foster the talents of all learned men, and wishing that you proceed with special favor and grace, so that especially, as much that volume is already published, so much the rest in succession may issue by you uninterrupted as correctly as possible, nor be changed, or altered, or corrupted, or distorted by blemishes caused either by ill-will or negligence, or changed by adding or subtracting anything in any way.
[7-14] By motu proprio, not due to your insistence of the petition offered to us in this matter, nor due to that of another on your behalf, but from our certain knowledge, and from the plenitude of Apostolic power, by apostolic authority in the tenor of the present decrees we interdict and prohibit one and all the Christian faithful, of either sex, especially the printers of books, and booksellers, situated as in Rome, and in its district, and in the whole Ecclesisastical State, under [penalty] of five hundred ducats of gold (the type which is used by the Apostolic treasury) to be brought to our Apostolic treasury, by him himself, and the loss of all the books and the presses—so also in all Italy, and outside it in any location or established nation under penalty of a greater sentence of excommunication latae sententiae, to be incurred by him himself without another declaration.
[14-18] For ten years computed from the date of the decrees, no one should dare or presume to print the aforementioned first volume already published, nor each and every one of the rest of the volumes of the same works of the said Saint Ephrem, to be translated into the Latin language by you, and thereafter to be published similarly, for the duration of the decade, from whichever of them is to be numbered the first, without your written license, or having been changed in title or form by any pretext, or having been translated into any other language, or thus published, to sell them, or to offer them for sale.
.
[18-22] We order the venerable brother patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries of places, and their Vicars General or officials in spiritual matters, and in the said ecclesiastic state the legates, vicelegates, governors, powers, and other officials, so that as much and as often as they should be requested through you or in your name, they would carry out these decrees against the disobedient, and cause them to be observed, with the help of the secular arm to be called upon also in this matter, or consulted, if there is need.
[22-30] Notwithstanding constitutions, apostolic ordinances, statutes and customs—strengthened by oath, apostolic confirmation, or any other reinforcement— or privileges, indulgences, and apostolic letters however conceded and confirmed to any persons whomsoever: we expressly and specifically in this matter derogate, as well as from all other things contrary whatsoever, with all being expressed sufficiently in the present decrees, and if they are to be inscribed according to what was said, the holders of these letters remain effective in their strength. We wish that in judicial matters the same absolute credit which would be applied to the present letters originally exhibited should be fully applied to copies of the present decrees, even printed in the volumes themselves. Dated in Rome at St. Peter's under the Ring of the Fisherman, on 22nd day of April, 1589, in the fourth year of our pontificate.10
M. Vestri Barbiani
7This version of the privilege granted to Gerard Voss was reprinted in the 1589 first edition of Voss’ compilation of St Ephrem’s works, referenced above. Discrepancies between the two privileges (i.e. 316r) have been underlined and noted. The 1589 edition has been digitized by Google Books, available at this link.
8Absent from 316r.
9Absent from 316r.
10Absent from 315r.
Translation by:
Source: 140 Sec Brev Reg F 314 (1589)
Citation:
Petitions from and Privilege granted to Gerard Voss for his Latin translation of the works of St. Ephrem of Syria, Rome (1589), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
Back | Record | Images | Commentaries: [1]
Translation only | Transcription only | Show all | Bundled images as pdf
9 translated pages
Chapter 1 Page 1
Superscript = inserted by original or different author between lines
[ ] = inserted by original or different author in margin
{ } = supplied by transcribers
Bold script = written in a different hand
Strike through = crossed out, but legible
[XXX] = illegible
Petition 1
[315r]
Most blessed father,
[1-8] Already the first volume has been printed of all the works from the Greek which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained thus far of our father Saint Ephrem of Syria, having been given in Latin and having been illustrated all over with marginal commentary by me, I deem however that lest that work published recently in Rome, be changed or altered, or corrupted, whether by negligence or ill-will or any other pretense, or deformed by mistakes, or otherwise changed perchance in title, or form, either by adding or subtracting:
[8-19] I beg for an indemnity of the work already being published, Your Holiness, that your motu proprio may warn, interdict, and restrain all the Christian faithful, especially printers of books, and booksellers, existing here and everywhere—for ten years counted from the date of the present decrees—should not dare or presume without my written license to print this first volume of works of Saint Ephrem, already published by me, and two others of the same Saint, afterwards to be published—God willing—for a span of as many of years to be counted from the publishing of each one of them, or to publish them either with another title, or form, or changed under any pretense, or translated into any other language, or having thus been published, to sell them, or to hold them for sale,
[19-22] under the usual penalties and censures that are assigned in this matter, and they will extend broadly in the MOTU proprio itself. Whose prompt and agreeable expedition it will especially please to commit to the Reverend Secretary of Papal Letters in this truly pious and favorable matter. &c.
Your Holiness' humble and most devoted servant,
Gerard Voss, Priest and Doctor of Holy Theology, etc.
Chapter 1 Page 2
Petition 2
[316r]
To the most reverend and divine Vestri,
[1-10] Truly, it seems remarkable, that although I expended, gratuitously, and in best spirit for the Church of God, and the Universal Christian republic, so many labors in [which] I seek to translate into Latin the works of the Saint and the notable holy writing of the writer [Ephrem of Syria], and in printing these in Rome thus far, and this business was entrusted to me by your holiness, and the Motu Proprio having been conceded already in the same way, such great difficulties may be tied to me in remitting the fee for
[11-15] The reason why I desire to apply for that motu proprio, is this: lest this work, having exacted so much of my labor at the Holy Apostolic Throne, and having been printed, might be mutilated and corrupted by others elsewhere (as is wont to occur, not without ecclesiastical detriment); wherefore I long to be free, as the sole author, so to speak, to grant to others the ability to print this same work elsewhere, and if some bookseller wishes such a thing, he would require it from me.
[16-19] This is the first eastern father, which has been translated from Greek to Latin, now for the first time is printed in Rome, having been dedicated to Your Holiness, from whose sacred hands I accepted that first work in the Greek language, whence it would truly seem out of character and absurd, if we were to be consumed by those onerous taxes in an as yet similar matter.
[20-22] Truly and frankly I say, if that Motu Proprio is not conceded and expedited for me through all things freely, I have decided to disregard it entirely, & to defer every matter, therefore I would wish that the matter be judged well, so that a better resolution may be given.
Always most dedicated to your services,
Gerard Voss, Doctor etc.
Chapter 1 Page 3
[317]
To the Most Reverend and Divine Doctor Vestri
Secretary of Papal Letters, etc.
[317bis]
To Our Holiest Father
To Monsignor Vestri
For R
Doctor Gerard Voss
Privilege
[314r]
To the beloved son Gerard Voss, Priest of the Diocese of Liege
Master in Theology
Pope Sixtus V
[1-10] Beloved son, greetings, etc. Since we have learned you have arranged for the first volume of all the works of Saint Ephrem of Syria—which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained in Greek, and having been recently translated into Latin by you, and having been illustrated throughout with marginal notes—to be printed.
[4-10] We, who are accustomed to foster the talents of all learned men, and wishing that you proceed with special favor and grace, so that especially, as much as the volume is already published, so much the rest in succession may issue uninterrupted as correctly as possible, nor be changed, or altered, or corrupted, or distorted by blemishes caused either by ill-will or negligence, or changed by adding or subtracting anything in any way.
[10-16] By motu proprio, not due to your insistence of the petition offered to us in this matter, nor due to that of another on your behalf, but from our certain knowledge, and from the plenitude of Apostolic power, by apostolic authority in the tenor of the present decrees we interdict and prohibit one and all the Christian faithful, of either sex, especially the printers of books, and booksellers, situated as in Rome, and in its district, and in the whole Ecclesisastical State, under [penalty] of five hundred ducats of gold (the type which is used by the Apostolic treasury) to be brought to our Apostolic treasury, by accused himself, and the loss of all the books and the type fonts—so also in all Italy, and outside it in any location or established nation
Chapter 1 Page 4
[314v]
[1-2] under penalty of a greater sentence of excommunication latae sententiae, to be incurred by him himself without another declaration.
[2-10] For ten years computed from the date of the decrees, no one should dare or presume to print the aforementioned first volume already published, nor each and every one of the rest of the volumes of the same works of the
[10-16] We order the venerable brother patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries of places, and their Vicars General or officials in spiritual matters, and in the said ecclesiastic state the legates, vicelegates, governors, powers, and other officials, so that as much and as often as they should be requested through you or in your name, they would carry out these decrees against the disobedient, and cause them to be observed, with the help of the secular arm to be called upon also in this matter, or consulted, if there is need.
[16-21] Notwithstanding constitutions, apostolic ordinances, statutes and customs—strengthened by oath, apostolic confirmation, or any other reinforcement— or privileges, indulgences, and apostolic letters however conceded and confirmed to any persons whomsoever: we expressly and specifically in this matter derogate, as well as from all other things contrary whatsoever, with all being expressed sufficiently in the present decrees, and if they are to be inscribed according to what was said,
Chapter 1 Page 5
[318r]
[1-6] the holders of these letters remain effective in their strength. Moreover, we wish that in jurisdiction anywhere, or beyond, the same credit which would attach to the present letters originally exhibited should be applied to copies of these present, even printed in these volumes themselves. Dated in Rome at St. Peter's under the Ring of the Fisherman, on 22nd day of April, 1589, in the fourth year.
M. Vestrius Barbianus
Chapter 1 Page 6
Chapter 1 Page 7
Chapter 1 Page 8
Chapter 1 Page 9
Privilege
[Reprinted Privilege 1589 ed.]7
POPE SIXTUS V
To the beloved son Gerard Voss, Priest of the Diocese of Liege
Master in Theology, etc.
[1-3] Beloved son, greetings, and Apostolic blessing.8 Since we have learned you have arranged for the first volume of all the works of Saint Father9 Ephrem of Syria—which have thus far been able to be discovered and obtained in Greek, and having been recently translated into Latin by you, and having been illustrated throughout with marginal notes—to be printed.
[4-7] We, who are accustomed to foster the talents of all learned men, and wishing that you proceed with special favor and grace, so that especially, as much that volume is already published, so much the rest in succession may issue by you uninterrupted as correctly as possible, nor be changed, or altered, or corrupted, or distorted by blemishes caused either by ill-will or negligence, or changed by adding or subtracting anything in any way.
[7-14] By motu proprio, not due to your insistence of the petition offered to us in this matter, nor due to that of another on your behalf, but from our certain knowledge, and from the plenitude of Apostolic power, by apostolic authority in the tenor of the present decrees we interdict and prohibit one and all the Christian faithful, of either sex, especially the printers of books, and booksellers, situated as in Rome, and in its district, and in the whole Ecclesisastical State, under [penalty] of five hundred ducats of gold (the type which is used by the Apostolic treasury) to be brought to our Apostolic treasury, by him himself, and the loss of all the books and the presses—so also in all Italy, and outside it in any location or established nation under penalty of a greater sentence of excommunication latae sententiae, to be incurred by him himself without another declaration.
[14-18] For ten years computed from the date of the decrees, no one should dare or presume to print the aforementioned first volume already published, nor each and every one of the rest of the volumes of the same works of the said Saint Ephrem, to be translated into the Latin language by you, and thereafter to be published similarly, for the duration of the decade, from whichever of them is to be numbered the first, without your written license, or having been changed in title or form by any pretext, or having been translated into any other language, or thus published, to sell them, or to offer them for sale.
.
[18-22] We order the venerable brother patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries of places, and their Vicars General or officials in spiritual matters, and in the said ecclesiastic state the legates, vicelegates, governors, powers, and other officials, so that as much and as often as they should be requested through you or in your name, they would carry out these decrees against the disobedient, and cause them to be observed, with the help of the secular arm to be called upon also in this matter, or consulted, if there is need.
[22-30] Notwithstanding constitutions, apostolic ordinances, statutes and customs—strengthened by oath, apostolic confirmation, or any other reinforcement— or privileges, indulgences, and apostolic letters however conceded and confirmed to any persons whomsoever: we expressly and specifically in this matter derogate, as well as from all other things contrary whatsoever, with all being expressed sufficiently in the present decrees, and if they are to be inscribed according to what was said, the holders of these letters remain effective in their strength. We wish that in judicial matters the same absolute credit which would be applied to the present letters originally exhibited should be fully applied to copies of the present decrees, even printed in the volumes themselves. Dated in Rome at St. Peter's under the Ring of the Fisherman, on 22nd day of April, 1589, in the fourth year of our pontificate.10
M. Vestri Barbiani
7This version of the privilege granted to Gerard Voss was reprinted in the 1589 first edition of Voss’ compilation of St Ephrem’s works, referenced above. Discrepancies between the two privileges (i.e. 316r) have been underlined and noted. The 1589 edition has been digitized by Google Books, available at this link.
8Absent from 316r.
9Absent from 316r.
10Absent from 315r.
Translation by: