Dwie anonimowe sielanki z pierwszej połowy XVII wieku z rękopisu Biblioteki Baworowskich we Lwowie

Abstract

Two Anonymous Eclogues from the First Half of the 17th Century Found in a Manuscript Preserved in the Baworowscyki Library in Lviv The main aim of this paper is to present a critical edition of two eclogues found in manuscript no. 1332 in the Baworowscy Library in Lviv. The eclogues were probably written in the 1630s or the early 1640s. This is the first critical edition of these texts. Manuscript no. 1332 is the only known source of these eclogues. The transcription is based on the rules contained in the script Zasady wydawania tekstow staropolskich (Wroclaw 1955; “B” transcription). The punctuation has been adapted to contemporary rules. The transcription is provided with detailed notes and commentaries, which are a source of information about the meaning of Old-Polish words as well as proverbs. References to biblical texts and mythological and historical context are also well explained. “The first eclogue, entitled A Quarrel, is a paraphrase of the Sixth Eclogue of Baptista Mantuanus. It was written in the form of a dialogue between two shepherds who talk about the habits of the townspeople.” One of the interlocutors criticizes the vices of the courtiers, merchants, astrologers, medics, lawyers and Christian priests. These tirades are contrasted with the second shepherd’s replies. He condemns his interlocutor and accuses him of being too impetuous. This eclogue bears the mark of a strong influence from the pastoral poetry written by Simon Simonides. This influence is evident in the pessimistic, decadent atmosphere and sad reflections on human degeneration. The eclogue contains an anecdote that humorously explains the main cause of social inequality. The second eclogue, The Grandiosity or the Election of Vladislaus IV Vasa, King of Poland and Sweden, is connected with the election sejm that took place in 1632. This poem is a paraphrase of the Seventh Eclogue of Calpurnius. Like A Quarrel, it is written in the form of a dialogue between two shepherds. One of them returns to the village after a long absence. He is asked by his friend to tell him about his journey. It turns out that the traveller visited Warsaw and was a witness to the election of Vladislaus IV Vasa. The panegyric part of the poem is extensive and implies that the decision of the electors was inspired by God. The author ingeniously uses some phrases from Calpurnius’ eclogue to describe the works of art collected by the king. Both eclogues reveal formidable literary training – they are comparable to bucolics written by Jan Gawinski and Adrian Wieszczycki.