Words: Antonio's OGR

The recipient's persona is late-period Italian. The callligraphy and illumination for this piece were by Eva Woderose, based on Missal (Harley 2912) of late 16th-century central Italy (possibly Rome). The original text was in Latin. I based the words on Gerusalemme Liberata, 1580 Italy, by Torquato Tasso.

The source was written in ottava rima, 8-line stanzas grouped into cantos of varying length with rhyme scheme ABABABCC. The text was most influenced by the verses below.

SCROLL TEXT Antonio Patrasso OGR (Backlog) O gracious court of Anno XXVIII, Lucan and Jana, second of their names, This 23rd of April, Saint Pusinna’s date, So order verse be writ for due acclaim And privileges of an increas’d estate, That lawful words uphold a lawful claim: Antonio Patrasso We raise hence To the Golden Rapier’s Order and defense. To our Companions, that venture forth To wars, and our lands defend From friends of Ignorance and Error’s worth, Your thoughtful eyes upon this labor bend: We, in Malagentia’s frozen north, Our Kingdom University attend To in turn defend your favor’d due As spring’s pledges blossom and renew.

SOURCE TEXT Gerusalemme Liberata, 1580 Italy, by Torquato Tasso II O heavenly Muse, that not with fading bays Deckest thy brow by the Heliconian spring, But sittest crowned with stars' immortal rays In Heaven, where legions of bright angels sing; Inspire life in my wit, my thoughts upraise, My verse ennoble, and forgive the thing, If fictions light I mix with truth divine, And fill these lines with other praise than thine. IV Ye noble Princes, that protect and save The Pilgrim Muses, and their ship defend From rock of Ignorance and Error's wave, Your gracious eyes upon this labor bend: To you these tales of love and conquest brave I dedicate, to you this work I send: My Muse hereafter shall perhaps unfold Your fights, your battles, and your combats bold.