On the Cryptomenytics and Cryptography
of Gustavus Selenus,

the Illustrious, an Ode by Georg Remus, Jurisconsult.

By the soft melody of the fashioning tongue 
        the mind’s deep thoughts in fitting form to utter,
was given us by the Universal Parent,  to fetch from far
        within and by the voice to express; and then to instill in
other’s minds, that so, the words, drunk in with listening ears
        by those at hand, again by such may be returned.
But, -- so it often happens, -- should some one of mortals
          chance to wish with one far off to hold converse,
none will deny that with great profit once was
          intercourse of reed and paper found. 
But many rightly make a scruple (should you understand)
          of committing secrets to the wax and paper. 
For the bold hand may with ease break either’s seal. 
          Countless are they that a letter’s secret words would spy. 
Hence, by the subtle strength of the vigorous mind,
          was found the art of arts, -- verily an art of most ingenious kind, --
which, by change of letters, numbers, figures, shows well
          the Mode of writing hidden thoughts. 
If tablets written for a friend far off, a thousand miles away,
          should chance, alack!  to be unsealed
by rudely bold and violent hand,
          vainly would it search the hidden folds thereof. 
Thee, thee, Selenus, I commend and laud, that
          thou hast by they study brought this art to what is o’en a marvel. 
Fortune favoring, thou hast done what none has done before or could do:
          and none shall go beyond, I know. 
Hence will posterity they praises sing, and fulfill they praises,
          Chief, thou, of the Cryptographic Art. 

Sung most joyfully and most dutifully,

by Georg Remus, Jurisconsult, Member of the

Council of the Free City of Nürenberg.  1622, 15 May.