To Gustavus Selenus.

1.

On the Elucidation of the Steganographia,
a Sportive Poem.

While in clear light you placed the Abbot Tritheim’s art,
        which Tritheim had in wondrous ways concealed,
the prophet smiled and to his usual arts recurred:  
        “For these attempts of yours,” he said, “thou shalt not
unpunished go.”  And straightway, round about him thronging, the crowd
        of spirits he called, and incantations dire, intoning, hurled,  Incantations
 whereby, with proper rites, the names august of Gustavo Selene,
        false-called, he had from out his knots extracted. 
At which, forth leaping, he who first in honor is, Pamersiel,
        belched forth from horrid-sounding mouth grim words: 

“Hakul Gavoseti, Visodrum Xydreal Uvyn
        Zehnablu Progodset Rhidue Nagdeory.” 

He takes the word:  “Ha! just so! While to betray my secrets the prophet
       pleases, and on my offspring dishonor bring, lo!
also you betray what you wished should be unknown, -- you own true name,
       flitting hitherto through the learned mouths of men.
Whereby I hid my secrets in shadow everywhere, behold! 
       on this side and one that they catch the light within.

2.  On the Whole System,

A Commendatory Poem.

So it is, my perfect good, great fame
comes hence to THEE and to SELENUS,
and equal praise is either’s need. 
But herein does Selenus thee surpass,
that to his little book of STENOGRAPHIC forms,
in every point so scholarly, and perfect in detail,
whereas was PALLAS three times with amazement struck,
he’s brought of learning, thickly-packed, as much as ever was.

Done by

Matthaus Bortius, J.U.L., an intimate friend of the Author, and Burgo-master of Salswedel.