Works of Pierre de Ronsard

Here is a copy of an extremely rare edition in four volumes of the works of the great French poet. Only two other complete copies of this first edition are known.

Below, an extract taken from Discourse on the Miseries of this Time. The poet addresses Catherine de Medici so that she uses her authority to put an end to the civil war which is tearing Catholics and Protestants apart.

Letter addressed to Jeanne d'Albret, 1569

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This manuscript by Admiral Gaspard de Coligny was one of the main Protestant leaders during the wars of religion in ^16th century France.

Speech to the Queen
The ace ! Madam, at this time when the cruel storm
Threatens the French with such a pitiful shipwreck,
Let the hail and the rain and the fury of the heavens
The sea has been angered by seditious winds,
And may the twin star no longer deign to shine,
Take the rudder of this poor ship,
And despite the storm and the cruel effort
From the sea and the winds, lead him safely to port.
France with joined hands begs and prays to you,
Weary who will soon be and prey and mockery
Foreign princes, please in brief
By your authority appease this villain.

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