BILLY (Jacques de).

Ɵ Spiritual Sonnets, collected for the most part from ancient Theologians both Greek and Latin. Paris, Nicolas Chesneau [De l'Imprimerie de Nicolas Bruslé], 1573. In-8, havana morocco, large Renaissance fleuron in the center of the boards, spine decorated with small cold fleurons, inner lace, gilt edges (Trautz-Bauzonnet). First edition of this work of piety, gathering a hundred spiritual sonnets, each accompanied by a short commentary. A second book of 100 new sonnets appeared in 1578. Jacques de Billy (1535-1581), a poet, translator and theologian from Poitou, was a wanderer and hid for a long time: he had lost his abbey of Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm (Vendée), which had been plundered by Protestants from La Rochelle, and four of his brothers had died in battle. He died in Paris, at the home of his friend the humanist Génébrard. These Spiritual Sonnets are the fruit of the author's illness, and thus occupy an important place in his life: using the forced leisure that unfortunate illnesses allowed him, he gave rhythm to what came to his mind from his vast patrological readings; then, wishing to deliver to his contemporaries a dense and rich Christian food, he decided to bring his poems to light (Yvette Quenot). The volume ends with an Action de graces à Dieu, après estre sortiy d'une griefve maladie: where is also joined a complaincte sur le trop grand désir de cette vie, et une Remonstrance au pecheur. Nice copy, ruled. It bears on the title page the autograph signature of Étienne Baluze (1630-1718), scholar and bibliophile who was librarian to Colbert from 1667 to 1700. At his death, his personal collection was acquired en bloc by the King's Library. J. P. Barbier-Mueller, IV-1, n°39. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°79.