DU VERDIER (Antoine).

Ɵ Le Mysopolème ou Bref Discours contre la guerre, pour le retour de la paix en France. Paris, Denis du Pré, 1568. Booklet in-4, brown morocco, triple gilt fillet, gilt coat of arms in the center, spine decorated, double fillet inside cold (G. Plumelle). First edition of this poem, a moving indictment of war composed by the soldier-poet Antoine du Verdier (1544-1600) on the occasion of the edict of pacification of Longjumeau (March 23, 1568) which put an end to the second war of religion. The Mysopolème, literally "the one who hates war", is dedicated to Guillaume de Gadagne, powerful commander under whose orders Du Verdier served: Monseigneur, during the suspension of the arms, I came in this city, where I had published an edict of pacification [...]. Therefore, returning to my poetic exercise, and seeing my muses again, I used a few hours to write these verses against the war. Not that I disdain weapons, [...] but to show the unfortunate effects of it to those who do not know them as well as I do, & who babble about them at pleasure, & without any reason. The poem is full of details on the misery of war. A perfectly established copy, with the arms of the collector which are made on the model of those of De Thou. An unwashed copy, with light foxing and a wetness in the lower margin of the quires. Paper restoration on the edge of the A3 leaf. N. Ducimetière, Mignonne..., n°123. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°329.