DES MASURES (Louis).

Tragedies sainctes. David fighting. David triumphant. David fugitive. Spiritual sheepfold. Spiritual eclogue. S.l. [Genève], Gabriel Cartier for Claude d'Augy, 1583. In-8, black morocco, triple gilt fillet, gilt coat of arms in center, ornate spine with repeated numeral, tan morocco lining with gilt fillet, chocolate moire endpapers, smooth edges, slipcase (Honegger). Rare Geneva edition, printed by Gabriel Cartier, whose typographical mark "à la femme arpenteur" adorns the title (Silvestre, n°718). Born in Tournai, the poet and humanist Louis des Masures (1515-1574) was secretary to the House of Lorraine, which offered him protection during his youth until his conversion to Protestantism. His most famous work is a translation of the twelve books of Virgil's Aeneid. Copy in doubled morocco, with the collector's coat of arms and cipher. A washed copy, with the title rebacked. Leaves B2-3 are trimmed short of the lateral margin, the binder's knife reaching a few letters and the pagination. Small paper loss at bottom corner of leaf T4, affecting a few letters. Slight wetness at the bottom of the first and last quires. J. P. Barbier-Mueller, IV-1, n°93 ("le présent volume est d'une grande importance pour qui se penche sur la poésie des protestants de langue française"). - GLN-2998. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°169.