https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/M%C3%A5rten_T%C3%B6rnhielms_resedagbok.pdf
A New Description of Paris, page 19, Germain Brice, Henry Bonwicke, 1687
The epitaph:
Renatus Descartes
Vir supra titulos omnium retro Philosophorum,
Nobilis genere, Armonicus gente, Turonicus origine,
In Gallia, Flexia Auduit,
In Pannonia, miles meruit,
In Batavia, Philosophus delituit,
In Suecia, vocatus occubuit.
Tanti viri pretiosas reliquias
Palliarum Percelebris tunc legatus Petrus Chanut,
CHRISTINÆ Sapientissimæ Reginæ Sapientum Amatrici
invidere non potuit, nec vindicare patriae
Sed quibus licuit cumulatas honoribo,
Peregrinas terræ mandavit invitus
Anno Domini 1650, mense Febr. 10. ætatis. 54.
Tandem, post Septem et decem annos
In Gratiam Christianissimi Regis
LVDOVICI. XIV
Virorum insignium Cultoris, remuneratoris
Procurante Petro Dalibert
Sepulchri pio et amico violatore,
Patriæ redditæ sunt
et in isto Urbis et Artium culmine positæ,
ut qui vivus apud exteros otium et famam quæsierat,
Mortuus apud suos cum laude quiesceret,
Suis et exteris in exemplum et Documentum futurus.
J NUNC VIATOR.
et Divinitatis, im̃ortalitatisqz animæ
Maximum et clarum assertorem
Aut jam crede facilem, aut precibus redde.
English translation (from source 2):
RENE DESCARTES.
A Man above all the titles of the antient Philosophers, of a Noble Family, Native of Britany, of Tourenne by Extraction.
In France he Studied at la Fleche; served as a Souldier in Hungary; lived a retired Philosopher in Holland; and dyed in Swedeland; being Honourably invited thither.
The Reliques of so great a Man PETER CHANUT, then Embassador there from France:
Could not deny to CHRISTINA the most Learned Queen, and Lover of Learned Men.
Nor could he restore them to his own Country.
But with all the pomp & solemnity that might be.
He committed them unwillingly to a Foreign Grave.
In the year 1650, the tenth of February, and the 54th year of his Age.
At length after seventeen years,
By the favour of Lewis the Fourteenth,
The Admirer and Rewarder of Famous Men;
By the care of Peter Daltbert,
Who with much Piety and Love, broke open his Sepulchre;
They were restored to his Native Country.
And Placed in this highest part of the City, and highest seat of Learning.
That he who Living, sought leisure and fame in Foreign Countries,
Might at last rest Honourably in his own;
And always be a Pattern and Example both to his own Country-men and Strangers.
GO NOW TRAVELLER.
And this great and clear Assertor of the Divinity, and Immortality of the Soul,
Either believe already happy, or make him so by your Prayers.
Above: Descartes.
Above: Kristina.
No comments:
Post a Comment