A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF CRYPTOGRAPHY

GUSTAVUS SELENUS

TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN

BY

DR. JOHN WILLIAM HENRY WALDEN.

Instructor of Latin

Harvard,

J. W., Ph. D.

With regard to the names assigned to the various processes or Modes, I have endeavored to be as literal as possible and at the same time to use expressions that should convey some meaning in English.? I have also tried to be as consistent as possible in the use of these terms, but some discrepancies may possibly still be found.? Two troublesome questions that arose were the matter of capitals and the matter of proper names.? With regard to proper names, the question was, should I keep the Latin forms or should I write the names in their original spellings?? I have here sacrificed consistency by giving in each case the form of the name that seemed to me the best known or the most generally used.? Having put so much labor and study on the book, I have a certain fondness for it, and I therefore very much hope that it will be published.? In this case, I should wish to correct the proofs and see it through the press.? The notes at present added are scattered and not of much account; a few additional explanatory notes seem in places required.? The commendatory poems prefixed to the work I have translated baldly;? these I should wish to revise if the work is printed.? An adequate index should be provided.

A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF CRYPTOGRAPHY

GUSTAVUS SELENUS

The Cryptomenytics and Cryptography of Gustavus Selenus in Nine Books.? Wherein is also contained a most clear Elucidation of the Steganographia, a Book at one time composed, in Magic and Enigmatic form, by Johannes Trithemius, Abbot of Spanheim and W?g, a Man of Wonderful Parts.? There being throughout introduced Devices by the Author and of Others, which merit your Attention.

CI) I) CXXIIII.

????????

Let no one read unwilling, for such I?ve written not;

For him my page is written, to whom it gives delight.

To Ferdinand the Second,

Emperor Augustus, most Potent, most Invincible;

King of

Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia,

Croatia, Slavonia, &c.;

Archduke of Austria;

Duke of

Burgundy, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola,

W?erg, &c.;

Count of Tyrel, &c.;

his most Clement Lord:

There has at length, though perhaps quite early enough, come into the world this offspring of mine, which I have, up to the present time, for a number of years back, cherished and strengthened, until, as I hope, I have brought it to the perfection of its proper form.? Now seeing it in need of some champion, lacking neither in vigor nor in power, to defend it against the attacks of Zeilus, I thought of no one more fit or more worthy than, most Invincible Emperor and Victorious Hero, your Imperial Majesty; for, as your Imperial Majesty ought most rightly, as is your Imperial Majesty able most wisely, to judge of the character of my offspring recently born and destined with the lapse of time to attain its hoped-for growth.?? And as your Imperial Majesty wishes, as is your Imperial Majesty most powerful, to undertake the care and protection thereof.? Wherefore, it does not behoove me to speak, in the presence of your Imperial Majesty, of its use, which, if anywhere, may, with certainty, in the estimation of your Imperial Majesty, be valued at its highest.? For who can compare the Roman-German Emperor, who can have more important matters whereof to treat with the greatest ones of the earth, -- himself, by Divine grace, the Greatest of all.? And these matters often require written correspondence of the most secret kind.? Now although I do not doubt that, even without this Commentary of mine, your Imperial Majesty can, through his acquaintance with the art of Steganography, effectually secure that his letters, though in a foreign land and even in the enemy?s territory, shall not, without the sanction of his Divine will, disclose to any other than those to whom they are sent the matters therein contained, still I do not for that reason think that this Book of mine will be for your Imperial Majesty without utility, since, by the variety of forms alone and the wealth of choice afforded, it may, through the subjoined table, prove to be of service.? For the rest, whether this offspring can be a credit to, or reflect glory upon, its parent, be this a question for your Imperial Majesty to decide.? Its name, to be sure, whereby the wrapper first introduces itself to your most August Majesty, is like a nut; the shell, like all things cryptographic, is open to the sight; but of the kernel, of my person, my spirit, and my most humble devotion to your Imperial Majesty, thereof he who will deliver this offspring into your Imperial Majesty?s sacred hands will give explanation.? I myself am, most truly, and shall be, one who never, to the last breath of his life, will desist from cherishing, to the extent of his power, your Imperial Majesty, and standing ever ready to render him whatever service he can, however humble.? And, indeed, how could I otherwise, a German, and knowing that, without the preservation of your Imperial Majesty?s life, my own fatherland could not stand unshaken.? This we learned full well only the other day, when a little cloud, rising from some quarter of the heaven, seemed for a while to have abstracted this Sun of day from our sight.? Now we are everywhere fostered by the care of Justice, your Imperial Majesty?s own daughter.? And Germany, hearing that to her your Imperial Majesty unites in all-propitious wedlock Peace, seems at last once more to breathe again and to rejoice in the prospect of unbounded happiness.? May your Sacred Majesty live, thrive, and hold sway, with every success and through long length of time, and continue, most mercifully, to unfold, beneath the protecting care of your most august favor, me and all my possessions.?

From the Hitzacker Museum, 25, January, 1624.

Your Imperial Majesty?s

Most Humble, Most Obedient,

and Most Faithful Vassal,

as long as I breathe,

Gustavus

born of Selenic lineage.

PREFACE

Gustavus Selenus

to the Clever Enquirer into Things Recondite.

I herewith put before you, kind reader, my System of Cryptography, complete, so far as I have been able to make it so, and, as I hope, perfect in all its parts.? Quite beyond my expectations is it that the matter has been brought to this point, for in the beginning I had no other thought than to make an elucidation of the Steganographia, which was published, under the cloak of magic, by Johannes Trithemius, Abbot, first of Spanheim, and afterwards of W?g.? This work, certainly a long and sufficiently involved composition, and one also which is wrapped from beginning to end in a perfect cloud of uncertainty, I still present to the reader in the Third Book, in an Elucidation which is short, clear, and unclouded by obscurities.? With regard to this subject, as being the most important part of Cryptography, or the first object of my enquiry, I shall make a few introductory remarks, requesting that you consider, what I shall say on this matter, is also for the most part said with reference to the whole art.? Now when I first turned my attention in this direction, this Elucidation cost me the most severe and persistent mental application through a number of years, as also no small expenditure of strength.? For I found myself in need of guidance in a veritable labyrinth of Daedalus, or of the Minotaur, that is, of imaginary spirits, and this fact, more than the enigmatic incantations, caused me inextricable trouble.? But all this I gladly went through, for the public behoof and the reader?s good.? For I saw that, by this work of mine, other men?s thoughts on this subject, -- thoughts, most ingenious, which this generation, which is fatally bent on producing all subjects, even the most abstruse, has presented to the public in writing, -- were also, either illustrated, or at least enriched by no slight accession.? And the reader also may now, without loss of time, which before he had to expend with practically no result, learn by himself, with only a slight amount of labor, the principle of writing hiddenly, or the method of investigating, learning, or interpreting documents so written by adversaries or enemies.? But beware of trying to find in the Steganographia of our Abbot, or of thinking that you must therein look for, more mystery, on the basis of the enigmatic signs, than is here set forth.? For I promise, by the strength of my feeble intellect, and other agencies whereby I have arrived at a thorough understanding of the inner secrets of this matter, that you will spend your labor and your oil in vain.? If you observe this caution, you will not only rightly enjoy the fruit of my toil, but you will also desist from suspecting things uncanny, that is, magical, of our Abbot.? For the rest, let no one impose upon you with the statement that, -- a charge which may possibly be brought against me, -- I in this elucidation approach a subject that is quite illicit; because, in the first place, it is with design that this art is so hidden, obscure, and involved, and because, secondly, our Abbot furthermore so severely forbade anyone, who should chance by Divine favor to receive enlightenment on the subject, to betray and disclose those Eleusimian rites; enforcing his commands most strenuously with curses, -- on the chance that his orders might perhaps not prove valid after his death or might themselves cease to exist, -- and even endeavoring, by a dire and unholy imprecation, to deter any soul from revealing secrets of this kind.? For, granting that this was the design of our author in concealing; granting that it was the design of Heraclitus, who is said always to have had on his tongue the words σκόπσον, σκόπσον, involve in shadow, make obscure:? granting that it was the design of Plato, Aristotle, and other philosophers, earlier and later; granting that it was the design of the ancient jurisconsults; granting, I say, that this was their design, to prevent the contents of their writings from becoming generally known; still, it did not the less redound to the glory? of Cneus Flavius, the scribe of Appius Claudius, that he made known to the Roman people the Actions at Law, which Appius had reduced to form and kept under the seal of the most inviolable secrecy; Pomponius, in l.2, de Orig. Jur.? Again, the Emperor Justinian determined absolutely to do away with the sigla and bigla, wherewith the jurisconsults endeavored to render their study of Law a secret to all but themselves;? Constit. ad Trebon., ?? N輯u> autem; Constit. ad Senatum,? ? Eadem;? Constit. ad Magnum Senatum. ? Eadem; Constit. ad Antecessor., ? Illud:? Nov., 47.c.2.? Who does not owe a debt of gratitude to Flaxinius and the other commentators for having remarked on the cryptology or study of secrecy, noticed in the Acroamatica of the Philosopher, and also for having lifted the cloud there from and pointed out to us the light?? And no one, I think, bears aught of spite toward Neldelius because he has disclosed the Aristotelian process, and has shown not only the fact, but also the method whereby, Aristotle has, beneath the apodeictic syllogism, most artfully concealed, for every department of learning, the didascalic syllogisms.? If some one could skillfully remove for us from Plato?s Republic, which is enwrapped in the mysteries of numbers, the outer covering, and lay the work plainly before us, no one, I suppose, would find fault with what was done, as though it were done illicitly.? Now, as regards our author, you may be more than fully convinced that he is not carrying on a serious piece of business.? Take as a proof the plan of the whole treatise, which, it is certain, is composed, from beginning to end, of one long intellectual jest, which, however, is artfully hidden and, as will appear very clearly from the explanation which I have prefixed, in Bk. III.c.1, to the Steganographia, enveloped in matter that offers a pretence of seriousness.? More than this, the author even himself constructed keys, as they are called, whereby to unlock the secret of this matter, and then communicated the same, thus constructed, to the Kloster first of all; and afterwards they were communicated to others, and were by these, before being explained to me, made, though in a slovenly fashion, generally known.? With such assistance, it would not have been so very laborious a task for a skilful person to discover and understand both the Modes themselves and the principles of the Modes, if the author had only at all times been consistent with himself, and had not, as was the case, often a second time obscured in a cloud of digressions and transpositions what he had once made clear; or if the copies themselves, both manuscript and printed, had, as is not the case, agreed with the autograph.? All these difficulties, however, I have, as I have just now intimated, surmounted in the reader?s interest.? Now, further, there is no argument of any weight whereby I should be forbidden to disclose these matters.? For, if, notwithstanding the fact that there was reason to fear that Hariadenus Abenobarbus or some other pirate ? and freebooter-captain would make use of this or that stratagem of war, still Vegetius, Sextus Frontimus, Johann Jacobi von Wallhausen, and others were permitted to collect from all sources stratagems of war, and publicly set forth the same, for others to imitate, why should it be turned to my discredit that, to provide for an indispensable want, I publish, for the use of good men, things of like nature, -- for there is something in common between this matter and the war-like inventions to which I have referred; -- although some evilly-engaged persons may at some time turn the same to their own account?? Thus, as we have it in Boccacio?s Tales, Guiscarde and Ghismonda, both very clever in this direction, were able to compose love-letters in hidden wise, and thereby bring to fruition their illicit love.? On this subject we have the verses of Filippe Beroalde:?? ?What thoughts does not Love have?? A woman invents the way of deception, and herself composed the secret signs.? The letter is hidden by stealth in a reed out open, and this the fair one gives to her lover?s own hand.? Shrewd, the lover believes the reed not given for naught, and finds and scans the signs there hidden.? O?erjoyed is he, and praises the way that a woman shows, awaiting the rapture of love?s promised fruition.? Writings tell the time or place when stealthy Love can join the lovers fond in love?s embrace.?? Who would for this reason begrudge to some faithful Achates this art, whereby he might warn his friend of a threatening danger, or, if the latter were confined in prison or in any other way embarrassed, suggest to him, unbeknown to all others, some secret piece of advice?? As, even though he broke the oath whereby he had promised silence, Demetrius Polierestes, making use of some writing of this kind, or at least of a writing not entirely unlike this, conducted himself toward Mithridates; Plutarch, In Demet. Pol.? Abuse certainly ought not to raise any prejudice against correct use.? This much being clear, I also do not wish, kind reader, to abuse your leisure, -- provided I shall have impressed upon you, to some slight extent, the value of this art.? For though to some this whole subject may seem the invention of an idle man and even childish trifling, contributing neither to private nor to public utility, still, let one be as sensible in his own person as he may, if he will not or cannot understand the importance that there is, especially in war-times and at other times of stress, in this safe method of conveying a secret, he will, in his sagacity, judge that there is little sense in the art, and to himself absolutely no need thereof.? Hereof I with reason refrain from making further words, since the matter is of itself sufficiently clear.? now there will be no reason to fear this:? that, namely, by the present Elucidation, I shall myself quite destroy this value belonging to the art, or render the practice of the art useless, for the reason that, if the principle of concealment here given should come to the knowledge of my enemy or of the one from whom I wish my secrets to remain hidden, the secret could, to such person, if he were thoroughly to read this present work of mine, no longer be anything but perfectly evident.? For, granting that such may sometimes be the result, I nevertheless answer:? This was not my aim, nor could it be, -- to record and bring to light all the Modes of hidden writing, without exception; but I was engaged with the general classes only, according to the method and plan of our author; not with the idea that students of this art should stop there, but that they might, after gaining a thorough insight and understanding of these, advance, and learn to vary these general Modes by wondrous other Modes, and from those to construct at will new ones known to themselves alone.? And not only is this not a difficult thing to do, but it might easily be the case that even Trithemius himself, if he were alive, would be unable in any way to gather, from such a new and, so to speak, conventional, or arbitrarily selected Mode of secret-writing, any sense at all;? and thus it would happen that the artist would be quite put to shame by his own pupil, in his own art.? But, on the other hand, I have not allowed this Elucidation to go forth in fragmentary form, like a limb which, though most elegantly clothed, is nevertheless rent from the body.? For I have at the same time produced the whole body, and have shown the links whereby Steganography is skillfully joined to the other links of Cryptomenytics and Cryptography; and, taking advantage of the opening here offered, I have made my way into this citadel and inner sanctuary of the whole art of signifying a thing hiddenly to another, -- whether with good auspices, I leave, reader, to your judgment, on condition, however, that if your judgment prove unfavorable, I shall not be kept from defending my cause.? Certainly, if I do not meet with gratitude elsewhere, I shall nevertheless meet with it at your hands, because from the more elegant authors, whose works either have not been printed at all or, if they have been, either no longer exist in printed copies or are difficult to obtain, I have taken all the more subtle devices, which wondrously set off this art, and, introducing them throughout my work, have also enlarged their number by methods of my own.? Now, then, farewell, and look to have from my Library at an early day things, God helping, of better kind, From the Hitsacker Museum, in the year of our restored Salvation, 1624, 27 February.

To the Author of the System of Cryptography,

his most Clement Lord:

As, what might in dusky cloak conceals, bright Cynthia soon with torch full-flaming shows, so, too, Gustavus now, Selenus called, uncovers things that time has long in shadow held.? Great things befit great men, ?tis true.? and so can Luna see what little stars see not.? So soon Gustavus much, by subtle strength of mind, that other men, of common wit, have quite passed by.? And thus it is that he who would the art of these enjoy finds Gustavo?s work a source of fruitful lore.? As August month more grateful is than winter fire, so are thy written words, Selenus, more than all the words that others write.? Therefore, August Diana, shed thy rays throughout the earth, the light which Sol has given thee scatter wide.? Shed, too, on me the rays of burning love, and see that never of they love thou me deprive.? be to me, with Phoebus, Phoebe?s gentle light; may God and my Lord for me in love forever vie.? So, like the Sun?s obedient flower and the flower that Luna guides, for Phoebus then and Phoebe with hand and heart I?ll strive.

Composed,

as a mark of most Humble Devotion,

Matthaus von Jagow,

Lord, by right of inheritance, at Kalembergk,

at present Steward of the Selenic household

at Hitsacker, and one of the advisers of the

Author himself.

In Honor of the Author, his most Clement Lord,

to the Reader:

Pallas, Juno, Venus, the Graces, Gods, and Goddesses once came together before the throne of Jove, complaining that seldom could Cyllenius safely take his way, unhampered by the wiles of Mars.? Mars, from the other side, threw back the blame on those, and showed that to his own great harm this art he?d learned.? Then Jupiter, seeing that in doubtful scales the case was weighed, bade that Silenus should the strife decide.? Who soon the art of hidden writing found, whereby one free from harm could write, but solve could not at all.? The world beheld and, wondering at these riddles dark, from scholars vainly sought to find relief.? and when in all the world no soul stood forth, wise to unlock the secret art, behold:? Selenus then this succor brought, showing the form whereby to write, whereby to solve.? Now, reader, use his genius, proclaim Selenus? genius, and make with me this pious prayer to God:? May Selenus thrive and flourish, and may he live to years Historian, and the sceptre wield in Mars and art.

Offered,

as a mark of most Humble Devotion,

In Joy and Dutifulness,

Otto von Ompteda,

Lord, by right of inheritance, at

Banesen and Nottorff, an intimate

Friend of the Author.

On the Cryptomenytics and Cryptography

of Gustavus Selenus,

the Illustrious,

an Ode

by Georg Remus, Jurisconsult.

By the soft melody of the fashioning tongue the mind?s deep thoughts in fitting form to utter, was given us by the Universal Parent, -- to fetch from far within and by the voice to express; and then to instill in other?s minds, that so, the words, drunk in with listening ears by those at hand, again by such may be returned.? But, -- so it often happens, -- should some one of mortals chance to wish with one far off to hold converse, none will deny that with great profit once was intercourse of reed and paper found.? But many rightly make a scruple (should you understand) of committing secrets to the wax and paper.? For the bold hand may with ease break either?s seal.? Countless are they that a letter?s secret words would spy.? Hence, by the subtle strength of the vigorous mind, was found the art of arts, -- verily an art of most ingenious kind, -- which, by change of letters, numbers, figures, shows well the Mode of writing hidden thoughts.? If tablets written for a friend far off, a thousand miles away, should chance, alack!? to be unsealed by rudely bold and violent hand, vainly would it search the hidden folds thereof.? Thee, thee, Selenus, I commend and laud, that thou hast by they study brought this art to what is o?en a marvel.? Fortune favoring, thou hast done what none has done before or could do:? and none shall go beyond, I know.? Hence will posterity they praises sing, and fulfill they praises, Chief, thou, of the Cryptographic Art.

Sung most joyfully and most dutifully,

by Georg Remus, Jurisconsult, Member

of the Council of the Free City

of N?rg.? 1622, 15 May.

To the Germans;

by the Same.

Wonder, land of Teutons, wonder at this Work; of wondrous art this Book, of mighty art this Work, wherefrom I keep afar the crowd profane.? Who go with noses not well cleaned, whose brains not three times are and four times purged, I bid all such be off; depart, I bid them, straight.? It shrinks from hand plebeian, from touch of unwashed hands this Work most flat recoils.? But scholars only will it have, who can in eye-sight argue overcome, and Lynceus too.? More subtle naught, naught more laborious shall Germany for three hundred years behold, -- no falsehood this.? Selenus, live to age Historian, and farewell.

By the same,

On the Elucidation of Trithemius? Steganographia,

Iambic Senarii.

Who think to find beneath each stone a scorpion hid, are much deceived; most basely do they fall, and stray the whole world round; it is not so.? In the art of writing to one?s friends, -- an art deep hid, and open not to every passing soul, -- Trithemius, the artist, once instruction gave.? (Sometimes dishonest hands lay hold of letters, break the seal, and show what?s held within, to themselves no good devising, and good men disadvantaging.)? Hence among the men of common ways the empty word arose, he taught the magic art, when nothing from his teaching could be farther.? On no man should we wrong inflict.? Now on the other hand, his art was wholly worthy of applause, and always must we innocence defend.? This the sons of jurisconsults have upon their tongues.? This let Bodinus or Bovillus have.? Lo!? most vigorously defends Selenus Abbot Trithemius? innocence.

Madrigal

by Philip Hainhofer,

Citizen of Augusta.

August scion, thou shalt not be hidden in obscurity, thou, who, praised among the geniuses more fare, shalt be equal to Time, wherever the sun releases his golden locks; how shall he be hidden, how shall he be deprived of name, who tries to discover to others how art can never conceal speech.? in its secrets disclosed, Art will discover to you a secret through and through.

Another,

by the Same.

This Luna, which rises in the lap, as it were, of the Bears, spreads its light to lands more remote.? It shines and never sets, and in the Pleiades scatters its rays more brightly than where Cinthia is more accustomed to shine afar alone than in union with the Sun.

To Gustavus Selenus.

On the Elucidation of the Steganographia,

a Sportive Poem.

While in clear light you placed the Abbot Tritheim?s art, which Tritheim had in wondrous ways concealed, the prophet smiled and to his usual arts recurred:? ?For these attempts of yours,? he said, ?thou shalt not unpunished go.?? And straightway, round about him thronging, the crowd of spirits he called, and incantations dire, intoning, hurled, -- Incantations whereby, with proper rites, the names august of Gustavo Selene, false-called, he had from out his knots extracted.? At which, forth leaping, he who first in honor is, Pamersiel, belched forth from horrid-sounding mouth grim words:? ?Hakul Gavoseti, Visodrum Xydreal Uvyn Zehnablu Progodset Rhidue Nagdeory.?? He takes the word:? ?Ha! just so! While to betray my secrets the prophet pleases, and on my offspring dishonor bring, lo! also you betray what you wished should be unknown, -- you own true name, flitting hitherto through the learned mouths of men.? Whereby I hid my secrets in shadow everywhere, behold!? on this side and one that they catch the light within.

[message: Augustus dux de Lunenburg, der Junger]

On the Whole System,

A Commendatory Poem.

So it is, my perfect good, great fame comes hence to thee and to Selenus, and equal praise is either?s need.? But herein does Selenus thee surpass, that to his little book of stenographic forms, in every point so scholarly, and perfect in detail, wherest was Pallas three times with amazement struck, he?s brought of learning, thickly-packed, as much as ever was.

Done by

Matthaus Bortius, J.U.L., an intimate friend of the Author, and Burgo-master of Salswedel.

To Gustavus Selenus.

Most august of famous men, most discreet of famous men, most refined of famous men, who, the time that others spend on ease and play, the time that others spend on wine and love, to study and to books of wisdom dost devote, whereof so great a number have by thee been written that to hold the titles only fixed in mind is labor vast, -- though, as a living library, art wise in Greek, and French, and Spanish, and in Latin too, -- what things Greece anciently constructed, what or Gallic speech or Latin, what Italians wrote, or grave Iberians.? Hence, then, like a bee, o?er flowering fields and wide-extending vales of human and of sacred lore far-wandering, dost thou draw, with study and with labor vast, what all the world in wonder sees and cherishes, what all the world refreshes and delights.? Hail, scion of the demi-gods, hail most august of famous men, most discreet of famous men, most refined of famous men, so much the more august in all to be, through cultivation of instructed wisdom, as ?tis rare for the divinities of earth and leaders of the world to spend their time on books.

Melchior Breler,

Physician of the Author,

my most Clement Lord.

On the Work, worthy of Immortality,

of Gustavus Selenus,

Chief of the Steganographists.

Arms with arts, and arts with arms to defend, this was once Julius? valor, Julius? genius.? Let ancient fame be silent; greater goods are in this leader, -- genius and valor with piety combined.? Go, book, and to the author say:? ?Of incense nor tunny stand in dread, while sets the sun and rises.? Lucifer surpasses the common stars and the lesser lights of heaven, and you Trithemius surpass in light.? Do you not see how the Muse smiles upon and favors you, how all things are in thy praises eloquent.

Written at N?g,

by? Master Johann Saubert,

Deacon of St. Egidi.

On the Wonderful Cryptography

of Gustavus Selenus.

Who said that through all the lands, through the deep heavens, and through the tracts of water, God goes and with soul Divine each animal informs, had a mind sagacious, as well as genius.? This in thee is notably apparent, Selenus full of lore, who makest tongues that the living do resemble.? Thus does Antiquity, by new devices pushed aside, give way;? thus are all things for the Duke his greatest care.? O happy mortal, to whom from lofty heaven Jupiter has granted, so much of his mind to have.

In joy and dutifulness,

have I hastily composed,

Elias Ehinger.

On the Cryptographics

of Gustavus Selenus

An Epigram.

In such an age of faithlessness, and in such a rabble of wicked souls, in which, alas! our times abound, a wise man with reason hides the secrets of his heart, nor does he lightly chatter what he sees should be kept secret.? For it is a thing divine, for one to hide one?s affairs in silence and to impress the chaste seals on one?s lips.? But since this life would have no faithful friends, and such a life would hardly be a thing to be desired by man, there has been found the art that cryptographically reveals the secrets of the heart, -- mystic, godlike, sacred.? Since Selenus, as a likeness of the genius Divine, has this art described in method so easy and so learned, there is reason why the wise mind and the friend should alike render him thanks, -- asking for the author long length of life.

Written by

Master Petrus Meyderlinus,

Overseer of the Evangelical

College at Augsburg.

Gustavus Selenus.

Anagram:

Augustes es, Lun? es.

As I was making ready to speak at length of Cryptography, and to tell how great will become this book and the author thereof, Pataraean Apollo, pulling me by the ear, called my attention, and, reproving me, addressed me first with these words:? ?Why make you ready, poor deluded wretch, to glorify Gustavus, why Selenus, with empty praises?? Augustus is this Gustavus, and Luna this Selenus, as name and surname attest the man himself.? August men august things befit, and cultured Maro?s; from the sun alone does Luna take its light.?

Johannes Honthemius Ubius.

An Echo,

by the Same,

on the same preceding Anagram.

Is this some AUGUSTUS? ? Are we to believe that he was born of the stock of nobles?? WAS BORN.? Is this, then, a Naiad?? YOU SAY.? Why is he called LUNA?? Or will his condition be for us hence more and more clear?? POWER.? Now is this book worthy of being rolled and rerolled by you?? I HAVE UNROLLED IT.? If one should by chance deny that?? HE DROOPS.? O, of writings a kind and volume RARE!? LIGHT.? Of the sort that flashes from the orbit of the sun?? SO.? Nay, above the brightness of the stars I judge this man.? I SAY.? Such light hardly does Pheobus afford.? HE IS DULL.? Now does this book by clever art teach how to avoid the enemy?? SAFELY.? And to deceive famously?? MAGNIFICENTLY.? And to learn beforehand traps? ?TO LEARN.? For it is very easy to know by this the wiles of men.? IT IS EASY.? That is, that you may be able rightly to be on your guard against them.? TRULY.? That you may not perish unexpectedly.? THROUGH THESE.? Rare is that aid, which it is not easy to procure elsewhere.? RARE.? And which surpasses sardonyxes.? ONYXES.? There exists no book in the world, believe me, that can teach you mysteries of that kind.? BRING FORTH FOR ME.? For it tells in order what thing is to uncovered.? COVERED.? And in what way it is proper that this should be done.? TO BE DONE.? Whoever you are, then, use this Work and reread it.? AND READ IT.? And believe that a thousand arts thence appear.? USE.? Continue to use, this art of Cryptographics requires men of application.? DEMANDS.? Love, for on this condition is given to thee.? READ.? Or is it wrong that it appear!? YES, RIGHT.? And see the light?? TO THE PURPOSE.? Is it right, I say, that this book should be hidden?? USE.? Or, as the ignorant common throng may believe, will this labor be in vain?? USEFUL IS THIS LABOR.? Will it soon produce sweet fruit?? O, IT WILL PRODUCE.? Therefore, does this country rightly call the author Father?? IT LOVES.? O, what light does this LUNA open up to our souls!? ONE.? How fittingly has this man the name of AUGUSTUS!? HE HAS AN OMEN.? While the author happily enlarges, simplifies, and adorns the public interest.? ADORNS.? He advances here peace and war.? AND ART.? Do you think that this man deserves to carry away prizes worthy of his writings?? LET HIM CARRY THEM.? And deserves that the youthful god should wreath him with garlands?? PHOEBUS.? That the Pierian Muses should celebrate his praises?? CELEBRATE.? It is now enough, for it is not fair, nymph, that you should be longer wearied by my eager voice.? SILENCE.

Another Anagram.

Gustavus Selenus.

Vales gustu, sensu.

To the Lord the Author.

Whoever you are, -- I should believe that you are sprung from parents divine, -- you have indeed, Gustavus, an uncommon taste and sense acute; for, all common things your palate scorns, and asks only dishes fit for the tables of the gods, -- dishes that can feed the mind and satisfy the hunger which you feel for the arts and qualities good.? These are your cakes, your dainties, your feasts, and your banquets, these are your confections, for which you scorn the side of a murmena, hares, and yawning oysters, or whate?ver the epicure Apicius finds agreeable.? Wise men?s writings alone suit your palate and, that you may be able to excerpt therefrom passages that please you, you read books obtained from the very ends of the earth, and with Herculean labor you make a note of whatever you see written in unusual figures, whatever an ambiguous character conceals, whatever lies covered in shadow unseen; and soon, with ever? watchful study, you bring forth into the bright light of day whatever you have found.? Thus, to wit, by bringing fire from heaven in his fennel (by fennel the ancient poets understood sense), Prometheus formerly furnished the human race with another art, just as you yourself now bring light to mortals by this cryptographic volume.? Of a truth, Gustavus, you are strong in taste and in sense acute.

Another Epigram

to the Lord the Author.

Am I deceived, or does this anagram give me information with regard to your true name, and with regard to your condition?? The Augusti have authority far and wide, bright Luna lights the world with her rays.?

A Play on the name of the Lord the Author.

Under the simpler form of Silenus they concealed formerly the greatest mysteries and secrets.? Silenus was heard by the boys Mnasilus and Chromis singing songs sacred and divine.? Antiquity is believed anciently to have venerated Silenus as king, and Augustus too as demigod.? Σελγνγ called by the Greeks, and by Romans Luna, lights the world by night with her rays.? you too, Selenus, beneath the simple name of Gustavus, illuminate the whole world with your sacred writings.? Who would deny that you are Silenus and Augustus, Selenus?? Who, Selenus, would not say that you arte Luna?

Differently.

You cover and uncover things august.? Who, Selenus, would say that you are not rightly called Silenus?? Silenus surpassed Phoebus and Orpheus with song, and with song he moved oaks, rocks, and fierce wild beasts.? But you vanquish even this vanquisher, and bring help, at the discovery of which the world rejoices.

To the Lord the Author, on the Present Work:

A Tetrastich.

Our own secrets thou causest to lie in hiding, others? to be disclosed.? Art thou not a divinity fallen from the skies?? Art thou not Luna bright, Pandora, hand-maid of the gods?? Thou art Oedipus, thou art the Sphinx, Live, Selenus, long.

Eteostic on the Publication of this Work.

eDIDIt (InsIgnI Phoebe aspIrante LaborI)

DIVIna praestans arte SeLenVs OpVs.

Johannes Honthemius Ubius.

[message: (D+D+D=1500, L+L=100, V+V+V=15, I+I+I+I+I+I+I+I+I=9) ? (1500+100+15+9)=1624.]

A Varied Distich,

or Cube, wherein the Reader meets numerous times occurring, in one and the same Table, a Hexameter and a Pentameter Verse.

By the Same.

To the Lord the Author.

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This is:? Hidden things you search into, you hide with skill things to be hidden.? Each to do, believe me, is the work of a good artist.

Another Varied Distich,

wherein each Verse not only includes the year 1622, as the year, not of the Publication, but of the Composition, of Selene?s Cryptography, but is also shown to the Reader, by him to be read, numerous times, though in different Cubes.

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