VILLIERS Hubert Philippe de Le Limas.

Brunet, V, 1243 ; Cioranesco, 21874.

First edition.

Hubert Philippe de Villiers was secretary to Antoine de Croy and later to Louis de Condé.

Although he began his career as a soldier, it was as a poet that he gained recognition, to the point of appearing in the Discours de la vie of Pierre de Ronsard in 1585. He also appeared alongside Ronsard and Joachim du Bellay in Le Parnasse des poëtes françois modernes, a collection compiled by Gilles Corrozet in 1571. 

Although he translated the works of Girolamo Parabosco and Innocentio Ringhieri in the 1550s, Le Limas, published in 1564, was his first own text. 

The work is dedicated to Lord Pierre de Blanchefort (c.1520-1591). The latter belonged to an illustrious Limousin lineage, allied to the high nobility of greater Aquitaine. Both he and his son distinguished themselves by their loyalty to the Crown during the events brought about by the Saint League during the Wars of Religion. The dedication mentions the lord’s complex situation, and de Villiers gives him his support. 

In addition to the dedication, the poem, printed in italics, begins by singing the praises of Blanchefort: “Blanchefort, dont la docte voix Ne chante que les sainctes loix”. 

The verses depict a bloodthursty battle, the singing troupes, their fears and victories. 

The text is printed almost entirely in italics, with the exception of the following verses in Roman type: “Gobez Capitaines avec nous“, “Pour avoir mis par sa vaillance Cet estrange Monstre à oultrance, Append à son cuissené dieu La grasse despouillé en ce lieu.”

Very rare, we could locate only two institutional copies, both at Bibliothèque Nationale de France.

Provenance : Viollet Le Duc (book-plate, Catalogue de poésies, p. 285).