"
Enclosed within it was also a fragment of music. Unrolling the
parchment, I proceeded to decipher with difficulty this narrative.
"On the Wednesday evening before Easter, A.D. 1686, I, John Gibson,
was called to the bedside of Master Jenkins.
"He had manifested a wish to hold converse with me, and to see me
concerning some matters in which we had both been engaged. He had
suffered grievously for many days, and it was plain to all his
friends that he had not long to tarry with us. A right skilful
player upon the organ was Master Jenkins, and a man beloved of all.
He had written much music for the Glory of God and the edification
of his Church, wherein his life seemed mirrored, for his music
appealed to men's hearts and led them to serve God, as did also the
example of his blameless life and conversation among us. He had
been busied for some time in the writing of a Service for Easter
Day, in the which he designed to express the thoughts of his waning
years. I had been privileged to hear some of these sweet strains,
and do affirm that finer music hath never been written by any man
in this realm of England. The Italians do make much boast of their
skill in music, and doubtless in their use of counterpoints,
fugues, and divers other devices they have hitherto excelled our
nation; but I doubt if Palestrina himself could have written more
excellent music, or have devised more cunning harmonies than those
of Master Jenkins.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166