Marthae Marchinae Virginis Neapolitanae Musa Postuma
The book contains a collection of Latin poems, including epigrams and odes, as well as letters written by Marchina who was an Early Modern Italian poet whose family made and sold soap.
The final poem in the collection is an epigram that states "Praecipis ex isto demi mala carmina libro.
[6] This selection of poems includes the Latin text as well as a modern English and French translations to elucidate Martha Marchina's style and recurring themes in her poetry.
Macedo describes her style as "nitidus et facilis, non fucatus, non neglectus," (bright and smooth, not overly colored, nor careless).
Ast ego, cui nullum est triplici de munere munus, Me tibi Christe dabo Regi, homini, atque deo.
[3] This epigram reflects a recurring theme in the book, how the pagan gods, here specifically Apollo, have been supplanted by the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
This poem illustrates Marchina's use of contrasts, characteristic of Baroque Latin, through her use of ardens (burning) and nivea (snowy) as well as her use of repetition to explore shades of meaning (velatus, signifying both veiled and concealed).
Sic deus intactae nivea modo Virginis alvo Velatus fundit mitis in Orbe faces.
[10] This epigram connects the Virgin Mary's association with the moon to the pagan goddess Cynthia, whose name is an alternate for Selene or Diana.
Postquam Virgo tuis substernor gressibus, ipso Cynthia iam Phœbo clarior ecce mico.
Marchina uses this style of writing to unpack layers of meaning by combining three subjects, three verbs, three objects, and three prepositional phrases.
Prisca Virgo, & Martyr Leoni objecta.” In “De eodem Leone,” Marchina effectively utilizes word placement to punctuate her arguments, namely Leonem (lion) ends line one to create direct contrast to Hoc (this, understood lion) starting line two.
She speaks in this poem from the persona of Saint Agatha who was tortured after refusing to submit to the Roman prefect Quintianus' amorous advances.
Namque ego purpureo cœpi decorata colore Inter Virgineas pulchrior esse nives.
Sponte subit flammas, ensesque invicta Virago, Nec timor est raptam cernere utramque manum;Ne iactet dextra contemptos Mutius ignes:Plus potuit pro te fœmina, Christe, pati.Nor does she fear to witness both of her hands ravaged; Mucius shouldn't boast of the fires slighted by his right hand: A woman, O Christ, was able to suffer more on your behalf.
[3] This epigram demonstrates Marchina's unfailing willingness to defend her own poetry as well as to point out the mistakes of other male poets, particularly those who criticize her own work.
Minerva is the Roman goddess strongly associated with intelligence, but she also can represent a writer's innate talent or muse.
Both Ludovico Santolino and Antonio Quaerengo initially accused her of plagiarism, Quaenrengo went so far as to demand she compose a poem about Jacob and the Angel in front of him.
Cernis, ut innumeris turpatur pagina mendis, Vulneribusque tuis carmina læsa dolent?
Redde igitur Musis calamos, fessosque libellos: Non sunt hæc dextra munera digna tua.
