Perek be-shir (A Treatise on Poetry)

A compilation containing all the techniques of poetry simply put; covering all the principles, meters, rhymes, correct methods, and true rules; sifted and clarified; solid as a bronze mirror, such that any reader can grasp it quickly; lending strength and confidence to anyone who wishes to qualify himself for this craft and fortifying him so that he may sit among princes and noblemen; composed by my humble self, Joshua ben R. Israel Benveniste. My father and master, may his memory bring blessing, at the request of a man both wise and perspicacious, a verdant olive tree of lovely fruit and appearance, the honorable R. Abraham Halevi, may God give him life and protection, the son of the honorable R. Joseph Halevi, may his lamp glow bright as day, and may God be with him and elevate him; in Constantinople, which is under the rule of our lord, the mighty Sultan Murad [IV], may God protect him and give him great glory; on Wednesday, the tenth of Mar Heshvan, 5395 of creation [November 1, 1635]. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, Lord of all the world.

The efficient cause of the craft of poetry is the intellect of a person who knows biblical cantillation, preceded by knowledge of the science of language. It is divided into three fields of study: 1) Invention, upon which the parts of the poem depend; 2) Grasp of the language of the Bible; and 3) Proceeding in accordance with grammar. The material cause of poetry is a coherent utterance in correct and accurate language and connected utterances, in the connection between which are particular themes. This is divided into two fields of learning: 1) Relationship; 2) Correctness. The formal cause of poetry is an utterance made in measure and meter, with the statements matching each other in accordance with rhyme in a correct pattern. This is divided into two fields of learning: 1) Meter; 2) Rhyme. The final cause is a particular intention, which may be emolument, strife, prayer, praise, or lampoon; and particularly, the stirring up of men’s hearts, which is a separate field of learning.