The Parnassus, considered to be a home of Muses led by Apollo, was a frequent motif in panegyrical works. The name of this mountain range appears also in the title of a commemorative poem published on the occasion of John III’s coronation, which took place on the 2nd of February 1676 (that is almost two years after Sobieski’s election as king of Poland). Parnassus Novodvorscianus (“Nowodworski Parnassus, dedicated to His Majesty, the invincible and most powerful ruler John III, by God’s grace King of Poland, Great Duke of Lithuania…”) was published by the university printing house in Cracow, with printing costs covered by a fund created as early as in 1619 by Knight of Malta Bartłomiej Nowodworski. In the analysed context, “Parnassus” refers to the class of poetry in Nowodworski Schools — establishments providing preparation for studies at the Cracow Academy.
The poem is dedicated to the starosta (district head) of Rzeczyce, Dominik Michał Słuszka, by professor of poetry at Nowodworski Schools, Aleksander Piotr Rembert, whose name appears after the dedication, but is missing on the title page. The author mentions that Sobieski attended Nowodworski Schools (he was educated there together with his brother Marek), and that for this reason “Nowodworski Parnassus” should feel particularly fortunate. Rembert mentions Słuszka’s patronage and lists famous persons from his family, including his brother Józef, Grand Standard Bearer of Lithuania, who fought together with Sobieski in the battle of Chocim.
The panegyric itself is divided into eleven parts, which gives the text a form similar to a dramaturgic piece. The title of each part starts with a noun, mostly a proper noun.
Before the Muses, one by one, congratulate the newly crowned king, a “dithyramb” provides an opening to the piece. The name means a chant dedicated to Dionysus performed by a choir. In Rembert’s panegyric, “the dithyramb triumphantly raises palm leaves to the Majesty’s throne”. The author writes that “the king triumphs and grabs sceptres in triumphal arches for Poles”.
The next part of the work consists of a poem „Apollo inviting Nowodworski Muses to applaud the king”. The Roman god asks the personified News to explain the reason of joy on the Polish soil. He is informed that the reason for the general happiness is the rule of the newly crowned king in the land which has been destined for him. The joy in the Republic of Poland is simultaneous with fear spreading among its foreign enemies.
From among the Muses, Clio, the muse of history, speaks first and “announces the glory of birth of the most majestic king”. Mentioned in this part is the royal coat of arms — Janina, with a shield on the emblem. Also mentioned are two families which John Sobieski was a descendant of: the Daniłłowicz and the Żółkiewski family (in the case of the latter one, hetman Żółkiewski is presented as a model for the future king).
The muse of tragedy, Melpomene, talks about education of the future ruler, and “gives praise to the first age devoted to academic Muses”, and emphasizes that the Cracow Academy, per analogy to the famous school of Aristotle described as “royal Lyceum”, was a worthy place to educate the king.
Thalia, the muse of comedy, “praises the initial period devoted to military activities”, when Sobieski, educated in arts of Athena, turned to doings of Mars, in which the future king supposedly followed the example of Spartans. The author of the panegyric mentions his battles with Cossacks in Russia and participation in the battle of Batoh, fought in 1652, in which Marek Sobieski was killed.
Euterpe, whose domain is lyric poetry, “proclaims the extraordinary might during major expeditions against various enemies of the Motherland”. Soldiers of the Republic of Poland, referred to as “Sarmatian world”, are called “brave Atlases and Herculeses”.
The muse of dance, Terpsichore, “proclaims the glorious victory over Tatars in the battles of Komarno and Kalush”. These were battles won by Sobieski in the territory of Ukraine in 1672. The defeated Tatars are referred to as “Scythians”. As the Muse announces, the “public salvation” is owed to Sobieski.
Love poetry muse, Erato, “presents to the world God’s work and the victorious glory of the memorable victory in the battle of Chocim”, which took place in 1673.
Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, “claps during the voting in the most fortunate election for the king of Poland”. It is worth noting that the statement of this Muse is the longest of all (apart from the dedication), and in the old print it is written in italics, in contrast to the other parts of the text, printed in Roman typeface.
Urania, the muse of astronomy, “proclaims deeds of the most majestic king before his coronation, against the Turks and Tatars in the Ukraine”. Sobieski is called “the shield of the Motherland”.
Polyhymnia, the muse of sacral choir poetry, “immortalizes, among the general joyfulness, ovations, which came to be thanks to prayers, on the occasion of the most favourable beginning”. This part completes the whole panegyric with wishes of prosperity for the king. At the end of Polyhymnia’s speech, number three is mentioned, which the author uses to wish the king that he may “wear triple crowns”.
