This fine translation of the poetry of the Dutch Golden Age poet Constantijn Huygens offers a selection of the best of his work written in a number of languages, but most in Dutch and Latin. Huygens was a remarkable figure: poet, composer and statesman, he was secretary to two Princes of Orange: Frederick Henry and William II. During his London years, he became friends with the poet John Donne, and translated his poems into Dutch. In January 1621 he traveled to England as the secretary of six envoys of the United Provinces with the object of persuading James I to support the German Protestant Union, returning in April of that year. He was knighted by King James I in 1622. Throughout his life, he was friends with some of the most outstanding figures of his time including Rembrandt and Descartes.