“My studies are far from servile imitations, I robbe no others inventions... These are mine own Phansies expressed by my proper Genius, which if thou dost dislike, let me see thine.” Defending originality in composition with a direct challenge to critics · Address to the Understanding Reader, The First Part of Ayres, 1605 Criticism Music Originality
“My Profession being, as my Education hath beene, Armes, the onely effeminate part of me, hath beene Musicke.” Asserting the primacy of his soldiering while acknowledging music as his gentler pursuit · Preface to The First Part of Ayres, 1605 Identity Music War
