Who was the composer Tobias Hume?
In 1605 a number of compositions were published in London as The Fist Part of Ayres by a certain Tobias Hume. Two years later, in 1607, it was followed by Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke. The two books contain the largest repertory of solo lyra viol music by a single composer until that date. These works comprise instrumental dances, programmatic pieces, songs etc., presented in tablature. The music displays much skill in the exploitation of the potential of the viol and in the variety of sonorities in the ensemble works.
Who was this talented but rather eccentric composer? To all appearances he was a professional soldier, who was born about 1569 and died 1645 in the Charterhouse almshouse in London. He is said to have served as an officer in the Swedish and Russian armies. In 1642 a pamphlet was published under the following title: The true petition of colonel Hume, As it was presented to the Lords assembled in the high court of Parliament: being then one of the poore Brethren of that famous Foundation of the Charter House.
On the front page follows this declaration:
"Declaring to their Lordships, that if they would be pleased to imply him for the businesse in Ireland, and let him have but sixscore, or an hundred Instruments of War, which he should give direction for to be made, he would ruine the Rebels all within three Months, or else lose his head. - Likewise he will undertake within three Months [...] to bring in by Sea, being furnished with a compleat Navy, to his Majestie and the Parliament 20 Millions of Money." Four pages follow with descriptions of Hume's misery, how he "did walke into the fields very lately to gather Snails in the nettles, and brought a bagge of them home to eat [...] to the great shame of this land ..." There are also accusations towards the lords of Essex and Devonshire, and the author repeatedly threatens to "run out of the land to serve another King" if he is not granted some relief, etc., etc.
This is an obvious prank. An untitled captain would not rise in rank to colonel. A colonel would not land up as a poor brother in an almshouse. A poor almshouse client could not afford to print a pamphlet. No printer would risk his money on printing such rubbish. And of course, no MP would take the least interest in a proposal for a military expedition coming from a crazy almshouse client.
It followes that the pamphlet was in all probablity not written by the poor Tobias Hume at all. His name was obviouly used as a nom de plume for the real author, a wealthy person with a position that permitted him to poke fun at the lords and MPs.
In that case the real author of the Petition may also have been the real author of the compositions published under the name of Captain Hume. It is worth while to read in full the prefaces to his "Poeticall Musicke". They follow below.
Texts purported to be written by Captain Tobias Hume
Printed first preface in Captaine Humes Poeticall Musicke of 1607:
TO THE SACRED MAIESTIE OF QVEENE ANNE
Thrice-Royall Princes,
Since to commend Musique were but to reach the Sunne a pair of spectacles; or to extol my own indeauors, would prooue but superfluous gyldings since I hope they shal instantly come to the touch of your quicke discouering iudgement. I will only perfume in most deuoted zeale, to offer vp this last hope of my labours, to your most princely acceptance, humbly imploring, that it would please your thrice-royall spirit, not to esteeme my Songs vnmusicall, because my Fortune is out of tune; or to grant me little grace, because my deserts may be valued nothing: but once pleasd (Right excellent Princes) as the onely and last refuge of my long expecting hopes, to patronize and second the modest ends of the Author of these vncommon Musiques, not for any thing he yet can claime of iust merit, but for what the ample gracings of the King & my excited affection to do your Maiesty seruice, may happily expect.
I cease to offend your delicate eare with my harsh style, and therefore kissing the ground that sustaineth your Sacred person. I euer rest
The humblest of your subiects,
TOBIAS HVME.
Text engrossed by hand on the flyleaf of the Queen's own copy:
I doe in all humilitie beseech your Ma:tie that you woulde bee pleased to heare this Musick by mee: havinge excellent Instruments to performe itt.
Printed second preface in Captaine Humes Poeticall Musicke of 1607:
Alwaies thus to the Reader
I Do not studie Eloquence, or professe Musicke, although J do loue Sence, and affect Harmony. My Profession being, as my Education hath beene, Armes, the onely effeminate part of mee, hath beene Musicke; which in me hath alwaies Generous, because neuer Mercenarie. To praise Musicke, were to say, the Sunne is bright. To extoll my selfe, would name my labours vaine-glorious. Onely this, my studies are farre from seruile imitations, I rob no others inuentions, I take no Jtalian Note to an English Dittie, or filch fragments of Songs to stuffe out my volumes. These are mine owne Phantasies expressed by my proper Genius, which if thou doest dislike, let me see thine, Capere vel noli nostra, vel ede tua, Now to vse a modest shortnes, and a briefe experssion of myselfe to all noble spirits, thus, My Title expresseth my bookes Contnets, which (if my hopes faile me not) shall not deceiue their expectation, in whose approuement, the crowne of my labours resteth. And from henceforth, the statefull instrument Gambo Violl, shall with ease yield full various and deuicefull Musicke as any other instrument. For here J protest the Trinitie of Musicke, parts, Passion and Diuision, to be as gracefully vnited in the Gambo Violl, as in the most receiued Instrument that is, which here with a Souldiers Resolution. I giue vp to the acceptance of all noble dispositions.
The friend of his friend,
TOBIAS HUME.
Your Viols must be tuned as the Lute, beeing the best Set that euer was inuented, for these kind of Musickes, which may bee compared with the highest and curious musicke in the world.
The vocabulary and wording of Hume resembles those of Shakespeare. See comparison Hume/Shakespeare.