In 1672, a poetic pamphlet was published in Vienna that remains strikingly relevant to modern societies. Titled “Most Humble and Honourable Defence of the Beneficial Princely Policey-Order of Austria”, it reflects on the meaning and necessity of public order—known then as “Policey”—as the moral and structural foundation of any functioning state. This early term, later becoming our modern concept of “police”, was not limited to law enforcement but encompassed the entire regulatory structure of society and public morality.
Authored under the pseudonym I. H. F. à F., the text is a lyrical defence of the need for discipline, law, and civic virtue. It was printed by Matthäus Cosmerovius, imperial court printer in Vienna, and is preserved today in the Austrian National Library. In powerful verses, the pamphlet laments the social decay caused by arrogance, laziness, and lawlessness, and calls for a return to order, honesty, and law-abiding behaviour. More than 350 years later, the core message resonates clearly: without order, there is no freedom. Without police, there is no security.
A Message in Verse: Translations from the Historic Pamphlet
Modern translation of the title page (1672):
Most Humble Honourable Defence of the Beneficial Princely Policey-Order of Austria,
against all currently appearing disobedient wrongdoers and blameworthy slanderers.
Composed in sincere and good spirit by I. H. F. à F.
To the tune: „As the shepherdess sings with her spindle.“
Printed in Vienna, Austria, by Matthäus Cosmerovius,
Imperial Majesty’s court book printer,
in the year 1672.
Selected translated verses (modern German version, Strophes 1–3):
1. Strophe:
The often longed-for order (Policey)
in the Austrian lands
be a thousand times welcome
from the hand of the Emperor,
whose mild throne of grace
looks not only to splendour in attire.
2. Strophe:
What use is a robe woven of gold
if honour and discipline are lost?
No cloak can conceal
what vice within the heart grows.
Thus, with clear intent,
let order be held in esteem.
3. Strophe:
Idleness ruins the land,
it drags down the youth.
So I cry with lifted hand:
Return to virtue once again!
For where law lies on the ground,
chaos soon will reign
An Enduring Message for Modern Times, and a lesson.
This 17th-century document is more than poetic propaganda—it is a historical mirror reflecting the same values modern societies struggle to maintain. While forms of governance and law enforcement have transformed, the idea that order enables freedom remains immutable. The rediscovery of this original printed piece is both a cultural treasure and a political reminder that law and virtue must walk hand in hand.
Today’s police forces carry forward the legacy of “Policey” in its truest form—not only by enforcing laws, but by upholding the values of public order, civic peace, and the rights of all citizens. The script of 1672 urges us not to take security and freedom for granted. In doing so, it gives voice to an eternal truth: law protects liberty, and those who protect the law deserve honour and support. Whether in 1672 or in the 21st century, societies cannot exist without structure. The historical Vienna script reminds us that security is not spontaneous—it is built, preserved, and defended. As we face new global challenges, we do well to listen to the voice of the past.
Pictures by Sicherheit-Zeitung.at of public domain according to CC BY.
(Read the article in German language of the Austrian security magazine and legal note)
