Poem by Yaakov Frances, Copied by Rabbi Shimshon Cohen Modon. Mantua, 1699.

Poem by Yaakov Frances, Copied by Rabbi Shimshon Cohen Modon. Mantua, 1699.
Poem handwritten: Ashrei HaGoy Bachar Lo’ya.. by Rabbi Yaacov Frances, copied by Rabbi Shimshon Cohen Modon, from Mantua. Mantua, 1699. [1] Leaf paper, 40.5 * 29 cm. Italian script. Poem mocking students who are not proficient in Bible and Talmud but occupy themselves with Kabbalistic Law, by Yaacov Frances, one of the prominent poets in Italy in the seventeenth century. Written at the top of the poem are the words: sung by the general Sage, Rabbi Yaakov Frances regarding the people who don’t know and don’t understand and walk in darkness to learn the secrets and wisdom of kabbalah. The poem was only printed a few times. This copy features important variations. In addition to solitary text variations, some lines were omitted and in their place were written other lines. The scholarly edition of Yaakov Frances’ poems does not mention these variations. On the reverse of the leaf: 7 Adi, Mantova. Modon –Marzo 1699. According to a later comment at the top of the page: [manuscript of Shimshon Cohen Modon], he was a Mantua Sage, a disciple of Rabbi Yehudah Briel, and a poet and author. According to a later comment on the head of the leaf, it is written: that the wise one, Shimshon Cohen Modon (1679-1726) from the Sages of Manta, of the students of Rabbi Yehudah Briel. Poet and author of book of Kol Mussar and other poetic and halachic works. Rabbi Shimshon Modon copied other works of Yaacov Frances in 1725 (Budapest manuscript 538). Fold marks. Light tears to folds blemishing solitary letters. A few light aging stains. Fine condition.