MORSZTYN, JAN ANDRZEJ

born June 24, 1621, near Sandomierz, Pol. died Jan. 8, 1693, Chteauvillain, France Polish Baroque poet and diplomat. A courtier of Polish kings Wladyslaw IV and John-Casimir, Morsztyn later became leader of the opposition during John III Sobieski's reign, an agent of the French king Louis XIV in Poland, and finally, as the comte de Chteauvillain, an migr in France. His interest in literature led him to translate Italian and French poetry and drama into Polish. Throughout his life he wrote short poems, rhymed letters to friends, and witty epigramsall gathered in two collections: Kanikula albo psia gwiazda (1647; Sweltering, or The Dog Star) and Lutnia (1661; Lute). First published in the 19th century, they secured Morsztyn's place in Polish literature.