Link to an image of this page [B5r]ALBUTII AD D. ALCIATUM,
suadens, ut de tumultibus Italicis se sub
ducat, & in Gallia pro-
fiteatur.[1]
Sent by Albutius to Alciato urging him to withdraw from the Italian troubles and take up a teaching post in France
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Quae dedit hos fructus arbor,[2] coelo advena nostro,
Venit ab eoo persidis axe prius.
Translatu facta est melior quae noxia quondam,
In patria, hic nobis dulcia poma gerit,
Fert folium linguae, fert poma similima cordi,
Alciate hinc vitam degere disce tuam.
Tu procul à patria[3] in pretio es maiore futurus,
Multum corde sapis, nec minus ore vales.
The tree that gave us these fruits, a stranger to our skies, came formerly from the eastern climes of Persia. By the transplanting it was made better. The tree that once bore harmful fruits in its native land, here bears sweet ones for us. It carries leaves like a tongue, fruits like a heart. Alciato, learn from it how to spend your life. Far from your own country, you will be held in greater esteem. You are wise in heart, and no less effective in speech.
1. This person has been identified as Aurelius Albutius, lawyer, scholar and poet, like Alciato originally from Milan. On the question of the genuineness of this ascription and a suggested date for the epigram preceding Alciato’s first removal to France in 1518, see J. Köhler, Der ‘Emblematum liber’ von Andreas Alciatus (1492-1550) (Hildesheim: August Lax, 1986).
2. ‘The tree that gave us these fruits’, i.e. the peach, with its heart-shaped fruit and tongue-shaped leaves.
3. ‘Far from your own country’. Alciato had two periods in France. He was lecturing on Civil Law in Avignon from 1518-1522, then returned to Milan. He again took up his teaching post in Avignon in 1527, and then removed to Bourges, where he remained until his return to Italy (Pavia) in 1533. The ‘troubles’ mentioned could be political (there was much fighting and tumult in N. Italy), or could refer to the wrangling between rival schools of academic lawyers during Alciato’s youth.
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- leaf [25G(+27)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- tongue [31A22141] Search | Browse Iconclass
- heart symbolism [31A22210] Search | Browse Iconclass
- diseases [31A46] Search | Browse Iconclass
- poisoning [31A4629] Search | Browse Iconclass
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OBDURANDUM ADVER-
sus urgentia.
Stand firm against pressure
Nititur in pondus palma & consurgit in arcum,
Quo magis et premitur hoc mage tollit onus.[1]
Fert & odoratas bellaria dulcia glandes,[2]
Quis mensas inter primus habetur honos.
Link to an image of this page [B3v]I puer & reptans ramis has collige, mentis
Qui constantis erit, prtemia [=praemia]
digna feret.
The wood of the palm-tree counteracts a weight and rises up into an arch. The heavier the burden pressing it down, the more it lifts it up. The palm-tree also bears fragrant dates, sweet dainties much valued when served at table. Go, boy, edge your way along the branches and gather them. The man who shows a resolute spirit will receive an appropriate reward.
1. The reaction of palm to a heavy weight is mentioned in various ancient sources, e.g. Pliny, Natural History 16.81.223; Aulus Gellius, Noctes Atticae 3.6. See also Erasmus, Parabolae p.263. It probably refers to a plank of palm-wood, rather than a branch of the living tree. A similar image is used in La Perriere, Morosophie, no. 83 ([FLPb083]).
2. See Erasmus, Parabolae p.241: ‘the palm-tree, having bark with knife-sharp edges, is difficult to climb, but it bears delicious fruit’.
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