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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [E2r]

SIGNA FORTIUM.

The mark of the brave

Picture of an eagle on a tomb marked D M ARISTOMENIS
[Click on image to enlarge]

Quae te causa movet volucris saturnia[1] magni,
Ut tumulo insideas ardua Aristomenis[2]?
Hoc moneo quantum inter aves ego robore praesto,
Tantum semideos inter Aristomenes.
Insideant timidae timidorum busta columbae,
Nos aquilae intrepidis signa benigna damus.

Saturnian bird, what cause brings you to stand with uplifted wings on the tomb of mighty Aristomenes? - I tell you this - as I stand out among the birds in power, so does Aristomenes among the sons of gods. Fearful doves may perch on the graves of the fearful. We eagles give signs of favour to the fearless.

Notes:

1.  volucris Saturnia, ‘Saturnian bird’, i.e. the eagle, attendant on Jupiter, son of Saturn.

2.  Aristomenes was a Messenian hero of the seventh century BC, of semi-divine origin, who performed incredible exploits while leading his country for many years in resistance to the Spartans. On one occasion an eagle aided his miraculous escape from captivity.

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  • doves, pigeons [34B231] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Strength, Power; 'Fortezza', 'Fortezza d'Animo e di corpo', 'Fortezza del corpo congiunta con la generosit… dell'animo', 'Fortezza & valore del corpo congiunto con la prudenza & virtu del animo', 'Forza'(Ripa) [54A7] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Courage, Bravery, Valiance, Manliness; 'Ardire magnanimo et generoso', 'Gagliardezza', 'Valore', 'Virtù heroica', 'Virtù dell'animo e del corpo' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A8(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Cowardice [54AA8] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timidità o Timore', 'Timore' (Ripa) [56DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass

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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [H3v p118]

Signe des Forts.

LXXXII.

Qui t’a faict seoir sur un tombeau,
Aigle, veu ta nature insigne.
Laisses y plustost le Corbeau:

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [H4r p119]

an eagle with wings spread on a tomb.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Qui de corps morts se coinquine.
J’y suis pour donner à tous signe,
Que (comme oiseaux je passe en course)
Aristomene[1] ainsi ruïne
Tous ses ennemis par sa force.

commentaires.

L’aigle est un oiseau fort grand, royal, tresnoble,
surnommé l’oiseau de Jupiter, soit pource qu’il regar-
de le Soleil à yeux ouverts, soit pource qu’il a ce pri-
vilege de n’estre jamais frappé du foudre. Pour ceste
raison les poëtes l’appellent l’escuyer ou portearmes
de Jupiter. Les auteurs disent merveilles de l’indicible
perspicacité de sa veuë, de son vol si hautain, & de
son admirable naturel. On l’interrogue icy, pourquoy
elle se sied sur le sepulcre du grand Aristomene. (A-
ristomene fut un des Princes de Messene tresjuste
& tres vaillant, qui par sa grande experience aux ar-
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [H4v p120] mes, & par sa singuliere industrie, rendit plusieurs
fois vains & de nul effect les desseings des Lacede-
moniens, desquels il s’est trouvé avoir occis de sa main
trois cents, en trois faicts d’armes, sçavoir est cent en
chaque rencontre: Et pource escrivent les auteurs,
que par trois fois il offrit sacrifices que les Grecs ap-
pelloyent ἑκατομφόνια, c’est à dire cent tués. Ayant
esté surpris par les Lacedemoniens, faict prisonnier, &
precipité, il est miraculeusement sorti & eschappé de
leurs griffes.) L’aigle respond ainsi à l’interrogation
qui luy est faicte, Je me sieds sur le tombeau d’Ari-
stomene, pource que, comme je suis le plus digne en-
tre tous les oiseaux, aussi Aristomene est le plus ce-
lebre entre les demidieux, & entre tous les plus re-
nommés capitaines de la terre. Que les craintives co-
lombes servent d’armoiries aux couards & non guer-
riers: les aigles n’accompagnent autres armoiries que -
celles des magnanimes Princes & Capitaines.

Notes:

1.  Aristomenes was a Messenian hero of the seventh century BC, of semi-divine origin, who performed incredible exploits while leading his country for many years in resistance to the Spartans. On one occasion an eagle aided his miraculous escape from captivity.

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Relating to the text:

  • song-birds (with NAME) [25F32(CROW)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • men of name or fame, heroes, 'homines illustres', 'uomini famosi' [46A1270] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Strength, Power; 'Fortezza', 'Fortezza d'Animo e di corpo', 'Fortezza del corpo congiunta con la generosit� dell'animo', 'Fortezza & valore del corpo congiunto con la prudenza & virtu del animo', 'Forza'(Ripa) [54A7] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Courage, Bravery, Valiance, Manliness; 'Ardire magnanimo et generoso', 'Gagliardezza', 'Valore', 'Virt� heroica', 'Virt� dell'animo e del corpo' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A8(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • (story of) Aristomenes representations to which the NAME of a person from classical history may be attached [98B(ARISTOMENES)3] Search | Browse Iconclass

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