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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [A4v]

POTENTISSIMUS
Affectus amor.

Love, the all-powerful emotion

Blindfolded Cupid in a chariot drawn by lions
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Aspice, ut invictas[1] vires auriga leonis,
Expressus gemma pusio vincat amor.
Utque manu hac scuticam teneat, hac flectat habenas,
Utque sit in pueri plurimus ore decor.[2]
Dira lues procul esto, feram qui vincere talem
Est potis, à nobis temperet anne manus.[3]

Look - here’s Love the lad, carved on a gem. See how he rides triumphant in his chariot and subdues the lion’s might. How in one hand he holds a lash, with the other he guides the reins, and on his countenance rests the loveliness of youth. - Dread pestilence keep far away. Would one who has the power to conquer such a beast keep his hands from us?

Notes:

1.  Later editions read invictus

2.  In some editions, this sequence of subjunctives is changed to indicative.

3.  This is a translation of Anthologia graeca 9.221, an epigram about a seal carved with a representation of Eros driving a chariot drawn by lions.

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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C1v p34]

Amicitia etiam post mortem durans.[1]

Friendship lasting even beyond death

Grape vine wound round a tree
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Arentem senio, nudam quoque frondibus ulmum,
Complexa est viridi vitis opaca coma.[2]
Agnoscitque vices naturae, & grata parenti
Officii reddit mutua iura suo.
Exemploque monet, tales nos quaerere amicos,
Quos neque disiungat foedere summa dies.

A vine shady with green foliage embraced an elm tree that was dried up with age and bare of leaves. The vine recognises the changes wrought by nature and, ever grateful, renders to the one that reared it the duty it owes in return. By the example it offers, the vine tells us to seek friends of such a sort that not even our final day will uncouple them from the bond of friendship.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C2r p35]

Amytie durant apres mort.

Au temps que jeune estoit la vigne,
Elle fut soustenue de lorme,
(Qui destre ayme se rend bien digne)
A quoy la vigne fut conforme:
Car au temps quil devint disforme,
Voire mort, la vigne lembrasse:
Cherchez donc amy de telle forme,
Dont lamour pour mort ne sefface.

Notes:

1.  See Erasmus’ famous variations on this theme in De copia (CWE 24. pp. 354-64).

2.  In ancient Italy young vines were often supported by elm trees. See Vergil, Georgics 1.2.

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