
SIGNA FORTIUM.
The mark of the brave
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.
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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- heraldic animals [25F(+12)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds (with NAME) [25F33(EAGLE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- grave, tomb [42E31] Search | Browse Iconclass
- men of name or fame, heroes, 'homines illustres', 'uomini famosi' [46A1270] Search | Browse Iconclass
- inscription [49L8] Search | Browse Iconclass
- proverbs, sayings, etc. (with TEXT) [86(D. M. ARISTOMENIS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- attributes of Jupiter: eagle [92B18(EAGLE)] 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
Relating to the text:
- 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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CAPTIVUS OB GULAM.
Caught by greed
Regnator penus, & mensae corrosor[1] herilis,
Ostrea mus summis vidit hiulca labris.
Queîs teneram opponens[2] barbam falsa ossa momordit,
Illa recluserunt[3] tacta repente domum.
Depraensum & tetro tenuerunt carcere furem,
Semet in obscurum qui dederat tumulum.[4]
A mouse, king of the pantry, nibbler at the master’s table, saw oysters with their shells just slightly open. Applying his sensitive whiskers, he nibbled the deceptive bone. The oysters, when touched, suddenly slammed shut their house and held the thief, caught red-handed, in a noisome prison, a thief who had put himself into a lightless tomb.
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- mouse trap [34D111] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- Gluttony, Intemperance, 'Gula'; 'Gola', 'Ingordigia', 'Ingordigia overo Avidità', 'Voracità' (Ripa) ~ personification of one of the Seven Deadly Sins [11N35] Search | Browse Iconclass
- rodents: mouse (+ animal(s) being hit, shot, caught) [25F26(MOUSE)(+621)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- molluscs (+ shell, snail-shell etc.) [25F72(+36)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- molluscs: oyster (+ animal with prey) [25F72(OYSTER)(+452)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- law and jurisprudence (+ imprisonment) [44G(+56)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Intemperance, Immoderation (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54AA43(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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