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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B4v p24]

Potentissimus affectus Amor.

Love, the all-powerful emotion

Blindfolded Cupid in a chariot drawn by lions
[Click on image to enlarge]

Aspice ut invictus vires auriga leonis
Expressus gemma pusio vincat Amor.
Utque manu hac scuticam teneat, hac flectat habenas:
Utque sit in pueri plurimus ore decor.[1]
Dira lues procul esto, feram qui vincere talem
Est potis, à nobis temperet an ne manus? [2]

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?

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B5r p25]

Amour affection trespuissante.

Pensez a ce petit chartier,
Qui sceit mettre au joug les Lyons,
Nous pourra il point chastier,
Et ouvrer sur ce que voulions?
Noz cueurs dont fault que allieurs plions:
Car sil est puissant pour telz bestes,
Pensez vous que nous en allions,
Sans quil nous lie cueurs & testes?

Notes:

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

2.  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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  • plague [31A4621] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • ornaments, jewels [41D266] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Strength, Power; 'Fortezza', 'Fortezza d'Animo e di corpo', 'Fortezza del corpo congiunta con la generositàdell'animo', 'Fortezza & valore del corpo congiunto con la prudenza & virtù del animo', 'Forza' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of con [54A7(+4):56F2(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • 'Forza d'amore, Forza d'amore si nell'acqua come in terra' (Ripa) [56F2515] Search | Browse Iconclass

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Section: FIDES (Good faith). View all emblems in this section.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [A8v p16]

Foedera.

Alliances.

A lute and an open book of music on a bed beneath a canopy
[Click on image to enlarge]

Hanc citharam, à lembi quae forma halieutìca[1] fertur,
Vendicat & propriam Musa Latina sibi,
Accipe Dux: placeat nostrum hoc tibi tempore munus,
Quo nova cum sociis foedera inire paras.
Difficile est, nisi docto homini, tot tendere chordas,
Unaque si fuerit non bene tenta fides,
Ruptave (quod facile est) perit omnis gratia conchae,
Illeque praecellens cantus, ineptus erit.
Sic Itali coëunt proceres in foedera, concors
Nil est quod timeas, si tibi constet amor.
At si aliquis desciscat (uti plerumque videmus)
In nihilum illa omnis solvitur harmonia.

This lute, which from its boat shape is called ‘halieutica’, my Latin Muse now claims for her own service. Receive it, O Duke. May this offering of mine be pleasing to you at this moment when you are preparing to enter into fresh agreements with your allies. It is difficult, except for a man of skill, to tune so many strings, and if one string is out of tune or broken, which so easily happens, all the music of the instrument is lost and its lovely song disjointed. In like manner the leaders of Italy are now forming alliances. There is nothing for you to fear if affection lasts for you and stays in concord. But if any one should slide away, which we often see, that harmony is all dissolved into nothing.

Notes:

1.  halieutica, a Greek word meaning ‘fishing’ (boat).

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  • 'Lega' (Ripa) [44B450] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • the artist and his muse (in general) [48B101] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • inspiration of the painter [48C75110] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Harmony, Regularity (+ emblematical representation of concept) [51D2(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Agreement, Unity; 'Concordia', 'Concordia insuperabile', 'Concordia militare', 'Concordia di Pace', 'Unione civile' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54E31(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • historical person (with NAME) other representations to which the NAME of a historical person may be attached (with NAME of person) [61B2(SFORZA, Massimiliano)3] Search | Browse Iconclass
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