Link to an image of this page [H3v p118]
A minimis quoque timendum.[1]
Beware of even the weakest foe
LIIII.
Bella gerit Scarabaeus & hostem provocat ultrò,
Robore & inferior, consilio superat.
Nam plumis Aquilae clàm se neque cognitus abdit,
Hostilem ut nidum summa per astra petat:
Ovaque confodiens, prohibet spem crescere prolis:
Hocque modo illatum dedecus ultus abit.[2]
The scarab beetle is waging war and takes the challenge to its foe. Though inferior in physical strength, it is superior in strategy. It hides itself secretly in the eagle’s feathers without being felt, in order to attack its enemy’s nest across the lofty skies. It bores into the eggs and prevents the hoped-for offspring from developing. And then it departs, having thus avenged the insult inflicted on it.
Link to an image of this page [H4r p119]
Des petitz se doibt l’on doubter.
LIIII.
L’aigle eust au cerf volant debat:
Dont elle fait bien peu de compte,
Comme petit pour son combat.
Mais l’autre emmy ses plumes monte.
Ainsi porté fut de esle prompte
Au nid, ou tous les oeufz il casse.
Moins fort de corps, par art surmonte.
Souvent nuyt condition basse.
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- predatory birds: eagle (+ audible means of communication of animal(s): roaring, crying, singing, barking, mewing, neighing, chirping, etc.) [25F33(EAGLE)(+49)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds: eagle (+ silent means of communication of animal(s): wagging of tail etc.) [25F33(EAGLE)(+491)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds: eagle (+ fighting animals; aggressive relations) [25F33(EAGLE)(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) (+ variant) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) (+ fighting animals; aggressive relations) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) (+ postures, positions of animal(s)) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+53)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- trees (+ bare plant) [25G3(+351)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- feathers [25F(+352)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- nest, den, burrow [25F(+421)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- egg [25F(+91)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Littleness, Smallness [51GG1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Secrecy, Latency, Concealment; 'Secretezza' (Ripa) [52DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- Revenge, Requital, Retaliation; 'Vendetta' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57AA741(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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Link to an image of this page [E7r p77]
Des petits se doit lon douter.
LIIII.
L’aigle eut au Cerf volant debat:
Link to an image of this page [E7v p78]
Dont elle fait bien peu de compte,
Comme petit pour son combat:
Mais l’autre emmi ses plumes monte.
Ainsi porté fut d’aisle prompte
Au nid, où tous les oeufs il casse.
Moins fort de corps, par art surmonte.
Souvent nous nuit personne basse.[1]
commentaires.
L’escharbot, que le Fevre appelle Cerfvolant, est
un petit animal, qui provient des chairs pourries des
chevaux. Il est ennemi juré de l’aigle, & a bien esté
si osé, que de la desfier. Il
est petit extremement, &
sans forces: mais il surpasse son ennemie en conseil & en
astuce Car sans qu’elle en sente rien, il se fourre & se
cache dans ses plumes, & porté par elle jusques dans
son nid, il y perce & rond tous ses oeufs, si qu’il n’en
peut sortir aucun poussin: ainsi il se venge de sa
Link to an image of this page [E8r p79]
superbe ennemie, puis s’enfuit en se mocquant, comme
le recite aussi Esope.
Cest Embleme nous apprend
que quelque petit & foible que soit nostreennemi
nous ne le devons pas pourtant mespriser: car comme
on dit communement, Il n’est
pas jusqu’à la formis
qui n’ayt sa cholere.
1. For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
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