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EMBLEMA IX.

Principis clementia.

Clemency in a ruler

Swarm of wasps or bees around a hive.
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Vesparum quod nulla unquam Rex spicula figet:[1]
Quódque aliis duplo corpore maior erit.
Arguet imperium clemens, moderataque regna.
Sanctaque iudicibus credita iura bonis.

The king of the wasps will never implant any sting and will be twice as big as the rest. This will be a sign of mild dominion, a disciplined kingdom, and inviolable law entrusted to good judges.

Das IX.

Fürstliche Gnad.

Das der Wespen König nimmer
Mit seim Angel sticht, und daß er
An seinem Leib zweymal ist groß
Dann die andern Wespen genoß
Zeigt an ein gnedig Regiment
Und stilles Reich darinn man lendt
All Hendel und sachen nach recht
Wie es vertrauwt ist dem Richter schlecht.

Notes:

1.  According to Pliny, Natural History, 11.21.74, wasps do not have ‘kings’: it is the ‘mother’ wasps that are without stings. On the other hand, the ‘king’ bee (the ancients believed the queen bee to be male) and its lack of sting, or refusal to use its sting, was often mentioned; e.g. Aelian, De natura animalium, 5.10; Pliny, ibid., 17.52. For the analogy with kingship, see e.g. Seneca, De Clementia, 1.19; Erasmus, Adagia, 2601 (Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit).

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EMBLEMA X.

In Senatum boni principis.

On the senate of a good prince

DIALOGISMUS

A Dialogue.

Handless figures sitting before figure of god
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Effigies manibus truncae ante altaria divûm
Hic resident, quarum lumine capta prior.
Signa potestatis summae, sanctique Senatus
Thebanis fuerant ista reperta viris.[1]
Cur resident? Quia mente graves decet esse quieta
Iuridicos, animo nec variare levi
Cur sine sunt manibus? Capiant ne xenia, nec se
Pollicitis flecti muneribusque sinant.
Caecus at est princeps, quòd solis auribus absque
Affectu, constans iussa senatus agit.

Figures without hands sit here before the altars of the gods. The chief of them is deprived of sight. These symbols of the supreme power and of the reverend senate were discovered by men of Thebes. - Why do they sit? - Because lawgivers should be serious, of a calm mind, and not change with inconstant thoughts. - Why have they no hands? - So that they may not take gifts, nor let themselves be influenced by promises or bribes. But the president is blind, because the Senate, by hearing alone, uninfluenced by feeling, impartially discharges what it is bidden to do.

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Das X.

Beschreibung eines Fürsten löbliche
Räht.

Hie sitzn vor der Götter altar
Bilder die haben kein Hand zwar
Der öberst aber under in
Der ist beraubt der augen sin
Diß haben von Theb die weisse Mann
Erdacht, damit zu zeigen an
Deß öbersten Rahts höchst gewalt
Und Herrschafft wie die seyn soll gstalt
Warumb sitzen sie aber all
Darumb das jeder Richter sal
Tapffer seyn und von Hertzen deicht
Und sich nicht lassen bewegen leicht
Warumb haben sie dann kein Handt?
Das sie nit nemmen gab und Pfandt
Und das sie mit geschenck und miet
Sich ließn biegen und wenden nit
Der öberst aber der ist blindt
Das er allein soll hören gschwindt
Und unansehung der Person
Das urtheil thu vollstrecken schon.

Notes:

1.  This is Thebes in Egypt. See Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 10; also Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.

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