Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L8r f75r]

EMBLEMA CXIIII

Consiliarii Principum.

Counsellors of princes

Heroum genitos, & magnum fertur Achillem
In stabulis Chiron erudiisse suis.[1]
Semiferum doctorem, & semivirum centaurum,
Assideat quisquis regibus, esse decet.[2]
Est fera, dum violat socios, dum proterit hostes:
Estque homo, dum simulat se populo esse pium.

It is said that Chiron brought up in his stables the sons of heroes and the great Achilles. He shows us that anyone who sits in counsel with kings must be a teacher who is half a beast, a centaur who is half a man. He is the beast when he attacks supporters and tramples on enemies. He is the man when he feigns compassion for the people.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L8v f75v]

Das CXIIII.

Fürsten Räht.

Der Centaur Chiron wie dsag sol
Gelernet habn in seinem hol
Und underweist den künen Mann
Achillem der von Helden kam
Ein jeder der zu Hof seyn wil
Bey grossen Herren wol am spil
Muß seyn ein Mensch wie ein halb Thier
Und wie ein halb Mensch ein wild Stier
Ein Thier ist er so er letzt die Freundt
So er zu Boden stöst die Feind
Und ein Mensch ist er so er sich
Stelt gegen jederman freundtlich.

Notes:

1.  Chiron, the wise centaur entrusted with the education of Achilles, Aesculapius, and other noble figures. Centaurs were creatures combining the physical and mental characteristics of a man with those of a horse. They were wild and uncontrolled, and came to symbolise humanity descending to savagery. Even the civilised Chiron, the educator, retained violent potential.

2.  Variant reading: esse docet, ‘He shows us that anyone who sits in counsel with kings is ...’

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Related Emblems

Show related emblems Show related emblems

Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

Iconclass Keywords

Relating to the image:

    Relating to the text:

    Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

    Single Emblem View

    « Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

    Section: PUDICITIA (Chastity). View all emblems in this section.

    Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [D4r p55]

    PUDICITIA.

    Chastity

    A shield bearing a bird, leaning against a tree
    [Click on image to enlarge]

    Porphirio domini si incestet in aedibus uxor,
    Despondetque animum, praeque dolore perit.
    Abdita in arcanis naturae est causa. sit index
    Syncerae haec volucris certa pudicitiae.[1]

    If the wife in its master’s house is unfaithful, the moorhen despairs and dies of grief. The reason lies hidden in the secrets of nature. This bird may serve as a sure sign of untarnished chastity.

    Notes:

    1.  For this information about the porphyrio (purple gallinule, a kind of moorhen) see Aelian, De Natura animalium, 3.42; Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae, 9,388C: the purple gallinule ... when it is domesticated, ... keeps a sharp eye on married women and is so affected if the wife commits adultery, that it ends its life by strangling and so gives warning to its master.

    « Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

    Related Emblems

    Show related emblems Show related emblems

    Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

    Iconclass Keywords

    Relating to the image:

    Relating to the text:

    Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

     

    Back to top