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EMBLEMA CXXVII.

A minimis quoque timendum.

Beware of even the weakest foe

Scarab beetle fighting an eagle
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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.[1]

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.

Das CXXVII.

Die kleinen seind auch zu förchten.

Der Schröter führt ein hefftigen streit
Wider den Adler alle zeit
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [M8v f83v] Den Feind er hrauß heischt auff den plan
Mit ligstigkeit er sigt im an
Und nit mit sterck, dann heimlich er
Versteckt sich unders Feinds Feder
Den also der Adler mit sich
Fürt in sein Nest hoch ubersich
Darinnen er die Eyr zerkluckt
Verhindert in an sein jungen fluckt
Daß er deren beraubt wirt zhand
Also recht er sein zugfügt schand.

Notes:

1.  For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.

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Iusta ultio.

Just revenge

A bird carrying off a scorpion; bird is then killed.
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Raptabat volucres captum pede corvus in auras
Scorpion, audaci praemia parta gulae.
Ast ille infuso sensim per membra veneno,
Raptorem in stygias compulit ultor aquas.
O risu res digna, aliis qui fata parabat,
Ipse perit, propriis succubuitque dolis.[1]

A raven was carrying off into the flying winds a scorpion gripped in its talons, a prize won for its audacious gullet. But the scorpion, injecting its poison drop by drop through the raven’s limbs, despatched the predator to the waters of the Styx and so took its revenge. What a laughable thing! The one who was preparing death for others himself perishes and has succumbed to his own wiles.

Notes:

1.  This is a fairly free translation of Anthologia graeca 9.339. See Erasmus, Adagia 58, Cornix scorpium, where the Greek epigram is again translated.

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