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EMBLEMA CLXXX [=179] ..

Vespertilio.

The bat.

Vespere quae tantum volitat, quae lumine lusca est,
Quae cum alias [=alas] gestet, caetera muris habet.
Ad res diversas trahitur, mala nomina primum
Signat: quae latitant, iudiciumque timent.
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [Q6v f113v]Inde & philosophos, qui dum coelestia quaerunt,
Calligant oculis, falsaque sola vident.
Tandem & versutos, cùm clàm sectentur utrunque,
Acquirunt neutra qui sibi parte fidat [=fidem] .

The creature that flies only in the evening, that has poor sight, that is endowed with wings, but has other features belonging to a mouse, is used to represent various things. First it indicates persons of bad standing who lie low and fear being called to account. Next philosophers, who, while they search the heavens, develop blurred vision and only see what is false. Lastly, wily men, who secretly court both parties, but do not win trust on either side.

Das CLXXX [=179] .

Fledermauß.

Die Speckmauß so hat ein blöd gsicht
Und nur umb den abent hrumb sticht
Ist ein Vogel das dFlügel hat
Das ander als einr Mauß zustat
Zu vilen dingen sie braucht wirt
Erstlich den der ein böß gschrey führt
Bedeut, und der verbergen thut
Sich, und fürcht deß Richters Zuchtrut
Darnach auch die Weltweisen gschmitzt
Die Himmlisch ding zerforschn seind gspitzt
Und strauchlen mit irem Gsicht doch
Sehen nicht dann was arg ist noch
Darzu zeigts an auch listig Leut
Die heimlich sich auff beyde seit
Halten, und kriegen doch zu sold
Das in kein theil trauwt, und ist hold.

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    Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [o1v p210]

    Lascivia.

    Wantonness

    LXXI [=72] .

    Delicias, & mollitiem mus creditur albus
    Arguere, at ratio non sat aperta mihi est.[1]
    An quòd ei natura salax, & multa libido est?
    Ornat Romanas an quia pelle nurus?
    Sarmaticum murem vocitant plerique zibellum,[2]
    Et celebris suavi est unguine muscus Arabae.[3]

    The white mouse is supposed to represent self-indulgence and licentiousness, but the reason is not very clear to me. Is it because it is highly sexed and has strong sexual appetities? Or because it adorns Roman women with its fur? Many people call the civet-cat the Sarmatian mouse, and famous for its sweet oil is the Arabian musk.

    Notes:

    1.  The white mouse was a proverbial example of the effeminate and the promiscuous. See the Suda s.v. mus, and Apostolius, Proverbs, 11,87, who also reports its sexual proclivities.

    2.  zibellum, ‘civet cat’, one source of musk, an ingredient in many perfumes. Sarmatia was the region north of the Black Sea.

    3.  murem...muscus, ‘mouse...musk’. The words ‘mouse’ and ‘musk’ (late Latin muscus) are connected, from the mouse-shaped sac of the male animals which produce musk. Some plants have a musky smell. Muscus also means ‘moss’ - Arabia was famous for plants which produced aromatic gums (e.g. incense and nard).

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