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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B5v p26]

Foedera.

Alliances.

Ad Maximilianum Mediolanensem Ducem.

EMBLEMA X.

A lute and an open book of music on a bed beneath a canopy
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Hanc citharam, à lembi quae formâ halieutica[1] fertur,
Vendicat & propriam Musa Latina sibi,
Accipe Dux: placat [=placeat] nostrum hoc tibi tempore munus,
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B6r p27]Quo nova cum sociis foedera inire paras.
Difficile est, nisi docto homini tot tendere chordas:
Unaque si fuerit non bene tenta fides,
Ruptave (quod facile est) perit omnis gratia conchae,
Illeque praecellens cantus, ineptus erit.
Sic Itali coëunt proceres in foedera: concors
Nil est quod timeas, si tibi constet amor.
At si aliquis desciscat (uti plerumque videmus)
In nihilum illa omnis solvitur harmonia.

This lute, which from its boat shape is called ‘halieutica’, my Latin Muse now claims for her own service. Receive it, O Duke. May this offering of mine be pleasing to you at this moment when you are preparing to enter into fresh agreements with your allies. It is difficult, except for a man of skill, to tune so many strings, and if one string is out of tune or broken, which so easily happens, all the music of the instrument is lost and its lovely song disjointed. In like manner the leaders of Italy are now forming alliances. There is nothing for you to fear if affection lasts for you and stays in concord. But if any one should slide away, which we often see, that harmony is all dissolved into nothing.

Notes:

1.  halieutica, a Greek word meaning ‘fishing’ (boat).

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  • 'Lega' (Ripa) [44B450] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • the artist and his muse (in general) [48B101] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • inspiration of the painter [48C75110] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Harmony, Regularity (+ emblematical representation of concept) [51D2(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B4r p23]

Non tibi, sed religioni.

Not for you but for religion

EMBLEMA VII.

A man beating an ass bearing an image of Isis that people are worshipping
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Isidis effigiem tardus gestabat asellus,
Pando verenda dorso habens mysteria.
Obvius ergo Deam quisquis reverenter adorat,
Piasque genibus concipit flexis preces.
Ast asinus tantum praestari credit honorem
Sibi, & intumescit, admodum superbiens:
Donec eum flagris compescens, dixit agaso,
Non es Deus tu, aselle, sed Deum vehis.[1]

An ass with dragging feet was carrying an image of Isis, bearing reverend mysteries on its sagging back. So all who met him reverently offered worship to the goddess and recited pious prayers on bended knee. The ass however took it that all this honour was offered to himself, and began to swagger along swollen with pride - until his driver, reducing him with blows, said, ‘You are not god, my little ass, you are carrying god’.

Notes:

1.  See Aesop, Fables 266; Erasmus, Adagia 1104, Asinus portans mysteria.

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