
De Paix abondance.
XIX.
Sur Roc en mer, vray lieu de paix,
Alcyone pour ses petits
Son nid d’espics & vigne espais,[1]
Bastit selon les appetits:
Celà monstre les biens gentils,
Qu’on a quand lon veut paix poursuyvre,
En bleds & vins sont lieux fertils,
Où le Roy sçait tel oiseau suyvre.[2]

commentaires.
Les alcyones, sont des oiseaux maritimes, lesquels,
en la plus froide saison de l’annee, & les tempestes e-
stans les plus furieuses, font leur nid en la mer, sur
quelque roc: lequel nid ils bastissent de grands epics
de bled, l’environnant de petits
rameaux & fruicts
de la vigne. Dieu fait tant de faveur à cest oiselet, que
si tost qu’il a commencé à pondre ses oeufs, tous vents
& tempestes s’appaisent: si que la mer devient coye
& tranquille durant quatorze jours, lesquels les ma-
riniers observent diligemment, estans certains que
durant lesdits quatorze jours ils ne souffrirent aucu-
ne tempeste. Si les Rois pouvoyent imiter ces oiselets,
gouvernans & maintenans leurs subjects en toute
paix & tranquillité, leur regne fleuriroit en toute a-
bondance de bleds, vins, & toutes
autres denrees.
1. ‘halcyon birds’. For these see Aelian, De natura animalium 1.36; 9.17; Pliny, Natural History. 10.47.89-91; and for the legend of their transformation, Ovid, Metamorphoses 11, 410ff, esp. 728ff. Halcyons were supposed to build a nest and launch it on the sea at a time of calm peaceful weather provided for them about the time of the winter solstice. See Erasmus, Adagia 1552, Halcedonia sunt apud forum.
2. Before their metamorphosis into seabirds, Alcyone and her husband were a deeply loving royal couple ruling a peaceful country. This love persisted after the change, symbolised by the calm weather associated with their nesting.
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Relating to the image:
- animals nesting; making nests, lodges, webs, etc. [25F(+4712)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- other birds: kingfisher (+ brooding, hatching) [25F39(KINGFISHER)(+412)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- other birds: kingfisher (+ animal with forelegs raised upward) [25F39(KINGFISHER)(+551)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- groups of plants (herbs) [25G13] Search | Browse Iconclass
- boulder, stone [25H1124] Search | Browse Iconclass
- island (+ variant) [25H14(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sea (seascape) [25H23] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clouds [26A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- vine [47I422] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- plants and herbs (with NAME) [25G4(WHEAT)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- wine ~ alcoholic drinks [41C711] Search | Browse Iconclass
- wreath, garland ~ festive activities [43A(+12)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ruler, sovereign [44B1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- blessings of peace [45A231] Search | Browse Iconclass
- peace and prosperity, 'Pax et Abundantia' [45A232] Search | Browse Iconclass
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