
SIGNA FORTIUM.
The mark of the brave
Quae te causa movet volucris saturnia[1] magni,
Ut tumulo insideas ardua Aristomenis[2]?
Hoc moneo quantum inter aves ego robore praesto,
Tantum semideos inter Aristomenes.
Insideant timidae timidorum busta columbae,
Nos aquilae intrepidis signa benigna damus.
Saturnian bird, what cause brings you to stand with uplifted wings on the tomb of mighty Aristomenes? - I tell you this - as I stand out among the birds in power, so does Aristomenes among the sons of gods. Fearful doves may perch on the graves of the fearful. We eagles give signs of favour to the fearless.
1. volucris Saturnia, ‘Saturnian bird’, i.e. the eagle, attendant on Jupiter, son of Saturn.
2. Aristomenes was a Messenian hero of the seventh century BC, of semi-divine origin, who performed incredible exploits while leading his country for many years in resistance to the Spartans. On one occasion an eagle aided his miraculous escape from captivity.
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- grave, tomb [42E31] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- Strength, Power; 'Fortezza', 'Fortezza d'Animo e di corpo', 'Fortezza del corpo congiunta con la generosit… dell'animo', 'Fortezza & valore del corpo congiunto con la prudenza & virtu del animo', 'Forza'(Ripa) [54A7] Search | Browse Iconclass
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Que à las vezes caen los que alto
contemplan.
Ottava rhima.
Mientras los tordos con la liga engaña
Y las alondras con sottil pihuela,
Y mientras tira y piensa con la caña
Heryr la grulla que por alto buela,
Pisò à la sierpe que con la sed daña [M]
De lo que el caçador no se
reçela,
Mas muere como aquel que en alto mira
Y del çercano mal no se
retira.[1]
[Marginalia - link to text]Dypsas.
1. See Anthologia graeca 7.172 and Aesop, Fables 137.
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