Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Section: AMICITIA (Friendship). View all emblems in this section.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L8r p175]

Gratiae.

The Graces

The three Graces.
[Click on image to enlarge]

TresCharitesVeneri assistunt, dominamque sequuntur.
Hincque voluptates, atque alimenta parant.
Laetitiam Euphrosyne, speciosum Aglaia nitorem,
Suadela est Pithus, blandus & ore lepos.[1]
Cur nudae? mentis quoniam candore venustas
Constat, & eximia simplicitate placet.
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L8v p176]An quia nil referunt ingrati: atque arcula inanis[2],
Est Charitum? qui dat munera, nudus eget.
Addita cur nuper pedibus talaria? bis dat.
Qui citò dat.[3] minimi gratia tarda pretii est.
Implicitis ulnis cur vertitur altera? gratus
Foenerat. huic remanent una abeunte duae.[4]
Iuppiter iis genitor, coeli de semine divas
Omnibus acceptas edidit Eurynome.

The three Graces are attendant on Venus and follow their mistress. So they provide pleasures and pleasure’s nourishment. Euphrosyne brings gladness, Aglaia bright beauty; persuasion belongs to Peitho with winsome charm in speech. Why are they naked? Because loveliness consists in innocence of mind and commends itself by great simplicity. Or is it because the ungrateful make no return and the Graces’ treasure-chest is empty? He who gives gifts is stripped and needy. Why are there wings newly fastened to their feet? He gives twice who gives quickly. A favour granted late is of little value. Why does the second one link arms but turn her back to us? The man who shows gratitude gets more than he lays out; as one goes, two remain for him. Jupiter was their begetter; and Eurynome bore them, the divine offspring of the heavenly seed, goddesses loved by all mankind.

Notes:

1.  The Latin words laetitia (gladness), nitor (beauty) and suadela (persuasion) are translations of the Greek names of the Graces, Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Peitho.

2.  arcula inanis, ‘treasure-chest is empty’. See Erasmus, Adagia, 1812 (Simonidis cantilenae).

3.  bis dat / Qui cito dat ‘He gives twice who gives quickly’. See Erasmus, Adagia, 791 (Bis dat qui cito dat).

4.  Lines 9-12 express common sentiments, found e.g. in Seneca, De Beneficiis, passim. For the Graces especially, see Ibid., 1.3-4. See also Erasmus, Adagia, 1650 (Nudae Gratiae), where Erasmus associates the Graces with both friendship and ingratitude.

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Related Emblems

Show related emblems Show related emblems

Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

Iconclass Keywords

Relating to the image:

Relating to the text:

Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Section: AMICITIA (Friendship). View all emblems in this section.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L7v p174]

Auxilium nunquam
deficiens.

Help never failing

A soldier floating on his shield in the water - an army camp on the shore.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Bina pericla unis effugi sedulus armis.
Cùm premererque solo, cùm premererque salo.
Incolumem ex acie clypeus me praestitit. idem
Navifragum apprensus littora adusque tulit.[1]

Double danger have I escaped by careful use of one set of arms, when I was hard-pressed on dry land and when I was in dire straits amidst the swelling billows. My shield brought me safe from the battle. The same shield, when I seized it, carried me, ship-wrecked, right to the shore.

Notes:

1.  This is based on Anthologia graeca 9, 42. See also 9, 109.

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Related Emblems

Show related emblems Show related emblems

Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

Iconclass Keywords

Relating to the image:

Relating to the text:

Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

 

Back to top