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EMBLEMA VII.

Signa Fortium.

The mark of the brave

Picture of an eagle on a tomb marked D M ARISTOMENIS
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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.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C3v f6v]

Das VII.

Wappen der kühnen Helden.

Warumb sitzt auff dem hohn Grabstein
Deß großn Aristomen allein
Der du bist doch ein Vogel schon
Deß Gotts Jovis, Saturni Son
Gleich wie die andern Vögel all
Ich ubertriff an stercke zmal
Also Aristomenes weit
Die andern Helden uberschreit
Auff der zagn Grebern sitzen solln
Die zagen Tauben unverholn
Wir Adler aber diese Mann
So tapffer kün seind zeigen an.

Notes:

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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  • doves, pigeons [34B231] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • 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
  • Courage, Bravery, Valiance, Manliness; 'Ardire magnanimo et generoso', 'Gagliardezza', 'Valore', 'Virt� heroica', 'Virt� dell'animo e del corpo' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A8(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Cowardice [54AA8] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timidit� o Timore', 'Timore' (Ripa) [56DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass

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EMBLEMA VI.

Firmissima convelli non posse.

The firmest things cannot be uprooted

Wind blowing the leaves off a tree
[Click on image to enlarge]

Oceanus quamvis fluctus pater excitet omnes,[1]
Danubiumque omnem Barbare Turca bibas,[2]
Non tamen irrumpes perfracto limite, Caesar
Dum Charolus populis bellica signa dabit:[3]
Sic sacrae quercus[4] firmis radicibus astant
Sicca licent venti concutiant folia.

Though Father Ocean rouses all his waves, though, barbarous Turk, you drink the Danube dry, yet you shall not break through the boundary and burst in, while Emperor Charles shall give to his peoples the signal for war. Even so, holy oaks stand firm with tenacious roots, though the winds rattle the dry leaves.

Das VI.

Was sehr fest ist kan nit bewegt wer-
den.

Ob schon von West das ungstümm Meer
Mit seinen Wellen brausset her
Und du wütrich Türck von auffgang
Den an der Donaw wohnt machst bang
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C3r f6r] So wirstu doch vermögen nicht
Ein schaden zuthun, dieweil verficht
Keyser Carle mit gewaltiger Hand
Und mit Heeresmacht Leut und Land
Gleich also wie ein Eychbaum bleibt
Fest unbewegt stehn, ob schon treibt
Hinweg die leichte Bletter dürr
Der grosse starcke Wind unghürr.

Notes:

1.  This poem is based on Anthologia graeca 9.291, which refers to a threat to ancient Rome from invading German tribes.

2.  The Turks invaded along the Danube and reached Hungary, winning the battle of Mohacs in 1526. When Alciato was writing, they continued to threaten Vienna and Central Europe.

3.   Caesar...Charlus, i.e. Emperor Charles V, led the charge to recover the lost territory.

4.  ‘holy oaks’. Oaks were holy because sacred to Zeus, especially at his sanctuary at Dodona in Greece ([A67a201]). The image of the dry leaves is already present in the Greek poem, but see also Vergil, Aeneid 4.441-4.

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  • Asiatic races and peoples: Turks [32B33(TURKS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Constancy, Tenacity; 'Costanza', 'Tenacità' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [53A21(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Stability, Firmness; 'Fermezza', 'Stabilimento', 'Stabilità' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [53A22(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Invincibility (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A71(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • historical person (with NAME) other representations to which the NAME of a historical person may be attached (with NAME of person) [61B2(CHARLES V [of Holy Roman Empire])3] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc. (names of cities and villages excepted) (with NAME) [61D(DANUBE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • (story of) Oceanus [91B112] Search | Browse Iconclass

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