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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [E3r]

AERE QUANDOQUE SALU
tem redimendam.

Sometimes money must be spent to purchase safety

Beaver biting off its own testicles which are eaten by hunting dogs.
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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [E3v]

Et pedibus segnis, tumida & propendulus alvo,
Hac tamen insidias effugit arte fiber.
Mordicus ipse sibi medicata virilia vellit,
Atque abiicit sese gnarus ob illa peti,
Huius ab exemplo disces non parcere rebus,
Et vitam ut redimas hostibus aera dare.[1]

Though slow of foot and with swollen belly hanging down, the beaver nonetheless escapes the ambush by this trick: it tears off with its teeth its testicles, which are full of a medicinal substance, and throws them aside, knowing that it is hunted for their sake. - From this creature’s example you will learn not to spare material things, and to give money to the enemy to buy your life.

Notes:

1.  This is based on Aesop, Fables 153, where the same moral is drawn. For the information about the beaver, see Pliny, Natural History 8.47.109; Isidore, Etymologiae (Origines) 12.2.21.

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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L5r f72r]

EMBLEMA CIX.

In temerarios.

The reckless

Figure falling from a chariot which is being pulled through the sky by horses and carries the sun.
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Aspicis Aurigam currus Phaëtonta[1] paterni
Ignivomos ausum flectere Solis equos.
Maxima qui postquàm terris incendia sparsit:
Est temerè infesso [=insesso] lapsus ab axe miser.
Sic plerique rotis fortunae ad sydera Reges
Evecti, ambitio quos iuvenilis agit:
Post magnam humani generis clademque suamque,
Cunctorum poenas denique dant scelerum.

You see here Phaethon, driving his father’s chariot, and daring to guide the fire-breathing steeds of the Sun. After spreading great conflagrations over the earth, the wretched boy fell from the car he had so rashly mounted. - Even so, the majority of kings are borne up to heaven on the wheels of Fortune, driven by youth’s ambition. After they have brought great disaster on the human race and themselves, they finally pay the penalty for all their crimes.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L5v f72v]

Das CIX.

Wider die verwegnen.

Sichst an den Furmann Phaetont
Wie er sich freidig understondt
Seins Vatters der Son feuwrige Roß
Zu leiten und den Wagen groß
Welcher nach dem er hett die erd
Mit unleidlicher Hitz beschwert
Ist er erbermlich von der höch
Deß Himmels gestürtzt worden jäch
Also werden gemeinlich gfürt
Durchs glück biß an deß Himmels ziert
Die großen Herrn so das jung Blut
Und hoffart bey in herrschen thut
Die empfahend dann irer schand
Damit sie sich beladen hand
Verdienten lohn, und setzen sich
Und ander mit in in den stich.

Notes:

1.  Phaethon, the son of Apollo, the sun-god. The myth referred to here is told in Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.748 - 2.349. Both Phaethon and Icarus (Emblem 107 [A67a107]) are types of those who aim too high and do not recognise their proper sphere.

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