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EMBLEMA CXIIII

Consiliarii Principum.

Counsellors of princes

Heroum genitos, & magnum fertur Achillem
In stabulis Chiron erudiisse suis.[1]
Semiferum doctorem, & semivirum centaurum,
Assideat quisquis regibus, esse decet.[2]
Est fera, dum violat socios, dum proterit hostes:
Estque homo, dum simulat se populo esse pium.

It is said that Chiron brought up in his stables the sons of heroes and the great Achilles. He shows us that anyone who sits in counsel with kings must be a teacher who is half a beast, a centaur who is half a man. He is the beast when he attacks supporters and tramples on enemies. He is the man when he feigns compassion for the people.

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Das CXIIII.

Fürsten Räht.

Der Centaur Chiron wie dsag sol
Gelernet habn in seinem hol
Und underweist den künen Mann
Achillem der von Helden kam
Ein jeder der zu Hof seyn wil
Bey grossen Herren wol am spil
Muß seyn ein Mensch wie ein halb Thier
Und wie ein halb Mensch ein wild Stier
Ein Thier ist er so er letzt die Freundt
So er zu Boden stöst die Feind
Und ein Mensch ist er so er sich
Stelt gegen jederman freundtlich.

Notes:

1.  Chiron, the wise centaur entrusted with the education of Achilles, Aesculapius, and other noble figures. Centaurs were creatures combining the physical and mental characteristics of a man with those of a horse. They were wild and uncontrolled, and came to symbolise humanity descending to savagery. Even the civilised Chiron, the educator, retained violent potential.

2.  Variant reading: esse docet, ‘He shows us that anyone who sits in counsel with kings is ...’

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    EMBLEMA CXVI.

    In eum qui sibi ipsi damnum
    apparat.

    One who brings about his own downfall

    Capra lupum non sponte meo nunc ubere lacto,
    Quòd malè pastoris provida cura iubet.[1]
    Creverit ille simul, mea me post ubera pascet.
    Improbitas nullo flectitur obsequio.[2]

    I am a goat giving suck against my will - to a wolf. The improvident kindness of the shepherd makes me do this. Once the wolf has grown, after feeding at my teats, he will then eat me. Wickedness is never deterred by services rendered.

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    Das CXVI.

    Wider den der im selbst ein schaden
    bereit.

    A wolf cub being suckled by a goat.
    [Click on image to enlarge]

    Ich arme Geiß muß wider mein willn
    Ein jungen Wolff mit meiner Milch fülln
    Also wil es der Hirt nur han
    Denckt nit was schadn drauß werd entstan
    Dann so er wirt auffwachsen zgleich
    Wirt er mich zlon thon fressen leich
    Dann boßheit kan mit keinr gutthat
    Werden gwendt, gfült, gsettigt und sat.

    Notes:

    1.  This is a translation of Anthologia graeca 9.47. For the content cf. Aesop, Fables 313-5.

    2.  ‘Wickedness is never deterred by services rendered’. See Erasmus, Adagia 1086, Ale luporum catulos.

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