Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [N2v f85v]

EMBLEMA CXXXI.

Inanis impetus.

Antagonism that achieves nothing

Lunarum [=Lunarem] noctu (ut speculum)[1] canis inspicit orbem:
Seque videns, alium credit inesse canem,[2]
Et latrat: sed frustra agitur vox irrita ventis,
Et peragit cursus surda Diana suos.[3]

A dog at night is looking into the moon’s disk as into a mirror and seeing himself, thinks there is another dog there; and he barks - but the sound is carried away, ineffectual, on the winds. Diana, unhearing, pursues her course.

Das CXXXI.

Vergebne mühe.

Als den Mon sach der Hund zu nacht
Und sich drinn als im Spiegel gdacht
Er es wer eins anderß Hunds Bild
Sprang ubersich und stalt sich wild
Aber sein bellen gieng in lufft
War vergebens und gar ein dufft
Der Mon dannoch sein lauff verricht
Last in bellen als ghör ers nicht.

Notes:

1.  For the theory of the moon’s disk as a mirror reflecting things on earth, see Plutarch, De facie in orbe lunae, Moralia, 920ff.

2.  Variant reading: altum credit inesse canem, ‘thinks there is a dog up there’.

3.  Diana is of course goddess of the moon.

« 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 »
    Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [N1v f84v]

    EMBLEMA CXXX.

    Iusta ultio.

    Just revenge

    Raptabat volucres captum pede corvus in auras,
    Scorpion audaci praemia parta gulae.
    Ast ille infuso sensim per membra veneno,
    Raptorem in stygias compulit ultor aquas.
    O risu res digna: aliis qui fata parabat,
    Ipse perit propriis succubuitque dolis.[1]

    A raven was carrying off into the flying winds a scorpion gripped in its talons, a prize won for its audacious gullet. But the scorpion, injecting its poison drop by drop through the raven’s limbs, despatched the predator to the waters of the Styx and so took its revenge. What a laughable thing! The one who was preparing death for others himself perishes and has succumbed to his own wiles.

    Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [N2r f85r]

    Das CXXX.

    Billiche verdiente Rach.

    An eagle with a scorpion in its beak.
    [Click on image to enlarge]

    Der Rab ein Scorpion voll Gifft
    Fieng, und führte in hoch in die lüfft
    Bald seiner fressigkeit so jach
    Empfieng verdienten lon und rach
    Dann der Scorpion allgemacht
    Das Gifft ins Rabn Glieder bracht
    Recht sich an seinem Rauber bald
    Nimpt im das Leben mit gewalt
    Es ist fürwar deß lachens wehrt
    Das der andern ein Brey anrört
    Denselben er muß essen auß
    Und kompt sein untreuw im zu hauß.

    Notes:

    1.  This is a fairly free translation of Anthologia graeca 9.339. See Erasmus, Adagia 58, Cornix scorpium, where the Greek epigram is again translated.

    « 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