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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [A7v p14]

Foedera.

Alliances.

lute lying on couch in a room
[Click on image to enlarge]

Hanc citharam à lembi quae forma halieutica[1] fertur,
Vendicat & propriam Musa latina sibi,
Accipe Dux, placeat nostrum hoc tibi tempore munus,
Quo nova cum sociis foedera inire paras.
Difficile est, nisi docto homini, tot tendere chordas,
Unaque si fuerit non bene tenta fides,
Ruptave (quod facile est) perit omnis gratia conchae,
Illeque praecellens cantus, ineptus erit.
Sic Itali coëunt proceres in foedera concors,
Nil est quod timeas, si tibi constet amor.
At si aliquis desciscat (uti plerunque videmus)
In nihilum illa omnis solvitur harmonia.

This lute, which from its boat shape is called “halieutica”, my Latin Muse now claims for her own service. Receive it, O Duke. May this offering of mine be pleasing to you at this moment when you are preparing to enter into fresh agreements with your allies. It is difficult, except for a man of skill, to tune so many strings, and if one string is out of tune or broken, which so easily happens, all the music of the instrument is lost and its lovely song disjointed. In like manner the leaders of Italy are now forming alliances. There is nothing for you to fear if affection lasts for you and stays in concord. But if any one should slide away, which we often see, that harmony is all dissolved into nothing.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [A8r p15]

Traictez damytie.

Comme au Luc la Muse Italique
Print plaisir, pour ses bons accors:
Ainsi toy Duc, as pris practique,
De rendre tous princes concors:
Mais si ung ou deux sont discors,
Seurte meurt, Guerre prand repeue:
Com lharmonie de ce corps
Fault pour une corde rompue.

Notes:

1.  A Greek word meaning ‘fishing’ (boat).

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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [B3v p22]

Ficta religio.

False religion.

EMBLEMA VI.

A crowned woman (the harlot) riding the beast (a hydra or many-headed gryphon) offers a rich beverage to begging people.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Regali residens meretrix pulcherrima sella,[1]
Purpureo insignem gestat honore peplum.
Omnibus & latices pleno è cratere propinat:
At circum cubitans ebria turba iacet.
Sic Babylona notant: quae gentes illice forma,
Et ficta stolidas relligione capit.

A beauteous harlot reclining on a royal seat wears a robe resplendent with purple, the badge of honour. From a full bowl she passes round the cup of drink to all, and round about the drunken crowd sprawls in stupor. Thus they indicate Babylon, who with her alluring beauty takes in the doltish nations with false religion.

Notes:

1.  See Revelation 17:3 ff., which has influenced the illustration.

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