
Parem delinquentis et suasoris
culpam esse.
The one who urges wrongdoing is as guilty as the one who does the wrong
Praeconem lituo perflantem classica, victrix
Captivum in tetro carcere turma tenet.
Queis ille excusat, quòd nec sit strenuus armis,
Ullius aut saevo laeserit ense latus.
Huic illi, quin ipse magis timidissime peccas,
Qui clangore alios aeris, in arma cies.[1]
The victorious troop holds captive in a foul dungeon a herald, who sounds military commands on his trumpet. To them he makes his excuses - he is no strong fighting man and has wounded no one’s side with a cruel sword. They reply: You abject coward, you are in fact more guilty, for you with the sound of your trumpet stir up others to fight.
1. This is a version of Aesop, Fables 325.
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- cavalry, horsemen [45(+22)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the soldier; the soldier's life [45B] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- military music [45C9] Search | Browse Iconclass
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A minimis quoque timendum.
Beware of even the weakest foe
Bella gerit Scarabaeus, & hostem provocat ultro,
Robore & inferior consilio superat.
Nam plumis Aquilae clam se neque cognitus abdit,
Hostilem ut nidum summa per astra petat.
Ovaque confodiens prohibet spem crescere prolis,
Hocque modo illatum dedecus ultus abit.[1]
The scarab beetle is waging war and takes the challenge to its foe. Though inferior in physical strength, it is superior in strategy. It hides itself secretly in the eagle’s feathers without being felt, in order to attack its enemy’s nest across the lofty skies. It bores into the eggs and prevents the hoped-for offspring from developing. And then it departs, having thus avenged the insult inflicted on it.

Des petitz se doit lon doubter.
Laigle eust au cerf volant debat:
Dont elle fait bien peu de compte,
Comme petit pour son combat.
Mais lautre emmy les plumes monte.
Ainsi porte fut de esle prompte
Au nid, ou tous les oeufz il casse.
Moins fort de corps, par art surmonte.
Souvent nuyt condition basse.
1. For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
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