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In Deo laetandum.

Joy is to be found in God.

Emblema iiii.

Ganymede being carried away on the wings of the eagle (Jupiter), with the words ΓΑΝΝΥΣΘΑΙ ΜΗΔΕΣΙ in Greek, and GANYMEDES in Latin.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Aspice ut egregius puerum Iovis alite pictor
Fecerit Iliacum[1] summa per astra vehi.
Quís neIovem tactum puerili credat amore?
Dic, haec Maeonius[2] finxerit unde senex.
Consilium, mens atque Dei cui gaudia praestant.
Creditur is summo raptus adesse Iovi.

See how the skilful illustrator has shown the Trojan boy being carried through the highest heavens by the eagle of Jove. Can anyone believe that Jove felt passion for a boy? Explain how the aged poet of Maeonia came to imagine such a thing. It is the man who finds satisfaction in the counsel, wisdom and joys of God who is thought to be caught up into the presence of mighty Jove.

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Tractum id ex Xenophontis Symposio: quo lo-
co ait Ganymedem non corporis, sed animi cau-
sa in coelum à Iove translatum. quod ipsum nomi-
nis etymo significari tradit. Nam Γανυμήδης
dicitur ὁ γάνυται μήδεσι, I. qui divinis consi-
liis laetatur. Ex quo illud Homericum torquet,
γάνυται δὲ τ’ἀκούων: : laetatur audiens. & alio
loco, πυνικὰ φρεσὶ μέδεα εἰδὼς: edoctus ani-
mo consilia. Id refertur ad hominis contempla-
torem animum, qui relicta corporis secretione, cae-
lestia rimatur intento mentis oculo: quod ipsum
sine raptu non fit, ut docent Philosophi veteres.

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Qu’il se fault resjouir en Dieu.

Qu’est-ce qu’un Ganymede icy doctement faict,
Ravy par l’Aigle en hault, signifie en effect?
Quoy? Jupiter est-il touché en quelque sorte
D’un amour pueril? mais dis que c’est que porte
Le bon Homere; aussi à quoy son dire semble?
Qui s’esjouit en Dieu, nous voyons hault monter,
Et pour en dire vray, à celuy-là ressemble
Qui s’approche, & assiste au grand Dieu Jupiter.

Cecy est prins du Symbole ou banquet
de Xenophon, à l’endroit où il dispute
que Ganymede a esté ravy au ciel par le com-
mandement de Jupiter, non à cause de la
beauté du corps, mais de l’esprit. Ce qu’il
declare par l’ethymologie du nom de Ga-
nymede, qui signifie celuy qui s’esjouyt és
conseils divins: & dont il prend ce traict de
Homere, En oyant il s’esjouyt. Et en un autre
lieu, Des hauts conseils divins ayant la cognoissance.
Ce que s’entend icy de l’esprit de l’homme
addonné à contemplation, qui comme aban-
donnant le corps, considere les choses cele-
stes avec l’oeil bien attentif de l’entende-
ment: ce que ne se faict point sans quelque
transport ou ravissement, ainsi que les an-
ciens Philosophes le tiennent.

Notes:

1.  ‘The Trojan boy’, i.e. Ganymede, son of the Trojan prince, Tros, snatched away by the gods to be Jove’s cup-bearer. See Homer, Iliad 20.232ff, though the eagle is a post-Homeric addition. The Greek motto in the accompanying illustration means ‘to delight in counsels’, referring to a supposed etymology of the name Ganymedes, for which see Xenophon, Symposium 8.30.

2.  ‘The aged poet of Maeonia’, i.e Homer. His place of activity is disputed. Chios or Smyrna is most likely - these are places in the central coastal area of Asia Minor, known as Lydia or Maeonia.

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