Link to an image of this page [Nnn1v-f465v as 468] BUXUS.
The box-tree
Emblema. 206.
Perpetuo viridis, crispoque cacumine buxus.
Link to an image of this page [Nnn2r f466r as 469]
Unde est disparibus fistula facta modis[1]
Delitiis apta est teneris, & amantibus arbor:
Pallor inest illi, pallet & omnis amans.[2]
The box-tree is evergreen, with crinkly shoots. From it was made the pipe with its variously pitched notes. It is a tree appropriate to tender delights and to lovers. Box-wood is pale and so is every lover.
1. For pipes of boxwood, see e.g. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 4.30.
2. pallet et omnis amans, ‘pale...is every lover’. The lover should affect pallor and emaciation, as these will soften the lady’s heart; see Ovid, Ars Amatoria, 1.729ff.
To view the commentary for this emblem, press the link to the facsimile image of this page above, and thereafter use the 'Next facsimile' and 'Previous facsimile' links to navigate through the commentary.
Related Emblems
Show related emblemsHint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page
Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- shrubs: box (+ plants used symbolically) [25G31(BOX)(+1)] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- lovers; courting, flirting [33C2] Search | Browse Iconclass
- panpipes [48C7353] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Pleasure, Enjoyment, Joy; 'Allegrezza', 'Allegrezza da le medaglie', 'Allegrezza, letitia e giubilo', 'Diletto', 'Piacere', 'Piacere honesto' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [56B1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.
