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Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [G6v p108]

Mixtus status οὐκ ἄνευ ἄρχοντος πρώτου.

Mixed constitution not without a first magistrate

Robed seated man holding a scroll on a curtained throne. Next to him is the representation of a laurel wreath on the wall and huge bees flying out the window.
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Florilegae quod apes faciunt aestate vagantes,
Illarum mixtas more sequamur opes.
Hae Regesque Ducesque colunt, his semina mentis
Aeternae, & parent legibus, arma cient.[1]
Observant proceres, & queis meliora videntur,
Unanimes cunctis ritè praeesse volunt.
Nil sine consilio Princeps, reliquusve senatus
Suscipit, ingestum sicque tuentur opus.
Exercent Martem, sunt his simulacra quietis,
Ignavos pellunt, praemia dantque bonis.
Has tibi proponas: nisi sit pietate Monarcha,
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [G7r p109]Qui sine re tantum nomen habere velit.
Ipseque non minùs ac alii, sua iussa capessit,
In quibus est aequum, & publica damna cavet.
Talem si quisquam sperat, tu Maxime Caesar
Es Fernande, tuus Maxmilianus erit.[2]

Let us follow the habits of flower-gathering bees who wander in summertime: a mix of powers after their custom. They worship Kings and Commanders (to these go the seeds of eternal Mind) and obey laws and the call to arms. They watch their leaders, and those with the best opinions they wish unanimously to rule by right over all. The Prince is nothing without counsel, and the rest of the Senate undertakes [to work], and thus they observe the work laid upon them. They practise war, they provide images of peace; they drive out the idle, and give rewards to the good. Place them as examples before you, unless a man who wishes to have just the name without the reality can be respected as a monarch. No less than the others, he obeys his own orders, in which there is justice, and avoids causing losses to the people. If someone hopes for such a ruler, you, Ferdinand, greatest of Emperors, certainly are, and your Maximilian will be such a man.

Notes:

1.  Sambucus is following the ancient idea that hives are ruled by kings, or at least simply following the poetic logic of the allegory. Cf. Vergil, Georgics, 4.

2.  It can be seen from this comment that this book was prepared before Emperor Ferdinand died in July 1564, and that the first emblem was then modified in its dedication to his son, who in that year succeeded as Maximilian II.

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