
Amicitia sordida.
Disreputable friendship
Ad Octavianum Ferrarium Mediolanensem.[1]
Si speculo desit plumbum, quo reddere formas
Et splendore solet cuncta referre suo:
Quid vacuum inspexisse iuvat, labor omnis inanis,
Dum penetrant radii, nullaque imago datur.
Haud secus est quoddam genus ad lucrosa paratum,
Quod petit, ac repetit, gratia nulla tamen.
Accipiunt quicquid donas, vestigia nusquam
Cernas, officium queis meminisse velint.
Debet amicitia iuncti par esse voluntas,
Huius imago tua est, ni sit inanis amor.
Hoc quis te melius novit, testatur amicis
Ferrari, qui me diligis usque memor?
If the mirror lacks lead, which it uses to imitate the shapes of things and restore them all in its radiance, why does it give you pleasure to stare at it though empty, a vacant labour truly: while the rays cut through it, no image is returned. Hardly different is the tribe of men who worship gain: though they earn and earn again, no thanks do they ever give. They take what you bestow, and you see no traces anywhere, of those they wish to remember their services. The resolve of a man bound by friendship must be equal, and yours the image of his, if love is not to be barren. Who of all men knows this better and bears better witness of it to his friends than you, Ferrarius, who loves me always and with loyalty?
1. Ottaviano Ferrari: antiquarian, philosopher and physician, originally from Milan, taught at Padua and Bologna (d. 1586).
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- adult man [31D14] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm held downwards [31A2515] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm or hand held in front of the body [31A2516] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward (+ holding something) [31A2512(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward (+ indicating, pointing at) [31A2512(+931)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- beard [31A534] Search | Browse Iconclass
- column, pillar ~ architecture [48C161] Search | Browse Iconclass
- head turned to the right [31A2422] Search | Browse Iconclass
- helmet [45C221] Search | Browse Iconclass
- index finger forwards, pointing, indicating [31A25552] Search | Browse Iconclass
- looking in the mirror; contemplation of own beauty [31A5111] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mirror [31A511] Search | Browse Iconclass
- old man (+ two persons) [31D16(+72)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- one leg in front of the other (+ sitting) [31A2621(+53)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- pavement, floor ~ architecture [48C167] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sitting on an elevation [31A2352] Search | Browse Iconclass
- stool [41A7211] Search | Browse Iconclass
- terrace [41A351] Search | Browse Iconclass
- trees [25G3] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- Acquisition, Gain, Profit [55A1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Emptiness, Void [51II2] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Forgetfulness [52AA3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Good and Bad Behaviour, Moral Qualities (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57AA65(+4):56F23(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- historical person (with NAME) other representations to which the NAME of a historical person may be attached (with NAME of person) [61B2(FERRARI, Ottaviano)3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Industriousness, Assiduity; 'Assiduità', 'Industria', 'Zelo' (Ripa) [54A11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Ingratitude; 'Ingratitudine' (Ripa) [57AA8] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Memory; 'Memoria' (Ripa) [52A3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- minerals and metals (with NAME) [25D13(LEAD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- rays of natural light [22C11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Reciprocal Love [56F22] Search | Browse Iconclass
- reflection (in a mirror) [31A51111] Search | Browse Iconclass
- unilateral friendship [33A51] Search | Browse Iconclass
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