
Defensio publica.
Defense of the public interest.
Cum subeunt leges, terrisque Astraea[1] relictis
Evolat, an solis legibus ultor aget?
Vindicibus num fas armis occurrere dextrae,
Quae capiti intentat dira pericla tuo?
Iudice me quando potior sententia, visque
Armorum est, subitò publica tu arma cape.
Ridiculus fueris si litera vertat in hostem,
Codiceque armatum persequerere reum.
Et licet, & semper licuit defendere nostra:
Ritè magistratus vindicat, ultor adest.
When the laws go under, and Astraea flies away, leaving the earth, will there be anyone to enforce the laws alone? Is it right for you to rush with the revenging arms of your right hand against the dangers that stand over your head? In my opinion, when the decision is right, and weapons have force, you should take up public arms. You’ll look a fool if the letter turns against the foe, and you pursue an armed criminal book in hand. It is and always was right to defend what is yours: the magistrate takes revenge as law demands: an avenger is here.
1. Astraea: enforcer of laws, a star-maiden. She became Virgo when she became a constellation, symbol of Justice.
Related Emblems
Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- adult man (+ four persons) [31D14(+74)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm held backwards (+ holding something) [31A2514(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm held downwards (+ holding something) [31A2515(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm raised upward (+ holding something) [31A2511(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched sidewards (+ holding something) [31A2513(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- armour [45C22] Search | Browse Iconclass
- casting weapons: spear [45C11(SPEAR)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clouds [26A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- forward movement of the human body [31A271] Search | Browse Iconclass
- hacking and thrusting weapons: sword [45C13(SWORD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- helmet [45C221] Search | Browse Iconclass
- lightning, flash of lightning, thunderbolt [2600] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ornament derived from objects [48A985] Search | Browse Iconclass
- prospect of city, town panorama, silhouette of city [25I12] Search | Browse Iconclass
- protective weapons: shield [45C19(SHIELD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- rotating, twisting (movement of the human body) [31A2753] Search | Browse Iconclass
- single combat in place of battle (+ infantry) [45H34(+21)] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- (story of) Dike (Astraea), goddess of Righteousness and Justice [92D222] Search | Browse Iconclass
- challenging the enemy [45F8] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Danger; 'Pericolo' (Ripa) [54DD51] Search | Browse Iconclass
- law and jurisprudence [44G] Search | Browse Iconclass
- magistracy, judges [44G13] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Protection; 'Custodia', 'Difesa contra nimici, malefici & venefici', 'Difesa contra pericoli', 'Riparo da i tradimenti' (Ripa) [54E42] Search | Browse Iconclass
- public welfare [46A3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Revenge, Requital, Retaliation; 'Vendetta' (Ripa) [57AA741] Search | Browse Iconclass
- violent death by weapon [31E2346] Search | Browse Iconclass
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