THE Worthy tract of Paulus lovius, containing a Discourse of rare inventions, both Military and Amorous called Impreze  
Whereunto is added a Preface containing the Art of composing them, with many other notable devices.  
By Samuel Daniel late Student in Oxenford.  
AT LONDON, Printed for Simon Waterson, 1585.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIP FULL SIR EDWARD Dimmock, Champion to her Majesty, SAMVEL DANIEL wishèth happy health with increase of Worship.  
He unskilful Statuary wanting the two principal instruments of his science, judgement, and art: having rudely fashioned the form of either some Apollo or Cupid, & weighing therewithal, the baseness of his simple work: by good advise erecteth the same on the sommitie of some high Pillar, to the end that both the errors therein committed, may escape the narrow view of the captious, & likewise shadow all imperfections which might dislike the curious, both which he avoideth by the distance of his lofty mounted statue, escaping thereby the stain of reproof. In like manner right worshipful, have I adventured to place these my unpolished labours on the Pillar of your worthiness, craving the supportance of your favourable protection. Whose worthy name and Martial title being enstamped in their forehead, shall adorn them with a sufficient ornament to pass the view without reprehension. And if herein I shall any way satisfy the delight of the studious Gentlemen, you alone are to receive the guerdon of their favourable voices, whose offered courtesy hath enforced me to undertake the tillage of so hard a soil, to make you a present of the first fruits thereof: which if they are not such as your virtues deserve or my affection desires, yet spring they from the ground of a willing mind. Solon ordained that the Sacrifices offered to the Gods, should be of as little cost as might be, to the end that great expenses might not hinder religion, saying: the Gods did only accept the willing heart respecting the piety of the giver, without weighing the largeness of the gift. And I hope my small Sacrifice, proceeding from devotion, shall be accepted on the Altar of your courtesy. To whom he wisheth all happy felicity, who remaineth always yours at command.  
Samuel Daniel.   

TO HIS GOOD FRIEND SAMVEL DANIEL, N. W. Wisheth health.  
I Know not whether to excuse your nature (good M. DANIEL) or blame your shamefastness, which so much laboureth (as the utter enemy of your good name) to defraud your labours of their deserved Laurel, & in despite of art to deprive us of so delicate inventions, which the best wits in Europe have dedicated to posterity: wherein surely, you injury your countrymen publicly, unnaturally your friends, and unadvisedly yourself. But what can you pretend? The severity of Censors, the nice delicateness of Courtiers, or the gravity of Philosophers? What Philosophy taught you that? That which is currant may abide the touch, the young AEglets dare look upon the Sun, and that which is eloquently polished may abide the press. Why then may not your iovius look any man in the face, having art to direct him, authority to defend him, all humanity to plead for him. If you misdoubt his grace in the University, the Muses will give him their voices, if the suffrages of the holy virgins in the Court, they are Graces themselves. If only the multitude Odi profanum vulgus & arceo. For I suppose you remember the old proverbs: that it is great trouble to make a Couch for a dog, for that turning himself so variably, no man knoweth where to place the Pillow: and so mutable and unconstant is the multitude, that it is not for a wise man to endeavour to feeede their humour or fit their fancies. Yet do not think that every prudent reader is like to wanton Mistress AEmilia, who would ordinarily flout the first line she read: or to curious Gonzaga, surnamed the Carper, who no sooner heard a pretty invention, but would recompense it with his gentle girkes: Or to Theodorus scholars, which received every thing with their left hand, which their master gave with the right, or to the Hidropicus, who having no judgement of tastes, yet never liketh any sauce, and condemneth all Cooks. Therefore I would wish you as your friend, never to sinotther so sweet inventions, for fear of Censors, who in words perhaps will debase it, which in deed they conceive not, and control that they cannot amend, neither following the counsel of the wise, nor the example of the virtuous.  
There is another point in your last letter, wherein you seem to mar all that you have made, and dash that which so cunningly was devised. For soothe you blush to open another man's shop, and sell Italian wares as though you were a Bankrupt in philosophy, and could not afford any pretty conceit without borrowing or embeselling. I pray you Sir, shall Castilio be more reverenced for his courtier, then D. Clarke admired for investing him with so courtly robes? shall Menander be eternised for his Comedies, and Terence forgot who gave them credit: Shall Lambin, Cardan, and Scaliger, and the most excellent Secretaries of nature, Pliny, Matthiolus & Tolet, shall they be less reveréced, for perfecting knowledge, than the old Philosophers for a shadowed invention? shall the wit and capacity of antiquity sit in her throne, and disposition & judgement of posterity keep the door: no reason, the one devised, the other disposed. iovius therefore is bound unto you, both for absoluting and blazing his invetions abroad in this famous Island, and we are beholding unto you for revealing them to us: wherein truly both art in translating, & knowledge in judging, justly may challenge their fees. You cannot forget that which Nolanus (that man of infinite titles among other fantastical toys) rruely noted by chance in our Schools, that by the help of translations, all Sciences had their offspring, and in my judgement it is true. The Hebrews hatched knowledge. Greece did nourish it, Italy clothed and beautified it, & the arts which were left as wards in their minority to the people of Rome, by Translators as most careful gardiner's, are now deduced to perfect age and ripeness. Concerning the nakedness of your style (which troubleth you without the colours or flourish of Rhetoric) Tully commendeth it, all Translators approve it: and no man maketh so much account of the glossoas of the substance: of the gay suie bush as of the wine: Neither could it prejudice you at all (if it were naked as in deed it is pure) because you have not done it as the Sybaritae, that bade their guests a whole year before the feast, to make some expectation of a sumptuous banquet. A toy would require all bravery: Vanity all ornaments, and an Ass had need of all his trappings. But your argument is such as can both move and delight, tickle the ear and satisfy the mind. And our time also hath learned to loath that odd rhyming vain, and to persecute the letter is clean out of fashion, which began by a bad portraiture of wit, and is ended by a ripe direction of judgement. But why do I rather answer the capacious, then satisfy the grave and modest, who at the first view (I dare presume upon their wisdom) will subscribe to the supremacy of the wit of your new Science. For if Courtiers are inwardly ravished in viewing the Picture of Fiametta which Boccacc limned. If Ladies entertain Bandel or Ariosto in their Closets. If Lovers embrace their Physician Ovid in extremity of their passion: then will Gentlemen of all tribes, much rather honour your Impresa, as a most rare jewel, and delicate Enchiridion. For there is not published a flourish upon fancy, or Tarlton's toys, or the silly Interlude of Diogenes: You profess not Artem iocandi or Potandi: You discourse not of Apuleius Ass: You trifle not as Cornelius the Brabantine, who 
Anno. 158.  published an Encomion of Tuftmockados: But you present us an order to frame devices, in show glorious, in form plain, in title strange; the which is so much the more to be esteemed, being derived from the most pure springs Lucas Contile, and Rusoelli, whom I cannot name without some Preface to their commondation. What should I recount Dominicus and Alciat, with whom you seem to have been very familiarly acquainted, which addeth much credit to your work, and notably hath given light to your studies. But concerning the art of Impreze, I need not draw the pedigree of it, sith it is known that it descended from the ancient Algiptians, and Chaldcans, in the School of Memphis: who devised means before Characters were found out, to utter their conceits by forms of Beasts, Stars, Herbs, (as you have declared) and these notes were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i sacrae notae. This Philosophy was increased by Orus Niliacus, and Pythagoras: & was more plainly revealed by Clcmeus, Pausanias, Atheneus: & in this last age revived by Pierius Valerian. But to what end served this? to shadow surely their purposes and intents by figures. So counseled Plaeto: So practised the first parents of Philosophy. As by the picture of a Stork they signified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. By a Serpent 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  policy. By an Olive peace. By a Goat lust: drawing these Characters from the world, as from a volume wherein was written the wonders of nature. Thus was the first foundations laid of Impreze: From hence were derived by succession of pregnant wits Stemmata Coats of Arms, Insignia Ensigns, and the old Images which the Romans used as witnesses of their Ancestors, Emblems and devices. Then what was the intent of these Ensigns and devices? What cause can be pretended for them? What did they import? jamblicus saith that they were conceits, by an external form representing an inward purpose: So Fergusus the first Scottish King did bear in his Standard a Lion geules, to bewray his courage testify his stomach, and dismay his adversary, which being well marshaled, is borne for the achievement of the Kings ever since. So did the Athenians bear their Owl: the Thebans their Sphinx: the Swissers their Bear. But among all inventions, surpass for wit & art your Impreze: neither less renowned than the Insegnes, nor less heroical than the Arms called by Paradin Symbola Heroica, by Simeon devices illustra. Minoes' a man otherwise excellently qualified in all humanity, seemeth neither perfectly to define Impreses, nor artificially to distinguish them from Emblems. The sole word Symbolum every way is to large and general a term for them, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that note by which we know or can conjecture any thing, is Symbolum. Now in this scope and generality, how is it restrained, how doth he measure and fit that word for Impreze? Sumitur hic Symbolum pro argumento seu nota qua quod piam occultatur, sed doctis auribus intelligendum proponit ur. There is great odds (my good friend) betwixt this adumbration and your substantial definition. If we respect the form it is lame, and why so? because there is no proper difference to support it. And this is an infallible ground: for seeing it comprehendeth all the former, Standards, Liurees & Arms, it is rather an universal note then a special Idea: if we regard the circumstances, it is very superficial: if the final end, confused. Now to come to the difference of Emblems, and Impreses, what subtility doth he show in it? Symbolum est genus, Emblema species: This motion is to universal, rather tending to divide the genus then to define the species: but the difference must be borrowed, from the properties: and because this is a case worthy to be demurred, let us consult more curiously with our artistes, let us confer with our professor, what distinction maketh iovius? I must excuse him as trajan did a certain Poet, Plus est in arte quam in artifice. For as Minoes' judgeth of him, Artem hanc incheavit potius quam persicit. But in deed these two conceits are allied by so great affinity, their intents and pictures so uniform, and consonant: that without sharp insight we cannot decipher their difference. Emblema is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 interponere, inserere: quicquid interseritur ornatus gratia, whether the invention be embroidered in garments graven in stone, enchased in gold, wrought in Arras: and in my opinion there is great imparity between them, both in body and soul. They are dissevered by sundry Cognisances, established by reason and confirmed by reading, and may be authorised, by experience. The mot of an Impresa may not exceed three words. Emblems are interpreted by many verses. An Impresa is not garnished with many different Images, Emblems are not limited. In devices it is enacted that the figure without the mot or the mot without the figure should not interpret the Author's meaning. In Emblems is more liberty and fewer laws. Imprese manifest the special purpose of Gentlemen in warlike combats or chamber tornaments. Emblems are general conceits rather of moral matters then particular deliberations: rather to give credit to the wit, then to reveal the secrets of the mind. What should I say more. This Impresa is that perfect Symbolum: for antiquity to be reverenced: for worthiness admired: for pleasure embraced. Pardon me (I pray you) if I range a little & chase a discourse in this so wide a Forest: let me record some monument of the old Registers of Greece.  
Agamemnon Sovereign at the siege of Troy, bare in his shield a Lion salient, with this mot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Amphitruo being encamped against the Thebans, caused to be portrayed upon his Target. Cum quadrigis sol exoriens, and breathed life into that body by this soul, In ardualaurus. Artetemesia to testify herself a loyal wife to her Lord and King wore in her Tablet an Eliotropium, rising and falling with the Sun, adding this mot, Persoluet vota pictas, which was verified, for she interred the ashes of her slain husband, in no other Tomb then in her own body, so that death could scarce divorce them. But let us come nigher hand. Vascus Gama being dissuaded from the Indian voyage (never before attempted) erected a globe elumined with Stars, upon a pillar of gold, with this sentence undique par: respecting the ancient very. Vnaique ad superos tantundem est viae. Have: not our Printers also of late honoured this proffession? Have they not been at emulation for ingenious devices. Stephen glorieth in his tree, and moderateth those (that love to mount: by lofty wits) with this Posy: Noli altum sa pere. Plautin beareth 
The tree of good and ill.  a compass in a hand: stretched out of the clouds which measureth all, Constantia & labour. I will omit Griphin's Episcopus: I will forget all artificers, who commonly buy such inventions at the second hand. I will not meddle with Courtiers, I will pass over the known Impreses of Moor and Cromwell, a pair royal of nobles. And now I will bring you to Church. A certain English Prelate, devised a Lamb in a thorn bush, pitifully inflamed, yet casting his eyes cheerfully upon the Sun with this mot. Ne cede. Tell me how you like this Heroical Impresa of Curtius Gonzaga. An Eagle flying on high against the 
Tune cede malis sed contra audentius.  Sun, with this word pur che, a part of that verse of petrarch. Pur che ne godan gli orchi, ardan le pivine. For that which delighteth my eyes burneth my feathers. A friend of mine, whom you know, M. P. climbing for an eagles nest, but defeated by the mallalent of fortune, limned in his study a Pine tree stricken with lightning, carrying this mot. Il mio sperar, which was borrowed also from Petrarch. Allor che fulminato e morto giaacque il mio sperar che he devised also a Pinnace or small Bark, tossed with tempestuous storms, and in the sail was written expectanda dies, hoping as I think for one Sun shine day to recompense so many gloomy and winter months. Therefore now to conclude, seeing your argument is plausible, the art a novelty, your first fruits ripe what reason is there, why you should privately bestow them of some one gentleman: especially cósidering that you can please him no way better, then to pleasure his country mé. For who doth not know M. Dimmock, to be a gentleman by family worshipful, by loyalty unspotted, by office the Prince's Champion: so also by courtesy worthy the Chronicle? what need you then to fear the malice of the weakest enemy that may be a carping tongue, having him for the Champió of your book, whom her Majesty hath vouchsafed the Champion of her person, or why fear you lest our old Academics improve your art for a toy, seeing that wisdom is not incorporated to Nightcaps, neither must we depend upon the verdict of some concealed Philosophers.  
Thus am I bold to animate and encourage you to your credit, which if I have done to long, so upon occasion did Tullio Plato, Seneca: if rudely ascribe it to simplicity, if slightly to the rareness of your art: if to copiously to a fervent desire: for seeing that in verbis est aliquod praemium, I had rather show myself to prodigal to my friends, than a snudge: which when you have read, fire it. From Oxenford the xx. of November.  
Yours, N. W.   

TO THE FRIENDLY READER.  
I Thought it good (right worshipful and courteous gentlemen) to communicate with you this delightsome tract of strange devices, barcly clothed in an English habit, void of all such ornaments as are due unto the worthiness thereof: presuming upon your wisdoms, who had rather gather a pleasant flower springing amongst the sharp thorns, for the sweet savour, than a gay coloured weed for all the fair semblance: esteeming the value of the precious treasure not by the outward show, but the inward substance, sith often we find by trial meliora latere, and fair shows to prove often fond shadows. The tree Caliestephenon in Palestine, hath a corrupt bark, but a pure body: And well may a gallant blossom fit the humour of a delicate eye, when the gainful fruit shall satisfy the savour of a discreet taste. But the Diamant hath engendered a natural form, so that it need no artificial frame, a gay gloss may better beseem a course Kersey, than a fine Scarlet. My weak commendations of these not able and rare inventions, may rather eclipse their credit, then purchase their fame, therefore I refer them to the censure of your considerate readers, for whose better understand of the Impreze of Paulus iovius (who in many places have erred from the common received precepts) I have gathered into a certain order the way of framing and composing all such kinds of devices both military and amorous used at this day of the noble gentlemen of Europe, in adorning their glorious triumphs, or declaring their inward pretended purposes and enterprises, not by speech or any apparent manner, but shadowed under a certayle veil of forms or figures in such sort as shall hereafter be declared. And although that to signify our intentions by these forms or figures, of creatures, be not a thing more notable than speech or writing, which perfectly do manifest any operation, whereas the other doth doubtfully discover our pretences. Yet I say, that to represent unto the sense of sight the form or figure of any thing, is more natural in act, & more common to all creatures than is hearing, and thereupon saith Aristotle, that we love the sense of seeing, for that by it we are taught and made to learn more than by any other of our senses, whereby we see that all men naturally take delight in pictures, and even little children as soon as they can use their hands at liberty, go with a Coal to the wall, endeavouring to draw the form of this thing or that. This natural disposition hath reigned generally even from the beginning when the word was but yet new, and induced nations first to figure beasts, plants, trees, celestial signs, and such like, observing the nature and quality of every creature represented by their figures, whereby in time they became able to show their intent to their friends and others veiled under the form of these creatures, in which faculty the egyptians were most singular as the first authors of this hieroglyphical art: as well do witness their sacred Colomnes dedicated to Mercury, whereon were divers forms and pictures wrought and engraven, containing great knowledge, which they called Hieroglyphi, To the which pillars Plato is said to have gone and returned with great profit. Yet notwithstanding, in my opinion their devise was unperfect, by reason of the diversity of the natures of beasts and other things which they figured. Whereupon they who drew more near unto our time seemeth to have brought this art to perfection, by adding mots or posies to their sigures whereby they covertly disclose their intent by a more perfect order. Moreover besides the figuring of things corporal and of visible form, men have also represented things incorporal, which they could not do more fitly then by colours, as representing sorrow by black, desire to shed blood by red, purity by white, etc. And now sith time hath brought to perfection many notable devices, which rude antiquity could not discern: Let us consider by how many ways we may discover our secret intentions by colours and figures, as first by Liurees, secondly by Ensigns, thirdly by mots, and lastly by Impreze, of which four kinds of devices, I purpose to set down distinctly in few words their significations and properties, according to the opinion of the best authors which ever have written of this matter.  
This word Liuree is borrowed of the Spanish, which they writ with, b librea, but pronounce it as written with v. Some say it had his Etemologiè of Libro, for that Liurees are as an open book where a man may read the intent of him which weareth them. Some also will have it derived of Libero, and that for two reasons, the one, in that from the beginning it hath been a profession only of Gentlemen, and noble personages: and although that servants do commonly wear these Liurees, yet are they not said to be their own but their patrons. For Plutarch in the life of Solon saith, that servants were forbidden any free exercise. The other reason may be, for that the Authors setting them to the common view, being not altogether apparent, commit them libero judicio, to the free judgement of the Interpreter. Some will have it brought from the Latin, Liber eram, for that the principal purpose of Liurees have been to show some amorous service, and for this only intent were they first invented at the beginning, to show that they which did wear them, were no more free of themselves but subject servants to their Mistresses: as who should say, Liber eram, I was free, but now bound: according to that of Virgil, fuimus Troes.  
It is said that Liurees of only colours, had their original after this manner: that the Gentlemen which loved or rather (to speak after the Spanish or Neapolitan manner) which served any Lady, with that amorous kind of service, which is used in those places, were accustomed, to mark with what coloured rob their Mistress was invested, to the end to deck themselves with apparel of the same colour & cut. But some supposing that to be to great a presumption, thought rather to address themselves in a habit of the same colour, as did the domestical servants of their Lady, to denovate humility, and show themselves readic for any service commanded by her sovereignty: Yet now, for divers respects, in this our time the discrete Gentlemen bound to the performance of this strict Obligation of faith and fecrecie, have devised a closer covert for their amorous conceits, by colours and figures in their Liurees, which are now more commonly called devices, in all the most flourishing Countries of Christendom: which also is not forgotten of Ariosto, in these verses following, recounting the Devise of Bradamante, whereby she expressed her despair, and desire to die.  
Era la sopravesta del colore  
Di ch' esser suol la foglia, che s'imbiansa,  
Quando dal ramo è tolta, è che l'humore  
Che facea vivo l'arbore, le manca:  
Ricamata à tronconi, era di fuore  
Di cipresso, che may non si rin francae  
Poi ch' ha sentito la dura bipenne  
L' habito al suo dolour molto conucnne.  
Thus in effect in English.  
Her upper rob of such like colour was,  
As is the fading leaf of palish hue  
When from the bow the lively fap doth pass  
Which nourish did the stock whereon it grew  
Embroidered all with branches thick above,  
And fading bows of doleful Cypress tree:  
Which cut with deadly axe doth never prove  
This habit with her grief did well agree.  
There are first, diligently to be observed in these Dcuises or Liurces three things: The time when: The place where: and the manner how they are to be used. Concerning the time: they are never worn but either in true or feigned war, or at justs, tourneys, Masks, or at such like extravagant shows. The place sit for them, are on armed men or Maskers, worn in such place as they best like about their persons: albeit the Helmet, the Shiclde, the Bards, the borders of the garment, or the breast, are the fittest places appointed for them. The manner of using them is divers, according to their species: but first generally you are to observe this, that they be not too intricate in great number, nor so confused that they need some Apollo to resolve them. Particularly it behoveth to note the devition of their species which are of all kinds of devices or Liurees six. The first consisteth altogether of colours: The second of colours and figures: The third of colours and letters: The fourth of colours figures and letters: The fifth of figures only: The sixth of figures and letters. Concerning the first colours alone, are now seldom used but of Mourners, or such like. As for example, a certain Gentleman on a time, having ill success in his amorous feruico, and spending his time in dolour and grief, was advertised that the wife of a certain friend of his was departed this life, whereupon it behoved him to put on mourning apparel: and having occasion to show himself at a feast, he clothed him in black Grogran drawn out with Taffeta, & both cut on black Damask, in such sort that the Damask was best seen to be blackest: which mourning habit was no sooner seen of such as knew the history of his love, but they perceived What it signisied, as well as if he himself bade declared it: and greatly did they commend the invention. For with the uppermost black he represented sorrow for the dead: with that underneath he mourned for his friend: but his own black appeared more and signified some greater grief, and that of his friend seemed less, and represented less in effect. For in his opinion less grief was it to be deprived of a wife, sith she is called to the heavens, then to stand secluded from the favour of a proud disdainful dame, whilst an other enjoys the fruit of his desirued affections. But to return to our purpose, Liurees of only colours, and also with colours and figures are wont to serve in effect, but for the show of one day, either at justs, Masks, or other solemn festival sportings, where are commonly assembled a great multitude of people: and to the end that Gentlemen and Gentlewomen (which give the view but as they pass by, among so great a company) may not stand to muse about the intention of the subject, there is used a mot to declare the meaning, & these kind of mots pertaining to Liurees, are to be composed in the same language which is there used where they are presented: and it is requisite they be short so that they exceed not two of our verses: very rarely are they made of four, yet so they may be if need require. These mots so composed serve for colours alone, or else for colours accompanied with figures, or with figures alone: and when they shallbe joined with colours alone, yet are they called Liurces, when with colours, figures and the mot, which shall exceed three words being manifest of itself and serving for no other purpose but to declare the signification of the colours and figures, they are likewise then called Liurees or Insegnes, and as I have before said, they serve only for one day. These last properties rehearsed, that the mot may pass three words, and that it must be plain and manifest, serving only to disclose the meaning of the colours and figures: note well, for therein consisteth the difference between Liurees and Impreses, which are altogether divers. The ignorance of which distinction deceived many in the composing of Impreses. And also iovius himself in his discourses following was greatly overseen in putting no difference between Impreses, Liurees, and Insegnes, as you may plainly perceive. This word Insegne is taken from the Latin, by the which is signified Standards, Banners, and also the Helmets of the chief Soldiers and Captains, as may appear in this verse of Virgil.  
Danaumque insignia nobis.  
Aptemus Clypeos, but chief it is now taken for Standards or Banners, which are capable of all such properties mentioned before in Liurees, as either of colours alone, as when they are all red, all white, all black, etc. Or when they are of several colours, as white and red, or in like manner of any other. To them also may be added mots, as many notable men have used of late time: & also colours with figures, or figures alone: all in such manner as hath been shown in devices or Liurees. The Ensign is also fit for Impreses, of the which I am hereafter to speak, and many therein set the Arms of their house: whereof to recite examples this short Preface will not afford, sith each of them severally require a whole volume. only suffice it, briefly that we touch them, to the end we may the better understand the form of Impreses: which before I come to handle, it is necessary that I say somewhat of Mots, which truly are of great excellency if they be gallantly composed. And first this word mot signifieth as much as Gnome, a short sentence or Posy, whose places are divers. Some use to set them on gates, as that which (according to the fiction of the Poet) was set on Hell gate. Lasciate ogni speranza voi chi intrate. Lay aside all hope, all you which enter in.  
A ridiculous mot or posy is not to be used but in some occasion of masks, or to quip an enemy, as for example, a certain Cardinal in Rome for some offence being imprisoned, and after put to death, it was bruited abroad, that the Pope had done it to pleasure two of his Nephews with his livings, whereupon one lively pictured the said Cardinal on the Cross, and the two young Cardinals preferred to his livings, at his feet beholding him with this Posy in their hands, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis. But the mots which are chief used, are either amorous or grave, & they bear a great grace if they be perfectly composed with their circumstances & properties, so that they be short, & exceed not if it be possible a verse in any tongue. Yet Latin & Greek verses of six feet are to long to be used whole, wherefore of them it is better to take a part, as nullum scelus error habebat. And better are they esteemed being taken out of some famous author. As out of Ovid, Horace, Catullus and other Latin Poets, out of Homer, Hesidus, Callimachus, or any good author of the Greeks out of Petrarch, Divine Ariosto, Dante Bembo, and other famous in the Italian tongue, & above all, if it be possible, let them leave some scruple whereon to meditate, to him who either readeth or hears them, and it is lawful to use them without figures, although that Paulus iovius vainly termeth them so used, souls without bodies.  
There is also another kind of Devise called in Italian, Cifre celate, which many have heretofore used being ignorant of Impreze, which invention is only for youth, and very unfit for men of gravity, serving them but to sport with their Ladies, by conveying their names into some Posy or figure, which they ware in token of their service, of this kind you shall find fit examples in Paulus iovius, which I have noted in the Margin. The invention is altogether barren, and utterly disliked of the wise.  
Thus having briefly touched the principal points of the former devices, it resteth that I say somewhat of Impreses, which is the most notable, ingenious and perfect king of all other. And first to declare the signification of the word, with the definition, I say, that Impresa is used of the Italians for an enterprise, taken in hand with a firm & constant intent to bring the same to effect. As if a Prince or Captain taking in hand some enterprise of war, or any other particular affair, desirous by some figure & mot to manifest to the world his intent, this figure & mot together is called an Impresa, made to signify an enterprise, whereat a noble mind levelling with the aim of a deep desire, strives with a steady intent to gain the prize of his purpose. For the valiant & haughty gentlemen, disdaining to conjoin with the vile and base Plebeians in any rustic invention, have procured to themselves this one most singular, which time hath now at length perfited and wrought into a more regulare order. And the chief places whereon they use to wear these their Impreses are their Standards, Shields, Helmets, Brooches, Tablets or such like. The time when, is either in Wars, justs, or amorous services. And you are to note, that Impreses are not Hereditary, as are Arms, for the son may not use the Impresa of father, nor the successors of their ancestors, and it behoveth that they be of no other colours, save onoly black and white, unless it be rather to adorn them, then for any necessity, and chief in the composing of them, are to be noted these five properties. First, that they have not many kinds of different forms, for at the most there can be but three, in a perfect Impresa, unless they be parts of the whole: as the Sun, Moon and Stars represent only the heavens, which may be the intent of the Impresa: or as many trees flowers and herbs, represent only a Garden. As for example, a certain gentleman figured a garden with Palms, Bays, Marigolds and Roses, with this mot. Tu haec omnia, to signify that his mistress deserved the Palm for her beauty, & that she was free from the assault of Love as is the Laurel from the wrath of the heavens, that she drew the eyes of his mind after her, as doth the Sun the Marigold, and that by the virtue of her comfortable looks she revived his heart, as do the joyful beams the blowming Rose. But now in any other case divers forms are not to be used.  
Secondly, the mot or posy of an Impresa may not exceed three words, unless it be composed of some of these. Dum. Nec. Et. Non. In. Per. Autsi. Cum. Vt. and then may it have four, as Nec spe nec metu.  
Thirdly, that the mote be taken out of some famous author. This precept is good, but not always necessary.  
Fourthly, that it be not altogether manifest nor too too obscure, neither yet trivial or common.  
Fifthly, that the figure without the mot, or the mot without the figure signify nothing, in respect of the intent of the author, and this precept is of great importance, for many ignorant hereof, have composed Impreze altogether vain and void of all invention. As when the figure of itself or the mot of itself, suffice to declare the meaning, wherefore either the one or the other is superfluous. As he which figured a Heart in the midst of fire, with this mot, Il cuore ho in fuoco. I have my Heart in fire, or as he which depainted a Cupid, with his Bow & shafts, & thereunto this verse. A gli strali d' amor son fatto segno. To Cupid's shafts I am ornayned the Butt. Or not unlike to that of him in iovius, which figured a Chimney with a great fire and smoke, with this mot. Dove è gran fuoco è gran fumo. Where there is great fire, there is great smoke, in all which the mot without the figure, or the figure without the mot, might have served the purpose as well. But if unto the fire & smoke had been added this mot, Vtrunque simul, the Impresa had been most perfect. The like defect had that of Borgia, which likewise iovius doth mention, which was the mountain Acroceraunii, whereunto, if in stead of feriunt summos fulgura montes had been added Humiliora minus, or humiliora nunquam, therein had wanted no perfection. iovius also addeth for a precept in the rules of Impreze, that in them thcre aught to be no human form, which precept is most true, if it be in the ordinary and simple form of a man, for that rareness is rather delight some: but yet when the humane form shallbe in a strange & unaccustomed manner, it beareth a great grace. As did that of Signior Bernabo Adorno, being enamoured of a noble and virtuous Lady, who often certified him both by speech and writing, that the arrows of love could not enter or pass farther than her gown. Whercupon the Gentleman composedan Impresa which was a Cupid, holding in one hand the vail of his eyes, and in the other hand an Arcobuze settled to his breast, as if he were ready to discharge it, and thereunto this mot. Hoc peraget. To signify that he had omitted no service, devotion, or loyalty in his pursuit, which are the only maynshotte of Love, and are able to batter the bulwark of a rigorous breast, and make the most flinty heart to yield.  
Thus have I in few words (gentlemen) declared the properties of a perfect Impresa, to the end your choice therein may be currant, sith many deceive themselves with a counterfeit. And so wisbing the happy success of all your virtuous Impreses and godly pretences. I refer you to the reading of Paulus iovius, till time my studies shall yield you a better present of the like subject.  
S. D.   

HERE BEGIN THE DISCOURSES OF PAULUS JOVIUS BISHOP of Nocera, in the form of a Dialogue had between him, and Lodovicus Dominicus.  
Dedicated to S. Cosimo Duke of Florence.  
Such is the courtesy of your highness towards me, that I hold myself bound to render an account of the vacant leisure, which partly by your lovely exhortations I have enjoyed in these parching and noisome heats of the fiery month of August, the enemy of moystles old age. And therefore having intermitted my History as a burden more ponderous, I resorted to take my pleasure in discourse & conference with that virtuous gentleman Master Lodovico Dominico, (who also thereunto invited me) upon the invention of Impreze, borne at this day of great and Noble personages. Whereupon this little tract being composed, for that the subject seemed delightsome and the varierie of the matter pleasant, I emboldened myself to commend it unto you, deeming it to be a meet recreation for so noisome a season. Resembling herein your simple Gardener, who on your Table replenished with sundry and costly cates, adventureth to present you a bondle of his fresh flowers with Rosemary and Bourage, to serve among other meat for a savoury Salad. This tract may well be compared to the diversity of the foresaid flowers, both grateful to the view, and pleasant to the taste: which also I hope shallbe the rather accepted of you, for that it was brought forth in your house. And afrer this manner had the argument of our present discourse his beginning. Master Lodovicus Dominicus familarly accompanying me in translating my History into the vulgar Tuscan tongue, he happily entered into conference of Inventions and Impreze, which worthy gentlemen and noble Knights of our time bear (in token of their gentlemanly minds) upon their Vestments, Shields, Bards, or Ensigns, to whom I answered.  jou. 
The reasoning on such a subject, may seem as it were an entering into a vast sea, from out the which there is no easy issue.  Dom. 
Under correction my Lord, you being a man of a quick memory, prompt and of a present wit, let it please you to record a summary of them, being now unbusied from writing your History in these untemperate days: wherein a man laboureth well if he preserve himself in health, neither can we better pass the time then in the delightsome reasoning of such pleasant conceits, which agree with the form of a History, renovating a sweet memory of the notable men of our time, which already have departed this life, not without their singular commendations. And this shallbe the more easy to you, having as l understand, yourself in your fresh & flourishing age composed many for such gentlemen as requested them of you.  jou. 
This shall I willingly do on this condition, that you will ever now and then make interrogatives, to which, I will willingly answer, to the end our propose may carry the form of a dialogue.  Dom. 
I yield you infinite thanks for such 
The original & beginning of Impreses.  an offer, but first tell me I pray you, whether the bearing of Impreze be an ancient usage or not. There is no doubt but that the ancients used to wear Crests & Ornaments on their Shields and helmets: which Virgil plainly discovereth when he reciteth the Catalogue of the nations which came in favour of Turnus against the Troyans' in the eight book of his AEne. Amphiraus also as Pindarus reporteth, at the war of Thebes bore a Dragon depainted on his shield. Statius writeth also of Capaneus & Polynices, whereof the one bare an Hydra, and the other a Sphinx. We read also in Plutarch, how at the battle of the Cimbri seemed in show very gallant, as well for their silver shining armour, as for the decked Crests of their Helmets, wherein were represented the effigies of divers savage beasts, depainted after divers fashions. The same author reporteth that Pompey the great did bear for his Ensign a Lion with a sword clasped in his claw. We find also in the remains of old antiquities many to have like signification to our modern Impreses, as appeareth in that of Vespasianus, which was a Dolphin entangled with an Anchor, with this posy: Festina lentè. A sentence 
Make soft speed.  which Octavianus Augustus was wont often to use. But leaving apart these examples of antiquity: of this the famous Palladines of France can yield testimony, the which in truth for the most part were not feigned, and we see, in that wherein the writers agree, that every one of them had his peculiar Impresa or Ensign. As Orlando the chess, Rinaldo a Lion, Device a Ladder: Solomon of Bretaigne, the Eschequier: Oliver a Griffon: Astolphe, a Leopard: Ganelon a Falcon. The like we read of the Knights of the round Table, of Arthure that renowned King of England. Those which are famosed in the Spanish histories, as in Amadis de Gaul, Primaleon, Palmerin, & Tirante used the like. And now in this later age, in the time of Federicke surnamed Readbeard, began the age of Ensigns of families, called Arms: given by Princes, in guerdon of honourable exploits achieved in the field. Whereupon there grew such singular and fantastical inventions or Ensigns and Pictures upon Helmets, to enhance the honour of valiant Knights, as may well be seen by divers Pictures in the Church of new Saint Maries at Florence. But now in our time, after the coming of Charles the eight, and jews the twelft into Italy, every one which followed the war, imitating the French Captains, sought to adorn himself with goodly & popous Impreze, wherewith the troops of horsemen being separated company from company, made so resplendent show, having their upper garments embroidered with silver, bossed with beaten gold, and in their breast and back the Impreze of their Captains: in so much that the show of the men of Arms yielded a very pompous & rich spectacle, & in the battle was tried the courageous force of their companies.  Dom. 
I perceive my Lord that your memory is fresh, and therefore may it please you to recount unto me of all such as you yourself have seen, because I know that you have known all these Captains by sight, which are contained & made famous in your history, and perfectly hold imprinted in your memory the bravery of their ornaments.  jou. 
I will not fail to declare you all these things, and truly in delating hereof, I seem to myself to become a youth again, wherein then so much I delighted that it seemed a presage that I should write their history. But before I come to repeat the particulars, it is necessary that I manifest the general properties which are required in making a perfect Impresa: which is a thing very difffcult, and proceedeth of a sharp wit and rich invention, nourished by the worthy writings of ancient men. Know you then (Master Lodovico) 
In an absolute Impreze are required these.  that an ivention or Impresa, (if it be to be accounted currant) ought to have these five properties, First just proportion of body and soul. Secondly, that it be not obscure, that it need a Sibilla to interpret it, nor so apparent that every rustic may understand it. Thirdly, that it have especially a beautiful show, which makes it become more gallant to the view, interserting it with Stars, suns, Moons, Fire, Water, green trees, Mechanical instruments, fantastical birds. Fourthly, that it have no human form. Fifthly, it must have a posy which is the soul of the body, which ought to differ in language from the Idioma of him which beareth the Impresa, to the end the sense may be the more covert. It is requisite also it be brief, yet so that it may not breed scrupulous doubts, but that two or three words may fit the matter well, unless it be in the form of a verse; either whole or maimed. And to make apparent these properties, you shall understand that the body and soul above mentioned, is meant either by the mot or by the subject, and an Impresa is accounted unperfect when the subject 
An Impreze imperfect, Duplex. 1.  or body bear no proportion of meaning to the soul, or the soul to the body. As Cesar Borgia Duke of Valentia used this soul without a body, Aut Caesar aut nihil: Meaning 
A soul without the body.  hereby, that he would show his manhood, and make trial of his fortune. Whereupon after he was unfortunately taken and beheaded in Novara, Fausto Maddalena a Roman said, that the posy was verified, in the last part of his Distich: 
Borgia Caesar erat factis & nomine Caesar.  
Aut nihil, aut Caesar, dixit, utrumque fuit.   
And truly in his great and prosperous estate, the Posy was most witty and worthy his Nobility, if it had been applied to a proportioned Subject, as was that of his brother Don Francisco Duke of Candia, who had for his Impresa the Mountain Chimaera, or Acroceraunes stricken with the lightning of heaven, with these words out of Horace: Feriunt summos 
The lightning hents the highest hills.  fulmina montes. Which likewise was verified in his unhappy end, being strangled and thrown into Tiber by Caesar his brother.  
Contrariwise, a fair body or subject is as ill beseeming if it be without a soul, as was 
2. A body without a soul.  that of Charles of Bourbon Constable of France, who bore depainted a Hart with wings: meaning thereby that his natural swift running was not sufficient, but that he would fly into every difficult and dangerous hazard. The which Impresa (albeit the beauty of the goodly beast, which was pompous) seemed yet blind wanting a Posy, which should give it light, which ministered occasion of sundry interpretations: among which this one was most sharply given of a French Gentleman, called Motta Augruing, who attended on the Pope, when woeful news came of the discomfiture of the most Christian King at Pavia: & talking of the disloyalty of Bourbon, said to Pope Clement: Bourbon, although he seemeth to be a betrayer both of his King & Country, meriteth yet some excuse, in having shown before what he meant to do by bearing in his Coat of Arms, a Hart with wings: meaning thereby that he minded to fly into Bourgonie: which he could not do with his feet, had he not had wings, and therefore this Posy was bestowed upon him, Cursum intendimus alis.  
The like defect had the Impresa of the Lady Hippolita Fioramonda Marquis of Scaldasole, at Pavia, who far excelled all the Gallants of our time both in beauty and amorous courtesy, who often wore in her Sky coloured Satin robes, Candleflyes all dispersed, wrought in embroidery of gold, but without a mot, warning thereby the amorous that they approach not too near her fire, lest it happen to them as it doth to that fly which ventureth so near the flame that it burneth itself. And being requested of the Lord of Lesui (being a brave and valiant Knight, and at that time a practiser in the art of Riding) to manifest unto him the meaning of this mystery: To whom she replied, It is convenient for me to use the like courtesy to Gentlemen which resort to see me, as you do to such as ride in your company, being accustomed to put under the tail of your Coursier a rattle or such like, to make him more fierce in jerking, to warn those which come near you of the danger of his heels, and to cause them keep the more aloof. Yet could not this caveat take place with my Lord of Lesui, but that many years after he persevered in his love, and at the end being deadly wounded in the field of Pavia, he was carried into the house of the Lady Marquis: where he ended his life with great contentation, yielding up his last gasp between the arms of his dearly loved Mistress and Patroness, as he used to term her.  
The contrary defect had the mot of the worthy Lawyer Master jason di Maino, who had engraven over the gate of his Palace this Posy without a body, Uirtuti fortuna comes: signifying thereby that his virtue had happy fortune.  
An Impresa may also be gallant in show by 
Proportion required.  reason of the ornaments and colours, of both the body and soul, and yet by means of the weak proportion, that the soul hath to the subject: it becometh ridiculous & obscure, As that of the Duke Lorenzo of Medici, which was a Laurel tree betwixt two Lions, with this mot: Ita & virtus. Signifying thereby, that as the Laurel is ever flourishing, so is virtue never fading: but none there were which could tell what the 2. Lions imported. Some said it represented Fortitude and Clemency, in that they seemed to parley, their heads being so closely joined together: Others construed it an other way. At length one Master Domitius da Cagli, Chaplain to the Cardinal of Medici, (who was afterward Clement the seventh, and coming to visit the Duke Lorenzo, who was sick of a disease whereof shortly after he died) adventured to demand of one Master Philippo Strozzi, being desirous to understand the secret of the Impresa, invited thereunto also by the Gentleman's courtesy, said: Master Philippo you which are so skilful in learning, and also Cousin and companion of the Duke, show me I pray you what meaneth these Lions under this Laurel tree. Master Philippo looking askance on the Chaplain, who although he were a gowned man, yet not so well grounded in learning that his knowledge reached beyond his portois, made him this sharp and ready answer: Understand you not (quoth he) that these Lions do guard this Laurel, and defend it from the fury of such Poets, which run mad on a rumour, having heard of the investing of the Abbot of Gaeta, solemnised in Rome, & flock so fast to spoil her of her branches, to show themselves Laureate? The Chaplain replied (who delighted to make certain Sonnets to run in doggerel rhyme) saying, As God help me it is done of very envious malice: seeing that the Pope Leo hath courteously made Laureate the Abbot Baraballo, & that he hath caused him to triumph over the Elephant. Which thing came to the ears of the Cardinal, who greatly jested at Domitio as at a slender Poet, and an unlearned Chaplain.  
Moreover, we must have regard that it incur 
Not.  not the suspicion of any great pride or presumption, although both the soul & body be sound and perfect: for it easily discovereth the vanity of the bearer. As did that of the great Cardinal of S. George, named Raphael Riarió: who set in a thousand places about his Palace depainted a stern of a Ship, with this mot, Hoc opus. As who should say, I should need to be Pope or governor of the world, that makes such gorgeous and magnificent buildings. Which devise fell out most vain, when Pope Leo was created, and afterward (being found confederate in the conspiracy with the Cardinal Alphonso Betrucci) he was taken and convicted, his goods confiscate, & he himself banished to Naples where he ended his life.  
I tell you it were a great point of folly to 
These three which follow are called of the Italians Cifre celate, and not Impreze, Composed only of youth unfit for gravity, as hath been showed in the Preface  tax the defects of Impreze which are used in this age, being composed of the undiscrete, and borne of mad brains, as was that of the fierce Soldier, (I will not say Ruffian) Sebastien del Mancino, (which name was accounted at that time honourable among Fencers) who used to wear on his hat, a shoe sole, with the letter T. & a Pearl, which is called Margherita, in the midst of the sole, thereby to discover his affection, and his Mistress name after this manner: Margherita Te suola di cuor' amo. 
Margerit I only love thee with my heart.  Margherit I solely love thee.  
An other being his rival called Panmolena, setting the same in beaten gold in stead of leather, thereby seeming to infer this Margherita te adoro: Margherit I adore thee (you must 
Margherit I adore thee.  understand that adoro in the Italian tongue, signifieth to reverence or worship, and also to beautify and deck with gold) supposing there to be greater efficacy, in I adore, then in this threedbare word, I love thee.  
The like invention was that of Master Augustine Porco of Pavia, enamoured of the Lady Biauca Paltiniera: who to show himself her faithful servant, used to wear fastened 
BIAUCA signifieth white.  to his scarlet Bonnet, a little Candle of white Wax, to signify, by dividing this word Candela, which is in English a Candle, into three fillables Can de la: Can, that is faithful servant, 
CAN, a dog, a most faithful servant.  de la Biauca, of the Biauca.  
But much more ridiculous was that of Cavalier Casio the Bolognian Poet, both for bravery and fine invention, who wore in his hat, in a great Agate the dissension of the holy Ghost upon the twelve Apostles: and being demanded of Pope Clement, with whom he was very familiar, wherefore he wore this Dove, representing the holy Ghost, and the fiery tongues upon the heads of the Apostles, he answered, Not for any devotion, but to express a conceit of love. For having been of a long time enamoured of a Lady, and ungratfully handled of her, not able any longer to support her crafty delays, nor the expenses bestowed on presents and gifts, I figured the Feast of Penticost: meaning, I repent of the cost bestowed of my Lady. Upon which exposition the Pope (howbeit he were in other things severe) laughed so vehemently that he rose from the table at the midst of supper.  
There were also in ancient time, some worthy Personages which wanting the invention of such like subjects supplied it with mots of their own fantasies, which became very ridiculous, as when they were to long. As was the mot of Castruccio Lord of Luca, when Lodovico Bavaro was crowned Emperor, & he made Roman Senator, which was then a very great dignity, who wore openly in a Cremosin Cloak this mot embroidered in his breast: Egli é come dio vuole: and answerable 
It is as God will.  to that behind was another, Esara quel che dio 
And shallbe as God will.  vorra.  
The like fault of length had that of the Prince of Salerua, who builded the sumptuous Palace in Naples, on a Pinnacle: whereof in the fore front he erected a pair of horns with this mot: 
Porto le corna ch' ogui Huomo le vede,  
E qualch' Altro te porta che vol crede.   
In English thus. 
I wear the horns which each man sees by view:  
And some man wears them to, which scarce he thinks is true.   
Desirous thereby to quip a certain Nobleman, who talked dishonourably of a Lady, having himself a wife suspected of her honesty. The length of these mots are the rather condemned, for that they are in the proper tongue of him which wears them. For that, as I have said, they better square in a strange language.  Dom. 
My Lord you have even revived me with the ridiculous follies of so many Impreze, as you have recited unto me.  jou. 
It shallbe now therefore time that we return to our purpose, recompting only such Impreze which savour of magnanimity, sharp invention, and generosity. And it seemeth unto me, that these great Princes of the world (in having about their persons men of singular wit, and learning) have gotten unto themselves, the honour of such inventions: as amongst other the Emperor Charles the fift, the King of Spain, and Pope Leo. For that of the Emperor exceeded far the Impresa of his Grandfather by the mother's side the great Charles Duke of Bourgonie. And in my opinion that of the Pillars of Hercules with the mot, Plus ultra, not only excelled in gravity and brave invention the Tinderbox of his said Grandfather, but also all other which either Kings or Princes have borne to this day.  Dom. 
In truth these Pillars with their mot (considering the good fortune in the happy Conquest of the West Indies, which eclipseth the glory of the old Romans) doth satisfy the view, with the goodly subject, and delighteth the mind of the considerate regarder, with the perfection of the soul annexed unto it.  jou. 
Marvel not thereat, for the inventor thereof was an excellent man, named Master Laigi Marliano of Milan, Physician of the Emperor, and died Bishop of Tui. And beside other of his excellent qualities, he was a great Mathematician. For commonly these picked Impreze spring not of light brains, but of rare wits.  Dom. 
The truth you say my Lord, but tell me of favour what you were about to say touching the tinderbox of the Duke of Bourgonie: I pray you recount unto me the history of this famous invention, with the which the valorous troops of worthy Knights of this our age adorn themselves, who are of the honourable company of the order of the Fleece, amplified by the invincible Charles the fift.  jou. 
This which you demand is very intricate and of few known, yea hardly of many, which wear it about their neck: because thereunto is hanged the Fleece, interpreted of some the golden Fleece of jason gotten by the Argonauts. And some refer it to the holy scripture, that it is the Fleece of Gedcon, which signifieth unbroken faith. But returning to our purpose concerning the tinderbox of the valiant Duke of Bourgonie, who was fierce in arms, and used to wear the flintstone with the steel and box, and two tronchions of wood thereby, to denotate, that he had power to kindle great fires of War, (as the truth is he did) but this his whole valour had a sorrowful success. For taking in hand the war against Lorena & the Suissers, he was (after receiving two discomfitures) overcome and slain above Nansi, the Even of the Epiphany, and his Impreze was scorned of Renato Duke of Lorena, who was triumpher in this conflict, to whom when his Ensign was presented, Truly (quoth he) this unfortunate man when he had need to warm himself, had no leisure to use his tinderbox. Which saying was the more pithy, for that the same day of the battle, the earth was covered with Snow all died with blood, and it was the greatest cold, that happened within the memory of man: In such sort that it might be seen by the Duke, that the wavering Goddess dayned not to accompany his divine manhood in these three last enterprises.  Dom. 
As far as I perceive my Lord, you have begun according to your promise, to enter into the chosen & picked Impreze, which the worthies of our age do wear. Whereupon, I hope that as our inventions are more subtle, & our knowledge purified, in respect of that of former time: even so our modern devices and Impreze shall appear more gallant, as proceeding of more flowing wits. But before you prosecute your discourse of these late Impreze, I pray you sith you have recited the order of the Fleece, to declare unto me in a word or two, the posy which they of the Order in England do wear.  jou. 
Touching your demand, for that it is an ancient custom commenced above two hundred years passed, this only report remaineth: That the Order being instituted by Edward the third (a magnanimous Prince) 
A plain cross geules in the field argent.  under the protection of S. George on horseback within a white Shield, parted with a red cross: the King by chance in gathering up a garter from the ground, gave occasion to a certain Lady whose garter it was, to murmur at it. Wherefore it pleased him in the honour of that Lady, to ordain that every Knight of the Order, which were wont to be six and twenty, should wear for an Ensign about their leg the Garter with this inscription, Honni soit qui mal y pense.  
But now returning to our time more enriched with singular wits, I say that those Kings which of late have been, have advanced themselves both in their warly enterprises, & also in the bravery of their ornaments of Impreze, above the honour of their ancestors. And to begin with that of jews the twelft, King of France, which seemeth to all men, both of singular beauty in show, and also of excellent sharpness in sense, for that it fitted the noble nature of that Martial Prince, whom no toil of War could ever tire, who with an invincible mind caused to be worn on the upper garments of the Archers of his Guard, a hedgehog crowned, which pricketh those, that come near to annoy it, & casteth most sharp thorns at those which stand farther of: signifying thereby that his forces were ready near at hand and also abroad. On which subject I remember to have seen this mot, Comminus & eminus.  
Nothing inferior to that of jews, was the Impresa which his successor and Son in law Frances the first used to bear, who as his slippery youth did lead him, changed the manly exploits of war, with the weak pleasures and effeminate delights of his fond love. And to signify that he fried in these passionate flames, wherein so much he gloried that he shamed not to say, that he nourished 
Inourishe myself.  himself in them. Whereupon he wore the Salamander in the flaming fire, with this mot, Mi nutrisco: being the proper quality of this beast to purge all her cold humours among the burning coals: whereby it cometh to pass that she feareth not the force of the fire, but rather temperateth the heat thereof, or putteth it out. And truth it was that this heroical and courteous King was never without a love, being notwithstanding zealous in affecting, and liberal in rewarding the virtuous, and of courage valiant, against all the iniquities of Fortune (as the Salamander, against the force of the fire) in all chances, and warly events: and this invention was forged with the stamp of his own brain.  
Also that of his Son and successor King Henry, is in all points comparable to the former, who continued to bear the same Impresa, which whilom he made being Dauphin: which was the Moon Cressant, with this brave mot carrying great sense: Donec totum impleat orbem. Signifying thereby, that until he amounted to the inheritance of the kingdom, he could not manifest his inward valour, as the Moon can not yield her full light, until she come to her perfect greatness. And of this his noble mind the recovering of Bologne, and many other whorthy acts (which Italy can witness) do yield sufficient testimony. Wherefore at the earnest request of Sir Mortier the French Ambassador, after the death of Francis his father, I figured a full Moon all round, with this mot: Cum plena est, sit Emula Solis, showing that she had so great brightness, that she equalled the son, making the nights as clear as the days. The king also meant hereby to yield some thing to the honour of a Lady under the name of Diana, who was accounted of the Ancients, the same goddess with the Moon.  Dom. 
Without doubt these three Impreze of these three French kings, have in my judgement, all the excellency required both in the subject & outward show, as also in the soul. And I doubt whether the sharp witted Spaniard can come near them.  jou. 
And truly therein you are not deceived, for it is a difficult thing any way to better them.  
But the King of Spain quitteth himself well in bearing the Gordian knot with the hand 
So much le excelleth.  of Alexander, who with his Falchion cut it in sunder when he could not undo it with his fingers: engraving this mot above it, Tanto Monta. To the end you may understand the meaning of this prudent king, you need to read Quintus Curtius, how that in Asia in the City of Gordius, there was in a Temple an inextricable knot, & it was given out by the Oracle, that he which could untie the same, should be lord of all Asia. Whereupon Alexander coming thither, and finding no way to unlose it, by fatal rashness, and in despite, cut it in pieces, & by that means Oraculum implevit aut elusit. The like happened unto the Catholic king: who having long strife and contention about the kingdom of Castille, finding no way to attain to his right, with sword in hand he adventured, and got it, whereby this so worthy an Impresa got great fame, and was adjudged of equal wit and learning with those of France. Some men were of the opinion, that it sprung from the subtle invention of Antonio Nibrissa, an excellent learned man, who is said to revive the latin tongue in Spain. But to say the truth (although that many notable Impreze have sprung from the worthy witttes of the Spaniards, as was that which Don Diego of Mendozza, a valiant and honourable knight, did use to wear in the wars of the great captain consalvo Ferrante. Yet there have been some very vain, and void of all such properties as they ought to have, as was that of the knight of the house of Porres, who being enamoured of a Gentlewoman attendant on the Queen Isabella, whose name was Anna, and fearing that she should marry with a certain other knight far richer than himself, who fought to win her from him: he therefore counselling her that she should remain constant in her love towards him, and not condescend in any case to the other, he wore on his Crest depainted a Duck, which in Spanish is called Annadino, which name divided into syllables, is after this manner, Anna dino. As much to say, as Anne say no.  
Like unto this also was that of Don Diego of Guzman, who having received a discourteous countenance at the hands of his Mistress: wore in a triumph at justs, a great bush of green Mallows: to denotate thereby that his love went a cross: for Malua in Spanish is the herb Mallow, and being distinctly written, Mal va, is as much to say, as it goeth ill, the affairs of my love have no good fuccesse.  Dom. 
These here agree well with those ridiculous inventions of the white Candle, and of Penticost. But I pray you shut up these vanities with the worthy Impresa of Don Diego of Mendozza, which whilom you said to be so commendable.  jou. 
Yea, and peradventure the only one among those which are exstant, not only in Spain, but else where. And this it was, that having sounded the ford of his Mistress fancy, and finding the wharf of her good will very difficult to arrive at: being driven into dolorous affections, and as it were desperate, invented a wheel with buckets which draw up water, and then cast it forth again: And for that half the buckets are full receiving in the water, & half are empty casting it forth, he adjoined this mot, * Los llenos de dolor y, Los vazios de speranza. 
Those that are full, carr● sorrow, those that are empty, hope.  This was esteemed an Impreze of subtle invention, and almost singular in outward view, because the water and the wheel gave to the beholders great light unto the subject, and seemed to infer this, that his grief was without hope of any remedy.  
Worthy of Commendation was also the Impresa of S. Antonio da leva: who being by reason of the Gout carried in his Chair, caused this mot to be worn of his Captain, set on the trappings and ornaments of his horse, Sic vos non vobis: at such time as Charles the fift was crowned in Bologna, and the Dukedom of Milan restored to Francisco Sforzae. And the mot was without a body, which if it had not, there could not have been a better. For that thereby he seemed to show, that how by his virtue and manhood the state of Milan, was gotten and preserved, and after restored to the Duke by the Emperor, being desirous to retain it to himself, contrary to the order of the league, as he had done before.  
And because I am to prosecute the order of the Nobility, I will recite unto you the Impreze of the four last Kings of Aragona: and amongst other what the opened Book doth signify, being the Impresa of Alphonsus: which having no soul of any mot at all, caused many to doubt of the signification. And for that the King was of incomparable knowledge, as well in feats of Arms as faculties of learning, and also excellent in the practice of civil government: some said one thing, and some another: but most men thought he meant thereby, that liberty was the most precious thing that a man might have, and therefore he himself as most prudent, never took any to wife, thereby not to make him servant to his own choice. Some said he bore the Book to signify that the perfection of the intelligence of man, consisted in the knowledge of the Sciences and liberal Arts, in the which he himself was very studious. But to let pass the significations of this Book, I say that Ferrante his Son bore a worthy Impresa, which began upon the rebellion of Marino di Marciano Duke of Sessa, and Prince of Rossana, who although he were Cousin to the King, notwithstanding did confederate with Duke john of Augio, to procure the death of his Lord and King being at Parliament: but by mean of his hardinesle and noble courage, the treacherous purpose could take no effect. The history of this event remaineth engraven in Brass on the gate of castle nuovo. And after a time Marino being taken & cast into prison, he resolved with himself not to put him to death: saying, that he would not imbrue his hands in the blood of his own kindred, (albeit he were ungrateful) contrary to the expectation & will of many his friends, and Counsellors: and in token of this his noble mind and clemency, he figured an Armelui compassed about with a bank of dung, with this mot, Malo mori quam foedari: being the proper nature of the Armelui rather to perish by hunger and thirst, then by escaping through the mire to defile herself, and spot the polished white of her precious skin.  
That also of Alphonsus the second his Son was brave, but very extravagant, as being composed of syllables of the Spanish tongue. And it was after this manner, that the day drawing near of the battle of Campo Merio, against the veletri, to exhort his Captains & Soldiers, depainted in his Standard three diadems of Saints joined together, with this word Valeria in the midst, to signify that that day they ought to show their manhood above all other: pronouncing it after the Spanish manner, Dia dc mass valer: a day of greater valour.  
Right notable in truth was that of Ferandino his Son, who being induced with these noble and Princely qualities, liberality and clemency, and to show that these qualities were of nature & not art: he figured a mountain of Dyamants, which grow all as naturally of themselves, as if they were fashioned by workmanship and art: having this mot, Naturae non artis opus.  
Neither was that less commendable of King Federicke Uncle to Ferandino, who succeeded him in his Kingdom (being by the spareles Parcae, deprived of life) & taking possession of the Kingdom, being weakened with the late wars, & enfeeblished with the factions of those of Anjou, to assure the Nobility of the contrary part of his favour, he did bear figured in form, a Book of accounts, with leather strings and buckles, after the manner of the Bankers books, setting for the title 1485. & represented flames of fire to arise by the margins of the Book being closed, with a mot of the holy Scripture: which was this, Recedant vetera. To show by this his worthy invention, that he pardodoned all men their misdeeds and offences for that year. And herein he imitated the ancient Athenians which made the law of Amnestia: which signifieth oblivion or forgetting all which is past. Yet this did little profit the good King Federicke. For within five years by the unprevented conspiracy of Ferdinando King of Spain, with jews the 12. of France, he was enforced to abandon his Kingdom, and leave it to these two Kings, who divided it amongst them.  
There were other Princes of Italy and famous Captains, who delighted to show their conceits in Impreze, & such devices, amongst the which, was worthily esteemed that of Francisco Sforza Duke of Milan (at that time wherein these sharp inventions were not so rife) who having taken possession of the state, by means of the right of his wife, Madonna Biauca Viscont, and by force of Arms appeased all troubles, caused to be embroidered on his Coat armour, a Mastiff or Greyhound crouching on his hinder legs, & standing up before, under a Pine tree, with this mot, Quietum nemo impune laccsset, to signify that he would not molest any man, but that he was ready to offend, and defend himself, if any dared to oppose themselves against him: whereof he made trial against the Venetian Nobility, (whiles he held quiet the King Renato of Province) in repressing the greedy desire which they seemed to have of that state.  
Very like unto the former devise in beauty, was the obscure Impresa of Galeazzo his Son and Successor, which was a Lion with an Helmet on his head, sitting on a great fire. Very fair was the picture to the view, but yet reputed without a good invention, being without a mot, and hardly understood of the author himself: wherefore I will not strain me with the repeating of the divers interpretations which were given of many, whereof some were vain and ridiculous.  
But yet very learned and of a gallant show, was that of his brother Duke Lodovico (although too too presumptuous) who was, for the opinion men had of his wisdom, on a time chosen the judge and arbiter of the Peace & War of Italy, & thereupon he bore the Mulberry tree, (called in Italian Celso moro) for his Impresa: which as Pliny saith, is accounted sapientissima omnium arborum, because it bloometh late, to avoid the pinching frosts, and ripeneth her fruit very soon. As who should say, he knew by his wisdom, what fortune the future times would bring. But his wit failed him when he called the French men into Italy, to war against the King Alphonsus his deadly enemy, which were after the cause of ruin: and so became his great wisdom to derision, ending his life, imprisoned in the Tower of Loches in France, a fit example of the misery and vain glory of man.  
He caused himself also to be surnamed Moro. And when he passed the streets, a man might here the voice of children and apprentices crying aloud, Moro, Moro: And continuing in his like vanities, he caused to be depainted in the Castle, Italy in the form of a Queen, invested with a golden rob, wherein were embroidered all the chief Cities of Italy, according to their right semblance: and before her standing a waiting black More, with a Brush in his hand. Whereat on a time the Ambassador of Florence marveling, demanded of the Duke, to what end served this black Page which brushed the rob and the cities. To whom the Duke answered, To cleanse them from all filth, to give him to understand, that the More was judge of Italy, to order her as he thought good. Now the sharp witted Florentine perceiving his drift, said, Take heed Sir that this More brush not so long, that he brush all the dust on himself: wherein he foretold the truth. And here you are to note that many think that this Lodovico was called Moro, for his brown skin and black face, but they are deceived, for rather was he of a white & pale complexion, then in any part black as we ourselves have seen.  
But that excelleth not only the Impreze of the Princes of Italy, but also those of the house of the Medici, his predecessors, which john the Cardinal of Medicis invented, who afterward was Pope Leo being restored unto Florence, by the force and power of the Spaniards, having been before eighteen years in exile. His Impresa was a yoke, which Oxen use to bear, and the mote Suave, signifying thereby that he was not returned to tyrannize over his country, nor to revenge the injuries done him of his enemies, and factious citizens: But rather to show that his government should be gentle with all clemency, with the mot out of the scripture answerable to his Priestly habit, taken out of this place: jugum meum suave est, & onus meum leave. And truly it was very congruent to his nature, and proceeded from the sharpness of his own learned wit: although it seemed that the yoke came first from the great Cosimo, who when he was recalled to his country from exile, figured the city Florence fitting on a Chair, with a yoke under her feet: to show thereby as it were that saying of Cicero, Roma patrem patriae Ciccronem libera dixit, and for the excellency hereof, it continued to be worn unto the time of Pope Leo, and merited to be instamped in the coin of Florence.  Dom. 
This Impresa doth greatly delight me, and in my judgement is very notable: but of favour I pray you, let it please you to recount others of the most famous house of Medicis, & in them to touch diffusedly, both the devise and also the History, which shall notably explain them, and bring great delight to this your discourse.  jou. 
I cannot go beyond the three Diamonds which the great Cosimo did bear, which you see engraven in the chamber wherein I lie. But to tell you the truth, although with all diligence I have searched, yet cannot I find precisely what they signify, & thereof also doubted Pope Clement, who in his meaner fortune, lay also in the self same chamber.  
And truth it is that he said, the Magnifico Lorenzo used one of them with great bravery, inserting it between three feathers of three sundry colours, green, white, and red: which betokened three virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity, appropriate to those three colours: Hope, green: Faith, white: Charity, red, with this word, Semper, below it. Which Impresa hath been used of all the successors of his house, yea, and of the Pope: who did bear it embroidered on the upper garments of the horsemen of his guard, under that of the yoke.  
The Magnifico Pietro, Son of Cosimo, did bear a Falcon with a Diamond in her talon, And the same was used also of Pope Leo, and Pope Clement likewise, with this mot Semper, applied to the title of religion, which the Popes profess, although it be, as is above said, a foolish thing to compose mots of syllables, or single words. The Magnifico would have to be understood hereby, that every thing ought to be done to the will and pleasure of God, and the better doth it fit this purpose, for that the Diamant is of so invincible fortititude both against the fire and stroke of the Hammer: as was most miraculously this Magnifico, against the conspiracies and treacheries of M. Luca Pitti.  
The Magnifico Pietro, Son of Lorenzo, as a youth and enamoured, used to bear for his Impresa, great Billets of green wood, set one upon the other, which seemed to cast forth flames and smoke from the fire within, signifying that his inflamed affection, was the more vehement, for that the wood wherewith it burned, was yet green. And this was the invention of that learned man Angelus Politianus, who made thereunto a mot containing this latin verse: 
In viridi teneras exurit flamma medullas.   
The Magnifico julian his brother, a man of good nature and excellent wit, who was afterward Duke of Nemors, having taken to wife the Niece of the King of France, Sister to the Duke of Savoi, to show that fortune which was so many years adverse unto him, now began to turn her favour towards him, he caused to be set in a shield of triangular form, this word of six letters, GLOVIS: which turning backward, you may read SIVOLG. And because it was judged obscure 
It turneth.  and vain in sense, many of his affectioned servants, interpreted every letter severally by itself, whereby arose as many diversities of opinions, as did among them in the Council of Basile, who interpreted the name of Pope Foelix: saying, Faelix id est salsus eremita ludificator.  
And because we have above spoken of the Impreze of Lorenzo, it shall not be amiss, to say somewhat of that of Pope Clement, which we see depainted in every place, and was invented of Dominico Boninsegni Florentine his treasurer, who searched the secrets of nature, and found that the Sun beams passing through a piece of Crystal, being so strengthened through their uniting, according to the nature of the Prospective, that they burn every object, saving only things passing white. And Pope Clement willing to show to the world that the purity of his mind, could not be contamined, by the malicious, neither by any force, used this Impreze: when his Enemies in the time of Adrian, fought to bereave him both of life and dignity, which conspiracy they brought to no effect. The Impresa became very notable and renowned, because therein were all things which might make fair appearance to adorn it, which were these: a round piece of Crystal, the Sun with his beams passing through, the flame proved by them, all set in a white hood, with this mot, Candour illesus. Yet for all this, was it very obscure to those-which knew not the property above said. Wherefore it needed that we his servants should to each man desirous to know the same expoúded, and make manifest what Boninsegni and the Pope meant thereby: which obscurity ought to be shunned in an Impreze, as is before declared. And it was the more intricate for that the mot was divided by syllables, as this, Can dor ille sus. One Master Simon Schiavone Chaplain to the Pope, who had no more learning than would serve him to mumble up a Mass, all meruelling at the Posy, demanded of me, what the devil, the Pope meant thereby, which as he thought served to no purpose: For (quoth he) ille sus signifies, that Sow: and repeating it oftentimes, ille, is that, & sus, is sure a Sow, as I have learned in the Grammar School at Sebenico, and therefore must it needs be that Sow. Upon this arose great laughter, & the matter came to the Pope's ear, who gave advertisement not to deride it by letters to avoid the like errors of Amphibologia, committed by such foolish interpreters.  
That also of Hippolito Cardinal of Medicis, although it was very goodly both in show and substance, yet had it some defect: for that none could thoroughly understand it save only the learned, & such as were very well seen in the Poems of Horace: for being desirous to signify that the Lady julia Gonzaga, excelled in beauty all other women, (which is not unknown to our age, who for her chaste conditions, and excellent virtues doth reverence her) he figured a Comet, whereof saith Pliny, Augustus did write, that in the time of the Feasts, which he ordained to be celebrated to Venus, a few days after the death of julius Caesar, appeared in the Septentrional parts of the heavens shining so bright the space of seven days to every Region, that it began to appear an hour before Sun setting. The common people thought this Star to signify, that the soul of julius Caesar was received into the company of the immortal Gods: which was the occasion that Augustus placed the sign of this Comet on the top of the Stalle, which he had erected in the Forum for his adopted Father. Whereupon, Horace useth these words to the honour of julius Caesar. 
Micat inter omnes julium sydus  
Velut inter ignes luna minores.   
So Hippolito taking out these verses only Inter omnes, vouchsafed to use it as a mot to honour this most virtuous and renowned Lady. And in the Impresa being the figure of a Comet, it seemeth that it was to prognosticate the doleful death of the Cardinal, which peradventure the fearful star did threaten, who being constrained to pass from Gaeta into Africa to the Emperor, who lay then at Tunis, by the way to the great discomfiture and grief of all his friends died at ●●re Castle, which was then in the possession of the Lady julia Gonzaga.  
He had also before, another Impresa of the Eclipse, figuring the Moon in the shadow, which happeneth by reason of the interposition of the earth between the sun and it, with this mot, Hinc aliquando eluctabor. Signifying thereby that he was placed in the darkness of certain obscure and troublesome thoughts and imaginations, from which he strived to issue forth, but in showing what they were, because they seem impure, and scarce honest, and because I will not do prejudice to so worthy a man, neither to the worship of his house, I leave to explicate the meaning of the Impresa, which shall notwithstanding be understood of many which remember the man.  
After the death of the Cardinal the Duke Alexander, having married Margherit of Africa, daughter to the Emperor, and governing Florence with equal justice agreeable to the citizens: seeing himself gallant and able of person, was desirous to make himself renowned by the wars, saying, that to get glory and in taking the emperors part, he would courageously enter into every difficult and dangerous enterprise: resolute in this, either to win honour with praise, or lose his life in peril. And hereupon on a day earnestly requested me to devise him some notable Impresa to wear on his cote Armour. And I chose him out the wild beast Rhinoceros, the deadly enemy of the Elephant, which being sent to Rome by Emanuel King of Portugals, who fought with it, coming by Province where it was seen being arrived on the land, and afterward drowned by hard fortune, amongst the rocks a little above Porto Venere, (for it was not possible that such a beast could save itself being chained, albeit it swum miraculously among the sharp rocks, which are all alog that cost) yet notwithstanding there was brought to Rome, his true portraiture, and greatness in February 1515 with information of his nature: the which as Pliny saith, and the Portugals affirm, is to go and find the Elephant, and assaulting him, striketh him under the paunch with a hard and sharp horn which it hath growing on his snout, neither doth he ever departed from his enemy. nor from sight, till he hath wearied and slain him, which most often falleth out: unless the Elephant with his long snout do take him by the throat, and in closing do strangle him. The form of this beast in goodly embroidery served for the coverture of his Barbary horses: which ran in Rome for the price or mastery, with this mot in the Spanigh tongue: No buelle sin vincer: I 
I war not but I won.  return not without victory, according to this verse, Rhinoceros nunquam victus ab hoste cedit. This devise pleased him so that he caused it to be engraven in his breast plate.  Dom. 
Sith you have rehearsed the Impresa of the noble Princes of the house of Medicis which are dead, let it please you to say somewhat of those, which the worthy Duke Cosimo was wont to wear, of the which we have seen so many in the Palace of the foresaid Medicis.  jou. 
In truth I saw many the day of his marriage, which seemed to issue from worthy wits, Whereof one above all pleased me, for that it was fitly applied to his highness, who having Capricornus for his Ascendent, as also Augustus Caesar, as witnesseth Suetonius. And therefore caused the Image thereof to be instamped in his Coin. This beast seemed unto me very congruent to the purpose, for that Charles the fifth, under whom the princely estate of this Noble Duke flourished, had likewise the same ascendent. And it seemed a thing fatal, that the Duke Cosimo the same day of the Calends of August, wherein Augustus Caesar obtained the victory over Antontus and Cleopatra at the promontory Atticum, the same day he discomfited and took his enemies on the mountain Murlo. But this Capricornus having no Posy: I adjoined thereunto this mot: Fidem fati virtute sequemur. To this sense I will strive with mine own virtue, to archiue that, which the Horoscopus doth promise me. And so I figured the stars of that Constellation in the Chamber ordained for the honour of the Duke. Which Impresa you have seen in my Study, where is also the Eagle which signifieth jupiter and the Emperor, who holdeth out in her beak a triumphant Crown, with this mot: jupiter Merentibus offered, signifying that his highness deserved each glorious reward for his worthy virtues.  
He bore also another in the beginning of his government, learnedly devised by the reverend Master Piea Francisco da Rivi: and it was that which Virgil speaketh of in the An. of the golden Bow, with this mot: uno awlsu non deficit alter, signifying a bow rend from the tree, in the place whereof suddenly succeeded another, meaning thereby, that the Duke Alexander was not so soon departed this life, but that there was another of the same golden line ready to succeed him.  Dom. 
It seemeth unto me my Lord that you have sufficiently touched those which appertain to the house of Medicis: It therefore remaineth, that you now speak of other Princes and famous Captains, which you yourself in your time have known.  jou. 
I will not fail herein, and now you have pleasantly pricked me forwards, you make me call to mind many things pertinent to this purpose, which now I will disburden to do you pleasure and satisfy your desire: sith the number of so many Impreze are tedious unto you.  Dom. 
This memory of yours cannot seem irksome to any man of judgement, nor tedious to those which delight in these Gentlemanlike discourses, and let not this extreme heat which already maketh you to sweat, (although we are set in a fresh & airy place) be any excuse to cause you to break of your talk.  jou. 
Well, sith it is your pleasure, I am content to begin with the valiant troop of Captains, which you have seen renowned in our history. And me seemeth that the honour of Rome requireth of desert that we begin with the Romans, because they have in effect borne away the mainprize of picked Soldiers, as the inheritors of the ancient virtue of their Country. Amongst whom in my days the two principal Famelies, chief of the ancient Facton Guelfa and Gebellina, which were called Ursini and Colonesi, have had each of them two most renowned: The Family of Vrsina had Verginio and Nicolo: the Colonesi, Prospero, and Fabritio. Verginio, in authority, riches, multitude of Soldiers, & in the magnificence of his house, being Captain of all the Primates of Italy, ascended to the type of Dignity: from which again he fell, after the coming of King Charles into Italy, being taken with the Earl of Pitigliano at Nola by the French men, deceived by the promise of the Nolans and by jews d' Arsio the French Captain, and was kept prisoner until the seditious uproar happened in the French Camp at Tarro, wherein he finely escaped the hands of those which guarded him, being as then busied about greater matters. Now the Colonesi being under the conduct of the Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, who at the beginning served the French men: and being made a new league between the Princes of Europe, they returned to the service of the King Ferandino, Prospero first, and then Fabritio, vowing themself Arragonians.  
Verginio also was invited to go serve the same King, being offered a great pay, and to be recompensed with offices of honour and dignity, as to be high Constable, which office was afterward given to S. Fabritio, with the government of Abruzzo Alba, and Tagliacozzo: but he judging it not beseeming his honour, wilfully condescended to the French, and rather accepted of their pay: although therein the Ursini utterly disliked his determination, because it might be prejudicial to the honour and state of Italy, which then began again to conspire against France, fearing lest it should become subject to so puissant a nation. But he hardened with a fatale obstinacy, addressed himself with many other Captains of the same conspiracy against king Ferandine: answering those which dissuaded him to the contrary (as the servants of the Pope, of the Duke Lodovico, and of the Lords of Venice, who showed him the danger he wilfully cast himself into, and therewithal willed him to weigh what great rewards and benefits were offered him) said, I am like unto the Camel, whose nature is this, that coming to a clear river, drinks not of the water until first he hath fouled it by trampling with his feet. And therefore I bear a Camel troubling a River with this French mot. Il me plait la trouble. But his rash determination had rueful end. For being overcome 
Trouble doth please me.  in this conflict besieged in Atella, and at length taken, died in prison in the Castle of Ouo. This received he the punishment of his paruerse enterprise.  
The Earl of Pitigliano, being in pay with the Lords of Venice, in the wars of Lombardie, had for his Impresa a collar of Iron, called in Latin Millus, set full of sharp pricks, as we see about the neck of the shepherds Mastiffs to defend them from the biting of the Wolves, with this mot, Sauciat & defendit albeit this Impresa is to be seen at this day at Rome, in the Palace of Nicosia in possession of the S.ors of the house of Vrsina: and in the midst of this collar is this Posy, Prius mori quam fidem fallere: there also are figured two hands, which seeming to take hold of the collar, are pierced with the sharp pricks which are set thereupon: and in the midst there is depainted a Rose.  
To the other former Impreze are nothing inferior those of the other two Brethren the Colonesi, Prespero and Fabritio, who at divers times had sundry inventions: some Military, and some amorous, according to their fantasies. For both of them even to extreme old age, thought it no shame to be amorous, and especially Prospero who having placed his affection on a noble Lady, unto whose company (to dissemble the secret favour which he received, and to aucyde sufpition) he advertured to bring a friend of his: which thing was unadvisedly done, considering that women are almost all generally desirous of choice and change, of whom she became enamoured, deeming him worthy the possession of her person: which Prospero perceiving, and thereby receiving no final discomfort he took to his Impresa the Brazen Bull of Perillus, who was the first which experienced the torment that he himself had invented, being commanded to be pút therein (by the Edict of the tyrant Phaleris) and a great fire to be kindled underneath, where with yelling cries he ended his miserable life. And this did Prospero, thereby to signify, that he himself was the cause of his own misfortune. And the mot was this. Ingenio experior funera digna meo. 
Myself was cause of my own misfortune.   Dom. 
Me seemeth the soul of this gallant invention had been far better after this manner, Sponte contractum inexpicabile maluns.  jou 
Truly that of Fahritia, excelled for bravery, who persevering in taking the French part, although invited with promise of great rewards, to participate with the whole consent of Italy, yet at the first he refused it, and thereupon took for his Impresa a vessel made after the ancient form, with this mot, Samnitico no capitur auro: to signify that he would not be corrupted with coin no more than was that Fabritius the aúcient Roman, with the proffered gold of the Samnites, who were in league with Pyrrhus.  
He also did bear an other, very commendable, which was the Touchstone, with this mot, Fides hoc uno, virtusque probantur: to import that his virtue & faith should of all men be known by touch and trial. This did he wear at the cóflict of Ravenna, where his valiant courage was manfully shown, albeit he was there wounded and taken prisoner.  
In the same war Marc' Antonio Column Nephew to Prospero, who lay in garrison defending the City Ravenna, where he worthily behaved himself against the violent rage & terrible battery of Mouris de fois, had a bow of Palm wreathed with a bow of Cyprus, with this mot, ERIT ALTERA MERCES: Meaning that he went to the wars either to win victory or lose his life. The Palm being borne in sign of Victory, and the Cypress worn at Funerals. This man had all the gifts which either nature or fortune might bestow, to make a man singular.  
The same Marc' Antonio wore also an other in the wars of Mirandola and Bologna, wherein the Cardinal of Pavia was Legate, of nature proud and imperious, and the lofty minded Roman not yielding to be controlled, but would execute every duty which pertained to the wars himself, the rather for that he perceived the Cardinal to use dishonest dealing with the Duke of Urbin, therefore he was after slain of him. To manifest his noble mind he used for his Impresa the Heron, which bird in the time of rain flieth so high above the Clouds, that she escapeth the wet, to the end it may not fall on her back, and yet naturally useth to bathe her in the little streams, content to have the water under her, but not that it should fall upon her. The Impresa was very delightsome to behold: for besides the brave show of the bird, there was figured the Sun above the Clouds, the bird between the Sun and the Clouds, in the middle region where rain and hail are engendered, below were Marish grounds with Sedge & other green herbs, but above all it was adorned with this goodly mot about the neck of the Herens, Natura dictant feror.  
I remember also an other which he used (as one which greatly delighted in these ingenious inventions) in the wars of Verona: which City was valiantly defended by his manhood, against the force of both the French and Venetian Camps, which was a vesture in the midst of the fire, which notwithstanding burned not, as made of that Lint of India, which Plinic called Albestin, which may be purged from spots in the fire & not consumed, and it had this mot, Semper pertinax.  
S. Mutio Colonna, the Nephew of S. Fabritio, happily did imitate the prompt wit of Marc' Antonio, & was a valiant and prudent Knight, who for his deserts had of Pope lulio the 20. and Pope Leo the 10. the company of an hundred Lances, on whose upper Armour and Ensigns he caused to be figured an hand burning in the fire upon an Altar of Sacrifice with this Posy, Fortiafacere, & pati Romanum est. alluding his own proper name to the ancient Mutius, who intending to have slain Porsenna King of Toscanie, and For that his hand failed in striking an other, he burned it of, in the sight of Porsenna: which was so marvelous, (that as the Poet saith) Have spectare manumm Porsenna non potuit.  
The Colonesi bore altogether one Impresa for them all, at such time, as Pope Alexander showed extremity to the Roman Baronyt whereupon they were constrained with John the Cardinal to sly Rome, and part of them took Naples, and part Scicill: in which case they were thought to make a better departure than had done the Ursini, for that they had rather lose their rob and dignity then to commit their lives to the mercy of bloody tyrants, as did they: whereupon they became undone and miserably strangled. Their Impresa was to signify, that although they were persecuted by hard fortune, and their former power so greatly abated, yet lived they, and in hope that when these boisterous storms were passed, they should again have to rejoice: and this it was: Certain Bulrushes figured in the midst of a River, whose nature is to bow & not to break, neither with the violence of wave nor wind, & their mot was, Flectimur non frangimur undis.  Dom. 
Sith you have recited the devices of these Roman Barons, it seemeth also convenient that you say somewhat of other Princes and Captains of Italy, and likewise of foreigners, if happily they come to your memory.  jou. 
But first hearken to that which S. Bartolomeo Aluiano, a Captain stout & valiant, but very unfortunate, used to bear on his Ensign. He was a great defender of Vrsina faction: he manfully overcame Bracciano, the Champion of Pope Alexander: And took Viterbium, spoiling all which took part with john Gatto (in favour of the Maganzesis) saying they were the pestilent venom of the City: and after the death of this john Gatto their Captain, he bore in his ensign an Unicorn, whose property is to have power against poison, figuring a fountain all environed with Toads & Serpents, and the Unicorn putting in his horn into the River before he drink, to purge the venom, with this mot about his neck, Venona pello. The same Ensign was lost in the Battle of Vincentia, after that this Aluiano had a great space defended him against the fury of his enemy: Marc' Antonio da monte, holding it in his arms, and never leaving it, until he fell down dead.  
For the same Aluiano was composed also another Impresa, by Cotta of Verona his Poet, after the sacking of Vincentia, whereof it was said the purveyor or Paymayster Master Andreo Loredan, was the principal cause, who at that instant when the Cesarian enemies being put to flight, run armed with this breastplate of Crimson Velvet, into the Pavilion of the General, and finding him sitting at the Table with many other captains, consulting what were best to be done: he began to lay before them their cowardice, and long linger, in not pursuing the Enemy: Albeit they were of this mind, that the enemies which sly ought to have a bridge of silver. But he with great instancy urged them that they should not so suffer them to escape their hands, considering that they had already turned their backs. By the brave and furious words of this Loridano, were many incensed to pursue them: and by that means were the Venetians overcome, and Loridano left dead in the field, receiving the just penalty of his rash attempt. Whereupon Cotta exhorted his Lord, that in stead of the Unicorn that he had lost in that Battle, to bear in his Ensign a Gander in the midst of certain Swans, with this brief about his neck: Obstrepuit inter olores: to signify that it was unfit and ill beseeming that a Senator with a long gown should presume to judge of warlike affairs among Captains. But this devise Aluiano refused, (albeit greatly commending it) for that he would not seem to scorn the said Loridano being dead, in comparing him to a Gander.  
Now will I speak of others, renowned with the fame and glory, which they by their worthy deeds have achieved: amongst whom I reckon as chief Francisco Gonzago Lord of Mantua, who became most famous in the Battle at Tarro, and by the Conquest which he got over the Kingdom of Naples, for the King Ferandino. This Gonzaga being of malicious envy accused before the Venetian Senate, for whom he was Captain general: and after he had justified himself, he used for his Impresa a Furnace wherein gold is tried, set on the fire, with certain stems of gold therein, with this Posy out of the holy Scripture: Brobasti me Domine, & cognovisti willing also, Sessionem meam following in the same sentence to be understood. His slanderous accusers objected, that he coveted to sit on two seats, that is to say, serve the Venetians in the wars, and also Lodovico Sforza his brother in law, in taking the advantage of the time after the Battle, ceasing to pursue the French men half conquered, in which case he never offended, for it was all forged by the Earl Gaiazzo, to pleasure the French men, and in despite of the Duke Lodovico, for Gaiazzo desired not to see the Venetian Lords Conquerors: to the end, that if the French men had been overcome, they had not so victoriously have gone to occupy the state of Milan, of them-desired ever since the time of Duke Philip and his father.  
Amongst all the famous Captains, the Lord Giovan, Giacopo Triwltio, was of sovereign wit, and in great reputation, who from the beginning as an Enemy to the Duke Lodovico Sforza, seeing him seek the usurping of the Dukedom, which was the right of his Nephew, he joined with the King of Aragona open Enemy to Lodovico, for the same cause. And to signify that in the government of his Country he was not to yield one jot to him: he bore for his Impresa a quadret of Marble, with a style of Iron planted in the midst, opposite to the Sun, which was the ancient Ensign of his house, with this mot, Non cedit umbra soli: Although the Sun turn about never so often the style always yieldeth his shadow.  
Alphonso Duke of Ferara, a Captain of resolute Prowess and admirable constancy, when he went to the Battle of Ravenna, did bear a Globe or round bowl of mettle, full within of artificial fire, which powered forth flames by certain creveis, and it was so cunningly contrived, that at due time and place the fire would issue forth, making great confusion of those, which were within the danger thereof. The invention wanted a Posy which was afterwards added by the famous Aristo, and it was Loco & tempore: and then translated into French to give it a better show after this manner, A am é temps. Valiant did 
In place and time.  he show himself in this bloody battle, placing his Artillery in such sort, that he slew much people.  
After that by the death of Pope Leo, the Duke of Urbin had recovered his estate, being reconciled with the Baglioni, and in friendship with the Cardinal of Medicis, who at that time governed the state of Florence, was ordained general for that common wealth. And on a time Master Thomas Maufrede his Ambassador, requested me to devise some Impresa for his Standard: whereupon I caused to be figured a Palm, having the top thereof weighed down with the heavy poise of a great Marble tied thereunto, to signify that which Pliny saith of the said tree, being of this nature that it returneth to the former fashion be it depressed with never so great a weight, mounting it up in time, and drawing it on high: adding thereunto this mot, Inclinataresurgit: alluding to the virtue of the Duke, which never had been oppressed, though sometimes by the fury of Fortune for a time abased. This invention pleased him well, and he ordained that it should be set on his Standard: albeit upon certain occurrents he came not to take the office of General.  Dom. 
I am glad that you are begun to recite some Impreze which you yourself have devised, whereof I have seen divers in the Chamber where you study.  jou. 
In truth I have made many in my time, but I shame to recount them all, sith there are some which have those defects which are peculiar to humane actions. For as I said at the beginning, the framing of an Impresa is the adventure of a ready and fantastical brain: and it is not in our power, although with long study, to forge an invention, fitting the humour of him which shall wear it, or advancing the credit of him which composeth it: for therein he adventureth his fame, being accounted learned. And in effect it is one thing to say well, in showing a conceit, and an other thing, to express the same with a soul and body, that it may be altogether currant without any error. For I myself which have made so many for others, desirous greatly, but yet in vain, to find the body of a subject to this mot, Fato prudentia minor: wherein I far like the Shoemaker, who fitteth with new and neat shoes every other man's foot, and is feign himself to wear his own broken and patched: for never could I find out subject of any thing which satisfy me. But first before I show you those of mine own composing, in respect of modesty I will recite some of other men.  Dom. 
I pray you have regard that you utter no more which shall seem maimed or unperfect.  jou. 
I shall now recount those which shall be perfectly good, sith heretofore we have been showed such as have been ridiculous: and to prosecute our purpose I say, that the Impresa of S. Ottaviano Fregoso at the wars of Bolona & Modena, was accounted ingenious, but very extravigant considering the picture: for he wore a great many cyphers Sables in a field: Or in the borders of the utter part of the Bards of his horses. Which Characters of themselves, in the art of numbering signify nothing, but having a figure of number set before them, they make a multitude almost infinite: as for example placing but an unite before the said cyphers, they signify a Million Millions. Above the border was written this. Hoc per se nihil est, sed si minimun addideres maximum fiet: Signifying that with a little aid he should recover the State of Genova, which whilom was in the possession of signor Pietro his father, who there was slain, & this signor Ottaviano at that time banished, little at all aided by the Duke of Urbin: but yet of sufficient hope to be restored to his house, as afterward he was by Pope Leo. Truth it is that the Posy is to to long, but yet the nature of the witty subject doth bear it singular well.  
signor Hierosin Adorno, who took Genova, by the force and strength of the Cesarians, and chased from thence the foresaid signor Fregoso, for that he making himself of France, gave over the government of the Dukedom, reserving but only that title of Governor. This Adorno was a youth of singular hope, and adorned with great vertnes: but envious death too soon cut of his desired life: he, as it is the slippery nature of that frail age, was ardently enamoured of a Lady decked with notable beauty, and adorned with rare chastity: & on a time he requested me to invent an Impresa to this tenor: how that he thought and verily believed, that the obtaining of her favour would be the attaining of his felicity: & contrariwise, the losing of the same the bereaving of his life, in yielding to him a desired death to end the tedious travails which he had sustained, either in the pursuits of love or practices of war: which I hearing there came to my remembrance that which jutius Obsequeus wrighteth in his Book da prodigijs. The lightning to be of this nature, that coming after great travails and disgraces, it will make an end of them, but during the time of happy fortune it bringeth damage, ruin or death: and so I figured the lightning of Jupiter, after that form as we see it in antic Monuments, with this brief about it, Expiabit aut obruct. The last part of which Posy he shortly after verified, departing this life in Venice, where he sat chief Ambassador for the Emperor.  
But sith we are entered to mention the worthies of Genova, I will rehearse three of mine own which I made at the request of two Gentlemen of the house of Flisca, Sinibaldo, & Ottobuono, whereof one was to signify the revenge, which they had of the death of their Brother Girolamo, cruelly murdered by the Fregosi competitors of the state: for the which these lost their lives, Zaccaria Fregoso, S. Fregosino, Lodovico, and Guido: which rovenge did something recomfort them for the loss of their Brother: saying, that their enemies had not much whereof to vaunt, in using such cruelty against them: being a thing not usual among the Fregosis, Adorni, and Flischi, to imbrue their hands in the blood of their foreign enemies, but a thing lawful to contend for the principality in civil contention among themselves, or else in open war. I therefore figured an Elephant assaulted of a Dragon, who twinding about the legs of his enemy, is wont by his venomous biting to empoison his belly, wherewith he dieth. But the Elephant by nature knowing the danger, traileth him along the ground till he come to some stone or block, whereunto leaning himself he rubbeth there against the Dragon that he dieth. The devise had a goodly show, and the mot did sufficiently bewray the signification thereof: which was in Spanish after this manner, Non vos alabereiss: to show unto the Fregosi, that they had not to boast of 
You need not boast.  the villainy committed against their blood.  
I also composed another for the Flischi upon this occasion: They being in conference and consulting to take the emperors part, and to join with the Adorni: whereupon many which were affectioned unto them and also their servants, advised them not hastily to resolve them on this enterprise: for that the forces of the King of France were great, and that S. Ottavino Fregoso had got them on his side, and had set firm footing in the government, and therefore was well provided to defend himself against any which should offer him the onset, at that time: To whom they replied, that they knew how and when to put in practise such exploits. And upon this they demanded me some Impresa, and presently there came to my remembrance that which Pliny writeth of the Altions, certain birds, which by instinct of nature, attend Solstitium vernale, as most commodious for them, knowing the just time when the calm season, and quiet seas shall be, which duly happeneth once in the year, and is called of the common sort S. Martin's Summer, in which season the said Altions build their nests, lay their Eggs, and hatch their young in the midst of the Seas, having happy leisure by the quiet calm. Wherefore the days wherein the Altion breedeth are called Alcionides. I caused then to be figured a clear Sky, with a calm Sea, & thereon a nest, from the midst to either end somewhat reared up of some high, with the necks of the birds looking over the prow being of marvelous strange colours, as azure, red, white, green, and yellow, with this mot above them in French, Nous sçauous bien le temps: as much to say, as we know well the time, when we have to give the onset on our enemies. And so it happily sell out that they returned to their possessions revenged on their adversaries, with the good Augur of these Altion birds. This devise was depainted in many places of their stately Palace at Viola, before it was by public edict ruined.  
I made also an other which peradventure may better like you, for Sinibaldo Flischo, concerning a matter of love, which began now to flourish in wanton peace, after the restless toils of war. For this Sinibaldo serving a Lady, who began to enter into some suspicion of him, seeing him, every where to frequent other gallant Dames, according to the custom of the Gentlemen of Genova, whereof she sharply oftentimes reproved him, complaining of his unpure and corrupted faith. Whereupon, he desirous to clear himself of that suspicion, requested me to invent some pretty devise concerning his case. And I figured him a Needle touched with an Adamant, applied to a Sea card with a Compass thereunto, and above the clear azure Sky with Stars, with this mot, ASPICIT unam: To show that although in the heavens were very many fair Stars, yet there was but one regarded of the Adamant, which is only the Pole star: and so he reconciled himself with his Mistress, whom he entirely loved. And albeit he sported with others, yet was it not in earnest, but rather to cover his faithful affection, under the vail of a pretenced love.  Dom. 
Well my Lord, sith there is not to be observed any order, in rehearsing these things which are extraordinary: therefore I pray you prosecute those Impresa which shall come next to hand, whether they be amorous or touching Arms: although in my conceit it were better to dispatch first those pertaining to Arms, and to end your discourse with the sweet inventions of love.  jou. 
There cometh now to my remembrance one of S. Gion Paul Baglione, a man of great wisdom and expert in feats of Arms, very affable and of such courtly eloquence, as they use in the Perugian tongue, but yet passing subtle and crafty, having aspired to be (as it were) Tyrant of Perugia, and governor of the Venetian Campe. Howbeit, better had it been for him, to have kept him quiet with honour at home in his Countrcy: for Pope Leo (provoked by the infinite complaints, made by the chief of the family of the Baglioni) trained him to Rome, by smooth entrcaties, whether when he came he cut of his head. And so became his Impresa clean dashed and most vain: which was a Griphon argent in a field Geules, with this mot, unguibus & rostro, at que alis armatus in hostem: whereupon wittily said S. Gentile Baglione: this great bird had not the use of his wings, as at other times it hath to avoid the gin, which was laid for it.  
I remember also an other which I made for Girolamo Mattei a Roman Captain of the Horsemen pertaining to the Guard of Pope Clement, a man of noble courage: who having with great patience, perseverance, and dissembling, attended a time to slay Girolamo, the Nephew of the Cardinal of Valle, to the end to revenge the death of Paluzzo his brother, by him cruelly murdered in a civil contention. And having requested me to find him some Impresa to this sense: that a noble mind hath power to digest with time every grievous injury. And I figured for him an Austritch devouring an Horse-nail, with this mot. Spiritus durissima coquit. So much was his notable revenge commended, that his very enemy of the house of Ualle accepted of an agreement, canceling all cause of jars between the two famelies, and the Pope Clement pardoned the homicide, and made him captain.  
The Austritch also served me, by reason of the diversity of her nature, and her divers properties, for a nother devise, which I had for my Lord the marquess of Uasto, at such time as the Emperor and the Pope assembled at Bologna, and consulted of the affairs of Italy: where was made Captain of the league, for the defence of all estates, and the preservation of peace Antonio da Leva, which degree rather seemed to appertain to the marquess then to him. But Pope Clement displeased for some damages received by the Spanish Fauteric in Piacentino and Parmegiano, where the Soldiers living at their own pleasure (the Marquis not restraining their over great liberty) pillaged almost all the country, whereof the Pope would be revenged in hindering his dignity, which thing the Marquis taking grievously, complained of the Pope in this manner: I may repent me that I was not at the sacking of Rome, when I departed and left my Soldiers, and like a true Italian refused to be Captain. For I could not be present at the injuries and damages done to the Pope. Whereupon on a day as I recomforted him he said unto me: were it not that I had been aided by mine own deserts, to attain to be General of this invincible band of footmen, it had not failed but some had put in their foot before me. And thereupon willed me to make him some Impresa, and me seemed that the Austritch Cursant made very much to his purpose, who as Pliny saith, is accustomed to use her Wings as Sails, excelling in swiftness of running all other creatures. And albeit Nature hath given her Wings, yet hath she not the use of them as have other birds. And unto this Austritch I added this mot. Si sursum non efferor alijs, saltem cursu praeteruehor omnes.  
Also I gave the proportion of the same bird to the Earl Pietro Navarro, when by the capitulation of peace, he was delivered our of the prison of Castle nuovo, and came to Rome, where I began with him to have very strinct familiarity, thereby to be informed of divers points concerning my History touching humane affairs which I was then to write, wherein he courteously satisfied me, as one most covetous of his honour.  
And having recounted all his victories and misfortunes, he requested of me an Impresa upon certain subjects which I liked not: whereunto I replied. Sir, you need not seek farther than your own noble deeds for an Impresa: for I having made you renowned in my history, as the glorious inventor of that admirable and supernatural art of Undermining, which shall immortalize your name: as there where you caused most miraculously the Castle of Ouo at Naples to be blown up into the air: I would not have you part from this, being a thing which hath purchased unto you surpassing honour and singular reputation. Whercupon he confessing it to be true, answered me: I pray see if you can find me one to this effect. Then came there to my remembrance that which some writ of the Austritch, which doth not hatch her Eggs as do other birds by covering on them, but doth accomplish it with the effectual rays of her eyes. So I figured the Austritch Male and Female, steadfastly looking upon their Eggs with the rays passing from their eyes to their Eggs, with this mot, Diversa ab illis virtute valemus. Expressing thereby the renowned commendation of his wit in the invention of Undermining, which with the violence of the fire, is in effect equal to the infernal Furies. This devise pleased him well, and he willingly accepted of it.  Dom. 
Truly my Lord these your Austritches with their divers properties, have served passing fitly in these three far different Impreze, & I doubt whether any of the rest which remain can excel them, but it may be they may disgrace others, composed of noble wits, which you shall hereafter recite.  jou. 
I am not so arrogant to assume so much to myself, as to make such which shall excel, nay rather countervail the devices of others: as namely of that of the Marquis of Pescara, the first time he was General of all the light Horsemen in the Battle of Ravenna, where to defend his Ensign, he was grievously wounded, and being found amidst the dead Carcases was taken prisoner by the French men, he bore in his Ensign a Spartan Target, with this mot, Aut cum hoc aut in hoc: According to the same which that courageous woman gave unto her Son going to the Battle of Mantinaea, to signify unto him, that he should be resolute in this, either to combat so valiantly, thereby to purchase victory, or else dying like a Gentleman or worthy the name of a Spartan, to be carried dead in his Target to his house, according to the ancient usage of Greece: which thing Virgil seemeth to note in this verse: Impositum scuto refirunt pallanta frequentes: which also may be gathered by the words of the famous Epaminondas, who being in a Battle wounded to death, and carried forth by his Soldiers, earnestly demanded whether his Target were saved, and answer being made, that it was, he even in the extremity of death showed some sign of rejoicing.  
The French Captains have been much delighted in Military and amorous Impressed, amongst whom, the best renowned, and who deserved to be sovereign at Arms, was the Lord of Trimoville, who being Conqueror in the Battle of S. Aulbin in Bretaigne, where was taken prisoner the Duke of Orleans, which after was King jews: had for his Impresa a whoele with this mot, Sans point sortir hors de l'orniere: 
Without transgressing the prescribed limets.  to signify that he always kept himself upright in the service of his King, without going astray for any inconvenience which might happen. He was a Captain of absolute courage, in so much that being 60. years of age, honourably died fight, in the sight of his King, when he was overcome and taken in the Battle at Pania.  
There was also among the chief Captains which came into Italy famous and renowned, jews of Luxembourg of the race of the Emperor Henry, who died at Bonconuento, whose Sepulture you saw in the great Church at Pisa. It was this jews, to whom the Duke Lodovico Ssorza, yielded himself being betrayed by the Suissers at Novara, hoping to have by him or by his means some comfort in his calamity. He (to come to our purpose) had for his Impresa a Sun, Or, in a field azure, environed with thick Clouds, with this mot, Obstantia nubila soluet: to infer that he having endured divers adversities, after the beheading of his Father the high Constable of France, hoped notwithstanding that by his valour and virtue, that even as the Sun with his scalding beams dissolves the Clouds, so should he vanquish all that was adverse to his shining virtues.  
There succeeded this Governor in Lombardie, Charles of Ambouse, called, for the dignity of the office he bore in the King's court, great Master, and Lord of Chamon: He was of a pleasant disposition, and much addicted to love, yet by his visage a man would have judged him rigorous, and by his Cholorique words fierce and angry: notwithstanding he delighted to court Ladies, and took great pleasure, in feasting, banqueting, dancing, and in Comedies: which life was not liked of King jews. For he lay then sporting in these delights when he should have succoured Mirandula, besieged and taken by Pope julius. He gave for his Impresa a savage man with a Club in his hand, and above him this Latin posy, Mitem animum agresti sub tegmine servo: thereby to assure the Ladies, that he was not so rigorous as he seemed to the outward view.  
The foresaid invention to many seemed good: but notable in my conceit was that of Francisco Sensaverino Earl of Gaiaza, who in emulation of his Brother Galeazzo at the coming of the French men into Italy, departed from the Duke Lodovico, and joined with them, not without breach of his honour: for that such a departure carried some suspect. His Impresa was set on the Coat armour of a hundred Lances, which he obtained of the King, & it was the Travail wherein Smiths use to put in wild horses when they show them, with this mot, Pour dompter folly: to signify that he would tame a certain enemy of his, 
To tame folly.  which was of the like wilful nature.  
There was also among the French men a famous Captain of tried valour named Edward Stuart, of the blood royal of Scotland; called my Lord of Aubinie: he as being Cousin to King james the fourth, gave a Lion rampant in a field argent, all sown with buckles, embroidered on his Coats and Ensigns with this mot, Distantia iungit: Signifying that he was the mean and the buckle to hold united the King of Scots and the King of France, to countervail the forces of the King of England, the natural enemy of the French men and Scots.  Dom. 
It seemeth good to me, my Lord, that you return again to our Italians, at the least to those (as we say) of the second rank, since you have already from the beginning spoken of the most famous, to whose glory few dare presume to aspire, now at this day: for neither the Colonesi nor Ursini, have any of their progenic which will tread their steps in the practice of Chivalry. And it behoveth those Princes which seek to equal themselves in honour with Francisco Gonzaga, Alphonso d' Estè, Giacopo Triwltio, or with the Signiori Regnicoli, to strive with restless labour and industry: but now they, it seemeth, are in declining: for that at this day, honours and dignities, the rewards of Chivalry, are given into the hands of Strangers. And if the Earl Ferrante Sensaverino, Prince of Salerna, a man decked with notable virtues, doth not resussitate the honour of his Kingdom, I see not what hope there is of other Princes in Italy.  jou. 
There is some hope in deed of him, whereof he gave great likelihood in the Battle of Cerosola, where it was manifest that thorough his policy retiring a little back, he made in great part frustrate the victory of the French men. And it may be said that he preserved the state of Milan, and Piedmont for the Emperor, which was no small commendation in so great disgraces.  Dom. 
Tell me my Lord, doth this Prince bear any Impresa, in my opinion he should not want being so gallant a Knight.  jou. 
Truly I never saw any Ensign of his, neither any amorous devise, whereof I marvel, having in his house the excellent Poet Bernardo Tasso. Also in his country the Duke of Amalfi of the house of the Piccolomini, a courteous and valiant Knight, and above all an excellent Rider, and very skilful in judging of a good and courageous horse, being exhorted in my presence by the Lord Marquis of Vasto his Cousin, to leave the pleasures of Sienna, whereof he was Governor, and to go with him unto the wars of Piedmont: he answered, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak: but what mcaneth (saith he) that place of Scripture, Nemo nos conduxit. Upon that the Marquis made him General of the light horsemen in the wars of Piedmont. And the Duke before he departed requested me a device for his Ensign, to this effect that the Marquis had before said unto him, that three things were convenient for him which should take on him the like office, which are courage, liberality, and vigilancy: Do not you (said I) put him in remembrance of liberality, neither courage, sith he hath learned them both of you, neither of vigilancy, for that he is of this nature to rise before day, either to go to the chase or at least to get him out of his bed: whereat he smiling said: the vigilancy I mean comprehendeth all care and industry a man ufeth; to the end he be not taken at unawares, or else to seek how to take his enemy at the advantage. Whereupon I figured for his Impresa a Crane holding up her left claw, wherein she clafpeth a stone for a remedy against sleep: which thing Pliny recordeth of these Birds, being marvelous watchful: and thereunto added this brief, Officium natura docet.  Dom. 
Tell me my Lord, were there none amongst the Nobility of the Regnicolo more ancient than this man which did bear any goodly devise?  jou. 
I remember but two, the one of Andrea di Capua Duke of Tremoli, and the other of Tomaso Caraffa Earl of Matalone. The Duke in his flowering age, being made Captain general of Pope julio, died in Civita Castellana, as was thought by poison, given him of some which envied his honour. He bore for his Impresa a bundle of darting javelins, to signify that he wanted not weapons to keep the enemies from approaching him, his mot was Fortibus non deerunt.  
The County of Metalone, the General of King Ferandino, had for his devise Roman Balance, with this mot of the holy scripture, Hoc fac & vives: which seemed very extravagant, for that the Balance serveth to weigh many things: and it was scorned by Mons. di Persi Brother to Mons. d' Alegria, who discomfiting the Aragonian Camp at Eboli got the Ensign of the General, and said: in good faith my Enemy hath not observed that which was written about his Ballast: for that he hath not well weighed his forces with mine.  
And sith we are entered among the Neapolitans, whose Princes seem to degenerate from their ancestors in not going to the wars, which I think is because the honours and dignities due unto them are given to strangers: yet I say there wanteth not men of the second form, both noble and valiant, who by their valour aspire to honour: Amongst whom is signor Giou Baptista Castaldo, famous for a thousand fresh and notable experiences, being General of the Camp of Charles the Emperor, obtaining great praise for his enterprises at Germany, amounting to the honour of Liutenaunt and Captain for the King of the Romans in the affairs of Transiluania against the Turks and the Valacchis. This Castaldo, all the time that the whole wars endured, against the French men in Piemoat, he would not be there, seeing that the Marquis of Vasto did distribute all the honourable Offices to ill experienced Soldiers, and therefore lived aloof at Milan: declaring that the Marquis did work things against nature, to make all Nations to wonder at his disorderly dealing. And thereupon willed me to compose him some Impresa, and I figured him the Mount AEtna of Sicilia, whose top burneth casting out violent flames of fire, and a little below hath the ground all covered with Snow, not far from that a vasty place full of burnt and consumed stones, and at the foot thereof lieth a most pleasant & fruitful soil: adding thereunto this mot, Natura maiora facit: Alluding to the disorder of the Marquis in bestowing the honours of the field. Thus he became stained with the reproach of unskilfulness and want of judgement, in preferring such as he thought might command him: and putting by, so valiant a Captain, as was this Castaldo.  Dom. 
Now I pray you my Lord what are the other Impreze which I have seen depainted in your Gallery?  jou. 
There is among other, that of the excellent and never sufficiently commended Lady the Marquis of Piscara, Vittoria Colonna, to whom I account myself infinitely bound, as I have showed to the world in the life of her invincible Spouse, the Lord Marquis of Piscara. This Lady, albeit she lead a chaste and sober life, virtuous and liberal towards every man. Yet there wanted not envious and malignant persons, which did molest and disturb her well disposed mind. But comforting herself with this: that they which though to harm her, hurt themselves: which proved most true by divers reasons which are not here to be uttered. Therefore I figured her certain Rocks standing in the midst of a turbulent Sea, beating against them with boisterous waves: with this brise added above it. Conantia frangere frangunt. As much to say, that the Rocks of their firm force and strength, repel the furious surges of the raging Sea, breaking and consuming them into froth. And this Impresa bearing a gallant show I caused to be figured in my house.  
And sith we are entered to speak of Women, I will also show you another which I made for the Lady Marquis of Uasto, Maria d'Aragone. Who was wont to say, that as she herself made singular account of her honour and chastity, so not only would she preserve it in her own person, but also take great care that none of her gentlewomen and servants should, rechlesly corrupted, transgress the limits of honesty. And thereupon set down a strait order in her house, to remove all occasions both from her men and women, of seeking to defile themselves or their honour. And therefore I made her that Impresa which you so greatly commended in my Gallery, which is two bundles of ripe Millet, bound together with this mot. servari & servare meum est. For the Millet is of such nature, that not only it guards itself from all corruption, but also preserves other things from putrefying which lie near it, as the Rhubarb and Caufire: which precious things the Apothicaries keep in boxes full of Millet, to the end they may not be consumed.  Dom. 
I am glad that you are descended from Captains to treat of Women: which also is the more pertinent to the purpose, for that these two were the wives of most honourable knights.  jou. 
Hereupon I call to mind a beautiful dame, the love of Odelto diffois, called Monsigdi Lutrec, who on a time merely sporting with him said, that he was noble and valiant, but too too proud, wherein peradventure she told the truth. For when divers of the richest Seigneurs of Milan came in the morning to his house to salute him, without putting of his Bonnet, or with any other gesture of courtesy or humanity, hardly would he deign to show them a merry countenance, which thing brought him into reproach and contempt with the Nobility of Milan. Whereupon he took occasion (in steed of a Cow, Gueles with Bees, the ancient Arms of his house) to figure a large Chimney, and therein a great fire, with this mot Dou ' è gran fuoco è gran fumo. To infer an answer to the Lady, that where there is a fiery courage joined with Nobility, there must also be a great smoke of pride: Wherefore it is necessary, that great estates, take especial regard that they commit nothing to cause them to be hated of the common people, as was Theodoro Triwlsio, who having been long a complaining among the French men, and Arragonians in the kingdom of Naples, was esteemed wise and politic, rather for speaking little in Counsels and assemblies, then for combating in Skirmishes, he bore for his devise only five years of corn, without any mot, being a man little liberal either in hospitality or rewarding Soldiers, and of small courtesy in affairs of peace, which brought him into disdain with the Venetian Lords, for when he was general, that they determined to change him for Marc' Antonio Colonno. And therefore Master Andre G: itti, puruoyer of the camp, vouchsafed to bestow on him a bitter bob after the conflict of Bicocea: saying, our General goeth very ill provided for victuals, carrying but the provision of five ears of corn with him, to whom replied Master Caesar Viola his Standard bearer, a gentleman of Milan: marvel not thereat Signior pouruoyer, for that our Captain liveth with a thin diet, putteth out to credit, and after payeth himself with ready coin. But these corn ears of Theodoro reduce to my memory, a devise which I made for the Marquis of Uasto, whé after the death of Antonio da Leva, he was chosen General for the Emperor Charles the fifth, saying that he had scarce ended the toil and travails which he had induted in attaining the Captayneship of the Fauterie, but that new cause of troubles began to spring, the charged thereof being almost unsupportable. Thereupon, conformable to his purpose I figured him two sheaves of ripe Corn with this brief. Finiunt pariter renouántque labores. Signifying thereby, that scarce is the corn fully ripe, but that the Ploughman's restless toil is renewed, again providing for another Harvest, and the rather was this agreeable to the subject of the Marquis, for that his great grandfather Don Roderigo d' Aualos, high Constable of Castille did bear the sheaf of corn which he won in Battle.  
Also not long before he had an other notable devise invented by Master Gaultier Corbct Senate of Milan, upon certain talk had with the said Marquis, who greatly desired to be general (as afterward he was) that he might wholly show his valour, without having his deserved praise communicated with the other Captain which was in authority above him, saying that he had proved, that many of his own exploits, in feats of Arms were attributed either to the Marquis of Piscara, or else to Signior Prospero, or Antonio da Leva: and that now he hoped, sith he was freed from a companion, to manifest to the whole world what he could do in the art Military. And hereupon Master Gaultier figured the Spheres of the four Elements separated: with this mot above them. Discretis sua virtus inest. As much to say, that the Spheres in their proper places have their peculiar virtues, whereunto, notwithstanding, a Philosopher will not yield, for that the Element of fire in his own proper sphere doth not burn, but only when it is mixed with other Elements, but for that it had fair appearance it went for currant, being set on the banners of of the trumpeters.  
This Marquis had also another concerning a matter of love, invented by Antonio Epicuro, a learned man in the University of Naples: The which was the Temple of juno Lacina figured, borne up with Pillars, and therein an altar with flaming fire, which with no winds could ever be blown out, and yet the Temple was on every side open, all the space between the pillars, thereby to signify to the Lady whom he served (and who long time had loved him, and now grieved seeing herself, as she thought, abandoned of him, wherein notwithstanding she was deceived) that the fire of his love was eternal and unquenchable, as was that on the altar of juno Lacina. And the inscription itself of the Temple engraven on the Pillars, served in stead of a mot. junoni Lucina dicatum. This device also bears a fair show, but it requireth some man of skill to declare the History to those which know it not.  
Also that Impresa was somewhat lofty of Lodovico GonZaga, called for his bravery Rodomanto, who the same day that Charles the fifth visited Mantua, wore in his Coat of razed Satin all embroidered with squares of divers colours, one represented a Scorpion, and the other this mot. Qui vivens laedit morte medetur: being the nature of a Scorpion to cure her venomous infection, being killed & laid to the wound. Thereby to signify that he had slain him which presumed to offend him, and had cured the hurt of the offence with the death of his enemy.  
The same Lodovico Gonzaga had also an other Impreze far better, and it happened upon this occasion: Being arrived with the emperors Camp to assault Rome, between the gate Aurelia, and Settimiana, took the Suburbs of S. Peter's, through the courage of his Soldiers. Whereupon Rome being miserably sacked by Germans, Spaniards and Italians, which took the emperors part: he said, that the Soldier is to have renown, as his guerdon, be it good or bad. As if he should say, although the taking of Rome, and the spoil thereof was abominable to every good natured Italian, yet notwithstanding did he think it would make him famous: and upon this he had figured the sumptuous Temple of Diana Ephesia, which being burned by one desirous of fame, (not regarding whether it were good or bad) by destroying the most gorgeous Monument of the earth: who therefore became so despitefully loathed of the Grecians, that they never used his name, so detestable an act had he committed: his Posy thereunto was, Alterutra clarescere fama: which I after added, misliking this which he had before, Sive bonum, sive malum, fama est.  
I composed also another for the Marquis of Vasto: who had intelligence that his Soldiers in their tents and lodgings presumptuously talked, saying with great jollity that the Marquis might well give the assault to this or that Fort, or skirmish with displayed Ensigns at the first and least occasion, or bend his force against such or such a Castle, pretending themselves to be very skilful and of great hardiness in their lofty words, yea, even reprehending their Captain as one which lay idle. But the Marquis said, such men, when happened the point of danger, and need required to show their prowess, would then keep quiet both their hands and their tongues, when as he should enter the field with sword in hand. And to express this his conceit, I depainted him that Mechanical Instrument, which hath many clackes set on a wheel, which make a great rattling, and is used to be set in stead of Bells to call to divine service on the holidays during the time that it is dark, as commonly is used in Italy, at the time of the death of our Saviour, when the Bells are not to be rung, the stead whereof the noise of this Instrument supplieth, and truly it beareth a pleasant and fantastical show, having this mot, Cum crepitat, sonora silent: to mean thereby that when needful occasion should serve, and the Marquis with glittering Armour were entering into dangers, these pretended ventures would tremble with fear, showing themselves not answerable to their bravery used in words.  
I may not pass over in silence the Estendard of the Earl of Santafiore, which he bore in the Battle of Servia, which was powdered with Quinces, being the ancient Arms of signor Sforza da Cotignola, by right line his great Grandfather, and amongst the Quinces was this mot, Fragrantia durant Herculea collect a manu: to signify that the Quinces gathered by the hand of so noble a Captain, endured yet, yielding a sweet odour: alluding to Hercules, who gathered the like fruit in the Western gardens Hesperides. The field was Gueles and the Quinces Or.  
An amorous Lady in Italy, who through her incontinent desire and unsatiable appetite, not sufficed with the favour of an honourable Lord, who effectuously served her, abased her body to a youth of mean estate and poor parentage, but in the lineaments of his body comely, and of proper parsonage, with whose feauture she became fettered, & doted so much upon him, that neither council could reclaim her, nor shame compel her, nor the entire affection of her noble lover restrain her from committing sacrilege with her honour. The foresaid Lord had quickly some inkling of this matter, peraduéture by the Lady herself (for quis bene celaverit ignem) who by her inconsiderate gestures and semblances unwarily discovered her transported love. Whereupon he with great despite contemned her, and willed me to compose an Impresa to this effect: That whereas he accounting himself happy, being in the proper possession of so great a good, and afterward to become copartner with so base a companion, he thought himfelse extremely injuried. Wherefore I upon this, caused to be depainted a triumphal Chariot, with an Emperor therein triumphing, drawn with four whihte horses, and a slave standing behind him, holding fast his crown of Laurel upon his head after the ancient manner of the Romans, who to temperate the happy fortune and vainglory of the Emperor used to have a slave to triumph with him, The posy thereunto was taken of Juvenal. servus currn portatur eodem. Here the human form may seem tolerable to the scrupulous searcher; being in an extraordinary habit.  Dom. 
This greatly delighteth me, for that the soul being a verse of Juvenal, giveth it great light, but tell me my Lord, do Cardinals, with whom you have been conversant, use to bear Impreze.  jon. 
Yea in truth, being worthy Princes, as was the Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, who laboured by all possible means to create Federico Borgia Pope, which was Alexander the sixth, and it was not long after, but by manifest trial, he found him not only ungrateful, but also his deadly enemy. In so much, that by the means of him and his own unlucky fortune, the Duke Lodovico Sforza was dechaced milan by the French men. And without giving over his hatred, he never ceased to pursue the family of the Sforzi, until they were betrayed, put from their estate, and lead prisoners into France. To this purpose Ascunio framed for his Impresa the Eclipse of the Son, which happeneth by reason of the interposition of the Moon betwixt it and the earth: to infer, that as the Son cannot then shine on the earth, by reason of the injury and ingratitude of the Moon, having no light of her own, but such as she receiveth from the Son, and in the Eclipse she taketh away from her benefactor as most ungrateful, Even so Pope Alexander rewarded a singular good deed with most vile recompense, his mot hereunto was: Totum adimit quo ingrata refulget.  Dom. 
Without doubt this Pope Alexander was a terrible and pestilent monster among all the Nobility of Italy: but I marvel the less at his ingratitude towards this Ascanio (which was for a long time the honour of the Roman court) for that divers his successors have followed his steps, which may plainly be seen in searching their lives.  jou. 
Hippolito d'Este Cardinal of Ferrara, (Uncle to the last which bore the fame name) had for his devise, a Falcon holding in her talents the counterpoise of a Clock, as is to be seen on the Park gate of the Stews of Dioclesian, but he had thereunto no mot: for he would have to be understood by dividing this word Falcon, that he wrought all his affairs in time, after this manner, Falcon tempo. The Falcon with the diamant of the house of Medicis, is attainted of the like fault.  
And besides this he bore an amorous Impresa, which was a Camel on his knees charged with a great burden, with this mot, Non suefro mas de lo que puedo: as if he should say to his Lady, lay on me no greater torments than I can bear: for I will suffer no more than I am able, being the property of the Camel to incline himself to the earth of his own will, to have his load laid on him, and when he feeleth that he is burdened sufficiently, beginning to set forward, he signifieth that he can carry no more.  
After the death of Ascanio, and the Cardinal of S. George, there succeeded Lodovico of Arragon and Sigismondo Gonzaga, who repenting themselves to have created Pope Leo: the one of them, to wit the Cardinal of Arragon, wore a white tablet with this mot about it, Melior fortuna notabit: and the other, Gonzaga bore a Crocodile, with this brief, Crocodili lachrymae: which is used in a Proverb, signifying the dissimulation of those, which make fair appearance of amity, & within bear the venom of hate and enmity.  
The two most famous gallants of the Roman court, have been two youths, the one exceeding the other, Hippolyta of Medicis, and Alexander Farnese. And as for the first, we have already showed his Impresa, Inter omnes of the Comet, and the eclipsed Moon. Now it resteth that we declare those three devices of Farnese: whereof the first was an Arrow hitting the white of a But, with this Greek mot, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as much to say, it belioveth to aim to the white.  
The second was one which I made him, to satisfy his request: which is to be seen in his rich and stately embroidered. tapistry: and it happened upon this occasion: On a time talking with me he said, that at the beginning of his Cardinallhipp he was not resolved what Impresa to take, and that I should compose him one, to this effect, that he said unto me: if God did favour him in his secret desires, in time would he publish them with some notable Impresa. Whereupon I figured a little scroll of white paper, with this brief above it, Votis subscribunt fata secundis.  
Lastly, when by Pope Paulus the third, he was sent Legate into Germany with the flower of the Italian Chivalry, to aid the Emperor Charles the fift against the Dutch men, which favoured the doctrine of Luther, and rebelled against him, I made for his Impresa, the triple forked lightning, the peculiar weapon of jupiter, which he useth when he will chasten the pride and impiety of men, as he did in the time of the Giants, with this mot, Hoc uno jupiter ultor: alluding the excommunications to lightning and the Pope to jupiter. By the aid of this supply, which at the beginning of the wars came very commodiously, Charles the Emperor gained the victory.  
Mons, Andre Gritti, Purueyer for the Venetians wars, wherein he was renowned from the beginning to the end, which wars endured eight years, and merited by his courageous valour, to be Prince and Duke of their Commonwealth. At that time by his power was Padova recovered and defended against the forces of Maximilian, who had on his side all the Nations of Europe: He had a notable Impreze, invented by Giovan Catta, the famous Poet of Verona: & it was the heaven with the Zodiac and the twelve Signs, borne upon the shoulders of Atlas, kneeling on his left knee, and with his hands embracing the heavens, with a mot there above, Sustinet nec fatiscit: Albeit the Lord (respecting modesty) would not wear it publicly, to avoid envy, although it greatly pleased him, and was highly commended of every man. Atlas hath a humane form, yet is the thing tolerable by reason it is a fiction.  
The Lady Isabel Marquis of Mantona, doth not deserve to be passed over in silence, who for her honourable conditions was always esteemed to be of a noble mind, and had sundry times of her life, divers assaults of fortune, which gave her occasion to have more than one Impresa, and amongst other, it happened that for the unmeasured love (which her son Duke Federico, which he bore to a Lady, to whom he did all the favour and honour he might. Whereby the Lady Isabel remained unhonoured and little esteemed. But the beloved of the Duke used to ride very stately thorough the City, accompanied with a great troop of gallant gentlemen, which were wont to attend on the Marquis. And at length it came to this, that there remained to accompany her, but only two or three old gentlemen which never would forsake her. Upon which inconucnience, the said Lady caused to be figured this Impresa, in the old Court of her Palace in the Suburbs, to this purpose: which was a candlestick made triangular wise, whereon are set many Candelsticks for divine service used at this day in the holy week. From the which Candelstick not without some mystery the priests use to take away the Candles one by one, until they have left on the top of all but one, to signify that the light of faith cannot perish at all. Unto the which devise there wanted a mot, whereupon I added this. Sufsicit unum in tenenebris, according to that of Virgil, unum pro multis.  
For the Son and Heir of the Marquis of Vasto, inheritor of the name, and the Estate of the great Marquis of Piscara, in whom was seen the express Image of virtue, striving to attain to the glory of his Uncle, & Father, and of his other Ancestors at such time as he went into Spain to serve King Philip, I figured a great tree of Laurel pertaining to the ancient house of the Auolos, from the which Laurel were seen certain great branches cut of, and among the rest which remained, was a strait and gallant twig springing up on a great height, with this mot: Triumphali è stipite surgens alta petit, which was so much the more congruent to the purpose, for that the Laurel is dedicated to triumphers.  
I will not omit one which I made the last year for Signior Andrca, the son of Don Ferrante Gonzaga, who being a youth of great hope and towardness, having gotten to be Captain of a band of horsemen, he required of me an Impresa for his Standard: and I alluding to that of Virgil, Parma inglorius alba, caused to be depainted a Shield or round buckler, all fringed about, with four round circles set at four sides thereof, bound together with four wreaths of Laurel. In the first Circle was the Furnace trying gold, the Impresa of the Mraquise Francisco, (with this mot: Probastime domine) who was his grandfather by the father's side: in the second, the mount Olympus, with the Altar of faith, of Duke Federico his uncle: in the third, that of Andrea Capua Duke of Thermopolt his grandfather by the mother's side, which was the bondle of Darts, with Fortibus non deerunt: in the fourth was the cattle of his father without a body, with this mot: nec spe, ncc metu, and about his shield in a field Argent was written this brief, Virtutis trophaea novae non degener addet: to signify that he would not take away or detract from his Ancestors, but rather did some notable Impresa of his own.  Dom. 
Is it possible, my Lord, that the old Captains and ancient Princes used no notable invention in their Impresa? in my judgement, they (and especially the worthies of (Milan) for a long time, were loath to lcave their deaths heads, their Barnacle, courry combs and brushes with their posies either fond composed or too too arrogant.  jou. 
It is true, but yet there hath been some good and currant, as was that of Galeazo Viscont which builded the Castle and bridge at Pavia, a work worthy the noble mind of a Roman, he bore a firebrand with a bucket of water, to signify that he held in his hand both war and peace, but there wanted thereunto a posy. That of the Earl Colo of Campo Basso, who lived in the memory of our Fathers, had both a subject and a soul. He being in pay with the great Charles of Bourgonie, feared not to adventure the reproach of notable disloyalty, to be revenged of a particular injury, and it was for some displeasure conceived against the Duke (a man without measure choleric) for crossing him in a consultation holden concerning the wars, for the which he bore him deadly hatred, and it so stack in his disdainful stomach, that until the time of revenge, he could never forget it, which fitly was offered him in the battle of Nansi, where he gave advertisement to Renato Duke of Loren, that he should not fearc to assault the Duke his Lord with the Suissars,, for that he with his company would not once move to give aid, but be as lookers on. Whereby in that conflict the Duke was slain, and the Earl Cola addressed him toward France, to acquaint him with King jews. And his Impresa was afterward a great mighty stone of Marble, cleft with the force of a Fig tree springing out of the crevice thereof, which in time creeping and encroaching farther into the Marble, spoileth and defaceth it with weak force and slender violence, and above it was this mot taken out of Martial, Ingentia Marmora findit caprificus. And this Impresa was not only counted gallant in show, but also an example for Princes that they ought not in choler to abuse their servants, especially such as be noble and of stout courage.  Dom. 
This revenge was great, but very ignominious, and not unlike to that of the Priest Rinaldo da Modena, sometimes Steward, and Chamberlaive to the Cardinal of York in England, who having received besides the injury of words, certain blows of the said Cardinal, which he could not well digest, and to be revenged thereof he gave him poison, whereof he died, and afterward confessing his fact, his body was quartered in Rome, in the time of Pope Leo. Let this suffice that it is no jesting with men of courage, which esteem their honour: therefore either dispatch them of life, or never meddle with them. For the man receiving the offence, at the end, for his honour will watch a time to be revenged.  
Some worthy men in their Impresa follow the conformity of their names, or else of their Arms: as did Mathias Coruin King of Hungary, who bore a Raven, a bird in force, wit and vivacity singular. Some bare their proper Arms for an Impresa, as did john Schiepusensis after that he was King of Hungary, being by the aid and favour of Soliman great Lord of the Turks, and through the affection of the Nobility of his Kingdom, crowned in Alba, who bore a Wolf with her udder full strutting, being the Arms of his Father, but he added thereunto a mot, composed very pithily by Stephanus Brodericus, Chancellor of his Kingdom, which was Sina alienaque pignora nutrit: to signify that he received into favour, such as was his enemies.  
I had almost forgotten to tell you the Impresa of Francisco Maria della Rovera Duke of Urbin, (after that with his own hands he had slain the Cardinal of Pavia in Ravenna, in revenge of the insuppotible injuries received of him) which was a Lion rampant in his proper colour in a field Gueles, with a sword in his paw, with this brief, Non deest generoso in pectore virtus. The like was that which Pompey bore, (as Plutarch reporteth) and the invention was of signor Castiglione, who was present with him at the death of the Cardinal: albeit the Duke would not make great show of this Impresa, to avoid the enmity of the Cardinals.  
signor Stephano Colbuna, the magnanimous General of the Duke Cosimo, had a Siren, the ancient Arms of the house of Colonna, and requested me being his godfather to add thereunto a mot, which I did, conformable to his noble mind: and it was this, Contemnit tutae procellas: to signify that he despised adversity, trusting to his valour, as the Siren in swimming, contemneth all tempests.  
I figured for the Lady Duchess of Florence a Peahen, which under her wings covered six of her young, three on the one side and three on the other, with this mot, Cum pudore laeta foecundit as: alluding to the nature of the bird, which therefore is dedicated to juno the Queen of heaven, according to the opinion of the paynim.  Dom. 
Tell me my Lord, I pray you, sith you have made, as it were a capitulation of all the noble Princes, Captains, and Cardinals, are there no other kind of men which bear Impreze?  jou. 
Yes in truth are there, and some of the best learned men: as Giacopo SanZaro, who being excessive amorous, and judging it to be for his honour alleged Bocace, who greatly commendeth Guido Cavalcanti, Dante, & Master Cino di Pistoria, for that they even to their extreme age were foe und to be enamoured. Wherefore remaining alw eyes, expecting some recompense in his love, bare for his devise a pot full of little black stones, with one amongst all the rest white, with this mot, AEquabit nigras candida una dies: meaning, the day wherein he should be thought worthy the love of his Mistress, should countervail all the black, cloudy, and unfortunate days of his life. To this was agreeable the old custom of the Ancients, who were wont to mark the success of their good and bad adventures, with little black and white stones, thereby to number at the years end, of which they had most, to see to know whether that year hath been lucky or unfortunate. And he demanded of me my judgement of his Impresa, and I told him it was good yet somewhat supernatural: for that the pots of the Ancients were wont to be made of earth or metal: wherefore a man could not figure within any black or white stones: for that these pots were not transparent: to which he answered, that his was to be supposed of gross glass, wherein they might be discerned. And so we passed the time in pleasant jesting about this matter.  
Master Lodovico Aristo invented a notable Impresa, figuring a Hive of Bees with their honey, whom the ungrateful peasant doth stifle with smoke, bereaving them of life, to recover their honey and wax: with this mot, Pro bono malum: signifying thereby as it is thought how he had been ill entreated of a certain Nobleman, which may also be guessed by his Satyrs.  
Erasmus Rotcrodam, borne in Holland, so excelled in the gifts of the mind and so admirable wit, that he surmounted all other the learned of his time, as his infinite works do plainly testify: who for his authority in learning, bare for his Impresa the God Terminus, being in signification somewhat difficult: meaning that he would not give place to any other Writer, as the God Terminus would not yield to jove in the Capitol, as wrighteth Varro: His Posy was, Vel iovi cedere nescit. He had friendly familiarity with Sir Thomas More of England, a man of equal fame in wit, of whom he demanded what posy were fit to be set on his Study door, to whom Sir Thomas More answered, that the Image of Apelles painting somewhat, would very fitly adorn it: By the which Erasmus marveled what he meant, and he to express the signification said: It well beseemeth you, for that Apelles was wont to say, Nulla dies sine linea: which you have very well observed in your writings, amazing all the world with your innumerable volumes.  
Moreover, the worthy learned man Andrea's Alciatus, had for his devise the Caduceum Mercury, with the horn of richesse of the Goat Amalthaea the nurse of jupiter, to signify; that by the abundance of learning and knowledge whereof Mercury is said to be superintendent, he had attained renown, a worthy reward for his travails. But truly this gallant devise doth want a Gnome.  
I remember that in my youth being amorous at Pavia, I was constrained of necessity, for avoiding a greater inconvenience to undertake a hurtful departure to save my life, and to signify the necessity which enforced me, I figured the beast called a Beaver, who to escape the hands of the hunter, knowing that he is pursued for no other cause then for his stones which are of great virtue, biteth them of with his teeth as saith Juvenal. and leaveth them to the pursuers: with this Greek mot: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as much to say Necessity, to the which as saith Lucian, both goods and men obey.  
Finally, I made an Impresa at the request of Master Camillo Giordan, a Lawyer, upon this that he said he was doubtful in mind, and in suspense to adventure a certain enterprise: and to be resolved therein, he attended the advice and council of some Oracle. And thereupon I figured him the Aigyptian Spinx, which did interpret Riddle with abstruse and secret matters, and also that Serpent with his tail in his mouth, which signifies time, with this Gnome: Inccrta animi decreta resoluet.  
Also my Nephew julio jovio composed him an Impresa, wherein he divided or prophesied to himself some happy success, as his worthy wit replenished with all learning did well deserve, figuring a tree with graftes set thereon with (this Dutch mot): Wan Got will, as much to say when God will, this my graff shall spring and flourish,  Dom. 
If it were not presumption my Lord, I would show you one which I made for myself, although Impreze are only fit and convenient for men of greater calling, and not for me.  jou. 
And wherefore not for you Signior Dominico? tell it me plainly and I will absolve you of all blame of presumption which you may incur thereby.  Dom. 
Being then emboldened by your authority and favour I will show it you: being desirous to signify a fantasy of mine, not any way immodest, upon this that not able to live in mine own native country Piacenza, in such tranquility and quiet of mind as I desired, I chose for my second country the flourishing city of Florence, where I hope fortune will prosper me under so prudent a Prince, and thereupon I figured a peach tree laden with fruit, which in the proper soil wherein it first springeth yieldeth forth poisoned & unpleasant increase, but being transplanted in some farther Cost, becometh wholesome and fruitful: and the Posy was, Translata proficit arbos.  jou. 
signor Dominico, this devise although it savour of subtle invention, yet do I mislike it for two reasons: the one is, for that (as I remember) it hath been devised already by Master Alciat in his Emblems: the other for that it is not agreeable to you, in so much you were not planted venomous, for than could you not have brought forth such fruit in your native soil as you have done. Wherefore if you will be ruled by me, provide you of an other better beseeming you.  Dom. 
Well my Lord, sith you have composed so many for others, vouchsafe me the favour of some of your pithy and sharp inventions: for to say the truth I am not satisfied with mine own.  jou. 
I will not fail to fulfil your request, yet not in respect of any recompense, for the travails which you have undertaken in translating my history, wherein sith you spare no toil to attain to learning, it shall not be amiss that you figure the sollowe share, which with long tilling becometh bright shining as silver: with this mot, Longo splendescit in usu: Alluding to yourself, who with long labour have gotten singular learning.  Dom. 
Truly I willingly labour and will as long as I live, exercise myself in study, hoping to get some brightness of shining fame: and herein I shall imitate your Lordship, who with your continual study have made your name immortal: which thing happeneth not to many. But have you any other notable Impreze to recount unto me, for loath I am that this so sweet a banquet should have so short an end.  jou 
Hardly do I remember any more, worthy the rehearsing, and I love not to interlace the Coral with the Ruby: the Brick with the Emerald, or the Beril with the Diamant: and well may these suffice you, considering my age, wherein memory is wont to suffer some defect.  Dom. 
Truly I confess my Lord, you have done more than your age would well allow, yet this I say, that he which shall peruse and see what you have written of this matter, will say you have reserved many other notable devices. But herein you may excuse yourself, and say as you did in your Book de Elogijs, or the discourse of famous men, newly published: that albeit there are certain left out, yet the fault was not yours, in that you had not their true portraitures, but rather theirs who neglected to send them to your study, to accompany so many worthy and Heroical persons. As of late I met with a certain Gentleman of the Province of Romagna, greatly complaining that he could not find in your Eulogies, the Knight della Volpe, who showed himself so valiant a man in the service of S. Mark, and for the honour of Italy. But I to comfort him said, that I was assured the said Knight would not willingly have his Picture drawn, being somewhat deformed in visage, having lost an eye honourably in fight, and that I would for recompense procure him a place in this tract of Impreze: and thereupon I demanded him whether he had ever borne any. What Sir (saith he) is it not well known he bore a Fox in his Ensign showing his devouring teeth, with this mot, Simul astu & dentibus utor: to signify that there was no dealing with him being so defended on every side.  jou. 
In deed the Knight was of great courage and vigilancy, and eskapeth not our history without great commendation: & thereupon the Venetians erected him a goodly stature in their Church of our Lady.  
And now at the last I will not conceal the Impresa of Giovanni Chiuchiera, accounted a famous Knight in War, although it may (like unto the former) move the beholders to laugh, which had depainted in his Banner, (to show his courage and skill in the exercise of light Horse) a fierce Wolf with a bloody Lamb between his legs, turning his head back regarding two great Shepherds Mastiffs, whereof the one being nearest, looking also back behind him to see if the other dogs came in to secure him, as fearing to assail so terrible an enemy: the mot added thereunto was, Pavent oves, Timent canes, intrepidus maneo. But signor Dominico, the number of Captains with their Impreze being so great, that it will confound the wits of the diligent and laborious writer, I think it best for this time, to give an end to our discourse.  Dom. 
Well, sith it is your pleasure, I would not seem troublesome unto you: hoping that an other time shall as fitly serve for our purpose.  
The end of the Impreze of Paulus iovius.   

HERE FOLLOW, TOUCHING THE FORmer subject, certain notable devices both military and amorous,  Collected by Samuel Daniel. 
ACertaine gentleman of Italy named Hermit Stampo, a Prelate, bare for his devise a Laurel tree menaced with lightning, with this brief: Nec sort, necfato, to signify that his virtue could not be endamaged or annoyed by any fatale chance, for lightning (as writeth Pliny) hath no power to hurt the Laurel.  
The same S. Stampo, being created Marquis of Soncino, and having married a wife, leaving his Ecclesiastical habit: represented this devise: two Palm trees, the male and female, which never bring forth fruit, unless they are one planted by the other, adjoining thereunto this mot: Mutua foecunditas.  
His brother the Earl Maximian, being amorous of a Lady named Anna Moronna, who afterward was his wife, had for his Impresa a silk worm, which only liveth with the leaves of the Mulberry tree, which tree in Lombardie is called Moronna, with this mot: Suol di cio vivo, which is half this verse of Petrarch: Suol di cio vivo e d' altra mi calpoco. Thus in English: Only of this I live disdaining other food, to show that as the little beast doth only live by those leaves: so he only contented himself to feed on the leaves of his love, in hope one day to enjoy the fruit of legitimate marriage.  
The Earl Baptista di Lodron, who died at the taking of Gazal Montferrato, had for his particular devise a Calthrope, a Stratagemical instrument used in war, made with three iron pricks so joined, that howsoever it be thrown, one prick always standeth upright, with this Posy thereunto: In utraque fortuno: to signify that the value and constancy of his noble mind, in all fortunes uncertainties, remained firm and upright.  
Gasper de Mayno, a Knight of Milan, bore a Stockdove with a Diamant in her bill, being the nature of this bird never to lose any thing it hath once taken, thereby to infer, that he would never give over to love his Lady, whose vowed servant he faithfully remained, whose name was also Diamante. His mot was: In aeternum.  
The Lisard of all his properties, hath one most rare and admirable, among the wonderful and infinite effects of nature, which is, it is never in love to the which all other beasts do yield, whereupon S. Federico Duke of Mantona, made him this Impresa: The Lisard figured, with this mot: Quod huic deest me jorquet. Meaning thereby that it was the love of his Lady which tormented him, from the which torments this beast was exempt.  
The Earl Maurucio Pietra, who afterward was Bishop of Uigena, being Student in Suna, took to his surname Disarmato, for that being a soldier, he left the practice of Arms, and took himself to his studies, whereby he amounted at length to the Pontifical dignity. He had for his devise a Snail, with her head forth of her shell wounded with an arrow, & his mot was this verse of Petrarch: Trovonemi amor del tutto disarmato. Thus in English. Love did me find unarmed, quite alluding to his surname, and also to the Impresa of that university, which was a Snail put into the fire, which feeling the heat thereof doth scritche, whereupon the Lovewormes, slaves to affections, would infer that they being all fired with amorous flames, were constrained to sing and discharge in languishing verse their sweet sour passions.  
Signior Charlo Ursino, had for his Impresa a Ball mounted up on high with the stroke of an hardy arm with this mot Perculsus elevor, which might be alluded to his invincible courage, who the more his power was abated by adverse fortune, the more he seemed to exalt his unconquered mind by force of virtue.  
A young gallant of Salerna, having a long time served a courteous and beautiful dame, and at length by the favour of the winged boy cropped both the flower and fruit of his long deferred pleasures, to the extreme contention of each of them both. But fortune fell to good hap, set her envious foot in the pleasant plot of their delights, to fade the sweet savouring Flowers of their unconstant joys. For this youth roaming about the city, unhappily happened to fix both his roving eyes and flitting fancy on the force of a young damosel adorned with infinite beauty, and was so ardently enamoured, that he doted upon her. In which new affection, the heavens seemed so favourable to further his purpose, that he easily trained the tender heart of his yielding Lady to the lure of his love, as one greatly delighted to live by exchanging: whereupon (as lovers are commonly wont to bear open ears and unclosed eyes, and often to repeat a false tale for truth) his first favoured to whom bruited fame had revealed, the transported affection of the wandering youth, seeing herself abandoned, lived desolate, plunged in the depth of all perplexities, and almost desperate. Yet at the length weighing her case with wisdom, did moderate the grief of her desaster, without discovering to any her secret sorrow, purposing only to disclose, by some covert mean, to the disloyal and ungrateful lover, her pensive and passionate heart. And thereupon she caused a false Diamant, to be so cunningly set in Gold, that it would easily have deceived any man save only the expert artificer, and within the ring next unto the finger, she had made to be engraven this mot in Hebrew: Lamazabatani, which done, all dissolved into tears she sent it to her love, praying him, if any pity or piety remained in the breast of a perjured, to have compassion on her, and restore her his love. The youth being learned and discreet, that at the first sight he understood the Hebrew mot, yet could he not comprehend what secret the devise (imported) until by chance showing his ring to a friend of his, an excellent gold smith, who told him that the Stone was a counterfeit, he began to meditate on the mystery, and love having opened the eyes of his understanding, he soon perceived thereby the lamentable complaint of the miserable Lady, and the injury he had done her: resolving into two words the mot of the false Diamant, in this sort: Di amante falso. Adding thereunto her 
Of a false Lover.  mot out of the Gospel, signifying why hast thou forsaken me. Whereupon the gentleman sorrowing his fact, had compassion on the desolate dame, placing her again in the possession of his love, which she long time after enjoyed.  
The Earl Clemete Pietro being amorous of a Lady, enforced for a time to departed from her, had for his Impresa an Elephant, which by nature (as saith Pliny) knowing that the Hunters pursue it for no other thing but for his teeth, (which are of admirable virtue) he knocketh them out against a tree: His mot was out of Petrarch. Lascai di me la meglior part a dietro. I left behind the better part of me.  
The same Gentleman being also at an other time enamoured of a Gentlewoman named Laura, he had for his devise a Raven combating with a Chameleon, who being hurt and envenomed by his enemy, knowing the wound to be deadly, to cure himself taketh the fruit of the Laurel in his mouth: his mot was, Hinc sola salus: to signify that his amorous wound need no better Cataplasm, than his Lady Laura.  
He had also another, being Captain of the Horsemen in Piedmont, which was an Eagle flying so high against the Sun that it burned her feathers, with this mot, Aude aliquid dignum.  
The fourth devise of this worthy Knight, was a naked sword having this mot, Ex hoc in hoc: to show how he was to try by the sword his just cause, and the reason he had to combat with his enemy.  
Giovanni Battista Bottigella, an honourable Gentleman desirous to express an amorous conceit, had for his Impresa a Ship with hoist sail, and the Fish called in Latin Remora holding it fast: which Fish (as Pliny recounteth) is of such great force, that if it take to a Ship, it stayeth it and holdeth the same so fast, that neither the fury of winds, nor any other force, is of power to stir it: His mot was, Sic frustra: signifying that even so it nothing prevailed him to be faithful and constant to his Lady, sith she showed herself rigorous and cruel towards him.  
Hippolito Girami a Gentleman of Milan, at the wars of Sienae, in the service of the Emperor, bore a sword figured, with a Serpent twinding about it, having a Laurel garland in his mouth, with this posy, His duoibus. The sword in this place signifying strength and valour of body: The Scrpent wisdom and virtue of mind.  
A certain Gentleman to signify that according to his courteous and gentle nature, was willing to please in every virtuous and reasonable action, but by force, and constraint he was not compelled to do any thing: whereupon he figured a Palm tree, whose property is sufficiently known, with this mot, Flectimur obsequio non viribus.  
An Italian Lady named Livia Tormiella, was in her life most beautiful, & of rare chastity, who to signify the integrity of her worthy mind wholly addicted to virtue, had depainted Heliotropium the Marigold, which always turneth towards the Sun, as if it had sense, with this mot, Uertitur ad solem.  
An honourable Gentleman having unfortunately married a wife of singular beauty, but (according to the common rumour) of single honesty. For all wnich knew him, verily believed that she offered him an extreme injury, as in truth she did. But the poor Gentleman (as commonly it happeneth in the like case) perceiving her unfaithful dealing, drunk up his sorrow in silence, entreating (notwithstanding) his wife honourably, in all lovely manner: supposing thereby, for that she sprung of noble blood, that she would become faithful and loyal, respecting her honour. But herein he was greatly deceived: for the disloyal Dame having savoured the sweet of sundry dishes, neglected her old diet as unpleasant to her insatiable appetite, which he to his insupportable grief understanding, to excuse his hard hap, figured Argus with his hundred eyes guarding Io the Minion of jupiter transformed into a Cow, who, notwithstanding his diligent watching was deceived of his charged: Hereunto he added this mot, Frustra vigilant.  
Girolamo Palavicino, did bear for his Impresa an Eagle, which according to Pliny, only of all Birds, hath never been slain with an Arrow: wherefore he is said to carry the weapons of jupiter: hereby to signify that he had never been stricken with the wrath of the heavens: and although he had been with great injury persecuted, yet was he again restored to felicity and honour: his mot was, Est mihi sort datum.  
A certain Gentleman having espoused a noble and virtuous wife, caused her to were for her Impresa a Snail closed in her shell, as she remaineth all the winter, to defend her from the cold, with this Posy, Proprio alitur succo: to signify that she should satisfy herself with the love of her own husband, even as the Snail is nourished with her own moisture.  
A Dutch Gentleman sojourning at Neples the nurse of delicious pleasures, and recourse of all vices, in the blouming flower of his youthful years, being well moneyed, became amorous of a Dame, with who he spent both his unrecoverable time, and consumed his dearly gotten treasure, in vain delights, and unpleasant pleasures. But at length coceiving his error, knowing whether his youth and this abuse would bring him, accepting good council retired from Naples, to escape the toils of enticing affections. And to show his intention he figured a Buck, couched in a ditch: being the nature of this beast, that after having conjoined with the female, doth so loath himself by reason of the stench of his filthiness, that he retireth solitarily into some ditch, wherein he remaineth until there happen a great shower of rain to wash and make him clean: and afterward returneth again to feed: his Posy was, Lasciviae paenitentia.  
The Captain consalvo Fernando in the last wars at Naples, performed great exploits, but rather by policy then any great power, whereby he always over came in Battle: and desirous to manifest to the world, how he was aided by his subtle practices, took for his Impresa a crossbow bend with a rack, and thereunto this Posy, Ingenium superat vires.  
A certain gentleman after his long and tedious suit, finding the soil which he tilled altogether fruitless, and the flinty heart of his mistress to afford him no favour, to show that his malady was without remedy, he figured an heart wounded with an arrow, with a branch of the herb Dictamus in his mouth, which herb groweth plentifully in Candia, whereof the wounded Hart eating is said to be cured, with this Spanish mot thereunto. Esto tiene so remepio y non yo, As much to say, this beast findeth remedy, and not I: like unto that, whereas Phoebus in Ovid, complaineth of his love to Daphne, saying: 
Hei mihi quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.   
Signior Pyrho di Stipiciana, being at the defence of Carignan in Piedmont, valiantly sustained the siege against Mons. d' Augnian, and all the French Camp, and (after that the Marquis of Vasto was discomfited at Cerisole, where the emperors part lost the battle) he before he would yield, although greatly destitute of victuals, held them out forty days, and at the length, having no hope of succour, he was constrained to yield, and so departing from Carignan, went (according to the oath he had made) unto the King of France, who greatly honouring his virtue, albeit he was his-enemy, made him the proffer of great preferment if he would serve him. But Signior Pyrrhus rendering thanks to his majesty, refused all conditions and offers made. afterward upon this he had figured for his Impresa the horse of julius Caesar, who would never suffer any other rider, which had (as saith Pliny) his fore feet like unto the feet of a man, and so was he figured in the temple of Venus. His mot was: Soli Caesari. Faithful only to the Emperor.  
An amorous gentleman of Milan bore in his Standard a Torch figured burning, and turning downward, whereby the melting wax falling in great abundance, quencheth the flame. With this Posy thereunto. Quod me alit me extinguit. Alluding to a Lady, whose beauty did foster his love, and whose disdain did endamage his life.  
A noble minded Gentleman (whose worthy virtues, sith in flowering years they have purchased the happy favour of each man's voice, little need the simple Blazon of my rude pencil) hath for his Impresa a sword with this Greek mot (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Fideliter perseueto in fide illi.  Vowing thereby his loyal service to his lawful sovereign, persevering constant and faithful, following the example of his worthy progenitors, under whose Ensign both I and these my simple labours hope to find favour.  
FINIS.