ftXV fir
fry, S^-4>jpK'f 13^ ^»
KANcoRSKi ft sirrcLirvB
T H E A R T f {-^
Oftnal^ng
DEVISES^ I
T REA TING OF
Hieroglyphicks, SymboleS;, Emblemes,
,£nigma s, Sentences, Parables, Reverfes
of Medalls, Armcs, Blazons, Cimiers,
Cyphres and Rebus.
Firjl iVritten in French
B Y
HENRY ES TIEN NE,
Lord of Pojfe;^ y Interpreter to the
French King for the Latine and
Greek Tongues:
AND
Tranjlated into Englijh by T u o: B l^o ii n t
fif the Inner Temples fient.
L N ly o li^
Printed by W, B, and ^. G, and are to be fold by
Hnnffhrey Mtfelej^ at the Princi's Armes in ^ahU " i
\
TO THE
N O B I L I T I
AND
GENTRV oi E!NiqLAU^.
His Piece (being fent me out of
France^ as a double rarity, both in
relped: of the fubjedl and the qua-
\ lity of the Author)! had no iooner
read, then (taken with its ingenuity} I was
moved to cloathe it in an EngHfh habit, part-
ly out of envy;, that other Nations flhould glo-
ry to have out-knowne us in any Art, elpeci-
ally ingenious, as is this ofDevifes , which be-
ing the proper badges of Gentlemen, Com-
manders, and perfons of Honour, mayjuftly
A 2 chal-
challenge their countenance and favour,
whereunto tis lacred.
My Author affirmes himfelfe to be the firft
hath written of this fubjed in his Mother-
tongue • and I might lay the like here, were it
not that I find a fmall parcell of it in Cam-
dens Remaines , under the title of Jm^refes ^
which are in effed: the fame with 'Deinfes,
ThencC;, you may gather , that the Kings of
England, with the Nobility and Gentry^ have
for fome hundreds of yeeres {though I) eyifes
arc yet of far greater Antiquity) both efteemed
and made ufe ofthem '. onely in former times
they arrived not (as now) to that height of
perfedlion ; for they fometimes did (as the
unskilfuUftill doe) make ufe of Mottoes with-
out figures , and figures without Mottoes. We
read that Hen. the 3. (as liking well of Remu-
neration) commanded to be written (by way
oiDevtje) in his Chamber at Woodftock,
Qui non dat quod amat^ non acclptt 'die cjuod optat. ;
Edtp. the 3. bore for his Deyife the rayes of the
Sunne dreaming from a cloud without any
Motto. Edmond oiLctngley, Duke of York , bore
a
Vedicatoyy,
a Faulcon in a Fetter-lock, implying, that he
was locked up from all hope and poisibility
of the Kingdome. Hen, the 5. carryed a burn-
ing Crejfet, fometim.es a Beacon , and for Motto
(but not appropriate thereunto) Une Sans
Plu s, one and no ?nore. Edwxhc 4. bore tht? Sun
after the Battell of Mortimers-Croffc^ where
three Sunnes were feene immediately conjoy-
ning in one. Hen, the 7. in refpe^ of the uni-
on of the two Houfes of York and Lancafler^
by his marriage, ufed the White Rofe united
with the Red, fometimes placed in the Sunne.
But in the raigne of Hen. the 8. Deyifes orew
more femihar, and fomewhat more perfed:,
by adding Mottoes unto them, in imitation of
the Italians and French (amongft whom there
is hardly a private Gentleman.but hath his par.
ticular Dm/O For Hen, the 8. at the inter-
view betweene him and King Francis the
firlt, whereat Charles the fift was alfo prefent
ufed for his DeVife an Englift Archer in a
grecne Coat drawing his Arrow to the head
with this Motto^ Cui Adh^reo, PR^rEST.'
when as at that time thofe m ghty Princes
banding one againft another,wrough: him for
their owne particular.
A3 To
Tl?e Epiflle
To the honour of Queene lauej (who dyed
willingly to lave her child King Edward) a
Phenix was reprefented in his Funcrall fire
with this Motto ^ Nascatlir U t Alter.
Queene Mary bore winged Time , drawing
Truthoutof a pit, with Veritas Temporis
FiLiA. Queene Eli:^abeth upon leverall oceafi-
ons ufed many Heroicall DeVtfes , fometimes
a Sive without a Motto/as Camden relates) and
at other times thefe words without figure^, Vi-
deo , Taceo , and Semper Eadem. King
lames ufed a Thiftle and a Rofe united , and a
Crowa over them, with this M>f^o,HENRicus
RosaSjRegna Jacobus. Pr. Hewry (befides
that DeVife which is appropriate to the Princes
of Wales) made ufc of this Motto, without fi-
gure, Fas Est Aliorum Qu3^rere Regna.
And His Majeftie that now is ^ that other of
Christo Auspice Regno. Our Prince
I beares (as all the Princes of Wales have done
fince the black Prince) for his Denj'ife (which
tTofO' we commonly ,though corruptly call the Prin-
^bcE\c\x ^^^ Armes) a Coronet beautified with three
■/ your Oftrich feathers, and for Motto, ^ Ich Dien,
'^htonguc. i. e. Ifrrye, in the Saxon tongae , alluding to
that
jjedtcatojy.
that of the ApoftlC;, TIpe heire ^hile he kachiUe^
differ eth nothing from aferyant.
The late Earle of Effex, when he was cafl:
downe with forrow, and yet to be employed
in Armes, bore a fable Shield without any fi-
gure, but inlcribed , Par Nulla Figura
DoLORi. Sir
ian Sea, furrounded
with its Ihoares, which neither ebbeth nor
floweth, andfor Motto,SiNE Refluxu.
Some may object, that in regard Tiltings,
Tournaments, and Mafques, ( where Deytjes
were much in requeft) are for the prefent laid
afide, therefore VeVtfes are of lefle ule.
Whereto I anfwer, that as thofe Jufting or
jefting Wars are difufed, fo have we now an
earneft, though much to be lamented Warre,
which renders them more ufefuU then ever, I
meane for Cornets and Enjtgnes • And of
theic, let me alfo give you fome examples out
of the prefent times. On the Kings party, one
beares for his Cornet-Devife Saint Michael kil-
ling the Dragon for the figure , and for Motto^
Quis Ur Deus r Another is fo bold as to
bearc
|l neEpiJlle
beare the pidure of a King Crowned and Ar-
medjVvich his Sword drawne, and this Motto,
M E L I S-l S EST M O III IN BE LLO , CLll A M V I-
DERE MALA G E N T I s N o s T RiE. A third bcars
onelyaDye, vvithU tcunq^lie q^uadratus.
Natura- ^ fourth figurcs the beaft called an ^ Ermyne ^
'/''^f, with this Afoffo, Mallem Mori Quam Foe-
■hoofe to D A Ri. A fift reprcfents five hands fnatching at
'I ' '^ a Crown, defended by an armed hand and
fword from a Cloud, with this Motto^ Red-
DiTE C.rsARi. A fixt figures a Landskip of a
pleafant Country, with houfes , corne , &c.
invaded by beggerly people^, and for Motto ,
Barbarus Has Segetes ? &c.
On the Parliaments party we find one bea-
ring in his Cornet,the Sun breaking through a
Cloud with E X Ll R G A T e t d I s s I p a b u n t u r.
Another reprefents a Deaths-head,and a Law-
rell-Crown, with Mors vel victoria.
A third figures an armed man, prefenting a
fword to a Bifhops breaft, withViSNE Epi-
\ scopare ? the Bifliop anfwering, Nolo,
Nolo , Nolo. A fourth fayes onely (with-
out any fi<7ure) Tandem bona causa triumphat.
'i A fift reprefents the Sunne, difsipating a clou-
dy
Vedtcatory,
dy ftotme^ with Post nubila p hoe bus.
A fixt, figures an arm^d man , hewing off the
corners of an Univerfity Cap with his fword/
and this Mfto , M u T o q_iiadrata rotun-
Dis^ Sec.
Now though thefe DeVifes for the moft part
argue wit in the Compofers,yet many of them
are either imperfed: or defedive, which may
be attributed to the want of the prefcribed
rules of this Art^ which this Treatile doth af-
ford you_,together with a Sjjwpjis or fhort view
oiHteroglyphtcksy Emblemes ^ ^Veyfes of Medallsy
and all other inventions of vvit^ which any
vvayes relate thereunto. I might alfo flhew you
here how many feveral waies VeVtfes are ufeful
(cfpecially for Seals^ being drawn from fome
effentiall part of the bearers Armes) but that I
hold it not fit to foreftall the Reader in a Pre-
face. I am onely to beg pardon for my leffe po-
liflit fl;yle;,(which I flial the rather hope to ob-
tain;, fince things of this nature require a plain
delivery^^rather the elegancy or affeded phraie)
not doubting but that the difcovery of this
Art will yeeld fo great contentment to you,
whofc wits are elevate as farre above the vul-
The Epiftle^ ^c,
gar, as are your rankes and qualities, that ia
fome Academicall Sesfion, you will decree
the Author to be your Prefident, the Art your
Exercife.
Exy^dib.Interioris
Templi 17. Mart. T. 2.
sis 9J5 ^
THE AUTHOPvS
P R E F A C
Ufcelli {cvi Italian Author) Jaith,
thdt It belongeth ondy to the mojl ex-
cellent limits and hefc refined liidg-
ments ti) undertake the makmz of
Deviles^ and that it is a quality
llphich hath been fought and de fired by many^ but njeiy
few have been able to put it in execution. Paulas
Joyius (o?ie of the choicefl l^its of his time, and the
firfl that enriched m iPtth this Art) confeffeth ingenu-
oufiy^ that of himfilfe he could neyer make any one
Ti?hereof he could be entirely jatisfyed. Johannes
Andreas Palazzi inferrs from thence y that if it be
a difficult matter to frame a Devife;, compleated Mpith
all its properties y That a Fortiori it is a hard thing to
prefcribe precepts ^ and Jcore out the 't^ay to attaine to
that perfeEiion, As for my Jelfe I confeffe freely ^ that
being moyed unto and inflruSied by my late Vncle Ro-
bert Eftienne in maktng Devifes, eight and twenty
yeares agocy J made a greater quantity then a?id found
k a lejfe labor ^ then mw^ that I know the excellency and
a % yiib-^
1 he Prerace.
jubtility of the Art •^herein rvertly Ihaye taken Jo ^/eat
delight, that the exercije of Arms ^ could neVer divert
mefroynfo noble an employment^ "^hich hath alwaies
been to me a '^ell-pleaftng recreation amidft the fa^
tigues of lt>ar. And a^ I e}idea\^ourcd (a^ neer a.s pojjt-
hle) to attaine to the perfeBion of this Art^ I applied
7?iy felfe {^ith equal! care) to read the Greek;,Latine^
It2i[i3.n y and French Authors , Ti?ho have treated of
HieroglyphickSj Symboles,EmblemeS;, ^Enig-
maes, Armories^, Cimiers^, Blazons^ Reveries
o/Medalls^ D cv iks ^and Juch like inventions of Wit,
ivhich have fome relation to each other^ldiflmguijhed
them the one from the other ^ for 7?iy own particular ufe^
and colic fled thence all thatfeemed moft notable unto
me. At length beingfoWcited by my friends {^vho had
a ^reat opinion of my ability for thef Effaies^) IhaVe
adventured to publijl? this little TraEiate^ devoid of all
o-races and embeUijhmentSy co7itenting my fife onely to
difcovcr to others the light ivhich I could receive from
famous Authors • To the end that thofe ivho haVe leffe
experience herein then jnyjelfc^ may reap Jome profit
thence, ^nd that J }nay excite Jome better Genius
(wherewith this age is much more enriched then the pre-
cedent) to improve my deftgn andfupply my defeHs -
From fuchl hope happily to gaine jome favour {though
otherwife my labours fucceed not, according to my aime)
fnce
The Preface.
fincelam the firjl that hath treated ofthisjtihjccim
our mother tongue, hi a ipord, there's no hegtmiingy hut
is difficulty nor ts there any Tefant (though never fo
Jimple) that merits not Jome kind of recommence ^ in
having been a guide andjhewed the way to a great num-
ber ofCaptaints, "^ho following it, haVe atcheiVed their
noble defignes,
lam then refolved to entreat of Hieroglyphicks,
SymboIeS;, and reverfes of Medalls^ of the Anci-
ents (and ofthofe butfunmiarilyy becaufe many have
already beaten the fame TraB) fince mofl Writers
draw the origin of them from our Devifes ^ TSlor will
J loje the opportunity to fay Jomethingof^mgm2.'s^
Emblem es., Gryphes^ md Parables, yis aljo- of
ArmeS;, Cimiers^, Blazons^- Cyphers^ and Re-
buS;, which the un-knoiving confound with Devifes,
according to the necefftty of the dijcourfe, which fmll
oblige us to unfold their differences. WeJJyall obferVe
the definition and Etimologic o/'DevifeS;, their origin
and antiquity^ their utility and fin all end. Wefloall (to
render them perfefl) recite the rule; of their bodies^
which fome call figure s^and cftheirWottocs ivhich are
termed Soules and ivords^ with the relation they have
each to other y the places from whence they ought to be
drawne^and generally all that is to be obferVed in bring-
ing a Devife toperfeBion yyet ^vithout wider taking to
a 3 ejia^
The Prerace.
eflahlijh fuch inVwlable ^les^ either hy my ownepdr-
tkular opinion^ or in the name of the Italians , but that
J willjubmit my hdgment to the more learned in this
Art. TSior will it be held reafonable that we altogether
fubjeSl ourfeLves to the Italian Laws in this occurrence
offo fmall concernment^ jtnce in all things elje they are
accujlomed to receive Law from our Jrmes.
Henry EJlienne
S' des Foflez.
AParis,
Achevc d'imprimer pour la premiere fois
le 10. Mars, i 64J.
To my ^J^Qohle Friend ^
M' Thomas Blount,
u^on his Tranflation.
HOw could I ftylc, or thinkc my fclfe a Friend
To thcc or Learning, ihould I not commend
This curious Piece of thine i So full of wic
As not to praife it, (bcws a want of it.
Well may I termc it thine, fo many things
Added by thee, with rare Embelcfhings.
The fubje(5l lauds it fclfe ; the heavenly fphcare
T,he Elements, and works of Nature beare
The matter of this Art ; from whence to draw
The life-conferring forme thou giv'ft the Lawi
What Enfigne^ Armes^ or Aifion that afpires.
But, to com pleat it, an Imfrefe requires ?
What generous Soulc will in a noble way
His Miflreffe Court, and not his wit difplay
In fomc Bevife ? Let thofe who have but fouk
Enough to eate and drinfcc this work controule :
Wits will applaud it, and the moft rcfin'd
Difclofc moft Emcrtaiomcnts for the Minde.
f . W. Ar.
The Names of the Greek;, Latine,
Italian, and French Authors
cited in this Treatife.
AmIm Gelliw,
Alexander,
Alciat,
Athenens,
Arifiotle, -
AlexAndro Farra.
Arttlpater,
Arvigio.
Academico Ren»V4t9.
BihU.
Bttdatu,
BargagU.
Bartholomj T^egio.
C^Hjfinm.
Cicero.
CleArehtu,
Clemens Alexandrlntu,
Charles E^iennies hiftory.
oiLtrrMne,
DiomedeSt
DonMtPts,
Demetrius PhitlerifU.
Du Belly,
'^Cchjlttt,
"EufebiHs,
Bpi^etM,
Fabius.
FraJiagUte Intrfinatfi,
Gabriel Simeoni,
Hannibal Cart,
HeredftM,
Hipparchus,
Horace,
Uhannes Bodintts.
lacjHes ToreUj Fan§,
Johannes Andreas PaUazA^
Lucan,
Lndovico Dominici,
AIofcopulM.
Olans MagnfUo,
Origen,
Orw ApoUo,
Ovid,
PatelHs lovius,
Pythagoras.
Pitritt4%
Porphirius.
PindarHs.
Paufanias,
Petrarch, ^-^^
Plutareb,
P, Critus.
Ruffinm AqHilitnfts,
Rufcellu
StAciw.
SalmazAHi.
Scipione Ammirato,
Tipotim,
Virgil,
VaUa,
Valiritu Probtts,
THE
T H E A Pv T
Of waking
DEVISES:
F
TREATING
Hferoglyjphicks, S)rmboles, EmbJemes,
^^nigma s, Sentences^ Parables, Reverfes
of Medalh, Armcs, Blazons, Cimiers,
Cyphrcs and Rebus.
Chap. I.
Of Hieroglyphtck^ .
Here i$ no doubt, but that after the Hebrevvcs, the
Egyptians were the firft that did moft precifely
addid themfclvestoall manner of Sciences ; nor
did they profefle any on?, which they efteemed
more commendable, then that of Hieroglyphick/,
which held the firft rank among their lecret Di-
fciplines. vjhereof Atofes had without doubt a perfed Idea, as the
holy Scriptures teftifie : From whence we gather, that he was ab-
folutely perfed in all the learmng of the Egyptians.
Phih
of Hiere^lyphiclcs,
Philo the J e w Gonfirmes this more clecrly in the life oFAtofes
which he hath written ; where it is obfervtd, that Mtfes had
Icirned from the Doftorsof Egypt, Arithmetick, , Gedmetry^ and
AdtffujHe, as well prtiflick as thcorick, together with this hiddtn
Phylofophit ,exprt{Tcd byCharaftrri, which they term Hiiregly^
fkkhj yXYiZt is to fay, fcm*; marks ai;d figures of living creatures,
whxh they adort d as t jods : Whence we prore the Antiqaity of
this Science, whicli had M^fesior her moft renowned Difciplc.
Ai^d PjtUag$ras ( whole Maltcr in this Science was ^ntptotus
of Heliopolu) iransten cd ii into Greece, where he cnrich'd it with
many Symbolcsthai bcarchis name.
Ncvcrthclcflc It is not prcbabltr, that the EgypMans were abfo-
'ebim lutely the firll Authors of this Learning, Cinct* AUxsndfr (m the
; mcncion Hiftorifi ot the J ewfS which he compiled ) faith, that Abraham
if -^"'hor. jj^^j ^^^^ certaine time in the City of Belief olU with the Egyp-
tian Pricfts, to whom he taught Aprologu^ which he gloried to
have received by Tradition from Enock. And truly, the Principles
of other Sciences could not be infufed hyAbtAham into the minds
of Pofterity, without thcfc kinds of Symbolcs and <^Hiiin4i*s,
which fervc as a Rind or Bark to confcrve all the myfteries of oar
Anccftors wifdome.
Beiides, God framing this world with fuch varieties of living
creatures,{et before the eyes of our ficft Parents fome draughts and
refcmblancrs, vt'ht nee men might perceive, as through the tra-
vrfeof aCloudjtheiniupportable rayesof his Divine Majefty.
Therefore EfiCietw to good purpofe hath noted, that men havt
withiiuheii foules "5^ Qii m'ij.0o\ct, fome Symboles and marks of
his Divinity, whcl.God imprints in us.by the Species ofalithofe
obj As whch he fcts before our eyes. 'T was for the fame reafan
th»T fomsny objeds which prefented themfelves to the view of
AA^m, Enoch, Mefes^ and thr othft Patriarchs, were as fo rhany
Char rters. illuminated by ih^'Divine fplendour,fey means where-
of the Eternall Wildoonc did configne his name into the heart of
mjiii. And I am the rather of this opinion, becaufe I fee, that ill
tiiofe, who (moved by the fame fph it) have treated of the myfte-
ries of our Religion, have ilirowdedihem under the veiles of Fi-
gures and S) m boles ; we fee nothing more frequent in the one
and tbe other Tcftimf nt. And truly the H:brewe$ did fo tflecmc
this way of fpwking aaci \5["f^"§ ^V Charaftcrs , that all their
of Bitnglyf^hicks,
difcGurfts which were fubtile and ingenious, and had in them
much grace and acateneflc, they called M a s c h a l , which word
is properly undiiftood of Parables and Similirudtj.
But that which be«ot credulity that the Egyptians were the
firft inventors of this Science, wasthegreat eftcCine they had of
it, and the multitude of Figures which are engraven by them in
all Monuments of Antiquity.
Fhilothe Jew faithjThatthe Science of the Egyptians is twc-
fold; The one vulgar, plaine and expofcd to all the world,towit»
Geemctry^ Afirologicy Ariihmetick^^ and Mnjlqyte : The other ©b-
ftrufe and facred, called HzVro^^^/j/^'Vi^/, which by themcangs of
fomc SymhUs and Enigma,' s, did containe the grave and ferious
myfterics as well of the faculty of Theologic as ofPhifiologieand
Policy : And this was onely common amongft the moft learned
Priefts. Therefore Origen calleth this Science of Symboles,
Ufjrm ?f*A<^«7a, holy letters.
Moreover, the Egyptians were wont to fay, that there was a cer-
taine divine power that prefided in the fcience of Hierogly phicks,
and illuminated the underftandings of thofe who ftudycd it , by
expelling thofe fhades of darkntffe occurring in the Meanders and
ambiguities of fo great diverfity of things, toconduft them to a
perfcifl and true knowledge of their Charafterj.
The places whereon they incifcd thefe Figures,to conferve their
memory, were their laborious Obelifques, tht well- wrought
Frontifpieces of their Temples, and the hugebulk of their Pyra-^
mides, whereof X»ctfx/»ywftf»f takes it.Therefore I am of opinion, that theZ)f-
vifcy having the fame end and fcope, ought alfo to have the fame
originall ; And it is very probable, that this French word is taken
from ArchiteUnre : For when a Mafter Mafon,or Archited:,un-
dertakes a building, he layes the Plat-forme and Devife of it, to
make the agreement ; infomuch,ts from rfais word Z)ft/iy^( which
is the difcourfe made upon the Strudure of the whole edifice)
comes the term o^devifing a warkyOi devifing a hmlding-^thtLi is to
fay, to lay the plot or dcfign of it,and from thence, without doubt,
Cometh this word Devife^ which is, as an Image of our inclinati-
ons or affeftions. Befides, we have a more particular definition of
itjin this French word Devifer* whereof Du Beliey makes ufe,
when he faith Devifer ^nei^nvn^m ftead of delcribing or difplay»
ing peoples manners: Andiruiy. a man cannot better drrpiint the
humour or paflion of any perfon, then by making his D^t/»7^ itisneedfuUtoknowthefubftance, true
forme and propriety of it : Let us therefore fearch out thefe three
parts of the Devife in other Authors.
The fecret Acadcmicks of Breffe hold that a Devife is a
myfticallmedLyofpidure and words, reprefenting in a narrow
roome to all thofe,whofe fancies are not altogether blunted with
want of knowledge , lomc fecret meaning,in favour of one or
more perfons.
C«ntile is of opinion, that a Devife is a thing compounded of fi-
gures and words, which difcover fome gallant andheroick defign:
And
of J)evtj€s»
And (to explain himfelf) faith,that the term oi'Camp&/ition holds
the place of t Genui Sc Predicament in this definition;That that rc-
fembhrxe or relation which difcovers the Authors intention is to
be found in the figure, That the words reprefent a Qiort difcourfe
in fome fort obfcure , the fence v/hereof relates to the particular
quality of the figure, whereto it fcrvcs in liew oi a foule : And that
the hcroick defign holds the rank of D ifference^ being here, as the
form that fpecifies the true propriety o\ the Devife,
Bargagli doth not altogether approve of this definition,having
obferved, that an t fifentiaii part of the Devife is therein wanting,
which is the Comfarifsn^ and upon the word Similitude (he faith)
that Author doth not fufficicntly explicate himfelf; befidcsthat,
Df^j/fj are not aUvayes framed for noble and magnanimous Dc-
figneSjbut indifferently to reprefent any paflion of the mind.
And zccox(i\T\gtoFaUzA.i^'3,Devife is a means to exprcflefome
one of cur more particular conceptions, by the Pourtraidl of fome
thingjWhich of it felfe hath fome relation to our fancy, and by the
ufeot fome words, which are proper to thefub/ed". This Author
unfolds alfo the parts of thisZ)/»i?»,putting for the Genpu,th%t
a Devife U a me arte s to exfre^ejome Conceptions y and for the D»/^
/«■-
vife ferveth to dilcover to our friends or cqaalls the conccipts
of our mindes , which wee would not have knowne to o-
thers.
As for my felfc, I am ofopinion, that as all Arts and Sciences
Were not petfcfted in their Infancy,but were compleated by little
anillittle : fo rhcfc Hieroglyphicks and Symbolts were a Species
of that, which we CiU Devife: For it is certain, that under thefe
veiles lye hid fotrie rare meaning, and chat thofe who firft framed
Devifcs had no orher Idea then onely that.
But ( fctting afide the Hicroglyphicks ) doe we not fee t great
refemblance of Dc vifes, even from the time of the Theban Warre
• ...l;-!.
Oj the ortgtn And Amquity
f which was 1 300. yeares bf fore the Incarnation of our Sayiour^
as^fchjipunoiethf in his Tragedy, Gntit\i\cd , Thefe'ven l;efere
Thebes ^ where (fpeakingof C<2/?4«tf«* j he faith,that in his Shield
he had a naked man painted with a flaming Torch in his hand,und
tkefe words written in Letters of Gold, J 1 Bru slerayLa
CiTB, I mil hum the City. The fame Author (fpeakiiigot£ff»-
sles)\^\ik\, Ifaat he bore upon his Buckler or Shield th^pidure of
an armed Qian,plic'ing a Ladder againft a wall, with thefe words,
Mars Mesme Ne Mb Pourra Repoussbr De
La Muraille,?. r. Adars himfelfjhaliuot repulfe me from
the roaU. We fee in Pindarw, that in the fame Warro, Amphiaram
bore a Dragon on his Shield. Staeifu like wife wrireth, that Capa-
nsM andPc//»»V^^borc,the one an Hydra, the othjr a Spynx. The
Ancients for the mod part made ufeofthcfe kind of I) »'//>/ in
their Shields, and CimitrSy or habiliments for the head, which is
plainly fcen in Virgil j'^fneid. S. when he numbers the people that
came in the behalf of 7"«r»«/, againft the Trojans. Therefore in
this I approve the opinion oiPaUzzi, and rejed that oiBargagli,
though it be true, that all the rules ofDevifes arc net there obler-
ved ;for infome,youmay fee humane figures and bodies without
foules or words : But thefe Ctnfarcrs (hould have lived before
thofe Ancients to htv, prefcribed them the Law. I im cafily per-
fwadtd.thatif thofe inventions of v^it merit not the name ofDe-
vifes, that they haveatleaftagreat affinity with them, and that
they were the Pattern by which ours were conirived. But ( I be-
feech you) (hall we not approve oi rhat which we read in PAnfa-
nias tonCQrnins,Agamtmn0Hy who going to the Trojan Warres,
bore the head of a Lyou carv«jd upon his Shield ( t© intimidate the
enemy ) with thde words.
Hic Pavor Est Hominum, Manibus Gerit
HuNC Agamemnon.
Thu Agnmr-rrnon in hU h^nds doth hear,
Tofirikejeft mtrtaUs -with apanmck^feare.
For we may perceive initfomeeflentiall parts of a D^W/V ; the
figufc takep from nature, and without humane face, accompanied
with words,and a St comparilon, propofing a gallant defigncand
aparticularconcciptof wit. That alio which Citt bore a Lyon barred :
Ogier the Dane a fcalint; Ladder ; Salomon of Betaign a Chequer
board: 0/mr, a Griffin : jlftolphui, a Leopard: tnd Cannes a.
Faulcon, and fo of others : A$ alio the Knights of the Round Tx-
bleof Arthur Kingof^m/<«w,and many others, whereof exam-
ples arc to be found in all ages,as we may read hiPaIai.i,i*j Trea-
tife of Devifes ; Neverthelefle, I muft not omit the ancient Devife
of a Prince fprung from the rice of the French K.ngs, which is of
Charles, brother to Lotharius King of Frxnce^ the firft Dtikc of
Z<'rr.c»«tf,that enjoyed that Djkedomeindepcndent,und in re'.pt ft
ofthaifreedome a id innmuniry, tor kfor Z)^^'^7^an arcne armed;
ifluingoutofacloud, in theyeerc P83. ^% Charles Eftienne rcci-
teth in his Hiftory of Z//,and that at the time of Charles the
8. and Lewes thci 2, palTing into Italy, all the French Captaines
made ule of them to adorne their Efcorcheons, and to enrich their
Enfignes,Banners,Gaidon$,and Cornets, whereby their Troopet
and Companies w-rrc^ .■liliinguil'hed. And from h;rnce the Italians
learn*dtheufeo*D#t/»/(f/, in the compoiure of which at this day
they appear to be tiic moit ingenious.
w
Chap. IX.
Rules for Devtfes.
EE arenowentringintoaSca, little known to thofe of
our Nation,whcrd the Sands are imperceptible,the{helvs
jor vcvijes,
Uvell with the water,thc current troublebme, the tide incertain,
andthcCoaftinfrequented : Therefcre tis requifite, wtftrikca
part ©f our Sailes, and fteer on with a gentle gale, till fuch time as
we ftiall confult our guides , and take sdvife of the muft expert
Pilots, and Mafter of our Ship , who hath much more then we
frequented this Ocean.
Our guide fhall be PaulHsJavius, v/ho firft enterprized this
voyage ; Rufce//i,PAlaz,z.ij Contile, Ammirato, and other Italians
(hall be the Mariners I moft conlult in this Navigation : But B^r'
gagli Cvvholalt went this paliage, and who hath with moft dill*
gt nee fought out the Coafts of this Sea, who made the Card, moft
carefully obfcrvtd all the dangerous paflages, and hath raadei
great return by his imbarqment ) (hall be acknowledged for the
moft expert Pilot,andfurc Condudtorof our Navigation.
We will therefore propofe the tenents of the ftift, and compare
their opinions with the hft,to conclude at length upon all matters,
circumftances,and conditioBS of D^'j^t/i?/.
Faulpis foviw propounds five Conditions rcqaifite in a perfeft
Devife.
I . Firft , a juft proportion or relation of the Soule to the
Body.
a. That it be not fo obfcure, as to need a Sybill to interprete it -,
nor yet fo plain,a$ tht? common people may comprehend it.
3. Thatabove all things, it have a fweet appearance, which
fhall (utceed, by inferting therein either Stars, Sun, Moon, Fire,
Wa er, ureen Trees, mechanicall Inftruments, diverfified^and fan-
tall call Beafts and Birds : Howbeit, I am o^oplnion, thatco-
Icurcd fi-,urci arc not rcccivcable in the bodies oiDevifes,
4. T.iat it muft net have any humane figure.
5 . And that the Motto ('which is the foule of the Devife) be in
a ftiangc language, or other then thatwhich is ufcd intheCountry,
wherciiit- 2)*^'^ismade, tothecnd, that the intention of it bee a
little removed from common capacities.
A D^^'i/^ requires five Conditions more ^ whereof the firft
is,
I . That the Motto be concifj or britfe,but not doubtf uU 3 infc-
muchjfhatthc foule fh^ill be the morepcrfedl, when it exceeds not
the y.umbtr of two or three words, unlcf!c it be of an Himillicke
or whole Ycrfe.
D 3 a. It
auies
2. It tnuftbe obferved.that the body and faule(bsing very com-
plcat ) Jo not produce too tmbitious a conceipt,leaft hc(for whom
it is made J be iccufed of vanity «nd prefumption .
3. A Dtffi/ir ought to reliflafomewhat of magnanimity, gene*
ro(ity,andfabtilty.
4. It muft fatisfie the eyeby the body,and yceld content to the
mindby thefoule.
5 . Thok Devifes, which have but one onely word or one filla-
ble,sre held by this Author very abfurd.
Chap. X.
The tpnim of ffierommy KufceUi,
RVfceHi (contrary to the opinion of Paulm Jovius') faith, that
the Motto of the D^z^ii/^ ought not to be called the Soulc,
though the figure reprefent the body. As in all other fubjeds
where there is a body, it doth not f olio w that there is alwayes a
foule,as in Mufick we may fay, the Notes reprefent the body, and
the words trc correfpondcnt to the Soule : But if the 'Devife muft
haveaSoule, it would rather be the intention or figniHcttion then
the words.
He diftinguiflicth Devifes into two kind$,the one with,and the
other without words.
Figures were heretofore more commenly joyncd to Devifes
then Mottoes J becaufe the figures were known to every one, but
the Mottoes wtre not fo generally underfteod.
As for the opinion of thofe, who affirme, that the Motto ought
not to be called SQwlQiRnfceii confirms it ; for ihat,(aith be, other-
wife it were to admit of Bodies without Soulcs, there being De-
vifes which have no Motto's, and are neverthelcffe approved of.
Notwithftanding, he concludes, that it would be a very difficult
thing to abolifli the ufe ofthcfe two ttrmes, or that ancient man-
ner of (peaking of Body and Soule upon the fubjcA of D^x/j/^/j
though in truth the Motto be kfle then ifac foule of a Devife, then
is the intention or dcfigneof an Author.
According to the judgment of this Author,a Devife (to be true
and perfed)ought to have all the conditions toilo wing. It muft
for uiv!jes.
be invented andcompofed withconveniencie,quaintnefre, fecuri-
ty,and to the glory ot its Author. Btfides, ha addes,that the Figure
and the Motto are its ncceflary parts, the one to allure the eye, the
other to invade the mird;This is alfo PaulHi foviui his opinion in
his Fourth Confideration : But befides theft Conditions, and ef-
fgntiall parts, it mufl: have fome qualities, which are proper unto
itjCleerneffe and brevity, and above all,thislaftisofneceflityre-
^uifitess wellintheBody asintheSoule : For the parts of the
Body, or the fubftantiall Figures of the Devife^ mufl not be more
then two,nor mutt the words exceed the nHinbcr.of three, unltfle
it be to make ufe of an half verfe, or at the moft to accoaipiifli the
whole one : However fome Authors are not fo fcrupulous,as not
to admit of a verfe and a half for their Motto, but farely thofeare
not commended, nor do they fucceed well; forafmuch, as the
great number of words doth confound the Motto with the Figure
in fuch fort that thofe Devifes which are expofed and born ordina-
rily at Tournaments or Mafqaes, would not be diftinftly known
in this form by the SpedVators. Wee may fay the like of thole that
are ufed upon Standards, Enfignes,Cornets,and Coynes,in refpeft
of the little roome wherein they are comprized. Therefore when
the Motto Is fhort, the figure doth difcover it felfmore eafily, and
the words are better retained in the memory ; But if at firft fight,
thev be not undtrftood , the knowledge of them is found out by
meditation: And by rtfleding the eyes of the mind upon the Idea,
which we there reraine,wc come at laft to penetrate the meaning
of the Author,
For the precife number of one,t wo,or three figures,itmuft be un-
derftood of different kinds or Species, & notofindividual$:&fora
perftft example, Ilr propofe to you the Devife of Card; Z)^ Me^
iicAfjWhere he hath many little Stars and a Comet, which we ne-
vei ti-.cltfie take but br two figures, becaufe thofe Stars without
Bumbtrrcpielentbutonc onely Species j As alfo in that of the
Duke of yWrf»r»rf.the two Swans which fight againft an Eagle,are
taken but »or tne nature of the Swan. It may happen notwithitan-
dmg that m theielf-famf^ Z)g\i he be other wife a learned Hiftorian)and principally
for that he altogether rcjedcth from Devifcsjthz figure of hu nanc
bjdv
for Devtfes,
body, though elfewhere he pradiccth the contrary, by approving
fomc of that fort inferred in his owne Treatife, and (amongft o-
thers) thit of LewuSfffrcff, where there is a Blackamore, who
withaPiftoUkillsaLidy ; Tnat which he himfelfc made for a
Lord, his particular friend, where there is an Ennperour upon a
Triumphant Chariot withrhisMotto,SE r vus Cu rru Por-
TATUR EODBM , the Slave is carried by th; fame Chariot ^
and theZ)tfz/*/>oftheDukc ot Florence^ with many others, by
which we may well perceiYc, that that La w, which the Legiflator
himfclfe Kiakes no fcruple to violate, is inconfiderable. Then is it
in vaine to pretend to exclude hunaane figares by authority, finca
the Hieroglyphicks of the Egyptians, the Mcdalls, as well of the
Romans as Grecians, and finally all the Memorials of Antiquity,
arefuUof them ; There is much leffe reafon to debarre the ufe of
them in Bevifes : Tor why fhall it be lawfuU to make ufe of the
"Figures of Plants, living creatures , and mechanicall inftruments,
or other things wrought by the hand of man, and fhall yet be pro-
hibited to ufe the figure of the manhimftlfe, which is neverthe-
ieflc the mcft excellent of all ? It is true, it would not be feemly
to infcrt in a Devifcy thefigureof a manonely clad after the ordi-
nary fafhion, becaufe that would be too common, but it would be
more fit toreprefcnthim difguifcd, as they doe in Mafqucs and
Mommeries. This Author approves of the figare of women in
Devtfes y whether they be reprefented naked or clothed,as alfo that
oiNymphfi SatjreSy Termes, or fuch like Divinities , which are
not ufuall in our fight, and whereof the reprefentation may hand-
fomely makeup thcbodyesof D^t/jy*/, as wc fee infome cxam-
pkSj as well Ancient a^ Modcrne.
Devifes and Emblemes have this common refemblance with
each other, that they may be indifferently ufed wither without
words; And their diiTercQCe is taken from this, that the words of
the £w^/f«?ff may demonftrate things univerfall, and hold the
rank of morall prtc pts, -v hich may as wcl ferve for all the word,
as for the prt per author of the J^w^/fw. This generall applicati-
on ofthe Motto, is a great error m2iDevife^ which ought to be
particular, and the words thereof proper and futable to the perfon
onely, in whofe favour the Devife is made. Ncv«4rtheleffe , this
Condition hinders not, but that the Devife which hath been by me
2 5 JVHICS
already ufedf, may aUo fcrve another day to exprefld th« fame in-
clination, defigne or paflion in fome other perfon j yet we muft
not conclude by this, that x\\QDevifes of Fathers ought to fetve
his Children, unlciTd they baare the fameArmcs, have the fame
inclinations, or be continued in ths fame offices. So States , and
fo:ne particular Families, retaine ftill for their Devifes, the C#.-
^omncs of Hercules^ the Golden Fleece^ Saint Mkh^l, and other
badges of honour.
Tiiefiii'e Author pretends, that it is neither vice nor theft to
appropriate to ont.v f^^lfthc Vevifeoi one that is already dead, fo
thafihercbeiomethingaddtdor changed, aifcording to the de-
ik ;e in hand. Was it not with thisliccnct, that a certain Pedant
tppke thG Dcvife which the dec^afed Robert Ejiieme made foe
the Duke of »S'«*'^/j as then Grand Mafter of the AitiUcry ? Ha-
ving therein placed an Eigk, holding a Thunderbolt, and thefs.
words. Quo JussaJovis, As farre as the command of
ftipiter. This impudent Plagiary could not be content to keep
the Condition of that Licence, but without changing a tittle, he
took the boldneflc*o apply it (as an invention of his owne) to
the Marqutffetjli^(?/»/,fonneofthefaidDukejandinhis Fathers-
life time.
He obferves alfo another difFi^rcnce betweenc Emblemes and
Bevifesj which is, that in thofc, we may have many figures, but
in thck, onely thrte.
Chap. XL
Of MtttotSy Atcordhg to the opinion ofthefaidKukQllu
M0/^#^/rtq'4i're,tfe§famequaliurs,ai.li€ Figures, that is to
lay, CieercniTe and Brevity, vvi.jch muft be obferved, ac-
Cv di.^^to thecircupir:anc.;$oftim8an0rubiect, whereupon ths
Devlfe is a.i*de, i% *'/t be onely to be feen at one time,at a J ufting
or Maskc, then it ?juft L^ - plaine and intclligiblei but if the Devife
be for s longer coatiniiancf', tLen we muft adds fome ornament,
§rac< or ma jefty;, to render it lege common.
The amorcuJ and oiorall ones ought not to be foobfcure faS'
y »?»«!». .w©uld|^av€ it) fiuce they pughttobe underftood by the
generality.
for "Dtvifis,
generality, otherwif^ they would be fruit leffe, efpecially the amo-
rous, unkfle the author defiie, that the T>evife be not ipprehended
by any perfon, but his Miftrt flh and fo of others.
I am of opinion with f. y(?t//i«, ttiat the Vionot^xi^'Devifes
which are for continuince, ought tolpe^^k in a ft range language,
and the amorous ones and fuch asaref^orTournamtnts, Maskes
and ComedieSjina vulgar,oratleafta knownc to:^gue, fincethty
arc but for a fhort tirtic, and are cKpofcdtothe vit^w cf the un-
learned.
The plurality of Words doth no leffe incumber the apjirehenfioti
of the Z)i?fii/?,then the great number of figurcs.lt is a hard thing to
exprefle oncs feU by one onely word, 2 or | . fuffice to render a ve-
ry exqaifite Devife^-mA the more it fexceeds thit number, ths kffe
gentile is it, unlefle it be to ufe an Hemiftick or whole vtrle, be it
Greek, L? tine or any other tlrange language, which is in refpc6t
that verfcs or meafured fcntences have a certain grace, harmony
and cadence, which caufe them to be read with facility, and retti-
ned withdJighr.
As for the c >nnex'on of the figure with the Motto, we mufl take
heed that the words d< e not explicate the figure, but rather that
thcfi^jure Usi iht^ reader totheundcrftandingefthe words, and
that the Moitv difunittd from the figure, may not have any figni-
fication. As in t ht Devife of the Dukebf Ferrara,«7tyf a'Trnvm, fo a&
things, Thr^f words confidered apart from the figure, which
reprcfenteth Pan< t c , fignifiejuft nothing.
We muft alfo t a '< r heed, not to make any iftcntion of the figure
in the words , as if in the body of a Devife there be the reprefen-
tatlon «f a Mourtaine, in any cafe fpeak not ®f Mountaine in the
Motto.
The beft Mo? to'* are thofe which hive no verbe expreffed. Pro-
vided the verbe be fuel* as may cafily be underflood,without equi-
vdcation.
Devifes are iiiadf to reprefent ouf fclves or fome othet Petfooj
desre and confic?r:tgiibIe unto us for a Lady we love, for our Prince,
or for fomc luch p-iT^-rulai peifonjthofe which are mtit for others
ate more rare • h.>i | d3e not undc rftsnd it a making for another
whcA ^dmt'^Devifetottipttionoi quality that requt (led it of me,
fori doe \\wr' at give him the invention, and lend him my Is-
hour ; For a Vevifi OiJght n©t to acknowledge any other Mtfter ot
IS 2 ieai*
jimes
legitimate poffc{ftr,but thcpcrfon in whofe favour it isinvcnted.
In Devtfes which we make for our felvf si, the author is figni-
fytd , cither by the figure alone, or by the Motto alone, and fur-
thermore out ohhe figure and Motto both, that is to fay,outof the
whole Dtvife. He is reprefentrd by the figure, when he feigneth
thefigU'Cto fpt-ake for him, by iaying fhat which he would fay,
if he were in it its place j if thcrt be tuo figures, the Author is re-
prrfvfnted by one alone,or by both, which is done more rarely.
An Atuhor exprcfletb himfclf qna'ntly by tlicMotto^ whcnhe
fcignesi' to peak,nGt tothrfigur , but to himf U or to the people,
as in ibi , u lere therejsthe garden of Htjpertdes^ the golden
topics, a'd u,e dragon dead b:fore the ^Iforc, with thcfe words,
Yo Mbjor. Las Guardarb, IU gnardthem better :Yqi
here he ipcakrs not to the figure, but of tai^ figure to himfclf,by
the Motto; fojitimcs he declares himfelfeby (peaking to the
fiaure of the Dcvife^n in that of the a Columnes alicadged before,
EsTE Duces.
When the Aathor himfelf is neither comprehended in th«
Motto nor in the figure, we may then fappofe, that he is excluded
thel>^t'>/^,andtna: he hr^ares another fpeaking to him, or giving
himadvilf : As i.ithe Devije, where there is an arrow, which
being direftlyinthe middle of the white, cleaves the pin with
this Motto, B*^^' h©-, fhootthns.
There be others, by which we can neither conceive whence
norto whoffithe Author fpe^keth, whether within or without
the Deyife ; But it (cemes that the whole Devifris indifferccitly
addrcffcd either to the people, or to the Author,orto his MiftrefTe,
or fomc other, IS f he Temple of ^«».» Z.?a»M,whofe Motto is
JuNONi Lacinix.
Bui the moll perfect Devifes avc tfo V, whofe bodies and foules
aretakenas wtUforothcuty, and by way of advifc addreffeth
himnelfcto others. Tms w^ fee that this Devife is very excellent
in all her propertie!.,hiving a very recreative figure, a gentile Mot-
to, an intention, whereof the morality is very profitable, and an
admirable addreffc as well to the Author as to others.
Wiifn
jorucvtjes.
When the Motto is taken out of feme approved or wel known
Author, it requires the fewer words, provided the reft be eafieto
divine at, as in the D^-z^//^, where thcra is a Tree, whereof one
branch being cut oft', another bu.isferth, with this Motto, U n o
A V u L $ o, one being fluckt of: which being taken out of Fir-
gil, futficethforthcdcchritionri the figure, becaufe the reft of
the Vcrfe, Non Deficit Altbb., another u not wanting,
is eafily undeiftood.
Sec here the moft part oiRu. cell's conceptions upon the fubjeft
oiDevtfes, which I colleded out oi his Book, and have tranfla-
ted with all poflible fidelity.
Chap. XII.
The fipinion (?/Scipi©ne Ammirato upon Devifes,
WHofoever wotld compofe a work, that may haye'thc vcr-
tueandefficacieofai)<^'«y^, ojafl: doe it in fuch fort , as
the body may have a connexion with the foule, that is to fay, that
the words may relate to the figure.
This Author accords with ^/^y?tfi?j, that it importeth not of
what language the words are, fo they be pleafaRt and acute ; nc-
verthcl: (Te with FahIhs fovtM^he prcferres the Latine Tot^gue a-
bove all others, as being that, which is moft generally knownc,and
coiijmon to all Nations of the world : And for my owne particu-
lar opinion, I think that thofe Mottoes are much more exquiftce,
and better accept d, which are taken out ef fonae famous Ajthor,
as Vi^g'lj Horace J CatuiuSj Ovidy Lucan , or others. And tis in
that kind ot borrowing, wherein the Devifors dexterity and fub-
tiiiiy beftappcarcs, when he diverts the fenfe of an ancient Au-
thor, atid applyc s it properly to his owne intention.
F'Tftiecounexionofthe Motto with the Figure , be confents
with Rujcelliy that we muft take heed that the foule of the Devife
doe not fcrvr^fimply to decipher the body, nor to explicate the
Pidlure oncly, asif upon the Reprefentation of the City oi Venice,
we fliould write this word V s n s t i a. It is beft then to conft-
dcrtfcMottoofaD^'Z'//^, as the Major Propofition of a Syllo-
gifme, and the Figure, as the Mi»or , from the con jundion of
E 2 which.
■ KHles
which, will refult the Co«c/«/»(7«, which is nothing clfe, but the
meaning of the Author : So that the Motto cu^ht not to be the
Interpreter of the Body, northit, the Interpreter of the Soule :
onely tis n qQifite,that from the con jundion of the foule wit h the
body, the Reader may draw the myfticalUcnfe, and difcov^r the
intention of the Author, as by Hieroglyphicks involved in the
two cflentiall parts of a Devife.
He doth not defirewc ftiouldbefo fuperftitious obfervfrs
of the Rules, ts to lofe the true and naturall fubftancc of the
thing.
He agrees in opinion with all the other Authors, that as the
foul oftheD^f //bought to be conceived with choice, ftately and
fignificant teroiesjfothe body ought to have I'ome fweet appa-
rence,andto confiftofafigure, neither too coojon or abjecfl, nor
yet too far fetcht or monftrous j Therefore we are not tu admit of
any prodigious things nor unknowne beaf^s.kll wee make an
^^nigma inftead of a Devife : the Enigma hznr^ for the univerfa-
lity of people, and not in particular for it fclf.
For the admiration, which a Devife ought to beget in the mind
ofthe Reader, doth not depend upon extra irdinury figures; but
rather upon the connexion of the foule with the body, winch
oughttobefeperately intelligible, in fo much as therefultorcom-
pofition of the two things may produce a third, mixt with the one
and the other.
As for the cleernes, which RnfceHi r-^quires in a Devife . This
Author faith, that, as the Comedy oughc to pleaf. both thee;^'?i
and eares of the comon people, as well as of the learned .-So the
Z)tfi//y*©ughtnot tobe fo much removed from th^ knowledge
of the vulgar, but that it may give content to 4; jYet muft we
take heed that we ufe not things too vile and abj\»'«»<«burnr, No s Aliam Ex Aliis, JVe feek.Another'
fameelfeynherg. Inotonely call that contrary, which is direftly
oppofitc to the nature ot any fubjed, as fweet to bitter , but alfo'
every thing that is diiferenr, though it be not contrary , as in the
precedent example.
Some may be invented, by alluding to the proper names of
perf0n$,for whom they are made, but certainly fuch are hard to
be met with, info much, that fcr the mcft part, ^Rebw or fome
idlefancieismadeinftcadof a good Devifi ^ which the Author
thought to have falneupon: you may fee many fuch examples
in PdfilHs Joviw.
When we put fome figure in the body of a I>tft/»j/tf, which of it
fcUe is not {ufficienily ftgnificative,wfl may addethe name,as up-
on the Trontifpiece of the Temple of /'»»oX<«f/«j^, wc may put
this Motto, JuNONi Lacinix, upon that of mount Sionx\!i\%
other, Mo n s Sign: fo likewife upon the Temple of //<>»p»r,
and others. But if thefe Mottoes (which are not of the body of
the D(vife) doe not plcafe, we may diftinguifh the Temples
(whicharethe hardeft figures to know) by theinaageofihatged
or goddefle to whom they are dedicated : And if wc feare to over-
cfcar^/j or perplex the body of the Devife with the portraiiffs of
DfitirSy we may decipher them, by the chara(fters which are at-
tributed , or by fuch creatures as were anciently facrificed unto
thfii/i. Thus we know the Temple of fanns by the kejfes, that of
fufittr by an jErfjj/^,and that oiSatHrne by a Sythe^
And this is the onely meanes, that I approve for the diftindlion
of Temples j As for the infcrlption of the proper name,thi$ ufage
was not allowable, but in thofe times when painting was yet ?o
groge, that the figures of Anioaals needed the name^f the kind to
- __- - be
Rules
beknoWneby,asi$yettobefeeneupon fomc oldTapeflriessnd
Pidurcs.
When we ufe a Motto without a Figure, wc ought not to cull
it thefouleofaDri'j/^, but rather a facetious conceipt, a witty
faying, a Proverb, a Sentence j as thofe pretty conccipts, didions
or fcntences, which H/;7/><«rc/?«/, the fcven Wife men of Greece,
and many other Moiall Philofuphers hare deli? ercd. In liUe man-
ner may we make a Pifture without a Motto, as a Venus with
{hackles at her feet, a 7»/'*f''' with three eyes, ^Janw with two
faces, and fuch like C^prkhfo's, however fignirying fomething j
in which cafe we doe not fay we have made a body without a foul,
but rather a pidlure, a phanfie, or fuch like thing.
Of neceflity the Devife mud have one part cleere, and the other
obfcure, fo that it be without contr.didion : For as in Poetry,
cfpecially Comicall, which is intended for all forts of people, the
greater part of the Auditors doe eafily J adge it to be Verfe , and
not Profe ; They know very well the found and cadence of
Rythmes, and the fenfeoffome parts of the Poeme, which plea-
fcth them moft : But as for the conceited imaginations of the
Poct,the high-towring conceptions of his fancy, the deficription
of paffions, the force of rea(oning , the choice of tcrmes, and the
fubtility of elocution : thefearenot difcovered, but onely to the
eyes and eares of the more learned Oiators, and Poets acquainted
withthatkindofD amaiicU Poeme. In like manner the Author
ofaDff»yifeGithe Academicks, called Re^tovati/isyQt more rigorous, in
not admitting of any part of humane body, nor hands, nor armes,
nor heart,but furely that istoo great afcruple:For what grace can
a hammer ftriking upon an Anvile have,unkffe a hand be beftow-
ed upon it? And how can we reprefent the windsf which ferve for
bodies of very excellent Devifes)iisnt be not permitted to adde a
head to them Pit were indeed to incur a great inconvenience,wher-
in a czTtnnPeiant vaunting a skil in thatMyftery,as being profef-
forof the 2 beft languages in the world,and reputed to havefo pro-
digious a memory, that it confumed all his judgement, as the Epi-
taph doth witnefle, which is already prepared for him before his
death. This univerfall Doftor then,caufing a Devife to be drawn
by an excellent Limmer (who underftood as little the art of ma-
king them,as theend wherto they tended jdifcovered unto him his
intent to have the body ofa Devife drawn,wherof the Motto was,
Qqo Flante Corus cant, &thefigure was burning coal?
upon a Chafing-difh : And becaufe it wanted the blowing of
wind, (for the expreffion of which he was much troubled) the
Painter propofedthe adding ofa little face, as it is ufuall in fuch
cafes, Apage, ApagCj faid this great Devifor^ I will have no hu-
mane face j the Artificer in a merry and joviall humour, anf wered
him fmilingly. Sir, I know^ no way more fit to reprefent your
IF 2 in--
Rules
intention, unU(reyou apply unto it, the other partof the body
that hath no face, and ytt makes wind j At Lift he concluded to
fetapaire of bellowes untoit. Is notthat(I pray J a figure of a
goodly apparence and proportionate to a gallant and magnani-
raousdefignc? norisitforthat thcfc figures have no relation one
with another, nor are derived from the fame art of Kitchinry,
(\vcll knownetothe Vniverfities.) I give you this example, to
let you fec-,that that man is oft-times deluded that ufeth too much
fubtiltyjAnd this paflage is the more credible, in regard I had it
from the fell fame Artificer, who telling meotit,did then com-
plaine,that the Docftor had not to that day paid him for his labour,
according to his promifc. I had not mentioned this conceit, if
the fubjed: we handle had not engaged me to it. I could reheaife
aprank, noleflcunjuft, then the other ridiculous, but that I have
already infinuated it under the title o'iKufcel^i's opinions, concern-
ing the condition that ought to be obfervedin appropriating to
ones feU the Devife of another Author: It is there where I have
made mention of the/) ^■z^*/^, which my late \J[\c\t Robert Eftien-
ne did invent in honour of the Duke of Kofn^^ fince Duke c^SmHj,
grand Mafterofthe Artillery, by whom hee had the honour to be
b. loved, it was then received with fo generall apphufe, thatit
was judged worthy to be eternized in Gold and bralTe, and to fay
truth, it was ftamptd upon all the Ordnance that were caft at that
timeinthe Arcenall, cmbroydred upon the Officers Cafibcksjand
upon the ornaments of the fhops of Artillery : It isnof pofTible
therefore thatthisnew Dft'i/i'rfhould be ignorant as well of the
naaieofihe firft Mafter, asof thecomonufeof this Devife jhow
everbydiflemblirgit, hedid appropriate to himfclf the invention
of it, and was fobold, as to give it as an eriginall, wholly and
without alteranon, to another Lord that had th;; fame co.rimand
among the great Officers of that Crowne, and who in that King-
dome held the place of itsrightfuUpofTflor.
Motto'i are abfolutely neceffary insi Deviff, though fome Au-
thors have held the contrary, for according to their opinion the
Devife being a kind of Metaphor(which is in a trtaner nothing elfe
but a Compirifon) it needs but one fubjed clanged into another ;
But thcfe Authors arc deceived in this point, fmce the figure of an
Animal, plant, or fuch like fubjeft, is of itlelf indifferent to the
fignification of the particular qualities that the thing reprefented
fcr vcvtjes,
may have j In fo much that it ought to be determined by the Mot-
to, to fome one of its qualities, that is to fay, to that, v/hichthe
Author intends to attribute to the ptrfon, of whom hee makes the
Devife. From thence it commeth that the greateft confufionot
difficul'yin underftanding fome Devifes arifethfrom the bodies
being altogether naked and dcftitute of words, which ftiould
diftingui{h their different proprieties , whence the concepti-
on , fancy and invention of another may be juftly for-
med.
Chap. XIIII.
The PrhcipaH Caufes compejing a Devife,
A Devife (as a fubjeft compoftd of a body and a foule) ought
to have his eflentiall caufes : the materiall is no other, but
the figure of the bodies, or the inftrument j of thofc things, which
are inferred in the Devife,
The formtll caufe, which gives it life^ is is the refemblance
or comparifon, which (to exprcfle the Authors meaning^ oc-
curres in the natuarll or artificial! properties of the figure.
The finall caufe, is the Signification or Comparifon underftood,
by meanes whereof wc expreffe more cleerly, with more efficacy
and livelincffe, a rare and particular conception of wit. Bat here
we muft obferve, that thefe termes oiSingnlcr and rare are due to
the definition oi Devife, for as much as a P^'z///^ ought not to be
madeufeof fortheexpreflion oftriviall or vulgar fancies, the in-
vention being onely to declare vertuous thoughts or heroicill de-
fignes with grace and fubtility ; And it is to the end that this kind
©f conceptions may be held worthy to fpring and grow in gene-
rous fouls by the power and efficacie -whichDevifes have to raviOi
and excite the moft noble fpirit?, which way foever they compre-
hend them ; and with fo much the more eafe , by how much
they fhall difcover the rarity and gentilkffe of the Devife in the
conception.
The efficient caufe,is the wit or underftaDding.difpofsd to know
the relations, fimiiitudes and conformities which meet in the
things figured 3 there being nothing in this world, but hath a con-
F3 '..' formity^
Rmes
brmity, refecnblance or relation, with other, thougfi the fubj c<*t$
be more or leffc unlike.
It is not needfullto produce any other rcafon For the formall
caufeof aD«fi/tf .-becaufe we doc not fiy that the Motto is the
torme, nor have we call'd it the Soule,as Paulus Jovius and others
have done jS«eing that as the proper and lubftantiali forme of a
livin^Creature isthc Soul, and not the breathjor tone oFthc voice,
which he uttereth in token of his inward meaning, and to exprt fle
his affedionsor paffions:Sois it very certaine that the rcfem^
blance or comparifon is the forme of a Devife^ and by confc-
quence its life and foule. And the Motto is but as the breath, or
tone of the voice, which dechres the nature and propriety of
the thing, whence the comparifon is taken. Therefore we may
(ay that the motto (added to thefe foure caufes^ is the Inftrumen-
tall caufe, which is made ufe of, todifcover (by vertue oftiie
words J the proper quality of the figure, and by difcovering ic to
diflinguifh the other qualities, that have their being in it; Info
much as the Motto (confidered alone by it felft) by no means
makesaDirz'J/ir, asthe Commentatour Vi'pori 'fovins would have
it, who holds that a Dtft/^/ir mayb^ framed or a Motto without a
body, and of a body without a Motto.
The end o^dLBevife (according to Ammiratd ,Contile^ArHigi9y
among the Acaderoicks o'tBrefce, Jthan^Afteire Palazzi,the BoU-
»ivemuft have a care not to ufe them
as (imply as the Egyptians did, forafmuch as from ihofe fignifi-
cations of things, which are not proper or naturall, wee cannot
draw any true (icnilitude or comparifon; befide$,they difcover not
any intention or cnterprife that they had, but onely fomething al-
ready done, as by the figure of a Hat, they would fhew, that they
had enfnnchifed a flave,or fome other perfon, for a reward: Even
fo by giving of an Oaken Crowne to a Soldier, they fignificd that
he had favwd the life of a Citizen . Moreover, the greateft part of
thefe Hit roglyphicks are grounded upon the ancient Cuftomes
and Ceremonies oftheir Religion, which is now CGod be than-
ked) altogether abolifhed by the light of faith,or is at leaft known
at this time, but to fome few perfons, whereas a Devife ought to
beunderflood by many. I admit thatfubjedls taken from Hiero-
glyphicks,and confidered according to their nature,and not accor-
ding to the inftitution of men, are proper for Devijes, As if you
confider a hat, as it is an inftrument invented to keep ofFthe funne
andraine^you confider it purely according to its nature j but if you
take it for a figure of liberty, you fuppofe then that either God or.
man have already impofed this (ignification upon it. Hence it
commeth,that to arrive^ with our Author) to the petfedion of
Devifes fZnd toexprcffe the conceptions of our mind, there is nc-
tliing fo proper, fo gentile, fo powerfuUj nor fo fpirituall, as thofe
(imihtudesandrelationSjWhtch we difcover, walking in thefpa-
cious fields of the wonderiuilfecrcts of nature, and qualities of
tbinil$jtS?ia)fn nf thenrfvnfr^tf /^cnfr>Mrinf<» nfinnc tn finAti\^ri'ir\
p
Kuies
the correfpondencie of qualities naturall , and ufage of things ar-
tincialljVvith your own thoughts J and herein confifteth as vvcilall
thegraceofa Z)^t///Jr,asthe skill of him that makes it.
Chap. XV.
OfReverfes of Medalls ^and the difference htrvetn them ^Devifes,
IN the Reverfes of Medalls , we may make ufe oF Hierogly-
phicks,Fables,HiftorieSjand Cuftomes of the Ancients, becaufe
Medalls are only made to eternize, by the means of the metals of
Gold, Silver, braffe and copper, the memory of the fecroickAris
of Emperors, Kings, Commonwealths, States, and fuch illuftru-
ous and praifc- worthy perfonSjas well by their own vertue, as by
theemincncfc oftheir quality j Therefore I am of opiRion, that
fome of thofc things may be permitted in the Devifes of Coines or
ftampes, which have a great affinity with Medals, and wherein
we ought not to be fo fcrupulous, as in other Devifes, norfo
much fubje (flour felves to the rules of the Italians, who have not
written of the Devifes of Stampes or Counters, the ufe whereof is
el fe where leffe knowne then in France : And tis perhaps for that
reafon that my deceafed \Jt\c\t Robert j?/ff««^ (whoin histime
was much eftcemed for the invention of Devifes) was not al-
waies fo ftrift an obferver oftheir rules. And yet for the Rcverfe
of Medalh, inrejeding the Fable and fome other inventions of
the Ancients, we may make afeofthe things themfclves, and
there is no doubt, but they would fucceed far better.
A Devife differs from a Medall or Reverfc, in this, that the De-
z'ffe is a declaration of the thoughts by way of Comparifon , taken
from the propriety of naturall or artificial! things j whereas a Rc-
verfe is generally, but a memeriall cf things which are done and
paft, evidenced by figures, which fimply reprefentthefad,though
there be fome, which difcover the quality of the wit : Befides,the
Devife is to demonRrate a rare and particular intent, not yet
effcfted ; But the Reverfe is to preferve the memory of fome hi-
roick ad atcheived by him, whofe pidure is on the other fide:
So that the Devife regards onely the future, and the Reverfe the
time part. And againe, a perfed Devife ought not to admit any di-
vine or humane figure, be it fiditious or fabulous, but in Reverfes
both the one and the other may be received according to ancient
^..n. TXTL Cr.^ T7 I
X' \Q\a.\\civ.m c(t:aii\J m ycpu^ j^i^iahn-i colas.
J^cm iza^iozu' c^ticni^^f'ze^ t
teaus.
i^
^j^^mam uvtcntiAm acccMA
(S^ ihil mocj 111 naiura mca j?
ijiicnm inucrcTCuncIiatTU
«y>/on coclem mod^ hPulicc ei
^Cf^ vellua caucndwm en
^rv "'^
ucn iPOmtJ ociorc'^rctj^uahht^i
Laiicii nohnn e(?.quam inijc4'a jil Lruicmn condil
- d I (J d
*=:^
A/thil mehiibc Aao. auo minuj pcUcm,acrPo ito
Impcno. priimhi hdo -vmcrc . '*
^z'//£r which my deceafed Uncle
made, after the late King Hf»r^ the Great of -fr-^wr?, had reduced
the Duke of Savoy to reafon : The Duke (who thought he had
laid held of a good opportunity to qiisrrell with the faid King du-
ring the troubles of France^ thereby to poffcfle himlelfe of the
Marquifate of Saiujfes) caufed Coynes or money to beftsmped,
where there was a Centfiure trampling a Crowne Royall under
hisfect, with this word, Opportbne, but foone after, that
invincible Monarch made him repent himfclfe of his enterprize,
and derided his foolish prefumptionj when he poured his Porces
into his Country, and in an inftant (forcing all his Townes)made
himfelfe Mafter of the whole Province, and conftrained the Duke
tohaverccourfeto his mercy. After that glorious vi<5lory,to coun-
ter-ballancetheZ)^z'/ytfof theDuke, my Uncle invented this for •
the ftampsofthe King about the yeare i^oi. whereon we might
fee a Hercules fubduing a Cenraure, with this word, Op p o R-
T UN I u s : And truly thiskind of encountring of Devifesis
handfome ,and I beleere ^^r^^i^/* himfelfe would approve it, foE
the differences that follow, theyjmay eafily be admitted in the
D^//^ of Coynes, to wit, that Hieroglyphicks have no place in
Dj, when they are rightly applyed, and
fothat the Temples be eafily knowne of themfelves, without need
of bearing their names infcribed.
Contrary to the opinion oi Ammir Mo ^nd Contile, BargagU
would neither have Dtfi/iy?^ drawn from Hiftory, Events, nor Fa-
ble : And FrafiagUto concurs with Centile, (o that the applicati-
on be made by comparifon or (imilitude, and that the Hiftory,
Event or Fable be g^nerallw knowne. See BargagU's Kw
fons. '
jiuies
AsformeCfaitb hej lean neither approve of the Fable,Evdnts,
nor Hiftory ; I cannot beleeve that another mans fanciecan be
pejfcdly cxprcfTed by the proofe oF a particular adion, which
perhaps hath never happened above once ; Therefore I hold, that
he muft draw it from things univerfall of their owne nature^ and
from Arts, which are daily ren-wed, and which continue, even
till they become iramortali. Rhetoricians hold, that that proofe
which is made by examples, is a very weak argument, as procee-
ding from particalar things ; whereas the Indudlon (which is
but a coUedion, or heap of many like particulars) becomes as an
univerfall nature, whereof the power is greater, and the grace
morecenfpicuous. In matter alfo of Z>^z'ify^J, who are obliged to be fttid obfervtrs of the
truth.
Here we muft alfo obfcrve, that it is lawful! to ufe the propriety
of amturallfubj^dljbeitanimaljplant, fruit, cr other thing, ac-
cording to the generall approbation or received opinion of ancient
AuthorSjthough the Modernes have lately difcovered it to be falfe,
becauCe the comparifon which is groanded upon a quality ,reputcd
true by the generality, though indeed it be falfe, fhail be more uni-
verfally received, and better underftood, then if it were grounded
upon a true property, which ngverthelefifc were held falfe, and
which were altogether unknowne to the greater part of the lear-
ned. Thus the holy Fathers did ufe the comparifon of the Phenix
to prove the Refurredion of ]efus Chrift. We may alfo appropri-
ate to this fenfe, the quality of the Beare, who (according to the
generall opinion) brings forth her young ones like a lump of flefh,
without forme ordiftindionofmembers.untill with long licking,
fhe renders them perftfl and poli(hed ; though Johannes Bodinw
hath lately proved the contrary in his Hiftoricall Treatife. But for
all that, it is not lawfnll to make ufe of it, according to the known
truth, v/ithout citing the Author.
All that wc have now faid touching figures, borrowed from
Nat ure, ought alfo to be undeiftood of thofe which are taken from
Art; And we muft take heed never to alter the proper afe of in-
ftruments, nor of fuch like things j As he that for a Devife caufed
a yoke to be reprefented with this word S u a v h . For although
Jefus Chrirt faid, that his yoke was fwect , Jugum Meum
Suave, it doth not follow that the yoke fignifies Empire or
command.nnlefleitbeinaParabolicall fcnfe, as that which our
Stviourthenufed,andwhereoftheufageismuch different from a
Vevife^ for that this Comparifon is taken, contrary to the pro-
priety of that inflrument, for no bead that hath born the yoke did
everfinde it fweet , but rather fo^yre, troublefome and ponde-
rous.
As for the manner of drawing Comparifons from Arts, to tiie
endtomakeanimpreffion or tryall of fome conception of our
wit, we ought to rake the fimilitude from fubjefts, by drawingit,
roT from the accidents or dcftds which are in them, but rather
for Devifes*
from the eflfentiall quality, which puts them alwaies in ufe, or by
which thc3'receive moft conimendation:we muftalfo have- acarc^
if there be fundry figures oFArtj that they relate to each other, and
tend to the fame end.
We rauft not onely avoid the ufing of a figure againft its owne
nature, as the Bat looking fteadily upan theSunne, but alfothe
attributing unto the figure any quality, but what is proper unto it,
though by chance it may fometimesfo happen,and feem probable.
Neverthekffe we may draw comparifonsfrom qualities, which
are accidental! to naturall fubjeds, fo that they difcover them-
felves by a like naturall, ordinary and known way,as the talking
or prating of a Parrot, who ftrives tofpeak in imitation of man,
which property is but an accident, whereof neverthelcfle we may
makeufein Dtff^yj?j-,asofaknowne andtruething. Thelikeis
to be practiced in making ufeofinftruments, infuch fort as al-
waies to have regard to their proper ufe •• And tis againft this Ma-
xime that Contile hath erred, who infcrted a Ship arrived in a ha-
ven between Rocks with this Motto, La bo re Et Vir-
TQTE, confidering the Ship, not having power tocome to the
haven of herfelf]^ needed fome other meanes to conduft her thi-
ther.
For the cleerneffeofthe Comparifon, as the Mataphors ought
net to be taken from things too much removed^ or which are lefle
preceptible, then the fubjeA which we would have to be made
knownc by them *. So the Comparifons ought to bs dra wne from
things that are cleere and intelligible, beciufe the Devife is onely
invented to difcover & explicate the intention of the Author,or of
him for whem it is made, in the beft «nd moft efficacious manner
that may be.
Moreover,it is to be noted, that thofe things arefomtimes ufed,
which have no correfpondence with the conceptions of the mind,
as if we had a defigne to expreffe the care and aftedlion that a Gal-
lant Captain (hould have for the fafetyand confervation of his
Prince a Turtle dove would be figured, becaqfe naturall love obli-
geth that bird never to part from her company. A gentleman that
would teftify that he could not live, without being con/oyned to
a Lady whom he fued in the way of marriage, made ufe in hUsDe-
vife of a Snake, with this Motto, Aut Jungi Aut Mori,
Ecifhertohjoj/ncdordie, becaufe the nature of that Serpent is to
Rmes
an accident, it is nevetthelcffe expedient to know , that for the
perfedion ©fa Devife, more then three figures mult not be infer-
ted, unlefle all of them relate to one and the hvotjpecies^ and be of
the fame nature and quality ; fuch is that Dcvije where we fee an
Elephant and a flock of fheep, with this Motto, Infestus
iNFESTlSji. e. offenfive t& the of ending : For as much as all
the individuals which make up the flack are onely infertedto
fliew the proper nature ol the whole Species, and to expreflethe
mturalhimplicity of that creature. See here my particular opini-
on againft that ot ^«tr^4^/i, who doth not regard the number of
figures, fothey have lome relation to each other, and fcrve to the
corrparifon : He holds alfo, that thzt Devife (whereof the body is
compofed of three figures, neceflary to the comparifon) hath a
better apparence,then that where there is oncIy one ; bcfides that,-
it is more difficult to appropriate the quality ofdiv.rs bodies to
one onely foule,thcn to animate one fole body by one Motto.
BargaglirejeAi the opinion ofthofe, who would have the bo-
dyGfaZ)f't///^nottobeothctwife nprefcnted then in black and
white, and laith, that this pradice is no where admittablc , but
in Deferts, where we can neither find colours, nor workman of
ability to draw them otherv/ife ; therefore this Author allowes of
all forts of colours in Devifes.
As for my part,I fhouldbeof his opinion, as to thofeD^z/»/tff//ff may be callM a Metaphor in fome kind, and
oj tm Mottoes
that this figure of Rhetorick is requifite thereunto, yet is there a
difference between fpeaking by Metaphor and fpeakingby meaneS
of a D^vZ/^jbeciufe in fpeaking by a Metaphor you demonftrate the
thing, which you intend to fignify, by the words onely, when as
in difcourfing by Devifes, you explicate the matter partly by
words and pirtly by figures. Whereupon have a care that the
expreflion of the quality of the figure, which is done by the Motto,
rctaine nothing Metaphoricall, but that it be altogether proper and
pure,tothe endyoudoenot incurrethe reproach of heaping Me-
taphor upon Metaphor no more in mzxitiQiDevife^ then in the
compofition of verfe or Profe.
Now as Me^aphorick and tranfported termes alwaies appear to
our underftandings with two fignifications, whereof the one is
the proper and the other the ftrange, externe and borrowed, by
meantsofthe Similitude, whichit hath in comon with the firft:
Even fo may we fiy,thatD^'z/J/<'j'prefent themfelves to our un-
derftandings with two fignifications ; the one is,ihe natural! qua-
lity, or the ufage of the thing reprefented by the figure ; and the o-
ther is, the meaning of the Author. Now to come to the appre-
henfion of the Devifc,vis mufl abandon the firfl fignification , and
difcover the fccond, by means of the refemblance, which the qua-
lity or ufage of the thing figured hath with the conception of the
Authors fancie. To prove that the A, and afford matter for the comptrifon.
For expreffionofthe propriety of figures, and the meaning of
tht Devife, it mucYi importcth,the Mettoio befubtile, and that
the Reader may comprehend it with pleafureand perfpicuity,en-
deavoring to out-reach the propriety of the figure,and to (crueinto
the very meaning of the Author ; For he that fbould onely expreffe
the nature or ufage of the figure, would notbc capabls of touching
the fancy of the reader fo vigoroufly,as to leave a plefant relifh be-
hind it,nor of producing thofe other admirable effec^lsjwhich ought
to accompany the undetftanding of a perfed Devife. Againft this
particular, that Devife would much trefpafle, which for ns whole
body fhould onely have a Diamond, and for Motto thefe 2 words,
Macula Carbns, becaufe this Motto would ofJcly ferve to
declare fimply the prerogative of this precious ftone,for the know-
ledge whereof the reader needed not any fubtiiity or acutencfl'e of
wit.
As for the fenfeof the Motto, though it hath been handled be-
fore, yet my intent is to give you here the opinion of our Author,
who holdeth, that the i^tf/? ought not to be too intelligible, nor
yet too obfcure, for as muchasthefirft cxceffe would diminifh
much of the forcc,grace and quaintneflb of tfce Devife^ and the lat-
ter dtkdi would in no wife dilccver the defigne or meanirg of the
Author; As in the Devife i)iii\t Sunne and a Sun-dyall, if there
were but thefe words, Ni Aspiciatur, the Reader could
not conceive, that it is the quality of the Sun, which leads to the
intention of the Author, thereforethe word which is added unto
it , NoN AspiciTuR, is moft proper and neceflsry there-
unto, bcxaufc it renders it more intelligible, (v;E.) unle^ethe Sun
u « ^^-R^n-
oj tfje Mouoes
reflet en the D iall^ the Diali is not regarded, ^
^ The words are inserted in the Devife either byTrofofopoeU
{ w'** is a certain manner of fpeech ufed by Rhetoritians, very effi-
cacious to move and ftrike the mind, by fuppofing that the words
come from the verymouth of the things figured)or by introducing
a third pcrfon to utter the words in forme of a Sentence, difcove-
ring with acutenefls of wit , the quality of the figure, which com-
pofcththebodyof thel>fw/?. And as for the ufe oft he Profopt^
fa:ia,you need notfeare, to caufe all kind of beafts,aUmechaai-
cailinftrumcnts and other things as well naturallas artificiall to
fpcak, though they have no Principle, faculty or organs proper to
forme words ; And it is in relped that Devifes ought in fomefort
to imitate Poetry, which doth not onely introduce brute beafts,
but alfo frequently caufeth inanimate things to fpeak, for greater
delight, to exprefle the fancy b8tter,and to perfw^ade more power-
fully. But for the introdud:ion of the perfon who beares the
Devife yto fpeak ini^iQ Motto ^ Bargagli forbids it, yetfome o-
ther Writers doe approve thereof ,- And for my own part, I think
that the choice of this introduftion depends upon the conceipts
and difcretion of the Author.
The manner of drawingthe conception out of a Devife ^ hath
never any vigour or grace, when the words declare nothing of the
quality of the body ; And this is onely to be underftood of thofc
figures which are cither borrowed from nature or Art : As for
thofe Devifes which arc drawne from Events, they appertaine not
to this Rule.
The comparifon derived from the quality of ths figure, ought
not to be expreflcd in the Motto, othcrwife it is to prove one ob-
fcure thing by another,no lefleobcurc then thatjfor as much as the
propriety of the figure ought to ferve as a meanes to make the
proof of a good conceipt. You will comprehend ihe praftice of
this Rule more cafily, bythe defers of that Devife, where the
words are,Sic Divina Lux Mihi, and for body, the
figure of the hearb called Lotos , which hath the property of rifing
out of the water,and of elevating it felf mcafurably, to the Sunnes
afcent above our Horizon , and of finking down with the fame
proportion as that Planet declines towards fetting. The firft
defedthatldifcoverin the Motto of this Devife, is, that it doth
not in any fafhion explicate the property of the hearb, which not-
withftmding wss neceflary, fince it could not be demonflrated
fey the figure, that this Plant is fubje^ to follow themotions and
exaltation ot the San, rifing and letting. The 2 errour h in this
terme (Sic) employed to reduce the Compariibn, which is not
comprehended, but by the operation of the underftandinG:,and not
by means of the words. Barga.gli finds a third defcd in It, in that
thewordsare uttered by the Authorsewne mouth : But formy
parti dsre not condemn it in this point, fince I have net asyet
met with any other Author that hath difapproved it, but on the
contrary , many able ones tluit have thought it fit to be imitated.
Aftcrfoexadaccnfurejthe Critickwas obliged to reformethat
example, and to propofe unto us the fame Devife without fault,
fubftituting in place ot the precedent Ay^ where there
is a Comet in the midftofmany ftars with this Motto, Inter
Omne s. For the Author oftheD^x^i/r who had a MiftrefTe cal-
led 'fnlia Go>}z.aga ^^xetcndsd that the fubtility of the Devife con-
fided in the fequele of thefe words oiOvid^
— MicAT IntbrOmnes Julium Sydqs,
the Julian fiar otit-fjines the rej},
fo that if fome words of the authority muft be omitted, tocen-
ferve brevity in the Motto, 'twould be better to cut them oft in
the head then in the tailc, that is to fay, that the latter words
fliould be rather infertcd then the precedent, here's anex«m-
plecfit. Agentle galeof wind blowing a fire, with this Motto,
Grandior Necat. Which is the end of one of Ovids
verfcs,
Lenis Alit Flammas, Grandior Aura Ne-
cat , An eafte vpiude nouri/heth the fire ^ bm a greater de-
flroyes it.
Now though I commend the dexterity of him tLat takes his
Motto from fom^ famous Author, yet I cannot approve the im-
Rules 4»
pudency of fomeModerncs who make ufeof the fame Motto,
which another AuthorofaD^z/i/^ hath invented, becsufe thttis
but to propofc tlwaics one and the fame thing, though the body
ofthcDr-z/J/Jrbe changed, whereas in borrowing the Mottohom
an ancient Author, you quite change the nature of it, by appropri-
ating it to the body of your Devtfe. We muft not likewiicac-
cufehimof theft, that makes ufeof the fame body, which ano-
ther hit h heretofore employed, fo that the conception bedi.T;:rent,
beciufean Animal, plant, inftrumcnt or other thing which is re-
pref li^'tdinthebody, may be dive cly confidered in their quali-
ties and fundry ufes, whereof every one may freely make ufe, and
apply them to his intention.
It is not ncceffary that the fcnfe be altogether compleated in the
^ofr«>,for it ought to give occafion of fome kind of ftudy to the
Reader. From thence it co.nmeth that in the Devife of the fiifh,
which the Italians call Mufcarolo^ \ he Latines NahtilHrn^^nd the
Greeks(£w/3^/5r>this^tf/?,TuTus Fb R Sliprema PerIma^
i.e. /"/f, i>othyat^top,and, httomt, woulibe more concife and
fubtile, if the firft word Tuttts were cut off.
Chap XIX.
From whence Devifes are to be aratvyie.
AS for the phces/rotn whence -i fiixh^Devife may b^dra wn,
I zmo: B argagh's opliMony who approves it not to be taken
from a like, a greater, a Icrfe, a contrary, a like and unlike together,
from a fable, hiftory, events, Hicrogiyphick$,and other places re-
cited by Ammirata, as Iroun the caufe to the efFed, froRi the effed
to the Ciufe,from the Cfcniti lo the Jpecies, & from thcjpecies to the
GeHHsfince in a word Nature or Art do afford {ubj rds enow from
whence to derive the CompariK:n,Similitu' dt* Bellej') is taken to depaint
thenaturall difpofition,or defcribe the conditions of any one>it
might include the calumnious BevifeSj as well as thofe which re-
gard the time prefent, paft, and future.
Devifes may with equall commodity as Well relate tothe name
as to the Armesof the poffeflTor, fo that thofe which allude to the
name be not taken from (ome fignification too much remote from
common fenfc or ordinary ufe j as the names whereof the Etimo-
Eules
Icleisdrawne from the Greeks or Hcbrewes. And for a preg-
nant example take that of a noble Gentleman called Fort - Es-
c u, I.e. StrongfhieUy who caufed a Spartane Buckler or ftiield to
be reprcfented alluding to his name with this Motto,w -mvit) hm ^f,
an ancient and famous faying of a Lscedemonianmotiier to her
fonne, when (he delivered him a Shield going to the warre,3nd
is as muchastofay, Sonne ^ either bring back thU fhieU^ or be
thou brought back^thy fslfe [dfa.l) ufen ir. Againe, the great
Conftuble Cr/o»»^ being received into the Academic of theH«-
w7(7ny?Mn Rome, ufed for his D^fy^y^ an cggcwith drops of dew
upon it, drawneupbythebeamcsofthcSunne, with this Italian
Motto, I L Sup ERF LUG, cxprefTing thereby, thathe wasafu-
perfluGUS member of thjt great and famous Academic of the H«-
morifist where you may obfcrve the body of this Devifc to allude
well by the humour or moifture of the dew to the name of the
Acadeir.ie.
Ch AP. XX.
jVhich are the beft Devifes, either thofe rvhich are taken from
NaturCyOr thofe which are drarvnefrom Art.
T Hough I approve thole Devifes whch are taken from Art, yet
I fdt a greater value upon thofe which are drawnefrom Na-
ture, becaufe this is as it were the Miftreff^ of the other: Befides,
Nature is fubjeft to no change, continuing flill the fame; where-
as the inftruments and cffeds of Art depend upon the fancy of
men, and have divers ufages, according to times and new inventi-
ons, there being fome which are not knowne but m fomccertaine
Countries and in particular Townes oncly. I conclude in a word
that all the excellence and vertue which vvefinde in things artifi-
cial! receive their origin from Nature, whereumo thenecrerArt
approaches, fo much the more prefed: and excellent are its opera-
tions. Whence it commeth that the bounty ot nature is knowne
tobccflentiallandfolid: Contrary wife that of Art appeares eve-
ry day inconftant and accidentall to the fub jcd:. Bargagli is plea-
fed to produce fome reafons to pr^ve, that in matter ot Devifes,
things aitificiaU are more valuable then fubjeds natural!. But
pr vevtjes,
formy part, I judge thedecifion of thij Problcmc no vvaiesrc-
quifitctoaTreatifeof Z^ifw/i'Xjfinceall Authors agree, that we
ferve our fclves indifferently both from Art and nature,and like-
wife from both together cx!r{amegfintilely,thGuehthofe which
arefcverally compofcdofthe one and the other arcthe choiccft.
BargagU will have it, fhatthofe -Di?^^^/ which we draw from
Art and Nature together are to be ranked in the number of artifici-
aliibecaufc that part of nature, which is in the body of the Devife^
wercnotableof it felfeto produce the effect, whereof the Com-
parifon is made, by meanes of which we endeavour to difcover
our meaning j for fo much as things take their denomination cither
from their end or from their forme.
Now for as much as Cyphers have fomc affinity with Devifes^
I have (fordiftin<5lionfake,anQ to prefervc^he Reader from falling
into the inconvenience of makcing a Q^^^r or a Rebm inflcad
o^aDevifg) here trarflated what Palazzi hath delivered upon
this fubjeft.
Chap. XXl.
Of Cyphers accerding to Attdreas PalAzz.i,
Tphersivc principally of 2 kinds, (to wit) of Aftions and of
,v or ds.
c
Qp^^r/ of actions are fuch as that of Tarquin Sptperkns, who
made no other Anf were to the Embaflidor fent on the behalfe of
hisfonne, but onely in his prefence whiptoff witha wand tha
heads ofthe higheft Poppies in his Garden, giving him to
underftand, that the cheifeft Citizens fhould bi fo dealt
with.
Thofe of words: fome arc (imply of words, as thofe which
compofe a certaine /<n of
DamaratHiy v;howrot upon 2 Tablets and then covered them
with wax, ts Herodotus relates in the end of his 7. bcoke ; fome-
times we call thofe things CjpherSj which are flirowed under the
obfcurity ot words or mifterious fenfe, fuch are "Enigma's, as this
of Sumpfony Out oftht eater came meat, and out of the fir on g if-
fued fweetnejfe. And that of VaSa t We have not lofi one of tht
animals that efcaped our hands , and we have lofi thofe we did
light upon. Here is inotheToifactjuesTorellyFano, Vulcan
hetrotme. Nature brought me into the rporld^ the Aire andTime
have been my Nurfes, Minerva enfiruHed me^ mjf force is great,
and proceeds from a fmall fuh fiance , thrft things furnifh me with
body and nourijhment. My Children are defiruUion^ ire^ ruine,
and noife. By this fignify ing the Artillery.
Finally, there are others alfo called CjpW^jinrefped; of the
matter whereof they are written, of which one kind are with fi-
eures and the other without. Cyphers without figures are thofe
which inthefe dales Minifters of State, Princes and Kings doe
make afeoffor writing their fccrets and negociations, according
to their occalions, but principally in time of war ; And there are
Cyphers made by new and unknowne Chara6lers,fuch as Cicero
efcd, every Charaftcr whereof fignified an entire word , as P,
CritHi and Valerius Trobus doe teftify, like thofe ufed by the Ju-
rifconfultsjwhen in ftead of digefts theymakc ufe of a double ff.the
letter L. for Lgw, this mark If. for Paragraph, and fo of others.
Chap.
J9r jJt^cs,
Chap. XXII,
Of Sentences and Rehns,
A Sentence is iplaine Conception or faying of fome particu-
lar thing cr perfon, toexprede his pafTion, the ftate wherein
he is, hisdefire, or focnecertaine propofition, as the Spartan Buck-
ler with thefe words, Aut Cum Hoc, Aut In Hoc,i.e. i
wltl live with it, or die on it,
Thofe Devifes which are deprived of Comparifons are no
other but Sentences or figuratc Conceptions, As this of Penncs,
His Ad ^t h e r a, i. e. 1 Jhali by tbtm aeqHire an intmortall
renorcney or by thsm 1 jhall ralfe my [elf: even to the heavens.
Behold here the difference between figured Sentences and figu-
red Ciphers. The Author makes no other ufe of the figures which
he propofcs , but toexprefTeoncormore names : And the figured
fentences and conceptions icrve to demonftrate the intention of
the Author, by the fignification of things inferted in the figure,
and by the words of the Motto, which explaine them, as in the
before mentioned examples. Cyphers are but the works of in-
feriour wits,unleflcfome able man doefometimes make of them
forhis plcafure. Some have been dtfirous to prefcribe Ruksfor
thcm/iy ing, that befides the figurCjthey (hould have fomc words,
which were to be a diftin<5l thing from the figure, and that hoai
them, joyned to the quality of the thing, we fhculd draw the con-
ception,as in thefe examples. Firft of afalfe Diamant with thefe
words. Pour Quoy M'as Tu Dblaisse ? the meaning
thereof being, Dy -Am ANT Faux, Pour Quoy Va'as Tu
Delaisse? Falfe lover ^ y»hj haji thouforfaken me? 2. A Lady
called Santa rejcding her {ervant,he in a paffion expreffes himfelf
with this figure ^6. and thefe Italian words, Per Che Mi
Fai Mori re, which words added to the figure ^5. i.e.SE
Santa S e i , conclude, S e Santa Sbi, Per Chi Mi
Fai Mori re ? that ij,*/^^<;»^rtto and
Chap. XXIII.
'f ^cont OfCimiersofArmes.
es being *'
tilt to~
rvithout f^lmiers derive their name from nothing elfe, bat from the
to each V-/name of the place they are fet, that is to fay, upon the Cimier
'.^^' crfummetoftheTyiw^rfer Helmet.
' 'the^^ There are fome without words, and ethers accompanied with
'^ call ti words. We may fee plenty of examples upon the Armes of the
nut if French Lords, Italians, Englifti and other Nations, butparticu-
• ^<'''«'''^^' hrly the Germans, whereof few are without them, whcreinthey
' ^'^"doZ "^*^^ ufeofall forts of Animals, and plants, as alfo of humane
arife a figures, asof wild men. Syrens and others. Moft draw them
■fon, from fome part of their Armes, which they enrich with a Motto,
proper- Bevife-YikQ, according to their Fancies.
Apr. i6, 16^6,
Imprimatur ,
N a: Br E N T.
r 1 N I S.
of^c'Au 84-F
i
GETTY CFWrrp l]r>.p.^'.