anonymous, Thronus cupidinis (1620)

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Noli altum tendere [30]


tc1620030pict

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Noli altum tendere.translation
Cœlo errans Phaëton Iovis occidit igne, rotag;que,
Ardentesque simul præcipitantur equi.
Hoc docet exemplum pariter iuvenesque senesque.
Viribus affectent ne graviora suis.. translation

Niet te hoogh.
Wacht u ghy jonghelien, en wilt gheen minne draghen
Op yemant, daer de hoop noyt kansse op en von:
De jonghe Phaëton wiert van Iovis hant verslaghen,
Om dat hy al te hoogh yets buyten hem beston.

Qui trop haut tend, plus bas descend.
Gardez vous Amoureux qui d'ame surhaultaine,
En lieu trop eminent addressez vostre amour,
Qu'ainsi qu'a Phaëton il en vous aille un jour,
Qui osa gouverner la lampe souveraïne:
Car qui en lieu trop haut addresse son desir,
Le voit avecq regret en fumee finir.



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Translations

Don't be a high flyer.
When he went off course in the heavens Phaeton died by
Zeus's fire, and the wheel; And simultaneously the horses tumbled down in flames.
This example is a warning to youth and elderly alike,
Lest they take on burdens too heavy for their capacities.


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Sources and parallels

  • Snoep 1968-1969, p. 96, 102, 104. The motto 'Te hoogh bedroogh' is completed by the verses 'Wie seecker wil in 't Minne gaen, Die moet na sijns ghelijcke staen.'Krul, Minne-beelden, pp. 22-23

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