XVI.

Sic decipit Orbis.

VItro iudice quid puelle rursus
Metiris pumilum, stupesque corpus?
Pygmæis licet artubus, nec vno
Sis maior cubito, genus Molonum,
Illorum bipedalium Molonum,
Appendix hominis, gruumque præda
Cœli trans medias vehenda nubes;
Hoc Censore tibi videris Atlas,
Vel vicarius Hercules Atlantis,
Maior Encelado, Mimante maior.
Verte lumina, falleris Cupido:
In Mundo mera vanitas, nec vllo
Tot mendacia prodiêre vitro.
Fraus ipsa in speculo moratur isto,
Fraus quâ cæruleo sub amne visi
Crescunt Naïadum sub amne vultus,
Quâ post nubila, nubiumque partus
Pallescens soror, atque mima fratris

74 ↓

Maiori radiat Diana fronte.
Censor pessimus arbiterque Mundus.
Pellæus domitor soli, salique
Semen credidit esse se Tonantis;
Hausto tabuit ast vbi veneno,
Genus credidit esse se Philippi.
Mundus decipit arbiter superbos.
Ille Palmiferæ Tyrannus oræ,
Procrustes, Scinis, impius Tyrannus,
Herodes amor omnium improborum,
Herodes odium omnium proborum,
Clarus murice, clarior Pyropis,
Astris æmulus, æmulusque Soli
Suadæ flexamino tonabat ore;
Et iam tota dabant Theatra plausum;
Nec credi Deus abnuit Tyrannus,
Deus credidit esse vel Tyrannus.
Heu! nulli licet esse diu superbo;
Iræ Cœlitis aduolat Minister
Spargens artubus omnibus venenum,
Et dum vermibus esse iussit escam,
Herodem speculum esse iussit Orbi,

75 ↓

Mendax quem speculum fefellit Orbis.

Ce petit Myrmidon en taille, & en posture
Paroist en ce crystal vn releué geant:
Voy-là Monde tes arts, voy-là ton imposture;
Couurir du cache-nez des grandeurs ton neant.

Als ons des Werelts schijn
Maeckt grooter dan wy zijn;
Weet dat de werelt lieght /
Ghelijck dit glas bedrieght.

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72

73

74

75

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Sources and parallels

Compare: Quarles, Emblems, divine and moral, embl. 2.6

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No references to this emblem or page found.

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Iconclass

The reflection of Cupid is caught in the orb held by sacred love

angel(s) with sceptre and/or globe (+ variant) [11G1922(+0)]
love towards God; 'Amore verso Iddio' (Ripa) [11Q01]
radiance emanating from persons or things [22C31]
globe (+ variant) [25A13(+0)]
groups of trees [25G11]
index finger and middle finger raised, closed (+ addressing) [31A25561(+932)]
reflection (in a mirror) (+ variant) [31A51111(+0)]
border, ribbon, braid [41D2653]
orb (symbol of sovereignty; sphere with cross on top) (+ variant) [44B193(+0)]
archer's weapons: bow [45C15(BOW)]
(personifications and symbolic representations of) Love; 'Amore (secondo Seneca)' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [56F2(+4)]
Cheat, Deceit; 'Fraude', 'Inganno' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57AA621(+4)]
proverbs, sayings, etc. (with TEXT) [86(SIC DECIPIT ORBIS)]
specific aspects of Cupid [92D17]
attributes of Cupid (with NAME) [92D18(BOW)]

Sic decipit Orbis [16]

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Literature

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References, across this site, to this page:

Iconclass

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Notes