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themselves. For this fruit is dedicated unto Jupiter, because he assists and succors the whole world: Jupiter being the
pure and refined air, by which we breathe and live.
Amaritudine (Bitterness)
To express bitterness, by some is painted a Maiden clothed in black; who in both her hands holds a Beehive full of
honey; out of which grows a plant of Wormwood. Perhaps therefore, that when we are in the most prosperity of life,
that then we find ourselves in the most aversness of fortune; or because we then know all the qualifications of the
contrary, that we may have better and fuller knowledge of the sweetness, when we have tasted any outward
bitterness. As also therefore, because by the similtude of the Wormwood, a bitter and stiff necked man was
expressed. Therefore saith Ariosto: "We know not peace nor esteem it, before we have seen the war and felt it."
Cecita delle Mente (Blindness of understanding)
A woman clothed in green; going in a meadow full of fair flowers; her head hanging downwards; with a Mole
before her feet.
Blindness is taken for the deprivation of the sight of the eyes, and by similtude it is understood for the blindness of
the understanding. Wherefore it is represented unto us by the Egyptians by a mole, as Orus Appollo saith. The other
by the hanging down of her head, which to the terrestrial and quick perishing flowers is bowed -- which are the
worldly wantonnesses which entice our minds and without any profit, keep it busied and employed. For how much
good soever this deceitful world promises us, it is but a little clay; which not only under a false hope of a short
pleasure is covered, but which also brings us in great danger all our life time. Of which Lucretius sings: "In what
blindness and danger, swarves man year by year." And Ovid also: "O what dark nights brings the blind
understanding along with her."
Vilta (Cowardice)
A woman meanly clothed; and lays in a dirty place upon the ground; holding in one hand a clod bird; standing as if
she dare not lift up her eyes from the ground; by her stands a rabbit.
A man is counted a coward who esteems himself less than he can perform; and who dares not undertake that which
he may perform with honor and commendation; and will not be brought out of this mind; and that through the small
confidences he has, that it would consist with valiantness. And therefore cowardice is figured out by a woman which
lays upon the ground, evil clothed; for women faint in their minds sooner than men, to perform anything honorably.
The tattered clothes, signify that in a cowardly body, are no fancies to adorn the body -- as doubting whether they
shall be able to maintain their gravity and clothing in an estate which appertains to it, because the common proverb
saith: "Fortune brings treasures to the valiant, but cowards she pushes far from it." And because the man has no
audacity, because of his cowardice, to perform any thing considerable: the woman lays in dirt and mire, with a foul
and sluttish life; never coming in the light, or to the knowledge of men who might supply her with necessaries.
The clod bird is held by many writers for a base and foul bird: feeding himself with dung and other filthiness; having
not the heart to seek his victuals with labor abroad. That she holds her eyes downwards, signifies the faint heart and
mind; as we may see the product of it. The Rabbit is by nature, very foul; as is clearly known to many who have
described the nature of them.
Sceleratezza (Roguery, villainy)
A deformed dwarf; squint eyed and brown of color; with red hair; embracing a seven headed Hydra or snake.
The deformity of the body is taken for a default of nature. For as a man who is fitting to do good, yet gives himself
to evil; that evil is called a baseness. For the same evil depends on the will, because he chooses the evil through an
inrooted ill nature: so that is called a default which is not in a body, according to the proportion or measure.
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