What is the meaning of this obscure Latin [and/or] rebus?

March 20, 2015 6:41 AM

I am trying to figure out the meaning of the rebus on this page of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. It's a strange work, but beautifully done: the printer of the book is Aldus Manutius, who died 500 years ago this year. Can you help me figure out the rebus and/or translate the "Latin"?
posted by lackutrol to Writing & Language (3 answers total)

Best answer: According to this description, the interpretation of the rebus is given in the block letters below. If you could locate that book, there is a table, not reproduced in Google Books, apparently explaining the rebus.

See Appendix B of this paper (numbered page 46). The Latin is given as:
EX LABORE DEO NATURAE SACRIFICA
LIBERALITER PUALATUM REDUCES
ANIMUM DEO SUBJECTUM FIRMAM
CUSTODIAM VITAE TUAE MISERI
CORDITER GUBERNANDO TENEBIT
INCOLUMEMQUE SERVABIT

Which the author translates roughly as:

After laboring sacrifice to the God of Nature liberally, in that way you will gradually lead back your spirit to subjugation under God, the secure shelter of your life will be compassionately guided, held and intact preserved.

Below that the author provides an image by image interpretation of the rebus.
posted by beagle at 8:27 AM on March 20, 2015

Excellent research from beagle, but something seems amiss with that translation, especially the first part. I took 7 years of Latin plus 1 semester in college, but unfortunately, it's been 15 years or so since I've looked at Latin, so I can't translate it for you. I'd look for alternate translations. The gist may be the same, but that translation just seems off.
posted by katemcd at 9:04 AM on March 20, 2015

Best answer: According to Joscelyn Godwin's translation, it reads:

'From your labour to the God of nature sacrifice freely. Gradually you will make your soul subject to God. He will hold the firm guidance of your life, mercifully governing you, and will preserve you unharmed.'
posted by HandfulOfDust at 9:53 AM on March 20, 2015