The Latin Works of Giordano Bruno

MERLIN THE ARTIST original: "MERLINUS ART." Merlin is a recurring character in Bruno’s dialogues, often representing a mysterious or ancient source of wisdom. "Art." is likely an abbreviation for "Artifex" (Artist) or "of the Art" (referring to the Art of Memory).

There is one who painted farmyard roosters, farmyard roosters: "gallos gallinaceos," literally domestic poultry. In this allegory, they represent superficial or fake creations.
Who, since he is not entirely unwise:
So that his clumsy lines might not be more easily detected,
The inept strokes of an inept artist:
He has arranged little servants and little friends;
Through whom he wishes the natural roosters to be driven far away. Bruno is satirizing rival teachers or philosophers who surround themselves with "yes-men" or "servants" to prevent their flawed theories (the "painted roosters") from being compared to the actual truth (the "natural roosters").

Since you are not ignorant of this, take heed
When you bring a true rooster near to the painted ones,
Which cause the long-eared ones to marvel: original: "auriculatos." This refers to those with long ears, a classical allusion to asses or fools (like King Midas) who lack the discernment to tell the difference between artifice and reality.
Lest, driven away by a troublesome servant, you grieve.