ON THE EXPLANATION

OF THE PRESENT MOST OBSCURE ENIGMA

That the first and most effective motive be

Reflection, no less than upon the Great Genius and Sublime Talents

of HIS EXCELLENCY,

To the SUN, the emblem of His Majesty. original: "Al SOLE, impresa di S. M." — A reference to the "Sun King" Louis XIV, whom Colbert served as a primary minister.

The penetrated secrets of the dark Enigma,
It is right that I consecrate in vow to that COLBERT
To whose vast intellect, sovereign inspirations
Know how to reveal that which lay most hidden.

Without his counsels, today even the wisest,
Work in vain within the Royal councils;
And only from his predictions, never in vain,
Does every great Enterprise take its motion.

With his intellect alone in such high design,
For the KING, who entrusts his whole self to him,
The Treasury Treasury: "Erario," referring to the state finances and public wealth of France under Colbert’s management. grows, and the Kingdom expands.

Whence now, in such dark excess, he may well
Like Prometheus In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to humanity; here, Malvasia compares Colbert to a bringer of divine light or knowledge. obtain light for my genius,
Since he, more than any other, is close to our SUN. Malvasia suggests that because Colbert is so close to the "Sun King," he can reflect that royal light to help solve the mystery of the "Enigma."