Aelia Laelia Crispis: Not Born, Rising Again

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ON THE SAME SUBJECT

To a noble Prometheus A reference to Count Malvasia, who is compared to the mythological figure for bringing the "fire" of artistic life to Bologna through his writings., who delighted in giving
Soul to the efforts of BOLOGNESE original: "FELSINEI," referring to Felsina, the ancient name for Bologna. brushes,
The French SUN King Louis XIV. brought as a gift
A famous ray of his within a gem-studded image.

When Envy, seeing in this the courteous virtue
Of AUGUSTUS The King is compared to the Roman Emperor Augustus, a legendary patron of the arts. returning to this age,
Cried for help from the most unworthy and wicked
Fury of the Abyss, and seized the noble gift.

But she stole it in vain, leading to a generous excess,
For by renewing the rewards with an open arm,
The King steals the memories of the first theft from himself.

You were deceived, O wicked and inexperienced thief;
The theft was foolish, for there remained behind
The great heart in LOUIS, and the merit in Carlo.

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Could then a barbarian hand snatch away
The likeness of a KING, who rules over souls?
The SUN of the Gauls, at the moment he extended to you
His shining orbits in a golden sphere?

Did not the lightning of the Divine Idea
Restrain that impetuous and fierce hand?
Nor did the proud Eagle Often a symbol of imperial power or divine justice; here perhaps suggesting that the King’s own majesty should have protected the gift. hasten to amend
The wicked deed of the new Prometheus?

No; for human outrages did not snatch it away:
Rather, it was the Sun's own enviable shame,
For he wanted the portrait as a companion on his travels.

But why? The high horizon hoped for it in vain;
Since he returns to you amidst the gold of double rays,
Like a new Castor One of the mythical Gemini twins; his "return" symbolizes the arrival of the second, even brighter portrait. to brighten your brow.

PER