Aelia Laelia Crispis: Not Born, Rising Again

While circled by jewels and brilliant gold
I gaze upon your Portrait, O great Monarch, Referring to King Louis XIV of France.
It seems to me that in that gemmed ring
Your Royal Countenance shines like a Deity.

I seem to see expressed in diamond
Hercules, who reigns in an orb of sapphire,
And if I turn my gaze to the rays you scatter,
You seem like Apollo, who gilds a starry sky. Apollo was the Greek and Roman god of the sun, often used as an allegory for Louis XIV, the "Sun King."

If I saw the warrior’s spear in your hand,
I would acclaim you as Mars in sonorous style, Mars was the Roman god of war.
Who triumphs over the stars within the sphere.

But if you give yourself as a Treasure,
Ah, you are Jove, who in true form
Descends into the lap of Virtue in golden clouds. original: "Giove." An allusion to the myth of Jupiter (Jove) descending to Danae as a shower of gold; here, the King’s gold and gems descend upon Malvasia as a reward for his "Virtue" (his scholarly work).

The August hand, which holds empire over the LILIES, original: "Gigli." The fleur-de-lis, the heraldic symbol of the French monarchy.
Grants his own Face as a reward for the labors of others.
Of hard enamel is that proud Countenance,
And fine diamonds have welcomed it into their lap.

To express the constancy of a Warrior Hero
The craftsman chose that strong matter; Refers to the durability of the enamel and diamonds used to create the portrait.
And to emulate the faith of a sincere heart
He gathered the flower of the shining gems.

But an envious veil hides the internal merits,
Nor can the art of APELLES depict Apelles of Kos was the most renowned painter of ancient Greece, famous for his portraits of Alexander the Great.
The strength and zeal of the Magnanimous KING.

For if such beautiful virtues could be revealed,
Heaven would have placed this Royal Gift
Among its own images, girded with stars. The poet suggests the portrait is so divine it should be a constellation in the heavens.