I Knowe not whether to excuse your nature ( good M. DANIEL ) or blame your shamefastnesse , which so much laboreth ( as the vtter enemy of your good name ) to defraude your labors of their deserued Lawrell , & in despight of arte to depriue vs of so delicate inuentions , which the best wits in Europe haue dedicated to posteritie : wherein surely , you iniurie your countreymen publikely , vnnaturally your frends , and vnaduisedly your selfe . But what can you pretend ? The seueritie of Censors , the nice delicatenes of Courtiers , or the grauetie of Philosophers ? What Philosophy taught you that ? That which is currant may abyde the touch , the yong AEglets dare looke vpon the Sunne , and that which is eloquently polished may abyde the presse . Why then may not your Iouius looke any man in the face , hauing arte to direct him , authoritie to defend him , all humanitie to pleade for him . If you misdoubt his grace in the Vniuersitie , the Muses will giue him their voyces , if the suffrages of the holy virgins in the Courte , they are Graces themselues . If onely the multitude Odi profanum vulgus & arceo . For I suppose you remember the olde prouerbs : that it is great trouble to make a Couche for a dogge , for that turning himselfe so variably , no man knoweth where to place the Pillowe : and so mutable and vnconstant is the multitude , that it is not for a wise man to indeuour to feeede their humour or fit their fancies . Yet doe not thinke that euery prudent reader is like to wanton Mistresse AEmilia , who would ordinarily flout the first line she read : or to curious Gonzaga , surnamed the Carper , who no sooner heard a pretie inuention , but would recompence it with his gentell girkes : Or to Theodorus scollers , which receiued euery thing with their left hand , which their master gaue with the right , or to the Hidropicus , who hauing no iudgement of tastes , yet neuer liketh any sawce , and condemneth all Cookes . Therefore I would wish you as your frende , neuer to sinotther so sweete inuentions , for feare of Censors , who in words perhaps will debase it , which in deede they conceiue not , and controll that they cannot amende , neyther following the counsell of the wise , nor the example of the vertuous .

There is another point in your last letter , wherein you seeme to marre al that you haue made , and dash that which so cunningly was deuised . For sooth you blush to open another mans shop , and sell Italian wares as though you were a Bankerupt in philosophie , and could not afforde any pritie conceipt without borowing or embeselling . I pray you Syr , shal Castilio be more reuerenced for his courtier , then D. Clarke admired for inuesting him with so courtlie robes ? shall Menander be eternized for his Comedies , and Terence forgot who gaue them credit : Shall Lambin , Cardan , and Scaliger , and the most excellent Secretaries of nature , Plinie , Matthiolus & Tolet , shall they be lesse reueréced , for perfecting knowledge , than the old Philosophers for a shadowed inuention ? shal the witte and capacitie of antiquitie sit in her throne , and disposition & iudgement of posteritie keepe the dore : no reason , the one deuised , the other disposed . Iouius therefore is bound vnto you , both for absoluting and blazing his inuetions abroad in this famous Iland , and wee are beholding vnto you for reuealing them to vs : wherein truely both arte in translating , & knowledge in iudging , iustly may chalenge their fees . You cannot forget that which Nolanus ( that man of infinite titles among other phantasticall toyes ) rruely noted by chaunce in our Schooles , that by the helpe of translations , al Sciences had their ofspring , and in my iudgement it is true . The Hebrewes hatched knowledge . Greece did nourish it , Italie clothed and beautified it , & the artes which were left as wards in their minoritie to the people of Rome , by Translators as most carefull Gardiners , are now deduced to perfect age and ripenesse . Concerning the nakednes of your stile ( which troubleth you without the colours or florish of Rhetorique ) Tullie commendeth it , al Translators approue it : and no man maketh so much accompt of the glossoas of the substance : of the gay suie bush as of the wine : Neither could it preiudice you at all ( if it were naked as in deede it is pure ) because you haue not done it as the Sybaritae , that bad their guestes a whole yere before the feast , to make some expectation of a sumptuous banket . A toye would require all brauerie : Vanitie all ornaments , and an Asse had neede of all his trappings . But your argument is such as can both moue and delight , tickle the eare and satisfie the minde . And our time also hath learned to lothe that od riming vaine , and to persecute the letter is cleane out of fashion , which begon by a bad portraiture of wit , and is ended by a ripe direction of iudgement . But why doe I rather aunswere the capcious , then satisfie the graue and modest , who at the first vewe ( I dare presume vpon their wisedome ) will subscribe to the supremacie of the wit of your newe Science . For if Courtiers are inwardly rauished in vewing the Picture of Fiametta which Boccacc limned . If Ladies entertaine Bandel or Ariosto in their Closets . If Louers imbrace their Phisition Ouid in extremitie of their passion : then will Gentlemen of all tribes , much rather honor your Impresa , as a most rare Iewell , and delicate Enchiridion . For there is not published a florish vpon fancie , or Tarletons toyes , or the sillie Enterlude of Diogenes : You prosesse not Artem iocandi or Potandi : You discourse not of Apuleius Asse : You trifle not as Cornelius the Brabantine , who Anno. 158. published an Encomion of Tuftmockados : But you present vs an order to frame Deuises , in shew glorious , in forme plain , in title straunge ; the which is so much the more to bee esteemed , being deriued from the most pure springs Lucas Contile , and Rusoelli , whom I cannot name without some Preface to their commondation . What should I recount Dominicus and Alciat , with whom you seeme to haue beene very familiarly acquainted , which addeth much credite to your woorke , and notably hath giuen light to your studies . But concerning the arte of Imprese , I neede not draw the petigree of it , sith it is knowne that it descended from the auncient Algiptians , and Chaldcans , in the Schoole of Memphis : who deuised meanes before Charecters were founde out , to vtter their conceiptes by formes of Beastes , Starres , Hearbes , ( as you haue declared ) and these notes were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .i. sacrae notae . This Philosophie was increased by Orus Niliacus , and Pythagoras : & was more plainely reuealed by Clcmeus , Pausanias , Atheneus : & in this last age reuiued by Pierius Valerian . But to what end serued this ? to shadow suerly their purposes and intents by figures . So counsayled Plaeto : So practised the first parents of Philosophie . As by the picture of a Stork they signified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . By a Serpent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pollicie . By an Oliue peace . By a Gote lust : drawing these Charecters from the world , as from a volume wherein was written the wonders of nature . Thus was the first foundations layd of Imprese : From hence were deriued by succession of pregnant wittes Stemmata Coates of Armes , Insignia Ensignes , and the olde Images which the Romaines vsed as witnesses of their Auncestors , Emblemes and Deuises . Then what was the intent of these Ensignes and Deuises ? What cause can bee pretended for them ? What did they import ? Iamblicus saieth that they were conceiptes , by an externall forme representing an inward purpose : So Fergusus the first Scottishe King did beare in his Standard a Lion geules , to bewray his courage testifie his stomacke , and dismaie his aduersarie , which being well marshalled , is borne for the atchiuement of the Kinges euer since . So did the Athenians beare their Owle : the Thebans their Sphinx : the Switzers their Beare . But among all inuentions , surpasse for witt & art your Imprese : neither lesse renowmed then the Insegnes , nor lesse heroicall then the Armes called by Paradin Symbola Heroica , by Simeon deuises illustra . Minoes a man otherwise excellently qualified in all humanitie , semeth neither perfectly to define Impreses , nor artificially to distinguishe them from Emblemes . The sole worde Symbolum euery way is to large and generall a terme for them , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that note by which we know or can coniecture any thing , is Symbolum . Now in this scope and generallitie , how is it restrayned , how doth he measure and fit that word for Imprese ? Sumitur hic Symbolum pro argumento seu nota qua quod piam occultatur , sed doctis auribus intelligendum proponit ur . There is great ods ( my good freend ) betwixt this adumbration and your substantial definition . If we respect the forme it is lame , and why so ? because there is no proper difference to supporte it . And this is an infallible grounde : for seeing it comprehendeth all the former , Standards , Liurees & Armes , it is rather an vniuersall note then a speciall Idea : if we regarde the circumstaunces , it is very superficiall : if the final ende , confused . Now to come to the difference of Emblemes , and Impreses , what subtilitie doth he shewe in it ? Symbolum est genus , Emblema species : This motion is to vniuersall , rather tending to deuide the genus then to define the species : but the difference must bee borowed , from the properties : and because this is a case worthie to be demurred , let vs consult more curiously with our artistes , let vs conferre with our professor , what distinction maketh Iouius ? I must excuse him as Traian did a certain Poet , Plus est in arte quam in artifice . For as Minoes iudgeth of him , Artem hanc incheauit potius quam persicit . But in deed these two conceipts are allied by so greate affinitie , their intents and pictures so vniforme , and consonant : that without sharpe insight wee cannot discypher their difference . Emblema is deriued of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 interponere , inserere : quicquid interseritur ornatus gratia , whether the inuention bee embrodered in garmentes grauen in stone , enchased in golde , wrought in Arras : and in my opinion there is great imparitie betweene them , both in body and soule . They are disseuered by sondrie Cognisances , established by reason and confirmed by reading , and may bee authorised , by experience . The mot of an Impresa may not exceede three wordes . Emblems are interpreted by many verses . An Impresa is not garnished with many different Images , Emblemes are not limited . In Deuises it is enacted that the figure without the mot or the mot without the figure should not interprete the Authors meaning . In Emblems is more libertie and fewer lawes . Impreses manifest the special purpose of Gentlemen in warlike combats or chamber tornaments . Emblems are generall conceiptes rather of moral matters then perticulare deliberations : rather to giue credit to the wit , then to reueale the secretes of the minde . What should I say more . This Impresa is that perfect Symbolum : for antiquitie to bee reuerenced : for worthinesse admired : for pleasure embraced . Pardon me ( I pray you ) if I rainge a little & chase a discourse in this so wide a Forrest : let me recorde some monument of the olde Registers of Greece .

Agamemnon Soueraigne at the seige of Troy , bare in his sheild a Lion saliant , with this mot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Amphitruo being encamped against the Thebans , caused to be portrayed vpon his Target . Cum quadrigis sol exoriens , and breathed life into that body by this soule , In ardualaurus . Artetemesia to testifie her selfe a loyal wife to her Lorde and King wore in her Tablet an Eliotropium , rising and falling with the Sunne , adding this mot , Persoluet vota pictas , which was verified , for she enterred the ashes of her slain husband , in no other Tombe then in her owne body , so that death could scarse diuorse them . But let vs come nigher hande . Vascus Gama being diswaded from the Indian voyage ( neuer before attempted ) erected a globe elumined with Starres , vpon a piller of golde , with this sentence Vndique par: respecting the auncient verie . Vnaique ad superos tantundem est viae . Haue : not our Printers also of late honored this proffession ? Haue they not bene at emulation for ingenious Deuises . Stephen glorieth in his tree , and moderateth those ( that loue to mount : by loftie witts ) with this Posie : Noli altum sa pere . Plautin beareth The tree of good and ill . a compasse in a hande : stretched out of the cloudes which measureth all , Constantia & labore . I will omit Griphin's Episcopus : I will forget all artificers , who commonly buy such inuentions at the second hand . I will not meddle with Courtiers , I will passe ouer the knowen Impreses of Moore and Cromwell , a payre royall of nobles . And now I will bring you to Church . A certain English Prelate , deuised a Lambe in a thorne bush , pitifully inflamed , yet casting his eyes cherefully vppon the Sunne with this mot . Ne cede . Tell me how you like this Heroycall Impresa of Curtius Gonzaga . An Egle flying on high against the Tune cede malis sed contra audentius . Sunne , with this word pur che , a parte of that verse of Petrarche . Pur che ne godan gli orchi , ardan le piuine . For that which delighteth my eyes burneth my fethers . A frend of mine , whom you know , M. P. climing for an Egles nest , but defeated by the mallalent of fortune , limned in his studie a Pine tree striken with lightning , carying this mot . Il mio sperar , which was borowed also from Petrarch . Allor che fulminato e morto giaacque il mio sperar che he deuised also a Pinnace or small Barke , tossed with tempestious stormes , and in the saile was written expectanda dies , hoping as I think for one Sunne shine day to recompence so many glomy and winter monethes . Therfore now to conclude , seeing your argument is plausible , the arte a noueltie , your first fruites ripe what reason is there , why you should priuatly bestowe them of some one gentleman : especially cósidering that you can please him no way better , then to pleasure his countrey mé . For who doth not know M. Dimmock , to be a gentleman by famely worshipfull , by loyaltie vnspotted , by office the Princes Champion : so also by curtesie worthy the Chronicle ? what neede you thé to feare the mallice of the weakest enemy that may bee a carping tongue , hauing him for the Champió of your booke , whom her Maiestie hath vouchsafed the Champion of her person , or why feare you least our old Academicks improue your art for a toy , seeing that wisdome is not incorporated to Nightcaps , neither must wee depend vpon the verdite of some conceled Philosophers .

Thus am I bold to animate and encourage you to your credite , which if I haue done to long , so vppon occasion did Tullio Plato , Seneca : if rudely ascribe it to simplicitie , if sleightly to the rarenes of your arte : if to copiously to a feruent desire : for seeing that in verbis est aliquod praemium , I had rather shewe my selfe to prodigall to my frends , then a snudge : which when you haue read , fier it . From Oxenford the xx . of Nouember .

I Thought it good ( right worshipfull and curteous gentlemen ) to communicate with you this delightsome tract of strange deuises , barcly clothed in an English habite , voyde of al such ornaments as are due vnto the worthines thereof : presuming vpon your wisdomes , who had rather gather a pleasant flower springing amongst the sharpe thornes , for the sweet sauour , then a gay colored weede for all the fayre semblance : esteeming the value of the precious treasure not by the outward shewe , but the inward substance , sith often we finde by triall meliora latere , and faire shewes to proue often fond shadowes . The tree Caliestephenon in Palestine , hath a corrupt barke , but a pure body : And well may a gallant blossome fit the humour of a delicate eye , when the gaynfull fruite shall satisfie the sauour of a discreet taste . But the Diamant hath ingendred a naturall forme , so that it neede no artificiall frame , a gay glosse may better beseeme a course Kersey , then a fine Skarlet . My weake commendations of these not able and rare inuentions , may rather eclipse their credit , then purchase their fame , therefore I referre them to the censure of your considerate readers , for whose better vnderstand of the Imprese of Paulus Iouius ( who in many places haue erred from the common receiued precepts ) I haue gathered into a certayne order the way of framing and composing all such kindes of deuises both militarie and amorous vsed at this day of the noble gentlemen of Europe , in adorning their glorious triumphes , or declaring their inward pretended purposes and enterprises , not by speach or any apparent maner , but shadowed vnder a certayle vayle of formes or figures in such sort as shall hereafter be declared . And although that to signifie our intentions by these formes or figures , of creatures , be not a thing more notable then speach or writing , which perfectly doe manifest any operation , whereas the other doth doubtfully discouer our pretences . Yet I say , that to represent vnto the sence of sight the forme or figure of any thing , is more natural in act , & more common to al creatures then is hearing , and thereupon sayth Aristotle , that we loue the sence of seeing , for that by it we are taught and made to learne more then by any other of our senses , whereby we see that all men naturally take delight in pictures , and euen litle children as soone as they can vse their hands at libertie , goe with a Cole to the wall , indeuoring to drawe the forme of this thing or that . This naturall disposition hath raigned generally euen from the beginning when the worde was but yet new , and induced nations first to figure beasts , plants , trees , celestiall signes , and such like , obseruing the nature and qualitie of euery creature represented by their figures , whereby in time they became able to shewe their intent to their frends and others vayled vnder the forme of these creatures , in which facultie the AEgyptians were most singulare as the first authors of this Hieroglyphicall art : as well do witnesse their sacred Colomnes dedicated to Mercurie , whereon were diuers formes and pictures wrought and engrauen , contayning great knowledge , which they called Hieroglyphi , To the which pillers Plato is sayde to haue gone and retourned with great profit . Yet notwithstanding , in my opinion their deuise was vnperfect , by reason of the diuersitie of the natures of beastes and other things which they figured . Whereupon they who drewe more neere vnto our time seemeth to haue brought this art to perfection , by adding mots or posies to their sigures whereby they couertly disclose their intent by a more perfect order . Moreouer besides the figuring of things corporall and of visible forme , men haue also represented things incorporal , which they could not doe more fitly then by colours , as representing sorowe by blacke , defire to shed bloud by red , puritie by white , &c. And now sith time hath brought to perfection many notable deuises , which rude antiquitie could not discerne : Let vs consider by howe many wayes we may discouer our secret intentions by colours and figures , as first by Liurees , secondly by Ensignes , thirdly by mots , and lastly by Imprese , of which foure kindes of Deuises , I purpose to set downe distinctly in fewe words their significations and properties , according to the opinion of the best authors which euer haue written of this matter .

This worde Liuree is borowed of the Spanishe , which they write with , b librea , but pronounce it as written with v. Some say it had his Etemologiè of Libro , for that Liurees are as an open booke where a man may reade the intent of him which weareth them . Some also will haue it deriued of Libero , and that for two reasons , the one , in that from the beginning it hath beene a profession onely of Gentlemen , and noble personages : and although that seruaunts do commonly weare these Liurees , yet are they not said to be their owne but their patrones . For Plutarch in the life of Solon saieth , that seruauntes were forbidden any free exercise . The other reason may bce , for that the Authors setting them to the common vewe , being not altogether apparent , commit them libero iudicio , to the free iudgement of the Interpreter . Some will haue it brought from the Latin , Liber eram , for that the principall purpose of Liurees haue been to shewe some amorous seruice , and for this onely intent were they first inuented at the beginning , to shewe that they which did weare them , were no more free of them selues but subiect seruauntes to their Mistrisses : as who should say , Liber eram , I was free , but now bound : according to that of Virgil , fuimus Troes .

It is said that Liurees of only colours , had their originall after this manner : that the Gentlemen which loued or rather ( to speake after the Spanish or Neapolitan manner ) which serued any Lady , with that amorous kinde of seruice , which is vsed in those places , were accustomed , to marke with what coloured robe their Mistrisse was inuested , to the end to decke them selues with apparell of the same colour & cut . But some supposing that to be to great a presumption , thought rather to addresse themselues in a habite of the same colour , as did the domesticall seruantes of their Ladie , to denouate humilitie , and shew them selues readic for any seruice commaunded by her soueranitie : Yet now , for diuers respectes , in this our time the discrete Gentlemen bound to the performance of this strict Obligation of faith and fecrecie , haue deuised a closer couert for their amorous conceiptes , by colours and figures in their Liurees , which are now more commonly called Deuises , in all the most florishing Countries of Christendome : which also is not forgotten of Ariosto , in these verses following , recounting the Deuise of Bradamante , whereby she expressed her dispayre , and desire to die .

Thus in effect in English .

There are first , diligently to be obserued in these Dcuises or Liurces three things : The time when : The place where : and the maner how they are to be vsed . Concerning the time : they are neuer worne but either in true or fained warre , or at Iusts , Turneis , Maskes , or at such like extrauagant shewes . The place sit for them , are on armed men or Maskers , worne in such place as they best like about their persons : albeit the Helmet , the Shiclde , the Bardes , the borders of the garment , or the breast , are the fittest places appointed for them . The maner of vsing them is diuers , according to their species : but first generally you are to obserue this , that they bee not too intricate in greate number , nor so confused that they neede some Apollo to resolue them . Perticularly it behoueth to note the deuition of their species which are of al kindes of Deuises or Liurees sixe . The first consisteth altogether of colours : The second of colours and figures : The third of colours and letters : The fourth of colours figures and letters : The fifth of figures onely : The sixth of figures and letters . Concerning the first colours alone , are now seldome vsed but of Mourners , or such like . As for example , a certaine Gentleman on a time , hauing ill successe in his amorous feruico , and spending his time in dolor and griefe , was aduertised that the wife of a certaine freende of his was departed this life , whereupon it behoued him to put on mourning apparell : and hauing occasion to shewe himselfe at a feast , he clothed him in blacke Grogran drawne out with Taffatie , & both cut on blacke Damaske , in such sorte that the Damaske was best seene to bee blackest : which mourning habite was no soner seene of such as knewe the historie of his loue , but they perceiued What it signisied , as well as if he himselfe bad declared it : and greatly did they commend the inuention . For with the vppermost blacke he represented sorowe for the dead : with that vnderneath he mourned for his freend : but his owne blacke appeared more and signified some greater griefe , and that of his frend seemed lesse , and represented lesse in effect . For in his opinion lesse griefe was it to bee depriued of a wife , sith she is called to the heauens , then to stand secluded from the fauour of a proude disdainefull dame , whilest an other enioyes the fruite of his desirued affections . But to returne to our purpose , Liurees of onely colours , and also with colours and figures are wont to serue in effect , but for the shewe of one day , either at Iusts , Maskes , or other solemne festiuall sportinges , where are commonly assembled a great multitude of people : and to the end that Gentlemen and Gentlewomen ( which giue the vew but as they passe by , among so great a companie ) may not stande to muse about the intention of the subiect , there is vsed a mot to declare the meaning , & these kinde of mots pertayning to Liurees , are to bee composed in the same language which is there vsed where they are presented : and it is requisite they bee shorte so that they exceede not two of our verses : very rarely are they made of foure , yet so they may be if neede require . These mots so composed serue for colours alone , or els for colours accompanied with figures , or with figures alone : and when they shal be ioyned with colours alone , yet are they called Liurces , when with colours , figures and the mot , which shall exceede three wordes being manifest of it selfe and seruing for no other purpose but to declare the signification of the colours and figures , they are likewise then called Liurees or Insegnes , and as I haue before sayd , they serue only for one day . These last properties rehearsed , that the mot may passe three wordes , and that it must be plaine and manifest , seruing onely to disclose the meaning of the colours and figures : note well , for therein consisteth the difference betweene Liurees and Impreses , which are altogether diuers . The ignoraunce of which distinction deceiued many in the composing of Impreses . And also Iouius him self in his discourses following was greatly ouersene in putting no difference betweene Impreses , Liurees , and Insegnes , as you may plainely perceiue . This worde Insegne is taken from the Latin , by the which is signified Standards , Banners , and also the Helmets of the chiefe Souldiers and Captaines , as may appeare in this verse of Virgil.

Danaumque insignia nobis .

Aptemus Clypeos , but chiefly it is now taken for Standards or Banners , which are capable of all such properties mentioned before in Liurees , as either of colours alone , as when they are all red , all white , all blacke , &c. Or when they are of seuerall colours , as white and red , or in like maner of any other . To them also may bee added mots , as many notable men haue vsed of late time : & also colours with figures , or figures alone : all in such maner as hath bene shewne in Deuises or Liurees . The Ensigne is also fit for Impreses , of the which I am hereafter to speake , and many therein set the Armes of their house : whereof to recite examples this shorte Preface will not afforde , sith ech of them seuerally require a whole volume . only suffice it , briefly that we touch them , to the end we may the better vnderstande the forme of Impreses : which before I come to handle , it is necessary that I say somewhat of Mots , which truely are of great excellencie if they bee gallantly composed . And first this word mot signifieth as much as Gnome , a shorte sentence or Posie , whose places are diuers . Some vse to set them on gates , as that which ( according to the fiction of the Poet ) was set on Hell gate . Lasciate ogni speranza voi chi intrate . Lay aside all hope , all you which enter in .

A ridiculous mot or posie is not to be vsed but in some occasion of maskes , or to quip an enemy , as for example , a certaine Cardinal in Rome for some offence being imprisoned , and after put to death , it was bruted abroade , that the Pope had done it to pleasure two of his Nephewes with his liuings , wherupon one liuely pictured the sayd Cardinall on the Crosse , and the two yong Cardinals preferred to his liuings , at his feet beholding him with this Posie in their hands , Crucifixus etiam pro nobis . But the mots which are chiefly vsed , are either amorus or graue , & they beare a great grace if they be perfectly composed with their circumstances & properties , so that they be short , & exceede not if it be possible a verse in any tongue . Yet Latin & Greek verses of six feete are to long to be vsed whole , wherefore of them it is better to take a part , as nullum scelus error habebat . And better are they esteemed being taken out of some famos autor . As out of Ouid , Horace , Catullus and other Latin Poets , out of Homer , Hesidus , Callimachus , or any good author of the Greekes out of Petrarch , Deuine Ariosto , Dante Bembo , and other famous in the Italian tonge , & aboue all , if it be possible , let them leaue some scruple whereon to meditate , to him who either readeth or heares them , and it is lawfull to vse them without figures , although that Paulus Iouius vainly termeth them so vsed , soules without bodies .

There is also another kind of Deuise called in Italian , Cifre celate , which many haue heretofore vsed being ignorant of Imprese , which inuention is onely for youth , and very vnfit for men of grauitie , seruing them but to sport with their Ladies , by conuaying their names into some Posie or figure , which they ware in token of their seruice , of this kind you shal find fit examples in Paulus Iouius , which I haue noted in the Margent . The inuention is altogether barraine , and vtterly disliked of the wise .

Thus hauing briefly touched the principall points of the former Deuises , it resteth that I say somewhat of Impreses , which is the most notable , ingenious and perfect king of all other . And first to declare the signification of the worde , with the diffinition , I say , that Impresa is vsed of the Italians for an enterprise , taken in hand with a firme & constant intent to bring the same to effect . As if a Prince or Captaine taking in hand some enterprise of war , or any other perticulare affaire , desirous by some figure & mot to manifest to the world his intent , this figure & mot together is called an Impresa , made to signifie an enterprise , wherat a noble mind leueling with the aime of a deepe desire , striues with a stedy intent to gaine the prise of his purpose . For the valiant & hautie gentlemen , disdayning to conioine with the vile and base Plebeians in any rustique inuention , haue procured to themselues this one most singulare , which time hath now at length perfited and rought into a more regulare order . And the chiefe places whereon they vse to weare these their Impreses are their Standards , Shields , Helmets , Brooches , Tablets or such like . The time when , is either in Warres , Iusts , or amorous seruices . And you are to note , that Impreses are not Hereditarie , as are Armes , for the sonne may not vse the Impresa of father , nor the successors of their ancestors , and it behoueth that they be of no other colours , saue onoly blacke and white , vnlesse it be rather to adorne them , then for any necessitie , and chiefly in the composing of them , are to be noted these fiue properties . First , that they haue not many kinds of different formes , for at the most there can be but three , in a perfect Impresa , vnlesse they be parts of the whole : as the Sunne , Moone and Starres represent onely the heauens , which may be the intent of the Impresa : or as many trees flowers and herbs , represent onely a Garden . As for example , a certayne gentleman figured a garden with Palmes , Bayes , Marigolds and Roses , with this mot . Tu haec omnia , to signifie that his mistresse deserued the Palme for her beautie , & that she was free from the assalt of Loue as is the Lawrell from the wrath of the heauens , that she drewe the eyes of his mind after her , as doth the Sunne the Marigolde , and that by the vertue of her comfortable lookes she reuiued his heart , as doe the ioyful beames the blowming Rose . But now in any other case diuers formes are not to be vsed .

Secondly , the mot or posie of an Impresa may not exceede three words , vnlesse it be composed of some of these . Dum. Nec . Et. Non. In. Per. Autsi . Cum. Vt. and then may it haue foure , as Nec spe nec metu .

Thirdly , that the mot be taken out of some famous author . This precept is good , but not alwayes necessarie .

Fourthly , that it be not altogether manifest nor too too obscure , neither yet triuiall or common .

Fifthly , that the figure without the mot , or the mot without the figure signifie nothing , in respect of the intent of the author , and this precept is of great importance , for many ignorant hereof , haue composed Imprese altogether vayne and voyde of all inuention . As when the figure of it selfe or the mot of it selfe , suffice to declare the meaning , wherfore either the one or the other is superfluous . As he which figured a Harte in the middest of fire , with this mot , Il cuore ho in fuoco . I haue my Harte in fire , or as he which depainted a Cupid , with his Bowe & shafts , & thereunto this verse . A gli strali d' amor son fatto segno . To Cupids shafts I am ornayned the Butte . Or not vnlike to that of him in Iouius , which figured a Chimney with a great fire and smoke , with this mot . Doue è gran fuoco è gran fumo . Where there is great fire , there is great smoke , in all which the mot without the figure , or the figure without the mot , might haue serued the purpose as well . But if vnto the fire & smoke had bene added this mot , Vtrumque simul , the Impresa had beene most perfect . The like defect had that of Borgia , which likewise Iouius doth mention , which was the mountayne Acroceraunii , wherunto , if in stede of feriunt summos fulgura montes had bene added Humiliora minus , or humiliora nunquam , therein had wanted no perfection . Iouius also addeth for a precept in the rules of Imprese , that in them thcre ought to be no humayne forme , which precept is most true , if it be in the ordinarie and simple forme of a man , for that rarenes is rather delight som : but yet when the humaine forme shal be in a strange & vnaccustomed maner , it beareth a great grace . As did that of Sinior Bernabo Adorno , being inamored of a noble and vertuous Lady , wbo often certified him both by speach and writing , that the arrowes of loue could not enter or passe farther then her gowne . Whercupon the Gentleman composedan Impresa which was a Cupid , holding in one hand the vaile of his eyes , and in the other hand an Arcobuze s●ttled to his brest , as if he were readie to discharge it , and thereunto this mot . Hoc peraget . To signifie that he had omitted no seruice , deuotion , or loyaltie in his pursute , which are the onely maynshotte of Loue , and are able to batter the bulwarke of a rigorous breast , and make the most flintie heart to yeeld .

Thus haue I in fewe words ( gentlemen ) declared the properties of a perfect Impresa , to the end your choyce therein may be currant , sith many deceiue themselues with a counterfeit . And so wisbing the happie successe of all your vertuous Impreses and godly pretences . I referre you to the reading of Paulus Iouius , till time my studies shall yeeld you a better present of the like subiect .