Music from 'Atalanta fugiens' emblem 2
Michael Maier's alchemical emblem book Atalanta fugiens was first published in Latin in 1617. It was a most amazing book as it incorporated 50 emblems with a motto, an epigram and a discourse, but extended the concept of an emblem book by incorporating 50 pieces of music the 'fugues' or canons. In this sense it was an early example of multimedia.
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Atalanta Fugiens
Emblem 2
His nurse is the earth
Epigram 2
Romulus is said to have been nursed at the coarse udders of a wolf,
But Jupiter to have been nursed by a goat, and these facts are said to be believed:
Should we then wonder if we assert
That the earth suckles the tender Child of the Philosophers with its milk?
If an insignificant animal nursed such great heroes,
Shall he not be great, who has the Terrestrial Globe as a nurse.
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