Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes (Leiden, 1586)

Emblem 9

A king commands a farmer instead of an astrologer to forecast the weather

A king commands a farmer instead of an astrologer to forecast the weather
Engraving · click to enlarge

Experientia docetLatin

Experience teaches

Interpretation
Astronomer and farmer (Experiences teaches)
Interpretation (German)
Erfahrung geht über Gelehrsamkeit

Description of the imageAI-generated

A woodcut in an ornate decorative border. At the left a bearded man in a long robe and tall hat holds a celestial globe or sphere; facing him a bareheaded man in a short tunic and hose, who leans on a wooden harrow standing on the ground between them, and the two appear to be exchanging objects. Behind them at the right are two riders on horseback, one raising a staff or whip, riding away from the town; buildings, a tower and a walled town appear in the background with clouds above.

Subscriptio

Facsimile page
Facsimile; click the page to enlarge

TranscriptionAI-generated

A YOVTHEFVLL Prince, in prime of lustie yeares, Woulde vnderstande what weather shoulde betide, For that hee thoughte, with manie noble Peares To passe the time, on huntinge forth to ride: Th'Astronomer, did wishe hym staie at courte, For present raine, should hinder all their sporte. Which staied the Prince, but raine did none discende, Then, wente hee forth with manie Gallantes braue, But when he thought the clowdes, did droppes portend, Hee roade aside, a plowghmans skill to craue, Whoe, looking straighte vppon the varijng skie: Saide, twentie daies I thinke it will bee drie. Proceedinge then, his iudgement true was founde, Then, (quoth the Prince) weare thou the doctours Roabe, And geeue to him, thy Harrowe on the grownde, And in exchaunge, take thou his Spheare, and Gloabe: And further saied, henceforthe wee will allowe, That learninge shall vnto Experience bowe.

TranslationAI-generated

A youthful Prince, in the prime of his vigorous years, wished to know what weather was coming, for he intended, with many noble peers, to pass the time by riding out hunting. The astronomer wished him to stay at court, because present rain would spoil all their sport. This kept the Prince in, but no rain fell at all; then he went forth with many brave gallants. But when he thought the clouds portended drops, he rode aside to ask a ploughman's skill. The ploughman, looking straight up at the changing sky, said: "For twenty days I think it will be dry." Proceeding on, his judgement was found true. Then (said the Prince) wear thou the doctor's robe, and give to him thy harrow on the ground, and in exchange take thou his sphere and globe. And further he said: henceforth we will allow that learning shall bow to Experience.

Notes and related emblems

Iconclass

Suggested Iconclass codesAI-generated

Additional codes proposed for this emblem, not (yet) part of the indexing.

Relationships to the Adagia of ErasmusAI-generated

Suggested relationships between this emblem and adages in Erasmus’ Adagia.

Sources

Record ID: embstma_1667_emblem009
This emblem on the Iconclass site: https://iconclass.org/view/embstma_1667_emblem009
Copy: University Library, Glasgow, Stirling Maxwell 1667