§. 1. The Picture thereof.
MAtthias Vienna, in the piece of work which he confesseth to have carefully laboured * 1.1 the space of thirty years to make a present thereof to Pope John the two and twen∣tieth, giveth us a picture of Envy, when he depainteth it born on a Dragon, with a Coat-armour wreathed all over with Serpents, a Helmet on its head figured with Bee-hives, to signifie, that the Envious like unto Bees, carry sharp and sweet; and a Target all over pourtrayed with Batts, enemies of light, as is that which beareth it. Should I amply dilate my self upon his conceits, setting aside all the inventions of Poets and Painters upon this subject; I would place it, not in the deserts of Lybia, where the Sun onely shineth on sands and rocks, but in the midst of Virtues; because such are the objects of Envy: I would give it a fierce eye, a countenance spitefull and dusky; what is more sad and direfull? I would paint it sucking the heads of Aspicks for its ordinary repast, since so, holy Job de∣scribeth * 1.2 wickednesse, nor should I be deceived, it living on poison: I would set two companions by its sides, which S. Bonaventure giveth it, the one whereof is cal∣led * 1.3 Oola, and the other Oliba: the one (saith he) signi∣fieth the sadnesse which Envy hath at the prosperity of another; the other, the ignominious joy it conceiveth upon other mens disasters. I would make it dine and sup by candle-light, but they should be serpentine lights, whereof the same Doctour maketh mention, which cause straws to seem like unto serpents; so, the slight imperfections of men, which are but straws, are by the Envious, esteemed the malices of a serpent: I would have Truth present a Torch before its eyes, to dazle those infernall lights; but the miscreant should turn its face to the other side, for it hateth all which is true and solid: I would make virtue appear before it with a branch of Palm in its hand; but this caitiff should vomit up frogs, to marre this brave monument of worth, according to the ingenious model which Cypselus giveth us. (Verily, the words of the Envious are as so many frogs which on all sides besiege the be∣nignities of virtue) I would paint round about it screetch Owls, and Hyena's, and all manner of maligne crea∣tures. One cannot do too much to expresse the malice of it: Lastly, I would make it to feed on it self, as the beast of Martreas the Enchanter, and that it should rise again out of its bloud and wounds, ever ready for new torments. For doth not this infamous passion ordinarily do so?