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| Virgil Solis Busts from Roman antiquity 1540 engraving British Museum |
Were I a king, I could command content;
Were I obscure, unknown should be my cares;
And were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,
Nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears.
A doubtful voice, of three things one to crave,
A kingdom, or a cottage, or a grave.
– Anonymous (1594)
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| Jan Hermensz. Muller after a sculpture by Adriaen de Vries Mercury and Psyche ca. 1597 engraving British Museum |
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| Jan Hermensz. Muller after a sculpture by Adriaen de Vries Mercury and Psyche ca. 1597 engraving British Museum |
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| Jan Hermensz. Muller after a sculpture by Adriaen de Vries Mercury and Psyche ca. 1597 engraving British Museum |
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| Marco da Ravenna Leda and the Swan ca. 1510-27 engraving British Museum |
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| attributed to Agostino Veneziano Leda and the Swan ca. 1510-27 engraving British Museum |
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| Georges Reverdy Leda and the Swan 1550s engraving British Museum |
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| Étienne Delaune after Rosso Fiorentino Sacrificing to Castor and Pollux with four altars and lion attack ca. 1550-86 engraving British Museum |
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| Giovanni Ambrogio Figino Figure from a fresco in the Farnesina, Rome late 16th century drawing Royal Collection, Great Britain |
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| Giovanni Antonio da Brescia after Amico Aspertini Lion hunt from sarcophagus frieze ca. 1515-20 engraving British Museum |
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| Marcantonio Raimondi Putto feeding Satyr a grape ca. 1510-27 engraving British Museum |
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| Taddeo Zuccaro Drunken Silenus riding an ox ca. 1550 drawing British Museum |
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| Bartolomeo Passarotti Standing Boy with Banner 1570s drawing Morgan Library, New York |
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| attributed to Bartolomeo Montagna Standing Man leaning on a Pedestal 16th century drawing Morgan Library, New York |
I know my body's of so frail a kind
As force without, fever within, can kill;
I know the heavenly nature of my mind,
But 'tis corrupted both in wit and will.
I know my Soul hath power to know all things,
Yet is she blind and ignorant in all;
I know I'm one of Nature's little kings,
Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall.
I know my life's a pain and but a span,
I know my Sense is mocked with every thing:
And, to conclude, I know myself a MAN,
Which is a proud, and yet a wretched thing.
– Sir John Davies (1599)