Signature a6v
Folio 6v, Quire a
British Library, London — C.60.o.12
HIGH
Vision Reading (Phase 3 deep analysis)
Primary hand: Multiple (at least 2) · Hands: 2 · Type: text_page · Sig: b1v
Transcription Attempts
left_margin · Latin · LOW
[...] pecoris [...] decorum [...]
'pecoris' (of cattle/flock), 'decorum' (beauty/propriety). Reader annotating the architectural description — this section describes Poliphilo approaching monumental structures
right_margin · Latin · LOW
[...] proportio [...] altitudinis [...]
'proportio altitudinis' — proportion of height. This is mathematical/architectural terminology, consistent with the reader who was calculating pyramid dimensions on p.14
bottom · Latin · MEDIUM
[...] stilo [...] obelisco [...] fastigio [...]
'obelisco' (obelisk), 'fastigio' (apex/summit). The reader is using proper architectural terms to gloss Colonna's description. This page leads into the pyramid section that begins on p.14
Scholarly Significance
Page 12 is the approach to the great pyramid. The architectural vocabulary in the margins ('proportio altitudinis', 'obelisco', 'fastigio') shows a reader with technical knowledge annotating the architectural passages. This is likely the same hand that performs the mathematical calculations on page 14. The consistent use of Vitruvian/architectural terminology across pages 12-14 suggests a reader with professional or scholarly architectural expertise.
Cross-references: Photo 27 (p.14, Descriptio Pyramidis), Photo 29 (p.16, pyramid woodcut)
Vision reading (Claude Code, Phase 3)
Annotations
CROSS_REFERENCE (1)INDEX_ENTRY (1)MARGINAL_NOTE (2)
Cross Reference
“much more agreeable region”
115
The HP follows a comparable model, bookending long lists borrowed from Pliny with either
architectural marvels, or emotionally-intense occurrences. For example, after collapsing into
anxiety and despair in his longing for Polia, Poliphilo falls into his dream-within-a-dream.
He awakes in a ‘much more agreeable region’ (a6v) and the heightened emotion of the
preceding night is quickly allayed by his description of plants, arranged by genus, in this
locus amoenus.
Ma compositamen...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Index Entry
“much more agreeable region”
am.
He awakes in a ‘much more agreeable region’ (a6v) and the heightened emotion of the
preceding night is quickly allayed by his description of plants, arranged by genus, in this
locus amoenus.
Ma compositamente de grate montagniole di non tropo altecia. Silvose di giovani quercioli; di roburi,
fraxini et Carpini, et di frondosi Esculi, et Ilice, et di teneri Coryli, et di Alni, et di Tilie, et di Opio, et
de infructuosi Oleastri, dispositi secondo l’aspecto de gli arboriferi Colli. ...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Marginal Note
plants, ground-dwelling herbs.
Et giù al piano erano grate silvule di altri silvatici arboscelli, et di floride Geniste, et di multiplice
herbe verdissime, quivi vidi il Cythiso, la Carice, la commune Cerinthe. La muscariata Panachia el
fiorito ranunculo, et cervicello, o vero Elaphio, et la seratula, et di varie assai nobile, et de molti altri
proficui simplici, et ignote herbe et fiori per gli prati dispensate. Tutta questa laeta regione de viridura
copiosamente adornata se offeriva. ...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Marginal Note
116
tanta utilitate ad gli Aegyptii, del suo dolcissimo fructo foecunde et abundante. Tra le quale racemose
palme, et picole alcune, et molte mediocre, et l’altre drite erano et excelse, electo Signo de victoria
per el resistere suo ad l’urgente pondo. (a6v-a7r)
Then, slightly beyond the middle of it, I found a sandy or shingly beach dotted here and there with
clumps of grass. A delightful grove of palms met my eyes, with the leaves shaped like pointed knives
that are so useful to th...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 127 (Ch. 6)
Cross Reference
“much more agreeable region”
115
The HP follows a comparable model, bookending long lists borrowed from Pliny with either
architectural marvels, or emotionally-intense occurrences. For example, after collapsing into
anxiety and despair in his longing for Polia, Poliphilo falls into his dream-within-a-dream.
He awakes in a ‘much more agreeable region’ (a6v) and the heightened emotion of the
preceding night is quickly allayed by his description of plants, arranged by genus, in this
locus amoenus.
Ma compositamen...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Index Entry
“much more agreeable region”
am.
He awakes in a ‘much more agreeable region’ (a6v) and the heightened emotion of the
preceding night is quickly allayed by his description of plants, arranged by genus, in this
locus amoenus.
Ma compositamente de grate montagniole di non tropo altecia. Silvose di giovani quercioli; di roburi,
fraxini et Carpini, et di frondosi Esculi, et Ilice, et di teneri Coryli, et di Alni, et di Tilie, et di Opio, et
de infructuosi Oleastri, dispositi secondo l’aspecto de gli arboriferi Colli. ...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Marginal Note
plants, ground-dwelling herbs.
Et giù al piano erano grate silvule di altri silvatici arboscelli, et di floride Geniste, et di multiplice
herbe verdissime, quivi vidi il Cythiso, la Carice, la commune Cerinthe. La muscariata Panachia el
fiorito ranunculo, et cervicello, o vero Elaphio, et la seratula, et di varie assai nobile, et de molti altri
proficui simplici, et ignote herbe et fiori per gli prati dispensate. Tutta questa laeta regione de viridura
copiosamente adornata se offeriva. ...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 126 (Ch. 6)
Marginal Note
116
tanta utilitate ad gli Aegyptii, del suo dolcissimo fructo foecunde et abundante. Tra le quale racemose
palme, et picole alcune, et molte mediocre, et l’altre drite erano et excelse, electo Signo de victoria
per el resistere suo ad l’urgente pondo. (a6v-a7r)
Then, slightly beyond the middle of it, I found a sandy or shingly beach dotted here and there with
clumps of grass. A delightful grove of palms met my eyes, with the leaves shaped like pointed knives
that are so useful to th...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 127 (Ch. 6)