Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 134

The tomb of Giangaleazzo Visconti, first Duke of Milan

Instead of a tomb place Italy, place arms and dukes, and the sea which thunders up the twin gulfs. Add to these the Barbarian attempting in vain to break through, and bands of men bought at a price for fierce wars. Yet the serpent-bearer standing on top may say: who has placed me, a great man, over these tiny things?