Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 5).djvu/107

 The decoration consists of the Standard of England, the Prince of Wales's feathers, oblong panels of minute scrollwork, the Imperial Orb, the Imperial Eagle crowned, the crossed sceptres crowned, the pelican in her piety crowned, the sun, moon, and stars crowned, the fleur-de-lis crowned, and the rod of Aaron similarly treated. There is also to be noted the most elaborate Latin inscription, which, arranged and translated, reads as follows:

Upon one side:

O JAMES, SON OF PEACE AND BENIGN SERVANT OF WISDOM, THE MOST SPLENDID ORNAMENT (HIGHEST HONOUR) OF THE KINGDOM OF BRITAIN IS SUBJECT TO THY ROYAL SCEPTRE, THE SAXON RACE DERIVED FROM A STOCK ONCE WARLIKE, THE DESCENDANTS OF SCOTUS AND THE INHABITANTS OF FAR-OFF THULE LIE PEACEFULLY UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY POWER. SAFELY DOES THY KINGDOM ENDURE, ENVIRONED BY THE SOUNDING WAVES.

Then follow short sentences:

THE PART OF AM(E?)RICA—FOR CHRIST AND COUNTRY—FOR KING, LAW AND PEOPLE—LOVE TRUTH AND(—)FIGHT FOR YOUR COUNTRY(—)ALWAYS AND WITH SINCERITY—A MIND CONSCIOUS(—)OF RECTITUDE LAUGHS AT THE FALSEHOODS OF COMMON RUMOUR—FORTUNE HELPS(—)THOSE WHO PERSEVERE—GLORY FOLLOWS VALOUR (OR VIRTUE)—VALOUR (OR VIRTUE) SURVIVES DEATH—TO GOVERN ONESELF IS THE HIGHEST WISDOM—BY HOPE AND PATIENCE.

Upon the other side:

IT IS LAWFUL TO REPEL ARMS BY ARMS, VIOLENCE AND FRAUD BY STEALTH IF ONE'S SAFETY STANDS IN DANGER. THE TONGUE OF THE FLATTERER IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SWORD OF THE PURSUER. IN GOD IS MY HOPE. IF YOU LOSE ALL OTHER THINGS REMEMBER TO PRESERVE YOUR GOOD NAME: WHICH IF YOU ONCE LOSE YOU WILL BE POOR INDEED. GLORY IS THE SHADOW OF VIRTUE, PLEASURE THAT OF THE WICKED. VIRTUE LIVES AFTER THE FUNERAL RITES ARE OVER.

Then follow short sentences:

THE PART OF EUROPE—GLORY TO GOD ALONE—FOR OUR ALTARS AND HOMES—TRUST, BUT BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU TRUST—YOU MAY LOOK FOR FROM ANOTHER(—)WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO OTHERS—IT IS BETTER