The text discusses the depiction of animals in art, emphasizing how expressions can be deceiving. It suggests that a fierce creature could disguise itself as gentle and vice versa, drawing a parallel to humans. Additionally, it warns against deceptions by using proverbial wisdom and biblical references to illustrate these concepts.
Facial Expressions.
The characteristics of animals depicted in paintings; it is certain that He also wished that we could discern these in observation. And surely, just as a proud Lion, or hungry Wolf, which are cruel, tearing, and terrifying, could have the expression of a gentle and kind Lamb; and that a simple Lamb (after which God was not ashamed to depict the righteousness and purity of our Savior) could have the expression of a Lion or Wolf or ferocious Tiger, what truth there would be in these Sacred Plays. Or how often one could be deceived; when the laws of Nature, every now and again, or often, forget themselves. For then a Lamb might sometimes appear as a tearing Wolf, and a poisonous Wolf might meet as a gentle Sheep or Lamb; and one would never be certain of their life, not knowing whether they had a Friend or Enemy before them; indeed, it would be more necessary that one, like a Soldier, is always standing ready, shield in hand, to meet any Animal, calling from afar, Qui vivent la. And yet each time be deceived. Certainly, it must not go unremarked that the Mouth of Wisdom, which has opened itself in beautiful parables, has painted this Betrayal very wittily, and pointed with a Finger; when it says of the Pharisees and Hypocritical Leaders, that they are tearing Wolves, who appear under the guise of a Sheep or Lamb, to come to men and devour them unknown. For those Deceivers certainly knew that the Appearance and Expression of their own Wolf-nature remain, that each would be alert to them.
Translation Notes.
"Sweming" is translated here as "expressions" to convey facial gestures. "Qui vivent la" is a fragment of a traditional call to identify oneself.