Bestiary: Constancy, Inconstancy and Temperance
The phoenix reborn, the restless swift, and the self-restraining camel
A text-only page of Leonardo's moralized bestiary in mirror script, with no diagrams. Constancy is the phoenix, which, understanding its own renewal by nature, steadfastly endures the burning flames that consume it and then is born anew; Inconstancy is the swift, always in motion and unable to bear the least discomfort. Temperance is the camel, the most lustful of animals, which would follow a she-camel a thousand miles, yet never touches its own mother or sisters however long it is kept with them, so well does it govern itself.
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Constancy — the phoenix reborn from the flames
Constancy is likened to the phoenix, which, knowing by nature its own renewal, steadfastly endures the burning flames that consume it, and then is born anew.
Inconstancy — the ever-moving swift
Inconstancy is figured by the swift, which is always in motion because it cannot bear the least discomfort.
Temperance — the self-restraining camel
Temperance is the camel, the most lustful animal there is, which would go a thousand miles after a she-camel; yet if kept continually with its mother or sisters it never touches them, so well does it know how to temper itself.