This is the first emblem book to be published in Spain. Other editions followed in 1591, 1691 and 1604: a Latin translation was published at Agrigento in 1601. The Library possesses copies of all of these. The work is divided into three books. Book 1 consists of a dissertation on emblems, devices, hieroglyphics, etc. Books 2 and 3 each contain fifty emblems; the verses for each emblem are followed by a lengthy prose commentary. [http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/exhibns/hispanica/emblems.html accessed 22/03/14]
The instruments depicted in the woodcut prints in this book are
1. vihuela de arco (played on the shoulder), lib. 2, emblema 30, fol. 59 — the instrument is not named in the text
2. guitar (vihuela?), lib. 2, emblema 31, fol. 61 - according to the texts, it depicts the ancient Greek Cythara of Thelemaco and Homer
3. ambiguous vihuela or lute, lib. 2 emblema 34, fol. 67 — instrument not mentioned in the text