So, during Cade’s rebellion, when the phrase is applied by Lord Say, in answer to Dick the butcher’s question, “What say you of Kent?” _2 Henry VI._ act. iv. sc. 7, l. 49, vol. v. p. 197,— “Nothing but this: ’Tis _bona terra, mala gens_;” or when falling under the attack of York on the field of St. Alban’s, Lord Clifford exclaims, _La fin couronne les œuvres_ (_2 Henry VI._ act. v. sc. 2, l. 28, vol. v. p. 217); these again are instances after the methods of Emblem-writers; and if they were carried out, as might be done, would present all the characteristics of the Emblem, in motto, illustrative woodcut, and descriptive verses. It is but an allusion, and yet the opening scene, act. i. sc. 1, l. 50, vol. ii. p. 280, of the _Merchant of Venice_ might borrow that allusion from an expression of Alciatus, edition Antwerp, 1581, p. 92, _Jane bifrons_,—“two-headed Janus.” (See woodcut, p. 140.) IANE _bifrons, qui iam transacta futuraq̃ calles, Quiq̃ retro sannas, sicut & ante, vides_;— “Janus two-fronted, who things past and future well knowest, And who mockings behind, as also before dost behold.”[84] The friends of Antonio banter him for his sadness, and one of them avers,— “Now by two-headed Janus, Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes, And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper; And other of such vinegar aspect That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.” [Illustration: _Alciat, 1581._] Even if Shakespeare understood no Latin, the picture itself, or a similar one, would be sufficient to give origin to the phrase “two-headed Janus.” He adopts the picture, but not one of the sentiments; these, however, he did not need: it was only as a passing illustration that he named Janus, and how the author described the god’s qualities was no part of his purpose. Or if the source of the phrase be not in Alciatus, it may have been derived either from Whitney’s _Choice of Emblemes_, p. 108, or from Perriere’s _Theatre des Bons Engins_, Paris, 1539, emb. i., reproduced in 1866 to illustrate pl. 30 of the fac-simile reprint of Whitney. Perriere’s French stanza is to this effect:— “In old times the god Janus with two faces Our ancients did delineate and portray, To demonstrate that counsels of wise races Look to a future, as well as the past day; In fact all time of deeds should leave the traces, And of the past recordance ever have; The future should foresee like providence, Following up virtue in each noble quality, Seeking God’s strength from sinfulness to save. Who thus shall do will learn by evidence That he has power to live in great tranquillity.”[85]