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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hypnerotomachia, by Francesco Colonna
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Hypnerotomachia
+       The Strife of Loue in a Dreame
+
+Author: Francesco Colonna
+
+Translator: Robert Dallington
+
+Release Date: May 27, 2006 [EBook #18459]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HYPNEROTOMACHIA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, Robert Cicconetti and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+  [Transcriber’s Note:
+
+  Typographical errors are listed at the end of the text. Side/footnote
+  labels in lower-case ([a] [b]...) are original; labels supplied by
+  the transcriber are capitalized ([A] [B]...).]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+           *       *       *       *
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+                   Number 87
+
+                  THE ENGLISH
+                  EXPERIENCE
+
+       Its Record in Early Printed Books
+             Published in Facsimile
+
+
+                 [Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+              (FRANCESCO COLONNA)
+
+                HYPNEROTOMACHIA
+
+                  London 1592
+
+
+
+
+                 Da Capo Press
+          Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ltd.
+            Amsterdam 1969 New York
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+   The publishers acknowledge their gratitude
+to the Curators of the Bodleian Library, Oxford,
+       for their permission to reproduce
+              the Library’s copy.
+
+
+                 S.T.C. No.5577
+        Collation: A-Z (4º), Aa-Cc (4º)
+
+
+             Published in 1969 by
+         Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ltd.,
+        O. Z. Voorburgwal 85, Amsterdam
+                       &
+                 Da Capo Press
+ · a division of Plenum Publishing Corporation ·
+
+     227 West 17th Street, New York. 10011
+           Printed in The Netherlands
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                  HYPNEROTOMA-
+                    _CHIA_.
+
+                      The
+              Strife of Loue in a
+                   _Dreame_.
+
+
+                [Illustration]
+
+
+                   At London,
+      Printed for Simon Waterson, and are
+  to be sold at his shop, in S. Paules Church-
+            _yard, at Cheape-gate_.
+
+                    _1592._
+
+
+
+
+               TO THE THRISE HO-
+             NOVRABLE AND EVER LY-
+         VING VERTVES OF SYR _PHILLIP_
+          _SYDNEY_ KNIGHT; AND TO THE
+        RIGHT HONORABLE AND OTHERS WHAT-
+         SOEVER, WHO LIVING LOVED HIM,
+           _AND BEING DEAD GIVE HIM_
+                   _HIS DVE_.
+
+
+
+
+  To the Right Honourable Robert
+  Deuorax, Earle of Essex and Ewe, Viscount
+  Hereford, and Bourghchier, Lorde Ferrers of Chartley,
+  Bourghchier and Louaine, Maister of the Queenes Maiesties
+  _Horse, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter:_
+  Is wished, the perfection of all happinesse, and tryumphant
+  felicitie in this life, and in the worlde
+  to come.
+
+When I had determined (Right honorable) to dedicate this Booke, to the
+euerlyuing vertues of that matchlesse Knight Syr _Phillip Sydney_; me
+thought that I could not finde out a more Noble personage then your
+selfe, and more fit, to patronize, shield, and defende my dutie to the
+deade, then your Honour, whose greatnes is such, and vertues of that
+power, as who so commendeth them, deserueth not to be accounted a
+flatterer, but he that doth not the same, may be thought an euill
+willer. Hovv your Honor vvill accept hereof, I make no doubt, because
+that curtesie attendeth vpon true nobilitie; but my humble request is,
+that your Honor may not thinke of me (by the tytle of the Booke, and
+some part of the discourse) as if I vvere amorous, and did speake
+according to my ovvne passions, for I beeing restrained of my liberty,
+and helde in the graue of obliuion, where I still as yet remaine,
+oppressed with Melancholie, and wearied vvith deeper studies, I vvas
+glad to beguile the time with these conceits, anothomising in them,
+the vanitie of this life, and vncertaintie of the delights therof,
+in the Dreame of _Poliphilus_; Which if it shall please your Honor at
+conuenient leysure to looke ouer, pardoning what you finde amisse,
+and weighing my good will, I shall thinke my selfe most happy.
+
+And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntill that I may present your Honour,
+with a matter more fitting the same.
+
+    _Your Honors deuoted,_
+
+                     R. D.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+             Anonymi elegia ad Lec-
+                    _torem_.
+
+Candide _Poliphilum_ narrantem somnia Lector
+    auscultes, summo somnia missa polo,
+Non operam perdes, non hæc audisse pigebit,
+    tam varijs mirum rebus abundat opus.
+Si grauis & tetricus contemnis erotica, rerum
+    nosce precor seriem tam bene dispositam.
+Abnuis? ac saltem stylus & noua lingua novusq;
+    sermo grauis, sophia, se rogat aspicias.
+Id quoq; sirenuis, geometrica cerne vetusta
+    plurima milliacis disce referta notis.
+Hic sunt Pyramides, thermæ, ingentesq; Colossi,
+    ac Obeliscorum forma vetusta patet.
+Hic diuersa basis fulget, variæque columnæ
+    illarumq; arcus, Zophora, epistilia,
+Et capita atq; trabes, et cum quadrante coronæ
+    symmetria, & quicquid tecta superba facit.
+Hic regum cernes exculta palatia, cultus
+    Nympharum, fontes, egregiasque epulas.
+Hinc bicolor chorea est latronum, expressaque tota
+    in Laberintheis vita hominum tenebris.
+Hinc lege de triplici quæ maiestate tonantis
+    dicat, & in portis egerit ipse tribus._
+Polia _qua fuerit forma, quam culta, tryumphos
+    inde Iouis specta quatuor æthereos.
+Hæc præter varios affectus narrat amoris,
+    atque opera & quantum sæuiat ille Deus._
+
+
+
+
+Faultes escaped in the printing.
+
+  [Transcriber’s Note:
+  The corrections listed here have been made in the text. In many cases
+  the printed form is different from that shown under “faults”; these
+  original forms are given in [brackets].]
+
+  +------+-------+-------+--------------------+---------------------+
+  | Fol. | page. | line. | faults.            | correction.         |
+  |      |       |       |                    |                     |
+  |  1.  |   2   |  38   | I begin of the     | I began the         |
+  |  4.  |   2   |   8   | member.            | members.            |
+  |  6.  |   1   |  12   | troake,            | trunke,             |
+  |  6.  |   2   |   3   | assured,           | azur’d.             |
+  |  7.  |   1   |  33   | fiing, [fying]     | flying.             |
+  |  10  |   1   |  23   | Laborinth,         | Laborinths.         |
+  |      |       |       |   [laborinth]      |                     |
+  |  10  |   2   |  20   | Palia.             | Polia.              |
+  |  11  |   1   |   2   | foote,             | fowre.              |
+  |  11  |   1   |  29   | cariec, [carreic]  | carrier.            |
+  |      |       |       |   [carreic]        |                     |
+  |  11  |   2   |   3   | backs, [backes]    | backe.              |
+  |  12  |   1   |  11   | pecee, [peeee]     | peece.              |
+  |  13  |   1   |   3   | adolestency,       | adolescency.        |
+  |      |       |       |   [adolestencie]   |                     |
+  |  13  |   1   |   5   | soliature.         | foliature.          |
+  |  14  |   1   |  29   | stone,             | sonne.              |
+  |  19  |   2   |  12   | soliature,         | foliature.          |
+  |  19  |   2   |  25   | briganine,         | brigandine.         |
+  |      |       |       |   [bryganine]      |                     |
+  |  19  |   2   |  39   | all.               | off.                |
+  +------+-------+-------+--------------------+---------------------+
+
+  +------+-------+-------+--------------------+---------------------+
+  | Fol. | page. | line. | faultes.           | correction.         |
+  |      |       |       |                    |                     |
+  |  21  |   1   |  38   | subuaging,         | suruaighing         |
+  |      |       |       |   [sub-/vaging     |                     |
+  |      |       |       |   at line break]   |                     |
+  |  21  |   2   |   2   | sardins, [Sardins] | sardius.            |
+  |  22  |   1   |   7   | vanubraces,        | vaumbraces.         |
+  |      |       |       |   [Vanubraces]     |                     |
+  |  22  |   1   |  12   | coronie, [Coromie] | coronice.           |
+  |  22  |   2   |  18   | Daphus,            | Daphne.             |
+  |  22  |   1   |  28   | chanifered,        | chamfered.          |
+  |  22  |   1   |  30   | contract,          | contrast.           |
+  |  22  |   2   |  29   | Aehanthis.         | Achanthis.          |
+  |      |       |       |   [Aehanthus]      |                     |
+  |  23  |   1   |  12   | hapies, [Hapies]   | Harpies.            |
+  |  23  |   1   |  15   | fishen,            | fishie.             |
+  |  23  |   2   |   4   | did Anaglipts,     | did y^e Anaglipts   |
+  |  23  |   2   |   5   | Briapis,           | Briaxes.            |
+  |  24  |   2   |  22   | Andraene,          | Andracine.          |
+  |      |       |       |   [Andraeme]       |                     |
+  |  24  |   2   |  32   | bel flowred        | bell flowre.        |
+  |      |       |       |  fox gloue,        |                     |
+  |      |       |       |   [bell flowered   |                     |
+  |      |       |       |    Foxgloue]       |                     |
+  |  26  |   2   |   2   | menifis,           | memphis.            |
+  |      |       |       |   [Meniphis]       |                     |
+  |  26  |   2   |  34   | which my,          | which with my       |
+  |  28  |   2   |   8   | vastus, [vastues]  | vastnes.            |
+  +------+-------+-------+--------------------+---------------------+
+
+
+
+
+                      [Decoration]
+
+               Poliphili hypnerotomachia,
+        Wherein he sheweth, that all humaine and
+worldlie things are but a dreame, and but as vanitie it
+   _selfe. In the setting foorth whereof many things_
+          are figured worthie of remembrance.
+
+
+_The Author beginneth his _Hypnerotomachia_, to set downe the hower
+  and time when in his sleepe it seemed to him that hee was in a quiet
+  solitarie desart, and vninhabited plaine, and from thence afterward
+  how he entered vnaduisedly before he was aware, with great feare,
+  into a darke obscure and vnfrequented wood._
+
+
+The discription of the morning.
+
+What houre as _Phœbus_[a] issuing foorth, did bewtifie with brightnesse
+the forhead of _Leucothea_[b], and appearing out of the Occean waues,
+not fully shewing his turning wheeles, that had beene hung vp, but
+speedily with his swift horses _Pyrous_ & _Eous_[c], hastning his
+course, and giuing a tincture to the Spiders webbes, among the greene
+leaues and tender prickles of the Vermilion Roses, in the pursuite
+whereof he shewed himselfe most swift & glistering, now vpon the neuer
+resting and still moouing waues, he crysped vp his irradient heyres.
+
+    [Sidenote a: Phæbus the Sunne.]
+
+    [Sidenote b: Leucothea the morning.]
+
+    [Sidenote c: Pyr & Eo, the horses of the Sunne.]
+
+Vppon whose vprising, euen at that instant, the vnhorned Moone
+dismounted hir selfe, losing from hir Chariot hir two horses, the one
+white and the other browne, and drewe to the Horrison[d] different from
+the Hemisphere[e] from whence she came.
+
+    [Sidenote d: Horison a circle deuiding the halfe speare of the
+    firmament from the other halfe which we doe not see.]
+
+    [Sidenote e: Hemispere is halfe the compasse of the visible heauen.]
+
+And when as the mountaines and hilles were beautifull, and the northeast
+winds had left of to make barraine with the sharpnesse of their blasts,
+the tender sprigs to disquiet the moouing reedes, the fenny Bulrush, and
+weake Cyprus, to torment the foulding Vines, to trouble the bending
+Willowe, and to breake downe the brittle Firre bowghes, vnder the hornes
+of the lasciuious Bull, as they do in winter.
+
+At that very houre, as the diuers coulered flowers and greene meades, at
+the comming of the sunne of _Hypperion_[f] feare not his burning heate,
+being bedued and sprinkled with the Christalline teares of the sweete
+morning, when as the _Halcyons_[g] vpon the leuell waues of the stil,
+calme, and quiet flowing seas, do build their nests in sight of the
+sandie shore, whereas the sorrowfull _Ero_, with scalding sighes did
+behold the dolorous and vngrate departure of hir swimming _Leander_[h].
+
+    [Sidenote f: Hyperion the Sunne.]
+
+    [Sidenote g: Halcyons are certaine byrds which building near the
+    shore vpon the waues there will be no storme vntill the young be
+    hatched.]
+
+    [Sidenote h: Leander a young man of Abydos, who in swimming ouer
+    Hellespont (a narow sea) by Byzantium, which parteth Europ from
+    Asia) to Sestus, was in the sight of his louer Ero of Sestus
+    drowned, which she seeing, threw hir self down into the sea, and
+    died with him.]
+
+I lying vpon my bed, an oportune and meet freend to a wearie body, no
+creature accompaning me in my chamber, besides the attender vppon my
+body, and vsuall night lights, who after that she had vsed diuers
+speeches, to the end shee might comfort me, hauing vnderstood before of
+me, the originall cause of my hollow and deepe sighes, she indeuored hir
+best to moderate, if at least she might, that, my perturbed and
+pittifull estate. But when she sawe that I was desirous of sleepe, she
+tooke leaue to depart.
+
+Then I being left alone to the high cogitations of loue, hauing passed
+ouer a long and tedious night without sleepe, through my barren fortune,
+and aduerse constellation, altogether vncomforted and sorrowfull, by
+means of my vntimely and not prosperous loue, weeping, I recounted from
+point to point, what a thing vnequall loue is: and how fitly one may
+loue that dooth not loue: and what defence there may bee made against
+the vnaccustomed, yet dayly assaults of loue: for a naked soule
+altogether vnarmed, the seditious strife, especially being intestine:
+a fresh still setting vpon with vnstable and new thoughts.
+
+In this sort brought to so miserable an estate, and for a long while
+plunged in a deepe poole of bitter sorrowes, at length my wandring
+sences being wearie to feede still vpon vnsauorie and fayned pleasure,
+but directly and without deceit, vppon the rare diuine obiect: whose
+reuerende _Idea_ is deeply imprinted within me, and liueth ingrauen in
+the secret of my heart, from which proceedeth this so great and
+vncessant a strife, continually renuing my cruell torments without
+intermission. I began the conditions of those miserable louers, who for
+their mistresses pleasures desire their owne deaths, and in their best
+delights do think themselues most vnhappie, feeding their framed
+passions not otherwise then with fithfull imaginations. And then as a
+weary bodye after a sore labour, so I, somewhat in outward shew
+qualified, in the payne of my sorrowfull thoughts, and hauing
+incloystered and shut vp the course of my distilling teares: whose drops
+had watered my pale cheekes, thorow amorous griefe, desired some
+needfull rest.
+
+At length my moyst eyes being closed within their bloudshotten and
+reddish liddes, presently betwixt a bitter life and a sweet death, I was
+in them inuaded and ouercome, with a heauie sleepe, who with my minde
+and watchfull spirits, were no pertakers of so high an operation.
+
+Me thought that I was in a large, plaine, and champion place, all greene
+and diuersly spotted with many sorted flowerrs, wherby it seemed
+passingly adorned. In which by reason of the milde and gentle ayre,
+there was a still quyet whisht: Inso much that my attentiue eares did
+heare no noyse, neither did any framed speech peirce into them, but with
+the gratious beames of the sunne, the sliding time passed.
+
+In which place with a fearefull admiration, looking about me, I sayd
+thus to my selfe. Heere appeareth no humaine creature to my sight, nor
+syluã beast, flying bird, coũtrey house, field tent, or shepheards cote:
+neyther vpon the gras could I perceiue feeding eyther flock of sheep,
+or heard of cattell, or rustike herdman with Oten pipe making pastorall
+melodie, but onely taking the benefit of the place, and quietnesse of
+the plaine, which assured mee to be without feare, I directed my course
+still forward, regarding on eyther side the tender leaues and thick
+grasse, which rested vnstirred, without the beholding of any motion.
+
+At length my ignorant sleepes, brought me into a thick wood, whereinto
+being a pritty way entred, I could not tell how to get out of it.
+Wherevpon, a soddaine feare inuaded my hart, and diffused it selfe into
+euery ioynt, so that my couler began to waxe pale, and the rather by
+reason that I was alone, and vnarmed, and could not finde any track or
+path, eyther to direct me forward, or lead me back againe. But a darke
+wood of thicke bushes, sharpe thornes, tall ashes haled of the Viper,
+towgh Elmes beloued of the fruitfull vines, harde Ebony, strong Okes,
+soft Beeche, and browne Hasils, who intertaining one anothers branches,
+with a naturall goodwill opposed themselues, to resist the entrance of
+the gratious sunne shine, with the greene couerture of their innumerable
+leaues. And in this sort I found my selfe in a fresh shadowe, a coole
+ayre, and a solytarie thicket.
+
+VVherevpon my reason perswaded me to beleeue, that this vast wood, was
+onely a receptacle for sauage and hurtfull beasts, as the tusked
+Bore, the furious and bloudthirstie Beare, the hissing serpent, and
+inuading VVoolfe, against which I was vnprouided to make resistance, but
+rayther as a praye sent amongst them, miserablie to haue my flesh and
+bones rent and gnawne in peeces.
+
+And thus forecasting the woorst that might follow, I was resolued not to
+abide there, but to seeke to get out, that I might the better eschew
+such suspected occurrents, and taking my selfe to my feete, I wandred
+now this way, now that way, sometime to the right hand, sometime to the
+left: nowe forwarde, then backe againe, not knowing how to goe among the
+thicke bowghes and tearing thornes, bearing vpon my face: rending my
+clothes, and houlding me sometimes hanging in them, whereby my hast in
+getting foorth was much hyndered. In this vnaccustomed labour: and
+without any helpe but onely the keeping of the sunne still vpon one
+side, to direct mee streight forwarde: I grewe extreamely hoate and
+faynte, not knowing what to doe, but onely in a wearye body, to conteine
+a minde distraught through troublesome thoughts, breathing out hollow
+and deepe sighes, desiring helpe of the pittifull _Cretensian Ariadne_,
+who for the destroying of hir monstrous brother the _Mynotaur_[A] gaue
+vnto the deceitfull _Theseus_ a clew of thred, to conduct him foorth of
+the intricate laborinth, that I also by some such meanes might be
+deliuered out of this obscure wood.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Minotaurus a monster in Creete, born of Pasiphae which
+    being inclosed in the laborinth fed on mans flesh, whome Theseus
+    slew and got out of the laborinth by a clew of thred giuen by
+    Ariadne king Minoes daughter, after wife to Theseus, who did forsake
+    hir, and left hir in a disinhabited Ile, notwithstanding that she
+    had saued his life.]
+
+
+
+
+  [Decoration]
+
+_Poliphilus being thus distempered in this daungerous and obscure wood,
+  at length getteth foorth, and being come to a faire Riuer, indeuoring
+  to rest himselfe and coole his heate, he heard a most delightful
+  harmonie, which made him forget to drinke, and followe after the
+  voice, which brought him to a woorse perplexitie._
+
+
+Feare and desire of freedome thus occupying my sences, my vnderstanding
+was blinded, neyther did I knowe whether it were better for mee eyther
+to wishe for hated death, or in so dreadfull a place to hope for desired
+life. Thus euery way discontent, I did indeuour, with all force and
+diligence to get foorth, wherin the more I did striue the more I found
+my selfe intangled, and so infeebled with wearinesse, that on euery side
+I feared, when some cruell beast should come and deuoure me, or els
+vnawares to tumble downe into some deepe pit or hollow place.
+
+Wherefore more trembling then in mustulent _Autume_ be the yealow
+coulored leaue, hauing left their moisture, being thorowlye searched
+with the furious north winde, I lifted vp my hart to God, desiring as
+_Achemenides_ being afraide of the horrible _Cyclops_ rather to be
+slaine by the hands of _Aeneas_ his enemie, rather then to suffer so
+odious a death.
+
+And my deuoute prayer, sincerely vnited to a contrite heart, powring out
+a fountaine of teares with a stedfast beliefe to be deliuered. I found
+my selfe in a short space gotten at libertie, like a new day crept out
+of a darke and tempestuous night. My eyes before vsed to such obumbrated
+darkenes, could scarse abide to behould the light, thorow watery sadnes.
+Neuerthelesse glad I was to see the light: as one set at libertie, that
+had beene chayned vp in a deepe dungeon and obscure darkenesse. Verye
+thirstie I was, my clothes torne, my face and hands scratched and
+netteled, and withall so extreamely set on heate, as the fresh ayre
+seemed to doe me more hurt then good, neither did it any waye ease my
+body, desirous to keepe his new recouered scope and libertie.
+
+And after that I had a little rowsed vp my mynde, and sommoned together
+my sences in some better sort: I sought a meanes to quench my inordinate
+thyrst, procured and increased through innumerable sighes, and extreame
+labour of body. Thus casting my eyes with a diligent regarde about the
+plaine, to finde some Fountaine whereat I might refresh my selfe: a
+pleasant spring or head of water, did offer it selfe vnto me, with a
+great vayne boyling vp, about the which did growe diuers sweet hearbes
+and water flowers, and from the same did flowe a cleare and chrystalline
+current streame, which deuided into diuers branches, ran thorow the
+desart wood, with a turning and winding body, receyuing into it other
+little channels, vnlading themselues.
+
+In whose courses the stones lift vp by nature, and trunkes of trees
+denyed any longer by their roots to be vpholden, did cause a stopping
+hinderance to their current and whuzing fall, which still augmented by
+other vndissonant torrents, from high and fertlesse mountaines in the
+plaine, shewed a beautifull brightnes and soft passing course, to the
+which short windedly comming, by meanes of my fearefull flight. I did
+see a little obscure light, thorow the tops of the high trees, somewhat
+deuiding themselues ouer the water, and with the rest of their bodyes
+and branches, as it were seperating the heauens from my lifted vp eyes.
+A horrible place to be in, vnaccompanyed of any creature.
+
+And suddainly hearing the fall of trees, through the force of a
+whyrlewinde, & noise of the broken bowghes, with a redoubled and hoarse
+sound a farre of, and yet brought to the eccho of the water thorow the
+thick wood, I grew into a new astonishment.
+
+And at this instant thus terrified and afflycted, and yet without any
+receiued hurt, being vpon my knees bowed downe, and inclosing the
+hollownesse of my hand, therewith determined to make me a necessary
+drinking vessel: I had no sooner put the same into the water, offring to
+my mouth the long desired moysture, thereby to refrygerate and coole the
+extreame heate of my burning heart, which at that time would haue beene
+more acceptable vnto me, then eyther _Hypanis_ and _Ganges_ be to the
+_Indians_, _Tigris_ or _Euphrates_ to the _Armenians_, or _Xeylus_ to
+the _Aethiopian_ nation, or to the _Egyptians_ his innundation, inbybing
+theyr burnt and rosted mould, or yet the riuer _Po_ to the _Ligurians_.
+
+Euen then also it fell so out, that I had no sooner taken water into the
+palme of my hand, offering the same to my open mouth, ready to receiue
+it: I heard a doricall songe, wherewith I was as greatly delighted,
+as if I had heard the Thracian _Thamiras_, which thorough my eares
+presented it selfe to my vnquiet heart, with so sweete and delectable a
+deliuerie, with a voyce not terrestriall, with so great a harmonie and
+incredible a fayning shrilnesse, and vnusuall proportion, as is possible
+to bee imagined by no tounge sufficiently to be commended. The sweetnes
+whereof so greatly delighted me, as thereby I was rauished of my
+remembrance, and my vnderstanding so taken from me, as I let fall my
+desired water thorough the loosned ioynts of my feeble hands.
+
+And then euen as a birde, which through the sweetnes of the call
+forgetteth to remember the Fowlers deceit, so I letting slip that which
+nature stood in need of, hastened my selfe back with all speed, towarde
+that attractiue melodie, which the more I coasted, the further it seemed
+still from me, sometime heere, sometimes there, and still as I shifted
+places, so the same also chaunged with a delectable voyce and heauenly
+consent. Thus vainly running vp and downe, I knew not after what, I grew
+more wearie, faint, and drye, and so feeble, that my legges could but
+with great paine, vphould my distempered body. And my grieued spirits
+vnabled long to support the same, what with the feare that I had bin in,
+what with extreame thirst, what with long and wilesome trauell, and what
+with doubting the worst that might insue. Thus hote, faint, and drye:
+I knew not what to do but euen to procure rest for my weary members.
+I marueled first at this straunge accedent, and was amazed at this
+inhumane harmonye, but most of all in that I was in a straunge contry,
+and vninhabited, being onelye fertill and beawtyfull to behould, besydes
+that I greatly sorrowed for the losse of the fayer ryuer which I had so
+greatly labored to finde out, and now so lightly and carelesly to haue
+lost the benefit thereof. In this sort I was houlden in an intrycate
+minde of doubts, at length ouercome withall kinde of greefes, my whole
+bodye trembling and languishinge vnder a broade and mightye Oke full of
+Acornes, standing in the middest of a spatious and large green meade,
+extending forth his thicke and leauie armes to make a coole shadowe,
+vnder whose bodye breathing I rested my selfe vppon the deawye hearbes,
+and lying vppon my left syde I drewe my breath in the freshe ayre more
+shortly betwixt my drye and wrinckled lips, then the weary running
+heart, pinched in the haunche and struck in the brest, not able any
+longer to beare vp his weighty head, or sustaine his body vpon his
+bowing knees, but dying prostrates himselfe. And lying thus in such an
+agonie, I thought vpon the strifes of weake fortune, and the
+inchauntments of the malicious _Cyrces_, as if I had by hir charmes and
+quadranguled plaints, been bereaued of my sences. In these such so great
+& exceeding doubts: O _hi me_ where might I there among so many dyuerse
+and sundry sorts of hearbes, finde the _Mercurial Moli_[A] with his
+blacke roote, for my helpe and remedie. Againe me thought that it was
+not so with me. What then? euen a hard appoyntment to delay my desired
+death. And thus remayning in these pernitious thoughts, my strength
+debylitated: I looked for no other helpe, but to drawe and receiue fresh
+ayre into that brest, which panted with a small remainder of vytall
+warmnesse, taking into my hands halfe aliue, as my last refuge, the
+moyst and bedewed leaues, preserued in the coole shadow of the greene
+Oke: putting the same to my pale and drye lippes, with a greedy desire
+in licking of them to satisfie my distempred mouth with theyr moisture,
+wishing for such a wel as _Hypsipyle_[a] shewed the Grecians: Fearing
+least that vnawares as I had russled in the wood I were bitten with the
+serpent _Dipsa_[b] my thirst was so vnsupportable. Then renuing my oulde
+cogitations: as _I_ lay vnder this mightie Oke: I was oppressed with
+emynent sleepe ouer all my members: where againe I dreamed in this
+sorte.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Moly an herb greatly commended of Homer, and thought to
+    be souereigne against inchauntments of moderne authors altogether
+    vnknowne.]
+
+    [Sidenote a: Hypsipile was daughter to Thaos king of Lemnos, who
+    alone when all women of that Iland had slaine their husbands &
+    kinsmen, saued hir father: she also shewed the Grecians the
+    fountaine Langia in the wood of Nemea in Achaia where Hercules slue
+    a lion.]
+
+    [Sidenote b: Dipsa a kind of snakes that Lucan mentioneth, whose
+    byting procureth extreame drynes or thirste.]
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus sheweth, that he thought he did sleep againe, and in his
+  dreame thas he was in a Vallie, inuironed with mountaines and hilles,
+  the end whereof was shut vp in a maruellous sort, with a mightie
+  pyramides worthie of admiration: vpon the top whereof was a high
+  obeliske, which with great pleasure hee beheld, and diligently
+  discribeth_.
+
+
+Gotten foorth of this fearefull and thick wood, and forgetting the
+forementioned places by this sweete sleepe, occasioned by my wearie
+members nowe layde along: mee thought that I was in a new more
+delectable place, far excelling the former, which consisted not of
+fertles mountaines and craggie winding rockes, contayning wide caues,
+but being a delicate valley, in the which did rise a small mounting of
+no great height, sprinkled heare and there with young Okes, Ashes, Palme
+trees broadleaued, _Aesculies_,[a] Holme, Chestnut, Sugerchist, Poplars,
+wilde Oliue, and Oppies disposed some hyer then other, according to the
+mounting or fall of the place, in the plaine whereof was an other kinde
+of thicket of medicinable simples like little young trees, as the
+flowering _Genista_[b] enuironed with diuers green hearbs, Tetrifolie,
+Sheere grasse, hunnisuckle, the musked Angelica, Crowfoot Elapium and
+Rugwoort, with other profitable and vnknowne hearbes and flowers heare
+and there diuerslie disposed. A little beyond in the same valley, I
+founde a sandie or grauelly plaine, yet bespotted with greene tuffes, in
+which place grew a faire Palme tree with his leaues like the Culter of a
+plowe, and abounding with sweet and pleasant fruite, some set high, some
+lowe, some in a meane, some in the very top, an elect and chosen signe
+of victorie. Neither in this place was there any habitation or creature
+whatsoeuer. Thus walking solitarily betwixt the trees, growing distantly
+one from another, I perswaded my selfe, that to this no earthly
+situation was comparable: in which thought I soddainely espied vpon my
+left hand, an hungrie and carniuorous Woolfe, gaping vpon me with open
+mouthe.
+
+    [Sidenote a: Aesculus is a tree bearing both greater fruite and
+    broder leaues then the Oke.]
+
+    [Sidenote b: Gemista beareth a cod and yellowe flower, vines are
+    bound therewith. Elaphium is like to Angelica, but not in smell, the
+    hart thereon rubbeth his head when it is veluet.]
+
+At the sight whereof immediatly, my hayre stood right vp, and I would
+haue cryed out, but could not: and presently the Woolfe ranne away:
+wherevpon returning to my selfe, and casting my eyes towards the wooddie
+mountaines, which seemed to ioyne themselues together, beeing looked
+vnto a farre off, I sawe the forme of a tower of an incredible heygth,
+with a spyre vnperfectlie appearing, all being of very auncient forme
+and workemanship.
+
+And drawing neare vnto this building, I beheld the gratious mountaines
+before a farre of seeming small, by comming neerer and neerer, by little
+and little, to lift vp themselues more and more, at the first seeming to
+mee that they had ioyned together with the building which was an
+inclosure or end of the valley betwixt mountaine and mountaine: which
+thing I thought worthy the noting, and without further delay I addressed
+my selfe more neerer therevnto. And by how much the more I approximated
+the same, by so much the more the excellencie of the woorke shewed it
+selfe, increasing my desire to behould the same. For there appeared no
+longer a substance of vnknowne forme, but a rare Obelisk vpon a vast
+frame and stonie foundation, the heigth whereof without comparison did
+exceed the toppes of the sidelying mountaynes, although I thought that
+they had beene the renowmed _Olympus_[a], the famous _Caucasus_[b], and
+not inferior to _Cyllenus_[c].
+
+    [Sidenote a: Olimpus a hil in Greece between Macedonie and Thesalie,
+    so high, that of the Poets it is sometime taken for heauen.]
+
+    [Sidenote b: Caucasus a mightie hill in Asia which parteth India
+    from Scythia.]
+
+    [Sidenote c: Cillenus a hill of Arcadia, where Iupiter begat
+    Mercurie vpon Maia.]
+
+To this sollitarie place thus desiredlye comming, with vnspeakeable
+delight, at pleasure I behelde the straunge manner of the arte, the
+hugenesse of the frame, and the woonderfull excellencie of the
+woorkmanship. Maruelling and considering the compasse and largenesse of
+this broken and decayed obiect, made of the pure glistering marble of
+_Paros_[d]. The squared stones ioyned togither without anye cement, and
+the pointed quadrangulate corner stones streightlye fitted and smoothlye
+pullished, the edges whereof were of an exquisite vermellion coulour, as
+is possible to bee deuised: and so iust set, as betwixt the ioynts, euen
+the enemie to the woorke (if euer there were anye) could not deuise to
+hide the point of the smallest spanish needle vsed of the best
+workewomen. And there in this so noble a piece of worke, I found a
+proportioned substance to euery shape and likenesse that can be thought
+vpon and called to remembrance, partly decayed, and some still whole
+remaining, with pillers small vpon great, with their excellent heads of
+an exact and most perfect closing, crowned battelments, embost caruings,
+bearing forth like embroderie, arched beames, mightie mettaline images,
+ouerthrowne and broken in sunder, the trunke of their exact and perfect
+members, appearing hollow of brasse. Skyffes, small boates and vessels
+of _Numidian_ stone and _Porphyr_, and diuers couloured marble. Great
+lauers condites, and other infinite fragments of notable woorkmanship,
+far different and inferiour from that they were, in their perfection,
+but now brought back as it were to their first vnshapelines, being
+fallen and cast downe, some heere, some there, vpon the earth from the
+which they were taken. Among the broken and decayed places, wherof great
+sundrie wall weeds and hearbes, especially the vnshaking Anagyre, the
+Lentise of both kindes, beares foote, dogges head, Gladen greene,
+spotted Iuie, Centarie, and diuers suchlike. And in the myldered places
+of broken walles grew Howslike, and the hanging Cymbalaria bryers, and
+pricking brambles, among the which crept Swifts and Lyzarts which I sawe
+crawling among the ouergrowne stones, which at the first sight in this
+silent and solitarie place, made me to be warily afraid of them. On
+euery side there lay fallen downe smoothe round pieces of serpent
+spotted Marble, purple and red diuerse couloured. Fragments of strange
+histories, _Panglyphic_ and _Hemygliphic_[E] compendiously caracterized,
+shewing the excellencie thereof, vndoubtedly accusing our age, that the
+perfection of such an art is forgotten.
+
+    [Sidenote d: Paros is one of the 35. Isles called Cyclades and
+    Sporades, in the sea Aegeum which deuideth Europ from Asia.]
+
+    [Sidenote E: Panglyphic be wholy carued from the head to the foote
+    in all members. Hemigliphic apeare but halfe.]
+
+Then comming to the myddle fronture of the great and excellent woorke,
+I sawe one sole large and marueylous porche worthy of great estimation,
+proportioned according to the huge quantitie of the rest of the whole
+work, which was placed betwixt and continued in building from the one
+and the other of the mountaines hare lipped, and aboue arched, whose
+space betwixt as I doe coniecture was in measure sixe furlongs, and
+twelue paces. The top of which mountaines were perpendicularly equall
+eyther of them touching the azur’d skey. At the sight whereof I imagined
+with my selfe and deuised to thinke with what yron instruments, with
+what labour of mens hands, and number of workmen, such a piece of woorke
+could bee by great strength framed, with much paine layde together, and
+a long time in finishing. There then this woonderfull frame willingly as
+it were ioyned hands and vnited it selfe with the one and the other
+mightie mountaines, by meanes whereof, the foresaid valley there had an
+end, that no man could go further forward or backe againe, but to enter
+in by this broade, large, and wide open porche.
+
+Vpon this massie frame and mightie woorkmanship, which I take to be in
+heigth from the roofe or top to the foote, fiue parts of a furlong, was
+placed a high and woonderfull Pyramides, after the fashion of a square
+poynted Diamond, and such incredible workemanship that could neuer be
+deuised and erected, without inestimable charge, great helpe, and long
+time. So that I thought the excellencie thereof vnthought vpon, to bee a
+myrrour, the sight whereof was able to dasell any humaine eyes, and
+quaile the rest of the spirituall sences. VVhat shall I say more? for so
+far as the reache of my capacitie will afoorde me leaue, in this sort I
+briefely describe the same.
+
+Euery side or quarter of this foure squared frame, wherevpon the foote
+of the Pyramides did stand, did extend themselues in length six
+furlongs[A], which in compasse about euery side æquilatered of like
+bredth, dooth multiplie to 24 furlongs. Then lifting vp the lynes on
+high from the foure corners, so much as euerye corner is distant in
+length from another, meeting in the top, so as the Perpendicular line
+may fall iust vpon the center of the Dyagon, stretching from both
+corners of the plynts or square foote, iust and conueniently ioyned
+together doe make a perfect pyramidall figure. VVhich immence and
+woonderfull forme, with a maruelous and exquise Symmetrie and due
+proportion mounting vp laboursomly foote by foote, conteyned 1410.
+degrees or steppes, taking away 10. degrees to make vp the head and
+gracilament of the Pyramides in whose place was set a huge Cube or foure
+square stone of forme like a dye, sound and firme of a monstrous
+thicknesse and incredible weight to bee carryed so high. And of the same
+stone of _Paros_ as were the steps: which cube and square stone was the
+Basis and foote set vnder the Obilisk, which I haue in hand to describe.
+
+    [Sidenote A: A furlong is 16. pole euery pole being 16 foote.]
+
+This mightie big stone sharpe topt, sliding downe the extream part from
+corner to corner, flat sided by the Diameter, was fower paces, at euery
+equall distant corner, whereof was the foote of a harpie of moulten
+mettall, their steales and clawes armed. Firmlye and stronglie set in
+with led, in euery corner of the Cube, or foure square head of the
+Pyramides, meeting together ouer the Diagonike line. Of proportioned
+thicknesse in heigth two paces. Which thus closing and mette together,
+made the socket of the great Obelisk: which Socket was beautified with
+leaues, fruites and flowers, of shining cast mettall, and of conuenient
+bignesse. VVherevpon the weight of the Obelisk was borne. The breadth
+whereof was two paces, and seauen in heigth, artificiously sharping of
+the stone of _Thebais_ called _Pyrus_. Vpon the smooth plains whereof,
+pure and bright shining as a looking glasse, were moste excellently cut
+_Aegiptian Hyerogliphs_.
+
+Vpon the pointe of which Obelisk, with great arte and diligence, was
+fastned a copper base, in the which also there was a turning deuise
+infixed: whervpon did stand the shape of a beautifull nimph framed of
+the aforesayd matter, able to amaze the continuall diligent behoulder.
+Of such a proportion as the common stature might be considered and
+perfectly seene, notwithstanding the exceeding heigth thereof in the
+ayre. Besides the greatnesse of the figure or image: it was a woonder to
+thinke how such a weight should bee carryed and set in such a place and
+so high. Couered with a habite blowne abroad with the winde, and shewing
+parte of the naked substance of the legges and thighes: with two wings
+growing out from the shoulder blades, and spred abroad as if shee were
+readye to flye, turning hir fayre face and sweete regarding countenance
+towardes hir wings. The tresses of hir haire flying abroade the vpper
+part or crowne naked and bare. In hir right hand she held from hir sight
+a copie or horne stuft full of many good things, stopped vp, and the
+mouth downewarde, hir left hand fastned and harde holden to hir naked
+brest. This Image and stature was with euery blast of wind turned, and
+mooued about with such a noyse and tinkling in the hollownes of the
+metaline deuise: as if the mynte of the Queene of England had being
+going there. And when the foote of the phane or Image in turning about,
+did rub and grinde vpon the copper base, fixed vpon the pointe of the
+Obeliske, it gaue such a sound, as if the tower bell of Saint Iohns
+Colledge in the famous Vniuersitie of Cambridge had beene rung: or that
+in the pompeous Batches of the mightie _Hadrian_: or that in the fift
+Pyramides standing vpon foure. This Obeliske in my iudgement was such,
+as neyther that in the _Vaticane_ in _Alexandria_ or Babilon, may bee
+equally compared vnto it, but rather esteemed far inferiour. It
+conteined in it such a heape of woonders, as I could not without great
+astonishment looke vpon it. As also consider the hugenesse of the worke,
+the excessiue sumptuousnesse, the straunge inuention, the rare
+performance, and exquisite diligence of the woorkeman. With what art
+inuented? with what power, humaine force, and incredible meanes, enuying
+(if I may speake it) the workmanship of the heauens, such and so mightie
+weights should be transported and carryed into the skyes? with what
+Cranes, winding beames, Trocles, round pullies, Capres bearing out
+deuices, and Poliplasies, and drawing frames, and roped tryces, therein
+being vnskilfull, I slip it ouer with silence.
+
+_And heere on the other side followeth the figure._
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Let vs returne then to the huge Pyramides, standing vpon a strong and
+sound plynth or foure square foote, fourteene paces in heigth, and in
+length sixe furlongs, which was the foundation and bottom of the
+weightie pyramides, which I perswaded my selfe was not brought from any
+other place, but euen with plaine labour and workemanship hewen out of
+the selfe same mountaines, and reduced to this figure and proportion in
+his owne proper place.
+
+Which great quadrant and square woorke, ioyned not fast to the
+collaterate and sidelying rockes, but was betwixt spaced and seperated
+on eyther sides tenne paces. Vpon the right hand as I went of the
+aforesaid plynth or square sheame, there was most perfectly carued the
+vyperous head of the fearefull _Medusa_, in a most furious and rigorous
+forme to looke vpon, and as it were yelling out: with terrible eyes
+cauernate, and hollow skowling vnder ther ouerhanging browes with a
+wrympled and forrowed forehead and gaping wide open mouth, which being
+hollowed with a dyrect waye from the Catill, and vppon stone by a
+mediane lyne perpendicular to the center of the far shewing Pyramides,
+made a large enterance and cõming vnto it, at which opening mouth,
+compassed with fowlded haires of vnrepartable curiousnes artificiall
+cunning and costly woorkmanshyppe the assending the turning stayers
+shewed them selues, and instead of tresses of haire platted with laces,
+I saw fearefull vypers and winding serpents growing out from the scalpe
+of the monstrous head confusedly twysting together and hissing, so
+liuely portrayed and set foorth, that they made me afrayde to behould
+them. In their eyes were placed most shining stones, in such sort, as if
+I had not beene perswaded and knowne that they were stones indeed,
+I durst not haue drawne neere them.
+
+And the aforesayde entrie cut out of the firme stone, led to the scale
+and compassing passage in the center, with winding steps tending to the
+highest parte of the stately Pyramides, and opening vpon the outside of
+the catill or cube: vpon the which the shining obeliske was founded. And
+among the rest of such notable partes that I beheld, me thought that
+this deuise was woorth the noting, because the artifitious and most
+cunning architect with an exquisite and perspicuous inuention, had made
+to the stayres certaine loopes or small windowes, imbracing the
+bountifull beames of the sunne correspondently on three parts, the
+lower, the middle, and supreame: The lower taking light from the higher,
+and the higher from the catabasse or lower with their opposite
+reflexions shewing a maruellous faire light, they were so fitly disposed
+by the calculate rule of the artificious Mathematrician, to the
+Orientall Meridionall and Occidentall partes of the ayre, that euery
+houre of the day the sunne shined in, and gaue light to the whole scale,
+the same loopes or windolets in diuerse places symmetrially and
+definitely dispersed and set.
+
+To the aforesaid entrance thorow the open mouth of _Medusa_, I came by a
+long gallorie to a salying scale or downe going staire opening at the
+foot and pauement of the building vpon my right hand against one of the
+collaterall and side-lying mountaines, betwixt which there was out of
+the stone and open space cut out of tenne paces vp, into the which I
+ascended boldely without resistance, and being come to the beginning of
+the staire in the aforesaid mouth by innumerable steppes and degrees,
+not without great wearines and disinesse of head, by often turning
+about, I came to so incredible a height, that my eies would not suffer
+me to looke downe to the ground insomuch, that me thought that euery
+thing below vpon the plaine had lost his shape, and seemed vnperfect. In
+the opening and comming out of this circulate and turning assence many
+pillars of fused and molten mettall were aptly disposed and surely
+fixed: the inter-space betwixt euery one and other one foote, and in
+height halfe a pase, railed and ioyned togither aboue with a battelled
+coronet al along the said pillar, and of the same metall compassing
+about the opening of the staire, lest that any comming foorth vnawares
+should fall downe headlong, For the immesurable height thereof woulde
+cause a giddines in the head, and bring a staggering to the feete: vpon
+the plaine of the obeliske there was infixed a table of brasse fastened
+and soldered in about the height of a man, with an ancient inscription
+in Latine, Greeke, and Arabike, by the which I plainely vnderstoode that
+the same was dedicated to the Sunne, and the measure of the work wholy
+set downe and described, the name of the Architector noted on the
+obeliske in Greek letters.
+
+    ΛΙΧΑ ΣΟΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΘΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΟΣΕΝ ΜΕ.
+      _Lichas Libiicus architectus me erexit_.
+      Lichas a Libian architector set me vp.
+
+Let vs returne and come backe to the consideration of the But and
+tessell or square, subiect and vphoulder of the Pyramides in the fronte
+and foreside whereof I beheld ingrauen a _Gigantomachie_ and combate
+betwixt Giauntes, the onely enemie to vitall breath, surpassinglie well
+cut, with the quick motions and liuelie agilities of their large and
+tall bodyes, vnpossible to be rightlye described, the artificiall
+handling thereof, as it were enuying the woorke of nature itselfe, as if
+theyr eyes and feete had mooued together, and coasted from one part to
+an other, with an expedite passage and swift course. In such sorte
+seemed they vpon theyr strong and mightie horsses, some being cast
+downe, other stumbling and falling: many wounded and hurt, yeelding vp
+their desired liues: some troden downe and mischieued vnder the feete of
+the fierce and vnrestrained horsses. Other casting off their armour
+wrastling and togging one with another: some headlong with their heeles
+vpwarde, falling and not come to the ground from off their horsses.
+Other some lying vpon the earth, houlding vp their sheilds and Targets,
+offended with the one hand, and defended with the other. Many with their
+shimitaries and curtilaxes, some with long swordes two handed after the
+auncient Persian manner, others with diuers deadly and strange fashioned
+mortall weapons: some wearing habergions and helmets, with diuers
+deuises vpon their crests: others naked and vnarmed, leaping and rushing
+in among the thickest, thereby shewing theyr haughtie, inuincible, and
+vndaunted courages, resolute for death. Some with fearefull countenances
+crying out, other shewing obstinate and furious visages, although they
+were assured to dye, strongly abiding the proofe of their paine, and the
+cutting in sunder of their fatall thread, others slaine before them,
+with diuers vncothe and straunge warlike and deadly instruments. Shewing
+their strong members, their swelling muskels standing out, offering to
+the sight and eyes of tbe behoulder, the dutie of theyr bones, and the
+hollownesse in the places, where theyr strong sinewes be strayned. Their
+conflict and combate seemed so fearefull, bloudie, deadly, cruell, and
+horrible: as if _Mars_ himselfe had beene fighting with _Porphirion_ and
+_Alcion_ who made a noyse lyke the braying of Asses.
+
+This catagliphic imagerie, did exceed a naturall and common
+stature and proportion of men, carued in priuie white marble, the ground
+thereof as black as iet, a perfect foile to beautifie and set forth with
+pale Christaline and siluer crolley, of innumerable huge bodyes, their
+last indeuours, their present actions, the fashion of their armor, the
+diuersitie of their deaths, & vncertaine & doubtful victorie. The
+discharge of my vndertaken discription whereof, prooueth maymed and
+lame, by reason that my vnderstanding is wearie, my memorie confused
+with varietie, and my sight dimmed with continuall gasing, that my
+senses will not aford me rightly, and as their dewe, fitly to manifest
+part, much lesse to describe at large the whole manner of their curious
+_Lythoglyphi_.
+
+After this I became to cast with my selfe, what should mooue and cause
+such a pride & burning desire in any man, to fetch from far, and gather
+together so mightie stones with so great trauell: With what carriage,
+who were the conueyers and porters, with what manner of wheeles, and
+rowling deuises, and vpholding supporters, so great large and
+innumerable a sort of stones should be brought thither, and of what
+matter theyr cement that ioyned and held them together, was made the
+heygth of the Obelisk and statelinesse of the Pyramides, exceeding the
+imagined conceit of _Dimocrates_ proposed to _Alexander_ the great,
+about a worke to be performed vpon the hill _Athos_. For the strangenes
+of the Egiptian building might giue place to this. The famous laborinths
+were far inferior, _Lemnos_ is not to be rehearsed the Theaters of old
+time were in comparison but warriners lodges, ney ther did the famous
+_Nausoley_ come any thing neere. Which certainly maketh me absolutely
+perswaded, that he which wrote the seauen woonders of the world, neuer
+heard of this: neyther in any age hath their been seene or imagined the
+like, no not the sepulcher of _Ninus_.
+
+Lastly I woondered what foundation and arches were able to vphold so
+monstrous a weight, whether the pyllars were hexagons or tetragons, and
+what varietie of columnes, and what number might serue, and after what
+sorte proportionately disposed and set. For the better vnderstanding and
+more perfect knowledge wherof, I conueyghed my selfe in at the open &
+spacious porche and enterance, within the which was an obscure and vast
+hollownes: which porche, together with the proud and stately buylding
+(things worthy of memorie) shall in some sorte be descrybed as
+followeth.
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus, after the discription of the huge Pyramides and Obeliske,
+  discourseth of maruelous woorkes in this Chapter, namely of a horsse
+  of Colos.              of an Oliphant, but especially of a most rare
+  and straunge Porche._
+
+
+Rightlye and lawfullye may I haue leaue to write, that in the whole
+world there was neuer such an other, so pompeous, glorious, and
+magnificent a peece of worke, by mans eyes seene or crediblie reported.
+The woonderfull excellencie and rare straungenesse whereof, as I beheld
+what with delight, and what with admiration, my sences were so
+captiuated and tyed therevnto, that no other solace or pleasure, did
+eyther occurre or take place in my swift flying thought.
+
+But that when I applyed my sences to consider, and addressed my eyes
+with diligent obseruation, curiouslie to ouerlooke euerie perticular
+part of this sweete composed obiect, and most rare and goodly imagerie
+and virgin like bodyes, without cracke or flawe, with a long drawne
+breath, and somewhat opening my mouth, I set a deepe sighe. In so much
+as my amorous and sounding breathing, by reason of the thicknesse of the
+ayre in this solytarie and lone place, gaue an eccho, and did put me in
+minde of my Angelike and extreame desired _Polia_.
+
+O hi me that so small or anye intermission should cause that hir louely
+and celestiall Idea and shape was not still imprinted in my minde, and
+continued a dayly companion, in whose brest my life is resolued to
+abide, and rest as vnder the protection of a most sure and approoued
+shield and safe defence.
+
+And by this way I was brought to a place where were diuers and sundrie
+excellent sorts of auncient deuises and woorkemanships: first of all,
+I beheld a most fayre porche, past all sence to describe (for the
+incredible curiousnes thereof, as euer was built or deuised) and the
+rather for that our mother toung and vulgar speeche, may not afford apt
+and peculiar words, for such a piece of artificall worke.
+
+Before this gorgeous and glorious porche, you shall vnderstand that in
+the open ayre there was a fowre square court of thirtie paces by his
+Diameter, paued with pure fine marble, poynted fowre square, wrought
+checkerwise of diuers fashions, and sundrie best fitting coulours: but
+in many places, by meanes of the ruine of the auncient walke, and olde
+pillers, broken in peeces and ouergrowne.
+
+And in the vtmost partes of the aforesaide court, to the right hand, and
+the left, towards the mountaines, there was two straight rowes of
+pillars, with a space betwixt for the interiect _Areostile_,[A] as the
+quantities of both columnes required, the first course or order of
+setting the pyllars, beginning on both sides equall to the Lymbus or
+extreame part of the fronte of the porche, the space betwixt pyllars
+and pillars XV. paces. Of which collumnes or great pillars, some
+and the greatest parte or number were whole. With their capitels or
+heads, wrought with a waued shell worke, and cyllerie or draperie, their
+corners bearing out and inanulated or turned in like a curled locke of
+hayre, or the vpper head of a base Viall aboue the pinnes, which straine
+the stringes of the instrument to a musicall concord; with their subiect
+Astragals, writhing and hanging heere and there, making the capitall
+thrise so big as the bottom thereof of the columne, wherevpon was placed
+the Epistile or streight beame, the greatest part decayed, and many
+columnes widowed and depriued of their Capitels, buryed in ruine both
+Astragals and shafts of the columnes and their bases or feete.
+
+    [Sidenote A: A columne consisteth of his Capitell that is the head.
+    Astragalus that is the subiect of the capitell next the columne.
+    Hypotrachelie the shaft of the columne. And Hypothesis, that is the
+    foote whereon the Columne standeth, exceeding the bignes of the
+    columne.]
+
+Fast ioyning to which order or set rowes of pillars, there grew ould
+plaine trees, wylde Oliues, Pine apple, and pricking brambles. I
+coniectured that it was made for to ride horses in, to trot and gallop,
+the ring, to manage, carrier, and coruet in, or els some open gallerie,
+couered close ouer head, vnder propt with pillers, and of a large
+widenesse to walke drie in, and to take a temperate ayre in, not too
+subtile.
+
+Aboue in this great Court paued as aforesayd, in the passage towardes
+the Porche, some tenne paces, I beheld a prodigious winged vaughting
+horse, of moulten brasse, of an exceeding bignesse, his wings fanning
+out. His hooues standing vpon a smooth plaine base or frame, fiue foote
+brode, and nine feete in length, in heigth proportionable to the bredth
+and length: with his head at libertie and vnbrideled: hauing his two
+small eares, the one standing forward, and the other drawne back, with a
+long waued maine, falling from his crest on the contrarye side: vpon
+whose backe diuers young youthes assayed to ride, but not one was able
+to sit stedfast, by reason of his swiftnesse and high bounding, from
+whom some were fallen downe, lying wide open to the ayre, some
+groueling, other falling headlong, betwixt the horsse and the earth, the
+rest in vaine houlding by the hayre of his maine, some forceing to get
+vp vpon him, and others indeuoring to recouer themselues from vnder his
+feete.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Vpon the vpper part of the frame and base, there was infixed and fastned
+with lead, a footing or thick crust, of the same mettall that the horse
+was, and vpon the which he stoode, and those that were ouerthrowne did
+lye, somewhat shorter and narrower then the base or subiect frame, the
+whole masse or composition cast of a peece and of the same mettall,
+maruelouslie founded. Lastlye you could not perceiue that any were
+contented with his rowghnes, as appeared by their framed countenances,
+shewing a discontent which they could not vtter being sencelesse images,
+not differing otherwayes thorough the excellent conning of the
+craftisman from liuing creatures, and by his surpassing imitation of
+nature.
+
+_Peryllus_ there might go put vp his pypes, and blush with his deuised
+Bull, and _Hiram_ the Iewe must heere giue place, or what founders els
+soeuer.
+
+The _Pægma_ base or subiect for this metaline machine to stand vpon, was
+of one solyde peece of marble (of fit and conuenient breadth, heighth,
+and length, for that purpose accordinglye proportioned) full of
+streaming vaines, sondry coulered, and diuerslye spotted, maruelous
+pleasant to the eye, in infinite commixtures, confusedly disposed.
+
+Vpon the brest or formost part, and end of the marble base, that was
+opposite against the porch, there was a garland of greene marble, like
+the leaues of bitter _Alisander_, commixt with dead leaues of
+Maydenweede, of a hayre coulour, within the which there was a smoothe
+round, pure, white stone, wherein was ingrauen these capitall Romaine
+letters.
+
+  [Illustration:
+  ·D·
+  AMBIG
+  ·D·D· EQVVS
+  INFOELI/CI/TATIS]
+
+At the hinder end in like sort was a garland of deadly Woolfwoort, with
+this inscription, _Equus infælicitatis_. And vpon the right side there
+was ingrauen certaine figures, shapes, and representments of men and
+women dauncing together, byformed or faced, the formost smiling, the
+hynmost weeping:[A] and dauncing in a ring, with theyr armes spred
+abrode, and hanfasted man, with man and woman with woman. One arme of
+the man vnder that of the woman, and the other aboue, and thus closing
+together, and houlding by the hands, they floung about one after
+another, that alwayes still in one place, a smyling countenance
+incountered a foregoing sad. Their number was seauen and seauen,
+so perfectly and sweetely counterfeited with liuelie motions, their
+vestures whisking vp and flying abroad, that the workman could not be
+accused of any imperfection, but that one had not a liuely voyce to
+expresse their mirth, and the other brinish teares to manifest their
+sorrow: the said daunce was in fashion of two Semicircles, with a
+seperating partition put betwixt.
+
+    [Sidenote A: None liue in this world in that pleasure, but they haue
+    also their sorowes in time.]
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Vnder which Hemiall figure, there was inscript this worde TEMPVS. On the
+contrary side I beheld many of greene adolescency of like proportion to
+the former, and in suchlike compasse or space, the grounds of both
+beautified and set foorth with an exquisite foliature or woorke of
+leaues and flowers, this companie was plucking and gathering of the
+flowers of sundrye hearbes, and tender bushing stalkes and braunches;
+and with them diuers faire Nimphes pleasantly deuising, and sportinglie
+snatching away their gathered flowers,[A] and in such sort as abouesaid
+vnder the figure were ingrauen certaine capitall letters, to shew this
+one word AMISSIO, conteyning the ninth part to the Diameter or the
+quadrature.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Gift vainely bestowed, in time wantonlie spent, is a
+    great losse, & breedeth repentance.]
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+At the first sight hereof I was amased and astonished, but with better
+regard & great delight curiously reouerlooking the huge founded Machine
+the shape and forme of a horse made by humane industry and skill most
+commendable, for that euery member without defect had his perfect
+harmonie, and euery limme his desired proportion, I straight called to
+remembrance the vnfortunate horse of _Scian_.
+
+And thus helde still to beholde the same artificiall mysterie, an other
+spectacle and obiect no lesse worthy to be looked vpon than the former,
+offered it selfe to my sight, which was a mighty Elephant, whereunto
+with a desirous intent I speedely hyed me to approch and come neere.
+
+In which meane while on an other side I heard a mournefull noise and
+humane groaning, as proceeding from a sicke body euen vnto death:
+whereat I stoode still at the first, my haires standing right vp, but
+presently without further stay, I addressed my steppes towards the place
+from whence I heard this wofull noyse and dolefull lament, forcing my
+selfe vp vppon a heape of ruinated, broken and downe-fallen marbles.
+Thus willingly going forward, I came to a vast and wonderfull large
+Colose, the feete thereof bare, and their soles hollowe, and the legges
+as if their flesh had beene wasted, consumed and fallen away. From
+thence with horror I came to looke vpon the head, where _I_ did
+coniecture and imagine, that the ayre and winde getting in and comming
+foorth of his wide open mouth, and the hollow pipes of his throat, by a
+diuine inuention did cause this moderated noise and timed groanes: it
+lay with the face vpward all of molten mettal, like a man of middle age,
+and his head lifted vp as with a pillowe, with a resemblance of one that
+were sicke, breathing out at his mouth, sighes and groanes gaping, his
+length was three score paces. By the haires of his beard you might mount
+vp to his breast, and by the rent and torne peeces of the same to his
+stil lamenting mouth, which groningly remained wide open and empty, by
+the which, prouoked by the spurre of curious desire, I went downe by
+diuers degrees into his throat, from thence to his stomacke, and so
+foorth by secret wayes, and by little and little to all the seuerall
+partes of his inward bowelles, Oh wonderfull conceit. And euery part of
+mans body hauing vpon it written his proper appellation in three ideomes
+Chaldee, Greeke and Latine, that you might know the intrailes, sinews,
+bones, veines, muscles and the inclosed flesh, and what disease is bred
+there: the cause thereof, the cure and remedy, Vnto which inglomerated
+and winding heape of bowelles, there was a conuenient comming vnto and
+entrance in: with small loope-holes and wickets in sundry places
+diuersly disposed, yeelding thorough them a sufficient light to beholde
+the seuerall partes of the artificiall anothomie, not wanting any member
+that is found in a naturall body.
+
+When I came to the heart, did see and reade how Loue at his first
+entrance begetteth sorow, and in continuaunce sendeth out sighes, and
+where Loue doth most greeuously offend: wherewithall _I_ was mooued to
+renew my passion, sending out from the botome of my heart deepe set and
+groaning sighs inuocating and calling out vpon _Polia_, in such sort as
+that the whole Colose and Machine of brasse did resound, striking me
+into a horrible feare: an exquisite Arte beyond all capacity, for a man
+to frame his like not being an Anotomy indeede.
+
+Oh the excellency of passed wittes, and perfect golden age when Vertue
+did striue with Fortune, leauing onely behind him for an heritage to
+this our world, blinde, ignorant, and grudging desire of worldly pelfe.
+
+Vpon the other side I perceiued of like bignes to the former Colose, the
+vpper part of a womans head some deale bare, and the rest buried with
+the decayed ruines, as I thought, of such like workmanship as the other,
+and being forbidden by incomposite and disordered heapes of decayed and
+fallen downe stones, to view the same I returned to another former
+obiect, which was (and not farre distant from the horse straight
+forward) a huge Elephant of more blacke stone than the Obsidium,
+powdered ouer with small spottes of golde and glimces of siluer, as
+thicke as dust glistering in the sonne. The extreame hardnes whereof the
+better did shew his cleere shining brightnes, so as euery proper obiect
+therein did represent it selfe, excepte in that parte where the mettall
+did beare a contrary colour. Vpon his large backe was set a saddle or
+furniture of brasse, with two gyrthes going vnder his large belly,
+betwixt the which two being streight buckled vp with buckles of the same
+stone, there was inter-set a quadrangle correspondent to the breadth of
+the Obeliske placed vpon the saddle, and so iustly set, as no
+perpendicular line would fall on either side the diameter. Vpon three
+parts or sides of the foure square Obelisk, were ingrauen Egiptian
+caracters. The beast so exactly and cunningly proportioned, as inuention
+could deuise, and art performe. The aforesaid saddle and furniture set
+foorth and beautified with studdes hanging iewels, stories, and deuises,
+and houlding vp as it were a mightie Obeliske of greene couloured stone
+of Lacedemonia, vpon the euen square, two paces broad, and seauen in
+height, to the sharpe pointe thereof, waxing smaller and smaller, vpon
+which pointe there was fixte a Trigon or rounde Ball of a shinyng and
+glystering substance.
+
+This huge beast stood streight vpon all foure, of an exquisite
+woorkmanship vpon the plaine leuell, and vpper part of the base, hewen
+and cunningly fashioned, beeing of _Porphyr_ stone. With two large and
+long teeth, of puer white stone, and cleare appact, and fastned. And to
+the fore gyrth on eyther side was buckled a riche and gorgeous
+poiterell, beautified with diuers ornaments and varietie of Iewels, the
+subiect whereof was of the same substance of the saddle: vppon the
+middest whereof was grauen in Latine _Cerebrum est in capite_. And in
+like manner brought about the out sides of his neck to the foretop of
+his large and big head, it was there fastned together with an
+artificiall knot: from the which a curious ornament and verie notable,
+of Gouldsmithes worke, hung downe, ouer spredding his spacious face: the
+same ornament being twise so long as broade, bordered about, in the
+table whereof I beheld certaine letters, _Ionic_ and _Arabic_, in this
+sorte.
+
+  [Illustration:
+  ΠΟΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΦΥΙΑ
+  [Arabic: ....] ]
+
+His deuouring trunke rested not vpon the leuel of the base, but some
+deale hanging downe, turned vppe againe towardes his face. His rigged
+large ears like a Fox-hounde flappingly pendent, whose vast stature was
+little lesse, then a verye naturall Olyphant. And in the about compasse,
+and long sides of the base, were ingrauen certaine _Hierogliphs_,
+or Egiptian caracters. Being decently and orderlye pullished, with a
+requisite rebatement, _Lataster gule thore orbicle, Astragals_ or
+_Neptrules_, with a turned down _Syme_ at the foote of the base, and
+turned vp aloft with writhin trachils and denticles, agreeable and fit
+to the due proportion of so large a substance, in length 12. paces, in
+breadth fiue, and in heigth three, the superficiall and outward part,
+whereof was hewen in forme of a hemicycle.
+
+In the hynder parte of which base and stone, wherevpon this mightie
+beast did stande, I founde an assending place of seauen steps, to mount
+vp to the plaine superficies of the base wherevpon the _O_lyphant did
+stand. And in the reserued quadrangle perpendicularly streight vnder the
+aforesaid brasen saddle, there was cut out and made a little doore and
+hollowed entrance, a woonderfull woorke in so hard a substance, with
+certaine steppes of brasse, in manner of stayres, by the which a
+conuenient going vp into the body of the Olephant was offered me.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+At the sight whereof I extreamely desired to see the whole deuise & so
+going in, I assended vp to the heigth of the base wherevppon the
+cauernate, hollow, vast, large and predigious monster did stand, except
+that same part of the Obelisk, which was conteyned within the voyde body
+of the beast, and so passing to the base. Leauing towards both sides of
+the Olyphant so much space as might serue for any man to passe, eyther
+towarde the head or hynder haunches.
+
+And within from the bending downe of the chine or backe of the beast,
+there hunge by chaynes of copper an euerlasting lampe and incalcerate
+light, thorough the which in this hinder parte I sawe an auncient
+sepulcher of the same stone, with the perfect shape of a man naked, of
+all natural parts. Hauing vpon his head a crowne of black stone as iet:
+his teeth eyes and nayles siluered and standing vpon a sepulcher couered
+like an arke, of scale woorke, and other exquisite lyneaments, poynting
+with a goulden scepter, and holding forward his arme to giue direction
+to the former part.
+
+On his left side he held a shield in fashion like to the keele of a
+ship, or the bone of a horse head, wherevppon was inscript in Hebrew,
+Attic, and Latine letters, this sentence that is placed on the other
+side with the figure.
+
+  [Illustration:
+
+   אם לא כי הבהמה כסתה את בשרי__
+   אני הייתי ערום חפש ותמצא הניחני__
+
+  ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-
+  ΟΝ ΕΜΕΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-
+  ΡΗΣΗΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.
+
+  NVDVSESSEM, BES-
+  TIA NIME TEXIS-
+  SET, QVAERE, ET
+  INVE NIES. MESI-
+  NITO.]
+
+At which vncoth and straunge sight I stood not a little amased and
+somewhat doubtfull what to imagine, turning my eyes to the contrarie
+part, I sawe in like sorte an other, as before burning light, and
+passing thorough betwixt the side of the beast, and the therein inclosed
+part of the Obelisk, I came towards the forepart of the Olyphant, where
+in like manner I found such an other fashioned sepulcher as the former,
+with a stature or image standing therevpon as the other, sauing that it
+was a Queene, who lyfting vp hir right arme with hir formost finger,
+poynted towards that part behinde hir shoulders, and with the other shee
+helde a little table fast in hir hand, in which was written in three
+languages this epygram.
+
+  [Illustration:
+
+ היה מי שתהיה קח מן האוצר הזה כאות נפשך__
+ אבל אזהיר אותך הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו__
+
+  ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΑΛΒΕΕΚ ΤΟΥ ΔΕ ΤΟΥ
+  ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΝΟΝ ΑΝΑ ΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
+  ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ
+  ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΕΩΜΑΤΟΣ.
+
+  QVISQVIS ES,
+  QVANTVNCVN-
+  QUE LIBVERIT
+  HVIVS THESAVRI
+  SVME AD MONEO.
+  AVFER CAPVT,
+  CORPVS NE TAN-
+  GITO.]
+
+This noueltie worthie to be manifested, and secret riddle often to be
+read ouer, was not knowen to me, so as I rested doubtfull what the
+interpretation of this sophisme should signify, not daring to trie the
+conclusion. But stricken with feare in this dark vnlightsome place,
+notwithstanding the dimme burning lampe, I was more desirous to beholde
+and peruse that triumphant porch and gate as more lawfull to remaine
+there than other-where. Whereupon without more adoe, I determined to
+leaue this place vntill another time, that I might more quietly at
+lesure looke vpon the same, and to prepare my selfe to beholde the
+woonderfull worke of the gate: and thus descending downe I issued foorth
+of the vnbowelled monster, an inuention past imagination, and an
+excessiue labour and bolde attempt to euacuate such a hard substance
+ouer that other stones be, the workemanship within as curious as that
+without. Lastly, returned cleane downe, I beheld in the Porphire laste
+along the sides notably insculpt and grauen these hierogliphies.
+
+First, the horned scalpe of an oxe, with two tooles of husbandry fastned
+to the hornes.
+
+An altar standing vpon goates feete, with a burning fire aloft, on the
+foreside whereof there was also an eie, and a vulture.
+
+After that a bason and an ewre.
+
+A spindle ful of twind, an old vessel fashioned with the mouth stopped
+and tied fast.
+
+A sole and an eye in the bale thereof and two branches trauersed one of
+Oliue, an other of Palme tree.
+
+An Anchor and a Goose.
+
+An olde lampe, and a hand holding of it.
+
+An ore of ancient forme with a fruitefull Oliue branch fastned to the
+handle.
+
+Two grapling yrons or hookes.
+
+A Dolphin and an Arke close shut.
+
+These hierogliphies were passing well cut on this manner.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Which ancient maner of writing, as I take it, is thus to be vnderstoode.
+
+_Ex labore Deo naturæ sacrifica liberaliter paulatim reduces animum Deo
+subiectum. Firmam custodiam vitæ tuæ, misericorditer gubernando tenebit,
+incolumemque seruabit._
+
+Letting passe this most excellent rare, strange, and secret deuise and
+worke: _L_et vs returne againe to the prodigious horse, whose head was
+leane and little, of a small proportion and yet fitting the body, which
+seemed continually staring, fieerce and impatient, the flesh in his
+muscles trembling and quaking, in such sort as that hee seemed rather
+aliue than a fained imitation, with this Greeke worde in his face ΓΕΝΕΑ.
+There were also other great peeces and fragments of diuers and sundry
+lineaments among the broken and decayed ruines, which I looked not on,
+still running and sliding, time giuing me onely leaue to consider and
+peruse these foure rare wonders, the porch or gate, the horse, the
+Colose, and the Elephant.
+
+Oh reuerend arthists of times past, what despite hath gotten the vpper
+hand of your cunning that the same is buried with you, and none left for
+vs to inherite in this age,
+
+At length being come to this ancient porch, a worke woorthie the looking
+vpon maruellously composed by exquisite rules, and by art notably
+beautified, with diuers and sundry sorts of cuttings, which did inflame
+a desire in me to vnderstand and finde out the lineaments and practise
+of the architect. I beganne after this maner, making a square from the
+two collumnes on either side in a perfect sort, in the which I tooke the
+due proportion of the whole porch.
+
+A tetragon figure A. B. C. D. diuided by three lines straight, and three
+ouerthwart equally distant one from an other will make sixeteene
+quadrats, then adde to the figure halfe as much more in like proportion,
+diuiding the adiunct you shall finde foure and twenty squares. This
+figure shall serue of credycels to make the inlepturgie and briefe
+demonstration that followeth.
+
+Draw then in the first fygure A. B. C. D. two diagons, make also in the
+same two lines, and straight downe, and the other ouerthwart, which make
+foure quadrats mutually intersect,
+
+Then in the voide ouer the Isopleures make foure mediane prickes,
+drawing lines from one to another, and they wil make the Rhombas.
+
+When I had drawne this figure after this manner I straightway mused with
+my selfe, what reason should mooue many of our woorkemen in these dayes
+eyther to thinke well of themselues, or take the art of building in
+hand, not knowing what it is? Making such grosse faults in churches and
+great mens houses, defaming arte, and so ignorant, that they seeme as
+though they could not consider what nature hir selfe dooth teach vs in
+behoulding of hir woorkes.
+
+And what parte soeuer is not agreeable with his principle, is foule and
+naught. For take away order and rule, and what thing can any man make,
+eyther beautifull to the eye, or of commendable proportion and durable:
+then it must needes follow, that the cause of such inconuenient errors
+doth proceed from ignorance, and hath his beginning from illiterature.
+And this notwithstanding, that although the perfection of this arte
+dooth not varie, & fall from his rectitude, yet the discreet and cunning
+architect to grace the obiect, to the behoulders: may lawfullye eyther
+with adiection or deminution, beautifie his worke, keeping whole the
+sollid part, with his vniuersall composition.
+
+I call that solid which is the bodye of the frame, which is the
+principall intent, inuention, fore setting downe, and symmetrie, or dew
+proportion of the building without any additions, rightlye examined, and
+perfectly composed, which will manifest the skill of the workeman, and
+the same afterwardes to adorne and beautifie, which adiuncts is an easie
+matter. Wherein is also to be considered, the dew ordering and placing
+of euery thing, and not to set a crowne vpon the feete, but vpon the
+head, and so oualing and denticulating, and other cuttings of sundrye
+sorts in their seuerall and best fitting places, the chiefe inuention
+and disposing whereof, resteth in the rare and cunning architect, but
+the labour and woorking therof to the vulgar and common sort of
+mannalistsand seruants to the architect, who if he will do well, he must
+in no wise be subiect to auarice.
+
+And besides his skil he must be honest, no pratler full of words, but
+courteous, gentle, bening, tractable, patient, mery & pleasant, full of
+new deuises, a curious searcher into all artes, and well aduised in his
+proceeding, least with rashnes he comit a fault or absurditie in his
+worke, and heereof thus much shall suffice.
+
+
+
+
+_After that _Poliphylus_ had at large made a demonstration of the dew
+  proportion of the Gate, hee proceedeth to describe the ornaments
+  thereof, and their excellencie._
+
+
+I hauing beene somewhat prolix and tedious in my former purpose, it may
+be that it hath bred some offence, to such as dayly indeuour to occupie
+theyr sences in the pleasaunt discourses of loue. But it wyll also
+prooue no whit displeasant, if with a lyttle patience, they restraine to
+glutte themselues with the walowish sweetnes of deceyueable delightes,
+and trye the taste of a contrarye vyand.
+
+And for as much as the affections of men are naturally variable and
+different one from an other: vpon this occasion I may bee excused. For
+although that bread sometime denyed and kept backe from the hungrie
+body, may cause a hard conceit, yet when it is eftsoones offered vnto
+him, the mallice is forgotten, and the gift very gratefully receyued.
+
+Nowe hauing in some sorte spoken of the right vse of architecturie, and
+the direct waye and meanes by order and rule, to finde out, the set
+downe deuise, and solyde bodye or grounde of the woorke, with facilitie
+that beeing found out, the architector may vse sundrye deuisions in
+diuerse perfections, not vnlike vnto a cunning Musition, who hauing
+deuised his plaine grounde in right measure, with full strokes,
+afterwarde wyll proportion the same into deuisions, by cromatycall and
+delyghtfull minims crotchets, and quauers, curiously reporting vpon his
+plaine song. Euen so after inuention, the principall and speciall rule,
+for an Architector is a quadrature, the same deuided into smales the
+harmonie and sweete consent of the building, setteth foorth it selfe,
+and the conuenient adiunctes, agreeable to theyr principall.
+
+In all which this porche was most excellent, both for the rare inuention
+and woonderfull composition thereof, and the strange additions to
+beautifie the same, in such sorte so exquysite, so fitly placed, and so
+curiouslie cut and ingrauen, as the smallest part thereof could not bee
+accused of anye fault, but the woorkman commended for the perfection of
+his skill.
+
+First vpon my right hande belowe, I beheld a stilypode or square stone,
+like an aulter vnder the bases of the columnes, which hauing vpon the
+vpper parte a conuenient and meet coronice, and accordingly imbowed, the
+bottome and lowest part in like manner was fashioned, so as the quadrate
+and aforesayd stilypode, was no broder then long, but a right
+quadrangule. Which aulter (as I may tearme it) sidelong about, wrought
+with leaues, hollowed vnder with a gulaterie, and wrapt ouer wirh the
+same foliature and leafe worke, hemming in the smooth face or table of
+the Stilypode of shining white alliblaster, polished and plaine, the
+outward part of the quadrangule, equilaterally compassing about the
+same, wherevpon with a woonderfull curiousnes was ingrauen a man neere
+his myddle-age, of a churlish and swarffie countenance, with an vnshaply
+beard, thick, and turning into his chyn, by the towghnesse of the hard
+skinne, and vneasie growing out of the hayre.
+
+He sat vpon a stone with an aporne of a Goates skinne, the hinder parts
+compassing his waste, and tyed behynde with a knotte, and the neck part,
+with the hayrie side next him, hung downe betwixt his legges. Before him
+in the interstice of these grose and tumorus calfes, there was an anuill
+fastned vpon a knottie peece of a tree, wherevpon he was fashoning of a
+brigandine or habergion of burning mettall, houlding vp his Hammer, and
+as it were striking vpon his worke.
+
+And there before him was a most noble woman, hauing two fethered wings
+set vpon hir delicate and tender shoulders, houlding hir sonne an
+infante naked, which sate with his little hyppes vpon the large and
+goodly proportioned thighes of the faire goddesse his mother, and
+playing with hir, as she held him vp, and putting his feete vpon a
+stone, as it had beene a little hill, with a fornace in a hollow hole,
+wherin was an extreame whote burning fire.
+
+This Ladye had hir fayre tresses curiouslie dressed vpon hyr broad and
+highe forhead, and in like sorte compassing about with abundance, hir
+head in so rare and delicate a sort, that I marueyled why the
+Blacksmithes that were there busie at theyr worke, left not off to looke
+still vpon so beautifull an obiect. There was also fast by, of like
+excellent woorkemanship, a knight of fierce countenance,[A] hauing vpon
+hym an armour of brasse, with the head of _Medusa_ vpon the curate or
+brest plate, and all the rest exquisitely wrought and beautified, with a
+bandilier ouerthwart his broad and strong brest, houlding with hys
+brawny arme a halfe Pike, and raysing vp the poynte thereof, and bearing
+vpon his head a high crested helmet, the other arme shadowed and not
+seene by reason of the former figure: There was also a young man in
+silke clothing, behynde the Smith, whome I could not perceiue but from
+the brest vpwarde, ouer the declyning head of the forenamed Smith. Thys
+rehearsed hystorie, for the better and sweeter pleasing to the eye, the
+workeman had graced in this sort. The playne grounde that was hollowe
+and smoothe in euery cutting out of a limme or body, vpon the table of
+the stylipode, was like vnto red coroll and shyning, which made such a
+reflection vpon the naked bodyes, and theyr members betwixt them, and
+compassing them about, that they seemed lyke a Carnation Rose couler.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Mars.]
+
+Vpon the left side of the doore in the like aulter or stylipode vpon the
+table thereof, there was ingrauen a yoong man of seemly countenance,[A]
+wherein appeared great celerity: he sate vpon a square seate adorned
+with an ancient manner of caruing, hauing vpon his legge a paire of half
+buskens, open from the calfe of the legge to the ancle, from whence grew
+out on either ancle a wing, and to whome the aforesaide goddes with a
+heauenlye shape, her brests touching together and growne out round and
+firme without shaking, with her large flankes conformable to the rest of
+hir proportion before mentioned with a sweet countenance offered yoong
+and tender sonne ready to be taught: the yong man bowing himselfe
+curteously downe to the childe, who stoode before him vppon his pretty
+little feete, receiuing from his tutor three arrowes, which in such sort
+were deliuered as one might easelye coniecture and gather after what
+manner they were to be vsed: the goddesse his mother holding the empty
+quiuer and bowe vnbent, and at the feete of this instructor lay his
+vypered caduce.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Mercurie.]
+
+There also I saw a squier or armour-bearer and a woman with a helmet
+vpon her head carying a trophæ or signe of victorie vpon a speare after
+this manner.[A] An ancient coate-armor hung vp, and vpon the top thereof
+or creast, a spheare vpon two wings, and betwixt both wings this note or
+saying, _Nihil firmum_, Nothing permanent: she was apparelled in a thin
+garment carried abroad with the wind, and her breasts bare.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Amor mi troua di tutto disarmato.]
+
+The two straight pillars of Porphyre of seuen diameters vpon either of
+the aforenamed stilipodes and square aultars did stretch vpward of a
+pumish or tawnie colour, the out sides shining cleere and smoothly
+pollished, chamfered, and chanelled with foure and twenty rebaternents
+or channels in euery collumne betwixt the nextruls or cordels.
+
+Of these the third part was round, and the reason of their cutting in
+such sort (that is two parts chamfered, & the third round) as I thought
+was this: the frame or temple was dedicated to both sexes, that is, to a
+god and a goddesse, or to the mother and the son, or to the husband and
+the wife, or the father and the daughter, and such like. And therefore
+the expert and cunning workemen in elder time for the feminine sex, did
+vse more chamfering and channelling and double varietie then for the
+masculine, because of their slippery and vnconstant nature.
+
+The cause of so much rebating was to shew that this was the temple of a
+goddesse, for chamfering dooth set foorth the plytes of feminine
+apparell, vpon the which they placed a chapter with prependent folding,
+like vnto plyted and curled haire, and feminine dressing, and sometimes
+in stead of a chapter a woman’s head with crisped haire.
+
+These notable and faire collumnes aforesaide did rise vp in length vpon
+their vnderset bases of brasse with their _Thores_ and _Cymbies_[A]
+wrought with a foliature of oke leaues and acornes winding about their
+chapters standing vpon their subiect _Plynths_.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Thores and Cymbies be the outward parts of a chapter or
+    head of a pillar sticking out further than the pillar wrything and
+    turning in, wrought with leaues, the worke is called of caruers &
+    painters draperie and celerie.]
+
+The Chapters of the same substance of their bases, with requisite meete
+and conuenient proportion aunswerable to the harmonie of the whole
+worke. Such as _Callimachus_ the chiefe caruer to _Calathus_ the sonne
+of _Iupiter_ did neuer performe or come neere in the erected sepulcher
+of the _Corinthian_ Virgin, beautified with draperie of double
+_Achanthis_.
+
+The Plynthes whereon the chapters did stand wrought with winding and
+turning workes, and in the middest, decorated with a Lillie, the bowle
+garnished with two rowes of viii. leaues of Achanthus, after the Romaine
+and Corinthian maner, out of which leaues came little small stalkes,
+closing together in the middest of the boule, shewing foorth a fayre and
+sweet composed Lyllie in the hollowing of the Abac or Plynth, from the
+which the tender stalkes did turne round together, vnder the compasse of
+the square Abac, much after the woorke that _Agrippa_ caused to bee
+made, in the porche of his woonderfull Pantheon.
+
+Let vs come now to the lymet and lowest parte of the doore, for
+entrance, which was of a great large and harde stone, powdered with
+sundry sorted spottes, white, black, and of a clay couler, and diuers
+other mixtures: vppon this stood the streight cheekes and sides of the
+doore, with an interstitious aspect, inwardly carued with as great
+cunning as the rest. Without any signe of eyther hookes or hinges, below
+or aboue.
+
+The arche of which doore compassing like a halfe cyrcle, was wrought
+curiouslye and imbowed, and as it were bounde about with laces like
+beads of brasse, some round, and some like Eglantine berries of a
+reddish couler, hanging downe after an auncient manner, and foulded and
+turned in among the tender stalkes.
+
+The closing together and bracing of which hemicycle or arch, worthie of
+admiration, of a rare and subtile deuise, and exquisite polyture, did
+thus obiect and present it selfe to my sight.
+
+There I beheld in a hard and most black stone, an eagle displayed, and
+bearing out of the bignesse of a naturall eagle, which had louingly
+seazed and taken in hir foote a sweete babe in the swadling cloutes,[A]
+nicely, carefully, and gently houlding the same, least that hir strong,
+sharpe, and hooking pounces, should by anye meanes pierce thorough the
+tender skynne of the young infant.
+
+    [Sidenote A: The Eagle of Iupiter that carryed Ganimed.]
+
+Hir feete were fixed about the rising vp chist of the childe, whome she
+had made bare from the nauell vpwarde and downeward so as the naked
+hippes might be seene betwixt the fethered thighes of the Eagle. This
+little infant and most beautifull babe (worthie and meete for him that
+he was seazed for) by his countenance shewed as if he had beene afraide
+of his fortune.
+
+And thus lying in the foote of the Eagle, he stretched both his armes
+abroade, and with his little fat hands tooke fast hould vpon the
+remigiall bones[A] of the Eagles pinions displayed, as aforesaid. And
+clasping his swelling prittie legges and feete, about hir suruaighing
+spreding traine, which laye behinde the rising vppe of the arche.
+
+    [Sidenote A: The bones next the qack in the wing, whiche in a hawke
+    excelleth all proportions of other birds.]
+
+This little childe was cut of the white vayne of Achates[A] or Onix, and
+the Eagle of the other vaine of the same stone called sardius which is
+of black couler of some called Cordeoll, ioyning both in one selfe same
+stone. Whereat I stood musing and commending to my selfe the ingenious
+and apt inuention of the Arthist, in the vse of such a stone, which of
+his owne nature to contrarie proportions affoorded contrarie coulers,
+and in such sort as by the raysing vp of hir small plummage aboue hir
+seare, hir beack halfe open, and hir toung appearing in the middest
+thereof, as if she had beene resolutely intended, and eagerly bent to
+haue gorged hir selfe vpon it.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Achates is a pretious stone wherein are represented
+    the figures of the nine Muses, of Venus and such like beautiful
+    personages.]
+
+The hemicicle or arche rising rownd from the vpper part of the streight
+cheeke of the entrance, according to the thicknes thereof was disposed
+into losenges or squares, wherein were carued Roses, theyr leaues and
+branches hanging in a curious and delightfull order to behoulde, ouer
+the entry of the Gate.
+
+In the two Triangles occasioned by the bow of the arche there were two
+fayre Nymphes of excellent proportions and shapes, theyr clothes which
+couered theyr Virgins bodyes, giuing place for theyr legges, brests, and
+armes to be bare, theyr hayre loose and flying abroad, and towardes the
+brace, and knitting together of the arche aboue, they held a victorious
+trophæ.
+
+The ground of which tryangle was of black stone, the better to shew the
+perfection and truthe of the mettals in the trophæs, and the beautifull
+bodyes of the delycate virgins.
+
+Aboue these mentioned partes, was the Zophor,[A] in the myddest whereof,
+I beheld a table of goulde, wherein was this Epigram in Cappitall Greeke
+Letters of Syluer. In thys sorte reporting.
+
+    ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΙΚΑΙ ΤΩ Ω ΕΡΟΤΙ ΔΙΟΝΙΣΟΣ ΥΚΑΙ
+        ΔΗ ΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΥΤΡΙ
+            ΣΥΜΠΑΘΕΣ ΤΑΤΗ.
+
+    _Diis veneri filio amori, Bacchus, & Ceres de propriis,
+        S. substantiis matri pientissimæ._
+
+    [Sidenote A: Zophor is a border wherin diuers things are grauen.]
+
+Eyther sides of which table was reteind and held vp with two babes or
+wynged spyrits of perfect and liuelye shapes, as if they had beene
+celestiall bodyes, vppon a ground of Iasul or blew Saphyrs to grace the
+mettals and imagerie.
+
+Vpon the face of the Zophor extending and stretching along ouer the
+columnes of porphir stone were ingrauen certain spoiles or curates,
+gorgets of mayle, vaumbraces, gauntlets, shields, Targets, head-peeces,
+maces, battell Axes, spurres, quiuers, arrowes, dartes, broken launces,
+curtilaxes, and other auncient instruments of warre. As well ayerie and
+marine, as for the field singularly well cut, and manifesting to the
+behoulder both victories, force, and triumphes, after a mortall effusion
+of bloud.
+
+Vpon this in order stood the coronice, wrought with such lyneaments as
+decently concurred, and were aunswerable to the excellencie of the rest
+of the worke: for other wise, as in a mans body one qualitie being
+contrarie to another, sicknesse dooth follow, the humors oppressing one
+an other in abundance: so in building if the adiuncts be vnaptly
+disposed, and vndecently distributed there will fall out a fowle
+deformitie.
+
+For a frame and building growes weake and vnseemely wherin cannot be
+found a sweete harmonie and commodulate order and concent.
+
+Which thing many moderne ideots doe confound, being ignorant in Locall
+distribution. For a cunning crafts master will in his worke shewe an
+allusion or resemblance to a humaine shape and proportion beautifully
+adorned in apparrell.
+
+Aboue ouer the coronice, by an inuers gradation there were fowre
+Quadratures or square Tables, two right ouer the chamfered columnes, and
+channelled pyllars, and two within them. In an other deuision, betwixt
+the said two contrast and inwarde tables, there stood a Nimph in hir
+Anagliph[A] most rare and excellent of Orichalke or yealow Latin,
+houlding in eyther hand a Torche, one of them reuersed and turned
+downeward, beieng extinct and put out, and the other burning towardes
+the Sunne. The burning Torche in hyr righte hande, and the extincte in
+hyr left.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Anagliph smothly chased out with the hammer and not
+    carued.]
+
+In the quadriture vppon the right side, I behelde the iealous
+_Climene_,[A] with her haire trans-formed into an hearbe called _Venus_
+maid, or Lady hearbe, & _Phœbus_ in a cruell indignation & wrathfull
+displeasure, she following of him weeping, from whom he fled hastening
+on forward hys swift horses, as one that flyeth from hys mortall and
+deadly enemie.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Clymene the mother of Phaeton.]
+
+Vppon the Table ouer the Columnes on the left side in a curious and rare
+vnusuall caruing, there was the resemblance historyed of the
+vncomfortable and still mourning _Cyparissus_ holding vp hys handes and
+armes toward the Sunne, and making his mone to _Apollo_ for the wounded
+_Cerua_.
+
+In the third Table nexte the last mencioned, in a worke answerable to
+the presedent and former, I behelde _Leucothoe_, wickedly slayne of hyr
+own Father, chaunging and transforming her fayre yong and tender flesh
+into smooth barke, shaking leaues and bending wandes.
+
+In the fourth Table, was represented the discontented & displeasant
+_Daphne_, at the burning desires of the curled headed _Delius_, rendring
+vp by little and little her virgins body vndefiled, towards the hote
+heauens, beeing metamorphised most pyttifully into a greene Laurell.
+
+Nowe successiuely in order ouer the afore-mencioned Tables and
+quadratures in the _Zophor_, wherein these Histories were represented in
+shapes, there was extended and laide ouer a Coronice denticuled & oualld
+with interset stralets, betwixt the iates of the Oualls, and leafeworke
+and the Imbrices with the rest that appertayneth to the setting forth of
+the same (past my skill to report) without any fault or defect: and
+lastly, the syme was adorned heere and there with the leaues of
+_Achanthis_.
+
+And to return to the view of the whole frame, in the disposing thereof
+as aforesaide,[A] the Coronices by a perpendycular lyne were
+corrospondentand agreeing with the faling out of the whol worke, the
+Stilliced or Perimeter, or vtterpart of the vppermost Coronice onely
+except.
+
+    [Sidenote A: A petiment in corrupt English.]
+
+It followeth to shew and speake of the _T_able or inward part of the
+_T_rigonall: within the which, according as the extreames of the same
+triangle would permit, there was presented to my view, a Crowne or
+Garland of diuers leaues, fruites, and stalkes, foulded vppe and wrapte
+together of a greene stone knitte in foure partes, the byndings of the
+selfe same stalkes, holden by two Mermaydes, the vpper parts of them of
+a humayne shape, and that vnder the nauell like a Fyshe, their one hande
+vp, and the other belowe on the Garlande, their scalye tayles extending
+to the nethermost corners of the Triangle, vppon the top of the Coronice
+hauing at theyr extreeme partes theyr fishy winges or finnes. Theyr
+faces like vyrgines, theyr tresses of haire, partly curling vppe vppon
+their forheades, some turned about their heads and rowled vp, some
+depending downe vppon theyr temples, and crisping and inanulating by
+their eares. From betwixt their shoulders grewe their winges like
+Harpies, stretching downe and extending to the foulding and turnings of
+theyr tayles, vpon their monstrous flankes grew out their fynnes to
+swimme withall, their beginning, their fishie and scalye substance, and
+from thenceso continuing theyr nether parts downewarde.
+
+Within the saide Garland I beheld a rough Milche Gote,[A] which a little
+child did suck, sitting vnder hir side vpon his fleshie young legges one
+streight foorth, and the other retract and bowed vnder him. With his
+little armes houlding himselfe by the hearie and rough locks, his
+countenance and eyes vpon the byg and full vdder thus sucking. And a
+certaine Nimphe, as it were speaking woords, and giuing voyces of
+contentment, to the Goat and bowing downe hir selfe with the left hand,
+held vp one of the feete, and with the right hand putting the pappe to
+the smacking kissings of the sucking infant, and vnder hir were these
+letters _Amalthea_.[B]
+
+    [Sidenote A: Iupiter.]
+
+    [Sidenote B: Iupiters nursse.]
+
+Another Nimphe stood against the head of the Goate, with one arme
+carefully compassing the neck, and with the other shee held hir by the
+horne.
+
+In the middest stood the third Nimphe with greene bowgh leaues in one
+hand, and in the other an oulde fashioned drinking bowle, more long then
+broad, like a boate by a little handle. Vnder hir feete was written,
+_Melissa_.[A]
+
+    [Sidenote A: The daughter of Melissus and Iupiters nursse.]
+
+Betwixt one and other of the three fore specified Nymphes, there were
+two other hauing Cymbals in theyr handes, as it were playing and
+dauncing, euery one apparrelled according to the perfection of theyr
+beauties, with an artificiall performance of workmanship in the
+vndertaken proportions, that they rather seemed the substances
+themselues then a Lythoglyph an Imagerie, either by _Policletus_,
+_Phidias_ or _Lysippus_, neyther did y^e _Anaglipts_[A] to _Artemisia_
+the Queene of _Caria_, _Scaphes_, _Briaxes_, _Timotheus_, _Leocaris_ and
+_Theon_, come any thing neare for the workemanship heereof seemed to
+excell the cunning of any humaine Lapicidarie, caruer grauer, or cutter
+whatsoeuer.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Anaglipts are cunning carues and grauers.]
+
+Aboue this foresayde Triangle, and vnder the vpper coronice in a smooth
+plaine were these two Attic wordes in capitall Letters, ΔΙΟΣ ΑΙΓΙΟΧΙΟΝ.
+
+This conspitious porche and gate, most woorthye to be behelde, thus
+stoode of a maruelous composition, excellently disposed. If I had not
+explaned the commodulation and harmonie heereof particularly, I might
+haue beene blamed for my prolixitie and tediousnesse, and for wanting of
+fit words, in the discription. And thus for this time heereof so much.
+
+  [Illustration:
+  ΔΙΟΣ ΑΙΓΙΟΧΙΟΝ]
+
+It must needes follow, that all the rest of the aforesaide court on
+euery side was beautifull to behold, and of stately workemanship by that
+which still remained standing: as in the inward parte the naues and
+columnes carrieng and bearing vp an immesurable and monstrous weight,
+and Corinthies of a lesser sort, a diuine and vnknowen work abounding in
+variety of perfections as proportion required and needfullnes did desire
+to beare vp the burthen that was laide vppon them. Their ornature and
+decking with woorkes, and deuises imitating the apparreling of princely
+bodies indewed as it were with an artificiall reason. For as to a large
+big and corpulent body strong legges, and broad feete, are necessarie to
+beare and carry the same: so in a modulate and well composed building,
+to sustaine great weights, Naues are appointed, and for beautie,
+columnes, Corinthies, and slender Ionices, are set vpon them. And this
+whole woorke euen after such sorte as was requisite for the harmonie
+thereof, euen so it stood in an approoued excellencie.
+
+With diuersitie of coulers, sweetlye set, and aptlye disposed, the
+reflexion of one beautifing another, and all together making a gratious
+obiect. Of _Porphyrit_, _Ophit_, _Numidian_, _Alabastrit_, _Pyropecil_,
+_Lacedemonian_ greene, and white marble, diuerslie watered, and of
+_Andracine_ with white spottes, and many others of strange sorts and
+diuers commixtures.
+
+I found one rare forme of a base, in fashion like a cushion vpon the
+plynthe whereof stood two trochils or torrules, with an interposition of
+Hypotracles or shaftes, and Astragals, with a supreame Thore.
+
+Diuers places were hidden and couered ouer with winding, felted and
+spreding Iuie, full of black berries, and greene soft leaues heare and
+there growing vp, and hindering the inwarde obiect of the auncient
+worke, with other Murall and wall weeds comming out of the chinkes and
+clifts, as the bell flowre. Venus Nauill, & Erogennet, of some called
+Loue, to whome he is gratefull, bushing downe againe toward the ground,
+in other ryfts grew Mowse-eare, Polypodie, Adientus or Lady hayre, the
+iagged and curled Cithracus the knotted Lunarie minor, Prickmaddam,
+Polytricon, or goulden lockes and such like, which vse to grow in
+decayed buildings, and ould stone wales, so that many woorthie peeces
+were inuested and hydden from me, with such like weedes and greene
+Olyues the garnishers of ruines.
+
+There was in diuers places inestimable huge downe falles of many
+columnes or rather confused piles of broken stones, and vnshapely
+Culpins mounting vp from the earth.
+
+Among which downefallen peeces I might see the remaynders of diuers
+shapes of men of sundrie sortes, many naked, other some hauing their
+members couered with folded and plited induments, fast sticking to their
+naked proportions. Some standing vpon the left foote, others vpon the
+right in a streight sort, with their heads perpendicularly, euer the
+center betwixt their heeles, and some looking sidewaies in height, foure
+Cubites of sixe foote.
+
+Others standing vppon both feete, some deale distant one from an other,
+and each one in a maiestie sitting in their thrones, and the rest with a
+rare and modest grace in their best pleasing and appointed seates.
+
+There also I beheld innumerable _trophæs_, spoyles of armor, and
+infinite ornaments, with the heades of Oxen and Horses of conuenient
+bignes, and about their hornes part of their garlands of leaues,
+fruites, twigges, braunches and floures, and some about part of their
+bodies, with little children riding vpon them and playing, in so perfect
+a sort and wished order, as the most skilfull workemaister full of
+varietie, labour, studie, and industrie, could deuise and performe. With
+what care and paine his abounding skill did plainly manifest, and with
+what pleasure the effect of his purpose did no whit obscure.
+
+And with such an _Eurithmie_ or apt proportioning of members, hee did
+shewe the subtiltie of the art of _Lapicidarie_, as if the substances
+had not beene of the hardest marble howsoeuer, but of soft chaulke or
+Potters claie, and with what conclansture the stones were couched, and
+by what Artillerie, rule and measure they were composed and set, it was
+woonderfull to imagine.
+
+This was the true Art enucleating and discouering the ignorance that wee
+worke in, our detestable presumption, and publike condemned errors.
+
+This is that cleare and perfect light, which sweetly and with our
+vnconstrained willes draweth our dimme sighted eies to contemplate and
+behold the same. For none (vnles it be he which of set purpose refuseth
+to behold it) but his eyes would dasell with continuall desire to see
+it.
+
+This is that which accuseth horrible couetousnes, the deuourer and
+consumer of all vertue, a stil byting and euerlasting greedie worme in
+his heart that is captiuated and subiect to the same, the accursed let
+and hinderance to well disposed wittes, the mortal enemy to good
+Architecturie, and the execrable Idol of this present world, so
+vnworthily worshipped, and damnably adored. Thou deadly poison to him
+that is infected with thee, what sumptuous workes are ouerthrowne, and
+by thee interdicted.
+
+Herewithall I beeing rauished and taken vp with vnspeakeable delight and
+pleasure in the regarding of this rare and auncient venerable monument
+of such a grace and admiration, that I knew not to which part to turne
+me first, here and there willingly looking about, and thereat amazed,
+considerately perusing ouer what the ingrauen histories presented vnto
+me, as I remoued my selfe from place to place, with an vnknowne delight,
+and vnreportable pleasure to beholde the same, gaping at them with open
+mouth, forgetting my selfe like a young childe, neuer satisfying my
+greedie eyes and vnsaciable desire to looke and ouerlooke the exquisite
+perfection of the auncient worke, I was spoiled and robbed of all
+thoughts whatsoeuer, the remembrance of my desired _Polia_, often
+accurring, onely excepted. But with an extreeme and deepe set sigh, let
+vs leaue her a litle, and returne again to our continued purpose.
+
+  [Decoration]
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus entring a little waye in at the described porch, with great
+  delight he there also beheld how it was garnished and adorned, and
+  after as he was comming out he met with a monstruous dragon whereat
+  he was extreemlie afraide, and compelled to runne backe into the
+  building, and at last getting foorth with much adoe hee came into a
+  fertile place._
+
+
+A great and commendable thing with out dout it shold be, trulie to
+discribe, & from point to point, to set down the incredible work, and
+vnimagined composition, of so vast a frame, and huge bignes, of so great
+a buildinge with the excellencie of the entrance, in a conspicuous and
+sightly place, conueniently situated, where of my delight to behold
+them, did exced the greatnes of my admiration breeding in me such a
+conceit so as I perswaded my self that _Iupiter_ durst not vndertake the
+like to the rest of the gods, & certainly beleeuing that no workman, or
+human witt could compase so huge a frame, expresse so notable conceits,
+or imagine and inuent so rare deuises and so gorgiouslie to garnishe
+them, in so singuler an order and simmetry, to dispose them, and without
+supplement or correction perfictlye to finishe them. A rare and insolent
+pride in a building. Vppon which occasion I was in some doubt and that
+not a little that if the naturall historiographer had seene or heard of
+this, hee woulde haue scorned that of Egipt, and the cunning and
+industrie of the woorking thereof, for that heerein the sundrie and
+diuers woorkes effected by many seuerall workmen seemed in the
+perfections, of their dewe proportions as if they had been performed by
+one himselfe.
+
+He would also as lightlie haue regarded the skillfull cunning of
+_Satirus_ the architect and other of fame, especially _Simandrus_, for
+the woorke of _Memnon_, who cut the three statures of _Iupiter_ in one
+stone, the feet being aboue seauen cubits long.
+
+To this the representation of the magnanimous _Semiramis_ carued out of
+the mountaine _Bagistanus_ must geue place.
+
+And letting passe to speake of the insolent greatnes of the Piramides of
+memphis, those writers at large would haue bente them selues to this
+description. And leauing vnreported, the famous Theaters, Amphitheaters,
+Bathes, and building sacred and prophane, carriages, of waters, and
+colosses, and that of Appolline translated by_Lioculus_. Or the temple
+dedicated to _Iupiter_ by _Claudius Cæser_. Or that of _Lisippus_ at
+_Tarentum_, or the wonder of _Carelindius_ at the Rhodes, and of
+_Xenodorus_ in France, and in Roome. And the colosse of _Serapus_ nine
+cubits longe of Smarage or _Emerauldes_, or the famous Labyrinth of
+_Egypt_. Or the representacion of _Hercules_ at _Tyre_.
+
+They woulde haue accommodated their sweete styles, to the commendation
+heard of as aboue all other most excellent, although the Obelisk of
+Iupiter, compact of fower frustes, fortie Cubits high, fower Cubits
+broade, and two Cubits thick, in his deluber within the temple dooth
+manifest it selfe to be a wonderfull miracle.
+
+Vnsaciable thus casting mine eyes, and turning vp my countenance now
+this way & now that way, towards this huge & mighty frame, I thus
+thought with my selfe. If the fragments and remaynder of so sacred an
+antiquitie, and if the greet and dust of such a decayed monument, can
+breed a stupifaction in the admiration thereof, and cause so great
+delyght to behould the same, what would it haue done in chiefest pride.
+
+After this my discourseing, reason perswaded mee to suppose, that with
+in might bee the Aultar of _Venus_ for hir misticall Sacrifices and
+sacred flames, or the representation of hir Godhead, or the _Aphrodise_
+of hir selfe and hir little Archer, and therefore with a deuoute
+reuerence, my right foote beeing set vppon the halowed lymit of the
+doore, there came towards me flying a white _Horix_.[A]
+
+    [Sidenote A: A bird of slow flight & long liuing, in old monuments
+    by Augurs dedicated to Saturne.]
+
+But I sodainlye with out any further regard or curious forcaste which
+with my searching eies went in as the spatious and lightsome entrie
+gaueme leaue, representing vnto me such sights as merit, and are
+Condigne of euerlastinge remembrannce, in ether sydes stilled with smoth
+poollishede Marble, in the middle parte where of there was impacte a
+rounde table, inclaustrede and compassede about with a greene Stonne
+verye pretious and accordinglie asosciated with curious workemanship.
+And the opposite of verie blacke stone, scorning and contemning the
+hardnes of iron, and cleare and shining as a mirror. By meanes whereof
+as I passed by (vnawares) I grew afrayd at my owne shadow, neuertheles I
+was by an by comforted with vnexspected delight, for the place that
+occasioned my disquiet nowe offered vnto me the grounde of all sciences,
+historied in a visible manifest and experte painting.
+
+And on either sides vnder the same beautifull and most noble tables,
+there were placed all a long seates of stone. The pauement neat and
+cleane from dust, being made of _Ostracus_.[A]
+
+    [Sidenote A: Ostracus be pounded shels mixed with lime, whereof a
+    plaster is made to floor withall.]
+
+And so in like manner the coloured vpper seeling was pure and voyd of
+Spiders and Cobwebs, by reason of the continuall fresh ayre both entring
+in and going out.
+
+The seeling of the walles as aforesayde, mounted vp to the bendyng of
+the Arche from the Chapters which stood vpon their strict and vpright
+Antes euen to the vttermost ende of the entrie, which was by my
+perspectiue iudgement twelue paces.
+
+From which perpolyte ligature and fastned ioyntes, the roofe of the
+entrie all the length thereof, did march with a hemicircubate flexure,
+answerable to the Antes and streight sides of the afore described porche
+full of varieties and exquisite representments, rarely ingrauen and of
+little water monsters, as in the water it selfe in their right and well
+disposed plemmyrules, halfe men and women, with their fishie tailes:
+some imbracing one an other with a mutuall consent, some playing vppon
+Flutes, and others vpon other fantasticall instruments.
+
+Some sitting in straunge fashioned Charriots, and drawne in them by
+swift Dolphines, crowned and adorned with water Lillies sutable to the
+furniture of the garnished seates: some with diuers dishes and vessels
+replenished with many sortes of fruites. Others with plentiful copies,
+some coupled togither with bands, and others wrastling as they did,
+riding vppon _Hipposatamies_, and other sundrie and vncoth beastes, with
+a Chiloneall defence.
+
+Some wantonly disposed, others to varietie of sportes and feastes, with
+liuely indeuours and quicke motions, most singularlye well set foorth,
+and filling all ouer the aforesayde arched suffite.
+
+Along vnder the bending ryse of the entrie, I beheld a singular
+woorkemanship of sundrie representments and counterfeits, in an
+excellent Thessellature, bright shining lyke goalde: and of diuers other
+coulers, with a border two foote broade, compassing about the turning
+couer of the roofe, both vnder and aboue, and deuiding them from the
+woorke, vpon the plaine sides, of so perfect and fresh coulers, as if
+they had beene new set, with a naturall leafe woorke of an emerawld
+greene, vppon a punice or tawnie grounde, with Flowers of _Ciantes_ and
+_Phænicees_ adulterated with curious knottes and windings, and in the
+conteyned space of the aforesayde sides, I sawe this auncient Hystorye
+paynted.
+
+_Europa_ a young Ladye, swimming into _Creete_ vppon a prestigious Bull.
+And the edict of King _Agenor_ to his Sonnes _Cadus_, _Fœnice_, and
+_Cilicia_, to finde out theyr defloured sister, which thing they could
+not do, but after that they had valiauntly kylled the skalie fierce
+Dragon that kepte the fayre Fountayne: and consulted with _Appollo_,
+they determined with theyr followers, and agreed to builde a Cittie,
+where the bellowing Heyffer should appoynte, wherevppon that countrey,
+euen to this daye carryeth the name of the bellowing of a Cowe _Europe_.
+_Cadmus_ builte _Athens_. The other brother_Fœnicia_. The third
+_Cilicia_.
+
+Thys woorke and musaicall painting, was rightlye placed in order, as the
+beginning and end of the historie required with fictions in theyr
+naturall coulers, theyr actions and degrees tightlye expressed.
+
+On the contrarie side, I beheld in the same manner the wanton and
+lasciuious _Pasiphæ_ burning in infamous lust, lying in a Machine or
+frame of wood, and the Bull leaping vpon that hee knew not.
+
+After that the monstrous mynotaure with hys vglye shape shut and
+inclosed in the intricate Labyrinth. And after that the imprysoned
+_Dedalus_, artificially making of winges for hymselfe, and his young
+sonne Icarus, who vnhappylye not obseruing hys Fathers rule, fell downe
+headlong into the deepe see, leauing vnto the same seas his name, after
+his drowning. And his discreete father, being safe according to his
+vowe, hanging vp his wings in the temple of _Appollo_.
+
+Vppon the which I stoode with open mouth attentiuely gazing with my
+eyes, and rauished in minde with the beautie of the hystorie, so well
+disposed, so perfectly ordered, so artificiallye paynted and curiouslie
+expressed, whole and sounde, without any signe of decaye, the strength
+of the glutinous substance, which ioyned and held the Thessalature or
+checkers, together was such and so perfect. For therein the workeman had
+taken great paine and shewed a rare cunning.
+
+And thus foote by foote I went forward bowldly, examining and behoulding
+what direction and arte of painting hee had obserued with a pensiled
+distribution to make whole proportions in a smoothe and flat playne.
+Some lynes drawing neere to my obiect, and some seeming as they had
+beene a farre of hardely to bee deserned, and yet both of a like
+neerenesse. And the same againe which was hardlie to bee seene, to offer
+it selfe more and more, to the iudgement of the eye, with exquisite
+parergie and shadowing Waters, Fountaines, Mountaines, Hilles, woodes,
+and beasts, in theyr naturall coulours, and distante one from an other,
+with opposite light. And in apparrell the plyghts and fouldes so
+cunninglye perfected and shaddowed that as well in that, as in all the
+rest, the arte did seeme to enuye nature it selfe, and that not a little
+whereat I greatly woondered.
+
+After this manner I came to the further ende, where the beautifull
+hystories finished, and beyond the same more inward the darknes was such
+as I durst not enter, & comming back againe I heard among the ruines a
+continuing noise like the cracking of bones or their ratling together,
+whereat I stood still forgetting my fore conceiued delight being
+interrupted therewith from the sweetnes of the obiects. At length I
+might heare a rustling as if a dead Oxe had been dragged vpon the
+ground, the noyse still approaching and comming neerer and neerer the
+poarch that I was to passe out at, where I heard a great hissing of a
+huge Serpent: the sodaine feare I was in, made mee past crying out for
+helpe, neither did I see how to escape, but by running into the darke
+and obscure vastnes whiche before I was afraide to enter into.
+
+Oh vnhappie wretch oppressed with aduers and sad fortune, I saw in the
+entrie of the doore comming towardes mee, no hurtfull _L_yon crowching
+to _Androdus_, but a fearefull and horrible Dragon[A] shaking her
+trisulked and three parted tongue against mee, grating her teeth, and
+making a skritching or critching noyse, her squamy and scaly hide
+trailing vpon the flowerd pauement, clapping her winges vpon her
+wrimpled backe, with a long taile folding and crinckling like and Eele
+and neuer resting. _Ohi me_, the sight was sufficient to haue affrighted
+_Mars_ himselfe in the assurednes of warlike Armour, or to haue made
+tremble the strong and mightie Hercules, for all his molorchied and
+clubbed but. And to call _Theseus_ backe from his begunne imprese and
+bold attempt, and to terrifie the Gyant _Typhon_, and to make the
+proudest and stoutest heart whatsoeuer to quaile and stoope. I wished my
+selfe the swiftnes of _Atalanta_, beeing but young and vnarmed, no way
+able to encounter with such a poisonable force, and perceiuing his
+blacke infectious breath smoaking out at his mouth. Beeing past all hope
+to slip by him, I deuoutly cried for diuine helpe. And sodeinly turning
+my backe, as fast as I could runne, I conueighed my fearefull bodie by
+the helpe of my swift pacing feete, into the inward part of the darke
+places, penetrating through diuers crooked torments, ambagious passages
+and vnknowne waies.
+
+    [Sidenote A: The Dragon is that Abaddon and Apollion, the enemy to
+    mankinde.]
+
+So that I thought to bee[A] in the inextricable frame of the prudent
+_Dedalus_, or of _Porsena_, so full of wayes and winding turnings, one
+entring into another, to deceiue the intent of the goer out, or in the
+romthie denne of the horrible _Cyclops_, or the hollow Caue of the
+theeuish _Carus_. In such sort, that although my eyes were somewhat wel
+acquainted with the darkenes, yet I could see iust nothing. But was glad
+to stretche out my armes forme before my face, groping about mee (lyke
+one that played blynde Sym) least I should runne my face against some
+pyllers, and feeling with my feete softlye before I did rest vpon them
+for feare I should tumble downe into some vaulte vnder thys mighty
+Pyramides.
+
+    [Sidenote A: The darke places is ignorance, and the wisedome of this
+    word which is nothing els but meere folly.]
+
+And looking backe, whether this fearefull Dragon did still followe mee
+or no, the light was cleane gone. And I remayning in a darke place, full
+of sundrie turnings and crossing passages, in a greater terror and more
+deadly heauinesse of minde then _Mercurie_. Making himselfe _Ibis_ and
+_Apollo_, _Threicia_, _Diana_, into the lyttle byrd _Cholomene_. And
+_Pan_ into two shapes. I and more afraide then euer was _Oedipus_,
+_Cyrus_, _Crasus_, and _Perseus_. And more trembling then the theefe
+_Thracilius_ in his beares skinne. In sorrowe more abounding then poore
+_Pscyphes_. And in more laboursome daungers then _Lucius Apuleus_, when
+hee heard the theeues consulting to knocke him on the head and kyll
+him.[A]
+
+    [Sidenote A: Cosby for killing the L. Browgh.]
+
+Oppressed and laden with all these aforenamed frightes and terrors, I
+began to imagine that the Dragon was flying about my head, and with the
+noyse of hir scritching teeth and tearing clawes to take hould vpon me
+with hir deuouring iawes: my heart giuing mee to vnderstand, that the
+carniuorus Woolfe which I drempt of, was a presage of this my last
+doubted end. And thus running vppe and downe like a little poore
+Pismeere or Aunte, when the Partrich is scratching vpon their hillocks
+and picking of them vp. With my watchfull and attentiue eares, listning
+if the horrible monster with hir slimie and filthie poyson and stinking
+sauour were drawing towards mee. And fearing whatsoever came first into
+my thought.
+
+Finding my selfe vnarmed, voyde of all helpe, in this mortall daunger,
+and miserable perplexitie, although that death is naturally bytter and
+hated, yet notwithstanding at that time, I did gratiouslie esteeme of
+it, which mee thought I could suffer willinglye, but that will was
+insufficient: hope still looking, and perswading mee of an vncertaine,
+fearefull, and vnquyet lyfe.
+
+Alas howe my soule and bodye were lothe to leaue one an another, the
+sorrowe whereof made me vnwilling to intertaine so cruel an enemy as
+death: whereupon I plucking vp a good heart, thought thus.
+
+Shall the greatnes of my loue so sweetly set on fire, now decaie,
+frustrated of anie effect, for if at this present I had been but
+presented with a sight thereof, I could haue beene yet the better
+satisfied.
+
+But yet forthwith returning to the inward impression of my sweetest
+obiect, stil dwelling in the secret of my heart, I fell into blobering
+teares, for the losse of two so worthie iewels. That was _Polia_ and my
+precious life. Continually calling vpon her with deepe sighes and
+singultiue sobbings, sounding in the thicke ayre, incloystered vnder the
+huge arches and secret darke couering, saying thus to my selfe.
+
+If I die heere thus miserably, sorrowfully, and vncomfortably, all
+alone, who shal bee a woorthie successour of so precious a gemme? And
+who shal be the possor of such a treasure of so inestimable valure? And
+what faire heauen shal shew so cleare a light? Oh most wretched
+_Poliphilus_, whether dost thou go vnfortunate? whether dost thou hasten
+thy steppes? hopest thou euer to behold againe any desired good? Behould
+all thy gratious conceits and pleasant highe delyghtes builded in thy
+apprehensiue thoughtes, through the sweetenes of loue, are deadly
+shaken, and abruptlie precipitated and cast downe? Looke how thy loftie
+_Amorous_ cogitations are shaken in peeces and auchilated. Ah me what
+iniurious lot & maleuolent constellations, haue so perniciously driuen,
+and deceitfully allured thee into this miserable obscure darknes? and
+now haue despitefully ledde thee in a heape of mortal feares, and
+drowning in a deepe sea of vnspeakeable sorrowes. To the vnmercifull
+deuouring and sodaine gobbling vp of so filthie a monster, and to bee
+rotted and disgested in the stinking intrailes of so fowle a beast, and
+to bee cast out in so vile a place. Oh lamentable and vnaccustomed
+death. O miserable end of my desired life. Where are my eyes? what be
+they barreine? Is their humor gone? Are there no more teares left to
+fall trickeling downe my blubbered cheekes? Well then I perceiue that
+death is at my backe, who did euer see such a change of fortune? Behold
+vnhappie and wayward death, and the last houre, and accursed minute
+thereof at hande, in this darkesome shade, where my bodie and flesh is
+appointed to bee a foode for so fowle a beast. What furie? what
+crueltie? what miserie more monstrous can a mortall creature suffer.
+That sweete and pleasant light should bee rest from them that bee aliue,
+and the earth denied to them that are dead. What hoggish calamitie, and
+deformed mishap, so greeuously and vntimely shall abandon from mee my
+most desired and florishing _Polia_, Farewell the merror of all vertue,
+and true perfection of beautie, farewell.
+
+And thus beyond all measure tost and tumbled in such and so great
+afflictions, my verie soule was vexed within me, striuing to be set at
+libertie from my vnfortunate and feeble bodie, passing vp and downe I
+knew not where. My legges weake, feeble, and fowltering vnder mee, my
+spirites languishing, and my sences in a maner gone from mee. Sauing
+that I called deuoutly vppon the omnipotent God to haue pittie vppon
+mee, and that some good Angell might bee appointed to conduct mee out.
+And with that beholde I discouered a little light. To the which, how
+gladly I hasted, let euerie one iudge what hee would doo in such a
+perplexitie.
+
+I saw an euerlasting Lampe, burning before an Aultar that was fiue foote
+high, and tenne foote broad, with the images of golde standing
+thereupon, which I could not verie perfectly behold, notwithstanding the
+burning Lampe, the grossenes of the ayre was such and so great an enemy
+to the light.
+
+And alwayes with attentiue eares I diligently harkened, as not yet ridde
+of feare, and somewhat I saw, the dimme images and the large
+foundations, and feareful vaultes, and subterraneal buttresses or
+vpholders and strengthes, heare and there in infinite places
+distributed, and many huge and mightie pillers, some fouresquare, some
+sixe square, some eight square, aptly set vnder and approportioned to
+sustaine the vast bignes of the waightie _Pyramides_.
+
+There I hauing small delight to make anie long staie, I intended to take
+an vnknowne way further in, which my vndertaken course, I espied a light
+whiche so long I had wished for, comming in at a litle wicket as small
+as I could see.
+
+Oh with what ioy, and with what a glad heart, I beheld it, and with what
+cheare did I hasten my steppes towards it. Perchance faster then
+_Canistius_ or _Philonides_[A] my vnbrideled gladnesse and extreame
+desire to come neere therevnto was such, that I reuoked and haled backe
+againe the diuorse of my discontented and irkesome life, successiuely
+comforting my perturbed minde and quailed hart. Somewhat refreshing and
+reassuring my selfe: filling vp againe my euacuated and emptie heart,
+and replenishing the same with his ould cogitations.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Two blockish lasie lubbers, one of Melite an other of
+    Athens, that thought it a great labour to eate their owne meate.]
+
+Nowe I settled my selfe more towardes my louely _Polia_, and bound my
+affections more surely to hir. Being perswaded and firmely opinionated,
+that this sight was a traũce in loue, for shewing that I should dye and
+lose my loue. Oh how extreamely did it vexe mee. Neyther did it refuse
+or make resistance to anye sharpe and newe assaulte of loue, which in my
+stroken and sore wounded heart woulde lye festering and feeding of
+himselfe.
+
+And by this time, all lets and hynderances past ouer, a spatious and
+large going out was offered vnto me. Then by meanes of the cleere light
+I was somwhat comforted, and reassuming and gathering together againe my
+wandering thoughts, and restoring my prostrate force, my suspected and
+vnknowne voyage, made me to set out in running: so as the nearer I came
+to the doore, the bigger mee thought it grewe. To the which at last by
+Gods wyll, _Polia_ in my amorous brest bearing a predominante vigor,
+I came, not ceasing to continue forward my fast course: my hands which
+before I groping helde foorth, to keepe me from running against pyllers,
+I nowe vsed like a payre of Ores to hasten mee awaye.
+
+Thus traueling on safely, I came into a verie pleasaunt sighte and
+counttie, in the which I was not yet without feare, and not daring to
+rest me downe, the impression of the horrible monster was so fresh in my
+minde, that mee thought I still heard him behinde me, and therefore I
+could not so easily forget him. But was rayther perswaded to goe on
+further: first because the countrie was so fertile, pleasaunt and
+beautifull. Secondly, that I might get farre enough off from the place
+wherein I was so lately affrighted. That then I sitting downe, might
+rest my selfe, and set my minde together againe, and forget this
+conceiued dread, at my entrance in of the gate, the apparation of the
+white Sorix gratiously comming againe into my reteyning memorie, an
+exhortatorie prouacation, and good occasion to animate and comforte me,
+because that to _Augures_ it was a gratefull and propitious signe of
+good luck.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Capillata ministra.]
+
+At last I was resolutely perswaded to commit my selfe to the benignitie
+of my good fortune, which some time might bee vnto me an officious and
+bountifull handmaide, of prosperous euents.[A] And therewithall pricked
+forward and prouoked to continue on my walke, whether my wearie and
+feeble legges would conduct and bring mee. And yet I was (as in good
+sorte became mee) somewhat doubtfull to enter into such a place, (beeing
+vnknowne vnto mee) where perchaunce it was not lawfull for me to come.
+Albeit that I was heerin more audacious and bould a great deale, then in
+the enteraunce of the gorgeous Porche. And thus my brest fast beating,
+and my minde perplexed, I saide to my selfe.
+
+There is no cause that should lead mee to turne back againe, all things
+considered: is not this a safer place, and more fit to flie from
+daunger? Is it not better to hassard a mans lyfe in the light and cleere
+Sunne, then to dye and sterue in a blinde darkenesse? and so resolued
+not to turne backe anye more: with a deepe set sighe, I called into
+memorie, the pleasure and delight that my sences had well neere lost:
+for the woorke which I had seene was full of maruelous woonders, and
+thinking by what meane I was depriued of them, I called to remembrance
+the brasen Lyons, in Salomons Temple, which were of such fierce
+countenances, as that they would bring men to forgetfulnes.
+
+And into such an estate I was afrayde that the dragon had brought me,
+that so excellent and maruellous woorkes, and rare inuentions, in a
+manner vnpossible for any humaine creature to performe, worthie to be
+manifested, and by my selfe diligentlye perused, should now be fled out
+of my sucking remembrance, so as I should not bee able to make a true
+reporte of them: but therein I contraried my selfe: neither did I finde
+that I was in a Lithargie passion: But that I verrie well remembred and
+helde without any defaulte in order and proportion whatsoeuer I had
+seene and beheld. And that the monstrous and cruell beast was a verrie
+liuelye substance, and no fiction, the like of any mortall man sildome
+seene, no not of _Regulus_. The verie remembrance whereof, made my hayre
+stand right vp, and foorthwith mooued me to mend my pace.
+
+Afterward returning to my selfe, I thought thus. Heere without all
+doubte (for so I imagined by reason of the glorious bountie of the
+beautiful soile) is no habitation but for ciuill people, or rather for
+Angles and noble personages, and a place for Nimphes to frequent vnto,
+or for the Goddes and Auncients, Monarches and princes, in so much as my
+perswasiue desire did prouoke forwarde my restrained pace, causing a
+perceuerance in my late begun iourney. And thus as one captiuated and
+subiect to the sharpe spurre of vnsatiable desire, I purposed to houlde
+on whether the fayrenesse of my fortune should conduct mee, as yet but
+indifferent and rather languishing.
+
+Nowe come to behoulde a fayre and plentifull countrie, fruitefull
+fieldes, and fertill groundes, I did exceedinglye commend the desire
+that mooued mee first to enter into them. But especially to giue thankes
+to him that had brought mee out from the fearefull place, which now I
+little regarded being far enough off from it.
+
+  [Decoration]
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus sheweth the commodiousnesse of the countrie where-into hee
+  was come, in his trauailing within the same, he came vnto a goodlie
+  Fountaine, and howe hee sawe fiue faire Damsels comming towardes him,
+  and their woondering at his comming hither, assuring him from hurte,
+  and inuiting him to bee a partaker of their solaces._
+
+
+Thus gotten foorth of this fearefull hell, darke hollownesse, and
+dreadfull place (although it were a sacred Aphrodise and reuerend
+Temple:) and beeing come into a desired light, louelye ayre, and
+pleasaunt countrie, full of contentment: I turned my selfe about to
+looke backe at the place from whence I came out, and where my life, my
+life that latelye I esteemed so lightlie, was so greatlye perplexed and
+daungered, where I beheld a mountaine vnnaturall, with a moderate
+assention and steepe rising, ouer-growne and shaddowed with greene and
+tender leaues of mastie Okes, Beeches, Wainescot Okes, Holmes, _Cerries
+Aesculies_, Corke trees, Yew trees, Holly or Huluer, or Acilon.
+
+And towardes the plaine, it was couered with Hamberries, Hasels,
+Fylbirds, prune, print, or priuet, and whitened with the flowers
+thereof: by coulered Xeapie, beeing red towardes the north, and white
+against the Southe, Plane trees, Ashe trees, and such like, spredding
+and stretching out their braunches: fowlded and imbraced with the
+running of Hunnisuckles or woodbines, and Hoppes, which made a pleasaunt
+and coole shade. Vnder the which grewe Ladyes Seale or Rape Violet,
+hurtfull for the sight, iagged Polypodie, and the Trientall and foure
+inched Scolopendria, or Hartes toongue, Heleborous Niger, or Melampodi,
+Trayfles, and such other Vmbriphilous hearbes and Woodde Flowers, some
+adorned with them, and some without.
+
+So that the mouth of the darke place, out of the which I had escaped,
+was in a manner within the highe Mountaine, all ouergrone with trees.
+
+And as I could coniecture it was iust against the afore spoken of frame,
+and in my iudgement it had been some rare peice of woork, more auncient
+then the other, and by time wasted and consumed, now bearing Iuie and
+other wall trees, and so was become an ouer growne wood, that I could
+scarce perceiue any comming out, or mouth for easie passage but euen for
+a necessitie, for it was rownd about compassed and enuironed with bushie
+and spreeding trees, so as I was neuer determined to enter in there
+againe.
+
+In the streight passage of the valie betwixt the extensed and highe
+mounting rockes, the ayre was dim by reason of the retained vapores, and
+yet I was as well pleased therewith as _Apollo_ at his deuine birth.
+
+But letting passe this hole, from the which I gat out by stooping, let
+vs come on forward to the sweet liberties which I next beheld and that
+was a thicke wood of Chestnuts at the foote of the hill, which I
+supposed to be a soile for _Pan_ or some Siluane God with their feeding
+heards and flockes, with a pleasant shade, vnder the which a I passed
+on, I came to an auncient bridge of marble with a very great and highe
+arche, vppon the which along winning to eyther sides of the walls, there
+were conuenient seats to rest vppon, which although they were welcome to
+my wearye bodie, yet I had more desire to go on forwarde, vppon which
+sides of the bridge, iust ouer the top of the arche, there was placed a
+porphirit table with a gorgeous border of curious workmanship, one table
+on the one side and an other on the other side, but that one the left
+side was of _Ophite_.
+
+Vppon the table on my right hand as I went I beheld _Egiplie
+hierogliphies_ on this sorte, An auncient Helmet crested with a
+Doggeshead.
+
+The bony scalpe of an oxe with two green braunches of trees bound fast
+to the hornes. And an ould lampe. Which hierogliphis the braunches
+excepted because I know not whether they were of Firre tree, Pineapple,
+Larix or _I_uniper, or such like: I thus interpret.
+
+    _PATIENTIA EST ORNAMENTVM,_
+      _CVSTODIA ET PROTECTIO_
+              _VITÆ._
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+On the other side there was ingrauen a cyrcle, then an Anchor with a
+Dolphin winding about the strangule thereof, which I coniectured should
+signifie this, ΑΕΙ ΣΠΕΥ ΔΕ ΒΡΑΔΕΟΣ, _Semper festina tarde_.
+
+Vnder which auncient, sure, and faire bridge, did runne a most cleare
+swift water, deuiding it selfe into two seuerall currents, the one one
+way and the other an other, which ranne most colde, making a soft
+continuall still noyse, in their freesed, broken and nibbled Channels,
+by their eaten in and furrowed bancke, full of stones, couered ouer and
+shadowed with trees, their spredding rootes appearing in the same bare,
+and about them hanging _Tricomanes_, _Adiantus_ and _Cimbalaria_, and
+bearded also with diuers small hayres as vse to growe about the banckes
+of Ryuers.
+
+The wood that I haue spoken of, was to looke vppon verye pleasant,
+neyther ouer thick or more large in compasse than a man would wish, but
+building a delightfull shadowe, the trees full of small birdes and
+foules.
+
+Right forwarde, the Bridge did extende it selfe, and leade towardes a
+large plaine, resounding all ouer with the sweete chirpings, melodious
+recordings, and loude singing of them. Wherein were leaping and running
+little Sqirrels, and the drowsie Dormouse, and other harmeles beastes.
+
+And after this manner as aforesayd, this wooddie Countrie shewed it
+selfe, enuironed about with high mountaines as much as a man might looke
+vnto, and the plaine couered all ouer with a fine varietie of sundrie
+sweete hearbes, and the cleare channels of Charistaline streames,
+sliding downe a long the hilles with a murmuring noyse into the leauell
+vally.
+
+Adorned and beautified with the flowing bitter Oliue, Lawrell, white
+Poplar, and Lisimachia, blacke Pople, Alders, and wilde Ashe.
+
+Vpon the hils grew high Firre trees vnarmed, and the weeping Larix,
+whereon Turpentine is made, and such like.
+
+When I had well considered of this so fruitfull and so commodious a
+place for cattel and beasts to be fedde in and kept, (for it looked as
+though it would desire a shepheardes company and a pastorall song) I
+mused what should be the occasion, that so commodious a place should lye
+vninhabited. And casting my eyes further on forward into the plaine
+before mee, and leauing this fore discribed place, I might perceiue a
+building of Marble, shewing the roofe thereof ouer the tender toppes of
+the compassing trees. At the sight whereof, I grew wonderfully glad and
+in good hope, that there yet I should finde some habitation and refuge.
+To the which without delaie I hastined my selfe. And being come
+thereunto, I found a building eight square, with a rare and wonderfull
+fountaine: which was not altogither amisse. For as yet I had not
+quenched and slaked my thirst.
+
+This building was eight cornered, small towardes the top and leaded.
+Vpon one side there was placed a faire stone of pure white Marble foure
+cornered, half as long again as it was broad, which latitude as I
+supposed was some sixe foote.
+
+Of this goodly stone were exact two litle halfe pillers, chamfered with
+their bases, holding vp a streight Sime, with a gule and adiected
+denticulature & cordicules, or worke of harts, with their chapters vnder
+a Trabet, Zophor and Coronice, ouer the which was a trigonall conteined,
+in the fourth part of the stone smooth and plaine without any
+workemanship in the table thereof sauing a litle garland, within the
+which were two Doues drinking in a smal vessel.
+
+Al the space vnspoken of inclusiue was cut in and euacuated, betwixt the
+Pillers the Gulature and ouerthwart Trabet, did containe an elegant
+Cigrued Nimph. And vnder the Syme was another quarter wrought with
+Thors, Torques, Ballons and a Plinth.
+
+Which faire Nymph laye sleeping vppon a folded cloth, lap, and wounde vp
+vnder her head. An other part conuenientlie brought ouer her, to hide
+that bare which was womanly & meete to be kept secret. Lying vpon her
+right side with that subiected arme retract, and her open palme vnder
+her faire cheeke, wherevpon she rested her head.
+
+The other arme at libertie, lying all along ouer her left loyne,
+stretching to the middle of her goodly thigh. By her smal teates (like a
+yong maids) in her round brests did sprowt out smal streamings of pure
+and cleare fresh water from the right brest as it had been a threed, but
+from the left brest most vehemently. The fall of both of them, receiued
+in a vessel of _Porphyrit_ stone, with two Receptories ioyning togither
+in the same vessel, seperated and distinct from the Nimph sixe foote,
+standing vppon a conuenient frame of flint stone. Betwixt either of the
+receptories, there was an other vessel placed, in the which the waters
+did striue togither and meete, running out at the cut and appointed
+places, in the middle lymbus of their Receptories, which waters comixt
+out of that vessel, vnladed themselues into a little channel sliding
+away, and what with one and what with the other, al the hearbes and
+flowres adioyning, and about were bountifullye benifited.
+
+That of the left brest did spin vp so high, that it did not weat or
+hinder any that would sucke or drinke of the water that streamed and
+sprung out of the right brest.
+
+And this excellent Image was so difinitelye expressed, that I feare mee
+_Prapitiles_ neuer perfourmed the lyke for _Venus_, to _Nichomides_ the
+King of _Caria_ which Idoll he appointed to be adored of his subiects,
+although the beauty therof were such that it moued that filthie people
+to fleshly concupiscence.
+
+But I was perswaded that the perfection of the image of _Venus_ was
+nothing to this, for it looked as if a most bewtifull Ladye in hir sleep
+had beene chaunged into a stone, hir hart still panting and hir sweete
+lipps readie to open, as if she would not be so vsed.
+
+From hir head hir loose tresses laye wauing vppon the suppressed
+couering, fowlded and plited and as it were scorning the haires of the
+inglomatede cloth, hir thighes of a conueniente bignes and hir fleshie
+knees somwhat bending vpp, and retract towardes hir.
+
+Showing hir streight toes as it were incereating hir fingers to handle
+and streine them, the rest of hir bodie aunswerable to the perfections
+of these seuerall proportions.
+
+And behind hir the shadowing of the leaffye _Memerill_ or _Arbut_ full
+of soft small Apples and fruite, and prettye byrdes as yf they had beene
+chirping and singing of hir a sleep.
+
+At hir feet stood a satire in prurient lust vppon his gotishe feet, his
+mouth and his nose ioyning together like a gote with a beard growinge on
+either sides of his chin, with two peakes and shorte in the middeste
+like Goates hayre, and in like manner about his flankes and his eares,
+grewe hayre, with a visage adulterated betwixt a mans and a Goates,
+in so rare a sort as if the excellent woorkman in his caruinge had had
+presented vnto him by nature the Idea and shape of a _Satire_.
+
+The same _Satire_, had forciblie with his lefte hand bent an arme of the
+_Arbut_ tree ouer the sleepie nimphe, as if he would make hir a
+fauorable shadowe therewith, and with the other hand howldinge vpp a
+curtaine by one of the sides that was fastened to the body of the tree.
+
+Betwixt the comare _Meimerill_ or _Arbut_, and the _Satire_, were two
+little _Satires_, the one howlding a bottell in his hands and the other
+with two snakes fowlding about his armes.
+
+The excellencie, dilicatnes and perfection of this figment and
+woorkmanshippe cannot be suffientlie expressed.
+
+This also helping to adorne the sweetnes thereof that is the whitnes of
+the stone, as if it had been pure iuorie.
+
+I wondered also at the woorking of the clothe coueringe as yf it had
+been wouen: and at the bowes, braunches, and leaues, and at the little
+birdes, as if they had been singing and hopping vpp and downe vpon their
+pretie feet in euerie ioynt single and pounce made perfect, and so the
+S_atire_ like wise. Vnder this rare and woonderfull carued woork betwixt
+the gulatures and vnduls in the plaine smothe was grauen in _Atthic_
+characters this poesye ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ.
+
+  [Illustration:
+  ΠΑΝΤΩΝ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ]
+
+The thirst which I had gotten the daie before was so increased, that I
+was prouoked now to slacken the same, or rather inticed with the faire
+beautie of the instrument, the coolenes whereof was such, as betwixt my
+lippes me thought it stirred and trembled.
+
+And rounde about this pleasant place, and by the pipplyng channels, grew
+_Vaticinium_, _Lilly conuallie_, and the flowring _Lysimachia_ or willow
+hearbe, the sorrowfull Reedes, Myntes, water Parsley, Baume,
+_Hydrolapathos_, or water Sorrell, and other approued hearbes, and fine
+floures, a little Channel comming by a sluce from the Bridge, entering
+in and vnlading it selfe, was the cause of a goodly faire Poole, broad
+and large, in a verie good order, trimmed about and beautified with a
+fence of sweete Roses and Gessamine. And from thence running ouer it,
+dispersed it selfe, nourishyng and visiting the nexte adioyning fieldes
+and grounde, abounding in all sortes of hearbes, floures, fruites, and
+trees.
+
+There grewe also great store of _Cynarie_ grateful to _Venus_, wylde
+_Tansie_, _Colocassia_, with leaues like a shielde, and garden hearbes.
+
+And from thence beholding the plaine fieldes, it was woonderfull to see
+the greennes thereof, powdered with such varietie of sundrie sorted
+colours, and diuers fashioned floures, as yealow Crowfoote, or golden
+Knop, Oxeye, _Satrion_ Dogges stone, the lesser Centorie, Mellilot,
+Saxifrage, Cowslops, Ladies fingers, wilde Cheruile, or shepheardes
+Needle, _Nauens_ Gentil, Sinquifolie Eyebright, Strawberies, with
+floures and fruites, wilde Columbindes Agnus Castus, Millfoyle, Yarrow,
+wherewith _Achilles_ did heale _Telephus_, and the rust of the same
+speares head that hurt him. Withe the white Muscarioli, bee floures and
+Panenentes in so beautifull and pleasant manner, that they did greatly
+comfort mee (hauing lost my selfe) but euen with the looking vppon them.
+And heere and there in a measurable and wel disposed distaunce and space
+betweene. In a conuenient order and sweete disposed sort by a iust line,
+grew the greene and sweete smelling Orenges, Lymons, Citrons,
+Pomegranettes, their water boughes bendyng downe within one pace of the
+ground, couered with leaues of a glassie greene colour, of a great
+height and turning downe againe their toppes, laden with the aboundance
+of their floure and fruites, breathing forth a most sweet and delectable
+odoriferous smell. Wherwithall my appaled heart did not verie lightly
+reuiue himselfe (it might bee in a pestilent ayre and contagious and
+deadly sauour.)
+
+For which cause I stood amazed and in great doubt what to thinke or doo,
+and the rather because in that place I had seene such a marueilous
+fountaine, the varietie of hearbes, the colours of floures, the placing
+orderly of the trees, the faire and commodious disposition of the seat,
+the sweet chirpings and quiet singing of Birds, and the temperate and
+healthful ayre. And which I could verie well haue been contented
+withall, and the worst of them might wel haue contented me, if I had
+found any inhabitant there. And somewhat I was grieued that I could no
+longer abide in such a place where so many delightful sightes did
+present themselues vnto mee. Neither was I aduised to my better safetie
+and content which way to turne me.
+
+Standing thus in such a suspence of minde, calling to remembraunce the
+daunger that I had lastlye escaped, and the present place that I was
+newlye entered into, and thinking vppon hieragliphes that I did see in
+the left side of the bridge, I was in doubt, to hasten my selfe towards
+any vnaduised aduers accident, And that such a monument and warning
+woorthie of golden letters, should not be set in vaine to them that
+passed by, which was _Semper festina tarde_. Behold of a sodaine behinde
+me, I heard a rusling noyse, like the winde or beating of a Dragons
+winges. Alas I knew not what it should bee. And sodeinly ispasurated and
+turning my selfe about, I might perceiue vpon one side of me many
+silique trees of _Aegypt_, with their ripe long coddes hanging and
+beating one against an other with the winde, had felled downe
+themselues, which when I perceiued, I was soone quieted, and beganne to
+make sport at my owne folly.
+
+I had not continued long thus, but I heard a singing company of gallant
+damoselles comming towardes mee (by their voyces of young and tender
+yeares) and faire (as I thought) solacing and sporting themselues among
+the flowering hearbes and fresh coole shadow, free from the suspect of
+any mans sight, and making in their Gate a great applause among the
+pleasant flowers. The incredible sweetnesse of hir musicall and
+consonant voyce, conueighed in the roriferous ayre, and spredding it
+selfe abroade with the aunswerable sounde and delectable report of a
+warbeling harpe (for the tryall of which noueltie, I couched downe vnder
+the lowe bowghes of the next adioining bushes, and saw them come
+towardes mee with gratious gestures) hir Maydenlie head attyred and
+bound vp in fillets of glystering gould, and instrophiated redimited,
+garnished ouer and beset with floured mirtle, and vpon hir snowye
+foreheade, branched out hir trembling curled lockes, and about hir
+fayrest showlders, flew her long tresses after a nymphish fashion
+artyfitiallye handeled.
+
+They were apparrelled in carpanticall habites of fine sylke of sondrye
+coulers, and weauinges of three sorts, one shorter, and distinct from
+the other. The nethermost of purple, the next of greene silke, & goulde
+or tissew, and the vppermost of curled white sendall, gyrded about their
+smale wastes with girdles of goulde vnder the lower partes of their
+round breasts. Their sleeues of the same curled Sendall, often doubled,
+which bettered and graced the subiect couler. And tyed about their
+wrists with ribands of silke, tagged with Gouldsmithes woorke. And some
+of them with Pantophles vpon their shooes, the vpper part of the
+Pantophle of gould and purple silke, leafe worke, shewing thorough
+betwixt the voyde spaces of the leaues, the fine proportion of their
+prittie illaquiated and contayned feete. Their shooes comming straightly
+vnder their anckles, with two lappes meeting vpon their insteps, and
+closed fast eyther with Buttons or claspes of gowld after a fine manner.
+Aboue the hemmes of theyr nether garments, there compassed about insteed
+of gardes and imbrodered woorke of hearts, which now and then blowne vp
+with the gentle ayre, made a discouerie of their fine legges.
+
+And assoone as they were aware of mee, they left of their song and
+stayed theyr nimphish gates, being amazed with the insighte, and of my
+comming into this place, maruelling together, and whisperinglye
+enquiring of me, one of another, for I seemed vnto them a rare and
+vnusuall thing, because I was an aliant and stranger, and by chaunce
+come in to so famous and renowmed a countrie. Thus they staide still,
+sometimes looking downe vpon me, & again muttering one to an other, I
+stood still like an image. Oh wo was me, for I felt all my ioynts quake
+like the leaues of an Aspe, in a bitter winde. And I was affraide of the
+presaging poesie that I had read, otherwise aduising me, whereof I now
+thought to late to experience the effect thereof, and looking for no
+other euent, I remained as doubtfull of the deuine vision, therewith as
+much deceyued as _Semele_ with the fayned shape of the _Epidaurean
+Beroe_. Alas I trembled and shooke like the fearefull hinde calues at
+the sight of the tawnie Lyons roring out for hunger.
+
+Contending and striuing with my selfe, whether it were better for me
+submissiuely to kneele downe, or els to turne me about and flye from
+them (for they seemed to mee by their behauiour, to courteous young
+women, and besides their humanitie of a deuine beningnitie) or to
+remaine still vnmoueable. At length I determined to make tryall, and put
+my selfe forwarde to whatsoeuer would follow, being very well assured,
+that by no means I should finde any inhumanitie or cruell dealing by any
+of them, and especially, because that innocencie carryeth alwayes his
+protection with him. And thus somewhat comforting my fearefull minde,
+and yet restrained with shamefastnesse, knowing that I was vnwoorthily
+come into this shadowie place, and solicious company of deuine and
+delicate nimphes, my guiltie and troubled minde, telling mee that it was
+rashly and ouer-bouldly doone, and that they were it might be,
+prohibited places, and a forbidden countrie for a straining to frequent.
+And thinking thus and thus with my selfe: one amongst the rest of a more
+boulde and audatious spirite, very hardly spake vnto me, saying. Ho who
+art thou? at hir speeche I was halfe afraide, and of my selfe ashamed,
+both ignorant what to say, or howe to aunswer: my voyce and spirit being
+interdicted, I stoode stone still like a dead image. But the fayre
+Damsels and beautifull Nimphes well aduised, that in me was a reall and
+humaine personage and shape, but distempered and afrayde, they drew all
+of them more neerer vnto me, saying.
+
+Thou young man, whatsoeuer thou art, and from whencesoeuer thou art
+come: Let not our present aspects any whit dismay thee, or occasion thy
+discouragement nor be no whit afrayde, for here thou shalt not finde any
+cruell customes, or cause of discontent, but free from displeasures, and
+therefore be not afrayde to discouer thy selfe, and tell vs what thou
+art.
+
+By this motion hauing called backe againe my forgotten and lost sences,
+comforted with their faire, pleasant, and fauourable aspects, and
+recouering my selfe with their sweet speeches, with a very good will I
+made this aunswer vnto them.
+
+I am the most disgraced and vnhappiest louer that the whole world can
+aforde. I loue, and she whom so greatly I esteeme, and so earnestly I
+desire, I neyther know where eyther she or my selfe is.
+
+And by the greatest and most daungerous hap that can be imagined I am
+come hither. And now with prouoked teares downe falling from my waterie
+eyes along my pale cheekes, and bowed downe to the earth prostrating my
+selfe to your virginall feete I humblie craue and sue for your
+fauourable graces: whereat theyr soft and tender heartes mooued with
+pittie towardes mee, and halfe weeping with mee for companie, and as it
+were dutifullye striuing with theyr armes to lift mee vp from the
+grounde, with sweete and comfortable speeches, they courteouslye spake
+vnto me.
+
+Wee are certainly perswaded and know full well (poore wretch) that few
+or none can escape by that way which thou art come, and therefore bee
+not vnthankfull to that diuine power, which hath thus preserued thee.
+And now be not doubtfull or afrayde of any aduers accident or greefe to
+assaile thee. Therefore quyet, comfort, and settle thy heart to rest.
+For nowe thou art come as thou mayest euidently perceiue, and plainely
+see, into a place of pleasure and delight, abandoning strife and
+discontent. For our vniformed ages: the seate vnchaungeable, the time
+not stealing away, the good oportunitie, the gratious and sotiable
+familiaritie, inticingly dooth allure vs therevnto, and graunteth vnto
+vs a continuall leysure. And this also thou must vnderstand, that if one
+of vs be merrie and delightsome, the other sheweth her selfe the more
+glad and pleasaunt, and our delectable and perticipated friendship, is
+with an attentiue consideration perpetually vnyted and knitte together.
+One of vs increasing an others content, to the highest degree of
+delight, and moste conuenyent solace.
+
+Thou seest also that the ayre is healthfull, the lymittes and bounds of
+this place verie large: of hearbes full of varietie. Of plants diuerslie
+abounding, and with fruites plentifully laden, inuironed and defended
+with huge mountaines and rockes, well stored with harmelesse beasts, and
+fitte for all pastimes and pleasures, replenished with all kinde of
+fruites and graynes, vniuersally growing, and full of goodly fountaines.
+
+An other said: vnderstand, vnknowne, (and yet assured guest,) good
+friend, that this territorie is more fruitfull then the fertill
+mountaine _Taurus_ in the aquilonall asspect, whose frame dooth swell so
+much, that their clusters of grapes bee two cubits long, and that one
+Figtree will beare seauentie bushels.
+
+The third: this famous and spatious countrey, exceedeth the fertilitie
+of the Hyperborean Island in the West India, or the portugalles of
+_Lucitania_, nowe vsurped and tyrannized by the insolent Spanyard.
+
+Nor _Talga_ in the _Caspian_ mountaine. The fourth affirmed in hir
+commendation of that countrie, that the plentifulnesse of Egypt was but
+to be accounted scarsitie, in respect of that although that it were
+thought to be the garden of the world.
+
+And the last, of a choyse countenance and sweete pronuntiation aboue the
+rest, added thus much, saying.
+
+In this fayre countrie you shall not finde any large fennie groundes, or
+offensiue and sicklye ayres, or craggie and fertlesse mosses, but faire
+and pleasaunt hilles, inuironed and walled about with steip and
+vnpassageable rockes, and by meanes thereof, secure and free from all
+daungers and feare, we want not any thing which may breed delight, and
+cause a sweete content. Besides all this wee are attendant vppon a
+renowned and most excellent Queene of large bountie and exceeding
+liberalitie: called _Euterilyda_ of great pittie and meruelous
+clemencie, ruling with great wisdome, and with a kingly gouernement,
+with great pompe, in an accumolated heape of all felicitie, and shee
+wyll bee greatly delighted, when we shall present thee vnto hir sacred
+presence, and maiesticall sight. And therefore cast away, shake of, and
+forget all afflicting sorrowe, and frame thy selfe and thy affrighted
+spyrits to intertaine of our comforts solace and pleasure.
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus feeling himselfe vnder the assurance of the five Nymphes,
+  went with them to the bathes where they had great laughter in the
+  deuise of the fountaine, and also by his vnction. Afterward being
+  brought to the Queene Eutherillida, he did see many thinges worthie
+  of regard, but chiefly the worke of a fountaine._
+
+
+I Being thus curteously intreated of these gracious and pitiful Nymphes,
+and hauing my safetie by them sufficiently warranted with sweet
+comforts, reuiuing my decaied spirites. To whatsoeuer might seeme
+grateful and pleasing vnto them, so much as was conuenient for mee, I
+framed my selfe to offer my seruice. And because that they had boxes of
+sweete perfumes, and casting bottels of golde and precious stone,
+looking Glasses in their delicate and faire handes, and pure white
+Vailes of silke plited and folded vp, and other necessaries to bee vsed
+in bathing, which I offering to helpe them to beare, they refusing say
+thus vnto mee: that their comming into this place was to bathe, and
+therewith shewed mee that it was their pleasure that I should goe with
+them, for (saide they) the fountaine is here hard by, haue you not seene
+it. And I reuerently made them this answere.
+
+Most faire Nimphes, if I had a thousande tongues and knew how to vse
+them al, yet could I not render sufficient thankes for your gracious
+desertes, and make requital of your great fauours, because you haue
+restored vnto mee my life. And therefore if I should not consent and
+yeeld vnto you my seruice and company, I might wel bee accounted of a
+churlish disposition. For which cause, amongst you I had rather be a
+seruant, then in an other place a Lord and commander, for that (so farre
+as I can coniecture) you are the tenantes and chamberfellowes of al
+delight and true felicitie.
+
+You shal vnderstand that I did see a maruerlous fountaine of a rare and
+wonderful workemanship, as neuer before my eyes did beholde, and so much
+my minde was occupied in the regard of the straungenes thereof, and to
+quench my great thirst, that I did looke for no further benefit.
+
+One pleasant Nymphe spake thus merrily vnto mee saying, giue mee thy
+hand, thou art verie welcome. Thou seest at this present here, that we
+are fiue companions,[A] and I am called _Aphea_, and she that carrieth
+the boxes and white cloathes _Offressia_. This other with the shining
+Glasse (our delightes) her name is _Orassia_. Shee that carrieth the
+sounding Harpe is called _Achol_, and shee that beareth the casting
+bottle of precious Lyquor, is called _Genshra_. And we are al now going
+togither to these temperate bathes, to refresh and delight our selues.
+Therefore you also (seeing that it is your good hap to bee amongst vs)
+shal bee willing to doo the like, and afterwardes with a verie good wil
+wee wil make our repaire to the great Pallais of our soueraigne.
+
+    [Sidenote A: These nimphs were his fiue sences.]
+
+Who is most merciful, bountiful, and liberal, and willing to helpe and
+further you, in your intended loues, burning desires, and high
+conceites. Plucke vp a good heart, man, come let vs goe on.
+
+With pleasurable actions, maydenly iestures, swasiuious behauiours,
+girlish sportes, wanton regardes, and with sweet vvords they ledde mee
+on thither, beeing vvel content vvith euerie present action, but that my
+_Polia_ vvas not there to the suppliment of my felicitie, and to haue
+been the sixt person in the making vp of a perfect number.
+
+Further, I found my selfe agrieued, that my apparel vvas not conformable
+to this delicious confort, but grovving into some houshold familiaritie,
+I disposed my self to be affable vvith them, and they with mee, til at
+last wee came to the place.
+
+There I behelde a marueilous buildyng of a bathe eight square, and at
+euerye Exterior corner, there were doubled together twoo Pyles, in
+fashion of a Pyke, from the leuell of the foundation, the subiect
+Areobates Circumcinct and ribbed about. And after them followed the
+vtmost of like bignes from the ground of the other, with their chapters
+set vnder the streight beame, with a border aboue, vnder a Coronice
+going round about. Which border was beautified with excellent carued
+worke, of litle naked children passing wel set forth, and equally
+distant one from an other, with their handes intricately tyed and
+wrapped about, and in them holding little bundels of smal greene boughes
+instrophiated togither. And aboue the said Coronice, did mount vp (by an
+elegant arching) an eight square Spyer, imitating the subiect. Which
+from corner to corner was cut through with a marueilous workemanship of
+a thousand sundrie fashions, and closed againe with quarrels of
+Christal, which a farre of I did take to bee _L_eade. Vpon the top of
+which arched Spyer was placed a Trygon, and from the vpper center
+thereof, did ascend vp a strong steale, wherinto was ioyned an other
+steale whiche was turned about, and to the same was fastened a wyng,
+which with euerie blast of winde tarried about, the piping steale which
+had vpon the top thereof a ball, whereupon stood a naked Boy, streight
+vpon his right foote, and the left holden out. His head was hollow to
+his mouth like a Tunnel, with the Orifice euacuated to his mouth, to the
+which was sowdered a Trompet, with his left hand holding the _L_anquet
+to his mouth, & his right hand extending towardes the middle ioynt, iust
+ouer the pinyon of it the wing or fane. Al which was of thinne brasse,
+excellently wel cast and guilt. Which wing, ball, and boye, with his
+cheekes and countenance as if hee were sounding, with the hinder part of
+his head euacunated towardes the blustring winde, as that blew, so he
+sounded, and as the winde caused a strange noyse among the rods of
+_Siliques_ of _Egypt_, euen so did it heare in the Trumpet. Vppon which
+cause I merily thought to my selfe, that a man being alone in an
+vnknowne place and out of quiet, may easilie bee afrighted with such
+like strange noyses.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+In that part of the building that was on the other side of the Nimph was
+the enteraunce into the bathe perfourmed as mee thought by the same
+Lithoglyphe, that couered the sleepyng Nimphe, vppon the phrise whereof,
+were certaine Greeke Caracters, signifying ΑΣΑΜΙΝΘΟΣ.
+
+Within there were foure seates whiche went rounde about, and one vnder
+an other, and close knitte togither, wroght with Iasper and Calcedony
+stone, in all kinde of colours. Two of the cõpassing about seates were
+couered ouer with water, and to the vpper margine of the third. In the
+corners, & in euerry corner stoode a Chorinthian Collumne of diuers
+colours, waued with so pure & beautiful Iacintes as nature could
+affoord, with conuenient bases and their chapters curiously made vnder
+the beame, ouer the which was a _Zophor_, wherein were carued little
+naked Boyes playing in the water, with water monsters, with wrastling
+and childish strifes, with cunning flights and agilities fit for their
+yeares, in liuely motions and sportes. Al which was beautiful ouer
+compassed about with a Coronice. Ouer the which, according to the order
+of the little Collumies, from the perpendicular poynt in the toppe of
+the Cupul or Suffite and couer of the Bathe, there went a Tore
+moderator, increasing bigger and bigger of Oke leaues, one folding and
+lying ouer an other of greene Diasper hanging vppon their braunshing
+stalkes gilt, which ascending vp met togither, and ioyned rounde in the
+aforesaide Cupul: where was placed a _L_yons head, with his haire
+standing vp round about his face, and holding a Ring in his iawes, vnto
+the whiche were fastened certaine chaines Orichalke or Copper, that held
+a large goodly vessel, with a great braine or lyp, and furrowed of the
+aforesaide shyning substance, and hangyng two Cubites aboue the water,
+the bowle of the vessel which was of Christal onely except, the rest as
+the ribbes thereof and lippings, was of Asure blew, with bubbles of gold
+and shining sprinkled here and there.
+
+Not farre of, there was a cleft in the earth, the which continually did
+cast foorth burning matter, and taking of this, and filling the bottome
+of the vessel, they did put certaine ginnes and sweet woods which made
+an inestimable suffumigation, as of the sweetest past, afterwardes
+closing the same, and putting downe the couer, both partes being holow,
+and the lipping and ribbing perforated and pearced through the
+transparent, Christal cleare and bright, they rendered a pleasant and
+diuers coulered light, by the which through the smal holes the bathes
+were lightened, and the heate stil incarcerated and interdicted.
+
+The wal equally interposite betwixt Columne, and Columne was of most
+blacke stone, of an extreame hardnes and shining, incloystered about and
+bordered with a conuenient border of Diasper redde as Coral, adorned
+with a Lyneament and worke of double Gurgules or Verticules. In the
+middle part of which table, betwixt the Collumnes, there sate an elegant
+Nymph naked, as if she had been staying and attending of the stone
+Gallatitis, of colour like Iuorie, the lower partes of euerie of the
+said borders, circulating iustly with the bases of the Collumnes.
+
+Oh how exsquitely were the same Images cut, that oftentimes my eyes
+would wander from the real and liuely shapes, to looke vpon those feyned
+representations.
+
+The paued ground vnder the water being of a diuers emblemature of hard
+stone, checkered where you might see marueilous graphics through the
+diuersitie of the colours. For the cleare water and not sulphurous, but
+sweete and temperatelye hotte, not like a Hotte-house or Stew, but
+naturally cleansing it selfe beyond all credet, there was no meanes to
+hinder the obiect from the sight of the eye. For diuers fishes in the
+sides of the seates, and in the bottom by a museacall cutting expressed,
+which did so imitate nature as if they had beene swimming aliue. As
+barbles, lampreys, and many others, the curiousnes of whose woorke I
+more regarded, then their names and natures.
+
+The black stone of the walles was ingrauen with a leafe worke, as if it
+had beene an illaqueated composition of leaues and flowers, and the
+little shelles of cytheriaces, so beautifull to the eye, as was possible
+to be deuised.
+
+Vpon the doore, the interstice whereof was of stone called Gallactites,
+I beheld a Dolphin swimming in the calme waues, and carrying vpon his
+back a young man, playing vpon an harpe: And on the contrarie side vpon
+the colde Fountaine, there was an other dolphin swimming, and
+_Posidonius_ riding vpon him with a sharpe elle speare in his hand.
+
+These histories were perfected within the compasse of one selfe same
+stone, and set out in a most blacke ground. Then deseruedly I did
+commend, both the archytect and the statuarie. On the other side, the
+pleasant dignitie of the fayre and beautiful sporting nimphes did
+highlye content mee, so as I could not compare to thinke whether the
+excesse of my passed sorrow, or present solace should be greatest. And
+there was so sweete a smell as Arabia neuer yeelded the like.
+
+Vppon the seates of stone, in steed of an Apodyterie, they did
+impouerish theyr apparrell, richely inuoluped, in the casting of it off,
+from their celestiall bodyes. Theyr fayre tresses bound vp in nettings
+of gould, wouen after a most curious sort. And without any respect at
+all, they gaue mee leaue to looke vpon theyr fayre and delicate
+personages, theyr honestie and honour reserued. Flesh vndoubtedly like
+the pure Roses and white Snowe. Ah woe is me, I found my heart to rise
+and open it selfe, and altogether to be adicted to a voluptuous delight.
+Wherevpon I at that present thought my selfe most happie, onely in the
+behoulding of such delights, because I was not able to resist the
+burning flames which did set vpon mee in the fornace of my heart. And
+therefore sometime for a refuge and succour I durst not looke so
+narrowly vppon theyr inticing beauties, heaped vp in their heauenly
+bodyes. And they perceiuing the same did smile at my bashful behauiour,
+making great sport at me: And thereat I was glad, and contented that I
+might any way occasion their pastime. But I was greatly ashamed, in that
+I was an vnfit companion for such a company, but that they intreated mee
+to enter in with them where I stood like a Crowe among white Doues,
+which made me partly ashamed to behould, and ouerlooke such choyse
+obiects.
+
+Then _Offressia_ a very pleasant disposed piece, said vnto mee. Tel me
+young man what is your name? And I reuerently aunswered them,
+_Poliphilus_: it will please me well saith she, if the effect of your
+conditions be aunswerable to your name. And without deceit, said the
+rest. And how is your dearest loue called? Whereat I making some pause,
+aunswered, _Polia_: then she replyed. A ha I thought that your name
+should signifie that you were a great louer, but now I perceiue that you
+are a louer of _Polia_: and presently shee added more, saying: if shee
+were heere present, what would you doo? I aunswered. That which were
+agreeable with hir honour, and fit for your companies. Tel me
+_Poliphilus_ doest thou loue hir wel indeed? Then I setting a deepe
+sigh, aunswered: beyond all the delights and cheefest substance of the
+greatest and most pretious treasure in the whole world, and this opinion
+hath made an euerlasting impression in my still tormented heart. And
+she: where haue you lost or abandoned so loued a iewel? I know not,
+neyther where I am my selfe I know. Then she smyling aunswered. If any
+should finde hir out for you, what rewarde would you giue. But content
+thy selfe, be of good comfort, and frame thy selfe to delights, for thou
+shalt finde thy _Polia_ againe. And with these and such like pleasaunt
+and gratious questions, these fayre young Virgins, sporting and solacing
+themselues, we washt and bathed together.
+
+At the opposite interstice of the beautifull fountaine without, of the
+faire sleeping Nymph before mentioned, within the Bathe there was
+another of statues of fine mettal, and of a curious workemanship,
+glistering of a golden colour, that one might see himselfe therein.
+Which were fastened in a Marble, cut into a squadrature, and euacuated
+for the Images to stand in their proportions, with two halfe Collumnes
+that is Hemiciles, one of either side, with a Trabet, a smal Zophor, and
+a Coronice, all cut in one sollid Marble, and this peece of worke was
+nothing inferior to any of the rest, which before I had seene, but with
+a rare art, and marueilous inuention, both deuised and performed. In the
+voyd and plaine euacuated quadret, there stood two Nimphes, little lesse
+then if they had been liuely creatures, apparelled, so as you might see
+somewhat aboue their knees, vppon one of theyr legges, as if the winde
+had blowne it vp, as they were doing theyr office, and their armes bare,
+from the elbow to the shoulder except. And vpon that arme, wherewith
+they sustained the Boye, the habite that was lifted vp was reiect. The
+feete of the Infant stood one in one of the handes of the Nymphes, and
+the other, in the others hand. All their three countenances smiling: and
+with their other handes, they held vp the Boyes shirt, aboue his nauil.
+
+The Infant holding his little Instrument in both his hands, and
+continued pissing into the hotte water, fresh coole water. In this
+delicious place of pleasure, I was verie iocund and full of content, but
+the same was much apalled, in that I thought my selfe a contemptible
+bodie, among such beauties, and dewe coniealed into Snowe, and as it
+were a Negro or tawnye Moore amongst them.
+
+One of them called _Achoe_, verie affably and with a pleasant
+countenance said vnto mee, _Poliphile_ take that Christal vessel and
+bring mee some of that fresh water. I without staie intending to do so,
+and thinking nothing, but to do her seruice in any sort that she would
+commaund me, went to the place. And I had no sooner set my foote vpon
+the steppe, to receiue the water, as it fell, but the pissing Boye lift
+vp his pricke, and cast sodeinlye so colde water vppon my face, that I
+had lyke at that instant to haue fallen backward. Whereat they so
+laughed, and it made such a sounde in the roundnes and closenes of the
+bathe, that I also beganne (when I was come to my selfe) to laugh that I
+was almost dead. Afterward, I founde out the concauitie, and perceiued
+that any heauy weight, being put vpon the moueable stepping, that it
+would rise vp like the Keye and Iacke of a Virginall, and lift vp the
+  Boyes pricke, and finding out the deuise and curious workemanship
+        thereof, I was greatly contented. Vpon the Zophor was
+              written in _Atthic_ letters this title
+                          ΓΕΛΟΙΑΣΤΟΣ.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+After our great laughter and bathing, and all hauing washed with a
+thousand sweete, amorous, and pleasant wordes, maydenly sportes, and
+pastimes, wee went out of the water, and leapt vp vppon the accustomed
+seates, tripping on their toes, where they did annoynt themselues with
+sweete Odours, Diasdasmatic, and with a Myristic liquor, or water of
+Nutmegges. And they offered a boxe vnto mee also, and I annoynted my
+selfe therewithall, and I founde great pleasure therein, for besides the
+excellent smel and sweete sauour, it was verie good to comfort my bodie,
+legges, and armes, that had been so wearied in my daungerous flight.
+
+Afterward when we had made ourselues redy, which was somwhat long after
+the manner of other women, by reason of so many gewgawes and gimmerie
+whatchets, they did open their vesselles of daintie confections, and
+refreshed themselues, and I amongst them, and with precious drinke. When
+they had eaten sufficiently, they returned againe to their looking
+Glasses, with a scrupulous examination, about their bodies, and the
+attire of their heades, and dressing of their yealow curling haires
+depending, and hemicirculately instrophiated about their diuine faces.
+And when they had made an ende, they sayde vnto mee.
+
+_Poliphilus_, wee are now going vnto our gratious and most excellent
+Souereigne the Queene _Eutherillida_, where you shal finde and conceiue
+greater delight, but the water is still in your face, whereat they
+beganne to renew their laughter, without all measure at mee, glauncing
+and turning their eyes one to an other, with a louely regarde. At last
+they set foorth, and as they went rounde togither, they beganne to sing
+verses in a Phrygial tune, of a pleasaunt metamorphosing of one, who
+with an oyntment thought to haue transfourmed himselfe into a Byrd, and
+by mistakyng of the Boxe, was turned into a rude Asse.
+
+Concludyng, that manye tooke Oyntmentes to one purpose, and founde the
+effecte to contrarie their expectations.
+
+Whereat I beganne to be in a doubt, that they had sung that by mee,
+because that they still smiled as they turned towardes mee. But seeing
+that I perceiued no alteration in my selfe, but wel I was contented to
+let them laugh on. Vpon a sodaine I founde my selfe so lasciuiously
+bent, and in such a prurient lust, that which way so euer I turned, I
+could not forbeare, and they as they sung laughed the more, knowing what
+had happened vnto mee. And it did so increase in mee more and more, that
+I knew not wherewithal I might bridle and restraine my selfe from
+catching of one of them, like an eager and hotte Falcon comming downe
+out of the ayre, vpon a couie of Partriges. I was with such a violent
+desire prickt forwarde, which I felt more and more to increase in a
+sault burning. And the more I was to that venerious desire by the
+violent offers of so oportune and sweete obiects. A foode for suche a
+pernitious plague, and vnexperienced burning.
+
+Then one of these flamigerous Nymphes named _Aphea_, said vnto mee, How
+is it _Poliphilus_? Euen now I did see you verye merry, what hath
+altered your disposition? I answered. Pardon mee that I binde and vexe
+my selfe more then a willow Garland. Giue mee leaue to destroy my selfe
+in a lasciuious fire. And thereat they burst out all in a laughter and
+said, Ah ha, and if your desired _Polia_, if shee were here, what would
+you do, how? Alas my desire, euen by the deitie which you serue, I
+beseech you put not Flaxe and Rosin to the fire, whiche burneth mee out
+of all measure. Put no Pitch to the fire in my heart, make me not to
+forget my selfe I beseech you.
+
+At this my lamentable and sorrowing answere, they were prouoked to such
+a loude laughter, wherin they did exceed so much, that neither they nor
+my selfe with the wearines thereof could goe any further, but were
+constrained to rest our selues for want of breath, vpon the odoriferous
+floures & coole grasse, by meanes whereof, I became somewhat oportunely
+to bee eased, my heate aswaging and relenting by little and little.
+
+And as they thus contentedly rested themselues a while, vnder the coole
+vmbrage of the leafie Trees, I beganne to bee bolde with them saying.
+O you women, that are burners and destroyers, doo you vse mee thus? See
+what an offered occasion I haue, which wil holde mee excused, to breake
+foorth and doo violence vnto you. And thereupon somewhat boldly moouing
+my selfe and fayning as if I would haue done that which by no meanes I
+durst, but then with a newe pastyme and laughter they called one for an
+others helpe, leauing heere and there their golden Pantoffles and
+Vailes, to bee carried about with the winde, and their vesselles
+neclected in the grasse, they ranne all awaye, and I after them, that I
+might well perceiue that they had neither crampes nor stringhawldes or
+leaden heeles, and thus continuing our pastimes a pretie space, being
+somewhat pleased that I had made them to runne. I returned backe to
+gather vp their Pantophles and such things as they had scattered behind
+them. And comming neare to a fresh coole Riuer, they began to cease off
+from laughter, and to take pittie vppon mee, and _Geussia_ behinde all
+the rest, bowed her selfe downe to the water, beautifully adorned with
+the bendyng Bull Rushe, water Spyke, swimmyng Vitrix, and aboundaunce of
+water Symples, shee dyd plucke vp the _Heraclea_ Nympha, of some called
+water Lillye or _Nenuphar_, and the roote of Aron or wake Robyn, of,
+some, _Pes vituli_ or _Serpentaria Minor_.
+
+And _Amella_ or Bawme Gentill, all whiche grew very neare togither and
+not farre distant, whiche shee fauourably offered vnto mee saying, of
+these whiche I haue made choyse of take, and for my freedome taste.
+
+For whiche cause I refused the _Nenuphar_, and reiected the Dracuncle
+for his heate, and accepted of the _Amella_, whiche shee had cleane
+washed, by meanes whereof, within a verye short space, I founde my
+venerious Lubric and incensing spurre of desire to leaue of, and my
+intemperate luste was cleane gone.
+
+And when my vnlawfull desires[A] of the fleshe were brideled, the
+pleasant Nymphes came againe to mee, and as wee walked on, wee came into
+a frequented place, and wonderfully fruitfull.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Vnlawfull concupiscence blindeth a man, and driueth his
+    sences from him.]
+
+And there in a fine order and appointed distance was a waye set on
+either sides with Cyprus Trees, with their corner clefted Apples, and as
+thicke with leaues as their nature will suffer them, the leauell grounde
+beeyng couered all ouer, with greene Vinca Peruima, or Lawreoll and
+Chamme, _Daphne_, and full of his asurine flowers. Which adorned way of
+a meete and conuenient breadth, did lead directly on into a greene
+Closure, from the beginning of whiche walke, iust betwixt the Cyprus
+Trees, to the entrance and opening of the aforesaide enclosure, was some
+foure furlonges. Vnto which enclosure when wee came, I founde it
+equilaterall, with three fences like a streight wall, as high as the
+Cyprus Trees vpon either sides of the waye, that wee had passed along
+in: which was altogither of Cytrons, Orenges and Lymonds, bushing with
+their leaues one within an other, and artifitially knitte and twisted
+togither, and the thicknes mee thought of sixe foote: with a Gate in the
+middest of the same Trees, so wel composed as is either possible to bee
+thought or done. And aboue in conuenient places were made windowes, by
+meanes whereof, the bowghes in those places were to be seene bare, but
+for their greene leaues which yeelded a most sweet and pleasant verdure.
+Betwixt the curious twistings of the braunches and their greene leaues,
+the white flowers did aboundantly shewe themselues a singular Ornament,
+breathing foorth a most delectable and sweete odour. And to please the
+eye, the faire fruite was in no place wanting, where it should yeelde
+content. And afterwardes I might perceiue, that in the interstitious
+thicknes, the bowghes (not without a wonderful woorke) were so
+artificially twisted and growne togither, that you might assend vp by
+them, and not bee seene in them, nor yet the way where you went vp.
+
+At length comming into this greene and delightful grounde to the eye,
+and in a mans vnderstanding woorthie of estimation, I perceiued that it
+was a great enclosure in the fore front of a marueilous Pallaice of a
+noble simmetriated architecturie which of this frondiferous conclausure,
+was the fourth part in longitude sixtie paces. And this was the
+_Hypæthri_ to walke in, for open ayre.
+
+In the middest of this great base Court, I did behold a goodly Fountaine
+of cleare water, spinnyng from the verie toppe as it were to the
+foundation, whiche stoode vpon a smoothe pauement through little
+streight Pypes, falling into a hollowed vessel, whiche was of most pure
+Amethist, whose Diameter conteined three paces, the thicknes agreeing
+therewithall, leauyng the twelfth part for the thicknesse of the brimme,
+rounde about the same were carued water monsters, after the best sort
+that euer any auncient inuentor or woorkeman for the hardnes of the
+stone could deuise to woorke, it might bee the woorke of _Dædalus_, for
+the wonderful excellencie thereof. _Pausania_, if he had seene this,
+would haue taken small pleasure to boast of the standing cup which he
+made to _Hipparis_.
+
+Which same was founded vpon a steale or final Pillar of Iasper of diuers
+colours, beautifully adulterating one with an other being cut in the
+middest and closed vp with the cleare Calcidonie, of the colour of the
+troubled Sea water, and brought into marueilous woorke, beeing lifted vp
+with guttured hollowe vessels, one aboue an other, with a reserued
+seperation, by artificiall and woonderful ioyntes. It stood streight vp,
+fastened in the center of a Plynth, made of greene Ophite which was
+rounde, and somewhat lifted vp aboue, about compassing Porphyr, some
+fiue inches, whiche was curiously wrought with diuers lyneaments.
+
+Rounde about the steale whiche helde vp the vessell, foure Harpies of
+Golde did stand, with their clawes and tallented feete vpon the smoothe
+Table of the Ophite.
+
+Their hinder partes towardes the steale, one iust opposite against an
+other, with their winges displaied and spredde abroad, they rested vnder
+the vessell with their feminine countenances, and hauing haire vpon
+their heades, from the same, it spredde downe to their showlders, their
+heades vnder, and not touching the vessell: with their tayles like
+Eeles, and turning rounde. And vpon their nauels, an Antique leafe
+worke. These were verie necessarie for the strengthening of the Pype
+within the steale and smal Pillar.
+
+Within the middest of the wombe and bellye, or nauel of the vessel, vpon
+the Subiect steale, there was proportionately raised vp of the same
+vessel of _Amathyst_, a substance like a Challice, inward, or the
+inwarde moulde for a Bell, so high as the vessel was deepe the middle
+thereof, leuell with the brimme of the vessell.
+
+Vppon the which was made an artificious foote set vnder the
+three graces naked of fine Gold, of a common stature, one ioyning to an
+other.
+
+From the teates of their breastes the ascending water did spin out lyke
+siluer twist. And euerie one of them in their right hand did holde a
+copie full of all kinde of fruites, whiche did extend in length vp aboue
+their heades, and at the opening, all three of them ioyned rounde into
+one, with diuers leaues and fruites hangyng ouer the brimmes or lippes
+of the wrythen Copies.
+
+Betwixt the fruite and the leaues, there came vp sixe small Pypes, out
+of the whiche the water did spring vp through a small hole.
+
+And the cunning Artificer, because that hee would not trouble one Cubit
+with the tuch of another. With a signe of shamefastnes, the Images with
+their left handes did hide that part which modestie would not haue
+seene, but accounteth woorthie to bee couered.
+
+Vppon the brimme of the hollow vessell, whose compasse was a foote
+moreouer about, then the subiacent of it, with their heades lifted vp
+vpon their Vipers feete, with a conuenient and decent intercalation,
+there were placed sixe little scaly Dragons, of pure shining Golde, with
+such a deuise, that the water comming from the teates of the Ladies, did
+fall directly vppon the euacuated and open crowne of the head of the
+Dragons, afore spoken of, with their winges spredde abroad, and as if
+they had been byting, they did cast vp and vomit the same water whiche
+fell beyonde the roundnes of the Ophict, into a receptorie of Porphyr,
+and rounde, whiche were both more higher then the flatnesse of the
+pauement before spoken of: where there was a little Channell going
+rounde about betwyxt the Ophit and the Porphyrite, in breadth one foote
+and a halfe, and in depth two foote.
+
+Whiche Porphyrite was three foote from the playne ouermost parte to the
+Pauement, with an excellent vndiculation. The reste of the partes of the
+Dragonnes, for the moderate deepenesse of the vessell did grow on,
+vntill all met together, transforming the extreame partes of their
+tailes into an antique foliature making a beautifull illygament with the
+arule or foote set vnder the three images without any deforming
+hinderance to the hollownesse of the precious vessell. And what with the
+greene assayling of the compassing Orange trees, and the bright
+reflections of the shining matter, and the pure water, there was such a
+gratious couler, in that singular and most pretious vessell, as if the
+Rainbowe and the clowdes had made theyr habitation there.
+
+Then in the corpulent bearing out of the belly of the vessell, betwixt
+one, and the other Dragons, in an equall distance, and of a most
+excellent melting or casting, there stood out _L_yons heads of an
+exquisite exaction, and driuing, casting foorth by a little pype, the
+water that distilled from the six fistulets, placed in the copie aboue.
+Which water, did so forciblie spring vpward, that in the turning downe
+  it fell among the Dragons in the large vessell, where by reason
+          of the high fall, and fashion of the vessel, it
+                  made a pleasant tinckling noyse.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+All which rare worke, by so sharpe and fine a wit composed, as this
+insolent and precious vessell was, the foure perfect harpies, the
+woonderfull and curious azule, wherevpon the three Images of pure gould
+stood, with what Arte, ordinance, and rule, digested and made perfect:
+as I am ignorant in them altogither, so much the lesse able am I to
+describe the whole as it did deserue, being a woorke past any humaine
+reache and capacitie to frame the like.
+
+And I may bouldly say, that in our age there was neuer seene in stone
+and mettle such a peece of woorke embost, chased, and engrauen. For it
+was a woonder to see, that stones of such extreame hardnesse, as that
+which was the steale to hould vppe the Vessell, should be cut and
+wrought to that purpose, as if it had beene as soft as wax. A woorke
+raither to bee woondered at, then vndertaken.
+
+The square base court, (in the middest whereof stood this notable woorke
+of the sumptuous Fountaine,) was paued with fine Marble of diuers
+coulers and fashions. Amongst which were appact very beautifully,
+roundes of Diasper, equally distant, and disagreeing from the couler of
+the pauement, and the corners closed vp with leaues and Lyllies. Betwixt
+the square marble pauing stones, there was a space left like a list,
+which was filled vp with diuers coulered stones of a lesser cut, some
+proportioned into greene leaues, and tawnie flowers. Cyanei, Phænicei,
+and Sallendine, so well agreeing in theyr coulers, so glistering and
+seuerly set of a diligent Xesturgie. As full of coulers as a Christall
+glasse, repercust and beaten against with the beames of the sunne.
+Because the circumduct and compassing coulers, meeting together in the
+selfe same smoothe and cleane stones, did yeeld a reflection, no part
+being faultie, eyther of the square checkers or scutuls and Trigons. But
+with a smoothe and streight ordinance well ioyned together.
+
+Whereat I remained woonderfully amased by my selfe, diligently
+considering vpon the noblenes of the woorke, such as I had not beene
+vsed to see, and verye willinglye I would haue beene content, to haue
+made more staye in the contemplating thereof, for so the dignitie of the
+worke required, but I could not because it was necessarie for me to
+follow after my leaders.
+
+Then the aspect of this sumptuous magnificient and statelye pallace, the
+approoued situation thereof, the dew proportion, and the maruelous
+composition in my first comming to it, did make me woonderfully
+contented to view the woorthines thereof, and in continuance I was
+prouoked to behould more, for which cause I perswaded my selfe, as I
+might very well, that the expert builder, excelled all other whatsoeuer.
+What kinde of rafters? what manner of roofe? after what sort the Parlors
+chambers, closets and lodgings, were disposed? with what kind of seeling
+they were enclosed and incrusted? wherewithall hanged? with what couler
+and kinde of painting ouerhead? What order of columination, and what
+space betwixt. No other building maye goe beyonde this whatsoeuer, but
+may giue place verye well, of what kinde of Marble, and what manner of
+engrauing.
+
+There I beheld the laboures of Hercules grauen in stone with halfe the
+representation standing out or bearing foorth, in a woonderfull sort,
+the skinnes, statues, tytles, and trophes, What an entry, what a stately
+porche, what that of Titus Cesar with his stone of Phenicea with all the
+tinkering and pullishing about it, there is none whose wit is so grosse
+to commend it, in respect of this, but will rather scorne to speake of
+it. As for the woorthie and excellent manner of glasing the gallerie
+without the pallace, the conspitious porche, the manner of building, the
+arched seeling aboue head, beautified and adorned with foliature and
+other lineaments of pure gould and asuer couler and excellent painting
+that whatsoeuer I had seene before I made finall acount of, as not
+worthie of remembrance. And beeing now come to the doore within the
+porche, the going in was closed vp wth a hanging, drawne ouer before it
+of gould and silke, wrought together, and in the same two images. One of
+them hauing all kinde of instruments about hir, fitte and readie to goe
+to worke, and the other with a maidenly countenance, looking vp with hyr
+eyes into heauen.
+
+The beautye of which two were such, and so fresh, as I looked about mee,
+whether _Apelles_ had painted them with his Pensill.
+
+And there my sportfull, faire, and pleasant companions, euerie one
+putting their right handes to mine, willing to haue me in, sayde,
+_Poliphilus_ this is the vsuall waye, by the which you must come into
+the presence of our Gracious and moste excellent Queene.
+
+But you cannot haue leaue to enter in here through this Curtain, before
+you bee receiued of a vigilant and innocent Damosel that is the keeper
+of this doore, and she is called _Cinosia_. Who hearing vs comming, did
+forthwith present her selfe, and fauourably held vp the cloth, and wee
+entered in.
+
+There was a roome hung about and diuided by an other Curtaine of
+excellent Arras full of Imagerie, as signes, shapes, plants, and
+beastes, singularly well done.
+
+In this place at our comming, an other curious woman came towardes vs,
+called _Indalomena_, and she putting by the Curtaine, wee entered in.
+And there was an other suche like roome, from the second for quantitie,
+with discourses and reason marueilously wouen, with infinite knottes,
+bucklinges, tyings, and old fashioned harping Irons, or Hookes, as if
+they had been fastened and knit togither. In which place without any
+staying, the third woman came and receiued vs very gratiously, her name
+was _Mnemosina_, and shee calling vs, gaue vs free leaue to go in. Where
+lastly my companions did present mee before the sacred maiestie of the
+Queene _Eleutherillida_.
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus sheweth as well as hee may, how exceeding great the
+  Maiestie of the Queene was, the manner of her Residence and seruice.
+  His fauourable entertainment. Howe shee marueiled at him._
+
+
+When I came towardes the first doore-keeper, I was somewhat abashed, but
+yet I did salute her in good sorte as became mee to doo. And shee verie
+curteously badde mee come neere. And in like manner the second.
+
+In whose gard I did see a loftie Gallery as long the content of the
+Pallaice, the roofe whereof, was all painted with a greene foliature,
+with distinct flowers and folded leaues, and little flying Byrdes,
+excellently imphrygiated of museacall paynting, as without in the first
+Court, and the stone walls seeled with Chipworkes of diuers colours.
+
+At the last doore, the Matrone _Mnemosina_ perswaded me verie
+effectually, not to doubt of any thing, but that I should stedfastly
+follow the royall perswasion, and healthfull counsell of the Queene, and
+perseuere in the execution thereof, for that the ende without doubt
+would be to my content.
+
+And thus hauing leaue to goe in, beholde such thinges presented
+themselues to my eyes, as were lyker to be celestiall then humane.
+
+A most stately and sumpteous preparation, in a gorgeous and spacious
+Court, beyond the Pallaice neere and opposite to the other, and foure
+square.
+
+The bewtifull and precious Pauement within a checkered compasse going
+about the same, there was a space of sixtie foure Squadrates of three
+foote, the dyameter of euerye one: Of the which one was of Iasper, of
+the colour of Corall, and the other greene, powdered with drops of blood
+not to bee woorne away: and set togither in manner of a Chesse-boord.
+Compassed about with a border, the breadth of one pace of a rare
+inuention of woorke, with small pieces of stones, of diuers colours, and
+so compacte together, as if it had beene a straunge paynted woorke
+euenly cut and set by rule, that you could not perceiue the ioyning, but
+smoothe and shyning, and so well framed by the Lybell and Squadrate,
+that no circulating or sphæricall Instrument woulde mooue to either
+sides without forcing.
+
+About this, lastlye was an other marueylous kynde of Pauing of three
+paces broad, in knottes of Iasper, Praxin, Calcedonie, Agat, and other
+sortes of stones of price.
+
+And about by the sides of the walles, compassing the sayde Court paued
+as you haue heard, there were placed Settles, of the wood of Palme
+Trees, of colour betwixt a yealow and tawny, passing well turned and
+fashioned, couered ouer with greene Veluet, and bowlstered with some
+soft stuffe or feathers easie to sit vpon, the Veluet brought downe to
+the frame of the Settles or Benches, and fastened to the same with tatch
+Nayles of Golde, with bossed heades vppon a plaine Siluer Nextrule or
+Cordicell.
+
+The alament of the claustering walles, were couered ouer with Plates of
+beaten Golde, with a grauing agreeable to the pretiousnes of the metall.
+
+And in the coæquated and smoothe plaine of the same walles of stone,
+by certaine Pilastrelles, Quadrangules, or _L_ossenges, of an equall
+dimension and distinct correspondencie in the middest of euerie one,
+there were perspicuously appact rounde Iewels, bearing out and swelling
+beyond the plaine leuell of the wall, after the manner of the tores of
+bases, and of thicknes according to the proportion of the Losenge
+wherein it stood, compassed about with greene iagged leaues, one bending
+ouer an other, the tops turned toward the Iewell.
+
+And betwyxt the Foliature and the great Iewell, another border of
+pretious stones curiouslie sorted and conspicuouslie set.
+
+And in the rest of the wall circumvallate of these bearing out rownde
+Iewels, the seuen Plannets with their nature and properties, with an
+Encaustic woorke were sweetly painted, which I beheld with great
+delight. The rest of the wall exclusiue from the rowndnes of the Iewels
+within the Pilastrels, were filled vp and bewtified with infinite
+varietie of workes in siluer, and powdered with diuers inestimable
+stones, singularly well cut, and of diuers fashions.
+
+The wall on the left side was in like sort, and opposite in tundels.
+Against the seuen Plannettes were there seuen Tryumphes ouer the
+subiectes of the same predominent Plannettes, and in such lyke Art of
+Painting as the other side.
+
+And on the right part I behelde their seuen harmonies and friendly
+aspectes, and the passage of the blood, with the qualitatiue receiuing
+and retiring & circulating entrance, with an incredible Historie of the
+celestiall operation accedent.
+
+The fourth alament made the Pallaice of suche like distribution as the
+other, the doore except, whiche did occupie an emptie voyde interstice.
+The other sixe with a regulate correspondence, and harmonye of the rest,
+in the Iewelles to the opposite and symentriall congresse of the
+Plannettes, with their vertuous inclinations, were expressed in the
+shapes of elegant Nimphes, with the titles and signes of their natures.
+
+The seuenth Mediane quarter, was the forefront directlye placed against
+the seuenth Iewell, representing the Planet _Soll_, whiche was set vp
+more higher then the rest, by reason of the Queenes Throne.
+
+Euerie part of matter, number, forme, and lyneament, in distribution
+equally correspondent to his Lybell, the right with the left, and here
+and there, with an exquisite loue, and congresse agreeing.
+
+Of whiche moste excellent Court, euerie side was eight and twentie
+paces. In this sort stood this synarie open Court, all compassed about
+with fine golde, a worke rather to bee wondered at, then spoken off.
+
+The Pilastrelles were discrepant fowre paces one from an other, with a
+iust partition of seuen (a number gratefull to nature) of fine and
+orient Azure, Lazull stone, passing well coloured according to his
+kinde, with a bewtifull bestowing of small glymces of gold. In the fore
+part of which, betwixt the seuen pilastrels, there were appointed little
+slender Pillers wrought about with leaues, copies, heades with haire
+like leaues, boyes their hippes and legges proportioned into brawnches,
+Birdes and copies, and vesselles full of flowers, with other woonderfull
+inuentions and deuises, from the top to the bottome of the Anaglyph, as
+if they had grown out of the foundation, making and diuiding in sunder
+the spaces, their chapters were wrought of a fashion answerable to the
+rest.
+
+Ouer the whiche did extende a streight beame with grauen lineamentes
+fitting the same. And ouer that a Zophor, conteining this woorke still
+throughout, that is, the bonye scalpes of Oxen, with myroll bowghes full
+of berries, tyed abowt theyr hornes by a towell of linnen.
+
+Vpon either sides of them were Dolphines, with their gilles lyke leaues,
+and their Finnes and their extreeme partes of a foliature, and vpon
+theyr heades and backes certaine naked boyes, getting holde of theyr
+lifted vp braunching tayles, with leaues and flowers, and bending them
+downe.
+
+The head of the Dolphine hauyng a Syme, whereof the one part turned
+towardes the Boye, and the other bent against the vessell with an open
+gaping, and endyng in the head of a Storke, with her beake against the
+open mouth of a Monster, lying with his face vpwarde, and certaine
+Whorelles or Beades rysing vp betwixt his mouth and her beake.
+
+Whiche heades in stead of haire, were couered with leaues one ouer an
+other, filling the Orifice of the vessell, and from one lyp to an other,
+and vnder the bowle thereof towarde the foote, there compassed a fine
+towell of linnen, the endes hanging downe from the knottes, in suche an
+excellent sorte as was conuenient both for the place and matter. And in
+the middle ouer the heades, was the face of a childe vppon a payre of
+winges.
+
+And with suche lyke lineamentes was the Zophor adorned and couered, with
+a Coronice full of excellent workemanship. Vppon the plaine toppe
+whereof, by a perpendicular lyne ouer the Pillars, in the ordeining of
+the squadrangalles, there were placed and framed certaine olde fashioned
+vesselles, by an appointed distribution, three foote high of Calcedonie,
+some of Amethist, some of Agat, some of Iasper, with their bellies
+furrowed and Channelled, and cut of a rare and maruellous cunning, and
+with excellent eares.
+
+In a perfect order ouer euerie Iewell aboue the Coronice, were aptlye
+ioyned traunsomes, squared seuen foote high, and the middle space
+betweene them of glistering Golde, with a superadiect extention, closing
+ouer the streight extended transomes. And by a turnyng downe the
+transomes, did ioyne decently one with the other, with a Topiarie[A]
+woorke. Intending that out of the vesselles standing vpon the Coronice
+as aforesaide, in the cornes the transome and the vyne should ryse vp
+togither, but out of the other vesselles, either a vyne or some Woodbine
+of Golde, by courses meeting ouer the transwerst traunsomes, with a
+thicke stretching out of theyr spreadyng braunches, one ioyning with an
+other, and twisting togither with a fine and pleasant congresse,
+couering ouer all the whole court with a riche and inestimable suffite,
+with diuers fashioned leaues of greene emeralde, gratefull to the sight,
+more perfect then that wherein _Amenon_ was impressed, and the flowers
+dispersed and distributed of Saphires and byrrals. And with an excellent
+disposition and artificiall, betwixt the greene leaues and the grosse
+vaynes, so precious hunge downe the clusters of grapes made of stones,
+agreeable and fitting to the naturall coulers of Grapes.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Topiaria, the feate of making Images or Arbours in
+    Trees.]
+
+All which most rare deuises, of pryse incomparable, incredible, and past
+imagination, did shine all ouer most pretiouslie: not so much to be
+marueyled at for the costlinesse of the matter, but for the large
+greatnesse of the worke.
+
+For nor without great cause, from place to place, with a diligent and
+iealous examination I did carefully consider the large extention of the
+inmost intricate braunches, and their proportionate strength and
+thicknesse, so cunninglie doone, by such an arte, boulde attempt, and
+continued intent, they were so aptly led out, whether by sowdering,
+or by the Hammer, or by casting, or by all three, mee thought it an
+vnpossible worke to make a couering of such a breadth, and so twysted
+and twyned together.
+
+In the middle prospect, oppossite against our going in vpon a degreed
+regall throne, set full of glystering stones in a maruelous order, farre
+more excellent then the seat in the temple of _Hercules_ at _Tyre_, of
+the stone _Eusebes_. The Queene with an imperiall Maiestie sitting vppon
+it, goddesse like, and of a woonderfull magnanimitie in countenance:
+gorgiously apparrelled in clothe of goulde, with a sumptuous and curious
+attyre, vpon hir head of a purple couler, with an edging of Orient
+Pearle, shadowing ouer hir large forhead, aunciently and princelike,
+euer pressing hir plemmirrulate trammels of hayre, as blacke as iet
+descending downe hir snowie temples, and the rest of the aboundance of
+hir long hayre, fastned rounde in the hinder parte of her head, and
+deuided into two partes or tresses, lapt about this waye and that waye,
+behind hir small eares, ouer hir streight proportioned head, and
+finished in the crowne, with a flower of great Orient, and rownd
+Pearles, such as be found in the Indian promontorie _Perimula_.
+
+The rest of hir long spreding hayre was not seene, but couered ouer with
+a thinne vayle, edged with gould, hanging downe from the said flower and
+knot of pearle, to hir delicate shoulders, and flingering abroade with
+the ayre.
+
+In the middle of the edging of hir dressing, vpon the highest parte ouer
+the middest of hir forhead hoong a rare iewell. And about hir round and
+snowie neck, went an inestimable Carkenet with a pendent ouer the
+diuision of hir rownde brests, of a table Dyamond, in fashion of an
+Egge, sparkling, and of a monstrous largenes, set in gould with wyer
+woorke.
+
+At hir eares moste richelye were hanged in the typpes two earinges, two
+great shynyng Carbunckles of an inestimable price.
+
+Hir shooes were of greene silke, and hir pantofles of gould imbrodered
+in a leafe woorke. Vppon a foote stoole aboue the which, and vnder hir
+feete, was layde a cushion of white Veluet, with a purseling of silke
+and Orient Pearles of _Arabia_, within the persick golph, with foure
+Buttons wrought with pretious Stones, and tasseld with goulde twist, and
+crimosen silke, depending.
+
+Vppon eyther sides along vpon the aforesaid benches couered ouer with
+greene veluet, sate hir Ladyes of honour, attendant in a goodly and
+commendable order, according to their estates, apparrelled in clothe of
+goulde in an incredible brauerie, as in the world may bee seene. And in
+the middest of them this renowned and famous Queene in great pompe and
+vnspeakeable statelynes, and the hemmes of hir vestures so edged and set
+with pearle and stone, as if nature had rayned and powred them down vpon
+hir.
+
+At hir high and imperiall aspect, with great reuerence bowing their
+knees to the ground vnto hir, hir women did rise vppe from their seates,
+occasioned by the noueltie of the spectacle, & greatly marueiling that I
+should come into such a place.
+
+But I founde my selfe more amazed, my hearte quayling, and dilating both
+of the troubles that I passed, and the present estate that I was brought
+into, which did enuiron and fill me with an extreame amasement, reuerend
+feare, and honest shamefastnesse.
+
+And they asking the fiue Nimphes that brought me in, whysperinglie what
+I was, and the strangenesse of my hap, directing, bending and
+intentiuely fixing all their eyes vpon me. Where finding my selfe so
+base a worme in such an excellent conspect, I was woonderfully
+astonished, and lyke one that had no spyrite.
+
+But the successe and manner of my comming being demaunded of them, the
+Nymphes plainly, open and manifest the same at large, whereat the
+gratious Queene beeing mooued to compassion, caused me to stand vp, and
+vnderstanding what my name was, began to say.
+
+_Poliphilus_, be of good comfort, and pluck vp a good heart, and tell me
+how thou commest hither, and by what meanes, and how thou diddest escape
+that mortall and horrible Dragon? and how thou diddest finde away out of
+that odious and blinde darkenes, I haue beene tould of it: But I maruell
+me not a little, because few or none dare aduenture that waye. But
+seeing that grace hath safelye brought thee hither vnto vs, I will not
+denye thee (any cause notwithstanding) a gratious and fauourable
+intertaynement.
+
+To whose liberall inuiting, royall woordes and intertaynement, better
+then I could haue imagined to desire, with diuote and honourable
+thankes, giuen aboundantly from pointe to pointe, I tould how I escaped
+and fled from the Dragon, a fearefull monster. And consequently with
+what trauell and payne I came to the desired place. And how the fiue
+Nimphes did finde me wandering and afrayde. Which when I had at large
+declared and ended my speeche, I began with great desire to frame my
+selfe to bee a pertaker of their solacious and magnificent pleasures.
+
+After that she said vnto me with a smiling and pleasant countenance.
+It is a woorthie matter to consider, that an euill and discontented
+beginning, often time falleth out to a happie and good successe in the
+end: and before that anye thing bee committed vnto you to perfourme, as
+touching your amorous and firme conceit, it is our pleasure, for the
+asswagement and mitigation of thy commendable griefes, that in this
+company thou especially shouldest associate thy selfe with _Philotesia_,
+seeing that the faire heauens haue shewed thee of thy entertainment, and
+brought thee into our triumphant mansion place. And therefore my
+_Poliphilus_, without any more ceremonies take thy place there and sit
+downe, for thou shalt see (with a verie good will) part of our sumptuous
+and stately manner of seruice, the plentifull diuersitie and number of
+my more then princely dainties, the honourable attendance of my
+houshold, & excellent order thereof, the inestimable pretiousnes of my
+great aboundance, and the large effects of my bounty.
+
+At which imperious commaund, her eloquent and fauorable speech ended,
+humbly, and with a little more audacitie than before, vppon one of the
+benches of my right hande I did sit downe (lapping my torne gowne
+together before me with certaine brymble leaues still sticking in it)
+betwixt the fiue Nymphes that brought mee in, and amongst them next vnto
+_Offresia_ and _Achoe_, placed behinde the Queene, and six other of the
+chamber vppon the other hande, and in the middest on high vppon a throne
+did the Queene sitte in an imperiall Maiestie.
+
+The Couer ouer the Throne was of an inamelled couloring contayning in it
+a beautifull image without any beard, the head bushing with yellow
+haire, part of his brest couered with a thinne cloath ouer the displayed
+winges of an Eagle, her head turning vp, and beholding of him. The head
+of which image was redymited with an azure Diademe, adorned with seauen
+beames, and at the foot of the Eagle two braunches of greene Lawrell,
+one one way, the other contrary towards either side. And in euerie
+garland I behelde the figment proper to his planet, and behind at my
+backe was the iewell, containing the historie of the winged Mercury, and
+howe the benignitie of his good disposition is depraued, when he is in
+the malignant taile of the venemous Scorpion. And looking vpon my selfe,
+I was ashamed to see my vile habite among suche sumpteous induments,
+that me thought my selfe no otherwaies but euen lyke that vile and
+mortiferous beast among the most noble signes of the Zodiac. The
+bewtifull and honorable damosels sate in order vpon the Benches, compast
+about all along by the sides of the walles vppon the right side, and the
+best of the Court, with a rare and strange kinde of womanly dressing
+vppon their heads, as is in the world, with the tresses of their haire
+lapt and bowed vp in Caules of gold.
+
+Some with their haires of Amber colour, curled and dressed vp with
+flowers of the same vppon a wyer, with the endes turning downe and
+wauing vppon their snowy foreheades and smooth temples, bewtified with
+Rubies and Diamonds prickt in the haire.
+
+Others of the colour of the Obsidium of _India_, blacke and shining,
+adorned with floures of Orient Pearle, & Carkenets of the same. They
+stood all waiting with such a venerate attention, that when the seruice
+was brought to the table, they all at one instant time alike, made their
+reuerent curtesies in bowing of their knees, and in like manner when
+they did rise from of their seates, euerie one apparrelled in cloth of
+Golde, but they did not sit and eate at the same table.
+
+Streight before the triumphant Queene was the opening of the third
+Curtaine, couering a great and goodly doore, not of Marble, but of rare
+and hard Diasper of the East, of an artificiall and ancient worke,
+wonderfully bewtifull to behold. Vpon either sides of this doore, their
+yoong damosels Musitians, seuen vpon a side in a Nimpish apparrel,
+notable for the fashion and verie rich: which at euery change of
+seruice, did alter their Musicke and Instruments, and during the
+banquetting, others with an Angelike and Syreneall consent, did tune the
+same to their handes. Then in a sodaine was placed frames of Hebony,
+with three feete, and other temporary tables, without any noyse or
+brustling. Euerie one readie to his appoynted Office, with a carefull,
+diligent, and affecting indeuour, wholy to that seruice which was
+enioyned him.
+
+And first before the Queene, there was placed a frame of three feete of
+this fourme, vpon a rounde of fine Dyasper, with curious Lineaments. To
+the which were three stypits, the lower partes whereof, did finish in
+the forme of the tearing claw of a Lyon, with an exsquisite foliature,
+compassing about the steales of the stypets, hauing in the middest of
+euerie one, fastened the head of a childe betwixt two wings, from the
+which betwixt one and other of the stypets, there hung in maner of a
+Garland a bundle of leaues and fruites bounde togither, and biggest
+towardes the midst, and vppon the top of the stypets or steales, was put
+a proiection to beare vp the rounde table before the Queene.
+
+This frame was vnmoueable, but the round table was to be quickly taken
+of and on, according to the substance of the vessels at euery changing
+of the table.
+
+And streight way as it were in the twinckling of an eye and turne of a
+hand, there was put vppon this three footed frame a rounde table of
+Golde, three foote by the Diameter, and of an indifferent thicknesse,
+and of this forme and bignes were all the rest.
+
+Vpon this table was laide a Carpet perfumed, of cloth of Hormisine of a
+greene colour, euenly distended large and long downe to the pauement:
+fringed vpon the sides with twisted threede of the selfe same, and mixed
+with Siluer and Golde, depending downe vnder a border of imbroyderie of
+Pearle and pretious stone, with a hand-breadth of the pauement on euerie
+side hanging downe. And of this sort were all the Carpets bordered and
+fringed.
+
+Afterwards followed a faire yoong Damosell and quicke, with a great
+Bason of Gold filled with the flowers of Violets, tawny, blew & white,
+and sweet smelling, as in the prime spring time, and strewing of them
+vpon the tables, except that before the Queene.
+
+Her sacred maiestie, hauing put off her robe so gorgeous as _Lolia_,
+wife to _Paulus Aemilius_ neuer saw in her husbandes tryumphes, and shee
+remayned in a gowne of purple Veluet, hauing wouen in it birdes, little
+beastes, leaues and flowers in knottes, the worke somewhat raysed vp
+with pearle and stone, with a thynne vayle couering it all ouer of silke
+syprusse, shewing through it the couered workes and cloath by reason of
+the cleare subtiltie and thinnesse thereof, and imperiall and gratious
+apparell.
+
+After came in two beautifull Damosels bringing in an artificious
+fountaine continually running with water, and reassuming the same
+agayne, which was of fine golde, and in a vessell of a curious
+workmanshippe, which was brought before the Queene, and after the
+presenting of it vpon the table of golde they bowed their knees downe to
+the pauement, and like reuerence at the same instaunt made all the rest
+of the attendant Ladyes, both at the presenting of euery thing, and at
+the taking away. Three other faire Damosels followed neare after them,
+one carrying an Ewer of golde, the second a bason, and the other a
+towell of white silke.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+The Queen whilest shee did wash her handes, one that caried the golden
+bason, receyued therin the water, that it might not fall agayne into the
+reassuming fountaine: and the other with the Ewrie, powred in as much
+sweete water as was borne away, because that the fountaine shoulde not
+be emptie, and hyndered in hys course. The third did wipe and drie her
+hands.
+
+The broad and large Receptorie of this fountaine was carryed vpon foure
+little wheeles, which they drew vppon euerie table to wash the handes of
+all that were sette.
+
+The brim of the vessell wherein the rising vp fountaine did stande, was
+adorned with bubbles of pearle standing vp, and vnder the same was sette
+an other of an other sorte, and both ioyned together with two claspes of
+an exquisite dipoliture, fine worke, and pretiously garnished. For among
+other iewelles of inestimable price, vppon the verie toppe in a flower,
+there was sette a Diamond in fashion of a peare, glistering and
+sparkling of a huge and vnseene bignes.
+
+And as neare as my smell could tell mee, I did iudge the water to bee of
+Roses, mixt with the iuice of Lymon pilles, and a little Amber
+artificially composed, which yeelded a sweet and pleasant smell.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+In the middest of this admirable and stupendious Court, there was set
+out a maruellous perfuming vessel, not so much for the excellent and
+perfecte substaunce thereof, which was pure and fine golde: but for the
+conspicuous, rare, and auncient fashion of the base, standing vpon three
+Harpyes feete, the which in a foliature made a trianguled illygament to
+the base, full of deuises, as the mettall required, ouer euerie Angle or
+corner whereof stoode three naked shapes of flying spirites orderly
+sette, of two cubites high, with their shoulders turned one towards an
+other, and somewhat neare together.
+
+They stood vpon the base with the right foot towards the corner, and the
+lefte stretching towardes the fixed foot of the other boye. Their cubits
+bending vp, and holding the handle of the perfuming panne, verie slender
+in the steale, and vpward in fashion of a bowle, somewhat furrowed and
+broad lipped.
+
+There were six in a round circuit, one towardes an other: And betwixt
+theyr shoulders in the Center point of the trianguled base, there rose
+vp a steale like an olde fashioned Candlesticke, holding on the toppe
+thereof suche a bowle or vessell as aforesaide, and so broade as did
+fill vp the voyde place in the middest betwixt the other six.
+
+Which bowles were filled with burning coles couered ouer with embers,
+and in euery vessell vppon the ashes did boyle a little pot of gold,
+which contrary liquors infused with sweet odours.
+
+And as I suspected, euery potte had seuerall water, as it were, one with
+Rose-water, another with water of Orange flowers, another of myrtle,
+tender greene Lawrell leaues, elder flowers, and diuers such lyke
+sociable symples. And these boyling together, they did yeelde a most
+pleasant and fragrant smell.
+
+In the presence of the magnificent Queene there did alwayes wayte and
+attend three honourable Nymphes, their apparell beeing of golde and
+silke, maruelously wouen and adorned, and sette with pearle and stone.
+The lyninges of theyr gownes going about their snowie shoulders, and
+comming downe vppon theyr little round brestes to the lower parte of
+their wastes, of suche colour as the napkins, leauing to be seene the
+pleasaunt valleys betwixt their faire brestes, an extreame delight and
+desired nourishment vnto a narrowe looke and greedie eye, with a
+thousand small chaynes, pretie iewelles and flowers of golde in a
+fæminine sort, a sweet bayte to carrie a man headlong into forgetfulnes
+of hymselfe, beeing inchaunted with choyse and amorous regards, farre
+passing the desire of any other delycate vyands. Their shooes of golde
+cutte with halfe Moones, and closed vp at the ioyning of the hornes or
+corners with buttons and flowers of gold-smithes woorke in a curious
+sorte, and the trammels of their faire and plentifull haire aboue their
+forheads and temples instrophiated with large and round oryent pearle.
+
+They stoode thus on eyther hande and before the Queene with a singular
+and reuerent regarde, attending and readilie perfourming that charge
+whereunto they were appoynted. And these serued but an one Table: which
+beeing chaunged, they withdrewe themselues by, and stoode still vppon
+theyr feete arme in arme, other three hauing supplyed their places: And
+the three that wayted, shee in the middest was caruer.
+
+The other vppon the right side helde vnder a plate if anie thing should
+fall by: and the thirde vppon the lefte hand held a most whyte and
+cleane towell of silke to drie her lippes, and in euery action a
+reuerence.
+
+The towell was not vsed but once, and then cast by vpon the pauement,
+and carryed away by one that stoode neare. And so many morsels as shee
+did eate, so many sweete perfumed cleane towelles of silke plyted and
+finely wrought were vsed.
+
+And the like was doone to euerie guest, for not one at that banquet did
+touch anie thinge sauing onelye the cuppe.
+
+After that the Queene had washed, and had her first seruice, then all
+the rest did wash at the same fountaine, casting out water of it selfe,
+and reassuming the same in a wonderfull manner by two small pypes on
+eyther sides, and running vp straight in the middest from the bottome of
+the vessell, the deuyse whereof when I did vnderstand, I was much
+contented therewithall.
+
+After the washing of the Queene first, and successiuely of all the rest,
+there was deliuered to euery one of the wayters a rounde ball of golde
+wyer-woorke full of small holes, and within stuft with Amber past of a
+most perfect composition, set with pretious stones, to the ende their
+hands, eyes, and sences should not be idle.
+
+Then there at euerie chaunge of course, two _Edeabriees_ that had the
+ordayning of the Queenes meate, did bring into the middest of the royall
+Court vppon foure turning wheeles a stately repositorie or cupbord, in
+fashion like vnto a shippe, and the rest like to a triumphant Chariot,
+of most fine golde, with many fishes and water monsters, and infinit
+other exquisite shapes maruelously wrought, and sette full of riche
+stones, the sparklings and glisterings whereof did shine rounde about
+the sides of the Court, and reincounter vpon the roundelles of the other
+before spoken iewelles, on euery side fitly placed, as if Phœbus had
+been sette by a Nymph to grace hir eyes and countenance with his shining
+brightnes.
+
+To all which continuall glistering of ineffable workemanshippe, there
+could no more bee deuised of equall comparison, although it were the
+Temple at Babylon with the three golden statues.
+
+Within the which was put all such necessaries perfumed, as were meete
+and conuenient for the chaunging of the tables, as clothes, flowers,
+cuppes, towelles, and vesselles, to powre out of, to drinke in, and
+plates to eate vpon.
+
+And these two Nymphes plaustraries[A], did take them downe, and deliuer
+them (as neede required) to the wayters.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Which did draw in the cupbord.]
+
+And the first Table beeing chaunged, euerie thing was brought backe
+agayne to the plaustraries, at whose going away the Trumpettes sounded
+in such a sorte, as _Piseus Therrenus_ neuer came neare vnto, nor
+_Maletus_ Trumpetor to the King of Hetruria.
+
+And then they did wind their Cornettes, thus dooing euerie time that the
+repositorie was drawne out, vntil that it came in againe, at what time
+they ceased.
+
+And when the Table was chaunged, they altered their musicall
+instruments, which beeing ceased, the singers began so heauenly, that it
+would haue caused the Syrens to sleepe, hauing mixed with their voyces
+still winde instruments of wood, such as the _Troezein Dardanus_ neuer
+inuented.
+
+And by this appoynted order, there was continually heard melodious
+soundes, and pleasaunt harmonies, sweete concords with delightfull
+Musicke presented, odoriferous perfume smelt, and stately viandes
+plentifully fedde of. And euerie thing whatsoeuer, without any defect of
+grace or delight answerable, according to the dignitie of the place.
+
+To this first princely table, all the vessels and instruments togither
+with the table it selfe, were of pure fine Gold. Wherupon there was
+appresented a Cordiall confection, and as I could coniecture, it was
+made of the scraping of Vnicornes horne, Date stones and Pearle, often
+hette, and quenched and pownded small, Manna, Pineapple kernels, Rose
+water, Musk and Lyquid, Golde, in a precious composition by weight, and
+made Losenges with fine Sugar and Amylum.
+
+This was eaten without any drinking vpon it, and it was a Confection to
+prohibite all Feuers, and to driue away Melancholy wearines.
+
+This being done in a moment, all things were taken vp and remoued, the
+Violets cast vpon the ground, and the table bare. And assoone as this
+was done, the table was laide againe couered with cloth of Talasike, and
+also the wayters, and as at the first, there was cast vpon them the
+sweete flowers of Cedars, Orenges, and _L_ymons, and vpon that, they did
+appresent in vessels of Beryl, and of that precious stone was the
+Queenes table (except the skinking pottes which were all of pure fine
+Gold) fiue Fritters of paste of a Saffron colour, and crusted ouer with
+extreeme hotte Rose water, and fine pownded Sugar, and then againe cast
+ouer with musked water, and with fine Sugar like frost vpon Ise. These
+Seruices of a most pleasant taste, and of sundry fashions were laid in
+thus. The first, in oyle of the flowers of Orenges. The second, in oyle
+of Gilliflowers. The third, in oyle of the floures of Gessamin. The
+fourth, in pure Oyle of Beniamin.
+
+And the last, in the oyle of Muske and Amber. And when we had wel tasted
+and eaten of the same delectable meat, there was deliuered to vs a
+goodly cup of the aforenamed Beryl, with his couer, and couered ouer
+that also with a thinne Veyle of silke and Gold curiously folded into
+the fourme of a Canapie, the ends cast ouer the shoulders of the
+bearers, and hanging down their backe.
+
+And in this sort they did present all drinking vessels and others, with
+meates and sawces couered. Within the drinkyng cup they had infused a
+precious Wine, so as mee thought that the Gods of the _Elysian_ fieldes,
+had transformed their power into the sweetnes of the lyquor: surpassing
+the wine of _Thassus_.
+
+Without delaie (after our drinking this table being taken away, and the
+sweete flowers cast vpon the pauement), there was forthwith spred a
+cloth of murry silke and carnation: with Roses white, redde, Damaske,
+Muske, and yealow cast vppon the same. And presently new wayters brought
+in (apparrelled in the same colours) sixe pieces of bread cut for euery
+one, tossed and dressed with refined marrow, sprinckled ouer with Rose
+water, Saffron, and the iuice of Orenges, tempering the taste and gilded
+ouer, and with them sixe pieces of pure manchet were set downe. And next
+vnto them a confection, of the iuice of Lymons tempered with fine Sugar,
+the seedes of Pines, Rose water, Muske, Saffron, and choyce Synamon, and
+thus were all the sawces made with conuenient gradation and deliuery.
+The vessels were of Topas and the round table.
+
+This third magnificent table being taken vp as before said, there was
+presently an other innouated, with a cloth of silke smooth, and of a
+yealow colour, (the wayters sutable) and strewed with Lilly Conually,
+and Daffadil, immediately this course was presented, seuen morsels of
+the flesh of a Partridge in a sharpe broth, and so many pieces of pure
+white Manchet. The sauce Acceres, minced and dissolued in Sugar thrice
+sodden, Amylum, Saunders, Muske and Rose water. The vessels and the
+rounde table of _Chrysolite_. Lastly, they offered a precious drinking
+cup, and so obserued in the rest.
+
+The fourth table beeing taken away, the fift was reuested with a cloth
+of silke, of a crimosen colour, and in like sort the Nimphish apparrel.
+The flowers of purple, yealow, white, and tawny. The Seruis, eight
+morsels of the flesh of a Pheasant rosted lying in the grauie, and
+withall so many pieces of fine white manchet. The sauce was this, water
+of Orenge flowers, the iuice of Pomegranets, Sugar, Cloues, and Cynamon.
+The vesselles of Smaragde, and the table of the Souereigne Queene.
+
+This beeing taken away verie solemnely, there was spred an other cloth
+of silke of a purple colour, and so the apparrel of the wayters.
+
+The flowers were of three sortes, of Iessamine, tawny, yealow, and
+white. The Seruice was nine morsels of the flesh of a restoratiue
+Peacocke, moystened in his grauie. The sauce was most greene and tart,
+with Pistacke, Nuttes pownded, Sugar, Cypricum, Amylum, and Muske, Time,
+white Marioram, and Pepper. The vesselles of Saphyre, and the Princely
+Table.
+
+At the seuenth chaunge, they brought in a sumpteous table of white
+Iuory, bordered, trayled, and finely wrought with many small pieces vpon
+the precious wood of Aloes, and ioyned & glued togither, and from one
+side to the other, wrought with knottes and foliature, flowers,
+vesselles, monsters, little Birdes, and the strikes and caruings filled
+vp with a black paste and mixture of Amber and Muske. This mee thought
+was a most excellent thing and sumpteous breathing out, a most
+delightful sweet smel. The cloth white and subtily wrought with drawne
+worke with Satten silke, the ground powdered and filled, and the worke
+white and plaine, with the representation of shapes, byrdes, beastes,
+and flowers, and in like sort the apparel of the wayters. The flowers
+Lady steale, Rape, Violet, and all sortes of sweete Gilliflowers. And
+thus there varied euerie where such diuersitie of smelles, seuerally
+brought in, and so delightfull to the sences, as I cannot sufficiently
+expresse.
+
+Then there was giuen to euerie one a confection in three morsels of the
+shell, fish, Dactilus, with Pistacke, Nut kernels pownded and put into
+Rose water and Sugar, of the Ilandes, and Muske and leafe Golde, beaten
+and adulterated therwith, that euerie piece taken vp, seemed as if it
+had beene all Gold.
+
+The vessels were of Iacynth, and the table circular. An apt and
+conuenient stone to so excellent disposition and royall board and
+straunge banquets, suche as before were neuer heard of.
+
+After the taking away of these wonderfull Confections, and the flowers
+cast downe vpon the pauement in a princely magnificence, there was
+presently brought in, a great vessell of Gold full of kindled coales,
+into the which the table cloathes, napkins and towelles of silke were
+throwne, whiche presently burned light, and after that beeing taken out
+and cooled, they were whole, vnhurt and cleane, as at the first. And
+this yet was the wonderfull straungest of all the rest. And then the
+tables and frames were taken downe and carried away.
+
+Which most excellent order and sightes, the more that I carefully
+indeuoured to consider of them, the more ignorant and amazed I founde my
+selfe.
+
+But in all thinges assuredly I did take great pleasure with my intended
+admiration, in seeing of such, so great, plentifull, and tryumphant
+sumpteousnes, of so incredible costly a banket, that it is better to
+holde my peace then not to speake sufficiently in the report thereof.
+For that the bankets of _Sicilia_ be in respect but beggerly, and so
+were the stately Ornaments of _Attalus_. The Corinthian vessels, the
+dainties of _Ciprus_, and _Saliarie_ suppers.
+
+Yet notwithstanding so supreame and excessiue alacritie, and cordiall
+delectation, and that onely and extreeme pleasure (occasioned by such
+and so vnexpected delightes) by one of those three which in the last
+chaunge attended, was quayled, ouerthrowne, interrupted, lamed,
+intercepted and made vaine. For shee did represent in her behauiour, the
+sweet iesture and resemblance of _Polia_, stirring vp by them in me
+stealing regardes.
+
+This was no small hinderance vnto mee, in the takyng of those pleasant
+dainties and princely refection. Yet notwithstanding my eyes would now
+and then with much adoo, bee withdrawne to beholde the bewtie of the
+Iewels and precious stones, sparkeling and glistering in euerie place,
+in such diuersities of straunge and vnseene gloriousnes and conspicuous
+decoraments, as if they had all ought a duetie to her, which made mee
+with an immoderate desire, to behold the correspondency of her excellent
+bewtie.
+
+Lastly, in suche order and sorte, as aforesaide, the tables beeing taken
+away, I hung downe my heade, because that I might not followe after the
+last iunckates which I had lost by minding of her that ministred.
+
+Then first before the sacred Maiestie and royall person of the Queene,
+and afterwards to vs, fiue fayre Nymphes apparelled in blewe silke and
+golde curiously wouen togeather in workes, did all together appresent
+themselues.
+
+The middlemost of them did beare a braunch of coorrall, lyke a tree,
+such as is not founde amongst the Ilandes Orchades, of one cubite high,
+which stoode as vppon a little mountayne, which was the couer of an old
+fashioned vessell of pure gold, in forme of a Challyce, as high agayne
+as the couer and the tree of coorrall, full of curious workmanshippe and
+leafe worke, neuer made in our age, nor the like seene.
+
+Betwixt the gracylament of the foote and the cuppe, it was knitte
+together with a handle of inestimable workemanship, and in lyke manner
+the foote and the bowle were of an excellent anaglyphie of foliature,
+monsters and byformed Scyllules, so exquisitely expressed, as could be
+imbossed, chased, or ingrauen by proportionate circulation.
+
+And the mordycant couer of the same was thicke set with incomparable
+iewelles: and in lyke sorte all the base and handle whereas conueniencie
+requyred, and glystering about.
+
+Vppon the braunches of the coorrall, there were artificially sette
+certayne open flowers with fiue leaues, some of Saphyre, some of Iacynth
+and Berill, and in the middest of them a little round seede of golde,
+fastening the leaues to the stalke of corrall.
+
+Which yoong woman reuerently bowing to the earth with her right knee,
+reseruing the other still vp, whereuppon shee helde this couer of
+coorrall, which also besides the flowers, had vppon the pointes and
+toppes of other twigges or sprouts curiously infixed monstrous great
+pearle. An other of them had a cuppe full of pretious lyquor, better
+then that which the prowde _Cleopatra_ gaue vnto the Romane Captaine:
+The reste did execute their offices as aforesaid, and plucking off one
+after another, with a little instrument with two teeth of golde they
+offering the same fruits vnto vs, to me vnknowne, for that I had neuer
+seene the lyke, we did tast them.
+
+But the vnexpected pleasure of them, and sweetnes of their tast, was no
+otherwise to me than like a gratious substance wanting his desired
+forme.
+
+And there were restored agayne the balles of golde before mentioned.
+
+Vppon this appeared an other maruellous woorke, that was a perpetuall
+running fountaine artificially deuysed of the aforesaid matter, but of
+an other notable fashion and workemanshippe, founded vppon an immoueable
+axeltree, vppon the which two wheeles turned about.
+
+Aboue the which stood an vnequal quadrature three foot long, two foot
+broad, and six foote high.
+
+In euery angular part did sit a Harpie with both her winges extended and
+stretched vp to the breadth of a higher vessell, standing vp vppon the
+middest of the measured quadrangule, coronized at the extreme and vpper
+parts, and beautified with chanelling and foliature, circumuesting the
+lower part.
+
+And vppon euerie side the same diuided into three, the middle parte
+betwixt the fall of the waters intercepted, did contayne in halfe bodyes
+carued, a tryumph of Satyres and Nymphes, with Trophees, and exquysite
+actions, excepte the fore-part and hinder parte moderately sinuated and
+bent in. The which in steade of squadred lyneament, did contayne a
+roundnesse waued betweene, in the which was maruellously ingrauen a
+little sacrifice with an olde Aultar on eyther sides, with manie figures
+and actions, the rest that was voyde, the tayles of the foresayde
+Harpyes ioyning togeather, and turning heere and there into leaues, did
+excellently couer the same.
+
+Out of the medyan center of the equature and quadrangule afore specified
+and described out of an antyke folyature, did ryse vp an olde fashioned
+vessell, and verie beautifull, the cyrcuite whereof did not exceede the
+content of the quadrangulate playne, and this with all the rest of the
+woorke, and euerie proportionate disquisition, tryall, and examination,
+both in the highest breadth and thicknesse, with moste conuenient
+vesseling lineamentes, diligently delymated and fyled, and then finished
+with an absolute and depolyte deformation.
+
+The which out of the suppressed orifice thereof did ascend vp an other
+hollowe vessell, the compasse whereof did exceede the aforesaide subiect
+vessell furrowed and channelled round about, of a great breadth and
+large brymmes so wel fashioned, as is possible for any goldsmith to
+beate out with his hammer.
+
+In the center poynt whereof did rise and mount an other vessell of
+incredible workemanship.
+
+In the bottome of which thirde there were small ridges swelling
+outwardes, the toppes of them compassed about with a row of diuerse
+inestimable stones, bearing out and differing in colours, as best might
+content the eye of a curious Lapidarie and skilfull vnderstanding.
+
+Vppon the same on eyther sides was made a heade of a monster, from the
+which on both handes did proceede the garnishing thereof in an exquysite
+and most rare worke of leaues, inuesting the same about with the
+congresse of the opposyte heade, and finely gracing that parte of the
+vessell.
+
+And in the bearing out of the lippe of the vessell ouer the
+perpendicular poynt of the heade there was fastened a rynge, from the
+which vppon eyther sides there hung downe a garland of braunches,
+leaues, flowers, and fruites growing bigger towardes the middest, with a
+perpolyte bynding to eyther ringes.
+
+Ouer the middle bending of the garland, and vnder the proiecture of the
+lyppe of the vessell, there was fixed and placed the head of an olde
+man, with his beard and haire of his head transformed into nettle
+leaues, and out of whose mouth gushed out the water of the fountayne by
+art continually into the hollownes of the broad vessell vnder this.
+
+Vppon the mouth of this last described vessell did mount vppe a pretyous
+hyll maruellously congest, and framed of innumerable rounde pretious
+rocke stones closing one with another vnequally, as if nature had ioyned
+them growing, making a rounde composed hill, beautifully glistering of
+dyuerse sortes and colours in a proportionate bignes.
+
+And aloft vppon the toppe of this little hill, there grewe a fine
+pomgranate tree, the body, boughes and fruite made all of golde, the
+leaues of greene Smaragde. The fruit of theyr naturall bignesse heere
+and there aptly placed, their sides cut open, and in place of kernelles
+they were full of most perfecte Rubyes, as bigge as the kernels.
+
+After that, the ingenious Artificer wanting no inuention, hee seperated
+the graynes in steade of the fylme with siluer foyle.
+
+And moreouer, in other apples, opened, but not rype, hee redoubled the
+thicknesse of the foyle, making the kernelles of an oryentall colour, so
+also hee made the flowers of perfect corrall, in the cuppes full of bees
+of golde.
+
+Besides this, out of the toppe of the hollowe steale, lyke a pype, there
+came out a turning steale, the lowest part whereof rested in a heade,
+framed from the middle trunke or pype iust ouer the axeltree.
+
+Which steale or stypet beeing strongly fastened, it bare vp a vessell of
+Topas of an auncient forme, the bowle whereof in the bottome was broad,
+and swelling out with rigges in the opening, rarely bewtified with a
+coronice, and put vnder with another.
+
+In which closing and binding together in foure equall diuisions, there
+were foure winged heades of a little childe, with foure pipes in their
+mouthes.
+
+The rest mounted vp so much as the lower bignesse of the vessell was,
+beeing closed vp at the orifice with an inuerse foliature. Vppon the
+which there was placed an other vessell as it were a circular couer of a
+most curious leafe worke, with a smal coronice, and an artificiall
+orifice.
+
+From the bottome of which there beganne a flourished tayle of a Dolphin
+fastened and sowldered to the gracylament of the vessell, descending
+downe with his heade finned with leaues, to the circulating brymme of
+the vessell where the boyes heades were fixed. And with a moderate
+swelling out about the head, and streightning in towardes the tayle,
+they fitted for the eares in a beautiful manner. And all that inclining
+part with an exquisite polishing did make an expresse shewe of most
+curious lineaments.
+
+The vpper vessell was so perfectly wrought, that when the wheele was
+mooued, the steale with the vessell vppon the toppe thereof, turned
+about and powred out water through the tree, and when the wheele stoode
+still, then that lefte turning.
+
+  The wheeles were halfe couered with two winges, the
+      typpes turning one one way, and the other an
+          other way, adorned with a chasing
+              of Mermaydes or Scillaes.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+This excellent peece of woorke thus running before euerie one, and
+weeting our handes and feete of an incredible sweetnesse, such as I
+neuer had felt before, we dryed our hands, and it was carryed away.
+
+And beeing thus sprinckled with this rare and maiesticall water, the
+wayters with great reuerence presented vnto the Queene first a great
+cuppe of golde, and her highnesse affably saluting vs, drunke Nectar,
+and afterwardes euerie one of vs after other, with reuerent, mutual, and
+solemne honours done, did drinke a most pleasaunt farewell and shutting
+vp of all the pretious dainties that we had tasted and fed vpon.
+
+Lastly, the redolent flowers beeing diligently taken away, and all
+thinges that had beene vsed borne from thence, the pauement remayned
+pure and shining as a most cleare steele glasse, and as it were
+emulating the pretious iewelles rownde about.
+
+  And euerie one beeing sette in his appoynted place, the
+  high and mightie Princesse did commaund a company to come
+    in, and stande vppon the diasper checkers, neuer the
+            like before seene or imagined of anie
+                      mortall creature.
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus followeth to shew besides this great banket of a most
+  excellent daunce or game, and how the Queene did commit him to two of
+  her Nymphes, the which did leade and conduct him to the sight of many
+  wonderfull things, and as they talked, shewed vnto him the secrecies
+  of such things as hee stood in doubt of. Finally, how they came to
+  the three gates, in the middlemost whereof, hee remained amongst the
+  amorous Nymphes._
+
+
+Hauing spoken something of the exceeding & incomparable glorie, triumph,
+vnknowne treasure, plentiful delights, solemne banket, and the most
+honourable and sumptuous drinking of this most happie and rich Queene,
+if I haue not distinctly and perfectly expressed her chiefest dignitie,
+let not the curious company maruel thereat, for whatsoeuer rype, sharpe,
+and readie wit, with a franke, eloquent and plentiful toong adorned,
+is not able to performe the least part of his duetie.
+
+And much lesse I, who continually suffer in euerie secret place of my
+burning heart, an vncessant strife notwithstanding the absence of
+_Polia_ my mistres, the owner of all my skil, and imprisoner of my
+perfections.
+
+Besides that, in truth the many maruels in excellency, and varietie
+vnhard of, so vncoth, rare and straunge vnlikes inestimable, and not
+humane, haue so oppressed, laden & born down my sences, with the greedie
+and excessiue contemplation and beholding of their variable diuersities,
+as that from point to point I am no whit able to describe them, and much
+lesse worthie to publish them.
+
+All and the most that I can do, is to thinke of the rich apparrel,
+exquisite prouision, curious dressings, perfect ambitious and wounding
+bewties without imperfections, their deepe iudgements, _Aemilian_
+eloquence, & bountie more then princely, the notable disposition and
+order of Architecture, the durable Symmetrie and proportion of the
+building, perfect and absolute, the noblenes of the Art of Masonrie and
+Lapycidarie, the directions and placing of Columnes, the perfection of
+statues and representations, the adornment of the walles, the diuersitie
+of the stones, the stately entrance & princely porch, large Gallery,
+artificious pauements, no man will thinke with what cost and charge
+bewtified and hanged with precious Arras and Verdure. The spacious and
+loftie inner Court, goodly bedchambers, inner withdrawing chambers,
+parlours, bathes, librarie and pinacloth, where coat Armors escuchions,
+painted tables, and counterfeates of strangers were kept, & with a
+maiestical comelines and order placed and solemnely distributed.
+
+In which conceiuing capacitie, maruellous performance, incredible charge
+and high commendation of the most excellent Artificer, woorthily allowed
+in euerie partition and elegant conuention of exquisite Lineaments. I
+also beheld a marueilous twisted conlignation or couering of gold-smiths
+work, ouer a foure square plaine Court, growing vp alike, without
+comparison like a heauen, with a disposite distance of many sorted
+proportions, with sundry lybellated Dimensions, shadowing ouer the
+Court, with an Arched Eminence, which was vnder, adorned with coronised
+Lyneaments and grauings, thereunto conuenient, as Fasheols, Gululles,
+and Oualling, and the leaues of _Achanthus_, licking vp as it were in
+the corners of the quadranguled Court. With Roses and the growing order
+of their leaues, the top leafe least, their iaggings about the leaues,
+and space betweene leafe and leafe. All thinges couered with pure fine
+gold and Azure colour, with diuers other proportions and counterfets of
+substance, equal with their workemanship. The roofing of _Salances_ King
+of _Colchis_, may not compare with this.
+
+Then the delightful fruitfulnes of the set hedges, Orchards, watered
+Gardens, springing Fountaines, current streames in Marble Channelles,
+conteined, framed, and held in, with an incredible Art, greene Hearbes,
+still freshe and flowering, a sweete ayre, warme and spring windes, with
+a confused charme of singing and chirping birdes, a pure, faire and
+bright aire, and stil continuing temperate and healthfull, country free
+from danger and cleane, No craggy nor rockie places, nipt and blasted
+with sharpe windes, nor burnt with an vntemperate hotte Sunne, but vnder
+a sweet and pleasant temperature, in a moderate meane reioycing, betwixt
+two extreemes, the fields fruitful and without tillage and manuring,
+yeelding all commodities, warme hilles, greene woods and sweet coole
+shadowes.
+
+Also the inestimable furniture, the attendant housholde and great
+number, their excellent seruice, the diuersitie of youthes, and all in
+the prime of their yeares. The delightfull presence of the Nymphes, both
+attending abroad in the presence and chambers, her baser sort, their
+honourable and gracious behauiours, their diuersitie of apparrel, attire
+and dressings set with Pearle and stone, in an allowed, pleasant &
+louely sort, as any can imagine or expresse. With these infinite riches,
+supreame delightes, and immeasurable treasure, neither _Darius_,
+_Cræsus_, or any other humane state, whatsoeuer might any way compare.
+
+And thus to conclude, being ouercome with the glorie of them, I know not
+what more to say, but that I stood amazed, and as it were senceles, and
+yet in great delight and without wearines, beholding those present
+obiects, and casting with my selfe what fate and destinate should
+conduct and leade mee into such a place.
+
+But afterwardes finding my selfe in such an accumulation of glorie,
+pleasant seate, happie Country, great contentment and tryumphant
+company, such as _Clodius_ the Player in Tragedies neuer had seene. I
+was but moderately conuerted, notwithstanding the promise of the Queene,
+to fauour my amorous desire, accounting all, but as eye pleasures that
+hitherto I had seene and had been presented vnto me, stil desiring a
+greater happines.
+
+For which cause, and for the greater setting out of the excesse and
+abounding excellency, beyond all the rest of her royall magnificence,
+euery one sitting in their place after the miraculous, wonderful, and
+sumpteous banket, without any delaie, she commanded a game to be playd
+by parsonages, not onelie woorthie the beholding, but of eternall
+remembrance, which was a game at Chesse, in this sort as followeth.
+
+By the entraunce of the curtaine there came in thirty two Nymphes,
+whereof sixteene were apparrelled in cloth of gold (eyght vniformally
+without difference of degrees) afterwards one of those sixteene was
+apparrelled in princely robes lyke a King, and the other lyke a Queene,
+with two tower-keepers or Rookes, as wee tearme them, two
+counsell-keepers or Secretaries, wee tearme them Bishoppes, and two
+Knights. In like sort were eight other in cloth of siluer, vnder the
+like gouernement and magistracie as aforesaid.
+
+Euerie one of these according to their duties, tooke theyr places vppon
+the checkers of the pauement, that is, sixteene in golde of one side in
+two rowes, and sixteene in siluer of the contrarie side.
+
+The Musicke beganne vppon a sodayne with a rare inuention to sound a
+charge with a pleasaunt concord, participating togeather a sweete and
+thundering melodie, hauing in it a deuine furie.
+
+At the measured sounde and time of the Musicke vppon their checkers,
+as it pleased the King to commaund, the pawns turning themselues with a
+decent reuolution, honouring the King and the Queene, leapt vppon an
+other checker before them.
+
+The King of the white men, his musicke sounding, commaunded her forward
+that stoode before the Queene, and the same with lyke reuerent behauiour
+marched forward her continent, and stoode still. And according to the
+mensuration of the musicall time in this order, so they chaunged their
+places, or continued vppon the checkers dauncing, vntill that they were
+eyther taken or commaunded forward by the King.
+
+If the musicke kepte still one time, those eyght vnyforme pawnes did
+spende the time in marching forwardes into an other checker, neuer
+comming backe vntill that worthily without touch or appalement of
+courage, they had leapt vppon the line of that square where was the
+residence of the Queene, proceeding straight on, vnlesse she tooke a
+prisoner by a Diagonick line.
+
+The Bishop went in a Diagonike line, still holding that coloured checker
+wherein he stood first.
+
+The Knight ouer two checkers before him taketh the next of eyther
+handes, and of a contrary colour to that hee stood in immediately
+before.
+
+The Castle-keepers or Rookes might passe ouer manie checkers streight on
+as they pleased at commaundement, so that they might goe one, two,
+three, foure, or fiue checkers, keeping a measure, and not staying in
+their march.
+
+The King might goe vpon anie checker if none were in it, or backeward,
+and cause any other to remooue for him, and make him roome.
+
+The Queene might goe any way, but it is best when shee is neare her
+husband on euery side.
+
+And whensoeuer the officers of eyther of the Kings shall finde one
+without guarde of helpe, they take her prisoner, and both kissing one
+another, she that is ouercome and taken, goeth foorth and standeth by.
+
+Thus they continued playing and dauncing according to the time of the
+musicke, with greate pleasure, solace, and applause, vntill the King of
+the siluer Nymphes was victour and conquerour.
+
+This solemne sport, what with resistance flying backe, and seconding of
+one an other, with such a measured circulation, reuerence, pause, and
+modest continencie, endured the space of an hower, whereat I tooke such
+pleasure and delyght, that I imagyne (and not amysse) that I was rapt
+vpon the sodaine from the liking of the sportes of Olympus to a newe
+felicitie.
+
+This first game beeing ended, and conquest obtayned, all retourned into
+theyr accustomed places, and in like manner as at the first, so the
+second time euerie one in theyr appoynted checkers, the Musicke
+chaunging theyr measure, so the moouings and gestures of the players
+were altered.
+
+And obseruing the time of the musicke in a conuenient order, and
+approoued gesture and arte, that it was no neede to commaund or say any
+thing.
+
+But the cunning and experte Nymphes, with theyr plentifull tresses
+effused ouer theyr delicate shoulders hung wauing, and in theyr motion
+forwardes would streame out at length, somewhat shewing their backes,
+about their heades wearing Garlandes and Crownes of Violets. And when
+any one was taken, they lifted vp their armes and clapt handes. Thus
+playing and coursing vp and downe, the first continued still conquerour.
+
+In the last game and daunsing, they beeing all returned to their
+distributed places, the Musicke againe sounded a measure phrygiall in as
+perfect and prouoking furie as euer _Marcias_ of _Phrygia_ inuented.
+
+The King in robes of Golde, caused the yoong Damosell that stood before
+the Queene, to marche forwarde to the third Checker, direct in the first
+remooue, whereupon immediately there was seene a battaile and Torney,
+with so swift and sodaine forces, bending themselues to the grounde as
+it were lying close vpon their Garde, and presently vpon it capering vp
+with a turne twise aboue ground, one iust opposite against an other, and
+vpon their downe come withall a turne vpon the toe thrise about.
+
+All this Action they did at one time, with such a grace and agilitie, as
+nothing could be better, with their lowe inclinatitions, high Capers and
+Turnings, without affectation of strayning, as it should seeme with
+facilitie and careles ease at pleasure and sweete iestures, as in such a
+thing may bee imagined, and not else where to bee seene. Neuer any one
+troubling an other, but who so was taken prisoner, did presently kisse
+their Conquerour, and voyded the place. And the lesser number that there
+was, the more pleasure it was to perceiue the pollicies of either sides
+to ouercome other.
+
+And such an order and motion was vsed of euerie one, in a commendable
+sort without fault, as the measure and time of the Musike appointed,
+stirryng euen them that looked on to haue a motion in their sinowes and
+mindes to doo the lyke, there was such a concord and agreement betwixt
+nature and the Musike especially, seeing the performance of the same in
+the actions of others.
+
+Vpon this occasion I was moued to call to remembrance the force of
+_Timotheus_, the most cunning musitian, who with his voice and measure
+vppon his Instrument would prouoke the great Macedonian _Alexander_,
+violently to take Armes, and presently altering his voyce and tune, to
+forget the same, and sit downe contentedly. In this third game, they
+apparrelled in gold did triumph in the victoritie.
+
+Thus honourably with exceeding pleasure and great solace, this sumpteous
+feast beeing ended, euerie one framed themselues to sit downe. And I
+rysing vp, made reuerence before the Royall seate of her sacred
+maiestie, and kneelyng downe vpon my knee, she thus said vnto me.
+
+_Poliphilus_, forget now, and wype out of thy remembrance all forepassed
+griefes, occursiue troubles, pensiue conceites, and ouergone daungers,
+because that I am assured of thy forthwith full contentment of desire.
+
+And seeing that thy determination is to perseuere resolutely in the
+amorous flames and loue of _Polia_, I thinke it conuenient, that for the
+recouerie thereof, thou repaire to the three Portes, which are the
+resident places of the high and mightie Queene _Telosia_, in which place
+vppon euerie of those Portes and Gates, thou shalt see her tytle and
+name inscrypt. Read it diligently, but for thy better direction and
+safegarde, thou shalt haue to accompany thee, two of my handmaydes,
+which know verie well the way thither, and therefore go on vndoubtedly
+with a happie successe.
+
+And thereupon with a princely bountie, she drew of from her finger a
+Ring of gold, hauing set in it an Anchit, and deliuered it vnto me to
+remember her bountie by.
+
+At this aduise and precious gift, I became amphasiatike, not knowing
+what to saie or doo, in requitall or giuing of thankes. Which her
+Highnes perceiuing, motherly and with a naturall promptnes in a
+maiestical grauitie, turned her countenance to two noble and goodly
+Nymphes, attending neere vnto her Royall and imperiall Throne, saying
+thus to one of them vpon her right side.
+
+_Logistica_, you shall bee one that shall accompanye our guest
+_Poliphilus_, and with a sacred and honourable grace, shee turned to the
+left hande saying, _Thelemia_, you shall also go with him. And both of
+you shewe and instruct him at what Gate hee must remayne, and then
+_Poliphilus_, they shall bring you to an other mightie and maiesticall
+Queene, who if shee shall bee bountifull vnto thee in entertainment thou
+art happie, if contrarie, then discontented.
+
+Notwithstandyng, none doth knowe her intent by her countenance, because
+that sometime shee sheweth her selfe full of fauour, loue, and pleasant
+dispositions. An other time shee is malignant, frowarde, disdainefull,
+with vnstable incursyue passions. And shee it is that determineth such
+euents as thou seekest after. And for her obscure condition, shee is
+rightly called _Thelosia_.
+
+Her residence is not in suche a stately Pallaice, as thou seest mee to
+dwell in.
+
+Therefore I would haue thee to vnderstande, that the chiefe woorkeman in
+the creation of nature, did make no thyng comparable to mee, neyther can
+the earth shew thee greater treasure then to come to my presence and
+taste of my bountie, obtaine my fauour and participate of my qualitie.
+
+And therefore esteeme of it according to the value, for that thou
+findest in me, is a heauenly Tallent aboue all earthly Iewels, for I
+haue not had my residence in man since his fall.
+
+They may imagine of mee, but they knowe mee not, neyther doo I beare any
+rule with them to the good of my selfe.
+
+Nowe the Queene _Telosia_, shee dwelleth in a place of cloudie darkenes,
+her house is kept close and shut, for that shee will not shew her selfe
+vnto man, nor anothomise, discouer, and laye open her selfe vnto any as
+shee is, and for this cause the euent of her variable determination is
+kept secret.
+
+But in a maruellous sort considerately, shee transformeth her selfe
+against the haire, into diuers fashions, not manifesting her selfe,
+although desired.
+
+And when the auncient Gates shall be opened vnto thee, in euerie one
+shall bee written what shall befall thee, but thou shalt not perceiue
+the same, vnless that in some part thy vnderstandyng and wisedome
+enigmatically and with a right and sincere iudgement looke vnto it, and
+quickly consider of it, for because that shee ambyguously chaungeth her
+selfe in habite and countenance, and through this doubtfull
+anymaduersion, a man remaineth deceiued of his expectation without
+remedie.
+
+And therefore _Polphilus_, that which these my consigned trustie and
+appoynted handmaydes by suggestion shall perswade thee vnto, and at what
+Gate thou oughtest to enter in and remayne, euen which of those two it
+shall best please thee to giue eare vnto, doo: for they haue some
+vnderstanding of her.
+
+And hauyng thus spoken, shee made a signe or becke with her head to the
+two Nymphes _Logistica_ and _Thelemia_, who presently without delaie,
+were obedient to her commaund. And I beeing readie to speake, neyther
+knew what to say, or yet durst to so high a maiestie, and for so great
+bounties giue a word.
+
+The two appoynted companyons of my iourney, verie fauourablye, and with
+a familiar readines and virginlike iestures, tooke holde of mee, one by
+the right hande, and the other by the left, and reuerently obteyning
+licence, first of the Queene, and takyng theyr leaue of the rest, went
+out the same way that I came in.
+
+And I beeyng desirous and not satisfied, turned mee about towardes the
+conspicuous Poarch, to beholde diligently the artificious Pallaice,
+wonderfull and perfinite of the Art of building.
+
+The subtiltie of which, no humane excogitation is able to imitate.
+
+And therefore I thought that nature had made that for a maruell of all
+her woorkes for commoditie, vse, grace, bewtie, ayre, and continuall
+durablenes.
+
+For which cause, I was excessiuely desirous to staie and looke vppon it,
+but my leaders and guides would not suffer mee, and yet by the theft of
+my eye in the Zopher, ouer the gate I noted this inscription, Ο ΤΗΣ
+ΦΥΣΕΩΣ ΟΛΒΟΣ.
+
+And as muche as with my quicke sences I could carrie, I tooke in my
+going foorth, with as greate pleasure and delight as is possible to
+expresse. O happie were hee that myght bee but a drudge or kitchin slaue
+in suche a Paradice.
+
+Nowe beeing come into the base Court, compassed and sette about with
+Orenge trees, _Thelemia_ in great curtesie saide thus vnto mee, besides
+and aboue all the maruellous and woonderfull thinges which thou hast yet
+seene and behelde, there bee fower yet remayning behynde whiche thou
+shalt see.
+
+And vppon the lefte side of the incomparable pallace, they brought mee
+into a fayre Orchyard of excogitable expence, tyme, and subtletie of
+woorke-manshippe, the contynent and cyrcuite whereof was as muche as the
+plot of the Pallace, wherein was the resydence and abiding of the
+Queene.
+
+Round about fast by the walles of the Orchyard there were set conuenyent
+garden pots in the which in stead of growing plantes, euerie one was of
+pure glasse, exceeding a mans imagination or beleefe, intorpiaried[A]
+boxe the rootes and stalkes of golde, whereout the other proceeded.
+
+    [Sidenote A: Ars toparia is the way of cutting of trees in gardens
+    or other places to proportions or shapes.]
+
+Betwixt one and other of the which was placed a Cyprusse tree, not aboue
+two paces high, and the boxe one pace full of manyfolde maruellous
+symples, with a moste excellent imitation of nature, and pleasaunt
+diuersitie in the fashions of flowers in distinct colours verie
+delyghtfull.
+
+The playne labiall compassing about the quadrant Orchyard comming out
+from the walles as a seate for these aforesayde garden pottes and trees
+to stande vppon, was subcoronized with golde by excellent lyneamentes
+wrought and adorned. The vpper face whereof, and whereuppon those pottes
+and trees did stande, was couered with a playster of glasse gilte, and a
+curious historographie to be seene in the same, and compassed about and
+holden in with wyering and netting of golde.
+
+The wall that compassed about the Orchyard with a conuenient distance,
+was bellyed out with columnes of the same matter, and inuested with
+flowring bindings naturally proportioned, and heere and there were
+quadrangulate columnes of golde chamfered, arching from one to an other,
+with a requisite beame Zophor and coronice, with a meete and conuenient
+proiecture ouer the chapter of glasse vppon the round.
+
+The substance of which subiect proiecture of the bryttle matter, was of
+counterfayte diasper diuersly coloured and shining. Which bryttle
+substance had some void space betwixt that and the other.
+
+The mouth of the arches were stopped with rombyes of cleare glasse in
+forme of a tryangle, and the pypes beautified all ouer with an
+Encaustick painting, verie gratious to the sight of the beholder.
+
+The ground was here and there couered with great round balles of
+glasselyke gunne stones, and other fine proportions much pleasing, with
+a mutuall consent vnmooueable lyke pearles shining without any
+adulteration by folyature. From the flowers did breath a sweet
+fragrancie by some cleare washing with oyle for that purpose.
+
+There most cunningly did _Logistica_ lyke an Orator make a discourse in
+commendation physically of that excellent confection of the noblenes of
+the substaunce, secrecie of the art, and straungenes of the inuention.
+The like is not to bee found.
+
+And after shee sayde, _Poliphilus_ lette vs goe and ascende vp this
+mount nexte the Garden, and _Thelemia_ remayning at the stayre foote,
+wee ascended vp to the playne toppe. Where shee shewed vnto mee, with a
+heauenly eloquence, a Garden of a large compasse, made in the forme of
+an intricate Laborynth allyes and wayes, not to bee troden, but sayled
+about, for insteade of allyes to treade vppon, there were ryuers of
+water.
+
+The which mysticall place was of a verie lustie mould and fruitfull,
+replenished with all sorts of fruits, beautified with faire springs, and
+greene hearbes and flowers, full of all solace and delight. Whereupon
+she spake thus.
+
+I doe imagine (_Poliphilus_) that you doe not vnderstande the
+conditionate state of this maruellous seate, and therefore giue
+attendance to my wordes.
+
+Whosoeuer entereth in cannot come backe, but as you see yonder
+mountaines heere and there distributed, seuen circuits and the about
+goings distant one from another.
+
+And the extreeme molestation and sorrowe of the enterers in, is this:
+In the myddle mountayne within the center thereof, and open mouth of the
+same, there lurketh inuisibly a deadly deuouring olde Dragon, hee is
+vtter destruction to some, and others are not hurte to death by him. Hee
+cannot bee seene nor shunned, neyther doth hee leaue any vnassaulted,
+but eyther in the entrie, or in their iourney, hee destroyeth or
+woundeth. And if hee killeth them not betwixt one mountayne and another,
+they passe the seuen circuites to the next mount.
+
+And they that enter in by the first tower or mount (wherevppon is this
+tytle inscript ΔΟΞΑ ΚΟΣΜΙΚΗΩΣ ΠΟΜΦΟΛΥΣ). They sayle in a little
+shippe with a prosperous winde, and securely at pleasure: the fruites
+and flowers fall downe vppon theyr hatches, and with great solace and
+pleasure they cut through by the seauen reuolutions with a merry winde,
+vntill the second mount bee discouered and come vnto. And marke and
+beholde (_Poliphilus_) howe cleare and bright the ayre is in the
+entrance, ouer that it is in the center, about the which is thicke
+darknesse.
+
+In the first mount or tower there is alwayes resident a pittifull matron
+and bountifull, before whome standeth an auncient appoynted vessell
+called _Vrna_, in a readinesse, hauing vppon it seauen Greeke letters as
+thus ΘΕΣΠΙΟΝ, full of appoynted honie, and to euerie one that entereth
+in, verie curteously and with a good will shee giueth one of them
+without respecte of state and condition, but according to theyr
+enterance.
+
+These beeing receyued, they came foorth, and begin to sayle in the
+Laborynth, the water beeing enuyroned vpon either sides, with roses,
+trees, and fruits.
+
+And hauing sayled the first seuen reuolutions of _Aries_, and being come
+to the second mount, there they meet with innumerable troopes of yong
+women of diuerse conditions, which demaund of euerie one the sight of
+theyr honye, which beeing shewed vnto them, they straightwayes knowe the
+propertie of the hony, and the goodnesse thereof, and embracing him as
+theyr guest, they inuyte him with them to passe through the next seuen
+reuolutions, and with diuerse exercises according to her inclyned
+promptnes, they accompany them to the third mount.
+
+In this place hee that will goe on forwards with his companion, shee
+will neuer abandon or leaue him: for there bee farre more pleasaunt
+voluptuous women. And many refuse the first and make choyse of them.
+
+In the putting off from the second mount, to come to the third, they
+finde the current of the water somewhat agaynst them, and stand in neede
+of oares, but beeing fallen off from the thirde mount, making theyr
+course towardes the fourth, they finde the tide and streame more against
+them, and in these seauen oblique courses their pleasure is variable and
+vnconstant.
+
+Beeing come to the fourth mount, they finde other yoong women combatting
+and fighting, and those examining theyr pottes of honie, they intice
+them to theyr exercise, but those that refuse to leaue theyr first
+companions, they let passe together, and in this cyrcuite the water is
+yet more contrary and troublesome, where there is neede of great studie
+and labour to passe on.
+
+And beeing come to the fift mount, they finde it speculable, lyke a
+mirrour wherein they see theyr representations, and in that they take
+great delyght, and with a feruent desire they passe on their laboursome
+course. In that mount they see this sentence and golden saying
+manyfested, _Medium tenuere beati_: not lyneall, nor locall, but
+temporall, where by a sincere and perfect examination hee discerneth
+that meane wherewith he hath ioyned his felicitie, wisdome and riches:
+which if not well, in the rest of his course he faynteth the more.
+
+And losing off from thence, the Waters by reason of the broken circles,
+beginne to be verie slyding towards the Center, so that with small or no
+rowing they are brought to the sixt Mount. And there they finde elegant
+Women, with a shew of heauenly modestie and diuine worship, with whose
+amiable aspects and countenaunces, the Trauailers are taken in their
+loue, condemning their former with despite and hatefull abhorrence. And
+with these they fall acquainted, and passe the seauen reuolucions.
+
+These beeing come ouer with an obscure and foggy close ayre, with many
+losses and a grieuous voyage, they beginne to remember what they haue
+past and lost: for the more that the compasse of the reuolucion, draweth
+neere to the discouerie of the Figure of the Center, the sooner they are
+passed ouer, styll shorter and shorter, and the more swyfter the course
+of the streame is into the deuouring swallow of the Center.
+
+And then with extreame affliction and bitter anguish remembring the
+abuse of their pleasures, and companions that they haue forsaken, and
+sweete places, which so much the more augmenteth their sorrowes, for
+that they can not returne or goe backe with theyr Shyppe, such a
+companie still follow them vppon the stearne with their fore-castles.
+And most of all dysmayeth them the heauie sentence ouer the median
+Center, _Theonlykos Dys Algetos_.
+
+And there, considering the displeasant tytle, they curse the time of
+their entrance into the Labirinth, which hath in it so manie sundry
+delights, and the end of them subiect to such myserable and ineuitable
+necessity.
+
+And then she smyling, said: _Poliphilus_, ouer the deuouring throat of
+thys Center, there sitteth a seuere Iudge, balancing euery ones actions,
+and helping whom hee will helpe. And because that it will be tedious to
+tell thee all, let thus much heereof suffise. Let vs goe downe to our
+cõpanion _Thelemia_, who demanding the cause why they staid so long
+aboue, _Logistica_ made aunswer, it doth not content our _Poliphilus_,
+onely to behold, but also to vnderstand by me the secrecie of those
+things, which he could not goe to knowe, wherein I haue satis-fied him.
+And when she had ended, _Thelemia_ said.
+
+Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no lesse pleasant ioyning
+to the glasse garden, vppon the right side of the Pallas: and when wee
+were come in thither, I was amazed with excessiue wondering, to see the
+curiousnesse of the worke; as vneasie to report as vncredible to
+beleeue: æquiuolent with that of glasse, wyth lyke disposition of
+benches or bankes; theyr lyppes set out with coronising and golden
+ground worke, and such trees, but that the boxes and Cyprus trees, were
+all silke, sauing the bodies and greater branches, or the strength of
+the armes: the rest, as the leaues, flowers, and outermost rynde, was of
+fine silke, wanting no store of Pearles to beautifie the same: and the
+perfect fine collour, smelling as the glasse flowers beforementioned,
+and alike, but that they about compassing walles, of meruailous and
+incredible sumpteousnesse, were all couered ouer with a crusting of
+Pearle, close ioyned and set together: and towardes the toppe, there
+sprouted out greene yuie, the leaues thickning and bushing out from the
+Pearles, vvith the stringes and veines of golde, running vppe in diuers
+places betwixt the Pearles, in a most rare and curious sort, as if it
+had beene very growing yuie, with berries of precious stones sette in
+the stalkes in little bunches: and in the bushes were Ringe-doues of
+silke, as if they had beene feeding of the berries, all along the sides
+of the square plotted garden walles: ouer the which, in master-like and
+requisite order, stretched out the beame and Zophor of golde.
+
+The plaine smoth of the settles, where-vpon the boxe trees stoode,
+couered ouer with Histories of loue and venerie, in a worke of silke and
+threddes of golde and siluer, in suche a perfect proportioned ymaginarie
+and counterfaiting as none may goe beyonde. The ground of the leuell
+garden, was of leaues, grasse, and flowers of silke, like a faire sweete
+meddowe: in the midst whereof, there was a large and goodly round
+Arbour, made with golde wyer, and ouerspread with roses of the lyke
+worke, more beautifull to the eye, then if they had been growing roses,
+vnder which couering, and within which Arbour about the sides, were
+seates of red Diaspre, & all the round pauemẽt of a yellow Diaspre,
+according to the largenes of the place, with dyuers colloured spottings,
+confusedly agreeing together in pleasant adulterated vniting, and so
+cleere and shining, that to euery obiect was it selfe gaine represented.
+Vnder the which Arbour, the fayre and pleasant _Thelemia_, solaciously
+sitting downe, tooke her Lute which she carryed with her, and with a
+heauenly melodie and vn-hearde sweetenesse, she began to sing in the
+commendation and delightes of her Queene. And seeing what a grace vnto
+her, the company of her fellowe _Logistica_ was, I maruailed why
+_Apollo_ came not to harken the Harmonie made by them: it was so
+melodious, that for the present tyme a man woulde haue thought that
+there had beene no greater fælicitie. And after that shee ended her
+diuine Poems, _Logistica_ tooke me by the hande and led me foorth of the
+Arbour, saying vnto me.
+
+_Poliphilus_, thou shalt vnderstande that the deuise of these obiects,
+are more pleasant to bee vnderstoode then behelde, and therefore lette
+vs enter in heere, to bee satisfied in both.
+
+And from thence, shee and her companion brought mee from thys garden to
+an other, where I behelde an arching _Areostile_, from the ground bent
+to the toppe, fyue paces in height and three ouer, and thus continued
+rounde about the compasse of the garden, in an orderly and requisite
+proportioning, all inuested and couered ouer with greene yuie, so that
+no part of the wall was to be seene. And there were a hundred Arches to
+the compassing of this garden.
+
+By euery of the Arches, was an Aulter of red Porphirite, curiously
+proportioned with exquisite lyneaments; and vppon euery one of them was
+placed, an image of golde, like a Nymph, of rare and beautifull
+semblances, diuersly apparelled, and varying in theyr attyre and heade
+dressing, euery one bending their eyes towards the Center of the garden.
+
+In which middle Centricke place, there was founded a Base, of a cleere
+Christal-like Calcedonie stone, in a Cubic forme: that is, euery way a
+like square. And vppon that was set a round stone, but flatte vppon both
+sides, two foote high, and by the Diameter, one pace and a halfe ouer,
+of most pure red Diaspre. Vppon the which, stoode a most blacke stone,
+in forme three square, and in quantitie for breadth, fitting the rounde,
+and in height one pace and a halfe. The corners of which triangle did
+iumpe with the sides, and lymbus of the subiacent plynth or round stone.
+
+In the smooth polished fronts of which triangle, there was appact a
+beautifull Image, of a heauenly aspect, graue and modest, with their
+feete not touching the stone, but standing out from the same iust ouer
+the suppressed and vnder put rounde stone. Theyr statures as tall as the
+trygonall would beare, vnto the which they did stick fast by their backe
+parts. Theyr armes were stretched abroade, both the right and left to
+the corners of the triangle, where they held a Coppy, filled and fastned
+to the corners of the Trigonall, the length of euery one of which
+Coppies of fine gold, was seauen foote.
+
+And the Images, the Coppyes, and their bandes wherewith they were tyed
+in the midst and held by, were all shyning, and their hands inuiluped
+with the sundry stringes, flynging about the plaine smothe of the black
+stone.
+
+Their habits were Nymphish, of most rare and most excellent working. The
+Sepulchre of _Tarnia_ the Queene of the _Scythians_ in _Asia_, was
+nothing comparable.
+
+In the lowest Cubicall Figure, vpon the smoth plaine of euery square,
+were ingrauen Greeke Letters, three, one, two and three on thys sort.
+ΔΥΣ Α ΛΩ ΤΟΣ.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+In the circular there were three Characters Hieragliphicall,
+perpendicularly vnder the feet of euerie Image. For the first, was
+impressed the forme of the Sonne. Next vnder another, the figure of an
+olde fashioned Ower.
+
+Thirdly, a dyshe with a burning flame in it.
+
+Vpon the heade of the trygonall blacke stone, towarde euerie corner,
+I did behold an Egiptian Monster of Gold, fower footed couchant. One of
+thẽ hauing a face lyke man altogether. The other like half a man, &
+halfe a beast. And the third like a beast. VVith a linnen vaile ouer
+euery of their heades, with two Labels hanging ouer theyr eares, & the
+rest descending downe and couering their necks & backes, with the bodies
+of Lyons. Theyr lookes directly forward.
+
+Vppon the backs of these three, dyd stande rysing vp a massiue Spyre of
+Gold, three square, sharpning vp to the toppe, fiue tymes as high as
+broade below. And vpon euery front or foreside, was grauen a circle, and
+ouer one circle a Greeke Letter, Ο. ouer another, a Letter Ω. and ouer
+the third, a Greeke Ν.
+
+There _Logistica_ beganne to speake vnto me, saying, by these Figures
+are discribed, so farre as mans reason can shewe, the celestiall
+harmony. And vnderstand _Poliphilus_, that these Figures, with a
+perpetuall affynitie and coniunction, are auncient Monuments, and
+Egiptian Hieragliphs, signifying this, _Diuinæ infinitæque trinitati
+vnius essentiæ_. Which is now by his holy word, in a most louing sort
+manifested to the whole world, according to his will: and yet it shall
+not be a misse to see antiquities, and consider what greater benefite is
+had by the precious Gospel.
+
+The lower Figure was consecrated to the Deitie, because it is euerie way
+alike, and all one: and vpon euery side, and turned euery way, of like
+stablenes, vpon euery base, constant and permanent.
+
+The round Circular standing vppon that, is without beginning or ende.
+Vppon the circumferent sides whereof, these three lyneaments are
+contained, directly vnder euerie Image, according to the property
+attributed.
+
+The Sunne with his comfortable light, giueth life to euerie thing, and
+his nature is attributed to GOD.
+
+The second is the Ower, which is prouident direction, and gouernment of
+all with an infinite wisedome.
+
+The third is a Fyerie Vessell, whereby is vnderstoode a partycipation of
+Loue.
+
+And although that they be three distinct things, yet they are contained
+& vnited in one sempeternallie, with great loue communicating their
+blessings, as you may see by the coppies at euery corner of the
+trygonall stone.
+
+And continuing her delectable speech, shee sayd, vnder the forme of the
+Sunne, note this Greeke worde, _Adiegetos_. By the Ower looke vpon this,
+_Adiachoristos_. And by the Vessel of fier, was engrauen, _Adiereynes_.
+
+And to this ende are the three Monsters placed vnder the golden
+Obelisque, because that there be three great opinions like those
+Monsters: & as that with the humane countenaunce is best, so the other
+be beastly and monstrous.
+
+In the Spyre there be three plaine sides, lyneated with three circles,
+signifying one for euery time. The past, the present, and to come; and
+no other figure can holde these three circles, but in that inuariable.
+And no mortall man can at one instant perfectlie discerne and see
+together two sides of the same figure, sauing one integrally, which is
+the Present: and therefore vppon great knowledge were these three
+Characters engrauen, Ο. Ω. Ν.
+
+For which cause _Poliphilus_, not that I excuse my selfe for beeing ouer
+prolix and tedious, but briefely to teach thee, and sette thee right vp.
+In the knowledge heereof, thou shalt vnderstand, that the first basiall
+Figure is onely knowne to hymselfe, and to one Sonne of man, which hath
+a humane bodie glorifyed and without sinne: and the brightnes thereof
+wee see but as in a glasse, and not cleerely as it is, for that it is
+incomprehensible for a fynite substance.
+
+But he that is indued with wisedome, let him consider of the glorious
+brightnes thereof. But to the thirde Figure, which is of a darke and
+blacke collour, wherein be the three golden Images: _The Blacke stone is
+the Lawe: the Coppies foode: the three Women the preseruation of
+Man-kind._
+
+Nowe they which will looke higher, they see a Figure in a tryne aspect,
+and the higher that they goe towardes the toppe, where the vnion of the
+three is, be they neuer so wise, their vnderstanding is vnperfect: and
+although that they see it, yet they knowe not what they see, but that
+there is such a thing, in comparison whereof, they are fooles, theyr
+power weake, and themselues nothing.
+
+And there _Logistica_ hauing ended her allowed talke, proceeding from an
+absolute knowledge, deepe iudgement, and sharpnesse of wit in Diuine
+matters, and vnknowne to weake capacities, I began heereat to take
+greater delight, then in any other meruailous worke what soeuer, that I
+had graciously beholden with my greedy eyes. Considering with my selfe
+of the mysticall Obelisque, the ineffable equality statarie, for
+durablenesse and perpetuitie vnmoueable, and enduring vncorruptible.
+
+Where there breathed a sweet ayre from heauen, with vnuariable windes,
+in this Garden round about full of flowers, of a large and circular
+permanent plot: compassed about with all sorts of fruites, pleasant in
+taste and full of health; with a perpetuall greenesse, disposed and set
+by a regular order, both beautifull, pleasant, and conuenient; with the
+perfect labour and indeuour of Nature to bring it to that passe, and
+beautified with precious gold.
+
+And _Logistica_ holding her peace, they tooke mee both by the hands, and
+we went out at the mouth of one of the Arches from the precyncts of the
+Iuied inclosure. And beeing gone from thence, very contentedly passing
+on betwixt them both, saith _Thelemia_, let vs now hasten on to our
+three Gates whether we are sent.
+
+Where-vpon, we passing through a plentiful seate and pleasant Countrey,
+with a reasonable conuenient pace, I beheld the heauens very cleere &
+bright, & beguiled the tyme with merry, sweet, and delightfull
+discourses. And I desirous to vnderstand euery particular of the
+inestimable riches, vnspeakeable delights and incomparable treasure of
+the sacred Queene, (to the which _Osyris_ the builder of the two Temples
+of Golde, one to _Iupiter_, and the other to the kingdome, must giue
+place,) I mooued this question.
+
+Tell me I beseech you fayre Nymphes, (if my curiosity bee not to your
+discontentment) amongst all the precious stones that I could perfectly
+behold of great estimation and pryce, one I deemed inestimable, and
+without comparison most precious; The Iasper which had the effigies of
+_Nero_ cut, it was not much bigger. Neither was the Coruscant to passe
+in the statue of _Arsinoe_ the _Arabian_ Queene equall with it. Next
+her, of such value was the Iewell, wherein was the representation of
+_Nonius_ the Senator, as this sparkling and shyning Dyamond, of a rare
+and vnseene beautie and bignes, which did hang vpon a rich Carkenet
+about the snowie necke of the sacred Queene, what cutting was in the
+same, which I could not perceiue by meanes of the brightnesse and my
+beeing some-what farre of. And therefore I beeing therein ignoraunt,
+desyre to knowe the same.
+
+_Logistica_ considering of my honest demaund, aunswered me
+incontinently. Know this _Poliphilus_, in the Iewell was ingrauen an
+imperiall throne, and in the throne the mighty name of _Iehouah_ in
+Hebrew Letters, and before that throne, are cast downe and troden vnder
+foote, the Gyants which proudly haue lift vp themselues against his
+worde, and resisted hys will: vppon the left side of the throne is a
+flame of fire, vppon the right hande a horne of saluation, or Copie full
+of all good blessednes, and this is all that is contained in the Iewell.
+
+Then I presumed further to knowe, what should these two things vpon
+eyther sides of the throne signifie, that were holden out in two handes.
+_Thelemia_ quickly aunswered me, God of his infinite goodnesse,
+proposeth to mankind his mercie and his iudgement, chuse which they
+will.
+
+For thys beeing satis-fied, I sayd moreouer. Seeing that most gracious
+Nymphs, my speeches be not displeasant vnto you, and that I am not yet
+satis-fied in all that I haue seene, I pray you let me vnderstand this.
+
+Before the horrible feare that I was driuen into by the Dragon, I beheld
+a mighty huge Elephant of stone, with an entrance into his bellie, where
+were two Sepulchres, with a wryting, the meaning wherof is too mysticall
+for me, that was, that I shoulde not touch the bodie, but take away the
+head.
+
+_Logistica_ forthwith made me aunswer. _Poliphilus_, I doe vnderstande
+very well your doubt, and therefore you shall vnderstande, that this
+monstrous shape and machine was not made without great and wonderfull
+humane wisedome, much labour, and incredible diligence, with a
+perplexibility of vnderstanding to knowe the mysticall conceite. Thou
+remembrest that vpon the face there hung an ornament, with certaine
+_Ideonix ionic_ and _Arabic_, which in our Mother-tongue, is as much to
+say, as labour, and industrie. Signifying thereby, that in thys world,
+whosoeuer will haue any blessing that shall do him good, he must leaue
+the body, which is ease and idlenes, and betake himselfe to trauaile and
+industry, which is the head.
+
+Shee had no sooner ended her words both pleasant & piercing, but I
+vnderstoode it very well and gaue her great thankes. And yet desirous to
+be resolued in whatsoeuer I stood in doubt, and seeing that I might
+speake boldly, I made this third question. Most wise Nymph, in my
+comming out of the subterraneall vast darksome place, as I passed on,
+I came to a goodlie bridge, and vppon the same, in a Porphyrite stone
+vppon the one side, and an Ophite vpon the other, I beheld engrauen
+certaine Hieragliphs, both which I did interprete, but I stoode
+doubtfull of certaine branches, that were tyed to the hornes of the
+scalpe of the Oxe, and the rather because they were in the Porphyrite
+stone, and not in the Ophit vpon the other side.
+
+She aunswered me straight way. The braunches, one is of the Thistle or
+thorne of Iudea[A], and the other of the Turbentine. The nature of which
+Woodes bee, that the one will not easily take fire, and the other will
+neither bend, rotte, consume, nor be eaten with wormes. And so that
+patience is commended, which with anger is not kindled, nor by aduersity
+will bee subdued.
+
+    [Sidenote A: The crown of thorne vpon Christes head.]
+
+The nature of the Porphyrit stone is of this secrecie, that in the
+fornace it will neither burne it selfe, but also causeth other stones
+neere adioyning that they shall not burne. And of that nature is
+patience, that it will neither be altered itselfe, nor suffer any other
+wherein it beareth rule to fall into a furie. And the Ophite stone is of
+such nature also.
+
+Nowe _Poliphilus_, I doe greatly commende you, in that you are desirous
+to vnderstand such secrets: for to behold, consider, and measure the
+same, is a commendable vertue, and the way to knowledge: whereuppon I
+had occasion giuen to render innumerable thanks, for her great and
+fauourable curtesies.
+
+And thus with allowed and delightfull discoursing speeches, we came to a
+fayre Riuer, vpon the banck whereof, besides other fayre greene and
+florishing Trees, and water hearbes, I beheld a fine Groue of Plane
+Trees, in the which was an excellent fayre bridge ouer the Riuer made of
+stone, with three Arches, with pyles bearing foorth against the two
+fronts, to preserue the worke of the bridge, the sides thereof beeing of
+excellent workmanship.
+
+And in the middle bending of the same, vpon eyther sides, there was a
+square stone of Porphyrite set, hauing in it a Catagliphic, engrauing of
+Hieragliphies.
+
+Vpon the right hand as I went ouer, I beheld a woman, casting abroade
+her armes, sitting onely vppon one buttocke, putting foorth one of her
+legges as if shee woulde rise; In her right hand, vpon that side which
+shee did sitte, shee helde a payre of winges, and in the other hand,
+vppon that side whereon she was arysing, a Tortice.
+
+Right against her, there was a Circle, the center wherof two little
+Spyrits did hold, with their backs turned towards the circumference of
+the Circle.
+
+And then _Logistica_ saide vnto me, _Poliphilus_, I am sure that thou
+doost not vnderstand these Hieragliphs, but they make much for thy
+purpose: and therfore they are placed for a Monument and thing to be
+considered, of such as passe by.
+
+The Circle _Medium tenuere beati_.
+
+The other, temper thy hast by staying, and thy slownesse by rysing,
+consider heereof as thou seest cause.
+
+This bridge was built with a moderate bending, shewing the cunning
+disquisition, tryall, examination, arte, and discretion of the excellent
+workman and inuenter, commended in the continuaunce and durablenesse
+thereof, which manie of our Bayard-like moderne Idiots, without
+knowledge, measure and arte buzzing on, neither obserue proportion nor
+lyneaments, but all out of order.
+
+This bridge was all of pure Marble.
+
+When wee had passed ouer the bridge, wee walked in the coole shadow,
+delighted with the variable notes and chirpings of small byrds, to a
+rocky and stony place, where high & craggie Mountaines lifted vp
+themselues, afterwarde continuing to abrupt and wilesome hilly places,
+full of broken and nybled stones, mounting vppe into the ayre, as high
+as a man might looke to, and without any greene grasse or hearbe, and
+there were hewen out the three gates, in the verie rocke it selfe, euen
+as plaine as might be. A worke verie auncient and past record, in a very
+displeasant seate.
+
+  [Illustration:
+
+  [Arabic: ....]
+
+תפארת האל__
+ידול האהבה__
+תפארת העולם__
+
+  ΘΕΟΔΟΞΙΑ
+  ΕΡΩΤΟΤΡΟΦΟΣ
+  ΚΟΣΜΟΔΟΞΙΑ
+
+  GLORI DEI
+  MATER AMORIS
+  GLORIA MṼDI ]
+
+Ouer euery one of the which, I beheld in Letters Ionic, Romaine, Hebrew
+and Arabic, the tytle that the sacred Queene _Eleutherillida_ fore-told
+me that I should find. The Gate vppon my right hand, had vpon it this
+word, _Theodoxia_. That vppon my left hand, _Cosmodoxia_. And the
+thirde, _Erototrophos_. Vnto the which as soone as we were come, the
+Damosels beganne to instruct me in the tytles, and knocking in the
+resounding leaues of the Gates, vppon the right hande couered ouer with
+greene mosse, they were presently opened.
+
+And ther dyd an olde woman present herselfe vnto vs, of an honourable
+countenaunce, out of an olde dawbed and smoakie house, hauing a poore
+base little doore, ouer the which was painted _Pilurania_. Shee came
+with a modest and honest shamefastnesse, and her dwelling place was in a
+solitarie site and shadie Rocke, decayed and crumbly, her clothes were
+tattered, her face leane, pale & poore. Her eyes looking towards the
+ground, her name was _Thende_. Shee had attending vpon her sixe
+Handmaydes, basely and slenderly apparrelled. One was named _Parthenia_,
+the second _Edosia_, an other _Hypocolinia_, the fourth _Pinotidia_, the
+next _Tapinosa_, the last _Prochina_. Which reuerent Matron, with her
+right arme naked poynted to the heauens.
+
+She dwelt in a place very hard to come vnto, and ful of troubles to
+passe on the way, beeing hyndered with thorne and bryers, very rough and
+displeasant, a mistie clowde cast ouer it, and very hard to clymbe vp
+into.
+
+_Logistica_ perceiuing by my looke that I had no great lyking in this
+place, some-what greeued therewith, said, this Rocke is knowne neuer but
+at the end. And then _Thelemia_ sayde, _Poliphilus_, I see you make
+small regarde of such a painefull woman. Whereat I assenting to her with
+my countenaunce, wee departed, and the gate being shut we came to the
+next.
+
+Where knocking, it was presently opened, and wee entering in, there met
+vs a browne woman, with fierce eyes rowling, and of a quicke
+countenaunce, lyfting vp a naked glittering sworde, vpon the middle
+wherof was a Crowne of golde, and a branche of Palme tree intrauersed.
+
+Her armes brawnie like _Hercules_, in labour and acts magnanimious and
+nobly minded. Her belly small. A little mouth, strong and stooping
+shoulders, by her countenaunce seeming to bee of an vndaunted minde, not
+fearing to vndertake any enterprise how hard soeuer.
+
+Her name was _Euclelia_, verie honourablie attended vppon with sixe
+young Women. The first was called _Merimnasia_, the second, _Epitide_,
+another, _Ergasilea_, the fourth, _Anectea_, the fift was named
+_Statia_, the last was called _Olistea_.
+
+The situation and place me thought was painefull, and _Logistica_
+perceiuing my inclynation, presentlie tooke into her hand _Thelemias_
+Lute, and beganne to strike a doricall tune, and sung to the same verie
+sweetly, saying. O _Poliphilus_ be not wearie to take paynes in thys
+place, for when labour and trauell is ouer-come, there will be a tyme of
+rest. And her songe was of such force, that I was euen consenting to
+remaine there, notwithstanding that, the habitation seemed laboursome.
+Wherevppon, _Thelemia_ inticingly said vnto me, I think that it standeth
+with verie great reason my _Poliphilus_, that before you set downe your
+rest heere in this place, you ought in any case to see the third Gate.
+
+Whereunto I consented with a very good will, and therefore going out
+from hence, we came to the other Gate, where _Thelemia_ knocking at a
+ring of Brasse, it was forth-with sette open, and when wee were come in,
+there came towardes vs a notable goodly woman, and her name was
+_Philtronia_.
+
+Her regards were wanton, lasciuious, and vnconstant, her grace
+wonderfull pleasant, so as at the verie first sight shee violently drew
+me into her loue.
+
+This place was the Mansion-house of Voluptuousnes. The grounde decked
+with small hearbes, and adorned with all sorts of sundrie flowers,
+abounding with solace and quiet ease. Issuing and sending foorth in
+diuers places small streames of water, pyppling and slyding downe vpon
+the Amber grauell in theyr crooking Channels heere and there, by some
+suddaine fall making a still continued noyse, to great pleasure
+moystning the open fieldes, and making the shadowed places vnder the
+leaffye Trees, coole and fresh.
+
+Shee had with her also sixe young women of like statures, passing fayre,
+of pleasant countenaunces, amorously adorned, and dressed as may bee
+desired of an ambitious beautie and gesture.
+
+The first was called _Rastonelia_. The second, _Cortasina_. The thirde,
+_Idonesa_. The fourth, _Triphelia_. The fift, _Epiania_. And the last
+was named _Adia_.
+
+These and their companie, were very delightfull to my gasing and
+searching eyes. VVhere-vppon _Logistica_ presentlie with a sad and
+grieued countenaunce, seeing mee disposing my selfe abruptlie to the
+seruile loue of them, shee said vnto mee, O _Poliphilus_, the alluring
+and inticing beauties of these, are vaine, deceiueable, and
+counterfeited, vnsauorie and displeasant, and therefore if thou wouldest
+with aduisement looke vppon their backes, thou wouldest then hate,
+contemne, and abhorre theyr lothsome filthinesse and shame, abounding in
+stinke and noysome sauoure aboue any dunghill, which no stomacke can
+abide.
+
+And therefore what is slypperie and transitorie flye and eschewe,
+despise that pleasure which bringeth shame and repentance, vaine hopes,
+a short and small ioy, with perpetuall complaynts, doubtfull sighes, and
+a sorrowful life neuer ending.
+
+Oh adulterated and vnkindly pleasure, fraught with miserie, contayning
+such bitternesse, like honnie, and yet gall dropping from greene leaues.
+
+O lyfe worse then death, and yet deadly, delighted in sweete poyson,
+with what care, sorrow, pensiue thoughts, mortall and desperate
+attempts, art thou sought for to bee obtained by blind Louers, who
+without regarde or aduise cast themselues headlong into a gulfe of
+sorrowes.
+
+They be present before thine eyes, and yet thou seest them not. Oh what
+and howe great sorrowes, bitter and sharpe paine and vexation doost thou
+beare, wicked, execrable and accursed appetite.
+
+O detestable madnesse, oh beguiled senses, by your faulte with the selfe
+same beastlie pleasure, myserable mortall men are ouerthrowne.
+
+Oh filthy lust, absurd furie, disordinate and vaine desire, building
+nests with errours, and torments for vvounded harts, the vtter
+destroyer, and idle letting goe by of all good blessings.
+
+Oh blinde Monster, how doost thou blinde, and with what deceipt doost
+thou couer the eyes, and deceiue the vnderstanding sences of vnhappie
+and miserable Louers with vailes and mystes.
+
+O monstrous and slauish, which compassed with so manie euils, hastenest
+to so small pleasure poysoned and fayned.
+
+_Logistica_ speaking with vehemencie these and such lyke words, her
+fore-head frowning, wrympling with sorrowes, and veines, rysing vp in a
+great rage, shee cast her Lute vppon the ground and brake it.
+
+VVhere-vppon _Thelemia_, with a smyling countenaunce, nodded towards
+mee, as if shee shoulde say, let _Logistica_ speake her pleasure, but
+doe as you see good your selfe.
+
+And _Logistica_ seeing my wicked intent and resolute determination,
+beeing kindled with disdaine, turned her backe, and with a great sigh
+hastened away.
+
+And I remained still with my companion _Thelemia_, vvho with a
+flattering and smyling grace said vnto me, _Poliphilus_, this is the
+place where thou shalt not continue long, but thou shalt finde the
+deerest thing which thou louest in the world, & which thou hast in thy
+hart, without intermission determined to seeke and desire.
+
+And doubtfully then discoursing with my selfe, I was resolued that
+nothing coulde breede quiet, or bring content to my poore grieued hart,
+but my best desired _Polia_. The promise and warrantise of _Thelemia_
+for my obtayning the same, bred in mee some comfort.
+
+And shee perceiuing that the Mistris of thys place, and the seate it
+selfe, and her Women dyd bothe please mee vvell, and entertained mee
+courteously, shee kissing mee, tooke her leaue and gaue me a fare-well.
+
+The metallyne gates beeing shut, I remayned incloystered among these
+fayre and beautifull Nymphes, who began very pleasantly and wantonly to
+deuise with mee: and beeing hemmed in with their lasciuious company,
+I found my selfe prouoked by their perswasiue alluring intisements, to
+vnlawfull concupiscence, feeling in my selfe a burning desire, kyndled
+with their wanton aspects, an increasing prouocation of a lusting fier.
+I doubt me that if _Phrine_ had beene of that fauour, and force in
+gesture of speech, colde _Xenocrates_ would haue consented to her
+alluring, and not haue beene accused by her, to be an image of stone.
+Their countenances were so lasciuious, their breastes naked and
+intycing, theyr eyes flattering, in their roseall forheads, glystering
+and rowling, their shapes most excellent, their apparell rich, their
+motions girlish, theyr regards byting, theyr ornaments, sweete and
+precious, no part counterfeited, but all perfected by nature in an
+excellent sort, nothing deformed, but all partes aunswerable one to an
+other.
+
+Their heades yellowe, their tresses fayre, and the hayre soft and fine,
+in such a sort dressed vp and rouled into trammels, with laces of silke
+and golde, passing any ioye that a man may beholde, turned about their
+heads in an excellent manner, inuiluxed, and bound vppe together, their
+forheades compassed about and shaddowed with wauering curles, mouably
+præpending in a wonderfull manner, marueilous delightfull, perfumed &
+sweet, yeelding an vnknown fragrancie. Their speeches so perswasorie and
+pleasing, as might robbe the fauour of an indesposed hart, and violently
+drawe vnto them any mind, though Satyr-like or churlish howsoeuer,
+to depraue Religion, to binde euery loose conceit, to make any rusty
+Peasant amorous, and to mollifie any froward disposition. Vppon which
+occasion, my minde, altogether set on fier with a new desire, and in the
+extreame heate of concupiscence, prouoked to fall headlong into a
+lasciuious appetite, & drowned in lustfull loue vnbridled: in the
+extreame inuasion and infectious contage thereof, the Damoselles
+forsooke mee and left me all alone in a fruitfull playne.
+
+
+
+
+_In this place Poliphilus being left alone, a most fayre Nymphe (when
+  hee was forsaken of the lasciuious company) came vnto him, whose
+  beautie and apparell Poliphilus dooth amourously describe._
+
+
+My tender heart thus excessiuely wounded with amorous prouocation,
+I think I was mad, I stood so amazed, or blinde at the least, because
+that I coulde not perceiue in what sort or how this desired and
+delightfull company gaue mee the slip: and at last not knowing what I
+did, but casting mine eyes right forward, I behelde before mee, a fine
+Arbour of sweete Gessamine, somewhat high, lifting vppe and bending
+ouer, all to bee painted and decked with the pleasant and odoriferous
+flowers of three sortes commixt, and entring in vnder the same.
+Wonderfully perplexed for the losse of my company, I knewe not howe
+or in what sort, and calling to remembraunce the diuers, rare and
+wonderfull thinges past, and aboue al the great hope and trust which
+I had conceiued vpon the Queenes promise, that I should finde my loue
+_Polia_.
+
+Alas said I, with a deepe sigh, my _Polia_, that the greene Arbour
+resounded againe therewithall, my amourous breathings were such, framed
+within and sent out from my burning hart. And I was no sooner entered
+into this agony, and ouerwhelmed in this passion, but as I passed on to
+the other ende of the Arbor, I might perceiue a farre off, a great
+number of youthes, solacing and sporting themselues very loude with
+diuers melodious soundes, with pleasant sports and sundry pastimes, in
+great ioye, and passing delight assembled together, in a large playne.
+Vppon this gratefull and desired noueltie, I set me down marueiling at
+it, before I would step any further on.
+
+And beholde, a most noble and faire Nymph, with a burning torch in her
+hand, departing from the company, tended her course towardes mee, so as
+I might well perceiue that shee was a reall mayde indeede and no
+spirite, whervpon I mooued not one whit, but gladly expected her
+comming, who with a maidenly hast, modest accesse, star-like
+countenance, and smiling grace, drewe neere vnto mee with such a
+Maiestie, and yet friendly, so as I doubt me, the amorous _Idalea_ neuer
+shewed her selfe to _Mars_, nor to her the fayre Pastor _Adonis_. Nor
+the delicate _Ganimed_ to _Iupiter_, or the fayre _Psyches_, to her
+spouse _Cupid_.
+
+For which cause, if shee had beene the fourth among the three contending
+Goddesses, if _Joue_ had beene Iudge, as in the shady Wooddes of
+_Mensunlone_ was the Phrigian Sheepheard, without all doubt she had
+beene iudged of farre more excellent beautie, and without equiuolence,
+more worthy of the golden apple, then all or any one of the rest. At the
+first sight I was perswaded that shee had beene _Polia_, but the place
+vnaccustomed & her apparell made mee thinke the contrarie, and therefore
+my doubtfull iudgement remained in suspence, hauing onely a reuerent
+suspition therof.
+
+This honourable Nymph, had her virgineall diuine and small body couered
+with a thinne subtill stuffe of greene silke, powdered with golde, vppon
+a smocke of pure white coorled Lawne, couering her most delicate and
+tender body, and snowye skinne, as fine and good as euer _Pamphila_ the
+daughter to _Platis_ in the Iland of Coo, did inuent to weaue. Which
+white smocke seemed as if it had couered damaske Roses.
+
+The coate which she wore ouer that, was not like our fashioned
+petticoates with French wastes, for that her sweete proporcioned body
+needed no such pinching in, & vnholsome weare, hyndering procreation and
+an enemie to health: but rather like a wastcoate, with little plightes
+and gathers vnder her rounde and pretty bearing out breasts, vpon her
+slender and small waste, ouer her large proportioned flanckes and little
+round belly, fast girded about with a girdle of golde: and ouer the
+same, a gowne or garment side to the ground, and welted belowe.
+
+This garment beeing very side, was taken vp round about the pitch of her
+hippes, and before vpon her belly, & tyed about with the studded
+marriage girdle of _Citherea_, the plucking vp of y^e garment, bearing
+ouer the girdle about her like a french vardingale, & the nethermost
+part falling down about her feet in plightes and fouldes, vnstable and
+blowne about with the sweete ayre & coole winde, causing sometime, by
+the thinnesse thereof, her shape to be seene in it, which shee seemed
+with a prompt readinesse to resist and hynder. Her beautie and grace was
+such, as I stoode in doubt whether shee were begotten by any humaine
+generation: her armes stretching downe, her handes long and slender, her
+fingers small and fayre, and her nayles thinne and ruddy, and shining,
+as if she had beene _Minerua_ her selfe. Her armes to be seene through
+the cleere thinnesse of the Lawne, the winges about the size of her
+garment where her armes came out, were of golde, in an excellent sort
+and fashion welted, and set with Pearle and stone: and in like sort, all
+the hemming about of her vesture, with golde ooes, and Pearle, and
+spangles of golde in diuers places, distantly disposed in a curious and
+pleasant sort to beholde.
+
+Vppon either side, vnder the armes to her waste, her vpper garment was
+vnsowed and open, but fastened with three buttons of great Orient Pearle
+(such as _Cleopatra_ neuer had to dissolue in a Potion) in loopes of
+blewe silke, so that you might see her smocke betweene the distance of
+one Pearle from an other, couering her daintie soft snowye thinne
+skinne: except her small necke and the vpper halfe of her spatious and
+delitious breast, more desired and contenting mine eyes, then the water
+brookes and coole Ryuers to the emboste and chased Hart, more pleasing
+then the fisher boate of _Endimion_ to _Cynthia_, and more pleasant then
+_Cithera_ to _Orpheus_.
+
+The sleeues of her smocke of a conuenient largenesse, and about her
+wristes plighted and tyed with Bracelets of Golde, double and vnited
+with Orient Pearle. And besides all her ornaments and gracious gestures,
+she indeuoured nowe and then with stolen and affected regards, in a
+sweet & pleasant sort, to cast down her eyes vpon her little round
+swelling breastes, impatient at the suppressing of her soft and fine
+apparell: so as I iudged vppon good consideration, and thought that in
+the dignitie and honourable frame of her personage, the Creator had
+framed and vnited together, all the violence of Loue. The foure Nourses
+of the royall Kingdome of Babilon, called _The tongue of the Gods_, had
+not that powre to winne fauour and loue of the King, which this most
+sweet Nymph had.
+
+About her fayre Necke, more white then the Scithian snowe, shee wore a
+Carkenet of Oryent Pearle: _Cerna_ the wife of _Cæsar_ neuer had the
+like, and I doubt me that that of _Eriphile_, which she tooke to
+_Amphiaraus_, was nothing comparable vnto it. And in the bending downe
+ouer the deuision of her breastes, betwixt two great Pearles, there was
+laced a corruscant rounde Rubie, and vppon the collaterate sides of the
+sayde Pearles, two glistering Saphires, and two Pearles, next them two
+Emeraldes, & two Pearles, and after them two fayre Iacinthes: all these
+Pearles and Stones were laced in a worke in losenges, in a rare and
+beautifull manner.
+
+Her fayre heade, sending downe and vnfolding a loose spreading abroade
+of plentifull hayre, like the smallest threds of golde, wauing with the
+winde, and vpon her crowne, a garland of tawny vyolets sweetly smelling,
+and couering the same almost to her forheade: from the middle vpper
+point whereof, in forme of two Hemycycles to the halfe of her eares, it
+mounted vppe in curled trammelles, falling downe againe vppon her fayre
+Temples, moueably wauing and shaddowing the same, and hyding the vpper
+halfe of her small eares, more fayre then euer was reported of
+_Mimoria_.
+
+The rest of her yellowe haire, descended downe ouer her fayre necke,
+well disposed shoulders, and straight backe, to the calues of her
+slender legges, moderatly wauing and blowne abroad, in greater beautie
+than the proude eyed feathers of _Iunoes_ Birde. Such hayre as
+_Berenice_ did neuer vow in the venereous Temple for her _Tholomaus_,
+nor _Conus_ the Mathematrician did euer beholde the like placed in the
+Triangule.
+
+In her forehead, vnder two subtile blacke Hemycicles and distinct eye
+brees, such as _Abacsine_ in Æthiopia had not to boast of, or compare
+with, nor _Juno_ her selfe, did looke out and present themselues two
+pleasant radious and glistering eyes, which would enforce _Jupiter_ to
+rayne golde, of a cleere sight, quicke and pearcing, with a browne
+circle betwixt the Apple and the milchie white: neere to the which, were
+her purple and Cherry cheekes, beautified with two round smyling
+dimples, gracing the pleasure of her countenaunce, of the collour of the
+fresh Roses gathered at the rysing of the Sunne, and layde in a vessell
+of the Christall of Cyprus, and shewing through the same, as me thought.
+
+Vnder her nose to her lyppes, passed a little valley to her small mouth
+of a most sweete forme, her lyppes not blabbered or swelling, but
+indifferent, & of a rubye collour, couering two vniforme sets of teeth,
+like yuory, and small, not one longer and sharper than an other, but in
+order euenly disposed and set: from betwixt the which, Loue had composed
+an euerlasting sweet breathing, so as I presumed to thinke, that the
+snow white teeth betwixt her gracious lyppes, were no other but Oryent
+Pearles, & her sweet breath hot Muske, and by her delightfull voyce that
+she was _Thespis_ with her nine daughters.
+
+By all which sight I was greatly mooued and my sences rauished with a
+kindled appetite, causing among them great strife and bitter contention,
+such as I neuer felt before, by any other presence or excellent sightes
+whatsoeuer. My searching eyes commended one part aboue another, to bee
+more beautifull: but my appetite rapt into an other part of her heauenly
+body, esteeming that aboue the other. And thus my insatiable and wanton
+eyes, were the euill beginning of all thys perturbing and contentious
+commotion, whome I founde the seminaries and moouers of all so great
+strife and trouble, in my wounded and festering heart. Through theyr
+contumacy, I was now brought from my selfe, and neuerthelesse, I could
+not be satisfied by them. My greedy appetyte extolled her delicate
+breast aboue any comparison, my eyes delightfully consenting thervnto,
+sayd, at least by that we may discouer what y^e rest is; And they,
+glauncing from that to the regarde of her grace and gesture, set all
+their delight therein: and my appetite strengthened and not easilie
+remooued from thence, I perswaded my selfe, that the plentie and
+fayrenesse of her head and hayre, and the dressing thereof, and the
+beautie of her forheade, coulde neuer bee compared with of any one or
+other, like the scrapings of golde alwaies turning into little roundels.
+
+With two eyes lyke morning starres in a cleere heauen, more beautifully
+adorning her heade, than any that euer the warlike _Neco_ behelde among
+the _Acitanians_, wounding my heart like one of the arrowes of the
+angrie _Cupid_. And thus to conclude, I dare be bolde to say, that no
+mortall man hath seene, so gracious, so shyning, so cleere and pleasant
+lightes as these were placed in the forhead of this heauenly creature;
+so that by them my hart was taken prisoner, & was filled with such
+continuall cõtrouersies of desire, as if a leafe of the Laurell of the
+Tombe of the king of _Bibria_ had bin placed betwixt, & that strife
+should neuer cease whilst it was there: so as I thought that this strife
+would neuer cease, vntill the pleasure were taken away, by reason
+wherof, I could not perceiue howe I shoulde obtaine the fulnes of my
+desire, or howe it coulde agree with either one or other. Like one
+extreamely hungry among a number of prepared meates being desirous of
+all, feedes of none, his burning appetite remayning satisfied with none,
+but still hungry.
+
+
+
+
+_The most fayre Nymph beeing come to Poliphilus, bearing a Torch in her
+  left hand, with the other tooke him and inuited him to walke with her,
+  and there Poliphilus by her loue was more inflamed._
+
+
+Thus seing before me, a reall and visible obiect of a most excellent
+representation, louely presence and heauenly aspect, of a plentifull
+store and vniuersall gathering of vnseene beautie, and inhumaine
+comelinesse, I made light and slender account, in respect heereof, of
+all the inestimable delights, riches, and great pompe which before I had
+behelde and seene, thinking their worthinesse nothing to speake of, in
+comparison of this. Oh happie hee that may enioy such and so great a
+treasure of loue; and not onely a happie possessor I account him, but
+most happie that shall possesse and obtaine her obedience, to hys desire
+and rule. But if _Zenes_ had behelde this substance, hee would haue
+commended the same aboue all the _Agrigentine_ maides, euery proprotion
+would haue made vnto him an oportune shewe of the absolutest perfection
+in the whole world.
+
+Which fayre and heauenly Nymph nowe comming neere vnto me, with a
+cheerefull countenance, incontinently her most rare beautie, before
+somewhat a farre of looked vppon with mine eyes, but nowe, by them more
+neere and narrowly behelde, I was rauished and amased.
+
+And her amorous aspect and louely presence, was no sooner brought by the
+message of mine eyes to my inward partes, but my recording and watchfull
+remembrance, stirring and waking vppe my heart, presenting and offering
+her vnto the same: it is become her shoppe; the quiuer for her piercing
+arrowes and wounding regardes, and the dwelling place and conseruable
+mansion house, of her sweete picture. Knowing that this was shee which
+had tædiously consumed my tender yeeres, in her hotte and prime loue,
+not to be resisted. For I felt the same leaping and beating against my
+breast, without ceasing, like as one that striketh vpon a hoarse Taber.
+And still me thought by her louely and delightfull countenance, by her
+fayre tresses, and the curling and wauing haire, playing vp and downe
+vppon her forheade, that it should be _Polia_, whome so greatly I had
+loued and desired, and for whom I had sustained so many & sundry
+griefes, without intermission, sending out scalding sighes, the outward
+reporters of my inwarde flames. But her rich and Nymphish habite,
+vnaccustomed, and the place vnknowne and strange, made mee still
+doubtfull and suspicious.
+
+Shee (as beforesaide) carried in her snowe white left arme, close to her
+body, a kindled and burning Torch, somewhat higher then her heade a good
+deale, and the lower ende growing smaller and smaller, shee helde in her
+hande: and stretching foorth that which was at libertie, more white then
+euer had _Pelopea_, wherein appeared the thinne smoothnes of the skynne,
+and the blewnesse of the veynes lyke Azure streames, vppon the faire and
+whitest paper. Shee tooke me by the left hande with a sweete and louing
+countenance and smiling grace, and with an eloquent speech, shee
+pleasantly saide in this manner.
+
+_Poliphilus_, I thinke my selfe to come in saftie, but it seemeth that
+you stand doubtfull. Heereat I was more amazed, and my sences in a
+manner gone to imagine howe she should knowe my name; and al my inward
+parts vanquished, and hemmed in with burning amorous flames, my speech
+was taken from mee with feare and reuerent bashfulnesse.
+
+In this sort remayning, I knewe not vppon the suddaine what good
+aunswere I might make, or otherwise doe her reuerence, but to offer her
+my vnworthy and vnfit hande; Which when it was streined in hers, me
+thought that it was in hot snowe and curded milke, and me thought
+indeede, that I touched and handled something which was more then
+humaine; which when I had so done, I remained moued in minde, troubled
+and doubtfull, vnaccustomed to such a companion, not knowing what to
+say, or whether to followe her, in my simple apparell and homely
+bringing vp, not agreeable with hers: and as a foole, vnworthy and vnfit
+for her fellowship, perswading my selfe, that it was not lawfull for a
+mortall and earthly creature to enioy such pleasures. For which cause,
+my collour red and blushing, with reuerent admiration, being grieued at
+my basenesse, I setled my selfe to followe her.
+
+At length, and yet not with a perfect recalled minde, I beganne to
+reduce and sommon together, my fearefull and distempered spirites:
+perswading my selfe, that I must needes haue good successe, being neere
+so faire and diuine an obiect, and in such a place; And so followed her
+on with a panting heart, more shaking than the birde _Sisura_, or a
+Lambe carryed in the mouth of a Wolfe.
+
+And thus touched most feruently with pleasant heates, growing &
+encreasing more & more, they began to boyle & kindle my colde feare, and
+dispositiuely to adopt my altered heate to sincere loue. Which being
+thus brought to thys passe, by a prouoked inward desire, yet inwardly as
+I reasoned with my selfe, it was wonderfully variable and doubtfull. Oh
+most happye Louer of all Louers, that in requitall of hys, might bee
+sure to participate of hers.
+
+On the other side, I perswaded my selfe, that if I shoulde offer vnto
+her my amorous heart and loue, hauing no better thing to bestow vpon
+her, or present vnto her, it might be that she would not refuse it: like
+_Artaxerxes_, the King of the Percians; who hauing water presented to
+hys handes, accepted of it bowing downe himselfe. Heerewithall, me
+thought yet that a fearefull and chill trembling inuaded mee, infusing
+it selfe ouer all my body and breast, renewing the force of the extreame
+fire, euen like dry reede: which being once kindled, is enflamed and
+nourished with the fresh ayre, vntill at length it is increased so
+mightily, that it consumeth all to ashes.
+
+And in like sorte, I fully founde in my selfe, an increase and flashing
+abroade of my inwarde flames, in their prepared subject, so effectually,
+that her amorous regardes gaue me mortall and deadly woundes: euen as
+lightning and thunder, among the stronge and mightie oakes, suddainely
+with a great force, scorching & tearing them. And therefore I durst not
+looke vpon her bright eyes, because that dooing so, (being ouercome with
+the incredible beauty of her gracious aspect) if peraduenture her
+radious beames did reincounter mutually with myne, for a little while
+euery thinge seemed two vnto mee, vntill I had closed the lyddes
+together, and restored them to theyr former light.
+
+Wherevpon, and by reason of these thinges captiuated, spoyled, and
+ouercome, I determined at that instant to plucke vp some fresh flowers,
+and in all humble sort to offer them vnto her, and it came to passe,
+that whilst my secret thoughts consented thervnto, consygning a free
+meane and large entrance, for the discouery of my desire. But my burning
+heart humbly hauing opened the same, euen as a rype Apple being eyther
+bytten or shaken, so it fell and fayled me. And receiuing into his
+wounded and familiar estuation, in some interposition of time,
+immediatly his accustomed heat and feruor increased, piercing the inward
+parts with her virgineall aspects, exceedingly beautified with a comely
+grace and vnexcogitable elegancie; Because, that into this sweete
+introduction into my minde, of these first amorous flames, (lyke the
+Troian horse, full of weapons and deceite) the enterance was made for an
+euerlasting, vnknown, and vncessant plague, deeply festering in my
+tender and poore heart, perpetually remayning: which easily ouercome
+with one sweete looke, inconsiderately without delay, hasteneth his owne
+hurt, and wholly layeth it selfe open to amorous incursions, and burneth
+it selfe with sweet conceits, going into the flames of his owne accord.
+
+To all which burning desires her present company did greatly inforce
+mee, which I esteemed to yeelde mee more comfort, then the North starre
+in a tempestuous night to the troubled Marriner: more acceptable then
+that of _Melicta_ to _Adonis_, or to _Phrodites_, the obsequious Nymph
+_Peristera_: and more delightfull then _Dittander_ to the daughter of
+_Dydo_, with the Purple flowre for the wounde of _Pius Æneas_: And
+finding my heart strooken and inwardly pricking, secretly filled and
+compressiuely stuft; recording and gathering together into it, varyable
+thoughts and working of Loue, my immedicable wounde grewe greater and
+greater. But gathering vp the remaynder of my sences, as one that durst,
+I assured my selfe to manifest and lay open before her, my intended
+desires and amorous conceites. And thus loosing my selfe in a blinde
+folly. I could not choose but giue place to my inuading desires,
+feruently boyling and inforcing me to say thus.
+
+Oh delycate and heauenly Damosell, whatsoeuer thou art, thy forcyble
+loue hath set me on fire, and consumeth my grieued heart; I finde my
+selfe all ouer, burning in an vncessant flame, and a sharpe dart cast
+into the middest of my breast, where it sticketh fast, hauing made a
+mortall wounde vncurable. And hauing spoken thus, to the ende I might
+discouer vnto her my hidden desire, and moderate by that meanes the
+extreamitie of my bitter passions: vvhich I felt, the more they were
+concealed, the more to augment and increase, I patiently helde my peace:
+and by this meanes all those feruent and greeuous agitations, doubtfull
+thoughtes, wanton and vyolent desires, were somewhat supprest; with my
+ill fauoured Gowne, that had still some of the Bramble leaues and
+prickes in the Wood hanging vpon it, and euen as a Peacocke in the pride
+of his feathers, beholding the fowlenesse of his feete, pulleth downe
+hys traine: so I considering the inequallitie of my selfe, with such a
+heauenly obiect, appaled the prouocations of my contumacious and high
+desires, looking into the vanities of my thoughtes.
+
+And then I earnestly endeuoured by all the meanes that I might, to
+subdue, encloyster, and keepe in, my vnbridled gadding appetite,
+wandring minde, and immodest desire, intending nowe that it should neuer
+be vttered againe.
+
+At length I beganne to thinke in the secret depth of my wounded heart,
+that vndoubtedly this my present continued griefe, was equall with that
+of wicked _Tantalus_, to whose hotte and thirsting lyppes, the coole and
+cleere water did offer it selfe, and to his hungry appetite, the sweete
+fruites honge ouer hys gaping mouth appresenting, but he neuer tasted
+any of either.
+
+Ah woe is mee euen in like sort, a most fayre Nymph of an excellent
+shape, of a florishing age, of Angel-like behauiour vnspeakable, and of
+rare honour and exceeding curtesie as mine eies coulde beholde, whose
+company exceeded any exquesite humaine content; and I, iust by her, full
+of all whatsoeuer prouocation, forcing sollaciously loue and desire,
+heaping vppe in her selfe the whole perfections of delight, and yet my
+yauning and voluptuous desire, neuer the more thereby satisfied.
+
+Well, on this sorte my burning concupiscence nothing allayed, as much as
+I might, I comforted my languishing hart, vnmeasurably tormented, in
+putting of it in minde, of solacious and amorous hope: and with that,
+there was neuer a coale so neere put out, but it was presently renued
+and set on fire, with the company of the next. And my vnbridled eyes,
+the more they were vnarmed to resist her power, the more they were
+inflamed with the insolent desire and liking of her wonderfull and
+heauenly beautie; Still seeming more faire, more excellent, more louely,
+more to be desired, extreamly apt and præpared for loue: euedently
+shewing foorth in her selfe, a wonderfull increase of sweete pleasure.
+
+Afterwards I thought with my selfe, it may be that she is some creature
+which I may not desire, and it may bee the place is not fitte for such
+thoughtes, and then it may bee I haue made a wise worke, and spunne a
+fayre thred, if I should bee punished for my impudencie, like _Ixion_.
+In like sort, the Thracian had neuer founde the deepe seate of
+_Neptune_, if he had not medled with _Tethis_; and _Gallantide_, the
+mayde of _Lucina_, shoulde not haue brought foorth in her mouth, if hee
+had not deceiued. It may that thys Nymph is spowsed to some high and
+mightie Prince, and I to offer her this dishonour, what am I worthy of?
+
+And thus resoning with my selfe, I thought that those thinges which had
+but slender assurance, woulde lightly slyppe away, and that it would not
+be hard to deceiue, where was no watchfull regarde: and to bolde
+spirites, Fortune was not altogether fayling: and besides, that it was
+harde to knowe a mans thought. Where-vpon, euen as _Calistone_, being
+ashamed at her swelling belley, shronke aside from the presence of
+_Diana_; so I withdrewe my selfe, blushing at my attempt, and bridling
+my inconuenient desires. Yet with a lincious eye, I neuer left to
+examine, with great delight, the extreame beautie of the excellent
+Nymph, disposing my selfe to her sweete loue, with an vnfallyble,
+obstinate, and firme resolution.
+
+
+
+
+_Polia, as yet vnknowne to her Louer Poliphilus, shee gratiously
+  assureth him: who for her extreame beautie, hee indeuoreth his minde
+  to loue. And both of them going to the triumphes, they see innumerable
+  youths and Damosels, sporting with great delight._
+
+
+The Archer _Cupid_, in my wounding heart hauing his residence, like a
+Lord and king, holding me tyed in the bands of Loue, I found my selfe
+pricked and grieuously tormented, in his tyrannous and yet pleasant
+regiment. And abounding in doubtfull delight, vnmeasurably sighing,
+I watered my plaints; and then the surmounting Nymph, with a pleasing
+grace, incontinently gaue me comfort, and with her ruddy and fayre
+spoken lyppes, framing violent and attractiue wordes, she gaue me
+assurance: abandoning and remouing from my heart, all fearefull
+thoughts, with her Olymphicall aspects, and cooling with her eloquent
+speeches, my burning heart; and with an amorous and friendly regarde,
+and cast of her eyes, and smiling grace, she saide thus vnto mee.
+
+_Poliphilus_, I woulde thou shouldest vnderstand and know thys, that
+true and vertuous loue hath no respect of outward things, and therefore
+let not the basenes of thy apparell, diminish or lessen thy minde, if
+perhaps noble and gentle, and worthy of these places, and fitte to
+beholde these maruellous tryumphes; Therefore let not thy minde be
+dismayed with feare, but dilligently behold what Kingdomes they
+possesse, that are crowned by _Venus_. I meane, such as bee strongly
+agonished and yet perseuere still, seruing and attending vpon her
+amorous Aultars and sacred flames, vntill they obtaine her lawfull
+fauour. And then making an ende of her short and sweet speech, both of
+vs making forward, our pace neither too fast nor too slowe, but in a
+measure; I thought thus, and thus discoursing with my selfe.
+
+Oh most valiant _Perseus_, thou wouldest more feirsly haue fought with
+the cruell Dragon, for the fauour of this, then for the loue of thy
+fayre _Andromada_. And after.
+
+Oh _Iason_, if the marriage of this had beene offered vnto thee, with a
+more greater and more daungerous aduenture, then the obtayning of the
+golden fleece, thou wouldest haue let goe that, and vndertaken this,
+with a greater courage, esteeming it aboue al the iewelles and precious
+treasures of the whole worlde; I, more then those of the ritch and
+mightie Queene _Eleutherillida_. Continually seeming more fayre, more
+beautifull, and more louely. _Hippodamia_, and all the greedy scraping
+and doubtfull Vsurers, neuer tooke such delight in getting of gold.
+A quyet Harbour was neuer so welcome to a destressed Marryner, in a
+stormy, darke, and tempesteous winter night: nor the wished and oportune
+fall of rayne, at the prayer of _Cræsus_, as the louing consent of this
+daintie Nymph: more welcome to mee, then bloody broyles to warlike
+_Mars_, or the first fruites of _Creta_ to _Dionisius_: or the warbling
+Harpe to _Apollo_: and yet more gratefull, then fertill grounde, full
+eares, and plentifull yeelding, to the labouring Husbandman.
+
+And thus in most contented sort, passing on and pressing down the
+thicke, greene, and coole grasse: sometime my searching and busie eyes,
+woulde haue a cast with her pretty & small feete, passing well fitted
+with shooes of Red leather, growing broader from the instept, narrowe at
+the toe, and close about the heele; and sometimes her fine and moueable
+legges, (her vesture of silke beeing blowne about with the winde, vppon
+her virgineall partes) discouered themselues. If I might haue seene
+them, I do imagine that they did looke like the finest flower of
+_Peloponesus_, or like the purest milke, coagulated with Muske.
+
+By all which most delectable thinges, tyed and bounde in the harde and
+inextricable knots of vehement loue, more vneasie to vndoe then that of
+_Hercules_, or that which _Alexander_ the great did cut in sunder with
+hys sworde: and amorously masked in rowled nettes, and my subdued heart,
+helde downe withe grieued cogitations and burning desires, leading mee
+whether they would, I founde in it more pricking torments then faythfull
+_Regulus_ in Aphrica. So that my sorrowing spirites exasperated with an
+amorous desire and extreame vexation, continually burning in my panting
+breast, coulde by no meanes bee asswaged, but with supping vp of
+continuall sobbings, and breathing out of their flying losse. And thus
+drowned in a mist of doubts, and seeing me vyolently taken in her loue,
+I saide thus to my selfe.
+
+O _Poliphilus_, howe canst thou leaue at any tyme thy inseperable loue,
+kindled towardes thy sweete _Polia_, for any other? And therewithall,
+from this Nymph, thus close and fast bounde, more strongly thẽ in the
+clawes of a Creuise or Lobstar, endeuouring to vntie my selfe, I found
+it no easie peece of worke, so that I coulde not choose but greeuously
+binde my troubled hart, to the loue and affecting of this by all
+likelihoodes, hauing the true shape, sweete resemblance, and gratious
+behauiour of my most beloued _Polia_. But aboue all thinges, this came
+more neere vnto mee and grieued me worst, howe I should bee assured that
+shee was _Polia_. Wherevppon, from my watry eyes, the salt teares
+immediatly tryckling downe, it seemed vnto me a hard & contemptuous
+matter, to banish from my forlorne and poore heart, his olde soueraigne
+Lady and Mistresse, and to entertaine a newe, strange, and vnknowne
+Tyrannyzer.
+
+Afterwards, I comforted my selfe again, with thinking that peraduenture
+this was shee, according to the sacred Oracle and true speech, of the
+mighty Queene _Eleutherillida_: and therefore, that I should not shrinke
+or stoope vnder my burthen; for if I were not greatly deceiued, this was
+shee indeede. And hauing made thys amorous and discoursiue thought and
+swasiue præsuppose, abandoning all other desires whatsoeuer, I onely
+determined with my heart and minde, to come backe againe to this noble
+and excellent Nymph; in whose great loue I beeing thus taken, with
+extreame compulsion, I was bolde with an vnaccustomed admyration,
+dilligently to looke vpon her rare shape, and louely features, my eyes
+making themselues the swallowing whirlpooles of her incomparable
+beautie: and they were no sooner opened, hotly to take in the sweete
+pleasure of her so benigne and conspicuous presence, but they were
+strengthened for euer, to hold with them solaciously agreeing, the
+assembly of all my other captiued sences, that from her and no other,
+I did seeke the mittegation and quenching of my amorous flames. And in
+this sort we came, whilst I was thus cruelly wounded by exasperating
+Loue, somewhat vppon the right side of the spacious fielde.
+
+In which place, were set greene trees, thicke with leaues, and full of
+flowers, bearing fruite, rounde about the place and seate of such
+variable and diuers sorts, neuer fading but still greene, giuing great
+content to the delightfull beholder.
+
+The gallant and pleasant Nymphe there stayed; and I also stood still:
+Where looking about, by the benignitie of the fruitfull playne, with
+halfe my sight, because I coulde not altogether withdrawe the same from
+the amorous obiect; I behelde very neere vnto vs, a certaine shewe of an
+inuyroning company, tryumphing and dauncing about vs, of most braue and
+fine youthes, without beardes and vnshorne heares, but that of their
+heads bushing, curling, and wrything, without any art or effæminate
+crysping: crowned and dressed, with garlands and wreathes of diuers
+flowers, and red Roses, with leauye Myrtle, with purple Amaranth or
+flower gentle, and Melliot: and with them a great company of yonge
+maydes, more fayre and delicate then bee to bee founde in Sparta; Both
+kindes apparelled very richly, in silkes of changable collours, hyding
+the perfect collour; some in Purple & Murry, and some in white curled
+Sendall, such as Ægipt neuer affoorded, and of dyuers other collours:
+some Tawney, some Crymosen, others in Greene, some in Vyolet, some in
+Blewe, Peach collour, Peacocke collour, perfectly engrayned, as euer
+Corica coulde yeelde: and powdered and wouen with golde, and edged and
+hemmed about With orient Pearle and stones set in pure golde; some in
+gownes, and others in hunting sutes.
+
+And the most of the beautifull Nymphes, had their fayre haire smoothly
+bounde vppe together, and thrise rowled about, with an excellent
+finishing knot; Others had their vnstable & wauing tresses, spreading
+downe ouer their fayre neckes. Some, with aboundance of haire, cast vp
+ouer their forheades, and the endes turning into curles, & shaddowing
+ouer the fayrenes of the same: so as Nature and not Arte, shewed her
+selfe therein a beautifull mistresse; With fillets and laces of golde,
+edged with orient Pearle, and others in Caules of golde, wearing about
+theyr slender neckes, rich and precious Carkenets and, necklaces, of
+Pearles and stone, and depending iewelles. And vppon theyr small eares,
+did hange dyuers precious stones, and ouer the variable dressings of
+theyr heades, before in two Hemycicles, were set shoddowes of oryent
+Pearle and stone, in flowers of hayre.
+
+All which excellent ornaments, together with theyr most elegant
+personages, were easily able to alter, any churlish, vile or obstinate
+heart.
+
+Theyr fayre breastes, in a voluptuous and wanton sort, were bare to the
+middest of them: And vppon their prettie feete, some wore sandalles,
+after the auncient manner, beeing soles, and the foote bare fastened to
+the same, with a small chaine of golde, comming vp betwixt the great toe
+and the middle, and the little toe and the next, about the heele ouer
+the instep, and fastening vppon the vpper part, betwixt the toes and the
+instep, in a flower. Others hauing straight shooes, claspt vppon the
+instep with flowers of golde. Their stockings of silke; some of Purple,
+some of Carnation, some of parted collours: such as _Caius Galicola_
+neuer first brought vp. Others wearing Buskins, vppon the white swelling
+calfes of their legges, and laced with silke; some butned wyth golde and
+precious stone.
+
+Their fore-heades most fayre, and beautified with the moueable wauinges
+of theyr crysping hayre couered ouer with a thinne vayle, lyke a Spiders
+vvebbe. Theyr eyes byting and alluring, more bright, than the twinkling
+starres in a cleere ayre, vnder theyr circulate brees: vvith a small
+nose, betwixt their rounde and cherry cheekes: their teeth orderly
+disposed, small and euen set, of the collour of refyned siluer: vppon
+the rest, betwixt their sweet and soft lyppes: of the collour of
+Corrall.
+
+Many of them carrying instruments of Musique, such as neuer were seene
+in _Ausonia_, nor in the handes of _Orpheus_: yeelding in the flowring
+Meadowe & smoth playne, most delightfull sounds, with sweete voyces and
+noyces of ioye and tryumphing: and to increase the glory, amorously
+stryuing and contending one with an other, vvith solacious and pleasant
+acts, accompanied with faire speeches and friendly aspects. And in this
+place, with a most delectable applause, I behelde foure Tryumphes, so
+precious and sumptuously set foorth, as neuer any mortall eye hath
+seene.
+
+
+
+
+_Poliphilus in this prescribed place, did beholde foure tryumphing
+  Chariots, all set with precious stones and iewelles, by a great number
+  of youthes, in the honour of Iupiter._
+
+
+The first of the foure marueilous tryumphant Chariots, had foure rounde
+wheeles, of Perfect greene Emeralds of Scythia; the rest of the Chariot
+did amase mee to beholde, beeing made all of table Dyamonds: not of
+Arabia or Cyprus, of the newe Myne, as our Lapidaries call them: but of
+India, resisting the harde stroakes of yron and steele, abyding the hote
+fire & striuing therwith, mollified onely with the warme bloode of
+Goates, gratefull in the Magicall arte; which stones, were wonderfully
+cut of a Cataglyphic explicature, and set very curiously in fine golde.
+
+Vppon the right side of the Chariot, I sawe expressed, the
+representation of a noble Nymph, with many accompanying her in a
+Meddowe, crowning of victorious Bulles with garlands of flowers, and one
+abyding by her very tamely.
+
+The same Nymph, vppon the other side was also represented, who hauing
+mounted vp vppon the backe of the Bull, which was gentle and white,
+he carryed her ouer the sea.
+
+Vppon the fore-ende I behelde _Cupid_, with a great number of wounded
+people and Nations, marueiling to see him shoote into the ayre. And in
+the hinder part, _Mars_ standing before _Iupiter_, mourning because the
+boy had shotte through his impenetrable Brest-plate, and shewing the
+wounde, and with the other hande, holding out his arme, he helde this
+worde _Nemo_.
+
+The fashion of this Chariot was quadrangulat, of two perfect squares,
+longe wayes, of sixe foote in length and three foote in height, with a
+bearing out coronice aboue and vnder the plynth: and about the same a
+plaine, in breadth two foote and a halfe, and in length fiue foot and a
+halfe, bearing towards the Coronice, all ouer scally, with precious
+stones, with an altered congresse and order of collours, variably
+disposed. And vppon the foure corners, were fastned foure coppies,
+inuersed, and the mouth lying vpward vpon the proiect corner of the
+Coronice, full of fruites and flowers cut of precious stones, as it were
+growing out of a foliature of golde. The hornes were chased neere their
+mouth, with the leaues of Poppy, and wrythen in the belly: the
+gracylament & outward bending, ioyning fast to the ende of the plaine,
+and breaking of in an olde fashioned iagged leaf-worke, lying a long
+vnder the backe of the Coppisse, and of the same mettall. Vpon euery
+corner of the Plynth, from the Coronice downeward, there was a foote
+lyke a Harpies, with an excellent conuersion and turning vppon eyther
+sides of the leaues of Acanthus.
+
+The wheeles, aboue the naues and axeltrees, were closed within the
+Chariot, and the sides thereof vnder the Harpies feete, bent somewhat
+vpward and growing lesser, turned rounde downward, wherevnto the
+furniture or trace to drawe it by, were fastned: and where the axeltree
+was, there vpon the side of the bottom of the Charriot, ouer the naue of
+the wheele, there came downe a prepention ioyning to the Plynth, twise
+so long as deepe, of two foliatures, one extending one way and the other
+an other way: and vpon the middle thereof and lowest part, was a Rose of
+fiue leaues, in the seede whereof, the ende of the axeltree did lye.
+
+Vppon the aforesaide Playne, I behelde the ymage of a fayre white and
+tame Bull, trymmed and dressed with flowers, in manner like an Oxe for a
+Sacrifice. And vppon his large and broade backe, did sit a princely
+virgine, with long and slender armes, halfe naked; with her handes she
+helde by his hornes. Her apparell was exquesite of greene silke and
+golde, marueilously wouen, and of a Nymphish fashion, couering her body
+and girded about her wast, edged about with Pearle and stone, and a
+crowne of glittering golde vpon her fayre heade.
+
+This Triumph, was drawne by sixe lasciuious Centaures, which came of the
+fallen seede of the sausy and presumpteous _Ixion_: with a furniture of
+gold vpon them, and a long their strong sides, like horses, excellently
+framed and illaqueated in manner of a flagon chayne, whereby they drewe
+the Tryumph; such as _Ericthonius_ neuer inuented, for swiftnesse.
+
+Vpon euery one of them did ride a goodly Nymph, with theyr shoulders one
+towards an other: three, with their beautifull faces towards the right
+side of the Tryumphes, and three to the left, with Instruments of
+Musique, making together a heauenly harmonie and consort. Their hayres
+yellowe, and falling ouer their fayre neckes, with Pancarpiall garlands
+of all manner of flowers, vpon their heades. The two next the Tryumph,
+were apparelled in blewe silke, like the collour of a Peacockes necke.
+
+The middlemost in bright Crymosen: and the two formost in an Emerald
+greene, not wanting any ornamentes to sette them foorth, singing so
+sweetly with little rounde mouthes, and playing vppon their instruments,
+within so celestiall a manner, as woulde keepe a man from euer dying.
+
+The Centaures were crowned with yuie, that is called _Dendrocyssos_. The
+two next the tryumph did beare in their handes, two vesselles of an olde
+fashion, of the Topas of Arabia, of a bright golden collour, gratefull
+to _Lucina_, and to the which, the waues will be calme: slender at the
+bottom, bigge swelling in the belly, and lessening small vp towardes the
+Orifice; In height two foote, without eares: out of the which, did
+ascend a thicke smoake or fume, of an inestimable fragrancie. The
+middlemost, did sounde Trumpets of golde, with banners of silke and
+golde, fastned to the Trumpets in three places.
+
+The other two formost, with olde fashioned Cornets, agreeing in consort
+with the Instruments of the Nymph.
+
+Vnder the which triumphant Chariot, were the Axeltrees conuently placed,
+wherevppon the wheeles turned, and of a balustic lyneament, waxing small
+towarde the ende and rounde: Which Axeltrees, were of fine pure golde
+and massiue, neuer cankering or fretting; which is the deadly poyson and
+destroyer of vertue and peaceable quyet.
+
+This tryumph was solemnly celebrated, with moderate leaping and dauncing
+about, and great applause: their habites were girded with skarfes, the
+endes flying abroade.
+
+And in like sort, those which did sit vpon the Centaures, commending in
+their song, the occasion and mistery of the Tryumph, in voyces consonant
+and cantionell verse; more pleasant than I am able to expresse, but let
+this suffice.
+
+
+    _The second Tryumph._
+
+The next Tryumph, was not lesse worthy to be beholden then the first.
+The foure wheeles, the spokes, and naues, were all of Fulkish Agate, and
+in dyuers places white veines: such as King _Pyrrhus_ could not shewe,
+with the representation of the nine Muses, and _Apollo_ playing in the
+middest of them vppon his Lute.
+
+The Axeltrees and fashion of the same like the other: but the Tables
+were of orient blewe Saphire, hauing in them, as small as motes in the
+Sunne, certaine glinces of golde, gratefull to the Magicke Arte, and of
+_Cupid_ beloued in the left hande.
+
+Vpon the Table on the right side, I behelde engrauen, a goodly Matron
+lying in a princely bed, beeing deliuered of two egges in a stately
+Pallace: her Midwyues and other Matrons and yonge women, beeing greatly
+astonished at the sight. Out of one of the which, spronge a flame of
+fire: and out of the other egge two bright starres.
+
+Vppon the other side were engrauen, the curious Parents, ignorant of
+thys strange byrth, in the Temple of _Apollo_, before hys image, asking
+by Oracle the cause and ende heereof, hauing this darke aunswere. _Vni
+gratum Mare. Alterum gratum Mari._ And for thys ambiguous aunswere they
+were reserued by their Parents.
+
+Vppon the fore-ende of the Charyot, there was represented most liuely
+the figure of _Cupid_, aloft in the skyes, with the sharpe heades of his
+golden arrowes, wounding and making bleede the bodyes of dyuers foure
+footed beastes, creeping Serpents, and flying Foules. And vppon the
+earth, stoode dvuers persons, wondering at the force of such a little
+slaue, and the effect of suche a vveake and slender Arrowe.
+
+In the hynder ende, _Iupiter_ appoynting in hys steade, a prudent and
+subtill Sheepehearde as a Iudge, awakened by hym, as hee lay sleeping
+neere a most fayre Fountaine, whether of the three most fayre Goddesses,
+hee esteemed best worthie. And hee beeing seduced by deuising _Cupid_,
+gaue the Apple to the pleasant working _Venus_.
+
+This tryumphant Charyot, was drawen by sixe white Elephants, coupled two
+and two together, such as will hardly be found in Agesinua, nor among
+the Gandars of India. _Pompei_ neuer had the like in his Tryumphes in
+Affricke: neither were the like seene in the Tryumphes of the conquest
+of India; their tronckes armed with deadly teeth of yuory, passing on
+theyr way and drawing together, making a pleasant braying or noyse.
+Their furniture & traces of pure blewe silke, twisted with threds of
+golde and siluer: the fastnings in the furniture, all made vp with
+square or true loue knots, lyke square eares of corne of the Mountaine
+Garganus. Their Poyterelles of golde, set with Pearle and stone
+different in collours; the beautie of the one striuing to excell the
+beautie of the other. And thus was all their furniture or armings to the
+traces, of silke as aforesayde.
+
+Vppon them also, did ride (as before) sixe younge and tender Nymphes, in
+like sort, but theyr Instruments different from the former, but agreeing
+in consort: and what soeuer the first did, the same did these.
+
+The first two were apparelled in Crymosen: the middle most two in fine
+hayre collour: and the foremost in vyolet. The Caparisons of the
+Eliphants were of cloth of golde, edged with great Pearles and precious
+stones: And about their neckes were ornaments of great round iewelles,
+and vpon their faces, great balles of Pearles, tasled with silke and
+golde, vnstable and turning.
+
+Ouer this stately Chariot tryumphant, I behelde a most white Swanne, in
+the amorous imbracing of a noble Nymph, the daughter of _Theseus_, of an
+incredible beautie: and vpon her lappe, sitting the same Swanne, ouer
+her white thighes. She sate vppon two cushines of cloth of golde, finely
+and softely wouen, with all the ornaments necessary for them.
+
+Her selfe apparelled in a Nimphish sort, in cloth of siluer, heere and
+there powdered with golde, ouer one and vnder three, without defect or
+want of any thing, requisite to the adorning of so honorable a
+representation, which to the beholder, may occasion a pleasurable
+delight. In euery sort performed with as great applause as the first.
+
+
+    _The third Tryumph._
+
+Then followed the thyrd Tryumph, with foure wheles of Æthyopian
+Chrysolite, sparkling out golde: that which hath beene helde in the
+same, in olde time hath beene thought good to dryue away malignant
+spirits. The wheeles vpwardly couered, as aforesaide, and the naues and
+spokes of the same fashion, of greene Helitropia of Cyprus: whose vertue
+is, to keepe secret in the day light, to diuine giftes, full of drops of
+blood.
+
+This Historie was engrauen vppon the right side of the Table thereof,
+as followeth. _A man of great Maiestie, requesting to knowe what should
+happen to his fayre daughter: her Father vnderstanding, that by her
+meanes he should be dispossessed of his Crowne and dignitie; and to the
+ende she shoulde not be carried away or stollen of any, he built a
+mightie stronge Tower, and there, with a watchfull garde caused her to
+bee kept: and shee remayning there in this sort with great content, had
+falling into her virgineall lap, drops of Golde._
+
+Vppon the other side was chased out a valiant youth, who with great
+reuerence did receiue a protection of a Christall shielde, and with his
+sworde afterward cutting off the heade of a terryble woman, and
+afterwardes proudly bearing her heade in signe of victorie; Out of the
+hotte blood of whome, did rise vp a flying horse: who striking vppon a
+Mountaine with one of hys houes, made a strange springe of water to gush
+out.
+
+Vpon the fore ende I behelde the mightie _Cupid_, drawing hys golden
+Arrowe, and shooting the same vp into the heauens, causing them to raine
+bloode: whereat a number stoode wonderfully amazed, of all fortes of
+people. Vpon the other ende, I did see _Venus_ in a wonderfull
+displeasure, hauing taken her son by a Knight in a Net, and getting him
+by the winges, she was about to plucke of his fethers: hauing plucked of
+one handfull, that flewe about, the little elph crying out pitteously;
+and an other sent from _Jupiter_, tooke him away and saued him from his
+mother, and presented him to _Jupiter_: against whose diuine mouth, were
+in Attic Letter these wordes written, ΣΥΜΟΙΠΛ ΥΚΥΣΤΕΚΑΙΠΚΡΟΣ and hee
+couered him in the lap of his celestiall gowne.
+
+This tryumphant Charriot, was pompously drawne with sixe fierce
+Vnicornes: their heades like Harts, reuerencing the chaste _Diana_. The
+poyterelles and furniture about their stronge breasts, was of golde, set
+with precious stone, and fringed with siluer and hayre colloured silke,
+tyed into knots, in manner of a net worke, and tasseled at euery
+prependent point, their caparisons like the other before spoken of.
+
+Vpon these did sit, six fayre virgines, in such pompe and manner as
+before, apparelled in cloth of golde, wouen with blewe silke into diuers
+leaues & flowers; these had a consort of liuncyers winde Instruments,
+full of spirite. And vppon the toppe of the Chariot, was placed a stoole
+of green Iasper, set in siluer: needfull in byrth, and medicinable for
+chastitie; at the foote it was sixe square, and growing smaller towarde
+the seate, and from the middle to the foote, champhered and furrowed,
+and vpward wrought with nextrulles: the seate whereof was somewhat
+hallowed, for the more easily sitting vppon it. The Lyneaments thereof
+most excellent.
+
+A loft vppon the same did sit a most singuler fayre Nymph, richly
+apparelled in cloth of golde and blewe silke, dressed lyke a virgine,
+and adorned with innumerable sortes of Pearles and stone; she shewed an
+affectious delight, to beholde droppes of golde fall from heauen into
+her lappe. She sate in solemne pompe like the other, and with great
+applause, with her fayre and plentifull haire spreading downe ouer her
+backe, crowned with a Dyademe of golde, set with sundry precious stones.
+
+
+    _The fourth Tryumph._
+
+The fourth Tryumph was borne vppon foure wheeles, with Iron strakes,
+forcibly beaten out without fire; All the rest of the Charyot, in
+fashion like the former, was of burning Carbuncle, shewing light in the
+darkest places, of an expolite cutting: past any reason, to thinke howe
+or where it was possible to be made, or by what workeman.
+
+The right side whereof, helde this History. _An honourable woman with
+childe, vnto whome Jupiter shewed himselfe (as he was wont With Iuno) in
+thunder and lightning: insomuch, as shee fell all to ashes, out of the
+which was taken vp a younge infant._
+
+Vpon the other side, I behelde _Iupiter_, hauing the saide Infant in his
+hands, & delyuering him to a yonge man, with winged buskyns, and a
+staffe, with two serpents winding about it: who deliuered the Infant to
+certaine Nymphes in a Caue, to be fostered.
+
+In the fore-ende, I might see howe _Cupid_ hauing shot vp into heauen
+with hys mischeeuous Arrowe, had caused _Iupiter_ to beholde a mortall
+Nymph: and a great number of wounded people woondering at it.
+
+In the hinder end was _Iupiter_ sitting in a tribunall seate as iudge,
+and _Cupide_ appeering limping before him, and making grieuous
+complaints against his louing mother, bicause that by hir means he had
+wounded himselfe extreemly with the loue of a faire damsell, and that
+his leg was burnt with a drop of a lampe, presenting also the yoong
+Nymph and the lampe in hir hand. And _Iupiter_ with a smiling
+countenance speaking to _Cupid_,
+
+  _Perfer scintillam qui cœlum accendis & omnes._
+
+This _Monosticon_ was grauen in Latine letters in a square table before
+the faces of their supreame maiesties, the rest as is described.
+
+This mysticall triumph was drawen by sixe spotted beasts of yealow
+shining colour, and swift as the tygers of _Hyrcania_ called Leopards,
+coupled togither with withes of twined vines, full of tender greene
+leaues, and stalkes full of greene clusters. This chariot was drawen
+very leisurely.
+
+Vpon the middle of which plaine there was placed a base of golde by the
+lowest diameter, one foote and three handfuls high, the lataster or
+lowest verdge round and hollowed, in the middle vnder the vpper sime or
+brimme in forme of a pallie with nextrubs, rules and cordicels: the
+vpper plaine of this base was euacuated, wherein rested the traines of
+the fower eagles standing vpon the plaine, smooth superficies of the
+base, which were of precious Ætite of Persia, of the colour of a sakers
+plume. And these stood with their shoulders one opposite against
+another, and their pounces of gold fastened and sticking in the said
+base, euery one surueying with their wings, and the flowering tips of
+their sarcellets touching one another. Ouer these as vpon a nest, was
+placed this maruellous vessell of Æthiopian Hyacints cleere and bright,
+_Celso inimicus, Comiti gratiosus_. This vessell was crusted with
+emeralds and vaines of diuers other pretious stones, a worke incredible.
+The height thereof two foote and a halfe, the fashion in maner round,
+the breadth by diameter one foote and a halfe, and the circumference
+consisted of three diameters. From the heads of the eagles the bottome
+or foote of the vessell did ascend vp one triens, and a border going
+about the thicknes of a hand, from which border to the beginning of the
+belly of the vessel, and to the bottome of the foote with this hand
+breadth, was a foote and a halfe. Vpon this stood the forme of the
+vessell aforesaid one handfull and a halfe broader, which halfe handfull
+was distributed to the border, about the brimme of foulding leaues and
+flowers standing out from the hyacinth. The diameter two quarters & a
+halfe. Vnder this border there did stick out round about certaine
+proportions like walnut shels, or the keele of a ship, somwhat thicke
+and broade at the vpper end, and lessing themselues to nothing belowe.
+From thence to the orifice it did rise vp two quarters and a halfe,
+furrowed with turning champhers, and an excellent sime: and in steed of
+eares to take vp the vessell by, it had two lips standing out and
+turning in round like the head of a base viall.
+
+Vnder and aboue the borders, the vessel was wrought with turned gululs,
+vnduls, and imbossings, and with such lineaments were the borders
+wrought, both vnder and aboue. Vppon the border in the necke of the
+couer, were two halfe rings, suppressed in the border by transuersion,
+one of them iust against another, which were holden in the biting teeth
+of two Lysarts, or byting Dragons of greene emerauld, bearing out from
+the couer. They stoode with their serpentlike feete vpon the lower part
+of the couer vnder the necke, betwixt the which and the lower vessell,
+was one quantitie, and from his vpper gracilament descending, he ioyned
+with the turned in sime of the circumferent lymbus or verdge, where they
+did closely byte togither. This couer to the necke was made in skalie
+work of _Hyacinth_, except the vaynes of smaragd, for the little
+dragons, their bellies and feetes fastening to the skalie couer. These
+little dragons one against an other, their brests and throtes hollowing
+out from the border and the couer, and their tayles turning vpwards
+againe, did serue for the eares of the couer, iust ouer them of the
+lower vessell.
+
+The lower turning about, where the couer did close with the vessell
+being of two parts, ioyned togither with an excellent foliature, halfe a
+foote broad, as if they had bin inseparable.
+
+The bodie of this vessell was all run ouer with a Vine, the stringes and
+vaines whereof, and small curling twists, were of Topas, farre better
+then is founde in the Ilande Ophiadis, the leaues of fine smaragd, and
+the braunches of Amethist, to the sight most beautifull, and to the
+vnderstanding woonderfull contemplable. The subiect vessell appearing
+thorough the same of Hiacinth so round and polished, as any wheele can
+send foorth: except, vnder the leaues there was a substaunce left,
+which helde the foliature to the vessell of Hiacinth, passing ouer and
+separated from the subiect. The hollowed and bending leaues with all the
+other lapicidariall lineaments, were performed with such an emulation of
+nature as was woonderfull.
+
+Let vs nowe returne to the circumferent brim of the pretious vessell.
+In the smooth partes whereof, vppon eyther sides of the tayles of the
+Lysarts, I behelde two hystorials woorthy of regard, ingrauen in this
+sort. Vpon the foreside of the vessell, the representation of _Iupiter_,
+holding in his right hande a glistering sword, of the vayne of the
+Æthiopian Chrysolits: and in the other hande a thunder bolt of shining
+Rubie. His countenance sauour of the vaine of Gallatits, and crowned
+with stars like lightening, he stoode vpon an aultar of Saphyre. Before
+his fearefull maiestie, were a beuie of Nymphs, seauen in number,
+apparrelled in white, proffering with their sweete voices to sing, and
+after transforming themselues into greene trees like emeralds full of
+azure flowers, and bowing themselues downe with deuotion to his power:
+Not that they were all transformed into leaues, but the first into a
+tree, hir feete to rootes, their armes and heads into braunches, some
+more then other, but in a shewe that they must followe all alike, as
+appeared by their heads.
+
+Vpon the other Anaglyph, I did behold a merrie and pleasant maiesticall
+personage, like a yoong fat boye, crowned with two folding serpents, one
+white, and the other blacke, tied into a knot. Hee rested delightfullie
+vnder a plentifull vine tree full of ripe grapes, and vpon the top of
+the frame there were little naked boies, climing vp and sitting aloft
+gathering the ripe clusters: others offering them in a basket to the
+God, who pleasantly receiued them: other some lay fast a sleepe vpon the
+ground, being drunke with the sweet iuice of the grape. Others applying
+themselues to the worke of mustulent autumne: others singing and piping:
+all which expression was perfected by the workman in pretious stones, of
+such colour as the naturall liuelinesse of euery vaine, leafe, flower,
+berrie, body, proportion, shape, and representation required. And in
+this imagerie, although it was very small, yet there was no defect to be
+found in the least part belonging thereunto, but perfectly to be
+discerned.
+
+Out of this former described vessell did spring vp a greene flourishing
+vine, the twisting branches thereof full set with clusters of grapes,
+the tawny berries of Indian Amethyst, and the leaues of greene Silenitis
+of Persia: Not subiect to the change of the moone, delighted of _Cupid_.
+This tree shadowed the chariot: At euery corner of this triumphant
+chariot vpon the plaine where the vessell stood, was placed a
+candlesticke, of excellent workmanship, vpon three feet of red corrall,
+well liked of the ruder sort, resisting lightening and tempests,
+fauourable and preseruatiue to the bearer: The like were not found vnder
+the head of _Gorgon_ of Persia, nor in the Ocean _Erythreum_. The steale
+of one of the candlesticks was of white corrall, beloued of _Diana_, of
+a conuenient length, with round knobs and ioints, in height two foote.
+Another was of most fine stone _Dionisias_, hauing spots growing from a
+blackish to a pure red, the same pounded smelleth sweetly. The third was
+of perfect _Medea_ of the colour of darke gold, and hauing the smell of
+Nectar. The fourth of pretious _Nebritis_ from a blacke growing to a
+white and greene. Out of the hollowed steales whereof, there ascended vp
+a pyramidall flame of euerlasting fire, continually burning. The
+brightnes of the works expressed through the reflexion of the lights,
+and the sparkling of the pretious stones were such, as my eies dazeled
+to behold them.
+
+About which heauenly triumph, with a maruellous and solemne pompe,
+infinite troups of Nymphs, their faire and plentifull tresses falling
+loose ouer their shoulders, some naked with aprons of goates skins and
+kids, others with tymbrels and flutes, making a most pleasaunt noise, as
+in the daunce called Thiasus, in the trieterie of _Bacchus_, with green
+leaffie sprigs and vine branches, instrophyated about their heads and
+wasts, leaping and dauncing before the triumphs: immediately after the
+triumphs followed an olde man vpon an asse, and after him was led a
+goate adorned for a sacrifice: And one that followed after carrieng vpon
+hir head a fanne, making an vnmeasurable laughter, and vsing furious and
+outragious gestures. This was the order of these _Mimallons_, _Satirs_,
+and seruants to Bacchus, bawds, _Tyades_, _Naiades_ and such as followed
+after.
+
+
+
+
+    _The Nymph doth shew to Poliphilus the multitude of yoong
+             Louers, and their Loues, what they were,
+                    and in what sort beloued_
+
+
+It is verie hard for a man to accommodate his speech to apte termes,
+whereby he may expreslie declare the great pompe, indesinent triumph,
+vncessaunt ioie and delightful iettings aboute these rare and vnseene
+chariots, and being once vndertaken, it is as vneasie to leaue off:
+besides the notable companie of yoong youths, and the increasing troups
+of innumerable faire and pleasant Nymphs, more sharpe witted, wise,
+modest, and discreet, then is ordinarily seene in so tender yeeres, with
+their beardles Louers, scarce hauing downy cheekes, pleasantly deuising
+with them matters of Loue. Manie of them hauing their torches burning,
+others pastophorall, some with ancient spoiles vppon the endes of
+streight staues, and others with diuers sorts of Trophes vpon launces,
+curiouslie hanging, caried before the mystical triumphs, with shouting
+resounds aboue in the aire. Some with winde-instruments of diuers
+fashions and maner of windings, sagbuts and flutes. Others with heauenly
+voices singing with ineffable delights, and exceeding solace, past mans
+reason to imagine: within them passed about the glorious triumphs,
+turning vpon the florulent ground, and green swoord, a place dedicated
+to the happie, without anie stub or tree, but the fielde was as a plaine
+coequate medowe of sweete hearbes and pleasaunt flowers, of all sorts of
+colours, and sundry varieng fashions, yeelding so fragrant a smell as is
+possible to speake of, not burnt with the extreeme heat of the sunne,
+but moderate, the ground moystened with sweete ryuers, the aire pure and
+cleane, the daies all alike, the earth continually greene, the spring
+neuer decaieng but renuing, the coole grasse with variable flowers like
+a painting, remaining alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie freshnesse,
+reseruing and holding their colours without interdict of time. There
+grewe the fower sortes of Violets, Cowslops, Melilots, Rose Parsley or
+Passeflower, Blew bottles, Gyth, Ladies seale, Vatrachium, Aquilegia,
+Lillie conually, Amaranth, Flower gentle, Ideosmus, all sorts of sweete
+pinks, and small flowring hearbs of odoriferous fragrancie and smell,
+Roses of Persia, hauing the smel of muske and Amber, and innumerable
+sorts of others without setting, but naturally growing in a woonderfull
+distribution, peeping out from their greene leaues, and barbs very
+delightfull to behold.
+
+In this place I might see goodly braue women as the Archadian _Calisto_
+the daughter of _Lycaon_, with the vnknowen _Diana_. The Lesbian
+_Antiopa_ daughter to _Nycteus_, and mother to _Amphion_ and _Zeteus_
+that built Thebes, with hir satyre. _Issa_ the daughter of _Machareus_
+with hir shepheard. _Antichia_ the daughter of _Aecus_ and yoong
+_Danaë_. _Asterie_ the daughter to _Cæus_, and _Alchmena_ with hir
+fained husband. Afterward I beheld the pleasant _Ægina_ solacing hir
+selfe with the cleere flood and diuine fire. The daughter of _Fullus_
+and that of _Menemphus_, with hir counterfeit father, and that other of
+_Diodes_ with hir lap full of flowers and a writhing serpent, and the
+faire yoong gyrle no more sorrowing for the growing of hir hornes.
+_Astiochia_ and _Antigone_ the daughter of _Laomedon_ solaciously
+delighting hir selfe in hir storkish plumes, and _Lurisile_ the first
+inuentrix of wheeles. _Garamantide_ the dauncing Nymph holding by hir
+little finger, and washing hir delicate pretie feete from sweate in the
+riuer Bagrada. After that I beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon
+pursuing hir: _Erigone_ hauing hir faire shining brest stickt full of
+sweete grapes, and the daughter of king _Chollus_ with hir bull,
+_Eriphile_ and hir changed husband: The daughter of _Alpes_ and the
+virgin _Melantho_ with hir dolphin, _Phyllira_ the daughter of old
+_Oceanus_ with the father of _Chiron_. Next hir _Ceres_ with hir head
+instrophyated with ripe eares of corne imbracing the scalie _Hydra_: And
+the faire Nymph _Lara_ sorting with _Argiphon_: and the sweete _Futurna_
+of the riuer _Numicus_.
+
+And whilest I stood with excessiue delight beholding onely as an
+ignorant this rare companie and mysticall triumphes, circumsept with
+these and such like sorts, and so also the delicious fields, but that me
+thought it was a louely sight to behold, and so I should haue continued:
+then the gratious Nymph associating and leading me, seeing my
+simplicitie and carelesnes, with a ready countenance and sweete and
+pleasant words, without asking, she said thus vnto me: My _Poliphilus_,
+doest thou see these? (shewing me those of the olde world) these were
+beloued of _Iupiter_, and this, and this was such a one, and these were
+in loue with him, by this meanes shewing vnto me their high and mighty
+linage, and not knowing their names, she in great curtesie told me.
+Afterward she shewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder the
+gouernment of three sober and discreete matrones the leaders to so great
+delight: Adding thereunto very pleasantly (changing hir angellike
+countenance) My _Poliphilus_, thou shalt vnderstand, that no earthly
+creature can enter in heere without a burning torch as thou seest me,
+either with extreeme loue and great paines, or for the fauour and
+company of those three matrones. And from hir hart setting a deepe sigh,
+she said: This torch haue I brought hither for thy sake, minding to put
+it out in yonder temple.
+
+These speeches pearced my hart, they were so delightfull and desired,
+and so much the more, bicause she called me hir _Poliphilus_. Whereupon
+I assured my selfe, that she was _Polia_, and from top to the toe I
+found an extreeme alteration into a supreame delight, my hart flying
+onely to hir. Which thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and
+whispering small sighes.
+
+Which she cunningly perceiuing, brake on this new accident with these
+words: Oh how many be there which would most gladly behold these
+triumphes, and therefore _Poliphilus_, addresse thy thoughts to other
+matters, and behold what noble and woorthy Nymphs shew themselues
+deseruedly consorted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable:
+who with sweete and pleasant notes in measured verse, praise and commend
+one another without wearines, incessantly celebrating their turnes with
+excessiue delight, and extolling the triumphs, the aire also full of the
+chirpings of diuers pretie birds, yeelding a diffused charme.
+
+About the first triumph among the reioising companie, the nine Muses did
+sing, with their leader the diuine Luter _Apollo_.[A]
+
+    [Sidenote A: This verse consisted of _Strophe_, _Aristophe_, and
+    _Epodus_.]
+
+After the triumph followed the faire Parthenopeian _Leria_, with a
+lawrell crowne, accompanied with _Melanthia_, whose habites and voices
+represented the pride of Greece,[A] whereupon the great Macedon rested
+his head: She bare a splendent lampe, communicating the light thereof
+with hir companion, then the rest more excellent both in voice and song.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Homer._]
+
+There the faire Nymph shewed me the auncient _Iphianassa_, and after the
+old father _Himerinus_ his daughters and their drinke, and one betwixt
+the two Theban brothers: These with pleasant noises, sweete musicke and
+fine agilities, paste on about the first triumph.
+
+About the second triumph was the noble _Nemesis_ with the _Lesbian
+Corina_, _Delia_ and _Neæra_, with diuers others amorous Nymphs, making
+pleasaunt soundes vppon stringed instruments of yealow wood.
+
+About the thirde triumph, the glorious Nymphs shewed me _Quintilia_ and
+_Cynthea Nauta_, with others, in great solace, making sweete harmonies,
+and singing pleasant verses: there also I behelde the virgin
+_Violantilla_ with hir Doue, and the other sorrowing for hir Sparrow.
+
+About the fourth triumph, before it went the _Lidian Cloe_, _Lide_,
+_Neobole_, sweete _Phillis_, and the faire _Lyce_ _Tyburts_ & _Pyra_,
+with their harps singing and making a most pleasant noyse. After this
+fourth triumph among the Mænades and sacrificers to _Bacchus_, there
+folowed an amorous damosell singing in the commendation of the head of
+hir louer _Plaon_, she desired hornes. And after them all she shewed me
+two women, one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
+which came hindermost singing togither.
+
+And thus they marched about in a most pleasant and delightfull maner
+vpon the fresh greene and flourishing plaine: Some instrophiated with
+laurel, some with myrtle, and others with other sorts of flowers and
+garlands, incessantly without any wearines or intermission in a
+perfection of the felicitie of this world, mutually enioying one
+anothers aspect and companie.
+
+
+
+
+_The Nymph hauing at large declared vnto Poliphilus the mysticall
+  triumphs and extreeme loue, afterwards she desired him to go on
+  further, where also with great delight he beheld innumerable other
+  Nymphs, with their desired louers, in a thousand sorts of pleasures
+  solacing themselues vpon the greene grasse, fresh shadowes, and by
+  the coole riuers and cleere fountaines. And how Poliphilus there had
+  with madnes almost forgotten himselfe in the passions of desire, but
+  hope did asswage his furie, quieting himselfe in the beholding of the
+  sweete sauour of the faire Nymph._
+
+
+Not onely happie but aboue all other most happie were he, to whom it
+should be granted continually by speciall fauour to beholde the glorious
+pompe, high triumphs, beautiful places, sweet scituations, togither with
+the goddesses, halfe goddesses, faire Nymphes of incredible delight and
+pleasure, but especially to be seconded and accompanied with so
+honorable a Nymph of so rare and excellent beautie. And this I thought
+not to be the least and smallest point of my felicitie. Now hauing
+looked vpon these sights, I remained a great space recording of the
+same, being therewith beyonde measure abundantly contented.
+
+Afterwards, the faire and sweet damsell my guide said thus vnto me:
+_Poliphilus_, let vs now go on a little further. And then immediately we
+tended our walke toward the fresh fountains and shady riuers, compassing
+about the flourshing fields with chrystalline currents and gratious
+streames.
+
+In which cleare water, grew the purple flowering sonne of the Nymph
+_Liriope_, looking vp from his tender stringes and leaues. And al the
+faire riuers were ful of other flowers sweetlie growing among their
+greene and fresh leaues. This delightfull place was of a spatious and
+large circuit, compassed about and inuironed with wooddie mountaines, of
+a moderate height of greene lawrell, fruitefull memerels, hearie & high
+pine trees, and within the cleere channels, with graueled banks, and in
+some places the bottom was faire soft yealow sande, where the water ran
+swifte, and the three leaued driope grew.
+
+There were a great companie of delicate faire Nymphs of tender age, with
+a redolent flower of bashfulnes, and beyond all credite beautifull, with
+their beardles louers continuallie accompanied. Among which Nymphs, some
+verie pleasantly with wanton countenaunces in the cleere streams shewed
+themselues sportefull and gamesome, hauing taken vppe finelie their thin
+garments of silke of diuers colours, and holding them in the bouts of
+their white armes, the forme of their rounde thighs were seene vnder the
+plytes, and their faire legges were reuealed to the naked knees, the
+current streames comming vp so high: it was a sight which woulde haue
+prepared one to that which were vnfit, and if himselfe had been vnable
+thereunto. And there where the water was most still, turning downe their
+faire faces of exceeding beautie, and bending their bodies of rare
+proportion, as in a large goodly glasse they might behould their
+heauenly shapes, breaking off the same with the motion of their pretie
+feete, making a noyse with the contrast of the circulating water. Some
+solaciouslie striuing to go by the tame swimming swans, and sportingly
+casting water one at another, with the hollownes of their palms: others
+standing without the water vpon the soft coole grasse, making vp of
+nosegaies and garlands of sundrie sweete flowers, & giuing the same to
+their louers as tokens of their fauorable remembraunce, not denieng
+their sweet kisses, & louing imbracings, with the amorous regardes of
+their star-like eyes.
+
+And some were set vpon the greene banks not ouergrown with reed and
+segs, but finely beautified with sweete hearbs and flowers, among the
+which the tender Nymphs comming wet out of the water more cleere then
+_Axius_ in _Mygdonia_, vnder the vmbragious trees, did sit sporting and
+deuising one with another in delightfull imbracings, with their
+reuerencing louers, not cruelly scorning & reiecting them, but with a
+sociable loue and benigne affablenesse, disposing themselues to the like
+shew of true affection, their sweete gestures and pleasant behauiours
+far more gratious to the eie, then flowing teares be to the frowarde and
+vnmercifull _Cupid_, the sweete fountaines and moist dewes to the green
+fieldes, and desired forme to vnfashioned matter.
+
+Some did sing amorous sonnets, and verses of loue, breathing out in the
+same from their inflamed breasts, scalding sighs ful of sweete accents,
+able to enamorate harts of stone: And to make smooth the ruggednesse of
+the vnpassageable mountaine _Caucasus_, to staie whatsoeuer furie the
+harpe of _Orpheus_ woulde prouoke, and the fowle and euill fauoured face
+of _Medusa_, to make any horrible monster tame and tractable, and to
+stop the continuall prouocation of the deuouring _Scylla_. Some rested
+their heads in the chaste laps of their faire loues, recounting the
+pleasaunt deuises of _Iupiter_, and they instrophyating their curled
+locks with sweete smelling flowers.
+
+Others of them fained that they were forsaken, and seemed to flie and go
+awaie from them, whom dearely they did affect, and then was there
+running one after another with loud laughters, and effeminate criengs
+out, their faire tresses spredding downe ouer their snowie shoulders
+like threeds of gold, bound in laces of greene silke: Some loose after a
+Nymphish maner, others bounde vp in attyres of golde set with pearle.
+Afterwards comming neere togither, they would stowpe downe, and twiching
+vp the sweete flowers with their faire and tender fingers, fling the
+same in the faces of their pursuing louers with great pleasure and
+solace, maintaining their fained disgracings.
+
+Others with great curtesie were putting of Rose leaues one after another
+into their laced brests, adding after them sweete kisses, some giuing
+their louers (if ouer-bold) vpon the cheekes with their harmles palmes
+pretie ticks, making them red like the wheeles of _Phœbus_ in a faire
+and cleere morning: with other new and vnthought contentions, such as
+loue could deuise. They all being pleasant, merrie, and disposed to
+delight: Their gestures and motions girlish, and of a virgineall
+simplicitie, putting on sincere loue without the offence of honorable
+vertue: Free and exempt from the occursion of griefe or emulation of
+aduers fortune: Sitting vnder the shade of the weeping sister of the
+whited _Phaeton_, and of the immortall _Daphne_ and hairie pineapple
+with small and sharpe leaues, streight Cyprus, greene Orenge trees, and
+tall Cedars, and others most excellent, abounding with greene leaues,
+sweete flowers, and pleasant fruits still flourishing in such sort as is
+inestimable, euenly disposed vpon the gratious banks, & orderly growing
+in a moderat distance vpon thee grassie ground, inuested with green
+Vinca peruince or laurel. What hart is so cold and chilling, that would
+not be stirred vp to heate, manifestly beholding the delightfull duties
+of reciprocall loue, such as I was perswaded would haue kindled _Diana_
+hir selfe?
+
+Whereupon I was bold to shew that folly which tormented my inward
+spirits, enuying to see what others possessed, that was a continuall
+delight in pleasure and solace without any wearines in full cloying, and
+thus diuers times my hart being set on fire by my eies, and extreemely
+burning, my minde still fixed vpon delightfull pleasures and their
+smacking kisses, and regarding with a curious eie the abounding guerdons
+of the fethered god, me thought at that instant, that I did behold the
+extreeme perfection of pleasure. And by this meanes I stood wauering and
+out of measure amazed, and as one which had droonke an amorous potion,
+calling into remembrance the ointments of the mischeeuous _Circes_, the
+forcible hearbs of _Medea_, the hurtfull songs of _Byrrena_, and the
+deadly verses of _Pamphile_, I stood doubtfull that my eies had seene
+somthing more than humane, and that a base, dishonorable, and frail
+bodie should not be where immortall creatures did abide.
+
+After that I was brought from these long and doubtfull thoughts and
+phantasticall imaginations, and remembring all those maruellous diuine
+shapes and bodies which I had personally seene with mine eies, I then
+knew that they were not deceitfull shadowes, nor magicall illusions, but
+that I had not rightly conceiued of them.
+
+And now with earnest consideration among these beholding the most
+excellent Nymph fast by me, my eies filled with amorous darts ceased not
+to wound my passionate hart, by means wherof incontinently all my
+wandering thoughts were stirred vp, compact, and fixed vpon hir their
+desired obiect, recalling my mortified soule afresh to be tormented in
+his first flames, which most cruelly I suffered, in that I durst not be
+bold to aske if she were my desired _Polia_, for she had put me in some
+doubt thereof before, and now fearing to offend hir with my being ouer
+bolde, and ore troublesome with my rude and vntilled toong, diuers times
+when my voice was breaking out betwixt my lips, vpon that occasion I
+suppressed the same. But what she should be, it was beyond my compasse
+to imagine, and I stood as suspicious thereof, as the deceiued _Socia_
+with the fained _Atlantiades_. Thus with diligent regards and cordiall
+searches examining hir heauenly features inuaded with a burning desire
+beyond measure, I said to my self: Oh that I might be, if it were
+possible, a free mã in such a place, for no sorrow shoulde greeue me,
+nor imminent danger should make me afraid: although that frowarde
+fortune shoulde oppose hir selfe against me, I woulde spende my life
+without any regard therof, not refusing to vndertake the laborsome and
+great enterprise of the two gates shewed to the sonne of _Amphitrio_.
+
+To spend the prime of my youth and pleasure of my yeers in the mortall
+daungers of the merciles seas, and in the fearfull places of
+_Trinacria_, with the excessiue trauels and terrors of _Ulysses_, in the
+darke caue of the horrible _Polyphem_, the son of _Neptune_, to be
+transformed in the companie of _Calypso_, although I lost my life, or
+indured the most hard & long seruitude of _Androdus_, for all wearines
+is forgotten where loue is vehement. To vndertake with the amorous
+_Minalion_ and _Ileus_ to runne with _Atalanta_, or to com but in such
+sort as the strong and mightie _Hercules_ for his loue _Deianira_, did
+with the huge _Achelous_, so as I might atchieue so gratious a fauor,
+and attaine to so high delight, as the remaining in these solacious
+places, and aboue all to enioy the precious loue and inestimable good
+wil of hir, more faire without comparison, then _Cassiopeia_, of better
+fauour then _Castiamira_. Ah me, my life and death is in hir power! And
+if so be that I seeme vnwoorthie of hir fellowshippe and amorous
+commers, yet would God it might be granted me as a speciall rewarde and
+priuiledge to looke vpon hir: and then I saide to my selfe, oh
+_Poliphilus_, if these heauie and burthenous weights of amarous conceits
+do oppresse thee; the sweetenes of the fruite doth allure thee
+thereunto: and if the peremptorie dangers strike thee into a terror, the
+hope of the supportation and helpe of so faire a Nymph will animate thee
+to be resolute. Thus my thought being diuers, I said, Oh God, if this be
+that desired _Polia_ which I see at this present, and whose precious
+impression without intermission, I haue stil born in my burning and
+wounded hart, fro the first yeers of my loue vntil this present, I am
+contented with all sorrows, & besides hir, I desire no other request but
+only this, that she may be drawne to my feruent loue, that it may be
+with vs alike, or that I may be at liberty, for I am no longer able to
+dissemble my griefe, or hide the extremity of my smart, I die liuing, &
+liuing am as dead: I delight in that which is my griefe: I go mourning:
+I consume my self in the flame, & yet the flame doth norish me, &
+burning like gold in the strong cement, yet I find my self like cold
+yce. Ah wo is me, that loue should be more greeuous vnto me then the
+weight of _Iuarime_ to _Typhon_. It disperseth me more, then the
+rauenous vulturs the glomerated bowels of _Tityus_: It holdeth me in
+more, then the labirinth crooking: It tosseth me more, then the
+northeast winds the calme seas: It teareth me woorse then _Acteons_
+dogges their flieng master: It troubleth my spirits more then horrible
+death doth them who desire to liue: It is more direfull to my vexed
+hart, then the crocodils bowels to _Ichneumon_. And so much the more is
+my greefe, that with all the wit I haue, I knowe not to thinke in what
+part of the worlde I shoulde be, but streight before the sweete fire of
+this halfe goddesse, which without any corporall substance consumeth me:
+hir aboundant and faire yealow haire, a snare and net for my hart to be
+masked in: hir large and phlegmatique forehead, like white lillies, bynd
+me in as with a withe: hir pearcing regards take away my life as sweete
+prouocations to afflict me: hir roseall cheekes do exasperate my desire,
+hir ruddie lips continue the same, and hir delicious breasts like the
+winter snow vpon the hyperboreall mountaines, are the sharp spurs and
+byting whip to my amorous passions: hir louely gestures and pleasant
+countenance do draw my desire to an imaginatiue delight, heaping vp my
+sorrow. And to all these insulting martyrdoms and greeuous vexations of
+that impious and deceitfull _Cupid_ I laie open, mightilie striuing to
+beare them, and no waie able to resist them, but to suffer my selfe to
+be ouercome: neither coulde I shun the same, but remained still as one
+vnawares lost in the Babylonian fen.
+
+Oh _Titius_, thou canst not perswade me that thy paine is equall with
+mine, although that the vultures teare open thy breast, and taking out
+thy smoking warm hart, do pluck it in peeces with their crooked beaks,
+and pinch the same in their sharpe tallents, eating vp also the rest of
+thy flesh, vntill they haue ingorged thẽselues, & within a while after
+thou renewed againe, they begin afresh to pray vpon thee. Thou hast a
+time to be reuiued againe, and made sound as euer thou wert: but two
+eies without all pitie or intermission haue wounded me, deuour and
+consume me, leauing me no time of rest, or space to be comforted.
+
+And hauing had these discourses with my selfe, I began secretly to
+mourne and weepe, and desire a way that I might die, fetching deepe
+sighes as if my hart had torne in sunder with euery one of them. And
+diuers times I had purposed with a lamentable voice to desire hir helpe,
+for that I was at the point of death: but as one drowned and
+ouerwhelmed, I deemed that way to be vaine, and to no purpose, and
+therfore furiously, and as one of a raging spirit I thought thus: Why
+doest thou doubt, _Poliphilus_? Death for loue is laudable, and
+therefore my greeuous and malignant fortune, my sorrowful accident and
+hard hap in the loue of so beautifuil a Nymph, will be writ and reported
+when I shall lie interred. The same will be sung in doleful tunes vpon
+sweete instruments of musicke, manifesting the force of hurtfull loue.
+
+And thus continuing the follie of my thoughts, I said: It may be that
+this Nymph, by al likelihoods, is some reuerend goddesse, and therefore
+my speeches will be but as the crackling reedes of Archadia in the moist
+and fennie sides of the riuer Labdone, shaken with the sharpe east wind,
+with the boisterous north, cloudy south & rainie south west wind.
+Besides this, the gods will be seuere reuengers of such an insolencie,
+for the companions of _Vlysses_ had been preserued from drowning and
+shipwracke, if they had not stolne _Apollos_ cattell kept by _Phaetusa_
+and hir sister _Lampetia_. _Orion_ had not beene slaine by a scorpion,
+if he had not attempted the cold & chast _Diana_, and therefore if I
+should vse any indecencie against the honor of this Nymph in any sort,
+such like reuenge or woorse woulde be vsed vpon me. At last getting
+foorth of these changeable thoughts, I did greatly comfort my selfe in
+beholding and contemplating the excellent proportion and sweete sauour
+of this ingenuous and most rare Nymph, containing in hir al whatsoeuer
+that may prouoke amorous conceits and sweete loue, giuing from hir faire
+eies so gratious and fauorable regards, as thereby I somewhat tempered
+my troublesome and vnbrideled thoughts. And my resounding sighes
+reflexed with a flattering hope (oh the amorous foode of louers and
+sauce of salt teares) by these and no other rains I did manage my
+vehement thoughts, and made them stop in a conceiued hope, fixing mine
+eies with excessiue delight vpon hir faire bodie and well disposed
+members, by all which, my discontented desires were gently mitigated and
+redeemed from that furie and amorous fire, which so neere had bred the
+extremitie of my passions.
+
+
+
+
+_The Nymph leadeth the inamored Poliphilus to other pleasant places,
+  where he beheld innumerable Nymphs solacing them, and also the triumph
+  of Vertumnus and Pomona._
+
+
+By no meanes I was able to resist the violent force of _Cupids_
+artillerie, and therefore the elegant Nymph hauing amorously gotten an
+irrevocable dominion ouer me a miserable louer, I was inforced to follow
+still after hir moderate steps, which led me into a spatious and large
+plaine, the conterminate bound of the flowered greene & sweet smelling
+vallie, where also ended the adorned mountaines and fruitfull hils,
+shutting vp the entrance into this golden countrie, full of incredible
+delight with their ioining togither: couered ouer with green trees of a
+cõspicuous thicknes & distance, as if they had been set by hand, as Yew
+trees, wild Pynes, vnfruitfull but dropping Resin, tall pineapple,
+straight Firre, burning Pitch trees, the spungie Larix[A], the aierie
+Teda[B] beloued of the mountains, celebrated and preserued for the
+festiuall Oreades[C]. There both of vs walked in the greene and
+flowering plaine, shee being my guide through the high cypres trees, the
+broad leaued beech, coole shadie okes full of maste, and other
+hornebeames, pricking iuniper, weake hasell, spalt ash, greene lawrell,
+and humbryferous esculies, knottie plane trees & lyndens[D] moouing by
+the sweet breath of the pleasant Zephirus, whistling through their
+tender branches, with a benigne and fauorable impulsion.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Larix_, is a tree hauing leaues like a pine, & good
+    for building, it will neither rot, woormeate, nor burne to coales.]
+
+    [Sidenote B: _Teda_, is a tree out of the which issueth a liquor
+    more thinne than pitch.]
+
+    [Sidenote C: _Oreades_, be countrie Nymphs.]
+
+    [Sidenote D: _Lyndens_ or teile trees, in Latin _Tiliæ_, they beare
+    a fruit as big as a bean, hauing within seedes like anyse seeds.]
+
+All which greene trees were not thickly twisted togither, but of a
+conuenient distaunce one from another, and all of them so aptly
+distributed as to the eie the sight thereof bred great delight.
+
+This place was frequented with countrie Nymphs and _Dryades_[A], their
+small and slender wastes being girded with a brayding of tender corules
+of sprigs, leaues, and flowers and vpon their heads their rising vp
+haires, were compassed about as with garlands. Amongst them were the
+horned faunes, and lasciuious satyres, solemnising their faunall feasts,
+being assembled togither out of diuers places, within this fertile &
+pleasant cuntrie: bearing in their hands so tender green and strãge
+boughs, as are not to be foũd in the wood of the goddes _Feronia_,[B]
+when the inhabitants carrie hir image to the fire.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Dryades_, be Nymphs of the woods.]
+
+    [Sidenote B: _Feronia_ a goddesse of the woods.]
+
+From thence we entered into a large square inclosure cõpassed about with
+broade walkes, straight from one corner to another, with a quick-set
+vpon either sides, in height one pace, of pricking iuniper thicke set
+togither, and mixt with box, compassing about the square greene mead.
+In the rowes of which quick-set there were symmetrially planted the
+victorious palme trees, whose branches were laden with fruite, appearing
+out of their husks, some blacke, some crymosen, and many yealow, the
+like are not to be found in the land of Ægypt, nor in Dabulam[A] among
+the Arabian Scænits,[B] or in Hieraconta beyond the Sauromatans.[C] All
+which were intermedled with greene Cytrons, Orenges, Hippomelides,
+Pistack trees, Pomegranats, Meligotõs, Dendromirts, Mespils, and Sorbis,
+with diuers other fruitfull trees.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Dabulam_, a fertile place in Arabia.]
+
+    [Sidenote B: _Scænits_, be a people in Arabia, that dwell altogither
+    in tents.]
+
+    [Sidenote C: _Sauromatans_, be people of Sarmatia, which is a large
+    cuntry, reaching frõ Germany & the riuer Vistula to Hycænia, and is
+    deuided into two parts Europea and Asiatica.]
+
+In this place vppon the greene swoord of the flowering mead, and vnder
+the fresh and coole shadowes, I might behold a great assemblie met
+togither of strange people, & such as I had neuer before seene, full of
+ioyes and pastimes, but basely apparrelled, some in fauns skins, painted
+with white spots, some in lynx[A] skins, others in leopards: and manie
+had fastened togither diuers broad leaues, instrophiating them with
+sundrie flowers, therewithall couering their nakednes, singing, leaping,
+and dauncing with great applause.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Lynx_ is a beast spotted, but in shape like a wolph,
+    being quicke of sight.]
+
+These were the Nymphs Hamadryades,[A] pleasantly compassing vppon either
+sides the flowered _Vertumnus_,[B] hauing vppon his heade a garlande of
+roses, and his gowne lap full of faire flowers, louing the station of
+the woollie ramme. He sate in an ancient fashioned carre, drawne by
+fower horned fauns or satyrs, with his louing and faire wife _Pomona_,
+crowned with delicate fruits, hir haire hanging downe ouer hir
+shoulders, of a flaxen colour, and thus she sate participating of hir
+husbands pleasure and quiet, and at hir feete laie a vessell called
+Clepsydra[C]. In hir right hand she held a copie full of flowers,
+fruits, and greene leaues, and in hir left hande a branch of flowers,
+fruits and leaues.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Hamadryades_ were nymphs of the wood and _Symenides_]
+
+    [Sidenote B: _Vertumnus_ the God of fruits.]
+
+    [Sidenote C: _Clepsydra_ is sometime taken for a diall measuring
+    time by the running of water, but here for a pot to water a garden
+    and yoong sectlings in a nourcery for an orchyard.]
+
+Before the carre and the fower drawing satyrs, there marched two faire
+Nymphs, the one of them bare a trophæ with a præpendant table, whereupon
+was written this title,
+
+  _Integerrimam corporis valetudinem & stabile robur castasque
+    mensarum delitias, & beatam animi securitatem cultoribus
+    me offero._
+
+And the other bare a trophæ of certaine greene sprigges bound togither,
+and among them diuers rurall instruments fastened. These passed on thus
+after the ancient maner, with great ceremonies, and much solemnitie,
+compassing about a great square stone like an aulter, standing in the
+middest of this faire mead, sufficiently moystened with current streames
+from beautifull fountaines.
+
+This square stone or aulter was of pure white marble, curiouslie cut by
+a cunning lapicidarie, vpon euery front wherof was a woonderfull goodly
+expression, of an elegant image, so exact, as the like else-where is
+hardly to be found.
+
+The first was a faire goddesse, hir treces flieng abroad, girded with
+roses and other flowers, vpon a thin vpper garment couering hir
+beautifull and pleasant proportion. She helde hir right hand ouer an
+ancient vessell, in maner of a chafing-dish, called Chytropodus, sending
+foorth a flame of fire, into the which shee did cast roses and flowers,
+and in the other hand she held a branch of sweete myrtle, full of
+berries. By hir side stoode a little winged boy smiling, with his bowe
+and arrowes. Ouer hir head were two pigeons. And vnder the foote of this
+figure was written
+
+    _Florido veri S._
+
+Vpon the other side I beheld in an excellent caruing, the representation
+of a damosell of a maidenly countenaunce, whose stately maiestie gaue
+great commendation to the curious deuise of the workeman. She was
+crowned with a garland of wheat eares, hir haire flingering abroade, and
+hir habyte Nymphish. In hir right hand she held a copie full of rype
+graine, and in the other hand three eares of corne, vpon their strawie
+stalks. At hir feete lay a wheat sheaue bound vp, and a little boy with
+gleanings of corne in either hands. The subscription was this.
+
+    _Flauæ Messi S._
+
+Vpon the third side was the likenes in a deuine aspect naked of a yoong
+boy, crowned with vine leaues, and of a wanton countenance, holding in
+his left hand certaine clusters of ripe grapes, and in the other, a
+copie full of grapes which did hang ouer the mouth thereof. At his feete
+laie a hayrie goate and this writing vnder.
+
+    _Mustulento Autumno S._
+
+The last square did beare vpon it a kingly image passing well cut, his
+countenance displeasant and austere, in his left hand he held a scepter
+vp into the heauens, the aire cloudie, troublesome and stormie, and with
+the other hand reaching into the clouds full of haile. Behinde him also
+the aire was rainie and tempestuous. He was couered with beasts skins,
+and vpon his feete he ware sandals, where vnder was written,
+
+    _Hiemi Æoliæ S._
+
+From thence the most faire and pleasant Nymph brought me towards the sea
+side and sandie shore, where we came to an olde decaied temple, before
+the which vpon the fresh and coole hearbs, vnder sweete shadie trees we
+sate downe and rested ourselues, my eies very narrowly beholding, with
+an vnsatiable desire, in one sole perfection and virgineall bodie, the
+accumulation and assembly of all beauties; an obiect interdicting my
+eies to behold any gracious, that except, or of so great content.
+
+Where refreshing in a secret ioy with new budding conceits my burning
+hart, and leauing off vulgar and common follies, I began to consider of
+the intelligible effect of honest loue, and withall of the cleerenes of
+the skies, the sweete and milde aire, the delightfull site, the pleasant
+countrie, the green grasse decked with diuersity of flowers, the faire
+hils adorned with thicke woods, the quiet time, fresh windes, and
+fruitfull place, beautifully enriched with diffluent streames, sliding
+downe the moist vallies betwixt the crooked hils in their grauelled
+channels, and into the next seas with a continued course softly vnlading
+themselues.
+
+A ground most healthfull, the grasse coole and sweet: and from the trees
+resounded the sweete consents of small chirping birds. The flouds and
+fields of Thessalie[A] must giue place to this.
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Thessalie_ is a region of Greece, hauing vpon the
+    one side Macedonia, and on the other Bœotia, reaching betweene
+    Thermopylæ, and the riuer Pineus, euen to the sea side, it is the
+    gardẽ of Grecia.]
+
+And there sitting thus togither among the sweete flowers and redolent
+roses, I fastened mine eies vpon this heauenly shape of so faire and
+rare a proportion, whereunto my sences were so applied, drawen and
+addicted, that my hart was ouerwhelmed with extreeme delights, so as I
+remained senceles, and yet cast into a curious desire to vnderstand and
+knowe what should be the reason and cause that the purple humiditie in
+the touch of hir bodie, in the smoothnes of hir hand should be as white
+as pure milke: and by what meanes that nature had bestowed in hir faire
+bodie the fragrant sweetnes of Arabia. And by what industrie in hir
+starrie forehead pampynulated with threds of gold aptly disposed, she
+had infixed the fairest part of the heauens, or the splendycant
+Heraclea[A].
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Heraclea_, is the name of diuers faire cities, one in
+    the confines of Europe, another in Italie & in Pontus by the riuer
+    Licus, also in Narbon by Rodanus, also in Caria, Crete & Lydia,
+    whereof the Lodestone taketh his name.]
+
+Afterward letting fall mine eies towards hir prety feete, I beheld them
+inclosed in red leather cut vpon white, fastened vpon the instep with
+buttons of gold in loopes of blew silke. And from thence I returned
+vpward my wanton regard to hir straight necke compassed about with a
+carkenet of orient pearle, striuing but not able to match with the
+whitenes of the sweet skin. From thence descending down to hir shining
+breast and delitious bosome, from whence grew two round apples, such as
+_Hercules_ neuer stole out of the garden of _Hesperides_[A]. Neither did
+euer _Pomona_ behold the like to these two standing vnmooueable in hir
+roseall breast, more white than hils of snowe in the going downe of the
+sunne. Betwixt the which there passed downe a delicious vallie, wherein
+was the delicate sepulcher of my wounded hart exceeding the famous
+_Mausolea_[B].
+
+    [Sidenote A: _Hesperides_, were the 3. daughters of Atlas, Ægle,
+    Aretusa and Hesperetusa, who had an orchard of goldẽ apples, kept by
+    a dragon whõ Hercules slew & tooke away the apples.]
+
+    [Sidenote B: A sepulcher built by Artemisia in the honor of hir
+    husbande Mausolus king of Cania.]
+
+I then being content with a wounded hart full well vnderstanding that
+mine eies had drawen it dying into all these elegant parts. Yet
+neuertheles I could not so bridle and suppresse my amorous inflamed
+sighes, or so closely couer them, but that they would needs expresse my
+inward desire.
+
+By means whereof she was changed from contagious loue, and striking with
+hir stolen regards (enuying the same) she turned it vpon me, so as I
+perceiued an incensing fire pruriently diffusing it selfe through my
+inward parts and hollow veines: and during the contemplate beholding of
+hir most rare and excellent beautie, a mellifluous delight and sweete
+solace constrained me thereunto. Thus disordinately beaten with the
+importune spur of vnsatiable desire, I found my selfe to be set vpon
+with the mother of loue, inuironed round about with hir flamigerous
+sonne, and inuaded with so faire a shape, that I was with these and
+others so excellent circumstances brought into such an agonie of minde
+and sicknes of bodie, and in such sort infeebled, that the least haire
+of hir head was a band forcible ynough to hold me fast, and euery rowled
+tramell a chaine and shackle to fetter me, being fed with the sweetnes
+of hir beautie, and hooked with the pleasant baits of hir amorous
+delights, that I was not able with whatsoeuer cunning deuise to resist
+the inuading heates and prouoking desires still comming vpon me, that I
+determined rather to die than longer to endure the same, or in this
+solitarie place to offer hir any dishonor.
+
+Then againe I was determined with humble requests and submissiue
+intreaties to say thus:
+
+Alas most delighted _Polia_, at this present to die by thee is a thing
+that I desire, and my death if it were effected by these thy small,
+slender and faire hands, the ende thereof should be more tolerable,
+sweete and glorious vnto me, bicause my hart is compassed about with
+such tormenting flames, still more and more cruelly increasing, and
+burning the same without pitie or intermission, so as by meanes thereof
+I am bereft of all rest.
+
+And heerewithall intending to put in execution another determinate
+purpose, behold my hart was tormented with more sharpe flames, that me
+thought I was all of a light fire. Ah wo is me what wert thou aduised to
+do _Poliphilus_? Remember the violence done to _Deianira_ and the chaste
+Roman lady. Consider what followed them for a reward, and diuers others.
+
+Call to minde that mighty princes haue beene reiected of their
+inferiors, how much more then a base and abiect person, but tract of
+time giueth place to them which expect the bountie thereof. Time causeth
+the fierce lions to be tame, and whatsoeuer furious beast: the small ant
+by long trauell laieth vp hir winter foode in the hard tree, and shall
+not a diuine shape lying hid in a humane bodie take the impression of
+feruent loue, and then holding the same, shake off all annoyous and
+vexing passions, hoping to enioy amorous fruits, desired effects, and
+triumphing agonismes.
+
+The Nymph _Polia_ perceiuing well the change of my colour and blood
+comming in more stranger sort than _Tripolion_ or _Teucrion_, thrise a
+day changing the colour of his flowers, and my indeuoring to sende out
+scalding sighes deeply set from the bottome of my hart, she did temper
+and mitigate the same with hir sweete and friendly regards, pacifieng
+the rage of my oppressing passions, so as notwithstanding my burning
+minde in these continuall flames and sharpe prouocations of loue, I was
+aduised patiently to hope euen with the bird of Arabia in hir sweet nest
+of small sprigs, kindled by the heate of the sunne to be renewed.
+
+
+                     FINIS.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+           *       *       *       *
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Errors and anomalies noted by transcriber:
+
+This e-text is based on a facsimile edition made from a single copy of
+the 1592 original. In some places, text is illegible or missing.
+
+“The Italian version” refers to the 1499 text. At time of preparation,
+page images of this book were available at
+  http://mitpress.mit.edu/e-books/HP/hyp000.htm
+and linked pages. Note that the 1592 English translation covers just
+under half the Italian text. The Italian was consulted in some cases
+of uncertain readings in the English. The sidenotes have no Italian
+equivalent.
+
+Oddities of punctuation are as in the original, but missing full stops
+at paragraph-end have been supplied.
+
+The text often prints æ in place of œ, especially when italicized:
+  Phæbus; Cræsus (twice); Cæus
+The spellings _Pasiphæ_ (for Pasiphae or Pasiphaë) and _Androdus_
+(for Androclus or Androcles) were also left unchanged.
+
+u for n, n for u (inverted letter shown with asterisk):
+  draperie of double _Achan*this_
+  I behelde _Leu*cothoe_
+  inclau*strede and compassede about
+  and lose my lou*e
+  courteou*s young women
+  haue you* not seene it
+  circulatin*g iustly
+  most pretiou*s vessell
+  The squ*are base court
+  skinnes, statu*es, tytles, and trophes
+  her name was _Mn*emosina_
+  vppon eu*erie of those Portes and Gates
+  the first tower or moun*t
+  discouered and come vn*to
+
+halfe speare; Hemispere
+  _spellings from Sidenotes in original_
+Sidenote h: (a narow sea by Byzantium...
+  _text reads “(a narow sea)” with extra )_
+Sidenote b: Caucasus a mightie hill
+  _text reads “d” for “b”_
+the assending the turning stayers
+  _so in original: “then assending”?_
+neuer heard of this:
+  _text reads “hard”_
+...a horsse of Colos. [__________] of an Oliphant, but especially of a
+  most rare and straunge Porche._
+  _gap in printed text is about 12 letters wide. Italian text:_
+    ...uno caballo, de uno iacente colosso, de uno elephanto, ma
+    praecipuamente de una elegantissima porta.
+seene or crediblie reported
+  _text reads “crebiblie”_
+with a long waued maine
+  _text reads “maime”_
+Sidenote: None liue in this world
+  _text reads “in in”_
+studdes hanging iewels, stories, and deuises,
+  _not an error for “stones”. Italian text:_
+    di molti sigilli, & bulle, & historiette & fictione
+the vulgar and common sort of mannalists
+  _so in original: “manualists”?_
+courteous, gentle, bening, tractable
+  _so in original: “benign”?_
+and wrapt ouer with the same foliature and leafe worke
+  _text reads “wirh”_
+an aporne of a Goates skinne
+  _so in original: “aprone”?_
+offered yoong and tender sonne
+  _so in original: “offered hir”?_
+Sidenote: The bones next the qack in the wing
+  _so in original: “back”?_
+this Epigram in Cappitall Greeke Letters
+  _text reads “Creeke”_
+vppon a ground of Iasul or blew Saphyrs
+  _so in original: “lasul”?_
+with her haire trans-formed
+  _text reads “heare”_
+in the disposing thereof as aforesaide
+  _text reads “aforesaidel”_
+corrospondent and agreeing with
+  _spelling as in original_
+Sidenote: A petiment in corrupt English.
+  _reading “petiment” conjectural_
+Sidenote: Anaglipts are cunning carues and grauers.
+  _reading conjectural: beginning of each line is missing_
+    _naglipts / _e cunning / _arues and / _rauers
+effected by many seuerall workmen
+  _text reads “wookmen”_
+_Bagistanus_ must giue place
+  _text reads “geue”_
+although the Obelisk of Iupiter
+  _text reads “Obelist”_
+asosciated with curious workemanship
+  _text has “aso/scociated” at page break, but catchword is “sciated”_
+bright shining lyke goalde
+  _reading unclear, checked against Italian_
+his Sonnes _Cadus_, _Fœnice_, and _Cilicia_
+  _all forms as in original_
+theyr actions and degrees tightlye expressed
+  _so in original: “rightlye”?_
+with exquisite / parergie and shadowing Waters, Fountaines, Mountaines,
+Hilles, woodes, / and beasts, in theyr naturall coulours, and distante
+one from an other, / with opposite light.
+  _layout of original is ambiguous, with possible paragraph break after
+  “shadowing”. Italian reads:_
+    Cum gli exquisiti parergi. Aque. fonti. monti. colli. boscheti.
+    animali. di prauato il coloramento cum la distantia, & cum il lume
+    opposito...
+shaking her trisulked and three parted tongue
+  _so in original: “trifulked”?_
+like and Eele
+  _so in original: “an”_
+sorrowe more abounding then poore _Pscyphes_
+  _so in original: “Psyches”?_
+And who shal be the possor
+  _so in original: “possessor”?_
+reassuming and gatheringtogether
+  _“a“ in “gathering” printed upside-down_
+a verie pleasaunt sighte and counttie
+  _so in original: “countrie”?_
+for Angles and noble personages
+  _spelling as in original_
+for it was rownd about compassed
+  _text reads “it it”_
+a I passed on
+  _reading unclear: may be “as I”_
+I beheld _Egiplie hierogliphies_
+  _so in original: “Egiptie”?_
+did containe an elegant Cigrued Nimph
+  _reading unclear_
+vppon a conuenient frame
+  _text reads “conenient”_
+the waters did striue togither and meete
+  _text reads “meetes”_
+_Prapitiles_ neuer perfourmed the lyke
+  _so in original: “Praxiteles”?_
+a most bewtifull Ladye in hir sleep
+  _text reads “in in”_
+and retract towardes hir
+  _text reads “towares”_
+I heard a singing company
+  _text reads “hard”_
+a great applause among the pleasant flowers
+  _text unclear; “among” conjectural_
+the vppermost of curled white sendall
+  _text reads “vppermst”_
+stayed theyr nimphish gates
+  _text reads “nimpish”_
+(for they seemed to mee...
+  _text reads “)for they”_
+nowe vsurped and tyrannized by the insolent Spanyard
+  _phrase not present in Italian text_
+sweete pronuntiation
+  _text reads “pronuntiaon”_
+Achol ... Genshra
+  _names elsewhere spelled “Achoe” and “Geussia” as in Italian_
+compassed about with a Coronice.
+  _full stop invisible, but implied by spacing_
+statues of fine mettal
+  _text reads “scatnes” with inverted “u”_
+a goodly Fountaine of cleare water, spinnyng from the verie toppe as it
+were to the foundation, whiche
+  _commas invisible, but implied by spacing_
+and turning rounde.
+  _full stop invisible, but implied by spacing_
+had made theyr habitation there
+  _text reads “habitaon”_
+embost, chased, and engrauen
+  _text reads “chafed”_
+of the sumptuous Fountaine,
+  _closing ) invisible in original_
+checkers or scutuls and Trigons.
+  _full stop invisible, but implied by spacing_
+and in the same two images
+  _text reads “and and”_
+the roofe whereof
+  _text reads “roote”_
+the Matrone _Muemosnia_
+  _text reads “Muemosnia”_
+agreeable and fitting
+  _text reads “agreebale”_
+their solacious and magnificent pleasures
+  _text reads “magnicifient”_
+After that she said .... bee committed
+  _first four lines of paragraph, at page-end, repeated at beginning
+  of following page_
+when he is in the malignant taile
+  _reading unclear: Italian has “cauda”_
+Streight before the triumphant Queene
+  _text reads “Sreight”_
+seuen vpon a side in a Nimphish apparrel
+  _text reads “Nimpish”_
+Then there at euerie chaunge of course, two _Edeabriees_
+  _reading unclear: Italian has “domicelle edeatrice”_
+And by this appoynted order, there was continually heard melodious
+soundes, and pleasaunt harmonies, sweete concords with delightfull
+Musicke presented, odoriferous perfume smelt, and stately viandes
+plentifully fedde of.
+  _reading conjectural: beginning of last three lines missing_
+  And by this appoynted order, there was continually heard
+  _____dious soundes, and pleasaunt harmonies, sweete con
+  _____with delightfull Musicke presented, odoriferous per
+  _____smelt, and stately viandes plentifully fedde of.
+  _Italian reads:_
+    continuamente si udiuano gratissimi soni, si auscultaua lepidissimi
+    concenti, si persentiua delectabile melodia, iocundissimo
+    odoramento, se exhauriua, & lautissima satietate suauissimamente
+    gustando si receueua.
+Manna, Pineapple kernels, Rose water
+  _so in original: Italian has “nuclei pinei”. On the next page,
+  “seme de pine” is translated ”seedes of Pines”._
+the floures of Gessamin
+  _text reads “flloures”_
+vpon the pauement),
+  _closing ) missing in original_
+and so delightfull to the sences
+  _text reads “delighfull”_
+shell, fish, Dactilus, with Pistacke, Nut kernels
+  _all commas in original_
+The vpper vessell
+  _text reads “ypper”_
+a most excellent daunce or game
+  _text reads “excel/cellent” at line break_
+The delightfull presence of the Nymphes
+  _text reads “delighfull”_
+Secretaries, wee tearme them Bishoppes, and two Knights
+  _“wee tearme them Bishoppes” added by translator_
+they apparrelled in gold
+  _text reads “thy”_
+shee is rightly called _Thelosia_.
+  _spelling as in original: elsewhere “Telosia”_
+I would haue thee to vnderstande
+  _text reads “vnderhande”_
+shee transformeth her selfe against the haire
+  _so in original: Italian has “uersipelle”_
+woorke-manshippe
+  _hyphen in original at mid-line_
+wherein I haue satis-fied him
+  _hyphen in original at mid-line_
+_Tarnia_ the Queene of the _Scythians_
+  _so in original: Italian has “Tarina”_
+By the Ower looke vpon this
+  _text reads “Owe”_
+For thys beeing satis-fied
+and that I am not yet / satis-fied
+  _both hyphens in original_
+Signifying thereby
+  _text reads “Sgnifying”_
+The Gate vppon my right hand
+  _so in original: Italian has same wording with same illustration_
+her name was _Thende_
+  _so in original: Italian has “Theude”_
+The fift, _Epiania_.
+  _so in original: Italian has “Etiania”_
+or the fayre _Psyches_
+  _text reads “the the”_
+the shady Wooddes of _Mensunlone_
+  _so in original: Italian has “Mesanlone”_
+Shee tooke me by the left hande
+  _text reads “toooke”_
+bridling my inconuenient desires
+  _text reads “incouenient”_
+and my subdued heart
+  _text reads “haert”_
+these had a consort of liuncyers winde Instruments, full of spirite.
+  _reading unclear: possibly “liuncyets”. Italian text:_
+    ... cum mirabili & ueterrimi istrumenti da flato concordi, & cum
+    incredibili spiriti expressi
+Violets, Cowslops, Melilots
+  _so in original_
+the faire Nymph _Lara_ sorting with _Argiphon_
+  _so in original: “sporting”?_
+[Sidenote A: This verse consisted of _Strophe_, _Aristophe_, and
+_Epodus_.]
+  _so in original: Antistrophe?_
+_Lyndens_ or teile trees, in Latin _Tiliæ_
+  _reading unclear_
+reaching frõ Germany
+  _reading conjectural: “r” in “from” invisible_
+[Sidenote A: _Hamadryades_ were nymphs of the wood and _Symenides_]
+[Sidenote B: _Vertumnus_ the God of fruits.]
+  _unlabeled sidenotes with no space at line end: may be one or two_
+a great square stone like an aulter
+  _text reads “and aulter”_
+the clouds full of haile.
+  _full stop invisible, but implied by spacing_
+[Sidenote B: ... Mausolus king of Cania.]
+  _so in original_
+
+Inscriptions and Greek:
+The Greek text uses an asymmetrical form of Π that is easily confused
+with Γ, and an Υ that resembles Τ. The Arabic text could not be
+transcribed.
+
+ΛΙΧΑ ΣΟΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΘΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΟΣΕΝ ΜΕ.
+  _The first Λ is upside-down. Probable correct reading:_
+    ΛΙΧΑΣ Ο ΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΘΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΩΣΕΝ ΜΕ.
+
+ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-
+ΟΝ ΕΜΕΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-
+ΡΗΣΗΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-/ΟΝ ΕΜΕ ΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-
+    ΡΗΣΗ ΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.
+
+NVDVSESSEM, BES-
+TIA NIME TEXIS-
+SET, QVAERE, ET
+INVE NIES. MESI-
+NITO.
+  _Reading with corrected spacing and punctuation:_
+    NVDVS ESSEM, BES-/TIA NI ME TEXIS-/SET. QVAERE, ET
+    INVENIES. ME SI-/NITO
+
+היה מי שתהיה קח מן האוצר זה כאות נפשך
+אבל אזהיר אותך הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו
+  _Reading taken from Italian original; English text has:_
+     שתהיה קח מן האוצר זה כאות נפשך
+ הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו היה מי
+   אבל אזהיר אותך
+  _The translation of the Italian version is similar to the accompanying
+  Greek and Latin; the English version is nonsense. Apparently the
+  engraver did not know that Hebrew is written from right to left. The
+  “last” (rightmost) two words of the first line were moved to the
+  “beginning” (left edge) of the second line, and then the “last”
+  (rightmost) three words of this line were moved down to make a new
+  (left-justified) line._
+
+ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΑΛΒΕΕΚ ΤΟΥ ΔΕ ΤΟΥ / ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΝΟΝ ΑΝΑ ΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
+ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ / ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΕΩΜΑΤΟΣ.
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΛΑΒΕ ΕΚ ΤΟΥΔΕ ΤΟΥ / ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΟΝ ΑΝΑΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
+    ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ / ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΣΩΜΑΤΟΣ.
+
+...QVANTVNCVN-
+QUE LIBVERIT
+HVIVS THESAVRI
+SVME AD MONEO...
+  _Correct spacing: ADMONEO._
+
+ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΙΚΑΙ ΤΩ Ω ΕΡΟΤΙ ΔΙΟΝΙΣΟΣ ΥΚΑΙ
+ΔΗ ΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΥΤΡΙ / ΣΥΜΠΑΘΕΣ ΤΑΤΗ.
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΗΙ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΙ ΥΙΩΙ ΕΡΩΤΙ. ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΣ ΚΑΙ
+    ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΙ / ΣΥΜΠΑΘΕΣΤΑΤΗΙ.
+
+ΑΕΙ ΣΠΕΥ ΔΕ ΒΡΑΔΕΟΣ
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΑΕΙ ΣΠΕΥΔΕ ΒΡΑΔΕΩΣ
+
+ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΟΚΑΔΙ
+
+ΠΑΝΤΩΝ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΠΑΝΤΩΝ ΤΟΚΑΔΙ
+
+ΣΥΜΟΙΠΛ ΥΚΥΣΤΕΚΑΙΠΚΡΟΣ
+  _Probable correct reading:_
+    ΣΥΜΟΙ ΓΛΥΚΥΣ ΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΠΙΚΡΟΣ
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hypnerotomachia, by Francesco Colonna
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