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 _troph[ae]s_, 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 C[ae]ser_. 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

_Ph[ae]nicees_ 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_, _Foenice_, 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_Foenicia_. 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 _Pasiph[ae]_ 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 traunce 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_

_VIT[AE]._

[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, +AEI SPEU DE BRADEOS+, _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 +PANTA TO KADI+.

[Illustration:

+PANTO:N TO KADI+]

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 +ASAMINTHOS+.

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 compassing 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

+GELOIASTOS+.

[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

_Hyp[ae]thri_ 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 _D[ae]dalus_,

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, Ph[ae]nicei,

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 sph[ae]ricall 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 co[ae]quated 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.