In the middle prospect, oppossite against our going in vpon a degreed

regall throne, set full of glystering stones in a maruelous order, farre

more excellent then the seat in the temple of _Hercules_ at _Tyre_, of

the stone _Eusebes_. The Queene with an imperiall Maiestie sitting vppon

it, goddesse like, and of a woonderfull magnanimitie in countenance:

gorgiously apparrelled in clothe of goulde, with a sumptuous and curious

attyre, vpon hir head of a purple couler, with an edging of Orient

Pearle, shadowing ouer hir large forhead, aunciently and princelike,

euer pressing hir plemmirrulate trammels of hayre, as blacke as iet

descending downe hir snowie temples, and the rest of the aboundance of

hir long hayre, fastned rounde in the hinder parte of her head, and

deuided into two partes or tresses, lapt about this waye and that waye,

behind hir small eares, ouer hir streight proportioned head, and

finished in the crowne, with a flower of great Orient, and rownd

Pearles, such as be found in the Indian promontorie _Perimula_.

The rest of hir long spreding hayre was not seene, but couered ouer with

a thinne vayle, edged with gould, hanging downe from the said flower and

knot of pearle, to hir delicate shoulders, and flingering abroade with

the ayre.

In the middle of the edging of hir dressing, vpon the highest parte ouer

the middest of hir forhead hoong a rare iewell. And about hir round and

snowie neck, went an inestimable Carkenet with a pendent ouer the

diuision of hir rownde brests, of a table Dyamond, in fashion of an

Egge, sparkling, and of a monstrous largenes, set in gould with wyer

woorke.

At hir eares moste richelye were hanged in the typpes two earinges, two

great shynyng Carbunckles of an inestimable price.

Hir shooes were of greene silke, and hir pantofles of gould imbrodered

in a leafe woorke. Vppon a foote stoole aboue the which, and vnder hir

feete, was layde a cushion of white Veluet, with a purseling of silke

and Orient Pearles of_Arabia_, within the persick golph, with foure

Buttons wrought with pretious Stones, and tasseld with goulde twist, and

crimosen silke, depending.

Vppon eyther sides along vpon the aforesaid benches couered ouer with

greene veluet, sate hir Ladyes of honour, attendant in a goodly and

commendable order, according to their estates, apparrelled in clothe of

goulde in an incredible brauerie, as in the world may bee seene. And in

the middest of them this renowned and famous Queene in great pompe and

vnspeakeable statelynes, and the hemmes of hir vestures so edged and set

with pearle and stone, as if nature had rayned and powred them down vpon

hir.

At hir high and imperiall aspect, with great reuerence bowing their

knees to the ground vnto hir, hir women did rise vppe from their seates,

occasioned by the noueltie of the spectacle, & greatly marueiling that I

should come into such a place.

But I founde my selfe more amazed, my hearte quayling, and dilating both

of the troubles that I passed, and the present estate that I was brought

into, which did enuiron and fill me with an extreame amasement, reuerend

feare, and honest shamefastnesse.

And they asking the fiue Nimphes that brought me in, whysperinglie what

I was, and the strangenesse of my hap, directing, bending and

intentiuely fixing all their eyes vpon me. Where finding my selfe so

base a worme in such an excellent conspect, I was woonderfully

astonished, and lyke one that had no spyrite.

But the successe and manner of my comming being demaunded of them, the

Nymphes plainly, open and manifest the same at large, whereat the

gratious Queene beeing mooued to compassion, caused me to stand vp, and

vnderstanding what my name was, began to say.

_Poliphilus_, be of good comfort, and pluck vp a good heart, and tell me

how thou commest hither, and by what meanes, and how thou diddest escape

that mortall and horrible Dragon? and how thou diddest finde away out of

that odious and blinde darkenes, I haue beene tould of it: But I maruell

me not a little, because few or none dare aduenture that waye. But

seeing that grace hath safelye brought thee hither vnto vs, I will not

denye thee (any cause notwithstanding) a gratious and fauourable

intertaynement.

To whose liberall inuiting, royall woordes and intertaynement, better

then I could haue imagined to desire, with diuote and honourable

thankes, giuen aboundantly from pointe to pointe, I tould how I escaped

and fled from the Dragon, a fearefull monster. And consequently with

what trauell and payne I came to the desired place. And how the fiue

Nimphes did finde me wandering and afrayde. Which when I had at large

declared and ended my speeche, I began with great desire to frame my

selfe to bee a pertaker of their solacious and magnificent pleasures.

After that she said vnto me with a smiling and pleasant countenance.

It is a woorthie matter to consider, that an euill and discontented

beginning, often time falleth out to a happie and good successe in the

end: and before that anye thing bee committed vnto you to perfourme, as

touching your amorous and firme conceit, it is our pleasure, for the

asswagement and mitigation of thy commendable griefes, that in this

company thou especially shouldest associate thy selfe with _Philotesia_,

seeing that the faire heauens haue shewed thee of thy entertainment, and

brought thee into our triumphant mansion place. And therefore my

_Poliphilus_, without any more ceremonies take thy place there and sit

downe, for thou shalt see (with a verie good will) part of our sumptuous

and stately manner of seruice, the plentifull diuersitie and number of

my more then princely dainties, the honourable attendance of my

houshold, & excellent order thereof, the inestimable pretiousnes of my

great aboundance, and the large effects of my bounty.

At which imperious commaund, her eloquent and fauorable speech ended,

humbly, and with a little more audacitie than before, vppon one of the

benches of my right hande I did sit downe (lapping my torne gowne

together before me with certaine brymble leaues still sticking in it)

betwixt the fiue Nymphes that brought mee in, and amongst them next vnto

_Offresia_ and _Achoe_, placed behinde the Queene, and six other of the

chamber vppon the other hande, and in the middest on high vppon a throne

did the Queene sitte in an imperiall Maiestie.

The Couer ouer the Throne was of an inamelled couloring contayning in it

a beautifull image without any beard, the head bushing with yellow

haire, part of his brest couered with a thinne cloath ouer the displayed

winges of an Eagle, her head turning vp, and beholding of him. The head

of which image was redymited with an azure Diademe, adorned with seauen

beames, and at the foot of the Eagle two braunches of greene Lawrell,

one one way, the other contrary towards either side. And in euerie

garland I behelde the figment proper to his planet, and behind at my

backe was the iewell, containing the historie of the winged Mercury, and

howe the benignitie of his good disposition is depraued, when he is in

the malignant taile of the venemous Scorpion. And looking vpon my selfe,

I was ashamed to see my vile habite among suche sumpteous induments,

that me thought my selfe no otherwaies but euen lyke that vile and

mortiferous beast among the most noble signes of the Zodiac. The

bewtifull and honorable damosels sate in order vpon the Benches, compast

about all along by the sides of the walles vppon the right side, and the

best of the Court, with a rare and strange kinde of womanly dressing

vppon their heads, as is in the world, with the tresses of their haire

lapt and bowed vp in Caules of gold.

Some with their haires of Amber colour, curled and dressed vp with

flowers of the same vppon a wyer, with the endes turning downe and

wauing vppon their snowy foreheades and smooth temples, bewtified with

Rubies and Diamonds prickt in the haire.

Others of the colour of the Obsidium of _India_, blacke and shining,

adorned with floures of Orient Pearle, & Carkenets of the same. They

stood all waiting with such a venerate attention, that when the seruice

was brought to the table, they all at one instant time alike, made their

reuerent curtesies in bowing of their knees, and in like manner when

they did rise from of their seates, euerie one apparrelled in cloth of

Golde, but they did not sit and eate at the same table.

Streight before the triumphant Queene was the opening of the third

Curtaine, couering a great and goodly doore, not of Marble, but of rare

and hard Diasper of the East, of an artificiall and ancient worke,

wonderfully bewtifull to behold. Vpon either sides of this doore, their

yoong damosels Musitians, seuen vpon a side in a Nimpish apparrel,

notable for the fashion and verie rich: which at euery change of

seruice, did alter their Musicke and Instruments, and during the

banquetting, others with an Angelike and Syreneall consent, did tune the

same to their handes. Then in a sodaine was placed frames of Hebony,

with three feete, and other temporary tables, without any noyse or

brustling. Euerie one readie to his appoynted Office, with a carefull,

diligent, and affecting indeuour, wholy to that seruice which was

enioyned him.

And first before the Queene, there was placed a frame of three feete of

this fourme, vpon a rounde of fine Dyasper, with curious Lineaments. To

the which were three stypits, the lower partes whereof, did finish in

the forme of the tearing claw of a Lyon, with an exsquisite foliature,

compassing about the steales of the stypets, hauing in the middest of

euerie one, fastened the head of a childe betwixt two wings, from the

which betwixt one and other of the stypets, there hung in maner of a

Garland a bundle of leaues and fruites bounde togither, and biggest

towardes the midst, and vppon the top of the stypets or steales, was put

a proiection to beare vp the rounde table before the Queene.

This frame was vnmoueable, but the round table was to be quickly taken

of and on, according to the substance of the vessels at euery changing

of the table.

And streight way as it were in the twinckling of an eye and turne of a

hand, there was put vppon this three footed frame a rounde table of

Golde, three foote by the Diameter, and of an indifferent thicknesse,

and of this forme and bignes were all the rest.

Vpon this table was laide a Carpet perfumed, of cloth of Hormisine of a

greene colour, euenly distended large and long downe to the pauement:

fringed vpon the sides with twisted threede of the selfe same, and mixed

with Siluer and Golde, depending downe vnder a border of imbroyderie of

Pearle and pretious stone, with a hand-breadth of the pauement on euerie

side hanging downe. And of this sort were all the Carpets bordered and

fringed.

Afterwards followed a faire yoong Damosell and quicke, with a great

Bason of Gold filled with the flowers of Violets, tawny, blew & white,

and sweet smelling, as in the prime spring time, and strewing of them

vpon the tables, except that before the Queene.

Her sacred maiestie, hauing put off her robe so gorgeous as _Lolia_,

wife to _Paulus Aemilius_ neuer saw in her husbandes tryumphes, and shee

remayned in a gowne of purple Veluet, hauing wouen in it birdes, little

beastes, leaues and flowers in knottes, the worke somewhat raysed vp

with pearle and stone, with a thynne vayle couering it all ouer of silke

syprusse, shewing through it the couered workes and cloath by reason of

the cleare subtiltie and thinnesse thereof, and imperiall and gratious

apparell.

After came in two beautifull Damosels bringing in an artificious

fountaine continually running with water, and reassuming the same

agayne, which was of fine golde, and in a vessell of a curious

workmanshippe, which was brought before the Queene, and after the

presenting of it vpon the table of golde they bowed their knees downe to

the pauement, and like reuerence at the same instaunt made all the rest

of the attendant Ladyes, both at the presenting of euery thing, and at

the taking away. Three other faire Damosels followed neare after them,

one carrying an Ewer of golde, the second a bason, and the other a

towell of white silke.

[Illustration]

The Queen whilest shee did wash her handes, one that caried the golden

bason, receyued therin the water, that it might not fall agayne into the

reassuming fountaine: and the other with the Ewrie, powred in as much

sweete water as was borne away, because that the fountaine shoulde not

be emptie, and hyndered in hys course. The third did wipe and drie her

hands.

The broad and large Receptorie of this fountaine was carryed vpon foure

little wheeles, which they drew vppon euerie table to wash the handes of

all that were sette.

The brim of the vessell wherein the rising vp fountaine did stande, was

adorned with bubbles of pearle standing vp, and vnder the same was sette

an other of an other sorte, and both ioyned together with two claspes of

an exquisite dipoliture, fine worke, and pretiously garnished. For among

other iewelles of inestimable price, vppon the verie toppe in a flower,

there was sette a Diamond in fashion of a peare, glistering and

sparkling of a huge and vnseene bignes.

And as neare as my smell could tell mee, I did iudge the water to bee of

Roses, mixt with the iuice of Lymon pilles, and a little Amber

artificially composed, which yeelded a sweet and pleasant smell.

[Illustration]

In the middest of this admirable and stupendious Court, there was set

out a maruellous perfuming vessel, not so much for the excellent and

perfecte substaunce thereof, which was pure and fine golde: but for the

conspicuous, rare, and auncient fashion of the base, standing vpon three

Harpyes feete, the which in a foliature made a trianguled illygament to

the base, full of deuises, as the mettall required, ouer euerie Angle or

corner whereof stoode three naked shapes of flying spirites orderly

sette, of two cubites high, with their shoulders turned one towards an

other, and somewhat neare together.

They stood vpon the base with the right foot towards the corner, and the

lefte stretching towardes the fixed foot of the other boye. Their cubits

bending vp, and holding the handle of the perfuming panne, verie slender

in the steale, and vpward in fashion of a bowle, somewhat furrowed and

broad lipped.

There were six in a round circuit, one towardes an other: And betwixt

theyr shoulders in the Center point of the trianguled base, there rose

vp a steale like an olde fashioned Candlesticke, holding on the toppe

thereof suche a bowle or vessell as aforesaide, and so broade as did

fill vp the voyde place in the middest betwixt the other six.

Which bowles were filled with burning coles couered ouer with embers,

and in euery vessell vppon the ashes did boyle a little pot of gold,

which contrary liquors infused with sweet odours.

And as I suspected, euery potte had seuerall water, as it were, one with

Rose-water, another with water of Orange flowers, another of myrtle,

tender greene Lawrell leaues, elder flowers, and diuers such lyke

sociable symples. And these boyling together, they did yeelde a most

pleasant and fragrant smell.

In the presence of the magnificent Queene there did alwayes wayte and

attend three honourable Nymphes, their apparell beeing of golde and

silke, maruelously wouen and adorned, and sette with pearle and stone.

The lyninges of theyr gownes going about their snowie shoulders, and

comming downe vppon theyr little round brestes to the lower parte of

their wastes, of suche colour as the napkins, leauing to be seene the

pleasaunt valleys betwixt their faire brestes, an extreame delight

and desired nourishment vnto a narrowe looke and greedie eye, with

a thousand small chaynes, pretie iewelles and flowers of golde in

a f[ae]minine sort, a sweet bayte to carrie a man headlong into

forgetfulnes of hymselfe, beeing inchaunted with choyse and amorous

regards, farre passing the desire of any other delycate vyands. Their

shooes of golde cutte with halfe Moones, and closed vp at the ioyning of

the hornes or corners with buttons and flowers of gold-smithes woorke in

a curious sorte, and the trammels of their faire and plentifull haire

aboue their forheads and temples instrophiated with large and round

oryent pearle.

They stoode thus on eyther hande and before the Queene with a singular

and reuerent regarde, attending and readilie perfourming that charge

whereunto they were appoynted. And these serued but an one Table: which

beeing chaunged, they withdrewe themselues by, and stoode still vppon

theyr feete arme in arme, other three hauing supplyed their places: And

the three that wayted, shee in the middest was caruer.

The other vppon the right side helde vnder a plate if anie thing should

fall by: and the thirde vppon the lefte hand held a most whyte and

cleane towell of silke to drie her lippes, and in euery action a

reuerence.

The towell was not vsed but once, and then cast by vpon the pauement,

and carryed away by one that stoode neare. And so many morsels as shee

did eate, so many sweete perfumed cleane towelles of silke plyted and

finely wrought were vsed.

And the like was doone to euerie guest, for not one at that banquet did

touch anie thinge sauing onelye the cuppe.

After that the Queene had washed, and had her first seruice, then all

the rest did wash at the same fountaine, casting out water of it selfe,

and reassuming the same in a wonderfull manner by two small pypes on

eyther sides, and running vp straight in the middest from the bottome of

the vessell, the deuyse whereof when I did vnderstand, I was much

contented therewithall.

After the washing of the Queene first, and successiuely of all the rest,

there was deliuered to euery one of the wayters a rounde ball of golde

wyer-woorke full of small holes, and within stuft with Amber past of a

most perfect composition, set with pretious stones, to the ende their

hands, eyes, and sences should not be idle.

Then there at euerie chaunge of course, two _Edeabriees_ that had the

ordayning of the Queenes meate, did bring into the middest of the royall

Court vppon foure turning wheeles a stately repositorie or cupbord, in

fashion like vnto a shippe, and the rest like to a triumphant Chariot,

of most fine golde, with many fishes and water monsters, and infinit

other exquisite shapes maruelously wrought, and sette full of riche

stones, the sparklings and glisterings whereof did shine rounde about

the sides of the Court, and reincounter vpon the roundelles of the other

before spoken iewelles, on euery side fitly placed, as if Phoebus had

been sette by a Nymph to grace hir eyes and countenance with his shining

brightnes.

To all which continuall glistering of ineffable workemanshippe, there

could no more bee deuised of equall comparison, although it were the

Temple at Babylon with the three golden statues.

Within the which was put all such necessaries perfumed, as were meete

and conuenient for the chaunging of the tables, as clothes, flowers,

cuppes, towelles, and vesselles, to powre out of, to drinke in, and

plates to eate vpon.

And these two Nymphes plaustraries[A], did take them downe, and deliuer

them (as neede required) to the wayters.

[Sidenote A: Which did draw in the cupbord.]

And the first Table beeing chaunged, euerie thing was brought backe

agayne to the plaustraries, at whose going away the Trumpettes sounded

in such a sorte, as _Piseus Therrenus_ neuer came neare vnto, nor

_Maletus_ Trumpetor to the King of Hetruria.

And then they did wind their Cornettes, thus dooing euerie time that the

repositorie was drawne out, vntil that it came in againe, at what time

they ceased.

And when the Table was chaunged, they altered their musicall

instruments, which beeing ceased, the singers began so heauenly, that it

would haue caused the Syrens to sleepe, hauing mixed with their voyces

still winde instruments of wood, such as the _Troezein Dardanus_ neuer

inuented.

And by this appoynted order, there was continually heard melodious

soundes, and pleasaunt harmonies, sweete concords with delightfull

Musicke presented, odoriferous perfume smelt, and stately viandes

plentifully fedde of. And euerie thing whatsoeuer, without any defect of

grace or delight answerable, according to the dignitie of the place.

To this first princely table, all the vessels and instruments togither

with the table it selfe, were of pure fine Gold. Wherupon there was

appresented a Cordiall confection, and as I could coniecture, it was

made of the scraping of Vnicornes horne, Date stones and Pearle, often

hette, and quenched and pownded small, Manna, Pineapple kernels, Rose

water, Musk and Lyquid, Golde, in a precious composition by weight, and

made Losenges with fine Sugar and Amylum.

This was eaten without any drinking vpon it, and it was a Confection to

prohibite all Feuers, and to driue away Melancholy wearines.

This being done in a moment, all things were taken vp and remoued, the

Violets cast vpon the ground, and the table bare. And assoone as this

was done, the table was laide againe couered with cloth of Talasike, and

also the wayters, and as at the first, there was cast vpon them the

sweete flowers of Cedars, Orenges, and _L_ymons, and vpon that, they did

appresent in vessels of Beryl, and of that precious stone was the

Queenes table (except the skinking pottes which were all of pure fine

Gold) fiue Fritters of paste of a Saffron colour, and crusted ouer with

extreeme hotte Rose water, and fine pownded Sugar, and then againe cast

ouer with musked water, and with fine Sugar like frost vpon Ise. These

Seruices of a most pleasant taste, and of sundry fashions were laid in

thus. The first, in oyle of the flowers of Orenges. The second, in oyle

of Gilliflowers. The third, in oyle of the floures of Gessamin. The

fourth, in pure Oyle of Beniamin.

And the last, in the oyle of Muske and Amber. And when we had wel tasted

and eaten of the same delectable meat, there was deliuered to vs a

goodly cup of the aforenamed Beryl, with his couer, and couered ouer

that also with a thinne Veyle of silke and Gold curiously folded into

the fourme of a Canapie, the ends cast ouer the shoulders of the

bearers, and hanging down their backe.

And in this sort they did present all drinking vessels and others, with

meates and sawces couered. Within the drinkyng cup they had infused a

precious Wine, so as mee thought that the Gods of the _Elysian_ fieldes,

had transformed their power into the sweetnes of the lyquor: surpassing

the wine of _Thassus_.

Without delaie (after our drinking this table being taken away, and the

sweete flowers cast vpon the pauement), there was forthwith spred a

cloth of murry silke and carnation: with Roses white, redde, Damaske,

Muske, and yealow cast vppon the same. And presently new wayters brought

in (apparrelled in the same colours) sixe pieces of bread cut for euery

one, tossed and dressed with refined marrow, sprinckled ouer with Rose

water, Saffron, and the iuice of Orenges, tempering the taste and gilded

ouer, and with them sixe pieces of pure manchet were set downe. And next

vnto them a confection, of the iuice of Lymons tempered with fine Sugar,

the seedes of Pines, Rose water, Muske, Saffron, and choyce Synamon, and

thus were all the sawces made with conuenient gradation and deliuery.

The vessels were of Topas and the round table.

This third magnificent table being taken vp as before said, there was

presently an other innouated, with a cloth of silke smooth, and of a

yealow colour, (the wayters sutable) and strewed with Lilly Conually,

and Daffadil, immediately this course was presented, seuen morsels of

the flesh of a Partridge in a sharpe broth, and so many pieces of pure

white Manchet. The sauce Acceres, minced and dissolued in Sugar thrice

sodden, Amylum, Saunders, Muske and Rose water. The vessels and the

rounde table of _Chrysolite_. Lastly, they offered a precious drinking

cup, and so obserued in the rest.

The fourth table beeing taken away, the fift was reuested with a cloth

of silke, of a crimosen colour, and in like sort the Nimphish apparrel.

The flowers of purple, yealow, white, and tawny. The Seruis, eight

morsels of the flesh of a Pheasant rosted lying in the grauie, and

withall so many pieces of fine white manchet. The sauce was this, water

of Orenge flowers, the iuice of Pomegranets, Sugar, Cloues, and Cynamon.

The vesselles of Smaragde, and the table of the Souereigne Queene.

This beeing taken away verie solemnely, there was spred an other cloth

of silke of a purple colour, and so the apparrel of the wayters.

The flowers were of three sortes, of Iessamine, tawny, yealow, and

white. The Seruice was nine morsels of the flesh of a restoratiue

Peacocke, moystened in his grauie. The sauce was most greene and tart,

with Pistacke, Nuttes pownded, Sugar, Cypricum, Amylum, and Muske, Time,

white Marioram, and Pepper. The vesselles of Saphyre, and the Princely

Table.

At the seuenth chaunge, they brought in a sumpteous table of white

Iuory, bordered, trayled, and finely wrought with many small pieces vpon

the precious wood of Aloes, and ioyned & glued togither, and from one

side to the other, wrought with knottes and foliature, flowers,

vesselles, monsters, little Birdes, and the strikes and caruings filled

vp with a black paste and mixture of Amber and Muske. This mee thought

was a most excellent thing and sumpteous breathing out, a most

delightful sweet smel. The cloth white and subtily wrought with drawne

worke with Satten silke, the ground powdered and filled, and the worke

white and plaine, with the representation of shapes, byrdes, beastes,

and flowers, and in like sort the apparel of the wayters. The flowers

Lady steale, Rape, Violet, and all sortes of sweete Gilliflowers. And

thus there varied euerie where such diuersitie of smelles, seuerally

brought in, and so delightfull to the sences, as I cannot sufficiently

expresse.

Then there was giuen to euerie one a confection in three morsels of the

shell, fish, Dactilus, with Pistacke, Nut kernels pownded and put into

Rose water and Sugar, of the Ilandes, and Muske and leafe Golde, beaten

and adulterated therwith, that euerie piece taken vp, seemed as if it

had beene all Gold.

The vessels were of Iacynth, and the table circular. An apt and

conuenient stone to so excellent disposition and royall board and

straunge banquets, suche as before were neuer heard of.

After the taking away of these wonderfull Confections, and the flowers

cast downe vpon the pauement in a princely magnificence, there was

presently brought in, a great vessell of Gold full of kindled coales,

into the which the table cloathes, napkins and towelles of silke were

throwne, whiche presently burned light, and after that beeing taken out

and cooled, they were whole, vnhurt and cleane, as at the first. And

this yet was the wonderfull straungest of all the rest. And then the

tables and frames were taken downe and carried away.

Which most excellent order and sightes, the more that I carefully

indeuoured to consider of them, the more ignorant and amazed I founde my

selfe.

But in all thinges assuredly I did take great pleasure with my intended

admiration, in seeing of such, so great, plentifull, and tryumphant

sumpteousnes, of so incredible costly a banket, that it is better to

holde my peace then not to speake sufficiently in the report thereof.

For that the bankets of _Sicilia_ be in respect but beggerly, and so

were the stately Ornaments of _Attalus_. The Corinthian vessels, the

dainties of _Ciprus_, and _Saliarie_ suppers.

Yet notwithstanding so supreame and excessiue alacritie, and cordiall

delectation, and that onely and extreeme pleasure (occasioned by such

and so vnexpected delightes) by one of those three which in the last

chaunge attended, was quayled, ouerthrowne, interrupted, lamed,

intercepted and made vaine. For shee did represent in her behauiour, the

sweet iesture and resemblance of _Polia_, stirring vp by them in me

stealing regardes.

This was no small hinderance vnto mee, in the takyng of those pleasant

dainties and princely refection. Yet notwithstanding my eyes would now

and then with much adoo, bee withdrawne to beholde the bewtie of the

Iewels and precious stones, sparkeling and glistering in euerie place,

in such diuersities of straunge and vnseene gloriousnes and conspicuous

decoraments, as if they had all ought a duetie to her, which made mee

with an immoderate desire, to behold the correspondency of her excellent

bewtie.

Lastly, in suche order and sorte, as aforesaide, the tables beeing taken

away, I hung downe my heade, because that I might not followe after the

last iunckates which I had lost by minding of her that ministred.

Then first before the sacred Maiestie and royall person of the Queene,

and afterwards to vs, fiue fayre Nymphes apparelled in blewe silke and

golde curiously wouen togeather in workes, did all together appresent

themselues.

The middlemost of them did beare a braunch of coorrall, lyke a tree,

such as is not founde amongst the Ilandes Orchades, of one cubite high,

which stoode as vppon a little mountayne, which was the couer of an old

fashioned vessell of pure gold, in forme of a Challyce, as high agayne

as the couer and the tree of coorrall, full of curious workmanshippe and

leafe worke, neuer made in our age, nor the like seene.

Betwixt the gracylament of the foote and the cuppe, it was knitte

together with a handle of inestimable workemanship, and in lyke manner

the foote and the bowle were of an excellent anaglyphie of foliature,

monsters and byformed Scyllules, so exquisitely expressed, as could be

imbossed, chased, or ingrauen by proportionate circulation.

And the mordycant couer of the same was thicke set with incomparable

iewelles: and in lyke sorte all the base and handle whereas conueniencie

requyred, and glystering about.

Vppon the braunches of the coorrall, there were artificially sette

certayne open flowers with fiue leaues, some of Saphyre, some of Iacynth

and Berill, and in the middest of them a little round seede of golde,

fastening the leaues to the stalke of corrall.

Which yoong woman reuerently bowing to the earth with her right knee,

reseruing the other still vp, whereuppon shee helde this couer of

coorrall, which also besides the flowers, had vppon the pointes and

toppes of other twigges or sprouts curiously infixed monstrous great

pearle. An other of them had a cuppe full of pretious lyquor, better

then that which the prowde _Cleopatra_ gaue vnto the Romane Captaine:

The reste did execute their offices as aforesaid, and plucking off one

after another, with a little instrument with two teeth of golde they

offering the same fruits vnto vs, to me vnknowne, for that I had neuer

seene the lyke, we did tast them.

But the vnexpected pleasure of them, and sweetnes of their tast, was no

otherwise to me than like a gratious substance wanting his desired

forme.

And there were restored agayne the balles of golde before mentioned.

Vppon this appeared an other maruellous woorke, that was a perpetuall

running fountaine artificially deuysed of the aforesaid matter, but of

an other notable fashion and workemanshippe, founded vppon an immoueable

axeltree, vppon the which two wheeles turned about.

Aboue the which stood an vnequal quadrature three foot long, two foot

broad, and six foote high.

In euery angular part did sit a Harpie with both her winges extended and

stretched vp to the breadth of a higher vessell, standing vp vppon the

middest of the measured quadrangule, coronized at the extreme and vpper

parts, and beautified with chanelling and foliature, circumuesting the

lower part.

And vppon euerie side the same diuided into three, the middle parte

betwixt the fall of the waters intercepted, did contayne in halfe bodyes

carued, a tryumph of Satyres and Nymphes, with Trophees, and exquysite

actions, excepte the fore-part and hinder parte moderately sinuated and

bent in. The which in steade of squadred lyneament, did contayne a

roundnesse waued betweene, in the which was maruellously ingrauen a

little sacrifice with an olde Aultar on eyther sides, with manie figures

and actions, the rest that was voyde, the tayles of the foresayde

Harpyes ioyning togeather, and turning heere and there into leaues, did

excellently couer the same.

Out of the medyan center of the equature and quadrangule afore specified

and described out of an antyke folyature, did ryse vp an olde fashioned

vessell, and verie beautifull, the cyrcuite whereof did not exceede the

content of the quadrangulate playne, and this with all the rest of the

woorke, and euerie proportionate disquisition, tryall, and examination,

both in the highest breadth and thicknesse, with moste conuenient

vesseling lineamentes, diligently delymated and fyled, and then finished

with an absolute and depolyte deformation.

The which out of the suppressed orifice thereof did ascend vp an other

hollowe vessell, the compasse whereof did exceede the aforesaide subiect

vessell furrowed and channelled round about, of a great breadth and

large brymmes so wel fashioned, as is possible for any goldsmith to

beate out with his hammer.

In the center poynt whereof did rise and mount an other vessell of

incredible workemanship.

In the bottome of which thirde there were small ridges swelling

outwardes, the toppes of them compassed about with a row of diuerse

inestimable stones, bearing out and differing in colours, as best might

content the eye of a curious Lapidarie and skilfull vnderstanding.

Vppon the same on eyther sides was made a heade of a monster, from the

which on both handes did proceede the garnishing thereof in an exquysite

and most rare worke of leaues, inuesting the same about with the

congresse of the opposyte heade, and finely gracing that parte of the

vessell.

And in the bearing out of the lippe of the vessell ouer the

perpendicular poynt of the heade there was fastened a rynge, from the

which vppon eyther sides there hung downe a garland of braunches,

leaues, flowers, and fruites growing bigger towardes the middest, with a

perpolyte bynding to eyther ringes.

Ouer the middle bending of the garland, and vnder the proiecture of the

lyppe of the vessell, there was fixed and placed the head of an olde

man, with his beard and haire of his head transformed into nettle

leaues, and out of whose mouth gushed out the water of the fountayne by

art continually into the hollownes of the broad vessell vnder this.

Vppon the mouth of this last described vessell did mount vppe a pretyous

hyll maruellously congest, and framed of innumerable rounde pretious

rocke stones closing one with another vnequally, as if nature had ioyned

them growing, making a rounde composed hill, beautifully glistering of

dyuerse sortes and colours in a proportionate bignes.

And aloft vppon the toppe of this little hill, there grewe a fine

pomgranate tree, the body, boughes and fruite made all of golde, the

leaues of greene Smaragde. The fruit of theyr naturall bignesse heere

and there aptly placed, their sides cut open, and in place of kernelles

they were full of most perfecte Rubyes, as bigge as the kernels.

After that, the ingenious Artificer wanting no inuention, hee seperated

the graynes in steade of the fylme with siluer foyle.

And moreouer, in other apples, opened, but not rype, hee redoubled the

thicknesse of the foyle, making the kernelles of an oryentall colour, so

also hee made the flowers of perfect corrall, in the cuppes full of bees

of golde.

Besides this, out of the toppe of the hollowe steale, lyke a pype, there

came out a turning steale, the lowest part whereof rested in a heade,

framed from the middle trunke or pype iust ouer the axeltree.

Which steale or stypet beeing strongly fastened, it bare vp a vessell of

Topas of an auncient forme, the bowle whereof in the bottome was broad,

and swelling out with rigges in the opening, rarely bewtified with a

coronice, and put vnder with another.

In which closing and binding together in foure equall diuisions, there

were foure winged heades of a little childe, with foure pipes in their

mouthes.

The rest mounted vp so much as the lower bignesse of the vessell was,

beeing closed vp at the orifice with an inuerse foliature. Vppon the

which there was placed an other vessell as it were a circular couer of a

most curious leafe worke, with a smal coronice, and an artificiall

orifice.

From the bottome of which there beganne a flourished tayle of a Dolphin

fastened and sowldered to the gracylament of the vessell, descending

downe with his heade finned with leaues, to the circulating brymme of

the vessell where the boyes heades were fixed. And with a moderate

swelling out about the head, and streightning in towardes the tayle,

they fitted for the eares in a beautiful manner. And all that inclining

part with an exquisite polishing did make an expresse shewe of most

curious lineaments.

The ypper vessell was so perfectly wrought, that when the wheele was

mooued, the steale with the vessell vppon the toppe thereof, turned

about and powred out water through the tree, and when the wheele stoode

still, then that lefte turning.

The wheeles were halfe couered with two winges, the

typpes turning one one way, and the other an

other way, adorned with a chasing

of Mermaydes or Scillaes.

[Illustration]

This excellent peece of woorke thus running before euerie one, and

weeting our handes and feete of an incredible sweetnesse, such as I

neuer had felt before, we dryed our hands, and it was carryed away.

And beeing thus sprinckled with this rare and maiesticall water, the

wayters with great reuerence presented vnto the Queene first a great

cuppe of golde, and her highnesse affably saluting vs, drunke Nectar,

and afterwardes euerie one of vs after other, with reuerent, mutual, and

solemne honours done, did drinke a most pleasaunt farewell and shutting

vp of all the pretious dainties that we had tasted and fed vpon.

Lastly, the redolent flowers beeing diligently taken away, and all

thinges that had beene vsed borne from thence, the pauement remayned

pure and shining as a most cleare steele glasse, and as it were

emulating the pretious iewelles rownde about.

And euerie one beeing sette in his appoynted place, the

high and mightie Princesse did commaund a company to come

in, and stande vppon the diasper checkers, neuer the

like before seene or imagined of anie

mortall creature.

_Poliphilus followeth to shew besides this great banket of a most

excellent daunce or game, and how the Queene did commit him to two of

her Nymphes, the which did leade and conduct him to the sight of many

wonderfull things, and as they talked, shewed vnto him the secrecies

of such things as hee stood in doubt of. Finally, how they came to

the three gates, in the middlemost whereof, hee remained amongst the

amorous Nymphes._

Hauing spoken something of the exceeding & incomparable glorie, triumph,

vnknowne treasure, plentiful delights, solemne banket, and the most

honourable and sumptuous drinking of this most happie and rich Queene,

if I haue not distinctly and perfectly expressed her chiefest dignitie,

let not the curious company maruel thereat, for whatsoeuer rype, sharpe,

and readie wit, with a franke, eloquent and plentiful toong adorned,

is not able to performe the least part of his duetie.

And much lesse I, who continually suffer in euerie secret place of my

burning heart, an vncessant strife notwithstanding the absence of

_Polia_ my mistres, the owner of all my skil, and imprisoner of my

perfections.

Besides that, in truth the many maruels in excellency, and varietie

vnhard of, so vncoth, rare and straunge vnlikes inestimable, and not

humane, haue so oppressed, laden & born down my sences, with the greedie

and excessiue contemplation and beholding of their variable diuersities,

as that from point to point I am no whit able to describe them, and much

lesse worthie to publish them.

All and the most that I can do, is to thinke of the rich apparrel,

exquisite prouision, curious dressings, perfect ambitious and wounding

bewties without imperfections, their deepe iudgements, _Aemilian_

eloquence, & bountie more then princely, the notable disposition and

order of Architecture, the durable Symmetrie and proportion of the

building, perfect and absolute, the noblenes of the Art of Masonrie and

Lapycidarie, the directions and placing of Columnes, the perfection of

statues and representations, the adornment of the walles, the diuersitie

of the stones, the stately entrance & princely porch, large Gallery,

artificious pauements, no man will thinke with what cost and charge

bewtified and hanged with precious Arras and Verdure. The spacious and

loftie inner Court, goodly bedchambers, inner withdrawing chambers,

parlours, bathes, librarie and pinacloth, where coat Armors escuchions,

painted tables, and counterfeates of strangers were kept, & with a

maiestical comelines and order placed and solemnely distributed.

In which conceiuing capacitie, maruellous performance, incredible charge

and high commendation of the most excellent Artificer, woorthily allowed

in euerie partition and elegant conuention of exquisite Lineaments. I

also beheld a marueilous twisted conlignation or couering of gold-smiths

work, ouer a foure square plaine Court, growing vp alike, without

comparison like a heauen, with a disposite distance of many sorted

proportions, with sundry lybellated Dimensions, shadowing ouer the

Court, with an Arched Eminence, which was vnder, adorned with coronised

Lyneaments and grauings, thereunto conuenient, as Fasheols, Gululles,

and Oualling, and the leaues of _Achanthus_, licking vp as it were in

the corners of the quadranguled Court. With Roses and the growing order

of their leaues, the top leafe least, their iaggings about the leaues,

and space betweene leafe and leafe. All thinges couered with pure fine

gold and Azure colour, with diuers other proportions and counterfets of

substance, equal with their workemanship. The roofing of _Salances_ King

of _Colchis_, may not compare with this.

Then the delightful fruitfulnes of the set hedges, Orchards, watered

Gardens, springing Fountaines, current streames in Marble Channelles,

conteined, framed, and held in, with an incredible Art, greene Hearbes,

still freshe and flowering, a sweete ayre, warme and spring windes, with

a confused charme of singing and chirping birdes, a pure, faire and

bright aire, and stil continuing temperate and healthfull, country free

from danger and cleane, No craggy nor rockie places, nipt and blasted

with sharpe windes, nor burnt with an vntemperate hotte Sunne, but vnder

a sweet and pleasant temperature, in a moderate meane reioycing, betwixt

two extreemes, the fields fruitful and without tillage and manuring,

yeelding all commodities, warme hilles, greene woods and sweet coole

shadowes.

Also the inestimable furniture, the attendant housholde and great

number, their excellent seruice, the diuersitie of youthes, and all in

the prime of their yeares. The delightfull presence of the Nymphes, both

attending abroad in the presence and chambers, her baser sort, their

honourable and gracious behauiours, their diuersitie of apparrel, attire

and dressings set with Pearle and stone, in an allowed, pleasant &

louely sort, as any can imagine or expresse. With these infinite riches,

supreame delightes, and immeasurable treasure, neither _Darius_,

_Cr[ae]sus_, or any other humane state, whatsoeuer might any way

compare.

And thus to conclude, being ouercome with the glorie of them, I know not

what more to say, but that I stood amazed, and as it were senceles, and

yet in great delight and without wearines, beholding those present

obiects, and casting with my selfe what fate and destinate should

conduct and leade mee into such a place.

But afterwardes finding my selfe in such an accumulation of glorie,

pleasant seate, happie Country, great contentment and tryumphant

company, such as _Clodius_ the Player in Tragedies neuer had seene. I

was but moderately conuerted, notwithstanding the promise of the Queene,

to fauour my amorous desire, accounting all, but as eye pleasures that

hitherto I had seene and had been presented vnto me, stil desiring a

greater happines.

For which cause, and for the greater setting out of the excesse and

abounding excellency, beyond all the rest of her royall magnificence,

euery one sitting in their place after the miraculous, wonderful, and

sumpteous banket, without any delaie, she commanded a game to be playd

by parsonages, not onelie woorthie the beholding, but of eternall

remembrance, which was a game at Chesse, in this sort as followeth.

By the entraunce of the curtaine there came in thirty two Nymphes,

whereof sixteene were apparrelled in cloth of gold (eyght vniformally

without difference of degrees) afterwards one of those sixteene was

apparrelled in princely robes lyke a King, and the other lyke a Queene,

with two tower-keepers or Rookes, as wee tearme them, two

counsell-keepers or Secretaries, wee tearme them Bishoppes, and two

Knights. In like sort were eight other in cloth of siluer, vnder the

like gouernement and magistracie as aforesaid.

Euerie one of these according to their duties, tooke theyr places vppon

the checkers of the pauement, that is, sixteene in golde of one side in

two rowes, and sixteene in siluer of the contrarie side.

The Musicke beganne vppon a sodayne with a rare inuention to sound a

charge with a pleasaunt concord, participating togeather a sweete and

thundering melodie, hauing in it a deuine furie.

At the measured sounde and time of the Musicke vppon their checkers,

as it pleased the King to commaund, the pawns turning themselues with a

decent reuolution, honouring the King and the Queene, leapt vppon an

other checker before them.

The King of the white men, his musicke sounding, commaunded her forward

that stoode before the Queene, and the same with lyke reuerent behauiour

marched forward her continent, and stoode still. And according to the

mensuration of the musicall time in this order, so they chaunged their

places, or continued vppon the checkers dauncing, vntill that they were

eyther taken or commaunded forward by the King.

If the musicke kepte still one time, those eyght vnyforme pawnes did

spende the time in marching forwardes into an other checker, neuer

comming backe vntill that worthily without touch or appalement of

courage, they had leapt vppon the line of that square where was the

residence of the Queene, proceeding straight on, vnlesse she tooke a

prisoner by a Diagonick line.

The Bishop went in a Diagonike line, still holding that coloured checker

wherein he stood first.

The Knight ouer two checkers before him taketh the next of eyther

handes, and of a contrary colour to that hee stood in immediately

before.

The Castle-keepers or Rookes might passe ouer manie checkers streight on

as they pleased at commaundement, so that they might goe one, two,

three, foure, or fiue checkers, keeping a measure, and not staying in

their march.

The King might goe vpon anie checker if none were in it, or backeward,

and cause any other to remooue for him, and make him roome.

The Queene might goe any way, but it is best when shee is neare her

husband on euery side.

And whensoeuer the officers of eyther of the Kings shall finde one

without guarde of helpe, they take her prisoner, and both kissing one

another, she that is ouercome and taken, goeth foorth and standeth by.

Thus they continued playing and dauncing according to the time of the

musicke, with greate pleasure, solace, and applause, vntill the King of

the siluer Nymphes was victour and conquerour.

This solemne sport, what with resistance flying backe, and seconding of

one an other, with such a measured circulation, reuerence, pause, and

modest continencie, endured the space of an hower, whereat I tooke such

pleasure and delyght, that I imagyne (and not amysse) that I was rapt

vpon the sodaine from the liking of the sportes of Olympus to a newe

felicitie.

This first game beeing ended, and conquest obtayned, all retourned into

theyr accustomed places, and in like manner as at the first, so the

second time euerie one in theyr appoynted checkers, the Musicke

chaunging theyr measure, so the moouings and gestures of the players

were altered.

And obseruing the time of the musicke in a conuenient order, and

approoued gesture and arte, that it was no neede to commaund or say any

thing.

But the cunning and experte Nymphes, with theyr plentifull tresses

effused ouer theyr delicate shoulders hung wauing, and in theyr motion

forwardes would streame out at length, somewhat shewing their backes,

about their heades wearing Garlandes and Crownes of Violets. And when

any one was taken, they lifted vp their armes and clapt handes. Thus

playing and coursing vp and downe, the first continued still conquerour.

In the last game and daunsing, they beeing all returned to their

distributed places, the Musicke againe sounded a measure phrygiall in as

perfect and prouoking furie as euer _Marcias_ of _Phrygia_ inuented.

The King in robes of Golde, caused the yoong Damosell that stood before

the Queene, to marche forwarde to the third Checker, direct in the first

remooue, whereupon immediately there was seene a battaile and Torney,

with so swift and sodaine forces, bending themselues to the grounde as

it were lying close vpon their Garde, and presently vpon it capering vp

with a turne twise aboue ground, one iust opposite against an other, and

vpon their downe come withall a turne vpon the toe thrise about.

All this Action they did at one time, with such a grace and agilitie, as

nothing could be better, with their lowe inclinatitions, high Capers and

Turnings, without affectation of strayning, as it should seeme with

facilitie and careles ease at pleasure and sweete iestures, as in such a

thing may bee imagined, and not else where to bee seene. Neuer any one

troubling an other, but who so was taken prisoner, did presently kisse

their Conquerour, and voyded the place. And the lesser number that there

was, the more pleasure it was to perceiue the pollicies of either sides

to ouercome other.

And such an order and motion was vsed of euerie one, in a commendable

sort without fault, as the measure and time of the Musike appointed,

stirryng euen them that looked on to haue a motion in their sinowes and

mindes to doo the lyke, there was such a concord and agreement betwixt

nature and the Musike especially, seeing the performance of the same in

the actions of others.

Vpon this occasion I was moued to call to remembrance the force of

_Timotheus_, the most cunning musitian, who with his voice and measure

vppon his Instrument would prouoke the great Macedonian _Alexander_,

violently to take Armes, and presently altering his voyce and tune, to

forget the same, and sit downe contentedly. In this third game, they

apparrelled in gold did triumph in the victoritie.

Thus honourably with exceeding pleasure and great solace, this sumpteous

feast beeing ended, euerie one framed themselues to sit downe. And I

rysing vp, made reuerence before the Royall seate of her sacred

maiestie, and kneelyng downe vpon my knee, she thus said vnto me.

_Poliphilus_, forget now, and wype out of thy remembrance all forepassed

griefes, occursiue troubles, pensiue conceites, and ouergone daungers,

because that I am assured of thy forthwith full contentment of desire.

And seeing that thy determination is to perseuere resolutely in the

amorous flames and loue of _Polia_, I thinke it conuenient, that for the

recouerie thereof, thou repaire to the three Portes, which are the

resident places of the high and mightie Queene _Telosia_, in which place

vppon euerie of those Portes and Gates, thou shalt see her tytle and

name inscrypt. Read it diligently, but for thy better direction and

safegarde, thou shalt haue to accompany thee, two of my handmaydes,

which know verie well the way thither, and therefore go on vndoubtedly

with a happie successe.

And thereupon with a princely bountie, she drew of from her finger a

Ring of gold, hauing set in it an Anchit, and deliuered it vnto me to

remember her bountie by.

At this aduise and precious gift, I became amphasiatike, not knowing

what to saie or doo, in requitall or giuing of thankes. Which her

Highnes perceiuing, motherly and with a naturall promptnes in a

maiestical grauitie, turned her countenance to two noble and goodly

Nymphes, attending neere vnto her Royall and imperiall Throne, saying

thus to one of them vpon her right side.

_Logistica_, you shall bee one that shall accompanye our guest

_Poliphilus_, and with a sacred and honourable grace, shee turned to the

left hande saying, _Thelemia_, you shall also go with him. And both of

you shewe and instruct him at what Gate hee must remayne, and then

_Poliphilus_, they shall bring you to an other mightie and maiesticall

Queene, who if shee shall bee bountifull vnto thee in entertainment thou

art happie, if contrarie, then discontented.

Notwithstandyng, none doth knowe her intent by her countenance, because

that sometime shee sheweth her selfe full of fauour, loue, and pleasant

dispositions. An other time shee is malignant, frowarde, disdainefull,

with vnstable incursyue passions. And shee it is that determineth such

euents as thou seekest after. And for her obscure condition, shee is

rightly called _Thelosia_.

Her residence is not in suche a stately Pallaice, as thou seest mee to

dwell in.

Therefore I would haue thee to vnderstande, that the chiefe woorkeman in

the creation of nature, did make no thyng comparable to mee, neyther can

the earth shew thee greater treasure then to come to my presence and

taste of my bountie, obtaine my fauour and participate of my qualitie.

And therefore esteeme of it according to the value, for that thou

findest in me, is a heauenly Tallent aboue all earthly Iewels, for I

haue not had my residence in man since his fall.

They may imagine of mee, but they knowe mee not, neyther doo I beare any

rule with them to the good of my selfe.

Nowe the Queene _Telosia_, shee dwelleth in a place of cloudie darkenes,

her house is kept close and shut, for that shee will not shew her selfe

vnto man, nor anothomise, discouer, and laye open her selfe vnto any as

shee is, and for this cause the euent of her variable determination is

kept secret.

But in a maruellous sort considerately, shee transformeth her selfe

against the haire, into diuers fashions, not manifesting her selfe,

although desired.

And when the auncient Gates shall be opened vnto thee, in euerie one

shall bee written what shall befall thee, but thou shalt not perceiue

the same, vnless that in some part thy vnderstandyng and wisedome

enigmatically and with a right and sincere iudgement looke vnto it, and

quickly consider of it, for because that shee ambyguously chaungeth her

selfe in habite and countenance, and through this doubtfull

anymaduersion, a man remaineth deceiued of his expectation without

remedie.

And therefore _Polphilus_, that which these my consigned trustie and

appoynted handmaydes by suggestion shall perswade thee vnto, and at what

Gate thou oughtest to enter in and remayne, euen which of those two it

shall best please thee to giue eare vnto, doo: for they haue some

vnderstanding of her.

And hauyng thus spoken, shee made a signe or becke with her head to the

two Nymphes _Logistica_ and _Thelemia_, who presently without delaie,

were obedient to her commaund. And I beeing readie to speake, neyther

knew what to say, or yet durst to so high a maiestie, and for so great

bounties giue a word.

The two appoynted companyons of my iourney, verie fauourablye, and with

a familiar readines and virginlike iestures, tooke holde of mee, one by

the right hande, and the other by the left, and reuerently obteyning

licence, first of the Queene, and takyng theyr leaue of the rest, went

out the same way that I came in.

And I beeyng desirous and not satisfied, turned mee about towardes the

conspicuous Poarch, to beholde diligently the artificious Pallaice,

wonderfull and perfinite of the Art of building.

The subtiltie of which, no humane excogitation is able to imitate.

And therefore I thought that nature had made that for a maruell of all

her woorkes for commoditie, vse, grace, bewtie, ayre, and continuall

durablenes.

For which cause, I was excessiuely desirous to staie and looke vppon it,

but my leaders and guides would not suffer mee, and yet by the theft of

my eye in the Zopher, ouer the gate I noted this inscription, +HO TE:S

PHUSEO:S OLBOS+.

And as muche as with my quicke sences I could carrie, I tooke in my

going foorth, with as greate pleasure and delight as is possible to

expresse. O happie were hee that myght bee but a drudge or kitchin slaue

in suche a Paradice.

Nowe beeing come into the base Court, compassed and sette about with

Orenge trees, _Thelemia_ in great curtesie saide thus vnto mee, besides

and aboue all the maruellous and woonderfull thinges which thou hast yet

seene and behelde, there bee fower yet remayning behynde whiche thou

shalt see.

And vppon the lefte side of the incomparable pallace, they brought mee

into a fayre Orchyard of excogitable expence, tyme, and subtletie of

woorke-manshippe, the contynent and cyrcuite whereof was as muche as the

plot of the Pallace, wherein was the resydence and abiding of the

Queene.

Round about fast by the walles of the Orchyard there were set conuenyent

garden pots in the which in stead of growing plantes, euerie one was of

pure glasse, exceeding a mans imagination or beleefe, intorpiaried[A]

boxe the rootes and stalkes of golde, whereout the other proceeded.

[Sidenote A: Ars toparia is the way of cutting of trees in gardens

or other places to proportions or shapes.]

Betwixt one and other of the which was placed a Cyprusse tree, not aboue

two paces high, and the boxe one pace full of manyfolde maruellous

symples, with a moste excellent imitation of nature, and pleasaunt

diuersitie in the fashions of flowers in distinct colours verie

delyghtfull.

The playne labiall compassing about the quadrant Orchyard comming out

from the walles as a seate for these aforesayde garden pottes and trees

to stande vppon, was subcoronized with golde by excellent lyneamentes

wrought and adorned. The vpper face whereof, and whereuppon those pottes

and trees did stande, was couered with a playster of glasse gilte, and a

curious historographie to be seene in the same, and compassed about and

holden in with wyering and netting of golde.

The wall that compassed about the Orchyard with a conuenient distance,

was bellyed out with columnes of the same matter, and inuested with

flowring bindings naturally proportioned, and heere and there were

quadrangulate columnes of golde chamfered, arching from one to an other,

with a requisite beame Zophor and coronice, with a meete and conuenient

proiecture ouer the chapter of glasse vppon the round.

The substance of which subiect proiecture of the bryttle matter, was of

counterfayte diasper diuersly coloured and shining. Which bryttle

substance had some void space betwixt that and the other.

The mouth of the arches were stopped with rombyes of cleare glasse in

forme of a tryangle, and the pypes beautified all ouer with an

Encaustick painting, verie gratious to the sight of the beholder.

The ground was here and there couered with great round balles of

glasselyke gunne stones, and other fine proportions much pleasing, with

a mutuall consent vnmooueable lyke pearles shining without any

adulteration by folyature. From the flowers did breath a sweet

fragrancie by some cleare washing with oyle for that purpose.

There most cunningly did _Logistica_ lyke an Orator make a discourse in

commendation physically of that excellent confection of the noblenes of

the substaunce, secrecie of the art, and straungenes of the inuention.

The like is not to bee found.

And after shee sayde, _Poliphilus_ lette vs goe and ascende vp this

mount nexte the Garden, and _Thelemia_ remayning at the stayre foote,

wee ascended vp to the playne toppe. Where shee shewed vnto mee, with a

heauenly eloquence, a Garden of a large compasse, made in the forme of

an intricate Laborynth allyes and wayes, not to bee troden, but sayled

about, for insteade of allyes to treade vppon, there were ryuers of

water.

The which mysticall place was of a verie lustie mould and fruitfull,

replenished with all sorts of fruits, beautified with faire springs, and

greene hearbes and flowers, full of all solace and delight. Whereupon

she spake thus.

I doe imagine (_Poliphilus_) that you doe not vnderstande the

conditionate state of this maruellous feate, and therefore giue

attendance to my wordes.

Whosoeuer entereth in cannot come backe, but as you see yonder

mountaines heere and there distributed, seuen circuits and the about

goings distant one from another.

And the extreeme molestation and sorrowe of the enterers in, is this:

In the myddle mountayne within the center thereof, and open mouth of the

same, there lurketh inuisibly a deadly deuouring olde Dragon, hee is

vtter destruction to some, and others are not hurte to death by him. Hee

cannot bee seene nor shunned, neyther doth hee leaue any vnassaulted,

but eyther in the entrie, or in their iourney, hee destroyeth or

woundeth. And if hee killeth them not betwixt one mountayne and another,

they passe the seuen circuites to the next mount.

And they that enter in by the first tower or mount (wherevppon is this

tytle inscript +DOXA KOSMIKE:O:S POMPHOLYS+.) They sayle in a little

shippe with a prosperous winde, and securely at pleasure: the fruites

and flowers fall downe vppon theyr hatches, and with great solace and

pleasure they cut through by the seauen reuolutions with a merry winde,

vntill the second mount bee discouered and come vnto. And marke and

beholde (_Poliphilus_) howe cleare and bright the ayre is in the

entrance, ouer that it is in the center, about the which is thicke

darknesse.

In the first mount or tower there is alwayes resident a pittifull matron

and bountifull, before whome standeth an auncient appoynted vessell

called _Vrna_, in a readinesse, hauing vppon it seauen Greeke letters

as thus +THESPION+, full of appoynted honie, and to euerie one that

entereth in, verie curteously and with a good will shee giueth one of

them without respecte of state and condition, but according to theyr

enterance.

These beeing receyued, they came foorth, and begin to sayle in the

Laborynth, the water beeing enuyroned vpon either sides, with roses,

trees, and fruits.

And hauing sayled the first seuen reuolutions of _Aries_, and being come

to the second mount, there they meet with innumerable troopes of yong

women of diuerse conditions, which demaund of euerie one the sight of

theyr honye, which beeing shewed vnto them, they straightwayes knowe the

propertie of the hony, and the goodnesse thereof, and embracing him as

theyr guest, they inuyte him with them to passe through the next seuen

reuolutions, and with diuerse exercises according to her inclyned

promptnes, they accompany them to the third mount.

In this place hee that will goe on forwards with his companion, shee

will neuer abandon or leaue him: for there bee farre more pleasaunt

voluptuous women. And many refuse the first and make choyse of them.

In the putting off from the second mount, to come to the third, they

finde the current of the water somewhat agaynst them, and stand in neede

of oares, but beeing fallen off from the thirde mount, making theyr

course towardes the fourth, they finde the tide and streame more against

them, and in these seauen oblique courses their pleasure is variable and

vnconstant.

Beeing come to the fourth mount, they finde other yoong women combatting

and fighting, and those examining theyr pottes of honie, they intice

them to theyr exercise, but those that refuse to leaue theyr first

companions, they let passe together, and in this cyrcuite the water is

yet more contrary and troublesome, where there is neede of great studie

and labour to passe on.

And beeing come to the fift mount, they finde it speculable, lyke a

mirrour wherein they see theyr representations, and in that they take

great delyght, and with a feruent desire they passe on their laboursome

course. In that mount they see this sentence and golden saying

manyfested, _Medium tenuere beati_: not lyneall, nor locall, but

temporall, where by a sincere and perfect examination hee discerneth

that meane wherewith he hath ioyned his felicitie, wisdome and riches:

which if not well, in the rest of his course he faynteth the more.

And losing off from thence, the Waters by reason of the broken circles,

beginne to be verie slyding towards the Center, so that with small or no

rowing they are brought to the sixt Mount. And there they finde elegant

Women, with a shew of heauenly modestie and diuine worship, with whose

amiable aspects and countenaunces, the Trauailers are taken in their

loue, condemning their former with despite and hatefull abhorrence. And

with these they fall acquainted, and passe the seauen reuolucions.

These beeing come ouer with an obscure and foggy close ayre, with many

losses and a grieuous voyage, they beginne to remember what they haue

past and lost: for the more that the compasse of the reuolucion, draweth

neere to the discouerie of the Figure of the Center, the sooner they are

passed ouer, styll shorter and shorter, and the more swyfter the course

of the streame is into the deuouring swallow of the Center.

And then with extreame affliction and bitter anguish remembring the

abuse of their pleasures, and companions that they haue forsaken, and

sweete places, which so much the more augmenteth their sorrowes, for

that they can not returne or goe backe with theyr Shyppe, such a

companie still follow them vppon the stearne with their fore-castles.

And most of all dysmayeth them the heauie sentence ouer the median

Center, _Theonlykos Dys Algetos_.

And there, considering the displeasant tytle, they curse the time of

their entrance into the Labirinth, which hath in it so manie sundry

delights, and the end of them subiect to such myserable and ineuitable

necessity.

And then she smyling, said: _Poliphilus_, ouer the deuouring throat of

thys Center, there sitteth a seuere Iudge, balancing euery ones actions,

and helping whom hee will helpe. And because that it will be tedious to

tell thee all, let thus much heereof suffise. Let vs goe downe to our

companion _Thelemia_, who demanding the cause why they staid so long

aboue, _Logistica_ made aunswer, it doth not content our _Poliphilus_,

onely to behold, but also to vnderstand by me the secrecie of those

things, which he could not goe to knowe, wherein I haue satis-fied him.

And when she had ended, _Thelemia_ said.

Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no lesse pleasant ioyning

to the glasse garden, vppon the right side of the Pallas: and when wee

were come in thither, I was amazed with excessiue wondering, to see the

curiousnesse of the worke; as vneasie to report as vncredible to

beleeue: [ae]quiuolent with that of glasse, wyth lyke disposition of

benches or bankes; theyr lyppes set out with coronising and golden

ground worke, and such trees, but that the boxes and Cyprus trees, were

all silke, sauing the bodies and greater branches, or the strength of

the armes: the rest, as the leaues, flowers, and outermost rynde, was of

fine silke, wanting no store of Pearles to beautifie the same: and the

perfect fine collour, smelling as the glasse flowers beforementioned,

and alike, but that they about compassing walles, of meruailous and

incredible sumpteousnesse, were all couered ouer with a crusting of

Pearle, close ioyned and set together: and towardes the toppe, there

sprouted out greene yuie, the leaues thickning and bushing out from the

Pearles, vvith the stringes and veines of golde, running vppe in diuers

places betwixt the Pearles, in a most rare and curious sort, as if it

had beene very growing yuie, with berries of precious stones sette in

the stalkes in little bunches: and in the bushes were Ringe-doues of

silke, as if they had beene feeding of the berries, all along the sides

of the square plotted garden walles: ouer the which, in master-like and

requisite order, stretched out the beame and Zophor of golde.

The plaine smoth of the settles, where-vpon the boxe trees stoode,

couered ouer with Histories of loue and venerie, in a worke of silke and

threddes of golde and siluer, in suche a perfect proportioned ymaginarie

and counterfaiting as none may goe beyonde. The ground of the leuell

garden, was of leaues, grasse, and flowers of silke, like a faire sweete

meddowe: in the midst whereof, there was a large and goodly round

Arbour, made with golde wyer, and ouerspread with roses of the lyke

worke, more beautifull to the eye, then if they had been growing roses,

vnder which couering, and within which Arbour about the sides, were

seates of red Diaspre, & all the round pauement of a yellow Diaspre,

according to the largenes of the place, with dyuers colloured spottings,

confusedly agreeing together in pleasant adulterated vniting, and so

cleere and shining, that to euery obiect was it selfe gaine represented.

Vnder the which Arbour, the fayre and pleasant _Thelemia_, solaciously

sitting downe, tooke her Lute which she carryed with her, and with a

heauenly melodie and vn-hearde sweetenesse, she began to sing in the

commendation and delightes of her Queene. And seeing what a grace vnto

her, the company of her fellowe _Logistica_ was, I maruailed why

_Apollo_ came not to harken the Harmonie made by them: it was so

melodious, that for the present tyme a man woulde haue thought that

there had beene no greater f[ae]licitie. And after that shee ended her

diuine Poems, _Logistica_ tooke me by the hande and led me foorth of the

Arbour, saying vnto me.

_Poliphilus_, thou shalt vnderstande that the deuise of these obiects,

are more pleasant to bee vnderstoode then behelde, and therefore lette

vs enter in heere, to bee satisfied in both.

And from thence, shee and her companion brought mee from thys garden to

an other, where I behelde an arching _Areostile_, from the ground bent

to the toppe, fyue paces in height and three ouer, and thus continued

rounde about the compasse of the garden, in an orderly and requisite

proportioning, all inuested and couered ouer with greene yuie, so that

no part of the wall was to be seene. And there were a hundred Arches to

the compassing of this garden.

By euery of the Arches, was an Aulter of red Porphirite, curiously

proportioned with exquisite lyneaments; and vppon euery one of them was

placed, an image of golde, like a Nymph, of rare and beautifull

semblances, diuersly apparelled, and varying in theyr attyre and heade

dressing, euery one bending their eyes towards the Center of the garden.

In which middle Centricke place, there was founded a Base, of a cleere

Christal-like Calcedonie stone, in a Cubic forme: that is, euery way a

like square. And vppon that was set a round stone, but flatte vppon both

sides, two foote high, and by the Diameter, one pace and a halfe ouer,

of most pure red Diaspre. Vppon the which, stoode a most blacke stone,

in forme three square, and in quantitie for breadth, fitting the rounde,

and in height one pace and a halfe. The corners of which triangle did

iumpe with the sides, and lymbus of the subiacent plynth or round stone.

In the smooth polished fronts of which triangle, there was appact a

beautifull Image, of a heauenly aspect, graue and modest, with their

feete not touching the stone, but standing out from the same iust ouer

the suppressed and vnder put rounde stone. Theyr statures as tall as the

trygonall would beare, vnto the which they did stick fast by their backe

parts. Theyr armes were stretched abroade, both the right and left to

the corners of the triangle, where they held a Coppy, filled and fastned

to the corners of the Trigonall, the length of euery one of which

Coppies of fine gold, was seauen foote.

And the Images, the Coppyes, and their bandes wherewith they were tyed

in the midst and held by, were all shyning, and their hands inuiluped

with the sundry stringes, flynging about the plaine smothe of the black

stone.

Their habits were Nymphish, of most rare and most excellent working. The

Sepulchre of _Tarnia_ the Queene of the _Scythians_ in _Asia_, was

nothing comparable.

In the lowest Cubicall Figure, vpon the smoth plaine of euery square,

were ingrauen Greeke Letters, three, one, two and three on thys sort.

+DYS A LO: TOS+.

[Illustration]

In the circular there were three Characters Hieragliphicall,

perpendicularly vnder the feet of euerie Image. For the first, was

impressed the forme of the Sonne. Next vnder another, the figure of an

olde fashioned Ower.

Thirdly, a dyshe with a burning flame in it.

Vpon the heade of the trygonall blacke stone, towarde euerie corner,

I did behold an Egiptian Monster of Gold, fower footed couchant. One of

then hauing a face lyke man altogether. The other like half a man, &

halfe a beast. And the third like a beast. VVith a linnen vaile ouer

euery of their heades, with two Labels hanging ouer theyr eares, & the

rest descending downe and couering their necks & backes, with the bodies

of Lyons. Theyr lookes directly forward.

Vppon the backs of these three, dyd stande rysing vp a massiue Spyre of

Gold, three square, sharpning vp to the toppe, fiue tymes as high as

broade below. And vpon euery front or foreside, was grauen a circle, and

ouer one circle a Greeke Letter, +O+. ouer another, a Letter +O:+. and

ouer the third, a Greeke +N+.

There _Logistica_ beganne to speake vnto me, saying, by these Figures

are discribed, so farre as mans reason can shewe, the celestiall

harmony. And vnderstand _Poliphilus_, that these Figures, with a

perpetuall affynitie and coniunction, are auncient Monuments, and

Egiptian Hieragliphs, signifying this, _Diuin[ae] infinit[ae]que

trinitati vnius essenti[ae]_. Which is now by his holy word, in a most

louing sort manifested to the whole world, according to his will: and

yet it shall not be a misse to see antiquities, and consider what

greater benefite is had by the precious Gospel.

The lower Figure was consecrated to the Deitie, because it is euerie way

alike, and all one: and vpon euery side, and turned euery way, of like

stablenes, vpon euery base, constant and permanent.

The round Circular standing vppon that, is without beginning or ende.

Vppon the circumferent sides whereof, these three lyneaments are

contained, directly vnder euerie Image, according to the property

attributed.

The Sunne with his comfortable light, giueth life to euerie thing, and

his nature is attributed to GOD.

The second is the Ower, which is prouident direction, and gouernment of

all with an infinite wisedome.

The third is a Fyerie Vessell, whereby is vnderstoode a partycipation of

Loue.

And although that they be three distinct things, yet they are contained

& vnited in one sempeternallie, with great loue communicating their

blessings, as you may see by the coppies at euery corner of the

trygonall stone.

And continuing her delectable speech, shee sayd, vnder the forme of the

Sunne, note this Greeke worde, _Adiegetos_. By the Ower looke vpon this,

_Adiachoristos_. And by the Vessel of fier, was engrauen, _Adiereynes_.

And to this ende are the three Monsters placed vnder the golden

Obelisque, because that there be three great opinions like those

Monsters: & as that with the humane countenaunce is best, so the other

be beastly and monstrous.

In the Spyre there be three plaine sides, lyneated with three circles,

signifying one for euery time. The past, the present, and to come; and

no other figure can holde these three circles, but in that inuariable.

And no mortall man can at one instant perfectlie discerne and see

together two sides of the same figure, sauing one integrally, which is

the Present: and therefore vppon great knowledge were these three

Characters engrauen, +O. O:. N+.

For which cause _Poliphilus_, not that I excuse my selfe for beeing ouer

prolix and tedious, but briefely to teach thee, and sette thee right vp.

In the knowledge heereof, thou shalt vnderstand, that the first basiall

Figure is onely knowne to hymselfe, and to one Sonne of man, which hath

a humane bodie glorifyed and without sinne: and the brightnes thereof

wee see but as in a glasse, and not cleerely as it is, for that it is

incomprehensible for a fynite substance.

But he that is indued with wisedome, let him consider of the glorious

brightnes thereof. But to the thirde Figure, which is of a darke and

blacke collour, wherein be the three golden Images: _The Blacke stone is

the Lawe: the Coppies foode: the three Women the preseruation of

Man-kind._

Nowe they which will looke higher, they see a Figure in a tryne aspect,

and the higher that they goe towardes the toppe, where the vnion of the

three is, be they neuer so wise, their vnderstanding is vnperfect: and

although that they see it, yet they knowe not what they see, but that

there is such a thing, in comparison whereof, they are fooles, theyr

power weake, and themselues nothing.

And there _Logistica_ hauing ended her allowed talke, proceeding from an

absolute knowledge, deepe iudgement, and sharpnesse of wit in Diuine

matters, and vnknowne to weake capacities, I began heereat to take

greater delight, then in any other meruailous worke what soeuer, that I

had graciously beholden with my greedy eyes. Considering with my selfe

of the mysticall Obelisque, the ineffable equality statarie, for

durablenesse and perpetuitie vnmoueable, and enduring vncorruptible.

Where there breathed a sweet ayre from heauen, with vnuariable windes,

in this Garden round about full of flowers, of a large and circular

permanent plot: compassed about with all sorts of fruites, pleasant in

taste and full of health; with a perpetuall greenesse, disposed and set

by a regular order, both beautifull, pleasant, and conuenient; with the

perfect labour and indeuour of Nature to bring it to that passe, and

beautified with precious gold.

And _Logistica_ holding her peace, they tooke mee both by the hands, and

we went out at the mouth of one of the Arches from the precyncts of the

Iuied inclosure. And beeing gone from thence, very contentedly passing

on betwixt them both, saith _Thelemia_, let vs now hasten on to our

three Gates whether we are sent.

Where-vpon, we passing through a plentiful seate and pleasant Countrey,

with a reasonable conuenient pace, I beheld the heauens very cleere &

bright, & beguiled the tyme with merry, sweet, and delightfull

discourses. And I desirous to vnderstand euery particular of the

inestimable riches, vnspeakeable delights and incomparable treasure of

the sacred Queene, (to the which _Osyris_ the builder of the two Temples

of Golde, one to _Iupiter_, and the other to the kingdome, must giue

place,) I mooued this question.

Tell me I beseech you fayre Nymphes, (if my curiosity bee not to your

discontentment) amongst all the precious stones that I could perfectly

behold of great estimation and pryce, one I deemed inestimable, and

without comparison most precious; The Iasper which had the effigies of

_Nero_ cut, it was not much bigger. Neither was the Coruscant to passe

in the statue of _Arsinoe_ the _Arabian_ Queene equall with it. Next

her, of such value was the Iewell, wherein was the representation of

_Nonius_ the Senator, as this sparkling and shyning Dyamond, of a rare

and vnseene beautie and bignes, which did hang vpon a rich Carkenet

about the snowie necke of the sacred Queene, what cutting was in the

same, which I could not perceiue by meanes of the brightnesse and my

beeing some-what farre of. And therefore I beeing therein ignoraunt,

desyre to knowe the same.

_Logistica_ considering of my honest demaund, aunswered me

incontinently. Know this _Poliphilus_, in the Iewell was ingrauen an

imperiall throne, and in the throne the mighty name of _Iehouah_ in

Hebrew Letters, and before that throne, are cast downe and troden vnder

foote, the Gyants which proudly haue lift vp themselues against his

worde, and resisted hys will: vppon the left side of the throne is a

flame of fire, vppon the right hande a horne of saluation, or Copie full

of all good blessednes, and this is all that is contained in the Iewell.

Then I presumed further to knowe, what should these two things vpon

eyther sides of the throne signifie, that were holden out in two handes.

_Thelemia_ quickly aunswered me, God of his infinite goodnesse,

proposeth to mankind his mercie and his iudgement, chuse which they

will.

For thys beeing satis-fied, I sayd moreouer. Seeing that most gracious

Nymphs, my speeches be not displeasant vnto you, and that I am not yet

satis-fied in all that I haue seene, I pray you let me vnderstand this.

Before the horrible feare that I was driuen into by the Dragon, I beheld

a mighty huge Elephant of stone, with an entrance into his bellie, where

were two Sepulchres, with a wryting, the meaning wherof is too mysticall

for me, that was, that I shoulde not touch the bodie, but take away the

head.

_Logistica_ forthwith made me aunswer. _Poliphilus_, I doe vnderstande

very well your doubt, and therefore you shall vnderstande, that this

monstrous shape and machine was not made without great and wonderfull

humane wisedome, much labour, and incredible diligence, with a

perplexibility of vnderstanding to knowe the mysticall conceite. Thou

remembrest that vpon the face there hung an ornament, with certaine

_Ideonix ionic_ and _Arabic_, which in our Mother-tongue, is as much to

say, as labour, and industrie. Signifying thereby, that in thys world,

whosoeuer will haue any blessing that shall do him good, he must leaue

the body, which is ease and idlenes, and betake himselfe to trauaile and

industry, which is the head.

Shee had no sooner ended her words both pleasant & piercing, but I

vnderstoode it very well and gaue her great thankes. And yet desirous to

be resolued in whatsoeuer I stood in doubt, and seeing that I might

speake boldly, I made this third question. Most wise Nymph, in my

comming out of the subterraneall vast darksome place, as I passed on,

I came to a goodlie bridge, and vppon the same, in a Porphyrite stone

vppon the one side, and an Ophite vpon the other, I beheld engrauen

certaine Hieragliphs, both which I did interprete, but I stoode

doubtfull of certaine branches, that were tyed to the hornes of the

scalpe of the Oxe, and the rather because they were in the Porphyrite

stone, and not in the Ophit vpon the other side.

She aunswered me straight way. The braunches, one is of the Thistle or

thorne of Iudea[A], and the other of the Turbentine. The nature of which

Woodes bee, that the one will not easily take fire, and the other will

neither bend, rotte, consume, nor be eaten with wormes. And so that

patience is commended, which with anger is not kindled, nor by aduersity

will bee subdued.

[Sidenote A: The crown of thorne vpon Christes head.]

The nature of the Porphyrit stone is of this secrecie, that in the

fornace it will neither burne it selfe, but also causeth other stones

neere adioyning that they shall not burne. And of that nature is

patience, that it will neither be altered itselfe, nor suffer any other

wherein it beareth rule to fall into a furie. And the Ophite stone is of

such nature also.

Nowe _Poliphilus_, I doe greatly commende you, in that you are desirous

to vnderstand such secrets: for to behold, consider, and measure the

same, is a commendable vertue, and the way to knowledge: whereuppon I

had occasion giuen to render innumerable thanks, for her great and

fauourable curtesies.

And thus with allowed and delightfull discoursing speeches, we came to a

fayre Riuer, vpon the banck whereof, besides other fayre greene and

florishing Trees, and water hearbes, I beheld a fine Groue of Plane

Trees, in the which was an excellent fayre bridge ouer the Riuer made of

stone, with three Arches, with pyles bearing foorth against the two

fronts, to preserue the worke of the bridge, the sides thereof beeing of

excellent workmanship.

And in the middle bending of the same, vpon eyther sides, there was a

square stone of Porphyrite set, hauing in it a Catagliphic, engrauing of

Hieragliphies.

Vpon the right hand as I went ouer, I beheld a woman, casting abroade

her armes, sitting onely vppon one buttocke, putting foorth one of her

legges as if shee woulde rise; In her right hand, vpon that side which

shee did sitte, shee helde a payre of winges, and in the other hand,

vppon that side whereon she was arysing, a Tortice.

Right against her, there was a Circle, the center wherof two little

Spyrits did hold, with their backs turned towards the circumference of

the Circle.

And then _Logistica_ saide vnto me, _Poliphilus_, I am sure that thou

doost not vnderstand these Hieragliphs, but they make much for thy

purpose: and therfore they are placed for a Monument and thing to be

considered, of such as passe by.

The Circle _Medium tenuere beati_.

The other, temper thy hast by staying, and thy slownesse by rysing,

consider heereof as thou seest cause.

This bridge was built with a moderate bending, shewing the cunning

disquisition, tryall, examination, arte, and discretion of the excellent

workman and inuenter, commended in the continuaunce and durablenesse

thereof, which manie of our Bayard-like moderne Idiots, without

knowledge, measure and arte buzzing on, neither obserue proportion nor

lyneaments, but all out of order.

This bridge was all of pure Marble.

When wee had passed ouer the bridge, wee walked in the coole shadow,

delighted with the variable notes and chirpings of small byrds, to a

rocky and stony place, where high & craggie Mountaines lifted vp

themselues, afterwarde continuing to abrupt and wilesome hilly places,

full of broken and nybled stones, mounting vppe into the ayre, as high

as a man might looke to, and without any greene grasse or hearbe, and

there were hewen out the three gates, in the verie rocke it selfe, euen

as plaine as might be. A worke verie auncient and past record, in a very

displeasant seate.

[Illustration:

[Arabic: ....]

#Tif'eret Ha'el#

#Gidul Ha'a'hava#

#Tif'eret Ha'olam#

+THEODOXIA+

+ERO:TOTROPHOS+

+KOSMODOXIA+

GLORI DEI

MATER AMORIS

GLORIA MVNDI]

Ouer euery one of the which, I beheld in Letters Ionic, Romaine, Hebrew

and Arabic, the tytle that the sacred Queene _Eleutherillida_ fore-told

me that I should find. The Gate vppon my right hand, had vpon it this

word, _Theodoxia_. That vppon my left hand, _Cosmodoxia_. And the

thirde, _Erototrophos_. Vnto the which as soone as we were come, the

Damosels beganne to instruct me in the tytles, and knocking in the

resounding leaues of the Gates, vppon the right hande couered ouer with

greene mosse, they were presently opened.

And ther dyd an olde woman present herselfe vnto vs, of an honourable

countenaunce, out of an olde dawbed and smoakie house, hauing a poore

base little doore, ouer the which was painted _Pilurania_. Shee came

with a modest and honest shamefastnesse, and her dwelling place was in a

solitarie site and shadie Rocke, decayed and crumbly, her clothes were

tattered, her face leane, pale & poore. Her eyes looking towards the

ground, her name was _Thende_. Shee had attending vpon her sixe

Handmaydes, basely and slenderly apparrelled. One was named _Parthenia_,

the second _Edosia_, an other _Hypocolinia_, the fourth _Pinotidia_, the

next _Tapinosa_, the last _Prochina_. Which reuerent Matron, with her

right arme naked poynted to the heauens.

She dwelt in a place very hard to come vnto, and ful of troubles to

passe on the way, beeing hyndered with thorne and bryers, very rough and

displeasant, a mistie clowde cast ouer it, and very hard to clymbe vp

into.

_Logistica_ perceiuing by my looke that I had no great lyking in this

place, some-what greeued therewith, said, this Rocke is knowne neuer but

at the end. And then _Thelemia_ sayde, _Poliphilus_, I see you make

small regarde of such a painefull woman. Whereat I assenting to her with

my countenaunce, wee departed, and the gate being shut we came to the

next.

Where knocking, it was presently opened, and wee entering in, there met

vs a browne woman, with fierce eyes rowling, and of a quicke

countenaunce, lyfting vp a naked glittering sworde, vpon the middle

wherof was a Crowne of golde, and a branche of Palme tree intrauersed.

Her armes brawnie like _Hercules_, in labour and acts magnanimious and

nobly minded. Her belly small. A little mouth, strong and stooping

shoulders, by her countenaunce seeming to bee of an vndaunted minde, not

fearing to vndertake any enterprise how hard soeuer.

Her name was _Euclelia_, verie honourablie attended vppon with sixe

young Women. The first was called _Merimnasia_, the second, _Epitide_,

another, _Ergasilea_, the fourth, _Anectea_, the fift was named

_Statia_, the last was called _Olistea_.

The situation and place me thought was painefull, and _Logistica_

perceiuing my inclynation, presentlie tooke into her hand _Thelemias_

Lute, and beganne to strike a doricall tune, and sung to the same verie

sweetly, saying. O _Poliphilus_ be not wearie to take paynes in thys

place, for when labour and trauell is ouer-come, there will be a tyme of

rest. And her songe was of such force, that I was euen consenting to

remaine there, notwithstanding that, the habitation seemed laboursome.

Wherevppon, _Thelemia_ inticingly said vnto me, I think that it standeth

with verie great reason my _Poliphilus_, that before you set downe your

rest heere in this place, you ought in any case to see the third Gate.

Whereunto I consented with a very good will, and therefore going out

from hence, we came to the other Gate, where _Thelemia_ knocking at a

ring of Brasse, it was forth-with sette open, and when wee were come in,

there came towardes vs a notable goodly woman, and her name was

_Philtronia_.

Her regards were wanton, lasciuious, and vnconstant, her grace

wonderfull pleasant, so as at the verie first sight shee violently drew

me into her loue.

This place was the Mansion-house of Voluptuousnes. The grounde decked

with small hearbes, and adorned with all sorts of sundrie flowers,

abounding with solace and quiet ease. Issuing and sending foorth in

diuers places small streames of water, pyppling and slyding downe vpon

the Amber grauell in theyr crooking Channels heere and there, by some

suddaine fall making a still continued noyse, to great pleasure

moystning the open fieldes, and making the shadowed places vnder the

leaffye Trees, coole and fresh.

Shee had with her also sixe young women of like statures, passing fayre,

of pleasant countenaunces, amorously adorned, and dressed as may bee

desired of an ambitious beautie and gesture.

The first was called _Rastonelia_. The second, _Cortasina_. The thirde,

_Idonesa_. The fourth, _Triphelia_. The fift, _Epiania_. And the last

was named _Adia_.

These and their companie, were very delightfull to my gasing and

searching eyes. VVhere-vppon _Logistica_ presentlie with a sad and

grieued countenaunce, seeing mee disposing my selfe abruptlie to the

seruile loue of them, shee said vnto mee, O _Poliphilus_, the alluring

and inticing beauties of these, are vaine, deceiueable, and

counterfeited, vnsauorie and displeasant, and therefore if thou wouldest

with aduisement looke vppon their backes, thou wouldest then hate,

contemne, and abhorre theyr lothsome filthinesse and shame, abounding in

stinke and noysome sauoure aboue any dunghill, which no stomacke can

abide.

And therefore what is slypperie and transitorie flye and eschewe,

despise that pleasure which bringeth shame and repentance, vaine hopes,

a short and small ioy, with perpetuall complaynts, doubtfull sighes, and

a sorrowful life neuer ending.

Oh adulterated and vnkindly pleasure, fraught with miserie, contayning

such bitternesse, like honnie, and yet gall dropping from greene leaues.

O lyfe worse then death, and yet deadly, delighted in sweete poyson,

with what care, sorrow, pensiue thoughts, mortall and desperate

attempts, art thou sought for to bee obtained by blind Louers, who

without regarde or aduise cast themselues headlong into a gulfe of

sorrowes.

They be present before thine eyes, and yet thou seest them not. Oh what

and howe great sorrowes, bitter and sharpe paine and vexation doost thou

beare, wicked, execrable and accursed appetite.

O detestable madnesse, oh beguiled senses, by your faulte with the selfe

same beastlie pleasure, myserable mortall men are ouerthrowne.

Oh filthy lust, absurd furie, disordinate and vaine desire, building

nests with errours, and torments for vvounded harts, the vtter

destroyer, and idle letting goe by of all good blessings.

Oh blinde Monster, how doost thou blinde, and with what deceipt doost

thou couer the eyes, and deceiue the vnderstanding sences of vnhappie

and miserable Louers with vailes and mystes.

O monstrous and slauish, which compassed with so manie euils, hastenest

to so small pleasure poysoned and fayned.

_Logistica_ speaking with vehemencie these and such lyke words, her

fore-head frowning, wrympling with sorrowes, and veines, rysing vp in a

great rage, shee cast her Lute vppon the ground and brake it.

VVhere-vppon _Thelemia_, with a smyling countenaunce, nodded towards

mee, as if shee shoulde say, let _Logistica_ speake her pleasure, but

doe as you see good your selfe.

And _Logistica_ seeing my wicked intent and resolute determination,

beeing kindled with disdaine, turned her backe, and with a great sigh

hastened away.

And I remained still with my companion _Thelemia_, vvho with a

flattering and smyling grace said vnto me, _Poliphilus_, this is the

place where thou shalt not continue long, but thou shalt finde the

deerest thing which thou louest in the world, & which thou hast in thy

hart, without intermission determined to seeke and desire.

And doubtfully then discoursing with my selfe, I was resolued that

nothing coulde breede quiet, or bring content to my poore grieued hart,

but my best desired _Polia_. The promise and warrantise of _Thelemia_

for my obtayning the same, bred in mee some comfort.

And shee perceiuing that the Mistris of thys place, and the seate it

selfe, and her Women dyd bothe please mee vvell, and entertained mee

courteously, shee kissing mee, tooke her leaue and gaue me a fare-well.