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Title: Hypnerotomachia: The Strife of Loue in a Dreame

Author: Francesco Colonna

Translator: Robert Dallington

Release date: May 27, 2006 [eBook #18459]

Language: English

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HYPNEROTOMACHIA: THE STRIFE OF LOUE IN A DREAME ***

Transcriber’s Note:
This text contains a few phrases in Greek, Hebrew and
other languages, with transliterations given where
possisble:
‫אם לא כי הבהמה‬
ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ
A number of typographical errors have been corrected.
They are shown in the text with mouse-hover popups.
Errors noted in the printed Errata list are similarly marked.
The term “invisible” means that the character or punctuation
mark does not appear in the text, but there is an
appropriately sized blank space.
Sidenote references (a, b, c...) are present or absent as in
the original.
Larger problems in transcription, along with some technical
points, are addressed in the endnotes added by the
transcriber.

NUMBER 87

THE ENGLISH
EXPERIENCE
ITS RECORD IN EARLY PRINTED BOOKS
PUBLISHED IN FACSIMILE

(FRANCESCO COLONNA)

HYPNEROTOMACHIA
LONDON 1592

DA CAPO PRESS
THEATRVM ORBIS TERRARVM LTD.
AMSTERDAM 1969 NEW YORK

[v]

The publishers acknowledge their gratitude
to the Curators of the Bodleian Library, Oxford,
for their permission to reproduce
the Library’s copy.
S.T.C. No.5577
Collation: A-Z4, Aa-Cc4

Published in 1969 by
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ltd.,
O. Z. Voorburgwal 85, Amsterdam
&
Da Capo Press
· a division of Plenum Publishing Corporation ·

227 West 17th Street, New York. 10011
Printed in The Netherlands

HYPNEROTOMA-
CHIA.
THE
Strife of Loue in a
Dreame.

At London,
Printed for Simon Waterson, and are
to be sold at his shop, in S. Paules Church-
yard, at Cheape-gate.
1592.

[v]
TO THE THRISE HO-
NOVRABLE AND EVER LY-
VING VERTVES OF SYR PHILLIP
SYDNEY KNIGHT; AND TO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE AND OTHERS WHAT-
SOEVER, WHO LIVING LOVED HIM,
AND BEING DEAD GIVE HIM
HIS DVE.

To the Right Honourable Robert
Deuorax, Earle of Essex and Ewe, Viscount
Hereford, and Bourghchier, Lorde Ferrers of Chartley,
Bourghchier and Louaine, Maister of the Queenes Maie-
sties Horse, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter:
Is wished, the perfection of all happinesse, and tryumphant
felicitie in this life, and in the worlde
to come.

hen I had determined (Right honorable) to dedicate
this Booke, to the euerlyuing vertues of that
matchlesse Knight Syr Phillip Sydney; me thought
that I could not finde out a more Noble personage
then your selfe, and more fit, to patronize, shield,
and defende my dutie to the deade, then your
Honour, whose greatnes is such, and vertues of that
power, as who so commendeth them, deserueth not
to be accounted a flatterer, but he that doth not the same, may be thought an
[v] euill willer. Hovv your Honor vvill accept hereof, I make no doubt,
because that curtesie attendeth vpon true nobilitie; but my humble request
is, that your Honor may not thinke of me (by the tytle of the Booke,and
some part of the discourse) as if I vvere amorous, and did speake according
to my ovvne passions, for I beeing restrained of my liberty, and helde in the
graue of obliuion, where I still as yet remaine, oppressed with Melancholie,
and wearied vvith deeper studies, I vvas glad to beguile the time with these
conceits, anothomising in them, the vanitie of this life, and vncertaintie of
the delights therof, in the Dreame of Poliphilus; Which if it shall please
your Honor at conuenient leysure to looke ouer, pardoning what you finde
amisse, and weighing my good will, I shall thinke my selfe most happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntill that I may present your Honour,
with a matter more fitting the same.
Your Honors deuoted,
R. D.

Anonymi elegia ad Lec-
torem.

Candide Poliphilum narrantem somnia Lector
auscultes, summo somnia missa polo,
Non operam perdes, non hæc audisse pigebit,
tam varijs mirum rebus abundat opus.
Si grauis & tetricus contemnis erotica, rerum
nosce precor seriem tam bene dispositam.
Abnuis? ac saltem stylus & noua lingua novusq;
sermo grauis, sophia, se rogat aspicias.
Id quoq; sirenuis, geometrica cerne vetusta
plurima milliacis disce referta notis.
Hic sunt Pyramides, thermæ, ingentesq; Colossi,
ac Obeliscorum forma vetusta patet.
Hic diuersa basis fulget, variæque columnæ
illarumq; arcus, Zophora, epistilia,
Et capita atq; trabes, et cum quadrante coronæ
symmetria, & quicquid tecta superba facit.
Hic regum cernes exculta palatia, cultus
Nympharum, fontes, egregiasque epulas.
[v] Hinc bicolor chorea est latronum, expressaque tota
in Laberintheis vita hominum tenebris.
Hinc lege de triplici quæ maiestate tonantis
dicat, & in portis egerit ipse tribus.
Polia qua fuerit forma, quam culta, tryumphos
inde Iouis specta quatuor æthereos.
Hæc præter varios affectus narrat amoris,
atque opera & quantum sæuiat ille Deus.

Faultes escaped in the printing.

“Fol.” (folio) refers to the numbered leaves of the printed
book. The “page” is the front/recto (1) or back/verso (2) of
each leaf.

Fol. page. line. faults. correction. Fol. page. line. faultes. correction.
1. 2 38 I begin of the I began the 21 1 38 subuaging, suruaighing
4. 2 8 member. members. 21 2 2 sardins, sardius.
6. 1 12 troake, trunke, 22 1 7 vanubraces, vaumbraces.
6. 2 3 assured, azur’d. 22 1 12 coronie, coronice.
7. 1 33 fiing, flying. 22 2 18 Daphus, Daphne.
10 1 23 Laborinth, Laborinths. 22 1 28 chanifered, chamfered.
10 2 20 Palia. Polia. 22 1 30 contract, contrast.
11 1 2 foote, fowre. 22 2 29 Aehanthis. Achanthis.
11 1 29 cariec. carrier. 23 1 12 hapies, Harpies.
11 2 3 backs, backe. 23 1 15 fishen, fishie.
12 1 11 pecee, peece. 23 2 4 did Anaglipts, did ye Anaglipts
13 1 3 adolestency, adolescency. 23 2 5 Briapis, Briaxes.
13 1 5 soliature. foliature. 24 2 22 Andraene. Andracine.
14 1 29 stone, sonne. 24 2 32 bel flowred fox bell flowre.
gloue,
19 2 12 soliature, foliature. 26 2 2 menifis, memphis.
19 2 25 briganine, brigandine. 26 2 34 which my, which with my
19 2 39 all. off. 28 2 8 vastus, vastnes.

Poliphili hypnerotomachia,

Wherein he sheweth, that all humaine and
worldlie things are but a dreame, and but as vanitie it
selfe. In the setting foorth whereof many things
are figured worthie of remembrance.

The Author beginneth his Hypnerotomachia, to set
downe the hower and time when in his sleepe it
seemed to him that hee was in a quiet solitarie
desart, and vninhabited plaine, and from thence
afterward how he entered vnaduisedly before he
was aware, with great feare, into a darke obscure
and vnfrequented wood.
The discription of the morning.
(a) Phæbus the Sunne.
(b) Leucothea the morning.
(c) Pyr & Eo, the horses of the Sunne. hat houre as
Phœbus(a) issuing foorth, did bewtifie
with brightnesse the forhead of
Leucothea(b), and appearing out of the
Occean waues, not fully shewing his
turning wheeles, that had beene hung vp,
but speedily with his swift horses Pyrous & Eous(c),
hastning his course, and giuing a tincture to the Spiders
webbes, among the greene leaues and tender prickles of the
Vermilion Roses, in the pursuite whereof he shewed
himselfe most swift & glistering, now vpon the neuer resting
and still moouing waues, he crysped vp his irradient heyres.
(d) Horison a circle deuiding the halfe speare of the firmament from the other
halfe which we doe not see.
(e) Hemispere is halfe the compasse of the visible heauen. Vppon whose
vprising, euen at that instant, the vnhorned Moone
dismounted hir selfe, losing from hir Chariot hir two horses,

the one white and the other browne, and drewe to the
Horrison(d) different from the Hemisphere(e) from whence
she came.
And when as the mountaines and hilles were beautifull, and
the northeast winds had left of to make barraine with the
sharpnesse of their blasts, the tender sprigs to disquiet the
moouing [v] reedes, the fenny Bulrush, and weake Cyprus,
to torment the foulding Vines, to trouble the bending
Willowe, and to breake downe the brittle Firre bowghes,
vnder the hornes of the lasciuious Bull, as they do in winter.
(f) Hyperion the Sunne.
(g) Halcyons are certaine byrds which building near the shore vpon the waues
there will be no storme vntill the young be hatched.
(h) Leander a young man of Abydos, who in swimming ouer Hellespont
(a narow sea by Byzantium, which parteth Europ from Asia) to Sestus, was in the
sight of his louer Ero of Sestus drowned, which she seeing, threw hir self down
into the sea, and died with him. At that very houre, as the diuers
coulered flowers and greene meades, at the comming of the
sunne of Hypperion(f) feare not his burning heate, being
bedued and sprinkled with the Christalline teares of the
sweete morning, when as the Halcyons(g) vpon the leuell
waues of the stil, calme, and quiet flowing seas, do build
their nests in sight of the sandie shore, whereas the
sorrowfull Ero, with scalding sighes did behold the dolorous
and vngrate departure of hir swimming Leander(h).
I lying vpon my bed, an oportune and meet freend to a
wearie body, no creature accompaning me in my chamber,
besides the attender vppon my body, and vsuall night lights,
who after that she had vsed diuers speeches, to the end shee
might comfort me, hauing vnderstood before of me, the
originall cause of my hollow and deepe sighes, she
indeuored hir best to moderate, if at least she might, that, my
perturbed and pittifull estate. But when she sawe that I was
desirous of sleepe, she tooke leaue to depart.

Then I being left alone to the high cogitations of loue,
hauing passed ouer a long and tedious night without sleepe,
through my barren fortune, and aduerse constellation,
altogether vncomforted and sorrowfull, by means of my
vntimely and not prosperous loue, weeping, I recounted
from point to point, what a thing vnequall loue is: and how
fitly one may loue that dooth not loue: and what defence
there may bee made against the vnaccustomed, yet dayly
assaults of loue: for a naked soule altogether vnarmed, the
seditious strife, especially being intestine: a fresh still setting
vpon with vnstable and new thoughts.
In this sort brought to so miserable an estate, and for a long
while plunged in a deepe poole of bitter sorrowes, at length
my wandring sences being wearie to feede still vpon
vnsauorie and fayned pleasure, but directly and without
deceit, vppon the rare diuine obiect: whose reuerende Idea is
deeply imprinted within me, and liueth ingrauen in the secret
of my heart, from which proceedeth this so great and
vncessant a strife, continually renuing my cruell torments
without intermission. I began the conditions of those
miserable louers, who for their mistresses pleasures desire
their owne deaths, and in their best delights do think
themselues most vnhappie, feeding their framed passions not
otherwise then with fithfull imaginations. And then as a
weary bodye after a sore labour, so I, somewhat in outward
shew qualified, in the payne of my sorrowfull thoughts, and
hauing incloystered and shut vp the course of my distilling
teares: whose drops had watered my pale cheekes, thorow
amorous griefe, desired some needfull rest.
At length my moyst eyes being closed within their
bloudshotten and reddish liddes, presently betwixt a bitter
life and a sweet death, I was in them inuaded and ouercome,
with a heauie sleepe, who with my minde and watchfull
spirits, were no pertakers of so high an operation.

Me thought that I was in a large, plaine, and champion place,
all greene and diuersly spotted with many sorted flowerrs,
wherby it seemed passingly adorned. In which by reason of
the milde and gentle ayre, there was a still quyet whisht:
Inso much that my attentiue eares did heare no noyse,
neither did any framed speech peirce into them, but with the
gratious beames of the sunne, the sliding time passed.
In which place with a fearefull admiration, looking about
me, I sayd thus to my selfe. Heere appeareth no humaine
creature to my sight, nor syluã beast, flying bird, coũtrey
house, field tent, or shepheards cote: neyther vpon the gras
could I perceiue feeding eyther flock of sheep, or heard of
cattell, or rustike herdman with Oten pipe making pastorall
melodie, but onely taking the benefit of the place, and
quietnesse of the plaine, which assured mee to be without
feare, I directed my course still forward, regarding on eyther
side the tender leaues and thick grasse, which rested
vnstirred, without the beholding of any motion.
At length my ignorant sleepes, brought me into a thick
wood, whereinto being a pritty way entred, I could not tell
how to get out of it. Wherevpon, a soddaine feare inuaded
my hart, and diffused it selfe into euery ioynt, so that my
couler began to waxe pale, and the rather by reason that I
was alone, and vnarmed, and could not finde any track or
path, eyther to direct me forward, or lead me back againe.
But a darke wood of thicke bushes, sharpe thornes, tall ashes
haled of the Viper, towgh Elmes beloued of the fruitfull
vines, harde Ebony, strong Okes, soft Beeche, and [v]
browne Hasils, who intertaining one anothers branches, with
a naturall goodwill opposed themselues, to resist the
entrance of the gratious sunne shine, with the greene
couerture of their innumerable leaues. And in this sort I
found my selfe in a fresh shadowe, a coole ayre, and a
solytarie thicket.

VVherevpon my reason perswaded me to beleeue, that this
vast wood, was onely a receptacle for sauage and hurtfull
beasts, as the tusked Bore,the furious and bloudthirstie
Beare, the hissing serpent, and inuading VVoolfe, against
which I was vnprouided to make resistance, but rayther as a
praye sent amongst them, miserablie to haue my flesh and
bones rent and gnawne in peeces.
Minotaurus a monster in Creete, born of Pasiphae which being inclosed in the
laborinth fed on mans flesh, whome Theseus slew and got out of the laborinth by
a clew of thred giuen by Ariadne king Minoes daughter, after wife to Theseus,
who did forsake hir, and left hir in a disinhabited Ile, notwithstanding that she
had saued his life. And thus forecasting the woorst that might
follow, I was resolued not to abide there, but to seeke to get
out, that I might the better eschew such suspected
occurrents, and taking my selfe to my feete, I wandred now
this way, now that way, sometime to the right hand,
sometime to the left: nowe forwarde, then backe againe, not
knowing how to goe among the thicke bowghes and tearing
thornes, bearing vpon my face: rending my clothes, and
houlding me sometimes hanging in them, whereby my hast
in getting foorth was much hyndered. In this vnaccustomed
labour: and without any helpe but onely the keeping of the
sunne still vpon one side, to direct mee streight forwarde: I
grewe extreamely hoate and faynte, not knowing what to
doe, but onely in a wearye body, to conteine a minde
distraught through troublesome thoughts, breathing out
hollow and deepe sighes, desiring helpe of the pittifull
Cretensian Ariadne, who for the destroying of hir monstrous
brother the Mynotaur(A) gaue vnto the deceitfull Theseus a
clew of thred, to conduct him foorth of the intricate
laborinth, that I also by some such meanes might be
deliuered out of this obscure wood.

Poliphilus being thus distempered in this daungerous
and obscure wood, at length getteth foorth, and
being come to a faire Riuer, indeuoring to rest
himselfe and coole his heate, he heard a most
delightful harmonie, which made him forget to
drinke, and followe after the voice, which brought
him to a woorse perplexitie.
eare and desire of freedome thus
occupying my sences, my
vnderstanding was blinded, neyther did
I knowe whether it were better for mee
eyther to wishe for hated death, or in so
dreadfull a place to hope for desired
life. Thus euery way discontent, I did
indeuour, with all force and diligence
to get foorth, wherin the more I did striue the more I found
my selfe intangled, and [v] so infeebled with wearinesse,

that on euery side I feared, when some cruell beast should
come and deuoure me, or els vnawares to tumble downe into
some deepe pit or hollow place.
Wherefore more trembling then in mustulent Autume be the
yealow coulored leaue, hauing left their moisture, being
thorowlye searched with the furious north winde, I lifted vp
my hart to God, desiring as Achemenides being afraide of
the horrible Cyclops rather to be slaine by the hands of
Aeneas his enemie, rather then to suffer so odious a death.
And my deuoute prayer, sincerely vnited to a contrite heart,
powring out a fountaine of teares with a stedfast beliefe to
be deliuered. I found my selfe in a short space gotten at
libertie, like a new day crept out of a darke and tempestuous
night. My eyes before vsed to such obumbrated darkenes,
could scarse abide to behould the light, thorow watery
sadnes. Neuerthelesse glad I was to see the light: as one set
at libertie, that had beene chayned vp in a deepe dungeon
and obscure darkenesse. Verye thirstie I was, my clothes
torne, my face and hands scratched and netteled, and withall
so extreamely set on heate, as the fresh ayre seemed to doe
me more hurt then good, neither did it any waye ease my
body, desirous to keepe his new recouered scope and
libertie.
And after that I had a little rowsed vp my mynde, and
sommoned together my sences in some better sort: I sought
a meanes to quench my inordinate thyrst, procured and
increased through innumerable sighes, and extreame labour
of body. Thus casting my eyes with a diligent regarde about
the plaine, to finde some Fountaine whereat I might refresh
my selfe: a pleasant spring or head of water, did offer it selfe
vnto me, with a great vayne boyling vp, about the which did
growe diuers sweet hearbes and water flowers, and from the
same did flowe a cleare and chrystalline current streame,
which deuided into diuers branches, ran thorow the desart

wood, with a turning and winding body, receyuing into it
other little channels, vnlading themselues.
In whose courses the stones lift vp by nature, and trunkes of
trees denyed any longer by their roots to be vpholden, did
cause a stopping hinderance to their current and whuzing
fall, which still augmented by other vndissonant torrents,
from high and fertlesse mountaines in the plaine, shewed a
beautifull brightnes and soft passing course, to the which
short windedly comming, by meanes of my fearefull flight. I
did see a little obscure light, thorow the tops of the high
trees, somewhat deuiding themselues ouer the water, and
with the rest of their bodyes and branches, as it were
seperating the heauens from my lifted vp eyes. A horrible
place to be in, vnaccompanyed of any creature.
And suddainly hearing the fall of trees, through the force of
a whyrlewinde, & noise of the broken bowghes, with a
redoubled and hoarse sound a farre of, and yet brought to the
eccho of the water thorow the thick wood, I grew into a new
astonishment.
And at this instant thus terrified and afflycted, and yet
without any receiued hurt, being vpon my knees bowed
downe, and inclosing the hollownesse of my hand, therewith
determined to make me a necessary drinking vessel: I had no
sooner put the same into the water, offring to my mouth the
long desired moysture, thereby to refrygerate and coole the
extreame heate of my burning heart, which at that time
would haue beene more acceptable vnto me, then eyther
Hypanis and Ganges be to the Indians, Tigris or Euphrates
to the Armenians, or Xeylus to the Aethiopian nation, or to
the Egyptians his innundation, inbybing theyr burnt and
rosted mould, or yet the riuer Po to the Ligurians.
Euen then also it fell so out, that I had no sooner taken water
into the palme of my hand, offering the same to my open
mouth, ready to receiue it: I heard a doricall songe,

wherewith I was as greatly delighted, as if I had heard the
Thracian Thamiras, which thorough my eares presented it
selfe to my vnquiet heart, with so sweete and delectable a
deliuerie, with a voyce not terrestriall, with so great a
harmonie and incredible a fayning shrilnesse, and vnusuall
proportion, as is possible to bee imagined by no tounge
sufficiently to be commended. The sweetnes whereof so
greatly delighted me, as thereby I was rauished of my
remembrance, and my vnderstanding so taken from me, as I
let fall my desired water thorough the loosned ioynts of my
feeble hands.
And then euen as a birde, which through the sweetnes of the
call forgetteth to remember the Fowlers deceit, so I letting
slip that which nature stood in need of, hastened my selfe
back with all speed, towarde that attractiue melodie, which
the more I coasted, the further it seemed still from me,
sometime heere, sometimes there, and still as I shifted
places, so the same also chaunged with a delectable voyce
and heauenly consent. Thus vainly running [v] vp and
downe, I knew not after what, I grew more wearie, faint, and
drye, and so feeble, that my legges could but with great
paine, vphould my distempered body. And my grieued
spirits vnabled long to support the same, what with the feare
that I had bin in, what with extreame thirst, what with long
and wilesome trauell, and what with doubting the worst that
might insue. Thus hote, faint, and drye: I knew not what to
do but euen to procure rest for my weary members. I
marueled first at this straunge accedent, and was amazed at
this inhumane harmonye, but most of all in that I was in a
straunge contry, and vninhabited, being onelye fertill and
beawtyfull to behould, besydes that I greatly sorrowed for
the losse of the fayer ryuer which I had so greatly labored to
finde out, and now so lightly and carelesly to haue lost the
benefit thereof. In this sort I was houlden in an intrycate
minde of doubts, at length ouercome withall kinde of

greefes, my whole bodye trembling and languishinge vnder
a broade and mightye Oke full of Acornes, standing in the
middest of a spatious and large green meade, extending forth
his thicke and leauie armes to make a coole shadowe, vnder
whose bodye breathing I rested my selfe vppon the deawye
hearbes, and lying vppon my left syde I drewe my breath in
the freshe ayre more shortly betwixt my drye and wrinckled
lips, then the weary running heart, pinched in the haunche
and struck in the brest, not able any longer to beare vp his
weighty head, or sustaine his body vpon his bowing knees,
but dying prostrates himselfe. And lying thus in such an
agonie, I thought vpon the strifes of weake fortune, and the
inchauntments of the malicious Cyrces, as if I had by hir
charmes and quadranguled plaints, been bereaued of my
sences. In these such so great & exceeding doubts: O hi me
where might I there among so many dyuerse and sundry
sorts of hearbes, finde the Mercurial Moli Moly an herb greatly
commended of Homer, and thought to be souereigne against inchauntments of
moderne authors altogether vnknowne.
(a) Hypsipile was daughter to Thaos king of Lemnos, who alone when all
women of that Iland had slaine their husbands & kinsmen, saued hir father: she
also shewed the Grecians the fountaine Langia in the wood of Nemea in Achaia
where Hercules slue a lion.
(b) Dipsa a kind of snakes that Lucan mentioneth, whose byting procureth
extreame drynes or thirste. with his blacke roote, for my helpe and
remedie. Againe me thought that it was not so with me.
What then? euen a hard appoyntment to delay my desired
death. And thus remayning in these pernitious thoughts, my
strength debylitated: I looked for no other helpe, but to
drawe and receiue fresh ayre into that brest, which panted
with a small remainder of vytall warmnesse, taking into my
hands halfe aliue, as my last refuge, the moyst and bedewed
leaues, preserued in the coole shadow of the greene Oke:
putting the same to my pale and drye lippes, with a greedy
desire in licking of them to satisfie my distempred mouth
with theyr moisture, wishing for such a wel as Hypsipyle(a)

shewed the Grecians: Fearing least that vnawares as I had
russled in the wood I were bitten with the serpent Dipsa(b)
my thirst was so vnsupportable. Then renuing my oulde
cogitations: as I lay vnder this mightie Oke: I was oppressed
with emynent sleepe ouer all my members: where againe I
dreamed in this sorte.

Poliphilus sheweth, that he thought he did sleep
againe, and in his dreame thas he was in a Vallie,
inuironed with mountaines and hilles, the end
whereof was shut vp in a maruellous sort, with a
mightie pyramides worthie of admiration: vpon
the top whereof was a high obeliske, which with
great pleasure hee beheld, and diligently
discribeth.
otten foorth of this fearefull and
thick wood, and forgetting the
forementioned places by this sweete
sleepe, occasioned by my wearie
members nowe layde along: mee
thought that I was in a new more
delectable place, far excelling the
former, which consisted not of
fertles mountaines and craggie winding rockes, contayning
wide caues, but being a delicate valley, in the which did rise
a small mounting of no great height, sprinkled heare and
there with young Okes, Ashes, Palme trees broadleaued,
Aesculies,(a) (a) Aesculus is a tree bearing both greater fruite and broder
leaues then the Oke.
(b) Gemista beareth a cod and yellowe flower, vines are bound therewith.
Elaphium is like to Angelica, but not in smell, the hart thereon rubbeth his head
when it is veluet. Holme, Chestnut, Sugerchist, Poplars, wilde
Oliue, and Oppies disposed some hyer then other, according

to the mounting or fall of the place, in the plaine whereof
was an other kinde of thicket of medicinable simples like
little young trees, as the flowering Genista(b) enuironed
with diuers green hearbs, Tetrifolie, Sheere grasse,
hunnisuckle, the musked Angelica, Crowfoot Elapium and
Rugwoort, with other profitable and vnknowne hearbes and
flowers heare and there diuerslie disposed. A little beyond in
the same valley, I founde a sandie or grauelly plaine, yet
bespotted with greene tuffes, in which place grew a faire
Palme tree with his leaues like the Culter of a plowe, and
abounding with sweet and pleasant fruite, some set high,
some lowe, some in a meane, some [v] in the very top, an
elect and chosen signe of victorie. Neither in this place was
there any habitation or creature whatsoeuer. Thus walking
solitarily betwixt the trees, growing distantly one from
another, I perswaded my selfe, that to this no earthly
situation was comparable: in which thought I soddainely
espied vpon my left hand, an hungrie and carniuorous
Woolfe, gaping vpon me with open mouthe.
At the sight whereof immediatly, my hayre stood right vp,
and I would haue cryed out, but could not: and presently the
Woolfe ranne away: wherevpon returning to my selfe, and
casting my eyes towards the wooddie mountaines, which
seemed to ioyne themselues together, beeing looked vnto a
farre off, I sawe the forme of a tower of an incredible
heygth, with a spyre vnperfectlie appearing, all being of very
auncient forme and workemanship.
(a) Olimpus a hil in Greece between Macedonie and Thesalie, so high, that of the
Poets it is sometime taken for heauen.
(b) Caucasus a mightie hill in Asia which parteth India from Scythia.
(c) Cillenus a hill of Arcadia, where Iupiter begat Mercurie vpon Maia. And
drawing neare vnto this building, I beheld the gratious
mountaines before a farre of seeming small, by comming
neerer and neerer, by little and little, to lift vp themselues
more and more, at the first seeming to mee that they had

ioyned together with the building which was an inclosure or
end of the valley betwixt mountaine and mountaine: which
thing I thought worthy the noting, and without further delay
I addressed my selfe more neerer therevnto. And by how
much the more I approximated the same, by so much the
more the excellencie of the woorke shewed it selfe,
increasing my desire to behould the same. For there
appeared no longer a substance of vnknowne forme, but a
rare Obelisk vpon a vast frame and stonie foundation, the
heigth whereof without comparison did exceed the toppes of
the sidelying mountaynes, although I thought that they had
beene the renowmed Olympus(a), the famous Caucasus(b),
and not inferior to Cyllenus(c).
To this sollitarie place thus desiredlye comming, with
vnspeakeable delight, at pleasure I behelde the straunge
manner of the arte, the hugenesse of the frame, and the
woonderfull excellencie of the woorkmanship. Maruelling
and considering the compasse and largenesse of this broken
and decayed obiect, made of the pure glistering marble of
Paros(d). (d) Paros is one of the 35. Isles called Cyclades and Sporades, in
the sea Aegeum which deuideth Europ from Asia. The squared stones
ioyned togither without anye cement, and the pointed
quadrangulate corner stones streightlye fitted and smoothlye
pullished, the edges whereof were of an exquisite vermellion
coulour, as is possible to bee deuised: and so iust set, as
betwixt the ioynts, euen the enemie to the woorke (if euer
there were anye) could not deuise to hide the point of the
smallest spanish needle vsed of the best workewomen. And
there in this so noble a piece of worke, I found a
proportioned substance to euery shape and likenesse that can
be thought vpon and called to remembrance, partly decayed,
and some still whole remaining, with pillers small vpon
great, with their excellent heads of an exact and most perfect
closing, crowned battelments, embost caruings, bearing forth
like embroderie, arched beames, mightie mettaline images,

ouerthrowne and broken in sunder, the trunke of their exact
and perfect members, appearing hollow of brasse. Skyffes,
small boates and vessels of Numidian stone and Porphyr,
and diuers couloured marble. Great lauers condites, and
other infinite fragments of notable woorkmanship, far
different and inferiour from that they were, in their
perfection, but now brought back as it were to their first
vnshapelines, being fallen and cast downe, some heere,
some there, vpon the earth from the which they were taken.
Among the broken and decayed places, wherof great sundrie
wall weeds and hearbes, especially the vnshaking Anagyre,
the Lentise of both kindes, beares foote, dogges head,
Gladen greene, spotted Iuie, Centarie, and diuers suchlike.
And in the myldered places of broken walles grew
Howslike, and the hanging Cymbalaria bryers, and pricking
brambles, among the which crept Swifts and Lyzarts which I
sawe crawling among the ouergrowne stones, which at the
first sight in this silent and solitarie place, made me to be
warily afraid of them. On euery side there lay fallen downe
smoothe round pieces of serpent spotted Marble, purple and
red diuerse couloured. Fragments of strange histories,
Panglyphic and Hemygliphic Panglyphic be wholy carued from the
head to the foote in all members. Hemigliphic apeare but halfe.
compendiously caracterized, shewing the excellencie
thereof, vndoubtedly accusing our age, that the perfection of
such an art is forgotten.
Then comming to the myddle fronture of the great and
excellent woorke, I sawe one sole large and marueylous
porche worthy of great estimation, proportioned according
to the huge quantitie of the rest of the whole work, which
was placed betwixt and continued in building from the one
and the other of the mountaines hare lipped, and aboue
arched, whose space betwixt [v] as I doe coniecture was in
measure sixe furlongs, and twelue paces. The top of which
mountaines were perpendicularly equall eyther of them

touching the azur’d skey. At the sight whereof I imagined
with my selfe and deuised to thinke with what yron
instruments, with what labour of mens hands, and number of
workmen, such a piece of woorke could bee by great
strength framed, with much paine layde together, and a long
time in finishing. There then this woonderfull frame
willingly as it were ioyned hands and vnited it selfe with the
one and the other mightie mountaines, by meanes whereof,
the foresaid valley there had an end, that no man could go
further forward or backe againe, but to enter in by this
broade, large, and wide open porche.
Vpon this massie frame and mightie woorkmanship, which I
take to be in heigth from the roofe or top to the foote, fiue
parts of a furlong, was placed a high and woonderfull
Pyramides, after the fashion of a square poynted Diamond,
and such incredible workemanship that could neuer be
deuised and erected, without inestimable charge, great helpe,
and long time. So that I thought the excellencie thereof
vnthought vpon, to bee a myrrour, the sight whereof was
able to dasell any humaine eyes, and quaile the rest of the
spirituall sences. VVhat shall I say more? for so far as the
reache of my capacitie will afoorde me leaue, in this sort I
briefely describe the same.
Euery side or quarter of this foure squared frame,
wherevpon the foote of the Pyramides did stand, did extend
themselues in length six furlongs, A furlong is 16. pole euery pole
being 16 foote. which in compasse about euery side æquilatered
of like bredth, dooth multiplie to 24 furlongs. Then lifting vp
the lynes on high from the foure corners, so much as euerye
corner is distant in length from another, meeting in the top,
so as the Perpendicular line may fall iust vpon the center of
the Dyagon, stretching from both corners of the plynts or
square foote, iust and conueniently ioyned together doe
make a perfect pyramidall figure. VVhich immence and
woonderfull forme, with a maruelous and exquise

Symmetrie and due proportion mounting vp laboursomly
foote by foote, conteyned 1410. degrees or steppes, taking
away 10. degrees to make vp the head and gracilament of
the Pyramides in whose place was set a huge Cube or foure
square stone of forme like a dye, sound and firme of a
monstrous thicknesse and incredible weight to bee carryed
so high. And of the same stone of Paros as were the steps:
which cube and square stone was the Basis and foote set
vnder the Obilisk, which I haue in hand to describe.
This mightie big stone sharpe topt, sliding downe the
extream part from corner to corner, flat sided by the
Diameter, was fower paces, at euery equall distant corner,
whereof was the foote of a harpie of moulten mettall, their
steales and clawes armed. Firmlye and stronglie set in with
led, in euery corner of the Cube, or foure square head of the
Pyramides, meeting together ouer the Diagonike line. Of
proportioned thicknesse in heigth two paces. Which thus
closing and mette together, made the socket of the great
Obelisk: which Socket was beautified with leaues, fruites
and flowers, of shining cast mettall, and of conuenient
bignesse. VVherevpon the weight of the Obelisk was borne.
The breadth whereof was two paces, and seauen in heigth,
artificiously sharping of the stone of Thebais called Pyrus.
Vpon the smooth plains whereof, pure and bright shining as
a looking glasse, were moste excellently cut Aegiptian
Hyerogliphs.
Vpon the pointe of which Obelisk, with great arte and
diligence, was fastned a copper base, in the which also there
was a turning deuise infixed: whervpon did stand the shape
of a beautifull nimph framed of the aforesayd matter, able to
amaze the continuall diligent behoulder. Of such a
proportion as the common stature might be considered and
perfectly seene, notwithstanding the exceeding heigth
thereof in the ayre. Besides the greatnesse of the figure or
image: it was a woonder to thinke how such a weight should

bee carryed and set in such a place and so high. Couered
with a habite blowne abroad with the winde, and shewing
parte of the naked substance of the legges and thighes: with
two wings growing out from the shoulder blades, and spred
abroad as if shee were readye to flye, turning hir fayre face
and sweete regarding countenance towardes hir wings. The
tresses of hir haire flying abroade the vpper part or crowne
naked and bare. In hir right hand she held from hir sight a
copie or horne stuft full of many good things, stopped vp,
and the mouth downewarde, hir left hand fastned and harde
holden to hir naked brest. This Image and stature was with
euery blast of wind turned, and mooued about with such a
noyse and tinkling in the hollownes of the metaline deuise:
as if the mynte of the Queene of England had [v] being
going there. And when the foote of the phane or Image in
turning about, did rub and grinde vpon the copper base,
fixed vpon the pointe of the Obeliske, it gaue such a sound,
as if the tower bell of Saint Iohns Colledge in the famous
Vniuersitie of Cambridge had beene rung: or that in the
pompeous Batches of the mightie Hadrian: or that in the fift
Pyramides standing vpon foure. This Obeliske in my
iudgement was such, as neyther that in the Vaticane in
Alexandria or Babilon, may bee equally compared vnto it,
but rather esteemed far inferiour. It conteined in it such a
heape of woonders, as I could not without great
astonishment looke vpon it. As also consider the hugenesse
of the worke, the excessiue sumptuousnesse, the straunge
inuention, the rare performance, and exquisite diligence of
the woorkeman. With what art inuented? with what power,
humaine force, and incredible meanes, enuying (if I may
speake it) the workmanship of the heauens, such and so
mightie weights should be transported and carryed into the
skyes? with what Cranes, winding beames, Trocles, round
pullies, Capres bearing out deuices, and Poliplasies, and
drawing frames, and roped tryces, therein being vnskilfull, I
slip it ouer with silence.

And heere on the other side followeth the figure.

[v] Let vs returne then to the huge Pyramides, standing vpon
a strong and sound plynth or foure square foote, fourteene
paces in heigth, and in length sixe furlongs, which was the
foundation and bottom of the weightie pyramides, which I
perswaded my selfe was not brought from any other place,
but euen with plaine labour and workemanship hewen out of
the selfe same mountaines, and reduced to this figure and
proportion in his owne proper place.

Which great quadrant and square woorke, ioyned not fast to
the collaterate and sidelying rockes, but was betwixt spaced
and seperated on eyther sides tenne paces. Vpon the right
hand as I went of the aforesaid plynth or square sheame,
there was most perfectly carued the vyperous head of the
fearefull Medusa, in a most furious and rigorous forme to
looke vpon, and as it were yelling out: with terrible eyes
cauernate, and hollow skowling vnder ther ouerhanging
browes with a wrympled and forrowed forehead and gaping
wide open mouth, which being hollowed with a dyrect waye
from the Catill, and vppon stone by a mediane lyne
perpendicular to the center of the far shewing Pyramides,
made a large enterance and cõming vnto it, at which opening
mouth, compassed with fowlded haires of vnrepartable
curiousnes artificiall cunning and costly woorkmanshyppe
the assending the turning stayers shewed them selues, and
instead of tresses of haire platted with laces, I saw fearefull
vypers and winding serpents growing out from the scalpe of
the monstrous head confusedly twysting together and
hissing, so liuely portrayed and set foorth, that they made
me afrayde to behould them. In their eyes were placed most
shining stones, in such sort, as if I had not beene perswaded
and knowne that they were stones indeed, I durst not haue
drawne neere them.
And the aforesayde entrie cut out of the firme stone, led to
the scale and compassing passage in the center, with
winding steps tending to the highest parte of the stately
Pyramides, and opening vpon the outside of the catill or
cube: vpon the which the shining obeliske was founded. And
among the rest of such notable partes that I beheld, me
thought that this deuise was woorth the noting, because the
artifitious and most cunning architect with an exquisite and
perspicuous inuention, had made to the stayres certaine
loopes or small windowes, imbracing the bountifull beames
of the sunne correspondently on three parts, the lower, the

middle, and supreame: The lower taking light from the
higher, and the higher from the catabasse or lower with their
opposite reflexions shewing a maruellous faire light, they
were so fitly disposed by the calculate rule of the artificious
Mathematrician, to the Orientall Meridionall and Occidentall
partes of the ayre, that euery houre of the day the sunne
shined in, and gaue light to the whole scale, the same loopes
or windolets in diuerse places symmetrially and definitely
dispersed and set.
To the aforesaid entrance thorow the open mouth of Medusa,
I came by a long gallorie to a salying scale or downe going
staire opening at the foot and pauement of the building vpon
my right hand against one of the collaterall and side-lying
mountaines, betwixt which there was out of the stone and
open space cut out of tenne paces vp, into the which I
ascended boldely without resistance, and being come to the
beginning of the staire in the aforesaid mouth by
innumerable steppes and degrees, not without great wearines
and disinesse of head, by often turning about, I came to so
incredible a height, that my eies would not suffer me to
looke downe to the ground insomuch, that me thought that
euery thing below vpon the plaine had lost his shape, and
seemed vnperfect. In the opening and comming out of this
circulate and turning assence many pillars of fused and
molten mettall were aptly disposed and surely fixed: the
inter-space betwixt euery one and other one foote, and in
height halfe a pase, railed and ioyned togither aboue with a
battelled coronet al along the said pillar, and of the same
metall compassing about the opening of the staire, lest that
any comming foorth vnawares should fall downe headlong,
For the immesurable height thereof woulde cause a giddines
in the head, and bring a staggering to the feete: vpon the
plaine of the obeliske there was infixed a table of brasse
fastened and soldered in about the height of a man, with an
ancient inscription in Latine, Greeke, and Arabike, by the

which I plainely vnderstoode that the same was dedicated to
the Sunne, and the measure of the work wholy set downe
and described, the name of the Architector noted on the
obeliske in Greek letters.
ΛΙΧΑ ΣΟΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΟΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΟΣΕΝ ΜΕ. 1
Lichas Libiicus architectus me erexit.
Lichas a Libian architector set me vp.
[v] Let vs returne and come backe to the consideration of the
But and tessell or square, subiect and vphoulder of the
Pyramides in the fronte and foreside whereof I beheld
ingrauen a Gigantomachie and combate betwixt Giauntes,
the onely enemie to vitall breath, surpassinglie well cut, with
the quick motions and liuelie agilities of their large and tall
bodyes, vnpossible to be rightlye described, the artificiall
handling thereof, as it were enuying the woorke of nature
itselfe, as if theyr eyes and feete had mooued together, and
coasted from one part to an other, with an expedite passage
and swift course. In such sorte seemed they vpon theyr
strong and mightie horsses, some being cast downe, other
stumbling and falling: many wounded and hurt, yeelding vp
their desired liues: some troden downe and mischieued
vnder the feete of the fierce and vnrestrained horsses. Other
casting off their armour wrastling and togging one with
another: some headlong with their heeles vpwarde, falling
and not come to the ground from off their horsses. Other
some lying vpon the earth, houlding vp their sheilds and
Targets, offended with the one hand, and defended with the
other. Many with their shimitaries and curtilaxes, some with
long swordes two handed after the auncient Persian manner,
others with diuers deadly and strange fashioned mortall
weapons: some wearing habergions and helmets, with diuers
deuises vpon their crests: others naked and vnarmed, leaping
and rushing in among the thickest, thereby shewing theyr
haughtie, inuincible, and vndaunted courages, resolute for
death. Some with fearefull countenances crying out, other

shewing obstinate and furious visages, although they were
assured to dye, strongly abiding the proofe of their paine,
and the cutting in sunder of their fatall thread, others slaine
before them, with diuers vncothe and straunge warlike and
deadly instruments. Shewing their strong members, their
swelling muskels standing out, offering to the sight and eyes
of tbe behoulder, the dutie of theyr bones, and the
hollownesse in the places, where theyr strong sinewes be
strayned. Their conflict and combate seemed so fearefull,
bloudie, deadly, cruell, and horrible: as if Mars himselfe had
beene fighting with Porphirion and Alcion who made a
noyse lyke the braying of Asses.
This catagliphic imagerie, did exceed a naturall and common
stature and proportion of men, carued in priuie white marble,
the ground thereof as black as iet, a perfect foile to beautifie
and set forth with pale Christaline and siluer crolley, of
innumerable huge bodyes, their last indeuours, their present
actions, the fashion of their armor, the diuersitie of their
deaths, & vncertaine & doubtful victorie. The discharge of
my vndertaken discription whereof, prooueth maymed and
lame, by reason that my vnderstanding is wearie, my
memorie confused with varietie, and my sight dimmed with
continuall gasing, that my senses will not aford me rightly,
and as their dewe, fitly to manifest part, much lesse to
describe at large the whole manner of their curious
Lythoglyphi.
After this I became to cast with my selfe, what should
mooue and cause such a pride & burning desire in any man,
to fetch from far, and gather together so mightie stones with
so great trauell: With what carriage, who were the conueyers
and porters, with what manner of wheeles, and rowling
deuises, and vpholding supporters, so great large and
innumerable a sort of stones should be brought thither, and
of what matter theyr cement that ioyned and held them
together, was made the heygth of the Obelisk and

statelinesse of the Pyramides, exceeding the imagined
conceit of Dimocrates proposed to Alexander the great,
about a worke to be performed vpon the hill Athos. For the
strangenes of the Egiptian building might giue place to this.
The famous laborinths were far inferior, Lemnos is not to be
rehearsed the Theaters of old time were in comparison but
warriners lodges, ney ther did the famous Nausoley come
any thing neere. Which certainly maketh me absolutely
perswaded, that he which wrote the seauen woonders of the
world, neuer heard of this: neyther in any age hath their been
seene or imagined the like, no not the sepulcher of Ninus.
Lastly I woondered what foundation and arches were able to
vphold so monstrous a weight, whether the pyllars were
hexagons or tetragons, and what varietie of columnes, and
what number might serue, and after what sorte
proportionately disposed and set. For the better
vnderstanding and more perfect knowledge wherof, I
conueyghed my selfe in at the open & spacious porche and
enterance, within the which was an obscure and vast
hollownes: which porche, together with the proud and
stately buylding (things worthy of memorie) shall in some
sorte be descrybed as followeth.

[v] Poliphilus, after the discription of the huge
Pyramides and Obeliske, discourseth of
maruelous woorkes in this Chapter, namely of a
horsse of Colos of an Oliphant, but
especially of a most rare and straunge Porche. 2
ightlye and lawfullye may I haue leaue to write, that in the
whole world there was neuer such an other, so pompeous,
glorious, and magnificent a peece of worke, by mans eyes
seene or crediblie reported. The woonderfull excellencie and
rare straungenesse whereof, as I beheld what with delight,

and what with admiration, my sences
were so captiuated and tyed therevnto,
that no other solace or pleasure, did
eyther occurre or take place in my
swift flying thought.
But that when I applyed my sences to
consider, and addressed my eyes with
diligent obseruation, curiouslie to ouerlooke euerie
perticular part of this sweete composed obiect, and most rare
and goodly imagerie and virgin like bodyes, without cracke
or flawe, with a long drawne breath, and somewhat opening
my mouth, I set a deepe sighe. In so much as my amorous
and sounding breathing, by reason of the thicknesse of the
ayre in this solytarie and lone place, gaue an eccho, and did
put me in minde of my Angelike and extreame desired Polia.
O hi me that so small or anye intermission should cause that
hir louely and celestiall Idea and shape was not still
imprinted in my minde, and continued a dayly companion,
in whose brest my life is resolued to abide, and rest as vnder
the protection of a most sure and approoued shield and safe
defence.
And by this way I was brought to a place where were diuers
and sundrie excellent sorts of auncient deuises and
woorkemanships: first of all, I beheld a most fayre porche,
past all sence to describe (for the incredible curiousnes
thereof, as euer was built or deuised) and the rather for that
our mother toung and vulgar speeche, may not afford apt
and peculiar words, for such a piece of artificall worke.
Before this gorgeous and glorious porche, you shall
vnderstand that in the open ayre there was a fowre square
court of thirtie paces by his Diameter, paued with pure fine
marble, poynted fowre square, wrought checkerwise of
diuers fashions, and sundrie best fitting coulours: but in

many places, by meanes of the ruine of the auncient walke,
and olde pillers, broken in peeces and ouergrowne.
A columne consisteth of his Capitell that is the head. Astragalus that is the
subiect of the capitell next the columne. Hypotrachelie the shaft of the columne.
And Hypothesis, that is the foote whereon the Columne standeth, exceeding the
bignes of the columne. And in the vtmost partes of the aforesaide
court, to the right hand, and the left, towards the mountaines,
there was two straight rowes of pillars, with a space betwixt
for the interiect Areostile, as the quantities of both columnes
required, the first course or order of setting the pyllars,
beginning on both sides equall to the Lymbus or extreame
part of the fronte of the porche, the space betwixt pyllars and
pillars XV. paces. Of which collumnes or great pillars, some
and the greatest parte or number were whole. With their
capitels or heads, wrought with a waued shell worke, and
cyllerie or draperie, their corners bearing out and inanulated
or turned in like a curled locke of hayre, or the vpper head of
a base Viall aboue the pinnes, which straine the stringes of
the instrument to a musicall concord; with their subiect
Astragals, writhing and hanging heere and there, making the
capitall thrise so big as the bottom thereof of the columne,
wherevpon was placed the Epistile or streight beame, the
greatest part decayed, and many columnes widowed and
depriued of their Capitels, buryed in ruine both Astragals
and shafts of the columnes and their bases or feete.
Fast ioyning to which order or set rowes of pillars, there
grew ould plaine trees, wylde Oliues, Pine apple, and
pricking brambles. I coniectured that it was made for to ride
horses in, to trot and gallop, the ring, to manage, carrier, and
coruet in, or els some open gallerie, couered close ouer head,
vnder propt with pillers, and of a large widenesse to walke
drie in, and to take a temperate ayre in, not too subtile.
Aboue in this great Court paued as aforesayd, in the passage
towardes the Porche, some tenne paces, I beheld a

prodigious winged vaughting horse, of moulten brasse, of an
exceeding bignesse, his wings fanning out. His hooues
standing vpon a smooth plaine base or frame, fiue foote
brode, and nine feete in length, in heigth proportionable to
the bredth and length: with his head at libertie and
vnbrideled: hauing his two small eares, the one [v] standing
forward, and the other drawne back, with a long waued
maine, falling from his crest on the contrarye side: vpon
whose backe diuers young youthes assayed to ride, but not
one was able to sit stedfast, by reason of his swiftnesse and
high bounding, from whom some were fallen downe, lying
wide open to the ayre, some groueling, other falling
headlong, betwixt the horsse and the earth, the rest in vaine
houlding by the hayre of his maine, some forceing to get vp
vpon him, and others indeuoring to recouer themselues from
vnder his feete.

Vpon the vpper part of the frame and base, there was infixed
and fastned with lead, a footing or thick crust, of the same

mettall that the horse was, and vpon the which he stoode,
and those that were ouerthrowne did lye, somewhat shorter
and narrower then the base or subiect frame, the whole
masse or composition cast of a peece and of the same
mettall, maruelouslie founded. Lastlye you could not
perceiue that any were contented with his rowghnes, as
appeared by their framed countenances, shewing a
discontent which they could not vtter being sencelesse
images, not differing otherwayes thorough the excellent
conning of the craftisman from liuing creatures, and by his
surpassing imitation of nature.
Peryllus there might go put vp his pypes, and blush with his
deuised Bull, and Hiram the Iewe must heere giue place, or
what founders els soeuer.
The Pægma base or subiect for this metaline machine to
stand vpon, was of one solyde peece of marble (of fit and
conuenient breadth, heighth, and length, for that purpose
accordinglye proportioned) full of streaming vaines, sondry
coulered, and diuerslye spotted, maruelous pleasant to the
eye, in infinite commixtures, confusedly disposed.
Vpon the brest or formost part, and end of the marble base,
that was opposite against the porch, there was a garland of
greene marble, like the leaues of bitter Alisander, commixt
with dead leaues of Maydenweede, of a hayre coulour,
within the which there was a smoothe round, pure, white
stone, wherein was ingrauen these capitall Romaine letters.

[v] At the hinder end in like sort was a garland of deadly
Woolfwoort, with this inscription, Equus infælicitatis. And
vpon the right side there was ingrauen certaine figures,
shapes, and representments of men and women dauncing
together, byformed or faced, the formost smiling, the
hynmost weeping: None liue in this world in that pleasure, but they haue
also their sorowes in time. and dauncing in a ring, with theyr armes
spred abrode, and hanfasted man, with man and woman with
woman. One arme of the man vnder that of the woman, and
the other aboue, and thus closing together, and houlding by
the hands, they floung about one after another, that alwayes
still in one place, a smyling countenance incountered a
foregoing sad. Their number was seauen and seauen, so
perfectly and sweetely counterfeited with liuelie motions,
their vestures whisking vp and flying abroad, that the
workman could not be accused of any imperfection, but that
one had not a liuely voyce to expresse their mirth, and the
other brinish teares to manifest their sorrow: the said daunce
was in fashion of two Semicircles, with a seperating
partition put betwixt. 3

Vnder which Hemiall figure, there was inscript this worde
T E M P V S. On the contrary side I beheld many of greene
adolescency of like proportion to the former, and in suchlike
compasse or space, Gift vainely bestowed, in time wantonlie spent, is a
great losse, & breedeth repentance. the grounds of both beautified
and set foorth with an exquisite foliature or woorke of leaues
and flowers, this companie was plucking and gathering of
the flowers of sundrye hearbes, and tender bushing stalkes
and braunches; and with them diuers faire Nimphes
pleasantly deuising, and sportinglie snatching away their
gathered flowers, and in such sort as abouesaid vnder the
figure were ingrauen certaine capitall letters, to shew this
one word A M I S S I O, conteyning the ninth part to the
Diameter or the quadrature.

[v] At the first sight hereof I was amased and astonished, but
with better regard & great delight curiously reouerlooking
the huge founded Machine the shape and forme of a horse
made by humane industry and skill most commendable, for
that euery member without defect had his perfect harmonie,
and euery limme his desired proportion, I straight called to
remembrance the vnfortunate horse of Scian.
And thus helde still to beholde the same artificiall mysterie,
an other spectacle and obiect no lesse worthy to be looked
vpon than the former, offered it selfe to my sight, which was
a mighty Elephant, whereunto with a desirous intent I
speedely hyed me to approch and come neere.
In which meane while on an other side I heard a mournefull
noise and humane groaning, as proceeding from a sicke
body euen vnto death: whereat I stoode still at the first, my
haires standing right vp, but presently without further stay, I
addressed my steppes towards the place from whence I
heard this wofull noyse and dolefull lament, forcing my

selfe vp vppon a heape of ruinated, broken and downe-fallen
marbles. Thus willingly going forward, I came to a vast and
wonderfull large Colose, the feete thereof bare, and their
soles hollowe, and the legges as if their flesh had beene
wasted, consumed and fallen away. From thence with horror
I came to looke vpon the head, where I did coniecture and
imagine, that the ayre and winde getting in and comming
foorth of his wide open mouth, and the hollow pipes of his
throat, by a diuine inuention did cause this moderated noise
and timed groanes: it lay with the face vpward all of molten
mettal, like a man of middle age, and his head lifted vp as
with a pillowe, with a resemblance of one that were sicke,
breathing out at his mouth, sighes and groanes gaping, his
length was three score paces. By the haires of his beard you
might mount vp to his breast, and by the rent and torne
peeces of the same to his stil lamenting mouth, which
groningly remained wide open and empty, by the which,
prouoked by the spurre of curious desire, I went downe by
diuers degrees into his throat, from thence to his stomacke,
and so foorth by secret wayes, and by little and little to all
the seuerall partes of his inward bowelles, Oh wonderfull
conceit. And euery part of mans body hauing vpon it written
his proper appellation in three ideomes Chaldee, Greeke and
Latine, that you might know the intrailes, sinews, bones,
veines, muscles and the inclosed flesh, and what disease is
bred there: the cause thereof, the cure and remedy, Vnto
which inglomerated and winding heape of bowelles, there
was a conuenient comming vnto and entrance in: with small
loope-holes and wickets in sundry places diuersly disposed,
yeelding thorough them a sufficient light to beholde the
seuerall partes of the artificiall anothomie, not wanting any
member that is found in a naturall body.
When I came to the heart, did see and reade how Loue at his
first entrance begetteth sorow, and in continuaunce sendeth
out sighes, and where Loue doth most greeuously offend:

wherewithall I was mooued to renew my passion, sending
out from the botome of my heart deepe set and groaning
sighs inuocating and calling out vpon Polia, in such sort as
that the whole Colose and Machine of brasse did resound,
striking me into a horrible feare: an exquisite Arte beyond
all capacity, for a man to frame his like not being an
Anotomy indeede.
Oh the excellency of passed wittes, and perfect golden age
when Vertue did striue with Fortune, leauing onely behind
him for an heritage to this our world, blinde, ignorant, and
grudging desire of worldly pelfe.
Vpon the other side I perceiued of like bignes to the former
Colose, the vpper part of a womans head some deale bare,
and the rest buried with the decayed ruines, as I thought, of
such like workmanship as the other, and being forbidden by
incomposite and disordered heapes of decayed and fallen
downe stones, to view the same I returned to another former
obiect, which was (and not farre distant from the horse
straight forward) a huge Elephant of more blacke stone than
the Obsidium, powdered ouer with small spottes of golde
and glimces of siluer, as thicke as dust glistering in the
sonne. The extreame hardnes whereof the better did shew his
cleere shining brightnes, so as euery proper obiect therein
did represent it selfe, excepte in that parte where the mettall
did beare a contrary colour. Vpon his large backe was set a
saddle or furniture of brasse, with two gyrthes going vnder
his large belly, betwixt the which two being streight buckled
vp with buckles of the same stone, there was inter-set a
quadrangle correspondent to the breadth of the Obeliske
placed vpon the saddle, and so iustly set, as no perpendicular
line would [v] fall on either side the diameter. Vpon three
parts or sides of the foure square Obelisk, were ingrauen
Egiptian caracters. The beast so exactly and cunningly
proportioned, as inuention could deuise, and art performe.
The aforesaid saddle and furniture set foorth and beautified

with studdes hanging iewels, stories, and deuises, and
houlding vp as it were a mightie Obeliske of greene
couloured stone of Lacedemonia, vpon the euen square, two
paces broad, and seauen in height, to the sharpe pointe
thereof, waxing smaller and smaller, vpon which pointe
there was fixte a Trigon or rounde Ball of a shinyng and
glystering substance.
This huge beast stood streight vpon all foure, of an exquisite
woorkmanship vpon the plaine leuell, and vpper part of the
base, hewen and cunningly fashioned, beeing of Porphyr
stone. With two large and long teeth, of puer white stone,
and cleare appact, and fastned. And to the fore gyrth on
eyther side was buckled a riche and gorgeous poiterell,
beautified with diuers ornaments and varietie of Iewels, the
subiect whereof was of the same substance of the saddle:
vppon the middest whereof was grauen in Latine Cerebrum
est in capite. And in like manner brought about the out sides
of his neck to the foretop of his large and big head, it was
there fastned together with an artificiall knot: from the
which a curious ornament and verie notable, of
Gouldsmithes worke, hung downe, ouer spredding his
spacious face: the same ornament being twise so long as
broade, bordered about, in the table whereof I beheld
certaine letters, Ionic and Arabic, in this sorte.
His deuouring trunke rested not vpon the leuel of the base,
but some deale hanging downe, turned vppe againe towardes
his face. His rigged large ears like a Fox-hounde flappingly
pendent, whose vast stature was little lesse, then a verye
naturall Olyphant. And in the about compasse, and long
sides of the base, were ingrauen certaine Hierogliphs, or
Egiptian caracters. Being decently and orderlye pullished,
with a requisite rebatement, Lataster gule thore orbicle,
Astragals or Neptrules, with a turned down Syme at the foote
of the base, and turned vp aloft with writhin trachils and
denticles, agreeable and fit to the due proportion of so large

a substance, in length 12.
paces, in breadth fiue, and
in heigth three, the
superficiall and outward
part, whereof was hewen in
forme of a hemicycle.
In the hynder parte of
which base and stone,
wherevpon this mightie
beast did stande, I founde
an assending place of
seauen steps, to mount vp
to the plaine superficies of
the base wherevpon the
Olyphant did stand. And in
the reserued quadrangle
perpendicularly streight
vnder the aforesaid brasen
saddle, there was cut out and made a little doore and
hollowed entrance, a woonderfull woorke in so hard a
substance, with certaine steppes of brasse, in manner of
stayres, by the which a conuenient going vp into the body of
the Olephant was offered me.

[v]

At the sight whereof I extreamely desired to see the whole
deuise & so going in, I assended vp to the heigth of the base
wherevppon the cauernate, hollow, vast, large and
predigious monster did stand, except that same part of the
Obelisk, which was conteyned within the voyde body of the
beast, and so passing to the base. Leauing towards both sides
of the Olyphant so much space as might serue for any man
to passe, eyther towarde the head or hynder haunches.
And within from the bending downe of the chine or backe of
the beast, there hunge by chaynes of copper an euerlasting

lampe and incalcerate light, thorough the which in this
hinder parte I sawe an auncient sepulcher of the same stone,
with the perfect shape of a man naked, of all natural parts.
Hauing vpon his head a crowne of black stone as iet: his
teeth eyes and nayles siluered and standing vpon a sepulcher
couered like an arke, of scale woorke, and other exquisite
lyneaments, poynting with a goulden scepter, and holding
forward his arme to giue direction to the former part. 4
On his left side he held a shield in fashion like to the keele
of a ship, or the bone of a horse head, wherevppon was
inscript in Hebrew, Attic, 5 and Latine 6 letters, this sentence
that is placed on the other side with the figure.

‫אם לא כי הבהמה כסתה את בשרי‬
‫אני הייתי ערום חפש ותמצא הניחני‬

ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-
ΟΝ ΕΜΕΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-
ΡΗΣΗΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.

NVDVS E S S E M , BE S -
T I A NI M E T E XI S -
S E T, QVAE RE , E T
I NVE NI E S . M E S I -
NI TO.

[v]

At which vncoth and straunge sight I stood not a little
amased and somewhat doubtfull what to imagine, turning
my eyes to the contrarie part, I sawe in like sorte an other, as
before burning light, and passing thorough betwixt the side
of the beast, and the therein inclosed part of the Obelisk, I
came towards the forepart of the Olyphant, where in like
manner I found such an other fashioned sepulcher as the
former, with a stature or image standing therevpon as the
other, sauing that it was a Queene, who lyfting vp hir right
arme with hir formost finger, poynted towards that part
behinde hir shoulders, and with the other shee helde a little
table fast in hir hand, in which was written in three
languages 7, 8, 9 this epygram.

‫שתהיה קח מן האוצר הזה כאות נפשך‬
‫הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו היה מי‬
‫אבל אזהיר אותך‬

ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΑΛΒΕΕΚ ΤΟΥ ΔΕ ΤΟΥ
ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΝΟΝ ΑΝΑ ΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ
ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΕΩΜΑΤΟΣ.

QVI S QVI S E S ,
QVANT VNCVN-
QUE L I BVE RI T
HVI VS T HE S AVRI
S VM E AD M ONE O.
AVF E R CAP VT,
CORP VS NE TAN-
GI TO.

This noueltie worthie to be manifested, and secret riddle
often to be read ouer, was not knowen to me, so as I rested
doubtfull what the interpretation of this sophisme should
signify, not daring to trie the conclusion. But stricken with
feare in this dark vnlightsome place, notwithstanding the
dimme burning lampe, I was more desirous to beholde and
peruse that triumphant porch and gate as more lawfull to
remaine there than other-where. Whereupon without more
adoe, I determined to leaue this place vntill another time,
that I might more quietly at lesure looke vpon the same, and
to prepare my selfe to beholde the woonderfull worke of the
gate: and thus descending downe I issued foorth of the
vnbowelled monster, an inuention past imagination, and an
excessiue labour and bolde attempt to euacuate such a hard
substance ouer that other [v] stones be, the workemanship
within as curious as that without. Lastly, returned cleane
downe, I beheld in the Porphire laste along the sides notably
insculpt and grauen these hierogliphies.
First, the horned scalpe of an oxe, with two tooles of
husbandry fastned to the hornes.
An altar standing vpon goates feete, with a burning fire
aloft, on the foreside whereof there was also an eie, and a
vulture.
After that a bason and an ewre.
A spindle ful of twind, an old vessel fashioned with the
mouth stopped and tied fast.
A sole and an eye in the bale thereof and two branches
trauersed one of Oliue, an other of Palme tree.
An Anchor and a Goose.
An olde lampe, and a hand holding of it.
An ore of ancient forme with a fruitefull Oliue branch
fastned to the handle.

Two grapling yrons or hookes.
A Dolphin and an Arke close shut.
These hierogliphies were passing well cut on this manner.

Which ancient maner of writing, as I take it, is thus to be
vnderstoode.
Ex labore Deo naturæ sacrifica liberaliter paulatim reduces
animum Deo subiectum. Firmam custodiam vitæ tuæ,
misericorditer gubernando tenebit, incolumemque seruabit.
Letting passe this most excellent rare, strange, and secret
deuise and worke: Let vs returne againe to the prodigious
horse, whose head was leane and little, of a small proportion
and yet fitting the body, which seemed continually staring,
fieerce and impatient, the flesh in his muscles trembling and
quaking, in such sort as that hee seemed rather aliue than a
fained imitation, with this Greeke worde in his face ΓΕΝΕΑ.
There were also other great peeces and fragments of diuers

and sundry lineaments among the broken and decayed
ruines, which I looked not on, still running and sliding, time
giuing me onely leaue to consider and peruse these foure
rare wonders, the porch or gate, the horse, the Colose, and
the Elephant
Oh reuerend arthists of times past, what despite hath gotten
the vpper hand of your cunning that the same is buried with
you, and none left for vs to inherite in this age,
At length being come to this ancient porch, a worke
woorthie the looking vpon maruellously composed by
exquisite rules, and by art notably beautified, with diuers
and sundry sorts of cuttings, which did inflame a desire in
me to vnderstand and finde out the lineaments and practise
of the architect. I beganne after this maner, making a square
from the two collumnes on either side in a perfect sort, in the
which I tooke the due proportion of the whole porch.
A tetragon figure A. B. C. D. diuided by three lines straight,
and three ouerthwart equally distant one from an other will
make sixeteene quadrats, then adde to the figure halfe as
much more in like proportion, diuiding the adiunct you shall
finde foure and twenty squares. This figure shall serue of
credycels to make the inlepturgie and briefe demonstration
that followeth.
Draw then in the first fygure A. B. C. D. two diagons, make
also in the same two lines, and straight downe, and the other
ouerthwart, which make foure quadrats mutually intersect,
Then in the voide ouer the Isopleures make foure mediane
[v] prickes, drawing lines from one to another, and they wil
make the Rhombas.
When I had drawne this figure after this manner I
straightway mused with my selfe, what reason should mooue
many of our woorkemen in these dayes eyther to thinke well
of themselues, or take the art of building in hand, not

knowing what it is? Making such grosse faults in churches
and great mens houses, defaming arte, and so ignorant, that
they seeme as though they could not consider what nature
hir selfe dooth teach vs in behoulding of hir woorkes.
And what parte soeuer is not agreeable with his principle, is
foule and naught. For take away order and rule, and what
thing can any man make, eyther beautifull to the eye, or of
commendable proportion and durable: then it must needes
follow, that the cause of such inconuenient errors doth
proceed from ignorance, and hath his beginning from
illiterature. And this notwithstanding, that although the
perfection of this arte dooth not varie, & fall from his
rectitude, yet the discreet and cunning architect to grace the
obiect, to the behoulders: may lawfullye eyther with
adiection or deminution, beautifie his worke, keeping whole
the sollid part, with his vniuersall composition.
I call that solid which is the bodye of the frame, which is the
principall intent, inuention, fore setting downe, and
symmetrie, or dew proportion of the building without any
additions, rightlye examined, and perfectly composed, which
will manifest the skill of the workeman, and the same
afterwardes to adorne and beautifie, which adiuncts is an
easie matter. Wherein is also to be considered, the dew
ordering and placing of euery thing, and not to set a crowne
vpon the feete, but vpon the head, and so oualing and
denticulating, and other cuttings of sundrye sorts in their
seuerall and best fitting places, the chiefe inuention and
disposing whereof, resteth in the rare and cunning architect,
but the labour and woorking therof to the vulgar and
common sort of mannalists and seruants to the architect,
who if he will do well, he must in no wise be subiect to
auarice.
And besides his skil he must be honest, no pratler full of
words, but courteous, gentle, bening, tractable, patient, mery

& pleasant, full of new deuises, a curious searcher into all
artes, and well aduised in his proceeding, least with rashnes
he comit a fault or absurditie in his worke, and heereof thus
much shall suffice.

After that Poliphylus had at large made a
demonstration of the dew proportion of the Gate,
hee proceedeth to describe the ornaments thereof,
and their excellencie.
hauing beene somewhat prolix and
tedious in my former purpose, it may
be that it hath bred some offence, to
such as dayly indeuour to occupie
theyr sences in the pleasaunt
discourses of loue. But it wyll also
prooue no whit displeasant, if with a
lyttle patience, they restraine to glutte
themselues with the walowish sweetnes of deceyueable
delightes, and trye the taste of a contrarye vyand.
And for as much as the affections of men are naturally
variable and different one from an other: vpon this occasion
I may bee excused. For although that bread sometime
denyed and kept backe from the hungrie body, may cause a
hard conceit, yet when it is eftsoones offered vnto him, the
mallice is forgotten, and the gift very gratefully receyued.
Nowe hauing in some sorte spoken of the right vse of
architecturie, and the direct waye and meanes by order and
rule, to finde out, the set downe deuise, and solyde bodye or
grounde of the woorke, with facilitie that beeing found out,
the architector may vse sundrye deuisions in diuerse
perfections, not vnlike vnto a cunning Musition, who hauing
deuised his plaine grounde in right measure, with full
strokes, afterwarde wyll proportion the same into deuisions,

by cromatycall and delyghtfull minims crotchets, and
quauers, curiously reporting vpon his plaine song. Euen so
after inuention, the principall and speciall rule, for an
Architector is a quadrature, the same deuided into smales the
harmonie and sweete consent of the building, setteth foorth
it selfe, and the conuenient adiunctes, agreeable to theyr
principall.
In all which this porche was most excellent, both for the rare
inuention and woonderfull composition thereof, and the
strange additions to beautifie the same, in such sorte so
exquysite, [v] so fitly placed, and so curiouslie cut and
ingrauen, as the smallest part thereof could not bee accused
of anye fault, but the woorkman commended for the
perfection of his skill.
First vpon my right hande belowe, I beheld a stilypode or
square stone, like an aulter vnder the bases of the columnes,
which hauing vpon the vpper parte a conuenient and meet
coronice, and accordingly imbowed, the bottome and lowest
part in like manner was fashioned, so as the quadrate and
aforesayd stilypode, was no broder then long, but a right
quadrangule. Which aulter (as I may tearme it) sidelong
about, wrought with leaues, hollowed vnder with a gulaterie,
and wrapt ouer with the same foliature and leafe worke,
hemming in the smooth face or table of the Stilypode of
shining white alliblaster, polished and plaine, the outward
part of the quadrangule, equilaterally compassing about the
same, wherevpon with a woonderfull curiousnes was
ingrauen a man neere his myddle-age, of a churlish and
swarffie countenance, with an vnshaply beard, thick, and
turning into his chyn, by the towghnesse of the hard skinne,
and vneasie growing out of the hayre.
He sat vpon a stone with an aporne of a Goates skinne, the
hinder parts compassing his waste, and tyed behynde with a
knotte, and the neck part, with the hayrie side next him,

hung downe betwixt his legges. Before him in the interstice
of these grose and tumorus calfes, there was an anuill
fastned vpon a knottie peece of a tree, wherevpon he was
fashoning of a brigandine or habergion of burning mettall,
houlding vp his Hammer, and as it were striking vpon his
worke.
And there before him was a most noble woman, hauing two
fethered wings set vpon hir delicate and tender shoulders,
houlding hir sonne an infante naked, which sate with his
little hyppes vpon the large and goodly proportioned thighes
of the faire goddesse his mother, and playing with hir, as she
held him vp, and putting his feete vpon a stone, as it had
beene a little hill, with a fornace in a hollow hole, wherin
was an extreame whote burning fire.
This Ladye had hir fayre tresses curiouslie dressed vpon hyr
broad and highe forhead, and in like sorte compassing about
with abundance, hir head in so rare and delicate a sort, that I
marueyled why the Blacksmithes that were there busie at
theyr worke, left not off to looke still vpon so beautifull an
obiect. There was also fast by, of like excellent
woorkemanship, a knight of fierce countenance, Mars. hauing
vpon hym an armour of brasse, with the head of Medusa
vpon the curate or brest plate, and all the rest exquisitely
wrought and beautified, with a bandilier ouerthwart his
broad and strong brest, houlding with hys brawny arme a
halfe Pike, and raysing vp the poynte thereof, and bearing
vpon his head a high crested helmet, the other arme
shadowed and not seene by reason of the former figure:
There was also a young man in silke clothing, behynde the
Smith, whome I could not perceiue but from the brest
vpwarde, ouer the declyning head of the forenamed Smith.
Thys rehearsed hystorie, for the better and sweeter pleasing
to the eye, the workeman had graced in this sort. The playne
grounde that was hollowe and smoothe in euery cutting out
of a limme or body, vpon the table of the stylipode, was like

vnto red coroll and shyning, which made such a reflection
vpon the naked bodyes, and theyr members betwixt them,
and compassing them about, that they seemed lyke a
Carnation Rose couler.
Vpon the left side of the doore in the like aulter or stylipode
vpon the table thereof, there was ingrauen a yoong man of
seemly countenance, Mercurie. wherein appeared great
celerity: he sate vpon a square seate adorned with an ancient
manner of caruing, hauing vpon his legge a paire of half
buskens, open from the calfe of the legge to the ancle, from
whence grew out on either ancle a wing, and to whome the
aforesaide goddes with a heauenlye shape, her brests
touching together and growne out round and firme without
shaking, with her large flankes conformable to the rest of hir
proportion before mentioned with a sweet countenance
offered yoong and tender sonne ready to be taught: the yong
man bowing himselfe curteously downe to the childe, who
stoode before him vppon his pretty little feete, receiuing
from his tutor three arrowes, which in such sort were
deliuered as one might easelye coniecture and gather after
what manner they were to be vsed: the goddesse his mother
holding the empty quiuer and bowe vnbent, and at the feete
of this instructor lay his vypered caduce.
There also I saw a squier or armour-bearer and a woman
with a helmet vpon her head carying a trophæ or signe of
victorie vpon a speare after this manner. Amor mi troua di tutto
disarmato. 10 An ancient coate-armor hung vp, and vpon the
top thereof or creast, a spheare vpon two wings, and [v]
betwixt both wings this note or saying, Nihil firmum,
Nothing permanent: she was apparelled in a thin garment
carried abroad with the wind, and her breasts bare.
The two straight pillars of Porphyre of seuen diameters vpon
either of the aforenamed stilipodes and square aultars did
stretch vpward of a pumish or tawnie colour, the out sides

shining cleere and smoothly pollished, chamfered, and
chanelled with foure and twenty rebaternents or channels in
euery collumne betwixt the nextruls or cordels.
Of these the third part was round, and the reason of their
cutting in such sort (that is two parts chamfered, & the third
round) as I thought was this: the frame or temple was
dedicated to both sexes, that is, to a god and a goddesse, or
to the mother and the son, or to the husband and the wife, or
the father and the daughter, and such like. And therefore the
expert and cunning workemen in elder time for the feminine
sex, did vse more chamfering and channelling and double
varietie then for the masculine, because of their slippery and
vnconstant nature.
The cause of so much rebating was to shew that this was the
temple of a goddesse, for chamfering dooth set foorth the
plytes of feminine apparell, vpon the which they placed a
chapter with prependent folding, like vnto plyted and curled
haire, and feminine dressing, and sometimes in stead of a
chapter a woman’s head with crisped haire.
These notable and faire collumnes aforesaide did rise vp in
length vpon their vnderset bases of brasse with their Thores
and Cymbies Thores and Cymbies be the outward parts of a chapter or head
of a pillar sticking out further than the pillar wrything and turning in, wrought
with leaues, the worke is called of caruers & painters draperie and celerie.
wrought with a foliature of oke leaues and acornes winding
about their chapters standing vpon their subiect Plynths. The
Chapters of the same substance of their bases, with requisite
meete and conuenient proportion aunswerable to the
harmonie of the whole worke. Such as Callimachus the
chiefe caruer to Calathus the sonne of Iupiter did neuer
performe or come neere in the erected sepulcher of the
Corinthian Virgin, beautified with draperie of double
Achanthis.

The Plynthes whereon the chapters did stand wrought with
winding and turning workes, and in the middest, decorated
with a Lillie, the bowle garnished with two rowes of viii.
leaues of Achanthus, after the Romaine and Corinthian
maner, out of which leaues came little small stalkes, closing
together in the middest of the boule, shewing foorth a fayre
and sweet composed Lyllie in the hollowing of the Abac or
Plynth, from the which the tender stalkes did turne round
together, vnder the compasse of the square Abac, much after
the woorke that Agrippa caused to bee made, in the porche
of his woonderfull Pantheon.
Let vs come now to the lymet and lowest parte of the doore,
for entrance, which was of a great large and harde stone,
powdered with sundry sorted spottes, white, black, and of a
clay couler, and diuers other mixtures: vppon this stood the
streight cheekes and sides of the doore, with an interstitious
aspect, inwardly carued with as great cunning as the rest.
Without any signe of eyther hookes or hinges, below or
aboue.
The arche of which doore compassing like a halfe cyrcle,
was wrought curiouslye and imbowed, and as it were
bounde about with laces like beads of brasse, some round,
and some like Eglantine berries of a reddish couler, hanging
downe after an auncient manner, and foulded and turned in
among the tender stalkes.
The closing together and bracing of which hemicycle or
arch, worthie of admiration, of a rare and subtile deuise, and
exquisite polyture, did thus obiect and present it selfe to my
sight.
The Eagle of Iupiter that carryed Ganimed. There I beheld in a hard
and most black stone, an eagle displayed, and bearing out of
the bignesse of a naturall eagle, which had louingly seazed
and taken in hir foote a sweete babe in the swadling cloutes,
nicely, carefully, and gently houlding the same, least that hir

strong, sharpe, and hooking pounces, should by anye meanes
pierce thorough the tender skynne of the young infant.
Hir feete were fixed about the rising vp chist of the childe,
whome she had made bare from the nauell vpwarde and
downeward so as the naked hippes might be seene betwixt
the fethered thighes of the Eagle. This little infant and most
beautifull babe (worthie and meete for him that he was
seazed for) by his countenance shewed as if he had beene
afraide of his fortune.
The bones next the qack in the wing, whiche in a hawke excelleth all proportions
of other birds. And thus lying in the foote of the Eagle, he
stretched both his armes abroade, and with his little fat
hands tooke fast hould vpon the remigiall bones of the
Eagles pinions displayed, as aforesaid. And clasping his
swelling prittie legges and feete, about hir suruaighing
spreding traine, which laye behinde the rising vppe of the
arche.
Achates is a pretious stone wherein are represented the figures of the nine
Muses, of Venus and such like beautiful personages. This little childe was
cut of the white vayne of Achates or [v] Onix, and the Eagle
of the other vaine of the same stone called sardius which is
of black couler of some called Cordeoll, ioyning both in one
selfe same stone. Whereat I stood musing and commending
to my selfe the ingenious and apt inuention of the Arthist, in
the vse of such a stone, which of his owne nature to
contrarie proportions affoorded contrarie coulers, and in
such sort as by the raysing vp of hir small plummage aboue
hir seare, hir beack halfe open, and hir toung appearing in
the middest thereof, as if she had beene resolutely intended,
and eagerly bent to haue gorged hir selfe vpon it.
The hemicicle or arche rising rownd from the vpper part of
the streight cheeke of the entrance, according to the thicknes
thereof was disposed into losenges or squares, wherein were
carued Roses, theyr leaues and branches hanging in a

curious and delightfull order to behoulde, ouer the entry of
the Gate.
In the two Triangles occasioned by the bow of the arche
there were two fayre Nymphes of excellent proportions and
shapes, theyr clothes which couered theyr Virgins bodyes,
giuing place for theyr legges, brests, and armes to be bare,
theyr hayre loose and flying abroad, and towardes the brace,
and knitting together of the arche aboue, they held a
victorious trophæ.
The ground of which tryangle was of black stone, the better
to shew the perfection and truthe of the mettals in the
trophæs, and the beautifull bodyes of the delycate virgins.
Zophor is a border wherin diuers things are grauen. Aboue these
mentioned partes, was the Zophor, in the myddest whereof, I
beheld a table of goulde, wherein was this Epigram in
Cappitall Creeke Letters of Syluer. In thys sorte reporting.
ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΙΚΑΙ ΤΩ Ω ΕΡΟΤΙ ΔΙΟΝΙΣΟΣ ΥΚΑΙ
ΔΗ ΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΥΤΡΙ
ΣΥΜΠΑΘΕΣ ΤΑΤΗ. 11
Diis veneri filio amori, Bacchus, & Ceres de propriis, S.
substantiis matri pientissimæ.
Eyther sides of which table was reteind and held vp with two
babes or wynged spyrits of perfect and liuelye shapes, as if
they had beene celestiall bodyes, vppon a ground of Iasul or
blew Saphyrs to grace the mettals and imagerie.
Vpon the face of the Zophor extending and stretching along
ouer the columnes of porphir stone were ingrauen certain
spoiles or curates, gorgets of mayle, vaumbraces, gauntlets,
shields, Targets, head-peeces, maces, battell Axes, spurres,
quiuers, arrowes, dartes, broken launces, curtilaxes, and
other auncient instruments of warre. As well ayerie and
marine, as for the field singularly well cut, and manifesting

to the behoulder both victories, force, and triumphes, after a
mortall effusion of bloud.
Vpon this in order stood the coronice, wrought with such
lyneaments as decently concurred, and were aunswerable to
the excellencie of the rest of the worke: for other wise, as in
a mans body one qualitie being contrarie to another,
sicknesse dooth follow, the humors oppressing one an other
in abundance: so in building if the adiuncts be vnaptly
disposed, and vndecently distributed there will fall out a
fowle deformitie.
For a frame and building growes weake and vnseemely
wherin cannot be found a sweete harmonie and
commodulate order and concent.
Which thing many moderne ideots doe confound, being
ignorant in Locall distribution. For a cunning crafts master
will in his worke shewe an allusion or resemblance to a
humaine shape and proportion beautifully adorned in
apparrell.
Aboue ouer the coronice, by an inuers gradation there were
fowre Quadratures or square Tables, two right ouer the
chamfered columnes, and channelled pyllars, and two within
them. In an other deuision, betwixt the said two contrast and
inwarde tables, there stood a Nimph in hir Anagliph Anagliph
smothly chased out with the hammer and not carued. most rare and
excellent of Orichalke or yealow Latin, houlding in eyther
hand a Torche, one of them reuersed and turned downeward,
beieng extinct and put out, and the other burning towardes
the Sunne. The burning Torche in hyr righte hande, and the
extincte in hyr left.
[v] Clymene the mother of Phaeton. In the quadriture vppon the right
side, I behelde the iealous Climene, with her heare trans-
formed into an hearbe called Venus maid, or Lady hearbe, &
Phœbus in a cruell indignation & wrathfull displeasure, she

following of him weeping, from whom he fled hastening on
forward hys swift horses, as one that flyeth from hys mortall
and deadly enemie.
Vppon the Table ouer the Columnes on the left side in a
curious and rare vnusuall caruing, there was the resemblance
historyed of the vncomfortable and still mourning
Cyparissus holding vp hys handes and armes toward the
Sunne, and making his mone to Apollo for the wounded
Cerua.
In the third Table nexte the last mencioned, in a worke
answerable to the presedent and former, I behelde
Leucothoe, wickedly slayne of hyr own Father, chaunging
and transforming her fayre yong and tender flesh into
smooth barke, shaking leaues and bending wandes.
In the fourth Table, was represented the discontented &
displeasant Daphne, at the burning desires of the curled
headed Delius, rendring vp by little and little her virgins
body vndefiled, towards the hote heauens, beeing
metamorphised most pyttifully into a greene Laurell.
Nowe successiuely in order ouer the afore-mencioned Tables
and quadratures in the Zophor, wherein these Histories were
represented in shapes, there was extended and laide ouer a
Coronice denticuled & oualld with interset stralets, betwixt
the iates of the Oualls, and leafeworke and the Imbrices with
the rest that appertayneth to the setting forth of the same
(past my skill to report) without any fault or defect: and
lastly, the syme was adorned heere and there with the leaues
of Achanthis.
A petiment in corrupt English. And to return to the view of the
whole frame, in the disposing thereof as aforesaide, the
Coronices by a perpendycular lyne were corrospondent and
agreeing with the faling out of the whol worke, the Stilliced

or Perimeter, or vtterpart of the vppermost Coronice onely
except.
It followeth to shew and speake of the Table or inward part
of the Trigonall: within the which, according as the
extreames of the same triangle would permit, there was
presented to my view, a Crowne or Garland of diuers leaues,
fruites, and stalkes, foulded vppe and wrapte together of a
greene stone knitte in foure partes, the byndings of the selfe
same stalkes, holden by two Mermaydes, the vpper parts of
them of a humayne shape, and that vnder the nauell like a
Fyshe, their one hande vp, and the other belowe on the
Garlande, their scalye tayles extending to the nethermost
corners of the Triangle, vppon the top of the Coronice
hauing at theyr extreeme partes theyr fishy winges or finnes.
Theyr faces like vyrgines, theyr tresses of haire, partly
curling vppe vppon their forheades, some turned about their
heads and rowled vp, some depending downe vppon theyr
temples, and crisping and inanulating by their eares. From
betwixt their shoulders grewe their winges like Harpies,
stretching downe and extending to the foulding and turnings
of theyr tayles, vpon their monstrous flankes grew out their
fynnes to swimme withall, their beginning, their fishie and
scalye substance, and from thenceso continuing theyr nether
parts downewarde.
Iupiter. Within the saide Garland I beheld a rough Milche
Gote, which a little child did suck, sitting vnder hir side
vpon his fleshie young legges one streight foorth, and the
other retract and bowed vnder him. With his little armes
houlding himselfe by the hearie and rough locks, his
countenance and eyes vpon the byg and full vdder thus
sucking. And a certaine Nimphe, as it were speaking
woords, and giuing voyces of contentment, to the Goat and
bowing downe hir selfe with the left hand, held vp one of the
feete, and with the right hand putting the pappe to the

smacking kissings of the sucking infant, and vnder hir were
these letters Iupiters nursse. Amalthea.
Another Nimphe stood against the head of the Goate, with
one arme carefully compassing the neck, and with the other
shee held hir by the horne.
The daughter of Melissus and Iupiters nursse. In the middest stood the
third Nimphe with greene bowgh leaues in one hand, and in
the other an oulde fashioned drinking bowle, more long then
broad, like a boate by a little handle. Vnder hir feete was
written, Melissa.
Betwixt one and other of the three fore specified Nymphes,
there were two other hauing Cymbals in theyr handes, as it
were playing and dauncing, euery one apparrelled according
to the [v] perfection of theyr beauties, with an artificiall
performance of workmanship in the vndertaken proportions,
that they rather seemed the substances themselues then a
Lythoglyph an Imagerie, either by Policletus, Phidias or
Lysippus, neyther did the Anaglipts be cunning carues and grauers. 12
Anaglipts to Artemisia the Queene of Caria, Scaphes,
Briaxes, Timotheus, Leocaris and Theon, come any thing
neare for the workemanship heereof seemed to excell the
cunning of any humaine Lapicidarie, caruer grauer, or cutter
whatsoeuer.
Aboue this foresayde Triangle, and vnder the vpper coronice
in a smooth plaine were these two Attic wordes in capitall
Letters, ΔΙΟΣ ΑΙΓΙΟΧΙΟΝ.
This conspitious porche and gate, most woorthye to be
behelde, thus stoode of a maruelous composition, excellently
disposed. If I had not explaned the commodulation and
harmonie heereof particularly, I might haue beene blamed
for my prolixitie and tediousnesse, and for wanting of fit
words, in the discription. And thus for this time heereof so
much.

[v] It must needes follow, that all the rest of the aforesaide
court on euery side was beautifull to behold, and of stately
workemanship by that which still remained standing: as in
the inward parte the naues and columnes carrieng and
bearing vp an immesurable and monstrous weight, and
Corinthies of a lesser sort, a diuine and vnknowen work
abounding in variety of perfections as proportion required
and needfullnes did desire to beare vp the burthen that was
laide vppon them. Their ornature and decking with woorkes,
and deuises imitating the apparreling of princely bodies
indewed as it were with an artificiall reason. For as to a large

big and corpulent body strong legges, and broad feete, are
necessarie to beare and carry the same: so in a modulate and
well composed building, to sustaine great weights, Naues
are appointed, and for beautie, columnes, Corinthies, and
slender Ionices, are set vpon them. And this whole woorke
euen after such sorte as was requisite for the harmonie
thereof, euen so it stood in an approoued excellencie.
With diuersitie of coulers, sweetlye set, and aptlye disposed,
the reflexion of one beautifing another, and all together
making a gratious obiect. Of Porphyrit, Ophit, Numidian,
Alabastrit, Pyropecil, Lacedemonian greene, and white
marble, diuerslie watered, and of Andracine with white
spottes, and many others of strange sorts and diuers
commixtures.
I found one rare forme of a base, in fashion like a cushion
vpon the plynthe whereof stood two trochils or torrules, with
an interposition of Hypotracles or shaftes, and Astragals,
with a supreame Thore.
Diuers places were hidden and couered ouer with winding,
felted and spreding Iuie, full of black berries, and greene
soft leaues heare and there growing vp, and hindering the
inwarde obiect of the auncient worke, with other Murall and
wall weeds comming out of the chinkes and clifts, as the bell
flowre. Venus Nauill, & Erogennet, of some called Loue, to
whome he is gratefull, bushing downe againe toward the
ground, in other ryfts grew Mowse-eare, Polypodie,
Adientus or Lady hayre, the iagged and curled Cithracus the
knotted Lunarie minor, Prickmaddam, Polytricon, or
goulden lockes and such like, which vse to grow in decayed
buildings, and ould stone wales, so that many woorthie
peeces were inuested and hydden from me, with such like
weedes and greene Olyues the garnishers of ruines.
There was in diuers places inestimable huge downe falles of
many columnes or rather confused piles of broken stones,

and vnshapely Culpins mounting vp from the earth.
Among which downefallen peeces I might see the
remaynders of diuers shapes of men of sundrie sortes, many
naked, other some hauing their members couered with
folded and plited induments, fast sticking to their naked
proportions. Some standing vpon the left foote, others vpon
the right in a streight sort, with their heads perpendicularly,
euer the center betwixt their heeles, and some looking
sidewaies in height, foure Cubites of sixe foote.
Others standing vppon both feete, some deale distant one
from an other, and each one in a maiestie sitting in their
thrones, and the rest with a rare and modest grace in their
best pleasing and appointed seates.
There also I beheld innumerable trophæs, spoyles of armor,
and infinite ornaments, with the heades of Oxen and Horses
of conuenient bignes, and about their hornes part of their
garlands of leaues, fruites, twigges, braunches and floures,
and some about part of their bodies, with little children
riding vpon them and playing, in so perfect a sort and
wished order, as the most skilfull workemaister full of
varietie, labour, studie, and industrie, could deuise and
performe. With what care and paine his abounding skill did
plainly manifest, and with what pleasure the effect of his
purpose did no whit obscure.
And with such an Eurithmie or apt proportioning of
members, hee did shewe the subtiltie of the art of
Lapicidarie, as if the substances had not beene of the hardest
marble howsoeuer, but of soft chaulke or Potters claie, and
with what conclansture the stones were couched, and by
what Artillerie, rule and measure they were composed and
set, it was woonderfull to imagine.
This was the true Art enucleating and discouering the
ignorance that wee worke in, our detestable presumption,

and publike condemned errors.
This is that cleare and perfect light, which sweetly and with
[v] our vnconstrained willes draweth our dimme sighted eies
to contemplate and behold the same. For none (vnles it be he
which of set purpose refuseth to behold it) but his eyes
would dasell with continuall desire to see it.
This is that which accuseth horrible couetousnes, the
deuourer and consumer of all vertue, a stil byting and
euerlasting greedie worme in his heart that is captiuated and
subiect to the same, the accursed let and hinderance to well
disposed wittes, the mortal enemy to good Architecturie, and
the execrable Idol of this present world, so vnworthily
worshipped, and damnably adored. Thou deadly poison to
him that is infected with thee, what sumptuous workes are
ouerthrowne, and by thee interdicted.
Herewithall I beeing rauished and taken vp with
vnspeakeable delight and pleasure in the regarding of this
rare and auncient venerable monument of such a grace and
admiration, that I knew not to which part to turne me first,
here and there willingly looking about, and thereat amazed,
considerately perusing ouer what the ingrauen histories
presented vnto me, as I remoued my selfe from place to
place, with an vnknowne delight, and vnreportable pleasure
to beholde the same, gaping at them with open mouth,
forgetting my selfe like a young childe, neuer satisfying my
greedie eyes and vnsaciable desire to looke and ouerlooke
the exquisite perfection of the auncient worke, I was spoiled
and robbed of all thoughts whatsoeuer, the remembrance of
my desired Polia, often accurring, onely excepted. But with
an extreeme and deepe set sigh, let vs leaue her a litle, and
returne again to our continued purpose.

Poliphilus entring a little waye in at the described
porch, with great delight he there also beheld how
it was garnished and adorned, and after as he was
comming out he met with a monstruous dragon
whereat he was extreemlie afraide, and compelled
to runne backe into the building, and at last
getting foorth with much adoe hee came into a
fertile place.
great and commendable thing
with out dout it shold be, trulie to
discribe, & from point to point, to
set down the incredible work, and
vnimagined composition, of so
vast a frame, and huge bignes, of
so great a buildinge with the
excellencie of the entrance, in a
conspicuous and sightly place,
conueniently situated, where of
my delight to behold them, did exced the greatnes of my
admiration breeding in me such a conceit so as I perswaded
my self that Iupiter durst not vndertake the like to the rest of
the gods, & certainly beleeuing that no workman, or human
witt could compase so huge a frame, expresse so notable
conceits, or imagine and inuent so rare deuises and so
gorgiouslie to garnishe them, in so singuler an order and
simmetry, to dispose them, and without supplement or
correction perfictlye to finishe them. A rare and insolent
pride in a building. Vppon which occasion I was in some
doubt and that not a little that if the naturall historiographer

had seene or heard of this, hee woulde haue scorned that of
Egipt, and the cunning and industrie of the woorking
thereof, for that heerein the sundrie and diuers woorkes
effected by many seuerall workmen seemed in the
perfections, of their dewe proportions as if they had been
performed by one himselfe.
He would also as lightlie haue regarded the skillfull cunning
of Satirus the architect and other of fame, especially
Simandrus, for the woorke of Memnon, who cut the three
statures of Iupiter in one stone, the feet being aboue seauen
cubits long.
To this the representation of the magnanimous Semiramis
carued out of the mountaine Bagistanus must geue place.
[v] And letting passe to speake of the insolent greatnes of the
Piramides of memphis, those writers at large would haue
bente them selues to this description. And leauing
vnreported, the famous Theaters, Amphitheaters, Bathes, and
building sacred and prophane, carriages, of waters, and
colosses, and that of Appolline translated byLioculus. Or the
temple dedicated to Iupiter by Claudius Cæser. Or that of
Lisippus at Tarentum, or the wonder of Carelindius at the
Rhodes, and of Xenodorus in France, and in Roome. And the
colosse of Serapus nine cubits longe of Smarage or
Emerauldes, or the famous Labyrinth of Egypt. Or the
representacion of Hercules at Tyre.
They woulde haue accommodated their sweete styles, to the
commendation heard of as aboue all other most excellent,
although the Obelisk of Iupiter, compact of fower frustes,
fortie Cubits high, fower Cubits broade, and two Cubits
thick, in his deluber within the temple dooth manifest it selfe
to be a wonderfull miracle.
Vnsaciable thus casting mine eyes, and turning vp my
countenance now this way & now that way, towards this

huge & mighty frame, I thus thought with my selfe. If the
fragments and remaynder of so sacred an antiquitie, and if
the greet and dust of such a decayed monument, can breed a
stupifaction in the admiration thereof, and cause so great
delyght to behould the same, what would it haue done in
chiefest pride.
After this my discourseing, reason perswaded mee to
suppose, that with in might bee the Aultar of Venus for hir
misticall Sacrifices and sacred flames, or the representation
of hir Godhead, or the Aphrodise of hir selfe and hir little
Archer, and therefore with a deuoute reuerence, my right
foote beeing set vppon the halowed lymit of the doore, there
came towards me flying a white A bird of slow flight & long liuing, in
old monuments by Augurs dedicated to Saturne. Horix.

But I sodainlye with out any further regard or curious
forcaste which with my searching eies went in as the
spatious and lightsome entrie gaue me leaue, representing
vnto me such sights as merit, and are Condigne of
euerlastinge remembrannce, in ether sydes stilled with
smoth poollishede Marble, in the middle parte where of
there was impacte a rounde table, inclaustrede and
compassede about with a greene Stonne verye pretious and
accordinglie asosciated with curious workemanship. And the
opposite of verie blacke stone, scorning and contemning the
hardnes of iron, and cleare and shining as a mirror. By
meanes whereof as I passed by (vnawares) I grew afrayd at
my owne shadow, neuertheles I was by an by comforted
with vnexspected delight, for the place that occasioned my
disquiet nowe offered vnto me the grounde of all sciences,
historied in a visible manifest and experte painting.
Ostracus be pounded shels mixed with lime, whereof a plaster is made to floor
withall. And on either sides vnder the same beautifull and
most noble tables, there were placed all a long seates of

stone. The pauement neat and cleane from dust, being made
of Ostracus.
And so in like manner the coloured vpper seeling was pure
and voyd of Spiders and Cobwebs, by reason of the
continuall fresh ayre both entring in and going out.
The seeling of the walles as aforesayde, mounted vp to the
bendyng of the Arche from the Chapters which stood vpon
their strict and vpright Antes euen to the vttermost ende of
the entrie, which was by my perspectiue iudgement twelue
paces.
From which perpolyte ligature and fastned ioyntes, the roofe
of the entrie all the length thereof, did march with a
hemicircubate flexure, answerable to the Antes and streight
sides of the afore described porche full of varieties and
exquisite representments, rarely ingrauen and of little water
monsters, as in the water it selfe in their right and well
disposed plemmyrules, halfe men and women, with their
fishie tailes: some imbracing one an other with a mutuall
consent, some playing vppon Flutes, and others vpon other
fantasticall instruments.
Some sitting in straunge fashioned Charriots, and drawne in
them by swift Dolphines, crowned and adorned with water
Lillies sutable to the furniture of the garnished seates: some
with diuers dishes and vessels replenished with many sortes
of fruites. Others with plentiful copies, some coupled
togither with bands, and others wrastling as they did, riding
vppon Hipposatamies, and other sundrie and vncoth beastes,
with a Chiloneall defence.
Some wantonly disposed, others to varietie of sportes and
feastes, with liuely indeuours and quicke motions, most
singularlye [v] well set foorth, and filling all ouer the
aforesayde arched suffite.

Along vnder the bending ryse of the entrie, I beheld a
singular woorkemanship of sundrie representments and
counterfeits, in an excellent Thessellature, bright shining
lyke goalde: and of diuers other coulers, with a border two
foote broade, compassing about the turning couer of the
roofe, both vnder and aboue, and deuiding them from the
woorke, vpon the plaine sides, of so perfect and fresh
coulers, as if they had beene new set, with a naturall leafe
woorke of an emerawld greene, vppon a punice or tawnie
grounde, with Flowers of Ciantes and Phænicees adulterated
with curious knottes and windings, and in the conteyned
space of the aforesayde sides, I sawe this auncient Hystorye
paynted.
Europa a young Ladye, swimming into Creete vppon a
prestigious Bull. And the edict of King Agenor to his Sonnes
Cadus, Fœnice, and Cilicia, to finde out theyr defloured
sister, which thing they could not do, but after that they had
valiauntly kylled the skalie fierce Dragon that kepte the
fayre Fountayne: and consulted with Appollo, they
determined with theyr followers, and agreed to builde a
Cittie, where the bellowing Heyffer should appoynte,
wherevppon that countrey, euen to this daye carryeth the
name of the bellowing of a Cowe Europe. Cadmus builte
Athens. The other brotherFœnicia. The third Cilicia.
Thys woorke and musaicall painting, was rightlye placed in
order, as the beginning and end of the historie required with
fictions in theyr naturall coulers, theyr actions and degrees
tightlye expressed
On the contrarie side, I beheld in the same manner the
wanton and lasciuious Pasiphæ burning in infamous lust,
lying in a Machine or frame of wood, and the Bull leaping
vpon that hee knew not.
After that the monstrous mynotaure with hys vglye shape
shut and inclosed in the intricate Labyrinth. And after that

the imprysoned Dedalus, artificially making of winges for
hymselfe, and his young sonne Icarus, who vnhappylye not
obseruing hys Fathers rule, fell downe headlong into the
deepe see, leauing vnto the same seas his name, after his
drowning. And his discreete father, being safe according to
his vowe, hanging vp his wings in the temple of Appollo.
Vppon the which I stoode with open mouth attentiuely
gazing with my eyes, and rauished in minde with the beautie
of the hystorie, so well disposed, so perfectly ordered, so
artificiallye paynted and curiouslie expressed, whole and
sounde, without any signe of decaye, the strength of the
glutinous substance, which ioyned and held the Thessalature
or checkers, together was such and so perfect. For therein
the workeman had taken great paine and shewed a rare
cunning.
And thus foote by foote I went forward bowldly, examining
and behoulding what direction and arte of painting hee had
obserued with a pensiled distribution to make whole
proportions in a smoothe and flat playne. Some lynes
drawing neere to my obiect, and some seeming as they had
beene a farre of hardely to bee deserned, and yet both of a
like neerenesse. And the same againe which was hardlie to
bee seene, to offer it selfe more and more, to the iudgement
of the eye, with exquisite parergie and shadowing 13 Waters,
Fountaines, Mountaines, Hilles, woodes, and beasts, in theyr
naturall coulours, and distante one from an other, with
opposite light. And in apparrell the plyghts and fouldes so
cunninglye perfected and shaddowed that as well in that, as
in all the rest, the arte did seeme to enuye nature it selfe, and
that not a little whereat I greatly woondered.
After this manner I came to the further ende, where the
beautifull hystories finished, and beyond the same more
inward the darknes was such as I durst not enter, &
comming back againe I heard among the ruines a continuing

noise like the cracking of bones or their ratling together,
whereat I stood still forgetting [v] my fore conceiued delight
being interrupted therewith from the sweetnes of the obiects.
At length I might heare a rustling as if a dead Oxe had been
dragged vpon the ground, the noyse still approaching and
comming neerer and neerer the poarch that I was to passe
out at, where I heard a great hissing of a huge Serpent: the
sodaine feare I was in, made mee past crying out for helpe,
neither did I see how to escape, but by running into the
darke and obscure vastnes whiche before I was afraide to
enter into.
Oh vnhappie wretch oppressed with aduers and sad fortune,
I saw in the entrie of the doore comming towardes mee, no
hurtfull Lyon crowching to Androdus, but a fearefull and
horrible Dragon The Dragon is that Abaddon and Apollion, the enemy to
mankinde. shaking her trisulked and three parted tongue
against mee, grating her teeth, and making a skritching or
critching noyse, her squamy and scaly hide trailing vpon the
flowerd pauement, clapping her winges vpon her wrimpled
backe, with a long taile folding and crinckling like an Eele
and neuer resting. Ohi me, the sight was sufficient to haue
affrighted Mars himselfe in the assurednes of warlike
Armour, or to haue made tremble the strong and mightie
Hercules, for all his molorchied and clubbed but. And to call
Theseus backe from his begunne imprese and bold attempt,
and to terrifie the Gyant Typhon, and to make the proudest
and stoutest heart whatsoeuer to quaile and stoope. I wished
my selfe the swiftnes of Atalanta, beeing but young and
vnarmed, no way able to encounter with such a poisonable
force, and perceiuing his blacke infectious breath smoaking
out at his mouth. Beeing past all hope to slip by him, I
deuoutly cried for diuine helpe. And sodeinly turning my
backe, as fast as I could runne, I conueighed my fearefull
bodie by the helpe of my swift pacing feete, into the inward

part of the darke places, penetrating through diuers crooked
torments, ambagious passages and vnknowne waies.
The darke places is ignorance, and the wisedome of this word which is nothing
els but meere folly. So that I thought to bee in the inextricable
frame of the prudent Dedalus, or of Porsena, so full of
wayes and winding turnings, one entring into another, to
deceiue the intent of the goer out, or in the romthie denne of
the horrible Cyclops, or the hollow Caue of the theeuish
Carus. In such sort, that although my eyes were somewhat
wel acquainted with the darkenes, yet I could see iust
nothing. But was glad to stretche out my armes forme before
my face, groping about mee (lyke one that played blynde
Sym) least I should runne my face against some pyllers, and
feeling with my feete softlye before I did rest vpon them for
feare I should tumble downe into some vaulte vnder thys
mighty Pyramides.
And looking backe, whether this fearefull Dragon did still
followe mee or no, the light was cleane gone. And I
remayning in a darke place, full of sundrie turnings and
crossing passages, in a greater terror and more deadly
heauinesse of minde then Mercurie. Making himselfe Ibis
and Apollo, Threicia, Diana, into the lyttle byrd Cholomene.
And Pan into two shapes. I and more afraide then euer was
Oedipus, Cyrus, Crasus, andPerseus. And more trembling
then the theefe Thracilius in his beares skinne. Cosby for killing
the L. Browgh. In sorrowe more abounding then poore
Pscyphes. And in more laboursome daungers then Lucius
Apuleus, when hee heard the theeues consulting to knocke
him on the head and kyll him.
Oppressed and laden with all these aforenamed frightes and
terrors, I began to imagine that the Dragon was flying about
my head, and with the noyse of hir scritching teeth and
tearing clawes to take hould vpon me with hir deuouring
iawes: my heart giuing mee to vnderstand, that the

carniuorus Woolfe which I drempt of, was a presage of this
my last doubted end. And thus running vppe and downe like
a little poore Pismeere or Aunte, when the Partrich is
scratching vpon their hillocks and picking of them vp. With
my watchfull and attentiue eares, listning if the horrible
monster with hir slimie and filthie poyson and stinking
sauour were drawing towards mee. And fearing whatsoever
came first into my thought.
Finding my selfe vnarmed, voyde of all helpe, in this mortall
daunger, and miserable perplexitie, although that death is
naturally bytter and hated, yet notwithstanding at that time, I
did gratiouslie esteeme of it, which mee thought I could
suffer willinglye, but that will was insufficient: hope still
looking, and perswading mee of an vncertaine, fearefull, and
vnquyet lyfe.
Alas howe my soule and bodye were lothe to leaue one an
another, the sorrowe whereof made me vnwilling to
intertaine so [v] cruel an enemy as death: whereupon I
plucking vp a good heart, thought thus.
Shall the greatnes of my loue so sweetly set on fire, now
decaie, frustrated of anie effect, for if at this present I had
been but presented with a sight thereof, I could haue beene
yet the better satisfied.
But yet forthwith returning to the inward impression of my
sweetest obiect, stil dwelling in the secret of my heart, I fell
into blobering teares, for the losse of two so worthie iewels.
That was Polia and my precious life. Continually calling
vpon her with deepe sighes and singultiue sobbings,
sounding in the thicke ayre, incloystered vnder the huge
arches and secret darke couering, saying thus to my selfe.
If I die heere thus miserably, sorrowfully, and
vncomfortably, all alone, who shal bee a woorthie
successour of so precious a gemme? And who shal be the

possor of such a treasure of so inestimable valure? And what
faire heauen shal shew so cleare a light? Oh most wretched
Poliphilus, whether dost thou go vnfortunate? whether dost
thou hasten thy steppes? hopest thou euer to behold againe
any desired good? Behould all thy gratious conceits and
pleasant highe delyghtes builded in thy apprehensiue
thoughtes, through the sweetenes of loue, are deadly shaken,
and abruptlie precipitated and cast downe? Looke how thy
loftie Amorous cogitations are shaken in peeces and
auchilated. Ah me what iniurious lot & maleuolent
constellations, haue so perniciously driuen, and deceitfully
allured thee into this miserable obscure darknes? and now
haue despitefully ledde thee in a heape of mortal feares, and
drowning in a deepe sea of vnspeakeable sorrowes. To the
vnmercifull deuouring and sodaine gobbling vp of so filthie
a monster, and to bee rotted and disgested in the stinking
intrailes of so fowle a beast, and to bee cast out in so vile a
place. Oh lamentable and vnaccustomed death. O miserable
end of my desired life. Where are my eyes? what be they
barreine? Is their humor gone? Are there no more teares left
to fall trickeling downe my blubbered cheekes? Well then I
perceiue that death is at my backe, who did euer see such a
change of fortune? Behold vnhappie and wayward death,
and the last houre, and accursed minute thereof at hande, in
this darkesome shade, where my bodie and flesh is
appointed to bee a foode for so fowle a beast. What furie?
what crueltie? what miserie more monstrous can a mortall
creature suffer. That sweete and pleasant light should bee
rest from them that bee aliue, and the earth denied to them
that are dead. What hoggish calamitie, and deformed
mishap, so greeuously and vntimely shall abandon from mee
my most desired and florishing Polia, Farewell the merror of
all vertue, and true perfection of beautie, farewell.
And thus beyond all measure tost and tumbled in such and
so great afflictions, my verie soule was vexed within me,

striuing to be set at libertie from my vnfortunate and feeble
bodie, passing vp and downe I knew not where. My legges
weake, feeble, and fowltering vnder mee, my spirites
languishing, and my sences in a maner gone from mee.
Sauing that I called deuoutly vppon the omnipotent God to
haue pittie vppon mee, and that some good Angell might bee
appointed to conduct mee out. And with that beholde I
discouered a little light. To the which, how gladly I hasted,
let euerie one iudge what hee would doo in such a
perplexitie.
I saw an euerlasting Lampe, burning before an Aultar that
was fiue foote high, and tenne foote broad, with the images
of golde standing thereupon, which I could not verie
perfectly behold, notwithstanding the burning Lampe, the
grossenes of the ayre was such and so great an enemy to the
light.
And alwayes with attentiue eares I diligently harkened, as
not yet ridde of feare, and somewhat I saw, the dimme
images and the large foundations, and feareful vaultes, and
subterraneal buttresses or vpholders and strengthes, heare
and there in infinite places distributed, and many huge and
mightie pillers, some fouresquare, some sixe square, some
eight square, aptly set vnder and approportioned to sustaine
the vast bignes of the waightie Pyramides.
There I hauing small delight to make anie long staie, I
intended to take an vnknowne way further in, which my
vndertaken course, I espied a light whiche so long I had
wished for, comming in at a litle wicket as small as I
could see.
[v] Oh with what ioy, and with what a glad heart, I beheld it,
and with what cheare did I hasten my steppes towards it.
Perchance faster then Canistius or Philonides Two blockish lasie
lubbers, one of Melite an other of Athens, that thought it a great labour to eate
their owne meate. my vnbrideled gladnesse and extreame desire

to come neere therevnto was such, that I reuoked and haled
backe againe the diuorse of my discontented and irkesome
life, successiuely comforting my perturbed minde and
quailed hart. Somewhat refreshing and reassuring my selfe:
filling vp againe my euacuated and emptie heart, and
replenishing the same with his ould cogitations.
Nowe I settled my selfe more towardes my louely Polia, and
bound my affections more surely to hir. Being perswaded
and firmely opinionated, that this sight was a traũce in loue,
for shewing that I should dye and lose my loue. Oh how
extreamely did it vexe mee. Neyther did it refuse or make
resistance to anye sharpe and newe assaulte of loue, which
in my stroken and sore wounded heart woulde lye festering
and feeding of himselfe.
And by this time, all lets and hynderances past ouer, a
spatious and large going out was offered vnto me. Then by
meanes of the cleere light I was somwhat comforted, and
reassuming and gathering together againe my wandering
thoughts, and restoring my prostrate force, my suspected and
vnknowne voyage, made me to set out in running: so as the
nearer I came to the doore, the bigger mee thought it grewe.
To the which at last by Gods wyll, Polia in my amorous
brest bearing a predominante vigor, I came, not ceasing to
continue forward my fast course: my hands which before I
groping helde foorth, to keepe me from running against
pyllers, I nowe vsed like a payre of Ores to hasten mee
awaye.
Thus traueling on safely, I came into a verie pleasaunt sighte
and counttie, in the which I was not yet without feare, and
not daring to rest me downe, the impression of the horrible
monster was so fresh in my minde, that mee thought I still
heard him behinde me, and therefore I could not so easily
forget him. But was rayther perswaded to goe on further:
first because the countrie was so fertile, pleasaunt and

beautifull. Secondly, that I might get farre enough off from
the place wherein I was so lately affrighted. That then I
sitting downe, might rest my selfe, and set my minde
together againe, and forget this conceiued dread, at my
entrance in of the gate, the apparation of the white Sorix
gratiously comming againe into my reteyning memorie, an
exhortatorie prouacation, and good occasion to animate and
comforte me, because that to Augures it was a gratefull and
propitious signe of good luck.
At last I was resolutely perswaded to commit my selfe to the
benignitie of my good fortune, which some time might bee
vnto me an officious and bountifull handmaide, of
prosperous euents. Capillata ministra. And therewithall pricked
forward and prouoked to continue on my walke, whether my
wearie and feeble legges would conduct and bring mee. And
yet I was (as in good sorte became mee) somewhat doubtfull
to enter into such a place, (beeing vnknowne vnto mee)
where perchaunce it was not lawfull for me to come. Albeit
that I was heerin more audacious and bould a great deale,
then in the enteraunce of the gorgeous Porche. And thus my
brest fast beating, and my minde perplexed, I saide to my
selfe.
There is no cause that should lead mee to turne back againe,
all things considered: is not this a safer place, and more fit to
flie from daunger? Is it not better to hassard a mans lyfe in
the light and cleere Sunne, then to dye and sterue in a blinde
darkenesse? and so resolued not to turne backe anye more:
with a deepe set sighe, I called into memorie, the pleasure
and delight that my sences had well neere lost: for the
woorke which I had seene was full of maruelous woonders,
and thinking by what meane I was depriued of them, I called
to remembrance the brasen Lyons, in Salomons Temple,
which were of such fierce countenances, as that they would
bring men to forgetfulnes.

And into such an estate I was afrayde that the dragon had
brought me, that so excellent and maruellous woorkes, and
rare inuentions, in a manner vnpossible for any humaine
creature to performe, worthie to be manifested, and by my
selfe diligentlye perused, should now be fled out of my
sucking remembrance, so as I should not bee able to make a
true reporte of them: but therein I contraried my selfe:
neither did I finde that I was in a Lithargie passion: But that
I verrie well remembred and helde [v] without any defaulte
in order and proportion whatsoeuer I had seene and beheld.
And that the monstrous and cruell beast was a verrie liuelye
substance, and no fiction, the like of any mortall man
sildome seene, no not of Regulus. The verie remembrance
whereof, made my hayre stand right vp, and foorthwith
mooued me to mend my pace.
Afterward returning to my selfe, I thought thus. Heere
without all doubte (for so I imagined by reason of the
glorious bountie of the beautiful soile) is no habitation but
for ciuill people, or rather for Angles and noble personages,
and a place for Nimphes to frequent vnto, or for the Goddes
and Auncients, Monarches and princes, in so much as my
perswasiue desire did prouoke forwarde my restrained pace,
causing a perceuerance in my late begun iourney. And thus
as one captiuated and subiect to the sharpe spurre of
vnsatiable desire, I purposed to houlde on whether the
fayrenesse of my fortune should conduct mee, as yet but
indifferent and rather languishing.
Nowe come to behoulde a fayre and plentifull countrie,
fruitefull fieldes, and fertill groundes, I did exceedinglye
commend the desire that mooued mee first to enter into
them. But especially to giue thankes to him that had brought
mee out from the fearefull place, which now I little regarded
being far enough off from it.

Poliphilus sheweth the commodiousnesse of the
countrie where-into hee was come, in his
trauailing within the same, he came vnto a goodlie
Fountaine, and howe hee sawe fiue faire Damsels
comming towardes him, and their woondering at
his comming hither, assuring him from hurte, and
inuiting him to bee a partaker of their solaces.
hus gotten foorth of this fearefull hell,
darke hollownesse, and dreadfull place
(although it were a sacred Aphrodise and
reuerend Temple:) and beeing come into a
desired light, louelye ayre, and pleasaunt
countrie, full of contentment: I turned my
selfe about to looke backe at the place from whence I came
out, and where my life, my life that latelye I esteemed so
lightlie, was so greatlye perplexed and daungered, where I
beheld a mountaine vnnaturall, with a moderate assention
and steepe rising, ouer-growne and shaddowed with greene
and tender leaues of mastie Okes, Beeches, Wainescot Okes,
Holmes, Cerries Aesculies, Corke trees, Yew trees, Holly or
Huluer, or Acilon.
And towardes the plaine, it was couered with Hamberries,
Hasels, Fylbirds, prune, print, or priuet, and whitened with
the flowers thereof: by coulered Xeapie, beeing red towardes
the north, and white against the Southe, Plane trees, Ashe
trees, and such like, spredding and stretching out their
braunches: fowlded and imbraced with the running of
Hunnisuckles or woodbines, and Hoppes, which made a
pleasaunt and coole shade. Vnder the which grewe Ladyes

Seale or Rape Violet, hurtfull for the sight, iagged
Polypodie, and the Trientall and foure inched Scolopendria,
or Hartes toongue, Heleborous Niger, or Melampodi,
Trayfles, and such other Vmbriphilous hearbes and Woodde
Flowers, some adorned with them, and some without.
So that the mouth of the darke place, out of the which I had
escaped, was in a manner within the highe Mountaine, [v] all
ouergrone with trees.
And as I could coniecture it was iust against the afore
spoken of frame, and in my iudgement it had been some rare
peice of woork, more auncient then the other, and by time
wasted and consumed, now bearing Iuie and other wall trees,
and so was become an ouer growne wood, that I could
scarce perceiue any comming out, or mouth for easie
passage but euen for a necessitie, for it was rownd about
compassed and enuironed with bushie and spreeding trees,
so as I was neuer determined to enter in there againe.
In the streight passage of the valie betwixt the extensed and
highe mounting rockes, the ayre was dim by reason of the
retained vapores, and yet I was as well pleased therewith as
Apollo at his deuine birth.
But letting passe this hole, from the which I gat out by
stooping, let vs come on forward to the sweet liberties which
I next beheld and that was a thicke wood of Chestnuts at the
foote of the hill, which I supposed to be a soile for Pan or
some Siluane God with their feeding heards and flockes,
with a pleasant shade, vnder the which as I passed on, I
came to an auncient bridge of marble with a very great and
highe arche, vppon the which along winning to eyther sides
of the walls, there were conuenient seats to rest vppon,
which although they were welcome to my wearye bodie, yet
I had more desire to go on forwarde, vppon which sides of
the bridge, iust ouer the top of the arche, there was placed a
porphirit table with a gorgeous border of curious

workmanship, one table on the one side and an other on the
other side, but that one the left side was of Ophite.
Vppon the table on my right hand as I went I beheld Egiplie
hierogliphies on this sorte, An auncient Helmet crested with
a Doggeshead.
The bony scalpe of an oxe with two green braunches of trees
bound fast to the hornes. And an ould lampe. Which
hierogliphis the braunches excepted because I know not
whether they were of Firre tree, Pineapple, Larix or Iuniper,
or such like: I thus interpret.
PA T I E N T I A E S T O R N A M E N T V M ,
C V S T O D I A E T P R O T E C T I O V I T AE.

On the other side there was ingrauen a cyrcle, then an
Anchor with a Dolphin winding about the strangule thereof,
which I coniectured should signifie this, ΑΕΙ ΣΠΕΥ ΔΕ
ΒΡΑΔΕΟΣ, 14 Semper festina tarde.
Vnder which auncient, sure, and faire bridge, did runne a
most cleare swift water, deuiding it selfe into two seuerall
currents, the one one way and the other an other, which
ranne most colde, making a soft continuall still noyse, in
their freesed, broken and nibbled Channels, by their eaten in

and furrowed bancke, full of stones, couered ouer and
shadowed with trees, their spredding rootes appearing in the
same bare, and about them hanging Tricomanes, Adiantus
and Cimbalaria, and bearded also with diuers small hayres
as vse to growe about the banckes of Ryuers.
The wood that I haue spoken of, was to looke vppon verye
pleasant, neyther ouer thick or more large in compasse than
a man would wish, but building a delightfull shadowe, the
trees full of small birdes and foules.
[v] Right forwarde, the Bridge did extende it selfe, and leade
towardes a large plaine, resounding all ouer with the sweete
chirpings, melodious recordings, and loude singing of them.
Wherein were leaping and running little Sqirrels, and the
drowsie Dormouse, and other harmeles beastes.
And after this manner as aforesayd, this wooddie Countrie
shewed it selfe, enuironed about with high mountaines as
much as a man might looke vnto, and the plaine couered all
ouer with a fine varietie of sundrie sweete hearbes, and the
cleare channels of Charistaline streames, sliding downe a
long the hilles with a murmuring noyse into the leauell vally.
Adorned and beautified with the flowing bitter Oliue,
Lawrell, white Poplar, and Lisimachia, blacke Pople, Alders,
and wilde Ashe.
Vpon the hils grew high Firre trees vnarmed, and the
weeping Larix, whereon Turpentine is made, and such like.
When I had well considered of this so fruitfull and so
commodious a place for cattel and beasts to be fedde in and
kept, (for it looked as though it would desire a shepheardes
company and a pastorall song) I mused what should be the
occasion, that so commodious a place should lye
vninhabited. And casting my eyes further on forward into
the plaine before mee, and leauing this fore discribed place,
I might perceiue a building of Marble, shewing the roofe

thereof ouer the tender toppes of the compassing trees. At
the sight whereof, I grew wonderfully glad and in good
hope, that there yet I should finde some habitation and
refuge. To the which without delaie I hastined my selfe. And
being come thereunto, I found a building eight square, with
a rare and wonderfull fountaine: which was not altogither
amisse. For as yet I had not quenched and slaked my thirst.
This building was eight cornered, small towardes the top and
leaded. Vpon one side there was placed a faire stone of pure
white Marble foure cornered, half as long again as it was
broad, which latitude as I supposed was some sixe foote.
Of this goodly stone were exact two litle halfe pillers,
chamfered with their bases, holding vp a streight Sime, with
a gule and adiected denticulature & cordicules, or worke of
harts, with their chapters vnder a Trabet, Zophor and
Coronice, ouer the which was a trigonall conteined, in the
fourth part of the stone smooth and plaine without any
workemanship in the table thereof sauing a litle garland,
within the which were two Doues drinking in a smal vessel.
Al the space vnspoken of inclusiue was cut in and
euacuated, betwixt the Pillers the Gulature and ouerthwart
Trabet, did containe an elegant Cigrued Nimph. And vnder
the Syme was another quarter wrought with Thors, Torques,
Ballons and a Plinth.
Which faire Nymph laye sleeping vppon a folded cloth, lap,
and wounde vp vnder her head. An other part conuenientlie
brought ouer her, to hide that bare which was womanly &
meete to be kept secret. Lying vpon her right side with that
subiected arme retract, and her open palme vnder her faire
cheeke, wherevpon she rested her head.
The other arme at libertie, lying all along ouer her left loyne,
stretching to the middle of her goodly thigh. By her smal
teates (like a yong maids) in her round brests did sprowt out

smal streamings of pure and cleare fresh water from the
right brest as it had been a threed, but from the left brest
most vehemently. The fall of both of them, receiued in a
vessel of Porphyrit stone, with two Receptories ioyning
togither in the same vessel, seperated and distinct from the
Nimph sixe foote, standing vppon a conuenient frame of
flint stone. Betwixt either of the receptories, there was an
other vessel placed, in the which the waters did striue
togither and meete, running out at the cut and appointed
places, in the middle lymbus of their Receptories, which
waters comixt out of that vessel, vnladed themselues into a
little channel sliding away, and what with one and what with
the other, al the hearbes and flowres adioyning, and about
were bountifullye benifited.
That of the left brest did spin vp so high, that it did not weat
or hinder any that would sucke or drinke of the water that
streamed and sprung out of the right brest.
And this excellent Image was so difinitelye expressed, that I
feare mee Prapitiles neuer perfourmed the lyke for [v]
Venus, to Nichomides the King of Caria which Idoll he
appointed to be adored of his subiects, although the beauty
therof were such that it moued that filthie people to fleshly
concupiscence.
But I was perswaded that the perfection of the image of
Venus was nothing to this, for it looked as if a most bewtifull
Ladye in hir sleep had beene chaunged into a stone, hir hart
still panting and hir sweete lipps readie to open, as if she
would not be so vsed.
From hir head hir loose tresses laye wauing vppon the
suppressed couering, fowlded and plited and as it were
scorning the haires of the inglomatede cloth, hir thighes of a
conueniente bignes and hir fleshie knees somwhat bending
vpp, and retract towares hir.

Showing hir streight toes as it were incereating hir fingers to
handle and streine them, the rest of hir bodie aunswerable to
the perfections of these seuerall proportions.
And behind hir the shadowing of the leaffye Memerill or
Arbut full of soft small Apples and fruite, and prettye byrdes
as yf they had beene chirping and singing of hir a sleep.
At hir feet stood a satire in prurient lust vppon his gotishe
feet, his mouth and his nose ioyning together like a gote
with a beard growinge on either sides of his chin, with two
peakes and shorte in the middeste like Goates hayre, and in
like manner about his flankes and his eares, grewe hayre,
with a visage adulterated betwixt a mans and a Goates, in so
rare a sort as if the excellent woorkman in his caruinge had
had presented vnto him by nature the Idea and shape of a
Satire.
The same Satire, had forciblie with his lefte hand bent an
arme of the Arbut tree ouer the sleepie nimphe, as if he
would make hir a fauorable shadowe therewith, and with the
other hand howldinge vpp a curtaine by one of the sides that
was fastened to the body of the tree.
Betwixt the comare Meimerill or Arbut, and the Satire, were
two little Satires, the one howlding a bottell in his hands and
the other with two snakes fowlding about his armes.
The excellencie, dilicatnes and perfection of this figment
and woorkmanshippe cannot be suffientlie expressed.
This also helping to adorne the sweetnes thereof that is the
whitnes of the stone, as if it had been pure iuorie.
I wondered also at the woorking of the clothe coueringe as
yf it had been wouen: and at the bowes, braunches, and
leaues, and at the little birdes, as if they had been singing
and hopping vpp and downe vpon their pretie feet in euerie
ioynt single and pounce made perfect, and so the Satire like
wise. Vnder this rare and woonderfull carued woork betwixt

the gulatures and vnduls in the plaine smothe was grauen in
Atthic characters this poesye ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ. 15

[v]

ΠΑΝΤΩΝ ΤΟ ΚΑΔΙ 16

The thirst which I had gotten the daie before was so
increased, that I was prouoked now to slacken the same, or
rather inticed with the faire beautie of the instrument, the
coolenes whereof was such, as betwixt my lippes me
thought it stirred and trembled.
And rounde about this pleasant place, and by the pipplyng
channels, grew Vaticinium, Lilly conuallie, and the flowring
Lysimachia or willow hearbe, the sorrowfull Reedes,
Myntes, water Parsley, Baume, Hydrolapathos, or water

Sorrell, and other approued hearbes, and fine floures, a little
Channel comming by a sluce from the Bridge, entering in
and vnlading it selfe, was the cause of a goodly faire Poole,
broad and large, in a verie good order, trimmed about and
beautified with a fence of sweete Roses and Gessamine. And
from thence running ouer it, dispersed it selfe, nourishyng
and visiting the nexte adioyning fieldes and grounde,
abounding in all sortes of hearbes, floures, fruites, and trees.
There grewe also great store of Cynarie grateful to Venus,
wylde Tansie, Colocassia, with leaues like a shielde, and
garden hearbes.
And from thence beholding the plaine fieldes, it was
woonderfull to see the greennes thereof, powdered with such
varietie of sundrie sorted colours, and diuers fashioned
floures, as yealow Crowfoote, or golden Knop, Oxeye,
Satrion Dogges stone, the lesser Centorie, Mellilot,
Saxifrage, Cowslops, Ladies fingers, wilde Cheruile, or
shepheardes Needle, Nauens Gentil, Sinquifolie Eyebright,
Strawberies, with floures and fruites, wilde Columbindes
Agnus Castus, Millfoyle, Yarrow, wherewith Achilles did
heale Telephus, and the rust of the same speares head that
hurt him. Withe the white Muscarioli, bee floures and
Panenentes in so beautifull and pleasant manner, that they
did greatly comfort mee (hauing lost my selfe) but euen with
the looking vppon them. And heere and there in a
measurable and wel disposed distaunce and space betweene.
In a conuenient order and sweete disposed sort by a iust line,
grew the greene and sweete smelling Orenges, Lymons,
Citrons, Pomegranettes, their water boughes bendyng downe
within one pace of the ground, couered with leaues of a
glassie greene colour, of a great height [v] and turning
downe againe their toppes, laden with the aboundance of
their floure and fruites, breathing forth a most sweet and
delectable odoriferous smell. Wherwithall my appaled heart

did not verie lightly reuiue himselfe (it might bee in a
pestilent ayre and contagious and deadly sauour.)
For which cause I stood amazed and in great doubt what to
thinke or doo, and the rather because in that place I had
seene such a marueilous fountaine, the varietie of hearbes,
the colours of floures, the placing orderly of the trees, the
faire and commodious disposition of the seat, the sweet
chirpings and quiet singing of Birds, and the temperate and
healthful ayre. And which I could verie well haue been
contented withall, and the worst of them might wel haue
contented me, if I had found any inhabitant there. And
somewhat I was grieued that I could no longer abide in such
a place where so many delightful sightes did present
themselues vnto mee. Neither was I aduised to my better
safetie and content which way to turne me.
Standing thus in such a suspence of minde, calling to
remembraunce the daunger that I had lastlye escaped, and
the present place that I was newlye entered into, and
thinking vppon hieragliphes that I did see in the left side of
the bridge, I was in doubt, to hasten my selfe towards any
vnaduised aduers accident, And that such a monument and
warning woorthie of golden letters, should not be set in
vaine to them that passed by, which was Semper festina
tarde. Behold of a sodaine behinde me, I heard a rusling
noyse, like the winde or beating of a Dragons winges. Alas I
knew not what it should bee. And sodeinly ispasurated and
turning my selfe about, I might perceiue vpon one side of
me many silique trees of Aegypt, with their ripe long coddes
hanging and beating one against an other with the winde,
had felled downe themselues, which when I perceiued, I was
soone quieted, and beganne to make sport at my owne folly.
I had not continued long thus, but I heard a singing company
of gallant damoselles comming towardes mee (by their
voyces of young and tender yeares) and faire (as I thought)

solacing and sporting themselues among the flowering
hearbes and fresh coole shadow, free from the suspect of any
mans sight, and making in their Gate a great applause among
the pleasant flowers. The incredible sweetnesse of hir
musicall and consonant voyce, conueighed in the roriferous
ayre, and spredding it selfe abroade with the aunswerable
sounde and delectable report of a warbeling harpe (for the
tryall of which noueltie, I couched downe vnder the lowe
bowghes of the next adioining bushes, and saw them come
towardes mee with gratious gestures) hir Maydenlie head
attyred and bound vp in fillets of glystering gould, and
instrophiated redimited, garnished ouer and beset with
floured mirtle, and vpon hir snowye foreheade, branched out
hir trembling curled lockes, and about hir fayrest showlders,
flew her long tresses after a nymphish fashion artyfitiallye
handeled.
They were apparrelled in carpanticall habites of fine sylke of
sondrye coulers, and weauinges of three sorts, one shorter,
and distinct from the other. The nethermost of purple, the
next of greene silke, & goulde or tissew, and the vppermost
of curled white sendall, gyrded about their smale wastes
with girdles of goulde vnder the lower partes of their round
breasts. Their sleeues of the same curled Sendall, often
doubled, which bettered and graced the subiect couler. And
tyed about their wrists with ribands of silke, tagged with
Gouldsmithes woorke. And some of them with Pantophles
vpon their shooes, the vpper part of the Pantophle of gould
and purple silke, leafe worke, shewing thorough betwixt the
voyde spaces of the leaues, the fine proportion of their prittie
illaquiated and contayned feete. Their shooes comming
straightly vnder their anckles, with two lappes meeting vpon
their insteps, and closed fast eyther with Buttons or claspes
of gowld after a fine manner. Aboue the hemmes of theyr
nether garments, there compassed about insteed of gardes
and imbrodered woorke of hearts, which now and then

blowne vp with the gentle ayre, made a discouerie of their
fine legges.
And assoone as they were aware of mee, they left of their
song and stayed theyr nimphish gates, being amazed with
the insighte, and of my comming into this place, maruelling
together, and whisperinglye enquiring of me, one of another,
for I seemed vnto them a rare and vnusuall thing, because I
was an aliant and stranger, and by chaunce come in to so
famous and renowmed a countrie. Thus they staide still,
sometimes looking downe vpon me, & [v] again muttering
one to an other, I stood still like an image. Oh wo was me,
for I felt all my ioynts quake like the leaues of an Aspe, in a
bitter winde. And I was affraide of the presaging poesie that
I had read, otherwise aduising me, whereof I now thought to
late to experience the effect thereof, and looking for no other
euent, I remained as doubtfull of the deuine vision, therewith
as much deceyued as Semele with the fayned shape of the
Epidaurean Beroe. Alas I trembled and shooke like the
fearefull hinde calues at the sight of the tawnie Lyons roring
out for hunger.
Contending and striuing with my selfe, whether it were
better for me submissiuely to kneele downe, or els to turne
me about and flye from them (for they seemed to mee by
their behauiour, to courteous young women, and besides
their humanitie of a deuine beningnitie) or to remaine still
vnmoueable. At length I determined to make tryall, and put
my selfe forwarde to whatsoeuer would follow, being very
well assured, that by no means I should finde any
inhumanitie or cruell dealing by any of them, and especially,
because that innocencie carryeth alwayes his protection with
him. And thus somewhat comforting my fearefull minde,
and yet restrained with shamefastnesse, knowing that I was
vnwoorthily come into this shadowie place, and solicious
company of deuine and delicate nimphes, my guiltie and
troubled minde, telling mee that it was rashly and ouer-

bouldly doone, and that they were it might be, prohibited
places, and a forbidden countrie for a straining to frequent.
And thinking thus and thus with my selfe: one amongst the
rest of a more boulde and audatious spirite, very hardly
spake vnto me, saying. Ho who art thou? at hir speeche I
was halfe afraide, and of my selfe ashamed, both ignorant
what to say, or howe to aunswer: my voyce and spirit being
interdicted, I stoode stone still like a dead image. But the
fayre Damsels and beautifull Nimphes well aduised, that in
me was a reall and humaine personage and shape, but
distempered and afrayde, they drew all of them more neerer
vnto me, saying.
Thou young man, whatsoeuer thou art, and from
whencesoeuer thou art come: Let not our present aspects any
whit dismay thee, or occasion thy discouragement nor be no
whit afrayde, for here thou shalt not finde any cruell
customes, or cause of discontent, but free from displeasures,
and therefore be not afrayde to discouer thy selfe, and tell vs
what thou art.
By this motion hauing called backe againe my forgotten and
lost sences, comforted with their faire, pleasant, and
fauourable aspects, and recouering my selfe with their sweet
speeches, with a very good will I made this aunswer vnto
them.
I am the most disgraced and vnhappiest louer that the whole
world can aforde. I loue, and she whom so greatly I esteeme,
and so earnestly I desire, I neyther know where eyther she or
my selfe is.
And by the greatest and most daungerous hap that can be
imagined I am come hither. And now with prouoked teares
downe falling from my waterie eyes along my pale cheekes,
and bowed downe to the earth prostrating my selfe to your
virginall feete I humblie craue and sue for your fauourable
graces: whereat theyr soft and tender heartes mooued with

pittie towardes mee, and halfe weeping with mee for
companie, and as it were dutifullye striuing with theyr armes
to lift mee vp from the grounde, with sweete and
comfortable speeches, they courteouslye spake vnto me.
Wee are certainly perswaded and know full well (poore
wretch) that few or none can escape by that way which thou
art come, and therefore bee not vnthankfull to that diuine
power, which hath thus preserued thee. And now be not
doubtfull or afrayde of any aduers accident or greefe to
assaile thee. Therefore quyet, comfort, and settle thy heart to
rest. For nowe thou art come as thou mayest euidently
perceiue, and plainely see, into a place of pleasure and
delight, abandoning strife and discontent. For our vniformed
ages: the seate vnchaungeable, the time not stealing away,
the good oportunitie, the gratious and sotiable familiaritie,
inticingly dooth allure vs therevnto, and graunteth vnto vs a
continuall leysure. And this also thou must vnderstand, that
if one of vs be merrie and delightsome, the other sheweth
her selfe the more glad and pleasaunt, and our delectable and
perticipated friendship, is with an attentiue consideration
perpetually vnyted and knitte together. One of vs increasing
an others content, to the highest degree of delight, and moste
conuenyent solace.
Thou seest also that the ayre is healthfull, the lymittes and
[v] bounds of this place verie large: of hearbes full of
varietie. Of plants diuerslie abounding, and with fruites
plentifully laden, inuironed and defended with huge
mountaines and rockes, well stored with harmelesse beasts,
and fitte for all pastimes and pleasures, replenished with all
kinde of fruites and graynes, vniuersally growing, and full of
goodly fountaines.
An other said: vnderstand, vnknowne, (and yet assured
guest,) good friend, that this territorie is more fruitfull then
the fertill mountaine Taurus in the aquilonall asspect, whose

frame dooth swell so much, that their clusters of grapes bee
two cubits long, and that one Figtree will beare seauentie
bushels.
The third: this famous and spatious countrey, exceedeth the
fertilitie of the Hyperborean Island in the West India, or the
portugalles of Lucitania, nowe vsurped and tyrannized by
the insolent Spanyard.
Nor Talga in the Caspian mountaine. The fourth affirmed in
hir commendation of that countrie, that the plentifulnesse of
Egypt was but to be accounted scarsitie, in respect of that
although that it were thought to be the garden of the world.
And the last, of a choyse countenance and sweete
pronuntiation aboue the rest, added thus much, saying.
In this fayre countrie you shall not finde any large fennie
groundes, or offensiue and sicklye ayres, or craggie and
fertlesse mosses, but faire and pleasaunt hilles, inuironed
and walled about with steip and vnpassageable rockes, and
by meanes thereof, secure and free from all daungers and
feare, we want not any thing which may breed delight, and
cause a sweete content. Besides all this wee are attendant
vppon a renowned and most excellent Queene of large
bountie and exceeding liberalitie: called Euterilyda of great
pittie and meruelous clemencie, ruling with great wisdome,
and with a kingly gouernement, with great pompe, in an
accumolated heape of all felicitie, and shee wyll bee greatly
delighted, when we shall present thee vnto hir sacred
presence, and maiesticall sight. And therefore cast away,
shake of, and forget all afflicting sorrowe, and frame thy
selfe and thy affrighted spyrits to intertaine of our comforts
solace and pleasure.

Poliphilus feeling himselfe vnder the assurance of
the five Nymphes, went with them to the bathes

where they had great laughter in the deuise of the
fountaine, and also by his vnction. Afterward
being brought to the Queene Eutherillida, he did
see many thinges worthie of regard, but chiefly the
worke of a fountaine.
Being thus curteously intreated of
these gracious and pitiful Nymphes,
and hauing my safetie by them
sufficiently warranted with sweet
comforts, reuiuing my decaied
spirites. To whatsoeuer might seeme
grateful and pleasing vnto them, so
much as was conuenient for mee, I
framed my selfe to offer my seruice. And because that they
had boxes of sweete perfumes, and casting bottels of golde
and precious stone, looking Glasses in their delicate and
faire handes, and pure white Vailes of silke plited and folded
vp, and other necessaries to bee vsed in bathing, which I
offering to helpe them to beare, they refusing say thus vnto
mee: that their comming into this place was to bathe, and
therewith shewed mee that it was their pleasure that I should
goe with them, for (saide they) the fountaine is here hard by,
haue you not seene it. And I reuerently made them this
answere.
Most faire Nimphes, if I had a thousande tongues and knew
how to vse them al, yet could I not render sufficient thankes
for your gracious desertes, and make requital of your great
fauours, because you haue restored vnto mee my life. And
therefore if I should not consent and yeeld vnto you my
seruice and company, I might wel bee accounted of a
churlish disposition. For which cause, amongst you I had
rather be a seruant, then in an other place a Lord and
commander, for that (so farre as I can coniecture) you are

the tenantes and chamberfellowes of al delight and true
felicitie.
You shal vnderstand that I did see a maruerlous fountaine of
a rare and wonderful workemanship, as neuer before my
eyes did beholde, and so much my minde was occupied in
the regard [v] of the straungenes thereof, and to quench my
great thirst, that I did looke for no further benefit.
One pleasant Nymphe spake thus merrily vnto mee saying,
giue mee thy hand, thou art verie welcome. Thou seest at
this present here, that we are fiue companions, These nimphs
were his fiue sences. and I am called Aphea, and she that carrieth
the boxes and white cloathes Offressia. This other with the
shining Glasse (our delightes) her name is Orassia. Shee
that carrieth the sounding Harpe is called Achol, and shee
that beareth the casting bottle of precious Lyquor, is called
Genshra. And we are al now going togither to these
temperate bathes, to refresh and delight our selues.
Therefore you also (seeing that it is your good hap to bee
amongst vs) shal bee willing to doo the like, and afterwardes
with a verie good wil wee wil make our repaire to the great
Pallais of our soueraigne.
Who is most merciful, bountiful, and liberal, and willing to
helpe and further you, in your intended loues, burning
desires, and high conceites. Plucke vp a good heart, man,
come let vs goe on.
With pleasurable actions, maydenly iestures, swasiuious
behauiours, girlish sportes, wanton regardes, and with sweet
vvords they ledde mee on thither, beeing vvel content vvith
euerie present action, but that my Polia vvas not there to the
suppliment of my felicitie, and to haue been the sixt person
in the making vp of a perfect number.
Further, I found my selfe agrieued, that my apparel vvas not
conformable to this delicious confort, but grovving into

some houshold familiaritie, I disposed my self to be affable
vvith them, and they with mee, til at last wee came to the
place.
There I behelde a marueilous buildyng of a bathe eight
square, and at euerye Exterior corner, there were doubled
together twoo Pyles, in fashion of a Pyke, from the leuell of
the foundation, the subiect Areobates Circumcinct and
ribbed about. And after them followed the vtmost of like
bignes from the ground of the other, with their chapters set
vnder the streight beame, with a border aboue, vnder a
Coronice going round about. Which border was beautified
with excellent carued worke, of litle naked children passing
wel set forth, and equally distant one from an other, with
their handes intricately tyed and wrapped about, and in them
holding little bundels of smal greene boughes instrophiated
togither. And aboue the said Coronice, did mount vp (by an
elegant arching) an eight square Spyer, imitating the subiect.
Which from corner to corner was cut through with a
marueilous workemanship of a thousand sundrie fashions,
and closed againe with quarrels of Christal, which a farre of
I did take to bee Leade. Vpon the top of which arched Spyer
was placed a Trygon, and from the vpper center thereof, did
ascend vp a strong steale, wherinto was ioyned an other
steale whiche was turned about, and to the same was
fastened a wyng, which with euerie blast of winde tarried
about, the piping steale which had vpon the top thereof a
ball, whereupon stood a naked Boy, streight vpon his right
foote, and the left holden out. His head was hollow to his
mouth like a Tunnel, with the Orifice euacuated to his
mouth, to the which was sowdered a Trompet, with his left
hand holding the Lanquet to his mouth, & his right hand
extending towardes the middle ioynt, iust ouer the pinyon of
it the wing or fane. Al which was of thinne brasse,
excellently wel cast and guilt. Which wing, ball, and boye,
with his cheekes and countenance as if hee were sounding,

with the hinder part of his head euacunated towardes the
blustring winde, as that blew, so he sounded, and as the
winde caused a strange noyse among the rods of Siliques of
Egypt, euen so did it heare in the Trumpet. Vppon which
cause I merily thought to my selfe, that a man being alone in
an vnknowne place and out of quiet, may easilie bee
afrighted with such like strange noyses.
In that part of the building that
was on the other side of the
Nimph was the enteraunce into
the bathe perfourmed as mee
thought by the same
Lithoglyphe, that couered the
sleepyng Nimphe, vppon the
phrise whereof, were certaine
Greeke Caracters, signifying
ΑΣΑΜΙΝΘΟΣ.
Within there were foure seates
whiche went rounde about, and
one vnder an other, and close
knitte togither, wroght with
Iasper and Calcedony stone, in
all kinde of colours. Two of the
cõpassing about seates were
couered ouer with water, and to
[v]
the vpper margine of the third.
In the corners, & in euerry
corner stoode a Chorinthian Collumne of diuers colours,
waued with so pure & beautiful Iacintes as nature could
affoord, with conuenient bases and their chapters curiously
made vnder the beame, ouer the which was a Zophor,
wherein were carued little naked Boyes playing in the water,
with water monsters, with wrastling and childish strifes,
with cunning flights and agilities fit for their yeares, in liuely
motions and sportes. Al which was beautiful ouer compassed

about with a Coronice. Ouer the which, according to the
order of the little Collumies, from the perpendicular poynt in
the toppe of the Cupul or Suffite and couer of the Bathe,
there went a Tore moderator, increasing bigger and bigger of
Oke leaues, one folding and lying ouer an other of greene
Diasper hanging vppon their braunshing stalkes gilt, which
ascending vp met togither, and ioyned rounde in the
aforesaide Cupul: where was placed a Lyons head, with his
haire standing vp round about his face, and holding a Ring
in his iawes, vnto the whiche were fastened certaine chaines
Orichalke or Copper, that held a large goodly vessel, with a
great braine or lyp, and furrowed of the aforesaide shyning
substance, and hangyng two Cubites aboue the water, the
bowle of the vessel which was of Christal onely except, the
rest as the ribbes thereof and lippings, was of Asure blew,
with bubbles of gold and shining sprinkled here and there.
Not farre of, there was a cleft in the earth, the which
continually did cast foorth burning matter, and taking of this,
and filling the bottome of the vessel, they did put certaine
ginnes and sweet woods which made an inestimable
suffumigation, as of the sweetest past, afterwardes closing
the same, and putting downe the couer, both partes being
holow, and the lipping and ribbing perforated and pearced
through the transparent, Christal cleare and bright, they
rendered a pleasant and diuers coulered light, by the which
through the smal holes the bathes were lightened, and the
heate stil incarcerated and interdicted.
The wal equally interposite betwixt Columne, and Columne
was of most blacke stone, of an extreame hardnes and
shining, incloystered about and bordered with a conuenient
border of Diasper redde as Coral, adorned with a Lyneament
and worke of double Gurgules or Verticules. In the middle
part of which table, betwixt the Collumnes, there sate an
elegant Nymph naked, as if she had been staying and
attending of the stone Gallatitis, of colour like Iuorie, the

lower partes of euerie of the said borders, circulating iustly
with the bases of the Collumnes.
Oh how exsquitely were the same Images cut, that
oftentimes my eyes would wander from the real and liuely
shapes, to looke vpon those feyned representations.
[v] The paued ground vnder the water being of a diuers
emblemature of hard stone, checkered where you might see
marueilous graphics through the diuersitie of the colours.
For the cleare water and not sulphurous, but sweete and
temperatelye hotte, not like a Hotte-house or Stew, but
naturally cleansing it selfe beyond all credet, there was no
meanes to hinder the obiect from the sight of the eye. For
diuers fishes in the sides of the seates, and in the bottom by
a museacall cutting expressed, which did so imitate nature as
if they had beene swimming aliue. As barbles, lampreys, and
many others, the curiousnes of whose woorke I more
regarded, then their names and natures.
The black stone of the walles was ingrauen with a leafe
worke, as if it had beene an illaqueated composition of
leaues and flowers, and the little shelles of cytheriaces, so
beautifull to the eye, as was possible to be deuised.
Vpon the doore, the interstice whereof was of stone called
Gallactites, I beheld a Dolphin swimming in the calme
waues, and carrying vpon his back a young man, playing
vpon an harpe: And on the contrarie side vpon the colde
Fountaine, there was an other dolphin swimming, and
Posidonius riding vpon him with a sharpe elle speare in his
hand.
These histories were perfected within the compasse of one
selfe same stone, and set out in a most blacke ground. Then
deseruedly I did commend, both the archytect and the
statuarie. On the other side, the pleasant dignitie of the fayre
and beautiful sporting nimphes did highlye content mee, so

as I could not compare to thinke whether the excesse of my
passed sorrow, or present solace should be greatest. And
there was so sweete a smell as Arabia neuer yeelded the like.
Vppon the seates of stone, in steed of an Apodyterie, they
did impouerish theyr apparrell, richely inuoluped, in the
casting of it off, from their celestiall bodyes. Theyr fayre
tresses bound vp in nettings of gould, wouen after a most
curious sort. And without any respect at all, they gaue mee
leaue to looke vpon theyr fayre and delicate personages,
theyr honestie and honour reserued. Flesh vndoubtedly like
the pure Roses and white Snowe. Ah woe is me, I found my
heart to rise and open it selfe, and altogether to be adicted to
a voluptuous delight. Wherevpon I at that present thought
my selfe most happie, onely in the behoulding of such
delights, because I was not able to resist the burning flames
which did set vpon mee in the fornace of my heart. And
therefore sometime for a refuge and succour I durst not
looke so narrowly vppon theyr inticing beauties, heaped vp
in their heauenly bodyes. And they perceiuing the same did
smile at my bashful behauiour, making great sport at me:
And thereat I was glad, and contented that I might any way
occasion their pastime. But I was greatly ashamed, in that I
was an vnfit companion for such a company, but that they
intreated mee to enter in with them where I stood like a
Crowe among white Doues, which made me partly ashamed
to behould, and ouerlooke such choyse obiects.
Then Offressia a very pleasant disposed piece, said vnto
mee. Tel me young man what is your name? And I
reuerently aunswered them, Poliphilus: it will please me
well saith she, if the effect of your conditions be
aunswerable to your name. And without deceit, said the rest.
And how is your dearest loue called? Whereat I making
some pause, aunswered, Polia: then she replyed. A ha I
thought that your name should signifie that you were a great
louer, but now I perceiue that you are a louer of Polia: and

presently shee added more, saying: if shee were heere
present, what would you doo? I aunswered. That which were
agreeable with hir honour, and fit for your companies. Tel
me Poliphilus doest thou loue hir wel indeed? Then I setting
a deepe sigh, aunswered: beyond all the delights and
cheefest substance of the greatest and most pretious treasure
in the whole world, and this opinion hath made an
euerlasting impression in my still tormented heart. And she:
where haue you lost or abandoned so loued a iewel? I know
not, neyther where I am my selfe I know. Then she smyling
aunswered. If any should finde hir out for you, what rewarde
would you giue. But content thy selfe, be of good comfort,
and frame thy selfe to delights, for thou shalt finde thy Polia
againe. And with these and such like pleasaunt and gratious
questions, these fayre young Virgins, sporting and solacing
themselues, we washt and bathed together.
[v] At the opposite interstice of the beautifull fountaine
without, of the faire sleeping Nymph before mentioned,
within the Bathe there was another of scatues of fine mettal,
and of a curious workemanship, glistering of a golden
colour, that one might see himselfe therein. Which were
fastened in a Marble, cut into a squadrature, and euacuated
for the Images to stand in their proportions, with two halfe
Collumnes that is Hemiciles, one of either side, with a
Trabet, a smal Zophor, and a Coronice, all cut in one sollid
Marble, and this peece of worke was nothing inferior to any
of the rest, which before I had seene, but with a rare art, and
marueilous inuention, both deuised and performed. In the
voyd and plaine euacuated quadret, there stood two
Nimphes, little lesse then if they had been liuely creatures,
apparelled, so as you might see somewhat aboue their knees,
vppon one of theyr legges, as if the winde had blowne it vp,
as they were doing theyr office, and their armes bare, from
the elbow to the shoulder except. And vpon that arme,
wherewith they sustained the Boye, the habite that was lifted

vp was reiect. The feete of the Infant stood one in one of the
handes of the Nymphes, and the other, in the others hand.
All their three countenances smiling: and with their other
handes, they held vp the Boyes shirt, aboue his nauil.
The Infant holding his little Instrument in both his hands,
and continued pissing into the hotte water, fresh coole water.
In this delicious place of pleasure, I was verie iocund and
full of content, but the same was much apalled, in that I
thought my selfe a contemptible bodie, among such
beauties, and dewe coniealed into Snowe, and as it were a
Negro or tawnye Moore amongst them.
One of them called Achoe, verie affably and with a pleasant
countenance said vnto mee, Poliphile take that Christal
vessel and bring mee some of that fresh water. I without
staie intending to do so, and thinking nothing, but to do her
seruice in any sort that she would commaund me, went to
the place. And I had no sooner set my foote vpon the steppe,
to receiue the water, as it fell, but the pissing Boye lift vp his
pricke, and cast sodeinlye so colde water vppon my face,
that I had lyke at that instant to haue fallen backward.
Whereat they so laughed, and it made such a sounde in the
roundnes and closenes of the bathe, that I also beganne
(when I was come to my selfe) to laugh that I was almost
dead. Afterward, I founde out the concauitie, and perceiued
that any heauy weight, being put vpon the moueable
stepping, that it would rise vp like the Keye and Iacke of a
Virginall, and lift vp the Boyes pricke, and finding out the
deuise and curious workemanship thereof, I was greatly
contented. Vpon the Zophor was written in Atthic letters this
title ΓΕΛΟΙΑΣΤΟΣ.

[v]

After our great laughter and bathing, and all hauing washed
with a thousand sweete, amorous, and pleasant wordes,
maydenly sportes, and pastimes, wee went out of the water,
and leapt vp vppon the accustomed seates, tripping on their
toes, where they did annoynt themselues with sweete
Odours, Diasdasmatic, and with a Myristic liquor, or water
of Nutmegges. And they offered a boxe vnto mee also, and I
annoynted my selfe therewithall, and I founde great pleasure
therein, for besides the excellent smel and sweete sauour, it
was verie good to comfort my bodie, legges, and armes, that
had been so wearied in my daungerous flight.
Afterward when we had made ourselues redy, which was
somwhat long after the manner of other women, by reason

of so many gewgawes and gimmerie whatchets, they did
open their vesselles of daintie confections, and refreshed
themselues, and I amongst them, and with precious drinke.
When they had eaten sufficiently, they returned againe to
their looking Glasses, with a scrupulous examination, about
their bodies, and the attire of their heades, and dressing of
their yealow curling haires depending, and hemicirculately
instrophiated about their diuine faces. And when they had
made an ende, they sayde vnto mee.
Poliphilus, wee are now going vnto our gratious and most
excellent Souereigne the Queene Eutherillida, where you
shal finde and conceiue greater delight, but the water is still
in your face, whereat they beganne to renew their laughter,
without all measure at mee, glauncing and turning their eyes
one to an other, with a louely regarde. At last they set foorth,
and as they went rounde togither, they beganne to sing
verses in a Phrygial tune, of a pleasaunt metamorphosing of
one, who with an oyntment thought to haue transfourmed
himselfe into a Byrd, and by mistakyng of the Boxe, was
turned into a rude Asse.
Concludyng, that manye tooke Oyntmentes to one purpose,
and founde the effecte to contrarie their expectations.
Whereat I beganne to be in a doubt, that they had sung that
by mee, because that they still smiled as they turned
towardes mee. But seeing that I perceiued no alteration in
my selfe, [v] but wel I was contented to let them laugh on.
Vpon a sodaine I founde my selfe so lasciuiously bent, and
in such a prurient lust, that which way so euer I turned, I
could not forbeare, and they as they sung laughed the more,
knowing what had happened vnto mee. And it did so
increase in mee more and more, that I knew not wherewithal
I might bridle and restraine my selfe from catching of one of
them, like an eager and hotte Falcon comming downe out of
the ayre, vpon a couie of Partriges. I was with such a violent

desire prickt forwarde, which I felt more and more to
increase in a sault burning. And the more I was to that
venerious desire by the violent offers of so oportune and
sweete obiects. A foode for suche a pernitious plague, and
vnexperienced burning.
Then one of these flamigerous Nymphes named Aphea, said
vnto mee, How is it Poliphilus? Euen now I did see you
verye merry, what hath altered your disposition? I answered.
Pardon mee that I binde and vexe my selfe more then a
willow Garland. Giue mee leaue to destroy my selfe in a
lasciuious fire. And thereat they burst out all in a laughter
and said, Ah ha, and if your desired Polia, if shee were here,
what would you do, how? Alas my desire, euen by the deitie
which you serue, I beseech you put not Flaxe and Rosin to
the fire, whiche burneth mee out of all measure. Put no Pitch
to the fire in my heart, make me not to forget my selfe I
beseech you.
At this my lamentable and sorrowing answere, they were
prouoked to such a loude laughter, wherin they did exceed
so much, that neither they nor my selfe with the wearines
thereof could goe any further, but were constrained to rest
our selues for want of breath, vpon the odoriferous floures &
coole grasse, by meanes whereof, I became somewhat
oportunely to bee eased, my heate aswaging and relenting by
little and little.
And as they thus contentedly rested themselues a while,
vnder the coole vmbrage of the leafie Trees, I beganne to
bee bolde with them saying. O you women, that are burners
and destroyers, doo you vse mee thus? See what an offered
occasion I haue, which wil holde mee excused, to breake
foorth and doo violence vnto you. And thereupon somewhat
boldly moouing my selfe and fayning as if I would haue
done that which by no meanes I durst, but then with a newe
pastyme and laughter they called one for an others helpe,

leauing heere and there their golden Pantoffles and Vailes, to
bee carried about with the winde, and their vesselles
neclected in the grasse, they ranne all awaye, and I after
them, that I might well perceiue that they had neither
crampes nor stringhawldes or leaden heeles, and thus
continuing our pastimes a pretie space, being somewhat
pleased that I had made them to runne. I returned backe to
gather vp their Pantophles and such things as they had
scattered behind them. And comming neare to a fresh coole
Riuer, they began to cease off from laughter, and to take
pittie vppon mee, and Geussia behinde all the rest, bowed
her selfe downe to the water, beautifully adorned with the
bendyng Bull Rushe, water Spyke, swimmyng Vitrix, and
aboundaunce of water Symples, shee dyd plucke vp the
Heraclea Nympha, of some called water Lillye or
Nenuphar, and the roote of Aron or wake Robyn, of, some,
Pes vituli or Serpentaria Minor.
And Amella or Bawme Gentill, all whiche grew very neare
togither and not farre distant, whiche shee fauourably
offered vnto mee saying, of these whiche I haue made
choyse of take, and for my freedome taste.
For whiche cause I refused the Nenuphar, and reiected the
Dracuncle for his heate, and accepted of the Amella, whiche
shee had cleane washed, by meanes whereof, within a verye
short space, I founde my venerious Lubric and incensing
spurre of desire to leaue of, and my intemperate luste was
cleane gone.
Vnlawfull concupiscence blindeth a man, and driueth his sences from him. And
when my vnlawfull desires of the fleshe were brideled, the
pleasant Nymphes came againe to mee, and as wee walked
on, wee came into a frequented place, and wonderfully
fruitfull.
And there in a fine order and appointed distance was a waye
set on either sides with Cyprus Trees, with their corner

clefted Apples, and as thicke with leaues as their nature will
suffer them, the leauell grounde beeyng couered all ouer,
with greene Vinca Peruima, or Lawreoll and Chamme, [v]
Daphne, and full of his asurine flowers. Which adorned way
of a meete and conuenient breadth, did lead directly on into
a greene Closure, from the beginning of whiche walke, iust
betwixt the Cyprus Trees, to the entrance and opening of the
aforesaide enclosure, was some foure furlonges. Vnto which
enclosure when wee came, I founde it equilaterall, with three
fences like a streight wall, as high as the Cyprus Trees vpon
either sides of the waye, that wee had passed along in: which
was altogither of Cytrons, Orenges and Lymonds, bushing
with their leaues one within an other, and artifitially knitte
and twisted togither, and the thicknes mee thought of sixe
foote: with a Gate in the middest of the same Trees, so wel
composed as is either possible to bee thought or done. And
aboue in conuenient places were made windowes, by
meanes whereof, the bowghes in those places were to be
seene bare, but for their greene leaues which yeelded a most
sweet and pleasant verdure. Betwixt the curious twistings of
the braunches and their greene leaues, the white flowers did
aboundantly shewe themselues a singular Ornament,
breathing foorth a most delectable and sweete odour. And to
please the eye, the faire fruite was in no place wanting,
where it should yeelde content. And afterwardes I might
perceiue, that in the interstitious thicknes, the bowghes (not
without a wonderful woorke) were so artificially twisted and
growne togither, that you might assend vp by them, and not
bee seene in them, nor yet the way where you went vp.
At length comming into this greene and delightful grounde
to the eye, and in a mans vnderstanding woorthie of
estimation, I perceiued that it was a great enclosure in the
fore front of a marueilous Pallaice of a noble simmetriated
architecturie which of this frondiferous conclausure, was the

fourth part in longitude sixtie paces. And this was the
Hypæthri to walke in, for open ayre.
In the middest of this great base Court, I did behold a goodly
Fountaine of cleare water, spinnyng from the verie toppe as
it were to the foundation, whiche stoode vpon a smoothe
pauement through little streight Pypes, falling into a
hollowed vessel, whiche was of most pure Amethist, whose
Diameter conteined three paces, the thicknes agreeing
therewithall, leauyng the twelfth part for the thicknesse of
the brimme, rounde about the same were carued water
monsters, after the best sort that euer any auncient inuentor
or woorkeman for the hardnes of the stone could deuise to
woorke, it might bee the woorke of Dædalus, for the
wonderful excellencie thereof. Pausania, if he had seene
this, would haue taken small pleasure to boast of the
standing cup which he made to Hipparis.
Which same was founded vpon a steale or final Pillar of
Iasper of diuers colours, beautifully adulterating one with an
other being cut in the middest and closed vp with the cleare
Calcidonie, of the colour of the troubled Sea water, and
brought into marueilous woorke, beeing lifted vp with
guttured hollowe vessels, one aboue an other, with a
reserued seperation, by artificiall and woonderful ioyntes. It
stood streight vp, fastened in the center of a Plynth, made of
greene Ophite which was rounde, and somewhat lifted vp
aboue, about compassing Porphyr, some fiue inches, whiche
was curiously wrought with diuers lyneaments.
Rounde about the steale whiche helde vp the vessell, foure
Harpies of Golde did stand, with their clawes and tallented
feete vpon the smoothe Table of the Ophite.
Their hinder partes towardes the steale, one iust opposite
against an other, with their winges displaied and spredde
abroad, they rested vnder the vessell with their feminine
countenances, and hauing haire vpon their heades, from the

same, it spredde downe to their showlders, their heades
vnder, and not touching the vessell: with their tayles like
Eeles, and turning rounde. And vpon their nauels, an
Antique leafe worke. These were verie necessarie for the
strengthening of the Pype within the steale and smal Pillar.
Within the middest of the wombe and bellye, or nauel of the
vessel, vpon the Subiect steale, there was proportionately
raised vp of the same vessel of Amathyst, a substance like a
Challice, inward, or the inwarde moulde for a Bell, so high
as the vessel was deepe the middle thereof, leuell with the
brimme of the vessell.
Vppon the which was made an artificious foote set vnder the
three graces naked of fine Gold, of a common stature, one
ioyning [v] to an other.
From the teates of their breastes the ascending water did
spin out lyke siluer twist. And euerie one of them in their
right hand did holde a copie full of all kinde of fruites,
whiche did extend in length vp aboue their heades, and at
the opening, all three of them ioyned rounde into one, with
diuers leaues and fruites hangyng ouer the brimmes or lippes
of the wrythen Copies.
Betwixt the fruite and the leaues, there came vp sixe small
Pypes, out of the whiche the water did spring vp through a
small hole.
And the cunning Artificer, because that hee would not
trouble one Cubit with the tuch of another. With a signe of
shamefastnes, the Images with their left handes did hide that
part which modestie would not haue seene, but accounteth
woorthie to bee couered.
Vppon the brimme of the hollow vessell, whose compasse
was a foote moreouer about, then the subiacent of it, with
their heades lifted vp vpon their Vipers feete, with a
conuenient and decent intercalation, there were placed sixe

little scaly Dragons, of pure shining Golde, with such a
deuise, that the water comming from the teates of the
Ladies, did fall directly vppon the euacuated and open
crowne of the head of the Dragons, afore spoken of, with
their winges spredde abroad, and as if they had been byting,
they did cast vp and vomit the same water whiche fell
beyonde the roundnes of the Ophict, into a receptorie of
Porphyr, and rounde, whiche were both more higher then the
flatnesse of the pauement before spoken of: where there was
a little Channell going rounde about betwyxt the Ophit and
the Porphyrite, in breadth one foote and a halfe, and in depth
two foote.
Whiche Porphyrite was three foote from the playne
ouermost parte to the Pauement, with an excellent
vndiculation. The reste of the partes of the Dragonnes, for
the moderate deepenesse of the vessell did grow on, vntill all
met together, transforming the extreame partes of their tailes
into an antique foliature making a beautifull illygament with
the arule or foote set vnder the three images without any
deforming hinderance to the hollownesse of the precious
vessell. And what with the greene assayling of the
compassing Orange trees, and the bright reflections of the
shining matter, and the pure water, there was such a gratious
couler, in that singular and most pretious vessell, as if the
Rainbowe and the clowdes had made theyr habitation there.
Then in the corpulent bearing out of the belly of the vessell,
betwixt one, and the other Dragons, in an equall distance,
and of a most excellent melting or casting, there stood out
Lyons heads of an exquisite exaction, and driuing, casting
foorth by a little pype, the water that distilled from the six
fistulets, placed in the copie aboue. Which water, did so
forciblie spring vpward, that in the turning downe it fell
among the Dragons in the large vessell, where by reason of
the high fall, and fashion of the vessel, it made a pleasant
tinckling noyse. 17

[v]

All which rare worke, by so sharpe and fine a wit composed,
as this insolent and precious vessell was, the foure perfect
harpies, the woonderfull and curious azule, wherevpon the
three Images of pure gould stood, with what Arte, ordinance,
and rule, digested and made perfect: as I am ignorant in
them altogither, so much the lesse able am I to describe the
whole as it did deserue, being a woorke past any humaine
reache and capacitie to frame the like.
And I may bouldly say, that in our age there was neuer seene
in stone and mettle such a peece of woorke embost, chased,

and engrauen. For it was a woonder to see, that stones of
such extreame hardnesse, as that which was the steale to
hould vppe the Vessell, should be cut and wrought to that
purpose, as if it had beene as soft as wax. A woorke raither
to bee woondered at, then vndertaken.
The square base court, (in the middest whereof stood this
notable woorke of the sumptuous Fountaine,,) was paued
with fine Marble of diuers coulers and fashions. Amongst
which were appact very beautifully, roundes of Diasper,
equally distant, and disagreeing from the couler of the
pauement, and the corners closed vp with leaues and Lyllies.
Betwixt the square marble pauing stones, there was a space
left like a list, which was filled vp with diuers coulered
stones of a lesser cut, some proportioned into greene leaues,
and tawnie flowers. Cyanei, Phænicei, and Sallendine, so
well agreeing in theyr coulers, so glistering and seuerly set
of a diligent Xesturgie. As full of coulers as a Christall
glasse, repercust and beaten against with the beames of the
sunne. Because the circumduct and compassing coulers,
meeting together in the selfe same smoothe and cleane
stones, did yeeld a reflection, no part being faultie, eyther of
the square checkers or scutuls and Trigons. But with a
smoothe and streight ordinance well ioyned together.
Whereat I remained woonderfully amased by my selfe,
diligently considering vpon the noblenes of the woorke, such
as I had not beene vsed to see, and verye willinglye I would
haue beene content, to haue made more staye in the
contemplating thereof, for so the dignitie of the worke
required, but I could not because it was necessarie for me to
follow after my leaders.
[v] Then the aspect of this sumptuous magnificient and
statelye pallace, the approoued situation thereof, the dew
proportion, and the maruelous composition in my first
comming to it, did make me woonderfully contented to view

the woorthines thereof, and in continuance I was prouoked
to behould more, for which cause I perswaded my selfe, as I
might very well, that the expert builder, excelled all other
whatsoeuer. What kinde of rafters? what manner of roofe?
after what sort the Parlors chambers, closets and lodgings,
were disposed? with what kind of seeling they were
enclosed and incrusted? wherewithall hanged? with what
couler and kinde of painting ouerhead? What order of
columination, and what space betwixt. No other building
maye goe beyonde this whatsoeuer, but may giue place
verye well, of what kinde of Marble, and what manner of
engrauing.
There I beheld the laboures of Hercules grauen in stone with
halfe the representation standing out or bearing foorth, in a
woonderfull sort, the skinnes, statues, tytles, and trophes,
What an entry, what a stately porche, what that of Titus
Cesar with his stone of Phenicea with all the tinkering and
pullishing about it, there is none whose wit is so grosse to
commend it, in respect of this, but will rather scorne to
speake of it. As for the woorthie and excellent manner of
glasing the gallerie without the pallace, the conspitious
porche, the manner of building, the arched seeling aboue
head, beautified and adorned with foliature and other
lineaments of pure gould and asuer couler and excellent
painting that whatsoeuer I had seene before I made finall
acount of, as not worthie of remembrance. And beeing now
come to the doore within the porche, the going in was closed
vp wth a hanging, drawne ouer before it of gould and silke,
wrought together, and in the same two images. One of them
hauing all kinde of instruments about hir, fitte and readie to
goe to worke, and the other with a maidenly countenance,
looking vp with hyr eyes into heauen.

The beautye of which two were such, and so fresh, as I
looked about mee, whether Apelles had painted them with
his Pensill.
And there my sportfull, faire, and pleasant companions,
euerie one putting their right handes to mine, willing to haue
me in, sayde, Poliphilus this is the vsuall waye, by the which
you must come into the presence of our Gracious and moste
excellent Queene.
But you cannot haue leaue to enter in here through this
Curtain, before you bee receiued of a vigilant and innocent
Damosel that is the keeper of this doore, and she is called
Cinosia. Who hearing vs comming, did forthwith present her
selfe, and fauourably held vp the cloth, and wee entered in.
There was a roome hung about and diuided by an other
Curtaine of excellent Arras full of Imagerie, as signes,
shapes, plants, and beastes, singularly well done.
In this place at our comming, an other curious woman came
towardes vs, called Indalomena, and she putting by the
Curtaine, wee entered in. And there was an other suche like
roome, from the second for quantitie, with discourses and
reason marueilously wouen, with infinite knottes,
bucklinges, tyings, and old fashioned harping Irons, or
Hookes, as if they had been fastened and knit togither. In
which place without any staying, the third woman came and
receiued vs very gratiously, her name was Mnemosina, and
shee calling vs, gaue vs free leaue to go in. Where lastly my
companions did present mee before the sacred maiestie of
the Queene Eleutherillida.

Poliphilus sheweth as well as hee may, how
exceeding great the Maiestie of the Queene was,
the manner of her Residence and seruice. His

fauourable entertainment. Howe shee marueiled
at him.
hen I came towardes the first doore-keeper,
I was somewhat abashed, but yet I did
salute her in good sorte as became mee to
doo. And shee verie curteously badde mee
come neere. And in like manner the
second.
[v] In whose gard I did see a loftie Gallery as long the
content of the Pallaice, the roofe whereof, was all painted
with a greene foliature, with distinct flowers and folded
leaues, and little flying Byrdes, excellently imphrygiated of
museacall paynting, as without in the first Court, and the
stone walls seeled with Chipworkes of diuers colours.
At the last doore, the Matrone Mnemosina perswaded me
verie effectually, not to doubt of any thing, but that I should
stedfastly follow the royall perswasion, and healthfull
counsell of the Queene, and perseuere in the execution
thereof, for that the ende without doubt would be to my
content.
And thus hauing leaue to goe in, beholde such thinges
presented themselues to my eyes, as were lyker to be
celestiall then humane.
A most stately and sumpteous preparation, in a gorgeous and
spacious Court, beyond the Pallaice neere and opposite to
the other, and foure square.
The bewtifull and precious Pauement within a checkered
compasse going about the same, there was a space of sixtie
foure Squadrates of three foote, the dyameter of euerye one:
Of the which one was of Iasper, of the colour of Corall, and
the other greene, powdered with drops of blood not to bee
woorne away: and set togither in manner of a Chesse-boord.
Compassed about with a border, the breadth of one pace of a

rare inuention of woorke, with small pieces of stones, of
diuers colours, and so compacte together, as if it had beene a
straunge paynted woorke euenly cut and set by rule, that you
could not perceiue the ioyning, but smoothe and shyning,
and so well framed by the Lybell and Squadrate, that no
circulating or sphæricall Instrument woulde mooue to either
sides without forcing.
About this, lastlye was an other marueylous kynde of Pauing
of three paces broad, in knottes of Iasper, Praxin,
Calcedonie, Agat, and other sortes of stones of price.
And about by the sides of the walles, compassing the sayde
Court paued as you haue heard, there were placed Settles, of
the wood of Palme Trees, of colour betwixt a yealow and
tawny, passing well turned and fashioned, couered ouer with
greene Veluet, and bowlstered with some soft stuffe or
feathers easie to sit vpon, the Veluet brought downe to the
frame of the Settles or Benches, and fastened to the same
with tatch Nayles of Golde, with bossed heades vppon a
plaine Siluer Nextrule or Cordicell.
The alament of the claustering walles, were couered ouer
with Plates of beaten Golde, with a grauing agreeable to the
pretiousnes of the metall.
And in the coæquated and smoothe plaine of the same
walles of stone, by certaine Pilastrelles, Quadrangules, or
Lossenges, of an equall dimension and distinct
correspondencie in the middest of euerie one, there were
perspicuously appact rounde Iewels, bearing out and
swelling beyond the plaine leuell of the wall, after the
manner of the tores of bases, and of thicknes according to
the proportion of the Losenge wherein it stood, compassed
about with greene iagged leaues, one bending ouer an other,
the tops turned toward the Iewell.

And betwyxt the Foliature and the great Iewell, another
border of pretious stones curiouslie sorted and
conspicuouslie set.
And in the rest of the wall circumvallate of these bearing out
rownde Iewels, the seuen Plannets with their nature and
properties, with an Encaustic woorke were sweetly painted,
which I beheld with great delight. The rest of the wall
exclusiue from the rowndnes of the Iewels within the
Pilastrels, were filled vp and bewtified with infinite varietie
of workes in siluer, and powdered with diuers inestimable
stones, singularly well cut, and of diuers fashions.
The wall on the left side was in like sort, and opposite in
tundels. Against the seuen Plannettes were there seuen
Tryumphes ouer the subiectes of the same predominent
Plannettes, and in such lyke Art of Painting as the other side.
And on the right part I behelde their seuen harmonies and
friendly aspectes, and the passage of the blood, with the
qualitatiue receiuing and retiring & circulating entrance,
with an incredible Historie of the celestiall operation
accedent.
The fourth alament made the Pallaice of suche like
distribution [v] as the other, the doore except, whiche did
occupie an emptie voyde interstice. The other sixe with a
regulate correspondence, and harmonye of the rest, in the
Iewelles to the opposite and symentriall congresse of the
Plannettes, with their vertuous inclinations, were expressed
in the shapes of elegant Nimphes, with the titles and signes
of their natures.
The seuenth Mediane quarter, was the forefront directlye
placed against the seuenth Iewell, representing the Planet
Soll, whiche was set vp more higher then the rest, by reason
of the Queenes Throne.

Euerie part of matter, number, forme, and lyneament, in
distribution equally correspondent to his Lybell, the right
with the left, and here and there, with an exquisite loue, and
congresse agreeing.
Of whiche moste excellent Court, euerie side was eight and
twentie paces. In this sort stood this synarie open Court, all
compassed about with fine golde, a worke rather to bee
wondered at, then spoken off.
The Pilastrelles were discrepant fowre paces one from an
other, with a iust partition of seuen (a number gratefull to
nature) of fine and orient Azure, Lazull stone, passing well
coloured according to his kinde, with a bewtifull bestowing
of small glymces of gold. In the fore part of which, betwixt
the seuen pilastrels, there were appointed little slender
Pillers wrought about with leaues, copies, heades with haire
like leaues, boyes their hippes and legges proportioned into
brawnches, Birdes and copies, and vesselles full of flowers,
with other woonderfull inuentions and deuises, from the top
to the bottome of the Anaglyph, as if they had grown out of
the foundation, making and diuiding in sunder the spaces,
their chapters were wrought of a fashion answerable to the
rest.
Ouer the whiche did extende a streight beame with grauen
lineamentes fitting the same. And ouer that a Zophor,
conteining this woorke still throughout, that is, the bonye
scalpes of Oxen, with myroll bowghes full of berries, tyed
abowt theyr hornes by a towell of linnen.
Vpon either sides of them were Dolphines, with their gilles
lyke leaues, and their Finnes and their extreeme partes of a
foliature, and vpon theyr heades and backes certaine naked
boyes, getting holde of theyr lifted vp braunching tayles,
with leaues and flowers, and bending them downe.

The head of the Dolphine hauyng a Syme, whereof the one
part turned towardes the Boye, and the other bent against the
vessell with an open gaping, and endyng in the head of a
Storke, with her beake against the open mouth of a Monster,
lying with his face vpwarde, and certaine Whorelles or
Beades rysing vp betwixt his mouth and her beake.
Whiche heades in stead of haire, were couered with leaues
one ouer an other, filling the Orifice of the vessell, and from
one lyp to an other, and vnder the bowle thereof towarde the
foote, there compassed a fine towell of linnen, the endes
hanging downe from the knottes, in suche an excellent sorte
as was conuenient both for the place and matter. And in the
middle ouer the heades, was the face of a childe vppon a
payre of winges.
And with suche lyke lineamentes was the Zophor adorned
and couered, with a Coronice full of excellent
workemanship. Vppon the plaine toppe whereof, by a
perpendicular lyne ouer the Pillars, in the ordeining of the
squadrangalles, there were placed and framed certaine olde
fashioned vesselles, by an appointed distribution, three foote
high of Calcedonie, some of Amethist, some of Agat, some
of Iasper, with their bellies furrowed and Channelled, and
cut of a rare and maruellous cunning, and with excellent
eares.
In a perfect order ouer euerie Iewell aboue the Coronice,
were aptlye ioyned traunsomes, squared seuen foote high,
and the middle space betweene them of glistering Golde,
with a superadiect extention, closing ouer the streight
extended transomes. And by a turnyng downe the transomes,
did ioyne decently one with the other, with a Topiarie Topiaria,
the feate of making Images or Arbours in Trees. woorke. Intending that
out of the vesselles standing vpon the Coronice as
aforesaide, in the cornes the transome and the vyne should
ryse vp togither, but out of the other vesselles, either a vyne

or some Woodbine of Golde, by courses meeting ouer the
transwerst traunsomes, with a thicke stretching out of theyr
spreadyng [v] braunches, one ioyning with an other, and
twisting togither with a fine and pleasant congresse,
couering ouer all the whole court with a riche and
inestimable suffite, with diuers fashioned leaues of greene
emeralde, gratefull to the sight, more perfect then that
wherein Amenon was impressed, and the flowers dispersed
and distributed of Saphires and byrrals. And with an
excellent disposition and artificiall, betwixt the greene
leaues and the grosse vaynes, so precious hunge downe the
clusters of grapes made of stones, agreeable and fitting to
the naturall coulers of Grapes.
All which most rare deuises, of pryse incomparable,
incredible, and past imagination, did shine all ouer most
pretiouslie: not so much to be marueyled at for the
costlinesse of the matter, but for the large greatnesse of the
worke.
For nor without great cause, from place to place, with a
diligent and iealous examination I did carefully consider the
large extention of the inmost intricate braunches, and their
proportionate strength and thicknesse, so cunninglie doone,
by such an arte, boulde attempt, and continued intent, they
were so aptly led out, whether by sowdering, or by the
Hammer, or by casting, or by all three, mee thought it an
vnpossible worke to make a couering of such a breadth, and
so twysted and twyned together.
In the middle prospect, oppossite against our going in vpon a
degreed regall throne, set full of glystering stones in a
maruelous order, farre more excellent then the seat in the
temple of Hercules at Tyre, of the stone Eusebes. The
Queene with an imperiall Maiestie sitting vppon it, goddesse
like, and of a woonderfull magnanimitie in countenance:
gorgiously apparrelled in clothe of goulde, with a sumptuous

and curious attyre, vpon hir head of a purple couler, with an
edging of Orient Pearle, shadowing ouer hir large forhead,
aunciently and princelike, euer pressing hir plemmirrulate
trammels of hayre, as blacke as iet descending downe hir
snowie temples, and the rest of the aboundance of hir long
hayre, fastned rounde in the hinder parte of her head, and
deuided into two partes or tresses, lapt about this waye and
that waye, behind hir small eares, ouer hir streight
proportioned head, and finished in the crowne, with a flower
of great Orient, and rownd Pearles, such as be found in the
Indian promontorie Perimula.
The rest of hir long spreding hayre was not seene, but
couered ouer with a thinne vayle, edged with gould, hanging
downe from the said flower and knot of pearle, to hir
delicate shoulders, and flingering abroade with the ayre.
In the middle of the edging of hir dressing, vpon the highest
parte ouer the middest of hir forhead hoong a rare iewell.
And about hir round and snowie neck, went an inestimable
Carkenet with a pendent ouer the diuision of hir rownde
brests, of a table Dyamond, in fashion of an Egge, sparkling,
and of a monstrous largenes, set in gould with wyer woorke.
At hir eares moste richelye were hanged in the typpes two
earinges, two great shynyng Carbunckles of an inestimable
price.
Hir shooes were of greene silke, and hir pantofles of gould
imbrodered in a leafe woorke. Vppon a foote stoole aboue
the which, and vnder hir feete, was layde a cushion of white
Veluet, with a purseling of silke and Orient Pearles
ofArabia, 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 [v] 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 [v] 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 nimphish
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,
[v] 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.
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.
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 [v]
corner, and the lefte stretching towardes the fixed foot of the
other boye. Their cubits bending vp, and holding the handle
of the perfuming panne, verie slender in the steale, and
vpward in fashion of a bowle, somewhat furrowed and broad
lipped.

There were six in a
round circuit, one
towardes an other:
And betwixt theyr
shoulders in the
Center point of the
trianguled base, there
rose vp a steale like
an olde fashioned
Candlesticke,
holding on the toppe
thereof suche a
bowle or vessell as
aforesaide, and so
broade as did fill vp
the voyde place in
the middest betwixt
the other six.
Which bowles were
filled with burning
coles couered ouer
with embers, and in
euery vessell vppon
the ashes did boyle a little pot of gold, which contrary
liquors infused with sweet odours.
And as I suspected, euery potte had seuerall water, as it
were, one with Rose-water, another with water of Orange
flowers, another of myrtle, tender greene Lawrell leaues,
elder flowers, and diuers such lyke sociable symples. And
these boyling together, they did yeelde a most pleasant and
fragrant smell.
In the presence of the magnificent Queene there did alwayes
wayte and attend three honourable Nymphes, their apparell
beeing of golde and silke, maruelously wouen and adorned,

and sette with pearle and stone. The lyninges of theyr
gownes going about their snowie shoulders, and comming
downe vppon theyr little round brestes to the lower parte of
their wastes, of suche colour as the napkins, leauing to be
seene the pleasaunt valleys betwixt their faire brestes, an
extreame delight and desired nourishment vnto a narrowe
looke and greedie eye, with a thousand small chaynes, pretie
iewelles and flowers of golde in a fæminine sort, a sweet
bayte to carrie a man headlong into forgetfulnes of hymselfe,
beeing inchaunted with choyse and amorous regards, farre
passing the desire of any other delycate vyands. Their
shooes of golde cutte with halfe Moones, and closed vp at
the ioyning of the hornes or corners with buttons and
flowers of gold-smithes woorke in a curious sorte, and the
trammels of their faire and plentifull haire aboue their
forheads and temples instrophiated with large and round
oryent pearle.
They stoode thus on eyther hande and before the Queene
with a singular and reuerent regarde, attending and readilie
perfourming that charge whereunto they were appoynted.
And these serued but an one Table: which beeing chaunged,
they withdrewe themselues by, and stoode still vppon theyr
feete arme in arme, other three hauing supplyed their places:
And the three that wayted, shee in the middest was caruer.
The other vppon the right side helde vnder a plate if anie
thing should fall by: and the thirde vppon the lefte hand held
a most whyte and cleane towell of silke to drie her lippes,
and in euery action a reuerence.
The towell was not vsed but once, and then cast by vpon the
pauement, and carryed away by one that stoode neare. And
so many morsels as shee did eate, so many sweete perfumed
cleane towelles of silke plyted and finely wrought were
vsed.

And the like was doone to euerie guest, for not one at that
banquet did touch anie thinge sauing onelye the cuppe.
After that the Queene had washed, and had her first seruice,
then all the rest did wash at the same fountaine, casting out
water of it selfe, and reassuming the same in a wonderfull
manner by two small pypes on eyther sides, and running vp
straight in the middest from the bottome of the vessell, the
deuyse whereof when I did vnderstand, I was much
contented therewithall.
After the washing of the Queene first, and successiuely of all
the rest, there was deliuered to euery one of the wayters a
rounde ball of golde wyer-woorke full of small holes, and
within stuft with Amber past of a most perfect composition,
set with pretious stones, to the ende their hands, eyes, and
sences should not be idle.
Then there at euerie chaunge of course, two Edeabriees that
had the ordayning of the Queenes meate, did bring [v] into
the middest of the royall Court vppon foure turning wheeles
a stately repositorie or cupbord, in fashion like vnto a
shippe, and the rest like to a triumphant Chariot, of most fine
golde, with many fishes and water monsters, and infinit
other exquisite shapes maruelously wrought, and sette full of
riche stones, the sparklings and glisterings whereof did shine
rounde about the sides of the Court, and reincounter vpon
the roundelles of the other before spoken iewelles, on euery
side fitly placed, as if Phœbus had been sette by a Nymph to
grace hir eyes and countenance with his shining brightnes.
To all which continuall glistering of ineffable
workemanshippe, there could no more bee deuised of equall
comparison, although it were the Temple at Babylon with
the three golden statues
Within the which was put all such necessaries perfumed, as
were meete and conuenient for the chaunging of the tables,

as clothes, flowers, cuppes, towelles, and vesselles, to powre
out of, to drinke in, and plates to eate vpon.
Which did draw in the cupbord. And these two Nymphes
plaustraries, did take them downe, and deliuer them (as
neede required) to the wayters.
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
[melo]dious soundes, and pleasaunt harmonies, sweete
con[cords] with delightfull Musicke presented, odoriferous
per[fume] smelt, and stately viandes plentifully fedde of. 18
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, 19
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 Lymons, 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 [v] 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, [v]
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 [v] 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 [v] of
innumerable rounde pretious rocke stones closing one with
another vnequally, as if nature had ioyned them growing,
making a rounde composed hill, beautifully glistering of
dyuerse sortes and colours in a proportionate bignes.
And aloft vppon the toppe of this little hill, there grewe a
fine pomgranate tree, the body, boughes and fruite made all

of golde, the leaues of greene Smaragde. The fruit of theyr
naturall bignesse heere and there aptly placed, their sides cut
open, and in place of kernelles they were full of most
perfecte Rubyes, as bigge as the kernels.
After that, the ingenious Artificer wanting no inuention, hee
seperated the graynes in steade of the fylme with siluer
foyle.
And moreouer, in other apples, opened, but not rype, hee
redoubled the thicknesse of the foyle, making the kernelles
of an oryentall colour, so also hee made the flowers of
perfect corrall, in the cuppes full of bees of golde.
Besides this, out of the toppe of the hollowe steale, lyke a
pype, there came out a turning steale, the lowest part
whereof rested in a heade, framed from the middle trunke or
pype iust ouer the axeltree.
Which steale or stypet beeing strongly fastened, it bare vp a
vessell of Topas of an auncient forme, the bowle whereof in
the bottome was broad, and swelling out with rigges in the
opening, rarely bewtified with a coronice, and put vnder
with another.
In which closing and binding together in foure equall
diuisions, there were foure winged heades of a little childe,
with foure pipes in their mouthes.
The rest mounted vp so much as the lower bignesse of the
vessell was, beeing closed vp at the orifice with an inuerse
foliature. Vppon the which there was placed an other vessell
as it were a circular couer of a most curious leafe worke,
with a smal coronice, and an artificiall orifice.
From the bottome of which there beganne a flourished tayle
of a Dolphin fastened and sowldered to the gracylament of
the vessell, descending downe with his heade finned with
leaues, to the circulating brymme of the vessell where the
boyes heades were fixed. And with a moderate swelling out

about the head, and streightning in towardes the tayle, they
fitted for the eares in a beautiful manner. And all that
inclining part with an exquisite polishing did make an
expresse shewe of most curious lineaments.
The vpper vessell was so perfectly wrought, that when the
wheele was mooued, the steale with the vessell vppon the
toppe thereof, turned about and powred out water through
the tree, and when the wheele stoode still, then that lefte
turning.
The wheeles were halfe couered with two winges, the
typpes turning one one way, and the other an
other way, adorned with a chasing
of Mermaydes or Scillaes.

[v]

This excellent peece of woorke 20 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.

[v] 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.
auing 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 [v] from danger and cleane, No craggy nor
rockie places, nipt and blasted with sharpe windes, nor burnt
with an vntemperate hotte Sunne, but vnder a sweet and
pleasant temperature, in a moderate meane reioycing,
betwixt two extreemes, the fields fruitful and without tillage
and manuring, yeelding all commodities, warme hilles,
greene woods and sweet coole shadowes.
Also the inestimable furniture, the attendant housholde and
great number, their excellent seruice, the diuersitie of
youthes, and all in the prime of their yeares. The delightfull

presence of the Nymphes, both attending abroad in the
presence and chambers, her baser sort, their honourable and
gracious behauiours, their diuersitie of apparrel, attire and
dressings set with Pearle and stone, in an allowed, pleasant
& louely sort, as any can imagine or expresse. With these
infinite riches, supreame delightes, and immeasurable
treasure, neither Darius, Cræsus, or any other humane state,
whatsoeuer might any way compare.
And thus to conclude, being ouercome with the glorie of
them, I know not what more to say, but that I stood amazed,
and as it were senceles, and yet in great delight and without
wearines, beholding those present obiects, and casting with
my selfe what fate and destinate should conduct and leade
mee into such a place.
But afterwardes finding my selfe in such an accumulation of
glorie, pleasant seate, happie Country, great contentment and
tryumphant company, such as Clodius the Player in
Tragedies neuer had seene. I was but moderately conuerted,
notwithstanding the promise of the Queene, to fauour my
amorous desire, accounting all, but as eye pleasures that
hitherto I had seene and had been presented vnto me, stil
desiring a greater happines.
For which cause, and for the greater setting out of the
excesse and abounding excellency, beyond all the rest of her
royall magnificence, euery one sitting in their place after the
miraculous, wonderful, and sumpteous banket, without any
delaie, she commanded a game to be playd by parsonages,
not onelie woorthie the beholding, but of eternall
remembrance, which was a game at Chesse, in this sort as
followeth.
By the entraunce of the curtaine there came in thirty two
Nymphes, whereof sixteene were apparrelled in cloth of
gold (eyght vniformally without difference of degrees)
afterwards one of those sixteene was apparrelled in princely

robes lyke a King, and the other lyke a Queene, with two
tower-keepers or Rookes, as wee tearme them, two counsell-
keepers or Secretaries, wee tearme them Bishoppes, and two
Knights. In like sort were eight other in cloth of siluer, vnder
the like gouernement and magistracie as aforesaid.
Euerie one of these according to their duties, tooke theyr
places vppon the checkers of the pauement, that is, sixteene
in golde of one side in two rowes, and sixteene in siluer of
the contrarie side.
The Musicke beganne vppon a sodayne with a rare inuention
to sound a charge with a pleasaunt concord, participating
togeather a sweete and thundering melodie, hauing in it a
deuine furie.
At the measured sounde and time of the Musicke vppon
their checkers, as it pleased the King to commaund, the
pawns turning themselues with a decent reuolution,
honouring the King and the Queene, leapt vppon an other
checker before them.
The King of the white men, his musicke sounding,
commaunded her forward that stoode before the Queene,
and the same with lyke reuerent behauiour marched forward
her continent, and stoode still. And according to the
mensuration of the musicall time in this order, so they
chaunged their places, or continued vppon the checkers
dauncing, vntill that they were eyther taken or commaunded
forward by the King.
If the musicke kepte still one time, those eyght vnyforme
pawnes did spende the time in marching forwardes into an
other checker, neuer comming backe vntill that worthily
without touch or appalement of courage, they had leapt
vppon the line of that square where was the residence of the
Queene, proceeding straight on, vnlesse she tooke a prisoner
by a Diagonick line.

The Bishop went in a Diagonike line, still holding that
coloured checker wherein he stood first.
[v] 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 [v]
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 [v]
vnderstandyng and wisedome enigmatically and with a right
and sincere iudgement looke vnto it, and quickly consider of
it, for because that shee ambyguously chaungeth her selfe in
habite and countenance, and through this doubtfull
anymaduersion, a man remaineth deceiued of his
expectation without remedie.
And therefore Polphilus, that which these my consigned
trustie and appoynted handmaydes by suggestion shall
perswade thee vnto, and at what Gate thou oughtest to enter
in and remayne, euen which of those two it shall best please
thee to giue eare vnto, doo: for they haue some
vnderstanding of her.
And hauyng thus spoken, shee made a signe or becke with
her head to the two Nymphes Logistica and Thelemia, who

presently without delaie, were obedient to her commaund.
And I beeing readie to speake, neyther knew what to say, or
yet durst to so high a maiestie, and for so great bounties giue
a word.
The two appoynted companyons of my iourney, verie
fauourablye, and with a familiar readines and virginlike
iestures, tooke holde of mee, one by the right hande, and the
other by the left, and reuerently obteyning licence, first of
the Queene, and takyng theyr leaue of the rest, went out the
same way that I came in.
And I beeyng desirous and not satisfied, turned mee about
towardes the conspicuous Poarch, to beholde diligently the
artificious Pallaice, wonderfull and perfinite of the Art of
building.
The subtiltie of which, no humane excogitation is able to
imitate.
And therefore I thought that nature had made that for a
maruell of all her woorkes for commoditie, vse, grace,
bewtie, ayre, and continuall durablenes.
For which cause, I was excessiuely desirous to staie and
looke vppon it, but my leaders and guides would not suffer
mee, and yet by the theft of my eye in the Zopher, ouer the
gate I noted this inscription, Ο ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΕΩΣ ΟΛΒΟΣ.
And as muche as with my quicke sences I could carrie, I
tooke in my going foorth, with as greate pleasure and delight
as is possible to expresse. O happie were hee that myght bee
but a drudge or kitchin slaue in suche a Paradice.
Nowe beeing come into the base Court, compassed and sette
about with Orenge trees, Thelemia in great curtesie saide
thus vnto mee, besides and aboue all the maruellous and
woonderfull thinges which thou hast yet seene and behelde,
there bee fower yet remayning behynde whiche thou
shalt see.

And vppon the lefte side of the incomparable pallace, they
brought mee into a fayre Orchyard of excogitable expence,
tyme, and subtletie of woorke-manshippe, the contynent and
cyrcuite whereof was as muche as the plot of the Pallace,
wherein was the resydence and abiding of the Queene.
Ars toparia is the way of cutting of trees in gardens or other places to proportions
or shapes. 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 boxe the rootes
and stalkes of golde, whereout the other proceeded.
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.
[v] The wall that compassed about the Orchyard with a
conuenient distance, was bellyed out with columnes of the
same matter, and inuested with flowring bindings naturally
proportioned, and heere and there were quadrangulate
columnes of golde chamfered, arching from one to an other,
with a requisite beame Zophor and coronice, with a meete
and conuenient proiecture ouer the chapter of glasse vppon
the round.

The substance of which subiect proiecture of the bryttle
matter, was of counterfayte diasper diuersly coloured and
shining. Which bryttle substance had some void space
betwixt that and the other.
The mouth of the arches were stopped with rombyes of
cleare glasse in forme of a tryangle, and the pypes beautified
all ouer with an Encaustick painting, verie gratious to the
sight of the beholder.
The ground was here and there couered with great round
balles of glasselyke gunne stones, and other fine proportions
much pleasing, with a mutuall consent vnmooueable lyke
pearles shining without any adulteration by folyature. From
the flowers did breath a sweet fragrancie by some cleare
washing with oyle for that purpose.
There most cunningly did Logistica lyke an Orator make a
discourse in commendation physically of that excellent
confection of the noblenes of the substaunce, secrecie of the
art, and straungenes of the inuention. The like is not to bee
found.
And after shee sayde, Poliphilus lette vs goe and ascende vp
this mount nexte the Garden, and Thelemia remayning at the
stayre foote, wee ascended vp to the playne toppe. Where
shee shewed vnto mee, with a heauenly eloquence, a Garden
of a large compasse, made in the forme of an intricate
Laborynth allyes and wayes, not to bee troden, but sayled
about, for insteade of allyes to treade vppon, there were
ryuers of water.
The which mysticall place was of a verie lustie mould and
fruitfull, replenished with all sorts of fruits, beautified with
faire springs, and greene hearbes and flowers, full of all
solace and delight. Whereupon she spake thus.
I doe imagine (Poliphilus) that you doe not vnderstande the
conditionate state of this maruellous seate, and therefore

giue attendance to my wordes.
Whosoeuer entereth in cannot come backe, but as you see
yonder mountaines heere and there distributed, seuen
circuits and the about goings distant one from another.
And the extreeme molestation and sorrowe of the enterers
in, is this: In the myddle mountayne within the center
thereof, and open mouth of the same, there lurketh inuisibly
a deadly deuouring olde Dragon, hee is vtter destruction to
some, and others are not hurte to death by him. Hee cannot
bee seene nor shunned, neyther doth hee leaue any
vnassaulted, but eyther in the entrie, or in their iourney, hee
destroyeth or woundeth. And if hee killeth them not betwixt
one mountayne and another, they passe the seuen circuites to
the next mount.
And they that enter in by the first tower or mount
(wherevppon is this tytle inscript ΔΟΞΑ ΚΟΣΜΙΚΗΩΣ
ΠΟΜΦΟΛΥΣ) They sayle in a little shippe with a
prosperous winde, and securely at pleasure: the fruites and
flowers fall downe vppon theyr hatches, and with great
solace and pleasure they cut through by the seauen
reuolutions with a merry winde, vntill the second mount bee
discouered and come vnto. And marke and beholde
(Poliphilus) howe cleare and bright the ayre is in the
entrance, ouer that it is in the center, about the which is
thicke darknesse.
In the first mount or tower there is alwayes resident a
pittifull matron and bountifull, before whome standeth an
auncient appoynted vessell called Vrna, in a readinesse,
hauing vppon it seauen Greeke letters as thus ΘΕΣΠΙΟΝ,
full of appoynted honie, and to euerie one that entereth in,
verie curteously and with a good will shee giueth one of
them without respecte of state and condition, but according
to theyr enterance.

These beeing receyued, they came foorth, and begin to sayle
in the Laborynth, the water beeing enuyroned vpon either
sides, with roses, trees, and fruits.
[v] 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 21.

And there, considering the displeasant tytle, they curse the
time of their entrance into the Labirinth, which hath in it so
manie sundry delights, and the end of them subiect to such
myserable and ineuitable necessity.
And then she smyling, said: Poliphilus, ouer the deuouring
throat of thys Center, there sitteth a seuere Iudge, balancing
euery ones actions, and helping whom hee will helpe. And
because that it will be tedious to tell thee all, let thus much
heereof suffise. Let vs goe downe to our cõpanion Thelemia,
who demanding the cause why they staid so long aboue,
Logistica made aunswer, it doth not content our Poliphilus,
onely to behold, but also to vnderstand by me the secrecie of
those things, which he could not goe to knowe, wherein I
haue satis-fied him. And when she had ended, Thelemia
said.
[v] Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no lesse
pleasant ioyning to the glasse garden, vppon the right side of
the Pallas: and when wee were come in thither, I was
amazed with excessiue wondering, to see the curiousnesse of
the worke; as vneasie to report as vncredible to beleeue:
æquiuolent with that of glasse, wyth lyke disposition of
benches or bankes; theyr lyppes set out with coronising and
golden ground worke, and such trees, but that the boxes and
Cyprus trees, were all silke, sauing the bodies and greater
branches, or the strength of the armes: the rest, as the leaues,
flowers, and outermost rynde, was of fine silke, wanting no
store of Pearles to beautifie the same: and the perfect fine
collour, smelling as the glasse flowers beforementioned, and
alike, but that they about compassing walles, of meruailous
and incredible sumpteousnesse, were all couered ouer with a
crusting of Pearle, close ioyned and set together: and
towardes the toppe, there sprouted out greene yuie, the
leaues thickning and bushing out from the Pearles, vvith the
stringes and veines of golde, running vppe in diuers places
betwixt the Pearles, in a most rare and curious sort, as if it

had beene very growing yuie, with berries of precious stones
sette in the stalkes in little bunches: and in the bushes were
Ringe-doues of silke, as if they had beene feeding of the
berries, all along the sides of the square plotted garden
walles: ouer the which, in master-like and requisite order,
stretched out the beame and Zophor of golde.
The plaine smoth of the settles, where-vpon the boxe trees
stoode, couered ouer with Histories of loue and venerie, in a
worke of silke and threddes of golde and siluer, in suche a
perfect proportioned ymaginarie and counterfaiting as none
may goe beyonde. The ground of the leuell garden, was of
leaues, grasse, and flowers of silke, like a faire sweete
meddowe: in the midst whereof, there was a large and
goodly round Arbour, made with golde wyer, and ouerspread
with roses of the lyke worke, more beautifull to the eye, then
if they had been growing roses, vnder which couering, and
within which Arbour about the sides, were seates of red
Diaspre, & all the round pauemẽt of a yellow Diaspre,
according to the largenes of the place, with dyuers colloured
spottings, confusedly agreeing together in pleasant
adulterated vniting, and so cleere and shining, that to euery
obiect was it selfe gaine represented. Vnder the which
Arbour, the fayre and pleasant Thelemia, solaciously sitting
downe, tooke her Lute which she carryed with her, and with
a heauenly melodie and vn-hearde sweetenesse, she began to
sing in the commendation and delightes of her Queene. And
seeing what a grace vnto her, the company of her fellowe
Logistica was, I maruailed why Apollo came not to harken
the Harmonie made by them: it was so melodious, that for
the present tyme a man woulde haue thought that there had
beene no greater fælicitie. And after that shee ended her
diuine Poems, Logistica tooke me by the hande and led me
foorth of the Arbour, saying vnto me.
Poliphilus, thou shalt vnderstande that the deuise of these
obiects, are more pleasant to bee vnderstoode then behelde,

and therefore lette vs enter in heere, to bee satisfied in both.
And from thence, shee and her companion brought mee
from thys garden to an other, where I behelde an arching
Areostile, from the ground bent to the toppe, fyue paces in
height and three ouer, and thus continued rounde about the
compasse of the garden, in an orderly and requisite
proportioning, all inuested and couered ouer with greene
yuie, so that no part of the wall was to be seene. And there
were a hundred Arches to the compassing of this garden.
By euery of the Arches, was an Aulter of red Porphirite,
curiously proportioned with exquisite lyneaments; and
vppon euery one of them was placed, an image of golde, like
a Nymph, of rare and beautifull semblances, diuersly
apparelled, and varying in theyr attyre and heade dressing,
euery one bending their eyes towards the Center of the
garden.
In which middle Centricke place, there was founded a Base,
of a cleere Christal-like Calcedonie stone, in a Cubic forme:
that is, euery way a like square. And vppon that was set a
round stone, but flatte vppon both sides, two foote high, and
by the Diameter, one pace and a halfe ouer, of most pure red
Diaspre. Vppon the which, stoode a most blacke stone, in
forme three square, and in quantitie for breadth, fitting the
rounde, and in [v] height one pace and a halfe. The corners
of which triangle did iumpe with the sides, and lymbus of
the subiacent plynth or round stone.
In the smooth polished fronts of which triangle, there was
appact a beautifull Image, of a heauenly aspect, graue and
modest, with their feete not touching the stone, but standing
out from the same iust ouer the suppressed and vnder put
rounde stone. Theyr statures as tall as the trygonall would
beare, vnto the which they did stick fast by their backe parts.
Theyr armes were stretched abroade, both the right and left
to the corners of the triangle, where they held a Coppy, filled

and fastned to the corners of the Trigonall, the length of
euery one of which Coppies of fine gold, was seauen foote.
And the Images, the Coppyes, and their bandes wherewith
they were tyed in the midst and held by, were all shyning,
and their hands inuiluped with the sundry stringes, flynging
about the plaine smothe of the black stone.
Their habits were Nymphish, of most rare and most
excellent working. The Sepulchre of Tarnia the Queene of
the Scythians in Asia, was nothing comparable.
In the lowest Cubicall Figure, vpon the smoth plaine of
euery square, were ingrauen Greeke Letters, three, one, two
and three on thys sort. ΔΥΣ Α ΛΩ ΤΟΣ.

In the circular there were three Characters Hieragliphicall,
perpendicularly vnder the feet of euerie Image. For the first,
was impressed the forme of the Sonne. Next vnder another,
the figure of an olde fashioned Ower.
Thirdly, a dyshe with a burning flame in it.
Vpon the heade of the trygonall blacke stone, towarde euerie
corner, I did behold an Egiptian Monster of Gold, fower
footed couchant. One of thẽ hauing a face lyke man
altogether. The other like half a man, & halfe a beast. And
the third like a beast. VVith a linnen vaile ouer euery of their
heades, with two Labels hanging ouer theyr eares, & the rest
descending downe and couering their necks & backes, with
the bodies of Lyons. Theyr lookes directly forward.
[v] Vppon the backs of these three, dyd stande rysing vp a
massiue Spyre of Gold, three square, sharpning vp to the
toppe, fiue tymes as high as broade below. And vpon euery
front or foreside, was grauen a circle, and ouer one circle a
Greeke Letter, Ο. ouer another, a Letter Ω. and ouer the
third, a Greeke Ν.

There Logistica beganne to
speake vnto me, saying, by these
Figures are discribed, so farre as
mans reason can shewe, the
celestiall harmony. And
vnderstand Poliphilus, that these
Figures, with a perpetuall
affynitie and coniunction, are
auncient Monuments, and
Egiptian Hieragliphs, signifying
this, Diuinæ infinitæque trinitati
vnius essentiæ. Which is now by
his holy word, in a most louing
sort manifested to the whole
world, according to his will: and
yet it shall not be a misse to see
antiquities, and consider what
greater benefite is had by the
precious Gospel.
The lower Figure was consecrated
to the Deitie, because it is euerie
way alike, and all one: and vpon
euery side, and turned euery way,
of like stablenes, vpon euery base,
constant and permanent.
The round Circular standing
vppon that, is without beginning
or ende. Vppon the circumferent
sides whereof, these three lyneaments are contained, directly
vnder euerie Image, according to the property attributed.
The Sunne with his comfortable light, giueth life to euerie
thing, and his nature is attributed to G O D .
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 Owe looke vpon this, Adiachoristos. And by the Vessel
of fier, was engrauen, Adiereynes 22.
And to this ende are the three Monsters placed vnder the
golden Obelisque, because that there be three great opinions
like those Monsters: & as that with the humane
countenaunce is best, so the other be beastly and monstrous.
In the Spyre there be three plaine sides, lyneated with three
circles, signifying one for euery time. The past, the present,
and to come; and no other figure can holde these three
circles, but in that inuariable. And no mortall man can at one
instant perfectlie discerne and see together two sides of the
same figure, sauing one integrally, which is the Present: and
therefore vppon great knowledge were these three
Characters engrauen, Ο. Ω. Ν.
For which cause Poliphilus, not that I excuse my selfe for
beeing ouer prolix and tedious, but briefely to teach thee,
and sette thee right vp. In the knowledge heereof, thou shalt
vnderstand, that the first basiall Figure is onely knowne to
hymselfe, and to one Sonne of man, which hath a humane
bodie glorifyed and without sinne: and the brightnes thereof
wee see but as in a glasse, and not cleerely as it is, for that it
is incomprehensible for a fynite substance.
But he that is indued with wisedome, let him consider of the
glorious brightnes thereof. But to the thirde Figure, which is
of a darke and blacke collour, wherein be the three golden

Images: The Blacke stone is the Lawe: the Coppies foode:
the three Women the preseruation of Man-kind.
Nowe they which will looke higher, they see a Figure in a
tryne aspect, and the higher that they goe towardes the
toppe, where the vnion of the three is, be they neuer so wise,
their vnderstanding is vnperfect: and although that they see
it, yet they knowe not what they see, but that there is such a
thing, in comparison whereof, they are fooles, theyr power
weake, and themselues nothing.
And there Logistica hauing ended her allowed talke,
proceeding from an absolute knowledge, deepe iudgement,
and sharpnesse of wit in Diuine matters, and vnknowne to
weake capacities, I began heereat to take greater delight,
then in any other meruailous worke what soeuer, that I had
graciously beholden with my greedy eyes. Considering with
my selfe of the mysticall Obelisque, the ineffable equality
statarie, for durablenesse and perpetuitie vnmoueable, and
enduring vncorruptible.
[v] 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, [v] 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.
The crown of thorne vpon Christes head. She aunswered me straight
way. The braunches, one is of the Thistle or thorne of Iudea,
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.
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. 23 A worke
verie auncient and past record, in a very displeasant seate.

[v]

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. 24
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, [v] 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 [v]
harts, the vtter destroyer, and idle letting goe by of all good
blessings.
Oh blinde Monster, how doost thou blinde, and with what
deceipt doost thou couer the eyes, and deceiue the
vnderstanding sences of vnhappie and miserable Louers with
vailes and mystes.
O monstrous and slauish, which compassed with so manie
euils, hastenest to so small pleasure poysoned and fayned.
Logistica speaking with vehemencie these and such lyke
words, her fore-head frowning, wrympling with sorrowes,
and veines, rysing vp in a great rage, shee cast her Lute
vppon the ground and brake it.
VVhere-vppon Thelemia, with a smyling countenaunce,
nodded towards mee, as if shee shoulde say, let Logistica
speake her pleasure, but doe as you see good your selfe.
And Logistica seeing my wicked intent and resolute
determination, beeing kindled with disdaine, turned her
backe, and with a great sigh hastened away.
And I remained still with my companion Thelemia, vvho
with a flattering and smyling grace said vnto me, Poliphilus,

this is the place where thou shalt not continue long, but thou
shalt finde the deerest thing which thou louest in the world,
& which thou hast in thy hart, without intermission
determined to seeke and desire.
And doubtfully then discoursing with my selfe, I was
resolued that nothing coulde breede quiet, or bring content
to my poore grieued hart, but my best desired Polia. The
promise and warrantise of Thelemia for my obtayning the
same, bred in mee some comfort.
And shee perceiuing that the Mistris of thys place, and the
seate it selfe, and her Women dyd bothe please mee vvell,
and entertained mee courteously, shee kissing mee, tooke her
leaue and gaue me a fare-well.
The metallyne gates beeing shut, I remayned incloystered
among these fayre and beautifull Nymphes, who began very
pleasantly and wantonly to deuise with mee: and beeing
hemmed in with their lasciuious company, I found my selfe
prouoked by their perswasiue alluring intisements, to
vnlawfull concupiscence, feeling in my selfe a burning
desire, kyndled with their wanton aspects, an increasing
prouocation of a lusting fier. I doubt me that if Phrine had
beene of that fauour, and force in gesture of speech, colde
Xenocrates would haue consented to her alluring, and not
haue beene accused by her, to be an image of stone. Their
countenances were so lasciuious, their breastes naked and
intycing, theyr eyes flattering, in their roseall forheads,
glystering and rowling, their shapes most excellent, their
apparell rich, their motions girlish, theyr regards byting,
theyr ornaments, sweete and precious, no part counterfeited,
but all perfected by nature in an excellent sort, nothing
deformed, but all partes aunswerable one to an other.
Their heades yellowe, their tresses fayre, and the hayre soft
and fine, in such a sort dressed vp and rouled into trammels,
with laces of silke and golde, passing any ioye that a man

may beholde, turned about their heads in an excellent
manner, inuiluxed, and bound vppe together, their forheades
compassed about and shaddowed with wauering curles,
mouably præpending in a wonderfull manner, marueilous
delightfull, perfumed & sweet, yeelding an vnknown
fragrancie. Their speeches so perswasorie and pleasing, as
might robbe the fauour of an indesposed hart, and violently
drawe vnto them any mind, though Satyr-like or churlish
howsoeuer, to depraue Religion, to binde euery loose
conceit, to make any rusty Peasant amorous, and to mollifie
any froward disposition. Vppon which occasion, my minde,
altogether set on fier with a new desire, and in the extreame
heate of concupiscence, prouoked to fall headlong into a
lasciuious appetite, & drowned in lustfull loue vnbridled: in
the extreame inuasion and infectious contage thereof, the
Damoselles forsooke mee and left me all alone in a fruitfull
playne.
[v]

In this place Poliphilus being left alone, a most fayre
Nymphe (when hee was forsaken of the lasciuious
company) came vnto him, whose beautie and
apparell Poliphilus dooth amourously describe.
y tender heart thus excessiuely
wounded with amorous
prouocation, I think I was mad, I
stood so amazed, or blinde at the
least, because that I coulde not
perceiue in what sort or how this
desired and delightfull company
gaue mee the slip: and at last not
knowing what I did, but casting
mine eyes right forward, I behelde before mee, a fine Arbour
of sweete Gessamine, somewhat high, lifting vppe and

bending ouer, all to bee painted and decked with the pleasant
and odoriferous flowers of three sortes commixt, and entring
in vnder the same. Wonderfully perplexed for the losse of
my company, I knewe not howe or in what sort, and calling
to remembraunce the diuers, rare and wonderfull thinges
past, and aboue al the great hope and trust which I had
conceiued vpon the Queenes promise, that I should finde my
loue Polia.
Alas said I, with a deepe sigh, my Polia, that the greene
Arbour resounded againe therewithall, my amourous
breathings were such, framed within and sent out from my
burning hart. And I was no sooner entered into this agony,
and ouerwhelmed in this passion, but as I passed on to the
other ende of the Arbor, I might perceiue a farre off, a great
number of youthes, solacing and sporting themselues very
loude with diuers melodious soundes, with pleasant sports
and sundry pastimes, in great ioye, and passing delight
assembled together, in a large playne. Vppon this gratefull
and desired noueltie, I set me down marueiling at it, before I
would step any further on.
And beholde, a most noble and faire Nymph, with a burning
torch in her hand, departing from the company, tended her
course towardes mee, so as I might well perceiue that shee
was a reall mayde indeede and no spirite, whervpon I
mooued not one whit, but gladly expected her comming,
who with a maidenly hast, modest accesse, star-like
countenance, and smiling grace, drewe neere vnto mee with
such a Maiestie, and yet friendly, so as I doubt me, the
amorous Idalea neuer shewed her selfe to Mars, nor to her
the fayre Pastor Adonis. Nor the delicate Ganimed to Iupiter,
or the fayre Psyches, to her spouse Cupid.
For which cause, if shee had beene the fourth among the
three contending Goddesses, if Joue had beene Iudge, as in
the shady Wooddes of Mensunlone was the Phrigian

Sheepheard, without all doubt she had beene iudged of farre
more excellent beautie, and without equiuolence, more
worthy of the golden apple, then all or any one of the rest. At
the first sight I was perswaded that shee had beene Polia,
but the place vnaccustomed & her apparell made mee thinke
the contrarie, and therefore my doubtfull iudgement
remained in suspence, hauing onely a reuerent suspition
therof.
This honourable Nymph, had her virgineall diuine and small
body couered with a thinne subtill stuffe of greene silke,
powdered with golde, vppon a smocke of pure white coorled
Lawne, couering her most delicate and tender body, and
snowye skinne, as fine and good as euer Pamphila the
daughter to Platis in the Iland of Coo, did inuent to weaue.
Which white smocke seemed as if it had couered damaske
Roses.
The coate which she wore ouer that, was not like our
fashioned petticoates with French wastes, for that her sweete
proporcioned body needed no such pinching in, &
vnholsome weare, hyndering procreation and an enemie to
health: but rather like a wastcoate, with little plightes and
gathers vnder her rounde and pretty bearing out breasts,
vpon her slender and small waste, ouer her large
proportioned flanckes and little round belly, fast girded
about with a girdle of golde: and ouer the same, a gowne or
garment side to the ground, and welted belowe.
This garment beeing very side, was taken vp round about the
pitch of her hippes, and before vpon her belly, & tyed about
with the studded marriage girdle of Citherea, the plucking
vp of ye garment, bearing ouer the girdle about her like a
french vardingale, & the nethermost part falling down about
her feet in plightes and fouldes, vnstable and blowne about
with the sweete ayre & coole winde, causing sometime, by
the thinnesse thereof, her shape to be seene in it, which shee

seemed with a prompt readinesse to resist and hynder. Her
beautie and grace was such, as I stoode in doubt whether
shee were begotten by any humaine generation: her [v]
armes stretching downe, her handes long and slender, her
fingers small and fayre, and her nayles thinne and ruddy, and
shining, as if she had beene Minerua her selfe. Her armes to
be seene through the cleere thinnesse of the Lawne, the
winges about the size of her garment where her armes came
out, were of golde, in an excellent sort and fashion welted,
and set with Pearle and stone: and in like sort, all the
hemming about of her vesture, with golde ooes, and Pearle,
and spangles of golde in diuers places, distantly disposed in
a curious and pleasant sort to beholde.
Vppon either side, vnder the armes to her waste, her vpper
garment was vnsowed and open, but fastened with three
buttons of great Orient Pearle (such as Cleopatra neuer had
to dissolue in a Potion) in loopes of blewe silke, so that you
might see her smocke betweene the distance of one Pearle
from an other, couering her daintie soft snowye thinne
skinne: except her small necke and the vpper halfe of her
spatious and delitious breast, more desired and contenting
mine eyes, then the water brookes and coole Ryuers to the
emboste and chased Hart, more pleasing then the fisher
boate of Endimion to Cynthia, and more pleasant then
Cithera to Orpheus.
The sleeues of her smocke of a conuenient largenesse, and
about her wristes plighted and tyed with Bracelets of Golde,
double and vnited with Orient Pearle. And besides all her
ornaments and gracious gestures, she indeuoured nowe and
then with stolen and affected regards, in a sweet & pleasant
sort, to cast down her eyes vpon her little round swelling
breastes, impatient at the suppressing of her soft and fine
apparell: so as I iudged vppon good consideration, and
thought that in the dignitie and honourable frame of her
personage, the Creator had framed and vnited together, all

the violence of Loue. The foure Nourses of the royall
Kingdome of Babilon, called The tongue of the Gods, had
not that powre to winne fauour and loue of the King, which
this most sweet Nymph had.
About her fayre Necke, more white then the Scithian snowe,
shee wore a Carkenet of Oryent Pearle: Cerna the wife of
Cæsar neuer had the like, and I doubt me that that of
Eriphile, which she tooke to Amphiaraus, was nothing
comparable vnto it. And in the bending downe ouer the
deuision of her breastes, betwixt two great Pearles, there was
laced a corruscant rounde Rubie, and vppon the collaterate
sides of the sayde Pearles, two glistering Saphires, and two
Pearles, next them two Emeraldes, & two Pearles, and after
them two fayre Iacinthes: all these Pearles and Stones were
laced in a worke in losenges, in a rare and beautifull manner.
Her fayre heade, sending downe and vnfolding a loose
spreading abroade of plentifull hayre, like the smallest
threds of golde, wauing with the winde, and vpon her
crowne, a garland of tawny vyolets sweetly smelling, and
couering the same almost to her forheade: from the middle
vpper point whereof, in forme of two Hemycycles to the
halfe of her eares, it mounted vppe in curled trammelles,
falling downe againe vppon her fayre Temples, moueably
wauing and shaddowing the same, and hyding the vpper
halfe of her small eares, more fayre then euer was reported
of Mimoria.
The rest of her yellowe haire, descended downe ouer her
fayre necke, well disposed shoulders, and straight backe, to
the calues of her slender legges, moderatly wauing and
blowne abroad, in greater beautie than the proude eyed
feathers of Iunoes Birde. Such hayre as Berenice did neuer
vow in the venereous Temple for her Tholomaus, nor Conus
the Mathematrician did euer beholde the like placed in the
Triangule.

In her forehead, vnder two subtile blacke Hemycicles and
distinct eye brees, such as Abacsine in Æthiopia had not to
boast of, or compare with, nor Juno her selfe, did looke out
and present themselues two pleasant radious and glistering
eyes, which would enforce Jupiter to rayne golde, of a
cleere sight, quicke and pearcing, with a browne circle
betwixt the Apple and the milchie white: neere to the which,
were her purple and Cherry cheekes, beautified with two
round smyling dimples, gracing the pleasure of her
countenaunce, of the collour of the fresh Roses gathered at
the rysing of the Sunne, and layde in a vessell of the
Christall of Cyprus, and shewing through the same, as me
thought.
Vnder her nose to her lyppes, passed a little valley to her
small mouth of a most sweete forme, her lyppes not
blabbered or swelling, but indifferent, & of a rubye collour,
couering two vniforme sets of teeth, like yuory, and small,
not one longer and sharper than an other, but in order euenly
disposed and set: from betwixt the which, Loue had
composed an euerlasting sweet breathing, so as I [v]
presumed to thinke, that the snow white teeth betwixt her
gracious lyppes, were no other but Oryent Pearles, & her
sweet breath hot Muske, and by her delightfull voyce that
she was Thespis with her nine daughters.
By all which sight I was greatly mooued and my sences
rauished with a kindled appetite, causing among them great
strife and bitter contention, such as I neuer felt before, by
any other presence or excellent sightes whatsoeuer. My
searching eyes commended one part aboue another, to bee
more beautifull: but my appetite rapt into an other part of her
heauenly body, esteeming that aboue the other. And thus my
insatiable and wanton eyes, were the euill beginning of all
thys perturbing and contentious commotion, whome I
founde the seminaries and moouers of all so great strife and
trouble, in my wounded and festering heart. Through theyr

contumacy, I was now brought from my selfe, and
neuerthelesse, I could not be satisfied by them. My greedy
appetyte extolled her delicate breast aboue any comparison,
my eyes delightfully consenting thervnto, sayd, at least by
that we may discouer what ye rest is; And they, glauncing
from that to the regarde of her grace and gesture, set all their
delight therein: and my appetite strengthened and not easilie
remooued from thence, I perswaded my selfe, that the
plentie and fayrenesse of her head and hayre, and the
dressing thereof, and the beautie of her forheade, coulde
neuer bee compared with of any one or other, like the
scrapings of golde alwaies turning into little roundels.
With two eyes lyke morning starres in a cleere heauen, more
beautifully adorning her heade, than any that euer the
warlike Neco behelde among the Acitanians, wounding my
heart like one of the arrowes of the angrie Cupid. And thus
to conclude, I dare be bolde to say, that no mortall man hath
seene, so gracious, so shyning, so cleere and pleasant lightes
as these were placed in the forhead of this heauenly creature;
so that by them my hart was taken prisoner, & was filled
with such continuall cõtrouersies of desire, as if a leafe of
the Laurell of the Tombe of the king of Bibria had bin
placed betwixt, & that strife should neuer cease whilst it was
there: so as I thought that this strife would neuer cease, vntill
the pleasure were taken away, by reason wherof, I could not
perceiue howe I shoulde obtaine the fulnes of my desire, or
howe it coulde agree with either one or other. Like one
extreamely hungry among a number of prepared meates
being desirous of all, feedes of none, his burning appetite
remayning satisfied with none, but still hungry.

The most fayre Nymph beeing come to Poliphilus,
bearing a Torch in her left hand, with the other

tooke him and inuited him to walke with her, and
there Poliphilus by her loue was more inflamed.
hus seing before me, a reall and
visible obiect of a most excellent
representation, louely presence and
heauenly aspect, of a plentifull
store and vniuersall gathering of
vnseene beautie, and inhumaine
comelinesse, I made light and
slender account, in respect heereof,
of all the inestimable delights,
riches, and great pompe which before I had behelde and
seene, thinking their worthinesse nothing to speake of, in
comparison of this. Oh happie hee that may enioy such and
so great a treasure of loue; and not onely a happie possessor
I account him, but most happie that shall possesse and
obtaine her obedience, to hys desire and rule. But if Zenes
had behelde this substance, hee would haue commended the
same aboue all the Agrigentine maides, euery proprotion
would haue made vnto him an oportune shewe of the
absolutest perfection in the whole world.
Which fayre and heauenly Nymph nowe comming neere
vnto me, with a cheerefull countenance, incontinently her
most rare beautie, before somewhat a farre of looked vppon
with mine eyes, but nowe, by them more neere and narrowly
behelde, I was rauished and amased.
And her amorous aspect and louely presence, was no sooner
brought by the message of mine eyes to my inward partes,
but my recording and watchfull remembrance, stirring and
waking vppe my heart, presenting and offering her vnto the
same: it is become her shoppe; the quiuer for her piercing
arrowes and wounding regardes, and the dwelling place and
conseruable mansion house, of her sweete picture. Knowing
that this was shee which had tædiously consumed my tender

yeeres, in her hotte and prime loue, [v] not to be resisted. For
I felt the same leaping and beating against my breast,
without ceasing, like as one that striketh vpon a hoarse
Taber. And still me thought by her louely and delightfull
countenance, by her fayre tresses, and the curling and
wauing haire, playing vp and downe vppon her forheade,
that it should be Polia, whome so greatly I had loued and
desired, and for whom I had sustained so many & sundry
griefes, without intermission, sending out scalding sighes,
the outward reporters of my inwarde flames. But her rich
and Nymphish habite, vnaccustomed, and the place
vnknowne and strange, made mee still doubtfull and
suspicious.
Shee (as beforesaide) carried in her snowe white left arme,
close to her body, a kindled and burning Torch, somewhat
higher then her heade a good deale, and the lower ende
growing smaller and smaller, shee helde in her hande: and
stretching foorth that which was at libertie, more white then
euer had Pelopea, wherein appeared the thinne smoothnes of
the skynne, and the blewnesse of the veynes lyke Azure
streames, vppon the faire and whitest paper. Shee tooke me
by the left hande with a sweete and louing countenance and
smiling grace, and with an eloquent speech, shee pleasantly
saide in this manner.
Poliphilus, I thinke my selfe to come in saftie, but it seemeth
that you stand doubtfull. Heereat I was more amazed, and
my sences in a manner gone to imagine howe she should
knowe my name; and al my inward parts vanquished, and
hemmed in with burning amorous flames, my speech was
taken from mee with feare and reuerent bashfulnesse.
In this sort remayning, I knewe not vppon the suddaine what
good aunswere I might make, or otherwise doe her
reuerence, but to offer her my vnworthy and vnfit hande;
Which when it was streined in hers, me thought that it was

in hot snowe and curded milke, and me thought indeede, that
I touched and handled something which was more then
humaine; which when I had so done, I remained moued in
minde, troubled and doubtfull, vnaccustomed to such a
companion, not knowing what to say, or whether to followe
her, in my simple apparell and homely bringing vp, not
agreeable with hers: and as a foole, vnworthy and vnfit for
her fellowship, perswading my selfe, that it was not lawfull
for a mortall and earthly creature to enioy such pleasures.
For which cause, my collour red and blushing, with reuerent
admiration, being grieued at my basenesse, I setled my selfe
to followe her.
At length,and yet not with a perfect recalled minde, I
beganne to reduce and sommon together, my fearefull and
distempered spirites: perswading my selfe, that I must
needes haue good successe, being neere so faire and diuine
an obiect, and in such a place; And so followed her on with a
panting heart, more shaking than the birde Sisura, or a
Lambe carryed in the mouth of a Wolfe.
And thus touched most feruently with pleasant heates,
growing & encreasing more & more, they began to boyle &
kindle my colde feare, and dispositiuely to adopt my altered
heate to sincere loue. Which being thus brought to thys
passe, by a prouoked inward desire, yet inwardly as I
reasoned with my selfe, it was wonderfully variable and
doubtfull. Oh most happye Louer of all Louers, that in
requitall of hys, might bee sure to participate of hers.
On the other side, I perswaded my selfe, that if I shoulde
offer vnto her my amorous heart and loue, hauing no better
thing to bestow vpon her, or present vnto her, it might be
that she would not refuse it: like Artaxerxes, the King of the
Percians; who hauing water presented to hys handes,
accepted of it bowing downe himselfe. Heerewithall, me
thought yet that a fearefull and chill trembling inuaded mee,

infusing it selfe ouer all my body and breast, renewing the
force of the extreame fire, euen like dry reede: which being
once kindled, is enflamed and nourished with the fresh ayre,
vntill at length it is increased so mightily, that it consumeth
all to ashes.
And in like sorte, I fully founde in my selfe, an increase and
flashing abroade of my inwarde flames, in their prepared
subject, so effectually, that her amorous regardes gaue me
mortall and deadly woundes: euen as lightning and thunder,
among the stronge and mightie oakes, suddainely with a
great force, scorching & tearing them. And therefore I durst
not looke vpon her bright eyes, because that dooing so,
(being ouercome with the incredible beauty of her gracious
aspect) if peraduenture her radious beames did reincounter
mutually with myne, for a little while euery thinge seemed
two vnto mee, vntill I had closed the lyddes together, and
restored them to theyr former light.
[v] Wherevpon, and by reason of these thinges captiuated,
spoyled, and ouercome, I determined at that instant to plucke
vp some fresh flowers, and in all humble sort to offer them
vnto her, and it came to passe, that whilst my secret thoughts
consented thervnto, consygning a free meane and large
entrance, for the discouery of my desire. But my burning
heart humbly hauing opened the same, euen as a rype Apple
being eyther bytten or shaken, so it fell and fayled me. And
receiuing into his wounded and familiar estuation, in some
interposition of time, immediatly his accustomed heat and
feruor increased, piercing the inward parts with her
virgineall aspects, exceedingly beautified with a comely
grace and vnexcogitable elegancie; Because, that into this
sweete introduction into my minde, of these first amorous
flames, (lyke the Troian horse, full of weapons and deceite)
the enterance was made for an euerlasting, vnknown, and
vncessant plague, deeply festering in my tender and poore
heart, perpetually remayning: which easily ouercome with

one sweete looke, inconsiderately without delay, hasteneth
his owne hurt, and wholly layeth it selfe open to amorous
incursions, and burneth it selfe with sweet conceits, going
into the flames of his owne accord.
To all which burning desires her present company did
greatly inforce mee, which I esteemed to yeelde mee more
comfort, then the North starre in a tempestuous night to the
troubled Marriner: more acceptable then that of Melicta to
Adonis, or to Phrodites, the obsequious Nymph Peristera:
and more delightfull then Dittander to the daughter of Dydo,
with the Purple flowre for the wounde of Pius Æneas: And
finding my heart strooken and inwardly pricking, secretly
filled and compressiuely stuft; recording and gathering
together into it, varyable thoughts and working of Loue, my
immedicable wounde grewe greater and greater. But
gathering vp the remaynder of my sences, as one that durst, I
assured my selfe to manifest and lay open before her, my
intended desires and amorous conceites. And thus loosing
my selfe in a blinde folly. I could not choose but giue place
to my inuading desires, feruently boyling and inforcing me
to say thus.
Oh delycate and heauenly Damosell, whatsoeuer thou art,
thy forcyble loue hath set me on fire, and consumeth my
grieued heart; I finde my selfe all ouer, burning in an
vncessant flame, and a sharpe dart cast into the middest of
my breast, where it sticketh fast, hauing made a mortall
wounde vncurable. And hauing spoken thus, to the ende I
might discouer vnto her my hidden desire, and moderate by
that meanes the extreamitie of my bitter passions: vvhich I
felt, the more they were concealed, the more to augment and
increase, I patiently helde my peace: and by this meanes all
those feruent and greeuous agitations, doubtfull thoughtes,
wanton and vyolent desires, were somewhat supprest; with
my ill fauoured Gowne, that had still some of the Bramble
leaues and prickes in the Wood hanging vpon it, and euen as

a Peacocke in the pride of his feathers, beholding the
fowlenesse of his feete, pulleth downe hys traine: so I
considering the inequallitie of my selfe, with such a
heauenly obiect, appaled the prouocations of my
contumacious and high desires, looking into the vanities of
my thoughtes.
And then I earnestly endeuoured by all the meanes that I
might, to subdue, encloyster, and keepe in, my vnbridled
gadding appetite, wandring minde, and immodest desire,
intending nowe that it should neuer be vttered againe.
At length I beganne to thinke in the secret depth of my
wounded heart, that vndoubtedly this my present continued
griefe, was equall with that of wicked Tantalus, to whose
hotte and thirsting lyppes, the coole and cleere water did
offer it selfe, and to his hungry appetite, the sweete fruites
honge ouer hys gaping mouth appresenting, but he neuer
tasted any of either.
Ah woe is mee euen in like sort, a most fayre Nymph of an
excellent shape, of a florishing age, of Angel-like behauiour
vnspeakable, and of rare honour and exceeding curtesie as
mine eies coulde beholde, whose company exceeded any
exquesite humaine content; and I, iust by her, full of all
whatsoeuer prouocation, forcing sollaciously loue and
desire, heaping vppe in her selfe the whole perfections of
delight, and yet my yauning and voluptuous desire, neuer the
more thereby satisfied.
Well, on this sorte my burning concupiscence nothing
allayed, as much as I might, I comforted my languishing
hart, vnmeasurably tormented, in putting of it in minde, of
solacious and amorous hope: and with that, there was neuer
a coale so neere put out, but it was presently renued and set
on fire, with the company of the next. And my vnbridled
eyes, the more they were vnarmed to resist her power, the
more they were inflamed with the insolent desire [v] and

liking of her wonderfull and heauenly beautie; Still seeming
more faire, more excellent, more louely, more to be desired,
extreamly apt and præpared for loue: euedently shewing
foorth in her selfe, a wonderfull increase of sweete pleasure.
Afterwards I thought with my selfe, it may be that she is
some creature which I may not desire, and it may bee the
place is not fitte for such thoughtes, and then it may bee I
haue made a wise worke, and spunne a fayre thred, if I
should bee punished for my impudencie, like Ixion. In like
sort, the Thracian had neuer founde the deepe seate of
Neptune, if he had not medled with Tethis; and Gallantide,
the mayde of Lucina, shoulde not haue brought foorth in her
mouth, if hee had not deceiued. It may that thys Nymph is
spowsed to some high and mightie Prince, and I to offer her
this dishonour, what am I worthy of?
And thus resoning with my selfe, I thought that those thinges
which had but slender assurance, woulde lightly slyppe
away, and that it would not be hard to deceiue, where was no
watchfull regarde: and to bolde spirites, Fortune was not
altogether fayling: and besides, that it was harde to knowe a
mans thought. Where-vpon, euen as Calistone, being
ashamed at her swelling belley, shronke aside from the
presence of Diana; so I withdrewe my selfe, blushing at my
attempt, and bridling my inconuenient desires. Yet with a
lincious eye, I neuer left to examine, with great delight, the
extreame beautie of the excellent Nymph, disposing my
selfe to her sweete loue, with an vnfallyble, obstinate, and
firme resolution.

Polia, as yet vnknowne to her Louer Poliphilus, shee
gratiously assureth him: who for her extreame
beautie, hee indeuoreth his minde to loue. And
both of them going to the triumphes, they see
innumerable youths and Damosels, sporting with
great delight.
he Archer Cupid, in my wounding
heart hauing his residence, like a
Lord and king, holding me tyed in
the bands of Loue, I found my
selfe pricked and grieuously
tormented, in his tyrannous and yet
pleasant regiment. And abounding
in doubtfull delight, vnmeasurably
sighing, I watered my plaints; and
then the surmounting Nymph, with a pleasing grace,
incontinently gaue me comfort, and with her ruddy and fayre
spoken lyppes, framing violent and attractiue wordes, she
gaue me assurance: abandoning and remouing from my
heart, all fearefull thoughts, with her Olymphicall aspects,
and cooling with her eloquent speeches, my burning heart;
and with an amorous and friendly regarde, and cast of her
eyes, and smiling grace, she saide thus vnto mee.
Poliphilus, I woulde thou shouldest vnderstand and know
thys, that true and vertuous loue hath no respect of outward
things, and therefore let not the basenes of thy apparell,
diminish or lessen thy minde, if perhaps noble and gentle,
and worthy of these places, and fitte to beholde these
maruellous tryumphes; Therefore let not thy minde be
dismayed with feare, but dilligently behold what Kingdomes
they possesse, that are crowned by Venus. I meane, such as
bee strongly agonished and yet perseuere still, seruing and

attending vpon her amorous Aultars and sacred flames, vntill
they obtaine her lawfull fauour. And then making an ende of
her short and sweet speech, both of vs making forward, our
pace neither too fast nor too slowe, but in a measure; I
thought thus, and thus discoursing with my selfe.
Oh most valiant Perseus, thou wouldest more feirsly haue
fought with the cruell Dragon, for the fauour of this, then for
the loue of thy fayre Andromada. And after.
[v] Oh Iason, if the marriage of this had beene offered vnto
thee, with a more greater and more daungerous aduenture,
then the obtayning of the golden fleece, thou wouldest haue
let goe that, and vndertaken this, with a greater courage,
esteeming it aboue al the iewelles and precious treasures of
the whole worlde; I, more then those of the ritch and mightie
Queene Eleutherillida. Continually seeming more fayre,
more beautifull, and more louely. Hippodamia, and all the
greedy scraping and doubtfull Vsurers, neuer tooke such
delight in getting of gold. A quyet Harbour was neuer so
welcome to a destressed Marryner, in a stormy, darke, and
tempesteous winter night: nor the wished and oportune fall
of rayne, at the prayer of Cræsus, as the louing consent of
this daintie Nymph: more welcome to mee, then bloody
broyles to warlike Mars, or the first fruites of Creta to
Dionisius: or the warbling Harpe to Apollo: and yet more
gratefull, then fertill grounde, full eares, and plentifull
yeelding, to the labouring Husbandman.
And thus in most contented sort, passing on and pressing
down the thicke, greene, and coole grasse: sometime my
searching and busie eyes, woulde haue a cast with her pretty
& small feete, passing well fitted with shooes of Red leather,
growing broader from the instept, narrowe at the toe, and
close about the heele; and sometimes her fine and moueable
legges, (her vesture of silke beeing blowne about with the
winde, vppon her virgineall partes) discouered themselues.

If I might haue seene them, I do imagine that they did looke
like the finest flower of Peloponesus, or like the purest
milke, coagulated with Muske.
By all which most delectable thinges, tyed and bounde in the
harde and inextricable knots of vehement loue, more vneasie
to vndoe then that of Hercules, or that which Alexander the
great did cut in sunder with hys sworde: and amorously
masked in rowled nettes, and my subdued heart, helde
downe withe grieued cogitations and burning desires,
leading mee whether they would, I founde in it more
pricking torments then faythfull Regulus in Aphrica. So that
my sorrowing spirites exasperated with an amorous desire
and extreame vexation, continually burning in my panting
breast, coulde by no meanes bee asswaged, but with supping
vp of continuall sobbings, and breathing out of their flying
losse. And thus drowned in a mist of doubts, and seeing me
vyolently taken in her loue, I saide thus to my selfe.
O Poliphilus, howe canst thou leaue at any tyme thy
inseperable loue, kindled towardes thy sweete Polia, for any
other? And therewithall, from this Nymph, thus close and
fast bounde, more strongly thẽ in the clawes of a Creuise or
Lobstar, endeuouring to vntie my selfe, I found it no easie
peece of worke, so that I coulde not choose but greeuously
binde my troubled hart, to the loue and affecting of this by
all likelihoodes, hauing the true shape, sweete resemblance,
and gratious behauiour of my most beloued Polia. But aboue
all thinges, this came more neere vnto mee and grieued me
worst, howe I should bee assured that shee was Polia.
Wherevppon, from my watry eyes, the salt teares
immediatly tryckling downe, it seemed vnto me a hard &
contemptuous matter, to banish from my forlorne and poore
heart, his olde soueraigne Lady and Mistresse, and to
entertaine a newe, strange, and vnknowne Tyrannyzer.

Afterwards, I comforted my selfe again, with thinking that
peraduenture this was shee, according to the sacred Oracle
and true speech, of the mighty Queene Eleutherillida: and
therefore, that I should not shrinke or stoope vnder my
burthen; for if I were not greatly deceiued, this was shee
indeede. And hauing made thys amorous and discoursiue
thought and swasiue præsuppose, abandoning all other
desires whatsoeuer, I onely determined with my heart and
minde, to come backe againe to this noble and excellent
Nymph; in whose great loue I beeing thus taken, with
extreame compulsion, I was bolde with an vnaccustomed
admyration, dilligently to looke vpon her rare shape, and
louely features, my eyes making themselues the swallowing
whirlpooles of her incomparable beautie: and they were no
sooner opened, hotly to take in the sweete pleasure of her so
benigne and conspicuous presence, but they were
strengthened for euer, to hold with them solaciously
agreeing, the assembly of all my other captiued sences, that
from her and no other, I did seeke the mittegation and
quenching of my amorous flames. And in this sort we came,
whilst I was thus cruelly wounded by exasperating Loue,
somewhat vppon the right side of the spacious fielde.
In which place, were set greene trees, thicke with leaues, and
full of flowers, bearing fruite, rounde about the place and
seate of such variable and diuers sorts, neuer fading but still
greene, giuing great content to the delightfull beholder.
[v] The gallant and pleasant Nymphe there stayed; and I also
stood still: Where looking about, by the benignitie of the
fruitfull playne, with halfe my sight, because I coulde not
altogether withdrawe the same from the amorous obiect; I
behelde very neere vnto vs, a certaine shewe of an
inuyroning company, tryumphing and dauncing about vs, of
most braue and fine youthes, without beardes and vnshorne
heares, but that of their heads bushing, curling, and
wrything, without any art or effæminate crysping: crowned

and dressed, with garlands and wreathes of diuers flowers,
and red Roses, with leauye Myrtle, with purple Amaranth or
flower gentle, and Melliot: and with them a great company
of yonge maydes, more fayre and delicate then bee to bee
founde in Sparta; Both kindes apparelled very richly, in
silkes of changable collours, hyding the perfect collour;
some in Purple & Murry, and some in white curled Sendall,
such as Ægipt neuer affoorded, and of dyuers other collours:
some Tawney, some Crymosen, others in Greene, some in
Vyolet, some in Blewe, Peach collour, Peacocke collour,
perfectly engrayned, as euer Corica coulde yeelde: and
powdered and wouen with golde, and edged and hemmed
about With orient Pearle and stones set in pure golde; some
in gownes, and others in hunting sutes.
And the most of the beautifull Nymphes, had their fayre
haire smoothly bounde vppe together, and thrise rowled
about, with an excellent finishing knot; Others had their
vnstable & wauing tresses, spreading downe ouer their fayre
neckes. Some, with aboundance of haire, cast vp ouer their
forheades, and the endes turning into curles, & shaddowing
ouer the fayrenes of the same: so as Nature and not Arte,
shewed her selfe therein a beautifull mistresse; With fillets
and laces of golde, edged with orient Pearle, and others in
Caules of golde, wearing about theyr slender neckes, rich
and precious Carkenets and, necklaces, of Pearles and stone,
and depending iewelles. And vppon theyr small eares, did
hange dyuers precious stones, and ouer the variable
dressings of theyr heades, before in two Hemycicles, were
set shoddowes of oryent Pearle and stone, in flowers of
hayre.
All which excellent ornaments, together with theyr most
elegant personages, were easily able to alter, any churlish,
vile or obstinate heart.

Theyr fayre breastes, in a voluptuous and wanton sort, were
bare to the middest of them: And vppon their prettie feete,
some wore sandalles, after the auncient manner, beeing
soles, and the foote bare fastened to the same, with a small
chaine of golde, comming vp betwixt the great toe and the
middle, and the little toe and the next, about the heele ouer
the instep, and fastening vppon the vpper part, betwixt the
toes and the instep, in a flower. Others hauing straight
shooes, claspt vppon the instep with flowers of golde. Their
stockings of silke; some of Purple, some of Carnation, some
of parted collours: such as Caius Galicola neuer first
brought vp. Others wearing Buskins, vppon the white
swelling calfes of their legges, and laced with silke; some
butned wyth golde and precious stone.
Their fore-heades most fayre, and beautified with the
moueable wauinges of theyr crysping hayre couered ouer
with a thinne vayle, lyke a Spiders vvebbe. Theyr eyes
byting and alluring, more bright, than the twinkling starres
in a cleere ayre, vnder theyr circulate brees: vvith a small
nose, betwixt their rounde and cherry cheekes: their teeth
orderly disposed, small and euen set, of the collour of
refyned siluer: vppon the rest, betwixt their sweet and soft
lyppes: of the collour of Corrall.
Many of them carrying instruments of Musique, such as
neuer were seene in Ausonia, nor in the handes of Orpheus:
yeelding in the flowring Meadowe & smoth playne, most
delightfull sounds, with sweete voyces and noyces of ioye
and tryumphing: and to increase the glory, amorously
stryuing and contending one with an other, vvith solacious
and pleasant acts, accompanied with faire speeches and
friendly aspects. And in this place, with a most delectable
applause, I behelde foure Tryumphes, so precious and
sumptuously set foorth, as neuer any mortall eye hath seene.
[v]

Poliphilus in this prescribed place, did beholde foure
tryumphing Chariots, all set with precious stones
and iewelles, by a great number of youthes, in the
honour of Iupiter.
he first of the foure marueilous
tryumphant Chariots, had foure
rounde wheeles, of Perfect greene
Emeralds of Scythia; the rest of the
Chariot did amase mee to beholde,
beeing made all of table Dyamonds:
not of Arabia or Cyprus, of the newe
Myne, as our Lapidaries call them:
but of India, resisting the harde stroakes of yron and steele,
abyding the hote fire & striuing therwith, mollified onely
with the warme bloode of Goates, gratefull in the Magicall
arte; which stones, were wonderfully cut of a Cataglyphic
explicature, and set very curiously in fine golde.
Vppon the right side of the Chariot, I sawe expressed, the
representation of a noble Nymph, with many accompanying
her in a Meddowe, crowning of victorious Bulles with
garlands of flowers, and one abyding by her very tamely.
The same Nymph, vppon the other side was also
represented, who hauing mounted vp vppon the backe of the
Bull, which was gentle and white, he carryed her ouer
the sea.
Vppon the fore-ende I behelde Cupid, with a great number
of wounded people and Nations, marueiling to see him
shoote into the ayre. And in the hinder part, Mars standing
before Iupiter, mourning because the boy had shotte through
his impenetrable Brest-plate, and shewing the wounde, and
with the other hande, holding out his arme, he helde this
worde Nemo.

The fashion of this Chariot was quadrangulat, of two perfect
squares, longe wayes, of sixe foote in length and three foote
in height, with a bearing out coronice aboue and vnder the
plynth: and about the same a plaine, in breadth two foote
and a halfe, and in length fiue foot and a halfe, bearing
towards the Coronice, all ouer scally, with precious stones,
with an altered congresse and order of collours, variably
disposed. And vppon the foure corners, were fastned foure
coppies, inuersed, and the mouth lying vpward vpon the
proiect corner of the Coronice, full of fruites and flowers cut
of precious stones, as it were growing out of a foliature of
golde. The hornes were chased neere their mouth, with the
leaues of Poppy, and wrythen in the belly: the gracylament
& outward bending, ioyning fast to the ende of the plaine,
and breaking of in an olde fashioned iagged leaf-worke,
lying a long vnder the backe of the Coppisse, and of the
same mettall. Vpon euery corner of the Plynth, from the
Coronice downeward, there was a foote lyke a Harpies, with
an excellent conuersion and turning vppon eyther sides of
the leaues of Acanthus.
The wheeles, aboue the naues and axeltrees, were closed
within the Chariot, and the sides thereof vnder the Harpies
feete, bent somewhat vpward and growing lesser, turned
rounde downward, wherevnto the furniture or trace to drawe
it by, were fastned: and where the axeltree was, there vpon
the side of the bottom of the Charriot, ouer the naue of the
wheele, there came downe a prepention ioyning to the
Plynth, twise so long as deepe, of two foliatures, one
extending one way and the other an other way: and vpon the
middle thereof and lowest part, was a Rose of fiue leaues, in
the seede whereof, the ende of the axeltree did lye.
Vppon the aforesaide Playne, I behelde the ymage of a fayre
white and tame Bull, trymmed and dressed with flowers, in
manner like an Oxe for a Sacrifice. And vppon his large and
broade backe, did sit a princely virgine, with long and

slender armes, halfe naked; with her handes she helde by his
hornes. Her apparell was exquesite of greene silke and
golde, marueilously wouen, and of a Nymphish fashion,
couering her body and girded about her wast, edged about
with Pearle and stone, and a crowne of glittering golde vpon
her fayre heade.
This Triumph, was drawne by sixe lasciuious Centaures,
which came of the fallen seede of the sausy and
presumpteous Ixion: with a furniture of gold vpon them, and
a long their strong sides, like horses, excellently framed and
illaqueated in manner of a flagon chayne, whereby they
drewe the Tryumph; such as Ericthonius neuer inuented, for
swiftnesse.
Vpon euery one of them did ride a goodly Nymph, with
theyr shoulders one towards an other: three, with their
beautifull faces towards the right side of the Tryumphes, and
three to the left, with Instruments of Musique, making
together a heauenly harmonie [v] and consort. Their hayres
yellowe, and falling ouer their fayre neckes, with Pancarpiall
garlands of all manner of flowers, vpon their heades. The
two next the Tryumph, were apparelled in blewe silke, like
the collour of a Peacockes necke.
The middlemost in bright Crymosen: and the two formost in
an Emerald greene, not wanting any ornamentes to sette
them foorth, singing so sweetly with little rounde mouthes,
and playing vppon their instruments, within so celestiall a
manner, as woulde keepe a man from euer dying.
The Centaures were crowned with yuie, that is called
Dendrocyssos. The two next the tryumph did beare in their
handes, two vesselles of an olde fashion, of the Topas of
Arabia, of a bright golden collour, gratefull to Lucina, and to
the which, the waues will be calme: slender at the bottom,
bigge swelling in the belly, and lessening small vp towardes
the Orifice; In height two foote, without eares: out of the

which, did ascend a thicke smoake or fume, of an
inestimable fragrancie. The middlemost, did sounde
Trumpets of golde, with banners of silke and golde, fastned
to the Trumpets in three places.
The other two formost, with olde fashioned Cornets,
agreeing in consort with the Instruments of the Nymph.
Vnder the which triumphant Chariot, were the Axeltrees
conuently placed, wherevppon the wheeles turned, and of a
balustic lyneament, waxing small towarde the ende and
rounde: Which Axeltrees, were of fine pure golde and
massiue, neuer cankering or fretting; which is the deadly
poyson and destroyer of vertue and peaceable quyet.
This tryumph was solemnly celebrated, with moderate
leaping and dauncing about, and great applause: their habites
were girded with skarfes, the endes flying abroade.
And in like sort, those which did sit vpon the Centaures,
commending in their song, the occasion and mistery of the
Tryumph, in voyces consonant and cantionell verse; more
pleasant than I am able to expresse, but let this suffice.
The second Tryumph.
The next Tryumph, was not lesse worthy to be beholden then
the first. The foure wheeles, the spokes, and naues, were all
of Fulkish Agate, and in dyuers places white veines: such as
King Pyrrhus could not shewe, with the representation of the
nine Muses, and Apollo playing in the middest of them
vppon his Lute.
The Axeltrees and fashion of the same like the other: but the
Tables were of orient blewe Saphire, hauing in them, as
small as motes in the Sunne, certaine glinces of golde,
gratefull to the Magicke Arte, and of Cupid beloued in the
left hande.

Vpon the Table on the right side, I behelde engrauen, a
goodly Matron lying in a princely bed, beeing deliuered of
two egges in a stately Pallace: her Midwyues and other
Matrons and yonge women, beeing greatly astonished at the
sight. Out of one of the which, spronge a flame of fire: and
out of the other egge two bright starres.
Vppon the other side were engrauen, the curious Parents,
ignorant of thys strange byrth, in the Temple of Apollo,
before hys image, asking by Oracle the cause and ende
heereof, hauing this darke aunswere. Vni gratum Mare.
Alterum gratum Mari. And for thys ambiguous aunswere
they were reserued by their Parents.
Vppon the fore-ende of the Charyot, there was represented
most liuely the figure of Cupid, aloft in the skyes, with the
sharpe heades of his golden arrowes, wounding and making
bleede the bodyes of dyuers foure footed beastes, creeping
Serpents, and flying Foules. And vppon the earth, stoode
dvuers persons, wondering at the force of such a little slaue,
and the effect of suche a vveake and slender Arrowe.
In the hynder ende, Iupiter appoynting in hys steade, a
prudent and subtill Sheepehearde as a Iudge, awakened by
hym, as hee lay sleeping neere a most fayre Fountaine,
whether of the three most fayre Goddesses, hee esteemed
best worthie. And hee beeing seduced by deuising Cupid,
gaue the Apple to the pleasant working Venus.
This tryumphant Charyot, was drawen by sixe white
Elephants, coupled two and two together, such as will hardly
be found in Agesinua, nor among the Gandars of India.
Pompei neuer [v] had the like in his Tryumphes in Affricke:
neither were the like seene in the Tryumphes of the conquest
of India; their tronckes armed with deadly teeth of yuory,
passing on theyr way and drawing together, making a
pleasant braying or noyse. Their furniture & traces of pure
blewe silke, twisted with threds of golde and siluer: the

fastnings in the furniture, all made vp with square or true
loue knots, lyke square eares of corne of the Mountaine
Garganus. Their Poyterelles of golde, set with Pearle and
stone different in collours; the beautie of the one striuing to
excell the beautie of the other. And thus was all their
furniture or armings to the traces, of silke as aforesayde.
Vppon them also, did ride (as before) sixe younge and
tender Nymphes, in like sort, but theyr Instruments different
from the former, but agreeing in consort: and what soeuer
the first did, the same did these.
The first two were apparelled in Crymosen: the middle most
two in fine hayre collour: and the foremost in vyolet. The
Caparisons of the Eliphants were of cloth of golde, edged
with great Pearles and precious stones: And about their
neckes were ornaments of great round iewelles, and vpon
their faces, great balles of Pearles, tasled with silke and
golde, vnstable and turning.
Ouer this stately Chariot tryumphant, I behelde a most white
Swanne, in the amorous imbracing of a noble Nymph, the
daughter of Theseus, of an incredible beautie: and vpon her
lappe, sitting the same Swanne, ouer her white thighes. She
sate vppon two cushines of cloth of golde, finely and softely
wouen, with all the ornaments necessary for them.
Her selfe apparelled in a Nimphish sort, in cloth of siluer,
heere and there powdered with golde, ouer one and vnder
three, without defect or want of any thing, requisite to the
adorning of so honorable a representation, which to the
beholder, may occasion a pleasurable delight. In euery sort
performed with as great applause as the first.
The third Tryumph.
Then followed the thyrd Tryumph, with foure wheles of
Æthyopian Chrysolite, sparkling out golde: that which hath
beene helde in the same, in olde time hath beene thought

good to dryue away malignant spirits. The wheeles vpwardly
couered, as aforesaide, and the naues and spokes of the same
fashion, of greene Helitropia of Cyprus: whose vertue is, to
keepe secret in the day light, to diuine giftes, full of drops of
blood.
This Historie was engrauen vppon the right side of the Table
thereof, as followeth. A man of great Maiestie, requesting to
knowe what should happen to his fayre daughter: her Father
vnderstanding, that by her meanes he should be
dispossessed of his Crowne and dignitie; and to the ende she
shoulde not be carried away or stollen of any, he built a
mightie stronge Tower, and there, with a watchfull garde
caused her to bee kept: and shee remayning there in this sort
with great content, had falling into her virgineall lap, drops
of Golde.
Vppon the other side was chased out a valiant youth, who
with great reuerence did receiue a protection of a Christall
shielde, and with his sworde afterward cutting off the heade
of a terryble woman, and afterwardes proudly bearing her
heade in signe of victorie; Out of the hotte blood of whome,
did rise vp a flying horse: who striking vppon a Mountaine
with one of hys houes, made a strange springe of water to
gush out.
Vpon the fore ende I behelde the mightie Cupid, drawing
hys golden Arrowe, and shooting the same vp into the
heauens, causing them to raine bloode: whereat a number
stoode wonderfully amazed, of all fortes of people. Vpon the
other ende, I did see Venus in a wonderfull displeasure,
hauing taken her son by a Knight in a Net, and getting him
by the winges, she was about to plucke of his fethers: hauing
plucked of one handfull, that flewe about, the little elph
crying out pitteously; and an other sent from Jupiter, tooke
him away and saued him from his mother, and presented him
to Jupiter: against whose diuine mouth, were in Attic Letter

these wordes written, ΣΥΜΟΙΠΛ ΥΚΥΣΤΕΚΑΙΠΚΡΟΣ 25
and hee couered him in the lap of his celestiall gowne.
This tryumphant Charriot, was pompously drawne with sixe
fierce Vnicornes: their heades like Harts, reuerencing the
chaste Diana. The poyterelles and furniture about their
stronge breasts, was of golde, set with precious stone, and
fringed with siluer and hayre colloured silke, tyed into knots,
in manner of a net worke, and tasseled at euery prependent
point, their caparisons like the other before spoken of.
Vpon these did sit, six fayre virgines, in such pompe and
manner [v] as before, apparelled in cloth of golde, wouen
with blewe silke into diuers leaues & flowers; these had a
consort of liuncyers winde Instruments, full of spirite. 26
And vppon the toppe of the Chariot, was placed a stoole of
green Iasper, set in siluer: needfull in byrth, and medicinable
for chastitie; at the foote it was sixe square, and growing
smaller towarde the seate, and from the middle to the foote,
champhered and furrowed, and vpward wrought with
nextrulles: the seate whereof was somewhat hallowed, for
the more easily sitting vppon it. The Lyneaments thereof
most excellent.
A loft vppon the same did sit a most singuler fayre Nymph,
richly apparelled in cloth of golde and blewe silke, dressed
lyke a virgine, and adorned with innumerable sortes of
Pearles and stone; she shewed an affectious delight, to
beholde droppes of golde fall from heauen into her lappe.
She sate in solemne pompe like the other, and with great
applause, with her fayre and plentifull haire spreading
downe ouer her backe, crowned with a Dyademe of golde,
set with sundry precious stones.
The fourth Tryumph.
The fourth Tryumph was borne vppon foure wheeles, with
Iron strakes, forcibly beaten out without fire; All the rest of

the Charyot, in fashion like the former, was of burning
Carbuncle, shewing light in the darkest places, of an expolite
cutting: past any reason, to thinke howe or where it was
possible to be made, or by what workeman.
The right side whereof, helde this History. An honourable
woman with childe, vnto whome Jupiter shewed himselfe (as
he was wont With Iuno) in thunder and lightning: insomuch,
as shee fell all to ashes, out of the which was taken vp a
younge infant.
Vpon the other side, I behelde Iupiter, hauing the saide
Infant in his hands, & delyuering him to a yonge man, with
winged buskyns, and a staffe, with two serpents winding
about it: who deliuered the Infant to certaine Nymphes in a
Caue, to be fostered.
In the fore-ende, I might see howe Cupid hauing shot vp into
heauen with hys mischeeuous Arrowe, had caused Iupiter to
beholde a mortall Nymph: and a great number of wounded
people woondering at it.
In the hinder end was Iupiter sitting in a tribunall seate as
iudge, and Cupide appeering limping before him, and
making grieuous complaints against his louing mother,
bicause that by hir means he had wounded himselfe
extreemly with the loue of a faire damsell, and that his leg
was burnt with a drop of a lampe, presenting also the yoong
Nymph and the lampe in hir hand. And Iupiter with a
smiling countenance speaking to Cupid,
Perfer scintillam qui cœlum accendis & omnes.
This Monosticon was grauen in Latine letters in a square
table before the faces of their supreame maiesties, the rest as
is described.
This mysticall triumph was drawen by sixe spotted beasts of
yealow shining colour, and swift as the tygers of Hyrcania
called Leopards, coupled togither with withes of twined

vines, full of tender greene leaues, and stalkes full of greene
clusters. This chariot was drawen very leisurely.
Vpon the middle of which plaine there was placed a base of
golde by the lowest diameter, one foote and three handfuls
high, the lataster or lowest verdge round and hollowed, in
the middle vnder the vpper sime or brimme in forme of a
pallie with nextrubs, rules and cordicels: the vpper plaine of
this base was euacuated, wherein rested the traines of the
fower eagles standing vpon the plaine, smooth superficies of
the base, which were of precious Ætite of Persia, of the
colour of a sakers plume. And these stood with their
shoulders one opposite against another, and their pounces of
gold fastened and sticking in the said base, euery one
surueying with their wings, and the flowering tips of their
sarcellets touching one another. Ouer these as vpon a nest,
was placed this maruellous vessell of Æthiopian Hyacints
cleere and bright, Celso inimicus, Comiti gratiosus. This
vessell was crusted with emeralds and vaines of diuers other
pretious stones, a worke incredible. The height thereof two
foote and a halfe, the fashion in maner round, the breadth by
diameter one foote and a halfe, and the circumference
consisted of three diameters. From the heads of the eagles
the bottome or foote of the vessell did ascend vp one triens,
and a border going about the thicknes of a hand, from which
border [v] to the beginning of the belly of the vessel, and to
the bottome of the foote with this hand breadth, was a foote
and a halfe. Vpon this stood the forme of the vessell
aforesaid one handfull and a halfe broader, which halfe
handfull was distributed to the border, about the brimme of
foulding leaues and flowers standing out from the hyacinth.
The diameter two quarters & a halfe. Vnder this border there
did stick out round about certaine proportions like walnut
shels, or the keele of a ship, somwhat thicke and broade at
the vpper end, and lessing themselues to nothing belowe.
From thence to the orifice it did rise vp two quarters and a

halfe, furrowed with turning champhers, and an excellent
sime: and in steed of eares to take vp the vessell by, it had
two lips standing out and turning in round like the head of a
base viall.
Vnder and aboue the borders, the vessel was wrought with
turned gululs, vnduls, and imbossings, and with such
lineaments were the borders wrought, both vnder and aboue.
Vppon the border in the necke of the couer, were two halfe
rings, suppressed in the border by transuersion, one of them
iust against another, which were holden in the biting teeth of
two Lysarts, or byting Dragons of greene emerauld, bearing
out from the couer. They stoode with their serpentlike feete
vpon the lower part of the couer vnder the necke, betwixt the
which and the lower vessell, was one quantitie, and from his
vpper gracilament descending, he ioyned with the turned in
sime of the circumferent lymbus or verdge, where they did
closely byte togither. This couer to the necke was made in
skalie work of Hyacinth, except the vaynes of smaragd, for
the little dragons, their bellies and feetes fastening to the
skalie couer. These little dragons one against an other, their
brests and throtes hollowing out from the border and the
couer, and their tayles turning vpwards againe, did serue for
the eares of the couer, iust ouer them of the lower vessell.
The lower turning about, where the couer did close with the
vessell being of two parts, ioyned togither with an excellent
foliature, halfe a foote broad, as if they had bin inseparable.
The bodie of this vessell was all run ouer with a Vine, the
stringes and vaines whereof, and small curling twists, were
of Topas, farre better then is founde in the Ilande Ophiadis,
the leaues of fine smaragd, and the braunches of Amethist,
to the sight most beautifull, and to the vnderstanding
woonderfull contemplable. The subiect vessell appearing
thorough the same of Hiacinth so round and polished, as any
wheele can send foorth: except, vnder the leaues there was a

substaunce left, which helde the foliature to the vessell of
Hiacinth, passing ouer and separated from the subiect. The
hollowed and bending leaues with all the other lapicidariall
lineaments, were performed with such an emulation of
nature as was woonderfull.
Let vs nowe returne to the circumferent brim of the pretious
vessell. In the smooth partes whereof, vppon eyther sides of
the tayles of the Lysarts, I behelde two hystorials woorthy of
regard, ingrauen in this sort. Vpon the foreside of the
vessell, the representation of Iupiter, holding in his right
hande a glistering sword, of the vayne of the Æthiopian
Chrysolits: and in the other hande a thunder bolt of shining
Rubie. His countenance sauour of the vaine of Gallatits, and
crowned with stars like lightening, he stoode vpon an aultar
of Saphyre. Before his fearefull maiestie, were a beuie of
Nymphs, seauen in number, apparrelled in white, proffering
with their sweete voices to sing, and after transforming
themselues into greene trees like emeralds full of azure
flowers, and bowing themselues downe with deuotion to his
power: Not that they were all transformed into leaues, but
the first into a tree, hir feete to rootes, their armes and heads
into braunches, some more then other, but in a shewe that
they must followe all alike, as appeared by their heads.
Vpon the other Anaglyph, I did behold a merrie and pleasant
maiesticall personage, like a yoong fat boye, crowned with
two folding serpents, one white, and the other blacke, tied
into a knot. Hee rested delightfullie vnder a plentifull vine
tree full of ripe grapes, and vpon the top of the frame there
were little naked boies, climing vp and sitting aloft gathering
the ripe clusters: others offering them in a basket to the God,
who pleasantly receiued them: other some lay fast a sleepe
vpon the ground, being drunke with the sweet iuice [v] of
the grape. Others applying themselues to the worke of
mustulent autumne: others singing and piping: all which
expression was perfected by the workman in pretious stones,

of such colour as the naturall liuelinesse of euery vaine,
leafe, flower, berrie, body, proportion, shape, and
representation required. And in this imagerie, although it
was very small, yet there was no defect to be found in the
least part belonging thereunto, but perfectly to be discerned.
Out of this former described vessell did spring vp a greene
flourishing vine, the twisting branches thereof full set with
clusters of grapes, the tawny berries of Indian Amethyst, and
the leaues of greene Silenitis of Persia: Not subiect to the
change of the moone, delighted of Cupid. This tree
shadowed the chariot: At euery corner of this triumphant
chariot vpon the plaine where the vessell stood, was placed a
candlesticke, of excellent workmanship, vpon three feet of
red corrall, well liked of the ruder sort, resisting lightening
and tempests, fauourable and preseruatiue to the bearer: The
like were not found vnder the head of Gorgon of Persia, nor
in the Ocean Erythreum. The steale of one of the
candlesticks was of white corrall, beloued of Diana, of a
conuenient length, with round knobs and ioints, in height
two foote. Another was of most fine stone Dionisias, hauing
spots growing from a blackish to a pure red, the same
pounded smelleth sweetly. The third was of perfect Medea
of the colour of darke gold, and hauing the smell of Nectar.
The fourth of pretious Nebritis from a blacke growing to a
white and greene. Out of the hollowed steales whereof, there
ascended vp a pyramidall flame of euerlasting fire,
continually burning. The brightnes of the works expressed
through the reflexion of the lights, and the sparkling of the
pretious stones were such, as my eies dazeled to behold
them.
About which heauenly triumph, with a maruellous and
solemne pompe, infinite troups of Nymphs, their faire and
plentifull tresses falling loose ouer their shoulders, some
naked with aprons of goates skins and kids, others with
tymbrels and flutes, making a most pleasaunt noise, as in the

daunce called Thiasus, in the trieterie of Bacchus, with green
leaffie sprigs and vine branches, instrophyated about their
heads and wasts, leaping and dauncing before the triumphs:
immediately after the triumphs followed an olde man vpon
an asse, and after him was led a goate adorned for a
sacrifice: And one that followed after carrieng vpon hir head
a fanne, making an vnmeasurable laughter, and vsing furious
and outragious gestures. This was the order of these
Mimallons, Satirs, and seruants to Bacchus, bawds, Tyades,
Naiades and such as followed after.

The Nymph doth shew to Poliphilus the multitude of
yoong Louers, and their Loues, what they were,
and in what sort beloued
t is verie hard for a man to
accommodate his speech to apte
termes, whereby he may
expreslie declare the great
pompe, indesinent triumph,
vncessaunt ioie and delightful
iettings aboute these rare and
vnseene chariots, and being
once vndertaken, it is as vneasie
to leaue off: besides the notable
companie of yoong youths, and the increasing troups of
innumerable faire and pleasant Nymphs, more sharpe witted,
wise, modest, and discreet, then is ordinarily seene in so
tender yeeres, with their beardles Louers, scarce hauing
downy cheekes, pleasantly deuising with them matters of
Loue. Manie of them hauing their torches burning, others
pastophorall, some with ancient spoiles vppon the endes of
streight staues, and others with diuers sorts of Trophes vpon
launces, curiouslie hanging, caried before the mystical
triumphs, with shouting resounds aboue in the aire. Some

with winde-instruments of diuers fashions and maner of
windings, sagbuts and flutes. Others with heauenly voices
singing with ineffable delights, and exceeding solace, past
mans reason to imagine: within them passed about the
glorious triumphs, turning vpon the florulent ground, and
green [v] swoord, a place dedicated to the happie, without
anie stub or tree, but the fielde was as a plaine coequate
medowe of sweete hearbes and pleasaunt flowers, of all
sorts of colours, and sundry varieng fashions, yeelding so
fragrant a smell as is possible to speake of, not burnt with
the extreeme heat of the sunne, but moderate, the ground
moystened with sweete ryuers, the aire pure and cleane, the
daies all alike, the earth continually greene, the spring neuer
decaieng but renuing, the coole grasse with variable flowers
like a painting, remaining alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie
freshnesse, reseruing and holding their colours without
interdict of time. There grewe the fower sortes of Violets,
Cowslops, Melilots, Rose Parsley or Passeflower, Blew
bottles, Gyth, Ladies seale, Vatrachium, Aquilegia, Lillie
conually, Amaranth, Flower gentle, Ideosmus, all sorts of
sweete pinks, and small flowring hearbs of odoriferous
fragrancie and smell, Roses of Persia, hauing the smel of
muske and Amber, and innumerable sorts of others without
setting, but naturally growing in a woonderfull distribution,
peeping out from their greene leaues, and barbs very
delightfull to behold.
In this place I might see goodly braue women as the
Archadian Calisto the daughter of Lycaon, with the
vnknowen Diana. The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nycteus,
and mother to Amphion and Zeteus that built Thebes, with
hir satyre. Issa the daughter of Machareus with hir
shepheard. Antichia the daughter of Aecus and yoong
Danaë. Asterie the daughter to Cæus, and Alchmena with hir
fained husband. Afterward I beheld the pleasant Ægina
solacing hir selfe with the cleere flood and diuine fire. The

daughter of Fullus and that of Menemphus, with hir
counterfeit father, and that other of Diodes with hir lap full
of flowers and a writhing serpent, and the faire yoong gyrle
no more sorrowing for the growing of hir hornes. Astiochia
and Antigone the daughter of Laomedon solaciously
delighting hir selfe in hir storkish plumes, and Lurisile the
first inuentrix of wheeles. Garamantide the dauncing
Nymph holding by hir little finger, and washing hir delicate
pretie feete from sweate in the riuer Bagrada. After that I
beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon pursuing hir: Erigone
hauing hir faire shining brest stickt full of sweete grapes,
and the daughter of king Chollus with hir bull, Eriphile and
hir changed husband: The daughter of Alpes and the virgin
Melantho with hir dolphin, Phyllira the daughter of old
Oceanus with the father of Chiron. Next hir Ceres with hir
head instrophyated with ripe eares of corne imbracing the
scalie Hydra: And the faire Nymph Lara sorting with
Argiphon: and the sweete Futurna of the riuer Numicus.
And whilest I stood with excessiue delight beholding onely
as an ignorant this rare companie and mysticall triumphes,
circumsept with these and such like sorts, and so also the
delicious fields, but that me thought it was a louely sight to
behold, and so I should haue continued: then the gratious
Nymph associating and leading me, seeing my simplicitie
and carelesnes, with a ready countenance and sweete and
pleasant words, without asking, she said thus vnto me: My
Poliphilus, doest thou see these? (shewing me those of the
olde world) these were beloued of Iupiter, and this, and this
was such a one, and these were in loue with him, by this
meanes shewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and
not knowing their names, she in great curtesie told me.
Afterward she shewed me a great number of little virgins,
vnder the gouernment of three sober and discreete matrones
the leaders to so great delight: Adding thereunto very
pleasantly (changing hir angellike countenance) My

Poliphilus, thou shalt vnderstand, that no earthly creature
can enter in heere without a burning torch as thou seest me,
either with extreeme loue and great paines, or for the fauour
and company of those three matrones. And from hir hart
setting a deepe sigh, she said: This torch haue I brought
hither for thy sake, minding to put it out in yonder temple.
These speeches pearced my hart, they were so delightfull
and desired, and so much the more, bicause she called me
hir Poliphilus. Whereupon I assured my selfe, that she was
Polia, and from top to the toe I found an extreeme alteration
into a supreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whispering
small sighes.
Which she cunningly perceiuing, brake on this new accident
with these words: Oh how many be there which would [v]
most gladly behold these triumphes, and therefore
Poliphilus, addresse thy thoughts to other matters, and
behold what noble and woorthy Nymphs shew themselues
deseruedly consorted with their amorous louers, curteous
and affable: who with sweete and pleasant notes in measured
verse, praise and commend one another without wearines,
incessantly celebrating their turnes with excessiue delight,
and extolling the triumphs, the aire also full of the chirpings
of diuers pretie birds, yeelding a diffused charme.
This verse consisted of Strophe, Aristophe, and Epodus. About the first
triumph among the reioising companie, the nine Muses did
sing, with their leader the diuine Luter Apollo.
After the triumph followed the faire Parthenopeian Leria,
with a lawrell crowne, accompanied with Melanthia, whose
habites and voices represented the pride of Greece, Homer.
whereupon the great Macedon rested his head: She bare a
splendent lampe, communicating the light thereof with hir
companion, then the rest more excellent both in voice and
song.

There the faire Nymph shewed me the auncient Iphianassa,
and after the old father Himerinus his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers: These with
pleasant noises, sweete musicke and fine agilities, paste on
about the first triumph.
About the second triumph was the noble Nemesis with the
Lesbian Corina, Delia and Neæra, with diuers others
amorous Nymphs, making pleasaunt soundes vppon stringed
instruments of yealow wood.
About the thirde triumph, the glorious Nymphs shewed me
Quintilia and Cynthea Nauta, with others, in great solace,
making sweete harmonies, and singing pleasant verses: there
also I behelde the virgin Violantilla with hir Doue, and the
other sorrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidian Cloe,
Lide, Neobole, sweete Phillis, and the faire Lyce Tyburts &
Pyra, with their harps singing and making a most pleasant
noyse. After this fourth triumph among the Mænades and
sacrificers to Bacchus, there folowed an amorous damosell
singing in the commendation of the head of hir louer Plaon,
she desired hornes. And after them all she shewed me two
women, one of them apparelled in white, and the other in
greene, which came hindermost singing togither.
And thus they marched about in a most pleasant and
delightfull maner vpon the fresh greene and flourishing
plaine: Some instrophiated with laurel, some with myrtle,
and others with other sorts of flowers and garlands,
incessantly without any wearines or intermission in a
perfection of the felicitie of this world, mutually enioying
one anothers aspect and companie.

The Nymph hauing at large declared vnto Poliphilus
the mysticall triumphs and extreeme loue,

afterwards she desired him to go on further, where
also with great delight he beheld innumerable
other Nymphs, with their desired louers, in a
thousand sorts of pleasures solacing themselues
vpon the greene grasse, fresh shadowes, and by
the coole riuers and cleere fountaines. And how
Poliphilus there had with madnes almost forgotten
himselfe in the passions of desire, but hope did
asswage his furie, quieting himselfe in the
beholding of the sweete sauour of the faire
Nymph.
ot onely happie but aboue all
other most happie were he, to
whom it should be granted
continually by speciall fauour to
beholde the glorious pompe,
high triumphs, beautiful places,
sweet scituations, togither with
the goddesses, halfe goddesses,
faire Nymphes of incredible
delight and pleasure, but
especially to be seconded and accompanied with so
honorable a Nymph of so rare and excellent beautie. And
this I thought not to be the least and smallest point of my
felicitie. Now hauing looked vpon these sights, I remained a
great space recording of the same, being therewith beyonde
measure abundantly contented.
Afterwards, the faire and sweet damsell my guide said thus
vnto me: Poliphilus, let vs now go on a little further. And
then [v] immediately we tended our walke toward the fresh
fountains and shady riuers, compassing about the flourshing
fields with chrystalline currents and gratious streames.

In which cleare water, grew the purple flowering sonne of
the Nymph Liriope, looking vp from his tender stringes and
leaues. And al the faire riuers were ful of other flowers
sweetlie growing among their greene and fresh leaues. This
delightfull place was of a spatious and large circuit,
compassed about and inuironed with wooddie mountaines,
of a moderate height of greene lawrell, fruitefull memerels,
hearie & high pine trees, and within the cleere channels,
with graueled banks, and in some places the bottom was
faire soft yealow sande, where the water ran swifte, and the
three leaued driope grew.
There were a great companie of delicate faire Nymphs of
tender age, with a redolent flower of bashfulnes, and beyond
all credite beautifull, with their beardles louers continuallie
accompanied. Among which Nymphs, some verie pleasantly
with wanton countenaunces in the cleere streams shewed
themselues sportefull and gamesome, hauing taken vppe
finelie their thin garments of silke of diuers colours, and
holding them in the bouts of their white armes, the forme of
their rounde thighs were seene vnder the plytes, and their
faire legges were reuealed to the naked knees, the current
streames comming vp so high: it was a sight which woulde
haue prepared one to that which were vnfit, and if himselfe
had been vnable thereunto. And there where the water was
most still, turning downe their faire faces of exceeding
beautie, and bending their bodies of rare proportion, as in a
large goodly glasse they might behould their heauenly
shapes, breaking off the same with the motion of their pretie
feete, making a noyse with the contrast of the circulating
water. Some solaciouslie striuing to go by the tame
swimming swans, and sportingly casting water one at
another, with the hollownes of their palms: others standing
without the water vpon the soft coole grasse, making vp of
nosegaies and garlands of sundrie sweete flowers, & giuing
the same to their louers as tokens of their fauorable

remembraunce, not denieng their sweet kisses, & louing
imbracings, with the amorous regardes of their star-like
eyes.
And some were set vpon the greene banks not ouergrown
with reed and segs, but finely beautified with sweete hearbs
and flowers, among the which the tender Nymphs comming
wet out of the water more cleere then Axius in Mygdonia,
vnder the vmbragious trees, did sit sporting and deuising one
with another in delightfull imbracings, with their
reuerencing louers, not cruelly scorning & reiecting them,
but with a sociable loue and benigne affablenesse, disposing
themselues to the like shew of true affection, their sweete
gestures and pleasant behauiours far more gratious to the
eie, then flowing teares be to the frowarde and vnmercifull
Cupid, the sweete fountaines and moist dewes to the green
fieldes, and desired forme to vnfashioned matter.
Some did sing amorous sonnets, and verses of loue,
breathing out in the same from their inflamed breasts,
scalding sighs ful of sweete accents, able to enamorate harts
of stone: And to make smooth the ruggednesse of the
vnpassageable mountaine Caucasus, to staie whatsoeuer
furie the harpe of Orpheus woulde prouoke, and the fowle
and euill fauoured face of Medusa, to make any horrible
monster tame and tractable, and to stop the continuall
prouocation of the deuouring Scylla. Some rested their heads
in the chaste laps of their faire loues, recounting the
pleasaunt deuises of Iupiter, and they instrophyating their
curled locks with sweete smelling flowers.
Others of them fained that they were forsaken, and seemed
to flie and go awaie from them, whom dearely they did
affect, and then was there running one after another with
loud laughters, and effeminate criengs out, their faire tresses
spredding downe ouer their snowie shoulders like threeds of
gold, bound in laces of greene silke: Some loose after a

Nymphish maner, others bounde vp in attyres of golde set
with pearle. Afterwards comming neere togither, they would
stowpe downe, and twiching vp the sweete flowers with
their faire and tender fingers, fling the same in the faces of
their pursuing louers with great pleasure and solace,
maintaining their fained disgracings.
[v] Others with great curtesie were putting of Rose leaues
one after another into their laced brests, adding after them
sweete kisses, some giuing their louers (if ouer-bold) vpon
the cheekes with their harmles palmes pretie ticks, making
them red like the wheeles of Phœbus in a faire and cleere
morning: with other new and vnthought contentions, such as
loue could deuise. They all being pleasant, merrie, and
disposed to delight: Their gestures and motions girlish, and
of a virgineall simplicitie, putting on sincere loue without
the offence of honorable vertue: Free and exempt from the
occursion of griefe or emulation of aduers fortune: Sitting
vnder the shade of the weeping sister of the whited Phaeton,
and of the immortall Daphne and hairie pineapple with small
and sharpe leaues, streight Cyprus, greene Orenge trees, and
tall Cedars, and others most excellent, abounding with
greene leaues, sweete flowers, and pleasant fruits still
flourishing in such sort as is inestimable, euenly disposed
vpon the gratious banks, & orderly growing in a moderat
distance vpon thee grassie ground, inuested with green
Vinca peruince or laurel. What hart is so cold and chilling,
that would not be stirred vp to heate, manifestly beholding
the delightfull duties of reciprocall loue, such as I was
perswaded would haue kindled Diana hir selfe?
Whereupon I was bold to shew that folly which tormented
my inward spirits, enuying to see what others possessed, that
was a continuall delight in pleasure and solace without any
wearines in full cloying, and thus diuers times my hart being
set on fire by my eies, and extreemely burning, my minde
still fixed vpon delightfull pleasures and their smacking

kisses, and regarding with a curious eie the abounding
guerdons of the fethered god, me thought at that instant, that
I did behold the extreeme perfection of pleasure. And by this
meanes I stood wauering and out of measure amazed, and as
one which had droonke an amorous potion, calling into
remembrance the ointments of the mischeeuous Circes, the
forcible hearbs of Medea, the hurtfull songs of Byrrena, and
the deadly verses of Pamphile, I stood doubtfull that my eies
had seene somthing more than humane, and that a base,
dishonorable, and frail bodie should not be where immortall
creatures did abide.
After that I was brought from these long and doubtfull
thoughts and phantasticall imaginations, and remembring all
those maruellous diuine shapes and bodies which I had
personally seene with mine eies, I then knew that they were
not deceitfull shadowes, nor magicall illusions, but that I had
not rightly conceiued of them.
And now with earnest consideration among these beholding
the most excellent Nymph fast by me, my eies filled with
amorous darts ceased not to wound my passionate hart, by
means wherof incontinently all my wandering thoughts were
stirred vp, compact, and fixed vpon hir their desired obiect,
recalling my mortified soule afresh to be tormented in his
first flames, which most cruelly I suffered, in that I durst not
be bold to aske if she were my desired Polia, for she had put
me in some doubt thereof before, and now fearing to offend
hir with my being ouer bolde, and ore troublesome with my
rude and vntilled toong, diuers times when my voice was
breaking out betwixt my lips, vpon that occasion I
suppressed the same. But what she should be, it was beyond
my compasse to imagine, and I stood as suspicious thereof,
as the deceiued Socia with the fained Atlantiades. Thus with
diligent regards and cordiall searches examining hir
heauenly features inuaded with a burning desire beyond
measure, I said to my self: Oh that I might be, if it were

possible, a free mã in such a place, for no sorrow shoulde
greeue me, nor imminent danger should make me afraid:
although that frowarde fortune shoulde oppose hir selfe
against me, I woulde spende my life without any regard
therof, not refusing to vndertake the laborsome and great
enterprise of the two gates shewed to the sonne of
Amphitrio.
To spend the prime of my youth and pleasure of my yeers in
the mortall daungers of the merciles seas, and in the fearfull
places of Trinacria, with the excessiue trauels and terrors of
Ulysses, in the darke caue of the horrible Polyphem, the son
of Neptune, to be transformed in the companie of Calypso,
although I lost my life, or indured the most hard & long
seruitude of Androdus, for all wearines is forgotten where
loue is vehement. To vndertake with the amorous Minalion
and [v] Ileus to runne with Atalanta, or to com but in such
sort as the strong and mightie Hercules for his loue
Deianira, did with the huge Achelous, so as I might atchieue
so gratious a fauor, and attaine to so high delight, as the
remaining in these solacious places, and aboue all to enioy
the precious loue and inestimable good wil of hir, more faire
without comparison, then Cassiopeia, of better fauour then
Castiamira. Ah me, my life and death is in hir power! And if
so be that I seeme vnwoorthie of hir fellowshippe and
amorous commers, yet would God it might be granted me as
a speciall rewarde and priuiledge to looke vpon hir: and then
I saide to my selfe, oh Poliphilus, if these heauie and
burthenous weights of amarous conceits do oppresse thee;
the sweetenes of the fruite doth allure thee thereunto: and if
the peremptorie dangers strike thee into a terror, the hope of
the supportation and helpe of so faire a Nymph will animate
thee to be resolute. Thus my thought being diuers, I said, Oh
God, if this be that desired Polia which I see at this present,
and whose precious impression without intermission, I haue
stil born in my burning and wounded hart, fro the first yeers

of my loue vntil this present, I am contented with all
sorrows, & besides hir, I desire no other request but only
this, that she may be drawne to my feruent loue, that it may
be with vs alike, or that I may be at liberty, for I am no
longer able to dissemble my griefe, or hide the extremity of
my smart, I die liuing, & liuing am as dead: I delight in that
which is my griefe: I go mourning: I consume my self in the
flame, & yet the flame doth norish me, & burning like gold
in the strong cement, yet I find my self like cold yce. Ah wo
is me, that loue should be more greeuous vnto me then the
weight of Iuarime to Typhon. It disperseth me more, then the
rauenous vulturs the glomerated bowels of Tityus: It holdeth
me in more, then the labirinth crooking: It tosseth me more,
then the northeast winds the calme seas: It teareth me
woorse then Acteons dogges their flieng master: It troubleth
my spirits more then horrible death doth them who desire to
liue: It is more direfull to my vexed hart, then the crocodils
bowels to Ichneumon. And so much the more is my greefe,
that with all the wit I haue, I knowe not to thinke in what
part of the worlde I shoulde be, but streight before the
sweete fire of this halfe goddesse, which without any
corporall substance consumeth me: hir aboundant and faire
yealow haire, a snare and net for my hart to be masked in:
hir large and phlegmatique forehead, like white lillies, bynd
me in as with a withe: hir pearcing regards take away my
life as sweete prouocations to afflict me: hir roseall cheekes
do exasperate my desire, hir ruddie lips continue the same,
and hir delicious breasts like the winter snow vpon the
hyperboreall mountaines, are the sharp spurs and byting
whip to my amorous passions: hir louely gestures and
pleasant countenance do draw my desire to an imaginatiue
delight, heaping vp my sorrow. And to all these insulting
martyrdoms and greeuous vexations of that impious and
deceitfull Cupid I laie open, mightilie striuing to beare them,
and no waie able to resist them, but to suffer my selfe to be

ouercome: neither coulde I shun the same, but remained still
as one vnawares lost in the Babylonian fen.
Oh Titius, thou canst not perswade me that thy paine is
equall with mine, although that the vultures teare open thy
breast, and taking out thy smoking warm hart, do pluck it in
peeces with their crooked beaks, and pinch the same in their
sharpe tallents, eating vp also the rest of thy flesh, vntill they
haue ingorged thẽselues, & within a while after thou
renewed againe, they begin afresh to pray vpon thee. Thou
hast a time to be reuiued againe, and made sound as euer
thou wert: but two eies without all pitie or intermission haue
wounded me, deuour and consume me, leauing me no time
of rest, or space to be comforted.
And hauing had these discourses with my selfe, I began
secretly to mourne and weepe, and desire a way that I might
die, fetching deepe sighes as if my hart had torne in sunder
with euery one of them. And diuers times I had purposed
with a lamentable voice to desire hir helpe, for that I was at
the point of death: but as one drowned and ouerwhelmed, I
deemed that way to be vaine, and to no purpose, and therfore
furiously, and as one of a raging spirit I thought thus: Why
doest thou doubt, Poliphilus? Death for loue is laudable, and
therefore my greeuous and malignant fortune, my sorrowful
accident and hard hap in the loue of so beautifuil a Nymph,
[v] will be writ and reported when I shall lie interred. The
same will be sung in doleful tunes vpon sweete instruments
of musicke, manifesting the force of hurtfull loue.
And thus continuing the follie of my thoughts, I said: It may
be that this Nymph, by al likelihoods, is some reuerend
goddesse, and therefore my speeches will be but as the
crackling reedes of Archadia in the moist and fennie sides of
the riuer Labdone, shaken with the sharpe east wind, with
the boisterous north, cloudy south & rainie south west wind.
Besides this, the gods will be seuere reuengers of such an

insolencie, for the companions of Vlysses had been
preserued from drowning and shipwracke, if they had not
stolne Apollos cattell kept by Phaetusa and hir sister
Lampetia. Orion had not beene slaine by a scorpion, if he
had not attempted the cold & chast Diana, and therefore if I
should vse any indecencie against the honor of this Nymph
in any sort, such like reuenge or woorse woulde be vsed
vpon me. At last getting foorth of these changeable thoughts,
I did greatly comfort my selfe in beholding and
contemplating the excellent proportion and sweete sauour of
this ingenuous and most rare Nymph, containing in hir al
whatsoeuer that may prouoke amorous conceits and sweete
loue, giuing from hir faire eies so gratious and fauorable
regards, as thereby I somewhat tempered my troublesome
and vnbrideled thoughts. And my resounding sighes reflexed
with a flattering hope (oh the amorous foode of louers and
sauce of salt teares) by these and no other rains I did manage
my vehement thoughts, and made them stop in a conceiued
hope, fixing mine eies with excessiue delight vpon hir faire
bodie and well disposed members, by all which, my
discontented desires were gently mitigated and redeemed
from that furie and amorous fire, which so neere had bred
the extremitie of my passions.

The Nymph leadeth the inamored Poliphilus to other
pleasant places, where he beheld innumerable
Nymphs solacing them, and also the triumph of
Vertumnus and Pomona.
y Larix, is a tree hauing leaues like a pine, & good for building, it will neither
rot, woormeate, nor burne to coales.
Teda, is a tree out of the which issueth a liquor more thinne than pitch.
Oreades, be countrie Nymphs.
Lyndens or teile trees, in Latin Tiliæ, they beare a fruit as big as a bean, hauing
within seedes like anyse seeds. no meanes I was able to resist the

violent force of Cupids
artillerie, and therefore the
elegant Nymph hauing
amorously gotten an irrevocable
dominion ouer me a miserable
louer, I was inforced to follow
still after hir moderate steps,
which led me into a spatious and
large plaine, the conterminate
bound of the flowered greene &
sweet smelling vallie, where also ended the adorned
mountaines and fruitfull hils, shutting vp the entrance into
this golden countrie, full of incredible delight with their
ioining togither: couered ouer with green trees of a
cõspicuous thicknes & distance, as if they had been set by
hand, as Yew trees, wild Pynes, vnfruitfull but dropping
Resin, tall pineapple, straight Firre, burning Pitch trees, the
spungie Larix, the aierie Teda beloued of the mountains,
celebrated and preserued for the festiuall Oreades. There
both of vs walked in the greene and flowering plaine, shee
being my guide through the high cypres trees, the broad
leaued beech, coole shadie okes full of maste, and other
hornebeames, pricking iuniper, weake hasell, spalt ash,
greene lawrell, and humbryferous esculies, knottie plane
trees & lyndens moouing by the sweet breath of the pleasant
Zephirus, whistling through their tender branches, with a
benigne and fauorable impulsion.
All which greene trees were not thickly twisted togither, but
of a conuenient distaunce one from another, and all of them
so aptly distributed as to the eie the sight thereof bred great
delight.
Dryades, be Nymphs of the woods. This place was frequented with
countrie Nymphs and Dryades, their small and slender
wastes being girded with a brayding of tender corules of
sprigs, leaues, and flowers and vpon [v] their heads their

rising vp haires, were compassed about as with garlands.
Amongst them were the horned faunes, and lasciuious
satyres, solemnising their faunall feasts, being assembled
togither out of diuers places, within this fertile & pleasant
cuntrie: bearing in their hands so tender green and strãge
boughs, as are not to be foũd in the wood of the goddes
Feronia a goddesse of the woods.
Dabulam, a fertile place in Arabia.
Scænits, be a people in Arabia, that dwell altogither in tents.
Sauromatans, be people of Sarmatia, which is a large cuntry, reaching frõ
Germany & the riuer Vistula to Hycænia, and is deuided into two parts Europea
and Asiatica. Feronia, when the inhabitants carrie hir image to
the fire.
From thence we entered into a large square inclosure
cõpassed about with broade walkes, straight from one corner
to another, with a quick-set vpon either sides, in height one
pace, of pricking iuniper thicke set togither, and mixt with
box, compassing about the square greene mead. In the rowes
of which quick-set there were symmetrially planted the
victorious palme trees, whose branches were laden with
fruite, appearing out of their husks, some blacke, some
crymosen, and many yealow, the like are not to be found in
the land of Ægypt, nor in Dabulam among the Arabian
Scænits, or in Hieraconta beyond the Sauromatans. All
which were intermedled with greene Cytrons, Orenges,
Hippomelides, Pistack trees, Pomegranats, Meligotõs,
Dendromirts, Mespils, and Sorbis, with diuers other fruitfull
trees.
In this place vppon the greene swoord of the flowering
mead, and vnder the fresh and coole shadowes, I might
behold a great assemblie met togither of strange people, &
such as I had neuer before seene, full of ioyes and pastimes,
but basely apparrelled, some in fauns skins, painted with
white spots, some in lynx skins, Lynx is a beast spotted, but in shape
like a wolph, being quicke of sight.

Hamadryades were nymphs of the wood and Symenides
Vertumnus the God of fruits. 27
Clepsydra is sometime taken for a diall measuring time by the running of water,
but here for a pot to water a garden and yoong sectlings in a nourcery for an
orchyard. others in leopards: and manie had fastened togither
diuers broad leaues, instrophiating them with sundrie
flowers, therewithall couering their nakednes, singing,
leaping, and dauncing with great applause.
These were the Nymphs Hamadryades, pleasantly
compassing vppon either sides the flowered Vertumnus,
hauing vppon his heade a garlande of roses, and his gowne
lap full of faire flowers, louing the station of the woollie
ramme. He sate in an ancient fashioned carre, drawne by
fower horned fauns or satyrs, with his louing and faire wife
Pomona, crowned with delicate fruits, hir haire hanging
downe ouer hir shoulders, of a flaxen colour, and thus she
sate participating of hir husbands pleasure and quiet, and at
hir feete laie a vessell called Clepsydra. In hir right hand she
held a copie full of flowers, fruits, and greene leaues, and in
hir left hande a branch of flowers, fruits and leaues.
Before the carre and the fower drawing satyrs, there
marched two faire Nymphs, the one of them bare a trophæ
with a præpendant table, whereupon was written this title,
Integerrimam corporis valetudinem & stabile robur
castasque mensarum delitias, & beatam animi securitatem
cultoribus me offero.
And the other bare a trophæ of certaine greene sprigges
bound togither, and among them diuers rurall instruments
fastened. These passed on thus after the ancient maner, with
great ceremonies, and much solemnitie, compassing about a
great square stone like an aulter, standing in the middest of
this faire mead, sufficiently moystened with current streames
from beautifull fountaines.

This square stone or aulter was of pure white marble,
curiouslie cut by a cunning lapicidarie, vpon euery front
wherof was a woonderfull goodly expression, of an elegant
image, so exact, as the like else-where is hardly to be found.
The first was a faire goddesse, hir treces flieng abroad,
girded with roses and other flowers, vpon a thin vpper
garment couering hir beautifull and pleasant proportion. She
helde hir right hand ouer an ancient vessell, in maner of a
chafing-dish, called Chytropodus, sending foorth a flame of
fire, into the which shee did cast roses and flowers, and in
the other hand she held a branch of sweete myrtle, full of
berries. By hir side stoode a little winged boy smiling, with
his bowe and arrowes. Ouer hir head were two pigeons. And
vnder the foote of this figure was written
Florido veri S.
Vpon the other side I beheld in an excellent caruing, the
representation of a damosell of a maidenly countenaunce,
whose stately maiestie gaue great commendation to the
curious deuise of the workeman. She was crowned with a
garland [v] of wheat eares, hir haire flingering abroade, and
hir habyte Nymphish. In hir right hand she held a copie full
of rype graine, and in the other hand three eares of corne,
vpon their strawie stalks. At hir feete lay a wheat sheaue
bound vp, and a little boy with gleanings of corne in either
hands. The subscription was this.
Flauæ Messi S.
Vpon the third side was the likenes in a deuine aspect naked
of a yoong boy, crowned with vine leaues, and of a wanton
countenance, holding in his left hand certaine clusters of ripe
grapes, and in the other, a copie full of grapes which did
hang ouer the mouth thereof. At his feete laie a hayrie goate
and this writing vnder.
Mustulento Autumno S.

The last square did beare vpon it a kingly image passing
well cut, his countenance displeasant and austere, in his left
hand he held a scepter vp into the heauens, the aire cloudie,
troublesome and stormie, and with the other hand reaching
into the clouds full of haile. Behinde him also the aire was
rainie and tempestuous. He was couered with beasts skins,
and vpon his feete he ware sandals, where vnder was
written,
Hiemi Æoliæ S.
From thence the most faire and pleasant Nymph brought me
towards the sea side and sandie shore, where we came to an
olde decaied temple, before the which vpon the fresh and
coole hearbs, vnder sweete shadie trees we sate downe and
rested ourselues, my eies very narrowly beholding, with an
vnsatiable desire, in one sole perfection and virgineall bodie,
the accumulation and assembly of all beauties; an obiect
interdicting my eies to behold any gracious, that except, or
of so great content.
Where refreshing in a secret ioy with new budding conceits
my burning hart, and leauing off vulgar and common follies,
I began to consider of the intelligible effect of honest loue,
and withall of the cleerenes of the skies, the sweete and
milde aire, the delightfull site, the pleasant countrie, the
green grasse decked with diuersity of flowers, the faire hils
adorned with thicke woods, the quiet time, fresh windes, and
fruitfull place, beautifully enriched with diffluent streames,
sliding downe the moist vallies betwixt the crooked hils in
their grauelled channels, and into the next seas with a
continued course softly vnlading themselues.
Thessalie is a region of Greece, hauing vpon the one side Macedonia, and on the
other Bœotia, reaching betweene Thermopylæ, and the riuer Pineus, euen to the
sea side, it is the gardẽ of Grecia. A ground most healthfull, the
grasse coole and sweet: and from the trees resounded the

sweete consents of small chirping birds. The flouds and
fields of Thessalie must giue place to this.
And there sitting thus togither among the sweete flowers and
redolent roses, I fastened mine eies vpon this heauenly shape
of so faire and rare a proportion, whereunto my sences were
so applied, drawen and addicted, that my hart was
ouerwhelmed with extreeme delights, so as I remained
senceles, and yet cast into a curious desire to vnderstand and
knowe what should be the reason and cause that the purple
humiditie in the touch of hir bodie, in the smoothnes of hir
hand should be as white as pure milke: and by what meanes
that nature had bestowed in hir faire bodie the fragrant
sweetnes of Arabia. Heraclea, is the name of diuers faire cities, one in the
confines of Europe, another in Italie & in Pontus by the riuer Licus, also in
Narbon by Rodanus, also in Caria, Crete & Lydia, whereof the Lodestone taketh
his name.
Hesperides, were the 3. daughters of Atlas, Ægle, Aretusa and Hesperetusa, who
had an orchard of goldẽ apples, kept by a dragon whõ Hercules slew & tooke
away the apples.
A sepulcher built by Artemisia in the honor of hir husbande Mausolus king of
Cania. And by what industrie in hir starrie forehead
pampynulated with threds of gold aptly disposed, she had
infixed the fairest part of the heauens, or the splendycant
Heraclea.
Afterward letting fall mine eies towards hir prety feete, I
beheld them inclosed in red leather cut vpon white, fastened
vpon the instep with buttons of gold in loopes of blew silke.
And from thence I returned vpward my wanton regard to hir
straight necke compassed about with a carkenet of orient
pearle, striuing but not able to match with the whitenes of
the sweet skin. From thence descending down to hir shining
breast and delitious bosome, from whence grew two round
apples, such as Hercules neuer stole out of the garden of
Hesperides. Neither did euer Pomona behold the like to
these two standing vnmooueable in hir roseall breast, more

white than hils of snowe in the going downe of the sunne.
Betwixt the which there passed downe a delicious vallie,
wherein was the [v] delicate sepulcher of my wounded hart
exceeding the famous Mausolea.
I then being content with a wounded hart full well
vnderstanding that mine eies had drawen it dying into all
these elegant parts. Yet neuertheles I could not so bridle and
suppresse my amorous inflamed sighes, or so closely couer
them, but that they would needs expresse my inward desire.
By means whereof she was changed from contagious loue,
and striking with hir stolen regards (enuying the same) she
turned it vpon me, so as I perceiued an incensing fire
pruriently diffusing it selfe through my inward parts and
hollow veines: and during the contemplate beholding of hir
most rare and excellent beautie, a mellifluous delight and
sweete solace constrained me thereunto. Thus disordinately
beaten with the importune spur of vnsatiable desire, I found
my selfe to be set vpon with the mother of loue, inuironed
round about with hir flamigerous sonne, and inuaded with so
faire a shape, that I was with these and others so excellent
circumstances brought into such an agonie of minde and
sicknes of bodie, and in such sort infeebled, that the least
haire of hir head was a band forcible ynough to hold me fast,
and euery rowled tramell a chaine and shackle to fetter me,
being fed with the sweetnes of hir beautie, and hooked with
the pleasant baits of hir amorous delights, that I was not able
with whatsoeuer cunning deuise to resist the inuading heates
and prouoking desires still comming vpon me, that I
determined rather to die than longer to endure the same, or
in this solitarie place to offer hir any dishonor.
Then againe I was determined with humble requests and
submissiue intreaties to say thus:
Alas most delighted Polia, at this present to die by thee is a
thing that I desire, and my death if it were effected by these

thy small, slender and faire hands, the ende thereof should
be more tolerable, sweete and glorious vnto me, bicause my
hart is compassed about with such tormenting flames, still
more and more cruelly increasing, and burning the same
without pitie or intermission, so as by meanes thereof I am
bereft of all rest.
And heerewithall intending to put in execution another
determinate purpose, behold my hart was tormented with
more sharpe flames, that me thought I was all of a light fire.
Ah wo is me what wert thou aduised to do Poliphilus?
Remember the violence done to Deianira and the chaste
Roman lady. Consider what followed them for a reward, and
diuers others.
Call to minde that mighty princes haue beene reiected of
their inferiors, how much more then a base and abiect
person, but tract of time giueth place to them which expect
the bountie thereof. Time causeth the fierce lions to be tame,
and whatsoeuer furious beast: the small ant by long trauell
laieth vp hir winter foode in the hard tree, and shall not a
diuine shape lying hid in a humane bodie take the
impression of feruent loue, and then holding the same, shake
off all annoyous and vexing passions, hoping to enioy
amorous fruits, desired effects, and triumphing agonismes.
The Nymph Polia perceiuing well the change of my colour
and blood comming in more stranger sort than Tripolion or
Teucrion, thrise a day changing the colour of his flowers,
and my indeuoring to sende out scalding sighes deeply set
from the bottome of my hart, she did temper and mitigate
the same with hir sweete and friendly regards, pacifieng the
rage of my oppressing passions, so as notwithstanding my
burning minde in these continuall flames and sharpe
prouocations of loue, I was aduised patiently to hope euen
with the bird of Arabia in hir sweet nest of small sprigs,
kindled by the heate of the sunne to be renewed.

FINIS.

Technical Notes and further information

The printed book used an unusual page-numbering system.
Only the recto (front) side of each folio (leaf) had a printed
number. In this e-text, the unnumbered verso (back,
overleaf) pages are shown in the margin as [v]. In addition,
the first two or three leaves in each eight-page signature
are numbered: A, A2, A3... B, B2....
Oddities of punctuation are as in the original, but missing
full stops at paragraph-end have been supplied.

The Text
This e-text is based on a facsimile edition made from a
single copy of the 1592 original. In some places, text is
illegible or missing.
“The Italian version” refers to the 1499 text. At time of
preparation, page images of this book were available at
http://mitpress.mit.edu/e-books/HP/hyp000.htm and linked
pages. Note that the 1592 English translation covers just
under half the Italian text. Within these pages, the
translation reproduces one-third (22 of 70) of the
illustrations of the Italian edition, concentrated in the early
part of the book. The Italian text was consulted in some
cases of uncertain readings in the English. The sidenotes
have no Italian equivalent.

Illustrations:

Some pairs of illustrations were printed on facing pages
and would have been seen together. They are shown here
as thumbnails, along with some facing pages from the
Italian version.

Greek and Inscriptions:
The Greek text often introduces additional errors that were
not present in the Italian version. Among other problems,
the text uses a form of Π (Pi) that is easily confused with Γ
(Gamma), and an Υ (Upsilon) that resembles Τ (Tau). The
Arabic text could not be transcribed.

1. Greek text as printed, page 9:
ΛΙΧΑ ΣΟΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΟΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΟΣΕΝ ΜΕ.
First lambda is printed upside-down. Probable intended reading:
ΛΙΧΑΣ Ο ΛΙΒΙΚΟΣ ΛΙΘΟΔΟΜΟΣ ΩΡΘΩΣΕΝ ΜΕ.
(LICHAS HO LIBIKOS LITHODOMOS ÔRTHÔSEN ME)

2. Text as printed, page 10v:
Poliphilus, after the discription of the huge Pyramides and Obeliske,
discourseth of maruelous woorkes in this Chapter, namely of a horsse of
Colos of an Oliphant, but especially of a most rare and
straunge Porche.
Page image (with hanging indent):

Italian text:
... cum el mirando obelisco. nel sequente capitulo descrive magne et
miravegliose opere, et praecipuamente de uno caballo, de uno iacente
colosso, de uno elephanto, ma praecipuamente de una elegantissima
porta.

3. Pages 12v and 13:

4. Pages 16v and 17 (not on facing pages in Italian):

5. Greek text as printed, page 12v:
ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-
ΟΝ ΕΜΕΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-

ΡΗΣΗΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.
Text with corrected spacing:
ΓΥΜΝΟΣ ΗΝ, ΕΙ ΜΗ ΑΝ ΘΗΡΙ-
ΟΝ ΕΜΕ ΚΑΛΥΨΕΝ. ΖΗΤΕΙ. ΕΥ-
ΡΗΣΗ ΔΕ. ΕΑΣΟΝ ΜΕ.
(GUMNOS ÊN, EI MÊ AN THÊRI-
ON EME KALUPSEN. ZÊTEI. HEU-
RÊSÊ DE. EASON ME)

6. Latin text as printed, page 12v:
NVDVSESSEM, BES-
TIA NIME TEXIS-
SET, QVAERE, ET
INVE NIES. MESI-
NITO.
Text with corrected spacing and punctuation:
NVDVS ESSEM, BES-
TIA NI ME TEXIS-
SET. QVAERE, ET
INVENIES. ME SI-
NITO.

7. Hebrew text as printed, page 13:
‫שתהיה קח מן האוצר הזה כאות נפשך‬
‫הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו היה מי‬
‫אבל אזהיר אותך‬
Same text in Italian version:
‫היה מי שתהיה קח מן האוצר הזה כאות נפשך‬
‫אבל אזהיר אותך הסר הראש ואל תיגע בגופו‬
(Heye me shetihiye kach min ha’otzar ze ka’avat nafshecha
aval azhir otcha haser harosh ve’al tiga begufo)
The translation of the Italian version is similar to the accompanying Greek
and Latin; the English version is nonsense. Apparently the engraver did not
know that Hebrew is written from right to left. The “last” (rightmost) two
words of the first line were moved to the “beginning” (left edge) of the

second line, and then the “last” (rightmost) three words of this line were
moved down to make a new (left-justified) line.

8. Greek text as printed, page 13:
ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΑΛΒΕΕΚ ΤΟΥ ΔΕ ΤΟΥ
ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΝΟΝ ΑΝΑ ΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ
ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΕΩΜΑΤΟΣ.
Probable intended reading:
ΟΣΤΙΣ ΕΙ, ΛΑΒΕ ΕΚ ΤΟΥΔΕ ΤΟΥ
ΘΗΣΑΥΡΟΥ, ΟΣΟΝ ΑΝΑΡΕΣΚΟΙ.
ΠΑΡΑΙΝΩ ΔΕ ΩΣ ΛΑΒΗΙΣ ΤΗΝ
ΚΕΦΑΛΗΝ, ΜΗ ΑΠΤΟΥ ΣΩΜΑΤΟΣ.
(HOSTIS EI, LABE EK TOUDE TOU
THÊSAUROU, HOSON ANARESKOI.
PARAINÔ DE HÔS LABÊIS TÊN
KEPHALÊN, MÊ HAPTOU SÔMATOS.)

9. Latin text as printed, page 13:
...QVANTVNCVN-
QUE LIBVERIT
HVIVS THESAVRI
SVME AD MONEO...
Correctly spaced form: ...ADMONEO

10. Sidenote text:
Amor mi troua di tutto disarmato.
This line is not taken from the Italian original.

11. Greek text as printed, page 21v:
ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΙΚΑΙ ΤΩ Ω ΕΡΟΤΙ ΔΙΟΝΙΣΟΣ ΥΚΑΙ
ΔΗ ΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΥΤΡΙ
ΣΥΜΠΑΘΕΣ ΤΑΤΗ
Probable intended reading:
ΘΕΟΙΣ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΗΙ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΙ ΥΙΩΙ ΕΡΩΤΙ. ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΣ ΚΑΙ
ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΙ