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 fight which woulde haue prepared one to that which were vnfit and if himselfe had been vnable thereunto And there where the water was most still turning downe their faire faces of exceeding beautie and bending their bodies of rare proportion as in a large goodly glasse they might behould their heauenly shapes breaking off the same with the motion of their pretie feete making a noyse with the contrast of the circulating water Some solaciouslie striuing to go by the tame swimming swans and sportingly casting water one at another with the hollownes of their palms others standing without the water vpon the soft coole grasse making vp of nosegaies and garlands of sundrie sweete flowers giuing the same to their louers as tokens of their fauorable remembraunce not denieng their sweet kisses louing imbracings with the amorous regardes of their star-like eyes And some were set vpon the greene banks not ouergrown with reed and segs but finely beautified with sweete hearbs and flowers among the which the tender Nymphs comming wet out of the water more cleere then Axius in Mygdonia vnder the vmbragious trees did sit sporting and deuising one with another in delightfull imbracings with their reuerencing louers not cruelly scorning reiecting them but with a sociable loue and benigne affablenesse disposing themselues to the like shew of true affection their sweete gestures and pleasant behauiours far more gratious to the eie then flowing teares be to the frowarde and vnmercifull Cupid the sweete fountaines and moist dewes to the green fieldes and desired forme to vnfashioned matter Some did sing amorous sonnets and verses of loue breathing out in the same from their inflamed breasts scalding sighs ful of sweete accents able to enamorate harts of stone And to make smooth the ruggednesse of the vnpassageable mountaine Caucasus to staie whatsoeuer furie the harpe of Orpheus woulde prouoke and the fowle and euill fauoured face of Medusa to make any horrible monster tame and tractable and to stop the continuall prouocation of the deuouring Scylla Some rested their heads in the chaste laps of their faire loues recounting the pleasaunt deuises of Iupiter and they instrophyating their curled locks with sweete smelling flowers Others of them fained that they were forsaken and seemed to flie and go awaie from them whom dearely they did affect and then was there running one after another with loud laughters and effeminate criengs out their faire tresses spredding downe ouer their snowie shoulders like threeds of gold bound in laces of greene silke Some loose after a Nymphish maner others bounde vp in attyres of golde set with pearle Afterwards comming neere togither they would stowpe downe and twiching vp the sweete flowers with their faire and tender fingers fling the same in the faces of their pursuing louers with great pleasure and solace maintaining their fained disgracings Others with great curtesie were putting of Rose leaues one after another into their laced brests adding after them sweete kisses some giuing their louers if ouer-bold vpon the cheekes with their harmles palmes pretie ticks making them red like the wheeles of Phâ—ebus 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 fraile 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 freemaÌ„ 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
ende I might discouer vnto her my hidden desire and moderate by that meanes the extreamitie of my bitter passions vvhich I felt the more they were concealed the more to augment and increase I patiently helde my peace and by this meanes all those feruent and greeuous agitations doubtfull thoughtes wanton and vyolent desires were somewhat supprest with my ill fauoured Gowne that had still some of the Bramble leaues and prickes in the Wood hanging vpon it and euen as a Peacocke in the pride of his feathers beholding the fowlenesse of his feete pulleth downe hys traine so I considering the inequallitie of my selfe with such a heauenly obiect appaled the prouocations of my contumacious and high desires looking into the vanities of my thoughtes And then I earnestly endeuoured by all the meanes that I might to subdue encloyster and keepe in my vnbridled gadding appetite wandring minde and immodest desire intending nowe that it should neuer be vttered againe At length I beganne to thinke in the secret depth of my wounded heart that vndoubtedly this my present continued griefe was equall with that of wicked Tantalus to whose hotte and thirsting lyppes the coole and cleere water did offer it selfe and to his hungry appetite the sweete fruites honge ouer hys gaping mouth appresenting but he neuer tasted any of either Ah woe is mee euen in like sort a most fayre Nymph of an excellent shape of a florishing age of Angel-like behauiour vnspeakable and of rare honour and exceeding curtesie as mine eies coulde beholde whose company exceeded any exquesite humaine content and I iust by her full of all whatsoeuer prouocation forcing sollaciously loue and desire heaping vppe in her selfe the whole perfections of delight and yet my yauning and voluptuous desire neuer the more thereby satisfied Well on this sorte my burning concupiscence nothing allayed as much as I might I comforted my languishing hart vnmeasurably tormented in putting of it in minde of solacious and amorous hope and with that there was neuer a coale so neere put out but it was presently renued and set on fire with the company of the next And my vnbridled eyes the more they were vnarmed to resist her power the more they were inflamed with the insolent desire and liking of her wonderfull and heauenly beautie Still seeming more faire more excellent more louely more to be desired extreamly apt and praepared 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 incouenient 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 aâ—d Damosels sporting with great delight THE Archer Cupid in my wounding heart hauing his residence like a Lord and king holding me tyed in the bands of Loue I found my selfe pricked and grieuously tormented in his tyrannous and yet pleasant regiment And abounding in doubtfull delight vnmeasurably sighing I watered my plaints and then the surmounting Nymph with a pleasing grace incontinently gaue me comfort and with her ruddy and fayre spoken lyppes framing violent and attractiue wordes she gaue me assurance abandoning and remouing from my heart all fearefull thoughts with her Olymphicall aspects and cooling with her eloquent speeches my burning heart and with an amorous and friendly regarde and cast of her eyes and smiling grace she saide thus vnto mee Poliphilus I woulde thou shouldest vnderstand and know thys that true and vertuous loue hath no respect of outward things and therefore let not the basenes of thy apparell diminish or lessen thy minde if perhaps noble and gentle and worthy of these places and fitte to beholde these maruellous tryumphes Therefore let not thy minde be dismayed with feare but dilligently behold what Kingdomes they possesse that are crowned by Venus I meane such as bee strongly agonished and yet perseuere still seruing and attending vpon her amorous Aultars and sacred flames vntill they obtaine her lawfull fauour And then making an ende of her short and sweet speech both of vs making forward our pace neither too fast nor too slowe but in a measure I thought thus and thus discoursing with my selfe Oh most valiant Perseus thou wouldest more feirsly haue fought with the cruell Dragon for the fauour of this then for the loue of thy fayre Andromada And after Oh Iason if the marriage of this had beene offered vnto thee with a more greater and more daungerous aduenture then the obtayning of the golden fleece thou wouldest haue let goe that and vndertaken this with a greater courage esteeming it aboue al the iewelles and precious treasures of the whole worlde I more then those of the ritch and mightie Queene Eleutherillida Continually seeming more fayre more beautifull and more louely Hippodamia and all the greedy scraping and doubtfull Vsurers neuer tooke such delight in getting of gold A quyet Harbour was neuer so welcome to a destressed Marryner in a stormy darke and tempesteous winter night nor the wished and oportune fall of rayne at the prayer of Craesus 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
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 â—are sandals where vnder was written Hiemi Aeoliae 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 freâ—â— and coole hearbs vnder sweete shadie trees we sate downe and rested our selues my eies very narrowly beholding with an vnsatiable desire in one sole perfection and virgineall bodie the accumulation and assembly of all beauties an obiect interdicting my eies to behold any gracious that except or of so great content Where refreshing in a secret ioy with new budding conceits my burning hart and leauing off vulgar and common follies I began to consider of the intelligible effect of honest loue and withall of the cleerenes of the skies the sweete and milde aire the delightfull site the pleasant countrie the green grasse decked with diuersity of flowers the faire hils adorned with thicke woods the quiet time fresh windes and fruitfull place beautifully enriched with diffluent streames sliding downe the moist vallies betwixt the crooked hils in their grauelled channels and into the next seas with a continued course softly vnlading themselues A ground most healthfull the grasse coole and sweet and from the trees resounded the sweete consents of small chirping birds The flouds and fields of Thessalie 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 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 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 wiâ—h 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 (a) Phaebus the Sunne b) Leucothea the morning (c) Pyr Eo the horses of the Sunne (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
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 delighfull to the sences as I cannot sufficiently expresse Then there was giuen to euerie one a confection in three morsels of the shell fish Dactâ—lus 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 circulare An apt and conuenient stone to so excellent disposition and royall board and straunge banquets suche as before were neuer heard of After the taking away of these wonderfull Confections and the flowers cast downe vpon the pauement in a princely magnificence there was presently brought in a great vessell of Cold 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 coolâ—d 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 Saâ—â—ariâ— 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 gracy lament of the foote and the cuppe it was knitte together with a handle of inestimable workemanship and in lyke manner the fooâ—e 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 mordy cant 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 ruiddest 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 in fixed monstrous great pearle An other of them had a cuppe full of preâ—ious lyquor better then that which the prowde Cleopatra gaue vnto the Romane Captaine The reste did execute their offices â—o aforesaid and plucking off one after another with a little instrument with two teeth of golde they offering the same fruits vnto vs to me vnknowne for that
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 Anâ—ctea 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 Poliphiluâ— 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 Philâ—ronia 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 Rastâ—nelia The second Cortasina The thirde Idonesa The fourth Tripheliae The fift Epiania And the last was named Adiâ— 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 haâ—e 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 doubâ—full sighes and a sorrowfull life neuer ending Oh adulterated and vnkindly pleasure fraught with miserie contayning such bitternesse like honnie and yet gall dropping from greene leaues O lyfe worse then death and yet deadly delighted in sweete poyson with what care sorrow pensiue thoughts mortall and desperate attempts art thou sought for to bee obtained by blind Louers who without regarde or aduise cast themselues headlong into a gulfe of sorrowes They be present before thine eyes and yet thou seest them not Oh what and howe great sorrowes bitter and sharpe paine and vexation doost thou beare wicked execrable and accursed appetite O detestable madnesse oh beguiled senses by your faulte with the selfe same beastlie pleasure myserable mortall men are ouerthrowne Oh filthy lust absurd furie disordinate and vaine desire building nests with errours and torments for vvounded harts the vtter destroyer and idle letting goe by of all good blessings Oh blinde Monster how doost thou blinde and with what deceipt doost thou couer the eyes and deceiue the vnderstanding sences of vnhappie and miserable Louers with vailes and mystes O monstrous and slauish which compassed with so manie euils hastenest to so small pleasure poysoned and fayned Logistica speaking with vehemencie these and such lyke words her fore-head frâ—â—ning wâ—â—â—npling with sorrowes and veines rysing vp in a great 〈◊〉 shâ—e cast â—er Lute vppon the groâ—nd and brake it VVhere-vppon 〈◊〉 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 Tibelemia 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 inâ—ermission 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 fieâ— I doubt me that if Phrine had beene of that fauour and force in gesture of speech colde Xenocrates would haue consented to her 〈◊〉 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 praepending 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
lightening he stoode vpon an aultar of Saphyre Before his fearefull maiestie were a beuie of Nymphs seauen in number apparrelled in white proffering with their sweete voices to sing and after transforming themselues into greene trees like emeralds full of azure flowers and bowing themselues downe with deuotion to his power Not that they were all transformed into leaues but the first into a tree hir feete to rootes their armes and heads into braunches some more then other but in a shewe that they must followe all alike as appeared by their heads Vpon the other Anaglyph I did behold a merrie and pleasant maiesticall personage like a yoong fat boye crowned with two folding serpents one white and the other blacke tied into a knot Hee rested delightfullie vnder a plentifull vine tree full of ripe grapes and vpon the top of the frame there were little naked boies climing vp and sitting aloft gathering the ripe clusters others offering them in a basket to the God who pleasantly receiued them other some lay fast a sleepe vpon the ground being drunke with the sweet iuice of the grape Others applying themselues to the worke of mustulent autumne others singing and piping all which expression was perfected by the workman in pretious stones of such colour as the naturall liuelinesse of euery vaine leafe flower berrie body proportion shape and representation required And in this imagerie although it was very small yet there was no defect to be found in the least part belonging thereunto but perfectly to be discerned Out of this former described vessell did spring vp a greene flourishing vine the twisting branches thereof full set with clusters of grapes the tawny berries of Indian Amethyst and the leaues of greene Silenitis of Persia Noâ— 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 oâ—e of the candlesticks waâ— 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 trieteâ—ie 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 Mimalloâ—s Satirs and seruants to Bacchus bawds Tyades Naiades and such as followed after The Nymph doth shew to Poliphâ—lus the multitude of yoong Louers and their Loues what they were and â—n what sort beloued IT is verie hard for a man to accommodate his speech to apte termes whereby he may expreslie declare the great pompe indefiâ—ent triumph vncessaunt ioie and delightfull iettings aboute these rare and vnseene chariots and being once vndertaken it is as vneasie to leaue off besides the notable companie of yoong youths and the increasing troups of innumerable faire and pleasant Nymphs more sharpe witted wise modest and discreet then is ordinarily seene in so tender yeeres with their beardles Louers scarce hauing downy cheekes pleasantly deuising with them matters of Loue. Manie of them hauing their torches burning others pastophorall some with ancient spoiles vppon the endes of streight staues and others with diuers sorts of Trophes vpon launces curiouslie hanging caried before the mystical triumphs with shouting resounds aboue in the aire Some with winde-instruments of diuers fashions and maner of windings sagbuts and flutes Others with heauenly voices singing with ineffable delights and exceeding solace past mans reason to imagine within them passed about the glorious triumphs turning vpon the florulent ground and green swoord a place dedicated to the happie without anie stub or tree but the fielde was as a plaine coequate medowe of sweete hearbes and pleasaunt flowers of all sorts of colours and sundry varieng fashions yeelding so fragrant a smell as is possible to speake of not burnt with the extreeme heat of the sunne but moderate the ground moystened with sweete ryuers the aire pure and cleane the daies all alike the earth continually greene the spring neuer decaieng but renuing the coole grasse with variable flowers like a painting remaining alwaies vnhurt with their deawie freshnesse reseruing and holding their colours without interdict of time There grewe the fower sortes of Violets Cowslops Melilots Rose Parsley or Passeflower Blew bottles Gyth Ladies seale Vatrachium Aquilegia Lillie conually Amaranth Flower gentle Ideosmus all sorts of sweete pinks and small flowring hearbs of odoriferous fragrancie and smell Roses of Persia hauing the smel of muske and Amber and innumerable sorts of others without setting but naturally growing in a woonderfull distribution peeping out from their greene leaues and barbs very delightfull to behold In this place I might see goodly braue women as the Archadian Calisto the daughter of Lycaon with the vnknowen Diana The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nycteus and mother to Amphion and Zeteus that built Thebes with hir satyre Issa the daughter of Machareus with hir shepheard Antichia the daughter of Aecus and yoong Danaë Asterie the daughter to Caeus and Alchmena with hir fained husband Afterward I beheld the pleasant Aegina 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