The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz

and pcrfilled in my Meditation, til. fomc body (after an unufual manner, touched me on the Back ; .. whereupon I was fo hugely terrified, that I durit hardly look about me •, yet i fhpwcd itiy felf as cheerful as "(in the Itke Occurrcncesj humane frailty would pcrrair ^ Now the fame thing ftill twichijjg.inc.rcYailximcs by-thcXoat, I . looked back, and behold it was a fair Fr*com.a. ^nd gloY lous : Lady ^ whbfc Gaj'jn^ints were all Skye-toloHr^ and cnrioij^ (like HeaycnJ befj^anglcd <yith goldfei 5m/*/, in licr rrght H^nd Ihe bare a irHmfct . of beaten Gold, whereon a Name waj ingravcn f which I could well read iij but am 95 yet forbidden to rcved it. In her left H and flie bad a great bundle o[ Letters of all LungMgts^ which fhc (S$ I afterwarcfs tindcrftood/Vas to Carry into z}\,(^mnrits. She had.alfo Urge and beauti'ful W\ngs^ full of £jr/ t'hroaghout,wherV^With fhe could mount aloft, and fl^cfwifter than any E^glt, I Ttilght perhaps been able to tike further notirc of her, but bccaufc fhc ftnid fo fmal) a time with me, and terror and. amazement flill pofleffcd me, I was ftiitt to bc"coriunt. For as •:. ' * -^ -" ' foon

foon as I turned about, fhe turned her Letters over and over, and at length drew out a fmall one, which with ^fiAt Reieririce fhe laid down upon the Table J and without giving one word, departed from rae. But in her mounting upward, fhe gave fo mighty a hUji on her gallant Trumpet, that the whole Hill ccchoed thereof, and fcr a full quAr^ ter of a hour after, I could hardly hear my own Words. In fo unlooked for an advcntwre I was at a lofs, how cither to advifc, or alTift my poor felf, and therefore fell upon my Knees, and /^e/6;i'^k my Creator to permit nothing contrary to my £rffrwW Happinefs to befall mt\ whereupon with fear and trembling, I went to the Letter, which was now fo heavy ^ Epiftoia, as had itbecn mcer Gold^'it could hardly have been fo weighty. Now as Iwas sigiiium. dilig;ently viewing it, I found a little SeA^ whereupon a curious Crofs with this Infcription, IN HOC SIGNO f yiNCES^ wasingravcn. Now as foon as I efpicd this Siga 1 was the more comforted, as not being ignorant that fuch a Seal was little acceptable, and much Icfs ufeful to the A I ■ Dcvtl.

(6) Devil. Whereupon I tenderly opened the Letter, and within it, in an ^zHre Field, in Ciolden Letters, found the following Verfes written. This ddy^ this day^ th'is^ this The Royal H^cddw^^ is. Art thoH thereto by Birth inditrd^ A*}dnnto 70)' of G^d defigfPd^ Then may'^j} tl^jQU to the Muuvta'ui teridy Whereon three (lately Templesy/4^^, And there fee all from end to errd. Keep watchy aod ward^ Thy feif rigard ; XMefsvpiih dillgertce thou batlic. The Wedding cant thee harmlrfs fdve *. he'^l dammage ha.ve that here delays \ Let him bevr^rey too light that weighs. Underneath ftood Sfonfus and Sfonfd. r>4 Nu ^tTs ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Letter, I was prefently like to have fainted away, all my Hair flood an end, and a cold Sweat trickled down my wb©lc Body. For akhouch I well perceived that thi<; was the appointed Weddings whereof fcven Ycnrs before I was acquainted in a bodily Tifujn^ and which now fo long time I had with grcr.i carneftncfs attended, and which laftly, by the accQunt and calculation of the FUnntts^X had moft diligently obferved, I found fo to be, yet could I never forC'fec that it muft happen under fo j^^^^^i^^^^ f„ gricrous and perilous conditions. For hofnitibu* whereas I before imagined that to be ^^^^^"^^^^^^^^^ a wcll-comc, and acceptable Gyeft, I needed only be ready to appear at the Wcddiag ; 1 was noNV direftcd to Divine Pr&vidcfjce^ of which until this i time \ was never certain.

I alfo found ^^«5^'" '^^" by my felf,the more I examined my felf, that in my Head there was nothing - hut nofs mifunderlbndin^^and blind- ^"^*^'^'> J^' nefs m mylterious tnmgs,lo that I w^s drasmcr.ni not able to comprehend even thoi things which lay u^^er my Feet, ani which I daily convcifv.d with, much 3Icfs that I ibould be born to the fearch- *• ing out, andundcrftanding oftheSe- NaruraSccrets of Nature; finceia my opinion ''^"''' Nature might every where find a more vertHOn: Difciple, to whom to intruH J' her precious, though temporary, and changeable Treafurcs. 1 found alfo that my bodily behaviour, and out* w^ard good Convcrfatioa, and Brother- Mif?!ana ly LovQ toward my Neighbour, was 3f«ai»» A 4 '^»%

liot duly purged aixl clcanfcd ^ More^ over the tickling of the Flefh manifcfted it felf, whofe affedtion was bent only to Pomp and Bravery, and Worldly Pride, and not to the good of mankind ; And I was always contriving how by this art I might in a fhort time abundantly increafe my profit and advantage, rear up ftately Palaces, make ray fclf an everlafting Name in the World, and other the like CarnAl defigns. But the obfcure Words concerning the Three Tcmfles did particularly afflid me, which I was not able to make oHt by any after-Speculation, ^d perhaps fhould not yet, had they Bot been wonderfully revealed to rat. Thus fticking betwixt Hope and Fear, examining my fclf again and again, and finding only ray own Fraiky and JmptcTcy^ not being in any wife able to fuccour my felf, and exceedingly amazed at the fore-mentioned thrcatning; at length 1 betook my fclf to my ufual and mofl fccure coaifc ^ after I had finiftied my carnell and moft fervent Irt^ytr^ I laid me down in ray Bed, rhar fo perchance my good yii.gd by' the Divine permiiTion mii^ht appear pear, and (as it had fometifnes jormmy happened) infh-ud me in this doubtful affair, which to the praifc^ of God, my own good, and my Neighbours faithful and hearty warning and amendment did now likewife fall out. For I was yet fcarce fallen aflcep,whcn mc-thought, I, together with a nhinherkfs mnltitudc of men lay fettered witK vifio pergreat Chains in a dark Dnngetn^ where- ^omnium. in without the lead alimps of Light, T^ '^'^ c?- we fwarmed like Bees one over ano- ,

ther, and thus rendred each others afflidion more grievous. But although neither I, nor any of the rell could /ec one jot; yet I continually heard one heaving himfelf /r^ei/e the other, when his Chains or Fetters were become ever fo little lighter, though none of us had much reafon to (hove up the othcr,lince we were all Captive Wretches. Now as I with the reft had continued a good while in this affliction, and each wasf ftill reproaching the other with his blindmfs and captmry^ at length we heard many Trtimffts founding fogether, and Kettle Drums beating fo artificially thereto, that it even revi- \fedsnd rcjoyced us in cur Calamity. During this Noife the cov:r of the ^ ^ . Dungeon wa.. from above lifted up, and a little light let down nnto us. Then trft might truly have been ^i£- ccrned the bufllc we kept , for all ivcnt peflc, racfle, and he whp perchance had too much hcAved up him* felf, wajforccd down again under the others Feet. In brief, each one ftrovc to be f^fpermofij neither did I my fclf lingci-, but with my weighty Fcttei-s flipt up from under tlx rcfl, and th^a Uf-'i heaved my felf upon a Stoncy which I fi^Qis, jjj.^ j^y ^f . howbeit, I was feveral

times caught at by others, from whom yet as well as I might, with Hands and Feet I ftill guarded my felf For we imagined no other but that wc Aiould all be fet at Lib my ^ which yet fell out quite other wife. For after the Nobles, who looked upon us from above throwgh the Hole, had a while rea'eated thcmfelves with this our Maf/fVr ftrugling and lamenting, a certain Cafccriy. hoAry-headcd Ancunt Man Ci^llcd to us to be quiet, and having fcarcc obtained it, began (as I Hill remember) thus to fay on. Ifioretched Mankind WQuld forhur Themfdves fo to uphold^ Then fare on them mnch good cQvftr^ My righttOHS Mother Vdonld : Bfit pace the ftme wiU not infttc. They mufiin Cure And Sorrow, rnCy j4nd fiill in Prifon lie. fdowhclt^ my dear Mother wiU * Their foilies over- fee^ scrm. :?rdc Her choiccfi Qeods fermitting fiiil ^if"'"'"*' Too mtcth in th"* Light to h» Though very rarely it mayfetm That they may ft ill keepfome eflem-. Which elfe vreald.pafs for ForgeryWherefore in hononr of the Feafi We this day fohmniz.e^ yiiotfo her Graie may he incr^aft^ Agood deedjl:e^l devife. For nuv a Cord^mll be kt dovnj And who foe* er cAtt hang thereon^

Shall freely he reUuft, Hehadfcarc done fpeaklng, vyhcn an Anticnt Matron commanded her Servants to let down the Cord fcvcn times r^dil,^ ^ into the Dungeon, and draw up who-scptios. fbcvcr could hang upon it. Good God / that I copld fufiicicntly defcribe the hurry and difquict that fbcnarofe a; niongft us ^ For every one itrovc to gcc to the Cord, and yet only hindrcd each other. But after feven Minutes a fign was given by a little Bcli, where- ^m» upon at tht firft Full the Servants drew ^A'^ up/o;<r. At that time I could not -come near the Cord by much, having (as is before-mentioned) to ray huge mif-fourtune, betaken my fclf to a Stone at the Wallet the Duffgeon^ and thereby was difabled to get to the Cord which dcfccnded ia the middle. The sccimda. Cord was 1-t down the fecond time, but divers, becaufe their Chains were too heavy, and their Hands tco tender^ could not keep their hold on the Cord, but with thcmfclves beat down many another^ who clfe perhaps might have held faft enough ; Nay, many an one was forcably pilled off by another, who yet could not himfclf get at it •, fo mutually envious were we even in this our great mifery. But they of all others moil moved my CompaiTion, whofe weight was fo heavy, rhatrhcy^ tore their very hands from thcirHodies, 2nd yet could not get up. Thus it came to pafs that at thcfe five tmies

very few were drawn up. Forasfooii as the fign was given, the Servants were fo nimble at the dratight, that th^ moil part tumbled one upon another, and the Co^d,' this time cfpecially, was drawn up:TCry empty. Whcfcu pon the greateft part, and even I my fclf, de-' Qiaired of Redemption, and called upon (/o^that he would have pitty onus, and (if poflTible) deliver us out of this obfcurity, who alio then heard fome of us .* For when the Cord tame down thefixth time; fome of them hung' sextan thcmfelves^fafl'upon it ^ iild whilft ini'' the drawing up, the CofdiWudgfiom" one fide tb the other, ' it (perhapi by the will of God) came to me, which L fuddainly catching, got upperrrioil i-^ boTe all the reft, and fo at length be^) yond hope Caitie put ; whcrek T exceed-t mgly rejoyced, fo thattperceived not^' the iVoHnd^ which in the drawins;- up 'V^, , rcceived on my; Hctidb^z inarp Stone, .t«rro cxd-r till I with tl^^ Veil who were rclcafed'«*'« : (as was ahVays' before done) was faiii .. I to help at thefeventh and laft pull, at s«ptinawhich time through. ftrainingjtlis Blood ; r|n down all over my Cloathes, whicli? I ncTcrthdefs for joy regarded not. I ' Now;

Kow when the laft draught whereon the moil of all hung, was finiihed; The Matron caufcd the Cord to be laid Magiftra ^way, , arid willed her aged Son (tCt iiiias. which I much woiidrcd J to declare her Refolution to tfic reft of ihe Prifoners:^ who after he had a little bethought hirii>S iclf ijpoke, thus linto them. Te ChUdren dcAr . IVhkt is VHtnm comfleM and iionc^ Was Jong before refolye'd o;;> , ^' 1 . What er'r my Mother of great i^raci To edehpn hq^b fides here kaphjUmn^ May never IMcomefit mtf-flaee , The pyftU time is drawing w^ When every prie palle^M hcy None Wet^thy^ none in FthHry.' . Who er^e receivith great Ce ffathw&r% ehongh tdfitl hi f^Jtnds^ Wh6 er\ with rnUfh hath trfAed'ieeh^ As foon kihe fad Enilficd thcj^ tVords, the CbVer was agam put to ind locked dPi*fl, ajid ch? Ttumpcts =1 and and Kettle-Drums began afrelh, yet. could not the noife thereof be fo loud, but that the bittet Lamentation of the Prifoncrs which arofe in the Dungeon was heard above all, which foon alf6 caufcd my Eyes to rm-over. Prefently after the Antient Matron, together with her Son fate down upon fpats before prepared, and commanded the HedeemeA fhould be told. Kow as fooii ^f^^il'V a&fhe underflood the number, and hac^ vs^os. written it down in a GoH-yellow rj'ablct, (he demanded every ones ^Jame, which were alfo written down by a little pagejliaving viewed us all,onc jecrctu^i; after another, flic fighied, and Fppke to her Son, foas^Icould well hear h(i;r^ c -^a

• * Ah how b^ir tily am I grieved for tfic '" ^ • V poor Men in the Dungeon ! 1 would -^ **toGod Idurft releafc tliein all, - ^^ whereuntp her Son replyed; * It is "^iSft, • Mother thus ordained of God, agiinft «°^«'^ • whom we may not contend. In ^fc • we all of us wereLor,ds^ ahd pofleffed *all the Goods upon Earth,; and were ^feafcdat Table, who vyoiild there ^ th«n be to be bring up thi Serviced whereupon his Mother nejd her peace, but foon after Ihe faid ; il Wtll,how. ^'evcr, let tliefe be freed from their ^ Fetters ^ whichwas likewife prcfently- dbne, and I, except a few wasthelaft;- Oratitudo yet could I not refrain, but (though I A^«ris e- f^iii looked jipoil thc rcftj bowed my tt\f before' the Anticnt Matron, and thanked /God that through her, had' graciouily aftd fatherly vouchfafcd M bring mfe out o'ffach Darknefsinto the r*v;«M Light : 'After me the reft did lik^wifey^ ^ ^^ ^ ' to the fatisfadion of the Matron: Laft- Nummas ly, to^Vjcr^Mfe was gircna piccc-of iurcus. ^^j^ for^a Rerfierfibrance, ' ar^ tb fpend o by'thcwSy, on phe'orie fid^ whereof was flaraped the rifiSg Svitij on th'l

Inm y Hat I lluck four red Rofes, that I mighc the fooncr by this Token be taker! notice of amongft the throng. For food 1 took 5re^^,Salt, and Water, which by thecouftfcl of an undcrftanding pcrfoa 1 had at certain times ufed, noi without profit, in the like occurrences. But: before I parted from my Cottage^ I ^rft in this my drcfs, atid wedding Gar-. mcnt, fell down upon my Knecs^ and befought God^ tljat in cafe fuch aching; were, he would vouch fa fe me a good^ ilTue. And thereupon in the prefencc. of God I made a vow, that if any thing through his grace ftiould be revealed unto me, I would employ it neither to my own honour nor authority in the World,: but to the fpreadingof hisA^^w^ and the fervicc of my Neighhonr,, And w ith this vow, and good hope 1 departed out of my Ceil witk joy- I was hardly got- out of my Cell intd Tripodium a Forrefk^ when me thought that the creatwaf, whole Mavgn and all the Elements had ^^-^^ already trimmed thcmfelyes againft" this Wedding, For even the Birds in my opinion .chanted more pleafantly then beforejand the young Fawns skipped fo merrUyjthat they rcjoyccd my old Hearty and moved me xollng : wherefore with a loud Voice I thus began :

With mirth thoufrttty Bird rejoice^ Thy Maktr^s frAifs in^hanctd. i Lift Hp thyjhrill andpleaftrtt Foicf^ Thy God is high ^dvAnctd, Thy food beforf hi did provide,^ Aud gives %t in a fitting ftdcy : Therewith be thou fnfficcdl Why fijohld'* (t thoH now mpleafant be^ Thy wrath againft God venting ? That he a little Bird rndde thee^ Thy filly hgad tormeming\ Becdiifc he m^de thee not a Marty Opeace^ he hnth well thought thereon* , Therewith be thou fh^ceJk B z Wbai Whdt isU Pdhave fo$r earthly worm^ By God(di ^twerc) inditing^ That JJhould thm ^gAinfl Hedvenflorm To force great arts by fight wg ? Gtdx»lll out > braved be by none^ lVh0^s good for nnught^ may hence he gonty O man h* herewith [nfficed* That he no Caefar hath theefranPij^ Topwe therefore' tU needle fs His Name ferhaps rhoH hadft defamed Whereof he was not heedlefs, Moft clear and bright Gods eyes do (hine^ He pierces to thy heart within^ And cannot be deceived. This fang I now from the bottom of my Heart throoghout the whole Forrcfl:, • fo that it rcfounded from all partSj and the Hills repeated my laft words, until ■ at length I efpyed a curious green Heath, whither I betook my felf out of the Fcrrefi. Upon this Heath flood three lovely tall Cedars^ which by reaibn of xhtiv breadth afforded an excellent and defired /fc^^f^ whereat I greatly rejoyced •, for although 1 had not hitherto gone far, yet my earneft longing made me very faint, whereupon I hailed to the Trees £0 reft a little under thcni,

Now as foon as I had read this Writing, all my joy was near vanifhed again, ind I who before Sang merrily, tegafl y.a Avitons now inwardly to Lament.' For al- '^^'^^'^''' rhopgh I faw all the ihree ways before riie, and nnderHood that hence forward It was vouch fa fed nie, to n akc choice bfone of them ; "yet it troubled me that in cafe I went the ftony and reeky way,l might get a mlfcrabie ?.nd deadly fall, or taking the lon^ one, I njight wander out of it through by-vrays^ or b^ Ctherway's detained in the great Jour* liey. Neither durft I hope, that 1 a- ' mohgfl thoi]fands (honld be the very He, who fhould choofe the Royal v:2\\ : 1 faw like wife the Fourth before me, but it was fo invironed with Fire and Exhalatiojis^ that 1 durU not (by rtmch) draw near it, and therefore again and again confidered, whether 1 fhould return back, or take any of the ways beu mm. ^^^^ ^^^ J well weighed m/ own «a/- worthinefs^ but the Dream ftill comforted me, that I was delivered out oV the Tower, and yet I diirfl nocnx)nfiConfirmaiio.dently rely upon a Dream ^ whereupon I was fo varioufly perplexed, that for very 'g;reac wearincfs, hunger and thirfl: feifcd me, whereupon 1 prccoiumba fently drew out my Bread^ cut a llice of MmuTiaif it, which arnow-whiteZ)oz;(?of whom ifiiidecs. I was not aware, fitting upon the Tree, efpycd and therewith f perhaps according to her wonted manner^ came down, and betook her fclf very familiarly to me, to whom I willingly imparted ray food, which fhe received, and fo with her prettincfs did again a little refrefh corvus Nl- me. Butas foon asher enemy a moil ^^^' black Raven perceived it, he Itreight

darted himfelf down upon the Dove, and taking no notice of me, wonld needs force away the Dove's meat, Vv'ho could no.othcrwiie guard her felf but by flight ; whereupon • they both fo^fvcr^uoierl- ^^^^'^ llcw towafd the Soitth^ ^t which I <i:an. was fo hugcly inccnfed and grieved, that widioiit thinking what I did, I made haft after the filthy Raven, and fo againft wj will ran into one of the forementioned ways a whole Fields length-, and thus the Raven being chafed awayiy and the Dove delivered, I then firftobferved what I had inconiiderately done, and that I was already entred into a way, from which under peril of^i^^l^^^.^ great punifhment I durfl not retire, viam inAnd tlfoagh i had ftill wherewith in'^^'^^^'^'* fome meafure to comfort my felf, yet that which was worft of all to me, was^ that I hzd left my Bag and Bread 2tihQ Tree^ and could never retrieve them : For as foon as I turned my felf about, a contrary wind was fo ftrong againft me, that it was ready to fell me. But if I went forward en my way, I perceived no hinderance at all .* From whence I could eafily conclude, that it would coft me my life, in cafe I ihould fee my felf againft the Wind • wherefore I patiently took up my crofs, got upon my feet, and refolved,fince fo it muft be, I would ufe my utmoft endeavour to get to my . Journeys end before night. Now al- . though many apparent hy-ways fhewed themfelves, yet I ftill proceeded with my Co/9jpaJsj and would not budge one <"ompanus.

ftep from the Meridian Line; .howbc- it the way was oftentimes fo r//£^^^tnd uripaflablc' that I was in no little doubt onr. ' On tfiis way I conftantiy thought upon the Dove and Raven^ and yet could not fearch out the meaning, until at length upon a high Hill afar of I efpy- Divcrforium ed a ftatcly Portal,' to which not fc» garding hbw far it was diHant both from me and the way } was in, I bailed, occafus o bccaufetheSunhad already Uhimfelf under the //;7/.f,and I (by far) could elfcwhere efpy no abiding place,and this ve? rily I afcribc only to God, who might well have permitt d n>c to go forward in this way,and with-held my Eyes that -fol might have gazed befide this Gate. To which(as w^s Gjid)i now made raigh= ty hafte, and reached it by fo much D.^ylight ^z% to take a very competent" vie w of it. Now it was an exceeding RoyM hc4u^ tifid Portal^ whereon were carved a multitude of mofl: twbU Fignres and Devices'", every one of which(as I afterwards lear* ned jhsd its peculiar Signification^Abov6 tabvia In- was fixed a pretty large Tablet, with fcri^aom.. thefe Words, TrecHlhinc^ froculite yro-

fanh and other things more, that I wasearneftly forbidden to relate. Now i^titor. as foon as I was come under the Portal, there ftreight ftcpped forth one in a ^Sky*coloured habit, whom I in friendly manner falutcd^which though he thankfully returned, yet he inflantly demand- 1-'"^ p^*- cd of me my Letter of Invitation/^^""^^' 'O how glad was I that I had then brought it with me! For how eafily might I have forgotten it (as it alfo chanced to others) as he himfelf .told me f I quickly prefentedit, wherewith he was not only Satisfied, but fat which J much wondredj Ibewcd me 4 abundance of refpe(ft, faying, Come in .my Brother^ an acceptable Gueft yoa are to me ; and withal intrcated me not to witli-hold my Name from him. Now having rcplycd, that I was a Brother of tht Red-Rojte Crofs^ he both wondrcd, and fccmcd to rejoyce at it, and then ^j;^'" ^"' proceeded thus, My Brother have you nothing about you wherewith to purchafe a Token f I anfwcred ray ability was fmall, but if he faw any thing about mc he had a mind to, it was at his fcrvice. Now he having requeft-' ed of me ray Bottle of Water, and I ^^ff^ragranted it, he gives itc z golden Teh^n qua Te/iera. whereon ftood no more but thefetwo Letters, S. C. intreatmg me that when^^^^^^"J':'^« it Itood me in good Itead, I would s^i^u?*

spcs?"'' remember him. After which I askchvitas. cd him, how many were got in beforiB me, which he ilfo told me, and laitly out of meer Fricndfhip gave mc Diploma, a jfg^^i^j igffcr to thc fecond Porter. Now having lingered fome time with him, the Night grew on .* Whereupon a great Beacon upon the Gate was immediately fired, that fo if any were flill Bpon thc way, he might make haftc thither. . But the way where it finifticd attheCaftk,wasonboth fides inclofed Thecaftie. ^-jth ^F^Z/j, and planted with all forts of excellent Fruit-Trces, and (till on every third Tree on each fide Lanthorns were hung up, wherein all the Candles were already lighted with a vtrgo Luci- glorious Tofch by a heAHti[nl V'trgw^ habited in Skyt-colour^ which was fo noble and Majeftick a Spcftj^cle, that I chambe:-*.'^^ y^^ delayed fomewhat loTi^er then was iain or Con. rcquifite. But at length after fiiiEcient: trouior. Information, and an advantageous In- . ftrudion, I friendly departed from thc firfl Porter. On the way, though 1 would gladly have known what was written in my Letter, yet fince I had no reafon to miflruft the Porter, I forbade my purpofe? and fo went on the way, >3ntil I came likcwife tothcfecor?dGare^

(29; Tifhich although it wa$ very like the other,y et was ic adorned with Images & ^J^^^ myftick figmfications. In the affixed TMet jftood Datt & dahifHrvthu. Under thisTabella, Gate lay a terribje grim Lyon chainM, who as loon as he efpiM me arofe & made ^^°^ ^^®* at rae with great roaring : whereupon^ ^^j^^^ the fecond Porter who Jay upon a Stone ^ of Marble, awaked, and wiftied me not to be troubled or affrighted, and then drove back the LioT?^ and having re* ceived the Letter which I with trembling reached him, he read it, and with very great refpedt fpake thus to me ; Now well-come in Gods Name unto me the man whom of long time I would gladly have fecn. Mean while he alfo drew out a token y and asked me whether I could purchafc it ? But I having nothing elfc left but my Salty prefented Tedcra it to him, which he thankfully accep- ^^p^* ^*^^' ted* Upon this token again jftood on- studio ly two Letters namely, S.M, ^^'^^g^^^^f^lt now juit about to enter difcourfe with ib"mi'ttenduy him, it began to ring in the Gallic, ^l^}^ "''"^" whereupon- the Porter counielled me sai menfHiito run tpace, or elfe all the paines and *^^** labour 1 had hitherto taken would ferve to no purpofc, for the Li£hts above began already to httxtingHt^hed-^ whereupon

^on I difpatchcd with fuch haftc that h heeded not the Porter, in fuch anguilh. xivzs I, and truly it was but neceffary,^ fori could not runfo fall but that theVirgin,, after whom all the %ktf were preut, was at ray heels, andllhould never have found the way, hadnotfhc with her Torch afforded me forae light^^ 1 was more-over conftrained to enter the. very next to her, and the Gate was; S *'^*"' ^0 fuddainly clap't to, that a part of my. coate waslocked out, which I verily was forced to leave behind me-, for neither? I, nor they who flood ready without and called at the Gate could, prevail with the Porter to -^ojitn it again, but he delivered the Keys tb the Virgin, who took them With her into the Court, Mean time 1 again furveyed the Gate, which now appeared fo rich\ as the whole World could not equal it *, jufl: Vyramkiesby the Door were two Column«,on one Port*. of them flood a pkafant Figure with this Infcription,Ce;f^r4f«/^r. The other having its Countenance vailed was fad, and beneath was written, Candoleo, In brief, the Infcriptions and Figures thereon, were fo dark and myflerioui, that the molt dextrous man upon Earth

c»iiM not have expounded them. But ailthcfc rifGod pcrmiE; Iftialle'crS long pablilli and explain. Under this Gate I was again to give my Naitic, which was this laft time written down in a little Vcllum-Book, and immediately with the rell; difpatchcd to the Lord Bndt^ro»m. Hctc it was where I firfb received' the fr«^ Giic ft- token, which was ibmcwhat Icfs than the fornier, but yet much heavier, upon this ftood thefe Letters S.f.N. Befides ihh-i a new pair of Shoes were given sM«s pec^ ^^je,. for the Floor of the Caftle was !^p'47™;,: i'4d with pure Ihinidg Marble j my old f^^ntandux •^'hoisl was to give away to one of the ^"^''^** Poor (whom I would) who fate in vbrongs, howbeit in very good order, .);:dcf the Gate. Ithcnbeftowed thcirr ^^^^^ ; ; ah old Htan : after v/faich two Pages pucr. wtth as many Torches, conduced me into a litltc Room; there they willed mc to fit down on ^ Form, which Idid, ' but they flicking their Torches in two holes, made in' fie Pavement, departed ind left rac,tho$ iictiflg alone. Soon ifcer I heard a noife, but faw nothing, jnd it proved to be certain men who X t*tabkd in upon mc \ but fine? I could

fee nothing, I was fain to fufFer, and attend what they would do with me j but prefently perceving them to be Iftlncatorcs, Barbers ^\ intreated them not to juftle me foi for I was content to do whatever they dcfired, whereupon they quickly let me go, and fo one of them (whom I could not yet feej fine and gently cut capiiius ^^^y ^^^ ^^^^ round about from the dctoniu5 af- Croim of my Head^ but on my Fore- head, fcrvatus. £2^5 gj^j £yg5 |^g permitted my Icegrey Locks to hang. In this firfl incounter Cl maflconfefs) I was ready to difpair, for inafmuch as fome of them fiaoved roe fo forceably, and I could yet fee nothing, 1 could think no other but that God for my Curiofuy had fufFcred me to mifcarry. Now thefe invifible Barbers carefully gathered up the Hah which was cut off, and carried it away pueri blni ^^^^ them. After which the two Pages cntred again, and heartily laughed at me for being fo terrified. But they had fcarcc fppken a few Words v;itl me, when again a little Bell began tc ring ^ which (as the Pages iij^rmed me^ was to give notice for aflembling ; whereupon they willed pnetorifc, and through many Walks, Doors and wind

ing Stairs liglfited me into a fpacious ' HaU. In this Room was a great mul. '^"'^^^'"^ titude of guefts , Emperors , Kings, Princes, and Lofds, Noble and Ignoble, Ricfi j and. Poor, and all forts of Peopie, at which I hagely marviled, and ' thought to my felf, ah, how grofs a fool haft thou been to ingage upon this Journey with fo much bittcrnefs and toil, when (behold; here are even thofc fellows whom thou well know'ft, and yet hadft never any reafon to efteem. ' Tlicy arc now all h^re^ atid thbu with all thy Prayers and Supplications arc ( hardly got in at laft. This and more \ the Devil at that time inj:<^cd, whom I notwithftanding fas well as I could) directed to the ifiue. Mean time one or other of my acquaintance here and there fpake to me; Oh Brother RofgttcreutTL I art thou here too '•, yea, (ray Brethren) replyed 1, the Grace of God hath helped me in alfo *, at which they raifed a mighty laughter, looking upon it as ridicubus that there fhould be nted of God in fo flight an j^.,:^^^ occafion. Now having demanded each hofpitum of them concerning his way, and found "J?^ '^^3: that moft wereforcedto clamber over (brum. ' Q the

r.hc Kotks, certain Trumpets (none of which wc yet faw^ began to found to , the; Table, whereupon they all fcatecj thcmfelvcs, every one as he judged himfeif above the reft ; fo that for mc ^nd forae other forry Fellows there was hardly a little Nook left at the lower-? moft Table. Prefently the two Paget entred, and one of them faid Grace in fo handfom and excellent a manner, as rejoyced the very Heart in my Body. Ho wbcit, certain great Sr 7r>;?'s made but little reckoning of them, but fleired and winked one at another, biting their Lips within their Hats, and ufing more the like unfeemly Geftures. After this Meat was brought in, and albeit none could hefeen^ yet every thing was fo orderly managed , that it fecmcd to jne.as if every Gueft had had his proper iMtcndant. Now my Artifts haying fbmewhat recruted themfclves, and the Wine having a little removed ihame from their Hearts, they prefenrly began to vaunt and brag of their abilities : One would prove this, another that, and commonly the moRforry ^Idioti made the loudcfb noife. Ah, when I call to mmiryihit^fretcrrj/iiural md irapofiibk cnterprifcs I then heard, m {till rcddy to vomit at it. In fine,

hey never, kept; in their order, but vhcn ever one Rafcal here, another her^, couid 'infmuate himftlf in be- tvedh the NoUcs-^ Then pretended bey the finishing of fuch Adventures as ibrthcr Sartfffon^ ' JUDr yet Hercnks with iir their ftrength could ever hare at- :-hievcd j This would difchargc AtUs tflfts bardeav The otherwould again ii-aw forth the threcrheaded Cerberw mt of Hell. : In brief, every man had liiy^own Prate, and yet the great Lords mtt fo fimple that they believed their jj'rtt^nces, and the Rogues fo audacious, hataithougii oneor other of them waii leN'aAd there rapped over tiae Fin- |;ers with a Knife, yet they, flinched ''tftat it, but when any on« perchance -^d filched a Qold-Ghain, thtnwould . hazard for the like. I favr one who eard the rullling of tlv:. Heavens: ri^e fecond- could fee PUto^,% Ideas - l^third coUkl nwmhzx' DtrmcrltHs'*'^ A- oitts/ There were alfo not a few prc- enders to the ferpetnal motionv Many riionc (in my opinion) had good m- erflAndinj^^ but affamed too to much to '4 C 2 him* ilimfclf, to his own dieftriiaian. LaAly, there- was one calfo who would needs out of handi perfvyadc us thrtc he faw the Ser.vttofs who attended^ and would ftill have purfued. his^Corttention, had not one of thole invifibk waiters reached him fo h^ridfom a cuff upon his lying Muzzle, that not only he, but many who were by him, became as mute as Mice.

. i But it belt oi" all pleafed me, that all tljofe, ofwhttf;'* I had any efteem^ wctc very quiet i their bufinefs, and made no Ipud ci of it, but acknowledged thcmfelvesJ.o , be mlf-'underftanding men, to whom tl mylleriesof Nature were too high, ar they themfclves much too fmall. In-th Tumult I had almoft curfed the.ds^j wherein! came hither \ For I couldiiot but withanguifh behold that thofe lew vain People were above at the Boan but I in fb/orr^'a place could not, how ever reft in quiet, oncof thcfe Rafca fcornfully reproaching me for a motl, FoDl. Now I thought not that thei - was vet one Gate ^e^i»^,throvigh whit we multpafs, but imagined I was di ring the whole Wedding, to contini in this fcoro, contempt and indignity

fi hich yet I had at no time deftrved, ■ thcr of the Lord Bride-groom or the ride; And therefore (in my opinion) c fhould have done well to have fought •t fonie other Fool to his Wedding m me. Behold, to fuch impmerjfc th the Iniquity of this World reduce impatiw- , .iplc hearts. But this really was one qoitaJc'h^ |'2rt of my LAmenefs^ whereof (as is n^^n«m. ore mentioned) I dreamed. And ily this clamour the longer it lailed, iC more it increafcd. For there were ready thofc who boaftcd of falfe and mginzr f .nfiorjs , and would peryaric us of palpably lying Dreams. ■ow there fate by ine a very fine net M^n^ who oftentimes difcourfed f^^^ ^-^^ Fcxcellent matters, at length he faid, ihoid my Brother^ if Any one Jhonld now me who were willing to inftruU thefe ockijl} People in the right way^ would he 'hedrdl No, verily, replyedl. The orldy faid he, is now refolved (what- 'cr comes on it) tohe chcAttd^ and can^ ^^^^^ °^'^-.y^ t abide togiv£Ear to thofc wh$ intend r good. See ft thou alfo that fame r;t^/- mh^ with what whimftcM Flgnrts and oliflj Conceits he aTiHres ethers to him. lere one makes Mont he s at the People with C 3 HvMard*

unhear'd.of lifter ious 'Words,. Tei ht-^, lievt fnt in tfefcr, the time is now comir ' Vfhen thofe j})4meftd Fiz^ards jljail be finch . ojf^ and all the World fhdil bjQ'V whm f^/r^ .| gayond Imfoflers were concealed bthh ' them. Then ferhafs that wiH he vain which atfrefent is not efieemed. Wliiiit j he was thus fpeaking, and the clampn : the longer it laflcd, the worfe it was, all on a fuddain there began in the HalA . fuch excellent and (lately Mafick^ as all the days of my Life I never heard the like-, iwhereupon every one held his peace, and attended what would become of it: Now there were in this Mufick all forts of/nw^c^Inltrumcnt^- imaginable, which founded together in fuch harmonv, that I forgot m: felf, and fate fo unmovably, that thofe who fate by me were amalcd at me, and this lafted near half an houi , wherein none of us fpake one word, ' For as foon as ever any one was about M.jiaa, nnftto opcn his Mouth, he got an unexattcuden^i. peftcd blow, neither knew he from "'^' whence it came : Me thought fince wc were not permitted to fee the Mufitians, 1 fliould have been ghd to viev only all the Inflrumcnt*^ they made uft

of. After half an hour this MuCck ccafed unexpcdly, and wc conld. ^either fee war hcir any thing further. Prefently after, before the Door of the Hall began a great noifs founding and beating of TrumfttSy Shalms and Kettle-Drums, alfo Maftcr-like, as if the Emperor of Romt had beca entring ; whereupon the Door opened of it fclf, and then the noife of the Trumpets was fo loud, that wc were p^^„^^ ^^ hardly able to indure it. Mean while uetzm. ^ (to ray thinking; many thoufand /;;;/»// Tajcts) came into the Hall, all which of themfclves marched in fp very cxaft an order as al'ogetheramazed us, till at lad the two fore mentioned Pages virgo luciwith blight Torcbes, lighting in a ^'^a^ moft beautiful V^t gt^^ all drawn on a chambe/- glorioutty gilded Triumphant Self- '^'^J^^^^^* moving Throne^ cntred the Hall. It feemed to me (he was the very fame who ^)efore on the way kindled, and put out the Lights, and that thefe her Attendants were the very fame whom fhe formerly placed at the Trees. She was not now as before in Skye-colour, ^^^^^'^ but arrayed in a fnow-whiu glittering Robc>, which fparklcd of pure Gold, C 4 and

and cafl; fuch a lufbre that we diirfl: not fleadily behold it. Both the Pages yjcYQ after the fame manner habited if albeit fomewhat more {lightly; as foon as they were come into the middle of the Hall^ &: were defccncjed from the Throne,al] the fmallTapers madcobcifance before her.- Whereupon we all ftood up from pur Benches, yet every one llaid in his own place. Now (he having to us, and we again to her, fhewcdall Kefpcctand Reverence ;in a moft pleafanr Tone fnc began thus to fpcak *, The Kiy!g r>ff Lord-mofi gr^^^ciom-, {V^o Kow'^s hot very far rrom us. y^s alfo hii moft lovely Bride ^ To him in troth and honour ti^d v jilreAdy^ with great joy indn^dy Haveyohr arrival hither vicvp^d • And do to every one^ and all Prcmife their Grace in fpecial *, ' And from their very Hearts defire^ Ton rnay it at the time ac-quire ; That [o their future Nuptial joy M^y mixed he with nonets annoy^ Hereupon with all her fmall Tapers fhe again courceonfly bowbd, and prcfcntly after began thus .• Jn th^ In'vitmon wrlt^ yeu know, proppfitio That no man' called was hereto Aaio^:s. Who of Code's rareft gift s good J! ore Jiadnot received lo>ig before^ Adorned v^ith all' requifit's, ]/4s infneh cafes it befit'*:, ' How though they cannot well conceit That any marPs fo dcfftrate^ IJndtr conditions fo hard^ Hereto mtr lids without regard \ Vnl-fs he have hccnfirft- of ally Prepared /or this JViiptial ;

And therefore in good hopes do dwell That with all yon it will he well : - Tit men are grown fo bold^ and rude^ Not weighing their ineftitHde^ Asfiill to thraft themfdves in place Whereto none of them called woi: No Cocks-comb here him fclf may fell ^ No R/ifcal in with others ft- eat ; for they refolvc mahout aH let A Wedding p u r c ro c tie brat e . So then the Arttftsfor to weigh^ Probatio

Scales fi^all be fixh th' enfnirg day ; • ^"'**""^ I0jcnby CAch ont may Ughtly p7id ^ ^ What he h^th left At home behind. If here be any of that Rout Wh» have good CAufethemfclves to doi4bt ^ Let htm fack qukkly hence AJide ; For that in cafe he lofiger hide^ Of grAce foreior'^n^ And quite undone Betimes he mnfi the Gantlet rutt : If any now hu Cofifiieace gall^ He jhAll to night be left in th^ Hall And be Again rdeas'^t by morn^ Tetfo he hither ne'er return. Jf any man have corfidcnce^ JHe with his WAiter m^y go hence ^ Whofiiall him to his Chamber light Where he may reft infeai e to night ; jind there with praife await e the Scdle Or elfe his Slerp may chance ofaile. The others here may tah it well^ For whe aim'^s'^bove what's pofliblc, ^Twe^e better much he hence had pafty But ofyoH allwceH hofe the beft. As foon as (he had done fpcaking this, ihc again made reverence, and fprung chcarfully into her Throne, after which the Trumpets began again to found, which yet was not of force to reke from many fhnr rjicvous Sic;hs So they again conduced herinvifibly away , but the raofl part of the fmaU T^crs remained in the Room, and ililj one of them accompanied each of us. In fuch perturbation 'tis not well poflibletocxprcfswhat pcnfive Thoughts and Geflures were amongft us.

Yet the.moft part rcfolved to await the Scale, and in cafe things forted not well, to depart (as they hoped) in peace. I had foon call up my reciQmng^ ^^^^. ,^^^j and being my Confciencc convinced mciiat .■. of all ignorance, and ur.worthimfs^ I purpofed to flay with the reft in the Hall^ and chofe much rather to content my felf with the Meal I had already taken, than to run the Rifcoofa JMHre rtfhlfe. Now after that every one by his fmall Taper had feverally been conduced into a Chamber (each as I fince underflood into a peculiar one) There flaid w^f^of us, and amongll the reft he alfo, who difconrfcd with me before at the Table. But although, our fmall Tapers left us not, yet foon after within an hours time one of the fore-mentioned Pages came in, and ^ bringing a great bundle of Cords with him, firft demanded of us wlic-

thcr wc had concluded to ftay there, which when wc had with Sighs affirmed, he boHtjd each of us in a fcveral l»emo«'atio placc^and fo went away with our fmall ■ H!^"- Tapers, and left us poor Wretches in Barkriefs, Then firft began fome to perceive the imminent danger, and I my felf could not refrain Tears. For although wc were not forbidden tp fpeak, yet afsgmjh and ^ffliShion fufFercd none ofus to utter one word. For the Cords were fo wonderfully made, yet none could cut them, muchlefs get them ofFhis Feet .* yet tliis comforted me, that ftill the future gain, of many an one, who had now betaken himfelf to reft, would prove very litjtle to his fatisfadion. But we by one only Nights Pennance might expiate ill our prefumpticn : till at length in my forrowful thoughts I fell afleep ^ during ftjmnium which I had a Dreamy Now although Typicum. ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ g^^g^ matter in it, yet I efteem it not impertient to recount it : Me thought I was upon. an high Monntain^ and faw before me a great & large Valley, in this Valley were gat herK^ Tffke ^ together an unfpeakable mHltitude cY'the^rloi People, each of which h^d at ^is

Head a Thready by which hp was hang- *^^^>*^^'"- ed up towards Heaven, 'Tko^w, one hnngc/^/i wgb high, anot;he^ lowj. • ^omo^&qo^ cven.^^Jj''^^'''*^ quite upon the Earth. But in theAir there fievy- up and do w n an ancient Man, . who • had in his hand a pair of '^Ijpers, wherewith here he e nt ont\ .zii^ there another's thread. Now he that was nigh the Earth was fo much the readier, & fall without noirc',but when it happened to one of the hi^h ones, he fell, fo that the Earth quaked. To fome it came to pafs that their Thread was fo ftretchcd, that they came to the Earth before the Thread was cut. I took plcafurc in this tumbling, and it joyed me at the Heart, when he who had over '.exalted liimfelf in the Air, of his Wedding, got fo Ihamcful a fall^ that it carried even fonic of his Neighbours 9long with him.In like manner it alfo rejoiced me^that he who had all this while kept himfelf near the £4rr^,covild come down fo fine and gently, that - ,,-.-> even his next men perceived, it not. ^ But being now in jny highefl fit of Jol-: lity, I was unawares jogged by oQe of my fellow Captives, upon which lExpergef was awaked, and was very much dif- < >- conteEted

contented with him^ Howbcit, Icon fidcrcd niy Dream, and recounted it to my Brother, who lay by me on the other fide \ i&vho was not dilfatisfied with it, but hoped fomc Comfort niieht thereby be pretended. In fuch dilcourfe we fpcnt the remaining part of the Night, and with lodging cxfpedled the Day. The Thifi Day. -J^ol ^ ■:.] . v/ Ow as foon a^ the lovely day^w^S broken, and the bright Sun^ hai. ving raifed himfclf above the Hills,had again betaken himfelf, in the High Heaven, to his appointed office; Mf good Champions began to rife out of their Beds, aftd leifiircly to mate themfelves ready xant^ the Inquilltion. Whereupon, one after another, they coiioqumm came again irito the Hall, and giving Cjrgentium. gj g g^Q^^ morfow, demanded how wc h^d Slept to Night ; and having cfpicd our Bonds, there were fome that reJ)roved us for being fo cowardly, and that wc bad not «f much rather) as they. 'hAx.Ardcd Hfon all adventures. HoWbc - it, fopic of them whofc Hearts ftill rmote them made no loud cry of the bttliieb. ; . Wc ex'cufed our feWes with Q\iY' ignoy^fjcey hoping we &ould aov^- foonbe ftt at Liberty, and learn wit ty this difgrace ? that they on the con- - trary had not yet altogether efcapcd, & perhaps their grcatcfl ^//^w^frwas ftijl to be cxpeded : At length each one being again aflemblcd, the Trnrnpts began caatttj, now again to found & the Kettle Drums to beat as formerly, and we thea imagined no other but that theBride-groom was ready to prcfcnt himfelf, whicb aevcrthelefs was a huge miftake.

For ^.j^.^^ ^^^ it was again the yeftcrtUy^s F/rfi»whocifera. fiad arrayed her felf allin rtd Felvit^l^^^J^^! and girded her felf with & nhite Scarf c. lain or cooUpon her Head (he had z green Wreash "°"^°'' of Laurel, which hugely l?ecamc,J[er>. Her tafain was now no more of jmaH T^fers^ but confifted of two hundred Men in Hamisy Who were all (like her) fcloathed in reci znd rvhite^ Npty as foon as they w^re alighted from the liirone, fhc comes" llreight to us Priners, and after ihe had Saluted us, Ihc fa id in fevf words; Thatfomc iof

you have been fenfible of your wrctclK cd condition is hugely pleaTingto, my fiaoft/mighty. Lord, arid he is alfa lic- soiituf folvedjou^fhall fare the better for jt j fcomijes. /^nd h^v,ing cfp^eil rrie in my HaJDii, "me laughed „ai^.; fp^ke,, good lack ! . hall th6u!^//p fubmitted tjiy.felf to the Yoke, 1 imagined thou wouldH have made, thy felf rery fraug \ with which Words fhe caufcd my Eyes to run over. After Which fhe commanded we fhould be Unbound, and cuppled together and placed in a ftation where we might well behold the Scales* For, faid fhe, it may yet fare better witii them, than With the Prefumptious, who yet flands ■ ' here at Liberty. Mean time the Scales txhtt au- which were intirely of Gold were hung fca. " up m the midflof the Hall v There was alio a little Table covered with red ^ vondcta Velvet f and/et/^»w«^fcfj placed thereon . 'Firft of all flood a pretty great one, next four little on^ s ; laftly, tw6 great ones fevcrally *, Ajid thefe Weights in proportion. to their bulk were fo heavjf. that no man can believe or comprehend Satellites, it;. But each of the*H/«r«^cf^ »«f« had

^tpgfthcr. with . a naked Sword ^firong ■X^fi.J'ht& (hz diftributed according b the j;iumbcr of Weights into fcrcn •ands, and out of every band chofc •nefor their proper weight j and then gain fprung lip into her high Throne, Jow as iR>on as Ihe had made her revc- :nce, with a very Shrili Tone fhc bean thus to ipcak : , W:o irtt* « Pinters room doagti i»d nothing does of painting know^ *.t docs in framg thereof^ pride it j 74U be of all the World derided. Who into th^ Jirtifis order gee s^ bid thereunto was never chofe ^ •r with pretence of skill does fride it 5 mil be of all the World derided. Who At a Wedding does appear^ fid yet was ner'^e intended there j t dots in corning highly pride it j all be of ail the World deried. Who now into this Scale afcends^ le weights not proving hi^fa/t Friends^ id that it bounces fo does ride it % all be of all the World derided. As foon as the Virgin had done fpeak- norJeran. g, one of the Pages commanded J^'^'^*^' ch one to place himfclf according his order, and one after another to ;p in: which one of the Emferori i/^£iu D made

irtidc no fcruplc of, but firifc or alt iidwed hiitifelf a little . towards the Vitgin, and afterwards m all his ftatet^ Attire went up: where upon each* "Captain laid In his weight*, which (to ttie wonder of all) hcfto^dout. But the ^/? was too heavy for^hrfn, fo that Ibrth be mud ; and that witR fuch angttiih thatfas it fcemcd to me) the Virgin hex fclf had pitty on him, who alfa beckncd to her -people to hold their peace, yet was the good JEmperor bound and delivered over to the Sixtl\ band. Next him again came forth a^o- (her Ef?ipe7-cr^ who ftcpt hautily into the Scale J and having a great .f/i;c^i5oo^ under his Gown, fee imagined not to fail , But being fcarce able to abide ^he' Uiird .vcight, arid being unmercifully ilung down, andhis Book' in that af - frightment flipping from him, all the Soldiers began to laugh, and he was^ ilelivered up bound to the third band. / Thus it Went alfb w^th fbme others of ] thcEmperori, v? ho were all Inameful- - . - - ;-y'iaHglied at an4xaptived. . Afer thefe * *'caincs forth a littlf {l;on Ma?i with-a (^-^ Tjul^ brov/n Beaird m Emperor too,.

•U^^S^N-^-f^^- U]- q&4;.r€|r€rgnccgpt up ; **^ ' .> — '. :': alio aljfo, and held out ibfteadfaftly, that mc thought, had there been more weights ' ready, he would have out* flood them' ; To whom the Virgin immediately • arofc, and bowed before l:iim,-;ciurmg- him to putoaa GovsTn of red^th'ct^ and at laft reached him a braiich of L^wrel, having good ftore of them upon her Throne^ wpon the 'ft'eps whereof -Ihe willed him to iif down.' Now how, after him it fardd with the reft of the Emperors, Kings and Lords, would be tbo long to recount ^ but I cannot leave unmentionedT that few of thofc great 'ferfonages held out. Howbeit fnndry cm'mcnt vermes (beyond my hopes) were found in itiany. One could ftand out this, the fccond anptHcf, :lbme two, fome three, four or five,'li^ few could attain to the }uft perfe(^oh ; But every one who ftiled; was mirerabiy laughed at by the bands After the Inquilition had aifo pafled lover the Gentry, the learned, and i:nIcarned, and the reft, and in each condition perhaps owe, it may be, tvpo^ but for the mod part none, was found perfeftj'it came at length to thofe "onefl Gcnriemcn -the Tagabond Chsa-

ters^ and rafcally L^pidem SfitHlanficUpt makers, who were fet upon the Scale with fuch ftorn, that I my fclf for all my grief was ready to biirft my Belly with laughing, neither could the very Prifbners themfelves refrain. For the moft part could not abide that fevere trial, but with Whif s znd Scourges were jerked out of the Scale, and led to the other Prifoners, yet to a fuite-* able band. Thus of fo great a throng fb few remained, that I am afhamed to difcover their number. Howbeit th€re were Perfons of quality alfo amongft them, who notwithftanding were Hike the reft) honoured with Velvet Robes and wreaths of Lawrel. Tlfle Inquifition being complcatly finiflied, and none but we poor coupled hounds ftanding afide; At length one of the Captains Hepped forth, and faid^Gratious Madam, if it plciife your Ladyfhiplet thcfe poor men, who ac^ imwlcdgedthdv mif- under ftanding, be fct upon the Scale alfo without their incurring any danger of penalty, and only for recreation's fake, if perchance any thing that is right may be found amongfl them- In the firft place I was in great perplexity, for in my anguiitthis was my only comfort, that I was not to Hand in fuch ignominy, or to be laflied out of the Scale, For I nothing doubted bat thac many of the Prifpners wifhed that they had flayM ten Nights with us in the Hall. Yet fincc the Virgin confented, fo it muft be, and we being untied were one aftcr another fet up :

Now although the mofl part mifcarricd, yet they were neither laught at, nor fcoiirgcd, but peaceably placed on one fide. My seuusAuw, Compamoft was the fifth, who held out »"'"'=• bravely^ whereupon all, but cfpccially the Captain who made the requcft for a$, applauded him, and the Virgin (hewed him the ufual rcfpe^. After him again two more were difpatcheij in an inftant. But Iwasthe eigh-h-^' Now as foon as (with trembling) lAutorS, ftcppcd up, my Companion who already fat by in his P^dvtty looked friendly jpon me, and the Virgin her felf fmiled a little. Put for as much as I outitayed all the Weights, the Virgin com^ Tiandcd them to drawrae up by force, r^'hercforc three m^n moreover hufi^ on D 3 the

bufincfs- was propounded by theVirgin as Prefidcnt^ wlio dclired each one to give his opimQ5T, how the Prifoners were to be de^c vrith. The iirfl opinion jujicu,ru was, That they (hould all be put tp^;^^^ ?<^rrob<- Dedth^ yet one more fevci-ely than antsi- "' ther : naiaicly thofc w bo had prefu mp/ vorum i. tuouily intruded thcmfelves contrar^ to the Exprefsconditions'; other^would! have them kept ciofc prilbnersi Both' which pieafed neither the Prsfdent^ nof^^'"^'-^ me. At length by one of tFk Empcror$| (the fame whom I had freed) "my Comjianion, and my felf the alf dir wa'^ bj'ought to this point - , That^ftrft of all"' the principal j^;Wj Ihould- with a befitting refpcd be \k:A out of the CaHlc ^■ oEhcrs might be carried outfornle what more fcornfuliy. Thefe .iHoiiId ^e ftripped, and caufcd to run dut naked ^' The fourth with Rod?y Whijps, or^ Dogs, fiiould be him ted oi!t. Thole Tvhothe day before wiliingly furrcn - d red them fch^es, Trti;:iht be'fuftered to dc^pirt without any blame. A^.d h?i of all thofe Prefu mpLUOKSGne^ and rhov who behaved them fclvesfo unfecmiy nt Dinner the day before, should be "punDx in^rd iVxd in Body and Life according to each Mans demerit. This opinion plcafed ^hc Virgin wclj, and obtained the upper hand^ There was moreover another Dinner vouchfafcd them, which they were foon acquainted with. But the Execution was deferred till twelve at noon, Herewith the Senate arofe^ and the nr^in airo,tog€thcr with her Attendants returned to her ufual quarter.

But the uppermoft Table in the Room vras allotted to us,they requeuing us to take it in good part till the Buhnefs were fully difpatched. And then we fhould be condutaed to the Lord Bride* groom and the Bride^ with which we were at prefent well content-Mean time thePrifoners v/erc again brought into the Hall, and each Man featcd accordin,^ to his Qiiality ', they were like wife cnjoyned to behave themfclves fomev;hat more civilly than they had done the day before, which yet they needed jior to have been admonifried/orr without this, they had already p\it up their piprs. And this I can boldly fay, net with flattery, but in the love of trnt!i, that commonly thofe per fens who were nf the / '^'/?// i^^?/A', belt undcrrtood how

fo behave themfelves in \o nnexpcacd a misfourtune. Their Treatment was" but indifferent, yet with rcfpesfl, neitheir conld they yet fee thtir Act en Jams ^ Miniftr/ buttons they were vifiblc, whereat viHtof 1 was exceeding joyful . Now although Fourtune had exalted us, yet wx took not upon us more than the reft, advi^ fing them to be of good' Chea , the' event would hot be fo ill. Now although they would gladly have under- -. f^ood the Sentence ofiis, yet we vvcref} fo'dccply obliged that no-ne durft opert-' his Mouth ab<^ut it. -Nevcrthelcfs wc comforted them as well as we conl idrinking with them to try if the Winei'^ might m-^ke them any thing cheerfuller.-' Our Table was'covcred with reti K^^rob^^'v^ v?t, befetwithdiinking-Cups of pure '''^ Si.^vtr and GcU-^ which the left could net-behold without amazemcntand very great ariguifli. But e'rc we had featcd our fclvcs, in came the two Pages, pVefcn>ing every one. in the Bride^ croci/Ps behalf, the CoU n Fhece with a flying Lyo^^ fcqucfting us to wear them B«rrwr>?rt, at the Table, and as became us, toj^^^^^^ obfer\ c the Rcphration and Dig! ity of' ' theQvder, whiqh his Majefly had now ' . •*•' vouch-

voiichfafcdus, and /hould fuddcnly be ratified with futablc Ceremonies. This we received with profoundeA: fubmiffion, promifing obediently to i^erform , Whatfoevcr his Majefly (hould pleafc. ' '' jBefides theft,- the, noble Page had a Schedule, wherein we were ict down in order. And for my purt I ihould not otherwife. be dcfirous to- tonceai my place, if perghance it might not be — initerpreted to, Pride in me, whiph yet, is cxprefly againft thc/o;«rr/? Weight^*? •Now becaufc our entertainment- was"- exceeding ftatcly, we demanded one of the Pages, whether we might not ' have leave to fend fome choice bit to bur Friends and Acquaintance, who '• malting no difficulty of it, every one • ' fcnt plentifully to his acquaintance by the waiters, iiowbeit they faw none of them y and forafmiich as they kncvy not whence it came, I was my Jdf defirous Aut^^rl de- to carry fomewhat to one of them, 'l^^V., but as f)on as I was rifen, one of tic tioerga re- Waiters was prefcntly at my Elbow, ^\^?^'..,., faying, tt dcfiredme to take f'y'iaidly •tpayKtng^ for hi cafe one ef the l^^tges hrid fcc'ri ity it vconld have come to the- Kvti£s Eat^ who would ccrta'vily havi; tahii it

der might be named ? ftie anfwered. That it was not yet feaibnable to dif?, cover it, till the affair with the Prx*,, foners were difpatchcd. And tiierc^'^ fore their Eyes were ItilJ heldj and what had hitherto happened to us, was to them only for an Offence and Scandal, ^1 chough it were to bs accounte4 as nothing, i.i regard of the honou^, that attefidcd i:s. Hereupon fhe began «^ to diftinguifh the Farm which the other Kep-obi Page held into two different parts, out civiuuntur. of wbich about thus much was read

before the firft company. i^iufpa?. ^^^^ ^h (^onld conftfs M they had t:». too lightly ^izvn Credit to falji fiiftiiious Books, hnd /iffptmed too much to themft'lvesy and [0 carnt ifJtp this C/iJllc^ albeit they were mter invited into if, and fer^ . hafs the mofi f4rt had f re fented them [elves VT'tth defign to male their Markets hcr#, 4f!daft€rlVArds to live in the greater Pride Aflfe^ibttf fiftd Lordlinefs'^ jindthns one hadfedn" ced another y ^ndflnnged him into this difgrMce dnd ignominy^ wherefore they were defervedly to he fonndly fhnifhed. Which they rvith great humility readily acknowledged , and gave their Hands upon it. After whi^h a fererc cheek was given to the reft, much to thispurpofe. That they very well Jtnew^ and were in Alrerios their Conf$ien€es convinced^ that they had P^""' forged falfe fi<flitious Boiks^ had befooled other Sy and cheated themy and thereby had diminifhed Regal dignity amongjt all. They knew in like manner what ungodly deceitful Figures they had made nfe efy in fo much M they fpared not even the Divine Trinity, bat- accnflomed themfelves t9 ^heat People all the Conntry over. It was dfonow as clear asDay with what T radices 'hey had indeavenred to enfnare the trne jHcfisy and introduce the Ignorant', in ike manner^ that it was manifeft to ak the Vorldy that they wallovved in open Whore ' \iomy Adultery J Gluttony j and other Vn* leannejjes: jiU which was againft the ex*' refs Orders of our Kirgdom. In briefs hey knew they had difparaged Kingly Ma»

jefiyr cvtn amofi^fi tht commm fort^ tsH^ therefore they' fiiodd confefs: themfctvcs f^* be manifcft.cpnvided Yagabdnd'Cheai ^ tcrs, Knaves; arjj Raicsls, whereby they. . defervedfto be cAJhier.ed from the comfmy* Gf civil People J and fevenly to he jnmfiied. ^onfciTio xhe good Artifts were loath to come to this Confcfilon, but inafmuch as not onlv the Virgin her fclf tHreatncd, and fware their death 3 but the other part^ alfo vehemently raged -at them, and litianimoufly cryed out, that they had inoll wickedly feduced them out of the Light : They at lengthy to prevent a huge misfortune, ccnfcflcd the fam^ with dolour, and yet withal allcdgcd ihat what had herein happened was rot to be animadverted upon them in the worft icnfe. For in a$ miicii as the Lords were abfolutely refolved to get into the Caftic, and hid -promifed gvczt fums of Mopcy to that effcdV, each one liad ufcd all Craft to fcizc upon fomcthing, and fp things were brought to that pafs, as was now manifcft before their Eyes. But that it Ciccee'ded nor, *' Tbty ui their opinion had difdtftrvedvo '•^ more than the Lords themfelves\ As *' who fhould have had fo mnch under- :'/■- - frandnl-

briSing as to confider that in caf« ny one had been fure of getting in, le would not,in fo great Peril, for the ike of a llight gain> have clambered. »Ter the Wall with them. Their 3ks alfo fold fo mightily^ that whoT had no other mean to maintain ifelf, was fain to ingage in fuch a afenagc. They hoped moreover, t if a right Judgment were made, fhould be found no way to have carried, as . having behaved themes towards the Lords, as became vants, upoil their earxej}: entreaty. ; anfwer was made them, that his Rcfutas'io yal Majcfty had determined to pus . I all, and every man, albeit one re feverely than another. For alugh what had been allcdged by m was partly traa, and therefore the ds [hrnid not whoRy be indulged^ yet y had good reafon to prepare themres for Death, who had {o prcfumpufly obtruded themfelves, and per- »s fcduced the more ignorant againft ir will ; As likewife they who with e Books had violated Royal Ma jelly, the fame. might be evinced out of ki'VerylFri'.i'rrcs ^nd Books. Doior d« Hereupon many began raoft pitteoudy iVa^cniia. to lament, cry, weep, intreat, and proftrate thcmfdves, all which notwithilandmg could avail them nothing, and I much marvelled how the Virgin could befo refolutej when yet their mifery caufed eur Eyes to run over, and moved our Companion ^although the moft part of them had procured us miich trouble, and vexatibn) For (he prefently difpatched her Pagc,who brought wirh him all the Chri^fiers which had this day been appointed at the Scales, who were commanded each of them to take his own to him, and in an orderly Pf occffion, fo ts ftill each CuriafTier tuaitio Iho'ild go with one of the P>ifoners^ to ^Dtcntu- ^.Qj^^y^t^ j.|^^^ jjjj^j j^gj, gxt^x. Garden.

At which rime each one fo exadly recogniftd his own Man, that 1 marvelled at it. JUave alfo was likewife given to m^ yelterday Cvn.pamons to gO out into the Garden unbound, and to be prefent at the Execution of the Scn5peftatofcvtence. Now as foon as every Mail was come forth , the Virgin mounted up into her High Throfie^ requeuing \^t to fit down upon the Steps, and to appear at the Judgment,which we rcfufed nor, but left all Handing upon the Table (except the Goblet, which the Virgin committed to the Pages keeping) and went forth in our Robes upon the Throne, which of itfelf 7:^:oz/f^fo gently as if we had pafTed in the Air, cill iii this manner we came ir.to the Gar^en^ where we arofe altogether. This Gar- „ den was not extraordmary curious, only it pleafed me that the Trees were planted in fo good order. Befides there ran in it a moft coflly Fount a'wy adorned with wonderful Figures and Infcriptions, and ftrange Charaders, (which ^^ God willing I fhail mention in a future i^brum. B90IO In this Garden was raifed a wooden Scaffold, hung about with curionfly painted figured Coverlets. Now there were foar ^'^//crzV/ made one over another, the firll was more glorious than any of the rcH, and therefore covered with ^white'T.fjf, ^ Cmtairj^ fo that at thaaaiime wecoaM lot perceive who wss^ehind it. The fecond was empty and uiicovered. Agsin the two hft v.erc covered wieh /'f^and hlex\> Tuffcita. Now as focn as wc were come to the Scaffold, the Virgin bowed her ftlf down 10 the ground - at which we E were

were mightily terrified : For we might cafily guefs thacthc Kin^ and Qw^en muft not be far off*^ Now we alfo having duely perforacd our Reverence^ The Virgin lead us up by the winding Stairs into the fecond Gallery, whert (he placed her felf uppermoft, and us in our former order. But how the Emjt*' rorwhom I had releafed, behaved himcSSstrga ^^^^ towards me, both at this time, as iibeAtorcm. alfo before at the Table, 1 cannot, without flander of wicked Tongues. well relate. For he might well imagine in what Anguifh and Sollicitudc he now Ihould have been , in cafe he were at prcfent to attend the Judgment with fuch ignominy, and that only through vrjecomina.^^^^ had DOW attained fuch Dignity and Worthincfs. Mean time the Virgin whofirft of all brought me the In-' vltation, and whom hitherto I had never fince feen, ftepped in \ Firft (he gave one blaft upon her Ifrumper, andi then with a very loud Voite declared| the Sentence in this manner. 2'lS^''^ 2^« ^i»g^ Majefiy my moJ> gr.ttiou: Lord could from his heart ntjhy thut all and CLsry one here j^Jjcrnhlcdj had ifpoi his Majefties luvitation prefented them* /ftej/b qualified, a^ that they might (to his honour) mth^reatefi frequency have adorned this his appointed Nuptial and joyful Feafi, But fince it hath othermfe f leafed Almighty Cod^ his Aiajefty hath ^QT whereat to mitrmur^ bht mftfi he forced^ .contrary to his own Inclinmon^ to abide by the amient and Undable Confiitations of this Kingdom.

But norVy that his Maj^fiys innate CUmeney may be celebrated over all the Worlds he hath thus far ab^ f&lutely dealt with his Coun<;il and Eflates^ that the ttfuAl Sentence fhall be conpderabiy Icnified, So that in phefirfi place he is wiU ling tovoitchfafe to the Lords and Poten- ^a-^.atii'ii; tates, not only their lives intirely^ but aU fo freely and frankjy to difmjfs them ; friendly and eonrteonfly intreatiag your Lordflnps not at aH to take it in evil part that you Cannot he prefent at his Ai.ijejlics Feafi of Henonr ^ But to remember that there is notrviihfianding more impofed upen your Lordflnps by God M mighty (ivho in the diftribution of his Gifts hath an i>;- comprehenfible Con fide ration) iktn yon can dnely and eafily fiifiain. Neither ts your Rep it.ni^:>n her thy prejudiced^ c.hhouch yo.t be rfjtcted by th:s our Order^ J nee kg E 2 era-

cannot at once all of us^ do all things, Bhf for asmnch as your Lordpips have teen feduocd by bafe Rafcals, it fhallnot en their fart^ fafs unreven^ed, j^nd furthtrmore his Majefly refolveth jhortly to communicate with yoHT Lordfljips a Catalogue of Hcrcticks or index Expurgatorius, that you may henceforward be able with better judgment to difcern between the Good and the EviL And becanfe his Afajefty e'*re long alfo purfofeth to rummage his Library^ and cjfer Hp the ftdk^lve Writings to Vulcan, he friendly y humbly ^ and courteoujly in^ treats every one of your Lordflnp to pit the fame in Exec-ution with ytur own^wheyeby it is to be hoped that all evil and Mifchief may for the time to come be remedied, And you are withal to be admor;ifl}edy never henceforth fo inconfiderately to covet an entrance hither^ haft the former exciife of Seducers be taker.'"fro?n yoity and yen fall i?7io Difgrace a!*d Contempt wifh all Men. In fine-, for as much as the Efiatcs of the Land ha'^/e flill fomcwhnt to demand of your Lordilnps^ his Al.ijcfty hopes that no A fan will thir,k^mueh to redeem him felf vith a Ch;:iin or what elfe he hMh about him^ arid fo in friendly manner to depart frimuS'i an i through our f .if i^ condiiB: to betake liiinfAfhome uiniru The

The others who flood not at the fir II, Senfentia. third, ^»^ fourth weight, his Majefly will not fo lightly dlfmifs. But that they alfo way now exftrknce his MAj€fty*s gen^ tUhefs^ it is his Command^ to firip them Hark naked, andfo fend them forth. Thofe who in the fecond and fifth weight xoere found too light ^^aU he/ides Stripping^ he noted with one^ two or more Brands marks y according as each one was lighter^ or heavier. They who were drawn uf by the flxth er Icventh, and not by the reft^ fmll befomewhat more gV2t\oui\Y d^^lt withalj and fo forward. For unto every combination there was a certain pnnijhment ordained^ which were here too long to recount. They who yefierday ftparated themf elves freely of their own accord., Jhall go ont at Liberty without any blame. Finally., the conifi^ed vagabond-Cheaters who could move up none of the weights^ Jhall as occafion ferves., be punijlied in Body and Life, with the Sword., Halter^ Water and Rods. Jndfuch Execution of Judgment jhall ht inviolably obferved for an Example unto others. Herewith our Virgin hrokehtvWaind\, and the other who read the Sentence, blowedher Trumpet, and Itepped with Fmi. bnbiti i""o^ profound Rcverence tov^ardsthofc [udicij./ vvho ilood behind the Curtain. But here I cannot omit to difcQver fomewhat to the Reader concerning the number of our Prifonersj of whom thofe vvho weighed onexyiCVQfeverjythorc. ^x:m'.-ni pen- who Weighed two^ were tmr/ty one ;

they ^lu^^-^. "^^^^o three^ thirty five i they who fmr^ -21.7.1.1^0. thirty five »y thofe who ^fe> twenty one-y ^^^' thofe who fixy feven ; but he that came to the feventhy and yet could not well raife it, He, was only one, and indeed the fame whom I relcafcd. Befides, of ihem who wholly failed there were many: But of thofe who drew all the weights from the ground j but .few. And thefe as they flood feveraDy before us, fo I diligently numbred, and noted vdiietat.s them down in my Table- Book ; And it is very admirable that amongft ail thofe who weighed anything, none was equal to another. For although amongft thofe who v;eighed three, there were thirty five, yet one of them weighed thefirft, fccond^ and third, another the* third? fourth, and fiph-, a thrid, tkc lifth,

fiith, and fcventh and fb on. It is likewifc very wondcrftl that amongft one hundred twenty fix who weighed any thing, noae was equal to another ; And I would very willingly name them allj with each Mans weight, wc^e it not as yet forbidden me. » But I hope it may hereafter be publilhed with the In^ terpretation. Now this Judgment being read over^ the Lords in the firft place were weH ReorummiK fatisfied, bccaufe in fuch feverity they ^^^' durft not look for a mild fentence. For which caufe they gave more than they were defired, and each one redeemed himfelf with Chains, ^weh. Gold, Monies and other things, as much as they had about them ^ and with reverence took leave. Now although the King's Servants were forbidden to jear any at his going away, yetfomeun- Miuiftrori^f lucky Birds could not hold laughing, mores, and certainly it was fufficiently ridiculous to fee them pack away with fuch fpecd, without once looking behind them. Some defired that the promifed Catalogue might with the firft be diipatched after them, and then they would take fuch order with their Eook^ as ftould be plealing to his Majefly ; which was again afTured. At the Door was given to each of them out of a Cup a DvAuclot of FORGET FVLNESS^ that fo he might have no further memory of misfortune.

After thefe ijne VotHntiers departed, who becaufe of their ingenuity were fufftTcd to pafs, but yet fo as never to return again in the fame fafhion ; But if to them Cas likewife to the others) any thing further were revealed, then they (liouid be well-come Guefls. Mean vvhile others were ftripping, in which alfo an inequality (according to each mans demerit) was obferv'd.Some were fent away naked, without other ivurt. Others were driven out with fmall Belh. Some were fcourged forth. In brief the punifhments were fo various, that I am not able to recount them all. In the end it came to the lad alfo with whom fomcwhat a longer time wasfpent, for whilfl fome were hanging, feme beheading, fome forced to ieap into the Water, and the reft otherwife difpatching, much time was confljmed. Verily at this execution my Eyes ran overj not indeed in regard of (7? ) the puniftiment, which they otherwife for their impudency well deferved, but in contemplation of hnmane hlind7jefs^ in that we are continually bufiingour felves in that whichever fince the firflFall hath been hitherto ^i^/r/^^commU^srauptous. Thus the Garden which fo fuia ^^^°" lately was quite full, was foon emptied ^ fo that belides the Souldiers there was not a man left. Now as foon ?$ this was done, and filence had been kept for the ipace of five minut's •, There Eoteriaiiv came forward a beautiful ^viovf-white ment at Vnicorn with a golden coller (having in uifcJ;^.^.

it certain Letters^ about his neck-* In the fame place he bowed himfelf down upcn both his fore-feet, as if hereby he had fliown honour to the Lyon, who Leo. flood fo immoveably upon the fountain, that 1 took him to be of (tone or brafs, who immediately took the naked 5 W which he bare in his Paw, w^^^^^"- and brake it in the middle in two, the pieces whereof to ray thinking funk into the Fountain : after which he fo long roared, until a white-Dove brought a ^^'"^^/'^ branch of Olive in her bill, which the Lyon devoured in an inftant, and fp was quieted. And fo the Unicorn returned

(74) to Ilis place with joy. Hereupon out Virgin kad us down again by the winding ftaires from the Scaffold, and fo we again itiade our reverence towards ab^hofaW^^e Cortain. We wfere to wafh our hands and heads in the Fountain, and there a lirtlc whik to wait in owr order, till the King through 2 certain feciet Gallery were again returned into his Hall f and then we alio with choice MufiCk^ Pomp, State and plealant difcourfe were conduced into our former lodgit5g: And this was done about four in the afternoon- But that in the meanwhiletlictime might not feem too long touSy ihe Virgin bellowed on each of usanobk ^*<^<', who were not only fichly habited, but alfo exceeding learned, fo that they could fo aptly difcourfe opon all fubjedls, that we had goodreafon to be afhamed of our felves. "sifcefru* Thefe were commanded to lead us up virgmisLu. anddowu the Caltle vyet but into cer- '' "'^' tain places) and if poflible, to fl^orten the time according to our deftre. Mean time the Virgin tock leave with this confolarion, that at Supper /he would be with i:«irgain> and after that cele- • Lrate the Ceremonies of the hanging up

of the Weights , requeuing that wc would in patience waite till the next day, for on the morrow wc muft be prefented to the King.- She being thus Hofpirum departed from us, each of us did what ^'^^ '"^«^ebelt pleafed him. One part viewed ^ ^"^°'''° the excellent paintings, which they copied out for themfclves, and confidered alfo what the wonderful Charafters might lignifie. Others were fain to recruit themfelves again with meat and drink* I indeed caufed my Page to condUi^ me (together with my Companion) up and 3^Ton the Caftle, of which walk it will never repent me ^^^'^'^^ as long as \ have a day to live. For befidcs many other glorious Antiquities, the Roy al5f;>///(r^fr was alfo (hewed me, by which Ilearned more than is extant in all Books, There in the ' fame place (lands alfo the glorious Phanix (of which two years lince Ii'Musdc publifhed a particular fmall difcourfc; ^'^'''^''' And am refolved (in cafe this my narration (hall prove ufeful) to fet forth feveral and peculiar Treatifes, con- €f:rning the Lyo^?^ ^^g^^-t ^rijfony F'^/- con and Other like, together with their JDraughts and Infcriptions. It grieves tne alfo for my other Conforts, that they ncgleftcd fuch prctioas Treafures. And yet I cannot but think it was the fpecial will of God it Qiould be fo. I indeed reaped the mod benefit by my Page, for according as each ones Renins lay, fo he led his intrufted into the quarters and places which were pleafing to him.

Now the Kyes hereunto belonging were committed to my Page, and therefore this good Fortune hapned to me before the reft \ For although he invited others to come in, yet they imagining fuch Tor}7hs to be only in the Church-yard, thought they ftiould well enough get thither, when ever any thingwastobefeen there. Neither (hzWihzh Monuments (as both of us copied and tranfcribed them) be r^ithi held from my thankful Schollars. The other thing that wa$ fhewcd us two was the Noble Z-J^r^r)' as it was altogether before the Reformation. Of which (als beit itrejoycesmy Heart as often as I call it to mind J I have fo much the Icfs 10 fay, becaufc the Catalogue thereof is very fhortly to be publifhed. At the entry of this Room (lands a gr^.at Book; the like whereof I never faw, in which all the Figures j Rooms, For*

ta]% (Stlfoall the Writings, Riddles and the like, tobefeen in the whole Gaflle, arc delineated. Now although we have made feme promife concerning this aifo, yetatprefentlmuitcontflinmy feif, and firft learn to know the World better. In every Book ftands its Anthor painted^ whereof (as I underflood) many were tobe^//r;7f, that fo even their memory may be blotted out from amongft the Righteous. Now having taken a full view hereof, and being fcarcc gotten forth, another Pa^e Qzm^ lunnmg to us, and having whifpered f. me what in our Pages car, he delivered up the Kyes to him, who immediately carried them up the winding Stairs^ Bdt our Page was very much out of Connttinunce^ and we fetting hard upon him with Intreaties. He declared to us that the Kui^fs Maj.fly would by no means permit that eitlier of the two, namely the Library andSipHichers^ !l)OUi!d b^ fcen by any Maaand therefore he befbught us as we tendered his Life, todifcovcr it to no> Man, he having already utterly denycd ic: Whereupon both of us flood hovering between Joy and Fear, yet it con^ tinned ia filence, and no Man m^dc further inq'iiry about iC. Thus in both ( 78 ) places wa confumed three hours^ which does not at all repent me. Now although it had already flrucken Stvtn^ yet nothing was hitherto given us to t^t^ howbeit our hunger was eafie to be abated by conltant^m'^z;?^/, and I could Faftidiam be wellcontcntto fail all my Life long gJ'egijTfp'ec vvitu fuch Entertainment.

About this tacuiis. time the Ci,3n<3^ws F(?w;if^i;7x, Mines, anci all kind of Art- Shops, wercalfo (hown us, of which there was none but furpaffed all our Arts, thoagnthey (hould all be melted into one Mafs. All their pfficinarum Chambers were built in /t/^f-fiVc/f, that ^Sr ^^ ^^^y might have before their Eyes the ^^ ""* coftly Clock-work which was erefteci upon a fair Turret in the Center, and regulate thcmfelves according to the coorfeof the FUnets^ which were to be feenonit in a glorious manner. And hence I could eafily conjs(n:urc wherein our ^Kfj/?j failed, howbeit its none ot ray duty to inform them. At length I came into a ipacoius Room jffhowa inGlobus ter- deed to the reit .a great wliik before) in '^""*" the middle whereof flood a tercflrial Globe, whofe Di^imctcr contained thirty Foot, albeit near half of it, except a little which was covered wiih the Heps.

was let into the Earth. Two Men might readily turn this Globe about with all its Furniture, lo that rriOrc of it was never to be feen, but fo much as was above the Horizon. Now although Icouldeafily conceive that this v^asof fomc fpccial ufe, yet could I not under- (land whereto thofe Rir^^hts of Gold /which were upon it in ftveral places) ferved ; At which my Page laughed, and advifed mc to view t^em nrore nar« rowly. In brief, I found there /??;' nafive Coimiry noted with Gcldalfo : Whereupon my Companion fotigbr Ms, and found that fo too. Now for ds much as the fan.ie hapcned in like manner to the reft who flood by, The Page told us of a certain that it was yefterday declared to the King wMajtft^y by their old Atlas (foisthe Afi:ronomer named jthat all the gilded pointisdid cxadly anfwer to their native Countries, according as had been fiiown of each of them. And therefore He alfc, as foon as he perceived that] //;7^fr^'^/«c<5^^^/y felf'i and that ficverthelefs there fiood a poi?Jt upon my ntir %\vc Country^ moved one of the Captains to intrcat for us, thatv^e (hould be fee upon the Scale (^without ourPc-

ril) at all Adventures ^ Efpecially feeing one of Gur Native Conntries had a notable good Mark^: And truly it was not without caufe that He, the Page who had the preateft power of ail the reft, was bcftowed on me. For this I then returned him thanks, and immediately looked more diligently upon my native Country, and found more OTcr that befides the Ringlet-, there were alfo pf'rf ^"^'^ certain delicate ftrcAks upon it, which tllll^ " neverthelefs I would not be thought to fpcak to my own praife or glory . I faw much more too upon this Globe than 1 am willing to difcover. Let each Man take into confideration why every City produceth not a Philofopher. After this he lead us quite into the Globe, which was thus made ; On the Sea(there being a large fquare bcfides it^ was a Tablet, whereon ftood three Dedications, and the Author^s name, which a Man might gently lift up and by a little joyned Board, go iinto the C^^^^^^, which was capable of four Perfons, being notLing but around Board whereon we could (it and at eafe by broad- ^^^' davlieht (it was now alfeady dark) contemplate the Siais, to n'jy thinkinj^, ^ they

they were mere Carbmclcs which glittered in an agreeable order, and moved fo gallantly, that I had fcarce any mind ever to go out again, as the Page afterwards told the Virgin, with which fhe often twitted me : For it was already Supper time, and I had fo much araufed my fclf in the Globe, that I was almoft the laft at Tables wherefore I made no longer deliy, but having again put on my Gown (which I had be- -^^H'^^ fore layd afidc) and jflepping to the «hibi"a' ** Tablc-f the waiters treated me with fo Auaorii. mach reverence and honour, that for fhameldurft not look up, andfo.unawars permitted the Virgin, who attended me on one fide, to ftarfd, which fte foon perceiving twitched me by the Gown, and fo led me to the table to fpeak any further concerning the Mufick, or the rell: of that magnificent • entertainment, Ihold it needlefs both becaufeit is not poffible fufEeicntly to - exprcfs it, and I have above reported i it according to my power. In brief, ^ there was nothing there but Art and Amsenity. Now after we had each to ©ther related our employment fincc noon (howbeit, not a word was fpoken of the Library and Monuments) be- - ing already merry with the Wine, The Lady the Virgin began thus : My Lords, I Chamber- i^ave 3? great contention with one of my Ser.^'" Sifters :

In our Chamber we have an „ , , Eaflf^ Now wechcrlfh him with fuch Speeches, or diligence, that each or us is dilirous ii"'"''!'^ to be the beft beloved, and upon that fcore have many a Squabble. On a day we concluded to go both together to liim, and toward whom he fhould fhcvr himfelf mofl friendly, hers fliould.hc;: properly be*, this wc did, andl (as^ commonly J bare in my hand abrancK*'^^ of Law r el, but my Siller had none.'*- Now as foon ashecfpyed iifrboth, he^' immediately gave my Sifter another branch which he had in his Beak, and offered at mine, which I gave him. Now each of us hereupon imagined her felf to be belt beloved of him; which way am 1 to refolvc my felf? This modeft propofal of the Virgin /plea fed us all mighty well, and each one would gladly have heard the Solution, but in as much as they all looked upon me, and defircd to have the beginning

from mc, my mind was ip cxtrcamljr Autons confounded that I knew not what elfe Jr/p^. to do with it but propound another ^ in its ftcad, and therefore faid Gracious Lady, your Ladyihips queftion were eallly to be rcfol^red if one thing did ,not perplex me. I had two Compani- The Authors bns, both which loved mc exceedingly; ccumcr-dk-^ now they being doubtful which of them "''*'^; was moll dear to me, . concluded to run to me unawars, and that he whom 1 fhould then embrace fliould be the rights this they did, yet one of them could not keep pace with the other, fo he ftaid behind and wept, the other 1 embraced with amazement. Now when they had afterwards difcovercd the bulinefs to me, I knew not how to refolve my felf, and have hitherto let it; reft in this manner, until I may find < fomc good advice herein. The Virgin wondered at it, and well obferved where about I was, whereupon Ihe replied, well then let us both be quit 5 ' and then dcUrcd the folution from the ' reft. But I had already made them wife. Wherefore the next began thus, ^^^c"' i In the City v;here I live, a Virgin was lately condemned to death, but the' F 2 Judge

Jtidgc being fomcthing pittiful towards her, caufcd it to be proclaimed that if any Man dcfircd to become the Virgins Champion, he fhould hare free leave to do it. Now fhe had two Lovers, the one prefently made himfclf ready, and came into the lifts to exped his adverfary, afterwards the other alfo prcfented himfelf, but coming fomewhat too late, he refolved never^ thelcfs to fight, and willingly fufFcr himfelf to be vanquifhcd, that fo the Virgin's life might be prefer ved, which alfo fucceeded according. Wherenp^ on each challenged her : Now my Lords infirhEl me^ to Vfhkh of them of right hc' hfigeth jlje ? The Virgin could hold no longer, but faid, I thought to have gaim cd much information, and am ray fclf gotten into the Net, but yet would gladly hear whether there be any more behind ^ yes, that there is, anfwcred the third, a Stranger adventure hath not been yet recounted then that which happened to my felf. In my Youth I loved a worthy Maid : Now that this my love might attain its wiflied end, I was fain to make ufe of an ancient MatroHjWho ealily brought mc to her.Now it happened that the Maid's Brethren came in upon us jufl as wc three were together, who were in fuch a rage that they would have taken my Life, but upon my vehement Supplication, they at length forced me to fwcar to take each of them for dTe4r^x.o my wedded VVife.iVbiP till me myLords^ fwttld I take the old^ or theyounj^onefirp.

We all laughed fufficicntly at this riddle, and though forac of them muttered one to another thereupon, yet none would undertake to unfold it. Hereupon the fourth began. In a certain City there dweltan^;>7^, honourable Lady, who was beloved of all, but cfpecially by a young noble Man, who would needs be too importu^iate with her *, at length fhe gave him this determination) that in calc he " would, in a cold W' inter, lead her into a fair green Garden of Rofes, then he fliould obtain, but if not, he mufl refolvc never to fee her more. The noble Man travelled into all Countries to find facha Man as might perform this, till at length he lite upon a little old Man that promifcd to do it for him, in cafe he would alTure him of half his Eftate •, which he having confentcd to,

tbc other was as good as his word^ \^herciipon be invited the forefaid Lady home to his Garden, where contrary to her expe(fti'ition Ihe found all things gr-een, pkafanr and warm, and withal remcmbring her promifc, ihc only rcquelled that (he might once more return to her Lord, to whom with Sighs and Tears fhc bewailed her lamentable condition : But for as much as he fufficiently perceived her faithfulnefs, he difjiatched her back to her Lover, who l^ad fo dearly purchafcd h^r, that ihe might give him Satisfa(^ion. This Husband's integrity did fo mightily afFcft the noble nian,that bethought it a fm to touch fo honefl: a Wife-, fo he fcnt her home again with honour to' her Lord. Now the Ijttle Man perceiving fuch Faith in both thefe, would, not, how po6r focver he were, be the kail, but rellorcd the nobk Man all his Goods again, and went his way. Now Cmy Lords) I know not which of thcfe pcrfons may have fhown the greatcft ingenuity ? Here ovir Tongues were quite cut off. Neither would the Virgin makcsny other reply, but Only that another fhould gO on. \V'hcrc= ./87) f ire rte fifth, without delay, 'began. ^j>;^. 6. My Lords, I defire not to rhake long work^ who hath^'the greater joy, he that beholdethuvj^^hat he loveth, or he that only thinlcctft onit? He that beholdcth it, faid the Virgin ; 'nay anfwered I ; hereupon arofe a c6nteil:, wlierefore the fixth called out, iMy Lords I am to cake a Wife';

now I have before me a niaid, a married Wife, and a Widdow •, eafe me of this doubt, and I will afterwards help to order the rcfl. It goes wcUthere, reply ed the feventh, where a m^n hath ^ his choice, but with me the cafe is qtherwifc; in my youth I loved, a fiir and vertuous Virgin from the bottom ©f my Heart, and ihc me in like manner : howbcic ^.becaufc of her Friends denyal we-goald not come together m wedloclc : Whereupon fh* was married to another, yet ah honeft and difcrcet Pcrfon, who miintaincd her honourably and with affeflioii, until fhe came into the paines of Child-birth, which went fo hard with her that all tho-jght Hie had been deid, fo wi:h; much Itatc, and- great mourning Ihe was interred/ Now I thought with my Telf, during

her Ijfothou couldft have no part in this Woman, but yet now deid as fhe is thou mayft embrace and Rifs her fufficiently •, whereupon I took my Servant with me, who dug her up by Night V Now haviag opened the Coffin and locked her in my Arms, and feeling about her Heart, I found ftill fome little motion in it, which increafed more and more from my warmth, till at lalt 1 perceived that (he was indeed ftill alive ; wherefore I quietly bare her home, and after I had warmed her chilled Body with a coftly Bath of Herbs; I committed her to my Mother until fhe brought forth a fair Son, whom (as the Mother) I caufed faithfully to be nurfcd. After two days (fhe being then in a mighty amazement) I difcovcred to her all the forepaflcd affair, requeuing her that for the time to come fhe would live with me as a Wife, againft which ifee thus excepted , in cafe it fliould be grievous to her Husband who .'-■had well and honourably maintained her. But if it could othcrwifebe, fhe was the prefent obliged in love to one as well as the other. Now after two Months Cbeing then to make a Journe/

elfcwherc) I invited tier Husband as « Gucft, and amongft other things de^ manded of him, whether if his deceafed Wife (hould couie home again, he could be content to receirc her, and he affirming it with Tears and LamentaUons, at length I brought him his Wife together with his Son, and an account of all the fore-pafTed bufmeis, intreating hin^ toratifie with his confent my forc-purpofed efpoufals. After a long difpute he could not beat me from my right, but was fain to leave me the Wife, But ftill the contelt was about the Son. Here the Virgin inrcrrupied him, and faid. It makes me wondtr how you could double the afflic"ted Mans. grief How, snfwercd he, was I not then concerned ? Upon this there arofc a difpute amongft us, yet the moft part affirmed that he had done bit right. Nay, faid he, I fieely returned him both his Wife and Son. Now tell me (my Lords) was ray honefty, or this Man's joy the greater ? Thcfe wordsi had fo mightily cheared the Virgin that (as if it had been for the fake of thefc two) fhe caufed a health to go round. After which the reft of the propafals

frcrit oil for^cwhat perpfe.tcdly ^ fo ttolcoald not rctli'n them all, yet ihis Gontcfi to ifcyiftiiftd, tliac (>ne 6. f?iidy' that a few years before he had feen a Phyfithn, who bought a parcel of Wobd agilinft Wifiter, wjth which he warmed hirrifelf all Winter longv biit ni foon as the Spring returned he fold the very fame Wobd again, and fq Kid the ufe of it for nothings Here mufl: needs be skill, faid the Virgin,^ bu-t the time is liow paft. Yea, rcplytd my Companion, who dver undevltands not how to relblve all the Riddles, iftay give each Man notice of it by a proper Mellenger, 1 conceive he will not be denied* At this time they began to fty Grace, and wcarofe altogether from the Table, rather fatisficd aVid-inerry than glutted'; and it were to be vvifhcd that all Inzntatiuns and Fcaltings were thus to be kept. Having now taken fbmc few turns up and down the _ Hall again, the Virgin asked us whether chambjl - ^ vvc dcfircd to begin the VVcdding. kin ..Yes, faidone, noblcand vcrtuous Lncrdnvrua's. dy ^ whcrcupon fhe privately difpatchcd a Page, and yet in the m'eantime proceeded in difcourfe ;vith us. In

brief fhc was already become fo familiar wicli us, that I adventured and rcqucftcd her Name- The Virgin fmiled ^yUmy Curiofity, buc yet was not mo- 'ved, but reply ed, My N^me contains Bn\%mt d« five n^dfifty^ and yet loAth only eight Let- onimc, ters^ the thud is th<; third part of thefifth^ whi^ch added to the jlxth will prodnce a . jSlumber^ whofe root fmll exceed the third ft ftlf by jnft the fir fi^ And it is the hklf of the foHTth. Now the fifth and the fe- . ver^h are tqhal^ the laji and the firfi are .aifv e^kdl^ and make with the fcond as Xn ichas the fixth hath^ which cont^iins jujj: fo^^r more than the third trirPd. Now tdl me^ my Ltrdy how am J called ? The jiafwer was intricate enough to me, yet I left not off fo, but faid, noble and f Hncrtuous Lady, may I not obtain one •only Letter? Tta (faid flie) that //:/ty w^llbedonc. What then (replyed I a- ' gain J may the feventh contain ? It con^ ^^' fins { faid fhe J ^.f ma»y as there are Lords''^^^!^^^^^^^' htre. With this i was content,and eii.ly , found hcr'Name, at which fhc was well ^eddunccr pleafcd, with adurance that much wo^-c c^or.? vir> (hould ycc be revealed to us. Meano'""^^"* time certain Virgins had made them-

Weivcs ready^ and came in with great . 2. juvenos. Cercmony. Firft of all two Youths carrded Lights before them, one of thciA was .of a jocond Countenance, fprighily Eyes and gentile Proportion, ; The other lookt fomething angerly, whatever he would have, rruftbe, as I 4. virgincs. afterwards perceived." After them firft followed four Virgins •, one looked fhame-facedly towards the Earth, very huml)le in Behaviour ^ The fccond alfo was a modefl, balhful Virgin ; The third, as ihe entered the Room fccmcd amazed atfomewhat, and as I under flood, ftie cannot well abide where there is too much Mirth. The fourth brought with her certain fmall wre^ths^ thereby to manifefl her Kindnefs and %, virgines Liberality, After thefe four came two which were fomewhat more glori.- oy fly Apparelled ; they faluteduscourteoufly ^ One of them had a Gown of SMye coulour fpanglcd with goldeu Stars ^ The others was ^rti??, beautifi cd with red and white ftii'pes. On their Heads they had thin flying Tif - /^f^f/,which did mofi: becomingly adorn them. At laft came one alone, who had ^^^i^'"^'^r'^^-onhcr heada Coronn^ bur rather looked up towards Heaven, than toward-^ (9^> Earth. Wc all thought it had beeia the

,^e Bride, but were much rniftaken, ":hough othcrwife in Honour, Riches -id State ftie much furpaficd the Bridt ; theDuteln iind ihc afterwards ruled the whole Wedding* Now on this occafion wc all followed our Virgin, and fell down on oar Knees, howbeit fhe Ihewcd her fclfextream humble, offering every one her hand, and admonifhing us not to be to<y much furprizcd at this,for this was ofte of her fmalleflBountieSjbut to lift up niir Eyes to our Creator, and learn heix- ,,/to acknowledge his Oranipotcncy, and fo proceed in our enterprifcd tcourfc, employing this Grace to the pralfe of God, and the good of Man. In fum, her words were quite diffe- iiZ fromthofe of our Firgin^ whb was fomewhat more worldly. They pierced even through my Bones and Marrow. And thn^ faid fhe further to haft- received more than otherSj fi6 , .^t thou alfo make a Urger return. This 4> me was a very ftrange Sermon ; for isfoon as we faw the Yirgins with the ^ "i^ick, w^e immagined wcmuft pre- ly fall to Dancing, but that time ^' not as yet come. Now the Weights, whereof mention hath been bcfoie^' feKu'ja m^^c, flood ftiU iu the famc placc. locum fu.im. whereforc the Queen (\ yet knew l' thcDutches-whofhewas) commanded each Virgu to take up one, but to our Virgin ihc gave hsr own, which was the laft and greatefi^ and Com mended us to follow behind ;

our Majefly was then fomcwhat,abated,for 1 well obferved that Oviir^ Virgin wab but toogoodfor U5,5fthat wc [ were not io highly reputed as we OaFj felves were alnioffc in part wilUng tQphantlic. So we went behind in oiirA kcgiQihabi- order, and were brought into the firil ' 5*^'?- Chamber, where our Virgin in the firil , theDucches. pj^^^ hangup xh^Qjitcnh weight^during/ which an excellent fpiritual Hymn was i Sung ; there was nothing coftly in this \ Room f^ve only ceit? in curious liti^le^ Fraycr Books which fhould never be : jupeiicx. rnifling. In the mid ft, was ere6tcd a Pulpit, very convenient for Prayer thcD-jtchcs. where in the Qji^en kneeled down, aboi her we were all fain to kneel and pra; after the Virgin,who read out of a Bool^ , That this Wedding might tend to th : Honour of God, and our own benefit. Afterwards we came into the fecond Chamber, where the frft Fi'ginhn:^^

;phtr weight alfo, andfo for ward till dl thcCeremonfes were finifhed. Hcrc^ iipon the ^cfTf again prefented her Hand to every one, and departed i:hencc with her Vifgih. Our Prefi- . , .,, dent ftaied yet a while with us. But diiccdit becaufe it had been already two howrs '"^^^"™- night, fhe would no longer detain us *, ;nc thought fhe Was glad of our Company, yet Ihc bid us good night, and wilhedus quiet reft, and fo departed friendly, although unwillingly from us. Our Pages were well inftrudcd in their Pufrorum •)urinefs, and therefore (hewed every officiuS Man his Chamber, and ftayed alfo with •js in another Pallet, that in cafe wc wanted any thing we might mak? ufe of them. ' My Chamber ^gf tl\e reft I im not able to fpcak) was royally furniili'' ^^j^ris ed with xdiX^Tafi^rits^ and hung about thiamu^/ with Paintings. B-^t above ail things I delighted in my Page, who was fo excellently fpoken, and experienced ia :he Arts^ that he yet fpcnt me another hour,and it was half an hour after three .vhcn firft I fell allsep. And thisindecd v/as the firft night that I flcpt ia quiet, ♦ ind yet a fcurvy Dream would not fuf • fer me to reft ; For 1 was all the night

somnium ^^^^^^^^ With 3 Doo- which 1 could not de^orta get Open, butatlaftl did it. With thcfc phantafies I paflcd the time, till at length towards day I awaked. .Alitor Tiong. T Stilllay in my Bed, and leifurcly ^^t^ X TurYicghcd all the noble Images pcrgcfit. and Figures up and down about my Chamber, during which on a fuddcn I heard the Mu^ck of Coronets, as if tkey had been already in ProcelTion. My Page skipped out of the Bed as if he had been at his wits end, and looked more like one dead than living *, in whht cafe 1 then was, IscaTly immaginablc, for, fa id he. The reft are already frefemedtotheKing i I ki.ew not what elfeto do, but weep ont-right, and Cmfs mv own Po-ithfulncfs ; yet I drcffcd my felf, but my Page was ready loRg before me, and ran out of the Chamber to fee how affairs might yet ftand. But he foon returned, and irought with him this joyful news, that the time: Ihdeed was not yctpaft,^^;^^ only I had OYtr-Jleft nry Ercakfall, they being unwilling to waken me bccaufe of piy Age \ Bucthiatnowit wytimc for hie to go with him to t\\tF$nntAin where the moft p»rt were aflembled j With this Confolation my Spirit returned a- ^gain, wherefore I was foon.r^ady with my Habitj and Went after the Page to ^t TQimuin in the aforc-mcntion<:d Garden, where I found ttfat t\[t Lyon inftcad of his Sword had a pretty large leoius t«* Tablet by hifn. Now Having welP^*' viewed it, I found that it was taken out of the ancient Monuments, arid placed here foiLfomc "efpccial ilonoiir. The Infctrpition was f^pfcwhat worn '

©ut with age, and therefore lam minded to fet it down here, as it is, and give every one leaye %q confider it. ( 9^ ) v-HER-MES PRINCEPS.: • WEDX'eiNA^ S ALUBRIS F actus .^■' • /^'iurket qui a^et: ''^'' V BIBIT£ JiatRES, 'CT VlViTE. cv/^bifiv 48IjI^ , ;. - .scriptura 'f h isV^v iling flight wdH'^bc feadirici ^^"'^''' iinderitood, and may therefore .fitly be here placed, bccaufc cafier than any of the reft : Now after we had firfl wafhed our fclves out of the Fountain, and every Man had taken a draught out pctcj. Qf an intircly Golden Cup, wc were ^oijiccmqi-c again t^^/ollow the Virgin ^Mo'^e'Hall, and "there put on new Apparel, wlilch was all of Cloth of vefti feo/rf^glorionfl/.fet out with Flowers. There was alfo' given to every one arioth^rGolden Fleect^ which was feC about With pretious Stones, and various Workman flilp according to the utmolt skill df each Artificer. Ori it hung a weighty Medal of Gold, v\^hercon Were figured the Sh^i and Moon in oppofition$ but on the other fide flood this Pocfie, The light of the Moon jh all be as the light: of the, Sim^ and the- 4i^ht of the Sun jhaU hefevsntifnes ■lighferthm ^t fi-efent. But c]j'no«^ia. our former Jewels were layed in a little Casket, and committed to one of the Waiter^. After this tlie Virgin lead us out la our ord^r, where the Mufiti- u^dci ans waited ready at the door, all appavilhi'inred Telyet with whitt Guards. After'' iyhich a Door {whvth I never faw Accpff-is open before) t6 the Royal winding- AdaS" Stairs w;^s unlocked; There the Vir- . gin Ted lis together with the MuiickjUp three hnndred fixtji five Stairs, there we faw-not*hing but what was of extrcam coftly and artificial Work'manfliip ; and ftiil the further wfe went, the more glorious Hill was the Furniture, until at length at the top we came under a . G 2 faimd

Liborato- fainted kxz\ whcrc the fixty Virgins t!mT^'o!vir- attended us, all Richly Apparelled 5 gines. jsjow as foon as they had bowed to u$, and we as well as we could, had rer turned bur reverence, our Mufitians were difpatched away, who were faia to go down the winding-Stairs again, the Door being jfhut after them. .After this a little Bell was tolled ; then came in a beautiful Virgin who brought every one a wreath of Laurel *, But ottr vir" lucif.^^^S'^^ ^^^ Branches given them; ' °* ' ' Mean while a Curtain was drawn up ^ Whcrc I faw the King and Q^uecn as V' they fate there in their Majefly,and had not the yefterday Queen fo faithfully warned me, I fhould have forgotten giS^gtr?/.' "^V ^^^^> ^"^^ have equalled thisunfpeak^ able glory to Heaven. For befides that the Room gliftered of mecr Gold and pretious Stones ; xhtQucen^s Robes were moreover fo made, that I was not able to behold them. And whereas 1 before eilecmcd any thing for handfom, here all things fomuch furpalTcd the reft, as the Stars in Heaven are elevated. In the mean time the Virgin fteptin, and fo e3ch of the virgins taking one of us % the hand, with moil profound Rc-

Terence prcfcntcd us to the K'wg ; ^2^nut'^' Whereupon the Virgin began thus to hoipites (peak. Th^tttohdrtour yonr Royal A/4^^^' jeftiesy {m^fi grstious King and QHccn) thefe Lords hen frtfcnt have adventured hither with ferilof Bod^ and Life j yonr A^jcfiics have reafon to rejoyce^ ef^ecia/iy fincc the great efi fart are (jnalified for the inUrging ofyonr Majtfties Efiates and Ern^ pirCj A6 yoK will find the famn hy a mefl gratioHs and particular examination of each of them. Herewith J was defirdm thus to have them in Humility prefented to your Majefties^ with moft- humHe fuit to difcharge me of this my Commijfion^ and mofl gratloujly to takefiijficient informaticn from each of thcm^ concerning both my jiBions and Omijfims, Hereupon fhe laid down her Branch upon the ground. Now it would have been very fitting for one of us to have put in and fpokcn fomewhat on this occafion, but feeing we were all troubled with the falling of J?p^p»'« nc the Viiila^ at length the old Jtloi ftcpt i-^Tdcrc-At5)rward and fpoke on th^King's behalf, las refpooTheir R$yal Majefties ds Tnofigratioufly re- ''^** Joyce at your arrival^ and Trill that their Royd .Grace be ajfuredto ally and every Jlian: And mh thy Adminifiratio'/hgcn" Q ^ ' t'^

tk y^'^g^fU t^^^y ^^^ moft\rAt'mijly fatufed^ & accordingly aRoyfilRcwardjiiall there fort be provided for thec\yet it is (iill their mc»» tiorj^ that thoH Jh^li this day aifo contimig TPith them^ in as 7/1 nch £U they hsve no rcA^ fqntemflrnfi thee, ' Hereupon the Virgin humbly took up the Branch again. And fo vve for this firfl: time were to' ^. . fi:epa(ide with our Virgin. This room LaborTtorij. ^^^^ rquaic on the front, five, timd broader than it v/as-Iong-, but towards the Wcfl it had. a great Arch like a Porch, wherein ftopd iri circle thiec subfleiiia^ glorious Royal Thmes^ja the middleniofl was fomewhac higher than the reft. fsFow in each Throne fate two perforis,^ :. Bex fc^ in tlie firfl fate a very antient i^rV?^ with JuJcr:°"^"^ a gray Beard, yet his Confort was c.t-; traordinary fair and young. In the q. »cx et third Throne fate a black Kiw of mid-, ^^"'" die Age, and by hhn' a dainty old Ma'^^ tfon, not Crowned^' tut' covered with' a Vail. Fut in the middle fate the two ■^ ScM^ics.yoHng Terjcns^ who t ho' they had likewife Wreaths of Laurel upon their Heads, yet over them hniig a large ^nd. coflly Cro7V7. Now 'albeit they were not at irhis time fo fair as I liad befchc i.Tia,7i::ed to-'ray f:U\ yet fo it was ro be.

Behind them on a round Form "fat for^^^JJJ"^- the moft part antkm Men, yet none of* them (at which I wondered) had any. Sword, or other Weapon about him JiCoyaiefNeither fa w I ^ny othef Life-guard, iij^^V^J^;;"'^ but certain Virgins which were. with us tum ? the day before, who fate on tiii^fideis of the Arch.' Here can I not pafs in iilencc how the little Cnpidfi^w to and ragain^^^ i^V"'h> there, but for the moil part he Jiavcr. "^' °' red and played the wanton about; the great Crown ; fomctiraes he feated bimielf in between the two Lovers^ fomewhat fmilingupon them with Jiis Bow. Nay, fometimes he made as if he Avould fhoot one of us ; ' In brief, this Km,vc. was fo full of ■ his waggery^ that hQ would not fpair even the little Bir^s^ which ill multitudes flew up and down Aves, the Room, but tbrmented them all he could. The Virgins alfo had their pa- vlrgines. ilimcs with him, but when foe ver they could catch hiir, it v/asnot fo.c^iie a matter for him to get from thern againi Thus this little Kmve made all the fport and mirth. Before the Queen supeiiex ... ftood a fmall, but unexpreffibly curious Aula uStar;': ' wherin lay a Bo^k covered with i. boS. black •^'e/ycf, only a little overrilayed G 4 AyIc!

with Gold ; by this flood a fmall Ja- «. Taper, per in an Ivory C^rtdlefiUfif now air though it vftrcvcTYfm^fiy yetitburnl, contimally^ and flood in that manner, that had not Cufid^ in Tport, now and^ then puffed upon it, we could not have i.Sphacrf. conceivcd it tobeFire. By thisftood a Sphere or Cckftial Globe, which of 4.;watcb. it$ felf turned elearly a^bbut. Next this, a f^all ftriking- Watch, by that ?. KttTc a little ChriHal Pipe or Syphon- FomtAW^ out of which perpetually ran a clear ilood-red Liquor *, and lall of all a Scully or De4th^s'Head ^ ' in this was a vhite serpect. Strjcpit^ which was of fuch a length,thac though fbe crept circle- wife about the reft of it^yct her Taile flill remained in one 6f the Eye-holes, until her Head again entered at the other, fo fhe never flirred from her Scull , uniefs it happened that' C//^i<i twitched a little at her, for then (he flipt in fo fuddenly, that we all could not choofe but mairvcl at it : Together with this yf/Mr,therc' were up and down the Room wondcr- r:n3£ioc5. jfyj Images, which moved thcmfelves, as if they had been alive, and had foflrange a contrivance, that it would be impofliblc for me to relate it all -,

ykewifc aswc were paffing oat, there began fuch a marvellous kind of Tocal M«rick, that I could not certainly tell/^'^ whether it were performed by the Virgins who yet flayed behind, or by the Images themfclves. Now we being for this tireie facisfied, went thence with ex laboStoour Virgins, who, thcMufitians being ^^^o. already prefent, led us down the winding Stairs again, but the Door was diligently locked and bolted. As fooa as vvc were come again into the Hall;' one of the Virgins began : / wonder^ Sffier, that ygii diirfl adventure your felf 4mo77gfi [9 many FerfoKs : My Stfitr^ rcplyed our Pfcfldent, I am fear fd of none vIrgJacsjo;. jQ muehas ef thts Mart:, pointmgat me^ nioAutoris. This fpeech went to the Heart of me : For I well undcrftood that fh€ mocked at my y^^e^ and indeed I was the oldefl of them all . Yet fne comforted me again wich promife, That in cafe I behaved niy fclf vVell towards her, (he Would caHly ^rid me of this burden. Mean time a Collation was again convivjurti^ brought in, 2nd every one's virgin ^^^''S'""*^ feated by him, who well knew how .tofhorten the time with handfom difcouifcs : But what thcii' difcourfes

3ermones ^^ fports T vcre 1 darc not blab out of * conviv4ies. School. But moft of thcqueftions vverd^*- about the Arts, whereby I could light-' ly gather that both young and old were converfant in the Sciences. Butflill it run in my thoughts hovv I might become young again, whereupon I was Autor fomcvvhat the faddcr ^ This the Vir- ' Marfti.s Ob gin perceived, and therefore began, F ™' dare lay t^ny things if I lye with him to ntght^ hejhall be fkafant'Cr in the morn^ irg. Hereupon they began to laugh,^* and albeit 1 blufhed all over, yet 1 was fain to laugh too at my own ill-luck. iariulIT °' Now there was one there that had a- sxcipit a niind to return my difgrace again upon '^°^^''^* the Virgin^ whereupon he fi^d, / ho^e mt Qtily irf, hm the Virgiru too them- fehes rcill hear wit nefs in behalf of mr Socio. Brother^ that our Lady Trifidi nt hath fromfed herfelf to be his Bed-felhw to Ntght : Ifkould be well content with />, replycd the Virgin, if J had r^et reafon to be afraid of thefe my Sifers^ there would be no hold with ' ■' formyfdf^ agawft tketrwilL ■ ^1y Sifter

prefcntly began rtnother, ir> fii'dhere- by that thy high Of ice makes thee not frond '^ wherefore tf by thy^ermijfiOf? we might by Idt^M't the Lords here frefent:^"A7Korgflu4^^ for Btd-fellox0Sj thou \ljOHldfl with ourgood^ mil have ' Jilqh n Prtroga.the\ We let* ' this pa Is thus for a J'caft, alid'b^an a-, gain to difcourfc together. '. But pur . virgin could not leave tormenting tis, rfrid therefore bcean asain'-^y Z/ordfj'^"^j*^* , r' c ' n 1 i ^ ' % r , . ' e;e<ftio ur.a- liow tj we Jhoula permit iQiirtuneta decide dormientiM i^hich of Its miifl lie together to Night f ,' Well, (aid J ^ if ir may be no otherTjvife, we cannot refufe fuch a proffer. Now bccanfe it was concluded to make this tryal after Meat, y re refolved to fit no longer a't Table, fo we arofe, and each one walked up and down with his Virgin. Nay^ faid the Virgin, It fhdllnot be foyety bnt let hs fee how Fortune will co^iple Its y upon which we were fcparated afunder .-But now firfl firofe a difpnte-hovr the bulinefs fh^ali &e carried, but this was orlv a premeditated device,for theVirgin inftantl'y^ made the propofal th^t we ihould mix oar fclves together in a Ring, -md that (he beginning to count from her felf, the f event h J was to br content .with the following ftvaith^ whether it were a^ Virgin, or man ; for our pirts we. ?S'cic not aware of anyc^raft, and

therefore permitted it fo to be ; but when we thought wc had Tcry wcli mingled ourselves, the Virgins neverthelefs were fo fubti^ that each one knew her ftation before-hand : The yirgin began to reckon, the feventh next her was again a Virgin, the third feventh a Virgin likewife, and this hapned fo long till (to our amazement) all the Vtrgihs came forth, and n^ne of us was hit; Thus wc poor pittiful Wretches remained ftanding alone, and were mpreover forced to fuffer ©ur felves to be je/irf i too, and confcfswe were very handforaly cou^^^ncd. In fhort, who ever had fecn us in our order, might fooner have expedcd the Skyeto fall, then that it fhould never have come to our turn. Herewith our l|)ort was at an end, and we were fain to fatisfie our felves with the Virgins Waggery. In the interm, the little wanton Cupd came alfo in unto us v Butbecaufehe prefentcd himfelfonbeA Health half of their Royal Majefties, and delivered us a Health (as from them) out of a golden Cup, and was to call our Virgins to the King, withal declaring he could at this time tarry no longer with them, wc could not fufEciei>tly fport our fclvcswith Jiin^- So with a due return of our molt humble thanks wclct him flyc forth again. Nowbeciufc (in thclntermj the mirth begai^ to fall into my Confort's Feet, and the Virgins w^re nothing forry to fee it, a merry they quickly lead up a civil Dance, "^^"^ whom I rather ^eheld with pleafpre, fchcn alTifled.

For my Mercurialifts were fo ready with their Pofturcs> as if they had been long of the Trade. After fomc few Dances, our prcfident ^^l^ll^l^ came in a-gain, ,and told ils how thcavirgiac Artiils and Students had offered them* fomL^o*' felves to their Royal Majefties, for their Honour and Plcafbre, before their departure to ad a Merry Comedy t, arS'if we thought good to be prefent at it, and to waiteupon their Royal Majefbies to the Houfc of the Sun, it would be acceptable to them, and they would luoft gratioufly acknowledge it : Hereupon in the firit place we returned our mod humble thanks for the Honour Youchfafed us, hot onlyfd, butmore^. over moft fubmiffively tendered oili* foiall fervice, which the Virgin related again, and prefcatly brought word to

^attend their Royal Ma jefljesXin our order) in the Gallery, whither we were foon led, and ftaid not long there ; rrocenus for the Royal ProGelTion was jult rcady^ fr^^i'^A yet without any Mufick at aH. The - com*diam.unknown Q]iecn, , wno was Yeiterday with us,went (ovcmoi^^^mth 2. fmall and coflly Coronet, apparr^lled in white Sattin, fhc. carried nothin'g but a fmall ;Grucifix wi&^icii was made of", a Pearl, and this very .day wrought between the young Kiag^a'ndhis* Bride,': After her • ^;;>:Vh jwent the'iix fore-m^ntr6ncd Virgins iri - *tr^'''v '' i^o^ raiik's',,' who carriect . th;e King'$ Jfewels helonging to thc,iittle Altar i ' '"" ' next ..^o'tfieije j'came tli^ three Kings; ^^he :!6fid^^ro6m was ih the midfl of ttenv la.r.aVplain drcfs, only in bUck "S/^rm/^ifjter.tJi.ejtaiian Mode. He had OR a fmallrbnM^blaCk^Hat^W.ith a little i)Jack' p'oint^d Feather, Which' he' cbiirjteobfly puj; of to U^, th«2re;by' to fignifie his favour; to wards us. .^To him we Jbowcd bur' f^yes,a§ alfo ro;tKe fir ft, a5 .we had been before.inllrtift'e.d. Aifter the Kings came the three Qii^ens, two' .whcrcpf were' richly habited, only Ihe in the middi^ werit likeWifeall mbla.k, and Cupid held up her' Train ; after ihis: intimation Was given to us. to fol^b lowy and after us the Virgins^ till at lad old jit las brought up the rean In iiich., Proceffion, through many Ilately >^aiksy we at length came to thcf Houfe of the S/^«, therenfext totjheKingand jQueeJij upon a-yichiy furnilhed Scaffold, V^^^^^^ tQ behold the foi:e-ordained Comedy :