in the world could be wished for. On the other side was a mea∣dow, watered by a great many little Riuers, by meanes whereof, the ground brought forth store of de∣lectable hearbes, with Violets, Dai∣sies, Paunsies, and other most odo∣rifferous floures.
Yearely, in the month of May, came the Phoenix (as a Gardiner) thither, and for the amenitie of the place, tooke such pleasure to be there: that there she cast her fea∣thers, so soone as Apolidon had per∣fected the enchantments of his Pallace, which was most ssumptu∣ous and magnificent. Where∣fore, causing her feathers to be dil∣ligently gathered, he made them vp in a ••••nne, with a rich diamond in the ••••dst and of such largenesse, that it easilie serued for a looking-glasse, annexed with the very goodliest Emerauld, and the grea∣test Rubie, that euer had beene seene. And Apolidon appointed (when he departed thence for Con∣stantinople) that this precious Fanne, should be kept among the other singularities of the Isle, as the most excellent thing of all other: wherefore Amadis presented it to Oriana, on the same day when she landed there.
And to the end, that this pleasant place might continue embellished, with all things that possibly could bee had: Apolidon lest there two Vnicornes, which the Prince of Quinsay had sent him, and there they liued so long, that King Lis∣uart found them there, after the mariage was sollemnized, between the Princesse Oriana and Amadis. Moreouer, there were many Ci∣uet and Maske-cattes, which made the ayre so extraordinarily sweete, as nothing could bee therewith compared: and sometimes the Pellicane also made her sent there. Great store of other worthy crea∣tures liued there also, as Harts, Hindes, Roes, Goates, Hares, Connies &c. withall diuersitie of Birdes and Fowles, as it was won∣derfull to heare the varietie of their noates, especially the Nightingale, and the solitarie Owsell, affecting alwaies to be alone.
From forth of a nere neighbou∣ring high Rocke, descended a great water, which filled the Lake, whereof you haue heard i•• the second Booke, where the Hart lost his life, narrowly pursued by the hounds, as hath beene already rela∣ted. And thither vsually resorted the Beuer to bathe himselfe, with an infinite number of Swannes, Cignets, Cranes, Storkes, Cormo∣rants, Heronnes, with a plentifull store of all other Birdes. But all these made not this Lake so singu∣lar, as the frequent resort of a Mare∣maide, which was heard there (were neere) continually singing, as neuer was heard more delecta∣ble hermony. From this Lake is∣sued many Riuers and Currents, which made diuers little Islands in this Meadow. In one of them was a Dedalus or Labyrinth, contay∣ning onely foure Acres in square, planted with the most precious Balme, that euer grew in Engadia. And it was continually kept by two Serpents, bred of his kinde, that watcht the golden Apples in the Garden of Hesperides day and night.
Directly in the midst of this De∣dalus, was a Colossus of guilded Brasse, contayning the height of sixe score Cubites, holding in his left hand (raised vp on his head) a Lanterne of Christall, and in it, the rod yet burning, wherewith Pro∣metheus kept the fire which he stole