CHAP. II.

THE foundation of this most magnificent Pallace, with the Parke and Garden to∣gether, was quadran∣gle, and contained in length, sixe hundred, twentie fiue fadomes, and in breadth, three hundred, three score and fifteene: allowing sixe foote to the 〈◊〉, the foote to consist of twelue inches, and euery inch sixe Barlie comes in length, walled about with a high wall of black-marble, with Dorick Co∣lomnes Page  [unnumbered] of white-marble. At the front of this foundation, was plan∣ted the Pallace, which had in his square, an hundred, fortie and one fadomes, and at the foure corners, was exalted foure huge Towers, one of Azure stone; the second of Iris or Opall-stone; the third of Chrisolite; and the fourth of Ias∣per; which had in the Diameter of their circumference, eight fa∣domes, two foote, and three inches. In each of them was two Cham∣bers, foure warderobes, and as ma∣ny Cabinets: comprehending in these, the Defended Chamber, which was in the Tower of Azure∣stone.

Now, in regard it was the most excellent of the rest, I will describe the singularities thereof seuerally to you. It was wainscotted about with vnicornes horne, fashioned like to the feete of Lampes, fret∣tized with Lignum, Aloes, Balme and Cedar, all wrought in antique engrauerie with fine gold, thickly embellished with enamelled flou∣rets. The pauement was of Chri∣solite, carued in loue knots, enrich∣ed with Corall and Cipres, cut in little scales, and fastened with threds of gold. The doore and window worke was of Ebonie, en∣chased with siluer mouldes, and the glasse all Christall. All the chinks and crannies of the Warderobes and Cabinets, were stuffed with Agats, cut in Lozenges, wherein (euen as it were naturally) infinit figures of all kinde of creatures were plainely to be seene. In the roofe of this Chamber hung two Lampes of gold, at the bottomes whereof were enchased two Car∣buncles, which gaue so bright a solendour round about the roome, that there was no neede of any o∣ther light.

But all this riches was of slender value, in regard of a Mirrour or Looking-glasse of white Saphire, the onely orientall that euer was seene, which had three feete in square, standing vpon a plate of gold, so bordered and garnished with great Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies and Pearles, as neuer was seene a thing more to be admired. Betweene those foure Towers, whereof I haue told you, were sea∣ted foure faire great Halls, all of equall largenesse, the worke being throughout of Porphirie-stone, with Dorick pillers, contayning thirtie foote in height, fixed vpon bases of brasse, couered with Cha∣peans of gold, vnder Architranes of Porseline, vpon which were Fri∣zes of Iuorie, with diuers deuises in all languages: and aboue those Frizes, were Cornishes of Topaze, enriched with Turkesses. Directly facing the portall of this Pallace, had Apolidon formerly placed those Perrons, whereof we haue spoken in the first and second Bookes, and next to them, the Arke of loyall Louers, as already you had heard.

Passing on further, you should enter into a very goodly Court, contayning three and fiftie fa∣domes in square, Orthogonally cornered by iust leuell of line, be∣ing paued with Iasper-stone, wrought in workes after the Mosa•∣call manner: vnder which was a dungeon in the middle square, be∣ing one & fiftie fadoms & an halfe in depth, and in the midst thereof was a double vice, for letting down and mounting againe, contayning nine fadomes. In the Diameter round about were foure other sumptuous Halls, of twentie fa∣domes in height, deuided by o∣ther Towers, of no lesse beautie then the former. The winding Page  6 staires conducting to them, were of guilded copper, made in the forme of a lanterne, retained by bowing pillers, and sustained with Atticque Collomnes of Craterite∣stone (very hard to cut) after the an∣cient manner, and the mounting of these staires met not together, nei∣ther by line Orthogonall, or Am∣bligonall in angle.

This dungeon had foure stages or roomes vpon one platforme, wherein were sixteene great lodg∣ings, and in the midst rose vp the gyring staire, and foure Pauillions, beside the foure Towers wee spake of before, which with the said Pa∣uillions, surmounted the platforme of two stages vnder couerture. Now, to tell you whereof this dun∣geon was made, you must vnder∣stand, that the first stage was of Chalcidonie-stone, enriched with Dorick collomnes of very white Alablaster, with mouldes and ap∣purtenances answereable to the others height. The second stage or roome, was of greene Marble, brought from Alexandria, enrich∣ed with Ionick collomnes of fiue Topas, mouldings, heads, bases and seatings like to the other. The third stage was of red Marble, with speckled Corinthian collomnes of Iuorie. And the fourth was of Ia∣cinthe, with Proesme Tuscane col∣lomnes of Emerald.

Easily might these repeated plat∣formes beseene, vnder which were the foure stages, paued with Poise∣line, as also those of the foure Pa∣uillions, and all the rest surmoun∣ting the chiefe plat formes, made of wood of Cypres, Codar and Cethin, which cannot be toucht by any corruption, couered with mo∣ther of Pearle, and the rest of them with glasse of fine transparant steele, knit together with fillets of gold. All the portalls of the Pal∣lace were of pure Alablaster, wrought in the forme of damaske worke, with mouldings, tympaines and frontissons of Amber, and Ver∣million Agath: whereon were cu∣riously engrauen in antique shapes (euidently to bee knowne) many battailes and redoubted seruices, as well of the Greekes and Romans, as of the Gaules: and vnderneath them, the Images of Prapus Mars and Apollo, with those other of Venus, Ceres and Miaerua of the best pollished white marble that euer was seene. And Apolidon caused the moulding workes and portalls, to be expressely made of Diamonds, to the end, that as they were opened, they might shut a∣gaine of themselues, euen by the meere vertue of that stone. The Pauillions and Towers were seue∣rally garnished, with sixe and fifty Chambers, foure-score Warde∣robes, and as many double Cabi∣nets, the best guilded and adorned that possibly might be.

Passing through this second Court, entrance was into a Gar∣den, where, according to the de∣scribed measure of the buildings quarter, it was naturally planted withall kindes of sluores and good hearbes that could be desired. In the midst thereof stood a goodly fountaine, the water issuing from the two dugges of a Venus, mode of Agath (mounted on a great piller of Emerald proesme) and falling into an huge Basen of Azure stone. This Image was so ingeniously cut and shaped, as nothing but speech wanted: because the Agath did so truely agree and come neere to nature, as Venus (in her 〈…〉) was not more beautifull. Shee held in her right hand (somewhat higher aduanced then the other) Page  7 the selfe same golden Apple, which Paris adiudged to her, when he was made the arbi rator for the three gaddesses in Ida Forrest, whereon followed that vnfortunate warre, betweene the Greekes and the Troy∣ans. This Apple was afterward stolne from Venus by Iuno through the meanes of iealous Vulcane, and then in following time (going from hand to hand) happened to Apolidon, who found it among the vnualuable treasures of the King his father: with the Pearle (other∣wise tearmed the Vnton) which Cle∣opatra long time had in her posses∣sion, after the had quaft off the o∣ther in the company of Marke An∣thonie. And this Peasle also hung at the left care of the same God∣desse, and was so ordered by Arte; as it could by no meanes be taken away, till the faire creature that en∣tred the Defended Chamber, had drunke of the water of that cleere Fountaine. And then the Image would present the Pearle and Ap∣ple to her, as worthie to haue the chiefest honour for perfect beauty.

In her other eare hung the Ring of Pyrrhus, wherein was an Agate enchased, whereon (by most woun∣derfull admiration, and varietie of nature) the nine Muses were figu∣red according to life, with Apollo holding his Harpe: whereof Pes∣pasian made so high account, that he esteemed 〈◊〉 I well 〈…〉 whereof we haue formerly 〈…〉 was enclosed with double Ga•e∣ries, of tenne sad•… and an halfe in breadth supported with Arches and great D•… and 〈◊〉∣ca•e collomnes, or Ca•… and Amust, thirty foote in height. At two corners, which directly con∣fronted the Patke, they had winne in building, a Chamber, a Warde∣robe and a Cabinet double staged. The nether part or floore of these Galleries, was painted (by most exquisite Painters) with all the se∣uerall kindes of hunting and fow∣ling: for there might be discerned (to the life) what delight Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen take, being so assembled together, sitting or lying on the fresh greene hearbes, to heare the Huntsmans pleasing report, who soone after might be seene, seeking all about with his hound in a line, questyning after the stricken Hart. And by the countenance of the man, he seem∣ed to winde his horne a long while, to giue notice, that he had found the fall of the deare.

Beside, in embossing or moulded workes, were the other hounds to be seene, that gaue report of his defeature, or death, with the horse-men galloping after them, mainly on the bridle, with their Bugles at their mouthes (and swolne bigge cheekes) appearing so pleasing to the eye, as it almost gaue euident perswasion, that the ayre made re∣uerberation of the noise, euen as if it had beene performed indeed. But aboue all, what is he, that would not be extraordinarily delighted, beholding the Stagge in the full honour of his head, running strong∣ly, breaking through the brakes and bushes, crossing one the lands, hol∣ding his head aloft, and his tongue their 〈◊〉, laboriously to winne the neerest water: while the hounds are at defcult, by the Deares diuer∣sitie of leapes, shifts and other escapes? All which yet is nothing, to see him forced from the soile, and compelled to the bay when the hounds swiftly running, hang vp∣on his haunches, loudly proclay∣ming his death, and then haue their Page  8 reward for their labour.

A little further off, was the hun∣ting of the wilde Boare or Swine, whom the Lime-hound had for∣ced to forsake the bushes, and dri∣uen to passe along by Grey-hoūds; whereupon, the beast being fierce and furious, at the winding of the hornes, ran among the hounds and hunters, grunting, snoring and ouerthrowing whatsoeuer he met withall. And that which was worst of all, with his long and sharpe Tushes, he bit and kilde the boldest Grey hounds that durst encounter him, notwithstanding the best contriued Iacks, made for defence of their bodies. But the Huntsmen, being quick and ready, making at him with their Boare∣speares, and wounding him deepe∣ly, layde him all along. Then, be∣ing able to contend no longer with the hounds, flocking round about him, some tugging him by the coddes, others by the eares and thighes, would neuer cease vntill he was dead. Assuredly, it would require much length of time, to describe (in due order) the seuerall kindes of hunting, and the like sportes, painted all along this plea∣sant Gallerie. And the Painter deserued no meane commendati∣on, for the extraordinarie excellen∣cie of his worke: especially, his ad∣mirable perspectiue, in the descrip∣tion of Hawking, which was figu∣red meerely to the life. Among others, the flight at the Heron, fol∣lowed by three Sacres toward the mountaines, where she soared so high, as shee might be discerned within the clouds. Then sudden∣ly she began to discend, and being fiercely pursued, fell downe to the ground, where the hounds were ready to receiue her.

If these paintings affoorded such pleasing contentment, much more then did they in the higher Galle∣rie, where was figured the most part of the battailes betweene Semira∣mis and Ninus; the ouerthrow of Astiages by the Persians; the death of Marchesia, Queene of the Ama∣zones, in the Country of Asia; the discomfiture of Cyrus by Queene Thomiris; the assaults of Hercules against Androgeus and Otreus; the flight of Vexores, King of Egypt, assailed by the Scythians, and infi∣nite other fights, well descruing e∣ternall memorie. The pauements of these Galleries were thus singu∣larly beautified, being of Iarecote, blacker then any Moore, and the seeling formed in Oualls, made of Zedrosus, the bone of a fish, which the Kings of Arabia hold in high esteeme. The walls were of pure siluer, wrought with curious An∣tiques, and enammelled beasts: the gutters and water passages of Ala∣blaster, extending long out frō the walls, betweene arteficiall Crosse∣lets, enriched with golden leaues, and other workes cut after damas∣king manner. The doores and windowes (in their wood worke) were of Ebonie, and the glasse wholly of bastard Diamond.

Going from hence, they entred into the Parke, contayning three hundred Acres of woods, enuiro∣ned and planted with Pines, Ci∣pres trees, Laurells, Holmes, Palmes and Terebinthine trees. Therein were diuers delectable and pleasant Arbours, appearing, as if Nature had contended with her owne skill, not onely to make them singular, but admirable also: for there were an infinite number of Orenge trees, Date trees, Citron trees, and Myrtle trees, all iustly planted by the line, with other the very sweetest fruitages, that pos∣sibly Page  9 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 Page  10 from heauen: yeelding such a bright splendour day and night (without diminishing) that for the space of an hundred miles, round in compasse, the Mariners made their resort thither, as they did to Pharos neere Alexandria.

This flaming Rod, Apolidon had gotten (by great industrie) from the Priests and Magitians of Chal∣dea: And whosoeuer could looke on this vnextinguishable fire, in his true nature, and without couering in this manner, hee should attaine to most mighty prouidence. But the Serpents kept the place very strongly, without doing any harm, to them that tooke delight in the Parke: prouided, that they presu∣med not to enter the Dedalus, for then they would belch forth such fire and flames, as was able to daunt the boldest spirit. And all this was thus ordained by Apolidon who was (as you haue formerly heard) one of the very greatest Enchan∣ters in all the world: yet, when the matchlesse beautie, entring into the Defended Chamber, should come neere to this Colossus, the Enchantments must cease, and easi∣lie might this admired fire bee looked on.

Now, gentle Readers, consider seriously with your selues, if the like Pallace can now a dayes bee easily found, accompanied with such plentie of singularities, as Oriana saw there? To proceed on now in our Historie, the Ladies and Gentlewomen being brought to their seueral lodgings: the Knights of the Enclosed Isle departed from them, committing them to their good rest, because (in deed) it was somewhat late. Neuerthelesse, the Princesse Oriana (all that night) could not sleepe, partly through wearinesse on the Sea, and partly by her fearefull conceite, of harme that might ensue to Amadis, vpon this bold and hardie aduenture, which gaue her some reason to fore-thinke, of an intestine warre betweene him and King Lisuart. And now she beganne to consider with her selfe, that to palliate the earnest affection betweene them, there was necessarily required: that she should gouerne her selfe much more discreetly, then formerly she had done to kill all occasion of ill conceiuing of her.

Hereupon, the next morning, shee sent to Amadis and the other Knights, requesting to haue a little conference with them, and they, who desired nothing more, then to serue and honour her: came im∣mediatly vpon her commande, and after courtesies past on either side, Quedragant, who had charge from the whole companie, to vnderstand her will, said. Madame, as we are enfourmed, you haue sent to speake with vs, let vs know what you will please to command vs? In good faith Sir, answered the Princesse, commaunds are no matters for mee, especially to them, in whose power I am as a prisoner, you may speake your pleasure. Madame, quoth hee, but there is not a man among vs, who is not willing to do you any seruice. Oriana returned him many thankes, and then repli∣ed thus. Let mee entreate you then to bee so pleased, that during the time of my residing in this place, my women and I may be se∣uered from all other company, and also to promise vs, that none of you (whosoeuer it bee) may come to see vs, without our leaue and permission: for you well know, that the surprizall you haue made of vs, and of the Emperours people, be∣ing once divulged abroade, it will Page  11 be hard, to comprehend the end of your intention, and our innocence, but speeches may passe to disad∣uantage. But when they shall heare the religion, wherein we de∣sire to liue, till such time as the King my father recall mee into his good opinion: I am perswaded, that easilie they will conuert their harsh language, into honest excu∣ses for vs all, who (together) make this request so reasonable to you wherein (we hope) you will yeeld vs no de•…ll, being the first that e∣uer we made to you.

M•…, answered Quedragant, we are h•… to •o other end, but to obey you, and beleeue, that in this, and all things else you shall please to commande vs, no one of vs dare or will gainesay you. Euery man among them affirmed as much, allowing highly of her wis∣dome and prouidence. And al∣beit Amadis imagined this their se∣peration a little too rigorous (ha∣uing no other felicity in the world, then to be in her presence) yet he was feigne to dissemble it: being a matter so reasonable, and for the conseruation of her honour, whom he affected as his life. Ho∣ping notwithandsting, that though the day time denied him such an happinesse, yet the night would blesse him somewhat better, al∣beit not so often as hee could wish it.