The arte of English poesie Contriued into three bookes: the first of poets and poesie, the second of proportion, the third of ornament.

The Roundell or Spheare.

The most excellent of all the figures Geometrical is the round for his many perfections. First because he is euen & smooth, with∣out any angle, or interruption, most voluble and apt to turne, and to continue motion, which is the author of life: he conteyneth in him the commodious description of euery other figure, & for his ample capacitie doth resemble the world or vniuers, & for his in∣definitenesse hauing no speciall place of beginning nor end, bea∣reth a similitude with God and eternitie. This figure hath three principall partes in his nature and vse much considerable: the cir∣cle, the beame, and the center. The circle is his largest compasse or circumference: the center is his middle and indiuisible point: the beame is a line stretching directly from the circle to the center, & contrariwise from the center to the circle. By this description our maker may fashion his meetre in Roundel, either with the circum∣ference, and that is circlewise, or from the circūference, that is, like a beame, or by the circumference, and that is ouerthwart and dya∣metrally from one side of the circle to the other.

A generall resemblance of the Roundell to God, the world and the Queene.

All and whole, and euer, and one, Single, simple, eche where, alone, These be counted as Clerkes can tell, True properties, of the Roundell. His still turning by consequence And change, doe breede both life and sence. Time, measure of stirre and rest, Is also by his course exprest. How swift the circle stirre aboue, His center point doeth neuer moue: All things that euer were or be, Are closde in his concauitie. And though he be, still turnde and tost, No roome there wants nor none is lost. The Roundell hath no bonch or angle, Which may his course stay or entangle. The furthest part of all his spheare,

Is equally both farre and neare. So doth none other figure fare Where natures chattels closed are: And beyond his wide compasse, There is no body nor no place, Nor any wit that comprehends, Where it begins, or where it ends: And therefore all men doe agree, That it purports eternitie. God aboue the heauens so hie Is this Roundell, in world the skie, Vpon earth she, who beares the bell Of maydes and Queenes, is this Roundell: All and whole and euer alone, Single, sans peere, simple, and one.

A speciall and particular resemblance of her Maiestie to the Roundell.

FIrst her authoritie regall Is the circle compassing all: The dominion great and large Which God hath geuen to her charge: Within which most spatious bound She enuirons her people round, Retaining them by oth and liegeance. Within the pale of true obeysance: Holding imparked as it were, Her people like to heards of deere. Sitting among them in the middes Where she allowes and bannes and bids In what fashion she list and when, The seruices of all her men. Out of her breast as from an eye, Issue the rayes incessantly Of her iustice, bountie and might Spreading abroad their beames so bright, And reflect not, till they attaine

The fardest part of her domaine. And makes eche subiect clearely see, What he is bounden for to be To God his Prince and common wealth, His neighbour, kinred and to himselfe. The same centre and middle pricke, Whereto our deedes are drest so thicke, From all the parts and outmost side Of her Monarchie large and wide, Also fro whence reflect these rayes, Twentie hundred maner of wayes Where her will is them to conuey Within the circle of her suruey. So is the Queene of Briton ground, Beame, circle, center of all my round.