DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52829#0259
177
trees and flowers, at each end one; the garden plot under that, with fair allies, green
by grass, even voided from the borders aboth sides, and some (for change) with
sand, not light, or too soft or soily by dust, but smooth and firm, pleasant to walk
on, as a sea shore when the water is availd : then, much gracified by due proportion
of four even quarters : in the midst of each, upon a base, a two foot square, and
high, seemly bordered of itself, a square pilaster, rising pyramidally, of a fifteen
foot high : simmetrically pierced through from a foot beneath, until a two foot of
the top : whereupon, for a capital, an orb of ten inches thick : every of these, (witli
his base), from the ground to the top, of one whole piece; hewn out of hard
porphery, and with great art and heed, (thinks me), thither conveyed, and there
erected. Where, further also, by great cast and cost, the sweetness of savour on all
sides, made so respirant from the redolent plants and fragrant herbs and flowers, in
form, in colour, and quantity, so deliciously variant; and fruit trees bedecked with
apples, pears, and ripe cherries.
“ And unto these, in the midst, against the terrace, a square cage, sumptuous and
beautiful, joined hard to the north wall, (that a that side gards the garden, as the garden
the castle), of a rare form and excellency, was raised, in height a twenty foot, thirty
long, and fourteen broad. From the ground, strong and close, reared breast high,
whereat a soil of a fair moulding was couched all about: from that upward, four
great windows a-front, and two at each end, every one five foot wide, as many more
even above them, divided on all parts by a transome and atchitrave, so likewise
ranging about the cage. Each window arched in the top, and parted from other, in
even distance, by flat fair bolted columns, all in form and beauty like, that supported a
comely cornish, couched all along upon the bole square; which, with wire net, finely
knit, of mashes six square, an inch wide, (as it were for a flat roof), and, likewise the
space of every window with great cunning and comeliness, even and tight was all
over strained. Under the cornish again, every part beautified with great diamonds,
emeralds, rubies, and sapphires; pointed, tabled, rok and round ; garnished with
their gold, by skilful head and hand, and by toil and pencil so lively expressed, as it
mought be marvel and pleasure to consider how near excellency of art could approach
unto perfection of nature.
Holes were there also, and caverns, in orderly distance and fashion, voided
into the wall, as well for heat, for coolness, for' roost a nights, and refuge in weather,
as also for breeding when time is. More, fair, even, and fresh holly-trees, for
pearching and proining, set within, toward each end one.
Hereto, their diversity of meats, their fine several vessels for their water, and
sundry grains; and a man, skilful and diligent, to look to them, and tend them.
But (shall I tell you) the silver sounded lute, without the sweet touch of hand;
the glorious golden cup, without the fresh fragrant wine ; or the rich ring with
A A
trees and flowers, at each end one; the garden plot under that, with fair allies, green
by grass, even voided from the borders aboth sides, and some (for change) with
sand, not light, or too soft or soily by dust, but smooth and firm, pleasant to walk
on, as a sea shore when the water is availd : then, much gracified by due proportion
of four even quarters : in the midst of each, upon a base, a two foot square, and
high, seemly bordered of itself, a square pilaster, rising pyramidally, of a fifteen
foot high : simmetrically pierced through from a foot beneath, until a two foot of
the top : whereupon, for a capital, an orb of ten inches thick : every of these, (witli
his base), from the ground to the top, of one whole piece; hewn out of hard
porphery, and with great art and heed, (thinks me), thither conveyed, and there
erected. Where, further also, by great cast and cost, the sweetness of savour on all
sides, made so respirant from the redolent plants and fragrant herbs and flowers, in
form, in colour, and quantity, so deliciously variant; and fruit trees bedecked with
apples, pears, and ripe cherries.
“ And unto these, in the midst, against the terrace, a square cage, sumptuous and
beautiful, joined hard to the north wall, (that a that side gards the garden, as the garden
the castle), of a rare form and excellency, was raised, in height a twenty foot, thirty
long, and fourteen broad. From the ground, strong and close, reared breast high,
whereat a soil of a fair moulding was couched all about: from that upward, four
great windows a-front, and two at each end, every one five foot wide, as many more
even above them, divided on all parts by a transome and atchitrave, so likewise
ranging about the cage. Each window arched in the top, and parted from other, in
even distance, by flat fair bolted columns, all in form and beauty like, that supported a
comely cornish, couched all along upon the bole square; which, with wire net, finely
knit, of mashes six square, an inch wide, (as it were for a flat roof), and, likewise the
space of every window with great cunning and comeliness, even and tight was all
over strained. Under the cornish again, every part beautified with great diamonds,
emeralds, rubies, and sapphires; pointed, tabled, rok and round ; garnished with
their gold, by skilful head and hand, and by toil and pencil so lively expressed, as it
mought be marvel and pleasure to consider how near excellency of art could approach
unto perfection of nature.
Holes were there also, and caverns, in orderly distance and fashion, voided
into the wall, as well for heat, for coolness, for' roost a nights, and refuge in weather,
as also for breeding when time is. More, fair, even, and fresh holly-trees, for
pearching and proining, set within, toward each end one.
Hereto, their diversity of meats, their fine several vessels for their water, and
sundry grains; and a man, skilful and diligent, to look to them, and tend them.
But (shall I tell you) the silver sounded lute, without the sweet touch of hand;
the glorious golden cup, without the fresh fragrant wine ; or the rich ring with
A A