summarize the plot of this novel
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Summary of the Plot of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili
Hypnerotomachia Poliphili ("The Strife of Love in a Dream") is a deeply allegorical and dreamlike Renaissance novel, first published in 1499 and translated into English in the 16th century. It follows the protagonist Poliphilo through an elaborate dream-journey in his quest for union with his beloved, Polia. The novel is celebrated for its ornate language, architectural descriptions, and surreal narrative that blends classical mythology, dream logic, and Neoplatonic love philosophy.
1. The Dream Begins:
Poliphilo, the narrator, falls asleep in sorrow after being rejected by his beloved Polia. In his dream, he awakens in a wild forest filled with confusion and dread. As he searches for a way out, he embarks on a journey through mysterious landscapes, ruins, and symbolically charged environments.
2. The Forest and the Beast:
He encounters mythical threats and loses his way in the dense and dark forest. Eventually, he escapes and reaches a tranquil meadow. His path leads him to a river where he hears a divine, enchanting harmony. This initiates his pursuit of the sound, leading him deeper into strange and magical realms.
3. The Architectural Wonders:
The dreamscape gradually shifts to a series of magnificent ruins, temples, and monuments. Poliphilo describes these in obsessive detail, showing a fascination with ancient architecture and symbolism. He interprets the structures as bearing esoteric meaning, blending his appreciation for classical beauty with emotional longing.
4. Mythic Encounters and Trials:
Throughout his journey, Poliphilo encounters symbolic figures—nymphs, goddesses, monsters, and allegorical entities—each representing aspects of desire, chastity, reason, or spiritual ascent. He is often tested or temporarily halted by these trials, but his devotion to Polia drives him forward.
5. Reunion with Polia:
After navigating a fantastical and symbolic ritual landscape (including processions, sacrifices, and allegorical pageants), Poliphilo is finally reunited with Polia. She recounts her own awakening to love and devotion for him. They celebrate their union through a series of ceremonial rites in a temple dedicated to love.
6. The Ending:
Just as their union seems complete, Poliphilo abruptly wakes up. The dream ends, leaving the resolution ambiguous—was it all a spiritual lesson, or a cruel denial of fulfillment?
The book resists conventional narrative structure, favoring a sensuous, encyclopedic, and symbolic experience over linear storytelling. It is both a love story and an initiatory quest for transcendence, intended to dazzle the imagination while instructing the soul.
Explain how he interprets the structures as containing esoteric meaning
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"how Poliphilo interprets structures as containing esoteric meaning",
"allegorical meaning of architecture in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili",
"symbolic meaning of temples and ruins in Hypnerotomachia",
"Poliphilo architectural symbolism",
"esoteric interpretation of buildings and monuments in Hypnerotomachia"
]
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beguile
the time withthefe conceits,
anothomifing in them,the vanitie ofthis life, and
vncertaintie of the
delights therof, in the Dreame
ofPolipbilM;
Which ifit (hall plea/e your Honor
atconuenientleyfureto looke ouer, pardoning
what you findeamifle , and weighingmy good
will, I (hall thinkemy felfe moft happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntillthat
I may prefent your Honour, with a matter more
fitting
the fame.
Tour Honors dcuoted.
. V.
A nonymi elegia ad Lee
Andide Poliphilum narrantemfomnia Leflor
aufculteSy fammofornnia miffa po/o,
Non oferamferdeSy
non b<c
audifiepigelit,
tarn vwijs mirum reliMalundatotu*.
Sigrauis Qf tetricus contemnis erotica^ rerum
nofcc frccor feriem tarn bene
difpofitam.
s ? acfaltemftylus qy noua
lingua nov
iS) fofbia9fc rogat afpiciof.
geometrica cernc vetufta
^lurima
miUiacls difce referta
not is.
Hicfant Pyramides, therm*jngentefy Cohfi,
ac Olelifcorumforma vetuftayatet.
Hie diuerfa bafisfulget, varitfque
columns
illarumfy
arcirt
y Zofbora, cfiflilia,
Et
capita at^ trabes, et cum
quadrante corona
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
rable
r.iblc Symmetric and proportion of the building 5 perfect and
ablolute, the noblcncs of the Art of Mafonric and Lapycida-
rie, the directions and placing of Columnes, the perfection of
frames and reprefentations ,
the adornment ofthcwalles,the
diusriltie oft he (tones, the (lately entrance & princely porch,
large Gallery , artificious pauements, no man will thinke with
whatcoft and charge bewtificd and hanged with precious Ar
ras andVerdure. 1 he fpacious and loftie inner Court, goodly
bedchambers,mner withdrawing chambers, parlours , bathes,
hbrarie and pinacloth, where c oat Armors cfcuchions ,painted
tables,and counterfeates offtrangcrs were kept , with a ma-
leihcalcomelmesand order placed and folcmnely distributed.
In which concerning capacitie , tnaruellous performance,
incredible charge and high commendation of the moft excel
lent Artificer, \voor;hily allowed in eueric partition and ele-
*a~t conuention ofexquifitc Lineaments.I alfo beheld a mar-
uciloustwiftedconlignationorcoueringofgold-fmithswork,
ouer afourefcjuareplaineCourt, growing vp alike , without
comparifon like a hcaucn,with a dilpofite diftancc ofmany for-
tcdproportionSjWithfundry lybellated Dimen(ions,fhadow-
ingoucrthc Court, with an ArchedEmmence,which was vn-
dcr, adorned withcoromfed Lyneaments andgrauings,thcre-
unto conuenient,as Fafheols, Gululles 3
and Quailing, and the
leaues of^cbaatlna , licking vp as it were in the corners of the
quadrangulcd Court. With Rofcs and thegrowing order of
their leaues, the top leate lead, their laggings about the leaues,
and fpace betweene 1 cafeand leafe. All thinges coucred with
purcnnegold and Azurccolour, with diuers other proporti
ons and counterfeits of fubfbnce,ecmal with their workcman-
jhip.
The roofing of Salanccs King of CoUbis, may not com
pare with this.
Then the delightful fruitfulnes of the fet hedges, Orchards,
watered Gardens , fpnn^in^ Foumames , current flrearnes in
Marble Channelles , conteincd , framed, and held in , with an
incredible Art
> grcene Hearbcs, iliil frefhc and flowering,
a fweete ayre, warme and fpring windes , with a confufcd
charme of(ingingand chirping birdes >
a pure, fairc and bright
aire,aiid Ihl continuing temperate and hcalthfull , couutry free
R fiora
TbtfrrifeofLoue
ting in fuch fort(that is two parts chamfered, & the third round)
as 1 thought was this : the frame or temple was dedicated to both
fexeSjthatisjtoa^odandagoddciTe,
or to the mother and the
fon, or to the husband and the wife, orthe father andthedaugh-
ter,and fuch like . And therefore the expert and cunm:ig worke-
men in elder timcfor the feminine fex
, did vfe more chartering
and channelling and double varietic then for the mafculme, be
caufe cftheir flippeiy and vnccnfrant nature.
The caufeof io much rebatuig was to fhewth.it this was the
temple ofagoddeite, for
chamfering doothfetfoorththeplytcs
offeminine apparcll, vpon the which they p accd d chapter with
prepcndent fo
}
ding , lijce vnto plyted and curled hair ?
,
and fcnn-
nine dre/Tin.r , and fometirncs in flcad ofa chapter a wom.ins head
withctifpedhaire.
Thotcs and Thefe notable and fairc Colhimnes aforefoide did rife vp in
Cymbies be length vpon their vnderfet bafes of brafTe with their Thores and
the outward Qw ^/>/Vvroughtwithafoliatureotoke Jeaues and acornes win-
K^nr din^about their chapters ibndino; Vpon their fubiecl Plynrhs.
chapreior rfi r r i iT r i
he ad of a pil-
* he Chapters of the lame tubitance oftheir bafesjwrth requi-
Jar flicking Utemeeteaiid conuenient proportion aunfwerable to thchar-
outfurthc r rnonieof the whole worKe Such as CAli.macktu the chicfecaruer
than the rnl-
to^/^^ t ]ic fo]}nc of luster did neutr performe or come
and turning
neere in theereclcd fepulcherofthe Corinthian Virgin, beautifi-
kijwrought cd with draperie ofdouble Acbauthis.
with leaues, The Piynthes whereon the chapters did ILnid wrought with
theworkcis
vvindins; and turning workes, andinthemiddefl, decoraledwith
calJedorcar- r -n L L i /i i c r\
ucrs&pain.
aLiUic^thebowlcgarni!ncdwith twarowesor via. leaues ofA-
ters draperie chanthus,aftcrthc Roimineand Corinthian maner,out ofwhich
and cekde, Icaues came liule (iaall italkes , doling together iu the raiddeft
of
ina Dreamt. It
ofthe boulc,fhcwingfoortba fayrcand fwect compofcd Lyllic
in the hollowing ofthe Abac or PJynth, from the which the ten
der ftalkes did turnc round together, vnder the compare of the
fqunre Abac , much after the woorkc that Agrifta caufed to bee
madc,in the porche ofhis woonderfull Pantheon.
H a And
The ftrife of Letts
AndlettinojpaiTc to fpcakc of the mfolcntgrcatncs ofthe Pi-
ramides ofMemphis , thofe writers at large would hauc bcr.tc
themfefucs to this defcription* And leaning vnrerortcd, the fa
mous Theaters,Amphithcaters 3Bathes,and building facrcdand
prophane, carnages , of waters, and coloffes, and that of Ap-
pollinetranflatedbyL/of/// . Or the temple dedicated to
Ittpi-
ter by Claudius CV/2r.Or that of Lrfrppus at Tarenm7n,or the won
der ofCarchndiuszt theRhodes,andofXenodorus in France 3andin
Roome. And the coloflc of Seratus nine cubits longeof Smarage
or Emerattldes, or the famous Labyrinth ofEgypt . Or the
reprc-
fcntacion ofHercules at Tyre.
They wouldehauc accommodated their fwectc{tyle$,tothc
commendation heard of as aboue all other moft excellent , al
though the Obcliftof lupiter, compact of fbwer fruftes , fortic
Cubits high, fower Cubits broade , and two Cubits thick , in his
delub cr within the temple dooth manrfeft it felfc to bea wonder-
full miracle*
Vnfaciable thus cafhngmine eyes, and turning vp my counte
nancenow this way& now that way, towards this huge ck mighty
frame, I thus thought with my felfeJfthe fragments andremayn-
der offo facredan antiquitic, and if thegreetandduftoffucha
decayed monument , can breed a {lupifaftion in the admiration
thereof, and caufe fo great delyghtto
behould the fame , what
would it haue done in chiefeft pride.
After this my difcour/eing,reafon perfwaded meeto fuppofe,
tfat with in mi^ht bee the Aultar ofVenus for hir mifticill Sacrifi
ces and facred names , or the reprefemation of hir Godhead , or
the ^phrodtfe of hir felfe and hir little Archer, and therefore
A bird offlow
w^h a deuoute rcuerence,my right footebeeing fctvpponthe
flight & Jong halowed lymit ofthe doore, there came towards me flying
a white
liumg.moM Horix*
monuments g llt \ fodainlyc with out any furtherregard or curious forcafte
byAuguis u jlic j]rn y fearchinsreieswentinas thefpatiousand lisJitfomeen-
dedicated to J & r rL/-i^ i
Saturnc. && a ue mc leauc
> repreicntuig vnto me lucn lights as merit , and
are Condigne of euerlaftingeremembramKe ,
in ether fydes (til
led with fmotb poollifliede Marble, in the middle parte where of
tliere was
iiijpa<fte
thereof, and caufe fo great delyghtto
behould the fame , what
would it haue done in chiefeft pride.
After this my difcour/eing,reafon perfwaded meeto fuppofe,
tfat with in mi^ht bee the Aultar ofVenus for hir mifticill Sacrifi
ces and facred names , or the reprefemation of hir Godhead , or
the ^phrodtfe of hir felfe and hir little Archer, and therefore
A bird offlow
w^h a deuoute rcuerence,my right footebeeing fctvpponthe
flight & Jong halowed lymit ofthe doore, there came towards me flying
a white
liumg.moM Horix*
monuments g llt \ fodainlyc with out any furtherregard or curious forcafte
byAuguis u jlic j]rn y fearchinsreieswentinas thefpatiousand lisJitfomeen-
dedicated to J & r rL/-i^ i
Saturnc. && a ue mc leauc
> repreicntuig vnto me lucn lights as merit , and
are Condigne of euerlaftingeremembramKe ,
in ether fydes (til
led with fmotb poollifliede Marble, in the middle parte where of
tliere was
iiijpa<fte
a rounde table, inclanftredeandcompafTede
aboutvMthagi-eeneStoiiiK vcryepretious and accordinghe afo-
fciated
in 4 Dretnte.
fcociated with curious workcmanlhip. And the oppofite ofve-
rie blackeflone , (corning and contemning the hardnesof iron,
and cieare an d fhimng as a mirror. By meanes whereofas 1 pafTed
bv(vnawares) Igrewafraydatmy owne fhadoWj neuerthelesl
was by an by comforted with vnexfpefted delight, for thcplacc
tliatoccafionedmy difcjuiet nowc offered vnto methcgrounde
of allfciences, hiftoned in a vifiblemanifcfl and experce pain-
ring.
And on either fides vnder the fame beautiful! and moft no
ble tables, there were placed all a long feates offtone. 1 hepauc-
ment neat and cleajie from duft, being made ofOftractu.
Andfoinhke manner the coloured vpper feeling
was pure Oftracnsbc
and voydof Spiders and Cobwebs, byreafon ofthe contnmall poundedfnels
frefhayrebothentrineinand^oin^out.
mixed with
T-I r i- r T. 11 r r j J limc.wheicot
The feeling of the walles as aforefaydc , mounted vpto a piaiftcr is
thebendyngoFthe Arche from the Chapters which flood vp- made to floor
on their ftrift and vpright Antes euen to the vttermofl: ende withall,
of the entric, which was by my perlpeftwe iudgcmeut twelue
paces.
From which perpolyte ligature and faftned ioyntcs, the
was of leaues,grafTe,and flowers offilke, like a faire fweere med-
dowe : in the midft wliereofjthere was a large
and goodly round
Arbour ,
made with golde wyer ,
and ouerfpread with rofes of
the lyke woike, more beautifull to the cye,then ifthey had been
growing rofcsvnder which couering.and within which Arbour
about the fides,werc feates ofred Diafpre,& all the round pauc-
raet ofa yellow Diafpre,according to the largenes
ofthe place,
with
in a dreamt. 7 o
with dyucrs colloured fpottings , confufcdly agreeing together
in plcafant adulterated vniting, and fo clecre and fhining,that to
euery obieft was it felfegainc reprefented. Vnder the which
Arbour , the fayre and pleafant The/nut* , folacioufly fitting
downe, tooke her Lute which Hie carryed with her, and wifh a
hcauenly melodie and vn-hearde fweetcneiTe, fhe began to (ing
in the commendation and delighfes of her Queene. And fee
ing what a grace vnto her, the company of her frllowe Lcgiftic*
was, I maruailcd why cxfpolio came not to hnrken the Harmonic
made by them : it was fo melodious , that for the prefcnt tyme a
man woulde haue thought that there had becne no greater fz-
licitie. And after that fhce ended her diuinc Poems, Logifltca
tookemeby the hande and led mefoorth of the Arbour,(aying
vnto me.
Pokphilus, thou /halt vnderftande that the deuife of thefc
obiccls, arc more plcafant to bee vnderfloode then beheldc, and
therefore lettc vs enter in heere , to bee fansfied in both.
And from thence , (hce and her companion brought mec
from thys garden to an other, where 1 behelde an arching <-x/-
reoftile,from the ground bent to the toppe, fyue paces in height
and three ouer, and thus continued rounde about the compaflc
ofthe garden, in an orderly and requisite proportioning, all in-
ucfted and couered ouer with greenc yuie , fo that no part ofthc
wall was to be feene. And there were a hundred Arches to the
compaflmgofthis garden.
By cuery ofthe Arches,was an Aulter of red Porphirite,cu-
rioufly proportioned with exquiflte lyneaments ;
and vppon c-
ucry one of them was placed, an image ofgolde ,
like a Nymph,
ofrare and beautifull femblances, diuerfly apparelled, and vary
ing in theyr attyre and heade drefling , euery one bending their
eyes towards the Center of the garden.
In which middle Centricke place, there was founded a Bafe,
of a cleerc Chriftal-like Calcedonie flone , in a Cubic forme:
in ft Dreamt* 24
j% v^^^^A^^^-^f^^ S . TN>-^, > r7?i?^V m ^ J^ <- * r-X,
VSNs^i^I^V^S^i"
> V-^^^-^^-^S^HL >^^<k .">C-^ >S5S25=
3?f?^^
The ftriff of Lout
It muft ncedcs fallow , that all the reft ofthe afbrcfaide court
on euery fide was beautiftillto behold, and of llately workenun.
fhip by that winch ftill remained (landing : as in the inward parte
the naues and columnes carrieng and bearing vp an immefurable
andtnonftrous weight, and Corinthiesof alelTerfort, a diuinc
and vnfcnowen work abounding in variety ofperfeftions as pro
portion required andneedfullncs diddefire tobeare vpthe bur
then that was laide vppon them. Their ornatureand decking with
woorkes,and deuifes imitating theapparreling ofprincely bodies
indewetl as it were with an artificiall reafon For as to a
large big
and corpulent body (trong legges,and broad feete,are neceuane to
beare nnd carry the fame: fo in a modulate and well compofed buil
ding,to fuflaine great weights,Naues are appointed , and for beau-
tie,columnes,Corinthies,andilendcr lonices ,arefetvpon them.
And this whole woorke cuen after fuch forte as was requifite for
the harmonic thereof, euen fo it flood in an approoued excel-
lencie.
With diuerlitie of coulers, (wcetlyc let , and aptlye difpofed,
the reflexion ofone beautifing another, and all together making
agratious obie&.O(P0rpfyrit >Opbit,Nitmi{it4nt A/abaftrit t Pyroyc-
cti)LacedrmoniaBgceene,an<{
white marble, dmerilie watered, and
ofj4ndrafmev4it\i white fpottes,and many others ofilrange forts
and diucrs commixtures.
I found oncrare forme ofa bafe, in fafhion like a cufhion vpon
the plynthc whereor flood two trochils or torrules, with an inter*
pofitionofHypotraclcs or fhaftes,and A(lragals,witha fupreamc
Thore.
Diuers places
were hidden and coucred ouer with winding,
feltedand fprcding Iuie,full ofblack bemcs,andgreenefoft leaues
heareand theregrowing vp,and hindering
theinwardeobieftof
the auncient worke ,with other Murall and wall weeds comming
out ofthe chinkes andclifrs,as the bell ffowered Foxgloue.Venui
Nauill,& Erogennet,offomccalledLoue, to whome he is grate-
chyard comming out from the walles as a feate for thefe a-
forefaydc garden pottcs and trees to flande vppon, was
fubcoromzed with golde by excellent lyneamentes wrought
and adorned. The vppcr face whereof, and whereuppon
thofe pottes and trees did ftande, was couered with aplay-
flcr of glafle gilte, and a curious hiftorographie to be feene
in the lame, and compailed about and holdcn in with wye-
ring and netting ofgolde.
The
The wall that compadedabout the Orchyardwithacon-
uenient diftance
, was bellycd out with columncs ofthe lame
matter, and inuefted with flowring bindings naturally propor
tioned, and hcere and there were quadrangulatccommnes of
golde chamfered, arching from one to an other, witharequi-
litc bcame Zophor and coronice, with a iiieece and conucment
proieftuae oucr the chapter ofglafTe vppon the round.
The fubfiance ofwhich fubicftproieclure of the bryttlc
imtter, was of counterfayte diafper diucrfly coloured and
fliinmg.Which bryttlc fubltance had fome void fpace betwixt
that and the other*
Themouthofthe arches were (lopped with rombycs of
clearcglafleinfbrmeof atryangle, and the pypcs beautified
all ouer with an Encauftick painting, verie grttious to the fight
ofthe beholder.
Theground was here and there couered with great round
ballcsofglafTelykegunneftoncs, and other fine proportions
muchpleafing, with a mutuall confent vnmooueable lykc
pcarles (hining without any adulteration byfolyaturc. From
the flowers did breath a fweet fragrancie by fomc clcare walh-
ing with oyle for that purpofe.
There moftcunmngly did Logtftic* lykc an Orator make
a difcourfe in commendation
phyfically
of that excellent
confection of thcnoblenes of the tubftaunce , fecrccieof the
art , and ftraungcnes
of the inuention , The like is not to bee
found*
And after fhee fayde, Po/ipbi/tv
lettc vs goc and afcende vp
this mount nexte the Garden , and Thckmia remayning at the
ftayrefoote, wee afcended vp to the plaync toppe. Where
fhcefiicwedvntonicc, with a heauenly eloquence, a Garden
of alargcrompafle,
made in the forme of an intricate Labo-
rynthallyes and wayes ,
not to bee trodcn , but fayled about,
fbrinftcadeorallyes to trcade vppcn, there were ryuers of
water.
The which myfticall place
wa<: ofaveric Jultie mould and
fruitrull, replenifhed
with all forts of fruits, beautified with
G 3 perfefti-
The flrifi of Lone
perfc&ion ofthcyr beauties, with an artificial! performance of
vvorkmanlhip inthe vndertaken proportions , that they rather Tee
med the fubRanees theinfelues thena Lythoglyph anlmagene, ei-
t ^iei^^^ett4t^^1AS or Lyfypw* neyther did
dnagtipts to Ar-
iruc s and temifa the Queenc of Catria
y Scaphef, Brityis , Timotbeusa
Ltoctris
rauers. and Tkew , come any thing near c for the workemanftup h:ereof
feemed to excell the cunning ot any humaine Lapicidarie , caruer,
grauer,or cutter whatfoeuer.
Aboue this forefayde Triangle,and vnder the vpper coronice
inafmoothplainc werethcfe two Attic wordes in capiull Let
ters, 102 AinoxioN.
This confpitious porche
and gate, moft woorthyeto bebc-
hcldc,thus rfoodeofamaruelouscoinpolition, excellently dif-
pofedIflhadnotexplanedthe commodulation and harraoaie
ncereofparticalarly,Imight hauebeene blamed for myprohxi-
tie and tedioulhcrfe,and ror
wanting
offit words in the difcnpti-
on And thus for this time hcereot fo much.
Itrauft
in ft Dreamt* 24
j% v^^^^A^^^-^f^^ S . TN>-^, > r7?i?^V m ^ J^ <- * r-X,
VSNs^i^I^V^S^i"
> V-^^^-^^-^S^HL >^^<k .">C-^ >S5S25=
3?f?^^
The ftriff of Lout
It muft ncedcs fallow , that all the reft ofthe afbrcfaide court
on euery fide was beautiftillto behold, and of llately workenun.
fhip by that winch ftill remained (landing : as in the inward parte
the naues and columnes carrieng and bearing vp an immefurable
andtnonftrous weight, and Corinthiesof alelTerfort, a diuinc
and vnfcnowen work abounding in variety ofperfeftions as pro
portion required andneedfullncs diddefire tobeare vpthe bur
then that was laide vppon them. Their ornatureand decking with
woorkes,and deuifes imitating theapparreling ofprincely bodies
indewetl as it were with an artificiall reafon For as to a
large big
and corpulent body (trong legges,and broad feete,are neceuane to
beare nnd carry the fame: fo in a modulate and well compofed buil
ding,to fuflaine great weights,Naues are appointed , and for beau-
]ye examinedjand perfectly corr.poicd ,which will manireftthe
skillof theworkeman, and thefame afterwardes to adorncand
beaurifiejwliich adiunfts is an eaHc matter.\\ herein is alib to be
cojifideredjthe dew ordering and placingofcuery thing,and not
tofetacrownc vponthe feetc3bi?tvponthe head, and iooua ing
and (ienrku-ating.and other cuttings offundrye forts in their fe-
ueralland bedfitfingpLices, thecJiiefeinue/Jtionanddifpofing
vvliereofjicflerh in the rare and cunning architc^but the labour
and woorking therofto the vulgar and common fort ofmmna-
liils and feruants to the architect,who ifhe will do well , he m
in no wife be fubieft to auarice,
And befldes his skilhcmufl be hone{T,nopratlcr full of words,
butcourieous,gcntlejbejnng 5tradable,patient,mcry &: pleaiant,
full ofnew deuiics,a curious fearcher into all artes
>
and well adui-
fcd in his procecduig ;leail w ith rjflmes he comit a fault or abfur-
ditie
ffj a "Drctme.
clitic in his workc ,and hccrcofthus much fhall fuffice.
that Poliphylus had at Urge made a dcmonftrationofthedew
prepartton ofthe Gate 3 heeproceedethto defcrtbe the ornaments
thereofjtndtheir excellence.
Hauingbcenefomewhat prolix and tedi
ous in my former purpofe , it may be that
it hath bred fome orTencc,to fuch as dayly
indeuour to occupic theyr fences in tiic
pleafaunt difcourfes of loue . But it vvyll
alfoproouenowhit difpleafant,if witha
lyttle patience , they refirainc to glutte
themfelues with the walowilh fweetnes
of deceyueable delightes , and trye the tafteofa contraryc
vyand.
And for as much as the affections ofmen are naturally variable
and different one from an other :vpon this occafion I may bee
cxcufed. For although that bread fometime denyed and kept
bac ke from the hungrie body,may caufe a hard conceir,yet when
it is eftfocnesorTeredvntohimjtnemalhceis forgotten , and the
gift very gratefully receyued.
Now e hauing in fome forte fpokeaof the right vfe ofarchi-
teclune, and the direct waye and meanes by order and rule, to
fmdeout,thefetdowncdcuife,andfolyde bodyeor groundeof
the\voorke,withfacibtre that becing found out,thearchitcftor
may vfe fundrye deuifions in diuerfe pcrfeclions,not vnlike vnto
uery ones aclions, and helping whom hec will helpe. And be-
caufe that it will be tedious to tell thee all, let thus much heereof
fuffife. Let vs goe downe to our copanion Thelemw, who de
manding the caufe why they flaid fo long aboue, Logtjhca made
aunfwcr, it dotli not content our PohphtlHs, onely to behold,but
alfo to vnderlland by me the fecrecie of thcfe things, which ha
could not goe to knowe, wherein I haue fatif-fied him, And
when Ihe had ended, Tbelemta faid.
T Let
Theftrifc of Lone
Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no IcfTe plea-
fant ioyning to the glalTe garden , vppon the right fide of
the Pallas : and when wee were come in thither ,
1 way a-
inazcd with cxcefllue wondering ,
to fee the cunoufnefie of
the worke
,
as vneafie to report as vncredtble to beleeue:
arcjuiuolcnt with that of glaiTe , wyth lyke difpofition of
benches or bankes
, theyr lyppes fet out with coronifingand
golden ground work*, and iuch trees , but that the boxes
and Cyprus trees, were all filke,fauingthe bodies and grea
ter branches, or the ftrength of the armes : the reft , as the
leaues , flowers , and outermoft rynde , was of fine (like,
wanting no (lore of Pearlcs to beaut ifie the fame : and the
peife&fine collour, fvnellmg as the gla(Te flowers beforennenti-
oned,and alike, but that they about compaffing walles^of mcr-
uailous and incredible fumpteoufneiTe , were all couered o-
uer with a crufting of Pearle , clofe ioyned and fet toge
ther : and towardes the toppe, there fprouted out greenc
yuie, the leaues thickningandbufhing out from the Pearles,
vvith the ftringes and veines of golde, running vppe in di-
uers places betwixt the Pearles ,
in a moft rare and curious
(brt , as if it had beene very growing yuie >
with berries of
precious (tones fette in the ftalkes in little bunches: and in
the bu flies were Ringe-doues of filkc, as if they had becnc
feeding of the berries, all along the (ides of the fquare plot
ted garden walles : ouer the which , in rnafrer-like and re-
quifite
order , ftretched out the beamc and Zophor ofgolde.
The plaine fmotb of the fettles , where-vpon the boxc
trees (loode, couered ouer with Hiftories of loue and venc-
rie , ia a workc of filke and threddes of golde and filuer, in
that ir. the open ayre there was a fowrefquare court of thirtrepa-
c cs by his Dumetcr, paucd withpuje fine marble, poynted footc
fquare,wrought checker wife of diuers fusions , and fundnc bell
titling
coulours : butjn many places , by meases of the ruine of
tlieaiiJKKUtwalkeandoldep.u
>
]cr$,brokeii inpecces and oucr-
ex-
Anainttevtmoirpartesofthe aforefaide court , to the right Acolumnc
haiadjandthekft.LOAardsthemountaines^thcre was two frraight
confiftechof
rowes ofpillars, with a fpace betwixt for the interieft Areoftde^ j^
the quantities of both columnes required, thefirflcourfeoror- h LO(j.
der ofLetting the pyllars, beginning on both fides equall to the Ailrngalus
Lyrr.bus or extreamepartotthefronteof thcporche, the 1 pace
tlutib ihc
betwixt py liars and pillars xv 4 paces * Of which colluinnes or
jbl
.
ecto lhe
..
rj
r *. capiccll next
great pillarsjlome and the greateit pane or number were whole. ^ co]umnc.
With their capitels or heads , wrought with a wauediliell workc, Hypocrachc-
andcyllene or drapene,their corners bearing out and inanulated licihcfliafc
or turned in like a curled locke of hayre ,
or the vpper head of a ?
f
bafe Viall aboue the pinnes, which ftraine the ftringes of the in- An(j Hypo-
Hrument to a muficall concord: with their fubiecl: A(tragals,wri- thcfisythat is
thingandhangingheere and there, making the capitall thnfcfo the footc
big as the bottom thereofofthe columne,wherevpon was placed
^ncreon the
the Epiftile or ftreight beame,thc greatefl part decayed, and ma- ft^deth e:
nycolumnes widowed and depnuedof their Capitels , buryed cccdingthe
in ruine both Aflragals and fliafts of the columnes and their ba- bigncs of
fesorfeete. thc columnc.
Faftioyning to which order or fetrowesofpillars, theregrew
ould plamc trees ,wyldeOliues,Pme apple, and pricking bram-
bles.l coniectured that it was made for to ride horfes in , to trot
and gallop 3
the i
ing,to manage, carrcic,and coruet in,or els fomc
open gallerie,coueredclofeoucr head, vnderpropt withpillers,
andofalargewidcjiefletowalkedriein^andtotakcatemperaie
ayre m 3
not too fubtile.
prepartton ofthe Gate 3 heeproceedethto defcrtbe the ornaments
thereofjtndtheir excellence.
Hauingbcenefomewhat prolix and tedi
ous in my former purpofe , it may be that
it hath bred fome orTencc,to fuch as dayly
indeuour to occupic theyr fences in tiic
pleafaunt difcourfes of loue . But it vvyll
alfoproouenowhit difpleafant,if witha
lyttle patience , they refirainc to glutte
themfelues with the walowilh fweetnes
of deceyueable delightes , and trye the tafteofa contraryc
vyand.
And for as much as the affections ofmen are naturally variable
and different one from an other :vpon this occafion I may bee
cxcufed. For although that bread fometime denyed and kept
bac ke from the hungrie body,may caufe a hard conceir,yet when
it is eftfocnesorTeredvntohimjtnemalhceis forgotten , and the
gift very gratefully receyued.
Now e hauing in fome forte fpokeaof the right vfe ofarchi-
teclune, and the direct waye and meanes by order and rule, to
fmdeout,thefetdowncdcuife,andfolyde bodyeor groundeof
the\voorke,withfacibtre that becing found out,thearchitcftor
may vfe fundrye deuifions in diuerfe pcrfeclions,not vnlike vnto
a cunning Alufit ion. who h^uinc; deuifed his plaine Bromide inO _ O X O
right meafure ,
with full ftrokes, afterwarde wyll proportion
the fame into deuiiions , by cromatycoll and delyghtfull minims
crotchets,and cjuaucrSjCurioiuTy reporting vpon his plaine fong.
Euen fo after inuention, the principall and ipeciall rule, for an
Architcctorisa quadrature, the fame cleuidcd into fmalcsthe
harmonic and fweere confent of the building, fettethfoorthit
felfe,and the conuenient admncles , agreeable to theyr prin-
cipall.
In all which this porthc was mofl excellent , both for the rare
inucntionandwoonderfullcompofitionthereof,andtheil:rango
additions to beautifie the fame ,
in fuch forte fo exquyhte3 r
fo
The ftrife of Loue
fo fitly placed, and focuriouliie cutand ingrauen, as the fin illcfl
partthereofcould not bee accufedofanycfault,but the woork-
man commended tor the perfection ot his skill.
Firft vpon my right handebelowe , I beheld a
ftilypode or
fquareitone , like an aulter vnder the bafes of the columnes,
which hailingvpon the vpperparte a conuenient and meet coro-
nice,and accordinglyimbowed, the bottoms and lowed part in
like manner was falhioned,fo as the quadrate and aforefayd fti-
fent aftion, but thatmy Poli* was not tliere to the fuppliment of
myfelicitie, and to haiie been the fixtperfonm the making vp of
aperfeftnumber*
Further, I foundmy felfeagrieued, that my apparel was not
conformable to this delicious confort, but grovving into fome
hou/holdfamiliaritie,Id]fpofedmyfelftobeaftablevvitluhem,
and they with mee, til at kit wee came to the place.
Thercl behcidsamai-ueilousbmldyngof abathc eight
iquarej and at eucrye Exterior corner , there were dou
bled together twoo Pyles , in fafhion of a Pyke ,
from
the Ipuell ofthe foundation, thc-fubieft Areobates Circumcinft
and ribbed about. And after them followed the vtmoft of
like bbnes , from the ground of the other , with their chapters
fctvn^er theftreightbeame,
withaborderaboue,vnderaCo-
tomcc going round about.Which borderwas beautified with ex
cellent caruedworke^flitle naked children parting
welfet forth,
and
eqal>y
dilUnt oac from an other, with their handw imricate-
40
ly tyed and wrapped about, and in them holding little bundels of
fmal grccne boughcs. inftrophiated togither. And abouc the (aid
Coronice, did mount vp (by an elegant arching an eight fquarc
Spyer , iinitatingthcfubie<ft Which from corner to corner was
cut through withamarueilous workemanfhipof athoufand fun-
ibiefafliions ,
and clofedagaine with Quarrels of Chriftal, which
a farre ofI did take to bee Leade. Vpojuhe top ofwhich arched
Spyer was placed a Trygon, and from the vpper center thereof,
did afcend vp a
ftrong ftealc, wherinto was royned aii other fteale
whkhewas turned about, and to the fame was fattened a wyng,
which with euerieblaft ofwinde tarried about, the piping (tea le
which had vpon the lop thereofa ball, whereupon ftoodanaked
Boy, ftreight vpon his right foote, and tke left holden out. His
head was hollow to his mouth like a Tunnd, with the Orifice eu>
cuated to his mouth, to the which wajfowdercd a Tromper,with
his left hand holding the Lanquct to his mouth , & his right hand
extending towardcs-the middle loynt, iuft oucrthepinyonofit
the wing or hnc. Al which was ofthinnebrafle, excellentlywe 1
oft and gui r. Whichwing,.ball, andboyc, with his cheekes and
countenance as if hee were founding, with the hinder part of his
liead euacunnted towardes the bluftring winde, as that blew,fo he
founded , and as the winde caufeda ftrangenoyfe amongthe rods
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
I he difcription ofthe morning.
j
Hathoureas PAce^w ( 4 ) ifTuing foorth, did
bewtific withbri2;htneiTc the forhead of Lett-o
cetbea(f>^,and appearing out of the Occean
waues, not full/ fhewinghis turning wheeles,
that had beene hungvp,butfpecdily with his
fwih horfes Pyrou* Scd7W,haftning his courfe,
andgimng a tinftureto the Spiders webbes,
ainon2;rhe grccneleaues
and tender prickles ofthe Vermilion
Roles" in the purfuite whereof he lTiewedhimfelfemofl:fwift&
"littering,
now vpontheneuerreftmgand fhlJ mooning waues,
hecryfped vp his irradientlieyres.
Vpponwhofe vprifing ,euen at that indant, the vnhorned
Moone difir.ountedhir icife, lofine from hir Chariot hir two
I,orfes,theone white and the other browne, and drewc to the
Hotrifon(^ different from the Hemifphere (<r)
from whence
flic came.
And when as the mountaines and htlles were beautifull, and
the northeaft winds had left of to make barraine with the Iharp-
neilc of their blnfb, the tender fprigsto difquiec the nioouuig
B rccdcs,
(a)Phzbus
the Sunnc,
b) Leucothea
the morning.
(c)Pyr&Eo,
the horfes of
ibiefafliions ,
and clofedagaine with Quarrels of Chriftal, which
a farre ofI did take to bee Leade. Vpojuhe top ofwhich arched
Spyer was placed a Trygon, and from the vpper center thereof,
did afcend vp a
ftrong ftealc, wherinto was royned aii other fteale
whkhewas turned about, and to the fame was fattened a wyng,
which with euerieblaft ofwinde tarried about, the piping (tea le
which had vpon the lop thereofa ball, whereupon ftoodanaked
Boy, ftreight vpon his right foote, and tke left holden out. His
head was hollow to his mouth like a Tunnd, with the Orifice eu>
cuated to his mouth, to the which wajfowdercd a Tromper,with
his left hand holding the Lanquct to his mouth , & his right hand
extending towardcs-the middle loynt, iuft oucrthepinyonofit
the wing or hnc. Al which was ofthinnebrafle, excellentlywe 1
oft and gui r. Whichwing,.ball, andboyc, with his cheekes and
countenance as if hee were founding, with the hinder part of his
liead euacunnted towardes the bluftring winde, as that blew,fo he
founded , and as the winde caufeda ftrangenoyfe amongthe rods
ofSihquts ofEgjpt , euen fo did it heare in the Trumpet. Vppon
which caufc I menly. thought
to myfelfe, that a manbemgalone
in an vnknowne place and outof quiet,may cafiiicbwafnghtcd
with fuch liKe ftrange noyfcs.
In
The frife of Lout
In that part oF the
building that was on
the other fide of the
Nimphvvasthe entc-
raunce into the bathe
perfourmed as mec
thought by the fame
Lithoglyphcjthat co-
uered the
llcepyng
Nimphe, vppon the
phrifc whereof, were
certaine Grecke Ca-
rafters , figmfymg
A2AMIM0O2.
Within there were
foure feates whiche
went rounde about,
and one vnder an o-
ther, andclofeknitre
togither,wroght with
lalper and Calcedony
(lone, in allkmde of
colours. Twoofthc
copafiiug about feates
were couered ouer
with watcr,andto the
vpper margineorthc
third . In the cor
ners, & in
euerry cor
ner (loodc a Cnorin-
^^^^^^^^ thianCollumneofdi-
uers colours, waued
withfopure 6c beau
tiful lacintes as nature could affoord , with conuement bafes and
their chap ters curioufly made vnder the bcame, ouerthewhich
was a Zophor, wherein were caruedjittle naked Boyes playing in
by rea(bn-ofthe tluckncilcoOheayre in this fo-
]ytarieandloiieplace3gauean eccho,and djdputme jnjrundeof
my Angehke and extrcafnc deiired./W/*.
O hi me that foiiiull oranye intermiilion fhould caufethat
hir fottety and celcfli aii idea and fhape was not dill imprinted in
my mmde, and^corttlrtiic^ia dayly comp-anior:, in whoi<e bfeft my
hfeis-refolued^b-sbkJci acid txrit as "vnder the prot-eftion of a
moil finx* afvd ap-pr&oue^rleldiandiafc defence.
And by trftsway I wasittsught too a pLice v.herc were diuers
and rumh ie excellent fort j of aoncient deuifes and woorkeman -
fhips.-nVflofaJJ,! b-eheMa moft fay-re porthc,paft all fenceto de-
fcribe^forthcineF^dible Curiaofnei thereof,as cuenvas built or
dcuifed) and therAthet foe d^at cuar mother toung and vulgar
fy:zdic y rt]i(y not aflfoord-apt
andpeed lar words, for fu-ch a picc^e
ofarti^cral1
!work e.
Before this gorgeous and glorious porche,you lliall vndcrfland
that
in A Dre<*tnf. 1 1
that ir. the open ayre there was a fowrefquare court of thirtrepa-
c cs by his Dumetcr, paucd withpuje fine marble, poynted footc
fquare,wrought checker wife of diuers fusions , and fundnc bell
titling
coulours : butjn many places , by meases of the ruine of
tlieaiiJKKUtwalkeandoldep.u
>
]cr$,brokeii inpecces and oucr-
ex-
Anainttevtmoirpartesofthe aforefaide court , to the right Acolumnc
haiadjandthekft.LOAardsthemountaines^thcre was two frraight
confiftechof
rowes ofpillars, with a fpace betwixt for the interieft Areoftde^ j^
the quantities of both columnes required, thefirflcourfeoror- h LO(j.
der ofLetting the pyllars, beginning on both fides equall to the Ailrngalus
Lyrr.bus or extreamepartotthefronteof thcporche, the 1 pace
tlutib ihc
betwixt py liars and pillars xv 4 paces * Of which colluinnes or
jbl
.
ecto lhe
..
rj
r *. capiccll next
great pillarsjlome and the greateit pane or number were whole. ^ co]umnc.
With their capitels or heads , wrought with a wauediliell workc, Hypocrachc-
andcyllene or drapene,their corners bearing out and inanulated licihcfliafc
Jar flicking Utemeeteaiid conuenient proportion aunfwerable to thchar-
outfurthc r rnonieof the whole worKe Such as CAli.macktu the chicfecaruer
than the rnl-
to^/^^ t ]ic fo]}nc of luster did neutr performe or come
and turning
neere in theereclcd fepulcherofthe Corinthian Virgin, beautifi-
kijwrought cd with draperie ofdouble Acbauthis.
with leaues, The Piynthes whereon the chapters did ILnid wrought with
theworkcis
vvindins; and turning workes, andinthemiddefl, decoraledwith
calJedorcar- r -n L L i /i i c r\
ucrs&pain.
aLiUic^thebowlcgarni!ncdwith twarowesor via. leaues ofA-
ters draperie chanthus,aftcrthc Roimineand Corinthian maner,out ofwhich
and cekde, Icaues came liule (iaall italkes , doling together iu the raiddeft
of
ina Dreamt. It
ofthe boulc,fhcwingfoortba fayrcand fwect compofcd Lyllic
in the hollowing ofthe Abac or PJynth, from the which the ten
der ftalkes did turnc round together, vnder the compare of the
fqunre Abac , much after the woorkc that Agrifta caufed to bee
madc,in the porche ofhis woonderfull Pantheon.
Let vscomenowtothelymct and lowed parte ofthe do ore,
for entrance,which was of a great large and harde done
, powde
red with fundry forted fpottes,white, black, and ofa clay couler,
and diucrs other mixtures : vppon this Itood the fhreightcheekes
and fides ofthe doore,with an interftitious afpccl: , inwardly cai -
ued with as great cunning as the reft* Without any figne ofeythcr
hookes orhmges,belowor aboue.
Thearcheof which doore comparing like a halfe cyrcle, was
wrought curiouflye and imbowed , and as/ i t were bounde about
vvithlaceslikebeadsofbrafTe, fomeround, andfomelike Eglan
tine berries ofa rcddifh couler,hangingdowne after an auncient
manner,and fouldcd and turned in among the render (hikes.
The clofing together and bracing of which hemicycle or arch,
worthie ofadmiration , of a rare and lubtiledeuife,and exquifitc
po lyture,did thus obieft and prefent it felfe to my fight.
There Ibeheld in a hard and mod black ftone^n eagle difplay-
ed,and bearing out ofthebigncfle ofa naturall eagle , which had
loumgly feazed and taken in hir footeafweetebabemthefwad- The Eagle of
ling cloutes,nicely,carefully, and gently houldmg the fame, lead
lupiterthac
At Iciigthbcing coir.e to this ancient porch, a worke woorthic
thelookingvponmnruellouflycompofedby CKquifitc rules , and
by art notably beautified, with dmers and fundry forts ofcuttings,
which did infiamea deflrcin me to vnder fland and rmdc out the li
neaments a ldpra^ifeot the architect. Ibeganneafterth^ inaner,
irakuig a fqu.irefrom thctwocollumnes on either fide ill a perfect
ioi t, in the which I tooke the due proportion ofthe whole porch.
A tetragon figure A. B. C D. diuided by three lines
firaight,
and three ouerthwart equally diftant one from an other will make
fixetcei-.c quadrats, then adde to the figure halfe as much more in
like proportion, diuiding the adiunclyou lliailfinde foureand
iwcnry irjuaves . Ti.is figure H\iH feme of credycels to make
theinlepturgieandbncfedenjonftrationthatfolloweth.
Draw then in the firft fygurc A B. C. D. two diagons, make
nlfo in the fame two lines, and frr
Visible: 0% - 93%
Poliphilo interprets the architectural structures in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili as deeply esoteric, symbolic, and allegorical, drawing meaning from their proportions, decorations, and even materials. These buildings and ruins are not simply backdrops but active conveyors of hidden truths, emotional states, and mystical revelations. Here's how he does this:
If you'd like, I can walk you through one of these architectural scenes step-by-step like a tour guide.
tell me about the symbolic figures and allegorical entities and their interactions with P
unknown{
"queries": [
"symbolic figures and allegorical entities Poliphilo encounters",
"Poliphilo interactions with mythological beings",
"allegorical figures guiding or testing Poliphilo",
"nymphs goddesses and symbols in Hypnerotomachia",
"Poliphilo visions and encounters with personifications"
]
}
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circumfept with thefe and fuch like forts, and fo alfo the de
licious fields, but that me thought it was a louely fight to be
hold, and fo I fbould haue continued : then the gratious
Nymph attbciating and leading me/eeing my fimplicitie and
carelefnes, with a ready countenance and fweete andplea-
fanr words, without asking,(he faid thus vnto me : MyPo/j-
phitw, doeft thou fee thefe ? ( (hewing me thofe of the olde
world ) thefe were beloued of /Hpitcr, and this, and this was
fuch a one, and thefe were in loue with him, by this meanes
(hewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and noc
knowing their names, (he in great curtefie told me. After
ward fhe (hewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder
thegouernment of three fober and difcrcte matrones the
leaders to fo great delight : Adding thereunto very pleaiant-
ly (changing hir augelhke countenance) My Poliphtbu, thou
lhalt vnderftand, that no earthly creature can enter in heere
without a burning torch as thou feed me, either with ex-
treeme loue and great paines, or for the fau our and compa
ny of thofe three matrones. And from hir hart fetting a
deepe figh, (he faid : This torch haue I brought hither for
thy fake,minding to put ic cut in yonder temple.
Thefe fpeeches pearced my hart, they were fo delightfull
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
beguile
the time withthefe conceits,
anothomifing in them,the vanitie ofthis life, and
vncertaintie of the
delights therof, in the Dreame
ofPolipbilM;
Which ifit (hall plea/e your Honor
atconuenientleyfureto looke ouer, pardoning
what you findeamifle , and weighingmy good
will, I (hall thinkemy felfe moft happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntillthat
I may prefent your Honour, with a matter more
fitting
the fame.
Tour Honors dcuoted.
. V.
A nonymi elegia ad Lee
Andide Poliphilum narrantemfomnia Leflor
aufculteSy fammofornnia miffa po/o,
Non oferamferdeSy
non b<c
audifiepigelit,
tarn vwijs mirum reliMalundatotu*.
Sigrauis Qf tetricus contemnis erotica^ rerum
nofcc frccor feriem tarn bene
difpofitam.
s ? acfaltemftylus qy noua
lingua nov
iS) fofbia9fc rogat afpiciof.
geometrica cernc vetufta
^lurima
miUiacls difce referta
not is.
Hicfant Pyramides, therm*jngentefy Cohfi,
ac Olelifcorumforma vetuftayatet.
Hie diuerfa bafisfulget, varitfque
columns
illarumfy
arcirt
y Zofbora, cfiflilia,
Et
capita at^ trabes, et cum
quadrante corona
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
in thc commendation of the head ofhir louerP/^w, (he defi-
red homes. And after them all (be fliewed me two women,
one
ixadretme.
one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
which came hindermoft finging togither.
And thus they marched about in a moft pleafant and de-
iightfull manervpon the frefh greene and flourifliingplainc:
Some inttrophiated with Iaurcl,fome with myrtle^nd others
with other forts of flowers and garlands, inceflantly without
any wearines or intermiffion in a perfection of the felicitic
of this world, mutually enioying one anothers afped and
companie.
The Njmph batting at Urge declared vnto Poliphilw the
myfticall
triumphfond extreeme lotte , afterwards fhe de/fred htm togo o*
furtherjtvhere a/fo
withgreat delight
he beheld innumerable other
Nymphs i with their dejtred totters, in a thoufandforts ofpleafttres
folacingthemfclttesvpon thegreerjegrajfe yfre(h{hadovpes t andbj
the eoole riuers andcleere fountawes. And how Polrphiltu there
had withmadnes almoft forgotten himfelfe in the
pajfions ofdeprct
but nope dtd
affivagc hufHrit, quieting himfelfe tn the beholding cf
thefreetffanourofthefaire Nymph.
Ot onely happje but aboue all
other mod happie were he, to
whom it (hould be granted con
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
I he difcription ofthe morning.
j
Hathoureas PAce^w ( 4 ) ifTuing foorth, did
bewtific withbri2;htneiTc the forhead of Lett-o
cetbea(f>^,and appearing out of the Occean
waues, not full/ fhewinghis turning wheeles,
that had beene hungvp,butfpecdily with his
fwih horfes Pyrou* Scd7W,haftning his courfe,
andgimng a tinftureto the Spiders webbes,
ainon2;rhe grccneleaues
and tender prickles ofthe Vermilion
Roles" in the purfuite whereof he lTiewedhimfelfemofl:fwift&
"littering,
now vpontheneuerreftmgand fhlJ mooning waues,
hecryfped vp his irradientlieyres.
Vpponwhofe vprifing ,euen at that indant, the vnhorned
Moone difir.ountedhir icife, lofine from hir Chariot hir two
I,orfes,theone white and the other browne, and drewc to the
Hotrifon(^ different from the Hemifphere (<r)
from whence
flic came.
And when as the mountaines and htlles were beautifull, and
the northeaft winds had left of to make barraine with the Iharp-
neilc of their blnfb, the tender fprigsto difquiec the nioouuig
B rccdcs,
(a)Phzbus
the Sunnc,
b) Leucothea
the morning.
(c)Pyr&Eo,
the horfes of
was full ofmaruclouswoonders, and thinking by whatmeanel
was-depriuedofthem, Icalledto remembrance thebrafei Ly-
ons.in Salomons Temple,which were offuch fierce counicnun-
ces,as that they would bring men to forgetflilnes*
And into fuch an eftatel was afrayde that the Dragon had
brought me,that Co excellent and marucllous woorkes , and rare
inuentions^namannervnpoflTiblefor any humainc creatureto
perfbrme,worthietobemanifefted,and by myfeire ciiligentlvc
perufedjfhouldnowbe fled out ofmy fuckingremembrance , fo
as I fhould not bee able to make a truereportc o : rhem : but
therein I contraried my felfe: neither didlfinde that I was ma
Lithargicpaision : But that I vcrrie well rcnaembrcd andheldc
I J with*
mi-
Tfcf ftrifc of Lone
without any dcf.ultc in order and proportion whatfoeuerlhad
fecne and beheld.And that the monflrous andcruell bcallwas a
verne hueJyc fubftance ,and no fiftion , the like of any mortall
manfildomcfccne, no not vtRcgulus. The verie remembrance
whereof, made my hayre (land right vp , and foorthwith mooued
me to mcud my pace.
Afterward returning to my felfe , I thought thus . Heere
without all doubtc (foi fol imagined by reafonof the glonous
bountie of the beautihill foile) is no habitation but for ciuill
peoplc/n rather for Angles and noble perfonages^nd a place for
Nimphes to frequent vnto , or for the Goddes and Auncients,
Monarches and princes, info much as my pcrfwafiue defire did
prouokeforwardemy rcftraincd pace , cauunga perceucrancc in
my latcbeguniourncy. And thus as one captiuated andfubicc^
tothefharpc fpurrc of vnlatiablc delire , Ipurpofedto houldc
on whether the fayrenefle of my fortune ihould conduct mce,
as yet but indifferent and rather languishing.
Nowc come to behouldc a fayre and plcntiFull countrie,
fruitcfull fieldes, and fertill groundes , I did excccdmglye com
mend the defire thatmooued meefirft to cnterinto them. But
cfpecially to giuc thankcs to him that had brought mee out from
the fearcrull place, \vhichnovvllittlcrcgardcd being far enough
offfrom it.
Pcbphtlut
in A Dretmt.
Po!,phi/us fiewtth the
commodioufrcfre ofthe countrie where -into he>t
WM comeytn hU trattatltng
rvtthin thefame,be came vnto agoodlic
riuerLabdone,(haken with the (harpeeaft wind,with the boi-
fterous north,cloudy fouth & rainie fouth weft wind.Befides
this, the gods will be feuere reuengers of fuch an infolencie,
for the companions oiVlyffcs had been preferued from drow
ning and (hipwracke, if they had not ftolne ^polios cattell
kept by Phactuf* and hir lifter Lampetta. Orion had not bcene
flaine by a fcorpion, ifhe had not attempted the cold & chaft
D/4*i,and therefore if I (hould vfe any indeccncie againft the
honor ofthis Nymph in any fort/uch like reuenge or woorfe
woulde be vfed vpon me. At laft getting foorth of rhefe
changeable thoughts, I did greatly comfort my felfe in be
holding and contemplating the excellent proportion and
fufeete (auour of this ingenuous and moft rare Nymph, con
taining in hir al whatfoeuer that may prouoke amorous con
ceits and fweete lone, giuing from hirfaire eies fo gratious
and fauorable regards, as thereby I fomewhat tempered my
troublefome and vnbridelcd thoughts. Andmyrefounding
fighes rcflexed with a flattering hope (oh the amorous foode
of louers and fauce of fait teares) by thefe and no other rains
I did manage my vehement thoughts,and made them ftop in
a conceiued hope, fixing mine eies with exceffiue delight vp
on hirfaire bodie and well difpofed members, by all which,
my difcontented dehreswere gently mitigated and redee
med from that furieand amorous fire, which fo neere had
bred the extrcmitie ofmy paflions.
Tbt
The Itymph letdeth the homered Potipbittu
to other pletfant pUeet,
where he beheld innumerable Nymphsfolding them, and a/fo tht
triumph ofVertumntu and Pomona.
Y no meancs I was able to rc-
(ift the violent force of Cupds
artillerie,and therefore the ele
gant Nymph hauing amoroufly
gotten an irrtuocable domini
on ouer me a miserable loner, I
was inforced to follow ft. II af
ter hit moderate Itcps, which
led me into a fpatious and large
plaine.theconterminate bound
of the flowered greene & farce t
f ,r i_
fmellmg valhe, where alfo ended the adorned mountames
and fruitfull hils, (hutting vp the entrance into this golden
countrie, full of incredible delight with their Joining togi-
thcr: couered ouer with green trees ofa cofpicuous thicknes
& d.(tance,as if they had been fet by hand,as Yew trees, wild
Pynes,vnfruitfull but dropping Refin,tallpineapple,ftraight
Firre,burning Pitch trees, the fpungie Larix, the aierie Teda
belouedofthe mountains, celebrated and prefcruedfor the
fame ftone,and fet out in a moiVblacke ground. I hen deferuedfy
Ididcommend^boththearchyteft and the (latuaric . On the o-
ther fide,the pleaiant dignitie ofthe yre and beautiful
fporting
nimphcs did highlyc contentmee^foas 1 could not compare to
thinKe whether theexcelTe ofmy parted forrowror prefent folace
fhouldbe greateft. And there was fofwcete a fmell as Arabia
neueryeeJtlcd thehke..
Vppon the feates of(!one,in deed ofan Apodyterie, they did
impouenfh theyr apparrell 3richejyinuoluped, in the caftuio; of
it onSfrom their celeitiallbodyes. Theyr tayretrefTes bound vp
in nettings ofgould, wcuen after a iroft cunout fort. And with
out any refpeS at all, they gaue.meelcaue to lookevpon theyr
fayre and delicate perfonages, theyr honeftie an d honour refer
red* Flelhvndoubtedly like the pure Rofcs and white Snowe.
Ah woe is me,! found myhcart.tonfcaHd opeiut felfe, and al
together
thcr to be adiftcd to a voluptuous deligh$,Wherevpon I at
that prcfent thought my felfe moft happie, onely in the bchould-
ingoffuch delights, becaufe I was not able to red ft the .burning
flames which did fet vpon mce in the fornace ofmy heart . And
therefore fometime for a refuge and fuccour 1 durft not looke fo
narrowly vppon theyr inticing beauties , heaped vp in their hea-
uenlybodycs. And they perceiuing the fame did fmile at my
bafhfulbehauiour,makinggreatfportatme: And thereat I was
glad,and
contented tliat 1 might any way occafion their paftim e.
But I was greatly afhamcd, in that 1 was an vnfit companion for
fuch a company, but that they intrcatcd mec to enter in with
them where 1 flood like a Crowe among white Doues , which
made mepartly afhamedto behould 3 and ouerlooke fuch choyfc
obiefts.
Then Ofrefit a very pleafant difpofed piece , (aid vnto mce
Tel me young man what is your name ? And I reuerently Aunfwc-
sed them, Poltpbilns : it will pleafe me well faith fl>e,ifthe effeftof
your conditions beaunfwerai>letoyonr name, And without de
ceit, faid
the reft. And how is your dcareft loue called ? Whereat
1 making fomepaufe, aunfwered,P<?//x? thenfhe replycd. Aha
1 thought that your name fhould fignific
that you were a great
louer, but now I perc ciue that you are a louer of Polia : and pre-
cleere flood and diuine fire. The daughter ofFullus and that
of Mencmphtti, with hir counterfeit father, and that other of
Diodes with hir lap full offlowers and a writhing ferpent, and
the faire yoong gyrle no more forrowing for the growing of
hir hornes.t/fftiocbi* and Antigone the daughter of Laomcdon
folacioufly delighting hir felfe in hirftorkifh plumes, and
Lurfflethe fir ft inuentrixof wheeles. Gr,w<*wmkthcdaun-
cing Nymph holding by hir little finger, and wafhing hir de
licate pretie feete from fweate in the riuer B.igrada. After
that I beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon purfuing hir :
Erigone hauing hir faire (hining breft ilickt full of f^eetc
grapes,
in ft drcame. 91
grapes,and the daughter of king Chollut with hir bull, Eripbile
and hir changed husband: The daughter of eX//wand the
virgin Mclantho with hir dolphin, Phylkra the daughter of
old Ocean** with the father of Chiron. Next hir CVw with hir
head inftrophyated with ripe cares of corne imbracingthe
fcalie Hydra, : And the faire Nymph Lara forting with */trgi-
phon : and the fa eeteF/riof the riuer Numicta.
And whileftl flood with excetfiue delight beholding onely
as an ignorant this rarecompanie and myfticall triumphes,
circumfept with thefe and fuch like forts, and fo alfo the de
licious fields, but that me thought it was a louely fight to be
hold, and fo I fbould haue continued : then the gratious
Nymph attbciating and leading me/eeing my fimplicitie and
carelefnes, with a ready countenance and fweete andplea-
fanr words, without asking,(he faid thus vnto me : MyPo/j-
phitw, doeft thou fee thefe ? ( (hewing me thofe of the olde
world ) thefe were beloued of /Hpitcr, and this, and this was
fuch a one, and thefe were in loue with him, by this meanes
(hewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and noc
knowing their names, (he in great curtefie told me. After
ward fhe (hewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder
thegouernment of three fober and difcrcte matrones the
leaders to fo great delight : Adding thereunto very pleaiant-
ly (changing hir augelhke countenance) My Poliphtbu, thou
lhalt vnderftand, that no earthly creature can enter in heere
without a burning torch as thou feed me, either with ex-
treeme loue and great paines, or for the fau our and compa
ny of thofe three matrones. And from hir hart fetting a
deepe figh, (he faid : This torch haue I brought hither for
full louc vnbndled : in the extrcame inuafion and infe&ious con-
tage thereof, the Damofelles forfooke mce and left OK all alone
toafruitfullplayne.
ThefrrtfeofLoM*
n this fUce Pofyhitus being left doncsmoftftyre Nympbefwben bfe
W*sforfaken ofthe laJcttttoHs company ) came vnto him ,
bfantic and
apparel! Poliphtlus dooth amour
oufly dtfcribc.
Y tender heart thus excefliuely woan-
ded with amorous prouocation,! think
1 was mad, I flood fo amazed^or blmdc
at the leaft , becaufe that I coulde not
perceiue in what fort or how this defi-
redand delightfull company gaue mee
the
flip: and at laft not
knowing what
I did, but calling mine eyes right for
ward, 1 behclde before mee, a fine Ar
bour of fweetc Geflaminc , fomewhat
highjifting vppc and bending ouer. all to bee painted and decked
with the pleafant and odoriferous flowers of three fortes com-
mixt, and entritig
in vnder the fame. Wonderfully perplexed for
the lofTe ofmy company, I kncwe not howe or in what fort, and
calling to remembrauncc the diuers , rare and wonderfull things
part, and aboue al the great hope and truft which I had concerned
vpon the Quecnes promife,that I ftiould finde my loue Poh* .
Alas faid I, with a deepc figh,my /Vw,that the greene Arbour
rcfounded againe therewithaTl , my amourous breathings were
fach, framed within and fenf out from my burning hart. And I
was no fooner entered into this agony, and ouerwhelmcd in this
paflion, but as I parted on to the other cnde ofthe Arbor, I might
perceiue a farre off, a
great number ofyouthes,(blacingand fpor-
tingthemfelues very loude with diuers melodious foundes,with
pleafant fports and fundry paftimes, in great ioye, and pafling de-
hght aflembled together, in a large playne. Vppon this gratefull
and dcfircd noueltie,! fet me down marueiling at it,before I would
ftep any further on.
And beholde, a mod noble and faire Nymph, with a burning
torch in her hand,departing from the company,tended her courfc
towardcs mee, foasl might well perceiue that (hee was a reall
m.tyde indeede and no fpintc, whervpon I mooued not one whit,
but gladly expected her comming,\vl7o with a maidenly hafymo-
deft accefle, (lar-like countenance,and fmilmg grace^rewe neerc
vnto
in a dreamt. 79
The which myfticall place
wa<: ofaveric Jultie mould and
fruitrull, replenifhed
with all forts of fruits, beautified with
fake fprm^s, and greenchearbcs
and flowers, full ofalliblacc
and delimit.Whereupon flic fpake thus t
Idoc
nt A Dreamt.
I doe imagine (Potiphibu) that you doe not vnde/fhnde
the condjtionate (late ofthis marueilous feate , and therefore
giue attendance to ray wordes.
\V hofoeuer entereth in cannot come backe , but as you fee
yonder mountaines heerc and there diftnbuted , feuen circu*
it sand the about goingsdiftantonefrom another.
And the extreememoleftotionand forrowc of thcente-
rersin, is tliis : In the myddle mountayne within thecenter
thereof, and openmouth ofthe fame, there lurkcth muinbly
a deadly deuounng olde Dragon, hee is vtter deltruc"hori to
fome, and others are not hurte to death by him, Hec can
not bee feene nor Hiunned, neythcrdoth heeleaueany vnaf-
faultcd, buteytherin die entrie , or in their tourney, hcede-
flroyethor woundeth . And if hee killeththemnot betwixt
one mountayne and another, theypaflc the feuencircuitcsto
the next mount*
And they that enter in by the firft tower or mouut (where-
vpponisthis tytleinfcripc AOHA Ko^MiKHai FOM*oAr2.) They
fayle in a little ihippe with a profperous winde , andfecurely
at pleaiure : the fruites and flowers fall downc vppontheyr
hatches, and with great folacc and pleafure they cut through
bythefeauenrcuolutions with a merry \\indc, vntill the fe-
cond mount bee difcouered and come vuto* Andmarkeand
beholde(P<?/^///^)howccleare and bright the ayre is in the
entrance, ouer that it is in the ccnter,abou: the which is thicke
darknefTe.
In the firft mount or tower there is alwayes relident a
pittifull matron and bountifull , before whome ftandeth
an auncient appoyntcd vcfTell called Vrna> in a readineiTe,
hauing vppon it feaucn Greeke letters as thus eEsnioN, full
of appoynted honic , and to euene one that entereth in , \ crie
curteoufly and with a good will fheegiueth one of them w ith-
out refpeftc of ftatc and condition, but according to theyr
cmerance.
Thcfebeeingreceyued, they came foorth, and begin to
fayle intheLabor)
r
nth, the w.iterbeemgenuyronedvpon ei
ther fidc5,with roies,trees,ond fruits*
Aud
Thff/h-ifeofLotte
thou louc hir wel indeed ? Then I fetting a de epe figh,aunfwered:
beyond all the delights and chcefeftfubuance of the greateftand
jnofl pretioustrcature in tlie whole world s and this opinion hath
madeaneuerlaftmgimprcflioninmy ftill tormented heart. And
fhe : where hauc you loft or abandoned fo louedaiewel? I know
not,neyther where I am my felfe I know . Then flic {myling aun
fwered. Ifany (hould finde hir out for you , what rewardc would
yougiue . But content thy felfe ,beofgoodcomfort, and frame
thy felfe to delights ^ for thou (halt finde thy Polta againc . And
\Mththefcandfuchlikeplcafauntand gracious cju^ftions, thefc
fayre young Virgins/porting and folacing themfclucs, we waflit
and bathed together, M i At
Thefirife of Ltttc
Attheoppoiiteinterfticeof the beautifull foumainc with
out, ofthe fair e fle.eping Nymph beforementioned, within the
Bathe there was another offcatnes offine mettal, and of a curi
ous workemanfhjp, gUfteringofagoldeii colour , that one mbht
fee himfelfe thercm. Which were fattened in a Marble, cut into
a fquadraturc,and euacuatedfor the Images to (Lnd m their pro -
portions, with two halfe Cellumncs that is Hcmiciles, one of ei
ther fide, with a Trabet, a fmalZophcr, andaCoronicc, all cut
in one follidMarble, and this peece ofworke was nothing inferi
or to any of the reft, which before 1 had feene,but witha rare art,
and marueilousmuention ,both deuifcd and performed. In the
voydandplaineeuacuatedquadrcr, there ftood twoNimphes,
little leiTe then ifthey had been liuely creatures, apparelled, fb as
you might fee fomewhat aboue their knees
> vppon one of theyr
legges,
as ifthe windc hadblowne it vp, as they were doing thcyr
office, and theirarmes bare, from the elbow to the fhoulder ex
cept. And vponthatarme, wherewith they fuftained the Boye,
the habite that was lifted vp was reiec>, The feete of the Infant
flood one in one of the handes of the Nymphcs , and the other,
in the others hand. All their three countenances fmiling : and
with their other handes, they held vp the Boyes fliirt
, aboue his
nauij.
The Infant holdinghis little Iftrumentinbothhishand5,
and continued piflfinginto the hotte water, frefh coole water. In
this delicious place ofpleafurc,! was verieiocund and full ofcon-
tent, but the famewas much apalled, in that I thought my felfea
contemptible bodie , among fuch beauties , and dcwe coniealed
ked about mec , whether 4fellcs had painted them with his
Penfill.
And
in A Dreamt.
And there my fportfull, faire , and pleafant companions, cueric
one putting their right handcs to mine, willing to haue me in,
faydcyPebpbt/w this is the vfuall waye , by the which youmuft
come into the prefeuce of our Gracious and mofte excellent
Queene.
Bat you cannot hauc leaue to enter in here through this Curtain,
before youbee receiucd ofa vigilantand innocent Damofel that
is the keeper ofthis doore, and ihe is called Cmofia. Who hearing
vs comming, did rbrthwithpretent her fclfe, and fauourably held
vp the cloth, and wee entered in.
There was a roomc hung about and diuidedby an other Cur-
tauie ofexcellent Arras full of Imagene,as fignes,lhapcs,plants,
andbeal\es, fingularly well done.
In tins place at our comming , an other curious woman came
towardes vs 3
called fndahwsnA , and (he putting by the Curtainc,
wee enteredin. And rhere was an other fuche like roomc, from
the fecond for quantin :, with difcourfes and reafon rnaruciloufly
wouen, \Mti .iiifinitek~ottes, buckling^ ,tyings,
and oldfafhia-
ned harping Irons, orHookes, as if they had been fattened and
knit togither. Inwhichplicc without any (hying, the thirdwo
man came and receiued vs very gratioufly, her name was Muem^
fin* t
and fhee calling vs.gauevs free leaue to go in. Where lafl>
ly my companions did prefentmee before the facred maicftic of
the Quccnc Eleutherilltd*.
m&y , hovtexctcding grfttt
ths
ftie of the Qucenc VPM , the mtnner of her Refidencc and fer~
nicf. His favourable entertainment. Howe [hee marvelledM
him.
HcnT camctownrdes the fiiTtdoore-keept*,
Iwasfomewhat aballied , but yetl did utc
her in ouodfjrte as became mce to dc ?, Av>i
i^eevene curteoufly badd j mec c
And in lik: manner the fecond.
O Jn
Ttv ftrtfe ofL
In whofegardJL did feeaiofric Gallery as long the content of the
Pallaice, the roote whereof , was all painted v\ith a greene fbha-
ture , with diftin& flowers and folded leaues, and little flv-
ing Byrdes, excellently imphrygiated ot mufeacall paymiag,
as without in the firft Court, and the done walks fcclcd with
Chipworkcsofdiuers colours.
At thelaft daore, the Matrone MnenufwA perilvad^dn^e
Verie effectually ,
not to doubt ofany thing >
but that 1 fhould
my difcontented dehreswere gently mitigated and redee
med from that furieand amorous fire, which fo neere had
bred the extrcmitie ofmy paflions.
Tbt
The Itymph letdeth the homered Potipbittu
to other pletfant pUeet,
where he beheld innumerable Nymphsfolding them, and a/fo tht
triumph ofVertumntu and Pomona.
Y no meancs I was able to rc-
(ift the violent force of Cupds
artillerie,and therefore the ele
gant Nymph hauing amoroufly
gotten an irrtuocable domini
on ouer me a miserable loner, I
was inforced to follow ft. II af
ter hit moderate Itcps, which
led me into a fpatious and large
plaine.theconterminate bound
of the flowered greene & farce t
f ,r i_
fmellmg valhe, where alfo ended the adorned mountames
and fruitfull hils, (hutting vp the entrance into this golden
countrie, full of incredible delight with their Joining togi-
thcr: couered ouer with green trees ofa cofpicuous thicknes
& d.(tance,as if they had been fet by hand,as Yew trees, wild
Pynes,vnfruitfull but dropping Refin,tallpineapple,ftraight
Firre,burning Pitch trees, the fpungie Larix, the aierie Teda
belouedofthe mountains, celebrated and prefcruedfor the
fcftiuall Oreadcs . There both of vs walked in the greene
and flowering plaine, fhee being my guide through the high
cyprcs trees, the broad leaued beech, coole (hadie okes full
ofmafte, and other hornebeames, pricking iuniper, weake
hafell. fpaltafh, greene lawrell, and humbryferousefculies,
knottie plane trees &lyndensmoouing by the fweet breatli
r f i i *!! ii-
of the pleafant Zeplurus, whiitling through their tender
branches,vith a bcnigneand fauorableimpulfion.
All u hich greene trees were not thickly twiftedtogither,
butofiiconuenientdiftaunceonefrom another, and all of
them fo aptly diftribuced as to the eie the fight thereof bred
great deHght.
^
This place was frequented with countrie Nymphs and Dry-
*des, their fmall and flender waftes being girded with a bray-
ding of tender corules of fprigs, leaueSjandflowerSjandvp-
Cc on
like a pine,
g00afor
ding, it will
neither roc,
woo ""ref
out of the
whichifliieth
, be
-y
" eni or
tcile trees . in
Latm TiUtt
thcybearc a
fmitas hig as
;
fce d r9 .
Dryadu, be
Nymph* of
thcwoods -
The jlnfe ef Lt*e
on their heads their
rifing vp haires, were compared about
Let vscomenowtothelymct and lowed parte ofthe do ore,
for entrance,which was of a great large and harde done
, powde
red with fundry forted fpottes,white, black, and ofa clay couler,
and diucrs other mixtures : vppon this Itood the fhreightcheekes
and fides ofthe doore,with an interftitious afpccl: , inwardly cai -
ued with as great cunning as the reft* Without any figne ofeythcr
hookes orhmges,belowor aboue.
Thearcheof which doore comparing like a halfe cyrcle, was
wrought curiouflye and imbowed , and as/ i t were bounde about
vvithlaceslikebeadsofbrafTe, fomeround, andfomelike Eglan
tine berries ofa rcddifh couler,hangingdowne after an auncient
manner,and fouldcd and turned in among the render (hikes.
The clofing together and bracing of which hemicycle or arch,
worthie ofadmiration , of a rare and lubtiledeuife,and exquifitc
po lyture,did thus obieft and prefent it felfe to my fight.
There Ibeheld in a hard and mod black ftone^n eagle difplay-
ed,and bearing out ofthebigncfle ofa naturall eagle , which had
loumgly feazed and taken in hir footeafweetebabemthefwad- The Eagle of
ling cloutes,nicely,carefully, and gently houldmg the fame, lead
lupiterthac
thathirftrong, fharpe, and hooking pounces, ihould by anye carrycdGa-
mranes pierce thorough the tender skynnc of the young infant. nimetj -
Hir^fe etcwere fixed about the :
nfing vp chid of thechilde,
\vhomeiTiehadmadebare from the nauell vpwarde anddowne-
\vard.fo as the naked h.ppes might be feene betwixt the fethered
tln^hesot the Eagle* 1 his little infant and moftbeautifull babe
(wort hie and meete for him that he was feazed for) by his coun
tenance fhewed as ifhe had bcene afraideofhis fortune*
And thus lying in the foote ofthe Eagle, he ftretched both his The bones
nrmesabro.ide,andjwith his little fat hands to okef ill houldvpon nexcchcqack
theremigiall bones ofthe Eagles pinions difplayed,asaforeCnd
in the wing,
AndclafpinghisfweHingprittielcgges aucl feete, about hir fub- f^^
1 " 2
.
vaging fpreding traine, winch lay e bchindc the
rifing vpp e ot the^
all^r"
"
3rche.
portions ofo-
Tins little childewascut of the white v; ne of Achates or therbirdcs.
G Onix
Achatesisa
"
reprefcntcJ
the figures
of the nine
Mules, of Vc-
nus and Cuch
like beautiful
perfonages.
in diuers
thingsare
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
with a lawrell crowne , accompanied with MeUnthia, whofe
Homer. habites and voices reprefcnted the pride of Greece, where
upon the great Macedon refted his head : She bare a fplen-
dent lampe, communicating the light thereofwith hir com
panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
allthofe maruellous diuine (hapes and bodies which I had
perfonallyfeene with mine eics, I then knew that they were
notdeceitfull fhadowes, nor magicall illufions, but that I
had not rightly conceiued of them.
And now with earneft confederation among thefe behol
ding the moft excellent Nymph faft by me, my eies filled
with amorous darts ceafed not to wound my paflionate hart,
by means wherof incontinently all my wandering thoughts
were ftirrcd vp,compa<5t,and fixed vpon hir their defired ob-
ieft, recalling my mottified foule afrelhtobe tormented in
his firft flames, which moft cruelly I fuffered, in that I durft
not be bold to askeif Die were my defired Po/ta, for (he had
put me in fome doubt thereof before, and now fearing to
offend hir with my being ouerbolde, and ore troublefome
with my rude and vntilled toong, diuers times when my
voice was breaking out betwixt my lips, vpon that occafion
I fupprefled the fame. But what fhe (hould be, it was beyond
my compafTe to imagine,and I flood as fufpicious thereof,as
the deceiued Socta with the fained Atfatitdcr. Thus with dili
gent regards andcordiall fearches examining hir heauenly
features inuaded with a burning defire beyond meafure, I
faid to my felfiOh that I might be,if it were po(Tible,a freema
in fuch a place , for no forrow fhoulde greeue me, nor immi
nent danger {hould make me afraidialthough thatfrowarde
fortune (houlde oppofe hir felfe againft me, I woulde fpende
my life without any regard therof, not refuiing to vndertake
th c laborfome and great enterprife of the two gates (hewed
to the fonneofesfmpkitrio.
To fpend the prime ofmy youth and pleafure of my yeers
in the mortall daungers of the merciles feas, and in the fear-,
full places of Trwacria, with theexcelTiuetrauelsand terrors
oft/Vvj^/.inthedarkecaueofthe horriblePo/i^w, the Ton
ofNtprtMCyto be transformed in the com panic of CA/ypfi, al
though 1 loll my life,or indured the moft hard & long ferui-
tude of t/4ndrodutjor all weannes is forgotten where loue is
vehement. To vndertake with the amorous J/w/w*and
llfM
Tkeftrife ofLout
Hew to runne with Atalanta, or to com but in fuch fort as the
ftrong and mightie Hercules for his loue D<i/r4, did with
the huge Ackelowfo as I might atchicue fo gracious a fauor,
and attaine to fo high delight, as the remaining in thefe fo-
y*
There I beheld the laboures of Hercules grauen in Rone
with halfe the reprefentation (landing out or bearing foorth, in a
woonderfuilfort,the fkinnes,{tatnes,ty ties, and trophes , What
an entry,what a liately porche,what that of Titus Cefar with his
floneofPheniceawithallthe tinkering and pulhflnng about it,
there is none whofe wit is fo groiTe to commend it, in refpect of
this,but will rather fcorne tofpeakeof it. As for the woorthie
and excellent manner ofglaiing the gallerie without the
palla<e,
the conlpitious porche, the manner of building, the arched fee
ling aboue headjbeautified and adorned with fohature and other
lineaments of puregouldand afuer couler and excellent painting
that whatfoeuer I had fcene before I made fmall acount of , as not
worthic ofremembrance. Andbeeingnow come to the doore
within the porche, the going in was clofed vp wth a hanging,
drawne ouer before it ofgould and Hike , wrought together, and
and in the fame two images One ot them haumg all kmde of111-
flruments about hir, fitte and readie to goe to worke, and the o-
therwith a maidenly countenance, looking vp with hyr eyes in
to heauen.
The beautye of which two were fuch , and fo freih , as I loo
ked about mec , whether 4fellcs had painted them with his
Penfill.
And
in A Dreamt.
And there my fportfull, faire , and pleafant companions, cueric
one putting their right handcs to mine, willing to haue me in,
faydcyPebpbt/w this is the vfuall waye , by the which youmuft
come into the prefeuce of our Gracious and mofte excellent
Queene.
Bat you cannot hauc leaue to enter in here through this Curtain,
before youbee receiucd ofa vigilantand innocent Damofel that
is the keeper ofthis doore, and ihe is called Cmofia. Who hearing
vs comming, did rbrthwithpretent her fclfe, and fauourably held
vp the cloth, and wee entered in.
There was a roomc hung about and diuidedby an other Cur-
tauie ofexcellent Arras full of Imagene,as fignes,lhapcs,plants,
andbeal\es, fingularly well done.
In tins place at our comming , an other curious woman came
towardes vs 3
called fndahwsnA , and (he putting by the Curtainc,
wee enteredin. And rhere was an other fuche like roomc, from
the fecond for quantin :, with difcourfes and reafon rnaruciloufly
wouen, \Mti .iiifinitek~ottes, buckling^ ,tyings,
and oldfafhia-
ned harping Irons, orHookes, as if they had been fattened and
driope grew.
There were a great companieof delicate faire Nymphs
of tender age,with a redolent flower of bafhfulnes , and be
yond all credire beaurifull, with their beardlcs louers conti-
nuallie accompanied. Among which Nymphs, fomc veiie
pleatantly with wanton countenaunces in the cleere ftreams
(hewed themfelues fportefull and gamefome, hauing ta
ken vppe finelie their thin garments of filkeof diucrs co-
lours,and holding them in the bouts of their white armes,
the forme of their rounde thighs were feene vnckr the
plytes, and their faire legges were reuealed to the naked
knees, the current ftreames comming vp fo high : it was*
fight which woulde hauc prepared one to that which were
vnfit, and ifhimfelfe had been vnable thereunto. And there
where the water was moft ftill, turning downe their faire fa
ces ofexceeding beautie, and bending their bodies of rare
proportion, as in a large goodly glaiTc they might behould
their heauenly (hapes, breaking off the fame with the mo
tion of their pretie feete, making a noyfe with the con-
traftofthe circulating water. Some folaciouflie ftriuingto
gobythetamefwimmingfwans, andfportinglycafting wa
ter one at another,with the hollowncs of their palms:othcr$
landing without the water vpon thefoftcoolegraflfe, ma
king vp of nofegaies and garlands offundrie fweete flowers^
&giuing the fame to their louers as tokens of their fauora-
ble rcnicmbraunce, not denieng theirfweet kifles,& louing
im bracings,
in 4 Dreame,
imbracings ,
with the amorous regardes of their ftar-likc
eyes.
And fome were fct vpon the grecne banks notouergrown
with reed and fegs,but finely beautified with (weete hcarbs
and flowcrs,among the which the tender Nymphs comming
wet out ofthe water more cleere then Axiw in MygdontAjm-
der the vmbragious trees, did fit fporting and deuifing ona
with another in delightfull imbracings, with their reueren-
cing louers,not cruelly (corning& reie&ing them , but with
a fociable loue and benigne affablenefle
, difpofing them-
felues to the like (hew oftrue aftedion
,
their fweete geftures
fomedaungers then Lucius Apuletu ,when hee heard the theeues
confulnng to knocke him on the head and kyll him.
OpprelFedand laden with all thefe aforenamed frightes and
terrcrs. I began to imagine that the Dragon was flying about
my head ,
and with the noyfeof hir fcritching teeth and tearing
clawes to take hould vpon me with hir deuouring lawesrmy heart
giuing mee to vndcrftand , that the carniuorus Woolfe which I
drempt of, was a prefage ofthis my laft doubted end . And thus
running vppe and downe like a little poore Pifmcere or Aunte,
vvhenthePartrichis
fcratching vpon their hillocks and picking
ot them vp.Withmy watchful! and attentiue
cares>Uftning
ifthc
horrible monfter with hir ilimie and filthiepoyfon andfhnking
^auour were drawingtowards mee.And fearing whatfoeuer came
firit into ray thought.
Findingmy fclfe vnarmed , voydeof all helpe,in this mort
Visible: 0% - 92%
In Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, Poliphilo’s dream journey is populated by a dazzling array of symbolic figures and allegorical entities. These characters serve as guides, challenges, or reflections of his inner states—often blending mythological, philosophical, and erotic elements. Below is an organized overview of these figures and how they interact with Poliphilo:
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chyard comming out from the walles as a feate for thefe a-
forefaydc garden pottcs and trees to flande vppon, was
fubcoromzed with golde by excellent lyneamentes wrought
and adorned. The vppcr face whereof, and whereuppon
thofe pottes and trees did ftande, was couered with aplay-
flcr of glafle gilte, and a curious hiftorographie to be feene
in the lame, and compailed about and holdcn in with wye-
ring and netting ofgolde.
The
The wall that compadedabout the Orchyardwithacon-
uenient diftance
, was bellycd out with columncs ofthe lame
matter, and inuefted with flowring bindings naturally propor
tioned, and hcere and there were quadrangulatccommnes of
golde chamfered, arching from one to an other, witharequi-
litc bcame Zophor and coronice, with a iiieece and conucment
proieftuae oucr the chapter ofglafTe vppon the round.
The fubfiance ofwhich fubicftproieclure of the bryttlc
imtter, was of counterfayte diafper diucrfly coloured and
fliinmg.Which bryttlc fubltance had fome void fpace betwixt
that and the other*
Themouthofthe arches were (lopped with rombycs of
clearcglafleinfbrmeof atryangle, and the pypcs beautified
all ouer with an Encauftick painting, verie grttious to the fight
ofthe beholder.
Theground was here and there couered with great round
ballcsofglafTelykegunneftoncs, and other fine proportions
muchpleafing, with a mutuall confent vnmooueable lykc
pcarles (hining without any adulteration byfolyaturc. From
the flowers did breath a fweet fragrancie by fomc clcare walh-
ing with oyle for that purpofe.
There moftcunmngly did Logtftic* lykc an Orator make
a difcourfe in commendation
phyfically
of that excellent
confection of thcnoblenes of the tubftaunce , fecrccieof the
art , and ftraungcnes
of the inuention , The like is not to bee
found*
And after fhee fayde, Po/ipbi/tv
lettc vs goc and afcende vp
this mount nexte the Garden , and Thckmia remayning at the
ftayrefoote, wee afcended vp to the plaync toppe. Where
fhcefiicwedvntonicc, with a heauenly eloquence, a Garden
of alargcrompafle,
made in the forme of an intricate Labo-
rynthallyes and wayes ,
not to bee trodcn , but fayled about,
fbrinftcadeorallyes to trcade vppcn, there were ryuers of
water.
The which myfticall place
wa<: ofaveric Jultie mould and
fruitrull, replenifhed
with all forts of fruits, beautified with
rable
r.iblc Symmetric and proportion of the building 5 perfect and
ablolute, the noblcncs of the Art of Mafonric and Lapycida-
rie, the directions and placing of Columnes, the perfection of
frames and reprefentations ,
the adornment ofthcwalles,the
diusriltie oft he (tones, the (lately entrance & princely porch,
large Gallery , artificious pauements, no man will thinke with
whatcoft and charge bewtificd and hanged with precious Ar
ras andVerdure. 1 he fpacious and loftie inner Court, goodly
bedchambers,mner withdrawing chambers, parlours , bathes,
hbrarie and pinacloth, where c oat Armors cfcuchions ,painted
tables,and counterfeates offtrangcrs were kept , with a ma-
leihcalcomelmesand order placed and folcmnely distributed.
In which concerning capacitie , tnaruellous performance,
incredible charge and high commendation of the moft excel
lent Artificer, \voor;hily allowed in eueric partition and ele-
*a~t conuention ofexquifitc Lineaments.I alfo beheld a mar-
uciloustwiftedconlignationorcoueringofgold-fmithswork,
ouer afourefcjuareplaineCourt, growing vp alike , without
comparifon like a hcaucn,with a dilpofite diftancc ofmany for-
tcdproportionSjWithfundry lybellated Dimen(ions,fhadow-
ingoucrthc Court, with an ArchedEmmence,which was vn-
dcr, adorned withcoromfed Lyneaments andgrauings,thcre-
unto conuenient,as Fafheols, Gululles 3
and Quailing, and the
leaues of^cbaatlna , licking vp as it were in the corners of the
quadrangulcd Court. With Rofcs and thegrowing order of
their leaues, the top leate lead, their laggings about the leaues,
and fpace betweene 1 cafeand leafe. All thinges coucred with
purcnnegold and Azurccolour, with diuers other proporti
ons and counterfeits of fubfbnce,ecmal with their workcman-
jhip.
The roofing of Salanccs King of CoUbis, may not com
pare with this.
Then the delightful fruitfulnes of the fet hedges, Orchards,
watered Gardens , fpnn^in^ Foumames , current flrearnes in
Marble Channelles , conteincd , framed, and held in , with an
incredible Art
> grcene Hearbcs, iliil frefhc and flowering,
a fweete ayre, warme and fpring windes , with a confufcd
charme of(ingingand chirping birdes >
a pure, fairc and bright
aire,aiid Ihl continuing temperate and hcalthfull , couutry free
R fiora
TbtfrrifeofLoue
.
i
I ccncebun-
walked on , wee came into a ireqirented place, and wonder- ^cthaman,
fullj frjuitfull. and drmeth
And there in a fine order and appointed diftance wasawaye his fences
fet on either fide^ with Cyprus Trees , with their corner clcfted
Apples ,
and as thickc with leaues as their nature will fuf-
fcr them , the leauell grounde beeyng couered all ouer,
with sreefcic Vinca Permma ,
or Lawceoll and Chamme,
Daphne,
The firife ofLit*
f, and full ofhis afurine flowers. Which adorned way of .1
meeteandconucnient breadth , did lead directly on into a greene
Clofure , from the beginning of whiche walke , mft betwixt the
Cyprus Trees, to the entrance and opening ofthe aforefaide en-
clofure, was fome fourc furlong.es. Vnto which cnclftfure when
wee came, Ifounde it equilatera]l,with three fences like a fireight
wall, as high as the Cyprus Trees vpon either fides ofthe waye,
that wee had pafled along in : which was altogithcr of Cytrons,
OrengesandLymonds, bufhingwith their leaues one within an
other,and artintially knittc and twitted togit her, andthethick-
nes mec thought of fixe foote : with a Gate in the mi ddeft of the
fame Trees , io wcl compofedas is either poflible to bee thought
or done. And abouein conuenicnt places were made windowes,
by meanes whereof,the bowghes in thofeplnces were to be feene
bare, but for their greene leaues which yeelded a molt fweet and
plcafant verdure* Betwixt the curious twiftmgsof the braun-
ches and their greene leaues
, the white flowers did aboundantly
fhewe themfelues a fingular Ornament , breathing foonh a moll
dclcftablc andfweetc odour. And to pleafe the eye ,
the fairc
fruitewasin no place wanting, where it fhould yeelde content.
And afterwardes I might perceiue,that in the interftitious thick-
ncs, thebowffhes (not without a wonderful woorke) were fo ar
tificially tfvifted and growne togither, that youmightaflendvp
by them, and not bee feene in them , noryet the way where you
vventvp.
At length comming into this gteeneand delightful groundc
to the eye, aiidinamansvnderftandingwoorthieoteflimation,
1 pcrceiued that it was a great enclofure in the fore front ofa
rmrueilous Pallaice of anoblefiinmernatedarchiteclurie which
of thisfrondiferous conclaufure,\vas the fourth part in longitude
^x tic paces. And this was the fl-ftthri to wa^kc m, for open
ay re.
beguile
the time withthefe conceits,
anothomifing in them,the vanitie ofthis life, and
vncertaintie of the
delights therof, in the Dreame
ofPolipbilM;
Which ifit (hall plea/e your Honor
atconuenientleyfureto looke ouer, pardoning
what you findeamifle , and weighingmy good
will, I (hall thinkemy felfe moft happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntillthat
I may prefent your Honour, with a matter more
fitting
the fame.
Tour Honors dcuoted.
. V.
A nonymi elegia ad Lee
Andide Poliphilum narrantemfomnia Leflor
aufculteSy fammofornnia miffa po/o,
Non oferamferdeSy
non b<c
audifiepigelit,
tarn vwijs mirum reliMalundatotu*.
Sigrauis Qf tetricus contemnis erotica^ rerum
nofcc frccor feriem tarn bene
difpofitam.
s ? acfaltemftylus qy noua
lingua nov
iS) fofbia9fc rogat afpiciof.
geometrica cernc vetufta
^lurima
miUiacls difce referta
not is.
Hicfant Pyramides, therm*jngentefy Cohfi,
ac Olelifcorumforma vetuftayatet.
Hie diuerfa bafisfulget, varitfque
columns
illarumfy
arcirt
y Zofbora, cfiflilia,
Et
capita at^ trabes, et cum
quadrante corona
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
was of leaues,grafTe,and flowers offilke, like a faire fweere med-
dowe : in the midft wliereofjthere was a large
and goodly round
Arbour ,
made with golde wyer ,
and ouerfpread with rofes of
the lyke woike, more beautifull to the cye,then ifthey had been
growing rofcsvnder which couering.and within which Arbour
about the fides,werc feates ofred Diafpre,& all the round pauc-
raet ofa yellow Diafpre,according to the largenes
ofthe place,
with
in a dreamt. 7 o
with dyucrs colloured fpottings , confufcdly agreeing together
in plcafant adulterated vniting, and fo clecre and fhining,that to
euery obieft was it felfegainc reprefented. Vnder the which
Arbour , the fayre and pleafant The/nut* , folacioufly fitting
downe, tooke her Lute which Hie carryed with her, and wifh a
hcauenly melodie and vn-hearde fweetcneiTe, fhe began to (ing
in the commendation and delighfes of her Queene. And fee
ing what a grace vnto her, the company of her frllowe Lcgiftic*
was, I maruailcd why cxfpolio came not to hnrken the Harmonic
made by them : it was fo melodious , that for the prefcnt tyme a
man woulde haue thought that there had becne no greater fz-
licitie. And after that fhce ended her diuinc Poems, Logifltca
tookemeby the hande and led mefoorth of the Arbour,(aying
vnto me.
Pokphilus, thou /halt vnderftande that the deuife of thefc
obiccls, arc more plcafant to bee vnderfloode then beheldc, and
therefore lettc vs enter in heere , to bee fansfied in both.
And from thence , (hce and her companion brought mec
from thys garden to an other, where 1 behelde an arching <-x/-
reoftile,from the ground bent to the toppe, fyue paces in height
and three ouer, and thus continued rounde about the compaflc
ofthe garden, in an orderly and requisite proportioning, all in-
ucfted and couered ouer with greenc yuie , fo that no part ofthc
wall was to be feene. And there were a hundred Arches to the
compaflmgofthis garden.
By cuery ofthe Arches,was an Aulter of red Porphirite,cu-
rioufly proportioned with exquiflte lyneaments ;
and vppon c-
ucry one of them was placed, an image ofgolde ,
like a Nymph,
ofrare and beautifull femblances, diuerfly apparelled, and vary
ing in theyr attyre and heade drefling , euery one bending their
eyes towards the Center of the garden.
In which middle Centricke place, there was founded a Bafe,
of a cleerc Chriftal-like Calcedonie flone , in a Cubic forme:
And with thefe they fall acquainted, and pafle the feauen reuo-
lucjoiis.
The febeeing; come ouer with an obfcure and roy clofe
./v ij&j
ayre, with many loUes and a gneuous voyage , they beginne to
remember what they haue pail and loft: for the more that the
compafle ofthe reuolucion, draweth necre to the difcoucrie of
the Figure of the Center, the fconer they are pafled ouer , ftyll
hortcrand /Sorter , and the more fwyfter the courfe of the
ftrcame is into the deuouring fwallow ofthe Center.
And then with extreame affliction and bitter ans;uiiTi re-
7
roembringthc abufe of their pleafures , and companions that
they haue forfaken, and fweete places, which fomurh the more
augmentcth their forrowes, for that they can not returne or goe
backe with theyr Shyppe, fuch a companie ftill follow them vp-
pon the frearnc with their fore-ca(Ues. And moft of all dyfmay-
eth them the heauje fentence ouer the median Center, Theonjy-
And there, confidering the difpleafant tytle, they curfe the
time of their entrance into the Labirinth , which hath in it fo
manic fundiy delights, and the end ofthem fubieft to fuch my-
ferable and jneuitable necefsity.
And then Hie (myling, faid : Toltfiilus, ouer the deuouring
throat of thys Center, there fitteth a feuerc ludge, balancing e-
uery ones aclions, and helping whom hec will helpe. And be-
caufe that it will be tedious to tell thee all, let thus much heereof
fuffife. Let vs goe downe to our copanion Thelemw, who de
manding the caufe why they flaid fo long aboue, Logtjhca made
aunfwcr, it dotli not content our PohphtlHs, onely to behold,but
alfo to vnderlland by me the fecrecie of thcfe things, which ha
could not goe to knowe, wherein I haue fatif-fied him, And
when Ihe had ended, Tbelemta faid.
T Let
Theftrifc of Lone
Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no IcfTe plea-
fant ioyning to the glalTe garden , vppon the right fide of
the Pallas : and when wee were come in thither ,
1 way a-
inazcd with cxcefllue wondering ,
to fee the cunoufnefie of
the worke
,
as vneafie to report as vncredtble to beleeue:
arcjuiuolcnt with that of glaiTe , wyth lyke difpofition of
benches or bankes
, theyr lyppes fet out with coronifingand
golden ground work*, and iuch trees , but that the boxes
ballcsofglafTelykegunneftoncs, and other fine proportions
muchpleafing, with a mutuall confent vnmooueable lykc
pcarles (hining without any adulteration byfolyaturc. From
the flowers did breath a fweet fragrancie by fomc clcare walh-
ing with oyle for that purpofe.
There moftcunmngly did Logtftic* lykc an Orator make
a difcourfe in commendation
phyfically
of that excellent
confection of thcnoblenes of the tubftaunce , fecrccieof the
art , and ftraungcnes
of the inuention , The like is not to bee
found*
And after fhee fayde, Po/ipbi/tv
lettc vs goc and afcende vp
this mount nexte the Garden , and Thckmia remayning at the
ftayrefoote, wee afcended vp to the plaync toppe. Where
fhcefiicwedvntonicc, with a heauenly eloquence, a Garden
of alargcrompafle,
made in the forme of an intricate Labo-
rynthallyes and wayes ,
not to bee trodcn , but fayled about,
fbrinftcadeorallyes to trcade vppcn, there were ryuers of
water.
The which myfticall place
wa<: ofaveric Jultie mould and
fruitrull, replenifhed
with all forts of fruits, beautified with
fake fprm^s, and greenchearbcs
and flowers, full ofalliblacc
and delimit.Whereupon flic fpake thus t
Idoc
nt A Dreamt.
I doe imagine (Potiphibu) that you doe not vnde/fhnde
the condjtionate (late ofthis marueilous feate , and therefore
giue attendance to ray wordes.
\V hofoeuer entereth in cannot come backe , but as you fee
yonder mountaines heerc and there diftnbuted , feuen circu*
it sand the about goingsdiftantonefrom another.
And the extreememoleftotionand forrowc of thcente-
rersin, is tliis : In the myddle mountayne within thecenter
thereof, and openmouth ofthe fame, there lurkcth muinbly
a deadly deuounng olde Dragon, hee is vtter deltruc"hori to
fome, and others are not hurte to death by him, Hec can
not bee feene nor Hiunned, neythcrdoth heeleaueany vnaf-
faultcd, buteytherin die entrie , or in their tourney, hcede-
flroyethor woundeth . And if hee killeththemnot betwixt
one mountayne and another, theypaflc the feuencircuitcsto
the next mount*
And they that enter in by the firft tower or mouut (where-
uery ones aclions, and helping whom hec will helpe. And be-
caufe that it will be tedious to tell thee all, let thus much heereof
fuffife. Let vs goe downe to our copanion Thelemw, who de
manding the caufe why they flaid fo long aboue, Logtjhca made
aunfwcr, it dotli not content our PohphtlHs, onely to behold,but
alfo to vnderlland by me the fecrecie of thcfe things, which ha
could not goe to knowe, wherein I haue fatif-fied him, And
when Ihe had ended, Tbelemta faid.
T Let
Theftrifc of Lone
Let vs goe a little while to an other garden no IcfTe plea-
fant ioyning to the glalTe garden , vppon the right fide of
the Pallas : and when wee were come in thither ,
1 way a-
inazcd with cxcefllue wondering ,
to fee the cunoufnefie of
the worke
,
as vneafie to report as vncredtble to beleeue:
arcjuiuolcnt with that of glaiTe , wyth lyke difpofition of
benches or bankes
, theyr lyppes fet out with coronifingand
golden ground work*, and iuch trees , but that the boxes
and Cyprus trees, were all filke,fauingthe bodies and grea
ter branches, or the ftrength of the armes : the reft , as the
leaues , flowers , and outermoft rynde , was of fine (like,
wanting no (lore of Pearlcs to beaut ifie the fame : and the
peife&fine collour, fvnellmg as the gla(Te flowers beforennenti-
oned,and alike, but that they about compaffing walles^of mcr-
uailous and incredible fumpteoufneiTe , were all couered o-
uer with a crufting of Pearle , clofe ioyned and fet toge
ther : and towardes the toppe, there fprouted out greenc
yuie, the leaues thickningandbufhing out from the Pearles,
vvith the ftringes and veines of golde, running vppe in di-
uers places betwixt the Pearles ,
in a moft rare and curious
(brt , as if it had beene very growing yuie >
with berries of
precious (tones fette in the ftalkes in little bunches: and in
the bu flies were Ringe-doues of filkc, as if they had becnc
feeding of the berries, all along the (ides of the fquare plot
ted garden walles : ouer the which , in rnafrer-like and re-
quifite
order , ftretched out the beamc and Zophor ofgolde.
The plaine fmotb of the fettles , where-vpon the boxc
trees (loode, couered ouer with Hiftories of loue and venc-
rie , ia a workc of filke and threddes of golde and filuer, in
oneauesjihiites^vvigges, braunchesaudfloures, and fome about
part of their bodies, with little children riding vpon them and
playing, mfo perfect a(ort and willed order, asthemoftskil-
full workemaifter i-ullofvarietie, labour, (ludie,andmdu(lrie,
could deuife and performe. With what care and pamehis aboun
ding skill did plainly manifeft, and with what pleafure the effccl:
ofhispurpofedidnowhitobfcure.
And with fuch an Ettrtthmie or apt proportioning of mem
bers, heedid fhewethefubtiltieoftheart of Lapictdartf, as if the
fub (lances had not beeneof thehardeft marble ho wloeucr, but
of foft chaulke or Potters claie, and with what conclanfture
the tlones were couched, and by what Artillene ,
rule and mea-
fure they were compofed and fet , it was woonderfull to ima-
gmc.
This was the true Art enucleating and difcouering the igno
rance that weeworkein, ourdeteftableprefumption, and pub-
like condemned errors.
This is that cleare and perfeft light, which fweetlyand with
H om
our vnconftrained willes draweth our dimme fighted eics ro con-
template and behold the fame. For none (vnles itbe he which of
fetpurpofercfulcth to behold it ) but his eyes would dafellvMth
contmuall defire to fee it.
1 his is that which accufeth horrible ccuetoufiics, the deuou-
rer and coniumer ofall vertue. a Itil bytmir and euerlaltin^ ^rce-
.
,
* J C7 O J
chc wo-rme in his heart that is cnptiuat ed and fubic-fb to thrlaine,
theacairfedletandhindcrancetowelldilpofcdwittes^the mor.
tal enemy to good Architeftuvie^ and the execrable Idol of this
prefem world, lo vnworrhily worJ hipped, and damnably adored*
Thou deadly poifon to him that is infected with thee,\vhat (limp-
ruous workes are ouerthrowne, and by thee interdicted.
Herewithall 1 beeingrauifhed and taken vp with vnfpeakc-
able delight andpleafure in the regarding of tins rare and aunci-
cnt venerable monument otfuch a grace and admiration, that I
knew not to which parttoturne me tirft,here and there willingly
looking about , and thereat amazed, considerately perufing ouer
what theingrauen hiftories prefentcd vnto me, as 1 remoued my
{clfefrom place to place,
with an vnknowne delight, and vnrepor-
tablepleaiure to beholde the fame , gaping at themwithopen
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
I he difcription ofthe morning.
j
Hathoureas PAce^w ( 4 ) ifTuing foorth, did
bewtific withbri2;htneiTc the forhead of Lett-o
cetbea(f>^,and appearing out of the Occean
waues, not full/ fhewinghis turning wheeles,
that had beene hungvp,butfpecdily with his
fwih horfes Pyrou* Scd7W,haftning his courfe,
andgimng a tinftureto the Spiders webbes,
ainon2;rhe grccneleaues
and tender prickles ofthe Vermilion
Roles" in the purfuite whereof he lTiewedhimfelfemofl:fwift&
"littering,
now vpontheneuerreftmgand fhlJ mooning waues,
hecryfped vp his irradientlieyres.
Vpponwhofe vprifing ,euen at that indant, the vnhorned
Moone difir.ountedhir icife, lofine from hir Chariot hir two
I,orfes,theone white and the other browne, and drewc to the
Hotrifon(^ different from the Hemifphere (<r)
from whence
flic came.
And when as the mountaines and htlles were beautifull, and
the northeaft winds had left of to make barraine with the Iharp-
neilc of their blnfb, the tender fprigsto difquiec the nioouuig
B rccdcs,
(a)Phzbus
the Sunnc,
b) Leucothea
the morning.
(c)Pyr&Eo,
the horfes of
thePoctsiris with the building which was an inclofure or end ofthevalley be-
fometime ta- twixtmountaineandmountainc: whichthmgl thought worthy
the noting,and without further delay I addrefTedmy felfc more
(d)Caucafus
neerer therevnto. And by howmuch the morel approximated
amighcic hill the fame, by fo much the more the excellence or the woorkc
in Alia which /hewed k feJfc , increafingmy defire to behould the fame 4 For
partcrhln- tnere appearedno longerafubftanceofvnknowne forme , but a
thL
f C
^" rare Obeliik vpon a vait frame and ftonicfoundation,the heigth
(c)Cilenusa whereofwithout comparifon did exceed thetoppes ofthe fide-
hill ofArea- lying mountaynes , although I thought that they had bcenc the
dia
3
whcre lu- renowmed Ofvmpw f^),the famous Cavcafwfb), and not inferior
Pl
ccrbe^ c
tocy^^co.Mtrcunevp- 4, r <f
(d)Parosis fpeakeable delight, at pleafure I beJielde the ftraunge manner
oneofchc^y. o f tne arte ? the hugene(l"e
of the frame, and the woonderfull
If] cs called
excellencicofthewoorkmanfhip . Mnruellin^ andconfidering
Sporadesf^n
the compafTe andlargeneiFeofthis broken and decayed obieft,
thefeaAege- made of the pure gliilenng marble/of Pares (d) . The fquared
um which <ic- frones ioyned togither without anyc cement, and the pointed
uidethEurup cjran jau corner ftoncs (treightlyc fitted andfinoothlyc
from Aha. ^
pullifhcdjtnc edges
whercofwerc ofan exquisite
vermillion cou-
lour,asis pofiiblctobee dcuifed : and foiuftfet, as betwixt the
joy nts,euen the encmie to the woorke ( ifeuer there were anye)
could not deuife to hide the point of the fmallcir fpamfh needle
vfed ot the be(lworkewomen.And therein this fo noble a piece
or uorke, I found a proportioned fubftance to cucry lhape and
likenetfe thatcanbc thought vpon and called torcmembrancej
partly decsyed,and fome (till whole remaining, with pillers fmall
vpon greatjWith
their excellent heads ofan exaft andmoflper-
feftclofing,crovvnedbattelments,cmbofbcaruings,bearing forth
like embroderie,archedbeames,mjghtiemettalme images,ouer-
marble . Great lauers condites , and other infinite fragments of
notable woorkrnanfhip,\r different and infenour from that they
v. cre,m their perfeftion.but now brought back as it were to their
firft vnfhapehnes^eing fallen and call: downe,fo;neheere, Tome
thereupon the earth from the which they were taken. Among
the brokenand decayed placcs,wherof great fundrie wall weeds
andhearbes ,cfpecially the vnlhaking Anagyrc,the Lenrife of
bothkmdes,bearesfoote, doggeshead, Gladengreene.fpotted
lujc, Centarie,and diuers fuch like- And in the myld ^red places
ofbroken wall es grewHowflike, and the hanging Cymbalari.i
br)
r
ers,and pricking brambles,among the which crept Swifts and
Lyzarts which I fawe crawling among the ouergrowne ftones f
which at the firft fight in this filent and folitaric place, made me
to be warily afraid of them. On euery fide there lay fallen downe
fmoothe round pieces offerpentfpottedMarble,purple and red
dmerfe coulourecLFragments offtrangehiftories , PanglyphicznA.
Hcmyvtnkic compcndioufly caralenzed, (hewing the excellen-
bc ^Y ca
,
r"
L c j L ji r i r o ^uedfrom the
ciethereofjvndoubtedlyacculing ourage,thatthcpcrfe6lionof head to the
fuch an art is forgotten* footc m all
Then commmg to the myddle fronture of the great and members.
excellent woorke , I fawe one fole
large and marueylcus porche
worthy ofgreat eftiination,proportioned according to the huge
"
quantitie ofthe reft ofthe whole work^which was placed betwixt
and continued in building from the one and the other of the
mouataincs hare lipped,and aboue arched,whofc fpacc betwixt
C 2 as
The
ftrtfe of Louc
as I doc coniefture was in meafure fixe furlongs, and twelue pa
ces . The top of which rnountaincs were perpendicularly cquall
eyther ofthem touching the allured skey . At the
fight whereofI
imagined with my felfe anddeuifedto thinke with what yron in-
{trumentSjWith what labour ofmenshands 5
and number ofwork
men, fuch apiece of woorke could bee by great ftrength framed,
with much paine layde together , and a long time in
finiilmig.
There then this woonderfuil frame willingly as it were ioyned
hands and vnited it felfe with the one and the other mi^htic^j
mouritames,bymeanes whereof, the forefaid valley there had an
cnd,that no man could go further forward or backe againe,but to
enter in by this broadejlarge^nd wide open porche.
Vpon this maflie frame and mightie woorkmanfhip, which I
lencie.
With diuerlitie of coulers, (wcetlyc let , and aptlye difpofed,
the reflexion ofone beautifing another, and all together making
agratious obie&.O(P0rpfyrit >Opbit,Nitmi{it4nt A/abaftrit t Pyroyc-
cti)LacedrmoniaBgceene,an<{
white marble, dmerilie watered, and
ofj4ndrafmev4it\i white fpottes,and many others ofilrange forts
and diucrs commixtures.
I found oncrare forme ofa bafe, in fafhion like a cufhion vpon
the plynthc whereor flood two trochils or torrules, with an inter*
pofitionofHypotraclcs or fhaftes,and A(lragals,witha fupreamc
Thore.
Diuers places
were hidden and coucred ouer with winding,
feltedand fprcding Iuie,full ofblack bemcs,andgreenefoft leaues
heareand theregrowing vp,and hindering
theinwardeobieftof
the auncient worke ,with other Murall and wall weeds comming
out ofthe chinkes andclifrs,as the bell ffowered Foxgloue.Venui
Nauill,& Erogennet,offomccalledLoue, to whome he is grate-
full,bufhmg downe agame toward the ground,in other ryfts grew
Mowfe-eare,Polypodie,Adientus or Lady hayre,theiaged acid
curled Cithraciis the knotted Lunane minor, Prickmaddam,Po-
lytricon,or goulden lockes and fuch like,which vfe to grow in de
cayed buildings,and ouldftone wales,fo that manywoorthie pee-
ces
ccs were inueftcci and hydden froai mc,with fuch like weedes and
grecne Olyues thegarnifhers ofruincs.
There was in dmers places ineflimablc huge downc fulles of
man) columncs or rather coufufcd piles ofbroken (loncs,and vn-
ihapely Culpins mountm^vp from the earth.
Among which downcfillen pecces I might fee the remayn-
ders of diuers fliapes of men of fundne fortes, many naked, o-
ther fome hauing their members couered with folded and pliccd
mduments, fad flicking to their naked proportions. Some (lan
ding vpon the left fbotc, others vpon the right in a ftr eight fort,
with their heads perpendicularly, euerthe center betwixt their
heeles ,
and fome looking (idcwaies in height , foure Cubitcs of
ilxefoote.
Others (landing vppon both feete, fome dealediftant one
from an other, and each one in a maiedie fitting
in their thrones,
and the reft with a rareand modcftgrace in their bedpleafuig and
appointed feat es.
giue a word.
The two appoynted companyons of my iourney, ve-
rie fauourablye, and with a familiar readmes and virgmlike
ieftures, tookeholde of mee, oneby the right hande, and
the other by the left, and reucrentlyobteyning licence, firil
of the Queene, and takyng theyrleaucof thereft, went out
the fame way that I came in.
And I beeyng desirous and not fatisfied, turned mee
about towardes the confpicuous Poarch, to beholde dili
gently the artifkious Pallaice, wonderfull and perfinite of
the Art of building.
The fubnl tie of which, no humane excogitation is able
to imitate,
And therefore I thought that nature had made that fora
iJ
maruell of all her woorkes for commoditie , vfe, grace, bew-
tic, ayrc, and continuall durablenes.
For which caufe,Iwas excefsiuely desirous toflaie and
looke vppon it , but my leaders andguides wouldnot fuffcr
mee, and yet by the thefc of my eye in the Zopher, ouer
the gate I noted this itffciiption,
o THjr2fi2 OABOS.
And
And as muche as withmy quicke fences I could carrie, I
tooke in my going foorth, with as greate pleafure and de
light as is poflible to exprefTe. O happie were hee that
mv2;ht bee but a drudge or kitchin flaue in fuche a Para-
. o o
dice.
Nowe beeing come into the bafe Court, compafled and
fctte about with Orenge trees, Thelemiam great curteftefaide
thus vnto mee, befides and aboue all the maruellous and
woonderfullthinges which thouhaft yet feene and beheldc*
there bee fower yet remayning behynde whiche thou lhalt
fee.
And vppon the lefrefide of the incomparable pallace,
they brought mee into a fayre Orchyard of excogitable ex-
pence, tyme, and fubtletie of woorke-manfhippe, the
conrynent and cyrcuite whereof was as muche as rhe plot
of the Pallace, wherein was the refydcnce and abiding of
thcQueene.
Round about faft by the walks of the Orchyard there
were let conuenyent garden pots in the which in Head of Arscopariais
growing plantes , euerie one was of pure glade, exceeding
the way of
a mans imagination or beleefe, intorpiaried boxe the cutnnSf
rootes and italkcs of golde, \vhereout the other procec- "^orShcr
ded.
places to pro-
Betwixt one and other of the which was placed a Cy- portions or
pruHe tree, not aboue two paces high, and the boxe one
pace full of manyfolde maruellous fymples, with a mode
excellent imitation of nature, and pleafaunt diuerfitiem
thereof, and caufe fo great delyghtto
behould the fame , what
would it haue done in chiefeft pride.
After this my difcour/eing,reafon perfwaded meeto fuppofe,
tfat with in mi^ht bee the Aultar ofVenus for hir mifticill Sacrifi
ces and facred names , or the reprefemation of hir Godhead , or
the ^phrodtfe of hir felfe and hir little Archer, and therefore
A bird offlow
w^h a deuoute rcuerence,my right footebeeing fctvpponthe
flight & Jong halowed lymit ofthe doore, there came towards me flying
a white
liumg.moM Horix*
monuments g llt \ fodainlyc with out any furtherregard or curious forcafte
byAuguis u jlic j]rn y fearchinsreieswentinas thefpatiousand lisJitfomeen-
dedicated to J & r rL/-i^ i
Saturnc. && a ue mc leauc
> repreicntuig vnto me lucn lights as merit , and
are Condigne of euerlaftingeremembramKe ,
in ether fydes (til
led with fmotb poollifliede Marble, in the middle parte where of
tliere was
iiijpa<fte
a rounde table, inclanftredeandcompafTede
aboutvMthagi-eeneStoiiiK vcryepretious and accordinghe afo-
fciated
in 4 Dretnte.
fcociated with curious workcmanlhip. And the oppofite ofve-
rie blackeflone , (corning and contemning the hardnesof iron,
and cieare an d fhimng as a mirror. By meanes whereofas 1 pafTed
bv(vnawares) Igrewafraydatmy owne fhadoWj neuerthelesl
was by an by comforted with vnexfpefted delight, for thcplacc
tliatoccafionedmy difcjuiet nowc offered vnto methcgrounde
of allfciences, hiftoned in a vifiblemanifcfl and experce pain-
ring.
And on either fides vnder the fame beautiful! and moft no
ble tables, there were placed all a long feates offtone. 1 hepauc-
ment neat and cleajie from duft, being made ofOftractu.
Andfoinhke manner the coloured vpper feeling
was pure Oftracnsbc
and voydof Spiders and Cobwebs, byreafon ofthe contnmall poundedfnels
frefhayrebothentrineinand^oin^out.
mixed with
T-I r i- r T. 11 r r j J limc.wheicot
The feeling of the walles as aforefaydc , mounted vpto a piaiftcr is
thebendyngoFthe Arche from the Chapters which flood vp- made to floor
on their ftrift and vpright Antes euen to the vttermofl: ende withall,
of the entric, which was by my perlpeftwe iudgcmeut twelue
paces.
From which perpolyte ligature and faftned ioyntcs, the
by rea(bn-ofthe tluckncilcoOheayre in this fo-
]ytarieandloiieplace3gauean eccho,and djdputme jnjrundeof
my Angehke and extrcafnc deiired./W/*.
O hi me that foiiiull oranye intermiilion fhould caufethat
hir fottety and celcfli aii idea and fhape was not dill imprinted in
my mmde, and^corttlrtiic^ia dayly comp-anior:, in whoi<e bfeft my
hfeis-refolued^b-sbkJci acid txrit as "vnder the prot-eftion of a
moil finx* afvd ap-pr&oue^rleldiandiafc defence.
And by trftsway I wasittsught too a pLice v.herc were diuers
and rumh ie excellent fort j of aoncient deuifes and woorkeman -
fhips.-nVflofaJJ,! b-eheMa moft fay-re porthc,paft all fenceto de-
fcribe^forthcineF^dible Curiaofnei thereof,as cuenvas built or
dcuifed) and therAthet foe d^at cuar mother toung and vulgar
fy:zdic y rt]i(y not aflfoord-apt
andpeed lar words, for fu-ch a picc^e
ofarti^cral1
!work e.
Before this gorgeous and glorious porche,you lliall vndcrfland
that
in A Dre<*tnf. 1 1
that ir. the open ayre there was a fowrefquare court of thirtrepa-
c cs by his Dumetcr, paucd withpuje fine marble, poynted footc
fquare,wrought checker wife of diuers fusions , and fundnc bell
titling
coulours : butjn many places , by meases of the ruine of
tlieaiiJKKUtwalkeandoldep.u
>
]cr$,brokeii inpecces and oucr-
ex-
Anainttevtmoirpartesofthe aforefaide court , to the right Acolumnc
haiadjandthekft.LOAardsthemountaines^thcre was two frraight
confiftechof
rowes ofpillars, with a fpace betwixt for the interieft Areoftde^ j^
the quantities of both columnes required, thefirflcourfeoror- h LO(j.
der ofLetting the pyllars, beginning on both fides equall to the Ailrngalus
Lyrr.bus or extreamepartotthefronteof thcporche, the 1 pace
tlutib ihc
betwixt py liars and pillars xv 4 paces * Of which colluinnes or
jbl
.
ecto lhe
..
rj
r *. capiccll next
great pillarsjlome and the greateit pane or number were whole. ^ co]umnc.
With their capitels or heads , wrought with a wauediliell workc, Hypocrachc-
andcyllene or drapene,their corners bearing out and inanulated licihcfliafc
ked about mec , whether 4fellcs had painted them with his
Penfill.
And
in A Dreamt.
And there my fportfull, faire , and pleafant companions, cueric
one putting their right handcs to mine, willing to haue me in,
faydcyPebpbt/w this is the vfuall waye , by the which youmuft
come into the prefeuce of our Gracious and mofte excellent
Queene.
Bat you cannot hauc leaue to enter in here through this Curtain,
before youbee receiucd ofa vigilantand innocent Damofel that
is the keeper ofthis doore, and ihe is called Cmofia. Who hearing
vs comming, did rbrthwithpretent her fclfe, and fauourably held
vp the cloth, and wee entered in.
There was a roomc hung about and diuidedby an other Cur-
tauie ofexcellent Arras full of Imagene,as fignes,lhapcs,plants,
andbeal\es, fingularly well done.
In tins place at our comming , an other curious woman came
towardes vs 3
called fndahwsnA , and (he putting by the Curtainc,
wee enteredin. And rhere was an other fuche like roomc, from
the fecond for quantin :, with difcourfes and reafon rnaruciloufly
wouen, \Mti .iiifinitek~ottes, buckling^ ,tyings,
and oldfafhia-
ned harping Irons, orHookes, as if they had been fattened and
knit togither. Inwhichplicc without any (hying, the thirdwo
man came and receiued vs very gratioufly, her name was Muem^
fin* t
and fhee calling vs.gauevs free leaue to go in. Where lafl>
ly my companions did prefentmee before the facred maicftic of
the Quccnc Eleutherilltd*.
m&y , hovtexctcding grfttt
ths
ftie of the Qucenc VPM , the mtnner of her Refidencc and fer~
nicf. His favourable entertainment. Howe [hee marvelledM
him.
HcnT camctownrdes the fiiTtdoore-keept*,
Iwasfomewhat aballied , but yetl did utc
her in ouodfjrte as became mce to dc ?, Av>i
i^eevene curteoufly badd j mec c
And in lik: manner the fecond.
O Jn
Ttv ftrtfe ofL
In whofegardJL did feeaiofric Gallery as long the content of the
Pallaice, the roote whereof , was all painted v\ith a greene fbha-
ture , with diftin& flowers and folded leaues, and little flv-
ing Byrdes, excellently imphrygiated ot mufeacall paymiag,
as without in the firft Court, and the done walks fcclcd with
Chipworkcsofdiuers colours.
At thelaft daore, the Matrone MnenufwA perilvad^dn^e
Verie effectually ,
not to doubt ofany thing >
but that 1 fhould
bceneasfbftas wax . A-wootKiraithcr to bee woondered at,
thenvndertaken.
The fqnare bafe conn, (in the middeft whereof flood this
notable woorke of the furnptuous Fountame , was paucd with
fine Marble ofduicrs coukrs andfafhions. Amongftwhich were
appacl very beautifully, roundesofDia/per, equally diftant, and
dilagreeing from the ceulcrofthe pauemeht^and the corners clo
fed vp with leaues and Lyllies . Betwixt the fquare marble pa-
mng ftoncs , there was a fpace lek like a lift
, which was fill ed vp
withdiuers coulered ftonesof a lelTercut , fome proportioned
into greencleaues
1
, and tawnieftowers . Cyanei, Phaenicei, and
Sallcndine,fo well agreeing in theyr coulers, foglifteringand
feuerly fet ofa diligent Xefturgie . As full of coulers as a Chri-
ftallglaiTe,repercuft and beaten agamftwith the beanies of the
funne.Becaufethecircumdudl:and compaffing coulers, meeting
together in the felfe fame finoothe and cleane (tones, did yeeld a
refteftion,nopart being faultie, eytherof thefquare checkers 01
fcutuls and Tritons But with a fmoothe and flrei2;htordirianccj
well ioyned together.
Whereat 1 remained woonderfuHy amafed b)
r my felfe , dili
gently confidering vponthe noblencsof the woorke, fuch asl
ndd not beenevfed to le, aim verve willinglyc I would hauc
beenc-contentjrohaiit made^ittoffr ffayein tbe contemplating
thcreof,for fo the
dignitie
of the worke required,but I could n^t
becaufe it was neceflarie forme to follow after my leaders*
Then
Then the afpeft of this fumptuous magnifkient andftatclye
pallace , theapprooucd fit uation thereof, the dew proportion^
and the maruelous compofition m myfirft comming to it, did
makeme woondei fully contented to view the woorthincs there
of, and in continuance I was prouokedto behouldmore , for
which caufe I perlwaded my felfe , as I might very well , that the
expert builder
,
excelled all other whatfoeuer . Whatkindcof
rafters ? what manner ofroofe ? after what fort the Parlors cham
bers,clofcts and lodgings,weredifpofed* with what kind otiee-
ling they were enclofed and mcrufted ? wherewithall hanged?
withwhat couler and kmde of painting ouerhead? What order
of columination , andwhat fpace betwixt . No other building
bare, but for their greene leaues which yeelded a molt fweet and
plcafant verdure* Betwixt the curious twiftmgsof the braun-
ches and their greene leaues
, the white flowers did aboundantly
fhewe themfelues a fingular Ornament , breathing foonh a moll
dclcftablc andfweetc odour. And to pleafe the eye ,
the fairc
fruitewasin no place wanting, where it fhould yeelde content.
And afterwardes I might perceiue,that in the interftitious thick-
ncs, thebowffhes (not without a wonderful woorke) were fo ar
tificially tfvifted and growne togither, that youmightaflendvp
by them, and not bee feene in them , noryet the way where you
vventvp.
At length comming into this gteeneand delightful groundc
to the eye, aiidinamansvnderftandingwoorthieoteflimation,
1 pcrceiued that it was a great enclofure in the fore front ofa
rmrueilous Pallaice of anoblefiinmernatedarchiteclurie which
of thisfrondiferous conclaufure,\vas the fourth part in longitude
^x tic paces. And this was the fl-ftthri to wa^kc m, for open
ay re.
Inj-hemiddeflof this great bafe Court, I didbehold agoodly
Fountaine of cleare water fpinnyng from the verie toppe as ic
were to the foundation whiche (toodevponafmoothc paue-
ment througji little Ureiglit Py^><;s^ftiling
into a hollowed vei
:-
fel, whiche was of moil pnrc Amethilt, \vhofe Diameter con-
tcincd three paces, the thicknes agreeing therewithal!
Visible: 0% - 93%
Walking through the architectural scenes of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili is like touring a sacred dreamscape—each space a symbolic revelation. Here’s a step-by-step walk-through of some of the most significant architectural moments, arranged in order of escalating splendor and esoteric significance:
Would you like a map or visual diagram of this architectural journey?
give me a full list of allegorical figures
unknown{
"queries": [
"full list of allegorical figures in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili",
"named symbolic and allegorical characters in Hypnerotomachia",
"list of mythological and allegorical beings Poliphilo meets",
"personifications and symbolic guides in Hypnerotomachia",
"characters representing abstract ideas in Hypnerotomachia"
]
}
[Web browsing]
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
I he difcription ofthe morning.
j
Hathoureas PAce^w ( 4 ) ifTuing foorth, did
bewtific withbri2;htneiTc the forhead of Lett-o
cetbea(f>^,and appearing out of the Occean
waues, not full/ fhewinghis turning wheeles,
that had beene hungvp,butfpecdily with his
fwih horfes Pyrou* Scd7W,haftning his courfe,
andgimng a tinftureto the Spiders webbes,
ainon2;rhe grccneleaues
and tender prickles ofthe Vermilion
Roles" in the purfuite whereof he lTiewedhimfelfemofl:fwift&
"littering,
now vpontheneuerreftmgand fhlJ mooning waues,
hecryfped vp his irradientlieyres.
Vpponwhofe vprifing ,euen at that indant, the vnhorned
Moone difir.ountedhir icife, lofine from hir Chariot hir two
I,orfes,theone white and the other browne, and drewc to the
Hotrifon(^ different from the Hemifphere (<r)
from whence
flic came.
And when as the mountaines and htlles were beautifull, and
the northeaft winds had left of to make barraine with the Iharp-
neilc of their blnfb, the tender fprigsto difquiec the nioouuig
B rccdcs,
(a)Phzbus
the Sunnc,
b) Leucothea
the morning.
(c)Pyr&Eo,
the horfes of
circumfept with thefe and fuch like forts, and fo alfo the de
licious fields, but that me thought it was a louely fight to be
hold, and fo I fbould haue continued : then the gratious
Nymph attbciating and leading me/eeing my fimplicitie and
carelefnes, with a ready countenance and fweete andplea-
fanr words, without asking,(he faid thus vnto me : MyPo/j-
phitw, doeft thou fee thefe ? ( (hewing me thofe of the olde
world ) thefe were beloued of /Hpitcr, and this, and this was
fuch a one, and thefe were in loue with him, by this meanes
(hewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and noc
knowing their names, (he in great curtefie told me. After
ward fhe (hewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder
thegouernment of three fober and difcrcte matrones the
leaders to fo great delight : Adding thereunto very pleaiant-
ly (changing hir augelhke countenance) My Poliphtbu, thou
lhalt vnderftand, that no earthly creature can enter in heere
without a burning torch as thou feed me, either with ex-
treeme loue and great paines, or for the fau our and compa
ny of thofe three matrones. And from hir hart fetting a
deepe figh, (he faid : This torch haue I brought hither for
thy fake,minding to put ic cut in yonder temple.
Thefe fpeeches pearced my hart, they were fo delightfull
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
beguile
the time withthefe conceits,
anothomifing in them,the vanitie ofthis life, and
vncertaintie of the
delights therof, in the Dreame
ofPolipbilM;
Which ifit (hall plea/e your Honor
atconuenientleyfureto looke ouer, pardoning
what you findeamifle , and weighingmy good
will, I (hall thinkemy felfe moft happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntillthat
I may prefent your Honour, with a matter more
fitting
the fame.
Tour Honors dcuoted.
. V.
A nonymi elegia ad Lee
Andide Poliphilum narrantemfomnia Leflor
aufculteSy fammofornnia miffa po/o,
Non oferamferdeSy
non b<c
audifiepigelit,
tarn vwijs mirum reliMalundatotu*.
Sigrauis Qf tetricus contemnis erotica^ rerum
nofcc frccor feriem tarn bene
difpofitam.
s ? acfaltemftylus qy noua
lingua nov
iS) fofbia9fc rogat afpiciof.
geometrica cernc vetufta
^lurima
miUiacls difce referta
not is.
Hicfant Pyramides, therm*jngentefy Cohfi,
ac Olelifcorumforma vetuftayatet.
Hie diuerfa bafisfulget, varitfque
columns
illarumfy
arcirt
y Zofbora, cfiflilia,
Et
capita at^ trabes, et cum
quadrante corona
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
cleere flood and diuine fire. The daughter ofFullus and that
of Mencmphtti, with hir counterfeit father, and that other of
Diodes with hir lap full offlowers and a writhing ferpent, and
the faire yoong gyrle no more forrowing for the growing of
hir hornes.t/fftiocbi* and Antigone the daughter of Laomcdon
folacioufly delighting hir felfe in hirftorkifh plumes, and
Lurfflethe fir ft inuentrixof wheeles. Gr,w<*wmkthcdaun-
cing Nymph holding by hir little finger, and wafhing hir de
licate pretie feete from fweate in the riuer B.igrada. After
that I beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon purfuing hir :
Erigone hauing hir faire (hining breft ilickt full of f^eetc
grapes,
in ft drcame. 91
grapes,and the daughter of king Chollut with hir bull, Eripbile
and hir changed husband: The daughter of eX//wand the
virgin Mclantho with hir dolphin, Phylkra the daughter of
old Ocean** with the father of Chiron. Next hir CVw with hir
head inftrophyated with ripe cares of corne imbracingthe
fcalie Hydra, : And the faire Nymph Lara forting with */trgi-
phon : and the fa eeteF/riof the riuer Numicta.
And whileftl flood with excetfiue delight beholding onely
as an ignorant this rarecompanie and myfticall triumphes,
circumfept with thefe and fuch like forts, and fo alfo the de
licious fields, but that me thought it was a louely fight to be
hold, and fo I fbould haue continued : then the gratious
Nymph attbciating and leading me/eeing my fimplicitie and
carelefnes, with a ready countenance and fweete andplea-
fanr words, without asking,(he faid thus vnto me : MyPo/j-
phitw, doeft thou fee thefe ? ( (hewing me thofe of the olde
world ) thefe were beloued of /Hpitcr, and this, and this was
fuch a one, and thefe were in loue with him, by this meanes
(hewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and noc
knowing their names, (he in great curtefie told me. After
ward fhe (hewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder
thegouernment of three fober and difcrcte matrones the
leaders to fo great delight : Adding thereunto very pleaiant-
ly (changing hir augelhke countenance) My Poliphtbu, thou
lhalt vnderftand, that no earthly creature can enter in heere
without a burning torch as thou feed me, either with ex-
treeme loue and great paines, or for the fau our and compa
ny of thofe three matrones. And from hir hart fetting a
deepe figh, (he faid : This torch haue I brought hither for
panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
in thc commendation of the head ofhir louerP/^w, (he defi-
red homes. And after them all (be fliewed me two women,
one
ixadretme.
one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
which came hindermoft finging togither.
And thus they marched about in a moft pleafant and de-
iightfull manervpon the frefh greene and flourifliingplainc:
Some inttrophiated with Iaurcl,fome with myrtle^nd others
with other forts of flowers and garlands, inceflantly without
any wearines or intermiffion in a perfection of the felicitic
of this world, mutually enioying one anothers afped and
companie.
The Njmph batting at Urge declared vnto Poliphilw the
myfticall
triumphfond extreeme lotte , afterwards fhe de/fred htm togo o*
furtherjtvhere a/fo
withgreat delight
he beheld innumerable other
Nymphs i with their dejtred totters, in a thoufandforts ofpleafttres
folacingthemfclttesvpon thegreerjegrajfe yfre(h{hadovpes t andbj
the eoole riuers andcleere fountawes. And how Polrphiltu there
had withmadnes almoft forgotten himfelfe in the
pajfions ofdeprct
but nope dtd
affivagc hufHrit, quieting himfelfe tn the beholding cf
thefreetffanourofthefaire Nymph.
Ot onely happje but aboue all
other mod happie were he, to
whom it (hould be granted con
there were little naked boies,climing vp and fitting aloft ga
thering the ripe clufters : others offering them in a basket to
the God, who pleafantly receiued them : other fome lay fa ft
a lleepe vpon the ground, being di unke with the fweet iuice
Aa a of
The
ftrifc of Louc
of the grape. Others applying themfelues to the workeof
muftulcnt autumne: others iinging and piping : all which ex-
preflion was perfeded by the workman in pretious (tones,
of fuch colour as the naturall liuelinefle ofeuery vaine, leafe,
flower, berrie, body, proportion, fhape, and reprefentarion
required. And in this imagerie, although it was very fmall,
yet there was no defed to be found in the leaft part belong
ing thereunto,but perfcdly to be difcerned.
Out of this former defcribed vefTell did fpring vp a grecnc
flourifhingvine,
the twifling branches thereof full fetwith
clutters of grapes,the tawny berries ofIndian Amethylt.and
theleaties of greeneSilenitis of Perfia : Not fubiedtothe
change of the moone,delighted of Cupid. This tree (liadowed
the chariot : Ateucry corner of this triumphant chariot vp-
ontheplaine where the velTcllttocd, was placed a candle-
fticke, ofexcellent workmanfhip, vpon three feet of red cor-
ralljwell liked of the ruder fort, refitting lightening and tem-
pefts, fauourable and prelcruatiue to the bearer : The like
were not found vnckr ilie head of Gorgon of Perfia, nor in the
Ocean Erythrcum. The ll^ale of one of the candlefticks was
of white corrall,bdoued of D/^4, of a conuenient length,
with round knobs and Joints, in height two foote. Another
was of mod fine ftonc Dtomfjas, hauing fpots growing from
a blackifn to a pure red, the fame pounded fmelleth fweetly.
The third was of perfed Medea of the colour of darke gold,
and hauing the fmell ofNedar.The fourth ofpretious Nebri-
ti* from a blacke growing to a white and greene. Out of the
hollowed fteales whereof, there afcendcd vp a pyramidall
flame ofeuerlafting fire, continually burning.The brightnes
of the works exprefled through the reflexion of the lights,
and the fparkling of the pretious ftones were fuch, as my eies
dazeled to behold them.
About which heauenly triumph,with a maruellous and fo-
lemnepornpe, infinite troups of Nymphs ,
their faireand
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
with a lawrell crowne , accompanied with MeUnthia, whofe
Homer. habites and voices reprefcnted the pride of Greece, where
upon the great Macedon refted his head : She bare a fplen-
dent lampe, communicating the light thereofwith hir com
panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
ning alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie frefhnefle , referuing
and holding their colours without interdict of time. There
grewc the fower fortes of Violets, Cowflops, Melilots,
Rofe Parfley or Paflcflower, Blew bottles,Gy th, Ladies feale,
Vatrachium, Aquilegia, Lillieconually, Amaranth, Flower
gentle,Ideofmus,all forts of fweete pinks, and (mall flowring
hearbs of odoriferous fragrancieand fmell, Rofes of Perfia,
hauing the fmel of mu&keandAmber,and innumerable forts
of others, without fetting; but naturally growing in a woon-
derfull dtftribution, peeping out from their greene leaues,
and barbs very delightfull to behold.
In this place I might fee goodly braue women as the Ar
chadian Cahfto the daughter of Lycton, with the vnknowen
Diana. The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nyftew,and mother
to ss4mphio and Zetem that built Thebes, with hir fatyre.
Iff the daughter of Mwkareiu with hir (hepheard. Antichi
the daughter of Acctu and yoong "D^nae. Attcric the daugh
ter to Ctetffy and ^Icbmena with hir fained husband. After
ward I beheld the pleafantc//* folacing hir felfe <vith the
cleere flood and diuine fire. The daughter ofFullus and that
of Mencmphtti, with hir counterfeit father, and that other of
Diodes with hir lap full offlowers and a writhing ferpent, and
the faire yoong gyrle no more forrowing for the growing of
hir hornes.t/fftiocbi* and Antigone the daughter of Laomcdon
folacioufly delighting hir felfe in hirftorkifh plumes, and
Lurfflethe fir ft inuentrixof wheeles. Gr,w<*wmkthcdaun-
cing Nymph holding by hir little finger, and wafhing hir de
licate pretie feete from fweate in the riuer B.igrada. After
that I beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon purfuing hir :
Erigone hauing hir faire (hining breft ilickt full of f^eetc
grapes,
in ft drcame. 91
grapes,and the daughter of king Chollut with hir bull, Eripbile
and hir changed husband: The daughter of eX//wand the
virgin Mclantho with hir dolphin, Phylkra the daughter of
old Ocean** with the father of Chiron. Next hir CVw with hir
head inftrophyated with ripe cares of corne imbracingthe
fcalie Hydra, : And the faire Nymph Lara forting with */trgi-
phon : and the fa eeteF/riof the riuer Numicta.
morelharpe witted,wife,modeft, anddifcreet, then is ordi
narily feene in fotendeiyeeres, with their beardlesLouers,
fcarce hauing downy cheekes,pleafantly deuifing with them
matters of Loue. Manieofthem hauing their torches bur-
ningjOtherspaitophorall, fome with ancient fpoiles vppon
the endes of ftreight ftaues, and others with diuers forts of
Trophes vpon launces, curiouilie hanging,caried before the
myftical triumphs,with (houting refounds aboue in the aire.
Some with v inde-inftruments of diuers fafhions and maner
of windings/agbuts and flutes.Orhers with heauenly voices
Tinging with ineffable delights, and exceeding folace, part
mans reafon to imagme.-within them paiTed about the glori
ous triumphsjturning vpon the florulent ground^and green
fwoord;
The flrifc of Loue
fwoord, a place dedicated tothehappie, without anie ftub
or tree, but the fielde wasasaplainecoequatemedoweof
fweete hearbes and pleafaunt flowers, of all forts of colours,
and fundry varieng faQiions , yeelding fo fragrant a fmell as
is poflible to fpeake of, not burnt with the extreeme heat of
the funne, but moderate, the ground moyftened with fweete
ry uers, the aire pure and cleane, the daies all alike, the earth
continually greene, thefpring neuerdecaieng but renuing,
the coole grafle with variable flowers like a painting, remai
ning alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie frefhnefle , referuing
and holding their colours without interdict of time. There
grewc the fower fortes of Violets, Cowflops, Melilots,
Rofe Parfley or Paflcflower, Blew bottles,Gy th, Ladies feale,
Vatrachium, Aquilegia, Lillieconually, Amaranth, Flower
gentle,Ideofmus,all forts of fweete pinks, and (mall flowring
hearbs of odoriferous fragrancieand fmell, Rofes of Perfia,
hauing the fmel of mu&keandAmber,and innumerable forts
of others, without fetting; but naturally growing in a woon-
derfull dtftribution, peeping out from their greene leaues,
and barbs very delightfull to behold.
In this place I might fee goodly braue women as the Ar
chadian Cahfto the daughter of Lycton, with the vnknowen
Diana. The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nyftew,and mother
to ss4mphio and Zetem that built Thebes, with hir fatyre.
Iff the daughter of Mwkareiu with hir (hepheard. Antichi
the daughter of Acctu and yoong "D^nae. Attcric the daugh
ter to Ctetffy and ^Icbmena with hir fained husband. After
ward I beheld the pleafantc//* folacing hir felfe <vith the
riuerLabdone,(haken with the (harpeeaft wind,with the boi-
fterous north,cloudy fouth & rainie fouth weft wind.Befides
this, the gods will be feuere reuengers of fuch an infolencie,
for the companions oiVlyffcs had been preferued from drow
ning and (hipwracke, if they had not ftolne ^polios cattell
kept by Phactuf* and hir lifter Lampetta. Orion had not bcene
flaine by a fcorpion, ifhe had not attempted the cold & chaft
D/4*i,and therefore if I (hould vfe any indeccncie againft the
honor ofthis Nymph in any fort/uch like reuenge or woorfe
woulde be vfed vpon me. At laft getting foorth of rhefe
changeable thoughts, I did greatly comfort my felfe in be
holding and contemplating the excellent proportion and
fufeete (auour of this ingenuous and moft rare Nymph, con
taining in hir al whatfoeuer that may prouoke amorous con
ceits and fweete lone, giuing from hirfaire eies fo gratious
and fauorable regards, as thereby I fomewhat tempered my
troublefome and vnbridelcd thoughts. Andmyrefounding
fighes rcflexed with a flattering hope (oh the amorous foode
of louers and fauce of fait teares) by thefe and no other rains
I did manage my vehement thoughts,and made them ftop in
a conceiued hope, fixing mine eies with exceffiue delight vp
on hirfaire bodie and well difpofed members, by all which,
my difcontented dehreswere gently mitigated and redee
med from that furieand amorous fire, which fo neere had
bred the extrcmitie ofmy paflions.
Tbt
The Itymph letdeth the homered Potipbittu
to other pletfant pUeet,
where he beheld innumerable Nymphsfolding them, and a/fo tht
triumph ofVertumntu and Pomona.
Y no meancs I was able to rc-
(ift the violent force of Cupds
artillerie,and therefore the ele
gant Nymph hauing amoroufly
gotten an irrtuocable domini
on ouer me a miserable loner, I
was inforced to follow ft. II af
ter hit moderate Itcps, which
led me into a fpatious and large
plaine.theconterminate bound
of the flowered greene & farce t
f ,r i_
fmellmg valhe, where alfo ended the adorned mountames
and fruitfull hils, (hutting vp the entrance into this golden
countrie, full of incredible delight with their Joining togi-
thcr: couered ouer with green trees ofa cofpicuous thicknes
& d.(tance,as if they had been fet by hand,as Yew trees, wild
Pynes,vnfruitfull but dropping Refin,tallpineapple,ftraight
Firre,burning Pitch trees, the fpungie Larix, the aierie Teda
belouedofthe mountains, celebrated and prefcruedfor the
Venumn** the
crovvned with delicate fruits, hir haire hanging downe oucr
Cod of fruits.^ f]10ulders,of a flaxen colour , and thus lliefate participa-
ting of hir husbands pleafure and quiet, and at hir feete laie
a
f tire*. 98
a vefTell catted Clepfydra. In hirright hand (heheldacopie
full offlowcrs,fruits,andgreene leaues^andinhirlefthande fometime ta-
a branch of flowers/ruits and leaues. ken foradiall
Before the carre and the fower drawing ratyrs,therc mar-
mes lrin&
ched two faire Nymphs,the one of them bare a tropha? with tMnineof
a przpendant table, whereupon was written this title, water, buc
here for a poc
Intcgcrrimam Corporis
valetudincnt &ftabtle robttr to wat " a
caftafque menfarurn de/tti*u,& heatam antmi CCCH-J1
, , fr yoonefed-
ntAtem cultaribus me ojfcro. lings in a
nourcery for
And the other bare atrophzof certaine greene fprigges anorchyard.
bound togicher, and among them diuers rurall inftrumcnts
fattened. Thefe pa(Ted on thus after the ancient maner, with
great ceremonies,and much folemnitie, compaffing about a
great fquare ftone like and aulter, Handing in the middeft of
this faire mead, Efficiently m.oyftened with current ftreames
from beautifullfountaines.
This fquare ftone or aulter was of pure white marble, cu-
riouilie cut by a cunning lapicidai ie, vpon euery front wher-
of was a woonderfull goodly exprefilon,ofan elegant image,
fo exad ,as the like elfc- where is hardly to be found .
The firft was a faire goddefle.hir treces flieng abroad, gir
ded wirh rofes and other flowers,vpon a thin vpper garment
couennghir beaurifull and pleafant proportion. She heldc
hir right hand ouer an ancient vcflcll, in maner of a chafing-
diih, called Chytropodus,fending foorth a flame of fire,into
the which fheedidcaft rofes and flowers , and in the other
hand (he held a branch of fweete myrtle, full of berries. By
hir lidc ftoode a lirtle winged boy fmjjjng.wirh his bowe and
arrowes. Ouer hir head were two pigeons. And vnder the
foote of this figure wo* written
Florido ixri S.
Vpon tbc other fide I beheld in an excellent earning, the
reprefenration of adamofell of a maidenly countenaunce,
whofc ftacelymaicftiegaue great commendation to the curi
ous deuifc of the workcman. She was crowned with a gar-
C c 2 land
nflrifi ofLou
ftrange fpnnge ofwater to gulL out.
Vpon the fore ends I behelde the migbtie Cupid, drawing hys
golden Arrowe, and
fhooting
the fame vp into the heauens, cau-
fing them to raine bloode : whereat a number ftoode wonderfully
amazed.of all fortes ofpeople. Vpon the other ende, I did fee f^e-
nxs in a wonderfull difpleafure, hauing taken hex fon by a Knight
in a Net, and getting him by the winges, he was about to plucke
of his fethers: hauing plucktd ofone handfull, diatflewe about,
the little elph crying out pitteoufly ; and an other fentfrom Jupi
ter, tooke him away and faued him from his mother, and prefen-
ted him to Jupiter :
againft whofe diume mouth, were in Attic
Letter thefe wordes written, ZTMOJPA rKmtKAiPKrc^ and heeco-
uered him in the lap of his celefhall gownc.
This ti yumphant Charriot, was pompoufly drawne with fixe
fierce Vnicornes : their heades like Harfs, reuerencing the chaile
Duma. The poyterelles and furniture about tlieir ilronge breafts,
was ofgolde,frt with precious flonc, and fringed with filuer and
hnyrecollouredfilke, tyed into knots, in manner of a net we
>ke,
andtafleledateucry prependent point, their capanfons like rhc
other before fpokcn of.
Vpon thefe didfit,fix fayre virgines, in fucn pompe and man
ner
Theftrife ofLout
nerasbeforct apparelled in cloth of golde, wouen with blewe
filke into diuers leaucs & flowers-, thefe had a confort ofhuncyeis
winde Instruments , full of fpinrc. And vppon the foppeof the
Cbai ior,was placed a ftoolc of green Tafper, ftt in filuer : needfuil
in byrth , and medicmablc for chaiVit Je ; at the foote it was fixe
fcjuare,and growing (mailer tovvardc ihc feate, and from the mid
dle to the fbote^hamphered and furrowcd,aud vpward wrought
with nextrulles : the fcate whereof was fomewhat hallowed, for
the more cafily fitting vppon it. The Lyneaments thereof moft
excellent.
A loft vppon the fame did fit a moft finguler fay re Nymph,
richly apparelled in cloth ofgolde and blewe filke, dreffedlykc a
virgme,and adorned wirh innumerable fortes ofPcarles and ftonc;
flic (hewed an aflfe&ious deli;hr,to beholde droppes of golde fttl
from heauen into her lappc. She fare in folemne pompe like the
other,and with great applaufc, with her fayre and plentiful! haire
fpreadmg downe oucr her backe , crowned with a Dyademe of
fame ftone,and fet out in a moiVblacke ground. I hen deferuedfy
Ididcommend^boththearchyteft and the (latuaric . On the o-
ther fide,the pleaiant dignitie ofthe yre and beautiful
fporting
nimphcs did highlyc contentmee^foas 1 could not compare to
thinKe whether theexcelTe ofmy parted forrowror prefent folace
fhouldbe greateft. And there was fofwcete a fmell as Arabia
neueryeeJtlcd thehke..
Vppon the feates of(!one,in deed ofan Apodyterie, they did
impouenfh theyr apparrell 3richejyinuoluped, in the caftuio; of
it onSfrom their celeitiallbodyes. Theyr tayretrefTes bound vp
in nettings ofgould, wcuen after a iroft cunout fort. And with
out any refpeS at all, they gaue.meelcaue to lookevpon theyr
fayre and delicate perfonages, theyr honeftie an d honour refer
red* Flelhvndoubtedly like the pure Rofcs and white Snowe.
Ah woe is me,! found myhcart.tonfcaHd opeiut felfe, and al
together
thcr to be adiftcd to a voluptuous deligh$,Wherevpon I at
that prcfent thought my felfe moft happie, onely in the bchould-
ingoffuch delights, becaufe I was not able to red ft the .burning
flames which did fet vpon mce in the fornace ofmy heart . And
therefore fometime for a refuge and fuccour 1 durft not looke fo
narrowly vppon theyr inticing beauties , heaped vp in their hea-
uenlybodycs. And they perceiuing the fame did fmile at my
bafhfulbehauiour,makinggreatfportatme: And thereat I was
glad,and
contented tliat 1 might any way occafion their paftim e.
But I was greatly afhamcd, in that 1 was an vnfit companion for
fuch a company, but that they intrcatcd mec to enter in with
them where 1 flood like a Crowe among white Doues , which
made mepartly afhamedto behould 3 and ouerlooke fuch choyfc
obiefts.
Then Ofrefit a very pleafant difpofed piece , (aid vnto mce
Tel me young man what is your name ? And I reuerently Aunfwc-
sed them, Poltpbilns : it will pleafe me well faith fl>e,ifthe effeftof
your conditions beaunfwerai>letoyonr name, And without de
ceit, faid
the reft. And how is your dcareft loue called ? Whereat
1 making fomepaufe, aunfwered,P<?//x? thenfhe replycd. Aha
1 thought that your name fhould fignific
that you were a great
louer, but now I perc ciue that you are a louer of Polia : and pre-
vpon the large and goo dly proportioned thighes
ofthe faire god-
deflc his mother,and playing with hir,as l"he held him vp,and put-
tin
"
his feete vpon a ltone,as ithad beene a little hill, with a for-
nac e in a hollow hole,wherin was an extreame whote burning fire.
ThisLadye had hirfayre tre(Tcs curiouflic drefTed vponhyr
broad and highe forhead,and
in like forte comparing about with
abundance,hir head info rare and delicate a fort, that I maruey-
led why the Black fmithcs thatwere there bulic at theyr worke,
left not all to looke ftill vpon Co beautifull an obicft.
There
in 4 Dreame. 20
There wasalfo faftby , of like excellent woorkemanfhip , a Mrir$
of fierce countenance , hauing vponhym an armour of
bn.ric ,
with the head of Medufa vpon the curate or breft plate,
sn cial It her ell excjuifitely wrought and beautified ,
with aban-
diher oiierthwartlus broad and ftrongbrcfl: , houldingwithhys
br.uvry anne ahalfe Pike,nndrayfing vp thepoynte thereof,and
beanno; vpon his head a high crefted helmet, the other armefha-
dowedandnotfeenebyreafonofthe former figure: There was
alfoayoungmanin filke clothing, behynde the Smith,whomel
couldiiot perceiue but from the breR vpwarde, ouer the decly-
ning head of the forenamed Smith .Thysrehcarfed hyRorie, for
the better and fvveeter pleafing to theeyp , the workem.in had
graced in this fort. The playne "rounde that was hollowe and
Irr.oothe in euery cutting out ofa jimme or body, vpon the table
of theltylipode , was like vnto red coroll and ihyning, which
tnadefucha reflection vpon the naked bodyes ,an
:dtheyr mem
bers betwixt thcm,andcompafsing them about, that they fee-
ined lykea Carnation Role couler.
Vpon the left fide of the doore in the like aulter or ftylipode Mercuric,
vpon the table thereof, there was ingrauen a yoong man offeem-
ly countenance, \\hereinappearedgreatcelerity : he fate vpon a
fquarc leate adorned with an ancient manner of caruing, hauing
vpon his leggeapaireofhalf buskens,opeu from the calfe ofthe
lez^e to the ancle. fromwhenceo;rew outoneitherancleawinir,LJ~J O O
andtowhomcthe aforefaidegoddes wiihaheauenlyemape,her
brefts touching togetherand growne out round and firme with
out leaking, with her large flankes conformableto thercR ofhir
proportionbeforementionedwithafweetcountenanceofTered
yoojigand tender fonneready to be taught : theyong manbow
or to any of the reft, which before 1 had feene,but witha rare art,
and marueilousmuention ,both deuifcd and performed. In the
voydandplaineeuacuatedquadrcr, there ftood twoNimphes,
little leiTe then ifthey had been liuely creatures, apparelled, fb as
you might fee fomewhat aboue their knees
> vppon one of theyr
legges,
as ifthe windc hadblowne it vp, as they were doing thcyr
office, and theirarmes bare, from the elbow to the fhoulder ex
cept. And vponthatarme, wherewith they fuftained the Boye,
the habite that was lifted vp was reiec>, The feete of the Infant
flood one in one of the handes of the Nymphcs , and the other,
in the others hand. All their three countenances fmiling : and
with their other handes, they held vp the Boyes fliirt
, aboue his
nauij.
The Infant holdinghis little Iftrumentinbothhishand5,
and continued piflfinginto the hotte water, frefh coole water. In
this delicious place ofpleafurc,! was verieiocund and full ofcon-
tent, but the famewas much apalled, in that I thought my felfea
contemptible bodie , among fuch beauties , and dcwe coniealed
into Snowc,; and as it were a Negro or tawny e Mcore amongft
them.
One of them called ^^, veric affably and with a pleafant
countenance faid vntomee, Poltphtlc take that Chndal veflel and
bring meefome ofthstfrefti water. I without fTnie intending to
do fo, and thinking nothing, but to do her feruice in any fort that
flic would commaundme, went to thepkice. And I had no foo-
nerfetmyfootevponthefleppe, toreceiuethewavcr,asit fell^
Lut thcpifling Boye lift vp his pricke, and caft fodcinlyefo
coldc water vppcn my face, that I had lyke at that inflant to
fallen backward* Whereat they fo laughed , and it inadc
fuch
43
fuch a foundc in the reunifies arid clofenes of the bathe, that
I a .fo beganne (when I was come to my felfe)to laugh that I was
almoftdead. Afterward, Ifoundeout the concauitie, and per-
ceiued that any hcauy weight,being put vponthemoueablc ftep-
ping,
that i t \vould rife vp like the 1Ceye andlacke ofa Virginal],
ancrlift vp the Boy espricke, and finding out the deuife and curi
ous \\orkewaninip thereof I was greatly contented. Vp-
on the Zophor was written in Attkic letters this
title TEAOIA2TOJ.
M 3 Afur
FEAO I A 2 T O
andlafciurou^fatyresjforeinnifing t heir fau nail feaRs, bem*
aflemblcd togither out of diuers places,wirhm rhisfcititefc
pleafant cuntrie.bearing in their hands fo tender green and
itrage boiighs,a$ are not to be food in the wood of the god-
a god- des FaronM^kcn the inhabitaints carrie hir imageto the fire .
e ofthe From thence we entered into a large fquareinclofureco-
lbuL a P^^^abQUtwith broadewalkes, ftraight from one corner
fertile pbce
to W0lhfr,wttb a quick-fct vpon either fides, in height one
in Arabia. pace, ofpricking Jumper thicke fet togirher, andmixt with
Sc*nm,bca box, coirp.a(Ting about the fquarc green? mead.In tberowes
people m A- Or whichquick-fet there were fymmetrially planted the vie-
dwcHaitocV
torious Palmc trees,whofe branches were laden with fruitc,
ihcr m tenrs.
aPP^ring out of their husk s, fome blacke , fome crymofen,
Sawomatw, and many yealow, the like are not to be found in tht land of
be people of ^gypt,norin Dabulam among the Arabian Scaenits, or in
s
^
rmatu Hieraconta beyond the Sauromatans. All which were inter-
largc iuntry
mectlecl witn Sr^ne Cytrons, Orenges, H
;
ppomclides, Pi-
reachingf 6 ^ac ^ trees Pomegranats,Meligot6s,Dendromirts, Mefpils,
Germany & and Sorbis,with diuers other fruitful! trees,
the riuer Vif- In this place vppon the grcene fwoord of the flowering
tub coHy- meajd,andvnderthefrefliandcoole (liadowes, I might be-
and iVdeui-
^^ a 8reat aflemblie met togither of lirange people, & fuch
ded into two 3s I had neuer before feene, full of ioyesand paftimes, but
parts Euro- bafely apparrelled/ome in fauns skins , painted with white
pea and
fpots, fome in lynxskins,othersin leopards : and maniehad
h
fiftened togither diuers broad leaues, inftrophiating them
uVin
w]t^ fund deflowers, therewithall couering their nakednes,
like a finging^ leaping, and dauncing with great applaufe.
wolph, being Thefe were the Nymphs Hamadryades , pleafantly com-
of
pafTmg vppon either fides the flowered Vertumntu, hauing
j ad j
vPPon ^ is neac^e a garlande of rofes, and his gowne lap full
wernymphs
offaire flowers , louing the Ration of the woollie ramme.
ofthe wood He fate in an ancient fafhioned carre, drawne by fower hor-
This fquare ftone or aulter was of pure white marble, cu-
riouilie cut by a cunning lapicidai ie, vpon euery front wher-
of was a woonderfull goodly exprefilon,ofan elegant image,
fo exad ,as the like elfc- where is hardly to be found .
The firft was a faire goddefle.hir treces flieng abroad, gir
ded wirh rofes and other flowers,vpon a thin vpper garment
couennghir beaurifull and pleafant proportion. She heldc
hir right hand ouer an ancient vcflcll, in maner of a chafing-
diih, called Chytropodus,fending foorth a flame of fire,into
the which fheedidcaft rofes and flowers , and in the other
hand (he held a branch of fweete myrtle, full of berries. By
hir lidc ftoode a lirtle winged boy fmjjjng.wirh his bowe and
arrowes. Ouer hir head were two pigeons. And vnder the
foote of this figure wo* written
Florido ixri S.
Vpon tbc other fide I beheld in an excellent earning, the
reprefenration of adamofell of a maidenly countenaunce,
whofc ftacelymaicftiegaue great commendation to the curi
ous deuifc of the workcman. She was crowned with a gar-
C c 2 land
nflrifi ofLou
land ofwheat cares, hir haire flingcring abroade, and hir ha-
byte Nymphifh.In hir right hand toe held a copie full of rypc
graine,and in the other hand three eares of corne,vpon their
ftrawie ftalks. At hir feetelay a wheat ilieaue bound vp, and
a little boy with gleanings of corne in either hands, The fub-
fcription was this.
S.
Vpon the third fide was the likenes in a deuine afpea na
ked ofa yoong boy,crowned with vine leaues, and of a wan
ton countenance, holding in his left hand ccrtaine clutters
of ripe grapes,and in the other, a copic full of grapes which
did hang ouer the mouth thereof. At his feete laie a hayric
goate and this writing v nder.
The laft fquarc did beare vpon it a kincly image paffing
well cut, his countenance difpleafant andauftere, inhislert
handheheldafceptervp into theheauens, theairecloudie,
troublefomcandftormie, and with the other hand reaching
into the clouds full of huile Behinde him alfo the aue was
rainieand tempeHuous. He was couered with bcaits skins,
arid vpon his fee te he ware fandals, where vndec was written,
Hicmt t/oK&
Froiu thence the moft faire and pleafant Nymph brought
ine towards the fea (ide and fandie ihore, where we came to
anolde decaied temple, before the which vpon thetrefti and
Their habits were Nymphi fL,of mod rare and mod excel.
lent working. The Sepulchre of Te.rma. the Queene of the
Scythtans in Apa, was nothing comparable-
In the lowed Cubicall Figure, vpon the fmoth plaine of e-
uery fquare, were ingrauen Greeke Letters ;threc, one, two and
three on thysforr.
ATS A MI
In
in a
r
Drear(.
In the circular there
were three Characters Hi-
eraghphicall, perpendicu
larly vnder the feet ofeue-
rie Image. For the firft,
was imprefled the forme
ofthe Sonne. Next vnder
another , the figure of an
oldc fafhionedOwer.
Thirdly, adyfhewifha
burning flame in it.
Vponthe headeofthc
frygonall blacke (rone, to-
warde euerie corner, I did
behold an Egiptian Mon
ger ofGold, fower footed
couchant. One of the ha-
uing a face lyke man al
together. The other like
halfa man,& halfeabeafr.
And the third hkeabeall.
With a linnen vaile ouer
eueryof their hcades,wirh
two Labels hanging ouer
theyr cares,& the rcftde-
* w
fcending downe and coue-
ring their necks & backes,
with the bodies of Lyons.
Theyr lookcs dire^ly for
ward.
TkcftrifeofLoue
Vppon the backs ofthefe three, dyd ftanderyfingvpamaf*
fine SpyreofGold^hree fc]uare..frarpr)ing vp to the toppe.fiuc
fymcs as high as broade below. Andvpon euery front orforc-
(Ide,was grauen a circlc.and ouer one circle a Greeke Letter, O.
oucr another, a Letter &- and ouer the rhird, a Greeke N.
There
Logiftica begannc to fpeakc vntome,faying, by thefc
Figures are difcribed, fo farrc as mans reafon can fhewe, the ce-
leftiall harmony. -And vnderfhnd Pokphtlus, that thefe Figures,
with a perpetuall affynit ic and coniunftion, are auncient Mo
numents, and EgiptianHieragliphsJignifyingthis, Dmr* in-
finit<tqne
trtmtatt vntus eficnti*. Which is now by his holy word,
in a mo(l louing (brt mamfefod to the whole world, according
to his will : and yet it fhall not be a miffe to fee antiquities, and
confider what
greater
benefite is had by the precious Gofpcl.
The lower Figure was confecrated to the Deitie, becaufe it
is euerie way alike, and all one : and vpon euery fide ,
and tur
ned cuery way, of like ftablenes
j vpon euery bafe, conftant and
permanent.
The round Circular (landing vppon that, is without begin
ning or ende. Vppon the circumferent fides whereof , theft
ixadretme.
one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
which came hindermoft finging togither.
And thus they marched about in a moft pleafant and de-
iightfull manervpon the frefh greene and flourifliingplainc:
Some inttrophiated with Iaurcl,fome with myrtle^nd others
with other forts of flowers and garlands, inceflantly without
any wearines or intermiffion in a perfection of the felicitic
of this world, mutually enioying one anothers afped and
companie.
The Njmph batting at Urge declared vnto Poliphilw the
myfticall
triumphfond extreeme lotte , afterwards fhe de/fred htm togo o*
furtherjtvhere a/fo
withgreat delight
he beheld innumerable other
Nymphs i with their dejtred totters, in a thoufandforts ofpleafttres
folacingthemfclttesvpon thegreerjegrajfe yfre
Visible: 0% - 93%
Here is a comprehensive list of allegorical figures that appear in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, drawn from across the dreamscape and ceremonial processions described by Poliphilo. These figures represent personified ideas, virtues, mythological roles, and cosmic principles. They often appear in triumphal pageants or sacred spaces and interact with Poliphilo through symbolic gestures, tests, or teachings.
This dreamlike cavalcade of figures maps out a world where cosmic harmony, erotic longing, virtue, and ritual initiation blur into one another. Their names and roles are less important for narrative progression than for spiritual resonance—they operate as forces of inner transformation and revelation.
Would you like a categorized table of these with themes (e.g., Erotic, Didactic, Chthonic, Celestial)?
Give me a summary of all the scenes with the nymphs
unknown{
"queries": [
"scenes with nymphs in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili",
"Poliphilo interactions with nymphs",
"nymphs in gardens and temples Hypnerotomachia",
"nymphs guiding or testing Poliphilo",
"nymphs in allegorical triumphs"
]
}
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panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
in thc commendation of the head ofhir louerP/^w, (he defi-
red homes. And after them all (be fliewed me two women,
one
ixadretme.
one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
which came hindermoft finging togither.
And thus they marched about in a moft pleafant and de-
iightfull manervpon the frefh greene and flourifliingplainc:
Some inttrophiated with Iaurcl,fome with myrtle^nd others
with other forts of flowers and garlands, inceflantly without
any wearines or intermiffion in a perfection of the felicitic
of this world, mutually enioying one anothers afped and
companie.
The Njmph batting at Urge declared vnto Poliphilw the
myfticall
triumphfond extreeme lotte , afterwards fhe de/fred htm togo o*
furtherjtvhere a/fo
withgreat delight
he beheld innumerable other
Nymphs i with their dejtred totters, in a thoufandforts ofpleafttres
folacingthemfclttesvpon thegreerjegrajfe yfre(h{hadovpes t andbj
the eoole riuers andcleere fountawes. And how Polrphiltu there
had withmadnes almoft forgotten himfelfe in the
pajfions ofdeprct
but nope dtd
affivagc hufHrit, quieting himfelfe tn the beholding cf
thefreetffanourofthefaire Nymph.
Ot onely happje but aboue all
other mod happie were he, to
whom it (hould be granted con
driope grew.
There were a great companieof delicate faire Nymphs
of tender age,with a redolent flower of bafhfulnes , and be
yond all credire beaurifull, with their beardlcs louers conti-
nuallie accompanied. Among which Nymphs, fomc veiie
pleatantly with wanton countenaunces in the cleere ftreams
(hewed themfelues fportefull and gamefome, hauing ta
ken vppe finelie their thin garments of filkeof diucrs co-
lours,and holding them in the bouts of their white armes,
the forme of their rounde thighs were feene vnckr the
plytes, and their faire legges were reuealed to the naked
knees, the current ftreames comming vp fo high : it was*
fight which woulde hauc prepared one to that which were
vnfit, and ifhimfelfe had been vnable thereunto. And there
where the water was moft ftill, turning downe their faire fa
ces ofexceeding beautie, and bending their bodies of rare
proportion, as in a large goodly glaiTc they might behould
their heauenly (hapes, breaking off the fame with the mo
tion of their pretie feete, making a noyfe with the con-
traftofthe circulating water. Some folaciouflie ftriuingto
gobythetamefwimmingfwans, andfportinglycafting wa
ter one at another,with the hollowncs of their palms:othcr$
landing without the water vpon thefoftcoolegraflfe, ma
king vp of nofegaies and garlands offundrie fweete flowers^
&giuing the fame to their louers as tokens of their fauora-
ble rcnicmbraunce, not denieng theirfweet kifles,& louing
im bracings,
in 4 Dreame,
imbracings ,
with the amorous regardes of their ftar-likc
eyes.
And fome were fct vpon the grecne banks notouergrown
with reed and fegs,but finely beautified with (weete hcarbs
and flowcrs,among the which the tender Nymphs comming
wet out ofthe water more cleere then Axiw in MygdontAjm-
der the vmbragious trees, did fit fporting and deuifing ona
with another in delightfull imbracings, with their reueren-
cing louers,not cruelly (corning& reie&ing them , but with
a fociable loue and benigne affablenefle
, difpofing them-
felues to the like (hew oftrue aftedion
,
their fweete geftures
ixadretme.
one of them apparelled in white, and the other in greene,
which came hindermoft finging togither.
And thus they marched about in a moft pleafant and de-
iightfull manervpon the frefh greene and flourifliingplainc:
Some inttrophiated with Iaurcl,fome with myrtle^nd others
with other forts of flowers and garlands, inceflantly without
any wearines or intermiffion in a perfection of the felicitic
of this world, mutually enioying one anothers afped and
companie.
The Njmph batting at Urge declared vnto Poliphilw the
myfticall
triumphfond extreeme lotte , afterwards fhe de/fred htm togo o*
furtherjtvhere a/fo
withgreat delight
he beheld innumerable other
Nymphs i with their dejtred totters, in a thoufandforts ofpleafttres
folacingthemfclttesvpon thegreerjegrajfe yfre(h{hadovpes t andbj
the eoole riuers andcleere fountawes. And how Polrphiltu there
had withmadnes almoft forgotten himfelfe in the
pajfions ofdeprct
but nope dtd
affivagc hufHrit, quieting himfelfe tn the beholding cf
thefreetffanourofthefaire Nymph.
Ot onely happje but aboue all
other mod happie were he, to
whom it (hould be granted con
tinually by fpeciall fauour to be-
holde the glorious pompe, high
triumphs,beautiful places, fweet
fcituations, togither with the
goddefles, halfe godde{Tes, faire
Nymphes of mcredible delight
and pleafure,butefpecially to be
fecond^d and accompanied wkh
fo honorable a Nymph of fo rare and excellent beautie. And
this I thought not to be the leaft andfmalleft point of my
felicitie. Now hauing looked vpon thefe fights, 1 remained a
great fpace recording of the fame, being therewith beyocdc
meafure abundantly contented.
Afterwards, the faire and fweet damfell my guide fakl thus
vnto me : Pefybi/w }kt vs now go on a little further. And then
B b immedi-
OOOOOCOO^Oo
Th* flrfi of Lone
immediately we tended our walke toward the frefh fountains
lhady nuers,compafling about the
flourfting fields with
chryltalhne currents and gratious ftreames.
In which cleare water,grew the purple flooring fo/>ne of
the Nymph
<>//>, lookingvp from his tender
ftringes and
ontheplaine where the velTcllttocd, was placed a candle-
fticke, ofexcellent workmanfhip, vpon three feet of red cor-
ralljwell liked of the ruder fort, refitting lightening and tem-
pefts, fauourable and prelcruatiue to the bearer : The like
were not found vnckr ilie head of Gorgon of Perfia, nor in the
Ocean Erythrcum. The ll^ale of one of the candlefticks was
of white corrall,bdoued of D/^4, of a conuenient length,
with round knobs and Joints, in height two foote. Another
was of mod fine ftonc Dtomfjas, hauing fpots growing from
a blackifn to a pure red, the fame pounded fmelleth fweetly.
The third was of perfed Medea of the colour of darke gold,
and hauing the fmell ofNedar.The fourth ofpretious Nebri-
ti* from a blacke growing to a white and greene. Out of the
hollowed fteales whereof, there afcendcd vp a pyramidall
flame ofeuerlafting fire, continually burning.The brightnes
of the works exprefled through the reflexion of the lights,
and the fparkling of the pretious ftones were fuch, as my eies
dazeled to behold them.
About which heauenly triumph,with a maruellous and fo-
lemnepornpe, infinite troups of Nymphs ,
their faireand
plentifulltrefles falling loofe ouer their (houlders, forne na
ked with aprons of goates skins and kids, others with tym-
brels and flutes, making amofl pleafaunt noife, as in the
dauncc called Thiafus, in the trieterie of Tltcchw, with green
leaffiefprigs and vine branches, inftrophyated about their
heads
at a drtame. 91
heads and wafts,leaping and dauncing before the triumphs :
immediately after the triumphs followed anoldeman vpon
an afle,andafterhimwasledagoate adorned fora facrifice:
And one that followed after carrieng vpon hir head a fanne,
making an vnmcafurable laughter , andvfing furious and
outragious geftures. This was the order ofthefe Aftmallws,
5*r/r/,and feruants to Bacchus , bawds, Tyades, NatAdes and
fuch as followed after.
The Nymph dotbfhew to PoItphilM the nutlthvde ofyooxg
Loucrs, and their Louts, what they
i whatfort beloued
T is vene hard for a man to ac-
jcommodate his fpeech to apte
termes, whereby he may expref-
lie declare the great pompe, in-
definent triumph, vnceffaunt
ioie and delightfull iettings a-
iboute thefe rare and vnfeene
chariots,and being once vnder-
taken ,
it is as vnealie to leaue
off: befidesthe notable compa-
nie ofyoong youths,and the in-
ked with aprons of goates skins and kids, others with tym-
brels and flutes, making amofl pleafaunt noife, as in the
dauncc called Thiafus, in the trieterie of Tltcchw, with green
leaffiefprigs and vine branches, inftrophyated about their
heads
at a drtame. 91
heads and wafts,leaping and dauncing before the triumphs :
immediately after the triumphs followed anoldeman vpon
an afle,andafterhimwasledagoate adorned fora facrifice:
And one that followed after carrieng vpon hir head a fanne,
making an vnmcafurable laughter , andvfing furious and
outragious geftures. This was the order ofthefe Aftmallws,
5*r/r/,and feruants to Bacchus , bawds, Tyades, NatAdes and
fuch as followed after.
The Nymph dotbfhew to PoItphilM the nutlthvde ofyooxg
Loucrs, and their Louts, what they
i whatfort beloued
T is vene hard for a man to ac-
jcommodate his fpeech to apte
termes, whereby he may expref-
lie declare the great pompe, in-
definent triumph, vnceffaunt
ioie and delightfull iettings a-
iboute thefe rare and vnfeene
chariots,and being once vnder-
taken ,
it is as vnealie to leaue
off: befidesthe notable compa-
nie ofyoong youths,and the in-
creafing troups of innumerable faire and pleafant
morelharpe witted,wife,modeft, anddifcreet, then is ordi
narily feene in fotendeiyeeres, with their beardlesLouers,
fcarce hauing downy cheekes,pleafantly deuifing with them
matters of Loue. Manieofthem hauing their torches bur-
ningjOtherspaitophorall, fome with ancient fpoiles vppon
the endes of ftreight ftaues, and others with diuers forts of
Trophes vpon launces, curiouilie hanging,caried before the
myftical triumphs,with (houting refounds aboue in the aire.
Some with v inde-inftruments of diuers fafhions and maner
of windings/agbuts and flutes.Orhers with heauenly voices
Tinging with ineffable delights, and exceeding folace, part
mans reafon to imagme.-within them paiTed about the glori
ous triumphsjturning vpon the florulent ground^and green
fwoord;
The flrifc of Loue
fwoord, a place dedicated tothehappie, without anie ftub
or tree, but the fielde wasasaplainecoequatemedoweof
fweete hearbes and pleafaunt flowers, of all forts of colours,
and fundry varieng faQiions , yeelding fo fragrant a fmell as
is poflible to fpeake of, not burnt with the extreeme heat of
the funne, but moderate, the ground moyftened with fweete
ry uers, the aire pure and cleane, the daies all alike, the earth
thefreetffanourofthefaire Nymph.
Ot onely happje but aboue all
other mod happie were he, to
whom it (hould be granted con
tinually by fpeciall fauour to be-
holde the glorious pompe, high
triumphs,beautiful places, fweet
fcituations, togither with the
goddefles, halfe godde{Tes, faire
Nymphes of mcredible delight
and pleafure,butefpecially to be
fecond^d and accompanied wkh
fo honorable a Nymph of fo rare and excellent beautie. And
this I thought not to be the leaft andfmalleft point of my
felicitie. Now hauing looked vpon thefe fights, 1 remained a
great fpace recording of the fame, being therewith beyocdc
meafure abundantly contented.
Afterwards, the faire and fweet damfell my guide fakl thus
vnto me : Pefybi/w }kt vs now go on a little further. And then
B b immedi-
OOOOOCOO^Oo
Th* flrfi of Lone
immediately we tended our walke toward the frefh fountains
lhady nuers,compafling about the
flourfting fields with
chryltalhne currents and gratious ftreames.
In which cleare water,grew the purple flooring fo/>ne of
the Nymph
<>//>, lookingvp from his tender
ftringes and
Jeaues. And al the faire riuers were f ul ofother flowers fweet-
hc growing among their greene and frcfli leaucs. Thisde-
lightfull place was ofa fpatious and large circuit, comparted
about and inuironed with wooddic mountaines, ofa mode
rate height of greene lawrell, fruitefull memerels, hearie &
high pine trees, and within the cleere channels, with graue-
led banks,and in fome places the bottom was faire fort yea-
low fande, where the water ran fwifte, and the three leaued
driope grew.
There were a great companieof delicate faire Nymphs
of tender age,with a redolent flower of bafhfulnes , and be
yond all credire beaurifull, with their beardlcs louers conti-
nuallie accompanied. Among which Nymphs, fomc veiie
pleatantly with wanton countenaunces in the cleere ftreams
(hewed themfelues fportefull and gamefome, hauing ta
ken vppe finelie their thin garments of filkeof diucrs co-
lours,and holding them in the bouts of their white armes,
the forme of their rounde thighs were feene vnckr the
plytes, and their faire legges were reuealed to the naked
knees, the current ftreames comming vp fo high : it was*
fight which woulde hauc prepared one to that which were
vnfit, and ifhimfelfe had been vnable thereunto. And there
where the water was moft ftill, turning downe their faire fa
ces ofexceeding beautie, and bending their bodies of rare
my difcontented dehreswere gently mitigated and redee
med from that furieand amorous fire, which fo neere had
bred the extrcmitie ofmy paflions.
Tbt
The Itymph letdeth the homered Potipbittu
to other pletfant pUeet,
where he beheld innumerable Nymphsfolding them, and a/fo tht
triumph ofVertumntu and Pomona.
Y no meancs I was able to rc-
(ift the violent force of Cupds
artillerie,and therefore the ele
gant Nymph hauing amoroufly
gotten an irrtuocable domini
on ouer me a miserable loner, I
was inforced to follow ft. II af
ter hit moderate Itcps, which
led me into a fpatious and large
plaine.theconterminate bound
of the flowered greene & farce t
f ,r i_
fmellmg valhe, where alfo ended the adorned mountames
and fruitfull hils, (hutting vp the entrance into this golden
countrie, full of incredible delight with their Joining togi-
thcr: couered ouer with green trees ofa cofpicuous thicknes
& d.(tance,as if they had been fet by hand,as Yew trees, wild
Pynes,vnfruitfull but dropping Refin,tallpineapple,ftraight
Firre,burning Pitch trees, the fpungie Larix, the aierie Teda
belouedofthe mountains, celebrated and prefcruedfor the
fcftiuall Oreadcs . There both of vs walked in the greene
and flowering plaine, fhee being my guide through the high
cyprcs trees, the broad leaued beech, coole (hadie okes full
ofmafte, and other hornebeames, pricking iuniper, weake
hafell. fpaltafh, greene lawrell, and humbryferousefculies,
knottie plane trees &lyndensmoouing by the fweet breatli
r f i i *!! ii-
of the pleafant Zeplurus, whiitling through their tender
branches,vith a bcnigneand fauorableimpulfion.
All u hich greene trees were not thickly twiftedtogither,
butofiiconuenientdiftaunceonefrom another, and all of
them fo aptly diftribuced as to the eie the fight thereof bred
great deHght.
^
This place was frequented with countrie Nymphs and Dry-
*des, their fmall and flender waftes being girded with a bray-
ding of tender corules of fprigs, leaueSjandflowerSjandvp-
Cc on
like a pine,
g00afor
ding, it will
neither roc,
woo ""ref
out of the
whichifliieth
, be
-y
" eni or
tcile trees . in
Latm TiUtt
thcybearc a
fmitas hig as
;
fce d r9 .
Dryadu, be
Nymph* of
thcwoods -
The jlnfe ef Lt*e
on their heads their
rifing vp haires, were compared about
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
with a lawrell crowne , accompanied with MeUnthia, whofe
Homer. habites and voices reprefcnted the pride of Greece, where
upon the great Macedon refted his head : She bare a fplen-
dent lampe, communicating the light thereofwith hir com
panion,then the reft more excellent both in voice and fong.
There the faire Nymph (hewed me the auncient
Iphianaff*>
and after the old father Himerinw his daughters and their
drinke, and one betwixt the two Theban brothers : Thefe
with pleafant noifes , fweete muficke and fine agilities, paftc
on about the firft triumph.
About the fecond triumph was the noble Nem^fs with the
Lfsbt4HCorin4,Df/M and Netra* with diuers others amorous
Nymphs, making pleafaunt foundes vppon ftringed inftru-
ments ofyealow wood.
About the thirde triumph,the glorious Nymphs (hewed
me Quinti/iaand Cjnthea Nauta, with others, in great folace,
making fweete harmonies,and fmging pleafant verfes:there
alfo I behelde the virgin VioUntillo, with hir Douc,and the o-
ther forrowing for hir Sparrow.
About the fourth triumph, before it went the Lidion Cloe,
ljide,Neobole,fatttt Pbillis, and the faire Lyce Tjburts & Tjra,
with their liarps fingingand making a moft pleafant noyfe.
After this fourth triumph among the Mamades and facrifi-
cers to Bacchw, there folowed an amorous damofell finging
circumfept with thefe and fuch like forts, and fo alfo the de
licious fields, but that me thought it was a louely fight to be
hold, and fo I fbould haue continued : then the gratious
Nymph attbciating and leading me/eeing my fimplicitie and
carelefnes, with a ready countenance and fweete andplea-
fanr words, without asking,(he faid thus vnto me : MyPo/j-
phitw, doeft thou fee thefe ? ( (hewing me thofe of the olde
world ) thefe were beloued of /Hpitcr, and this, and this was
fuch a one, and thefe were in loue with him, by this meanes
(hewing vnto me their high and mighty linage, and noc
knowing their names, (he in great curtefie told me. After
ward fhe (hewed me a great number of little virgins, vnder
thegouernment of three fober and difcrcte matrones the
leaders to fo great delight : Adding thereunto very pleaiant-
ly (changing hir augelhke countenance) My Poliphtbu, thou
lhalt vnderftand, that no earthly creature can enter in heere
without a burning torch as thou feed me, either with ex-
treeme loue and great paines, or for the fau our and compa
ny of thofe three matrones. And from hir hart fetting a
deepe figh, (he faid : This torch haue I brought hither for
thy fake,minding to put ic cut in yonder temple.
Thefe fpeeches pearced my hart, they were fo delightfull
and defired ,
and fo much the more, bicaufe (lie called me hir
*Pol!phtln4. Whereupon I aflured my felfe, that (he was To/ia,
and From top to the toe 1 found an extreeme alteration into
a fupreame delight, my hart flying onely to hir. Which
thoughts were bewraied by my countenance, and whifpe-
ring (mall fighes.
Which fte cunningly perceiuing, brake orr tmsnewaco
dent wnh thefe tvords : Oh how many be ihere whichwould
mod
Theflrife ofLone
moft gladly behold thefetriumphes,and thereforeT
addrefle thy thoughts to other matters, and behold what
noble and woorthy Nymphs fhew themfelues deferuedly
conforted with their amorous louers, curteous and affable :
who with fweete and pleafant notes in meafured verfe, praife
and commend one another without wearines,ince(Tantly ce
lebrating their turnes with excefliue delight, and extolling
the triumphs, the aire alfo full of the chirpings of diuers
prctie birds,yeelding a diffufcd charme,
Thisverfc About the firft triumph among thereioifing companie,
confiftcd of the nine Mufes did fing , with their leader the diuine Luter
Strophe.Jri- Apollo.
Afcer thc triumPh followed the faire Parthenopeian Ltria,
there were little naked boies,climing vp and fitting aloft ga
thering the ripe clufters : others offering them in a basket to
the God, who pleafantly receiued them : other fome lay fa ft
a lleepe vpon the ground, being di unke with the fweet iuice
Aa a of
The
ftrifc of Louc
of the grape. Others applying themfelues to the workeof
muftulcnt autumne: others iinging and piping : all which ex-
preflion was perfeded by the workman in pretious (tones,
of fuch colour as the naturall liuelinefle ofeuery vaine, leafe,
flower, berrie, body, proportion, fhape, and reprefentarion
required. And in this imagerie, although it was very fmall,
yet there was no defed to be found in the leaft part belong
ing thereunto,but perfcdly to be difcerned.
Out of this former defcribed vefTell did fpring vp a grecnc
flourifhingvine,
the twifling branches thereof full fetwith
clutters of grapes,the tawny berries ofIndian Amethylt.and
theleaties of greeneSilenitis of Perfia : Not fubiedtothe
change of the moone,delighted of Cupid. This tree (liadowed
the chariot : Ateucry corner of this triumphant chariot vp-
ontheplaine where the velTcllttocd, was placed a candle-
fticke, ofexcellent workmanfhip, vpon three feet of red cor-
ralljwell liked of the ruder fort, refitting lightening and tem-
pefts, fauourable and prelcruatiue to the bearer : The like
were not found vnckr ilie head of Gorgon of Perfia, nor in the
Ocean Erythrcum. The ll^ale of one of the candlefticks was
of white corrall,bdoued of D/^4, of a conuenient length,
with round knobs and Joints, in height two foote. Another
was of mod fine ftonc Dtomfjas, hauing fpots growing from
a blackifn to a pure red, the fame pounded fmelleth fweetly.
The third was of perfed Medea of the colour of darke gold,
and hauing the fmell ofNedar.The fourth ofpretious Nebri-
ti* from a blacke growing to a white and greene. Out of the
hollowed fteales whereof, there afcendcd vp a pyramidall
flame ofeuerlafting fire, continually burning.The brightnes
of the works exprefled through the reflexion of the lights,
and the fparkling of the pretious ftones were fuch, as my eies
dazeled to behold them.
About which heauenly triumph,with a maruellous and fo-
lemnepornpe, infinite troups of Nymphs ,
their faireand
Venumn** the
crovvned with delicate fruits, hir haire hanging downe oucr
Cod of fruits.^ f]10ulders,of a flaxen colour , and thus lliefate participa-
ting of hir husbands pleafure and quiet, and at hir feete laie
a
f tire*. 98
a vefTell catted Clepfydra. In hirright hand (heheldacopie
full offlowcrs,fruits,andgreene leaues^andinhirlefthande fometime ta-
a branch of flowers/ruits and leaues. ken foradiall
Before the carre and the fower drawing ratyrs,therc mar-
mes lrin&
ched two faire Nymphs,the one of them bare a tropha? with tMnineof
a przpendant table, whereupon was written this title, water, buc
here for a poc
Intcgcrrimam Corporis
valetudincnt &ftabtle robttr to wat " a
caftafque menfarurn de/tti*u,& heatam antmi CCCH-J1
, , fr yoonefed-
ntAtem cultaribus me ojfcro. lings in a
nourcery for
And the other bare atrophzof certaine greene fprigges anorchyard.
bound togicher, and among them diuers rurall inftrumcnts
fattened. Thefe pa(Ted on thus after the ancient maner, with
great ceremonies,and much folemnitie, compaffing about a
great fquare ftone like and aulter, Handing in the middeft of
this faire mead, Efficiently m.oyftened with current ftreames
from beautifullfountaines.
This fquare ftone or aulter was of pure white marble, cu-
riouilie cut by a cunning lapicidai ie, vpon euery front wher-
of was a woonderfull goodly exprefilon,ofan elegant image,
fo exad ,as the like elfc- where is hardly to be found .
The firft was a faire goddefle.hir treces flieng abroad, gir
ded wirh rofes and other flowers,vpon a thin vpper garment
couennghir beaurifull and pleafant proportion. She heldc
hir right hand ouer an ancient vcflcll, in maner of a chafing-
diih, called Chytropodus,fending foorth a flame of fire,into
the which fheedidcaft rofes and flowers , and in the other
hand (he held a branch of fweete myrtle, full of berries. By
hir lidc ftoode a lirtle winged boy fmjjjng.wirh his bowe and
arrowes. Ouer hir head were two pigeons. And vnder the
foote of this figure wo* written
Florido ixri S.
Vpon tbc other fide I beheld in an excellent earning, the
reprefenration of adamofell of a maidenly countenaunce,
whofc ftacelymaicftiegaue great commendation to the curi
ous deuifc of the workcman. She was crowned with a gar-
C c 2 land
nflrifi ofLou
cyprcs trees, the broad leaued beech, coole (hadie okes full
ofmafte, and other hornebeames, pricking iuniper, weake
hafell. fpaltafh, greene lawrell, and humbryferousefculies,
knottie plane trees &lyndensmoouing by the fweet breatli
r f i i *!! ii-
of the pleafant Zeplurus, whiitling through their tender
branches,vith a bcnigneand fauorableimpulfion.
All u hich greene trees were not thickly twiftedtogither,
butofiiconuenientdiftaunceonefrom another, and all of
them fo aptly diftribuced as to the eie the fight thereof bred
great deHght.
^
This place was frequented with countrie Nymphs and Dry-
*des, their fmall and flender waftes being girded with a bray-
ding of tender corules of fprigs, leaueSjandflowerSjandvp-
Cc on
like a pine,
g00afor
ding, it will
neither roc,
woo ""ref
out of the
whichifliieth
, be
-y
" eni or
tcile trees . in
Latm TiUtt
thcybearc a
fmitas hig as
;
fce d r9 .
Dryadu, be
Nymph* of
thcwoods -
The jlnfe ef Lt*e
on their heads their
rifing vp haires, were compared about
as with garlands. Among!* them were the horned famies
andlafciurou^fatyresjforeinnifing t heir fau nail feaRs, bem*
aflemblcd togither out of diuers places,wirhm rhisfcititefc
pleafant cuntrie.bearing in their hands fo tender green and
itrage boiighs,a$ are not to be food in the wood of the god-
a god- des FaronM^kcn the inhabitaints carrie hir imageto the fire .
e ofthe From thence we entered into a large fquareinclofureco-
lbuL a P^^^abQUtwith broadewalkes, ftraight from one corner
fertile pbce
to W0lhfr,wttb a quick-fct vpon either fides, in height one
in Arabia. pace, ofpricking Jumper thicke fet togirher, andmixt with
Sc*nm,bca box, coirp.a(Ting about the fquarc green? mead.In tberowes
people m A- Or whichquick-fet there were fymmetrially planted the vie-
dwcHaitocV
torious Palmc trees,whofe branches were laden with fruitc,
ihcr m tenrs.
aPP^ring out of their husk s, fome blacke , fome crymofen,
Sawomatw, and many yealow, the like are not to be found in tht land of
be people of ^gypt,norin Dabulam among the Arabian Scaenits, or in
s
^
rmatu Hieraconta beyond the Sauromatans. All which were inter-
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
I he difcription ofthe morning.
j
Hathoureas PAce^w ( 4 ) ifTuing foorth, did
bewtific withbri2;htneiTc the forhead of Lett-o
cetbea(f>^,and appearing out of the Occean
waues, not full/ fhewinghis turning wheeles,
that had beene hungvp,butfpecdily with his
fwih horfes Pyrou* Scd7W,haftning his courfe,
andgimng a tinftureto the Spiders webbes,
ainon2;rhe grccneleaues
and tender prickles ofthe Vermilion
Roles" in the purfuite whereof he lTiewedhimfelfemofl:fwift&
"littering,
now vpontheneuerreftmgand fhlJ mooning waues,
hecryfped vp his irradientlieyres.
Vpponwhofe vprifing ,euen at that indant, the vnhorned
Moone difir.ountedhir icife, lofine from hir Chariot hir two
I,orfes,theone white and the other browne, and drewc to the
Hotrifon(^ different from the Hemifphere (<r)
from whence
flic came.
And when as the mountaines and htlles were beautifull, and
the northeaft winds had left of to make barraine with the Iharp-
neilc of their blnfb, the tender fprigsto difquiec the nioouuig
B rccdcs,
(a)Phzbus
the Sunnc,
b) Leucothea
the morning.
(c)Pyr&Eo,
the horfes of
beguile
the time withthefe conceits,
anothomifing in them,the vanitie ofthis life, and
vncertaintie of the
delights therof, in the Dreame
ofPolipbilM;
Which ifit (hall plea/e your Honor
atconuenientleyfureto looke ouer, pardoning
what you findeamifle , and weighingmy good
will, I (hall thinkemy felfe moft happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntillthat
I may prefent your Honour, with a matter more
fitting
the fame.
Tour Honors dcuoted.
. V.
A nonymi elegia ad Lee
Andide Poliphilum narrantemfomnia Leflor
aufculteSy fammofornnia miffa po/o,
Non oferamferdeSy
non b<c
audifiepigelit,
tarn vwijs mirum reliMalundatotu*.
Sigrauis Qf tetricus contemnis erotica^ rerum
nofcc frccor feriem tarn bene
difpofitam.
s ? acfaltemftylus qy noua
lingua nov
iS) fofbia9fc rogat afpiciof.
geometrica cernc vetufta
^lurima
miUiacls difce referta
not is.
Hicfant Pyramides, therm*jngentefy Cohfi,
ac Olelifcorumforma vetuftayatet.
Hie diuerfa bafisfulget, varitfque
columns
illarumfy
arcirt
y Zofbora, cfiflilia,
Et
capita at^ trabes, et cum
quadrante corona
Hie
return cernes
excultayalatia,
cultu*
,femes, egregiafaue
Bine
Ad
Hir.c bicolor chorea ef? latronum, expreffiufue
tota
in Laberintkeif Vita kowinum tenebris.
Hinc
lege
de
triplici cp<
maieftate tonantif
dtcat, (y in
fort
is
egerit ipfe
tribus.
Polia quafueritforma, quam culta, tryumfios
inde louis fcetta quatuor
xthereos.
rvarios
affeElu*
narrat amoris^
atque opera (y quantum feuiat ille Dew.
Faultes efcaped in the
printing.
Poliphili hypnerotcmachia,
V/herein he shcweth , that all humaine and
worldlic things are but a dreame,and but as vanitie it
felfe. Inthefettingfoorth whereofmany things
arc figured wortruc ofremembrance.
Tl e Author beginneth
his Hypnerotomachia , to fet downe the hower
And time when in hufleepc itfecmed to him that hee wot in a quiet
folitarte d.:fcrt&n<]LvninhabitedyUine>tindfcom
thence afte nvard
how hecnterfiditnadttifedly before hs TVas a&are^veithgreatfear
f
e,
into A dftr^f obfcurc and vnfrequentedwood.
andlafciurou^fatyresjforeinnifing t heir fau nail feaRs, bem*
aflemblcd togither out of diuers places,wirhm rhisfcititefc
pleafant cuntrie.bearing in their hands fo tender green and
itrage boiighs,a$ are not to be food in the wood of the god-
a god- des FaronM^kcn the inhabitaints carrie hir imageto the fire .
e ofthe From thence we entered into a large fquareinclofureco-
lbuL a P^^^abQUtwith broadewalkes, ftraight from one corner
fertile pbce
to W0lhfr,wttb a quick-fct vpon either fides, in height one
in Arabia. pace, ofpricking Jumper thicke fet togirher, andmixt with
Sc*nm,bca box, coirp.a(Ting about the fquarc green? mead.In tberowes
people m A- Or whichquick-fet there were fymmetrially planted the vie-
dwcHaitocV
torious Palmc trees,whofe branches were laden with fruitc,
ihcr m tenrs.
aPP^ring out of their husk s, fome blacke , fome crymofen,
Sawomatw, and many yealow, the like are not to be found in tht land of
be people of ^gypt,norin Dabulam among the Arabian Scaenits, or in
s
^
rmatu Hieraconta beyond the Sauromatans. All which were inter-
largc iuntry
mectlecl witn Sr^ne Cytrons, Orenges, H
;
ppomclides, Pi-
reachingf 6 ^ac ^ trees Pomegranats,Meligot6s,Dendromirts, Mefpils,
Germany & and Sorbis,with diuers other fruitful! trees,
the riuer Vif- In this place vppon the grcene fwoord of the flowering
tub coHy- meajd,andvnderthefrefliandcoole (liadowes, I might be-
and iVdeui-
^^ a 8reat aflemblie met togither of lirange people, & fuch
ded into two 3s I had neuer before feene, full of ioyesand paftimes, but
parts Euro- bafely apparrelled/ome in fauns skins , painted with white
pea and
fpots, fome in lynxskins,othersin leopards : and maniehad
h
fiftened togither diuers broad leaues, inftrophiating them
uVin
w]t^ fund deflowers, therewithall couering their nakednes,
like a finging^ leaping, and dauncing with great applaufe.
wolph, being Thefe were the Nymphs Hamadryades , pleafantly com-
of
pafTmg vppon either fides the flowered Vertumntu, hauing
j ad j
vPPon ^ is neac^e a garlande of rofes, and his gowne lap full
wernymphs
offaire flowers , louing the Ration of the woollie ramme.
ofthe wood He fate in an ancient fafhioned carre, drawne by fower hor-
morelharpe witted,wife,modeft, anddifcreet, then is ordi
narily feene in fotendeiyeeres, with their beardlesLouers,
fcarce hauing downy cheekes,pleafantly deuifing with them
matters of Loue. Manieofthem hauing their torches bur-
ningjOtherspaitophorall, fome with ancient fpoiles vppon
the endes of ftreight ftaues, and others with diuers forts of
Trophes vpon launces, curiouilie hanging,caried before the
myftical triumphs,with (houting refounds aboue in the aire.
Some with v inde-inftruments of diuers fafhions and maner
of windings/agbuts and flutes.Orhers with heauenly voices
Tinging with ineffable delights, and exceeding folace, part
mans reafon to imagme.-within them paiTed about the glori
ous triumphsjturning vpon the florulent ground^and green
fwoord;
The flrifc of Loue
fwoord, a place dedicated tothehappie, without anie ftub
or tree, but the fielde wasasaplainecoequatemedoweof
fweete hearbes and pleafaunt flowers, of all forts of colours,
and fundry varieng faQiions , yeelding fo fragrant a fmell as
is poflible to fpeake of, not burnt with the extreeme heat of
the funne, but moderate, the ground moyftened with fweete
ry uers, the aire pure and cleane, the daies all alike, the earth
continually greene, thefpring neuerdecaieng but renuing,
the coole grafle with variable flowers like a painting, remai
ning alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie frefhnefle , referuing
and holding their colours without interdict of time. There
grewc the fower fortes of Violets, Cowflops, Melilots,
Rofe Parfley or Paflcflower, Blew bottles,Gy th, Ladies feale,
Vatrachium, Aquilegia, Lillieconually, Amaranth, Flower
gentle,Ideofmus,all forts of fweete pinks, and (mall flowring
hearbs of odoriferous fragrancieand fmell, Rofes of Perfia,
hauing the fmel of mu&keandAmber,and innumerable forts
of others, without fetting; but naturally growing in a woon-
derfull dtftribution, peeping out from their greene leaues,
and barbs very delightfull to behold.
In this place I might fee goodly braue women as the Ar
chadian Cahfto the daughter of Lycton, with the vnknowen
Diana. The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nyftew,and mother
to ss4mphio and Zetem that built Thebes, with hir fatyre.
Iff the daughter of Mwkareiu with hir (hepheard. Antichi
the daughter of Acctu and yoong "D^nae. Attcric the daugh
ter to Ctetffy and ^Icbmena with hir fained husband. After
ward I beheld the pleafantc//* folacing hir felfe <vith the
ppomclides, Pi-
reachingf 6 ^ac ^ trees Pomegranats,Meligot6s,Dendromirts, Mefpils,
Germany & and Sorbis,with diuers other fruitful! trees,
the riuer Vif- In this place vppon the grcene fwoord of the flowering
tub coHy- meajd,andvnderthefrefliandcoole (liadowes, I might be-
and iVdeui-
^^ a 8reat aflemblie met togither of lirange people, & fuch
ded into two 3s I had neuer before feene, full of ioyesand paftimes, but
parts Euro- bafely apparrelled/ome in fauns skins , painted with white
pea and
fpots, fome in lynxskins,othersin leopards : and maniehad
h
fiftened togither diuers broad leaues, inftrophiating them
uVin
w]t^ fund deflowers, therewithall couering their nakednes,
like a finging^ leaping, and dauncing with great applaufe.
wolph, being Thefe were the Nymphs Hamadryades , pleafantly com-
of
pafTmg vppon either fides the flowered Vertumntu, hauing
j ad j
vPPon ^ is neac^e a garlande of rofes, and his gowne lap full
wernymphs
offaire flowers , louing the Ration of the woollie ramme.
ofthe wood He fate in an ancient fafhioned carre, drawne by fower hor-
and Symenides ned fauns or fatyrs ,
with his louing and faire wife Pomona,
Venumn** the
crovvned with delicate fruits, hir haire hanging downe oucr
Cod of fruits.^ f]10ulders,of a flaxen colour , and thus lliefate participa-
ting of hir husbands pleafure and quiet, and at hir feete laie
a
f tire*. 98
a vefTell catted Clepfydra. In hirright hand (heheldacopie
full offlowcrs,fruits,andgreene leaues^andinhirlefthande fometime ta-
a branch of flowers/ruits and leaues. ken foradiall
Before the carre and the fower drawing ratyrs,therc mar-
mes lrin&
ched two faire Nymphs,the one of them bare a tropha? with tMnineof
a przpendant table, whereupon was written this title, water, buc
here for a poc
Intcgcrrimam Corporis
valetudincnt &ftabtle robttr to wat " a
caftafque menfarurn de/tti*u,& heatam antmi CCCH-J1
, , fr yoonefed-
ntAtem cultaribus me ojfcro. lings in a
nourcery for
And the other bare atrophzof certaine greene fprigges anorchyard.
bound togicher, and among them diuers rurall inftrumcnts
fattened. Thefe pa(Ted on thus after the ancient maner, with
great ceremonies,and much folemnitie, compaffing about a
ning alwaies vnhurt, with their deawie frefhnefle , referuing
and holding their colours without interdict of time. There
grewc the fower fortes of Violets, Cowflops, Melilots,
Rofe Parfley or Paflcflower, Blew bottles,Gy th, Ladies feale,
Vatrachium, Aquilegia, Lillieconually, Amaranth, Flower
gentle,Ideofmus,all forts of fweete pinks, and (mall flowring
hearbs of odoriferous fragrancieand fmell, Rofes of Perfia,
hauing the fmel of mu&keandAmber,and innumerable forts
of others, without fetting; but naturally growing in a woon-
derfull dtftribution, peeping out from their greene leaues,
and barbs very delightfull to behold.
In this place I might fee goodly braue women as the Ar
chadian Cahfto the daughter of Lycton, with the vnknowen
Diana. The Lesbian Antiopa daughter to Nyftew,and mother
to ss4mphio and Zetem that built Thebes, with hir fatyre.
Iff the daughter of Mwkareiu with hir (hepheard. Antichi
the daughter of Acctu and yoong "D^nae. Attcric the daugh
ter to Ctetffy and ^Icbmena with hir fained husband. After
ward I beheld the pleafantc//* folacing hir felfe <vith the
cleere flood and diuine fire. The daughter ofFullus and that
of Mencmphtti, with hir counterfeit father, and that other of
Diodes with hir lap full offlowers and a writhing ferpent, and
the faire yoong gyrle no more forrowing for the growing of
hir hornes.t/fftiocbi* and Antigone the daughter of Laomcdon
folacioufly delighting hir felfe in hirftorkifh plumes, and
Lurfflethe fir ft inuentrixof wheeles. Gr,w<*wmkthcdaun-
cing Nymph holding by hir little finger, and wafhing hir de
licate pretie feete from fweate in the riuer B.igrada. After
that I beheld a quaile flying, and a faulcon purfuing hir :
Erigone hauing hir faire (hining breft ilickt full of f^eetc
grapes,
in ft drcame. 91
grapes,and the daughter of king Chollut with hir bull, Eripbile
and hir changed husband: The daughter of eX//wand the
virgin Mclantho with hir dolphin, Phylkra the daughter of
old Ocean** with the father of Chiron. Next hir CVw with hir
head inftrophyated with ripe cares of corne imbracingthe
fcalie Hydra, : And the faire Nymph Lara forting with */trgi-
phon : and the fa eeteF/riof the riuer Numicta.
Within the faide Garland I beheld a rough Milche Gote, lupitcr.
which a littlechild did fuck,firting vnder hir fide vponhis fle/hic
young legges one (height foorth, and the other retra& and bow
ed vnder him. With his little armes houldmg himfelfe by the
hearie and rough locks 9 his countenance and eyes vpon the byg
and full vdder thus fucking. Anda certaineNimphe ,asitwere
fpeakingwoords,andgiuing voyces ofcontentment,to the Goat
andbowingdownehirfelfewiththclcfthandjheldvponeofthc
feete,and with the right hand putting the pappe to the finacking
kiflings of the fucking infant, and vnder hir were thefe letters lupircrs
Amaltbc*. nuilTc.
An other Nimphc flood againft the head of the Goate ,with
one arme carefully compafsing the neck,and with the other fhee
held hir by the home.
In the middeft flood the third Nimphe with greenc bowgh Thcdaugh-
leauesmonehand, andintheotheranouldefafhioned drinking 5
bowle
5
more long then broad,likeaboateby a little handle.Vn-
der hir fcete was \vritten,y%7>j^r.
Betwixt one and other of the three fore fpecifiedNymphes,
therewere
Visible: 0% - 93%
Here is a summary of the major nymph scenes in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, capturing their symbolism, mood, and narrative function:
Would you like me to arrange these scenes into a visual story map or timeline next?
I'd like more detailed summaries, one scene per response. Be sure to highlight actions and dialogue
Let’s begin with the first detailed scene involving nymphs:
Setting:
Poliphilo witnesses the First Triumph, a stately, slow-moving procession with a chariot drawn by white horses, set against a background of musical harmony and poetic recitation. The atmosphere is radiant, formal, and dreamlike.
Characters Present:
Action and Symbolism:
As the chariot approaches, the muses begin singing in harmonic verse. One of the nymphs steps forward as a herald. She wears a laurel crown and speaks in measured, musical prose. She tells Poliphilo:
“Lo, here are assembled those who stir the spheres and grant to men the divine gifts of poesy and song. And to thee, love-wounded dreamer, shall be recited the tales of those gods who loved mortal maids.”
She begins naming the divine lovers of Jupiter—Leda, Io, Europa, Callisto—each associated with a metamorphosis and celestial consequence. For instance, she recounts how Io, once Jupiter's lover, was turned into a cow and then a constellation:
“For her love and suffering she was lifted among the stars, the hornéd one of heaven.”
As she speaks, the Muses nod in slow agreement, plucking their lyres. The scene seems both theatrical and liturgical: Poliphilo is not just watching, but undergoing a symbolic initiation into the mysteries of myth and love. The nymph’s speech weaves mythic genealogy into cosmic order.
Poliphilo’s Response:
Poliphilo is enraptured. He writes:
“I was as one without bones, melted in admiration, and the golden hair of the divine maid, stirred by the breeze, seemed to me the very cords of heaven’s lyre.”
He attempts to speak in praise but is struck dumb—an experience of divine aphasia, signaling that he is not yet ready to respond in kind to such elevated knowledge.
Symbolic Meaning:
This scene initiates Poliphilo into the first layer of cosmic order—the realm of artistic inspiration and divine love. The nymph is both a priestess and a muse, her speech a rite of entry into a new mode of understanding: one where desire leads not just to longing, but to mythic transformation.
Would you like to continue with the second triumph scene, where the nymphs play instruments and perform more earthy, sensual rituals?
continue. Don't append any text at the end of your summary such as "would you like to continue?"
Setting:
Poliphilo beholds the Second Triumph, which is more earthy, musical, and erotic than the first. This procession is driven by music, color, and graceful bodily motion. It unfolds under a canopy of flowering trees, along a path strewn with petals.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
The scene begins with rhythmic music, as the nymphs appear in pairs, smiling and exchanging glances. They walk barefoot on the grass, their dresses fluttering in the breeze. Each one plays a different melody in polyphonic harmony.
One nymph, Lesbia, sings:
“Love unchains the soul from reason's cold fetters. Joy springs where music softens the flame.”
Another, Corina, responds playfully:
“Let him who burns not with longing, be cast into the bramble. We sing only to the fevered heart.”
Their dialogue, woven into the music, blends erotic innuendo with ritual elegance. Poliphilo describes them as if they were divine beings descended to play among mortals.
The nymphs’ instruments are detailed lovingly: polished wood carved with vines and satyrs, strings of twisted silver thread, and tuning knobs shaped like sea-shells. The sound they produce is described as “like the shimmering of light on gentle waves.”
As they advance, they pause before a small shrine of Venus. Each nymph deposits a garland, and one (perhaps Diana, in a reversal of her usual role) murmurs:
“To her, whose mirror is the heart of man, and whose breath stirs the world unseen.”
Poliphilo’s Response:
He is overcome by the synchronized sound and motion. He writes:
“Each footstep of theirs beat upon my chest like a divine drum. I would gladly be their lyre, to be plucked and tuned by such fingers.”
He follows them with reverence but dares not speak, sensing that their music is a language of its own. Their path leads him not into action but into contemplation of beauty as a divine language.
Symbolic Meaning:
The nymphs in this scene function as living embodiments of musical harmony and erotic inspiration. Their dialogue mirrors Neoplatonic thought: love and beauty draw the soul upward through the senses. Music, motion, and flirtation are not distractions but the sacred preliminaries to mystical union.
This second triumph transitions Poliphilo from mythic genealogy to lived sensual ritual, from the heavens to the immediate pleasures of perception.
continue
Setting:
Poliphilo comes upon a secluded riverside glade, surrounded by green meadows, fragrant herbs, and flowering trees. The water is crystal-clear, fed by a spring and flowing gently over smooth pebbles. The sunlight dances on the surface, creating a dreamlike shimmer.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
As Poliphilo hides among the reeds, he watches the scene unfold:
The nymphs, in pairs and trios, enter the water. Some lift their colorful silk garments, exposing bare legs, thighs, and parts of their torsos as they wade in. The silk clings to their skin. Others fully disrobe, their bodies described as “ivory and rose”, glistening with water.
A few sit on the grass, braiding flower garlands, while others recline on cloaks, their hair loose and adorned with jasmine and violets. They speak playfully to one another, teasing the young men and laughing lightly.
One nymph says:
“What fool blushes when nature asks for nothing but ease?”
Another answers:
“Let modesty hide where hearts are cold. Here, the stream is warmer than shame.”
There is no vulgarity, only an atmosphere of innocent delight and mutual affection. One youth chases a nymph through the shallows, and she splashes him, giggling. Another couple lie side by side, entwined, whispering.
A dove lands near one nymph, who coos at it gently and says:
“Even the birds have learned our speech. They too know what it is to love without chains.”
Poliphilo’s Response:
He is overwhelmed—not just aroused, but spiritually stirred. He writes:
“My breath, like a thief, fled me; my heart leapt as if to follow. Was I not born to be this water, to touch them in flow and sparkle?”
Yet he does not approach. He remains hidden, reverent, nearly mad with longing but afraid to interrupt the harmony. He experiences both rapturous pleasure and aching frustration, a theme that recurs throughout the dream.
Symbolic Meaning:
This scene blends Arcadian eroticism with spiritual allegory. The nymphs embody natural innocence and sensual freedom, untouched by shame or repression. Their carefree intimacy with the youths suggests an ideal of uncomplicated, mutual love—a state Poliphilo yearns for but cannot yet enter.
It is a vision of paradise before knowledge, or perhaps a paradise accessible only to those who surrender entirely to beauty and flow. The stream becomes a symbol of both physical pleasure and the passage toward initiation—flowing from purity to fulfillment.
continue
Setting:
Poliphilo is led by a noble nymph through a vast and enchanted garden unlike anything he has seen before. The garden is filled with exotic flowers, sculpted hedges, perfumed breezes, and artificial marvels of gold, glass, and precious stone. Birds sing sweetly, and even the trees seem to lean toward the center of the garden as if in reverence.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
The guiding nymph gestures silently for Poliphilo to follow her, and he obeys, mesmerized by the movement of her body, the music of her anklets, and the scent that trails her steps, described as a blend of “cypress, cinnamon, and divine balm.”
She leads him past:
The leading nymph turns and says, her voice “like distant bells in mist”:
“Here, all desires are stilled in sweetness. Who drinks of this water shall know no torment, save the torment of longing delayed.”
Poliphilo, trembling, bends to drink from the basin, which tastes of citrus, honey, and roses. The other nymphs begin to sing a low, haunting melody. Their lyrics describe love as both a flame and a mirror—a force that shows the lover his true self by burning away illusions.
Poliphilo’s Response:
He is shaken and entranced. He writes:
“Never had my senses been so bathed in delight. I stood, a torch unlit amid lanterns, wishing only to be consumed. The air itself bore me upward.”
He attempts to speak to the leading nymph, but she places a finger on his lips:
“Not yet. The tongue must be silent while the heart still argues with itself.”
She leads him deeper into the garden, and the scene fades into floral mist.
Symbolic Meaning:
This garden and its nymphic inhabitants embody refined, spiritualized pleasure—love that has moved beyond simple desire into contemplative ecstasy. The guiding nymph is a figure of the soul’s ascent, leading Poliphilo into an inner paradise of beauty and silence.
Her command to remain silent points to a Neoplatonic theme: that true knowledge of love begins where words end, and the self dissolves into receptive wonder. This is not yet union—but it is the vestibule of mystery.
continue
Setting:
After passing through a series of allegorical triumphs and ornamental landscapes, Poliphilo is brought to the entrance of a sacred walled garden, attached to a temple precinct. The outer wall is carved with geometrical symbols and astrological figures, while within, there is a colonnaded portico and a grove of laurel and cypress. This is a place of initiation, not of leisure.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
The veiled nymph addresses Poliphilo as he stands outside the gate, saying:
“Who comes without flame, shall return to shadow. Only those whose hearts have burned may pass into this light.”
She lifts a lamp from a niche in the wall. The flame is small but steady. Poliphilo, startled, instinctively lowers his head and replies:
“Lady, I have burned in silence, in sleep, in waking hours. My soul is a torch fed on absence.”
At this, she nods and parts the curtains that veil the entrance. He is permitted to enter, stepping over a threshold inlaid with gold lettering: Initium Amoris Sapientia est—“The beginning of love is wisdom.”
Inside, he is led by the same nymph along a path flanked by sacred altars, each dedicated to an abstract virtue—Patience, Constancy, Desire, and Memory. At each altar, he is asked a brief question by the attendant nymphs:
Poliphilo’s Response:
He writes:
“I was as one reborn in the womb of silence. My breath was prayer, my footsteps penance. Never had beauty been so near and yet so far.”
He does not try to touch the nymph or ask her name. Her presence has become an embodiment of initiation, not desire. He follows without question.
Symbolic Meaning:
This scene marks Poliphilo’s transition from sensual intoxication to mystical discipline. The veiled nymph is no longer a playmate or muse, but a mystagogue—a guide into sacred space and metaphysical knowledge. Her flame represents the pain of love refined into wisdom.
The garden here is not erotic but hieratic—it is the threshold to divine union, requiring suffering, silence, and submission. The questions posed at the altars frame love not just as emotion, but as an epistemological journey—toward knowing the self, time, and reality through eros.
cont
Setting:
Poliphilo witnesses the fourth triumphal procession, a Bacchic, pastoral celebration of seasonal change, fertility, and natural delight. The procession moves through a broad green meadow, encircled by blossoming vines and orchard trees heavy with fruit. It is filled with music, laughter, and the smell of ripe grapes and warm soil.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
The procession moves slowly, with nymphs walking two by two, carrying baskets of fruit and golden jugs of wine. Their dresses are shorter than in earlier scenes, suited for the fields. Their bodies glisten with oil and summer heat. One of them, Neobole, lifts a fig to her mouth and laughs:
“What is this if not the promise of touch within skin?”
The others join her in laughter. Phillis sings:
“The vine winds not by force, but by sweetness. So love finds us—slow, sure, and circling.”
They dance in small circles around a central tree, tossing pomegranates and olives to one another in a ritualistic game. Vertumnus, clad in vine leaves and bearing a sickle, raises a goblet and proclaims:
“Change is the root of all delight—what does not ripen, rots.”
Pomona, silent and serene, gestures to the nymphs, who then offer fruit and wine to Poliphilo. They lead him by the hand into the orchard and seat him on a stone beneath a pear tree. One of the nymphs, Cloe, presses a cup of wine to his lips:
“To the man who sees the goddess in the fruit, not just the hand that picks it.”
Poliphilo’s Response:
Poliphilo drinks and feels a wave of warmth and release. He writes:
“Their laughter struck not my ears but my marrow. I was drunk before the wine passed my lips. Their eyes were wells from which I drew desire distilled by earth and heaven.”
He does not seek to possess any one of them, sensing they belong to a seasonal, sacred rhythm, not to personal attachment. He joins in the dance briefly, but remains contemplative.
Symbolic Meaning:
This scene expresses love as fertility, rhythm, and renewal. The nymphs represent earthly abundance, but not in a crude or indulgent way—they are priestesses of seasonal time, showing that love and desire are cyclical, sacred, and ever-renewing. Their joy is ritualized sensuality, not lust.
Vertumnus and Pomona oversee this balance of change and fruition; the nymphs enact it. Poliphilo, invited to drink and dance, participates without clinging—his journey through desire has matured into reverence for natural joy without possession.
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Setting:
Poliphilo is brought into a circle of seated figures in a moonlit grove, surrounded by marble columns carved with constellations and mythic animals. In the center stands a bronze globe, slowly rotating on a pedestal, inscribed with zodiacal symbols. The air is heavy with myrrh and the sound of soft string instruments. This is a space of cosmic revelation, not earthly indulgence.
Characters Present:
Action and Dialogue:
Each nymph rises in turn and recounts her story of divine love and metamorphosis, many involving Jupiter, Apollo, or other gods:
“For loving too purely, I was made a beast and lifted to heaven, my heart a frozen star.”
“He was my shame and my wisdom. The gods gave me trees for skin so I might weep in sap, not tears.”
“Let not the pure in heart despair—my rope was turned to a garland, my grief to a sign in the sky.”
Each tale is spoken plainly, without tears, as if the pain has been sublimated into knowledge. The nymphs form a chorus of eternalized sorrow, teaching that desire, loss, and transformation are the raw material of celestial destiny.
Between the speeches, harp music and faint chanting echo from unseen voices.
Poliphilo’s Response:
Poliphilo is struck by the dignity and clarity of the nymphs. He writes:
“They bore their wounds like medals from another world. Each word they spoke etched itself into my breath.”
He does not attempt to touch or approach them. He kneels, then rises slowly, a gesture of homage. He senses these nymphs are no longer participants in erotic play, but keepers of cosmic memory.
Symbolic Meaning:
These nymphs embody the celestial consequence of earthly love. Each is a mythological figure transformed into a constellation or natural form, showing that divine love often carries both ecstasy and punishment, but always results in permanent inscription—in the heavens, in memory, in fate.
Poliphilo’s encounter with them reveals the final refinement of desire: the understanding that true love does not seek gratification, but meaning, transformation, and immortality. This is the metaphysical horizon of eros.
give me an overview of eroticism and ritualized sensuality in the novel
Eroticism and ritualized sensuality in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili are not merely aesthetic flourishes or titillating digressions—they are central to the novel's symbolic structure. Francesco Colonna presents erotic experience as both a vehicle for mystical ascent and a series of trials that purify the soul. Poliphilo’s journey is one of transfiguring raw desire into spiritual vision, with the body, senses, and longing serving as initiatory tools.
From the beginning, Poliphilo is overwhelmed by erotic visions: disrobed nymphs, bathing maidens, sculpted forms, silken garments that cling to bodies, and lightly veiled sexual play. But these episodes are not lewd or profane—they are framed as sacred encounters, often occurring near temples, groves, or ritual spaces.
“I would gladly be their lyre, to be plucked and tuned by such fingers.”
—Poliphilo, watching nymphs play music
Each erotic scene is described in lush, painterly detail: skin like ivory and roses, perfumes of myrtle and cinnamon, fingers tracing the air like brushstrokes. These scenes do not culminate in sexual climax but in a crisis of wonder—Poliphilo often loses speech, faints, or burns with longing. This unfulfilled desire becomes a mystical discipline, reminiscent of medieval courtly love and Neoplatonic eros.
Sensual moments are almost always ritualized. When Poliphilo drinks from a fountain in a pleasure garden, it is not just refreshment—it is symbolic purification. When nymphs recline naked in rivers or hand him fruit, these actions are imbued with deliberate choreography, echoing rites of initiation or sacramental offerings.
Though Hypnerotomachia is filled with erotic imagery, it is also marked by abstinence and delay. Poliphilo is denied consummation again and again:
This tension between presence and absence reflects the Neoplatonic ideal of anagoge—ascent from the sensual to the intelligible. Erotic love becomes the ladder by which the soul climbs toward divine beauty.
Natural landscapes—groves, fountains, orchards—are erotically charged, yet never crude. They are theophanic: manifestations of the divine through physical beauty. Fruit, flowers, perfumes, birdsong, and light act as sublime analogies for the body and its pleasures.
When a nymph offers Poliphilo a fig or pours water from a jug, it is simultaneously:
Poliphilo’s erotic experiences follow an alchemical structure:
| Erotic Stage | Alchemical Phase | Spiritual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Gazing on beauty | Calcination | Desire as a fire that burns ego |
| Bathing with nymphs | Dissolution | Loss of self in sensual flow |
| Silence and reverence | Coagulation | Reshaping of the soul in purified form |
| Union with Polia | Sublimation | Marriage of soul and divine love |
The erotic, therefore, is the crucible in which the lead of physical longing becomes the gold of divine union.
In Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, eroticism is a sacred grammar—a symbolic language through which Poliphilo moves from bewildered longing to illuminated love. Sensual pleasure is never condemned, but neither is it indulged for its own sake. Instead, it is ritualized, aestheticized, and transformed, pointing always beyond itself to something more radiant and eternal.
This reflects Renaissance ideals in which beauty, desire, art, and spiritual ascent are inseparably intertwined.
What about earthiness and depictions of the body?
In Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, earthiness and the body are celebrated in lush, tactile, and often startlingly physical ways—but always within a highly aestheticized, symbolic frame. The novel neither shies away from corporeal reality nor surrenders to crudeness. Instead, it renders the body as a sacred and poetic object, imbued with classical sensuousness, mythological resonance, and alchemical transformation.
Poliphilo often describes female bodies in exquisite detail, using analogies drawn from art, nature, and precious materials:
“Their thighs were sculpted like the swelling roots of young trees, their steps plucking notes from the meadow as from a lyre.”
Unlike the ethereal mysticism of medieval allegories, Hypnerotomachia embraces earthy realism:
The body is unclothed without being degraded. Poliphilo watches nymphs disrobe, recline, embrace lovers, and dance barefoot—not with lustful domination, but with rapture and wonder. Shame is entirely absent:
“Their bodies breathed light. I saw them not as women, but as verses in motion, each curve a syllable of love’s liturgy.”
Hypnerotomachia does not idealize all bodies. Rustic, hybrid figures—satyrs, fauns, and goat-men—also appear, symbolizing raw, unchecked physicality. Their presence introduces the grotesque and the comic:
The Triumph of Vertumnus and Pomona is the most overt celebration of bodily and natural abundance:
Strikingly, the novel’s obsessive architectural descriptions are body analogs. Arches curve like backs; columns swell like thighs; staircases are “tongues of ascent.” The temple itself becomes a body, and to enter it is to move through a sacred anatomy.
This fusion of body and structure reflects Renaissance Neoplatonic correspondences: the macrocosm (temple, world, garden) is mirrored in the microcosm (body, lover, flower).
The depiction of the body in Hypnerotomachia Poliphili is a synthesis of: