that it has the appearance of
a very dense grove, one can climb up it by a convenient staircase of
wood similarly covered with ivy, at the top of which, in the middle of
the oak, there is a square chamber surrounded by seats, the backs of
which are all of living verdure, and in the centre is a little table
of marble with a vase of variegated marble in the middle, from which,
through a pipe, there flows and spurts into the air a strong jet of
water, which, after falling, runs away through another pipe. These
pipes mount upwards from the foot of the oak so well hidden by the
ivy, that nothing is seen of them, and the water can be turned on or
off at pleasure by means of certain keys; nor is it possible to
describe in full in how many ways that water of the oak can be turned
on, in order to drench anyone at pleasure with various instruments of
copper, not to mention that with the same instruments one can cause
the water to produce various sounds and whistlings.

Finally, all these waters, after having served so many different
purposes, and supplied so many fountains, are collected together, and
flow into the two fish-ponds that are without the palace, at the
beginning of the avenue, and thence to other uses of the villa.

Nor will I omit to tell what was the intention of Tribolo with regard
to the statues that were to be as ornaments in the great garden of the
labyrinth, in the niches that may be seen regularly distributed there
in various spaces. He proposed, then--acting in this on the judicious
advice of M. Benedetto Varchi, who has been in our times most
excellent as poet, orator, and philosopher--that at the upper and
lower ends there should be placed the four Seasons of the
year--Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter--and that each should be set
up in that part where its particular season is most felt. At the
entrance, on the right hand, beside the Winter, and in that part of
the wall which stretches upwards, were to go six figures that were to
demonstrate the greatness and goodness of the house of Medici, and to
denote that all the virtues are to be found in Duke Cosimo; and these
were Justice, Compassion, Valour, Nobility, Wisdom, and Liberality,
which have always dwelt in the house of Medici, and are all united
together at the present day in the most excellent Lord Duke, in that
he is just, compassionate, valorous, noble, wise, and liberal. And
because these qualities have made the city of Florence, as they still
d