o less awful
and no less horrible. Spoils, then, in the form of a woman adorned with
a lion's skin, with an ancient trophy in the hand, was seen coming after
these, and she appeared as if desirous to exult over two prisoners,
wounded and bound, who were on either side of her; having behind her, as
the last line of so terrible a company, a woman of a very stalwart
presence, with two bull's horns on the head and with an elephant in the
hand, representing Force, to whom Cruelty, all red and likewise awful,
killing a little child, seemed to make a true and fit companion.

SEVENTH CAR, OF VENUS.

Very different was the aspect of the charming, graceful, elegant, and
gilded car of benign Venus, which was seen coming after the last in the
seventh place, drawn by two most peaceful, snow-white, and amorous
doves; wherein were not wanting four scenes executed with great mastery,
to render it pleasing, gladsome, and rich in pomp. For the first of
these was seen the lovely Goddess transforming herself into a fish, to
escape from the fury of the Giant Typhoeus, and for the second,
likewise, she was seen praying the great father Jove most piteously that
he should deign to make an end at last of the many labours of her
much-enduring son AEneas. In the third was seen the same Venus caught by
her husband Vulcan with the net, while lying with her lover Mars; even
as in the fourth and last she was seen, no less solicitous for her same
son AEneas, coming into accord with the so inexorable Juno to unite him
with the snares of love to the chaste Queen of Carthage. The beautiful
Adonis, as her dearest lover, was seen walking first before the car, in
the gracious habit of a huntsman, and with him appeared as his
companions two charming little Loves, with painted wings and with bows
and arrows. These were followed by the marital Hymeneus, young and
beautiful, with the customary garland of marjoram, and in his hand the
lighted torch; and by Thalassius with the spear and shield, and the
little basket full of wool. And after them was seen coming Peitho, the
Goddess of Persuasion, robed in the habit of a matron, with a great
tongue upon the head (after the Egyptian custom) containing a bloody
eye, and in the hand another similar tongue which was joined to another
counterfeited hand; and with her the Trojan Paris in the habit of a
shepherd, who was seen carrying in memory of his fable that for him so
unlucky apple. Even as Concord, in the form of