per or
marble; but if jasper, dull jasper; if marble, noble marble. Of it are
the columns, which so surround the pillars that they seem there to
represent a kind of dance. Their outer surface more polished than new
horn, with reflected visions, fronts the clear stars. So many figures
has nature painted there that if art, after long endeavour, toils to
simulate a like picture, scarce may she imitate nature. Likewise has the
beauteous joining placed a thousand columns there in graceful order;
which stable, precious, shining, with their stability carry on the whole
work of the church, with their preciousness enrich it, with their shine
make it clear. Their state indeed is lofty and high, their polish true
and splendid, their order handsome and geometric, their beauty fit and
useful, their use gracious and remarkable, their stability unhurt and
sharp. A splendid double pomp of windows displays riddles to the eyes,
inscribing the citizens of the Heavenly City and the arms whereby they
tame the Stygian tyrant.{22} And two are greater, like two lights; of
these the rounded blaze, looking upon the quarters of north and south,
with its double light, lords it over all windows. They can be compared
to the common stars, but these two are one like the sun, the other like
the moon. So do these two candles lighten the head of the Church. With
living and various colours they mimic the rainbow, not mimic indeed, but
rather excel, for the sun when it is reflected in the clouds makes a
rainbow: these two shine without sun, glitter without cloud.

These things, described but puerilely, have the weight of an allegory.
Without it seems but as a shell, but within lies the kernel. Without it
is as wax, but within is combed honey; and fire lightens more pleasantly
in the shade. For foundation, wall roof, white carved stone, marble
smooth, conspicuous and black, the double order of windows, and the twin
windows, which, as it were, look upon the regions of north and south,
are great indeed, in themselves, but figure greater things.

The foundation is the body, the wall man, the roof the spirit, the
division of the Church threefold. The body possesses the earth, man the
clouds, the spirit the stars. The white and carved stone means the
chaste and wise; the whiteness is modesty, the carving dogma. By the
effigy of marble, smooth, shining, dark, the bride is figured,
guileless, well conducted, working. The smoothness very rightly means
guilelessnes