he Collumnes.

Oh how exsquitely were the same Images cut, that oftentimes my eyes
would wander from the real and liuely shapes, to looke vpon those feyned
representations.

The paued ground vnder the water being of a diuers emblemature of hard
stone, checkered where you might see marueilous graphics through the
diuersitie of the colours. For the cleare water and not sulphurous, but
sweete and temperatelye hotte, not like a Hotte-house or Stew, but
naturally cleansing it selfe beyond all credet, there was no meanes to
hinder the obiect from the sight of the eye. For diuers fishes in the
sides of the seates, and in the bottom by a museacall cutting expressed,
which did so imitate nature as if they had beene swimming aliue. As
barbles, lampreys, and many others, the curiousnes of whose woorke I
more regarded, then their names and natures.

The black stone of the walles was ingrauen with a leafe worke, as if it
had beene an illaqueated composition of leaues and flowers, and the
little shelles of cytheriaces, so beautifull to the eye, as was possible
to be deuised.

Vpon the doore, the interstice whereof was of stone called Gallactites,
I beheld a Dolphin swimming in the calme waues, and carrying vpon his
back a young man, playing vpon an harpe: And on the contrarie side vpon
the colde Fountaine, there was an other dolphin swimming, and
_Posidonius_ riding vpon him with a sharpe elle speare in his hand.

These histories were perfected within the compasse of one selfe same
stone, and set out in a most blacke ground. Then deseruedly I did
commend, both the archytect and the statuarie. On the other side, the
pleasant dignitie of the fayre and beautiful sporting nimphes did
highlye content mee, so as I could not compare to thinke whether the
excesse of my passed sorrow, or present solace should be greatest. And
there was so sweete a smell as Arabia neuer yeelded the like.

Vppon the seates of stone, in steed of an Apodyterie, they did
impouerish theyr apparrell, richely inuoluped, in the casting of it off,
from their celestiall bodyes. Theyr fayre tresses bound vp in nettings
of gould, wouen after a most curious sort. And without any respect at
all, they gaue mee leaue to looke vpon theyr fayre and delicate
personages, theyr honestie and honour reserued. Flesh vndoubtedly like
the pure Roses and white Snowe. Ah woe is me, I found my heart to rise
and open it selfe, and altogether to be adicted to a voluptuous delight.
Wh