son of
the cleare subtiltie and thinnesse thereof, and imperiall and gratious
apparell.

After came in two beautifull Damosels bringing in an artificious
fountaine continually running with water, and reassuming the same
agayne, which was of fine golde, and in a vessell of a curious
workmanshippe, which was brought before the Queene, and after the
presenting of it vpon the table of golde they bowed their knees downe to
the pauement, and like reuerence at the same instaunt made all the rest
of the attendant Ladyes, both at the presenting of euery thing, and at
the taking away. Three other faire Damosels followed neare after them,
one carrying an Ewer of golde, the second a bason, and the other a
towell of white silke.

[Illustration]

The Queen whilest shee did wash her handes, one that caried the golden
bason, receyued therin the water, that it might not fall agayne into the
reassuming fountaine: and the other with the Ewrie, powred in as much
sweete water as was borne away, because that the fountaine shoulde not
be emptie, and hyndered in hys course. The third did wipe and drie her
hands.

The broad and large Receptorie of this fountaine was carryed vpon foure
little wheeles, which they drew vppon euerie table to wash the handes of
all that were sette.

The brim of the vessell wherein the rising vp fountaine did stande, was
adorned with bubbles of pearle standing vp, and vnder the same was sette
an other of an other sorte, and both ioyned together with two claspes of
an exquisite dipoliture, fine worke, and pretiously garnished. For among
other iewelles of inestimable price, vppon the verie toppe in a flower,
there was sette a Diamond in fashion of a peare, glistering and
sparkling of a huge and vnseene bignes.

And as neare as my smell could tell mee, I did iudge the water to bee of
Roses, mixt with the iuice of Lymon pilles, and a little Amber
artificially composed, which yeelded a sweet and pleasant smell.

[Illustration]

In the middest of this admirable and stupendious Court, there was set
out a maruellous perfuming vessel, not so much for the excellent and
perfecte substaunce thereof, which was pure and fine golde: but for the
conspicuous, rare, and auncient fashion of the base, standing vpon three
Harpyes feete, the which in a foliature made a trianguled illygament to
the base, full of deuises, as the mettall required, ouer euerie Angle or
corner whereof stoode three naked shapes of flying spirites