epresented
the figures of the nine Muses, of Venus and such like beautiful
personages.]

The hemicicle or arche rising rownd from the vpper part of the streight
cheeke of the entrance, according to the thicknes thereof was disposed
into losenges or squares, wherein were carued Roses, theyr leaues and
branches hanging in a curious and delightfull order to behoulde, ouer
the entry of the Gate.

In the two Triangles occasioned by the bow of the arche there were two
fayre Nymphes of excellent proportions and shapes, theyr clothes which
couered theyr Virgins bodyes, giuing place for theyr legges, brests, and
armes to be bare, theyr hayre loose and flying abroad, and towardes the
brace, and knitting together of the arche aboue, they held a victorious
troph[ae].

The ground of which tryangle was of black stone, the better to shew
the perfection and truthe of the mettals in the troph[ae]s, and the
beautifull bodyes of the delycate virgins.

Aboue these mentioned partes, was the Zophor,[A] in the myddest whereof,
I beheld a table of goulde, wherein was this Epigram in Cappitall Greeke
Letters of Syluer. In thys sorte reporting.

+THEOIS APHRODITIKAI TO: O: EROTI DIONISOS YKAI
DE: ME:TRA EK TO:N IDIO:N MYTRI
SUMPATHESTATE:+

_Diis veneri filio amori, Bacchus, & Ceres de propriis,
S. substantiis matri pientissim[ae]._

[Sidenote A: Zophor is a border wherin diuers things are grauen.]

Eyther sides of which table was reteind and held vp with two babes or
wynged spyrits of perfect and liuelye shapes, as if they had beene
celestiall bodyes, vppon a ground of Iasul or blew Saphyrs to grace the
mettals and imagerie.

Vpon the face of the Zophor extending and stretching along ouer the
columnes of porphir stone were ingrauen certain spoiles or curates,
gorgets of mayle, vaumbraces, gauntlets, shields, Targets, head-peeces,
maces, battell Axes, spurres, quiuers, arrowes, dartes, broken launces,
curtilaxes, and other auncient instruments of warre. As well ayerie and
marine, as for the field singularly well cut, and manifesting to the
behoulder both victories, force, and triumphes, after a mortall effusion
of bloud.

Vpon this in order stood the coronice, wrought with such lyneaments as
decently concurred, and were aunswerable to the excellencie of the rest
of the worke: for other wise, as in a mans body one qualitie being
contrarie to another, sicknesse dooth follow, the humors