r with them that came into the house. On each side of her were
Dogs made of stone, that seemed to menace with their fiery eyes, their
pricked eares, their bended nosethrils, their grinning teeth in such
sort that you would have thought they had bayed and barked. An moreover
(which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellent carver and deviser
of this worke had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercely with their
former feet, and their hinder feet on the ground ready to fight. Behinde
the back of the goddesse was carved a stone in manner of a Caverne,
environed with mosse, herbes, leaves, sprigs, green branches and
bowes, growing in and about the same, insomuch that within the stone
it glistered and shone marvellously, under the brim of the stone hanged
apples and grapes carved finely, wherein Art envying Nature, shewed
her great cunning. For they were so lively set out, that you would have
thought if Summer had been come, they might have bin pulled and eaten;
and while I beheld the running water, which seemed to spring and leap
under the feet of the goddesse, I marked the grapes which hanged in the
water, which were like in every point to the grapes of the vine, and
seemed to move and stir by the violence of the streame. Moreover,
amongst the branches of the stone appeared the image of Acteon: and
how that Diana (which was carved within the same stone, standing in the
water) because he did see her naked, did turne him into an hart, and
so he was torne and slaine of his owne hounds. And while I was greatly
delighted with the view of these things, Byrrhena spake to me and sayd,
Cousin all things here be at your commandement. And therewithall shee
willed secretly the residue to depart: who being gone she sayd, My
most deare Cousin Lucius, I do sweare by the goddesse Diana, that I doe
greatly tender your safety, and am as carefull for you as if you were
myne owne naturall childe, beware I say, beware of the evil arts and
wicked allurements of that Pamphiles who is the wife of Milo, whom
you call your Host, for she is accounted the most chief and principall
Magitian and Enchantresse living, who by breathing out certain words and
charmes over bowes, stones and other frivolous things, can throw down
all the powers of the heavens into the deep bottome of hell, and reduce
all the whole world againe to the old Chaos. For as soone as she espieth
any comely yong man, shee is forthwith stricken with his love, and
presently setteth her