w Bacchus the
egger and stirrer of Venery, doth offer him self of his owne accord, let
us therefore drink up this wine, that we may prepare our selves and
get us courage against soone, for Venus wanteth no other provision than
this, that the Lamp may be all the night replenished with oyle, and the
cups with wine. The residue of the day I passed away at the Bains and
in banquetting, and towards evening I went to supper, for I was bid by
Milo, and so I sate downe at the table, out of Pamphiles sight as
much as I could, being mindfull of the commandement of Byrrhena, and
sometimes I would cast myne eyes upon her as upon the furies of hell,
but I eftsoones turning my face behinde me, and beholding my Fotis
ministring at the table, was again refreshed and made merry. And behold
when Pamphiles did see the candle standing on the table, she said,
Verily wee shall have much raine to morrow. Which when her husband did
heare, he demanded of her by what reason she knew it? Mary (quoth shee)
the light on the table sheweth the same. Then Milo laughed and said,
Verily we nourish a Sybel prophesier, which by the view of a candle doth
divine of Celestiall things, and of the Sunne it selfe. Then I mused in
my minde and said unto Milo, Of truth it is a good experience and proof
of divination. Neither is it any marvell, for although this light is but
a small light, and made by the hands of men, yet hath it a remembrance
of that great and heavenly light, as of his parent, and doth shew unto
us what will happen in the Skies above. For I knew at Corinth a certain
man of Assyria, who would give answers in every part of the City, and
for the gaine of money would tell every man his fortune, to some he
would tel the dayes of their marriages, to others he would tell when
they should build, that their edifices should continue. To others, when
they should best go e about their affaires. To others, when they should
goe by sea or land: to me, purposing to take my journey hither, he
declared many things strange and variable. For sometimes hee sayd that
I should win glory enough: sometimes he sayd I should write a great
Historie: sometimes againe hee sayd that I should devise an incredible
tale: and sometimes that I should make Bookes. Whereat Milo laughed
againe, and enquired of me, of what stature this man of Assyria was,
and what he was named. In faith (quoth I) he is a tall man and somewhat
blacke, and hee is called Diophanes. Then sayd Milo, the same