The Author beginneth his Hypnerotomachia , to set downe the hower and time when in his sleepe it seemed to him that hee was in a quiet solitarie desart , and vninhabited plaine , and from thence afterward how he entered vnaduisedly before he was aware , with great feare , into a darke obscure and vnfrequented wood .

Poliphilus being thus distempered in this daungerous and obscure wood , at length getteth foorth , and being come to a faire Riuer , indeuoring to rest himselfe and coole his heate , he heard a most delightful harmonie , which made him forget to drinke , and followe after the voice , which brought him to a woorse perplexitie .

FEare and desire of freedome thus occupying my sences , my vnderstanding was blinded , neyther did I knowe whether it were better for mee eyther to wishe for hated death , or in so dreadfull a place to hope for desired life . Thus euery way discontent , I did indeuour , with all force and diligence to get foorth , wherin the more I did striue the more I found my selfe intangled , and so infeebled with wearinesse , that on euery side I feared , when some cruell beast should come and deuoure me , or els vnawares to tumble downe into some deepe pit or hollow place .

Wherefore more trembling then in mustulent Autume be the yealow coulored leaue , hauing left their moisture , being thorowlye searched with the furious north winde , I lifted vp my hart to God , desiring as Achemenides being afraide of the horrible Cyclops rather to be slaine by the hands of Aeneas his enemie , rather then to suffer so odious a death .

And my deuoute prayer , sincerely vnited to a contrite heart , powring out a fountaine of teares with a stedfast beliefe to be deliuered . I found my selfe in a short space gotten at libertie , like a new day crept out of a darke and tempestuous night . My eyes before vsed to such obumbrated darkenes , could scarse abide to behould the light , thorow watery sadnes . Neuerthelesse glad I was to see the light : as one set at libertie , that had beene chayned vp in a deepe dungeon and obscure darkenesse . Verye thirstie I was , my clothes torne , my face and hands scratched and netteled , and withall so extreamely set on heate , as the fresh ayre seemed to doe me more hurt then good , neither did it any waye ease my body , desirous to keepe his new recouered scope and libertie .

And after that I had a little rowsed vp my mynde , and sommoned together my sences in some better sort : I sought a meanes to quench my inordinate thyrst , procured and increased through innumerable sighes , and extreame labour of body . Thus casting my eyes with a diligent regarde about the plaine , to finde some Fountaine whereat I might refresh my selfe : a pleasant spring or head of water , did offer it selfe vnto me , with a great vayne boyling vp , about the which did growe diuers sweet hearbes and water flowers , and from the same did flowe a cleare and chrystalline current streame , which deuided into diuers branches , ran thorow the desart wood , with a turning and winding body , receyuing into it other little channels , vnlading themselues .

In whose courses the stones lift vp by nature , and trunkes of trees denyed any longer by their roots to be vpholden , did cause a stopping hinderance to their current and whuzing fall , which still augmented by other vndissonant torrents , from high and fertlesse mountaines in the plaine , shewed a beautifull brightnes and soft passing course , to the which short windedly comming , by meanes of my fearefull flight . I did see a little obscure light , thorow the tops of the high trees , somewhat deuiding themselues ouer the water , and with the rest of their bodyes and branches , as it were seperating the heauens from my lifted vp eyes . A horrible place to be in , vnaccompanyed of any creature .

And suddainly hearing the fall of trees , through the force of a whyrle winde , & noise of the broken bowghes , with a redoubled and hoarse sound a farre of , and yet brought to the eccho of the water thorow the thick wood , I grew into a new astonishment .

And at this instant thus terrified and afflycted , and yet without any receiued hurt , being vpon my knees bowed downe , and inclosing the hollownesse of my hand , therewith determined to make me a necessary drinking vessel : I had no sooner put the same into the water , offring to my mouth the long desired moysture , thereby to refrygerate and coole the extreame heate of my burning heart , which at that time would haue beene more acceptable vnto me , then eyther Hypanis and Ganges be to the Indians , Tigris or Euphrates to the Armenians , or Xeylus to the Aethiopian nation , or to the Egyptians his innundation , in bybing theyr burnt and rosted mould , or yet the riuer Po to the Ligurians .

Euen then also it fell so out , that I had no sooner taken water into the palme of my hand , offering the same to my open mouth , ready to receiue it : I heard a doricall songe , wherewith I was as greatly delighted , as if I had heard the Thracian Thamiras , which thorough my eares presented it selfe to my vnquiet heart , with so sweete and delectable a deliuerie , with a voyce not terrestriall , with so great a harmonie and incredible a fayning shrilnesse , and vnusuall proportion , as is possible to bee imagined by no tounge sufficiently to be commended . The sweetnes whereof so greatly delighted me , as thereby I was rauished of my remembrance , and my vnderstanding so taken from me , as I let fall my desired water thorough the loosned ioynts of my feeble hands .

And then euen as a birde , which through the sweetnes of the call forgetteth to remember the Fowlers deceit , so I letting slip that which nature stood in need of , hastened my selfe back with all speed , towarde that attractiue melodie , which the more I coasted , the further it seemed still from me , sometime heere , sometimes there , and still as I shifted places , so the same also chaunged with a delectable voyce and heauenly consent . Thus vainly running vp and downe , I knew not after what , I grew more wearie , faint , and drye , and so feeble , that my legges could but with great paine , vphould my distempered body . And my grieued spirits vnabled long to support the same , what with the feare that I had bin in , what with extreame thirst , what with long and wilesome trauell , and what with doubting the worst that might insue . Thus hote , faint , and drye : I knew not what to do but euen to procure rest for my weary member . I marueled first at this straunge accedent , and was amazed at this inhumane harmonye , but most of all in that I was in a straunge contry , and vninhabited , being onelye fertill and beawtyfull to behould , besydes that I greatly sorrowed for the losse of the fayer ryuer which I had so greatly labored to finde out , and now so lightly and carelesly to haue lost the benifit thereof . In this sort I was houlden in an intrycate minde of doubts , at length ouercome with all kinde of greefes , my whole bodye trembling and languishinge vnder a broade and mightye Oke full of Acornes , standing in the middest of aspatious and large green meade , extending forth his thicke and leauie armes to make a coole shadowe , vnder whose bodye breathing I rested my selfe vppon the deawye hearbes , and lying vppon my left syde I drewe my breath in the freshe ayre more shortly betwixt my drye and wrinckled lips , then the weary running heart , pinched in the haunche and struck in the brest , not able any longer to beare vp his weighty head , or sustaine his body vpon his bowing knees , but dying prostrates himselfe . And lying thus in such an agonie , I thought vpon the strifes of weake fortune , and the inchauntments of the malicious Cyrces , as if I had by hir charmes and quadranguled plaints , been bereaued of my sences . In these such so great & exceeding doubts : O hi me where might I there among so many dyuerse and sundry sorts of hearbes , Moly an herb greatly commended of Homer , and thought to be souereigne against inchauntments of moderne authors altogether vnknowne . finde the Mercurial Moli with his blacke roote , for my helpe and remedie . Againe me thought that it was not so with me . What then ? euen a hard appoyntment to delay my desi●ed death . And thus remayning in these pernitious thoughts , my strength debylitated : I looked for no other helpe , but to drawe and receiue fresh ayre into that brest , which panted with a small remainder of vytall warmnesse , taking into my hands halfe aliue , as my last refuge , the moyst and bedewed leaues , preserued in the coole shadow of the greene Oke : putting the same to my pale and drye lippes , with a greedy desire in licking of them to satisfie my distempred mouth with theyr moisture , wishing for such a wel as Hypsipyle (a) (a) Hypsipile was daughter to Thaos king of Lemnos , who alone when all women of that Iland had slaine their husbands & kinsmen , saued hir father : she also shewed the Grecians the fountaine Langia in the wood of Nemea in Achaia where Hercules slue a lion . shewed the Grecians : Fearing least that vnawares as I had ruffled in the wood I were bitten with the serpent Dipsa (b) (b) Dipsa a kind of snakes that Lucan mentioneth , whose byting procureth extreame drynes or thirste . my thirst was so vnsupportable . Then renuing my oulde cogitations : as I lay vnder this mightie Oke : I was oppressed with emynent sleepe ouer all my members : where againe I dreamed in this sorte .

Poliphilus sheweth , that he thought he did sleep againe , and in his dreame that he was in a Vallie , inuironed with mountaines and hilles , the end whereof was shut vp in a maruellous sort , with a mightie pyramides worthie of admiration : vpon the top whereof was a high obeliske , which with great pleasure hee beheld , and diligently discribeth .

GOtten foorth of this fearefull and thick wood , and forgetting the forementioned places by this sweete sleepe , occasioned by my wearie members nowe layde along : mee thought that I was in a new more delectable place , far excelling the former , which consisted not of fertles mountaines and craggie winding rockes , contayning wide caues , but being a delicate valley , in the which did rise a small mounting of no great height , sprinkled heare and there with young Okes , A●hes , Palme trees broad leaued , Aesculies , (a) (a) Aesculus is a tree bearing both greater fruite and broder leaues then the Oke . Holme , Chestnut , Sugerchist , Poplars , wilde Oliue , and Oppies disposed some hyer then other , according to the mounting or fall of the place , in the plaine whereof was an other kinde of thicket of medicinable simples like little young trees , as the flowering Genista (b) (b) Gemista beareth a cod and yellowe flower , vines are bound therewith . Elaphium is like to Angelica , but not in smell , the hart thereon rubbeth his head when it is veluet . enuironed with diuers green hearbs , Tetrifolie , Sheere grasse , hunnisuckle , the musked Angelica , Crowfoot Elapium , and Rugwoort , with other profitable and vnknowne hearbes and flowers heare and there diuerslie disposed . A little beyond in the same valley , I founde a sandie or grauelly plaine , yet be spotted with greene tuffes , in which place grew a faire Palme tree with his leaues like the Culter of a plowe , and abounding with sweet and pleasant fruite , some set high , some lowe , some in a meane , some in the very top , an elect and chosen signe of victorie . Neither in this place was there any habitation or creature whatsoeuer . Thus walking solitarily betwixt the trees , growing distantly one from another , I perswaded my selfe , that to this no earthly situation was comparable : in which thought I soddainely espied vpon my left hand , an hungrie and carniuorous Woolfe , gaping vpon me with open mouthe .

At the sight whereof immediatly , my hayre stood right vp , and I would haue cryed out , but could not : and presently the Woolfe ranne awaye : wherevpon returning to my selfe , and casting my eyes towards the wooddie mountaines , which seemed to ioyne themselues together , beeing looked vnto a farre off , I sawe the forme of a tower of an incredible heygth , with a spyre vnperfectlie appearing , all being of very auncient forme and workemanship .

And drawing neare vnto this building , I beheld the gratious mountaines before a farre of seeming small , by comming neerer and neerer , by little and little , to lift vp themselues more and more , at the first seeming to mee that they had ioyned together with the building which was an inclosure or end of the valley betwixt mountaine and mountaine : which thing I thought worthy the noting , and without further delay I addressed my selfe more neerer therevnto . And by how much the more I approximated the same , by so much the more the excellencie of the woorke shewed it selfe , increasing my desire to behould the same . For there appeared no longer a substance of vnknowne forme , but a rare Obelisk vpon a vast frame and stonie foundation , the heigth whereof without comparison did exceed the toppes of the side-lying mountaynes , although I thought that they had beene the renowmed Olympus (a) (a) Olimpus a hil in Greece between Macedonie and Thesalie , so high , that of the Poets it is sometime taken for heauen . , the famous Caucasus (b) (b) Caucasus a mightie hill in Asia which parteth India from Scythia . , and not inferior to Cyllenus (c) (c) Ci lenus a hill of Arcadia , where Iupiter begat Mercurie vpon Maia . .

To this sollitarie place thus desiredlye comming , with vnspeakeable delight , at pleasure I behelde the straunge manner of the arte , the hugenesse of the frame , and the woonderfull excellencie of the woorkmanship . Maruelling and considering the compasse and largenesse of this broken and decayed obiect , made of the pure glistering marble of Paros (d) (d) Paros is one of the 35. Isles called Cyclades and Sporades , in the sea Aegeum which deuideth Europ from Asia . . The squared stones ioyned togither without anye cement , and the pointed quadrangulate corner stones streightlye fitted and smoothlye pullished , the edges whereof were of an exquisite vermillion coulour , as is possible to bee deuised : and so iust set , as betwixt the ioynts , euen the enemie to the woorke ( if euer there were anye ) could not deuise to hide the point of the smallest spanish needle vsed of the best workewomen . And there in this so noble a piece of worke , I found a proportioned substance to euery shape and likenesse that can be thought vpon and called to remembrance , partly decayed , and some still whole remaining , with pillers small vpon great , with their excellent heads of an exact and most perfect closing , crowned battelments , embost caruings , bearing forth like embroderie , arched beames , mightie mettaline images , ouerthrowne and broken in sunder , the troake of their exact and perfect members , appearing hollow of brasse . Skyffes , small boates and vessels of Numidian stone and Porphyr , and diuers couloured marble . Great lauers condites , and other infinite fragments of notable woorkmanship , far different and inferiour from that they were , in their perfection , but now brought back as it were to their first vnshapelines , being fallen and cast downe , some heere , some there , vpon the earth from the which they were taken . Among the broken and decayed places , wherof great sundrie wall weeds and hearbes , especially the vnshaking Anagyre , the Lentise of both kindes , beares foote , dogges head , Gladen greene , spotted Iuie , Centarie , and diuers such like . And in the myldered places of broken walles grew Howslike , and the hanging Cymbalaria bryers , and pricking brambles , among the which crept Swifts and Lyzarts which I sawe crawling among the ouergrowne stones , which at the first sight in this silent and solitarie place , made me to be warily afraid of them . On euery side there say fallen downe smoothe round pieces of serpent spotted Marble , purple and red diuerse couloured . Fragments of strange histories , Panglyphic be wholy carued from the head to the foote in all members . Hemigliphie apeare but halfe . Panglyphic and Hemygliphic compendiously caracterized , shewing the excellencie thereof , vndoubtedly accusing our age , that the perfection of such an art is forgotten .

Then comming to the myddle fronture of the great and excellent woorke , I sawe one sole large and marueylous porche worthy of great estimation , proportioned according to the huge quantitie of the rest of the whole work , which was placed betwixt and continued in building from the one and the other of the mountaines hare lipped , and aboue arched , whose space betwixt as I doe coniecture was in measure sixe furlongs , and twelue paces . The top of which mountaines were perpendicularly equall eyther of them touching the assured skey . At the sight whereof I imagined with my selfe and deuised to thinke with what yron instruments , with what labour of mens hands , and number of workmen , such a piece of woorke could bee by great strength framed , with much paine layde together , and a long time in finishing . There then this woonderfull frame willingly as it were ioyned hands and vnited it selfe with the one and the other mightie mountaines , by meanes whereof , the foresaid valley there had an end , that no man could go further forward or backe againe , but to enter in by this broade , large , and wide open porche .

Vpon this massie frame and mightie woorkmanship , which I take to be in heigth from the roofe or top to the foote , fiue parts of a furlong , was placed a high and woonderfull Pyramides , after the fashion of a square poynted Diamond , and such incredible workemanship that could neuer be deuised and erected , without inestimable charge , great helpe , and long time . So that I thought the excellencie thereof vnthought vpon , to bee a myrrour , the fight whereof was able to dafell any humaine eyes , and quaile the rest of the spirituall sences . What shall I say more ? for so far as the reache of my capacitie will afoorde me leaue , in this sort I briefely describe the same .

Euery side or quarter of this foure squared frame , wherevpon the foote of the Pyramides did stand , A furlong is 16. pole euery pole being 16 foote . did extend themselues in length six furlongs , which in compasse about euery side aequilatered of like bredth , dooth multiplie to 24 furlongs . Then lifting vp the lynes on high from the foure corners , so much as euerye corner is distant in length from an other , meeting in the top , so as the Perpendicular line may fall iust vpon the center of the Dyagon , stretching from both corners of the plynts or square foote , iust and conueniently ioyned together doe make a perfect pyramidall figure . Which immence and woonderfull forme , with a maruelous and exquise Symmetrie and due proportion mounting vp labour somly foote by foote , conteyned 1410. degrees or steppes , taking away 10. degrees to make vp the head and gracilament of the Pyramides in whole place was set a huge Cube or foure square stone of forme like a dye , sound and firme of a monstrous thicknesse and incredible weight to bee carryed so high . And of the same stone of Paras as were the steps : which cube and square stone was the Basis and foote set vnder the Obilisk , which I haue in hand to describe .

This mightie big stone sharpe topt , sliding downe the extream part from corner to corner , flat sided by the Diameter , was fower paces , at euery equall distant corner , whereof was the foote of a harpie of moulten mettall , their steales and clawes armed . Firmlye and stronglie set in with led , in euery corner of the Cube , or foure square head of the Pyramides , meeting together ouer the Diagonike line . Of proportioned thicknesse in heigth two paces . Which thus closing and mette together , made the socket of the great Obelisk : which Socket was beautified with leaues , fruites and flowers , of shining cast mettall , and of conuenient bignesse . Wherevpon the weight of the Obelisk was borne . The breadth whereof was two paces , and seauen in heigth , artificiously sharping of the stone of Thebais called Pyrus . Vpon the smooth plains whereof , pure and bright shining as a looking glasse , were moste excellently cut Aegiptian Hycrogliphs .

Vpon the pointe of which Obelisk , with great arte and diligence , was fastned a copper base , in the which also there was a turning deuise infixed : whervpon did stand the shape of a beautifull nimph framed of the aforesayd matter , able to amaze the continuall diligent behoulder . Of such a proportion as the common stature might be considered and perfectly seene , notwithstanding the exceeding heigth thereof in the ayre . Besides the greatnesse of the figure or image : it was a woonder to thinke how such a weight should bee carryed and set in such a place and so high . Couered with a habite blowne abroad with the winde , and shewing parte of the naked substance of the legges and thighes : with two wings growing out from the shoulder blades , and spred abroad as if shee were readye to flye , turning hir fayre face and sweete regarding countenance towardes hir wings . The tresses of hir haire fying abroade the vpper part or crowne naked and bare . In hir right hand she held from hir sight a copie or horne stuft full of many good things , stopped vp , and the mouth downewarde , hir left hand fastned and harde holden to hir naked brest . This Image and stature was with euery blast of wind turned , and mooued about with such a noyse and tinkling in the hollownes of the metaline deuise : as if the mynte of the Queene of England had being going there . And when the foote of the phane or Image in turning about , did rub and grinde vpon the copper base , fixed vpon the pointe of the Obeliske , it gaue such a sound , as if the tower bell of Saint Iohns Colledge in the famous Vniuersitie of Cambridge had beene rung : or that in the pompeous Batches of the mightie Hadrian : or that in the fift Pyramides standing vpon foure . This Obeliske in my iudgement was such , as neyther that in the Vaticane in Alexandria or Babilon , may bee equally compared vnto it , but rather esteemed far inferiour . It conteined in it such a heape of woonders , as I could not without great astonishment looke vpon it . As also consider the hugenesse of the worke , the excessiue sumptuousnesse , the straunge inuention , the rare performance , and exquisite diligence of the woorkeman . With what art inuented ? with what power humaine force , and incredible meanes , enuying ( if I may speake it ) the workmanship of the heauens , such and so mightie weights should be transported and carryed into the skyes ? with what Cranes , winding beames , Trocles , round pullies , Capres bearing out deuices , and Poliplasies , and drawing frames , and roped tryces , therein being vnskilfull , I slip it ouer with silence .

And heere on the other side followeth the figure .

Let vs returne then to the huge Pyramides , standing vpon a strong and sound plynth or foure square foote , fourteene paces in heigth , and in length sixe furlongs , which was the foundation and bottom of the weightie pyramides , which I perswaded my selfe was not brought from any other place , but euen with plaine labour and workemanship hewen out of the selfe same mountaines , and reduced to this figure and proportion in his owne proper place .

Which great quadrant and square woorke , ioyned not fast to the collaterate and sidelying rockes , but was betwixt spaced and seperated on eyther sides tenne paces . Vpon the right hand as I went of the aforesaid plynth or square sheame , there was most perfectly carued the vyperous head of the fearefull Medusa , in a most furious and rigorous forme to looke vpon , and as it were yelling out : with terrible eyes cauernate , and hollow skowling vnder ther ouerhanging browes with a wrympled and forrowed forehead and gaping wide open mouth , which being hollowed with a dyrect waye from the Catill , and vppon stone by a mediane lyne perpendicular to the center of the far shewing Pyramides , made a large enterance and comming vnto it , at which opening mouth , compassed with fowlded haires of vnrepartable curiousnes artificiall cunning and costly woorkmanshyppe the assending the turning stayers shewed them selues , and in stead of tresses of haire platted with laces , I saw fearefull vypers and winding serpents growing out from the scalpe of the monstrous head confusedly twysting together and hissing , so liuely portrayed and set foorth , that they made me afrayde to behould them . In their eyes were placed most shining stones , in such sort , as if I had not beene perswaded and knowne that they were stones indeed , I durst not haue drawne neere them .

And the aforesayde entrie cut out of the firme stone , led to the scale and compassing passage in the center , with winding steps tending to the highest parte of the stately Pyramides , and opening vpon the out side of the catill or cube : vpon the which the shining obeliske was founded . And among the rest of such notable partes that I beheld , me thought that this deuise was woorth the noting , because the artifitious and most cunning architect with an exquisite and perspicuous inuention , had made to the stayres certaine loopes or small windowes , imbracing the bountifull beames of the sunne correspondently on three parts , the lower , the middle , and supreame : The lower taking light from the higher , and the higher from the catabasse or lower with their opposite reflexions shewing a maruellous faire light , they were so fitly disposed by the calculate rule of the artificious Mathematrician , to the Orientall Meridionall and Occidentall partes of the ayre , that euery houre of the day the sunne shined in , and gaue light to the whole scale , the same loopes or windolets in diuerse places symmetrially and definitely dispersed and set .

To the aforesaid entrance thorow the open mouth of Medusa , I came by a long gallorie to a salying scale or downe going staire opening at the foot and pauement of the building vpon my right hand against one of the collaterall and side-lying mountaines , betwixt which there was out of the stone and open space cut out of tenne paces vp , into the which I ascended boldely without resistance , and being come to the beginning of the staire in the aforesaid mouth by innumerable steppes and degrees , not without great wearines and disinesse of head , by often turning about , I came to so incredible a height , that my eies would not suffer me to looke downe to the ground , insomuch , that me thought that euery thing below vpon the plaine had lost his shape , and seemed vnperfect . In the opening and comming out of this circulate and turning assence many pillars of fused and molten mettall were aptly disposed and surely fixed : the inter-space betwixt euery one and other one foote , and in height halfe apase , railed and ioyned togither aboue with a battelled coronet al along the said pillar , and of the same metall compassing about the opening of the staire , lest that any comming foorth vnawares should fall downe headlong , For the immesurable height thereof woulde cause a giddines in the head , and bring a staggering to the feete : vpon the plaine of the obeliske there was infixed a table of bras●e fastened and soldered in about the height of a man , with an ancient inscription in Latine , Greeke , and Arabike , by the which I plainely vnderstoode that the same was dedicated to the Sunne , and the measure of the work wholy set downe and described , the name of the Architector noted on the obeliske in Greek letters .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lichas Libiicus architectus me oroxot . Lichas a Libian architector set me vp .

Let vs returne and come backe to the consideration of the But and tessell or square , subiect and vphoulder of the Pyramides in the fronte and foreside whereof I beheld ingrauen a Gigantomachie and combate betwixt Giauntes , the onely enemie to vitall breath , surpassinglie well cut , with the quick motions and liuelie agilities of their large and tall bodyes , vnpossible to be rightlye described , the artificiall handling thereof , as it were enuying the woorke of nature it selfe , as if theyr eyes and feete had mooued together , and coasted from one part to an other , with an expedite passage and swift course . In such sorte seemed they vpon theyr strong and mightie horsses , some being cast downe , other stumbling and falling : many wounded and hurt , yeelding vp their desired liues : some troden downe and mischieued vnder the feete of the fierce and vnrestrained horsses . Other casting off their armour wrastling and togging one with an other : some headlong with their heeles vpwarde , falling and not come to the ground from off their horsses . Other some lying vpon the earth , houlding vp their sheilds and Targets , offended with the one hand , and defended with the other . Many with their shimitaries and curtilaxes , some with long swordes two handed after the auncient Persian manner , others with diuers deadly and strange fashioned mortall weapons : some wearing habergions and helmets , with diuers deuises vpon their crests : others naked and vnarmed , leaping and rushing in among the thickest , thereby shewing theyr haughtie , inuincible , and vndaunted courages , resolute for death . Some with fearefull countenances crying out , other shewing obstinate and furious visages , although they were assured to dye , strongly abiding the proofe of their paine , and the cutting in sunder of their fatall thread , others slaine before them , with diuers vneothe and straunge warlike and deadly instruments . Shewing their strong members , their swelling muskels standing out , offering to the sight and eyes of the behoulder , the dutie of theyr bones , and the hollownesse in the places , where theyr strong sinewes be strayned . Their conflict and combate seemed so fearefull , bloudie , deadly , cruell , and horrible : as if Mars himselfe had beene fighting with Porphirion and Alcion , who made a noyse lyke the braying of Asses .

This catagliphic imagerie , did exceed a naturall and common stature and proportion of men , carued in priuie white marble , the ground thereof as black as iet , a perfect foile to beautifie and set foorth with pale Christaline and siluer crolley , of innumerable huge bodyes , their last indeuours , their present actions , the fashion of their armor , the diuersitie of their deaths , & vncertaine & doubtful victorie . The discharge of my vndertaken discription whereof , prooueth maymed and lame , by reason that my vnderstanding is wearie , my memorie confused with varietie , and my sight dimmed with continuall gasing , that my senses will not aford me rightly , and as their dewe , fitly to manifest part , much lesse to describe at large the whole manner of their curious Lythoglyphi .

After this I became to cast with my selfe , what should mooue and cause such a pride & burning desire in any man , to fetch from far , and gather together so mightie stones with so great trauell : With what carriage , who were the conueyers and porters , with what manner of wheeles , and rowling deuises , and vpholding supporters , so great large and innumerable a sort of stones should be brought thither , and of what matter theyr cement that ioyned and held them together , was made the heygth of the Obelisk and statelinesse of the Pyramides , exceeding the imagined conceit of Dimocrates proposed to Alexander the great , about a worke to be performed vpon the hill Athos . For the strangenes of the Egiptian building might giue place to this . The famous laborinth were far inferior , Lemnos is not to be rehearsed , the Theaters of old time were in comparison but warriners lodges , neyther did the famous Nausoley come any thing neere . Which certainly maketh me absolutely perswaded , that he which wrote the seauen woonders of the world , neuer hard of this : neyther in any age hath their been seene or imagined the like , no not the sepulcher of Ninus .

Lastly I woondered what foundation and arches were able to vphold so monstrous a weight , whether the pyllars were hexagons or tetragons , and what varietie of columnes , and what number might serue , and after what sorte proportionately disposed and set . For the better vnderstanding and more perfect knowledge wherof , I conueyghed my selfe in at the open & spacious porche and enterance , within the which was an obscure and vast hollownes : which porche , together with the proud and stately buylding ( things worthy of memorie ) shall in some sorte be descrybed as followeth .