and the frontispieces, there was seen seated in majestic
beauty that of the wise and valorous Duke Cosimo, the excellent father
of the fortunate bridegroom, likewise with his motto at his feet, which
said: PIETATE INSIGNIS ET ARMIS; and with a She-Wolf and a Lion on
either side of him, representing Siena and Florence, which, supported
and regarded lovingly by him, seemed to be reposing affectionately
together. That statue was seen set in the frieze, exactly in a line with
the arch, and between the pictures with the devices described; and in
that same width, above the crowning cornice, there rose on high another
painted compartment, with pilasters in due proportion, cornice, and
other embellishments, wherein with great fitness, alluding to the
election of the above-named Duke Cosimo, was seen represented the story
of the young David when he was anointed King by Samuel, with his motto:
A DOMINO FACTUM EST ISTUD. And then, above that last cornice, which was
raised a very great distance from the ground, was seen the escutcheon of
that most adventuresome family, which, large and magnificent as was
fitting, was likewise supported, with the Ducal Crown, by two Victories
also in imitation of marble; and over the principal entrance of the
arch, in the most becoming place, was the inscription, which said:

VIRTUTI FELICITATIQUE ILLUSTRISSIMAE MEDICEAE FAMILIAE, QUAE FLOS
ITALIAE, LUMEN ETRURIAE, DECUS PATRIAE SEMPER FUIT, NUNC ASCITA SIBI
CAESAREA SOBOLE CIVIBUS SECURITATEM ET OMNI SUO IMPERIO DIGNITATEM
AUXIT, GRATA PATRIA DICAT.

Entering within that arch, one found a kind of loggia, passing spacious
and long, with the vaulting above all painted and embellished with the
most bizarre and beautiful ornaments and with various devices. After
which, in two pilasters over which curved an arch, through which was the
entrance into the above-mentioned theatre, there were seen opposite to
one another two most graceful niches, as it were conjoined with that
second arch; between which niches and the arch first described there
were seen on the counterfeit walls that supported the loggia two
spacious painted compartments, the stories of which accompanied
becomingly each its statue. Of these statues, that on the right hand was
made to represent the great Cosimo, called the Elder, who, although
there had been previously in the family of the Medici many men noble and
distinguished in arms and in civil actions, was neverthel