st lovely octagonal fountain,
gracefully supported by some Satyrs, who, holding in their hands little
baskets of various wild fruits and prickly shells of chestnuts, and
divided by some little scenes in low-relief and by some festoons in
which were interspersed sea-shells, crabs, and other suchlike things,
seemed as they danced to be expressing great joy in their new Lady; even
as with no less joy and no less grace there were seen lying on the sides
of the four principal faces of the fountain, likewise with certain great
shells in their hands and with some children in their arms, two nude
women and two most beautiful youths, who in a certain gracious attitude,
as if they were on the sea-shore, appeared to be playing and sporting
gracefully with some dolphins that were there, likewise in low-relief.

OF THE DOOR OF THE PALACE.

Now, having caused the serene Princess to be received, as has been told
in the beginning of this description, by Florence, accompanied by the
followers of Mars, of the Muses, of Ceres, of Industry, and of Tuscan
Poetry and Design, and then triumphant Austria by Tuscany, and the Drava
by Arno, and Ocean by the Tyrrhenian Sea, with Hymen promising her happy
and prosperous nuptials, and the parental meeting of her august and
glorious Emperors with the illustrious Medici, and then all passing
through the Arch of Sacrosanct Religion and fulfilling and accomplishing
their vows at the Cathedral Church, and having seen Heroic Virtue in
triumph over Vice, and with what public rejoicing her entry was
celebrated by Civil Virtue, and how, finally, she was welcomed by the
magistrates of the city, with Neptune promising her a tranquil sea, it
was determined judiciously to bring her at the last into the port of
peaceful Security, who was seen figured over the door of the Ducal
Palace, in a place marvellously appropriate, in the form of a very tall,
most beautiful, and most joyous woman crowned with laurel and olive, who
was shown seated in an easy attitude upon a stable pedestal and leaning
against a great column; demonstrating by means of her the desired end of
all human affairs, deservedly acquired for Florence, and in consequence
for the happy bride, by the sciences, arts, and virtues of which we have
spoken above, but particularly by her most prudent and most fortunate
Lords, who had prepared to receive and accommodate her there as in a
place secure beyond all others, wherein she might enjoy unceasingly in