e Choirs of the Angels had been thrown open at
that instant; which illusion was increased marvellously by a very soft,
full, and masterly concert of instruments and voices, which very soon
afterwards was heard to come forth from that direction. In that
prospect-scene the most distant part was made to recede most ingeniously
along the line of the bridge, terminating in the end of the street that
is called the Via Maggio, and in the nearest part was represented the
beautiful street of S. Trinita; and when the eyes of the spectators had
been allowed to sate themselves for some time with that and the many
other marvellous things, the desired and welcome beginning was made with
the first interlude of the comedy, which was taken, like all the others,
from that touching story of Psyche and Cupid so delicately narrated by
Apuleius in his Golden Ass. From it were taken the parts that appeared
the most important, and these were accommodated with the greatest
possible dexterity to the comedy, so that, having made, as it were, an
ingenious composition from the one fable and the other, it might appear
that what the Gods did in the fable of the interludes was done also by
mankind in the fable of the comedy, as if constrained by a superior
power. In the hollow sky of the above-named prospect-scene, which opened
out all of a sudden, there was seen to appear another sky contrived with
great artifice, from which was seen issuing little by little a white and
very naturally counterfeited cloud, upon which, with an effect of
singular beauty, a gilded and jewelled car appeared to be resting,
recognized as that of Venus, because it was drawn by two snow-white
swans, and in it, as its mistress and guide, could be perceived likewise
that most beautiful Goddess, wholly nude and crowned with roses and
myrtle, seated with great majesty and holding the reins. She had in her
company the three Graces, likewise recognized by their being shown
wholly nude, by their blonde tresses, which fell all loose over their
shoulders, and even more by the manner in which they were standing
linked hand to hand; and also the four Hours, who had the wings all
painted after the likeness of butterflies, and, not without reason, were
distinguished in certain particulars according to the four seasons of
the year. Thus one of them, who had the head and the buskins all adorned
with various little flowers, and the dress of changing colours, was
intended to represent the varie