rowned with ears of corn and agnus-castus. And after
these, in order to display in full the whole order of her sacrifices,
there were seen coming three Greek priests, likewise attired in white
draperies, two of whom carried in the hands two lighted torches, and the
other an ancient lamp, likewise lighted. And, finally, the sacred
company was concluded by the two heroes so much beloved by Ceres, of
whom mention has been made above--Triptolemus, namely, who carried a
plough in the hand and was shown riding upon a dragon, and Iasius, whom
it was thought proper to figure in the easy, rich, and gracious habit of
a huntsman.

TWENTIETH CAR, OF BACCHUS.

Then followed the twentieth car, of Bacchus, likewise shaped with
singular artistry and with novel and truly most fanciful and bizarre
invention; and it was seen in the form of a very graceful little ship
all overlaid with silver, which was balanced in such wise upon a great
base that had the true and natural appearance of the cerulean sea, that
at the slightest movement it was seen, with extraordinary pleasure for
the spectators, to roll from side to side in the very manner of a real
ship upon the real sea. In it, besides the merry and laughing Bacchus,
attired in the usual manner and set in the most commanding place, there
were seen in company with Maron, King of Thrace, some Bacchantes and
some Satyrs all merry and joyful, sounding various cymbals and other
suchlike instruments; and since, as it were, from a part of that happy
ship there rose an abundant fount of bright and foaming wine, they were
seen not only drinking the wine very often from various cups, with much
rejoicing, but also with the licence that wine induces inviting the
bystanders to drink and sing in their company. In place of a mast, also,
the little ship had a great thyrsus wreathed in vine-leaves, which
supported a graceful and swelling sail, upon which, to the end that it
might be gladsome and ornate, were seen painted many of those Bacchantes
who, so it is said, are wont to run about, drinking and dancing and
singing with much licence, over Mount Tmolus, father of the choicest
wines. At the foot of the car, then, was seen walking the beautiful
Syce, beloved by Bacchus, who had upon the head a garland, and in the
hand a branch, of fig; and with her, likewise, was the other love of the
same Bacchus, Staphyle by name, who, besides a great vine-branch with
many grapes that she carried in the hand, was al