euer seene in stone
and mettle such a peece of woorke embost, chased, and engrauen. For it
was a woonder to see, that stones of such extreame hardnesse, as that
which was the steale to hould vppe the Vessell, should be cut and
wrought to that purpose, as if it had beene as soft as wax. A woorke
raither to bee woondered at, then vndertaken.

The square base court, (in the middest whereof stood this notable woorke
of the sumptuous Fountaine,) was paued with fine Marble of diuers
coulers and fashions. Amongst which were appact very beautifully,
roundes of Diasper, equally distant, and disagreeing from the couler of
the pauement, and the corners closed vp with leaues and Lyllies. Betwixt
the square marble pauing stones, there was a space left like a list,
which was filled vp with diuers coulered stones of a lesser cut, some
proportioned into greene leaues, and tawnie flowers. Cyanei, Ph[ae]nicei,
and Sallendine, so well agreeing in theyr coulers, so glistering and
seuerly set of a diligent Xesturgie. As full of coulers as a Christall
glasse, repercust and beaten against with the beames of the sunne.
Because the circumduct and compassing coulers, meeting together in the
selfe same smoothe and cleane stones, did yeeld a reflection, no part
being faultie, eyther of the square checkers or scutuls and Trigons. But
with a smoothe and streight ordinance well ioyned together.

Whereat I remained woonderfully amased by my selfe, diligently
considering vpon the noblenes of the woorke, such as I had not beene
vsed to see, and verye willinglye I would haue beene content, to haue
made more staye in the contemplating thereof, for so the dignitie of the
worke required, but I could not because it was necessarie for me to
follow after my leaders.

Then the aspect of this sumptuous magnificient and statelye pallace, the
approoued situation thereof, the dew proportion, and the maruelous
composition in my first comming to it, did make me woonderfully
contented to view the woorthines thereof, and in continuance I was
prouoked to behould more, for which cause I perswaded my selfe, as I
might very well, that the expert builder, excelled all other whatsoeuer.
What kinde of rafters? what manner of roofe? after what sort the Parlors
chambers, closets and lodgings, were disposed? with what kind of seeling
they were enclosed and incrusted? wherewithall hanged? with what couler
and kinde of painting ouerhead? What order of columination, and what
spa