and
hir habyte Nymphish. In hir right hand she held a copie full of rype
graine, and in the other hand three eares of corne, vpon their strawie
stalks. At hir feete lay a wheat sheaue bound vp, and a little boy with
gleanings of corne in either hands. The subscription was this.

_Flau[ae] Messi S._

Vpon the third side was the likenes in a deuine aspect naked of a yoong
boy, crowned with vine leaues, and of a wanton countenance, holding in
his left hand certaine clusters of ripe grapes, and in the other, a
copie full of grapes which did hang ouer the mouth thereof. At his feete
laie a hayrie goate and this writing vnder.

_Mustulento Autumno S._

The last square did beare vpon it a kingly image passing well cut, his
countenance displeasant and austere, in his left hand he held a scepter
vp into the heauens, the aire cloudie, troublesome and stormie, and with
the other hand reaching into the clouds full of haile. Behinde him also
the aire was rainie and tempestuous. He was couered with beasts skins,
and vpon his feete he ware sandals, where vnder was written,

_Hiemi [Ae]oli[ae] S._

From thence the most faire and pleasant Nymph brought me towards the sea
side and sandie shore, where we came to an olde decaied temple, before
the which vpon the fresh and coole hearbs, vnder sweete shadie trees we
sate downe and rested ourselues, my eies very narrowly beholding, with
an vnsatiable desire, in one sole perfection and virgineall bodie, the
accumulation and assembly of all beauties; an obiect interdicting my
eies to behold any gracious, that except, or of so great content.

Where refreshing in a secret ioy with new budding conceits my burning
hart, and leauing off vulgar and common follies, I began to consider of
the intelligible effect of honest loue, and withall of the cleerenes of
the skies, the sweete and milde aire, the delightfull site, the pleasant
countrie, the green grasse decked with diuersity of flowers, the faire
hils adorned with thicke woods, the quiet time, fresh windes, and
fruitfull place, beautifully enriched with diffluent streames, sliding
downe the moist vallies betwixt the crooked hils in their grauelled
channels, and into the next seas with a continued course softly vnlading
themselues.

A ground most healthfull, the grasse coole and sweet: and from the trees
resounded the sweete consents of small chirping birds. The flouds and
fields of Thessalie[A] must giue place to this.

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