nd
great mens houses, defaming arte, and so ignorant, that they seeme as
though they could not consider what nature hir selfe dooth teach vs in
behoulding of hir woorkes.

And what parte soeuer is not agreeable with his principle, is foule and
naught. For take away order and rule, and what thing can any man make,
eyther beautifull to the eye, or of commendable proportion and durable:
then it must needes follow, that the cause of such inconuenient errors
doth proceed from ignorance, and hath his beginning from illiterature.
And this notwithstanding, that although the perfection of this arte
dooth not varie, & fall from his rectitude, yet the discreet and cunning
architect to grace the obiect, to the behoulders: may lawfullye eyther
with adiection or deminution, beautifie his worke, keeping whole the
sollid part, with his vniuersall composition.

I call that solid which is the bodye of the frame, which is the
principall intent, inuention, fore setting downe, and symmetrie, or dew
proportion of the building without any additions, rightlye examined, and
perfectly composed, which will manifest the skill of the workeman, and
the same afterwardes to adorne and beautifie, which adiuncts is an easie
matter. Wherein is also to be considered, the dew ordering and placing
of euery thing, and not to set a crowne vpon the feete, but vpon the
head, and so oualing and denticulating, and other cuttings of sundrye
sorts in their seuerall and best fitting places, the chiefe inuention
and disposing whereof, resteth in the rare and cunning architect, but
the labour and woorking therof to the vulgar and common sort of
mannalistsand seruants to the architect, who if he will do well, he must
in no wise be subiect to auarice.

And besides his skil he must be honest, no pratler full of words, but
courteous, gentle, bening, tractable, patient, mery & pleasant, full of
new deuises, a curious searcher into all artes, and well aduised in his
proceeding, least with rashnes he comit a fault or absurditie in his
worke, and heereof thus much shall suffice.

_After that _Poliphylus_ had at large made a demonstration of the dew
proportion of the Gate, hee proceedeth to describe the ornaments
thereof, and their excellencie._

I hauing beene somewhat prolix and tedious in my former purpose, it may
be that it hath bred some offence, to such as dayly indeuour to occupie
theyr sences in the pleasaunt discourses of loue. But it wyll also
proou