nd
Hiperborian Griphons, whom in forme of birds, the other world doth
ingender; the Priests commonly call such a habit, a celestiall Stole: in
my right hand I carried a light torch, and a garland of flowers upon my
head, with Palme leaves sprouting out on every side: I was adorned like
unto the Sun, and made in fashion of an Image, in such sort that all the
people compassed about to behold me: then they began to solemnize the
feast of the nativitie, and the new procession with sumptuous bankets
and delicate meates: the third day was likewise celebrated with like
ceremonies with a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the
order: when I had continued there a good space, I conceived a marvailous
great pleasure and consolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the
goddesse, who at length admonished me to depart homeward, not without
rendring of thanks, which although it were not sufficient, yet they were
according to my power. Howbeit I could unneth be perswaded to depart,
before I had fallen prostrate before the face of the goddesse, and wiped
her steps with my face, whereby I began so greatly to weepe and sigh
that my words were interrupted, and as devouring my prayer, I began to
say in this sort: O holy and blessed dame, the perpetuall comfort of
humane kind, who by thy bounty and grace nourishest all the world, and
hearest a great affection to the adversities of the miserable, as a
loving mother thou takest no rest, neither art thou idle at any time in
giving thy benefits, and succoring all men, as well on land as sea; thou
art she that puttest away all stormes and dangers from mans life by thy
right hand, whereby likewise thou restrainest the fatall dispositions,
appeasest the great tempests of fortune and keepest backe the course of
the stars: the gods supernall doe honour thee: the gods infernall have
thee in reverence: thou environest all the world, thou givest light to
the Sunne, thou governest the world, thou treadest downe the power of
hell: By thy meane the times returne, the Planets rejoyce, the Elements
serve: at thy commandment the winds do blow, the clouds increase, the
seeds prosper, and the fruits prevaile, the birds of the aire, the
beasts of the hill, the serpents of the den, and the fishes of the
sea, do tremble at thy majesty, but my spirit is not able to give thee
sufficient praise, my patrimonie is unable to satisfie thy sacrifice, my
voice hath no power to utter that which I thinke, no