which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby
more equitie then by the right hand. The same
Priest carried a round vessell of gold, in forme of
a cap. The fifth bare a van, wrought with springs
of gold, and another carried a vessell for wine:
By and by after the goddesse followed a foot as men
do, and specially Mercurie, the messenger of the goddesse
infernall and supernall, with his face sometime blacke,
sometime faire, lifting up the head of the dogges Annubis,
and bearing in his left hand, his verge, and in his
right hand, the branches of a palme tree, after whom
followed a cow with an upright gate, representing
the figure of the great goddesse, and he that guided
her, marched on with much gravity. Another carried
after the secrets of their religion, closed in a coffer.
There was one that bare on his stomacke a figure of
his god, not formed like any beast, bird, savage thing
or humane shape, but made by a new invention, whereby
was signified that such a religion should not be discovered
or revealed to any person. There was a vessel
wrought with a round bottome, haveing on the one side,
pictures figured like unto the manner of the Egyptians,
and on the other side was an eare, whereupon stood
the Serpent Aspis, holding out his scaly necke.
Finally, came he which was appointed to my good fortun
according to the promise of the goddesse. For
the great Priest which bare the restoration of my
human shape, by the commandement of the goddes, Approached
more and more, bearing in his left hand the timbrill,
and in the other a garland of Roses to give me, to
the end I might be delivered from cruel fortune, which
was alwaies mine enemie, after the sufferance of so
much calamitie and paine, and after the endurance
of so manie perilles: Then I not returning hastilie,
by reason of sodaine joye, lest I should disturbe
the quiet procession with mine importunitie, but going
softly through the prease of the people, which gave
me place on every side, went after the Priest.
The priest being admonished the night before, as I
might well perceive stood still and holding out his
hand, thrust out the garland of roses into my mouth,
I (trembling) devoured with a great affection:
And as soone as I had eaten them, I was not deceived
of the promise made unto me. For my deforme and
Assie face abated, and first the rugged haire of my
body fell off, my thick skin waxed soft and tender,
the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returned
againe, my neck grew short, my head and mouth began
round, my long eares were made little, my great and
stonie teeth waxed lesse like the teeth of men, and
my tayle which combred me most, appeared no where:
then the people began to marvaile, and the religious
honoured the goddesse, for so evident a miracle, they
wondered at the visions which they saw in the night,
and the facilitie of my reformation, whereby they rendered
testimonie of so great a benefit which I received of
the goddesse. When I saw my selfe in such estate,