thought they had bayed and barked. An moreover
(which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellent
carver and deviser of this worke had fashioned the
dogs to stand up fiercely with their former feet,
and their hinder feet on the ground ready to fight.
Behinde the back of the goddesse was carved a stone
in manner of a Caverne, environed with mosse, herbes,
leaves, sprigs, green branches and bowes, growing
in and about the same, insomuch that within the stone
it glistered and shone marvellously, under the brim
of the stone hanged apples and grapes carved finely,
wherein Art envying Nature, shewed her great cunning.
For they were so lively set out, that you would have
thought if Summer had been come, they might have bin
pulled and eaten; and while I beheld the running water,
which seemed to spring and leap under the feet of
the goddesse, I marked the grapes which hanged in the
water, which were like in every point to the grapes
of the vine, and seemed to move and stir by the violence
of the streame. Moreover, amongst the branches
of the stone appeared the image of Acteon: and
how that Diana (which was carved within the same stone,
standing in the water) because he did see her naked,
did turne him into an hart, and so he was torne and
slaine of his owne hounds. And while I was greatly
delighted with the view of these things, Byrrhena spake
to me and sayd, Cousin all things here be at your
commandement. And therewithall shee willed secretly
the residue to depart: who being gone she sayd,
My most deare Cousin Lucius, I do sweare by the goddesse
Diana, that I doe greatly tender your safety, and
am as carefull for you as if you were myne owne naturall
childe, beware I say, beware of the evil arts and
wicked allurements of that Pamphiles who is the wife
of Milo, whom you call your Host, for she is accounted
the most chief and principall Magitian and Enchantresse
living, who by breathing out certain words and charmes
over bowes, stones and other frivolous things, can
throw down all the powers of the heavens into the
deep bottome of hell, and reduce all the whole world
againe to the old Chaos. For as soone as she espieth
any comely yong man, shee is forthwith stricken with
his love, and presently setteth her whole minde and
affection on him. She soweth her seed of flattery,
she invades his spirit and intangleth him with continuall
snares of unmeasurable love.
And then if any accord not to her filthy desire, or if they seeme loathsome in her eye, by and by in the moment of an houre she turneth them into stones, sheep or some other beast, as her selfe pleaseth, and some she presently slayeth and murthereth, of whom I would you should earnestly beware. For she burneth continually, and you by reason of your tender age and comely beauty are capable of her fire and love.