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MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 143
pleased, saying; that much more should yet be revealed to Redduntmpondera
us. Meantime certain virgins had made themselves ready, choro
J '
Virginum.
and came in with great ceremony. Two youths carried 2 Juvenes.
lights before them, one of whom was of jocond countenance,
sprightly eyes, and gentile proportion, while the other lookt
something angerly, and whatever he would have must be, as
I afterwards perceived. Four Virgins followed them ; one 4
looked shamefully towards the earth -
} the second also was
a modest, bashful Virgin ; the third, as she entered, seemed
amazed at somewhat, and, as I understood,
she cannot well
abide where there is too much mirth. The fourth brought
with her certain small wreaths, to manifest her kindness
and liberality.
After these four came two somewhat more 2
gloriously apparelled ; they saluted us courteously. One of
them had a gown of skeye-colour, spangled with golden
stars : the other's was green, beautified with red and white
stripes. On their heads they had thin flying white tiffaties,
which did most becomingly adorn them. At last came one i virgo
alone, wearing
praestans.
a coronet, and rather looking up towards
heaven than towards earth. We all took her for the
Bride, but were much mistaken, although in honour, riches,
and state she much surpassed the bride, and afterwards
ruled the whole Wedding. On this occasion we all fol- The
lowed our Virgin, and fell on our knees; howbeit, she
shewed herself extreamly humble, offering each her hand,
and admonishing us not to be too much surprized at this,
\vhich was one of her smallest bounties, but to lift up our
eyes to our Creator and acknowledge his Omnipotency, and
so proceed in our enterprised course, employing this grace
to the praise of God and the good of man. In sum her
words were quite different from those of our Virgin, who
was somewhat more worldly. They pierced even through