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MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 149
about the great crown. Sometimes he seated himself in
between the two lovers, somewhat smiling upon them with
his bow. Sometimes he made as if he would shoot one of
us ; in brief, this knave was so full of his waggery, that
he would not spare even the little birds, which in multi- Aves.
tudes flew up and down the room, but tormented them all
he could. The virgins also had their pastimes with him, virgines.
and when they could catch him it was no easie matter for
him to get from them again. Thus this little knave made
. -11-1 -i
but inexpressibly curious altar, wherein lay a book covered i. Book.
all the sport and mirth. Before the Queen stood a small supeiiex in
au^a altai'e.
with black velvet, only a little overlaid with gold. By this
stood a taper in an ivory candlestick, which, although very 2- Taper.
small, burnt continually, and stood in that manner, that
had not Cupid, in sport, now and then puffed upon it, we
could not have conceived it to be fire. By this stood a
sphere or celestial globe, which of itself turned about. 3. sphsere.
Next this was a small striking-watch, by that a little 4. watch.
christal pipe or syphon-fountain, out of which perpetually 5. Little
ran a clear blood-red liquor, and last of all there was a scull
or death's head, in which was a white serpent,
length, that though she crept
of such a 6. Scuii.
serpent.
circle-wise about the rest of
it, yet her taile still remained in one of the eye -holes until her
head agaia entered at the other ; so she never stirred from
her scull, unless Cupid twitched a little at her, when she
slipt in so suddenly that we could not choose but marvel at
it. There were hung up and down the room wonderful
images, which moved as if alive. Likewise, as we were imagines,
passing out, there began
such marvellous vocal musick that Musicse.
I could not tell whether it were performed by the virgins
who yet stayed behind, or by the images themselves. We, Disceaitur
. . , . . , ex laborabeing
for this time satisfied, went thence with our virgins, tovio