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MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 155
same, returning thanks in most seemly sort for so high a
grace. Whereupon they began to sing to the praise of
God, of the King, and the young Lady,
and for this time so
departed. In sport, meanwhile, the four beasts of 23tiutf , interiudium.
as he saw them in the vision, were brought in, all which
had its certain signification.
In the fourth act the young Lady was restored to her Actus 4.
lost kingdom and crowned, being in this array conducted
about the place with extraordinary joy. After various
embassadors presented themselves not only to wish her
prosperity but also to behold her glory. Yet it was not
long that she preserved her integrity, but began to look
wantonly about her, and to wink at the embassadors
and lords. These her manners were soon known to the
Moore, who would by no means neglect such an opportunity
; and because her steward had not sufficient regard
to her, she was easily blinded with great promises, so that
she had no good confidence in her King, but privily sub-
mitted herself to the intire disposal of the Moore, who
having by her consent gotten her into his hands, he gave
her words so long till all her kingdom had subjected itself
to him; after which, in the third scene of this act, he
caused her to be led forth, stript naked, and then upon a
scurvy wooden scaffold bound to a post, well scourged, and
at last sentenced to death. This woful spectacle made the
eyes of many to run over. Naked as she was,
she was cast
into prison, there to expect death by poyson, which, how-
ever, killed her not, but made her leprous all over. Thus
this act was for the most part lamentable. Between they
brought forth IJ^foUCJja&tt^&t'B image, which was adorned
with all manner of arms on the head, breast, legs, and feet,
of which more shall be spoken in the future explication.