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MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 183
tion much more beautiful. They grew so big
that we
lifted them from the little cushonets, and were fain to
lay them upon a long table covered with white velvet.
The old man commanded us to cover them up to the breast
with a piece of fine white double taffata, which, because of
their unspeakable beauty, almost went against us. Before
we had in this manner quite spent the blood, they were in
their perfect full growth, having gold-yellow ourled hair,
and the figure of Venus was nothing to them. But there
was not yet any natural warmth or sensibility in them ;
they were dead figures, yet of a lively and natural colour ;
and since care was to be taken that they grew not too
great, the old man would not permit anything more to be
given them, but covered their faces too with the silk, and
caused the table to be stuck round about with torches.
Let the reader imagine not these lights to have been of
necessity, for the old man's intent was that we should not
observe when the Soul entred into them, as indeed we
should not have taken notice of it, in case I had not twice
before seen the flames. However, I permitted
the other
three to remain in their belief, neither did the old
man know that I had seen anything more. Here-
upon he bid us sit down on a bench over against
the table. The Virgin came in with the musick and all
furniture, and carried two curious white garments, the like
to which I had never seen in the Castle. I thought no vestiuntur.
other but that they were meer christal, but they were
gentle and not transparent. These she laid upon a table,
and after she had disposed her Virgins upon a bench round
about, she and the old man began many leger-de-main tricks
about the table, which were done only to blind. All this spectators
luduntur.
was managed under the roof, which was wonderfully