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moreover hath plighted her troth to him. Then I considered with my self,and behold the Book that I had devoured (like a Charm) had so commandedmy Spirits, that I could think of nothing more than the enjoyment of thisrare Beauty which I had beheld: And while I was full of these thoughts,behold I heard a Voice behind me, saying, What wouldest thou in thisWorld? I was a little astonished at the Voice, yet boldly answered, Nothingbut that I might once more see that admirable Perfection which once Ibeheld in a Nymph, which not long since I saw, who with seeming affectiondid salute me, and gave me a Book to eat; which when I had eaten, myIntellectuals seemed as though the Candle of the Lord had been kindled inthem: But since I could never see her whom my Heart longs for: Oh that Imight only be so happy again! Then said the Voice, Thou art happy in thatthou hast seen her, more happy in that she gave thee that Book, which fewin an Age attain to; most happy in that thou couldest and didst eat it, whichevery one that hath it cannot do: She therefore whom thou seekest for, isgone into her retired Solitudes, and as a Legacy hath left the two greatTreasures, the Treasure of Riches, and the Treasure of Long Life. Thensaid I, Ah Sir, this you tell me if, is nothing but an aggravation of mymisery; for all the wealth in this world I count as a straw in comparison ofthe enjoyment of that most admirable Lady’s presence, whose service Ishould take for a greater happiness, than if were Master of all the Worldbesides. If then I may not see her again, my Life will be to me a burden,and to what then will Long Life avail? Thus I sat bemoaning my self, and Iheard a shrill Voice as it were close by me, and I looked suddenly, andbehold an unspeakable Light, in comparison whereof the Sun it self seemeddark; and close by me I saw a most secret place, and in it a secret Room ofDiaphanous matter, and round, and within it this lady who I formerly hadseen, upon her Throne; and another in the person of a King, in most gayRaiment, as if it were a Robe of beaten Gold, which reached from hisshoulders to the ground, and a Crown of pure Gold on his head; and a thirdperson, who like a Water-bearer had a Pitcher on his shoulder, and in themidst of it there burned as it were a Lamp: The sight was excellent, yet Icould not be pleased, for that I saw this Lady stark naked with this King, soin private; and while I viewed the Room, I found it was exquisitely closedon every side, so that it seemed as if it were made of one intire piece ofCrystal. I marveled at what I saw: for the House was but small, theChamber less, and the Closet of Crystal to sight no bigger than a small Egg;and the three Parties, with all the Accoutrements of them, might well havebeen inclosed in a Hazel Nut: Yet was their Delineaments so lively, that Imight easily discern her intire shape, whom I could not but with distractedthoughtfulness and a sad countenance behold; which the perceiving, saidunto me, Friend, Why art thou sad? I am not sad, quoth I, most NobleLady, but am pensively meditating on what I behold, which doth not a littleamaze me, the sight not being to be parallell’d in John Tradescants66