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The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz 



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The Chymical Wedding of Chr istian Rosenkre utz
Originally published in German in 1616. This edition derives from an English trans-
lation published in 1690. No part of this document is copyrighted or copyrightable
in any domain.
Adobe Acrobat edition prepared by Benjamin Rowe, October, 2000.
Typeset in Bembo.



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 The First Day 
 n an evening before Easter Day, I sat at a table, and having (as 
 my custom was) in my humble prayer? suciently conversed 
 with my Creator, and considered many gre at mysteries (whereof 
O the Father of Lights his Majesty had shown me not a few) and 
being now ready to prepare in my hear t, together with my dear Paschal 
Lamb, a small, unleavened, un?deled cake; all of a sudden arose so horrible 
a tempest, that I imag ined no other but that through its mighty force, the 
hill on which my little house was founded wo?uld y into pieces. 
 But inasmuch as this, and the like from the Devil (who had done me 
many a spite) was no new thing to me, I took courage, and persisted in my 
meditation, till somebody in an unusual manner touched me on the back; 
whereupon I was so hugely te?red, ri that I dared hardly look about me; yet 
I showed myself as cheerful as (in such occurrences) human frailty would 
permit. Now the same thing still twitching me several times by the coat, I 
looked back, and behold it was a fair and glorious lady, whose garments 
were all sky-coloured, and curiously (like Heaven) bespangled with golden 
stars; in her r ight hand she bore a trumpet of beaten gold, on which a 
Name was engraved which I could well read but am as yet forbidden to 
reveal it. In her left hand she had a great bundle of letters of all languages, 
which she (as I afterwards understood) was to carry to all countries. She 
also had large and beautiful wings, full of eyes throughout, with which she 
could mount aloft, and? y swifter than any eagle. 
 I might perhaps have been able to take further notice of her, but because 
she stayed so little time with me, and terror and amazement still possessed 
me, I had to be conte nt. For as soon as I turned about, she turne d her let- 
ters over and over, and at length drew out a small one, which with great 
reverence she laid down upon the table, and without giving one word, 
departed from me. But in her mounting upward, she gave so mighty a blast 
on her gallant trumpet, that the whole hill echoed from it, and for a full 
quarter of an hour after, I could hardly hear my own words. 
 In so unlooked for an adventure I was at a loss, how either to advise or to 
assist my poor self, and therefore fell upon my knees and besought my Cre- 
ator to permit nothing contrary to my eternal happiness to befall me. 
Whereupon with fear and trembling, I went to the letter, which was now 
so h eavy, that h ad it b een mere gold it could hardly have been so weighty. 
Now as I was diligently viewing it, I found a little seal, on whic h a curious 
cross with this inscr iption, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES, was engraved. 
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 Now as soon as I espied this sign I was the more comforted, as not being
ignorant that such a seal was little acceptable, and much less useful, to the
Devil. Whereupon I tenderly opened the letter, and within it, in an azure
? eld, in golden letters, found the following verses written.
 This day, today 
 Is the Royal Wedding day. 
 For this thou wast bor n 
 And chosen of God for joy 
 Thou mayest go t o the mountain 
 Whereon three temples stand, 
 And see there this? aair. 
 Keep watch 
 Inspect thyself 
 And shouldst thou not bathe thoroughly 
 The Wedding may work thy bane. 
 Bane comes to him who faileth here 
 Let him beware who is too light.
 Below was written: Sponsus and Sponsa.
 As soon as I had read this letter, I was presently like to have fainted away,
all my hair stood on end, and a cold sweat tr icked down my whole body.
For although I well perceived that this was the appointed wedding, of
which seven years before I was acquainted in a bodily vision, and which
now for so long a time I had with great earnestness awaited, and which
lastly, by the account and calculation of the planets, I had most diligently
observed, I found so to be, yet could I never foresee that it must happen
under such grievous perilous conditions. For whereas I before imag ined,
that t o b e a w elcome and a cceptable g uest, I n eeded o nly t o b e r eady t o
appear at the wedding, I was now directed to Divine Providence, of which
until this time I was never certain. 
 I a lso f ound b y m yself, t he m ore I e xamined m y s elf, t hat i n m y h ead
there was nothing but gross misunderstanding, and blindness in mysterious
things, so that I was not able to comprehend even those things which lay
under my feet, and which I daily conversed with, much less that I should be
born to the searching out and understanding of the secrets of Nature, since
in my opinion Nature might everywher?end a more virtuous disciple, to
whom to entrust her precious, though temporar y and changeable, treasures. 
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 I found also that my bodily behaviour, and outward good conversation, 
and brotherly love towards my neighbour, was not duly purged and 
cleansed. Moreover the tickling of th?e esh manife sted itself, whos?e aec- 
tion was bent only to pomp and bravery, and worldly pride, and not to the 
good of mankind: and I was always contriving how by this art I might in a 
short time abundantly increase my pr? t and advo antage, rear up stately pal- 
aces, make myself an everlasting name in the world, and other similar carnal 
designs. But the obscure words concerning the three temples particularly 
a? icted me, which I was not able to make out by any after-speculation, and 
perhaps should not have done so yet, had they not been wonderfully 
revealed to me. 
 Thus stuck between hope and fear, examining my self again and again, 
and ? nding only my own frailty and impotence, not being in any way able 
to succour myself, and exceedingly amazed at the fore mentioned threaten- 
ing, at length I betook myself to my usual and most secure course - after I 
had ? nished my ear nest and most fervent prayer, I laid myself down in my 
bed, so that perchance my good angel by the Divine permission might 
appear, and (as it had sometimes formerly happened) instruct me in this 
doubtful a? air. Which to the praise of God, my own good, and my neigh- 
bours’ faithful and hearty warning and amendment, did now likewise come 
about. 
 For I was yet scarcely fallen asleep, when I thought that I, together with 
an innumerable multitude of men, lay fettere d with great chains in a dark 
dungeon, in which, without the least glimpse of light, we swar med like 
bees one over another, and thus rendered each oth?eric’tios an more g riev- 
ous. But although neither I nor any of the rest could see one jot, yet I con- 
tinually heard one heaving himself above the other, when his chains and 
fetters had become ever so slightly lighter, though none of us had much 
reason to shove up above the other, since we were all captive wre tches. 
 Now when I with the rest had continued a good while in th? iictions a ,
and each was still reproaching the other with his blindness and captivity, at 
length we heard many trumpets sounding together and kettle drums beat- 
ing in such a masterly fashion, that it even revived us in our calamity and 
made us rejoice. 
 During this noise the cover of the dungeon was lifted up from above, 
and a little light let down to us. Then? rs t might truly have been discerned 
the bustle we kept, for all went pell-mell, and he who perchance had 
heaved himself up too much, was forced down again under the others’ feet. 
In brief, each one strove to be upper most. Neither did I myself linger, but 
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with my weighty fetters slipped up from under the rest, and then heaved
myself upon a stone, which I laid hold of; howbeit, I was caught at several
time s by others, from whom yet as well as I might, I still guarded myself
with hands and feet. For we imag ined no other but that we should all be set
at liberty, which yet fell out quite otherwise. 
 For after the nobles who looked upon us from above through the hole
had recreated themselves a while with our struggling and lamenting, a cer-
tain hoar y-he aded ancient man called to us to be quiet, and having scarcely
obtained this, began (as I still re member) to speak on thus:
 If the poor human race 
 Were not so arrogant 
 It would have been given much good 
 From my mother’s heritage, 
 But because the human race will not take heed 
 It lies in such straits 
 And must be held in prison. 
 And yet my dearest mother 
 Will not regard their mischief, 
 She leaves her lovely gifts 
 That many a man might come to the light, 
 Though this may chance but seldom 
 That they be better pr ized 
 Nor reckoned as mere fable.
 Therefore in honour of the feast 
 Which we shall hold today, 
 That her grace may be multiplied 
 A good work will she do: 
 The rope will now be lowered 
 Whoever may hang on to it 
 He shall be freed.
 He had scarcely ? nished speaking when an ancient matron commanded
her servants to let down the cord seven times into the dungeon, and draw
up whosoever could hang upon it. Good God! that I coul?d suciently
describe the hurry and disquiet that then arose amongst us; for everyone
strove to get to the cord, and yet only hindered each other. But after seven
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minute s a sign was given by a little bell, whereupon at? therst p ull the ser- 
vants drew up four. At that time I could not get very near the cord, having 
(as is before mentioned) to my huge misfortune, betaken myself to a stone 
at the wall of the dungeon; and thereby I was made unable to get to the 
cord which descended in the middle. 
 The cord was let down the second time, but many, because their chains 
were too heavy, and their hands too tender, could not keep their hold on 
the cord, but with themselves beat down many another who else perhaps 
might have held fast enough; nay, many a one was forcibly pu?lled o by 
another, who yet could not himself get at it, so mutually e nvious were we 
even in this our great misery. 
 But they of all others most moved my compassion whose weight was so 
heavy that they tore their very hands from their bodies, and yet could not 
get up. Thus it came to pass that at thos? ve e times very few were drawn 
up. For as soon as the sign was given, the servants were so nimble at draw- 
ing the cord up, that the most part tumbled one upon another, and the 
cord, this time especially, was drawn up very empty. 
 Whereupon the greatest part, and even I myself, despaired of redemp- 
tion, and called upon God that he would have pity on us, and (if possible) 
deliver us out of this obscurity; who then also heard some of us. For when 
the cord came down the sixth time, some of them hung themselves fast 
upon it; and whilst being drawn up, the cord swung from one side to the 
other, and (perhaps by the will of God) came to me, and I suddenly caught 
it, uppermost above all the rest, and so at length beyond hope came out. At 
which I rejoiced exceedingly, so that I did not perceive the wound which 
during the drawing up I had received on my head from a shar p stone, until 
I, w ith the r est who were re leased (as was always d one before) h ad to h elp 
with the seventh and last pull; at which time through straining, the blood 
ran down all over my clothes, which I nevertheless because of my joy did 
not take notice of. Now when the last drawing up on which the most of all 
hung was? nished, the matron caused the cord to be laid aside, and asked 
her aged son to declare her resolution to the rest of the prisoners, who after 
he had thought a little spoke thus unto them. 
 Ye childer dear 
 Ye who are here, 
 It is completed 
 What long hath been known, 
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 The great favour which my mother 
 Hath here shown you twain 
 Ye should not disdain: 
 A joyful time shall soon be come. 
 When each shall be the othe’s er qual, 
 No one be poor or rich, 
 And who was given great commands 
 Must bring much with him now, 
 And who was much entrusted with 
 Stripped to the skin will be, 
 Wherefore leave o? your lamentation 
 Which is but for a few days. 
 As soon as he ha?d nished these words, the cover was again put to and 
locked down, and the trumpets and kettle-dr ums began afresh, yet the 
noise of them could not be so loud but that the bitter lamentation of the 
prisoners which arose in the dungeon was heard above all, which soon also 
caused my eyes to r un over. 
 Presently afterwards the ancient matron, together with her son, sat down 
on seats before prepared, and commanded the redeemed should be told. 
Now as soon as she had demanded every’s nameone , which were also writ-
ten down by a little page; having viewed us all, one after another, she 
sighed, and spoke to her son, so that I could well hear he“Ah, hor, w heart-
ily I am grieved for the poor men in the dungeon! I would to God I could 
release them a”ll. 
 To which her son replied, “It is, mother, thus ordained by God, against 
whom we may not contend. If we were all of us lords, and possessed all the 
goods upon Earth, and were seated at table, who would there then be to 
bring up the service”? 
 Whereupon his mother held her peace, but soon after she s“Waid, e ll, 
however, let these be freed from their fette” whrs, ich was likewise presently 
done, and I was the last except a few; yet I could not refrain (though I still 
looked upon the rest) but bowed myself before the ancient matron, and 
thanked God that through her, he had graciously and fatherly vouchsafed to 
bring me out of such darkness into the light. After me the rest did likewise, 
to the satisfaction of the matron. 
 Lastly, to everyone was given a piece of gold for a remembrance, and to 
spend by the way, on the one side of which was stamped the rising sun, and 
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on the other (as I remember) these three letters, D.L.S.; and therewith 
everyone had license to depart, and was sent to his own business with this 
annexe d limitation, that we to the glory of God should ?benet our neigh- 
bours, and reserve in silence what we had been entrusted with; which we 
also promised to do, and so departed one from another. But be cause of the 
wounds which the fetters had caused me, I could not we ll go forward, but 
halted on both feet, which the matron presently espying, laughing at it, and 
calling me again to her said thus to me“My: son, do not let this defect 
a? ict you, but call to mind your ?inrmities, and therewith thank God who 
has per mitted you even in this world, and in your state of imperfection, to 
come into so high a light; and ke ep these wounds for my” s ake. 
 Whereupon the trumpets began to sound again, which gave me such a 
shock that I woke up, and the?nrs t perceived that it was only a dream, but 
it so strongly impressed my imagination that I was still per petually troubled 
about it, and I thought I still felt the wounds on my feet. Howbeit, by all 
these things I understood well that God had vouchsafed that I should be 
present at this mysterious and bidden wedding. Where fore with childlike 
con? dence I returned thanks to his Divine Majesty, and besought him that 
he would further preserve me in fear of him, that he would daily? ll m y 
heart with wisdom and understanding, and at length graciously (without 
deserting me) conduct me to the desired end. 
 Hereupon I prepared myself for the way, put on my white linen coat, 
girded my loins, with a blood-red ribbon bound cross-ways over my shoul- 
der. In my hat I stuck four red roses, so that I might sooner be noticed 
amongst the throng by this token. For food I took bread, salt and water, 
which by the counsel of an understanding person I had at certain times 
used, not without pr?ot, in similar occurrences. 
 But before I left my cottage, I ? rst, in this my dress and wedding gar- 
ment, fell down upon my knees, and besought God that in case such a 
thing were, he would vouchsafe me a good issue. And thereupon in the 
presence of God I made a vow that if anything through his grace should be 
revealed to me, I would employ it to neither my own honour nor my own 
authority in the world, but to the spreading of his Name, and the service of 
my neighbour. And with this vow, and good hope, I departed out of my 
cell with joy. 
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 The Second Day 
 had hardly got out of my cell into a forest when I thought the 
 whole heaven and all the elements had already trimmed them- 
 selves in preparation for this wedding. For even the birds 
I chanted more pleasantly than before, and the young fawns 
skipped so merrily that they made my heart rejoice, and moved me to sing; 
wherefore with a loud voice I thus began: 
 Rejoice dear bird 
 And praise thy Maker, 
 Raise bright and clear thy voice, 
 Thy God is most exalted, 
 Thy food he hath prepared for thee 
 To give thee in due season. 
 So be content therewith, 
 Wherefore shalt thou not be glad, 
 Wilt thou arraign thy God 
 That he hath made thee bird? 
 Wilt trouble thy wee head 
 That he made thee not a man? 
 Be still, he hath it well bethought 
 And be conte nt therewith. 
 What do I then, a worm of earth 
 To judge along with God? 
 That I in this heave’ns storm 
 Do wrestle with all art. 
 Thou canst not? ght with God. 
 And whoso is no?t t for this, let him be sped away 
 O Man, be satis? ed 
 That he hath made thee not the King 
 And take it not amiss, 
 Perchance hadst thou despised his name, 
 That were a sorry matter: 
 For God hath clearer eyes that that 
 He looks into thy heart, 
 Thou canst not God deceive. 
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 This I sang now from the bottom of my heart throughout the whole for-
est, so that it resounded from all parts, and the hills repeated my last words,
until at length I saw a curious green heath, to which I betook myself out of
the forest. 
 Upon this heath stood three lovely tall cedars, which by reason of their
breadth a? orded excellent and desired shade, at which I greatly rejoiced.
For although I had not hitherto gone far, yet my earnest longing made me
very faint, whereupon I haste ned to the trees to rest a little under them. But
as soon as I came somewhat closer, I saw a tablet fastened to one of them,
on which (as afterwards I read) in curious letters the following words were
written: 
 “God save you, stranger! If you have heard anything concerning the
nuptials of the King, consider these words. By us the Bridegro?oerms o
you a choice between four ways, all of which, if you do not sink down in
the way, can bring you to his royal court. T?hre st is short but dangerous,
and one which will lead you into rocky places, through which it will
scarcely be possible to pass. The second is longer, and takes you circui-
tously; it is plain and easy, if by the help of the Magnet you turn neither to
left nor right. The third is that truly royal way which through various plea-
sures and pageants of our King? , aords you a joyful journey; but this so far
has scarcely been allotted to one in a thousand. By the fourth no man shall
reach the place, because it is a consuming way, practicable only for incor-
ruptible bodies. Choose now which one you will of the three, and perse-
vere constantly therein, for know whichever you will enter, that is the one
destined for you by immutable Fate, nor can you go back in it save at g reat
peril to life. These are the things which we would have you know. But, ho,
beware! you know not with how much danger you commit yourself to this
way, for if you know yourself to be obnoxious by the smallest fault to the
laws of our King, I beseech you, while it is still possible, to return swiftly to
your house by the way you came” .
 As soon as I read this writing all my joy nearly vanished again, and I who
before sang mer rily, began now inwardly to lament. For although I saw all
the three ways before me, and understood that henceforward it was vouch-
safed to me to choose one of them, yet it troubled me that if I went the
stony and rocky way, I might get a miserable and deadly fall, or if I took the
long one, I mi ght wander out of it through byways, or be in other ways
detained in the great journey. Neither could I hope that I amongst thou-
sands should be the very one who should choose the royal way. I saw like-
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wise the fourth before me, but it was so environed w? reith a nd exaltations, 
that I did not dare draw near it by much, and there fore again and again 
considered whether I should turn back, or take any of the ways before me. 
I considered well my own unworthiness, but the dream still comforted me 
that I was delivered out of the tower; and yet I did not dare? dconently rely 
upon a dream; whereupon I was so perplexe d in various ways, that very 
great we ariness, hunger and thirst seize d me. 
 Whereupon I presently drew out my bre ad and cut a slice of it; which a 
snow-white dove of whom I was not aware, sitting upon the tree, saw, and 
therewith (perhaps according to her usual manner) came down. She betook 
herself very familiarly with me, and I willingly imparted my food to her, 
which she re ceived, and so with her prettiness she again refre shed me a lit- 
tle. But as s oon as her e nemy, a most black r aven, perceived it, h e straight- 
away darted down upon the dove, and taking no notice of me, would force 
away the dove’s food, and she could not guard herself otherwise than by 
? ight. Whereupon they both ? ew together towards the south, at which I 
was so hugely incense d and grieved that without thinking what I did, I has- 
tened after the? lthy raven, and so against my will ran into one of the fore 
mentioned ways a whol?eel d’s length. And thus the raven having been 
chased away, and the dove delivered, I th? enrst obs erved what I had incon-
siderately done, and that I was already entere d into a way, from which 
under per il of great punishment I could not retire. And though I had still 
wherewith in some measure to comfort myself, yet that which was worst of 
all to me was that I had left my bag and bread at the tree, and could never 
retrieve them. For as soon as I turned myself about, a contrary wind was so 
strong against me that it was ready to fell me. But if I went forward on the 
way, I perceived no hindrance at all. From which I could easily conclude 
that it would cost me my life if I should set myself against the wind, where- 
fore I patiently took up my cross, got up onto my feet, and resolved, since 
so it must be, that I would use my utmost endeavour to get to my jou’srney 
end before night. 
 Now although many apparent byways showed themselves, yet I still pro- 
ceeded with my compass, and would not budge one step from the Merid- 
ian Line; howbeit the way was often so rugged and impassable, that I was in 
no little doubt of it. On this way I constantly thought upon the dove and 
the rave n, and yet could not search out the meaning; until at length upon a 
high hill afar ?o I saw a stately portal, to which, not regarding how far it 
was distant both from me and from the way I was on, I hasted, because the 
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sun had already hid himself under the hills, and I could see no abiding place 
elsewhere; and this ve rily I ascribe only to God, who might well have per- 
mitted me to go forward in this way, and withheld my eyes that so I might 
have gazed beside this gate. 
 To this I now made great haste, and reached it in so much daylight as to 
take a very competent view of it. Now it was an exceedingly royal beautiful 
portal, on which were carved a multitude of most no?bgule res and 
devices, every one of which (as I afterwards lear ned) had its peculiar signi?- 
cation. Above was ? xed a pretty large tablet, with these wor“dPrs, ocul 
hinc, procul ite profani” (“ke ep away, you who are profan”), and oe ther
things more, that I was earnestly forbidden to relate. 
 Now as soon as I came under the portal, there straightaway stepped forth 
one in a sky-coloured habit, whom I saluted in a friendly manner; and 
though he thankfully returned this salute, yet he instantly demanded of me 
my letter of invitation. O how glad was I that I had then brought it with 
me! For how easily might I have forgotten it (as it also chanced to others) as 
he himself told me! 
 I quickly presented it, wherewith he was not only ?satised, but (at which 
I much wondered) showed me abundance of respect, sa“yComeing, in my 
brother, you are an acceptable guest to” m; and ee ntreated me not to with- 
hold my name from him. Now I having re plied that I was a Brother of the 
Red-Rosy Cross, he both wondered and se emed to rejoice at it, and then 
proceeded thus“: My brother, have you nothing about you with which to 
purchase a token?” I answered that my ability was small, but if he saw any- 
thing about me he had a mind to, it was at his serv ice. Now he having 
requested of me my bottle of water, and I having granted it, he gave me a 
golden token on which stood no more than these two letters, S.C., entreat- 
ing me that when it stood me in good stead, I would remember him. After 
which I asked him how many had come in before me, which he also told 
me, and lastly out of mere fr iendship gave me a sealed letter to the second 
Porter. 
 Now having lingered some time with him, the night grew on. Where- 
upon a great beacon upon the gates was immediat? relyed, so that if any 
were still upon the way, he might make haste thither. But the way, where it 
? nished at the castle, was enclosed on both sides with walls, and planted 
with all sorts of excellent fruit trees, and on every third tree on each side 
lanterns were hung up, in which all the candles were lighted with a glorious 
touch by a beautiful Virgin, dressed in sky-colour, which was so noble and 
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majestic a spectacle that I yet delayed somewhat longer than was requisite. 
But at length after s?ucient information, and an advantageous instruction, 
I departed friendlily from th?e rst Porter. 
 On the way, I would gladly have known what was written in my letter, 
yet since I had no reason to mistrust the Porter, I forbare my purpose, and 
so went on the way, until I came likewise to the second gate, which though 
it was very like the other, yet it was adorned with images and mystic signi- 
? cations. On the a? xed tablet was“ Date et dabitur vob”is (“give and i t 
shall be given unto yo”u). 
 Under this gate lay a terrible grim lion chained, who as soon as he saw 
me arose and made at me with great roar ing; whereupon the second Porter 
who lay upon a stone of marble woke up, and asked me not to be troubled 
or afraid, and then drove back the lion; and having receive d the latter 
which I gave him with trembling, he re ad it, and with very great respect 
said thus to me: “Now welcome in God’s Name to me the man who for a 
long time I would gladly have se”e n. 
 Meanwhile he also drew out a token and asked me whether I could pur- 
chase it. But having nothing else left but my salt, I presented it to him, 
which he thankfully accepted. Upon this token again stood only two let- 
ters, namely, S.M. 
 I was just about to enter into discourse with him, when it began to ring 
in the castle, where upon the Porter counseled me to run, or else all the 
pains and labour I had hitherto undergone would serve to no purpose, for 
the lights above were already beginning to be extinguished. Whereupon I 
went with such haste that I did not heed the Porter, I was in such anguish; 
and truly it was necessary, for I could not run so fast but that the Virgin, 
after whom all the lights were put out, was at my heels, and I should neve r 
have found the way, had she not given me some light with her torch. I was 
moreover constrained to enter right next to her, and the gate was suddenly 
clapped to, so that a part of my coat was locked out, which I was verily 
forced to leave behind me. For neither I, nor they who stood ready without 
and called at the gate, could prevail with the Porter to open it again, but he 
delivered the keys to the Virgin, who took them with her into the court. 
 Meanwhile I again surveyed the gate, which now appeared so rich that 
the whole world could not equal it. Just by the door were two columns, on 
one of which stood a pleasa?ntgu re with this inscription“,Cong ratulor”.
The other, which had its countenance veiled, was sad, and beneath was 
written, “Condoleo”. In brief, the inscr iptions and ? gures were so dark 
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and my sterious that the most dextrous man on earth could not have 
expounded them. But all these (if God permits) I shall before long publish 
and explain. 
 Under this gate I was again to give my name, which was this last time 
written down in a little vellum book, and immediately with the rest des- 
patched to the Lord Bridegroom. It was he re wher?e Irst received the tr ue 
guest token, which was somewhat smalle r than the former, but yet much 
heavier. Upon this stood these letters, S.P.N. Besides this, a new pair of 
shoes were given me, for the? o or of the castle was laid with pure shining 
marble. My old shoes I was to give away to one of the poor who sat in 
throngs, although in very good order, under the gate. I then bestowed them 
upon an old man, after which two pages with as many torches conducted 
me into a little room. 
 There they asked me to sit down on a form, which I did, but they, stick- 
ing their torches in two holes, made in the pavement, departed and thus left 
me sitting alone. Soon after I heard a noise, but saw nothing, and it proved 
to be certain men who stumbled in upon me; but since I could see nothing, 
I had to su? er, and wait to see what they would do with me. But presently 
perceiving them to be barber s, I entreated them not to jostle me so, for I 
was content to do whatever they desired; whereupon they quickly let me 
go, and so one of them (whom I could not yet s?enee)ly a nd gently cut
away the hair round about from the crown of my head, but over my fore- 
head, e ars and eyes he per mitted my ice-grey locks to hang. In? rsthis t 
encounter (I must confess) I was ready to despair, for inasmuch as some of 
them shove d me so forcefully, and yet I could see nothing, I could think 
nothing other but that God for my curiosity had? suered me to miscar ry. 
Now these invisible barbers carefully gathered up the hair which was cut 
o? , and carried it away with them. 
 After which the two pages entered again, and heartily laughed at me for 
being s o terri? ed. But they had scarcely spoken a few words with me when 
again a little bell began to ring, which (as the pages informed me) was to 
give notice for assembling. Whereupon they asked me to rise, and through 
many walks, doors and winding stairs lit my way into a spacious hall. In this 
room was a great multitude of guests, emperors, kings, princes, and lords, 
noble and ignoble, rich and poor, and all sorts of people, at which I greatly 
marvelled, and thought to myse’ah, holf, w gross a fool you have been to
engage upon this journey with so much bitterness and toil, when (behold) 
here are even those fellows whom you know well, and yet never had any 
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reason to este em. They are now all here, and you with all your prayers and 
supplications have hardly got in at ’. This and morlast e the Devil at that
time injected, while I notwithstanding (as well as I could) directe d myself 
to the issue. 
 Meanwhile one or other of my acquaintance here and there spoke to 
me: “Oh Brother Rosencreutz! Are you here too?” 
 “Yes (my brethren”), I replied, “the g race of God has helped me in to”. o 
 At which they raised mighty laughter, looking upon it as ridiculous that 
there should be need of God in so slight an occasion. Now having 
demanded each of them concerning his way, and? ndin g that most of them 
were forced to clamber over the rocks, certain trumpets (none of which we 
yet saw) began to sound to the table, whereupon they all seated themselves, 
every one as he judged himself above the re st; so that for me and some 
other sorry fellows there was hardly a little nook left at the lowermost table. 
 Pre sently the two pages entered, and one of them said grace in so hand- 
some and excellent a manner, that it made the very heart in my body 
rejoice. However, certain g reat Sr Jo’hns made but little reckoning of them, 
but jeered and winked at one another, biting their lips within their hats, 
and using other similar unseemly gestures. After this, meat was brought in, 
and although no one could be seen, yet everything was so orderly managed, 
that it seemed to me as if every guest had his own attendant. Now my art- 
ists having somewhat recreated themselves, and the wine having removed a 
little shame from their hearts, they presently began to vaunt and brag of 
their abilities. One would prove this, another that, and commonly the most 
sorry idiots made the loudest noise. Ah, when I call to mind what preter- 
natural and impossible enterprises I then heard, I am still ready to vomit at 
it. In a word, they never kept in their order, but whenever one rascal here, 
another there, could insinuate himself in between the nobles, then they 
pretended to having? nished such adventures as neither Samson nor yet 
Hercules with all their strength could ever have achieved: this one would 
discharge Atlas of his burden; the other would again draw forth the three- 
headed Cerberus out of He ll. In brief, every man had his own prate, and 
yet the greatest lords were so simple that they believed their pretences, and 
the rogues so audacious, that although one or other of them was here and 
there rapped over th?e ngers with a knife, ye t the?yinch ed not at it, but
when anyone perchance had ? lched a gold-chain, then they would all haz- 
ard for the same. 
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 I saw one who heard the rustling of the heavens. The second could see 
Plato’s Ideas. A third could number Democritus’s atoms. There were also 
not a few pretenders to the perpetual motion. Many a one (in my opinion) 
had good understanding, but assumed too much to himself, to his own 
destruction. Lastly, there was one also who found it necessary to persuade 
us out of hand that he saw the servitors who attended us, and would have 
persuaded us as to his contention, had not one of t hese invisible waiters 
reached him such a handsome? c uupon his lying muzzle, that not only he, 
but many more who were by him, became as mute as mice. 
 But it pleased me most of all, that all those of whom I had any esteem 
were very quiet in their business, and made no loud cry of it, but acknowl- 
edged themselves to be misunderstanding men, to whom the mysteries of 
nature were too high, and they themselves much too small. In this tumult I 
had almost cursed the day when I came here; for I could not behold but 
with anguish that those lewd vain people were above at the board, but I in 
so sorry a place could not rest in quiet, one of those rascals scornfully 
reproaching me for a motley fool. 
 Now I did not realise that there was still one gate through which we 
must pass, but imagined that during the whole wedding I was to continue 
in this scorn, contempt and indignity, which I had yet at no time deserve d, 
either from the Lord Bridegroom or the Bride. And therefore (in my opin- 
ion) he should have done well to sort out some other fool than me to come 
to his wedding. Behold, to such impatience the iniquity of this world 
reduces simple hearts. But this really was one part of my lameness, of which 
(as is before mentioned) I dreamed. And truly the longer this clamour 
lasted, the more it increased. For there were already those who boasted of 
false and imaginary visions, and would persuade us of palpably lying 
dreams. 
 Now there sat by me a ver?yne quie t man, who often discoursed of
excellent matters. At length he said, “Behold my brother, if anyone should 
now come who were willing to instruct these blockish people in the right 
way, would he be hear”d? 
 “No, verily”, I replied. 
 “The world,” he said, “is now resolved (whatever comes of it) to be 
cheated, and cannot abide to give ear to those who intend its good. Do you 
see that same cocks-comb, with what whimsical ? gures and foolish conceits 
he allures others to him. There one make s mouths at the people with 
unheard-of mysterious words. Yet believe me in this, the time is now com- 
ing when those shameful vizards shall be pluck?e, and all d o the world shall
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know what vagabond impostors were concealed behind them. Then per- 
haps that will be valued which at present is not esteem” ed. 
 Whilst he was speaking in this way, and the longer the clamour lasted the 
worse it was, all of a sudden there began in the hall such excellent and 
stately music such as I never heard all the days of my life; where upon every- 
one held his peace, and waited to see what would become of it. Now in 
this music there were all the sorts of stringed instruments imaginable, 
which sounded together in such harmony that I forgot myself, and sat so 
immovable that those who sat by me were amazed at me; and this lasted 
nearly half an hour, during which time none of us spoke one word. For as 
soon as anyone at all was about to open his mouth, he got an unexpected 
blow, nor did he know where it came from. I thought since we were not 
permitted to see the musicians, I should have been glad to view just all the 
instruments they were using. After half an hour this music ceased unexpect- 
edly, and we could neither see or hear anything more. 
 Pre sently after, a g reat noise began before the door of the hall, with 
sounding and beating of trumpets, shalms and kettle-drums, as majestic as if 
the Emperor of Rome had been entering; whereupon the door opened by 
itself, and then the noise of the trumpets was so loud that we were hardly 
able to endure it. 
 Meanwhile (to my thinking) many thousand small tapers came into the 
hall, all of which themselves marched in so very exact an order as altogether 
amazed us, till at last the two aforementioned pages with bright torches 
entered the hall, lighting the way of a most beautiful Virgin, all drawn on a 
gloriously gilded triumphant se lf-moving throne. It seemed to me that she 
was the very same who before on the way kindled and put out the lights, 
and that these attendants of hers were the very same whom she formerly 
placed at the trees. She was not now, as before, in sky-colour, but arrayed in 
a snow-white glittering robe, which sparkled with pure gold, and cast such 
a lustre that we could not steadily look at i t. Both the pages were dressed in 
the same manner (although somewhat more modestly). As soon as they 
came into the middle of the hall, and had descended from the throne, all 
the small tapers made obeisance before her. Whereupon we all stood up 
from our benches, yet everyone stayed in his own place. Now she having 
showed to us, and we again to her, all respect and reverence, in a most 
pleasant tone she began to speak as follows: 
 The King, my gracious lord 
 He is not far away, 
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 Nor is his dearest br ide, 
 Betrothed to him in honour. 
 They have now with the greatest joy 
 Beheld your coming hither. 
 Wherefore especially they would pr? er o 
 Their favour to each one of you, 
 And they desire from their hear’s det pth 
 That ye at all times fare ye well, 
 That ye have the coming we ddin’s jgoy 
 Unmixed with other’s sorrow. 
 Hereupon with all her small tapers she courteously bowed again, and
soon after be gan as follows: 
 Ye know what in the invitation stands: 
 No man hath been called hither 
 Who hath not got from God already 
 All gifts most beautiful, 
 And hath himself adorned ar ight 
 As we ll be? ts him here, 
 Though some may not believe it, 
 That any one so wayward be 
 That on such hard conditions 
 Should dare to make appearance 
 When he hath not prepared himself 
 For this wedding long before. 
 So now they stand in hope 
 That ye be well furnished with all good things, 
 Be glad that in such hard times 
 So many folk be found 
 But men are yet so forward that 
 They care not for their boorishness 
 And thrust themselves in places where 
 They are not called to be. 
 Let no knave be smuggled in 
 No rogue slip in with others. 
 They will declare r ight openly 
 That they a wedding pure will have, 
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 So shall upon the morro’ws morn 
 The artist’s scales be set 
 Wherein each one be weighed 
 And found what he forgotten hath. 
 Of all the host assembled here 
 Who trusts him not in this 
 Let him now stand aside. 
 And should he bide here longer 
 Then he will lose all grace and f avour 
 Be trodden underfoot, 
 And he whose conscience pr icketh him 
 Shall be left in this hall today 
 And by tomorrow he’ll be freed 
 But let him come hither never again. 
 But he who knows what is behind him 
 Let him go with his servant 
 Who shall attend him to his room 
 And there shall rest him for this day, 
 For he awaits the scales with praise 
 Else will his sleep be mighty hard. 
 Let the others make their comfort here 
 For he who goes beyond his means 
 ’Twere better he had hid away. 
 And now the best from each be hoped. 
 As soon as she had ? nished saying this, she again made reverence, and 
sprung cheerfully into her throne, after which the trumpets began to sound 
again, which yet was not forceful enough to take the grievous sighs away 
from many. So they conducted h er invisibly away again, but most of the 
small tapers remained in t he room, and one of them accompanied each of 
us. 
 In such perturbation it is not really possible to express what pensive 
thoughts and gestures were among us. Yet most of us were resolved to await 
the scale, and in case things did not work out well, to depart (as they 
hoped) in peace. I had soon cast up my reckoning, and since my conscience 
convinced me of all ignorance, and unworthiness, I purposed to stay with 
the rest in the hall, and chose rather to content myself with the meal I had 
already taken, than to run the risk of a future repulse. Now after everyone 
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had each been conducted into a chamber (each, as I since understood, into 
a particular one) by his small taper, there remained nine of us, and among 
the rest he who discoursed with me at the table too. But although our small 
tapers did not leave us, yet soon after an hou’s timer one of the afore men-
tioned pages came in, and, bringing a great bundle of cords with h? rsitm, 
demanded of us whether we had concluded to stay t here; when we had 
a? rmed this with sighs, he bound each of us in a particular place, and so 
went away with our small taper s, and left us poor wretches in darkness. 
 Then some ? rst began to perceive the imminent danger, and I myself 
could not refrain from tears. For although we were not forbidden to speak, 
yet anguish and a? iction allowed none of us to utter one word. For the 
cords were so wonderfully made that none could cut them, much less get 
them o? his feet. Yet this comforted me, that still the future gain of many a
one who had now taken himself to rest, would prove very little to his satis-
faction. But we by only one nig’sh tpenance might expiate all our presump- 
tion. Till at length in my sorrowful thoughts I fell asleep, during which I 
had a dream. Now although there is no great matter in it, yet I think it not
imper tinent to recount it. 
 I thought I was upon a high mountain, and saw before me a great and 
large valley. In this valley were gathered together an unspeakable multitude
of people, each of which had at his head a thread, by which he was hanged 
from Heaven; now one hung high, another low, some stood even almost 
upon the earth. 
 But through the air? ew up and down an ancient man, who had in his 
hand a pair of shears, with which he cut here’ so, tnheere anothe’s tr hread.
Now he that was close to the earth was so much more ready, and fe ll with- 
out noise, but when it happened to one of the high ones, he fell so that the
earth quaked. To some it came to pass that their thread was so stretched that
they came to the earth before the thread was c ut. I took pleasure in this 
tumbling, and it gave my hear t joy, when he who had over-exalted himself 
in the air about his wedding got so shameful a fall that it even carried some
of his neighbours along with him. 
 In a similar way it also made me rejoice that he who had all this while 
kept himself near the earth could come down? sonely an d gently that eve n
the men next to him did not perceive it. 
 But being now in my highest ? t of jollity, I was jogged unawares by one 
of my fellow captives, upon which I was awakened, and was very much dis- 
contented with him. However, I considered my dream, and recounted it to 
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my brother, lying by me on the other side, who was not di?ssed witatis h it,
but hoped that some comfort might be meant by it. In such discourse we 
spent the remaining part of the night, and with longing awaited the day. 
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 The Third Day 
 ow as soon as the lovely day was broken, and the br ight Sun, 
 having raised himself above the hills, had again took himself to 
 his appointed ?o ce in the high Heaven, my good champions 
N began to r ise out of their beds, and leisurely to make themselves 
ready for the Inquisition. Whereupon, one after another, they came again 
into the hall, and saying good morning, demanded how we had slept that 
night; and having seen our bonds, there were some that reproved us for 
being so cowardly, and because we had not, rather, like them, hazarded 
upon all adventures. However, some of them whose hearts still smote them 
made no loud cry of the business. We excused ourselves with our igno- 
rance, hoping we should now soon be set at liberty, and learn wisdom by 
this disgrace, that they on the contrary had not ye t altogether escaped; and 
perhaps their greatest danger was still to come. 
 At length everyone being assembled again, the tr umpets began again to 
sound and the kettle drums to beat as formerly, and we then imagined 
nothing other but that the Bridegroom was ready to present himself; which 
nevertheless was a huge mistake. For it was again the Virgin of yesterday, 
who had arrayed herself all in red velvet, and girded herself with a white 
scarf. On her head she had a green wreath of laurel, which greatly suited 
her. Her train was now no more of small tapers, but consisted of two hun- 
dred men in armour, who were all (like her) clothed in red and white. 
 Now as soon as they were alighted from the throne, she came straight to 
us pr isoners, and after she had saluted us, she said in few w“Thoradts: some 
of you have been aware of your wretched condition is hugely pleasing to 
my most mighty Lord, and he is also resolved you shall fare the better for 
it”. 
 And having seen me in my habit, she laughed and s“Gooaid, dness! Have 
you also submitted yourself to the yoke? I imagined you would have made 
yourself very smu”g. With which words she caused my eyes to run over. 
After which she commanded that we should be unbound, and coupled 
together and placed in a station where we might easily see the Scales. For, 
she said, it may yet fare better with them, than with the presumptuous who 
still stand here at liberty. 
 Meanwhile the scales, which were entirely of gold, were hung up in the 
middle of the hall; there was also a little table covered with red velvet, and 
seven weights placed on it. First of all there was a pretty big one, next four 
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little ones, lastly two great ones. And these weights were so heavy in pro-
portion to their bulk, that no man can believe or comprehend it. But each
of the armoured men had, together with a naked sword, a strong rope;
these she distributed according to the number of weights into seven bands,
and out of every band chose one for their own weight; and then again
sprang up into her high throne. Now as soon as she had made her rever-
ence, in a very shrill tone she began to speak as follows:
 Whoever goes into an arti’s rst oom 
 And nothing knows of painting 
 And yet will speak with much display 
 Will yet be mocked by everyone. 
 And he who enters arti’sst orders 
 Who hath not been selected 
 And begins to paint with much display 
 Will yet be mocked by everyone. 
 And who will to a wedding come 
 And hath not bidden been, 
 And yet doth come with much display 
 Will yet be mocked by everyone. 
 And who will climb upon these scales 
 And ? nd he we igheth not, 
 But is shot up with mighty crash 
 Will yet be mocked by everyone. 
 As soon as the Virgin ha?dnis hed speaking, one of the pages com-
manded each one to place himself according to his order, and one after
another to step in. Which one of the Emperors made no scruple of, but
? rst of all bowed himself a little towards the Virgin, and afterwards in all his
stately attire went up: whereupon each Captain put in his weight, against
which (to the wonder of all) he held out. But the last was too heavy for
him, s o t hat h e must g o forth; a nd t hat he d id w ith s o much anguish that
(as it seemed to me) the Virgin herself had pity on him, and beckoned to
her people to hold their peace; ye t the good Emperor was bound and deliv-
ered over to the Sixth Band. Next after him again there came another
Emperor, who stepped haughtily into the Scale, and, having a great thick
book under his gown, he imag ined he would not fail; but he was scarcely
able to abide the third weight, and was unmercifu? unglly down, and his
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book in that upheaval fell from him, and all the soldiers began to laugh, and 
he was delivered up bound to the Third Band. Thus it went also with some 
of the other Emperors, who were all shamefully laughed at and put in cap- 
tivity. 
 After these there came forth a short little man with a curled brown 
beard, also an Emperor, who after the usual reverence got up, and held out 
so steadfastly, that I thought that had there been more weights ready he 
would have outstood them. To him the Virgin immediately arose, and 
bowed before him, making him put on a gown of red velvet, and? nally 
gave him a branch of laurel, of which she had a good store upon her 
throne, upon the steps of which she asked him to sit down. Now how it 
fared with the rest of the Emperors, Kings and Lords after him, would take 
too long to recount; but I cannot leave unmentioned that few of those 
great per sonages held out. However, various eminent virtues (beyond my 
hopes) were found in many. One could stand out this, the second another, 
some two, some three, four o? rv e, but few could attain to the just perfec- 
tion; and everyone who failed was miserably laughed at by the bands. 
 After the Inquisition had also passe d over the gentry, the learned, and 
unlearned, and all the re st, and in each condition perhaps one, it may be 
two, but for the most part none, was found perfect, it came at length to 
those honest gentlemen the vagabond cheaters, and rascally Lapidem Spi- 
talan? cum makers, who were set upon the Scale with such scorn that I 
myself, in spite of all my grief, was ready to burst my belly with laughing, 
nor could the very pr isoners themselve s refrain. For the most part could 
not abide that severe trial, but were jerked out of the Scale with whips and 
scourges, and led to the other pr isoners, but to a suitable band. Thus of so 
great a throng so few remained, that I am ashamed to reve al their number. 
However, there were persons of quality also amongst them, who notwith- 
standing were (like the rest) honoured with velvet robes and wreaths of lau- 
rel. 
 The Inquisition being completely ? nished, and none but we poor cou- 
pled hounds standing aside, at length one of the Captains stepped forth, and 
said, “Gracious Madam, if it please your Ladyship, let these poor men who 
acknowledged their misunderstanding be set upon the Scale too, without 
their incurring any danger of penalty, and only for recreatio’s sanke, if per- 
haps any thing that is r ight may be found amongst t”h. em 
 In the ? rst place I was in great perplexity, for in my anguish this was my 
only comfort, that I was not to stand in such ignominy, or to be lashed out 
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of the Scale. For I did not doubt that many of the prisoners wished that
they had stayed ten nights with us in the hall. Yet since the Virgin con-
sented, so it must be, and we were untied and one after another set up.
Now although the most part miscar ried, they were neither laughed at, nor
scourged, but peaceably placed on one side. My companion wa?sfth th,e 
and he held out bravely, whereupon all, but especially the Captain who
made the request for us, applauded him, and the Virgin showe d him the
usual respect. After him again two more were dispatched in an instant. But
I was the eighth. 
 Now as soon as (with trembling) I stepped up, my companion who
already sat by in his velvet looked fr iendlily upon me, and the Virgin herself
smiled a little. 
 But for as much as I outstood all the weights, the Virg in commanded
them to draw me up by force, wherefore three men also hung on the other
side of the beam, and yet nothing could prevail. Whereupon one of the
pages immediately stood up, and cried out exceedingly lo“THud, AT ’S
HE ”: upon which the other replied,“Th en let him gain his liber”ty; which
the Virgin accorded. And, being received with due ceremonies, the choice
was g iven me to re lease one of the captives, whosoever I pleased; where-
upon I made no long deliberation, but elected th? rse t Emperor whom I
had long pitied, who was immediately set free, and with all respect seate d
amongst us.
 Now the last being set up, and the we ights proving too heavy for him, in
the meantime the Virgin had spotted my roses, which I had taken out of
my hat into my hands, and thereupon presently through her page gra-
ciously requested them of me, and I readily sent them to her.
 And so this? rst Act was ? nished about ten in the morning. Whereupon
the trumpets began to sound again, which neve rtheless we could not as yet
see. 
 Meantime the bands were to step aside with their pr isoners, and await
the judgement. After which a council of the seven captains and us was set,
and the business was propounded by the Virgin as President, who desire d
each one to give his opinion how the prisone rs were to be dealt with. The
? rst opinion was that they should all be put to death, yet one more severely
than another, namely those who had presumptuously intruded themselves
contrary to the express conditions. Others would have them kept close
prisoners. Both of which pleased neither the President, nor me. At length
by one of the Emperors (the same whom I had freed), my companion, and
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myself, the a? air was brought to this point: th?atr st of all the principal 
Lords should with a ? tting re spect be led out of the Castle; othe rs might be 
carried out somewhat more scornfully. These would be stripped, and 
caused to r un out naked; the fourth should be hunted out with rods, whips 
or dogs. Those who the day before willingly surrendered themselves, might 
be allowed to depart without any blame. And last of all those presumptuous 
ones, and they who behaved themselves so unsee mly at dinner the day 
before, should be punished in body and life according to each’s man 
demer it. This opinion pleased the Virg in well, and obtained the upper 
hand. There was moreover another dinne r vouchsafed them, which they 
were soon told about. But the execution was deferred till twelve noon. 
 Herewith the Senate arose, and the Virgin also, together with her atten- 
dants, returned to her usual quarter. But the upper most table in the room 
was allotted to us, they requesting us to take it in good part until the busi- 
ness was fully dispatched. And then we should be conducted to the Lord 
Bridegroom a nd t he B ride, w ith w hich we w ere a t p resent w ell c ontent. 
Meanwhile the pr isoners were again brought into the hall, and each man 
seated a ccording t o his q uality. T hey w ere l ikewise told t o b e have t hem- 
selves somewhat more civilly than they had done the day before, about 
which they yet did no t need to have been admonished, for without this, 
they had already put up their pipes. 
 And this I can boldly say, not with ? attery, but in the love of truth, that 
commonly those persons who were of the highest rank best understood 
how to behave themselves in so unexpected a misfortune. Their treatment 
was but ind?i erent, yet respectful; neither could they yet see their atten- 
dants, but to us they were visible, at which I was exceedingly joyful. Now 
although Fortune had e xalted us, yet we did not take upon us more than 
the rest, advising them to be of good cheer, the event would not be so bad. 
Now although they would gladly have us reveal their sentence, yet we were 
so deeply obligated that none of us dared open his mouth about it. 
 Nevertheless we comforted them as we ll as we could, drinking with 
them to see if the wine might make them any more cheerful. Our table was 
covered with re d velvet, beset with drinking cups of pure silver and gold, 
which the rest could not behold without amazement and very great 
anguish. But before we had seated ourselves, in came the two pages, pre- 
senting everyone on the Bridegroom’s behalf with the Golden Fleece with 
a ? ying Lion, requesting us to we ar them at the table, and as bec ame us, to 
observe the reputation and dignity of the Order which his Majesty had now 
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vouchsafed us; and we should be? readti with suitable ceremonies. This we 
received with profoundest submission, promising obediently to perform 
whatsoever his Majesty should please. Besides these, the noble page had a 
schedule in which we were set down in order. And for my part I should not 
otherwise wish to conceal my place, if perhaps it might not be interpreted 
as pride in me, which is expressly against the fourth weight. 
 Now because our entertainment was exceedingly stately, we demanded 
of one of the pages whether we might not have leave to send some choice 
bit to our friends and acquaintances; he made no? culty di of it, and every-
one sent plentifully to his acquaintances by the waiters, although they saw 
none of them; and because they did not know where it came from, I myself 
wished to carry something to one of the m. But as soon as I had r isen, one 
of the waiters was at my elbow, saying he desired me to take friendly warn- 
ing, for if one of the pages had seen it, it would have come to he ’s eaKinr,g
who would certainly have taken it amiss of me; but since none had 
observed it but himself, he did not intend to betray me, but that I ought for
the time to come to have better regard for the dignity of the order. With 
which words the servant re ally astonished me so much that for a long time 
afterwards I scarcely moved in my seat, yet I returned him thanks for his 
faithful warning, as well as I was able in my haste and fear. 
 Soon after, the drums began to beat again, to which we were already 
accustomed: for we knew well it was the Virgin, so we prepared ourselves 
to receive her; she was now coming in with her usual train, upon her high 
seat, one of the pages bearing before her a very tall goblet of gold, and the
other a patent in parchment. Having alighted from the seat in a marvellous 
skillful manner, she took the goblet from the page, and presented the same 
on the King’s behalf, saying that it was brought from his Majesty, and that in
honour of him we should cause it to go round. Upon the cover of this gob- 
let stood Fortune curiously cast in gold, who had in her hand a r? yinedg 
ensign, because of which I drunk somewhat more sadly, having been all too 
well acquainted with Fortun’se waywardness. But the Virgin as well as us 
was adorned with the G olden Fleece and Lion, from which I observed that 
perhaps she was the president of the Order. So we asked of her how the 
Order might be named. She answered that it was not yet the r ight time to 
reveal this, till the a? air with the pr isoners was dispatched. And therefore
their eyes were still veiled; and what had hitherto happened to us, was to 
them only like an o? ence and scandal, although it was to be accounted as 
nothing in regard to the honour that attended us. Hereupon she began to 
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distinguish the patent which the other page held into tw? o dierent parts, 
out of which about this much was read before? trhse t company: 
 “That they should confess that they had too lightly given credit to false 
? ctitious books, had assumed too much to themselves, and so come into 
this Castle, although they were neve r invited into it, and perhaps the most 
part had presented themselves with design to make their marke t here, and 
afterwards to live in g reater pr ide and lordliness; and thus one had seduced 
another, and plunged him into this disgrace and ignominy, wherefore they 
were deservedly to be soundly punis”hed. 
 Which they with great humility readily ac knowledged, and gave their 
hands upon it. After which a severe check was given to the rest, much to 
this purpose: 
 “That they very well knew, and were in their consciences convinced, 
that they had forged false? c titious books, had fooled others, and cheated 
them, and thereby had diminished regal dignity amongst all. They knew 
likewise what ungodly deceitfu? gl ures they had made use of, in so much as 
they spared not even the Divine Trinity, but accustomed themselves to 
cheat people all the country over. It was also now as clear as day with what 
practices they had e ndeavoured to ensnare the true guests, and introduce 
the ignorant: in such a manner that it was manifest to all the world that they 
wallowed in open whoredom, adultery, gluttony, and other uncleannesses: 
All which was against the express orders of our Kingdom. In brief, they 
knew they had disparaged Kingly Majesty, even amongst the common sort, 
and therefore they should confess themselves to be manifest convicted vag- 
abond-cheaters, knaves and rascals, where by they deserved to be kept from 
the company of civil people, and severely punis”h ed. 
 The good ar tists were loath to come to this confession, but inasmuch as 
not only the Virgin herself threatened them, and swore that they would die, 
but the other party also vehemently raged at them, and unanimously cr ied 
out that they had most wickedly seduced them out of the Light, they at 
length, to prevent a huge misfortune, confessed the same with sadness, and 
yet withal alleged that what had happened here was not to be animadverted 
upon them in the worst sense. For inasmuch as the Lords were absolutely 
resolved to get into the Castle, and had promised great sums of money to 
that e? ect, each one had used all craft to seize upon something, and so 
things were brought to that state that was now manifest before their eyes. 
But just because it had not succeeded, “They”, in their opinion, “had 
deserved no less than the Lords themselves; Who should have had so much 
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understanding as to consider that, if anyone could be sure of getting in, he
should not have clambered over the wall with them, that there should be so
great peril for the sake of a slight g”a in? 
 Their books also sold so well, that whoever had no other means to
maintain himself, had to engage in such a deception. They hoped more-
over, that if a right judgement were made, they should be found in no way
to have miscarried, for they had behaved themselves towards the Lords, as
became Servants, upon the ir ear nest entreaty. 
 But answer was made to them that his Royal Majesty had determined to
punish them all, every man, although one more severely than another. For
although what had been allege d by them was partly true, and therefore the
Lords should not wholly be indulged, yet they had good reason to prepare
themselves for death, they who had so presumptuously obtruded them-
selves, and perhaps seduced the more ignorant against their will; as likewise
those who had violated Royal Majesty with false books, for the same might
be shown from their very wr itings and books. 
 Hereupon many began to lament, cr y, wee p, entreat and prostrate them-
selves most piteously, all of which notwithstanding could avail them noth-
ing, and I marvelled much how the Virg in could be so resolute, when their
misery caused our eyes to run over, and moved our compassion (although
the most part of them had procured us much trouble and vexation). For she
presently dispatched her page, who brought with him all the Cuirassiers
who had this day been appointed at the Scales, who were each of them
commanded to take his own to him, and in an orderly procession, so that
each Cuirassier should go with one of the pr isoners, to conduct them into
her g reat garden. At which time each one so exactly recognised his own
man, that I marvelled at it. Leave was also likewise g iven to my companions
of yesterday to go out into the garden unbound, and to be present at the
execution of the sentence. Now as soon as every man had come forth, the
Virgin mounted up into her high throne, requesting us to sit down upon
the steps, and to appear at the judgement; which we did not refuse, but left
everything standing upon the table (except the goblet, which the Virgin
committed to the pages’ keeping) and went forth in our robes, upon the
throne, w hich moved by itself as gently as if we passed through the air, t ill
in this manner we came into the garden, where we all arose toge ther. 
 This garden was not extraordinar ily curious, but it pleased me that the
trees were planted in such good order. Besides, there ran in it a most costly
fountain, adorned with wonderf?ugurl es and inscr iptions and strange char-
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acters (which, God willing, I shall mention in a future book). In this garden 
was raised a wooden s?cold, ha ung about with curiously painte? d gured 
coverlets. Now the re were four galleries made one over another?; trshte 
was more glorious than any of the re st, and the refore covered with a white 
ta? eta curtain, so that at that time we could not perceive who was behind 
it. The second was empty and uncovered. Again the last two were covered 
with red and blue ta? eta. Now as soon as we had come to the s? ocld, tha e
Virgin bowed herself down to the ground, at which we were migh tily ter- 
ri ? ed, for we could easily guess that the King and Queen must not be far 
o? . Now we also having duly perfor med our reverence, the Virgin led us 
up by the winding stairs into the second gallery, where she placed herself 
uppermost, and us in our former order. But how the Emperor whom I had 
released behaved himself towards me, both at this time and also before at 
the table, I cannot well relate without slander of wicked tongues. For he 
might well have imagined in what anguish and solicitude he should now 
have been, in case he were at present to attend the judge ment with such 
ignominy, and that only through me he had now attained such dignity and 
worthiness. 
 Meanwhile the Virgin who? rst of all brought me the invitation, and 
whom until now I had never since seen, came in. First she gave one blast 
upon her trumpet, and then with a very loud voice declared the se ntence in 
this manner: 
 “The King’s Majesty my most gracious Lord could wish with all his 
heart that each and every one here assembled had upon his M’s inajesvtiyta- 
tion presented themselves so qu? aled asi that they might (to his honour) 
with greatest frequency have adorned this his appointed nuptial and joyful 
feast. But since it has otherwise pleased Almighty God, his Majesty has 
nothing about which to murmur, but must be forced, contrary to his own 
inclination, to abide by the ancient and laudable constitutions of this King- 
dom. But now, so that his Majest’s iny nate clemency may be celebrated all 
over the world, he has so far absolutely dealt with his Council and estates, 
that the usual sente nce shall be considerably? lenied. 
 So in the ? rst place he is willing to vouchsafe to the Lords and Poten- 
tates, not only their lives entirely, but also that he will freely and frankly dis- 
miss them; friendlily and courteously entreating your Lordships not at all to 
take it in evil part that you cannot be present at his Ma’s Fjestyeast of 
Honour; but to remember that there is notwithstanding more imposed 
upon your Lordships by God Almighty (who in the distribution of his gifts 
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has an incomprehensible consideration) than you can duly and easily sus-
tain. Neither is your reputation hereby prejudiced, although you be
rejected by this our Order, since we cannot all of us do all things at once.
But for as much as your Lordships have been seduced by base rascals, it shall
not, on their part, pass unrevenged. And furthermore his Majesty resolves
shortly to communicate to your Lordships a catalogue of heretics or Index
Expurgatorius, that you may henceforth be able to discern between the
good and the evil with better judgement. And because his Majesty before
long also intends to r ummage his library, an? d oer up the seductive writ-
ings to Vulcan, he friendlily, humbly, and courteously entreats every one of
your Lordships t o d o t he same w ith y our own, w hereby it i s t o b e h oped
that all evil and mischief may for the time to come be remedied. And you
are withal to be admonished, never henceforth to covet an entrance here so
inconsiderately, lest the former excuse about seducers be taken from you,
and you fall into disgrace and contempt with all men. Finally, for as much
as the estates of the land still have something to demand of your Lordships,
his Majesty hopes that no man will think much to redeem himself with a
chain or whatever else he has about him, and so in friendly manner to
depart from us, and through our safe conduct to take himself home again. 
 The others who did not stand up to th? re st, third and fourth weight, his
Majesty will not so lightly dismiss. But so that they also may now experi-
ence his Majesty’s gentleness, it is his command to strip them stark naked
and so send them forth. 
 Those who in the second and ? fth weight were found too light, shall
besides str ipping, be noted with one, two or more brand-marks, according
as each one was lighter or he avier. 
 They who were drawn up by the sixth or seventh, and not by the rest,
shall be somewhat more graciously dealt with, and so forward. (For to
every combination there was a certain punishment ordained, which is here
too long to recount.) 
 They who yesterday se parated themselves freely of their own accord,
shall go out at liberty without any blame. 
 Finally, the convicted vagabond-cheaters who could move up none of
the weights, shall as occasion serves be punished in body and life, with the
sword, halter, water and rods. And such execution of judgement shall be
inviolably observed as an example to ot her” s.
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 Herewith our Virgin broke her wand, and the other who read the sen- 
tence blew her trumpet, and stepped with most profound reverence 
towards those who stood behind the curtain. 
 But here I cannot omit to reveal something to the reader concerning the 
number of our pr isoners, of whom those who weighed one, were seven; 
those who weighed two, were twenty one; they who three, th? irvety ; they 
who four, thirty? ve; those who ? ve, twenty one; those who six, seven; but 
he that came to the seve nth, and yet could not well raise it, he was only 
one, and indeed the same whom I released. Besides these, of them who 
wholly failed there were many; but of those who drew all the we ights from 
the ground, but few. And as these each stood before us, so I diligently num- 
bered them and noted them down in my table-book; and it is very admira- 
ble that amongst all those who weighed anything, none was equal to 
another. For although amongst those who weighed three, there were thir ty 
? ve, yet one of them weighed th? er st, second, and third, another the third, 
fourth, and ? fth, a third, the? fth, sixth, and seventh, and so on. It is like- 
wise very wonderful that amongst one hundre d and twenty six who 
weighed anything, none was equal to another; and I would very willingly 
name them all, with each ma’s wn e ight, were it not as yet forbidden me. 
But I hope it may hereafter be published with the Interpretation. 
 Now this judgement being read over, the Lords in th? rse t place we re 
well sati?s ed, because in such severity they did not dare look for a mild sen- 
tence. So they gave more than was desired of them, and each one re deemed 
himself with chains, jewels, gold, money and other things, as much as they 
had about them, and with reverence took leave. Now although the Kin’s g
servants were forbidden to jeer at any at his going away, yet some unlucky 
birds could not hold their laughter, and certainly it w?ascien su tly ridicu- 
lous to see them pack away with such speed, without once looking behind 
them. Some desired that the promised catalogue might at once be dis- 
patched after them, and then they would take such order with their books 
as should be pleasing to his Majesty; which was again assured. At the door 
was g iven to each of them out of a cup a draught of FORGETFULNESS, 
so that he might have no further memory of misfortune. 
 After these the Voluntiers departed, who because of their ingenuity were 
allowed to pass, but yet so as never to return again in the same fashion. But 
if to them (as likewise to the others) anything further were revealed, then 
they should be welcome guests. 
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 Meanwhile others were stripping, in which also an inequality (according
to each man’s demerit) was observed. Some were sent away naked, without
other hurt. Others were driven out with small bells. Some were scourged
forth. In brief the punishments were so various, that I am not able to
recount them all. In the end it came to the last, with whom a somewhat
longer time was spent, for while some were being hung, some beheaded,
some forced to leap into the water, and the rest otherwise being dispatched,
much time was consumed. Verily at this execution my eye s ran over, not
indeed in regard of the punishment, which they for their impudency well
deserved, but in contemplation of human blindness, in that we are continu-
ally busying ourselves in that which eve r since? thrse t Fall has been hith-
erto sealed up to us. Thus the garden which so recently was quite full, was
soon emptied, so that besides the soldiers there was not a man left. 
 Now as soon as this was done, and silence had been kept for the space of
? ve minutes, there came forth a beautiful snow-white unicorn with a
golden collar (having on it certain letters) about his neck. In the same place
he bowed himself down upon both hi s forefeet, as if hereby he had shown
honour to the lion, who stood so immoveably upon the fountain, that I had
taken him to be of stone or brass. The lion immediately took the naked
sword which he had in his paw, and broke it in two in the middle, and the
pieces of it, it seemed to me, sunk into the fountain; after which he roare d
for so long, until a white dove brought a branch of olive in her bill, which
the lion devoured in an instant, and so was quieted. And so the unicorn
returned to his place with joy. 
 Hereupon our Virgin led us down again by the winding stairs from the
sca? old, and so we again made our reverence towards the curtain. We were
to wash our hands and heads in the fountain, and there to wait a little while
in our order, till the King was again returned into his hall through a certain
secret gallery, and then we were also conducted into our former lodging
with choice music, pomp, state, and pleasant discourse. And this was done
about four in the afternoon. 
 But so that in the meantime the time might not seem too long to us, the
Virgin bestowed on each of us a noble page, who were not only richly
dressed, but also exceedingly learned, so that they could so aptly discourse
upon all subjects that we had good reason to be ashamed of ourselves.
These were commanded to lead us up and down the Castle, but only into
certain places, and if possible, to shorten the time according to our desire.
Meanwhile the Virgin took leave with this consolation, that at supper she
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would be with us again, and after that celebrate the cere monies of the 
hanging up of the weights, requesting that we would in patience wait till 
the next day, for on the morrow we must be presented to the King. 
 She having thus departed from us, each of us did what best pleased him. 
One part viewed the excellent paintings, which they copied out for them- 
selves, and considered also what the wonderful characters might signify. 
Others wanted to occupy themselves again with meat and drink. 
 I caused my page to conduct me (together with my companion) up and 
down the Castle, which walk I shall never regret as long as I have a day to 
live. For besides many other glorious antiquities, the Royal Sepulchre was 
also showed to me, by which I learned more than is extant in all books. 
There in the same place stands also the glor ious phoenix (about which, two 
year s ago, I published a particular small discourse). And I am resolved (in 
case this narration shall prove useful) to set forth several particular treatises 
concerning the lion, eagle, g? rni , falcon and the like, together with their 
draughts and inscr iptions. It grieves me fo r my other companions, that they 
neglected such precious treasures. And yet I cannot but think it was the 
special will of God that it should be so. I indeed reaped the mos?t bet ne
from my page, for according as each ’ones genius lay, so he led whoever was 
entrusted to him into the quarters and places which we re pleasing to him. 
Now the keys belonging hereunto were committed to my page, and there- 
fore this good fortune happened to me before the rest; for although he 
invited others to come in, yet they imagining such tombs to be o nly in the 
churchyard, thought they should get the re well enough, whenever anything 
was to be seen there. Neither shall these monuments (as both of us copied 
and transcribed them) be withheld from my thankful scholars. 
 The other thing that was shown to us two was the noble library as it was 
all together before the Reformation. Of which (although it makes my heart 
rejoice as often as I call it to mind) I have so much the less to say, because 
the catalogue of it is very shortly to be published. At the entry to this room 
stands a great book, the like of which I never saw, in which a?ll thegure s, 
rooms, portals, also all the wr itings, riddles and the like, to be seen in the 
whole Castle, are delineated. Now although we made a promise concern- 
ing this also, yet at present I must contain myself, and? rst le ar n to know 
the world better. In every book stands its author painted; of which (as I 
understood) many were to be burnt, so that even their memory might be 
blotted out from amongst the righteous. 
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 Now having taken a full view of this, and having scarcely gone forth,
another page came running to us, and having whispered something in our
page’s ear, he delivered up the key s to him, who immediately carried them
up the winding stairs. But our page was very much out of countenance,
and we having set hard upon him with entreaties, he declared to us that the
King’s Majesty would by no means per mit that either of the two, namely
the library and sepulchre s, should be seen by any man, and therefore he
besought us as we cared for his life, to reveal this to no man, he having
already utterly denied it. Whereupon both of us stood hovering betwee n
joy and fear, yet it continued in silence, and no man made further enquiry
about it. Thus in both places we passed three hours, which I do not at all
repent. 
 Now although it had already struck seven, yet nothing had so far been
given us to eat; however, our hunger was easy to abate by constant reviv-
ings, and I could be well content to fast all my life long with such enter-
tainment. About this time the curious fountains, mines, and all kinds of art-
shops, were also shown to us, of which there was none but surpassed all our
arts, even if they should all be melted into one mass. All their chambers
were built in a semi-circle, so that they might have before their eyes the
costly clockwork which was erected upon a fair turret in the centre, and
regulate themselves according to the course of the planets, which were to
be seen on it in a glorious manner. And hence I could easily conjecture
where our artists failed; howeve’r its none of my duty to inform them. 
 At length I came into a spacious room (shown inde ed to the rest a great
while before) in the middle of which stood a terrestr ial globe, whose diam-
eter was thirty feet, although nearly half of it, except a little which was cov-
ered with the steps, was let into the earth. Two men might readily turn this
globe about with all its furniture, so that no more of it was ever to be seen,
just so much as was above the horizon. Now although I could easily con-
ceive that this was of some special use, yet I could not understand what
those ringlets of gold (which were upon it in several places) served for; at
which my page laughed, and advised me to view them more closely. In
brief, I found there my native country noted in gold also; whereupon my
companion sought his, and found that so too. 
 Now for as much as the same happened in a similar way to the rest who
stood by, the page told us for certain that it was yesterday declared to the
King’s Majesty by their old Atlas (so is the Astronomer named) that all the
gilded points exactly answered to their native countries, according as had
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been shown to each of them. And therefore he also, as soon as he perceive d 
that I undervalued myself and that nevertheless there stood a point upon 
my native country, moved one of the Captains to entreat for us that we 
should be set upon the scale (without peril) at all adventures; especially see- 
ing one of our native countries had a notable good mark. And truly it was 
not without reason that he, the page who had the greatest power of all the 
rest, was bestowed on me. For this I then returned him thanks, and imme- 
diately looked more diligently upon my native country, and found more- 
over that besides the ringlet, there were also certain delicate streaks upon it, 
which nevertheless I would not be thought to speak about to my own 
praise and glory. 
 I saw much more too upon this globe than I am willing to reveal. Let 
each man take into consideration why every city does not produce a philos- 
opher. After this he led us right into the globe, which was thus made: on 
the sea (there being a large square beside it) was a tablet, on which stood 
three dedications and the author’s name, which a man might gently lift up 
and by a little joined board go into the centre, which was capable of hold- 
ing four persons, being nothing but a round board on which we could sit, 
and at ease, by broad daylight (it was now already dark) contemplate the 
stars. To my thinking they were mere carbuncles which glittered in an 
ag reeable order, and moved so gallantly that I had scarcely any mind ever to 
go out again, as the page afterwards told the Virgin, with which she often 
teased me. For it was already supper-time, and I had so much amused 
myself in the globe, that I was almost the last at the table; so I made no 
more delay, but having put on my gown again (which I had before laid 
aside) and stepping to the table, the waiters treated me with so much rever- 
ence and honour, that for shame I dare d not look up, and so unawares per- 
mitted the Virgin, who attended me on one side, to stand, which she soon 
perceiving, twitched me by the gown, and so led me to the table. To speak 
any further concerning the music, or the rest of that m?acegnnti entertain- 
ment, I hold it needless, both because it is not possible to express it well 
enough, and because I have repor ted it above according to my power. In 
brief, there was nothing there but art and amenity. 
 Now after we had related our employment since noon to each other 
(however, not a word was spoken of the librar y and monuments), being 
already merry with the wine, the Virg in began th“usM: y Lords, I have a 
great contention with o ne of my s isters. In o ur chamber we have an eagle. 
Now we cherish him with s uch d iligence, that each o f u s is d esirous to b e 
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the b est b eloved, and u pon t hat s core w e h ave m any a s quabble. O ne d ay
we concluded to go both together to him, and toward whom he should
show himself most fr iendly, hers should he properly be. This we need, and
I (as commonly) carried in my hand a branch of laurel, but my sister had
none. Now as soon as he saw us both, he immediately gave my sister
another branch which he had in his beak, and reached for mine, which I
gave him. 
 Now each of us hereupon imag ined herself to be best beloved of him;
which way am I to resolve myse“lf? 
 This modest proposal of the Virgin pleased us all mighty well, and each
one would gladly have heard the solution, but inasmuch as they all looked
to me, and wanted me to begin, my mind was so extremely confounded
that I knew not what else to do with it but propound another in its stead,
and therefore said: 
 “Gracious Lady, your Ladysh’ips question would easily be resolved if one
thing did not perplex me. I had two companions, both of which loved me
exceedingly; now they being doubtful which of them was most dear to me,
concluded to run to me, I unawares, and that he whom I should then
embrace should be the right. This they did, yet one of them could not keep
pace with the other, so he stayed behind and wept, the other I embraced
with amazement. Now when they had afterwards discovered the business to
me, I did not know how to resolve myself, and have since then let it rest in
this manner, until I ma?y nd some good advice here”in. 
 The Virgin wondered at it, and well observed whereabout I was, where-
upon she replied, “Well then, let us both be quit”; and then desired the
solution from the rest. 
 But I had already made them wise. So the next began th“Iusn th. e city
where I live, a Virgin was recently condemned to death, but the Judge,
being somewhat pitiful towards her, caused it to be proclaimed that if any
man desire d to become the Virg’si Chn ampion, he should have free leave to
do it. Now she had two lovers; the one presently made himself ready, and
came into the lists to await his adversar y; afterwards the other also presented
himself, but coming somewhat too late, he resolved neverthe le?ss toght, 
and willingly su? er himself to be vanquished, so that the Vi’rgs linife might
be preserved, which also su cceeded accordi”n. gly 
 Whereupon each challenged he“r:N ow my Lords, instruct me, to
which of them of right does she belo”ng ? 
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 The Virgin could hold out no longer, but said“I t, hought to have 
gained much information, and have got myself into the net, but yet would 
gladly hear whether there are any more to co”me . 
 “Yes, that there ar”e, answered the third, “a strange r adventure has not 
yet been recounted than that which happened to me. In my youth I loved a 
worthy maid: now so that my love might attain its desired end, I used to 
employ an ancient matron, who easily brought me to her. Now it hap- 
pened that the maid’s b rethren c ame i n u pon u s j ust a s w e t hree w e re 
together, a nd we re i n s uch a r age t hat t hey would h ave t aken m y life, but 
upon my vehement supplication, they at length forced me to swear to take 
each of them for a year, to be my wedded wife. 
 Now tell me, my Lords, should I take the old, or the young o? rsnet? ” 
 We all laughed su? ciently at this r iddle, and though some of them mut- 
tered to one another about it, yet none would undertake to unfold it. 
 Hereupon the fourth began: “In a certain city there dwelt an honourable 
lady, who was beloved of all, but especially by a young nobleman, who was 
too importunate with her. At length she gave him this determination, that 
if he could lead her into a fair gre en garden of roses in a cold winter, then 
he should obtain what he desire d, but if not, he must resolve never to see 
her again. The nobleman traveled to all countr ies to ? nd such a man as 
might perform this, till at length he found a little old man that promised to 
do it for him, if he would assure him of half his estate; which he having 
consented to the other, was as good as his word. Whereupon he invited the 
aforesaid lady to his garden, where, contrar y to her expectation, she found 
all thin gs green, pleasant and warm, and remembering her promise, she 
only requested that she might once more return to her lord, to whom with 
sighs and tears she bewailed her lamentable condition. But becaus?-e he su 
ciently perceived her faithfulness, he dispatc hed her back to her lover who 
had so dearly purchased her, so that she might give him satisfaction. This 
husband’s integrity did so mightily a? ect the nobleman, that he thought it a 
sin to touch so honest a wife; so he sent her home again with honour to 
her lord. Now the little man perceiving such faith in both these, would not, 
however poor he was, be the least in honour, but restored to the nobleman 
all his goods again and went his way. Now, my lords, I know not which of 
these persons may have shown the greatest ingen”u ity? 
 Here our tongues were quite cut o? . Neither would the Virgin make 
any other reply, but only that another should go on. 
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 So the ? fth, without delay, began: “My Lords, I do not wish to make
long work of this; who has the greater joy, he that beholds what he loves, or
he that only thinks on it?” 
 “He that beholds it,” said the Virgin. 
 “No,” I answered. 
 Hereupon a debate arose, so the sixth called out“My, lords, I am to take
a wife; now I have before me a maid, a married wife, and a widow; ease me
of this doubt, and I will afterwards help to order the r” est. 
 “It goes well ther”e r, eplied the seventh“,wh ere a man has a choice, but
with me the case is otherwise. In my youth I loved a fair and virtuous vir-
gin from the bottom of my heart, and she loved me in similar manner;
however, because of her frien’ ddens ial we could not come together in
wedlock. Whereupon she was mar ried to another, yet an honest and dis-
creet person, who maintained her honourably and wi? thec tioa n, until she
came to the pains of childbirth, which went so hard for her that all thought
she was dead, so with much state and great mourning she was interred.
Now I thought to myself, dur ing her life you could have no part in this
woman, but now she is dead you may embrace and kiss he? cienr sutly; so I
took my servant with me, who dug her up by night. Now having opened
the co? n and locked her in my arms, feeling about her heart, I found some
little motion in it still, which increased more and more from my warmth,
till at last I perceived that she was indeed still alive. So I quietly bore her
home, and after I had warmed her chilled body with a costly bath of herbs,
I committed her to my mother until she brought forth a fair son, whom I
caused to be nursed faithfully, as for his mother. After two days (she being
then in great amazement) I revealed to her all the precedin? aig r, raequest-
ing her for the time to come to live with me as a wife; against which she
found exception, in case it should be grievous to her husband who had
maintained her well and honourably. But if it could be otherwise, she was
obliged in love at present to one as well as the other. Now after two months
(being then about to make a journey elsewhere) I invited her husband as a
guest, and amongst other things demanded of him whether, if his deceased
wife should come home again, he would be content to receive her. He
a? rmed it with tears and lamentations, and I brought him his wife together
with his son, and gave an ac count of all the preceding business, entreating
him to ratify with his consent my intended espousals. After a long dispute
he could not deny me my r ight, but had to leave me his wife. But there was
still a debate about the so” n. 
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 Here the Virgin interrupted him, and said, “It makes me wonder how 
you could double the a? icted man’s grief”. 
 “What,” he answered“, Was I not concerned about it” Upo? n this there 
arose a dispute amongst us, yet most? r ma ed that he had done righ“tNo. ,” 
he said, “I freely returned him both his wife and his son. Now tell me, my 
Lords, was my honesty, or this m’s joan y, the greater?” 
 These words h ad s o much cheered t he Virgin that (as if it h ad been for 
the sake of these two) she caused a health to be drunk. 
 After which the rest of the proposals went on somewhat per plexedly, so 
that I could not retain them all; yet this comes to my mind, that one said 
that a few years before he had seen a physician, who brought a parcel of 
wood against winter, with which he warmed himself all winter long; but as 
soon as the spring returned he sold the very same wood again, and so had 
use of it for nothing. 
 “Here there must be sk”ill, said the Virgin, “but the time is now pa”st. 
 “Yes”, replied my companion“, whoever does not understand how to 
resolve all the riddles may give each man notice of it by a proper messenger, 
and he will not be denie”d . 
 At this time they began to say grace, and we arose all together from the 
table, satis? ed and merry rather than satiated; and it is to be wished that all 
invitations and feastings were kept like this. Having now taken a few turns 
up and down the hall again, the Virgin asked us whether we desired to 
begin the wedding. 
 “Yes, noble and virtuous lady” s, aid one. Whereupon she privately des- 
patched a page, and yet in the meantime proceeded in discourse with us. In 
brief she had already become so familiar with us, that I ventured to request 
her Name. The Virgin smiled at my curiosity, but yet was not moved, but 
replied: 
 “My Name contains ? ve and ? fty, and yet has only eight letters; the 
third is the third part of the? f th, which added to the sixth will produce a 
number whose root shall exceed the third itself by jus?t thrst, and it is the e
half of the fourth. Now the ? fth and the seventh are equal, the last and the 
? fth are also equal, and make with the second as much as the sixth, which 
contains just four more than the third tripled. Now tell me, my lord, what 
am I called?” 
 The answer was intricate enough to me, yet I did not lea?v, be out said, 
“Noble and virtuous lady, may I not have only one let”t er? 
 “Yes”, she said, “that may well be done”. 
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 “What then”, I replied again, “may the seventh contai”n? 
 “It contains”, she said, “as many as there are lords her”. e
 With this I was content, and easily found her Name, at which she was
very pleased, and assured us that much more should yet be revealed to us. 
 Meantime certain virgins had made themselves ready, and came in with
great ceremony. First of all two youths carried lights before them; one of
them was of jocund countenance, sprightly eyes and gentle proportion.
The other looked rathe r angry, and whatever he would have, must be, as I
afterwards perceived. 
 After them ? rst followed four virgins. One looked shame-facedly
towards the earth, very humble in behaviour. The second also was a mod-
est, bashful virgin. 
 The third, as she entered the room, seemed amazed at something, and as
I understood, she cannot easily abide where there is too much mirth. Th e
fourth brought with her certain small wreaths, thereby to manifest her
kindness and liberality. 
 After these four came two who we re somewhat more glor iously appar-
eled; they saluted us courteously. One of them had a gown of sky colour
spangled with golden stars. The ot’hs wer as g reen, beau? tied with red and
white stripes. On their heads they had th? in ying ti? aties, which adorned
them most becomingly. 
 At last came one on her own, who had a coronet on her head, but
looked up rather towards heaven than towards earth. We all thought it was
the Bride, but were much mistaken, although otherwise in honour, r iches
and state she much surpassed the Bride; and she afterwards ruled the whole
Wedding. Now on this occasion we all followed our Virgin, and fell down
on our knees; however, she showed herself to be extremely humb? er-le, o
ing everyone her hand, and admonishing us not to be too much surprised
at this, for this was one of her smallest bounties; but to lift up our eyes to
our Creator, and learn hereby to 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 di? erent from
those of our Virgin, who was somewhat more worldly. They pierced me
through even to my bones and marrow. 
 “And you”, she said further to me“, have received more than others, se e
that you also make a larger retu”r Thn. is to me was a very strange sermon;
for a s soon as w e s aw the v irgins with t he music, w e i magined w e m ust
soon begin to dance, but that time was not as yet come. Now the weights,
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which have been mentioned before, stood still in the same place, so the 
Duchess (I knew not ye t who she was) commanded each virgin to t ake up 
one, but to our Virgin she gave her own, which was the last and gre atest, 
and commanded us to follow behind. Our majesty was then somewhat 
abated, for I observed well that our Virgin was too good for us, and we 
were not so highly reputed as we ourselves were almost in part willing to 
fantasise. So we went behind in our order, and were brought into? rstht e 
chamber, where our Virgin in th?e rst place hung up the Duche’ wess ight, 
during which an excellent spiritual hymn was sung. There was nothing 
costly in this room save only curious little prayer books which sho uld never 
be missing. 
 In the middle was erected a pulpit, very convenient for prayer, in which 
the Duchess kneeled down, and about her we all had to kneel and pray 
after the Virgin, who re ad out of a book, that this Wedding might tend to 
the honour of God, and our own be?net. Afterwards we came into the sec- 
ond chamber, where th?e rst Virgin hung up her weight too, and so for- 
ward until all the ceremonies we?ren ished. Hereupon the Duchess again 
presented her hand to everyone, and departed hence with her virgin. 
 Our president stayed yet a while with us. But because it had already been 
night for two hours, she would no longer detain us. I thought she was glad 
of our company, yet she bade us goo d night, and wished us quiet rest, and 
so departed friendlily, although unwillingly, from us. Our pages were well 
instructed in their busine ss, and therefore showed every man his chamber, 
and s tayed w ith u s t oo in anothe r bed, s o that in case we wante d anything 
we might make use of them. My chamber (of the rest I am not able to 
speak) was royally furnished with rare tapestries, and hung about with 
paintings. But above all things I delighted in my page, who was so excel- 
lently spoken, and experienced in the arts, that he spent yet another hour 
with me, and it was half past three when ? rsI t fell asleep. And this was the 
? rst night that I slept in quiet, and yet a scurvy dream would not let me 
rest; for all the night I was trouble d with a d oor which I could not get 
open, but at last I did it. With these fantasies I passed the time, till at length 
towards day I awakened. 
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 The Fourth Day 
 was still lying in my bed, and leisurely surveying all the noble 
 images and? gures up and down about my chamber, when sud- 
 denly I heard the music of coronets, as if they were already in 
I procession. My page jumped out of the bed as if he had been at 
his wit’s end, and looked more like one dead than living. In what state I was 
then is easily imaginable, for he said, “The rest are already presented to the 
King.” I did not know what else to do but weep outright and curse my 
own slothfulness; yet I dressed my self, but my page was ready long before 
me, and ran out of the chamber to see ho?w aairs might yet stand. But he 
soon returned, and brought with him this joyful news, that indeed the time 
was not yet, but I had only overslept my breakfast, they being unwilling to 
awaken me because of my age. 
 But now it was time for me to go with him to the fountain where most 
of them were assembled. With this consolation my spirit returne d again, so 
I was soon ready with my habit, and went after the page to the fountain in 
the aforementioned garden, where I found that the lion, instead of his 
sword, had a pretty large tablet by him. Now having looked well at it, I 
found that it was taken out of the ancient monuments, and placed here for 
some special honour. The inscription was somewhat worn out with age, 
and therefore I have a mind to set it down here, as it is, and give everyone 
leave to consider it. 
 (“Hermes the Prince. After so many wounds? iincte d on humankind, 
here by God’s counsel and the help of the Ar? ot w I, a healing medicine. 
Let him drink me who can: let him wash who will: let him trouble me 
who dare: drink, brethren and l”iv.) e 
 This wr iting might well be read and understood, and may therefore suit- 
ably be placed here, because it is easie r than any of the rest. 
 Now after we had ? rst washed ourse lve s out of the fountain, and every 
man had taken a draught out of an entirely golden cup, we were once again 
to follow the Virgin into the hall, and there put on new apparel, which was 
all of cloth of gold gloriously set out wit? ohw ers. There was also given to 
everyone another Golden Fleece, which was set about with precious stones, 
and various workmanship according to the utmost skill of each ? cerar.t Oi n
it hung a weighty medal of gold, on which w?egurre ed the sun and moon 
in opposition; but on the other side stood this sayin“Tgh, e light of the 
moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven 
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time s lighter than at prese”n But our ft. ormer jewels were laid in a little cas-
ket, and committed to one of the waiters. 
 After this the Virgin led us out in our order, where the musicians waited 
ready at the door, all appareled in red velvet with white guards. After which 
a door (which I never saw open before) to the Royal winding stairs was 
unlocked. There the Virgin led us, together with the music, up three hun- 
dred and sixty ? ve stairs; there we saw nothing that was not of extremely 
costly workmanship, full of ar? ctie; and the further we went, the more glo- 
rious still was the furniture, until at length at the top we came under a 
painted arch, where the sixty virgins attended us, all richly appare led. Now 
as soon as they had bowed to us, and we, as well as we could, had returned 
our reverence, our musicians were sent away, and must go down the stairs 
again, the door being shut after them. After this a little bell was tolled; then 
in came in a beautiful Virgin who brought everyone a wreath of laurel. But 
our virgins had branches given them. 
 Meanwhile a curtain was drawn up, where I saw the King and Queen as 
they sat there in their majesty, and had not the Duchess yesterday so f aith- 
fully warned me, I should have forgotten myse lf, and have equaled this 
unspeakable glory to Heaven. For apart from the fact that the room glis- 
tened with gold and precious stones, the Qu’s reenobes were moreover 
made so that I was not able to behold them. And whereas before I 
esteemed anything to be handsome, here all things so much surpassed the 
rest, as the stars in heaven are elevated. 
 In the meantime the Virgin came in, and so each of the virgins taking 
one of us by the hand, with most profound reverence presented us to the 
King, whereupon the Virgin began to speak th“uThats: to honour your
Royal Majesties (most gracious King and Queen) these lords here present 
have ventured here in per il of body and life, your Majesties have reason to 
rejoice, especially since the greatest part are ?qued for thali e enlarg ing of
your Majestie’s Estates and Empire, as you will ? nd by a most gracious and 
particular examination of each of them. Herewith I desired to have them 
presented in humility to your Majesties, with most humble suit to discharge 
myself of this commission of mine, and most g raciously to ta?kecie sunt 
information from each of them, concerning both my actions and omis- 
sions”. 
 Hereupon she laid down her branch upon the ground. Now it would 
have be en very? tting for one of us to have put in and said something on 
this occasion, but se eing we were all tongue-tied, at length the old Atlas 
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stepped forward and spoke on the Ki’s bngehalf:- “Their Royal Majesties 
do most graciously rejoice at your arrival, and wish that their Royal Grace 
be assured to all, and every man. And with your administration, gentle Vir- 
gin, they are most g raciously sat? ed, is and accordingly a Royal Reward 
shall therefore be provided for you. Yet it is still their intention that you 
shall also continue t o be with them this day, inasmuch as they h ave no rea- 
son to mistrust yo”u . 
 Hereupon the Virgin humbly took up the branch again. And so we for 
the ? rst time were to step aside with our Virgin. This room was square on 
the front, ? ve times broader than it was long; but towards the West it had a 
great arch like a porch, wherein in a circle stood three glorious royal 
thrones, yet the middlemost was somewhat higher than the rest. Now in 
each throne sat two persons. In th? res t sat a ve ry ancient King with a grey 
beard, yet his consort was extraordinar ily fair and young. In the third 
throne sat a black King of middle age, and by him a dainty old matron, not 
crowne d, but covered with a veil. But in the middle sat the two young per- 
sons, and though they had likewise wreaths of laurel upon their heads, yet 
over the m hung a large and costly crown. Now although they we re not at 
this time so fair as I had before imagined to myself, yet so it was to be. 
Behind them on a round form sat for the most part ancient men, yet none 
of them had any sword or other weapon ab out him, at which I wondered. 
Neither saw I any other body-guard, but certain Virgins who were with us 
the day before, who sat on the sides of the arch. 
 Here I cannot pass over in silence how the little Cu?pid ew to and fro 
there, but for the most part he hovered over and played the wanton about 
the g reat crown; sometimes he seated himself between the two lovers, 
somewhat smiling upon them with his bow. Indeed, sometimes he made as 
if he would shoot one of us. In brief, this knave was so full of his waggery, 
that we would not even spare the little birds wh?ich ew in multitudes up 
and down the room, but torme nted them all he could. The virgins also had 
their pastimes with him, but whenever they could catch him, it was not so 
easy a matter for him to get from them again. Thus this little knave made all 
the sport and mirth. 
 Before the Queen stood a small but inexpressibly curious altar, on which 
lay a book cove red with black velvet, a little overlaid with gold. By this 
stood a small taper in an ivory candlestick. Now although it was very small, 
yet it burnt continually, and was such that had not Cupid, in sport, now 
and then pu? ed upon it, we could not have conceived it to? bere. By this 
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stood a sphere or celestial globe, which turned clearly about by itself. Next
to this, a small striking-watch, and by that was a little cr ystal pipe or
syphon-fountain, out of which perpetually ran a clear blood-red liquor.
And last of all there was a skull, or death’s head; in this was a white ser pent,
who was of such a length that though she wound about the rest of it in a
circle, her tail still remained in one of the eyeholes until her head again
entered the other; so she never stir red from her skull, unless it happened
that Cupid twitched a little at her, for then she slipped in so suddenly that
we all could not choose but marvel at it. 
 Together with this altar, there were up and down the room wonderful
image s, which moved themselves as if they had been alive, and had so
strange a contrivance that it would be impossible for me to relate it all.
Likewise, as we were passing out, there began such a marvellous kind of
vocal music, that I could not tell for sure whether it was performed by the
virgins who still stayed behind, or by the images themselves. Now we being
satis? ed for the time being, went away with our virgins, who (the musicians
being already present) led us down the winding stairs again, and the door
was diligently locked and bolted. As soon as we had come again into the
hall, one of the virgins began“I w: onder, Sister, that you dare hazard your-
self amongst so many peop” le. 
 “My Sister,” replied our president, “I am afraid of none so much as of
this man”, pointing at me. 
 This speech went to my heart, for I well understood that s he mocked at
my age, and indeed I was the oldest of them all. Yet she comforted me
again with the promise that if I behaved myself well towards her, she would
easily rid me of this burden. 
 Meantime a light meal was again brought in, and ever’ys Voneirgin
seated by him; they knew well how to shorten the time with handsome dis-
courses, but what their discourses and sports were I dare not blab out of
school. But most of the questions were about the arts, whereby I could eas-
ily gather that both young and old were conversant in knowledge. But still
it ran in my thoughts how I might become young again, whereupon I was
somewhat sadder. 
 The Virgin perceived this, and therefore began“I b, et anything, if I lie
with him tonight, he shall be pleasanter in the morn” ing.
 Hereupon they all began to laugh, and although I blushed all ove r, yet I
had to laugh too at my own ill-luck. 
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 Now there was one there who had a mind to return my disgrace upon 
the Virgin again, so he said“I, hope not only we, but the virgins them- 
selves too, will bear witness on behalf of our brother, that our lady president 
has promised to be his bedfellow tonight.” 
 “I should be well conte nt with it,” replied the Virgin“, if I had no reason 
to be afraid of my sisters here; there would be no hold with them should I 
choose the best and handsomest for myself, against their will.” 
 “My Sister,” began another,“ we ? nd by this that your high ? oce 
doesn’t make you proud; so if with your per mission we might divide by lot 
the lords here present among us for bedfellows, you should with our good 
will have such a prerogati”v e. 
 We let this pass for a jest, and again began to discourse together. But our 
Virgin could not leave tormenting us, and therefore began ag“ain.My 
lords, what about if we should let fortune decide which of us must lie 
together tonight?” 
 “Well,” I said, “if it may not be otherwise, we cannot re fuse such an 
o? er.” Now because it was concluded to make this tr ial after the meal, we 
resolved to sit no longer at table, so we arose, and each one walked up and 
down w ith his Virgin. 
 “No,” said the Virgin, “it shall no t be so yet, but let us see how fortune 
will couple us,” upon which we were separated. 
 But now ? rst arose a dispute how the business should be carried out; but 
this was only a premeditated device, for the Virgin instantly made the pro- 
posal that we should mix ourselves together in a r ing, and that she begin- 
ning to count the seventh from herself, was to be content with the 
following seventh, whether it were a virgin, or a man. For our parts we 
were not aware of any craft, and therefore per mitted it to be so; but when 
we thought we had mingled ourselves very well, th e virgins nevertheless 
were so clever that each one knew her station beforehand. The Virgin 
began to reckon; the seventh from her was another virgin, the third seventh 
a virgin likewise, and this happened so long till (to our amazement) all the 
virgins came forth, and none of us was hit. Thus we poor pitiful wretches 
remained s tanding a lone, and were m oreover forced t? oer s ouu rselves to
be j eered a t, a nd t o c onfess w e w ere v ery h andsomely t ricked. I n s hort, 
whoever had seen us in our order, might sooner have expecte d the sky to 
fall, than that it should never have come to our turn. With this our sport 
was at an end, and we had to satisfy ourselves with the Virg’s wainggery. 
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 In the interim, the little wanton Cupid came in to us too. But we could
not sport ourselves with him enough, because he prese nted himself on
behalf of their Royal Majesties, and delivered us a health (from them) out of
a golden cup, and had to call our virgins to the King, declaring also that he
could at this time tar ry no longer with them. So with a due return of our
most humble thanks we let hi?my o ? again. 
 Now because (in the interim) the mirth had begun to fall to my con-
sort’s feet - and the virgins were not sorry to see it - they quickly started up
a civil dance, which I beheld with pleasure rather than taking part; for my
mercurialists were so r eady w ith their postures, as if they h ad l ong b ee n of
the trade. After a few dances our president came in again, and told us how
the ar tists and students had o? ered themselves to their Royal Majesties, for
their honour and pleasure, to act a mer ry comedy before their departure ;
and if we thought it good to be present at this, and to wait upon their
Royal Majesties to the House of the Sun, it would be acceptable to them,
and they would most graciously acknowledge it. Hereupon in the ? rst
place we returned our most humble thanks for the honour vouchsafed us;
not only this, but moreover we most submissively tendere d our humble ser-
vice. 
 This the Virgin related again, and presently brought word to attend their
Royal Majesties (in our order) in the galler y, where we were soon led; and
we did not stay long there, for the Royal Procession was just ready, yet
without any music at all. The unknown Duchess who was with us yesterday
went in front, wearing a small and costly coronet, appareled in white satin.
She carried nothing but a small cr?ux whci ich was made of a pearl, and this
very day wrought between the young King and his Bride. After her went
the six aforementioned virgins in two ranks, who carried the Ki’s jengwels
belonging to the little altar. Next to these came the three Kings. The
Bridegroom was in the midst of them in a plain dress, but in black satin,
after the Italian f ashion. He had on a small round black hat, with a little
pointed black feather, which he courteously took o? to us, so to signify his
favour towards us. We bowed ourselves to him, as also t?ors tht,e a s we had
been instructed before. After the Kings came the three Queens, two of
whom were richly dressed, but she in the middle was likewise all in black,
and Cupid held up her train. After this, intimation was given to us to fol-
low, and after us the Virgins, till at last old Atlas brought up the rear. 
 In such procession, through many stately walks, we at length came to the
House of the Sun, there next to the King and Queen, upon a richly fur-
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nished sca? old, to behold the previously ordained comedy. We indeed, 
though separated, stood on the right hand of the Kings, but the virgins 
stood on the left, except those to whom the Royal Ensigns were commit- 
ted. To them was allotted their own place at the top of all. But the re st of 
the attendants had to stand below between the columns, and to be content 
with that. 
 Now because there are many remarkable passages in this comedy, I will 
not omit to go over it br ?iey. 
 First of all a very ancient King came on, with some servants; before his 
throne was brought a little chest, with mention being made that it was 
found upon the water. Now it being opened, there appeared in it a lovely 
baby, together with some jewels, and a small letter of parchment sealed and 
superscr ibed to the King, which the King therefore opened; and having 
read it, wept, and then declared to his servants how injuriously the King of 
the Moors had deprive d his aunt of her country, and had extinguished all 
the royal seed even to his infant, with the daughter of which country he 
had now the intention of matching his son. Hereupon he swore to maintain 
perpetual enmity with the Moor and his allies, and to revenge this upon 
them; and with this he commanded that the child should be tenderly 
nursed, and to make preparation against the Moor. Now this provision, and 
the disciplining of the young lady (who after she had grown up a little was 
committed to an ancient tutor) took up all th? re st act, with many very? ne 
and laudable sports besides. 
 In the interlude a lion and g? rn wi ere set at one another to ? ght, and 
the lion got the victory, which was also a pretty sight. 
 In the second act, the Moor, a very black treacherous fellow, came on 
too. He, having with vexation understood that his murder had been discov- 
ered, and that a little lady was craftily stolen from him too, began thereupon 
to consult how by stratagem he might be able to encounter so powerful an 
adversary; on which he was eventually advised by certain fugitive?s whed o 
to him because of a famine. 
 So the young lady, contrar y to everyone’s expectations, fell again into his 
hands; he would have been likely to have caused her to be slain if he had 
not been wonderfully deceived by his own servants. Thus this act was con- 
cluded too, with a marvellous tr iumph of the Moor. 
 In the third act a great army of the K’is png arty was raised against the 
Moor, and put under the conduct of an ancient valiant knight, who fell 
into the Moor’s country, till at le ngth he forcibly rescued the young lady 
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from the tower, and appareled her anew. After this in a tr ice they erected a
glorious sca? old, an d placed their young lady upon it. Presently twelve
royal ambassadors came, amongst whom the aforementioned knight made a
speech, alleging that the King his most gracious lord had not only delivered
her from death earlier, and even caused her to be royally brought up until
now (though she had not behaved herself altogether as became her). But
moreover his Royal Majesty had, before others, elected her to be a spouse
for the young lord his son, and most g raciously desired that the said espous-
als might actually be executed, if they would be sworn to his Majesty upon
the following articles. Hereupon out of a patent he caused certain glorious
conditions to be read, which if it were not too long, would be well worthy
of being recounted here. In brief, the young lady took an oath inviolably to
observe the same, returning thanks too in a most seemly way for such a
high grace. Whereupon they began to sing to the praise of God, of the
King, and the young lady, and so for the time being departed. 
 For sport, in the meantime, the four beasts of Daniel, as he saw them in
the vision and as he described them at length, were brought in, all of which
had its certain sig?ncati ion. 
 In the fourth act the young lady was again restored to her lost kingdom,
and crowned, and for a while, in this array, conducted about the place with
extraordinary joy. After this many and various ambassador s presented them-
selves, not only to wish her prosperity, but also to behold her glory. Yet it
was not for long that she preserved her integrity, but soon began again to
look wantonly about her, and to wink at the ambassadors and lords; in this
she tr uly acted her part to the life. 
 These manners of hers were soon known to the Moor, who would by
no means neglect such an opportunity, and because her steward did not pay
su? cient attention to her, she was easily blinded with great promises, so
that she did not keep good con? dence with her King, but privately submit-
ted herself entirely to the disposal of the Moor. Hereupon the Moor made
haste, and having (by her consent) got her into his hands, he gave her good
words until all her kingdom had subjected itself to him. After which, in the
third scene of this act, he caused her to be led forth, an? rst d to be str ipped
stark naked, and then to be bound to a post upon a scurvy woode? olnd sca,
and well scourged, and at last sentenced to death. This was so woeful a
spectacle, that it made the eyes of many run over. Hereupon like this, naked
as she was, she was cast into prison, there to await her death, which was to
be procured by poison, which actually did not kill her, but made her lep-
rous all over. Thus this act was for the most part lamentable. 
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 Between acts, they brought forth Nebuchadnezz’s iamr age, which was 
ador ned with all manner of ar ms, on the head, breast, belly, legs and feet, 
and the like, of which more shall be said in the future explanation. 
 In the ? fth act the young King was told of all that had passed between 
the Moor and his future spouse; h? ers t interceded with his father for her, 
entreating that she might not be left in that condition; which his father 
having agreed to, ambassadors were despatched to comfort her in her sick- 
ness and captivity, but yet also to make her see her inconsiderateness. But 
she still would not receive them, but consented to be the Mo’s concor u-
bine, which was also done, and the young King was acquainted with it. 
 After this came a band of fools, each of which brought with him a cud- 
gel; within a tr ice they made a great globe of the world, and soon undid it 
again. It was a ? ne sportive fantasy. 
 In the sixth act the young King resolved to do battle with the Moor, 
which was also done. And although the Moor was discomforted, yet all 
held the young King too to be dead. At length he came to himself again, 
released his spouse, and committed her to his steward and chaplain. The 
? rst of these tormented her greatly; then the tables were turned, and the 
priest was so insolently wicked that he had to be above all, until this was 
reported to the young King; who hastily despatched one who broke the 
neck of the pr ie’sts mightiness, and adorne d the bride in some measure for 
the nuptials. 
 After the act a vast ar?ticial elephant was brought forth. He car ried a 
great tower with musicians, which was also well pleasing to all. 
 In the last act the bridegroom appeared with such pomp as cannot be 
believe d, and I was amazed how it was brought to pass. The bride met him 
in similar solemnity, whereupon all the people cried out LONG LIVE 
THE BRIDEGROOM! LONG LIVE THE BRIDE! - so that by this 
comedy they also congratulated our King and Queen in the most stately 
manner, which (as I well observed) pleased them most extraordinar ily well. 
 At le ngth they walked about the stage in this procession, till at last they 
began to sing altogether as follows: 
 I 
 This lovely time 
 Bringeth much joy 
 With the king’s wedding, 
 So sing ye all 
 That it resound 
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 And gladness be to him 
 who giveth it to us.
 II 
 The beauteous bride 
 Whom we have long awaited 
 Shall be betrothed to him, 
 And we have won 
 Whereafter we did strive 
 O happy he 
 Who looketh to himself.
 III 
 The elders good 
 Are bidden now, 
 For Long they were in care, 
 In honour multiply 
 That thousands ar ise 
 From your own blood
 After this thanks were returned, and the comedy w? nisas hed with joy,
and the particular enjoyment of the Royal Persons, so (the evening also
drawing near already) they departed together in their aforementioned
order. 
 But we were to attend the Royal Persons up the winding stairs i nto the
aforementioned hall, where the table s were already r ichly furnished, and
this was the ? rst time that we were invited to the Ki’ngs table. The little
altar was placed in the midst of the hall, and the six royal ensigns previously
mentioned were laid upon it. At this time the young King behaved himself
very graciously towards us, but yet he could not be heartily merry;
altho