DC. 7 conci. It was now time for the Virgin to see how the other artists

behaved themselves • they were well pleased because they were to work in gold, which is indeed a piece of this art,
MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 185
but not the most principal, necessary, and best. They had too a part of these ashes, so that they imagined that the whole Bird was provided for the sake of gold, and that life must thereby be restored to the deceased. Mean time we sate very still, attending when our married couple would awake, and thus about half an hour was spent. Then the wanton Cupid presented himself, and, after he had saluted us all, flew to them behind the curtain, tormenting them till they waked. This happened to them with very great amazement, for they imagined that theypiad slept from the hour in which they were beheaded. Cupid, after he had Fuenmt im
J qui decol-
awaked them, and renewed their acquaintance one with another, stepped aside and permitted them to recruit their strength, mean time playing his tricks with us, and at length he would needs have the musick fetcht to be some- what the merrier. Not long after the Virgin herself comes, and having most humbly saluted the young King and Queen, who found themselves somewhat faint, and having
induunt
kissed their hands, she brought them the two fore-mentioned vestimenta
ut se con-
garments, which they put on, and so stepped forth.
There were already prepared two very curious chaires, wherein they placed themselves, and were by us with most profound reverence congratulated, for which the King in his own person most gratiously returned his thanks, and again re-assured us of all grace. It was already about five of clock, wherefore they could make no longer stay ; but as soon as ever the chiefest of their furniture could be laden, we were to attend the young Royal Persons down the stairs, through all doors and watches unto the ship, in which they inbarqued, conjuges together with certain Virgins and Cupid, and sailed so trans mare. swiftly that we soon lost sight of them, yet they were met, as I was informed, by certain stately ships, and^ in four
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
Musick.
Turris custodita a militibus.
Custos est inspector.
hours time had made many leagues out at sea. After five of clock the musitians were charged to carry all things back to the ships, and to make themselves ready for the voyage, but because this was somewhat long a doing, the Custos senex old lord commanded forth a party of his concealed soldiers, who had hitherto been planted in the wall so that we had taken no notice of any of them, whereby I observed that this tower was well guarded against opposition. These soldiers made quick work of our stuff, so that no more remained to be done but to go to supper. The table being compleatly furnished, the Virgin brings us again to our companions, where we were to carry ourselves as if we had truly been in a lamentable condition, while they were always smiling one upon another, though some of them too simpathized with us. At this supper the old lord was with us, who was a most sharp inspector over us, for none could propound anything so discreetly but that he knew how to confute or amend it, or at least to give some good document upon it. I learned most by this lord, and it were good that each would apply himself to him, and take notice of his pro- cedure, for then things would not so often and untowardly miscarry. After we had taken our nocturnal refection, the old lord led us into his closets of rarities, dispersed among the bulworks, where we saw such wonderful productions of nature, and other things which man's wit in imitation of nature had invented, that we needed a year sufficiently to survey them. Thus we spent a good part of the night by candle-light. At last, because we were more inclined to sleep then see many rarities, we were lodged in rooms in the wall, where we had not only costly good beds but extraordinary handsome chambers, which made us the more wonder why we were forced the day before to under-
Laus hujus senis.
The old man's closets.
MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 187
go so many hardships. In this chamber I had good rest, and, being for the most part without care, and weary with continual labour, the gentle rushing of the sea helped me to a sound and sweet sleep, for I continued in one dream from eleven of clock till eight in the morning.
The Seventh Day.
After eight of clock I awaked, and quickly made myself ready, being desirous to return again into the tower, but the dark passages in the wall were so many that I wandered a good while before I could find the way out. The same happened to the rest, till we all meet in the nethermost Hospites
deponunt
vault, and habits intirely yellow were given us, together with our golden fleeces. At that time the Virgin declared to us that we were Knights of the (Sollmt i>tOn£, of which we were before ignorant. After we had made ourselves readv, and taken our breakfast, the old man presented each Donantur
J ' a sene.
of us with a medal of gold. On the one side stood these words —
NAT. Ml. Ars naturae
ministra.
On the other these,
TEM. NA. F. ST?,,..
exhorting us to enterprize nothing beyond and against this token of remembrance. Herewith we went forth to the sea, where our ships lay so richly equipped that it was not well possible but that such brave things must first have been brought thither. The ships were twelve in number, six of ours and six of the old lord's, who caused his to be freighted with well-appointed soldiers. But he betook himself to us in our ship, where we were all together. In Navis, i. the first the musitians seated themselves, of which the old
1 88
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
Vexilla 12 sign. Navis autoris libra Horolog.
Facundia senis.
Obviatio ex arce.
500 naves.
Applausus.
Atlas oratione excipit hospites.
Atlanti respondet sen ex.
lord had also a great number. They sailed before us to shorten the time. Our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sate in Libra. Besids other things our ship had a noble and curious clock which showed us all the minutes. The sea was so calm that it was a singular pleasure to sail, but that which surpassed all was the old man's discourse, who so well knew how to pass away our time with wonderful histories that I could have been content to sail with him all my life long. The ships passed on, and before we had sailed two hours the mariner told us that he saw the whole lake almost covered with ships, by which we conjectured they were come out to meet us, which proved true, for as soon as we were gotten out of the sea into the lake of the f orementioned river, there stood in to us five hundred ships, one of which sparkled with gold and pretious stones, and in it sate the King and Queen, with lords, ladies, and virgins of high birth. As soon as they were well in ken of us the pieces were discharged on both sides, and there was such a din of trumpets, shalms, and kettle-drums, that all the ships upon the sea capered again. As soon as we came near, they brought about our ships together and so made a stand. Old Atlas stepped forth on the King's behalf, making a short but handsom oration, wherein he wellcomed us, and demanded whether the royal Presents were in readiness. The rest of my companions were in an huge amazement whence this King should arise, for they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him. We suffered them to continue in their wonderment, and carried ourselves as if it seemed strange to us too. After Atlas' oration out steps our old man, making somewhat a larger reply, wherein he wished the King and Queen all happiness and increase,
MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 189
after which he delivered a curious small casket, but what
was in it I know not. It was committed to the custody of ?e«i|s COI>-
* jugibus
Cupid, who hovered between them both. After the oration ^^ affert they again let off a joyful voile of shot, and so we sailed on a good time together, till we arrived at another shore, near the first gate at which I first entred. At this place there attended a great multitude of the King's family, together with some hundreds of horses. As soon as we were come to shore and disembarqued, the King and Queen presented their hands to all of us, one with another, with singular kindness, and so we were to get up on horse- back. Here I desire to have the reader friendly entreated not to interpret the following narration to any vain glory of mine, but to credit me that had there been not a special necessity in it, I could well have concealed the honour which was shewed me. We were all distributed amongst the lords, but our old lord and I, most unworthy, were to ride even with the King, each of us bearing a snow-white JUJ ensign with a Eed Cross. I indeed was made use of because of my age, for we both had long grey beards and hair. I had besides fastened my tokens round about my hat, of which the young King soon took notice, and demanded if I were he who could at the gate redeem these tokens. I answered yes in the most humble manner, but he laughed on me, saying there henceforth needed no ceremony, I was HIS Father. Then he asked me where- Pater. with I had redeemed them. I answered, " With Water Tesseras and Salt," whereupon he wondred who had made me so et aqua. wise, upon which I grew somewhat more confident, and recounted how it had happened to me with my Bread, the >ove, and the Raven ; he was pleased with it, and said expressly, that it must needs be that God had herein
190
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
Primus custos. Ob, visam ven- erem factus portitor.
Autor ejusdem delicterus traditur a portitore.
Actus in Arce.
Virg. lucif .
vouchsafed me a singular happiness. Herewith we came to the first gate, where the porter with the blew cloaths waited, bearing in his hand a supplication. As soon as he spied me even with the king, he delivered me the supplica- tion, most humbly beseeching me to mention his ingenuity before me towards the King ; so, in the first place, I demanded of his majesty what the condition of this porter was, who friendly answered me, that he was a very famous and rare astrologer, always in high regard with the Lord his Father, but having on a time committed a fault against Venus, and beheld her in her bed of rest, this punishment was imposed upon him, that he should so long wait at the gate till some one should release him from thence. I replyed, "May he then be released?" "Yes," said the King, " if anyone can be found that hath as highly transgressed as himself, he must stand in his stead, arid the other shall be free. This word went to my heart ; conscience convinced me that I was the offender, yet I held my peace and delivered the supplication. As soon as the King had read it, he was mightily terrified, so that the Queen, who, with our virgins and that other queen whom I mentioned at the hang- ing of the weights, rid behind us, asked him what the letter might signifie ; but he, putting up the paper, began to dis- course of other matters, till in about three hours we came quite to the Castle, where we alighted and waited upon the King into his hall, who called immediately for the old Atlas to come to him in a little closet, and showed him the writing. Atlas made no long tarrying, but rid out to the porter to take better cognizance of the matter, after which the young King, with his spouse and other Lords, Ladies, and Virgins sate down. Then began our Virgin highly to commend the diligence we had used, and the pains and labour we had un-
MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 191
dergone, requesting we might be royally rewarded, and that she henceforward might be permitted to enjoy the benefit of her commission. The old lord stood up too, and attested the truth of all that the Virgin had spoken, and that it was but equity that we should on both parts be contented. Hereupon we were to step out a little ; it was concluded that each man should make some possible wish, and were to consider of^it till after supper. Meantime the King and Ludus Regis
cum Regina.
Queen, for recreation's sake, began to play together. It
looked not unlike chesse, only it had other laws, for it was
the vertues and vices one against another, where it might
be ingeniously observed with what plots the vices lay in
wait for the vertues, and how to re-encounter them again.
This was so properly and artificially performed that it were Artificios.
to be wished that we had the like game too. During the
game in comes Atlas again, and makes his report in private,
yet I blushed all over, for my conscience gave me no rest.
The King presented me the supplication to read, the con- suppiicatio
portitoris
tents whereof were to this purpose : First, the writer wished traditum
autori.
the King prosperity and peace, and that his seed might be spread far and wide. Afterwards he remonstrated that the time was now come wherein, according to the royal promise, heought to be released; because Venus was already uncovered by one of his guests, for his observations could not lie to to him, and that if his Majesty would please to make strict and diligent enquiry, in case this should not prove to be, he would remain before the gate all the days of his life. Then he humbly sued that, upon peril of body and life, he might be present at this night's supper, being in good hopes to spye out the offender and obtain his wished freedom. This was handsomly indited, and I could well perceive his
192
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUC1ANS.
Triclinium preciosissi- mum.
Cupido iratus ob venerem visam ab autore.
Etiam Rex condolet.
Lagtitia discum- bentium .
Post coenam obligantur equites legibus suis.
ingenuity, but it was too sharp for me, and I could well have endured never to have seen it. Casting in my mind whether he might perchance be helped through my wish, I asked the King whether he might not be released some other way, but he replyed no, because there was special consideration in the business, but for this night we might gratifie his desire, so he sent one forth to fetch him in. Mean time the tables were prepared in a spatious room, in which we had never before been, which was so compleat that it is not possible for me to describe it. Into this we were conducted with singular ceremony. Cupid was not present, for the disgrace which had happened to his mother had somewhat angered him. In brieflf, my offence, and the supplication which had been delivered, were the occasion of much sadness, for the King was in perplexity how to make inquisition amongst his guests. He caused the porter him- self to make his strict surveigh, and showed himself as pleasant as he was able. Howbeit, at length they began again to be merry, and to bespeak one another with all sorts of recreative, profitable discourses. The treatment and other ceremonies then performed it is not necessary to declare, since it is neither the reader's concern nor service- able to my design, but all exceeded more in invention than that we were overcharged with drinking. This was the last and noblest meal at which I was present. After the bancket the tables were suddainly taken away, and certain curious chairs placed round in circle, in which we, together with the King and Queen, both their old men, the Ladies and Virgins, were to sit. After this a very handsom Page opened the above mentioned glorious little book, when Atlas, immediately placing himself in the midst, bespoke
MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 193
us to the ensuing purpose : — That his Eoyal Majesty had not yet committed to oblivion the service we had done him, and therefore by way of retribution had elected each of us Knights of the Golden Stone. That it was, therefore, further necessary not only once again to oblige ourselves towards his Royal Majesty, but to vow upon the following articles, and then His Eoyal Highness would likewise know how to behave himself towards his high people. Upon which he caused the Page to read over these articles :—