Le tableau des riches inventions qui sont representees dans le songe de Poliphile

in discourse and profitable in conversation, we deliberated to go visit the place where the destinies had placed such perfect abundance. This place is exactly in the perfect temperature of this inferior globe (as we call the earth, even though it rolls impetuously around the Sun which seasons it according to the encounters of its heat). This habitation is found under the most happy climate of this world, at the spot which receives all the precious gifts of Heaven in every order. It was established at the very time when the agreements of the stars made a part of a century similar to the golden age.

Having entered into this holy Tabernacle, I think it was the joy of obtaining our desires that made our senses filled with an excellence. It is not to be compared to any common delight. We had no other care than this encounter. Also, our memory was regulated by the truth that makes us judge that humans have memory, but very little in regard to their hopes. Here is the point that must be told truly. Also, to judge it exactly and according to how truth—of which we are followers—wants our innocence to declare it, I do not know well what was the instant of this possible delectation. To remove all diversity: who can make one doubt that it was at the hour when the delights of the dream take shape?

It is there that I intend to settle myself with felicity. The least unhappy part of our life is that which is employed in necessary sleep. This is the perfect image or idea of the sweetness of sweetness itself. If, during the terms of this benign rest, one enters into some difficult visions, and the soul is violated by bothersome apprehensions, one can easily withdraw. Thus, shaking off this bad care, one reintegrates into the goodness of one's most quiet relaxation. If by chance—as is most common because nature craves all contentment—the spirit is gently enveloped in the agreeable shadows of the opportune sweetness of prosperous fantasies, which commodiously soothe hearts, one enjoys it there. One plunges into it and, holding oneself there daintily, one remains in this ease as much as one can, in order to savor for a long time the delicious pleasure perceived in such felicity.

But before passing further, I must evacuate my conceptions and give air to this fire that makes my soul boil in my heart. If I knew that any profane person dared to extend his detestable hand over this volume to handle it, or that any unworthy person stepped forward to leaf through it; if any arrogant superstitious person, swallowing the reputation of beautiful souls, drew a little pleasure from it; or if the malicious spectator of sovereign benefits sought with envy the good that belongs only to hearts of love—I would break the pen that traces so many revolutions of beautiful mysteries. In forgetting myself, I would wish to cut away all the memory there is of representing the contentment that

is practiced by daintily veiling with the cloths of beautiful fictions that which is rare. This is the only expedient to know how to rise above all that is virtuous. Frustrating myself of the life of my life, I would abstain from treating with pleasure the fruitful baits that attract one to sacred pleasures. It will happen, nevertheless, according to the ordinance of the great Master.

Having arrived at the sacred courtyard original: "paruis", and directing the turns of our eyes over the wonders of the place, there presented herself to us a Nymph so beautiful that I believe she is the acrethype archetype of beauty. She is the formal idea upon which nature molds the sovereign artifices of her works. Astonishment made my foot stay still, as if I had been some bronze figure balanced in the ancient style upon a pedestal. Remaining stopped, I considered her, because no object had ever filled the capacity of my sight so pleasingly as this one.

This beauty did not show herself to us in that haughty way which is customary to many of our Ladies. Those women take more pleasure and think they have better grace by adopting presumption than by fashioning themselves modestly with humility. In a way without artifice, and as if stripped of all strange intention, she manifested herself in this encounter with the desirable naivety that contents spirits of affection. If this is a dream, O blessed dream, I relate you to the most beautiful of dreams. If you were some divine substance, I would hang a painting or some other desirable offering to you in recognition of your favors. But would it not be even better? Would it not be a truth naturally related in the proportions of an essence that is perfectly agreeable? For I still represent to myself her beautiful eyes, living sparks of affection producing infinite desires. I place back in the equitable reach of my sight that beautiful mouth which uttered so many oracles. Retracing all the encounters of this most beautiful gesture, I imprint in my heart the very fashion of her who will forever have all power over my will.

This was not the beautiful Olocliree Wholeness/Universal Love, as she declared to us. Rather, she was her dear friend, the excellent Nephés from the Hebrew "Nephesh," meaning soul or breath, daughter of the great Archee Archeus, the vital force of nature. She is the one who converses with Olocliree and who can make her seen to the faithful lovers of her beauties. Having arrived at the first steps of the stairs that lead to the inner conclave private chamber, she entertained us with several remarks. She continued these in the same thread as those with which she had gently received us. She led us into the hall, saying to us: "Your good destinies must have prepared you for better fortunes than the common sort, having met me to be received with the privacy of sweet access and familiar words. You would not have found this another time, because our servants, who are quite rude and presumptuous, would not have had regard for the honor that must be communicated to the wise."