Hiftorie of the Indies, lib.i. 



touching this point) often in my trauell paffing the 

 great gulfes ofthetfra*;;, and marching by other re- 

 gions of fo ftrange lands , ftaying to behold and con- 

 fider the greatnes of thefe workes of the Lord, I felt a 

 wonderfull coniolation ofthefoveraigne wifedoine 

 and greatnes of the Creator, who fhines in his works : 

 in comparifon whereof, all the Pallaces, Caftells, and 

 princely buildings, together with all the inventions 

 ofman,feeme nothing,yea 5 arebafe and contemptible 

 inrefped thereof. O how often hath come into my 

 minde and mouth that place of the Pfalme, which 

 fayeth thus, Great comfort basi thou given me O Lord by 

 thy rvorkes ; IwiUnot c$afetoreioyce inlbt 'contemplation of 

 the werkts of thy hands* Really and in truth, the workes 

 of God haue (I know not whatjfecret &hidden grace 

 and vertve: the which although they be often beheld, 

 yet do they ftill caufe a new tafte and content: where 

 as contrariwife, the workes of man, although they be 

 built with exquifiteart, yet often feene, they are no 

 more efteemed, but brcede adiftafte: be they moft 

 pleafant Gardins, Pallaces,or ftatcly Temples, be they 

 Piramides of proud buildings,Pi^lures,carved images, 

 or ftones of rare worke and invention > or whatfbever 

 elfeadoi ned with all the beauties po'flible: Yet is it moft 

 certen that viewing them twice or thrice with attenti 

 on ,. the eye prefently turnes away, bcing^ glutted with 

 the fight thereof. But if you beholdetheieawithatten- 

 .tion,or (bmefteepq-mountaine, growing from a plaine 

 toaftrange heigth , or thefieldcs clad in their naturall 

 verdure with pleafant flowres, or the raging courfe of 

 fbrneriver,beating continually againft the rocks : final 

 ly, what worke of nature foever , although -it be often 

 viewed , yet doth it ftill breedea- new content and ne 

 ver 



