134 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND. 



painted behind, while within the arches the maskers sate 

 vnseene. Behind the garden, ouer the toppe of the arbour, were 

 set artificial! trees, appearing like an orchard ioyning to the 

 garden, and ouer all was drawne in perspective a fermament like 

 the skies in a cleere night. Vpon a grassy seate under the arbor, 

 sate the garden gods, in number twelue, apparrelled in long 

 roabes of greene rich taffata cappes on their heads, and chaplets 

 of flowers. In the midst of them sat Primaura, at whose intreaty 

 they descended to the stage, and marching up to the king, sung 

 to lutes and theorboes." 



" Fresh shadows fit to shroud from sunny ray : 



Fair lawns, to take the sun in season due; 

 Sweet springs, in which a thousand nymphs did play ; 



Soft-running brooks, that gentle slumber drew ; 

 High-reared mounts, the lands about to view ; 



Low-looking dales, disloign'd* from common gaze; 

 Delightful bow'rs, to solace lovers true ; 



False labyrinths, fond runner's eyes to daze. 

 All which by Nature made did Nature 'self amaze, 



And all without were walks and alleys dight, 

 With divers trees enranged in even ranks ; 



And here and there were pleasant arbours pight, 

 And shady seats, and sundry flow'ring banks, 



To sit and rest the walker's weary shanks, "f 



* = remote from. 



t Faerie Queene. Book IV., c. x., 24. 



