JEAN MARTIN, SECRETARY TO MY

LORD the Most Reverend Cardinal of Lenoncourt.

TO THE READERS.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'S' depicting classical Renaissance foliate scrolls and architectural motifs.If you desire (My Lords) to understand in few words what is contained in this work, know that Poliphilo The name Poliphilo is derived from Greek, meaning "lover of many things" or "lover of Polia." says he saw admirable things in a dream, among which he describes several antiquities worthy of memory, such as Pyramides, Obelisks, great ruins of buildings, the variety of columns, their measurements, pedestals, bases, and capitals with which they are adorned. Then the architraves, friezes, cornices, and frontispieces with their craftsmanship. A great horse, an Elephant of marvelous size, a Colossus, and a magnificent gate, with its plan, arrangement, moldings, and stonework. Afterwards, how five beautiful Nymphs led him to the baths: and meanwhile he does not forget to make mention of an excellent fountain. Further, he describes the Palace of Queen Eleutherilide Her name is derived from the Greek "Eleutheria," meaning Liberty.: who for love of him had a solemn feast prepared, in which one can learn many things beneficial to human health. After this, he specifies the diversity of precious stones, with their natural virtues: the pastime of a dance: and consequently illustrates three gardens, of which one is made of glass, the other of silk, and the third made as a Labyrinth surrounded by a Peristyle Peristyle: a continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding a courtyard or garden. or environment of columns made of terracotta. In the middle of this peristyle is situated a pyramid engraved with Egyptian characters, which are called Hieroglyphic letters In the Renaissance, "hieroglyphics" were viewed as mystical symbols of universal wisdom rather than a phonetic language.. Departing from there, he goes to the three gates, and enters through the middle one, where he finds his beloved Polia, whose beauty, grace, and the fashion of her clothing he expresses. This Polia shows him four triumphs of the great Jupiter: then shows him the mortal ladies with whom the gods were in love: together with the beloveds of the Poets: and there one recognizes the affections and various effects of love. After follows the triumph of Vertumnus and Pomona Roman deities of the changing seasons and fruit trees., together with the great god of the gardens Referring to Priapus, the god of fertility and gardens. with his sacrifices: and that said, the author comes to describe a temple made of rich materials, and constructed with great skill, where several other sacrifices are performed following the order of ancient religion and ceremonies. These being completed, Polia leads her Poliphilo to the seashore to await the coming of the god Cupid: and meanwhile she persuades him to go see the antiquities which are in a destroyed temple: which he does: and finds there a great number of Epitaphs, at which he stops for a long time, until he happens to encounter an Underworld original: "vn Enfer". Martin uses the word for Hell to describe a pagan subterranean realm or catacomb. painted in Mosaic work: looking at which, a sudden terror comes over him, which makes him depart from there, and return to his Polia: to whom he has no sooner arrived, than Cupid appears in a Boat furnished with many exquisite things, and steered by six damsels trained in the office of rowing. Into this Poliphilo and his beloved enter: wherefore Love suddenly sets sail, spreading his golden wings embellished with all colors. During the voyage the sea gods and goddesses, nymphs, Tritons and other monsters do honor and reverence to Cupid, recognizing him as their lord. Finally this god descends on the island of Cythera, which the author describes...