The Dream of Poliphilus

...loves, he praises perseverance: then she recounts how on a feast day he saw Polia in a temple where he was smitten with love for her: and seeing that he could not speak to her, he wrote her a letter, the contents of which are declared in his narrative. 149

How Poliphilo, having no means of speaking to his lady, wrote to her to make her understand his martyrdom A common Renaissance metaphor for the intense suffering of a lover, and the contents of the letter he sent her. 151

How Poliphilo continues his story, saying that Polia took no account of his two letters: wherefore he sent her a third, which was as of little use as the others: and at last he drew near to her, finding her alone in the temple of Diana where she was at prayer: and while recounting to her the discourse of his suffering, he died of grief in her presence: then, some time after, he was restored to life. 152

How the soul of Poliphilo recounts to him what had happened to it since its departure from his body, and of the accusations it had brought before the goddess Venus against Cupid and the cruel Polia. 154

How Poliphilo says that when his soul had finished speaking, he found himself alive in the arms of his best-beloved Polia: and requests the Prioress Prieuse Likely the high priestess or superior of the temple of Diana where Polia had taken her vows that she might be willing to confirm their love. Then Polia brings to an end the story she had begun before the Nymphs. 156

How Polia, all at once, finished her story and the wreath of flowers that she placed on Poliphilo's head. Then how the Nymphs who had listened to her returned to their play, taking leave of the two lovers, who remained alone, talking together of their love. Whereupon Poliphilo awoke. 156

How Poliphilo brings his Hypnerotomachia original: "Hypnerotomachie"; a title derived from Greek meaning "The Strife of Love in a Dream" to an end, complaining of the dream which was so brief, and that the Sun rose so early to break his sleep, as if it were envious original: "enuyeux"; in this context meaning jealous of his joy rather than tedious of his happiness. 157