ABSTRACT
On the sides of this (which began the other part) were placed two great Statues, fayned of gold, one of ATLAS, the other of HERGULES, in varied postures, bearing up the Clouds, which were of Releve, embossed, and tralucent, as Naturalls: To these, a cortine of painted clouds joyned, which reach'd to the upmost roofe of the Hall; and sodainely opening, reveal'd the three Regions ofAyre: In the highest of which, sate JUNO, in a 650
engendred in that hot and drie Region; her feet reaching to the lowest: where, was made a Rainebow, and within it, Musicians seated, figuring airie spirits, their habits various, and resembling the severall colours, caused in that part of the aire by reflexion. The midst was all of darke and condensed clouds, as being the proper place, where Raine, Haile, and other watrie Meteors are made; out of which, two concave clouds, from the rest, thrust forth themselves (in nature of those Nimbi, wherein, by Homer, 660 Virgil, &c. the gods are fain'd to descend) and these carried the eight Ladies, over the heads of the two Termes; who (as the engine mov'd) seem'd also to bow themselues (by vertue of their shadowes) and discharge their shoulders of their glorious burden: when, having set them on the earth, both they and the clouds gathered themselues up againe, with some rapture of the beholders.
