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was sagacious in observing the nature of all things； and in
having a just notion of what was new and surprising； and where
there was no sculptures； he would invent such as were proper by
his own skill； and would show them to the workmen； he commanded
that such sculptures should now be made； and that those which
were delineated should be most accurately formed by a constant
regard to their delineation。
9。 When therefore the workmen had undertaken to make the table；
they framed it in length two cubits ＇and a half＇； in breadth one
cubit； and in height one cubit and a half； and the entire
structure of the work was of gold。 They withal made a crown of a
hand…breadth round it； with wave…work wreathed about it； and with
an engraving which imitated a cord； and was admirably turned on
its three parts； for as they were of a triangular figure； every
angle had the same disposition of its sculptures； that when you
turned them about； the very same form of them was turned about
without any variation。 Now that part of the crown…work that was
enclosed under the table had its sculptures very beautiful； but
that part which went round on the outside was more elaborately
adorned with most beautiful ornaments； because it was exposed to
sight； and to the view of the spectators； for which reason it was
that both those sides which were extant above the rest were
acute； and none of the angles； which we before told you were
three； appeared less than another； when the table was turned
about。 Now into the cordwork thus turned were precious stones
inserted； in rows parallel one to the other； enclosed in golden
buttons； which had ouches in them； but the parts which were on
the side of the crown； and were exposed to the sight； were
adorned with a row of oval figures obliquely placed； of the most
excellent sort of precious stones； which imitated rods laid
close； and encompassed the table round about。 But under these
oval figures； thus engraven； the workmen had put a crown all
round it； where the nature of all sorts of fruit was represented；
insomuch that the bunches of grapes hung up。 And when they had
made the stones to represent all the kinds of fruit before
mentioned； and that each in its proper color； they made them fast
with gold round the whole table。 The like disposition of the oval
figures； and of the engraved rods； was framed under the crown；
that the table might on each side show the same appearance of
variety and elegancy of its ornaments； so that neither the
position of the wave…work nor of the crown might be different；
although the table were turned on the other side； but that the
prospect of the same artificial contrivances might be extended as
far as the feet； for there was made a plate of gold four fingers
broad； through the entire breadth of the table； into which they
inserted the feet； and then fastened them to the table by buttons
and button…holes； at the place where the crown was situate； that
so on what side soever of the table one should stand； it might
exhibit the very same view of the exquisite workmanship； and of
the vast expeses bestowed upon it： but upon the table itself they
engraved a meander； inserting into it very valuable stones in the
middle like stars； of various colors； the carbuncle and the
emerald； each of which sent out agreeable rays of light to the
spectators； with such stones of other sorts also as were most
curious and best esteemed； as being most precious in their kind。
Hard by this meander a texture of net…work ran round it； the
middle of which appeared like a rhombus； into which were inserted
rock…crystal and amber； which； by the great resemblance of the
appearance they made； gave wonderful delight to those that saw
them。 The chapiters of the feet imitated the first buddings of
lilies； while their leaves were bent and laid under the table；
but so that the chives were seen standing upright within them。
Their bases were made of a carbuncle； and the place at the
bottom； which rested on that carbuncle； was one palm deep； and
eight fingers in breadth。 Now they had engraven upon it with a
very fine tool； and with a great deal of pains； a branch of ivy
and tendrils of the vine； sending forth clusters of grapes； that
you would guess they were nowise different from real tendrils；
for they were so very thin； and so very far extended at their
extremities； that they were moved with the wind； and made one
believe that they were the product of nature； and not the
representation of art。 They also made the entire workmanship of
the table appear to be threefold； while the joints of the several
parts were so united together as to be invisible； and the places
where they joined could not be distinguished。 Now the thickness
of the table was not less than half a cubit。 So that this gift；
by the king's great generosity； by the great value of the
materials； and the variety of its exquisite structure； and the
artificer's skill in imitating nature with graying tools； was at
length brought to perfection； while the king was very desirous；
that though in largeness it were not to be different from that
which was already dedicated to God； yet that in exquisite
workmanship； and the novelty of the contrivances； and in the
splendor of its construction； it should far exceed it； and be
more illustrious than that was。
10。 Now of the cisterns of gold there were two； whose sculpture
was of scale…work； from its basis to its belt…like circle； with
various sorts of stones enchased in the spiral circles。 Next to
which there was upon it a meander of a cubit in height； it was
composed of stones of all sorts of colors。 And next to this was
the rod…work engraven； and next to that was a rhombus in a
texture of net…work； drawn out to the brim of the basin； while
small shields； made of stones； beautiful in their kind； and of
four fingers' depth； filled up the middle parts。 About the top of
the basin were wreathed the leaves of lilies； and of the
convolvulus； and the tendrils of vines in a circular manner。 And
this was the construction of the two cisterns of gold； each
containing two firkins。 But those which were of silver were much
more bright and splendid than looking…glasses； and you might in
them see the images that fell upon them more plainly than in the
other。 The king also ordered thirty vials； those of which the
parts that were of gold； and filled up with precious stones； were
shadowed over with the leaves of ivy and of vines； artificially
engraven。 And these were the vessels that were after an
extraordinary manner brought to this perfection； partly by the
skill of the workmen； who were admirable in such fine work； but
much more by the diligence and generosity of the king； who not
only supplied the artificers abundantly； and with great
generosity； with what they wanted； but he forbade public
audiences for the time； and came and stood by the workmen； and
saw the whole operation。 And this was the cause why the workmen
were so accurate in their performance； because they had regard to
the king； and to his great concern about the vessels； and so the
more indefatigably kept close to the work。
11。 And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy to Je