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answerable to his minde。 Whereupon； the King gave them all leave to
dispose of themselves till supper time。 And because the Sun was yet
very high； in regard all the re…counted Novels had bin so short：
Dioneus went to play at the Tables with another of the yong Gentlemen；
and Madame Eliza； having withdrawne the Ladies aside； thus spake
unto them。 During the time of our being heere； I have often bene
desirous to let you see a place somwhat neere at hand； and which I
suppose you have never seene； it being called The Valley of Ladies。
Till now； I could not finde any convenient time to bring you
thither； the Sunne continuing still aloft； which fitteth you with
the apter leysure； and the sight （I am sure） can no way discontent
you。
The Ladies replyed； that they were all ready to walk with her
thither： and calling one of their women to attend on them； they set
on； without speaking a word to any of the men。 And within the distance
of halfe a mile； they arrived at the Valley of Ladies； wherinto they
entred by a strait passage at the one side； from whence there issued
forth a cleare running River。 And they found the saide Valley to bee
so goodly and pleasant； especially in that season； which was the
hottest of all the yeare； as all the world was no where able to
yeeld the like。 And； as one of the said Ladies （since then） related to
mee； there was a plaine in the Valley so directly round； as if it
had beene formed by a compasse； yet rather it resembled the
Workmanship of Nature； then to be made by the hand of man：
containing in circuite somewhat more then the quarter of a mile；
environed with sixe small hils； of no great height； and on each of
them stood a little Palace； shaped in the fashion of Castles。
The ground…plot descending from those hils or mountaines； grew lesse
and lesse by variable degrees； as wee observe at entering into our
Theaters； from the highest part to the lowest； succinctly to narrow
the circle by order。 Now； concerning these ground…plottes or little
Meadowes； those which the Sun Southward looked on； were full of Vines；
Olive…trees； Almond…trees； Cherry…trees； and Figge…trees； with
divers other Trees beside； so plentifully bearing fruites； as you
could not discerne a hands bredth of losse。 The other Mountaines；
whereon the Northerne windes blow； were curiously covered with small
Thickets or Woods of Oakes； Ashes； and other Trees so greene and
straite； as it was impossible to behold fairer。 The goodly plaine it
selfe； not having any other entrance； but where the Ladies came in；
was planted with Trees of Firre； Cipresse； Laurell； and Pines； so
singularly growing in formall order； as if some artificiall or cunning
hand had planted them； the Sun hardly piercing through their branches；
from the top to the bottome； even at his highest； or any part of his
course。
All the whole field was richly spred with grasse； and such variety
of delicate Flowers； as Nature yeilded out of her plenteous
Store…house。 But that which gave no lesse delight then any of the
rest； was a smal running Brooke； descending from one of the Vallies；
that divided two of the little hils； and fell through a Veine of the
intire Rocke it selfe； that the fall and murmure thereof was most
delightfull to heare； seeming all the way in the descent； like
Quickesilver； weaving it selfe into artificiall workes； and arriving
in the plaine beneath； it was there receyved into a small Channell；
swiftly running through the midst of the plaine； to a place where it
stayed； and shaped it selfe into a Lake or Pond； such as our
Citizens have in their Orchards or Gardens； when they please to make
use of such a commodity。
This Pond was no deeper； then to reach the breast of a man； and
having no mud or soyle in it； the bottome thereof shewed like small
beaten gravell； with prety pibble stones intermixed； which some that
had nothing else to do； would sit downe and count them as they lay； as
very easily they might。 And not onely was the bottome thus
apparantly seene； but also such plenty of Fishes swimming every way；
as the mind was never to be wearied in looking on them。 Nor was this
water bounded in with any bankes； but onely the sides of the plain
Medow； which made it appeare the more sightly； as it arose in swelling
plenty。 And alwayes as it superabounded in his course； least it should
overflow disorderly： it fell into another Channell； which conveying it
along the lower Valley； ran forth to water other needfull places。
When the Ladies were arrived in this goodly valley； and upon advised
viewing it； had sufficiently commended it： in regard the heat of the
dry was great； the place tempting； and the Pond free from sight of
any； they resolved there to bathe themselves。 Wherefore they sent
the waiting Gentlewoman to have a diligent eye on t way where they
entered； least any one should chance to steale upon them。 All seven of
them being stript naked； into the water they went； which hid their
delicate white bodies； like as a cleare Glasse concealeth a Damask
Rose within it。 So they being in the Pond； and the water nothing
troubled by their being there； they found much prety pastime together；
running after the Fishes； to catch them with their hands； but they
were overquicke and cunning for them。 After they had delighted
themselves there to their owne contentment； and were cloathed with
their garments； as before： thinking it fit time for their returning
backe againe； least their over…long stay might give offence； they
departed thence in an easie pace； dooing nothing else all the way as
they went； but extolling the Valley of Ladies beyond all comparison。
At the Palace they arrived in a due houre； finding the three
Gentlemen at play； as they left them； to whom Madame Pampinea
pleasantly thus spake。 Now trust me Gallants； this day wee have very
cunningly beguiled you。 How now？ answered Dioneus； begin you first
to act； before you speake？ Yes truly Sir； replyed Madame Pampinea：
Relating to him at large； from whence they came； what they had
done there； the beautie of the place； and the distance thence。 The
King （upon hir excellent report） being very desirous to see it；
sodainely commaunded Supper to be served in； which was no sooner
ended； but they and their three servants （leaving the Ladies） walked
on to the Valley； which when they had considered； no one of them
having ever bin there before； they thought it to be the Paradise of
the World。
They bathed themselves there likewise； as the Ladies formerlie had
done； and being re…vested； returned backe to their Lodgings； because
darke night drew on apace： but they found the Ladies dauncing； to a
Song which Madame Fiammetta sung。 When the dance was ended； they
entertained the time with no other discourse； but onely concerning the
Valley of Ladies； whereof they all spake liberally in commendations。
Whereupon； the King called the Master of the Houshold； giving him
command； that （on the morrow） dinner should be readie betimes； and
bedding to be thence carried； if any desired rest at mid…time of the
day。
All this being done； variety of pleasing Wines were brought；
Banquetting stuffe； and other dainties； after which they fell to