THE THIRD DAY

THE INDUCTION TO THE THIRD DAY

     UPON WHICH DAY, ALL MATTERS TO BE DISCOURSED ON, DOE PASSE

    UNDER THE REGIMENT OF MADAM NEIPHILA: CONCERNING SUCH PERSONS

     AS (BY THEIR WIT AND INDUSTRY) HAVE ATTAINED TO THEIR LONG

     WISHED DESIRES, OR RECOVERED SOMETHING, SUPPOSED TO BE LOST

  The morning put on a vermillion countenance and made the Sunne to

rise blushing red, when the Queene (and all the faire company) were

come abroad forth of their Chambers; the Seneshall or great Master

of the Houshold, having (long before); sent all things necessary to

the place of their next intended meeting. And the people which

prepared there every needfull matter, suddainely when they saw the

Queene was setting forward, charged all the rest of their followers,

as if it had beene prepatation for a Campe; to make hast away with the

carriages, the rest of the Familie remaining behind, to attend upon

the Ladies and Gentlemen.

  With a milde, majesticke, and gentle pace, the Queene rode on, being

followed by the other Ladies, and the three young Gentlemen, taking

their way towards the West; conducted by the musicall notes of

sweete singing Nightingales, and infinite other pretty Birds beside,

riding in a tract not much frequented, but richly abounding with faire

hearbes and flowres, which by reason of the Sunnes high mounting,

beganne to open their bosome.

  But, after the dayes warmth was more mildely qualified, and every

one had made benefit of their best content: they went (by order sent

from the Queene) into the Meadow where the Fountaine stood, and

being set about it, as they used to do in telling their Tales (the

argument appointed by the Queene being propounded) the first that

had the charge imposed, was Philostratus, who began in this manner.