Page:The Voyage Of Italy Or A Compleat Journey through Italy, The Second Part.pdf/133

Rh common Italian Proverb, calls it, Genua la Superba: and if ever I saw a Town with its Holy-day clothes alwayes on, it was Genua. It stands upon the side of a hill, and rising by degrees, appears to those that look upon it from the Sea, like an Amphitheater. Heretofore it was only fortified by Marble Bullworks, that is, great Hills of Marble which backt it up: but, some forty years ago it was environed with new walls, carrying six miles in compass, and yet finished in eighteen moneths.

The Haven heretofore was very unsafe, and many Ships which had tugg'd through the most dangerous Seas abroad, were seen to sink here in the Haven at home; the French, then Masters of Genua, not suffering her to shut up her haven, least she should shut them out. But since she hath shaken off the French yoak, she hath locked up her Treasures, and bolted the door on the inside, by that admirable Mola, which crossing almost quite over the Bay, or, Haven, doth not onely bolt out all Enemies, but even