Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/160

114 In another they shewed me a Saddle and Bridle with Stirrups of Gold, all set thick with Turky Stones, Diamonds, Pearls, and other rich Stones, with the Saddle Cloth, or Housse, all embroidered with Gold and Pearl: this was a Present from the Emperour to the Grand Duke. In another Cupboard they shewed me the four great Silver Bed-posts enammel'd here and there, and set with polished Stones of diverse Colours: They were made for the Marriage Bed of the now Great Princess, Daughter to the late Duke of Orleans. In another they shewed me a curious Antependium for an Altar, all of beaten Gold set with Pearl, precious Stones, and the Picture of Cosmus the Second in the middle of it, of curious enammel'd work, with his Ducal Crown set with Diamonds very richly; all along this Antependium above runs an Inscription in Letters composed of many Rubies each Letter being two fingers long, and importing these words:

COSMUS II. DEI GRATIA MAGNUS DUX ETRURIÆ EX VOTO.

In another Cupboard I was shown the Foot of an Elan, and a Visard all set, and covered with Turky Stones.

The great Hall.

5. Descending from hence, we were led into the great Hall of this Palace, a vast Room, painted on all sides of the Walls with bold Painting, representing the Victories of the Florentines anciently. Here it is that on Midsommer-day the Country People come and Dance