Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/181

Part I. Lampeggio.

24. I went also to Lampeggio, a Villa some five miles distant from ForenceFlorence [sic], belonging to Prince Matthias. It's curiously adorned with Pictures, especially Battles of the hand of Tempesta. Here I saw a curious Cabinet of Coral and enamelled work. The fine Giuoco di Mecha, or Turkish play, the curious Glasses, and little Armory.

The Stables.

25. Returning to the Town again, we saw the Great Duke's Stables full of excellent well managed Horses.

The Wild Beasts.

In the Chronology of Petrus Romualdus. to. I. page. 19.

26. Near to the Stables stands the Serraglio where the Wild Beasts are kept, which they make fight often against one another. Here I saw Lyons, Leopards, Tygers, Bears, Wolfs, Wild Boars and Foxes, all which they can let out severally at the Doors of their several Dens, into a fair Court to fight, and when they have done, they can bring them back again into their Dens by a fearful Machine of Wood made like a great Green Dragon, which a Man within it rolls upon wheels; and holding out two lighted Torches at the Eyes of it, frights the fiercest Beast hereby into his Den. The Prince and the Court in the mean time standing high above may see the Combats of these wild Beasts with ease and without danger. I have read, that a Lyon here once escaping out of this place by chance, and running up and down the Streets, met at last (all others flying into Houses) a little Child, who had neither fear nor wit enough to retire; and seized upon him. The Mother of the Child hearing in what case he was, ran out presently and casting