Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/202

194 by two figures. In the midst of the labyrinth so frequently mentioned, it was Tribolo’s intention to display the highest powers of art by means of the various jets and ornamental forms into which the water was to be thrown, and by the numerous decorations to be placed about the fountain, around which there was to be a commodious and beautiful range of seats for repose. The marble basin he proposed to make, as was in effect subsequently done, much less than that of the large and principal fountain, and intended to place therein a figure of bronze, throwing water from its mouth. At the end of this garden there was to be a portal in the centre, with marble figures of boys throwing water; a fountain was to be formed on each side, and in the angles were to be double niches, within which statues were to be placed, similar to those which are in the niches of the side walls, and ranged along the avenues by which the garden is traversed; all to be standing in various compartments and surrounded with verdure.

From the above mentioned door at the end of this garden, a flight of steps conducts to a second garden, of equal width with the first, but, ascending the hill straight upwards, it presented no great depth, being impeded by the acclivity of the mountain. On each side of this upper garden was likewise to be erected a Loggia; and opposite to the door, in the wall erected to support the soil of the hill behind, there was to be a grotto with three distinct elevations, each with its basin, wherein water was to fall in the manner of rain. On each side of the grotto was to be placed a fountain; and opposite to these, near the lower wall of the garden, were to be two more fountains constructed, one on each side of the door. In this manner the fountains of the upper garden would have been equal to those in that beneath it; those of the latter receiving their waters from the fountains of the higher garden, wherein there were besides to be large numbers of orange trees, which would there have had, nay, rather, will have, the most commodious position that can be conceived, because they will be defended by the wall and the heights from the north wind, and all others that might be injurious to them.

From this garden of oranges two flights of stone steps, one on each side, conduct to a wood of cypress, pines, and ilex, mingled with laurels and evergreen shrubs, in great