The principall Priests which were apparelled with white surplesses
hanging downe to the ground, bare the relikes of the puissant goddesse.
One carried in his hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in
our houses, saving that in the middle thereof appeared a bole which
rendred a more bright flame. The second attired hike the other bare
in his hand an Altar, which the goddesse her selfe named the succor of
nations. The third held a tree of palme with leaves of gold, and the
verge of Mercurie. The fourth shewed out a token of equitie by his left
hand, which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby more equitie
then by the right hand. The same Priest carried a round vessell of gold,
in forme of a cap. The fifth bare a van, wrought with springs of gold,
and another carried a vessell for wine: By and by after the goddesse
followed a foot as men do, and specially Mercurie, the messenger of
the goddesse infernall and supernall, with his face sometime blacke,
sometime faire, lifting up the head of the dogges Annubis, and bearing
in his left hand, his verge, and in his right hand, the branches of a
palme tree, after whom followed a cow with an upright gate, representing
the figure of the great goddesse, and he that guided her, marched on
with much gravity. Another carried after the secrets of their religion,
closed in a coffer. There was one that bare on his stomacke a figure of
his god, not formed like any beast, bird, savage thing or humane shape,
but made by a new invention, whereby was signified that such a religion
should not be discovered or revealed to any person. There was a vessel
wrought with a round bottome, haveing on the one side, pictures figured
like unto the manner of the Egyptians, and on the other side was an
eare, whereupon stood the Serpent Aspis, holding out his scaly necke.
Finally, came he which was appointed to my good fortun according to the
promise of the goddesse. For the great Priest which bare the restoration
of my human shape, by the commandement of the goddes, Approached more