First she them[737] led vp to the Castle wall, xxi That was so high, as foe might not it clime, And all so faire, and fensible[738] withall, Not built of bricke, ne yet of stone and lime, But of thing like to that _Ægyptian_ slime, Whereof king _Nine_ whilome built _Babell_ towre; But O great pitty, that no lenger time[739] So goodly workemanship should not endure: Soone it must turne to earth; no earthly thing is sure. The frame thereof seemd partly circulare, xxii And part triangulare, O worke diuine; Those two the first and last proportions are, The one imperfect, mortall, fœminine; Th’other immortall, perfect, masculine, And twixt them both a quadrate was the base, Proportioned equally by seuen and nine; Nine was the circle set in heauens place, All which compacted made a goodly diapase[740]. Therein two gates were placed seemly well: xxiii The one before, by which all in did pas, Did th’other far in workmanship excell; For not of wood, nor of enduring bras, But of more worthy substance fram’d it was; Doubly disparted, it did locke and close, That when it locked, none might thorough pas, And when it opened, no man might it close, Still open to their friends, and closed to their foes. Of hewen stone the porch was fairely wrought, xxiv Stone more of valew, and more smooth and fine, Then Iet or Marble far from Ireland brought; Ouer the which was cast a wandring vine, Enchaced with a wanton yuie twine. And ouer it a faire Portcullis hong, Which to the gate directly did incline, With comely compasse, and compacture strong, Neither vnseemely short, nor yet exceeding long. Within the Barbican a Porter sate, xxv Day and night duely keeping watch and ward, Nor wight, nor word mote passe out of the gate, But in good order, and with dew regard; Vtterers of secrets he from thence debard, Bablers of folly, and blazers of crime. His larumbell might lowd and wide be hard, When cause requird, but neuer out of time; Early and late it rong, at euening and at prime. And round about the porch on euery side xxvi Twise sixteen warders sat, all armed bright In glistring steele, and strongly fortifide: Tall yeomen seemed they, and of great might, And were enraunged ready, still for fight. By them as _Alma_ passed with her guestes, They did obeysaunce, as beseemed right, And then againe returned to their restes: The Porter eke to her did lout with humble gestes.