Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/148

within the Walls, as high as a Man can reach, the Tombs of all the Great Dukes of Florence, in a most gallant manner, and of most exquisite polished Stones, with a great Cushion of some richer Stone, and a Ducal Crown of precious Stones reposing upon that Cushion. Over these Tombs the statues of all the Great Dukes, at full length, and in their Ducal Habits, all of Brass gilt, are to be placed in Niches round about the Chapel. The Roof is to be Vaulted all over with an over-crusting of Lapis Lazuli) a blue precious Stone with Veins of Gold in it) which will make it look like Heaven it self. Between each Tomb are inlaid in the Walls, the Arms, or Scutchions of the several Towns of the Great Dukes Dominions, all blazoned according to their several Colours in Heraldry by several precious Stones which compose them: and these are not made in little, but are fair great Scutchions made purposely of a large size for to fill up the void places between the Tombs: the Towns are these; Florence, Siena, Pisa, Livorno, Volterra, Arezzo, Pistoia, Cortona, Monte Pulciano, &c. which contributed (I suppose) something each of them to this Costly Fabrick. In fine, this Chapel is so rich within with its own shining bare Walls, that it scorns all Hangings, Painting, Tilding, Mosaick Work, and such like helpers off of bare Walls, because it can find nothing richer and handsomer than its own precious Walls. It's now above three-score years since it was begun, & there are ordinarily threescore Men at work daily here, and yet there's only the Tomb of Ferdinand the Second, perfectly finished. The very Cushion whichlieth