Theodorus Prodromus his Rhodanthes, Aristaenetus and Philostratus Epistles, Balthazar Castilio, lib. 4. de aulico. Laurentius, cap. 10, de melan. Aeneas Sylvius his Lucretia, and every poet almost, which have most accurately described a perfect beauty, an absolute feature, and that through every member, both in men and women.  Each part must concur to the perfection of it; for as Seneca saith, Ep. 33. lib. 4. Non est formosa mulier cujus crus laudatur et brachium, sed illa cujus simul universa facies admirationem singulis partibus dedit; “she is no fair woman, whose arm, thigh, &c. are commended, except the face and all the other parts be correspondent.”  And the face especially gives a lustre to the rest:  the face is it that commonly denominates a fair or foul:  arx formae facies, the face is beauty’s tower; and though the other parts be deformed, yet a good face carries it (facies non uxor amatur) that alone is most part respected, principally valued, deliciis suis ferox, and of itself able to captivate.

[4911] “Urit te Glycerae nitor,
        Urit grata protervitas,
        Et vultus nimium lubricus aspici.”

“Glycera’s too fair a face was it that set him on fire, too fine to be beheld.”  When [4912]Chaerea saw the singing wench’s sweet looks, he was so taken, that he cried out, O faciem pulchram, deleo omnes dehinc ex animo mulieres, taedet quotidianarum harum formarum! “O fair face, I’ll never love any but her, look on any other hereafter but her; I am weary of these ordinary beauties, away with them.”  The more he sees her, the worse he is,—­uritque videndo, as in a burning-glass, the sunbeams are re-collected to a centre, the rays of love are projected from her eyes.  It was Aeneas’s countenance ravished Queen Dido, Os humerosque Deo similis, he had an angelical face.

[4913] “O sacros vultus Baccho vel Apolline dignos,
        Quos vir, quos tuto foemina nulla videt!”

------“O sacred looks, befitting majesty,
Which never mortal wight could safely see.”

Although for the greater part this beauty be most eminent in the face, yet many times those other members yield a most pleasing grace, and are alone sufficient to enamour.  A high brow like unto the bright heavens, coeli pulcherrima plaga, Frons ubi vivit honor, frons ubi ludit amor, white and smooth like the polished alabaster, a pair of cheeks of vermilion colour, in which love lodgeth; [4914]_Amor qui mollibus genis puellae pernoctas_:  a coral lip, suaviorum delubrum, in which Basia mille patent, basia mille latent, “A thousand appear, as many are concealed;” gratiarum sedes gratissima; a sweet-smelling flower, from which bees may gather honey, [4915]_Mellilegae volucres quid adhuc cava thyma rosasque_, &c.

       “Omnes ad dominae labra venite meae,
        Illa rosas spirat,” &c.