By all this we see, that there was a Temple of Vestals at Nismes, Diana the Maid being their chief Patroness, which is made now a Nunnery, called la Fontaine. There is also to be seen the Temple of Plotina, Trajans wife, built by Adrian his Successor. And as it was the manner of the Ancients to put some of those inextinguishable Lamps in their Graves; it is very likely, there was one of them in this Temple, and because it should be known whose Grave it was, he caused Trajans name to be Engraven in the foot of the said Lamp.
Let us explain now the Stanza: Under the Ancient Vestal buildings of the Temple of Diana, not far from the ruined Aqueduct, which carrieth the water from the River Gar to Nismes, shall be found shining mettals of Sol and Luna, that is, Meddals of gold and silver, with a burning Lamp of gold, wherein the name of Trajan was Engraven. Histories make mention of several burning Lamps in this manner, that have been found still burning in the ground, and not consumed, though they had been there above 500 years; certainly the Oil of it must have been incombustible, and could be extracted out of nothing but gold, quia nil dat quod non habet.
LXVII.
French.
Quand Chef Perouse n’osera sa Tunique,
Sens au convert tout nud s’expolier:
Seront prins sept faict Aristocratique,
Le Pere & Fils morts par poine te au collier.
English.
When the Chief of Perouse shall not dare without a Tunick,