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thing to be wondred at, was their speed and diligence. For where euery man thought those workes were not likely to be finished in many mens Hues and ages, and from man to man: they were all done and finished, whitest one onely gouernour continued still in credite and authentic. And yet they say, that in the same time, as one Agatarchus boasted him selfe, that he had quickly painted certaine beasts: Zeuxis another painter hearing him, answered: And I contrarily do reioyce, that I am a long time in drawing of them. For commonly slight and sodaine drawing of any thing, cannot take deepe colours, nor giue perfect beauty to the worke: but length of time, adding to the painters diligence and labour in making of the worke, maketh the colours to continue for euer. For this cause therefore the workes Pericles made, are more wonderfull: because they were perfectly made in so short a time, and haue continued so long a season. For euery one of those which were finished vp at that time, seemed then to be very auncient touching the beauty thereof: and yet for the grace and continuance of the same, it looketh at this day as if it were but newly done and finished, there is such a certain kind of flourishing freshnesse in it, which letteth that the iniury of time cannot impaire the sight therof. As if euery of those foresaid workes, had some liuing spirit in it, to make it seeme yong and fresh : and a soul that liued euer, which kept them in their good continuing state. Now the chiefe surueyour general of al these works was Phidias, albeit that there were many other excellent workmasters in euery science and occupation. For the temple of Pallas, which is called Parthenon (as a man would say, the temple of the virgine, and is surnamed Hecatompedon, for that it is a hundred foote euery way) was built by Ictinus, and Callicrates: and the chappell of Eleusin (where the secret cere-