The Theatre at Ferento

AT Ferenten, an old Towne lying by Veterben, there is yet to bee séene the forme of a Theatre, much decayed, being of no great workemanship, and lesse ornaments, for any thing a man may perceaue by the same; for there are no pieces to be seene whereby a man may conceyt any matter of importance. But you may yet sée in the Porticus going from the Theatre, there were foure square Pillars, also the Stayres thereof were very simple and playne: and because it is so much decayed, you can hardly discerne how they stood. The Scene of this Theatre is much different from others, as you may sée in the ground thereof: neither is there so much standing aboue ground, that a man may perceaue how the Scene and the Pulpit thereof stood. This ground was measured by the ancient foote, and first, speaking of the Orchestra A. which is halfe a Circle, the Diameter thereof is 141. foot and a halfe long. The body of the Theatre, that is, from the Orchestra, to the outtermost of the Corner Pillars of the Porticus, is 35. foot: the Pillars of the corner on eyther side, is 5. foote broad: the entry of the Porticus on the side of the Scene, is 8. foote: the vault vnder the Stayres, is 22. foote: the thickenesse of the Wall about the Orchestra, is 3. foote and a halfe: the Hospitalia, marked X. is in length 40. foot and a halfe; and in bredth 30. foote: the widenesse of the Porticus about the Theatre, is 11. foote: the Pillars are thicke and broad, 3. foote and 3. quarters: the widenesse of the Arch, is 9. foote: the iust bredth of the Orchestra marked B. is 20. foote: the place of the Pulpit C. is in length 40. foote and a halfe; but the bredth is 12. foote: the going through, is 9. foote. The place marked D. should be the Porticus behind the Scene: yet there is no shew of any Columnes; but it sheweth that there was a wall standing by the water side. The bredth of this place, is 19. foot and a halfe. Without this Theatre there standeth the foundation of two Buildings, but they are so much decayed, that you can find no end of them: neuerthelesse, the Building marked F. for as much as you see of it, sheweth that it was ioyned to other things. The widenesse wherein the F. standeth, is 31. foote. The 2. small places or stancies holding vp the one side, are eyght foot and a halfe; and on the other side, ten foot and a halfe. The Arches where the foure Columnes stand (which I take be made in that manner) are in length 27. foot and a halfe, and in bredth ten foot and a halfe. The bredth of the Building marked E. is twenty foot: the hollow places in the sides, are 17. foote: the length of all together, is 60. foote, and is distant from the Theatre one hundred and one and fortie foot: and from the other Building, seuentie foote and a halfe.