Text (translated from the 1595L5Add, 1595 Latin, 1597German 5th Add./1602German, 1601 Latin, 1602 Spanish, 1603 Latin, 1606 English, 1608/1612 Italian, 1609/1612/1641 Spanish and 1609/1612 Latin edition)
122.1. {1595L5Add{The Liberties of PADVA.
122.2. The territories of Padua (which form part of the Marquisate of Treviso) were in old times larger, but are now contained within these bounds: On its South side runs the river Athesis {1606E only{(now called Ladessa)}1606E only}, on the North borders the little river Muso, on the East lies the gulf of Venice [and] in the West are the Montes Euganei {not in 1597G5Add & 1602G{and the province of Vicenza. The following verse was inscribed on the ancient seal of the City: Muso, mons, Athesis, mare, certos dant mihi fines}not in 1597G5Add & 1602G}, {1606E only{[that is:] The [river] Muse, the Hills, [the river] Ladessa and the sea enclose me all around}1606E only}.
122.3. Its circumference is 180 miles. There are 347 villages and hamlets in it. To the jurisdiction Court of Padua now belong these seven excellent towns: Montiniano, Castro Baldo, Atheste, Monselesse, Pieve di Sacho, Campo S. Pietro and Citadella. As also these six villages: Miran, Oriaco, Titulo and Liuiano, Arquado, famous for the tomb of Franciscus Petrarcha, Consylvio and Anguillaria. There are also in this territory the mountains called Euganei, made famous by the poets, near to which there is Apono, a village situated on the Spring [of the river] Abano, often mentioned by Claudianus and Martialis.
122.4. Also, Cassiodorus {not in 1597G5Add & 1602G{in his Epistles writes that Theodoricus, K[ing] {1606E only{of the Goths}1606E only} gave order to repair them}not in 1597G5Add & 1602G}. The fertility of the soil of this province of the liberties of Padua is such that of those things which are by necessity required for the sustenance of man, it yearly exports to neighbouring cities and countries a great abundance, without any costs to themselves or [remaining] needs for the inhabitants.
122.5. Their Wines are very rich. Hunting, fowling and fishing are very common here. It is so well provided with water by brooks and rivers that (to the great gain and profit of the inhabitants) there is no country village at a greater distance than five miles from a river. They brag about this great plenty and abundance of things in their common proverb which says: Bononia la grassa, Padua la passa, {1597G5Add, 1601L, 1602G, 1603L & 1606E only{that is, Padua for fertility surpasses rich Bononia}1597G5Add, 1601L, 1602G, 1603L & 1606E only}. {not in 1602S, 1603L, 1606E, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612/1641S{And if we say this in Latin, Bononia (which is most fertile) surpasses Patavinum in fertility}not in 1602S, 1603L, 1606E, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612/1641S}. So far about the shire.
122.6. Now something about the city from which it took its name. It is situated in a plain traversed everywhere by pleasant rivers. The city is very strong, enclosed [as it is] by a broad [and] deep ditch of water, by high and thick walls, and [it] is very populous. It has an excellent large common [meadow] outside the city, in which the enemy that might besiege it will not find any shelter. [There is] a Session-house {1606E only{(the Yield hall [is what] we call it)}1606E only}, most stately and sumptuous, all covered with lead.
122.7. [It also has] a university famous all over Europe, founded, as they report, by Charles the Great, [and] finished by Frederick the Second in the year of our Lord 1222, and confirmed by Urbane, the fourth Bishop of Rome forty years after. There is in this city an Orchard (which they call Physicians Garden), in form round and very large, planted with all kinds of strange herbs used in Medicine for the instruction of young students in the knowledge of Herbs and Plants, a unique and worthy work. Clothing is the chief trade of the Citizens, providing a return of 600,000 pounds a year and more.
122.8. This we have taken from Bernardino Scardeonio who has written a whole volume on the location, liberties, antiquities, famous men and things worthy to be noted about this city. He that desires to see more of this, let him read that, if he pleases, to whom may be added Leander's description of Italy. About the fenny places on the sea coast, you may read Cassiodores twelfth book of Variarum, dedicated to the Admiral and Masters of the Navy. {1608/1612I only{tra quali aggiunge il Pigafetta, Marco Antonio Cornero, & Luigi suo auolo gentil'huomini Venetiani, con dottrina esquisita, & lunga pratica hanno in perfetto modo inteso le cagioni del guastamento di quelle Lagune per li fiumi, che arrecano limo & sabbione, & per lomare arena: & n'han dettato trattati, & de rimedi salutiferi}1608/1612I only}.
122.9. {1606E only{About the liberties of}1606E only} TREVISO {1601L, 1603L, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612/1641S & 1609/1612L{AREA}1601L, 1603L, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612/1641S & 1609/1612L}.
122.10. BLONDVS in his description of Italy makes the Marquisate of Treviso the tenth province of Italy, and places these famous cities in it: Feltre, Belluno, Ceneta, Padua, Vicenza and Verona, the chief [city] which he makes [out to be] Treviso, from which the whole province took its name. The excellent river Sile which for clarity and swiftness of its waters is inferior to none, passes by this city, running about ten miles East of it. Its is navigable and empties into the Adriatic sea.
122.11. Many small brooks run through the town, which is surrounded by a strong wall, and which is very populous. It is beautified with many stately buildings, both Churches and private houses. The country bordering on Treviso is most pleasant and rich, yielding all manner of things necessary for the use of man and beast. For it is [located] in a very large plain, yielding not only a great amount of all sorts of grain and excellent wines, but it also has many excellent pastures, feeding [an] abundance of cattle.
122.12. Neither are its mountains altogether craggy and barren, but its lower hills are covered with vines, olives and other fruit trees, and [they have] plenty of Deer, [a] pastime for hunters. In this country are many fair Towns, for in the East and North side of it there are Opitergium {1606E & 1608/1612I only{(now Oderzo as I think)}1606E & 1608/1612I only}, Coneglanum {1606E only{(or Conegliano), both on the river Mottegan}1606E only}. [Then] Serravalle, Motta, Porto Buffaleti and Sacile. {1606E only{These last three are situated on the river Livenza}1606E only}.
122.13. To these are to be added the County of St. Salvador, Colalto, St. Paulo, Cordignan, Roca di val di Marino, Cęsaria {1606E only{(Cesana I take it [to be named])}1606E only} and Mellis. In the West and South are Bassianum {1606E only{(Bassan)}1606E only} Asylo, Castrum fratrum {1597G5Add, 1602G, 1606E & 1608/1612I only{(Castelfranco)}1597G5Add, 1602G, 1606E & 1608/1612I only}, Nouale, and Mestre. Moreover, you find here various end roads, villages and hamlets. But whoever wants to know more about its location, antiquities, famous men and other matters worth recording about this province, let him have recourse to the most learned Ioannes Bonifacius who has some time ago published a most exact and absolute history of it.
122.14. There is also a description of the country of Treviso composed in verse by the native Ioannes Pinadelli, but it has not yet been printed. {not in 1597G5Add & 1602G{So far the Author has [only] discussed this map of his. To which I trust I may add with his approval this from Zacharias Lilius' Breviary of the world: TARVISIVM, {1606E{now Treviso}1606E} [is] an excellent city belonging to the Signiory of Venice}not in 1597G5Add & 1602G} (of all ancient writers [this fact was] first mentioned by Plinius).
122.15. [It] brought forth Totilas, the fifth and most famous king of the Goths, after whose [appearance] it began to grow and to rise to the dignity it now has, so that the whole province of Venice might well be called The Marquisate of Treviso. {not in 1597G5Add & 1602G{For Totilas, gathering a great army, conquered all of Italy, and after entering the city of Rome he sacked and burnt it}not in 1597G5Add & 1602G}. Some have claimed that the city of Treviso was built by the Trojans}1597G5Add & 1602G end here} on the fair river Sile, which empties into the Adriatic sea. The city itself is very strong with its walls, castle and ditches. [It is] very beautiful with its bridges, private houses and Churches, and very famous for [its] various merchandise.
122.16. It has great quantities of corn, wine, [olive] oil, fish and fruits. The country has many castles and villages, and worthy men, praised for their Religion and wisdom, virtuous life and civil conversation especially recommend this city. {not in 1608/1612I{So far Lilius}1595L5Add, not in 1608/1612I}{1608/1612I only{So much about Vicentino}1608/1612I only} © Marcel van den Broecke ©.