652 T^E OLD MAN'S SONG OF WELCOME. [G'Bug^*;
super excellent Justice, as I take it, attired in beaten gold, holding a crown in her hand; guarded with shajmes and cornets, whose noise was such as if the Triumph had been endless.
There, likewise, were, on both sides, speeches spoken ; Shows appointed with several harmonies of drums, trumpets, and music of all sorts.
The Italians spared no spending in that behalf, at whose charge this glorious prospect was so pompous and full of shew, to the wonder of every beholder for the height, strength, and quality. Through it our King and his train passed.
At the corner of the street stood one, an old man with a white beard, at the age of seventy-nine, who had seen the change of four Kings and Queens, and now beheld the triumphs of the fifth; which, by his report, exceeded all the rest. Wherefore, as hopeful never to behold the like, yet he would, of his own accord, do that which should show his duty and old love, that was to speak a five lines that his son had made him : which lines were to this purpose, he himself being attired hi ^reen—
Peerless of Honour > "hear me speak a word !
Thy welcomed glory and enthroned renown
Being in peace, of earthly pomp and State,
To furnish forth the bewtoes of thy Crown,
Age thus salutes thee, with a downy pate.
Threescore and nineteen is thy servant's years*
That hath beheld thy predecessors four
AII flourishing green ; who deaths, the subjects' tears
Mingled with mine, did many t^mes deplore^
But now again, since that our joys are five,
Five hundred welcomes, I do give my King I
A nd may thy change, to us that be alive,
Never be known, a fifth extreme to bring 1
My honest heart be pattern of the rest!
Whoever prayed for them before now thee,
Both them and thine, of all joy be possest /
Whose lively presence9 we all bless to see.
And so pass on I GOD guide thee on thy way
Old Hind concludes, having no more to say*