11
PRINTED FOR THE M ALONE SOCIETY BY
FREDERICK HALL AT THE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PRESS
-
^w^r y
GESTA
GRAYORUM
1688
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
1914
This reprint of Gesta Grayorum has been prepared under
the direction of the General Editor.
April 1917. W. W. Greg.
The account of the Christmas revels at Gray's Inn In
1 5-94-5- did not find its way into print till nearly a century
later. At least no edition earlier than that of id 8 8 is now
known, and the stationer's epistle to Matthew Smyth then
prefixed seems to claim it as a new publication: clt was
Fortune, undoubtedly, that reserved it for this happy
Opportunity of coming forth under your Protection.' More
over, we find it entered in the London Term Catalogues,
Trinity Term, July, 1 68 8, under History, y (Arber's Reprint,
II. 230). What occasioned its publication at that time is
not known. John Nichols, who reprinted the tract in his
Progresses of Elizabeth (ed. 1788, ii; ed. 1823, iii. 262),
ascribes the publication to Henry Keepe, but the ground
of this statement is doubtful. Keepe was a well-known
antiquary, a member of the Inner Temple and author of
the Monuments of Westminster, who died about the end of
May 1688. The original is a rather large quarto printed
in type approximating in size to modern English (20 11.
= 93 mm.). The type-page, including running-title and
catchwords, measures i9ox 122 mm., without these, I77X
122 mm. The extreme measurement of the rules which
surround the title-page is 1 9 5- x 1 1 5- mm. This is a size
inconveniently large for the present series, and consequently
Pica has been substituted for English type in the reprint.
There are three main points of literary interest in the
Gesta Grayorum, namely, a supposed allusion to Shakespeare's
Comedy of Errors, the speeches of the six Councillors, and the
Masque of Proteus.
The first of these will be found on page 2 2, where we
read that ca Comedy of Errors (like to Plautus his
Menecbmus) was played by the Players' (1. 27). For the
discussion of this passage reference may be made to the
usual Shakespearian commentaries. There are however
certain difficulties which have not always been recognized.
The performance at Gray's Inn took place on the evening
of Dec. 28, and if the play was Shakespeare's play we must
suppose that the company was Shakespeare's company, the
Lord Chamberlain's men. But the accounts of the
Treasurer of the Chamber show payments to this company
for performances before the Court on both 26 Dec. and
28 Dec. The Court was at Greenwich and the perform
ances were in the evening. These accounts, however, also
show a payment to the Lord Admiral's men in respect of
28 Dec. It is true that instances of two court perform
ances on one night do occur elsewhere, but in view of
the double difficulty involved, it is perhaps best to assume
that in the Treasurer's accounts, 28 Dec. is an error for
27 Dec. (c£ Modern Language Review^ Oct. 1906, ii. 10).
The interest of the Councillors' speeches and the
Prince's reply, which occur on pages 32-42, lies in the fact
that they have been ascribed to the pen of Francis Bacon.
The attribution admittedly rests on the internal evidence
of style and manner, and it may therefore be sufficient to
refer to the account of the matter given by James Spedding,
who first made the ascription, in his Letters and Life of
Francis Bacon (1861, i. 325-). It should, however, be ob
served that the so-called Northumberland Manuscript, which
includes other works of Bacon's, has in the index the entry
of an item, now missing, c Orations at Graies Inne reuells '.
Lastly, we come to the portion of the work which is
really the occasion of the present reprint, namely the
Masque of Proteus, which will be found on pages 5-8 to 67.
From the data in the text it appears that the masque was
performed before the Queen at Court, at Shrovetide 1 794/f >
but the exact date is obscure owing to uncertainty as to
whether the intervening mention of the c next Day '
(page 67 , line 31) places the « Barriers' (page 68, line 4)
a day later than the masque. If it does so, the date of the
masque was Monday, 3 March, if not, both masque and
barriers were on Tuesday, 4 March, and the presentation
vi
to the Queen ( next Day ' took place, as is possible, on Ash
Wednesday.
It is interesting to find that the Inn records (see R. J.
Fletcher, Pension Book of Gray's /«#, 1901, i. 107—8) have
an order of n February if 97 for the payment of 100
marks to William Johnson and Edward Morrys for cthe
gentlemen for their sports & shewes this Shrovetyde at
the court before the Queens Majestic '. On 8 May there
was a further order for a levy for the * shewes & desports '.
Readers were to pay icxr., ancients 6s. 8^., utter barristers
$•/., other gentlemen 4/. The public stock of the house
was to contribute ^30.
Now the text in the Gesta Gmyorum is not the only text
of this masque extant. In Manuscript Harley ^41 at the
British Museum is included a thin pamphlet containing
another and a better copy (art. 9, fol. 138). The manu
script is said to have formed part of the collections of
John Stow, the antiquary, and the text of the masque is
a caligraphical exercise of considerable beauty. The
Harleian catalogue notes concerning this item : * It seems
part of a Mask for the entertainment of Qu. Elizabeth;
& to have been written by the hand of Peter Beales the
Writing Master.' However, comparison with other writing
ascribed to Peter Beale or Beales (namely Manuscript
Harley 1848 and another manuscript in private hands)
does not bear out this conjecture. Of greater weight is the
definite statement made by Sir N. H. Nicolas in his
edition of Davison's Poetical Rhapsody , 1826, that the manu
script is in the autograph of Francis Davison. Other
papers supposed to be in Davison's hand are preserved in
Manuscript Harley 298 (fols. 174, &c.), and, although in
these the writing is far less careful, there are undoubted
points of similarity. It is interesting to note that in a list
of c Papers lent ' by Davison occurs the entry : < Grayes In
Sportes under Sr Henry Helmes. [Lent to] Eleaz. Hogdson.'
Vll
Davison, who had been admitted to Gray's Inn in 1793,
himself took part in the revels, as appears from references
in the Gesta (p. rf, 1. 22, p. 48, 1. 21).
That Francis Davison was in any case the main author of
the masque is clear from a poem included in his well-known
anthology, the Poetical Rhapsody, first printed in 1602.
There, in a series of sonnets * to his first Loue ', is one the
heading of which claims for him < the speech of Grayes-Inne
Maske at the Court 1 5-94. consisting of three partes, The
Story of Proteus Transformations, the wonders of the
Adamantine Rocke, and a speech to her Maiestie', all of
which agrees with the text as we know it.
It is to be observed that in the manuscript copy of the
masque the opening hymn to Neptune (11. 4-23) is absent,
and that the c second Hymn' (11. 313-24) is a later addition
in a clumsy imitation of the original hand (though this
does not prevent its offering a text considerably superior to
that of the Gesta). The fact that neither is explicitly
mentioned by Davison in the heading to his sonnet also
suggests that they may be of different authorship from the
rest of the masque. As regards the first hymn, Davison
himself comes to our aid, for he included it in the Poetical
Rhapsody above the name of Thomas Campion. It has been
assumed that the second hymn may be ascribed to the same,
which is perhaps rather venturesome in view of its inferior
quality.
The text of the masque contained in Manuscript Harley
5-41, as well as the two poems in question out of the
Poetical Rhapsody, will be found printed at the end of the
present introduction.
The so-called second part of the Gesta Grayorum printed
from manuscript by Nichols in his Progresses of Elizabeth
(as above) is a composition of some twenty years later
having no immediate connexion with the original enter
tainment.
VIIJ
DOUBTFUL AND IRREGULAR READINGS.
31.5 Happ'tnefs
44. z 8 Tnaria,
So-(goria,)] o doubtful
48.33 m
. Whe
delivered,] r doubtful
.w.
3.17 C barge
8.1 Biftiod
8.13 Johnfon,
la.zi Ward-rope] hyphen doubtful
Z4.4 preceived
14.. ii acquainted
17^6 Tou
30.38 whatofever,
N. B. — The numerous corruptions in the printed text of the masque
(p. 58, &c.) are not noted above, but will be found recorded in the colla
tions appended to the text from the Harleian manuscript.
A list of the speakers in the masque is given on page y 7.
IX
FROM FRANCIS DAVISON'S < POETICAL RHAPSODY',
1602, SIG. D$ VERSO.
Among Sonnets, &c. 'to his first Louc.'
SONNET. Ill I.
prefenting her with the Jpeech of Grayes-Inne Maske
at the Court i^p^.. confifling of three parte s, The Story
of Proteus Transformations, the wonders of the Ada
mantine Rocke, and a fyeech to her Maieftie.
o in thefe lines may better claime a parte,
That fing the praifes of the Britton Queene,
Then you, faire fweet, that only Soueraign beene,
Of the poore Kingdome of my faithful Heart ?
10 Or to whofe view mould I this fpeech impart,
Where th'adamatines rocks great powre is mown :
But to your cSq'ring eies, whofe force once known
Makes euen Iron harts loath thence to parte ?
Or who of Proteus fundry transformations,
May better fend you the new-fay ned Story,
Then I, whofe loue vnfain'de felt no mutations,
Since to be yours I firfl receiu'de the glory ?
Accept then of thefe lines, though meanely pend,
So fit for you to take, and me to fend.
The first edition of the Poetical fyapsody is among Malone's books at the
Bodleian. The British Museum possesses editions of 161 1 and 1621, in the latter
of which the poems are largely re-arranged. The variants from these editions are
recorded below. An edition of 1608 is also known in private hands.
, sig. Dn recto, p. 71 : i5zi, sig. Fi verso, p. 66. i] VII. SONET.
l6l\. $ panes,] fartei. 1611 : farts. 1611. 7 Britton] maiden i<Jn, 1621.
II th'adamatinesj th'Adamantine 1611, 1611. 13 thence] then
FROM FRANCIS DAVISON'S < POETICAL RHAPSODY',
Itf02, SIG. K8 RECTO.
Among 'Diuerse Poems of sundry Authors.'
A Hymne in praije of Neptune.
F Neptunes Empyre let vs fing,
At whofe command the wanes obay :
To whom the Riuers tribute pay,
Downe the high mountaines fliding.
To whom the skaly Nation yeelds
Homage for the Criftall fields
Wherein they dwell ;
And euery Sea-god paies a lem,
Yeerely out of his watry Cell, 10
To decke great Neptunes Diadem.
The Trytons dauncing in a ring,
Before his Pallace gates, doo make
The water with their Ecchoes quake,
Like the great Thunder founding :
The Sea-Nymphes chaunt their Accents fhrill,
And the Syrens taught to kill
With their fweet voyce ;
Make eu'ry ecchoing Rocke reply,
Vnto their gentle murmuring noyfe, 20
The prayfe of Neptunes Empery.
Th. Campion.
This Hymne was fung by Amphitryte Thamejis^ and
other Sea-Nimphes in Grayes-Inne Maske, at the
Court.
161 13 sig. Ii recto, p. 183: i6n,sig. K6 verso, p. 140. I ^L ffymne\ *A Himmc
i£ii:XLII. CANZONET. Or a. ffymne 1 61 1. 19 eu'ry] euery 1621. 23-?
These lines are printed at the top of the next page in 1611, while they have been
incorporated in the heading of the next poem in 1621. 23 This Ffymne reai\ XLIII.
CANZONET. Or a. Hymne that was i6zi. Amphitryte] AmphitrytS, 1611.
Variants from the Gesta. Grttyorum (11. 1-11=4-13). 4 the] omit. 7 the]
their 9 paies a Iem3] praife again, 14 water] Waiters Ecchoes] Trumpets
19 Rocke] Voice 20 murmuring] mourning
xi b 2,
TEXT OF THE MASQUE FROM MANUSCRIPT HARLEY 5-41.
foi. i38* The Dialogue between the Squire
Proteus, Amphitrite & Thamesis.
foi. 139* Differ ye Hymne fong.
Squire. PROTEVS it seemes you lead a mery life
Your Mustek followes you, where-ereyou go
I thought you Sea Gods as in your abode
So in your nature had not been vnlike
To fishes, who as say Philosophers
Haue so fmall sence of Musicks sweet delight
As tis a doubt not fully yet resolv'd,
Whether of heering they haue sence or no.
10 Proteus. Twas great discourse of reason to regard
The dreaming guess of a Philosopher,
That neuer helde his idle buzzing head
Under the water half an howers space,
More then that famous old receiued story
Of good Arion by a Dolphin sav'd
Proteus. Why so faire Squire, Is not my promise kept,
zo Ana duly the appointed day observ'd.
Variants from the Gesta Grayorum, of which 1. 14 corresponds with 1. r above.
Other notes in parentheses.
I O/. . . eforr.] (added in a different hand) i Squire J Efquire, (and so
throughout) 6 who] the which, 7 fmati] (/"inserted ?) swtti] omit. 1 1 ff
(e altered from ; and second j from t ?) 14 story] History 10 day] time
xii
Squire Yes, & tis y* in 'which I rest dec eh V.
/ rather deemd & not without good cause,
That those still floating regions where you bide, fol. i39b
And th3 ever-changing nature that you haue
Nought els but breach of promise promised
Proteus. T'weare strange ify* my worde wch credit keepes
In future thinges and hidden secrecies
Shoulde fondlie faile in keeping promise made
Fondly in deed when tis for myne availe
Here is jf Rock your Prison or your prise 30
But tell mee Squire, where is ttf appointed place
In wch wee shall theis vaunted wonders see.
Squire. Well may you wonders terme them Proteus,
For those bee wonders y* pass humane witt,
Theis shall surpass thy witt though half devine ;
This is the place, where all those promises,
Agreed upon betwixt jf Prince and you,
Shall bee performd, and shall bee so performd,
Sofarr beyond your doubting expectation,
Sofarr beyond his modest declaration, 40
As you will say thrise happie Proteus
whose eares unblessed were to bless myne eyes.
Amphitrite. Your far-fet speeches make vs two amazde
But tell vs Squire what bee those promisses
And those agreed Covenants, <fo> whereon fol. 140*
Did they arize twixt Proteus and you Prince.
Squire. Faire Amphitrite, I will tell you all
After the vie tone at Astracan
Had made an end ofy Tartarian war
And quite disperst our vanquisht Enemies 50
Unto their hoordes and huge vast wildernes,
Our noble prince, and his courageous knights
^<) myne] my 30 is y' %ock] are the I(ocks s Prison] Perfon, 3 r where is]
Where's 34 those bee] thefe are 3? -6 devine ^ This is] divine. But for to put
you out of further Doubt, This is 40-1 declaration, ^/i you will say] Declaration.
^ndyoujhallfay, 43 far-fet] fair fet 46 twixt] (first t altered ?) you] your
48 Astracan] Auftrican
xiii
e vntyrde valour in y* b alte II fought ^
was rafter warm'd then fully exerctfde]
finding no Enterprise that diet deferve
Th'imployment of their brave united force,
After assignment of a day and place
where both him self^ jy all his knights should meet,
Disperst themselues in many sundry quests
60 To seeke adventures as they should befall
The Prince him self who only was attended
By mee his Squire had many strange exployts
wch since they shortly shall bee putt in print,
loy'nd wth Prince Arthure s famous Cronacle
I shall not now neede to repeat at large.
Amongst jf rest when as the time approacht,
That as it was assignd wee all should meete,
It thus fell out. The Prince one Sunshine day
i4°b Resting him selfwthin a goodly tuft,
Of tall straite fir-trees y* adornde / shore,
7 1 Reading a Ire, lately sent vnto him,
from one of his brave knights, y* did importe,
How bee in token of his duteous hue,
And for a Trophe of his victories,
Had lately sent him a Commoditie
OfPigmeys taken in his priuate quest.
Resting and Reading suddainly he spide
Of porposes a great vnujuall flock
Playing and skipping on the calmed waves.
80 Drawn e with this sight neerer vnto f shore,
Mounting a litle Clif, hee some discernd
A Cave whose frame seemd more then naturall
And viewing neer wth wary heedefull eys,
At length hee spide this fisheard there asleepe
ffbome by his heard and haveour hee suspected
To bee this Proteus as it was in deed
Our Prince straite ready at his fortunes call
f 3-4 (Whose . . .exercifde)] Whofe . . . exercis'd, 73 •vntyrde] untryd /] the
67 all should] Jboud all 69 goodly] (dly over erasure) 71 /re,J Letter, •vnto'] to
76 hisfriuate quest.'] fr'nate Conqueft, 77 and Reading suddainly he] (over erasure except
the first two letters) Heading] rejtdlng : spide] efiy'd 79 sK'Pf'tng °n] ff>ringing
f» calmed] climbing 80 neerer •vnto'] near to 8 4 fishe ard] Fijh hard 8 J heard] Head
xiv
Wth easy stealing stepps drew neer vnto
And being neer with great agility
Seasd suddenly vpon this Demy God.
Hee thus surprisde resorted presently
To his familiar artes and turning tricks
My Lord like to a skillfull faukoner.
Continued still to keepe hisfastned hold.
90
fbl. 141*
Thamefls. The story of those oft tranfformed shape s^
I long to heer from you y* present wears
And an ey-witnes of that strange conflict.
Squire. And shall faire Thamesis. Know theny* Proteus
Viewing the gallant shape and budding youth
Of my brave Lorde, the form y* frst hee took
W"as of a goodly lady passing fain ',
Hoping belike y* whilst hee vsde respect
Dew to her mate hies bewty and her sex
Him self being now unloosd might slide away.
But finding him (jS knew his wily shift es,
Embrace him stiaiter in y* fayned shape ^
Next to a Serpent hee tranfformd himself ^
Wth fiery eyes and dreadful I blackish skales,
And threeforkt hissing tongue wch might ajfright^
Ttf undaunted Mr of dread Cerberus.
Wherewtk the Prince rather enrag d thenfeard^
Made him betake him to an other forme.
Wch was a sumptuous Caskett ritchly wrought^
whereout whenas it #/>/<?, many Diamonds
& Rubies of inestimable worth
Seemed by chaunce to drop in to the Sea.
This working nought, but skorne & high disdayne^
Hee lastly shewd him a sad spectacle
Wch was ye worthiest of his valiant knights
88 "vnto\ to 90 suddenly"] (over erasure except the last two letters)
93 likf (over erasure ty 98 Thamesti. J$norv\ Thamefis kporv 100 firsi\ (added
in the margin by the same hand) zoj him (/ . . . shiftes,] him, that . . . Shifts,
107 to] unto 109 n>cA] that no M*~\ Master lio-l Cerberur. Wrberenfh]
Cerberus j PreJJing with doubled Strength his fcaled Crefl j Wherewith 1 1 4 whenas] rvhtn
ofen'dy Diamonds] Diadems, 1 1 9 worthiest] North-East
loo
ITO
fol. 14 ib
XV
1 *o And best beloved of my Lorde the Prince,
Mangled and piers t wtk many a grijly wound,
Weltring his valiant lymmes in purple gore,
Gasping and cloazing his faint dying eyes
This withy* Prince now vsd to his delusion s,
Prevaild no more then did the rest before.
When Proteus then had changd his changing weed,
And fix t him self in his owne wonted shape
Seeing no other meanes could ought prevayle
Hee ransome projferdfor his libertie.
I3° And first of all hee off red to arread
To him and all his knights their fortunes spell,
But when my Lord reply de y* that was fitt
For vnresolued Cowards to obtayne,
And how his Fortunes often-changing play,
woulde loose the pleasure and yf chief delight,
Ifjf Catastrophe should bee fore-knowne.
. Tnen offred hee, huge treasures, Ladies loves,
Honour, and fame of famous victories;
My Lord made answer that he neuer would
140 Offer his honour so great wrong, to take
By guift or magic k wthout sweat or paine,
Labour or danger virtues truest price,
fol. 141* ffat ^h ^ mortan j)anfj mjght hee atchievde
And therefore wild him as a Demy God,
To offer some what that might bee above,
The lowly compass of a humane power.
When Proteus saw yf Prince could make his match,
He told him then, how vnder Th'artik pole
The Adamantine rock, The seas true star,
1 Jo was scituate, w** by his power devine,
Hee for his ransome would remoue and plant,
whereas hee should appoint : assuring him,
That the wide Empire of the Ocean,
ill fiersi] priced nz hit] their 113 cloaking] dojing (cloaigng possibly for
gloaming, glaring) few] their 131 and all] and unto all their] omit. 135 /oo«]
loft andy] of hit 13 5 fore-knorontJ] before known: 138 of] and 139] (added
in the margin by the same hand) 141 price, 1 Pri^e, 144 wild] willed
a] (over erasure) omit. 146 «] an 148 feowj that Th'artiQ th' jttrtick,
149 The Adamantine] Th' Adamantine seas] Sea's lf$ wide] wi/d
XVI
(If his fore telling spirit fail d him not,
Should follow that, wheare ere it should be sett.
But then againe hee added this condition
(wch as hee thought could no way bee performd,
That first y Prince should bring him to a power,
wch in attractive virtue should surpas
The wondrous force of his Irne drawing rock. 160
My L? y* knew him self as well afsurd,
As Proteus thought his own match surely made,
Easely yeelded to this Covenant.
dnd promifd farther on his princely word
That hee himself and 7. of his knights
would enter Hostages in to his rock,
when't should bee brought to jf appointed place
Till this great Covenant should bee performd, fol. i
Wch now rests to bee done. Now Proteus
Since tis a Question of Comparison, 170
Blazon you forth the virtues off Rock
Proteus IV hat needeth words where great effects proclaymc
Thattractive virtu of Th3 adamantine rock
isfA forceth yron y* all things els comands,
Iron of mettals prince by auncient right
Though factious men in vayne conspire to seat
Rebellious golde in his vsurped throne.
This sturdie mettall of such strength and vse,
Disjoynd by distance of th* whole Hemispheare,
Continually with trembling aspect, 180
True-subiect like eyes his dread soverayne.
Thus hath this Load-stone by his powerfull touch
Made th'Iron needle Load-star of jf world,
A Mercury to point the gainest way
In watry wildernes and y* desert sands.
In confidence whereof the tF assured Mariner
1 54 not,] not) 157 (IPC*] Which, could] would 160 Irne drawing
rockf] Iron-drawing Rock?. 161 //] Lord, 163 this] his \66 his] the
167 when't] (t doubtful, over erasure) Which 171 virtues] yirtue 171-1] space
171 where'] when 173 rocAJ ^?c/^r, 174 /] which 178 This sturdie
mettall] This, fundry Metals, 179 Disjoynd . . . ffemisfheare,] (Dif-join'd . . .
Hemisphere) of] o' 181 True-subiect likf] True Subject-Hk$, 183 th'] the
184 point] faint l8jy] omit. l8<5 the th'assured] th' ajjured
xvii c
Doth not importune love for sun or stars
By this Attractiue force was drawne to light
From depth of ignorance y* new-found world
190 IV hose golden mines Iron found and conquered
Theis be vertues jy extend so far,
fol. 143* W* you doe undertake to counterpoise.
Squire. Proteus the Seas haue taught your spech to swell
Where work ofwindes doth watrie Castels build ;
But calme awhile your overweening vaunts
Prepare beleefe jy doe but vse your eyes.
Excellent Queene, trew adamant of Harte s,
Out ofy sacred garland euer-greene,
Garland of virtues, hew ties & perfections,
. 200 That crownes your Crowne,^ydimmesyour for tunes beames,
vouch saffe some branch, some pretious jlowre or leafe,
wck though it wither in my barren verse,
May yet t suffice to ouershade and drowne
The Rock admired of this Demy God.
Proteus stout Iron homager of your Rock,
Impresa of force, and Instrument ofwarres,
Hath praise in deed yet place your praises right,
(for force to will, and warres to peace doth yeeld)
But that lie giue you, this I fame would know,
no what can your Iron doo without Armes of men,
And armes of men from hartes of men doo move,
Thehartes of men, that's it thence motion springs
Lo Proteus then Th' attractive Rock of hartes,
fol. i43b Hartes wck once truly touched wth herbeames
187 Iwt for sun or stars] ]o\c,Sun, or Star. 1 8 8 this] his 190 found and] found
out and 190—1] no space 191 be venues] be the yirtues, 191 counterpoise.]
counterfraife. 194 mindes] Mind build /] make. 196 but] not 198 euer-greene^]
ever grew 199 perfections,] (j added later) 204 Hocl{] t(ockf 104-5] no space
105 of] to 106 Impresa](e altered from >') In Praife Instrument] Instruments
207 in deed] ended ,• 108 (/or . . . yeeld)] For . . . yield, to »»;//,] t altered doth] do
109 faint would] mou'd fain 212 The] That meny that's it thence] Aim hath it,
their 213 Th'] the
XV111
Inspiring purest zeale and reverence
Aswell imto ye person as the Power,
Do stray t putt of all temper y* is false,
All hollow feare and skooled jiattery
Turne fortunes wheek, they euer keeps their course,
And stand direct upon the Loyall line.
Your Rock claymes kindred ofy Polar star,
Because it drawes the needle to ye North.
Yet euen that starr, giues place to Cynthias rayes,
Whose drawing virtue gouernes and directs
The flotes, & reflotes ofye Ocean.
But Cynthia praised bee your watry raigne,
Your Influence in spirits hath no place.
This Cynthia high doth rule those heavenly tydes,
Whose Sbveraigne grace, as it doth wax or wane
Affections so & fortunes eb and flow.
Sometime wth waues applauding on jf shore,
Sometime retyring to their narrow deepes.
The holy Shrines draw pilgrims from all parts,
To passe the mountaynes, seas and desert sandes.
1)nto this liuing saint haue Princes high
Offorreigne landes made vowed pilgrimage.
What excellencies are there in this frame,
Of all thinges wch her virtue doth not draw : fol.
The Quintefcence of wittes, The fier of loves
The Ayre of fame, Mettall of courages; 240
And by hir virtue long may fixed bee,
The wheele of fortune and the Car of tyme.
In the protection of this mighty rock,
Haue scepters straind recoverd wonted skope
People oppressed have preserued breath.
1)nder the shadow of this blessed rock
In Britton land while tempests beat abroade,
219 course^ Point, 120—1] no space 224 virtue gouernes and directs] Virtues
govern and direct 227 hatk] have 231 Sometime J Sometimes mth~^ their
232 Sometime] Sometimes deepes.^ Depths, 233 holy] (altered from roholy by
deletion of the IP) Shrines] Syrians 236 filgrimageJ] (period doubtful)
240 ^tyre]^lrt Mettall] Metals 244-6] omit. 247 Britton\ Britain while]
mhilft
XIX C 2,
The lordly and the lowly Shepheard both
In plenteous peace haue fedd their happy flockes.
i y o 'Upon yf fore ce of this inviolate rock,
The giant like attempts of power unjust,
Haue suffred wreck : And Proteus for jf seas,
Whose Empire lardge your praised rock assures,
your guift is void, it is already beer,
As Rufsia, China, & Magellanus stray tes
Can wittnes beare : well may your present bee,
Impresa apt thereof, but sure no cause
Fi/heard devine congratulate your self,
your eyes have won, more then yor state hath lost,
yelde victory, and liberty and thanckes
Proteus. Against the truth y* Lands and seas avow,
fol. i44b It fats not Proteus make avaine reply
The Shallop may not wth tall shipps contend,
Nor windy buble wtk a billow striue^
Nor earthly thing compare wth greatest Queene
That hath or shall a Regall scepter sway.
Blest beey* Prince y* firs' t mee see this grace,
Which worldly Monarkes & Sea-powers adore.
Take thanckes of guift, & Libertie of due.
i f o forcce] force z 5 5 Magellanus straytu] N e eellan'j Strait 1.^6 present]
Prefence 157 no] not 158 F\/beard] Fi/her a5i y\ that's <n/o»,] above, 161
avaine\ a vain 163 taU]fmalt z6j thing] things z66 or] and z68 Manarkes^]
Monarchies, ^9\ (the rest of the page is filled with an elaborate pen scroll)
XX
The song at f ending fol. 145°
Sbadowes before ye Jhining mnne do vanijh *7i
The iron forcing Adamant doth refigne
His vei'tues where ye Diamond doth jhine
Pure holines doth all enchantment banijh
And cullors of false Principallity
Do fade in presence of true majesty
Sheapheards fometymes in Lyons f kins were cloathde
But when ye Roy all Lyon did appeare
What wonder though ye Jylly fwaynes for feare
Theyr bravery & princely pale haue loathed 2,80
The Lyons fkinn y* graict our vanity
Falls down in presence ofyr. Majesty
In ye hark of a Cedar tree ye letter E. engraven. {Crefcetis
In a playnfcutchion as it were abrafa tabula, [quid iff a veils
A candle by y* funne} Quis furor
A River running iuth many turnings into ye fea [Semper ad mare
A fortes iutjt his head out of ye Jhell {obnoxia
Aflame luauing upward} Tremet & ardet
A fayle & an oare} fors & virtus miscentur in unum
A flag streaming in ye Winde} Famam^ fovemus inanem. 190
270-90] (the remainder is written in a different and very inferior hand)
270 ] The fecond Hymn, which was fung at the Departure of the Maskers into the
Rock. (Before this the Gesta inserts the description of the masque. Line 171
above corresponds to 313 of the printed version.) 271 Tfce] Th' 274
enchantment] Jnchantments bani/h^ blemijh $ 27$ cullors^ Councellors 277
Sheapheardfj (second e altered from a) cloathde] (de doubtful) 278 did'}
doth 27 9 though] if 280 brave)}/] (v altered) f ale] Pall 28 I graict]
(ct doubtful, altered) gracd 282 y".~] Her 283-90] (These lines are scrawled
over. They correspond roughly to p. 67, 11. 9-23 of the Gesta3 there headed £The
Imprefles which the Maskers ufed upon their Efcutcheons, for their Devices *3 but the
order and in some cases the wording is different.) 283 letter] Character 284
fcutchion] Shield} 285 candle] (/ altered from e) Torch 286 running] omit.
into] running into 287 tortti\ Tortois, 288 flame] Flag of Fire wauing]
wavering upward] upwards. 289 oare] Oar together. 290 Winde] (faltered)
xx
N.B. The title-page of the original is printed in red
and black. It has not been thought necessary to
make the reproduction in two colours, as they can
easily be distinguished by the tone and register.
All three facsimiles are slightly reduced.
•
Gefta Grayorum :
OR, THE
HISTORY
Of the High and mighty PRINCE,
HENRY
Prince of Purppolc, Arch*Duke of Stapulia and
Bcrnardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn,
Marquis of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count
Palatine ofBlopmsbury and clerkenwcll, Grea
Lord of the Cantons of Iflington, Kentifh
Town + Paddiogton and Knights-bridge ,
Knight of the moft Heroical Order of the
HeLnet, and Sovereign of the Same ;
Who Reigned and Died, A
. TOGETHER WITH
AMafoue, asit was prefented (by^fe Highnefs't Com
mand) for the Entertainment of <^ fa.Li/.ABETH;
who , with, the Nobles 9? both (^u^ was preient
thereat.
LONDON, Dinted for w Ginning, at his Shop in
Iojftctt, MD
Price, one Shilling.
. *- s
A i RECTO (B.M., T.
Gefa
At the firft Coming oil the Stage, the Nymphs and Tritons fang
this Hymn following, in-praife of Neptune ; which being e/ided, tl
Speakers made their Speeches in order, as folioweth.
OF Neptune'/ Empire let us fag,
At whofe Command the Waves obej,
To whom Rivers tribute pay,
Down the high Mountains Jljding :
• To ivhom-the Scaly Nation yields
Homage for their Chryftal Fields,
Wlit re in they dweff.
And every Sea-God praife again, _
Tearly out of his watry Cell,
To deck great Neptune'/ Diadem. \
The Tritons dancing in a Ring, -
Before his Palace-Gates, do make
The Waiters with their Trumpets quake,
Like the great Thunder founding.
The Sea-Nymphs chaunt their Accents fl>rittj\ •
And the Syrens taught to kiS
With their fweei Potce*
Make every echoing yoke reply
Zfnto their gentle mourning tfoife,
In praife of Neptune*/ Empery. .
Efqnire, TjRoteus, ttfeemsyou lead a merry Life ;
\^ Tour Mufick follows you where ere you go.
I thought you Sea-Goth, as in your Abode,
So in your Mature, bad wt been unlike
To Ft/he s; the which, as fay Philofophsrs,,
Have fo fmall Senfe of Mufak\s Delight,
As 'tis a Doubt not fully yet refolva,
Whether of Hearing they have Seufe, or nos
JProteus, 'Twas great Difcottrfe ofReafon, to regard.
Zbe dreaming Guejs of a Philosopher^
1 1 VERSO (B.M., T.
it-ire
Squire
fong
6aSa mtryfifi
w&re -
fo rhyour riafvre faJnttften ?#£&
'
W He tfer tf fany rffy
to w
rn
af- neuer fafcfe
(r (-fir wafrr
ttt f/fa/arr a
y
r After
MS. HARLEY ^4.1 (FOL. 139*)
Gefta Grayorum:
OR, THE
HISTORY
Of the High and mighty PRINCE,
HENRY
Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and
Bernardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn,
Marquis of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count
Palatine of Bloom sbury and Clerkenwell, Great
Lord of the Cantons of Iflington, Kentifh-
Town , Paddington and Knights-bridge ,
Knight of the moft Heroical Order of the
Helmet, and Sovereign of the Same ;
Who Reigned and Died,^f.Z). 1594.
TOGETHER WITH
A Mafque, as it was prefented (by His Highnefs's Com
mand) for the Entertainment of Q. ELIZABETH ;
who, with the Nobles of both Courts, was prefent
thereat.
LONDON, Printed for W. Canning, at his Shop in
the Temple-Cloyfters, MDCLXXXVIII.
Price, one Shilling.
To the Moft Honourable
MATTHEW SMYTH, Efq;
COMPTROLLER
OF THE
Honourable Society
OF THE
INNER-TEMPLE.
SI R,
TH E State of Purpoole (fo long obfcur^d in it felf)
could no otherwife exprefs its Grandeur, but byjhewing 10
to Pofterity what it was: This moved thofe ingenious
Gentlemen to leave tofucceeding Times the Memory of thofe Actions,
which they themf elves had done; not for the vain Air of "Popularity,
but generoujly to give an Example, which others might dejtre to
follow.
Accordingly they have, by this Hiftory,/^ forth their Actions,
which feem to be writ with the fame Gallantry of Spirit as they were
done.
The Language it felf is all that Age could afford ; which, allow
ing fome thing for the Modern Drefs and Words in Fajhion, is not™
beneath any we have now : It was for that Reafon thought necejfary
A 2 not
The Epiftle Dedicatory.
not to clip any thing; which , though itmayfeem odd, yet naturally
begets a Veneration ', upon Account of its Antiquity.
What more could they have wijhed, than to have found a Patron
worthy the protecting the Memory offuch a Prince ? And what
more can they require, than the Safety of your Patronage.
It rvas Fortune, undoubtedly, that referved it for this happy Op
portunity of coming forth under your Protection,
Thatflrict Alliance which ever was betwixt your States feems
to ask it of you, as the only Perfon in whom are revived the ancient
10 Honours of both Houfes: It was certainly a publick Senfe of the
fame perfonal Abilities (which made that^rmcQfoconfpicuous)that
gives us all a publick View of thofe Vertues,fo much admired in
private.
Sir, 'Tis for thefe Reafons humbly offerred to you, prefuming
upon a favourable Acceptance of that which naturally falls under your
Care.
May Time perfect the Character already fo well begun, that
Posterity may hear you equal, if not greater than the Prince of
Purpoole.
*« I am, S I R,
Your HONOUR'S
Moft Obedient Servant,
w. c.
Gefta
Gefta Grayorum:
OR, THE
HISTORY
OF THE
PR I N C E
PUR PO OLE,
Anno Domini,, 15-94.
THE great number of gallant Gentlemen that Grays-Inn
afforded at ordinary Revels, betwixt All-hollontiae and I0
Chrijlmas^ exceeding therein the reft of the Houfes of
Court, gave occafion to fome Well-willers of our Sports,
and Favourers of our Credit, to wifti an Head anfwerable to fb noble
a Body, and a Leader to fo gallant a Company : Which Motion was
more willingly hearkened unto, in regard that fuch Pafs-times had
been intermitted by the fpace of three or four Years, by reafon of
Sicknefs and Dilcontinuances.
B After
2 Gefta Grayorum*
After many Confultations had hereupon, by the Youths, and
others that were moil forward herein, at length, about the IIth' of
December, with the Confent and Afiiflance of the Readers and An
cients, it was determined, that there fhould be elected a Prince of
Purpoole, to govern our State for the time ; which was intended to
be for the Credit of Grays Inn, and rather to be performed by witty
Inventions, than chargeable Expences.
Whereupon, prefently they made choice of one Mr. Henry Helmes,
a jVoA/o/^-Gentleman, who was thought to be accomplifhed with all
10 good Parts, fit for fo great a Dignity; and was alfo a very proper
Man of Perfbnage, and very active in Dancing and Revelling.
Then was his Privy Council afligned him, to advife of State-Mat
ters, and the Government of his Dominions : His Lodging alfo was
provided according to State; as the Prefence-chamber, and the
Council-chamber : Alfo all Officers of State, of the Law, and of the
Houfe-hold. There were alfo appointed Gentlemen-Penfioners to
attend on his Perfon, and a Guard, with their Captain, for his De
fence.
The next thing thought upon, as moft neceflary, was, Provifion
10 of Treafure, for the Support of his State and Dignity. To this pur-
pofe, there was granted a Benevolence by thofe that were then in
his Court abiding ; and for thofe that were not in the Houfe, there
were Letters directed to them, in nature of Privy Seals, to injoin
them, not only to be prefent, and give their Attendance at his
Court ; but alfo, that they fhould contribute to the defraying of fo
great a Charge, as was guefled to be requifite for the performance of
fo great Intendments.
The Form of the Privy Seals directed to the
Foreigners, upon occafion as is aforefaid.
30 'TJ'Our Friends of the Society of Grays-Inn, now refuting there, have
* thought good to elect a Prince, to govern the State of the Sig-
niory, now by Dif-continuance, much impaired in the ancient Honour
wherein heretofore it hath excelled all other of like Dignity. Thefe
are therefore, in the Name of the f aid Prince, to requite you forth
with
Gefta Grayorum. 3
with to refort to the Court there holden, to affist the Proceedings with
your Perfon ; and withal, upon the Receipt hereof, to make Contribution
offuch Benevolence as may ex prefs your good Affection to the State, and
be anfwerable to your Quality. We have appointed our well beloved
Edward Jones our Foreign Collector, who Jhall attend you by himfelf,
or by his Deputy.
Dated at our Court of Gray a, Your Loving Friend,
the 1 3th- of December, 15:94.
Grays-Inn.
If, upon the Receipt of thefe Letters, they returned Anfwer again, 10
that they would be prefent in Perfon at our Sports, as divers did, not
taking notice of the further meaning therein expreiled, they were
ferved with an Alias, as followeth.
To our Trufty and Well Beloved, W. B.
at L. give Thefe.
WHereas upon our former Letters to you, which required your Per-
fonal Appearance and Contribution, you have returned us An
fwer that you will be prefent, without fatisfy ing the reftdue of the Con
tents for the Benevolence, Thefe are therefore to will and require you,
forthwith, upon the Receipt hereof, to fend, for your part,fuch Supply zo
by this Bearer, as to you, for the defraying fo great a Charge, Jhall feem
convenient : And herein you Jhall perform a Duty to the Houfe, and
avoid that ill Opinion which fome 'Dngentlemanly Spirits have purchafed
by their uncivil Anfwer s to our Letters directed to them, whofe Demea
nour Jhall be laid to their Cbarge when Time ferveth ; and in the mean
time, Order Jhall be taken, that their Names and Defaults Jhall be pro
claimed in our pub lick Ajfemblies, to their great Dif-credit, &c.
Your Loving Friend,
Grays-Inn.
B i By
4 Gejla Grayorum.
By this means the Prince's Treafure was well increafed ; as alfo
by the great Bounty of divers honourable Favourers of our State,
that imparted their Liberality, to the fetting forward of our inten
ded Pafs-times. Amongft the reft, the Right Honourable Sir William
Cecill, Kl- Lord Treafurer of England, being of our Society, defer-
ved honourable Remembrance, for his liberal and noble Mindfulnefs
of us, and our State ; who, undefired, fent to the Prince, as a To
ken of his Lordfhip's Favour, 10 /. and a Purfe of fine rich Needle
work.
10 When all thefe things fbrted fb well to our Defires, and that there
was good hope of effecting that that was taken in hand, there was
difpatched from our State a Meflenger to our ancient allied Friend,
the Inner Temple, that they might be acquainted with our Procee
dings, and alfo to be invited to prticipate of our Honour ; which to
them was moft acceptable, as by the Procefs of their Letters and
ours, mutually fent, may appear.
The Copies of the Letters that pa/ed betwixt the
two moft flouri/bing Eftates of the Grayans and
Templarians.
10 To the moft Honourable and Prudent, the Governors, Af-
iiftants and Society of the Inner Temple.
Moft Grave and Noble,
WE have, upon good Con/iteration, made choice of a Prince, to
be predominant in our State of Purpoole,yor fome important
Caufes that require an Head, or Leader : And as we have ever had
great Caufe, by the Warrant of Experience, to affure our f elves of
your unfeignea Love and Amity, fo we are, upon this Occajion, and
in the Name of our Prince Elect, to pray you, that it may be con
tinued '• and in Demonstration thereof, that you will be pleafed to
30 ajfift us with your Counfel, in the Perfon of an Ambajfador, that may
be Refedent here amongst us, and be a Minifler of Correfpondence
between
Gejla Grayorum. 5
between us, and to advife of fuch Affairs, as the Effects whereof,
we hope,Jhall fort to the Benefit of both our Eftates. And fo, being
ready to requite you with all good Offices, we leave you to the Protection
of the Almighty.
Dated at our Court of Graya, Your mofl Loving
this 14th- of December ~ 1504.
Friend and Ally
Grays-Inn.
To the moft honourable State of the
Grayans.
Right Honourable, and moft firmly United,
IF our Deferts were any way anfwerable to the great Expectation
of your good Proceedings, we might with more Boldnefs accomplijh
the Requefl of your kind Letters, whereby it pleafeth you to interest
us in the Honour of your Actions; which we cannot but acknowledge
for a great Courte/ie and Kindnefs (a thing proper to you, in all your
Courfes and Endeavours] and repute it a great Honour intended to
wards ourfehes : In refpect whereof, we yield with all Good Will, to
that which your honourable Letters import ; as your Kindnefs, and the
Bond of our ancient Amity and League requireth and deferveth. \
From Templaria, the i8th- Your aflured Friend,
ot December , 15*94.
The State of
Templaria.
The
10
6 Gejta Gray or urn.
The Order of the Prince of Purpoole'/ Proceedings^ with his Of-
fcers and Attendants at his honourable Inthronizationj which was
likewife obferved in all his Jolemn Marches on grand Days, and
like Occajfons ; which Place every Officer did duly attend, du
ring the Reign of His Highnefs's Government.
A Marflial. ) r A Marfhal.
Trumpets, j c Trumpets.
Purfuevant at Arms, Lanyc.
Towns-men in the Prince's} j Yeomen of the Guard,
Livery, with Halberts. f 1 three Couples.
Captain of the Guard, Grimes.
Baron of the Grand Port, Dudley.
Baron of the Bafe Port, Grante.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, 7 D. «
three Couples. f »»« &c
Baron of the Petty Port, Williams.
Baron of the New Port, Lovel.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, ~) Wentwortb.
three Couples. > Zukenden.
3 Forrest.
Lieutenant of the Penfioners, TonJlaL
Gentlemen-Penfioners, twelve Couples, viz.
Lawfon. ^ C Rotts. ) C Davzfon,
Devereux. C ) Anderfon. C )
Stapleton. ( j Glafcott. fjcum reliquis.
Daniel. J C Elken. J C
Chief
Gefta Grayorum.
Chief Ranger, and Mafter of the Game, Forreft.
Mafter of the Revels, Lambert.
Mafter of the Revellers, Tevery.
Captain of the Penfioners, Cooke.
Sewer, Archer.
Carver, Mofeley.
Another Sewer, Drewry.
Cup-bearer, Painter.
Groom-porter, Sennet.
Sheriff, Leach.
Clerk of the Council, Jones.
Clerk of the Parliament,
Clerk of the Crown, Downes.
Orator, Heke.
Recorder, Starkey.
Sollicitor, Dunne.
Serjeant, Goldfmith.
Speaker of the Parliament, Bellen.
Commiflary, Greenwood.
Attorney, Holt.
Serjeant, Hitchcombe.
Mafter of the Requefts, Faldo.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kitts.
Mafter of the Wards and Idiots, Ellis.
Reader, Otto.
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Brings.
Mafter of the Rolls, Hetlen.
Lord Chief Baron of the Common Pleas, Damporte.
Lord Chief Juftice of the Prince's Bench, Crew.
Mafter of the Ordnance,
Lieutenant of the Tower, Lloyd.
Mafter of the Jewel-houfe, Darlen.
Treafurerof the Houfe-hold, Smith.
Knight-Marfhal, Bell.
Mafter of the Ward-robe, Conney.
Comptroller of the Houfc-hold, Bouthe.
10
30
Bifhop
10
zo
8 Gefta Grayorum.
Bifhod of S<- (r/'/tt's in the Fields,
Steward of the Houfe-hold,
Lord Warden of the four Ports,
Secretary of State,
Lord Admiral,
Lord Treafurer,
Lord Great Chamberlain,
Lord High Conftable,
Lord Marfhal,
Lord Privy Seal,
Lord Chamberlain of the Houfe-hold,
Lord High Steward,
Lord Chancellor,
Archbifhop of S'- Andrews in Holborn,
Serjeant at Arms, with the Mace,
Gentleman- Ufher,
The Shield of Pegafas, for the Inner- Temple,
Serjeant at Arms, with the Sword,
Gentleman-Uiher,
The Shield of the Griffin, for Grays-Inn,
The King at Arms,
The great Shield of the Prince's Arms,
The Prince of Purpoole,
A Page of Honour,
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, >
fix Couples, j
A Page of Honour,
Vice-Chamberlain,
Matter of the Horfe,
Yeomen of the Guard, three Couples.
Townf-men in Liveries.
The Family, and Followers.
Dandye.
Smith.
Damporte.
Jones.
Cecill (Richard.)
Money.
Soutbworth.
Knaplock.
Lamphew.
Markham.
Kempe.
Johnfon,
Bufb.
Flemming.
Chevett.
Scevington.
Glajcott.
Paylor.
tTickliffe.
Perkinfon.
Cobley.
HeJmes.
H^andforde.
Butler (Roger.)
Butler (Thomas.)
Fitz-Hugh.
Upon
Gefta Grayorum. 9
Upon the 2oth- Day of December, being St. Thomas's Eve, the
Prince, with all his Train in Order, as above fet down, marched
from his Lodging, to the great Hall ; and there took his place in his
Throne, under a rich Cloth of State: His Counfellors and great
Lords were placed about him, and before him ; below the Half-pace,
at a Table, fate his learned Council and Lawyers ; the reft of the
Officers and Attendants took their proper Places, as belonged to
their Condition.
Then the Trumpets were commanded to found thrice; which be
ing done, the King at Arms, in his rich Surcoat of Arms, flood forth 10
before the Prince, and proclaimed his Style as followeth.
By the facred Laws of Arms, and authorized Ceremonies of the
fame (maugre the Conceit of any Maleconteni] I do pronounce my Sove
reign Liege Lord, Sir Henry, rightfully to be the high and mighty
Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke of
the High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles' j- and Tottenham,
Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the
Cantons of Iflington, &c. Knight of the moft honourable Order of the
Helmet, and Sovereign of the fame.
After that the King at Arms had thus proclaimed his Style, the zo
Trumpets founded again ; and then entred the Prince's Champion,
all in compleat Armour, on Horfe-back, and fo came riding round
about the Fire ; and in the midft of the Hall, flayed, and made his
Challenge in thefe Words following.
If there lye any Man, of high Degree, or low, that will fay that my
Sovereign is not rightly Prince of Purpoole, as by his King at Arms
right-now hath been proclaimed, I am ready here to maintain, that he
lieth as a falfe Traitor ; and I do challenge, in Combat, to jight with
him, either now, or at any time or place appointed : And in token here
of, I gage my Gauntlet, us the Prince's true Knight, and his Champion. 3°
When the Champion had thus made his Challenge, he departed ;
then the Trumpets were commanded to found, and the King at Arms
blazoned the Prince his Highnefs's Arms, as followeth.
C The
io Gefta Grayorum.
The mojl mighty Prince of Purpoole, &c. beareth his Shield of the
highejl Jupiter. In Point, a Sacred Imperial Diadem, fafely guarded
by the Helmet of the great Goddefs Pallas,yrow the Violence of "Darts,
Bullets and Bolts of Saturn, Momus, and the Idiot ; all environed with
the Ribband of Loyalty, having a Pendant of the mojl heroical Order of
Knighthood of the Helmet ; the Word hereunto, Sic virtus honorem.
For his Highnefs's Creft, the glorious Planet Sol, courfmg through the
twelve Signs of the Zodiack, on a Celejlial Globe, moved upon the two
Poles, Artick and Antartick ; with this Motto, Dum totum peragra-
10 verit orbem. All fet upon a Chaphew : Mars turned up, Luna man-
telled, Sapphire doubted Pearl, fupported by two anciently renowned
and glorious Griffyns, which have been always in League with the ho
nourable Pegafus.
The Conceit hereof was to fhew, that the Prince, whofe private
Arms were three Helmets, fhould defend his Honour by Vertue, from
Reprehenfions of Male-contents, Carpers and Fools. The Ribband of
Blue, with an Helmet Pendant, in intimation of St. George. In his
Creft, his Government for the twelve Days of Chriflmas was refem-
bled to the Sun's paffing the twelve Signs, though the Prince's Courfe
10 had fome odd degrees beyond that time : But he was wholly fuppor
ted by the Griffyns ; for Grays- fnn-Gtmlzmzn, and not the Treafure
of the Houfe, was charged. The Words, Sic virtus honorem, that
his Vertue fhould defend his Honour, whilft he had run his whole
Courfe of Dominion, without any either Eclipfe or Retrogradation.
After thefe things thus done, the Attorney flood up, and made a
Speech of Gratulation to the Prince ; and therein fhewed what great
Happinefs was like to enfue, by the Election of fo noble and vertuous
a Prince, as then reigned over them ; rightly extolling the Nobility,
Vertue, Puifiance, and the fingular Perfections of his Sovereign;
30 whereby he tookoccafion alfb to move the Subjects to be forward to
perform all Obedience and Service to his Excellency ; as alfo to fur-
nifh his Wants, if fb be that it were requifite ; and, in a word, per-
fwaded the People, that they were happy in having fuch a Prince to
rule over them; and likewife, aflured the Prince, that he alfo was
mofl happy, in having Rule over fb dutiful and loving Subjects, that
would not think any thing, were it Lands, Goods, or Life, too dear
to be at his Highnefs's Command and Service.
The
Gefta Gray or um. 1 1
The Prince's Highnefs made again this Anfwer, * That he did ac-
c knowledge himfelf to be deeply bound to their Merits ; and in that
4 regard did promife, that he would be a gracious and loving Prince
' to fo well-deferving Subjects. And concluded with good liking and
Commendations of their Proceedings.
Then the Sollicitor, having certain great old Books and Records
lying before him, made this Speech to his Honour, as followeth.
Moft Excellent Prince,
High Superiority and Dominion is illuftrated and adorned If the
humble Services of noble and mighty Perfonages : And therefore, amidjl i°
the G arland of your Royalties of your Crown, this is a principal Flower,
That in your Provinces and Territories, divers mighty and puijfant
Potentates are your Homagers and Fajfals ; and, although infinite are
your Feodaries, which by their Tenures do perform Royal Service to
your Sacred Per Jon, pay huge Sums into your Treafury and Exchequer,
and maintain whole Legions for the "Defence of your Country ; yet fome
f pedal Perfons there are, charged by their Tenures, to do fpecial Ser
vice at this your glorious Inthronization ; whofe Tenures, for their
Strangenefs, are admirable ; for their Falue, ineftimable; and for
their f^orthinefs, incomparable : The Particulars whereof do here ap- zo
pear in your Excellency' s Records, in the Book of Dooms-day, remai
ning in your Exchequer, in the $oth. and $ooth. Cheft there.
The Names of fuck Homagers and Tributaries as hold any Signio-
ries, Lordfbips, Lands, Privileges, or Liberties under bis Ho
nour, and the Tenures and Services belonging to the fame, as
followeth.
ALfonfo de Stapulia, and Davillo de Bemardia, hold the Arch-
Dukedoms of Stapulia and Bernardia, of the Prince of Purpoole,
by Grand Serjeantry, and Caftle-Guard of the Caftles of Stapulia and
Bernardia, and to right and relieve all Wants and Wrongs of all La- 30
dies, Matrons and Maids within the faid Arch-Dutchy ; and rendring,
on the Day of his Excellency's Coronation, a Coronet of Gold, and
yearly five hundred Millions, Sterling.
C i Marotto
12 Gefta Grayorum.
Marotto Marquarillo fie Holborn holdeth the Manners of High and
Nether Holborn by Cornage in Capite, of the Prince of Purpoole ;
and rendring on the Day of his Honour's Coronation, for every of
the Prince's Penfioners, one Milk-white Doe, to be beftowed on
them by the Prince, for a Favour, or New-years-night-gift ; and ren
dring yearly two hundred Millions, Sterling.
Lucy Negro, Abbefs de Clerkenwell, holdeth the Nunnery of Cler-
kenwell, with the Lands and Privileges thereunto belonging, of the
Prince of Purpoole by Night-Service in Cauda, and to find a Choir of
10 Nuns, with burning Lamps, to chaunt Placebo to the Gentlemen of
the Prince's Privy-Chamber, on the Day of His Excellency's Coro
nation.
Ruffiano de St. Giles's holdeth the Town of St. Giles's by Cornage
in Cauda, of the Prince of Purpoole, and rendring on the Day of His
Excellency's Coronation, two ambling, eafie paced Gennets, for the
Prince's two Pages of Honour ; and rendring yearly two hundred
Millions, Sterling.
Cornelius Combaldus, de Tottenham, holdeth the Grange of Totten
ham of the Prince of Purpoole, in free and common Soccage, by the
10 twenty fourth part of a Night's Fee, and by rendring to the Matter
of the Ward-rope fo much Cunny-Furr as will ferve to line his Night-
Cap, and face a pair of Mittins ; and yielding yearly four Quarters
of Rye, and threefcore double Duckets on the Feaf t of St. Pancras.
Bartholomeus de Bloomsbury holdeth a thoufand Hides in Blooms-
bury, of the Prince of Purpoole, by Efcuage Incertain, and rendring
on the Day of His Excellency's Coronation one Amazon, with a Ring
to be run at by the Knight's of the Prince's Band, and the Mark to
be his Trophy that (hall be adjudged the bravefl Courfer ; and ren
dring yearly fifty Millions, Sterling.
3° Amarillo de Paddington holdeth an hundred Ox-gangs of Land in
Paddington, of the Prince of Purpoole, by Petty-Serjeantry, that
when the Prince maketh a Voyage Royal againll the Amazons, to
fubdue and bring them under, he do find, at his own Charges, a
thoufand Men, well furniftied with long and ftrong Morris-pikes,
black Bills, or Halberts, with Morians on their Heads ; and rendring
yearly four hundred Millions, Sterling.
Baiudwine de IJlington holdeth the Town of Ijlington of the Prince
of Purpoole, by Grand-Serjeantry ; and rendring, at the Coronation of
his
Gejla Grayorum. 13
his Honour, for every Maid in IJlington, continuing a Virgin after the
Age of Fourteen Years, one hundred thoufand Millions, Sterling.
Jordano Sartano de KentiJh-Town, holdeth the Canton of Kentijh-
Town of the Prince of Purpoole, in Tail-general, at the Will of the
faid Prince, as of his Mannor of Deep-Inn, in his Province of IJling-
ton by the Veirge, according to the Cuflom of the faid Mannor ;
That when any of the Prince's Officers or Family do refort thither,
for Change of Air, or elfe Variety of Diet, as weary of Court-Life,
and fuch Provilion, he do provide for a Mefs of the Yeomen of the
Guard, or any of the Black-Guard, or fiich like inferior Officers fb 10
coming, eight Loins of Mutton, which are found, well fed, and not
infectious ; and for every Gentleman-Penfioner, or other of good
Quality, Coneys, Pidgeons, Chickens, or fuch dainty Morfels. But
the faid Jordano is not bound by his Tenure, to boil, roafl, or bake
the fame, or meddle further than the bare Delivery of the faid Gates,
and fb to leave them to the handling, dreffing and breaking up of
themfelves ; and rendring for a Fine to the Prince one thoufand five
hundred Marks.
Marka/ius Rufticanus,vcAHieronymusPaludenJis de Knights-bridge,
do hold the Village of Knights-bridge, with the Appurtenances in 10
Knights-bridge, of the Prince of Purpoole, by Villenage in bafe Te
nure, that they two fhall jointly find three hundred able and fufficient
labouring Men, with Inftruments and Tools neceflary for the making
clean of all Channels, Sinks, Creeks and Gutters within all the Cities
of His Highnefs's Dominions ; and alfb fhall cleanfe and keep clean
all, and all manner of Ponds, Puddles, Dams, Springs, Locks, Run
lets, Becks, Water-gates, Sluces, Paflages, flrait Entrances, and dange
rous Quagmires ; and alfo fhall repair and mend all common High
and Low- Ways, by kying Stones in the Pits and naughty places
thereof; and alfo that they do not fuffer the aforefaid places to go to 30
decay through their default, and lack of looking unto, or neglect of
doing their parts and duties therein.
The Tenures being thus read by the Solicitor, then were called by
their Names thofe Homagers that were to perform their Services, ac
cording to their Tenures.
Upon the Summons given, Alfonfo de Stapulia, and Davillo de
Bernardia came to the Prince's Foot-flool, and offered a Coronet,
according
14 Gefta Gray or um.
according to their Service, and did Homage to His Highnefs in fo-
lemn manner, kneeling, according to the Order in fuch Cafes accu-
ftomed. The reft that appeared were deferred to better leifure ; and
they that made default were fined at great Sums, and their Defaults
recorded.
There was a Parliament intended, and fummoned ; but by reafon
that fome fpecial Officers that were by neceflary Occafions, urged to
be abfent, without whofe Prefence it could not be performed, it was
dafhed. And in that Point our Purpofe was fruftrate, faving only in
10 two Branches of it : The one was, a Subfidy granted by the Com
mons of his Dominions, towards the Support of His Highnefs 's Port
and Sports. The other was by his gracious, general and free Pardon.
Henry Prince of Purpoole, ^4rch-Duke of Sta-
pulia and Bernardia, Duke of High and Ne
ther Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles'j and
Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury
and Cler ken well, Great Lord of the Canton of
Iflington, Kentifh-Town, Paddington and
Knights-bridge, Knight of the moft Heroical
Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the fame,
To all, and all manner of Perfons to whom thefe
Prefentsjhall appertain ; Greeting.
10
I~N tender regard, and gracious Confideration of the humble Af-
•*• * fection of our Loyal Lords and Subjects ; and by underftan-
'ding that by often violating of laudable Cuftoms, Prefcriptions and
'Laws, divers have incurred inevitable and incurable Dangers of
' Lands, Goods, Life and Members, if it be not by our Clemency
' redrefled, refpected and pardoned. We therefore, hoping for bet-
' ter Obedience and Obfervation of our faid Laws and Cuftoms, do
' grant
Gefta Grayorum. 15
1 grant and publifh this our general and free Pardon of all Dangers,
1 Pains, Penalties, Forfeitures, or Offences, whereunto and wherewith
4 they are not charged, or chargeable, by reafon of Mif-government,
4 Mif-demeanour, Mif-behaviour, or Fault, either of Commiflion, or
4 Omiffion, or otherwife howfoever or whatfoever.
* It is therefore Our Will and Pleafure, that all and every publick
4 Perfon and Perfons, whether they be Strangers or Naturals, within
* Our Dominions be by virtue hereof excufed, fiifpended and difchar-
* ged from all, and all manner of Treafons, Contempts, Offences, Tre£
4pafles, Forcible Entries, Intrufions, Difleifms, Torts, Wrongs, Inju- 10
* ries, Over-throws, Over-thwartings, Crofs-bitings, Coney-catch-
4 ings, Frauds, Conclufions, Fictions, Fractions, Fafhions, Fancies, or
4 Oftentations : Alfb all, and all manner of Errors, Mifprilions, Mif-
4 takings, Overtakings, Double-dealings, Combinations, Confedera-
4 cies, Conjunctions, Oppofitions, Interpofitions, Suppofitions and
4 Suppofitaries : Alfo all, and all manner of Intermedlance, or Med-
4 lance, Privy-fearches, Routs and Riots, Incumberances, Pluralities,
'' Formalities, Deformalities, Diflurbances, Duplicities, Jeofails in In-
4 fufficiencies or Defects : Alfo all, and all manner of Sorceries, In-
4 chantments, Conjurations, Spells, or Charms : All Deltructions, Ob- to
4 itructions and Conftructions : All Evafions, Invafions, Charges, Sur-
4 charges, Difcharges, Commands, Countermands, Checks, Counter-
4 checks and Counter-buffs : Alfo all, and all manner of Inhibitions,
4 Prohibitions, Infurrections, Corrections, Confpiracies, Concavities,
4 Coinings, Superfluities, Wafhings, Clippings and Shavings : All, and
4 all manner of Multiplications, Inanities, Inftallations, Defoliations,
4 Conftillations, Necromancies and Incantations : All, and all man-
4 ner of Mif-feafance, Non-feafance, or too much Feafance : All At-
4 tempts or Adventures, Skirmages, Aflaults, Grapplings, Closings, or
4 Encounters: All Mif-prifbnments, or Rellraints of Body or Mem- 3°
4 ber : And all, and all manner of Pains and Penalties, Perfonal or Pe-
4 cuniary whatfoever, committed, made, or done againfl Our Crown
4 and Dignity, Peace, Prerogatives, Laws and Cuftoms, which fhall
' not herein hereafter be in fome fort exprefled, mentioned, intended,
4 or excepted.
4 Rxcept, and always fore-prized out of this general and Jree Par-
4 don^ All and every mch Perfon and Perfons as fhall imagine, think,
4 fuppofe, or fpeak and utter any falfe, feditious, ignominious, or flan-
4 derous
1 6 Gefta Grayorum.
4 derous Words, Reports, Rumours, or Opinions, againft the Dignity,
' or His Excellency's honourable Actions, Counfels, Confultations, or
1 State of the Prince, his Court, Counfellors, Nobles, Knights and
1 Officers.
* Except^ All fuch Perfons as now, or hereafter (hall be advanced,
4 admitted, or induced to any corporal or perfonal Benefice, Admini-
*ftration, Charge, or Cure of any manner of Perfonage, and (hall not
4 be perfbnally refident, commorant, or incumbent in, at, or upon
4 the whole, or fome part or parcel of the faid Benefice, Adminiftra-
10 * tion, or Cure ; but abfent himfelf wilfully or negligently, by the
* fpace of fburfcore Days, Nights or Hours, and not having any fpe-
* cial fiibflituted, inflituted or inducted Vicar, incumbent or concum-
4 bent, daily, or any other time, duly to exprefs, enjoy and fupply
* his Abfence, Room, or Vacation.
* Except^ All fuch Perfbns as have, or {hall have any Charge, Oc-
* cafion, Chance, Opportunity, or poflible Means to entertain, ferve,
* recreate, delight, or difcourfe with any vertuous or honourable La-
' dy or Gentlewoman, Matron or Maid, publickly, privately, or fami-
4 liarly, and fliall faint, fail, or be deemed to faint or fail in Courage,
»o ' or Countenance, Semblance, Gefture, Voice, Speech, or Attempt, or
4 in Act or Adventure, or in any other Matter, Thing, Manner, My-
4 fiery, or Accomplifhment, due, decent, or appertinent to her or
* their Honour, Dignity, Defert, Expectation, Defire, Affection, In-
* clination, Allowance, or Acceptance ; to be daunted, difmayed, or
* to ftand mute, idle, frivolous, or defective, or otherwife dull, con-
* trary, fullen, male-content, melancholy, or different from the Pro-
'feflion, Practice and Perfection of a compleat and confummate Gen-
* tleman or Courtier.
* Except^ All fuch Perfbns as by any Force, or Fraud and Diflimu-
30 'lation, fhall procure, be it by Letters, Promifes, Meflages, Contracts,
* and other Inveaglings, any Lady or Gentlewoman, Woman or Maid,
* Sole or Covert, into his Pofleflion or Convoy, and fhall convey her
* into any place where fhe is, or fhall be of full power and opportuni-
* ty to bargain, give, take, buy, fell, or change ; and fhall fufrer her to
4 efcape and return at large, without any fuch Bargain, Sale, Gift, or
* Exchange performed and made, contrary to former expected, ex-
4 prefled, employed Contract or Confent.
4 Except^
Gefta Grayorum. 17
' Except^ All fuch Perfons as by any Slander, Libel, Word, or Note,
4 bewray, betray, defame, or fuffer to be defamed any Woman, Wife,
* Widow, or Maid, in whofe Affairs, Secrets, Suits, Services, Caufes,
' Actions, or other Occupations, he hath been at any time conver-
*fant, employed, or trained in, or admitted unto, contrary to his
' plighted Promife, Duty and Allegiance ; and to the utter Difparage-
* ment of others hereafter to be received, retained, embraced, or liked
1 in like Services, Performances, or Advancements.
' Except) All Intrufions and Forcible Entries, had, made, or done
' into or upon any the Prince's Widows, or Wards Female, without 10
' fpecial Licence ; and all Fines pafled for the fame.
* Except) all concealed Fools, Idiots and Mad-men, that have not
* to this prefent fued forth any Livery of their Wits, nor Ouster le
' mayne of their Senfes, until the Prince have had Primer Seifin thereof.
* Except, All fuch Perfbns as, for their Lucre and Gain of Living,
' do keep or maintain, or elfe frequent and refort unto any common
4 Houfe, Alley, open or privy place of unlawful Exercifes ; as of Vaul-
* ting, Bowling, or any forbidden manner of Shooting ; as at Pricks in
* common High-ways, Ways of Sufferance or Eafe to Market-Towns
' or Fairs, or at fhort Butts, not being of fiifficient length and diftance, 10
* or at any roving or unconftant Mark, or that fhoot any Shafts, Ar-
4 rows, or Bolts of unfeafbnable Wood or Subftances, or without an
' Head, or of too fhort and fmall a Size, contrary to the Cufloms,
' Laws and Statutes, in fuch Cafes made and provided.
' Except^ All fuch Perfons as fhall put or caft into any Waters, fait
4 or frefh, or any Brooks, Brinks, Chinks, Pits, Pools, or Ponds, any
* Snare, or other Engine, to danger or deflroy the Fry or Breed of
* any young Lampreys, Boads, Loaches, Bull-heads, Cods, Whitings,
* Pikes, Ruffs, or Pearches, or any other young Store of Spawns or
* Fries, in any Flood-gate, Sluce, Pipe, or Tail of a Mill, or any other 30
4 flreight Stream, Brook, or River, fait or frefh ; the fame Fifh being
1 then of infufficiency in Age and Quantity, or at that time not in
* convenient Seafbn to be ufed and taken.
4 Except^ All fuch Perfbns as fhall hunt in the Night, or purfue any
4 Bucks or Does ; or with painted Faces, Vizards, or other difguifings,
* in the Day-time ; or any fuch as do wrongfully and unlawfully, with-
* out Confent or Leave given or granted, by Day, or by Night, break
* or enter into any Park impailed, or other feveral Clofe, Inclofure,
D « Chace,
1 8 Gefta Grayorum.
* Chafe, or Purliew, inclofed or compafled with Wall, Pale, Grove,
4 Hedge, or Bufties, ufed (till and occupied for the keeping, breeding,
'or cheriihing of young Deer, Prickets, or any other Game, fit to be
* preferved and nourifhed ; or fuch as do hunt, chafe, or drive out any
1 fuch Deer, to the prejudice and decay of fuch Game and Pafs-times
4 within our Dominions.
4 Except, All fuch Perfbns as fhall fhoot in any Hand-Gun, Demy-
4 Hag, or Hag-butt, either Half-fliot, or Bullet, at any Fowl, Bird,
4 or Beafl ; either at any Deer, Red or Fallow, or any other thing or
10 4 things, except it be a Butt fet, laid, or raifed in fome convenient
4 place, fit for the fame purpofe.
4 Except, All and every Artificer, Crafts-man, Labourer, Houfe-
4 holder, or Servant, being a Lay-man, which hath not Lands to the
4 yearly Value of forty Shillings; or any Clerk, not admitted or ad-
4 vanced to the Benefice of the value often Pounds per Annum, that
4 with any Grey-hound, Mongrel, Mafliff, Spaniel, or other Dogs,
4 doth hunt in other Men's Parks, Warrens and Coney-grees ; or ufe
4 any Ferrets, Hare-pipes, Snarles, Ginns, or other Knacks or Devices
4 to take or deftroy Does, Hares, or Coneys, or other Gentlemen's
10 ' Game, contrary to the form and meaning of a Statute in that Cafe
4 provided.
4 Except, All Merchant- Adventurers, that (hip or lade any Wares
4 or Merchandize, into any Port or Creek, in any Flemijh, French, or
4 Dutch, or other Outlandifh Hoy, Ship, or Bottom, whereof the
4 Prince, nor fome of his Subjects be not Pofleflioners and Proprieta-
4 ries ; and the Mailers and Mariners of the fame Veflels and Bottoms
4 to be the Prince's Subjects ; whereby our own Shipping is many
4 times unfraught, contrary unto divers Statutes in that Cafe provided.
4 Except, All Owners, Mailers and Purfers of our Ships, as for the
30 4 Tranfportation of Freight from one Port to another, have received
4 and taken any Sums or Money above the Statute- Allowance in that
4 behalf, viz. For every dry Fatt, 6 d. for every Bale, one Foot long,
4 is. for every Hogftiead, Pipe, or Tierce of Wine, 5- s.
4 Except, All decayed Houfes of Husbandry, and Houfewifery, and
4 Incloiures, and Severalties, converting of any Lands ufed and occu-
4 pied to Tillage and Sowing, into Failure and Feeding ; whereby
4 Idlenefs increafeth, Husbandry and Houfewifery is decayed, and
4 Towns are dif-peopled, contrary to the Statute in that Cafe made
4 and provided. 4 Except,
Gefta Grayorum. 19
4 Except, All fuch Perfons as fhall malicioufly and willingly burn
4 or cut, or caufe to be burned or cut, any Conduit, or Trough, Pipe,
* or any other Inflrument ufed as means of Conveyance of any Li-
4 quor, Water, or other kind of Moiflure.
4 Except) All Commoners within any Foreft, Chace, Moor, Marfh,
4 Heath, or other wafte Ground, which hath put to Pafture into, or
'upon the fame, any floned Horfes, not being of the Altitude and
* Heighth contained in the Statute, in that Cafe made and provided
4 for the good Breed of ftrong and large Horfes, which is much de-
4 cayed, little ftoned Horfes, Nags and Hobbies being put to Paflure 10
* there, and in fuch Commons.
* Except^ All Fugitives, Failers and Flinchers, that with Shame and
4 Difcredit are fled and vanifhed out of the Prince's Dominions of Pur-
1 poo ^ and efpecially from his Court at Graya, this time of Chriji-
4 mas, to withdraw themfelves from His Honour's Service and Atten-
4 dance, contrary to their Duty and Allegiance, and to their perpe-
4 tual Ignominy, and incurable Lofs of Credit and good Opinion,
4 which belongeth to ingenious and well-minded Gentlemen.
4 Except^ All Concealments, and wrongful Detainments of any
4Subfidies and Revenues, Benevolences and Receipts upon Privy 10
4 Seals, fee.
4 Except^ All, and all manner of Offences, Pains, Penalties, Mulcts,
4 Fines, Amerciaments and Punifhments, Corporal and Pecuniary,
4 whatfoever.
The Pardon being thus read by the Sollicitor, the Prince made a
fhort Speech to his Subjects, wherein he gave them to underfland,
that although in Clemency he pardoned all Offences, to that prefent
time ; yet notwithftanding, his meaning thereby was not to give any
the leaft occafion of Prefumption in breaking his Laws, and the Cu-
floms laudably ufed through his Domink/as and Government. Nei- 3»
ther did he now fo gracioufly forgive all Errors and Mifdemeanours
as he would hereafter feverely and flrictly reform the fame. His
Will was, that Juftice fhould be adminiflred to every Subject, without
any Partiality ; and that the Wronged fhould make their Caufes known
to himfelf, by Petition to the Matter of the Requefts : And further
excufed the Caufes of the great Taxes, and Sums of Money, that were
levied, by reafon that his Predeceflbrs had not left his Coffers full of
D 2, Treafure,
2O Gefta Grayorum.
Treafure, nor his Crown fo furnifhed, as became the Dignity of fb
great a Prince.
Then His Highnefs called for the Mafler of the Revels, and wil
led him to pafs the time in Dancing : So his Gentlemen-Penfioners
and Attendants, very gallantly appointed, in thirty Couples, danced
the Old Mealures, and their Galliards, and other kind or Dances, re
velling until it was very late ; and fb fpent the reft of their Perfor
mance in thofe Exercifes, until it pleafed His Honour to take his way
to his Lodging, with Sound of Trumpets, and his Attendants in or-
10 der, as is above fet down.
There was the Conclufion of the firft grand Night, the Perfor
mance whereof increafed the Expectation of thofe things that were
to enfue ; infomuch that the common Report amongft all Strangers
was fb great, and the Expectation of our Proceedings fb extraordina
ry, that it urged us to take upon us a greater State than was at the
firft intended : And therefore, befides all the ftately and fumptuous
Service that was continually done the Prince, in very Princely man
ner; and befides the daily Revels, and fuch like Sports, which were
ufual, there was intended divers grand Nights, for the Entertainment
10 of Strangers to our Pafs-times and Sports.
The next grand Night was intended to be upon Innocents-Day at
Night ; at which time there was a great Prefence of Lords, Ladies,
and worfhipful Perfbnages, that did expect fome notable Performance
at that time ; which, indeed, had been effected, if the multitude of
Beholders had not been fo exceeding great, that thereby there was no
convenient room for thofe that were Actors ; by reafbn whereof, ve
ry good Inventions and Conceipts could not have opportunity to be
applauded, which otherwife would have been great Contentation to
the Beholders. Againft which time, our Friend, the Inner Temple,
30 determined to fend their Ambaflador to our Prince of State, as lent
from Frederick Templarius, their Emperor, who was then bufied in
his Wars againft the Turk. The Ambaflador came very gallantly ap
pointed, and attended by a great number of brave Gentlemen, which
arrived at our Court about Nine of the Clock at Night. Upon their
coming thither, the King at Arms gave notice to the Prince, then
fitting in his Chair of State in the Hall, that there was come to his
Court an Ambaflador from his ancient Friend the State of Templarta^
which defired to have prefent Accefs unto His Highnefs ; and fliewed
his
Gefta Grayorum. 2 1
his Honour further, that he feemed to be of very good fort, becaufe
he was fo well attended ; and therefore defired that it would pleafe
His Honour that fome of his Nobles and Lords might conduct him
to His Highnefs's Prefence ; which was done. So he was brought in
very folemnly, with Sound of Trumpets, the King at Arms and Lords
of Purpoole making to his Company, which marched before him in
order. He was received very kindly of the Prince, and placed in a
Chair befides His Highnefs, to the end that he might be Partaker of
the Sports intended. But firft, he made a Speech to the Prince,
wherein he declared how his excellent Renown and Fame was known 10
throughout all the whole World ; and that the Report of his Great-
nefs was not contained within the Bounds of the Ocean, but had come
to the Ears of his noble Sovereign, Frederick Templarius^ where he is
now warring againfl the Turks, the known Enemies to all Christen
dom ; who having heard that His Excellency kept his Court at Graya,
this Chriftmas, thought it to fland with his ancient League of Amity
and near Kindnefs, that fo long hath been continued and increafed
by their noble Anceflors of famous Memory and Defert, to gratulate
his Happinefs, and flourifhing Eftate ; and in that regard, had fent
him his Ambaflador, to be refiding at His Excellency's Court, in ho- 10
nour of his Greatnefs, and token of his tender Love and Good Will
he beareth to His Highnefs; the Confirmation whereof he efpecially
required, and by all means poffible, would fludy to increafe and eter
nize: Which Function he was the more willing to accomplish, be
caufe our State of Gray a did grace Templaria with the Prefence of an
Ambaflador about thirty Years fince, upon like occafion.
Our Prince made him this Anfwer, That he did acknowledge that
the great Kindnefs of his Lord, whereby he doth invite to further de
grees in firm and Loyal Friendfhip, did deferve all honourable Com
mendations, and effectual Accomplifhment, that by any means might 30
be devifed ; and that he accounted himfelf happy, by having the fin-
cere and ftedfaft Love of fb gracious and renowned a Prince, as his
Lord and Mafler deferved to be efteemed ; and that nothing in the
World fhould hinder the due Obfervation of fo inviolable a Band as
he efteemed his Favour and Good Will. Withal, he entred into Com
mendations of his noble and courageous Enterprizes, in that he chu-
feth out an Adverfary fit for his Greatnefs to encounter with, his Ho
nour to be illuftrated by, and fuch an Enemy to all Chrijiendom^ as
that
22 Gejla Grayorum.
that the Glory of his Actions tend to the Safety and Liberty of all
Civility and Humanity ; yet, notwithstanding that he was thus em
ployed, in this Action or honouring us, he mewed both his honou
rable Mindfulnefs of our Love and Friendfhip, and alfb his own Puif-
fance, that can afford fb great a number of brave Gentlemen, and fo
gallantly furnifhed and accomplimed : And fb concluded, with a
Welcome both to the Ambaflador himfelf, and his Favourites, for
their Lord and Mailer's fake, and fo for their own good Deferts and
Condition.
10 When the Ambaflador was placed, as afbrefaid, and that there was
fomething to be performed for the Delight of the Beholders, there
arofe fuch a difordered Tumult and Crowd upon the Stage, that there
was no Opportunity to effect that which was intended : There came
fo great a number of wormipful Perfonages upon the Stage, that might
not be difplaced ; and Gentlewomen, whofe Sex did privilege them
from Violence, that when the. Prince and his Officers had in vain, a
good while, expected and endeavoured a Reformation, at length
there was no hope of Redrefs for that prefent. The Lord Ambaflador
and his Train thought that they were not fb kindly entertained, as was
10 before expected, and thereupon would not flay any longer at that time,
but, in a fort, difcontented and difpleafed. After their Departure the
Throngs and Tumults did fbmewhat ceafe, although fb much of them
continued, as was able to difbrder and confound any good Inventions
whatfoever. In regard whereof, as alfb for that the Sports intended
were efpecially for the gracing of the Templarians^ it was thought
good not to offer any thing of Account, faving Dancing and Revel
ling with Gentlewomen; and after fuch Sports, a Comedy of Er
rors (like to Plautus his Menechmus) was played by the Players. So
that Night was begun, and continued to the end, in nothing but
30 Confuflon and Errors; whereupon, h was ever afterwards called,
The Night of Errors.
This mifchanceful Accident fbrting fo ill, to the great prejudice of
the refl of our Proceedings, was a great Difcouragement and Difpa-
ragement to our whole State ; yet it gave occafion to the Lawyers of
the Prince's Council, the next Night, after Revels, to read a Com-
miffion of Oyer and Terminer, directed to certain Noble-men and
Lords of His Highnefs's Council, and others, that they mould en
quire, or caufe Enquiry to be madeoffome great Diforders and Abu-
fes
Gefta Grayorum. 23
fes lately done and committed within His Highnefs's Dominions of
Purpoole, efpecially by Sorceries and Inchantments ; and namely, of
a great Witchcraft ufed the Night before, whereby there were great
Diforders and Mifdemeanours, by Hurly-burlies, Crowds, Errors,
Confufions, vain Reprefentations and Shews, to the utter Difcredit
of our State and Policy.
The next Night upon this Occafion, we preferred Judgments thick
and threefold, which were read publickly by the Clerk of the Crown,
being all againfl a Sorcerer or Conjurer that was fuppofed to be the
Caufe of that confufed Inconvenience. Therein was contained, i°
How he had caufed the Stage to be built, and Scaffolds to be reared
to the top of the Houfe, to increafe Expectation. Alfb how he had
caufed divers Ladies and Gentlewomen, and others of good Condi
tion, to be invited to our Sports; alfb our dearefl Friend, the State
of Templaria, to be difgraced, and difappointed of their kind Enter
tainment, deferved and intended. Alfo that he caufed Throngs and
Tumults, Crowds and Outrages, to difturb our whole Proceedings.
And Laflly, that he had foifted a Company of bafe and common Fel
lows, to make up our Diforders with a Play of Errors and Confufions ;
and that that Night had gained to us Difcredit, and it felf a Nick- 20
name of Errors. All which were againft the Crown and Dignity of
our Sovereign Lord, the Prince of Purpoole.
Under Colour of thefe Proceedings, were laid open to the View,
all the Caufes of note that were committed by our chiefefl States-men
in the Government of our Principality ; and every Officer in any
great Place, that had not performed his Duty in that Service, was
taxed hereby, from the higheft to the loweft, not fparing the Guard
and Porters, that fuffered fo many difordered Perfbns to enter in at
the Court-Gates : Upon whofe afbrefaid Indictments, the Prifoner was
arraigned at the Bar, being brought thither by the Lieutenant of the 30
Tower (for at that time the Stocks were graced with that Name ;)
and the Sheriff impannelled a Jury of Twenty four Gentlemen, that
were to give their Verdict upon the Evidence given. The Prifoner
appealed to the Prince his Excellency for Juftice, and humbly defired,
that it would pleafe His Highnefs to underfland the Truth of the
Matter by his Supplication, which he had ready to be offered to the
Matter of the Requefls. The Prince gave leave to the Matter of the
Requetts, that he fhould read the Petition ; wherein was a Difclofure
of
24 Gefta Grayorum.
of all the Knavery and Juggling of the Attorney and Sollicitor, which
had brought all this Law-fturFon purpofe to blind the Eyes of his Ex
cellency, and all the honourable Court there, going about to make
them think, that thole things which they all faw and preceived fen-
fibly to be in very deed done, and actually performed, were nothing
elfe but vain Illufions, Fancies, Dreams and Enchantments, and to be
wrought and compafled by the Means of a poor harmlefs Wretch,
that never had heard of fuch great Matters in all his Life : Whereas
the very Fault was in the Negligence of the Prince's Council, Lords
10 and Officers of his State, that had the Rule of the Roaft, and by whofe
Advice the Commonwealth was fb fbundly misgoverned. To prove
thefe things to be true, he brought divers Inflances of great Abfurdi-
ties committed by the greatefl; and made fuch Allegations, as could
not be denied. Thefe were done by fbme that were touched by the
Attorney and Sollicitor, in their former Proceedings, and they ufed
the Prifoners Names for means of Quittance with them in that behalf
But the Prince and States-men (being pinched on both fides, by both
the Parties) were not a little offended at the great Liberty that they
had taken, in cenfiiring fb far of His Highnefs's Government ; and
10 thereupon the Prifoner was freed and pardoned, the Attorney, Solli
citor, Mafter of the Requefts, and thofe that were acquainted with
the Draught of the Petition, were all of them commanded to the
Tower ; fo the Lieutenant took charge of them. And this was the
End of our Law-fports, concerning the Night of Errors.
When we were wearied with mocking thus at our own Follies, at
length there was a great Confutation had for the Recovery of our
loft Honour. It was then concluded, that firft the Prince's Council
fhould be reformed, and fbme graver Conceipts (hould have their
places, to advife upon thofe things that were propounded to be done
30 afterward. Therefore, upon better Confideration, there were divers
Plots and Devices intended againft the Friday after New-years-day,
being the %d. of January. And to prevent all unruly Tumults, and
former Inconveniences, there was provided a Watch of Armed Men,
to ward at the four Ports; and Whifflers, to make good Order un
der the four Barons ; and the Lord Warden to over-fee them all, that
none but thofe that were of good Condition might be fuffered to
be let into the Court : And the like Officers were every where ap
pointed.
On
Gefta Gray or urn. 25
On the \d. of January at Night, there was a mofl honourable Pre-
fence of Great and Noble Perfbnages, that came as invited to our
Prince ; as namely, the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper, the Earls of
Shrewsbury, Cumberland, Northumberland, Southampton, and JZffex, the
^jcx&sBuckhurji, Wmdfor,Mountjoy, Sheffield, Compton, Rich, Burleygh,
Mounteagle, and the Lord Thomas Howard', Sir Thomas Henneage, Sir
Robert Cecill '; with a great number of Knights, Ladies and very wor-
fhipful Perfonages : All which had convenient Places, and very good
Entertainment, to their good Liking and Contentment.
When they were all thus placed and fetled in very good Order, the 10
Prince came into the Hall with his wonted State, and afcended his
Throne at the high End of the Hall, under His Highnefs's Arms ;
and after him came the Ambaflador of Templaria, with his Train like-
wife, and was placed by the Prince as he was before ; his Train alfb
had Places referved for them, and were provided for them particular
ly. Then, after variety of Mufick, they were prefented with this
Device.
At the fide of the Hall, behind a Curtain, was erected an Altar to
the Goddefs of Amity ; her Arch-Flamen, ready to attend the Sacri
fice and Incenfe that fhould, by her Servants, be offered unto her : ao
Round about the fame fate Nymphs and Fairies, with Inftruments of
Mufick, and made very pleafant Melody with Viols and Voices, and
fang Hymns and Praifes to her Deity.
Then iflued forth of another Room the firft pair of Friends, which
were Thefeus and Perithous ; they came in Arm in Arm, and offered
Incenfe upon the Altar to their Goddefs, which fhined and burned ve
ry clear, without Blemifh ; which being done, they departed.
Then likewife came Achilles and Patroc/as; after them, Pilades
and Oreftes ; then Scipio and Lelius : And all thefe did, in all things,
as the former, and fo departed. 30
Laftly, were prefented Graiusa.n& Templarius-y and they two came
lovingly, Arm in Arm, to the Altar, and offered their Incenfe as the
reft, but the Goddefs did not accept of their Service ; which appea
red by the troubled Smoak, and dark Vapour, that choaked the Flame,
and fmothered the clear burning thereof Her eat, the Arch-Flamen,
willing to pacific the angry Goddefs, preferred certain myftical Ce
remonies and Invocations, and commanded the Nymphs to fing fbme
Hymns of Pacification to her Deity, and caufed them to make proffer
E of
26 Gefta Grayorum.
of their Devotion again ; which they did, and then the Flame burnt
more clear than at any time before, and continued longer in bright-
nefs and fhining to them, than to any of thofe Pairs of Friends that
had gone before them ; and fo they departed.
Then the Arch-Flamen did pronounce Grayus and Templarius to be
as true and perfect Friends, and fo familiarly united and linked with
the Bond and League of fincere Friendfhip and Amity, as ever were
Thefeus and Perithous, Achilles and Patroclus, Pilades and Ore/ies, or
Scipio and Lelius\ and therewithal did further divine, that this Love
10 fhould be perpetual. And Laftly, denounced an heavy Curfe on them
that (hall any way go about to break or weaken the fame ; and an
Happinefs to them that ftudy and labour to eternize it for ever. So
with fweet and pleafant Melody, the Curtain was drawn, as it was
at the firlt.
Thus was this Shew ended, which was devifed to that End, that
thofe that were prefent might underfland, that the Unkindnefs which
was growing betwixt the Templarians and us, by reafon of the for
mer Night of Errors, and the uncivil Behaviour wherewith they were
entertained, as before I have partly touched, was now clean rooted
ao out and forgotten, and that we now were more firm Friends, and
kind Lovers, than ever before we had been, contrary to the evil Re
ports that fome Enviers of our Happinefs had fown abroad.
The Prince then fpake to the Ambaflador, that the Shew had con
tented him exceedingly ; the rather, that it appeared thereby, that
their ancient Amity was fo frefh and flourifhing, that no Friendfhip
in the World hath been compared to the Love and Good Will of the
Grayans and Templarians. And to the end that he might {hew that
the Conceipt was pleafing unto him, His Highnefs offered the Lord
Ambaflador, and fome of his Retinue, with the Knighthood of the
30 Helmet, an Order of his own Inftitution.
To that end His Excellency called to him his King at Arms, and
willed him to place the Ambaflador, and fome of his Followers, and
alfo fome of his own Court, that they might receive the Dignity at
his hands ; which being done, and the Mafter of the Jewels attending
with the Collar of the Order, the Prince came down from his Chair
of State, and took a Collar, and put it about the Lord Ambaffador's
Neck, he kneeling down on his Left Knee, and faid unto him, Sots
Chivaler; and fo was done to the reft, to the number of Twenty four.
So
Gefta Gray or um. 27
So the Prince and the Lord Ambaflador took their Places again in
their Chairs, and the reft according to their Condition.
Then Helmet, His Highnefs's King at Arms, flood forth before
the Prince, in his Surcoat of Arms, and caufed the Trumpets to found,
and made his Speech, as doth follow.
The moft mighty and puijfant Prince, Sir Henry, my gracious Jj>rd
and Sovereign, Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Ber-
nardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. GilesV
and Tottenham, Count Palatine g/'Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, great
Jjord of the Cantons of Iflington, Kentifti-Town, Paddington and 10
Knights-bridge, hath heretofore, for the f pedal gracing of the Nobili
ty of his Realm, and honouring the Deferts of Strangers, his Favourites,
instituted a most honourable Order of Knighthood of the Helmet,
whereof His Honour is Sovereign, in Memory of the Arms he beareth,
'worthily given to one of his noble Anceftors, many Years paft,forfa-
ving the Life of his then Sovereign ; in regard that as the Helmet de-
fendeth the chief eft part of the Body, the Head; fo did he guard and
defend the f acred Per/on of the Prince, the Head of the State. His
Highnefs at this time had made choice of a Number of vertuous and
nolle P erf on ages, to admit them into his honourable Society ; whofe good to
Example may be a Spur and Encouragement to the young Nobility of his
Dominions, to cauje them to afpire to the heighth of all honourable
Deferts.
To the honourable Order are annexed ftrict Rules of Arms, and Ci
vil Government, religioufly to be obferved by all thofe that are admit
ted to this Dignity. Tou therefore, moft noble Gentlemen, whom His
Highnefs at this time fo greatly honoureth with his Royal Order, you
muft every one of you kifs your Helmet, and thereby promife and vow
to objerve and practife, or otherwije, as the Cafe Jhall require, Jhun
and avoid all thefe Constitutions and Ordinances, which, out of the Re- 30
cords of my Office of Arms, T pall read unto you.
Then the King at Arms took his Book, and turned to the Articles
of the Orders, and read them, as followeth.
* Imprimis, T7 Very Knight of this honourable Order, whether he be
-•— ' ' a Natural Subject, or Stranger born, (hall promife
4 never to bear Arms againft His Highnefs's Sacred Perfon, nor his
E i 'State
28 Gefta Grayorum.
' State ; but to aflift him in all his lawful Wars, and maintain all his
' juft Pretences and Titles ; efpecially, His Highnefs's Title to the
' Land of the Amazons, and the Cape of Good Hope.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall, in point of Honour, refort
' to any Grammar-rules out of the Books De Dullo, or fiich like ; but
4 fhall, out of his own brave Mind, and natural Courage, deliver him-
c felf from Scorns, as to his own Difcretion fhall feem convenient.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall be inquifitive towards any La-
' dy or Gentlewoman, whether her Beauty be Englijh or Italian, or
i° * whether, with Care taking, fhe have added half a Foot to her Sta-
' ture ; but fhall take all to the beft. Neither fhall any Knight of the
'aforefaid Order prefume to affirm, that Faces were better twenty
* Years ago, than they are at this prefent time, except fuch Knight
' have pafled three Climacterical Years.
' Item, Every Knight of this Order is bound to perform all requi-
' fite and Manly Service, be it Night-fervice, or otherwife, as the
' Cafe requireth, to all Ladies and Gentlewomen, beautiful by Na-
* ture, or by Ait ; ever offering his Aid, without any Demand there-
4 of: And if in cafe he fail fb to do, he fhall be deemed, a Match of
xo * Disparagement to any His Highnefs's Widows, or Wards-Female ;
* and His Excellency fhall in Juflice forbear to make any Tender of
* him to any fiich Ward or Widow.
* If em, No Knight of this Order fhall procure any Letters from His
' Highnefs, to any Widow or Maid, for his Enablement and Com-
* mendation, to be advanced to Marriage ; but all Prerogative, Woo-
* ing fet apart, fhall for ever ceafe, as to any of thefe Knights, and
* fhall be left to the Common Laws of this Land, declared by the Sta-
* tute, Quid Electtones liber<e ejfe debent.
' Item, No Knight of this honourable Order, in cafe he fhall grow
30 ' into decay, fhall procure from His Highnefs Relief and Suflentation,
* any Monopolies or Privileges, except only thefe kinds following ;
* that is to fay, Upon every Tabaco-pipe, not being one Foot wide.
* Upon every Lock that is worn, not being feven Foot long. Upon
' every Health that is drank, not being of a Glafs five Foot deep. And
* upon every Maid in His Highnefs's Province of IJlington, continuing
* a Virgin after the Age of fourteen Years, contrary to the Ufe and
* Cuftom in that place always had and obferved.
* Item,
Gefta Grayorum. 29
( Item, No Knight of this Order (hall have any more than one Mi-
' flrefs, for whofe fake he (hall be allowed to wear three Colours : But
* if he will have two Miftrefles, then mult he wear fix Colours ; and
' fo forward, after the rate of three Colours to a Miftrefs.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall put out any Money upon
' ftrange Returns or Performances to be made by his own Perfon ;
' as, to hop up the ftairs to the top of St. Paul's, without intermit
* fion ; or any other fuch like Agilities or Endurances, except it may
* appear, that the fame Performances or Practices do enable him to
* fbme Service or Employment ; as, if he do undertake to go a Jour- 10
* ny backward, the fame fhall be thought to enable him to be an Am-
' baflador into Turky.
' Item, No Knight of this Order, that hath had any Licence to tra-
* vel into Foreign Countries, be it by Map, Card, Sea, or Land, and
* hath returned from thence, lhall prefume, upon the Warrant of a
' Traveller, to report any extraordinary Varieties ; as, that he hath
* ridden through Venice on Horfe-back Pofl, or that in December he
1 failed by the Cape of Norway, or that he hath travelled over the
' moft part of the Countries of Geneva, or fiich like Hyperbolies, con-
' trary to the Statute, Propterea quod qui diverfos terrarum ambitus zo
4 errant & vagantur, &c.
* Item, Every Knight of this Order fhall do his Endeavour to be
' much in the Books of the worfhipful Citizens of the principal City,
' next adjoining to the Territories of Purpoole ; and none fhall unlear-
' nedly, or without looking, pay ready Money for any Wares, or
' other things pertaining to the Gallantnefs of His Honour's Court ;
' to the ill Example of others, and utter Subverfion of Credit betwixt
' Man and Man.
* Item, Every Knight of this Order fhall apply himfelf to fbme or
'other vertuous Quality or Ability of Learning, Honour and Arms; 30
* and fhall not think it fufficient to come into His Honour's Prefence-
' Chamber in good Apparel only, or to be able to keep Company at
' Play and Gaming : For fuch it is already determined, that they be
' put and taken for Implements of Houfhold, and are placed in His
* Honour's Inventory.
'Item, Every Knight of this Order fhall endeavour to add Confe-
' rence and Experience by Reading ; and therefore fhall not only read
' and perufe Guizo, the French Academy, Galiatto the Courtier, Plu-
' tarch,
30 Gefta Grayorum.
* tarch, the Arcadia, and the Neoterical Writers, from time to time ;
* but alfo frequent the Theatre, and fiich like places of Experience ;
'and refbrt to the better fort of Ord'naries for Conference, whereby
' they may not only become accomplished with Civil Conversations,
'and able to govern a Table with Difcourfe; but alfo fufficient, if
' need be, to make Epigrams, Emblems, and other Devices appertai-
' ning to His Honour's learned Revels.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall give out what gracious Words
* the Prince hath given him, nor leave Word at his Chamber, in cafe
10 ' any come to fpeak with him, that he is above with His Excellency ;
1 nor caufe his Man, when he fhall be in any publick Aflembly, to
' call him fuddainly to go to the Prince, nor caufe any Packet of Let-
' ters to be brought at Dinner or Supper-time, nor fay that he had the
' Refufal of fbme great Office, nor fausfie Suitors, to fay, His Honour
* is not in any good Difpofition, nor make any narrow Obfervation
'of His Excellency's Nature and Fafhions, as if he were inward pri-
' vately with His Honour ; contrary to the kte Inhibition of felling
' of Smoak.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall be armed, for the Safe-guard
*o ' of his Countenance, with a Pike in his Mouth, in the nature of a
' Tooth-picker, or with any Weapon in his Hand, be it Stick, Plume,
' Wand, or any fuch like : Neither fhall he draw out of his Pocket any
' Book or Paper, to read, for the fame intent ; neither fhall he re-
' tain any extraordinary Shrug, Nod, or other familiar Motion or Ge-
' fture, to the fame end ; for His Highnefs, of his gracious Clemen-
4 cy, is difpofed to lend his Countenance to all fuch Knights as are
' out of Countenance.
4 Item, No Knight of this Order, that weareth Fuflian, Cloth, or
' fuch Statute-Apparel, for Neceflity, fhall pretend to wear the fame
30 ' for the new Fafhion's fake.
' Item, No Knight of this Order, in walking the Streets, or other
' places of Refort, fhall bear his Hands in his Pockets of his great
' rolled Hofe, with the Spanijh Wheel, if it be not either to defend his
' Hands from the Cold, or elfe to guard forty Shillings Sterling, be-
' ing in the fame Pockets.
' Item, No Knight of this Order fhall lay to Pawn his Collar of
' Knighthood for an hundred Pounds ; and if he do, he fhall be, ipfo
* facto, difcharged ; and it fhall be lawful for any Man whatofever,
'that
Gefta Gray or urn. 3 i
c that will retain the fame Collar for the Sum aforefaid, forthwith to
* take upon him the faid Knighthood, by reafbn of a fecret Vertue in
' the Collar ; for in this Order, it is holden for a certain Rule, that
cthe Knighthood followeth the Collar, and not the Collar the
' Knighthood.
'Item, that no Knight of this Order fhall take upon him the Per-
'fon of a Male-content, in going with a more private Retinue than
4 appertaineth to his Degree, and ufing but certain fpecial, obfcure
1 Company, and commending none but Men difgraced, and out of
'Office; and fmiling at good News, as if he knew fbmething that 10
* were not true ; and making odd Notes of His Highnefs's Reign, and
1 former Governments ; or faying, that His Highnefs's Sports were
' well forted with a Play of Errors ; and fuch like pretty Speeches of
' Jefl, to the end that he may more fafely utter his Malice againfl
1 His Excellency's Happinefs ; upon pain to be prefent at all His Ex-
' cellency's moft glorious Triumphs.
* jLaft/y, All the Knights of this honourable Order, and the re-
* nowned Sovereign of the fame, fhall yield all Homage, Loyalty,
4 unaffected Admiration, and all humble Service, of what Name or
* Condition foever, to the incomparable Emprefs of the Fortunate 10
' Ifland.
When the King at Arms had read all thefe Articles of the Order of
the Knighthood, and finifhed the Ceremonies belonging to the fame,
and that every one had taken their Places as before, there was variety
of Confort-Mufick ; and in the mean while, the Knights of the Or
der, which were not Strangers, brought into the Hall a Running
Banquet in very good order, and gave it to the Prince, and Lords,
and other Strangers, in imitation 01 the Feaft that belongeth to all
fuch honourable Inftitutions.
This being done, there was a Table fet in the midfl of the Stage, 30
before the Prince's Seat ; and there fate fix of the Lords of his Privy
Council, which at that time were appointed to attend, in Council, the
Prince's Leifure. Then the Prince fpake to them in this manner.
My
32 Gefta Grayorum.
My Lords,
WE, have made choice of you , as Our mo ft faithful and favou
red Counfellors, to advije with you, not any particular Action
of Our State, but in general, of the Scope and End whereuntoyou think
it moftfor our Honour, and the Happinefs of Our State, that Our Go-
vernment be rightly bent and directed : For We mean not to do as ma-
ny Princes ufe ; which conclude of their Ends out of their own Honours,
and take Counfel only of the Means (abufmg,for the most part, the
Wifdom of their Counfel lor s) fet them the right way to the wrong place.
10 But We, defirous to leave as little to Chance or Humour as may be, do
now give you liberty and warrant to fet before 1)s, to what Port, as it
were, the Ship of Our Government jhould be bounden. And this We
require you to do, without either Refpect to Our Affections, or your
own ; neither guejjing what is moft agreeable with Our Difpo/ition,
wherein We may eajily deceive you / for Princes Hearts are infcru-
table : Nor, on the other fide, putting the Cafe by your f elves, as if
you would prefent Vs with a Robe, whereof Meafure were taken by your
Jelves. Thus you perceive Our Mind, and We expect your Anfwer.
The Fir/I Counfellor advifmg the Exertife of
*o War.
Moft Excellent Prince,
* T7Xcept there be fuch amongft us, as I am fully perfwaded there
-EL <is none, that regardeth more his own Greatnefs under you,
' than your Greatnefs over others, I think there will be little difference
' in the chufing for you a Goal worthy your Vertue and Power. For
* he that fhall fet before him your Magnanimity and Valour, fupppr-
'ted by the Youth and Difpofition or your Body; your flourifhing
* Court, like the Horfe of Troy, full of brave Commanders and Lea-
*ders; your populous and Man-rife Provinces, overflowing with
30 c Warlike People ; your Coffers, like the Indian Mines, when that
*they are firft opened; your Store-houfes are as Sea-walls, like to
* fulcan's Cave; your Navy like to an huge floating City; the De-
* votion
Gefta Grayorum. 33
'votion of your Subjects to your Crown and Perfbn, their good A-
'greement amongft themfelves, their Wealth and Provision; and
' then your Strength and unre vocable Confederation with the noble
' and honourable Perfonages, and the Fame and Reputation without
' of fb rare a Concurrence, whereof all the former Regards do grow :
' How can he think any Exercife worthy of your Means, but that of
1 Conqueft ? For, in few Words, What is your Strength, if you find
' it not ? Your Fortune, if you try it not ? Your Vertue, if you fhew
* it not ? Think, Excellent Prince, what Senfe of Content you found
' in your felf, when you were firft invefted in our State : For though 10
* I know Your Excellency is far from Vanity and Lightnefs, yet it is
* the nature of all things to find Reft when they come to due and pro-
* per places. But be afliired of this, that this Delight will languifh
* and vanifh ; for Power will quench Appetite, and Satiety will en-
* dure Tedioufnefs. But if you embrace the Wars, your Trophies and
' Triumphs will be as continual Coronations, that will not fuffer your
* Glory and Contentment to fade and wither. Then when you have
' enlarged your Territories, ennobled your Country, distributed For
tunes, good or bad, at your pleafure, not only to Particulars, but
' to Cities and Nations ; marked the Computations of Times with 10
* your Expeditions and Voyages, and the Memory of Places by your
* Exploits and Victories, in your later Years you fhall find a fweet
* Refpect into the Adventures of your Youth, you fhall enjoy your
'Reputation, you (hall record your Travels, and after your own
* time, you fhall eternize your Name, and leave deep Foot-fteps of
'your Power in the World. To conclude, Excellent Prince, and
' moft worthy to have the Titles of Victories added to other your
'high and deferved Titles; Remember, the Divines find nothing
'more glorious to refemble our State unto, than a Warfare. All
' things in earneft and jeft do affect a kind of Victory, and all other 30
' Victories are but Shadows to the Victories of the Wars. Therefore
' embrace the Wars, for they difparage you not ; and believe that if
' any Prince do otherwife, it is either in the Weaknefs of his Mind
' or Means.
The
34 Gefta Grayorum.
The Second Councellor advifing the Study
of Philofophy.
I" T may feem, Moft Excellent Prince, that my Lord, 'which now hath
-•- fpoken, did never read the just Cenfures of the wifeft Men, who
compared great Conquerors to great Rovers and Witches, whofe Power
is in Destruction, and not in Prefervation • elfe would he never have
advifedyour Excellency to become as fome Comet, or Blazing Star,
which jnould threaten and pretend nothing but Death and Dearth, Com-
buftions and Troubles of the World. And whereas the governing Fa-
10 cutties of Men are two, Force and Reafon; whereof the one is Bruit,
and the other Divine, he wijbeth you, for your principal Ornament and
Regality, the Talons of the Eagle to catch the Prey, and not the pier
cing Sight which feet h into the bottom of the Sea : But I, contrary -wife,
wtll wijb unto your Highnefs the Exercife of the best and purejl part
of the Mind, and the moft innocent and meriting Requeft, being the
Conqueft of the Works of Nature / making his Proportion, that you
bend the Excellency of your Spirits to the fearching out, inventing and
difcovering of all whatfoever is hid in fecret in the World, that your
Excellency be not as a Lamp thatjhineth to others, and yet feeth not
10 it felf; but as the Eye of the World, that both carrieth and ufeth
Light. Antiquity, that prefenteth unto us in dark Ft/ions, the Wif-
dom of former Times, informeth us, that the Kingdoms have always
bad an Affinity with the Secrets and Mysteries of Learning. Amongft
the Perfians, the Kings were attended on by the Magi ; the Gymnafo-
phifts had all the Government under the Princes of Afia ; and general
ly, thofe Kingdoms were accounted most happy, that had Rulers moft ad
dicted to Philofophy: The Ptolemies in Egypt may be for inftance ; and
Solyman was a Manfofeen in the Vniverfality of Nature, that he wrote
an Herbal of all that was green upon the Earth. No Conquest of Ju-
3 ° lius Caefar made him fo remembred as the Calendar. Alexander the
Great wrote to Ariftotle, upon the publifhing of the Phyjicks, that he
efteemedmore of excellent Men in Knowledge, than in the Empire. And
to this purpofe T will commend to your Highnefs four principal Works
and Monuments ofyourfelf: Firft, The collecting of a moft perfect and
general
Gefta Grayorum. 35
general Library, wherein whatfoever the Wit of Man hath heretofore
committed to Books of worth, be they ancient or modern, printed or Ma-
nufcript, European or of the other Parts, of one or other Language,
may be made contributary to your Wifdorn. Next, a fpacious, wonder
ful Garden, wherein whatfoever Plant, the Sun of divers Climates, out
of the Earth of divers Moulds, either wild, or by the Culture of Man,
brought forth, may be, with that Care that appertaineth to the good
profpering thereof, fet and cherijbed. This Garden to be built about
with Rooms, to ft able in all rare Beasts, and to cage in all rare Birds;
with two Lakes adjoining, the one offrejh Water, and the other of fait, 10
for like variety of Fijhes : And fo you may have, in a f mall Compafs,
a Model of Vniverfal Nature made private. The third, A goodly huge
Cabinet, wherein whatfoever the Hand of Man, by exquijite Art or
Engine, hath made rare in Stuff, Form, or Motion, whatfoever Singu
larity, Chance and the Shuffle of things hath produced, whatfoever Na
ture hath wrought in things that want Life, and may be kept, jhall be
forted and included. The fourth, Such a Still-houje fo furnijhed with
Mills, Inftruments, Furnaces and F~ejfels, as may be a Palace jit for a
Philosopher' s Stone. Thus when your Excellency jhall have added depth
of Knowledge to the finenefs of Spirits, and greatnefs of your Power, 10
then indeed Jhall you lay a Trifmegiftus ; and then, when all other
Miracles and Wonders Jhall ceafe, by reafon that you Jhall have difco-
vered their natural Caufes, your felf Jhall be left the only Miracle and
of the World.
The Third Councelloradvi/ingEternizement and
Fame, by Buildings and Foundations.
' TV /Ty Lords that have already fpoken, Mofl Excellent Prince,
JLVL * have both ufed one Fallacy, in taking that for certain and
' granted, which was moft uncertain and doubtful ; for the one hath
' neither drawn in queftion the Succefs and Fortune of the Wars, nor
' the other, the Difficulties and Errors in the Conclusions of Nature :
' But thefe immoderate Hopes and Promifes do many times iflue from
'thofe of the Wars, into Tragedies of Calamities and Diftrefles; and
* thofe of Myftical Philofophy, into Comedies of ridiculous Fruftra-
F 2 * tions
36 Gejla Grayorum.
' tions and Difappointments of fuch Conceipts and Curiofities : But,
' on the other fide, in one Point my Lords nave well agreed ; That
'they both, according to their feveral Intentions, counfelled your
' Excellency to win Fame, and to eternize your Name ; though the
' one advifeth it in a Courfe of great Peril, and the other, of little Dig-
' nity and Magnificence. But the plain and approved Way that is
' fafe, and yet proportionable to the Greatnefs or a Monarch, to pre-
' fent himfelf to Pofterity, is not Rumour and Hear-fay ; but the ufual
' Memory of himfelf is the Magnificence of goodly and Royal Buil-
10 'dings and Foundations, and the new Inflitutions of Orders, Ordi-
' nances and Societies ; that is, that your Coin be ftamped with your
'own Image; fb in every part of your State there may be fomewhat
' new ; which, by Continuance, may make the Founder and Author
' remembred. It was perceived at the firfl, when Men fought to cure
' Mortality by Fame, that Buildings was the only way ; and there-
' of proceeded the known holy Antiquity of building the Tower of
1 Babel-, which, as it was a Sin in the immoderate Appetite of Fame,
' fo was it punifhed in the kind ; for the Diverfities of Languages have
' imprifbned Fame ever fince. As for the Pyramids, the Colofles, the
10 ' number of Temples, Colleges, Bridges, Aquaeducts, Caftles, Theatres,
' Palaces, and the like, they may (hew us, that Men ever miflrufted
'any other way to Fame than this only, of Works and Monuments.
' Yea, even they which had the beft Choice of other Means. Alexan-
' der did not think his Fame fb engraven in his Conquefls, but that
'he thought it further fhined in the Buildings of Alexandria, sfugu-
'Jlus Cefar thought no Man had done greater things in Military A-
' ctions than himfelf, yet that which, at his Death, ran mofl in his
' Mind, was his Building ; when he faid, not as fome miftake it, me-
' taphorically, but literally, I found the City of Brick, but I leave
30 ' /'/ of Marble. Constantine the Great was wont to call with En-
' vy the Emperor Trajan, Wall-flower, becaufe his Name was upon
' fb many Buildings ; which notwithftanding, he himfelf did embrace
'in the new founding of Conftantinople, and fundry other Buildings:
'And yet none greater Conquerors than thefe two. And furely they
' had reafon ; for the Fame of great Actions is like to a Land-flood,
' which hath no certain Head or Spring ; but the Memory and Fame
' of Buildings and Foundations hath, as it were, a Fountain in an Hill,
' which continually feedeth and refrefheth the other Waters. Nei
ther
Gefta Grayorum. 37
* ther do I, Excellent Prince, reftrain my Speeches to dead Buildings
' only, but intend it alfo to other Foundations, Inflitutions and Crea-
' tions ; wherein I prefume the more to {peak confidently, becaufe I
'am warranted herein by your own Wifdom, who have made the
' Firft Fruits of your Actions of State, to inftitute the honourable Or-
' der of the Helmet: The lefs fhall I need to fay, leaving your Excel-
' lency not fo much to follow my Advice, as your own Example.
The Fourth Councellor adviiing Abfolute-
nefs of State and Treafure.
LET it notfeem Pufillanimity for your Excellency ', Mighty Prince ', 10
to defcend a, little from your high Thoughts to a necejfary Confe
deration of your own EJlate. Neithei do you deny, Honourable Lords,
to acknowledge Safety, Profit and Power to be of the Subjlance of Po
licy, and Fame ana Honour rather to be as Flowers of we// ordered
Actions, than as good Guides. Now if you examine the Courfes propound
ed according to thefe Refpects, it muft be confejfed, that the courfe of
Wars may feem to encreafe Power, and the courfe of Contemplations and
Foundations not prejudice Safety ; but if you look beyond the exterior,
you jball find that the first breeds ffeaknefs, and the latter note
Peril ; for certain it is during Wars, your Excellency will be enforced '*o
to your Souldiers, and generally to your People, and become lefs
Abfolute and Monarchical than if you reign'd in Peace ; and then if your
Succefs be good, that you make new Conquefts, you Jhall be conftrained
to fpend the Jlrength of your ancient and fetled Provinces, to ajfure
your new and doubtful, and become like a jirong man, that by taking
a great Burden upon his Shoulders, maketh himfelf weaker than he
was before. Again, if you think you may not end Contemplations with
Security, your Excellency will lie deceived ; for fuch Studies will
make you retired and dijufed with your Bufinefs; whence will follow
admiration of your Authority; as for the other Point, of exercifing •$<*
in every part of your State fomething new, derived from your fejf,
it will acquaint your Excellency with an humor of Innovation and
Alteration ; which will make your Reign very turbulent and unfetled,
and many times your Change will be for worfe; as in the Example lajl
touched
3 8 Gefta Grayorum.
touched, 0/*Conftantine, who by his new Tranjlation of his Eft ate, rui
nated the Roman Empire. As for Profit, there appeareth a direct
contrariety betwixt that and all the three Courfes ; for nothing caufeth
fuch dijfipation of Treasure as Wars, Curiofities and Buildings ; and
for all this to be recompenfed in a fuppofed Honour, a Matter apt to
be much extolled in Words, but not greatly to be praifed in Conceit, f
do think it a Lofers Bargain. Bejides that, many politick Princes
have received as much Commendation for their wife and well ordered
Government, as others have done for their Conquefts and glorious Af-
\ofections. And more worthy, becaufe the Praife of Wifdom and Judg
ment is lefs communicated with Fortune. Therefore, Excellent Prince,
be not tranfported with Shews ; follow the Order of Nature, firft to
make the most of that you poffefs, before you feek to purchafe more.
To put the Cafe by a private Man {for I cannot fpeak high) If a man
were born to an hundred Pounds by the Year, and onejhew him how with
Charge to purchafe an hundred Pounds more, and another Jbould Jhew
him how without Charge to raife that hundred Pounds unto five hundred
Pounds, I jhould think the latter Advice Jhould be followed. The
Proverb is a Countrey -Proverb, but fignificative, Milk the Cow that
10 ftandeth fHll ; why follow you her that flieth away ? Do not think,
Excellent Prince, that all the Conquefts you are to make be foreign;
you are to conquer here at home the overgrowing of your Grandees
in Factions, and too great Liberties of your People, the great Reve
rence and Formalities given to your Laws and Cuftoms, in derogation
of your abfolute Prerogatives; thefe and fuch like be Conquefts of
State, though not of War. You want a Jofeph, that jhould by Advice
make you the only Proprietor of all the Lands and Wealth of your Sub
jects. The Means how to ftrain up your Sovereignty, and how to accu
mulate Treafure and Revenue, they are the Secrets of your State : I
30 will not enter into them at this place; I wifh your Excellency as ready
to them, as I know the means ready to perform them.
The
Gejla Gray or urn. 39
The Fifth Councellor advijing him J^ertue, and a
Gracious Government.
Moft Excellent Prince,
I" Have heard fundry Plats and Propofitions offered unto you
4 ••- feverally : One, to make you a great Prince ; another, to make
* you a flrong Prince ; and another, to make you a memorable Prince ;
4 and a fourth, to make you an abfblute Prince ; but I hear of no
4 mention to make you a good and a vertuous Prince ; which fiirely
4 my Lords have left out in difcretion, as to arife of your own mo-
4 tion and choice ; and fo I fhould have thought, had they not handled 10
4 their own Propofitions fb artificially and perfwadingly, as doth af-
4 fure me their Speech was not formal. But, moft Worthy Prince,
4 Fame is too light, and Profit and Surety are too low, and Power
4 is either fiich as you have, or ought not fo to feek to have ; it is the
4 meriting of your Subjects, the making of Golden Times, the be-
4 coming of a Natural Parent to your State : Thefe are the only
4 and worthy Ends of your Grace's vertuous Reign. My Lords have
4 taught you to refer all things to your felf, your Greatnefs, Memo-
4 ry and Advantage ; but whereunto fhall your felf be referred ?
4 If you will be heavenly, you muft have Influence ; will you be as *o
4 a {landing Pool, that fpendeth and choaketh his Spring within its
4 felf, and hath no Streams nor Current to blefs and make fruitful
4 whole Tracts of Countreys, whereby it reneweth? Wherefore,
4 firfl of all, moft F"ertuous Prince, aflure your felf of an inward
4 Peace, that the Storms without do not difturb any of your Re-
4 pairers of State within ; therein ufe and practife all honourable Di-
4 verfions ; that done, vifit all the parts of your State, and let the
4 Balm diflil every where from your Sovereign Hands to the medi-
' cining of any part that complaineth, beginning with your Seat of
4 State, take order that the Fault of your Greatnefs do not rebound 30
4 upon your felf; have care that your Intelligence, which is the
4 Light of your State, do not go out or burn dim or obfcure ; advance
4 Men of Vertue, and not of Mercenary Minds ; reprefs all Faction,
4 be it either malign or violent. Then look into the State of your
4 Laws
40 Gefta Grayorum.
' Laws and Juftice of your Land ; purge out multiplicity of Laws,
* clear the incertainty of them, repeal thofe that are fnaring, and
' prize the execution of thofe that are wholefbm and neceflary ; de-
'nne the Jurisdiction of your Courts, reprize all Suits and Vexati-
' ons, all cauflefs Delays and fraudulent Shifts and Devices, and re-
'form all fiich Abufes of Right and Juftice, affift the Minifters
'thereof, punifh feverely all Extortions and Exactions of Officers,
' all Corruptions in Trials and Sentences of Judgment. Yet when
* you have done all this, think not that the Bridle and Spur will make
10 ' the Horfe to go alone without Time and Cuftom. Truft not to
' your Laws for correcting the Times, but give all ftrength to good
' Education ; fee to the Government of your Univerfities, and all
' Seminaries of Youth, and of the private Order of Families, main-
' taining due Obedience of Children towards their Parents, and Re-
' verence of the younger fort towards the ancient. Then when you
'have confirmed the Noble and Vital Parts of your Realm of State,
' proceed to take care of the Blood and Flelh and good Habit of the
'Body. Remedy all decays of Population, make provifion for the
' Poor, remove all flops in Traffick, and all Cancers and Caufes of
*o * Consumption in Trades and Myfteries ; redrefs all : But whither
' do I run, exceeding the Bounds of that perhaps I am now demand-
' ed ? But pardon me, moft Excellent Prince, for as if I fhould com-
' mend unto your Excellency the Beauty of fome excellent Lady, I
' could not fb well exprefs it with Relation, as if I fhewed you her
' Picture ; fb I efteem the beft way to commend a vertuous Govern-
' ment, to defcribe and make appear what it is ; but my Pencil per-
4 haps difgraceth it : Therefore I leave it to your Excellency, to take
' the Picture out of your wife Obfervation, and then to double it, and
' exprefs it in your Government.
3o The Sixth Councellor perfwading Pafs- times
and Sports.
WHen I heard^ Moft Excellent Prince, the three firft of my
Lords fo careful to continue your Fame and Memory, me-
thought it was as if a Manjhould come to fome young Prince •, as your
fiff
Gefta Gray or urn. 41
fslf AT/ and immediately after his Coronation, be in hand with him to
make himfelf a fumptuous and flately Tomb. And, to fpeak out of my
Soul, I mufe how any of your Servants can once endure to think of you,
as of a Prince past. And for my other Lords, who would engage you
Jo deeply in Matters of State ; the one perfwading you to a more abfolute,
the other to a more gracious Government; I affuire your Excellency, their
Lejfons werefo cumberfome, as if they would make you a King in a Play;
who when one would think heftandeth in great Majesty and Felicity, he
is troubled to fay his part. What I Nothing but Tasks, nothing but Work
ing-days^. No Feasting, noMuftck, no Dancing, no Triumphs, noComedies, i o
no Love, no Ladies ? Let other Men's Lives be as Pilgrimages, becaufe
they are tied to divers Necejfities and Duties; but Princes Lives are as
Progrejfes, dedicated only to Variety and Solace. And if your Excellency
jhould take your Barge in a Summer- Evening, or your Horfe or Chariot,
to take the Air; and if you Jhould do any the honour to vifit him; yet your
Pleafure is the principal, and that is but as itfalleth out. So tf any of
thefe Matters which have beenfpoken of, fall out in the way of your Plea
fure, it may be taken; but no otherwife. And therefore leave your
Wars to your Lieutenants, and your Works and Buildings to your Sur
veyors, and your Books to your Univerfities, and your State-matters to *o
your Councilors, and attend you that in Perfon, which you cannot exe
cute by Deputy : Vfe the Advantage of your Youth, be not fallen to
your Fortune; make your Pleafure the Distinction of your Honours, the
Studies of your Favourites, the Talk of your People, and the Allure
ment of all Foreign Gallants to your Court. And, in a word, Sweet
Sovereign, difmifs your five Councilors, and only take Councel of your
jive Senfes.
Ut if a Man fhould follow your five Senfes (faid the Prince)
I perceive he might follow your Lordfhip, now and then, in-
* to an Inconvenience. Your Lordfhip is a Man of a very lively and 30
* pleafant Advice ; which though one fhould not be forward to fol-
' low, yet it fitteth the time, and what Our own Humour inclined
* oftentimes to, Delight and Merriment. For a Prince fhould be of a
' chearful and pleafant Spirit ; not auflere, hard-fronted and ftoical ;
* but after ferious Affairs, admitting Recreation, and ufing Pleafures,
* as Sauces for Meats of better Nourifhment.
G The
4.2 Gejla Grayorum.
The Prince's Anfwer and Conclufion to the
Speeches of the Councellors.
My Lords,
WR thank you for your good Opinions; which have been fo well
fet forth, as Wejhould think Our Selves not capable of good
Counfel, if, in fo great variety of perf wading Reafons, we jhould fud-
dainly refolve. Mean while, itjhall not be amifs to make choice of the
lajl, and upon more "Deliberation to determine of the nest ; and what
Time wefpendin long Confulting, in the end we will gain by prompt and
i o fpeedy Executing.
The Prince having ended his Speech, arofe from his Seat, and took
that Occafion of Revelling : So he made choice of a Lady to dance
withal; fo likewife did the Lord Ambaflador, the Penfioners and
Courtiers attending the Prince. The reft of that Night was pafled
in thofe Pafs-times. The Performance of which Nights work being
very carefully and orderly handled, did fb delight and pleafe the No
bles, and the other Auditory, that thereby Grays-Inn did not only
recover their loft Credit, and quite take away all the Difgrace that
the former Night of Errors had incurred ; but got inftead thereof, fo
10 great Honour and Applaufe, as either the good Reports of our honou
rable Friends that were prefent could yield, or we our felves defire.
The next Day the Prince, accompanied with the Ambaflador of
Templaria, and attended by both Trains, took his Progrefs from his
Court s&Graya, to the Lord Mayor's Houfe, called Cosby3 s Place, in
Bijhop' s-gate-ftreet ; as being, before that time, invited to dine with
him. This Shew was very Itately and orderly performed ; the Prince
being mounted upon a rich Foot-cloth, the Ambaflador likewife ri
ding near him ; the Gentlemen attending, with the Prince's Officers,
and the Ambaflador's Favourites, before ; and the other coming be-
30 hind the Prince; as he fet it down in the general Marfhalling, in the
beginning. Every one had his Feather in his Cap, to diftinguifli of
whether State he was ; the ffftt^Mtf ufing a white, and the Templarians
ufing Afli-colour'd Feathers ; to the number of fourfcore in all, very
well
Gefta Grayorum. 4,3
well appointed, and provided of great Horfes and Foot-cloths, accor
ding to their Places. Thus they rode very gallantly, from Grays-Inn,
through Chancery-lane, Fleet-ftreet, fb through Cheap-fide, Corn-hill,
and to Cosby 's Place, in Bijhop1 s-gate-ftreet ; where was a very fum-
ptuous and coftly Dinner for the Prince, and all his Attendants, with
variety of Mufick, and all good Entertainment. Dinner being ended,
the Prince and his Company having revelled a while, returned again
the fame Way, and in the fame Order as he went thither, the Streets
being thronged and filled with People, to fee the Gentlemen as they
pafled by ; who thought there had been fome great Prince, in very I0
deed, paffing through the City. So this popular Shew through the
Streets pleafed the Lord Mayor and his Commonalty fo well, as the
great Lords, and others of good Condition and Civility, were con
tented with our former Proceedings.
Shortly after this Shew, there came Letters to our State from Fre
derick Templarius ; wherein he defired, that his Ambaflador might
be difpatched with Anfwer to thofe Things which he came to treat of
So he was very honourably difmiffed, and accompanied homeward
with the Nobles of Purpoole : Which Departure was before the next
grand Day. The next grand Night was upon Twelfth- day at Night; *o
at which time the wonted honourable and worfhipful Company of
Lords, Ladies and Knights were, as at other times, affembled ; and
every one of them placed conveniently, according to their Condition.
And when the Prince was afcended his Chair of State, and the Trum
pets founded, there was prefently a Shew which concerned His High-
nefs's State and Government : The Invention was taken out of the
Prince's Arms, as they are blazon'd in the beginning of his Reign, by
the King at Arms.
Firft, There came fix Knights of the Helmet, with three that they
led as Prifoners, and were attired like Monfters and Mifcreants. The 30
Knights gave the Prince to underftand, that as they were returning
from their Adventures out of Rujfia, wherein they aided the Emperor
diRuJJia, againfl the T*rt*rstthey furprized thefe three Perfbns, which
were confpiring againfl His Highnefs and Dignity: and that being
apprehended by them, they could not urge them to difclofe what they
were : By which they refting very doubtful, there entred in the two
Goddefles, Arety and Amity ; and they faid, that they would difclofe
to the Prince who thefe fufpected Perfbns were; and thereupon {hewed,
G z that
44 Gefta Grayorum.
that they were Envy^ Male-content 'and Folly : Which three had much
mifliked His Highnefs's Proceedings, and nad attempted many things
againft his State ; and but for them two, Fertile and United Friend-
Jhip, all their Inventions had been difappointed. Then willed they
the Knights to depart, and to carry away the Offenders ; and that
they themfelves ftiould come in more pleafing fort, and better befit
ting the prefent. So the Knights departed, and Fertile and Amity
promifed, that they two would fupport His Excellency againft all his
Foes whatfoever, and then departed with moft pleafant Mufick. Af-
jo ter their Departure, entred the fix Knights in a very (lately Mask,
and danced a new devifed Meafure ; and after that, they took to them
Ladies and Gentlewomen, and danced with them their Galliards, and
fo departed with Mufick. Which being done, the Trumpets were
commanded to found, and then the King at Arms came in before the
Prince, and told His Honour, that there was arrived an Ambaffador
from the mighty Emperor of Rujfia and Mofcovy, that had fome Mat
ters of Weight to make known to His Highnels. So the Prince wil
led that he fhould be admitted into his Prefence ; who came in At
tire of Jtuffia, accompanied with two of his own Country, in like Ha-
zo bit. When they were come in prefence of the Prince, the Ambafla
dor made his Obeyfance, and took out Letters of Credence, and
humbly delivered them to the Prince, who gave them to the King at
Arms, to be read publickly, as followeth.
To the moft High and Mighty Henry, Prince
of Purpoole.
THeodore Evanwhich, the great and mighty Emperor of all Ruflia,
Valderomia, Mufcovia and Nevogordia; King of Rafan, and
of Aftrakan ; Lord of Plefcoe and Sinelefcoe ; Prince of Tnaria, So-
goria, Perma, Vachekey and Bolgaria ; Lord and great Duke of Val-
3ohadha, Norgordia in the Country of Cherenega ; and alfo g/'Refcod,
Polotzkoe, Ogdor and Belefor ; Jble Prince of Lothekey, Roftow, Ge-
roflave, the white Lake Lifelrund, Owdoria, Condencia and Fludoria ;
great Ruler and Commander of Siberia, and of 'all the North-fide; and
Lord Govemorof many other Countries and Provinces: To the moji mighty \
and
Gefta Grayorum. 45
and glorious renowned Henry, Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Sta-
pulia and Bernardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of
St. Giles' s and Tottenham, Count Pa latine o/Bloomsbury ##*/Clerken-
w rell, great Lord 'of ^the Cantons g/^Iflington, Kentifh-Town, Paddington
and Knights-Bridge, Knight of the moft Heroical Order of the Helmet,
and Sovereign of the fame; All Health, and glorious Renown. We have
thought good, Moft Invincible Prince, upon Jome Occidents of Importance
happened to our State, wherein the Worthinefs of feme of your Subjects
remaining here have increafed your Fame, to dtfpatch to your Highnefs
Our mojl faithful Councellor, Faman Bega, to intreat with you, in Our 10
Name, of certain important Affairs : Which, though We muft confefs, do
concern Us in Policy, to have an effectual Regard unto ; yet withal, they
arefuch asmayminifterOccaJion to your Highnefs to add Beamsof Honour
to your Praije and Glory, which hath already, in a manner, equalled the
Light of Heaven in Brigh tnefs, which isfeen throughout the whole World.
We refer you herein for the Particulars, tofuch Instructions as tVe have,
under Our own Hand,delivered to this our prefentAmb ajfador : Wherein,
as alfo in any other Points, whereof he jh all treat with your Highnefs, in
Our Name and Affairs, We pray your Sacred Majejly to give Credit to
him, as tf Our f elf' were prefent, and treated with you in Per/on: Andfo 10
We wijh to your Excellency all Happinefs anfwerable to your Peerlefs
yertue.
Dated at Our Imperial City ofMofro.
When the King at Arms had read this Letter, the Ambaflador
made this Speech to the Prince.
Moft 'Excellent Prince,
' ITj'Ame feemed to the Emperor, my Sovereign, to do your High-
* * nefs Right, by filling the World with the Renown of your
* Princely Vertues, and Valour of your brave Court ; till of late, the
'gallant Behaviour, and heroical Prowefs of divers your Knights of 30
4 the Helmet, whom the good Fortune of Rujfia, addrefled to your
'cold Climate, difcovered that Fame to.be either envious in fuppref-
' fing a great part of your Valour, of unable to fet forth fo admirable
' Vertues to their full Merits : For by thefe five Knights (whofe grea-
' teft Vaunts were, that they were your Excellency's Servants) an
* exceeding
46 Gefta Grayorum.
* exceeding number of Bigarian Tartars, whofe vagabond In-roads,
* and inhumane Fiercenefs infefted his Borders, captivated his People,
' burnt his Cities, and fpoiled whole Provinces, was by a mofl won-
'derful Victory, repulfed, and beaten back. And withal, by their
* brave Conduct, they furprized another Army of Ne-gro-Tartars\
* whofe wretched Devices ceafed not to work the Confufion and Com-
'buftion of our whole Country, and diverted their barbarous Cruelty
* where it might do us moft damage. Thefe fame worthy Knights,
'before they could receive that Honour wherewith my Soveraign in-
10* tended to adorn their Vertues, did withdraw themfelves, and are re-
4 tired, as His Majefty is informed, to your Court. Whereupon, he
' fent me, partly to congratulate your Happinefs, who deferve to com-
' mand over fuch a number of gallant Gentlemen ; but efpecially, to
* conjure your Excellency (according to the ancient League and Ami-
' ty continued betwixt you) that you would fend him thefe fix Knights,
* accompanied with an hundred other of the fame Order ; for he
* doubteth not, but by their Vertues, accompanied and attended with
* his own Forces, who are, in largenefs of Dominion, and number of
' People, and all other Warlike Furniture and Provifion, inferiour to
ao ' no Earthly Potentate, that thefe Runagate Tartars fhall be again con-
* fined to their Deferts, with their memorable Slaughter, and your com-
* mon Glory and Profit: Common indeed, both to your Highnefs, and
* him ; inafmuch as His Imperial Majefty, contented only with Se-
* curity and Aflurance of his People and Borders, will permit all thofe
* large Territories, and battable Grounds, which now ferve thofe
* Vermine for Pafturage, be forted into feveral Governments, and
* flrengthned with Forts and Caftles by your Direction, to be holden
* of your Excellency, as Commendations by the Knights of fpecial
* Vertue and Merit of your Order. So fhall you, with honourable
30 ' Commodity, have a perpetual Exercife of your Vertues, become a
* Bulwark of Chriflendom, and by raifing continual Trophies of
' flrengthned Tartars, keep the Glory of your Vertue in everlafting
* Flourifh. My Sovereign, not doubting but that your Refolution
* will be conformable to your magnanimous Vertue, and his honou-
* rable Demand, charged me only to fbllicite Expedition, fuch as the
* Neceflity of his People and Country doth require. In the mean
' time, he hath fent your Excellency, for a Prefent, a Ship laden with
* divers of the beft and faireft Fruits, and other richeft Commodities
'of
Gefta Grayorum. 47
* of our Country : Not fo much, by Gifts to draw on your fpeedy Help,,
4 to which, he knoweth, the Truth and Juftice of the Cafe will be a
* Spur fufficient ; or for Complement of an ordinary and feldom omit-
* ted Companion of great Embaffies ; but rather for a Seal and Tefti-
' mony of the exceeding Honour that he beareth to your matchlefs
' Vertue, and the great Love he beareth to your incomparable Perfbn.
1 The Prefent is at your next Haven, ready to be offered to your Sa-
' cred Hands, at your convenient leifiire ; together with fome fmall
* Gifts fent to thofe valiant Knights, whofe highly deferving Vertues
* my Sovereign meaneth, at their long expected Return to his Court, 10
* to crown with a Garland more worthy his Greatnefs,and their Merits.
The Anfwer of the Prince to the former
Speech.
Rujfia Lord,
THe Emperor, your Majler, is happy in having fo honourable a
Gentleman, as your felf, to do htm Service. He jhall well per
ceive, that there is nothing in the World more acceptable to Vs, than
the Friendjhip of a Prince fo mighty and illustrious, We account,
amongst our greatejl Happinejfes, this honourable Embajfage. His Pre-
fents are fo large and bountiful, as We have right goodOccaflon to hold zo
him the mojlfree and magnificent Prince in the World. We joy to hear
of his hardy Adventures, that by Our Knights in thofe Parts have been
atchieved. They may be glad that our worthy Brother invited them to
fo high an Enterprize, wherein they may do themf elves Honour, and His
Greatnefs Service. Rest and refrejh your Lordjhip this prefent,for
now We bid you welcome : Ajf ure your felf, y our Requeji is already gran
ted, and that in far greater Meafure than you expected or dejired.
When the Prince had thus fpoken, the Ambaflador was placed in a
Chair near the Prince; and then was ferved up a Running Banquet, for
the Prince, and the Lords prefent, and the reft, with variety of Mufick. 30
Whilft thefe things were thus a doing, there came a Poft-boy, with
Letters of Intelligence concerning the State, from divers Parts of His
Highnefs's Provinces, and delivered them to the Secretary ; who made
the Prince acquainted therewith, and caufed them to be read openly
and publickly. A Letter
48 Gejla Grayorum.
A Letter of Advertifement from Knights-bridge,
to the Honourable Council.
IBefeech your Honours to advertife His Highnefs, that in His Ex
cellency s Canton of Knights-bridge, there Jo haunt certain Foreig
ners, that fieze upon all Pa/fengers, taking from them by force their
Goods, under a pretence that being Merchants Strangers, andufmg Traf-
Jick into His Highnefs' s Territories of Clerken-well, Iflington, and
elfewhere, they have robbed of their Goods, foiled of their Wares;
'whereby they were utterly undone : And that His Honour, of his good
10 Will, hath been pleajed to grant them Letters of Reprifal, to recover
their Ljofs of them that come next to their Hands : By colour whereof,
they lay hold of all that pafs by, without refpect. Some of their Names,
as I under/land, are Johannes Shagbag, Robertus Untrufs, James Ra-
pax, alihs Capax. There do reign likewife thereabouts another fort of
dangerous People, under the Name of poor Soldiers, that fay they were
mamed, and lost their Limbs in His Honour's Service and Wars againfl
the Amazons ; and they pretend to have Pafs-ports from their Captains.
Some of them fay, they have ferved under Sir Robert Kemp, and Sir
William Cooke ; others, under William Knaplocks, Lord Marjhal, Sir
10 Francis Marham, Captain Crymes, Captain Conny, Yelverton, Hu-
gan, Sir Francis Davifon, and fome other of good Place. Some fay, that
they were mamed with Fire-locks; others, in the Trenches ; others, in
going with their Captains, to difcovev Ambufcadoes of the Enemy,
and to view the Forts ; others, in flanding Sentry, whilfl the Captains
were bufied in entring the Breach ; others, in the very Approach at the
first. But the number of them is great, and the fame inclined to do much
Mifchief. Another fort there is, that pretend that they have Prote
ctions to beg, in regard of their Lojfes by Shipwreck upon certain Rocks
of Hazard, BarredQuarter-trays, High-men and Low-men, Bom-Cards,
30 the Sands of Bowie- Allies, the Shelf of New-Cut, the Gulf of Myne
and Gill, and fuch other like places of Peril. Some of them are called
by the Names of Harry Ordinary, Jack Moneylefs, Will Cog-all, and
Roger Spend-all. Thefe aforefaid People do gather together in great
numbers, and His Excellency's Subjects hereabouts Ji and in great fear
°f
Gefta Grayorum. 49
of Outrages by them to be committed, except His Highnefs do prevent
the fame, and that fpeedily, by fending fome of the Captains aforefaid
to difperfe them.
From Knights-bridge Your Honours at Command,
Jan. 5-. i W.
Henry Brownbill.
Another Letter from Sea, directed to the Lord
Admiral.
my Letters given at Pont-Holborn, the Lafb of December, I
'gave your Honour to underftand, that His Excellency's Mer- 10
4 chants of Purpoole began to furceafe their Traffick to Clerkenwell,
4 Neuomgton and Bank-fide, and fuch like Roads of Charge and Di£
* charge, becaufe they feared left certain Rovers, which lay hovering
* about the Narrow Seas, fhould intercept them in their Voyages.
* Since which time, may it pleafe your Honour ', I have difcovered an
* huge Armado of French Amazons, to the number of feven hundred
* Caracts, Galeafles, great GaleafTes, and tall Ships ; befides Pinnaces,
* Frigots, Carvels, Shallops, and fuch fmall Veflels innumerable ;
* which being difperfed into fimdry Creeks, work daily much damage
4 to all forts of People, and Adventurers hold in durance ; not fuffe-
4 ring one Man to efcape, till he have turned French. Divers Enfigns,
4 Standards, Pendants, Tilting-ftaves, fhort Trunchions for the prin-
* cipal Officers, and fuch like Provifion for His Excellency's Triumphs,
* they have caft over-board ; for no other Caufe, fave that his Subjects
* were bound inward from Gelderland, a Nation that they have al-
4 ways hated : Befides that, they exact fb unreafbnably of thofe that
' trade into Netherlands that they leave them neither Lands, Goods,
* nor good Wares. Alfo they fink all thofe that ufe any Dealings with
4 the People of Cleive, without refpect, whether he be Merchant, or
* Man of War. To conclude, they burn all thofe Veflels that tran£ 30
* port any dry Wares into the Low-Countries. Moreover, I am to ad-
4 vertife your Honour, that on the pth- Day of January, in the Straits
4 of the Gu\fofCM(em»fI/, there was an hot Skirmifti between a Mer-
H 'chant
zo
5O Gefta Grayorum.
' chant of St. Giles's, called Amarpfo, and the Admiral of the Amazons,
* called the Jtowje- flower; wherein the Merchant having gained the
* Wind, came up with her in fiich clofe manner, that he brake his Bolt-
'fpritein her hinder Quarter : Yet notwithftanding, the Fight conti-
' nued fiercely, on either part, two long Hours, and more ; in which
* time, our Gunner, being a very expert Soldier, (hot her four or five
' times under Water : Then the Merchant perceiving his Powder to
' be fpent, was inforced to grapple ; and fb, with great Refolution, laid
* her a-board on the Walte, which he found floutly defended by the
10 ' French, yet, at length, being driven from their clofe Fight, they
' were conflrained to keep under Hatches, where one of the Soldiers
'entring, (pied Fire in the Gun-room; notwithstanding, he defcen-
' ded very defperately. Then the Admiral, feeing no hope to efcape,
' fired her Powder, and burnt her fel£ The Soldiers, and the Ship,
4 which, as I after learned, was of an incomparable Burthen ; infbmuch
4 that {he had been known to have born nine hundred fighting Men in
* her Poup. Her chief Lading was Cochenella, Musk, Guaiacum, Ta-
' baco and Le grand f^ezolle. The chief of Account that were blown up,
* were Catharina Dardana, Pec fa de Lee, and Maria de Rotulis. The
10 * rich Carrick of Afoa/'«£/0» coming to ref cue their Admiral, were foclofe
* at fight when Qiewasfired, that theFlameof the Wild-fire caught hold
' of their Captain's inner Cabbin ; and had not one Barbara de Chirur-
* gia been ready with his Syringe, to have caft on Water, Milk, Lotium,
4 and fuch like cooling Liquors, and there quenched the Wild-fire be-
' times, they had been both, doubtlefs, conuimed to Afhes : But by his
'Care and Coming, they are both efcaped alive, though fhrewdly
* fcorched, and are taken Prifoners. The whole number of them that
* perifhed in this hot Conflict, is five hundred fifty five ; and Prifoners,
4 ninety nine. Our Ship had no other hurt, fave that fhe fprang her
30 ' Main-Maft in fuch fort, as that (he is not able to bear any high Sail.
1 Thus having advertifed your Honour of every Particular Accident
1 which I could learn, I am humbly to defire your Lordfhip to acquaint
* His Excellency and his Privy Council therewith ; that fuch fpeedy
* Order may be taken therein, as feemeth to their Wifdoms molt con ve-
* nient. And fo, with all Duty, I kifs your Hands.
From the Harbour of Bride- well, Your Honour's Servant,
the loth, of January, if 94.
John Puttanemico.
There
Gefta Gray or urn. 5 I
There were alfo read like Letters from Stapulia and Bernardia, of
Intelligences, and alfo from Low-Holborn ; wherein were fet forth the
Plots of Rebellion and Infurrection, that thofe, His Excellency's Sub
jects, had devifed againft His Highnefs and State, and of fome other
Occurrences in thofe Parts of His Highnefs's Dominions. And when
they were all read, the Prince made this Speech following.
THefe fuddain Accidents [Lords] would make a Prince of little Spi
rit fufpect himfelfto be unfortunate. The Stapulian^//<fw away ;
the Bernardian holds out \ News of Tumults, Treafons, Confphacies,
Commotions, Treacheries, Infurrections \ Say our Lands werefacked, our 10
Wealth ] polled, our Friends Jlain, our Self forfaken, vanquijhed, capti
vated, and all the Evils that might be, were fallen upon Us ; yet could
there be nothing fo adverfe, but that our Fortitude and hetghth of Cou
rage were able to over-work. Thefe Events are not Matters of Moment,
or of Subftance of our Government : Thefe are not Misfortunes, but ^m-
\.\mzsjefts, that gives them Jhe loves not,jhews of good Luck, that in
the end jhe may do them greater Spight : But when jhe meaneth Good,
jhe prepares Men with fome little Bitternefs, that her good Turns, when
they come, mayfeem more p leaf ant and deligh tful. Thefe Events proceed
of Error in our former Government, whojhouldnot have put great Men, zo
well loved, or popular, into jo great places of Sovereignty; nor one Man
jhould pojfefs fo great a Place, offo great Command; by too much Autho
rity and Greatnefs, a right good Mind is oftentimes corrupted : In this
late, We rather allow a fevere Man, fomewhat hated ; for better were a
little profitable Civil Dtjfention, than a League and Love that were like
ly to prove dangerous. Lords, you jhall find it an harder matter to keep
things once gotten, than at the firjl to obtain it. Hitherto no Prince
in this florid hath had better Succefs than our Self. Men fay, that So
vereignty is uncertain, and an ill Security ; fubject to Cares, Troubles,
Envy, Treacheries, Hate, Fear, Diftrust: We have hitherto found none 3°
of thofe. That a Prince hath no Jure Friend, no faithful Servant, no
fafe Place, no quiet Hour, no fecure Pleafure : All thefe have We, and
more, in great abundance; and thefe things, which to other Princes have
been the occafions of Mif-hap, have been to Vs the very Instruments of
Pleafure, and much Service. What Prince ever found in his Subjects,
in Matters of Weight, more Love, more Loyalty, more Readinefs, more
Service ? When We have been inclined to folace, what Livelinefs, what
H i . Alacrity,
52 Gejla Grayorum.
Alacrity, what ingenious Devices, Sports, Jollities, what variety of
Pleafure ? How have We been honoured with the Prefents of divers
Princes, Lords, and Men of great Worth ; who, confident in our Love,
without Fear or Diftruft, have come to vi/it Vs; by whofe honourable
Kindnefs, We are to them for ever devinct, and moji firmly bounden ?
How hath the favourable Regard, and bright Eyes of brave Ladies jhi-
ned upon Our Endeavours, which to their Honours and Service have
been ever intended? How have We been gratulatedwith divers Ambaf-
fadorsfrom divers Nations ? What Concourfe of all People hath been
i o continually at Our Court, to behold Our Magnificence ? Shall fmall Mat
ters therefore daunt Vs ? Shall afew tumultuary Dijorders difmay Vs ?
Shall ill-guided Infurrections trouble Vs, that are, like Mujhrooms,
fprung up in a Night, and rotten before the Morning ? We are loath to
believe that there be fuch Sparks of Dijfention and Mifchief; but if
there be, We will make hafte to quench them, before they grow into vio
lent Flames ; for it is no longer Conjulting,where a Man cannot commend
the Counfel, before he hath feen the Effect. Nor Jball it require the
Prefence of a Prince to fettle thefe fmall Commotions : Lords, We fend
you to thefe Places where Need is; and as Occafton ferveth, We will
zo take Order that Garifons be planted, Citadels erected, and whatfoever
elfe be performed, that Jhall be convenient to fub-act and bring under
thefe unfetled Provinces. Our Self, with Our chofen Knights, with an
Army Royal, will make towards our Brother of Ruflia, with my Lord
here, his Ambajfador, prefently to join with him againft his Enemies,
the Negarian Tartars ; more dreadful, the Barbarian Tartars : And if
Fortune will not grace Our good Attempt, as I am rightful Prince, and
true Sovereign of the honourable Order of the Helmet, and by all thofe
Ladies whom, in Knightly Honour, I love and ferve, I will make the
Name of a Grayan Knight more dreadful to the Barbarian Tartars, than
3° the Macedonian to the wearied Perfians, the Roman to the difperfed
Britains, or the Caflalian to the weakned Indians. Gentle Ladies, be
now benign and gracious to your Knights, that never pleafed themselves,
but when their Service pleafed you ; that for your fakes Jhall undertake
hard Adventures, that will make your Names and Beauties mojl famous,
even in Foreign Regions ; let your Favour kindle the Vigour of their
Spirits, wherewith they abound ; for they are the Men, by whom your
Fame, your Honour, your Pertue Jball be for ever advanced, protected
and admired.
Whe
Gefta Grayorum. 53
When the Prince had concluded, for his Farewel, he took a Lady
to dance withal, and fo did the reft of the Knights and Courtiers ;
and after fome time fpent in Revelling, the Prince took his way to
his Lodging, and fo the Company diflblved, and made an end of this
Night's Work.
On the next Morning His Highnefs took his Journey towards Ruf-
fia, with the Ambaflador, and there he remained until Candlemas ; at
which time, after his glorious Conquefts abroad, His Excellency retur
ned home again ; in which the Purpofe of the Gentlemen was much
difappointed by the Readers and Ancients of the Houfe, by reafon of ro
the Term : So that very good Inventions, which were to be perfor
med in publick at his Entertainment into the Houfe again, and two
grand Nights which were intended at his Triumphal Return, where
with his Reign had been conceitedly determined, were by the afbre-
faid Readers and Governors made fruftrate, for the Want of Room in
the Hall, the Scaffolds being taken away, and forbidden to be built
up again (as would have been neceflary for the good Difcharge of
fuch a Matter) thought convenient ; but it fhewed rather what was
performed, than intended. Briefly, it was as followeth.
Upon the 2,8th- of January, the Hall being fate at Dinner, with Rea- *o
ders, and all the reft of the Houfe, fuddainly founded a Trumpet ;
which being thrice done, there entred the King at Arms, and in the
midft of them, faid as followeth.
ON the behalf of my Sovereign Lord, Sir Henry, the Right Ex
cellent, and All-conquering Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of
Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis
of St. Giles' s and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Cler-
kenwell, great Lord of the Cantons of Iflington, Kentifh-Town, Pad-
dington and Knights-bridge, Knight of the moft Heroic al Order of the
Helmet, and Sovereign of the fame ; I, His Excellency* s King at Arms, 30
difpatched from his Royal Navy, triumphantly returning from his glo
rious Conquests of the Negarian Tartars, do, in His Highnefs' s Name,
command all his Officers, Knights and Pen/toners to give their Atten
dance on His Highnefs' s Perfon, at his Por/o/*Black-wallia, on the ift.
of February. And His Highnefs ha th further commanded me to give no
tice to alibis Servants within his Dominions, of whatfoever Condition, that
they be ready to perform all Offices of Obedience and Subjection, as wellbe-
cometh their Loyalty to fo Gracious a Sovereign. When
54 Gejla Grayorum.
When this News of the Prince's Return out of RuJJia was thus fent
abroad, and that it was known that His Highnefs was to come by
Greenwich, where the Court then lay, it was given the Gentlemen to
underftand, that Her Majesty did expect, that in palling by , our Prince
fhould land, and do his Homage ; the rather becaufe, in Chrijlmas,
there was great Expectation of his coming thither, to prefent Her Ma-
jefty with fome Pals-time, and none performed. Whereupon it was
determined, that in pafling by, there fhould be a Letter directed to
Sir Thomas Heneage, our honourable good Friend, that he fhould ex-
10 cufe us for that time ; which Letter hereafter is fet down.
Upon the ift. of February, the Prince and his Train were met at
Black-wall-, from whence they came upon the River of Thames, in a
very gallant Shew. Being come fo near his own Country, he left his
Navy of Ships, as not fit for fo fhort a Cut, and the matter not being
very great or dangerous, and he and his Retinue took to them fifteen
Barges, bravely furniftied with Standards, Pendants, Flags and Strea
mers : There was alfo in every Barge, Mufick and Trumpets ; and in
fbme, Ordnance and Shot. Being thus gallantly appointed, we came
on our Way by the Stairs at Greenwich, where the Ordnance was fhot
*o off, and the whole Navy made a Sail round about ; and the fecond
time, when the Admiral, in which the Prince was, came directly be
fore the Court-Stairs, His Highnefs difpatched two Gentlemen with
Letters to the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Heneage; the Copy
whereof fblloweth.
Henry Prince of Purppole, to the Right Ho
nourable Sir Thomas Heneage.
Moft Honourable Knight,
I Have now ac amplified a most tedious and hazardous Journey, though
very honourable, into Ruflia ; and returning within the view of the
30 Court of your renowned Queen, my gracious Sovereign, to whom I ac
knowledge Homage and Service, I thought good, in pajfing by, to kifs
herj'acred Hands, as a Tender of the Zeal and Duty I owe unto Her
Majesty ; but in making the Offer, I found, my Defire was greater than
the Ability of my Body • which, by length of my Journey, and my Sick-
nefs
Gefla Gray or urn. 55
nefs at Sea, is fo weakned, as it 'were very dangerous for me to adven
ture it. Therefore, moft honourable Friend, let me intreat you to
make my humble Excufe to Her Majefty for this prefent : and tocerti-
fie Her Highnefs, that I do hop by the Ajfiftance of the "Divine Pro
vidence, to recover my former Strength about Shrovetide ; at which
time I intend to repair to Her Majefty' s Court (if it may ft and with
mjf (oergrsu Purro tefeoa // haey Service, and relate the Succefs of
my Journey. And fo praying your Honour to return me Her Majefty' s
Anfwer, I wijh you all Honour and Happinefs.
Dated from Ship-board, at our Ark of 'Vanity ', 10
the i ft. of February,
The Letter being delivered, and Her Majefty made acquainted
with the Contents, her gracious Anfwer was ; That if the Letter had
not excufed his Faffing by, he fhould have done Homage before he
had gone away, although he had been a greater Prince than he was :
Yet fhe faid, fhe liked well his gallant Shews, that were made at his
Triumphant Return. And Her Highnefs added further, That if he
would come at Shrovetide, he and his Followers fhould have Enter
tainment according to his Dignity. And the Meflenger returned
Anfwer. io
The Prince and his Company continued their Courfe, until they
came to the Tower ; where, by Her Majefty's Commandment, he
was welcomed with a Volley of great Ordnance, by the Lieutenant
of the Tower. At the Tower-hill there waited for the Prince's Land
ing, Men attending with Horfes, very gallantly Appointed, for all
the Company, to the number of one hundred ; the molt of them
being great Horfes, and the reft very choice Geldings ; and all very
bravely fiirnifhed with all things neceflary. So the Prince being
mounted, and his Company in Order, as before fet down, every
Man according to his Office, with the Enfign thereof, they rode 3°
very gallantly through Tower-ftreet, Fen-church- ftreet, Grace-church-
ftreet, Corn-hill, Cheap-fide, and fo through St. Paul's Church-yard-,
where, at St. Paul's School, His Highnefs was entertained with an
Oration, made by one of the Scholars of that School ; the Copy
whereof followed).
Henrico,
5 6 Gefta Grayorum.
Henrico, Illuftriilimo & Potentiffimo PurpooU Principi, Ar-
chi-duci Stapulia & Bernardiie, Superioris & Inrerioris
Holborn Duel, Sancti ALgidii & Tottenham Marchioni, de
Clerkenwell & Bloomsbury Comiti Palatine, Domino mag-
no Canton um de IJlington^ Kenttfh-Town, Paddtngton &
Knights-bridge^ Heroici Ordinis Galcota Equiti Aura to,
& ejufdem Domino Sereniffimo.
IMportunumfortaJfefuerit (Turpoolienfis Princeps Sereniffime) apud
t ant am Majejlatem tuam tarn intempejlivo tempore perorare. fix
10 enimfperare aufusfum, velle te^ qui tantamperfonamju/ltnes, tuumque
hunc (omitatum vere Aulicum^poji victorias part as terra manque maxi-
mas^advocempuerilem in media inftructijfimi triumphifolemnitatecon-
Jiftere. f^erumper affibilitatem in fummis principibus femper laudatif-
fimam^ liceat mihi pr<£tereunti celfitudini tu<e mufarum nostrarum
benevolentiam offerre, & gratulationem hanc meam qualemcunaue post
tarn illujlrem tuum <fy triumphantem, ac per totum orbem divulgatum e
Ruflia reditum^ hac mea oiatione Genewfis omnibus teftatum relinquere.
Quamvis enim fubifb nobis excidat, & ad tantam Majestatem quafi ob-
Jlupefcatoratio^gratulatio tamen <ju<c magisfitofferri, qu<etjue Jitojficii
10 & amort s erga virtutes Generofas plenior afferri certe quidem non po-
test. Nonne vides civitatem ipfam quafi Jedibus fuis convulfam ad
congratulandum tanto Principi procedeie ? Quid cxijlimas totum bunc
concurfum cogitare ? In cujus ora vultufque horum omnium oculos conje-
ctos putas ? Quern fenfum reddis amicorum nojlrorum ? Quid cupimus ?
Quidoptamus* Quidagimus? Nonne uttamvoluntatesnoftrastejlemur^
quam victoriis gratulemur tuis ? Quid igitur mirumfifchola^ etiam no-
Jira virtutum Generofarum emula, victories £y triumphis illustrijfimis
gratulari geftiat ? Perge igitur^ fe optimis aufpiciis perge^ Clarijfime
Princeps^ aid Purpoolienfe palatium tuum redito^ Grayorum oraculum^
j0 quo tanquam Delphici Apollinis wcefotidica omnes conftvuerfite diri-
muntur. De Hifpano hojle omnium Principum communi invadendo^ con-
Julito. Quam facile tuus jam f anguine madens Tartarorum gladius,
pr<ejertimji Templarios tibi antique Jadere conjunctos in belli novi Jo-
cietatem afcifcas^ ahorum omnium feftrictosgladiosretundet, <ty ctypeos
excutiet ?
Gefta Grayorum. 57
txcutiet? Hifpani invidia rumpantur ut Ilia Codro. Interim verb
Mufie noflr<£ & pr<cteritis tuis applaudent victoriis, <fy Pslzdemfuam
exorabunt antiejuam Grayorum, ut te alterum jam Agametnnonem,
qui multos habes Achilles jy Ulyfles Comites ttios^ gated fua induat,
clypeo protegat, </y haft a (hoftibus tuis omnibus fufis profligatifyue] in
perpetuum confervat.
The Oration being ended, the Prince rewarded the Boy very boun
tifully, and thanked them for their good Wills, and Forwardnefs to
fhew the fame. Then we marched on our Way, as before, by Lud-
gate, and through Fleet-ftreet\ where, as all the way elfe, the Streets to
were fo thronged and filled with People, that there was left but room
for the Horfe-men that were to pafs. In this State the Prince was
conducted to Grays-Inn, where His Excellency was received by a Peal
of Ordnance, and Sound of Trumpets, and all the good Entertain
ment that all his loving Subjects could make, to fhew their Love and
Loyalty to His Highnefs.
The Prince being thus received, came, after Supper, into the Hall,
and there he danced and revelled among the Nobles, and others of
his own Court ; and in like manner they fpent the Day following ;
but there was no other Performance, by reafon of want of the Stage 10
and Scaffolds, till Shrovetide^ that they went to the Court : And the
things that were then performed before Her Majefly, were rather to
difcharge our own Promife, than to fatisfie the Expectation of others.
In that regard, the Plot of thofe Sports were but fmall ; the rather, that
Tedioufnefs might be avoided, and confufed Diforder, a thing which
might eafily happen in a multitude of Actions; the Sports therefore con-
fifted of a Mask, and fome Speeches, that were as Introductions to it, as
folio weth.
The Speakers.
An Efquire of the Princes Company, attended by a Tartarian Page. 30
Proteus^ the Sea-God, attended oy two Tritons.
Thamejis and Amphitrite, who likewife were attended by their
Sea-Nymphs.
Thefe five were Muficians, which fung on the firft Coming on
the Stage.
I At
58 Gefta Grayorum.
At the firft Coming on the Stage, the Nymphs and Tritons fung
this Hymn following, in praife of Neptune-, which being ended, the
Speakers made their Speeches in order, as followeth.
OF NeptuneV Rmpire let us /ing,
At whofe Command the Waves obey,
To whom Rivers Tribute pay,
Down the high Mountains Jliding :
To whom the Scaly Nation yields
Homage for their Chryflal fields ',
10 Wherein they dwell.
And every Sea-God praife again,
Yearly out of his watry Cell,
To deck great Neptune'j Diadem.
The Tritons dancing in a Ring,
Before his Palace-Gates, do make
The Waiters with their Trumpets quake,
Like the great Thunder founding.
The Sea-Nymphs chaunt their Accents jbrill,
And the Syrens taught to kill
10 With their fweet f^oice,
Make every echoing f^oice reply
Vnto their gentle mourning Noife,
In praife of Neptune'j Empery.
Efquire,
"DRoteus, it feems you lead a merry Life;
-t Your Mufick follows you where ere you go.
I thought you Sea^Gods, as in your Abode,
So in your Nature, had not been unlike
To Yijhes; the which, as fay Philojophers,
Have fof mall Senfe of Mufick' s Delight,
As 'tis a Doubt not fully yet rcfolv'd,
Whether of Hearing they have Senfe, or no.
Proteus, ' Twas great Difcourfe of Reafon, to regard
The dreaming Guefs of a Philofopher,
That
Gefta Gray or um. 59
That never held his idle buzzing head
Under the Water half an Hour s f pace,
More than that famous old received History
Of good Arion, by a Dolphin faved.
Efquire, Well, let that pafs, and to the purpofe now :
I thought that you that are a Demy-God,
Would not have fail' d my Expectation thus. 40
Proteus, Why fo, fair 'Squire? Is not my Promife kept,
And duly the appointed time obferv'd*
Efquire, Yes; and 'tis that in -which I rest deceived:
I rather deem' V, and not without good Caufe,
That thofe ftill floating Regions where you bide,
And th' ever-changing Nature that you have,
Naught elfe but Breach of Promife, promifed.
Proteus, 'Twere ftrange if that my Word, which Credit keeps,
In future things, and hidden Secrecies,
Should fondly fail in keeping Promife made : Jo
Fondly indeed, when 'tis for my Avail.
Here are the Rocks ; your Per] on, or your Prize.
But tell me, Squire; Where's th* appointed place,
In which we jhall thefe vaunted Wonders fee?
Efquire, Well may you Wonders term them, Proteus :
For thefe are Wonders that pafs Humane Wit :
Thefe jhall furpafs thy Wit, though half divine.
But for to put you out of further Doubt,
This is the place, where all thofe Promifes,
Agreed upon betwixt the Prince and you, $Q
Shall be performed; and Jhall be fo perform* d,
So far beyond your doubting Expectation,
So far beyond his modejl Declaration.
And you Jhall fay , thrice happy Proteus;
Whofe Ears unblejfed, were to blefs mine Eyes.
12,
Your
60 Gefta Gray or um.
Amphitrite, Your fair Jet Speeches make us two amazed.
But tell us •, Squire, what be thofe Promifes,
And thofe agreed Covenants ? And whereon
Did they arife 'twixt Proteus and your Prince ?
70 Efquire, Fair Amphitrite, / will tell you all.
After the Victory at Auflrican
Had made an end of the Tartarian War,
And quite difpers'd our vanquifh'd Enemies
1)nto their Hoards, and huge vast Wildernefs ;
Our noble Prince, and his courageous Knights,
Whofe untry* d fa lour ; in the Battle fought,
Was rather warm'd, than fully exercised,
Finding no Enterprife that did deferve
Th3 Employment of their brave united Force,
80 After Aj]ignment of a Day and P/ace,
Inhere both himfeJf and all his Knights jhould
Difpers'd themfelves into many fundry Quefts,
To feek Adventures as they Jhould bejal.
The Prince himfelf, who only was attended
By me his Squire -, had many ftrange Exploits;
Which fince they jhortly jhall be put in Print,
Join'd with Prince Arthur's famous Chronicle,
I jhall not now need to repeat at large.
Amongst the rest, when as the time approach V,
90 That, as it was affign'd, wejhou'd all meet,
It thus fell out : The Prince, one Sun-jhine Day,
Reft ing himfelf within a goodly Tuft
Of tall ftreight Firr-trees that adorn' d the Shoar,
Reading a Letter, lately fent to him
From one of his brave Knights, that did import,
How he, in token of his dutious Love,
And for a Trophy of his Victories,
Had lately fent him a Commodity
Of Pigmies, taken in private Conyueft,
ioo Reft ing and rejiding : Suddainly he efpy a
OfPorpoifes a great unufual Flock,
Playing
Gejla Grayorum. 61
Playing and fpringing in the climbing Waves.
Drawn with this fight near to the Shoar,
Mounting a little Cliff, he foon difcern d
A Cave, whofe frame feem3 d more than natural;
And viewing near with wary heedful Ryes,
At length hefpf'd this Fijh hard there ajleep ;
Whom by his Head and Haviour he fufpected
To be this Proteus ; as it was indeed.
Our Prince Jlreight, ready at his Fortune's Call,
With eafie ftealing Steps, drew near to him :
And being near, with great Agility,
Siezed fud dainty upon this Demy-God.
He thus furpris' d, re forte d prefently
To his familiar Arts, and turning Tricks.
My Lord, like to a skilful Falconer,
Continu* d Jlill to keep bisfastned Hold.
Thamefis. The Story of thofe oft transformed Shapes,
I long to hear from you that prefent were,
And an Eye-witnefs of that Jlrange Conflict.
Efquire, And jhall fair Thamefis know then, that Proteus
Viewing the gallant Shape, and budding Youth
Of my brave Lord, the Form that firft he took,
Was of a goodly Lady, pajjlngfair;
Hoping, belike, that whilft he us'd Refpect
Due to her matchlefs Beauty, and her Sex,
Himfelf being now unloosed, might (lide away :
But finding him, that knew his wily Shifts,
Embrace him ftraiter in that feigned jh ape ;
Next, unto a Serpent he transformed himfelf,
With f.ery F.yes, and dreadful blackijh Scales,
And three-fork V hijfing Tongue, that might affright
Th} undaunted Master of dread Cerberus ;
PreJJing with doubled Strength his fcaled Crest;
Wherewith the Prince, rather enrag'd than f ear' d,
Made him betake him to another Form ;
Which was, a fumptuous Casket, richly wrought ;
Whereout, when it open'd, many Diadems, And
no
120
IjO
62 Gejla Grayorum.
And Rubies of ineftimable worth,
140 Seemed by chance to drop into the Sea.
This working nought but Scorn, and high Difdain,
He lastly Jhew 'd him a fad Spectacle,
Which was, the North-East of his valiant Knights,
And bejl beloved of my Lord, the Prince,
MangF d and prick? d with many a grijly Wound,
IPeltring their valiant Limbs in purple Goar,
Gafping, and clofing their faint dying Eyes.
This with the Prince, now us'd to his Delufions,
Prevail'd no more, than did the reft before.
ifo When Proteus then had changed his changing Weed,
And fix'd himfelf in his own wonted Shape,
Seeing no other Means could ought prevail,
He Ranfom prof er' d for his Liberty.
And firft of all, he offer' d to aread
To him, and unto aU his Knights, Fortune's Spell.
But when my Lord reply d, that that was fit
For unrefolved Cowards to obtain;
And how his Fortune's often changing Play,
Would lofe the Pleafure of his chief Delight,
itfo If the Cataftrophe jhould be before known :
Then offer' d he huge Treafures, Ladies Loves,
Honour and Fame, and famous Victories.
My Lord made Anjwer, that he never would
Offer his Honour Jo great Wrong, to take,
By Gift or Magic k, without Sweat or Pain,
Labour or Danger, F'ertue's trueft Prize,
That, which by mortal Hand might be atchiev V;
And therefore willed him, as Demy -God,
To offer jomewhat that might be above
'7° The lowly Compafs of an Humane Power.
When Proteus Jaw the Prince could make his Match,
He told him then, that under th' Artick Pole
Th' Adamantine Rock, the Sea's true Star
Wasfituate; which, by his Power Divine,
He, for his Ranfom, wou' d remove, and plant
Whereas he Jhould appoint : AJfuring him,
That
Gefta Grayorum. 63
That the wild Empire of the Ocean
(ff his fore-telling Spirit fail* d him not)
Should follow that, where e'er itjhould be fet.
But then again, he added this Condition, 180
Which, as he thought, would no way be performed;
That firji the Prince fhould bring him to a Power,
Which in attractive f^ertue jhould furpafs
The wond* rous force of his Iron-drawing Rocks.
My Lord, that knew himfelf as well affuSd,
As Proteus thought his own Match furely made,
ILaJily yielded to his Covenant;
And promis* d further, on his Princely Word,
That he himfelf, and f even of his Knights,
Wou' d enter Hojiages into the Rock, !9°
Which jhould be brought to the appointed place,
Till this great Covenant jhould be perform' V,
Which now rejls to be done. Now, Proteus,
Since 'tis a Question of Comparifon,
Blazon you forth the F'irtue of your Rock.
Proteus, What needeth Words, when great Effects proclaim
Th' attractive Firtue of th* Adamantine Rocks,
Which forceth Iron, which all things elfe commands.
Iron, of Metals Prince by ancient Right;
Though factious Men in vain confpire to feat *°°
Rebellious Gold in his ufurped Throne.
This,fundry Metals, offuchftrength and ufe
(IDif-joina by distance o} th* whole Hemifphere)
Continually, with trembling Afpect,
True Subject-like, eyes his dread Sovereign.
Thus hath this JLoad-Jlone, by his powerful Touch,
Made the Iron- Needle, Load-Star of the World,
A Mercury, to paint the gaineft way
In watry Wildernefs, and defert Sands ;
In confidence whereof, th' ajfured Mariner tio
Doth not importune Jove, Sun, or Star.
By his attractive Force, was drawn to light,
From depth of Ignorance, that new found World,
Whofe.
64 Gefta Grayorum.
Whofe Golden Mines Iron found out and conquer* d.
Thefe be the Virtues, and extend fofar,
Which you do undertake to counterpraife.
Efquire, Proteus, The Seas have taught your Speech to fwell,
Where Work of Mind doth watry Castles make.
But calm a while your over-weening flaunts;
"o Prepare Belief, and do not ufe your Eyes.
Excellent Queen, true Adamant of Hearts ;
Out of that J acred Garland ever grew
Garlands of F'ertues, Beauties and Perfections,
That crowns your Crown, and dims your Fortune1 s Beams,
Fouchfafefome Branch, fome precious flvwer, or Leaf,
Which, though it wither in my barren Verfe,
May yet fuffice to over-Jhade and drown
The Rocks admired of this "Demy-God.
Proteus, ftout Iron-Homager to your Rock,
230 In praije of Force, and Inftruments of Wars,
Hath Praife ended ; yet place your Praifes right;
For Force to Will, and Wars to Peace do yield.
But that I'll give you. This I wou' dfain know,
ffhat can your Iron do without Arms of Men?
And Arms of Men from Hearts of Men do move :
That Hearts of Men hath it, their Motion fprings.
Lo Proteus then, the attractive Rock of Hearts :
Hearts, which once truly touched with her Seams,
Infpiring pur eft Zeal and Reverence
140 As well unto the Per Jon, as the Power,
Do ftreight put off all Temper that isfalfe,
All hollow Fear, and fchooled Flattery,
Turn Fortune's Wheel, they ever keep their Point,
And ftand direct upon the Loyal Line.
Your Rock claims Kindred of the Polar Star,
<J *
Becaufe it draws the Needle to the North;
Yet even that Star gives place to Cynthia' J- Rays,
Whofe drawing F'irtues govern and direct
The Plots and Re-flots of the Ocean.
But
Gefta Grayorum. 65
But Cynthia, prat Jed be your watry Reign, *•* o
Your Influence in Spirits have no place.
This Cynthia high doth rule thofe heavenly Tides,
Whofe fovereign Grace, as it doth wax1 or wain,
Affections fo, and Fortunes ebb and flow :
Sometimes their Waves applauding on the Shoar,
Sometimes retiring to their narrow Depths,
The holy Syrians draw Pilgrims from all Parts,
To pajs the Mountains, Seas and defert Sands.
"Onto this living Saint have Princes high
Of Foreign Lands, made vowed Pilgrimage. 160
What Excellencies are there in this frame,
Of all things, which her fertue doth not draw ?
The Quintefcence of Wits, the Fire of Loves,
The Art of Fame, Metals of Courages,
And by her Virtue long may fixed be
The Wheel of Fortune, and the Carr of Time.
In the Protection of this mighty Rock,
In Britain Land, whiljl Tempejls beat abroad,
The Lordly and the lowly Shepherd both,
In plenteous Peace have fed their happy Flocks. a 70
Vpon the force of this inviolate Rock,
The Giant-like Attempts of Power unjuft
Have fuffer'd Wreck. And, Proteus, for the Seas,
Whofe Empire large your praifed Rock affures :
Your Gift is void, it is already here;
As Ruflia, China, and NegellanV Strait
Can witnefs bear, well may your Prefence be
Imprefla apt thereof; but Jure, not Caufe.
Fijher divine, congratulate your Jelf,
Your Eyes hath won more than your State hath lojl ; 280
Yield Victory, and Liberty, and Thanks.
Proteus. Againfl the Truth, that's Lands and Seas above,
It fits no Proteus make a vain Reply.
The Shallop may not with jmall Ships contend,
Nor windy Bubble with a Billow ftrive,
Nor Earthly things compare with greatefl Queen
K That
66 Gefta Gray
That hath andjhall a Regal Sceptre fuvay.
Blefs' V be that Prince that fore* d me fee this Grace,
Ifhich 'worldly Monarchies, and Sea-Powers adore.
190 Take Thanks of Gift, and Liberty of Due.
When thefe Speeches were thus delivered, Proteus, with his bident
ftriking of Adamant, which was mentioned in the Speeches, made
Utterance for the Prince, and his feven Knights, who had given them-
felves as Hoftages for the performance of the Covenants between the
Prince and Proteus, as is declared in the Speeches. Hereat Proteus,
Amphitrite and Thamejis, with their Attendants, the Nymphs and
Tritons, went unto the Rock, and then the Prince and the feven
Knights iflued forth of the Rock, in a very flately Mask, very richly
attired, and gallantly provided of all things meet for the performance
300 of fo great an Enterprize. They come forth of the Rock in Couples,
and before every Couple came two Pigmies with Torches. At their
firft coming on the Stage, they danced a new devifed Meafure, &c.
After which, they took unto them Ladies; and with them they dan
ced their Galliards, Cou rants, &c. And they danced another new Mea
fure ; after the end whereof, the Pigmies brought eight Efcutcheons,
with the Maskers Devices thereupon, and delivered them to the E-
fquire, who offered them to Her Majefty ; which being done, they
took their Order again, and with a new Strain, went all into the
Rock ; at which time there was fung another new Hymn within the
3 10 Rock.
The fecond Hymn, which was fung at the Departure of
the Maskers into the Rock.
Shadows before thejhining Sun do vanijh :
Th' fronforcing Adamant doth refign
His Virtues, where the Diamond dothjbine.
Pure Holinefs doth all Incha ntments blemijh;
And Councellors offalfe Principality
Do fade in prefence of true Majefty.
Shepherds
Gefta Gray or urn. 67
Shepherds fometimes in Lions Skins were c loath' d;
But when the Royal Lion doth appear,
What wonder if the filly Swains, for fear,
Their Bravery, and Princely Pall have loath* d*
The Lion' s Skin, that grac'd our F"anity,
Falls down in pre fence of Her Majefly.
The Imprefles which the Maskers ufed upon their
Efcutcheons, for their Devices.
TTTT i n . f In the Bark of a Cedar-tree, \ ~ r •
H.Helmes,Pf7«f ?, < ., ~, .J^ ' > Crefcetis.
9 c the Character E engraven. J 10
vir /~. i f In a plain Shield, as it were
W.Cooke. { Abrafa tabula.
T . r~ f A Tortois,with his Head out
JarvisTevery. <> Oj tbe Shdl.
Joh. Lambert. <{ A Torch by the Sun. ^ Quis furor.
T., -,. $ A River with many Turnings, \ 0 ,
Molineux. < *i o r Semper ad mare.
I running into the Sea. 3 *
P . $A Flag ftreaming in the\ Famamque fove-
\ Wind. j mus inanem.
•ni r ^ a •/ j r\ *il Fors& virtus mi p- ao
Paylor. < A Sail and an Oar together. >
(. J centur m unum.
„ . r A Flag of Fire wavering 7 ~ , , , .
Campnies. < °, ' r > Tremet (y ardet.
For the prefent Her Majefty graced every one ; particularly, fhe
thanked His Highnefs for the good performance of all that was done ;
and wifhed that their Sports had continued longer, for the Pleafiire
fhe took therein : Which may well appear, by her Anfwer to the
Courtiers who danced a Meafure immediately after the Mask was
ended; faying, What! Shall we have Bread and Cheeje aftera Ban
quet ? Her Majefly willed the Lord Chamberlain, that the Gentlemen 30
fhould be invited on the next Day, and that he fhould prefent them
unto her : Which was done, and Her Majelty gave them her Hand
to kifs, with moft gracious Words of Commendations to them ; par
ticularly,
68 Gefta Gray or um.
ticularly, and in general, of Grays-Inn, as an Houfe that fhe was much
beholden unto, for that it did always ftudy for fome Sports to pre-
fent unto her.
The fame Night there was fighting at Barriers ; the Earl of Effex
and others Challengers, and the Earl of Cumberland and his Compa
ny Defendants: Into which number, our Prince was taken, and
behaved himfelf fo valiantly and skilfully therein, that he had the
Prize adjudged due unto him, which it pleafed Her Majefty to deli
ver him with her own Hands ; telling him, that it was not her Gift ;
10 for if it had, it fhould have been better ; but fhe gave it him, as that
Prize which was due to his Defert, and good Behaviour in thofe Exer-
cifes; and that hereafter he fhould be remembred with a better Re
ward from her felf. The Prize was, a Jewel, fet with feventeen Dia
monds, and four Rubies; in value, accounted worth an hundred
Marks.
Thus on Shrwe-Tuefday, at the Court, were our Sports and Re
vels ended : So that our Christmas would not leave us, till fuch time
as Lent was ready to entertain us, which hath always been accoun
ted a time moft apt, and wholly dedicated to Repentance. But now
io our Principality is determined ; which, although it fhined very bright
in ours, and others Darknefs ; yet, at the Royal Prefence of Her Ma
jefty, it appeared as an obfcured Shadow : In this, not unlike unto the
Morning-ftar, which looketh very chearfully in the World, fb long
as the Sun looketh not on it : Or, as the great Rivers, that triumph
in the Multitude of their Waters, until they come unto the Sea.
Sic vinci, fie mori pulchrum.
FINIS.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
There is now publifhed, A Difctvery of Nat Worlds: From the French; made Englifl, by
30 Mrs. A. Behn. Together with a Preface, by way of Eflay upon Tranflated Profe, wholly new.
As alfo, An Hiftorical and Geographical Account «f the Morea, Negroponc, And the Man-
time Places, as far at Theflalonica : Illuftrated with 4.1 Maps of the Countries, Plains, and
Draughts of the Cities, Towns and Fortifications. Written in ltd/ion by P. M. CoroneUi, Geo
grapher to the Republick of Venice Engtiflxd by K. W. Gent. Both fold by W. Canning,
at his Shop in the Temptt-Cloyfters.
LJII1LS
^ Gesta Grayonun
2411
G47
1914
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