Gesta Grayorum, or, The history of the high and mighty prince, Henry Prince of Purpoole ... who reigned and died, A.D. 1594 : together with a masque, as it was presented (by His Highness's command) for the entertainment of Q. Elizabeth, who, with the nobels of both courts, was present thereat.

Gesta Grayorum: OR, THE HISTORY OF THE PRINCE OF PURPOOLE, Anno Domini, 1594.

THE great number of gallant Gentlemen that Grays-Inn afforded at ordinary Revels, betwixt All-hollontide and Christmas, exceeding therein the rest of the Houses of Court, gave occasion to some Well-willers of our Sports, and Favourers of our Credit, to wish an Head answerable to so noble a Body, and a Leader to so gallant a Company: Which Motion was more willingly hearkened unto, in regard that such Pass-times had been intermitted by the space of three or four Years, by reason of Sickness and Discontinuances.

After many Consultations had hereupon, by the Youths, and others that were most forward herein, at length, about the 12^th. of December, with the Consent and Assistance of the Readers and An∣cients, it was determined, that there should 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, presently they made choice of one Mr. Henry H••lmes, a Norfolk-Gentleman, who was thought to be accomplished with all good Parts, fit for so great a Dignity; and was also a very proper Man of Personage, and very active in Dancing and Revelling.

Then was his Privy Council assigned him, to advise of State-Mat∣ters, and the Government of his Dominions: His Lodging also was provided according to State; as the Presence-chamber, and the Council-chamber: Also all Officers of State, of the Law, and of the House-hold. There were also appointed Gentlemen-Pensioners to attend on his Person, and a Guard, with their Captain, for his De∣fence.

The next thing thought upon, as most necessary, was, Provision of Treasure, for the Support of his State and Dignity. To this pur∣pose, there was granted a Benevolence by those that were then in his Court abiding; and for those that were not in the House, there were Letters directed to them, in nature of Privy Seals, to injoin them, not only to be present, and give their Attendance at his Court; but also, that they should contribute to the defraying of so great a Charge, as was guessed to be requisite for the performance of so great Intendments.

The Form of the Privy Seals directed to the Foreigners, upon occasion as is aforesaid.

YOur Friends of the Society of Grays-Inn, now residing there, have thought good to elect a Prince, to govern the State of the Sig∣niory, now by Dis-continuance, much impaired in the ancient Honour wherein heretofore it hath excelled all other of like Dignity. These are therefore, in the Name of the said Prince, to require you forth∣with

to resort to the Court there holden, to assist the Proceedings with your Person; and withal, upon the Receipt hereof, to make Contribution of such Benevolence as may express your good Affection to the State, and be answerable to your Quality. We have appointed our well•• beloved Edward Jones our Foreign Collector, who shall attend you by himself, or by his Deputy.

Your Loving Friend, Grays-Inn.

Dated at our Court of Graya, the 13^th. of December, 1594.

If, upon the Receipt of these Letters, they returned Answer again, that they would be present in Person at our Sports, as divers did, not taking notice of the further meaning therein expressed, they were served with an Alias, as followeth.

To our Trusty and Well Beloved, W. B. at L. give These.

WHereas upon our former Letters to you, which required your Per∣sonal Appearance and Contribution, you have returned us An∣swer that you will be present, without satisfying the residue of the Con∣tents for the Benevolence, These are therefore to will and require you, forthwith, upon the Receipt hereof, to send, for your part, such Supply by this Bearer, as to you, for the defraying so great a Charge, shall seem convenient: And herein you shall perform a Duty to the House, and avoid that ill Opinion which some Vngentlemanly Spirits have purchased by their uncivil Answers to our Letters directed to them, whose Demea∣nour shall be laid to their C••arge when Time serveth; and in the mean time, Order shall be taken, that their Names and Defaults shall be pro∣claimed in our publick Assemblies, to their great Dis-credit, &c.

Your Loving Friend, Grays-Inn.

By this means the Prince's Treasure was well increased; as also by the great Bounty of divers honourable Favourers of our State, that imparted their Liberality, to the setting forward of our inten∣ded Pass-times. Amongst the rest, the Right Honourable Sir William Cecill, K^t. Lord Treasurer of England, being of our Society, deser∣ved honoura••le Remembrance, for his liberal and noble Mindfulness of us, and our State; who, undesired, sent to the Prince, as a To∣ken of his Lordship's Favour, 10 l. and a Purse of ••ine rich Needle∣work.

When all these things sorted so well to our Desires, and that there was good hope of ••ffecting that that was taken in hand, there was dispatched from our State a Messenger to our ancient allied Friend, the Inner Temple, that they might be acquainted with our Procee∣dings, and also to be invited to participate of our Honour; which to them was most acceptable, as by the Process of their Letters and ours, mutually sent, may appear.

The Copies of the Letters that passed betwixt the two most flourishing Estates of the Grayans and Templarians.

To the most Honourable and Prudent, the Governors, As∣sistants and Society of the Inner Temple.

Most Grave and Noble,

WE have, upon good Consideration, made choice of a Prince, to be predominant in our State of Purpoole, for some important Causes that require an Head, or Leader: And as we have ever had great Cause, by the Warrant of Experience, to assure our selves of your unfeigned Love and Amity, so we are, upon this Occasion, 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 pleased to assist us with your Counsel, in the Person of an Ambassador, that may be Resident here amongst us, and be a Minister of Correspondence

between us, and to advise of such Affairs, as the Effects whereof, we hope, shall sort to the Benefit of both our Estates. And so, being ready to requite you with all good Offices, we leave you to the Protection of the Almighty.

Your most Loving Friend and Ally Grays-Inn.

Dated at our Court of Graya, this 14^th. of December, 1594.

To the most honourable State of the Grayans.

Right Honourable, and most firmly United,

IF our Deserts were any way answerable to the great Expectation of your good Proceedings, we might with more Boldness accomplish the Request of your kind Letters, whereby it pleaseth you to interest us in the Honour of your Actions; which we cannot but acknowledge for a great Courtesie and Kindness (a thing proper to you, in all your Courses and Endeavours) and repute it a great Honour intended to∣wards our selves: In respect whereof, we yield with all Good Will, to that which your honourable Letters import; as your Kindness, and the Bond of our ancient Amity and League requireth and deserveth.

Your assured Friend, The State of Templaria,

From Templaria, the 18^th. of December, 1594.

The Order of the Prince of Purpoole's Proceedings, with his Of∣ficers and Attendants at his honourable Inthronization; which was likewise obs••rved in all his solemn Marches on grand Days, and like Occasions; which Place every Officer did duly attend, du∣ring the Reign of His Highness's Government.

A Marshal.

A Marshal.

Trumpets.

Trumpets.

Pursuevant at Arms,

Lanye.

Towns-men in the Prince's Livery, with Halberts.

Yeomen of the Gua••d, three Couples.

Captain of the Guard,

Grimes.

Baron of the Grand Port,

Dudley.

Baron of the Base Port,

Grante.

Gentlemen for Entertainment, three Couples.

Binge, &c.

• ...Wentworth.
• ...Zukenden.
• ...Forrest.

Baron of the Petty Port,

Williams.

Baron of the New Port,

Lovel.

Gentlemen for Entertainment, three Couples.

Binge, &c.

• ...Wentworth.
• ...Zukenden.
• ...Forrest.

Lieutenant of the Pensioners,

Tonstal.

Gentlemen-Pensioners, twelve Couples, viz.

• ...Lawson.
• ...Devereux.
• ...Stapleton.
• ...Daniel.
• ...Rotts.
• ...Anderson.
• ...Glascott.
• ...Elken.
• ...Davison, cum reliquis.

Chief Ranger, and Master of the Game,

Forrest.

Master of the Revels,

Lambert.

Master of the Revellers,

Tevery.

Captain of the Pensioners,

Cooke.

Sewer,

Archer.

Carver,

Moseley.

Another Sewer,

Drewry.

Cup-bearer,

Painter.

Groom-porter,

Bennet.

Sheriff,

Leach.

Clerk of the Council,

Iones.

Clerk of the Parliament,

Clerk of the Crown,

Downes.

Orator,

Heke.

Recorder,

Starkey.

Sollicitor,

Dunne.

Serjeant,

Goldsmith.

Hitchcombe.

Speaker of the Parliament,

B••llen.

Commissary,

Greenwood.

Attorney,

Holt.

Serjeant,

Goldsmith.

Hitchcombe.

Master of the Requests,

Faldo.

Chancellor of the Exchequer,

Kitts.

Master of the Wards and Idiots,

Ellis.

Reader,

Cobb.

Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer,

Briggs.

Master of the Rolls,

Hetlen.

Lord Chief Baron of the Common Pleas,

Damporte.

Lord Chief Justice of the Prince's Bench,

Crew.

Master of the Ordnance,

Fitz-Williams.

Lieutenant of the Tower,

Lloyd.

Master of the Jewel-house,

Darlen.

Treasurer of the House-hold,

Smith.

Knight-Marshal,

Bell.

Master of the Ward-robe,

Conney.

Comptroller of the House-hold,

Bouthe.

Bishod of S^t. Giles's in the Fields,

Dandye.

Steward of the House-hold,

Smith.

Lord Warden of the four Ports,

Damporte.

Secretary of State,

Iones.

Lord Admiral,

Cecill (Richard.)

Lord Treasurer,

Morrey.

Lord Great Chamberlain,

Southworth.

Lord High Constable,

Lord Marshal,

Knaplock.

Lord Privy Seal,

Lamphew.

Lord Chamberlain of the House-hold,

Markham.

Lord High Steward,

Kempe.

Lord Chancellor,

Iohnson,

Archbishop of S^t. Andrews in Holborn,

Bush.

Serjeant at Arms, with the Mace,

Flemming.

Gentleman-Usher,

Chevett.

Paylor.

The Shield of Pegasus, for the Inner-Temple,

Scevington.

Serjeant at Arms, with the Sword,

Glascott.

Gentleman-Usher,

Chevett.

Paylor.

The Shield of the Griffin, for Grays-Inn,

Wickliffe.

The King at Arms,

Perkinson.

The great Shield of the Prince's Arms,

Cobley.

The Prince of Purpoole,

Helmes.

A Page of Honour,

Wandforde.

Butler (Roger.)

Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, six Couples,

A Page of Honour,

Wandforde.

Butler (Roger.)

Vice-Chamberlain,

Butler (Thomas.)

Master of the Horse,

Fitz-Hugh.

Yeomen of the Guard, three Couples.

Towns-men in Liveries.

The Family, and Followers.

Upon the 20^th. Day of December, being St. Thomas's Eve, the Prince, with all his Train in Order, as above set down, marched from his Lodging, to the great Hall; and there took his place in his Throne, under a rich Cloth of State: His Counsellors and great Lords were placed about him, and before him; below the Half-pace, at a Table, sate his learned Council and Lawyers; the rest of the Officers and Attendants took their proper Places, as belonged to their Condition.

Then the Trumpets were commanded to sound thrice; which be∣ing done, the King at Arms, in his rich Surcoat of Arms, stood forth before the Prince, and proclaimed his Style as followeth.

By the sacred Laws of Arms, and authorized Ceremonies of the same (maugre the Conceit of any Malecontent) 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's and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, &c. Knight of the most honourable Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same.

After that the King at Arms had thus proclaimed his Style, the Trumpets sounded again; and then entred the Prince's Champion, all in compleat Armour, on Horse-back, and so came riding round about the Fire; and in the midst of the Hall, stayed, and made his Challenge in these Words following.

If there be any Man, of high Degree, or low, that will say 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 false Traitor; and I do challenge, in Combat, to fight 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.

When the Champion had thus made his Challenge, he departed; then the Trumpets were commanded to sound, and the King at Arms blazoned the Prince his Highness's Arms, as followeth.

The most mighty Prince of Purpoole, &c. beareth his Shield of the highest Jupiter. In Point, a Sacred Imperial Diadem, safely guarded by the Helmet of the great Goddess Pallas, from 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 most heroical Order of Knighthood of the Helmet; the Word hereunto, Sic virtus honorem. For his Highness's Crest, the glorious Planet Sol, coursing through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, on a Celestial Globe, moved upon the two Poles, Artick and Antartick; with this Motto, Dum totum peragra∣verit orbem. All set upon a Chaphew: Mars turned up, Luna man∣telled, Sapphire doubted Pearl, supported by two anciently renowned and glorious Griffyns, which have been always in League with the ho∣nourable Pegasus.

The Conceit hereof was to shew, that the Prince, whose private Arms were three Helmets, should defend his Honour by Vertue, from Reprehensions of Male-contents, Carpers and Fools. The Ribband of Blue, with an Helmet Pendant, in intimation of St. George. In his Crest, his Government for the twelve Days of Christmas was resem∣bled to the Sun's passing the twelve Signs, though the Prince's Course had some odd degrees beyond that time: But he was wholly suppor∣ted by the Griffyns; for Grays-Inn-Gentlemen, and not the Treasure of the House, was charged. The Words, Sic virtus honorem, that his Vertue should defend his Honour, whilst he had run his whole Course of Dominion, without any either Eclipse or Retrogradation.

After these things thus done, the Attorney stood up, and made a Speech of Gratulation to the Prince; and therein shewed what great Happiness was like to ensue, by the Election of so noble and vertuous a Prince, as then reigned over them; rightly extolling the Nobility, Vertue, Puissance, and the singular Perfections of his Sovereign; whereby he took occasion also to move the Subjects to be forward to perform all Obedience and Service to his Excellency; as also to fur∣nish his Wants, if so be that it were requisite; and, in a word, per∣swaded the People, that they were happy in having such a Prince to rule over them; and likewise, assured the Prince, that he also was most happy, in having Rule over so dutiful and loving Subjects, that would not think any thing, were it Lands, Goods, or Life, too dear to be at his Highness's Command and Service.

The Prince's Highness made again this Answer,

That he did ac∣knowledge himself to be deeply bound to their Merits; and in that regard did promise, that he would be a gracious and loving Prince to so well-deserving 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.

Most Excellent Prince,

High Superiority and Dominion is illustrated and adorned by the humble Services of noble and mighty Personages: And therefore, amidst the Garland of your Royalties of your Crown, this is a principal Flower, That in your Provinces and Territories, divers mighty and puissant Potentates are your Homagers and Vassals; and, although infinite are your Feodaries, which by their Tenures do perform Royal Service to your Sacred Person, pay huge Sums into your Treasury and Exchequer, and maintain whole Legions for the Defence of your Country; yet some special Persons there are, charged by their Tenures, to do special Ser∣vice at this your glorious Inthronization; whose Tenures, for their Strangeness, are admirable; for their Value, inestimable; and for their Worthiness, incomparable: The Particulars whereof do here ap∣pear in your Excellency's Records, in the Book of Dooms-day, remai∣ning in your Exchequer, in the 50th. and 500th. Chest there.

The Names of such Homagers and Tributaries as hold any Signio∣ries, Lordships, Land•••• Privileges, or Liberties under his Ho∣nour, and the Tenures and Services belonging to the same, as followeth.

ALfonso de Stapulia, and Davillo de Bernardia, hold the Arch-Dukedoms of Stapulia and Bernardia, of the Prince of Purpoole, by Grand Serjeantry, and Castle-Guard of the Castles of Stapulia and Bernardia, and to right and relieve all Wants and Wrongs of all La∣dies, Matrons and Maids within the said Arch-Dutchy; and rendring, on the Day of his Excellency's Coronation, a Coronet of Gold, and yearly five hundred Millions, Sterling.

Marotto Marquarillo de Holborn holdeth the Mannors 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 Pensioners, one Milk-white Doe, to be bestowed on them by the Prince, for a Favour, or New-years-night-gift; and ren∣dring yearly two hundred Millions, Sterling.

Lucy Negro, Abbess de Clerkenwell, holdeth the Nunnery of Cler∣kenwell, with the Lands and Privileges ther••unto belonging, of the Prince of Purpoole by Night-Service in Cauda, and to find a Choir of 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, easie 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 twenty fourth part of a Night's Fee, and by rendring to the Master of the Ward rope so much Cunny-Furr as will serve to line his Night-Cap, and face a pair of Mittins; and yielding yearly four Quarters of Rye, and threescore double Duckets on the Feast of St. Pancras.

Bartholomeus de Bloomsbury holdeth a thousand Hides in Blooms∣bury, of the Prince of Purpoole, by Escuage 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 Prin•••• Band, and the Mark to be his Trophy that shall be adjudged the bravest Courser; and ren∣dring yearly fifty Millions, Sterling.

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 against the Amazons, to subdue and bring them under, he do find, at his own Charges, a thousand Men, well furnished with long and strong Morris-pikes, black Bills, or Halberts, with Morians on their Heads; and rendring yearly four hundred Millions, Sterling.

Bawdwine de Islington holdeth the Town of Islington of the Prince of Purpoole, by Grand-Serjeantry; and rendring, at the Coronation of

his Honour, for every Maid in Islington, continuing a Virgin after the Age of Fourteen Years, one hundred thousand Millions, Sterling.

Iordano Surtano de Kentish-Town, holdeth the Canton of Kentish-Town of the Prince of Purpoole, in Tail-general, at the Will of the said Prince, as of his Mannor of Deep-Inn, in his Province of Isling∣ton by the Veirge, according to the Custom of the said Mannor; That when any of the Prince's O••ficers or Family do resort thither, for Change of Air, or else Variety of Diet, as weary of Court-Li••e, and such Provision, he do provide for a Mess of the Yeomen of the Guard, or any of the Black-Guard, or such l••ke inferior Officers so coming, eight Loins of Mutton, which are sound, well fed, and not infectious; and for every Gentleman-Pensioner, or other of good Quality, Coneys, Pidgeons, Chickens, or such dainty Morsels. But the said Iordano is not bound by his Tenure, to boil, roast, or bake the same, or meddle further than the bare Delivery of the said Cates, and so to leave them to the handling, dressing and breaking up of themselves; and rendring for a Fine to the Prince one thousand five hundred Marks.

Markasius Rusticanus, and Hieronymus Paludensis de Knights-bridge, do hold the Village of Knights-bridge, with the Appurtenances in Knights-bridg••, o•• the Prince of Purpoole, by Villenage in base Te∣nure, that they two shall jointly find three hundred able and sufficient labouring Men, with Instruments and Tools necessary for the making clean of all Channels, Sinks, Creeks and Gutters within all the Cities of His Highness's Dominions; and also shall cleanse and keep clean all, and all manner of Ponds, Puddles, Dams, Springs, Locks, Run∣lets, Becks, Water-gates, Sluces, Passages, strait Entrances, and dange∣rous Quagmires; and also shall repair and mend all common H••gh and Low-Ways, by laying Stones in the Pits and naughty places thereof; and also that they do not suffer the aforesaid places to go to decay through their de••ault, and lack of looking unto, or neglect of doing their parts and duties therein.

The Tenures being thus read by the Soll••citor, then were called by their Names those Homagers that were to perform their Services, ac∣cording to their Tenures.

Upon the Summons given, Alfonso de Stapuli••, and Davillo de Bernardia came to the Prince's Foot-stool, and off••••ed a Coronet,

according to their Service, and did Homage to His Highness in so∣lemn manner, kneeling, according to the Order in such Cases accu∣stomed. The rest that appeared were deferred to better leisure; and they that made default were fined at great Sums, and their Defaults recorded.

There was a Parliament intended, and summoned; but by reason that some special Officers that were by necessary Occasions, urged to be absent, without whose Presence it could not be performed, it was dashed. And in that Point our Purpose was frustrate, saving only in two Branches of it: The one was, a Subsidy granted by the Com∣mons of his Dominions, towards the Support of His Highness's Port and Sports. The other was by his gracious, general and free Pardon.

Henry Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Sta∣pulia and Bernardia, Duke of High and Ne∣ther Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles's and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Canton of Islington, Kentish-Town, Paddington and Knights-bridge, Knight of the most Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same, To all, and all manner of Persons to whom these Presents shall appertain; Greeting.

IN tender regard, and gracious Consideration of the humble Af∣fection of our Loyal Lords and Subjects; and by understan∣ding that by often violating of laudable Customs, Prescriptions and Laws, divers have incurred inevitable and incurable Dangers of Lands, Goods, Life and Members, if it be not by our Clemency redressed, respected and pardoned. We therefore, hoping for bet∣ter Obedience and Observation of our said Laws and Customs, do

grant and publish this our general and free Pardon of all Dangers, Pains, Penalties, Forfeitures, or O••fences, whereunto and wherewith they are not charged, or chargeable, by reason of Mis-government, Mis-demeanour, Mis-behaviour, or Fault, either of Commission, or Omission, or otherwise howsoever or whatsoever.

It is therefore Our Will and Pleasure, that all and every publick Person and Persons, whether they be Strangers or Naturals, within Our Dominions be by virtue hereof excused, suspended and dischar∣ged from all, and all manner of Treasons, Contempts, Offences, Tres∣passes, Forcible Entries, Intrusions, Disseisins, Torts, Wrongs, Inju∣ries, Over-throws, Over-thwartings, Cross-bitings, Coney-catch∣ings, Frauds, Conclusions, Fictions, Fractions, Fashions, Fancies, or Ostentations: Also all, and all manner of Errors, Misprisions, Mis∣takings, Overtakings, Double-dealings, Combinations, Confedera∣cies, Conjunctions, Oppositions, Interpositions, Suppositions and Suppositaries: Also all, and all manner of Intermedlance, or Med∣lance, Privy-searches, Routs and Riots, Incumberances, Pluralities, Formalities, Deformalities, Disturbances, Duplicities, Jeofails in In∣sufficiencies or Defects: Also all, and all manner of Sorceries, In∣chantments, Conjurations, Spells, or Charms: All Destructions, Ob∣structions and Constructions: All Evasions, Invasions, Charges, Sur∣charges, Discharges, Commands•• Countermands, Checks, Counter-checks and Counter-buffs: Also all, and all manner of Inhibitions, Prohibitions, Insurrections, Corrections, Conspiracies, Concavities, Coinings, Superfluities, Washings, Clippings and Shavings: All, and all manner of Multiplications, Inanities, Installations, Destillations, Constillations, Necromancies and Incantations: All, and all man∣ner of Mis-••easance, Non-feasance, or too much Feasance: All At∣tempts or Adventures, Skirmages, Assaults, Grapplings, Closings, or Encounters: All Mis-prisonments, or Res••raints of Body or Mem∣ber: And all, and all manner of Pains and Penalties, Personal or Pe∣cuniary whatsoever, committed, made, or done against Our Crown and Dignity, Peace, Prerogatives, Laws and Customs, which shall not herein hereafter be in some sort expressed, mentioned, intended, or excepted.

Except, and always fore-prized out of this general and free Par∣don, All and every such P••rson and Persons as shall imagine, think, suppose, or speak and utter a••y ••alse, seditious, ignominious, or slan∣derous

Words, Reports, Rumours, or Opinions, against the Dignity, or His Excellency's honourable Actions, Counsels, Consultations, or State of the Prince, his Court, Counsellors, Nobles, Knights and Officers.

Except, All such Persons as now, or hereafter shall be advanced, admitted, or induced to any corporal or personal Benefice, Admini∣stration, Charge, or Cure of any mann••r of Personage, and shall not be personally resident, commorant, or incumbent in, at, or upon the whole, or some part or parc••l of the said Benefice, Administra∣tion, or Cure; but absent himself wilfully or negligently, by the space of fourscore Days, Nights or Hours, and not having any spe∣cial substituted, instituted or inducted Vicar, incumbent or concum∣bent, daily, or any other time, duly to express, enjoy and supply his Absence, Room, or Vacation.

Except, All such P••rsons as have, or shall have any Charge, Oc∣casion, Chance, Opportunity, or possible Means to entertain, serve, recreate, delight, or discourse with any vertuous or honourable La∣dy or Gentlewoman, Matron or Maid, publickly, privately, or fami∣liarly, and shall faint, fail, or be deemed to faint or fail in Courage, or Countenance, Semblance, Gesture, Voice, Speech, or Attempt, or in Act or Adventure, or in any other Matter, Thing, Manner, My∣stery, or Accomplishment, due, decent, or appertinent to her or their Honour, Dignity, Desert, Expectation, Desire, Affection, In∣clination, Allowance, or Acceptance; to be daunted, dismayed, or to stand mute, idle, frivolous, or defective, or otherwise dull, con∣trary, sullen, male-content, melancholy, or dif••erent from the Pro∣fession, Practice and Perfection of a compleat and consummate Gen∣tleman or Courtier.

Except, All such Persons as by any Force, or Fraud and Dissimu∣lation, shall procure, be it by Letters, Promises, Messages, Contracts, and other Inveaglings, any Lady or Gentlewoman, Woman or Maid, Sole or Covert, into his Possession or Convoy, and shall convey her into any place where she is, or shall be of ••ull power and opportuni∣ty to bargain, give, take, buy, sell, or change; and shall suffer her to ••scape and return at large, without any such Bargain, Sale, Gift, or Exchange performed and made, contrary to former expected, ex∣pressed, employed Contract or Consent.

Except, All such Persons as by any Slander, Libel, Word, or Note, bewray, betray, defame, or suffer to be defamed any Woman, Wife, Widow, or Ma••d, in whose Affairs, Secrets, Suits, Services, Causes, Actions, or other Occupations, he hath been at any time conver∣sant, employed, or trained in, or admitted unto, contrary to his plighted Promise, Duty and Allegiance; and to the utter Disparage∣ment of others hereafter to be received, retained, em••raced, or liked in like Services, Performances, or Advancements.

Except, All Intrusions and Forcible Entries, had, made, or done into or upon any the Prince's Widows, or Wards Female, without special Licence; and all Fines passed for the same.

Except, all concealed Fools, Idiots and Mad-men, that have not to this present sued forth any Livery of their Wits, nor Ouster le mayne of their Senses, until the Prince have had Primer Seisin thereof.

Except, All such Persons as, for their Lucre and Gain of Living, do keep or maintain, or else frequent and resort unto any common House, Alley, open or privy place of unlawful Exercises; as of Vaul∣ting, Bowling, or any forbidden manner of Shooting; as at Pricks in common High-ways, Ways of Sufferance or Ease to Market-Towns or Fairs, or at short Butts, not being of sufficient length and distance, or at any roving or unconstant Mark, or that shoot any Shafts, Ar∣rows, or Bolts of unseasonable Wood or Substances, or without an Head, or of too short and small a Size, contrary to the Customs, Laws and Statutes, in such Cases made and provided.

Except, All such Persons as shall put or cast into any Waters, salt or fresh, or any Brooks, Brinks, Chinks, Pits, Pools, or Ponds, any Snare, or oth••r Engine, to danger or destroy 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 streight Stream, Brook, or River, salt or fresh; the same Fish being then of insu••ficiency in Age and Quantity, or at that time not in convenient Season to be used and taken.

Except, All such Persons as shall hunt in the Night, or pursue any Bucks or Does; or with painted Faces, Vizards, or other disguisings, in the Day-time; or any such as do wrongfully and unlawfully, with∣out Consent or Leave given or granted, by Day, or by Night, break or enter into any Park impailed, or other several Close, Inclosure,

Chase, or Purliew, inclosed or compassed with Wall, Pale, Grove, Hedge, or Bushes, used still and occupied for the keeping, breeding, or cherishing of young Deer, Prickets, or any other Game, fit to be preserved and nourished; or such as do hunt, chase, or drive out any such Deer, to the prejudice and decay of such Game and Pass-times within our Dominions.

Except, All such Persons as shall shoot in any Hand-Gun, Demy-Hag, or Hag-butt, either Half-shot, or Bullet, at any Fowl, Bird, or Beast; either at any Deer, Red or Fallow, or any other thing or things, except it be a Butt set, laid, or raised in some convenient place, fit for the same purpose.

Except, All and every Artificer, Crafts-man, Labourer, Hous••∣holder, or Servant, being a Lay-man, which hath not Lands to the yearly Value of forty Shillings; or any Clerk, not admitted or ad∣vanced to the Benefice of the value of ten Pounds per Annum, that with any Grey-hound, Mongrel, Mastiff, Spaniel, or other Dogs, doth hunt in other Men's Parks, Warrens and Coney-grees; or use any Ferrets, Hare-pipes, Snarles, Ginns, or other Knacks or Devices to take or destroy Does, Hares, or Coneys, or other Gentlemen's Game, contrary to the form and meaning of a Statute in that Case provided.

Except, All Merchant-Adventurers, that ship or lade any Wares or Merchandize, into any Port or Creek, in any Flemish, French, or Dutch, or other Outlandi••h Hoy, Ship, or Bottom, whereof the Prince, nor some of his Subjects be not Possessioners and Proprieta∣ries; and the Masters and Mariners of the same Vessels and Bottoms to be the Prince's Subjects; whereby our own Shipping is many times unfraught, contrary unto divers Statutes in that Case provided.

Except, All Owners, Masters and Pursers of our Ships, as for the Transportation of Freight from one Port to another, have received and taken any Sums o•• Money above the Statute-Allowance in that behalf, viz. For every dry Fatt, 6 d. for every Bale, one Foot long, 1 s. for every Hogshead, Pipe, or Tierce of Wine, 5 s.

Except, All decayed Houses of Husbandry, and Housewifery, and Inclosures, and Severalties, converting of any Lands used and occu∣pied to Tillage and Sowing, into Pasture and Feeding; whereby Idleness increaseth, Husbandry and Housewifery is decayed, and Towns are dis-peopled, contrary to the Statute in that Case made and provided.

Except, All such Persons as shall maliciously and willingly burn or cut, or cause to be burned or cut, any Conduit, or Trough, Pipe, or any other Instrument used as means of Conveyance of any Li∣quor, Water, or other kind of Moisture.

Except, All Commoners within any Forest, Chace, Moor, Marsh, Heath, or other waste Ground, which hath put to Pasture into, or upon the same, any stoned Horses, not being of the Altitude and Heighth contained in the Statute, in that Case made and provided for the good Breed of strong and large Horses, which is much de∣cayed, little stoned Horses, Nags and Hobbies being put to Pasture there, and in such Commons.

Except, All Fugitives, Failers and Flinchers, that with Shame and Discredit are fled and vanished out of the Prince's Dominions of Pur∣poole, and especially from his Court at Graya, this time of Christ∣mas, to withdraw themselves from His Honour's Service and Atten∣dance, contrary to their Duty and Allegiance, and to their perpe∣tual Ignominy, and incurable Loss of Credit and good Opinion, which belongeth to ingenious and well-minded Gentlemen.

Except, All Concealments, and wrongful Detainments of any Subsidies and Revenues, Benevolences and Receipts upon Privy Seals, &c.

Except, All, and all manner of Offences, Pains, Penalties, Mulcts, Fines, Amerciaments and Punishments, Corporal and Pecuniary, whatsoever.

The Pardon being thus read by the Sollicitor, the Prince made a short Speech to his Subjects, wherein he gave them to understand, that although in Clemency he pardoned all Offences, to that present time; yet notwithstanding, his me••ning thereby was not to give any the least occasion of Presumption in breaking his Laws, and the Cu∣stoms laudably used through his Dominions and Government. Nei∣ther did he now so graciously forgive all Errors and Misdemeanours as he would hereafter severely and strictly reform the same. His Will was, that Justice should be administred to every Subject, without any Partiality•• and that the Wronged should make their Causes known to himself, by P••tition to the Master of the Requests: And further excused the Causes of the great Taxes, and Sums of Money, that were levied, by reason that his Predecessors had not left his Coffers full of

Treasure, nor his Crown so furnished, as became the Dignity of so great a Prince.

Then His Highness called for the Master of the Revels, and wil∣led him to pass the time in Dancing: So his Gentlemen-Pensioners and Attendants, very gallantly appointed, in thirty Couples, danced the Old Measures, and their Galliards, and other kind of Dances, re∣velling until it was very late; and so spent the rest of their Perfor∣mance in those Exercises, until it pleased His Honour to take his way to his Lodging, with Sound of Trumpets, and his Attendants in or∣der, as is above set down.

There was the Conclusion of the first grand Night, the Perfor∣mance whereof increased the Expectation of those things that were to ensue; insomuch that the common Report amongst all Strangers was so great, and the Expectation of our Proceedings so extraordina∣ry, that it urged us to take upon us a greater State than was at the first intended: And therefore, besides all the stately and sumptuous Service that was continually done the Prince, in very Princely man∣ner; and besides the daily Revels, and such like Sports, which were usual, there was intended divers grand Nights, for the Entertainment of Strangers to our Pass-times and Sports.

The next grand Night was intended to be upon Innocents-Day at Night; at which time there was a great Presence of Lords, Ladies, and worship••ul Personages, that did expect some notable Performance at that time; which, indeed, had been effected, if the multitude of Beholders had not been so exceeding great, that thereby there was no convenient room for ••hose that were Actors; by reason whereof, ve∣ry good Inventions and Conceipts could not have opportunity to be applauded, which otherwise would have been great Contentation to the Beholders. Against which time, our Friend, the Inner Temple, determined to send their Ambassador to our Prince of State, as sent from Frederick Templarius, their Emperor, who was then busied in his Wars against the Turk. The Ambassador 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 sitting in his Chair of State in the Hall, that there was come to his Court an Ambassador from his ancient Friend the State of Templaria, which desired to have present Access unto His Highness; and shewed

his Honour ••urther, that he seemed to be of very good sort, because he was so well attended; and therefore desired that it would please His Honour that some of his Nobles and Lords might condu••t him to His Highness's Presence; which was done. So he was brought in very solemnly, 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 besides His Highness, to the end that he might be Partaker of the Sports intended. But first, he made a Speech to the Prince, wherein he declared how his excellent Renown and Fame was known throughout all the whole World; and that the Report of his Great∣ness 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 against the Turks, the known Enemies to all Christen∣dom; who having heard that His Excellency kept his Court at Graya this Christmas, thought it to stand with his ancient League of Amity and near Kindness, that so long hath been continued and increased by their noble Ancestors of famous Memory and Desert, to gratulate his Happiness, and ••lourishing Estate; and in that regard, had sent him his Ambassador, to be residing at His Excellency's Court, in ho∣nour of his Greatness, and token of his tender Love and Good Will he beareth to His Highness; the Confirmation whereof he especially requir••d, and by all means possible, would study to increase and eter∣nize: Which Function he was the more willing to accomplish, be∣cause our State of Graya did grace Templaria with the Presence of an Ambassador about thirty Years since, upon like occasion.

Our Prince made him this Answer, That he did acknowledge that the great Kindness of his Lord, whereby he doth invite to further de∣grees in firm and Loyal Friendship, did deserve all honourable Com∣mendations, and effectual Accomplishment, that by any means might be devised; and that he accounted himself happy, by having the sin∣cere and sted••ast Love of so gracious and renowned a Prince, as his Lord and Master deserved to be esteemed; and that nothing in the World should hinder the due Observation of so inviolable a Band as he esteemed his Favour and Good Will. Withal, he entred into Com∣mendations of his noble and cou••ageous Enterprizes, in that he chu∣seth out an Adversary fit for his Greatness to encounter with, his Ho∣nour to be illustrated by, and such an Enemy to all Christendom, as

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 of honouring us, he shewed both his honou∣rable Mindfulness of our Love and Friendship, and also his own Puis∣sance, that can afford so great a number of brave Gentlemen, and so gallantly furnished and accomplished: And so concluded, with a Welcome both to the Ambassador himself, and his Favourites, for their Lord and Master's sake, and so for their own good Deserts and Condition.

When the Ambassador was placed, as aforesaid, and that there was something to be performed for the Delight of the Beholders, there arose such a disordered Tumult and Crowd upon the Stage, that there was no Opportunity to effect that which was intended: There came so great a number of worshipful Personages upon the Stage, that might not be displaced; and Gentlewomen, whose 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 Redress for that present. The Lord Ambassador and his Train thought that they were not so kindly entertained, as was before expected, and thereupon would not stay any longer at that time, but, in a sort, discontended and displeased. After their Departure the Throngs and Tumults did somewhat cease, although so much of them continued, as was able to disorder and confound any good Inventions whatsoever. In regard whereof, as also for that the Sports intended were especially for the gracing of the Templarians, it was thought good not to offer any thing of Account, saving Dancing and Revel∣ling with Gentlewomen; and after such 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 Confusion and Errors; whereupon, it was ever afterwards called, The Night of Errors.

This mischanceful Accident sorting so ill, to the great prejudice of the rest of our Proceedings, was a great Discouragement and Dispa∣ragement to our whole State; yet it gave occasion to the Lawyers of the Prince's Council, the next Night, after Revels, to read a Com∣mission of Oyer and Terminer, directed to certain Noble-men and Lords of His Highness's Council, and others, that they should en∣quire, or cause Enquiry to be made of some great Disorders and Abu∣ses

lately done and committed within His Highness's Dominions of Purpoole, especially by Sorceries and Inchantments; and namely, of a great Witchcraft used the Night before, whereby there were great Disorders and Misdemeanours, by Hurly-burlies, Crowds, Errors, Confusions, vain Representations and Shews, to the utter Discred••t of our State and Policy.

The next Night upon this Occasion, we preferred Judgments thick and threefold, which were read publickly by the Clerk of the Crown, being all against a Sorcerer or Conjurer that was supposed to be the Cause of that confused Inconvenience. Therein was contained, How he had caused the Stage to be built, and Scaffolds to be reared to the top of the House, to increase Expectation. Also how he had caused divers Ladies and Gentlewomen, and others of good Condi∣tion, to be invited to our Sports; also our dearest Friend, the State of Templaria, to be disgraced, and disappointed of their kind Enter∣tainment, deserved and intended. Also that he caused Throngs and Tumults, Crowds and Outrages, to disturb our whole Proceedings. And Lastly, that he had ••oisted a Company of base and common Fel∣lows, to make up our Disorders with a Play of Errors and Confusions; and that that Night had gained to us Discredit, and it self a Nick∣name of Errors. All which were against the Crown and Dignity of our Sovereign Lord, the Prince of Purpoole.

Under Colour of these Proceedings, were laid open to the View, all the Causes of note that were committed by our chiefest 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 highest to the lowest, not sparing the Guard and Porters, that suffered so many disordered Persons to enter in a•• the Court-Gates: Upon whose aforesaid Indictments, the Prisoner was arra••gned at the Bar, being brought thither by the Lieutenant of the 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 Prisoner appealed to the Prince his Excellency for Justice, and humbly desired, that it would please His Highness to understand the Truth of the Matter by his Supplication, which he had ready to be offered to the Master of the Requests. The Prince gave leave to the Master of the Requests, that he should read the Petition; wherein was a Disclosure

of all the Knavery and Juggling of the Attorney and Sollicitor, which had brought all this Law-stuff on purpose to blind the Eyes of his Ex∣cellency, and all the honourable Court there, going about to make them think, that those things which they all saw and preceived sen∣sibly to be in very deed done, and actually performed, were nothing else but vain Illusions, Fancies, Dreams and Enchantments, and to be wrought and compass••d by the Means of a poor harmless Wretch, that never had heard of such great Matters in all his Life: Whereas the very Fault was in the Negligence of the Prince's Council, Lords and Officers of his State, that had the Rule of the Roast, and by whose Advice the Commonwealth was so soundly mis-governed. To prove these things to be true, he ••rought divers Instances of great Absurdi∣ties committed by the greatest; and made such Allegations, as could not be denied. These were done by some that were touched by the Attorn••y and Sollicitor, in their former Proceedings, and they used the Prisoners Names for means of Quittance with them in that behalf. But the Prince and States-men (being pinched on both sides, by both the Parties) were not a little offended at the great Liberty that they had taken, in censuring so far of His Highness's Government; and thereupon the Prisoner was freed and pardoned, the Attorney, Solli∣citor, Master of the Requests, and those that were a••quainted with the Draught of the Petition, were all of them commanded to the Tower; so the Lieutenant took charge of them. And this was the End of our Law-sports, concerning the Night of Errors.

When we were wearied with mocking thus at our own Follies, at length there was a great Consultation had for the Recovery of our lost Honour. It was then concluded, that first the Prince's Council should be reformed, and some graver Conceipts should have their places, to advise upon those things that were propounded to be done afterward. Therefore, upon better Consideration, there were divers Plots and Devices intended against the Friday after New-years-day, being the 3d. of Ianuary: 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-see them all, that none but those that were of good Condition might be suffered to be let into the Court: And the like Officers were every where ap∣pointed.

On the 3d. of Ianuary at Night, there was a most honourable Pre∣sence of Great and Noble Personages, that came as invited to our Prince; as namely, the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Cumberland, Northumberland, Southampton and Essex, the Lords Buckhurst, Windsor, 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∣shipful Personages: All which had convenient Places, and very good Entertainment, to their good Liking and Contentment.

When they were all thus placed and setled in very good Order, the Prince came into the Hall with his wonted State, and ascended his Throne at the high End of the Hall, under His Highness's Arms; and after him came the Ambassador of Templaria, with his Train like∣wise, and was placed by the Prince as he was before; his Train also had Places reserved for them, and were provided for them particular∣ly. Then, after variety of Musick, they were presented with this Device.

At the side of the Hall, behind a Curtain, was erected an Altar to the Goddess of Amity; her Arch-Flamen, ready to attend the Sacri∣fice and Incense that should, by her Servants, be offered unto her: Round about the same sate Nymphs and Fairies, with Instruments of Musick, and made very pleasant Melody with Viols and Voices, and sang Hymns and Praises to her Deity.

Then issued forth of another Room the first pair of Friends, which were Theseus and Perithous; they came in Arm in Arm, and offered Incense upon the Altar to their Goddess, which shined and burned ve∣ry clear, without Blemish; which being done, they departed.

Then likewise came Achilles and Patroclus; after them, Pilades and Orestes; then Scipio and Lelius: And all these did, in all things, as the former, and so departed.

Lastly, were presented Graius and Templarius; and they two came lovingly, Arm in Arm, to the Altar, and offered their Incense as the rest, but the Goddess did not accept of their Service; which appea∣red by the troubled Smoak, and dark Vapour, that choaked the Flame, and smothered the clear burning thereof. Hereat, the Arch-Flamen, willing to pacifie the angry Goddess, preferred certain mystical Ce∣remonies and Invocations, and commanded the Nymphs to sing some Hymns of Pacification to her Deity, and caused them to make proffer

of their Devotion again; which they did, and then the Flame burnt more clear than at any time before, and continued longer in bright∣ness and shining to them, than to any of those Pairs of Friends that had gone before them; and so they departed.

Then the Arch-Flamen did pronounce Grayus and Templarius to be as true and perfect Friends, and so familiarly united and linked with the Bond and League of sincere Friendship and Amity, as ever were Theseus and Perithous, Achilles and Patroclus, Pilades and Orestes, or Scipio and Lelius; and therewithal did further divine, that this Love should ••e perpetual. And Lastly, denounced an heavy Curse on them that ••hall any way go about to break or weaken the same; and an Happiness to them that study and labour to eternize it for ever. So with sweet and pleasant Melody, the Curtain was drawn, as it was at the first.

Thus was this Shew ended, which was devised to that End, that those that were present might understand, that the Unkindness which was growing betwixt the Templarians and us, by reason 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 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 some Enviers of our Happiness had sown abroad.

The Prince then spake to the Ambassador, that the Shew had con∣tented him exceedingly; the rather, that it appeared thereby, that their ancient Amity was so fresh and flourishing, that no Friendship in the World hath been compared to the Love and Good Will of the Grayans and Templarians. And to the end that he might shew that the Conceipt was pleasing unto him, His Highness offered the Lord Ambassador, and some of his Retinue, with the Knighthood of the Helmet, an Order of his own Institution.

To that end His Excellency called to him his King at Arms, and willed him to place the Ambassador, and some of his Followers, and also some of his own Court, that they might receive the Dignity at his hands; which being done, and the Master 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 Ambassador's Neck, he kneeling down on his Left Knee, and said unto him, Sois Chivaler; and so was done to the rest, to the number of Twenty four.

So the Prince and the Lord Ambassador took their Places again in their Chairs, and the rest according to their Condition.

Then Helmet, His Highness's King at Arms, stood forth before the Prince, in his Surcoat of Arms, and caused the Trumpets to sound, and made his Speech, as doth follow.

The most mighty and puissant Prince, Sir Henry, my gracious Lord and Sovereign, Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Ber∣nardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles's and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, Kentish-Town, Paddington and Knights-bridge, hath heretofore, for the special gracing of the Nobili∣ty of his Realm, and honouring the Deserts 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 Ancestors, many Years past, for sa∣ving the Life of his then Sovereign; in regard that as the Helmet de∣fendeth the chiefest part of the Body, the Head; so did he guard and defend the sacred Person of the Prince, the Head of the State. His Highness at this time had made choice of a Number of vertuous and no••le Personages, to admit them into his honourable Society; whose good Example may be a Spur and Encouragement to the young Nobility of his Dominions, to cause them to aspire to the heighth of all honourable Deserts.

To the honourable Order are annexed strict Rules of Arms, and Ci∣vil Government, religiously to be observed by all those that are admit∣ted to this Dignity. ••ou therefore, most noble Gentlemen, whom His Highness at this time so greatly honoureth with his Royal Order, you must every one of you kiss your Helmet, and thereby promise and vow to observe and practise, or otherwise, as the Case shall require, shun and avoid all these Constitutions and Ordinances, which, out of the Re∣cords of my Office of Arms, I shall 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, EVery Knight of this honourable Order, whether he be a Natural Subject, or Stranger born, shall promise never to bear Arms against His Highness's Sacred Person, nor his

State; but to assist him in all his lawful Wars, and maintain all his just Pretences and Titles; especially, His Highness's Title to the Land of the Amazons, and the Cape of Good Hope.

Item•• No Knight of this Order shall, in point of Honour, resort to any Grammar-rules out of the Books De Dullo, or such like; but shall, out of his own brave Mind, and natural Courage, deliver him∣self from Scorns, as to his own Discretion shall seem convenient.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall be inquisitive towards any La∣dy or Gentlewoman, whether her Beauty be English or Italian, or whether, with Care taking, she have added half a Foot to her Sta∣ture; but shall ••ake all to the best. Neither shall any Knight of the aforesaid Order presume to affirm, that Faces were better twenty Years ago, than they are at this present time, except such Knight have passed three Climacterical Years.

Item, Every Knight of this Order is bound to perform all requi∣site and Manly Service, be it Night-service, or otherwise, as the Case requireth, to all Ladies and Gentlewomen, beautiful by Na∣ture, or by Art; ever offering his Aid, without any Demand there∣of: And if in case he fail so to do, he shall be deemed a Match of Disparagement to any His Highness's Widows, or Wards-Female; and His Excellency shall in Justice forbear to make any Tender of him to any such Ward or Widow.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall procure any Letters from His Highness, to any Widow or Maid, for his Enablement and Com∣mendation, to be advanced to Marriage; but all Prerogative, Woo∣ing set apart, shall for ever cease, as to any of these Knights, and shall be left to the Common Laws of this Land, declared by the Sta∣tute, Quia Electiones liberoe esse debent.

Item, No Knight of this honourable Order, in case he shall grow into decay, shall procure from His Highness Relief and Sustentation, any Monopolies or Privileges, except only these kinds following; that is to say, Upon every Tabaco-pipe, not being one Foot wide. Upon every Lock that is worn, not being seven Foot long. Upon every Health that is drank, not being of a Glass five Foot deep. And upon every Maid in His Highness's Province of Islington, continuing a Virgin after the Age of fourteen Years, contrary to the Use and Custom in that place always had and observed.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall have any more than one Mi∣stress, for whose sake he shall be allowed to wear three Colours: But if he will have two Mistresses, then must he wear six Colours; and so forward, after the rate of three Colours to a Mistress.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall put out any Money upon strange Returns or Performances to be made by his own Person; as, to hop up the stairs to the top of St. Paul's, without intermis∣sion; or any other such like Agilities or Endurances, except it may appear, that the same Performances or Practices do enable him to some Service or Employment; as, if he do undertake to go a Jour∣ny backward, the same shall be thought to enable him to be an Am∣bassador into Turky.

Item, No Knight of this Order, that hath had any Licence to tra∣vel into Foreign Countries, be it by M••p, Card, Sea, or Land, and hath returned from thence, shall presume, upon the Warrant of a Traveller, to report any extraordinary Varieties; as, that he hath ridden through Venice on Horse-back Post, or that in December he sailed by the Cape of Norway, or that he hath travelled over the most part of the Countries of Geneva, or such like Hyp••rbolies, con∣trary to the Statute, Propterea quod qui diversos terrarum ambitus errant & vagantur, &c.

Item, Every Knight of this Order shall do his Endeavour to be much in the Books of the worshipful Citizens of the principal City, next adjoining to the Territories of Purpoole; and none shall unlear∣nedly, or without looking, pay ready Money for any Wares, or other things pertaining to the Gallantness of His Honour's Court; to the ill Example of others, and utter Subversion of Credit betwixt Man and Man.

Item, Every Knight of this Order shall apply himself to some or other vertuous Quality or Ability of Learning, Honour and Arms; and shall not think it sufficient to come into His Honour's Presence-Chamber in good Apparel only, or to be able to keep Company at Play and Gaming: For such it is already determined, that they be put and taken for Implements of Houshold, and are placed in His Honour's Inventory.

Item, Every Knight of this Order shall endeavour to add Confe∣rence and Experience by Reading; and therefore shall not only read and peruse Guizo, the French Aca••••••••, Galiat••o the Courtier, Plu∣tarch,

the Arcadia, and the Neoterical Writers, from time to time; but also frequ••nt the Theatre, and such like places of Experience; and resort to the better sort of Ord'naries for Conference, whereby they may not only become accomplished with Civil Conversations, and able to govern a Table with Discourse; but also sufficient, if n••ed be, to make Epigrams, Emblems, and other Devices appertai∣ning to His Honour's learned Revels.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall give out what gracious Words the Prince hath given him, nor leave Word at his Chamber, in case any come to speak with him, that he is above with His Excellency; nor cause his Man, when he shall be in any publick Assembly, to call him suddainly to go to the Prince, nor cause any Packet of Let∣ters to be brought at Dinner or Supper-time, nor say that he had the Re••usal of some great Office, nor satisfie Suitors, to say, His Honour is not in any good Disposition, nor make any narrow Observation of His Excellency's Nature and Fashions, as if he were inward pri∣vately with His Honour; contrary to the late Inhibition of selling of Smoak.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall be armed, for the Safe-guard 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 such like: Neither shall he draw out of his Pocket any Book or Paper, to read, for the same intent; neither shall he re∣tain any extraordinary Shrug, Nod, or other ••amiliar Motion or Ge∣sture, to the same end; for His Highness, of his gracious Clemen∣cy, is disposed to lend his Countenance to all such Knights as are out of Countenance.

Item, No Knight of this Order, that weareth Fustian, Cloth, or such Statute-Apparel, for Necessity, shall pretend to wear the same for the new Fash••on's sake.

Item, No Knight of this Order, in walking the Streets, or other places of Resort, shall bear his Hands in his Pockets of his great rolled Hose, with the Spanish Wheel, if it be not either to defend his Hands from the Cold, or else to guard forty Shillings Sterling, be∣ing in the same Pockets.

Item, No Knight of this Order shall lay to Pawn his Collar of Knighthood for an hundred Pounds; and if he do, he shall be, ipso facto, discharged; and it shall be lawful for any Man whatosever,

that will retain the same Collar ••or the Sum afor••said, forthwith to take upon him the said Knighthood, by reason of a secret Vertue in the Collar; for in this Order, it is holden for a certain Rule, that the Knighthood followeth the Collar, and not the Collar the Knighthood.

Item, that no Knight of this Order shall take upon him the Per∣son of a Male-content, in going with a more private Retinue than appertaineth to his Degree, and using but certain special, obscure Company, and commending none but Men disgraced, and out of Office; and smiling at good News, as if he knew something that were not true; and making odd Notes of His Highness's Reign, and former Governments; or saying, that His Highness's Sports were well sorted with a Play of Errors; and such like pretty Speeches of Jest, to the end that he may more safely utter his Malice against His Excellency's Happiness; upon pain to be present at all His Ex∣cellency's most glorious Triumphs.

Lastly, All the Knights of this honourable Order, and the re∣nowned Sovereign of the same, shall yield all Homage, Loyalty, unaffected Admiration, and all humble Service, of what Name or Condition soever, to the incomparable Empress of the Fortunate Island.

When the King at Arms had read all these Articles of the Order of the Knighthood, and finished the Ceremonies belonging to the same, and that every one had taken their Places as before, there was variety of Consort-Musick; 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 of the Feast that belongeth to all such honourable Institutions.

This being done, there was a Table set in the midst of the Stage, before the Prince's Seat; and there sate six of the Lords of his Privy Council, which at that time were appointed to attend, in Council, the Prince's Leisure. Then the Prince spake to them in this manner.

My Lords,

WE have made choice of you, as Our most faithful and favou∣red Counsellors, to advise with you, not any particular Action of Our State, but in general, of the Scope and End whereunto you think it most for our Honour, and the Hap••iness of Our State, that Our Go∣vernment be rightly bent and directed: For We mean not to do as ma∣ny Princes use; which conclude of their Ends out of their own Honours, and take Counsel only of the Means (abusing, for the most part, the Wisdom of their Counsellors) set them the right way to the wrong place. But We, desirous to leave as little to Chance or Humour as may be, do now give you liberty and warrant to set before Vs, to what Port, as it were, the Ship of Our Government should be bounden. And thi•• We require you to do, without either Respect to Our Affections, or your own; neither g••essing what is most agreeable with Our Disposition, wherein We may easily deceive you; for Princes Hearts are inscru∣table: Nor, on the other side, putting the Case by your selves, as if you would present Vs with a Robe, whereof Measure were taken by your selves. Thus you perceive Our Mind, and We expect your Answer.

The First Counsellor advising the Exercise of War.

Most Excellent Prince,

EXcept there be such amongst us, as I am fully perswaded there is none, that regardeth more his own Greatness under you, than your Greatness over others, I think there will be little difference in the chusing for you a Goal worthy your Vertue and Power. For he that shall set before him your Magnanimity and Valour, suppor∣ted by the Youth and Disposition of your Body; your ••lourishing Court, like the Horse of Troy, full of brave Commanders and Lea∣ders; your populous and Man-rife Provinces, over••lowing with Warlike People; your Co••fers, like the Indian Mines, when that they are first opened; your Store-houses are as Sea-walls, like to Vulcan's Cave; your Navy like to an huge floating City; the De∣votion

of your Subjects to your Crown and Person, their good A∣greement amongst themselves, their Wealth and Provision; and then your Strength and unrevocable Confederation with the noble and honourable Personages, and the Fame and Reputation without of so rare a Concurrence, whereof all the former Regards do grow: How can he think any Exercise worthy of your Means, but that of Conquest? For, in few Words, What is your Strength, if you find it not? Your Fortune, if you try it not? Your Vertu••, if you shew it not? Think, Excellent Prince, what Sense of Content you found in your self, when you were first invested in our State: For though I know Your Excellency is far from Vanity and Lightness, yet it is the nature of all things to find Rest when they come to due and pro∣per places. But be assured of this, that this Delight will languish and vanish; for Power will quench Appetite, and Satiety will en∣dure Tediousness. But if you embrace the Wars, your Trophies and Triumphs will be as continual Coronations, that will not suffer 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 pleasure, not only to Particulars, but to Cities and Nations; marked the Computations of Times with your Expeditions and Voyages, and the Memory of Places by your Exploits and Victories, in your later Years you shall find a sweet Respect into the Adventures of your Youth, you shall enjoy your Reputation, you shall record your Travels, and after your own time, you shall eternize your Name, and leave deep Foot-steps of your Power in the World. To conclude, Excel••ent Prince, and most worthy to have the Titles of Victories added to other your high and deserved Titles; Remember, the D••vines find nothing more glorious to resemble our State unto, than a Warfare. All things in earnest and jest do affect a kind of Victory, and all other Victories are but Shadows to the Victories of the Wars. Therefore embrace the Wars, for they disparage you not; and believe that if any Prince do otherwise, it is either in the Weakness of his Mind or Means.

The Second Councellor advising the Study of Philosophy.

IT may seem, Most Excellent Prince, that my Lord, which now hath spoken, did never read the just Censures of the wisest Men, who compared great Conquerors to great Rovers and Witches, wh••se Power is in Destruction, and not in Preservation; else would he never have advised your Excellency to become as some Comet, or Blazing Star, which should threaten and pretend nothing but Death and Dearth, Com∣bustions and Troubles of the World. And whereas the governing Fa∣culties of Men are two, Force and Re••son; whereof the one is Bruit, and the other Divine, he wisheth you, for your principal Ornament and Regality, the Talons of the Eagle to catch the Prey, and not the pier∣cing Sight which seeth into the bottom of the Sea: But I, contrary-wise, will wish unto your Highness the Exercise of the best and purest part of the Mind, and the most innocent and meriting Request, being the Conquest of the Works of Nature; making his Proportion, that you bend the Excellency of your Spirits to the searching out, inventing and discovering of all whatsoever is hid in secret in the World, that your Excellency be not as a Lamp that shineth to others, and yet s••eth not it self; but as the Eye of the World, that both carrieth and useth Light. Antiquity, that presenteth unto us in dark Visions, the Wis∣dom of former Times, infor••eth us, that the Kingdoms have always had an Affinity with the Secrets and Mysteries of Learning. Amongst the Persians, the Kings were attended on by the Magi; the Gymnaso∣phists had all the Government under the Princes of Asia; and general∣ly, those Kingdoms were accounted most happy, that had Rulers most ad∣dicted to Philosophy: The Ptolemies in Egypt may be for instance; and Solyman was a Man so seen in the Vniversality of Nature, that he wrote an Herbal of all that was green upon the Earth. No Co••quest of Ju∣lius Caesar m••de him so remembred as the Calendar. Alexander the Great wrote to Aristotle, upon the publishing of the P••ysi••ks, that he esteemed more of excellent Men in Knowledge, than in the Empire. And to this purpose I will commend to your Highness four principal Works and Monuments of your self: First, The collecting of a most perfect and

general Library, wherein whatsoever the Wit of Man hath heretofore committed to Books of worth, be they ancient or modern, printed or Ma∣nuscript, European or of the other Parts, of one or other Language, may be made contributary to your Wisdom. Next, a spacious, wonder∣ful Garden, wherein whatsoever 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 prospering thereof, set and cherished. This Garden to be built about with Rooms, to stable in all rare Beasts, and to cage in all rare Birds; with two Lakes adjoining, the one of fresh Water, and the other of salt, for like variety of Fishes: And so you may have, in a small Compass, a Model of Vniversal Nature made private. The third, A goodly huge Cabinet, wherein whatsoever the Hand of Man, by exquisite Art or Engine, hath made rare in Stuff, Form, or Motion, whatsoever Singu∣larity, Chance and the Shuffle of things hath produced, whatsoever Na∣ture hath wrought in things that want Life, and may be kept, shall be sorted and included. The fourth, Such a Still-house so furnished with Mills, Instruments, Furnaces and Vessels, as may be a Palace fit for a Philosopher's Stone. Thus when your Excellency shall have added depth of Knowledge to the fineness of Spirits, and greatness of your Power, then indeed shall you lay a Trismegistus; and then, when all other Miracles and Wonders shall cease, by reason that you shall have disco∣vered their natural Causes, your self shall be left the only Miracle and Wonder of the World.

The Third Councellor advising Eternizement and Fame, by Buildings and Foundations.

My Lords that have already spoken, Most Excellent Prince, h••v•• both used one Fallacy, in taking that for certain and granted, which was most uncertain and doubt••ul; for the one hath neither drawn in question the Succes•• and F••rtune of the Wars, nor the other, the Difficulties and Errors in the Conclusions of Nature: But these immoderate Hopes and Promises do many times issue from those of the Wars, into Tragedies of Calamities and Distress••s; and those of Mystical Philosophy, into Comedies of ridiculous Frustra∣tions

and Disappointments of such Conceipts and Curiosities: But, on the other side, in one Point my Lords have well agreed; That they both, according to their several Intentions, counselled your Excellency to win Fame, and to eternize your Name; though the one adviseth it in a Course of great Peril, and the other, of little Dig∣nity and Magnificence. But the plain and approved Way that is safe, and yet proportionable to the Greatness of a Monarch, to pre∣sent himself to Posterity, is not Rumour and Hear-say; but the usual Memory of himself, is the Magnificence of goodly and Royal Buil∣dings and Foundations, and the new Institutions of Orders, Ordi∣nances and Societies; that is, that your Coin be stamped with your own Image; so in every part of your State there may be somewhat new; which, by Continuance, may make the Founder and Author remembred. It was perceived at the first, when Men sought to cure Mortality by Fame, that Buildings was the only way; and there∣of proceeded the known holy Antiquity of building the Tower of Babel; which, as it was a Sin in the immoderate Appetite of Fame, so was it punished in the kind; for the Diversities of Languages have imprisoned Fame ever since. As for the Pyramids, the Colosses, the number of Temples, Colleges, Bridges, Aquaeducts, Castles, Theatres, Palaces, and the like, they may shew us, that Men ever mistrusted any other way to Fame than this only, of Works and Monuments. Yea, even they which had the best Choice of other Means. Alexan∣der did not think his Fame so engraven in his Conquests, but that he thought it further shined in the Buildings of Alexandria. Augu∣stus Caesar thought no Man had done greater things in Military A∣ctions than himself, yet that which, at his Death, ran most in his Mind, was his Building; when he said, not as some mistake it, me∣taphorically, but literally, I found the City of Brick, but I leave it of Marble. Constantine the Great was wont to call with En∣vy the Emperor Trajan, Wall-flower, because his Name was upon so many Buildings; which notwithstanding, he himself did embrace in the new founding of Constantinople, and sundry other Buildings: And yet none greater Conquerors than these two. And surely they had reas••n; 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 seedeth and refresheth the other Waters. Nei∣ther

do I, Excellent Prince, restrain my Speeches to dead Buildings only, but intend it also to other Foundations, Institutions and Crea∣tions; wherein I presume the more to speak confidently, because I am warranted herein by your own Wisdom, who have made the First Fruits of your Actions of State, to institute the honourable Or∣der of the Helmet: The less shall I need to say, leaving your Excel∣lency not so much to follow my Advice, as your own Example.

The Fourth Councellor, advising Absolute∣ness of State and Treasure.

LET it not seem Pusillanimity for your Excellency, Mighty Prince, to descend a little from your high Thoughts to a necessary Consi∣deration of your own Estate. Neither do you deny, Honourable Lords, to acknowledge Safety, Profit and Power to be of the Substance of Po∣licy, and Fame and Honour rather to be as Flowers of well ordered Actions, than as good Guides. Now if you examine the Courses propound∣ed according to these Respects, it must be confessed, that the course of Wars may seem to encrease Power, and the course of Contemplations and Foundations not prejudice Safety; but if you look beyond the exterior, you shall find that the first breeds Weakness, and the latter note Peril; for certain it is during Wars, your Excellency will be enforced to your Souldiers, and generally to your People, and become less Absolute and Monarchical than if you reign'd in Peace; and then if your Success be good, that you make new Conquests, you shall be constrained to spend the strength of your ancient and setled Provinces, to assure your new and doubtful, and become like a strong man, that by taking a great Burden upon his Shoulders, maketh himself weaker than he was before. Again, if you think you may not end Contemplations with Security, your Excellency will be deceived; for such Studies will make you retired and disused with your Business; whence will follow admiration of your Authority; as for the other Point, of exercising in every part of your State something new, derived from your self, it will acquaint your Excellency with an humor of Innovation and Alteration; which will make your Reign very turbulent and unsetled, and many times your Change will be for worse; as in the Example last

touched, of Constantine, who by his new Translation of his Estate, rui∣nated the Roman Empire. As for Profit, there appeareth a direct contrariety betwixt that and all the three Courses; for nothing causeth such dissipation of Treasure as Wars, Curiosities and Buildings; and for all this to be recompensed in a supposed Honour, a Matter apt to be much extolled in Words, but not greatly to be praised in Conceit, I do think it a Losers Bargain. Besides that, many politick Princes have received as much Commendation for their wise and well ordered Government, as others have done for their Conquests and glorious Af∣fections. And more worthy, because the Praise of Wisdom and Iudg∣ment is less communicated with Fortune. Therefore, Excellent Prince, be not transported with Shews; follow the Order of Nature, first to make the most of that y••u possess, before you seek to purchase more. To put the Case by a private Man (for I cannot speak high) if a man were born to an hundred Pounds by the Year, and one shew him how with Charge to purchase an hundred Pounds more, and another should shew him how without Charge to raise that hundred Pounds unto five hundred Pounds, I should think the latter Advice should be followed. The Proverb is a Countrey-Proverb, but significative, Milk the Cow that standeth still; why follow you her that flieth away? Do not think, Excellent Prince, that all the Conquests 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 Customs, in derogation of your absolute Prerogatives; these and such like be Conquests of State, though not of War. You want a Joseph, that should by Advice make you the only Proprietor of all the Lands and Wealth of your Sub∣jects. The Means how to strain up your Sovereignty, and how to accu∣mulate Treasure and Revenue, they are the Secrets of your State: I will not enter into them at this place; I wish your Excellency as ready to them, as I know the means ready to perform them.

The Fifth Councellor advising him Vertue, and a Gracious Government.

Most Excellent Prince,

I Have heard sundry Plats and Propositions offered unto you severally: One, to make you a great Prince; another, to make you a strong Prince; and another, to make you a memorable Prince; and a fourth, to make you an absolute Prince; but I hear of no mention to make you a good and a vertuous Prince; which surely my Lords have le••t out in discretion, as to arise o•• your own mo∣tion and choice; and so I should have thought, had they not handled their own Propositions so artificially and perswadingly, as doth as∣sure me their Speech was not formal. But, most Worthy Prince, Fame is too light, and Pro••it and Surety are too low, and Power is either such as you have, or ought not so to seek to have; it is the meriting of your Subjects, the making of Golden Times, the be∣coming of a Natural Parent to your State: These are the only and worthy Ends of your Grace's vertuous Reign. My Lords have taught you to refer all things to your self, your Greatness, Memo∣ry and Advantage; but whereunto shall your self be referred? If you will be heavenly, you must have Influence; will you be as a standing Pool, that spendeth and choaketh his Spring within its self, and hath no Streams nor Current to bless and make fruitful whole Tracts of Countreys, wher••••y it reneweth? Wherefore, first of all, m••st Ver••uous Prince, assure your s••lf of an inward Peace, that the Storms without do not d••••turb any of your Re∣pair••rs of State within; therein use and pra••tise all honourable Di∣vers••ons; that done, visit all the parts of your S••ate, and let the Balm d••st••l every where from your Sovereign Hands to the medi∣cining of any part that complaineth, beginning with your Seat of State, take order that the Fault of your Greatne••s do not reb••und upon your s••lf; have care that your Intelligence, which is the Light of your State, do not go out or burn dim or obscu••e; advan••e Men of Vertue, and not of Mercenary Minds; repress all Factio••, be it either malign or violent. Then look into the State of your

Laws and Justice of your Land; purge out multiplicity of Laws, clear the incertainty of them, repeal those that are snaring, and prize the execution of those that are wholesom and necessary; de∣fine the Jurisdiction of your Courts, reprize all Suits and Vexati∣ons, all causless Delays and fraudulent Shifts and Devices, and re∣form all such Abuses of Right and Justice, assist the Ministers thereof, punish severely 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 the Horse to go alone without Time and Custom. Trust not to your Laws for correcting the Times, but give all strength to good Education; see to the Government of your Universities, 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 sort 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 Flesh and good Habit of the Body. Remedy all decays of Population, make provision for the Poor, remove all stops in Traffick, and all Cancers and Causes of Consumption in Trades and Mysteries; redress all: But whither do I run, exceeding the Bounds of that perhaps I am now demand∣ed? But pardon me, most Excellent Prince, for as if I should com∣mend unto your Excellency the Beauty of some excell••nt Lady, I could not so well express it with Relation, as if I shewed you her Picture; so I esteem the best way to commend a vertuous Govern∣ment, to describe and make appear what it is; but my Pencil per∣haps disgrac••th it: Therefore I leav•• it to your Excellency, to take the Picture out of your wise Observation, and then to double it, and express it in your Government.

The Sixth Councellor perswading Pass-times and Sports.

WHen I heard, Most Excellent Prince, the three first of my Lords so careful to continue your Fame and Memory, me∣thought it was as if a Man should come to some young Prince, as your

self is; and immediately after his Coronation, be in hand with him to make himself a sumptuous and stately Tomb. And, to speak out of my Soul, I muse 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 so deeply in Matters of State; the one perswading you to a more a••solute, the other to a more gracious Government; I assure your Excellency, their Lessons were so cumbersome, as if they would make you a King in a Play; who when one would think he standeth in great Majesty and Felicity, he is troubled to say his part. What! Nothing but Tasks, nothing but Work∣ing-days? No Feasting, no Musick, no Dancing, no Triumphs, no Comedies, no Love, no Ladies? Let other Men's Lives be as Pilgrimages, because they are tied to divers Necessities and Duties; but Princes Lives are as Progresses, dedicated only to Variety and Solace. And if your Excellency should take your Barge in a Summer-Evening, or your H••••se or Chariot, to take the Air; and if you should do any the honour to visit hi••; y••t your Pleasure is the principal, and that is but as it falleth out. S•• if any of these Matters which have been spoken of, fall out in the w••y 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your Pl••a∣sure, it may be taken; but no otherwise. And therefore leave your Wars to your Lieutenants, and your Works and Buildings to your Sur∣veyors, and your Books to your Vniversities, and your State-matters to your Councellors, and attend you that in Person, which you cannot exe∣cute by Deputy: Vse the Advantage of your Youth, be not sullen to your Fortune; make your Pleasure 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, dismiss your five Councellors, and only take Councel of your five Senses.

BUt if a Man should follow your five Senses (said the Prince) I perceive he might ••ollow your Lordship, now and then, in∣to an Inconvenience. Your Lordship is a Man of a very lively and pleasant Advice; which though one should not be forward to fol∣low, yet it fitteth the time, and what Our own Humour inclined o••tentimes to, Delight and Merriment. For a Prince should be of a chearful and pleasant Spirit; not austere, hard-••ronted and sto••cal; but after serious Affairs, admitting Recreation, and using Pleasures, as Sauces for Meats of better Nourishment.

The Prince's Answer and Conclusion to the Speeches of the Councellors.

My Lords,

WE thank you for your good Opinions; which have been so well set forth, as We should think Our Selves not capable of good Counsel, if, in so great variety of perswading Reasons, we should sud∣dainly resolve. Mean while, it shall not be amiss to make choice of the last, and upon more Deliberation to determine of the rest; and what Time we spend in long Consulting, in the end we will gain by prompt and speedy Executing.

The Prince having ended his Speech, arose from his Seat, and took that Occasion of Revelling: So he made choice of a Lady to dance withal; so likewise did the Lord Ambassador, the Pensioners and Courtiers attending the Prince. The rest of that Night was passed in those Pass-times. The Performance of which Nights work being very carefully and orderly handled, did so delight and please the No∣bles, and the other Auditory, that thereby Grays-Inn did not only recover their lost Credit, and quite take away all the Disgrace that the former Night of Errors had incurred; but got instead thereof, so great Honour and Applause, as either the good Reports of our honou∣rable Friends that were present could yield, or we our selves desire.

The next Day the Prince, accompanied with the Ambassador of Templaria, and attended by both Trains, took his Progress from his Court of Graya, to the Lord Mayor's House, called Cosby's Place, in Bishop's-gate-street; as being, before that time, invited to dine with him. This Shew was very stately and orderly performed; the Prince being mounted upon a rich Foot-cloth, the Ambassador likewise ri∣ding near him; the Gentlemen attending, with the Prince's Officers, and the Ambassador's Favourites, before; and the other coming be∣hind the Prince; as he set it down in the general Marshalling, in the beginning. Every one had his Feather in his Cap, to distinguish of whether State he was; the Grayans using a white, and the Templarians using Ash-colour'd Feathers; to the number of fourscore in all, very

well appointed, and provided of great Horses and Foot-cloths, accor∣ding to their Places. Thus they rode very gallantly, from Grays-Inn, through Chancery-lane, Fleet-street, so through Cheap-side, Corn-hill, and to Cosby's Place, in Bishop's-gate-street; where was a very sum∣ptuous and costly Dinner for the Prince, and all his Attendants, with variety of Musick, and all good Entertainment. Dinner being ended, the Prince and his Company having revelled a while, returned again the same Way, and in the same Order as he went thither, the Streets being thronged and filled with People, to see the Gentlemen as they passed by; who thought there had been some great Prince, in very deed, passing through the City. So this popular Shew through the Streets pleased the Lord Mayor and his Commonalty so 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 desired, that his Ambassador might be dispatched with Answer to those Things which he came to treat of. So he was very honourably dismissed, 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; at which time the wonted honourable and worshipful Company of Lords, Ladies and Knights were, as at other times, assembled; and every one of them placed conveniently, according to their Condition. And when the Prince was ascended his Chair of State, and the Trum∣pets sounded, there was presently a Shew which concerned His High∣ness'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.

First, There came six Knights of the Helmet, with three that they led as Prisoners, and were attired like Monsters and Miscreants. The Knights gave the Prince to understand, that as they were returning from their Adventures out of Russia, wherein they aided the Emperor of R••ssia, against the Tartars, they surprized these three Persons, which were consp••••••••g against His Highness and Dignity: and that being apprehended ••y them, they could not urge them to disclose what they were: By w••••ch they res••ing very doubtful, there entred in the two Goddesses ••••••e••y and Amity; and they said, that they would disclose to the Pr•••••••• who these suspected Persons were; and thereupon shewed,

that they were Envy, Male-content and Folly: Which three had much mis-liked His Highness's Proceedings, and had attempted many things against his State; and but for them two, Vertue and Vnited Friend∣ship, all their Inventions had been disappointed. Then willed they the Knights to depart, and to carry away the Offenders; and that they themselves should come in more pleasing sort, and better befit∣ting the present. So the Knights departed, and Vertue and Amity promised, that they two would support His Excellency against all his Foes whatsoever, and then departed with most pleasant Musick. Af∣ter their Departure, entred the six Knights in a very stately Mask, and danced a new devised Measure; and after that, they took to them Ladies and Gentlewomen, and danced with them their Galliards, and so departed with Musick. Which being done•• the Trumpets were commanded to sound, and then the King at Arms came in before the Prince, and told His Honour, that there was arrived an Ambassador from the mighty Emperor of Russia and Moscovy, that had some Mat∣ters of Weight to make known to His Highness. So the Prince wil∣led that he should be admitted into his Presence; who came in At∣tire of Russia, accompanied with two of his own Country, in like Ha∣bit. When they were come in presence of the Prince, the Ambassa∣dor made his Obeysance, 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 most High and Mighty Henry, Prince of Purpoole.

THeodore Evanwhich, the great and mighty Emperor of all Russia, Valderomia, Muscovia and Nevogordia; King of Rasan, and of Astrakan; Lord of Plescoe and Sinelescoe; Prince of Tnaria, S••∣goria, Perma, Vachekey and Bolgaria; Lord and great Duke of Val∣hadha, Norgordia in the Country of Cherenega; and also of Rescod, Polotzkoe, Ogdor and Belesor; sole Prince of Lothekey, Rostow, Ge∣roslave, the white Lake Liselrund, Owdoria, Condencia and Fludoria; great Ruler and Commander of Siberia, and of all the North-side; and Lord Governor of many other Countries and Provinces: To the most mighty,

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 Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerken∣well, great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, Kentish-Town, Paddington and Knights-Bridge, Knight of the most Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same; All Health, and glorious Renown. We have thought good, Most Invincible Prince, upon some Accidents of Importance happened to our State, wherein the Worthiness of some of your Subjects remaining here have increased your Fame, to dispatch to your Highness Our most faithful Councellor, Faman Bega, to intreat with you, in Our Name, of certain important Affairs: Which, though We must confess, do concern Vs in Policy, to have an effectual Regard unto; yet withal, they are such as may minister Occasion to your Highness to add Beams of Honour to your Praise and Glory, which hath already, in a manner, equalled the Light of Heaven in Brightness, which is seen throughout the whole World. We refer you herein for the Particulars, to such Instructions as We have, under Our own Hand, delivered to this our present Ambassador: Wherein, as also in any other Points, whereof he shall treat with your Highness, in Our Name and Affairs, We pray your Sacred Majesty to give Credit to him, as if Our self were present, and treated with you in Pers••n. And so We wish to your Excellency all Happiness answerable to your Peerless Vertue.

Dated at Our Imperial City of Mosco.

When the King at Arms had read this Letter, the Ambassador made this Speech to the Prince.

Most Excell••nt Prince,

FAme seemed to the Emperor, my Sovereign, to do your High∣ness 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 Prowess of divers your Knights of the Helmet, whom the good Fortune of Russia, addressed to your cold Climate, discovered that Fam••, to be either envious in suppres∣sing a great part of your Valour, or unable to set forth so admirable Vertues to their full Merits: For by these five Knights (whose grea∣test Vaunts were, that they were your Excellency's Servants) an

exceeding number of Bigarian Tartars, whose vagabond In-roads, and inhumane Fierceness insested his Borders, captivated his People, burnt his Cities, and spoiled whole Provinces, was by a most won∣derful Victory, repulsed, and beaten back. And withal, by their brave Conduct, they sur••••••zed another Army of Ne-gro-Tartars; whose wretched Devices ceased not to work the Confusion and Com∣bustion of our whole Country, and diverted their barbarous Cruelty where it might do us most damage. These same worthy Knights, before they could receive that Honour wherewith my Soveraign in∣tended to adorn their Vertues, did withdraw themselves, and are re∣tired, as His Majesty is informed, to your Court. Whereupon, he sent me, partly to congratulate your Happiness, who deserve to com∣mand over such a number of gallant Gentlemen; but especially, to conjure your Excellency (according to the ancient League and Ami∣ty continued betwixt you) that you would send him these six Knights, accompanied with an hundred other of the same Order; for he doubteth not, but by their Vertues, accompanied and attended with his own Forces, who are, in largeness of Dominion, and number of People, and all other Warlike Furniture and Provision, inferiour to no Earthly Potentate, that these Runagate Tartars shall be again con∣fined to their Deserts, with their memorable Slaughter, and your com∣mon Glory and Profit: Common indeed, both to your Highness, and him; inasmuch as His Imperial Majesty, contented only with Se∣curity and Assurance of his People and Borders, will permit all those large Territories, and battable Grounds, which now serve those Vermine for Pasturage, be sorted into several Governments, and strengthned with Forts and Castles by your Direction, to be holden of your Excellency, as Commendations by the Knights of special Vertue and Merit of your Order. So shall you, with honourable Commodity, have a perpetual Exercise of your Vertues, become a Bulwark of Christendom, and by raising continual Trophies of strengthned Tartars, keep the Glory of your Vertue in everlasting Flourish. My Sovereign, not doubting but that your Resolution will be conformable to your magnanimous Vertue, and his honou∣rable Demand, charged me only to sollicite Expedition, such as the Necessity of his People and Country doth require. In the mean time, he hath sent your Exc••llency, for a Present, a Ship laden with divers of the best and fairest Fruits, and other richest Commodities

of our Country: Not so much, by Gifts to draw on your speedy Help, to which, he knoweth, the Truth and Justice of the Case will be a Spur sufficient; or for Complement of an ordinary and seldom omit∣ted Companion of great Embassies; but rather for a Seal and Testi∣mony of the exceeding Honour that he beareth to your matchless Vertue, and the great Love he beareth to your incomparable Person. The Present is at your next Haven, ready to be offer••d to your Sa∣cred Hands, at your convenient leisure; together with some small Gifts sent to those valiant Knights, whose highly deserving Vertues my Sovereign meaneth, at their long expected Return to his Court, to crown with a Garland more worthy his Greatness, and their Merits.

The Answer of the Prince to the former Speech.

Russia Lord,

THe Emperor, your Master, is happy in having so honourable a Gentleman, as your self, to do him Service. He shall well per∣ceive, that there is nothing in the World more acceptable to Vs, than the Friendship of a Prince so mighty and illustrious. We account, amongst our greatest Happinesses, t••is honourable Embassage. His Pre∣sents are so large and bountiful, as We have right good Occasion to hold him the most free and magnificent Prince in the World. We joy to hear of his hardy Adventures, that by Our Knights in those Parts have been atchieved. They may be glad that our worthy Brother invited them to so high an Enterprize, wherein they may do themselves Honour, and His Greatness Service. Rest and refresh your Lordship this present, for now We bid you welcome: Assure your self, your Request is already gran∣ted, and that in far greater Measure than you expec••••d or desired.

When the Prince had thus spoken, the Ambassador was placed in a Chair near the Prince; and then was served up a Running Banquet, for the Prince, and the Lord•• present, and the rest, with variety of Musick.

Whilst th••se things were thus a doing, there came a Post-boy, with Letters of Intelligence concerning the State, from divers Parts of His Highness••s Provinces, and delivered them to the Secretary; who made the Prince acquainted therewith, and caused them to be read openly and publickly.

A Letter of Advertisement from Knights-bridge, to the Honourable Council.

I Beseech your Honours to advertise His Highness, that in His Ex∣cellency's Canton of Knights-bridge, there do haunt certain Foreig∣ners, that sieze upon all Passengers, taking from them by force their Goods, under a pretence that being Merchants Strangers, and using Traf∣fick into His Highness's Territories of Clerken-well, Islington, and elsewhere, they have robbed of their Goods, spoiled of their Wares; whereby they were utterly undone: And that His Honour, of his good Will, hath been pleased to grant them Letters of Reprisal, to recover their Loss of them that come next to their Hands: By colour whereof, they lay hold of all that pass by, without respect. Some of their Names, as I understand, are Johannes Shagbag, Robertus Untruss, James Ra∣pax, aliàs Capax. There do reign likewise thereabouts another sort of dangerous People, under the Name of poor Soldiers, that say they were mamed, and lost their Limbs in His Honour's Service and Wars against the Amazons; and they pretend to have Pass-ports from their Captains. Some of them say, they have served under Sir Robert Kemp, and Sir William Cooke; others, under William Knaplocks, Lord Marshal, Sir Francis Marham, Captain Crymes, Captain Conny, Yelverton, Hu∣gan, Sir Francis Davison, and some other of good Place. Some say, that they were mamed with Fire-locks; others, in the Trenches; others, in going with their Captains, to discover Ambuscadoes of the Enemy, and to view the Forts; others, in standing Sentry, whilst the Captains were busied in entring the Breach; others, in the very Approach at the first. But the number of them is great, and the same inclined to do much Mischief. Another sort there is, that pretend that they have Prote∣ctions to beg, in regard of their Losses by Shipwreck upon certain Rocks of Hazard, Barred Quarter-trays, High-men and Low-men, Bom-Cards, the Sands of Bowle-Allies, the Shelf of New-Cut, the Gulf of Myne and Gill, and such other like places of Peril. Some of them are called by the Names of Harry Ordinary, Jack Moneyless, Will Cog-all, and Roger Spend-all. These aforesaid People do gather together in great numbers, and His Excellency's Subjects hereabouts stand in great fear

of Outrages by them to be committed, except His Highness do prevent the same, and that speedily, by sending some of the Captains aforesaid to disperse them.

Your Honours at Command, Henry Brownbill.

From Knights-bridge Ian. 5. 1594.

Another Letter from Sea, directed to the Lord Admiral.

BY my Letters given at Pont-Holborn, the Last of December, I gave your Honour to understand, that His Excellency's Mer∣chants of Purpoole began to surcease their Traffick to Clerkenwell, Newington and Bank-side, and such like Roads of Charge and Dis∣charge, because they feared lest certain Rovers, which lay hovering about the Narrow Seas, should intercept them in their Voyages. Since which time, may it please your Honour, I have discovered an huge Armado of French Amazons, to the number of seven hundred Caracts, Galeasses, great Galeasses, and tall Ships; besides Pinnaces, Frigots, Carvels, Shallops, and such small Vessels innumerable; which being dispersed into sundry Creeks, work daily much damage to all sorts of People, and Adventurers hold in durance; not suffe∣ring one Man to escape, till he have turned French. Divers Ensigns, Standards, Pendants, Tilting-staves, short Trunchions for the prin∣cipal Officers, and such like Provision for His Excellency's Triumphs, they have cast over-board; for no other Cause, save that his Subjects were bound inward from Gelderland, a Nation that they have al∣ways hated: Besides that, they exact so unreasonably of those that trade into Netherland, that they leave them neither Lands, Goods, nor good Wares. Also they sink all those that use any Dealings with the People of Cleive, without respect, whether he be Merchant, or Man of War. To conclude, they burn all those Vessels that trans∣port any dry Wares into the Low-Countries. Moreover, I am to ad∣vertise your Honour, that on the 9^th. Day of Ianuary, in the Straits of the Gulf of Clerkenwell, there was an hot Skirmish between a Mer∣chant

of St. Giles's, called Amarpso, and the Admiral of the Amazons, called the Rowse-flower; wherein the Merchant having gained the Wind, came up with her in such close manner, that he brake his Bolt-sprite in her hinder Quarter: Yet notwithstanding, the Fight conti∣nued fiercely, on either part, two long Hours, and more; in which time, our Gunner, being a very expert Soldier, shot her ••our or five times under Water: Then the Merchant perceiving his Powder to be spent, was inforced to grapple; and so, with great Resolution, laid her a-board on the Waste, which he found stoutly defended by the French; yet, at length, being driven from their close Fight, they were constrained to keep under Hatches, where one of the Soldiers entring, spied Fire in the Gun-room; notwithstanding•• he descen∣ded very desperately. Then the Admiral, seeing no hope to escape, fired her Powder, and burnt her self. The Soldiers, and the Ship, which, as I after learned, was of an incomparable Burthen; insomuch that she 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 Vezolle. The chief of Account that were blown up, were Catharina Dardana, Pecta de Lee, and Maria de Rotulis. The rich Carrick of Newington coming to rescue their Admiral, were so close at fight when she was fired, that the Flame of the Wild-fire caught hold of t••eir Captain's inner Cabbin; and had not one Barbara de Chirur∣gia been ready with his Syringe, to have cast on Water, Milk, Lotium, and such like cooling Liquors, and there quenched the Wild-fire be∣times, they had been both, doubtless, consumed to Ashes: But by his Care and Coming, they are both escaped alive, though shrewdly scorched, and are taken Prisoners. The whole number of them that perished in this hot Conflict, is five hundred fifty five; and Prisoners, ninety nine. Our Ship had no other hurt, save that she sprang her Main-Mast in such sort, as that she is not able to bear any high Sa••l. Thus having advertised your Honour of every Particular Accident which I could learn, I am humbly to desire your Lordship to acquaint His Excellency and his Privy Council therewith; that such speedy Order may be taken therein, as seemeth to their Wisdoms most conv••∣nient. And so, with all Duty, I kiss your Hands.

Your Honour's Servant, John Puttanemico.

From the Harbour of Bride-well, the 10th. of January, 1594.

There were also read like Letters from Stapulia and Bernardia, of Intelligences, and also from Low-Holborn; wherein were set forth the Plots of Rebellion and Insurrection, that those, His Excellency's Sub∣jects, had devised against His Highness and State, and of some other Occurrences in those Parts of His Highness's Dominions. And when they were all read, the Prince made this Speech following.

THese suddain Accidents (Lords) would make a Prince of little Spi∣rit suspect himself to be unfortunate. The Stapulian fallen away; the Bernardian holds out! News of Tumults, Treasons, Conspiracies, Commotions, Treacheries, Insurrections! Say our Lands were sacked, our Wealth spoiled, our Friends slain, our Self forsaken, vanquished, capti∣vated, and all the Evils that might be, were fallen upon Us; yet could there be nothing so adverse, but that our Fortitude and heighth of Cou∣rage were able to over-work. These Events are not Matters of Moment, or of Substance of our Government: These are not Misfortunes, but For∣tune's Iests, that gives them she loves not, shews of good Luck, that in the end she may do them greater Spight: But when she meaneth Good, she prepares Men with some little Bitterness, that her good Turns, when they come, may seem more pleasant and delightful. These Events proceed of Error in our former Government, who should not have put great Men, well loved, or popular, into so great places of Sovereignty; nor one Man should possess so great a Place, of so great Command; by too much Autho∣rity and Greatness, a right good Mind is oftentimes corrupted: In this late, We rather allow a severe Man, somewhat hated; for better were a little profitable Civil Dissention, than a League and Love that were like∣ly to prove dangerous. Lords, you shall find it an harder matter to keep things once gotten, than at the first to obtain it. Hitherto no Prince in this World hath had better Success than our Self. Men say, that So∣vereignty is uncertain, and an ill Security; subject to Cares, Troubles, Envy, Treacheries, Hate, Fear, Distrust: We have hitherto found none of those. That a Prince hath no sure Friend, no faithful Servant, no safe Place, no quiet Hour, no secure Pleasure: All these have We, and more, in great abundance; and these things, which to other Princes have been the occasions of Mis-hap, have been to Vs the very Instruments of Pleasure, and much Service. What Prince ever found in his Subjects, in Matters of Weight, more Love, more Loyalty, more Readiness, more Service? When We have been inclined to solace, what Liveliness, what

Alacrity, what ingenious Devices, Sports, Iollities, what variety of Pleasure? How have We been honoured with the Presents of divers Princes, Lords, and Men of great Worth; who, confident in our Love, without Fear or Distrust, have come to visit Vs; by whose honourable Kindness, We are to them for ever devinct, and most firmly bounden? How hath the favourable Regard, and bright Eyes of brave Ladies shi∣ned upon Our Endeavours, which to their Honours and Service have been ever intended? How have We been gratulated with divers Ambas∣sadors from divers Nations? What Concourse of all People hath been continually at Our Court, to behold Our Magnificence? Shall small Mat∣ters therefore daunt Vs? Shall a few tumultuary Disorders dismay Vs? Shall ill-guided Insurrections trouble Vs, that are, like Mushrooms, sprung up in a Night, and rotten before the Morning? We are loath to believe that there be such Sparks of Dissention and Mischief; but if there be, We will make haste to quench them, before they grow into vio∣lent Flames; for it is no longer Consulting, where a Man cannot commend the Counsel, before he hath seen the Effect. Nor shall it require the Presence of a Prince to settle these small Commotions: Lords, We send you to these Places where Need is; and as Occasion serveth, We will take Order that Garisons be planted, Citadels erected, and whatsoever else be performed, that shall be convenient to sub-act and bring under these unsetled Provinces. Our Self, with Our chosen Knights, with an Army Royal, will make towards our Brother of Russia, with my Lord here, his Ambassador, presently to join with him against 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 those Ladies whom, in Knightly Honour, I love and serve, I will make the Name of a Grayan Knight more dreadful to the Barbarian Tartars, than the Macedonian to the wearied Persians, the Roman to the dispersed Britains, or the Cas••alian to the weakned Indians. Gentle Ladies, be now benign and gracious to your Knights, that never pleased themselves, but when their Service pleased you; that for your sakes shall undertake hard Adventures, that will make your Names and Beauties most 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 Vertue shall be for ever advanced, protected and admired.

When the Prince had concluded, for his Farewel, he took a L••dy to dance withal, and so did the rest of the Knights and Courtiers; and after some time spent in Revelling, the Prince took his way to his Lodging, and so the Company dissolved, and made an end of this Night's Work.

On the next Morning His Highness took his Journey towards Rus∣sia, with the Ambassador, and there he remained until Candlemas; at which time, after his glorious Conquests abroad, His Excellency retur∣ned home again; in which the Purpose of the Gentlemen was much disappointed by the Readers and Ancients of the House, by reason of the Term: So that very good Inventions, which were to be perfor∣med in publick at his Entertainment into the House again, and two grand Nights which were intended at his Triumphal Return, where∣with his Reign had been conceitedly determined, were by the afore∣said Readers and Governors made frustrate, for the Want of Room in the Hall, the Scaffolds being taken away, and forbidden to be built up again (as would have been necessary for the good Discharge of such a Matter) thought convenient; but it shewed rather what was performed, than intended. Brie••ly, it was as followeth.

Upon the 28^•h. of Ianuary, the Hall being sate at Dinner, with Rea∣ders, and all the rest of the House, suddainly sounded a Trumpet; which being thrice done, there entred the King at Arms, and in the midst of them, said as followeth.

ON the b••half of my Sovereign Lord, Sir Henry, the Right Ex∣cellent, and A••l-conquering Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke o•• High and Net••er Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles's and Tottenham, Count P••l••tine of Bloomsbury and Cl••r∣••••nwell, great Lord of the Can••ons of Islington, Kentish-Town, Pad∣dington and Knights-bridge, K••ight of the m••st Her••ic••l Order of the Helmet, and S••vereign of the same; I, H••s Excellency's King at Arm••, dispatched from his Royal N••v••, triumphantly returning from his glo∣rious Conquests of the Negarian Tartars, do, in His Highness••s N••me, command all his Officers, Knights and Pensioners to give their Atten∣dance on His Highness's Person, at his Port of Black-wallia, on the 1st•• of February. And His Highness hath further commanded me to give no∣tice to all his Servants within his Dominions, of whatsoever Condition, that they be ready to perform all O••••ices of O••edience and Subjection, as well be∣cometh their Loyalty to so Gracious a Sovereign••

When this News of the Prince's Return out of Russia was thus sent abroad, and that it was known that His Highness was to come by Greenwich, where the Court then lay, it was given the Gentlemen to understand, that Her Majesty did expect, that in passing by, our Prince should land, and do his Homage; the rather because, in Christmas, there was great Expectation of his coming thither, to present Her Ma∣jesty with some Pass-time, and none performed. Whereupon it was determined, that in passing by, there should be a Letter directed to Sir Thomas Heneage, our honourable good Friend, that he should ex∣cuse us for that time; which Letter hereafter is set down.

Upon the 1st. 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 so near his own Country, he left his Navy of Ships, as not fit for so short a Cut, and the matter not being very great or dangerous, and he and his Retinue took to them fifteen Barges, bravely furnished with Standards, Pendants, Flags and Strea∣mers: There was also in every Barge, Musick and Trumpets; and in some, Ordnance and Shot. Being thus gallantly appointed, we came on our Way by the Stairs at Greenwich, where the Ordnance was shot off, and the whole Navy made a Sail round about; and the second time, when the Admiral, in which the Prince was, came directly be∣fore the Court-Stairs, His Highness dispatched two Gentlemen with Letters to the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Heneage; the Copy whereof followeth.

Henry Prince of Purpoole, to the Right Ho∣nourable Sir Thomas Heneage.

Most Honourable Knight,

I Have now accomplished a most tedious and hazardous Iourney, though very honourable, into Russia; and returning within the view of the Court of your renowned Queen, my gracious Sovereign, to whom I ac∣knowledge Homage and Service, I thought good, in passing by, to kiss her sacred Hands, as a Tender of the Zeal and Duty I owe unto Her Majesty; but in making the Offer, I found, my Desire was greater than the Ability of my Body; which, by length of my Iourney, and my Sick∣ness

at Sea, is so weakned, as it were very dangerous for me to adven∣ture it. Therefore, most honourable Friend, let me intreat you to make my humble Excuse to Her Majesty for this present: and to certi∣fie Her Highness, that I do hope, by the Assistance of the Divine Pro∣vidence, to recover my former Strength about Shrovetide; at which time I intend to repair to Her Majesty's Court (if it may stand with her gracious Pleasure) to offer my Service, and relate the Success of my Iourney. And ••o praying your Honour to return me Her Majesty's Answer, I wish you all Honour and Happiness.

Dated from Ship-board, at our Ark of Vanity, the 1st. of February, 1594.

The Letter being delive••ed, and Her Majesty made acquainted with the Contents, her gracious Answer was; That if the Letter had not excused his Passing by, he should have done Homage before he had gone away, although he had been a greater Prince than he was: Yet she said, she liked well his gallant Shews, that were made at his Triumphant Return. And Her Highness added further, That if he would come at Shrovetide, he and his Followers should have Enter∣tainment according to his Dignity. And the Messenger returned Answer.

The Prince and his Company continued their Course, until they came to the Tower; where, by Her Majes••y'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 L••nd∣ing, Men attending with Horses, very gallantly Appointed, for all the Company, to the number of one hundred; the most of them being great Horses, and the rest very choice Geldings; and all very bravely furnished with all things necessary. So the Prince ••eing moanted, and his Company in Order, as before s••t down, eve••y Man according to his Office, with the Ensign thereof, they rode very gallantly through Tower-street, Fen-church-street, Grace-c••urc••-street, Corn-hill, Cheap-side, and so through St. Paul's Church-yard; where, at St Paul's School, His Highness was entertained with an Oration, made ••y one of the Scholars of that School; the Copy wh••r••of followeth.

Henrico, Illustrissimo & Potentissimo Purpoolae Principi, Ar∣chi-duci Stapuliae & Bernardiae, Superioris & Inferioris Holborn Duci, Sancti Aegidii & Tottenham Marchioni, de Clerkenwell & Bloomsbury Comiti Palatino, Domino mag∣no Cantonum de Islington, Kentish-Town, Paddington & Knights-bridge, Heroici Ordinis Galcotae Equiti Aurato, & ejusdem Domino Serenissimo.

IMportunum fortasse suerit (Purpooliensis Princeps Serenissime) apud tantam Majestatem t••am tam intempestivo tempore perorare. Vix enim sperare ausus sum, velle te, qui tantam personam sustines, tuumque hunc comitatum verè Aulicum, post victorias partas terrâ marique maxi∣mas, ad vocem puerilem in mediâ instructissimi triumphi solemnitate con∣sistere. Verum per affibilitatem in summis principibus semper laudatis∣simam, liceat mihi proetereunti celsitudini tuae musarum nostrarum benevolentiam offerre, & gratulationem hanc meam qualemcunque post tam illustrem tuum & triumphantem, ac per totum orbem divulgatum è Russiâ reditum, kâc meâ oratione Generosis omnibus testatum relinquere. Quamvis enim subitò nobis excidat, & ad tantam Majestatem quasi ob∣stupescat oratio, gratulatio tamen quae magis sit offerri, quaeque sit officii & amoris erga virtutes Generosas plenior afferri certè quidem non po∣test. Nonne vides civitatem ipsam quasi sedibus suis convulsam ad congratulandum tanto Principi procedere? Quid existimas totum hunc concursum cogitare? In cujus ora vultusque horum omnium oculos conje∣ctos putas? Quem sensum reddis amicorum nostrorum? Quid cupimus? Quid optamus? Quid agimus? Nonne ut tam voluntates nostras testemur, quam victoriis gratulemur tuis? Quid igitur mirum si schola, etiam no∣stra virtutum Generosarum emula, victoriis & triumphis illustrissimis gratulari gestiat? Perge igitur, & optimis auspiciis perge, Clarissime Princeps, ad Purpooliense palatium tuum redito, Grayorum oraculum, quo tanquam Delphici Apollinis voce fatidica omnes controversiae diri∣muntur. De Hispano hoste omnium Principum communi invadendo, con∣sulito. Quam facile tuus jam sanguine madens Tartarorum gladius, praesertim si Templarios tibi antiquo foedere conjunctos in belli novi so∣cietatem asciscas, aliorum omnium & strictos gladios retundet, & clypeos

excutiet? Hispani invidia rumpantur ut Ilia Codro. Interim verò Musae nostrae & praeteritis tuis applaudent victoriis, & Paladem suam exorabunt antiquam Grayorum, ut te alterum jam Agamemnonem, qui multos habes Achilles & Ulysses Comites tuos, galeâ suâ induat, clypeo protegat, & hastâ (hostibus tuis omnibus fusis profligatisque) in perpetuum conservat.

The Oration being ended, the Prince rewarded the Boy very boun∣ti••ully, and thanked them for their good Wills, and Forwardness to ••hew the same. Then we marched on our Way, as before, by Lud∣g••te, and through Fleet-street; where, as all the way else, the Streets were so thronged and filled with People, that there was left but room for the Horse-men that were to pass. 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 shew their Love and Loyalty to His Highness.

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 spent the Day ••ollowing; but there was no other Performance, by reason of want of the Stage and Scaffolds, till Shrovetide, that they went to the Court: And the things that were then performed before Her Majesty, were rather to discharge our own Promise, than to satisfie the Expectation of others. In that regard, the Plot of those Sports were but small; the rather, that Tediousness might be avoided, and confused Disorder, a thing which might easily happen in a multitude of Actions; the Sports therefore con∣sisted of a Mask, and some Spe••••••es, that were as Introductions to it, as ••olloweth.

The Speakers.

• An Esquire of the Princ•••• Company, attended by a Tartarian Page.
• Proteus, the Sea-God, attended by two Tritons.
• Thamesis and Amphitrite, who likewise were attended by their Sea-Nymphs.

These five were Musicians, which sung on the first Coming on the Stage.

At the first Coming on the Stage, the Nymphs and Tritons sung this Hymn following, in praise of Neptune; which being ended, the Speakers made their Speeches in order, as followeth.

OF Neptune's Empire let us sing, At whose Command the Waves obey, To whom Rivers Tribute pay, Down the high Mountains sliding: To whom the Scaly Nation yields Homage for their Chrystal Fields, Wherein they dwell. And every Sea-God praise again, Tearly out of his watry Cell, To deck great Neptune's Diadem.

The Tritons dancing in a Ring, Before his Palace-Gates, do make The Waiters with their Trumpets quake, Like the great Thunder sounding. The Sea-Nymphs chaunt their Accents shrill, And the Syrens taught to kill With their sweet Voice, Make every echoing Voice reply Vnto their gentle mourning Noise, In praise of Neptune's Empery.

Esquire,

PRoteus, it seems you lea•• a merry Life; Your Musick follows you where ere you go. I thought you Sea-Gods, as in your Abode, So in your Nature, had not been ••nlike To Fishes; the which, as say Philosophers, Have so small Sense of Musick's Delight, As 'tis a Doubt not fully yet resolv'd, Whether of Hearing they have Sense, or no.

Proteus,

'Twas great Discourse of Reason, to regard The dreaming Guess of a Philosopher,

That never held his idle buzzing head Vnder the Water half an Hour's space, More than that famous old received History Of good Arion, by a Dolphin saved.

Esquire,

Well, let that pass, and to the purpose now: I thought that you that are a Demy-God, Would not have fail'd my Expectation thus.

Proteus,

Why so, fair 'Squire? Is not my Promise kept, And duly the appointed time observ'd?

Esquire,

Yes; and 'tis that in which I rest deceiv'd: I rather deem'd, and not without good Cause, That those still floating Regions where you bide, And th' ever-changing Nature that you have, Naught else but Breach of Promise, promised.

Proteus,

'Twere strange if that my Word, which Credit keeps, In future things, and hidden Secrecies, Should fondly fail in keeping Promise made: Fondly indeed, when 'tis for my Avail. Here are the Rocks; your Person, or your Prize. But tell me, Squire; Where's th' appointed place, In which we shall these vaunted Wonders see?

Esqui••e,

Well may you Wonders term them, Proteus: For these are Wonders that pass Humane Wit: These shall surpass thy Wit, though half divine. But for to put you out of further Doubt, This is the place, where all those Promises, Agreed upon betwixt the Prince and you, Shall be perform'd; and shall be so perform'd, So far beyond your doubting Expectation, So far beyond his modest Declaration. And you shall say, thrice happy Prot••us; Whose Ears unblessed, were to bless mine Eyes.

Amphitrite,

Your fair set Speeches make us two amazed. But tell us, Squire, what be those Promises, And those agreed Covenants? And whereon Did they arise 'twixt Proteus and your Prince?

Esquire,

Fair Amphitrite, I will tell you all. After the Victory at Austrican Had made an end of the Tartarian War, And quite dispers'd our vanquish'd Enemies Vnto their Hoards, and huge vast Wilderness; Our noble Prince, and his couragious Knights, Whose untry'd Valour, in the Battle fought, Was rather warm'd, than fully exercis'd, Finding no Enterprise that did deserve Th' Employment of their brave united Force, After Assignment of a Day and Place, Where both himself and all his Knights should meet, Dispers'd themselves into many sundry Quests, To seek Adventures as they should befal. The Prince himself, who only was attended By me his Squire, had many strange Exploits; Which since they shortly shall be put in Print, Ioin'd with Prince Arthur's famous Chronicle, I shall not now need to repeat at large. Amongst the rest, when as the time approach'd, That, as it was assign'd, we shou'd all meet, It thus fell out: The Prince, one Sun-shine Day, Resting himself within a goodly Tuft Of tall streight Firr-trees that adorn'd the Shoar, Reading a Letter, lately sent to him From one of his brave Knights, that did import, H••w he, in token of his dutious Love, And for a Trophy of his Victories, Had lately sent him a Commodity Of Pigmies, taken in private Conquest, Resting and residing: Suddainly he espy'd Of Porpoises a great unusual Flock,

Playing and springing in the climbing Wave••. Drawn with this sight near to the Shoar, Mounting a little Cliff, he soon discern'd A Cave, whose frame seem'd more than natural; And viewing near with wary heedful Eyes, At length he spy'd this Fish hard there asleep; Whom by his Head and Haviour he suspected To be this Proteus; as it was indeed. Our Prince streight, ready at his Fortune's Call, With easie stealing Steps, drew near to him: And being near, with great Agility, Siezed suddainly upon this Demy-God. He thus surpris'd, resorted presently To his familiar Arts, and turning Tricks. My Lord, like to a skilful Falconer, Continu'd still to keep his fastned Hold.

Thamesis.

The Story of those oft transformed Shapes, I long to hear from you that present were, And an Eye-witness of that strange Conflict.

Esquire,

All shall fair Thamesis know then, that Proteus Viewing the gallant Shape, and budding Youth Of my brave Lord, the Form that first he took, Was of a goodly Lady, passing fair; Hoping, belike, that whilst he us'd Respect Due to her matchless Beauty, and her Sex, Himself being now unloos'd, might slide away: But finding him, that knew his wily Shifts, Embrace him straiter in that feigned shape; Next, unto a Serpent he transform'd himself, With fiery Eyes, and dreadful blackish Scales, And three-fork'd hissing Tongue, that might affright Th' undaunted Master of dread Cerberus; Pressing with doubled Strength his scaled Crest; Wherewith the Prince, rather enrag'd than fear'd, Made him betake him to another Form; Which was, a sumptuous Casket, richly wrought; Whereout, when it open'd, many Diadems,

And Rubies of inestimable worth, Seemed by chance to drop into the Sea. This working nought but Scorn, and high Disdain, He lastly shew'd him a sad Spectacle, Which was, the North-East of his valiant Knights, And best beloved of my Lord, the Prince, Mangl'd and prick'd with many a grisly Wound, Weltring their valiant Limbs in purple Goar, Gasping, and closing their faint dying Eyes. This with the Prince, now us'd to his Delusions, Prevail'd no more, than did the rest before. When Proteus then had chang'd his changing Weed, And fix'd himself in his own wonted Shape, Seeing no other Means could ought prevail, He Ransom profer'd for his Liberty. And first of all, he offer'd to aread To him, and unto all his Knights, Fortune's Spell. But when my Lord reply'd, that that was fit For unresolved Cowards to obtain; And how his Fortune's often changing Play, Would lose the Pleasure of his chief Delight, If the Catastrophe should be before known: Then offer'd he huge Treasures, Ladies Loves, Honour and Fame, and famous Victories. My Lord made Answer, that he never would Offer his Honour so great Wrong, to take, By Gift or Magick, without Sweat or Pain, Labour or Danger, Vertue's truest Prize, That, which by mortal Hand might be atchiev'd; And therefore willed him, as Demy-God, To offer somewhat that might be above The lowly Compass of an Humane Power. When Proteus saw the Prince could make his Match, He told him then, that under th' Artick Pole Th' Adamantine Rock, the Sea's true Star Was situate; which, by his Power Divine, He, for his Ransom, wou'd remove, and plant Whereas he should appoint: Assuring him,

That the wild Empire of the Ocean (If his fore-telling Spirit fail'd him not) Should follow that, where e'er it should be set. But then again, he added this Condition, Which, as he thought, would no way be perform'd; That first the Prince should bring him to a Power, Which in attractive Vertue should surpass The wond'rous force of his Iron-drawing Rocks. My Lord, that knew himself as well assur'd, As Proteus thought his own Match surely made, Easily yielded to his Covenant; And promis'd further, on his Princely Word, That he himself, and seven of his Knights, Wou'd enter Hostages into the Rock, Which should be brought to the appointed place, Till this great Covenant should be perform'd, Which now rests to be done. Now, Proteus, Since 'tis a Question of Comparison, Blazon you forth the Virtue of your Rock.

Proteus,

What needeth Words, when great Effects proclaim Th' attractive Virtue of th' Adamantine Rocks, Which forceth Iron, which all things else commands. Iron, of Metals Prince by ancient Right; Though factious Men in vain conspire to seat Rebellious Gold in his usurped Throne. This, sundry Metals, of such strength and use (Dis-join'd by distance o' th' whole Hemisphere) Continually, with trembling Aspect, True Subject-like, eyes his dread Sovereign. Thus hath this Load-stone, by his powerful Touch, Made the Iron-Needle, Load-Star of the World, A Mercury, to paint the gainest way In watry Wilderness, and desert Sands; In confidence whereof, th' assured Mariner Doth not importune Jove, Sun, or Star. By his attractive Force, was drawn to light, From depth of Ignorance, that new found World,

Whose Golden Mines Iron found out and conquer'd. These be the Virtues, and extend so far, Which you do undertake to counterpraise.

Esquire,

Proteus, The Seas have taught your Speech to swell, Where Work of Mind doth watry Castles make. But calm a while your over-weening Vaunts; Prepare Belief, and do not use your Eyes.

Excellent Queen, true Adamant of Hearts; Out of that sacred Garland ever grew Garlands of Vertues, Beauties and Perfections, That crowns your Crown, and dims your Fortune's Beams, Vouchsafe some Branch, some precious ••lower, or Leaf, Which, though it wither in my barren Verse, May yet suffice to over-shade and drown The Rocks admired of this Demy-God. Proteus, stout Iron-Homager to your Rock, In praise of Force, and Instruments of Wars, Hath Praise ended; yet place your Praises right; For Force to Will, and Wars to Peace do yield. But that I'll give you. This I wou'd fain know, What 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 springs. Lo Proteus then, the attractive Rock of Hearts: Hearts, which once truly touched with her Beams, Inspiring purest Zeal and Reverence As well unto the Person, as the Power, Do streight put off all Temper that is false, All hollow Fear, and schooled Flattery, Turn Fortune's Wheel, they ever keep their Point, And stand direct upon the Loyal Line. Tour Rock claims Kindred of the Polar Star, Because it draws the Needle to the North; Yet even that Star gives place to Cynthia's Rays, Whose drawing Virtues govern and direct The Flots and Re-flots of the Ocean.

But Cynthia, praised be your watry Reign, Your Influence in Spirits have no place. This Cynthia high doth rule those heavenly Tides, Whose sovereign Grace, as it doth wax or wain, Affections so, 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 pass the Mountains, Seas and desert Sands. Vnto this living Saint have Princes high Of Foreign Lands, made vowed Pilgrimage. What Excellencies are there in this frame, Of all things, which her Vertue doth not draw? The Quintescence 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, whilst Tempests beat abroad, The Lordly and the lowly Shepherd both, In plenteous Peace have fed their happy Flocks. Vpon the force of this inviolate Rock, The Giant-like Attempts of Power unjust Have suffer'd Wreck. And, Proteus, for the Seas, Whose Empire large your praised Rock assures: Your Gift is void, it is already here; As Russia, China, and Negellan's Strait Can witness bear, well may your Presence be Impressa apt thereof; but sure, not Cause. Fisher divine, congratulate your self, Your Eyes hath won more than your State hath lost; Yield Victory, and Liberty, and Thanks.

Proteus.

Against the Truth, that's Lands and Seas above, It fits no Proteus make a vain Reply. The Shallop may not with small Ships contend, Nor windy Bubble with a Billow strive, Nor Earthly things compare with greatest Queen••

That hath and shall a Regal Sceptre sway. Bless'd be that Prince that forc'd me see this Grace, Which worldly Monarchies, and Sea-Powers adore. Take Thanks of Gift, and Liberty of Due.

When these Speeches were thus delivered, Proteus, with his bident striking of Adamant, which was mentioned in the Speeches, made Utterance for the Prince, and his seven Knights, who had given them∣selves as Hostages for the performance of the Covenants between the Prince and Proteus, as is declared in the Speeches. Hereat Proteus, Amphitrite and Thamesis, with their Attendants, the Nymphs and Tritons, went unto the Rock, and then the Prince and the seven Knights issued forth of the Rock, in a very stately Mask, very richly attired, and gallantly provided of all things meet for the performance of so great an Enterprize. They come forth of the Rock in Couples, and before every Couple came two Pigmies with Torches. At their first coming on the Stage, they danced a new devised Measure, &c. After which, they took unto them Ladies; and with them they dan∣ced their Galliards, Courants, &c. And they danced another new Mea∣sure; after the end whereof, the Pigmies brought eight Escutcheons, with the Maskers Devices thereupon, and delivered them to the E∣squire, who offered them to Her Majesty; which being done, they took their Order again, and with a new Strain, went all into the Rock; at which time there was sung another new Hymn within the Rock.

The second Hymn, which was sung at the Departure of the Maskers into the Rock.

Shadows before the shining Sun do vanish: Th' Iron-forcing Adamant doth resign His Virtues, where the Diamond doth shine. Pure Holiness doth all Inchantments blemish; And Councellors of false Principality Do fade in presence of true Majesty.

Shepherds sometimes in Lions Skins were cloath'd; But when the Royal Lion doth appear, What wonder if the silly Swains, for fear, Their Bravery, and Princely Pall have loath'd? The Lion's Skin, that grac'd our Vanity, Falls down in presence of Her Majesty.

The Impresses which the Maskers used upon their Escutcheons, for their Devices.

H. Helmes, Prince,	In the Bark of a Cedar-tree, the Character E engraven.	Crescetis.
W. Cooke.	In a plain Shield, as it were Abrasa tabula.	Quid ipsa velis.
Jarvis Tevery.	A Tortois, with his Head out of the Shell.	Obnoxia.
Joh. Lambert.	A Torch by the Sun.	Quis furor.
Molineux.	A River with many Turnings, running into the Sea.	Semper ad mare.
Crimes.	A Flag streaming in the Wind.	Famamque fove∣mus inanem.
Paylor.	A Sail and an Oar together.	Fors & virtus mis∣centur in unum.
Campnies.	A Flag of Fire wavering upwards.	Tremet & ardet.

For the present Her Majesty graced every one; particularly, she thanked His Highness for the good performance of all that was done; and wished that their Sports had continued longer, for the Pleasure she took therein: Which may well appear, by her Answer to the Courtiers who danced a Measure, immediately after the Mask was ended; saying. What! Shall we have Bread and Cheese after a Ban∣quet? Her Majesty willed the Lord Chamberlain, that the Gentlemen should be invited on the next Day, and that he should present them unto her: Which was done, and Her Majesty gave them her Hand to kiss, with most gracious Words of Commendations to them; pa••∣ticularly,

and in general, of Grays-Inn, as an House that she was much beholden unto, for that it did always study for some Sports to pre∣sent unto her.

The same Night there was fighting at Barriers; the Earl of Essex and others Challengers, and the Earl of Cumberland and his Compa∣ny Defendants: Into which number, our Prince was taken, and behaved himself so valiantly and skilfully therein, that he had the Prize adjudged due unto him, which it pleased Her Majesty to deli∣ver him with her own Hands; telling him, that it was not her Gift; for if it had, it should have been better; but she gave it him, as that Prize which was due to his Desert, and good Behaviour in those Exer∣cises; and that hereafter he should be remembred with a better Re∣ward from her self. The Prize was, a Jewel, set with seventeen Dia∣monds, and four Rubies; in value, accounted worth an hundred Marks.

Thus on Shrove-Tuesday, at the Court, were our Sports and Re∣vels ended: So that our Christmas would not leave us, till such time as Lent was ready to entertain us, which hath always been accoun∣ted a time most apt, and wholly dedicated to Repentance. But now our Principality is determined; which, although it shined very bright in ours, and others Darkness; yet, at the Royal Presence of Her Ma∣jesty, it appeared as an obscured Shadow: In this, not unlike unto the Morning-star, which looketh very chearfully in the World, so 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, sic mori pulchrum.

FINIS.