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THis Seat (which will always seem an Hyperbole to the Ear, and a Deception to the Eye, being only used the two best Moneths (serving the other ten, only for a complaint to as many as behold it, that it should lye fallow the rest of the year) contains amongst many other Miracles of amoenity a Garden, which Tagus embraces with
two Currents, sometimes in suspence, some times hasty, sha∣ping it an Isle, and serving it for a Wall, over which the Trees are one way delightful Battlements, another, they are flow'ry Margents. Amidst the intricacy of the matted Hearbs, of the Galleries of Flowers, of the Meandrian Wildernesses, of the diversified Plats, of the Crystal Fountains (Competitors in Plenty and Novelty) there is reserv'd a most beautiful Space, which hath the openness of a Market-place, and wants not the pleasantness of a Forrest. This the Queen made choice of to Celebrate therein (with the greatest Magnificence that any Age hath seen, boast what it will the Roman Ostentation) the happy Birth-day of Our Soveraign Lord the King, the Seven∣teenth Year of his flourishing Age, and the Second of his most blessed Reign.
One of the greatest things of which is composed the Majesty of the Kings of Spain is, the Splendour of their Court, in which they do more surpass the other Princes of the World, than even in having under their Command so many Kingdoms; and the chief Point of this Splendour consists in that of their Maids of Honour, who, being Daughters of great Lords and Gentlemen, the veneration of all Men gives them new Au∣thority, by themselves preserved in such manner, that they find respect and applause wherever they appear: For there needs nothing else to make it a Festival Show at any time, than that they will permit themselves to be look'd upon. And now on this Occasion to Solemnize the Kings Birth-day, and Wait upon the Queen, they excell'd themselves in bravery, both of Cloaths and Carriage.
These Representations, which refuse the vulgar Name of Comedies, and aspire to that of Opere, to describe how they were performed by the Court (the Eclipse, rather than Imi∣tator, of the Ancient Stage, upon which Italy values it self at this day) would require a better Pen than mine: But to stay to seek one could worthily Write it, were to Damme it to per∣petual
Silence; since the most exact and elegant must claim a part in my diffidence: Anothers Command (not my Presumpti∣on) embarks me in this Narrative, though not witty, yet true; and now I write it with jealousie that I shall wrong the Story: But nothing can set it forth like a punctual telling it.
Many Circumstances-make me suspitious of my self, and two amount to fear; the poverty of words to describe the brave Cloaths, which are distinguishable only by their Co∣lours, and here all being reduc'd to Gold and Silver, that falls out to be rich, which a Revalation would have various ***