Historical rarities and curious observations domestick & foreign containing fifty three several remarks ... with thirty seven more several histories, very pleasant and delightful / collected out of approved authors, by William Winstanley ...

A mirthful Conceit of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.

THIS Duke, at the Marriage of Elionara, Si∣ster to the King of Portugal, at Bruges in Flan∣ders, which was solemnized in the deep of Winter,

whenas, by reason of unseasonable Weather, he could neither hawk nor hunt, and was now tired with Cards, Dice, &c. and such other domestical Sports, or to see Ladies dance; with some of his Courtiers, he would in the Evening walk disguised all about the Town. It so fortuned, as he was walk∣ing late one Night, he found a Country-Fellow dead drunk, snorting on a Bulk; he caused his Followers to bring him to his Palace, and there stripped him of his old Cloaths, and attired him after the Court Fashion; when he waked, he and they were ready to attend upon his Excellency, persuading him he was some great Duke. The poor Fellow admiring how he came thither, was served in state all the day long: After Supper he saw them dance, heard Musick, and the rest of those Court-like Pleasures; but late at night, when he was well tipled, and again fast asleep, they put on his old Cloaths, and so con∣veyed him to the place where they first found him. Now the Fellow had not made them so good sport the day before, as he did when he returned to himself; all the Jest was, to see how he looked upon it. In conclusion, after some little Admiration, the poor man told his Friends he had seen a Vision, constantly believed it, would not otherwise be per∣suaded, and so the Jest ended.