The history of Olivaires of Castile and Arthur of Dalgarve. Translated out of the Spanish into the Italian tongue, by Francesco Portonari: and from the italian made English. Licens'd, Feb. 1. 1694/5.

CHAP. XLIX.

Olivaires gives the Ring to Helena, and espouses her with great pomp and feasting.

THE King's Sergeants prepared New Vestments, Liveries, Or∣••ments of Gold, and of Jewels; and

all the Palace was hung with Tissue, smooth Velvet, and other rich Hang∣ings, for celebrating and solemnizing the Marriage; they ordered twelve Bishops, and one Archbishop, for performing the sacred Ceremonies: All the Kings had their Royal Robes on; and the Dukes, Knights, Counts, and all the Barons were in their pro∣per habits; so they made a show with their rich and splendid Pomp and Attire that stupify'd the Spectators; two Kings were elected to lead Hele∣na to the Altar, and the rest attended on Olivaires: The King was admira∣bly attired, with all his Court; and so Helena with all her Ladies; and Olivaires also flourished in much grandezza: The Musick was of infi∣nite and most rare and admirable kinds: The day appointed being come, every one was ready to perform his Office, and they went with the King to get Olivaires up, and conduct him to the Chappel; and with him were four Bishops, and other four with

Helena; and all were to meet those other with the Archbishop; who took the Ring, which was brought invisi∣bly to Helena; and giving it to Oli∣vaires, the previous Ceremonies being duly performed, made him espouse her; at which the rejoycings of the People, the gladness of the Court, the noise of the Military Musick, and the sweet Melody of the Sacred and Ci∣vil, with a thousand other things that conduced to the celebrabing and great pomp of this Divine Solemnity, cannot be expressed. Afterward the Host was administer'd by the hand of the Archbishop; and, when Mass was done, they went into the Hall, where such a choice and sumptuous Dinner attended them, that I think Jove him∣self, with all his Divine Retinue, would not have disdain'd to have been invited to, and have been present to grace these Nuptials: And, all the Dishes being placed on the Table, ••ew Liveries appeared, and new In∣••••ruments sounded; and it was ama∣zing

to see sit at one Table seven Kings, and one Queen. After Dinner orders were given for Dancing; and after that for a noble Tilting, where the Kings, for the honour of the Es∣pousals, clad in choice Habit and Ar∣mour, and on their best Horses, justed against each other with laudable de∣monstrations of their Prowess; but it was not agreeable for Olivaires to just that time. When the Tilting was ended, the two Kings received a most rich Present from the hands of Helena, and she thanked them for so great a favour; and they also bowed them∣selves to her, and humbly thanked her for her Gift. And now the time for Supper approached; wherefore, after a little respite, they sat down to rich, sumptuous, and splendid Tables. He who could penetrate into the secret thoughts of Lovers, and, as it were, see Olivaires mind and desires, and the ardent love Helena bore her n••w Spouse, might safely say, that that Day seemed to them both a very long

one, and even every hour a Year. Sup∣per being ended, and the Dancing over, the King rises from his Seat, and embracing Helena, and kissing her, recommended her to her Hus∣band; then every one retired with much content to their several Apart∣ments; and the happy licens'd Couple went to taste that free bliss which no∣thing but Youth and Beauty, and deeply inamour'd hearts, is capable of, or has any possibility to conceive: It pleased Almighty God that the fair Helena conceived that night, and bles∣sed shall her Travail be, for that of her shall be born a grand Champion for, and Pillar of the Christian Reli∣gion, as the English Chronicles fully and faithfully relate.