in the others, the child ready to speak: Her Grace required silence,
and commanded her chariot to be removed nigher that she might plainly
hear the child speak; which said, as hereafter followeth:
JABIN, of Canaan King, had long, by force of arms,
Oppressed the Israelites; which for GOD's People went:
But GOD minding, at last, for to redress their harms;
The worthy DEBORAH, as Judge among them sent.
In war, She, through GOD's aid, did put her foes to flight,
And with the dint of sword the band of bondage brast;
In peace, She, through GOD's aid, did always maintain right
And judgèd Israel, till forty years were past.
A worthy precedent, O worthy Queen! thou hast!
A worthy woman, Judge! a woman sent for Stay!
And that the like to us, endure always thou may'st;
Thy loving subjects will, with true hearts and tongues, pray!
Which verses were written upon the pageant: and the same in Latin also.
_Quando DEI populum Canaan, rex pressit JABIN,_
_Mittitur a magno DEBORA magna DEO:_
_Quæ populum eriperet, sanctum servaret Judan,_
_Milite quæ patrio frangeret hostis opes._
_Hæc Domino mandante DEO lectissima fecit_
_Foemina, et adversos contudit ense viros._
_Hæc quater denos populum correxerat annos_
_Judicio, bello strenua, pace gravis._
_Sic, O sic, populum, belloque et pace, guberna!_
_DEBORA sis Anglis, ELIZABETHA tuis!_
The void places of the pageant were filled with pretty Sentences
concerning the same matter.
The ground of this last pageant was, that forasmuch as the next pageant
before, had set before Her Grace's eyes the Flourishing and Desolate
States of a Common Weal; she might by this, be put in remembrance to
consult for the worthy Government of her people; considering GOD,
ofttimes, sent women nobly to rule among men, as DEBORAH which governed
Israel in peace, the space of forty years; and that it behoveth both
men and women so ruling, to use advice of good counsel.
* * * * *
When the Queen's Majesty had passed this pageant; she marched towards
Temple Bar.
But at St. Dunstan's, where the children of the Hospital [_i.e.,
Christ's Hospital, now known as the Blue Coat School, see p. 246_],
were appointed to stand with their Governors; Her Grace perceiving
a child offered to make an oration unto her, stayed her chariot;
and did cast up her eyes to heaven, as who should say, "I here see
this merciful work towards the poor; whom I must, in the midst of my
royalty, needs remember." And so, turned her face towards the child,
which, in Latin, pronounced an Oration to this effect.
That after the Queen's Highness had passed through the City; and
had seen so sumptuous, rich, and noble spectacles of the citizens,
which declared their most hearty receiving and most joyous
welcoming of Her Grace into the same: this one Spectacle yet rested
and remained; which was the everlasting Spectacle of Mercy unto
the poor members of Almighty GOD, furthered by that famous and
most noble Prince, King HENRY VIII., Her Grace's Father; erected
by the City of London; and advanced by the most godly, virtuous,
and gracious Prince, King EDWARD VI., Her Grace's dear and loving
brother. Doubting nothing of the mercy of the Queen's most gracious
clemency: by the which they may not only be relieved and helped,
but also stayed and defended; and therefore incessantly, they would
pray and cry unto Almighty GOD for the long life and reign of Her
Highness, with most prosperous victory against her enemies.
The child, after he had ended his Oration, kissed the paper wherein the
same was written, and reached it to the Queen's Majesty; who received
it graciously both with words and countenance, declaring her gracious
mind towards their relief.
* * * * *
From thence, Her Grace came to Temple Bar, which was dressed finely,
with the two images of GOTMAGOT the Albion, and CORINEUS the Briton;
two giants big in stature, furnished accordingly: which held in their
hands, even above the gate, a table, wherein was written, in Latin
verses, the effect of all the pageants which the City before had
erected. Which Verses are these:
_Ecce sub aspectu jam contemplaberis uno_
_O Princeps populi sola columna tui!_
_Quicquid in immensa passim perspexeris urbe_
_Quæ cepere omnes unus hic arcus habet._
_Primus, te solio regni donavit aviti,_
_Hæres quippe tui vera parentis eras._
_Suppressis vitiis, domina virtute, Secundus,_
_Firmavit sedem regia virgo tuam._
_Tertius, ex omni posuit teparte beatam_
_Si, qua coepisti pergere velle, velis._
_Quarto, quid verum, Respublica Lapsa quid esset,_
_Quæ Florens staret te docuere tui._
_Quinto, magna loco monuit te DEBORA, missam_
_Cælitus in regni gaudia longa tui._
_Perge ergo Regina! tuæ spes unica gentis!_
_Hæc Postrema urbis suscipe Vota tuæ._
_"Vive diu! regnaque diu! virtutibus orna_
_Rem patriam, et populi spem tueare tui!_
_Sic, O sic petitur coelum! Sic itur in astra!_
_Hoc virtutis opus, cætera mortis erunt!"_
Which Verses were also written in English metre, in a lesse[r] table,
as hereafter followeth.
Behold here, in one view, thou mayst see all that plain;
O Princess, to this thy people, the only stay!
What eachwhere thou hast seen in this wide town; again,
This one Arch, whatsoever the rest contained, doth say.
The First Arch, as true Heir unto thy Father dear,
Did set thee in thy Throne, where thy Grandfather sat!
The Second, did confirm thy Seat as Princess here;
Virtues now bearing sway, and Vices beat down flat!
The Third, if that thou wouldst go on as thou began,
Declareth thee to be blessed on every side!
The Fourth did open Truth, and also taught thee when
The Common Weal stood well, and when it did thence slide!
The Fifth, as DEBORAH, declared thee to be sent
From heaven, a long comfort to us thy subjects all!
Therefore, go on, O Queen! (on whom our hope is bent)
And take with thee, this wish of thy Town as final!
"Live long! and as long, reign! adorning thy country
With virtues; and maintain thy people's hope of thee!
For thus, thus heaven is won! thus, must thou pierce the sky!
This is by virtue wrought! All other must needs die!"
On the south side [_i.e., of Fleet Street, at Temple Bar_] was
appointed by the City, a noise of singing children; and one child
richly attired as a Poet, which gave the Queen's Majesty her Farewell,
in the name of the whole City, by these words.
As at thine Entrance first, O Prince of high renown!
Thou wast presented with Tongues and Hearts for thy fair;
So now, sith thou must needs depart out of this Town,
This City sendeth thee firm Hope and earnest Prayer!
For all men hope in thee, that all virtues shall reign;
For all men hope that thou, none error wilt support;
For all men hope that thou wilt Truth restore again,
And mend that is amiss; to all good men's comfort!
And for this Hope, they pray thou mayst continue long
Our Queen amongst us here, all vice for to supplant!
And for this Hope, they pray that GOD may make thee strong,
As by His grace puissant, so in His truth constant!
Farewell! O worthy Queen! and as our hope is sure,
That into Error's place, thou wilt now Truth restore!
So trust we that thou wilt our sovereign Queen endure
And loving Lady stand, from henceforth, evermore!
While these words were in saying, and certain wishes therein repeated
for the maintenance of Truth, and rooting out of Error; she, now and
then, held up her hands to heaven-ward, and willed the people to say
"Amen!"
When the child had ended, she said, "Be ye well assured, I will stand
your good Queen!"
At which saying, Her Grace departed forth, through Temple Bar towards
Westminster, with no less shooting [_i.e., firing of guns_] and
crying of the people, than, when she entered the City, with a great
noise of ordnance which the Tower shot off, at Her Grace's entrance
first into Tower Street.
* * * * *
The child's saying was also, in Latin verses, written in a table which
was hanged up there.
_O Regina potens! quum primam urbem ingredereris_
_Dona tibi, Linguas fidaque Corda dedit._
_Discedenti etiam tibi nunc duo munera mittit,_
_Omina plena Spei, votaque plena Precum._
_Quippe tuis Spes est, in te quod provida virtus_
_Rexerit, errori nec locus ullus erit._
_Quippe tuis Spes est, quod ut verum omne reduces_
_Solatura bonas, dum mala tollis, opes._
_Hac Spe freti orant, longum ut Regina gubernes,_
_Et regni excindas crimina cuncta tui._
_Hac Spe freti orant, divina ut gratia fortem,_
_Et veræ fidei te velit esse basin._
_Jam, Regina, vale! et sicut nos spes tenet una,_
_Quod vero indueto, perditus error erit._
_Sic quoque speramus quod eris Regina benigna_
_Nobis per regni tempora longa tui!_
Thus the Queen's Highness passed through the City! which, without any
foreign person, of itself, beautified itself; and received Her Grace at
all places, as hath been before mentioned, with most tender obedience
and love, due to so gracious a Queen, and sovereign Lady.
And Her Grace likewise, of her side, in all Her Grace's Passage, shewed
herself generally an Image of a worthy Lady and Governor; but privately
these especial points were noted in Her Grace, as signs of a most
Prince-like courage, whereby her loving subjects may ground a sure hope
for the rest of her gracious doings hereafter.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
_Certain Notes of the Queen's Majesty's great mercy, clemency, and
wisdom used in this Passage._
About the nether end of Cornhill, toward Cheap, one of the Knights
about Her Grace, had espied an ancient Citizen which wept, and turned
his head back. And therewith said this Gentleman, "Yonder is an
Alderman," for so he termed him, "which weepeth, and turneth his face
backward! How may it be interpreted that he doth so? For sorrow! or for
gladness?"
The Queen's Majesty heard him; and said, "I warrant you, it is for
gladness!" A gracious interpretation of a noble courage, which would
turn the doubtful to the best. And yet it was well known, that (as
Her Grace did confirm the same) the party's cheer was moved, for very
pure gladness for the sight of Her Majesty's person; at the beholding
whereof, he took such comfort, that with tears he expressed the same.
In Cheapside, Her Grace smiled; and being thereof demanded the cause,
answered, "For that she had heard one say, _Remember old King HENRY
VIII!_" A natural child! which at the very remembrance of her father's
name took so great a joy; that all men may well think that as she
rejoiced at his name whom this Realm doth hold of so worthy memory, so,
in her doings, she will resemble the same.
When the City's charge without partiality, and only the City, was
mentioned unto Her Grace; she said, "It should not be forgotten!" Which
saying might move all natural Englishmen heartily to shew due obedience
and entireness to their so good a Queen, which will, in no point,
forget any parcel of duty lovingly shewed unto her.
The answer which Her Grace made unto Master Recorder of London, as the
hearers know it to be true and with melting hearts heard the same,
so may the reader thereof conceive what kind of stomach and courage
pronounced the same.
What more famous thing do we read in ancient histories of old time,
than that mighty Princes have gently received presents offered them
by base and low personages. If that be to be wondered at, as it is
passingly! let me see any writer that in any one Prince's life is able
to recount so many precedents of this virtue, as Her Grace shewed in
that one Passage through the City. How many nosegays did Her Grace
receive at poor women's hands? How ofttimes stayed she her chariot,
when she saw any simple body offer to speak to Her Grace? A branch of
rosemary given to Her Grace, with a supplication, by a poor woman,
about Fleet Bridge, was seen in her chariot till Her Grace came to
Westminster; notwithstanding the marvellous wondering of such as knew
the presenter, and noted the Queen's most gracious receiving and
keeping the same.
What hope the poor and needy may look for, at Her Grace's hand;
she, as in all her journey continually, so in her hearkening to the
poor children of Christ's Hospital, with eyes cast up unto heaven,
did fully declare; as that neither the wealthier estate could stand
without consideration had to the poverty, neither the poverty be duly
considered unless they were remembered, as commanded to us by GOD's own
mouth.
As at her first Entrance, she, as it were, declared herself prepared to
pass through a City that most entirely loved her; so she, at her last
Departing, as it were, bound herself by promise to continue good Lady
and Governor unto that City, which, by outward declaration, did open
their love to their so loving and noble Prince, in such wise as she
herself wondered thereat.
* * * * *
But because Princes be set in their Seat by GOD's appointment, and
therefore they must first and chiefly render the glory of Him from whom
their glory issueth; it is to be noted in Her Grace, that, forasmuch
as GOD hath so wonderfully placed her in the Seat of Government over
this realm; she in all doings, doth shew herself most mindful of
His goodness and mercy shewed unto her. And amongst all other, two
principal signs thereof were noted in this Passage.
First, in the Tower: where Her Grace, before she entered her chariot,
lifted up her eyes to heaven, and said:
O LORD! Almighty and everlasting GOD! I give Thee most hearty
thanks, that as Thou hast been so merciful unto me, as to spare me
to behold this joyful day! And I acknowledge that Thou hast dealt
as wonderfully and mercifully with me, as Thou didst with thy true
and faithful servant DANIEL, the prophet; whom thou deliveredst
out of the den, from the cruelty of the greedy and raging lions:
even so, was I overwhelmed, and only by Thee! delivered. To Thee!
therefore, only, be thanks, honour, and praise for ever! Amen.
The second was, the receiving of the _Bible_, at the Little Conduit,
in Cheap. For when Her Grace had learned that the _Bible_ in English,
should there be offered; she thanked the City therefore, promised the
reading thereof most diligently, and incontinent commanded that it
should be brought. At the receipt whereof, how reverently, she did,
with both her hands, take it! kiss it! and lay it on her breast! to the
great comfort of the lookers on!
GOD will undoubtedly preserve so worthy a Prince; which, at His honour,
so reverently taketh her beginning. For this saying is true, and
written in the Book of Truth: "He that first seeketh the Kingdom of
GOD, shall have all other things cast unto him."
Now, therefore, all English hearts, and her natural people must needs
praise GOD's mercy, which hath sent them so worthy a Prince; and pray
for Her Grace's long continuance amongst us.
#Imprinted at London in Fleet Street#
#within Temple Bar, at the sign of the#
#Hand and Star, by Richard Tottill,#
#the .rriii. day of January.#
[1559]
Rev. +WILLIAM HARRISON+, B.D.
Canon of Windsor, and Rector of
Radwinter.
_ELIZABETH arms England, which MARY_
_had left defenceless._
[Book II., Chap. 16 of _Description of England_, in HOLINSHED's
_Chronicle_. Ed. 1587[-8]. Reprinted by F. J. FURNIVALL, M.A., for
_New Shakspere Society_, _p._ 278, Ed. 1877.]
How well, and how strongly our country hath been furnished, in times
past, with armour and artillery, it lieth not in me, as of myself to
make rehearsal.
Yet that it lacked both, in the late time of Queen MARY; not only the
experience of mine elders, but also the talk of certain Spaniards, not
yet forgotten, did leave some manifest notice.
Upon the first, I need not stand: for few will deny it.
For the second, I have heard that when one of the greatest Peers of
Spain [_evidently in Queen MARY's reign_] espied our nakedness in this
behalf, and did solemnly utter in no obscure place, that "It should be
an easy matter, in short time, to conquer England; because it wanted
armour!" his words were then not so rashly uttered, as they were
politicly noted.
For, albeit, that, for the present time, their efficacy was dissembled;
and semblance made as though he spake but merrily: yet at the very
Entrance of this our gracious Queen unto the possession of the
Crown, they were so providently called to remembrance, and such
speedy reformation sought, of all hands, for the redress of this
inconveniency, that our country was sooner furnished with armour and
munition from divers parts of the main [_the Continent_], besides
great plenty that was forged here at home, than our enemies could get
understanding of any such provision to be made.
By this policy also, was the no small hope conceived by Spaniards
utterly cut off; who (of open friends, being now become our secret
enemies; and thereto watching a time wherein to achieve some heavy
exploit against us and our country) did thereupon change their
purposes: whereby England obtained rest; that otherwise might have been
sure of sharp and cruel wars.
Thus a Spanish word uttered by one man at one time, overthrew, or, at
the least, hindered sundry privy practices of many at another time.
* * * * *
In times past, the chief force of England consisted in their long bows.
But now we have in manner generally given over that kind of artillery,
and for long bows indeed, do practice to shoot compass for our pastime;
which kind of shooting can never yield any smart stroke, nor beat down
our enemies, as our countrymen were wont to do, at every time of need.
Certes, the Frenchmen and Reitters [_i.e., Reiters, the German or
Swiss Lance-knights_] deriding our new archery, in respect of their
corslets, will not let, in open skirmish, if any leisure serve, to turn
up their tails, and cry, "Shoot, English!" and all because our strong
shooting is decayed, and laid in bed.
But if some of our Englishmen now lived, that served King EDWARD III.
in his wars with France: the breech of such a varlet had been nailed to
his back with one arrow; and another feathered in his bowels, before he
should have turned about to see who shot the first.
But as our shooting is thus, in manner, utterly decayed among us one
way: so our countrymen wax skilful in sundry other points; as in
shooting in small pieces, the caliver, and handling of the pike; in the
several uses whereof, they are become very expert.
Our armour differeth not from that of other nations; and therefore
consisteth of corslets, almain rivets, shirts of mail, jacks quilted
and covered with leather, fustian, or canvas over thick plates of iron
that are sewed in the same. Of which, there is no town or village
that hath not her convenient furniture. The said armour and munition
likewise is kept in one several place of every town, appointed by the
consent of the whole parish; where it is always ready to be had and
worn within an hour's warning.
Sometimes also it is occupied [_used_], when it pleaseth the
magistrate, either to view the able men and take note of the well
keeping of the same; or finally to see those that are enrolled, to
exercise each one his several weapon: at the charge of the townsmen
of each parish, according to his appointment. Certes there is almost
no village so poor in England, be it never so small, that hath not
sufficient furniture in a readiness to set forth three or four soldiers
(as, one archer, one gunner, one pike, and a bill-man), at the least.
No, there is not so much wanting as their very liveries [_uniforms_]
and caps; which are least to be accounted of, if any haste required. So
that if this good order continue, it shall be impossible for the sudden
enemy to find us unprovided.
As for able men for service, thanked be GOD! we are not without good
store. For by the Musters taken in 1574 and 1575, our number amounted
to 1,172,674; and yet they were not so narrowly taken, but that a third
part of this like multitude was left unbilled and uncalled.
What store of munition and armour, the Queen's Majesty hath in her
storehouses, it lieth not in me to yield account; sith I suppose the
same to be infinite. And whereas it was commonly said, after the loss
of Calais, that England would never recover the store of ordnance there
left and lost; the same is proved false: since some of the same persons
do now confess that this land was never better furnished with these
things in any King's days, since the Conquest.
The names of our greatest ordnance are commonly these:
_Robinet_, whose weight is 200 lbs.; and it hath 1-1/4 inches
within the mouth.
_Falconet_, weighing 500 lbs., and his wideness is 2 inches within
the mouth.
_Falcon_ hath 800 lbs., and 2-1/2 inches within the mouth.
_Minion_ poiseth [_weigheth_] 1,100 lbs., and hath 3-1/4 inches
within the mouth.
_Sacre_ hath 1,500 lbs., and is 3-1/2 inches wide in the mouth.
_Demi-Culverin_ weigheth 3,000 lbs., and hath 4-1/2 inches within
the mouth.
_Culverin_ hath 4,000 lbs., and 5-1/2 inches within the mouth.
_Demi-Cannon_, 6,000 lbs., and 6-1/2 inches within the mouth.
_Cannon_, 7,000 lbs., and 8 inches within the mouth.
_E. Cannon_, 8,000 lbs., and 7 inches within the mouth.
_Basilisk_, 9,000 lbs., and 8-3/4 inches within the mouth.
By which proportions, also, it is easy to come by the weight of every
shot, how many scores [_i.e., of yards_] it doth fly at point blank,
how much powder is to be had to the same, and finally how many inches
in height, each bullet ought to carry.
The names of the Weight of Scores [of Pounds of Height of
Great Ordnance the Shot. yards] of Powder. Bullet.
hath lbs. carriage. Inches.
_Robinet_ 1 10 1/2 1
_Falconet_ 2 14 2 1-1/4
_Falcon_ 2-1/2 16 2-1/2 2-1/4
_Minion_ 4-1/2 17 4-1/2 3
_Sacre._ 5 18 5 3-1/4
_Demi-Culverin_ 9 20 9 4
_Culverin_ 18 25 18 5-1/4
_Demi-Cannon_ 30 38 28 6-3/4
_Cannon_ 60 20 44 7-3/4
_E. Cannon_ 42 20 20 6-3/4
_Basilisk_ 60 21 60 8-1/4
As for the Armouries of some of the Nobility (whereof I also have seen
a part), they are so well furnished, that within some one Baron's
custody, I have seen three score or a hundred corslets at once; besides
calivers, hand-guns, bows, sheafs of arrows, pikes, bills, pole-axes,
flasks, touch-boxes, targets, &c.: the very sight whereof appalled my
courage.
* * * * *
Seldom shall you see any of my countrymen, above eighteen or twenty
years old, to go without a dagger at the least, at his back or by his
side; although they be aged burgesses or magistrates of any city who,
in appearance, are most exempt from brabling and contention.
Our Nobility commonly wear swords or rapiers, with their daggers; as
doth every common serving man also that followeth his lord and master.
* * * * *
Finally, no man travelleth by the way, without his sword or some such
weapon, with us; except the Minister, who commonly weareth none at all,
unless it be a dagger or hanger at his side.
[Illustration]
_ALCILIA:_
_PHILOPARTHEN's_
_Loving Folly._
_Non Deus (ut perhibent) amor est, sed_
_amaror, et error._
[Illustration]
AT LONDON.
_Printed by R. R. for William Mattes,_
dwelling in Fleet street, at the sign of the
_Hand and Plough._
1595.
[The only copy of the 1595 edition, at present known, is in the
City Library, at Hamburg.
It was recovered, and reprinted in 1875 by Herr WILHELM WAGNER,
Ph.D., in Vol. X. of the _Deutschen Shakespeare-Gesellschaft
Jahrbuch_; copies of this particular text being also separately
printed.
A limited Subscription edition, of fifty-one copies, was printed by
Rev. A. B. GROSART, LL.D., F.S.A., of Blackburn, in 1879: with a
fresh collation of the text by B. S. LEESON, Esq., of Hamburg.
The present modernized text is based on a comparison of the above
two reprints of the 1595 edition with the text of the London
edition of 1613 in which some headings (herein inserted between [],
on _pp._ 256, 276, 278) first occur.]
[Illustration]
_A Letter written by a Gentleman to the_
_Author, his friend._
+FRIEND PHILOPARTHEN+,