THE TRIUMPHS OF Honour and Virtue. A Noble Solemnity, performed through the City, at the sole Cost and Charges of the Honourable Fraternity of Grocers, at the Confirmation and Establishment of their most worthy Brother, the Right Honourable PETER PROBY, in the high Office of his Maiestus' Lieutenant, Lord Maior and Chancellor of the famous City of London. Taking beginning at his Lordship's going, and perfecting itself after His return from receiving the Oath of Mayoralty at Westminster, on the Morrow after Simon and jude's Day, being the 29. of October, 1622. By THO. MIDDLETON Gent. LONDON. Printed by NICHOLAS OKES. 1622. TO The Honour of him, to whom the Noble Fraternity of Grocers, his Worthy Brothers, have Dedicated their Loves, in costly Triumphs; the Right Honourable, PETER PROBY, Lord Maur of this Renowned City. TO be His Servant, that hath served Two Royal Princes, and deserved So Worthily of Both; the Same Call not Service, rather Fame. At your Lordship's Command: Tho. Middleton. THE TRIUMPHS OF Honour and Virtue. IF foreign Nations have been struck with Admiration at the Form, State, and Splendour of some yearly Triumphs, wherein Art hath been but faintly imitated: There is fair hope that things where Invention flourishes, clear Art and her graceful Proprieties, should receive favour and encouragement from the content of the Spectator, which next to the service of his Honour and honourable Society, is the principal reward it looks for; than not despairing of that common favour, this takes delight to present itself. And first, to begin with the worthy love of his Noble Fraternity, after his Honour's return from Westminster, having received some service upon the Water, by the conduct of two Artful Triumphs. Viz. The Throne of Virtue, and the Continent of Jndia; which also by Land attends his Lordship's most wished arrival, accompanied with the whole body of the Triumph, which near upon the time of his Honour's approach are decently and distinctly placed; the first, bearing the Title of the Continent of India: A triumph replenished with all manner of Spice-plants, and trees bearing Odour, attends his Honour's arrival in Paul's Churchyard; A black Personage representing India, called for her odours and riches, the Queen of Merchandise, challenging the most eminent Seat, advanceth herself upon a bed of Spices, attended by Indians in Antique habits: Commerce, Adventure and Traffic, three habited like Merchants, presenting to her view a bright Figure, bearing the inscription of Knowledge, a Sun appearing above the trees in brightest splendour and glory: The black Queen before mentioned, lending a voice to these following words: The Speech. YOu that have eyes of judgement, and discern Things that the best of Man and Life concern, Draw near, this black is but my native die, But view me with an Intellectual eye, As Wise men shoot their beams forth, you'll then find A change in the complexion of the mind; I'm beauteous in my blackness, O ye Sons Of Fame and Honour, through my best part runs A Spring of living Waters, clear and true, Found first by Knowledge, which came first by you, By you, and your examples, blessed Commerce, That by Exchange settles such happiness, Of Gums and fragrant Spices, I confess My Climate Heaven does with abundance bless, And those you have from me, but what are they Compared with Odours whose sent ne'er decay, And those I have from you, plants of your youth, The Savour of eternal life sweet Truth, Exceeding all the odoriferous sent, That from the beds of Spices ever went: I that command, (being prosperously possessed) The Riches and the Sweetness of the East, To that famed Mountain Taurus spreading forth My balmy Arm, whose height does kiss the North, And in the Sea Eoum lave this hand, Account my blessings not in those to stand, Though they be large and fruitful, but confess All wealth cons; ists in Christian holiness, To such celestial knowledge I was led; By English Merchants first enlightened, In Honour of whose memory, only Three I instance here, all of this ' Brotherhood free, To whose Fames the great Honour of this hour Aptly belongs, but to that Man of Power The first and chiefest, to whose worth so clear, justice hath given her Sword up for a year: And as yon Sun his perfect splendour shows, Cheering the Plants; and no Clouds interpose His Radiant Comforts; so no Earthy part Which makes Eclipses in a Ruler's heart (As in that glorious Planet) must come nigh The Sun of justice, all such mists must fly; You're in an Orb of Brightness placed and fixed, And with no soil must Honour be commixed. So to your worthy Progress Zeal commends Your Lordship, with your Grave and Noble friends. The Speech being ended, to add a little more help to the fainter Apprehensions, the three Merchants placed in the Continent, have reference to the Lord Maior and Sheriffs, all Three being this year Brothers of this Ancient and Honourable Society, which triple or three fold Honour happened to this Worthy Company in the year 1577. Sir Thomas Ramsey being then Lord Maior, and Master Nicholas Backhouse and Master Francis Bowyer, Sheriffs; having cohereuce with this years' Honour, matched and paralleled with these Three their as worthy Successors, the right Honourable, Peter Proby, and the generous and Nobly affected, Master john Hodges, and Sir Humphrey Handford Sheriffs and Aldermen. By this time his Lordship being gracefully conducted toward the Chariot of Fame, which awaits his Honour's approach near the little Conduit in Cheap; Antiquity a grave and reverend Personage, with a golden Register-booke in his hand, gives life to these words: The Speech. Objects of Years and Reverence greet mine eye, A Sight most pleasing to Antiquity; I never could unclasp this Book of Fame Where Worthies dwell by a distinguished Name, At a more comely season; I shall tell Things sprung from Truth, near kin to Miracle; With that of later days I first begin, So back into the deeper Times again: I only touch Thy memory (which I know In thankfulness can never be found slow) With Heaven's miraculous Mercy, to Thy Health After so long a Sickness, all the wealth Which thou with an unusuring hand hast got Which is not the least wonder worthy note, (Truth makes me speak things freely) cannot be A greater work than thy recovery, Nine Brethren-Senators thy Seniors all Whose times had been before thee, Death did call To their eternal Peace, from this degree Leaving their earthly Honour now to thee, Think and be thankful still, this seems the more Another observation kept in store, For seventeen Senators since thy time were chose And to this minute not one dead of those. Those are not usual notes, nor here it ends, The Court and City two most Noble Friends, Have made exchange a late, I read, from hence There has gone some most worthy Citizens Up to the Courts advance; in lieu of that You have a Courtier now your Magistrate, A Servant to Elizabeth the blessed, Since to K. james that reigns with Salomon's breast. Kept the Records for both, from the Queen took Charge of three hundred Horse, three thousand Foot, Four Attributes cleaves to this Man of Men, A Scholar, Soldier, Courtier, Citizen, These are no usual touches, to conclude (Like to his life with blessings so endued) Has chose his Brotherhood, men of that Fame For Bounty, Amity and honoured Name The City bounds transcend not in their place, And their word makes 'em prosper, God grant grace. Honour they never wanted, when was't seen But they had Senators to their brethren Nay, one record here to make joy more glad, I find seventeen that were in Scarlet clad All at one time of this Fraternity, Now five, for this hour's honour brings forth three, Fame triple will make triple virtue strive At whose triumphant Throne you next arrive. For farther Illustration there are contained in Antiquities golden Legend, the Names of many Worthies of ancient Time, by whom this Noble Fraternity has received much honour, such as were the worthy and famous Sir Andrew Bockerell, who was Lord Maior of this City, the sixteenth year of King Henry the third, and continued in the Magistracy seven years together, also the Noble Allen de la Zouch, who for his good government in the time of his Mayoralty, was by King Henry the third, created both a Baron of this Realm, and Lord chief justice of England. Also that famous Worthy, Sir Thomas Knowles, twice Lord Maior of this honourable City, which said Sir Thomas began at his own charge that famous building of Guild-Hall in London, and other memorable works both in the City and in his own Company, Re-edifying also Saint Anthony's Church; with many others that are fair Ornaments to Memory. Viz. Sir William Sevenock, sir Robert Chichsley, sir Stephen Browne, sir Henry Keble, sir William Laxton, &c. Who by those Virtues that they were most addicted unto in their life-time, are Illustrated by persons of Brightness in the Throne of Virtue, the next part of Triumph that presents itself: next beneath Antiquity, sits Authority, placed between Wisdom and Innocence, holding a naked Sword, a Serpent wound about the Blade thereof, two Doves standing upon the cross Bar of the Hilt, and two hands meeting at the Pummel, intimating Mercy and justice, accompanied with Magistracy, who holds in his hand a Key of gold, signifying both the Key of Knowledge and of Confidence, the City Magistrate taking into his trust the Custody of the King's Chamber, the proper Title of the City; and which Key of gold also stands in his Lordship's Crest, viz. an Ostrich holding a Key of gold in his Mouth, his Neck circled with a golden Crown. His Lordship by this time arriving at the Throne of Virtue, placed near Saint Laurence-Lane end, Receives this greeting from her Deity. The Speech. I See great Power approach; here makes a Stand, Would it with Virtue ought? for some Command Seems so complete in Selfe-Opinions Eye, It will scarce look on me, but passes by; As if the Essence of my Deity Were raised by Power, and not Power raised by me; But let such Rulers know that so command They build the Empire of their Hopes on Sandâ–ª Still This remains, with Eye upon me fixed As if he sought to have His splendours mixed With these of mine, which makes Authority meek, And I'm so ficke of Love to those that seek I cannot choose but yield; nor does it wrong Great Power to come to Virtue to be strong, Being but a Woman, merciful and mild, Therein is Heaven with greater glory styled That makes weak things, as Clemency, and Right, Sway Power, which would else rule all by Might: It maybe said you did but late pass by Some part of Triumph that spoke Virtuously, And one such Speech suffices; 'tis not so In taking of your office, there you go From Court to Court, before You be confirmed In this high place, which Praetorship is termed; From Virtue, if to Virtue you resort, It is but the same course you have in Court In settling of your Honour; which should be Redoubled rather, that I hope to see: So Power and Virtue when they fill one Seat, The City's blessed, the Magistrate complete. At the close of the Speech, this Throne of Virtue with all her Celestial Concomitants, and the other parts of the Triumph, take leave of his Lordship for that time, and till after the Feast at Guild-Hall rests from Service; but the Feast ended, the whole state of the Triumph attends upon his Lordship, both to Saint Paul's and homeward; and in Soperlane two parts of the Triumph stand ready planted; viz. the Throne of Virtue, and the Globe of Honour, which Globe suddenly opening and flying into eight Cants or distinct parts, discovers in a twinkling, eight bright Personages most gloriously decked, representing (as it were) the Inward Man, the Intentions of a Virtuous and Worthy Breast, by the Graces of the Mind and Soul, such as Clear Conscience, Divine Speculation, Peace of Heart, Integrity, Watchfulness, equality, Providence; impartiality, each expressed by Its proper Illustration. And because Man's perfection can receive no constant Attribute in this Life, the Cloud of Frailty, ever and anon shadowing and darkening our brightest Intentions, makes good the Morality of those Cants or Parts, when they fall and close into the full round of a Globe again, showing, that as the Brightest Day has his overcastings; so the best men in this life have their Imperfections; and worldly Mists oftentimes interpose the clearest Cogitations, and yet that but for a season, turning in the end like the mounting of this Engine, to their everlasting Brightness, converting itself to a Canopy of Stars: at the four corners below are placed the four Cardinal Virtues, Wisdom, justice, Fortitude and Temperance, by each of them fixed a little Streamer or Banner, in which are displayed, the Arms of this Honourable City, the Lord Mayor, the Grocers, and the Noble East-India Companies: The outparts of the Globe showing the World's Type, in Countries, Seas and Shipping, whereon is depicted or drawn Ships that have been fortunate to this Kingdom, by their happy and successful Voyages; as also that prosperous Plantation in the Colony of Virginia, and the Bermudaes, with all good wishes to the Governors, Traders and Adventurers unto those Christianly Reformed Islands. The Speech at Night, presented by Honour, A Personage mounted on the top of this Unparalleled Masterpiece of Invention and Art, the Globe or Orb of Honor. Honor. BY Virtue you came last, and who brings home True Honour, must by Virtue always come, The right Path you have took then, still proceed, For 'tis Continuance crown each worthy Deeds: Behold this Globe of Honour; every Part It is composed of, to a Noble heart Applies Instruction; when 'tis closed and round It represents the World, and all that's found Within the labouring Circle of Man's Days, Adventures, Dangers, Cares, and steepy Ways; Which when a Wiseman thinks on, straight he mounts To Heavenly Cogitations, and accounts The vexing Spirit of Care and Labour vain: Lifting himself to his full height again: And as this Engine does in eight Parts rise Discovering eight Bright Figures, so the Wise From this Life's slumber roused, (which Time deludes,) Opens his Heart to eight Beatitudes: And as I (Honour) overtopping All, Here fix my Foot on this Orbicular Ball, Over the World expressing my Command As I in this Contemptuous Posture stand: So every good and understanding Spirit Makes but Use only of this Life, t'inherit An everlasting Living; making Friends Of Mammon's Heaps, got by unrighteous Ends, Which happy Thou stand'st free from, the more white Sits Honour on thee, and the Cost more bright Thy Noble Brotherhood this Day bestows; Expense is graced when Substance follow Shows, Now to no higher Pitch of Praise I'll come, Love brought thee forth, and Honour brings thee home. FOr the body of the whole Triumph, with all the proper Graces and Ornaments of Art and Workmanship, the Reputation of those, rightly appertain to the deserts of Master Garret Crismas, an Exquisite Master in his Art, and a Performer above his Promises. FINIS.