METROPOLIS CORONATA, THE TRIUMPHS OF Ancient DRAPERY: OR, Rich Clothing of England, in a second Years performance. In Honour of the advancement of Sir JOHN JOLLES, Knight, to the high Office of Lord Maior of London, and taking his Oath for the same authority, on Monday, being the 30. day of October. 1615. Performed in hearty affection to him, and at the bountiful charges of his worthy Brethren the truly Honourable Society of Drapers, the first that received such Dignity in this City. Devised, and written, by A. M. Citizen, and Draper of LONDON.  
Printed at London, by George Purslowe. 1615.   

METROPOLIS CORONATA: OR, The old Drapery and Clothing of England, triumphing a second Year.  
Having in our last years discourse of Himatia Poleos, sufficiently approved the true antiquity, and primary Honour of England's drapery, here in the City of London, first granted by King RICHARD the first, and seconded by his brother King john, by installing that famous noble Gentleman, Sir Henry Fitz-Alwine Knight, in the first dignity of L. Maior of London, wherein he continued (by yearly election) the space of twenty four years and an half, and longer had done, if he had longer lived: Seeing likewise, that Drapery triumpheth now two years together, by succession of two Lord Majors in one and the same Society: I held it not fit (finding myself not barren of invention, in a Theme of such scope and large extendure) to run again the same course of antic honour: but rather to jump with the time, which vermore affecteth novelty, in a new form of this second years triumph, prepared for that honourable and worthy brother of Drapery, Sir john jolles, Knight and Alderman, on the day of his entrance into so high a dignity.  
On Monday, being the 30. of October, 1615. according to ancient and most honourable custom, the L. Maior being to pass by water to Westminster, in company of his worthy Brethren, and attended by all other Companies in their several Bardges made fit for triumph, after such manner as formerly hath been observed: The first device that welcometh him to the water, is an invention proper to that nature, and thought apt to conduct him in his passage. He being both a Draper and Stapler, and these two professions (in former times) appertaining to the Brethren of London's Drapery, trading only in wools and woollen cloth, the then chief riches of the kingdom: both these mysteries meeting together so conveniently in one man, I did account it as a sin in me to sunder them, and therefore made use of that Crest or Cognizaunce of the Golden Fleece, given by ancient Heraldry to them both, and remaining still in firm force with the Draper, as their Escutchion of Arms maketh manifest.  
In a goodly Argo, shaped so near as Art could yield it, to that of such ancient and honourable fame, as conveyed jason and his valiant Argonauts of Greece, to fetch away the Golden fleece from Cholchos; we make use of that memorable history, as fit both for the time and occasion. Therein aloft sitteth Medea, whose love to jason, was his best means for obtaining the Golden fleece: And therefore, as still witnessing the fiery zeal of her affection towards him, she sitteth playing with his love-locks, and wantoning with him in all pleasing dalliance, to compass the more settled assurance of his constancy: His noble Companions, as Hercules, Telamonius, Orpheus, Castor, Pollux, Calais and Zethes the Sons of Boreas, are seated about him in their several degrees, attired in fair guilt Armours, bearing triumphal Lances, wreathed about with Laurel, Shields honoured with the Impress of the Golden fleece, and their heads circled with Laurel, according to the manner of all famous Conquerors. This Argo is rowed by divers comely eunuchs, which continually attended on Medea, and she favouring them but to pass under the fleece of Gold, had all their garments immediately sprinkled over with gold, even as if it had showered down in drops upon them, and so they row on in jasons triumph.  
Having thus borrowed the help of this well known story, to honour the day of our London jason: we do Poetically infer, that Neptune having declared himself kind in their coming hither, and Thamesis shown herself as gracious, in passing over her watery bosom, To make his triumph more majestical, they lend the assistance of their Sea Chariot, wherein they use to sport themselves on their watery regiment, it being shaped like to a Whale, or the huge Leviathan of the Sea. Therein is placed the shadow of Sir Henry Fitz-Alwine, to grace this days honour, both by water and land, and by him are seated eight royal Virtues, bearing the Ensigns of Arms of eight honourable Drapers and Staplers, with beautiful shields, that declare each man's name, uz. Poultney, Cromer, Aeyre, Wotton, Sidney, Bulloin, Capell, Champion. Many more we could have brought to accompany them, but neither place nor time might afford it: only these are remembered for their high deservings, as our Chronicles (at large) do more amply declare, Fame triumphing in the top, and Time guiding the way before. No sooner is my Lord and his Brethren seated in their Barge, and such silence obtained as the season can best permit: but Fitz-Alwine saluteth him in this manner.  

Sir Henry Fitz-Alwines Speech on the Water, at the three Cranes.  
IT is now a complete year,  
Since in the borrowed shape I bear  
Of old Fitz-Alwine, I was raised from rest.  
On that days Triumph fully was expressed  
The honour due by grave Antiquity,  
Then given to London's drapery,  
By Royal RICHARD, who in me, 
K. Richard the First.   
First styled the name of Mayoralty:  
Which I held four and twenty year,  
As in good Records may appear.  
In all this time my labouring soul,  
Not quitted from the high control  
Of divine Poesy; hath waited still  
Upon her great commanding will;  
By information, that another  
Of mine own band, a Draper Brother,  
Was to succeed in dignity;  
Of London's famous Mayoralty,  
This was a motive of such might,  
That made me hover day and night,  
To honour this solemnity,  
With whatsoe'er remains in me.  
Two Drapers to succeed each other?  
I being their first advanced Brother▪  
To both must my affection prove  
Of cordial and sincerest love.  
Then Sir, as I am taught to know ye,  
So do these goodly Ensigns show ye  
Draper and Stapler; so was I,  
And both but one Society  
In those grave times when woollen Cloth  
Served best for King and subject both.  
The Draper and the Stapler than  
I tell ye were right worthy men,  
And did more needy souls maintain,  
Then I fear will be seen again.  
But times must have their revolution,  
And each their several execution.  
But pass we them; And come to say  
What Honours now do crown this day▪  
The Golden Fleece being the crest  
Of ancient Drapery; we digest  
The story of the Golden Fleece,  
Fetched by the Argonauts of Greece  
From Cholcos in resemblance here,  
Where jason and those greeks appear,  
Which in that travail did partake,  
Both for his love and honour's sake.  
Medea's powerful charms prevailed,  
And all those dreadful Monsters quailed,  
That kept the Fleece in their protection,  
Which then was won by her direction.  
By way of Moral application,  
Your Honour may make some relation  
Unto yourself out of this story,  
You are our jason, London's glory,  
Now going to fetch that fleece of Fame,  
That ever must renown your name.  
An Oath of Faith and Fealty  
Unto his sacred Majesty,  
That makes you his Great Deputy  
Or Image of Authority.  
No Monsters dare confront your way.  
Imagine then, as well you may,  
That all this fair and goodly Fleet,  
Do in mere love (on purpose) meet,  
Like to those Argonauts of Greece,  
That then fetched home their Golden Fleece,  
To tend the Argo where you ride,  
Behind, before, on every side  
With all applauding melody,  
That best this day may dignify.  
Neptune and gracious Thamesis,  
To honour such a day as this,  
Have sent out of their watery store  
Their own Sea Chariot, which before  
They near would part with. But as now,  
Their sacred Deities allow  
Our use thereof, which we employ,  
To make more full this day of joy.  
Eight Royal Virtues take the pain  
Eight honoured Ensigns to sustain  
Of eight Lord Majors, as you may see  
Described by their Heraldry,  
Drapers, and Staplers Brethren kind,  
Leaving rare monuments behind  
Of their affection to this City,  
For the poors good whom they did pity.  
Poultney, Cromer, Eyre, Wotton,  
Sidney, Bullen, Capell, Champion.  
Time checks me, that I may not tell  
Their several deeds. Nor fits it well  
In serious business to delay:  
On then a God's name, le's away.   
The Speech being ended, the Companies witnessing their joy for his taking water, and the same further confirmed by a gallant peal of ordinance: we wait on my Lord so far as conveniently we may, evermore having care of our further employment in the land service, the time being so short, and our preparation requiring such decency in order: yet much abused by neglect in marshalling, and hurried away with too impudent hastiness, albeit so advisedly set down in project, that nothing but mere wilfulness can misplace them.  

The Shows appointed for service on the LAND.  
FIrst, a fair and beautiful Ship, styled by the Lord majors name, and called the joel, appearing to be lately returned, from trafficking Wool and Cloth with other remote Countries; ushereth the way for her worthy Owners service, and is well governed by her Captain, Master, Mate, etc. Neptune, who hath been auspicious to all her adventures, and Thamesis, by bringing her always safely within her own bounds, being mounted in triumphal manner, the one on a pelletted Lion, the supporter to the Draper's Arms, and the other on a sea-Horse, belonging to the Lord majors armory, do both (with their presence) approve this days delighting. Then followeth a goodly Ram or Golden Fleece, the honoured Crest (as already hath been said) to Drapers and Staplers, having (on each side) a housewifely Virgin sitting, seriously employed in Carding and Spinning Wool for Cloth, the very best commodity that ever this Kingdom yielded. The Argo succeed this Fleece or Ram, according to our former description: and then, in stead of Neptune's Whale on the water, cometh another Sea-device, termed The Chariot of Man's life, answerable in all respects to Time's relation thereof; as also that other Monument of London and her twelve Daughters, at this time employing Metropolis Coronata, the King's chief City and Chamber, most desertfully crowned, as being the ancient Mother of the whole Land, and first receiving honour, by the triple imperial Crowns of drapery.   
After all these shows, thus ordered in their appointed places, followeth another device of Huntsmen, all clad in green, with their Bows, Arrows and Bugles, and a new slain Deer carried among them. It savoureth of Earl Robert de la Hude, sometime the noble Earl of Huntingdon, and Son in Law (by Marriage) to old Fitz-Alwine, raised by the Muse's all-commanding power, to honour this Triumph with his Father. During the time of his outlawed life, in the Forest of merry Sherwood, and elsewhere, while the cruel oppression of a most unnatural covetous Brother hung heavy upon him, Gilbert de la Hude, Lord Abbot of crystal Abbey, who had all, or most of his Lands in mortgage: he was commonly called Robin Hood, and had a gallant company of men (Outlawed in the like manner) that followed his downcast fortunes, and honoured him as their Lord and Master; as little john Scathlock, Much the Miller's son, Right-hitting Brand, Frvar Tuck, and many more. In which condition of life we make instant use of him, and part of his brave Bowmen, fitted with Bows and Arrows, of the like strength and length, as good Records deliver testimony, were then used by them in their killing of Deer.  
Now, because after my Lords landing, protraction of time necessarily required to be annoyed, in regard of the Lords of his majesties most honourable privy Council, and other great personages, invited guests to this solemn Feast: such speeches as should have been spoken to him by the way, were referred till his Honour's return to Saint Paul's in the afternoon. And then, another man, of no mean sufficiency, both for knowledge and exquisite use of action, who had in the morning guided and directed Neptune's Whale, made in the form of a Triumphal Chariot on the water, and held the same office in the other Chariot upon the Land of Man's life: near to the little Conduit in Cheapside, he delivereth this brief speech (importing a narration of the other devices) to the Lord Maior in manner following.  

The Speech of Time in the afternoon, at the Lord majors going to PAUL'S.  
HOnourable Lord, Time hath nothing else to tell you, but the brief meaning of these several inventions. The water-devices have already sufficiently spoken themselves. This Ship, bearing your own name, and called the JOEL, trafficking England's Drapery with all other Countries, as by the goodly Ram or golden Fleece of England appeareth, where two Housewifely Virgins sit carding and spinning, is (after many happy voyages) returned to honour the day of her worthy Owner, being safely brought home by Neptune and Thamesis, who (mounted on a Lion and Sea-horse) vouchsafe their attendance on your triumph. And in stead of that Sea Chariot, which waited on the Argo in the morning, they bring another, graced with the same Royal Virtues, and Ensigns of Arms belonging to those honourable Drapers. On the top is placed a Sphere or Globe, intimating the world, created for the use of man, and such expense of time as is allotted him. It is supported by the four Elements, Water, Earth, Air, and Fire, as their figures and Emblems do aptly declare. It runneth on seven wheels, describing the seven ages of man; his Infancy, Childhood, Adolescency, or Stripling estate, Youth-hood, Manhood, Age, and Ages extremity, or decrepit condition: all of them subjecteth to the power of the seven Planets, as on each wheel they bear their Characters. It is drawn by two Lions and two Horses of the Sea, figuring what swift motion hasteneth on the minutes, hours, months and years of our frailty: and the whole frame or body guided by Time, as Coachman to the life of man. That other goodly Monument or Pageant, with the glorious Sun in continual motion over it, appertaining to the Draper's Armoury; presents ye London in the supreme place of eminence, and the twelve Companies (her twelve Daughters) all seated about her in their due degrees, only Drapery is nearest to her, as being the first and chiefest honoured Society before all other. As supports to London's flourishing happiness, and continuance of the same in true tranquillity: four goodly Mounts (as strong and defensive bulwarks) are raised about her, bearing Emblems of those four especial qualities, which make any Commonwealth truly happy. Learned Religion, Military Discipline, Navigation, and Homebred Husbandry.  

For thus, my Lord, I truly understand,  
No greater Cross can hap to any Land,  
Then lack of Scholars, Soldiers, Sailors, Husbandmen,  
Long may we have them all, Time says Amen.    
Evening hastening on speedily, and those usual Ceremonies at Paul's being accomplished: darkness becometh like bright day, by bountiful allowance of lighted Torches, for guiding all the several shows, and my Lord homeward. The way being somewhat long, the order of march appeared the more excellent and commendable, even as if it had been a Royal Mask, prepared for the marriage of an immortal Deity, as in the like nature we hold the Lord Maior, to be this day solemnly married to London's supreme Dignity, by representing the awful authority of sovereign Majesty. No sooner cometh he to his own Gate, but there our supposed Sir Henry Fitz-Alwine, on behalf of the honourable company of Drapers, who made no spare of their bounty, for full performance of this days solemn Honour; speaketh this ensuing speech.  

Fitz-Alwines Speech to the Lord Maior at Night.  

NOw honoured Lord, since day is done,  
And you to your own house are come,  
With all delight that we can make ye:  
Methinks should not yet forsake ye,  
But that strict Time will have it so,  
And parts us, whether we will or no,  
All then my Lord that I shall say,  
Is, that your Honour would well weigh  
Your worthie-minded brethren's love,  
Who have in firm affection strove;  
How best they might renown this day:  
In honouring you. And I dare say,  
That never men did more desire  
To stretch their love and bounty higher  
Than they have done, and could afford  
For such a worthy minded Lord,  
Which they by me humbly commend  
Still at your service: So I end.    
Afterward, as occasion best presenteth itself, when the heat of all other employments are calmly overpast: Earl Robin Hood, with Friar Tuck, and his other brave Huntesmen, attending (now at last) to discharge their duty to my Lord, which the busy turmoil of the whole day could not before afford: they show themselves to him in this order, and Earl Robin himself thus speaketh:  

The Speech spoken by Earl Robert de la Hude, commonly called Robin Hood.  
SInce Graves may not their Dead contain,  
Nor in their peaceful sleeps remain,  
But Triumphs and great Shows must use them,  
And we unable to refuse them:  
It joys me that Earl Robert Hood,  
Fetched from the Forest of merry Shirwood,  
With these my Yeomen tight and tall,  
Brave Huntsmen and good Archers all:  
Must in this jovial day partake,  
Prepared for your Honour's sake.  
No sooner was I raised from rest,  
And of my former state possessed  
As while I lived: But being alone,  
And of my Yeomen seeing not one:  
I with my Bugle gave a call,  
Made all the Woods to ring withal.  
Immediately came little john,  
And Scathlock followed him anon,  
With Much the honest Miller's Son.  
And ere ought else could be done,  
The frolic Friar came tripping in,  
His heart upon a merry pin.  
Master (quoth he) in yonder brake,  
A Deer is hid for Marian's sake,  
Bid Scathlock, john, or honest Brand,  
That hath the happy hitting hand,  
Shoot right and have him. And see my Lord  
The deed performed with the word.  
For Robin and his Bowmen bold,  
Religiously did ever hold,  
Not emptie-handed to be seen,  
Were't but at feasting on a Greene.  
Much more then, when so high a day  
Calls our attendance: All we may,  
Is all too little, 'tis your grace,  
To wink at weakness in this case.  
So fearing to be overlong,  
End all with our old hunting Song.  Friar. 
But good Master ere they sing,  
Favour me to move one thing.  
A boon, a boon, for Friar Tuck,  
Who begs it with a lowly duck.  Rob. 
What is it Friar?  Friar. 
Since we are thus raised from our rest,  
In honour of this famous feast,  
And for his sake that may command,  
(Next to my Master) heart and hand,  
Of me and all these good Yeomen:  
Ere we return to ground again,  
Seeing jolly Christmas draws so near,  
When as our service may appear,  
Of much more merit then as now,  
Which doth no larger scope allow,  
Then that which is already done;  
Your love, my Lord, so much hath won  
Upon the Friar and his compeers,  
As we could wish to live whole years,  
To yield you pleasure and delight,  
Be it by day, or be it by night.  
For we have choice delights in store,  
Command them, and I crave no more.  Rob. 
You hear (my Lord) the friars motion,  
Out of mere love, and pure devotion.  
You see beside that all my men,  
(For any season, where or when,)  
Second his suit. May it please you then,  
Not to dislike his kind request,  
Earl Robin frankly doth protest,  
We will all strive to do our best,  
When any occasion shall require,  
The offer of our merry Friar,  
For such a worthy minded Lord,  
Robin Hood seals it with his word.  Friar. 
Thanks my dear Domine,  
And to you noble Homine,  
For to this Indenter,  
Friar Tuck subscribes Libenter.  
Now lest we offer wrong,  
Fall to your Sing Song.  

The Song of Robin Hood and his Huntesmen.  

NOw wend we together, my merry men all,  
Unto the Forest sidea:  
And there to strike a Buck or a Doae,  
Let our cunning all be tride-a.   

Then go we merrily, merrily on,  
To the Green-wood to take up our stand,  
Where we will lie in wait for our Game,  
With our bend Bows all in our hand.   

What life is there like to Robin Hood?  
It is so pleasant a thing a:  
In merry Shirwood he spends his days,  
As pleasantly as a King a.   

No man may compare with Robin Hood,  
With Robin Hood, Scathlock and john:  
Their like was never, nor never will be,  
If in case that they were gone.   

They will not away from merry Shirwood,  
In any place else to dwell:  
For there is neither City nor Town,  
That likes them half so well.   

Our lives are wholly given to hunt,  
And haunt the merry Greene-wood:  
Where our best service is daily spent,  
For our Master Robin Hood.     
FINIS.