KING JAMES his entertainment at Theobalds': With his welcome to London, together with a salutatorie Poem. By John Savile. Dicito Io paean, & Io bis dicito paean. LONDON Printed by Thomas Snodham, and are to be sold at the house of T. Este. 1603. To the right worshipful master George Savile, son and heir to Sir George Savile knight, his most approved kind patron; Health, honour, and happiness. OF spring of Gentry, sprig for honour dressed, 'tis half your loss (o hell) but all my blame In proper words your worth should not b'exprest, Let it suffice that I adore your name, Then pardon what is wanting, I will owe it, And as I'm able, I will pay I vow it. Mean while accept this poem, to our King sing Peruse it at your leisure, half or all, Your worship's worth our Muse shall shortly Though in true Poesy, her skills but small, How ere it be, accept her pure good will, She rests at your command, in all Save-ill. Your worships ever ready at command in all duty, john Savile. King james his entertainment at Theobalds', with his welcome to London. Courteous Reader, for the better understanding of this description following, especially to whom the situation of the place is either less known or not at all; they are therefore to note that Theobalds' whether the King's majesty came upon Tuesday, being the third of May, accompanied with his whole train, is a Princely Manor belonging to the right Honourable Sir Robert Cecil, principal Secretary to his majesty, and one of his highness Privy Counsel, seated in the county of Essex, twelve miles distant from London, directly by North, near to an ancient town called Walton-crosse. This house is not placed adjoining to the high way side, as many sumptuous buildings are in that country, and thereabouts, but especially between that place and London, the most part whereof belong to the city Merchants; but hath a most stately walk, from the common street way whereby passengers travail up to the Palace, by the space of one furlong in length, beset about either side with young Elm and Ash trees, confusedly mixed one for another, from the highway to the first court, belonging to the house, containing in breadth three rods, which amount to some fifteen yards, in fashion made like a high ridge land, or the middle street way without bishop's gate. His majesty having dined upon that same day with Sir Henry Cocks at Broxburne, four miles distant from Theobalds', about half an hour after one a clock in the afternoon, his Highness proceeded forward toward Theobalds', accompanied with Sir Edward Dennie then sheriff of Essex, he had followers an hundred and fifty in particoloured hats, red and yellow bands, round rolled, with a feather in every one of them of the same colour, besides two trumpeters all which were in blue coats gallantly mounted. There did accompany his majesty from Broxburne, many of the Nobility of England & Scotland. As his Highness was espied coming toward Theobalds', for very joy many ran from their carts, leaving their team of horse to their own unreasonable direction. After his approach nigh unto Theobalds', the concourse of people was so frequent, every one more desiring a sight of him, that it were incredible to tell of. And it was wonderful to see the infinite number of horsemen and footmen that went from the city of London that day thitherwards, and likewise from the counties of Kent, Surry, Essex, & Middlesex, besides many other countries: There were in my company two more, who after I had put it into their minds, what infinite numbers of horse and foot passed by us, after our breakfast at Edmonton, at the sign of the Bell, we took occasion to note how many would come down in the next hour, so coming up into a chamber next to the street, where we might both best see and likewise take notice of all passengers, we called for an hourglass, and after we had disposed of ourselves who should take the number of the horse, and who the foot, we turned the hourglass, which before it was half run out, we could not possibly truly number them, they came so exceedingly fast, but there we broke off, and made our account of three hundred▪ and nine horse, and an hundred thirty seven footmen, which course continued that day from four a clock in the morning, till three a clock after noon, and the day before also, as the host of the house told us, without intermission; now whether every equal space did equal the number of these I cannot justly say, therefore I forbear to set it down. When we were come to Theobalds', we understood his majesty to be within the compass of three quarters of a mile of the house, at which tidings we divided ourselves into three parts, each one taking a place of special note, to see what memorable accidents might happen within his compass, one standing at the upper end of the walk, the second at the upper end of the first court, the third at the second court door; and we had made choice of a gentleman of good sort, to stand in the court that leads into the hall, to take notice what was done or said by his highness to the Nobility of our land, or said or done by them to his majesty, and to let us understand of it, all which accidents as they happened in their several places, you shall hear in as few words as may be. Thus then for his Majesty's coming up the walk, there came before his majesty some of the Nobility, some Barons, Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen and others, amongst whom was the Sheriff of Essex, and the most of his men, the trumpets sounding next before his highness, sometimes one sometimes another, his majesty riding not continually betwixt the same two, but sometimes one sometimes another, as seemed best to his highness, the whole Nobility of our land and Scotland round about him, observing no place of superiotie, all bareheaded, all whom alighted from their horses, at their entrance into the first court, save only his majesty alone, who rid along still, four Noble men laying their hands upon his steed, two before and two behind, in this manner he came, till he was come to the court door where myself stood, where he alighted from his horse, from whom he had not gone ten princely paces, but there was delivered him a petition by a young gentleman, his majesty returning him this gracious answer, that he should be heard and have justice. At the entrance into that court stood many noble men, amongst whom was Sir Robert Cecil, who there meeting his majesty conducted him into his house, all which was practised with as great applause of the people as could be, hearty prayer and throwing up of hats. His majesty had not stayed above an hour in his chamber, but hearing the multitude throng so fast into the uppermost court to see his highness, as his grace was informed, he showed himself openly, out of his chamber window, by the space of half an hour together, after which time he went into the Laberinth-like garden to walk, where he recreated himself in the Meanders compact of Bays, Rosemary, and the like, overshadowing his walk to defend him from the heat of the sun, till supper time, at which was such plenty of provision for all sorts of men, in their due place as struck me with admiration, and first to begin with the ragged regiment, and such as were debarred the privilege of any court, these were so sufficiently rewarded with beef, veal, mutton, bread and beer, that they sung holiday every day, & kept a continual feast; as for poor maimed & distressed soldiers which repaired thither for maintenance, the wine, money, and meat which they had in very bounteous sort, hath been a sufficient spur to cause them blaze it abroad since their coming to London, whose thankfulness is not altogether unknown to myself, whom some of them hearing that I was about to publish this small remembrance, made means to me to give me true information of such princely exhibition as they daily received, during the time of his Majesty's abode at Theobalds'. But let us a little look back, into the mirror of majesty, our sovereigns' own self, who in his princely wisdom, (considering the multitude of people assembled together, had that provident care over us his loving subjects, foreseeing that victuals would be dear, both for horse and man, had it been permitted to have been disposed of, according to the insatiable desire of the town inhabitats, ratified a deposition to that effect taken before the Clerk of the market, for such and such victuals, meal, bread, butter, eggs, cheese, beef, mutton, veal, & the like, with lodging, and many more such necessary matters, that they should not be out of measure dear, beyond ordinary course and custom, within the Verge of his Majesty's court, so long as it continued at Theobalds', what his princely intention was in this towards the public good of all his faithful subjects, then and there assembled together, merely drawn with the bonds of love and bounden duty, may easily be gathered by the publication of the same, by his Majesty's privilege; but how effectually this was observed by all estates of people, within the Verge of his Majesty's court, at the said time, I refer it to the censure of them, that are assured of the certainty of it. Upon wednesday morn, being the fourth of May, his majesty rid very early in the morning into Enfeeld chase, accompanied with many of the nobility, his return was shorter than was expected by a great deal, by reason the morning seemed to promise a shower, but did not perform it, I could have wished that either it had never lou'red at all, so we should have enjoyed the presence of his majesty the longer, at that present, or else that the middle region would have given us just cause to have railed against it, by urging his highness return into the house before his full recreation; he rid the most part of the way from the chase between two honourable personages of our land, the Earl of Northumberland upon his Majesty's right hand, the Earl of Nothingham upon his left hand. Now one word concerning his Majesty's proceeding towards London upon saturday being the seventh of May, and so will end. For the number of people that went forth of the city of London to see his majesty that day, doubtless they were contained in a number, but without all doubt not to be numbered. I heard many grey heads speak it, that in all the meetings they have seen or heard of, they never heard or saw the tenth man was there to be seen that day, betwixt Enfeeld and London, every place in this space so clogged with company, that his highness could not pass without pausing, oft-times willingly enforced, though more willing to have proceeded, if conveniently he could without great peril to his beloved people. After our return to our houses, in our recreating prattle, a gentleman then sojourning in my house, one master Th: Pa: a man upon my own knowledge of sufficient wealth, yet he would have been content to have exchanged his state, so he might but have had actually for every reasonable creature was there that day, a Bee, and a hive to put them in. Another (more reasonable than he) would ask no more living, then for every one a pin, which according to an Arithmetical proportion, by the judgement of two or three martial men, who had seen great companies together, as near as they could guess, by their seeming show, would have amounted to an hundred and fifty pound, receaiving but of every one a pin. His majesty coming to Stanford hill, there was an oration made unto his highness, the effect whereof I could not truly learn, and hear it I could not, by reason of the crowd, for even there being three miles from London, the people were so throng, that a ca●man let his cart for eight groats to eight persons, whose abode was not in it above one quarter of an hour. From Stamford hill to London, was made a train with a tame dear, with such twine and doubles, that the hounds could not take it faster then, his Majesty proceeded, yet still by the industry of the huntsman, and the subtility of him that made the train, in a full-mouthed cry all the way, never farther distant than one close from the high way, whereby his highness rid, and for the most part directly against his majesty, whom together with the whole company, had the lee wind from the hounds, to the end they might the better perceive and judge of the uniformity in the cry. After his majesty was come from Kings-land, there begun a division amongst the people which way his Highness would take when he came at Islington, but in fine, he came the higher way, by the west end of the Church, which street hath ever since, & I guess ever willbe called Kings street, by the inhabitants of the same. When his highness had passed Islington and another place called New-rents, and entered into a close called woods close, by a way was cut of purpose through the bank, for his Majesties more convenient passage into the Charterhouse garden, the people that were there assembled, I can compare to anothing more conveniently then to imagine every grass to have been metamorphosed into a man, in a moment, the multitude was so marvelous, amongst whom were the children of the hospital singing, orderly placed for his Majesty's coming along through them, but all displaced, by reason of the rudeness of such a multitude. After his majesty was come amongst the press of the people, the shouts and clamours were so great, that one could scarce hear another speak, and though there were no hope to find what was lost especially by the loser, notwithstanding in token of excessive joy, inwardly conceived in the heart, many threw up their hats; Now at last he is entered into the garden, from which time till his going to the Tower, mine eyes were never blest with his encounter. Now he is amongst us, God long preserve him over us, whose presence makes old men sing, Satis se vixisse se viso. FINIS. A Salutatorie Poem to the majesty of King JAMES. Hail Mortal God, England's true joy, great King, All hail, thy coming forceth my Muse to sing, Too forward, so untutored in these lays, Unfit to blazon Kings befitting praise, Yet ne'ertheless I'm forced perforce to write Some Fury doth my head my hand incite Antiquity hath taught next that day That English hearts first for your state did pray, The Angel Gabriel, from jehova sent, Told to the creature, what her maker meant, How she a maiden wife should bear a son, Mankind's sole Saviour, when we were undone, This blessed eve of th'blessed Annunciation, Was first day of your highness Proclamation What hopes, what haps this Proclamation brings Is cause efficient why our Muses sings. Hail full of Grace: thus gins the salutation, Striking the blessed with deepest admiration, Half daunted first, than strait no whit dismayed Mildly made answer: Be't as my Lord hath said, Look what surpassing solace, joy without measure Possessed her soul for this celestial treasure Entombing in her womb our Saviour dear Deigned only worthy, man's saving-health to beat, The like and more (if more or like could be) Possessed our souls, longing so long for thee. She blessed the author of her good, the incarnate word Singing, My Soul doth magnify my Lord, At tidings of your Proclamation we In hands, in hats, in hearts did all agree the world hath our applause, heavens have our hearty praying, yourself hands, hats, & hearts from you near straying. The fruit which came by th' Angels ave t'all Is easily gathered by old Adam's fall, The world, the flesh, the devil, each one our foe, By ave had their final overthrow. The fruit we hope to reap, by God save th'King, Which England's counsel unto the world did ring, 'Pon that same days doubtless beyond compare, Yourself in Virtue, Learning, Valour rare. Gabriel why starest▪ Angel, why art thou slack? Tell me eternal messenger, what holds thee back? To take thy wings leave Demi-deitie, And bid God save King james his majesty, Sith thou'rt created to tell thy maker's mind, And for no other end wert first assigned. Old Homes writes a silly dog could say Welcome to's master, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Persius hath told us, for great Caesar's sake A speechless Parrate, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to's welcome spoke, What shall our heart's devise? or hands set down, Worthy thy great & worthiest King) renown, But thousand, of welcomes millions of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 send Plaudities numberless, shouts wanting end, Should we not this do, thankless were we then But oft it's seen, Beasts are more kind than men. Witness old Bardus Ape, freed from the pit, That held a Senator, and Snake within it, Adrian promised Bardus half of all His goods, to rid him from his hunting fall. Poor man untied his truss, let down his rope, To pull out Adrian first, was all his hope, The Ape espying it, out of the prison burst, Clipping the line in's arms, was hailed up first, Bardus lets down his cord, the second time, Intending Adrian, up thereby should climb, When 'twas come down, near to th'imprisoning ground, The Serpent close himself about it wound, He was released the next, whom Bardus feing, Ran all aghast, hoping t'escape by fleeing, Lastly the Senator, fast by it caught, Released, near thanked him for the deed he had wrought, Th'aforesaid two wanting words, reason, art, Did several duties to him, in their heart. In thankfulness, poor Ape did give him wood, A precious stone for his received good. The Serpent gave him, thus we plainly see, For good received, thankful dumb creatures be. Why do I instant in ungrateful man? Sith all are priest to do, say, show; the best they can, To entertain England's undoubted King, james, first of that name, to his own to bring, Do not our Parrots Persius equal thine? When one 'mongst many, so truly could divine, Can Augurize aright, foresee, foresay, A full month since, bidding King james good day, Unseen of most, hearing his only name, Tell'st in the streets, reck'es not her teachers blame, Naming him twenty times at least together, Ceasing no longer, than oiling of a feather, Twixt each King james, or King, or good, or day, And oft poor fool, she totally will pray, Withouten ceasing, utter the whole throughout To th' admiration, of the gazing rout. I cannot deem it now gulling toy, Which Vennard inspired) entitled England's joy. I rather guess he did our good divine Not daring to disclosed before full time, Be bold, go on, now's's thy praesaging plain, King james is England's joy, long hoped for gain, That it is he, who cannot easily prove? Sith it is only he, we only love, 'tis he that England's joy did first awake, After sad sorrowing for Eliza's sake, Then reck no clownish trumps, regard them nought, Banish such Fooleries from thy purer thought, We know the fruit, sprung from foreknowing pen, King james is England's joy, say all Amen. Tokens of England's joy who list to seek, that night might find them strawed in London street, Making the night a day, Phoebe a Sun, This was the first sign when our joy begun, Continued still t' England's aeternal good In th'happy issue of your Royal blood, Make haste to make us happy (worthy King) Our Muse desires to write th'inthr●●izing At famous Westminster, in thy elders chair, Where England's peers, will yield our Crown to th'heir To th'heir legitimate, yourself dread Sovereign, Wishing your happy and victorious Reign. Besides a trine of Kingdoms, are your own, Possess them all, possessing England's Crown, France and froward Ireland, with our English land, Are feall subjects to your Regal hand. Besides your sacred self, doth bring with you, A Kingdom never knit to these till now, As Camden's Britain tells, since Brutus days, Than let us thank our God, sing Roundelays, England rejoice, Saint George for England shout, For joy Saint Denis cry, all France throughout. Double thy joys o Albion hark Cambrian banks, God hath enriched thee with a Prince, give hearty thanks You that of long, had Lords in judgement sit, Deciding causes, for your country sit. Clap hands, sing Io, changed is your government, Our King's dearest son's, your Prince, your Precedent, Saint David ring, for joy set up your leek, Your praier's herd, you have got, you long did seek Brave Henry Frederick, that Imperial name, I guess from his Nativity foretold the same, Thrice happy in his threefold name are you, Henry bold Frederick is a Steward true, How well these titles with your names agree? You almost all (at least possessing) three, Welcome then heartily, welcome brave Prince Henry, Sing Carols for his sake, keep wakes, be merry, Ireful cold Ireland, cease from thy rage at last, To yield subjection to thy King make haste, Sound out Saint Patrick, Scotland Saint Andrew sing King james is England's, Scotland's, France, Ireland's King, What can I add to eke our joys withal, Sith james is King of all, contained in all, But hast dear King, t'case our expecting mind, Unstaid while your Highness stays behind, Indeed near truly stayed, till we you greet, With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in London street. Nor then indeed, till we do all resort To see your face shining in England's Court, And then (o but till then make haste) your grace shall see Your stranger subjects faithful loyalty. Now to return where first I did begin, 'mongst all estates Poets have cause to sing King james his welcome; for he doth excel As his Lepantho and his Furies tell In Poesy: all Kings in Christendom, Then welcome him (quick spirits) blush to be dumb And pardon him that boldly makes this suit Forced by some Fury, scorns to be longer mute, Rejoice your Patron is your country's King, judge; of all states, have not you cause to sing? For shame then rouse your spirits, awake for shame, Give Caesar's due, acquit yourselves from blame, All wish his welcome, 'mongst all sorts of men, Save only such as are past sixty ten, These wayward old ones grudge to leave behind What our succeeding age is sure to find. The peace, the plenty, pleasure, and such like gain, Which we are sure t'enjoy in james his reign. Wishing would he had lived in their youths prime, Or old-age would return to ten and nine, Were they but nineteen, who have eighteen seen. Then would they wish to see king james and's Queen, And so indeed they do, the whitest heads That lived in antic time, and prayed on beads, These holiest fathers crave no longer life, Then once to see King james, his Queen and wife. With hands upreared, giving JEHOVAH praise, That length their lives, to see his happy days, That these his happy days, full grace may bring, Let English hearts cry all, God lave our King. FINIS.