Monuments of Honor. Derived from remarkable Antiquity, and Celebrated in the Honourable City of London, at the sole Munificent charge and expenses of the Right Worthy and Worshipful Fraternity, of the Eminent MERCHANT-TAYLORS'. Directed in their most affectionate Love, at the Confirmation of their right Worthy Brother JOHN GORE in the High Office of His Majesty's Lieutenant over this His Royal Chamber. Expressing in a Magnificent Triumph, all the Pageants, Chariots of Glory, Temples of Honour, besides a specious and goodly Sea Triumph, as well particularly to the Honour of the City, as generally to the Glory of this our Kingdom. Invented and Written by john Webster Merchant-Taylor.  — Non norunt haec monumenta mori. 
Printed at London by Nicholas Okes. 1624..   

TO THE RIGHT Worthy Deserver of this so Noble a Ceremony this Day Confirde upon Him, JOHN GORE Lord Maior and Chancellor of the renowned City of London.  
MY Worthy Lord, these presentmentes which were intended principally for your Honour, and for Illustrating the worth of that worthy Corporation (whereof you are a Member) come now humbly to kiss your Lordship's hands; and to present the Inventor of them to that service, which (my ability expressed in this) may call me to (under your Lordship's favour) to you, do you honour, and the City service in the quality of a Scholar: assuring your Lordship, I shall never either to your ear, or table press unmannerly, or impertinently. My endeavours this way have received grace, and allowance from your worthy brothers (that were supervisors of the cost of these Triumphs) & my hope is, that they shall stand no less respected in your eye, nor under valued in your worthy judgement: which favours done to one borne free of your Company, and your servant; shall ever be acknowledged by him, stands interested  To your Lordship in all duty, JOHN WEBSTER.  

Monuments of Honor.  
I Could in this my Preface (by as great light of Learning as any formerly employed, in this service) can attain, to deliver to You the Original and cause of all Triumphs, their excessive cost in the Time of the Romans: I could likewise with so Noble Amplification make a survey of the worth, and glory of the Triumphs of the precedent times in this Honourable City of London: That were my work of a bigger bulk, they should remain to all Posterity: but both my Pen, and ability this way are confined in too narrow a Circle: Nor have I space enough in this so short a Volume to express only with rough lines, and a faint shadow (as the Painter's phrase is) First the great care and alacrity of the right Worshipful the Master and Wardens, and the rest of the selected and Industrious Committees; both for the curious and judging election of the Subject, for the present Spectacles; and next that the working or mechanic part of it might be answerable to the Invention: Leaving therefore these worthy Gentlemen to the embraces, and thanks of the right Honourable and worthy Praetor; and myself under the shadow of their Crest, (which is a safe one) for 'tis the Holy Lamb in the Sunbeams: I do present to all modest and indifferent judges these my present endeavours.  
I fashioned for the more amplefying the show upon the water two Eminent Spectacles, in manner of a Sea-Triumph. The first furnished with four Persons; In the front Oceanus and Thetis, behind them, Themesis and Medway: the two rivers on whom the Lord Mayor extends his power, as far as from Stanes to Rochester. The other show is of a fair Terrestrial Globe, Circled about in convenient Seats, with seven of our most famous Navigators: as, Sr. Francis Drake, Sr. john Haukins, Sr. Martin Furbisher, Sr. Humfery Gilbert, Captain Thomas Cavendish, Captain Christopher Carlisle, and Captain john Davis'. The conceit of this Device to be, that in regard the two Rivers pay due Tribute of waters to the Seas. Oceanus in grateful recompense returns the memory of these seven worthy Captains, who have made England so famous in remotest parts of the world. These two spectacles, at my Lord Majors taking water at the Three Cranes, approaching my Lords Barge: after a peal of Sea-thunder from the other side the water; these speeches between Oceanus and Thetis follow.  Oceanus and Thetis. Thetis. 
WHat brave Sea Music bids us Welcome, hark!  
Sure this is Venice, and the day Saint Mark,  
In which the Duke and Senates, their course hold▪  
To wed our Empire with a Ring of Gold.  Oceanus. 
No Thetis you're mistaken, we are led  
With infinite delight from the Lands head:  
In ken of goodly shipping and you bridge,  
Venice had near the like survey that ridge,  
Of stately buildings which the river Hem,  
And grace the silver stream, as the stream them:  
That beauteous seat is London so much famed,  
Where any Navigable Sea is named;  
And in that bottom Eminent Merchants placed,  
As rich, and venturous as ever graced,  
Venice or Europe these two Rivers hear,  
Our followers may tell you where we are;  
This Thamesis, that Midway who are sent,  
To you most worthy Praetor to present,  
Acknowledgement of duty near shall err,  
From Stanes unto the Ancient Rochester;  
And now to grace their Triumph in respect,  
These pay us tribute, we are pleased to select  
Seven worthy Navigators out by name,  
Seated beneath this Globe; whose ample fame  
In the remotest part a' the earth is found,  
And some of them have circled the Globe round:  
These you observe are living in your eye,  
And so they ought, for worthy men near die:  
Drake, Hawkins, Furbisher, Gilbert, brave Knights,  
That brought home gold, and honour from sea fights,  
Candish, Carlisle, and Davis', and to these,  
So many worthies I could add at Seas,  
Of this bold Nation, it would envy strike,  
I th' rest o'th' World, who cannot show the like;  
'tis action values honour as the flint,  
Look black and feels like ice, yet from within't,  
Their are struck sparks which to the darkest nights,  
Yield quick and piercing food for several lights.  Thetis. 
You have quickened well my memory, and now  
Of this your grateful Triumph I allow,  
Honour looks clear and spreads her beams at large,  
From the grave Senate seated in that Barge,  
Rich Lading swell your bottoms, a blessed Gale,  
Follow your ventures that they never fail;  
And may you live successively to wear,  
The joy of this day, each man his whole year.  
This Show having tendered this service to my Lord upon the Water, is after to be conveyed a Shore, and in convenient place employed for adorning the rest of the Triumph. After my Lord Majors landing, and coming past Paul's Chain, there first attends for his Honour in Paul's Churchyard, a beautiful Spectacle, called the Temple of Honour, the Pillars of which are bound about with Roses, and other beautiful Flowers, which shoot up to the adorning of the King's Majesty's Arms on the top of the Temple.  
In the highest seat a Person representing Troynovant or the City, in throned in rich Habiliments, beneath her as admiring her peace and felicity, sit five eminent Cities, as Antwerp, Paris, Rome, Venice and Constantinople: under these sit five famous Scholars and Poets of this our Kingdom, as Sir jeffery Chaucer, the learned Gower, the excellent john Lidgate, the sharp witted Sr. Thomas Moor, and last as worthy both Soldier and Scholar, Sir Philip Sidney, these being Celebrators of honour, and the perseruers both of the names of men, and memories of Cities above, to posterity.  
I present riding afore this Temple, Henry de Royal, the first Pilgrim or Gatherer of quarterage for this Company; and john of Yeacksley, King Edward the thirds Pavilion maker, who purchased our Hall in the sixt year of the aforesaid King's government: These lived in Edward the firsts time likewise, (in the sixt of whose Reign, this Company was confirmed a Guild or Corporation by the name of Tailors, and Linen Armores, with power to choose a Master and Wardens at Midsummer) these are decently habited and hooded according to the ancient manner: My Lord is here saluted with two Speeches, first by Troynovant in these lines following.  

The speech of Troynovant.  
HIstory, Truth, and Virtue seek by name,  
To celebrate the Merchant-Taylors fame;  
That Henry de Royal, this we call  
Worthy john Yeacksley purchased first their Hall;  
And thus from low beginnings their oftsprings  
Societies claim Brotherhoods of Kings.  
I Troynovant placed eminent in the eye  
Of these admire at my felicity:  
Five Cities, Antwerp and the spacious Paris,  
Rome, Venice, and the Turks Metropilis:  
Beneath these, five learned Poets worthy men,  
Who do eternize brave acts by their pen;  
Chaucer, Gower, Lidgate, Moor and for our time  
Sr. Philip Sidney, glory of our clime,  
These beyond death a fame to Monarches give,  
And these make Cities and Societies live.   

The next delivered by him, represents Sir Philip Sidney.  
TO Honour by our Wrighting Worthy men,  
Flows as a duty from a judging pen,  
And when we are employed in such sweet praise,  
Bees swarm and leave their honey on our bays:  
Evermore Musically Verses run,  
When the loathed vain of flattery they shun.  
Survey most Noble Praetor what succeeds,  
Virtue low bred aspiring to high deeds.   
These passing on, in the next place, my Lord is encountered with the person of S. john Hawkwood in complete Armour, his plume and Feather for his Horses shafforne of the Companies colours, white and Watchet: this worthy Knight, did most worthy service, in the time of Edward the third in France, after served as General.  
divers Princes of Italy, went to the Holy-land, and in his return back, died at Florence, and there lies buried with a fair Monument over him: This worthy Gentleman was Free of our Company; and thus I prepare him to give my Lord entertainment.  

Sir john Hawkwoods' Speech.  
MY birth was mean, yet my deservings grew  
To eminence, and in France a high pitch flew,  
From a poor common Soldier I attained,  
The style of Captain, and then Knighthood gained;  
Scrud the Black Prince in France in all his wars;  
Then went t'the Holy-land, thence brought my scars.  
And wearied body which no danger feared.  
To Florence where it nobly lies Inteerd,  
There Sir john Hawkewoods memory doth live,  
And to the Merchant-Taylors fame doth give.   
After him follows a Triumphant Chariot with the Arms of the Merchant-Taylors, coloured and gilded in several places of it, and over it, there is supported for a Canopy, a rich and very spacious Pavilion, coloured Crimson, with a Lion Passant: this is drawn with four horses, (for Porters would have made it move tottering and Improperly.) In the Chariot I place for the honour of the Company (of which Records remain in the Hall:) Eight Famous Kings of this Land, that have been free of this Worshipful Company.  
First the Victorious Edward the Third, that first quartered the Arms of France with England, next the Munificent Richard the Second, that kept Tenthousand daily in his Court in Checkroult, By him the Grave and discreet Henry the Fourth, in the next Chairs the Scourge and Terror of France, Henry the Fifth, and by him his religious, though unfortunate Son, Henry the sixt: the two next Chairs are supplied with the Persons of the Amorous and Personable Edward the Fourth (for so Philip Commineus, and Sir Thomas Moor describe him) the other with the bad man, but the good King, Richard the third, for so the Laws he made in his short Government do Illustrate him; But lastly in the most Eminent part of the Chariot I place the wise and politic Henry the seventh, holding the Charter by which the Company was Improved from the Title of Linin-Armorers into the name of Master and Wardens of Merchant-Taylors of Saint john Baptist. The Chairs of these Kings that were of the House of Lancaster are garnished with artificial Red Roses, the rest with white, but the Vniter of the division and houses, Henry the seventh, both with White and Red, from whence his Royal Majesty how reigning took his Motto: for one piece of his Coin, Henricus rosas regna jacobus.  
The speaker in this Pageant is Edward the third, the last Line of his speech is repeated by all the rest in the Chariot.  Edward the Third. 

VIew whence the Merchanttaylors' honour springs  
From this most Royal Conventicle of Kings:  
Eight that Successively wore England's Crown  
Held it a special honour, and renown:  
(The Society was so worthy, and so good)  
T'vnite themselves into their Brotherhood.  
Thus Time, and Industry attain the prize,  
As Seas from Brooks, as brooks from Hillocks rise,  
Let all good men this sentence oft repeat,  
By unity the smallest things grow great.   The Kings. 
By unity the smallest things grow great.  
And this repetition was proper, for it is the Companies Motto: Concordia paruaeres crescunt.  
After this Pageant rides Queen Anne, wife to Richard the second, free likewise of this Company, nor let it seem strange, for besides her, there were two Duchess, five Countesses, and two Barronnesses free of this Society, seventeen Princes and Dukes, one Archbishop, one and thirty Earls, (besides those made with Noble Prince) Henry, one Viscount, twenty four Bishops, sixty six Barons, seven abbots, seven prior; or subprior, and with Prince Henry in the year 1607. the Duke of Linox, the Earls of Nottingham, Suffolk, Arundel, Oxford, Worcester, Pembroke, Essex, Northampton, Salisbury, Montgomery, the Earl of Perth, Viscount Cranborne: Barons, the Lord evers, Hunsden, Hayes, Borley, Mr. Howard, Mr. Sheffield, Sir john Harrinton, Sir Thomas Chaliner, besides States of the Low-Countries, and Sir Noel Caroone their Legier Ambassador.  
And in regard our Company are styled Brethren of the Fraternity of St. john Baptist, and that the ancient Knights of St. john of jerusalem, (to which now demolished House in St. john's Street, our Company then using to go to offer, it is recorded Henry the seventh then accompanying them, gave our Mr. the upper hand,) because these Knights, I say, were instituted to secure the way for Pilgrims; in the desert, I present therefore two of the Worthiest Brothers of this Society of St. john Baptist I can find out in History. The first Amade le Graunde, by whose aid Rhodes was recovered from the Turks, and the order of Anuntiade or Salutation instituted with that of four letters FERT, signifying, Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Tenuit; and the other of Mounsieur jean Valet, who defended Malta from the Turks invation, and expelled them from that impregnable Key of Christendom this styled, Great Master of Malta, that Governor of Rhodes.  
Next I bring our two Sea Triumphs, and after that, the Ship called the Holy-Lambe, which brings hanging in her Shrouds the Golden-Fleece, the conceit of this being that God is the Guide and Protector of all Prosperous Ventures.  
To second this, follow the two beast, the Lion and Cammell proper to the Arms of the Company; on the Camel rides a Turk, such as use to Travail with Caravans, and one the Lion a Moor or wild Numidian.  
The fourth eminent pageant, I call the Monument of Charity and Learning, this fashioned like a beautiful Garden with all kind of flowers, at the sour Corners, four artificial Bird Cages, with variety of Birds in them: this for the beauty of the Flowers, and melody of the Birds, to represent a Spring in Winter: in the midst of the Garden, under one Elme-tree, sits the famous and worthy Patriot Sir Thomas White; who had a dream that he should build a College where two bodies of an Elm sprang from one root, and being inspired to it by God, first rod to Cambridge, to see if he could find any such, Failing of it there, went to Oxford and surveying all the grounds, in and near the University, at last in Gloster-Hallgarden, he found one that somewhat resembled it, upon which he resolved to endow it with larger revenue, and to increase the foundation, having set men at work upon it, and riding one day out at the Northgate at Oxford, he spied on his right hand the self same Elm had been figured him in his dream, whereupon he gives o'er his former purpose, of so amply enlarging Gloster-Hall (yet not without a large exhibition to it) purchases the ground where the Elm stood: and in the same place built the College of Saint john Baptist, and to this day the Elm grows in the Garden, carefully preserved; as being under God a motive to their worthy foundation.  
This I have heard Fellows of the House of approved credit, and no way superstitiously given, affirm to have been delivered from man to man, since the first building of it, and that Sir Thomas White inviting the Abbot of Osnye to dinner in the aforesaid Hall, In the Abbot's presence, and the hearing of diverse other grave persons affirmed by God's Inspiration in the former receited manner, he built and endowed the College.  
This relation is somewhat with the largest, only to give you better light of the figure: the chief person in this is, Sir Thomas White, sitting in his Eminent Habit of Lord Maior, on the one hand sits Charity with a Pelican on her head, on the other Learning with a book in one hand, and a Laurel Wreath in the other, behind him is the College of St. john Baptist in Oxford exactly modelled, two Cornets which for more pleasure answer one and another interchangeably, and round about the Pageant sit twelve of the four and twenty Cities, (for more would have overburdened it) to which this worthy Gentleman hath been a charitable Benefactor▪ when my Lord approaches to the front of this piece: Learning humbles herself to him in these ensuing verses.  The Speech of Learning. 
TO express what happiness the Country yields,  
The Poet's feigned Heaven in th'elysian fields;  
We figure here a Garden, fresh and new,  
In which the chiefest of our blessings grew:  
This worthy Patriot here, Sr. Thomas White,  
Whilst he was living had a dream one night,  
He had built a College and given living to't,  
Where two Elme-bodies sprang up from on root;  
And as he dreamed, most certain 'tis he found,  
The Elm near Oxford, and upon that Ground,  
Built Saint john's College, Truth can testify  
His merit, whilst his Faith and Charity  
Was the true compass, measured every part,  
And took the latitude of his Christian heart;  
Faith kept the centre, Charity walked this round,  
Until a true circumference was found;  
And may the Impression of this figure strike,  
Each worthy Senator to do the like.  
The last, I call the Monument of Gratitude, which thus dilates itself.  
Upon an Artificial Rock, set with mother of Pearl; and such other precious stones, as are found in quarries, are placed four curious Paramids charged with the Prince's Arms, the three Feathers, which by day yield a glorious show, and by night a more goodly, for they have lights in them, that at such time as my Lord Maior returns from Paul's, shall make certain ovals and squares, resemble precious stones, the Rock expresses the riches of the Kingdom Prince Henry was borne Heir to, the Pyramids, which are Monuments for the Dead, that he is deceased: on the top of this rests half a Celestial Globe, in the midst of this hangs the Holy Lamb in the Sunbeams, on either side of these, an Angel, upon a pedestal of gold stands the figure of Prince Henry with his Coronet, George and Garter; in his left hand he holds a Circklet or Crimson Velvet, charged with four Holy Lambs, such as our Company choose Masters with; in several Cants beneath sits, first Magistracy tending a Bee Hive, to express his Gravety in Youth, and forward industry to have proved an absolute Governor: Next Liberality, by her a Dromedary showing his speed and alacrety in gratifying his Followers: Navigation with a Jacob's Staff and Compass, expressing that his desire that his reading that way, might in time grow to the practice & building, to that purpose one of the goodliest Ships was ever launched in the River: in the next Unanimity with a Chaplet of Lillies, in her lap a sheaf of Arrows, showing he loved Nobility, and Communality with an entire heart. Next Industry on a hill where Ants are whording up Corn, expressing his forward inclination to all Noble exercise: Next Chastity, by her a Unicorn, showing it is guide to all other virtues, and clears the Fountain head from all poison: justice with her properties: Then Obedience, by her an Elephant the strongest Beast, but most observant to man of any Creature: Then Peace sleeping upon a Canon, alluding to the eternal Peace he now possesses: Fortitude a Pillar in one hand, a Serpent wreathed about the other, to expect his height of mind, and the expectation of an undaunted resolution. These twelve thus seated, I figure Loyalty as well sworn Servant to this City, as to this Company, and at my Lord Majors coming from Paul's, and going down Woodstreet, Amade le Graunde delivers this Speech unto him.  

The Speech of Amade le Graunde.  
OF all the Triumphs which your eye has viewed  
This the fair Monument of Gratitude;  
This chiefly should your eye, and ear Employ  
That was of all your Brotherhood the joy,  
Worthy Prince Henry fame's best precedent,  
Called to a higher Court of Parliament,  
In his full strength of Youth and height of blood,  
And which Crowned all, when he was truly good:  
On Virtue, and on Worth he still was throwing  
Most bounteous showers, where ere he found them growing,  
He never did disguise his ways by Art  
But shooted his intents unto his hart,  
And loved to do good, more for goodness sake,  
Then any retribution man could make.  
Such was this Prince, such are the noble hearts;  
who when they die, yet die not in all parts:  
But from the Integrity of a Brave mind,  
Leave a most Clear and Eminent Fame behind.  
Thus hath this jewel not quite lost his Ray,  
Only cased up 'gainst a more glorious day.  
And be't remembered that our Company  
Have not forgot him who ought ne'er to die:  
Yet, wherefore should our sorrow give him dead,  
When a new Phnaeix springs up in his stead:  
That as he seconds him in every grace,  
May second him in Brotherhood, and place.  
Good rest my Lord, Integrity that keeps  
The safest Watch and breeds the soundest sleeps.  
Make the last day of this your holding seat,  
joyful as this, or rather more complete.   
I could, a more curious and Elaborate way have expressed myself in these my endeavours, but to have been rather too tedious in my Speeches, or too weighty, might have troubled my Noble Lord, and puzzled the understanding of the Common People; suffice it▪ I hope 'tis well, and if it please his Lordship, and my Worthy Employers, I am amply satisfied.  
FINIS.