¶ THE PASSAGE of our most dread sovereign Lady queen elizabeth through the city of London to westminster the day before her coronacion. Anno. 1558. Cum privilegio The receiving of the queens majesty VPon Saturday, which was the xiiii. day of January in the year of our Lord God .1558. about .ii. of the clock at after noon, the most noble and Christian princess, our most dread sovereign lady elizabeth by the grace of god queen of england france & ireland, defemder of the faith. &c. marched from the tower to pass through the city of London toward Westminster, richly furnished, & most honourably accompanied, as well with gentlemen, Barons, & other the nobility of this realm, as also with a notable train of goodly and beautiful ladies, richly appoynted. And entering the city was of the people received sulphuroous entirely, as appeared by thassemblie, prayers, wishes, welcomminges, cries, tender words, and all other signs, which argue a wonderful earnest love of most obedient subiectes toward their sovereign. And on tother side her grace by holding up her hands, and merry countenance to such as stood far of, and most tender & gentle language to those that stood nigh to her grace, did declare herself no less thankefullye to receive her peoples good will, than they lovingly offered it unto her. To al that wished her grace well, she gave hearty thankes, and to such as bade God save her grace, she said again god save them all, and thanked them with all her heart. So that on either side ther was nothing but gladness, nothing but prayer: nothing but comfort. The queens majesty rejoiced marvelously to see, that, so exceadingly shewed toward her grace, which all good princes haue ever desired, I mean so earnest love of subiectes, so evidently declared even to her graces own person being carried in the midst of them. The people again were wonderfully ravished with the loving answers and gestures of their princess, like to the which they had before tried at her first coming to the tower from Hatfield. This her graces loving behaviour preconceived in the peoples heads vpon these considerations was then thoroughly confirmed, and in dede emplanted a wonderful hope in them touching her worthy government in the rest of her reign. For in all her passage she did not only show her most gracious love toward the people in general, but also privately if the base personages had either offered her grace any flowers or such like, as a signification of their good will, or moved to her any suit, she most gently, to the common rejoicing of all the lookers on, & private comfort of the party, stayed her chariot, and heard their requests. So that if a man should say well, he could not better term the city of London that time, than a stage wherein was shewed the wonderful spectacle, of a noble hearted princess toward her most loving people, & the peoples exceeding comfort in beholding so worthy a sovereign, & hearing so princelike a voice which could not but haue set thenemie on fire, since the virtue is in thenemie alway commended, much more could not but inflame her natural, obedient, and most loving people, whose wea●e leaneth onely upon her grace, and her government. Thus therefore the queens majesty passed from the tower, till she came to Fanchurche, the people on each side joyously beholding the view of so gracious a lady their queen, and her grace no less gladly noting and observing the same. Nere unto Fanchurch was erected a scaffold richly furnished, whereon stood a noyes of instruments, and a child in costly apparel, which was appoynted to welcome the queens majesty in the hole cities behalf. against which place when her grace came, of her own will she commanded the chariot to be stayed, and that the noyes might be appeased till the child had uttered his welcoming oration, which hespake in English meter as here followeth. O peerless sovereign queen, behold what this thy town Hath thee presented with at thy first entrance here: Behold with how rich hope she leadeth thee to thy crown behold with what two gifts she comforteth thy cheer. The first is blessing tongues, which many a welcome say Which pray thou mayst do well, which praise the to the sky Which wish to the long life, which bless this happy day Which to thy kingdom heaps, al that in tongues can lie. The second is true hearts, which love thee from their roote Whose suit is triumph now, and ruleth all the game. Which faithfulness haue won, & al untruth driven out, Which skip for ioy, when as they hear thy happy name. Welcome therfore O queen, as much as heart can think, Welcome again O queen, as much as tongue can tell: Welcome to joyous tongues, & hartes that will not shrink, God the preserve we pray, & wish thee ever well. At which words of the last line the hole people gave a great shout, wishing with one assent as the child had said. And the queens majesty thanked most heartily both the city for this her gentle receiving at the first, & also the people for confirming the same. Here was noted in the queens majesties countenance, during the time that the child spake, besides a perpetual atte●tiuenes in her face, a marvelous change in look, as the childes words touched either her person or the peoples tongues and hearts. So that she with reioysyng visage did evidently declare that the words took no less place in her mind, than they were most heartily pronounced by the child, as from all the heartes of her most hearty citizeins. The same verses were fastened up in a table vpon the scaffold, and the latin therof likewise in latin verses in another table as hereafter ensueth. urbs tua quae ingressu dederit tibi munera primo, O Regina parem non habitura, vide. Ad diadema tuum, te spe quám diuite mittat, Quae dvo letitiae debt tibi dona, vide. Munus habes primum, linguas bona multa precantes, Quae te quum laudant, tum ●ia vota sonant, Foelicemque diem hunc dicunt, tibi secula longa Optant, et quicquid denique lingua potest. Altera dona feres, vera, et tui amantia corda, Quorum gens ludum iam regit vna tuum: In quibus est infracta fides, falsumque perosa, Quaeque tuo audito nomine laeta salit Grata venis igitur, quantum cor concipit ullum, Quantum lingua potest dicere, grata venis. Cordibus infractis, linguisque per omnia laetis Grata venis: saluam te velit esse deus. Now when the child had pronounced his oration, and the queens highnes so thankfully had received it, she marched forward toward gracious street, where at the vpper end, before the sign of the eagle, the city had erected a gorgeous and sumptuous ark as here followeth. A stage was made which extended from thone side of the street to tother, richly vawted with batlementes containing three ports, and over the middlemost was advanced .iii. several stages in degrees. Upon the lowest stage was made one seat royal, wherein were placed two personages representyng king henry the seventh and elizabeth his wife daughter of king Edward the fourth, either of these two princes sitting under one cloth of estate in their seats, no otherwise divided, but that tho●e of them which was king henry the seventh proceeding out of the house of lancaster, was enclosed in a red rose, and tother which was queen Elizabeth being heir to the house of york enclosed with a white rose, each of them royally crwoned, and decently apparailled as appertaineth to princes, with Sceptours in their hands, & one vawt surmounting their heads, wherein aptly were placed two tables, each containing the title of those two princes. And these personages were so set, that the one of thē joined hands with tother, with the ring of matrimony perceived on the finger. Out of the which two roses sprung two branches gathered into one, which were directed upward to the second stage or degree, wherein was placed one, representing the valiant & noble prince king Henry theight which sprung out of the former stock, crwoned with a crown imperial, & by him sate one representing the right worthy lady queen Anne, wife to the said king Henry the●ght, & mother to our most sovereign lady queen Elizabeth that now is, both appareled with Sceptours & diadems, and other furniture due to the state of a king & queen, & ii. tables surmounting their heads, wherein were written their names & titles. From their ●eate also proceaded yards one branch directed to the third and uppermost stage or degree, wherein likewise was planted a seat royal, in the which was set one representyng the queens most excellent majesty Elizabeth now our most dread sovereign lady, crwoned and appareled as tother princes were. Out of the forepart of this pageant was made a standing for a child, which at the queens majesties coming declared unto her th● hole meaning of the said pageant. The two sides of the same were filled with loud noises of music. And all empty places thereof were furnished with sententces concerning unity. And the hole pageant garnished with red roses and white and in the forefront of the same pageant in a faire wreath was written the name, and title of the same, which was. The uniting of the two houses of lancaster and york. this pageant was grounded vpon the queens majesties name. For like as the long war between the two houses of york and lancaster then ended, when Elizabeth daughter to Edward the fourth matched in marriage with henry the seventh heir to the house of lancaster: so since that the queens maiesti●s name was Elizabeth, and forsomuch as she is the only heir of henry the eight, which came of both the houses as the k●itting up of concord, it was devised that like as Elizabeth was the first occasion of concord, so she another Elizabeth might maintain the same among her sub●ectes, so that unity was the end whereat the whole devise shot, as the queens majesties names moved the first ground. this pageant now against the queens majesties coming was addressed with children representing the forenamed personages, with all furniture dew unto the setting forth of such a matter well ment, as the argument declared, costly and sumptuouslye set forth as the beholders can bear witness. Now the queens majesty drew near unto the said pageant, and forsomuch as the noise was great by reason of the press of people, so that she could skarce hear the child which did interpret th● said pageant, and her chariot was passed so far forward that she could not well v●ew the personages representing the kings and Queen●s abovenamed: she required to haue the matter opened unto her, & what they signified, with the end of unity, and gro●id of her name, according as is before expressed. For the fight whereof, her grace caused her chariot to be removed back, and yet hardly could she see, because th● children were set somewhat with the farthest in. But after that her grace had understood th● meaning therof, she thanked the city, praised th● fairness of the work, and promised that she would do her whole endeavour for the continual preservation of concord, as the pageant did emport. The child appointed in the standing abovenamed to open the meaning of the said pageant, spake these words unto her grace. The two princes that sit under one cloth of state, The man in the red rose, the woman in the white: Henry the .vii. And queen Elizabeth his mate, By ring of marriage as man and wife unite. Both heires to both their bloodes, to lancaster the king The queen to york, in one the two houses did knit, Of whom as heir to both, Henry the eight did spring, In whose seat his true heir thou queen Elsabeth dost sit Therfore as civil war, and shed of blood did cease When these two houses were united into one So now that far shall sti●t, and quietne● increase, We trust, O noble queen, thou wilt be cause alone. The which also were written in latin verses, and both ●rawen in two tables vpon the forefront of the said pageant as hereafter followeth. Hii quos iungit idem solium quos annulus idem: Haec albente nitens, ille rubente Rosa: Septimus Henricus Rex, Regina Elizabetha, Scilicet Haeredes genti: vterque suae. Haec Eboracensis, Lancastrius ille dederunt Connubio e, geminis quo foret vna domus Excipit ●os haeres Henricus copula regum Octauus, magni Regis imago potens Regibus hinc succedis avis Regique parenti Patris iusta haeres Elizabetha tui. ¶ Sentences placed therein concerning unity. Nullae concords animos vires domant. Qui iuncti terrent, deiuncti timent. discords animi soluunt, concords ligant. Augentur parua place, magna bello cadunt. Coniunctae manus fortius tollunt onus. Regno pro moenibus aeneis civium concordia. Qui diu pugnant diutius lugent. Discidentes principes subditorum lues. Princeps ad pacem natus non ad arma datur Filia concordiae copia, neptis quies. Dissentiens respublica hostibus patet. Qui idem tenant, diutius tenant. Regnum diuisum facile dissoluitur. civitas concors armis frustra tentatur. Omnium gentium consensus firmat fidem &c. These verses and other pretty sentences were drawn in void places of this pageant, all tending to one end that quietness might be maintained, and all dissension displaced, and that by the queens majesty, heir to agreement, and agreeing in name with her, which tofore had joined those houses, which had ben thoccasyon of much debate and civil war within this realm, as may appear to such as will search chronicles, but be not to be touched in this treatise only declaring her graces passage through the city, and what provision the city made therfore. And ere the queens majesty came within hearing of this pageant, she sent certain as also at all the other pageauntes to require the people to be silent. For her majesty was disposed to hear all that should be said unto her. When the queens majesty had heard the chyldes oration, and understood the meaning of the pageant at large, she marched forward toward cornhill, alway received with like rejoicing of the people, and there as her grace passed by the conduit which was curiously trimmed against that time with rich banners adorned, and a noise of loud instruments vpon the top therof, she espied the second pageant, and because shee feared for the peoples noise, that she should not hear the child which did expound the same, she inquired what that pageant was ere that she came to it. And there understood, that there was a child representing her majesties person, placed in a seat o● government, supported by certain virtues, which suppressed their contrary vices under their feet. and so forth, as in the description of the said pageant shall hereafter appear. This pageant standing in the nether end of cornhill, was extended from thone side of the street to the other, and in the same pageant was devised three gates all open, and over the middle parte thereof was erected one chair, or seat royal with cloth of estate to the same apperteynyng, wherein was placed a child representing the queens highnesse, with consideration had for place convenient for a table which contained her name and title. And in a comely wreath artificially and well devised with perfit sight and understanding to the people. In the front of the same page. at was written the name and title thereof, which is The seat of worthy governance, which seat was made in such artificial maner, as to the appearance of the lookers on, the forparte seemed to haue no stay, and therfore of force was stayed by lively personages, which personages were in number four, standing and staieng the forefronte of the same seat royal, each having his face to the queen and people, whereof every one had a table to express their effects, which are virtues namely. Pure religion, love of subiectes, wisdom and Iustice, which did tread their contrary vices under their feet, that is to wit, Pure religion, did tread upon Superstition and ignorance, love of subiectes, did tread vpon Rebellion and insolency, wisdom did tread vpon folly and vain glory, Iustice did tread vpon Adulacion and Bribery. each of these personages according to their proper names and properties had not onely their names in plain and perfect writing set vpon their breasts easily to be red of all, but also every of them was aptly and properly appareled, so that his apparel and name did agree to express the same person, that in ●●tie he represented. This part of the pageant was thus appointed and furnished. The two sides over the two side ports had in them placed a noise of instruments, which immediately, after the chyldes speech gave an heavenly melody. Upon the top or uppermost part of th● said pageant stood the arms of England ro●ally portratured with th● proper beasts to uphold the same. One representing the queens highnes, sate in this seat crwoned with an imperial crown, and before her seat, was a convenient place appointed for one child which did interpret and apply the said pageant as hereafter shal be declared. every void place was furnished with proper sentences commending the seat supported by virtues, and defacing the vices, to the vtterextirpacion of rebellion, and to everlasting continuance of quietness and peace. The queens majesty approaching nigh unto this pageant thus beawtifyed and furnished in all poyntes, caused her chariot to bee drawn nigh thereunto, that her grace might hear the chyldes oration, which was this. while that religion true, shall ignorance suppress, And with her weighty foot, break superstitions head, while love of subiectes, shall rebellion distress And with zeal to the prince, insolency down tread. While iustice, can flattering tongues & bribery deface, While folly & vayngtorie to wisdom yeld their hands: So long shal government, not swar●e from her right race But wrong decayeth still, and rightwisenes up stands. Now all thy subiectes hearts, O prince of peerless famed Do trust these virtues shall maintain up thy throne, And vice be kept down still, the wicked put to shane, that good with good may ioy, & nought with nought may mone Which verses were painted vpon the right side of the same pageant, and the latin therof on the left side in an other table, which were these. Quae subnixa alte solio regina superbo est, Effigiam sanc●t●e principis alma refert,. Quam civilis amor fulcit, sapientia firmat, Iustitia illustrat, Relligioque beat V●na superstition ● crassae ignorantia frontis Pressae sub pura relligione iacent. Regis amor domat effraenos, arimosque rebelles justus adulantes, Doniuorosque ●erit. Cum regit imperium sapiens, sine luke sedebunt Stultitia atque ●uius numen manis honor. Beside these verses there were placed in every void rome of the pageant both in Englishe and latin such sentences as aduannced the seat of governance upholden by virtue. The ground of this pageant was, that like as by virtues( which do abundantly appear in her grace) the queens majesty was established in the seat of government: so she should sit fast in the same so long, as she embraced virtue and held 'vice under foot. For if 'vice once got up the head, it would put the seat of government in peril of ●alli●g. The queens majesty when she had heard the child and understood the pageant at full, gave the city also thankes there, and most graciously promised her good endeavour for the maintenance of the said virtues, and suppression of vices, and so marched on till she came against the great conduit in cheap, which was bewtified with pictures and sentences accordingly against her graces coming thether▪ Against supper la●es end was extended from thone side of the street to tother, a pageant which had three gates all open. over the middlemoste whereof were erected three several stages, whereon sate eight children, as hereafter followeth. On the uppermost one child, on the middle three, on the lowest .iiii. each having the proper name of the blessing, that they did represent, written in a Table and placed abouetheir heads. In the forefront of this pageant before the children which did represent the blessings, was a convenient standing cast out for a child to stand, which did expownd the said pageant unto the queens majesty, as was done in tother tofore. every of these children were appointed & appareled according unto the blessing which he did represent. And on the forepart of the said pageant was written in fair letters the name of the said pageant in this maner following. The eight beatitudes expressed in the .v. chapter of the gospel of. S, matthew, applied to our sovereign lady queen Elizabeth. over the two side ports was placed a noyes of instruments. And all void places in the pagea●t were furnished with pretty sayings, commending and touching th● meaning of the said pageant, which was the promises & blessings of almighty god made to his people. Before that the queens highnes came unto this pageant, she required th● matter somewhat to be opened unto her, that her grace might the better understand, what should afterward by the child be said unto her. Which so was, that the city had there erected the pageant with. vi●i. children, representing theyght blessings touched in the .v. chapter of S. matthew. whereof, every one vpon just considerations was applied unto her high●es, a●d that the people thereby put her grace in mind, that as her good doings before had given just occasion, why that these blessings might fall vpon her, that so if her grace did continue in her goodness as she had entred, she should hope for the fruit of these promises due unto them, th● do exercise themselves in the blessings, which her grace heard marvelous graciously, and required that the chariot might be removed towards the pageant, that she might perceive the chyldes words, which were these, the queens majesty giving most attentive ear, and requiring that the peoples noise might be stayed. Thou hast b●en .viii. times blessed, ● queen of worthy famed By me●enes of thy spirit, when care did thee beset By mourning in thy grief, by mildness in thy blame By hunger and by thirst, and iustice couldst none get. By mercy shewed, not felt, by cleans of thine heart By seeking peace always, by persecution wrong. Therfore trust thou in god, since he hath helped thy smart That as his promis is, so he will make thee strong. When these words were spoken, all the people wished, that as the child had spoken, so god would strengthen her grace against all her aduersaries, whom the queens majesty did most gently thank for their so loving wish. These verses were painted on the left side of the said pageant, and other in latin on tother side, which were these. Qui lugent hilares fient, qui mitia gestant Pectora, multa soli iugera culta metent justitiam esuriens sitiensue replebitur, ipsum. Fas homini puro cord videre deum Quem alterius miseret, dominus miserebitur huius, Pacificus quisquis, filius ille Dei est. Propter justitiam quisquis patietur habetque Demissam mentem, caelica regna capit. Huic hominum generi terram, mere, sidera vouit oimpotens, horum quisque beatus erit. Besides these, every void place in the pageant was furnished with sentences touching the matter and ground of the said pageant. When all that was to be said in this pageant was ended, the queens majesty passed on forward in cheap side. At the standard in cheap which was dressed fair against the time, was placed a noise of trumpets, with banners and other furniture. The cross likewise was also made fair and well trimmed. And near unto the same, upon the porthe of Saint Peters church door, stood the waits of the city, which did give a pleasant noise with their instruments as the queens majesty did pass by, which on every side cast her countenance, and wished well to all her most loving people. Sone after that her grace passed the cross, she had espied the pageant erected at the little conduit in cheap, and incontinent required to know what it might signify. And it was told her grace, that there was placed time. Tyme●{quod} she, and time hath brought me hither. And so forth the hole matter was opened to her grace, as hereafter shal be declared in the description of the pageant. But in the opening, when her grace understood that the bible in english should be delivered unto her by truth, which was therein represented by a child: she thanked the city for that gift, and said that she would oftentimes read over that book, commaunding sir John parrot, one of the knights which held up her canapy▪ to go before and to receive the book. But learning that it should be delivered unto her grace down by a silken lace, she caused him to stay, and so passed forward till she came against the Aldermen in the high end of cheap tofore the little conduit, where the companies of the city ended, which began at Fanchurche, and stood along the streets, one by another enclosed with rails, hanged with clothes, and themselves well opparelled with many rich furs, and their livery whodes upon their shoulders in comely and seemly maner, having before thē sundry persons wellapparelled in silks & ●haines of gold, as wyflers and garders of the said companies, beside a number of rich hanginges, as well of adultery, Arras, clothes of gold, silver velvet, damask, satin, and other silks plentifully hanged all the way as the queens highnes passed from the tower through the city. Out at the windows & penthouses of every house, did hang a number of rich and costlye banners and streamers, till her grace came to the vpper end of cheap. And there by appointment, the right worshipful master Ranulph Cholmeley Recorder of the city, presented to the queens majesty a purse of crimeson satti● richly wrought with gold, wherein the city gave unto the queens majesty a thousand marks in gold, as master Recorder did declare briefly unto the queens majesty, whose words tended to this end, that the lord maior his brethren, and commonalty of the city, to declare their gladness and good will towards the queens majesty, did present her grace with that gold, desyering her grace to continue their good and gracious queen, and not to esteem the value of the gift, but the mind of the givers. The queens majesty with both her hands took the purse, and answered to him again marvelous pithilie, and so pithilie, that the standards by, as they embraced entirely her gracious answer, so they marveled at th● cowching therof, which was in words truly reported these. I thank my lord maior, his brethren, & you all. And whereas your request is that I should continue your good lady & queen, be ye insured, that I will be as good unto you, as ever queen was to her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall ther lack any power. And persuade yourselves, that for the safety and quietness of you all, I will not spare, if need be to spend my blood, God thank you all. which answer of so noble an hearted pryncesse, if it moved a marvelous shout and rejoicing, it is nothing to be marveled at, since both the heartines thereof was so wonderful, and the words so jointly knit. When her grace had thus answered the Recorder, she marched toward the little conduit, where was erected a pageant with square proportion, standing directly before the same conduit, with battlementes accordynglye. And in the same pageant was advanced two hills or mountains of convenient height. The one of them being on the North side of the same pageant, was made cragged, barreyn, and stony, in the which was erected one three, artificiallye made, all withered and dea●●e, with branches accordingly. And under the same three at the foot thereof, sate one in homely and rude apparel crokedlye, and in mourning maner, having over his head in a table, written in latin and english, his name, which was Ruinosa Respublica, A decayed common weal. And upon the same withered three ware fixed certain Tables, wherein were written proper sentences, expressing the causes of the decay of a commonweal. The other hill on the South side was made fair, fresh, green, and beautiful, the ground thereof full of flowers and beauty, and on the same was erected also one three very fresh and fair, under the which, stood nought one fresh parsonage well apparaylled and appoynted, whose name also was written both in english and in latin, which was, Respublica been instituta. A florishyng commonweal. And upon the same three also, were fi●ed certain Tables containing sentences, which expressed the causes of a flourishing common weal. In the middle between the said hills, was made artificiallye one hollow place or cave, with door and lock enclosed, out of the which, a little before the queens highness coming thither, issued one parsonage whose name was time, apparaylled as an old man with a Sythe in his hand, having wings artificiallye made, leading a parsonage of lesser stature then himself, which was fynely and well apparaylled, all clad in white silk, and directly over her head was set her name and title in latin and english, Temporis filia, the daughter of time. Which two so appoynted, went forward, toward the South side of the pageant. And on her breast was written her proper name, which was Veritas. truth who held a book in her hand vpon the which was written, verbum veritatis, the word of truth. And out of the South side of the pageant▪ was cast a standing for a child which should interpret the same pageant. Against whom, when the queens majesty came, he spake unto her grace these words. This old man with the sythe, old father time they call, And her his daughter Truth, which holdeth yonder book Whom he out of his rock hath brought forth to us all, From whence this many yeres she durst not once out look. The ruthful wight that sitteth under the barren three, Resembleth to us the form, when common weals decay But when they be in state triumphant, you may see By him in fresh attire that sitteth under the bay. Now since th● Time again his daughter truth hath brought, We trust O worthy queen, thou wilt this truth embrace And since thou vnderstandste the good estate and nought We trust wealth thou wilt plant, and barrenness displace. But for to heal the sore, and cure that is not seen, which thing the book of truth doth teach in writing plain: She doth present to thee the same, O worthy queen, For that, that words do fly, but writing doth remain. When the child had thus ended his speech, he reached his book towards the queens majesty, which a little before, truth had let down unto him from the hill, which by sir John parrot was received, and delivered unto the queen. But she as soon as she had received the book, kissed it, and with both her hands held up the same, and so laid it vpon her breast, with great thankes to the city therfore. A●d so went forward towar●s Paules churchyard. The former matter which was rehearsed unto the queens majesty was written in two tables, on either side the pageant eight verses, and in the midst, these in latin. Ille, vides falcem laeua qui sustinet vncam, Tempus is est, cvi stat filia vera comes Hanc pater exesa deductam rupe repo●it In lucem, quam non viderat ante di● Qui sedet a laeua cultu male tristis inepto Quem duris crescens cautibus orbis obit Nos monet effigy, qua sit respublica quand● Corruit, at contra quando beata viget Ille docet iovis forma spectandus amictu Scitus, et aeterna laurea frond virens. The sentences written in latin and englishe vpon both the trees, declaring the causes of both estates, were these. ¶ Causes of a ruinous common weal are these. Want of the fear of god Disobedience to rulers. blindness of guides. bribery in maiestrats Rebellion in subiectes. civil disagreement. flattering of princes. unmercifulness in rulers Vnthankfulnes in subiects ¶ Causes of a flourishing common weal. fear of god. A wise prince. Learned rulers. Obedience to officers Obedient subiectes. Louers of the common weal virtue rewarded 'vice chastened. The matter of this pageant dependeth of them th● went before. For as the first declared her grace to come out of th● house of unity, th● second th● she is placed in th● seat of government stayed with virtue to the suppression of 'vice, and therfore in the third the eight blessings of almighty god might well be applied unto her: so this fourth now is, to put her grace in remembrance of the state of the common weal, which Time with Truth his daughter doth reveal, which Truth also her grace hath received, and therfore cannot but be merciful and caref●l for th● good government therof. From thence the queens majesty passed toward Paules churchyard, and when she came over against Paules school, a child appointed by the scolemaster therof pronounced a certain oration in latin, & certain verses which also were there written as followeth. Philosophus ille divinus Plato inter multa preclare ac sapienter dicta, hoc posteris proditum reliquit, Rempub● illam faelicissimāfore, cvi princeps sophiae studiosa, virtutibusque ornata contigerit▪ Quem si vere dixisse censeamus( vt quidem verissime) cur non terra Britannica plauderet? cur non populus gaudium atque laetitiam agitaret? immo, cur non hunc diem albo( quod aiunt) lapillo notaret? quo princeps talis nobis adest, qualem priores non viderunt, qualemque posteritas haud facile cernere poterit, dotibus quum animi, tum corporis vndique faelicissima. Castiquidem corporis dotes ita apertae sunt, vt oratione non egeant. Animi vero tot tantaeque, vt ne verbis quidem exprimi possint. Haec nempe Regibus summis orta, morum atque animi nobilitate genus exuperat. Huius pectus Christi religionis amore flagrat. Haec gentem Britannicam virtutibus illustrabit, clipeoque justitiae teget. Haec literis graecis etlati●is eximia, ingenioque prepollens est. Hac imperante pietas vigebit, Anglia florebit, aurea secula redibunt. Vos igitur Angli tot commoda accepturi Elizabetham Reginam nostram celeberrimam ab ipso Christo huius regni imperio destinatam, honore debito prosequimini. Huius imperiis aimo libentissimo subditiestote, vosque tali principe dignos prebete. Et quoniam pueri non viribus said precib{us}. officium prestare possunt, nos Alumni huius scholae ab ipso Coleto olim Templi Paulini Decano, extructae teneras palmas ad caelum tendentes Christum Opt: Maxi: precaturi sumus vt tuam cel●itudinē annos Nestoreos summo cum honore angles imperitare faciat, matremque pignorib{us} charis beatam reddat. Amen. Anglia nunc tandem plaudas, laetare, resulta, Presto iam vita est, praesidiumque tibi En tua spes venit tua gloria, lux, decus omne Venit iam solidam quae tibi prestat opem. Succurretque tuis rebus quae pessum obiere▪ Perdita quae fuerant haec reparare volet Omnia florebunt, redeunt nunc aurea secla. In melius surgent quae cecidere bona. Debes ergo illi totam te reddere fidam Cuius in accessu commoda tot capies. salve igitur dicas, imo de pectore summo. Elizabeth Regni non dubitanda salus, Virgo venit, veniatque optes comitata deinceps. Pignoribus charis, laeta parens veniat Hoc deus oimpotens ex alto donet olympo. Qui caelum & terram condidit atque regit. Which the queens majesty most attentiulye hearkened unto. And when the child had pro●ounced he did kiss the oration which he had there faire written in paper, and de●iueredit unto the queens majesty, which most gently received the same. And when the queens majesty had heard all th● was there offered to be spoken, thē her grace marched toward Ludgate, where she was received with a noise of instruments, the forefront of th● gate being finely trimmed up against her majesties coming. From thence by the way as she went down toward fletebridge, one about her grace noted the cities charge, that there was no cost spared. Her grace answered that she did well consider the same, and that it should be remembered. In honourable answer, worthy a noble prince, which may comfort all her subiectes, considering there can be no point of gentleness, or obedient love shewed toward her grace, which she doth not most renderlie accept, and graciously way. In this maner, the people on either side rejoicing, her grace went forward, toward the conduit in Fleetestrete, where was the fifte and last pageant erected in form following. From the conduit which was bewtified with painting, unto the Northside of the street, was erected a stage embattelled with four towers and in the same a square perfit rising with degrees, and upon the● uppermost degree was placed a chair, or seat royal, and behind the same seat in curious and artificial maner, was erected a three of reasonable height and so far advanced above the seat as it did well and semelye shadow the same, without endomaging the sight of any part of the pageant, and the same three was bewtified with leaves as green as arte could devise being of a convenient greatness and containing thereupon the fruit of the date, and on the top of the same three in a table was set the name thereof which was A palm tee, and in the aforesaid seat or chair was placed a semel●e and meet parsonage richly appareled in parliament robes, with a sceptre in her hand, as a queen crwoned with an open crown, whose name and title was in a table fixed over her head, in this sort. Debora the judge and restorer of the house of Israel. judic. 4. and the other degrees on either side were furnished with .vi. personages, two representing the nobility, two the clergy, & two the comminaltye. And before these personages was written in a table Debora with her estates consulting for the good government of Israel. At the feet of these and the lowest part of the pageant was ordained a convenient rome for a child to open the meaning of the pageant. When the queens majesty drew nere unto this pageant, and perceived, as in the other, 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. Iaben of Canaan king had long by force of arms oppressed the israelites, which for gods people went But god mind●ng at last for to redress their harms, The worthy Debora as judge among them sent. In war she, through gods aid, did put her foes to flight, And with the dint of tworde the band of bondage brast. In peace she, through gods aid, did alway maintain right And judged Israell till forty yeres were past. A worthy president, O worthy queen, thou hast, A worthy woman judge, a woman sent for stay. And that the like to us endure alway thou mayst Thy loving subiectes will with true hearts & tongues pray. Which verses were written vpon the pageant, and the same in latin also. Quando dei populum, Canaan rex pressit Iaben, Mittitur a magno Debora magna deo: Quae populum eriperet, sanctum seruaret Iudan, Milite quae patrio frangeret hostis opes. Haec domino mandante deo lectissima fecit Faemina, et aduersos contudit ense viros. Haec quater denos populum correxerat annos judicio, bello strenua, place gravis. Sic, O sic populum belloque et place guberna, Debora sis angles Elizabetha tuis. The void places of the pageant were filled with pretty sentences concerning the same matter. this ground of this last pageant was, that forsomuch as the next pageant before had set before her graces eyes the flourishing & desolate states of a common weal, she might by this be put in remenbrance to consult for the worthy government of her people, considering god oftimes sent women nobly to rule among men, as Debora which governed Israell in peas the space of .xl. yeres: & that it behoveth both men & women so ruling to use aduise of good counsel. When th● queens majesty had passed this pageant, she marched toward Templebarre. But at S. Dunstones church where th● children of thospitall were appointed to stand with their gouernours, 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 toward the poor whom I must in the midst of my royalty needs remember, and so turned her face toward the child, which in latin pronounced an oration to this effect, that after the queens highness had passed through the city and had sene so sumptuous, rich, and notable sepectacles of the citiezens which declared their most hearty receiving and joyous welcoming of her grace into the same: this one spectacle yet restend and remained, which was the everlasting spectacle of mercy unto the poor membres of almighty God, furthered by that famous and most noble prince king Henry the eight, her graces father, erected by the city of London, and advanced by the most godly virtuous and gracious prince king Edwarde she .vi. her graces dere and loving brother doubting nothing of the mercy of the queens most gracious clemency by the which they may not onely be relieved and helped, but also stayed and defended, & therfore ince●●auntly they would pray and cry unto almighty God for the long life and reign of her highnes with most prosperous victory against her enemies. The child after he had ended his oration, kissed the paper wherein the same was written, and reachedit to the queens majesty which received it graciouslye both with words & countenance, declaring her gracious mind toward their relief. From thence her grace came to Temple bar, which was dressed fynelye with the two images of Gotmagot the Al●ione, and Corineus the Briton, two giants big in stature fur●ished accordingly, which held in their hands even above th● gate, a table, wherein was written in latin verses, theffect of all the pageants wh●●h the city before had erected, which verses were these. Ecce sub aspectu iam contemplaberis uno. O princeps populi sola columna tui. Quicquid in immensa passim perspexeris urbe Quae cepere omnes vnus hic arcus habet: Primus tesolio regni donavit 〈◇〉, Haeras quip tui vera parents ●ras. Suppress●● vitiis, domina virtute, Secundus Firma●it sed●m r●gia virgo tuam. Tertius ex omni posuit te parte beatam Si, qua caepisti pergere velle, velis Quarto quid verum, respublica lapsa quid esse● Quae florens staret te docuere tui Quinto magna loco 〈…〉 Caelitus in regni gaudia 〈…〉 Perge ergo, regina, tuae spes 〈◇〉 gentis, Haec postrema urbis sus cip● vota tuae. vive diu, regnaque diu, virtutibus orna Rem patriam, et populi spem tueare tui. Sic o sic petitur caelum Sic itur in astra Hoc virtutis opus, caetera mortis erunt. Which versis were also written in Englishe meter in a less table as hereafter followeth. Behold here in one view, thou mayst see all that plain O princess to this thy people the onely stay: What echewhere thou hast seen in this wide town, again This one arch whatsoever the rest conteynd, doth say. The first arch as true ●eyre unto thy father dere, Did set thee in the th●one where thy grand father sat, The second did confirm thy seat as princess here, Uertues now bearing sway, and vices 〈◇〉 down flat. The third, if that thou wouldst go on as thou began, Declared thee to be blessed on every side, The fourth did open truth, and also caught thee when The commonweale stood well, & when it did thence slide. The fifth as Debora declared thee to be sent From heaven, a long comfort to us thy subiectes all, Therfore 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, adourning thy country With virtues, and maintain thy peoples hope of thee, For thus, thus heaven is won, thus must th● pierce th● sky, This is by virtue wrought, all other must needs die. On the South side was appoynted by the city a noise of singing children, & one child richly attired as a Poet, which gave the queens majesty her fare well in the name of the hole city, by these words. As at thine entrance first, O prince of high renown, Thou wast presented with tongues & heartes for thy fair, So now sith thou must needs depart our 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 mennes 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, th● God may make the strong, As by his grace puissant, so in his truth constant. Farewell O worthy queen, and as our hope is sure, That into errors place, thou wilt now truth restore, So trust we th● 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 maintenance of truth and rooting out of error, she now and then held up her hands to heauenwarde 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 toward Westminster, with no less shoutyng and crying of the people, then she entred the city with a noise of ordinance which the tower shot of at her graces entrance first into tower street. The childes saying was also in latin verses written in a table which was hanged up there. O Regina potens, Cum primam vrbem ingredereris, Dona tibi, linguas, fidaque corda dedit. Discedenti etiam tibi nunc dvo munera mittit, Omina plena spei, votaque plena precum▪ quip tuis spes est, in te quod prouida virtus Rexerit, errori nec locus vllus erit quip tuis spes est, quod tu verum omne reduces Solatura bonas, dum mala tollis, opes Hac 〈◇〉 orant, longu● vt Reg●●● gubernes, Et regni excindas, crimina cuncta tui. ◇ freti orant, diuina vt gratia fortem, Et verae fidei te velit esse basin. Iam Regina vale, et sicut nos spes tenet vna, Quod vero inducto 〈◇〉 ditus error erit. Sic 〈◇〉 speramus quod eris Regina be●igna Nobis per regni tempora longa tui Thus the queens highness passed through the city, which without any foreign person, of itself beawtifyes 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 graces passage shewed herself generally an image of a worthy lady and governor, but privately these especial poyntes were noted in her grace, as signs of a most princelyke courage, whereby her loving subiectes may ground a sure hope forth rest of her gracious doings hereafter. Certain notes of the queens majesties great mercy, clemency, and wisdom used in this passage about the nether end of Cornehyll 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 wepeth & turneth his face backward. How may it be interpnted that he so doth, for sorrow, or for gladness? The queens majesty heard him, and said, I warrant you it is for gladness. A gracious interpretation of a noble courage, which would turn the doutefull to the best. And yet it was well known that as her grace did confirm the same, the parties cheer was moved for very pure gladness for the sight of her majesties person, at the beholding whereof, he took such comfort, that with tears he expressed the same. In cheapside her grace smiled, and being therof demanded the cause, answered, for that she had heard one say, Remember old king Henry ●heyght. A natural child, which at the very remembrance of her fathers name took so great a ioy, 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 cities charge without partiality and onely the city was mentioned unto her grace, she, said it should not be forgotten. which saying might move all Englishemen heartely● to show due obedience and entiernes, to their so good a queen which will in no point forgeat 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 heartes 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, then that mighty princes haue gentlye received presentes offered them by base and low personages. If that be to be wondered at( as it is passingly) let me se any writer that in any one princes life is able to recounte so many presidents of this virtue, as her grace shewed in that one passage through the city. How many nosegayes did her grace receive at poor womens hands? How oft-times stayed she her chariot, when she saw any simplo 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, not without the marvelous wondering of such as knew the presenter, and noted the queens most gracious receiving and keeping the same. What hope the poor and needy may look for at her graces hand, she as in all her journey continually, so in her harkenyng to the poor children of Christes hospital with eyes cast up into heaven, did fully declare, as that neither the welthier estate could stand without consideration had to the poverty, neither the poverty be duly considered, unless they were remembered, as commended to us by goddes 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, bownde 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 gods appointing and therfore they must first and chiefly tender the glory of him, from whom their glory issueth, it is to be noted in her grace, that forsomuch as god hath so wonderfully placed her in the seat of government over this realm, she in all doings doth show herself most mindful of his goodness and mercy shewed unto her, & amongst all other, two principal signs thereof were noted in this passage. First in the tower, where her grace before she entred her chariot, lifted up her eyes to heaven and said. O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, I give thee most hearty thankes that thou hast been so merciful unto me as to spare me to behold this joyful day. And I aclowledge that thou hast dealt as wonderfully & as mercifully with me, as thou didst with thy true and faithful seruant Daniel thy 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 the delivered. To thee therfore onely be thankes, honor, & praise, forever. 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 Englishe 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 did she with both her hands take it, kiss it, & lay it vpon her breast ●● the great comfort of the lookers on. God will vndou●tedly prese●●e so worthy a prince, which at ●●s honor ◇ taketh her beginning 〈◇〉 this saying is true, and written in the book of Truth, He that first seeketh the kingdom of God, shall haue all other things cast unto him. Now therfore all English hearts, and her natural people must needs praise Gods mercy, which hath sent them so worthy a prince, and pray for her graces long continuance amongst vs. Imprinted at London in fleetstreet within Temple bar, at the sign of the hand and star, by Richard ●ottill, the .xxiii. day of january.