University of Virginia Library

The Deuice at Soper-lane end.

VVithin a large Compartiment, mounted aboue the forehead of the Gate, ouer the Freeze, in Capitalles was inscribed this Title:

Vnder that shape of Arabia, this Iland being figured; which two names of New, and Happie, the Countrey could by no merit in it selfe, challenge to be her due, but onely by meanes of that secret influence accompanying his Maiestie wheresoeuer hee goes, and working such effectes.

The most worthy personage aduaunced in this place, was Arabia Britannica, a Woman, attyred all in White, a rich Mantle of Greene cast about her, an imperiall Crowne on her head, and a Scepter in one hand, a Mound in the other; vpon which she sadly leaned: a rich Veyle (vnder the Crowne) shadowing her eyes, by reason that her countenaunce (which till his Maiesties approach, could by no worldly obiect be drawne to looke vp) was pensiuely deiected: her ornamentes were markes of Chastetie and Youth: the Crowne, Mound, and Scepter, badges of Soueraigntie.

Directly vnder her in a Cant by her selfe, Fame

stood vpright: A Woman in a Watchet Roabe, thickly set with open Eyes, and Tongues, a payre of large golden Winges at her backe, a Trumpet in her hand, a Mantle of sundry cullours trauersing her body: all these Ensignes desplaying but the propertie of her swiftnesse, and aptnesse to disperse Rumors.

In a Descent beneath her, being a spatious Concaue roome, were exalted fiue Mounts, swelling vp with different ascensions: vpon which sate the fiue Sences, drooping: Viz.

• 1 Auditus, Hearing.
• 2 Visus, Sight.
• 3 Tactus, Feeling.
• 4 Olfactus. Smelling
• 5 Gustus, Taste.

Appareled in Roabes of distinct cullours, proper to their natures; and holding Scutchions in their handes: vpon which were drawne Herogliphicall bodyes, to expresse their qualities.

Some prettie distaunce from them (and as it were in the midst before them) an artificiall Lauer or Fount was erected, called the Fount of Arate (Vertue.) Sundry Pipes (like veines) branching from the body of it: the water receiuing libertie but from one place, and that very slowly.

At the foote of this Fount, two personages (in greater

shapes then the rest) lay sleeping: vpon their brestes stucke their names, Detractio, Obliuio: The one holdes an open Cuppe; about whose brim, a wreath of curled Snakes were winding, intimating that whatsoeuer his lippes toucht, was poysoned: the other helde a blacke-Cuppe couerd, in token of an enuious desire to drowne the worth and memorie of Noble persons.

Vpon an Ascent, on the right hand of these, stood the three Charites or Graces, hand in hand, attyred like three Sisters.

• Aglaia, Figuring Brightnesse, or Maiestie.
• Thalia, Figuring Youthfulnes, or florishing.
• Euphrosine, Figuring Chearfulnes, or gladnes.

They were all three Virgins: their countenaunces laboring to smother an innated sweetnes and chearefulnes, that appareled their cheekes; yet hardly to be hid: their Garmentes were long Roabes of sundry coloures, hanging loose: the one had a Chapler of sundry Flowers on her head, clustard heere and there with the Fruites of the earth. The seconde, a Garland of eares of Corne. The third, a wreath of Vinebranches, mixt with Grapes and Oliues.

Their haire hung downe ouer their shoulders loose, and of a bright cullour, for that Epithite is properly bestowed vpon them, by Homer in his Himne to Apollo.

They helde in their handes pensild Shieldes: vpon the first, was drawne a Rose: on the second, 3. Dyce: on the third, a branch of Mirtle.

In a direct line against them, stoode the three Howres, to whom in this place we giue the names of Loue, Iustice, and Peace: they were attyred in loose Roabes of light cullours, paynted with Flowers: for so Ouid apparrels them.

Winges at their feete, expressing their swiftnesse, because they are Lackies to the Sunne: Iungere eques Tytan velocibus imperat Horis. Ouid.

Each of them helde two Goblets; the one full of Flowers (as Ensigne of the Spring,) the other full of rypened Figges, the Cognisance of Summer.

Vpon the approch of his Maiestie (sad and solemne Musicke hauing beaten the Ayre all the time of his absence, and now ceasing,) Fame speakes.

Fama.
Turne into Ice mine eye-balls, whilst the sound
Flying through this brazen trump, may back rebound
To stop Fames hundred tongues, leauing them mute,
As in an vntoucht Bell, or stringlesse Lute,
For Vertues Fount, which late ran deepe and cleare,
Drie, and melts all her body to a teare.
You Graces! and you houres that each day runne
On the quicke errands of the golden Sunne,
O say! to Vertues Fount what has befell,
That thus her veines shrinke vp.

Charites Horæ.
Wee cannot tell.

Euphrosine.
Behold the fiue-folde guard of Sence which keepes
The sacred streame, sit drooping: neere them sleepe
Two horred Monsters: Fame! summon each Sence,
To tell the cause of this strange accidence.

Heere upon Fame sounding her Trumpet; Arabia Britannica, lookes cheerefully vp, the sences are startled: Detraction and Obliuion throw off their iron slumber, busily bestowing all their powers to fill their cups at the Fount with their olde malitious intention to sucke it drie; But a strange and heauenly musicke suddainly striking through their eares, which causing a wildnes and quicke motion in their lookes, drew them to light vpon the glorious presence of the King, they were suddainly thereby daunted and sunke downe; The Fount in the same moment of Tyme, flowing fresh and aboundantly through seuerall pipes, with Milke, Wine, and Balme, whilst a person (figuring Circumspection) that had watcht day and night, to giue note to the world of this blessed Tyme, which hee foresawe would happen, steps forth on a mounted Stage extended 30. foote in length from the maine building, to deliuer to his Maiestie the interpretation of this dumbe Mysterie.
This Presenter was a Boy, one of the Choristers, belonging to Paules.
His Speech.
Great Monarch of the West, whose glorious Stem,
Doth now support a triple Diadem,
Weying more thā that of thy grand Grandsire Brute,
Thou that maist make a King thy substitute,
And doest besides the Red-rose and the white,
With the rich flower of France thy garland dight,
Wearing aboue Kings now, or those of olde,
A double Crowne of Lawrell and of gold,
O let my voyce passe through thy royall eare,
And whisper thus much, that we figure here,
A new Arabia, in whose spiced nest
A Phœnix siu'd and died in the Sunnes brest,
Her losse, made sight, in teares to drowne her eyes,
The Eare grew deafe, Tastelike a sick-man lyes,
Finding no rellish: euery other Sence,
Forgat his office, worth and excellence,
Whereby this Fount of Vertue gan to freeze,
Threatned to be drunke by two enemies,
Snakie Detraction, and Obliuion,
But at thy glorious presence, both are gone,
Thou being that sacred Phœnix, that doest rise,
From th'ashes of the first: Beames from thine eyes
So vertually shining, that they bring,
To Englands new Arabia, a new Spring:
For ioy whereof, Nimphes, Sences, Houres, & Fame,
Eccho loud Hymnes to his imperiall name.

At the shutting vp of this Speech, his Maiestie (being readie to goe on,) did most graciouslie feede the eyes of beholders with his presence, till a Song was spent: which to a loude and excellent Musicke (composed of Violins & an other rare Artificiall Instrumēt, wherein besides sundrie seuerall sounds effus'd (all at one time) were also sensibly distinguisht the chirpings of birds, was by two Boyes (Choristers of Paules) deliuered in sweete and rauishing voyces.
[Boyes.]
Cant.

Nor let the scrue of any wresting comment vpon these words,

Enforce the Authors inuention away frō his owne cleare straight and harmelesse meaning: all the scope of this fiction stretching onely to this point, that London (to doo honour to this day, wherein springs vp all her happines) beeing rauished with vnutterable ioyes, makes no account (for the present) of her ancient title, to be called a Citie; (because that during these tryumphes, shee puts off her formall habite of Trade and Commerce, treading euen Thrift it selfe vnder foote, but now becomes a Reueller and a Courtier. So that, albeit in the end of the first Stanza tis said,

through the Citie of London.
Yet for all this, is't not pittie,
Troynouant is now no more a Cittie.

By a figure called Castigatio or the mender, heere followes presently a reproofe; wherein tytles of Sommer Arbor; The Eagles nest, a wedding Hāll, &c. are throwne vpon her, the least of them being at this time by vertue of Poeticall Heraldrie, but especiallie in regard of the State that now vpholds her, thought to be names of more honour, than that of her owne. And this short Apologie, doth our verse make for it selfe, in regard that some, (to whose setled iudgement and authoritie the censure of these Deuises was referred,) brought though not bitterly the life of those lines into question: But appealing with Mæchætas to Phillip, now these reasons haue awakend him: let vs followe King Iames, who hauing passed vnder this our third gate, is by this time, graciously receauing a gratulatorie Oration from the mouth of Sir Henry Mountague, Recorder of the Citie, a square lowe gallorie, set round about with pilasters, beeing for that purpose erected some 4. foote from the ground, and ioyned to the front of the Crosse in Cheape; where likewise stood all the Aldermen, the Chamberlaine, Towne-clarke, and Counsell of the Citie.

The Recorders Speech.

High Imperiall Maiestie, it is not yet a yeere in
dayes since with acclamation of the People, Citizens,
and Nobles, auspitiouslie heere at this Crosse was proclaimed
your true succession to the Crowne. If then
it was ioyous with Hats, hands, and hearts, lift vp to
heauen to crie King Iames, what is it now to see King
Iames? Come therefore O worthiest of Kings as a glorious

Bridegroome through your Royall chamber:
But to come neerer, Adest quem querimus. Twentie
and more are the Soueraignes wee haue serued since
our conquest, but Conquerour of hearts it is you and
your Posteritie, that we haue vowed to loue and wish
to serue whilst London is a Citie. In pledge whereof
my Lord Maior, the Aldermen, and Commons of
this Citie, wishing a golden Reigne vnto you, present
your Greatnes with a little cup of gold.

At the end of the Oration three Cups of gold were giuen (in the name of the Lord Maior, and the whole Body of the Citie,) to his Maiestie, the young Prince, and the Queene.

All which but aboue all (being gifts of greater value) the loyall hearts of the Citizens, beeing louingly receaued; his Grace was (at least it was appointed he should haue beene) met on his way neere to the Crosse, by Syluanus drest vp in greene Iuie, a Cornet in his hand, being attended on by foure other Syluans in Iuie likewise, their bowes and quiuers hanging on their shoulders, and winde Instruments in their hands.

Vpon sight of his Maiestie, they make a stand, Syluanus breaking forth into this abrupt passion of ioy.

Syluanus.

Stay Syluans, and let the loudest voyce of Musicke
proclayme it (euen as high as Heauen) that hee is
come.

Alter Apollo redit, Nouus En, iam regnat Apollo.

Which acclamation of his was borne vp into the ayre, and there mingled with the breath of their musicall Instruments: whose sound beeing vanishēd to nothing, Thus goes our Speaker on.
Syluanus.

Most happie Prince, pardon me, that being meane
in habite, and wilde in apparance, (for my richest liuorie
is but leaues, and my stateliest dwelling but in
the woodes,) thus rudely with piping Syluanes. I presume
to intercept your royall passage. These are my
walkes: yet stand I heere, not to cut off your way, but
to giue it a full and a bounteous welcome, beeing a
Messenger sent from the Lady Eirene my Mistresse, to
deliuer an errand to the best of all these Worthies,
your royall selfe. Many Kingdomes hath the Lady
sought out to abide in, but from them all, hath shee
beene most churlishly banished: not that her beautie
did deserue such vnkindnes, but that (like the eye of
Heauen) hers were too bright, and there were no Eagles
breeding in those nests, that could truly beholde
them.

At last heere she ariued, Destinie subscribing to this
Warrant, that none but this Land should be her Inheritance.
In contempt of which happines, Enuie
shootes his impoisoned stings at her heart, but his Adders
(being charmed) turne their daungerous heads
vpon his owne bosome. Those that dwell far off, pine
away with vexing to see her prosper, because all the acquaintauce
which they haue of her, is this, that they
know there is such a goodly Creature as Eirene, in the
world, yet her face they know not: whilst all those that
heere sleepe vnder the warmth of her wings, adore her
by the sacred & Cœlestiall name of Peace, for number
being (as her blessings are) infinite.

Her daughter Euporia (well knowne by the name of
Plentie, is at this present with her, (being indeede neuer
from her side) vnder yonder Arbour they sit, which
after the daughters name is called, Hortus Euporiæ
(Plenties Bower:) Chast are they both, and both maydens
in memorie of a Virgine, to whom they were
nurse children: for whose sake (because they were
bound to her for their life,) mee, haue they charged
to lay at your imperiall feete, (being your hereditarie
due) the tribute of their loue: And with it thus to
say.

That they haue languished many heauie moneths
for your presence, which to them would haue beene,
(& proud they are that it shall be so now,) of the same
operation and influence, that the Sunne is to the
spring, and the spring to the earth: hearing therefore
what trebble preferment you haue bestowed vpon this
day, wherein besides the beames of a glorious Sunne,
two other cleare and gracious starres shine cheerefullie
on these her homely buildings: Into which (because
no dutie should bee wanting) shee hath giuen
leaue euen to Strangers, to bee Sharers in her happines,
by suffering them to bid you likewise welcome.
By mee (once hers now your vassaile,) shee entreates,
and with a knee sinking lower than the ground on
which you tread, doo I humbly execute her pleasure,
that ere you passe further, you would deigne to walke
into yonder Garden: the Hesperides liue not there but
the Muses, and the Muses no longer than vnder your
protection. Thus farre am I sent to conduct you thither,
prostrately begging this grace, (since I dare not,
as beeing vnwoorthie, lackey by your royall side) in

that yet these my greene Followers and my selfe may
bee ioyfull fore-runners of your expected approch,
away Syluanus.

And being (in this their returne) come neare to the Arbor, they gaue a signe with a short florish from all their Cornets, that his Maiestie was at hand: whose princely eye whilest it was delighting it selfe with the quaint obiect before it, a sweete pleasure likewise courted his eare in the shape of Musicke, sent from the voyces of nine Boyes (all of them Queristers of Paules) who in that place presenting the nine Muses sang the dittie following to their Viols and other Instruments.

But, least leaping too bluntly into the midst of our Garden at first, we deface the beautie of it, let vs send you round about it, and suruey the Walles, Allies, and quarters of it as they lye in order.

The passages through it were two gates, arched and grated Arbor-wise, their heigth being 16. foote, their breadth 10. from the roofe, and so on the sides, downe to the ground, Cowcumbers, Pompions, Grapes, and all other fruits growing in the land, hanging artificially in clusters: Betweene the two gates, a payre of stayres were mounted with some 20 assents: at the bottome of them (on two pillers) were fixed two Satiers canied out in wood; the sides of both the gates, being strengthened with foure great French frames standing vpon pedestals, taking vp in their full height 20. foote.

The vpper part also caried the proportion, of an

Arbor, being closde with their round tops, the midst whereof was exalted aboue the other two, Fortune standing on the top of it. The garnishments for the whole Bower, being Apples, Peares, Cheries, Grapes, Roses, Lillies, and all other both fruits and flowers most artificially molded to the life. The whole frame of this somer banqueting house, stood (at the ground line) vpon 4 foote; the Perpendicular stretching itselfe to 45. Wee might (that day) haue called it, The Musicke roome, by reason of the chaunge of tunes, that danced round about it; for in one place were heard a noyse of cornets, in a second, a consort, the third, (which sate in sight) a set of Viols, to which the Muses sang.

The principall persons aduanede in this Bower, were, Eirene (Peace) and Euporia (Plenty) who sate together.

Peace: Was richly attired, her vpper garment of carnation, hanging loose, a Robe of White vnder it, powdred with Starres, and girt to her: her haire of a bright colour, long, and hanging at her back, but interwouen with white ribbands, and Iewels: her browes were encompast with a wreath compounded of the Oliue, the Lawrell, & the Date tree: In one hand shee held a Caducæns, (or Mercuries rod, the god of eloquence:) In the other, ripe eares of come gilded: on her lap sate a Doue: All these being ensignes, and furnitures of Peace.

Plenty: Her daughter sate of the left hand, in changable colours, a rich mantle of Gold trauersing her bodie: her haire large and loosely spreading ouer her shoulders: on her head a crowne of Poppy & Mustard seede; the antique badges of Fertilitie & Abundance, In her right hand a Cornucopia, filde with flowers, fruits, &c.

Directly vnder these, sate Chrusos, a person figuring Gold, his dressing, a tinsell Robe of the colour of Gold.

And close by him, Argurion, Siluer, all in white tinfell; both of them crownde, and both their hands supporting a Globe, betweene them, in token that they commaunded ouer the world.

Pomona, the goddesse of garden fruits; sate at the one side of Gold and Siluer; attirde in greene, a wreath of frutages circling her temples: her armes naked: her haire beautifull, and long.

On the other side sate Ceres, crowned with ripened eares of Wheate, in a loose straw-coloured roabe.

In two large descents (a little belowe them) were placde at one end,

• Clio.
• Euterpe.
• Thalia.
• Melpomene.
• Terpsicore.
• Erato.
• Polymnia.
• Vranio.
• Calliope.

• Grammer.
• Logique.
• Rhetorique.
• Musicke.
• Arithmeticke.
• Geometry.
• Astrology.

Vpon the verie vpper edge of a faire large Freeze, running quite along the full breadth of the Arbor, and iust a their feete were planted rankes of artificiall Artichocks and roses.

To describe what apparrell these Arts, and Muses wore, were a hard labour, and when it were done, all were but idle. Few Taylors know how to cut out their garments: they haue no Wardrob at all, not a Mercer, nor Merchant, though they can all write and read verie excellently well, will suffer them to bee great in their bookes. But (as in other countries) so in this of ours, they goe attirde in such thin clothes, that the winde euerie minute is readie to blowe through them: happy was it for them, that they tooke vp

their lodging in a summer arbour, and that they had so much musicke to comfort them, their ioies (of which they do not euerie daie tast,) being notwithstanding now infinitelie multiplied, in this, that where before they might haue cryed out till they grew horse, & non would heare thē, now they sing.

Aderitque vocatus Apollo.
Chorus
in full voices answering it thus.
Ergo alacris Syluas, & cætera rura a voluptas
Panaque pastoresque tenet, Driadasque puellas,
Nec Lupus insidias pecori, nec retia Ceruis
Vlla dolum meditantur, amat bonus otia Daphnis;
Ipsi lætitia voces ad sidera iactant
Intonsi montes: ipsæ iam carmina Rupes,
Ipsa sonant Arbusta, Deus, Deus ille!

Syluanus (as you may perceiue by his office before) was but sent of an errand: there was another of a higher calling, a Trauailer, and one that had gon ouer much grownd, appointed to speake to his Maiesty, his name Vertumnus, the maister Gardner, and husband to Pomona: To tell you what cloathes hee had on his backe were to doo him wrong, for hee had (to say truth) but one suite: homelie it was, yet meete and fit for a Gardener: In steade of a hat, his browes were bound about with flowers, out of whose thicke heapes, here and there peeped a queene apple, a cherie, or a peare, this boon-grace hee made of purpose to keepe his face from heate, (because he desired to looke louelie) yet the sunne found him out, and by casting a continuall eye at him, whilst the old man was dressing his arbours, his cheekes grew tawnie, which colour for the better grace, he himselfe interpreted blushing. A white head he had, & sunne-burnt hands: in the one he held a weeding hooke, in the other a grafting knife: and this was the tenor of his speech. That he was bound to giue thanks to heauē, In that the arbour and trees which growing in that fruitfull Cynthian garden, began to droop and hang downe their greene heades, and to vncurle their crisped forlocks, as fearing and in some sort, feeling the sharpenesse of Autumnian malice, are now on the sudden by the deuine influence apparelled with a fresh and more liuely verdure than euer they were before. The nine Muses that could expect no better entertainement than sad banishment, hauing now louely and amiable faces: Arts that were threatned to be trod vnder foot by Barbarisme, now (euen at sight of his Maiestie who is the Delian Patrō both of the Muses & Arts) being likewise aduanced to most high prefermēt whilst the very rurall & Syluane troopes dancd for ioy: the Lady therfore of the place Eirene, (his mistris) in name of the Prætor, Consuls & Senators of the City, who carefully pruine this garden, (weeding out al hurtful & idle branches that hinder the growth of the good,) and who are indeede, Ergatai Pistoi, faithfull Laborers in this peice of ground, Shee doth in al their names, (& he in behalfe of his Lady) offer them selues, this Arbor, the bowers & walkes, yea her children gold & siluer, with the louing & loyall harts of all those the Sons of peace, standing about him, to be disposde after his royal pleasure. And so wishing his happie Arriual, at a more glorious bower, to which he is now going, yet welcoming him to this, & praying his Maiesty not to forget this poore Arbor of his Lady, Musicke is commanded to cary all their praiers for his happie reigne, with the loud Amen of all his Subiects as hie as heauen.
Cant.

These first 4. lines were sung by one alone, the single lines following, by a Chorus in full voices.
Chor.
No, no tis none of thine.


Chor.
Doe, doe, shoote onelie there.



Chor.
A new new Sunne is got.





Chor.
See, see, he now comes forth.



Chor.
O griefe! had list not tarrie.



Chor.
Ioies slide awaie like streames.



Chor.
Drie, drie, your weeping eies.



Chor.
Earth has not such a King.

His Maiestie dwelt here a reasonable long time, giuing both good allowance to the song & Musick, and liberally bestowing his eye on the workemanship of the place: from whence at the length departing, his next entrance was, as it were, into the closet or rather the priuy chamber to this our Court royall: through the windowes of which he might behold the Cathedrall Temple of Saint Paule: vpon whose lower batlements an Antheme was sung, by the Quiristers of the Church to the musicke of loud instrumēts: which being finisht, a latine Oratiō was Viua voce deliuered to his grace, by one of maister Mulcasters Schollers, at the dore of the free-schole fownded by the Mercers.