 | Londini Emporia, or Londons Mercatura |  |
I come now to the first show by water which is a Sea-chariot,
beautified and adorned with shel-fishes of sundry
fashion and splendor, the Fabricke it selfe being visible to
all, needeth not any expression from me. This Chariot of
no vsuall forme or figure, is drawne by two Griffons.
(The supporters to the Armes of this Worshipfull Company:
Those which ride vpon these commixt Birds and
Beasts bearing staues with pendants falling from their tops,
in which are portray'd the Armes of the two Sheriffes now
in place: The speaker is Thamesis, or the Genius of the Riuer
Thames, increased to this nauigable depth by the meeting
of the Tame and Isis, he being seated in the front of
the Chariot with his water Nymphes clad in seuerall colours
about him, seemeth asleepe, but at the approach of
the Lord Maiors Barge, he rowzeth himselfe as being newly
wakend from a Dreame, and speaketh as followeth.
The Speech by Water.
The first Show by Land, Presenteth it selfe in Paules
Church-yard, which is a Shepheard grazing his flocke
vpon an Hill adorned with seuerall Trees, and sundry sorts
of Flowers, he sitteth vpon a Dyall to which his sheepe-hooke
is the Gnomon, (a Symbole of his care and vigilancy,)
vpon the same plat-forme where his Sheepe are resting in
seuerall postures, appeareth a Woolfe ready to cease vpon
his prey, at whose presence though his Dogge seeme terrified
and flyes for refuge to his master, yet he stands ready at
all houres with a bold spirit and wakefull eye, both for the
defence of his charge and offence of the comon aduersary
the Woolfe, which reflecteth vpon the office of the Prætor
this day Inaugurated wherein is exprest, not onely the care
he ought to haue of his flocke, but of the profit also which
ariseth from the fleece, from which the mistery of the
Cloath-Workers deriueth its Originall. Pastor or Opilio
in the Roman tongue, and in ours a Shepheard: the Hebrues
call Roheh, from which some are of opinion Rex and Roy are
deriued, the Greekes call him Poimin, which properly implyes
Ouium pastor or a feeder of Sheepe: to which charge
none ought to aspire who is not lawfully called, but this
Shepheard entereth by the Dore which is the voyce of a
free election, and is not that Mercinarius pastor of whom it
is thus spoken, Hee seeth the Woolfe comming, and leaueth
the Sheepe and flleeth, &c. I shall not neede to swell my pages
by reciting the sundry profits and emoluments arising
from this most necessary Mistery, without which no
Common. Weale were able to subsist, nor to reckon vp into
how many seuerall Prouinces and Countries this cōmodity
of Cloath is transported and vended, nor what seuerall
sorts of wares (by barter, and commerce) are in exchange
of that brought ouer into our owne Kingdome, therefore
to cut of circumstance, I proceede to the Shepheards
Speech as followeth.
The Shepheards Speech.
was negotiated but in sports, pastimes, marriage Feasts,
sollemne meetings, Showes, Ouations, Triumphs, spectacles
of the like nature, and therefore more proper to this
Dayes imployment. He is figured like a young man, fresh
coloured and beardlesse: In his right hand holding a Golden
Purse, in his left a Caduzcæus, (a Rod with two Snakes
twined and internoded about it,) their Heads meeting at
the top, and their Tayles at the bottome, which the Ægyptians
held to be an Embleame of Peace: and in ancient
dayes Great men imployde in the affaires of State, or forreigne
Embassies, boare such Staues, from whence they
were called Caducæatores: Hee weares Wings vpon his
Hat and Heeles, intimating his Celerity: and behinde him
stands a Cocke, denoting his Vigilancy: so much for the
person, I come now to his Speech.
Mercuries
Speech
who carry their eares in their eyes, will not sticke to say, I
will not giue a pinne for the Show. Since therefore it consists
onely in motion, agitation and action, and these (expressed
to the life) being apparently visible to all, in vaine
should I imploy a speaker, where I presuppose all his words
would be drown'd in noyse and laughter, I therefore passe
to the fourth and last.
of the Worlds peace, the iust, Magistrate is in his word
Faithfull, in his thought sincere, in his heart Vpright,
without feare of any but God and his Prince, without hate
of any but the wicked and irregular.
Prudence
the Speaker.
I cannot without iust taxation of ingratitude, omit to speake something of this Worshipfull company of the Cloath-Workers, at whose sole charge the Tryumphs of this day were celebrated, for the Master the Wardens and the Committi, chosen to see all things accomodated for this busines then in motion, I cannot but much commend both for their affabillity and courtesie, especially vnto my selfe being at that time to them all a meere stranger, who when I read my (then vnperfect) Papers, were as able to iudge of
them, as attentiuely to heare them, and rather iudicially
considering all things, then nicely carping at any thing,
as willing to haue them furthered for his honour, to
whom they are dedicate, as carefull to see them performed
to their owne reputation and credit, in both which, there
was wanting in them neyther incouragement nor bounty:
and as they were vnwilling in any vaine glory to shew new
presidents to such that should succeede them, so they were
loath out of parsimony to come short of any who went before
them, lesse I could not speake in modesty, and more
I forbeare to vtter least I might incurre the imputation of
flattery, I come now to the twelue celestiall Signes, which
may aptly be applied vnto the twelue Moneths during the
Lord Mayors gouernment.
The Speech at Night.
Sleepe may you soundly Sir, to morrow prest
To a yeares trouble for this one nights rest,
In which may Starres and Planits all conspire,
To warme you so by their celestiall Fire
Aries whose Gold-Fleece Greece doth so renowne
May both inrich you and this Glorious towne,
That Taurus in your strength may so appeare,
You this great at wieght may on your Shoulders beare:
That the two Twins the Mothers blest increase,
May in this Citty still continue peace.
That Cancer who incites to hate and spleene
May not in your faire Gouernment be seene
That Leo waiting on your iudgement seate
May moderate his rage and scorching heate,
That the Celestiall Maide may you aduice
Virgins and Orphans still to patronize
And rather then your iustice heere should faile,
Libra no more be seene with Golden scale
And that the Scorpions sting may be so charm'd
The poore may not be wrong'd, nor innocent harm'd,
That Chirons bent bow so may guide your will,
You may still aime, but neuer shoot to kill:
And Capricorne though all things said to dare
Though he haue power, yet may haue will to spare
That as Aquarius doth his water power
You may your goodnes on this Citty shower,
Pisces, the last of Twelue, the Feete they guide,
From Head to Foot, O may you so prouide.
I conclude with the excellent Artist Mr. Gerald Chrismas, whose worth being not to be questioned (as a prime Master in his profession,) I am of opinion that there is not any about the towne who can goe beyond him, of whom I may boldly speake, that as Art is an helpe to nature, so his experience is, and hath beene an extention to the tryall and perfection of Art, therefore let euery man in his way striue to be eminent, according to that of Ouid. 2 De pont.
The Speech by Water.
Can
Thamesis himselfe so farre forget?
But 'tis so long since Tame and Isis met,
That 'tis not rare; for we two are growne old,
And being Riuers, subiect to take cold:
Forc't with extremity of paine to grone,
As troubled with the grauell and the stone.
(Whole shelues are in our raines) but (Fates so please)
By Artists helpe me late haue got some ease.
Thankes to our Patriots: O when I looke
On you, I must acknowledge to a Brooke
My Riuer had beene turn'd, had not your care
Beene euer studious for our best well-fare.
(My recollection helpe me) you are hee
That vp to Stanes and downe as farre as Lee,
Are my great Lord in cheife; first then I bow.
To your Inauguration, and I now
Rowse me in my Sea Chariot, drawne or led
By your owne Griffons: Birds, who haue the head
Of Eagles, Lyons body, wings beside,
All Symboles of that Prætor, who shall guide
So great a state; know further, Griffons can
Snatch from the Earth the harnest horse and man
To pray on them at pleasure, these imply
That you must alwayes haue an Eagles eye
To out gaze the Sun, and keepe that Aquilant sight
To see what's wrong, and to distinguish right.
But 'tis so long since Tame and Isis met,
That 'tis not rare; for we two are growne old,
And being Riuers, subiect to take cold:
Forc't with extremity of paine to grone,
As troubled with the grauell and the stone.
(Whole shelues are in our raines) but (Fates so please)
By Artists helpe me late haue got some ease.
Thankes to our Patriots: O when I looke
On you, I must acknowledge to a Brooke
My Riuer had beene turn'd, had not your care
Beene euer studious for our best well-fare.
(My recollection helpe me) you are hee
That vp to Stanes and downe as farre as Lee,
To your Inauguration, and I now
Rowse me in my Sea Chariot, drawne or led
By your owne Griffons: Birds, who haue the head
Of Eagles, Lyons body, wings beside,
All Symboles of that Prætor, who shall guide
So great a state; know further, Griffons can
Snatch from the Earth the harnest horse and man
To pray on them at pleasure, these imply
That you must alwayes haue an Eagles eye
To out gaze the Sun, and keepe that Aquilant sight
To see what's wrong, and to distinguish right.
The Lyons strength and boldnes you must haue
(With all his pitty,) for to such as craue
Or yeeld vnto him, aining themselues dying,
Scorning to kil, he will not touch them lying:
But such as striue or shall oppugne his lawes,
He rends and teares them with his Kingly pawes.
The wings your Griffons beare, import what speede
should be apply'd to such as iustice neede:
(With all his pitty,) for to such as craue
Or yeeld vnto him, aining themselues dying,
Scorning to kil, he will not touch them lying:
But such as striue or shall oppugne his lawes,
He rends and teares them with his Kingly pawes.
The wings your Griffons beare, import what speede
should be apply'd to such as iustice neede:
But why should I though best of Neptunes sonnes
(Whose streame almost by your permission runnes)
Instruct him who can teach? since the last yeare
Till this day, neuer ran my Tides so cleare
As now they doe, were neuer so become
With Barges, Ensignes; Trumpets, Fyfe and Drum,
Me thinkes you make me yong againe to view
Old customes kept, and (in them) all things new.
(Whose streame almost by your permission runnes)
Instruct him who can teach? since the last yeare
Till this day, neuer ran my Tides so cleare
As now they doe, were neuer so become
With Barges, Ensignes; Trumpets, Fyfe and Drum,
Me thinkes you make me yong againe to view
Old customes kept, and (in them) all things new.
Though I by name of Thamesis ame knowne
My streames are yours, you welcome to your owne,
Passe, and returne safe, thus much on we build,
What's on my Waters wanting Land shall yeeld.
My streames are yours, you welcome to your owne,
Passe, and returne safe, thus much on we build,
What's on my Waters wanting Land shall yeeld.
If
a true Shepheard you desire to see,
Looke this way, for hee's embleam'd here in me:
But you graue Prætor rais'd to this high state,
Hee whom as now I only personate
The numerous throng, which you this day behold
Are your owne Sheep, this Citty is their fold,
And by your graue descretion they shal best,
Know where to browze by day, by night to rest.
Looke this way, for hee's embleam'd here in me:
But you graue Prætor rais'd to this high state,
Hee whom as now I only personate
The numerous throng, which you this day behold
Are your owne Sheep, this Citty is their fold,
And by your graue descretion they shal best,
Know where to browze by day, by night to rest.
As I, so you must on a Diall sit
Which hath no Gnomon but my staffe to it,
And such your Swoord is now, your wakefull eye
Must still be ope to watch where you can spy
The Rauenous Woolfe to presse, and block the way,
Least hee on any of your Flocke should prey:
Which hath no Gnomon but my staffe to it,
And such your Swoord is now, your wakefull eye
Must still be ope to watch where you can spy
The Rauenous Woolfe to presse, and block the way,
Least hee on any of your Flocke should prey:
Although my Dog fly from him, who hath binne
Rent with his pawe, and feares his horrid grinne,
Yet at all houres (you see) I ready stand
With armed hart, and Sheepe-hooke in my hand,
(So with your Swoord must you) both with an hye
Vndaunted Spirit, and with a Vigilant eye,
Least any enuious thorne, or schratching bryer,
May race their Skinnes, or on their Fleeces tyer,
And that your charge so carefully be borne
They may be neuer But in Season shorne:
Rent with his pawe, and feares his horrid grinne,
Yet at all houres (you see) I ready stand
With armed hart, and Sheepe-hooke in my hand,
(So with your Swoord must you) both with an hye
Vndaunted Spirit, and with a Vigilant eye,
Least any enuious thorne, or schratching bryer,
May race their Skinnes, or on their Fleeces tyer,
And that your charge so carefully be borne
They may be neuer But in Season shorne:
Great reason too you haue, for by this Trade,
(Of which Great Freeman, you first Free were made)
The whole Land's Cloath, no Mistery, no Art,
Science, or Manifacture, that hath part
In Theory or Practick, but must all
Giue due respect to this in generall:
For since the Trade of Cloathing first begun,
Both from the scorching of the sommers Sun,
And blustering North-Winds, Rich, Poore, Young and Old
Haue beene defenc'd, nor could that Fleece of Gold
Colchos still boasts, (in the' Auncient Poets read
So vsefull prooue, or make so fine a threed
With ours, (low pris'd because not counted rare)
No remote Climat's able to compare:
It is that onely Marchandize which brings
All nouels wanting heere, euen forreigne Kings
Haue thought themselues Rich Habited to haue worne
Such Cloath as for the commonnesse we scorne,
Oh blesse then our increase, those that haue been
I'th Worlds remote parts, and strange Nations seene,
For want of Cloath find them goe naked there,
Yet men like vs, and the same Image beare,
Make much Sir of your great Charge, 'tis not mine,
Y' are the true Shepheard, I my place resigne.
(Of which Great Freeman, you first Free were made)
The whole Land's Cloath, no Mistery, no Art,
Science, or Manifacture, that hath part
In Theory or Practick, but must all
Giue due respect to this in generall:
For since the Trade of Cloathing first begun,
Both from the scorching of the sommers Sun,
Haue beene defenc'd, nor could that Fleece of Gold
Colchos still boasts, (in the' Auncient Poets read
So vsefull prooue, or make so fine a threed
With ours, (low pris'd because not counted rare)
No remote Climat's able to compare:
It is that onely Marchandize which brings
All nouels wanting heere, euen forreigne Kings
Haue thought themselues Rich Habited to haue worne
Such Cloath as for the commonnesse we scorne,
Oh blesse then our increase, those that haue been
I'th Worlds remote parts, and strange Nations seene,
For want of Cloath find them goe naked there,
Yet men like vs, and the same Image beare,
Make much Sir of your great Charge, 'tis not mine,
Y' are the true Shepheard, I my place resigne.
The second Show by Land, presented in the vpper end
of Cheape-side, is a Ship most proper to the Trade of Merchant-aduenturers: neither know I whom more aptly to imploy as Pilot therein then Mercury, whom the Poets feigne not onely to be Diactorus, or Internuntius betwixt the gods and men: as also the Leader of the Graces, the Inuentor of Wrestling, the Deuiser of Letters, the Patron of Eloquence, &c. (From whence hee hath sundry attributes and denominations conferr'd vpon him) but he is also termed the god of Barter, buying, selling, and commerce in all Merchandise whatsoeuer.Wee reade of two onely imployd by the gods in Embassie vnto men, namely, Iris and Mercury: The difference betwixt their imployments is, that Iris (for the most part commanded by Iuno, (as being her chiefe Attendant) and neuer by the rest of the gods, vnlesse to fore-tell Warre, Famine, Pestilence, or some strange Disaster: And Mercury
Mercuries
Speech
I Mercury, the Patrone of all Trade,
Of Trafficke and Commerce, am this day made
A speaker from the Gods: (for my quicke motion
Can sayle as well vpon the Land as Ocean:
And who the Merchant better can assure,
Then Mercury, the Lord of Mercature?
Of Trafficke and Commerce, am this day made
A speaker from the Gods: (for my quicke motion
Can sayle as well vpon the Land as Ocean:
And who the Merchant better can assure,
Then Mercury, the Lord of Mercature?
To you, this Day with state and power indow'd,
Whose winged Ships all forreigne Seas haue plow'd,
And mauger, surge, gust, or tempestuous slawe
Discouered what our Pole-starre neuer saw.
They from cold Arctos to the burning Zone
Haue washt their keeles to find out lands vnknowne.
Crossing the Boreal and the Australl lynes,
To view the set and rise of all the Signes.
To you whose Factors in both Indies lye,
The East and West: (all parts both farre and nye,)
Who sometimes vp, then downe the Volga steere,
To know in Musco what is cheape or deere:
And what Hesperian Tagus can affoord,
(To enrich this noble Island) take aboord.
There's nothing the braue Persian can hold rare,
But hither brought by your great Cost and Care.
The potent Turke (although in faith aduerse)
Is proud that he with England can commerce.
What Genoua, Luca, Florence, Naples yeeldes,
What growes, or's found through all the Latian fields.
What is in China, Greece, or Ormous sold,
(That Diamond worthy to be set in Gold.)
For Norway, Danske, France, Spaine, the Netherlands,
What's best in them, comes frequent to our hands.
And for transportage of some surplus ware,
(Our owne wants furnisht) what we best can spare.
No rarity for profit or for pleasure,
But brought to vs in an abundant measure.
Whose winged Ships all forreigne Seas haue plow'd,
And mauger, surge, gust, or tempestuous slawe
Discouered what our Pole-starre neuer saw.
They from cold Arctos to the burning Zone
Haue washt their keeles to find out lands vnknowne.
Crossing the Boreal and the Australl lynes,
To view the set and rise of all the Signes.
To you whose Factors in both Indies lye,
The East and West: (all parts both farre and nye,)
To know in Musco what is cheape or deere:
And what Hesperian Tagus can affoord,
(To enrich this noble Island) take aboord.
There's nothing the braue Persian can hold rare,
But hither brought by your great Cost and Care.
The potent Turke (although in faith aduerse)
Is proud that he with England can commerce.
What Genoua, Luca, Florence, Naples yeeldes,
What growes, or's found through all the Latian fields.
What is in China, Greece, or Ormous sold,
(That Diamond worthy to be set in Gold.)
For Norway, Danske, France, Spaine, the Netherlands,
What's best in them, comes frequent to our hands.
And for transportage of some surplus ware,
(Our owne wants furnisht) what we best can spare.
No rarity for profit or for pleasure,
But brought to vs in an abundant measure.
To this braue Isle, (by Neptune moated round)
You giue a Wall; not fixt on any ground,
But mouing 'tweene the Ocean and the Ayre,
Which as you build, so yearely you repayre.
And (though a woodden Fabricke) so well knit,
That should inuasiue force once menace it
With loud-voic't Thunder, mixt with Sulpherous flame,
'Twould sinke, or send them backe with feare and shame,
Graue Sir, no other president you neede
To follow now, then him whom you succeede:
Next on your Motto thinke: so happy prooue,
Let your trust be in him that reignes aboue.
You giue a Wall; not fixt on any ground,
But mouing 'tweene the Ocean and the Ayre,
Which as you build, so yearely you repayre.
And (though a woodden Fabricke) so well knit,
That should inuasiue force once menace it
With loud-voic't Thunder, mixt with Sulpherous flame,
'Twould sinke, or send them backe with feare and shame,
Graue Sir, no other president you neede
To follow now, then him whom you succeede:
Next on your Motto thinke: so happy prooue,
Let your trust be in him that reignes aboue.
The third Show by Land, is a Modell deuised for sport
to humour the throng, who come rather to see then to heare: And without some such intruded Anti-maske, manyWhich is a curious and neately framed Architect, beautified
with many proper and becomming Ornaments: bearing the Title of The Bower of Blisse. An Embleame of that future Happinesse, which not onely all iust and vpright Magistrates, but euery good man, of what condition or quality soeuer in the course of his life, especially aimeth at: I dwell not on the description thereof, I will onely illustrate the purpose for the which it was intended: This Pageant is adorned with foure persons, which represent the foure Cardinall vertues, which are behoouefull vnto all who enter into any eminent place or Office. Prudence, Temperance Iustice, and Fortitude, which are so concatinated amongst themselues that the one cannot subsist without the other.The first Prudence, Reformeth Abuses past, ordreth affaires present, and fore-seeth dangers future: Further (as Cicero obserues) Iustice without Prudence is resolu'd into Cruelty, Temperance into Fury, Fortitude into Tyranny.
Next Temperance, which as Hermes sayth, is Rich in losses: Confident in perills, Prudent in assaults, and happy in it selfe. As a man cannot be Temporate vnlesse he be Prudent, so none can be truely valiant vnlesse he be Temperate, neyther can Iustice exist without Temperance– since no man can be truely iust, who hath not his brest free from all purturbations.
Then Iustice (which according to Cicero) is the badge of Vertue, the staffe of Peace, the maintenance of Honour. Moreouer, Iustice and Order are the preseruers
Last Fortitude, which (as Epictetus obserues) is the companion of Iustice, and neuer contendeth but in Rrighteous Actions, it contemneth Perill, despiseth Calamities, and conquers Death, briefely Fortitude without Prudence is but Rashnes, Prudence without Iustice is but Graftines, Iustice without Temperancs but Tyrany, Temperance without Fortitude but Folly.
Amongst the rest of the Persons placed in this structure, are the three Theologicall Vertues, Faith, Hope, and Charity, as hand-maides attending to conduct all such pious and religious Magistrates, the way to the cælestiall Bower of Blisse, (of which this is but a meere representation and signe) who ayme at that Glorious Place, least they anyway deuiate from the true path that leadeth vnto it. I proceede to the Speech.
Prudence
the Speaker.
Graue
Prætor, with your Censors, (Sheriffes elected,
And now in place) it is from you expected,
That hauing your Authority from Kings,
(And many hundred yeares since) all such things
As Custome (by Time strengthned) hath made good,
You should maintaine, withall your liuelyhood,
Which that you will performe, we doubt the lesse.
When we consider who's your patronesse,
The Holy and blest Virgin, (further) this
Fabricke before you plac't, The Bower of blisse.
And now in place) it is from you expected,
That hauing your Authority from Kings,
(And many hundred yeares since) all such things
As Custome (by Time strengthned) hath made good,
You should maintaine, withall your liuelyhood,
Which that you will performe, we doubt the lesse.
When we consider who's your patronesse,
The Holy and blest Virgin, (further) this
Fabricke before you plac't, The Bower of blisse.
If we to greater, lesse things may compare
These present, but the petty Symbols are
Of what is future; for bare Prudence here
Pent and confin'd in humane knowledge, there
Shall be reduc't to Wisedome that's Diuine.
Temperance (which is bare Abstinence) shall shine
In clarity immaculate: Iustice, which
Oft swayes the Ballance so, that to the Rich
It most inclines, shall by an equall Scale,
(Leaning nor this, nor that way) so preuaile,
That Right in glorious Star-wreaths shalbe crown'd,
And Iniury in tenebrous Lethe drownd.
Braue Fortitude which chiefely doth subsist
In opposition of the Antigonist,
(Whether that hee the Bodies mortall state
Seeke to supplant, or Soule insidiate)
Shall stand impugnable, and thenceforth be
Fin'd and repur'd to all Eternity:
When you arriue at yon Cælestiall Tower,
Which aptly may be titled Freemans Bower.
These present, but the petty Symbols are
Pent and confin'd in humane knowledge, there
Shall be reduc't to Wisedome that's Diuine.
Temperance (which is bare Abstinence) shall shine
In clarity immaculate: Iustice, which
Oft swayes the Ballance so, that to the Rich
It most inclines, shall by an equall Scale,
(Leaning nor this, nor that way) so preuaile,
That Right in glorious Star-wreaths shalbe crown'd,
And Iniury in tenebrous Lethe drownd.
Braue Fortitude which chiefely doth subsist
In opposition of the Antigonist,
(Whether that hee the Bodies mortall state
Seeke to supplant, or Soule insidiate)
Shall stand impugnable, and thenceforth be
Fin'd and repur'd to all Eternity:
When you arriue at yon Cælestiall Tower,
Which aptly may be titled Freemans Bower.
The way to finde which, through these vertues lies
Call'd Cardinall: The stepps by which to rise,
These Graces shewe, Faith, Hope, and Loue attend you:
Who on their vnseene wings shall soone ascend you.
These (when all Earths pompe failes) your prayers shal bring
Where Saints and Angels Haleluiahs sing.
Call'd Cardinall: The stepps by which to rise,
These Graces shewe, Faith, Hope, and Loue attend you:
Who on their vnseene wings shall soone ascend you.
These (when all Earths pompe failes) your prayers shal bring
Where Saints and Angels Haleluiahs sing.
I cannot without iust taxation of ingratitude, omit to speake something of this Worshipfull company of the Cloath-Workers, at whose sole charge the Tryumphs of this day were celebrated, for the Master the Wardens and the Committi, chosen to see all things accomodated for this busines then in motion, I cannot but much commend both for their affabillity and courtesie, especially vnto my selfe being at that time to them all a meere stranger, who when I read my (then vnperfect) Papers, were as able to iudge of
The Speech at Night.
Sleepe may you soundly Sir, to morrow prest
To a yeares trouble for this one nights rest,
In which may Starres and Planits all conspire,
To warme you so by their celestiall Fire
Aries whose Gold-Fleece Greece doth so renowne
May both inrich you and this Glorious towne,
That Taurus in your strength may so appeare,
You this great at wieght may on your Shoulders beare:
That the two Twins the Mothers blest increase,
May in this Citty still continue peace.
That Cancer who incites to hate and spleene
May not in your faire Gouernment be seene
That Leo waiting on your iudgement seate
May moderate his rage and scorching heate,
That the Celestiall Maide may you aduice
Virgins and Orphans still to patronize
And rather then your iustice heere should faile,
Libra no more be seene with Golden scale
The poore may not be wrong'd, nor innocent harm'd,
That Chirons bent bow so may guide your will,
You may still aime, but neuer shoot to kill:
And Capricorne though all things said to dare
Though he haue power, yet may haue will to spare
That as Aquarius doth his water power
You may your goodnes on this Citty shower,
Pisces, the last of Twelue, the Feete they guide,
From Head to Foot, O may you so prouide.
I conclude with the excellent Artist Mr. Gerald Chrismas, whose worth being not to be questioned (as a prime Master in his profession,) I am of opinion that there is not any about the towne who can goe beyond him, of whom I may boldly speake, that as Art is an helpe to nature, so his experience is, and hath beene an extention to the tryall and perfection of Art, therefore let euery man in his way striue to be eminent, according to that of Ouid. 2 De pont.
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