 | Chrysanaleia : The Golden Fishing : Or, Honour of Fishmongers |  |
Our first deuice that vshers and leades the way, is a very goodly and beautifull fishing Busse, called; the Fishmongers Esperanza, or Hope of London: being in her true old shape, forme and proportion, yet
Next followeth a crowned Dolphin, alluding som way to the Lord Maiors coate of Armes, but more properly to the Companies, and therefore may serue indifferently for both. But because it is a Fish inclined much (by nature) to Musique: Arion, a famous Musicion and Poet, rideth on his backe, being saued so from death, when Robbers and Pirates on the Seas, would maliciously haue drowned him.
Then commeth the King of Moores, gallantly mounted on a golden Leopard, he hurling gold and siluer euery way about him. Before, on either side, and behinde him, ride sixe other his tributarie Kings on horse-backe, gorgeously attired in faire guilt Armours, and apt furniture thereto belonging. They carry Ingots of golde and siluer, and each one his dart, and in this order they attend on him: shewing thereby, that the Fishmongers are not vnmindfull of their combined brethren, the worthy Company of Golde-Smithes, in this solemne day of triumph.
We next present a singular Embleme, corresponding with the Creast and Cognizance of the Lord Maior, and bearing an especiall Morality beside. A Leman tree, in full and ample forme, richly laden with the fruite and flowers it beareth. Neere to the stocke or roote thereof, a goodly Pellicane hath built her nest, with all her tender brood about her. And because her loue and care (according to the opinion of Aristotle, Plinie, Gesner, and diuers other good writers) makes her extraordinarily iealous of them, as neuer daring to be absent from them (the sustenance she receiueth from the male Bird, being insufficient for their nourishing:) with her beake she launceth her brest, and so supplieth that want with her owne bloud. Our cited Authors variously affirme, that this loue and cherishing of them lasteth the space of a whole yeare, by which time, they become strong, and able for flight; and then, though they suruiue, the Damme dyeth. An excellent type of gouernment in a Magistrate, who, at his meere entrance into his yeares Office, becommeth a nursing father of the Family: which, though hee bred not, yet, by his best endeuour, hee must labour to bring vp.
If his loue and delight be such to the Commonwealth, as that of the Pellican to her young ones, by broken sleeps, daily and nightly cares, that the very lest harm should not happē to his charge then doth he iustly answere to our Embleme; and, as of her, so of him, it may well be sayd, his brest and bowels of true zeale and affection, are alwaies open, to feed and cherish them (euen with his best endeuor and
Our next deuice, before it be marshalled in due ranke and order, is a goodly Bower, shaped in forme of a flowrie Arbour, and adorned with all the Scutchions of Armes of so many worthy men, as haue beene Lord Maiors of the Fishmongers Company, and each mans name truely set downe on them. It is appointed first to stand in Paules Church-yard: And at such a place as is thoght most conuenient. In this Bower is a faire Tombe, whereon, in Armour lyeth the imaginary body of Sir William Walworth, sometime twise Lord Maior of London, and a famous Brother of the Fishmongers Company. The reason of this conceit, aimeth at that tempestuous and troublesome time of King Richard the Second, and the fourth yeare of his Raigne, whose life, Crowne and Dignitie (next vnder Gods omnipotent power) were manfully defended and preserued, by that worthy man Walworth.
Suppose his Marble Statue (after the manner of Knightly buriall) to lye vpon the Tombe, and both it and the Bower to be worthily attended, by those fiue Knights in Armour, and mounted on Horsebacke, that were Knighted with Sir William in the field, after he had slaine the proud insulting Rebell, Captaine and ring-leader to all the rest. Sixe Trumpetters well mounted and appointed, with Trumpet banners of the Companies Armes, and a gallant guard of Halberdiers, being 24. in number, with watchet silke Coats, hauing the Fishmongers Armes on the brest, Sir William Walworths on the backe, and the Citties on the left arme, white Hats and Feathers, and goodly Halbards in their hands: these likewise haue their rancke and place neere to the Tombe and Bower. Londons Genius, a comely Youth, attired in the shape of an Angell, with a golden Crowne on his head, golden Wings at his backe, bearing a golden Wand in his hand, sits mounted on Horsebacke by the Bower; with an Officer at Armes, bearing the Rebels head on Walworths Dagger. So soone as the Lord Maior is come neere, and way made for his better attention: the Genius speaketh, the Trumpets sound their seuerall Surden flourishes, Walworth ariseth, and is conuaid on Horsebacke from the Bower, as you may better perceiue by the speeches apted for the purpose. The Bower and Tombe are likewise borne along before him, for his more conuenient returne to rest againe.
Wee come now to our last inuention in this our Triumphall Progresse, memorizing Londons great
Our Pageant Chariot, is drawne by two Maremen, & two Mare-mayds, as being the supporters to the Companies coate of Armes. In the highest seate of eminence, sits the triumphing Angell, who that day smote the enemy by Walworths hand, and laid all his proud presuming in the dust. With one hand (King Richard sitting in a degree beneath her) she holds his Crowne on fast, that neither forraine Hostilitie, nor home-bred Trecherie should euer more shake it. In the other hand hee holds his striking Rodde, inferring thus much thereby: By mee Kings reigne, and their enemies are scattered. All the forefront is beautified with Royall Vertues, as Truth, Vertue, Honor, Temperance, Fortitude, Zeale, Equity, Conscience, beating downe
Hauing thus briefly described the order of the daies seruice, insomuch as appertaineth to my charge and place, (not omitting the Fishing-Busse, Dolphine, Mer-man and Mer-mayd vpon the water first, and afterward marshalled in such forme as you haue heard on land:) wee come to set downe the Speeches, according as they are appointed to be spoken, beginning first at the Bower and Tombe in Paules-Church-yard, after my Lords returne from Westminster, where the Citties Genius thus beginneth.
Genivs.
By vertue of this powerfull wand,
Which in a minute can command
Graues, Vaults, and deepes yeeld vp their dead,
How late or long time buried:
Thou Image of that worthy man,
That Londons Knight-hood first began,
In Office of the Mayraltie,
(A high and gracefull dignitie,)
Though yet thou sleep'st in shade of death;
By me take power of life and breath.
Here the Genius strikes on him with his wand, whereat he begins to stir, and comming off the Tombe, looks strangely about him.
The first sound of Surden Trumpets.
Londons Genius giues thee leaue,
An ayrie substance to receiue.
Speech like to Spirits raysde from rest,
Triumphs and pleasures to digest
By power of sacred Poesie.
The second Sound.
And seeing this dayes solemnitie
Honours thine owne Societie
Of Fishmongers, a worthy band,
Fam'd both to Citie, and the Land,
By thy rare deed of loyaltie,
Vpon the Kings proud enemy:
Remaine in thee, to crowne this day,
With generall fulnesse of content:
A full flourish without Surdens.
For thereto all our hopes are bent.
Sir William Walworth
standing before the Tombe, and doing reuerence to the Genius, speaks this speech.
He that aboue two hundred yeeres,
(Free from disturbance cares and feares,)
Hath silent slept, and raysd this day,
To doe what gracefull helpe I may
Vnto that band of worthy men,
That were, and are my Brethren;
And you graue Fathers of this State,
Which I my selfe did propagate
Twice, as L. Maior: Oh, yet to see,
This ancient famous dignity
Flourish so fairely: And (as then)
Blest with as wise and worthy men;
Mooues teares of ioy, and bids me call
Gods benison light on you all.
Here he doth reuerence to thē al.
Your Charracter, Office and place,
Well wot I by that Sword & Mace,
With such a difference, as before
This day, once happened, and no more.
The Genius speakes you in mine eare,
A Mayden-man, a Batcheler.
You being the second, let me say,
This is a blessed marriage day
Of you to that great dignity
No doubt, but your chaste thoughts and life,
Will be as chaste to such a Wife.
All happy blessings crowne (I pray,)
Londons and Lemans wedding day.
Obseruing that faire Liuerie;
Another full florish.
You are of mine owne Company.
How can I then, but ioy to see
Such eminence and high degree:
Grace still our graue Society?
And see (my Lord) this Bower relates,
How many famous Magistrates,
From the Fishmongers ancient name,
Successiuely to honour came
In Londons Maioraltie. These faire Coats
Their seuerall Armes and titles noates.
Turke, Louekin, Wroth, Pechie, Mordon,
Pointing to the Scutchiōs of Armes as they hang in order on the Bower.
These before me were euery one:
Then I. Next, Exton, Ascham, Faulconer.
Michel, Parneis, Reinwall, Foster,
Hulin, Hampton, Ostridge, Remington,
Kneisworth, Coppinger. These being gon
Succeeded Amcotes, Curteis, Allot,
And now Iohn Leman, who well I wot,
Welcome as any to this place,
With our kinde Brethrens loue and grace.
Aldermen we had many more
That neuer this high Office bore,
And therefore are not ranked heere;
But only such as Lord Maiors were.
Genivs.
Walworth, here stay: we may doe wrong,
And hold this worthy man too long
From those great States, that at this feast
Are euery one a welcome Guest.
Those Aldermen, that on the day,
(When the proud Rebel thou didst slay,)
Were Knighted with thee in the field:
Are raysde by me their loue to yeelde
With this faire Guard, and tend on thee,
In honouring this Solemnity.
Mount then thy Courser, that we may
(In the remainder of this day,)
Doe more then time will now afford,
Set on then, Honourable Lord.
A briefe narration of each seuerall shew
Prouided for this Triumph, as you see,
In order to describe them as they goe.
The Fishing Busse instructs you first to know
The toylsome trauell of poore Fisher-men,
Subiected to all weathers, where and when.
To blesse all lands with the Seas bounteous store:
Their labour doth returne rich golden gaine,
VVhereof themselues taste least by Sea or shore,
But (like good soules) contented euermore
VVith any benefit their toyle can bring;
The Fisher well is term'd Contents true King.
Belonging to our brethren, and beside
Speakes somewhat of that creatures qualitie,
By nature Musicall, as hath been tryde:
Poesie and Musique therefore thus do ride
Vpon his back, in sweete Arions shape,
VVho, by a Dolphine, thus did death escape:
Shewes your affection to that Company,
Which league with you in loue, and doth containe
The aptnes of your correspondency
On either side, to hold inseperably.
His indian treasure liberally is throwne:
To make his bounteous heart the better knowne.
More, then I speake, because mysteriously
Some hidden secret thereon doth awayte
Knowne to your selfe. It speakes ingeniously
The Character of your authoritie:
Figur'd in that faire Bird, fostring her brood:
Though with the deare expence of her owne blood.
Heart-killing feares, which waite on Eminence
Hard at the heeles, and (tortringly) still keeps
VVithin the soule imperious residence,
As whippes t'afflict both hope and patience;
These in the Pellicane are figur'd heere:
And these you hardly will auoide this yeere.
And shewe you how their vertues are supplyed
Still with fresh vigor: So (no doubt) will be
Your busiest troubles sweetly qualified,
By those fiue helpes that hold vp dignitie,
Discretion, Policie, and Prouidence,
Courage, Correction, these barre all offence.
VVhen by Heauens helpe, and Walworths happy hand,
That swarme of Rebells, who sought all to sway,
And haue both King and Country at command:
Euen in their height of pride, I made them stand,
And, in my Soueraigns sight, there I strooke dead
Their chiefest Captaine and commanding head.
And all tumultuous troubles calmely ceast,
King Richard, to requite true loyaltie,
His gracious fauour presently exprest
In Royall manner, Knighting me and the rest
Of Aldermen, that were in fielde with me.
London till then had not that dignitie.
Knighted in field, on Corpus Christi day.
And as my Dagger slew the Rebell then,
So to renowne the deede; And I dare say,
To honor London more (if more it may)
The Red-Crosse, in a Siluer-field before,
Had Walworths Dagger added to it more.
Or Chariot of Triumphall Victory
Some shape of that daies honour doth present,
By Heauens protection of True Maiestie,
And beating downe Treason and Mutinie.
Adorning all the Throne with those faire Graces:
That ought about a King to haue best places.
Fortitude, Zeale, Equitie, Conscience,
Iustice, Authoritie, carefull Uigilance,
Peace, Plenty, Law, Councell, Obedience,
And Discipline, that whips all Errors hence,
These (as best Pillars) do support this State:
And euery Kingdome else doth propagate.
By being your sacred Soueraignes Deputie
In such a State, where all these doe concord,
And truely do protect his Maiestie
Figur'd in Richards great Authoritie.
As Walworth then, so Leman now may say:
Neuer had Man a happier Wedding day.
his Speech at night, as a farewell to my Lord.
Phœbus hath hid his golden head
In Thetis lappe. And now are spred
The sable Curtaines of the night,
Our Euenings purpose to delight.
The twinkling Tapers of the Skie
Are turn'd to Torches; and apply
Their clearest radiance, to conuay
Our Mayden Bridegroome on his way
Home to his owne abiding place.
Our Triumphs pompe shortens apace,
That could affoord more time to spend,
But gladly would no way offend.
You mariage Rites solemnized
Bequeathes you to the Bridall bed:
Where you and your chastewife must rest.
London (it seemes) did like you best,
(Although you are a Bacheler,)
To be her Husband for a yeere;
Loue her, delight her. Shee's a Bride,
Nere slept by such a Husbands side
But once before. She hath had many,
And you may proue as good as any
Haue gone before you in this place.
Twill be your Brethrens ioy and grace,
That Fishmongers liue still in faine,
And still renowned by your name.
Their hearty loue by me they send yee,
And pray the hand of heauen defend yee
In all your actions. May your Fame,
Crowne still their ancient worthie name
To all posteritie. So, Londons Lord
And Virgin Husband, in a word:
Old Walworth must to rest againe,
Good-night to you, and all your trayne,
| Chrysanaleia : The Golden Fishing : Or, Honour of Fishmongers | |