University of Virginia Library

Search all Chronicles, Histories, Records, in what language or letter soeuer; let the inquisitiue man waste the deere Treasures of his Time and Eye-sight, he shall conclude his life only in this certainty, that there is no subiect vpon earth receiued into the place of his gouernement with the like State & Magnificence as is the Lord Maior of the Citty of London. This being then infallible (like the Mistresse of our Triumphs) and not to be denied of any, how carefull ought those Gentlemen to be, to whose discretion and Iudgement the weight and charge of such a businesse is entirely referred and committed by the whole Society, to haue all things correspondent to that Generous and Noble freenesse of cost and liberality, the streames of Art, to æquall those of Bounty, a Knowledge that may take the true height of such an Honorable Solemnity; the miserable want of both which in the impudent common Writer, hath often forc'd from me much pitty and sorrow; and it would heartily grieue any vnderstanding spirit to behold many times so glorious a fire in

bounty and goodnesse offering to match it selfe with freezing Art, sitting in darknesse, with the candle out, looking like the picture of Blacke Monday.

But to speake truth, which many beside my selfe can affirme vpon knowledge, a care that hath beene seldome equal'd, and not easily imitated, hath been faithfully showne in the whole course of this businesse, both by the Wardens and Committies, men of much vnderstanding, industry, and carefulnesse, little weighing the greatnesse of expence, so the cost might purchase perfection, so feruent hath beene their desire to excell in that (which is a learned and vertuous Ambition) and so vnfainedly pure the loues and affections of the whole Company to his Lordship; If any shall imagine that I set fairer colours vpon their Deserts, then they vpon themselues, let them but reade and conceiue, and their owne vnderstandings will light them to the acknowledgement of their errors. First, they may here behold loue and bounty opening with the morning, earlier then some of former yeares, ready at the first appearing of his Lordship, to giue his eare a taste of the dayes succeeding glory, and thus the forme of it presents it selfe.