 | The Triumphs of Truth |  |
At Soper-lane end a Senate-house erected, vpon which
Musitians sit playing; and more to quicken time, a
sweet voyce married to these words:
THE SONG.
Mother of many honorable Sonnes,
Thinke not the Glasse too slowly runnes
That in Times hand is set,
Because thy worthy Sonne appeares not yet:
Lady be pleas'd, the hower growes on,
Thy ioy will be compleate anon;
Thou shalt behold
The man enrold
In Honours bookes, whom Vertue raises,
Loue-circled round,
His triumphs crownd
With all good wishes, prayers, and praises.
After this sweet aire hath liberally spent it selfe, at the first appearing of the Lord Maior from Guild-hall in the morning, a Trumpet plac'd vpon that Scaffold, sounds forth his welcome; then after a straine or two of Musicke, a Graue Fœminine Shape presents it selfe, from behinde a silke curtaine, representing London, attired like a reuerend Mother, a long white haire naturally flowing on either side of her: on her head a modell of Steeples and Turrets, her habite Crimson silke, neere to the Honourable garment of the Citty: her left hand holding a Key of gold, who after a comely grace, equally mixt with Comfort and Reuerence, sends from her lips this Motherly salutation.
The speech of London.
Honour and Ioy salute thee, I am raisd
In comfort and in loue to see thee, glad
And happy in thy blessings, nor esteeme
My words the lesse, cause I a Woman speake,
A womans counsell is not alwayes weake.
I am thy Mother, at that name I know
Thy heart do's reuerence to me, as becomes
A Sonne of Honour, in whose soule burnes cleere
The sacred lights of diuine feare and knowledge,
I know, that at this instant, all the workes
Of Motherly loue in me, showne to thy Youth
When it was soft and helpelesse, are sum'd vp
In thy most gratefull minde, thou well remembrest
All my deere paines and care, with what affection
I cherish thee in my bosome, watchfull still
Ouer thy wayes,
Set wholesome and Religious Lawes before
The foot-steps of thy youth, show'd Thee the way
That lead thee to the Glory of this Day.
To which (with teares of the most fruitfull ioy
That euer Mother shed) I welcome Thee.
Oh I could be content to take my part
Out of Felicity onely in weeping,
Thy Presence and this Day is so deere to me.
Looke on my age (my Honorable Sonne)
And then begin to thinke vpon thy Office:
See how on each side of mee hang the cares
Which I bestowd on Thee, in siluer haires.
And now the Faith, the Loue, the zealous Fires
With which I cheer'd thy Youth, my Age requires,
The duty of a Mother I haue showne,
Through all the Rites of pure affection,
In Care, in Gouernment, in Wealth, in Honour,
Brought Thee to what thou art, thow'st all from mee,
Then what thou shouldst be I expect from Thee.
Now to Thy Charge, Thy Gouernment, Thy Cares,
Thy Mother in her age submits her yeares.
And though (to my abundant griefe I speake it,
Which now ore-flowes my ioy) some Sonnes I haue
Thanklesse, vnkind, and disobedient,
Rewarding all my Bounties with Neglect,
And will of purpose wilfully retire
Themselues, from doing grace and seruice to me,
When they haue got all they can, or hope for, from me,
The thankfulnesse in which Thy Life doth moue,
Did euer promise fairer fruits of Loue,
And now they show themselues, yet they haue all
My blessing with them, so the world shall see
'Tis their vnkindnesse, no defect in me;
But go Thou forward (my thrice Honor'd Sonne)
In waies of goodnesse, Glory is best wonne
When Merit brings it home, disdaine all Titles
Purchas'd with Coine, of Honor take Thou hold,
By thy Desert let others buy't with Gold;
Fixe thy most serious Thought vpon the Weight
Thou goest to vndergo, 'tis the iust Gouernment
Of this Fam'd Citty, (Mee) whom Nations call
Their brightest Eye, then with great care & feare
Ought I to be ore-seene to be kept cleare.
Spots in deformed Faces are scarce Noted,
Faire cheekes are stain'd if ner'e so little blotted.
See'st thou this Key of Gold? it showes thy charge,
This place is the Kings Chamber, all pollution,
Sinne and Vncleannesse must be lock't out here,
And be kept sweet, with Sanctity, Faith & Feare,
I see Grace take effect, Heauens Ioy vpon her,
'Tis rare, when Vertue opes the Gate to Honor,
My blessing be vpon thee, Sonne, and Lord,
And on my Sonnes all, that obey my Word.
The Salutation of the Angell.
I haue within mine Eye my blessed Charge,
Haile Friend of Truth, Safety and Ioy atttnds thee;
I am Truths Angell, by my Mistresse sent
To guard and guid thee, when thou took'st thy Oath
I stood on thy Right hand, though to thy eye
In visible forme I did not then appeare,
Aske but thy Soule t'will tell thee I stood neere;
And 'twas a Time to take care of Thee then
At such a Marriage before Heauen and Men,
(Thy Faith being wed to Honor) close behinde thee
Stood Errors Minister, that still sought to blinde thee,
And wrap his subtill mists about thy Oath,
To hide it from the nakednesse of Troth,
Which is Truths purest glory, but my light
Still as it shone, Expeld her blackest spite;
His Mists fled by, yet all I could deuise,
Could hardly keepe them from some Peoples eyes,
But thine they flew from, thy Care's but begun
Wake on, the Victory is not halfe yet wun,
Thou wilt be still assaulted, thou shalt meete
With many dangers, that in voyce seeme sweet,
And waies most pleasant to a worldlings eye,
My Mistresse ha's but One, but that leads hye
To yo'n triumphant Citty follow mee,
Keepe thou to Truth, Eternitie keepes to thee.
Zeale.
On boldly Man of Honor, thou shalt win,
I am Truths Champion, Zeale, the Scourge of Sin.
The Trumpet then sounding, the Angell and Zeale ranke themselues iust before his Lordship, & conduct him to Pauls-chaine, where in the South-yard Error in a Chariot with his infernall Ministers attends to assault him, his Garment of Ash-colour Silke, his head rowld in a cloud, ouer which stands, an Owle, a Moale on one shoulder, a Bat on the other, all Symboles of blinde Ignorance and Darknesse, Mists hanging at his Eyes: close before him rides Enuy his Champion, eating of a humane heart, mounted on a Rhenoceros, attired in Red Silke, sutable to the bloudinesse of her manners, her left Pap bare, where a Snake fastens, her Armes halfe Naked, holding in her right hand a Dart tincted in bloud.
The greeting of Error.
Art come? O Welcome my triumphant Lord,
My Glories Sweet-heart! how many millions
Of happy wishes hath my loue told out
For this desired minute, I was dead
Till I enioyd thy Presence, I saw nothing,
A Blindnesse thicker then Idolatry,
Cloue to my Eye-bals, now I am all of Light,
Of Fire, of Ioy, Pleasure runs nimbly through mee,
Lets ioyne together both in State and Triumph,
And down with beggarly and friendlesse Vertue,
That hath so long impouerish't this faire Citty,
My Beasts shall trample on her naked breast,
Vnder my Chariot-wheeles her Bones lye prest,
She ner'e shall rise againe, great Power this day,
Is giuen into thy hand, make vse on't Lord,
And let thy Will and Appetite sway the Sword,
Downe with them all now, whom thy heart enuies,
Let not thy Conscience come into thine Eyes
This twelue month, if thou lou'st reuenge or gaine,
Ile teach thee to cast mists, to blinde the plaine
And simple eye of Man, he shall not know't,
Nor see thy Wrath when 'tis vpon his throte,
All shall be carried with such Art and Wit,
That what thy Lust Acts, shal bee counted fit,
Then for Attendants that may best obserue thee,
Il'e picke out Seriants of my band to serue thee,
Heres Gluttony and Sloth, two pretious Slaues,
Wil tell thee more then a whole heard of Knaues,
The worth of euery Office to a Haire,
And who bads most, and how the Markets are,
Let them alone to smell, and for a need,
They'l bring thee in Bribes for Measure and light Bread,
Keepe thy eye winking, and thy hand wide ope,
Then thou shalt know what Wealth is, and the scope
Of rich Authority, Ho tis sweete and deere,
Make vse of Time then, thou'st but one poore Yeare,
And that will quickly slide, then be not nice,
Both Power and Profite cleaues to my Aduice,
And what he lockes his Eare from those sweet Charmes,
Or runs not to meet Gaine with wide-stretch't Armes,
There is a poore thin thred-bare thing, cal'd Truth,
I giue thee warning of her, if shee speake
Stop both thine eares close, most Professions breake
That euer delt with her, an Vnlucky thing,
Shee's almost sworne to nothing, I can bring
A thousand of our Parish, besides Queanes,
That nere knew what Truth meant, nor euer meanes.
Some I could cull out here, e'en in this Throng,
If I would show my Children, and how strong
I were in faction; 'lasse poore simple Stray,
Shee's all her life time finding out one way:
Shee'as but one foolish way, streight on, right forward,
And yet she makes a toyle on't, and goes on
With Care and Feare forsooth, when I can run
Ouer a hundred with delight and pleasure,
Backe-waies, and by-waies, and fetch in my Treasure
After the wishes of my heart, by shifts,
Deceits, and slightes, and Ile giue thee those giftes;
Ile show thee all my corners yet vntold,
The very rookes where Beldams hide their gold,
In hollow wals and chimneies, where the Sun
Neuer yet shone, nor Truth came euer neere,
This of thy Life Ile make the golden yeare: Follow me then.
Enuy.
Learne now to scorne thy Inferiours, those must loue thee,
And wish to eate their Hearts, that sit aboue thee.
Zeale stird vp with Diuine Indignation, at the Impudence of these Hel-hounds, both forces their retirement, and makes way for the Chariot wherein Truth his Mistresse sits, in a close garment of white Sattin, which makes her appeare thin and naked, figuring thereby her simplicity and neerenesse of heart to those that embrace her; a roabe of white silke cast ouer it, fil'd with the eies of Eagles, shewing her deep
insight, and height of wisedome, ouer her thrice sanctified
head a milke-white Doue, and on each shoulder
one, the sacred Emblemes of Purity, Meekenesse,
and Innocency, vnder her Feete, Serpents, in that she
treads downe all Subtelty and Fraud, her Fore-head
empal'd with a Diadem of Stars, the Witnesse of her
Eternall descent; on her Breast a pure round Cristall,
showing the brightnesse of her thoughts and actions;
a Sun in her Right-hand, then which, nothing is truer,
a fan fild all with Starres in her left, with which she
parts Darkenesse, and strikes away the vapours of Ignorance;
if you hearken to Zeale her Champion after
his holy anger is past against Error, and his crue, hee
will giue it you in better tearmes, or at least more
smoothly and pleasingly.
The speech of Zeale.
Bold Furies, backe, or with this scourge of Fire
Whence sparkles out Religious chast-desire
Ile whip you downe to darkenesse; this a place
Worthy my Mistresse, her Æternall Grace
Be the full obiect to feast all these eies
But Thine the first, hee that feeds here is wise;
Nor by the naked plainenesse of her weeds
Iudge thou her worth, no burnisht glosse Truth needs;
That Crowne of Starres showes her descent from heauen;
That Roabe of white fild all with Eagles eies,
Her piercing sight through hidden mysteries;
Those milke-white Doues her spotlesse Innocence;
Those Serpents at her feete her victory showes
Ouer deceite and guile, her rankest foes,
And by that Cristall Mirrour at her Brest,
The cleerenesse of her Conscience is exprest;
And showing that her deeds all darkenesse shun,
Her Right-hand holds Truths Symbole, the bright Sunne;
A Fan of Starres shee in the other twists,
With which shee chaceth away Errors mists:
And now shee makes to thee, her so euen Grace,
For to her Rich and Poore looke with one Face.
The Words of Truth.
Man raysd by Faith and Loue, vpon whose Head
Honour sits fresh, let not thy Heart be led
In ignorant waies of insolence and pride
From Her, that to this day hath bene thy guide;
I neuer showed thee yet more Paths then one,
And thou hast found sufficient That alone
To bring Thee hether, then go forward still,
And hauing most power, first subiect thy Will,
Giue the first Fruits of Iustice to thy Selfe,
Then dost thou wisely Gouerne, though that Elfe
Of Sin and Darkenesse still opposing mee,
Counsels thy Appetite to Master Thee.
But call to minde what brought thee to this Day,
Was Falshood, Cruelty, or Reuenge the way?
Thy lust or pleasures? peoples curse or hate?
These were no waies could raise Thee to this State
The ignorant must acknowledge, if then from Mee,
Which no Ill dare deny, or Sin controule,
Forsake mee not, that can aduance thy soule:
I see a blessed yeelding in thy Eye,
Thou'rt mine, leade on, thy Name shall neuer dye.
as neere as it can get, all passing on, till they
come into Pauls Church-yard, where stand ready the
fiue Ilands, those dumbe Glories that I spake of before
vpon the water, vpon the heighth of these fiue
Ilands sit fiue persons representing the fiue Sences,
Visus, Auditus, Tactus, Gustus, Olfactus, (or) Seeing,
Hearing, Touching, Tasting, Smelling; at their feete
their proper Emblemes, Aquila, Ceruus, Araneus,
Simia, Canis, an Eagle, a Hart, a Spider, an Ape, a
Dogge.
The Speech of that King.
I see amazement set vpon the faces
Of these white people, wondrings, and strange gazes,
Is it at mee? do's my Complexion draw
So many Christian Eyes, that neuer saw
A King so blacke before? no, now I see
Their entire obiect, the're all meant to thee
(Graue Citty Gouernour) my Queene and I
Well honor'd with the Glances that by,
I must confesse many wilde thoughts may rise,
Opinions, Common murmurs, and fixt Eyes
At my so strange arriuall, in a Land
Where true Religion and her Temple stand:
I being a Moor, ethen in Opinions lightnesse
As far from Sanctity as my Face from whitenesse;
But I forgiue the Iudgings of th'Vnwise,
Whose Censures euer quicken in their Eyes,
Onely begot of outward forme and show,
And I thinke meete to let such Censurers Know,
How euer Darkenesse dwels vpon my Face,
Truth in my soule sets vp the Light of Grace;
And though in daies of Error I did runne
To giue all Adoration to the Sunne,
The Moone & Stars; nay Creatures base and poore,
Now onely their Creator I adore:
My Queene and People all, at one time wun,
By the Religious Conuersation
Of English Merchants, Factors, Trauailers,
Whose Truth did with our Spirits hold Commerse
As their affaires with vs, following their path
Wee all were brought to the true Christian Faith:
Such benefite in good Example dwels,
It oft hath power to conuert Infidels;
Nor could our Desires rest, till wee were led
Vnto this place, where those good Spirits were bred;
And see how we arriu'd, in Blessed Time,
To do that Mihresse Seruice, in the Prime
Of these her Spotlesse Triumphs, and t'attend
That Honorable Man, her Late sworne Frend.
If any wonder at the safe Arriue
Of this small Vessell, which all Wethers driue
According to their Rages, where appeares
Nor Marriner nor Pylot (arm'd 'gainst feares)
Know this came hether from mans guidance free,
Onely by Truth Steer'd; as our Soules must bee;
And see where one of her faire Temples stands,
Do Reuerence, Moores, bow low, and Kisse your hands,
Behold our Queene.
Queene.
Her Goodnesses are such
Wee cannot Honour Her, and Her House too much.
All in the Shippe and those in the Castle bowing their bodies to the Temple of Saint Paul, but Error smiling betwixt Scorne and Anger to see such a deuout humility take hold of that complexion, breakes into these,
Error.
What, haue my Sweete-fac'st Deuils forsooke me too,
Nay, then my charmes will haue enough to doo?
But Time, sitting by the Frame of Truth his Daughters Chariot, attir'd agree-able to his Condition, with his Hower-glasse, Wings, and Sithe, Knowing best himselfe when it is fittest to speake, goes forward in this manner:
This Time hath brought t'effect, for on thy Day
Nothing but Truth and Vertue shall display:
Their Virgin Ensignes, Infidelity,
Barbarisme and Guile shall in deepe Darkenesse lye.
O I could euer stand still thus, and gaze,
Neuer turne Glasse agen; wish no more daies
So this might euer last, pitty the Light
Of this rich Glory must be casde in Night;
But Time must on, I go, 'tis so decreed,
To blesse my Daughter Truth, and all her seed
With Ioyes Immortal, Triumphs neuer ending:
And as her Hand lifts mee, to thy Ascending
May it be alwaies ready (worthy Sonne)
To hasten which, my Howers shall quickly run,
Seest thou yon place, thether Ile weekely bring thee,
Where Truths cœlestiall Harmony Thou shalt heare,
To which I charge Thee bend a serious Eare:
Leade on, Times swift Attendants.
Then the fiue Ilands passe along into Cheape-side, the Ship next after them; the Chariot of Truth still before his Lord-ship, and that of Error still chac'st before it, where their Eies meete with another more subtile Obiect, planting it selfe close by the little Conduite, which may beare this Character, the True Forme and Fashion of a Mount Triumphant, but the Beauty and Glory thereof ouer-spred with a thicke Sulphurous Darkenesse, it being a Fog or Mist raisde from Error, enuiously to blemish that Place which beares the Title of Londons Triumphant Mount (the chiefe Grace and Luster of the whole Triumph) at the foure corners sit foure Monsters Errors Disciples, on whom hangs part of the Mist for their cloathing, holding in their hands little thicke Clubbes, coloured like their Garments; the Names of these foure Monsters, Barbarisme, Ignorance, Impudence, Falshood, who at the neere approaching of Truths Chariot, are seene a little to tremble, whilst her Deity giues life to these words.
Truth.
VVhat's here? the Mist of Error? dare his Spight
Staine this Triumphant Mount? where our delight
Hath bene Diuinely fixt so many Ages,
Dare darkenesse now breathe forth her Insolent Rages,
And hang in poysnous Vapours o're the Place
From whence wee receiu'd Loue and return'd Grace?
I see if Truth a while but turne her Eies,
Thicke are the Mists that o're faire Citties rise:
Wee did expect to receiue welcome here,
From no deform'd Shapes but Diuine and Cleere,
In steed of Monsters that this place attends;
To meete with Goodnesse and her Glorious Frends,
Nor can they so forget mee to bee far,
I Know there stands no other enuious Bar:
But that foule Cloude to Darken this Bright Day,
Which with this Fanne of Starres Ile Chace away.
Vanish Infectious Fog that I may see
This Citties Grace, that takes her Light from Mee.
At this her powerfull command, the Vanish, giue Way, Cloude suddenly rises, and changes into a bright spredding Canopy, stucke thicke with Starres, and beames of Gold, shooting forth round about it, the Mount appearing then most rich in Beauty and Glory, the foure Monsters falling flat at the Foote of the Hill; that graue Fœminine Shape, figuring London, sitting in greatest Honour; next aboue her in the most eminent place, sits Religion, the Modell of a faire Temple on her Head, and a burning Lampe in her Hand, the proper Emblemes of her Sanctity. Watchfulnesse, and Zeale; on her right Hand sits Liberality, her head circled with a Wreath of Gold, in her hand a Cornucopia, or Horne of Abundance, out of which rusheth a seeming Floud of Gold, but no way flowing to Prodigality; for as the Sea is gouern'd by the Moone, so is that wealthy Riuer by her Eie, (for Bounty must bee led by Iudgement) and hence is Art-fully deriued the onely difference betweene Prodigality and Bounty, the one deales her Giftes with open eyes, the
other blind-fold; on her left side sits Perfect Loue,
his proper Seate being neerest the Heart, wearing vpon
his Head a wreath of white and red Roses mingled
together, the Antient Witnesse of Peace, Loue and Vnion,
wherein consists the Happinesse of this Land, his
Right hand holding a Sphære, where in a Circle of
Gold, is contained all the 12 Companies Armes; aud
therefore cal'd the Sphære of true Brother-hood, or Annulus
Amoris, the Ring of Loue: vpon his left hand
stand two Billing Turtles, expressing thereby the happy
Condition of mutuall Loue and Society: on either
side of this Mount are displaid the Charitable and Religious
workes of London (especially the worthy Company
of Grocers) in giuing maintenance to Schollers,
Souldiers, Widdowes, Orphans, and the like, where
are plac'd one of each number: & on the two Heights
sit Knowledge & Modesty; Knowledge wearing a Crowne
of Starres, in her Hand a Perspectiue Glasse, betokening
both her High Iudgement, and Deepe In-sight,
the Brow of Modestie circled with a Wreath all of red
Roses, expressing her Bashfulnesse and Blushings, in
her hand a Crimson Baner, fild with Siluer Stars, figuring
the white Purity of her Shamfastnesse, her cheeks
not red with Shame or Guilt, but with Virgin-Feare,
and Honor. At the Backe of this Triumphant Mount,
Chastity, Fame, Simplicity, Meeknesse, haue their Seats,
Chastity wearing on her Head a Garland of white Roses,
in her Hand a white Silke Banner, fild with Starres
of Gold, expressing the æternity of her vn-spotted
Purenesse: Fame next vnder her, on her a Head a
Crowne of Siluer, and a Siluer Trumpet in her hand,
showing both her Brightnesse and Shrilnesse: Simplicity
with a Milke-white Doue vpon her Head, and
Meekenesse with a Garland of mingled Flowers, in her
hand a white Silke Banner with a red Crosse, a Lambe
at her Feet, by which both their Conditions are sufficiently
exprest; The Mount thus made glorious by
the Power of Truth, and the Mist expeld, London thus
speakes.
London.
Thicke Scales of Darknesse in a Moments space
Are fell from both mine Eyes, I see the Face
Of all my Friends about me (now) most cleerely,
Religions Sisters, whom I Honour deerely;
Oh I behold the worke, it comes from Thee
Illustrious Patronesse, thou that mad'st me see
In Dayes of blindest Ignorance, when this Light
Was ee'n extinguisht, Thou Redeem'st my sight;
Then to Thy Charge (with Reuerence) I commend
That worthy Son of mine, thy vertuous Friend,
Whom on my Loue and Blessing I require,
To obserue Thee Faithfully, and his Desire
To imitate Thy will, and there lye bounded,
For Power's a Dangerous Sea, which must be sounded
With Truth and Iustice, or Man soone runs on
'Gainst Rockes and Shelues to Dissolution;
Then that thou maist the Difference euer know,
Twixt Truth and Error, a few words shall show;
The many Wayes that to blind Error slide
Are in the entrance broad, Hell-mouth is wide,
But when Man enters farre, he findes it then
Close, Darke and Streight, for Hell returnes no Men;
But the One sacred Way which Truth directs,
Onely at Entrance Mans Affection Checks,
And is there strict alone, to which place throngs
All Worlds Afflictions, Calumnies and wrongs.
But hauing past those, then thou find'st a way
In bredth, whole Heauen, in length, æternall Day,
Then following Truth, she brings Thee to that way;
But first obserue what workes she here requires,
Religion, Knowledge, Sanctity, Chast Desires,
Then Charity, which Bounty must expresse,
To Schollers, Souldiers, Widdowes, Fatherlesse;
These haue beene still my Workes, they must be thine,
Honour and Action must together shine,
Or the best part's Eclipst, behold but this,
Thy very Crest showes Bounty, here 'tis put,
Thou giu'st the open Hand, keepe it not shut;
But to the Needie, or Deseruing Spirit,
Let it spred wide, and Heauen enrowles that Merit;
Do these, and proue my Hopefull Worthy Sonne,
Yet nothing's spoke, but needfully must bee done.
And so lead forward.
At which Words the whole Triumph moues in his richest glory toward the Crosse in Cheape, at which place Error full of Wrath and Mallice to see his Mist so chaced away, falles into this Fury.
Error.
Heart of all the Fiends in Hell!
Could her Beggarly Power expell
Such a Thicke and Poisonous Mist
Which I set Enuies Snakes to twist;
Vp Monsters, was her Feeble Frowne
Of Force to strike my Officers downe?
Barbarisme, Impudence, Lies, Ignorance,
All your Hell-bred Heads aduance,
And once againe with Rotten Darknesse shroud
This Mount Triumphant, drop downe sulphurous Cloud.
At which the Mist failes againe, and hangs ouer all
the Beauty of the Mount, not a Person of Glory seene,
onely the foure Monsters gather courage againe, and
take their Seates, aduancing their Clubs aboue their
Heads, which no sooner perceiu'd, but Truth in her
Chariot making neere to the place, willing still to rescue
her Friends and Seruants, from the Powers of Ignorance
and Darknesse, makes vse of these Words,
Truth.
Dare yet the workes of Vglinesse appeare
Gainst this Dayes Brightnesse, and see Vs so neere?
How bold is Sinne and Hell, that yet it dare
Rise against Vs? but know (Perditions Heire)
T'is Idle to contend against our Power,
Vanish againe Fowle Mist from Honors Bower.
Then the Cloud dispersing it selfe againe, and all the Mount appearing Glorious, it passeth so on to the Standard, about which place, by Elaborate action from Error it falles againe, and goes so darkned, till it comes to S. Laurence lane end, where by the former words by Truth vtter'd, being againe chac'd away, London thus gratefully requites her Goodnesse.
London.
Æternities bright Sister, by whose Light,
Errors infectious Workes still flye my Sight.
Receiue thy Seruants Thankes; Now perfect Loue
Whose Right hand holds a Sphære, wherein doe moue
Twelue blest Societies, whose belou'd encrease,
Stiles it the Ring of Brother-hood, Faith and Peace,
From thy Harmonious Lips let them all taste,
The Golden Counsell that makes Health long last.
Perfect Loue then standing vp, holding in his right
hand a Sphære, on the other, two Billing Turtles,
giues these words.
Perfect Loue.
First then I banish from this Feast of Ioy,
All Excesse, Epicurisme, both which destroy
The Healths of Soule and Body, no such Guest
Ought to be welcome to this Reuerend Feast
Where Truth is Mistresse, who's admitted here,
Must come for Vertues loue more then for Cheere,
These two white Turtles may example giue
How Perfect Ioy and Brother-hood should liue,
And they from whom Graue Order is expected,
Of rude Excesse must neuer bee detected;
This is the Councell which that Lady calles
Golden Aduice, for by it no man falles
Hee that desires Dayes healthfull, sound and blest,
Let moderate Iudgement serue him at his Feast,
And so lead on, may Perfect Brother-hood shine,
Still in Sphære, and Honor still in thine.
This Speech so ended, his Lordship and the Companies passe on to Guild-hall; and at their Returning backe, these Triumphs attend to bring his Lordship toward Saint Pauls Church, there to performe those yearely Ceremoniall Rites, which Antient and Graue Order hath determined, Error by the way still busie and in Action to drawe Darknesse often vpon that Mount of Triumph, which by Truth is as often disperst: then all returning homewards full of Beauty and Brightnesse, this Mount and the Chariot of Truth, both plac'd neere to the Entrance of his Lordships Gate, neere Leaden-hall; London, the Lady of that Mount, first giues vtterance to these words,
London.
Before the Day sprang from the Mornings Wombe
I rose, my Care was earlier then the Light,
Nor would it rest till I now brought Thee Home,
Marrying to one Ioy both thy Day and Night;
Nor can we call this Night, if our Eyes count
The Glorious beames that dance about this Mount,
Sure did not Custome guide 'em, Men would say
Two Noones were seene together in one day,
The Splendor is so piercing, Triumph seemes
As if it sparkled, and to Mens esteemes
Threw forth his Thankes, wrapt vp in Golden Flames,
As if hee would giue Light to reade their Names
That were at Cost this Day to make him shine,
And be as free in Thankes, as they in Coine,
But see Time checkes me, and his Sithe stands ready
To cut all off, no State on Earth is steady,
Therefore Graue Sonne the Time that is to come,
Bestow on Truth, and so Thour't welcome Home.
Time standing vp in Truths Chariot, seeming to make an offer with his Sithe to cut off the Glories of the Day, growing neere now to the Season of Rest and Sleepe, his Daughter Truth thus meekely stayes his Hand.
Truth.
Father desist a while till I send forth
A few Words to our Friend, that Man of Worth:
The Power that Heauen, Loue, and the Cities choyce,
Haue all confer'd on Thee with mutuall voyce,
As it is Great, Reuerend, and Honorable,
Meet it with æquall Goodnesse, striue t'excell
Thy former Selfe, as thy Command exceeds
Thy last-yeares State, so let new Acts, old Deeds;
And as great men in Riches and in Birth
(Heightning their Blouds, and ioyning Earth to Earth,)
Bestow their best houres and most serious cares
In chusing out fit Matches for their Heires:
So neuer giue Thou ouer day or howre
Till with a Vertue thou hast matcht this Power:
For what is Greatnesse if not ioyn'd with Grace?
Like one of High-bloud that hath married Base.
Who seekes Authority with an Ignorant Eye,
Is like a man seekes out his Enemy:
For where before his Follies were not spred
Or his corruptions, then theire cleerely read
Ee'n by the eyes of all men; 'tis so pure
A Cristall of it selfe, it will endure
No poyson of Oppression, Bribes, Hir'd Law,
But 'twill appeare soone in some cracke or flaw,
How e're men sooth their hopes with Popular breath,
If not in Life, the'ile finde that crack in Death:
I was not made to fawne or stroake sin smooth
Bee wise and heare me then that cannot sooth:
I haue set Thee High now, bee so in Example,
Made thee a Pinacle in Honors Temple,
Fixing ten thousand Eyes vpon thy Brow
There is no hiding of thy Actions now,
They must abide the Light, and imitate Mee,
Or bee throwne downe to Fire where Errors bee.
Nor onely with these words thy eare I feede,
But giue those part that shall in Time succeed,
To thee in present, and to them to come
That Truth may bring you all with Honour home
To these your Gates, and to those, after these
Of which your owne good Actions Keepe the Keyes;
Then as the Loues of thy Society
Hath flowde in Bounties on this Day and Thee,
Counting all Cost too little for true Art,
Doubling rewards there where they found Desert,
In Thankefulnesse, Iustice, and Vertuous care
Perfect their hopes, those thy Requitals are;
VVith Fatherly Respect embrace 'em all,
Faith in thy Heart, and Plenty in thy Hall,
Loue in thy VValkes, but Iustice in thy State,
Zeale in thy Chamber, Bounty at thy Gate:
And so to Thee and these a Blessed Night,
To thee Faire Citty, Peace, my Grace and Light.
Trumpets sounding Triumphantly,
Zeale
, the Champion of Truth on Horse-backe, his head circled with strange Fires, appeares to his Mistresse, and thus speakes:
See yonder, Lady, Errors Chariot stands,
Brauing the Power of your incenst commands,
Emboldned by the priuiledge of Night
And her blacke Faction, yet to crowne his Spight
VVhich Ile confound, I burne in Diuine wrath.
Truth.
Strike then, I giue thee leaue to shoote it forth.
Zeale.
Then here's to the destruction of that Seate,
There's nothing seene of Thee but Fire shall eate.
At which, a Flame shootes from the Head of Zeale, which fastening vpon that Cariot of Error sets it on Fire, and all the Beasts that are ioynde to it.
THE SONG.
Mother of many honorable Sonnes,
Thinke not the Glasse too slowly runnes
That in Times hand is set,
Because thy worthy Sonne appeares not yet:
Lady be pleas'd, the hower growes on,
Thy ioy will be compleate anon;
The man enrold
In Honours bookes, whom Vertue raises,
Loue-circled round,
His triumphs crownd
With all good wishes, prayers, and praises.
After this sweet aire hath liberally spent it selfe, at the first appearing of the Lord Maior from Guild-hall in the morning, a Trumpet plac'd vpon that Scaffold, sounds forth his welcome; then after a straine or two of Musicke, a Graue Fœminine Shape presents it selfe, from behinde a silke curtaine, representing London, attired like a reuerend Mother, a long white haire naturally flowing on either side of her: on her head a modell of Steeples and Turrets, her habite Crimson silke, neere to the Honourable garment of the Citty: her left hand holding a Key of gold, who after a comely grace, equally mixt with Comfort and Reuerence, sends from her lips this Motherly salutation.
The speech of London.
Honour and Ioy salute thee, I am raisd
In comfort and in loue to see thee, glad
And happy in thy blessings, nor esteeme
My words the lesse, cause I a Woman speake,
A womans counsell is not alwayes weake.
I am thy Mother, at that name I know
Thy heart do's reuerence to me, as becomes
A Sonne of Honour, in whose soule burnes cleere
The sacred lights of diuine feare and knowledge,
I know, that at this instant, all the workes
Of Motherly loue in me, showne to thy Youth
When it was soft and helpelesse, are sum'd vp
All my deere paines and care, with what affection
I cherish thee in my bosome, watchfull still
Ouer thy wayes,
Set wholesome and Religious Lawes before
The foot-steps of thy youth, show'd Thee the way
That lead thee to the Glory of this Day.
To which (with teares of the most fruitfull ioy
That euer Mother shed) I welcome Thee.
Oh I could be content to take my part
Out of Felicity onely in weeping,
Thy Presence and this Day is so deere to me.
Looke on my age (my Honorable Sonne)
And then begin to thinke vpon thy Office:
See how on each side of mee hang the cares
Which I bestowd on Thee, in siluer haires.
And now the Faith, the Loue, the zealous Fires
With which I cheer'd thy Youth, my Age requires,
The duty of a Mother I haue showne,
Through all the Rites of pure affection,
In Care, in Gouernment, in Wealth, in Honour,
Brought Thee to what thou art, thow'st all from mee,
Then what thou shouldst be I expect from Thee.
Now to Thy Charge, Thy Gouernment, Thy Cares,
Thy Mother in her age submits her yeares.
And though (to my abundant griefe I speake it,
Which now ore-flowes my ioy) some Sonnes I haue
Thanklesse, vnkind, and disobedient,
Rewarding all my Bounties with Neglect,
And will of purpose wilfully retire
Themselues, from doing grace and seruice to me,
When they haue got all they can, or hope for, from me,
The thankfulnesse in which Thy Life doth moue,
And now they show themselues, yet they haue all
My blessing with them, so the world shall see
'Tis their vnkindnesse, no defect in me;
But go Thou forward (my thrice Honor'd Sonne)
In waies of goodnesse, Glory is best wonne
When Merit brings it home, disdaine all Titles
Purchas'd with Coine, of Honor take Thou hold,
By thy Desert let others buy't with Gold;
Fixe thy most serious Thought vpon the Weight
Thou goest to vndergo, 'tis the iust Gouernment
Of this Fam'd Citty, (Mee) whom Nations call
Their brightest Eye, then with great care & feare
Ought I to be ore-seene to be kept cleare.
Spots in deformed Faces are scarce Noted,
Faire cheekes are stain'd if ner'e so little blotted.
See'st thou this Key of Gold? it showes thy charge,
This place is the Kings Chamber, all pollution,
Sinne and Vncleannesse must be lock't out here,
And be kept sweet, with Sanctity, Faith & Feare,
I see Grace take effect, Heauens Ioy vpon her,
'Tis rare, when Vertue opes the Gate to Honor,
My blessing be vpon thee, Sonne, and Lord,
And on my Sonnes all, that obey my Word.
Then making her Honour, as before, the Waites of the Citty there in seruice, his Lordship and the Worthy Company, are lead forward toward the water side, where you shall finde the Riuer deck't in the richest glory to receiue him; vpon whose Christall Bosome stands fiue Islands art-fully garnished with all manner of Indian Fruite-Trees, Drugges, Spiceries, and the like, the middle Island with a faire Castle especially beautified.
But making haste to returne to the Citty againe, where Triumph waites in more Splendor and Magnificence, the first then that attends to receiue his Lordship off the water at Bainards Castle, is Truths Angell on Horse-backe, his Raiment of white Silke powdred with Starres of Gold: on his head a Crowne of Gold, a Trumpeter before him on Horse-backe, and Zeale the Champion of Truth, in a Garment of Flamecoloured Silke, with a bright haire on his head, from which shoot Fire-beames, following close after him, mounted alike, his Right hand holding a flaming Scourge, intimating thereby that as hee is the manifester of Truth, he is likewise the chastizer of Ignorance and Error.
The Salutation of the Angell.
I haue within mine Eye my blessed Charge,
Haile Friend of Truth, Safety and Ioy atttnds thee;
I am Truths Angell, by my Mistresse sent
To guard and guid thee, when thou took'st thy Oath
I stood on thy Right hand, though to thy eye
In visible forme I did not then appeare,
Aske but thy Soule t'will tell thee I stood neere;
And 'twas a Time to take care of Thee then
At such a Marriage before Heauen and Men,
(Thy Faith being wed to Honor) close behinde thee
Stood Errors Minister, that still sought to blinde thee,
And wrap his subtill mists about thy Oath,
To hide it from the nakednesse of Troth,
Which is Truths purest glory, but my light
Still as it shone, Expeld her blackest spite;
His Mists fled by, yet all I could deuise,
Could hardly keepe them from some Peoples eyes,
But thine they flew from, thy Care's but begun
Thou wilt be still assaulted, thou shalt meete
With many dangers, that in voyce seeme sweet,
And waies most pleasant to a worldlings eye,
My Mistresse ha's but One, but that leads hye
To yo'n triumphant Citty follow mee,
Keepe thou to Truth, Eternitie keepes to thee.
Zeale.
On boldly Man of Honor, thou shalt win,
I am Truths Champion, Zeale, the Scourge of Sin.
The Trumpet then sounding, the Angell and Zeale ranke themselues iust before his Lordship, & conduct him to Pauls-chaine, where in the South-yard Error in a Chariot with his infernall Ministers attends to assault him, his Garment of Ash-colour Silke, his head rowld in a cloud, ouer which stands, an Owle, a Moale on one shoulder, a Bat on the other, all Symboles of blinde Ignorance and Darknesse, Mists hanging at his Eyes: close before him rides Enuy his Champion, eating of a humane heart, mounted on a Rhenoceros, attired in Red Silke, sutable to the bloudinesse of her manners, her left Pap bare, where a Snake fastens, her Armes halfe Naked, holding in her right hand a Dart tincted in bloud.
The greeting of Error.
Art come? O Welcome my triumphant Lord,
My Glories Sweet-heart! how many millions
Of happy wishes hath my loue told out
For this desired minute, I was dead
Till I enioyd thy Presence, I saw nothing,
A Blindnesse thicker then Idolatry,
Cloue to my Eye-bals, now I am all of Light,
Of Fire, of Ioy, Pleasure runs nimbly through mee,
And down with beggarly and friendlesse Vertue,
That hath so long impouerish't this faire Citty,
My Beasts shall trample on her naked breast,
Vnder my Chariot-wheeles her Bones lye prest,
She ner'e shall rise againe, great Power this day,
Is giuen into thy hand, make vse on't Lord,
And let thy Will and Appetite sway the Sword,
Downe with them all now, whom thy heart enuies,
Let not thy Conscience come into thine Eyes
This twelue month, if thou lou'st reuenge or gaine,
Ile teach thee to cast mists, to blinde the plaine
And simple eye of Man, he shall not know't,
Nor see thy Wrath when 'tis vpon his throte,
All shall be carried with such Art and Wit,
That what thy Lust Acts, shal bee counted fit,
Then for Attendants that may best obserue thee,
Il'e picke out Seriants of my band to serue thee,
Heres Gluttony and Sloth, two pretious Slaues,
Wil tell thee more then a whole heard of Knaues,
The worth of euery Office to a Haire,
And who bads most, and how the Markets are,
Let them alone to smell, and for a need,
They'l bring thee in Bribes for Measure and light Bread,
Keepe thy eye winking, and thy hand wide ope,
Then thou shalt know what Wealth is, and the scope
Of rich Authority, Ho tis sweete and deere,
Make vse of Time then, thou'st but one poore Yeare,
And that will quickly slide, then be not nice,
Both Power and Profite cleaues to my Aduice,
And what he lockes his Eare from those sweet Charmes,
Or runs not to meet Gaine with wide-stretch't Armes,
There is a poore thin thred-bare thing, cal'd Truth,
Stop both thine eares close, most Professions breake
That euer delt with her, an Vnlucky thing,
Shee's almost sworne to nothing, I can bring
A thousand of our Parish, besides Queanes,
That nere knew what Truth meant, nor euer meanes.
Some I could cull out here, e'en in this Throng,
If I would show my Children, and how strong
I were in faction; 'lasse poore simple Stray,
Shee's all her life time finding out one way:
Shee'as but one foolish way, streight on, right forward,
And yet she makes a toyle on't, and goes on
With Care and Feare forsooth, when I can run
Ouer a hundred with delight and pleasure,
Backe-waies, and by-waies, and fetch in my Treasure
After the wishes of my heart, by shifts,
Deceits, and slightes, and Ile giue thee those giftes;
Ile show thee all my corners yet vntold,
The very rookes where Beldams hide their gold,
In hollow wals and chimneies, where the Sun
Neuer yet shone, nor Truth came euer neere,
This of thy Life Ile make the golden yeare: Follow me then.
Enuy.
Learne now to scorne thy Inferiours, those must loue thee,
And wish to eate their Hearts, that sit aboue thee.
Zeale stird vp with Diuine Indignation, at the Impudence of these Hel-hounds, both forces their retirement, and makes way for the Chariot wherein Truth his Mistresse sits, in a close garment of white Sattin, which makes her appeare thin and naked, figuring thereby her simplicity and neerenesse of heart to those that embrace her; a roabe of white silke cast ouer it, fil'd with the eies of Eagles, shewing her deep
The speech of Zeale.
Bold Furies, backe, or with this scourge of Fire
Whence sparkles out Religious chast-desire
Ile whip you downe to darkenesse; this a place
Worthy my Mistresse, her Æternall Grace
Be the full obiect to feast all these eies
But Thine the first, hee that feeds here is wise;
Nor by the naked plainenesse of her weeds
Iudge thou her worth, no burnisht glosse Truth needs;
That Crowne of Starres showes her descent from heauen;
That Roabe of white fild all with Eagles eies,
Her piercing sight through hidden mysteries;
Those milke-white Doues her spotlesse Innocence;
Those Serpents at her feete her victory showes
Ouer deceite and guile, her rankest foes,
And by that Cristall Mirrour at her Brest,
The cleerenesse of her Conscience is exprest;
Her Right-hand holds Truths Symbole, the bright Sunne;
A Fan of Starres shee in the other twists,
With which shee chaceth away Errors mists:
And now shee makes to thee, her so euen Grace,
For to her Rich and Poore looke with one Face.
The Words of Truth.
Man raysd by Faith and Loue, vpon whose Head
Honour sits fresh, let not thy Heart be led
In ignorant waies of insolence and pride
From Her, that to this day hath bene thy guide;
I neuer showed thee yet more Paths then one,
And thou hast found sufficient That alone
To bring Thee hether, then go forward still,
And hauing most power, first subiect thy Will,
Giue the first Fruits of Iustice to thy Selfe,
Then dost thou wisely Gouerne, though that Elfe
Of Sin and Darkenesse still opposing mee,
Counsels thy Appetite to Master Thee.
But call to minde what brought thee to this Day,
Was Falshood, Cruelty, or Reuenge the way?
Thy lust or pleasures? peoples curse or hate?
These were no waies could raise Thee to this State
The ignorant must acknowledge, if then from Mee,
Which no Ill dare deny, or Sin controule,
Forsake mee not, that can aduance thy soule:
I see a blessed yeelding in thy Eye,
Thou'rt mine, leade on, thy Name shall neuer dye.
These words ended, they all set forward, this Chariot of Truth and her cœlestiall hand-maids the Graces & Vertues, taking place next before his Lord ship, Zeale and the Angell before that, the Chariot of Error following
No sooner can your eyes take leaue of these, but they may suddenly espy a strange Ship making toward, and that which may raise greater astonishment, it hauing neither Saylor nor Pilot, onely vpon a white silke streamer these two words set in letters of Gold, Veritate Gubernor, I am Steer'd by Truth; the Persons that are contained within this little Vessell are onely foure; a King of the Moores, his Queene, and two Attendants of their owne colour, the rest of their followers, people the Castle that stands in the middle Iland, of which company two or three on the top appeares to sight, this King seeming much astonied at the many eies of such a multitude, vtters his thoughts in these words.
The Speech of that King.
I see amazement set vpon the faces
Of these white people, wondrings, and strange gazes,
Is it at mee? do's my Complexion draw
So many Christian Eyes, that neuer saw
A King so blacke before? no, now I see
Their entire obiect, the're all meant to thee
(Graue Citty Gouernour) my Queene and I
I must confesse many wilde thoughts may rise,
Opinions, Common murmurs, and fixt Eyes
At my so strange arriuall, in a Land
Where true Religion and her Temple stand:
I being a Moor, ethen in Opinions lightnesse
As far from Sanctity as my Face from whitenesse;
But I forgiue the Iudgings of th'Vnwise,
Whose Censures euer quicken in their Eyes,
Onely begot of outward forme and show,
And I thinke meete to let such Censurers Know,
How euer Darkenesse dwels vpon my Face,
Truth in my soule sets vp the Light of Grace;
And though in daies of Error I did runne
To giue all Adoration to the Sunne,
The Moone & Stars; nay Creatures base and poore,
Now onely their Creator I adore:
My Queene and People all, at one time wun,
By the Religious Conuersation
Of English Merchants, Factors, Trauailers,
Whose Truth did with our Spirits hold Commerse
As their affaires with vs, following their path
Wee all were brought to the true Christian Faith:
Such benefite in good Example dwels,
It oft hath power to conuert Infidels;
Nor could our Desires rest, till wee were led
Vnto this place, where those good Spirits were bred;
And see how we arriu'd, in Blessed Time,
To do that Mihresse Seruice, in the Prime
Of these her Spotlesse Triumphs, and t'attend
That Honorable Man, her Late sworne Frend.
If any wonder at the safe Arriue
Of this small Vessell, which all Wethers driue
Nor Marriner nor Pylot (arm'd 'gainst feares)
Know this came hether from mans guidance free,
Onely by Truth Steer'd; as our Soules must bee;
And see where one of her faire Temples stands,
Do Reuerence, Moores, bow low, and Kisse your hands,
Behold our Queene.
Queene.
Her Goodnesses are such
Wee cannot Honour Her, and Her House too much.
All in the Shippe and those in the Castle bowing their bodies to the Temple of Saint Paul, but Error smiling betwixt Scorne and Anger to see such a deuout humility take hold of that complexion, breakes into these,
Error.
What, haue my Sweete-fac'st Deuils forsooke me too,
Nay, then my charmes will haue enough to doo?
But Time, sitting by the Frame of Truth his Daughters Chariot, attir'd agree-able to his Condition, with his Hower-glasse, Wings, and Sithe, Knowing best himselfe when it is fittest to speake, goes forward in this manner:
This Time hath brought t'effect, for on thy Day
Nothing but Truth and Vertue shall display:
Their Virgin Ensignes, Infidelity,
Barbarisme and Guile shall in deepe Darkenesse lye.
O I could euer stand still thus, and gaze,
Neuer turne Glasse agen; wish no more daies
So this might euer last, pitty the Light
Of this rich Glory must be casde in Night;
But Time must on, I go, 'tis so decreed,
To blesse my Daughter Truth, and all her seed
With Ioyes Immortal, Triumphs neuer ending:
And as her Hand lifts mee, to thy Ascending
To hasten which, my Howers shall quickly run,
Seest thou yon place, thether Ile weekely bring thee,
Where Truths cœlestiall Harmony Thou shalt heare,
To which I charge Thee bend a serious Eare:
Leade on, Times swift Attendants.
Then the fiue Ilands passe along into Cheape-side, the Ship next after them; the Chariot of Truth still before his Lord-ship, and that of Error still chac'st before it, where their Eies meete with another more subtile Obiect, planting it selfe close by the little Conduite, which may beare this Character, the True Forme and Fashion of a Mount Triumphant, but the Beauty and Glory thereof ouer-spred with a thicke Sulphurous Darkenesse, it being a Fog or Mist raisde from Error, enuiously to blemish that Place which beares the Title of Londons Triumphant Mount (the chiefe Grace and Luster of the whole Triumph) at the foure corners sit foure Monsters Errors Disciples, on whom hangs part of the Mist for their cloathing, holding in their hands little thicke Clubbes, coloured like their Garments; the Names of these foure Monsters, Barbarisme, Ignorance, Impudence, Falshood, who at the neere approaching of Truths Chariot, are seene a little to tremble, whilst her Deity giues life to these words.
Truth.
VVhat's here? the Mist of Error? dare his Spight
Staine this Triumphant Mount? where our delight
Hath bene Diuinely fixt so many Ages,
Dare darkenesse now breathe forth her Insolent Rages,
And hang in poysnous Vapours o're the Place
I see if Truth a while but turne her Eies,
Thicke are the Mists that o're faire Citties rise:
Wee did expect to receiue welcome here,
From no deform'd Shapes but Diuine and Cleere,
In steed of Monsters that this place attends;
To meete with Goodnesse and her Glorious Frends,
Nor can they so forget mee to bee far,
I Know there stands no other enuious Bar:
But that foule Cloude to Darken this Bright Day,
Which with this Fanne of Starres Ile Chace away.
Vanish Infectious Fog that I may see
This Citties Grace, that takes her Light from Mee.
At this her powerfull command, the Vanish, giue Way, Cloude suddenly rises, and changes into a bright spredding Canopy, stucke thicke with Starres, and beames of Gold, shooting forth round about it, the Mount appearing then most rich in Beauty and Glory, the foure Monsters falling flat at the Foote of the Hill; that graue Fœminine Shape, figuring London, sitting in greatest Honour; next aboue her in the most eminent place, sits Religion, the Modell of a faire Temple on her Head, and a burning Lampe in her Hand, the proper Emblemes of her Sanctity. Watchfulnesse, and Zeale; on her right Hand sits Liberality, her head circled with a Wreath of Gold, in her hand a Cornucopia, or Horne of Abundance, out of which rusheth a seeming Floud of Gold, but no way flowing to Prodigality; for as the Sea is gouern'd by the Moone, so is that wealthy Riuer by her Eie, (for Bounty must bee led by Iudgement) and hence is Art-fully deriued the onely difference betweene Prodigality and Bounty, the one deales her Giftes with open eyes, the
London.
Thicke Scales of Darknesse in a Moments space
Are fell from both mine Eyes, I see the Face
Of all my Friends about me (now) most cleerely,
Religions Sisters, whom I Honour deerely;
Oh I behold the worke, it comes from Thee
Illustrious Patronesse, thou that mad'st me see
In Dayes of blindest Ignorance, when this Light
Was ee'n extinguisht, Thou Redeem'st my sight;
Then to Thy Charge (with Reuerence) I commend
That worthy Son of mine, thy vertuous Friend,
Whom on my Loue and Blessing I require,
To obserue Thee Faithfully, and his Desire
To imitate Thy will, and there lye bounded,
For Power's a Dangerous Sea, which must be sounded
With Truth and Iustice, or Man soone runs on
'Gainst Rockes and Shelues to Dissolution;
Then that thou maist the Difference euer know,
Twixt Truth and Error, a few words shall show;
The many Wayes that to blind Error slide
Are in the entrance broad, Hell-mouth is wide,
But when Man enters farre, he findes it then
Close, Darke and Streight, for Hell returnes no Men;
But the One sacred Way which Truth directs,
Onely at Entrance Mans Affection Checks,
And is there strict alone, to which place throngs
All Worlds Afflictions, Calumnies and wrongs.
In bredth, whole Heauen, in length, æternall Day,
Then following Truth, she brings Thee to that way;
But first obserue what workes she here requires,
Religion, Knowledge, Sanctity, Chast Desires,
Then Charity, which Bounty must expresse,
To Schollers, Souldiers, Widdowes, Fatherlesse;
These haue beene still my Workes, they must be thine,
Honour and Action must together shine,
Or the best part's Eclipst, behold but this,
Thy very Crest showes Bounty, here 'tis put,
Thou giu'st the open Hand, keepe it not shut;
But to the Needie, or Deseruing Spirit,
Let it spred wide, and Heauen enrowles that Merit;
Do these, and proue my Hopefull Worthy Sonne,
Yet nothing's spoke, but needfully must bee done.
And so lead forward.
At which Words the whole Triumph moues in his richest glory toward the Crosse in Cheape, at which place Error full of Wrath and Mallice to see his Mist so chaced away, falles into this Fury.
Error.
Heart of all the Fiends in Hell!
Could her Beggarly Power expell
Such a Thicke and Poisonous Mist
Which I set Enuies Snakes to twist;
Vp Monsters, was her Feeble Frowne
Of Force to strike my Officers downe?
Barbarisme, Impudence, Lies, Ignorance,
All your Hell-bred Heads aduance,
And once againe with Rotten Darknesse shroud
This Mount Triumphant, drop downe sulphurous Cloud.
Truth.
Dare yet the workes of Vglinesse appeare
Gainst this Dayes Brightnesse, and see Vs so neere?
How bold is Sinne and Hell, that yet it dare
Rise against Vs? but know (Perditions Heire)
T'is Idle to contend against our Power,
Vanish againe Fowle Mist from Honors Bower.
Then the Cloud dispersing it selfe againe, and all the Mount appearing Glorious, it passeth so on to the Standard, about which place, by Elaborate action from Error it falles againe, and goes so darkned, till it comes to S. Laurence lane end, where by the former words by Truth vtter'd, being againe chac'd away, London thus gratefully requites her Goodnesse.
London.
Æternities bright Sister, by whose Light,
Errors infectious Workes still flye my Sight.
Receiue thy Seruants Thankes; Now perfect Loue
Whose Right hand holds a Sphære, wherein doe moue
Twelue blest Societies, whose belou'd encrease,
Stiles it the Ring of Brother-hood, Faith and Peace,
From thy Harmonious Lips let them all taste,
The Golden Counsell that makes Health long last.
Perfect Loue then standing vp, holding in his right
Perfect Loue.
First then I banish from this Feast of Ioy,
All Excesse, Epicurisme, both which destroy
The Healths of Soule and Body, no such Guest
Ought to be welcome to this Reuerend Feast
Where Truth is Mistresse, who's admitted here,
Must come for Vertues loue more then for Cheere,
These two white Turtles may example giue
How Perfect Ioy and Brother-hood should liue,
And they from whom Graue Order is expected,
Of rude Excesse must neuer bee detected;
This is the Councell which that Lady calles
Golden Aduice, for by it no man falles
Hee that desires Dayes healthfull, sound and blest,
Let moderate Iudgement serue him at his Feast,
And so lead on, may Perfect Brother-hood shine,
Still in Sphære, and Honor still in thine.
This Speech so ended, his Lordship and the Companies passe on to Guild-hall; and at their Returning backe, these Triumphs attend to bring his Lordship toward Saint Pauls Church, there to performe those yearely Ceremoniall Rites, which Antient and Graue Order hath determined, Error by the way still busie and in Action to drawe Darknesse often vpon that Mount of Triumph, which by Truth is as often disperst: then all returning homewards full of Beauty and Brightnesse, this Mount and the Chariot of Truth, both plac'd neere to the Entrance of his Lordships Gate, neere Leaden-hall; London, the Lady of that Mount, first giues vtterance to these words,
Before the Day sprang from the Mornings Wombe
I rose, my Care was earlier then the Light,
Nor would it rest till I now brought Thee Home,
Marrying to one Ioy both thy Day and Night;
Nor can we call this Night, if our Eyes count
The Glorious beames that dance about this Mount,
Sure did not Custome guide 'em, Men would say
Two Noones were seene together in one day,
The Splendor is so piercing, Triumph seemes
As if it sparkled, and to Mens esteemes
Threw forth his Thankes, wrapt vp in Golden Flames,
As if hee would giue Light to reade their Names
That were at Cost this Day to make him shine,
And be as free in Thankes, as they in Coine,
But see Time checkes me, and his Sithe stands ready
To cut all off, no State on Earth is steady,
Therefore Graue Sonne the Time that is to come,
Bestow on Truth, and so Thour't welcome Home.
Time standing vp in Truths Chariot, seeming to make an offer with his Sithe to cut off the Glories of the Day, growing neere now to the Season of Rest and Sleepe, his Daughter Truth thus meekely stayes his Hand.
Truth.
Father desist a while till I send forth
A few Words to our Friend, that Man of Worth:
The Power that Heauen, Loue, and the Cities choyce,
Haue all confer'd on Thee with mutuall voyce,
As it is Great, Reuerend, and Honorable,
Meet it with æquall Goodnesse, striue t'excell
Thy former Selfe, as thy Command exceeds
Thy last-yeares State, so let new Acts, old Deeds;
(Heightning their Blouds, and ioyning Earth to Earth,)
Bestow their best houres and most serious cares
In chusing out fit Matches for their Heires:
So neuer giue Thou ouer day or howre
Till with a Vertue thou hast matcht this Power:
For what is Greatnesse if not ioyn'd with Grace?
Like one of High-bloud that hath married Base.
Who seekes Authority with an Ignorant Eye,
Is like a man seekes out his Enemy:
For where before his Follies were not spred
Or his corruptions, then theire cleerely read
Ee'n by the eyes of all men; 'tis so pure
A Cristall of it selfe, it will endure
No poyson of Oppression, Bribes, Hir'd Law,
But 'twill appeare soone in some cracke or flaw,
How e're men sooth their hopes with Popular breath,
If not in Life, the'ile finde that crack in Death:
I was not made to fawne or stroake sin smooth
Bee wise and heare me then that cannot sooth:
I haue set Thee High now, bee so in Example,
Made thee a Pinacle in Honors Temple,
Fixing ten thousand Eyes vpon thy Brow
There is no hiding of thy Actions now,
They must abide the Light, and imitate Mee,
Or bee throwne downe to Fire where Errors bee.
Nor onely with these words thy eare I feede,
But giue those part that shall in Time succeed,
To thee in present, and to them to come
That Truth may bring you all with Honour home
To these your Gates, and to those, after these
Of which your owne good Actions Keepe the Keyes;
Then as the Loues of thy Society
Counting all Cost too little for true Art,
Doubling rewards there where they found Desert,
In Thankefulnesse, Iustice, and Vertuous care
Perfect their hopes, those thy Requitals are;
VVith Fatherly Respect embrace 'em all,
Faith in thy Heart, and Plenty in thy Hall,
Loue in thy VValkes, but Iustice in thy State,
Zeale in thy Chamber, Bounty at thy Gate:
And so to Thee and these a Blessed Night,
To thee Faire Citty, Peace, my Grace and Light.
Trumpets sounding Triumphantly,
Zeale
, the Champion of Truth on Horse-backe, his head circled with strange Fires, appeares to his Mistresse, and thus speakes:
See yonder, Lady, Errors Chariot stands,
Brauing the Power of your incenst commands,
Emboldned by the priuiledge of Night
And her blacke Faction, yet to crowne his Spight
VVhich Ile confound, I burne in Diuine wrath.
Truth.
Strike then, I giue thee leaue to shoote it forth.
Zeale.
Then here's to the destruction of that Seate,
There's nothing seene of Thee but Fire shall eate.
At which, a Flame shootes from the Head of Zeale, which fastening vpon that Cariot of Error sets it on Fire, and all the Beasts that are ioynde to it.
| The Triumphs of Truth | |