 | Princeps Rhetoricus or Filomaxia [Greek] ye Combat of Caps |  |
Scen. III.
Here the maine plot begins. The Master of Ceremonies appears with the Keeper of the Fresh-men: Tis consulted De Curiâ rectè curandâ, that things be done in Place, Time and Order. Exit Ceremonius. Custos induces his Fresh charge, pearcheth them up at the Bar: succeeds again Ceremonius with his whole Court-traine. And first, marshalleth his fourth Classis, next his fift; then fall in the Officers, Seniors, Attendants, Prince, in ceremoniall order. Ceremonius leads the way, next him, Lord Misrule, then two Monitors abrest. Singly succeeds them Monitor Monitorum; next, Præco Fecialis, the Mercuriall Herauld at Armes, Princeps Rhetoricus in the midst. After him the two Text-bearers; then the other two Monitors abrest, the Cap of Maintenance after them, and last, Custos Tyronum, Proclaimer and Guards-man Generall.
They proceed to Election, on a fourefold Ground; 1. Sucession, 2. Merit, 3. Suffrages, 4. Lawes and Customes.
Invenitur Caduceo Habilis & Idoneus, proclaimed fit for the Mercuriall Scepter.
The Quæries are ten: As first, whether he hath orderly ascended from Classis to Classis, non faciens saltum, not making a skip.
2. Whether he be patiens inediæ, frigoris, & sudoris. An multa tulit, fecitq; sudavit & alsit: whether he be Snow-proofe, able to endure Heats and Colds, and to watch by the Lamp of Cleanthes.
Againe, whether he hath learned obedire & imperare, to obey and command, as Junior and Senior; and whether well verst in the Lawes appertaining to the Chaire Mercuriall: whether bene moratus, Bene linguatus, Religiosus, & Humilis.
And being approved by the Register generall, proclaimed Prince by the Herauld, and voiced by the rest, he ascends the Chaire of Eloquence.
Then followes the citement of Officers; after that, the Canto or Hymne of Congratulation; the Speeches Encomiasticall ad Principem.
After the Citement, the Indictment is read against the Tyroes, whose penalties are imposed in way of severall Theames, and liberty to speak for themselves, par pœnæ culpa. Their Patron is Lord of mis-rule.
| Princeps Rhetoricus or Filomaxia [Greek] ye Combat of Caps | |