Thou that maist make a King thy substitute,
And doest besides the Red-rose and the white,
With the rich flower of France thy garland dight,
Wearing aboue Kings now, or those of olde,
A double Crowne of Lawrell and of gold,
O let my voyce passe through thy royall eare,
And whisper thus much, that we figure here,
A new Arabia, in whose spiced nest
A Phoenix liu’d and died in the Sunnes brest,
Her losse, made sight, in teares to drowne her eyes,
The Eare grew deafe, Tastelike a sick-man lyes,
Finding no rellish: euery other Sence,
Forgat his office, worth and excellence,
Whereby this Fount of Vertue gan to freeze,
Threatned to be drunke by two enemies,
Snakie Detraction, and Obliuion,
But at thy glorious presence, both are gone,
Thou being that sacred Phoenix, that doest rise,
From th’ashes of the first: Beames from thine eyes
So vertually shining, that they bring,
To Englands new Arabia, a new Spring:
For ioy whereof, Nimphes, Sences, Houres, & Fame,
Eccho loud Hymnes to his imperiall name.
At the shutting vp of this Speech, his Maiestie (being readie to goe on,) did most graciouslie feede the eyes of beholders with his presence, till a Song was spent: which to a loude and excellent Musicke (composed of Violins & an other rare Artificiall Instrume¯t, wherein besides sundrie seuerall sounds effus’d (all at one time) were also sensibly distinguisht the chirpings of birds, was by two Boyes (Choristers of Paules) deliuered in sweete and rauishing voyces.
Cant.
Troynouant is now no more a Citie:
O great pittie! is’t not pittie?
And yet her Towers on tiptoe stand,
Like Pageants built on Fairie land,
And her Marble armes,
Like to Magicke charmes,
binde thousands fast vnto her,
That for her wealth & beauty daily wooe her,
yet for all this, is’t not pittie?
Troynouant is now no more a Cittie.
2
Troynouant is now a Sommer Arbour,
or the nest wherein doth harbour,
The Eagle, of all birds that flie,
The Soueraigne, for his piercing eie,
If you wisely marke,
Tis besides a Parke,
Where runnes (being newly borne)
With the fierce Lyon, the faire Vnicorne,
or else it is a wedding Hall,
Where foure great Kingdomes holde a Festiuall.
3
Troynouant is now a Bridall Chamber,
whose roofe is gold, floore is of Amber,
By vertue of that holy light,
That burnes in Hymens hand, more bright,
Than the siluer Moone,
or the Torch of Noone,
Harke what the Ecchoes say!
Brittaine till now nere kept a Holiday:
for loue dwels heere: And tis no pittie,
If Troynouant be now no more a Cittie.
Nor let the scrue of any wresting comment vpon these words,
Troynouant is now no more a Citie.
Enforce the Authors inuention away fro¯ his owne cleare strength and harmelesse meaning: all the scope of this fiction stretching onely to this point, that London (to doo honour to this day, wherein springs vp all her happines) beeing rauished with vnutterable ioyes, makes no account (for the present) of her ancient title, to be called a Citie, (because aluring these tryumphes, sheeputs off her formall habite of Trade and Commerce, treading euen Thrift it selfe vnder foote, but now becomes a Reueller and a Courtier. So that, albeit in the end of the first Stanza tis said,
Yet for all this, is’t not pittie,
Troynouant is now no more a Cittie.
By a figure called Castigatio or the mender, heere followes presently a reproofe; wherein tytles of Sommer Arbor; The Eagles nest, a wedding Ha¯ll, &c. are throwne vpon her, the least of them being at this time by vertue of Poeticall Heraldrie, but especiallie in regard of the State that now vpholds her, thought to be names of more honour, than that of her owne. And this short Apologie, doth our verse make for it selfe, in regard that some, (to whose setled iudgement and authoritie the censure of these Deuises was referred,) brought though not bitterly the life of those lines into question: But appealing with Machaetas to Phillip, now these reasons haue awakend him: let vs followe King Iames, who hauing passed vnder this our third gate, is by this time, graciously receauing a gratulatorie, Oration from the mouth of Sir Henry Mountague, Recorder of the Citie, a square lowe gallorie, set round about with pilasters, beeing for that purpose erected some 4. foote from the ground, and ioyned to the front of the Crosse in Cheape; where likewise stood all the Aldermen, the Chamberlaine, Towne-clarke, and Counsell of the Citie.
THE RECORDERS SPEECH.
HIGH IMPERIALL MAIESTIE, it is not yet a yeere in dayes since with acclamation of the People, Citizens, and Nobles, auspitiouslie heere at this Crosse was proclaimed your true succession to the Crowne. If then it was ioyous with Hats, hands, and hearts, lift vp to heauen to crie King Iames, what is it now to see King Iames? Come therefore O worthiest of Kings as a glorious Bridegroome through your Royall chamber: But to come neere, Adest quem querimus. Twentie and more are the Soueraignes wee haue serued since our conquest, but Conquerour of hearts it is you and your Posteritie, that we haue vowed to loue and wish to serue whilst London is a Citie. In pledge whereof my Lord Maior, the Aldermen, and Commons of this Citie, wishing a golden Reigne vnto you, present your Greatnes with a little cup of gold.
At the end of the Oration three Cups of gold were giuen (in the name of the Lord Maior, and the whole Body of the Citie,) to his Maiestie, the young Prince, and the Queene.
All which but aboue all (being gifts of greater value) the loyall hearts of the Citizens, beeing louingly receaued; his Grace was (at least it was appointed he should haue beene) met on his way neere to the Crosse, by Syluanus drest vp in greene Iuie, a Cornet in his hand, being attended on by foure other Syluans in Iuie likewise, their bowes and quiuers hanging on their shoulders, and winde Instruments in their hands.
Vpon sight of his Maiestie, they make a stand, Syluanus breaking forth into this abrupt passion of ioy.
Syluanus.
Stay Syluans, and let the loudest voyce of Musicke proclayme it (euen as high as Heauen) that he is come.
Alter Apollo redit, Nouus En, iam regnat Apollo.
Which acclamation of his was borne vp into the ayre, and there mingled with the breath of their musicall Instruments: whose sound beeing vanished to nothing, Thus goes our Speaker on.
Syluanus.
Most happie Prince, pardon me, that being meane in habite, and wilde in apparance, (for my richest liuorie is but leaues, and my stateliest dwelling but in the woodes,) thus rudely with piping Syluanes. I presume to intercept your royall passage. These are my walkes: yet stand I heere, not to cut off your way, but to giue it a full and a bounteous welcome, beeing a Messenger sent from the Lady Eirene my Mistresse, to deliuer an errand to the best of all these Worthies, your royall selfe. Many Kingdomes hath the Lady sought out to abide in, but from them all, hath shee beene most churlishly banished: not that her beautie did deserue such vnkindnes, but that (like the eye of Heauen) hers were too bright, and there were no Eagles breeding in those nests, that could truly beholde them.
At last heere she ariued, Destinie subscribing to this Warrant, that none but this Land should be her Inheritance. In contempt of which happines, Enuie shootes his impoisoned stings at her heart, but his Adders (being charmed) turne their daungerous heads vpon his owne bosome. Those that dwell far off, pine away with vexing to see her prosper, because all the acquaintauce which they haue of her, is this, that they know there is such a goodly Creature as Eirene, in the world, yet her face
they know not: whilst all those that heere sleepe vnder the warmth of her wings, adore her by the sacred & Coelestiall name of Peace, for number being (as her blessings are) infinite.
Her daughter Euporia (well knowne by the name of Plentie, is at this present with her, (being indeede neuer from her side) vnder yonder Arbour they sit, which after the daughters name is called, Hortus Euporiae (Plenties Bower:) Chast are they both, and both maydens in memorie of a Virgine, to whom they were nurse children: for whose sake (because they were bound to her for their life,) mee, haue they charged to lay at your imperiall feete, (being your hereditarie due) the tribute of their loue: And with it thus to say.
That they haue languished many heauie moneths for your presence, which to them would haue beene, (& proud they are that it shall be so now,) of the same operation and influence, that the Sunne is to the spring, and the spring to the earth: hearing therefore what trebble preferment you haue bestowed vpon this day, wherein besides the beames of a glorious Sunne, two other cleare and gracious starres shine cheerefullie on these her homely buildings: Into which (because no dutie should bee wanting) shee hath giuen leaue euen to Strangers, to bee Sharers in her happines, by suffering them to bid you likewise welcome. By mee (once hers now your vassaile,) shee entreates, and with a knee sinking lower than the ground on which you tread, doo I humbly execute her pleasure, that ere you passe further, you would deigne to walke into yonder Garden: the Hesperides liue not there but the Muses, and the Muses no longer than vnder your protection. Thus farre am I sent to conduct you thither, prostrately begging this grace, (since I dare not, as beeing vnwoorthie, lackey by your royall side) in that yet these my greene Followers and my selfe may bee ioyfull fore-runners of your expected approch, away Syluanus.
And being (in this their returne) come neare to the Arbor, they gaue a signe with a short florish from all their Cornets, that his Maiestie was at hand: whose princely eye whilest it was delighting it selfe with the quaint obiect before it, a sweete pleasure likewise courted his eare in the shape of Musicke, sent from the voyces of nine Boyes (all of them Queristers of Paules) who in that place presenting the nine Muses sang the dittie following to their Viols and other Instruments.
But, least leaping too bluntly into the midst of our Garden at first, we deface the beautie of it, let vs send you round about it, and suruey the Walles, Allies, and quarters of it as they lye in order.
This being the fashion of it.
The passages through it were two gates, arched and grated Arbor-wise, their heigth being 16. foote, their breadth 10. from the roofe, and so on the sides, downe to the ground, Cowcumbers, Pompions, Grapes, and all other fruits growing in the land, hanging artificially in clusters: Betweene the two gates, a payre of stayres were mounted with some 20 assents: at the bottome of them (on two pillers) were fixed two Satiers carued out in wood; the sides of both the gates, being strengthened with foure great French frames standing vpon pedestals, taking vp in their full height 20. foote.
The vpper part also caried the proportion, of an Arbor, being closde with their round tops, the midst whereof was exalted aboue the other two, Fortune standing on the top of it. The garnishments for the whole Bower, being Apples, Peares, Cheries, Grapes, Roses, Lillies, and all other both fruits and flowers most artificially molded to the life. The whole frame of this somer banqueting house, stood (at the ground line) vpon 4 foore; the Perpendicular stretching itselfe to 45. Wee might (that day) haue called it, The Musicke roome, by reason of the chaunge of tunes, that danced round about it; for in one place were heard a noyse of cornets, in a second, a consort, the third, (which sate in sight) a set of Viols, to which the Muses sang.
The principall persons aduancde in this Bower, were, Eirene (Peace) and Euporia (Plenty) who sate together.
EIERENE.
Peace: Was richly attired, her vpper garment of carnation, hanging loose, a Robe of White vnder it, powdred with Starres, and girt to her: her haire of a bright colour, long, and hanging at her back, but interwouen with white ribbands, and Iewels: her browes were encompast with a wreath compounded of the Oliue, the Lawrell, & the Date tree: In one hand shee held a Caducaens, (or Mercuries rod, the god of eloquence:) In the other, ripe eares of corne gilded: on her lap sate a Doue: All these being ensignes, and furnitures of Peace.
EUPORIE.
Plenty: Her daughter sate of the left hand, in changable colours, a rich mantle of Gold trauersing her bodie: her haire large and loosely spreading ouer her shoulders: on her head a crowne of Poppy & Mustard seede; the antique badges of Fertilitie & Abundance, In her right hand a Cornucopia, filde with flowers, fruits, &c.
CHRUSOS.
Directly vnder these, sate Chrusos, a person figuring Gold, his dressing, a tinsell Robe of the colour of Gold.
ARGURION.
And close by him, Argurion, Siluer, all in white tinsell; both of them crownde, and both their hands supporting a Globe, betweene them, in token that they commaunded ouer the world.
POMONA.
Pomona, the goddesse of garden fruits; sate at the one side of Gold and Siluer; attirde in greene, a wreath of frutages circling her temples: her armes naked: her haire beautifull, and long.
CERES.
On the other side sate Ceres, crowned with ripened eares of Wheate, in a loose straw-coloured roabe.
In two large descents (a little belowe them) were placde at one end,
THE NINE MUSES.
Clio.
Euterpe.
Thalia.
Melpomene.
Terpsicore.
Erato.
Polymnia.
Vranio.
Calliope.
With musicall instrumentes in their hands, to which they sung all the day.
At the other end.
THE 7 LIBERALL ARTES.
Grammer.
Logique.
Rhetorique.
Musicke.
Arithmeticke
Geometry.
Astrology.
Holding shieldes in their hands, expressing their seuerall offices.
Vpon the verie vpper edge of a faire large Freeze, running quite along the full breadth of the Arbor, and iust a• their feete were planted rankes of artificiall Artichocks and roses.
To describe what apparrell these Arts, and Muses wore, were a hard labour, and when it were done, all were but idle. Few Taylors know how to cut out their garments: they haue no Wardrob at all, not a Mercer, nor Merchant, though they can all write and read verie excellently well, will suffer them to bee great in their bookes. But (as in other countries) so in this of ours, they goe attirde in such thin clothes, that the winde euerie minute is readie to blowe through them: happy was it for them, that they tooke vp their lodging in a summer arbour, and that they had so much musicke to comfort them, their ioies (of which they do not euerie daie tast,) being notwithstanding now infinitelie multiplied, in this, that where before they might haue cryed out till they grew horse, & non would heare the¯, now they sing.
Aderitque vocatus Apollo.
Chorus in full voices answering it thus.
Ergo alacris Syluas, & caetera rura a voluptas
Panaque pastoresque tenet, Driadasque puellas,
Nec Lupus insidias pecori, nec retia Ceruis
Vlla dolum meditantur, amat bonus otia Daphnis;
Ipsi laetitia voces ad sider a iactant
Intonsi montes: ipsae iam carmina Rupes,
Ipsasonant Arbusta, Deus, Deus ille!
Syluanus (as you may perceiue by his office before) was but sent of an errand: there was another of a higher calling, a Trauailer, and one that had gon ouer much grownd, appointed to speake to his Maiesty, his name Vertumnus, the maister Gardner, and husband to Pomona: To tell you what cloathes hee had on his backe were to doo him wrong, for hee had (to say truth) but one suite: homelie it was, yet meete and fit for a Gardener: In steade of a hat, his browes were bound about with flowers, out of whose thicke heapes, here and there peeped a queene apple, a cherie, or a peare, this bo
on-grace hee made of purpose to keepe his face from heate, (because he desired to looke louelie) yet the sunne found him out, and by casting a continuall eye at him, whilst the old man was dressing his arbours, his cheekes grew tawnie, which colour for the better grace, he himselfe interpreted blushing. A white head he had, & sunne-burnt hands: in the one he held a weeding hooke, in the other a grafting knife: and this was the tenor of his speech. That he was bound to giue thanks to heaue¯, In that the arbour and trees which growing in that fruitfull Cynthian garden, began to droop and hang downe their greene heades, and to vncurle their crisped forlocks, as fearing and in some sort, feeling the sharpenesse of Autumnian malice, are now on the sudden by the deuine influence apparelled with a fresh and more liuely verdure than euer they were before. The nine Muses that could expect no better entertainement than sad banishment, hauing now louely and amiable faces: Arts that were threatned to be trod vnder foot by Barbarisime, now (euen at sight of his Maiestie who is the Delian Patro¯ both of the Muses & Arts) being likewise aduanced to most high preferme¯t whilst the very rurall & Syluane troopes dancd for ioy• the Lady therfore of the place Eirene, (his mistris) in name of the Praetor, Consuls & Senators of the City, who carefully pruine this garden, (weeding out al hurtful & idle branches that hinder the growth of the good,) and who are indeede, Ergatai Pistoi, faithfull Laborers in this peice of ground, Shee doth in all their names, (& he in behalfe of his Lady) offer them selues, this Arbor, the bowers & walkes, yea her children gold & siluer, with the louing & loyall harts of all those the Sons of peace, standing about him, to be disposde after his royal pleasure. And so wishing his happie Arriual, at a more glorious bower, to which he is now going, yet welcoming him to this, & praying his Maiesty not to forget this poore Arbor of his Lady, Musicke is commanded to cary all their praiers for his happie reigne, with the loud Amen of all his Subiects as hie as heauen.
Cant.
Shine Titan shine.
Let thy sharpe raies be hurld
Not on this vnder world,
Complete Dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker Page 130