Part 34
By this time I had framed an elaborate poetical building—a neat, choice, and curious poem,—the first-fruits of my musical-rhyming study, which was dispersed into a quaint volume fairly bound up in principal vellum, double-filleted with leaf-gold, strung most gentlemanlike with carnation silk riband; which book, industriously heaped with weighty conceits, precious phrases, and wealthy numbers, I, Oliver Hubburd, in the best fashion I might, presented to Sir Christopher Clutchfist, whose bountiful virtue I blaze in my first epistle.[855] The book he entertained but, I think, for the cover’s sake, because it made such a goodly show on the backside: and some two days after, returning for my remuneration, I might espy—O lamentable sight, madam!—my book dismembered very tragically; the cover ript off, I know not for what purpose, and the carnation silk strings pulled out and placed in his Spanish-leather shoes; at which ruthful prospect I fell down and sounded;[856] and when I came to myself again, I was an ant, and so ever since I have kept me.
NIGHTINGALE.
There keep thee still; Since all are ill, Venture no more; ’Tis better be a little ant Than a great man and live in want, And still deplore: So rest thee now From sword, book, or plough.
By this the day began to spring, And seize upon her watchful eyes, When more tree-quiristers did sing, And every bird did wake and rise: Which was no sooner seen and heard, But all their pretty chat was marr’d; And then she said, We are betray’d, The day is up, and all the birds And they abroad will blab our words.
With that she bade the ants farewell, And all they likewise Philomel: Away she flew, Crying _Tereu_! And all the industrious ants in throngs Fell to their work and held their tongues.
APPENDIX.
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THE TRIUMPHS
OF
HONOUR AND INDUSTRY.
_The Tryumphs of Honor and Industry. A Solemnity performed through the City, at Confirmation and establishment of the Right Honorable, George Bowles, In the Office of his Maiesties Lieuetenant, the Lord Mayor of the famous Citty of London. Taking beginning at his Lordships going, and proceeding after his Returne from receiuing the Oath of Maioralty at Westminster, on the morrow next after Simon and Judes day October 29. 1617. London, Printed by Nicholas Okes._ 1617. 4to.
It was not until the earlier portion of the present volume had been printed, that I was able to procure the (unique) 4to of this pageant.
In the _Account of Middleton and his Works_, p. xxi., I have given some extracts from the Grocers’ Company’s accounts relating to this piece, in which mention is made of “The Pageant of Nations, the Iland, the Indian chariot, the Castle of Fame, _trymming the Shipp, with all the several beastes which drew them_:” and I may now add from the same document;
“Payde for 50 sugar loaves, 36 lb. of £. _s._ _d._ nutmeggs, 24 lb. of dates, and 114 lb. of ginger, which were throwen about the streetes by those which sate on the _griffyns and camells_ 5 7 8.” Heath’s _Acc. of the Worship. Comp. of Grocers_, p. 33
but Middleton makes no mention either of the ship or the animals.
_To the worthy deserver of all the costs and triumphs which the noble Society of Grocers in bounteous measure bestow on him, the Right Honourable_ GEORGE BOWLES,[857] _Lord Mayor of the famous City of London_.
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
Out of the slightest labours and employments there may that virtue sometimes arise that may enlighten the best part of man. Nor have these kind of triumphs an idle relish, especially if they be artfully accomplished: under such an esteemed slightness may often lurk that fire that may shame the best perfection. For instance, what greater means for the imitation of virtue and nobleness can any where present itself with more alacrity to the beholder, than the memorable fames of those worthies in the Castle, manifested by their escutcheons of arms, the only symbols of honour and antiquity? The honourable seat that is reserved, all men have hope that your justice and goodness will exactly merit; to the honour of which I commend your lordship’s virtues, remaining,
At your Honour’s service, T. M.
THE TRIUMPHS
OF
HONOUR AND INDUSTRY.
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It hath been twice my fortune in short time to have employment for this noble Society, where I have always met with men of much understanding, and no less bounty; to whom cost appears but as a shadow, so there be fulness of content in the performance of the solemnity; which that the world may judge of, for whose pleasure and satisfaction custom hath yearly framed it, but chiefly for the honour of the City, it begins to present itself, not without form and order, which is required in the meanest employment.
_The first invention._
A company of Indians, attired according to the true nature of their country, seeming for the most part naked, are set at work in an Island of growing spices; some planting nutmeg-trees, some other spice-trees of all kinds; some gathering the fruits, some making up bags of pepper; every one severally employed. These Indians are all active youths, who, ceasing in their labours, dance about the trees, both to give content to themselves and the spectators.
After this show of dancing Indians in the Island, follows triumphantly a rich personage presenting India, the seat of merchandise. This India sits on the top of an illustrious chariot; on the one side of her sits Traffic or Merchandise, on the other side Industry, both fitted and adorned according to the property of their natures; Industry holding a golden ball in her hand, upon which stands a Cupid, signifying that industry gets both wealth and love, and, with her associate Traffic or Merchandise, who holds a globe in her hand, knits love and peace amongst all nations: to the better expressing of which, if you give attention to Industry that now sets forward to speak, it will be yours more exactly.
_The speech of_ INDUSTRY _in the Chariot_.
I was jealous of the shadowing of my grace, But that I know this is my time and place. Where has not Industry a noble friend? In this assembly even the best extend Their grace and love to me, joy’d or amaz’d: Who of true fame possess’d, but I have rais’d, And after added honours to his days? For Industry is the life-blood of praise: To rise without me, is to steal to glory; And who so abject to leave such a story? It is as clear as light, as bright as truth, Fame waits their age whom Industry their youth. Behold this ball of gold, upon which stands A golden Cupid, wrought with curious hands; The mighty power of Industry it shews, That gets both wealth and love, which overflows With such a stream of amity and peace, Not only to itself adding increase, But several nations where commerce abounds Taste the harmonious peace so sweetly sounds; For instance, let your gracious eye be fix’d Upon a joy true though so strangely mix’d.
And that you may take the better note of their adornments,—India, whose seat is the most eminent, for her expression holds in her hand a wedge of gold; Traffic, her associate, a globe; Industry, a fair golden ball in her hand, upon which stands a golden Cupid; Fortune expressed with a silver wheel; Success holding a painted ship in a haven; Wealth, a golden key where her heart lies; Virtue bearing for her manifestation a silver shield; Grace holding in her hand a book; Perfection a crown of gold.
At which words, the Pageant of Several Nations, which is purposely planted near the sound of the words, moves with a kind of affectionate joy both at the honour of the day’s triumph and the prosperity of Love, which by the virtue of Traffic is likely ever to continue; and for a good omen of the everlasting continuance of it, on the top of this curious and triumphant pageant shoots up a laurel-tree, the leaves spotted with gold, about which sit six celestial figures, presenting Peace, Prosperity, Love, Unity, Plenty, and Fidelity: Peace holding a branch of palm; Prosperity, a laurel; Love, two joined hands; Unity, two turtles; Plenty holding fruits; Fidelity, a silver anchor. But before I entered so far, I should have shewed you the zeal and love of the Frenchman and Spaniard, which now I hope will not appear unseasonably; who, not content with a silent joy, like the rest of the nations, have a thirst to utter their gladness, though understood of a small number; which is this:
_The short speech delivered by the Frenchman in French._
=La multitude m’ayant monté sur ce haut lieu pour contempler le glorieux triomphe de cette journée, je vois qu’en quelque sorte la noble dignité de la très honorable Société des Grociers y est representée, dont me jouissant par-dessous tous, je leur souhaite et à Monseigneur le Maire le comble de toutes nobles et heureuses fortunes.=
_The same in English._
It is my joy chiefly (and I stand for thousands), to see the glory of this triumphant day, which in some measure requites the noble worthiness of the honourable Society of Grocers, to whom and to my Lord Mayor I wish all good successes.
This Frenchman no sooner sets a period to his speech, but the Spaniard, in zeal as virtuous as he, utters himself to the purpose of these words:
_The Spaniard’s speech in Spanish._
=Ninguna de todas estas naciones concibe maior y verdadera alegria en este triumfante y glorioso dia que yo, no, ninguna de todas ellas, porque agora que me parece, que son tan ricas, es senal que los de my nacion en tratando con ellas receberan mayor provecho dellas, al my senior Don Maior todas buenas y dichosas fortunas, y a los de la honrada Compania de Especieros dichosos desseos, y assi dios guarde a my senior Don Maior, y rogo a dios que todo el anno siguiente, puede ser tan dichoso como esta entrada suya, a la dignidad de su senoria, guarde dios a su senoria.=
_The same in English._
None of all these nations conceive more true joy at this triumphant day than myself: to my Lord Mayor all fair and noble fortunes, and to the worthy Society of Grocers all happy wishes; and I pray heaven that all the year following may be as happy and successful as this first entrance to your dignity.
This expression of their joy and love having spent itself, I know you cannot part contented without their several inscriptions: now the favour and help must be in you to conceive our breadth and limits, and not to think we can in these customary bounds comprehend all the nations, but so many as shall serve to give content to the understander; which thus produce themselves:
An Englishman. A Frenchman. An Irishman. A Spaniard. A Turk. A Jew. A Dane. A Polander. A Barbarian. A Russian or Muscovian.
This fully expressed, I arrive now at that part of triumph which my desire ever hastened to come to, this Castle of Fame or Honour, which Industry brings her sons unto in their reverend ages.
In the front of this Castle, Reward and Industry, decked in bright robes, keep a seat between them for him to whom the day’s honour is dedicated, shewing how many worthy sons of the City and of the same Society have, by their truth, desert, and industry, come to the like honour before him; where on a sudden is shewn divers of the same right worshipful Society of Grocers, manifested both by their good government in their times, as also by their escutcheons of arms, as an example and encouragement to all virtuous and industrious deservers in time to come. And in honour of antiquity is shewn that ancient and memorable worthy of the Grocers’ Company, Andrew Bockrill, who was mayor of London the sixteenth year of Henry the Third, 1231, and continued so mayor seven years together: likewise, for the greater honour of the Company, is also shewn in this Castle of Fame the noble Allen de la Zouche, grocer, who was mayor of London the two-and-fiftieth year of the same Henry the Third, which Allen de la Zouche, for his good government in the time of his mayoralty, was by the said King Henry the Third made both a baron of this realm and lord chief-justice of England: also that famous worthy, sir Thomas Knolles, grocer, twice mayor of this honourable city, which sir Thomas begun at his own charge that famous building of Guildhall in London, and other memorable works both in this city and in his own Company; so much worthiness being the lustre of this Castle, and ought indeed to be the imitation of the beholder.
My lord no sooner approaches, but Reward, a partner with Justice in keeping that seat of honour, as overjoyed at the sight of him, appears too free and forward in the resignation.
REWARD.
Welcome to Fame’s bright Castle! take thy place; This seat’s reserv’d to do thy virtues grace.
JUSTICE.
True, but not yet to be possess’d. Hear me: Justice must flow through him before that be; Great works of grace must be requir’d and done Before the honour of this seat be won. A whole year’s reverend care in righting wrongs, And guarding innocence from malicious tongues, Must be employ’d in virtue’s sacred right Before this place be fill’d: ’tis no mean fight That wins this palm; truth, and a virtuous care Of the oppressèd, those the loadstones are That will ’gainst envy’s power draw him forth To take this merit in this seat of worth, Where all the memorable worthies shine In works of brightness able to refine All the beholders’ minds, and strike new fire, To kindle an industrious desire To imitate their actions and their fame, Which to this Castle adds that glorious name. Wherefore, Reward, free as the air or light, There must be merit, or our work’s not right.
REWARD.
If there were any error, ’twas my love; And if it be a fault to be too free, Reward commits but once such heresy. Howe’er, I know your worth will so extend, Your fame will fill this seat at twelve months’ end.
About this Castle of Fame are placed many honourable figures, as Truth, Antiquity, Harmony, Fame, Desert, Good Works; on the top of the Castle, Honour, Religion, Piety, Commiseration, the works of those whose memories shine in this Castle.
If you look upon Truth first, you shall find her properly expressed, holding in her right hand a sun, in the other a fan of stars; Antiquity with a scroll in her hand, as keeper of Honour’s records; Harmony holding a golden lute, and Fame not without her silver trumpet; for Desert, ’tis glorious through her own brightness, but holds nothing; Good Works expressed with a college, or hospital.
On the top of the Castle, Honour manifested by a fair star in his hand; Religion with a temple on her head; Piety with an altar; Commiseration with a melting or burning heart.
And, not to have our speakers forgotten, Reward and Justice, with whom we entered this part of Triumph, Reward holding a wreath of gold ready for a deserver, and Justice furnished with her sword and balance.
All this service is performed before the feast, some in Paul’s Churchyard, some in Cheapside; at which place the whole Triumph meets, both Castle and Island, that gave delight upon the water. And now, as duty binds me, I commend my lord and his right honourable guess[858] to the solemn pleasure of the feast, from whence, I presume, all epicurism is banished; for where Honour is master of the feast, Moderation and Gravity are always attendants.
The feast being ended at Guildhall, my lord, as yearly custom invites him, goes, accompanied with the Triumph, towards St. Paul’s, to perform the noble and reverend ceremonies which divine antiquity virtuously ordained, and is no less than faithfully observed, which is no mean lustre to the City. Holy service and ceremonies accomplished, he returns by torchlight to his own house, the whole Triumph placed in comely order before him; and at the entrance of his gate, Honour, a glorious person, from the top of the Castle, gives life to these following words:
_The speech of_ HONOUR _from the top of the Castle, at the entrance of my Lord Mayor’s gate_.
HONOUR.
There is no human glory or renown, But have their evening and their sure sun-setting; Which shews that we should upward seek our crown, And make but use of time for our hope’s bettering: So, to be truly mindful of our own, Is to perform all parts of good in one. The close of this triumphant day is come, And Honour stays to bid you welcome home: All I desire for my grace and good Is but to be remember’d in your blood, With honour to accomplish the fair time Which power hath put into your hands. A crime As great as ever came into sin’s band I do entitle a too-sparing hand: Nothing deads honour more than to behold Plenty coop’d up, and bounty faint and cold, Which ought to be the free life of the year; For bounty ’twas ordain’d to make that clear, Which is the light of goodness and of fame, And puts by honour from the cloud of shame. Great cost and love hath nobly been bestow’d Upon thy triumph, which this day hath shew’d; Embrace ’em in thy heart, till times afford Fuller expression. In one absolute word, All the content that ever made man blest, This Triumph done, make a triumphant breast!
No sooner the speech is ended but the Triumph is dissolved, and not possible to scape the hands of the defacer; things that, for their quaintness (I dare so far commend them), have not been usually seen through the City; the credit of which workmanship I must justly lay upon the deserts of master Rowland Bucket, chief master of the work; yet not forgetting the faithful care and industry of my well-approved friend, master Henry Wilde, and master Jacob Challoner,[859] partners in the business.
The season cuts me off; and after this day’s trouble I am as willing to take my rest.
INDEX TO THE NOTES.
INDEX TO THE NOTES.
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’a high lone, i. 262. a-per-se, i. 277. a thing done, iv. 87. able, iv. 223. Abra’m, goodman, iii. 32. Abram-coloured, i. 259. abrupt, ii. 151. Achilles’ spear, iii. 498. aches, i. 28, 45; ii. 417. acopus, iii. 327. acrostic, ii. 179. adelantado, i. 241. affected, v. 7. affects, v. 144. affront, ii. 14. again, i. 331; ii. 33; v. 371. agen, i. 416; ii. 68; iii. 88; v. 192. alablaster, i. 281; iv. 108. alchemy (or alcumy), iv. 122. alamire, iii. 626. Alastor, v. 432. Aldegund, Abbess, iv. 310. ale-conner, i. 174. a’ life, i. 272; ii. 68; iii. 348; iv. 70. Aligant, iii. 8; iv. 218. aloof off, i. 427; ii. 525; iii. 40; v. 89. All-holland-tide, ii. 283. All-hollontide, v. 282. alline, v. 394. allowed, i. 7. almond for parrot, iii. 112; iv. 122. altitonant, v. 175. a’m, i. 351. amber, iv. 237. amorously, iv. 236. Amsterdam, toleration of sects there, i. 205; iii. 255; iv. 45. anatomies, iii. 225. ancient, iii. 239. angel, i. 250; ii. 25; iii. 38; iv. 616; v. 20. angle, ii. 132; iv. 309. angler, ii. 537. Anno Domini, iii. 266. anon, anon, iv. 177; v. 588. Arlotta, iii. 201. Arthur of Bradley, iii. 118. Antlings, Saint, i. 503; ii. 464. antimasque, iv. 627; v. 146. apaid, i. 125. apes’ breeches, iv. 425. apparance, i. 361; ii. 119. apperil, i. 427. apple-squire, iii. 232. appose, i. 304. approve, iv. 243; v. 62; v. 315. apron husbands, ii. 486. aqua vitæ, i. 206; iii. 239; v. 82. argo, i. 392. Aristippus, ii. 422. arrant, v. 5. arson, v. 265. Artillery Garden, iv. 424; v. 283. aslopen, i. 257. assumed formally, ii. 396. assured, iv. 201. atomies, iii. 226. attone, ii. 194; iv. 509. aunt, i. 444; iii. 16; iv. 247. aventure, i. 283. away with, iv. 474.
baffle, ii. 449. baffling, iv. 44. [baker’s ditch, _Ad. & Cor._ i. lxxv.] Bales, Peter, v. 571. ballat-places, v. 542. balloon-ball, iv. 342. ban, i. 284. band, i. 245; ii. 439. bandileer, v. 517. bandora, ii. 319. banes, i. 471; iv. 483; v. 129. banquet, iii. 252; v. 42. bankrout, ii. 453; iv. 56. banquerout, iv. 506; v. 487. Bankside, v. 574. bard cater-tray, iii. 193. barley-break, iii. 114; iv. 250. barren, iv. 581. bastard, ii. 347; iii. 45. basilisk, iii. 214. basins beaten when bawds, &c., were carted, iii. 238. basket, the, v. 142. battler, v. 544. bauble, iv. 247. bawds, rings worn by, i. 80. Beauchamp, bold, ii. 411. Bear, the, at the Bridge-foot, v. 122. bear in hand, ii. 456; iii. 373. bearing, ii. 529. beaten, i. 491. beats chalk, iii. 221. be covered, iii. 268; v. 29. bedfellow, i. 448. beetle, iii. 231. before me, iii. 459. beforne, v. 483. beg for a fool, iii. 16; iv. 134. beholding, i. 441; ii. 30; iii. 286; iv. 40; v. 36. bell used by beggars, ii. 169. Bell, the, iv. 8. Bell, Adam, ii. 446. beray, i. 294; iii. 270. Bermothes, iv. 500. beset, i. 504. beshrow, iii. 460. besides, i. 235. besonian, i. 240. bevers, iv. 427; v. 141. bewrays, i. 294; ii. 197. bewrayed, v. 76. bin, iii. 193; v. 421. bill-men, iii. 217; v. 513. bills, i. 423. bitter, v. 289. bizle, iii. 152. black-guard, ii. 546. Blackfriars, iv. 75; v. 574. black patches, ii. 535. blacks, ii. 353. blanched harlot, ii. 380. blank, iv. 119. bleaking-house, v. 106. blocks, iii. 107, 147. blue gown worn by strumpets in penance, iii. 220. blue worn by beadles, i. 485. blue worn by servants, ii. 26; iii. 146; v. 109. blurt, iii. 30. board, iv. 5 [and _Ad. & Cor._ i. lxxiii.] boarded, v. 577. boards, ii. 542. Bocardo, ii. 120. boiled, ii. 544. bolsters, iv. 452. bolt, iii. 189. bombards, v. 145. bombasted, iii. 198. bonner, v. 378. booked it, iii. 594. books, in my, iii. 349. booted, v. 566. boot-halers, ii. 532. borachio, iv. 103. bost, v. 567. boughts, iii. 281. bousing ken, ii. 538. [bow a little, _Ad. & Cor._ i. lxx.] bow-wide, a, i. 489. brabbling matter, iii. 458. bracks, iv. 6. Brainford, i. 450; ii. 463; iv. 37; v. 159. branched, v. 103. Brandon, iii. 532. brave, ii. 543; iii. 15; iv. 135; v. 25. bravely, iv. 504. braver, i. 430. bravery, i. 28; iv. 167; v. 490. Brazen Head, the, ii. 523. bread and salt, taking, iii. 103. breaking-up, v. 574. breast, iv. 583. breath, v. 431. Bretnor, iii. 537; v. 149. Bridewell, iii. 222. brief, v. 23. broker, i. 248. broking, i. 248. bronstrops, iii. 508. brothel, ii. 5. brown-bill, i. 237. bruited, ii. 138. bubbers, iv. 121. Bucklersbury, iv. 48. bucklers, ancient, iii. 147. budgelling, v. 30. bugle-browed, iv. 478. bulchins, iii. 524. bulk, iii. 177; v. 509. bull-beggars, ii. 20. Bumby, mother, iv. 124. bums, i. 432; ii. 388. bum-roll, iv. 551. buona-roba, i. 258; ii. 460; iii. 132. Burbage, v. 503. burgonet, i. 231. burgh, ii. 465. Burse, the, ii. 510; v. 485. burst, v. 412. burying money, i. 81. busk-points, v. 515. Butler, Dr. W., i. 37. byrlady, i. 135; ii. 66; iii. 9; iv. 530. byrlakins, iv. 480. byss, v. 558.