Honorable Entertainments

The second Entertainment . At Bun-hill , on the Shooting day ; Another habited like an Archer did thus greet the L. Mayor and Aldermen after they were placed in their Tent . WHy this is nobly done , to come to grace A Sport , so wel becomes the Time & Place , Old Time made much on 't , & it thought no praise Too deere for 't , nor no honour in those dayes , Not only Kings ordaind Lawes to defend it , But shinde the first Examples to commend it , In their owne Persons honord it so farre , A Land of Peace show'd like a field of Warre ; But chiefly Henry , ( Memories Fame ) the Eight , And the Sixt Edward ; gaue it worth and weight , By Act and fauour , ( not without desert ) It being the comliest and the Manliest Art , And whereas meaner Crafts took their first forme From humble Things , as Twisting from a worme , And Weauing from the Spiders limber frame ; Musicke and Archery from Apollo came : He cals himself great Maister of this Sport , In whose bright name faire Wisedome keepes her Court : Well may this Instrument be first in Fame , Aboue all others that haue got a Name , In war or peace ; when Heauen it selfe doth show , " The Couenant of Mercy , by a Bow : And as each Creature , nay , each sencelesse Thing , Is made a Glasse to see Heauens goodnesse in ; So though this be a meere delight , a Game , Iustice may see heere somthing she may claime , ( Without wrong done to State ) and cal 't her own , Since the greatst power is oft through weakenesse known . What are Reproofs ? with them I first begin , But Arrowes shot against the Brest of Sin ; Who hits Vice home , & cleaues a wrong in twaine , So that it neuer comes to close againe , Shewes not he noble Archery ? I le pray euer , He may be followed , mended he can neuer : And as a cunning Bowman markes his ground , And from light things ( which being tost vp ) is found Where the winde sits ( for his aduantage best ) Before he let his Arrow passe his Brest ; So the graue Magistrate , discreetly wise , Makes vse of light occasions that arise , To lead him on to weightier , windes a Cause , From things but weakly told , much substance draws And will the state of Truth exactly trye , Before he let the Shaft of Iudgement flie : Then in this Art , there 's Vertue still exprest , For euery man desires heere to be Best , Their Ayme is still Perfection , to outreach , And goe beyond each other ; which do's teach A Noble Strife in our more serious Deeds , Assuring Glory to him best exceeds : And where some sports seek corners for their shame Day-light and open Place , commends this Game ; Much like an Honest Cause , it appeares Bold In publicke Court , for all Eyes to behold ; To the Archers . On then , Apolloes Scholers , You ne're found Nobler Spectators compast in this Ground ; To whom I wish ( worthy their Vertuous Wayes ) Peace to their Hearts , long Health , & Blessed daies .

Vpon the renewing of that worthy and laudable Custome of Uisiting the Springs and Conduite Heads , for the Sweetnesse and Health of the City . A Uisitation long discontinued . A Water-Nimph , seeming to rize out of the Ground by the Conduit Head , neare the Banquetting-House , thus greets the Honourable Assembly . HAh ? let me cleare mine Eyes , me thinks I see Comforts approach , as if They came to me ; I am not vsde to e'm ; I ha beene long without , How comes the Vertue of the Times about ? Ha's Ancient Custome yet a Friend ? of Weight ? So many ? rare I Goodnesse is wak't alate Out of her long Sleepe sure ; that ha's laine still Many a deere Day , charm'd with Neglect and Will , I thought I 'de beene forsaken , quite forsooke , For none these 7. yeares , ha's bestow'd a Looke Vpon my watry Habitation here ; I meane , of Power , that ought to see Me cleere , For yon'd faire Cities health , which Sweetnes blesse And Vertue in full Strength , euer possesse ; Well fare thy Visitation , Noble Lord , And this most Graue Assembly ; that accord In wayes of Charity and Care with Thee ; Ioyes visit You , as Your Loues visit Me : The Water stands so full now in mine Eyes I cannot chuse but weepe ; but the Teares rise From Gladnesse , not from Sorrow , for that 's lost Now I see you , Vnkindnesse yet ha's cost Many a deere Drop , since I beheld the Face Of the last Magistrate , in Power and Place ; I h'a done good Seruice ; t' is no boasting part In one forgot , to speake her owne desert : I grant my kind and louing Sisters both Chadwell and Amwell , haue exprest no Sloth In their Pipe-Pilgrimage , but fairely proou'd Most excellent Seruants , hous'de , and welbelou'd ; And haue , when hard Necessity requires , Giuen happy Quench to many mercilesse Fires ; Therefore am I neglected ? An old Friend ? The Head ? that to the Heart a' th City send My best and cleerest Seruice , take Delight To be at hand , make your Dames Pure and White ; Who for their ciuill Neatnesse , are proclaim'd Mirrours of women , through all Kingdoms fam'd ; Can I be so forgot ? and daily heare The noise of Water-bearers din your care ? Those are my Almes folkes , trotting in a Ring , And liue vpon the bounty of my Spring , Yet like dull wormes that haue no sence at all , Lick vp the Dewes , ne're look from whence they fal , The head 's not minded , whence the goodnes flows : So with the worlds condition right it goes ; " Blessings are swallowed with a greedy loue , " But Thanks flye slowly to yon'd place Aboue , From whence the Euerliuing Waters spring , Which to your soules eternall comforts bring : The Dewes of Heauen fal on you , prosperous Fates Like fruitfull Riuers , flow into your States .

Vpon discontinuance , and to excite them to practise . A Speech intended for the generall Training , being appointed for the Tuesday next ensuing the Visitation of the Springs , but vppon some occasion , the Day deferred . Pallas on Horsebacke , on her Helmet the figure of a Cocke , her proper Crest , thus should haue greeted the L. Generall the L. Mayor Sir William Cokaine , at his entrance into the Field , the worthy Colonels , the right Generous Mr: Alderman Hamersley , President of the Noble Councell of Warre , for the Martiall Garden ; the Captaines , &c. WHy here 's my wish , the Ioy I liue vpon , Wisedome and Valour when both meet in one , Now t is a Field of Honor , Fames true Sphere , Me thinks I could eternally dwell here ; Why here 's perfection , t is a place for me , Pallas delights in such community ; This Bird of Courage , ( Enemy to Feare ) Whose Figure on my Helmet now I weare , And haue done euer from my Birth in Heauen Is consecrate to Me , as to Thee giuen , Our Crest 's alike , and fits both warre and peace , The Vertues are , Valour and Watchfulnesse , And both shine cleare now in thy present State , Field-Generall , and City-Magistrate : As I from Arts and Armes deriue my name ; So thou suppliest two Offices , with Fame : Why here the Ancient Romane Honor dwels , A Praetor , Generall ; Senators , Colonels ; Captaines , graue Citizens ; so richly inspir'd , They can assist in Councell , if requir'd , And set Court-Causes in as fayre a Forme , As they doe Men , here , without Rage or Storme : Lieuetenants , Ensigners , Seriants of Bands , Of worthy Citizens the Army stands , Each in his place deseruing faire respect ; I can complaine of nothing but Neglect , That such a noble Cities Arm'd Defence Should be so seldome seene ; I could dispence With great occasions , but alasse , whole yeares To put off exercise , giues cause of feares ; " In getting wealth all care should not be set , " But some , in the defending what you get : There 's fewe but haue their prouidence so pure , ( Blest with a faire estate ) to make it sure , By strength of writings , and in good mens hands Putting their Coyne , secur'd by Lifes and Lands , This is the common Fort to which all flye , Euery man labours for Security ; But what 's all this ? ( I speake in Truths behalfe ) If neither Men , City , nor Deeds be safe Where 's now Security of State ? that day , When life stands doubtfull of her house of clay ; A ruine , which neglect of glorious Armes H 'as brought on many a Kingdome , rockt with charmes Of lazy dulnesse , by vnpractis'd men Fit for no seruice ; I resolue you then ; This is Security , if you 'le rightly know , And do's Secure that Word which you call so : Let not a small pecuniary Expence ( Which is but drossie dotage ) keepe you hence , You lose all that you saue , after that manner , What i' st to rise in riches , fall in honour ? Nay to your Safeties to commit selfe-treason , Which euery thing prouides for , blest with reason , Let this graue Lord's Example , ( in its Prime ) Who perfects all his Actions with his Time , Makes euen with the Years , to his faire Fame , Giues His Accounts vp with a Glorious Name In Field and Court , moue all men to discharge Their manly Offices and paines at large ; Let euery Yeare ( at least ) once in his Round , See you like Sonnes of Honour tread this Ground ; And Heauen that both giues , & secures iust welth , The City blesse with Safety , You with Health . At the House of Sir William Cokaine ; Upon Simon and Iudes day following , being the last great Feast of the Magistrates Yeare , and the expiration of his Pretorship . One attir'd like a Mourner , enters after a made Dish like a Herse , stuck with sable Bannerets , Drums and Trumpets expressing a mournfull Seruice . The Speech . IMagine now , each apprehensiue Guest The Yeare departed ; this his Funerall Feast , I , a chiefe Mourner , this a sad Pageant , here , Set with the Orphans Sigh , the Widowes Teare , All seeme to mourne , as lockt from their reliefes , Till the New Sun of Iustice dry their griefes ; And as there is no Glorious thing that ends , But leaues a Fame behind it , that commends Or disapproues the Progresse of his Acts : So in this Epitaph , sad Truth contracts A spacious Story , which spread forth at large , Might instruct All , built vp for Power & Charge The Last Will and Testament of 162. finishing for the City . Inprimis , I Annus 620. do bequeath to my Succcessor 21. all my good wishes , paines , labours and reformations , to bee nobly perfected by his endeuours and diligence . Item , I make Iustice my Executor , and Wisedome my Ouerseer , which is , that Honorable Court which neuer failed yet to see Iustice performed . Item , I giue and bequeath to all the Officers , for Legacies ; Truth , Temperance , Example of Humility and Gentlenesse . Lastly , I bequeath to the whole Body of the beloued Commonalty , three inestimable Iewels , Loue , Mecknesse and Loyaltie ; which are alwaies the forerunners of a blessed prosperity ; which heauen grant they may euerlasting enioy . The Epitaph . HEre ends a Yeare that neuer mispent day , Throgh Fames celestial Signes made his own way , By discrete iudgement all his time still led , Which is the onely Signe gouernes the Head , Mercy to wants , and Bounty to Desert , The speciall Signe that rules the noble Heart , A Yeare of goodnesse , and a Yeare of right , In which the honest cause sued with delight . A Yeare wherein nothing that 's good , was dull , Began at Moones Encrease , and ends at Full ; Full cup , full welcome : adding the Suns gift , Who nearer his declining , the more swift In his illustrious course , more bright , more cleere , Such is the glorious setting of this Yeare , His beamy substance shines e'ne through his shroud As the faire Sun shoots splendor through his cloud ; May euery Yeare succeeding this , still haue No worse an Epitaph to decke his Graue , And so my last farewell ( this Teare for me ) Wishing that many may conclude like Thee .

At the House of the Right Honorable Sir Francis Ihones .

The property , to which this Speech especially hath Respect , was a deuice like a made Dish , expressing Two naked Armes breaking through a Cloud , supporting a wreath of Lawrell , being part of the Haberdashers Armes .

The First Entertainement , at his first Great Feast praeparde to giue Welcome to his Owne Noble Fraternitie , the Company of Haberdashers .

The Speech presented by a seruant to Comus , the great Sir of Feasts . FRee Loue , full welcome , bounty fayre , & cleere , E'en as it flowes from Heauen , inhabit here , And with your Liberall Vertues blesse the yeare , Make this thy Pallace thou smooth youth of Feasts , Comus ! and put Ioy into all the Guests , That they may truely taste in fewest words , Th' Abundant welcome yon'd Kind Lord affords , Especially to You , aboue the rest , Of all most worthy to be First and Best ; You challenge two Respects , in Brotherhood , one , Which had desert enough came it alone , Without a second Vertue , but to adde Vnto Your Worthinesse , Your Loue was clad With Honor , Cost , and Care , and how applide , The late triumphant Day best testified , Stands in no need of my applause and praise , Your Worth can of it selfe , it selfe best raise ; So much for Noble Action in your Right , Which I presume his goodnesse will require : Now for Himselfe , ( not far to wade or swim ) I borrow of your Honours to fit him , Which both preserues me in my first bounds still , And may agree best with his Loue and Will : Here the Property is presented . Behold in this rare Symbole of Renowne , The Embleme of all Iustice , and the Crowne The faire reward for 't , euer fresh and greene ; Which imitates those Ioyes Eye hath not seene ; These Armes , that for their nakednesse resemble E'en Truth it selfe , no couering , to dissemble , Nor shift for Bribe , but open , plaine , and bare , Shows , Men of Power should keep their conscience And were their Acts transparent , without vaile ( faire Disguize or Vizard , and such neuer faile ; Obserue this more , t is not one Arme alone That beares this Laurell , but two ioyn'd in one , Mercy and Iustice , the two Props of State , They must be both fixt in the Magistrate ; If wanting either , subiect to much harme , For he that ha's but one , ha's but one Arme ; Iudge then the Imperfection ; marke agen , They breake both through a Cloud ; which instructs Men How they should place their Reuerence and their Loue , Seeing all lawfull power , comes from Aboue ; And as the Laurell ( which is now your due ) Bring due to Honour , therefore most to you , Feares no iniurious Weather the Yeare brings , But spite of Storms looks euer greene and springs , Apolloes Tree , which Lightnings neuer blast , So ( Honor'd Lord ) should burning Malice cast , Her pitchy Fires at your Triumphant State ; You are Apolloes Tree , a ( Magistrate , ) Which no foule Gust of Enuy can offend , Nor may it euer to your Lordships End , Health and a Noble Courage blesse your Dayes ; To this your worthy Brotherhood , fame and praise Leuity , a person attired sutable to her condition , from a Window , vnexpectedly thus greets the Assembly in the midst of the Feast . At the house of the Right Honorable Sir Francis Ihones L. Mayor , For the Celebration of the Ioyfull Feast of Christmas last . Leu. WHy well said , thus should Christmas be Lightsome , Iocond , blithe and free , Now it lookes like Bounties Pallace , Where euery Cup ha's his full Ballace , Drowne Cares with Iuice that Grapes haue bled , And make Times cheeke looke fresh and red , Let nothing now but Healths goe round , And no sooner off , but crown'd With sparkling Liquors , bounding vp , Quicke in Pallet , as in Cup : To be heauy , to be dull , Is a fault so pittifull , We bar it from the course of Reason , Care must not peep abroad this Season , Nor a sad looke dare appeare Within ten Mile of Christmas cheere ; Sighes are banisht ten leagues farder , Either Cellar , Hall or Larder ; To be Iouiall then and blithe Is truely to pay ( Christmas ) Tithe , And where free Mirth is and impartiall , Christmas there h 'as made me Marshiall . Seuerity , from an opposite window , as vnexpectedly reproues her . Seu. Why how now ? know you where you are ? rude thing ; Bold and vnmanner'd Licence , dare you bring Your free Speech hither , before me begin ? Who let this Skittish thing of Lightnesse in ? Some call the Porter hither , yet stay , stay , I 'ue power in words to chase this toy away ; I wonder that the Musique suffers thee To come into their roome ? Leu.

Why Nicety ?

Seu. Beleeue me honest Me ( what e're you be ) She 's able to spoyle all your Harmony , Corrupt your ayres with Lightnesse . Leu. Oh fie , fie , How ill you blaze my Coate , Seuerity ? Seu. Is this a place for you ? can Lightnesse here Vnder the Hazard of her Shame appeare ? Leu. Why thou dull lumpish Thing , void of all fashion , Mirths poyson , Enemy to Recreation , Thou Melancholly wretch , so fil'd with spite Thou eat'st thy heart , when others take delight , I must be merry , t is my nature — Seu.

Foole .

Leu.

Dull dogbolt .

Seu.

Skit .

Enter below , Temperance . Temp. What ? this a Scolding Schoole , How now ? so hie got ? and so lowd withall ? Whose doing was 't plac'st you two there to braule ? Pray marke the Assembly , looke vppon e'm well , Thinke where you are , and let that rude thought quell Your vnbeseeming difference , t is not heere As at a Pit , here 's Reuerence , Worth , and Feare . Leu.

She sayes this place and season suites not me .

Temp.

She sayes but right in that ,

Seu.

O Leuity ,

Temp.

No , nor you neither ,

Leu.

You may be gon too ,

Temp. Y' are Both Extreames , therefore no place for you , Lightnes becomes not , nor Seuerity , It must me betweene both , and I am Shee , Too Light , is bad , and too Seuere as Vilde , But both well temperd , makes the mixture milde , As I stand now betweene you , so it makes A perfect Vertue vp , when it pertakes Of each , and comes no neerer then I doo , And Vertue made , We haue no neede of you , Vanish , be gon . Seu. I giue glace willingly To You , but not to Her . They giue place . Leu.

Nor I to Thee ,

Tem. So , Thus things should haue their becomming grace , For Temperance fits the Reuerence of this place : Graue Senators , in goodnes still encreast ! Long may you Liue to celebrate this Feast , This blessed Season of true Ioy compilde In which faire Heauen and Man were reconcilde : Musique ? thou modest Seruant to this place , Raise chast Delight , to doe this Season grace .

A Song ? Answered at seuerall places , Eccho ! Eccho ! by thy loue once to Narcissus , I now coniure thee not to misse vs , But make thy Sound Vppon the Woods rebound And Mountains — Ecch : And mountaines , And to thy neighbouring Sisters cal , — Sisters cal , Log'd in Caue or hollow Wall And those resounding neere faire Fountaines Ecch : Neere faire Fountaines , Let e'm call to one another — To one another — one another — And one Sister rayse vp tother Ecch. — vp tother — Let it goe from me to you — From me to you — Mee — To you , From you to them , be iust and true — Iust and True Neuer cease your Voyces Flight , Till you raise vp chast Delight — — Vp chast Delight , Delight — Who calls me from my Caue T was I — T was I , T was I ; This is no Time in silence now to lye Delight — Who I ? O I ; This is a Season of all Ioy compilde , In which faire Heauen and Man were reconcilde Ecch — Heauen and Man were reconcilde , each-reconciled , Behold how many a worthy Guest Are met to celebrate this Feast . Delight — I see it plaine , O blame me then , I ne're will showe such Sloth agen ; For whose delight am I now raisde ? Oh for the Citties ! Delight — How ? for the Citties ? Ecch — For the Citties : Del. To faile a Mistris so renown'd it were a thousand pitties , Ecch — Thousand pitties . Those are her Honor'd Sonnes you now behold , Del. Heauen blesse them all , with Graces manifold . To the Musique . Temp. So ! T is thankfully accepted , y' haue exprest , Your seruice well and fully to this Feast : Adorn'd and honor'd in each happy part , With those most reuerend Patrons to Desert : The Close ! Ioy neuer faile your meetings , good successe All your Endeuours , and your Fortunes blesse , Gladnes of heart dwell euer in your Brests , And Peace of faire Workes bring you glorious Rests .

The Inuention .

At the House of the Right Honorable SIR Francis Ihones , L. Maior . For the solemne feast of Easter last , vpon the Times of that blessed and laudable Custome of Celebrating the memory of Pious workes in this Cittie , at Saint Mary Spittle .

The foure Seasons of the Yeare , Spring , Summer , Autumne and Winter , In a Song into foure parts diuided , Call vp Flora , the Goddesse of the Spring , who in a Bower , deckt with Artificiall Flowers , appeares vpon the Musicall Inuocation .

The Song ! at seuerall Windowes . Spring FLora , Flora ! We call thee heere , Sum. We call thee heere , From forth thy fragrant Bower , Spri. Thou Queene of euery laughing Flower , Appeare ! Appeare to vs , Sum. To vs appeare : Thou Banquet of the Yeare , Spri. Or if a Name may be more sweet , more deere . Harke , Summer harke , Sum. Marke , Autumne , marke , How coughing Winter mournes to see This smiling Houre , Win. Would it were nipt for me , But soft I feele no such decay But I may liue to kisse faire May , And in the Morne and Euening howers , Leaue my cold sweats vpon the Flowers . Spri.

Alasse poore Mumps , at thy weake power We laugh ,

The Sun will rise and take thy cold Kisse off . And now behold . Win.

— Oh — Oh — O —

Autum . he 's strucke cold At Floraes first appearing , Looke , in a Sound , Will drop to 'th ground . Helpe , helpe , helpe , he wants your cheering . Win. Oh I confesse Feild Emperesse , The Beauty of thy power amazes , I am content to ioyne With those three Friends of thine , And helpe to chant thy prayses ; All . Now all the Seasons of the Yeare agree To giue , ( Faire Flora ) the prime place to Thee . Flora , rising in her Bower , calls forth two of her Seruants . Flo. Where 's Hyacinth ! the Boy Appollo loude , And turnde into a Flower ? Hy.

Here , Queene of sweetnes .

Flo. Adonis ! thou that for thy beauteous chastity , Wert turnde into the chastest of all Flowers , ( The closse-infolded Rose ) blowen into Blushes It is so mayden-modest , Ad. What 's thy pleasure Faire Empresse of sweete Odours , Flo. Willing Seruants ! I haue Employment for you both , and speedy , Beth.

We waite with much Ioy to receiue the charge on 't ;

Flo. Hast , to the two Assisting Magistrates , Those worthy Citty Consulls , Beare our sweete wishes to e'm , and speake Ioy From vs , to both their Feasts , And to that part of their Graue-worthy Guesse Which here we misse to day , though here be those Whom we ought more especially to Honor , Say though we cannot there our selfe appeare , Because we owe our greater seruice here , Yet that they shal not faile of all their due , We send the wishes of our Heart by you . Hy.

Which shall be faithfully tendred ,

Flo. T is presum'd ; But to this faire Assembly present now I , and these yeelding Sweets all their heads bow In honour of this Feast , of the Day , chiefe , Made solemne by the workes of your Reliefe , Your Cares , your Charities , the holy Vse Of pious exercise ; all which infuse Blessings into your Fortunes , you abound In temporall things , cause blessed fruits are found Vpon the Stocks you graft on , marke the Encrease ; You plant poore Orphans in a ground of Peace , And carefully prouide , when fruit time comes , You gather Heauens Ioyes for 't , in infinite Summer ; This day you view'd the Garden of those Deeds , That blesse the Founders ; and all those succeeds In Zeale and Imitation ; you saw there , Vertues true Paradise , drest with your Care ; ( Your most religious Care ) and those Blew Sets , They are the Cities Bancke of Violets That smels most sweet to Heauen ; neuer cease then You worthy Praesidents for Times and Men , Till Charitie spring , ( by your Examples giuen ) As thick on Earth , as Rewards stand in Heauen ; If there were sloth or faintnes tow'ard good works ; ( As blest be Heauen there is not ) Time instructs , The Season of the Yeare , for as the Ground , The heauiest and dul'st Creature can be found , Yet now begins both in her Meades and Bowers To offer vp her Sacrifice , in Flowers , How much more ought that Earth with a Soule blest , Which is of euery of you here possest , To spring forth Workes of Piety and Loue , To gratifie those Dewes fall from Aboue ; And as the humblest Flower that euer grew , Ha's not his Sent alone , but Vertue too , Good for Mans griefes ; so t is not Mans full Fame To haue a Christian Sauour , or a Name , An empty voice of Charity and Reliefe , He must apply Ease to his Brothers griefe ; “ Faith is the Sent and Odour of the Flower , " But Work 's the Vertue , that makes good the power ; T is like the Tincture of those Roabes you weare , In which cleare Vesture you to me appeare Like Borders of faire Roses ; and worne hie Vpon the Cities forehead ; that rich Dye As it is reuerend , honourable , graue , So it is pretious , wholesome ; which doth craue A double Vertue at the Wearers hands , Iustice and Mercy ; by which goodnesse stands : Thus Honour still claimes Vertue for his Due , And may both euer lay iust claime to you : What ? the foure Seasons of the Yeare struck dumbe ? I lookt for a kind Welcome , now I m'e come .

2. Song , by the foure Seasons ! called the Song of Flowers . Spr. WElcome , O welcome , Queene of sweetnes welcome , in the noblest manner , With all thy Flowers , thy sweete breath 't Maides of Honour ; Sum.

Flower gentle ! I begin with Thee ,

Aut.

Fayre Flower of Chrystall ! that 's for me ,

Spr.

Apples of Loue ! there sweetnesse dwels ;

Win.

Puh , giue me Canterbury Bels ;

Spr.

Faire double-Gold cups , griefes expelling ,

Sum.

Agnus Castus , all excelling ,

Aut.

Venus Bath ! the loueliest pride of Iune ,

Win.

Giue me that Flower , cald , Go to bed at noone ,

Spr.

Blessed Thistle , fam'd for good ,

Sum.

Shepheards Pouch , for stanching blood ,

Aut.

Faire yallow Knight-wort , for a foule relapse ,

Win.

And Ladies Mantle , good for Maydens Paps ,

Spr. Tuft Hyacinth ! that crownes the Bower , Cald of some , the Virgins Flower ; Win. Take that for me , more good I feele In Ruffling Robin , and Larkes Heele . Spr. There is a Sweete , Vnnamed yet , The root is white , the Marke of pure Delight , Bearing his Flowers faire and hie , The colour like a purple Dye : Win.

What is the name t is blest withall ?

Spr.

Liue-long ! it so the Shepheards call ;

Win. Liue-long ? t is Vertues promis'd Due And may it Long remaine with You Honor'd Patrons , Vertuous Matrons , Whose Life s and Acts this City graces , Daily striuing , And reuiuing Workes worthy your renowne and places . Flo. So ya 're confirm'd ; from your harmonious Closes May Sweetnesse drop , as Hony-Dew from Roses , Then turning , to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen . A blessed Health possesse you , and a long , That in this latter Spring of your graue yeares , You may be greene in Vertues , and grow strong In works of Grace , which soules to Heauen endeers ; your good Cares , here , Iustice , and well spent houres Crowne you hereafter with eternall Flowers .

Hyacinth , and Adonis , sent forth by Flora , to the 2. other Feasts , thus sets off their Employments . THe goddesse Flora , Empresse of the Spring , Chusing ( this Feast ) her Flowry Soiourning , Vnder the Roofe of the chiefe Magistrate , Whose power layes iust claime to the greatest state , Hath sent me forth , not meanest in her Grace , To breath forth her sweet wishes to this place ; First to the Master of this bounteous Feast , To speake her ioy ; next , to each worthy Guest ; And though she cannot now her Selfe appeare , Because she owes her greater Seruice there , Yer her Hearts Loue to euery one I bring , To whom sh 'as sent a Present of the Spring . Then fals into the former speech of Flora , making Use of her diuine instructions .

Here followes the worthy and Noble Entertainments of the Lords of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuy Councell ; at the Houses of the Lord Mayor , and Sheriffes .

The first Entertainment vpon Thursday in Easter weeke beeing the fift of Aprill , 1621 . And vpon the sixeteenth of the same Month those Persons of Honor receiued their second Noble welcome , in a free and Generous Entertainment , at the house of the Right Worshipfull , Mr. Sheriffe Allen ; Flora the Person vsed before , thus prepared for them .

Flo.

AM I so happy to be blest agen ? With These ! the choice of many thousand For Royall Trust selected , and a Care That makes you Sacred ; may the world compare men , A Confidence with yours ? from so compleate And excellent a Master ? Or so great And free a Loue can any Nation showe In Subiect to the Soueraigne , then doth flow From this most thankfull Citty ? Waues of Loue Ee'n ouerwhelme each other , as they moue , All striuing to be first , they runne in one To 'th Oceans Brest ! ( the Kings Affection . ) And you of Honor ! that doe oft appeare In presence of a Maiesty so cleere , So mighty in Heauens blessings , be so kind To grace with Words what He shall euer find , And t is a glorious Truth , and well beseemes Places and Persons of your faire Esteemes , Not all the Kingdomes of the Earth , containe A Citty freer to her Soueraigne , More faithfull , and more carefull ; obserue here His Highnes excellent Tryall ; Loue and Feare Make vp a Subiects duty , to his King , As Iustice and sweete Mercy makes vp Him ; So two fold Uertue two-fold Dutie , cheeres , He knew their lones , now came & toucht their fears To try their Temper , ( O blest Heauen ) he found It was the Feare he lookt for , had it 's ground Vpon Religion , Reuerence , sweete Respect , Loue lookt not Louelier , nor Diuinelier deckt , Each reprehensiue word He did impart Flewe , and cleaude fast to their obedient Heart , T was fire within their bosome , 'could not rest , Till in some serious manner , they 'de exprest Their duteous Care , with all speede put in Act Their Soueraignes sacred pleasure , to coact Where manners failde , and force , as with a Pill From Humours rude , the Venom of the Ill ; “ A Kings owne Admonition , against Crimes , “ Is Phisicke to the Body of the Times . And herein did He Imitate the Highest , ( To whom it best becomes Him to be nighest ) To chasten , where he loues , it is the Seale Of the Almighties fauour , He doth deale So with his Chosen , doe not languish then , Thou Prince of Citties , cause the King of Men Diuinely did reprooue thee , Know , t is Loue , Thou art his Chosen Cittie , and wilt prooue ( As thou hast euer beene ) faithfull and free , The Chamber of his sweete Security : Then in a Health of loy your Hearts expresse , Whilst I breath welcome to those Noble Guesse . The Song of welcome , after which Flora thus Closes the Entertainment . A Trust of Honor , and a Noble Care Still to discharge that Trust , Keepe your Fames faire , You haue proceeded carefully ; goe on , And a full Praise Crowne your Progression .

The last Entertainment full as Noble and worthy as the former , vpon the Saturday ensuing , being the 21. of the same Moneth , at the House of the equally Generous and bounteous , the Right Worshipfull , Master Sheriffe Ducy .

Flora , this the third time , in her Bower , beginning to speake , interrupted , by her two Seruants , Hyacinth and Adonis . Flo.

GOod Heauen

Hy. Fye , this is vsurpation meerely , Speake thrice together ? there 's no right in this : Flo.

What 's that ?

Ado. I haue the iuster cause to take exceptions , This is the place I seru'd in , lately seru'd in , And by her own appointment , my wrong 's greatest . Flo.

Here 's a strange sudden boldnesse a' both sides a' me ,

Hy. Was 't not sufficient grace for you to speake At the chiefe Magistrates house , there , where that Bower Was first erected , but to shift your seate From place to place , pull downe , and then set vp , I wonder how she scapes Informers , trust me . Ad.

Beleeue me so doe I , sh 'as fauour showne her .

Flo.

So , this becomes you well ,

Hy. There 's right in all things , We might haue kept our places as we held e'm , There 's little Conscience in your dealing , thus , You might haue left the Lower Bookes for vs , For our poore seruice . Flo. Thus I answere you , Taking my President from the iust care Of those cleare Lights of Honour , shining faire To their Workes End ; you see before your Eyes The Trust that was committed to their wise And discreet Powers ( for his Highnesse Vse ) They put not off to others , with excuse Of wearinesse , or paines ; as they begun , In their owne Noble Persons see all done : So , by their sweet Example , I that am Your Queene and Mistris , and may rightly blame , And taxe the boldnesse of your ruder blood , I doe not thinke , or hold my selfe too good In mine owne Person , to commend their Cares That haue so iustly seru'd their King , in Theirs , Now you pull in your Heads . Both .

Pardon sweet Queene .

Flo. Yet why should Anger in my brow be seene They came but to shew duty to the Time , Contention to doe Seruice was their Crime , That 's no ill looking fault ; but 't is still knowne , “ They that giue Honour , loue to doe 't alone , It brookes no Partnership : — To giue this last Duty her Due , as others before past , Though it came now from men of meaner Rancke , Where welth was ne're known to oreflow the bank Like Spring-Tides of the Rich , that swell more hie , Yet tak 't for Truth , it comes as cheerefully , All smiling Giuers ; and well may it come With smooth and louing Faces , the small Summe That they returne , is thousand times repaide In Peace and Safety , besides Soueraigne Ayde For each Hearts Grieuance , ( to its full content ) By this high Synode of the Parliament ; Before whose faire , cleare , and Unbribed Eyes , ( When it appeares ) Corruption sincks and dies , Secure Oppression once , comes trembling thither ( Stead of her hard heart knoks her knees together This Benefite is purchas'd , this Reward To which all Coyne is drosse to be compar'de : But , the faire Workes concluded , on all parts , Your Care , which I place first of all deserts , And it becomes it , t 'as beene nobly Iust , You haue discharg'd with Honor your hie Trust : The Cities Loue , I must remember next , And faithfull Duty , both deuoutly mixt ; And ( as the State of Court sets last , the Best , ) His boundlesse Goodnesse , not to be exprest , That is your King and Master , Blessings fall Vpon His Actions ; Honor , on you All . FINIS .