ON Friday , being the ninth of March , Stilo veteri , about eight of the clocke in the euening , the Prince , and the Lord Marquesse of Buckingham , being all alone with the Postillion ( as they had rid post together , three daies before ) arriued at Madrid , and conueighed themselues with such secrecie into the house of the Earle of Bristoll , his Maiesties Embassador extraordinary to the King of Spaine , that for that night , they were hardly knowne by any , but they could not be long concealed . For early vpon the next day being Saturday , there grew a whispering amongst many , as if the Marquesse were come , but not a word of the Prince . The same morning the Conde de Gondomar , was aduertised priuatly of the arriuall , not onely of the Lord Marquesse , but of the Prince also , and so hee went instantly to the Earle of Bristowes house . After hee had done reuerence to his Highnesse , and had passed an houre in his presence , and in discourse with his Highnesse , and those Lords , it was desired that hee would giue the King his Mastor notice of the arriual of the Marquesse ; but that he should say nothing of the Prince at that time : at least not in any such sort , as that they might take knowledge of his being there . The Conde de Gondomar vndertooke it , and carried the newes thereof to the Conde de Oliuares , who is that Kings great Fauorite : and indeed a Person , who for his noble conditions and choise parts , doth well deserue the large portion which the King his Master affordeth him of his estimation and affection : Hee conueighed what he knew to his Maiesty , and then withall sent to the Marquesse , desiring earnestly that hee would giue him leaue to goe instantly and visit him . But the Marquesse excused himselfe , & did expressely refuse it through his desire of concealing the Prince ; and so they resolued vpon another meeting place for the afternoone , which fell out to bee the Parke . The Conde therefore sent a Coach to the Lord Marquesse , and his Lordship tooke with him the Conde de Gondomar , the Earle of Bristoll , and Sir Walter Aston , his Maiesties ordinary Ambassador in that Court. The Conde de Oliuares was already expecting the Lord Marquesse , and at length they met , and spent more then an houre together , in great expressions of contentment and ioy . After this , the Conde conducted the Lord Marquesse , and all that Company into the Court , and so vp to the King by a priuate way . At which time , the Lord Marquesse deliuered the King our Soueraignes Letters to the King of Spaine , and so much passed betweene them , as serued to disclose that the Prince was come , and at the Earle of Bristowes house , wherewith the King was extremely taken , and much transported with ioy . His Maiesty sent a hearty salutation to the Prince by the Lord Marquesse , wherewith his Lordship returned to his Highnesse , being extraordinarily satisfied , both with that Kings Princely courtesie , and his many noble parts otherwise . The Conde de Oliuares conducted the Lord Marquesse home , & pressing euen beyond his Commission ( for he was not yet to take knowledge of the Princes arriuall ) to kisse his Highnesse hand , hee saw him , and spake with him . The Prince receiued him nobly , and like the Prince he is , and was very earnest with him , to put on his hat ; but the Conde would by no meanes doe it ; although hee bee a Graunde of Spaine , and may therefore bee couered before his owne King.

During this visit , the Marquesse desired the Conde , that he would oblige the Prince by getting him a speedy sight of the Infanta his Mistresse ; wherein hee promised to doe his best endeuor , though it were in Lent , which hee said was a time of extraordinary recollection and reseruation , and so they parted for the present , being all in great contentment one with another .

In conformity to the Princes desire , his Maiesty ( being that night acquainted with it by the Conde ) laid aside the consideration of the time , and instantly resolued to giue his Highnesse all satisfaction . And so he went abroad the next day , at the houre appointed , which was about three a clocke in the afternoone , and to the Prado being the certaine place agreed vpon betweene them , his Maiesty conducting with him his Queene , his Sister the Infanta , the Infantes Don Carlos , & the Cardinall Don Fernando , his brethren ; the Conde de Oliuares , and the Conde de Gondomar , following him with much of the Nobility of that Court , both of Ladies and Lords . The Prince on the other side went disguised in the Duke of Cea's Coach , and was attended in the same Coach by the Lord Marquesse , the Earle of Bristoll , the Conde de Gondomar , and Sir Walter Aston . And so both the King and the Prince made diuers turnes and returnes in their seuerall Coaches , and in seuerall parts of the Towne and Prado ( which is a place of recreation ) where the Nobility is often wont to take the aire ; and euery one of them saw each other in a cleare light , not being able to abstaine from saluting mutually with the hat as they passed by , though they had agreed to take no kind of notice of one another ; and this was all they did for that time . The King and all that royall Company returned by night by a world of Torch-light , which made a most glorious shew .

Immediatly after this , his Maiesty not being content with those single sights of the Prince , sent the Conde de Oliuares , to pray him that they might meet , and embrace , and speake together before they slept . The Prince accepted of the occasion , but there rose a difference betweene them about the manner . For the King did much presse the Prince that he would accept of a visit from himselfe in the Earle of Bristolls house , and really his Highnes had much adoe to refuse it , but yet he would by no meanes admit therof . On the other side , the Prince did offer to goe visit his Maiesty in his Palace , but the King considering that that must needs be to the Princes disaduantage , because he had no Equipage , his Maiesty refused expressely , & it grew to be agreed betweene them , that it should be in the aforesaid Prado , and in the euening of the same Sunday when it might be darke . Whereupon the Conde de Oliuares said pleasantly , that he would by no meanes consent that his Master should meet him , and especially by night , but vpon euen termes ; that the Prince was a great man at armes , and that euen in the ciuill way hee was strong in Ambassadors and Secretaries , whereas the King was in effect alone , that therefore he desired that the Prince would lend him the Marquesse , and that he might carry him to the Court , and so he might come to that meeting with the King and him , as a Spaniard , and not the Princes seruant for that time . The Prince gaue leaue , with much content , that he should goe , and so he went , and the King brought him and the Conde de Oliuares to the Prado . Now the King being first arriued , sent a priuate message to the Prince , to let him know that he expected his Highnesse . Thereupon the Prince made much haste , being attended by the Conde de Gondomar , the Earle of Bristoll , Sir Walter Aston , and Sir Francis Cottington his Highnesse Secretary .

When they were vpon the point of meeting , they all alighted out of their Coaches , and the King embraced the Prince , and made incomparable professions of his loue and affection , and of the streight obligation which the King our Soueraigne and his Highnesse had cast vpon him , by that maine act of confidence and fauour .

Then his Maiestie tooke the Prince into his Coach , and made him perforce goe in first , and sit vpon his right hand , and so they continued some good time in great sweetnesse of conuersation , the Earle of Bristoll interpreting betweene them . At the parting , the King lighted out of his Coach , with the Prince ; and vsed much endeuour to haue conducted the Prince to his Coach ; but the Prince would by no meanes suffer it , and so they parted in the mid-way .

On Munday the tenth of March , his Highnesse was made acquainted , by the Conde de Oliuares , and the Conde de Gondomar , whom the King had sent to visit him , that the King was that morning going in deuotion to a Monastery called the Merçed ; and that he would passe the streets on horsebacke . When his Highnesse shewed some willingnesse to be a spectator thereof , the Conde de Oliuares carried him to a conuenient place , where he had a full view of all . That euening , his Highnesse went into the fields by the Riuer side , to take the aire . And the Conde de Oliuares , and the Conde de Monterey , went againe to visit him from the King , and they two waited on him in discourse , aboue an houre .

On Tuesday his Maiesty sent againe to see how his Highnesse did ; and withall to let him know , that he could not but acknowledge the good seruice , which the Conde de Gondomar had done him , in printing such a Character of his sincere affection , in the heart of the King of great Britaine , and of his Highnesse ; as that they should thinke fit to put such a pretious treasure into his hands , as his Highnesse was . And that therefore he could not suffer any subiect of his to be vnaduanced , whom he found so well accepted by the King of Great Britame , and his Highnesse . For which cause he was resolued to make him of his Counsell of State , though hee accounted him indeed as an English man . Nay rather that for that respect he would admit him , to the end that both the King of Great Britaine , and his Highnesse , might be more confident of his proceedings ; and made priuy to the most inward passages . But the King withall , sent his Highnes word , that he desired him to giue the first notice of it to the Conde , and receiue his thankes . The Prince sent him the newes thereof by Master Secretary Cottington ; the Conde came to cast himselfe at the Princes feet , for so high an honour and fauour , and so being addressed by his Highnesse to the Court , was instantly sworne .

In the afternoone of that day , the Prince hauing intimated a desire to see the King , was conducted and attended by the Conde de Oliuares , towards the Palace , through a backe way . But before he could arriue there , hee was prevented by the King. Who being attended by the Marquesse of Carpio alone , went downe in priuate manner , thorow a Garden to meet his Highnesse . Where after they had saluted one another with a manner of curtesie , which indeed was Princely , the King by the force of his fauour , put him still first into his Coach , and seated him on the right hand , and then entred himselfe , and sate by him ; the Lord Marquesse , and the Conde de Oliuares , sitting at the other end of the Coach , and the Earle of Bristow in one of the sides , and the Marquesse of Carpio in the other . Thus they went towards a house of pleasure , belonging to the King , neere Madrid , called the Casa del Campo . Where after they had spent about an houre , the King making extraordinary great professions of his affection to the King our Soueraigne , and the Prince : it was found before they were aware , that his Maiesty had brought his Highnesse a mile and a halfe on his way homewards ; and indeed almost to the Earle of Bristolls house . The Prince would faine haue attended the King backe towards the Palace , but he would not suffer him .

His Highnesse did then make a little turne another way , and before hee could get to the Earle of Bristolls , the Conde de Oliuares ( hauing already left the King ) was ready there to attend his Highnesse . Shortly after , the Duke of Infantado , Mayordomo Mayor to the King , did by speciall commandment from his Maiestie ( for without order from the King , none as yet did visit the Prince ) repaire vnto his Highnesse , to kisse his hands , and offered him his vttermost seruice , with great reuerence , in whatsoeuer hee should bee pleased to command .

On the two next daies being Wednesday and Thursday , there was not much done , of particular and externall note . The mornings were spent by his Highnesse in giuing order for his owne priuate affaires ; and the afternoones , for the most part , in recreating himselfe abroad in the fields ; the Earle of Bristoll waiting on him with his hawkes .

Onely vpon the Thursday night after supper , there were sent to his Highnesse to entertaine the time , choice persons both of men and women , selected out of foure companies of Comedians , who danced seuerall kindes of dances before him , and spent about two houres therein , the Condes of Monterey and Gondomar , being present .

On Friday being the foureteenth , his Highnesse stirred not abroad all the morning ; but first sent Master Secretary Cottington , and afterward the Earle of Bristoll , to the Conde de Oliuares : and it should seeme to haue beene not onely about matter of complement , but for some particular businesse . After dinner the Condes de Monterey and Gondomar , went to his Highnesse , and conducted him againe to the Casa del Campo , where hee found the King , and with his Maiesty the Infantes Don Carlos , and Don Fernando the Cardinall , his brothers ; whom his Highnesse had not seene before that time . They saluted , embraced , and striued mutually to kisse the hands of each other ; after which they all tooke horse together , and entertained themselues a good while in beholding sundry men , which were disposed there on foot , of purpose to shoot at such kindes of game , as they found in the place . And so there were Hares started , Partridges sprung , and other fowle put vp to wing : they killed of all sorts as they went , either running or flying by them . Vpon the end of which pastime , the King ( notwithstanding all the resistance which was in the Princes power to make ) brought him againe on his way homeward , to the same place whither hee had accompanied him on the Tuesday night before ; The Condes de Monterey , and Gondomar , attending his Highnesse to the Earle of Bristolls house .

Vpon this Friday , ( for a further expression of the great ioy which that King had conceiued at the arriuall of his Highnesse , and for his presence in that place ) his Maiesty commanded , that a generall pardon of all offences should instantly be proclaimed and published , and that all the Prisoners who were restrained within the whole Kingdome or continent of Spaine , should be released ; reseruing onely the rights and interests of third persons , as in the case of Debts and Appeales for murder and the like . By vertue of which pardon and Proclamation some hundreds of Prisoners in Madrid , were then freed , and all the Prisons emptied ; diuers offenders who had taken Sanctuary in Churches , and retired to the Ambassadors houses ( which are highly priuiledged in that Court ) hauing notice thereof before , did by way of anticipation dispose of themselues into the hands of Iustice ; and so made a purchase of their liberty by their imprisonment .

Instant order was also giuen , that all the English which were suruiuing in the Gallies , and who had beene condemned to that seruitude , during life , for committing of Piracy , and many other mortall crimes , should bee released without delay . And this Grace which his Maiesty manifested in contemplation of the Prince , hath strangely encreased the generall applause wherewith he is receiued and obserued in that Court by all .

Saturday being the fifteenth , was spent at home by his Highnesse in priuate manner , in regard of the solemne entry hee was to make the next day , which was designed by the King , to be performed with the same magnificence and splendour , as is vsed at the Coronation of the Kings of Spaine . Onely a little before dinner , the Conde de Monterey went to the Prince , and told his Highnesse that the King had sent two horses thither , and desired him to make choise , vpon which he would be pleased to ride the day following , for that the King would ride vpon the horse which hee should leaue . Whereupon his Highnesse passed out into a Garden , not farre from the Earle of Bristols house , where , like himselfe , hee tooke paines and pleasure to try them both ; to the end that if there were a difference , hee might take the lesse excellent to himselfe , and returne the other to the King.

On Sunday , being the sixteenth , when it was already well towards noone , there went foure Councellours of State , Don Augustine Mexia , the Marquesse De Montes Claros , Don Fernando Giron , and the Conde de Condomar , to waite vpon the Prince at the Earle of Bristols house , and to attend his Highnesse to a famous Monastery , called Saint Ieronimo , neere Madrid ; from whence the Kings of Spaine are wont to goe when they make their solemne entry into that towne ; and where the King hath a Quarter reserued for the honour and entertainment of his owne royall Person . There was his Highnesse feasted priuatly at dinner by his Maiesties appointment , but yet as by the Conde de Gondomar , who hath the keeping of that Quarter in the said Monastery . The afternoone till foure of the clocke , was spent by his Highnesse , in giuing audience to the Inquisidor Generall , and to the seuerall Bodies of Counsels , which doe all reside in that Court , and did all present themselues to the Prince , excepting onely the Councell of State , which neuer maketh any visit in Corps , but all the rest did performe that duty of obseruance , namely the Councell Royall of Castilia , the Councell Royall of Aragon , the Councell of Portugall , the Councell of Italy , the Councell of Military Orders , the Councell of the Indies , the Councell of the Treasury , and the Councell of the Exchequer .

The Corregidor , and the Regidores of Madrid , which are the persons who haue the gouernment of that Towne , did also desire audience of the Prince ; for they all had beene commanded by the King to present themselues humbly before his Highnesse . And here it is to be obserued once for all , that all the Subiects of that Kingdome , who had occasion to wait vpon the Prince , did striue with as much earnestnesse as good manners would permit , to haue actually kissed his Highnesse hands . But the Prince was resolute in not accepting that humble token of their loue , as conceiuing it to be fitter betweene the naturall subiects and their Soueraigne .

But about foure in the afternoone of that Sunday , the King went to see the Prince , whom his Highnesse receiued at the gate below . They made no very long stay there when once the complements were ended , but all things being put in order for his Highnesse entry , they disposed themselues to be going . And whereas the King with his Nobility came in Coaches thither , the whole Court did then mount on horsebacke , after the example of his Maiesty and the Prince . The King did still put the Prince into a necessity of taking the right hand , and so they passed towards the Palace .

But as soone as they entred vpon the liberties of Madrid , they were expected and attended by foure and twenty Regidores of the towne , who had there a large Canopie of rich Tissue , and it belonged to them by office to carry it ouer the King. They were all apparelled in rich cloth of Tissue , lined with crimson cloth of gold . The King tooke the Prince vnder the Canopie , and kept him still on his right hand . Before them went the Courts and Ministers of Iustice , then the Grandes and all the other principall Nobles of that Court in colours and great brauery , and they were attended by their followers in seuerall Liueries , which were very rich . Next after the King and Prince went the Lord Marquesse of Buckingham , and the Conde de Oliuares , executing the places of Masters of the Horse to them both , the Conde giuing the right hand to the Lord Marquesse ; and either of them had a Horse of State , as the ensigne of the place he held .

The Canopy which was to be the fee of the Conde de Oliuares , as Master of the Horse to the King , was presented afterward by the Towne to the Lord Marquesse , with all other fees belonging to that office , because he serued that day as Master of the Horse to the Prince , in whose honor the action was performed . Then proceeded the Earle of Bristoll betweene the eldest Councellour of State , and one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber ; and Sir Walter Aston after him , accompanied in like manner ; the rest both of the Counsaile of State , and of the Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber following them . After whom went that goodly Guard which is called de los Archeros , who were brauely clad and arraied .

In the ways as the triumph passed , all the streets were adorned , in some places with rich hangings , in others with curious pictures , and heere and there certaine scaffolds were sprinckled , whereupon the bodies of those Councells sat to see , which formerly had beene with the Prince to doe him reuerence . And in other streets of the same passage diuers representations were made of the best Comedians dancers , and men of musicke , to giue contentment to that Royall Paire , as they passed by .

As soone as the King and Prince were arriued and had lighted at the Palace , there was great pressing betweene them two for the hindmost place ; but in fine they went hand in hand , or rather indeed imbracing mutually their bodies with one anothers armes , all the while as they were going vp towards the Queenes side , to whom the King was already conducting the Prince . The Queene though shee were in a very large roome , would by no meanes expect the Prince vnder her State ; but went downe to within two paces of the very doore to meet his Highnesse ; and then conducted him to her cloth of State ; where there were set three equall chaires , the Queenes in the middle , with the Prince on her right hand , and the King on the left . The roome was as richly furnished as may well bee imagined : but the chiefe riches thereof consisted in that liuing Tapistry of Ladies and Noblemens Children , called Menines , which stood and garnished all the roome round about close by the walles .