Chapter I: SAW, sweet LICIA, when the Spider ran (3)

And, on Tuesday morning, the pain received by his fall was so great that he was not able to ride on horseback; but he turned from Sir JOHN HARINGTON's, to take a coach: wherein His Highness returned to Burlegh, where he was royally entertained as before; but not with half that joy, the report of His Majesty's hurt had disturbed all the Court so much.

* * * * *

The next day, being Wednesday the 27th day of April [1603], His Majesty removed from Burlegh towards Master OLIVER CROMWELL's.

And, in the way, he dined at that worthy and worshipful Knight's, Sir ANTHONY MILDMAY's [at Apethorpe]; where nothing wanted in a subject's duty to his Sovereign, nor anything in so potent a Sovereign to grace so loyal a subject. Dinner being most sumptuously furnished, the tables were newly covered with costly Banquets [_Dessert_]: wherein everything that was most delicious for taste proved [the] more delicate by the art that made it seem beauteous to the eye: the Lady of the House being one of the most excellent Confectioners in England; though I confess many honourable women [to be] very expert.

Dinner and Banquet [_Dessert_] being past, and His Majesty at point to depart; Sir ANTHONY, considering how His Majesty vouchsafed to honour him with his royal presence, presented His Highness with a gallant Barbary horse, and a very rich saddle with furniture suitable thereto: which His Majesty most lovingly and thankfully accepted: and so, taking his princely leave, set forward on the way.

In this remove towards Master OLIVER CROMWELL's did the people flock in greater numbers than in any place northward. Though many before pressed to see their Sovereign, yet here the numbers multiplied.

This day, as His Majesty passed through a great common (which, as the people thereabout complain, Sir I. SPENSER [JOHN SPENCER] of London hath very uncharitably molested [_enclosed_]), most of the country [_district_] joined together, beseeching His Majesty that the common might be laid open again for the comfort of the poor inhabiters thereabouts: which His Highness most graciously promised should be performed, according to their hearts' desire.

And so, with many benedictions of the comforted people, he passed on till he came within half a mile of Master OLIVER CROMWELL's [at Hinchinbrook Priory]; where met him the Bailiff of Huntingdon, who made a long oration to His Majesty, and there delivered him the Sword, which His Highness gave to the new[ly] released [HENRY WRIOTHSLEY] Earl of SOUTHAMPTON [_the Patron of SHAKESPEARE_] to bear before him.

O admirable work of mercy! confirming the hearts of all true subjects in the good opinion of His Majesty's royal compassion: not alone to deliver from the captivity such high Nobility, but to use vulgarly with great favours not only him, but also the children of his late honourable fellow in distress [_i.e._ of ROBERT DEVEREUX Earl of ESSEX]. Well, GOD have glory, that can send friends, in the hour he best pleaseth, to help them that trust in him.

But to the matter. His Majesty passed, in state, the Earl of SOUTHAMPTON bearing the Sword before him, as I before said he was appointed, to Master OLIVER CROMWELL's house: where His Majesty and all his followers, with all comers whatsoever, had such entertainment, as the like had not been seen in any place before, since his first setting forward out of Scotland.

There was such plenty and variety of meats: such diversity of wines, and those not riffe ruffe but ever the best of the kind; and the cellars open at any man's pleasure. And if it were so common with wine, there is little question but the Butteries for beer and ale were more common; yet in neither was there difference. For whoever entered the house, which to no man was denied, tasted what they had a mind to: and after a taste, found fullness: no man, like a man, being denied what he would call for.

As this bounty was held back to none within the house; so for such poor people as would not press in, there were many open beer-houses erected: where there was no want of beef and bread for the comfort of the poorest creatures. Neither was this provision for the little time of His Majesty's stay; but it was made ready [for] fourteen days: and, after His Highness's departure, distributed to as many as had [a] mind to it.

There attended also at Master OLIVER CROMWELL's, the Heads of the University of Cambridge, all clad in scarlet gowns and corner-caps: who, having presence of His Majesty, there was made a most learned and eloquent Oration in Latin, welcoming His Majesty, as also intreating the confirmation of their Charter and privileges: which His Majesty most willingly and free granted. They also presented His Majesty with divers books published in commendation of our late gracious Queen: all which was most graciously accepted of His Highness.

Also Master CROMWELL presented His Majesty with many rich and acceptable gifts: as a very great and a very fair wrought Standing Cup of gold, goodly horses, float [_? fleet_] and deep-mouthed hounds, divers hawks of excellent wing. And at the remove, [he] gave £50 [_= £200 now_] amongst His Majesty's Officers.

Upon the 29th day [of April 1603], being Friday, after His Highness had broke his fast; he took kind and gracious leave of Master OLIVER CROMWELL[18] and his virtuous Lady, late widow to that noble and opulent Knight, Signor HORATIO PAULO VICINO.

Thence, with many regal thanks for his entertainment, he departed to Royston.

And as he passed through Godmanchester, a town close by Huntingdon, the Bailiffs of the town with their Brethren met him; and acknowledged their allegiance. There, convoying him through their town, they presented him with threescore and ten team[s] of horse all traced to fair new ploughs; in shew of their husbandry.

Which, while His Majesty, being very well delighted with the sight, demanded, Why they offered him so many horses and ploughs? he was resolved [_answered_], That it was their ancient custom whensoever any King of England passed through their town, so to present His Excellence. Besides, they added, that they held their lands by that tenure; being the King's tenants.

His Majesty not only took well in worth their good minds; but bade them use well their ploughs: being glad he was landlord of so many good husbandmen in one town.

I trust His Highness, when he knows well the wrong, will take order for those, as Her Majesty began, that turn ploughland into pasturage: and where many good husbandmen dwelt there is now nothing left but a great house without [a] fire: the Lord commonly at sojourn near London; and for the husbandmen and ploughs, he only maintains a shepherd and his dog. But what do I talking of sheep! when I am to follow the gests of a King. I will leave them and their wolfish Lords, that have eaten up poor husbandmen like sheep: and proceed where I left [off].

His Majesty, being past Godmanchester, held on his way to Royston; and drawing near the town, the Sheriff of Huntingdonshire humbly took his leave. And there he was received by that worthy Knight, Sir EDWARD DENNY, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, attended upon by a goodly company of proper men, being in number seven score, suitably apparelled. Their liveries [were] blue coats, with sleeves parted in the midst, buttoned behind in jerkin fashion; and white doublets: and hats and feathers: and all of them mounted on horses with red saddles.

Sir EDWARD, after his humble duty done, presented His Majesty with a gallant horse, a rich saddle, and furniture correspondent to the same; being of great value: which His Majesty accepted very graciously, and caused him to ride on the same before him. This worthy Knight, being of a deliver spirit and agile body, quickly mounted, managing the gallant beast with neat and eiduing workmanship [_? eye-doing horsemanship_]: being in a rich suit of a yellow dun colour; somewhat near the colour of the horse, and the furniture.

And thus, in brave manner, he conducted His Majesty to one Master CHESTER's house [at Cockenhatch]: where His Highness lay that night, at his own kingly charge.

* * * * *

The 30th day [of April 1603], being Saturday, His Majesty took his journey towards Standon, to Sir THOMAS SADLER's: and, by the way, [Dr RICHARD BANCROFT] the Bishop of LONDON met him; attended on by a seemly company of Gentlemen in tawny coats and chains of gold.

At SIR THOMAS SADLER's, His Majesty was royally entertained, for himself and his kingly train: nothing being wanting the best desired, nor the meanest could demand.

There His Majesty stayed [on] Sunday: before whom the Bishop of LONDON preached.

His Majesty, now drawing near to London, the numbers of people more and more increased, as well of Nobility, Gentry, Citizens, country people, and all; as well of degree as of no degree. So great a desire had the Noble that they pressed with the ignoble to see their Sovereign: this being the difference of their desires, that the better sort, either in blood or of conceit, came to observe and serve; the other to see and wonder.

* * * * *

The 1st of May [1603], being Monday, His Majesty removed to Sir HENRY COCK's [at Broxburn Bury], being 9 miles from Sir THOMAS SADLER's: where provision for His Majesty and his royal train was so abundant that there was no man of what condition soever, but had what his appetite desired. For His Majesty's private and most to be respected entertainment: it was such as ministered His Highness great contentment.

Continuing there but one night, and departing the next day; [he] honoured the good Knight for his greater expenses.

* * * * *

The 3rd of May [1603], being Tuesday, His Majesty took his journey towards Theobalds, a house belonging to Sir ROBERT CECIL, and about 4 miles distant from Sir HENRY COCK's: where met him [Sir THOMAS EGERTON, _afterwards_ Lord ELLESMERE,] the Lord Keeper [of the Great Seal], [THOMAS SACKVILLE, Earl of DORSET,] the Lord Treasurer, [CHARLES HOWARD, Earl of NOTTINGHAM,] the Lord Admiral, with most of the Nobility of the land and [the] Council of Estate; who were graciously received.

At which time, the Lord Keeper made a most grave, learned, brief, and pithy oration to His Majesty: to which His Highness answered with great grace and princely wisdom.

At this house there met His Majesty all, or the most part, of the old servants and Officers in [the] Household of our late royal Mistress, Queen ELIZABETH; and with them, the Guard of His Majesty's Body: all of them being courteously received to their own content.

Also in this house of Theobalds, His Majesty made divers Noblemen of Scotland, of his Honourable Privy Council [of England], viz:

[LODOWICK STUART,] the Duke of LENOX.

[JOHN ERSKINE,] the Earl of MAR.

[ALEXANDER HOME,] the Lord HOME.

Sir GEORGE HOME
[, _afterwards_ Earl of DUNBAR], Treasurer of Scotland.

Sir JAMES ELPHINSTON [,_afterwards_ Lord BALMERINOCH], Secretary to the King.

[EDWARD BRUCE,] the Lord of KINLOSS, now Master of His Majesty's Rolls. [He received that appointment on 18th May 1603.]

* * * * *

Also of the English Nobility, he made these of his secret and Honourable [Privy] Council;

The Lord HENRY HOWARD [,_afterwards_ Earl of NORTHAMPTON].

The Lord THOMAS HOWARD [,_afterwards_ Earl of SUFFOLK]: who was also made there, Lord Chamberlain.

[CHARLES BLOUNT,] the Lord MOUNTJOY [, _afterwards_ Earl of DEVONSHIRE].

* * * * *

His Majesty stayed at Theobalds four days [_3rd-6th May 1603_]; where to speak of Sir ROBERT's cost to entertain him were but to imitate geographers that set a little o for a mighty Province: words being hardly able to express what was done there indeed, considering the multitude that thither resorted, besides the train; none going hence unsatisfied. [_See Vol. V., pp. 623-656_].

At Theobalds, His Majesty made these Knights [on 7th May]:

Sir WILLIAM KILLIGREW [co. Cornw.]
Sir FRANCIS BARRINGTON [co. Essex]
Sir ROWLAND LITTON [co. Hertf.]
Sir WILLIAM PETERS[? PETRE] [co. Essex]
Sir JOHN BROGRAVE [co. Hertf.]
Sir WILLIAM COOKE [co. Essex]
Sir ARTHUR CAPEL [co. Hertf.]
Sir HERBERT CROFT [co. Heref.]
Sir EDWARD GREVILL [co. Warw.]
Sir HENRY BOTELER [co. Hertf.]
Sir HENRY MAYNARD [co. Essex]
Sir RICHARD SPENCER [co. Hertf.]
Sir JOHN LEVENTHORP [co. Hertf.]
Sir MICHAEL STANHOPE [co. Suff.]
Sir THOMAS POPE BLOUNT [co. Hertf.]
Sir RICHARD GIFFORD.
Sir THOMAS MEDCALFE [co. York.]
Sir GAMALIEL CAPEL [co. Essex]
Sir WILLIAM SMITH [co. Essex]
Sir JOHN FERRERS [co. Hertf.]
Sir ROBERT BITTON [not in J. PHILIPOT's List]
Sir VINCENT SKINNER [co. Middl.]
Sir HUGH BEESTON [co. Chest.]
Sir JOHN LEIGH [not in J. PHILIPOT's List]
Sir THOMAS BISHOP [co. Suss.]
Sir EDWARD LEWIS [co. Glam.]

Sir GERVASE ELWES [or ELLYS]
Sir RICHARD BAKER [the Chronicler, co. Kent]
[Sir HENRY FANSHAW co. Hertf.]

The 7th of May [1603], being Saturday, His Majesty removed from Theobalds, towards London, riding through the meadows: where, within two miles on this side of Waltham, Sir HENRY DENNY discharged his followers.

And there, Master SWINNERTON, one of the Sheriffs of London, accompanied with the Sheriff of Middlesex, met his Majesty, with sixty men in livery cloaks; where an eloquent and learned oration was made to His Highness.

Besides these men in livery cloaks that attended the Sheriff, all well mounted on gallant horses; most of the Sheriff's Officers attended him: who conducted His Majesty [to] within two miles of London.

And at Stamford Hill [Master ROBERT LEE] the Lord Mayor of London presented him with the Sword and Keys of the City: with whom were the Knights and Aldermen in scarlet gowns and great chains of gold about their necks, with the Chief Officers and Council of the City. Besides 500 citizens, all very well mounted, clad in velvet coats and chains of gold; with the chief Gentlemen of the Hundreds: who made a gallant shew to entertain their Sovereign.

There also met his Majesty, all his Officers of Estate, as Serjeants at Arms with their rich maces; the Heralds with their Coats of Arms, and Trumpeters: every one in their order and due place.

The Duke of LENOX bore the Sword of Honour before His Majesty: and so His Highness passed on in royal and imperial manner.

At this time, that honourable old Knight Sir HENRY LEIGH met with His Majesty, being attended by sixty gallant men well mounted on fair horses, thirty of them being great horses: many of his men having chains of gold; the rest wearing yellow scarfs embroidered with these words, _Constantia et fide_. To this old Knight, His Majesty spake very lovingly: and so paced through his troops very well pleased.

The multitudes of people in high ways, fields, meadows, closes, and on trees, were such that they covered the beauty of the fields; and so greedy were they to behold the countenance of the King that, with much unruliness, they injured and hurt one another. Some even hazarded to the danger of death. But as uncivil as they were among themselves; all the way, as His Majesty past [they welcomed him] with shouts, and cries, and casting up of hats (of which many never returned into the owners' hands).

He passed by them, over the fields; and came in at the back side of the Charterhouse.

* * * * *

Thither being come, he was most royal received and entertained by the Lord THOMAS HOWARD. Where was such abundance of provision of all manner of things that greater could not be; both of rare wild fowls, and many rare and extraordinary banquets; to the great liking of His Majesty, and contentment of the whole train.

He lay there four nights [_7th to 10th May 1603_]: in which time the Lords of the Council often resorted thither, and sat upon their serious affairs.

At his departure [_11th May 1603_], he made divers Knights, whose names are these:

Sir CHARLES HOWARD [co. Suss.]
Sir AMBROSE WILLOUGHBY [co. Linc.]
Sir EDWARD HOWARD [co. Surr.]
Sir HENRY HASTINGS [co. Leic.]
Sir GILES ALLINGTON [co. Camb.]
Sir RICHARD VERNEY [co. Warw.]
Sir JOHN THINNE [co. Wilts.]
Sir WILLIAM FITZWILLIAMS [co. Linc.]
Sir WILLIAM CARREL [co. Suss.]
Sir EDWARD BACON [co. Suff.]
Sir FRANCIS ANDERSON [co. Bedf.]
Sir JOHN POULTNEY [co. Notts.]
Sir EDWARD DARCY [co. York]
Sir JOHN SYDENHAM [co. Som.]
Sir JOHN TUFTON [co. Kent]
Sir THOMAS GRIFFIN [co. Northt.]
Sir VALENTINE KNIGHTLEY [co. Northt.]
Sir RALPH WISEMAN [co. Essex]
Sir WILLIAM AYLOFFE [co. Essex]
Sir JAMES CROMER [co. Kent]
Sir THOMAS ROUSE [co. Suff.]
Sir RODNEY [not in J. PHILIPOT's List]
Sir HENRY VAUGHAN [not in J. PHILIPOT's List]
Sir JOHN SMITH [co. Kent]
Sir JOHN HUNNAM [co. Chest.]
Sir THOMAS MEDE [co. Kent]
Sir EUSEBIUS ISHAM [co. Northt.]
Sir ARTHUR COOPER [co. Surr.]
Sir ROBERT WINGFIELD [co. Northt.]
Sir THOMAS JOSLING [co. Herts.]
Sir HENRY GOODERICK [co. York.]
Sir MAXIMILIAN DALLISON [co. Kent]
Sir WILLIAM COPE [co. Northt.]
Sir GEORGE FLEETWOOD [co. Bucks.]
Sir PETER EVERS [co. Linc.]
Sir HENRY CLEERE [co. Norf.]
Sir FRANCIS WOLLEY [co. Linc.]
Sir ARTHUR MAINWARING [co. Chest.]
Sir EDWARD WATERHOUSE [co. York]
Sir WILLIAM TWYSDEN [co. Kent]
Sir HATTON CHEEKE [? co. Essex]
Sir HENRY GORING [co. Suss.]
Sir ROBERT TOWNSEND [co. Salop.]
Sir WILLIAM HYNDE [co. Camb.]
Sir RICHARD SANDYS [co. Kent]
Sir ROBERT BRUCE COTTON [co. Hunts.]
Sir OLIVER LUKE [co. Bedf.]
Sir THOMAS KNEVET [co. Norf.]
Sir HENRY SECKFORD [co. Suff.]
Sir EDWIN SANDYS [co. Kent]
Sir JOHN ASHLEY [co. Kent]
Sir WILLIAM FLEETWOOD [co. Bedf.]
Sir WALTER MILDMAY [co. Essex]
Sir EDWARD LEWKENOR [co. Suff.]
Sir MILES SANDYS [co. Camb.]
Sir WILLIAM KINGSMILL [co. Southt.]
Sir THOMAS KEMPE [co. Kent]
Sir EDWARD TYRREL [co. Bucks.]
Sir THOMAS RUSSELL [co. Worc.]
Sir RICHARD TICHBORNE [co. Southt.]
Sir THOMAS CORNWALL [co. Salop.]
Sir RICHARD FERMOR [co. Northt.]
Sir WILLIAM STAFFORD [co. Hunts.]
Sir THOMAS CARRELL [co. Suss.]
Sir EDWARD CARRELL [not in J. PHILIPOT's List.]
Sir THOMAS PALMER [co. Kent]
Sir ROBERT NEWDIGATE [co. Bedf.]
Sir GEORGE RAWLEIGH [co. Essex]
Sir THOMAS BEAUFOE [co. Warw.]
Sir WILLIAM LOWER [co. Cornw.]
Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX [co. York]
Sir HENRY SIDNEY [co. Norf.]
Sir GEORGE HARVEY [co. Essex]
Sir HENRY CRIPPES
[_or_ CRISPE co. Kent]
Sir JOHN HEVENINGHAM [co. Norf.]
Sir WILLIAM BOWYER [co. Bucks.]
Sir JEROME WESTON [co. Essex]
Sir EDMUND BOWYER [co. Surr.]
Sir NICHOLAS HASLEWOOD [co. Northt.]
Sir JOHN JENNINGS [co. Worc.]
Sir AMBROSE TURVILLE [co. Linc.]
Sir JOHN LUKE [co. Bedf.]
Sir JOHN DORMER [co. Bucks.]
Sir RICHARD SAUNDERS [co. Linc.]
Sir JOHN SHERLEY [co. Suss.]
Sir THOMAS WAYNEMAN [co. Oxon.]
Sir GODDARD PEMPTON
Sir THOMAS METHAM [co. York]
Sir EDMUND BELLINGHAM [co. Camb.]
Sir JOHN HARINGTON [co. York]
Sir EDWARD HARINGTON [co. York]
Sir WILLIAM DYER [co. Som.]
Sir WILLIAM DYER [co. Som.]
Sir WALTER MONTAGUE [co. Som.]
Sir GUY PALMES [co. Rutl.]
Sir HENRY ASHLEY [co. Surr.]
Sir THOMAS VACKATHELL
[_or_ VACHILL.]
Sir THOMAS STUKELEY [co. Suss.]
Sir EDWARD WATSON [co. Northt.]
Sir THOMAS PRESTON [co. Dors.]
Sir WILLIAM LEEKE
Sir CHARLES CORNWALLIS [co. Suff.]
Sir EDWARD FRANCIS [not in J. PHILIPOT's List.]
Sir HUGH LOSSE [co. Middl.]
Sir WILLIAM LYGON [co. Worc.]
Sir THOMAS [LE] GROSSE [co. Norf.]
Sir JOHN TASKEROW
[_or_ TASBURGH co. Suff.]
Sir THOMAS FOWLER [co. Middl.]
Sir EUSEBIUS ANDREW [co. Northt.]
Sir EDWARD ANDREW [not in J. PHILIPOT's List.]
Sir WILLIAM KINGSMILL [co. Southt.]
Sir ROBERT LUCY [co. Warw.]
Sir WILLIAM WALTER
Sir JOHN CUTTS [co. Camb.]
Sir RICHARD BLOUNT [co. Oxon.]
Sir ANTHONY DERING [co. Kent]
Sir H. VAUGHAN [not in J. PHILIPOT's List.]
Sir JOHN CAREW [co. Som.]
Sir EDWARD APSLEY [co. Suss.]
Sir BERTRAM BOOMER
Sir WILLIAM ALFORD [co. York]
Sir ROBERT LEE [co. Linc.]
Sir THOMAS BEAUMONT [co. Leic.]
Sir ROBERT MARKHAM [co. Oxon.]
Sir FRANCIS CASTILION [co. Berks.]
Sir GEORGE SAVILE [co. York]
Sir GEORGE MARTHAM [not in J. PHILIPOT's List.]
Sir ARTHUR ATTIE
[_or_ ATEY co. Middl.]
Sir PECKSALL BROCAS [co. Southt.]
Sir JOHN WASHALL [or
? Sir ROBERT MARSHALL]
Sir ROBERT CLEVELAND
Sir RICHARD FERMOR [co. Northt.]
[Sir THOMAS CHEKE co. Essex]
[Sir THOMAS AYLOFFE co. Essex]
[Sir WALTER TICHBORNE ]
[Sir THOMAS BAKER ]

Upon Wednesday, the 11th of May 1603, His Majesty set forward from the Charterhouse, to the Tower of London; in going quietly on horseback to Whitehall, where he took [his] barge.

Having shot the Bridge [_London Bridge_], his present landing was expected at [the] Tower Stairs. But it pleased His Highness to pass the Tower Stairs, towards St. Katharine's: and there stayed on the water to see the ordnance on the White Tower, commonly called JULIUS CÆSAR's Tower, being in number 20 pieces; [together] with the great ordnance on Tower Wharf, being in number 100; and chambers to the number of 130, discharged off. Of which all services were so sufficiently performed by the Gunners, that a peal of so good order was never heard before: which was most commendable to all sorts, and very acceptable to the King.

Then his royal person arrived at his own Stairs, so called the King's Stairs; and with him these Nobles, besides other gallant Gentlemen of worthy note, viz:

[CHARLES HOWARD, the Earl of NOTTINGHAM,] the Lord Admiral,

[HENRY PERCY,] the Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND,

[EDWARD SOMERSET,] the Earl of WORCESTER, Lord THOMAS HOWARD, &c.

At his coming up the Stairs, the Sword was presented to His Majesty by Sir THOMAS CONI[G]SBY, Gentleman Usher of his Privy Chamber; and by the King delivered to the Duke of LENOX: who bare it before him into the Tower.

Upon the Stairs, the Gentleman Porter delivered the Keys of the Tower to [Sir JOHN PEYTON] the Lieutenant of the Tower; and the Lieutenant presented them accordingly to the King's Majesty: who most graciously acknowledged the most faithful discharge of the loyal and most great trust put in him; so, taking him about the neck, [he] redelivered them again.

After his repose in the Tower some [_i.e. about an_] hour; it was His Majesty's pleasure to see some [of the] Offices: as the Armory, the Wardrobe, the rich Artillery, and the Church. And after, for recreation, he walked in the garden: and so rested for that night.

The next day, being Thursday and the 12th of May [1603] he saw the Ordnance House; and after that, the Mint Houses; and, last of all, the lions.

* * * * *

The next day, being Friday the 13th of May [1603], he made these Lords and Knights following, viz:

In his Presence Chamber, before dinner.

[Sir ROBERT CECIL,] Lord ESSENDON [, co. Rutl.: _afterwards_ Earl of SALISBURY]. [Sir ROBERT SYDNEY,] Lord SYDNEY of Penshurst [, co. Kent: afterwards Earl of LEICESTER]. [Sir WILLIAM KNOLLYS,] Lord KNOLLYS of Grays [, co. Oxon.: _afterwards_ Earl of BANBURY]. [Sir EDWARD WOTTON,] Lord WOTTON of Mar[her]ley [, co. Kent].

Sir JOHN DEANE [co. Essex]
Sir JOHN TREAVOR [co. Flint]
Sir THOMAS SMITH [co. Kent]
Sir THOMAS HUBERT [co. Norf.]

And [in the] afternoon, in the Gallery.

Sir WILLIAM DETHICK, Garter
[King at Arms co. Surr.]
Sir ROBERT MACKLARAND [co. Oxon.]
Sir GEORGE MORTON [co. Dors.]
Sir EDMUND BELL [co. Norf.]
Sir THOMAS PEYTON [co. Kent]
Sir DAVID FOWLES
Sir WILLIAM GARDNER [co. Surr.]

[Footnote 17: As recorded in this Narrative, JAMES I. made 303
Knights during his Progress to London; and, in all, 2323 during his
reign in England. The spelling of their names is given here according
to J. P. [JOHN PHILIPOT], Somerset Herald, his _A perfect
Collection of all Knight Bachelors made by King JAMES, &c._
London. 1660. 8vo. From which authority also, their Counties are here
inserted between square brackets. Names in PHILIPOT, and not
in this text, are also inserted in square brackets.
E. A.]

[Footnote 18: Sir OLIVER CROMWELL was uncle of his great
namesake.
E. A.]

MICHAEL DRAYTON.

_Odes._

[1606, and 1619.]

The following twelve _Odes_ made their first appearance in an undated
Volume of _Poems Lyrical and Pastoral_: but its date is fixed, as
being in 1606, mainly by the 11th _Ode_ on _The Virginian Voyage_.

As will be seen from pages 358-359 of the Second Volume of this
Series; JAMES I., on 10th April 1606, divided Virginia into two
Colonies. The Southern (34° to 41° N.), or First, Colony, he granted
to the London Company: and the Northern (38° to 45° N.), or Second,
Colony, to the Plymouth Company.

This 11th Ode must therefore have been written somewhat before 12th
August 1606; as, on that day, the Plymouth Company sent off, for
North Virginia, Captain HENRY CHALLON's ship: which was however taken
by the Spanish Plate Fleet, and its crew brought prisoners into Spain.

Of these twelve _Odes_; Nos. 4 and 8 were not reprinted in the Second
Edition of 1619. The text of the other ten is largely that of that
later edition, which was carefully revised by DRAYTON; who, amongst
other changes, added in it those Headings which are here inserted
between square brackets.

_To the Reader._

ODES I have called these, the first of my few Poems; which how happy soever they prove, yet Criticism itself cannot say, That the name is wrongfully usurped. For (not to begin with Definitions, against the Rule of Oratory; nor _ab ovo_, against the Prescript of Poetry in a poetical argument: but somewhat only to season thy palate with a slight description) an Ode is known to have been properly a Song moduled to the ancient harp: and neither too short-breathed, as hastening to the end; nor composed of [the] longest verses, as unfit for the sudden turns and lofty tricks with which APOLLO used to manage it.

They are, as the Learned say, divers:

Some transcendently lofty; and far more high than the Epic, commonly called the Heroic, Poem--witness those of the inimitable PINDARUS consecrated to the glory and renown of such as returned in triumph from [the Games at] Olympus, Elis, Isthmus, or the like.

Others, among the Greeks, are amorous, soft, and made for chambers; as others for theatres: as were ANACREON's, the very delicacies of the Grecian ERATO; which Muse seemed to have been the Minion of that Teian old man, which composed them.

Of a mixed kind were HORACE's. And [we] may truly therefore call these mixed; whatsoever else are mine: little partaking of the high dialect of the first

Though we be _all_ to seek Of PINDAR, that great Greek, [p. 531]

nor altogether of ANACREON; the Arguments being amorous, moral, or what else the Muse pleaseth.

To write much in this kind neither know I how it will relish: nor, in so doing, can I but injuriously presuppose ignorance or sloth in thee; or draw censure upon myself for sinning against the decorum of a Preface, by reading a Lecture, where it is enough to sum the points. New they are, and the work of Playing Hours: but what other commendation is theirs, and whether inherent in the subject, must be thine to judge.

* * * * *

But to act the Go-Between of my Poems and thy applause, is neither my modesty nor confidence: that, oftener than once, have acknowledged thee, kind; and do not doubt hereafter to do somewhat in which I shall not fear thee, just. And would, at this time, also gladly let thee understand what I think, above the rest, of the last Ode of the number; or, if thou wilt, Ballad in my book. For both the great Master of Italian rymes PETRARCH, and our CHAUCER, and others of the Upper House of the Muses, have thought their Canzons honoured in the title of a _Ballad_: which for that I labour to meet truly therein with the old English garb, I hope as ably to justify as the learned COLIN CLOUT his _Roundelay_.

Thus requesting thee, in thy better judgment, to correct such faults as have escaped in the printing; I bid thee farewell.

[M. DRAYTON.]

_ODES._

[1606.]

ODE 1.

_To Himself, and the Harp._

AND why not I, as he
That's greatest, if as free,
(In sundry strains that strive,
Since there so many be),
Th' old Lyric kind revive?

I will, yea; and I may:
Who shall oppose my way?
For what is he alone,
That of himself can say,
He's Heir of Helicon.

APOLLO and the Nine
Forbid no man their shrine,
That cometh with hands pure;
Else, they be so divine,
They will not him endure.

For they be such coy things;
That they care not for Kings,
And dare let them know it:
Nor may he touch their Springs
That is not born a Poet.

[Sidenote: PYRENÆUS,
King of Phocis
attempting to
ravish the
Muses.]

The Phocean it did prove,
Whom when foul lust did move
Those Maids, unchaste to make;
Fell as with them he strove,
His neck and justly brake.

That instrument ne'er heard,
Struck by the skilful Bard,
It strongly to awake;
But it th' infernals scared,
And made Olympus quake.

[Sidenote: 1 Samuel xvi.]

As those prophetic strings,
Whose sounds with fiery wings
Drave fiends from their abode;
Touched by the best of Kings,
That sang the holy Ode.

[Sidenote: ORPHEUS the
Thracian Poet.
_Caput, Hebre,
lyramque
excipis, &c._
OVID.
_Metam._ xi.]

So his, which women slew:
And it int' Hebrus threw;
Such sounds yet forth it sent,
The banks to weep that drew,
As down the stream it went.

[Sidenote: MERCURY,
inventor of the
harp, as HORACE.
Ode 10, Lib. I.,
_curvæque lyræ
parentem_.]

That by the tortoise shell,
To MAYA's son it fell,
The most thereof not doubt:
But sure some Power did dwell
In him who found it out.

[Sidenote: Thebes feigned
to have been
raised by music.]

The wildest of the field,
And air, with rivers t' yield,
Which moved; that sturdy glebes,
And mossy oaks could wield,
To raise the piles of Thebes.

And diversely though strung,
So anciently We sung
To it; that now scarce known,
If first it did belong
To Greece, or if our own.

[Sidenote: The ancient
British Priests,
so called of their
abode in woods.]

The Druids embrued
With gore, on altars rude
With sacrifices crowned,
In hollow woods bedewed,
Adored the trembling sound.

[Sidenote: PINDAR, Prince of the Greek Lyrics, of whom
HORACE, _PINDARUM quisquis studet, &c._ Ode 2, Lib. IV.]

Though we be _all_ to seek
Of PINDAR, that great Greek,
To finger it aright;
The soul with power to strike:
His hand retained such might.

[Sidenote: HORACE, first of
the Romans in
that kind.]

Or him that Rome did grace,
Whose Airs we all embrace:
That scarcely found his peer;
Nor giveth PHŒBUS place,
For strokes divinely clear.

[Sidenote: The Irish Harp.]

The Irish I admire,
And still cleave to that Lyre
As our Music's mother:
And think, till I expire,
APOLLO's such another.

As Britons that so long
Have held this antique Song;
And let all our carpers
Forbear their fame to wrong:
Th'are right skilful harpers.

[Sidenote: SOOWTHERN, an English Lyric.
[His _PANDORA_ was published in 1584.]]

SOOWTHERN, I long thee spare;
Yet wish thee well to fare,
Who me pleasedst greatly:
As first, therefore more rare,
Handling thy harp neatly.

To those that with despite
Shall term these Numbers slight;
Tell them, Their judgment's blind!
Much erring from the right.
It is a noble kind.

[Sidenote: An Old English
Rhymer.]

Nor is 't the Verse doth make,
That giveth, or doth take:
'Tis possible to climb,
To kindle, or to slake;
Although in SKELTON's rhyme.

ODE 2.

_To the New Year._

RICH statue double faced!
With marble temples graced,
To raise thy godhead higher;
In flames where, altars shining.
Before thy Priests divining,
Do od'rous fumes expire.

Great JANUS, I thy pleasure,
With all the Thespian treasure,
Do seriously pursue:
To th' passed year returning,
As though the Old adjourning;
Yet bringing in the New.

Thy ancient Vigils yearly,
I have observèd clearly;
Thy Feasts yet smoking be!
Since all thy store abroad is;
Give something to my goddess,
As hath been used by thee!

Give her th' Eoan Brightness!
Winged with that subtle lightness
That doth transpierce the air;
The Roses of the Morning!
The rising heaven adorning,
To mesh with flames of hair;

Those ceaseless Sounds, above all,
Made by those orbs that move all;
And ever swelling there:
Wrapped up in Numbers flowing,
Them actually bestowing
For jewels at her ear.

O rapture great and holy,
Do thou transport me wholly
So well her form to vary!
That I aloft may bear her
Where as I will insphere her
In regions high and starry.

And in my choice Composures,
The soft and easy Closures
So amorously shall meet,
That every lively Ceasure
Shall tread a perfect measure,
Set on so equal feet.

That spray to fame so fert'le,
The lover-crowning myrtle,
In wreaths of mixèd boughs;
Within whose shades are dwelling
Those beauties most excelling,
Enthroned upon her brows.

Those parallels so even,
Drawn on the face of heaven,
That curious Art supposes;
Direct those gems, whose clearness
Far off amaze by nearness,
Each globe such fire encloses.

Her bosom full of blisses,
By Nature made for kisses;
So pure and wondrous clear:
Where as a thousand Graces
Behold their lovely faces,
As they are bathing there.

O thou self-little Blindness!
The kindness of unkindness,
Yet one of those Divine:
Thy Brands to me were lever,
Thy Fascia, and thy Quiver,
And thou this Quill of mine.

This heart so freshly bleeding,
Upon its own self feeding;
Whose wounds still dropping be:
O Love, thyself confounding,
Her coldness so abounding,
And yet such heat in me.

Yet, if I be inspirèd,
I'll leave thee so admirèd
To all that shall succeed;
That were they more than many,
'Mongst all there is not any
That Time so oft shall read.

Nor adamant ingravèd,
That hath been choicely savèd,
IDEA's name outwears:
So large a dower as this is;
The greatest often misses,
The diadem that bears.

ODE 3.

[_To Cupid._]

MAIDENS, why spare ye?
Or whether not dare ye
Correct the blind Shooter?'
"Because wanton VENUS,
So oft that doth pain us,
Is her son's tutor.

"Now in the Spring,
He proveth his wing;
The field is his Bower:

And as the small bee,
About flyeth he,
From flower to flower.

"And wantonly roves
Abroad in the groves,
And in the air hovers;
Which when it him deweth,
His feathers he meweth
In sighs of true Lovers.

"And since doomed by Fate
(That well knew his hate)
That he should be blind;
For very despite,
Our eyes be his White:
So wayward his kind!

"If his shafts losing
(Ill his mark choosing)
Or his bow broken;
The moan VENUS maketh,
And care that she taketh,
Cannot be spoken.

"To VULCAN commending
Her love; and straight sending
Her doves and her sparrows,
With kisses, unto him:
And all but to woo him
To make her son arrows.

"Telling what he hath done;
Saith she, 'Right mine own son!'
In her arms she him closes.
Sweets on him fans,
Laid in down of her swans;
His sheets, leaves of roses.

"And feeds him with kisses;
Which oft when he misses,
He ever is froward.
The mother's o'erjoying
Makes, by much coying,
The child so untoward."

_Yet in a fine net,
That a spider set,
The Maidens had caught him.
Had she not been near him,
And chancèd to hear him;
More good they had taught him!_

_To my worthy friend Master JOHN SAVAGE of the Inner Temple._

ODE 4.

UPON this sinful earth,
If Man can happy be,
And higher than his birth,
Friend, take him thus of me:

Whom promise not deceives,
That he the breach should rue;
Nor constant reason leaves
Opinion to pursue.

To raise his mean estate,
That soothes no Wanton's sin:
Doth that preferment hate,
That virtue doth not win.

Nor bravery doth admire:
Nor doth more love profess
To that he doth desire,
Than that he doth possess.

Loose humour nor to please,
That neither spares nor spends;
But by discretion weighs
What is to needful ends.

To him deserving not,
Not yielding: nor doth hold
What is not his: doing what
He ought, not what he could.

Whom the base tyrants' will
So much could never awe
As him, for good or ill,
From honesty to draw.

Whose constancy doth rise
'Bove undeservèd spite;
Whose valuers to despise
That most doth him delight.

That early leave doth take
Of th' World, though to his pain,
For Virtue's only sake;
And not till need constrain.

No man can be so free,
Though in imperial seat;
Nor eminent: as he
That deemeth nothing great.

ODE 5.

[_An Amouret Anacreontic._]

MOST good! most fair!
Or thing as rare!
To call you 's lost;
For all the cost
Words can bestow
So poorly show
Upon your praise,
That all the ways
Sense hath, come short.
Whereby Report
Falls them under:
That when Wonder
More hath seized;
Yet not pleased
That it, in kind,
Nothing can find,
You to express.
Nevertheless
As by globes small
This mighty ALL
Is shewed, though far
From life; each star
A World being:
So we seeing
You, like as that,
Only trust what
Art doth us teach.
And when I reach
At Moral Things,
And that my strings
Gravely should strike;
Straight some mislike
Blotteth mine Ode;
As, with the Load,
The Steel we touch:
Forced ne'er so much;

Yet still removes
To that it loves,
Till there it stays.
So to your praise
I turn ever:
And though never
From you moving;
Happy so loving.

ODE 6.

[_Love's Conquest._]

WER'T granted me to choose,
How I would end my days,
Since I this life must lose;
It should be in your praise:
For there are no Bays
Can be set above You.

S'impossibly I love You;
And for You sit so high
(Whence none may remove You)
In my clear Poesy,
That I oft deny
You so ample merit.

The freedom of my spirit
Maintaining, still, my cause;
Your sex not to inherit,
Urging the Salic Laws:
But your virtue draws
From me every due.

Thus still You me pursue,
That nowhere I can dwell;
By fear made just to You,

Who naturally rebel;
Of You that excel
That should I still endite.

Yet will You want some rite.
That lost in your high praise,
I wander to and fro;
As seeing sundry ways:
Yet which the right not know
To get out of this Maze.

ODE 7.

[_An Ode written in the Peak._]

THIS while we are abroad,
Shall we not touch our Lyre?
Shall we not sing an Ode?
Shall that holy fire,
In us that strongly glowed,
In this cold air expire?

Long since the Summer laid
Her lusty bravery down;
The Autumn half is weighed,
And BOREAS 'gins to frown:
Since now I did behold
Great BRUTE's first builded town.

Though in the utmost Peak,
A while we do remain:
Amongst the mountains bleak,
Exposed to sleet and rain:
No sport our hours shall break,
To exercise our vein.

What though bright PHŒBUS' beams
Refresh the southern ground:
And though the princely Thames
With beauteous Nymphs abound;
And by old Camber's streams
Be many wonders found:

Yet many rivers clear
Here glide in silver swathes;
And what of all most dear,
Buxton's delicious baths,
Strong ale, and noble cheer,
T'assuage breem Winter's scathes.

Those grim and horrid caves,
Whose looks affright the day;
Wherein nice Nature saves
What she would not bewray:
Our better leisure craves,
And doth invite our Lay.

In places far, or near,
Or famous, or obscure;
Where wholesome is the air,
Or where the most impure;
All times, and everywhere,
The Muse is still in ure.

ODE 8.

SING we the Rose!
Than which no flower there grows
Is sweeter;
And aptly her compare
With what in that is rare:
A parallel none meeter.

Or made posies,
Of this that encloses
Such blisses:
That naturally flusheth,
As she blusheth
When she is robbed of kisses.

Or if strewed,
When with the morning dewed;
Or stilling;
Or how to sense exposed:
All which in her enclosed,
Each place with sweetness filling.

That most renowned
By Nature richly crowned
With yellow;
Of that delicious lair:
And as pure her hair,
Unto the same the fellow.

Fearing of harm;
Nature that flower doth arm
From danger:
The touch gives her offence,
But with reverence
Unto herself, a stranger.

The red, or white,
Or mixed, the sense delight,
Beholding,
In her complexion:
All which perfection,
Such harmony infolding,

That divided,
Ere it was decided
Which most pure,
Began the grievous War
Of YORK and LANCASTER,
That did many years endure.

Conflicts as great
As were in all that heat,
I sustain:
By her, as many hearts
As men on either parts.
That with her eyes hath slain.

The Primrose flower.
The first of FLORA's bower
Is placed:
So is She first, as best:
Though excellent the rest;
All gracing, by none graced.

ODE 9.

[_A Skeltoniad._]

THE Muse should be sprightly;
Yet not handling lightly
Things grave: as much loath
Things that be slight, to cloathe
Curiously. To retain
The Comeliness in mean
Is true Knowledge and Wit.
Nor me forced rage doth fit,
That I thereto should lack
Tobacco, or need Sack;
Which to the colder brain
Is the true Hippocrene.
Nor did I ever care
For Great Fools, nor them spare.
Virtue, though neglected,
Is not so dejected
As vilely to descend
To low baseness, their end:
Neither each rhyming slave
Deserves the name to have
Of Poet. So, the rabble
Of Fools, for the table,
That have their jests by heart,
As an Actor his part,
Might assume them chairs
Amongst the Muses' heirs.
Parnassus is not clomb
By every such Mome:
Up whose steep side who swerves,
It behoves t' have strong nerves.
My resolution such
How _well_, and not how _much_,
To write. Thus do I fare
Like some few good, that care
(The evil sort among)
How _well_ to live, and not how _long_.

ODE 10.

[_His Defence against the idle Critic._]

THE Ryme nor mars, nor makes;
Nor addeth it, nor takes,
From that which we propose:
Things imaginary
Do so strangely vary
That quickly we them lose.

And what's quickly begot,
As soon again is not;
This do I truly know.
Yea, and what's born with pain;
That, Sense doth long'st retain,
Gone with a greater flow.

Yet this Critic so stern,
(But whom, none must discern
Nor perfectly have seeing)
Strangely lays about him,
As nothing without him
Were worthy of being.

That I myself betray
To that most public way;
Where the World's old bawd
Custom, that doth humour,
And by idle rumour,
Her dotages applaud.

That whilst she still prefers
Those that be wholly hers,
Madness and Ignorance;
I creep behind the Time,
From spertling with their crime;
And glad too with my chance.

O wretched World the while,
When the evil most vile
Beareth the fairest face;
And inconstant lightness,
With a scornful slightness,
The best things doth disgrace!

Whilst this strange knowing beast,
Man; of himself the least,
His envy declaring,
Makes Virtue to descend,
Her title to defend
Against him; much preparing.

Yet these me not delude,
Nor from my place extrude,
By their resolvèd hate;
Their vileness that do know:
Which to myself I show,
To keep above my fate.

ODE 11.

_To the Virginian Voyage._

YOU brave heroic minds,
Worthy your country's name,
That Honour still pursue;
Go and subdue!
Whilst loitering hinds
Lurk here at home with shame.

Britans, you stay too long;
Quickly aboard bestow you!
And with a merry gale
Swell your stretched sail!
With vows as strong
As the winds that blow you.

Your course securely steer,
West-and-by-South forth keep!
Rocks, Lee-shores, nor Shoals,
When EOLUS scowls,
You need not fear!
So absolute the deep.

And cheerfully at sea,
Success you still entice,
To get the pearl and gold;
And ours to hold,
Virginia,
Earth's only Paradise.

Where Nature hath in store
Fowl, venison, and fish:
And the fruitful soil;
Without your toil,
Three harvests more,
All greater than your wish.

And the ambitious vine
Crowns, with his purple mass,
The cedar reaching high
To kiss the sky.
The cypress, pine,
And useful sassafras.

To whose, the Golden Age
Still Nature's laws doth give:
No other cares that tend,
But them to defend
From winter's age,
That long there doth not live.

When as the luscious smell
Of that delicious land,
Above the seas that flows,
The clear wind throws,
Your hearts to swell,
Approaching the dear strand.

In kenning of the shore
(Thanks to GOD first given!)
O you, the happiest men,
Be frolic then!
Let cannons roar!
Frightening the wide heaven.

And in regions far,
Such heroes bring ye forth
As those from whom We came!
And plant our name
Under that Star
Not known unto our North!

And as there plenty grows
Of laurel everywhere,
APOLLO's sacred tree;
You it may see
A Poet's brows
To crown, that may sing there.

Thy _Voyages_ attend,
Industrious HAKLUYT!
Whose reading shall inflame
Men to seek fame;
And much commend
To after Times thy wit.

ODE 12.

_To the Cambro-Britans and their Harp, his Ballad of Agincourt._

[Besides this Ballad: MICHAEL DRAYTON published, in 1627, a much longer Poem upon this celebrated Battle.]

FAIR stood the wind for France,
When we our sails advance;
Nor now to prove our chance
Longer will tarry.
But putting to the main;
At Caux, the mouth of Seine,
With all his martial train
Landed King HARRY.

And taking many a fort
Furnished in warlike sort,
Marcheth towards Agincourt
In happy hour;
Skirmishing, day by day,
With those that stopped his way,
Where the French General lay
With all his Power.

Which, in his height of pride,
King HENRY to deride;
His ransom to provide,
To the King sending.

Which he neglects the while,
As from a nation vile:
Yet, with an angry smile,
Their fall portending.

And turning to his men,
Quoth our brave HENRY then:
"Though they to one be ten
Be not amazèd!
Yet have we well begun:
Battles so bravely won
Have ever to the sun
By Fame been raised!"

"And for myself," quoth he,
"This my full rest shall be:
England ne'er mourn for me,
Nor more esteem me!
Victor I will remain,
Or on this earth lie slain:
Never shall She sustain
Loss to redeem me!

"Poitiers and Cressy tell,
When most their pride did swell,
Under our swords they fell.
No less our skill is,
Than when our Grandsire great,
Claiming the regal seat,
By many a warlike feat
Lopped the French lillies."

The Duke of YORK so dread
The eager Vanward led;
With the Main, HENRY sped
Amongst his henchmen:
EXETER had the Rear,
A braver man not there!
O Lord, how hot they were
On the false Frenchmen!

They now to fight are gone;
Armour on armour shone;
Drum now to drum did groan:
To hear, was wonder.
That, with cries they make,
The very earth did shake;
Trumpet, to trumpet spake;
Thunder, to thunder.

Well it thine age became,
O noble ERPINGHAM!
Which didst the signal aim
To our hid forces:
When, from a meadow by,
Like a storm suddenly,
The English Archery
Stuck the French horses.

With Spanish yew so strong;
Arrows a cloth-yard long,
That like to serpents stung,
Piercing the weather.
None from his fellow starts;
But, playing manly parts,
And like true English hearts,
Stuck close together.

When down their bows they threw;
And forth their bilbowes [_swords_] drew
And on the French they flew:
Not one was tardy.
Arms were from the shoulders sent
Scalps to the teeth were rent,
Down the French peasants went:
Our men were hardy.

This while our noble King,
His broad sword brandishing,
Down the French host did ding
As to o'erwhelm it.

And many a deep wound lent;
His arms with blood besprent,
And many a cruel dent
Bruisèd his helmet.

GLOUCESTER that Duke so good,
Next of the royal blood,
For famous England stood
With his brave brother.
CLARENCE, in steel so bright,
Though but a Maiden Knight;
Yet in that furious fight,
Scarce such another!

WARWICK, in blood did wade;
OXFORD, the foe invade,
And cruel slaughter made,
Still as they ran up.
SUFFOLK his axe did ply;
BEAUMONT and WILLOUGHBY
Bare them right doughtily:
FERRERS, and FANHOPE.

Upon Saint CRISPIN's Day,
Fought was this noble Fray;
Which Fame did not delay
To England to carry.
O when shall English men
With such acts fill a pen?
Or England breed again
Such a King HARRY?

FINIS.