the middle went likewise all in black and Cupid held up her Train after this intimation was given to us to follow and after us the Virgins till at last old Atlas brought up the rear In such Procession through many stately Walks we at length came to the House of the Sun there next to the King and Queen upon a richly furnished Scaffold to behold the fore-ordained Comedy We indeed though Separated stood on the right Hand of the Kings but the Virgins on the left except those to whom the Royal Ensignes were committed To them was allotted a peculiar standing at top of all But the rest of the attendants were fain to stand below between the columns and therewith to be content Now because there are many remarkable Passages in this Comedy I will not omit in brief to run it over First of all came forth a very ancient Ring with some Servants before whose Throne was brought a little Chest with mention that it was found upon the Water Now it being opened there appeared in it a lovely Babe together with certain Jewels and a small Letter of Parchment sealed and superscribed to the King Which the King therefore presently opened and having read it wept and then declared to his Servants how injuriously the King of the Moores had deprived his Aunt of her Country and had exstinguished all the Royal Seed even to this Infant with the Daughter of which Country he had now purposed to have matched his Son Hereupon he Swore to maintain perpetual enmity with the Moore and his Allies and to reuenge this upon him and therewith commanded that the Child should be tenderly nursed and to make preparation against the Moore Now this provision and the discipline of the young Lady who after she was a little grown up was committed to an antient Tutor continued all the first Act with many very fine and laudable sports besides In the interlude a Lyon and Griffon were set at one another to fight and the Lyon got the victory which was also a pretty fight In the second Act the Moore a very black treacherous Fellow came forth also who having with vexation understood that his Murder was discovered and that too a little Lady was craâ—â—â—â—ly stollen from him began thereupon to consult how by stratagem he might be able to encounter so powerful an adversary whereof he was at length advised by certain Fugitives who by reason of Famine fled to him So the young Lady contrary to all mens expectation fell again into his Hands Whom had he not heen wonderfully deceived by his own Servants he had like to have caused to be slain Thus this Act too was concluded with a mervelous triumph of the Moore In the third Act a great Army on the King's party was raised against the Moore and put under the conduct of an antient valiant Knight who fell into the Moores Country till at length he forceably rescued the young Lady out of the Tower and Apparrelled her a new After this in a trice they erected a glorious Scaffold and placed their young Lady upon it presently came twelve Royal Embassadors amongst whom the fore-mentioned Knight made a Speech alledging that the King his most gracious Lord had not only heretofore delivered her from death and even hitherto caused her to be royally brought up though she had not behaved her self altogether as became her But moreover his Royal Majesty had before others elected her to be a Spouse for the young Lord his Son and most gratiously desired that the said espousals might be really executed in case they would be sworn to his Majesty upon the following Articles Hereupon out of a Patent he caused certain glorious conditions to be read which if it were not too long were well worthy to be here recounted In brief the young Lady took an Oath inviolably to observe the same returning thanks withal in most seemly sort for this so high a Grace Whereupon they began to sing to the Praise of God of the King and the young Lady and so for this time departed For sport in the mean while the four Beasts of Daniel as he saw them in the Vision and hath at large described them were brought in all which had its certain signification In the fourth Act the young Lady was again restored to her lost Kingdom and Crowned and for a space in this array conducted about the place with extraordinary joy after this many various Embassadors presented themselves not only to wish her prosperity but also to behold her Glory Yet it was not long that she preserved her integrity but soon began again to look want only about her and to wink at the Embassadors and Lords wherein she truly acted her part to the Life These her manners were soon known to the Moore who would by no means neglect such an opportunity and because her Steward had not sufficient regard to her she was easily blinded with great promises so that she had no good confidence in her King but privily submitted her self to the intire disposal of the Moore Hereupon the Moore made haste and having by her consent gotten her into his Hands he gave her good words so long till all her Kingdom had subjected it self to him After which in the third Scene of this Act he caused her to be led forth and first to be stript stark naked and then upon a scurvy wooden Scaffold to be bound to a Post and well scourged and at last sentenced to Death This was so woful a Spectacle that it made the Eyes of many to run over Hereupon thus naked as she was she was cast into Prison thereto expect her Death which was to be procured by Poyson which yet killed her not but made her Leprous all over Thus this Act was for the most part lamentable Between they brought forth Nebuchadnezzar's Image which was adorn'd with all manner of Arms on the Head Breast Belly Legs and Feet and the like of which too more shall be spoken in the future explication In the fifth Act the young King was acquainted with all that had passed between the Moore and his future Spouse who first interceeded with his Father for her intreating that she might not be left in that condition which his Father having agreed to Embassadors were dispatched to comfort her in her Sickness and Captivity but yet withal to give her notice of her inconsideratedness But she would not yet receive them but consented to be the Moore 's Concubine which was also done and the young King was acquainted with it After this comes a band of Fools each of which brought with him a Cudgel where with in a trice they made a great Globe of the World and as soon undid it again It was a fine sportive Phantsie In the sixth Act the young King resolved to bid battle to the Moore which also was done And albeit the Moore was discomfitted yet all held the young
although neither I nor any of the rest could see one jot yet I continually heard one heaving himself above the other when his Chains or Fetters were become ever so little lighter though none of us had much reason to shove up the other since we were all Captive Wretches Now as I with the rest had continued a good while in this affliction and each was still reproaching the other with his blindness and captivity at length we heard many Trumpets sounding together and Kettle Drums beating so artificially thereto that it even revived and rejoyced us in our Calamity During this Noise the cover of the Dungeon was from above lifted up and a little light let down unto us Then first might truly have been discerned the bustle we kept for all went pesle mesle and he who perchance had too much heaved up himself was forced down again under the others Feet In brief each one strove to be uppermost neither did I my self linger but with my weighty Fetters slipt up from under the rest and then heaved my self upon a Stone which I laid hold of howbeit I was several times caught at by others from whom yet as well as I might with Hands and Feet I still guarded my self For we imagined no other but that we should all be set at Liberty which yet fell out quite otherwise For after the Nobles who looked upon us from above through the Hole had a while recreated themselves with this our strugling and lamenting a certain hoary-headed Ancient Man called to us to be quiet and having scarce obtained it began as I still remember thus to say on If wretched Mankind would forbear Themselves so to uphold Then sure on them much good confer My righteous Mother would But since the same will not insue They must in Care and Sorrow rue And still in Prison lie Howbeit my dear Mother will Their Follies over-see Her choicest Goods permitting still Too much in th' Light to be Though very rarely it may seem That they may still keep some esteem Which else would pass for Forgery Wherefore in honour of the Feast We this day solemnize That so her Grace may be increast A good deed she 'l devise For now a Cord shall be let down And whose'er can hang thereon Shall freely be releast He had scare done speaking when an Antient Matron commanded her Servants to let down the Cord seven times into the Dungeon and draw up whosoever could hang upon it Good God! that I could sufficiently describe the hurry and disquiet that then arose amongst us For every one strove to get to the Cord and yet only hindred each other But after seven Minutes a sign was given by a little Bell whereupon at the first Pull the Servants drew up four At that time I could not come near the Cord by much having as is before-mentioned to my huge mis-fourtune betaken my self to a Stone at the Wall of the Dungeon and thereby was disabled to get to the Cord which descended in the middle The Cord was let down the second time but divers because their Chains were too heavy and their Hands too render could not keep their hold on the Cord but with themselves beat down many another who else perhaps might have held fast enough Nay many an one was forcably pulled off by another who yet could not himself get at it so mutually envious were we even in this our great misery But they of all others most moved my Compassion whose weight was so heavy that they tore their very hands from their Bodies and yet could not get up Thus it came to pass that at these five times very few were drawn up For as soon as the sign was given the Servants were so nimble at the draught that the most part tumbled one upon another and the Cord this time especially was drawn up very empty Whereupon the greatest part and even I my self despaired of Redemption and called upon God that he would have pitty on us and if possible deliver us out of this obscurity who also then heard some of us For when the Cord came down the sixth time some of them hung themselves fast upon it and whilst in the drawing up the Cord swung from one side to the other it perhaps by the will of God came to me which I suddainly catching got uppermost above all the rest and so at length beyond hope came out whereat I exceedingly rejoyced so that I perceived not the Wound which in the drawing up I received on my Head by a sharp Stone till I with the rest who were released as was always before done was fain to help at the seventh and last pull at which time through straining the Blood ran down all over my Cloathes which I nevertheless for joy regarded not Now when the last draught whereon the most of all hung was finished The Matron caused the Cord to be laid away and willed her aged Son at which I much wondred to declare her Resolution to the rest of the Prisoners who after he had a little bethought himself spoke thus unto them Ye Children dear All present here What is but now compleat and done Was long before resolved on What er'r my Mother of great Grace To each on both sides here hath shown May never Discontent mis-place The joyful-time is drawing on When every one shall equal be None Wealthy none in Penury Who er'e receiveth great Commands Hath work enough to fill his Hands Who er'r with much hath trusted been 'T is well if he may save his Skin Wherefore your Lamentations cease What it't to waite for some few days As soon as he had finished these Words the Cover was again put to and looked down and the Trumpets and Kettle-Drums began afresh yet could not the noise thereof be so loud but that the bittet Lamentation of the Prisoners which arose in the Dungeon was heard above all which soon also caused my Eyes to run-over Presently after the Antient Matron together with her Son sate down upon seats before prepared and commanded the Redeemed should be told Now as soon as she understood the number and had written it down in a Gold-yellow Tablet she demanded every ones Name which were also written down by a little page having viewed us all one after another she sighed and spoke to her Son so as I could well hear her Ah how hartily am I grieved for the poor Men in the Dungeon I would to God I durst release them all whereunto her Son replyed It is Mother thus ordained of God against whom we may not contend In case we all of us were Lords and possessed all the Goods upon Earth and were seated at Table who would there then be to be bring up the Service whereupon his Mother held her peace but soon after she said Well however let these be freed from their Fetters which was likewise presently done
vvho Beheaded him too just before the Door and brought back his Head together vvith the Ax vvhich vvere laid in a little Chest This indeed to me seemed a bloody Wedding but because I could not tell vvhat vvould yet be the event I vvas fain for that time to captivate my understanding until I vvere further resolved For the Virgin too seeing that some of us vvere faint hearted and vvept bid us be content For said she to us The Life of these standeth now in your hands and in case you follow me this Death shall make many alive Herewith she intimated we should go sleep trouble our selves no further on our part for they should be sure to have their due right And so she bad us all good night saying That she must watch the dead Corps this night We did so and were each of us conducted by our Pages into our Lodgings My Page talked with me of sundry and various matters which I still very well remember and gave me cause enough to admire at his understanding But his intention was to lull me asleep which at last I well observed whereupon I made as though I was fast asleep but no sleep came into my Eyes and I could not put the Beheaded out of my mind Now my Lodging was directly over against the great Lake so that I could well look upon it the Windows being nigh the Bed About midnight as soon as it had struck twelve on a sudden I espied on the Lake a great Fire wherefore out of fear I quickly opened the Window to see what would become of it Then from far I saw seven Ships making forward which were all stuck full of Lights Above on the top of each of them hovered a Flame that passed to and fro and sometimes descended quite down so that I could lightly judge that it must needs be the Spirits of the Beheaded Now these Ships gently approached to Land and each of them had no more than one Mariner As soon as they were now gotten to Shore I presently espied our Virgin with a Torch going towards the Ships after whom the six covered Coffins together with the little Chest were carried and each of them privily laid in a Ship Wherefore I awaked my Page too who hugely thanked me for having run much up and down all the day he might quite have over-slept this tho' he well knew it Now as soon as the Coffins were laid in the Ships all the Lights were exstinguished and the six Flames passed back together over the Lake so that there was no more but one Light in each Ship for a Watch. There were also some hundreds of Watch-men who had encamped themselves on the Shore and sent the Virgin back again into the Castle who carefully bolted all up again so that I could well judge that there was nothing more to be done this night but that we must expect the day so we again betook our selves to rest And I only of all my Company had a Chamber towards the Lake and saw this so that now I was also extream weary and so fell asleep in my manifold Speculations The fifth Day THe night was over and the dear 〈…〉 wished for day broken when 〈…〉 I got me out of the Bed more 〈…〉 learn what might yet insue 〈…〉 sufficiently slept Now 〈…〉 my Cloaths and 〈…〉 one down 〈…〉 y and I fo 〈…〉 the Hall wherefore I intreated my Page to lead me a little about in the Castle and shew me somewhat that was rare who was now as always willing and presently lead me down certain steps under ground to a great Iron Door on which the following Words in great Copper Letters were fixed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This I thus copied and set down in my Table-Book Now after this Door was opened the Page led me by the hand through a very dark Passage till we came again to a very little Door that was now only put too For as the Page informed me it was first opened but yesterday when the Cossins were taken out and had not been since â—hat Now as soon as we steeped in I espied the most pretious thing that Nature ever created For this Vault had no other light but from certain huge great Carbuncles And this as I was informed was the King's Treasury But the most glorious and principal thing that I here saw was a Sepulcher which stood in the middle so rich that I wondred it was no better guarded whereunto the Page answered me That I had good reason to be thankful to my Planet by whose influence it was that I had now seen certain pieces which no humane Eye else except the King's Family had ever had a view of This Sepulcher was triangular and had in the middle of it a Kettle of polished Copper the rest was of pure Gold and pretious Stones In the Kettle stood an Angel who held in his Arms an unknown Tree from which it continually dropped into the Kettle and as oft as the Fruit fell into the Kettle it turned into Water too and ran out from thence into three small Golden Kettles standing by This little Altar was supported by these three Animals an Eagle an Ox and a Lyon which stood on an exceeding costly Base I asked my Page what this might signifie Here said he lies Buried Lady Venus that Beauty which hath undone many a great Man both in Fourtune Honour Blessing and Prosperity After which he shewed me a Copper Door on the Pavement Here said he if you please we may go further down I still follow you replyed I so I went down the steps where it was exceeding dark but the Page immediately opened a little Chest wherein stood a small ever-burning Taper at which he kindled one of the many Torches which lay by I was mightily terrified and seriously asked how he durst do this He gave me for answer As long as the Royal Persons are still at rest I have nothing to fear Herewith I espied a rich Bed ready made hung about with curious Curtains one of which he drew where I saw the Lady Venus stark-naked for he heaved up the Coverlets too lying there in such Beauty and a fashion so surprizing that I was almost besides my self neither do I yet know whether it was a piece thus Carved or an humane Corps that lay dead there For she was altogether immoveable and yet I durst not touch her So she was again covered and the Curtain drawn before her yet she was still as it were in my Eye But I soon espyed behind the Bed a Tablet on which it was thus written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I asked my Page concerning this Writing but he laughed with promise that I should know it too So he putting out the Torch we again ascended Then I better viewed all the little Doors and first found that on every corner there burned a
all flew to them behind the Curtain tormenting them so long till they awaked This happened to them with very great amazement for they imagined no other but that they had hitherto slept from the very hour in which they were beheaded Cupid after he had awaked them and renewed their acquaintance one with another stepped a side a little and permitted them both somewhat better to recruis themselves mean time playing his tricks with us and at length he would needs have the Musick fetcht to be somewhat the merrier Not long after the Virgin her self comes And after she had most humbly saluted the young King and Queen who found themselves somewhat faint and kissed their hands she brought them the two forementioned curious Garments which they put on and so stepped forth Now there were already prepared two very curious Chaires wherein they placed themselves and so were by us with most profound Reverence congratulated for which the King in his own Person most gratiously returned his thanks and again re-assured us of all Grace It was already about five of Clock wherefore they could make no longer stay but as soon as ever the chiefest of their furniture could be laden we were to attend the young Royal Persons down the winding Stairs through all Doors and watches unto the Ship in which they inbarqued themselves together with certain Virgins and Cupid and sailed so mighty swift that we soon lost sight of them yet they were met as I was informed by certain stately Ships Thus in four Hours time they had made many Leagues out at Sea After five of Clock the Musitians were charged to carry all things back again to the Ships and to make themselves ready for the Voyage But because this was somewhat long a doing the old Lord commanded forth a party of his concealed Soldiers who had hitherto been planted in the Wall so that we had taken no notice of any of them whereby I observed that this Tower was well provided against opposition Now these Soldiers made quick work with our stuff so that no more remained further to be done but to go to Gupper Now the Table being compleatly furnished the Virgin brings us again to our Companions vvhere vve vvere to carry our selves as if vve had truly been in a Lamentable condition and forbear laughing But they vvere alvvays smiling one upon another hovvbeit some of them too simpathized vvith us At this Supper the old Lord vvas vvith us too vvho vvas a most sharp Inspector over us For none could propound any thing so discreetly but that he knevv hovv either to confute it or amend it or at least to give some good document upon it I learned most by this Lord and it vvere very good that each one would apply himself to him and take notice of his procedure for then things would not so often and so untowardly Miscarry After we had taken our nocturnal refection the old Lord led us into his Closets of Rarities which were here and there dispersed amongst the Bulworks vvhere we saw such wonderful productions of Nature and other things too which mans vvit in imitation of Nature had invented that we needed a Year more sufficiently to surveigh them Thus we spent a good part of the Night by Candle-light At last because we were more inclined to Sleep than see many Rarities we were lodged in Rooms in the Wall where we had not only costly good Beds but also besides extraordinary handsom Chambers which made us the more wonder why we were the day before forced to undergo so many hardships In this Chamber I had good rest and being for the most part without care and weary with continual Labour the gentle rushing of the Sea helped me to a sound and sweet Sleep for I continued in one Dream from eleven of Clock till eight in the morning The Sventh Day AFter eight of clock I awaked and quickly made my self ready being desirous to return again into the Tower but the dark passages in the Wall were so many and various that I wandred a good while before I could find the way out The same happened to the rest too till at last we all met again in the neather most Vault and habits intirely yellow were given us together with our golden Flecces At that time the Virgin declared to us that we were Knights of the Golden Stone of which we were before ignorant After we had now thus made our selves ready and taken our Breakfast the old Man presented each of us with a medal of Gold on the one side stood these Words AR. NAT. MI. On the other these TEM NA F. Exhorting us moreover we should entreprize nothing beyond and against this token of remembrance Herewith we went forth to the Sea where our Ships lay so richly equipped that it was not well possible but that such brave things must first have been brought thither The Ships were twelve in number six of ours and six of the old Lord's who caused his Ships to be freighted with well appointed Soldiers But he be took himself to us into our Ship where we all were together In the first the Musitians Seated themselves of which the old Lord had also a great number they sailed before us to shorten the time Our Flags were the twelve Caelestial Signs and we sate in Libra besids other things our Ship had also a noble and curious Clock which shewed us all the Minutes The Sea too was so calm that it was a singular pleasure to Sail. But that which surpassed all the rest was the old Man's discourse who so well knew how to pass away our time with wonderful Histories that I could have been content to Sail with him all my Life long Mean time the Ships passed on amain for before we had sailed two hours the Mariner told us that he already saw the whole Lake almost covered with Ships by which we could conjecture they were come out to meet us which also proved true For as soon as we were gotten out of the Sea into the Lake by the sorementioned River there presently stood in to us five hundred Ships one of which sparkled with mere Gold and pretious Stones in which sate the King and Queen together with other Lords Ladies and Virgins of high Birth As soon as they were well in Ken of us the pieces were discharged on both sides and there was such a din of Trumpets Shalms and Kettle Drums that all the Ships upon the Sea capered again Finally as soon as we came near they brought about our Ships together and so made a stand Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King's behalf making a short but handsom oration wherein he wellcomed us and demanded whether the Royal Presents were in readiness The rest of my Companions were in an huge amazement whence this King
should arise for they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him We suffered them to continue in their wonderment and carried our selves as if it seemed strange to us too After Atlas's oration our steps our old Man making somewhat a larger reply wherein he wished the King and Queen all happiness and increase after which he delivered up a curious small Casket but what was in it I know not only it was commited to Cupid who hovered between them both to keep After the oration was finished they again let off a joyful Volle of Shot and so we sailed on a good time together till at length we arrived at another Shore This was near the first Gate at which I first entred At this place again there attended a great Multitude of the King's Family together with some hundreds of Horses Now as soon as we were come to shore and disembarqued the King and Queen presented their Hands to all of us one with another with singular kindness and so we were to get up on Horseback Here I desire to have the Reader friendly intreated not to interpret the following Narration to any vain glory or pride of mine but to credit me thus far that if there had not been a special necessity in it I could very well have utterly concealed this honour which was shewed me We were all one after another distributed amongst the Lords But our old Lord and I most unworthy were to ride even with the King each of us bearing a snow white Ensign with a Red Cross I indeed was made use of because of my Age for we both had long grey Beards and Hair I had besides fastened my tokens round about my Hat of which the young King soon took notice and demanded if I were he who could at the Gate redeem these tokens I answered in most humble manner Yea. But he laughed on me saying There henceforth needed no Ceremony I was HIS Father Then he asked me Wherewith I had redeemed them I replied with Water and Salt whereupon he wondred who had made me so wise upon which I grew somewhat more confident and recounted unto him how it had happened to me with my Bread the Dove and the Raven and he was pleased with it and said expresly That it must needs be that God had herein vouchsafed me a singular happiness Herewith we came to the first gate where the Porter with the blew Cloaths waited who bare in his Hand a supplication Now as soon as he spied me even with the King he delivered me the supplication most humbly beseeching me to mention his ingenuity towards me before the King Now in the first place I demanded of the King what the condition of this Porter was who friendly answered me That he was a very famous and rare Astrologer and always in high regard with the Lord his Father But having on a time committed a fault against Venus and beheld her in her Bed of rest This punishment was therefore imposed upon him that he should so long wait at the first Gaâ—e till some one should release him from thence I replied may he then be released Yes said the King if any one can be found that hath as highly transgressed as himself he must stand in his stead and the other shall be free This word went to my Heart for my Conscience convinced me that I was the offender yet I held my peace herewith delivered the supplication As soon as he had read it he was mightily terrified so that the Queen who with our Virgins and that other Queen besides of whom I made mention at the hanging of the Weights rid just behind us observed it therefore asked him what this Letter might signiâ—â—… But he had no mind that he should take notice of it but putting up the Paper began to discourse of other matters till thus in about three hours time we came quite to the Castle where we alighted and waited upon the King into his forementioned Hall Immediately the Kng called for the old Atlas to come to him in a little Closet and shewed him the writing who made no long tarrying but rid out again to the Porter to take better Cognizance of the matter After which the young King with his Spouse and other Lords Ladies and Virgins sate down Then began our Virgin highly to commend the diligence we had used and the pains and labour we had undergone requesting we might be royally rewardded and that she henceforward might be permitted to enjoy the benefit of her commission Then the old Lord stood up too and attested that all that the Virgin had spoken was true and that it was but equity that we should on both both parts be contented Hereupon we were to step out alittle and it was concluded that each man should make some possible wish and accordingly obtain it for it was not to be doubted but that those of understanding would also make the best wish So we were to consider of it till after Supper Mean time the King and Queen for recreations sake began to fall to play together It looked not unlike Chesse only it had other Laws for it was the Vertues and Vices one against another where it might ingeniously be observed with what Plots the Vices lay in wait for the Vertues and how to re-encounter them again This was so properly and artificially performed that it were to be wished that we had the like game too During the game in comes Atlas again and makes his report in private yet I blushed all over For my Conscience gave me no rest after which the King presented me the supplication to read the Contents whereof were much to this purpose First he wished the King prosperity and increase that his seed might be spread abroad far and wide Afterwards he remonstrated that the time was now accomplished wherein according to the Royal promise he ought to be released Because Venus was already uncovered by one of his Guests for his observations could not lie to him And that if his Majesty would please to make a strict and diligent enquiry he would find that she had been uncovered and in case this should not prove so to be he would be content to remain before the Gate all days of his life Then he sued in the most humble manner that upon peril of Body and Life he might be permitted to be present at this Nights supper he was in good hopes to spye out the very Offendor and obtain his wished freedom This was expresly and handsomly indicted by which I could well perceive his ingenuity but it was too sharp for me and I could well have endured never to have seen it Now I was casting in my mind whether he might perchance be helped through my wish so I asked the King whether he might not be released some other way No replyed the King because there is a special consideration in
to live in the greater Pride and Lordliness And thus one had seduced another and plunged him into this disgrace and ignominy wherefore they were deservedly to be soundly punished Which they with great humility readily acknowledged and gave their Hands upon it After which a severe check was given to the rest much to this purpose That they very well knew and were in their Consciences convinced that they had forged false fictitious Books had befooled others and cheated them and thereby had diminished Regal dignity amongst all They knew in like manner what ungodly acceitful Figures they had made use of in so much as they spared not even the Divine Trinity but accustomed themselves to cheat People all the Country over It was also now as clear as Day with what Practices they had indeavoured to ensnare the true Guests and introduce the Ignorant in like manner that it was manifest to all the World that they wallowed in open Whoredom Adultery Gluttony and other Vncleannesses All which was against the express Orders of our Kingdom In brief they knew they had disparaged Kingly Majesty even amongst the common sort and therefore they should confess themselves to be manifest convicted Vagabond-Cheaters Knaves and Rascals whereby they desorved to be cashiered from the company of civil People and severely to be punished The good Artists were loath to come to this Confession but inasmuch as not only the Virgin her self threatned and sware their death but the other party also vohemently raged at them and unanimously cryed out that they had most wickedly seduced them out of the Light They at length to prevent a huge misfortune confessed the same with dolour and yet withal alledged that what had herein happened was not to be animadverted upon them in the worst sense For in as much as the Lords were absolutely resolved to get into the Castle and had promised great sums of Money to that effect each one had used all Craft to seize upon something and so things were brought to that pass as was now manifest before their Eyes But that it succeeded not They in their opinion had dis-deserved no more than the Lords themselves As who should have had so much understandnig as to consider that in case any one had been sure of getting in he would not in so great Peril for the sake of a slight gain have clambered over the Wall with them Their Books also sold so mightily that whoever had no other mean to maintain himself was fain to ingage in such a Coufenage They hoped moreover that if a right Judgement were made they should be found no way to have miscarried as having behaved themselves towards the Lords as became Servants upon their earnest entreaty But answer was made them that his Royal Majesty had determined to punish all and every man albeit one more severely than another For although what had been alledged by them was partly true and therefore the Lords should not wholly be indulged yet they had good reason to prepare themselves for Death who had so presumptuously obtruded themselves and perhaps seduced the more ignorant against their will As likewise they who with false Books had violated Royal Majesty as the same might be evinced out of their very Writings and Books Hereupon many began most pitteously to lament cry weep intreat and prostrate themselves all which notwithstanding could avail them nothing and I much marvelled how the Virgin could be so resolute when yet their misery caused our Eyes to run over and moved our Compassion although the most part of them had procured us much trouble and vexation For she presently dispatched her Page who brought with him all the Curiassiers which had this day been appointed at the Scales who were commanded each of them to take his own to him and in an orderly Procession so as still each Curiassier should go with one of the Prisoners to conduct them into her great Garden At which time each one so exactly recognised his own Man that I marvelled at it Leave also was likewise given to my yesterday Companions to go out into the Garden unbound and to be present at the Execution of the Sentence Now as soon as every Man was come forth the Virgin mounted up into her High Throne requesting us to sit down upon the Steps and to appear at the Judgment which we refused not but left all standing upon the Table except the Goblet which the Virgin committed to the Pages keeping and went forth in our Robes upon the Throne which of it self moved so gently as if we had passed in the Air â—…ll in this manner we came into the Garden where we arose altogether This Garden was not extraordinary curious only it pleased me that the Trees were planted in so good order Besides there ran in it a most costly Fountain adorned with wonderful Figures and Inscriptions and strange Characters which God willing I shall mention in a future Book In this Garden was raised a wooden Scaffold hung about with dâ—rionsly painted figured Coverlets Now there were four Galleries made one over another the first was more glorious than any of the rest and therefore covered with a white-Taffata Curtain so that at that time we could not perceive who was behind it The second was empty and uncovered Again the two last were covered with red and blew Taffata Now as soon as we were come to the Scaffold the Virgin bowed her self down to the ground at which we were mightily terrified For we might easily guess that the King and Queen must not be far off Now we also having duely performed our Reverence The Virgin lead us up by the winding Stairs into the second Gallery where she placed her self uppermost and us in our former order But how the Emperor whom I had released behaved himself towards me both at this time as also before at the Table I cannot without slander of wicked Tongues well relate For he might well imagine in what Anguish and Sollicitude he now should have been in cafe he were at present to attend the Judgment with such ignominy and that only through me he had now attained such Dignity and Worthiness Mean time the Virgin who first of all brought me the Invitation and whom hither to I had never since seen stepped in First she gave one blast upon her Trumpet and then with a very loud Voice declared the Sentence in this manner The Kings Majesty my most gratious Lord could from his heart wish that all and every one here Assembled had upon his Majesties Invitation presented themselves so qualified as that they might to his honour with greatest frequency have adorned this his appointed Nuptial and joyful Feast But since it hath otherwise pleased Almighty God his Majesty baiâ—â— not where at to murmur but must be forced contrary to his own Inclination to abide by the antient and laudable Constitutions of