Boroughmaisters the Skepons the Treasurers the Receiuers the olde Deputies the chiefe Burgesses the Duartermaysters the Wardens the Auncientes of the Handicraftes the Coloâ—lles the Wardens of the â—wyldes the capteynes of the citie your Highnesses most humble and obedient subiectes are exceeding glad to see that you whome they haue alreadie receyued for Duke of Brabande and for their souereigne Lorde and Prince are ready to make your othe vnto this Citie and to receyue it at the hande of the Magistrates Burgesses and Citizens thereof in respect of the Citie it selfe and of the Marquesdome of the sacred Empyre Assuring them selues that your heighnesse wilbe vnto them a good righteous and lawfull Prince to gouerne them according to their fraunchises Lawes and Customes And promising mutually on their behalfe to your heighnesse to bee good loyal and faythful subiects vnto you to spend all their goodes yea and their liues in your seruice and in the maintenaunce of your dignitie rightes and preheminences And like as God hath put into your highnes minde to take vpon you first the protection and defence and secondly the whole Souereigntie of the Low Countries and Prouinces which haue entred into league with you vpon hope that the same God will of his gratious goodnesse and mercie so blesse and prosper your dealings and enterprises as that they shall out of hand see the effecte of that communication in the hyest degree to the accomplishment of your royall and Heroycall desires both in the generall and also in the particular delyueraunce of the Countrey from the calamities and miseries of war wherby they shall haue the better cause to acknoweledge the great goodturnes and benefites receiued at your heighnesse hand and to honour loue and serue you as the very Protector of the land and father of their Countrey When Uanderwerk had made an end and the Dukes heighnes had aunswered him conformably to that which hee had spoken without the Towne the said Uanderwerk told the people alowd y t the Duke was ready to take receiue his oth at y t hand of the Magistrate of al the people Inhabiters of the Citie of Antwerp And that god had vouchsafed to seÌ„d theÌ„ a Prince of so rare and heroycall vertues of so great puissaunce and the onely brother of so great a king that they might well hope that the same God would inable him to ridde these Countries within a while from the great number of calamities and myseries wherewith they were oppressed And forasmuch as his heighnesse had beene receyued with solempne delyberation of the states confederate yea and with solemne resolution of all the members of that Citie and GOD had commaunded men to loue honour and obey their Princes he exhorted the people to yeelde him all humble obedience according to Gods commaundement To which intent the oth as well which his highnesse should make to the people as which the people shoulde make to his highnes should be read vnto theÌ„ Praying God to giue such grace vnto his heighnes as he folowing the same might wel rule gouerne and vnto the Burgesses and Citizens of Antwerp as they might perform their obedience like good loyall and faythfull subiects that Gods name might be sanctified to the benefit prosperitie and safegarde of the Citie and to the great increase of the Dukes puyssaunce honour and glory Then the same Underwerk red the othe which was to be made by the Duke with the style of the Duke of Brabande and all his other tytles Which oth was red to his heighnes in French and receyued by Syr Philip Schonehouen Lorde of Wanâ—roe Borowhmayster without the Citie Which being don y â— said Uanderwerk red y â— oth which the Magistrate people were to make which was repeated word for worde by the Magistrates and a great number of people which were within the hearing of it And this oth was exacted of the Magistrate and people of Antwerpe by the Amptman in the name and by the commaundemente of the Duke Uppon the finishing of these solemnities the Duke himselfe did cast twoor three handfulles of golde and siluer amonge them and then the Herauldes cryed Alargesse and the trumpettes and drummes were sounded euerye where and many instruments of musicke were played vpon as had beene doone afore at his first arryuall When he was come downe from the scaffolde hee wente into the Townehouse with all the Princes Lordes and Gentlemen which were verye manye where he was receyued by the Worshipfull of the Citie and dyned openly at a very sumptuous and royall feast prepared for him and so that daye passed in great ioye contentation and admiration as wel of his heighnesse and his company as of all the reste of the people Towards night were shot off two peales of great ordinance againe and the fires of ioye were continueâ— much greater and mo in number thaâ— afore Thus ended the ioyefull and royall enterteinement of the right noble Prince Frauncis Sonne brother to the kings of France by the grace of God Duke of Braband The rest of the weeke and the daies following the Lordes of the priuy Counsell the Offycers of the Aydes of the Exchecquers of the câ—ambers of the accountes and of the other Corporations Colleges and CoÌ„munalties came to visit his heighnesse and to offer him their humble seruice promising al faythfulnes and obedience All whome hee receyued verye gratiously to their contentation aunswering them so aduisedly with so good grace and fitnesse without omitting anye poynte of that which hee had purposed that all men not onely wondered at him but also were inforced to honour and loue him and to set forth his prayses among the people Fynally the Deputies of the reformed Churches of both the languages being presented vnto him by the Prince of Orendge were gently heard and they spake vnto him as followeth Syr wee be sent vnto your Heighnesse by the reformed Churches of this Citie as well of the language of Lowe Duchland as of the French to shew vnto you with all humilitie reuerence and subiection that wee haue thanked and still doe thanke God with all our heart for voutsafing too bring your heighnes so happily hyther And this our ioy is matched with the toy of all other folkes as wee hope your heighnes hath vnderstoode by the glad and ioyfull receiuing and entertayning of you Also Syr we hope that as the great honour and felicitie which these Countries haue attayned vnto wherein few Countries are able to match them haue beene purchased vnder the souereignetie and gouernmente of the right renoâ—ed Princes the Dukes of Burgoyn which issued out of the most noble house of Fraunce so vnder your guiding and gouernement being of the same house the auncient renoume of the same dignitie shalbe recouered by your prowesse and mayntained by your wisdome It is little more than three hundred yeares agoe that these Countries being gouerned by sundry Dukes Earles and Lordes had not atteyned the renoume which other nations haue since that tyme so much wondred at The first that began to giue increase to it was Philip Duke of Burgoyne surnamed the hardy who was brotheâ— to king Charles the fifth the sonne of king Iohn
and graundsonne of king Philip of Ualoys of which kinges your heighnesse is lineally descended from the father to the son For the first Duke of Orleance of whome your heighnes is lineally desended from the father to the sonne was the sonne of King Charles y â— fift as now there be no moe heirs males of the sayde Duke of Orleance but onely your heighnesse and the kinge your brother Whereby it falleth out that the Dukes of Burgoyne are great vncles to your highnesse by the fathers side And therfore wee doubte not but you will followe the footesteppes of their vertues in restoring the state of the Countrie to her auncient renoume and dignitie and also mainteine and increase the honour wherevnto it hath beene aduaunced by those noble princes your Uncles The second duke vnder whom this state hath beene greatly aduaunced was Iohn the second Neuerthelesse it came not to full perfection til y â— time of Philip the second In which perfection it was maintained by Charles y â— last duke of Burgoyne so long as â—e liued The said Philip y â— second to whom y â— honour of stablishing that state most peculiarlye belongeth was one of the most knightlye and valâ—aunt Princes of his tyme. Hee wan the victorie in nine foughten fieldes in most of the which hee was put to the tryall and hazarde of his person by fighting with his own handes He was a very sage Prince and such a one as had to deale with the greatest Princes in Christendome of whom some were his aduersaries and yet hee behaued himselfe so wisely that he atchieued all thinges to his honour whatsoeuer hee tooke in hande Also hee was very rich insomuch that for all his wars which lasted aboue thirtie yeares hee lefte behinde him more substance and readye monie then any other Prince of his time as the Writers of the hystories of that age doe witnesse vnto vs. And yet notwithstanding for al these great vertues and qualities of his he was not named Philip the sage nor Philip the valiaunt nor Philip the rich but Phillip the good So well doe al folke by generall consent vnderstande which is the vertue that best beseemeth and becoÌ„meth a great Prince and is best lyked of his people namely that a Prince bee good and louing to his subiectes Surely Syr all men hope that your Heighnesse will followe the example of that good Prince the first bringer of the state of this Countrie to perfection a right noble and renoumed prince of the house of France And we praise God for that as manye as haue had the honour to come into your heighnesse presence yeelde record that you haue very great likelyhods of these vertues which we prays God so to accoÌ„plish and make perfect in you as al his people may to your great honour receiue the perfect and rype fruits of them And this doe al the rest of the people desire as wel as we Howbeit we haue a most humble suite to make perticularly to your heighnes which we most humbly beseech you to graunt The thing that induceth vs to doe it is that you beare the name of Frauncis For as oft as we heare that name named the remembraunce of that great king Frauncis your heighnesse graundfather commeth to our minde He was a right valiant couragious noble and godlye Prince and yet notwithstanding all the nations of the earth did by one common consent surname him the Father of learning For of a truth since that Emperour and great king of Fraunce called Charles the great there was neuer any king of Fraunce that so heighly fauoured learning as this great king Frauncis And as the sayd king Charles was the founder of the famous vniuersitie of Paris so was king Frauncis the restorer thereof againe and both of them to their great costes charges called men of excellent knowledge thither out of straung countries to teach the languages al kindes of artes and sciences The house of this great king Frauncis was as an vniuersitie and his table was a place of conference concerning al maner of learning And like as other great Princes of his time following his example inriched their dominions and kingdomes with learned men and learning so wee most humbly beseech your heighnes to follow the example of this great king your grandfather in doing the like and to make singular account of learning and to take the professours thereof vnder your protection True it is Syr that through the malice of men war is commoÌ„ly the ouerthrower of fearning But if a great Prince set himself against the mischiefe he may easily stoppe it Our desire is not that your heighnes shoulde neglect the exercise of chiualrie for to giue your selfe to studie but to follow so the one â—s the other be not left of and forgotten For as we haue seene many coÌ„monweales florish so long as they professed chiualrie and learning together yet haue falne into the hands of their enemies euen in the chiefe flowre of their skil in sciences by reason of their discontinuing of their former trade of armes after which maner it befel to the AtheniaÌ„s to come into subiection to the kinges of Macedonie so y â— people which haue professed armes alone without learning haue alwayes become barbarous cruell and vtterly destitute of all humanitie as we see at this day by the Tartars and Moscouits And therfore to our seeming a man may well say that chiualrie is the foundation and sinewes of a commonweale and that learning garnisheth and beautiâ—eth the body thereof with liuelye and freshe colours seruing it for inrichments and ornaments In respect whereof as wee meant not to desire your heighnesse to forget those which make profession of chiualrie whome you ought to imbrace as your strength so we most humbly beseech you to vouchsafe to succour learning and to maintaine learned men with your gratious fauour Sir very needeful causes moue vs to make this humble petition to your highnes first for that we being professors of learning ought to haue learning in singular estimation and to procure if it be possible for vs that the fruite of the thinges which we haue inioyed for a time may be conueied to our posteritie and secondly for the othes sake which we haue taken at the time of our proceeding in our degrees which is to maintain and further the schooles and learning of the vniuersitie in what degree soeuer wee come vnto And therefore wee hope that your heighnesse will doe vs the honour to take this most humble request of ours in good parte As touching our own persons we promise your heighnesse all obedience faithfulnesse and subtection and that according to our small abilitie wee will doe our indeuour towardes such as we may haue accesse vnto
being there might at one time view both the Citie and the Castle and behold the Counterskarfes the deepe Ditches full of fayre water cleere to the verye bottome of the chanell inclozed on eyther syde with heawen stone the great and fayre buildinges the goodly walles beawtifull to looke on and very thicke and the broade Rampyres garnished with trees planted by hande that it resembled a litle forest The Mounsire was brought vp to this Theatre accompanied with y â— prince Daulphin the only sonne of y e duke of Mountpanuser the Erle of Leycester and other English Lords representing the Queene of Englande the Princes of Orendge and Espinoy the countie de Lauall the other english Lords the Countie de Chateauroux and a great sort of other barons lords gentlemen besids the chiefe Magistrates and Maisters of the companies of the Citie of Antwerpe The Lordes of the State of Brabande waiting vpon the Theatre came duetifully downe to go meete his highnesse which thing hee perceiuing did stand still Then the prince of Orendge stepped foorth to take his place among the States as one of the chiefe Lordes and Barons of the Duchie of Brabande As soone as they had saluted his highnesse and with great humblenesse kissed his hande they mounted vp the steppes againe with him after whom followed the Princes and Lordes of Fraunce and Englande and when they were come vp aboue they raunged themselues on eyther side There was set for the Mounsire a chayre couered with cloth of gold wherin he sat him down And vpoÌ„ y â— theatre there was likewise a trauers of cloth of Golde al the Theatre was couered w t Tapistrie On the front of the Theatre on the highest part thereof were the armes of the Marquesship of the holy Empyre and a little beneath them on the ryghte hande stoode the armes of Brabande with a wreath of fruites and on the left hand stoode the armes of the Citie of Antwery Also there were set vp twoo banners of â—ilke azured with the armes of Aniow and in one partition were written these verses O Noble prince whose footsteps faith and gentlensse preserue Receiue thou heere the honour which thy vertue dooth deserue That these Lowe Countries may at length take breath by meaues of thee And thou a father to vs all in name and doings be Aâ—er that euery man had taken his place and silence was made the States of Braband began their Orarion by the mouth of Mounâ— de â—esseiles doctour of both the lawes Secretarie to the said estates and one of their Counsell the summe whereof was that the Barons noblemen and deputies of the chiefe cities and of the other good Townes representing the states of the Duchie and country of Braband hauing now the good hap too see among them and to beholde face to face the prince in whom next vnto God they had wholly set the hope of their deliuerance and of the stablishing of their auncient rest and liberty Did highly thanke the almightie Lord which had shewed them that fauour taking it for an assured warrant that hee of his infinite goodnes and prouidence had not forgotteÌ„ nor forsakeÌ„ their iust quarel but had choseÌ„ his high nes too bee the defender of his people and the administrer of his iustice too the ende that too Gods glorie and to his owne honour and renowme the stormes of al troubles and of al other thinges that anoyed their estate might by the beames of his princely maiestie wisedome and prowesse bee chaced away and the â—ightues of their former prosperitie heretofore knowne to all nations be made to spring vp and shine foorth againe In respect wherof they gaue his highnes most humble thanks for the singuler loue and good wil which he of his owne onely motion and princely disposition had voutsafed to continue towardes them vnto that instant notwithstanding all y e crosse dealinges and practises that cunning heades coulde skill to put foorth to the hinderaunce of their affaires forasmuch as they were not ignoraunt that for their calamities and miseries sakes nothing coulde haue fallen in whiche coulde haue made more to the fauour and furtherance of their case Which thing they had esteemed would esteeme for euer as a peerelesse president of his incomparable stayednesse and rare constancie for the which and for the great number of his other benefites and gracious dealings towardes them they were and euer shoulde be bounde to acknowledge themselues indetted to his highnesse with all faithfull obedience and were ready that day by Gods grace to submit themselues to him as his humble vassalles and subectes And although they doubted not but that his highnes did well vnderstande and was fully satisfied not onely of the generall causes which had vniuersally moued the states of the Prouinces of the Lowe Countreys together to sewe to him for succour and to put theÌ„ selues into his hands but also of the particular causes which the states of that Duchie and countrie of Brabande had to renownce their obedience to the King of Spaine Yet notwithstanding to the intent to put his highnesse in remembraunce thereof and to confirme that sacred resolution and high interprise of his builded therevpon and moreouer to yeeld some reason of all their doings to the Princes and Noblemen and to the rest of that whole company who for the honour of his highnesse were come thither of courtesâ—e to further the solemnity of his interteinment to the intent y t at this his repaire thither which alwayes was called ioyfull they might vtter the more good will and gladnesse of heart they would say no more but this that as long as the Dukes of Brabande specially since the falling of that duchy into the hands of the Dukes of Burgoyne and other the famous Auncetours of his highnes gaue themselues to the gouerning of their subiects by them selues thereby making it to appeare that they loued them and were not carelesse of them they reaped so great commodities and notable seruices at their handes that their names puissances became oftentimes renowmed yea and sometimes dreadfull toâ— the greatest Monarkes kings and common-weales of Christendome whereof their wars and conquestes made proofe howbeit that of those thinges as of matters familiarly known by the histories it was not requisite to make discourse in that place and time whiche were appointed to greater matters But after that their Dukes and princes eyther by other alluremeÌ„ts or being w theld in their other couÌ„try and Sentories begaÌ„ to leaue them for a time and afterward at length to forget them abandoning them to the pleasure and willes and sometimes also to the lust and couetousnes of their vnder officers wherof the king of Spain had lastly finished and perfected vp the work leauing them disdainefully as husbandlesse fatherlesse vtterly destitute of his presence by the space of twentie yeres It came to passe that hauing altered chaunged almost all the whole state of the countrye committed the offices
Damosel sate Concord clothed in white yellow and Orengetawny bearing a target vppon her arme wherein was paynted a crowned Scepter with two little snakes and vnder them two dooues all closed in with a garlande of Olif betokening commendable gouernement with prouidence Upon her head shee had a helmet betokening Wisdome In her hande shee caried a Launce with a penon vpon it on the one side whereof were the armes of Aniowe crowned with Olif and on the other side a Lambe with a Woolfe and a Lyon with an Oxe to betoken the great peacefulnesse that is looked for vnder this Prince as wel in Religion as in matters of State At Concordes right hande satte Wisdome and at her lefte hande Force In the middes of the Chariot was a Pyller richly made of Corinthian worke vpon the toppe whereof was a Harte hilde betweene two armed hands which hart had two wings betokening Vnion Fayth and Force and a Sworde w t two serpents writhing aboute it holding their tayles to their eares signifiyng discreete gouernement and eares stopped against flatterers At the foote of the pyller was a compartement with the armes of Aniow and Brabande On the brest of the Lyon of Brabande were the armes of the Marquiship of the sacred Empyre and of the Citie of Antwerpe Upon the Armes was written Attonement Upon the corners of the Chariot were two armed Images with morions on their heades attyred in Orendge white and blewe The one of them was named Faithfulnesse and the other Watchfulnes In their hands they had eche of them a shield wherein were paynted two swoordes a crosse and two Dooues with a sheafe of arrowes betokening Vnion Uppon one of the Shieldes was written Defence and vpon the other Offence Ech of the images had a penon of azure silke in one of the whiche there was a Pellicane killing herselfe for her yong birdes and in the other a Hen a brooding her Chickens Ouer the Maidens head were these verses My rulers outrage wickednes and furious tyrannie Haue cast mee backe these keyes whiche I had giuen obediently Upon conditions neuer kept O Prince of noble fame With better boade of lucke and lotte receiue thou nowe the same Thy godlinesse and proweffe haue of right deserâ— ued it O treble happie Priâ—ce to whoÌ„ these Coâ—reys do submit Their state O happie Belgik O most happie like to bee Which vnderneath so great a prince mayst now liue safe and free Sixe Gentlemen of the citie wayted at the gate with a Canapie of cloth of golde fryzed which they afterwarde vnfoulded and carried it ouer the Dukes head who went vnder it into the towne in the forementioned order All the streets from the gate to his lodging were set on eyther side with armed men vnder their ensignes with their â—iffes and droâ—es The officers caried gilt targets and swordes in their hands and all the rest were armed after the best goodliest maner y â— could be seen His highnes proceeded forth on to the corner of the street called Gasthouse street y t is to say the Spittlehouse street nere vnto S. Georges Churche where was a showe made in the liknes of a table very great high which was made by one of the companies of their tragical comicall poets commonly called among theÌ„ Rhetoricians The company was called Care or as some others terme it the Follow sun after y â— name of a floure w t followeth y â— sonne the speeâ—h of y â— deuice was Growing vp in vertue The Showe or table had three compartimeÌ„ts or pertitions The first was the first booke of Samuel y â— fifteenth chap. where Samuel chargeth Saul w t his disobedience hath a peece of his garmeÌ„t rent of by him in token that the kingdome should be plucked froÌ„ Sauls house giuen to a better Whereby was ment y â— the souerainetie of those low CouÌ„treys was takeÌ„ from the king of Spaine for his abhominable periuries tyrannies extorttons In y â— second compartiment was set forth how Samuel coÌ„manded I say y e father of Dauid to bring forth his sonnes of whoÌ„ God woulde make one the prince of his people y t is to wit the yongest w t was Dauid In y â— third was shewed how Dauid being anointed fought with Golias ouercame him The title or superscription was a Plâ—igian worke wherein were written these verses As God bereaning Saul of Crown and Mace Did dispossesse him of his kingdome quight And after set vp Dauid in his place so now likewise dispatching from our sight The tyrants which oppressed vs by might Hee giueth thee O noble Duke the Reyne Of these our Countreys ouer vs to reigne The frunt and krest being garnished with banners skutchions of armes Cressettes and torches carried the Dukes deuice Cherisheth and chaceth And at the foote of the Table lay Discorde closed vp in a prison of Lattisworke where shee was tormented with Helhoundes and Serpentes and there were these verses Alaunson whom God cherish ay Doth chase all yre and wrath away His highnesse passing forth still beyond the place called the Threewayleete came to the streete named Hwyuetterstreete that is to say the Chaunlers streete where was another stately Pageant with armes torches and cressets made by another company of the Rhetoricians called Peynters or Uiolers who had for their deuice Knit together by singlenesse In this Pageant was paynted the neere aliaunce of Dauid and Ionathas to betoken the firmenesse of the othe mutually made by his highnes and the States of Braband and the Magistrates Members Colonelles and Captaynes of the Citie of Antwerpe In this table was written in a compartiment of Phrygien woorke Like as the faithfull Ionathas did promise to defende Good Dauid from the harmes whiche Saule against him did intend So keep thou vs O gracious Prince which loue to liue in rest Against the Tyrantes by whose force we haue bin sore opprest Then went hee further to the ende of the streete where the Upholsters shops are which part was full of burning torches barrels of burning pitch and so came to the Merebridge At the entering therof stood an Oliphant bearing a castle of stone with souldiers and artillerie Before â—e Olyphant were paynted the armes of 〈◊〉 Marquesdome and of the Citie and 〈◊〉 a speare with a banner of Taffata with the armes of Aniow in a wreathe of Lawrel and foure other bannerets of Crimosen taffata pulled out wherein were paynted the Handes of Antwerpe with this posie Cherisheth and Chaceth And vpon his side of his belly were these verses Whom light of Phebee heeretofore did leade Inowe am drawen away Her brothers beames to followe in her stead A farre more certaine stay I thinke my change right gainefull sith I see These Lower Countreys vnder him to bee From the Merebridge hee went along the Mere streete till he came to the warde where were foure companies rauÌ„ged in order of battell FroÌ„ thence he passed to y e corner of Clare streete
where was a stage made by a company of Rhetoricians called y e Olifbranche who had for their posie Behold grace Upon this stage sate a Damsell named Antwerp bearing in her bozom a pretie daughter called The knowledge of God who hild a cofer wherein were priuiledges lawes fraunchizes truth which were kept by the grace of God by prouideÌ„ce wisdome faithfulnes diligence loyaltie perseueraunce vnitie good heede and order And aloft was a compartiment of Phrygian woorke wherein were these verses O prince our father hope of helpe and stay Dame grace Gods impe whoÌ„ here thou seest to stande From top to toe fayre clad in white aray With branch of Olif in her heauenly hande Hath willed thee to harber here within The stately walles of Ladie Antwerpe and The loue of her with endlesse fame to win By curing of her greefes with lawe and right And â—cke by putting of her foes to flight Somewhat lower towardes the middes was Neptune with his threetymed mace riding ouer the waues vpon a Dolphin and on his left hand were these verses Gods heauenly grace and soothfull skill reuiuing Antwerpe newe Through chare defence of faithfull leage haue kept her safe as dewe To thee her Duke innobled both by father by brother Both kinges of Fraunce tone gone to Godlong since still reigning toother And therfore bend thou now thy wits by rightfull force to wreake Her cruell foes which did so ofte their leagues through falshod breake He passed from Clarestreete through long newe streete vnto S. Catherins bridge right ouer against Cros streete where was a triumphall arche cunningly paynted and builded of white stone whiche was garnished with his highnesses armes and with torches and cresfettes and with Musicke of Holboyes and Clarions And on the top of it was written To the happy coÌ„ming hitherof FrauÌ„cis only brother to Henrie the third sonne to Henry the seconde graundchilde to Frauncis the first nowe inuested Duke of Brabande the prince that hath most deepely deserued of this their Countrey as a Father of the same The Senate and people of Antwerp Underneath this in another compartiment of Phrygian woorke was written this At length yet hinder not this Impe to bring thee wrooping world againe to some redresse In passing through the shorte Newstreete and by the Marketsteed hee turned towardes the Coopers streete in the street called Cheeslane to the great Market place which was full of Torches of waxe and of Barrelles of pitche vpon long poles vp to the highest windowes which commonly are fiue stories high In this Market place were inbattelled sixe enâ—ignes with the ensigne of the youth whiche was vnder a green standarde all in the best armor that was to bee seene in any place of the worlde In the middes of the citizens was the great Giante the founder of the Citie of Antwerpe whose Curace was azure and his apparell tawnie white and gray He boore banners of Azure with the armes of Aniow and had these verses written before him Feèrce Furiâ— moody rage vnbridled yre Stoute Force whot violence cruell Tyraâ—y Nought booted me ne furthered my desire In keeping of my wished Soueraintie The surest way for kings to gouerne by Is meeldnes matched with a prudent minde to vice seuere to vertue meeke and kinde For oft the calme and quiet gouernance brings things to passe which violence coulde not win Feercenes that cace will nought at all aduance By mildnes shalt thou better holde folke in Outrageous storming is not woorth a pin By mine example therefore haue a care All cruell dealings vtterly to spare Behinde the Giant were written these verses See you this Orped Giant here so huge oslim and bone Fame sayes that Antwerp was somtime a thrall to such a one This Gyant was made by cunning to turne his face towardes the Duke as he passed by to let fall the armes of Spaine which he hilde in his hand and to put vp the armes of Aniow Also there was a stage in the same Market-place before the Towne house ful of nimphes and vertues But forasmuch as it serued chiefly for the day of his taking of his othe in the citie of Antwerpe which was the xxii day of y â— moneth it shall bee spoken of more at large hereafter His highnes departing out of y e market place tooke his way towards the street called y â— high street when he came to the street called y â— old cornmarket there was a Whale carying neptune naked w t his threeforket mace in his hand which betokened y e great coÌ„modities which y â— citie of Antwerp receiued by the sea by y e riuer Schelt Before this monster was another naked man by him two other portratures y â— one of nauigation the other of marchandize w t a baoke of accounts a purse such as y â— factors do cary with theÌ„ when they go to receiue money Before the Neptune in a compartiment were written these verses The lordship of y â— seas to thee y â— destenies behâ—ght In signe where of I Neptune yeelde this mace as thine of right That Antwerp hauing rid allets by thee on sea and lande May once inioy her wished fruite safe from perill stande His highnes kept on his way through y â— high streete to a place where sometime was y â— gate called S. Iohns gate which was beateÌ„ down the yeere before in steedâ— where of there was a tryumphall arch of Ionian worke This arch was wholly applied to his highnes own posie Cherisheth and Chaceth On high ouer it was strained a couering after the maner of a round vault wherein was painted the Sonne vnder the Sonne was painted the sea with ships and the earth clad with her verdure Also there appeared a cloude on both sides so as the light of the Sonne did shine forth and yeelde out his force to the earth On the outside of the bowing of the Arch were painted three goddesses namely Flora who hilde her flowers in her hand Ceres who had her corne and Pomona who hilde a horne stored with abundance of all things Likwise the earth was clad w t greene trees fruites and feeldes replenished with all fruitfulnes which thing came to passe by the heate and operation of the Sonne which was betokened by this word Cherisheth On the other side being the left hande were drerie and barreÌ„ fields the aire euery where lowriâ—g and clowdie and the trees and plantes withered which thing was done by the three Helhounds Discord Uiolence Tyranie who fled away at y â— sight of his highnes according to y â— signification of his other word Chaceth On another side stood the same poâ—e againe Cherisheth Chaceth by another meane At the right hande ouer the worde Cherisheth was a great feelde well tilled with a husbaÌ„dmaÌ„s house vpon it The husbaÌ„dmaÌ„ himself being apparelled after y e freÌ„ch fashioÌ„ was sowing of corne another by him was spreading of Mucke At the
to watch y â— night began too withdrawe themselues apace Which thing was doone in such order and with such silence that in lesse than halfe an howre al the citie was disarmed after whiche manner they bad also armed themselues in lesse than an houre without any noyse in the morning The Princes also y â— Lordes withdrew theÌ„selues to their lodgings then was all the great ordinaunce of the towne shot of twice as it had bin at the Dukes first comming to the citie that all the towne seemed too bee on fire Cressets were lighted and fires made for ioy through all the streetes and meetings wayes vppon y â— steeples in so great number and so continually y â— all the nyght resembled the day insomuch y â— when they that were without the Towne looked vp into the skye they thought the element was all on fire Theis bonfires coÌ„tinued euery night vntil the next Thursday on â—hich day his highnesse tooke his peculier othe too the towne of Antwerp in the dooing whereof these solemnities insewing were obserued The Amptman Borowghmaisters Skepons of Antwerp came too the sayde Palace of S. Michael the next Thurseday being the 22. day of the same moneth At which place they made humble suâ—e to his highnes that as he had vowtsafed too giue his othe too the States of Braband and the Marquesdome of the sacred Empyre and likewise too receiue theirs so it might please him too giue his othe that day peculiarly to the citie of Antwerpe and likewyse too take theirs at the place of olde time accustomed Where vnto when the Duke had assented they tooke their way in the same order that had bin obserued at his entering into the towne sauing that the Lorde Edwarde de clastro Ambassadour for Don Antonio King of Portingale was that daye in the latter companie of the Princes and Lordes And so they marched along the saide streete of Saint Michaell too the great marketsteede where the sumptuous common house of the citie is And bicause that on the day of his enteraunce in it was not possible for him too take a perfect view of all the showes by reason that the night ouertooke them they were presented vntoo his highnesse ageine as well in the place before the mint as in other places Also there were two pageantes mo prepared which were deuised both in one day The one was Mount Parnasus whereon sate Apollo apparelled like the Sonne and accoÌ„panied with the nine Muses playing vpon â—uers kindes of Instrumentes and with sweet voyce singing a certaine ditie together writteÌ„ in commendation of his highnes This Pageant was in the street called the high street ouer against the street named Reyner streete Right ouer against this Pageant was another on the side of the streete called the flaxe market Which was a mossie Rocke ouer groweÌ„ with drie and withered trees wherein appeared a caue verie hideous darke and drerye too behold and in the same lay lurking the three Helhowndes Discord Violence and Tiranny who feeling Apollos beames and hearing the sweetenesse and harmonie of the voyces and instrumentes shroonke away and hidde themselues in the deepest of the Dungeon afterward peered out ageine to hearken whither that melodie and harmonie continued stil or no mynding to haue come foorth againe to haue troubled the common weale if y e same had ceassed His highnesse passed on and with verie much adoo came to the great Market place by reason of the infinite multitude of people which could not be put asunder without great payne As soone as hee was alighted from his horse he went vp a scaffold which had bin set vp for the same purpose in the middes of the Market place hard by the Towne howse before whom went the Magistrate of the citie and a greate number of Princes Lordes and Gentlemen This Scaffold being great and large of the heigth of fortie foote was hanged with scarlet Upon it was a cloth of estate the backe whereof was cloth of gold frized vnder the which was a chayre of the same The day of his first comming thither there had bin presented vnto him on the right side Wisdome offering him a golden Scepter on his lefte side Iustice offering him the sworde of Iustice from aboue the Chayre and behinde him Clemencie offering him the Cap of the Dukedome Before the chayre as it were at the feete of it were Obedience Faithfulnes Loue of God and Reuerence And by the chayres sides there were with them Concord Sagenesse vaeleantnesse Good will Truth Pitifulnes Perseuerance and Reason of whom two on eyther side held eche of them a torch of virgin waxe and they were all appareled like Nymphes But on this day when his highnesse went vp too this stage the Nymphes were away And in steed of them the chaire was garnished on both sides with pyllers On the right side betweene the pillers was a Lyon holding a naked swoorde to betoken the authoritie of the magistrate Aboue the Lyon was an Eagle feeding her young and turning her selfe towardes the shyning of the Sunne as taking her force of the Prince On the left side was an Oxe with a yoke on his necke and aboue him a Hen brooding her chickens and by her a cocke The Oxe with his yoke signified obedience and the cocke and the hen betokened the watchfulnes care 〈◊〉 of the superior The saide scaffold was garnished with baÌ„ners of azure beaten with the armes of Aniow and with banners of gewles beaten with the armes of Antwâ—rpe and with cressets and torches And aboue among the armes were written these verses At length thou art come and ioyfull wee bee Thy presence long lookt for here present to see And a little vnder at the ryght hand vnder the armes of Braband were these verses Of tryumphes though stately kings boast but in vayne Vnlesse they by iustice doe vprightly reigne And on the left hande vnder the armes of Antwerpe was written thus Nowght booteth law Authoritie or sage forecast of wit Unlesse to lawfull gouernment folke doe their force submit And yet somewhat lower was written God God is he the heartes of kinges which holdeth in his hande He He it is that highest things doth make too fall or stande When he with gracious looke beholdeâ— a people they inioy A goodlie Ruler vnder whom no troubles them anoy But if misliking make him frowne then makes he them a pray Too Tyrantes vnder whom they tast of sorrow euery day FRom this Scaffold he might beholde before him an infinite number of people readie too bee sworne vntoo him and also three companies of banished and condemned men in fetters and bareheaded crauing mercie at his hande which was graunted vnto them Moreouer all the houses about the Market sted had Cressets burning on high before them Nowe then after that roome and silence was made their Counseller and Recorder Uanderwerck propounded the matter as followeth Right gracious Lord and Prince y â— Markgraue the Amptman the
that they also may yeelde obedience to your heighnes and to the Magistrates whome it shall please you to set ouer the people And here to make an ende wee hartely pray God to preserue your highnes long time in happy estate amoÌ„g this people and to giue you the grace to rule and gouerne them iustlye and vprightly to rydde them out of the handes of their enemyes to maynetayne them longe in happy peace and to restore this state agayne to the ancient dignitie greatnes renowme felicitie that after your deceasse you may leaue a most blessed and famous rememembrance among al nacions And for the bringing hereof too passe wee yet agayne beseech the king of kings great prince of princes too make you as valiant as Dauid as wyse as Salomon as zelous of his glorie as Ezechias Herevntoo the Duke answered y â— he was very glad too see such a consent of all the people in the receiuing of him that he hoped so too rule gouerne them as they shoulde not bee disappoynted of the hope which they had conceiued of his gouernment which he would fashioÌ„ out after y â— patterne of his predecessors great vncles who had gouerned these countries so happily And he thaÌ„ked them for their good will and loue praying theÌ„ to continue y â— same promising too take them into his protectionâ— togither with the rest of the people in generall that as he had heretofore a singular regard of learned men so would he bee willing to continue the same heereafter After this maner began this great prince â—o gouerne that people with great authoritye and modestie and the people too yeeld vntoo him very wissing and honourable obedience And all men hope both generally and particularly y â— God wil giue him the grace so to hold on in that so holy and commendable gouernement as that by his example he shall shew too all princes and too all others that come after him how greatly the iust and lawfull gouernment auayleth And that the people on their syde shal shew what maner of obedience loue constancie is dew to good Princes in which vertewes there was neuer yet any people that could skill to surmount them nother shall any hereafter by the helpe of the great God and euerlasting father of our sauiour Jesus Christ too whom in the vnitie of the holy spirit be all glorie for euer and euer Amen ¶ A Summe of the Priuiledge graunted to the Printer by the foremencioned Mounsire Duke of Braband Aniow c for the printing of the foretranslated booke FRauncis of FrauÌ„ce the kings only brother by the grace of God Duke of Lothyer Braband Limbourge Gelders Aniow Alaunson Touram berry Eureus y â— castle Thierrie Earle of FlauÌ„ders Holland Zeland Zutphen Mayne le Perch Manutes of Melaun Beaufort Marques of the sacred Empyre Lorde of Fryselande and Malines hauing reteyned confirmed Christopher Plantine for his Printer hath giuen him power to print all Proclamacions commissions Letters Patentes Statutes Ordinaunces Placardes and other thinges concerning the common weale in generall or any citie in particular and specially the discourse of his interteinement and receiuing intoo the citie of Antwerpe and the rest of the countrie thereabouts And he forbiddeth all other persons of what state condicion or qualitie so euer they bee too printe or cause to be printed to sell or distribute abroade the same or anie the like vppon payne of forfeyture of the same bookes and to bee fyned at his highnes pleasure and to paâ—e all the sayde Plantines costes and domages as is more largelye declared in the letters Patentes giuen at Antwerp the xvii day of the Moneth of Aprill 1582. Vndersigned I. Van Assehers ¶ Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawson for william Ponsonby 1582.