Home > Primary sources > Library > Mayoral shows

Brittannia’s Honor

This document is currently in draft. When it has been reviewed and proofed, it will be published on the site.

View the draft document.

Please note that it is not of publishable quality yet.

A1rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor:
Brightly Shining in ſeuerall Magnificent
Shewes or Pageants, to Celebrate the Solemnity of
the Right Honorable Richard Deane,
At his Inauguration into the Majoralty of the Ho
nourable Citty of London, on Wedneſday,
October the 29th. 1628.
At the particular Coſt, and Charges of the Right VVorſhip
full, Worthy, and Ancient Society of Skinners.
Mart. lib.7. Ep.5. Rurſus Iô Magnos clamat noua-Troia Triumphos.
Inuented by Tho. Dekker.
The crest of the Skinners’ Company
Imprinted in London by Nicholas Okes and John Norton
A1vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
A2rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Printer’s ornament
To the Right Hono
 rable, Richard Deane Lord Maior of the
moſt Renowned Citty of London: And to the
two worthy Sheriffes, Mr. Rowland Backhouſe,
and Mr. William Acton. Honorable Prætor:
Noble Conſuls.
YOu are (this Yeare) the Subiect of my Verſe,
In You lye hid the Fires which heate my Braines,
To You, my Songs Triumphant I rehearſe:
From you, a thankes brings in a golden Gaines,
Since You are then the Glory of my Muſe,
But You, whom can ſhee for her Patrons chuſe?
VVhilſt I reſt,
Deuoted

To your Lordſhip,
And Worſhips

In all ſeruice,

Tho. Dekker.
A2vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
A3rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Header ornament
Brittannia’s Honor:
Brightly ſhining in ſeuerall Magni
ficent Shewes or Pageants, to Celebrate
the Solemnity of the Right Honorable Ri
chard Deane, at his Inauguration
into the Majoralty of the Honorable
Citty of London, on Wenſday
the 29. of October. 1628.
WHat Honor can bee greater to a King
dome, than to haue a Citty for beauty,
able to match with the Faireſt in the
World? A Citty, renowned Abroad,
admired at Home. London, and her
Royall Daughter (Weſtminſter) are
the Repreſentatiue body of the general
State; for, here our Kings and Queenes
keepe their Courts; heere are our
Princes, the Peeres, Nobility, Gentry, Lords Spirituall and
Temporall, with the Numerous Communalty.
London in Forraine Countries is called the Queene of Ci
ties, and the Queene-mother ouer her owne. She is her Kings
Chamber-royall, his Golden-Key: His Store-houſe: The Maga
zine of Merchandize; the Miſtris of Sciences; a Nurſe to all
the Shieres in England.
A3
So
A3vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittania’s Honor.
So famous ſhee is for her Buildings, that Troy has leap’d
out of her own Cinders, to build Her Wals. So remarkable for
Priority and Power, that hers is the Maſter-wheele of the
whole Kingdome: As that moues, ſo the maine Engine works.
London is Admirall ouer the Nauy royall of Cities: And as
ſhe ſayles, the whole Fleete of them keepe their courſe.
Fully to write downe all the Titles, Stiles, and Honors of this
our Metrapolis, would weary a 1000. pennes: Apollo ſhall
haue a New Garland of Bayes, to vndertake it.
As thus in State, ſhee her ſelfe is Glorious; ſo haue all our
Kings held it fit to make her chiefe Ruler eminent, and an
ſwerable to her greatneſse. The Prætorian Dignity is there
fore come from the ancient Romans, to inueſt with Robes of
Honor, our Lord Maior of London: Their Conſuls are our
Sheriefes; their Senators our Aldermen.
The extention of a Lord Maiors power, is euery yeare
to bee ſeene both by Land and Water: Downe as low as Lee
in Eſſex: Vp, as high as Stanes in Middleſex: In both which
places, he keepes perſonall Courts. His Houſe is a Chancery:
He the Chancellor to mittigate the fury of Law: Hee the Mo
derator betweene the griping Rich and the wrangling Poore.
All the City Orphans call him Father: All the Widdowes
call him their Champion. His Table lyes ſpread to Courtiers,
and Free to all Gentlemen of faſhion.
More to Proclaime his Greatneſſe, what Vice-roy is inſtall’d
with louder popular acclamations? What Deputie to his So
raigne goes along with ſuch Triumphes? To behold them,
Kings, Queenes, Princes, and Embaſſadors (from all parts of
the World) haue with Admiration, reioyced.
Theſe Triumphall paſsages are full of Magnificence for
State, Munificence for Coſt, and Beneficence for doing good.
For, beſides all the twelue Companies, (euery one of which is
a gayner by this imployment:) it would puzzle a good me
mory
A4rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
mory to reckon vp all thoſe Trades-men (with other extra
ordinary Profeſſions which liue not in the City) who get
money by this Action.
Then by this meanes, are euery Yeare added to thoſe that
were before, three Faire, Spacious, and Pallacious Houſes,
Beautified, Painted, and Adorned.
The Lord Maior of London (like a Prince) hath likewiſe
his Variety of Noble Recreations: As Hunting, Shooting,
Wraſtling, before him, and ſuch like.
Thus hauing (as it were in Lantſchip) a farre off ſhewne
you the Toppes onely of our City-Buildings; and in a little
Picture drawne the Face of her Authority, giuing but a
glimpſe of her Prætor as hee paſſes by; let mee now open a
Booke to you, of all thoſe Ceremonies, which this great
Festiuall day hath prouided to Attend vppon him, and doe
him Honor.
The firſt Shew, is called a Sea-Conſort.
The firſt Salutation being on the VVater, is furniſed with
Perſons and Properties fitting the quality of that Element.
An Artificiall Rocke therefore is queintly contriued: On whoſe
higheſt Aſcent ſits Amphitrite Queene of the Seas, habited
to her State; a Mantle frindg’d with ſiluer croſſing her Body:
Her hayre long, and diſheuelled, on her head,a phantaſticke
dreſſing made out of a Fiſhes writhen ſhell, interwouen with
Pearle, the ſhell is ſiluer, on the top of it ſtands an Artifici
all moouing Torroyſe: On each ſide of her, ſwimme two
Mermaides. Theſe two intic’d by the variety of ſeuerall in
ſtruments (ecchoing to one another) haue followed the Sea
Soueraigne, and waite vppon her, as Maides of Honor.
Round about the Rocke are Sea-Nimphes, and in places
conuenient for them are beſtowed our three famous Riuers,
Humber, Trent, and Seuerne, aptly attired according to the
quality of ſuch Marine Perſons, who play vpon Cornets.
Amphitrite
A4vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
Amphitryte is the Speaker. From whom are
deliuered theſe lines.
HAile worthy Pratetor, (Haile Graue Senators)
The Queen of Waues (leauing Gray Neptunes Bowres)
Waites here (Faire Lord) to ſerve you. Fames Report,
(So farre as old Oceanus Christall Court)
What Tryumphes Ceremony forth would Call
To Swell the Ioyes of This Grand Feſtiuall,
Intic’de me with my Mermaydes and a Traine
Of Sea-Nymphes hither. Here (this day) ſhall Reigne
Pleaſures in State Maieſticke: And to lend
A brighter Splendor to them, do Attend
Three of my Nobleſt Children, Humber, Trent,
And Seuerne (Glorious made by Puniſhment.)
The Siluer-footed Thames (my eldeſt ſonne)
To Grace your Tryumphes, by your Barge ſhall runne.
Your Fortunes (led by a white-handed Fate
Vp to this High Fame) I Congratulate:
Glad am I to behold you Thus Set Round
With Glories, Thus with Acclamations Crownd,
So Circled, and Hembd in, on Euery ſide
With Ecchoing Muſicke, Fiſhes euen take pride
To Swimme along, and liſten, Goe, and Take
The Dignity ſtayes for you, whilſt I make
Smooth way Before you, on This Glaſsy Floore,
Vſhering your glad Arriuall to the Shore.
To Honors Temple now you haue not farre,
Hye, and Come backe more Great than yet you Are,
On,
And ſo the Cornets playing one to Another, they goe for
ward. If her Maieſtie be pleaſed on the Water, or Land, to
Honor Theſe Tryumphes with her Preſence; This following
Speech
B1rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
Speech in French is then deliuered to her, with a Booke of
the Preſentatiens, All the Couer, being ſet thicke with Flowre
de Luces in Gold.
Madame,
VOicy, maintenant les Quatre Elements qui vos Attendent
pour vous faire Honneur. L’eau eſt Couverte de Triomphes
flottans, pour Dancer en L’Air: E’ L’Air est Remply de
Mille Echos, & Retentit de la doulce Muſique, que leur voix
reſonne, pour Attirer vos oreilles fauorables a les Eſcouter. Puis
vous auez ſur la, Terre dix mille Mains qui vous Applaudiſſent
pour Ioy & Allegreſſe quelles reſſentent de voir vostre Maieſte
dans la Ville. L’Element du Feu, Bruit & Tonne voſtre Bien
Venue. Vos Subjects accourent à grand Foulle, rauis de voir les
Graces qui ont choiſi leur Throſne ſur voſtre Front. Toutes les
Deliees d’Amour ſe Iouënt ſur vos paupieres, La Roſe d’Angle
terre, & les Fleurs de lis de France S’entrebaiſent ſur le Ver
meil de vos Iouës. Soyez Saine comme le printemps, Glorieuſe
comme l’Efte, Autant Fructeuſe que la vigne. Que Seurte
guarde, & Enuironne vostre chariot le Iour: Et le Sommeil
dore Dreſſe & orne voſtre Chambre de Nuict. Viuez longuement:
Viuez Heureuze: Viuez aimee, & Cherie. Bonte vous guarde;
Vertu vous Couronne; Et les Anges vous guident.
Thus Englished.
Royall Lady,
BEhold, the foure Elements waite vpon you to do you Ho
nor: Water hath prouided Floating Tryumphes to Dance
in the Aire: In the Aire are a Thouſand Ecchoes
with Muſick in their Mouthes, to Intice you to heare them:
On the Shore ſhall ten thouſand paire of hands giue you
Plaudits in the Citty: The Element of Fire, Thunders aloud
your welcomes. Thronges of Subjects here, are glad to ſee
the Graces Inthroand on your Forehead: All the Delicacies of
B
Loue
B1vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
Loue, playing on your Eye-lids, The Roſes of England, and the
Lillies of France, Kiſſing one Another on your Cheekes. Be
you healthfull as the Spring; Glorious as Summer: Fruitfull
as the Vine: Safety runne along your Chariot by Day; Gol
den Slumbers dreſſe vp your Chamber at Night.
Liue long, Goodneſse Guard you,
Liue happy, Vertues Crowne you,
Liue beloude; Angels Guide you.
The ſecond Prefentation, New Troyes Tree of Honor.
A Perſon in a rich Romane Antique Habit, with an orna
ment of Steeples, Towers, and Turrets on her head, Sits in a
queint Arbor, Interwouen with ſeuerall Branches of FlowerThis text has been supplied. Reason: Type not (sufficiently) inked. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on an external source. (MK)s.
In her Left This text is the corrected text. The original is han (MK)hand, ſhe holds a golden Truncheon (leaning
on the ground) to ſhew that ſhees a Leader & Conductreſse of
a Mighty People: Her Right Hand (thruſting through the
Arbor) takes hold of a Tree, out of which ſpread Twelue
Maine and Goodly Branches.
This Lady (thus ſitting) Reprefents London: The Tree
(guarded, and ſupported by her) The 12. Superior Companies.
Vpon euery particular Branch, is beſtowed the Armes of
ſome One of the Twelue, expreft in the True Cullors within a
faire ſhield. The higheſt Branch of all (as ouer-topping the
Reſt at This Time) bearing the Armes of the Skinners in a more
large and glorious Eſcuchion
Among the Leaues in the Top, is a Tablet, in which is writ
ten, in letters of gold, Viuite Concordes, Liue in Loue: or
Agree in one.
Ouer the Perſon, Representing London, is likewife Inſcri
bed in golden Capitals, This,
Me cinctus Lauro perducit ad aſtra Triumphus.
Each Triumph Crown’d with Bayes,
Mee to the Starres does raize.
In
B2rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
In places conuenient, and in a Triangular forme, vnder
the twelue branches of the Tree, are ſeated Minerua, (Inuen
treſſe and Patroneſſe of Artes, Handy-crafts, and Trades)
in Ornaments proper to her quality: And not farre from her,
is Bellona goddeſſe of VVarre, in a Martiall habit, on her
head a Helme and Plume, in her hands a golden Speare and
Shield, with Meduſaes hThis text has been supplied. Reason: Type not (sufficiently) inked. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on an external source. (MK)ead.1 Heereby intimating, that both
Artes and Armes, are (in a high degree and fulneſſe of honor,)
nurc’d vp and maintain’d by and in the City: And, that either
of them flouriſh brauely vnder the ſhaddow and protection
of the twelue Branches, ſhooting forth from that. New Troy’s
Tree of Honor.
Vpon a border of Flowers, incloſing this Tree, are fitly
beſtowed the Armes of as many of the inferior Companies
in leſſe Eſcucheons, as for the quantity of roome, can there be
hanſomely placed.
VVithin the ſame Border, (where leſſe Trees alſo grow)
are preſented Peace, Religion, Ciuill Gouernment, Iustiſe, Lear
ning, Induſtry, and cloſe to Induſtry, Honor. For as all theſe
are golden Columnes, to beare vp the Glories of the City, ſo
is the City an indulgent and carefull Mother, to bring vp
them to their Glories. And as theſe twelue Noble Branches
couer theſe Perſons, (as it were with the wings of Angels,) ſo
the Perſons watch day and night to defend the twelue
Branches.
Theſe Perſons are adorned fitting their ſtate and condition,
and hold ſuch properties in their hands, as of right belong
vnto them.
1. Peace hath a Doue on her fiſt, and a Palme-tree Branch
in her hand.
2. Religion is in a white glittering roabe, with a Coronet
of Starres on her hand, holding in one hand, a Booke open,
in the other, a golden ladder, (embleme of prayer, by whoſe
B2
ſteps
B2vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
ſteppes wee climbe to Heauen.)
3. Ciuill Gouernment is in a roabe full of eyes, and a Dyall
in her hand to expreſſe her Vigilance: For ſhee muſt watch
euery houre, and keepe all eyes open, yet all little enough.
4. Iuſtice holds a Sword.
5. Learning a Booke, and a Iacobs Staffe.
6. Induſtry, a golden Hammer, and a Sea-mans Com
paſſe, as taking paines to get wealth, both by Sea and Land.
7. Honor ſits in Scarlet.
The Perſon, in whom is figured London, is the
Speaker, who thus ſalutes his Lordſhip.
TEn thouſand welcomes Greete you on the ſhore,
(My long expected Prætor,) O before
You looke on Others, fixe your eyes on Mee,
On Mee, your ſecond Mother, (London.) Shee
Whom all Great Brittaines Citties, stile their Queene,
For ftill I am, and haue her Darling beene.
The Chriſtian World, in Me, reads Times beſt ſtories,
And Reading, fals blind at my dazling Glories,
But now the Snow of age, couers my head:
As therfore you, by Mee haue vp bin bred;
You (Sir) muſt Nurſe me now: With a quicke eye
View then my Tree of Honor, branching high
For hundreds of past yeares, with 12. large Stems,
Twelue Noble Companies, which like 12. Iems
So ſhine, they adde new Sun beames to the Day:
Guard all theſe 12. maine-Boughes; but you muſt lay:
A ſoft hand, on the Topping-branch, for there
(Thriue the Roote well) your Selfe grows al this yeare:
The leſſer twigges which lowly runne along
My tall Trees Border, you muft ſhield from wrong,
There the poore Bee, (the ſweating Trades man) flies
From
B3rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
From Flower to Flower, and home with Honey hyes.
With me Minerua; and Bellona come,
For Artes aThis text is the corrected text. The original is u (MK)nd Armes, muſt at your Board haue roome,
Your Gates will ſpred, the Rich to entertaine,
But whilſt the Mightly ones within remaine,
And feaſt: Remember at the ſame Gate ſtands
The Poore, with crying Papers in their hands,
To watch when Iuftice vp the Glaſse ſhall turne,
Let thoſe ſands runne, the Poore can neuer mourne.
Place in your eyes two Beacons, to deſcry
Dangers farre off, which ſtrike ere home they flie;
Kiſse Peace; let Order euer ſteere the Helme,
Left-handed Rule, a State does ouer-whelme.
You are your Soueraignes Gardner for one yeare,
The Plot of Ground, y’are truſted with, lies here,
(A Citty,) and your care muſt all bee ſpent,
To prune This text is the corrected text. The original is aud and (MK)and dreſſe the Tree of Gouernment.
Lop off Diſorders, Factions, Mutiny,
And Murmurations againſt thoſe ſit high,
May your yeares laſt day, end as this beginnes,
Sphær’d in the loues of Noble Citizens.
Our third preſentation is call’d, The
Glory of Furres.
T His is a Chariot Triumphant, garniſhed with Trophies
of Armors. It is drawne by two Luzernes, The Sup
porters of the Skinners Armes. On the two Luzernes
ride two Antickes, who dance to a Drum beating be
fore them, there aptly placed. At the vpper end of this Cha
riot, in the moſt eminent Seate, carrying the proportion of
a Throne, are aduanced a Ruſſian Prince and Princeſſe;
richly habited in Furres, to the cuſtome of the Country.
1. Vunder them, fits an old Lord, Furred vp to his chin
in a ſhort cloake.
B3
2. By
B3vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
2. By him, a Lady with Martin skinnes about her necke,
and her hands in a Muffe.
3. Then, a Iudge in Robes Furred.
4. Then, an Vniuerſity Doctor, in his Robes furred.
5. Then, a Frow in a ſhort furred Caſſocke, girt to her.
6. Then a Skipper in a furred Cap.
In all thefe Perſons, is an implication of the neceſſary, an
cient and general vſe of Furres, from the higheſt to the loweſt.
On the Top of this Throne, (at the foure corners) are ere
cted the Armes of the Citty, in foure Pendants: On the point
of the forefront, a large ſquare Banner plaies with the wind,
which Fame (who is in this Chariot,) holds in her hands, as ſhe
ſtands vpright, Being the Speaker.
FAme’s turne is now to Speake; for who but Fame
Can with her thouſand Tongues abroad Proclaime,
Your this dayes Progreſse (riſing like the Sunne,)
Which through the yearely Zodiacke on muſt runne.
Fame hath brought hither from great Moſco’s Court,
(The ſeauen-mouth’d Volga, ſpreading the report,)
Two Ruſſian Princes, who to feaſt their eies,
With the rich Wonders of theſe rarities,
Ride in this glorious Chariot; How amazde
They looke, to ſee ſtreetes throng’d, and windowes glaz’d
With beauties, from whoſe eyes ſuch beames are ſent,
Here moues a ſecond ſtarry Firmament.
Much, on them, startling admiration winnes,
To ſee theſe Braue, Graue, Noble Citizens,
So ſtream’d in multitudes, yet flowing in State,
For all their Orders are Proportionate.
Ruſſia, now enuies London, ſeeing (here) ſpent
Her richeſt Furres, in gracefull ornament,
More Braue, and more Abounding, than her owne:
A golden Pen he earnes, that can make knowne
The
B4rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
The vſe of Furres, ſo Great, ſo Generall,
All men, may theſe, their VVinter Armors call.
Th’inuention of warme Furres the Sunne did fret,
For Ruſſians lap’d in theſe, ſlighted his heate
Which ſeene, his fiery Steedes he droue from thence,
And ſo the Muff has dwelt in cold ere ſince.
VVhat royalties, adde Furres to Emperors, Kings,
Princes, Dukes, Earles, in the diſtinguiſhings,
Of all their ſeuerall Robes? The Furres worne here,
Aboue th’old Romane State make Ours appeare:
The reuerend Iudge, and all that climbe the trees
Of ſacred Artes, aſcend to their Degrees,
And by the colours chang’d of Furres are knowne:
VVhat Dignity, each Corporation
Puts on by Furres, witneſſe theſe infinite eyes,
Thanke then the bringers of theſe Rarities.
I wiſh (Graue Prætor) that as Hand in Hand,
Plenty and Bounty bring you ſafe to Land,
So, Health may be chiefe Caruer at that Board,
To which you haſten. Bee as Good a Lord
I’th’ eyes of Heauen, as this day you are Great
In Fames applauſe: Hye to your Honor’d Seate.
The fourth Preſentation is Called Brittannia’s
Watch-Tower.
THis is a Magnificent Structure, Aduancing it ſelfe from
the Platforme, or Ground-worke vpward, with the
Bewty of eight Antique Termes, By whoſe ſtrength is
ſupported a Foure ſquare Building; The Toppe of which is a
Watch-Tower, or Lanthorne, with eight Columnes of ſiluere,
And, on the Higheſt poynt of this Watch-Tower, is Aduan
ced a Banner, bearing the Cullors of the Kingdome.
At foure Corners of the vpper Square, ſtand foure Pen
dents
B4vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
dants; In which are the Armes of the foure Companies of
which his Lordſhip is Free.
At This text is the corrected text. The original is r (MK)each end of this Platforme, ſtands a great Corynthian
Brazen Pillar, on a Pedeſtall of Marble.
On the Capitals of thoſe Pillars, ſtand two Angels, in Po
ſtures ready to flye: holding Garlands of Victory in one
hand, ſtucke with White and Red Roſes, and Branches of
Palme in the other.
The Capitals and Baſes of the Pillars are Gold, and are
Emblemes of the two Houſes of Yorke and Lancaſter; once
diuided, but now Ioyned into one Glorious Building, to
Support This Royal Kingdom, & Conſequently This Citty.
At Night, in place of the Angels, are ſet two Great Lights:
and ſo is the Watch-Tower at that Time, Filld with lighted
Tapers.
Vpon the ſame Square, in foure ſeuerall Places, are Aduan
ced foure ſtately Pyramides, being Figures, of the foure King
domes Embelliſhed with Eſcutcheons.
In the vpper ſeate of all (faſhioned into a Throne) is placed
Britannia, Maieſtically attirde, fitting to her Greatneſſe.
Beneath Her, and round about Her, are theſe Perſons: viz.
Magnanimity with a drawne Sword.
A Shipwright with a Mallet, holding a Scutcheon, in
which is drawne a Ship vnder ſayle. Then,
A perſon repreſenting Victory, with a Palme Tree.
Prouidence with a Trumpet, ready to Foreſee Dangers,
and awaken Men to meete them.
All Theſe haue bene, and ſtill are, Watch-Towers, and
Lanthornes, in the NighThis text is the corrected text. The original is r (MK)ts of Feare and Trouble, to Guard
the Kingdome, and in the Kingdome, This Citty.
In other Eminent places are ſeated ſome of thoſe KiThis text is the corrected text. The original is u (MK)nges of
England (in Robes Ermynd) whoſe loues and Royall fauors,
in former times were Watch-Towers to Grace London,
ſtucke
C1rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
ſtucke full with the Beames and Lights of Honors, Titles,
Offices, Magiſtracies and Royalties, which they Beſtowed vp
pon Her.
Edward Confeſſor, called Londons Chiefe Ruler, a Port-reue.
Richard I. appointed two Bayliffes ouer London.
King Iohn gaue the Citty a Lord Maior and two Sheriffes.
Henry 3. added Aldermen.
Theſe were Tender ouer the Renowne of the Citty, and
ſtill heaped on her head, Royalties vpon Royalties.
And albeit moſt of our Kinges, haue in moſt of all of the
twelue Companies, Entred their Names, as Free of the So
cieties, thereby to Royallize their Brotherhoods: And that
many of our Kinges likewiſe, beſides Princes and Great Peſo
nages, haue bin Free of This Company, whoſe Names I for
beare to ſet downe, becauſe they haue in former yeeres beene
fully expreſt: yet no Company, did euer, or can hereafter, re
ceiue ſuch Graces from Kinges, as This Antient, and Honord
Corporation of Skinners, hath had, and ſtill haue, In regard
that All of our Kinges and Princes, ſit in their high Courts of
Parliament in Robes Ermynd, (being the richeſt Furre) the
workemanſhip of which goes through the Skinners fingers,
wearing likewiſe vnder their Crownes, Royall Caps of Honor
Ermynd.
Three of ſuch Crownes, beeing the rich Armes of This
Company, thereby expreſſing aſ well their Honor, as Aniquity.
Britannia deliuers thus much.
SHall the Proud wife of Neptune, or ſhrill Fame,
Or Troynouant her ſelfe, Ring out your Name:
And I be Dumbe, or ſparing, to Sound high,
The Glories of This Day? No, They ſhall Fly
Like Soaring Eagles, to That Curled Maine
Whole Head my Rocky Bridle, In does Reyne:
C
The
C1vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
The Great Britannia, Bred you in her Wombe,
Heare then a Mothers Counſell; You are Come
Aboard a Goodly Ship, where all your State
Fame, Honor and Renowne (Imbarqu’d) muſt waite
The voyage of twelue Moones. High Admirall
You are to All That Fleete which Thus you Call
To ſayle in This vaſt Ocean. Nor muſt you
Walk Heartleſſe on the Hatches, Theres a New
State-Nauigation, to be ſtudied Now,
With an High-rear’d, Vndanted, Fixed Brow.
Be ſure to haue Braue Ordnance, and chargd well;
In this your Ship, Truſt None, For Officers Sell
Their Captaines Truſt; let None but your owne Eyes,
Rule Chart and Compaſſe, There your Safety lyes.
Your Owne Hands ſteere the Helme, But strongly Steere,
And ſpite of ſtormes, be ſtoute when you stand There.
Embleme of Mercy! Your Keene ſword does ſleepe,
But why a Sword, if not to Kill, and Keepe
Vices (like Slaues) in Awe? Fulneſſe of Wine
Is a Fowle Dropſie, That and Lust Entwine:
Pride a Swolne Timpany, Sloth, the Beggars Goute,
(In Tradeſmens Hands and Feete, It runnes about,)
No Cure for this! Oathes thicke as Small-ſhot flye
From Children, No Defence to Put this by!
You May, you Muſt. I Counſell not, but Reade
A Leſſon of my loue; By which Loue led
Ile on, and Bring you to your Honord Chaire,
Whilst Aues (Round about you) Dance i’th’ Aire.
The laſt Preſentation is called the Sun’s Bower.
The vpper part of this, is adorned with ſeuerall Flowers,
which interwouen together, dreſſe vp a comely Greene Arbor,
in which the Sunne ſits, with golden Beames about his Face;
an
C2rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
an Attire glittering like gold; and a mantle bright as his
garment, fringed with gold, his haire curled and yellow. A
bout him are placed, Spring, Summer, Autumne, and Winter,
in proper Habiliments. Beneath theſe, is a VVilderneſſe, in
which are many ſorts of ſuch Beaſts, whoſe rich Skinnes ſerue
for Furres: As the Beare, Wolfe, Leopard, Luzerne, Cat-A-
Mountaine, Foxes, Sables, Connies, Ferrets, Squirrels, &c.
Of theſe Beaſts, ſome are climbing, ſome ſtanding, ſome
grinning, with liuely, naturall poſtures. In a Scrole, hanging
on a Bough, This is written in Capitall letters.
Deus ecce Furentibus obſtat.
See, for all ſome Beaſts are fell,
There’s one, that can their curſtneſſe quell.
Sol is the Speaker.
HEauens bright Orientall Gates I op’d this Morne,
And Hither wheeld my Chariot to adorne
Theſe ſplendors with my Beames: never (MK)nere did the Sun
In his Cæleſtiall Circle faſter runne
Than Now, to ſee theſe Sights: O how I ioy
To view a Kingdome, and a New-built Troy
So flouriſhing ſo full, ſo faire, ſo deare
To th’ Gods: they leaue Ioue’s Court to reuell here.
All o’re the VVorld, I trauell in one Day,
Yet oft am forc’d to leaue my beaten way,
Frighted with Vproares, Battailes, Maſſacres,
Famines, and all that Helliſh brood of Warres:
I meete no Peace but here. O bleſſed Land!
That ſeest fires kindling round, and yet canſt ſtand
Vnburnt for all their flames; O Nation bleſt!
VVhen all thy Neighbours ſhrike, none wound thy breſt.
To Crowne theſe ioyes, with me are come along,
C2
C2vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Brittannia’s Honor.
The foure Lords of the yeare, who by a ſtrong
Knit Charme, bring in this goodly Ruſſian prize,
As earneſt of a more rich Merchandize:
Halfe of our Race, Time, and my Houres haue runne,
Nor ſhall they giue o’re till the Goale be wonne.
The Sunne at Night being couered with a vaile
of Darkneſſe: The Perſon, repreſenting
London, thus takes leaue.
THe Sunne is mantled in thicke Clouds of Blacke,
And by his hidden Beames, threatens the wracke
Of all theſe Glories: Euery pleaſure dyes
VVhen Rauen-winged Night, from her Caue flyes;
None but theſe Artificiall Starres keepe fire
To Light you Home, theſe burne with a deſire
To lengthen your braue Triumphes; but their heate
Muſt coole, and dye at length, tho ne’re ſo Great.
Peace therefore guide you on: Reſt, charme your eyes,
And Honors waite to cheere you when your Riſe.
Let it be no Oſtentation in Me the Inuentor, to ſpeak thus
much in praiſe of the workes, that for many yeares, none
haue beene able to Match them for curioſity: They are not
Vaſt, but Neate, and Comprehend as much Arte for Archi
tecture, as can be beſtowed vpon ſuch little Bodies. The com
mendations of which muſt liue vppon Mr. Gerard Chriſmas
the Father, and Mr. Iohn Chriſmas the Sonne.
FINIS.

Notes

  1. Gap in inking. Text proofed against Fredson Bowers’ the old-spelling edition.. (MK)↑

References

Cite this page

MLA citation

Dekker, Thomas. Brittannia’s Honor. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 6.6, edited by Janelle Jenstad, U of Victoria, 30 Jun. 2021, mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/BRIT4.htm. Draft.

Chicago citation

Dekker, Thomas. Brittannia’s Honor. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 6.6. Ed. Janelle Jenstad. Victoria: University of Victoria. Accessed June 30, 2021. mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/BRIT4.htm. Draft.

APA citation

Dekker, T. 2021. Brittannia’s Honor. In J. Jenstad (Ed), The Map of Early Modern London (Edition 6.6). Victoria: University of Victoria. Retrieved from https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/editions/6.6/BRIT4.htm. Draft.

RIS file (for RefMan, RefWorks, EndNote etc.)

Provider: University of Victoria
Database: The Map of Early Modern London
Content: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

TY  - ELEC
A1  - Dekker, Thomas
ED  - Jenstad, Janelle
T1  - Brittannia’s Honor
T2  - The Map of Early Modern London
ET  - 6.6
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/06/30
CY  - Victoria
PB  - University of Victoria
LA  - English
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/BRIT4.htm
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/xml/standalone/BRIT4.xml
TY  - UNP
ER  -

TEI citation

<bibl type="mla"><author><name ref="#DEKK1"><surname>Dekker</surname>, <forename>Thomas</forename></name></author>. <title level="m">Brittannia’s Honor</title>. <title level="m">The Map of Early Modern London</title>, Edition <edition>6.6</edition>, edited by <editor><name ref="#JENS1"><forename>Janelle</forename> <surname>Jenstad</surname></name></editor>, <publisher>U of Victoria</publisher>, <date when="2021-06-30">30 Jun. 2021</date>, <ref target="https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/BRIT4.htm">mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/6.6/BRIT4.htm</ref>. Draft.</bibl>

Personography

Locations

Organizations