THE TRIVMPHS OF Honor and Vertue.

A Noble Solemnitie, performed through the City, at the sole Cost and Charges of the Honorable Fraternitie of Grocers, at the Confirmation and Establishment of their most worthy Brother, the Right Honorable PETER PROBY, in the high Of­fice of his Maiestus Lieutenant, Lord Maior and Chancellor of the famous City of London.

Taking beginning at his Lordships going, and perfecting it selfe after His returne from receiuing the Oath of Maioralty at Westminster, on the Morrow after Simon and Iudes Day, being the 29. of October, 1622.

By THO. MIDDLETON Gent.

LONDON. Printed by NICHOLAS OKES. 1622.

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TO The Honor of him, to whom the Noble Fraternitie of Grocers, his Worthy Bro­thers, haue Dedicated their Loues, in costly Triumphs; the Right Honorable, PETER PROBY, Lord Maur of this Renowned City.

TO be His Seruant, that hath seru'd
Two Royall Princes, and deseru'd
So Worthily of Both; the Same
Call not Seruice, rather Fame.
At your Lordships Command: Tho. Middleton.

THE TRIVMPHS OF Honor and Vertue.

IF forreine Nations haue beene strucke with Admiration at the Forme, State, and Splendor of some yeerly Triumphs, where­in Arte hath beene but faintly imitated: There is faire hope that things where Inuention flourishes, cleere Art and her gracefull Proprieties, should receiue fauor and encouragement from the content of the Spe­ctator, which next to the seruice of his Honor and honorable Societie, is the principall reward it lookes for; then not despairing of that com­mon fauour, this takes delight to present it selfe.

And first, to beginne with the worthy loue of his Noble Fraternity, after his Honors returne from Westminster, hauing receiued some seruice vpon the Water, by the conduct of two Artfull [Page] Triumphs. Viz. The Throne of Vertue, and the Continent of Jndia; which also by Land attends his Lordships most wished arriuall, accompanied with the whole body of the Triumph, which neere vpon the time of his Honors approch are decently and distinctly placed; the first, bearing the Title of the Continent of India: A triumph re­plenished with all manner of Spice-plants, and trees bearing Odour, attends his Honors arriuall in Paules Church-yard; A blacke Personage re­presenting India, call'd for her odours and riches, the Queene of Merchandize, challinging the most eminent Seate, aduanceth her selfe vpon a bed of Spices, attended by Indians in Antique ha­bits: Commerce, Aduenture and Traffique, three ha­bited like Merchants, presenting to her view a bright Figure, bearing the inscription of Know­ledge, a Sunne appearing aboue the trees in brigh­test splendor and glory: The blacke Queene be­fore mentioned, lending a voyce to these follow­ing words:

The Speech.

YOu that haue eyes of Iudgement, and discerue
Things that the best of Man and Life concerne,
Draw neere, this blacke is but my natiue dye,
But view me with an Intellectuall eye,
[Page] As Wise men shoote their beames forth, you'le then find
A change in the complexion of the mind;
I'me beauteous in my blacknesse, O yee Sonnes
Of Fame and Honor, through my best part runnes
A Spring of liuing Waters, cleere and true,
Found first by Knowledge, which came first by you,
By you, and your examples, blest Commerce,
That by Exchange settles such happinesse,
Of Gummes and fragrant Spices, I confesse
My Climate Heauen do's with aboundance blesse,
And those you haue from me, but what are they
Compar'd with Odours whose sent ne're decay,
And those I haue from you, plants of your youth,
The Sauour of eternall life sweet Truth,
Exceeding all the odoriferous sent,
That from the beds of Spices euer went:
I that command, (being prosp'rously possest)
The Riches and the Sweetnesse of the East,
To that fam'd Mountaine Taurus spreading forth
My balmy Arme, whose height do's kisse the North,
And in the Sea Eoum laue this hand,
Account my blessings not in those to stand,
Though they be large and fruitfull, but confesse
All wealth cons;ists in Christian holynesse,
To such caelestiall knowledge I was led;
By English Merchants first enlightened,
[Page] Jn Honor of whose memory, onely Three
I instance here, all of this' Brotherhood free,
To whose Fames the great Honor of this howre
Aptly belongs, but to that Man of Power
The first and chiefest, to whose worth so cleere,
Iustice hath giuen her Sword vp for a yeere:
And as yo'n Sunne his perfect splendor showes,
Cheering the Plants; and no Cloudes interpose
His Radiant Comforts; so no Earthy part
Which makes Eclipses in a Rulers hart
(As in that glorious Planet) must come nye
The Sunne of Iustice, all such mysts must flye;
You're in an Orbe of Brightnesse plac'd and fixt,
And with no soyle must Honor be commixt.
So to your worthy Progresse Zeale commends
Your Lordship, with your Graue and Noble friends.

The Speech being ended, to adde a little more help to the fainter Apprehensions, the three Mer­chants plac'd in the Continent, haue reference to the Lord Maior and Sheriffes, all Three being this yeer Brothers of this Ancient and Honorable Society, which triple or three fold Honor hapned to this Worthy Company in the yeere 1577. Sir Thomas Ramsey being then Lord Maior, and Master Ni­cholas Backhouse and Master Francis Bowyer, She­riffes; hauing cohereuce with this yeeres Honor, [Page] matcht and paralell'd with these Three their as worthy Successors, the right Honorable, Peter Proby, and the generous and Nobly affected, Ma­ster Iohn Hodges, and Sir Humphrey Handford She­riffes and Aldermen.

By this time his Lordship being gracefully con­ducted toward the Chariot of Fame, which awaits his Honors approach neare the little Conduit in Cheape; Antiquitie a graue and reuerend Perso­nage, with a golden Register-booke in his hand, giues life to these words:

The Speech.

OBiects of Yeeres and Reuerence greete mine eye,
A Sight most pleasing to Antiquitie;
I neuer could vnclaspe this Booke of Fame
Where Worthies dwell by a distinguisht Name,
At a more comely season; I shall tell
Things sprung from Truth, neere kin to Miracle;
With that of later dayes I first begin,
So backe into the deeper Times agen:
I onely touch Thy memory (which I know
In thankefulnesse can neuer be found slowe)
With Heauens miraculous Mercy, to Thy Health
After so long a Sicknesse, all the wealth
[Page] Which thou with an vnusuring hand hast got
Which is not the least wonder worthy note,
(Truth makes me speake things frely) cannot be
A greater worke then thy recouerie,
Nine Brethren-Senators thy Seniors all
Whose times had beene before thee, Death did call
To their eternall Peace, from this degree
Leauing their earthly Honor now to thee,
Thinke and be thankefull still, this seemes the more
Another obseruation kept in store,
For seuenteene Senators since thy time were chose
And to this minute not one dead of those.
Those are not vsuall notes, nor here it endes,
The Court and City two most Noble Friends,
Haue made exchange a late, I reade, from hence
There ha's gone some most worthy Citizens
Vp to the Courts aduance; in lieu of that
You haue a Courtier now your Magistrate,
A Seruant to Elizabeth the blest,
Since to K. Iames that raignes with Salomons brest.
Kept the Records for both, from the Queene tooke
Charge of three hundred Horse, three thousand Foote,
Foure Attributes cleaues to this Man of Men,
A Scholler, Souldier, Courtier, Citizen,
These are no vsuall touches, to conclude
(Like to his life with blessings so endude)
[Page] Ha's chose his Brotherhood, men of that Fame
For Bounty, Amity and honored Name
The City bounds transcend not in their place,
And their word makes e'm prosper, God grant grace.
Honor they neuer wanted, when wa'st seene
But they had Senators to their Bretheren
Nay, one record here to make ioy more glad,
I finde seuenteene that were in Scarlet clad
All at one time of this Fraternitie,
Now fiue, for this houres honor brings forth three,
Fame triple will make triple vertue striue
At whose triumphant Throne you next ariue.

For farther Illustration there are contained in Antiquities golden Legend, the Names of many Worthies of ancient Time, by whom this Noble Fraternity ha's receiued much honor, such as were the worthy and famous Sir Andrew Bockerell, who was Lord Maior of this City, the sixteenth yeere of King Henry the third, and continued in the Magistracie seuen yeeres together, also the Noble Allen de la Zouch, who for his good gouernement in the time of his Maioralty, was by King Henry the third, created both a Baron of this Realme, and Lord chiefe Iustice of England. Also that famous Worthy, Sir Thomas Knowles, twice Lord Maior of this honorable City, which said Sir Tho­mas [Page] beganne at his owne charge that famous buil­ding of Guild-Hall in London, and other memo­rable workes both in the City and in his owne Company, Reedifying also Saint Anthonies Church; with many others that are faire Orna­ments to Memory. Viz. Sir William Seuenock, sir Robert Chichsley, sir Stephen Browne, sir Henry Keble, sir William Laxton, &c. Who by those Vertues that they were most addicted vnto in their life­time, are Illustrated by persons of Brightnesse in the Throne of Vertue, the next part of Triumph that presents it selfe: next beneath Antiquitie, sits Authoritie, plac'd between Wisedome and Innocence, holding a naked Sword, a Serpent woond about the Blade thereof, two Doues standing vpon the crosse Barre of the Hilt, and two hands meeting at the Pummel, intimating Mercy and Iustice, accom­panied with Magistracie, who holdes in his hand a Key of gold, signifying both the Key of Know­ledge and of Confidence, the City Magistrate taking into his trust the Custodie of the Kings Cham­ber, the proper Title of the City; and which Key of gold also stands in his Lordships Crest, viz. an Estridge holding a Key of gold in his Mouth, his Necke circled with a golden Crowne.

[Page] His Lordship by this time arriuing at the Throne of Vertue, plac'd neere Saint Laurence-Lane end, Receiues this greeting from her Deitie.

The Speech.

I See great Power approach; here makes a Stand,
Would it with Vertue ought? for some Command
Seemes so compleate in Selfe-Opinions Eye,
It will scarce looke on me, but passes by;
As if the Essence of my Deitie
Were rais'd by Power, and not Power rais'd by me;
But let such Rulers know that so command
They build the Empire of their Hopes on Sand▪
Still This remaines, with Eye vpon me fixt
As if he sought to haue His splendors mixt
With these of mine, which makes Authoritie meeke,
And I'me so ficke of Loue to those that seeke
I cannot choose but yeeld; nor do's it wrong
Great Power to come to Vertue to be strong,
Being but a Woman, mercifull and milde,
Therein is Heauen with greater glory stilde
That makes weake things, as Clemencie, and Right,
Sway Power, which would else rule all by Might:
It maybe said you did but late passe by
Some part of Triumph that spake Vertuously,
And one such Speech suffices; 'tis not so
In taking of your office, there you goe
[Page] From Court to Court, before You be confirm'd
In this high place, which Praetorship is term'd;
From Vertue, if to Vertue you resort,
It is but the same course you haue in Court
In setling of your Honor; which should bee
Redoubled rather, that I hope to see:
So Power and Vertue when they fill one Seate,
The City's blest, the Magistrate compleate.

At the close of the Speech, this Throne of Vertue with all her Caelestiall Concomitants, and the other parts of the Triumph, take leaue of his Lordship for that time, and till after the Feast at Guild-Hall rests from Seruice; but the Feast ended, the whole state of the Triumph attends vpon his Lordship, both to Saint Paules and homeward; and in So­per-Lane two parts of the Triumph stand ready planted; viz. the Throne of Vertue, and the Globe of Honor, which Globe suddenly opening and fly­ing into eight Cants or distinct parts, discouers in a twinckling, eight bright Personages most glori­ously deckt, representing (as it were) the Inward Man, the Intentions of a Vertuous and Worthy Brest, by the Graces of the Minde and Soule, such as Cleere Conscience, Diuine Speculation, Peace of Heart, Integritie, Watchfulnesse, AEqualitie, Prouidence; Impartialitie, each exprest by Its pro­per [Page] Illustration. And because Mans perfection can receiue no constant Attribute in this Life, the Cloude of Frailty, euer and anon shadowing and darkening our brightest Intentions, makes good the Morality of those Cants or Parts, when they fall and close into the full round of a Globe againe, showing, that as the Brightest Day ha's his ouer­castings; so the best men in this life haue their Imperfections; and worldly Mists oftentimes in­terpose the cleerest Cogitations, and yet that but for a season, turning in the end like the mounting of this Engine, to their euerlasting Brightnesse, conuerting it selfe to a Canopie of Starres: at the foure corners below are plac'd the foure Cardinall Vertues, Wisedome, Iustice, Fortitude and Tempe­rance, by each of them fixt a little Streamer or Banner, in which are displayed, the Armes of this Honorable City, the Lord Maiors, the Grocers, and the Noble East-India Companies: The out­parts of the Globe shewing the Worlds Type, in Countries, Seas and Shipping, whereon is depi­cted or drawne Ships that haue bene fortunate to this Kingdome, by their happy and successefull Voyages; as also that prosperous Plantation in the Colonie of Virginia, and the Bermudaes, with all good wishes to the Gouernors, Traders and Aduenturers vnto those Christianly Reformed Islands.

The Speech at Night, presented by Ho­nor, A Personage mounted on the top of this Vnparalel'd Master-piece of Inuention and Art, the Globe or Orbe of Honor.
Honor.

BY Vertue you came last, and who brings home
True Honor, must by Vertue alwayes come,
The right Path you haue tooke then, still proceede,
For t'is Continuance crownes each worthy Deeds:
Behold this Globe of Honor; euery Part
It is compos'd of, to a Noble Hart
Applyes Instruction; when t'is clos'd and round
It represents the World, and all that's found
Within the labouring Circle of Mans Dayes,
Aduentures, Dangers, Cares, and steepie Wayes;
Which when a Wise-man thinkes on, strait he mounts
To Heauenly Cogitations, and accounts
The vexing Spirite of Care and Labour vaine:
Lifting himselfe to his full height againe:
And as this Engine do's in eight Parts rise
Discouering eight Bright Figures, so the Wise
From this Lifes slumber rowz'd, (which Time deludes,)
Opens his Heart to eight Beatitudes:
And as I ( Honor) ouertopping All,
Here fixe my Foote on this Orbicular Ball,
[Page] Ouer the World expressing my Command
As I in this Contemptuous Posture stand:
So euery good and vnderstanding Spirit
Makes but Vse onely of this Life, t'inherit
An euerlasting Liuing; making Frends
Of Mammons Heapes, got by vnrighteous Ends,
Which happy Thou standst free from, the more white
Sits Honor on thee, and the Cost more bright
Thy Noble Brotherhood this Day bestowes;
Expence is grac'd when Substance follow Showes,
Now to no higher Pitch of Praise I'le come,
Loue brought thee forth, and Honor brings thee home.

FOr the body of the whole Triumph, with all the proper Graces and Ornaments of Art and Workemanship, the Reputation of those, rightly appertaine to the deserts of Master Garret Crismas, an Exquisite Master in his Art, and a Performer aboue his Promises.

FINIS.

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