The
whole area in front of the Tower teemed with multitudes, whose shouts
and huzzas made the very hills and echoes loyal, while they rang with
acclamations to their sovereign. Presently issued forth from the middle
gateway two curiously-attired figures, bearing emblems to indicate
their character and design. There were living allegories, represented by
the house-steward and Hobbe Handycap, the forester or tienman, keeper of
vert and venison, a "ryghte merrie knave," and one foremost in all
pastimes and "honest recreations;" a great promoter and performer of
May-games, morris-dancing, and the like. These figures were to be
conceived as household gods, the tutelary deities of Hoghton. The first
spokesman was clad in a purple taffeta mantle; in one hand was a
palm-tree branch, on his head a garland of the like sort, and in the
other hand he carried a dog.
King James accustomed to, and expecting these mummeries, made a full
stop, when, forthwith, began the purple mantle as follows--
"This day, great Kinge, for government admired,
Which these thy subjects have so much desired,
Shall be kept holy in their heart's best treasure,
And vowed to James, as is this month to Caesar;"
with a good score of lines besides, of the like brevity and metre.
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