In
them he was said to be greater even than the immortal gods themselves,
seeing that they came to render their homage unto him, together with all
things else over which they bare rule, even as the greater doth include
the less.
Then spake Hobbe, the deity of the chase:--
"Greatest of mortals!"
But he was presently nonplussed, and the steward stept forth to his
relief, reciting how that the glorious beams from his Majesty's person
had stricken dumb this weaker divinity. Having finished, the heat being
intense, and they mightily encumbered with garments, did presently turn
their backs on the king's majesty, making all speed towards the gateway
for shelter. This breach of good manners was not unnoticed by the
monarch, who said, wittily, we suppose, for it was much applauded, that
these gods were not of High Olympus, but of the nether sort, inasmuch as
they had turned tail upon their subject.
James and his company, passing through the ponderous and embattled
gateway, entered into the great quadrangle, an area, it is reported, of
sufficient size to contain six hundred men. Here he alighted, and was
conducted in great state to the oaken chamber, where, royalty being very
hot, a tankard of Rhenish wine, mingled with rosewater, was handed to
him; of this he partook but sparingly, calling to Buckingham for a cup
of muscadine and eggs.
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