The black-faced visor having
seated himself, the arras was again let down; when several men,
bedizened with ribands and nosegays, wheeled off the vehicle to its
destination on the green.
The bower was garnished with roses, gilliflowers, pinks, and odoriferous
herbs. Garlands of artificial flowers were interspersed; likewise
imitations in satin, silk, and gold, of various trees, herbs, and
fruits, not to be found in those parts. All this had been accomplished
with great pains by the ladies of the queen's mimic court, Sir John
Finett superintending "_The Bower of Beautie_," as his peculiar
province. To Sir George Goring were allotted the bears, satyrs, imps,
angels, gods, and other like rabble, who were taught with much labour
and difficulty, in so short a space, their several parts.
Sir John Finett had received a mandate to be near the king during the
acts, that he might be instructed in their several uses and designs,
Buckingham having signified his wish to sport a mask on the occasion;
Sir John, therefore, much to his regret, was completely debarred from
approaching his mistress.
The king's coming was announced by a flourish of trumpets, and a loud
bray from the delighted multitude, who sent up a shout that shook the
very foundations.
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