the King's Majefty (as many times it did) he would for his Recreation, resort unto the Cardinal's House,against whofe coming there wanted no Preparation or goodly Furnitures, with Victuals of the fineft fort that could be got for Money or Friendship. tainment of Such Pleasures were here devifed for His Enterthe King's Delight, as could be invented the King in or imagined; Banquets fet with Maf- a Masque. quers and Mummers, in fuch coftly manner,that it was glorious to behold; there wanted no Damfels meet to dance with the Mafquers, or to garnish the Place for the Time, with Variety of other Pa ftimes. Then was there divers kinds of Mufick, aud many choice Men and Women-fingers appointed to fing, who had excellent Voices. I have feen the King come fuddenly thither in a Masque, with a dozen Mafquers all in Garments like Shepherds, made of fine Cloth of Gold and Silver Wyre, and fix Torchbearers, befides their Drummers and others attending on them with Vizards, and cloathed all in Sattin. And before his entring into the Hall, you fhall understand that he came by Water to the Water-gate, without any manner of Noife, Noife, where were laid divers Cham bers and Guns charged with Shot, and at his Landing they were discharged, which made fuch a rattling Noife in the Air, that it was like Thunder; it made all the Noblemen, Gentlemen and Ladies to muse what it should mean coming fo fuddenly, they fitting quietly at a Banquet. In this fort you fhall underftand, that the Tables were fet in the Chamber of Prefence covered, and my Lord Cardinal fitting under his Cloth of State, and there having all his Service alone: And then was there fet a Lady and a Nobleman, a Gentleman and a Gentlewoman, throughout all the Tables in the Chambers on the one fide, which were made all joyning, as it were, but one Ta- . ble. All which Order was done by my Lord Sands, then Lord Chamberlain to the King, and by Sir Henry Guilford,then Comptroller of the King's Houfe. Then immediately, after this great Shot of Guns, the Cardinal defir'd the Lord-Chamberlain to fee what it did mean, as tho' he knew nothing of the matter; they then looked out of the Window into the Thames, and returning again, told him, That they thought they were ! were Noblemen and Strangers arrived at and his conducted Then went they incontinently into The King the Hall, where they were received with Company twenty Torches, and convey'd up into into the the Chamber with fuch a Number of Chamber. Drums and Flutes, as I have feldom feen together at one time and place. Then, at their arrival into the Chamber, they went two and two together directly before the Cardinal where he fate, and faluted them very reverently To whom the Lord-Chamberlain for them faid, Sir, forafmuch as they are Strangers, and cannot speak English, they have defir'd me to declare unto you, That they having understanding of this your triumphant Banquet, were affembled füch a number of fair Dames, they could do no lef (under the Supportation of your Grace) than to view as well their incomparable Beauties, D 射 The Maf quersfalute as to accompany them at Mumchance, and after that to dance with them, fo to beget their better Acquaintance. And, furthermore, they require of your Grace, license to accomplish this caufe of their coming. When the Cardinal faid, He was willing, and very well content they should do fo. Then went the Masquers and first sa the Ladies. luted all the Dames, and then return'd to the moft worthieft, and there opened the great Cup of Gold,fill'd with Crowns and other Pieces to caft at. Thus perufing all the Gentlewomen, of fome they won, and to fome they loft. And, having view'd all the Ladies, they return'd to the Cardinal with great Reverence, pouring down all their Gold, The Cardi- which was above 200 Crowns. At all, quoth the Cardinal, and cafting the Dye, Crowns. he won it, whereat was made great Joy. nal cafts at 200 Then, quoth the Cardinal to my LordChamberlain, I pray you go tell them, that to me it feemeth, that there should be a Nobleman amongst them, that better deferves to fit in this Place than I, to whom Ifbould gladly furrender the fame, accord. ing to my Duty, if I knew him. Then fpake my Lord-Chamberlain to them in French, declaring my Lord-Car dinal's dinal's Words, and they rounding him again in the Ear, the Lord-Chamberlain faid unto my Lord-Cardinal, Sir, (quoth he) they confeß, that among them is fuch a noble Perfonage, whom, if your Grace can point out from the rest, he is contented to difclofe himself, and to accept of your Place most willingly. With that, the Cardinal taking good Advice, went amongst them, and, at the laft, (quoth he) It feemeth to me, that the Gentleman with the black Beard should be he. And with that he rose out of his Chair, and offered the fame to the Gentleman with the black Beard, with the Cup in his Hand: But the Cardinal was The Cardi miftaken, for the Perfon to whom he ken. then offer'd his Chair, was Sir Edward Nevill, a comely Knight, and of a goodly Perfonage, who did more resemble his Majefty's Person than any other in that Masque. The King, feeing the Cardinal fo deceiv'd in his choice, could not forbear laughing, but pull'd down his Vizard, and Sir Edward Nevill's alfo, with fuch a pleasant Countenance and Cheer, that all the noble Eftates defir'd his Highness to take his Place: To whom the King D 2 made nal mifta |