The Triumphes of Steele and Iron.

THis famous and most Honorable Citie of London, hauing (for many hundred yeares) had the Royall preheminence, to make choyce of her chiefe Magistrate, by the title of Lord Maior, and two Sheireffes, as his worthy Assistants in Office for the yeares au­thority, vnder the highest and supreme [Page] power, enioying the same by free voice & sufferages of publick election, in the Guild-Hall of London. Now in this instant yeare 1618. Sir Sebastian Haruey, Knight, and Aldermam of this Noble City, and free of the Right Worshipfull Company of Ironmongers, being chosen into that great and gracefull dignity; his affectionate & kinde Brethren (according to ancient and precedent custome, obserued to many more Lord Maiors of the same Society) did thus tender their willing and hearty seruice to him, vpon the day of his inau­guration, when (passing by Barge with the other Aldermen his Brethren) hee went to take his Oath at Westminster, on Thursday the 29. of October.

The first deuise, presenting it selfe for his Honors seruice, is an imaginary Island, tearmed Lemnos, very ingeniously and artificially fitted, sutable to the dayes so­lemnity. And, because fauourable con­ceit, must needs supply the defect of im­possible performance, especially in so slen­der [Page] a compasse: let the Isle it selfe be swal­lowed vp in the apparance of a goodly Myne, aptly seated in the midst thereof. Therein Mulciber, the God of Mynes and Mettals (especially such as consist of Steele & Iron) sheweth his personall attendance, with diuers of his one-eyed Cyclops about him, forming from the Mynes Oare, Gads of Steele, Barres of Iron, & other such like matters out of the Mettals, for vse of the Ironmongers Societie, who are as Lords & Maisters of the sayd Myne, and therefore it is called the Ironmongers Myne. These feigned Cyclops, suted according to their seruice and diligence (each with his Ham­mer busily imployed, while others attend the Fire and Bellowes) are nimble and dexterious youthes, such, as to the conti­nuall fall of their Hammers, in sweet Mu­sicall voyces, and delicate variety of plea­sing changes; doe out-weare their worke merrily, as accounting no toyle tedious, thus bestowed in the Societies seruice: closing vp euery Stanza with Acier Dure, [Page] the worde or Motto belonging to the Companie.

This Isle or Myne being seated qua­drangle-wise, at the foure corners sit foure beautifull Nymphes or Graces; being na­med Chrusos, Argurion, Calcos and Sideros, figuring the foure ages of the world, and habited according to their true Carrac­ters and natures. The Golden-Age, the Sil­uer-Age, and the Brazen-Age, hauing for­merly triumphed, according to their seue­rall turnes and times of eminency: doe now giue way to the Iron-Age (wherein wee liue) to haue her degree of soueraign­ty, as holding chiefe predominance in this daies Triumph. For, she being sole Com­mandresse, in Mettals of most vsuall im­ployment; affordeth out of her bounte­ous Myne, all kinds of Martiall and Mili­tary weapons, honouring with them Armes and Souldiers. Likewise, for Til­lage and Husbandry, those instruments best agreeing therewith: because it is the sustentation of life, and supporter of all o­ther [Page] manuary Trades. Being not vnmind­full also, of Nauigation & Cōmerce with forraigne Nations, which can haue no consistence, but by her helpe.

Beside, the Companies Creast, of two Lizzards, linked together with a Golden Terret (which in their Coate of Armes, is placed in the Cheueron) stands fairely figured vpon the Myne. Aboue them all is Iupiter, mounted vpon his Royall Eagle, with his three-forked Thunderbolt in his hand, made in the Isle of Lemnos by Mul­ciber. He is also clad in a faire Armour, in­tended for the seruice of Mars▪ but now bestowne on him, as an honourable pre­sent by Mulciber, because hee so graciously vouchsafed, to bee personally present in this Triumph, as Patron of all their pains, and protector from foule-mouthed slan­der and detraction.

This deuise is drawne by two goodly Estridges, as being supporters of the Sooi­eties Armes, and therefore aptly alluded as Guides to Mulcibers Myne, befitting none [Page] other so well as that: for, naturally they dige [...] both Steele and Iron, as is auouched by many credible Authors.

One other Millitary Engine also, see­ming to be forged in the same Myne, is ap­pointed to the second place, which is a fair and goodly Cannon, strongly mounted vpon her Carriage, with all necessarie fur­nishment, for charging and discharging, by her, as also diuerse Chambers, to bee shot off as occasion serueth, and as the Maister Gunner and his Mate (there pre­sent) please to giue direction, or performe the seruice in their owne persons.

Certaine gallant Knights in Armour, well mounted on their Coursers for ser­uice, and readily prepared with their Pe­tronells; haue the charge or guiding of this Cannon▪ besides a braue troupe of Musketiers. This was first imployed on the water, in the mornings seruice, and afterward helpeth the dayes further Tri­umph.

Next followeth a siluer Leopard, thick­ly bespotted with blacke Pellets, being the Creast of the Lord Maiors Armes. Vp­on the Leopard rideth an ancient Brittish Barde; For Bardes were esteemed as Poets or Propheticall Sooth-sayers, and (in those reuerend times) held in no meane admira­tion and honour. Hee guideth the way to the Mount of Fame, being a Pageant, and aptly alluding to the other deuise; but in a more morrall and significant manner. For therein is figured, a modell of Londons [Page] happy Gouernement, in that supreame dignity of the Maioraltie. Being a true type of that most sacred Maiesty, by whose gracious fauour it is best supported, and borroweth (from thence) all beames of true light and splendor.

In the most eminent place sitteth Fame, seeming as if shee sounded her Golden Trumpet, the Banner whereof, is plenti­fully powdred with Tongues, Eyes and Eares: implying, that all tongues should be silent, all eyes and eares wide open, when Fame filleth the world with her sa­cred memories.

This day, shee seemeth to present the new sworne Lord Maior to Soueraigne Maiesty, whose Lieutenant and lawfull Deputy hee is now inuested for London. Shee sheweth him, what other gracious personages shee hath there attending her, for more honourable solemnity of this generall Triumph; presaging a happy and successefull course to his yeare of gouern­ment. By her is figured a goodly Shippe, [Page] whereby she conueighes all beatitudes of Kingdomes, Cities and Nations, to the furthest remoate Countries. Intimating thereby, how the Magistrate may honour his Prince, in that high trust and care com­mitted to him, and supplying the State still with all needfull occasions, as by Trafficke and Commerce are continually required.

Expectation (sitting somewhat lower on Fames right hand) intimateth to him, that there will be more then ordinary matter expecte from him▪ in regard, that hee is now mounted like a Beacon on an Hill, to flame forth brightly, and not to burne dimly. Whereof Hope (sitting on the o­ther side) seemeth to giue a gracious per­swasion. In regarde, that his worthy Fa­ther did formerly supply the same place, and left such sensible instructions to his Sonne, as cannot but edge his temper the more keenely, and quicken his spirits the more industriously. Because it is no com­mō thing, for a Son, to succeed his Father [Page] in such eminencie, and therefore bindeth him to the more serious obseruance.

Wherein to encourage him the more, shee sheweth him all those sacred Vertues, that gaue his Father comfort in his Magi­stracie, Iustice and Fortitude, who will as forwardly further him; treading downe those vile Incendiaries, Ambition, Treason, and Hostility, which seeke the subuersi­on of all estates, by Bribing, Corruption, and smoothing Insinuation, or else by o­pen Fire and Sword. But because this yeare may be the better secured, against all their violences and treacherous attempts; they sit gyued, and manacled together in Iron shackles, purposely made and sent from the Ironmongers Myne, to binde such base villaines to their better behauiour.

Now, because Fame cannot endure, that any part of her Mount should bee vnfitly furnished: In a degree more backward, & somewhat lower then her Seat, sit her two sober Sisters, Feare and Modesty; both vai­led, but so sharpe-sighted, that they can [Page] discerne through the darkest obscurities, when any disorder threatneth danger to Maiesty, or to his carefull Deputie. When any such inconuenience happeneth, forth­with they informe Vigilancy & Prouidence, sitting next to them. Who hearing the La­rum and striking clock in the Castle: they awake Care the Sentinell, to ring the Bell in the Watch-Tower, which calleth vp Courage & Councel, that euery one may haue imploi­mēt, for safe preseruing the Moūt of Fame.

For better vnderstanding the true mora­lity of this deuise, the personages haue all Emblemes and Properties in their hands, & so neere them, that the weakest capacity may take knowledge of thē; which course in such solemne Triumphes hath alwaies beene allowed of best obseruation: both for auoiding trouble to the Magistrate, by tedious and impertinent speeches, and de­uouring the time, which craueth diligent expedition.

Concerning our Brittish Barde, raised to bee our Speaker, by sacred power of the [Page] Muses, hee reuoluing ouer his ancient vo­lumes, concerning the course of times; findeth, that in this yeare of 1618. the letter H. shall haue predominance in three di­stinct persons, as eminent Gouernours, & namely in the City of London, viz. the L. Maior, and both the Shieriffes. And if his predicting opinion doth not beguile it selfe, he saith that their names, will be Har­uey, Herne and Hamarsley, for so the booke of Fate hath concluded of them, against which can be no contradiction. Whereup­on making triall of his diuination hy his staffe (which vsually directed him in all such courses) as hee speaketh to the Lord Maior; he smiteth the Staffe vpon his foot, & suddenly issueth forth the three seuerall letters of H. apparantly to be discerned of all. So, finding his iudgement to be fallen out true, & that the persons figured by those three letters are also there present: he proceedeth on in the rest of his Speech, which according to the Brittish garbe, and as then he vttered it, is here set downe.