An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
History
An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
English literature
This pageant was grounded upon the Queen Majesty's name. For like
as the long war between the two Houses of YORK and LANCASTER then
ended, when ELIZABETH, daughter of EDWARD IV., matched in marriage
with HENRY VII., heir to the House of LANCASTER; so since that the
Queen's Majesty's name was ELIZABETH, and forasmuch as she is the only
heir of HENRY VIII., which came of both Houses as the knitting up of
concord: it was devised that like as ELIZABETH was the first occasion
of concord; so She, another ELIZABETH, might maintain the same among
her subjects. So that Unity was the end, whereat the whole device shot;
as the Queen's Majesty's name moved the first ground.
This pageant now against the Queen's Majesty's coming, was addressed
[_set forth_] with children representing the forenamed personages; with
all furniture due unto the setting forth of such a well-meant matter,
as the argument declared, costly and sumptuously set forth, as the
beholders can witness.
* * * * *
Now, the Queen's Majesty drew near unto the said pageant, and forasmuch
as the noise was great, by reason of the press of people, so that she
could scarce hear the child which did interpret the said pageant; and
her chariot was passed so far forward that she could not well view the
personages representing the Kings and Queens above named; she required
to have the matter opened unto her, and what they signified, with the
End of Unity, and Ground of her Name, according as is before expressed.
For the sight whereof, Her Grace caused her chariot to be removed back;
and yet hardly could she see, because the children were set somewhat
with the farthest in.
But after that Her Grace understood the meaning thereof, she thanked
the City, praised the fairness of the work, and promised that "She
would do her whole endeavour for the continual preservation of
concord!" as the pageant did import.
* * * * *
The child appointed in the standing above named, to open the meaning of
the said pageant, spake these words unto Her Grace.
The two Princes that sit under one Cloth of State:
The Man in the red rose; the Woman in the white:
HENRY the SEVENTH, and Queen ELIZABETH his mate,
By ring of marriage, as man and wife unite.
Both heirs to both their bloods: to LANCASTER, the King,
The Queen, to YORK; in one the two Houses do knit.
Of whom, as Heir to both, HENRY the EIGHTH did spring,
In whose seat, his true Heir, thou, Queen ELIZABETH! dost sit!
Therefore as civil war and shed of blood did cease;
When these two Houses were united into one:
So now, that jar shall stint and quietness increase,
We trust, O noble Queen! thou wilt be cause alone!
The which also were written in Latin verses. And both drawn in two
tables upon the forefront of the said pageant, as hereafter followeth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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