Manuscripts, several of which are extant in the Harleian Collection in the British Museum, there are the very verses spoken to the Queen on the Bridge, composed, as he says, by John Lydgate. The Manuscript I allude to, is one to which I have already made a reference, being No. 542, a small quarto volume written on antique paper, in Stow’s own plain, but minute hand-writing. In this volume, therefore, article 16, on page 101 a, is entitled, ‘_The speches in the pagiaunts at y^e cominge of Qwene Margaret wyfe to Henry the syxt of that name Kynge of England, the 28th of Maye, 1445, y^e 23rd of his reigne_.’ The first pageant, which was an allegorical representation of Peace and Plenty, was erected at the foot of London Bridge, and the motto attached to it was ‘_Ingredimini et replete Terram_,’--Enter ye and replenish the earth,--taken from Genesis ix. according to the Vulgate Latin. The verses addressed to Queen Margaret were as follow:-- ‘Most Christian Princesse, by influence of grace, Doughter of Jherusalem, owr plesáunce And joie, welcome as ever Princess was, With hert entier, and hoole affiáunce: Cawser of welthe, ioye, and abundáunce, Youre Citee, yowr people, your subgets all, With hert, with worde, with dede, your highnesse to aváunce, Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! vnto you call.’ “Upon the Bridge itself appeared a pageant representing Noah’s Ark, bearing the words ‘_Jam non ultra irascar super terram_,’--Henceforth there shall no more be a curse upon the earth,--Genesis viii. 21. and the following verses were delivered before it:-- ‘So trustethe your people, with assuráunce Throwghe yowr grace, and highe benignitie.-- ’Twixt the Realmes two, England and Fraunce, Pees shall approche, rest and vnité: Mars set asyde with all his crueltyé, Whiche too longe hathe trowbled the Realmes twayne; Bydynge yowr comforte, in this adversité, Most Christian Princesse owr Lady Soverayne. Right as whilom, by God’s myght and grace, Noé this arké dyd forge and ordayne; Wherein he and his might escape and passe The flood of vengeaunce cawsed by trespasse: Conveyed aboute as god list him to gye. By meane of mercy found a restinge place Aftar the flud, vpon this Armonie. Vnto the Dove that browght the braunche of peas,-- Resemblinge yowr symplenesse columbyne,-- Token and signé that the flood shuld cesse, Conducte by grace and power devyne; Sonne of comfort ’gynneth faire to shine By yowr presence whereto we synge and seyne Welcome of ioye right extendet lyne Moste Christian Princesse, owr Lady Sovereyne.’