Rambles in an Old City: comprising antiquarian, historical, biographical and political associationsMadders, Susan Swain
History
Rambles in an Old City: comprising antiquarian, historical, biographical and political associations
Madders, Susan Swain
Norwich (England)
Another painting of a matron and several children, over whom was
written, “Good nurture changeth qualities.” Upon the stage, at one end,
stood six little girls spinning worsted yarn, at the other end the same
number knitting worsted hose; in the centre stood a little boy, gaily
dressed, who represented the “COMMONWEALTH of the city,” who made a
lengthened speech, commencing—
“Most gracious prince, undoubted sovereign queen,
Our only joy next God and chief defence;
In this small shew our whole estate is seen,
The wealth we have we find proceed from thence;
The idle hand hath here no place to feed,
The painsful wight hath still to serve his need;
Again our seat denies our traffick here,
The sea too near divides us from the rest.
So weak we were within this dozen year,
As care did quench the courage of the best;
But good advice hath taught these little hands
To rend in twain the force of pining bands.
From combed wool we draw the slender thread,
From thence the looms have dealing with the same,
And thence again in order do proceed,
These several works which skilful art doth frame,
And all to drive dame _Need_ into her cave
Our heads and hands together laboured have.
We bought before the things that now we sell.
These slender imps, their works do pass the waves,
Of every mouth the hands the charges saves,
Thus through thy help, and aid of power divine,
Doth Norwich live, whose hearts and goods are thine.’”
This device gave her majesty much pleasure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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