bordered about, of a ten foot square; the ground black, whereupon in large white Roman capitals, fayr written, a poem mentioning these gods and their gifts, thus presented unto her Highness: which, because it remained unremoved, I took it out as followeth:--[Each word in reference to the Queen was written in gold.]-- <g>Ad Majestatem Regiam.</g> Jupiter huc certos cernens <g>te</g> tendere gressus Cœlicolas Princeps actutum convocat omnes; Obsequium præstare jubet <g>tibi</g> quemque benignum. Unde suas Sylvanus aves, Pomonaque fructus, Alma Ceres fruges, hilarantia vina Lyæus, Neptunus pisces, tela et tutantia Mavors, Suave melos Phœbus, solidamque longamque salutem. Dii <g>tibi, Regina</g>, hæc (cum sis Dignissima) præbent; Hoc <g>tibi</g> cum Domino, dedit se et werda Kenelmi. This was read to her by a poet, “in a long ceruleous garment, with a bay garland on his head, and a skro in his hand. So passing into the inner court, her Majesty (that never rides but alone), thear set down from her palfrey, [Illustration] was conveied up to <g>Chamber</g>[202] [in which stood a splendid <g>Chimney-piece</g>], when after did follo a great peal of gunz, and lightning by fyrwork.”--Progrest. The festivities lasted seventeen days, and comprised nearly every pastime which the resources of the age could produce. The hart was hunted in the park; the dance was proclaimed in the gallery; and the tables were loaded from morn to midnight with sumptuous cheer. The park was peopled with mimic gods and goddesses, to surprise the regal visitant with complimentary dialogues and poetical representations. In the chase, a savage man, with satyrs, bear-baitings, fireworks, Italian tumblers, a country bride-ale, with runnings at the quintain and morrice-dancing; and that nothing might be wanting which those parts could afford, the Coventry men came and acted the ancient play, long since used in that city, called “Hock’s Tuesday,”[203] setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred’s time; which pleased the Queen so much, that she gave them a brace of bucks, and five marks in money, to bear the charges of a feast. Likewise on the pool there was a Triton, riding on a mermaid, eighteen feet long; as also Arion, on a dolphin; and rare music. The costs and expenses of these entertainments may be guessed at by the quantity of beer then drank, which amounted to three hundred and twenty hogsheads of the ordinary sort. More simple amusements were also studiously introduced: the rural neighbours were assembled to run at the quintain; and a marriage, in strict consistency with country ceremonials, was celebrated under the observance of the Queen. Every hour had its peculiar sport. A famous Italian tumbler displayed feats of agility; morris-dancers went through their rude evolutions, by way of interlude; and thirteen bears were baited for the gratification of the courtiers! During the Queen’s stay, five gentlemen