Exactly at six a’clock came _Wou’d-be_ in his Coach and six, and found
Sir _Philip_, and his Lady, _Goodland_, _Philibella_, and _Lucy_ ready
to receive him; _Lucy_ as fine as a Dutchess, and almost as beautiful as
she was before her Fall. All things were in ample Order for his
Entertainment. They play’d till Supper was serv’d in, which was between
eight and nine. The Treat was very seasonable and splendid. Just as the
second Course was set on the Table, they were all on a sudden surpriz’d,
except _Would-be_, with a Flourish of Violins, and other Instruments,
which proceeded to entertain ’em with the best and newest Airs in the
last new Plays, being then in the Year 1683. The Ladies were curious to
know to whom they ow’d the chearful part of their Entertainment: On
which he call’d out, Hey! _Tom Farmer! Ale-worth! Eccles! Hall!_ and the
rest of you! Here’s a Health to these Ladies, and all this honourable
Company. They bow’d; he drank, and commanded another Glass to be fill’d,
into which he put something yet better than the Wine, I mean, ten
Guineas: Here, _Farmer_, (said he then) this for you and your Friends.
We humbly thank the honourable Mr. _Would-be King_. They all return’d,
and struck up with more Spriteliness than before. For Gold and Wine,
doubtless, are the best Rosin for Musicians.
After Supper they took a hearty Glass or two to the King, Queen, Duke,
&c. And then the mighty Cake, teeming with the Fate of this
extraordinary Personage, was brought in, the Musicians playing an
Overture at the Entrance of the _Alimental Oracle_; which was then cut
and consulted, and the royal Bean and Pea fell to those to whom Sir
_Philip_ had design’d ’em. ’Twas then the Knight began a merry Bumper,
with three Huzza’s, and, _Long live King +Would-be!+_ to _Goodland_, who
echo’d and pledg’d him, putting the Glass about to the harmonious
Attendants; while the Ladies drank their own Quantities among
themselves, _To his aforesaid Majesty_. Then of course you may believe
Queen _Lucy’s_ Health went merrily round, with the same Ceremony: After
which he saluted his Royal Consort, and condescended to do the same
Honour to the two other Ladies.
Then they fell a dancing, like Lightning; I mean, they mov’d as swift,
and made almost as little Noise; But his Majesty was soon weary of that;
for he long’d to be making love both to _Philibella_ and _Lucy_, who
(believe me) that Night might well enough have passed for a Queen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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