The Court of Philip IV.: Spain in Decadence — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Court of Philip IV.: Spain in Decadence
David Hume · en
[8] "Todos tienen lindos trajes y altos cuerpos; y en habiendo entrado
en conversacion con nosotros se apartan luego, y hacen cabriolas,
cantando entre dientes: y aunque entre ellos usan esto no lo usava el
Almirante." Gascon de Torquemada's MS B.M., Add. MSS. 10,236. Cabrera
de Cordova (_Relacion de las Cosas Sucedidas desde 1599 hasta_ 1614)
also mentions the "cabriolas" or skipping of the English gentlemen in
the grand ball given in their honour on the 16th June by the King. The
passion for dancing "high and disposedly" was at the time considered
peculiarly English, and Englishmen are frequently referred to in
Spanish letters of the time as being naturally volatile and mercurial,
in marked contrast with their latter-day descendants.
[9] See Geronimo Gascon de Torquemada's MS. B.M., Add. MSS. 10,936.
[10] Full accounts of Howard's reception may be found in Torquemada's
MS. already quoted, in Novoa's relation (_Documentos Ineditos_, 60 and
61), in Cabrera de Cordova, in Davila already quoted, and in Yepes'
_Felipe III_. Madrid, 1723.
[11] Cervantes thus writes on the subject--
"This pearl that Thou to us hast given,
Star of Austria's diadem:
What crafty plans, what high designs,
Are shattered by this peerless gem.
What hopes within our breasts are raised,
What soaring schemes have come to nought,
What fears are by his birth aroused.
What havoc with ambition wrought!"
MacColl's translation of "The Exemplary Novels."
[12] With him, we are told, walked the Princes of Savoy and all the
grandees and prelates present in Valladolid, the household of each
parsonage being dressed in new liveries for the occasion, those of the
royal servants being white and crimson trimmed with gold. The English
ambassador Howard witnessed the procession, as he did later in the day
that of the baptism, from a corner balcony in Count Rivadavia's house,
his garments glittering with diamonds, and the collar of the Garter on
his shoulder. It was noticed that when the King passed beneath the
Englishman doffed his bonnet and made a deep reverence. Porreño, _Vida
y Hechos de Phelipe III_.
[13] Cabrera, _Relacion de las Cosas Sucedidas desde 1599 hasta 1614_.
In addition to the authorities already quoted, there is a curious
account of the celebrations referred to, sometimes attributed to
Cervantes, called _Relacion de lo Subcedido en la Ciudad da
Valladolid_, etc. Published at Valladolid in 1605.
[14] A detailed account of these attempts will be found in _Treason and
Plot_, by the present writer, and in the fourth volume of his
_Calendars of Spanish State Papers of the Reign of Elizabeth_.