_Mast. Cer._ There hath always been a difference observed between the public ministers of kings and of commonwealths, or princes of inferior titles. _Wh._ The title of Protector, as to a sovereign title, hath not yet been determined in the world as to superiority or inferiority to other titles; but I am sure that the nation of England hath ever been determined superior to that of Denmark. I represent the nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Protector, who is chief of them; and the honour of these nations ought to be in the same consideration now as it hath been formerly, and I must not suffer any diminution of that honour by my person to please any whatsoever. _Mast. Cer._ I shall propose an expedient to you, that you may take your places as you come: he who comes first, the first place, and he who comes last, the lower place. _Wh._ I shall hardly take a place below the Danish Ambassador, though I come into the room after him. _Mast. Cer._ But when you come into the room and find the Danish Ambassador set, you cannot help it, though he have the upper place. _Wh._ I shall endeavour to help it, rather than sit below the Danish Ambassador. _Mast. Cer._ I presume you will not use force in the Queen's presence. _Wh._ Master, it is impossible for me, if it were in the presence of all the queens and kings in Christendom, to forbear to use any means to hinder the dishonour of my nation in my person. _Mast. Cer._ I believe the Danish Ambassador would not be so high as you are. _Wh._ There is no reason why he should: he knows his nation never pretended to have the precedence of England, and you, being master of the ceremonies, cannot be ignorant of it. _Mast. Cer._ I confess that your nation always had the precedence of Denmark when you were under a king. _Wh._ I should never give it from them though they were under a constable. _Mast. Cer._ If you insist upon it, the Danish Ambassador must be uninvited again, for I perceive that you two must not meet. _Wh._ I suppose the gentleman would not expect precedence of me. _Mast. Cer._ I can assure you he doth. _Wh._ I can assure you he shall never have it, if I can help it. But I pray, Master, tell me whether her Majesty takes notice of this question of precedence, or did she wish to confer with me about it? _Mast. Cer._ The Queen commanded me to speak with you about it, hoping that the question might be so composed that she might have the company of you both at her entertainment. _Wh._ I shall stay at home rather than interrupt her Majesty's pleasures, which I should do by meeting the Danish Ambassador, to whom I shall not give precedence, unless he be stronger than I. _Mast. Cer._ The Queen makes this masque chiefly for your Excellence's entertainment, therefore you must not be absent, but rather the Danish Ambassador must be uninvited; and I shall presently go about it. [SN: Order on the Swedish ships.]