The History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, vol. 1
Allen, Thomas
1827
Certain notes of the QUENES MAJESTIES great mercie, clemencie, and wisdom, used in this passage.
Aboute the nether ende of Cornehyll, toward Cheape, of the Knightes about her Grace had espyed an ancient Citizen, which wepte, and turned his head back; and therewith said this gentleman, The Quenes Majestie heard hym, and said, A gracious interpretation of a noble courage, which would turne the doutefull to the best. And yet it was well known, that, as her Grace did confirm the same, the parties cheare was moved for very pure gladnes for the sight of her Majesties person, at the beholding whereof he toke such comforte, that with teares he expressed the same. | |
In Cheapeside her Grace smiled, and being thereof demanded the cause, answered, A natural child, which at the very remembrance of her Father's name toke so great a joy, that all men may well think, that as she rejoysed at his name whom this realme doth hold of so worthy memories; so in her doinges she will resemble the same. | |
When the Cities charge without parcialitie, and only the Citie, was mencioned unto her Grace, she said it should not be forgotten. Whiche saying myght move all Englishmen heartelye to shewe due obedience and entiernes to so good a Quene, which will in no poynt forget any parcell of duetie lovingly shewed unto her. | |
The answer which her Grace made unto Maister Recorder of London, as the hearers know it to be true, and with melting hearts heard the same: so may the reader thereof conceive what kinde of stomacke and courage pronounced the same. | |
What more famous thing doe we reade in ancient Histories of olde tyme, then that mighty Prynces have gentlye received presentes offered them by base and low personages? If that be to be wondered at (as it is passingly) let me se Princes lyfe is able to recounted so many presidents of this vertue, as her Grace shewed | |
273 | in this passage through the Citie. How many nosegayes did her Grace receive at poor women hands: how ofttimes stayed she her chariot, when she sawe any simple body offer to speaker to her Grace: a branch of rosemary geven to her Grace with a supplication by a poore woman about Flete Bridge, was seen in her chariot til her Grace came to , not without the marveylous wondering of such as knew the presenter, and noted the Quenes most gracious receiving and keeping the same. |
What hope the poore and nedy may looke for at her Graces hande, she as in all her journey continually, so in hearkenyng to the poore chyldren of Christes Hospitall with eyes cast up into Heaven, did fullye declare, as that neither the welthier estate could stand without consideration had to the povertie, neither the povertie be duelye considered, unless they were remembered, as commended to us by Goddes owne mouth. | |
As at her entrance she as it were declared herself prepared to passe through a Citie that most entierly loved her, so she at her last departing, as it were, bownde herself by promise to continue good Ladie and Governor unto that Citie which by outward declaracion did open their love to their so loving and noble Prince in such wyse, as she herself wondered therat. | |
But because Princes be set in their seate by God's appoynting, and therefore they must and chiefly tender the glory of him from whom their glory issueth, it is to be noted in her Grace, that forsomuch as God hath so wonderfully placed her in the seate of Government over this Realme, she in all doinges doth shew herself most myndfull of his goodnes and mercie shewed unto her, and amongest all other, principal sygnes thereof were noted in thys passage. in the Towre, where her Grace, before she entered her chariot, lifted up her eyes to Heaven, and said: | |
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The was the receiving of the Byble at the Little Conduit in Cheape. For when her Grace had learned that the Byble in English should there be offered, she thanked the Citie therefore, promysed the reading thereof most diligentlye, and incontinent commaunded that it should be brought. At the recent wherof, how reverently did she with both her hands take it, kisse it, and lay it upon her breast: to the great comfort of the lookers-on. God will undoubtedly preserve so worthy a Prince, which at his honor so reverently taketh her beginning. For this saying is true, and written | |
274 | in the boke of truth:
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Now therefore all English hertes, and her natural people, must nedes praise God's mercy, which hath sent them so worthy a Prince, and pray for her Graces long continuance amongest us. | |