Before noon the preparations for the Prince’s reception were complete. All the houses in High-street had been hung with carpets and costly1 stuffs, and otherwise decorated. From the Water-gate to the porch of Holyrood Church, where high mass was to be performed for the Prince, the street was kept clear by archers2 and arquebusiers fully3 equipped, and drawn4 up on either side, their steel caps and breastplates glittering in the brilliant sunshine.
By-and-by a grand cavalcade5 of richly-apparelled nobles, well mounted, and followed by long trains of esquires and pages wearing their liveries, rode towards the quay6. Noticeable amongst these were the Earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, and Sussex, but the personage who attracted most attention was the Duke of Norfolk.
This venerable peer, whose long confinement7 in the Tower, commencing at the latter part of the reign8 of Henry VIII., and extending throughout that of his son, Edward VI., had neither broken his spirit nor impaired10 his bodily vigour11, rode a high-spirited charger, which he managed with all the address and grace of a youthful cavalier. Norfolk’s attire12 was of almost regal magnificence, being of purple velvet13, edged with miniver, and richly embroidered14, and his charger was trapped in cloth of gold, of red and yellow sheen. Behind him rode eighteen pages, each mounted on a handsome courser, and each clad in cloth of gold.
78After the Duke of Norfolk and his attendants had ridden by, six mounted trumpeters, with the royal badge on their scarlet15 surcoats, came on, and made the welkin ring with the din9 of their silver clarions. After the trumpeters walked a troop of lacqueys, sumptuously16 attired17 in silk and velvet. Then came other nobles and gentlemen of the train, all superbly mounted, and vying18 with each other in the splendour of their apparel, and the number of their pages and esquires.
Next came a band of minstrels playing upon tambours and rebecs. Then more lacqueys in the royal liveries, and after them Sir Edward Hastings, Master of the Horse, who was followed by two grooms19 leading a Spanish jennet, caparisoned in cloth of silver, the bridal, poitral, and saddle being studded with silver roses. This beautiful animal had been sent by the Queen for her intended consort20.
Next came Sir Robert Rochester, Comptroller, and after him rode the Marquis of Winchester and the Earl of Arundel. Each of these noblemen was magnificently attired, and followed by a long train of attendants. Then came a mounted guard, preceding the town authorities, who marched two abreast21, this part of the procession being closed by the mayor on horseback.
Passing through the Water-gate, on the summit of which the royal standard now floated, the whole of the splendid cavalcade crossed the drawbridge, and proceeded to that part of the quay where it was intended the disembarkation should take place. A vast concourse had here assembled, but a wide space near the water was kept clear by the guard, and within this the procession drew up.
It was now high tide, and close to the strand22 lay the Queen’s barge23, gorgeously decorated, and having a broad banner embroidered with the arms of England on the stern.
The Earl of Arundel with the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquis of Winchester, and the principal nobles, having dismounted, entered this barque, and were immediately rowed by two banks of oarsmen to the Prince’s ship. In front of the royal barge stood six trumpeters. Four other gilded24 barges25 followed. The course of these gorgeous barques was watched with momently-increasing interest by the thousands 79of spectators on the quays26, on the town walls, and on other points of observation.
With her decks crowded with arquebusiers in their full accoutrements, and banners floating from her turrets27, the “Santissima Trinidada” made a most gallant28 show, exciting the wonder and admiration29 of all who gazed upon her. Her companions on the right and left were likewise splendidly decorated, and, indeed, every vessel30 within sight fluttered with banners and streamers.
As the royal barge approached the Prince’s ship, loud fanfares31 were sounded by the trumpeters, and immediately several officials in rich habiliments, and bearing white wands, appeared at the head of the stairs. On gaining the deck, the Earl of Arundel and the other nobles were conducted with the utmost ceremony to Philip, whom they found surrounded by the Dukes of Alva and Medina Celi, Don Ruy Gomez, and the rest of the grandees32 composing the Prince’s suite33.
On this occasion Philip had laid aside his customary black habiliments, and wore a doublet and hose of crimson34 silk, with a robe of cloth of gold. His boots were decked with golden strings35, and bordered with pearls. All the grandees forming his entourage were dressed with extraordinary magnificence, and made a most splendid display.
Philip received the English nobles with the greatest courtesy, and being informed that the Earl of Arundel was the bearer to him, from her Majesty36, of the insignia of the most noble Order of the Garter, he immediately bowed his head, and while the collar was passed over his neck by the Earl, the Duke of Norfolk buckled37 on the garter. When this ceremony had been performed, and an interchange of formal salutations had taken place between the English nobles and the Spanish grandees, the Prince was conducted to the royal barge, the English nobles entering it with him. The Spanish grandees, with various officials, gentlemen, and pages, in attendance upon the Prince, went ashore38 in the other boats.
On the part of the quay reserved for the disembarkation, a rich Turkey carpet had been laid, and upon this stood four henchmen in parti-coloured attire of crimson velvet and yellow silk, sustaining an embroidered canopy39 of red 80damask, fringed with golden thread. The pages, esquires, and other officials having first landed, the royal barge was brought close to the strand, and a railed plank40, covered with striped cloth, being laid upon it, offered an easy passage to the Prince, whose deportment as he slowly traversed it, was singularly haughty41 and majestic42.
On the instant that Philip stepped ashore a royal salute43 was fired from the castle batteries, the roar being prolonged by every gun in the English fleet. At the same time vociferous44 acclamations arose from the spectators.
“Heaven save your Highness!—welcome to England!” exclaimed a voice from amidst a group near the canopy.
The voice sounded familiar to Philip, and glancing in the direction of the speaker, he recognised Rodomont Bittern, who, with his friends, had managed to obtain a position with the mayor and the town authorities. Rodomont’s exclamation45, uttered in a loud voice, and with unmistakable heartiness46, found many an echo. Pleased by the cordiality of the welcome, Philip bowed graciously around, and in so doing addressed a slight smile of recognition to Rodomont.
A brief pause now ensued, but as soon as the grandees had landed, and ranged themselves behind him, Philip drew his sword, holding it aloft till he got beneath the canopy, when he again stood still, and returned the blade to the scabbard. This action surprised all the lookers-on, and gave rise to many comments.
“By Saint Jude! a strange proceeding47!” observed Jack48 Holiday to his companions. “Are we to understand that the Prince intends to rule England with the sword?”
“By the mass! it looks like it,” rejoined Simnel.
“Tut! you are wrong in your surmise,” cried Rodomont. “His Highness draws the sword in the defence of our country. That I take to be the meaning of the act.”
Attended by the aldermen, the mayor now advanced towards the Prince, and reverentially presented him with the keys of the town, laid upon a velvet cushion.
Philip did not take the keys, but graciously bidding the mayor arise, said in clear and distinct accents, “I thank you, Sir, and I thank all those with you for this welcome. You know what has brought me here. I come not in 81search of men or treasure, having sufficient of both in the country I have left. As the chosen husband of your wise and virtuous49 Queen, I come to dwell among you, not as a foreigner, but as a native Englishman. To you, my good lords,” he added to the English nobles, who were ranged on either side of the canopy, “I am much beholden for the assurances of loyalty50 and devotion which you have already proffered51 me, and I here publicly declare that you, and all her Majesty’s faithful subjects, shall ever find me anxious to promote the welfare of the kingdom, to observe its laws, conform to its customs, and defend it against all enemies.”
Then, turning to the Spanish grandees, who were standing52 behind him, he said, “My lords, you all, I am well assured, share the gratification I experience at the very friendly reception that has been given me. Hitherto, you have been strangers to the people of England, but this must be so no longer. Spaniards and Englishmen must henceforth be brethren, bound together by ties of strictest amity53. It shall be my aim to encourage and maintain a good understanding between the two nations, and, seconded by you, and by these noble English lords, I cannot fail in my design.”
“We are ready to obey your Highness in all things,” said the Duke of Alva, with a haughty inclination54 of his head, while the other grandees made similar professions.
“He may talk till he is tired,” muttered the Lord Admiral. “There will be no cordial understanding between us.”
This opinion was shared by several others. Indeed, the English nobles were deterred55 by the arrogance56 of the Spanish grandees from making advances towards them.
“It is my wish to observe all good old English customs,” pursued the Prince. “If I unintentionally neglect any of them, I hope to be made aware of the omission57. I would fain drink a health to all present.”
“A cup of wine for his Highness!” cried the Earl of Arundel.
“Nay, my good lord, let me have a flagon of English ale,” said the Prince. “I should prefer your national beverage58.”
82“As your Highness pleases,” rejoined Arundel, bowing. “A flagon of ale on the instant.”
The Prince’s choice caused considerable merriment, and warmed many a heart towards him.
“A cup of ale!” exclaimed Simnel. “This is carrying complaisance59 to the highest point.”
“His Highness is resolved to become an Englishman, that I can plainly perceive,” observed Rodomont, “and takes what he conceives to be the shortest way to his object. Heaven bless him! he is a most gracious Prince.”
At this juncture60, a silver flagon, filled with ale, was brought on a salver, and presented by the Earl of Arundel to the Prince, who, taking the cup, bowed graciously around.
“His Highness drinks to you all, good Sirs!” cried the Earl of Arundel, in a loud voice.
“To all, of whatever degree!” said the Prince, raising the goblet61 to his lips.
Most opportunely62, at the moment, another discharge was fired from the castle guns, followed by a loud flourish of trumpets63 and drums. From the shouts that were also raised, it was evident that the Prince was rising rapidly in popular favour.
“How does your Highness like the beverage?” inquired the Earl of Arundel, as he took back the goblet.
“It will improve upon acquaintance, I make no doubt,” replied Philip. “At present, I find it somewhat too potent64.”
“A strong head is needed to stand it,” observed the Lord Admiral, with an ill-disguised sneer65.
After this, Philip remained for some little time beneath the canopy, conversing66 with the English nobles, and evidently striving to propitiate67 them, and he appeared to be successful in his efforts. He showed himself extremely easy of access, and amongst other persons presented to him was Rodomont Bittern.
“This is not the first time we have met, Sir,” observed Philip, to the surprise of most who heard him.
“Since your Highness deigns68 to recollect69 the circumstance, be assured I shall never forget it,” replied Rodomont.
“Nay, you have rendered me a great service,” said the 83Prince, “and it shall not pass unrequited. Is Master Tyrrell here?”
“Ay, your Highness,” replied Rodomont. “He is yonder, with the town-council.”
“Let him come forward. I would speak with him,” said Philip.
Accordingly, the worthy70 merchant, much to his dismay, was brought before the Prince. He was so confused that he would have neglected the necessary obeisance71, if he had not been prompted by Rodomont, who, indeed, half forced him to incline his person.
“I am glad to see you again, good Master Tyrrell,” said Philip, smiling, “and have to thank you for your hospitable72 intentions towards me last night.”
“Your Highness will forgive me. I knew not whom I was addressing,” stammered73 Tyrrell. “It is true that I subsequently learnt from my daughter——”
“That she had rendered me a most signal service, which I trust adequately to requite,” interrupted the Prince. “No more of that now, Sir. But rest assured that her Majesty will not be less grateful than myself to fair Mistress Constance.”
“I am not quite so sure of that,” thought Rodomont.
With further assurances of his consideration, the Prince then dismissed Master Tyrrell, who retired74 with Rodomont, both being charmed with his Highness’s affability.
Though the foregoing conversation was not altogether intelligible75 to the Spanish grandees, it caused them great surprise, and even disquietude.
“As I live, his Highness seems to know these people,” observed Alva to the Duke of Medina Celi. “Where can he have met them?”
“I am as much in the dark as yourself,” replied the other. “But, in my opinion, he must have gone ashore secretly last night.”
“By my faith! you are right,” rejoined Alva, bending his heavy brows. “Some idle affair of gallantry, I’ll be sworn. He is ever engaged in such adventures. I must inquire into the matter, and take him to task for his imprudence.”
The English nobles, who were somewhat better acquainted than the Spaniards with the Prince’s proceedings76, laughed amongst themselves at what was passing.
84Influenced by their royal master’s deportment, the Spanish grandees showed a disposition77 to relax from their stiffness and hauteur78, and ere long engaged in friendly discourse79 with the English nobles, though their manner still continued grave and formal.
Meantime, another boat had come ashore, bringing the Bishop80 of Cuen?a, and Father Alfonso de Castro, the Prince’s confessor. On landing, these ecclesiastics81 immediately knelt down and recited a prayer, and as he arose, the bishop pronounced a solemn benediction82 on the assemblage.
Several other boats followed, filled with Spanish arquebusiers, who, being very fine-looking men and splendidly accoutred, excited much curiosity as they ranged themselves on the platform. The object of this guard was made speedily apparent by the arrival of some thirty large coffers, each enveloped83 in a cover bearing the Prince’s escutcheon. These coffers, supposed to contain gold in bullion84, were subsequently conveyed to the castle under the guard of the arquebusiers. Many speculations85 were indulged in as to how this treasure was to be employed—the general impression being, that it would be used in bribing86 certain of the council and of the nobility.
As soon as the treasure was landed, the Prince mounted his jennet, the Master of the Horse holding the stirrup, and the cortége returned to the town. Richly-caparisoned chargers were brought for the Spanish grandees who rode behind the Prince, while the English nobles preceded him.
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1
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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12
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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14
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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16
sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vying
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| adj.竞争的；比赛的 | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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quays
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| 码头( quay的名词复数 ) | |
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turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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fanfares
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| n.仪式上用的短曲( fanfare的名词复数 ) | |
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grandees
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| n.贵族，大公，显贵者( grandee的名词复数 ) | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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44
vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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45
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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46
heartiness
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| 诚实，热心 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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48
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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49
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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51
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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53
amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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54
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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55
deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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57
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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58
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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59
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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61
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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63
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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66
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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ecclesiastics
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| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bullion
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| n.金条，银条 | |
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speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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bribing
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| 贿赂 | |
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