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 University of California 
 
 At Los Angeles 
 The Library 
 
 Form L I 
 
 W5R,\
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 Form L-9-10ni-3,'27
 
 THE 
 
 INSTITUTION 
 
 OF TH E 
 
 ORDER 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GARTER 
 
 A 
 
 Dramatick POEM. 
 
 /.'?_/ «. Ji 
 
 ^LeBos ex omnibus Oris 
 
 Evehis -, & meritiimj non quce cimabula quceris^ 
 
 Et qualisy non -unde fatus : Jiib tefie benigno 
 
 Vivitur 5 egregios invitant prcemia mores. Claud, 
 
 HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for R. Dods ley, at Tully^ Head m Pall- Mall, 
 
 MDCCXLII. " 
 
 [Price One Shilling and Six-pence.] 
 
 92320
 
 Drama tt<; Perfonae. ^;; 
 
 Edward the Third, King of England^ &a 
 Philippa, Queen of England^ &c. 
 Edward, Prince of Wales, 
 John, * King of France y &c. 
 > r Genius of England. 
 
 Spirits. \ Bards, 
 [Druids. 
 
 
 
 Heralds, Attendants, ^c. 
 
 SCENE, 
 
 Windfor Park with a ProfpeSi of the Cajlle. 
 
 * The Order of the Garter was ward entertained him and the other 
 
 inftityted on St, George's Day the 23d of French Prifoners with Diverfions of vari- 
 
 yiyW/ 135c. King John czme into Eng- ous kinds: among which a Tourna- 
 
 land in 1357, I have taken the Ad van- ment he held at JVitidfor on the 23d of 
 
 ^ tage of the Licence ufually allowed to Jpril^ to Solemnize the Feaft of Saint 
 
 , Poets, of departing a little from Chro- George, the Patron of the Order of the 
 
 (^ nology ; and have poftponed for a few Garter, held the chief Place; and 
 
 Years the Inftitution of this Order, for was, as Rapin tell us, the mofl: Sumptu- 
 
 the fake of rendering that Solemnity ous and Magnificent thai had ever been 
 
 more Auguft-, by introducing King Jo/^n feen \t\ England. The Duke of iSraZ-^n/, 
 
 of France ; who, tho' a Prifoner, was with feveral other Sovereign Princes, 
 
 treated both by Edward and his Son the and an infinite Number of Knights of 
 
 Prince of JVales with all the Regard due all Nations were prefent, and fplendidly 
 
 to the Quality and Virtue of fo great a entertained. 
 Prince. To alleviate his Captivity, Ed- A 2 THE
 
 THE 
 
 I NSTITUTI ON 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ORDER of the GARTER. 
 
 SCENE, Winds OR Park 
 
 FlouriJJD of aerial Mufick at a diJla?Ke ; after which 
 the following Verfes are fung in the Air /^Spirits, 
 while the Genius ^England defce?tds. 
 
 Firjl Spirit. 
 ITHER, all ye Heav'nly Pow'rs, 
 
 From your Empyreal Bow'rs ; 
 
 From the Fields for ever gay, 
 
 From the Star-pav'd Milky Way, 
 
 From the Moon's relucent Horn, 
 
 From the Star that wakes the Morn; 
 
 From the Bow, whofe mingling Dyes 
 
 Sweetly chear the frowning Skies ; 
 
 From the Silver Cloud, that fails 
 
 Shadowy o'er the darken'd Vales ; 
 
 From th' Elyfiums of the Sky, 
 
 Spirits immortal, hither fly ! 
 
 C HO RU S
 
 (6 ) 
 
 CHORUS of Spirits. 
 
 Fly, and thro' the limpid Air 
 Guard in Pomp the Hiding Car, 
 Which to his Terreftrial Throne 
 Wafts Britannia^ Genius down. 
 
 Second Spirit; 
 
 Hither, all ye Heav'nly Pow'rs, 
 From your Empyreal BowVs ! 
 Chiefly ye, whofe Brows didne 
 Crown'd with ftarry Circlets fhine ; 
 Who in various Labours try'd. 
 Once Brita72md% Strength and Pride^ 
 Now in everlafting Reft 
 Share the Glories of the Bleft ! 
 Peers and Nobles of the Sky, 
 Spirits immortal, hither fly ! 
 
 CHORUS of Spirits. 
 
 Fly, and thro' the limpid Air 
 Guard in Pomp the Aiding Car, 
 Which to his Terreftrial Throne 
 Wafts Britan?tia\ Genius down. 
 
 Third
 
 (7 ) 
 
 Third Spirit. 
 
 Hither too, ye tuneful Throng, 
 Matters of inchanting Song, 
 Saered Bards ! whofe rapt'rous Strains, 
 Sooth the toiHng Heroe's Pains, 
 Sooth the Patriot's generous Cares ; 
 Sweetly thro' their ravifh'd Ears, 
 Whifp'ring to th'immortal Mind, 
 Heav'nly Vifions, Hopes refin'd ; 
 Hopes of endlefs Peace and Fame, 
 Safe from Envy's blafting Flame, 
 Pure, fincere in thofe Abodes, 
 Where to Throngs of lift'ning Gods, 
 Hymning Bards, to Virtue's Praife, 
 Tune their never-dying Lays. 
 Sweet Encomiafts of the Sky, 
 Spirits immortal, hither fly ! 
 
 CHORUS of Spirits. 
 
 F]y, and charm the limpid Air, 
 While the foftly-fliding Car, 
 To his Sea-encircled Throne^ 
 Wafts Bnia^mias Genius down. 
 
 Chorus
 
 (8) 
 
 Chorus of BhKV>s defcends^ drejl In long flowing Sly^ 
 colour d Robes fpangled with Stars^ with Garlands 
 of oaken Boughs upon their Heads^ and golden Harps 
 in their Hands^ made like the Welfh or old Bri- 
 tifli Harp. Before they appear y they ftng the Cho- 
 rus^ a?id afterwards^ as they defcend^ the following 
 Songs ; at the lafl Sta77za of which^ the Chariot of 
 //?»^ G E N I u s appears i and defcends gradually all the 
 while that and the gra7id Chorus is ft?2ging. 
 
 C HO RUS of Bards. 
 
 Gentle Spirit, we obey ; 
 Thus along th'i^therial Way, 
 We attend our Monarch's Car; 
 Thus we charm the filent Air, 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Firfl Bar d J 
 
 Ye Southern Gales, that ever fly 
 
 In frolick ApriFs vernal 1 rain, 
 Who, as ye fkim along the Sky, 
 
 Dip your light Pinions in the Main,. 
 Then fhake them fraught with genial Show'rs, 
 O'er blooming Florae Primrofe-Bow'rs : 
 
 Now
 
 (9 ) 
 
 2. 
 
 Now ceafe a while your wanton Sport, 
 Now drive each threat'ning Cloud away j 
 
 Then to the flowry Vale refort, 
 And hither all its Sweets convey ; 
 
 And ever as ye dance along, 
 
 With fofteft Murmurs aid our Song. 
 
 SONG II. 
 
 Second Bard. 
 
 But lo ! fair TVindfors Tow'rs appear, 
 
 And Hills with fpreading Oaks imbrown*d ! 
 Hark ! hark ! the Voice of Joy I heai:. 
 Sung by a Thoufand Echoes round ; 
 And now I view a glittering Train, 
 In Triumph march o'er yonder Plain. 
 
 Grand Chorus <?/' Spirit s ^W Bards. 
 
 Hail mighty Nation ! ever fam'd in War ! 
 Lo ! Heav'n defcends thy Feftivals to fhare ; 
 To view thofe Heroes, whofe immortal Praife, 
 Celeftial Bards fhall fing in living Lays. 
 
 B ^/
 
 ( lo ) 
 
 At the Conclufjon of this Chorus^ the Genius alights 
 from his Chai^iot^ thp. Front of which rcfembling the 
 Head of a Man of IVar^ is adorned with a carved 
 Lyon^ holdi?ig before his Brea/i the Arms of F.ng- 
 land, as they were hor7te by Edward. Behind^ on 
 a raised Seat fts the Genius, leaning upon an 
 Anchor of Silver^ and hearing in his Right-hand 
 the V indicia, or TVand of Enfranchifement^ and in 
 his Left a Roll of Parchment^ upon which is wrote^ 
 171 large Letters of Gold^ Magna Chart a. Oji his 
 Head is a Corona Rofirata, or Naval Crown ; and 
 his Rohe^ of a Sea-green Colour^ is embroider d with 
 Cornucopise's and Gold Tridents, 
 
 Genius. 
 
 Difdain not, ye bleft Denlzons of Air, 
 
 To breathe this grofier Atmofphere awhile, 
 
 Your Service I fhall need ; mean time refort 
 
 To yon Imperial Palace, and in Air 
 
 Draw up your Squadrons in a radiant Orb, 
 
 Sufpended o'er thofe lofty Battlements, 
 
 Like the bright Haloy that invefls the Moon^ 
 
 Or Saturnh lucid Ring : Thence flied benign 
 
 Your choiceft Influence on the noble Train, 
 
 There on this folemn Day affembled round 
 
 The Throne o{ Britifo Edward : I awhile 
 
 MufI: here await tl.'Apprca^h of other Spirits, 
 
 Sage Druids^ Biltain^ old Philofopliers ; 
 
 Fetched
 
 C " ) 
 
 Fetch'd by my Summons from the Weflern Ifles, 
 
 That, fcatter'd o'er the rough Hibernian Flood, 
 
 Seem hke huge Fragments by the wild Wave torn 
 
 From ftormy Scotland^ and the Cambrian Shore. 
 
 There, from the World retir'd, in facred Shades, 
 
 Chieflj where Breint and Meinai wafli'd the Oaks 
 
 Of ancient Mona^ their Academics 
 
 And Schools of fage and moral Difcipline 
 
 They held ; and to the neigh b' ring Britons round, 
 
 From their rever'd Tribunals, holy Mounts, 
 
 Difpens'd at once their Oracles and Laws. 
 
 'Till fierce Paulinus^ and his Roman Bands, 
 
 I'hem and their Gods defying, drove them thence 
 
 To feek for Shelter in Hibernian Shades. 
 
 Yet ftill cnamour'd of their ancient Haunts, 
 
 Unfeen of mortal Eyes, they hover round 
 
 Their ruin'd Altars, confecrated Hills 
 
 Once girt with fpreading Oaks, myfterious Rows 
 
 Of rude enormous Obelifks, that rife 
 
 Orb within Orb, ftupendous Monuments 
 
 Of artlefs Architedure, fuch as now 
 
 Oft times amaze the wand'ring Traveller, 
 
 By the pale Moon difcern'd on Sartim\ Plain. 
 
 But hence, Aerial Spirits : lo, they come I 
 
 B 2 Here
 
 ( 12 ) 
 
 Here the Spirits and Bards, together with the Chariot 
 of the Genius reafcend^ and at the fame time the 
 Druids enter^ doatU d /';/ dark-colour d ccarfe fluff 
 GownSy which before hang ?w lower thaii the Knee^ 
 hut behind almojl touch the Ground. 7 he Sleeves of 
 thefe Gowns reach down below the Elbow ^ a?id from 
 behind comes up a fort of Hood or Cowle^ which hangs 
 loofe about the Head and Forehead. Fro7n the left 
 Shoulder hangs in a String a kind of Pouch or 
 Scrips and refs on the right Hip. In their Right- 
 hands they hold a Staffs and in their Left an Oaken 
 Branch. Their Beards are very large and long^ 
 reaching below their TVaifls. Their Legs are naked y 
 a?jd their Feet fljod with S and a Is ^ which are fafi- 
 ened by 7ho72gs wound about the Foot and the Small 
 of the Leg. * 
 
 Enter DRUIDS. 
 
 Chief Druid. 
 Inform us, happy Spirit, protedling Pow'r 
 Of this our ancient Country, wherefore now 
 From our fequefter'd Vallies, penfive Groves 
 And dark Receffes, thou haft fummon'd us 
 To wait thy Orders on this flow'ry Hill ? 
 
 Genius. 
 A great Event, fage Druids ^ that no lefs 
 Ittiports than this your ancient Country's Fame, 
 
 From 
 
 • See a Cut of the Chief Druid, in Rowland^ Mona Antifua rrftaurata, taken 
 from a Statue. Page 65.
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 From Contemplation, and your filcnt Shades,' 
 Calls you to meet me on this flow'ry Hill. 
 
 Know, in yon Caftle, whofe proud Battlements 
 Sit like a Regal Crown upon the Brow 
 Of this high- climbing Lawn, doth Edward hold 
 This Day his folemn Seffion, to receive 
 The Pleas of all th'afpiring Candidates, 
 Who, fummon'd by the * Herald's publick Voice, 
 To Wi?idfory as to Fames, bright Temple, hafte 
 From every Shore ; the Noble, Wife, and Brave, 
 Knights, Senators and Stateimen, Lords and Kings: 
 Ambitious each to gain the fplendid Prize, 
 By Edwa?'d promis'd to tranfcendent Worth. 
 For who of Mortals is too Great and High 
 In the Career of Virtue to contend ? 
 Of thefe, feleding the mofi: glorious Names, 
 Doth Ef:gla7id\ Monarch purpofe to compofe 
 A Princely Brotherhood, Himfelf the Chief, 
 And worthy Sovereign of th'illuftrious Band ; 
 A Band of Heroes, lifted in the Caufe 
 Of Honour, Virtue, and Celeftial Truth, 
 Under the Nanue and holy Patronage 
 Of Cappadocian George, Brita?2?jia\ Saint, 
 
 * EJ-Mard having communicated his Intention of Inilituting the Order of the 
 Garter, to the great Council of his Realm, and having receiv'd their Approba- 
 tion, difpatch'd his Heralds to feveral Parts of Europe, to invite all that were eminent 
 for Military Virtue, iijc. to be prefent at its Inftitution. And hii Queen Philippa, on 
 her Part, aflembled a Train of 300 of the fairell Ladies to grace the Solemnity, and 
 add to its Magnificence.
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
 Such is the Plan by gcnVoiis Edward fornVd ; 
 A Plan of Glory, that beyond the Reach 
 Of his own conquVing Arms, fhall propagate 
 I1ic Sovereignty of Britain^ and ered 
 IJcr Monarchs into Judges of Mankind, 
 
 But from this Day's Decifions, from the Choice 
 
 Of his firll: Colleagues, fhall fucceeding Times 
 
 Of Edward judge, and on his Fame pronounce. 
 
 For Dignities and Titles, when mifplac'd 
 
 Upon the Vicious, the Corrupt and Vile, 
 
 Like Princely Virgins to low Peafluits match'd, 
 
 Defcend from their Nobility, and foil'd 
 
 By bafe Alliance, not their Pride alone 
 
 And native Splendor lofe, but Shame retort 
 
 Ev'n on the Sacred Throne, from whence they fprung. 
 
 So may the Luftre of this Order bright, 
 
 This Eldeft Child of Chivalry be ftain'd, 
 
 If at her firft Efpoufals, her great Sire, 
 
 Caught by the fpecious Outfides, that deceive 
 
 And captivate the World, admit the Suit 
 
 Of vain Pretenders, void of real Worth ; 
 
 Light empty Bubbles, by the wanton Gale 
 
 Of Fortune fwelFd, and only form'd to dance 
 
 And glitter in the Sun-fhine of a Court. 
 
 Begin
 
 ( ^s ) 
 
 Begin we then with Edward ; firft let him 
 At his own high Tribunal undergo 
 
 The rigid Inquifition I for this 
 
 Have left my lucid Star-encircled Throne : 
 For This, immortal Sages, have requir'd 
 Your wife and prudent Miniftry, well fkilfd 
 In various Science, and the Human Heart. 
 Search Edward^ to the Bottom : found the Depths 
 And Shallows of his Soul ; if he poffefs 
 That firft of Regal Talents, to difcern, 
 With quick-ey'd Penetration, thro' the Veil 
 Of Art, each Chara6ler's intrinfick Worth, 
 And all the Lab'rinths of the Human Mind. 
 Nor blufh for this good End yourfelves to wear 
 Fallacious Forms, to plead the Caufe of falfe 
 But fpecious Merit ; at his Throne appear 
 In borrow'd Shapes, and there with artful Guile, 
 When the fhrill Trumpet cites the Candidates, 
 Urge your Pretenfions: all the Pow'r employ 
 Of Wit and Eloquence : Edward^ I truft. 
 The Trial Aall abide ; which ftiall but tend 
 To manifeft, that not ftom Arrogance, 
 But confcious Virtue, hath he thus affum'd 
 Above all cvkt Kings, to be the Judge 
 
 And ereat Rcvvarder of Heroick Deeds. 
 
 ^ iNor
 
 ( i6 ) 
 
 Nor wholly unaffifted will I leave 
 
 My Royal Charge, but with bleft Influence clear 
 
 His Intelledual Eye from the dim Mifts 
 
 It haply hath contracted from a long 
 
 Unebbing Current of Felicity, 
 
 Unhop'd, unequaird Triumphs, from the View 
 
 Of Captive Monarchs, and the glitt'ring Throng, 
 
 Who at his Summons from all Clim.ates come, 
 
 To take, as from their Sovereign, Honours new. 
 
 When Heav'n tries Mortals in unufual Ways, 
 
 'Tis fit it fhou'd afford unufual Aid. 
 
 Now, Sages, to yon fpreading Oaks retire, 
 There wait my Summons ; and mean time advife 
 How bed to execute the Tafk enjoin'd. 
 
 Exe, Gen. a?7d Druids. 
 
 Ihe Scene Changes to a large Pu007n in the Ca file 
 [St. George's Hall) at the upper E7td of which is a 
 E^yal Canopy with the Figure of St. George and the 
 Motto of the G^ivt^T J Ho-^i sorr qjji mal y pense, 
 beneath it embroider d in Gold. Under this Canopy 
 appears feated on an Elev-atio?t of two or three Steps 
 King Edward in the Habit of the Order (f the Gar- 
 ter^ with a Scepter in his Right-hand and a Globe 
 in his left. On his Left-hand is feated ^een Phi- 
 lippa with a Crowit upon her Head^ and dref d in 
 a Royal Mantle of Crimfon Velvety powder d with 
 
 efjibroider d
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 emhr Older d Garters^ and an enameT d^ Garter hound 
 like a Bracelet upon her left Ar7n. By her Jland a 
 great Number of Ladies very richly drefsd. On 
 Ed ward' J" Right-hand is feated King John, in the 
 Imperial Robes of France ; and 07t the fame fede^ hit 
 a Step lower ^ fits Edward the Black Prince^ in the 
 Robes belonging to the Prince of Wales. Next to 
 ^leen Philippa are feated the refi (^/'EdwardV Chil- 
 dren ; and next to the Black Prince^ on the other fide^ 
 ftand the French Prifoners^ and a great Number 
 of Lords ^ Sec. richly drefsd. 
 
 On the Floor at fome difta?jce fta7ids Garter King at 
 Ar?ns in the Habit of his Offce^ holding in his Hand 
 a Garter^ with the Grand Collar of the Order. 
 Near him ftand other Heralds^ Ufioers^ Attendants^ 
 &c. 
 
 Flourifio of Trumpets^ Kettle-Drums^ &c. After which 
 Edward rifing up frotn his Throne^ addrejfes him- 
 felf to the Ajfembly, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 That liither from your diflant Refidencc, 
 
 By folemn Invitation, noble Guefts, 
 
 I have entreated your illuftrious Train, 
 
 Mifconftrue not to Levity and Pride, 
 
 Or oftentatious vain Magnificence, 
 
 Unworthy the grave Majefty of Kings, 
 
 Unworthy your Attention, my Renown. 
 
 This bright Aflemblage of the Wife, the Brave, 
 
 C The 
 
 * That the Ladks of the Knights of the Garter wore this Enfign of the Order upon 
 their left ArmSf may be fcen in Jjhmde'% Hiitory of the Garter.
 
 ( i8 ) 
 
 Tlie Noble, the Magnificent, the Fair, 
 
 The Ornaments of Europe^ have I fought 
 
 To grace the Pomp of Virtue, to adorn 
 
 With noblefl: Offerings her unfpotted Shrine, 
 
 Attradins thus to her divine Commands 
 
 The awful Veneration of Mankind. 
 
 This was the Caufe, great Princes, this, the Call, 
 
 The Voice of Virtue, not of E77gla?id's King, 
 
 Th at with refpedful Zeal ye heard and foIlowM : 
 
 From Burgundy s rich Vineyards, from the Meads 
 
 Of Hainault and B rah ant y the rocky Wave 
 
 Of Danube y from Ger mania's warlike Tow'rs, 
 
 Imperial Mother of an Hundred States ; 
 
 From Spai:iy long exercised by Moorijh Arms, 
 
 From Italy s fair Princedoms, and the Walls 
 
 Of Sea-wafh'd Venice^ Adrian haughty Spoufe. 
 
 With me then, all ye Virtuous, by what Stile 
 
 •Recorded in the Regifters of Fame, 
 
 Knights, Senators, or Soldiers, Ermin'd Lords, 
 
 Or Sceptred Princes \ from whatever Clime 
 
 Ye come, ennobled by Heroick A61?, 
 
 With me unite the Splendor of your Names 
 
 To dignify th'Eredion of a New 
 
 And Noble Order, which to Heav'ns high Praife,^ 
 
 And to Heav'ns Champion, Cappadocian George,
 
 ( 19 ) 
 
 On this his holy Feftival I mean 
 To found, a Recompence for worthieft Deeds. 
 Thus as the Orient Sun, ador'd of old 
 By proftrate Perfa^ ow'd his Deity 
 Lefs to that genial and benignant Heat 
 That cherifhes and warms the Seeds of Life, 
 Than to thofe gorgeous Beams, that deck with Gold 
 And Crimfon the gay Portals of the Morn ; 
 So fliall this rifing Order owe its Fame 
 And brighteft Luftre to the fplendid Train 
 Of Lords and Purple Princes, who are met 
 This Day to uiher and adorn its Birth. 
 
 Nor deem that to allure Heroick Minds, 
 My Private Interefts partially to ferve. 
 To hft the Valiant in Ambition's Caufe, 
 And form a League of Conqueft, I have laid 
 In fubtle Policy this great Defign : 
 * Asham'd be He, who with malignant Eye 
 So READS MY PuRPosE ; And bc He accurft 
 Whoe'er in After-times fhall fo pervert 
 
 C 2 This 
 
 * Edivard being engag'd in a War with Publication to be made of a great Tourna- 
 
 France, for the Ooiaining that Crown, in ment to be held at Windjor ; an Expedient 
 
 order to draw into Enjuind great Multi- fays Rapin, which could not fail of Succefs 
 
 tudes of Foreigners, wich whom he might becaufe it was intirely agreeable to the 
 
 negotiate either for tiifir pcrfonal Service, TaUe of that Age. Accordingly many 
 
 or Aids of Troops to affill him in that Perfons of Diftindion came over, to,all of 
 
 Undertaking, ordcrec?, during the Truce whom he gave an Honourable Reception, 
 
 that then fubfdled between the two Crowns, carcfling them in fuch a Manner, that they 
 
 c«uld
 
 ( io ) 
 
 This Sacred Inftitution. To the WorM 
 I here confign it, to the Good and Great 
 Of every Age and CHme, and Them alone. 
 
 Now found the Trumpet ; bid the Candidates 
 With Confidence appear, and urge their Claims. 
 
 FlouriJJj of T'rumpetSy &^c. which is anfwerd by an- 
 other 'trumpet from without ; then enter a Grandee 
 of Spain, magnificently attir d i7t the Spanifh Ha- 
 bit^ holding i7i his Haiid the Pedigree of his Fami- 
 ly^ and preceded by Heralds^ &^c, hearing Atchiev- 
 mentSy Ba77ners^ Coats of Arm our ^ Helmets^ Gaunt- 
 letSy Spurs^ &'c, 
 
 Spaniard. 
 
 Illuftrious Monarch ! Emperor of the Ifles I 
 
 My Name is Guzman — from thofe Heroes fprung 
 
 Who 
 
 could niver fufficiently admire his Polkenefs, 
 Magnificenct;, and Liberality. To render 
 thffe Entertainments the moic Solemn, and 
 to free himfelf alfo from the Ceremonies, 
 to which the Difference of Rank and Con- 
 dition would have fuhjeftcd him, he cauled 
 a Circular Hall of Boards to be run up at 
 Wutdj'oi-y 2CO feet in Diameter. There it was 
 that he Feaftcd all the Knights at one Table, 
 Avhich was CilTd tlie Round Table, in Me- 
 iTiOry of the Great Arthur, who, as it is 
 pretended, infticuted an Older of Knight- 
 iiood by that Name. Next Year he caufed 
 a more folid Building to be ereftcd, th..t 
 JiS might continue Yearly the fnme Diver- 
 fions. During that time he treated with 
 theie feveral lords E.bout the Aids, \» here- 
 with each could furniih him, in proportion 
 ;o his I'orces. His Rival Kirg Phitip could 
 not fee without Jenlouly, Spania t^s, Italians, 
 Germans, Yltnijnrs and Frenchmen themfelves 
 fiock 10 En^Lnd to a9-ll at thefe Tourna- 
 ments. He lufpctfted fame hidden Defign 
 in thefii Lntertair.mtnti, and to break hd- 
 •vjarcCi Meafures, caufed the like to oe pub- 
 liihcd tn hii Domiiuoos ; which meeting 
 
 with Succefs proved a Countermine to Ed- 
 nuard's main Defign, fo that he did not 
 long continue to keep up hi'> Round Table. 
 From thence, however, it is generally a- 
 greed, he took the firft Hint of Inftituting 
 the Order of the Garter. But as his Pur- 
 pofe in eredling this Order was very diffe- 
 rent from that which had induced him to 
 revive Arthur''s Round Table, as he had in 
 this no private Views, no ambitious SchemiC 
 of engrging fuch as fhould be admitted in- 
 to this Fraternity to afllll: him in his WaBs, 
 he thought proper, in order to obviate the 
 like Jcaloufies and Sufpicion as had alarmed 
 King Philip, to iignify by his Motto the 
 Purity of his Intentions, ^nd to retort Shame 
 upon all thofe who Oiould put any malignant 
 Conftruftion upon his Defign in Inftituting 
 this Order. This therefore I take to be the 
 true Meaning and Import of the famous 
 
 r*lottO, HONI -OIT QUI MAL Y rHNSE. 
 
 The not underilanding the Purport of 
 which, gave rife in all probability to that 
 vulgar Story of tiie CVunteis of P mhroie\ 
 Guiter, rejedted by all the bell Writers.
 
 ( ^I ) 
 
 who with Pelagio mid t\\ AJfurian Rocks, 
 Agaiiift: th' Invaiion of unnumber'd Moors. 
 Maintain'd the Fame and Empire of the Gothsy 
 And founded at Oviedo once again 
 The Spanijh Monarchy and CathoHck Faith, 
 Tranfporting from the Mountain's dreary Womb 
 To glittering Temples her moft holy Altars. 
 Thence on the bordering Moor their valiant Sons 
 Waging inceflant War, e'er long regain'd 
 Their Ancient Realms of Leon^ Arragon^ 
 And rich Caftillia : in which great Exploits 
 My brave Progenitors, by Valour, Zeal, 
 And Loyalty diftinguifli'd, from their Kings 
 Gain'd thofe high Honours, princely Signories, 
 And proud Prerogatives, which have extoU'd 
 The Name of Guzman to fuch envy'd Grandeur, 
 That fcarce above it towers the Regal Throne. 
 
 Thefe Honours undiminifh'd, undefil'd, 
 To me deliver'd down, might well content 
 A vulgar Mind ; but Spirits highly born, 
 Are full of generous and afpiring Thoughts ; 
 And ufe the vantage Ground of Rank and PowV 
 But to afcend ftill higher. Thus I come 
 Thy Garter to follicit ; pleas'd, great Prince, 
 With Thee to be enroU'd thy Brother Knight, 
 
 And
 
 ( 22 ) 
 
 And fearing no Repulie. Nobilitv, 
 As nearefl in her Orbit, firft receives 
 The Beams of Majefty ; alone can bear 
 The Fulnefs of that Glory, which o'erpow'rs 
 Inferior Natures. Virtue's felf vvou'd blufli, 
 Did flie at once approach too near the Throne. 
 But the young Eagle born amid the Blaze 
 Of glancing Lightnings, with undazled Eye 
 Soars to the Courts of Heav'n, and perches bold 
 On the bright Sceptre of Imperial yove. 
 
 The greatePt King is he, that is the King 
 Of greatefi: Subjects. Seek'ft Thou to advance 
 The Glory of thy Order ? To thy felf 
 Affociate thofe, whofe high-exalted Names, 
 For Ages paft from Envy's felf have forced 
 Habitual Veneration, never paid 
 To new and upftart Merit. Such am I, 
 Whofe pure and generous Blood, defcending down 
 From Nobleft Fountains, in its Courfe enrich'd 
 By glorious Mixtures, with each Royal Stream 
 That fair Iberia boafts, might ev'n pretend 
 To thy Alliance, Edward, View this Scroll, 
 The faitliful Blazon of my ancient Line, 
 A Line of Potentates, whofe every Son 
 Deferv'd to wear the Garter I demand.
 
 ( n ) 
 
 In me their Reprefentative, die Heir 
 
 Of all their Honours, Son of their Renown, 
 
 Do thou reward their Virtues : In their Names 
 
 I claim, and on hereditary Right, 
 
 The Right of Monarchs, Edward^ reft my Plea. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 The high Defert of thy renown'd Fore- fathers 
 Well haft thou fhewn ; but haft thou therefore prov'd 
 Thy felf deferving to be call'd their Son ? 
 To thee their profperous Virtues have indeed 
 Tranfmitted lineal Rank, and Titles proud, 
 By them more hardly gain'd ; for which thou ftand'ft 
 To Cuftom and th' Indulgence of thy Country 
 Indebted, Guzman^ in a large Account ; 
 Which thou muft firft difcharge by noble Deeds, 
 E'er thou canft ftile thofe Dignities thine own. 
 This if thou haft not paid, why doft thou feek, 
 Like thriftlefs Prodigals to fwell the Debt, 
 And overwhelm thy felf with Obligations ? 
 
 Virtue is Honour, and the nobleft Titles 
 Are but the publick Stamps fet on the Ore 
 To afcertain its Value to Mankind. 
 It were a kind of Treafon to my Crown, 
 To mark bafe Metal with the Royal Impress, 
 And put off lazy Pride in Virtue's Name.
 
 ( h) 
 
 Wou'dll thou attain my Garter? Seek it there, 
 Where thy Heroick Anceflors acquir'd 
 Their glorious Honours, in th' embattled Field 
 Among the Squadrons of the Warlike Moors : 
 Or ia the Council of thy King, by Truth 
 And Wifdom equal to th' important Truft. 
 Be what thy Fathers were, and then return 
 To afk the Pledge of Merit from my Hand, 
 And be the fit Companion of a King. 
 
 Exit Spaniard* 
 
 Flourijh of Trumpets^ ^c. which., as before^ is anfwerd 
 by another Trumpet from without \ then enter an 
 Ufurer and Senator of Genoa [at that ti7?ie the Bank 
 of Europe) drefsd in his Senatorial Gown of black 
 Velvety profufely^ but awkwardly adorn d with 
 fewels^ Pearls and Diamond Necklaces^ Pendents^ 
 Bracelets-) Rings^ fuch as he 7nay be fupposd to 
 have receivd as Pawns^ and to wear rather as 
 Marks of his great Riches^ than as Ornaments of 
 his Drefs. He is atteiided by a large Train of 
 People of every Profejfon, appearing to be his 
 Debtors^ by their ahjeEi and timid Countenances^ 
 at the Head of whomy and next to the Ufurer, 
 marches a Scrivxner bearing a large Btmdle of 
 Bonds^ Mortgages, M^c, 
 
 Genoese. 
 
 From Genoa the Opulent^ the Bank 
 
 And Treafury of the World, moft puiffant King, 
 
 Invited by thy Heralds, am I come 
 
 To
 
 C ^5 ) 
 
 To claim the Honour by thy Promife due, 
 
 Due by thy Juftice to fuperior Worth ; 
 
 Due then to me, great Edward^ who poflefs 
 
 That Objedl of the Toils, the Cares, the Vows 
 
 Of all Mankind, that comprehenfive Good, 
 
 Source of all Pow'r and Grandeur, boundlefs Wealth. 
 
 Behold yon glitt'ring Train, whofe fumptuous Pride, 
 
 Bright with the Treafures of each precious Mine, 
 
 Inyefls with Glory thy Imperial Throne : 
 
 Whence is their Dignity ? The Ray auguft, 
 
 That awes and dazles the refpedful Croud, 
 
 Proceeds it from Nobility, from Virtue, 
 
 Their Wifdom, or their Valour, or their Fame ? 
 
 Comes it not rather from the beaming Ore ? 
 
 The Diamond's ftar-like Radiance ? Wealth, O King, 
 
 Wealth is the Sun that decks the gorgeous Scene ; 
 
 That cherifhes, adorns, and calls to View 
 
 Thefe Princely Flowers of Honour, Virtue, Fame, 
 
 Which in the Shade of Poverty were loft. 
 
 Whatever Men defire or venerate 
 
 On Wealth attends ; ev'n Empire's felf is bought. 
 
 Nor cou'd the mighty Julius have attain'd 
 
 By Wifdom or by Valour Sovereign Pow'r, 
 
 Had not the Gold of vanquifh'd Gaul fubdued 
 
 The Liberties of Rome. On v/retched Want 
 
 Contempt, and narrow- fouFd Dependence wait. 
 
 D E'en
 
 { z6 ) 
 
 Ev'n Kings, of necefiary Wealth depriv'd. 
 
 In Pow'rlefs Indigence lofe all Refped, 
 
 All Homage from their Subjeds : While the Rich, 
 
 Like Gods ador'd, o'er every Neck extend 
 
 Their potent Sceptres, and in Golden Chains 
 
 Fierce Faction and rebellious Freedoni bind. 
 
 The Glory, Strength, Importance of a Realm 
 Is meafur'd by its Riches : Venice thus, 
 Thus Genods petty State out-balances, 
 In Europe's Scale, the boundlefs Wilds that cloath 
 With Tributary Furs the Ruffian Czar. 
 With like Pre-eminence exalted fhines 
 In every Land above the proudeft Names, 
 The blcft Poffeffor of all-worfhip'd Gold. 
 
 My Birth or Rank I boaft not here, though born 
 A Senator of Genoa, The Defert, 
 On which I found my Claim, is all my own ; 
 To have adorn'd and dignify 'd the State 
 Of my declining Houfe w^ith greater Wealth 
 Than e're my thriftlefs Anceftors poffefs'd : 
 Whofe richefh Acquilitions were but Sprigs 
 Of barren Laurel, or the flaunting Rags 
 Of fome torn Enfign, to their needy Son 
 A worthlefs Heritage. Yet not to fwell 
 My narrow Fortunes wou'd my Soul defcend 
 To the bafe Methods of ignoble Trade, 
 
 And
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 And vulgar mercantile Purfuit of Gain. 
 
 Mine were the nobler Arts of railing Gold 
 
 From Gold, of nurfing and improving Wealth 
 
 By gainful Ufe ; Arts pradtis'd heretofore 
 
 By Senators and Sages of Old Rome^ 
 
 Illuftrious Crajfus^ and wife Se?teca, 
 
 Thus have I grac'd the Splendor of my Name 
 
 With fuitable Pofleffions ; thus I hold 
 
 In firm Subjedion to my Will the Poor 
 
 Of ev ry Rank and Order, Soldier, Priefl, 
 
 The vent'rous Merchant, and the fumptuous Lord, 
 
 Who in a lower VafTalage to Me, 
 
 Than to thy Sceptre, Edward^ bow their Heads, 
 
 Pledging their Lands and Liberties for Gold. 
 
 Hence am I bold to ftand before thy Throne 
 
 A Candidate for Glory's higheft Prize : 
 
 And let me add, that Policy alone 
 
 Shou'd teach thy Prudence to approve my Claim; 
 
 Shou'd teach thee in thy Subjeds to excite. 
 
 By Honours on fuperior Wealth beftow'd, 
 
 A ufeful Emulation to be Rich : 
 
 Which once infpir'd, thy j4l6ion fhall become 
 
 The firft of Nations, Thou the firft of Kings. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Hadft Thou by opening to thy Native Land 
 
 The golden Veins of Commerce, by employing 
 
 D2 The
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 The ufeful Hands of Induftry in Works 
 Of National Advantage, by uniting 
 Remoteft Regions in the friendly Bands 
 And honefl: Intercourfe of Mutual Trade ; 
 Hadft Thou by thefe humane and generous Arts, 
 Which thy miftaken Pride fo much difdains, 
 Enrich'd at once thy Country and thy fdf, 
 Then not unworthy hadft thou been to wear 
 The brighteft Marks of Honour ; but thy Wealth* 
 The bafe-born Child of fordid Ufury, 
 That Foe to Commerce, Nurfe of Idlencfs, 
 Stains and degrades thee from thy noble Birth ; 
 Nor in the Ufurer can I difcern 
 
 The Senator of Ge?ioa, To enlarge 
 
 The Mind with gen'rous Sentiments, to raife 
 Its Aims by Virtuous Emulation, here 
 I {it ; but not to gild with Honour's Beams, 
 That felfifti Paffion which congeals the Heart, 
 And ftops the Streams of fweet Benevolence, 
 Mean Avarice, the Vice of narroweft Souls, 
 Incapable of Glory— Wealth, thou fay'ft, 
 Can buy ev'n Empire, and to Julius gave 
 Dominion o'er his Country — Fatal Gift, 
 And ruinous to both ! but. what to Romey 
 What to that Cafar\ Succeffors avail'd 
 The boundlefs Treafures of the ravag'd WorW^ 
 Vi^hen they had loft their Virtue ? Did not foon
 
 ( ap ) 
 
 The valiant Sons of Poverty, the Goths^ 
 
 The Huns and Vandals^ from their barren Hills 
 
 And rugged Woods defcending, to their Steel 
 
 Subje<5l the Roman Gold ? Yet I deny not 
 
 The Pow'r and Ufe of Riches : To the Wife 
 
 And Good, in piiblick or in private Life, 
 
 They are the Means of Virtue, and beft ferve 
 
 The nobleft Purpofes ; but in the Ufe, 
 
 Not in the bare Poffeflion, lies the Merit. 
 
 Shew me thy Merit then, thy bounteous Acls, 
 
 Pubhck Munificence, or private Alms, 
 
 The Hungry and the Naked, and the Sick 
 
 Suftain'd and cherifh'd by thy faving Hand ; 
 
 Plead this, and I allow thy worthy Claim, 
 
 For this is \ irtue, and deferves Reward. 
 
 Exit Gen. 
 
 Flourijh of Trumpets^ &^c. which is anfwerd by a Sym- 
 phony of Flutes^ Violins^ &^Cy playing a light amou- 
 rous Air ; then appears a Neapolitan Courtier ^ a 
 Favorite of ^ueen Joan, who then reign d at Na- 
 ples, and whofe Court was the mofi debauched and 
 diffolute of that Age, He comes in with a gay and 
 affe&ed Gefture^ and is drefs d in loofe filken Robes^ 
 richy but fiii:cnl and effeminate y on his Hair^ which 
 is curT d and fpread all over his Shoulders down to 
 the Middle of his Back^ he wears a Chaplet of RofeSy 
 and is attended by a T'rain of beautiful Boys, habited 
 like Cupids^ and MufcianSy who^ as he marches to- 
 wards the Throne^ co?Uinue playing their foft and 
 wanton AirSv
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 Neapolitan. 
 Not on my Wealth, nor on my noble Blood, 
 Shall I prefurae to claim thy Royal Gift, 
 Aufpicious Prince, but on the Skill to give 
 That Splendor to Nobility and Wealth, 
 That Elegance of Tafte, from which alone 
 Their Value they derive ; of this to judge. 
 This to diredt, I boaft, fit Arbiter 
 Of all refin'd Delights — But chief to Kings 
 My happy Talents I devote ; on them 
 My Genius waits with duteous Care, and watts 
 The Golden Cup of Pleafure to their Lips, 
 Like Ganymede before the Throne of yove* 
 And who indeed would wifli to be a God 
 Only to Thunder, and to hear the Pray'rs 
 Of clam'rous Suitors ? 'Tis the Nedar'd Feaft, 
 The Dance of Graces^ and the wanton Charms 
 Of Venus^ iporting with the Seniles and Loves ^ 
 That make the Court of Heav'n a bleft Abode. 
 Far happier were the meaneft Peafant's Lot, 
 Who fleeps or fings in carelefs Eafe beneath 
 The Sunburnt Haycock, or the flow'ry Thorn, 
 Than to be plac'd on high in anxious Pride, 
 The Purple Drudge and Slave of tirefome State, 
 If to fuperior Power fuperior Means 
 Of Joy were not annext, and larger Scope 
 
 For
 
 ( 31 ) 
 
 For every Wifli the lavilh Heart can form : 
 
 If the foft Hand of Pleafure did not wreathe 
 
 Around the Royal Diadem, whofe Weight 
 
 Oppreffive loads the Monarch's aching Brow, 
 
 Her fairefl: Growth of ever-blooming Flow'rs. 
 
 On Thee, vidorious Prince, propitious Fortune 
 
 Hath pour'd her richefl: Gifts, Renown and Wealth, 
 
 And Greatnefs equal to thy mighty Mind ; 
 
 One only Blifs is wanting to thy Court, 
 
 Voluptuous Elegance, the lovely Child 
 
 Of Eafe and Opulence ; that never comes, 
 
 But like a Bird of Summer to attend 
 
 The brighteft Sunfhine of a glorious State. 
 
 To her, and her alone belongs the Tafk, 
 
 By learned Delicacy to remove, 
 
 What yet remains in this thy ancient Realm 
 
 Of Gothkk Barbarifm, the Ruft of War, 
 
 And valiant Ignorance — Her artful Hand, 
 
 Thy rugged Britons fhall refine, and teach 
 
 More Courtly Manners, to their Sovereign's Will 
 
 Politely pliant : Do but thou command 
 
 Thy willing Servant, with thy Favours grac'd, 
 
 From fair Joannas ever-fmiling Court, 
 
 Under whofe happy Influence I was train'd. 
 
 From polifh'd Naples^ her delightful Seat, 
 
 The blooming Goddefs to tranfport, with all 
 
 Her
 
 ( 3^ ) 
 
 Her Train of Joys, and fix them here beneath 
 
 Tliy great Protedion — But perhaps thou fear'ft 
 
 The Voice of Cenfure, and the grave Reproof 
 
 Of MoraUzing DuUnefs : Idle Fear ! 
 
 The Vulgar Herd indeed, ReHgious Craft, 
 
 And Pohcy of State have well confin'd 
 
 With wife Severity to rigid Laws : 
 
 Elfe would that headftrong Beaft the Multitude 
 
 Forget Obedience, and its Rider's Voice 
 
 Difdain. But fliall the Rider put a Curb 
 
 In his own Mouth ? The Laws that Kings have made, 
 
 Shall they reftrain the Makers ? Edward, No J 
 
 For Thee indulgent Juflicc fhall relax 
 
 Her harfh Decrees, and Piety fhall wait 
 
 To give her Reverend Sanation to thy Will. 
 
 "Tis thine to rove at large thro' Nature's Field, 
 
 Crop every Flow'r, and tafte of every Fruit ; 
 
 By fweet Variety provoking ftill 
 
 The languid Appetite to new Defires. 
 
 Nor ufelefs to thy Pleafures, happy Prince, 
 
 Shall be my faithful Service ; nicer Joys, 
 
 Joys of a quicker, more exalted Tafte, 
 
 Than ever ripen'd in this Nothern Clime, 
 
 The Growth of fofter Regions, fhall my Hand 
 
 By fkilful Culture in thy Britain raife. 
 
 To them, whofe grofs and dull Capacities 
 Arc fit to bear the Burthens of the State,
 
 {53 ) 
 
 The labVing Mules, that thro* the Mire of Forms 
 
 Draw the flow Car of Government along, 
 
 Gladly the Tafk of Bus nefs I refign. 
 
 Be mine the brighter Province, to dired 
 
 Thy Pleafures, Edward^ Minifter Supreme 
 
 Of all thy fcfter Hours : To ferve the King 
 
 Be Theirs the Glory, let Me ferve the Man. 
 
 But fhou'd thy fterner Genius^ only plea^'d 
 With Arms and Royalty's important Cares, 
 The Duties of a King, my gentle Arts 
 Too lightly Prize, and thence rejed my Suit : 
 Permit at leaft, that to Philippas Ear, 
 Divine Philippa^ Thine and Beauty's Queen, 
 And her Attendant Graces, I may plead 
 The Caufe of Blifs, a Caufe fo much their own : 
 They will approve my Claim, to whom the Cares 
 The Labours of my Life, my Head, my Heart 
 
 Are all devoted Let me from their Hands 
 
 Receive the Garter, and be call'd their Knights 
 
 Philippa. 
 Permit me, gracious Edward^ to reply 
 To this irreverent Flatterer, who prefumes 
 Before a Matron and a Queen to plead 
 The Caufe of Vice, and impudently hopes 
 To find in her a Fautrefs of his Suit. 
 
 But know, pernicious Sophifter, my Heart 
 
 E Hath
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 Hath learn'd from Edward'z Love, and this high Ranjc 
 
 Which I partake with Him, a noble Pride, 
 
 That ill can brook the too familiar Eye 
 
 And fiwcy Tongue of Riot and Debauch \ 
 
 In whofe unmanner'd light Society, 
 
 Nor Majefty, nor Virtue can maintain 
 
 That Dignity, which is their proper Guard. 
 
 Thy vile Refinements, and luxurious Arts, 
 Mifcall'd Politenefs, I deteft ; and feel. 
 In the foft Duties of a virtuous Love, 
 Such pure, ferene Delight, as far tranfcends 
 What thou ftil'ft Pleafure, the delirious Joy 
 Of an intoxicated feverifli Brain. 
 
 Behold my Royal Lord, the Firft and Bell 
 Of Kings, the Love and Wonder of Mankind ! 
 Behold my Children, worthy their great Sire, 
 The general Theme of Praife and Benedidion ! 
 Thefe are my Pleafures : Can thy Skill beftow 
 Superior Blifs ? Ah no ! the vain Attempt 
 Wou'd only bring Difguft, Rem.orfe, and Shame. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 That I have lov'd, Philippa^ and efteem'd thee 
 
 More for thy Virtues than thofe Female Charms, 
 
 Which this vile Flatterer deems fingly worth 
 
 His Panegyrick, be thy Happinefs 
 
 And Glory, as it is thy Edward\ Pride. 
 
 With
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 With the like Spirit have I alfo woo'd 
 And wedded Sovereign Pow'r ; not weakly caught 
 With outward Pomp, or feeking to my felf 
 A Privilege to riot uncontrouTd 
 In fenfual Pleafures, and behind the Throne 
 To laugh fecurely at Reftraint and Law. 
 No : I embrac'd her as the Child of Heav'n, 
 Dowr'd with the ample Means of doing Good ; 
 From whofe Efpoufals I might hope to raife 
 An Offfpring, worth th' Ambition of a King, 
 Immortal Glory ; to a generous Mind 
 As far furpaffing all the wanton Toys, 
 Which he calls Pleafurc, as thy faithful Love 
 (The fweet O'erflowing of Heart-felt Delight) 
 Excells, Philippa, the lafcivious Smile 
 Of common Proftitutes, carefs'd and loath'd. 
 
 Hence from my Sight with thy detefted Arts, 
 Bafe Minifter of Luxury, the Bane 
 Of every flourifhing and happy State : 
 Prefume no more within my Court to fing 
 Thy Syren-^ong^ nor foften into Slaves 
 
 And Cowards my brave Subjects 1 difdain 
 
 That Elegance, which fuch as Thou can teach. 
 Virtue alone is Elegant, alone 
 Polite ; Vice muft be fordid and deform'd, 
 Tho' to adorn her every Art contend. 
 
 E 2 And
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 And rather wou*d I fee my Brito?ts roam 
 
 Untutor'd Savages, among their Woods, 
 
 As once they did, in naked Innocence, 
 
 Than polifh'd Hke the vile degenerate Race 
 
 Of modern Italy s corrupted Sons. \_Exit Neap. 
 
 Trumpet founds .^ and is a?jfwerd from 'without by an- 
 other Trumpet^ ivhich founds a March ^ accompanied 
 by Kettle- lyrmns and other Warlike Inflrmnents : 
 The?i enterSy preceded by Soldiers playing upon Fifes^ 
 and others bearing tatter d Enfgns^ Standards^ and 
 Trophies, a Leader of Merce7iary Bands compleatiy 
 a}'in d from Head to Foot, and carrying in his Right- 
 hand a Baton or Truncheon, On each fide of him 
 march his ^Squires, one bearing his Launcs, th& 
 other his Shield, Behi?jd hi?n, as his Attendants, 
 comes a Train of Officers and Soldiers maimed, and 
 their Faces all f earned with Scars, 
 
 Soldier. 
 Nor Riches, nor Nobility of Birth, 
 Nor the foft Arts of bafe effeminate Eafe, 
 Which juftly thou rejedlefl, valiant Prince, 
 But thy own darling Attribute I boaft, 
 Undaunted Courage, try'd in many a Field, 
 In every Clime, and under every Banner, 
 That for thefe Forty Summers hath been wav'd 
 O'er Europe's Plains, by IJiher, Rhine and Poy 
 Hungarian and Bohemian^ Flemi/lj, French, 
 Venetian, Spa?iifj, Guelph and G hi be line : 
 
 Whence in juft Confidence fecure I come 
 
 This
 
 ( ^7 ) 
 
 This Military Honour to Demand, 
 
 Due to my Toils and Service, to my Wounds, 
 
 My Laurels, and that generous Love of Glory, 
 
 Which without any Call, or publick Caufe, 
 
 Or private Animofity, alone 
 
 Rais'd my ftrong Arm, and drew my dreadful Sword. 
 
 Wherever Mars his crimfon Flag difplay'd. 
 That was my Countrj^, thither fwift I bore 
 My ready Valour, and the dauntlefs Band 
 Of various Nations, under my Command, 
 Prepared to fell their Blood, their Limbs, their Lives : 
 Nor where the Right, nor where the juftefl Caufe, 
 
 Deign'd we to afk Thofe intricate Debates 
 
 We left to lazy Penmen in the Shade 
 
 Of Coward Eafe ; while our impetuous Fire 
 
 Still bore us fofward, ardent to purfue 
 
 Thro' Danger's roughed Paths the Steps to Fame. 
 
 Oh fuch a Spirit fhould thy Favour fmile. 
 
 But let me wonder, Edward^ that fo long 
 Thy Ear the vain Pretenfions cou'd endure 
 Of Men unknown to V/ar, Attendants meet 
 On fome luxurious Afatkk Court, 
 Or Female Diftaff-Reign ; but fuitino- ill 
 The Prcfcnce of a Monarch great in Arms. 
 Hadft thou to thofe inglorious Sons of Peace 
 Thy Martial Order giv'n, the Warriour-Saint 
 
 Had 
 
 <^ 9 ^i *j n 
 ^ <i J ^ u
 
 ( 38 ) 
 
 Had bliifli'd to fee his Image fo profan'd, 
 Which on my manly Breaft, indented o*cr 
 With many a noble Scar, will fitly fhine. 
 But wherefore ftand I thus haranguing here, 
 Unfkilful as I am in fmooth Difcourfe, 
 The Coward's Argument ? On Force alone 
 I reft my Title : Let the glorious Prize 
 Be hunor on high amid the lifted Field, 
 And let me there dilpute it ; there my Launce 
 Shall plead my Caufe far better than my Tongue, 
 If any dare deny my rightful Claim. 
 
 Edward. 
 Not for the Brave alone have I ordain'd 
 This Inftitution, but for all Defert, 
 All publick Virtue, Wifdom, all that ferves, 
 Improves, defends, or dignifies a State ; 
 Tho' firft indeed to Valour, as the Guard 
 Of all the reft, when in the publick Caufe 
 With Juftice and Benevolence employ'd. 
 But Thou, bafe Mercenary, can ft thou dare 
 The glorious Name of Valour to ufurp, 
 Who know'ft no publick Caufe, no Senfe of Right, 
 Nor Pity, nor Affedion, nor Remorfe ? 
 Who under any Chief, in any Quarrel, 
 Canft ftain with Gore thy proftituted Arms. 
 Call it not Love of Glory ; That is built 
 
 On
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 On Ads for the Deliverance of Mankind ; 
 On generous Principles, and noble Scorn 
 Of fordid Intereft : Call it cruel Pride, 
 And Savagenefs of Nature, that delights 
 To conquer, and opprefs, afflid, infult ; 
 Or call it Love of Plunder, that can draw 
 Unauthorised, uninjur'd, unprovok'd. 
 The Sword of War ; that Bravo-like can lift 
 For Hire the Venal Hand to perpetrate 
 Afiaffinations, Murders, MafTacres. 
 
 But Thou haft ferv'd with Couraore : be it fo — 
 Thou haft tiiy Pay, and with it thy Reward ; 
 Pretend no farther, nor compare thy Deeds, 
 Difhonour'd by the mean Deftre of Gain, 
 With His, who for nis Country and his King 
 Reftgns his Eafe, his Fortune, or his Life. 
 Thofe Battles thou haft fought, thofe forty Years 
 Of Blood and Horror, which thy vaunting Tongue 
 So high hath founded, are indeed thy Crimes, 
 Flagitious Crimes ; for which th' Impartial Bar 
 Of Reafon wou'd condemn thee, as the Foe 
 Of Human Nature, did not Cuftom fcreen 
 By her unjuft Efteem thy guilty Head. 
 But hope not Honour or Employment here. 
 Unfafe and wretched is that Monarch's State, 
 Who weakly trufts to Mercenary Bands, 
 The Guard or of liis Perion, or his Realm :
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 Unfaithful, infolent, rapacious, bafe 
 
 He foon fhall prove them, and become himfelf 
 
 Their Slave, to hold his Kingdom at their Will. 
 
 For this within my Britain have I fought. 
 
 To raife a Martial Spirit, and ordain'd 
 
 Thefe new Incitements, Honours, and Rewards, 
 
 To virtuous Chivalry, that never King 
 
 Who wears hereafter my Imperial Crown, 
 
 May need to ftoop to the precarious Aid 
 
 Of venal Foreign Swords ; but in the Hearts 
 
 Of his brave Subjeds find a ftronger Guard, 
 
 Prepared with Zeal unbought, and Englijh Valour, 
 
 His Rights to vindicate, and fave their own. 
 
 Rxit Soldier. 
 
 Trumpet founds^ to which another from without replies: 
 Then enters an Italian Politician^ habited like a 
 Venetian Nohlemany who advanci7tg with a Jolemn 
 and important Air towards the Throne^ makes a 
 low Revere7ice to King Edward, a?2d proceeds » 
 
 Politician. 
 
 Well has thy fovereign Wifdom, Royal Judge, 
 
 The Suit refus'd of thefe Pretenders vain, 
 
 And, by rejedling them, embolden'd Me. 
 
 For Valour, and Nobility and Wealth, 
 
 Though by their proud Foffeflbrs vaunted high, 
 
 Are but fubordinate, the Slaves and Tools, 
 
 Not the Companions, and the Counfellors 
 
 Of
 
 (41 ) 
 
 Of Godlike Monarchy ; whofe awful Throne 
 
 By darkfome Clouds envelop'd, far beyond 
 
 The Ken of vulgar Eyes, fupported ftands 
 
 On that deep-rooted Prop, the Craft of State, 
 
 Myfterious Policy. Who beft hath learn'd 
 
 Her wily Leflbns, beft deferves to ihare 
 
 The Honours, Counfels, and the Hearts of Kings. 
 
 By Him inftrucSled, even the meaneft Prince 
 
 Shall rife to envy'd Greatnefs, fhall advance 
 
 His dreaded Pow'r above Reftraint and Fear, 
 
 And all the Rules, that in fantaftick Chains 
 
 Inferior Minds confine. Thus Milan ^ Dukes, 
 
 Thus Padouas Lords above their Country's Laws 
 
 Have rais'd their Heads, and trampled to the DufI: 
 
 The Pride of Freedom, that effays in vain 
 
 Their high, fuperior Genius to controul. 
 
 Thefe were my Matters, mighty Prince; beneath 
 
 Their Rule, and in their Councils was I form'd 
 
 To know the falfe corrupted Heart of Man, 
 
 His every Weaknefs, every Vice, and thence 
 
 To tempt, or break his Paflions to the Yoke : 
 
 To fcorn the Publick as an empty Name, 
 
 And on the helplefs Multitude impofe 
 
 The Adamantine Bonds of Fraud and Force. 
 
 Thus was I train'd, thus fitted to condudl 
 
 The Fate of proudeft Empires j thus I come 
 
 F To
 
 ( 42^ ) 
 
 To claim thy Garter, Edward^ the juft Meed 
 
 Of Worth praeeminent, and in Return 
 
 My Services to offer, which no doubt 
 
 Thy Wifdom gladly will accept: For who 
 
 So fit to ferve the Majefty of Kings, 
 
 As He, who flighting every meaner Tye, 
 
 Friends, Parents, Country, to advance their Pow'r 
 
 Devotes his Toil, Experience, Fortune, Fame, 
 
 Nor other Favour courts, nor Refuge hopes 
 
 But in their high Protedion ? — Led by me, 
 
 Thou, Royal Edward^ flialt attain that Height, 
 
 That glorious Summit of Imperial Pow'r, 
 
 Which not thy mightiefl: Anceftors have reach'd ; 
 
 Where in a freer Air, a more enlarg'd 
 
 Horizon, bounded only by thy Will, 
 
 Thou fhalt exalted fit, and view beneath. 
 
 In humbler Diftances and fafer Bounds, 
 
 Thofe Subjedls, who prefumptuous now approach 
 
 Too near, and with rude Hands profane thy Throne. 
 
 Nor let weak Scruples check thy Manly Soul 
 
 In the bright Talk of Glory ; know, great Prince, 
 
 A King's Divinity is Sovereign Pow'r, 
 
 The only God, before whofe Shrine the Wife 
 
 Their Incenfe offer ; whence infpir'd, they draw 
 
 Divine Ambition, and Heroick Scorn 
 
 Of Vulgar Prejudices, Vulgar Fears. 
 
 Virtue^s
 
 C 43 ) 
 
 Virtue's the People's Idol, and by them 
 Rewarded well with popular Applaufe, 
 That idle Breath, the Gift and Prize of Fools. 
 'Tis thine to Govern, not to Court Mankind, 
 Nor on their Smiles precarious to depend, 
 But nobly force them to depend on Thine. 
 O facred Sir, can Virtue give thee This, 
 This bright Supremacy ? Truft not her Boafts, 
 Her idle Pageantry of barren Praife : 
 Rejedl her fawcy Claims, importunate, 
 And felf-fupported ; nor admit her Train, 
 Proud Independency, and publick Zeal, 
 Thofe fadlious Demagogues, the Foes of Kings. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Are Virtue then and Love of publick Good 
 The Foes of Monarchy ? and are Deceit, 
 Injuftice, and Oppreflion, Qualities 
 Becoming, and expedient in a King ? 
 Then know I not to govern ; but have nurs'd 
 For twice thefe Fifteen Years even in my Heart, 
 A poifonous Viper ; nay unking'd my felf. 
 By yielding to reflrain my Sovereign Pow'r 
 With Laws and Charters of Enfranchifement, 
 Not due, it feems, from Monarchs to their Slaves. 
 
 But know, vile Counfellor of Infamy, 
 
 That I difclaim thy PoHticks, thofe falfe 
 
 F 2 And
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 And fKallow Politicks, by which my Sire, 
 Weak-judging Edward^ was betray'd to Shame 
 And foul Deftrudlion, while to fuch as Thee 
 His Ear and Heart incautious he refign'd, 
 And was indeed their Slave, not Englm^d^^ King. 
 
 By Maxims different for have I fuftain'd 
 The Strength and Splendor of my Regal State, 
 On the broad Bafis of true Wifdom fix'd 
 With folid Firmnefs. By encouraging 
 The generous Love of Virtue and of Fame, 
 That Source of Valour, Pledge of Vidlory. 
 
 By granting to my Subjeds, what indeed 
 Is their inherent Right, Security, 
 The chearful Father of Content and Peace, 
 Of Induftry and Opulence, which fills 
 With fmihng Multitudes the Land, and pays 
 In willing Subfidies that Prince's Care, 
 Who lays up Treafure in his People's Hearts. 
 
 By holding with a firm impartial Hand 
 The fteady Scale of Juftice ; not alone 
 Betwixt my Subjedls in their private Rights, 
 But in the general, more important Caufe, 
 Betwixt the Crown and Them, the different Claims 
 Of Freedom and of juft Prerogative : 
 Tranfgreffing not myfelf by boundlefs Pow'r, 
 Nor fuffering others to tranfgrefs thofe Laws, 
 
 That
 
 (45 ) 
 
 That in their golden Chain together bind, 
 For common Good, the whole united State. 
 
 But more than all by guarding from Contempt 
 Or impious Violation, that Supreme 
 Protedrefs of all Government and Law, 
 Religion ; in whofe Train for ever wait 
 Obedience, Order, Juftice, Mercy, Love, 
 A Guard of Angels plac'd around the Throne. 
 Her facred Counfels have I ftill rever'd. 
 Her high Commands enforced, her Pow'r implor'd, 
 O'er all my Subjedl Nations to call down 
 From Heav'nly Wifdom, her Eternal Sire, 
 A fix'd fccure Felicity, beyond 
 The Force of human Prudence to attain. 
 
 Thefe are my Arts of Government, thofe Arts 
 By which my Britip Crown I have advanc'd 
 Above th' Imperial Diadem, above 
 The pride oi AfricK^ or oi Afta\ Thrones. 
 I wou'd not tell Thee this, but that Thou feem'ft 
 A Stranger to my Fame, as to my Realm, 
 And to the real Greatnefs of a King : 
 Whofe facred Dignity, by thee traduc'd, 
 Much it behoves a King to vindicate ; 
 Not by rejeding only with Difdain 
 Thy Arrogant Pretenfions, but in Thee 
 
 Difhonouring and branding with Reproach 
 
 Thv
 
 ( 46 ) 
 
 Thy Tenets alfo, the pernicious Lore 
 
 Of Tyrants and Ufurpers, which thy Tongue, 
 
 Blafpheming Juftice, Government, and Law, 
 
 Hath in a Land of Freedom dar'd to vent. 
 
 Hence ! from my Kingdom, with thy quickefl: Speed, 
 
 Left the Revenge of an infulted King 
 
 With fudden Ruin intercept thy Fhght. 
 
 Rxit Politician. 
 
 King John. 
 
 Permit me, Edward^ to thy Royal Voice 
 
 To add my Suffrage alfo, and with Thee 
 
 Proteft againft this Coward Policy, 
 
 That meanly fkulks behind opprobrious Fraud, 
 
 And low unprincely Artifice ; I feel 
 
 A Virtue in my Heart, a generous Pride, 
 
 That tells me Kings were cloath'd with Majefty, 
 
 Encircled with Authority, rever'd 
 
 And almoft Deify'd, to teach them thence 
 
 That Goodnefs and the faving Attributes 
 
 Of Heav'n become their Office, Juftice chief, 
 
 And Truth, the Virtue of heroick Minds, 
 
 Which, were it banifli'd from all ether Breafts, 
 
 Should dwell for ever in the Hearts of Kings. 
 
 Aerial Mufick, upon which re-e72ter the Five Druids 
 who perfo?2ated the Grandee, &^c. in their Original 
 CharaEiers a7td Habits <?/' Druids, the Chief of who7n 
 advanci?ig towards the Throiie^ addreffes hinfelj to 
 King Edward.
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 Chief Druid. 
 
 Behold in Us, great King, the Ancient Priefls 
 And Judges of this Land, the Druids old : 
 Who late in borrow'd Charadlers have flood 
 Before thy fage Tribunal, to prefer 
 The Claims of Valour, Wealth, Nobility, 
 And thofe foft fpecious Flatterers, who beneath 
 The Rofy Wreaths of Pleafure and of Love 
 Conceal the fickly and difguftful Brow 
 Of Riot and Debauch, and often win 
 From weak unmanly Princes the rich Prize 
 To Virtue due and Wifdom, not to Thefe 
 The Cankers of a State ; but leaft of all 
 Due to that Traytor to his King and Country, 
 Who lab'ring to build up the Regal Throne 
 Beyond its due Proportion, and the Strength 
 Of thofe Foundations which the Laws have laid, 
 O'erwhelms the People, and at once overturns 
 His Royal Mafter, places him at beft 
 On an uneafy tottering Pinnacle, 
 The Mark of Execration and Reproach. 
 
 Thefe Claims haft thou rejeded ; like a King 
 Difcerning in Mankind, and knowing well 
 The Value of his Favours : Like a King 
 Deferving the high Office of the Judge 
 And Arbiter of Europe \ like a King 
 
 Equal
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 Equal to his great Fame, and worth the Care 
 
 Of thofe immortal Spirits, who this Day 
 
 Have quitted their Celeftial Refidence 
 
 To view and to approve thy glorious Deeds. 
 
 But Edwardy be not thou amaz'd to find 
 
 That thofe, who lately for thy Favour fued 
 
 Were not the Perfonages they affum'd. ^ 
 
 O Kino; ! Thou art befet with Counterfeits 
 
 The very Oppofites to Us, who feem 
 
 Far better than they are. For Flattery, 
 
 Chameleon-like, accommodates with Care 
 
 To the Court-hue his changeful Countenance. 
 
 And when a Prince is Brave, Magnanimous, 
 
 And high in Spirit, then Ambition wears 
 
 A Face of Dignity, and nothing breathes 
 
 But lofty Enterprizes, Conqueft, Pow'r, 
 
 And Schemes of Glory to the Sovereign Ear, 
 
 Pretending Love and Care for his Renown 
 
 With more than duteous Zeal. — Of thefe beware ! 
 
 For as the Theba?2 Queen, in Fables old. 
 
 Was, by the fpecious Guile of fraudful Jovey 
 
 In her Amphitryon s Form to Guilt betray 'd, 
 
 So by thefe Counterfeits are Kings feduc'd, 
 
 Ev'n in the moft belov'd fufpedlefs Shapes, 
 
 To take a Tray tor to their Royal Arms. 
 
 But Thou fhalt know them, Edwardy by their Works. 
 
 And of this Truth be moft affur'd, that He, 
 
 Who
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 Who in his private Commerce with Mankind 
 
 Is mean, diihoneft, interefted, falfe. 
 
 Can ne'er be true to Thee, nor can he love 
 
 His Prince, who feels not for his Country's Good. 
 
 Thus warn'dwe leave Thee, mighty Prince: be firm. 
 Be conflant in the Paths of fair Renown. 
 Think it thy Duty to revere thyfelf 
 The Sacred Laws of Chivalry, the Wife 
 Injundions by thy Order laid on all 
 The Garter'd Knights; fo fhall thy Fame remain 
 The great Example of all Future Kings. 
 Farewel ! for lo ! the Genius of thy Realm 
 With all his Pomp attended, comes to fhare, 
 And grace the Glories of this fignal Day. 
 Thefe Clouds of Fragrance, that far-beaming Blaze 
 Of Heav'nly Brightnefs, his approach declare. 
 
 Druids va^i/Ij. 
 
 F/aJhes of Lights and Symphony of Aerial Mufick, 
 Genius of England defce?tds in his Chariot atte?ided 
 by Spirits and Bardsy the?t alighting he adva7tces to- 
 wards the Throjie^ a?id addrejjes himfelf to Edward. 
 
 Genius. 
 From the gay Realms of cloudlefs Day I come, 
 Where in the Glitter of unnumber'd Worlds, 
 That like to Ifles of various Magnitudes 
 Float in the Ocean of Unbounded Space ; 
 
 G On
 
 ( so ) 
 
 On my invifible Aerial Throne 
 
 I fit, attended with a radiant Band 
 
 Of Spirits immortal, whofe pure Eflences, 
 
 While clad in human Shapes on Earth they dwelt, 
 
 Thro' the dull Clay of grofs Mortality 
 
 Difclos'd their heav'nly Vigour, and burfl forth 
 
 In godlike Virtues and heroick Deeds, 
 
 Their Albion gracing with as fair a Growth 
 
 Of Fame, as e'er enrich'd Imperial Rome. 
 
 Thence ripe for Heav'n and Immortality, 
 
 To Me, the Genius of this happy Ifle, 
 
 They fly, and claim the Meed of their Defert,. 
 
 Celeftial Crowns, and ever-living Praife 
 
 Recorded in the Songs of Heav'nly Bards, 
 
 That round my Throne their Hymns of Triumph fine,. 
 
 Attuning to the fweet harmonious Spheres, 
 
 Their undifcording Lyres and Voice divine. 
 
 Nor thus remov'd to Heav'n, and thus employ'd 
 In ceafelefs Raptures, wont they to forgetj 
 Their Native Country, and the Publick Weal, 
 To which on Earth their Labours and their Lives 
 They once devoted ; but perfuing ftill 
 The Bent and Habit of their Souls, with me 
 They watch the Britip Empire, ftill intent 
 To check alternately th' incroaching Waves 
 Of Regal Pow'r and popular Liberty : 
 I, chief attentive near the Royal Throne,
 
 ( 51 ) 
 
 Take up my watchful Station, to infufe 
 My fage and moderate Counfels in thofe Ears, 
 Which Wifdom hath prepar'd and purify'd 
 To relifh honeft, tho' unpleafmg Truth. 
 
 Thus am I always, tho' invifible. 
 Attendant^ Ec/ward^ on thy glorious Deeds. 
 But on this folemn Day have I vouchfafed 
 To manifcft my Prefeace ; to declare, 
 Not in thofe Whifpers which have often fpoke 
 Peace to thy confcious Heart, but audibly 
 And evident to All, th' Affent of Heav'n 
 To the great Bufinefs, which hath gathered here 
 This Troop of Princes from all Nations round. 
 Hence all may know that Virtue hath a Train 
 More bright than Earthly Empire can command : 
 Know, that thofe Adions which are great and good, 
 Receive a nobler Sanction from the free 
 And univerfal Voice of all Mankind, 
 Which is the Voice of Heav'n, than from the higheft, 
 The mofl illuftrious Acl of Regal Pow'r. 
 
 This nobler Sanation, Edward, in the Name 
 Not of this Age alone, but lateft Time, 
 Here do I folemnly annex to each 
 Of thy great Ads, but chief to this moft wife 
 Moft virtuous Inftitution, which extends 
 Wide as thy Fame, beyond thy Empire's Bound, 
 
 G 2 A Prize
 
 ( sa ) 
 
 A Prize of Virtue publifli'd to Mankind. 
 Ye Regifters of Heav'n, record the Deed. 
 
 Bards. 
 
 Now tune, ye Bards, the Britijh Lyre ; 
 Now wake the Vocal String; 
 While Heav'n and Earth in Edward'z Praife confpire, 
 Join to the general Voice your facred Quire, 
 And on your foaring Wing, 
 From Time and Envy waft his glorious Name, 
 And place it in the Shrine of incorruptive Fame. 
 Begin ; the liftening Echoes round 
 Shall catch with Joy the long-forgotten Sound, 
 And warbling thro' each Grove the Britip Strain 
 ToWtTtdfors fmilingNymphs,recall their^r//6/^r's Reign. 
 
 Ye Nymphs of Wind/or s bow ry Woods, 
 Ye Pow'rs who haunt yon glift'ning Floods, 
 That with reludant fond Delay 
 Around yon flow'ry Valley ftray; 
 Say, from your Minds hath time eras'd 
 The plcaling Images of Glory paft ? 
 
 Review ye now thofe Scenes no more ? 
 When nobly ftain'd with Saxon Gore, 
 From Badons long-contended Plain 
 Great Arthur with his Martial Train 
 To JVindfor\ chofen Shades repair'd. 
 And with his Knights the feftive Banquet fhar'd. 
 
 Then firft exulting Thames beheld 
 The Triumphs of the lifted Field ; 
 Beheld along his level Meads 
 Careering Knights, encount'ring Steeds,
 
 { S3 ) 
 
 Heroick Games, whofe Toils infpire 
 The Thirft of Praife, and kindle Martial Fire, 
 
 Fair Peace in War's bright Mail array'd, 
 With Smiles the glorious Lifts furvey'd j 
 So fhou'd the Brave (fhe cry'd) prepare 
 Their Hearts and finewy Arms for War : 
 Such Combats break not my Repofe, 
 Such Sons beft guard my Rights from daring Foes. 
 
 Then too in feaftful Hall or Bow'r, 
 Attendant on the genial Hour, 
 The Britijh Harp fweet Lyrifts ftrung, 
 And Albion^ generous Vidors fung : 
 While valiant Arthurs copious Fame 
 InceiTant fed the bright poetick Flame. 
 
 But Mortals erring in Excefs, 
 O'erwhelm the Virtue they carefs. 
 Thus Arthur his great Story mourn d, 
 By too fond Praife to Fable turn'd : 
 .Mourn'd the Companions of his Toils, 
 Mock'd with falfe Glory and fantaftick Spoils. 
 
 'Till thro' the dark Romantick Tale, 
 Thro' Superftition's magick Veil, 
 Sage Edward piercing view'd, and pvvn'd 
 The Chief with genuine Luftre crown'd : 
 View'd the great Model, and rcftor'd 
 The long-loft Honours of his Martial Board. 
 
 Hail Britip Prince ! Thefe faithful Lays, 
 Eternal Records of Heroick Worth, 
 
 Shall reaffert thy ancient Praife 
 And from the Cloud of Fidion call thee forth,
 
 ( 54) 
 
 In Glory's Sphere thy Orbit to reclaim, 
 And at great Edward's Beam relume thy dark'ned Fame. 
 
 But fee ! in Heav'nly Panoply array'd, 
 Whofe ftreaming Radiance fkirts the Clouds with 
 I \ii^w Pe?tdrago7thuv&. the veiling Shade, [Gold, 
 And all his blazing Magnitude unfold ! 
 O'er yon broad Tow'r he takes his airy Stand, 
 And pointing, £(3fe'/3!r<3', towards thy Royal Throne, 
 To his fam*d Knights around, a laurefd Band, 
 Shews on thy Knee the bright Sky-tindur'd Zone. 
 
 Virtue, he cries, (th' astherial Sound 
 Thy grofs material Organ cannot hear) 
 Virtue on Earth by BritiJ]j Edward crown'd, 
 
 Her reverend Throne once more ihall rear. 
 
 To Her own felf-applauding Breafl: 
 Forc'd for Reward no lono-er to retreat. 
 She lees her awful Charms by Kings carefs'd, 
 
 Sees Honour woo her for his Mate. 
 
 Honour, her Heav'n-eleded Spoufe, 
 From her Embrace by lawlefs Pow'r with-held, 
 Now at yon Altar plights his holy Vows, 
 
 Vows by afienting Edward feal'd. 
 
 And now the fair Angelic Bride 
 Gathering her Noble Train from every Land, 
 To her late-wedded Lord with decent Pride 
 Prefents the venerable Band. 
 
 The great Proceffion Edward leads ; 
 I fee yon hallow'd Dome with Heroes throng'd: 
 Inceffant flill the white-plum'dPomp proceeds. 
 
 Thro' Time's eternal Courfe prolong'd.
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 And you, dear Partners of my Fame, 
 Your ancient Honours now again fhall boaft ; 
 This Noble Order fliall retrieve our Name,, 
 
 In vifionary Fables loft. 
 
 This from our Martial Board deriv'd, 
 Thefe for our Brethren let us proudly own, 
 More pleas'd to view our Deeds by Thee revived, 
 
 Than griev'd, Great King, to be outdone.. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hail BritiJIj Prince ! thefe faithful Lays. 
 
 Shall reaffert thy ancient Praife. 
 Nor Thee, O Windfor^ fhall I pafs unfung, 
 Manfion of Princes, and fit Haunt of Gods, 
 Who frequent fhall defert their bright Abodes,. 
 To view thy facred Walls with Trophies hung :. 
 Thy Walls- by Britijlo Arthur fir ft renown'd. 
 The early Seat of Chivalry and Fame ; 
 By Edward now with deathlefs Honour crown'd<, 
 Illuftrious by his Birth, his Garter, and his Name ! 
 
 Gen ius. 
 Conferring juft Rewards, moft worthy Prince, 
 Is the firft Attribute of Sov'reign Pow'r, 
 And That which beft diftinguiflies a King : 
 For Punifhment, and all the nice Awards 
 Of Civil Juftice, by the Laws are fix'd, 
 And Kings but execute what they decree. 
 While in rewarding Merit, uncontroul'dy 
 Unguided, unafiifted is the Hand
 
 ( s^ ) 
 
 of Majefly ; The Prince himfelf alone 
 There judges, and his Wifdom is the Law. 
 Well does thy Court, great King, with every Worth 
 And every Virtue filFd, this Wifdom fhew 
 In thee tranfcendant ; well haft thou approv'd 
 Its Force in this great Trial, which my Pow'r 
 Commanded, in no common ways to prove 
 Thy Royal Mind. — But that a Father's Name 
 May not reftrain thy Juftice in the Choice 
 Of the firft Knights-Companions of St. George, 
 Myfelf here take upon me to prefent 
 A Candidate, whom, were he not thy Son, 
 Thou wouldft thyfelf feled from all Mankind. 
 
 His Modefty compells me to declare 
 That Candidate is Edwardy Prince of Wale^. 
 Prince Edward. 
 
 Inhabitant of Heav'n ! I not prefume 
 To deprecate or queftion that high Will, 
 To which it beft becomes me to fubmit. 
 But, gentle Spirit, be propitious to me ; 
 And Thou, my gracious Liege, if I requeft 
 That this illuftrious Monarch, whofe Defert 
 Is equal to the Grandeur , of his Crown, 
 May ftand before me in this Lift of Fame. 
 
 King John. 
 
 Oh generous Youth I in vain thy Goodnefs ftrives 
 To raife thy Captive thus above his Fortune.
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 The King that is not free, is not a King ; 
 
 Nor can thy bounteous Favour reconcile 
 
 Honour and Bondage. To thy conquering Son 
 
 Do thou, great Edward y give this Noble Mark 
 
 Of profperous Virtue ; ill becomes it me, 
 
 To wear at once thy Garter and thy Chains. 
 
 Though by my former Dignity I fwear, 
 
 That were I reinftated in my Throne, 
 
 The Throne of Capet and of Charlemagne^ ' 
 
 Thus to be join'd in Fellowfhip with Thee, 
 
 Would be the firft Ambition of my Soul, 
 
 A Ray of Glory I wou'd fue to gain, 
 
 And prize it equal with my Diadem. 
 
 Genius. 
 
 Wifely thou haft determined, worthy Prince, 
 
 For Thine and Edward's Honour, and haft fix'd 
 
 Its proper Value on his Royal Gift, 
 
 Which, as the Meed of Merit, may become 
 
 The proudeft Monarchs, by this Garter mark'd 
 
 For fomething more than Monarchs, Virtuous Men. 
 
 This be the Glory of thy Order, Edward. 
 
 And X never fhall it want the greateft Names 
 
 Of all fucceeding Times to grace its Annals. 
 
 Frarice^ Sweden^ Pola?id^ Germany and Spain ^ 
 
 Each Realm of Europe's wide-extended Boimds, 
 
 H Shall 
 
 X Bcfidcs the great Perfons of our own Nation, that have been admitted of this Order, 
 the Englijh Reader may be glad to be informed that in the Annals of the Garter are found 
 the Names of Charles V, Emperor of Germany ; of Francis I. and Henry \\' . Kings 
 oi France; and of Gujhavus Adolpbus King oi Siveden.
 
 ( S8 ) 
 
 Shall count among thy Knights its mightieft Lords, 
 And fee, in Emulation of thy Fame, 
 New Royal Founders of like Orders rife. 
 Proceed then, mighty King, and fet the World 
 The Precedent of Glory : Thou begin 
 The radiant Lift of Sovereigns, while thy Son, 
 Like a young Bride, that on her Nuptial Morn 
 Leads on with modeft Pride the Virgin-Choir, 
 Herfelf the brighteft, heads the fhining Band 
 Of Knights-Companions, nobly feconding 
 His Father's glorious Deeds with equal Fame. 
 
 Edward. 
 The Teftimony of Heav'n to thee, my Son, 
 Thus glorioufly accorded, renders vain 
 
 All farther Trial. To my People's Voice, 
 
 By this their Tutelary Pow'r declar'd, 
 V^xh Pleafure I confent, direding ftill 
 By theirs my Choice, my Judgment, my Defires. 
 
 Approach then, my belov'd, my Noble Son, 
 Strength of my Crown, and Honour of my Realm ; 
 In whom my Heart more joys, and glories more, 
 Than in the higheft Pride of Sovereign Pow'r. 
 
 X Thus I admit thee, Eduard Prince of Wales^ 
 Firft Founder of the Order of St George; 
 In Evidence whereof, about thy Knee 
 I bind this Myftick Garter, to denote 
 
 + The Prince of 7^-'. ''•x advances to his Father, and kneels i while the King, taking the 
 Garter from the Heiald, buckles it round his left Leg.
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 The Bond of Honour, that together ties 
 
 The Brethren of St. G e o r g e in friendly League, 
 
 United to maintain the Caufe of Truth 
 
 And Juftice only * " May propitious Heav'n 
 
 *' Grant chou may'ft henceforth wear it to his Praife, 
 
 *' The Exaltation of this noble Order, 
 
 " And thy own Glory." — ' — With like Reverence, 
 
 My Son, receive and wear this Golden Chain, 
 
 *' Graced with the Image of Brita?tnia\ Saint, 
 
 *' Heav'n's valiant Soldier, Cappadocian George ; 
 
 " In Imitation of whofe glorious Deeds 
 
 <' May'ft Thou triumphant in each State of Life, 
 
 " Or Profperous or Adverfe, ftill fubdue 
 
 ** Thy fpiritual and carnal Enemies ; 
 
 " That not on Earth alone Thou may'ft obtain 
 
 " The Guerdon of thy Valour, endlefs Praife, 
 
 *^ But with the Virtuous and the Brave above, 
 
 " In folemn Triumph, wear celeftial Palms, 
 
 " To crown thy final nobleft Vidlory* 
 
 [Embraces Pr. Edvv. 
 
 Prince Edward. 
 
 Accept, my Sovereign Liege, my grateful Thanks, 
 
 That thou haft thus vouchfaf 'd to place thy Son 
 
 Firft next thy felf upon the Roll of Fame, 
 
 As he indeed is firft in Filial Love, 
 
 H 2 And 
 
 •The Senfe, and almoft the Words in theVerfesof this Speech, mark'd thus", are taken 
 from the Admonitions read to the Knights, at the time of their receiving the Ga rter 
 and the P.I B BON or Collar of the Order. Vide J/bmlis llillory of the Order of 
 the Gartir.
 
 ( 6o ) 
 
 And Emulation of thy Royal Virtues. 
 And may thy Benedidion, gracious Lord, 
 May thy Paternal Vows be heard in Heav'n ! 
 That He, whom thou haft lifted in the Caufe 
 Of Truth and Virtue, never may forget 
 His vow'd Engagements, nor defraud thy Hopes, 
 By foiling with di {honourable Deeds 
 The Luftre of that Order, which thy Name 
 Shou'd teach him to refpedt and to adorn. 
 
 ODE. 
 
 STROPHE I. Bards. 
 
 Celeftial Maid! 
 Bright Spark of that -^therial Flame, 
 Whofe vivid Spirit, thro* all Nature fpread, 
 Suftains and adiuates this boundlefs Frame ! 
 O by whatever Stile to Mortals known. 
 Virtue, Benevolence, or publick Zeal, 
 Divine AfTefibr of the Regal Throne, 
 Divine Protedlrefs of the Common-weal, 
 O in our Hearts thy Energy infufe ! 
 Be thou our Mufe, 
 Celeftial Maid, 
 And, as of Old, impart thy heav'nly Aid 
 To thofe, who warm'd by thy benignant Fire, 
 To publick Merit and their Country's Good 
 Devoted ever their recording Lyre, 
 Wont along Devas facred Flood, 
 Or beneath Mona\ Oaks retir'd. 
 To warble forth their Patriot Lays, 
 And nourifh with immortal Praife, 
 The bright heroick Flames by Thee infpir'd. 
 
 ANTI-
 
 ( 6i ) 
 ANTISTROPHE I. 
 
 I feel, T feel 
 Thy Soul-invigorating Heat ; 
 My bounding Veins diftend with fervent Zeal, 
 And to Britannia s Fame refponfive beat. 
 
 Hail Albion^ native Country ! but how chang'd. 
 Thy once grim Afpedl ! how adorned and gay 
 Thy howling Forefls ! where together rang'd 
 The naked Flunter and his Savage Prey : 
 Where amid black inhofpi table Woods 
 The Sedge-grown Floods 
 All cheerlefs flray'd. 
 Nor in their lonely wand'ring Courfe furvey'd, 
 Or Tow'r, or Caftle, .Heav'n-afcending Fane, 
 Or lowly Village, Refidence of Peace 
 And joyous Induftry, or furrow'd Plain, 
 
 Or lowing Herd, or filver Fleece, 
 That whitens now each verdant Vale ; 
 While laden with their precious Store 
 Far-trading Barks to every Shore, 
 Swift Heralds of Britannia^ Glory, fail. . 
 
 E p o D E I. 
 
 Thefe are thy fhining Works : this fmiling Face 
 Of beauteous Nature thus in regal State, 
 Deck'd by each Handmaid Art, each poHfli'd Grace, 
 TJiat on fair Liberty and Order wait. 
 
 This Pomp, thefe Riches, this Repofe, 
 To thee, Imperial Britain owes. 
 To thee, great Subftitute of Heav'n, 
 To whom the Charge of earthly Realms was giv'n ; 
 Their focial Syftems by wife Nature's Plan 
 To form, and rule by her eternal Laws ; 
 To teach the felhfh Soul of wayward Man 
 To feek the publick Good, and aid the common Caufe.
 
 (62 ) ^ 
 
 Soj didft thou move the mighty Heart 
 Of Alfred^ Founder of the Briti/Jj State : 
 So to Matilda s fcepter'd Son, 
 To him whofe Virtue and Renown 
 Firft made the Name of Edward great. 
 Thy ample Spirit fo didft thou impart : 
 Proteding thus in every Age, 
 From greedy Pow'r and fadious Rage, 
 That Law of Freedom, which to Britain s Shore 
 From Saxon Elvas many-headed Flood, 
 The valiant Sons of Odin with them bore, 
 The national, ador'd, infeparable Good. 
 
 STROPHE II. 
 
 * On yonder Plain, 
 Along whofe willow-fringed Side 
 The filver-footed Naiads^ Iportive Train, 
 Down the fmooth Thames amid the Cygnets glide, 
 I faw, when at thy reconciling Word, 
 Injuftice, Anarchy, inteftine Jarr, 
 Defpotick Infblence, the wafting Sword, 
 And all the brazen Throats of Civil War, 
 Were hufh'd in Peace : From his imperious Throne 
 Hurl'd furious down, 
 Abafli'd, difmay'd. 
 Like a chas'd Lion to the favage Shade 
 Of his own Forefts, fell Oppreftion fled, 
 With Vengeance brooding in his fullen Breaft. 
 Then Juftice fearlefs reared her decent Head, 
 Heal'd every Grief, each Wrong red re ft ; 
 While round her valiant Squadrons flood, 
 And bade her aweful Tongue demand, 
 From vanquifti'd John\ reluctant Hand, 
 The Dctd of Freedom purchased with their Blood. 
 
 * RufDiy Mead near Stains, where the Grand Charter was fign'd by King John,
 
 (63 ) 
 ANTISTROPHE II. 
 
 O vain Surmife ! 
 To deem the Grandeur of a Crown 
 Confifts in lawlefs Pow'r ! to deem them wife 
 Who change Security and fair Renown, 
 For Deteftation, Shame, Diftruft and Fear ! 
 Who, fhut for ever from the bHfsful Bow'rs, 
 With Horror and Remorfe at Diftance hear 
 The Mufick that inchants th' immortal Pow'rs, 
 The heav'nly Mufick of well-purchas'd Praife, 
 
 Seraphick Lays, 
 
 The fweet Reward 
 On Heroes, Patriots, righteous Kings conferr'd. 
 
 For fuch alone the heav'n-taught Poets ling. 
 
 Tune ye for Edward then, the moral Strain, 
 
 His Name fhall well become your golden String. 
 Begirt with this aetherial Train, 
 Seems he not rank'd among the Gods ? 
 Then let him reap the glorious Meed 
 Due to each great heroick Deed, 
 
 And tafte the Fleafures of the bleft Abodes. 
 
 E P O D E II. 
 
 Hail, happy Prince ! on whom kind Fate beftows 
 SubHmer. Joys, and Glory brighter far 
 Than Crejfys Palm, and every Wreath that grows 
 In all the blood-ftain'd Field of profp'rous War ; 
 Joys that might charm an heav'nly Breaft, 
 To make dependent Millions bleft, 
 A dying Nation to reftore. 
 And fave fall'n Liberty with Kingly Pow'r ; 
 To quench the Torch of Difcord and Debate, 
 Relume the languid Spark of publick Zeal, 
 Repair the Breaches of a fhatter'd State, 
 And glorioufly compleat the Plan oiEngland\ Weal *,
 
 ( 64 ) 
 
 Compleat the noble Gothick Pile, 
 That on the Rock of Juftice rear'd fhall ftand 
 In Symmetry, and Strength, and Fame, 
 A Rival of that boafted Frame 
 Which Virtue rais'd on Tiber s Strand. 
 This, Edward^ Guardian, Father of our Ifle, 
 This God-like Tafk, to Few aflign'd, 
 Exalts Thee above Human-kind, 
 And from the Realms of everlafling Day 
 Calls dov^^n Celeftial Bards thy Praife to fing ; 
 Calls this bright Troop of Spirits to furvey 
 Thee, the great Miracle of Earth, a Patriot -King. 
 
 Genius. 
 
 Now reafcend your Skies, Immortal Spirits ! 
 
 Th' important Adl, that drew ye down to Earth, 
 
 Is finifh'd. Spare we now their mortal Senfe, 
 
 That cannot long endure th' unfhrcuded Beam 
 
 Of Higher Natures. Well hath Edward laid, 
 
 Under your happy Aufpices, the Bafe 
 
 Of his great Order: Let him undifturb'd, 
 
 But not unaided by the Heav'nly Pow'rs, 
 
 Compleat th' illuftrious Work, which future Kings, 
 
 Struck with the Beauty of the Noble Plan, 
 
 Shall emuloufly labour to maintain. 
 
 And may thy Spirit, Edward^ be their Guide ! 
 
 In every Chapter Thou henceforth prefide. 
 
 In every Breaft infufc thy Virtuous Flame, 
 
 And teach them to refpedt their Country's Fame. 
 
 Genius and Spirits reafcend to a loud 
 Sympho7iy of MufcL 
 FINIS.
 
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