MacLean, Gerald, editor. The Return of the King : An Anthology of English Poems Commemorating the Restoration
of Charles II / edited by Gerald MacLean
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
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The Royal Entertainment
5 July
Titlepage: The Royall Entertainment, / Presented by the Loyalty of the City, to the Royalty of their Soveraign, on Thursday the fourth of July / 1660. When the City of London invited his Majesty, the Duke of York, the Duke of Gloucester, and / their Royall Retinue, to a Feast in the Guild-hall, London, to which the King was conducted by the / chiefest of the City Companies on Horse-back, entertained by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Com-/ mon-Councill, Guarded from White-hall to Guild-hall by the Artillery-men, led by the Illustrious / James Duke of York; met by diverse Pageants, with sundry devices, and the Livery attending in / their Order. The Hall was richly appointed with costly Hangings, the Floores raised, Organs erected / [wi]th all sorts of Musick, performed by the Ablest Masters in England, with all Varieties that Art, Plen-/ [ty], and Curiosity can present, / To the Tune of Packington's pound. / [cuts] / [text] / London, Printed for Francis Grove, on Snow[-hill.] / Entred according to Order.
The "royal entertainment" described here actually took place at the Guildhall on Thursday 5 July, and is described by John Tatham in London's Glory (cf). According to the Loyal Scout (No. 102 for 29 June-6 July), preparations for the event had begun well in advance: "notwithstanding it was begun before His Majesties happy Arrival in the City, yet much is still to do, though many persons of several faculties are employed therein" (p. 419. CHECK FOR FULLER ACCOUNT
See also Richards 1977:65, Fairholt, Lord Mayor's Pageants, Parl Int for 9 July, Merc Pub No.28 (5-12 July), Rugge, Mundy,
Pepys reports that it rained all day: "Being at White-hall, I saw the King -- the Dukes and all their attendants go forth in the rain to the City and bedaggled many a fine suit of clothes. I was forced to walk all the morning in White-hall, not knowing how to get out because of the rain." (5 July).
Ingelo's "Song of Thanksgiving" which was sung at the banquet, is included.
The Royall Entertainment.
MY pen and my fancy shall never give o're,
to write of ye triumphs which Providence brings;
Such glory and gladnesse was ne'r known before,
from William quite thorow the reign of the Kings.
our sorrow and grief
is turned to releif,
and Comfort is now a Commander in Chief.
As manifestly will appear in this ditty:
When London invited the King to the City.
10: Which was so performed with honour and glory,
with Order and Gallantry, Freedom and Mirth.
The like I presume hath been scarce seen in story:
or ever was known since the oldest mans birth.
sweet pleasures divine,
in all eyes did shine,
our God hath converted our water to wine.
All things that were Excellent, Pleasant, and Witty,
Were shown to the King when he came to the City.
Guild-hall was prepared with costly expence,
20: and alter'd to entertain this Kingly guest,
Where with all variety every sense
was courted with plenty at this Royal Feast,
invention and state
upon him did wait,
the City and Suburbs with people were fraught:
And no kind of joy that was worthy or witty
Was wanting to welcome the King to the City.
With habits compleat and with hearts light as cork,
Lord Lucas 1 conducted th'Artillery men 2
30: To White-hall to wait upon James Duke of York,
who led them all into the City again,
they guarded our King
from every thing
of dangers that might from conspiracy spring.
35: With loud acclamations both pleasant and pretty
The King was conducted with joy to the City.
The Chiefs of the Companies gallantly mounted
with Lackeys in Liveries attending in State
Did shew very famous, and so were accounted
who did to Guild-hall on his Majesty wait. 3
the Livery in order
did stand like a border 4
the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Recorder
With all the magnificence fancy can fit yee 5
45: Did Royally welcome the King to the City.
[1]John Lucas, Lord Lucas
[2]"The Gentlemen of he Artillery compleatly armed," Tatham, London's Glory, p. 5.
[3]According to Tatham, after the Lord Mayor and Aldermen came: "six Trumpeters and one Kettle Drum, one Quarter-master, one Conductor, Mr. Bromley carrying the Banner with the Crest of the Kings Arms, Mr. Burt on the left hand of him, carrying the Cities Pendent, and in the Reer of them one carries a Pendent with the Grocers Arms; in the Reer of him 32 Gentlemen of the said Company, and then follows 298 Gentlemen of the other 11 Companies, placed acccording to their Degree: between each of the said Companies is ordered 4 Trumpets, one of them carrying a Pendent with their Arms. Note that the Grocers, Skinners, Merchant-taylors and Clothworkers, have each of them 52 select Gentlemen to ride, the rest of the Companies but 24." p. 6.
[4]"The several Companies in their Livery gowns and Hoods, with Banners and Streamers lane [sic] the Streets, in expectation of his Majesties Approach, from the great Conduit to Temple Bar" (Tatham, Londons Glory, p. 5).
[5]"The Lord Maior, Aldermen, and their Retinue, are all mounted and divided into two Bodies, several choice persons out of the several Liveries in Plush Coats and gold Chains ride also," Tatham, London's Glory, p. 5.
The second part, to the same Tune
[cut]
THe King was contented, and very well pleas'd,
as by his most gracious respects 6 did appear
To see his good people his heart was well eas'd;
for surely he holdeth the City most dear
Not like the Rump-States,
which threw down the Gates
Or like to Jack Hewson, the Cobler and's Mates,
Or any false Powers that were lowzie and nitty
Who aim'd to demolish the Charter oth' City.
55: With fingers and voices the chiefest that were
with loud and soft Musick did make the Hall ring
That Science did in its best glory appear,
and was only fit for to welcome a King
with voices renown'd
the Banquets were crown'd
in Cathedral manner the Organs did sound
All sorts of Invention, both wondrous and witty
Were fitted to welcome the King to the City.
Pageants did there in their glory appear
the figures did seem all alive as it were,
In silver and gold they did shine very neer,
as bright as the Sun when the day doth shine clear
the Conduits did shine
with Liquor divine
The people did bear away hats full of wine
To run down the streets it was very great pity
And thus was the King entertain'd in the City.
The rooms with rich hanging were brightly attir'd
the Air smelt of nothing but costly perfumes
75: As if the whole world at that time had conspir'd
to throw all varieties into the rooms
the King sate in State
the City did wait
The Hall did abound in all manner of Plate,
80: As if they would tell him Great C'sar we'l fit yee
With all the choice Treasures belongs to the City.
The plenty of food which was there at the Feast
with flesh, fish, and fowl, and rare kick shaws among
In such a small ditty can ne're be exprest
they cannot be marshall'd all up in a song
the Cook's art was great
and pallat was neat
the Pastry appear'd in its order compleat.
What ever was curious, novelty, or witty
90: Attended the King in the love of the City.
The Earth and the Air and the Water conspir'd
to shew all the plenty the Kingdome could yeeld;
It can't be exprest, but may well be admir'd
the dishes stood thicker than flowers in the field.
a friend of mine vow'd
that stood in the crowd
hee see a large Banquet let down in a cloud
Which needs must appear very pleasant and pretty
Unto the beholders the King and the City.
100: With freedome and honour, and safety and love
the King spent the day, then to Whitehall he went.
May all the choice blessings which God hath above,
fall on his head daily to crown his content
may plenty and peace
and union increase
may Amity live, and may enmity cease
May God in his mercy love, favour and pity,
And never divide the good King and the City.
FINIS.
London, Printed for Francis Grove, on Snow[-hill.]
Entred according to Order.
[6]respects] Ebsworth suggests a misprint for aspects.