East parts of the unknown world, to understand of deedes
of armes, and so arriving in the fair river of Thames, I landed within
half a league from the City of London, which was (as I conjecture) in
December last; and drawing neer the City, suddenly heard the shot of
double canons, in so great a number, and so terrible, that it darkened
the whole ayr; wherewith, although I was in my native country, yet
stood I amazed, not knowing what it meant. Thus, as I abode in
despair, either to return or to continue my former purpose, I chanced
to see coming towards me an honest citizen, clothed in a long garment,
keeping the highway, seeming to walk for his recreation, which
prognosticated rather peace than perill; of whom I demanded the cause
of this great shot; who friendly answered, "It is," quoth he, "a
warning shot to the Constable Marshall of the Inner Temple, to prepare
to dinner."

"'"Why," said I, "what, is he of that estate that seeketh no other
means to warn his officers than with so terrible shot in so peaceable
a country?" "Marry," saith he, "he uttereth himself the better to be
that officer whose name he beareth."

"'I then demanded, "What province did he govern, that needed such an
officer?" He answered me, "The province was not great in quantity, but
antient in true nobility. A place," said he, "privileged by the most
excellent Princess the High Governor of the whole Island, wherein are
store of Gentlemen of the whole Realm, that repair thither to learn to
rule and obey by Law, to yield their fleece to their Prince and
Commonweal; as also to use all other exercises of body and mind
whereunto nature most aptly serveth to adorn, by speaking,
countenance, gesture, and use of apparel the person of a Gentleman;
whereby amity is obtained, and continued, that Gentlemen of all
countries, in their young years, nourished together in one place, with
such comely order, and daily conference, are knit by continual
acquaintance in such unity of minds and manners as lightly never after
is severed, than which is nothing more profitable to the Commonweale."

"'And after he had told me thus much of honour of the place, I
commended in mine own conceit the policy of the Governour, which
seemed to utter in itself the foundation of a good Commonweal; for
that, the best of their people from tender years trained up in
precepts of justice, it could not choose but yield forth a profitable
People to a wise Commonweal; wherefore I determine