the Lady Anne company. At the further end of the hall was a
gallery where the musicians were stationed; while cushioned chairs were
arranged on each side of the table and covered with handsome tapestry
work.

When the guests began to arrive, the servitors came forward with basin,
ewers, and towels, that each might wash his hands before sitting down to
the meal.

Master Gresham and Lady Anne received them with due courtesy, when each
guest was conducted to the place assigned to him at the table; Sir John
De Leigh and other personages of distinction being seated at the upper
part, while Master Clough and several other secretaries and attendants
took their seats at the further end below the salt-cellar.

And now the musicians struck up a lively tune. The servitors entered
with the good cheer, which was, in due course, served round.

It would be impossible to describe all the luxuries. Among them a
boar's head was seen, highly ornamented, while on either side were two
peacocks, the feathers of their tails spread out, while on their necks
hung two golden grasshoppers, the armorial bearings of the host. The
peacocks, which had been roasted, and covered with the yolk of eggs,
after having cooled, had been sewed into their skins, and thus looked
almost as if they were alive. There were two pair of cocks which had
been roasted, and then covered, one with gold, and the other with silver
foil. There was also venison, a swan boiled, roasted pheasant and
roasted bittern, with fish of various sorts--pike and perch. A variety
of ornaments, too, made their appearance, subtilties, they were called,
and ornamental devices in pastry. One was a lofty castle, covered with
silver, flags of gold waving on its summit. However, it would take up
too much space to describe the numberless dishes which appeared at this
banquet.

The musicians at intervals played for the amusement of the guests, and
toward the end, lest they might have become weary of too many sweet
sounds, the doors of the hall opened, and a band of maskers entered
habited in various grotesque costumes. With a deep obeisance to the
master of the feast, as well as to the lady and their visitors, the
leader of the party commenced an oration the subject of which Ernst
Verner was too young at the time to note down, and has long since
forgotten. It was followed by the representation of a Morality, the
subject of which also, for the same reason, is not noted in this diar