e received, as was not always her custom to do. Then followed the
speechifyings; first the mayor's and its answer, and afterwards King
Gurgunt's that _was to have been_, but fortunately we must think for her
majesty this forty-two lined specimen of poetry was deferred, in
consequence of an April shower. Triumphal arches welcomed her to the
city walls, and pageants met her eye at every turn. The first pageant
was upon a stage forty feet long and eight broad, with a wall at the
back, upon which was written divers sentences, viz. "The causes of the
Commonwealth are God truly preached;" "Justice truly executed;" "The
People obedient;" "Idleness expelled;" "Labour cherished;" "and universal
Concord preserved." In the front below, it was painted with
representations of various looms, with weavers working at them,--over
each the name of the loom, Worsted, Russels, Darnix, Mochado, Lace,
Caffa, Fringe. Another painting of a matron and several children, over
whom was written, "Good nurture changeth qualities." Upon the stage, at
one end, stood six little girls spinning worsted yarn, at the other end
the same number knitting worsted hose; in the centre stood a little boy,
gaily dressed, who represented the "COMMONWEALTH of the city," who made a
lengthened speech, commencing--

"Most gracious prince, undoubted sovereign queen,
Our only joy next God and chief defence;
In this small shew our whole estate is seen,
The wealth we have we find proceed from thence;
The idle hand hath here no place to feed,
The painsful wight hath still to serve his need;
Again our seat denies our traffick here,
The sea too near divides us from the rest.
So weak we were within this dozen year,
As care did quench the courage of the best;
But good advice hath taught these little hands
To rend in twain the force of pining bands.
From combed wool we draw the slender thread,
From thence the looms have dealing with the same,
And thence again in order do proceed,
These several works which skilful art doth frame,
And all to drive dame _Need_ into her cave
Our heads and hands together laboured have.
We bought before the things that now we sell.
These slender imps, their works do pass the waves,
Of every mouth the hands the charges saves,
Thus through thy help, and aid of power divine,
Doth Norwich live, whose hearts and goods are thine.'"