The Device of the Pageant borne before Woolstone Dixi, Lord Maior of the Citie of London. An. 1585. October 29. Imprinted at London by Edward Allde. 1585. 4to.
Sir Wolstan Dixie was the fourth son of Thomas Dixie, whose eldest son Richard was the ancestor of the Baronets of that name. Sir Wolstan was Lord Mayor of London in 1585; and was twice married,-first to Agues, daughter of - Walkedon, and secondly to Ann, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Christopher Draper, Knight, who survived him and re-married Sir William Hickman. Having attained the age of sixty-nine, Sir Wolstan Dixie was buried in the church of St. Michael, Bassingshaw, and bequeathed his estate of Bosworth in Leicestershire to his great nephew Sir Wolstan Dixie, father of the first Baronet.-Kimber's Baronetage, vol. II. p. 66.
Stowe records fifteen benefactions by him, among the "honourable acts of citizens."
THE DEVICE OF THE PAGEANT, ETC.
A Speech spoken by him that rid on a luzern* before | In meek and lowly manner doth she yield
the Pageant, apparelled like a Moor.
FROM where the Sun doth settle in his wain,
And yokes his horses to his fiery cart,
And in his way gives life to Ceres' corn,
Even from the parching zone, behold, I come,
A stranger, strangely mounted, as you see,
Seated upon a lusty luzern's back;
And offer to your honour, good my lord,.
This emblem thus in show significant.
Lo, lovely London, rich and fortunate,
Fam'd through the world for peace and happiness,
Is here advanc'd, and set in highest seat,
Beautified throughly as her state requires !
First, over her a princely trophy stands,
Of beaten gold, a rich and royal arms,
Whereto this London ever more bequeaths
Service of honour and of loyalty.
Her props are well-advised magistrates,
That carefully attend her person still.
The honest franklin and the husbandman
Lays down his sacks of corn at London's feet,
And brings such presents as the country yields.
The pleasant Thames, a sweet and dainty nymph,
For London's good conveys, with gentle stream
And safe and easy passage, what she can,
And keeps her leaping fishes in her lap.
The soldier and the sailor, frankly both,
For London's aid, are all in readiness,
To venture and to fight by land and sea.
And this thrice-reverend honourable dame,
Science, the sap of every commonwealth,
Surnam'd mechanical or liberal,
Is vow'd to honour London with her skill.
And London, by these friends so happy made,
First thanks her God, the author of her peace,
And next with humble gesture, as becomes,
* luzern]i.c. lynx. "A luzern, lupus cervarius." Coles's Dict. "Lupus cervarius, a cat of mountain." Id.
Herself, her wealth, with heart and willingness,
Unto the person of her gracious queen,
Elizabeth, renowned through the world,
Stall'd and anointed by the highest power,
The God of kings, that with his holy hand
Hath long defended her and her England.
This now remains, right honourable lord,
That carefully you do attend and keep
This lovely lady, rich and beautiful,
The jewel wherewithal your sovereign queen
Hath put your honour lovingly in trust,
That you may add to London's dignity,
And London's dignity may add to yours,
That worthily you may be counted one
Among the number of a many more
Careful lieutenants, careful magistrates
For London's welfare and her worthiness.
Spoken by the Children in the Pageant, viz.
New Troy I hight,* whom Lud my lord surnam'd,
London the glory of the western side;
Throughout the world is lovely London fam'd,
So far as any sea comes in with tide:
Whose peace and calm, under her royal queen,
Hath long been such as like was never seen.
Then let me live to carol of her name,
That she may ever live and never die,
Her sacred shrine set in the House of Fame,
Consecrate to eternal memory:
My peerless mistress, sovereign of my peace, Long may she joy with honour's great increase.
538 THE DEVICE OF THE PAGEANT BORNE BEFORE WOLSTAN DIXIE,
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