The Device of a Pageant, borne before M. William Web, Lord Maior of the Citie of London, on the day he took his oath; being the 29th of October, 1591. Whereunto is annexed a Speech delivered by one, clad like a sea-nymph; who presented a Pinesse on the Water, bravely rigd and mand, to the Lord Maior, at the time he tooke Barge to go to Westminster. Done by G. Peele, Maister of Arts in Oxford. Printed for William Wright. 4to. ( DESCENSUS ASTRÆE. The PRESENTER's Speech. SEE, lovely Lords, and you, my Lord, behold Whose revolution now begets anew Whose honour and whose oath to gratulate, Astræa, daughter of the immortal Jove, Whose pure renown hath pierc'd the world's large * Web] A wretched pun upon the Mayor's name. In golden scrolls rolling about the heavens; -Sits majesty; virtue and stedfastness Possess her heart; sweet mercy sways her sword. Sits at her feet to chastise malcontents, That threat her honour's wrack. And time and kind Produce her years to make them numberless, Our fair Eliza, or Zabeta fair. Sweet Cynthia's darling, beauteous Cypria's peer, As dear to England and true English hearts, As Pompey to the citizens of Rome; As merciful as Cæsar in his might: As mighty as the Macedonian king, Goddess, live long, whose honours we advance, Strengthen thy neighbours', propagate thine own: That while thy subjects draw their peace from thee, Thy friends with aid of arms may succour'd be. ASTREA, with her sheephook, on the top of the pageant. Feed on, my flock, among the gladsome green, For what is good from heaven's high throne doth fall; SUPERSTITION. A Friar sitting by the fountain. Stir, Priest, and with thy beads poison this spring, I tell thee all is baneful that I bring. : IGNORANCE, a Priest. It is in vain her eye keeps me in awe, The holy law; and bootless we contend, While this chaste nymph this fountain doth defend. EUPHROSYNE. Whilom, when Saturn's golden reign did cease, Envy in wrath perturbing common peace, |