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DESCENSUS ASTRÆE.

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.

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DESCENSUS ASTRÆE.

The PRESENTER's Speech.

SEE, lovely Lords, and you, my Lord, behold
How Time hath turn'd his restless wheel about,
And made the silver moon, and heaven's bright eye,
Gallop the zodiack, and end the year,

Whose revolution now begets anew
The days that have created and confirm'd
A worthy governor, for London's good,
To underbear, under his sovereign's sway,
Unpartial Justice' beam, and weav'd a Web *
For your content, and her command in all,
You citizens of this metropolis,

Whose honour and whose oath to gratulate,
Lordings, behold what emblem I present.

Astræa, daughter of the immortal Jove,
Great Jove, defender of this ancient town,
Descended of the Trojan Brutus' line,
Offspring of courageous conquering king,

Whose pure renown hath pierc'd the world's large

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* Web] A wretched pun upon the Mayor's name.

In golden scrolls rolling about the heavens;
Celestial sacred Nymph, that tends her flock
With watchful eyes, and keeps this fount in peace,
Guarded with Graces, and with gracious trains,
Virtues divine, and gifts incomparable,
Nor lets blind superstitious ignorance
Corrupt so pure a spring: O happy times,
That do beget such calm and quiet days,
Where sheep and shepherd breathe in such content!
Honour attends her throne; in her bright eyes

-Sits majesty; virtue and stedfastness

Possess her heart; sweet mercy sways her sword.
Her champion arm'd with resolution,

Sits at her feet to chastise malcontents,

That threat her honour's wrack.

And time and kind

Produce her years to make them numberless,
While Fortune for her service and her sake
With golden hands doth strengthen and enrich
The Web that they for fair Astræa weave.
Long may she live, long may she govern us,
In peace triumphant, fortunate in wars,
Our fair Astræa, our Pandora fair,

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,
Or Trojan Hector, terror to the Greeks.

Goddess, live long, whose honours we advance,

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Strengthen thy neighbours', propagate thine own:
Guide well thy helm, lay thine anointed hand,
To build the temple of triumphant Truth,

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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,
Where heavenly nectar flows above the banks;
Such pastures are not common to be seen:
Pay to immortal Jove immortal thanks,

For what is good from heaven's high throne doth fall;
And heaven's great architect be prais'd for all.

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,
Whose heart is purely fixed on the law,

The holy law; and bootless we contend,

While this chaste nymph this fountain doth defend.

EUPHROSYNE.

Whilom, when Saturn's golden reign did cease,
And iron age had kindled cruel wars,

Envy in wrath perturbing common peace,
Engendering canker'd hate and bloody jars ;

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