Epithalamies. OR ENCOMIASTICK TRIVM­PHALL VERSES, CONSECRATED to the Immortall memory, of the royall Nuptialls, of the two Paragons of Christendome, Frederick and Eliza­beth. With a description of the Sea-fights, and Fyre-workes, with other royall occurrences which were accomplished at the Princely Celebration.

I Did not write nor publish (this description of fire and water triumphs) to the entent that they should onely reade the relati­on that were spectators of them for to such (perhaps) it will relish some what tedious like a tale that is too often told: but I did write these things, that those who are far remoted, not onely in his Maistties Domi­nions, but also in foraine territories, may have an vn­derstanding of the glorious pomp, and magnificent do­mination of our high and mighty Monarch King Iames: and further, to demonstrate the skils and knowledges that our warlike nation hath in engines fire-works and other millitary discipline, that there by may be knowne, [Page] that howsoeuer warre seemes to sléepe, yet (vpon any lawfull ground or occasion) the command of our dread Soueraigne can rouse hir to the terrour of al malignant opposers of his royall state and dignity. But to the purpose.

In this representation of a Sea-fight there were 16. Ships, 16. Gallies and 6. Friggots: of the which Nauy, the Ships were Christians and the Gallies were supposed Turkes, all being artificially rig'd and trim'd, well man'd and furnished with great ordinance and Musquettiers: one of the Christian fleet was a great ve­ssell or a supposed Venetian Argosey, and another was a tall Ship, as it were appointed for the safe Conuoye of the Argosey. And for the auoyding of the troublesom­nesse of Boates and Wherries, and other perturbati­ous multitudes, there was a lists or bounds made with Lighters, Hayes, and other great Boates to the num­ber of 250. or there abouts: the one end of the Lists was as high (almost) as Lambeth bridge, and the other ende as low as the Temple staires, and so fastned to the sowth shore, or the vpper end of the bancks on sowth­warke side, in the forme of a halfe Moone or Cemi­circle, So that Boates might passe vp and downe the river betwixt London side and the Lighters any way. The aforesaid Turketh Gallies lying all at an Anchor euer against Westminster, in a hauen or harbor made artificially with Masts and other prouision, 60. yards in­to the River, which harbor or hauen was belonging to a supposed Turkish or Barbarian Castle of Tunis, Al­geirs, or some other Mahometan fortification, where the Gallies might scowt out for purchase, and retire in againe for safeguard at their pleasure. About 2. of the clocke on satterday the 13. of February, the aforsaid Argosev and the other Venetian ship hir conuoy, sets forward from ward the Temple, and driuing vp with the winde and tide til they came as high as Yorke house, [Page] where 4. Gallies met and encountred with them: where vpon a suddaine there was friendly exchanging of smal shot and great ordinance on both sides, to the great delec­tation of all the beholders: the Drummes, Trumpets, Fises, Weights, Guns, showts, & acclamations of the Mariners, Soldiers and spectators, with such reuer­berating Echoes of ioy to and fro, that there wanted nothing in this fight (but that which was fit to be wan­ting) which was ships sunk and torne in peices, men groning, rent and dismembred, some slaine, some drow­ned, some maimed, all expecting confusion. This was the manner of the happy and famons battell of Lepanto fought betwixt the Turks and the Christians, in the yeare of grace 1571. or in this bloody manner was the memorable battaile betwixt vs and the inuincible (as it was thought) Spanish Armado in the yeare 1588. but in the end, in this frendly fight) the ship and Ar­gosey were encompassed round by the Galleies, and surprizde and taken: whereupon, the whole Fléet made towards them to rescue them, and reuenge their recei­ued iniuries.

Then there was a Eeacon flered by the Turkes which gaue warning to the Castle and the Galleyes, of the comming of the Christian Fléete: Then all the Ships and Galleyes met in freíndly opposition and y­maginary hurley-burley battalions: then the lofty in­struments of Wars clamorous encouragements soun­ded: the thundring Artillary roared, the Musqueteirs in numberles volleys discharged on al sides, the smoake (as it were) ecclipsing Titans refulgent Beames, filling all the Ayre with a confused cloudy mist. The Castle and the Land adiacent, continually dischardging great shot in aboundance at the Ships, and the Ships at them againe: so that after this delightfull battaile had dout­fully lasted thrée houres, to the great contentment of all the beholders, the Uictorie inclyning to neither side, [Page] all being opposed foes, and combyned friends: all vic­tors, all tryumphers, none to be vanguishd, and there­fore no conquerors. The Drums, Trumphets, Flutes and Guns, filling the ayre with repurrussiue acclama­tions: vpon which, for a Catastrophe or Period to these delightfull royalties, commaund was giuen that the Retreat should be sounded on both sides. And thus these Princely rocreations were accomplished and finished.

THese things could not conueniently be printed in order as they were done, by rea­son of the diuersitie of them.

For heere I was faine to describe the fight of the ships & Gallyes first, which was performed last. For the Fire-workes were performed on Thurs-day night the 11. of February, and the fight was vpon the Saterday following.

At the which fire-workes the maister Gunner of England, on the shore did performe many skilfull and ingenious exploits with great Bum­bards, shooting vp many artificiall balls of fire into the ayre, which flew vp in one whole fierie ball, & in their falling dispearsed into diuers streams like Raine-bowes in many innumerable fires. After all which, was discharged a great peale of Chambers, to the contentment of the royall spectators, and the great credit of the performers.

The true description of such part of the Fire-workes as were deuised and accom­plished by Mr. Iohn Nodes Gunner, and seruant to the King; most excellent Maiestie.

THe Imperiall and Beautious Lady Lucida Quéene of the Feminine Territories, of y^e man hating Amazo­nians, with whose bright eye dazeling Coruscancis, and whose Refulgent feature, the Black-sould hell com­manding Magitian Mango (A Tarta­rian borne,) was so ensnared and cap­tiuated, that for her loue, and to be assured to enioy her, he would set all Hell in an vprore, and pluck Don Belzebub by the beard: assuredly perswading himselfe, that without her he could not liue, and for her he would attempt any thing: but she hauing vowed her selfe euer to be one of Vestaes Usa­taries, alwayes kept Cupid out at the armes end: and bad Madam Venus make much of stump-footed Vulcan, and kéepe home like a good huswife, for she had no entertainment for her.

Whereupon this hellish Necromancer Mango, (being thus repulst) conuerts all his loue to outragious rigor, and im­mediatly, with his Charmes, erorcismes, and potent exe­crable incantations, he raises a strong impregnable Pauilion, [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] in the which he immures, and encloses this beautifull Ama­zonian Queene with her attendant Ladies, where (though they liued in captiuitie and bondage, yet) they had variety of Games and pleasant sports allowed by the Magitian, in hope that time would worke an alteration in her faire flinty breast. And for her sure Gard in her absence, he had erected by Ma­gick, another strong Tower, as a watch house, wherein he had placed a fiery Dragon, and an inuincible Giant: (of whome I will speake in another place héereafter.)

Now to this aforesaid Pauillion wearyed with toyle and trauaile, the Great vnresistable Champion of the world, and the vncontrolable Patron Saint George comes: and séeing so bright and luculent a Goddesse, (according as his necessitie required) demanded entertainment, whereby he might be refreshed after his laborious atchiuements, and honorable endeuours.

The curteous Quéene (although the car'd not for the soci­ety of man) séeing his outward or externall feature and war­like acouterments, did presently resolue with her selfe that so faire an outside could not be a habitation for fowle Trechery, and with most debonayre gesture, admits his entrance into the Pauilion, where after he had feasted a while, she relates vnto him the true manner and occassion, of her vnfortunate thraldome: Saint George (euer taking pleasure in most dangerous attempts, holding it his chiefest glory to helpe wronged Ladies) vowes, that as soone as Rhoebus rowz'd himselfe from the Antipodes, he would quest the burning Dragon, Conquer the big bon'd Giant, subuert the inchan­ted Castle, and enfranchise the Quéene with her followers, or else die in the enterprise thereof. After which promise of his, the Quéene to passe away the time, delights him with these pastimes following, being all fire-workes.

First, the Pauilion is beleagerd or inuirond round about with fires, going out of which, many fiery balls flies vp into [Page] the Ayre, with numbers of smaller fiers ascending, that cemicircled Cinthia is (as it were) eclipsed with the flashes, and the starres are hud-winckt with the burning exhala­tions.

Secondly, is séene a royall hunting of Bucks, and Hounds, and Hunts-men, flying and chasing one another round a­bout the Pauilion (as if Diana had lately transformed Acte­on, and his ignorant dogges ready to prey on his Carkas) from whence continually is flying many fiers dispearsed e­uery way: The lower part of the Pauilion alwayes burning round about, giuing many blowes, and great reports, with many fires flying aloft into the Ayre.

Thirdly, there doth march round about the Pauilion Ar­tificiall men, which shall cast out fires (as before) as it were in skirmish: another part of the Pauilion is all in a Com­bustious flame, where Rackets, Crackers, Breakers, and such like, giues blowes and reports without number.

Fourthly, the Quéene of Amazonia with all her traine of Virgin Ladyes, with fires, marcheth round as the men did before, with the fire flying despearsedly diuers wayes: the whilst another part of the Pauilion is fired, with many blowes and reports, and fiers flying aloft into the ayre, from whence it comes downe againe in streaching flakes of slash­ing fire.

Fifthly, aloft with the Turret, shall runns (whirling rownd) a fyerie Globe, with the Turret and all on fire, with many more greater blowes then before had bin heard, and diuers and sundry other sorts of fires (then any of the former) procéeding from thence, and flying into the ayre in great aboundance.

All which things being performed, and the vndanted Knight Saint George taking his leaue of the Amazonian Queene Lucida, he mounts vppon his Stéede, and aduente­rously rides towards the inchanted Towre of Brumond.

[Page]Now these disports being ended, wherein Saint Georges entertainement was onely expressed, with the Queenes rela­tion of her bondage, this braue Champion was séene to ride ouer the bridge to combat with these aforesaid Monsters, the Dragon and Giant: all which was expressed in the next de­uise of Mr. Thomas Butler: and so I end, with my harty inuo­cations to the Almighty to send the Bride and Bridgraome the yeares of Methushalah, the fortitude of Ioshua the wise­dome of Solomon, the wealth of Crefsus, and last of all an endles Crowne of Immortalitie in the highest heauens.

A true description of the Platforme of a part of the fire-workes, deuised and made by Mr. Thomas Butler Gunner, and seruant to the Kings Royall Maiestie.

THis inchanted Castle or Tow­er of Brumond is in hight 40. foote and 30 square, betwéene which and the Pauilion of the Amazonian Quéene, is a long Bridge, on the which Bridge, the valiant and heroicke Champion Saint George being mounted on hors­back, makes towards the Castle of Brumond, which being perceaued by the watchfull Dragon, (who was left by Mango the Coniurer as a Centenell) is en­countred by him, where as Saint George (being armed at all points (but especially) with an vnrebated courage) hauing in his Helmet a burning flaming Feather, and in one hand a burning Launce, and in the other a fiery Sword, with which weapons he assailes the dreadfull Dragon, with such fury and Monster-quelling streakes, as if the Ciclops had bin forging, and beating Thunder bolts on Vulcans Anuile: where in conclusion, after a terrible and long endured Com­bat, with his Launce he gores the Hellehound vnder the wing, that he presently aftermost hideous roring, and belch­ing of fire, is vanguished and slaine: at which the terrible shaped Giant rises (who hauing sate as a spectator of this [Page] bloudy battel vpon a great stump of a trée at the Castle Gate) and adresses himselfe towards Saint George, meaning to re­uenge the death of the Dragon, and to swallow his enemy for a modieum: but at their first encounter, the blowes on both sides fell like Thunder clappes, enforcing lightning, and fie­ry exhalations to sparkle, from whence their powerfull stroakes lighted: at last the Monstar gaping wide, as an Arch in London Bridge, runnes furiously, intending to swallow his aduersary at a bit: which Saint George seeing, vpon the suddaine thrust his Sword into his gréedy throat and ouer­threwe him: at which the Monster yelles and rores forth such a terrible noyse, as if the Center of the earth had crackt, that with the vncouth dinne thereof, the Neighbouring hills, woods, and valleyes, séemed to tremble like an earth quake.

The Gyane lying at the mercy of Saint George, entreats him to spare his life, and he will shewe him the way how he shall conquer the Castle, and bring the inchanter to his euer­lasting downefall.

Upon which promise, Saint George and the Gyant walke into the Castle together, where he tells Saint George that there is an enchanted fountaine, and whosoeuer can attaine to drinke of it, shall be he whome the Fates haue ordained to be the conclusion of the Castles glory.

In the meane space, whilst these things were doing, the Magitian Mango, hauing intelligence of the dangerous e­state of his Castle, and fearing the losse of his Lady: sud­dainely mounts him on a flying inuinsible deuill, and in a moment alights within the Castle, vpon whome St. George makes a prosent conquest.

The Castle hath on the top thereof a fiery Fountaine, which burnes and sends vp Rackets into the ayre, with ma­ny reports and blowes: some great, and some lesse, and fire dispearsed many wayes in great aboundance with innume­rable lights round about.

Secondly, the Magitian is taken with his Coniuring Scepter in his hand, and bound to a Pillar by Saint George [Page] and burned, with store of lights (as before) with fiers and. Rackets ascending and descending too and fro in the ayre.

Thirdly, the foure squares of the Tower are stered, with abundance of lights, with Rackets flying into the ayre, with hers dispearsed, and scattered diuers and sundry wayes, and with reports and blowes, some great, and some lesse, accor­ding to their making.

Fourthly, the fours Turrets are fyred with fire, and in­numerable lights, with aboundance of Rackets flying to and fro in the ayre, giuing diuers reports, as before.

Then the maine Castle is fyered, and vpon two of the corner Terrets are two Globes fyered, and betwixt each Globe at two other corner Turrets, are two men, catching as it were at the Globes which still turne from them, and they chassing and following the Globes, still burning and turning till all be extinguished with fire: alwayes Rackets flying and reports thwacking, and lights burning.

VVilliam Bettis his inuention, of such part of the fire-workes as were performed by him at the Royall Celebration: which he had contriued in such sort, that if the weather had bin Rainy or Windy, yet his dessignments should haue bin accomplished.

A Castle with diuers fier-workes, repre­senting and assuming diuers variable shapes, and immagiary formes: which continued the space of an houre or thereabouts: the nature and quallity of which fire-worke, was performed as followeth.

1 First, there was seene 13. great fiers, to flie to and fro round about the Castle, whereby it séemed to be beleagerd or Circumuolu'd with fires, which yéelded a most pleasing obiect to all the spectators.

2 Secondly, a flight of great store of Rackets was séene to ascend into the ayre, and descend againe, which in their descending were extinguished.

3 Thirdly, the whole Castle was all on fire, wherein was séene many things very delightfull.

4 Fourthly, was séene many Buttons flye, dispearsed diuers wayes from the Castle, with great crackes, blowes, and reports, in great number.

5 Next that, was séene a Stagge or Hart, hunted and chased with dogges, all their bodies being artificially made, and preportiond in one flame of fire, where the following Hounds were plainely séene, to pull downe and vanguish the Stagge which they before had chased.

6 Sixtly, there was séene a great flight of Rackets, with [Page] two or thrée fiers péece.

7 Seauenthly, were séene two or thrée hundreth fires flying from the Castle, and then flying to and fro in and out, many waies all together.

8 Next which, was séene a great slight of Rackets, with many great fires, some of the said fires breaking into many parts, diuers wayes dispearsed in abundance, which fires were séene to fall burning into the water.

9 Ninthlyt, was séene many Rackets flying into the ayre in great abundance, giuing many blowes, Crackes or re­ports, numberles.

10 Tenthly, was séene diuers other Rackets flying aloft into the ayre, which Rackets did assimulate the shapes or proportions of men, women, fowles, beastes, fishes, and o­ther formes and figures.

11 Last of all, was heard 100. blowes and reports as lowd as the report of a reasonable Chamber is able to giue, and so with fires, lights, Rackets, and such like, (to the de­light of all the beholders, and the great credit of the inuen­tor of this fire-worke) all was extinguished and concluded.

Mr. Iohn Tindall Gunner and seruant to the Kings royall Maiestie, The true description of such part of the Fire-workes, as were by him deuised and performed at this Royall Triumphs.

A Castle, old and very Ruinous, called the Castle of En­uie scituated and erected on a Rocke (all ragged and horide to behold) called the Rock of Ruine, encompassed round and drenched in a troblous Sea, called the Sea of Disquiet: the Captaine of this Castle name was Discord with his Liettenant Lawles, antient Hatred, Sericant Ma­lice, Corporall Contention, with his Lancsprezado Hell­hound. The Rocke or foundation of this Castle being all replenished with Adders, Snakes, Toades, Serpents, Scor­pions, and such venomous vermin, from whose throates were belched many fires, with Crackers, Rackets, blowes and reports in great number.

To the subuersion of this maleuolent Edifices, there came thrée Shippes, the one of them being called Good-will, in whome Loyalty was Captaine, and Zeale was maister.

The second Ship was named the True-loue, in whome Trust was Captaine, and perseuerance was maister.

The third Ship was called Assurance, in whome Circum­spection was Captaine, and Prouidence the Maister.

These thrée Ships and Captaines, with their valarous and confident assotiates, assaults this Castle of Enuie, where after halfe an houres fight, or there-abouts, (by the inuinci­ble prowesse of the assaylants) the Hell-borne defendants were vanquished, their Castle vtterly raced, demollished, and subuerted, with Rackets, breakers, blowes and reports innumerable.

The description of such part of the Fire-workes as were deuised and accompli­shed by Mr. William Fishenden Gunner, and seruant to his Maiestie.

A Piramides or lofty Plat-forme, in the forme of a Tri­angled spire, with a Globe fixed on the top thereof, the whole worke turning and burning, the space almost of halfe an houre, or néere thereabouts: from whence proceeded many Rackets, fires, blowes and reports, in great numbers, to the great delight and contentment of the King the Quéene, the Prince, the Princesse Elizabeth, the Prince Palatine, and diuers others, the Nobilitie, the Gentry and Commons of this Kingdome.