[Page 2] INtellect, or vnderstanding participating so neerely with the Deitie, it cannot be shut vp vnder locke and key, espe­cially in capacious mindes and Iudgements, for as a fit obiect occurs, men beat against that iron with the flint, and then of necessitie it must needs sparkle, and yeeld fire. I haue alwaies beene of this opinion, that the reputation of a wise man, ties him to more demerit, than an o­ther ordinary man of repute, for the better satisfaction herein of generall expectation. And so in like manner one that writeth of all actions in generall, hee hath neede of the greater sufficiency, to obtaine applause and liking; because as men are different in their apprehensions, so are they in their humors and approbations, as also besides, [Page 3] it is somewhat too curious to present them euery day with new inuentions. There is now both a conueniency and necessity to present to publique the Maske, with which the Lord Admirall of Castile and Leon ho­noured their Maiesties, in celebrating the arriuall of the most renowned Prince of England in these kingdomes, whom their Maiesties, for as many principall causes, as most important reasons, doe honour and festiuate. A royall festiuity no doubt, both to them to whom it was dedicated, and to those who celebrated the same, hee being more deepely tied and bound vnto this, than if other Lords should festiuate and en­tertaine their owne Prince, because they are extracted of his bloud (being the Basis and foundation of all Nobility) in that both the same reason concurs with the Ad­mirall, besides the greatest confluence in this, of all the principall States and Princes of Europe, a reason that may some waies excuse my rude penne, in that the Admi­rall hath made good in reall action, the meere fictions of Turpine, and Ariosto; if it [Page 4] be vnderualued for the breuity, it may be exalted in the acceptance, because as the Prince of Philosophers affirmed, Historie is the true touchstone of men, and for­getfulnesse of a benefit is the last and black censure of ingratefull men. The many benefits wherein (besides my naturall affe­ction) I stand bound to this great Prince, may excuse me, let all rare spirits admit of this so good a reason, raised from such an heroicall foundation.

On Sunday being Easter day, a solemne day in all respects, which the Admirall made very good choise of, because as much time must be allowed for sacred, as for prophane exercises: The Queenes Ma­iesty, clothed in white, a colour of exhila­ration and gladnesse, which the Church obserueth for the Annuali remembrance of the resurrection of her deare Spouse, set out with rare iewels, and precious stones, (whereof she hath store, and the present occasion, gaue her cause to make shew of them) dined in publike. The Gallants of the Court tooke their place with the La­dies, [Page 5] and the dinner drew out somewhat late, because their Maiesties went before to the Chappell to solemnize the Feast. For neither their festiuities, nor their yeeres apt to take delight in them, can draw them to omit their religious zeale; it being the prin­cipall respect of this Monarchy, as it also hath beene of all other ages; for the zeale of Numa wrought greater effects in the Ro­man Monarchy, than the valour of Ro­mulus.

The Prince in like manner dined in pub­lique, attended with the assistance and care of the Conde de Puebla, as Master of the feast, a valiant vnderstanding Gentleman, and Mayor domo, or Lord Steward of the Court.

The Gentlemen tasters attended, and the Earle of Bristow ministred vnto him the towell.

The King came out to euening prayer, and then there went for his Highnesse, the resplendent and noble troupe of all the ho­nourable of these kingdomes, and other strange Nobility, which are now heere in [Page 6] great number: then followed the Mayor domos, with their Officiall staues, and all the Grandes, the traine finishing in the Duke of Infantado: whose hoarie haires, when the Sunne of his youth had passed the Ze­nith of his more flourishing age, entred in­to the siluer Spheare of Cynthia, to illustrate the world with his countenance. The King was placed, and the Prince on his right hand, his Maiesty clothed in Ashe co­lour: with a great golden fleece, and a chaine baudrick wise, which might haue bard in the Colossian Port of Rhodes, (I tooke this chaine to bee of many Crownes linked, by foure in a knot, cemented toge­ther with greene and blacke Emerald) and if the French say true in this, that euery action of a King is Royall, these foure Crownes linked together, and hanging at his Maiesties breast, shall be so many king­domes. In his hat, his girdle, and for other Iewels of Diamonds, he diminished the glo­ry of Phoebus beames; wearing in his hat a large wauing and aiery Plume. The Prince was in blacke, richly garded after the Spa­nish [Page 7] fashion, with the George about his necke, hanging by a watchet riban. The enameld garter, exceeded that colour in brightnesse, and his Maiesty might as cleare­ly be discernd, as a Sunne a midst the Stars, this not being the meanest action and re­monstrance of his prudence, that being a trauelling guest who came by Post, not being able at the instant, to shine with e­quall lustre, he came to participate of the Spanish Sunne.

Immediatly after came the English Ad­mirall, and Oliuares, both Masters of the horse, The Counsell of Estate, the Embas­sadors of Princes, and the Chamber of the Citie, great in number, but greater in bloud and discent.

Being come to the Queenes quarter, which was all hung with Tapistrie of Tunys, and Petrarckes triumphs, set forth in embroyderie, well knowne both for ri­ches, and varietie of inuention: The Prince vrged by all meanes, that his Maiestie would be pleased first to enter, but at last he yeelded to the Kings pleasure.

The Queene accompanied with the In­fanta, [Page 8] who was then in her Quarter, to wish her an happy Easter, went out to receiue them, apparrelled in blacke, and gold, of wonderfull rich and stately, whether with naturall, or supernaturall beauty, for a mo­dest passion, is a vertue supernaturall. After many complements past, they went to sit downe vnder a cloth of Estate, which was of cloth of Gold, three seuerall degrees in height, of Mylan Carnation, and chaires of the same. The Prince tooke place on the right hand of the Queene, and the King on the right hand of the Infanta, they two re­maining in the midst. The English Am­bassador in ordinary, dischargd the office of Interpreter, by whose relation he saluted the Queene with a good Easter; he was answe­red with the like ceremony: and hauing performed these courtesies and comple­ments before the Queene, hee came to dis­charge them to the Infanta, who entertai­ned him with that modesty and grauity, as might haue befitted greater yeares and more experience of time. Their Maiesties mani­fested their alacrity, by smiling twice, or thrice, and there arose such beautifull [Page 9] blushes in the Sunne of the Lady Infantaes countenance, which beheld without natu­rall affection, could cause no lesse than ad­miration and wonder. They returnd to sit downe, and while the ladies, who were courting it among the gallants, spent the time in expressing their seuerall conceits; their Maiesties departed, and returned in the same manner and forme as they came, and then shewed themselues at the win­dowes of the south Gallery Cierzo, accom­panied by the Highnesses, of the Illustri­ous Infants, to view the tryall of armes, wherein the youth of this great Court, shewed both dexterity, and valour. In the meane while Apollo fearing two Sunnes re­tired his light, and gaue way to a Maske, which was in this manner: There were diuers races for Careers made, rayld in with bord, and timber worke brest high, within the Courtes of the Pallace, that of Descal­zas, and the great Court. The trembling and watrish beames of Diana, would fame haue supplied the defect of Apolloes Rayes, and one might perceiue that no borrow­ed light (though in the absence, and ob­scurity [Page 10] of the principall) can be compa­rable to light naturall, though indeed those artificiall did much eclipse it, where­with all the whole place, and the corners did shine, the progenie and effect, of the e­speciall care of Iuan de Castilia Corrigidor, executed in the seruice and honour of his Princes, except it proceeded from the beames of that Spanish beauty, which ex­pected to behold the Festiuitie, who did imi­tate herein the celestial Spheares, the Queene and the Infanta stood in the great gallery, and the Prince, and the Infant Cardinall, on the left hand, accompanied with the English and Spanish Nobility, that had no part in the Maske, and were appointed their places. There attended on the Queene, and the Infanta, besides the chiefe Ladies of the Chamber, the Countesse of Oliuares, who can giue a life to all actions of greatnesse, and courtship, as one who (besides her own noble disposition and nature) hath for her Instructor the Count, and the Honourable Ladie of the house of Mendoza my good Lady, and the Lady of Infantado, whose ve­nerable gray haires gaue great respect, if the [Page 11] hereditary splendor of her glorious proge­nitors had failed, with many other Ladies of these Kingdomes. There stood hard by her Maiesty, as her chiefe Mayor domo, or Lord Steward, the glory of the Illustrious Family Pimentell, the true heire of his Fa­thers house, as also of his vertues and per­fections. The rest of the out ietties, or galle­ries, were set with stars more relucent, (though lesse erring, the glorious emulation of those in the firmament) in the other La­dies, and Menimas, or noble youth of the Court, whose rich ornaments darted forth beames, sent forth from their beauties, dis­sembling both frosts and flames, the iust re­uenge of some haughty soules.

The quantity of fire which was exhal'd, contending to reach to their proper spheare, dissolued the clouds of the middle region of the aire, which powred downe in showers vpon the earth, (the Admirals happy for­tune) as it seemed she commanded them at such a time, when she most desird to receiue them: Which being sprinckled vpon the ground like deawes, as from the hand of a gardner, the Show began from his house, by [Page 12] the royall Hospitall of Misericordia, the street of the Streual, that of S. Philip, and the great street, euen to the Pallace, with fiftie drums, trumpets, and flutes, clothd in liue­ries of Orange colour and white, the co­lours of the Lady Maria Courtino, who de­riues her glory and discent from the familie of Marialua, the supreamest honour of the Lusitanian Spaine, after whom followed Diego Lopes de Zuniga, Generall of the coast of Granada, as Marshall of the field, with a staffe of siluer in his hand, and after him a good number of Pages and lack queies with axes, in the liuery of the Admirall, formerly seene and set downe in our relation of the Prince his entry, and Don Carlos de Zaualza Page to his Excellency, in a liuery of cloth of Orange colour and siluer, laid with lace, and set with blacke glasses or bugles all ar­med, and Don Ieronimo de Esquiuel Page to the Marquesse de Alcanizas, apparelled in blacke, plated with siluer, and in like man­ner armed, mounted vpon excellent horses, armed sadles, and furniture embroidered with gold, with bucklers steele-plated, who brought along with them the cartels of cha­lenge, [Page 13] which were set vpon the gates of the Pallace, by the defendants, Admirall & the Marquesse, the form or tenor wherof ensues.

Don Iuan Alfonso Eurigues, Admiral of Ca­stile, in the honour of the Ladie Maria Curti­nio, will within the Court of this great Pa­lace maintaine, That loue hath no need of the nourishment of hopes, for by them it is rather defamed than encouraged, being the reward of it selfe, and to loue againe the only end of its glory. And for a demonstra­tion, that the noblenes of her affection will auouch it, if any doubt thereof be made, he will maintaine a course at the Ring, from this day forward for threescore daies, before or after as his Maiesty shall appoint.

And the Conditions shall be these.

With three Launces according to the law of Armes, of sufficient proofe and triall, any neglect wherein loseth prize. As also, he that shall loose a peece, or fasten it toge­ther againe with any binding, incurreth the same penalty. He that takes off the Ring, it shall answer for two Launces, that had not the like fortune. He that hits the Ring shall enioy the same benefit.

[Page 14] The same lawes shall take place at the Combat, Barriers, or Tilt, for him that breakes vpon the Visier, the Gorget, or the Target. Whose prizes shall not be lower than thirty Crowns, nor aboue an hundred. Leauing the prize of greatest worth, and best valew to the election of the Ladies.

The best Launce of the man of Armes, the best inuention, and the best Launce at Tilt, to be referd to the censure of the Iudges.

Who shall be, The Duke of Buckingham Admirall of England.

Don Gaspar de Gusman, Conde de Oliuares, chiefe Cupbearer to the Kings Maiesties per­son, great Master of his horse, and one of his Counsell of Estate.

Don Iuan Hurtado de Mendoza, Duke of Infantado, high Steward of his Maiesties house, and of his Counsell of Estate.

Don Pedro de Toledo Osorio, Marquesse of Villa Franca, of the Counsell of Estate vnto his Maiesty.

Don Augustine Mexia, a Gentleman of his Maiesties Chamber, and of his Counsell of Estate.

Don Fernando Giron, of the Counsell of Estate to his Maiesty.

Another Cartell.

THe Knight of the Forrests who is tied by the order of his Knighthood, to trauell ouer mountaines, and trace wild beasts, ser­uing the great Prince of both the Spaines to make knowne, that in the rusticity of the Country, there is found the Courtly vrbanity of Loue; he affirmes, that they who make pro­fession of his exercises and Knighthood, are the Gallants that attaine to highest perfection in louing, because not knowing what hopes or delayes are, they ratifie their fidelity by a si­lence taught them by the woods and moun­taines: and this he will maintaine and defend being no wayes borne out by Magicke spels, but out of true valour and courage of minde, which he meanes to approue and make good in the market place of Mantua Carpentana, at the day appointed by the Caesar of both Spaines, where they shall find him within the Lists, from the stolne beames of Dianaes light, [Page 16] while the sight of true resplendency, her bro­ther the god of Delos, combating any such as shall deny this verity: with three pushes at the Pike, fiue fendants, or right downe blowes with the sword, the great Prince of Selua Cali­donia being present at this combat, of whom wise men spake by way of figure and shadow, in the famous actions of Amadis de Gaule, and Lisuare of great Britany: and referring their triall to the arbitrement of the Iudges, which shall be the Admirall of England, Don Pedro de Toledo, Marquesse of Villafranca, and Don Ferdinando Giron, presupposing alwayes the conditions ensuing: That hee who yeelds a foot backe shall lose his prize, fighting with the sword: That he who giues one blow more or lesse then ordained, shall lose prize: That whosoeuers sword doth break he shall returne no more to the tournament, but the prize shall be giuen him who thitherto hath best deserued it. Whosoeuer breakes, or giues a push with his Pike, or a blow with his sword beneath the girdle, hee shall lose prize: Whosoeuer en­counters with the sword, or the Pike, at the [Page 17] halfe length, he shall lose prize: Whosoeuer lets his sword fall out of his hand, or lifts vp the visier of his helme, or lets any piece of his armes fall, he shall lose prize. To the most for­ward and gallant, to the most skilfull, to the best effects with the sword, to the pike of shocke, to the sword pell mell, to the best in­uention, and to the Ladies Pike, be the honor giuen.

The whole Maske made their round, ac­companying the troupe while they stayed, whose liuery cost the Admirall a great num­ber of crownes, who cloathed them all in nip­pons, and hoods of Orange tawny, and stryxt siluer cloath, set with flowers, and Romane deuices of blacke cloath, edged about with siluer in purles, with Talbants of Marroco of the same, and white plumes; onely Monterrey and Veragnas wore blacke. The Marquesse of Alcanizes wore one different from these two extreames. The beautie of horses, and the riches of borders and furniture, shewed eui­dently the affection of those that made this Festiuity. They ran two careirs in the Pa­lace, [Page 18] besides their round, and so went out in Maskes: and I willset them downe ioyntly to excuse more worthy and famous Elegies then my shallow braines can inuent.

• [Page 19]THE Admirall.
• Conde de Monterrey.
• Duke de Tursi.
• Conde de Portalegre.
• Conde de Annouer.
• Don Juan Claros de Guzman.
• Conde de Ʋilla franqueza.
• Conde de Villamor.
• Conde del Risco.
• Conde de Ricla.
• Don Fernando de la Cerda.
• Don Francisco de Eraso.
• Marques de Fromista.
• Duke de Hijar.
• Duke de Cea.
• Coude de Ʋillalua.
• Don Manuel Manrrique.
• [Page 20] Don Gaspar Bonifaz.
• Conde de la Puebla del Maestre.
• Marques de Castelrodrigo.
• Don Diego Sarmiento.
• Marques de Ʋelada.
• Marques de Xaualquinto.
• Don Luys de Cordoua Zuheros.
• Conde de Saluatierra.
• Morques de Almacan.
• Don Lorenzo de Castro.
• Marques de Alcan̄icas.
• Duke de Ʋeraguas.
• Marques de Camarasa.
• Don Rodrigo Enrriquez.
• Don Fernando de Guzman.
• Conde de Cantillana.
• Conde de Corun̄a.
• Don Luys de Guzman.
• Don Antonio de Toledo Horcajada.
• [Page 21] Don Fernando de Toledo Higares.
• Don Pompeo de Tarsis.
• Don Juan de Vera.
• Don Iuan de Eraso.
• Conde de Tendilla.
• Don Luys de Haro.
• Conde de Pun̄oenrostro.
• Marques de Ʋalle.
• Don Christoual de Gauiria.
• Conde de Ʋillafior.
• Marques de Belmonte.
• Don Gaspar de Teues.
• Marques de Toral.
• Conde de Fuensalida.
• Don Bernardo de Benauides.
• Marques de Orani.
• Don Antonio de Moscoso.
• Conde de Mejorada.

[Page 22] FOure Maskes, their Lacqueyes apparelled after the Turkish fashion in masking sutes, and if my presumption herein should not bee too arrogant, I would attempt to discouer the Sunne, amidst the darknesse of the Maske: The Andaluz cals that same doubtfull light, by reason of the interposition of darknesse; Cali­nas, and the Poet Zelajes: the vulgar opinion will needs haue it to be the King; for the radi­ant beames of his haire, and the statelinesse of his running, did make him knowne: Let it va­nish away in vulgar report, if his Maiesty like not to be discouered, it was enough to make so great a guest as the Prince to reioyce, to see him in this, honor so great a Subiect, as the Admirall. There accompanied him his bro­ther, the illustrious Infant, Don Carlos, who ranne with the Marques of Carpio, and with the King the Conde de Oliuares, by office chiefe Master of his horse, his most trusty and confi­dent, and his most eminent seruant. And al­though their running caused much ioy, yet feare, which euer accompanieth true loue, made vs in the night say in our hearts, God [Page 23] preserue the King (who euer loues them that serue him) as the firme and inuiolable founda­tion of his Church, and whose attempts are the proper offspring of the heroycall vertue of his Progenitors, out of the generall wishes and desires of his subiects.

The Marquesse of Rentyn, Captaine of the Almaine guard (a gallant and louely Gentle­man) who conducted it, was himselfe guar­ded by Fernand Verdugo Lieutenant of the Spa­nish, one as discreet and circumspect, as ho­nored and well beloued.

From the Palace they went to the Descal­zas, A place so called because it belongs to the bare legd Fryers. followed by more then foure hundred persons on horse backe, a triumphant and goodly company, because euen in these trials of meere solemnity, for martiall exercises, the Nobility of this Kingdome haue euer beene affected to chiualry, as may bee testified by multiplied experience. To festiuate his Ma­iesty, there repaired to those sacred wals, for many speciall reasons, and as it was the house of the Admiral, Master of this festiuitie, where they were to participate of it, the greatest num­ber [Page] of the Ladies, of that same great Court: And by the streets of the Arenall, the Carreras and the market place of Atocha, which waies they made their returne, they did the like to the Palace, whither they returned to accom­pany and dismide the maskes, the rest condu­cted the Admirall home to his house: And now the Sunne beginning to reflect vpon the Mountaine tops, which being masked, did de­sire to see the end of this festiuity, and enuy­ing the Admirals glorie, hee prosecuted the same in causing it to raine the greatest part of it. This is such a narration as my ignorance could decypher in so rude a stile; I hope your Excellency will pardon it, seeing good will is a sufficient supply of any defect in this be­halfe, for so many important reasons, I wholly remaine yours, April [...]9. stylo nouo, 1623.

[Page 25] DElius had scarce shaken off the mantell of the Night, nor had Taurus of the [...] fourth Spheare, who feedes on Lillies, scarce guilded his hayre with the moderate hea [...]e of the Spanish Hemispheare, with grea­ter commodity to participate of the Festiui­ty, his beames not hauing fully bea [...]en off the Deaw of Diana, which watered that place, Eo­lus blowing vpon it, when, not on the Scaf­folds of the East, but in the golden concur­rence of so many Sunnes, which disperced their beames in the Spanish beauties: the mor­ning sprouted forth, and the Nobilitie of the Court in numerous Assemblies being in the euening to come forth to the Citie So­lemnities, for the enioying of the rurall De­lights of the morning, with long staues in their hands, cloathed after the Pastorall man­ner, in armors of haughty minde and hot courage, more properly indeede her Children then those swift Horses which flowry Betis feedes on her sweet bankes, who possessed the Fields encompassing the Buls, more fierce [Page] then that Celestiall, being more capable of rare impressions, wherein passed noble at­tempts of Valour and Chivalry, being pro­per effects of the Spanish courage, obserued and seene in so many reiterated Experiences and tryals.

The Corrigidor very carefully preuented, that none besides the selected Gentlemen might come forth to this Enclosure, with long Rods or Staues in their hands, that they might not assaile the Buls. They were enclo­sed, & the first Bull was set vpon by the Gen­tlemen: and the second by those of an inferi­or rancke, and so the morning was ioyful and triumphant, though Don Diego de Ramirez, & Don Pedro de Toledo fell, and the Horses bare them downe, this man through incircumspe­ction, and the other by vnmeasurable cou­rage and forwardnesse. Their fals were not of any dangerous consequence. The Mar­ques of Velada succoured them, hewing the Bull in peeces with their swords, and the place was disposed of in this manner and forme:

[Page 23] The Panaderia, or Bullengerie, hath in the midst of the office of Saddles, or Furni­ture, Within the twelue Arches of vnpo­lisht stone, a guilded Scaffold, more emi­nent then the rest, in that on the left hand of this, was another of equall proportion built, on which were spread on the lower part, Clothes of Gold and Silver, in three degrees one higher then another, Crimo­sin and Gold, which were made for the comming of the Duke de Maine, to the affi­ance of the Nuptials of the most Christian Queene. I observed out of this, that ha­ving hitherto beene put to no vse for the service of their Maiesties, it might happily be hand selled to their honour, in the Festi­vitie we expect, from the Espowsalls of her Sister. There were divided from it in the midst, with a partition of Crimosin Damaske, spotted all over with Gold, two other partitions on the out-partes of the same, and that on the left hand, with a por­taile or gate, to goe out at to the mayne Scaffold, traversed with another partition, which seru'd for those vses, which shall herevnder appeare. On the two sides, [Page 24] were hung vp, those hangings of Needle­worke, wrought with wyer of Gold, so many times formerly seene, and on the top two Canopyes of cloth of Florence, of carnation colour, raysed in the weaving two severall higthes of gold, with a most rich Cover over head, and curtaines on both sides, with the former part of plaine cloth of Gold, of Mylan, Crimosin, spanne new, with Chayres of cloth of Gold, and Tissue, Stooles, and Cushions of the same, with Turkie peeces, hangings of most rich Tapistrie; and the places of the Counsell appointed, in manner and forme, so often heretofore seene. The Windowes were replenished with the Nobilitie of this Court: the standings and flore, with those of inferiour Fortunes, and bloud. The most Illustrious Nuncio, to whom the first standing was allotted, and next to the Royall seate, betweene his Maiestie and the Queene, had for his Associates, the most excellent Embassadors, of the Empe­rour, of France, Poland, and Venice, starrs of great and rare Magnitude, the rest were dispersed all over the breadth of the place, [Page 25] the Queene was placed next vnto them, and of the right side in Royall partitions, the Ladyes, Dames, and noble Pages of the Court: While you come to the Counsell of Royall Excellencie; for the Corrigidor and his Lieutenants being entred, with their vsuall Trayne of Officers; he went out to enterteine them, that high Senate entring with such a wonderfull Maiestie, that it may onely be an example, and pre­sident to it selfe. The Corrigidor gaue a glo­rious Liverie to eight Pages, and foure La­queyes, of plaine blacke Velvet, furniture, and skirts embroydered with Snayles, and Gandurados, Cloakes of cloth, with bases of feet, and Doublets of blacke Satten, garded with blacke Lace, and Feathers of a colour, which all the place admired, and wondered at.

The other Counsells and Lordes being placed in their severall roomes, the Maie­sty of the Queene, and of the Infanta made entrie in their Carroches, clothed in a dark kind of gray, wrought with embroydery, and Lentills of Gold, with Iewells, and Plumes, (a thing very needlesse to relate) [Page 26] seeing all Rhetoricall colors of the tongue, cannot expresse the truth of their incom­parable value, and estimation. Their Highnesses, Don Carlos, and Ferdinando, one in Purple, and the other in Blacke, con­tended in Beautie, and yet prevented one another in affection. The Coches of the Ladies, and Minnies of the Court, the very Envie of Phoebus rayes, were Retraytes of the Moneth, which then raygned for Beautie, and varietie of collours, solemni­zed with the greatest concourse of Nobi­litie, that ever the Empire of glory, and gallantrie beheld. And then first lighting on foot, the Marquesse of Reutine of Almaine made entrie for their Maiesties, betweene the Gardes, conducted by their Captaine; excellently set forth himselfe, wearing a Plume, Preparations, and a braue Live­rie of a darke yellow, and yellow furni­ture, and Don Ferdinando Verdugo, Lieute­nant of Hispaniola, in white, and blacke, in a Liverie of darke greene, white fur­niture, both contesting one with another, for greatest riches and pompe.

[Page 27] The whole Troope being conducted by the Alcaldes on Horsebacke, and by a great number of English, and Spanish Knights, Officers, and Grandes. The Prince of Wales was relucent, in white and blacke Plumes, mounted on a min­gle-colloured Horse, and the King appa­relled in a darke colour'd Sute, with a Plume of the same, mounted on a dap­ple Gray; in their legeritie, implying the effects of the Stormie Boreas, and in their faire and quiet managing, shewing them­selues almost reasonable, as if they had knowne the burdens, that they bare: And in that their mouthes were curbed with no Bitts, in this they signified, that in an high Degree, they layd downe, all their naturall, and brutish fierce­nesse.

Behinde came the Admirall of Eng­land, and the Conde de Oliuares, the Ma­sters of the Horse, Embassadours, and English Gentrie, with the Counsells of Estate, and Chamber of Spaine, en­closing Within the Guard of Archers, the Burgundian Nobilitie, having procured [Page 28] admiration and loue, not with feare, or tyrannie, but with sweet, and affable go­vernment, which in mens hearts purcha­seth loue, and good will. They light on foot, and having forsaken their Stooles and Chayres, the Queene our Ladie, and the Ladie Infanta remain'd in the Scaffold on the right hand, the Infant Charles, and the Prince being divided by one partition, and the King, and the Infant Ferdinando by the other, and in that which remayned ensuing, the Conde de Oliuares, the English Embassadors, the Counsells of Estate, the Chamber of Spaine and England, the o­ther Knights and Gentlemen of this Na­tion, on Scaffolds erected vp into the ayre, in a corner of the street of the Amargura, and they made entrie for these Lords.

Fiftie Laqueyes in high Dutch habite, of thynne cloth of Silver, white, and tawney, with tawney-doubletts, caps of wrought Silver, and Swords Silvered in every part, accompanied the Duke of Cea, who entred in, mounted on a large dapple Gray, with blacke habite, edged round about with sil­ver of Goldsmiths-worke, with as great [Page 29] gallantry as wisedome, and as much wise­dome, as reason to winne mens hearts af­ter him, two valiant Combatants at the Bull, with Cassockes and Hose of tawney cloth, layd along with Silver lace, and great tawney Plumes, mingled Turquye and White. He had scarcely gone his round about the place, presented himselfe to their Maiesties, and beene received of the Prince, with the honor of discovering himselfe to him, when there entred into the place (being clearly voyded, so as their entries were more easie and apparent) an hundred Lacqueyes clothed in darke co­loured Serge, garded all over with Lace, with Belts shining like Silver, Doubletts and Hose, Lynings and Caps of Tawney colour, like furniture to their Swords, and white Garters: And after them came in Don Iuan de Ozeta, Don Ieronimo de Medinilla, Don Euan de Menesses, Don Antonio Guino, Don Iasepe de Samano, Don Iuan Ieldre, the Conde de Cantillana, Don Diego de Zarate, Don Antonio de Moscoso, Don Pedro de Motezuma, the Conde de Tendilla, accompanyed with the Duke of Maqueda, whose entrie, both in respect of [Page 30] his qualitie, as also for the Valour and as­pect of his person, might well haue stirr'd vp envie in the Romaine Triumphes, for the Duke lookt like one of the Caesars, or rather in deed, he might more properly haue beene their patterne, and example. They went along their Round, and the Prince himselfe did him honour, when by different gates, these herevnder specified, made their entire: The Marquesse of Vela, in whom valour, dexteritie, and gallantrie contended for superioritie, accompanyed with foure and twentie Lacqueyes, in white cloth, all laced downe, with blacke Caps, Plumes, and other furniture for their Swords of white. He drew vpon himselfe the eyes of the whole multitude, for in­deed he drew generally vnto him all their affections; the Prince did him honour, as he likewise did the other two Lords Gran­des: When he had seene their Maiesties, he went to offer himselfe vnto the Ladies, from thence to the Counsell Royall, and so in his going about, to all the rest of the Company, and all of them desired, and af­fected him.

[Page 31] Presently entred fiftie Lacqueyes in white Printed Sattin, guarded with a brancht Stuffe of Azur'd Silke, and Gold, and Breeches of the same, set out with tuffes of gold, and silver lace, with furni­ture and Plumes of white, that accompa­nied the Conde de Villamor, mounted on a darke Chestnut-colourd Horse, with his mayne, and tayle, drawne out with silver twist, disgracing those Horses of Phoebus Chariot, which seem'd to come out of them, as the some or sweat of their bodies, eiecting that which was not naturall in them, retayning naturally the valour of their Master, communicated to them, and when I saw so many Feathers in the place, and such a flittering and waving of them, I tooke them to be a moovible garden, or an Armie of Indians; as also the Conde his generous Grandfather, who also manifes­ted amongst them, the valour, and lustre, incident to his race and blood: And be­cause the report is festivall, it is but like to that which was to be seene with the eye. You would haue said as much, if you had but seene them fight with those furious [Page 32] Beasts, shewing themselues the more vali­ant, in that they were vndaunted, and re­solved Spanyards. There entred presently Don Cristoual de Gauiria, and Don Gasper Bo­nifaz, whom they tearme kill Bulls, I know not which of them may envie the other, seeing they are the best Combatants knowne in all Spaine for this place, and fight; and both of them so well beloued, that their attempts being high and great, yet they are alwayes wished to be greater, and we thinke them worthy of greater, and higher Fortunes. Bonifaz clad six Lac­queyes in excellent cloth in grane, excee­ding that of Tyre, garded, with other furniture, and white Feathers, what they were, might be seene all the place over: and Gauiria had eyght, and two little Lac­queyes in darke greene Sutes, cutt, em­broydered with Snailes of silver, and ly­ned with Tawney, and white furniture o­therwise, it being a sightly and braue Li­very.

There entred Don Ferrando de Yuiciedo, o­therwise, the Cavallier de la Morzilla, who during these Tryalls, was that same Ma­ster [Page 33] Burquillos of the Combates, of Lope de Vega, who came in to try his Fortunes, with Lawnce and Target.

Though the Marshalling of the place belong'd to the Conde de Oliuares, as to the grand Master of the Horse; His Maiestie yeelding precedencie to the Prince, the Admirall of England Marshal'd it, stan­ding behind the Lord Infant Carlos, that he might be neare to the Conde de Oliuares, who was to him both an Interpretor, and Informer, for this great Lord, and circum­spect Courtier, hath omitted no rightes of complement, wherein he might expresse, either vnto the Prince, or Admirall, the loue, proceeding from his owne Noble disposition and nature, and conformable to the honour, done him by the King of great Brittaine, in his Letters full of wise­dome and gravitie.

The Combat beganne with the Bulls, when the Lacqueyes by Proclamation leauing their Lords, they resembled Har­vest in Iune, crowned with blew and redd flowers, which Zephirus waues, and flitters vp and downe. The first encounter [Page 34] belong'd to the Conde de Villamor, as the en­vie of all the rest, which they revenged with such a number of Darts, as the poore Bulles remayn'd like Quivers, or like the Thorne-bushes, in the woods of Helvetia. To speake more properly, seeing to the poore Beasts wonderfull paine, they tooke them out with as great velocitie, as perill and danger. De Maqueda made many braue a tempts: de Tendilla, as many, but de Cea made excellent assaults, and Cantil­lana too, one of which might be the pro­per envie, of chivalrous attempts, and in the other he killed a Bull. Bonifaz, and Ca­uiria layd on so thicke vpon the Bull, that we could not number the assaults for their quantitie, and Don Christovall with a Lawnce, overthrew one. De Velada shew­ed how agile, and nymble he was in this Art, for he overthrew two or three Bulls, with dynt of Sword, and gore of Lawnce, and one he wounded on his foretopp, be­tweene the hornes, while he turned his head, he stroke his horne into a supporting bord at his backe, a wound that strooke more feare into the Assembly, then it [Page 35] brought danger to the Marquesse, for this backe bord, was splinted all to shivers in the place: And his Maiestie would not suffer him to enter the second time with­in the Lists: And Don Antonio de Moscoso, gaue such a number, and so deepe Cuchil­ladaes, that he might be rather sayd to re­venge, then provoke or incite with his as­saults, Cea turnd one round with a Cu­chillada, and so most of the Beasts were slaine, being hewen into mammockes by the hands of all men. Motezuna shewed, what belongd to his royall blood, and to the valour of his arme, for he put a Bull to flight, being afrayd of him, and reacht him such a cleauing blow with his sword, that he left him in the place for dead. Guino, Zarate, Ozeta, and Idchel, tooke revenge of the last Bulls liuing, because the first had made them turne face. Don Gieronimo de Medinilla had good Fortune, both with his Lawnce, and Sword. This Cavallier being herein so meritorious, as the most copious Elegies would come short of his due commendation, and praise. The Duke of Maqueda, made such a thrust, that the [Page 36] Beast being batterd, and sore goared with it, he reveng'd himselfe in such a strange fashion vpon his Horse, that he ranne him quite through, from one side to the other, and the Duke beheld the Assault given on the one side of his Horse, and the horne of the Bull, as it came out at the other, and the poore brute Beast gaue so many twit­ches and wrenches, enforced with paine, and griefe, that the Duke was fayne to vse all valour, and dexteritie to prevent his owne falling, whereat we were all much afraid. Don Antonio Guino, second to the Duke of Cea, made one of the bravest As­saults, that ever the place beheld, vpon a most violent and furicus Bull, whose liue­ly force, and that of his valiant arme, ranne him in quite through the shoulders, lea­uing halfe his Lawnce within him, and his Horse remaining with as much stilnes and lenitie, as his Master with valour and magnanimitie: and so the Bull fell downe hard by him. He received wonderfull ap­plause, and generall grace, and so went out of the place, and though the Bulls over­threw many, yet there fell out no great [Page 37] danger at all. When this Festivitie was ended, the Prince, the King, and their Highnesses, returned to the Court in Car­roches; and it rayn'd very strangely. After that went the Queene, the Infanta, and the Coaches of Ladies, where amongst the Clouds of water, there fell one of the Pa­ges of Armes, these Clouds by day light innudating the dominion and accesse of the shaddows of the night, and banishing them for a great while. Thus a great part of the night being spent, they went to re­pose themselues, after the repast and pleasure of this Festivitie, and so my Penne shall doe no lesse, till further and fitter oc­casion be offered. &c.