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The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue

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THE
TRIVMPHS OF
Honor and Vertue. A Noble Solemnitie, performed through the
 City, at the ſole Coſt and Charges of the Honorable
Fraternitie of Grocers, at the Confirmation and
Eſtabliſhment of their most worthy Brother, the Right
Honorable Peter Proby, in the high Of
fice of his Maieſties Lieutenant, Lord
Maior and Chancellor of the famous
City of London. Taking beginning at his Lordſhips going, and perfecting
it ſelfe after His returne from receiuing the Oath of
Maioralty at Weſtminſter, on the Morrow after
Simon and Iudes Day, being the 29. of
October, 1622.
By Tho. Middleton Gent.
Horizontal rule
Printer’s Ornament.
Horizontal rule
LONDON.
Printed by Nicholas Okes-
1622.
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Printer’s Ornament.
TO
The Honor of him, to whom the Noble
Fraternitie of Grocers, his Worthy Bro
thers, haue Dedicated their Loues, in coſtly
Triumphs; the Right Honorable, Peter
Proby, Lord Maior of this
Renowned City.
TO be His Seruant, that hath ſeru’d
Two Royall Princes, and deſeru’d
So Worthily of Both; the Same
Call not Seruice, rather Fame.
At your Lordſhips Command:

Tho. Middleton.
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Printer’s Ornament.
THE TRIVMPHS OF
Honor and Vertue.
IF forreine Nations haue beene
ſtrucke with Admiration at the
Forme, State, and Splendor of
some yeerly Triumphs, where
in Arte hath beene but faintly
imitated: There is faire hope
that things where Inuention flouriſhes, cleere Art
and her gracefull Proprieties, should receiue fauor
and encouragement from the content of the Spe
ctator, which next to the ſeruice of his Honor
and honorable Societie, is the principall reward
it lookes for; then not deſpairing of that com
mon fauour, this takes delight to preſent it ſelfe.
And firſt, to beginne with the worthy loue of
his Noble Fraternity, after his Honors returne
from Weſtminſter, hauing receiued ſome ſeruice
vpon the Water, by the conduct of two Artfull
B
Tri-
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The Triumphs of
Triumphs. Viz. The Throne of Vertue, and the
Continent of Jndia; which alſo by Land attends
his Lordſhips moſt wiſhed arriuall, accompanied
with the whole body of the Triumph, which
neere vpon the time of his Honors approch are
decently and diſtinctly placed; the firſt, bearing
the Title of the Continent of India: A triumph re
pleniſhed with all manner of Spice-plants, and
trees bearing Odour, attends his Honors arriuall
in Paules Church-yard; A blacke Perſonage re
preſenting India, call’d for her odours and riches,
the Queene of Merchandize, challinging the
most eminent Seate, aduanceth her ſelfe vpon a
bed of Spices, attended by Indians in Antique ha
bits: Commerce, Aduenture and Traffique, three ha
bited like Merchants, preſenting to her view a
bright Figure, bearing the inſcription of Know
ledge, a Sunne appearing aboue the trees in brigh
teſt ſplendor and glory: The blacke Queene be
fore mentioned, lending a voyce to theſe follow
ing words:
The Speech.
YOu that haue eyes of Iudgement, and diſcerue
Things that the beſt of Man and Life concerne,
Draw neere, this blacke is but my natiue dye,
But view me with an Intellectuall eye,
As
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Honor and Vertue.
As Wiſe men ſhoote their beames forth, you’le then find
A change in the complexion of the mind;
I’me beauteous in my blacknesse, O yee Sonnes
Of Fame and Honor, through my beſt part runnes
A Spring of liuing Waters, cleere and true,
Found firſt by Knowledge, which came firſt by you,
By you, and your examples, bleſt Commerce,
That by Exchange ſettles ſuch happineſſe,
Of Gummes and fragrant Spices, I confeſſe
My Climate Heauen do’s with aboundance bleſſe,
And thoſe you haue from me, but what are they
Compar’d with Odours whoſe ſent ne’re decay,
And thoſe I haue from you, plants of your youth,
The Sauour of eternall life ſweet Truth,
Exceeding all the odoriferous ſent,
That from the beds of Spices euer went:
I that command, (being proſp’rouſ’ly poſſeſt)
The Riches and the Sweetneſſe of the Eaſt,
To that fam’d Mountaine Taurus ſpreading forth
My balmy Arme, whoſe height do’s kiſſe the North,
And in the Sea Eoum laue this hand,
Account my bleſsings not in thoſe to ſtand,
Though they be large and fruitfull, but confeſſe
All wealth conſiſts in Chriſtian holyneſſe,
To ſuch cæleſtiall knowledge I was led;
By Engliſh Merchants firſt enlightened,
B2
In
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The Triumphs of
In Honor of whoſe memory, onely Three
I inſtance here, all of this Brotherhood free,
To whoſe Fames the great Honor of this howre
Aptly belongs, but to that Man of Power
The firſt and chiefeſt, to whoſe worth ſo cleere,
Iuſtice hath giuen her Sword vp for a yeere:
And as yo’n Sunne his perfect ſplendor ſhowes,
Cheering the Plants; and no Cloudes interpoſe
His Radiant Comforts; ſo no Earthy part
Which makes Eclipſes in a Rulers hart
(As in that glorious Planet) muſt come nye
The Sunne of Iuſtice, all ſuch myſts muſt flye;
You’re in an Orbe of Brightneſſe plac’d and fixt,
And with no ſoyle must Honor be commixt.
So to your worthy Progreſſe Zeale commends
Your Lordſhip, with your Graue and Noble friends.
The Speech being ended, to adde a little more
help to the fainter Apprehenſions, the three Mer
chants plac’d in the Continent, haue reference to the
Lord Maior and Sheriffes, all Three being this yeer
Brothers of this Ancient and Honorable Society,
which triple or three fold Honor hapned to this
Worthy Company in the yeere 1577. Sir Thomas
Ramſey being then Lord Maior, and Maſter Ni
cholas Backhouſe and Maſter Francis Bowyer, She
riffes; hauing cohereThis text is the corrected text. The original is u (MK)nce with this yeeres Honor,
matcht
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Honor and Vertue.
matcht and paralell’d with theſe Three their as
worthy Succeſſors, the right Honorable, Peter
Proby, and the generous and Nobly affected, Ma
ſter Iohn Hodges, and Sir Humphrey Handford She
riffes and Aldermen.
By this time his Lordſhip being gracefully con
ducted toward the Chariot of Fame, which awaits
his Honors approach neare the little Conduit in
Cheape; Antiquitie a graue and reuerend Perſo
nage, with a golden Regiſter-booke in his hand,
giues life to theſe words:
The Speech.
OBiects of Yeeres and Reuerence greete mine eye,
A Sight moſt pleaſing to Antiquitie;
I neuer could vnclaſpe this Booke of Fame
Where Worthies dwell by a diſtinguiſht Name,
At a more comely ſeaſon; I ſhall tell
Things ſprung from Truth, neere kin to Miracle;
With that of later dayes I firſt begin,
So backe into the deeper Times agen:
I onely touch Thy memory (which I know
In thankefulneſſe can neuer be found ſlowe)
With Heauens miraculous Mercy, to Thy Health
After ſo long a Sickneſſe, all the wealth
B3
Which
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The Triumphs of
Which thou with an vnuſuring hand haſt got
Which is not the leaſt wonder worthy note,
(Truth makes me ſpeake things frely) cannot be
A greater worke then thy recouerie,
Nine Brethren-Senators thy Seniors all
Whoſe times had beene before thee, Death did call
To their eternall Peace, from this degree
Leauing their earthly Honor now to thee,
Thinke and be thankefull ſtill, this ſeemes the more
Another obſeruation kept in ſtore,
For ſeuenteene Senators ſince thy time were choſe
And to this minute not one dead of thoſe.
Thoſe are not vſuall notes, nor here it endes,
The Court and City two moſt Noble Friends,
Haue made exchange alate, I reade, from hence
There ha’s gone ſome moſt worthy Citizens
Vp to the Courts aduance; in lieu of that
You haue a Courtier now your Magiſtrate,
A Seruant to Elizabeth the bleſt,
Since to K. Iames that raignes with Salomons breſt.
Kept the Records for both, from the Queene tooke
Charge of three hundred Horſe, three thouſand Foote,
Foure Attributes cleaues to this Man of Men,
A Scholler, Souldier, Courtier, Citizen,
Theſe are no vſuall touches, to conclude
(Like to his life with bleſsings ſo endude)
Ha’s
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Honor and Vertue,
Ha’s choſe his Brotherhood, men of that Fame
For Bounty, Amity and honored Name
The City bounds tranſcend not in their place,
And their word makes e’m proſper, God grant grace.
Honor they neuer wanted, when wa’ſt ſeene
But they had Senators to their Bretheren
Nay, one record here to make ioy more glad,
I finde ſeuenteene that were in Scarlet clad
All at one time of this Fraternitie,
Now fiue, for this houres honor brings forth three,
Fame triple will make triple vertue ſtriue
At whoſe triumphant Throne you next ariue.
For farther Illuſtration there are contained in
Antiquities golden Legend, the Names of many
Worthies of ancient Time, by whom this Noble
Fraternity ha’s receiued much honor, ſuch as were
the worthy and famous Sir Andrew Bockerell, who
was Lord Maior of this City, the ſixteenth yeere
of King Henry the third, and continued in the
Magiſtracie ſeuen yeeres together, also the Noble
Allen de la Zouch, who for his good gouernement
in the time of his Maioralty, was by King Henry
the third, created both a Baron of this Realme,
and Lord chiefe Iuſtice of England. Alſo that
famous Worthy, Sir Thomas Knowles, twice Lord
Maior of this honorable City, which ſaid Sir Tho
mas
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Honor and Vertue.
mas beganne at his owne charge that famous buil
ding of Guild-Hall in London, and other memo
rable workes both in the City and in his owne
Company, Reedifying alſo Saint Anthonies
Church; with many others that are faire Orna
ments to Memory. Viz. Sir William Seuenock, ſir
Robert Chichſley, ſir Stephen Browne, ſir Henry Keble,
ſir William Laxton, &c. Who by thoſe Vertues
that they were most addicted vnto in their life
time, are Illuſtrated by perſons of Brightneſſe in
the Throne of Vertue, the next part of Triumph
that preſents it ſelfe: next beneath Antiquitie, ſits
Authoritie, plac’d between Wiſedome and Innocence,
holding a naked Sword, a Serpent woond about
the Blade thereof, two Doues ſtanding vpon the
croſſe Barre of the Hilt, and two hands meeting at
the Pummel, intimating Mercy and Iustice, accomp
anied with Magiſtracie, who holdes in his hand
a Key of gold, ſignifying both the Key of Know
ledge and of Confidence, the City Magiſtrate taking
into his truſt the Cuſtodie of the Kings Cham
ber, the proper Title of the City; and which Key
of gold alſo ſtands in his Lordſhips Creſt, viz. an
Eſtridge holding a Key of gold in his Mouth, his
Necke circled with a golden Crowne.
His
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Honor and Vertue.
His Lordſhip by this time arriuing at the Throne
of Vertue, plac’d neere Saint Laurence-Lane end,
Receiues this greeting from her Deitie.
The Speech.
I See great Power approach; here makes a Stand,
Would it with Vertue ought? for ſome Command
Seemes ſo compleate in Selfe-Opinions Eye,
It will ſcarce looke on me, but paſſes by;
As if the Eſſence of my Deitie
Were rais’d by Power, and not Power rais’d by me;
But let ſuch Rulers know that ſo command
They build the Empire of their Hopes on Sand:
Still This remaines, with Eye vpon me fixt
As if he ſought to haue His ſplendors mixt
With theſe of mine, which makes Authoritie meeke,
And I’me ſo ſicke of Loue to thoſe that ſeeke
I cannot chooſe but yeeld; nor do’s it wrong
Great Power to come to Vertue to be ſtrong,
Being but a Woman, mercifull and milde,
Therein is Heauen with greater glory ſtilde
That makes weake things, as Clemencie, and Right,
Sway Power, which would elſe rule all by Might:
It maybe ſaid you did but late paſſe by
Some part of Triumph that ſpake Vertuouſly,
And one ſuch Speech ſuffices; ’tis not ſo
In taking of your office, there you goe
C
From
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The Triumphs of
From Court to Court, before You be confirm’d
In this high place, which Prætorſhip is term’d;
From Vertue, if to Vertue you reſort,
It is but the ſame courſe you haue in Court
In ſetling of your Honor; which ſhould bee
Redoubled rather, that I hope to ſee:
So Power and Vertue when they fill one Seate,
The City’s bleſt, the Magiſtrate compleate.
At the cloſe of the Speech, this Throne of Vertue
with all her Cæleſtiall Concomitants, and the other
parts of the Triumph, take leaue of his Lordſhip
for that time, and till after the Feaſt at Guild-Hall
reſts from Seruice; but the Feaſt ended, the whole
ſtate of the Triumph attends vpon his Lordſhip,
both to Saint Paules and homeward; and in So
per-Lane two parts of the Triumph stand ready
planted; viz. the Throne of Vertue, and the Globe
of Honor, which Globe ſuddenly opening and fly
ing into eight Cants or diſtinct parts, diſcouers in
a twinckling, eight bright Perſonages moſt glori
ouſly deckt, repreſenting (as it were) the Inward
Man, the Intentions of a Vertuous and Worthy
Breſt, by the Graces of the Minde and Soule, ſuch
as Cleere Conſcience, Diuine Speculation, Peace
of Heart, Integritie, Watchfulneſſe, Æqualitie,
Prouidence; Impartialitie, each expreſt by Its pro
per
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Honor and Vertue.
per Illuſtration. And becauſe Mans perfection
can receiue no conſtant Attribute in this Life, the
Cloude of Frailty, euer and anon ſhadowing and
darkening our brighteſt Intentions, makes good
the Morality of thoſe Cants or Parts, when they
fall and cloſe into the full round of a Globe againe,
ſhowing, that as the Brighteſt Day ha’s his ouer
caſtings; ſo the beſt men in this life haue their
Imperfections; and worldly Miſts oftentimes in
terpoſe the cleereſt Cogitations, and yet that but
for a ſeaſon, turning in the end like the mounting
of this Engine, to their euerlaſting Brightneſſe,
conuerting it ſelfe to a Canopie of Starres: at the
foure corners below are plac’d the foure Cardinall
Vertues, Wiſedome, Iustice, Fortitude and Tempe
rance, by each of them fixt a little Streamer or
Banner, in which are diſplayed, the Armes of this
Honorable City, the Lord Maiors, the Grocers,
and the Noble East-India Companies: The out
parts of the Globe ſhewing the Worlds Type, in
Countries, Seas and Shipping, whereon is depi
cted or drawne Ships that haue bene fortunate to
this Kingdome, by their happy and ſucceſſefull
Voyages; as alſo that proſperous Plantation in
the Colonie of Virginia, and the Bermudaes, with
all good wishes to the Gouernors, Traders and
Aduenturers vnto thoſe Chriſtianly Reformed
Iſlands.
C2
The
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The Triumphs of
The Speech at Night, preſented by Ho
 nor, A Perſonage mounted on the top of this
Vnparalel’d Maſter-piece of Inuention and
Art, the Globe or Orbe of Honor.
Honor.
B Y Vertue you came laſt, and who brings home
True Honor, muſt by Vertue alwayes come,
The right Path you haue tooke then, ſtill proceede,
For t’is Continuance crownes each worthy Deede:
Behold this Globe of Honor; euery Part
It is compos’d of, to a Noble Hart
Applyes Inſtruction; when t’is clos’d and round
It repreſents the World, and all that’s found
Within the labouring Circle of Mans Dayes,
Aduentures, Dangers, Cares, and ſteepie Wayes;
Which when a Wise-man thinkes on, ſtrait he mounts
To Heauenly Cogitations, and accounts
The vexing Spirite of Care and Labour vaine:
Lifting himſelfe to his full height againe:
And as this Engine do’s in eight Parts riſe
Diſcouering eight Bright Figures, ſo the Wiſe
From this Lifes ſlumber rowz’d, (which Time deludes,)
Opens his Heart to eight Beatitudes:
And as I (Honor) ouertopping All,
Here fixe my Foote on this Orbicular Ball,
Ouer
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Honor and Vertue.
Ouer the World expreſsing my Command
As I in this Contemptuous Poſture ſtand:
So euery good and vnderſtanding Spirit
Makes but Vſe onely of this Life, t’inherit
An euerlaſting Liuing; making Frends
Of Mammons Heapes, got by vnrighteous Ends,
Which happy Thou ſtandſt free from, the more white
Sits Honor on thee, and the Coſt more bright
Thy Noble Brotherhood this Day beſtowes;
Expence is grac’d when Subſtance follow Showes,
Now to no higher Pitch of Praiſe I’le come,
Loue brought thee forth, and Honor brings thee home.
FOr the body of the whole Triumph, with all
the proper Graces and Ornaments of Art and
Workemanſhip, the Reputation of thoſe, rightly
appertaine to the deſerts of Maſter Garret Criſmas,
an Exquiſite Master in his Art, and a Performer
aboue his Promiſes.
FINIS.

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MLA citation

Middleton, Thomas. The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 7.0, edited by Janelle Jenstad, U of Victoria, 05 May 2022, mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/VERT2.htm. Draft.

Chicago citation

Middleton, Thomas. The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 7.0. Ed. Janelle Jenstad. Victoria: University of Victoria. Accessed May 05, 2022. mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/VERT2.htm. Draft.

APA citation

Middleton, T. 2022. The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue. In J. Jenstad (Ed), The Map of Early Modern London (Edition 7.0). Victoria: University of Victoria. Retrieved from https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/editions/7.0/VERT2.htm. Draft.

RIS file (for RefMan, RefWorks, EndNote etc.)

Provider: University of Victoria
Database: The Map of Early Modern London
Content: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

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A1  - Middleton, Thomas
ED  - Jenstad, Janelle
T1  - The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue
T2  - The Map of Early Modern London
ET  - 7.0
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/05/05
CY  - Victoria
PB  - University of Victoria
LA  - English
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/VERT2.htm
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/xml/standalone/VERT2.xml
TY  - UNP
ER  -

TEI citation

<bibl type="mla"><author><name ref="#MIDD12"><surname>Middleton</surname>, <forename>Thomas</forename></name></author>. <title level="m">The Triumphs of Honour and Virtue</title>. <title level="m">The Map of Early Modern London</title>, Edition <edition>7.0</edition>, edited by <editor><name ref="#JENS1"><forename>Janelle</forename> <surname>Jenstad</surname></name></editor>, <publisher>U of Victoria</publisher>, <date when="2022-05-05">05 May 2022</date>, <ref target="https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/VERT2.htm">mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/VERT2.htm</ref>. Draft.</bibl>

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