TIME

Leofstane, I charge thee stay. He that surveys what ever deeds are done, Abridges, or gives scope, as likes me best; Recalling to the present sighed of Sun Actions, that (as forgotten) have lain at rest, And now, out of thy long since buried Chest At Bermondsey, raised thee to see this day: Leofstane; 'tis he, that dares compel thy stay. Enough, no more; Now honourable Lord, For whose instalment in this Dignity, Thy loving Brethren liberally afford, Out of their loves their glad hearts sympathy, And what may else thy triumph dignify: As thus I turn my Glass to Times of old, So tune thine ears to what must now be told. In this triumphal Chariot thus attending, Fit the supposed shapes of two great Kings, That to this City gave no small befriending, Advancing it from mean to mightier things, From whence thy very instant honour springs: For where before, stern, Martial-Regiment Bore sole command, grew this graven government. Richard the first, Surnamed Lion-heart, For his undaunted courage and great mind, When in Gods cause he played a Champions partly, In fair Judea, where the Pagan blind In Gods house would his mawmetry have shrinde And full defaced Starbright Jerusalem: This royal Richard foiled his forces then. But ere he undertook that holy war, This City (his chief Chamber) did he grace With Dignity, beyond the former far, For Portgreues, Provosts, Bailiffs held best place, Such, and no other (then) was Londons case. Till he bethought him of a Lord-Maiors name: And so the Title of Lord Mayor first came. And shall I tell you what that first Lord was? Ex Johnh Ston A Goldsmith, of thine own profession, Henrte Fitz-Alwine, Fitz-Leofstane, of honourable raze, Judicious, learned, and of such discretion, That even by Richard's own direction, All his whole time, he held the State still on; And so, until the fifteenth of King John. Which did exceed full four and twenty years, That this graven Goldsmith held authority Of the Lord Mayor, as by Records appears, Nineteen whole years this style of dignity Came from the King: but then most graciously John gave the Citizens free leave elect Yearly their Mayor, whom best they should re specked. Five years (each after other) till they chosen That graven Fitz-Alwine to his dying day, When he was called hence to blessed repose. Then justly may we be thus bold to say, Four hundred years & three, the L. Majors sway Hath held in London, under their command, Who still assigned that office to their hand. How many Goldsmiths have enjoyed the place, Were needless to recount. Yet here sleeps one, Whom in this ging and important case, (He being Gold Smith too, and long since gone Out of this world, old Nicholas Faringdon, Four times Lord Mayor) I may not well omit, Because I think him for Thy triumph fit. These gates he built, this ward of him took name, A fat stalled Ox, 24 S. A f to Mutton, 20 p nce. A fat Goo e, 2 worser, ob, A fat Capon, 2 pence A fat Hen a penny Two Chick ns a penny Three pigeons a penny. 24 Eggs a penny. A bushel of Whea e, ten pence sold for ten shil lings before. And three and fifty years he did suruine After his first being Mayor What plenty came To greet his days, with former times did strive, And never the Like as when he was alive: Arise, arise I say, good Faringdon, For in this triumph thou must needs make one. A Brother of the Goldsmiths Company, Whose virtues, worth, and special love of all, Hath raised unto this high authority. Moreover note, how fit his lot does fallen, That time should likewise at this instant call, A Sheriff of the same Society: To bear a partly in this Solemnity. See how the Brethren of that worthy band, Abound in love and liberality; To grace this Jovial day; On tiptoe stand Their jocund Spirits: Joying mutually, In Mayor and Sheriff of their Company. How can thy Ghost then, but rejoice to see: This honour of thine own Society? You have your own desires. Go Faringdon, There in that Chariot is thy place prepared: Here, I (as Coachman) mean to guide ye on, So long as well our respite may be sparde. On then, away, for we have held you long: And done (I doubt) your worthy Guests great wrong. So much for that; There Leofstane make a pause, Till Time have certified this honoured Lord Concerning these fair Emblems, And the cause Of their combining in this kind accord. The Argument does instantly afford, The ancient love and cordial amity Between the Fishmongers & Goldsmiths Come pany. At Feasts and solemn meetings, on each side, A Fishmonger and Goldsmith, hand in hand Have long time gone, and nothing could divide The rare continuance of that loving band: Which (doubtless) to the end of time will stand. And therefore, these Impreses are thus born: The ones Fish, with the others Unicorn. Yet let no censure stray so far at large, To think the reason of that unity Makes Fishmongers support the Goldsmiths charge, And their expenses shared equally: No, ti's the Goldsmiths sole Society. That in this Triumph bears the Purse for all: As theirs the Like, when Like their lot does fallen. Their loves (herein) may not be thought the less, But rather virtual, and much stronger knit, That each to other may the same express, When honour (in each Science) makes men fit On such a Seat of Dignity to fit. Then Peters Keys, with David's Cup of Gold: May freely march together, vncontroulde. Well hast thou wished, therein Time joins with thee, And tells this Lord, that such a goodly name, Requires bright actions, from pollution free, In word and deed to be alike, the same, For then life stands on her fairest frame. And when the Head in splendour seems divine, The people learn (by his clear light) to shine. Contrariwise, obscure and misty deeds, Do give a harsh and hateful president: And of fair flowers begetteth stinking Weeds. For ill example, harms the innocent; And makes him (in bade life) as violent. Be to this City then, so bright and Head, That all may say, it never more flourished. Consider likewise, James thy gracious King, Sets James (his Subject) here his Deputy. When Maiesste does meaner persons bring To represent himself in Sovereignty, I'st not and high and great authority? Let it be said, for this high favour done: King James hath found, a joust James Pemberton. Let me not now they Brethrens love omit, So worthily (this day) to thee declared, If with Like love thou kindly welcome it, Their hope is to the highest pitch preferde, For thus they wish, as Time himself hath herd: That Pemberton, and Smith's, may both be, And endless honour to their Company. I know it well good man. Yet look about, And recollect thy spirits free from fear, Note what thou seest.