ENVY

‘The new Lord Mayor of London lands at Paul’s Chain and: is met by Neptune in a sea-chariot. Roused by the noise of the celebrations, the god has come to defend his sister, the River Thames; pleased to see she is in no danger, he wishes the new Mayor good speed and gives him a shipload of wine for his inaugural feast. At St Paul’s Churchyard, the Lord Mayor sees the throne of Virtue. Virtue was driven away from the world by humar vice, but has now returned to Earth after she looked down from heaven and saw him. Attended by the Seven Liberal Sciences, who feed all trade and professions, she expresses her confidence that he will rule the city well. He has nothing to fear from Envy, who will only vomit her poison on her own head. Virtue’s chariot accompanies him on his journey up Cheapside. At the Little Conduit, they encounter a forlorn castle. The giants Riot and Calumny try to keep back the chariot, and Envy and her followers fire arrows at Virtue, who deflects them with her shield. The Furies’ remaining arrows burn up in the air before reaching their target. Envy attempts to murder her troops, but is dazzled by Virtue’s refulgence. Virtue and the Lord Mayor pass safely by. Virtue now conducts the Lord Mayor to the House of Fame. He has yet to achieve fame, he is told. It will be a dangerous year for him: he will be under heavy scrutiny. But with Virtue’s help, he will succeed: Fame shows him his own name written in her book. He then passes on to the Guildhall for his inaugural feast. Envy is still up to mischief when he returns to St Paul’s in the afternoon, so the Twelve Livery Companies fire pistols at her. She and her Furies vanish forever. When the Lord Mayor is brought home, he finds Justice at his gate. She promises to stay there throughout his year in office, and encourages him not to favour his friends or the rich, not to oppress widows and orphans, and never to use his power in anger.