Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 16.pdf/862

 The "Black Books " of Lincolns Inn. Inn to King James on Feb. 18, 1613. ''Yt went from the Rolles all up Fleet Street and the Strand and made such a gallant and glorious show that yt is highly com mended. They had forty gentlemen of best choise out of both Houses rode before them in thayre best array upon the King's horses and the twelve maskers, with their torch bearers and Pages, rode likewise upon horses exceedingly well trapped and fur-

80 1

generally held for the best show that hath ben seen many a day. The King stoode in the Gallerie (at Whitehall) to behold them, and made them ride about the Tillyard, and then were received into St. James' Parke and went along the Galleries into the Hall, where themselves and theyre devises which they say were excellent, made such a glittering show that the King and all the Companie were exceedingly pleased, and

LINCOLN'S INN GATEWAY, CHANCERY LANE.

nished, besides a dozen little boyes drest like babones that served for an anti-maske and they say performed it exceedingly well when they came to ytt, and three open char iots drawne with foure horses apeece that carried theyre musicians and other person ages that had parts to speake. All which, together with theyre Trumpetters and other Attendants, were so well set out that yt is

specially with theyre dauncing, which was beyond all that hath ben yet. The King made the Maskers kisse his hand at parting and gave them many thanckes, saying 'he never saw so many proper men together/ and himself accompanied them at the Ban ket and took care yt should be well or dered." The narrator adds that "to gaine the more roome no lady or gentleman was