did essay, to speak, but wine rendered her endeavours vain, so that she withdrew, hoping the King would excuse her brevity. Faith was then all alone, for I am certain she was not joined to good works, as she left the court in a staggering condition. Charity came to the King's feet, and seemed to cover in the dust a multitude of sins her sisters had committed. She endeavoured, however, in some sort to make obeisance, and brought gifts, but said she would return home again, as there was no gift which heaven had not already given his Majesty. Next came Victory, in bright armour, and she presented a rich sword to the King, who did not accept it, but put it by with one hand. But though Victory, by a strange medley of versification, endeavoured to make suit to the King, she did not triumph long, for after much lamentable utterance, she was led away like a silly captive, and laid to sleep on the outer steps of the antichamber. Her com panions, Hope, Faith, and Charity, had contrived to stroll down to an under chamber, where they slept off the paradisiacal joys of intoxication before the god of day shed sufficient light to question their sobriety. Peace now entered, and strove to get foremost to the King; but I grieve to tell the great wrath she discovered to her attendants; for, contrary to her pretensions to all semblance in her dress, she rudely made war with her olive branch, and laid heavily upon the pates of those who opposed her advance. These may appear strange pageantries to the reader who has perused the prudish sobriety of Queen Elizabeth's reign. But the picture is real-the great ladies went well masqued, and if they could not conceal their failings, contrived at least to have the show of modesty exhibited by concealing their countenances. It was pleasant to enter into all the gorgeous revels of Theobalds, where James rivalled his brotherin-law in princely carousals. But now approached the hour of bed-time for the youthful couple. They were shewn a room of state, no ceremony having been omitted of bride-cakes, points, garters, and gloves; but the rarest part of all the sport was sewing into the sheet, casting off the bride's left hose, with many other petty sorceries, which, though curious, are unseemly. There was, however, no small loss that night in chains and jewels, and many great ladies were made shorter by the skirts, and were well enough served that they could keep cut no better. gave the Next morning James young couple a reveille-matin before they were up, and swore by the rood he should that day celebrate their nuptials by another fete. CHAP. XI. This heavy-headed revel, east and west, From our achievements, though performed at height, HAMLET. In honour of the King of Denmark's arrival, and in fulfilment of his promise to Essex, James gave a very splendid entertainment to his court and the foreigners of distinction who then sojourned officially, or for pleasure, in England. Among the persons who had of late entirely engrossed the King's attention, was James Hay, of whom we have already spoken, and who became so great a favourite as to obtain knight hood and nobility in the short space of a few weeks. Robert Carr, his friend, acted in the capacity of a hanger-on till this period, but accident was now to place him in a more elevated station. ཟ The King of Denmark was James's brother-in-law, and he was a great lover of sports of all kinds. The taste for tilts and tournaments though cherished, glowed only with the faint heat of an expiring passion. A romantic compliment to Elizabeth contributed to its duration in the last reign. Sir Henry Lee, Knight of the Garter, had vowed that he would, each year of his life, until disabled by age, present himself at the tilt yard as his sovereign's knight; and this gave rise to annual contentions in the lists. Twenty-five of the first persons in the nation, among whom were Lord Leicester, Sir Christopher Hatton and others, formed a society of arms. In 1590, Sir Henry Lee, yield |