in so great a business, with drums before them, marching twice or thrice about the cistern, orderly present themselves before the mount, and after their obeisance,

The Speech.

Long have we labour'd, long desir'd and pray'd
For this great work's perfection, and by th' aid
Of heaven and good men's wishes 'tis at length
Happily conquer'd, by cost, art, and strength:
After five years' dear expense in days,
Travail, and pains, beside the infinite ways
Of malice, envy, false suggestions,
Able to daunt the spirit of mighty ones
In wealth and courage, this, a work so rare,
Only by one man's industry, cost, and care,
Is brought to blest effect, so much withstood,
His only aim the city's general good;

And wherek before many unjust complaints,
Enviously seated, have oft caus'd restraints,
Stops, and great crosses, to our master's charge
And the work's hindrance, favour now at large
Spreads itself open to him, and commends
To admiration both his pains and ends,
The king's most gracious love: perfection draws
Favour from princes, and from all applause.

Then, worthy magistrates, to whose content,
Next to the state, all this great care was bent,
And for the public good, which grace requires,
Your loves and furtherance chiefly he desires,

The Speech] "Anthony Munday, who in his edition of Stow's Survey, published in 1618, has given another version of the present story, and printed the Speech according as it was delivered to mee,' says it was spoken by one man in behalf of all the rest;' who, of course, was either some hired actor, or, very probably, [?] Thomas Middleton himself." NICHOLS. where] i. e. whereas. have] Old ed. "hath."

1

To cherish these proceedings, which may give
Courage to some that may hereafter live,
To practise deeds of goodness and of fame,
And gladly light their actions by his name.

Clerk of the work, reach me the book, to shew How many arts from such a labour flow.

These lines following are read in the clerk's book:

First, here's the overseer, this tried man
An ancient soldier and an artisan;
The clerk; next him the mathematician;
The master of the timber-work takes place
Next after these; the measurer in like case;
Bricklayer and enginer; and after those
The borer and the paviour; then it shews
The labourers next; keeper of Amwell-head;
The walkers last: so all their names are read;
Yet these but parcels of six hundred more
That at one time have been employ'd before;
Yet these in sight and all the rest will say,
That all the week they had their royal pay.

The Speech goes on.

Now for the fruits then: flow forth, precious spring,
So long and dearly sought for, and now bring
Comfort to all that love thee; loudly sing,
And with thy crystal murmur struck together,
Bid all thy true well-wishers welcome hither!

At which words the flood-gate opens, the stream let into the cistern, drums and trumpets giving it triumphant welcomes; and, for the close of this their honourable entertainment, a peal of chambers."

enginer] An old and common form of-engineer. " chambers] See note, p. 190.

CIVITATIS AMOR,

&c.

Civitatis Amor. The Citie's Loue. An entertainement by water, at Chelsey and White-hall. At the ioyfull receiving of that Illustrious Hope of Great Britaine, the High and Mighty Charles, To bee created Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornewall, Earle of Chester, &c. Together with the Ample Order and Solemnity of his Highnesse creation, as it was celebrated in his Maiesties Palace of Whitehall, on Monday, the fourth of Nouember. 1616. As also the Ceremonies of that Ancient and Honourable Order of the Knights of the Bath; And all the Triumphs showne in honour of his Royall Creation. London, Printed by Nicholas Okes for Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-headPallace. 1616. 4to.

Reprinted in Nichols's Progresses of King James, vol. iii. p. 208.