The Royall Entertainment,
Presented by the Loyalty of the City, to the Royalty of their Soveraign, on Thursday the fourth of July
1660. When the City of London invited his Majesty, the Duke of York, the Duke of Glocester, and
their Royall Retinue, to a Feast in the Guild-hall, London, to which the King was conducted by the
chiefest of the City Companies on Horse-back, entertained by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Com-
mon Counsill, Guarded from White-hall to Guild-hall by the Artillery-men, led by the Illustrious
James Duke of York; met by diverse Pageants, with sundry devices, and the Livery attending in
[th]eir Order. The Hall was richly appointed with costly Hangings, the Floores raised, Organs erected
[wi]th all sorts of Musick, performed by the Ablest Masters in England, with all Varieties that Art, Plen-
[?], and Curiosity can present,
To the Tune of Packingtons pound.
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MY pen and my fancy shall never give o're,
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to write of the triumphs which Providence brings
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Such glory and gladnesse was ne'r known before,
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from William quite thorow the reign of the Kings.
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our sorrow and grief
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is turn'd to releif,
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and comfort is now a Commander in chief.
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As manifestly will appear in this ditty:
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When London invited the King to the City.
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Which was so performed with honour and glory,
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with Order and Gallantry, Freedom and Mirth,
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The like I presume hath been scarce seen in story:
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or ever was known since the oldest mans birth.
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sweet pleasures divine,
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in all eyes did shine,
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our God hath converted our water to wine.
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All things that were Excellent Pleasant and pritty
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Were shewn to the King when he came to the City.
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Guild-hall was prepared with costly expence,
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and alter'd to entertain this Kingly guest,
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Where with all variety every sense
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was courted with plenty at this Royall Feast,
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invention and state,
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upon him did wait,
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the City and Suburbs with people were fraught,
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And no kind of joy that was worthy or witty,
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Was wanting to welcome the King to the City.
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With habits compleat and with hearts light as cork
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Lord Lucas conducted th' Artillery men
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To White-hall to wait upon James Duke of York,
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who led them all into the City again,
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they guarded our King
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from everything
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of dangers that might from conspiracy spring
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With loud acclamations both pleasant and pretty
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The King was conducted with joy to the City.
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The Chiefs of the Companies gallantly mounted
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with Lackeys in Liveries attending in State
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Did shew very famous, and so were accounted
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who did to Guild-hall on his Majesty wait
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the Livery in order
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did stand like a border
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the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Recorder
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With all the magnificence fancy can fit yee
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Did royally welcome the King to the City.
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The second part, to the same Tune.
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THe King was contented, and very well pleas'd
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as by his most gracious respects did appear
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To see his good people his heart was well eas'd,
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for surely hee holdeth the City most dear
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not like the Rump-States,
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which threw down the Gates
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Or like to Jack Hewson, the Cobler and's Mates,
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Or any false Powers that were lowzie and nitty
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Who aim'd to demolish the Charter oth' City.
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With fingers and voices the chiefest that were
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with loud and soft musick did make the Hall ring
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That Science did in its best glory appear,
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and was only fit for to welcome a King
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with voices renown'd
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the Banquets were crown'd
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in Cathedral manner the Organs did sound
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All sorts of Invention, both wondrous and witty
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Were fitted to welcome the King to the City.
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Pageants did there in their glory appear
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the figures did seem all alive as it were,
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In silver and gold they did shine very neer,
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as bright as the Sun when the day doth shine clear
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the Conduits did shine
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with Liquor divine
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The people did bear away hats full of wine
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To run down the streets it was very great pity
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And thus was the King entertain'd in the City.
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The rooms with rich hangings were brightly attir'd
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the Air smelt of nothing but costly perfumes
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As if the whole world at that time had conspir'd
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to throw all varieties into the rooms
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the King sate in State
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the City did wait
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the Hall did abound in all manner of Plate,
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As if they would tell him Great Caesar wee'l fit yee
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With all the choice Treasures belongs to the City
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The plenty of food which was there at the Feast
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with flesh, fish and fowl, and rare kick shaws a-mong
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In such a small ditty can nere be exprest
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they cannot be marshall'd all up in a song
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the Cooks art was great
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and pallat was neat
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the Pastry appear'd in its order compleat
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Whatever was curious, novelty or witty
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Attended the King in the love of the City.
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The Earth and the Air, and the water conspir'd
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to shew all the plenty the Kingdome could yeeld,
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It can't be exprest, but may well be admir'd
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the dishes stood thicker than flowers in the field
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a friend of mine vow'd
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that stood in the crowd
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hee see a large Banquet let down in a cloud
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Which needs must appear very pleasant and pretty
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Unto the beholders the King and the City.
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With freedome and honour, and safety and love
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the King spent the day, then to Whitehall he went
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May all the choice blessings which God hath above
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fall on his head daily to crown his content
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may plenty and peace
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and union increase
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may Amity live, and may enmity cease
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May God in his mercy love, favour and pity,
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And never divide the good King and the City.
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