Принц і жебрак
The river pageant
Someofthemweredecoratedwithbannersandstreamers;somewithcloth-of-goldandarrasembroideredwithcoats-of-arms;otherswithsilkenflagsthathadnumberlesslittlesilverbellsfastenedtothem,whichshookouttinyshowersofjoyousmusicwheneverthebreezesflutteredthem;othersofyethigherpretensions,sincetheybelongedtonoblesintheprince’simmediateservice,hadtheirsidespicturesquelyfencedwithshieldsgorgeouslyemblazonedwitharmorialbearings.Eachstatebargewastowedbyatender.Besidestherowers,thesetenderscarriedeachanumberofmen-at-armsinglossyhelmetandbreastplate,andacompanyofmusicians.
Theadvance-guardoftheexpectedprocessionnowappearedinthegreatgateway,atroopofhalberdiers.’Theyweredressedinstripedhoseofblackandtawny,velvetcapsgracedatthesideswithsilverroses,anddoubletsofmurreyandbluecloth,embroideredonthefrontandbackwiththethreefeathers,theprince’sblazon,woveningold.Theirhalberdstaveswerecoveredwithcrimsonvelvet,fastenedwithgiltnails,andornamentedwithgoldtassels.Filingoffontherightandleft,theyformedtwolonglines,extendingfromthegatewayofthepalacetothewater’sedge.Athickrayedclothorcarpetwasthenunfolded,andlaiddownbetweenthembyattendantsinthegold-and-crimsonliveriesoftheprince.Thisdone,aflourishoftrumpetsresoundedfromwithin.Alivelypreludearosefromthemusiciansonthewater;andtwousherswithwhitewandsmarchedwithaslowandstatelypacefromtheportal.
