[1] [2] [3] Ouer the two side ports was placed a noise of in|struments. And all the void places in the pageant were furnished with prettie saiengs, commending & touching the meaning of the said pageant, which was the promises & blessings of almightie God, made to his people. Before that the queenes highnesse came vnto this pageant, she required the matter somwhat to be opened vnto hir, that hir grace might the bet|ter vnderstand, what should afterward by the child be said vnto hir. Which so was, that the citie had there erected the pageant with eight children, representing the eight blessings touched in the fift chapter of saint Matthew. Whereof euerie one vpon iust considera|tions,The meaning of the pa|geant. was applied vnto hir highnesse, and that the people thereby put hir grace in mind, that as hir good dooings before had giuen iust occasion, why that these blessings might fall vpon hir, that so if hir grace did continue in hir goodnesse as she had entered, she should hope for the fruit of these promises due vnto them that doo exercise themselues in the blessings: which hir grace heard maruellous gratiouslie, and re|quired that the charriot might be remooued towards the pageant,The quéene giueth atten|tiue eare to the childs words. that she might better perceiue the childs words, which were these, the quéenes maiestie giuing most attentiue eare, and requiring that the peoples noise might be staid. The verses were as follow:

Thou hast beene eight times blest,

ô queene of worthie fame,

By meekenesse of thy spirit,

when care did thee beset,

By mourning in thy griefe,

by mildnesse in thy blame,

By hunger and by thirst,

and iustice couldst none get.

By mercie shewd, not felt,

by cleannesse of thine heart,

By seeking peace alwaies,

by persecution wrong.

Therefore trust thou in God,

sith he hath helpt thy smart,

That as his promise is,

so he will make thee strong.