Maioresse

An Epitaph on the death of the vertuous Matrone, the Ladie Maioresse, late wyfe to the right Honorable Lorde, (Alexander Auenet) Lord Maior of the Citie of London. Who deceased the vii. Daie of Iuly. 1570.

IN a towne, where the Praetor is wise, the Counsell wittie, is a slouenly citizen, to whom many are so indebted, that they haue much to doe, to pay for the forbearance, and no man can get a generall quietus est at his hand till he be dead; which yet is longed for of very few. For both the principall agents in the corporation, receiue maintenance from him: and the Maioresse, with the other good wiues, doe so fansie him, and the fore man of his shop, Bawdie Brian, that there is many times much misgouernance thereby in the whole towne: notwithstanding any edict, proclamation, or reclamation that the magistrate can make.

Oh are ye come? welcome good Cosin Shoare, / But you indéed are welcome gentle Niece. / Needs must you be our Ladie Maioresse now, / And helpe vs, or else we are shamde for euer, / Good Cosin still thus am I bolde with you. / Sh. / With all my heart my Lord, & thank ye too, / That you do please to vse our homely help. / Ma. / Why sée how neatly she bestirs her selfe, / And in good sooth makes huswifery to shine? / Ah had my Ladie Maioresse liu’de to see / Faire Mistresse Shoare thus beautifie her house, / She would haue beene not little proud thereof.

So I iudg’d by the phisiognomy of the fellow, that came in; and I had a dreame last night too of the new pageant, and my lady Maioresse, which is alwaies very ominous to me.

BRAVE and puissant Neptune, and you sacred Queene of the nine Iles, Lady maioresse of the great Ocean, Governesse of the lower Elements, Commandresse of all the skaly generation, from the Sea-horse to the Sea-mouse, Umpiresse of all differences in this watery region, &c: may a poore ship-wrackt Pothecarie speake to your Excellence?

This King feasted the Lord Maior, Richard Chawrye, and the Aldermen his Brethren, with certaine Commoners, in Waltham Forrest; after dinner rode a hunting with the King, who gaue him plenty of Venison, & sent to the Lady Maioresse, and her Sisters the Aldermens Wiues, 2.

And being landed, rideth to the Guild-hall to dinner, and all the Companies of this City with him: and at their comming into the Hall, the new Lord Mayor, with two of the ancient Aldermen, master Recorder and the Sheriffs, goe vp to my Lords Table to bid them welcome; and likewise all the other guests there, and from thence to the Lady Maioresse Table, and so come out to the Gentlewomens Table, and to the Iudges, and so from thence my said new L. Mayor goeth into the Chamberlaines Office, where he dineth, and the olde Lord Maior at their first comming into the Hall, goeth vp to the high Table in the Hustings, and there keepeth the State for that Feast.

Hee may perchance, in taile of a Sheriffes dinner, / Skip with a rime o’the Table, from New-nothing, / And take his Almaine-leape into a custard, / Shall make my Lad Maioresse, and her sisters, / Laugh all their hoods ouer their shoulders.