On each side were the guards
placed, with halberds in their hands, as far as the presence-chamber
door. There I was received by the Queen's Lord Chamberlain, who
carried me to the door of the next room, where the Queen was. Then the
Queen's principal lady, as our groom of the stole, received me,
telling me she had command from the Queen to bid me welcome to that
Court, from the ships to the frigate in which my husband came, and
from our ships to the King's forts, and from all the forts innumerable
shots returned again.
So soon as my husband landed, he entered the King's coach, and the
nobleman that fetched him, whose name I have forgot. Before him went
the English Consul, with all the merchants; on his right hand went
four pages; on the left side the coach, by the horses' heads, eight
footmen all clothed in rich livery; in the coach that followed went my
husband's own gentlemen, after the coach of state empty, and those
that did him the favour to accompany him: thus they went to the house
where my husband lodged. The King entertained him with great plenty of
provisions in all kinds, three suppers and three dinners, and all
manner of utensils belonging thereunto, as the custom of that country
is.
Their Majesties did for some time furnish the house, till my 'husband
could otherwise provide himself in town. The Abadessa of the
Alcantara, niece to the Queen-mother, natural daughter of the Duke of
Medina Sidonia, sent to welcome me into the country a very noble
present of perfumes, waters, and sweetmeats; and during my abode at
Lisbon we often made visits and interchanged messages, to my great
content, for she was a very fine lady.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145