PAGE 14
The Spanish-English Lady
by
“And how can they otherwise choose?” replied the lady Tansi; “if not, look upon Ricaredo, who looks like the sun come down from heaven on earth, and in that habit goes walking up and down amongst us.”
They all of them laughed at the little maid’s simplicity, and no less at the ridiculous rodomontado of the lady Tansi; and some murmurers were not wanting who held it an impertinency that Ricaredo should come armed to Court. Though other some sought as much to excuse him, saying that as a soldier he might do it for to show his bravery and gallantry.
Ricaredo was by his parents, friends, kinsfolk, and acquaintance received with lively expressions of singular love and affection; and that night there were made general bonfires throughout London, and other public tokens of their joy. The father and mother of Isabella were already in Clotaldo’s house, whom Ricaredo had acquainted who they were, but entreated his parents that they might not have any the least notice given them of Isabella till that he himself should give it them; the like advice was given to all the servants of the house.
That very night, accompanied with many boats, barges, and barks, and with no fewer eyes to look on them, the great ship began to discharge her lading, which in eight days could not be disburdened of her pepper, and other rich merchandise which she had in her bulk. The next day after Ricaredo went to Court, carrying with him the father and mother of Isabella, both of them being newly clad after the fashion of London, telling them that the Queen desired to see them.
They came all of them where the Queen was sitting amidst her ladies expecting Ricaredo, whom she was willing to grace and favour by placing Isabella next to her, having on the same attire and dressing which she wore when she came first to the Court, appearing therein no less beautiful now than she did then. The parents of Isabella were stricken with admiration and wonder to see so much greatness and bravery met together. They settled their eyes on Isabella, but did not know her, though their hearts, presagers of that good which was so near them, began to leap in their bosoms; not out of any sudden passion that might cause sorrow or grief in them, but out of I know not what pleasure and contentment, which they could not hit upon to understand aright.
The Queen would not suffer Ricaredo to continue kneeling before her, but made him rise, and willed him to sit down in a velvet chair, which was by her appointment set there for that purpose—an unusual favour, considering the stately condition of the Queen. And one whispered in another’s ear, “Ricaredo sits not on the chair which was brought him, but on the pepper which he brought in.” Another says unto him that stood by him, “Now is that old proverb verified, Dadivas quebrantan peñas —that ‘gifts will break through stone walls’; for those that Ricaredo hath given her Majesty hath softened and mollified our Queen’s hard heart.” Another tells his next fellow, “Now that he is well seated, more hands than two must go to it to heave him out.”
In conclusion, from that grace and honour which the Queen was pleased to do Ricaredo, envy took occasion to grow in many of those courtiers’ breasts, who were eyewitnesses of this her Majesty’s extraordinary favour extended towards him; for there is not that favour which a prince confers on his favourite which is not a spear that pierceth the heart of the envious.