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Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
page 88 of 250 (35%)
On the Day appointed, the King, plac'd in a Balcony belonging to the
House of the Earl of _Peterborow_, appear'd ready to honour the Show.
The Ceremonial, to speak nothing figuratively, was very fine and grand:
Those of the first Rank made their Appearance in decent Order, and upon
fine Horses; and others under Arms, and in Companies, march'd with
native Gravity and Grandeur, all saluting his Majesty as they pass'd by,
after the _Spanish_ Manner, which that Prince return'd with the Movement
of his Hand to his Mouth; for the Kings of _Spain_ are not allow'd to
salute, or return a Salute, by any Motion to, or of, the Hat.

After these follow'd several Pageants; the first of which was drawn by
Mules, set off to the Height with stateliest Feathers, and adorn'd with
little Bells. Upon the Top of this Pageant appear'd a Man dress'd all in
Green; but in the Likeness of a Dragon. The Pageant making a Stop just
over-against the Balcony where the King sate, the Dragonical
Representative diverted him with great Variety of Dancings, the Earl of
_Peterborow_ all the time throwing out Dollars by Handfuls among the
Populace, which they as constantly receiv'd with the loud Acclamation
and repeated Cries of _Viva, Viva, Carlos Terceros, Viva la Casa
d'Austria_.

When that had play'd its Part, another Pageant, drawn as before, made a
like full Stop before the same Balcony. On this was plac'd a very large
Cage, or Aviary, the Cover of which, by Springs contriv'd for that
Purpose, immediately flew open, and out of it a surprizing Flight of
Birds of various Colours. These, all amaz'd at their sudden Liberty,
which I took to be the Emblem intended, hover'd a considerable space of
time over and about their Place of Freedom, chirping, singing, and
otherwise testifying their mighty Joy for their so unexpected
Enlargement.
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