Setting out from Canterbury on Monday, the 29th of May--which
was, moreover, the anniversary of his birth--he journeyed to
Blackheath, where he reviewed the forces drawn up with great pomp
and military splendour to greet him, and bestowed many gracious
expressions on them. Then, having received assurances of their
loyal homage through their commander, Colonel Knight, he turned
towards London town. And the nearer he approached, the more
dense became crowds thronging to meet him; the fields on either
side the long white road being filled with persons of all
conditions, who cheered him lustily. As he passed they flung
leaves of trees and sweet May flowers beneath his horse's feet,
and waved green boughs on high, And when he came to St. George's
Fields, there was my lord mayor in his robes of new velvet,
wearing his collar of wrought gold, and attended by his aldermen
in brave apparel likewise. Going down on his knees my lord mayor
presented the king with the city sword, which his majesty with
some happy expressions of confidence gave back into his good
keeping, having first struck him with it upon the shoulder and
bade him rise up Sir Thomas Allen. Whereon that worthy man rose
to his feet and conducted the king to a large and richly adorned
pavilion, and entertained him at a splendid collation, it being
then one of the clock. And being refreshed his majesty set forth
again, and entered the city, which had never before shown so
brave and goodly an appearance as on this May day, when all the
world seemed mad with joy.

From London Bridge even to Whitehall Palace the way was lined on
one side by the train-bands of the city, and on the other by the
city companies in their rich livery gowns; to which were added a