ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1558. 



The Emperors Majestie eateth but one morsel of 

 bread, and drinketh but one draught of drinke once in 

 the day during that weeke, and all men that are of any 

 reputation come not out of their houses during that 

 time, so that the streetes are almost void of company, 

 saving a few poore folkes which wander to and fro. 

 The other sixe weekes they keepe as we do ours, but 

 not one of them will eate either butter, cheese, egs or 

 milke. 



On Palme Sunday they have a very solemne pro- 

 cession in this maner following. 



First, they have a tree of a good bignesse which is 

 made fast upon two sleds, as though it were growing 

 there, and it is hanged with apples, raisins, figs and 

 dates, and with many other fruits abundantly. In the 

 midst of ye same tree stand 5 boyes in white vestures, 

 which sing in the tree before the procession : after this 

 there followed certaine yong men with waxe tapers in 

 their hands burning, & a great lanterne that al the 

 light should not go out : after them followed two with 

 long banners, & sixe with round plates set upon long 

 staves : the plates were of copper very ful of holes and 

 thin : then followed 6 carving painted images upon 

 their shoulders, after the images followed certaine priests 

 to the number of 100 or more, with goodly vestures, 

 wherof 10 or 12 are of white damaske, set and im- 

 brodered round about with faire and orient pearles, as 

 great as pease, and among them certaine Sapphires and 

 other stones. After them followed the one halfe of the 

 Emperours noble men : then commeth the Emperors 

 majestie and the Metropolitane, after this maner. 



First, there is a horse covered with white linnen cloth 

 down to ye ground, his eares being made long with the 

 same cloth like to an asses ears. Upon this horse the 

 Metropolitane sitteth sidelong like a woman : in his 

 lappe lieth a faire booke, with a crucifix of Goldsmiths 

 worke upon the cover, which he holdeth fast with his left 

 hand, and in his right hand he hath a crosse of gold, with 



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