I come now to the fire that he made in the Presence
chamber where the King and Queen then dined, which was only of sweet and
odoriferious (_sic_) wood, far exceeding the smell of juniper, for it
was mixed with mace, cinnamon, and other rare and costly spices, which
did cast such a pleasant and delightful savor through the room that it
pleased his majesty to call him unto him and say, my good Lord Mayor,
though your fare be choice, costly and abundant, yet above all things I
have observed in your noble entertainment this fire which you have
provided for me gives me more content. To whom Sir Richard Whittington
making a low obeysance made answer, It much rejoyceth me dread Soveraign
that any that remaineth in my power can give your highness the least
cause to be pleased, but since you praise this fire already made I
purpose ere your sacred majesty depart the house to entertain you with
one (I hope) that shall content you much better. The King not thinking
it could be possible desired him to make a proof thereof, when he
(having before provided himself for that purpose) brought a great bundle
of Bonds, Indentures and Covenants under his arm, said thus to the King,
Royal Soveraign to whom I owe both my fortunes and my life, I have here
a faggot of purpose left for this fire, which I hope will smell much
more sweetly than the first in your nostrils, for saith he, here is
first your Highness security for ten thousand marks, lent you for the
maintainance of your royal wars in France, by the Right Worshipful
Company of the Mercers, which I here cancel and cast into the fire,
fifteen hundred lent by the City to our Majesty I send after the former,
two thousand marks borrowed of the Grocers Company, three thousand of
the Merchant Taylors, one thousand of the Drapers, one thousand of the
Skinners, one thousand of the Ironmongers, one thousand of the Merchant
Staplers, of the Goldsmiths three thousand, of the Haberdashers as much,
of the Vintners, Brewers and Brown Bakers three thousand marks.
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