FOOTNOTES:
[982] Knights.
[983] Against the grain. F.
The Epilogue at the Court
We cannot tell whether wee are fallen among Diomedes[984] birdes or his horses,—the one received some men with sweet notes,[985] the other bit all men with sharpe teeth. But, as Homer's gods conveyed them into cloudes whom they would have kept from curses, and, as Venus, least Adonis should be pricked with the stings of 5 adders, covered his face with the wings of swans, so wee hope, being shielded with your Highnesse countenance, wee shall, though heare[986] the neighing, yet not feele the kicking of those jades, and receive, though no prayse—which we cannot deserve—yet a pardon, which in all humilitie we desire. As yet we cannot tell what we 10 should tearme our labours, iron or bullion; only it belongeth to your Majestie to make them fit either for the forge or the mynt, currant by the stampe or counterfeit by the anvill. For, as nothing is to be called white unlesse it had beene named white by the first creator,[987] so can there be nothing thought good in the opinion of others unlesse 15 it be christened good by the judgement of your selfe. For our selves, againe, we are like these torches of waxe, of which, being in your Highnesse hands, you may make doves or vultures, roses or nettles, laurell for a garland or ealder for a disgrace.[988]