Spenser, Fairy Queen, ii. 6, 34.
State. Used often by our old writers for a raised dais or platform, on which was placed a chair or throne with a canopy (the German ‘Thronhimmel’) above it; being the chiefest seat of honour; thus in Massinger’s Bondman, act i. sc. 3, according to the old stage-direction Archidamus ‘offers Timoleon the state.’ But there is another use of ‘state’ not unfrequent in the seventeenth century, though altogether unknown in our own. A ‘state’ was a republic, as contradistinguished from a monarchy. This usage, which the States of Holland may have contributed to bring about, does not seem to have lasted very long.
But for a canopy to shade her head,
No state which lasts no longer than ’tis stayed,
And fastened up by cords and pillars’ aid.
Beaumont, Psyche, can. xix. st. 170.
Their majesties were seated as is aforesaid under their canopies or states, whereof that of the Queen was somewhat lesser and lower than that of the King, but both of them exceeding rich.—History of the Coronation of King James II., 1687, p. 61.
When he went to court, he used to kick away the state, and sit down by his prince cheek by jowl. Confound these states, says he, they are a modern invention.—Swift, History of John Bull, part ii. c. 1.
What say some others? A government of states would do much better for you than a monarchy.—Andrewes, Sermon 6, Of the Gunpowder Treason.
Dull subjects see too late