All the Members being thus sat, about a quarter of an hour after entered the Captain, followed by divers of the Queen’s Guard, with partisans.  After them came many gentlemen of the Queen’s servants, uncovered, with swords by their sides and well clad, two and two together.  After them came the Ricks-Senators in their order, the puisne first.  After them the Ricks-officers, all bare.  After them came the Queen, and kept off her hat in the hall, some of the officers of the Court and pages after her.  In this order they went up in the open place in the midst of the forms, all the Members standing up uncovered.  The Queen’s company made a lane for her to pass through, and she went up to her chair and sat down in it; and all the company, except the members of the Council, went out of the hall, and all the doors were shut; the Members sat in their places uncovered.

After the Queen had sat a little, she rose, and beckoned to the Chancellor to come to her, who came with great ceremony and respect; and after a little speaking together he returned to his place, and the Queen sat down again a little time; then rising up with mettle, she came forward to the utmost part of the foot-pace, and with a good grace and confidence spake to the Assembly, as it was interpreted to Whitelocke, to this effect:—­

[SN:  The Queen’s speech.]

“The occasion, my friends, wherefore you are called together to this Diet will in some sort appear strange to you; for being so unusual, and as it were unheard of, it cannot be understood without great astonishment.  But, Gentlemen, when you shall a little reflect upon what hath passed some years since, you will then perceive that it is no new thing, but long since premeditated, and by me wished and intended.

“It is sufficiently known to you what hath formerly passed as to the succession of my most dear cousin to this kingdom; and I esteem myself very happy that all things at present are in such a posture that thereupon I may bring my purpose to effect, which is, to offer and to give into the hands of my most dear cousin our most dear country and the royal seat, with the crown, the sceptre, and the government.  I need not repeat this subject to you; it sufficeth that all may be done for the good of the country and the prosperity and security of my most dear cousin, to whom you have formerly given this right, and have found him capable to govern you and this kingdom, which he deserves by his great spirits and rare qualities, joined with his heroic actions, witnessed by divers encounters.

“And since there is nothing wanting but time to put in execution the succession of my most dear cousin to the government of this kingdom, which depends only upon myself,—­and of my purpose nothing remains but to make you parties, which is the only occasion of my calling you together, and which I shall more at large declare unto you by my proposal,—­I doubt not