Wh. Master, it is impossible for me, if it were in the presence of all the queens and kings in Christendom, to forbear to use any means to hinder the dishonour of my nation in my person.

Mast.  Cer. I believe the Danish Ambassador would not be so high as you are.

Wh. There is no reason why he should:  he knows his nation never pretended to have the precedence of England, and you, being master of the ceremonies, cannot be ignorant of it.

Mast.  Cer. I confess that your nation always had the precedence of Denmark when you were under a king.

Wh. I should never give it from them though they were under a constable.

Mast.  Cer. If you insist upon it, the Danish Ambassador must be uninvited again, for I perceive that you two must not meet.

Wh. I suppose the gentleman would not expect precedence of me.

Mast.  Cer. I can assure you he doth.

Wh. I can assure you he shall never have it, if I can help it.  But I pray, Master, tell me whether her Majesty takes notice of this question of precedence, or did she wish to confer with me about it?

Mast.  Cer. The Queen commanded me to speak with you about it, hoping that the question might be so composed that she might have the company of you both at her entertainment.

Wh. I shall stay at home rather than interrupt her Majesty’s pleasures, which I should do by meeting the Danish Ambassador, to whom I shall not give precedence, unless he be stronger than I.

Mast.  Cer. The Queen makes this masque chiefly for your Excellence’s entertainment, therefore you must not be absent, but rather the Danish Ambassador must be uninvited; and I shall presently go about it.

[SN:  Order on the Swedish ships.]

Whitelocke returned a visit to Grave Eric, and showed him the Order of the Council touching the Swedish ships, much in favour of them, and which seemed very pleasing to the Grave; but he also showed to Whitelocke several letters which he had received from masters of Swedish ships, of new complaints of taking of their ships; and he desired that the Order showed him by Whitelocke might be extended to those whose ships had been since taken; which Whitelocke promised to endeavour, and said that he should be in a better capacity to serve him, and to procure discharges for their ships and goods, when he should be himself in England; and therefore desired that, by his despatch, they would hasten him thither, which the Grave promised to do.  At his going away, Grave Eric invited Whitelocke to dine with him on Monday next, and to come as a particular friend and brother, and not by a formal invitation as an ambassador.  Whitelocke liked the freedom, and promised to wait on him; and was the more willing to come, that he might see the fashion of their entertainments, this being the first invitation that was made to him by any person in this country.