THE FIRST EARL OF SALISBURY 203
Court. Another, which also refers to his enclosures, takes the form of an epitaph :
" Here lyes throwne, for the wormes to eate Little bossive 1 Robin, that was so great. Not Robin Goodfellow, nor Robin Hood, But Robin, th' encloser of Hatfield Wood." 2
In July, 1606, Salisbury entertained James and his brother-in-law, Christian IV., King of Denmark, at Theobalds. The two Kings rode thither in great state, and were entertained with " many very learned, delicate, and significant shows and devices." At the entrance of one of the gates was a tree ' with leaves and other ornaments resembling a great oak ; the leaves cut all out of green silk, and set so artificially, that after certain speeches delivered, and songs of Welcome sung, as the Kings' Majesties passed away, even in a trice all the leaves showered from the tree, both upon the heads and garments of both the Kings, and of a great multitude of their followers ; upon every leaf being written in gold letters this word, ' Welcome/ and upon some, twice ' Welcome.' '
The visit lasted for four days, and Sir John Harington, who was one of the guests, has left a lurid description of the scenes which took place. 4
' ' I have been well-nigh overwhelmed with carousal and sport of all kinds," he says. " The sports began each day
1 Bossive, humpbacked. So Standen nicknamed him " Monsieur de Bossu."
a Secret History of the Court of James I. (1811), I. 235.
8 Quoted from a contemporary pamphlet in Clutterbuck, Hist, of Hertfordshire, II. 92.
4 Nugae Antiquae, ed. 1679, II. 126 sqq.
�� �
