After various other companies, all brave in apparel, came two
trumpets bearing his majesty's arms, followed by the sheriffs'
men in red cloaks and silver lace, and by a great body of
gentlemen in black velvet coats with gold chains. Next rode six
hundred brave citizens, twelve ministers, the king's life guards,
led by Sir Gilbert Gerrard, the city marshals with eight footmen,
the city waits and officers, the sheriffs and aldermen in scarlet
gowns, the maces and heralds in great splendour, the lord mayor
carrying a naked sword in his strong right hand, the Duke of
Buckingham, and General Monk, soon to be created Duke of
Albermarle.
Now other heralds sound their trumpets with blasts that make all
hearts beat quicker; church bells ring far louder than before;
voices are raised to their highest pitch, excitement reaches its
zenith, for here, mounted on a stately horse caparisoned in royal
purple and adorned with gold, rides King Charles himself; on his
right hand his brother of York, on his left his brother of
Gloucester. Handkerchiefs are waved, flowers are flung before
his way, words of welcome fall upon his ear, in answer to which
he bows with stately grace, smiles most pleasantly, and gives
such signs of delight as "cheared the hearts of all loyal
subjects even to extasie and transportation." Last of all came
five regiments of cavalry, with back, breast, and head piece,
which "diversified the show with delight and terrour." John
Evelyn stood in the Strand and watched the procession pass, when
that worthy man thanked God the king had been restored without
bloodshed, and by the very army that had rebelled against him.
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