Vallens, in his “Tale of Two Swannes” (1590) also pays a graceful tribute to Cecil and old Theobalds in the following lines:
“Now see these Swannes, the new and worthy seate Of famous Cecil, tresorer of the land, Whose wisdome, counsell, skill of princes’ state The world admires; then Swannes may do the same: The house it selfe doth shewe the owner’s wit, And may for beautie, state and every thing, Compared be with most within the land.”
Lord Burleigh was succeeded in 1598 by his second son, Robert, first Earl of Salisbury, who here entertained James I. for four days on his way from Scotland to London to take possession of the throne, as well as the Lords of the Council, who were here to do homage to the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. In July, 1606, James again visited the earl at Theobalds, together with the King of Denmark, and their majesties were entertained with great magnificence during a stay of five days. The account of the proceedings related by a contemporary chronicler furnishes us with an interesting if not very edifying glimpse into the ways and manners of Court life in the seventeenth century. Much of the period of their majesties’ stay at Theobalds appears to have been occupied by a series of masques and debauches. At one of the pageants the King of Denmark represented Solomon, and a lady of the Court, in the character of the Queen of Sheba, proceeded to perform her part by laying gifts at the monarch’s feet. She had, however, imbibed so freely of the fine wines supplied from the Cecil cellar that she was unable to retain her balance, and fell, sprawling, into the lap of the king. Rising from his magnificent throne, the latter attempted to dance with the “fallen” queen, but the royal legs being as unsteady as those of the lady, the twain cut a sorry sight, and his majesty had to be carried away ignominiously to his chamber. “Now did appear,” writes the chronicler, who would seem to have been one of the guests, “Faith, Hope, and Charity. Hope did essay to speak, but wine did render her endeavours so feeble that she withdrew. Faith was then all alone, for I am certain she was not joined by Good Works, and left the Court in a staggering condition. Charity came then to the king’s feet, and soon returned to Hope and Faith, who were both sick in the lower hall.”