Vpon
this horse the Metropolitane sitteth sidelong, like a woman: in his lappe
lieth a faire booke, with a crucifix of Goldsmiths worke vpon the couer
which he holdeth fast with his left hand, and in his right hand he hath a
crosse of gold, with which crosse he ceaseth not to blesse the people as he
rideth.
There are to the number of 30 men which spread abroad their garments before
the horse, and as soone as the horse is past ouer any of them, they take
them vp againe and run before, and spread them againe, so that the horse
doth alway go on some of them. They which spread the garments are all
priests sonnes, and for their labours the Emperour giueth vnto them new
garments.
[Sidenote: The Emperor leadeth the Metropolitans horse in procession.] One
of the Emperors noble men leadeth the horse by the head, but the Emperour
himselfe going on foote leadeth the horse by the ende of the reine of his
bridle with one of his hands, and in the other of his hands he had a branch
of a Palme tree: after this followed the rest of the Emperors Noble men and
Gentlemen, with a great number of other people. In this order they went
from one church to another within the castle, about the distance of two
flights shot: and so returned againe to the Emperours Church, where they
made an end of their seruice. Which being done, the Emperours maiestie and
certaine of his noble men went to the Metropolitane his house to dinner,
where of delicate fishes and good drinks there was no lacke.
The rest of this weeke vntil Easter day they kept very solemnely,
continuing in their houses for the most part, and vpon Munday or Thursday
the Emperour doth alwayes vse to receiue the Sacrament, and so doe most of
his nobles.
Vpon good Friday they continue all the day in contemplation and prayers,
and they vse euery yere on good Friday to let loose a prisoner in the stead
of Barrabas. The night following they go to the Church where they sleepe
vntil the next morning, and at Easter they haue the resurrection, and after
euery of the Lents they eat flesh the next weeke following, Friday,
Saturday and all.
They haue an order at Easter which they alwaies obserue, and that is this:
euery yere against Easter to die or colour red with Brazell a great number
of egs, of which euery man and woman giueth one vnto the priest of their
Parish vpon Easter day in the morning. And moreouer the common people vse
to carie in their hands one of their red egs, not onely vpon Easter day,
but also three or foure dayes after, and gentlemen and gentlewomen haue egs
gilded which they cary in like maner.
