Gresham and the Pearl

When Queen Elizabeth visited the Exchange, Sir Thomas Gresham pledged her health in a cup of wine containing a precious stone crushed to atoms, and worth £15,000. Here £15,000 at one clap goes Instead of sugar; Gresham drinks the pearl Unto his queen and mistre . Pledge it lords. Heywood, If You Know not Me, You Know Nobody . ⁂ It is devoutly to be hoped that Sir Thomas was above such absurd vanity. Very well for Queen Cleopatra, but more than ridiculous in such an imitation. Gresham and the Gra hopper. There is a vulgar tradition that Sir Thomas Gresham was a foundling, and that the old beldame who brought him up was attracted to the spot where she found him, by the loud chirping of a gra hopper. ⁂ This tale arose from the gra hopper, which forms the crest of Sir Thomas. To Sup with Sir Thomas Gresham , to have no supper. Similarly, “to dine with Duke Humphrey,” is to have nowhere to dine. The Royal Exchange was at one time a common lounging-place for idlers. Tho’ little coin thy purse le pockets line, Yet with great company thou’rt taken up; For often with Duke Humphrey thou dost dine, And often with Sir Thomas Gresham sup. Hayman, Quidlibet (Epigram on a loafer, 1628).