Shall dance for joy of these great nuptials. See how they move, drawn by this heav'nly joy, Like the wild trees, which follow'd Orpheus' harp! The Statues enter, supposed to be before descended from Jove's altar, and to have been prepared in the covert with the Cupids, attending their call. These Statues were attired in cases of gold and silver close to their bodies, faces, hands, and feet, nothing seen but gold and silver, as if they had been solid images of metal, tresses of hair as they had been of metal embossed, girdles and small aprons of oaken leaves, as if they likewise had been carved or moulded out of the metal: at their coming, the musick changed from violins to hautboys, cornets, &c., and the air of the musick was utterly turned into a soft time, with drawing notes, excellently expressing their natures, and the measure likewise was fitted unto the same, and the Statues placed in such several postures, sometimes all together in the centre of the dance, and sometimes in the four utmost angles, as was very graceful, besides the novelty. And so concluded the first anti-masque, Merc. And what will Juno's Iris do for her? Had it been worthier, I would have invok'd The second anti-masque rush in, dance their Shall dance for joy of these great nuptials: The dance likewise was of the same strain; and the dancers, or rather actors, expressed every one their part so naturally and aptly, as when a man's eye was caught with the one, and then past on to the other, he could not satisfy himself which did best. It pleased his majesty to call for it again at the end, as he did likewise for the first anti-masque; but one of the Statues by that time was undressed. Merc. Iris, we strive, Like winds at liberty, who should do worst Iris. Hermes, so it may be done Or call together all the ends of earth, A thousand yielding clouds, and never stay'd games, Which long have slept, at these wish'd nuptials And gave to them an artificial life.] The transposition of these lines seems indispensably necessary. 5 Who should do worst.] The sense seems to require us to read most for worst; unless it means which should worst the other, first, as consecrated persons, all in veils, like to copes, of silver tiffany, gathered, and falling a large compass about them, and over their heads high mitres, with long pendants behind falling from them; the mitres were so high, that they received their hats and feathers, that nothing was seen but veil. In the midst between both the tents, upon the very top of the hill, being a higher level than that of the tents, was placed Jupiter's altar gilt, with three great tapers upon golden candlesticks burning upon it; and the four statues, two of gold, and two of silver, as supporters, and Jupiter's priests in white robes about it. Upon the sight of the king, the veils of the knights did fall easily from them, and they appeared in their own habit. The Knights' attire.-Arming doublets of carnation sattin, embroidered with blazing stars of silver plate, with powderings of smaller stars betwixt; gorgets of silver mail; long hose of the same, with the doublets laid with silver lace spangled, and enriched with embroidery between the lace; carnation silk stockings embroidered all over; garters and roses suitable; pumps of carnation sattin embroidered, as the doublets; hats of the same stuff, and embroidery cut like a helmet before, the hinder part cut into scallops, answering the skirts of their doublets; the bands of the hats were wreaths of silver in form of garlands of wild olives, white feathers, with one fall of carnation; belts of the same stuff and embroidered with the doublet; silver swords; little Italian bands and cuffs embroidered with silver; fair long tresses of hair. The Priests' habits.-Long robes of white taffeta; long white heads of hair; the highpriest a cap of white silk shag close to his head, with two labels at the ears, the midst rising in form of a pyramis, in the top thereof a branch of silver; every priest playing upon a lute; twelve in number. The Priests descend and sing this song following; after whom the Knights likewise descend, first laying aside their veils, belts, and swords. And at the wedding such a pair, The Knights dance their second measure. If ladies mov'd as well as knights; Jove will but laugh, if you forswear! [Chorus.] And this day's sins, he doth resolve, That we his priests should all absolve. The Knights take their ladies to dance with them galliards, durets, corantos, &c. and lead them to their places; then loud musick sounds, supposed to call them to their Olympian games. Ye should stay longer if we durst: And not a creature nigh 'em, And keep him ever by 'em. The Knights dance their parting measure, and ascend, put on their swords and belts; during which time, the Priests sing the fifth and last song. Peace and silence be the guide In marriage, let it fall on you, That all the world may wonder! THIS Masque is here printed from the quarto edition. All the other copies of it are extremely erroneous and imperfect: none of the descriptive parts are inserted in them; and to point out the blunders and other omissions, would require almost as many notes as the Masque contains lines. FOUR OR MORAL REPRESENTATIONS, IN ONE. This Drama was first printed in the folio edition. No circumstances appear to ascribe it in particular to either Author; it was probably a joint production, Enter Frigoso. [Noise within.] Fri. AW! WAY with those bald-pated rascals there! Their wits are bound up in vellum; they are Not current here. Down with those city gentlemen! &c. [their wives Out with those cuckolds, I say, and in with At the back door! Worship and place, I am weary of ye; Ye lie on my shoulders like a load of gold What's the matter? who are you, sir? Rin. Who am I, sir? Why, do you not know me? Fri. No, by my faith, do I not. Rin. I am sure we din'd together to-day. Fri. That's all one: For [paid As I din'd with you in the city, and as you my dinner there, I do know you, and am Beholding to you: but as my mind is since Transmigrated into my office, and as you come To court to have me pay you again, and be Beholding to me, I know you not, I know you not! Rin. Nay, but look you, sir! [years, If you had been my bedfellow these seven And lent me money to buy my place, I must Not transgress principles: this very talking With you is an ill example. Rin. Pish! You are too punctual a courtier, sir! You will thrive accordingly, I warrant you. Rin. But, hark you, signor Frigoso! you shall first understand, I have no friends with me to trouble you. Nor to ask what you owe me. Fri. Why, that Is the very motive of motives why I ought Up to this promise, I would not have known Of Portugal, Emanuel, bear himself to-day? Rin. Why, like a fit husband for so gracious And excellent a princess, as his worthy Mate Isabella, the king of Castile's daughter, Doth, in her very external lineaments, Mixture of colours, and joining dove-like be haviour, Assure herself to be. And I protest, Like to multiply to their very last minute. Fri. The king is entering: signor, hover hereabout; And as soon as the train is set, clap into me; We'll stand near the state. If you have Any creditors here, they shall renew [touch Bonds a twelvemonth on such a sight: "butto The pomel of the king's chair, in the sight Of a citizen, is better security For a thousand double-ducats, than three Of the best merchants in Lisbon. Besides, signor, [play here, We will censure, not only the king in the That reigns his two hours, but the king himself, That is to rule his life-time. Take my counsel! [bly, I have one word to say to this noble assemAnd I am for you. Rin. Your method shall govern me. Fri. Prologues are huishers bare before the wise'; Why may not then a huisher prologuise? 1 Prologues are bad huishers before the wise.] If prologues are bad huishers, how does the consequence follow, that therefore an huisher or usher should prologuise? I believe bad a corruption, and that we should read but, which renders the whole easy and intelligible. Seward, The present text is from the first edition. Bare seems used in the sense of but, or mere, It is also sense, in the acception of uncovered, in this place. Here's ye Here's a fair sight; and were oftner seen Thus gather'd here, 'twould please our king and queen. Upon my conscience, ye are welcome all sights Than preparations made for kings' delights. We wish to men content, the manliest treasure; And to the women, their own wish'd-for pleasure! [Flourish. Enter Emanuel and Isabella, Lords, und Attendants. Eman. Fair fountain of my life, from The propagation of two kingdoms flows, feeds But you, nor hold a story, but your own; A water fix'd, that ebbs nor floods pursue, Frozen to all, only dissolv'd to you! Eman. Oh, who shall tell the sweetness of To future times, and not be thought to lie? Fri. Whist! signor! My strong imagination Shews me love, methinks, bathing in milk And wine in her cheeks. Oh, how she clips him, Like a plant of ivy! Rin. Ay; could not you be content To be an owl in such an ivy-bush, Or one of the oaks of the city, to be so clipt? Fri. Equivocal don, tho' I like the clipping well, I could not be content either to be your owl, Or your ox of the city.-The play begins. [Flourish. Enter a Poet with a Garland. Poet Prologue. Low at your sacred feet our poor muse lays Her, and her thunder-fearless verdant bays. Four several Triumphs to your princely eyes, Of Honour, Love, Death, and Time, do rise From our approaching subject; which we move Tow'rds you with fear, since that a sweeter A brighter honour, purer chastity, [love, March in your breasts this day triumphantly, Than our weak scenes can shew: then how dare we Present, like apes and zanies, things that be Exemplified in you, but that we know We ne'er crav'd grace which you did not bestow? Enter in triumph with Drums, Trumpets, Mar. What means proud Sophocles? Mar. Why, poor Athenian duke, thou My blows have conquer'd thee. Soph. Thy slave, proud Martius? Cato thy countryman (whose constancy, Of all the Romans, I did honour most) Ripp'd himself twice to avoid slavery, Making himself his own anatomy. But look thee, Martius; not a vein runs here From head to foot, but Sophocles would unseam, and Like a spring-garden 3 shoot his scornful blood Into their eyes, durst come to tread on him. As for thy blows, they did not conquer me: Seven battles have I met thee face to face, And given thee blow for blow, and wound for wound, [tire: And, 'till thou taught'st me+, knew not to reThy sword was then as bold, thy arm as strong; Thy blows then, Martius, cannot conquer me. Val. What is it then? Soph. Fortune. Val. Why, yet in that Thou art the worse man, and must follow him. Soph. Young sir, you err: if fortune could be call'd Or his, or yours, or mine; in good or evil, Midst of his mischief; which vicissitude 3 And like a spring garden.] Spring-GARDEN appears to be corrupt. Perhaps the line should run, And like a spring GUN shoot, &c. 4 Thou taught'st me.] The context seems to require FATE taught me, or words to that effect. VOL. III. 4 E Makes |