Chapter XIV: Part 14

_Mercurie_ in doublet and hose of white Taffita, a white hat, wings on his shoulders and feet, his Caduceus in his hand, speaking to _Iris_ as followeth.

MERCURIE.

Stay, Stay.
Stay light foot _Iris_, for thou strivest in vaine,
My wings are nimbler then thy feete.

IRIS.

Away,
Dissembling _Mercury_; my messages
Aske honest haste, not like those wanton ones
Your thundring father sends.

MERCURIE.

Stay foolish Maid,
Or I will take my rise upon a hill,
When I perceive thee seated in a cloud,
In all the painted glorie that thou hast,
And never cease to clap my willing wings,
Till I catch hold of thy discolour'd Bow,
And shiver it beyond the angry power
Of your curst Mistresse, to make up againe.

IRIS.

_Hermes_ forbeare, _Juno_ will chide and strike;
Is great _Jove_ jealous that I am imploy'd
On her love errands? she did never yet
Claspe weake mortalitie in her white armes,
As he hath often done: I onely come
To celebrate the long wisht Nuptials,
Heere in _Olympia_, which are now perform'd
Betwixt two goodly Rivers, which have mixt
Their gentle rising waves, and are to grow
Into a thousand streames, great as themselves;
I need not name them, for the sound is lowde
In heaven and earth, and I am sent from her
The Queene of Mariage, that was present heere,
And smil'd to see them joyne, and hath not chid
Since it was done: good _Hermes_ let me go.

MERCURIE.

Nay you must stay, _Joves_ message is the same,
Whose eies are lightning, and whose voice is thunder,
Whose breath is any winde, he will, who knowes
How to be first on earth as well as heaven.

IRIS.

But what hath he to doe with Nuptiall rights?
Let him keepe state upon his starry throne,
And fright poore mortals with his thunderbolts,
Leaving to us the mutuall darts of eyes.

MERCURIE.

Alas, when ever offer'd he t'abridge
Your Ladies power, but onely now in these,
Whose match concernes his generall government?
Hath not each god a part in these high joyes?
And shall not he the King of gods presume
Without proud _Junoes_ licence? let her know
That when enamor'd _Jove_ first gave her power
To linke soft hearts in Undissolved bonds,
He then foresaw, and to himselfe reserv'd
The honor of this Mariage: thou shalt stand
Still as a Rocke, while I to blesse this feast
Will summon up with my all charming rod,
The Nymphes of fountains, from whose watry locks
Hung with the dew of blessing and encrease,
The greedie Rivers take their nourishment.
You Nymphes, who bathing in your loved springs,
Beheld these Rivers in their infancie,
And joy'd to see them, when their circled heads
Refresht' the aire, and spread the ground with flowers:
Rise from your Wells, and with your nimble feete
Performe that office to this happie paire;
Which in these plaines, you to _Alpheus_ did;
When passing hence through many seas unmixt,
He gained the favour of his _Arethuse_.

Immediatlie upon which speech foure _Naiades_
arise gentlie out of their severall
Fountaines, and present themselves upon the
Stage, attired in long habits of sea-greene
Taffita, with bubbles of Christall intermixt
with powdering of silver resembling drops
of water; blewish Tresses on their heads,
garlands of Water-Lillies. They fall into a
Measure, daunce a little, then make a stand.

IRIS.

Is _Hermes_ growne a lover, by what power
Unknowne to us, calls he the _Naiades?_

MERCURIE.

Presumptuous _Iris_, I could make thee daunce
Till thou forgott'st thy Ladies messages,
And rann'st backe crying to her, thou shall know
My power is more, onely my breath, and this
Shall move fix'd starres, and force the firmament
To yeeld the _Hyades_, who governe showers,
And dewie clouds, in whose dispersed drops
Thou form'st the shape of thy deceitfull Bow.
You maids, who yearely at appointed times,
Advance with kindly teares, the gentle flouds,
Descend, and powre your blessing on these streames,
Which rolling downe from heaven aspiring hils,
And now united in the fruitfull vales;
Beare all before them ravisht with their joy,
And swell in glorie till they know no bounds.

Five _Hyades_ descend softly in a cloud from the
firmament, to the middle part of the hill,
apparelled in skie coloured Taffita robes,
spangled like the Heavens, golden Tresses,
and each a faire Starre on their head, from
thence descend to the Stage, at whose sight
the _Naiades_ seeming to rejoyce, meete and
joyne in a dance.

IRIS.

Great witte and power hath _Hermes_ to contrive
A livelesse dance, which of one sexe consists.

MERCURIE.

Alas poore _Iris_, _Venus_ hath in store
A secret Ambush of her winged boyes,
Who lurking long within these pleasant groves;
First strucke these Lovers with their equall darts,
Those _Cupids_ shall come forth, and joyne with these,
To honor that which they themselves begun.

Enter foure _Cupids_ from each side of the
Boscage, attired in flame coloured Taffita
close to their bodie like naked Boyes, with
Bowes, Arrowes, and wings of gold: Chaplets
of flowers on their heads, hoodwinckt with
Tiffiny scarfs, who joyne with the Nymphes,
and the _Hyades_ in another daunce. That
ended, _Iris_ speakes.

IRIS.

Behold the Statuaes which wise _Vulcan_ plac'd
Under the Altar of Olympian _Jove_,
Shall daunce for joy of these great Nuptialls:
And gave to them an Artificiall life,
See how they move, drawne by this heavenly joy,
Like the wilde trees, which follow'd _Orpheus_ Harpe.

The _Statuaes_ enter, supposed to be before
descended from _Joves_ Altar, and to have
been prepared in the covert with the
_Cupids_, attending their call.

These _Statuaes_ were attired in cases of gold and silver close to their bodie, faces, hands and feete, nothing seene but gold and silver, as if they had been solid Images of mettall, Tresses of haire as they had been of mettall imbossed, girdles and small aprons of oaken leaves, as if they likewise had been carved or molded out of the mettall: at their comming, the Musicke changed from Violins to Hoboyes, Cornets, &c. And the ayre of the Musicke 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 _Statuaes_ placed in such severall postures, sometimes all together in the Center of the daunce, and sometimes in the foure utmost Angles, as was very gracefull besides the noveltie: and so concluded the first Anti-masque.

MERCURIE.

And what will _Junoes Iris_ do for her?

IRIS.

Just match this shew; or my Invention failes,
Had it beene worthier, I would have invok'd
The blazing Comets, Clouds and falling Starres,
And all my kindred Meteors of the Ayre
To have excell'd it, but I now must strive
To imitate Confusion, therefore thou
Delightfull _Flora_, if thou ever felt'st
Encrease of sweetnesse in those blooming plants,
On which the homes of my faire bow decline;
Send hither all the Rurall company,
Which decke the May-games with their Countrey sports;
_Juno_ will have it so.

The second Anti-masque rush in, daunce their Measure, and
as rudely depart, consisting of a Pedant.

May Lord, May Lady.
Servingman, Chambermaide.
A Countrey Clowne, or Shepheard, Countrey Wench.
An Host, Hostesse.
A Hee Baboone, Shee Baboone.
A Hee Foole, Shee Foole ushering them in.

All these persons apparelled to the life, the
Men issuing out of one side of the Boscage,
and the Woemen from the other: the Musicke
was extremely well fitted, having such a
spirit of Countrey jolitie, as can hardly be
imagined, but the perpetuall laughter and
applause was above the Musicke.

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 Mans eye was caught with the one, and then past on to the other, hee could not satisfie himselfe which did best. It pleased his Majestie to call for it againe at the end, as he did likewise for the first Anti-masque, but one of the _Statuaes_ by that time was undressed.

MERCURIE.

_Iris_ we strive,
Like windes at libertie, who should do worst
Ere we returne. If _Juno_ be the Queene
Of Mariage, let her give happie way
To what is done, in honor of the State
She governes.

IRIS.

_Hermes,_ so it may be done
Meerely in honor of the State, and these
That now have prov'd it, not to satisfie
The lust of _Jupiter_, in having thankes
More then his _Juno_, if thy snakie rod
Have power to search the heavens, or sound the sea,
Or call together all the ends of earth,
To bring in any thing that may do grace
To us, and these; do it, we shall be pleas'd.

MERCURY.

Then know that from the mouth of _Jove_ himselfe,
Whose words have wings, and need not to be borne;
I tooke a message, and I bare it through
A thousand yeelding clouds, and never stai'd
Till his high will was done: the Olympian games
Which long have slept, at these wish'd Nuptials,
He pleas'd to have renew'd, and all his Knights
Are gathered hither, who within their tents
Rest on this hill, upon whose rising head.
Behold _Joves_ Altar, and his blessed Priests
Moving about it: come you holy men,
And with your voices draw these youthes along,
That till _Joves_ musicke call them to their games,
Their active sports may give a blest content
To those, for whom they are againe begun.

* * * * *

_The Maine Masque._

The second Travers is drawne, and the higher ascent of the Mountaine is discovered, wherein upon a levell after a great rise of the Hill, were placed two Pavilions: open in the front of them, the Pavilions were to sight as of cloth of gold, and they were trimmed on the inside with rich Armour and Militarie furniture hanged up as upon the walles, and behind the Tents there were represented in prospective, the tops of divers other Tents, as if it had been a Campe. In these Pavilions were placed fifteene _Olympian_ Knights, upon seates a little imbowed neere the forme of a Croisant, and the Knights appeared first, as consecrated persons all in vailes, like to Coapes, of silver Tiffinie, gathered, and falling a large compasse about them, and over their heads high Miters with long pendants behind falling from them, the Miters were so high, that they received their hats and feathers, that nothing was seene but vaile: in the midst betweene both the Tents upon the very top of the hill, being a higher levell then that of the Tents, was placed _Jupiters_ Altar gilt, with three great Tapers upon golden Candlesticks burning upon it: and the foure _Statuaes_, two of gold, and two of silver, as supporters, and _Jupiters_ Priests in white robes about it.

Upon the sight of the King, the vailes of the Knights did fall easilie from them, and they appeared in their owne habit.

_The Knights attire._

Arming doublets of Carnation satten embrodered with Blazing Starres of silver plate, with powderings of smaller Starres betwixt, gorgets of silver maile, long hose of the same, with the doublets laide with silver lace spangled, and enricht with embroderie betweene the lace: Carnation silke stockins imbrodered all over, garters and roses sutable: Pumpes of Carnaiton satten imbrodered as the doublets, hats of the same stuffe and embroderie cut like a helmet before, the hinder part cut into Scallops, answering the skirts of their doublets: the bands of the hats were wreathes of silver in forme of garlands of wilde Olives, white feathers with one fall of Carnation, Belts of the same stuffe and embrodered with the doublet: Silver swords, little Italian bands and cuffes embrodered with silver, faire long Tresses of haire.

_The Priests habits._

Long roabes of white Taffita, long white heads of haire. The high Priest a cap of white silke shagge close to his head, with two labels at the eares, the midst rising in forme 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 vailes, belts, and
swords.

The first Song.

_Shake off your heavy traunce,_
_And leape into a daunce,_
_Such as no mortals use to treade,_
_Fit only for_ Apollo
_To play to, for the Moone to lead,_
_And all the Starres to follow._

The Knights by this time are all descended and
fallen into their place, and then daunce
their first Measure.

The second Song.

_On blessed youthes, for_ Jove _doth pause_
_Laying aside his graver lawes_
_For this device,_
_And at the wedding such a paire,_
_Each daunce is taken for a praier,_
_Each song a sacrifice._

The Knights daunce their second Measure.

The third Song.

Single.

_More pleasing were these sweet delights,_
_If Ladies mov'd as well as Knights;_
_Runne ev'ry one of you and catch_
_A Nymph in honor of this match;_
_And whisper boldly in her eare,_
_Jove will but laugh, if you forsweare._

All.

_And this dayes sinnes he doth resolve_
_That we his Priests should all absolve._

The Knights take their Ladies to daunce with them
Galliards, Durets, Corantoes, &c. and leade
them to their places. Then loude Musicke
sound's, supposed to call them to their
_Olympian_ games.

The fourth Song.

_Ye should stay longer if we durst,_
_Away, alas that he that first_
_Gave Time wilde wings to fly away,_
_Hath now no power to make him stay._
_But though these games must needs be plaid,_
_I would this Paire, when they are laid,_
_And not a creature nie them,_
_Could catch his scythe, as he doth passe,_
_And cut his wings, and breake his glasse,_
_And keepe him ever by them._

The Knights daunce 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_
_To the Man, and to the Bride,_
_If there be a joy yet new_
_In mariage, let it fall on you,_
_That all the world may wonder._
_If we should stay, we should doe worse,_
_And turne our blessing to a curse,_
_By keeping you asunder._

FINIS.

=Q= = Quarto. =A= = First folio. =B= = Second folio.

p. =281=, l. 6. A] at White-hall l. 12. B] loot l. 21. B] glory, l. 22. A and B] wing l. 23. A and B] on l. 25. A and B] mad

p. =282=, l. 7. A and B] that l. 8. A and B] winding l. 17. A and B] airy l. 18. A and B] in l. 20. A and B] sit pleas'd l. 23. B] offer'd, l. 24. A and B] now, l. 25. A and B] the l. 29. B] firk l. 30. A and B] undissolving bands l. 38. A and B] Yea

p. =283=, l. 10. A and B] Maids l. 19. A and B] Yea l. 31. A and B] lively l. 39. B] _the_

p. =284=, l. 4. A and B _omit this line_. l. 11. A and B] mine inventions fail l. 14. B] kindred, Meteors l. 20. A and B] that l. 21. A and B] clownish l. 23. A and B] _rusheth in, they dance_ l. 32. A and B] those l. 38. A and B] thee

p. =285=, l. 2. A and B] bore l. 5. A and B] had l. 9. B] _Priests_

p. =286=, l. 9. B] that, l. 12. A and B] _You_ l. 15. A and B] _H'as_ l. 16. A and B] _And_ l. 17. A and B] _these_ l. 19. A and B] _Might_ l. 21. A and B] _clip_ l. 25. B] _yet_

FOUR PLAYS IN ONE.

=A= = First folio. =B= = Second folio.

(=A=) FOUR PLAYS, | OR | Morall Representations, | IN ONE.

p. =287=. A _omits from l_. 2 _on p._ 287 _and the whole of p_. 288.

p. =290=, l. 8. B] you, is l. 20. B] Not l. 39. B] lienaments

p. =291=, l. 17. A] _are Hinshers bare before_ l. 18. A] _Hinsher_

p. =293=, l. 13. B] to a void l. 19. B] did conquer

p. =294=, l. 18. B] prayers. l. 29. B] the

p. =295=, l. 30.?] coarser

p. =296=, l. 31. B] Conqust

p. =297=, l. 28. B] transform'd l. 29. B] gentle

p. =298=, l. 7. B] to ward thee l. 30. B] by

p. =299=, l. 31. B] _Nichodemus I_, ll. 38-39. A] prosecute

p. =300=, l. 10. A and B] _Corin_. l. 16. B] cod-shead

p. =301=, l. 16. B] Tragedion l. 29. B] yoor

p. =302=, l. 8. B] you l. 19. B] house use l. 36. B] _Martius_, had

p. =305=, l. 6. B] than l. 12. B] I'm l. 19. B] I'm

p. =306=, l. 21. B] Maray

p. =307=, l. 19. A] I am l. 33. B] _connot_

p. =308=, l. 31. B] tears?

p. =309=, l. 2. B] know, that l. 32. B] _Ladyes_

p. =310=, l. 5. B] _Martius_, be

p. =311=, l. 19. B] _Exeuni_ l. 23. B] _triumph with_ l. 32. B] _Ladyes_ l. 35. B] _Scepteron the_

p. =312=, l. 16. B] _shs_

p. =313=, l. 2. B] _affeions_ l. 6. A] _Violane_ l. 7. B] _Gerrerd_ l. 29. A] _Violane_ l. 30. B] yout

p. =314=, l. 11. A] _Violane's_ l. 16. B] away your l. 21. B] mus

p. =315=, l. 4. B _omits the speech in square brackets, and gives the one following it to Ferd._ l. 34. B] affaris

p. =316=, l. 19. B] bebt l. 22. B] to l. 31. B] estate l. 35. B] than

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p. =323=, l. 17. B] keys, I'll B] Contract, 1 l. 18. B] _Violanta_ l. 37. B] _Stet._ l. 38. B] _Angel_

p. =324=, l. 6. B] _Angel_

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p. =328=, l. 11. B] _offended._ l. 14. B] _Suff ewith_ l. 20. B] _whole_ l. 32. B] Uncle o all l. 33. B] piry l. 40. B] _Violanto,_

p. =329=, l. 17. B] M dearest

p. =330=, l. 5. B] _Cer._ l. 10. A] Why? shouldst thou dye, l. 22. A] States read

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p. =336=, l. 31. B] business. l. 37. A] my ever service here I dedicate

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p. =339=, l. 10. B] Oh,! am l. 26. A _omits stage direction._

p. =341=, l. 30. B] Bur l. 31. B] ereature l. 36. B] and

p. =342=, l. 7. B] Iight

p. =343=, l. 2. A] ye onely

p. =344=, l. 2. B] offices l. 26. B] way:, l. 31. B] Perelot

p. =345=, l. 1. B] Iips l. 3. B] not l. 7. B] _Perelot_

p. =347=, l. 3. B] _Lavall._

p. =348=, l. 39. B _omits the line in square brackets._ l. 17. B] constancie l. 18. B] goodness?

p. =350=, l. 21. B] brim'd l. 38. B] _falls._

p. =351=, l. 8. B] _Perolet_ l. 19. B] a fire l. 22. B] mnst

p. =353=, l. 6. B] vengeaance l. 26. B] em

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p. =357=, l. 19. B] courtisie

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p. =359=, l. 1. B] A way l. 8. B] and _Pleasure_ l. 14. B] statuas A] sweat l. 39. B] my

p. =361=, l. 19. B] with l. 21. B] Iove

p. =362=, l. 26. B] Neve l. 31. B] _&t._

p. =363=, l. 2. B] Lucre, Craft, l. 21. B] want. Strike _Mercury_. l. 24. A] Be done l. 27. B] Lncre

END OF VOL. X.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical
errors.

Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

Enclosed italics markup in _underscores_.

Enclosed bold markup in =equals=.