a

Iris. Hermes, forbear! Juno will clide with bubbles of crystal intermixt with and strike.

powdering of silver resembling drops of Is great Jove jealous that I am employ'd water, blewish tresses on their beads, garOn her love-errands ? She did never yet lands of water-lilies. They fall into a meaClasp weak mortality in her white arms, sure, dance a little, then make a stand. As he hath often done: I only come To celebrate the long-wish'd nuptials

Iris. Is Hermes grown a lover? By what Here in Olympia, which are now perform’d

power, Betwixt two goodly rivers, which have mix’d

Unknown to us, calls he the Naiades? Their gentle-rising waves, and are to grow

Merc. Presumptuous Iris, I could make

thee dance, Into a thousand streams, great as themselves. I need not name them, for the sound is loud

'Till thou forgot'st thy lady's messages, In Heav'n and earth; and I am sent from her,

And ran'st back crying to her! Thou shalt

know The queen of marriage, that was present here, And smild to see them join, and hath not chid

My power is more; only ny breath, and this, Since it was done. Good Hermes, let me go!

Shall move fix'd stars, and forcethe firmament Merc. Nay, you must stay; Jove's mes

To yield the Hyades, who govern showers, sage is the same,

And dewy clouds, in whose dispersed drops

[thunder, Whose eyes are lightning, and whose voice is

Thou form’st the shape of thy deceitful bow. Wbose breath is any wind he will; who knows

Ye maids, who yearly at appointed times

Advance with kindly tears the gentle floods, How to be first on earth, as well as Heav'n. Iris. But what hath lie to do with nuptial

Descend, and pour your blessing on these rites?

streams, Let bim keep state upon his starry throne,

Which, rolling down from Heav'o-aspiring

hills, And frighit poór mortals with his thunderbolts,

And now united in the fruitful vales,
Leaving to us the mutual darts of eyes !
Merc. Alas, when ever offer'd he i'abridge

Bear all before thein, ravishi'd with their joy, Your lady's power, but only now, in these,

And swell in glory, till they know no bounds! Whose match concerns his general govern- Five Hyades descend softly in a cloud from ment?

the firmament, to the middle part of the Hath not each god a part in these high joys?

bill, appareled in sky-coloured taffeta And shall not he, the king of gods, presume robes, spangled like the heavens, golden Without proud Juno's licence? Let her know,

tresses, and each a fair star on their head; That when enamour'd Jove first

gave
her

from thence descend to the stage, at a huse power

sight the Naiades seening to rejoice, weet To link soft hearts in undissolving bands,

and join in a dance. He then foresaw, and to himself reserv'd, The honour of this marriage. Thou shalt

Iris. Great wit and power bath Hermes,

to contrive stand Still as a rock, while I, to bless this feast,

A liseless dance, which of one sex consists! Will suinmon up, with my all-charming rod,

1.erc. Alas, poor Iris! Venus hath in The nymphs of fountains, from whose watry locks

A secret ambush of her winged boys; (Hung with the dew of blessing and increase)

Wbo lurking long within these pleasant The greedy rivers take their nourishment. groves,

Firststruck these lovers with their equal darts; Ye nymphs, who bathing in your loved springs, Beheld ihese rivers in their infancy,

Those Cupids shall come forth, and join with

these And joy'd so see them, when their circled heads

To honour that which they themselves begao. Refresh'd the air, and spread the ground with Enter four Cupids from each side of the bosflowers ;

fleet cage, attired in flame-coloured taffeta close Rise from your wells, and with your

niin eie to their body, like naked boys, with bows, Perform that office to this happy pair,

arrows, and wings of gold; chaplets of Which in these plains you to Alpheus did, flowers on their heads, loodwinked with When passing hence, thro' many seas un- titlany scarfs, who join with the nymphis mix'd,

and the Ilyates in another dance. That He gain’d the favour of his Arethuse !

endeu, Mercury speaks. Immediately upon wiichspeech, four Naiades Mlere. Behold the statues which wise Vulo

arise gently out of their sereral fountains, can plac'd3
and present themselves upon the stage, at- Under the aliar of Olympian Joy,
rired in long habits of sea-green tatleta, Aud gave to them an artificial lite,

3 Iris. Behold, &c.] The argument, as well as what follows, proves beyond contradiction that this speech belongs to Mercury, though hitherto erroneously allotted to Iris.

store

Shall

the sea,

Bhall dance for joy of these great nuptials4. The dance likewise was of the same strain; See how they move, drawn by this heav'nly and the dancers, or rather actors, exjoy,

pressed every one their part so naturally Like the wild trees, which follow'd Orpheus? and aptly, as when a man's eye was caught harp!

with the one, and then past on to the

other, he could not satisty bimself which The Statues enter, supposed to be before de

did best. It pleased his majesty to call scended from Jove's altar, and to bave

for it again at the end, as he did likewise been prepared in the covert with the Cu

for the first anti-masque; but one of the pids, attending their call. These Statues were attired in cases of gold

Statues by that time was undressed. and silver close to their bodies, faces, Níere. Iris, we strive, hands, and feet, nothing seen but gold and Like winds at liberty, who should do worsts silver, as if they had been solid images of Ere we return. If Juno be the queen metal, tresses of hair as they had been of Of marriages, let her give happy way metal embossed, girdles and sınall aprons To what is done, in honour of the state of oaken leaves, as if they likewise bad

She governs ! been carved or moulded out of the metal : Iris. Hermes, so it may be done at their coming, the musick changed from Merely in honour of the state, and these violins to hautboys, cornets, &c., and the That now have prov'd it; not to satisfy air of the musick was utterly turned into The lust of Jupiter, in having thanks a soft time, with drawing notes, excel- More than bis Juno; if thy snaky rod lently expressing their natures, and the Have power to search the Heav'ns, or sound measure likewise was titted unto the same, and the Statues placed in such several Or call together all the ends of earth, postures, sometimes all together in the To bring in any thing that may do grace centre of the dance, and sometimes in the To us, and these; do it, we shall be pleas'd. four utmost angles, as was very graceful, Nlerc. Then know, that from the mouth besides the novelty. And so concluded of Jove himself,

(borne, the first anti-nasque.

Whose words have wings, and need not to be Merc. And what will Juno's Iris do for lier?

I took a message, and I bare it thro' Iris. Just match this show, or my inven

A thousand yielding clouds, and never stay'd tion fails :

'Till his high will was done: the Olympian Had it been worthier, I would have invok'd

games, The blazing comets, clouds and falling stars,

Whichlong have slept, at these wish'd nuptials And all my kindred meteors of the air,

He plias'd to have renow'd, and all his knights To have excell'd it; but I now must strive

Are gather'd hither, who within their tents To imitate confusion: therefore thou,

Rest on this hill; upon whose rising head

Behold Jove's altar, and his blessed priests Delightful Flora, if thou ever felt'st (plants Encrease of sweetness in those blooming

Moving about it! Come, you holy men, On which the horns of my fair bow decline,

And with your voices draw these youths along, Send hither all the rural company

That’ull Jove's music call them to their games, Which deck the May-gaines with theircoun

Their active sports may give a blest content Juno will have it so.

[try sports!

To those, for whom they are again begun. The second anti-masque rush in, dance their The main Masque.— The second traverse is

measure, and as rudely depart; consisting drawn, and the higher ascent to the mounof, a Pedant, May Lord, May Lady; Ser- taia is discovered; wherein, upon a level, vingman,Chambermaid; a Country Clown, after a great rise of the hill, were placed or Shepherd, Country Wench; an Host, two pavillions: open in the front of thein, Hostess; a He-Baboon, She-Baboon; a the pavillions were to sight as of cloth of

He-Fool, She-Fool, ushering them in. gold, and they were trinimed on the inside All these persons, appareled to the life, the with rich armour and military furniture,

men issuing out of one side of the bos- hanged up as upon the walls; and behind cage, and the women from the other.

the tents there were represented, in proThe musick was extremely well fitted, spective, the tops of divers other tents, as having such a spirit of country, jollity as if it had been a camp. In these pavillions can hardly be imagined; but the perpe. were placed fifteen Olympian knights, tual laughter and applause was above the upon seats a little emboweit near the form musick.

of a crescent, and the knights appeared + Shall dunce for joy of these great nuptials:

And gave to them un artificial life.] The transposition of these lines secms indispensably necessary

s Who should do worst.] The sense seems to require us to read most for worst; unless it means which should worst the other.

first,

:

a

first, as consecrated persons, all in veils, Shake off your heavy trancen
like to copes, of silver tiffany, gathered, And leap into a dance,
and falling a large compass about them,

Such as no mortals use to tread, and over their beads high mitres, with

Fit only for Apollo long pendants behind falling from them; To play to, for the moon to lead, the mitres were so high, that they received And all the stars to follow! their hats and feathers, that nothing was The Knights by this time are all descended seen but veil. In the midst between both

and fallen into their place, and then dauce che tents, upon the very top of the bill, their first measure. being a higher level than that of the tents,

On, blessed youths! for Jove doth pause, was placed Jupiter's altar gilt, with three

Laying aside his graver laws great tapers upon golden candlesticks

For this device: burning upon it, and the four statues, two of gold, and two of silver, as supporters,

And at the wedding such a pair, and Jupiter's priests in white robes about

Each dance is taken for a pray'r, it. Upon the sight of the king, the

Each song a sacrifice..

a veils of the knights did fall easily from The Knights dance their second measure. them, and they appeared in their own

[Solo.] More pleasing were these sweet de habit.

lights,

If ladies mov'd as well as knights; The Knights' attire. -Arming doublets of carnation sattin, embroidered with blazing

Run every one of you, and catch stars of silver plate, with powderings of

A nymph, in honour of this match; smaller stars betwixt; gorgets of silver

And whisper boldly in her ear,

Jove will but laugh, if you forswear! mail; long hose of the same, with the doublets laid with silver lace spangled, [Chorus.) And this day's sins, be doth resolve, and enriched with embroidery between

That we bis priests should all absolve. the lace; carnation silk stockings em

The Knights take their ladies to dance with broidered all over; garters and roses

them galliards, durets, corantos, &c. and suitable; pumps of carnation sattin cm

lead them to their places; then loud musick broidered, as the doublets; hats of the

sounds, supposed to call them to their * same stuff, and embroidery cut like a

Olympian games. helmet before, the binder part cut into scallops, answering the skirts of their

Ye should stay longer if we durst: doublets; the bands of the hats were

Away! Alas, that he that first wreaths of silver in form of garlands of

Gave time wild wings to fly away, wild olives, wbite feathers, with one fall of

Hath now no power to make him stay! carnation ; belts of the same stuff and

But tho' these games must needs be play'd, embroidered with the doublet; silver

I would this pair, when they are laid, swords; little Italian banrls and cuffs

And not a creature nigh 'em, embroidered with silver; fair long tresses

Could catch bis scythe as he doth pass, of hair.

And cut his wings, and break his glass,

And keep him ever by 'em. The Priests' habits.-Long robes of white The Knights dance their parting measure,

taffeta; long white heads of hair; the bigh- and ascend, put on their swords and belts; priest a cap of white silk shag close to his

during which time, the Priests sing the head, with two labels at the ears, the fifth and last song. midst rising in form of a pyrainis, in the top thereof a branch of silver; every

Peace and silence be the guide priest playing upon a lute; twelve in

To the man, and to the bride!

If there be a joy yet new number.

In marriage, let it fall on you,. The Priests descend and sing this song

fol- That all the world may wonder! lowing; after whom the Knights likewise If we should stay, we should do worse, descend, first laying aside their veils, belts, And turn our blessing to a curse, and swords.

By keeping you asuuder,

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 may notes as the Masque coutains 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,

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

EMANUEL, King of Portugal and Castile.
ISABELLA, his Queen.

Spectators of the Play at the Celebration of the LORDS.

Nuptials.
FRIGOSO, a Courtier.
RINALDO, his Acquaintance.

THE TRIUMPH OF HONOUR,
MARTIUS, a Roman General.
VALERIUS, his Brother.

DIANA.
SOPHOCLES, Duke of Athens.

DORIGEN, Sophocles's Wife, the erample of NICODEMUS, a cowardly Corporal.

chustity. CORNELIUS, a Wittol Sutler,

FLORENCE, Wife to Cornelius,
CAPTAIN,

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE.
CUPID.
RINALDO, Duke of Milan.

ANGELINA, Wife to Benvoglio.
BENVOGLIO,

VIOLANTE, her Duughter, Gerrard's Mistress RANDULPHO, Brothers, Lords of Milan.

DOROTHEA, Violante's Attendant. GERRARD,

CORNELIA, the obscured Duchess.
FERDINAND, S
} Sons of the Duke, supposedlost.

THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.
DUKE OF ANJOU.
LAVALL, his lustful Heir.

GABRIELLA, the despised Wife of Ladall. GENTILLE, a Courtier, Father to Perolot.

HELLENA, his second Wife. PEROLOT, contracted to Gabriella.

Casta, Daughter to Gentille. Two GENTLEMEN.

Maria, a Servant attending on Gabriella. A SPIRIT. &HALLOON E, Servant to Lavall.

THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. JUPITER.

VAIN-DELIGHT. MERCURY.

BOUNTY. Plurus.

Poverty. TINE.

HONESTY. ATROPOS.

SIMPLICITY, DESIRE

FAME,

Enter you would

Enter Frigoso. [Noise within.) And will know thee: and if I had not found

tbce Fri. AWAY with those bald-pated rascals

[tbee there!

Up to this promise, I would not have kdowa Their wits are bound up in vellun; they are These fifteen years, no more than the arrantest Not current here. Down with those city Or most founder'd Castilian that gentlemen! &c.

[their wives

Follow'd our new queen's carriages a-foot. Out with those cuckolds, I say, and in with Rin. Nor for any thing, dear don, but that At the back door! Worship and place, I am

[night. weary of ye ;

Place me conveniently to see the play toYe lie on my shoulders like a load of gold Fri. That shall I, signor Rinaldo. On an ass's back. A man in authority

But would you had come sooner: you see Is but as a candle in the wind, sooner wasted

How fullthe scaffolds are there is scant room Or blower out, than under a bushel.--llow For a lover's thought here.—Gentlewomen, now!

Sit close, for shame! Has none of ye What's the matter? who are you, sir?

A little corner for this gentleman?

I'll place you, fear not. And how did our brave Enter Rinaldo.

king Rin. Who am I, sir?

Of Portugal, Emanuel, bear himself to-day? Wbr, do you not know me?

You saw the solemnity of the marriage. Fri. No, by my faith, do I not.

Rin. Why, like a fit husband torso gracious Rin. I am sure we din’d together to-day. And excellent a princess, as his worthy Fri. That's all one:

[paid Mate Isabella, the king of Castile's daughter, As I din'd with you in the city, and as you Doth, in her very external lineaments, For iny dinner there, I do know you, and am Mixiure of colours, and joining dove-like beBeholding to you: but as my mind is since haviour, Transmigrated into my office, and as you come Assure herself to be. And I protest, To court to have me pay you again, and be My dear don, seriously, I can sing, Beholding to me, I know you not,

Prophetically nothing but blessed hymns, I know you-not!

And happy occasions to this sacred union Rin. Nay, but look you, sir!

Of Portugal and Castile, which have so wisely Fri, Pardon me!

[years, And inutually conjoined two such virtuous If you had been my bedfellow these seven And beautitul princes as these are; and in And lent me money to buy my place, I must all opinion, Not transgress principles: this very talking Like to multiply to their very last minute. With you is an ill example.

Fri. The king is entering: signor, hover Rin. Pisli!

hereabout; You are too punctual a courtier, sir !

And as soon as the train is set, clap into me; Wiiy, I'm a courtier too; yet never understood We'll stand near the state.

If you have The place or name to be so infectious Any creditors here, they shall renew (touch To humanity and manners, as tv cast Bonds a twelvemonth on such a sight: but to A man into a burning pride and arrogance, The pomel of the king's chair, in the sight For which there is no cure. I am a courtier, Of a citizen, is better security And yet I will know my friends, I tell you. For a thousand double-durats, than three Fri. And I tell you,

Of the best merchants in Lisbon. Besides, You will thrive accordingly, I warrant you. signor,

[play bere, Rin. But, bark you, signor Frigoso! you We will censure, not only the king in the shall Girst understand,

That reigns his two hours, but the king himself, I have no triends with me to trouble you. That is to rule bis life-time. Take my counFri. Ilumh! that's a good motive.

sel! Rin. Nor to borrow money of you. I have one word to say to this noble assemFri, That's an excellent inotive.

And I am for you. Rin. No, my sweet don,

Rin. Your method shall govern me. Nor to ask what you owe me.

Fri. Prologues are huishers bare before the Fri. Why, that

wise'; Is the very motive of motives why I ought Why may not then a huisher prologuise?

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 bud a corruption, and that we should read but, which renders the whole easy and intelligible.

Seaard, 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,

a