HYMENÆI,
OR
The solemnities of Masque
and Barriers at a
Marriage.
T is a noble and iust aduantage, that the
things subiected to vnderstanding haue of
those which are obiected to sense, that the
one sort are but momentarie, and meerely
taking; the other impressing, and lasting:
Else the glorie of all these solemnities had
perish'd like a blaze, and gone out, in the be-
holders eyes. So short-liu'd are the bodies of
all things, in comparison of their soules.
And, though bodies oft-times haue the ill
luck to be sensually preferr'd, they find af-
terwards, the good fortune (when soules liue) to be vtterly forgotten.
This it is hath made the most royall Princes, and greatest persons (who are
commonly the personaters of these actions) not onely studious of riches,
and magnificence in the outward celebration, or shew; (which rightly be-
comes them) but curious after the most high, and heartie inuentions, to
furnish the inward parts: (and those grounded vpon antiquitie, and solide
learnings) which, though their voyce be taught to sound to present occasi-
ons, their sense, or doth, or should alwayes lay hold on more remou'd my-
steries. And, howsoeuer some may squemishly crie out, that all endeuour
of learning, and sharpnesse in these transitorie deuices especially, where it
steps beyond their little, or (let me not wrong 'hem) no braine at all is su-
perfluous; I am contented, these fastidious stomachs should leaue my full
tables, and enioy at home, their cleane emptie trenchers, fittest for such
ayrie tasts: where perhaps a few Italian herbs, pick'd vp, and made into a
sallade, may find sweeter acceptance, than all, the most nourishing, and
sound meates of the world.
For these mens palates, let not me answere, O Muses. It is not my fault,
if I fill them out Nectar, and they runne to Metheglin.
Vaticana bibant, si delectentur.
All the curtesie I can doe them, is to crie, againe;
Prætereant, si quid non facit ad stomachum.
As I will, from the thought of them, to my better subiect.
On the night of the Masques (which were two, one of Men, the other of Women)
the scene being drawne, there was first discouered an Altar; vpon which was
inscribed, in letters of gold.
*Ioni. Oimæ. Mimæ.
VNIONI
SACR.
To this Altar entred fiue Pages, attyr'd in white, bearing a fiue tapers
of virgin waxe; behind them, one representing a bridegroome: His b haire
short, and bound with partie-coloured ribbands, and gold twist: His gar-
ments purple, and white.
On the other hand, entred HYMEN (the god of marriage) in a saffron-
coloured robe, his vnder vestures white, his socks yellow, a yellow veile
of silke on his left arme, his head crowned with Roses, and cMarioram, in
his right hand a torch of dpine tree.
After him e a youth, attyred in white, bearing another light, of white
thorne; vnder his arme, a little wicker flasket, shut: behind him two others,
in white, the one bearing a distaffe, the other a spindle. Betwixt these a personated
Bride, supported, her hayre flowing, and loose, sprinckled with
grey; on her head a gyrland of Roses, like a turret; her garments white:
and, on her back, a weathers fleece hanging downe: Her zone, or girdle
about her waste of white wooll, fastned with the Herculean knot.
In the midst went the fauspices; after them, two that sung, in seuerall
coloured silks. Of which, one bore the water, the other the fire: last of
all the g Musicians, diuersly attyred, all crowned with Roses; and, with
this song began.
SONG.
BId all profane away;
None here may stay
To view our mysteries,
But, who themselues haue beene,
Or will, in time, be seene
The selfe-same sacrifice.
For VNION, Mistris of these rites,
Will be obseru'd with eyes,
As simple as her nights.
CHORVS.
Flie then, all prophane, away,
Flie farre off, as hath the Day;
Night her cortine doth display,
And this is HYMENS holiday.
The song being ended, HYMEN presented himselfe formost; and, after
some signe of admiration, began to speake.
HYMEN.
WHat more then vsuall light
(Throughout the place extended)
Makes IVNO'S fane so bright!
Is there some greater deitie descended.
Or raigne, on earth, those powers
So rich, as with their beames
Grace VNION more then our's;
And bound her influence in their happier streames?
'Tis so: this same is he,
The king, and priest of peace!
And that his Empresse, she,
That sits so crowned with her owne increase!
O you, whose better blisses
Haue proou'd the strict embrace
Of VNION, with chast kisses,
And seene it flow so in your happie race;
That know, how well it binds
The fighting seedes of things,
Winnes natures, sexes, minds,
And eu'rie discord in true musique brings:
Sit now propitious Aides,
To Rites, so duely priz'd;
And view two noble Maides,
Of different sexe, to VNION sacrific'd.
In honour of that blest Estate,
Which all good minds should celebrate.
Here out of a Microcosme, or Globe, (figuring Man)
with a kind of conten-
tious Musique, issued forth the first Masque, of eight men.
These represented the fourea Humors, and foure Affections, all gloriously
attired, distinguisht only by their seuerall Ensignes and
Colours; and, dauncing
out on the Stage, in their returne, at the end of their daunce, drew all their swords,
offered to encompasse the Altar, and disturbe the
Ceremonies. At which,
HYMEN troubled, spake:
HYMEN.
SAue, saue the virgins; keepe your hallow'd lights
Vntouch'd; and with their flame defend our Rites.
The foure vntemp'red Humors are broke out,
And, with their wild affections, goe about
To rauish all Religion. If there be
A Power, like REASON, left in that huge Bodie,
Or little world of Man, from whence these came,
Looke forth, and with thy bright and a numerous flame
Instruct their darknesse, make them know, and see,
In wronging these, they haue rebell'd 'gainst thee.
Hereat, REASON, seated in the top of the Globe (as in the braine, or high-
est part of Man) figur'd in a venerable
personage, her haire white, and trayling
to her waste, crowned with lights, her garments blue, and semined with starres,
girded vnto her with a white bend, fill'd with Arithmeticall figures, in one hand
bearing a Lampe, in the other a bright Sword, descended, and spake:>
REASON.
FOrbeare your rude attempt; what ignorance
Could yeeld you so prophane, as to aduance
One thought in act, against these mysteries?
Are VNION'S aorgies of so slender price?
She that makes soules, with bodies, mixe in loue,
Contracts the world in one, and therein IOVE;
Is bspring, and end of all things: yet, most strange!
Her selfe nor suffers spring, nor end, nor change.
No wonder, they were you, that were so bold;
For none but Humors and Affections would
Haue dar'd so rash a venture. You will say
It was your zeale, that gaue your powers the sway;
And vrge the masqued, and disguis'd pretence,
Of sauing bloud, and succ'ring innocence?
So want of knowledge, still begetteth iarres,
When humorous earthlings will controll the starres.
Informe your selues, with safer reuerence,
To these mysterious rites, whose mysticke sence,
REASON (which all things, but it selfe, confounds)
Shall cleare vnto you, from th'authentique grounds.
At this, the Humors and Affections sheathed their swords, and retired ama-
zed to the sides of the stage, while HYMEN began to ranke the Persons, and or-
der the Ceremonies: And REASON proceeded to speake.
REASON.
THe Paire, which doe each other side,
Though (yet) some space doth them diuide,
This happie Night must both make one
Blest sacrifice, to VNION.
Nor is this Altar but a signe
Of one more soft, and more diuine,
The aGeniall bed, where HYMEN keepes
The solemne Orgies, void of sleepes:
And wildest CVPID, waking, houers
With adoration 'twixt the louers.
The Tead of white and blooming Thorne,
In token of encrease is borne:
As b also, with the ominous light,
To fright all malice from the Night.
Like are the cfire, and water, set;
That, eu'n as moisture, mixt with heat,
Helpes euerie naturall birth, to life;
So, for their Race, ioyne man and wife.
The d blushing veyle shewes shamefastnesse
Th'ingenious virgin should professe
At meeting with the man: Her haire,
That e flowes so liberall, and so faire,
Is shed with grey, to intimate,
She entreth to a Matrons state.
For which those fvtensils are borne.
And, that she should not labour scorne,
Her selfe a gsnowie fleece doth weare,
And these her hrocke and spindle beare,
To shew, that nothing, which is good,
Giues checke vnto the highest blood.
The iZone of wooll about her waste,
Which, in contrarie circles cast,
Doth meet in one kstrong knot, that binds,
Tells you, so should all married minds.
And lastly, these fiue waxen lights,
Imply perfection in the rites;
For lfiue the speciall number is,
Whence hallow'd VNION claymes her blisse.
As being all the summe, that growes
From the vnited strengths, of those
Which mmale and female numbers wee
Doe style, and are first two, and three.
Which, ioyned thus, you cannot seuer
In equall parts, but one will euer
Remaine as common; so we see
The binding force of Vnitie:
For which alone, the peacefull gods
In number, alwaies, loue the oddes;
And euen parts as much despise,
Since out of them all discords rise.
Here, the vpper part of the Scene, which was all of Clouds, and made artifi-
cially to swell, and ride like the Racke, began to open; and, the ayre clearing, in
the top thereof was discoueredn IVNO, sitting in a Throne, supported by
two beautifullo Peacockes; her attyre rich, and like a p Queene, a q white
Diademe on her head, from whence descended a Veyle, and that bound with a
r Fascia, of seuerall coloured silkes, set with all sorts of iewels, and raysed
in the top withs Lillies and
Roses; in her right hand she held a Scepter, in the
other a timbrell, at her golden feete the a hide of a lyon was placed:
round about her sate the spirites of the ayre, in seuerall colours, ma-
king musique: Aboue her the region of fire, with a continuall moti-
on, was seene to whirle circularly, and IVPITER standing in the toppe
(figuring the heauen) brandishing his thunder: Beneath her the raine-
bowe, IRIS, and, on the two sides eight ladies, attired richly, and
alike in the most celestiall colours, who represented her powers, as
shee is the bgouernesse of marriage, and made the second masque.
All
which, vpon the discouerie, REASON made narration of.
REASON.
ANd see, where IVNO, whose great name
Is VNIO, in the anagram,
Displayes her glistering state, and chaire,
As she enlightned all the ayre!
Harke how the charming tunes doe beate
In sacred concords 'bout her seate!
And loe! to grace what these intend.
Eight of her noblest powers descend,
Which are c enstil'd her faculties,
That gouerne nuptiall mysteries;
And weare those masques before their faces,
Lest, dazeling mortalls with their graces
As they approach them, all mankind
Should be, like CVPID, strooken blind.
These ORDER waites for, on the ground,
To keepe, that you should not confound
Their measur'd steppes, which onely moue
About th'harmonious sphære of LOVE.
Their descent was made in two great cloudes, that put foorth themselues seue-
rally, and (with one measure of time) were seene to stoupe, and fall gently downe
vpon the earth. The maner of their habites, came after some
statues of IVNO, no
lesse airy, then glorious. The dressings of their heads, rare; so likewise of their
feete: and all full of splendor, soueraignety, and riches. Whilst they were descen-
ding, this song was sung at the altar.
SONG.
THese, these are they,
Whom humour and affection must obey;
Who come to decke the geniall Bower,
And bring, with them, the gratefull Hower
That crownes such meetings, and excites
The married Paire to fresh delights:
As Courtings, Kissings, Coyings, Othes, and Vowes,
Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the Ioyes,
And melting Toyes,
That chaster LOVE allowes.
CHO.
Haste, haste, for HESPERVS his head downe bowes.
The Song ended, they daunced forth in paires, and each paire with a
varied and noble grace; to a rare and full musique of twelue Lutes: led on
by ORDER, the seruant of REASON, who was, there, rather a Person
of Ceremony, than Vse. His vnder Garment was blue, his vpper white,
and painted full of Arithmeticall, and Geometricall Figures; his Hayre, and
Beard long, a Starre on his forehead, and in his hand a Geometricall Staffe:
To whom, after the Daunce, REASON spake.
REASON.
COnuey them, ORDER, to their places,
And ranke them so, in seuerall traces,
As they may set their mixed Powers
Vnto the Musique of the Homers;
And THESE, by ioyning with them, know
In better temper how to flow:
Whilst I (from their abstracted Names)
Report the vertues of the Dames.
First a CVRIS comes to decke the Brides faire Tresse.
Care of the oyntments b VNXIA doth professe.
c IVCA, her office to make one of twaine:
d GAMELIA sees that they should so remaine.
Faire e ITERDVCA leades the Bride her way;
And f DOMIDVCA home her steppes doth stay;
g CINXIA the maid, quit of her Zone, defends;
h TELIA (for HYMEN) perfects all, and ends.
By this time, the Ladies were payred with the Men; and the whole Sixteene
rank'd foorth, in order, to daunce: and were with the song prouok'd.
SONG.
NOw, now, beginne to set
Your spirits in actiue heate;
And, since your hands are met,
Instruct your nimble feete,
In motions, swift, and meete,
The happy ground to beate:
CHORVS.
Whilst all this Roofe doth ring,
And each discording string.
With euery varied voyce,
In VNION doth reioyce.
Here, they daunced forth a most neate and curious measure, full of Subtilty and
Deuice; which was so excellently performed, as it seemed to take away that Spirit
from the Inuention, which the Inuention gaue to it: and left it doubtfull, whe-
ther the Formes flow'd more perfectly from the Authors braine, or their feete.
The straines were all notably different, some of them formed into Letters, very
signifying to the name of the Bridegrome, and ended in manner of a chaine, lin-
king hands: To which, this was spoken.
REASON.
SVch was i the Golden Chaine let downe from Heauen;
And not those linkes more euen,
Then these: so sweetly temper'd, so combin'd
By VNION, and refin'd.
Here no contention, enuy, griefe, deceit,
Feare, iealousie haue weight;
But all is peace, and loue, and faith, and blisse:
What harmony like this?
The gall, behinde the altar quite is throwne;
This sacrifice hath none.
Now no affections rage, nor humors swell;
But all composed dwell.
O IVNO, HYMEN, HYMEN, IVNO! who
Can merit with you two?
Without your presence, VENVS can doe nought,
Saue what with shame is bought;
No father can himselfe a parent show,
Nor any house with prospe'rous issue grow.
O then! What deities will dare
With HYMEN, or with IVNO to compare?
The speach being ended, they dissolu'd: and all tooke forth other persons, (men,
and women,) to daunce other
measures, galliards, and corranto's; the whilst
this song importun'd them to a fit rembembrance of the time.
SONG.
THinke, yet, how night doth wast,
How much of time is past,
What more then winged hast
Your selues would take,
If you were but to tast
The ioy, the night doth cast
(O might it euer last)
On this bright virgin, and her happy make.
Their Daunces yet lasting, they were the second time importun'd, by speach.
REASON.
SEe, see! the bright *Idalian starre,
That lighteth louers to their warre,
Complaynes, that you her influence loose;
While thus the night-sports you abuse.
HYMEN.
THe longing bridegroome, * in the porch,
Shewes you againe, the bated torch;
And thrice hath IVNO a mixt her ayre
With fire, to summon your repayre.
REASON.
SEe, now shee cleane with-drawes her light;
And (as you should) giues place to night,
That spreades her broad, and blackest wing
Vpon the world, and comes to bring
A * thousand seuerall colour'd loues,
Some like sparrowes, some like doues,
That hop about the nuptiall-roome,
And flutt'ring there (against you come)
Warme the chaste bowre, which b CYPRIA strowes,
With many a lilly, many a rose.
HYMEN.
HAste therefore, haste, and call, away:
The gentle night is prest to pay
The vsurie of long delights,
Shee owes to these protracted rites.
At this (the whole scene being drawne againe, and all couer'd with cloudes, as a
night) they left off their entermixed dances, and return'd to their first pla-;
pla- where, as they were but beginning to moue, this song, the third time,
vrg'd them.
SONG.
O Know to end, as to beginne:
A minutes losse, in loue, is sinne.
These humours will the night out-weare
In their owne pastimes here;
You doe our rites much wrong,
In seeking to prolong
These outward pleasures:
The night hath other treasures
Then these (though long conceal'd)
Ere day, to be reueal'd.
Then, know to end, as to beginne;
A minutes losse, in loue, is sinne.
Here they danc'd their last dances, full of excellent delight and change, and, in
their latter straine, fell into a faire orbe, or circle; REASON standing in
the midst, and speaking.
REASON.
HEre stay, and let your sports be crown'd:
The perfect'st figure is the round.
Nor fell you in it by aduenter,
When REASON was your guide, and center.
This, this that beauteous * CESTON is
Of louers many-colour'd blisse.
Come HYMEN, make an inner ring,
And let the sacrificers sing;
Cheere vp the faint, and trembling Bride,
That quakes to touch her Bridegroom's side;
Tell her, what IVNO is to IOVE,
The same shall shee be to her loue;
His wife: which we doe rather measure
a A name of dignitie, then pleasure.
Vp youths, hold vp your lights in ayre,
And shake abroad b their flaming hayre.
Now moue vnited, and, in gate,
As you (in paires) doe front the state,
With gratefull honors, thanke his grace
That hath so glorified the place:
And as, in circle, you depart
Link'd hand in hand; So, heart in heart,
May all those bodies still remayne
Whom he (with so much sacred payne)
No lesse hath bound within his realmes
Then they are with the OCEANS streames.
Long may his VNION find increase
As he, to ours, hath deign'd his peace.
With this, to a soft strayne of musique, they pac'd once about, in their ring, eue-
ry payre making their honors, as they came before the state: and then dissol-
uing, went downe in couples, led on by HYMEN, the
Bride, and Auspices fol-
lowing, as to the nuptiall bower. After them, the
musicians with this song,
of which, then, onely one staffe was sung; but because I made it both in forme,
and matter to emulate that kind of poeme, which was call'd*Epithala-
mium, and (by the ancients) vs'd to be sung, when the
Bride was led into
her chamber, I haue here set it downe whole: and doe heartily forgiue their ig-
norance whom it chanceth not to please. Hoping, thatnemo doctus me iu-
beat Thalassionem verbis dicere non Thalassionis.
EPITHALAMION.
GLad time is at his point arriu'd,
For which loues hopes were so long-liu'd.
Lead HYMEN, lead away;
And let no obiect stay,
Nor banquets (but sweet kisses)
The turtles from their blisses.
* 'Tis CVPID calls to arme;
And this his last alarme.
Shrinke not, soft Virgin, you will loue,
Anon, what you so feare to proue.
This is no killing warre,
To which you pressed are;
But fayre and gentle strife
Which louers call their life.
'Tis CVPID cryes to arme;
And this his last alarme.
Helpe youths, and virgins, helpe to sing
The prize, which HYMEN here doth bring,
And did so lately a rap
From forth the mothers lap,
To place her by that side
Where shee must long abide.
On HYMEN, HYMEN call,
This night is HYMEN'S all.
See, HESPERVS is yet in view!
What starre can so deserue of you?
Whose light doth still adorne
Your Bride, that, ere the morne,
Shall farre more perfect be,
And rise as bright as he;
When b (like to him) her name
Is chang'd, but not her flame.
Haste, tender lady, and aduenter;
The couetous house would haue you enter,
That it might wealthy bee,
And you, her c mistris see:
Haste your owne good to meet;
And d lift your golden feet
Aboue the threshold, high,
With prosperous augury.
Now, youths, let goe your pretty armes;
The place within chant's other charmes.
Whole showers of roses flow;
And violets seeme to grow,
Strew'd in the chamber there,
As VENVS meade it were.
On HYMEN, HYMEN call,
This night is HYMEN'S all.
Good Matrons, that so well are knowne
To aged husbands of your owne,
Place you our Bride to night;
And * snatch away the light:
That a shee not hide it dead
Beneath her spouse's bed;
Nor b he reserue the same
To helpe the funerall flame.
So, now you may admit him in;
The act he couets, is no sin,
But chaste, and holy loue,
Which HYMEN doth approue:
Without whose hallowing fires
All aymes are base desires.
On HYMEN, HYMEN call,
This night is HYMEN'S all.
Now, free from vulgar spight, or noyse,
May you enioy your mutuall ioyes;
Now, you no feare controules,
But lips may mingle soules;
And soft embraces bind,
To each, the others mind:
Which may no power vntie,
Till one, or both must die.
And, looke, before you yeeld to slumber,
That your delights be drawne past number;
"Ioyes, got with strife, increase.
Affect no sleepy peace;
But keepe the Brides fayre eyes
Awake, with her owne cryes,
Which are but mayden-feares:
And kisses drie such teares.
Then, coyne them, twixt your lips so sweet,
And let not cockles closer meet;
Nor may your murmuring loues
Be drown'd by * CYPRIS doues:
Let iuy not so bind
As when your armes are twin'd:
That you may both, e're day,
Rise perfect euerie way.
And IVNO, whose great powers protect
The marriage-bed, with good effect
The labour of this night
Blesse thou, for future light:
And, thou, thy happie charge,
Glad a GENIVS, enlarge;
That they may both, e're day,
Rise perfect euerie way.
And b VENVS, thou, with timely seed
(Which may their after-comforts breed)
Informe the gentle wombe;
Nor, let it proue a tombe:
But, e're ten moones be wasted,
The birth, by CYNTHIA hasted.
So may they both, e're day,
Rise perfect euerie way.
And, when the babe to light is showne,
Let it be like each parent knowne;
Much of the fathers face,
More of the mothers grace;
And either grandsires spirit,
And fame let it inherit.
That men may blesse th'embraces,
That ioyned to such races.
Cease youths, and virgins, you haue done;
Shut fast the dore: And, as they soone
To their perfection hast,
So may their ardors last.
So eithers strength out-liue
All losse that Age can giue:
And, though full yeares be told,
Their formes grow slowly old.
HItherto extended the first nights Solemnitie, whose grace in the exe-
cution, left not where to adde vnto it, with wishing: I meane, (nor
doe I court them) in those, that sustain'd the nobler parts. Such was the ex-
quisit performance, as (beside the pompe, splendor, or what we may call ap-
parrelling of such Presentments) that alone (had all else beene absent) was of
power to surprize with delight, and steale away the spectators from them-
selues. Nor was there wanting whatsoeuer might giue to the furniture, or
complement; eyther in riches, or strangenesse of the habites, delicacie of
daunces, magnificence of the scene, or diuine rapture of musique. Onely the
enuie was, that it lasted not still, or (now it is past) cannot by imagination,
much lesse description, be recouered to a part of that spirit it had in the
gliding by.
Yet, that I may not vtterly defraud the Reader of his hope, I am drawne
to giue it those briefe touches, which may leaue behind some shadow of
what it was: And first of the Attyres.
That, of the Lords, had part of it (for the fashion) taken from the an-
tique Greeke statue; mixed with some moderne additions: which made it
both gracefull, and strange. On their heads they wore Persick crownes,
that were with scroles of gold-plate turn'd outward, and wreath'd about
with a carnation and siluer net-lawne; the one end of which hung carelesly
on the left shoulder; the other was trick'd vp before, in seuerall degrees of
foulds, betweene the plates, and set with rich iewels, and great pearle. Their
bodies were of carnation cloth of siluer, richly wrought, and cut to expresse
the naked, in manner of the Greeke Thorax; girt vnder the brests with a
broad belt of cloth of gold, imbrodered, and fastened before with iewels:
Their Labels were of white cloth of siluer, lac'd, and wrought curiously
betweene, sutable to the vpper halfe of their sleeues; whose nether parts,
with their bases, were of watchet cloth of siluer, chev'rond all ouer with
lace. Their Mantills were of seuerall colour'd silkes, distinguishing their
qualities, as they were coupled in payres; the first, skie colour; the second,
pearle colour; the third, flame colour; the fourth, tawnie: and these cut in
leaues, which were subtilly tack'd vp, and imbrodered with Oo's, and betweene
euerie ranke of leaues, a broad siluer lace. They were fastened on
the right shoulder, and fell compasse downe the back in gracious folds, and
were againe tyed with a round knot, to the fastning of their swords Vpon
their legges they wore siluer Greaues, answering in worke to their Labells;
and these were their accoutrements.
The Ladies attyre was wholly new, for the inuention, and full of glorie;
as hauing in it the most true impression of a celestiall figure: the vpper part
of white cloth of siluer, wrought with IVNOES birds and fruits; a loose
vnder-garment, full gather'd, of carnation, strip't with siluer, and parted with
a golden Zone: beneath that, another flowing garment, of watchet cloth of
siluer, lac'd with gold; through all which, though they were round, and
swelling, there yet appeared some touch of their delicate lineaments, pre-
seruing the sweetnesse of proportion, and expressing it selfe beyond expres-
sion. The attyre of their heads did answer, if not exceed; their haire being
carelesly (but yet with more art, then if more affected) bound vnder the
circle of a rare and rich Coronet, adorn'd with all varietie, and choise of
iewels; from the top of which, flow'd a transparent veile, downe to the
ground; whose verge, returning vp, was fastened to either side in most
sprightly manner. Their shooes were Azure, and gold, set with Rubies and
Diamonds; so were all their garments; and euerie part abounding in or-
nament.
No lesse to be admir'd, for the grace, and greatnesse, was the whole
Machine of the Spectacle, from whence they came: the first part of which
was a ΜΙΚΡΟΚΟΣΜΟΣ, or Globe, fill'd with Countreys, and those gilded;
where the Sea was exprest, heightned with siluer waues. This stood, or
rather hung (for no Axell was seene to support it) and turning softly, dis-
couered the first Masque (as wee haue before, but too runningly declared)
which was of the men, sitting in faire composition, within a mine of seuerall
metalls: To which, the lights were so placed, as no one was seene; but
seemed, as if onely REASON, with the splendor of her crowne, illumin'd
the whole Grot.
On the sides of this (which began the other part) were placed two
great Statues, fayned of gold, one of ATLAS, the other of HERCVLES, in
varied postures, bearing vp the Clouds, which were of Releue, embossed,
and tralucent, as Naturalls: To these, a cortine of painted clouds ioyned,
which reach'd to the vpmost roofe of the Hall; and sodainely opening,
reueal'd the three Regions of Ayre: In the highest of which, sate IVNO, in
a glorious throne of gold, circled with Comets, and fierie Meteors, engen-
dred in that hot and drie Region; her feet reaching to the lowest: where,
was made a Rainebow, and within it, Musicians seated, figuring airie spirits,
their habits various, and resembling the seuerall colours, caused in that
part of the aire by reflexion. The midst was all of darke and condensed
clouds, as being the proper place, where Raine, Haile, and other watrie Me-
teors are made; out of which, two concaue clouds, from the rest, thrust
forth themselues (in nature of those Nimbi, wherein, by Homer, Virgil, &c.
the gods are fain'd to descend) and these carried the eight Ladies, ouer the
heads of the two aTermes; who (as the engine mou'd) seem'd also to bow
themselues (by vertue of their shadowes) and discharge their shoulders of
their glorious burden: when, hauing set them on the earth, both they and
the clouds gathered themselues vp againe, with some rapture of the be-
holders.
But that, which (as aboue in place, so in the beautie) was most taking in
the Spectacle, was the sphere of fire, in the top of all, encompassing the ayre,
and imitated with such art and industrie, as the spectators might discerne
the Motion (all the time the Shewes lasted) without any Moouer; and that
so swift, as no eye could distinguish any colour of the light, but might
forme to it selfe fiue hundred seuerall hiewes, out of the tralucent bodie of
the ayre, obiected betwixt it, and them.
And this was crown'd with a statue of IVPITER, the Thunderer.
ON the next Night, whose solemnitie was of Barriers (all mention of the
former being vtterly remoued and taken away) there appeared, at the
lower end of the Hall, a Mist made of delicate perfumes; out of which (a
battaile being sounded vnder the stage) did seeme to break forth two Ladies,
the one representing Truth, the other Opinion; but both so alike attired, as
they could by no note be distinguish'd. The colour of their garments were
blue, their socks white; they were crown'd with wreaths of Palme, & in their
hands ech of thetilde sustain'd a Palm-bough. These, after the Mist was vanisht,
began to examine each other curiously with their eyes, and approching
the state, the one expostulated the other in this manner.
TRVTH.
VVHo art thou, thus that imitat'st my grace,
In steps, in habite, and resembled face?
OPINION.
Graue atime, and industry my parents are;
My name is TRVTH, who through the sounds of warre
(Which figure the wise minds discursiue fight)
In mists by nature wrapt, salute the light.
TRVTH.
I am that TRVTH, thou some illusiue spright;
Whom to my likenesse, the black sorceresse night
Hath of these drie, and empty fumes created.
OPINION.
Best Herald of thine owne birth, well related:
Put me and mine to proofe of words, and facts,
In any question this faire houre exacts.
TRVTH.
I challenge thee, and fit this time of loue,
With this position, which TRVTH comes to proue;
That the most honor'd state of man and wife,
Doth farre exceede th'insociate virgin-life.
OPINION.
I take the aduerse part; and she that best
Defends her side, be TRVTH by all confest.
TRVTH.
It is confirm'd. With what an equall brow
To TRVTH, b OPINIONS confident ! and how,
Like TRVTH, her habite shewes to sensuall eyes!
But whosoe're thou be, in this disguise,
Cleare TRVTH, anon, shall strip thee to the heart;
And shew how mere phantasticall thou art.
Know then, the first production of things,
Required two, from mere one nothing springs:
Without that knot, the theame thou gloriest in,
(Th'vnprofitable virgin) had not bin.
The golden tree of marriage began
In paradise, and bore the fruit of man;
On whose sweet branches angells sate, and sung,
And from whose firme roote all society sprung.
LOVE (whose strong vertue wrapt heau'ns soule in earth,
And made a woman glory in his birth)
In marriage, opens his inflamed brest;
And, lest in him nature should stifled rest,
His geniall fire about the world he darts;
Which lippes with lippes combines, and hearts with hearts.
Marriage LOVES obiect is; at whose bright eyes
He lights his torches, and call's them his skies.
For her, he wings his shoulders; and doth flie
To her white bosome, as his sanctuary:
In which no lustfull finger can profane him,
Nor any earth, with blacke eclipses wane him.
She makes him smile in sorrowes, and doth stand
Twixt him, and all wants, with her siluer hand.
In her soft lockes, his tender feet are tied;
And in his fetters he takes worthy pride.
And as geometricians haue approou'd
That lines, and superficies are not moou'd
By their owne forces, but doe follow still
Their bodies motions; so the selfe-lou'd will
Of man, or woman should not rule in them,
But each with other weare the anademe.
Mirrors, though deckt with diamants, are nought worth,
If the like formes of things they set not forth;
So men, or women are worth nothing, neither,
If eithers eyes and hearts present not either.
OPINION.
Vntouch'd virginitie, Laugh out; to see
Freedome in fetters plac'd, and vrg'd gainst thee.
What griefes lie groning on the nuptiall bed?
What dull societie? In what sheets of lead
Tumble, and tosse the restlesse married paire,
Each, oft, offended with the others aire?
From whence springs all-deuouring auarice,
But from the cares, which out of wedlocke rise?
And, where there is in lifes best-tempred fires
An end, set in it selfe to all desires,
A settled quiet, freedome neuer checkt;
How farre are married liues from this effect?
cEVRIPVS, that beares shippes, in all their pride,
Gainst roughest windes, with violence of his tide,
And ebbes, and flowes, seuen times in euery day,
Toyles not more turbulent, or fierce then they.
And then, what rules husbands præscribe their wiues!
In their eyes circles, they must bound their liues.
The moone, when farthest from the sunne she shines,
Is most refulgent; neerest, most declines:
But your poore wiues farre off must neuer rome,
But wast their beauties, neere their lords at home:
And when their lords range out, at home must hide
(Like to beg'd monopolies) all their pride.
When their lords list to feed a serious sit
They must be serious; when to shew their wit
In iests, and laughter, they must laugh and iest;
When they wake, wake; and when they rest, must rest.
And to their wiues men giue such narrow scopes,
As if they meant to make them walke on ropes:
No tumblers bide more perill of their neckes
In all their trickes; then wiues in husbands checkes.
Where virgins, in their sweet, and peacefull state
Haue all things perfect; spinne their owne free fate;
Depend on no proud second; are their owne
Center, and circle; Now, and alwayes one.
To whose example, we doe still heare nam'd
One god, one nature, and but one world fram'd,
One sunne, one moone, one element of fire,
So, of the rest; one king, that doth inspire
Soule, to all bodies, in their royall spheare:
TRVTH.
And where is marriage more declar'd, then there?
Is there a band more strict, then that doth tie
The soule, and body in such vnity?
Subiects to soueraignes? doth one mind display
In th'ones obedience, and the others sway?
Beleeue it, marriage suffers no compare,
When both estates are valew'd, as they are.
The virgin were a strange, and stubborne thing,
Would longer stay a virgin, then to bring
Her selfe fit vse, and profit in a make.
OPINION.
How she doth erre! and the whole heau'n mistake!
Looke, how a flower, that close in closes growes,
Hid from rude cattell, bruised with no ploughes,
Which th' ayre doth stroke, sun strengthetilde, showres shoot higher,
It many youths, and many maydes desire;
The same, when cropt by cruell hand is wither'd,
No youths at all, no maydens haue desir'd:
So a virgin, while vntouch'd she doth remaine,
Is deare to hers; but when with bodies staine
Her chaster flower is lost, she leaues to appeare
Or sweet to young men, or to maydens deare.
That conquest then may crowne me in this warre,
Virgins, O virgins, flie from HYMEN farre.
TRVTH.
Virgins, O virgins, to sweet HYMEN yeeld,
For as a lone vine, in a naked field,
Neuer extolls her branches, neuer beares
Ripe grapes, but with a head long heauinesse weares
Her tender body, and her highest sproote
Is quickly leuell'd with her fading roote;
By whom no husbandmen, no youths will dwell;
But if, by fortune, she be married well
To th'elme, her husband, many husbandmen,
And many youths inhabit by her, then:
So whilst a virgin doth, vntouch't, abide
All vnmanur'd, she growes old, with her pride;
But when to equall wedlocke, in fit time,
Her fortune, and endeuor lets her clime,
Deare to her loue, and parents she is held.
Virgins, O virgins, to sweet HYMEN yeeld.
OPINION.
These are but words; hast thou a knight will trie
(By stroke of armes) the simple veritie?
TRVTH.
To that high proofe I would haue dared thee.
Ile strait fetch champions for the bride and me.
OPINION.
The like will I doe for Virginity.
Here, they both descended the hall, where at the lower end, a march being soun-
ded with drummes and phifes, there entred (led foorth by the Earle ofNo-
tingham, who was lord high Constable for that night, and the Earle of
Worc'ster, Earle Marshall) sixteene knights, armed, with pikes, and swords;
their plumes, and colours, carnation and
white, all richly accoutred, and ma-
king their honors to the state, as they march'd by in paires, were all rank'd on
one side of the hall. They plac'd sixteene others like accoutred for riches, and
armes, onely that their colours were varied to watchet, and white; were by
the same Earles led vp, and passing in like manner, by the state, plac'd on the
opposite side.
By this time, the barre being brought up, TRVTH proceeded.
TRVTH.
Now ioyne; and if this varied triall faile,
To make my TRVTH in wedlockes praise preuaile,
I will retire, and in more power appeare;
To cease this strife, and make our question cleare.
Whereat OPINION insulting, followed her with this speach.
OPINION.
I, doe: it were not safe thou shouldst abide:
This speakes thy name, with shame to quit thy side.
Heere the champions on both sides addresst themselues for fight, first single;
after three to three: and performed it with that alacrity, and vigor, as if MARS
himselfe had beene to triumph before VENVS, and inuented a new masque.
When on a suddaine, (the last sixe hauing scarcely ended) a striking light seem'd
to fill all the hall, and out of it an angell or messenger of glory appearing.
ANGEL.
PRinces, attend a tale of height, and wonder.
TRVTH is descended in a second thunder,
And now will greete you, with iudiciall state,
To grace the nuptiall part in this debate;
And end with reconciled hands these warres.
Vpon her head she weares a crowne of starres,
Through which her orient hayre waues to her wast,
By which beleeuing mortalls hold her fast,
And in those golden chordes are carried euen,
Till with her breath she blowes them vp to heauen.
She weares a robe enchas'd with eagles eyes,
To signifie her sight in mysteries;
Vpon each shoulder sits a milke-white doue,
And at her feet doe witty serpents moue;
Her spacious armes doe reach from East to West,
And you may see her heart shine through her brest.
Her right hand holds a sunne with burning rayes,
Her left a curious bunch of golden kayes,
With which heauen gates she locketh, and displayes.
A christall mirror hangeth at her brest,
By which mens consciences are search'd, and drest:
On her coach-wheeles hypocrisie lies rackt;
And squint-eyd slander, with vaine-glory backt
Her bright eyes burne to dust: in which shines fate.
An angell vshers her triumphant gate,
Whilst with her fingers fans of starres shee twists,
And with them beates backe Error, clad in mists.
Eternall Vnitie behind her shines
That fire, and water, earth, and ayre combines.
Her voyce is like a trumpet lowd, and shrill,
Which bids all sounds in earth, and heau'n be still.
And see! descended from her chariot now,
In this related pompe shee visits you.
TRVTH.
HOnor to all, that honor nuptialls,
To whose faire lot, in iustice, now it falls,
That this my counterfeit be here disclos'd,
Who, for virginitie hath her selfe oppos'd.
Nor, though my brightnesse doe vn-doe her charmes,
Let these her knights thinke, that their equall armes
Are wrong'd therein. "For valure wins applause
"That dares, but to maintayne the weaker cause.
And Princes, see, 'tis meere OPINION,
That in TRVTH'S forced robe, for TRVTH hath gone:
Her gaudie colours, piec'd, with many folds,
Shew what vncertainties shee euer holds:
Vanish adult'rate TRVTH, and neuer dare
With proud maydes praise, to prease where nuptialls are.
And champions, since you see the Truth I held,
To sacred HYMEN, reconciled, yeeld:
Nor (so to yeeld) thinke it the least despight.
"It is a conquest to submit a right.
This royall iudge of our contention
Will prop, I know, what I haue vnder-gone;
To whose right sacred highnesse I resigne
Low, at his feet, this starrie crowne of mine,
To shew, his rule, and iudgement is diuine;
These doues to him I consecrate withall,
To note his innocence, without spot, or gall;
These serpents, for his wisedome: and these rayes,
To shew his piercing splendor; these bright keyes,
Designing power to ope the ported skyes,
And speake their glories to his subiects eyes.
Lastly, this heart, with which all hearts be true:
And TRVTH in him make treason euer rue.
With this, they were led forth, hand in hand, reconciled, as in triumph: and thus
the solemnities ended.
Viuite concordes, & nostrum discite munus.