HYMENAEI.
T is a noble and iust advan-
tage, that the things subje-
cted to Vnderstanding have
of those which are objec-
ted to Sense, that the one
sorte are but momentarie,
and meerely taking; the
other impressing, and la-
sting: Else the Glory of all these Solemnities had
perish'd like a Blaze, and gone out, in the Be-
holders eyes. So short-liv'd are the Bodies of all
Thinges, in comparison of their Soules. And,
though Bodies oft-times have the ill lucke to be
sensually preferr'd, they find afterwards, the good
fortune (when Soules live) to be vtterly forgotten.
This it is hath made the most royall Princes, and
greatest Persons, (who are commonly the Persona-
ters of these Actions) not onely studious of Riches,
and Magnificence in the outward Celebration, or
Shew; (which rightly becomes them) but curi-
ous after the most high, and hearty Inventions, to
furnish the inward parts: (and those grounded vp-
onAntiquitie, and solide Learnings) which, though
their Voyce be taught to sound to present Occasi-
ons, their Sense, or dooth, or should alwayes lay
holde on more remov'd Mysteries. And, howsoe-
ver some may squeamishly cry out, that all Ende-
vor of Learning, and Sharpnesse in these transitory
Devises especially, where it steppes beyond their
little, or (let me not wrong 'hem) no Braine at all
is superfluous; I am contented, these fastidious
Stomachs should leave my full Tables, and enioy
at home, their cleane empty Trenchers, fittest for
such airy Tasts: where perhaps a few Italian Herbs,
pick'd vp, & made into a Sallade, may find sweeter
acceptance, than al, the most norishing, and sound
Meates of the world.
For these Mens palates, let not mee 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 cry, againe;
Prætereant, si quid non facit ad stomachum.
As I wil, from the thought of them, to my bet-
ter Subject.
ON the Night of the Masques (which were two,
One of Men, the Other of Women) the Scene
being drawne, there was first discovered an Altar;
aI.oni. O.imæ.
M.imæ.
V N I O N I
SACR.
bearing a five Tapers of Virgine Waxe; Behinde
them, One representing a Bridegroome: His b haire
short, and bound with party-coloured ribbands,
and gold twist: His Garments purple, and white.
On the other hand, entred HYMEN (the God of
Marriage) in a saffron-coloured Robe, his vnder-
Vestures white, his Sockes 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, attired in white, bearing
another Light, of white Thorne; vnder his arme, a
litle wicker-Flasket, shut: Behind him two Others,
in white, the one bearing a Distaffe, the other a
Spindle. Betwixt these a Personated Bride, suppor-
ted, her haire flowing, and loose, sprinckled with
grey; on her head a Gyrland of Roses, like a Tur-
ret; her Garments white: and, on her back, a Wea-
thers Fleece hanging downe: Her Zone, or Girdle
about her waste of white wooll, fastned with the
Herculean Knot.
In the middst went the aAuspices; after them,
two that sung, in severall colored silks. Of which,
One bore the Water, the Other the Fire: Last of
all the bMusitians, diversly attired, all crowned
with Roses; and, with this Song beganne.
BId all profane away;
None here may stay
To view our Mysteries,
But, who themselues have beene,
Or will, in Time, be seene
The selfe-same Sacrifice.
For VNION, Mistris of these Rites,
Will be observ'd with Eyes,
As simple as her Nights.
Chorvs
Flie then, all profane, away,
Flie farre off, as hath the Day;
Night her Cortine doth display,
And this is HYMENS Holiday.
The Song being ended, HYMEN presented him
selfe formost; and, after some signe of Admiration,
beganne to speake.
VVHat more than 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 than 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,
Have proov'd the strict embrace
Of VNION, with chaste kisses,
And seene it flowe so in your happy Race;
That know, how well it bindes
The fighting Seedes of Things,
Winnes Natures, Sexes, Mindes,
And ev'ry discord in true Musique brings:
Sit now propitious Aydes,
To Rites, so duely priZ'd;
And view two Noble Maydes,
Of different Sexe, to VNION sacrifiz'd.
In honour of that blest Estate,
Which all Good Mindes should celebrate.
Here out of a Microcosme, or Globe (figuring
Man) with a kind of contentious Musique, issued
forth the first Masque, of eight Men, whose Names
in order, as they were then Marshalled, by Cou-
ples, I have Heraldry enough to set downe.
- 1 L. WILLOVGHBY. Sir THOMAS HOVVARD.
- 2 LO. WALDEN. Sir THOMAS SOMERSET.
- 3 Sir IAMES HAY. Ear. of ARVNDELL.
- 4 Ear. of MONGOMERY. Sir IOHN ASHLY.
These represented the foure aHumors, & foure
Affections, all gloriously attired, distinguisht only,
by their severall Ensignes, and Colours; And, daun-
cing out on the Stage, in their returne, at the end
of their Daunce, drew all their swordes, offered to
encompasse the Altar, and disturbe the Ceremonies.
at which HYMEN troubled, spake,
SAve, save the Virgins; Keepe your hallow'd Lights
Vntouch'd: And with their flame defend our Rites.
The foure vntempred Humors are broke out:
And, with their wild Affections, goe about
To ravish 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 Darkenesse, make them know, and see,
In wronging these, they have rebell'd gainst thee.
Hereat, REASON seated in the top of the Globe
(as in the braine, or highest parte of Man) figur'd
in a venerable Personage, her haire white, and tray-
ling to her waste, crowned with Lights, her Gar-
ments blew, and semined with Starres, girded vn-
to her with a white Bend, fill'd with Arithmeticall
Figures, in one hand bearing a Lampe, in the o-
ther a bright Sword, descended, and spake.
FOrbeare your rude attempt; what Ignorance
Could yeelde you so profane, as to advance
One thought in Act, against these Mysteries?
Are VNION'S a Orgies of so slender price?
She that makes Soules, with Bodies, mixe in Love,
Contracts the World in one, and therein IOVE;
Isb Spring, 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
Have dar'd so rash a venture. You will say
It was your Zeale, that gave your powers the sway;
And vrge the masqued, and disguisd pretence
Of saving Bloud, and succ'ring Innocence?
So want of Knowledge, still, begetteth iarres,
When humorous Earthlings will controle the Starres.
Informe your selves, with safer Reverence,
To these mysterious Rites, whose mysticke sense
REASON (which all things but it selfe) confounds)
Shall cleare vnto you, from th' authentique grounds.
At this, the Humors & Affections sheathed their
swordes, and retir'd amazed to the sides of the
Stage, while HYMEN began to ranke the Persons,
and order the Ceremonies: And REASON procee-
ded to speake.
THe Paire, which doe each other side,
Though (yet) some space doth them divide,
This happy Night must both make one
Blest Sacrifice, to VNION.
Nor is this Altar but a Signe
of one more soft, and more divine
Thea Geniall Bed, where HYMEN keepes
The solemne Orgies, voyd of sleepes:
And wildest CVPID, waking, hovers
With adoration 'twixt the Lovers.
The Tead of white, and blooming Thorne,
In token of increase is borne:
As b also, with the omenous Light,
To fright all Malice from the Night.
Like are thec Fire, and Water set;
That, ev'n as Moysture, mixt with Heate,
Helpes every Natur all Birth, to life;
So, for their Race, ioyne Man, and Wife.
The d blushing Veyle shewes shamefastnesse
Th' ingenuous 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 thosef Vtensills are borne.
And, that shee should not Labour scorne,
Her selfe ag Snowie Fleece doth weare,
And these herh Rocke and Spindle beare,
To shew, that Nothing, which is good,
Gives checke vnto the highest blood.
Thei Zone of wooll about her waste,
Which, in contrary Circles cast,
Doth meete in onek strong knot, that bindes,
Tells you, so should all Married Mindes.
And lastly, these five Waxen Lights
Imply Perfection in the Rites;
Fora Five the speciall Number is,
Whence halow'd VNION claymes her blisse.
As being all the Summe, that growes
From the vnited strengths, of those
Whichb Male, and Female Numbers wee
Do stile, and are First Two, and Three.
Which, ioyned thus, you cannot sever
In æquall partes, but One will ever
Remaine as common; so we see
The binding-force of Vnitie:
For which alone, the peace-full Gods
In Number, alwayes, love the oddes;
And even partes as much despise,
Since out of them all Discords rise.
Here, the vpper part of the Scene, which was all
of Cloudes, and made artificially to swell, and
ride like the Racke, beganne to open; and, the
Ayre clearing, in the toppe thereof was discove-
redc. IVNO, sitting in a Throne, supported by two
beautifull dPeacockes, her attire rich, and like a
whence descended a Veyle, and that bound with
a aFascia of severall color'd silkes, set with all sorts
of Iewelles, and raisd in the top with bLillies, and
Roses; In her right hand she held a Scepter, in the
other a Timbrell, at her golden feete the c Hide of
a Lion was placed: Round about her sate the Spi-
rites of the ayre, in severall colours, making Mu-
sique, Above her the Region of Fire, with a conti-
nuall Motion, was seene to whirle circularly, and
IVPITER standing in the Toppe (figuring the Hea-
ven) brandishing his Thunder: Beneath her the
Raine-bowe, IRIS, and, on the two sides eight La-
dies, attired richly, and alike in the most celestiall
colours, who represented her Powers, as she is the
dGovernesse of Marriage, and made the second
Masque. All which, vpon the discoverie, REASON
made narration of.
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 areaenstil'd her Faculties,
That governe nuptiall Mysteries;
And we are those Masques before their faces,
Lest, daZling Mortalls with their graces
As they approach them, all Mankind
Should be, like CVPID, stroken blinde.
These ORDER waytes for, on the ground,
To keepe, that you should not confound
Their measur'd steppes, which onely move
About th'harmonious sphære of LOVE.
The names of the eight Ladies, as they were after
orderd (to the most conspicuous shew) in their
Daunces, by the rule of their statures; were the
| Co. of MONGOMERY. La. KNOLLES. |
Mi. CI. SACKVILE. La. BERKLEY. |
La. DOR. HASTINGS. La. BLANCH SOMERSET. |
Co. of BEDFORD. Co. of RVTLAND. |
Their Descent was made in two great Cloudes,
that put forth themselves severally, and (with one
measure of time) were seene to stoupe, & fall gent-
ly downe vpon the Earth. The maner of their Ha-
bites, came after some Statues of IVNO, no lesse ai-
rie, than glorious. The dressings of their Heades,
rare; so likewise of their Feete: and all full of splen-
dor, soveraignety, and riches. Whilst they were
descending, this Song was sung at the Altar.
THese, these are they,
Whom Humor 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, Oths, & Vowes,
Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the Ioyes,
And melting Toyes,
That chaster LOVE allowes.
CHO.
Hast, hast, for HESPERVS his head down 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 twelve Lutes: led on by
ORDER, the Servant of REASON, who was, there,
rather a Person of Ceremony, than Vse. His vnder-
Garment was blew, 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.
COnvey them, ORDER, to their places,
And ranke them so, in severall traces,
As they may set their mixed Powers
Vnto the Musique of the Howers;
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.
Firsta CVRIS comes to decke the Brides faire Tresse.
Care of the oyntmentsb VNXIA doth professe.
c IVGA, her Office to make One of Twaine:
d GAMELIA sees that they should so remaine.
Fairee ITERDVCA leades the Bride her way;
Andf DOMIDVCA home her steppes doth stay:
a CINXIA the Maid, quit of her Zone defends;
b TELIA (for HYMEN) perfects all, and ends.
By the time, the Ladies were prayed with the
Men; and the whole Sixteene rank'd foorth, in or-
der, to daunce: & were with this Song provok'd.
NOw, now beginne to set
Your spirits in active heate;
And, since your Hands are met,
Instruct your nimble Feete,
In motions swift, and meete,
The happy ground to beate:
Chorus.
Whilst all this Roofe doth ring,
And ech discording String,
With every varied Voyce,
In VNION doth reioyce.
Here, they daunced forth a most neate and cu-
rious Measure, full of Subtelty and Device; which
was so excellently performed, as it seemed to take
away that Spirite from the Invention, which the
Invention gave to it: and left it doubtfull, whether
the Formes flow'd more perfectly from the Au-
thors braine, or their feete. The Straines were all
notably different, some of them formed into Let-
ters, very signifying to the Name of the Brid-
groome, and ended in manner of a Chaine, lin-
king hands: To which, this was spoken.
SVch was a the Golden Chaine let down fromHea- (ven;
And not those Linkes more even,
Then these: so sweetly temper'd, so combin'd
By VNION, and refin'd.
Here no Contention, Envie, Griefe, Deceipt,
Feare, Iealousie have weight;
But all is Peace, and Love, 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,
Save what with shame is bought:
No Father can himselfe a Parent show,
Nor any House with prosp'rous Issue grow.
O then! What Deities will dare
With HYMEN, or with IVNO to compare?
The speach being ended, they dissolv'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 Re-
membrance of the Time.
Thinke, yet, how Night doth wast,
How much of Time is past,
What more then winged hast
Your selves would take,
If you were but to tast
The ioy, the Night doth cast
(O might it ever last)
On this bright Virgin, and her happy Make.
Their Daunces yet lasting, they were the se-
cond time importun'd, by Speach.
SSee, see! the brighta Idalian Starre,
That lighteth Lovers to their Warre,
Complaines, that you her influence loose;
While thus the Night-sports you abuse.
THe longing Bridegroome, bin the Porch,
Shewes you againe, the bated Torch;
And thrice hath IVNO cmixt her Ayre
With Fire, to sommon your repaire.
SEe, now she cleane withdrawes her Light;
And (as you should) gives place to Night:
That spreades her broad, and blackest wing
Vpon the world, and comes to bring
A d thousand severall-colour'd Loves,
Some like Sparrowes, some like Doves,
That hop about the Nuptiall-Roome,
And flutt'ring there (against you come)
Warme the chaste Bowre, whiche CYPRIA strowes,
With many a Lilly, many a Rose.
HAste therefore, haste, and call, Away:
The gentle Night is prest to pay
The vsurie of long Delights,
She owes to these protracted Rites.
At this (the whole Scene being drawne againe,
and all cover'd with Cloudes, as a Night,) they
left off their entermixed Daunces, and return'd to
their first Places; where, as they were but begin-
ing to move, this Song, the third time, vrg'd them.
O Know to end, as to beginne:
A Minutes losse, in Love, is sinne.
These Humors 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 concea'ld)
Ere day, to be reveal'd.
Then, know to end, as to beginne;
A Minutes losse, in Love, is sinne.
Here they daunc'd their last Daunces, full of ex-
cellent delight and change, and, in their latter
straine, fell into a faire Orbe, or Circle; REASON stan-
ding in the midst, and speaking.
HEre stay, and let your Sports be crown'd:
The perfect'st Figure is the Round.
Nor fell you in it by adventer,
When REASON was your Guide, and Center.
This, this that beauteousa Ceston is
Of Lovers many-coulor'd Blisse.
Come HYMEN, make an inner Ring,
And let the Sacrificers sing;
Cheare vp the faint, and trembling Bride,
That quakes to touch hir Bridegroom's side:
Tell her, what IVNO is to IOVE,
The same shall she be to her Love;
His Wife: which we doe rather measure
bA Name of Dignity, then Pleasure.
Vp Youths, hold vp your Lights in ayre,
And shake abroad c their flaming haire.
Now move 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 remaine
Whom he, (with so much sacred paine)
No lesse hath bound within his Realmes
Then they are with the OCEANS streames.
Long may his VNION find increase
As hee, to ours, hath deign'd his peace.
With this, to a soft straine of Musique, they
pac'd once about, in their Ring, every Payre ma-
king their Honors, as they came before the State:
and then dissolving, went downe in Couples, led
on by HYMEN, the Bride, and Auspices following,
as to the Nuptiall Bowre. After them, the Mu-
sitians with this Song, of which, then, onely one
Staffe was sung; but because I made it both in
Forme, and Matter to æmulate that kinde of
Poeme, which was call'd aEpithalamium, and (by
the Auntients) vs'd to be song, when the Bride
was led into her Chamber, I have here set it down
whole: and doe hartily forgive their ignorance
whom it chanceth not to please. Hoping, that Ne-
mo doctus me iubeat Thalassionem verbis dicere non
Thalassionis.
GLad Time is at his point arriv'd,
For which Loves hopes were so long-liv'd.
Lead HYMEN, lead away;
And let no Obiect stay,
Nor Banquets, (but sweete kisses)
The Turtles from their Blisses.
bTis CVPID calls to arme;
And this his last Alarme.
Shrinke not, soft VIRGIN, you will love,
Anone, what you so feare to prove.
This is no killing Warre,
To which you pressed are;
But faire and gentle strife
Which Lovers call their Life.
Tis CVPID cries 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 she must long abide.
On HYMEN, HYMEN call,
This Night is HYMEN'S all.
See, HESPERVS is yet in view!
What Starre can so deserve of you?
Whose light doth still adorne
Your Bride, that, ere the Morne,
Shall farre more perfect bee,
And rise as bright as Hee;
When b (like to him) her Name
Is chang'd, but not her Flame.
Hast, tender Lady, and adventer;
The covetous House would have you enter,
That it might wealthy bee,
And you, her c Mistresse see:
Hast your owne good to meete;
Aud a lift your golden feete
Above 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 b snatch away the Light:
That c she not hide it dead
Beneath her Spouse's Bed;
Nor dhe reserve the same
To helpe the funerall Flame.
So, now you may admit him in;
The Act he covets, is no Sinne,
But chast, and holy Love,
Which HYMEN doth approve:
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 Lippes may mingle Soules;
And soft Embraces binde,
To each, the others Minde:
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 faire eyes
Awake, with her owne Cries,
Which are but Mayden-feares:
And Kisses drie such teares.
Then, Coyne them, twixt your Lippes so sweete,
And let not Cockles closer meete;
Nor may your Murmuring Loves
Be drown'd bya CYPRIS Doves:
Let Ivie not so bind
As when your Armes are twin'd:
That you may Both, e're Day,
Rise perfect every 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 happy charge,
Gladb GENIVS, enlarge:
That they may Both, e're Day,
Rise perfect every way.
Anda VENVS, Thou, with timely seede
(Which may their after-Comforts breede)
Informe the gentle Wombe;
Nor, let it prove a Tombe:
But, e're ten Moones be wasted,
The Birth, by CYNTHIA hasted.
So may they Both, e're Day,
Rise perfect everie 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 eyther Grand-Sires Spirit,
And Fame let it inherit.
That Men may blesse th'Embraces,
That ioyned two such Races.
Cease Youths, and Virgins, you have done;
Shut fast the Dore: And, as They soone
To their Perfection hast,
So may their ardors last.
So eithers strength out-live
All losse that Age can give:
And, though full Yeares be tolde,
Their Formes growe slowly olde.
HItherto extended the first Nights Solemnitie,
whose Grace in the Exequution 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 exquisit Performance,
as (beside the Pompe, Splendour, or what wee may
call Apparrelling of such Presentments) that alone
(had all else beene absent) was of power to sur-
prize with Delight, and steale away the Spectators
from themselves. Nor was there wanting what-
soever might give to the Furniture, or Comple-
ment: eyther in riches, or strangenesse of the Ha-
bites, delicácie of Daunces, Magnificence of the
Scene, or divine Rapture of Musique. Onely the
Envie was, that it lasted not still, or (now it is past)
cannot by Imagination, much lesse Description,
be recover'd 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 give it those briefe
touches, which may leave behind some shadow of
what it was: And first of the Attires.
That, of the Lords, had parte of it (for the fa-
shion) taken from the Antique Greeke Statue; mix-
ed with some Moderne Additions: which made
it both gracefull, and strange. On their Heades
they wore Perfick Crowns, that were with Scroles
of Gold-plate turn'd outward; and wreath'd about
with a Carnation and Silver Net-lawne: The one
End of which hung carelesly on the left shoulder,
the other was trick'd vp before in severall degrees
of fouldes, betweene the Plates, and set with rich
Iewelles, and great Pearle. Their Bodies were of
Carnation cloth of silver, richly wrought, and cut to expresse the Naked, in maner of the Greeke Tho-
rax; girt vnder the Breasts, with a broade Belt of
Cloth of Golde, imbrodered, and fastned before
with Iewells: Their Labells were of White Cloth
of silver, lac'd, and wrought curiously betweene,
sutable to the vpper halfe of their Sleeves; whose
nether partes, with their Bases, were of Watchet
Cloth of Silver, chev'rond all over with Lace.
Their Mantills were of severall colour'd silkes, di-
stinguishing their Qualities, as they were coupled
in payres; The first, Skie colour; The second, Pearle
colour; The third, Flame colour; The fourth, Taw-
nie; And these cut in leaves, which were subtilly
tack'd vp, and imbrodered with Oo's, and between
every ranke of Leaves, a broad silver Lace. They
were fastned on the right shoulder, and fell Com-
passe downe the backe in gratious folds, and were
againe tied with a round Knot, to the fastning of
their Swords. Vpon their legges they wore Silver
Greaves, answering in worke to their Labells; and
these were their Accoutrements.
The Ladies Attire was wholy new, for the In-
vention, and full of Glory; as having in it the most
true impression of a Celestiall Figure: The vpper
part of White Cloth of Silver, wrought with IV
NOESBirdes and Fruicts; A loose vnder garment,
full-gather'd, of Carnation, strip't with Silver, and
parted with a Golden Zone; Beneath that, an o-
ther flowing Garment, of Watchet Cloth of Sil-
ver, lac'd with Gold: Through all which, though
they were round, and swelling, there yet appear'd
some touch of their delicate Lineaments, preserving
the sweetenesse of Proportion, and expressing it
selfe beyond expression. The Attire of their Heads,
did answer, if not exceede; their Hayre being care-
lesly (but yet with more art, then if more affected)
bound vnder the circle of a rare, and rich Coronet,
adorn'd with all variety, and choyce of Iewells;
from the top of which, flow'd a trasparent Veile
downe to the ground; whose verge, returning
vp, was fastned to eyther side in most sprightly
Manner. Their shooes were Azure, and Gold, set
with Rubies, and Diamonds; so were all their
Garments: and euery part abounding in Orna-
ment.
No lesse to be admir'd, for the Grace, and
Greatnesse, was the whole Machine of the Specta-
cle, from whence they came: the first part of which
was a MIKPOKOMO, or Globe, filld with Coun-
treys, and those guilded; where the Sea was ex-
prest, heightned with siluer waues. This stoode,
or rather hung, (for no Axell was seene to sup-
port it) and turning softly, discoverd the first
Masque, (as we have before, but too runningly
declar'd) which was of the Men, sitting in faire
Composition, within a Mine of severall Mettalls: To
which, the Lights were so plac'd, as noe 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, fayn'd of
Gold, one of Atlas, the other of Hercules, in varied
postures, bearing vp the Cloudes, which were of
Releue, embossed, and tralucent, as Naturalls: To
these, a Cortine of painted Cloudes ioyned,
which reach'd to the vpmost Roofe of the Hall;
and sodainely opening, reveal'd the three Regions
of Ayre: In the highest of which, sate IVNO, in a
glorious Throne of Gold, circled with Comets, and
fiery Meteors, engendred in that hot and dry Regi-
on; her Feete reaching to the lowest, where was
made a Rainebow, and within it, Musitians seated,
figuring Ayry Spirits, their habits various, and re-
sembling the seuerall colours, caused in that part
of the Ayre by reflexion. The midst was all of darke
and condensed Cloudes, as being the proper
Place where Rayne, Hayle, and other watry Mete-
ors are made; out of which two concave Clouds,
from the rest, thrust forth themselves (in nature
of those Nimbi, wherein, by Homer, Virgill, &c. the
Gods are fain'd to descend) and these carried the
eight Ladies, over the heads of the two aTermes;
who (as the Ingine mov'd) seem'd also to bow
themselves (by vertue of their shadowes) and dis-
charge their shoulders of their glorious burden:
when, having set them on the Earth, both they,
and the Cloudes gather'd themselves vp againe,
with some rapture of the Beholders.
But that, which (as above in place, so in the beu-
ty) was most taking in the Spectacle,
was the Spheare of Fire; in the top of all, encompassing the Ayre,
and imitated with such art, and industry, as the
Spectators might discerne the Motion (all the time
the Shewes lasted) without any Moover: and, that
so swift, as no Eye could distinguish any Colour
of the Light, but might forme to it selfe five hun-
dred severall hewes, out of the tralucent Body of
the Ayre, obiected betwixt it, and them.
And this was crown'd with a statue of IVPITER,
the Thunderer.
The Designe, and Act of all which, together with
the Device of their Habits, belongs properly to the
Merit, and Reputation of Maister YNYGO IONES;
whom I take modest occasion, in this fit place, to
remember, lest his owne worth might accuse
mee of an ignorant neglect from my silence.
And here, that no mans Deservings complain of
iniustice (though I should have done it timelier, I
acknowledge) I doe for honours sake, and the
pledge of our Friendship, name Ma. ALPHONSO
FERABOSCO, a Man, planted by himselfe, in that
divine Spheare; & mastring all the spirits of Musique:
To whose iudiciall Care, and as absolute Perfor-
mance, were committed all those Difficulties both
of Song, and otherwise. Wherein, what his Merit
made to the Soule of our Invention, would aske to
be exprest in Tunes, no lesse ravishing then his.
Vertuous friend, take well this abrupt testimonie,
and thinke whose it is: It cannot be Flatterie, in
me, who never did it to Great ones; and lesse then
Love, and Truth it is not, where it is done out of
Knowledge.
The Daunces were both made, and taught by
Maister THOMAS GILES; and cannot bee more
approv'd, then they did themselves: Nor doe I
want the will, but the skill to commend such Sub-
tilties; of which the Spheare, wherein they were
acted, is best able to iudge.
What was my part, the Faults here, as well as
the Vertues must speake.
Mutare dominum nec potest Liber notus.
ON the next Night, whose Solemnitie was of
Barriers, (all mention of the former, being vt-
terly remo'vd, 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 breake foorth two
Ladies, the one representing TRVTH, the other
OPINION: but both so alike attired, as they could
by no Note, be distinguish'd. The colour of their
Garments were blew, their Socks White; They
were crowned with wreathes of Palme, and in
their hands, each of them sustain'd a Palm-bough.
These, after the Mist was vanished, began to exa-
mine each other curiously with their eyes, and ap-
proching the State, the one expostulated the o-
ther in this manner.
WHo art thou, thus that imitat'st my Grace,
In Steppes, in Habite, and resembled Face?
Gravea Time, and Industry my Parents are;
My Name is TRVTH,who through these sounds of War
(Which figure the wise Mindes discursive fight)
In Mists by Nature wrapt, salute the Light.
I am that TRVTH, thou some illusive Spright;
Whome to my likenesse, the blacke Sorceresse Night
Hath of these drie, and empty fumes created.
Best Herald of thine owne Birth, well related:
Put me and mine to proofe of wordes, and facts,
In any Question this faire Houre exacts.
I challenge thee, and fit this Time of Love,
With this Position, which TRVTH comes to prove;
That the most honor'd state of Man and Wife,
Doth farre exceede th'insociate Virgin-Life.
I take the adverse part; and she that best
Defends her side, be TRVTH by all confest.
It is confirm'd. With what an equall brow
To TRVTH, a OPINION'S confident! and how,
Like TRVTH, her Habite shewes to sensuall Eies!
But whosoe're thou be, in this disguise,
Cleare TRVTH, anone, shall strippe thee to the heart;
And shew how mere Phantasticall thou arte.
Know then, the first Production of Things,
Required Two; from meere 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 fruict of Man;
On whose sweete branches Angells sate, and sung,
And from whose firnae roote all Societie sprung.
LOVE (whose strong Vertue wrapt Heav'ns soule in Earth,
And made a Woman glory in his Birth)
In Marriage, opens his inflamed Breast;
And, lest in him Nature should stifled rest,
His geniall fire about the world he dartes;
Which Lippes with Lippes combines, and Hearts with Hearts.
Marriage LOVES Obiect is; at whose bright eies
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 anie Earth, with blacke Eclipses wane him.
She makes him smile in sorrowes, and doth stand
Twixt him, and all wants, with her silver hand.
In her soft Lockes, his tender Feete are tied;
And in his Fetters he takes worthy pride.
And as Geometricians have approv'd
That Lines, and Superficies are not mov'd
By their owne forces, but doe follow still
Their Bodies motions; so the selfe-lov'd Will
Of Man, or Woman should not rule in them,
But each with other weare the Anademe.
Mirrors, thogh deckt with Diamants, are noght worth,
If the like Formes of Things they set not forth;
So Men, or Women are worth Nothing, neyther,
If eithers Eyes and Hearts present not either.
Vntouch'd Virginity, Laugh out; to see
Freedome in Fetters plac'd, and vrg'd 'gainst thee.
What Griefes lie groaning on the Nuptiall Bed?
What dull Satietie? In what sheetes of Lead
Tumble, and tosse the restlesse Married Paire,
Each, oft, offended with the Others aire?
From whence springs all-devouring Avarice,
But from the Cares, which out of Wedlocke rise?
And, where there is in Lifes best-tempred Fires
And End, set in it selfe to all desires,
A setled Quiet, Freedome never checkt,
How farre are Maried Lives from this effect?
a EVRIPVS, that beares Shippes, in all their pride,
Gainst roughest Windes, with violence of his Tide,
And ebbes, and flowes, seven times in every day,
Toyles not more turbulent, or fierce then they.
And thé, what Rules Husbands præscribe their Wives!
In their Eyes Circles, they must bound their Lives.
The Moone, when farthest from the Sunne she shines,
Is most refulgent; nearest, most declines:
But your poore Wives farre off must never rome,
But wast their Beauties, neare 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 feede a serious Fit
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 Wives Men give such narrow scopes,
As if they meant to make them walke on Ropes:
No Tumblers bide more perill of their Necks
In all their Tricks; Then Wives in Husbands Checks.
Where Virgins, in their sweete, and peacefull State
Have all things perfect; spinne their owne free Fate;
Depend on no prowd Second; are their owne
Center, and Circle; Now, and alwaies 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 this royall Spheare:
And where is Mariage more declar'd, then there?
Is there a Band more strict, then that doth tie
The Soule, and Body in such vnity?
Subiects to Soveraignes? doth one Mind display
In th'ones Obedience, and the others Sway?
Beleeve it, Mariage 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.
How she doth erre! and the whole Heav'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 strengthen, Showers shoot higher,
It many Youths, & many Maids desire;
The same, when cropt by cruell hand is wither'd,
No Youths at all, No Maydens have desir'd:
So a Virgin, while vutouch'd she doth remaine,
Is deare to hers; but when with Bodyes stayne
Her chaster Flower is lost, she leaves to appeare
Or sweete to Yong Men, or to Maydens deare.
That Conquest then may crowne me in this Warre,
Virgins, O Virgins fly from HYMEN farre.
Virgins, O Virgins, to sweete HYMEN yeeld,
For as a lone Vine, in a naked Field,
Never extols her branches, never beares
Ripe Grapes, but with a headlong heavinesse weares
Her tender bodie, and her highest sproote
Is quickly levell'd with hir fading roote;
By whom no Husband-men, no Youths wil dwell;
But if, by fortune, she be married well
To th Elme, her Husband, many Husband-men,
And many Youths inhabite by her, then:
So whilst a Virgin doth, vntouch't, abide
All vnmanur'd, she growes old, with hir 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 sweete HYMEN yeeld.
These are but words; hast thou a Knight will trie
(By stroke of Armes) the simple Veritie?
To that high proofe I would haue dared thee.
Ile strait fetch Champions for the Brides and Mee.
The like will I do for Virginitie.
HEre, they both descended the Hall, where at
the lower end, a March being sounded with
Drums and Phifes, there entred (led foorth by
the Earle of Notingham, who was Lord high Con-
stable 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 alike 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. Whose Names
(as they were given to me, both in Order, and Or-
thographie) were these.
TRVTH.
- Duke of LENNOX.
- Lo. EFFINGHAM.
- Lo. WALDEN,
- Lo. MOVNTEAGLE.
- Sir THO. SOMERSET.
- Sir CHAR. HOVVARD.
- Sir IOHN GRAY.
- Sir THO. MOVNSON.
- Sir IOHN LEIGH.
- Sir ROB. MAVNSELL.
- Sir EDVV. HOVVARD.
- Sir HEN GOODYERE.
- Sir ROGER DALISON.
- Sir FRAN. HOVVARD.
- Sir LEVV. MAVNSELL.
- Mr. GVNTERET.
OPINION.
- Earle of SVSSEX.
- Lo. WILLOVGHBY.
- Lo. GERRARD.
- Sir ROB. CAREY.
- Sir OL. CRVMVVEL.
- Sir WIL. HERBERT.
- Sir ROB. DREVVRY.
- Sir WI. WOODHOVSE.
- Sir CAREY REYNOLDS.
- Sir RIC. HOVGHTON.
- Sir WIL. CONSTABLE.
- Sir THO. GERRARD,
- Sir ROB. KYLLEGREVV.
- Sir THO. BADGER.
- Sir THO. DVTTON.
- Mr. DIGBIE.
Now ioyne; and if his varied Triall faile,
To make my Truth in Wedlocks praise prevaile,
I will retire, and in more power appeare;
To cease this strife, and make our Question cleare.
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
themselves for fight, first Single; after Three to
Three: and performed it with that alacritie, and
vigor, as if MARS himselfe had beene to triumph
before VENVS, & invented a new Musique. When,
on a sodaine, (the last Six having scarcely ended) a
striking Light seem'd to fil all the Hall, and out of
it an Angell or Messenger of Glorie appearing.
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 waves to her wast,
By which beleeving Mortalls hold her fast,
And in those golden Chordes are carried even
Till with her breath she blowes them vp to Heaven.
She weares a Roabe enchas'd with Eagles Eyes,
To signifie her sight in Mysteries;
Vpon each shoulder sits a milke white Dove,
And at her feete doe witty Serpents move:
Her spacious Armes doe reach from East to West,
And you may see her Heart shine through her breast.
Her right hand holds a Sunne with burning Rayes,
Her left a curious bunch of golden Kayes,
With which Heav'n Gates she locketh, and displayes.
A Cristall 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 Angel vshers hir triumphant Gate,
Whilst with her fingers Fannes of Starres she twists,
And with them beates backe Error, clad in mists.
Eternall Vnity 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 Heav'n be still.
And see! descended from her Chariot now,
In this related Pompe she visits you.
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 Virginity hath her selfe oppos'd.
Nor, though my Brightnesse doe vndoe her Charmes,
Let these her Knights thinke, that their equall Armes
Are wrong'd therein; “For Valure wins applause
“That dares, but to maintaine the weaker Cause.
And Princes, see, tis meere OPINION,
That in TRVTH'S forced Robe, for TRVTH hath gone!
Her gaudy Colours, peec'd, with many Folds,
Shew what vncertainties she ever holds:
Vanish Adult'rate TRVTH, and never dare
With prowd Maydes prayse, 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 to Right.
This Royall Iudge of our Contention
Will prop, I know, what I have vnder gone;
To whose right Sacred Highnesse I resigne
Low, at his feete, this Starry Crowne of mine,
To shew his Rule, and Iudgement is diuine;
These Doves 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 Skies,
And speake their Glories to his Subiects Eyes.
Lastly, this Heart, with which all Hearts be true:
And TRVTH in him make Treason ever rue.
With This, they were led forth, hand in hand,
reconciled, as in Triumph: and thus the Solemni-
ties ended.
Vivite concordes, & nostrum discite munus.