LOVE RESTORED,
In a Masque at Court, by Gentlmen the
KINGS Seruants.
MASQVERADO.
Would, I could make 'hem a shew my selfe. In troth Ladies,
I pittie you all. You are here in expectation of a deuice to
night, and I am afraid you can doe little else but expect it.
Though I dare not shew my face, I can speake truth, vnder
a vizard, Good faith, and 't please your Maiestie, Your
Masquers are all at a stand; I cannot thinke your Maiestie will see any shew
to night, at least worth your patience. Some two houres since, we were
in that forwardnesse, our dances learn'd, our masquing attire on and atty-
red. A prettie fine speech was taken vp o' the Poet too, which if hee neuer
bee paide for, now, its no matter; His wit costs him nothing, vnlesse wee
should come in like a Morrice-dance, and whistle our ballat our selues, I
know not what we should doe: we ha' neither Musician to play our tunes,
but the wild musicke here, and the rogue play-boy that acts Cupid, is got
so hoarse, your Maiesty cannot heare him, halfe the bredth o'your chaire.
See, they ha' thrust him out, at aduenture, humbly beseech your Maiestie
to beare with vs. We had both hope and purpose it should haue beene bet-,
ter howsoeuer we are lost in it.
PLVT.
What makes this light, fether'd vanitie, here? Away, im-
pertinent folly. Infect not this assembly.
MASQ.
How boy!
PLVT.
Thou common corruption of all manners, and places that
admit thee.
MASQ.
Ha' you recouered your voice, to raile at me?
PLVT.
No, vizarded impudence. I am neither player, nor Masquer;
but the god himselfe, whose deitie is here prophan'd by thee. Thou, and
thy like, thinke your selues authoris'd in this place, to all licence of surque-
drie. But you shall finde custome hath not so grafted you here, but you
may be rent vp, and throwne out as vnprofitable euils. I tell thee, I will
haue no more masquing; I will not buy a false, and fleeting delight so
deare: The merrie madnesse of one houre shall not cost mee the repen-
tance of an age.
ROBIN-
Goodfellow. How! no Masque, no, Masque. I pray you say,
are you sure on't? no Masque indeed? What doe I here then? Can you
tell?
MASQ.
No. Faith.
ROB.
'Slight, I'le be gone againe, and there be no Masque; There's a
iest. Pray you resolue me. Is there any? or no? A Masque?
PLVT.
Who are you?
ROB.
Nay. I'le tell you that when I can. Do's any bodie know them-
selues here, thinke you? I would faine know if there be a Masque, or no.
PLVT.
There is none, nor shall be, sir; do's that satisfie you?
ROB.
Slight, a fine trick! a piece of Englands Ioy, this. Are these your
court-sports! would I had kept mee to my gamboles o'the countrie still,
selling of fish, short seruice, shooing the wilde Mare, or rosting of ROB-
BIN Red-brest. These were better thnn after all this time no Masque: you
looke at me. I haue recouer'd my selfe, now, for you, I am the honest
plaine countrie spirit, and harmelesse: ROBBIN-good-fellow, hee that
sweepes the harth, and the house cleane, riddles for the Countrey maides,
and does all their other drudgerie, while they are at hot-cockles: one, that
ha's discours'd with your Court spirits, e're now; but was faine to night to
runne a thousand hazards to arriue at this place; neuer poore goblin was so
put to his shifts, to get in, to see nothing. So many thornie difficulties as I
haue past, deseru'd the best Masque: the whole shop of the Reuels. I would
you would admit some of my feates, but I ha' little hope o' that ifaith, you
let me in so hardly.
PLVT.
Sir, here's no place for them, nor you. Your rude good-fellow-
ship must seeke some other spheare for your admittie.
ROB.
Nay, so your stiffe-necked Porter told mee, at the gate, but not
in so good wordes. His staffe spoke somewhat to that boistrous sense: I
am sure he concluded all in a nonentrie, which made me, eene climbe ouer
the wall, and in by the wood-yard, so to the tarras, where when I came, I
found the okes of the guard more vnmou'd, and one of 'hem, vpon whose
arme I hung, shou'd mee off o' the ladder, and dropt mee downe like an A-
corne. 'Twas well there was not a Sow in the verge, I had beene eaten vp
else. Then I heard some talke o' the Carpenters way, and I attempted
that, but there the woodden rogues let a huge trap dore fall o' my head.
If I had not beene a spirit, I had beene amazed. Though I confesse I am
none of those subtle ones, that can creepe through at a key-hole, or the
crackt pane of a windore. I must come in at a dore, which made me once
thinke of a trunke; but that I would not imitate so Catholique a Cockes-
combe as CORYAT, and make a case: vses. Therefore I tooke another
course. I watch'd what kind of persons the dore most open'd to, and one
of their shapes I would belye to get in with. First, I came with authoritie,
and said, I was an Ingineer, and belong'd to the motions. They asked me if
I were the fighting Beare of last yeere, and laught me out of that, and said,
the motions were ceas'd. Then I tooke another figure, of an old tyre-wo-
man but tyr'd vnder that too, for none of the Masquers would take note of
me, the marke was out of my mouth. Then I pretended to bee a Musician,
marie, I could not shew mine Instrument, and that bred a discord. Now,
there was nothing left for me that I could presently thinke on, but a fea-
ther-maker of Blacke-fryers, and in that shape I tolde 'hem. Surely, I must
come in, let it be opened vnto me: but they all made as light of mee, as ofcome in, let it bee opened vnto me: but they all made as light of mee, as of
my feathers; and wonder'd how I could bee a Puritane, being of so vaine
a vocation. I answer'd, Wee all are Masquers sometimes: with which they
knock'd hypocrisie o' the pate, and made roome for a bombard man, that
brought bouge for a Countrie Ladie or two, that fainted, hee said, with fa-
sting, for the fine sight since seuen a clocke i'the morning. O how it grieu'd
mee that I was preuented o'that shape, and had not touch'd on it in time.
It lik'd mee so well. But I thought I would offer at it yet. Marie before I
could procure my properties, alarum came, that some of the Whimlen's
had too much; and one shew'd how fruitfully they had watered his
head, as hee stood vnder the grices; and another came out complai-
ning of a cateract, shot into his eyes, by a planet, as hee was starre-ga-
zing. There was that deuice defeated. By this time I saw a fine Citi-
zens wife, or two, let in; and that figure prouok'd mee exceedingly to
take it: which I had no sooner done, but one o'the Black-guard had his hand
in my vestrie, and was groping of me as nimbly as the Christmas cut-purse.
He thought he might bee bold with mee, because I had not a husband in
sight to squeake to. I was glad to forgoe my forme, to bee rid of his hot
steeming affection, it so smelt o' the boyling-house. Fortie other deuices I
had, of Wyre-men, and the Chandry, and I know not what else: but all suc-
ceeded alike. I offered monie too, but that could not bee done so priuate-
ly, as it durst bee taken, for the danger of an example. At last, a troope of
strangers came to the doore; with whom I made my selfe sure to enter:
but before I could mixe, they were all let in, and I left alone, without, for
want of an Interpreter. Which, when I was faine to bee to my selfe, as a
Colossus, the companie told me, I had English enough to carrie mee to bed;
with which, all the other statues of flesh laugh'd. Neuer, till then, did I
know the want of a hooke, and a piece of beefe, to haue baited three or
foure o'those goodly wide mouthes with. In this despaire, when all inuen-
tion, and translation too, fail'd mee, I eene went backe, and stucke to this
shape you see me in, of mine owne, with my broome, and my candles, and
came on confidently, giuing out, I was a part o'the deuice: At which,
though they had little to doe with wit; yet, because some on't might bee
vs'd here to night, contrarie to their knowledge, they thought it fit, way
should be made for me; and, as it falls out, to small purpose.
PLVT.
Iust as much as you are fit for. Away idle spirit; and thou the
idle cause of his aduentring hither, vanish with him. 'Tis thou, that art not
only the sower of vanities, in these high places, but the call of all other
light follies to fall, and feed on them. I will endure thy prodigalitie, nor
ryots no more; they are the ruines of states. Nor shall the tyrannie of these
nights, hereafter impose a necessitie vpon mee, of entertayning thee. Let
'hem embrace more frugall pastimes. Why should not the thriftie and
right worshipfull game of Post and Payre content 'hem? Or the wittie in-
uention of Neddie, for counters? or God make them rich, at the Tables? but
Masking, and Reuelling? Were not these Ladies, and their Gentlewomen
more houswifely employ'd a dozen of 'hem to a light, or twēty (the more
the merrier) to saue charges i'their chambers, at home, and their olde
night-gownes, at Draw-gloues, Riddles, Dieames, and other prettie Purposes,
rather then, to wake here, in their flaunting wyres, and tyres, lac'd gownes,
embroydered petti-coats, and other taken-vp braueries. Away, I will no
more of these superfluous excesses. They are these make mee heare so ill,
both in towne and countrie, as I doe: which, if they continue, I shall bee
the first shall leaue 'hem.
MASQ.
Either I am verie stupid, or this a reformed CVPID.
ROB.
How? do's any take this for CVPID? the Loue in Court.
MASQ.
Yes, is't not hee?
ROB.
Nay then, we spirits (I see) are subtler yet, and somewhat bet-
ter discouerers. No; it is not he, nor his brother ANTI-CVPID, the loue
of vertue, though he pretend to it with his phrase and face: 'Tis that Im-
postor PLVTVS, the god of money, who ha's stolne LOVE's ensignes; and
in his belyed figure, raignes; the world making friendships, contracts, ma-
riages, and almost religion; begetting, breeding, and holding the neerest
respects of mankind; and vsurping all those offices in this Age of gold,
which LOVE himselfe perform'd in the golden age. 'Tis he, that pretends
to tie kingdomes, maintaine commerce, dispose of honors, make all places
and dignities arbitrarie from him: euen to the verie countrey, where
LOVE'S name cannot be ras'd out, he has yet gain'd there vpon him, by a
prouerbe, insinuating his preeminence, Not for loue, or money. There
LOVE liues confin'd, by his tyrannie, to a cold Region, wrapt vp in furres
like a Muscouite, and almost frozen to death: while he, in his enforced shape,
and with his rauish'd Armes, walkes as if he were to set bounds, and giue
lawes to destinie. 'Tis you, mortalls, that are fooles; and worthie to be
such, that worship him: for if you had wisdome, he had no godhead. He
should stinke in the graue with those wretches, whose slaue he was. Con-
temne him, and he is one. Come, follow me. Ile bring you where you
shall find LOVE, and by the vertue of this Maiestie, who proiecteth so
powerfull beames of light and heat through this Hemispheare, thaw his
icie fetters, and scatter the darknesse that obscures him. Then, in despight
of this insolent and barbarous Mammon, your sports may proceed, and
the solemnities of the night be complete, without depending on so earthie
an idoll.
PLVT.
I, doe; attempt it: 'Tis like to find most necessarie and fortu-
nate euent, whatsoeuer is enterpris'd without my aides. Alas! how bit-
terly the spirit of Pouertie spouts it selfe against my weale, and felicitie! but
I feele it not. I cherish and make much of my selfe, flow forth in ease, and
delicacie, while that murmures, and starues.
Enter CVPID, in his Chariot, guarded
with the MASQVERS.
O, How came LOVE, that is himselfe a fire,
to be so cold!
Yes, tyran Money quencheth all desire,
or makes it old.
But here are beauties will reuiue
LOVES youth, and keepe his heat aliue:
As often as his Torch here dies,
He needs but light it at fresh eies.
Ioy, joy, the more: for in all Courts,
If LOVE be cold, so are his sports.
CVPID.
I haue my spirits againe, and feele my limmes.
A way with this cold cloud, that dimmes
My light. Lie there my furres, and charmes,
LOVE feeles a heat, that inward warmes,
And guards him naked, in these places,
As at his birth, or'mongst the graces.
Impostor Mammon, come, resigne
This bow and quiuer; they are mine.
Thou hast too long vsurp'd my rites,
I now am Lord of mine owne nights.
Be gone, whil'st yet I giue thee leaue.
When, thus, the world thou wilt deceiue,
Thou canst in youth and beautie shine,
Belye a godheads forme diuine,
Scatter thy gifts, and flye to those,
Where thine owne humor may dispose:
But when to good men thou art sent,
By IOVE's direct commandement,
Thou, then, art aged, lame, and blind,
And canst nor path, nor persons find.
Go, honest spirit, chase him hence,
T'his caues; and there let him dispence,
For murders, treasons, rapes, his bribes
Vnto the discontented tribes;
Where, let his heapes grow daily lesse,
And he, and they, still want successe.
The Maiestie, that here doth moue,
Shall triumph, more secur'd by loue,
Then all his earth; and neuer craue
His aides, but force him as a slaue.
To those bright beames I owe my life,
And I will pay it, in the strife
Of dutie backe. See, here are ten,
The spirits of Court, and flower of men,
Led on by me, with flam'd intents,
To figure the ten ornaments,
That do each courtly presence grace.
Nor will they rudely striue for place,
One to precede the other; but,
As musique them in forme shall put,
So will they keepe their measures true,
And make still their proportions new,
Till all be come one harmonie,
Of honor, and of courtesie,
True valure, and vrbanitie,
Of confidence, alacritie,
Of promptnesse, and of industrie,
Habilitie, Realitie.
Nor shall those graces euer quit your Court:
Or I be wanting to supply their sport.
DAVNCES.
THis motion was of loue begot,
It was so ayrie, light, and good,
His wings into their feet he shot,
Or else himselfe into their bloud.
But aske not how. The end will proue,
That loue's in them, or they' are in loue.
HAue men beheld the Graces daunce,
Or seene the vpper Orbes to moue?
So these did turne, returne, aduance,
Drawne backe by doubt, put on by loue.
And now, like earth, themselues they fixe,
Till greater powers vouchsafe to mixe
Their motions with them. Doe not feare
You brighter planets of this spheare:
Not one male heart you see,
But rather to his female eyes
Would die a destin'd sacrifice,
Then liue at home, and free.
GIue end vnto thy pastimes, LOVE,
Before they labors proue:
A little rest betweene,
Will make thy next showes better seene.
Now let them close their eyes, and see
If they can dreame of thee,
Since morning hasts to come in view,
And all the morning dreames are true.