CHLORIDIA .

THe King , and Queenes Maiesty , hauing giuen their command for the Inuention of a new argument , with the whole change of the Scene , wherein her Maiesty , with the like number of her Ladies , purposed a presentation to the King . It was agreed , it should be the celebration of some Rites , done to the Goddesse Chloris , who in a generall counsell of of the Gods , was proclaim'd Goddesse of the flowers , according to that of Ouid , in the Fasti .

Arbitrium tu Dea floris habe .

And was to bee stellified on Earth , by an absolut decree from Iupiter , who would haue the Earth to be adorn'd with starres , as well as the Heauen .

Vpon this hinge , the whole Inuention moou'd .

The ornament , which went about the Scene , was composed of Foliage , or leaues heightned with gold , and enterwouen with all sorts of flowers ; and naked children , playing , and climbing among the branches ; and in the midst , a great garland of flowers , in which was written , CHLORIDIA .

The Curtaine being drawne vp , the Scene is discouer'd , consisting of pleasant hills , planted with young trees , and all the lower bankes adorned with flowers . And from some hollow parts of those hills , Fountaynes come gliding downe , which , in the farre-of Land-shape , seem'd all to be conuerted to a riuer .

Ouer all , a serene skie , with transparent clouds , giuing a great lustre to the whole worke , which did imitate the pleasant Spring .

When the Spectators had enough fed their eyes , with the delights of the Scene , in a part of the ayre , a bright cloud begins to breake forth ; and in it , is sitting a plumpe Boy , in a changeable garment , richly adorn'd , representing the mild Zephyrus . On the other side of the Scene , in a purplish cloud , appeareth the Spring , a beautifull Mayde , her vpper garment greene , vnder it , a white robe wrought with flowers ; A garland on her head .

Here Zephyrus begins his dialogue , calling her forth , and making narration of the Gods decree at large , which shee obeyes , pretending , it is come to Earth already : and there begun to bee executed , by the Kings fauour , who assists with all bounties , that may bee eyther vrg'd , as causes , or reasons of the Spring .

The first Song . ZEPHYRVS . Come forth , come forth , the gentle Spring , And carry the glad newes , I bring , To Earth , our common mother : It is decreed , by all the Gods The Heau'n , of Earth shall haue no odds , But one shall loue another : Their glories they shall mutuall make , Earth looke on Heauen , for Heauens sake ; Their honour's shall bee euen : All emulation cease , and iarres ; Ioue will haue Earth to haue her starres And lights , no lesse then Heauen . SPRING . It is already done , in flowers As fresh and new as are the howres , By warmth of yonder Sunne . But will be multipli'd on vs , If from the breath of ZEPHYRVS Like fauour we haue wonne . ZEPHYRVS . Giue all to him : His is the dew , The heate , the humor , SPRING . — All the true — Beloued of the Spring ! ZEPHYRVS . The Sunne , the Wind , the Verdure ! SPRING . — All , That wisest Nature cause can call Of quick'ning any thing .

At which , Zephyrus passeth away through the ayre , and the Spring descendeth to the Earth : and is receiu'd by the Naiades , or Napeae ; who are the Nymph's , Fountaynes , and Seruants of the season —

The second Song . FOVNTAYNES . Fayre Mayde , but are you come to dwell , And tarry with ys here ? SPRING . Fresh Fountaynes , I am come to tell A tale in yond' soft eare , Whereof the murmure will do well : If you your parts will beare . FOVNTAYNES . Our purlings wayte vpon the Spring . SPRING . Goe vp with me , then : helpe to sing The story to the King .

Here the Spring goes vp , singing the argument to the King ; and the Fountaynes follow with the close .

SPRING . Cupid hath ta'ne offence of late At all the Gods , that of the State , And in their Councell , he was so deserted , Not to be call'd into their Guild But slightly passd by , as a child . FOVNTAYNES . Wherein hee thinkes his honour was peruerted . SPRING . And though his Mother seeke to season , And rectifie his rage with reason , By shewing he liues yet vnder her command , Rebellious he , doth disobey , And she hath forc'd his armes away . FOVNTAYNES . To make him feele the Justice of her hand . SPRING . Whereat the Boy , in fury fell , With all his speed , is gone to hell , There to excite , and stirre vp jealousy , To make a party 'gainst the Gods , And set Heauen , Earth , and Hell at odds . FOVNTAYNES . And rayse a chaos of calamity .

The Song ended , the Nymphs fall into a dance , to their voyces , and instruments , and so returne into the Scene .

THE ANTIMASQVE . First Entry .

A part of the vnder ground opening , out of it enters a Dwarfe-Post from Hell , riding on a Curtall , with clouen feete , and two Lacqueys : These dance , & make the first entry of the Antimasque . Hee alights , and speakes .

POSTILION .

Hold my stirrop , my one Lacquey ; and looke to my Curtall , the other : walke him well , Sirrah , while I expatiate my selfe here in the report of my office ! oh the Furies ! how I am ioyed with the title of it ! Postillion of Hell ! yet no Mercury . But a mere Cacodaemon , sent hether with a packet of newes ! newes ! neuer was Hell so furnished of the commodity of newes ! Loue hath bin lately there , and so entertained by Pluto , and Proserpine , and all the Grandees of the place as , it is there perpetuall Holy-day : and a cessation of torment granted , and proclaimed for euer ! Halfe-famish'd Tantalus is fallen to his fruit , with that appetite , as it threaten's to vndoe the whole company of Costardmungers , and ha's a riuer afore him , running excellent wine lxion is loos'd from his wheele , and turn'd Dancer , does nothing but cut capreols , fetch friskals , and leades Laualtos , with the Lamiae ! Sisyphus ha's left rowling the stone , and is growne a Mr. bowler ; challenges all the prime gamesters , Parsons in hell , and giues them odds : vpon Tityus his brest , that ( for fixe of the nine aeres ) is counted the subtlest bowling-ground in all Tartary . All the Furies are at a game call'd nine pins , or keilles , made of old vsurers bones , and their soules looking on with delight , and betting on the game . Neuer was there such freedome of sport . Danaus daughters haue broke their bottomelesse tubs , and made bonfires of them . All is turn'd triumph there . Had hell gates bin kep't with halfe that strictnesse as the entry here ha's bin to night , Pluto would haue had but a cola Court , & Proserpine a thinne presence , though both haue a vast territory We had such a stirre to get in , I and my Curtall , and my two Lacqueys all ventur'd through the eye of a Spanish needle , we had neuer come in else , & that was by the fauour of one of the guard who was a womans-tayler , and held ope the passage . Cupid by commission hath carried jealousie from Hell , Disdaine , Feare , and Dissimulation , with other Goblins , to trouble the Gods . And I am sent after post , to rayse Tempest , Windes , Lightnings , Thunder , Rayne , and Snow , for some new exployt they haue against the Earth , and the Goddesse Chloris , Queene of the flowers , and Mistris of the Spring . For ioy of which I will returne to my selfe , mount my Bidet , in a dance ; and coruet vpon my Curtall .

The speech ended , the Postillion mounts his Curtall , and with his Lacqueys , danceth forth as hee came in .

2 Entry .

Cupid , Jealousy , Disdaine , Feare , and Dissimulation , dance together .

3 Entry .

The Queenes Dwarfe , richly apparrel'd , as a Prince of Hell , attended by 6 infernall Spirits ; He first danceth alone , and then the Spirits : all expressing their ioy , for Cupids comming among them .

4 Entry .

Here the Scene changeth , into a horrid storme . Out of which enters the Nymph Tempest , with foure Windes . they dance .

5 Entry .

Lightnings , 3 in number , their habits glistering , expressing that effect , in their motion .

6 Entry .

Thunder alone dancing the tunes to a noyse , mixed , and imitating thunder .

7 Entry .

Rayne , presented by 5 persons all swolne , and clouded ouer , their hayre flagging , as if they were wet , and in their hands , balls full of sweete water , which , as they dance , sprinkle all the roome .

8 and last Entry .

Seuen with rugged white heads , and beards , to expresse Snow , with flakes on their garments , mix'd with hayle . These hauing danced , returne into the stormy Scene , whence they came .

Here , by the prouidence of Iuno , the tempest on an instant ceaseth : And the Scene is changed into a delicious place , figuring the bowre of Chloris . Where , in an arbour fayn'd of Gold-smiths worke , the ornament of which was borne vp with Termes of Satyres , beautify'd with Festones , garlands , and all sorts of fragrant flowers . Beyond all this , in the skie a farre of appear'd a Rainebow , In the most eminent place of the Bowre , sate the Goddesse Chloris , accompanied with fourteene Nymphs , their apparrell white , embroydered , with siluer , trim'd at the shoulders with great leaues of greene , embroydered with gold , falling one vnder the other . And of the same worke were their bases , their head-'tires of flowers , mix'd with siluer , and gold , with some sprigs of Aegrets among , and from the top of their dressing , a thinne vayle hanging downe .

All which beheld ,

The Nymphs , Riuers , and Fountaynes with the Spring , sung this reioycing Song .

Song . 3. RIVERS , SPRING , FOVNTAYNES . Run out , all the Flouds , in ioy with your siluer feete ; And hast to meete , the enamour'd Spring ; For whom the warbling Fountaynes sing : The story of the flowers ; preserued by the Howers ; At Iuno's soft command , and Iris showers ; Sent to quench iealousie , and all those powers Of Loues rebellious warre : Whil'st Chloris sits a shining starre To crowne , and grace our iolly song , made long , To the notes , that we bring , to glad the Spring .

Which ended , the Goddesse , and her Nymphs descend the degrees , into the roome , and dance the entry of the grand-masque .

After this , another Song by the same persons , as before .

Song . 4 , RIVERS , FOVNTAYNES . Tell a truth , gay Spring , let vs know What feete they were , that so Impres't the Earth , and made such various flowers to grow ! SPRING . She that led , a Queene was at least , Or a Goddesse , 'boue the rest : And all their graces , in her selfe expres't ! RIVERS , FOVNTAYNES . O' it were a fame , to know her name ! Whether she were the roote ; Or they did take th' impression , from her foote .

The Masquers here dance their second dance .

Which done ,

The farther Prospect of the Scene changeth into ayre , with a low Land-shape , in part couered with clouds : And in that instant , the Heauen opening , Iuno , and Iris are seene , and aboue them many aery spirits , sitting in the cloudes .

Song . 5. IVNO . Now Iuno , and the Ayre shall know The truth of what is done below , From our discolourd bow . Iris , what newes ? IRIS . The ayre is cleare , your bow can tell , Chloris renown'd , Spight fled to Hell ; The busines all is well . And Cupid sues - IVNO . For pardon . Do's hee ? IRIS . Hee sheds teares More then your Birds haue eyes . IVNO The Gods haue eares . Offences , made agaynst the Deities , Are soone forgot - IRIS . If who offends , be wife .

Here , out of the Earth , ariseth a Hill , and on the top of it , a globe , on which Fame is seene standing with her trumpet , in her hand ; and on the Hill , are seated foure Persons , presenting , Poesie , History , Architecture , and Sculpture : who together with the Nymphs , Floods , and Fountaynes , make a full Quire , at which , Fame begins to mount , and moouing her wings , flyeth , singing vp to Heauen :

FAME . Rise golden Fame , and giue thy name a birth CHORVS . From great and generous actions , done on Earth . FAME . The life of Fame is action . CHORVS . Vnderstood That action must be vertuous , great , and good ! FAME . Vertue it selfe by Fame is of 't protected , And dies despised — CHORVS . Where the Fames neglected FAME . Who hath not heard of Chloris , and her bowre Fayre Iris act , employ'd by Iuno's power To guard the Spring , and prosper euery flower , Whom Iealousie and Hell thought to deuoure ? CHORVS . Great actions of 't obscurd by time , may lye , Or enuy — FAME But they last to memory . POESY . Wee that sustaine thee , Learned Poesy HISTORY . And I , her sister , seuere History . ARCHITECTVRE . With Architecture , who will rayse thee high , SCVLPTVRE . And Sculpture , that can keepe thee from to dye . CHORVS . All helpe lift thee to eternity . JVNO . And Iuno , through the ayre , doth make thy way , IRIS . By her serenest Messenger of Day . FAME . Thus Fame ascend's , by all degrees , to Heauen : And leaues a light , here , brighter , then the seuen . CHORVS . Let all applaud the sight . Ayre first , that gaue the bright Reflections , Day or Night ! With these supports of Fame , That keepe aliue her name ! The beauties of the Spring . Fount's , Riuers , euery thing : From the height of all , To the Waters fall - Resound , and sing The honour's of his Chloris , to the King . Chloris , the Queene of Flowers ; The sweetnesse of all Showres ; The ornament of Bowres ; The top of Par-amours !

Fame , being hidden in the clouds , the hill sinkes : and the Heauen closeth .

The Masquers dance with the Lords . The END