The Argument .

CIrce by her alurements inamored a young Gent. on her person , who a while lived with her in all sensuall delights vntill vpon some iealosie conceived , shee gaue him to drinke of an inchanted Cup , and touching him with her golden wand transformd him into a Lyon . After some time shee remembring her former loue , retransformed him into his former shape . Which he reasuming tooke the first occasion by flight to quitt the place and comming into the presence of his Maiestie , whose sight frees him from all feare he relates the story of his fortune .

When Circe had notice of her Lovers escape it , put her into a furious anger and then into a lamentation or loue passion . But being consolated by her Nymphes ; shee commands that all such delights be prepared as may sweeten her sorow : and presently all the voluntary beasts vnder her subiection are introduced to make her sport . After which the way being first prepared by Harmony , and the Influences ; divine Beautie accompanied with foureteene stars of a happy constellation , descends to the Musicke of the Spheares and ioyneth with heroicke vertue , where in presence of loue & Cupid , Circe knowing the designe of the destinies on this glorious Enterview , voluntarily delivers her golden rod to MINERVA . So all the inchantments being dissolued . TEMPE which for a time had beene possest by the voluntary beasts of CIRCES Court ; is restored to the true followers of the MVSES .

The description of the Sceane .

IN the vpper part of the border serving for ornament to the SCENE , was painted a faire compartment of scrowles and quadratures , in which was written TEMPE RESTAVRATVM . On each side of this , lay a figure bigger then the life , the one a woman with wings on her head like MERCVRIE and a pen in her hand : the other a man looking downe in a booke lying open before him , and a torch lighted in his hand : that figur'd Invention ; this Knowledge . Neere to these were children holding ougly Maskes before their faces in action as if they would afright them ; others riding on tame beasts and some blowing such wrethen Trumps as make confused noyse , in the corners sat other Children hardning of darts in Lamps . But Invention & Knowledge seeme not to be diverted from their study by these childish bugbears . In the midst of the two sides of this border in short neeces sat two ougly figures , the one a woman with a forked tongue , and snaky lockes , and the vnder part of a Satyre , this Hagge held in her hand a smiling vizard crown'd with Roses , and was figured for Envie , vnder the Maske of friendship . On the other side was sitting as horrid a man Satyre with a wreath of poppy on his head , and a Frog sitting on the fore part thereof ; and aboue a Batt flying , this represented curions Ignorance . The rest of the Border was fild vp with severall fancies , which lest I should be too long in the description of the frame , I will goe to the picture it selfe , and indeed these showes are nothing else but pictures with Light and Motion .

A Curtaine being drawne vp , the Lightsome Scene appear'd , shewing a delicious place by nature and art ; where in a Valley inviron'd with Hils a farre off was seated , a prospect of curious Arbours of various formes . The first order of marble Pillasters . Betweene which were neeces of rocke worke and Statues ; some spurting water received into vazes beneath them , and others standing on Pedestals . On the returnes of these Pillasters run slender Cornishments . From which was raised a second order of gratious termes with womens faces which beare vp the ornaments . Vnder this to a leaning height was a Ballestrata inricht . All this second story seem'd of silver worke mixt with fresh Verdures which on the tops of these arbours covered some of the returnes , in the forme of tipes with tender branches dangling downe : others were cover'd flatt and had flower pots of gold for finishing : behind these appear'd the tops of slender trees , whose leaues seem'de to moue with a gentle breath comming from the farre off Hills .

Out of this pleasant place comes in hast , a yong Gentleman , looking often backe , as if he feared a pursuit ; and beeing come into the midst of the roome , looking still distractedly about him , hee wipes his face with an handkercher , and then advanceth towards the State , and speakes .

The fugitive Favourite . Was I a Lyon ! that am now afraid ! I feare no danger ; nor I feare no Death ; But to be Retransform'd , into a Beast : Which while I was , although I must confesse , I was the Brauest : What could shee doe lesse , That saw me Subiect , to no base desire : Yet was there in me , a Promethean fire , That made me covet to be man againe , Govern'd by Reason , and not rul'd by Sense . Therefore I shunne this place of Residence , And flye to Vertue : in whose awfull sight , She dares not come , but in a Maske , and crouch , As low as I did , for my liberty . Her Bowre is pleasant , and her Palace Rich ; Her Fare Delicious ; and her Language fine ; But shall the Soule , the Minion of the Gods , Stoope to her Vassalls ? Or stand by and sterue , While they sit swelling , in her Chayre of State ? T is not her Rod , her Philters , nor her Herbes , ( Though strong in Magicke ) that can bound mens minds ; And make them Prisoners , where there is no wall . It is consent that makes a perfect Slaue : And Sloth that binds us to Lusts easie Trades , Wherein we serue out our youths Prentiship , Thinking at last , Loue should enfranchize vs , Whome we haue neuer , either seru'd or knowne : He finds no helpe , that vses not his owne .

The further part of the Sceane opening , there appeares seated on the side of a fruitfull hill , a sumptuous Palace , with an open Tarras before there appeares seated on the side of a fruitfull hill , a sumptuous Palace , with an open Tarras before it , and a great staire of returne , descending into the lower grounds ; the upper part environ'd with walles of Marble , alongst which were planted , Cypresse trees . From the foot of the hill , Circe attended by the Nayades , and Dryades comes foorth in fury , for the escape of the young Gentleman , her Lover ; and hauing traverst the stage with an angry looke , sings to her Lute .

The Song of Circe , represented by Madam Comacke . Cir: Dissembling Traytor , now I see the cause , Of all thy fawning , was but to be free : T' was not for nothing , thou hadst teeth and clawes , For thou hast made a cruell prey of me .

Her 4 Nymphes . Ingratitude is apt , to slinke away , And shunne that bounty which it cannot pay . Circe : And he is gone ( aye me ) is stolne from hence , And this poore Casket of my breast , hath left Without a Hart : that should for recompence , Haue lockt in two : O most inhumane theft !

Her foure Nymphes . Send not your sighes , after a fickle mind , That Sayles the faster for such Gales of wind . Circe . Then take my keyes ! and shew me al my wealth . Leade me abroad ! Let me my subiects view ! Bring me some Physick ! though that bring no health ! And feyne me pleasures , since I finde none true . Chorus . Yee willing servants ! And ye Soules confin'd To severall shapes , by powerfull Herbes and Art , Appeare , transform'd each in your seuerall kind , And striue to temper the distemper'd Heart , Of sullen Circe , stung with Cupids dart .

Her song ended , she sits , and before her are presented all the Antimasques , consisting of Indians , and Barbarians , who naturally are bestiall , and others which are voluntaries , and but halfe transformed into beastes .

Here come forth all the Anti-masques . 7. Indians adoring their Pagole . 1. Idoll . 1. Hare . 2. Hounds . 4. Lyons . 3. Apes . An Asse like a Pedante , teaching them Prick-song . 6. Barbarians . 5. Hogges . The Last Anti-Masque . 2. Indians . 2. Hounds . 2. Apes . 1. Asse . 2. Lyons . 2. Barbarians . 2. Hogges .

The Anti Masques being past ; Circe and her Nymphes retire towards the palace from whence she came , and the Sceane returning into the vale of TEMPE .

Harmony comes foorth attended by a Chorus of Musique , and vnder her conducts fourteene Influences of the stars , which are to come . Shee with the Chorus goes vp to the State and sings .

Harmony presented by Mris Shep. Not as my selfe , but as the brightest Starre , That shines in Heaven , come to Reigne this day . And these the Beames and Influences are Of Constellations , whose Planeticke sway , Though some foresee , all must alike obey . Chorus . Such a Coniunction , of auspicious lights , Meete but in Honor , of some Regall rights .

Harmony and her Quire . Ladies ! lend vs your eares . And let no Louers sigh be heard ! Or Suite , ( though iust ) be now prefer'd A consort of the Spheres , Admits no whisper , nor no sound , But what is descant , to their ground : Nor can we hold ye long , For there are Stars to rise , That farre aboue , our song Are Musicke to all eyes . They retire .

A Saraband . If any Beauty here , In her owne glasse appeare Or Louers eye , most cleere ? Looking but vp , she may with small adoe Perceiue that flatters , and her seruant too .

Her Song ended they retire with a Sarabant and the foureteene Influences fall into their daunce . Which being past they are placed on the degrees by the Lords and Ladies where they sitt to see the Masque .

The Highest Sphere ; Mr. Laneere represents When Divine Beautie , will vouchsafe to stoope , And moue to Earth : 't is fit the Heauenly Spheres , Should be her Musicke : And the Starrie Troope , Shine round about her , like the Crowne she weares . Chorus . No mortall Brest , Can entertaine : So great a Guest , And such a Trayne . Mr. Laneere . I cannot blame ye if ye gaze , And giue small eare to what I say : For such a presence will amaze , And send the Senses all one way . Chorus . The Musick that yee heare , is dull , But that ye see , is sweete indeed : In euery Part exact , and full , From whence there doth an Ayre proceed , On which th' Intelligences feed , Where faire and good , inseparably conioynd , Create a Cupid , that is neuer blind .

Then the Scene is changed into an orientall skye , such as appeares at the Sunne rising , and a farre off a Landscipt and a calme Sea which did terminate the Horizon ; in the hither part was a Heaven with a Citadell , and opposite to that , were broken grounds and craggey rocks .

In the midst of the ayre the eight Spheares in rich habites were seated on a Cloud , which in a circular forme was on each side continued vnto the highest part of the Heaven , and seem'd to haue let them downe as in a Chaine .

To the Musicke of these Spheares there appear'd two other Clouds descending , & in them were discovered eight Stars ; these being come to the middle Region of the skie , another greater Cloud came downe aboue them ; Which by little and little descending , discovered other glistering Stars to the number of sixe : and aboue all in a Chariot of gold-smithes workes richly adorned with precious Iemmes , sat divine Beauty , over whose head , appear'd a brightnesse , full of small starres that inviron'd the top of the Chariot , striking a light round about it .

The eight Stars that first descended being by this time past the Spheares came forth , and the Clouds on which they sat with a swift morion returning vp againe , and the other still descending shewed a pleasing contention betweene them as they past . When divine Beauty and her attendants were lighted , that great Cloud that bare them flyes vp againe , leaving the Chariot standing on the Earth .

This sight altogether was for the difficulty of the Ingining and number of the persons the greatest that hath beene seene here in our time . For the apparitions of such as came downe in the ayre , and the Chorus standing beneath arrived to the number of fifty persons all richly attired , shewing the magnificence of the court of England . In the description of the severall habites of the maine Masques and Masquers and Chorus with all the persons imployd , would make a booke alone as big as this , and aske more time in setting downe then can bee now spared ; onely thus much the Queenes Maiesties was in a garment of watchet Sattine with Stars of silver imbrodered and imbost from the ground , and on her head a Crowne of Stars mixt with some small falls of white Feathers . And the Ladies were in the same manner . The stuffe was rich and the forme Noble , and all suting to the Magnificence of so great a Queene .

The Queene and the Ladies dance their Entry ; after which Harmony , and the highest Spheare sing , assisted by all the Chorus together .

The Song . Mirs Sheperd. How rich is earth ? and poore the skies ? Depriu'd of heauenly Beauties eyes ? Whose Image men adore . Mr Laneere . Heroicke Vertue , is that kind Of Beautie , that attracts the mind , And men should most implore . The Spheres . Ianus was happy that could see , Two wayes at once : And happier he That round about him kept Watches , that neuer slept . Cho: But we most happy , that behold , Two that haue turn'd this Age to Gold , Making old Saturns Reigne , In theirs , come backe againe . And since more , th' obiect , then the sight , Makes euery seer Blest ; How are we rauisht with delight , That see the best .

The Maskers dance their maine Dance , which done , and the Queene seated vnder the state by his Maiestie , the Scene is againe changed into a shady wood , and a new Heaven appeares differing in shape and colour from the other . In the midst of which Ioue sitting on an Eagle is seene hovering in the ayre with a glory beyond him . And at that instant Cupid from another part of the Heaven comes flying forth , and hauing past the Scene , turnes soaring about like a bird , and at the same time Pallas , Circe and her foure Nymphes appeare on the Stage : the great Chorus consisting of fiue and thirty Musitions standing below to assist them .

Cupid : It is but Iustice , to torment a heart , That tortured thousands : And my gentle reigne , So wrongd with acting of a Tyrants part , I must Restreyne , My powre abus'd ; And right my iniurd Treyne . Iupiter . Thou claim'st her Subiects : And I claime the Soyle , As Soueraigne Lord : The Hecatomes shee brings , Though great Oblations , yet deduc'd from Spoyle , Are sordid Things : And sent of Earth : Vertue pure Incense brings . Circe : The Gods , more freedome did allow , when Ioue turn'd Io to a Cow . Pallas : Are mortall Creatures , growne so proud To taxe the Skye , for euery Cloud : Circe : Man-Maide , bee gone ! Pallas : Though I could turne thee , to a Stone I le begge thy peace : Iupiter : Deare Daughter cease ! Circe : Cease Dreadfull Ioue ! Finding thy Drift , My Bounty , shall prevent thy Guift : This Machles Payre , I make , my Heire : All I possesse , I heere , Resigne , Thou hast thy And I haue Mine . Iupiter : Shee giues but what shee can not keepe . Cupid : Then was the wound I gaue her deepe . Both : T' was I whose power none can withstand , That open'd both her heart , and hand .

The Valediction . How would they mourne , to loose yee quite ! That are so loath , to say , Goodnight . Yet wee may pleade , in our Excuse , Should you , these Loanes of Loue forsake The Gods themselues , such Sommes would take And pay vs , vse .

When this was past , the Eagle with love flew vp , and Cupid tooke his flight through the Ayre , after which the Heauens close . Palas and Circe returnes into the Scene with the Nymphes , and Chorus ; and so concluded the last Intermedium . After which the Queene and her Ladies began the Revels , with the King and his Lords , which continued all the night .

The Allegory .

In the young Gentleman , who Circe had first enamored on her Person , and after , through Iealousie conceiued , Transformed into a Lyon . And againe remembring her former Love , retransform'd into his former shape , is figured an incontinent man , that striving with his affections , is at last by the power of reason perswaded to flye from those Sensuall desires , which had formerly corrupted his Iudgement .

Circe here signifies desire in generall , the which hath power on all living Creatures , and beeing mixt of the Divine and Sensible , hath divers effects , Leading some to Vertue , and others to Vice . Shee is described as a Queene , having in her service , and subiection , the Nymphs , which participate of Divinity , figuring the Vertues , and the bruite Beasts , denoting the Vices . The description of her person , of extraordinary Beauty , and sweetnesse of her voyce , shewes that desire is moved either by sight or hearing , to loue Vertue , or the contrary , and the Beautifull aspect of her inchaunted Palace , glistering with gold , and Precious Ornaments , that desire cannot bee moued without apparance of Beauty , either true of false .

The Dryades , and Nayades , Nymphes of the Woods , and Waters , that is to say ; the good spirits defused through all the Vniverse , are servants to this Queene , and liue with her in all Liberty and pleasure whose imployment is to gather the most exquisite Herbes , and Flowers of the earth for the service of their Mistres ; Figuring the Vertues and Sciences , by which the desire of Mans Spirits are prepared and disposed to good , the beasts , in part transformed , who contrary to their Natures , make her sport , represents vnto vs that Sensuall desire makes men loose their Vertue and Valour , turning Parasites and Slaues to their Bruitish affections . That these Intemperate Beastes of Circes Court , should for a time possesse TEMPE . The happie retreat of the Muses and their followers , is meant , the inchantments of vitious impostures , that by false meanes , seeke to extirpate the true Louers of Science and Vertue , to whom of right only that place belongs .

That divine Beauty accompan'ed with a troope of Stars of a happy Constellation ioyning with Heiroicke vertue should dissolue the inchantments , and Circe voluntarily deliver her golden rod to Minerva , is meant that a divine Beame comming from aboue , with a good inclination , and a perfect habit of vertue made , by the Harmony of the Irascible and concupiscible parts obedient to the rationall and highest part of the soule . Making man onely a mind vsing the body and affections as instruments ; which being his true perfection , brings him to all the happinesse which can bee inioyed heere below .

In Heiroicke vertue is figured the Kings Maiestie , who therein transcends as farre common men , as they are aboue Beasts , he truly being the prototipe to all the Kingdomes vnder his Monarchie , of Religion , Iustice , and all the Vertues ioyned together .

So that Corporeall Beauty , consisting in simetry , colour , and certaine vnexpressable Graces , shining in the Queenes Maiestie , may draw vs to the contemplation of the Beauty of the soule , vnto which it hath Analogy .

All the Verses were written by Mr. Aurelian Townesend .

The subiect and Allegory of the Masque , with the descriptions , and Apparatus of the Sceanes were invented by Inigo Iones , Surveyor of his Maiesties worke .

FINIS .