Ours was of another guess Sort, Sir! I fancy there was some little Classicality in it; though I say it that should not. After the Hall Dinner, ('twas noted of all how pretty Anne, the young Bride, looked as Lady Mayoress!) the Players having set up their Stage, Apollo was discovered lying all along, a playing of his Lyre, with his Crook cast aside and his Sheep scattered hither and thither: and, quod he,
"Whoe'er may it gainsay,
I am the God of Day;
And it is also I
Am God of Poetry:
Howbeit, 'tis my Fate,
Thus cast from high Estate,
In these poor Weeds to keep
The good Admetus' Sheep."
—And so forth, explaining why he had been banished from Heaven by Jupiter. Entereth to him Admetus, not wisting who he is, beyond his hired Servant, whereon they parley on Things in general, especially the Wool Trade and Clothworking, (with a Hit, here and there, at the Drapers.) Then the merry Sound of Drumes and Pfiffes causeth them to step aside behind the Trees, and there entereth a Company of Shepherds and Shepherdesses singing the Praises of their fair Lady Alcestis, represented by a fair Boy i' the Midst, crowned with Guirlands. Then Admetus doeth Apollo to wit how that he is enamoured of Alcestis, whose Father will in no wise bestow her save on one that shall yoke a Boar and Lion together in a Car. Then Apollo, who hath a dark Lanthorn aneath his Cloke wherewith he ever and anon maketh a sudden Flare into Admetus' Eyes, who wisteth not whence it cometh, nor wotteth 'tis the sunbright Glory of his celestial Guest, biddeth Admetus not to lose Heart, for that he will accomplish his Task for him. And thereupon taking up his Lyre, he beginneth to sing and play after such a transporting Manner, that the Birds give over singing in the Trees and hop down on his Shoulders, the Beasts begin to glare at him through the Thickets, and then to gather about him, subdued unto a kind of surly Softness,—whereon Apollo, giving Admetus a private Nod and continuing his playing, Admetus without more Ado takes a Yoke wreathed with Flowers from one of the Shepherds, yoketh therewith a Lion and a Boar into a Car that is presently brought in, placeth Alcestis in it, driveth her to the Feet of her Father, (a King,) who arriveth opportunely and can no longer say why the Marriage should not be solemnizated; and, their Hands being joined by him, the Shepherds and Shepherdesses dance about them, Apollo still playing; and one and all chant a Chorus in Praise of Clothworking.