TO THE WORTHIE | SIR Francis Bacon, HIS MA-|JESTIES SOLLICITOR GENE-|rall, and the grave and learned Bench of | the anciently allied houses of Grayes | Inne, and the Inner Temple, the Inner | Temple, and Grayes Inne.
Yee that spared no time nor travell, in the setting forth, ordering, & furnishing of this Masque, being the first fruits of honor in this kinde, which these two societies have offered to his Majestie: Will not thinke much now to looke backe upon the effects of your owne care and worke: for that whereof the successe was then doubtfull, is now happily performed and gratiously accepted. And that which you were then to thinke of in straites of time, you may now peruse at leysure. And you Sir Francis Bacon especially, as you did then by your countenance, and loving affection advance it, so let your good word grace it, and defend it, which is able to adde value to the greatest, and least matters.
THE DEVISE OR | ARGUMENT OF THE | MASQUE.
Jupiter and Juno willing to doe honour to the Mariage of the two famous Rivers Thamesis and Rhene, imploy their Messengers severally, Mercurie and Iris for that purpose. They meete and contend: then Mercurie for his part brings forth an Anti-masque all of Spirits or divine Natures: but yet not of one kinde or liverie (because that had been so much in use heretofore) but as it were in consort like to broken Musicke. And preserving the proprietie of the devise; for that Rivers in nature are maintained either by Springs from beneath, or Shewers from above: He raiseth foure of the Naiades out of the Fountaines, and bringeth downe five of the Hyades out of the Cloudes to daunce; hereupon Iris scoffes at Mercurie for that hee had devised a daunce but of one Sexe, which could have no life: but Mercurie who was provided for that exception, and in token that the Match should be blessed both with Love and Riches calleth forth out of the Groves foure Cupids, and brings downe from Jupiters Altar foure Statuaes of gold and silver to daunce with the Nymphes and Starres: in which daunce the Cupids being blinde, and the Statuaes having but halfe life put into them, and retaining still somewhat of their old nature, giveth fit occasion to new and strange varieties both in the Musick and paces. This was the first Anti-masque.
Then Iris for her part in scorne of this high flying devise, and in token that the Match shall likewise be blessed with the love of the Common People, calles to Flora her confederate (for that the Moneths of flowers are likewise the Moneths of sweete shewers, and Raine-bowes) to bring in a May-daunce or Rurall daunce, consisting likewise not of any suted persons, but of a confusion, or commixture of all such persons as are naturall and proper for Countrey sports. This is the second Anti-masque.
Then Mercurie and Iris after this vying one upon the other, seeme to leave their contention: and Mercurie by the consent of Iris brings downe the Olympian Knights, intimating that Jupiter having after a long discontinuance revived the Olympian games, and summoned thereunto from all parts the liveliest, & activest persons that were, had enjoyned them before they fell to their games to doe honour to these Nuptials. The Olympian games portend to the Match, Celebritie, Victorie, and Felicitie. This was the maine Masque.
The Fabricke was a Mountaine with two descents, and severed with two Travesses.
At the entrance of the King.