Is Hermes growne a lover, by what power
Unknowne to us, calls he the Naiades?
Mercurie.
Presumptuous Iris, I could make thee daunce
Till thou forgott'st thy Ladies messages,
And rann'st backe crying to her, thou shall know
My power is more, onely my breath, and this
Shall move fix'd starres, and force the firmament
To yeeld the Hyades, who governe showers,
And dewie clouds, in whose dispersed drops
Thou form'st the shape of thy deceitfull Bow.
You maids, who yearely at appointed times,
Advance with kindly teares, the gentle flouds,
Descend, and powre your blessing on these streames,
Which rolling downe from heaven aspiring hils,
And now united in the fruitfull vales;
Beare all before them ravisht with their joy,
And swell in glorie till they know no bounds.
Five Hyades descend softly in a cloud from the firmament, to the middle part of the hill, apparelled in skie coloured Taffita robes, spangled like the Heavens, golden Tresses, and each a faire Starre on their head, from thence descend to the Stage, at whose sight the Naiades seeming to rejoyce, meete and joyne in a dance.
Iris.
Great witte and power hath Hermes to contrive
A livelesse dance, which of one sexe consists.
Mercurie.
Alas poore Iris, Venus hath in store
A secret Ambush of her winged boyes,
Who lurking long within these pleasant groves;
First strucke these Lovers with their equall darts,
Those Cupids shall come forth, and joyne with these,
To honor that which they themselves begun.
Enter foure Cupids from each side of the Boscage, attired in flame coloured Taffita close to their bodie like naked Boyes, with Bowes, Arrowes, and wings of gold: Chaplets of flowers on their heads, hoodwinckt with Tiffiny scarfs, who joyne with the Nymphes, and the Hyades in another daunce. That ended, Iris speakes.
Iris.