Behold the Statuaes which wise Vulcan plac'd
Under the Altar of Olympian Jove,
Shall daunce for joy of these great Nuptialls:
And gave to them an Artificiall life,
See how they move, drawne by this heavenly joy,
Like the wilde trees, which follow'd Orpheus Harpe.
The Statuaes enter, supposed to be before descended from Joves Altar, and to have been prepared in the covert with the Cupids, attending their call.
These Statuaes were attired in cases of gold and silver close to their bodie, faces, hands and feete, nothing seene but gold and silver, as if they had been solid Images of mettall, Tresses of haire as they had been of mettall imbossed, girdles and small aprons of oaken leaves, as if they likewise had been carved or molded out of the mettall: at their comming, the Musicke changed from Violins to Hoboyes, Cornets, &c. And the ayre of the Musicke was utterly turned into a soft time, with drawing notes, excellently expressing their natures, and the Measure likewise was fitted unto the same, and the Statuaes placed in such severall postures, sometimes all together in the Center of the daunce, and sometimes in the foure utmost Angles, as was very gracefull besides the noveltie: and so concluded the first Anti-masque.
Mercurie.
And what will Junoes Iris do for her?
Iris.
Just match this shew; or my Invention failes,
Had it beene worthier, I would have invok'd
The blazing Comets, Clouds and falling Starres,
And all my kindred Meteors of the Ayre
To have excell'd it, but I now must strive
To imitate Confusion, therefore thou
Delightfull Flora, if thou ever felt'st
Encrease of sweetnesse in those blooming plants,
On which the homes of my faire bow decline;
Send hither all the Rurall company,
Which decke the May-games with their Countrey sports;
Juno will have it so.
The second Anti-masque rush in, daunce their Measure, and as rudely depart, consisting of a Pedant.
| May Lord, | May Lady. |
| Servingman, | Chambermaide. |
| A Countrey Clowne, or Shepheard, | Countrey Wench. |
| An Host, | Hostesse. |
| A Hee Baboone, | Shee Baboone. |
| A Hee Foole, | Shee Foole ushering them in. |