And his attractive beams that lights these skies;

Who, though with ocean compassed, never wets

His hair therein, nor wears a beam that sets.

Long may his light adorn these happy rites,

As I renew them; and your gracious sights

Enjoy that happiness, even to envy, as when

Beauty, at large, brake forth and conquered men!

At which they danced their last dance into their throne again.

These quotations, though necessarily brief, illustrate the characteristic elements in the construction of the masque—dancing, music, song, spoken verse and elaborate scenic effect.