Costumes for The Masque of the Two Strangers designed at the Washington Irving High School.
Between the Lady Alice Egerton, who acted in the masque of Comus, which Milton composed for presentation before John, earl of Bridgewater, then President of Wales, and the Lady Alix Egerton, author of The Masque of the Two Strangers, lie three hundred years; but throughout these centuries the descendants of the first earl of Bridgewater have cherished consistently the great traditions of English literature. The family has owned for many generations the Ellesmere Chaucer and the Bridgewater manuscript of Comus, both of which have recently been edited by the twentieth century Lady Alix Egerton.
Her The Masque of the Two Strangers here reprinted was given at the Washington Irving High School in March, 1921. The designs for the costumes used in this production are here illustrated. The following notes will help the reader to reconstruct the costumes from the pictures:
- I. The Princess
- White soft material.
- Spangled trimming.
- Mantle of blue.
- Veil of blue net.
- Hennin (head dress) in silver.
- II. Hope
- Glass ball.
- Lavender under slip.
- Veil of rose pink.
- III. Joy
- Draping of orange yellow.
- Flowers of various colors.
- Vermilion scarf.
- IV. Love
- Long, full cape of deep purple; cowl falling back.
- Cerise costume.
- Silver surcoat and helmet.
- V. Laughter
- Yellow and black.
- Trimming of bells.
- VI. Poetry
- Light green with silver; paper design on border.
- VII. Song
- Robe dyed in rainbow hues.
- Silver wings.
- VIII. Dance
- Vermilion.
- IX. Power
- Bright blue.
- Gems.
- Gilt headpiece jeweled.
- Mantle and sash of purple.
- X. Fame
- Robe of deep green.
- Gold border.
- Laurel leaves on gold crown.
- XI. Riches
- Knight's close-fitting short coat of henna.
- (Flannel dyed to represent felt or leather.)
- Gold lacings; gold paper design on coat; gold and henna helmet.
- XII. Service
- Soft yellow shaded to brown at bottom of skirt and sleeves.
- Front panel of dark green forming part of head drapery.
- XIII. Sorrow
- Gray.
- XIV. Herald
- Dark red and gold.
PROLOGUE
[Enter a Jester.]
Good people, of your gentle courtesy,
I pray your patience, now, and list to me.
Before you I will here present to-day
A story told in the medieval way.
Now sad—now merry—here and there a song,
While through it all a meaning runs along.
On this side is the Court of Youth where dwells
A Princess who is held by magic spells.
On that is the vast Otherworld from whence
The great Immortals come for her defense.
Betwixt the greater and the lesser Power,
That duel that goes on from hour to hour
Throughout the ages, I would have you see
Depicted in this passing phantasy.
[Music of Masque begins.]
The players come and I had best away;
I'll come back afterwards and end my say.