Lord Mayor's Show: on November 9—when the people have an opportunity of welcoming the new Lord Mayor on his entering into office.
[48. PLAYS AND PAGEANTS. PART III.]
libretto: the words of a masque or play set to music.
scenic: on the stage.
Ben Jonson (born 1574, died 1637): a great English play writer and poet, and a friend of Shakespeare.
Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam (born 1561, died 1626), was Lord Chancellor and a great writer on philosophical subjects.
Oberon: the king of the fairies and husband of Titania, as in Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream.'
save James: that is, King James I.; a piece of courtly flattery due to Jonson's connection with the court.
Prince Henry, who is meant by Oberon in the masque, died in 1612, to the great regret of the people.