3d. G. Not I.
Venus. Stay, nymphs; we then will try
A nearer way. Look at these ladies’ eyes,
And see if there he not concealèd lies.
Perchance he hath some simple heart to hide
His subtle shape in ...
. . . . . . . . . .
Begin, soft Graces, and proclaim reward
To her that brings him in. Speak to be heard.
Then the Graces begin, and one after the other for nine verses sing the “Hue and Cry for Cupid”:
1st G. Beauties, have ye seen this toy
Callèd Love, a little boy,
Almost naked, wanton, blind;
Cruel now, and then as kind?
If he be amongst ye, say?
He is Venus’ runaway.
. . . . . . . . . .
2d G. Trust him not; his words, though sweet,
Seldom with his heart do meet.
All his practice is deceit;
Any gift it is a bait;
Not a kiss but poison bears,
And most treason in his tears.
. . . . . . . . . .
1st G. If by these ye please to know him,
Beauties, be not nice, but show him.
2d G. Though ye had a will to hide him,
Now, we hope, ye’ll not abide him.
3d G. Since you hear his falser play,
And that he’s Venus’ runaway.
After this Cupid himself comes running out from behind the trophies: he is armed; he is followed by twelve boys “most antickly” attired, representing the Sports and pretty Lightnesses that accompany Love under the titles of Joci and Risus.
Cupid. Come, my little jocund sports,
Come away; the time now sorts
With your pastime; this same night
Is Cupid’s day. Advance your light,
With your revel fill the room,
That our triumphs be not dumb.
Then the boys “fall into a subtle, capricious” dance, bearing torches with ridiculous gestures. Venus all the time stands on one side, the Graces grouped around her. Can we realize what a pretty picture this would make? When the dance is over, Venus and her maidens surround Cupid and apprehend him. What has he been doing?
“Have you shot Minerva or the Thespian dames?
Heat agèd Ops again with youthful flames?
Or have you made the colder Moon to visit,
Once more, a sheepcote? Say what conquest is it
Can make you hope such a renown to win?
Is there a second Hercules brought to spin?
Or, for some new disguise, leaves Jove his thunder?”