University of Virginia Library

The Maine Masque.

The second Trauers is drawne, and the higher ascent of the Mountaine is discouered, wherein vpon a leuell after a great rise of the Hill, were placed two Pauilions: open in the front of them, the Pauilions were to sight as of cloth of gold, and they were trimmed on the inside with rich Armour and Militarie furniture hanged vp as vpon the walles, and behind the Tents there were represented in prospectiue, the tops of diuers other Tents, as if it had been a Campe. In these Pauilions were placed fifteene Olympian Knights, vpon seates a little imbowed neere the forme of a Croisant, and the Knights appeared first, as consecrated persons all in vailes, like to Coapes, of siluer Tiffinie, gathered,

and falling a large compasse about them, and ouer their heads high Miters with long pendants behind falling from them, the Miters were so high, that they receiued their hats and feathers, that nothing was seene but vaile: in the midst betweene both the Tents vpon the very top of the hill, being a higher leuell then that of the Tents, was placed Jupiters Altar gilt, with three great Tapers vpon golden Candlesticks burning vpon it: and the foure Statuaes, two of gold, and two of siluer, as supporters, and Jupiters Priests in white robes about it.

Vpon the sight of the King, the vailes of the Knights did fall easilie from them, and they appeared in their owne habit.

The Knights attire.
Arming doublets of Carnation satten embrodered with Blazing Starres of siluer plate, with powderings of smaller Starres betwixt, gorgets of siluer maile, long hose of the same, with the doublets laide with siluer lace spangled, and enricht with embroderie betweene the ace: Carnation silke stockins imbrodered all ouer, garters and roses sutable: Pumpes of Carnation satten imbrodered as the doublets, hats of the same stuffe and embroderie cut like a helmet before, the hinder part cut into Scallops, answering the skirts of their doublets: the bands of the hats were wreathes of siluer in forme of garlands of wilde Oliues, white feathers with one fall of Carnation, Belts of the same stuffe and embrodered with the doublet: Siluer swords, little Italian bands and cuffes embrodered with siluer, faire long Tresses of haire.
The Priests habits.
Long roabes of white Taffita, long white heads of haire. The high Priest a cap of white silke shagge close to his head, with two labels at the eares, the midst rising in forme of a Pyramis, in the top thereof a branch of siluer, euery Priest playing vpon a Lute: twelue in number.
The Priests descend and sing this song following, after whom the Knights likewise descend: first laying aside their vailes, belts, and swords.
The first Song.
Shake off your heauy traunce,
And leape into a daunce,
Such as no mortals vse to treade,
Fit only for Apollo
To play to, for the Moone to lead,
And all the Starres to follow.

The Knighs by this time are all descended and fallen into their place, and then daunce their first Measure.
The second Song.
On blessed youthes, for Ioue doth pause
Laying aside his grauer lawes
For this deuice,
And at the wedding such a paire,
Each daunce is taken for a praier,
Each song a sacrifice.

The Knights daunce their second Measure.
The third Song.
Single.
More pleasing were these sweet delights,
Jf Ladies mou'd as well as Knights;
Runne eu'ry one of you and catch
A Nymph in honor of this match;
And whisper boldly in her eare,
Joue will but laugh, if you for sweare.

All.
And this dayes sinnes he doth resolue
That we his Priests should all absolue.

The Knights take their Ladies to daunce with them Galliards, Durets, Corantoes, &c. and leade them to their places. Then loude Musicke found's, supposed to call them to their Olympian games.

The fourth Song.
Ye should stay longer if we durst,
Away, alas that he that first
Gaue Time wilde wings to fly away,
Hath now no power to make him stay.
But though these games must needs be plaid,
J would this Paire, when they are laid,
And not a creature nie them,
Could catch his scythe, as he doth passe,
And cut his wings, and breake his glasse,
And keepe him euer by them.

The Knights daunce their parting Measure and ascend, put on their Swords and Belts, during which time the Priests sing the fifth and last Song.
Peace and silence be the guide
To the Man, and to the Bride,
Jf there be a ioy yet new
Jn mariage, let it fall on you,
That all the world may wonder.
Jf we should stay, we should doe worse,
And turne our blessing to a curse,
By keeping you a sunder.