University of Virginia Library

Scena Secunda.

Enter Sforza the Duke of Milain, Hortentia the Dutchess, Isabella his sister, Lavinio the great Duke with Attendants.
Sfor.
Most noble brother (for so the Temple Rites
Of Hymen done do licence me to call you)
Honour our entertainment one half hour
Longer, and we will leave you with your Bride.

Lavinio.
Great Prince, the glories you have done me here
I leave to future Chronicles to tell,
And still you do increase them; sure no man
In Milain ever did receive such honours;
You always shall command me.

Sfor.
Sir, we deserve no complements, we have
Our wishes, if you but rest satisfied
Of our good meaning.

Lavinio.
Most gracious Madam, the Roman Emperours
Would have wondred at your Court had they but known it:
Which of them all would not have blest his fates
For the fruition of so rich a Beauty,
As is the matchless Lady Isabella?

Isab.
Sir, of your own you may say what you please,
But I am sure you over-praise me much.

La.
Dearest of all the world, thou dost deserve
Princes and Poets both to speak thy worth.
Bless'd be the powers divine, that me of all
Mankind did chuse to make most fortunate,
In giving me the glory of the earth.

Sfor.
Sit down most noble brother, from your Bride
We will not part you: sister, this place is yours;
So let them now begin.

Enter Hymen, Luna, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sol, after Musick.
Hym.
Hither we are descended from above,
To gratulate your nobly grounded love;
That you most worthy happy paire should know
The Gods themselves are pleas'd with what you do.
Me you have honoured, and to honour you,
I have brought the Deities along, which do
Command and rule the dayes, that they may bless
You all the year with plenteous happiness.
May Tuscanes Cities boast of Milains Spouse;
And future Ages, when they would compose
One grac'd with all the vertues, her express
To be a Lady like this Milaness.
And may the most ingenious Florentines,
Your Citizens (Great Duke) busie their minds
In writing, and in singing Marriage-songs,
Delectable Epithalamiums.
While you do live love ever, and may you
Continually your generous hears renew.
Thus Hymen wishes, and it will go hard
If what a god says gods do not regard.
Thus I could spend the night, but that would prove
A wrong unto my Rites and to your love.

Here they dance, and Hymen leads it.
Luna.
Cinthia I am, that with my borrowed light
Out-shine the Stars, and do command the night:
Many a time, when else I vail'd would ride,
I will appear to see you with your Bride.
Lamps nor wax lights you shall not need, for I
Instead of them will ever more be by.
And may you in this life you have begun,
Equal in love me and Endymion.

Mars.
Though my aspect be fierce, and wars presage,
To you they shall be such as Lovers wage,
Sweet kisses, soft embraces, and such things
As amorous Queens enjoy and amorous Kings.
You therefore without pity both may fight
Battailes, not full of danger but delight:
And may they last until I part you two;
Which I do promise I will never do.

Mer.
Hermes I am, Maja's wing'd Son, and shine
Among the Planets in a Globe of mine:
And though 'tis true I favour thefts and sleights,
Yet will do none t' diminish your delights.
Love therefore, laugh and kiss, embrace, and be
Secure, nothing can hurt you without me;
And if I ever do, may I forgo
My Sphere, and live among the fiends below.

Iupit.
Of all the Gods and Goddesses I am
The most supreme, and bear the chiefest name.
For Love what is it that I have not done
To bring my wishes to conclusion?
I for my self have done no more then I
Will do for you, to make you live in joy.
Therefore most happy pair of Lovers, fear
Nothing, since Iove himself doth hold you dear;
Live merrily, and let this be your mover,
That Iupiter himself was once a Lover.

A Song.
Venus.

Sat.
Though I am old and rigid in aspect,
And cold and youthful sports do not affect;
And though my influences many ways
Adverse to others be, and cross their days:
For you, heaven-loved pair, my self I'le force,
And run a milder and a gentler course;
His ancient custome Saturne will forget,
Rise for your pleasures, for your pleasures set.
Doubt me not therefore, for my vow is strong,
That for your sakes again I wish me young.

Sol.
Phœbus I am, the glorious guide of day,
That all the Planets lighten with my ray:
I am the brightsome, lightsome Charioter
That heaven and earth adorn within my Sphere;
And know what 'tis to be in love since I
Followed my Daphne, who from me did flie.
May I lose all my glory, all my Beams
Fall like my Phaeton int' Ocean streams,
If all my faculties I do not try
To make you live in joy, and love in joy.
In Summer time when you int' Arbors go,
I will not shine to trouble you below,
Will onely peep to see you kiss and smile,
To make me think, this I have done ere while.
In Winter season when the Frost doth stay,
And hinder Rivers to go on their way;
When flakes of Snow do cover earths green face,
I for your sakes will thaw off both apace.
In pleasures evermore you shall accord;
Apollo cannot falsifie his word.

Here they dance another dance which Hymen leads.
Hym.
The gracious Planets which command the days
By powerful influences, you have heard
To bless you both according to their ways,
Vowing to be your keepers and your guard.
Them for your sakes with me I brought along,
That they might prosper you as well as I,
Because this marriage knot I'de tye so strong,
That it there nothing ever should untie.
You whom the heavens will prosper all your life,
You whom on earth ther's nothing can offend,
Most happy pair, most happy man and wife,
Your lives in love wear out and in love end.
Nor shall a Poet hired for his gain,
Vpon your Tomb a feigned verse engrave;
Mens tongues and tears shall make you both remain
Above the power of an Epitaph.
But may you live till you aweary be,
Not of your selves, but of these earthly sports;
And the eternal joys above would see,
Which ever are in Joves immortal Courts.
Thus unto you do gods their wishes give,
And unto them may you according live.
Exeunt Maskers.

Sfor.
I think, Hortentia, now the Mask is done,
Our brother gladly would go to his rest.

Hort.
And it is time, most noble brother, when
You please we will attend you to your Chamber,
And sister, we will see you laid in bed;
Methinks it is a very pretty thing
To see a Virgin blush, look pale and blush.

Isa.
'Tis sport to others, to the Maid 'tis none.

La.
Most excellent, Princess when you please let's go,
For now each minute is as tedious to me
As years have been, so much I do desire
The chast embraces of my matchless Spouse.

Sfor.
And worthy friend, let us entreat your stay
As long in Milain as is possible;
You cannot be in Florence more beloved,
Nor by the better nor the meaner sort.

La.
What I can do you know you may command
Unto my utmost power.

Hort.
Lights.

Lavi.
My fairest, dearest love, your hand, this part
Of happiness makes me suppose the rest.

Exeunt.