 | The Golden Age Restor'd |  |
Lowd musique.
Pallas
in her chariot descending. To a softer musique.
Iron age presents it selfe, calling forth the Euills.
Come forth, come forth, doe we not heare
What purpose, and, how worth our feare,
The King of gods hath on vs?
Hee is not of the iron breed
That would, though Fate did helpe the deed
Let shame in so vpon vs.
Rise, rise then vp, thou Grandame vice
Of all my issue, Auarice,
Bring with thee fraud and slander,
Corruption with the golden hands
Or any subtler ill, that stands
To be a more commander.
Thy boyes, Ambition, Pride, and Scorne,
Force, Rapine, and thy babe last borne,
Smooth Trecherie call hither,
Arme Folly forth, and Ignorance,
And teach them all our Pyrrhick dance,
We may triumph together,
Vpon this enemie so great,
Whom, if our forces can defeat,
And but this once bring vnder,
Wee are the masters of the skyes,
Where all the wealth, height, power, lyes,
The scepter, and the thunder.
Which of you would not in a warre
Attempt the price of any scarre,
To keepe your owne states euen?
But, heere, which of you is that hee,
Would not himselfe the weapon bee,
To ruine Iove and heauen?
About it then, and let him feele,
The iron-age is turn'd to steele,
Since he begins to threat her:
And though the bodies here are lesse
Then were the Giants; hee'l confesse
Our malice is farre greater.
The Antimasque, and their dance, two drummes, trumpets, and a confusion of martiall musique: at the end of which Pallas shewing her shield.
So change, and perish, scarcely knowing, how,
That 'gainst the gods doe take so vaine a vow:
And thinke to equall with your mortall dates,
Their liues that are obnoxious to no fates,
'Twas time t'appeare, and let their follies see
'Gainst whom they fought, and with what destinee
Die all, that can remaine of you, but stone,
And that be seene a while, and then be none.
They metamorphos'd, and the scene chang'd, shee calls Astræa and the golden age.
Now, now, descend you both belou'd of Iove,
And of the good on earth no lesse the loue,
Descend you long long wish'd, and wanted paire,
And as your softer times diuide the aire,
So shake all clouds off, with your golden haire,
For spight is spent: the iron age is fled,
And, with her power on earth, her name is dead.
1. Astraea. 2. Age descending.
1., 2.
And are we then,
To liue agen,
With men?
1.
Will Iove such pledges to the earth restore
As iustice?
2.
or the purer ore?
Pallas.
Once more.
Astraea. Age.
2.
But doe they know,
How much they owe,
Belowe?
1.
And will of grace receiue it, not as due?
Pallas.
If not, they harme themselues, not you.
Astraea. Age.
1.
True.
2.
True.
Qvire.
Let narrow Natures (how they will) mistake,
The great should still be good for their owne sake.
Pallas.
They are descended.
Welcome to earth and raigne.
Astraea., Age.
But how without a traine
Shall we our state sustaine?
Pallas.
Leaue that to Iove: therein you are
No little part of his Minerva's care.
Expect a while.
Thee calls the Poets.
You farre-fam'd spirits of this happie Ile,
That, for your sacred songs haue gain'd the stile
Of Phoebvs sons: whose notes they aire aspire
Of th'old Ægyptian, or the Thracian lyre,
That Chaucer, Gower, Lidgate, Spencer hight
Put on your better flames, and larger light,
To waite vpon the age that shall your names new nourish,
Since vertue prest shall grow, and buried arts shall flourish.
Poets descend.
2.
We come.
2.
We come.
4.
Our best of fire
Is that which Pallas doth inspire.
Pallas.
Then see you yonder soules, set far within the shade,
And in Elysian bowres the blessed seates doe keepe,
That for their liuing good, now semigods are made,
And went away from earth, as if but tam'd with sleepe:
These we must ioyne to wake; for these are of the straine
That iustice dare defend, and will the age sustaine.
The Qvire.
Awake, awake, for whom these times were kept,
O wake, wake, wake, as you had neuer slept,
Make haste and put on arie, to be their guard,
Whom once but to defend, is still reward.
Pallas.
Thus Pallas throwes a lightning from her shield.
Qvire.
To which let all that doubtfull darknesse yeeld.
The Scene of light discouered.
1. Astrea. 2. Age.
1.
Now peace.
2.
and loue,
1.
faith.
2.
Ioyes.
1., 2.
all all increase.
Poets.
2.
And strife
2.
and hate,
2.
and feare,
2.
and paine,
4.
all cease.
A pause.
Pallas.
No tumour of an yron vaine.
The causes shall not come againe.
Qvire.
But, as of old, all now be gold.
Moue, moue then to these sounds.
And, doe, not onely, walke your solemne rounds,
But giue those light and ayrie bounds,
That fit the Genÿ of these gladder grounds.
The first dance, after which Pallas.
Alreadie? Doe not all things smile?
Astraea.
But when they haue enioy'd a while,
The ages quickning power:
Age.
That euery thought a seede doth bring,
And euery looke a plant doth spring,
And euery breath a flower:
Pallas.
Then earth vnplough'd shall yeeld her crop,
Pure honey from the oake shall drop,
The fountaine shall runne milke:
The thistle shall the lilly beare,
And euery bramble roses weare,
And euery worme make silke.
Qvire.
The verie shrub shall Balsame sweat,
And Nectar melt the rocke with heat,
Till earth haue drunke her fill:
That she no harmefull weed may know,
Nor barren Ferne, nor Mandrake low,
Nor Minerall to kill.
The maine daunce, after which,
Pallas.
But here's not all: you must doe more,
Or else you doe but halfe restore
The ages libertie.
Poets.
The male and female vs'd to ioyne,
And into all delight did coyne
That pure simplicitie.
Then feature did to forme aduance,
And youth call'd beautie forth to dance,
And euerie grace was by.
It was a time of no distrust,
So much of loue had nought of lust,
None fear'd a iealous eye.
The language melted in the eare,
Yet all without a blush might heare,
They liu'd with open vow.
Qvire.
Each touch and kisse was so well plac'd,
They were as sweet as they were chast,
And such must yours be now.
Dance with Ladies.
Pallas
ascending calls them.
Qvire.
To Ioue, to Ioue, be all the honour giuen,
That thankefull hearts can raise from earth to heauen.
Astraea.
Galliards and Coranto's.
Pallas
in her chariot descending. To a softer musique.
Looke, looke! reioyce, and wonder!
That you offending mortalls are,
(For all your crimes) so much the care
Of him, that beares the thunder!
That you offending mortalls are,
(For all your crimes) so much the care
Of him, that beares the thunder!
Iove can endure no longer,
Your great ones should your lesse inuade,
Or, that your weake, though bad, be made
A prey vnto the stronger.
Your great ones should your lesse inuade,
Or, that your weake, though bad, be made
A prey vnto the stronger.
And therefore, meanes to settle
Astraea in her seat againe;
And let downe in his golden chaine
The age of better mettle.
Astraea in her seat againe;
And let downe in his golden chaine
The age of better mettle.
Which deed he doth the rather,
That euen enuie may behold
Time not enioy'd his head of gold
Alone beneath his father.
That euen enuie may behold
Time not enioy'd his head of gold
Alone beneath his father.
But that his care conserueth
As time, so all times honors too,
Regarding still what heau'n should doo,
And not what earth deserueth.
A tumult and clashing of armes, heard within.As time, so all times honors too,
Regarding still what heau'n should doo,
And not what earth deserueth.
But harke, what tumult from yond' caue is heard!
What noise, what strife, what earth-quake and alarmes!
As troubled Nature, for her maker, fear'd;
And all the iron-age were vp in armes!
What noise, what strife, what earth-quake and alarmes!
As troubled Nature, for her maker, fear'd;
And all the iron-age were vp in armes!
Hide me, soft cloud, from their prophaner eyes,
Till insolent rebellion take the field,
And as their spirits, with their counsels, rise,
I frustrate all, with shewing but my shield.
Till insolent rebellion take the field,
And as their spirits, with their counsels, rise,
I frustrate all, with shewing but my shield.
Iron age presents it selfe, calling forth the Euills.
Come forth, come forth, doe we not heare
What purpose, and, how worth our feare,
The King of gods hath on vs?
Hee is not of the iron breed
That would, though Fate did helpe the deed
Let shame in so vpon vs.
1011
Of all my issue, Auarice,
Bring with thee fraud and slander,
Corruption with the golden hands
Or any subtler ill, that stands
To be a more commander.
Thy boyes, Ambition, Pride, and Scorne,
Force, Rapine, and thy babe last borne,
Smooth Trecherie call hither,
Arme Folly forth, and Ignorance,
And teach them all our Pyrrhick dance,
We may triumph together,
Vpon this enemie so great,
Whom, if our forces can defeat,
And but this once bring vnder,
Wee are the masters of the skyes,
Where all the wealth, height, power, lyes,
The scepter, and the thunder.
Which of you would not in a warre
Attempt the price of any scarre,
To keepe your owne states euen?
But, heere, which of you is that hee,
Would not himselfe the weapon bee,
To ruine Iove and heauen?
About it then, and let him feele,
The iron-age is turn'd to steele,
Since he begins to threat her:
And though the bodies here are lesse
Then were the Giants; hee'l confesse
Our malice is farre greater.
The Antimasque, and their dance, two drummes, trumpets, and a confusion of martiall musique: at the end of which Pallas shewing her shield.
So change, and perish, scarcely knowing, how,
That 'gainst the gods doe take so vaine a vow:
And thinke to equall with your mortall dates,
Their liues that are obnoxious to no fates,
'Twas time t'appeare, and let their follies see
'Gainst whom they fought, and with what destinee
Die all, that can remaine of you, but stone,
And that be seene a while, and then be none.
They metamorphos'd, and the scene chang'd, shee calls Astræa and the golden age.
Now, now, descend you both belou'd of Iove,
And of the good on earth no lesse the loue,
Descend you long long wish'd, and wanted paire,
And as your softer times diuide the aire,
1012
For spight is spent: the iron age is fled,
And, with her power on earth, her name is dead.
1. Astraea. 2. Age descending.
1., 2.
And are we then,
To liue agen,
With men?
1.
Will Iove such pledges to the earth restore
As iustice?
2.
or the purer ore?
Pallas.
Once more.
Astraea. Age.
2.
But doe they know,
How much they owe,
Belowe?
1.
And will of grace receiue it, not as due?
Pallas.
If not, they harme themselues, not you.
Astraea. Age.
1.
True.
2.
True.
Qvire.
Let narrow Natures (how they will) mistake,
The great should still be good for their owne sake.
Pallas.
They are descended.
Welcome to earth and raigne.
Astraea., Age.
But how without a traine
Shall we our state sustaine?
Pallas.
Leaue that to Iove: therein you are
No little part of his Minerva's care.
Expect a while.
Thee calls the Poets.
You farre-fam'd spirits of this happie Ile,
That, for your sacred songs haue gain'd the stile
Of Phoebvs sons: whose notes they aire aspire
Of th'old Ægyptian, or the Thracian lyre,
That Chaucer, Gower, Lidgate, Spencer hight
Put on your better flames, and larger light,
To waite vpon the age that shall your names new nourish,
Since vertue prest shall grow, and buried arts shall flourish.
Poets descend.
2.
We come.
2.
We come.
4.
Our best of fire
Is that which Pallas doth inspire.
1013
Then see you yonder soules, set far within the shade,
And in Elysian bowres the blessed seates doe keepe,
That for their liuing good, now semigods are made,
And went away from earth, as if but tam'd with sleepe:
These we must ioyne to wake; for these are of the straine
That iustice dare defend, and will the age sustaine.
The Qvire.
Awake, awake, for whom these times were kept,
O wake, wake, wake, as you had neuer slept,
Make haste and put on arie, to be their guard,
Whom once but to defend, is still reward.
Pallas.
Thus Pallas throwes a lightning from her shield.
Qvire.
To which let all that doubtfull darknesse yeeld.
The Scene of light discouered.
1. Astrea. 2. Age.
1.
Now peace.
2.
and loue,
1.
faith.
2.
Ioyes.
1., 2.
all all increase.
Poets.
2.
And strife
2.
and hate,
2.
and feare,
2.
and paine,
4.
all cease.
A pause.
Pallas.
No tumour of an yron vaine.
The causes shall not come againe.
Qvire.
But, as of old, all now be gold.
Moue, moue then to these sounds.
And, doe, not onely, walke your solemne rounds,
But giue those light and ayrie bounds,
That fit the Genÿ of these gladder grounds.
The first dance, after which Pallas.
Alreadie? Doe not all things smile?
Astraea.
But when they haue enioy'd a while,
The ages quickning power:
Age.
That euery thought a seede doth bring,
And euery looke a plant doth spring,
And euery breath a flower:
Pallas.
Then earth vnplough'd shall yeeld her crop,
Pure honey from the oake shall drop,
The fountaine shall runne milke:
The thistle shall the lilly beare,
And euery bramble roses weare,
And euery worme make silke.
1014
The verie shrub shall Balsame sweat,
And Nectar melt the rocke with heat,
Till earth haue drunke her fill:
That she no harmefull weed may know,
Nor barren Ferne, nor Mandrake low,
Nor Minerall to kill.
The maine daunce, after which,
Pallas.
But here's not all: you must doe more,
Or else you doe but halfe restore
The ages libertie.
Poets.
The male and female vs'd to ioyne,
And into all delight did coyne
That pure simplicitie.
Then feature did to forme aduance,
And youth call'd beautie forth to dance,
And euerie grace was by.
It was a time of no distrust,
So much of loue had nought of lust,
None fear'd a iealous eye.
The language melted in the eare,
Yet all without a blush might heare,
They liu'd with open vow.
Qvire.
Each touch and kisse was so well plac'd,
They were as sweet as they were chast,
And such must yours be now.
Dance with Ladies.
Pallas
ascending calls them.
'Tis now inough, behold you here,
What Iove hath built to be your sphere,
You hither must retire.
And as his bountie giues you cause,
Be readie still without your pause
To shew the world your fire.
Like lights about Astraea's throne,
You here must shine, and all be one,
In feruor and in flame.
That by your vnion she may grow,
And, you sustaining her, may know,
The age still by her name.
What Iove hath built to be your sphere,
You hither must retire.
And as his bountie giues you cause,
Be readie still without your pause
To shew the world your fire.
Like lights about Astraea's throne,
You here must shine, and all be one,
In feruor and in flame.
1015
And, you sustaining her, may know,
The age still by her name.
Who vowes, against, or heat or cold,
To spin you garments of her gold,
That want may touch you neuer,
And making garlands euery hower,
To write your names in some new flower,
That you may liue for euer.
To spin you garments of her gold,
That want may touch you neuer,
And making garlands euery hower,
To write your names in some new flower,
That you may liue for euer.
Qvire.
To Ioue, to Ioue, be all the honour giuen,
That thankefull hearts can raise from earth to heauen.
Astraea.
What change is here! I had not more
Desire to leaue the earth before,
Then I haue now, to stay;
My siluer feet, like roots, are wreath'd
Into the ground, my wings are sheath'd,
And I cannot away.
Desire to leaue the earth before,
Then I haue now, to stay;
My siluer feet, like roots, are wreath'd
Into the ground, my wings are sheath'd,
And I cannot away.
Of all there seemes a second birth,
It is become a heau'n on earth,
And Ioue is present here,
I feele the Godhead: nor will doubt
But he can fill the place throughout,
Whose power is euery where.
It is become a heau'n on earth,
And Ioue is present here,
I feele the Godhead: nor will doubt
But he can fill the place throughout,
Whose power is euery where.
This, this, and onely such as this,
The bright Astræa's region is,
Where she would pray to liue,
And in the midd'st of so much gold,
Vnbought with grace or feare vnsold,
The law to mortals giue.
The bright Astræa's region is,
Where she would pray to liue,
And in the midd'st of so much gold,
Vnbought with grace or feare vnsold,
The law to mortals giue.
Galliards and Coranto's.
The End.
| The Golden Age Restor'd | |