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The Queens Majestie being seated under the State, and the roome fild with Spectators of qualitie, at the lower end of the roome was a Stage raised of a convenient height, and an Ovall staire downe into the roome: That which first presented it selfe to the eye, was the Ornament that enclosed the Scene.

In the under part of this were two pedestalls of a solid order whereon captives lay bound, above sate two figures in neeches; on the right hand a woman in a watchet drapery, heightned with silver, on her head a Corona Rostrata, with one hand holding the rudder of a ship, & in the other a little winged figure with a branch of Palme, and a Girland; this woman represented Navall victory. Opposite to this in the other neech sate the figure of a man bearing a Scepter with a hand and an eye in the Palme, and in the other hand a booke, on his head a Girland of Amaranthus, his Curace was of gold, with a Palludamentum of blue and Antike bases of Crimson, his foot treading on the head of a Serpent; by this figure was signified right government: above these were other composed ornaments cut out like cloth of silver, tied up in knots with scarfings all touch'd with gold.

These Pillasters bore up a large Freese with a Sea triumph of naked children, riding on sea horses & fishes, and young Tritons with writhen trumpets, and other maritime fancies. In the midst was placed a great compartiment of gold, with branches of Palme comming out of the scrowles, and within that a lesser of silver with this inscription, VIRTVTIS OPVS, proper to the subject of this Masque, and alluding to that of Virgil—Sed famaor extendere factis, &c. from this came a drapery of Crimson, which tied up with great knots in the corners hung downe in foulds on the sides of the Pillasters.

A curtaine flying up discovered the first Scene, wherein were English houses of the old and newer formes, intermixt with trees, and a farre off a prospect

of the Citie of London, and the River of Thames, which being a principall part, might bee taken for all great Britaine.

From severall parts of the Scene came Action and Imposture. Action a young man in a rich habit downe to his knees, with a large gard of purple about the skirt, wherein was written with silver letters, MEDIO TVTISSIMA, on his head a girland of Laurell, and in one hand a branch of willow: Imposture in a coar with hanging sleeves and great skirts, little breeches, a high crownd hat one side pind up, a little ruffe, and a formall beard, and an angling rod in his hand with a fish at the hooke, with a bag and a horne at his girdle.

Action.
My variable Sir; Ith' name of Heaven,
What makes your falshood here where fame intends
Her triumphs all of Truth? her Trumpet she
Hath chosen new and cleane, lest it should taint
Her breath; Thou art so uselesse to the world
That thou art impudent, when thou dost share
What is most cheape, and common unto all
The Aire and Light; I doe beseech thee my
Fine, false Artificer, hide both thy faces
(For thou art double every where) steale hence
And I'le take care, thou shalt no more be miss'd
Than shadowes are at night.

Imposture.
Be patient Sir!
This valiant humour of disdaine workes not
So powerfully as you beleeve, I hide my selfe?
The reasons must bee strong, that shall perswade
Me under ground: The Badger loves his hole,
Yet is not so bashfull, but dares looke out
And shew himselfe, when there is prey abroad:
Then strangely arrogant, I pittie thee
As Politickes doe men too humble, for
Their care, much more for their redresse; that is,
I smile at thee (the Graver way of scorne)
For should I laugh, I feare 'twould make thee thinke
Thy impudence had somewhat in't of wit,
Didst ever hope to be so usefull in
The manage and support of humane workes
As I?

Action.
Proceed, Proceed, make up your History.

Imposture.
Wisely the jealous sceptickes did suspect
Realitie in every thing, for every thing but seemes,
And borrowes the existence it appeares
To have: Imposture governs all, even from
The gilded Ethnicke Miter, to the painted staffe
Oth' Christian Constable, all but pretend
Th'resemblance of that power which inwardly
They but deride, and whisper merry questions to themselves
Which may it comes.

Action.
Y' have cunningly observ'd
This is a pleasant new Philosophie:

Imposture.
Right Sir, and what is pleasant unto all
Is generally good, Troth I could wish
Our reason were as certaine as our sense
Would alter in dispute, as little bee
As soone confirm'd, but since it is not so,
That universally shall take, which most
Doth please, not what pretends at profit, and
Imaginarie good, Is it not fit
And almost saf'st to cosen all, when all
Delight still to bee cosen'd.

Action.
These Lectures would
Subdue a numerous sect, wert thou to preach
To young soft Courtisans, unpractis'd heires
Of over practis'd Vsurers, silken
And fine feathered gallants, whose easie eares
Still open to delights, and shut at truths:
But Fate takes not so little care of those
For whom it doth preserve the Elements:
That what is chiefe within us should bee quite
Deprav'd, as we were onely borne to aime
At trifles here, like children in their first
Estate of using legs, to run at sight
Of bubbles, and to leap at noise of bels.

Imposture.
Even so beleev't, and in their chiefest growth
They follow but my Grandsire Mahomets
Divinitie, who doth allow the good a handsome Girle
On earth, the valiant two in Paradise.

Action.
Thou art so read in humane appetites
That were the Divell licenc'd to assume
A body, thou might'st bee his Cooke, yet know
If you endevour it, you may perswade
Your selfe, there are some few 'mongst men
That as our making is erect, looke up
To face the Starres, and fancy nobler hopes
Than you allow, not downward hang their heads
Like Beasts to meditate on earth, on abject things
Beneath their feet.

Imposture.
T'is a thinne number sure,
And much disperst, for they will hardly meet
In Councels and in Synods to enact
Their Doctrine by consent, That the next age
May say they parted friends.

Action.
'Tis possible
'Lesse you steale in amongst them to disturbe
Their peace, disguisd in a Canonick weed,
Nor are these such, that by their reasons strict
And rigid discipline, must fright nice Court
Philosophers from their beleefe, such as impute
A tyrannous intent to heavenly powers,
And that their tyrannie alone did point
At men, as if the Fawne and Kid were made
To friske and caper out their time, and it
Were sinne in us to dance, the Nightingale
To sing her tragick tales of love, and wee
To recreate our selves with Groanes, as if
All perfumes for the Tyger were ordain'd
Cause he excels in scent: colours, and gaudy tinctures for
The Easterne birds, whilst all our ornament
Are russet robes, like melancholy Monks.

Imposture.
There are Sir of this rigid sect, and much
They governe too, that thinke the Godwit and
The Rayle were meant the Eagles food, and men
Design'd to feed on Salads in a meade,
As if we were created but a great
And larger kinde of Frogs.

Action.
It is confess'd;
There are some sullen Clarkes that love
To injure and to scant themselves, yet you
May finde a few whose wisedomes merit greater sway
That will allow us pleasures 'bove our cares,
Yet these wee must not compasse with our guilt,
But every Act bee squar'd by vertues rule.

Imposture.
Vertue, 'tis a meere name, Virgins that want
A dowry, learn't by rote, to raise the price
Of old unhansome lookes: admit, ther's one
Or two allow in nature such a thing,
And that it is no dreame: These mighty Lords
Of reason have but a few followers,
And those goe ragged too, the prosperous, brave
Increasing multitude pursue my steps.
The great devourer of mysterious bookes
Is come, Merlin, whose deepe Prophetick Art
Foretold that at this particle of Time
He would forsake's unbodied friends below
And waste one usuall circuit of the Moone
On earth, to trie how Natures face is chang'd
Since his decease.

Merlin enters.

Merlin the Propheticke Magitian enters apparel'd in a gowne of light purple, downe to his ankles, slackly girt, with wide sleeves turned up with powdred Ermines,

and a roll on his head of the same, with a tippet hanging downe be hinde, in his hand a silverd rod.

Action.
Your eyes encounter him
As you would make great use of's visit here.

Imposture.
With reason Sir, for he hath power to wake
Those that have many ages slept, such as
When busie in their flesh, were my Disciples.
Haile thou most ancient Prophet of this Isle,
I that have practis'd superstitious rites
Vnto thy memory, beg thy immortall aid,
To raise their figures that in times forgot
Were in the world predominant; Helpe to
Confute this righteous foole, that boasts his small
Neglected stocke of wisedome, comes from Heaven, and shew
How little it prevail'd on earth, since all
The mightie here, are of my sect.

Merlin.
'Tis long
Since this my Magicke rod hath struck the Aire
Yet losse of practice can no Art impaire,
That soares above the reach of natures might,
Thus then I charme the Spirits of the night,
And unto Hell conjure their wings to steere,
And streight collect from dismall corners there
The great seducers of this Isle, that by
Their baits of pleasure strove to multiply
Those sad Inhabitants, who curse that truth below
Which here on Earth they tooke no paines to know,
Appeare! Appeare! nimbly obey my will
T'expresse I di'd t'increase my Magicke skill.

The whole Scene was transformed into a horrid Hell, the further part terminating in a flaming precipice, and the neerer parts expressing the Suburbs, from when enter the severall Antimasques.
1. Entrie.
Of mock musick of 5. persons.
One with a Violl, the rest with Taber and Pipe, Knackers and bells, Tongs and key, Gridiron and shooing horne.
2. Entrie.
A ballad singer, his companion with their Auditorie. A Porter laden, A Vintners boy, A Kitchin maid with a handbasket, A Saylor.
3. Entrie.
A crier of mouse-traps, bearing the Engines belonging to their trades. A seller of tinderboxes, bearing the Engines belonging to their trades. The master of Two Baboones and An Ape.
4. Entrie.
A Mountebanke in the habit of a grave Doctor, A Zany, his men. A Harlekin his men. An old lame Charewoman. Two Pale wenches presenting their urinals, and hee distributing his printed receits out of a Budget.
5. Entrie.
Foure old fashioned Parasiticall Courtiers.
6. Entrie.
Of rebellious Leaders in warre. Cade, Kett, Jack Straw and their souldiers.

The apparell of these in part shewed their base professions, mixt with some souldier-like Accoutrements.

These Antimasques being past, Bellerophon entered riding on Pegasus, in a cote armour of silver scales, and on his head an Antique Helme with Plumes, his Bases watchet with labels of gold, a golden Javelin in his hand, the point of lead.

The Pegasus was covered all with white close to his skin, his main and tail of silver, with large white wings, his reines and saddle of carnation trimd with silver. Hee riding up into the middle of the roome with an attendant alighted.

Action.
Bellerophon? Thou that the of-spring art of Heaven,
Most timely, and by Inspiration sure,
Thou com'st to helpe me to despise and scorne
These Ayry mimick Apparitions, which
This cosening Prophet would present as great
Examples for succeeding times to imitate.

Bellerophon.
Through thick assembled clouds, through mists that would
Choke up the Eagles eye, I in my swift
And sudden journey through the Aire, have seene
All these fantasticks objects, which but shew
How dull the Impious were to be so sillily
Misled, and how the good did ever need
But little Care, and lesse of Braine, to scape
Th'apparant bayts of such grosse Fooles.

Imposture.
I Sir,
T'were easy to subdue if Cholerick scorne
Might make up confutation without helpe
Of Arguments, the virtuous Sir of late
Have got a fine Feminine trick to rayle
At all they will dislike, referre what is
Not easily understood unto a kind
Obedient Faith, and then call reason but
A new and saucie Heretick, those that
My reverend Prophet rais'd, which you Sir in
A virtuous fury have cal'd Fooles, I'me sure
Did governe when alive, and by
Imposture made their estimation thrive.

Bellerophon.
Monster! thou know'st 'tis not thy strange defence
Of Reason that provokes my rage, but thou
Wouldst cunningly disguise thy sense
In Reasons shape, cosening thy willing selfe,
And giving seeming pleasures, reall Attributes:
These taking tunes, to which the numerous world
Doe dance (when your false-sullennesse shall please)
You may compare, to'th dangerous Musique of
The swan, a merry preparation still
To Melancholy death.

Imposture.
Cry mercy, Sir!
You are Heroique virtue, who pretend
An Embassy from Heaven, and that y'are sent
To make new lovers heere on Earth, you will
Refine the waies of wooing, and prescribe
To valor, nobler exercise, than what
The Ancient Knights Advent'rers taught, but first
See these of th'old Heroique race, Merlin
Assist me once more with thy charming rod,
To shew this strict Corrector of delights
What Ladies were of yore, and what their Knights,
Although their shapes and manners now grow strange,
Make him admire, what he would strive to change.

Bellerophon.
Alas, how weake and easie would you make
Our intellectuall strength, when you have hope
It may be overcome with noyse and shews.

Imposture.
Yes, and this morall Magistrate; your strict
O'r solemne Friend, that in such comely Phrase
Disputes for active virtue, and declares
Himselfe the mark of all vnrighteous opposites,
His Magnanimity shall yeeld at last,
Streight take my Angle in his hand, then bait
The hooke with guilded Flies, to fish in troubled Seas:
For all the world is such, and in a storme;
Where the Philosopher (that still swimmes in
Profoundest depths) will (Sir) as easily
Bee snapt, as fooles that float on shallow streames
And taken with a Lyne, no stronger sir, than what
Will teare a little Gudgeons Iawes.

Action.
The Knight Adventurer that you intend
To raise, must then adventure far, and make
His valour captivate, surer and soone
As his lamenting Ladies lookes, I'le not
Be taken else.

Imposture.
Most reverend Lord of Dark
Vnusuall sciences begin thy charme.

Merlin.
Like furious Rivers meeting under ground,
So hollow and so dismall is the sound
Of all my inward murmures, which no eare
But with a wild astonishment can heare;
Though not so loud as Thunder, Thunders are
A slower noyse, and not amaze so far.
Which to expresse, that distant spirits heare,
And willingly obey: Appeare, Appeare!

At this the Hell suddainly vanisheth, and there appeares a vast Forest, in which stood part of an old Castle kept by a Giant, proper for the Scene of the Mock Romansa which followed: Out of this Forest comes running and affrighted, a Dwarf and Damsell; The Dwarfe in blue and white, the Damsell in a streight bodied gown and wide sleeves of changeable, with a safegard of Silver stuffe, and a past and partlet like a Morall figure in old hangings: to these a Knight in old fashioned Armour, with Speare and Shield, his Squire apparell'd in a yellow Coat, with wide sleeves, and strossers cut in paines of yellow and watchet; After them a Giant in a Coat of Mayle, his bases red and silver, with a Fauchion hanging in a Chaine, and in his hand an iron mace, a great roll of black and white on his head: A Saracens face with great black mustachoes.

The Mock Romansa.

Dwarfe, Squire.
Dwar.
Fly from this Forest, Squire! Fly trusty sparke!
I feare like child, whom maid hath left ith' darke.

Squire.
O Coward base! whose feare will never Lynne
Till 't shrinke thy heart as small as head of Pynne!
Lady, with pretty finger in her eye
Laments her Lamkin Knight, and shall I flye?
Is this a time for blade to shift for's selfe,
When Gyant vile, cals Knight a sneaking Elfe?
This day, (a Day as faire as heart could wish)
This Gyant stood on shore of sea to fish,
For Angling rod hee tooke a sturdy Oake,
For line a Cable that in storme n'er broke;
His hook was such as heads the end of Pole,
To pluck down house ere fire consumes it whole.
This hooke was baited with a Dragons taile,
And then on Rock he stood to bob for Whale:
Which streight he caught and nimbly home did pack,
With ten Cart load of dinner on his back:
Thus homward bent, his eye too rude and cunning,
Spies Knight and Lady by an hedge a sunning.
That Modicum of meat he downe did lay
(For it was all he eat on fasting day)

Enter Giant, Knight and Damsell.
Dwarfe
They come, in's rage he spurn's up huge tree roots,
Now stick to Lady Knight, and up with boots.

Giant.
Bold recr'ant wight! what Fate did hither call thee,
To tempt his strength, that hath such power to maule thee?
How durst thy puling Damsell hither wander?
What was the talke you by yon'd hedge did maunder?

Damsell.
Patience sweet man of might! alas Heaven knowes
We onely hither came to gather sloes,
And Bullies two or three; for truth to tell ye
I've long'd six weeks with these to fill my belly:
I' fecks if you'l beleev't, nought else was meant sure
By this our Iaunt, which Errants call Adventure.

Giant.
Shall I grow meeke as Babe when ev'ry Trull is
So bold to steale my sloes and pluck my bullyes?

Knight.
Feare not! let him storme on, and still grow rougher,
Thou that art bright as candle cleer'd by snuffer,
Canst n'ere endure a blemish or Eclipse
From such a hookt nose foule mouth'd Bobber lips:
Ere he shall boast, he us'd thee thus to's People,
I'le see him first hang'd high as any steeple.

Giant.
If I but upward heave my oaken Twig,
Ile teach thee play the Tom-boy, her the Rig,
Within my Forest bounds: what doth shee aile
But shee may serve as Cooke to dresse my whale?
In this her Damsels tire and robe of sarcenet
Shee shall souce bore, fry tripes, and wild hogs harsnet.

Knight.
O monster vile, thou mighty ill bred Lubber,
Art thou not mov'd to see her whine and blubber?
Shall Damsell faire (as thou must needs confesse her)
With Canvas apron, dresse thy meat at dresser?
Shall shee that is of soft and pliant mettle,
Whose Fingers silke would gaule, now scowre a Kettle?
Though not to scuffle giv'n, now Ile thwart thee,
Let Blowze thy daughter serve for shillings forty.
T' is meeter (I thinke) such ugly baggages
Should in a Kitchin drudge for yearly wages,
Than gentle Shee who hath been bred to stand
Neere chaire of Queene with Island shock in hand.
At Questions and commands, all night to play,
And Amber Possits eat at breake of Day,
Or score out Husbands in the charcole ashes.
With Courtly Knights, not roaring country swashes,
Hath beene her breeding still, and's more fit far
To play on Virginals, and the Gittar,
Than stir a seacole fire, or scumme a Cauldron,
When thou shalt breake thy fast on a buls Chaudron.

Giant.
Then I perceive I must lift up my Pole,
And deale your love-sick noddle such a dole
That ev'ry blow shall make so huge a clatter,
Men ten leagues off shall aske, Hah! what's the matter?

Damsell.
Kind grumbling youth! I know that thou art able,
And want of breeding makes thee prone to squable,
Yet sure thy Nature doth compunction meane
Though ('las) thy mother was a sturdy Queane:
Let not meeke lovers kindle thy fierce wrath,
But keepe thy blustring breath to coole thy broth.

Knight.
Whine not my love, his fury streight will waste him,
Stand off a while and see how Ile lambaste him.

Squire.
Now looke to't Knight, this such a desp'rate blade is,
In Gaule he swing'd the valiant sir Amadis!

Dwarfe.
With bow, now Cupid shoot this sonne of Puncke
With crosse-bowelse, or pellet out of trunke!

Giant.
Ile strike thee till thou sink where the abode is
Of wights that sneake below, cald Antipodis.

Merlin.
My Art will turne this Combat to delight
They shall unto fantastick Musick fight.

They fall into a dance and depart.
Bellerophon.
How triviall and how lost thy visions are!
Did thy Propheticke Science take such care
(When thou wert mortal) with unlawfull power
To recollect thy ashes, 'gainst this houre,
And all for such import? surrender strait
This usurpation of thy warmth and weight,
And turne to Aire, thy Spirit to a winde:
Blow thine owne dust about, untill we finde
No small remainder of ill gatherd thee
And like to it, so waste thy memorie.

Action.
Thou Imposture to some darke Region steale
The light is killing, cause it doth reveale
Thy thin disguise, I'th darke thou ne're wilt fade,
For dismall plants still prosper in the shade;
Thou art a shadow, and observe how all
Vaine shadowes to our eyes stretch and grow tall,
Iust when the Sunne declines to bring in night,
So thou dost thrive in darknesse, waste in light.

Bellerophon.
Away! Fame (still obedient unto Fate)
This happy houre is call'd to celebrate
Britanocles, and those that in this Isle
The old with moderne vertues reconcile.
Away! Fames universall voyce I heare,
A trumpet within.
Tis fit you vanish quite when they appeare.

Exeunt Merlin, Imposture.

In the further part of the Scene, the earth open'd and there rose up a richly adorn'd Palace, seeming all of Gold smiths worke, with Portico's vaulted on Pillasters running farre in: the Pillasters were silver of rusticke worke, their bases and capitels of gold, in the midst was the principall entrance, and a gate; the doores leaves with figures of Basse-relieve, with Jambs and frontispice all of gold, above these ran an Architraue Freese and Coronis of the same; the Freese enricht with Jewels; this bore up a Ballestrata, in the midst of which, upon an high Tower with many windowes stood Fame in a Carnation garment, trimd with gold, with white wings and flaxen haire, In one hand a golden Trumpet, and in the other an Olive Girland.

In the lower part leaning on the Rayle of the Ballesters were two Persons, that on the right hand personating Arms with a Curace and plumed Helme, and a broken Lance in his hand.

On the left hand, a woman in a watchet robe trim'd with silver, on her head a Bend, with little wings like those of Mercury, and a scrowle of parchment in her hand, representing Science.

When this Palace was arrived to the height, the whole Scene was changed into a Peristilium of two orders, Dorick and Ionick with their severall Ornaments seeming of white marble, the Bases and Capitals of gold; this joyning with the former having so many returnes, openings, and windowes, might well be knowne for the glorious Palace of Fame.

The Chorus of Poets entred in rich habits of severall colours, with Laurels on their heads guilt.

Musicke.
Fame
sings.

The Masquers came forth of the Peristilium, and stood on each side, and at that instant the gate of the Palace open'd, and Britanocles appear'd.

The habit of the Masquers was close bodies of Carnation, embroydered with silver, their arming sleeves of the same; about their waste two rowes of severall fashioned leaves, and under this their bases of white, reaching to the middle of their thigh, on this was an under basis with labels of Carnation embroidered with silver, and betwixt every paine were pufts of silver fastned in knots to the labels, the trimming of the shoulders was as that of the Basis, their long stockins set up were Carnation with white shooes, and roses, their bands and cuffes made of purles of Cutworke, upon their heads little carnation caps embroydered as the rest, with a slit turned up before, out of the midst came

severall falls of white feathers diminishing upwards in a Pyramidall forme.

This habit was beautifull, rich, and light for dancing, and proper for the Subject of this Masque.

Musick.

The Palace sinkes, and Fame remaining hovering in the Aire, rose on her wings singing, and was hidden in the Clouds.

Chorus.

Fame.

Chorus.

Chorus.

The Masquers descend into the roome.
The song ended, the Scene returnes to that of Brittaine:
The Masquers dance their entrie.
Which ended, a new Chorus of our owne moderne Poets rais'd by Merlin, in rich habits differing from the rest, with Laurels on their heads guilt, make their addresse to the Queene.

Here the Scene changed, and in the farthest part the sea was seene, terminating the sight with the Horizon; on the one side was a Haven, with a Citadell, and on the other broken grounds and Rocks; from whence the sea-Nimph Galatea came waving forth, riding on the back of a Dolphin, in a loose snow white garment, about her neck chaines of Pearle, and her armes adorn'd with bracelets of the same; her faire haire disheveled and mixt with silver, and in some part covered with a veile which she with one hand graciously held up, being arrived to the midst of the sea, the Dolphin stayed, and she sung with a Chorus of musick.
Galateas
song.

Which done, she gently past away, floating on the waves as shee came in. After this some ships were discern'd sayling afar off severall wayes, and in the end a great Fleet was discovered, which passing by with a side wind tackt about, and with a prosperous gale entred into the Haven, this continuing to entertaine the sight whilst the dancing lasted.
The Valediction.

The Kings Majestie,

• Duke of Lenox,
• L. Wil. Hamilton,
• Earle of Carlile,
• Earle of Elgin,
• L. Phil. Herbert,
• Lord Russell,
• Mr. Francis Russell,
• L. Lodowick Stuart,
• Earle of Devonshire,
• Earle of Newport
• Lord Pagit,
• Lord Wharton,
• Lord Andevor,
• Mr. Tho. Howard,