Pierides :: :: University of Virginia Library

Pierides

or The Muses Mount. By Hugh Crompton

Crompton, Hugh

[dedication]

[section]

PIERIDES:

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72. The Mask of Adonis.

1

When all the night Ravens, & Bats of the dark
Began to grow sleepy by reason of day;

And the Lamp of lustre, Joves Holiday spark,
Had chac't all the Symptomes of darkness away;
I heard a loud Eccho that cri'd.
Adonis, our moan is not to be deni'd.

2

I askt an old Hermit that dwelt in the Clods,
What meaned the sound in such wondrous measure;
He told me that there was a Mask of the Gods,
And all the spectators were Ladies of pleasure.
Then louder and louder they cri'd,
Adonis, &c.

3

Then towards the Theatre I did accost,
To see their proceedings, and also to hear
The harmony issuing out of the Host
Of Gods and Goddesses mingled there.
But louder, &c.

4

As soon as I entered into the croud,
Lord how I was dazled such sparks to behold!
They kist, & they quibbled, they curl'd & they bow'd.
The stage being Paradise paved with gold.
But louder, &c.

5

The first of the actors that then did invade,
Was Mercury, grac't with a lute in his hand;
Whose Apology prov'd him a notable blade,
As you in the consequence shall understand.
But louder, &c.

6

Quoth he, I'me a messenger sent from the Court

100

To kiss all your lips, and this news to display,
That your senses must swim in the fountains of sport,
For the Gods are intended to court you to day.
Yet louder, &c.

7

Having ended his duty, he gently receded,
And Cupid (that Spark) did appear in his place
With a Bow in his hand, and he lustily pleaded
Whose presence was lined with amorous grace.
Yet louder, &c.

8

The bow (that was quicker to pierce then his tongue
He charg'd with a dart, and he shot a Sister
Of Hellens (that sat like an Angel among
The Ladies of pleasure) but haply he mist her.
Then louder, &c.

9

The Ladies requested the Lad to refrain,
And not to exhibit his strength any more;
Because of the wounds and the prickings of pain
They took from his dart but a little before.
And louder, &c.

10

Apollo came in with a paper of verses,
Some said of the Ladies 't was in commendation
His love and his service to them he rehearses,
Well riveted in with a world of expression.
Yet louder, &c.

11

Harpocrates enter'd with signs and with wonder

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To some he did beckon, to some he did nod,
Sometimes he would roar like great Jove when he thunders
But he spake not a word, neither even nor odd.
Yet louder and louder they cri'd,
Adonis, our moan is not to be deni'd.

12

One told me that this was the fool of the play;
Wherein he Harpocrates greatly did wrong.
For the badge of discretion is silence we say,
And fools are known by a superfluous tongue.
But louder, &c.

13

Then Vulcan appeared in flashes of fire,
And up to the top of the Theatre climbs:
Yet could he not warm the spectators desires,
'Cause his legs they resembled Elegiack rhimes.
But louder, &c.

14

Next followed Mars with an Herald of Arms,
(Like the fool of a Puppet-play) riding before him:
He turn'd him about, and among all the swarms,
He singled out Vulcan, and swore he'd devour him.
But, &c.

15

Now Vulcan he knew not the God at a blush,
Wherfore he demanded the cause of his threat:
You rogue (saies the warrier) your bones I wil crush;
I am Mars, whom thou tookst with thy wife in a net.
But, &c.

102

16

Each look of the Black-Smith encreas'd Mars his ire;
(For souldiers are lightly more rigid then crafty
And Vulcan was forced himself to retire,
And lie in the snout of his Bellows for safety.
But, &c.

17

He being departed, Dame Venus came in
With ribbons, adorned like a Bartholmew fairing;
Her breasts they were naked to shew her white skin,
No paints, nor perfumings, nor powder was sparing.
But &c.

18

I am almost perswaded that this was a match
'Twixt Mars and his dame; for they went through
And in a short time they their work did dispatch,
Whom Vulcan surpriz'd not as he did before,
But. &c.

19

But when they returned, Dame Venus her blood
Was suddenly risen so fresh in her face,
That, by her complexion, 't might be understood
The carnal condition of Mars his embrace.
But, &c.

20

Oceanus enter'd with two silver dishes,
Charg'd with Pickle-herrings, and prim'd with Eeles:
And Neptune succeeds with many small fishes,
And Mermaids especially waited at's heels.
But, &c.

103

21

Then Pan (like a Piper) came into the Court,
Attended with Oxen, with Goats, and with Sheep;
He pip'd and they danced with rustical sport,
Enough to have lull'd all the Ladies asleep.
But, &c.

22

Proteus (Camelion like) the author of shapes,
Came changing his likeness as oft as a cloud:
Now he is an Ass, anon a Jack-an-apes.
Soon after an Eagle with feathers endow'd.
But, &c.

23

Priapus came in with a basket of Pears,
Which unto the Ladies he freely presented;
But sure had he g'in them his holiday wares,
He had been more welcom, & they more contente
But, &c.

24

Sappho, the petty God also appear'd,
(Though deifi'd not by the Poets Commission
Many birds having builded their nests in his {beard}
But the Synod abhorr'd him because of ambition
But, &c.

25

Blithe Bacchus succeeded with Sack and with Claret,
Whom Venus with Lillies and Roses had crown'd,
Yet nevertheless the conceit would not carry it,
Wine was not acquirable though 't did abound.
But, &c.

104

26

Now the Maskers perceiving no real intent
Would take in the croud by their politick action;
They compli'd and consulted a while, then they sent
For the Goddesses also to make satisfaction.
But louder, &c.

27

The first that appeared was Juno, attir'd
With Silks and with Sattin: her linen was Lawn;
A sight you'd ha' thought were enough to have fir'd
All tender-ey'd spirits, and brib'd them to pawn.
But, &c.

28

This argues th' condition that riches allow,
But speaks not a little concerning its pleasure;
For Iuno declar'd by her wrinkled brow,
That richmen of solace are scanted in measure.
But, &c.

29

Minerva succeeded with rustical dresses,
Her Apron was Canvas, her Gown it was Bayes:
She did not dishelve into publick her tresses;
Yet she was the subject of every ones praise.
But, &c.

30

From whence we may note, that the wisest of brains
Delight not so dearly to burnish their back.
With fancy born whimseys (which prudence disdains)
As to furnish acquaintance with wit when they lack.
But, &c.

105

31

Minerva did conge to all that she saw,
She scorn'd not the poorest that ever she ey'd;
From whose disposition this tenet we draw,
That wisdom that's true's not acquainted with pride.
But, &c.

32

And afterward Venus did make her invasion,
And was in a garment of Taffata wrapt;
But a younker seduc'd her with little perswasion,
From whence we note, beauty is easily snapt.
But, &c.

33

Ceres presented a sheaf of her corn,
The best that her Servants could gather or reap;
The Ladies of pleasure her present did scorn;
For then (God be thanked) provision was cheap.
But, &c.

34

Then up started Luna, as fierce as a Lion,
Whose rigorous visage dissolved a Cloud:
Where souldiers this lesson may studdy and ply on,
That they with austerity may be endow'd.
But, &c.

35

Next after came Flora with lap-fulls of flowers,
With Pinks and with Gilliflowers mixt with carnations;
Her bosom was arm'd with the jewels of bowers
Things that might have conquerd the girls lamentation.
But, &c.

106

36

Now the Gods they discerning what Goddesses were
On the Theatre standing, their minds did advance
To give a companion to every one there;
For the Gods were designed to lead them a dance.
But, &c.

37

They coupled with speed, & the Harpers they plai'd,
Sweet as Orpheus with Musick most rare,
A harmony pleasantor never was made;
The twang were enough to have ravish't the air.
But, &c.

38

They footed it neatly, and nimbly they caper'd,
They answer'd the Layes to a hair or a feather;
They flourish't their fingers about, and they vapor'd
They wag'd their light breeches too hither & thither.
But, &c.

39

But while they were busied, Adonis came in;
Whose approch was discri'd by the light on the wal;
The Ladies knew him by the reflex of his skin,
But till they beheld him they mov'd not at all.
Yet, &c.

40

But when they discover'd his heavenly cheek,
They greedily ran to the boy and embrac't him;
Oh he was the Masker for whom they did seek!
And (Deity-like) they ador'd and they grac't him.
But then, &c,

107

41

Thus the fair Adonis concluded the sport,
For now not a Masker at all was respected:
'Tis only Adonis the Ladies will court:
Adonis his actions are onely respected
By the Ladies which formerly cri'd,
Adonis our moan is not to be deni'd.