The order of the dumme shewes
and Musickes before euery Acte.
First
, before the beginning of the firste
Acte, did sounde a dolefull and straunge
noyse of violles, Cythren, Bandurion,
and suche like, during the which, there
came in vpon the Stage a King with an Imperiall
Crowne vpon his head, very richely apparelled,
a Scepter in his right hande, a Mounde
with a Crosse in his left hande, sitting in a Chariote
very richely furnished, drawne in by foure
kinges in their Dublettes and Hosen, with
Crownes also vpon their heades: Representing
vnto vs Ambition, by the hystorie of Sesostres
king of Egypt, who beeing in his time and reigne
a mightie Conquerour, yet not content to haue
subdued many Princes, and taken from them
their kingdomes and dominions, did in lyke maner
cause those Kinges whome he had so ouercome,
to drawe in his Chariote like Beastes and
Oxen, thereby to content his vnbrideled ambitious
desire. After he had beene drawne twyce
about the Stage, and retyred, the Musicke ceased,
and Iocasta the Queene issued out of hir
house, beginning the first Acte, as followeth.
Iocasta the Queene issueth out of hir Pallace,
before hir twelue Gentlemen very brauely apparelled,
following after hir eight Gentlewomen,
whereof foure be the
Chorus that remayne on
the Stage after hir departure. At hir entrance
the Trumpettes sounded, and after she had
gone once aboute the Stage, she turneth
to one of hir moste trustie and
estemed seruaunts, and vnto him
she discloseth hir griefe,
as foloweth.
