University of Virginia Library

THE ENTERTAINMENT OF The Dowager-Countess of Darby

When hir Ladishipp approached the Parke corner a full noise of Cornetts winded & when she entered into the Parke treeble Cornetts reported one to an other as giueinge warninge of her honors neere approach: wfen presently hir eye was saluted with an Antiq; gate which suddeinly was erectein this form Vppon the Gate did hange a many siluer Scroles with this worde in them: Tantum Vni Vppon the battlements over the gate stoode three gilte sheildes in Diamond figure impaled on the topp wth three Coronetts purfled with Goulde & severally inscribed wth siluer wordes in the first sheelde: Venisti tandem In the seconde Nostra sera, in the Thirde Et sola voluptas: over these oppon a halfe spheare stoode an imbossed antiq; figure gilte: the slighte Towers to this gate which were only raised for shewe were sett out wth battlements sheeldes & Coronetts sutable to the rest as this lame figure demonstrats
When the Countesse came nere the Gate An olde inchauntres attired in Crimeson velvet wth pale face blacke haire & dislykinge countenance affronted her Ladishipp & thus rudely saluted her
Woman, Lady, princes, Nimph, or Goddes
(more sure you are not, & you seeme no lesse)
Stay & attempt not passadg through this porte:
Heere the pale Lorde of saddnes keepes his courte
rough visagd Saturne; on whose bloudles cheekes
dull Melancholy sitts who straightly seekes
to sease on all that enter through this gate
graunte gratious listninge & I shall relate
The meanes, the manner, & of all the sence
whilst your faire eye inforceth eloquence:
There was a Tyme (& since that time ye sun̄e
Hath yet not through nyne signes of heaven run̄e)
when the high siluan that commaundes thes woodes
& his bright Nymphe fairer then Queen of fludds
Wth moste impacient longings hop'd to veiw
hir face, to whome theire harts deerst zeale was due
Youths ioyes to loue, sweete light vnto the blynde
Beauty to virgins, or what witt can fynde
most deerely wish'd was not so much desier'd
as shee to them: o my dull soule is fir'd
to tell their longings: but it is a peece
that woulde oreloade the famost tounges of Greece
Yet longe they hop'd; till Rumor struck Hope dead
& shewe'd theire wishes were but flattered
For scarce her Chariott cutt the easy earth
& jornied on, when winter wth colde breath
crosseth her way. Her borrowed haire doth shine
wth Glittering Isicles all christaline
Hir browes were perriwigg'd wth softer snowe
Hir russett mantle fring'd wth Ice belowe
Sott stiffly on her back: Shee thus came forth
vsherd wth tempeste of the frosty Northe
And seeing hir shee thought she sure had seene
the sweete breath'd Flora the bright Summers Queene
So full of cheerefull grace she did appeere
yt winter fearde hir face recalde the yeare,
& fors'd vntimely springes to sease hir right
whereatt wth anger, & malitious spighte,
She vowes Reuenge, Straight wth tempestious winges
from Taurus, Alpes & Scithian rockes she flinges
theire covering of, & heere theire thick furr spread
yt patient Earth was allmost smothered
Vpp Boreas mounts & doth so strongly blow
athawart hir way huge driftes of blinding snow
yt mountainelike att length heapes rose so high
Mans sight might doubte whether Heauen or Earth were sky.
Heereat she turned back and lefte hir way
Necessity all mortalls must obay.
wch was no sooner voic'd & hether blowne
it Sadds me but to think what greiffe was showne,
wch to augement (Mishapp nere single falles)
The God of Sadnes & of funeralls
of heauy pensiuenes & discontente
coldly dull Saturne hether straight was sente
My selfe MERYMNA who still waight vppon
pale MELANCHOLY & DESOLATION
vsherd him on, when straite wee strongly sease
all this sadd howse & vow'd no meanes should ease
those heauy bandes wich pensiue Saturne tyde
till wth wished grace this house was beutifide
Pace then no further for vouchsafe to knowe
till hir approach heere can no comfort grow
Tis only one can theire sadd bondage breake
whose worth I may admire not dare to speake
shees so compleate yt her much honored state
giues fortune virtue makes virtue fortunate
as one in whome three rare mixt graces sitt
seene seldome joynd, fortune, beauty, witt.
to this choice Lady, and to her deere fate,
all hartes do open, as alone this Gate
Shee only driues away dull Saturne hence,
She, whome to praise I neede her eloquence
This speach thus Ended prsently Saturne yssued from forth the Porte & curyiously behoulding the Countesses spake thus
Peace, stay, it is, it is, it is, even shee
Hayle happy honors of Nobilitye
Did never Saturne see? or nere see such?
what shoulde I style you? what choise phrase may touch
or hope in wordes such wondrous grace to sute,
whose worth doth wante an equall attribute.
Lett never Mortall wondring Scilence breake
since to expresse you, Gods themselues must speake
Sweete glories of your sex, know yt yor eyes
makes milde the roughest planet of the skies,
Even wee the Lorde yt Sitts in Ebon throanes,
circled wth sighes & discontented groanes
are forc'd at yor faire presence to relent,
att yor approach all Saturns force is spent,
Now breakes my bandes, now sadnes leaues theis towrs
Now all are turn'd to Floras smiling bowers,
Then now giue way, now is my bondage due
only to those who basely envy yow
Hence solitary Beldam, sinke to nighte
I giue vp all to Joye, & to Delight,
And now passe on all happye making Dame,
O coulde you but imagin what a flame
of many joyes nowe in theire bosomes shyne
who counte it theire deerst honor to be thine,
you woulde aueer to number them who seekes
must sure inuent some newe Arithmetiq;s
for who to caste theire reconings takes in hande
hadd neede for counters take the Ocean sande
Theire service is your right yor loue their due
who only loue themselues for loving you
Theire Pallace waites you wth so harty gate
Man cannot vtter, or Godes scarce relate
Then passed the whole troupe to the house: vntill the Countesse hadd mounted the staires to the greate Chamber, on the topp of wch Merimna haveing chaunged hir habitt all to white mett her & whilst a consorte softely played spake thus.

Madam,

See what a change the spiritt of your Eyes,
hath wroughte in vs, Hence dullr Saturne flies,
& wee that were the ghost of woe & Earth,
are all transform'd vnto the soule of Mirth,
O wee are full of Joye no breaste more light,
But those who owe yow theirs by Natures right
From whome vouchsafe this present. Tis a woorke
wherein strange miracles & wonders lurke
For know yt Lady whose ambition towers
Only to this to be termd worthy yours
whose forhead I coulde crowne wth clearest rayes
but yt her praise is, she abhors much praise
not longe since thought she saw in slumbring transes
the Queene of faierys & of monelight daunces
come tripping in & with a faiery kisse
she chastely touch'd hir & straite gaue hir this
wth this straūge charge: This peece alone was made
for her in whome no graces 'ere shall fade
for her whose worth is such I dare avere,
it fears not Satyre, nor the flatterer
for hir who gaue you first most gracing name,
who loueth goodnes, for it selfe not fame,
for her whome modest virtue doth vnfolde so
yt she had rather be much graced then tolde so
for hir, for whome had you the whole worldes breast
and of it all gaue her sole interest
you'd iudge it slight: This saide hence straite she flew
& lefte it hir who only vowes it you
Then whilst or breasts wth seacret welcoms ringe
Vouchsafe acceptance of this offeringe
Thus wth a songe Merimna presented her honor wth a very curious & rich wastecote wch done the Countesse passed on to hir Chamber
The Masq; prsented by 4 knights & 4 Gentlemen at the right noble Earle of Huntingdons howse of Ashebie in honor of his Ladies moste worthie mothers arryvall Alyce Countesse Dowager of Darbye The forme was thus Att the approach of the Countesses into the greate Chamber the Hoboyes playd; vntill the Roome was Marshaled wch once ordered a travers slyded away presently a Cloude was seene moue vp & downe allmost to the topp of the greate Chamber vpon wch Cynthia was discoured ryding her habitt was blewe Satten fairely imbrodered wth Starres & Cloudes Who lookeing downe & earnestly sorvaying the Ladies Spake thus
Cinthia
Are not we Cynthia; and shall earth displaye
Brighter then vs, & force vntimely daye?
What daring flames beame such illustrous light
inforcing darkenes from the claime of night?
Vpp Aryadne thie cleare beauty rouse
Thou Northerne Crowne, to lusty Bachus spouse,
Letts mixe or glories to outblaze yor flame
To be outshone is Heauens & greate harts shame,
Looke downe, knowest them? see how theire fronts rebeate
Splendor like Joue & beauty worth or state
hath or bright brother the fayre Lorde of dayes
into theire eyes shed his vs-darkening ray'ze
Or hath some daring Spiritt forgot Joues ire
And to grace them stolne his Cælestiall fyer
wee are not Phœbe, this is not Heauens story
Place giues not worth, but worth giues place his glory

In the middst of this speech Ariadne rose from ye bottome of the Roome mounted vpon a Cloude wch waved vp vntill it came neere Cynthia where resting Ariadne spake thus
Ariadne

Cynthia
But looke whose eyes are those that shine more cleare
then lightning throwne from sheelde of Jupiter
see, see, how quick fier leapes from forth her eyes
wch burne all hartes & warme the very skies
I'st not bright Euthera?

Ariadne

Cynthia
Letts visitt them & slyde from or aboade
who loues not virtue leaues to be a God
Sounde Spheares, spreade yor harmonius breath
when mortalls shine in worth, Gods grace the earth

The Cloudes descend whilste softe musiq; soundeth Cythia and Ariadne dismount from theire Clouds

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And pacing vp to the Ladies, Cynthia pceaving Aryadne wanting hir Crowne of Starrs speaks thus
Cynthia
But where is Ariadnes wreath of starrs?
Her eight pure fiers yt studd wth Goulden barrs
her shyning browes? Hath sweete toung'd Mercury
aduanced his sonnes to station of ye skye
& throand them in thy wreath & dost thou leaue
thy splendor of & trust of Gods deceaue?

Ariadne:
Queene of chaste dewe they will not be confyn'd
Or fyx themselues where Mercury assyn'de
But every night vpon a Forrest syde
on wch an Eagle pearcheth they abyde
and honor her wth theire moste raysed light
Chaste sports juste prayses & all softe delight
Vowing theire beames to make her prsence heaven
Thus is the glory of my fronte bereaven.

Cinthia
Tell them thei err & say yt wee the Queene
of Nights pale lampes haue now the substance seene
whose shadowe they adore goe bringe those eight
at mighty Synthias summans hether straight
Lett vs behould that mount whilste wee salute
theire facs, 'fore whome no dullnes can be mute

Presently Ariadne sings this shorte call
[Ariadne]
Musiq;, and gentle night
Beauty, youthes cheefe delighte
Pleasures, all full invite
Your due attendance to this glorious roome
Then yf you haue or witt or vertue come
oh come oh come

Suddeynely vpon this songe the Cornetts were winded And the Travers that was drawen before the masquers sanke downe: The whoale shewe prsently appeereth wch prsented it selfe in this figure: The whole body of it seemed to be the syde of a steepely assending wood: on the topp of wch in a fayre Oake satt a goulden Eagle: vnder whose wings satt in eight seurall thrones the eight masquers wth visards like Starres, theire helmes like mercuryes wth the addition of fayre plumes of Carnation & white, theire Antiq; doubletts and other furniture sutable to those Cullors, the place full of sheilds lights & pages all in blew satten Robes imbrodered wth Starres
The Masquers thus discoured satt still vntill Ariadne pronounced this invocation at wch thei discended
Ariadne
The Violins vpon this played a newe Measure to wch the masquers daunced & ceasing Cynthia spake

[Cynthia]

The Songe

Audatious Nighte makes bolde the lippe,
Now all court chaster pleasure
whilst to Apollos Harpe you trippe
And tread the gracing measure
Cynthi:
Nowe meete, now breake, then fayne a warlike salley
So Cinthea sports and so the Godes may dalley
Juditious witt nowe raise thy brayne
Now heate thy nimbler spiritt
Showe what delitious faces straine
Much Pashion, shewes much merritt

Cyn.
Now meete. &c.
Laciuious youth not dare to speake
the language of loose Cytty,
He that Dyanas bondes doth breake,
is helde most rudely witty
Now meete &c.
Disgratious dullnes yett much marrs
the shape of courtly talking
He yt can scilent touch such starrs
his soule lyes in his walking
Nowe meete now breake then fayne a warlike salley
So Cynthea sports and so the Gods may dalley

During this Songe the Masquers presented theire Sheelds, And tooke forth theire Ladys to daunce
After they hadd daunced many measures galliards Carantos, & Levaltos the Night being much spent: Whilste the masquers prpared them selues

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for theire depting measure Cynthea spake thus
Cynthe:
The Eglouge wch a dispaiering Shepheard spak to a Nimph att my Ladys departure.

He sange a passionate ditty wch don̄ he spak thus.
Shepheard
Now fairest daine once to impart
did ever live so coy a Lass
who vnto love was never moved

Nimph
Yes Sheepherd she yt hath the hart
and is resolv'd hir life to pass
Nether to love, or be beloved

Shep—
She senceles lives wthout affection

Nimph—
yett happye lives wthout subjection

Shep—
To be pluckt are roses blowne
To be mow'd are meddowes growne
Gemms are made but to be showne
And womans best:—

Nimph
To keepe hir owne

Shep—
well shepheardess still hate to love me
No scorne from my fixt vow shall move me.
when sheepe, to finest grass have loathing
when courtiers shall disdaine rich cloathing
when shepheards shun̄ theire maydays sports
green-sicknes when tis rife in courtes
O then, & not till then I'le hate
Beliza my sole love & fate.

Nimph—
When Love in daughters shall assend
for simple Pietys sole end
when any child hir mother graces
wth all she can, yett all defaces
in hir faire thought, the faith she oweth
tho what she can she freely showeth,
Then Shepheard maist thou hope attend
for then my Hate shall have an End.

Shep—

From wch o daine to give this touch

the Sheph—presented scarfe.

who gives what he can gett gives much
Farewell farewell
Joy, Love, peace Health
in you longe dwell
wth our farewell farewell.
So the Countess passed on vntill she came through the Little Park where Niobe presented hir wth a Cabinet. & so departed.