 | Hymenaei, or The solemnities of Masque and Barriers at a Marriage |  |
It is a noble and iust aduantage, that the things subiected to vnderstanding haue of those which are obiected to sense, that the one sort are but momentarie, and meerely taking; the other impressing, and lasting: Else the glorie of all these solemnities had perish'd like a blaze, and gone out, in the beholders eyes. So short-liu'd are the bodies of all things, in comparison of their soules. And, though bodies oft-times haue the ill luck to be sensually preferr'd, they find afterwards, the good fortune (when soules liue) to be vtterly forgotten. This it is hath made the most royall Princes, and greatest persons (who are commonly the personaters of these actions) not onely studious of riches, and magnificence in the outward celebration, or shew; (which rightly becomes them) but curious after the most high, and heartie inuentions, to furnish the inward parts: (and those grounded vpon antiquitie, and solide learnings) which, though their voyce be taught to sound to present occasions, their sense, or doth, or should alwayes lay hold on more remou'd mysteries. And, howsoeuer some may squemishly crie out, that all endeuour of learning, and sharpnesse in these transitorie deuices especially, where it steps beyond their little, or (let me not wrong 'hem) no braine at all is superfluous; I am contented, these fastidious stomachs should leaue my full tables, and enioy at home, their cleane emptie trenchers, fittest for such ayrie tasts: where perhaps a few Italian herbs, pick'd vp, and made into a sallade, may find sweeter acceptance, than all, the most nourishing, and sound meates of the world.
For these mens palates, let not me answere, O Muses. It is not my fault, if I fill them out Nectar, and they runne to Metheglin.
Vaticana bibant, si delectentur.All the curtesie I can doe them, is to crie, againe;
As I will, from the thought of them, to my better subiect.
On the night of the Masques (which were two, one of Men, the other of Women) the scene being drawne, there was first discouered an Altar; vpon which was inscribed, in letters of gold.
Mystically implying, that both it, the place, and all the succeeding ceremonies were sacred to marriage, or Vnion; ouer which Iuno was President: to whom there was the like Altar erected, at Rome, as shee was called Inga Iuno, in the street, which thence, was named Jugarius. See Fest. and, at which Altar, the rite was to ioyne the marryed payre with bands of silke, in signe of future concord.
VNIONI
SACR.
To this Altar entred fiue Pages, attyr'd in white, bearing
fiue tapers of virgin waxe; behind them, one representing a bridegroome: HisThe dressing of the Bridegroome (with the Ancients) was chiefly noted in that, Quòd tonderetur, Iu Sat. Iamque à Tonsore magistre Pecteris. And, Lucan. l. 2. where he makes Cato negligent of the ceremonies in marriage, saith, Jlle nec horrificam sancto dimouit ab ore Cæsariem.
On the other hand, entred Hymen (the god of marriage) in a saffron-coloured robe, his vnder-vestures white, his socks yellow, a yellow veile of silke on his left arme, his head crowned with Roses, and
See how hee is called out, by Catullus in Nupt. Iul. & Manl. Cinge tempora floribus Suaue olentis amaraci, &c.
For so I preserue the reading, there, in Catull. Pineam quate tædam, rather than to change it Spineam; and moued by the authoritie of Virg. in Ciri, where he sayes, Pronuba nec castos incendet Pinus amores, and Ouid. Fast. lib. 2. Expectet puros pinea tæda dies. Though I deny not, there was also Spinea tæda, which Plinie calls Nuptiarum facibus auspicatissimam, Nat. Hist. l. I6. c. I8. and whereof Sextus Pompeius Fest. hath left so particular testimonie. For, which, see the following note.
After him
This (by the Ancients) was called Camillus, quasi Minister (for so that signified in the Hetrurian tongue) and was one of the three, which by Sex Pompei, were said to be Patrimi & Matrimi, Pueri prætextati tres, qui nubentem deducunt: Vnus, qui sacem præfert ex spinâ albâ, Duo qui tenent nubentem. To which conferre that of Var. l. 6. de lingua Lat. Dicitur in nuptijs Camillus, qui Cumerum fert: as also that of Fest. l. 3. Cumeram vocabant Antiqui vas quoddam, quod opertum in Neptijs ferebant, in quo erant nubentis vtensilia, quod & Camillum dicebant: eò quod sacrorum Ministrum κα'μιλλον appellabant.
In the midst went the
Auspices were those that hand fasted the marryed couple: that wished them good lucke: that tooke care for the dowrie: and heard them professe that they came together, for the cause of children, Iunen Sat. I0. Veniet cum signatoribus Auspex. And, Lucan. l. 2. Junguntur taciti, contentique Auspice Bruto. They were also stil'd Prombi, Proxenetæ, Paranymphi.
The custome of Musike at Nuptialls, is cleere in all antiquitie, Ter. Adel. Act. 5. Verum hoc mihi mora est, Tibicina, & Hymenæum qui cantent. And Clau. in Epithal. Ducant peruigiles carmina Tibiæ, &c.
None here may stay
To view our mysteries,
But, who themselues haue beene,
Or will, in time, be seene
The selfe-same sacrifice.
For Vnion, Mistris of these rites,
Will be obseru'd with eyes,
As simple as her nights.
Flie then, all prophane, away,
Flie farre off, as hath the Day;
Night her cortine doth display,
And this is Hymens holiday.
The song being ended, Hymen presented himselfe formost; and, after some signe of admiration, began to speake.
HYMEN.
(Throughout the place extended)
Makes Ivno's fane so bright!
Is there some greater deitie descended?
So rich, as with their beames
Grace Vnion more then our's;
And bound her influence in their happier streames?
The king, and priest of peace!
And that his Empresse, she,
That sits so crowned with her owne increase!
Haue proou'd the strict embrace
Of Vnion, with chast kisses,
And seene it flow so in your happie race;
The fighting seedes of things,
Winnes natures, sexes, minds,
And eu'rie discord in true musique brings:
To Rites, so duely priz'd;
And view two noble Maides,
Of different sexe, to Vnion sacrific'd.
In honour of that blest Estate,
Which all good minds should celebrate.
Here out of a Microcosme, or Globe, (figuring Man) with a kind of contentious Musique, issued forth the first Masque, of eight men.
These represented the foure
That they
were personated in men, hath (alreadie) come vnder some Grammaticall exception.
But there is more then Grammar to release it. For, besides that Humores and Affectus are both Masculine in Genere, not one
of the Specialls, but in some Language is knowne by a masculine word: Againe, when their influences are common
to both Sexes, and more generally impetuous in the Male, I see not, why they should not, so, be more properly presented.
And, for the Allegorie, though here it be very cleare, and such as might well escape a candle, yet because
there are some, must complaine of darknesse, that haue but thicke eyes, I am contented to hold them this Light.
First, as in naturall bodies, so likewise in minds, there is no disease, or distemperature, but is caused either by some
abounding humor, or peruerse affection; after the same maner, in politick bodies (where Order, Ceremony, State, Reuerence,
Deuotion, are parts of the Mind) by the difference, or prædominant will of what we (metaphorically) call Humors,
and Affections, all things are troubled and confused. These, therefore, were tropically brought in, before
Marriage, as disturbers of that mysticall bodie, and the rites, which were soule vnto it; that afterwards, in Marriage,
being dutifully tempered by her power, they might more fully celebrate the happinesse of such as liue in that sweet
vnion, to the harmonious lawes of Nature and Reason.
HYMEN.
Saue, saue the virgins; keepe your hallow'd lights
Vntouch'd; and with their flame defend our Rites.
The foure vntemp'red Humors are broke out,
And, with their wild affections, goe about
To rauish all Religion. If there be
A Power, like Reason, left in that huge Bodie,
Or little world of Man, from whence these came,
Looke forth, and with thy bright and numerous flame
Instruct their darknesse, make them know, and see,
In wronging these, they haue rebell'd 'gainst thee.
Hereat, Reason, seated in the top of the Globe (as in the braine, or highest part of Man) figur'd in a venerable personage, her haire white, and trayling to her waste, crowned with lights, her garments blue, and semined with starres, girded vnto her with a white bend, fill'd with Arithmeticall figures, in one hand bearing a Lampe, in the other a bright Sword, descended, and spake:
Forbeare your rude attempt; what ignorance
Could yeeld you so prophane, as to aduance
One thought in act, against these mysteries?
Are Vnion's orgies of so slender price?
She that makes soules, with bodies, mixe in loue,
Contracts the world in one, and therein Iove;
Is spring, and end of all things: yet, most strange!
Her selfe nor suffers spring, nor end, nor change.
No wonder, they were you, that were so bold;
For none but Humors and Affections would
Haue dar'd so rash a venture. You will say
It was your zeale, that gaue your powers the sway;
And vrge the masqued, and disguis'd pretence,
Of sauing bloud, and succ'ring innocence?
So want of knowledge, still begetteth iarres,
When humorous earthlings will controll the starres.
Informe your selues, with safer reuerence,
To these mysterious rites, whose mysticke sence,
Reason (which all things, but it selfe, confounds)
Shall cleare vnto you, from th'authentique grounds.
At this, the Humors and Affections sheathed their swords, and retired amazed to the sides of the stage, while Hymen began to ranke the Persons, and order the Ceremonies: And Reason proceeded to speake.
REASON.
The Paire, which doe each other side,
Though (yet) some space doth them diuide,
This happie Night must both make one
Blest sacrifice, to Vnion.
Nor is this Altar but a signe
Of one more soft, and more diuine.
The
Properly that, which was made readie for the new-married Bride, and was call'd Genialis, à Generandis liberis. Ser. in 6. Æneid.
The solemne Orgies, void of sleepes:
And wildest Cvpid, waking, houers
With adoration 'twixt the louers.
The Tead of white and blooming Thorne,
In token of encrease is borne:
As also, with the ominous light,
To fright all malice from the Night.
Like are the fire, and water, set;
That, eu'n as moisture, mixt with heat,
Helpes euerie naturall birth, to life;
So, for their Race, ioyne man and wife.
Th'ingenious virgin should professe
At meeting with the man: Her haire,
That flowes so liberall, and so faire,
Is shed with grey, to intimate,
She entreth to a Matrons state.
For which those vtensils are borne.
And, that she should not labour scorne,
Her selfe a snowie fleece doth weare,
And these her rocke and spindle beare,
To shew, that nothing, which is good,
Giues checke vnto the highest blood.
The Zone of wooll about her waste,
Which, in contrarie circles cast,
Doth meet in one strong knot, that binds,
Tells you, so should all married minds.
And lastly, these fiue waxen lights,
Imply perfection in the rites;
For fiue the speciall number is,
Whence hallow'd Vnion claymes her blisse.
As being all the summe, that growes
From the vnited strengths, of those
Which male and female numbers wee
Doe style, and are first two, and three.
Which, ioyned thus, you cannot seuer
In equall parts, but one will euer
Remaine as common; so we see
The binding force of Vnitie:
For which alone, the peacefull gods
In number, alwaies, loue the oddes;
And euen parts as much despise,
Since out of them all discords rise.
Here, the vpper part of the Scene, which was all of Clouds, and made artificially to swell, and ride like the Racke, began to open; and, the ayre clearing, in the top thereof was discouered
With the Greekes, Juno was interpreted to be the ayre it selfe. And so Macr. de som. Scipio. li. I. c. I7. calls her. Mar. Cap. surnames her Aeria, of reigning there.
They were sacred to Iuno, in respect of their colours, and temper, so like the Aire. Ouid. de Arte Amand. Laudatas ostendit aues Iunonia pennas. And Met. li. 2. Habili Saturnia curru Ingreditur liquidum pauonibus æthera pictis.
She was call'd Regina Iuno with the Latines, because she was Soror & Coniux Iouis, Deorum & hominum Regis.
After the manner of the antique Bend, the varied colours implying the seuerall mutations of the Ayre, as showres, dewes, serenitie, force of winds, clouds, tempest, snow, haile, lightning, thunder, all which had their noises signified in her Timbrell: the facultie of causing these, being ascribed to her by Virg. Aeneid. lib. 4. where he makes her say, His ego nigrantem commista grandine nimbum Desuper insundam, & tonitru cœlum omne ciebo.
Lillies were sacred to Iuno, as being made white with her milke, that fell vpon the earth, when Ioue tooke Hercules away, whom by stealth he had layd to her brest: the Rose was also call'd Iunonia.
So was she figur'd at Argos, as a Stepmother insulting on the spoyles of her two Priuigni, Bacchus and Hercules.
See Virg. Aeneid. lib. 4. Iunoni ante omnes cui vincla iugalia curæ: and in another place, Dant signum prima & Tellus, & Pronuba Iuno : And Ouid. in Phill. Epist. Iunonemque terris quæ præsidet alma Maritis.
REASON.
And see, where Ivno, whose great name
Is Vnio, in the anagram,
Displayes her glistering state, and chaire,
As she enlightned all the ayre!
Harke how the charming tunes doe beate
In sacred concords 'bout her seate!
And loe! to grace what these intend.
Eight of her noblest powers descend,
Which are er stil'd her faculties,
That gouerne nuptiall mysteries;
And weare those masques before their faces,
Lest, dazeling mortalls with their graces
As they approach them, all mankind
Should be, like Cvpid, strooken blind.
These Order waites for, on the ground,
To keepe, that you should not confound
Their measur'd steppes, which onely moue
About th'harmonious sphære of Love.
Their descent was made in two great cloudes, that put foorth themselues seuerally, and (with one measure of time) were seene to stoupe, and fall gently downe vpon the earth. The maner of their habites, came after some statues of Ivno, no lesse airy, then glorious. The dressings of their heads, rare; so likewise of their feete: and all full of splendor, soueraignety, and riches. Whilst they were descending, this song was sung at the altar.
Song.
Whom humour and affection must obey;
And bring, with them, the gratefull Hower
That crownes such meetings, and excites
The married Paire to fresh delights:
As Courtings, Kissings, Coyings, Othes, and Vowes,
Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the Ioyes,
And melting Toyes,
That chaster Love allowes.
Haste, haste, for Hespervs his head downe bowes.
The Song ended, they daunced forth in paires, and each paire with a varied and noble grace; to a rare and full musique of twelue Lutes: led on by Order, the seruant of Reason, who was, there, rather a Person of Ceremony, than Vse. His vnder Garment was blue, his vpper white, and painted full of Arithmeticall, and Geometricall Figures; his Hayre, and Beard long, a Starre on his forehead, and in his hand a Geometricall Staffe: To whom, after the Daunce, Reason spake.
REASON.
Conuey them, Order, to their places,
And ranke them so, in seuerall traces,
As they may set their mixed Powers
Vnto the Musique of the Howers;
And These, by ioyning with them, know
In better temper how to flow:
Whilst I (from their abstracted Names)
Report the vertues of the Dames.
First
This Surname Iuno receiu'd of the Sabines; from them, the Romanes gaue it her: of the Speare, which (in the Sabine tongue) was called Curis, and was that, which they nam'd Hasta Cælibaris, which had stuck in the body of a slain Sword-player, and wherewith the Brides head was drest, wherof Fest in Voce Celibar, giues these reasons, Vt quemadmodum illa coniuncta fuerit cum corpore Gladiatoris, sic ipsa cum viro sit; vel quia Matrone Iunonis Curitis in tutelâ sit, quæ ita appellabatur à ferenda hasta: vel quòd fortes viros genituras ominetar; vel quod nuptiali iure imperio viri subijcitur Nubens, quiæ Hasta summa armorum, & imperij est, &c. To most of which Plutarch in his Quest. Rom. consents, but addes a better in Romul. That when they diuided the Brides haire with the poynt of the Speare, συμβολον ειναι τουμετα μαχης και πολεμικωστεν πρωτον γαμον γενεσθαι it noted their first Nuptialles (with the Sabines) were contracted by force, and as with enemies. Howsoeuer, that it was a Custome with them, this of Ouid. Fast. lib. 2. confirmes. Comat Virgineas hasta recurua comas.
Care of the oyntments
For the Surname of Vnxia , we haue Mart. Capel. his testimonoy, De Nupt. Phil. & Mercu. lib. 2. quòd vnctionibus præest: As also Seruius, libro quarto Æneid, where they both report it a fashion with the Romanes, that before the new-married Brides entred the houses of their Husbands, they adorned the postes of the gates with wollen tawdries, or fillets, and anointed them with oyles, or the fat of wolues, and bores; being superstitiously possest, that such oyntments had the vertue of expelling euills from the familie: and thence were they called Vxores, quasi Vnxores.
She was named Iuga, propter Iugum, (as Seruius sayes) for the yoke which was impos'd, in Matrimony, on those that were maried, or (with Sex. Pomp. Fest.) quòd Iuges sunt eiusdem Iugi Pares, vnde & Coniuges. or in respect of the Altar (to which I haue declar'd before) sacred to Iuno, in Vito Iugario.
As shee was Gamelia, in sacrificing to her, they tooke away the gall, and threw it behind the Altar; intimating, that (after marriage, there should be knowne, no bitternesse, nor hatred betweene the ioyned couple, which might diuide, or separate them: See Plutarch, Connub. Præ. This Rite I haue somewhere folllowing touch't at.
The title of Iterduca shee had amongst them, quòd ad sponsi ædes, sponsas comitabatur; of was a Protectresse of their journey. Mart. Capel. De Nupt. Philolo. & Mercur. libro secundo.
And Domidvca home her steppes doth stay;
Cinxia, the same Author giues vnto her, as the Defendresse of Maides, when they had put off their girdle, in the Bridall chamber; To which, Festus, Cinxiæ Junonis nomen sanctum habebatur in Nuptijs, quòd initio Coniugij solutio erat Cinguli, quo noua Nupta erat cincta. And Arnobius, a man most learned in their Ceremonies, lib. 3. ad vers. Gent. saith, Vnctionibus superest Vinxia. Cingulorum Cinxia replicationi.
Telia signifies Perfecta, or, as some translate it. Perfectrix; with Iul. Pol. libr. 3. Ononast. ηρα τελεια valewes Iunol Præses Nuptiarum: who saith, the Attribute descends of τελειος, which (with the Ancients) signified Mariage, and thence, were they calld τελειοι that entred into the state. Seruius interprets it the same with Gamelia, Æneid. 4 ad verb. Et Iunone secundâ: But it implies much more, as including the faculties too mature and perfect; See the Greeke Scholiaste on Pind. Nem in Hym. ad Thyæum Vliæ filium Agri. τελειος δε ο γαμος δια το κατασχευαζειν την τελειοτητα του βιου: that is, Nuptialls are therefore call'd τελειοι, because they effect Perfection of life, and do note that maturity which should be in Matrimony. For before Nuptialls, she is called Iuno παρθενος, that is, Uirgo; after Nuptiall, τελεια, which is adulta, or Perfecta.
By this time, the Ladies were payred with the Men; and the whole Sixteene rank'd foorth, in order, to daunce: and were with the song prouok'd.
SONG.
Your spirits in actiue heate;
And, since your hands are met,
Instruct your nimble feete,
In motions, swift, and meete,
The happy ground to beate:
Whilst all this Roofe doth ring,
And each discording string.
With euery varied voyce,
In Vnion doth reioyce.
Here, they daunced forth a most neate and curious measure, full of Subtilty and Deuice; which was so excellently performed, as it seemed to take away that Spirit from the Inuention, which the Inuention gaue to it: and left it doubtfull, whether the Formes flow'd more perfectly from the Authors braine, or their feete. The straines were all notably different, some of them formed into Letters, very signifying to the name of the Bridegrome, and ended in manner of a chaine, linking hands: To which, this was spoken.
REASON.
Svch was
Mentioned by Homer Ilia Θ. which many haue interpreted diuersely: al Allegorically Pla. in Thæteto, vnderstands it to be the Sunne, which while he circles the world in his course, all things are safe, and preserued: others vary it. Macrob (to whose interpretation, I am specially affected in my Allusion) cõsiders it thus: in Sum. Scip. libr. I. cap. I4. Ergo cùm ex summo Dio ment, ex mente anima sit; anima verò & condat, & vita compleat omnia quæ sequuntur, cunctaque hic vnius fulgor illuminer, & in vniuersis appareat, vt in multis speculis, per ordinem positis, vultus vnus; Cumque omnia continuis successionibus te sequantur, degenerentia per ordinem ad imum meand: invenietur pressius intuenti à summo Deo vsque ad vltimam rerum facem vna mutuis se vinculis religans, & nusquam interrupta connexio. Et hæc est Homeri Catena aurea, quam pendere de cœlo in terras Deum iussisse commemorat. To which strength and euennesse of connexion, I haue not absurdly likened this vniting of Humours, and Affections, by the sacred Powers of Marriage.
And not those linkes more euen,
By Vnion, and refin'd.
Here no contention, enuy, griefe, deceit,
Feare, iealousie haue weight;
But all is peace, and loue, and faith, and blisse:
What harmony like this?
The gall, behinde the altar quite is throwne;
This sacrifice hath none.
Now no affections rage, nor humors swell;
But all composed dwell.
O Ivno, Hymen, Hymen, Ivno! who
Can merit with you two?
Without your presence, Venvs can doe nought,
Saue what with shame is bought;
No father can himselfe a parent show,
Nor any house with prospe'rous issue grow.
O then! What deities will dare
With Hymen, or with Ivno to compare?
The speach being ended, they dissolu'd: and all tooke forth other persons, (men, and women,) to daunce other measures, galliards, and corranto's; the whilst this song importun'd them to a fit remembrance of the time.
Song.
Thinke, yet, how night doth wast,
How much of time is past,
What more then winged hast
Your selues would take,
If you were but to tast
The ioy, the night doth cast
(O might it euer last)
On this bright virgin, and her happy make.
Their Daunces yet lasting, they were the second time importun'd, by speach.
REASON.
See, see! the bright
Stella Ueneris, or Venus, which when it goes before the Sunne, is call'd Phosphorus, or Lucifer; when it followes, Hesperus, or Noctifer (as Cat. translates it.) See Cic. 2. de Nat. Deor. Mar. cap. de Nup. Phi. & Mer. l. 8. The nature of this starre Phythagoras first found out: and the present office Clau. expresseth in Fescen. Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar dilectus Ueneri nascitur Hesperus.
That lighteth louers to their warre,
Complaynes, that you her influence loose;
While thus the night-sports you abuse.
The longing bridegroome, in the porch,
Shewes you againe, the bated torch;
And thrice hath Ivno mixt her ayre
With fire, to summon your repayre.
REASON.
See, now shee cleane with-drawes her light;
And (as you should) giues place to night,
That spreades her broad, and blackest wing
Vpon the world, and comes to bring
A thousand seuerall colour'd loues,
Some like sparrowes, some like doues,
That hop about the nuptiall-roome,
And flutt'ring there (against you come)
Warme the chaste bowre, which Cypria strowes,
With many a lilly, many a rose.
HYMEN.
Haste therefore, haste, and call, away:
The gentle night is prest to pay
The vsurie of long delights,
Shee owes to these protracted rites.
At this (the whole scene being drawne againe, and all couer'd with cloudes, as a night) they left off their entermixed dances, and return'd to their first places; where, as they were but beginning to moue, this song, the third time, vrg'd them.
Song.
O know to end, as to beginne:
A minutes losse, in loue, is sinne.
These humours will the night out-weare
In their owne pastimes here;
You doe our rites much wrong,
In seeking to prolong
These outward pleasures:
The night hath other treasures
Then these (though long conceal'd)
Ere day, to be reueal'd
Then, know to end, as to beginne;
A minutes losse, in loue, is sinne.
REASON.
Here stay, and let your sports be crown'd:
The perfect'st figure is the round.
Nor fell you in it by aduenter,
When Reason was your guide, and center.
This, this that beauteous
Venus girdle, mentioned by Homer. Ili. ξ. which was fain'd to be variously wrought with the needle, and in it wouen Loue, Desire, Sweetnesse, soft Parlee, Gracefulnesse, Perswasion, and all the Powers of Venus.
Of louers many-colour'd blisse.
Come Hymen, make an inner ring,
And let the sacrificers sing;
Cheere vp the faint, and trembling Bride,
That quakes to touch her Bridegroom's side:
Tell her, what Ivno is to Iove,
The same shall shee be to her loue;
His wife: which we doe rather measure
A name of dignitie, then pleasure.
Vp youths, hold vp your lights in ayre,
And shake abroad their flaming hayre.
Now moue vnited, and, in gate,
As you (in paires) doe front the state,
With gratefull honors, thanke his grace
That hath so glorified the place:
And as, in circle, you depart
Link'd hand in hand; So, heart in heart,
May all those bodies still remayne
Whom he (with so much sacred payne)
No lesse hath bound within his realmes
Then they are with the Oceans streames.
Long may his Vnion find increase
As he, to ours, hath deign'd his peace.
With this, to a soft strayne of musique, they pac'd once about, in their ring, eury payre making their honors, as they came before the state: and then dissoluing, went downe in couples, led on by Hymen, the Bride, and Auspices following, as to the nuptiall bower. After them, the musicians with this song, of which, then, onely one staffe was sung; but because I made it both in forme, and matter to emulate that kind of poeme, which was call'd
It had the name à Thalamo, dictum est autem, θαλαμος cubiculum Nuptiale primo suo significatu παρα το θαλειν αμα, quod est simul genialem vitam agere, Scal. in Poet.
For which loues hopes were so long-liu'd.
Lead Hymen, lead away;
And let no obiect stay,
Nor banquets (but sweet kisses)
The turtles from their blisses.
This Poeme had for the most part Versum intercalarem, or Carmen Amœbæum: yet that not alwaies one, but oftentimes varied, and sometimes neglected in the same song, as in ours you shall finde obserued.
And this his last alarme.
Shrinke not, soft Virgin, you will loue,
Anon, what you so feare to proue.
This is no killing warre,
To which you pressed are;
But fayre and gentle strife
Which louers call their life.
'Tis Cvpid cryes to arme;
And this his last alarme.
Helpe youths, and virgins, helpe to sing
The prize, which Hymen here doth bring,
And did so lately rap
From forth the mothers lap,
To place her by that side
Where shee must long abide.
On Hymen, Hymen call,
This night is Hymen's all.
See, Hespervs is yet in view!
What starre can so deserue of you?
Whose light doth still adorne
Your Bride, that, ere the morne,
Shall farre more perfect be,
And rise as bright as he;
When (like to him) her name
Is chang'd, but not her flame.
Haste, tender lady, and aduenter;
The couetous house would haue you enter,
That it might wealthy bee,
And you, her mistris see:
Haste your owne good to meet;
And
This was also another rite: that she might not touch the threshold as shee entred, but was lifted ouer it. Seruius faith, because it was sacred to Uesta, Plut. in Quæst. Rom. remembers diuers causes. But that, which I take to come neerest the truth, was onely the auoyding of Sorcerous drugs, vs'd by Witches to be bury'd vnder that place, to the destroying of marriage-Amitie, or the Power of generation, See Alexand, in Genialibu. and Christ. Landus vpon Catul.
Aboue the threshold, high,
With prosperous augury.
Now, youths, let goe your pretty armes;
The place within chant's other charmes.
And voilets seeme to grow,
Strew'd in the chamber there,
As Venvs meade it were.
On Hymen, Hymen call,
This night is Hymen's all.
Good Matrons, that so well are knowne
To aged husbands of your owne,
Place you our Bride to night;
And snatch away the light:
That shee not hide it dead
Beneath her spouse's bed;
Nor he reserue the same
To helpe the funerall flame.
So, now you may admit him in;
The act he couets, is no sin,
But chaste, and holy loue,
Which Hymen doth approue:
Without whose hallowing fires
All aymes are base desires.
On Hymen, Hymen call,
This night is Hymen's all.
Now, free from vulgar spight, or noyse,
May you enioy your mutuall ioyes;
Now, you no feare controules,
But lips may mingle soules;
And soft embraces bind,
To each, the others mind:
Which may no power vntie,
Till one, or both must die.
And, looke, before you yeeld to slumber,
That your delights be drawne past number;
“Ioyes, got with strife, increase.
Affect no sleepy peace;
But keepe the Brides fayre eyes
Awake, with her owne cryes,
Which are but mayden-feares:
And kisses drie such teares.
Then, coyne them, twixt your lips so sweet,
And let not cockles closer meet;
Nor may your murmuring loues
Be drown'd by
A frequent surname of Ven' not of the place, as Cypria: but quòd pare te faciat η το κυειν παιρχουσα, Theop. Phurnut. and the Grammarians vpon Homer, See them.
Let iuy not so bind
As when your armes are twin'd:
Rise perfect euerie way.
And Ivno, whose great powers protect
The marriage-bed, with good effect
The labour of this night
Blesse thou, for future light:
And, thou, thy happie charge,
Glad
Deus Naturæ, siue gignendi. And is the same in the male, as Iuno in the female. Hence Genialis Lectus, qui nuptijs sternitur, in honorem Genij. Fest. Genius meus, quia me genuit.
That they may both, e're day,
Rise perfect euerie way.
And
She hath this facultie giuen her, by all the Ancients. See Hom. Iliad. θ. Lucret. in prim. Vir. in 2. Georg. &c.
(Which may their after-comforts breed)
Informe the gentle wombe;
Nor, let it proue a tombe:
But, e're ten moones be wasted,
The birth, by Cynthia hasted.
So may they both, e're day,
Rise perfect euerie way.
And, when the babe to light is showne,
Let it be like each parent knowne;
Much of the fathers face,
More of the mothers grace;
And either grandsires spirit,
And fame let it inherit.
That men may blesse th'embraces,
That ioyned to such races.
Cease youths, and virgins, you haue done;
Shut fast the dore: And, as they soone
To their perfection hast,
So may their ardors last.
So eithers strength out-liue
All losse that Age can giue:
And, though full yeares be told,
Their formes grow slowly old.
Hitherto extended the first nights Solemnitie, whose grace in the execution, left not where to adde vnto it, with wishing: I meane, (nor doe I court them) in those, that sustain'd the nobler parts. Such was the exquisit performance, as (beside the pompe, splendor, or what we may call apparrelling of such Presentments) that alone (had all else beene absent) was of power to surprize with delight, and steale away the spectators from themselues. Nor was there wanting whatsoeuer might giue to the furniture, or complement; eyther in riches, or strangenesse of the habites, delicacie of daunces, magnificence of the scene, or diuine rapture of musique. Onely the enuie was, that it lasted not still, or (now it is past) cannot by imagination,
Yet, that I may not vtterly defraud the Reader of his hope, I am drawne to giue it those briefe touches, which may leaue behind some shadow of what it was: And first of the Attyres.
That, of the Lords, had part of it (for the fashion) taken from the antique Greeke statue; mixed with some moderne additions: which made it both gracefull, and strange. On their heads they wore Persick crownes, that were with scroles of gold-plate turn'd outward, and wreath'd about with a carnation and siluer net-lawne; the one end of which hung carelesly on the left shoulder; the other was trick'd vp before, in seuerall degrees of foulds, betweene the plates, and set with rich iewels, and great pearle. Their bodies were of carnation cloth of siluer, richly wrought, and cut to expresse the naked, in manner of the Greeke Thorax; girt vnder the brests with a broad belt of cloth of gold, imbrodered, and fastened before with iewels: Their Labels were of white cloth of siluer, lac'd, and wrought curiously betweene, sutable to the vpper halfe of their sleeues; whose nether parts, with their bases, were of watchet cloth of siluer, chev'rond all ouer with lace. Their Mantills were of seuerall colour'd silkes, distinguishing their qualities, as they were coupled in payres; the first, skie colour; the second, pearle colour; the third, flame colour; the fourth, tawnie: and these cut in leaues, which were subtilly tack'd vp, and imbrodered with Oo's, and betweene euerie ranke of leaues, a broad siluer lace. They were fastened on the right shoulder, and fell compasse downe the back in gracious folds, and were againe tyed with a round knot, to the fastning of their swords. Vpon their legges they wore siluer Greaues, answering in worke to their Labells; and these were their accoutrements.
The Ladies attyre was wholly new, for the inuention, and full of glorie; as hauing in it the most true impression of a celestiall figure: the vpper part of white cloth of siluer, wrought with Ivnoes birds and fruits; a loose vnder-garment, full gather'd of carnation, strip't with siluer, and parted with a golden Zone: beneath that, another flowing garment, of watchet cloth of siluer, lac'd with gold; through all which, though they were round, and swelling, there yet appeared some touch of their delicate lineaments, preseruing the sweetnesse of proportion, and expressing it selfe beyond expression. The attyre of their heads did answer, if nto exceed; their haire being carelesly (but yet with more art, then if more affected) bound vnder the circle of a rare and rich Coronet, adorn'd with all varietie, and choise of iewels; from the top of which, flow'd a transparent veile, downe to the ground; whose verge, returning vp, was fastened to either side in most sprightly manner. Their shooes were Azure, and gold, set with Rubies and Diamonds; so were all their garments; and euerie part abounding in ornament.
No lesse to be admir'd, for the grace, and greatnesse, was the whole Machine of the Spectacle, from whence they came: the first part of which
On the sides of this (which began the other part) were placed two great Statues, fayned of gold, one of Atlas, the other of Hercvles, in varied postures, bearing vp the Clouds, which were of Releuè, embossed, and tralucent, as Naturalls: To these, a cortine of painted clouds ioyned, which reach'd to the vpmost roofe of the Hall; and sodainely opening, reueal'd the three Regions of Ayre: In the highest of which, sate Ivno, in a glorious throne of gold, circled with Comets, and fierie Meteors, engendred in that hot and drie Region; her feet reaching to the lowest: where, was made a Rainebow, and within it, Musicians seated, figuring airie spirits, their habits various, and resembling the seuerall colours, caused in that part of the aire by reflexion. The midst was all of darke and condensed clouds, as being the proper place, where Raine, Haile, and other watrie Meteors are made; out of which, two concaue clouds, from the rest, thrust forth themselues (in nature of those Nimbi, wherein, by Homer, Virgil, &c. the gods are fain'd to descend) and these carried the eight Ladies, ouer the heads of the two
Termes; who (as the engine mou'd) seem'd also to bow themselues (by vertue of their shadowes) and discharge their shoulders of their glorious burden: when, hauing set them on the earth, both they and the clouds gathered themselues vp againe, with some rapture of the beholders.But that, which (as aboue in place, so in the beautie) was most taking in the Spectacle, was the sphere of fire, in the top of all, encompassing the ayre, and imitated with such art and industrie, as the spectators might discerne the Motion (all the time the Shewes lasted) without any Moouer; and that so swift, as no eye could distinguish any colour of the light, but might forme to it selfe fiue hundred seuerall hiewes, out of the tralucent bodie of the ayre, obiected betwixt it, and them.
And this was crown'd with a statue of Ivpiter, the Thunderer.
On the next Night, whose solemnitie was of Barriers (all mention of the former being vtterly remoued and taken away) there appeared, at the lower end of the Hall, a Mist made of delicate perfumes; out of which (a battaile being sounded vnder the stage) did seeme to break forth two Ladies, the one representing Truth, the other Opinion; but both so alike attired, as they could by no note be distinguish'd. The colour of their garments were blue, their socks white; they were crown'd with wreaths of Palme, & in their hands ech of thē sustain'd a Palm-bough. These, after the Mist was vanisht,
TRVTH.
Who art thou, thus that imitat'st my grace,
In steps, in habite, and resembled face?
OPINION.
Graue time, and industry my parents are;
My name is Trvth, who through the sounds of warre
(Which figure the wise minds discursiue fight)
In mists by nature wrapt, salute the light.
TRVTH.
I am that Trvth, thou some illusiue spright;
Whom to my likenesse, the black sorceresse night
Hath of these drie, and empty fumes created.
OPINION.
Best Herald of thine owne birth, well related:
Put me and mine to proofe of words, and facts,
In any question this faire houre exacts.
TRVTH.
I challenge thee, and fit this time of loue,
With this position, which Trvth comes to proue;
That the most honor'd state of man and wife,
Doth farre exceede th'insociate virgin-life.
OPINION.
I take the aduerse part; and she that best
Defends her side, be Trvth by all confest.
TRVTH.
To Trvth,
Hippocrat, in a certaine epistle to Philopœm, describeth her, Mulierem, quæ non mala videatur sed audacior aspectu & concitatior. To which, Cæsare Ripa in his Iconolog, alludeth, in these words, Faccia, ne bella, ne dispiaceuole, &c.
Like Trvth, her habite shewes to sensuall eyes!
But whosoe're thou be, in this disguise,
Cleare Trvth, anon, shall strip thee to the heart;
And shew how mere phantasticall thou art.
Required two, from mere one nothing springs:
Without that knot, the theame thou gloriest in,
(Th'vnprofitable virgin) had not bin.
The golden tree of marriage began
In paradise, and bore the fruit of man;
And from whose firme roote all society sprung.
Love (whose strong vertue wrapt heau'ns soule in earth,
And made a woman glory in his birth)
In marriage, opens his inflamed brest;
And, lest in him nature should stifled rest,
His geniall fire about the world he darts;
Which lippes with lippes combines, and hearts with hearts.
Marriage Loves obiect is; at whose bright eyes
He lights his torches, and call's them his skies.
For her, he wings his shoulders; and doth flie
To her white bosome, as his sanctuary:
In which no lustfull finger can profane him,
Nor any earth, with blacke eclipses wane him.
She makes him smile in sorrowes, and doth stand
Twixt him, and all wants, with her siluer hand.
In her soft lockes, his tender feet are tied;
And in his fetters he takes worthy pride.
And as geometricians haue approou'd
That lines, and superficies are not moou'd
By their owne forces, but doe follow still
Their bodies motions; so the selfe-lou'd will
Of man, or woman should not rule in them,
But each with other weare the anademe.
Mirrors, though deckt with diamants, are nought worth,
If the like formes of things they set not forth;
So men, or women are worth nothing, neither,
If eithers eyes and hearts present not either.
OPINION.
Vntouch'd virginitie, Laugh out; to see
Freedome in fetters plac'd, and vrg'd 'gainst thee.
What griefes lie groning on the nuptiall bed?
What dull societie? In what sheets of lead
Tumble, and tosse the restlesse married paire,
Each, oft, offended with the others aire?
From whence springs all-deuouring auarice,
But from the cares, which out of wedlocke rise?
And, where there is in lifes best-tempred fires
An end, set in it selfe to all desires,
A settled quiet, freedome neuer checkt;
How farre are married liues from this effect?
Evripvs, that beares shippes, in all their pride,
Gainst roughest windes, with violence of his tide,
And ebbes, and flowes, seuen times in euery day,
Toyles not more turbulent, or fierce then they.
In their eyes circles, they must bound thier liues.
The moone, when farthest from the sunne she shines,
Is most refulgent; neerest, most declines:
But your poore wiues farre off must neuer rome,
But wast their beauties, neere their lords at home:
And when their lords range out, at home must hide
(Like to beg'd monopolies) all their pride.
When their lords lift to feed a serious fit
They must be serious; when to shew their wit
In iests, and laughter, they must laugh and iest;
When they wake, wake; and when they rest, must rest.
And to their wiues men giue such narrow scopes,
As if they meant to make them walke on ropes:
No tumblers bide more perill of their neckes
In all their trickes; then wiues in husbands checkes.
Where virgins, in their sweet, and peacefull state
Haue all things perfect; spinne their owne free fate;
Depend on no proud second; are their owne
Center, and circle; Now, and alwayes one.
To whose example, we doe still heare nam'd
One god, one nature, and but one world fram'd,
One sunne, one moone, one element of fire,
So, of the rest; one king, that doth inspire
Soule, to all bodies, in their royall spheare:
TRVTH.
And where is marriage more declar'd, then there?
Is there a band more strict, then that doth tie
The soule, and body in such vnity?
Subiects to soueraignes? doth one mind display
In th'ones obedience, and the others sway?
Beleeue it, marriage suffers no compare,
When both estates are valew'd, as they are.
The virgin were a strange, and stubborne thing,
Would longer stay a virgin, then to bring
Her selfe fit vse, and profit in a make.
OPINION.
How she doth erre! and the whole heau'n mistake!
Looke, how a flower, that close in closes growes,
Hid from rude cattell, bruised with no ploughes,
Which th'ayre doth stroke, sun strenghtē showres shoot higher,
It many youths, and many maydes desire;
The same, when cropt by cruell hand is wither'd,
No youths at all, no maydens haue desir'd:
Is deare to hers; but when with bodies staine
Her chaster flower is lost, she leaues to appeare
Or sweet to young men, or to maydens deare.
That conquest then may crowne me in this warre,
Virgins, O virgins, flie from Hymen farre.
TRVTH.
Virgins, O Virgins, to sweet Hymen yeeld,
For as a lone vine, in a naked field,
Neuer extolls her branches, neuer beares
Ripe grapes, but with a headlong heauinesse weares
Her tender body, and her highest sproote
Is quickly leuell'd with her fading roote;
By whom no husbandmen, no youths will dwell;
But if, by fortune, she be married well
To th'elme, her husband, many husbandmen,
And many youths inhabit by her, then:
So whilst a virgin doth, vntouch't, abide
All vnmanur'd, she growes old, with her pride;
But when to equall wedlocke, in fit time,
Her fortune, and endeuor lets her clime,
Deare to her loue, and parents she is held.
Virgins, O virgins, to sweet Hymen yeeld.
OPINION.
These are but words; hast thou a knight will trie
(By stroke of armes) the simple veritie?
TRVTH.
To that high proofe I would haue dared thee.
Ile strait fetch champions for the bride and me.
OPINION.
The like will I doe for Virginity.
Here, they both descended the hall, where at the lower end, a march being sounded with drummes and phifes, three entred (led foorth by the Earle of Notingham, who was lord high Constable for that night, and the Earle of Worc'ster, Earle Marshall) sixteene knights, armed, with pikes, and swords; their plumes, and colours, carnation and white, all richly accoutred, and making their honors to the state, as they march'd by in paires, were all rank'd on one side of the hall. They plac'd sixteen others like accoutred for riches, and armes, onely that their colours were varied to watchet, and white; were by the same Earles led vp, and passing in like manner, by the state, plac'd on the opposite side.
By this time, the barre being brought vp, Trvth proceeded.
Now ioyne; and if this varied triall faile,
To make my Trvth in wedlockes praise preuaile,
I will retire, and in more power appeare;
To cease this strife, and make our question cleare.
Whereat Opinion insulting, followed her with this speach.
OPINION.
I, doe: it were not safe thou shouldst abide:
This speakes thy name, with shame to quit thy side.
Heere the champions on both sides addresst themselues for fight, first single; after three to three: and performed it with that alacrity, and vigor, as if Mars himselfe had been to triumph before Venvs, and inuented a new masque. When on a suddaine, (the last sixe hauing scarcely ended) a striking light seem'd to fill all the hall, and out of it an angell or messenger of glory appearing.
ANGEL.
Trvth is descended in a second thunder,
And now will greete you, with iudiciall state,
To grace the nuptiall part in this debate;
And end with reconciled hands these warres.
Through which her orient hayre waues to her wast,
By which beleeuing mortalls hold her fast,
And in those golden chordes are carried euen,
Till with her breath she blowes them vp to heauen.
She weares a robe encha'sd with eagles eyes,
To signifie her sight in mysteries;
Vpon each shoulder sits a milke-white doue,
And at her feet doe witty serpents moue:
Her spacious armes doe reach from East to West,
And you may see her heart shine through her brest.
Her right hand holds a sunne with burning rayes,
Her left a curious bunch of golden kayes,
With which heauen gates she locketh, and displayes.
A christall mirror hangeth at her brest,
By which mens consciences are search'd, and drest:
One her coach-wheeles hypocrisie lies rackt;
And squint-ey'd slander, with vaine-glory backt
Her bright eyes burne to dust: in which shines fate.
An angell vshers her triumphant gate,
And with them beates backe Error, clad in mists.
Eternall Vnitie behind her shines
That fire, and water, earth, and ayre combines.
Her voyce is like a trumpet lowd, and shrill,
Which bids all sounds in earth, and heau'n be still.
And see! descended from her chariot now,
In this related pompe shee visits you.
TRVTH.
To whose faire lot, in iustice, now it falls,
That this my counterfeit be here disclos'd,
Who, for virginitie hath her selfe oppos'd.
Nor, though my brightnesse doe vn-doe her charmes,
Let these her knights thinke, that their equall armes
Are wrong'd therein. “For valure wins applause
“That dares, but to maintayne the weaker cause.
And Princes, see, 'tis meere Opinion,
That in Trvth's forced robe, for Trvth hath gone!
Her gaudie colours, piec'd, with many folds,
Shew what vncertainties shee euer holds:
Vanish adult'rate Trvth, and neuer dare
With proud maydes praise, to prease where nuptialls are.
And champions, since you see the Truth I held,
To sacred Hymen, reconciled, yeeld:
Nor (so to yeeld) thinke it the least despight.
“It is a conquest to submit a right.
Will prop, I know, what I haue vnder-gone;
To whose right sacred highnesse I resigne
Low, at his feet, this starrie crowne of mine,
To shew, his rule, and iudgement is diuine;
These doues to him I consecrate withall,
To note his innocence, without spot, or gall;
These serpents, for his wisedome: and these rayes,
To shew his piercing splendor; these bright keyes,
Designing power to ope the ported skyes,
And speake their glories to his subiects eyes.
Lastly, this heart, with which all hearts be true:
And Trvth in him make treason euer rue.
With this, they were led forth, hand in hand, reconciled, as in triumph: and thus the solemnities ended.
| Hymenaei, or The solemnities of Masque and Barriers at a Marriage | |