University of Virginia Library

The Antimasque.
Satyres rudely but decently attired; stuck with Flowers, and Bayes-Chaplets on their heads, come in, and dance as many several Anticks, and in as many several shapes, as shall be necessary. Being ready to depart, two excellent youths in rich apparel, come striving in together; to whom the Lar speaks.
Lar.
What do you mean (sweet Boys) to interrupt
Our sports? I pray you leave your wrestling thus,
And do not strike your skins, too soft for blows.

1.
He would out-run me, and be kist before me.

2.
And he leave me among these dreadful Satyres.

Lar.
Whence come you?

1.
We both were left i'th woods, and tempted by
Such things as these to live abroad with them.

Lar.
What would you have?

1.
I would go to my Father.

2.
And I unto my Mother.

Lar.
Who is your Father?

1.
The ever honour'd Earl of Chesterfield,
Worthy of all his Titles by his vertues;
And full of Noble thoughts. A great maintainer
Of our great Grand-Fathers vertue, Hospitality:
The Feeder of the poor; whose Gate's so open,
It doth not need the Office of a Porter:
Whose House is now Delphian Apollo's seat:
For he's the Patron of all Arts and Wit.

Lar.
And who is your Mother, pretty One!

2.
She is the Countess to that Noble Lord;
A Lady worthy more then earth can give her:
Rich in those vertues make her Sex admir'd;
A fair exceeder of the best examples
That Greek or Roman stories e're produc'd:
Goddess of Tame, of Anchor, and of Trent.
She's such an one as hath none equal to her,
And therfore you may very easily know her.

Lar.
I know them both, and honor'd in my knowledge:
Sweet youth! yon'd is your Father, kiss his hand:
And that (fair little One) th'unequal'd Lady
You asked for: go, and beg a kiss of her.

Here the Lord of the House gives his hand to his Son, and the Countess kisses her Son. Then the Satyre speaks to his Companions.
Sat.
Fellows, since you have done, Farewel: I'le leave you
And all the rural Pastimes of the woods:
I like this noble Company so well,
That I hereafter here intend to dwel.

The Anti-Masquers depart: then the Lar Familiaris speaks to the Satyre.
Lar.
Now (Satyre) I will let thee see how far
The Palace-pleasures do exceed the Woods.
The Lar leads the Satyre to a curious bower, all deckt with the best and finest flowers of the season: and opens a wide entry into it, where sitting upon pleasant banks, full of the sweetest herbs and delicatest flowers, he discovers the Masquers: then presently invites them forth with this song.
Second song.

Here the Grand Masquers come forth; the Lady's drest like the ancient Goddesses; then the Lar speaks to the Satyre.
Lar.
Satyre sit, and observe a while alone:
For I do mean to mix with these in Dance.

Here they Dance what or as many Set-dances as they please, the Masquers being Men and Women, or onely Women: When they have danced all they intended, the Lar, or one of the Masquers invites the Spectator-Ladyes with this song to joyn with them.
Third song.

Here all the Company dance what they please, and while they please; when they leave, the Lar, or one of the Masquers, sings this to the spectator Ladyes, as they go from them.
Fourth song.
This being sung, the Masquers, the Lar Familiaris, and the Satyre, go into the Arbour, which closes on them.