University of Virginia Library

Princes of sweet and humane Natures have ever both amongst the Ancients and Modernes in the best times, presented spectacles, and personall representations, to recreate their Spirits wasted in grave affaires of State, and for the entertainment of their Nobilitie, Ladies, and Courts.

There being now past three yeers of Intermission, that the King and Queenes Majesties have not made Masques with shewes and Intermedij, by reason the roome where formerly they were presented, having the feeling since richly adorn'd with peeces of painting of great value, figuring the acts of King Iames of happy memory, and other inrichments: lest this might suffer by the smoake of many lights, his Majestie commanded the Surveyor of his workes, that a new temporary roome of Timber, both for strength and capacitie of spectators, should bee suddenly built for that use; which being performed in two moneths, the Scenes for this Masque were prepared.