 | The masque of Proteus |  |
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The Dialogue between the Squire Proteus, Amphitrite & Thamesis.
After ye Hymne song. [Of Neptunes empyre &ct.]Squire.
Proteus it seemes you lead a mery life
Your Musick followes you, where-ere you go
I thought you Sea Gods as in your abode
So in your nature had not been vnlike
To fishes, who as say Philosophers
Haue so small sence of Musicks sweet delight
As tis a doubt not fully yet resolv'd,
Whether of heering they haue sence or no.
Proteus.
Twas great discourse of reason to regard
The dreaming guess of a Philosopher,
That neuer helde his idle buzzing head
Under the water half an howers space,
More then that famous old receiued story
Of good Arion by a Dolphin sav'd
Squire.
Well lett that pass, and to ye purpose now;
I thought yt you that are a Demy God,
Would not haue faild my Expectation thus
Proteus.
Why so faire Squire, Is not my promise kept,
And duly the appointed day observ'd.
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Yes, & tis yt in which I rest deceiv'd.
I rather deemd & not without good cause,
That those still floating regions where you bide,
And th'ever-changing nature that you haue
Nought els but breach of promise promised
Proteus.
T'weare strange if yt my worde wc h credit keepes
In future thinges and hidden secrecies
Shoulde fondlie faile in keeping promise made
Fondly in deed when tis for myne availe
Here is ye Rock your Prison or your prise
But tell mee Squire, where is th'appointed place
In wc h wee shall theis vaunted wonders see.
Squire.
Well may you wonders terme them Proteus,
For those bee wonders yt pass humane witt,
Theis shall surpass thy witt though half devine;
This is the place, where all those promises,
Agreed vpon betwixt ye Prince and you,
Shall bee performd, and shall bee so performd,
So farr beyond your doubting expectation,
So farr beyond his modest declaration,
As you will say thrise happie Proteus
whose eares vnblessed were to bless myne eyes.
Amphitrite.
Your far-fet speeches make vs two amazde
But tell vs Squire what bee those promisses
And those agreed Covenants, & whereon
Did they arize twixt Proteus and you Prince.
Squire.
Faire Amphitrite, I will tell you all
After the victorie at Astracan
Had made an end of ye Tartarian war
And quite disperst our vanquisht Enemies
Unto their hoordes and huge vast wildernes,
Our noble prince, and his courageous knights
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was rather warm'd then fully exercisde)
finding no Enterprise that did deserve
Th'imployment of their brave vnited force,
After assignment of a day and place
where both him self, & all his knights should meet,
Disperst themselues in many sundry quests
To seeke adventures as they should befall
The Prince him self who only was attended
By mee his Squire had many strange exployts
wc h since they shortly shall bee putt in print,
Ioy'nd wt h Prince Arthures famous Cronacle
I shall not now neede to repeat at large.
Amongst ye rest when as the time approacht,
That as it was assignd wee all should meete,
It thus fell out. The Prince one Sunshine day
Resting him self wt hin a goodly tuft,
Of tall straite fir-trees yt adornde ye shore,
Reading a lr̄e, lately sent vnto him,
from one of his brave knights, yt did importe,
How hee in token of his duteous loue,
And for a Trophe of his victories,
Had lately sent him a Commoditie
Of Pigmeys taken in his priuate quest.
Resting and Reading suddainly he spide
Of porposes a great vnusuall flock
Playing and skipping on the calmed waves.
Drawne with this sight neerer vnto ye shore,
Mounting a litle Clif, hee soone discernd
A Cave whose frame seemd more then naturall
And viewing neer wt h wary heedefull eys,
At length hee spide this fisheard there asleepe
Whome by his heard and haveour hee suspected
To bee this Proteus as it was in deed
Our Prince straite ready at his fortunes call
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And being neer with great agility
Seasd suddenly vpon this Demy God.
Hee thus surprisde resorted presently
To his familiar artes and turning tricks
My Lord like to a skillfull faukoner.
Continued still to keepe his fastned hold.
Thamesis.
The story of those oft transformed shapes,
I long to heer from you yt present weare
And an ey-witnes of that strange conflict.
Squire.
And shall faire Thamesis. Know then yt Proteus
Uiewing the gallant shape and budding youth
Of my brave Lorde, the form yt first hee took
Was of a goodly lady passing faire,
Hoping belike yt whilst hee vsde respect
Dew to her matchles bewty and her sex
Him self being now vnloosd might slide away.
But finding him (yt knew his wily shiftes,
Embrace him straiter in yt fayned shape,
Next to a Serpent hee transformd himself,
Wt h fiery eyes and dreadfull blackish skales,
And threeforkt hissing tongue wc h might affright,
Th'undaunted Mr of dread Cerberus.
Wherewt h the Prince rather enrag'd then feard,
Made him betake him to an other forme.
Wc h was a sumptuous Caskett ritchly wrought,
whereout whenas it ôpte, many Diamonds
& Rubies of inestimable worth
Seemed by chaunce to drop in to the Sea.
This working nought, but skorne & high disdayne,
Hee lastly shewd him a sad spectacle
Wc h was ye worthiest of his valiant knights
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Mangled and pierst wt h many a grisly wound,
Weltring his valiant lymmes in purple gore,
Gasping and cloazing his faint dying eyes
This with ye Prince now vsd to his delusions,
Prevaild no more then did the rest before.
When Proteus then had changd his changing weed,
And fixt him self in his owne wonted shape
Seeing no other meanes could ought prevayle
Hee ransome profferd for his libertie.
And first of all hee offred to arread
To him and all his knights their fortunes spell,
But when my Lord replyde yt that was fitt
For vnresolued Cowards to obtayne,
And how his Fortunes often-changing play,
woulde loose the pleasure and ye chief delight,
If ye Catastrophe should bee fore-knowne.
Then offred hee, huge treasures, Ladies loves,
Honour, and fame of famous victories;
My Lord made answer that he neuer would
Offer his honour so great wrong, to take
By guift or magick wt hout sweat or paine,
Labour or danger virtues truest price,
That wc h by mortall hand might bee atchievde
And therefore wild him as a Demy God,
To offer some what that might bee above,
The lowly compass of a humane power.
When Proteus saw ye Prince could make his match,
He told him then, how vnder Th'artik pole
The Adamantine rock, The seas true star,
was scituate, wc h by his power devine,
Hee for his ransome would remoue and plant,
whereas hee should appoint: assuring him,
That the wide Empire of the Ocean,
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Should follow that, wheare ere it should be sett.
But then againe hee added this condition
(wc h as hee thought could no way bee performd,
That first ye Prince should bring him to a power,
wc h in attractive virtue should surpas
The wondrous force of his Ir'ne drawing rock.
My Ld yt knew him self as well assûrd,
As Proteus thought his own match surely made,
Easely yeelded to this Covenant.
And promisd farther on his princely word
That hee himself and 7. of his knights
would enter Hostages in to his rock,
when't should bee brought to ye appointed place
Till this great Covenant should bee performd,
Wc h now rests to bee done. Now Proteus
Since tis a Question of Comparison,
Blazon you forth the virtues of yr Rock
Proteus
What needeth words where great effects proclayme
Thattractive virtu of Th'adamantine rock
wc h forceth yron yt all things els com̄ands,
Iron of mettals prince by auncient right
Though factious men in vayne conspire to seat
Rebellious golde in his vsurped throne.
This sturdie mettall of such strength and vse,
Disjoynd by distance of th'whole Hemispheare,
Continually with trembling aspect,
True-subiect like eyes his dread soverayne.
Thus hath this Load-stone by his powerfull touch
Made th'Iron needle Load-star of ye world,
A Mercury to point the gainest way
In watry wildernes and ye desert sands.
In confidence whereof the th'assured Mariner
Doth not importune Iove for sun or stars
By this Attractiue force was drawne to light
From depth of ignorance yt new-found world
Whose golden mines Iron found and conquered
Thattractive virtu of Th'adamantine rock
wc h forceth yron yt all things els com̄ands,
Iron of mettals prince by auncient right
Though factious men in vayne conspire to seat
Rebellious golde in his vsurped throne.
This sturdie mettall of such strength and vse,
Disjoynd by distance of th'whole Hemispheare,
Continually with trembling aspect,
True-subiect like eyes his dread soverayne.
Thus hath this Load-stone by his powerfull touch
Made th'Iron needle Load-star of ye world,
A Mercury to point the gainest way
In watry wildernes and ye desert sands.
In confidence whereof the th'assured Mariner
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By this Attractiue force was drawne to light
From depth of ignorance yt new-found world
Whose golden mines Iron found and conquered
Theis be vertues & extend so far,
Wc h you doe vndertake to counterpoyse.
Wc h you doe vndertake to counterpoyse.
Squire.
Proteus the Seas haue taught your spech to swell
Where work of windes doth watrie Castels build;
But calme awhile your overweening vaunts
Prepare beleefe & doe but vse your eyes.
Where work of windes doth watrie Castels build;
But calme awhile your overweening vaunts
Prepare beleefe & doe but vse your eyes.
Excellent Queene, trew adamant of Hartes,
Out of yt sacred garland euer-greene,
Garland of virtues, bewties & perfections,
That crownes your Crowne, & dimmes your fortunes beames,
vouchsaffe some branch, some pretious flowre or leafe,
wc h though it wither in my barren verse,
May yett suffice to ouershade and drowne
The Rock admired of this Demy God.
Out of yt sacred garland euer-greene,
Garland of virtues, bewties & perfections,
That crownes your Crowne, & dimmes your fortunes beames,
vouchsaffe some branch, some pretious flowre or leafe,
wc h though it wither in my barren verse,
May yett suffice to ouershade and drowne
The Rock admired of this Demy God.
Proteus stout Iron homager of your Rock,
Impresa of force, and Instrument of warres,
Hath praise in deed yet place your praises right,
(for force to will, and warres to peace doth yeeld)
But that Ile giue you, this I faine would know,
what can your Iron doo without Armes of men,
And armes of men from hartes of men doo move,
The hartes of men, that's it thence motion springs
Lo Proteus then Th'attractive Rock of hartes,
Hartes wc h once truly touched wt h her beames
Inspiring purest zeale and reverence
Aswell vnto ye person as the Power,
Do strayt putt of all temper yt is false,
All hollow feare and skooled flattery
Turne fortunes wheele, they euer keepe their course,
And stand direct vpon the Loyall line.
Impresa of force, and Instrument of warres,
Hath praise in deed yet place your praises right,
(for force to will, and warres to peace doth yeeld)
But that Ile giue you, this I faine would know,
what can your Iron doo without Armes of men,
And armes of men from hartes of men doo move,
The hartes of men, that's it thence motion springs
Lo Proteus then Th'attractive Rock of hartes,
Hartes wc h once truly touched wt h her beames
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Aswell vnto ye person as the Power,
Do strayt putt of all temper yt is false,
All hollow feare and skooled flattery
Turne fortunes wheele, they euer keepe their course,
And stand direct vpon the Loyall line.
Your Rock claymes kindred of ye Polar star,
Because it drawes the needle to ye North.
Yet euen that starr, giues place to Cynthias rayes,
Whose drawing virtue gouernes and directs
The flotes, & reflotes of ye Ocean.
But Cynthia praised bee your watry raigne,
Your Influence in spirits hath no place.
This Cynthia high doth rule those heavenly tydes,
Whose Soveraigne grace, as it doth wax or wane
Affections so & fortunes eb and flow.
Sometime wt h waues applauding on ye shore,
Sometime retyring to their narrow deepes.
The holy Shrines draw pilgrims from all parts,
To passe the mountaynes, seas and desert sandes.
Unto this liuing saint haue Princes high
Of forreigne landes made vowed pilgrimage.
What excellencies are there in this frame,
Of all thinges wc h her virtue doth not draw:
The Quintescence of wittes, The fier of loves
The Ayre of fame, Mettall of courages;
And by hir virtue long may fixed bee,
The wheele of fortune and the Car of tyme.
In the protection of this mighty rock,
Haue scepters straind recoverd wonted skope
People oppressed have preserued breath.
Under the shadow of this blessed rock
In Britton land while tempests beat abroade,
The lordly and the lowly Shepheard both
In plenteous peace haue fedd their happy flockes.
Upon ye force of this inviolate rock,
The giant like attempts of power unjust,
Haue suffred wreck: And Proteus for ye seas,
Whose Empire lardge your praised rock assures,
your guift is void, it is already heer,
As Russia, China, & Magellanus straytes
Can wittnes beare: well may your present bee,
Impresa apt thereof, but sure no cause
Fisheard devine congratulate your self,
your eyes have won, more then yor state hath lost,
yelde victory, and liberty and thanckes
Because it drawes the needle to ye North.
Yet euen that starr, giues place to Cynthias rayes,
Whose drawing virtue gouernes and directs
The flotes, & reflotes of ye Ocean.
But Cynthia praised bee your watry raigne,
Your Influence in spirits hath no place.
This Cynthia high doth rule those heavenly tydes,
Whose Soveraigne grace, as it doth wax or wane
Affections so & fortunes eb and flow.
Sometime wt h waues applauding on ye shore,
Sometime retyring to their narrow deepes.
The holy Shrines draw pilgrims from all parts,
To passe the mountaynes, seas and desert sandes.
Unto this liuing saint haue Princes high
Of forreigne landes made vowed pilgrimage.
What excellencies are there in this frame,
Of all thinges wc h her virtue doth not draw:
The Quintescence of wittes, The fier of loves
The Ayre of fame, Mettall of courages;
And by hir virtue long may fixed bee,
The wheele of fortune and the Car of tyme.
In the protection of this mighty rock,
Haue scepters straind recoverd wonted skope
People oppressed have preserued breath.
Under the shadow of this blessed rock
In Britton land while tempests beat abroade,
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In plenteous peace haue fedd their happy flockes.
Upon ye force of this inviolate rock,
The giant like attempts of power unjust,
Haue suffred wreck: And Proteus for ye seas,
Whose Empire lardge your praised rock assures,
your guift is void, it is already heer,
As Russia, China, & Magellanus straytes
Can wittnes beare: well may your present bee,
Impresa apt thereof, but sure no cause
Fisheard devine congratulate your self,
your eyes have won, more then yor state hath lost,
yelde victory, and liberty and thanckes
Proteus.
Against the truth yt Lands and seas avow,
It fitts not Proteus make avaine reply
The Shallop may not wt h tall shipps contend,
Nor windy buble wt h a billow striue,
Nor earthly thing compare wt h greatest Queene
That hath or shall a Regall scepter sway.
Blest bee yt Prince yt fors't mee see this grace,
Which worldly Monarkes & Sea-powers adore.
Take thanckes of guift, & Libertie of due.
| The masque of Proteus | |