University of Virginia Library

THE DEVISE OR ARGVMENT OF THE MASQVE.

Ivpiter and Juno willing to doe honour to the Mariage of the two famous Riuers Thamesis and Rhene, imploy their Messengers seuerally, Mercurie and Jris for that purpose. They meete and contend: then Mercurie for his part brings forth an Anti-masque all of Spirits or diuine Natures: but yet not of one kinde or liuerie (because that had been so much in vse heretofore) but as it were in consort like to broken Musicke. And preseruing the proprietie of the deuise; for that Riuers in nature are maintained either by Springs from beneath, or Shewers from aboue: He raiseth foure of the Naiades out of the Fountaines, and bringeth

downe fiue of the Hyades out of the Cloudes to daunce; hereupon Jris scoffes at Mercurie for that hee had deuised a daunce but of one Sexe, which could haue no life: but Mercurie who was prouided for that exception, and in token that the Match should be blessed both with Loue and Riches calleth forth out of the Groues foure Cupias, and brings downe from Jupiters Altar foure Statuaes of gold and siluer to daunce with the Nymphes and Starres: in which daunce the Cupids being blinde, and the Statuaes hauing but halfe life put into them, and retaining still somewhat of their old nature, giueth fit occasion to new and strange varieties both in the Musick and paces. This was the first Anti-masque.

Then Jris for her part in scorne of this high flying deuise, and in token that the Match shall likewise be blessed with the loue of the Common People, calles to Flora her confederate (for that the Moneths of flowers are likewise the Moneths of sweete shewers, and Raine-bowes) to bring in a May-daunce or Rurall daunce, consisting likewise not of

any suted persons, but of a confusion, or commixture of all such persons as are naturall and proper for Countrey sports. This is the second Anti-masque.

Then Mercurie and Jris after this vying one vpon the other, seeme to leaue their contention: and Mercurie by the consent of Jris brings downe the Olympian Knights, intimating that Iupiter hauing after a long discontinuance reuiued the Olympian games, and summoned thereunto from all parts the liueliest, & actiuest persons that were, had enioyned them before they fell to their games to doe honour to these Nuptials. The Olympian games portend to the Match, Celebritie, Victorie, and Felicitie. This was the maine Masque.

The Fabrickeq as a Mountaine with two descents, and seuered with two Trauesses.