1.23. The forme of Poeticall reioysings.
Pleasure is the chiefe parte of mans felicity in this world, and also (as our
Theologians say) in the world to come. Therefore while we may (yea
alwaies if it could be) to reioyce and take our pleasures in vertuous and
honest sort, it is not only allowable, but also necessary and very naturall to
man. And many be the ioyes and consolations of the hart: but none greater,
than such as he may vtter and discouer by some conuenient meanes: euen as
to suppresse and hide a mans mirth, and not to haue therein a partaker, or at
least wise a witnes, is no little griefe and infelicity. Therfore nature and
ciuility haue ordained (besides the priuate solaces) publike reioisings for the
comfort and recreation of many. And
they be of diuerse sorts and vpon diuerse occasions grown: one & the
chiefe was for the publike peace of a countrie the greatest of any other
ciuill good. And wherein your Maiestie (my most gracious Soueraigne) haue
shewed your selfe to all the world for this one and thirty yeares space of
your glorious raigne, aboue all other Princes of Christendome, not onely
fortunate, but also most sufficient vertuous and worthy of Empire. An other
is for iust & honourable victory atchieued against the forreine enemy.
A third at solemne feasts and pompes of coronations and enstallments of
honourable orders. An other for iollity at weddings and marriages. An other
at the births of Princes children. An other for priuate entertainements in
Court, or other secret disports in chamber, and such solitary places. And as
these reioysings tend to diuers effects, so do they also carry diuerse formes
and nominations: for those of victorie and peace are called
Triumphall, whereof we our selues haue heretofore giuen some
example by our
Triumphals written in honour of her Maiesties long
peace. And they were vsed by the auncients in like manner, as we do our
generall processions or Letanies with bankets and bonefires and all manner
of ioyes. Those that were to honour the persons of great Princes or to
solemnise the pompes of any installment were called
Encomia, we
may call them carols of honour. Those to celebrate marriages were called
songs nuptiall or
Epithalamies, but in a certaine misticall sense as
shall be said hereafter. Others for magnificence at the natiuities of Princes
children, or by custome vsed yearely vpon the same dayes, are called songs
natall or
Genethliaca. Others for secret recreation and pastime in
chambers with company or alone were the ordinary Musickes amorous, such
as might be song with voice or to the Lute, Citheron or Harpe, or daunced by
measures as the Italian Pauan and galliard are at these daies in Princes
Courts and other places of honourable or ciuill assembly, and of all these we
will speake in order and very briefly.