HYMENAEI: OR The Solemnities of mask, and Barriers, Magnificently performed on the eleventh, and twelfth Nights, from Christmas; At Court: To the auspicious celebrating of the Marriage-union, between Robert, Earl of Essex, and the Lady Frances, second Daughter to the most noble Earl of Suffolk. By BEN: JONSON. Iam veniet Virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus. AT LONDON Printed by Valentine Sims for Thomas Thorp. 1606. HYMENAEI. IT is a noble and just advantage, that the things subjected to Understanding have of those which are objected to Sense, that the one sort are but momentary, and merely taking; the other impressing, and lasting: Else the Glory of all these Solemnities had perished like a Blaze, and gone out, in the beholder's eyes. So short-lived are the Bodies of all Things, in comparison of their Souls. And, though Bodies oft-times have the ill luck to be sensually preferred, they find afterwards, the good fortune (when Souls live) to be utterly forgotten. This it is hath made the most royal Princes, and greatest Persons, (who are commonly the Personaters of these Actions) not only studious of Riches, and Magnificence in the outward Celebration, or Show; (which rightly becomes them) but curious after the most high, and hearty Inventions, to furnish the inward parts: (and those grounded upon Antiquity, and solid Learnings) which, though their Voice be taught to sound to present Occasions, their Sense, or doth, or should always lay hold on more removed Mysteries. And, howsoever some may squeamishly cry out, that all Endeavour of Learning, and Sharpness in these transitory devices especially, where it steps beyond their little, or (let me not wrong 'em) no Brain at all is superfluous; I am contented, these fastidious Stomachs should leave my full Tables, and enjoy at home, their clean empty Trenchers, fittest for such airy Tastes: where perhaps a few Italian Herbs, picked up, & made into a Salad, may find sweeter acceptance, than all, the most nourishing, and sound Meats of the world. For these Men's palates, let not me answer, O Muses. It is not my fault, if I fill them out Nectar, and they run to Metheglin. Vaticana bibant, si delectentur. All the courtesy I can do them, is to cry, again; Praetereant, si quid non facit ad stomachum. As I will, from the thought of them, to my better Subject. ON the Night of the Masques (which were two, One of Men, the Other of Women) the Scene being drawn, there was first discovered an Altar; upon which was inscribed, in Letters of Gold. a Mystically implying, that both It, the Place, and all the succeeding Ceremonies were sacred to Marriage, or uNION; over which JUNO was president: to whom there was the like Altar erected, at Rome, as she was called JUGA JUNO, in the Street, which thence, was named lugarius. See Fest. and, at which Altar, the Rite was to join the married Pair with bands of silk, in sign of future Concord. I. any. O.imae. M.imae. uNIONI SACR. To this Altar entered five Pages, attired in white, bearing a Those were the Quinque Cerei, which Plutarch in his Quaest. Roman. mentions to be used in nuptials. five Tapers of Virgin Wax; Behind them, One representing a Bridegroom: His b The dressing of the Bridegroom (with the Ancients) was chiefly noted in that, quód tonderetur. lu. Sat. 6. lámque à Tonsore magistro Pecteris. And Lucan. li. 2. Where he makes Cato negligent of the Ceremonies in Marriage, sayth, Ille nec horrificam sancto dimovit abore Caesariem. hair short, and bound with particoloured ribbons, and gold twist: His Garments purple, and white. On the other hand, entered HYMEN (the God of Marriage) in a saffron-coloured rob, his under-Vestures white, his Socks yellow, a yellow Veil of silk on his left arm, his Head crowned with Roses, and c See how he is called out, by Catullus in Nupt. Iul. & Manl. Cinge tempora floribus Suave olentis amaraci etc. Marjoram, in his right hand a Torch of d For so I preserve the Reading, there, in Catull. Pineam quate taedam, rather than to change it Spineam; and moved by the authority of Virg. in Ciri, where he says, Pronuba nec castos incendet Pinus amores: and Ovid. Fast. lib 2. Expectet puros pinea taeda dies. Though I deny not, there was also Spineataeda, which pliny calls Nuptiarum facibus auspicatissimam. Nat. Hist. lib. 16. cap 18. and whereof Sextus Pompeius Fest. hath left so particular testimony. For which, see the following Note. Pine tree. After him e This (by the Ancients) was called Camillus, quasi Minister (for so that signified in the Hetruriam tongue) and was one of the three, which by Sex. Pompey. were said to be Patrimi & Matrimi, Pueri praetestati tres, qui nubentem deducunt: unus, qui facem praefert ex spinâ albâ, Duo qui tenent nubentem. To which confer that of Varr. lib. 6. de lingua Lat. Dicitur in nuptijs Camillus, qui Cumerum fert: as also that of Fest. lib. 3. Cumeram vocabant Antiqui vas quoddam, quod opertum in Nuptijs ferebant, in quo erant nubentis utensilia, quod & Camillum dicebant: eo quod sacrorum Ministrum {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} appellabant. a Youth, attired in white, bearing another Light, of white Thorn; under his arm, a little wicker-Flasket, shut: Behind him two Others, in white, the one bearing a Distaff, the other a Spindle. Betwixt these a Personated Bride, supported, her hair flowing, and loose, sprinkled with grey; on her head a garland of Roses, like a Turret; her Garments white: and, on her back, a wether's Fleece hanging down: Her Zone, or Girdle about her waste of white wool, fastened with the Herculean Knot. In the midst went the a Auspices were those that hand fasted the married Couple; that wished them good luck; that took care for the Dowry: and heard them profess that they came together, for the Cause of Children. juven. Sat 10. Veniet cum signatoribus Auspex. And Lucan. lib. 2. jungunturtaciti, contentique Auspice Bruto. They were also stilled Pronubi, Proxenetae, Paranymphi. Auspices; after them, two that sung, in several coloured silks. Of which, One bore the Water, the Other the Fire: Last of all the b The Custom of Music at Nuptials, is clear in all Antiquity. Ter. Adel. Act. 5. Verum hoc mihi mora est, Tibicina, & Hymenaeum qui cantent. And Claud. in Epithal. Ducant pervigiles carmina Tibiae etc. musicans, diversely attired, all crowned with Roses; and, with this Song began. SONG. BId all profane away; None here may stay To view our Mysteries, But, who themselves have been, Or will, in Time, be seen The self-same Sacrifice. For uNION, Mistress of these Rites, Will be observed with Eyes, As simple as her Nights. Chorus. Fly then, all profane, away, Fly far off, as hath the Day; Night her curtain doth display, And this is Hymen's Holiday. The Song being ended, HYMEN presented himself foremost; and, after some sign of Admiration, began to speak. HYMEN. WHat more than usual Light (Throughout the Place extended) Makes JUNO'S Fane so bright! Is there some greater Deity descended? arraign, on earth, those Powers So rich, as with their beams Grace uNION more than ours; And bound her Influence, in their happier streams? 'tis so: This same is he, The King, and Priest of Peace! And that his Empress, she, That sits so crowned with her own increase! O you, whose better Blisses, Have proved the strict embrace Of uNION, with chaste kisses, And seen it flow so in your happy Race; That know, how well it binds The fighting Seeds of Things, Wins Natures, Sexes, Minds, And every discord in true Music brings: Sit now propitious Aids, To Rites, so duly prized; And view two Noble Maids, Of different Sex, to uNION sacrificed. In honour of that blessed Estate, Which all Good Minds should celebrate. Here out of a Microcosm, or Globe (figuring Man) with a kind of contentious Music, issued forth the first mask, of eight Men, whose Names in order, as they were then Marshaled, by Couples, I have Heraldry enough to set down. 1 L. WILLOUGHBY. 2 LO. WALDEN. 3 Sir JAMES HAY. 4 Ear. of MONGOMERY. Sir THOMAS HOWARD. Sir THOMAS SOMERSET. Ear. of ARUNDELL. Sir JOHN ASHLY. These represented the four a That they were personated in men, hath (already) come under some Grammatical exception. But there is more than Gramar to release it. For, besides that Humores and Affectus are both Masculine in Genere, not one of the specials, but in some Language is known by a Masculine word: Again, when their Influences are common to both Sexes, and more generally impetuous in the Male, I see not, why they should not, so, be more properly presented. And, for the Allegory, though here it be very clear, and such as might well escape a Candle, yet because there are some, must complain of Darkness, that have but thick Eyes, I am contented to hold them this Light First, as in Natural Bodies, so likewise in Minds, there is no disease, or distemperature, but is caused either by some abounding Humour, or perverse Affection; After the same manner, in Politic Bodies (where Order, Ceremony, State, Reverence, Devotion, are Parts of the Mind) by the difference, or predominant Will of what we (Metaphorically) call Humours, and Affections, all things are troubled and confused. These, therefore, were Tropically brought in, before Marriage, as disturbers of that Mystical Body, and the Rites, which were Soul unto it; that afterwards, in Marriage, being dutifully tempted by her Power, they might more fully celebrate the happiness of such as live in that sweet Union, to the harmonious Laws of Nature, and Reason. Humours, & four Affections, all gloriously attired, distinguished only, by their several Ensigns, and Colours; And, dancing out on the Stage, in their return, at the end of their Dance, drew all their sword, offered to encompass the Altar, and disturb the Ceremonies. at which HYMEN troubled, spoke, HYMEN. SAve, save the Virgins; Keep your hallowed Lights Untouched: And with their flame defend our Rites. The four untempered Humours are broke out: And, with their wild Affections, go about To ravish all Religion. If there be A Power, like REASON, left in that huge Body, Or little World of Man, from whence these came, Look forth, and with thy bright and a Alluding to that opinion of Pythagoras; who held all Reason, all Knowledge, all Discourse of the Soul to be mere Number. See Plut. de Plac. Phil. numerous flame Instruct their Darkness, make them know, and see, In wronging these, they have rebelled 'gainst thee. Hereat, REASON seated in the top of the Globe (as in the brain, or highest part of Man) figured in a venerable parsonage, her hair white, and trailing to her waste, crowned with Lights, her Garments blue, and semined with Stars, girded unto her with a white Bend, filled with Arithmetical Figures, in one hand bearing a Lamp, in the other a bright Sword, descended, and spoke. REASON. Forbear your rude attempt; what Ignorance Could yield you so profane, as to advance One thought in Act, against these Mysteries? Are union's a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, with the Greeks value the same, that Ceremoniae with the Latins; and imply all sorts of Rites: howsoever (abusively) they have been made particular to Bacchus. See Serv. to that of Vir. Aeneid. 4. qualis commotis excita sacris Thyas. Orgies of so slender price? She that makes Souls, with Bodies, mix in Love, Contracts the World in one, and therein JOVE; Is b Mac. in som. Scipion. lib. 1. Spring, and End of all Things yet, most strange! herself nor suffers Spring, nor End, nor Change. No wonder, they were you, that were so bold; For none but Humours and Affections would Have dared so rash a venture. You will say It was your Zeal, that gave your powers the sway; And urge the masked, and disguised pretence Of saving Blood, and succouring Innocence? So want of Knowledge, still, begetteth jars, When humorous Earthlings will control the Stars. Inform yourselves, with safer Reverence, To these mysterious Rites, whose mystic sense REASON (which all things but itself) confounds) Shall clear unto you, from th'authentic grounds. At this, the Humours & Affections sheathed their sword, and retired amazed to the sides of the Stage, while HYMEN began to rank the Persons, and order the Ceremonies: And REASON proceeded to speak. REASON. THe Pair, which do each other side, Though (yet) some space doth them divide, This happy Night must both make one Blessed Sacrifice, to uNION. Nor is this Altar but a Sign Of one more soft, and more divine The a Properly that, which was made ready for the new-married Bride, and was called Genialis, à Generandis liberis. Ser. in 6 Aeneid. Genial Bed, where HYMEN keeps The solemn Orgies, void of sleeps: And wildest CUPID, waking, hovers With adoration twixt the Lovers. The Tead of white, and blooming Thorn, In token of increase is borne: As b See Ovid. Fast. lib. 6. Sic fatus, spinam, quâ tristes pellere pesset A foribus noxas, haec erat alba, dedit. also, with the ominous Light, To fright all Malice from the Night. Like are the c Plutarch. in Quaest. Rom. And Var. lib. 4 de ling. Lat. Fire, and Water set; That, even as Moisture, mixed with Heat, Helps every Natural Birth, to life; So, for their Race, join Man, and Wife. The d Pun. Nat. Hist. li. 21. ca. 8 blushing Veil shows shamefastness Th'ingenuous Virgin should profess At meeting with the Man: Her Hair That e Pomp. Fest. Briss Hotto. de Rit. Nup. flows so liberal, and so fair, Is shed with grey, to intimate She entereth to a matron's state. For which those f Var lib. 6. de ling. Lat. and Fest. in Frag. Utensils are borne. And, that she should not Labour scorn, herself a g Fest. ibid. Snowy Fleece doth wear, And these her h Plutarch. in Quaest. Rom. & in Romul. Rock and Spindle bear, To show, that Nothing, which is good, Gives check unto the highest blood. The i Plin. Nat. Hist. li. 8. ca. 48 Zone of wool about her waste, Which, in contrary Circles cast, Doth meet in one k That was Nodus Herculeanus, which the Husband, at night, untied in sign of good fortune, that he might be happy in propagation of Issue, as Hercules was, who left seventy Children. See Fest. in voc. Cingul. strong knot, that binds, Tells you, so should all Married Minds. And lastly, these five Waxen Lights Imply Perfection in the Rites; For a Plutarch. in Quaest. Rom. Five the special Number is, Whence hallowed uNION claims her bliss. As being all the Sum, that grows From the united strengths, of those Which b See Mart. Capel. lib. 6. de Nupt. Phil. & Mer. in numero Pentade. Male, and Female Numbers we Do style, and are First Two, and Three. Which, joined thus, you cannot sever In equal parts, but One will ever Remain as common; so we see The binding-force of Unity: For which alone, the peaceful Gods In Number, always, love the odds; And even parts as much despise, Since out of them all Discords rise. Here, the upper part of the Scene, which was all of Clouds, and made artificially to swell, and ride like the Rack, began to open; and, the Air clearing, in the top thereof was discovered c With the Greeks; JUNO was interpreted to be the Air itself. And so Macr. de som. Scipio. li. 1. c. 17. calls her. Mar. Cap. surnames her Aeria, of reigning there. JUNO, sitting in a Throne, supported by two beautiful d They were sacred to JUNO, in respect of their colours, and temper so like the Air. Ovid. de Arte Amand. Laudatas ostendit aves junonia pennas And Met. li. 2. Habili Saturnia curru Ingreditur liquidum pavonibus aethera pictis. Peacocks, her attire rich, and like a e she was called Regina JUNO with the Latins, because she was Soror & Coniux jovis, Deorum & hominum Regis. Queen, a f read Apul. describing her, in his 10, of the Ass. white Diadem on her head, from whence descended a Veil, and that bound with a a After the manner of the antic Bend; the varied colours implying the several mutations of the Air, as Showers, Dews, Serenity, Force of winds, clouds Tempest, Snow, Hail, Lightning, Thunder, all which had their noises signified in her Timbrel: the faculty of causing these being ascribed to her, by Virg. Aeneid. lib. 4. where he makes her say, His ego nigrantem commista grandine nimbum Desuper infundam, & tonitru Coelum omne ciebo. Fascia of several coloured silks, set with all sorts of jewels, and raised in the top with b Lilies were sacred to JUNO, as being made white with her milk, that fell upon the earth, when JOVE took HERCULES away, whom by stealth he had laid to her Breast: the Rose was also called junonia. Lilies, and Roses; In her right hand she held a Sceptre, in the other a Timbrel, at her golden feet the c So was she figured at Argos, as a Stepmother insulting on the spoils of her two Privigni, BACCHUS, and HERCULES. Hide of a Lion was placed: Round about her sat the Spirits of the air, in several colours, making Music, Above her the Region of Fire, with a continual Motion, was seen to whirl circularly, and JUPITER standing in the Top (figuring the Heaven) brandishing his Thunder: Beneath her the Rainbow, IRIS, and, on the two sides eight Ladies, attired richly, and alike in the most celestial colours, who represented her Powers, as she is the d See Virg. Aeneid. lib. 4. JUNONI ante omnes cvi vinela iugalia curae: and in another place, Dant signum prima & Tellus, & Pronuba JUNO: And Ovid. in Phill. Epist. IVNONEM-que terris quae praesidet alma Maritis. Governess of Marriage, and made the second mask. All which, upon the discovery, REASON made narration of. REASON. ANd see, where JUNO, whose great Name Is unio, in the Anagram, Displays her glistering State, and Chair, As she enlightened all the Air! Hark how the charming Tunes do beat In sacred Concord's bout her seat! And lo! to grace what these intend, Eight of her Noblest Powers descend, Which are a They were all eight called by particular Surnames of JUNO, ascribed to her for some peculiar property in Marriage, as somewhere after is more fitly declared. enstiled her Faculties, That govern nuptial Mysteries; And wear those Masques before their faces, Lest, dazzling Mortals with their graces As they approach them, all Mankind Should be, like CUPID, strooken blind. These ORDER waits for, on the ground, To keep, that you should not confound Their measured steps, which only move About th' harmonious sphere of LOVE. The names of the eight Ladies, as they were after ordered (to the most conspicuous show) in their Dances, by the rule of their statures; were the Co. of MONGOMERY. Mi. CI. SACKVILE. La. DOR. HASTINGS. Co. of BEDFORD. La. KNOLLES. La. BERKLEY. La. BLANCH SOMERSET. Co. of RUTLAND. Their Descent was made in two great Clouds, that put forth themselves severally, and (with one measure of time) were seen to stoop, & fall gently down upon the Earth. The manner of their Habits, came after some Statues of JUNO, no less airy, than glorious. The dressings of their Heads, rare; so likewise of their Feet: and all full of splendour, sovereignty, and riches. Whilst they were descending, this Song was sung at the Altar. SONG. THese, these are they, Whom Humour and Affection must obey; Who come to deck the genial Bower, And bring, with them, the grateful Hour That crowns such Meetings, and excites The married Pair to fresh Delights: As Courtings, Kissings, Coyings, Oaths, & Vows, Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the joys, And melting Toys, That chaster LOVE allows. CHO. Hast, haste, for HESPERUS his head down bows. The Song ended, they danced forth in Pairs, and each Pair with a varied and noble grace; to a rare and full Music of twelve Lutes: led on by ORDER, the Servant of REASON, who was, there, rather a Person of Ceremony, than Use. His under-Garment was blue, his upper white, and painted full of Arithmetical, and Geometrical Figures; his Hair, and Beard long, a Star on his forehead, and in his hand a Geometrical Staff: To whom, after the Dance, REASON spoke. REASON. COnvey them, ORDER, to their places, And rank them so, in several traces, As they may set their mixed Powers Unto the Music of the Hours; And THESE, by joining with them, know In better temper how to flow: Whilst I (from their abstracted Names) Report the virtues of the Dames. First a This Surname JUNO received of the Sabines; from them, the Romans gave it her: of the Spear, which (in the Sabine tongue) was called Curis, and was that, which they named Hasta Caelibaris, which had stuck in the Body of a slain Swordplayer, and wherewith the Bride's Head was dressed. whereof Fest. in Voce Celibar. gives these reasons, Vt quemadmodumilla coniuncta fuerit cum corpore Gladiatoris, sic ipsa cum Viro sit; vel quia Matronae Iunonis Curitis in tutelâ sit, quae ita appellabatur à ferenda hasta: vel quod fortes viros genitur as ominetur; vel quod nuptiali jure imperio viri subijcitur Nubens, quià Hasta summa armorum, & imperij est, etc. To most of which Plutarch in his Quaest. Rom. consents, but adds a better in Romul. That when they divided the Bride's hair with the point of the Spear, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, it noted their first nuptials (with the Sabines) were contracted by force, and as with Enemies. Howsoever, that it was a Custom with them, this of Ovid. Fast. lib. 2. confirms. Comat Virgineas hasta recurva comas. CURIS comes to deck the Bride's fair Tress. Care of the ointments b For the Surname of uNXIA, we have Mart. Capel. his Testimony, De Nupt. Phil. & Mercu. libr. 2. quod unctionibus praeest: As also Servius, libro quarto Aeneid. where they both report it a Fashion with the Romans, that before the new-married Brides entered the houses of their Husbands, they adorned the Posts of the Gates with woollen Tawdries, or Fillets, and anointed them with Oils, or the fat of Wolves, and Boars; being superstitiously possessed, that such Ointments had the virtue of expelling Evils from the Family: and thence were they called uxores, quasi unxores. uNXIA doth profess. c she was named JUGA, propter jugum, (as Servius says) for the yoke which was imposed, in Matrimony, on those that were married, or (with Sex. Pomp Fest.) quòd judges sunt eiusdem iugi Pares, unde & Coniuges. or in respect of the Altar (to which I have declared before) sacred to JUNO, in Vico jugario . JUGA, her office to make One of twain: d As she was GAMELIA, in sacrificing to her, they took away the Gall, and threw it behind the Altar; intimating, that (after Marriage) there should be known, no Bitterness, nor Hatred between the joined Couple, which might divide, or separate them: See Plutarch. Connub. Prae. This Rite I have somewhere following touched at. GAMELIA sees that they should so remain. Fair e The Title of ITERDUCA she had amongst them, quòd ad sponsi aedes, sponsas comitabatur; or was a Protectress of their journey, Mart. Capel. De Nupt. Philolog. & Mercur. libro secundo. ITERDUCA leads the Bride her way; And The like of DOMIDUCA, quòd ad optatas domus duceret. Mart. ibid. DOMIDUCA home her steps doth stay: a CINXIA, the same Author gives unto her, as the Defendresse of Maids, when they had put off their Girdle, in the Bridal Chamber; To which, Festus. Cinxiae Iunonis nomen sanctum habebatur in Nuptijs, quod initio Coniugij solutio erat Cinguli, quo nova Nupta erat cincta. And Arnobius, a man most learned in their Ceremonies, lib. 3. advers. Gent. saith, unctionibus superest unxia. Cinguloruus Cinxia replicationi. CINXIA the Maid, quit of her Zone defends; b TELIA signifies Perfecta, or, as some translate it, Perfectrix; with Iul. Pol. libr. 3. Onomast. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} values JUNO Praeses Nuptiarum who saith, the Attribute descends of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, which (with the Ancients) signified Marriage, and thence, were they called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, that entered into that estate. Servius interprets it the same with GAMELIA, Aeneid. 4. ad verb. Et junone secundâ: But it implies much more, as including the faculty to mature, and perfect; See the Greek Scholiast on Pind. Nem. in Hym. ad Thyaeum Vliae filium Argi. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: that is, Nuptials are therefore called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} because they effect Perfection of Life, and do note that Maturity which should be in Matrimony. For before nuptials, she is called JUNO {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is, Virgo; after Nuptials, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, which is adulta, or Perfecta. TELIA (for HYMEN) perfects all, and ends. By this time, the Ladies were paired with the Men, and the whole sixteen ranked forth, in order, to dance: & were with this Song provoked. SONG. NOw, now begin to set Your spirits in active heat; And, since your Hands are met, Instruct your nimble Feet, In motions swift, and meet, The happy ground to beat: Chorus. Whilst all this Roof doth ring, And each discording String, With every varied Voice, In uNION doth rejoice. Here, they danced forth a most neat and curious Measure, full of Subtlety and Device; which was so excellently performed, as it seemed to take away that Spirit from the Invention, which the Invention gave to it: and left it doubtful, whether the Forms flowed more perfectly from the author's brain, or their feet. The Strains were all notably different, some of them formed into Letters, very signifying to the Name of the Bridegroom, and ended in manner of a Chain, linking hands: To which, this was spoken. REASON. Such was a Mentioned by HOMER, Ilia. 〈◊〉. which many have interpreted diversly: all Allegorically; Pla. in Thaeteto, understands it to be the Sun, which while he circles the world in his course, all things are safe, and preserved: Others vary it. Macrob, (to whose interpretation, I am specially affected in my Allusion) considers it thus: in Som. Scip. libr. 1. cap. 14. Ergo cùm ex summo Deo men's, ex mente anima sit; anima vero & condat, & vita compleat omnia quae sequuntur, cunctaque hic unus fulgour illuminet, & in universis appareat, vt in multis speculis, per ordinem positis, vultus unus; Cumque omnia continuis successionibus se sequantur, degenerantia per ordinem ad imum meandi: invenietur pressius intuenti à summo Deo vsque ad ultimam rerum faecem una mutuis se vinculis religans, & nusquam interrupta connexio. Et haec est Hemeri Catena aurea, quam pendere de coelo in terras Deum iussisse commemorate. To which strength and evenness of connexion, I have not absurdly likened this uniting of Humours, and Affections, by the sacred Powers of Marriage. the Golden Chain let down from Heaven; And not those Links more even, Than these: so sweetly tempered, so combined By uNION, and refined. Here no Contention, Envy, Grief, Deceit, Fear, jealousy have weight; But all is Peace, and Love, and Faith, and Bliss: What Harmony like this? The Gall, behind the Altar quite is thrown; This Sacrifice hath none. Now no Affections rage, nor Humours swell; But all composed dwell. O JUNO, HYMEN, HYMEN, JUNO! who Can merit with you two? Without your presence, VENUS can do nought, Save what with shame is bought: No Father can himself a Parent show, Nor any House with prosperous Issue grow. O then! What Deities will dare With HYMEN, or with JUNO to compare? The speech being ended, they dissolved: and all took forth other Persons, (Men, and Women,) to dance other Measures, Galliards, and corantoes; the whilst this Song importuned them to a fit Remembrance of the Time. SONG. Think, yet, how Night doth waste, How much of Time is past, What more than winged hast yourselves would take, If you were but to taste The joy, the Night doth cast (O might it ever last) On this bright Virgin, and her happy Make. Their Dances yet lasting, they were the second time importuned, by Speech. REASON. See, see! the bright a Stella Veneris, or VENUS, which when it goes before the Sun, is called Phosphorus, or Lucifer; when it follows, Hesperus, or Noctifer (as Cat. translates it.) See Cic. 2. de Natu. Deor. Mar. Cap. de Nup. Phi. & Mer. libr. 8. The nature of this star Pythagoras first found out; and the present office Claud. expresseth in Fescen. Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus. Idalian Star, That lighteth Lovers to their War, Complains, that you her influence loose; While thus the Night-sports you abuse. HYMEN. THe longing Bridegroom, b It was a Custom for the Man to stand there, expecting the approach of his Bride. See Hotto. de Rit. Nupt. in the Porch, Shows you again, the bated Torch; And thrice hath JUNO c Alluding to that of Virg. Aeneid. 4. Prima & Tellus, & Pronuba IVNO Dant signum: fulsere ignes, & conscius aether Connubij, etc. mixed her Air With Fire, to summon your repair. REASON. SEe, now she clean withdraws her Light; And (as you should) gives place tonight: That spreads her broad, and blackest wing Upon the world, and comes to bring A d Stat. in Epit. Fulcra, torosque deae, tenerum premit agmen Amorum. And Claud. in Epith. Pennati passim pueri, quo quemque vocavit umbra, jacent. Both which, prove the Ancients feigned many Cupids. read also Prop. Ele. 29. libr. 2. thousand several-coloured Loves, Some like Sparrows, some like Doves, That hop about the nuptial-room, And fluttering there (against you come) Warm the chaste Bower, which e VENUS is so induced by Stat. Claud. and others, to celebrate Nuptials. CYPRIA strews, With many a Lily, many a Rose. HYMEN. HAste therefore, haste, and call, Away: The gentle Night is priest to pay The usury of long Delights, She owes to these protracted Rites. At this (the whole Scene being drawn again, and all covered with Clouds, as a Night,) they left off their intermixed Dances, and returned to their first Places; where, as they were but beginning to move, this Song, the third time, urged them. SONG. O Know to end, as to begin: A minute's loss, in Love, is sin. These Humours will the Night out wear In their own Pastimes here; You do our Rites much wrong, In seeking to Prolong These outward Pleasures: The Night hath other Treasures Then these (though long concealed) Ere day, to be revealed. Then, know to end, as to begin; A minute's loss, in Love, is sin. Here they danced their last Dances, full of excellent delight and change, and, in their latter strain, fell into a fair Orb, or Circle; REASON standing in the midst, and speaking. REASON. HEre stay, and let your Sports be crowned: The perfectest Figure is the Round. Nor fell you in it by adventure, When REASON was your Guide, and Centre. This, this that beauteous a VENUS Girdle, mentioned by Homer. Il. 〈◊〉. which was feigned to be variously wrought with the Needle, and in it woven Love, Desire, Sweetness, Soft parley, Gracefulness, Persuasions, & all the Powers of VENUS. Ceston is of Lovers many-coloured Bliss. Come HYMEN, make an inner Ring, And let the Sacrificers sing; Cheer up the faint, and trembling Bride, That quakes to touch her Bridegroom's side: Tell her, what JUNO is to JOVE, The same shall she be to her Love; His Wife: which we do rather measure b See the words of Aelius verus. in Spartian. A Name of Dignity, than Pleasure. Up Youths, hold up your Lights in air, And shake abroad c So Cat. in Nup. Iul. & Manlij hath it. Viden', vt faces splendid as quatiunt comas? and by and by after, aureas quatium comas. their flaming hair. Now move united, and, in Gate, As you (in pairs) do front the State, With grateful Honours, thank his Grace That hath so glorified the Place: And as, in Circle, you depart Linked hand in hand; So, heart in heart, May all those Bodies still remain Whom he, (with so much sacred pain) No less hath bound within his Realms Than they are with the ocean's streams. Long may his uNION find increase As he, to ours, hath deigned his peace. With this, to a soft strain of Music, they paced once about, in their Ring, every Pair making their Honours, as they came before the State: and then dissolving, went down in Couples, led on by HYMEN, the Bride, and Auspices following, as to the Nuptial Bower. After them, the musicans with this Song, of which, then, only one Staff was sung; but because I made it both in Form, and Matter to emulate that kind of Poem, which was called a It had the name à Thalamo, dictum est autem, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} cubiculum Nuptiale primo suo significatu, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, quod est simul genialem vitam agere. Scal. in Poet. Epithalamium, and (by the Ancients) used to be song, when the Bride was led into her Chamber, I have here set it down whole: and do heartily forgive their ignorance whom it chanceth not to please. Hoping, that Nemo doctus me iubeat Thalassionem verbis dicere non Thalassionis. EPITHALAMION. GLad Time is at his point arrived, For which Loves hopes were so long-lived. Lead HYMEN, lead away; And let no Object stay, Nor Banquets, (but sweet kisses) The Turtles from their Blisses. b This Poem had for the most part Versum intercalarem. or Carmen Amoebaeum; yet that not always one, but oftentimes varied, and sometimes neglected in the same Song, as in ours you shall find observed . 'tis CUPID calls to arm; And this his last Alarm. Shrink not, soft VIRGIN, you will love, anon, what you so fear to prove. This is no killing War, To which you pressed are; But fair and gentle strife Which Lovers call their Life. 'tis CUPID cries to Arm; And this his last Alarm. Help Youths, and Virgins, help to sing The Prize, which HYMEN here doth bring, And did so lately a The Bride was always feigned, to be ravished ex Gremio Matris; or (if she were wanting) exproximâ Nccessitudine. because that had succeeded well to Romulus, who, by force got Wives for him, and his, from the Sabines. See Fest. and that of Catul. Qui rapis teneram ad virum virgine. rap From forth the Mother's lap, To place her by that side Where she must long abide. On HYMEN, HYMEN call, This Night is HYMEN's all. See, HESPERUS is yet in view! What Star can so deserve of you? Whose light doth still adorn Your Bride, that ere the Morn, Shall far more perfect be, And rise as bright as He; When b When he is Phosphorus, yet the same Star, as I have noted before. (like to him) her Name Is changed, but not her Flame. Hast, tender Lady, and adventure; The covetous House would have you enter, That it might wealthy be, And you, her c At the entrance of the Bride, the Custom was to give her the Keys, to signify that she was absolute Mistress of the Place, and the whole Disposition of the Family at her Care, Fest. Mistress see: Hast your own good to meet; And a This was also another Rite; that she might not touch the Threshold as she entered, but was lifted over it. Servius saith, because it was sacred to VESTA. Plut. in. Quaest. Rom. remembers divers causes. But that, which I take to come nearest the truth, was only the avoiding of Sorcerous Drugs, used by Witches to be buried under that Place, to the destroying of Marriage- Amity, or the Power of Generation. See Alexand. in Genialibu. and Christ. Landus upon Gatul. lift your golden feet Above the Threshold, high, With prosperous Augury. Now, Youths, let go your pretty arms; The Place within chants other charms. Whole showers of Roses flow; And Violets seem to grow, Strewed in the Chamber there, As Venus' Mead it were. On HYMEN, HYMEN call, This Night is HYMEN's all. Good Matrons, that so well are known To aged Husbands of your own, Place you our Bride tonight; And b For this look Fist. in Voc. Rapi. snatch away the Light: That c quo utroque mors propinqua alterius ultrius captari putatur Fest. ibid. she not hide it dead Beneath her Spouse's Bed; Nor d quo utroque mors propinquae alterius ultrius captari putatur Fest. ibid. he reserve the same To help the funeral Flame. So, now you may admit him in; The Act he covets, is no Sin, But chaste, and holy Love, Which HYMEN doth approve: Without whose hallowing Fires All Aims are base Desires. On HYMEN, HYMEN call, This Night is HYMEN's all. Now, free from Vulgar Spite, or Noise, May you enjoy your mutual joys; Now, You no Fear controls, But Lips may mingle Souls; And soft Embraces bind, To each, the others Mind: Which may no Power untie, Till One, or both must die. And, look, before you yield to slumber, That your Delights be drawn past number; "joys, got with strife, increase. Affect no sleepy peace; But keep the Bride's fair eyes Awake, with her own Cries, Which are but maiden-fears: And Kisses dry such tears. Then, Coin them, twixt your Lips so sweet, And let not Cockles closer meet; Nor may your Murmuring Loves Be drowned by a A frequent Surname of VENUS, not of the Place, as CYPRIA; but quòd parere faciat, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Theop. Phurnut. and the Grammarians upon Homer, See them. CYPRIS Doves: Let Ivy not so bind As when your Arms are twined: That you may Both, ere Day, Rise perfect every way. And, JUNO, whose great Powers protect The Marriage-Bed, with good effect The Labour of this Night Bless thou, for future Light; And, Thou, thy happy charge, Glad b Deus Naturae, sive gignendi. And is the same in the Male, as JUNO in the Female. Hence Genialis Lectus, qui nuptijs sternitur, in honorem Genij. Fesi. Genius meus, quia me genuit. GENIUS, enlarge: That they may Both, ere Day, Rise perfect every way. And a She hath this faculty given her, by all the Ancients See Hom. Iliad. θ. Lucret. in prim. Vir. in 2. Georg etc. VENUS, Thou, with timely seed (Which may their after-Comforts breed) Inform the gentle Womb; Nor, let it prove a Tomb: But, ere ten Moons be wasted, The Birth, by CYNTHIA hasted. So may they Both, ere Day, Rise perfect every Way. And, when the Babe to light is shown, Let it be, like each Parent, known; Much of the Father's Face, More of the Mother's Grace: And either grandsire's Spirit, And Fame let it inherit. That Men may bless th' Embraces, That joined two such Races. Cease Youths, and Virgins, you have done; Shut fast the Door: And, as They soon To their Perfection haste, So may their ardours last. So either's strength outlive All loss that Age can give: And, though full Years be told, Their Forms grow slowly old. HItherto extended the first night's Solemnity, whose Grace in the Execution left not where to add unto it, with wishing: I mean, (nor do I court them) in those, that sustained the Nobler parts. Such was the exquisite Performance, as (beside the Pomp, Splendour, or what we may call appareling of such Presentments) that alone (had all else been absent) was of power to surprise with Delight, and steal away the Spectators from themselves. Nor was there wanting whatsoever might give to the Furniture, or Complement: either in riches, or strangeness of the Habits, delicacy of Dances, Magnificence of the Scene, or divine Rapture of Music. Only the Envy was, that it lasted not still, or (now it is passed) cannot by Imagination, much less Description, be recovered to a part of that Spirit, it had in the gliding by. Yet, that I may not utterly defraud the Reader of his Hope, I am drawn to give it those brief touches, which may leave behind some shadow of what it was: And first of the Attires. That, of the Lords, had part of it (for the fashion) taken from the antic Greek Statue; mixed with some Modern Additions: which made it both graceful, and strange. On their Heads they wore persic Crowns, that were with Scrolls of Gold-plate turned outward; and wreathed about with a Carnation and Silver net-lawn: The one End of which hung carelessly on the left shoulder, the other was tricked up before in several degrees of folds, between the Plates, and set with rich jewels, and great Pearl. Their Bodies were of Carnation cloth of silver, richly wrought, and cut to express the Naked, in manner of the Greek Thorax; girt under the Breasts, with a broad Belt of Cloth of Gold, embroidered, and fastened before with jewels: Their Labels were of White Cloth of silver, laced, and wrought curiously between, suitable to the upper half of their Sleeves; whose neither parts, with their Bases, were of Watchet Cloth of Silver, chevroned all over with Lace. Their mantles were of several coloured silks, distinguishing their Qualities, as they were coupled in pairs; The first, Sky colour; The second, Pearl colour; The third, Flame colour; The fourth, Tawny; And these cut in leaves, which were subtly tacked up, and embroidered with O's, and between every rank of Leaves, a broad silver Lace. They were fastened on the right shoulder, and fell Compass down the back in gracious folds, and were again tied with a round Knot, to the fastening of their Swords. Upon their legs they wore Silver Greaves, answering in work to their Labels; and these were their Accoutrements. The Ladies Attire was wholly new, for the Invention, and full of Glory; as having in it the most true impression of a Celestial Figure: The upper part of White Cloth of Silver, wrought with Juno's Birds and Fruits; A loose under garment, full-gathered, of Carnation, stripped with Silver, and parted with a Golden Zone; Beneath that, another flowing Garment, of Watchet Cloth of Silver, laced with Gold: Through all which, though they were round, and swelling, there yet appeared some touch of their delicate Lineaments, preserving the sweetness of Proportion, and expressing itself beyond expression. The Attire of their Heads, did answer, if not exceed; their Hair being carelessly (but yet with more art, then if more affected) bound under the circle of a rare, and rich Coronet, adorned with all variety, and choice of jewels; from the top of which, flowed a transparent Veil down to the ground; whose verge, returning up, was fastened to either side in most sprightly Manner. Their shoes were Azure, and Gold, set with Rubies, and Diamonds; so were all their Garments: and every part abounding in Ornament. No less to be admired, for the Grace, and Greatness, was the whole Machine of the Spectacle, from whence they came: the first part of which was a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, or Globe, filled with countries, and those guilded; where the Sea was expressed, heightened with silver waves. This stood, or rather hung, (for no axle was seen to support it) and turning softly, discovered the first mask, (as we have before, but too runningly declared) which was of the Men, sitting in fair Composition, within a Mine of several Metals: To which, the Lights were so placed, as no one was seen; but seemed, as if only REASON, with the splendour of her Crown, illumined the whole Grot. On the sides of this (which began the other part) were placed two great Statues, feigned of Gold, one of Atlas, the other of Hercules, in varied postures, bearing up the Clouds, which were of relieve, embossed, and tralucent, as Naturals: To these, a curtain of painted Clouds joined, which reached to the upmost Roof of the Hall; and suddenly opening, revealed the three Regions of Air: In the highest of which, sat JUNO, in a glorious Throne of Gold, circled with Comets, and fiery Meteors, engendered in that hot and dry Region; her Feet reaching to the lowest, where was made a Rainbow, and within it, musicans seated, figuring Airy Spirits, their habits various, and resembling the several colours, caused in that part of the Air by reflection. The midst was all of dark and condensed Clouds, as being the proper Place where Rain, Hail, and other watery Meteors are made; out of which two concave Clouds, from the rest, thrust forth themselves (in nature of those Nimbi, wherein, by Homer, Virgil, etc. the Gods are feigned to descend) and these carried the eight Ladies, over the heads of the two a Atlas, and Hercules, the Figures mentioned before. Terms; who (as the Engine moved) seemed also to bow themselves (by virtue of their shadows) and discharge their shoulders of their glorious burden: when, having set them on the Earth, both they, and the Clouds gathered themselves up again, with some rapture of the Beholders. But that, which (as above in place, so in the beauty) was most taking in the Spectacle, was the Sphere of Fire; in the top of all, encompassing the Air, and imitated with such art, and industry, as the Spectators might discern the Motion (all the time the Shows lasted) without any Mover: and, that so swift, as no Eye could distinguish any Colour of the Light, but might form to itself five hundred several hews, out of the tralucent Body of the Air, objected betwixt it, and them. And this was crowned with a statue of JUPITER, the Thunderer. The Design, and Act of all which, together with the Device of their Habits, belongs properly to the Merit, and Reputation of Master Inigo JONES; whom I take modest occasion, in this fit place, to remember, lest his own worth might accuse me of an ignorant neglect from my silence. And here, that no man's Deservings complain of injustice (though I should have done it timelier, I acknowledge) I do for honour's sake, and the pledge of our Friendship, name Ma. ALPHONSO FERABOSCO, a Man, planted by himself, in that divine Sphere; & mastering all the spirits of Music: To whose judicial Care, and as absolute Performance, were committed all those Difficulties both of Song, and otherwise. Wherein, what his Merit made to the Soul of our Invention, would ask to be expressed in Tunes, no less ravishing than his. Virtuous friend, take well this abrupt testimony, and think whose it is: It cannot be Flattery, in me, who never did it to Great ones; and less than Love, and Truth it is not, where it is done out of Knowledge. The Dances were both made, and taught by Master THOMAS GILES; and cannot be more approved, than they did themselves: Nor do I want the will, but the skill to commend such Subtleties; of which the Sphere, wherein they were acted, is best able to judge. What was my part, the Faults here, as well as the Virtues must speak. Mutare dominum nec potest Libre notus. ON the next Night, whose Solemnity was of Barriers, (all mention of the former, being utterly removed, and taken away) there appeared, at the lower end of the Hall, a mistress made of delicate perfumes; out of which (a Battle being sounded under the Stage) did seem to break forth two Ladies, the one representing TRUTH, the other OPINION: but both so alike attired, as they could by no Note, be distinguished. The colour of their Garments were blue, their Socks White; They were crowned with wreaths of Palm, and in their hands, each of them sustained a Palm-bough. These, after the Mist was vanished, began to examine each other curiously with their eyes, and approaching the State, the one expostulated the other in this manner. TRUTH. WHo art thou, thus that imitatest my Grace, In Steps, in Habit, and resembled Face? OPINION. Grave a Truth is feigned to be the Daughter Saturn; who indeed, with the Ancients was no other than TIME, and so his name alludes, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Plut. in Quaest To which confer the Greek Adage, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Time, and Industry my Parents are; My Name is TRUTH, who through these sounds of War (Which figure the wise Minds discursive fight) In Mists by Nature wrapped, salute the Light. TRUTH. I am that TRUTH, thou some illusive sprite; Whom to my likeness, the black Sorceress Night Hath of these dry, and empty fumes created. OPINION. Best Herald of thine own Birth, well related: Put me and mine to proof of words, and facts, In any Question this fair Hour exacts. TRUTH. I challenge thee, and fit this Time of Love, With this Position, which TRUTH comes to prove; That the most honoured state of Man and Wife, Doth far exceed th'insociate Virgin-Life. OPINION. I take the adverse part; and she that best Defends her side, be TRUTH by all confessed. TRUTH. It is confirmed. With what an equal brow To TRUTH, a Hippocrat. in a certain Epistle to Philopoem. describeth her, Mulierem, quae non mala videatur, sed audacior aspectu & concitatior. To which, Caesare Ripa in his Iconolog. alludeth, in these words, Faccia, ne bella, ne dispiacevole, etc. opinion's confident! and how, Like TRUTH, her Habit shows to sensual Eyes! But whosoe'er thou be, in this disguise, Clear TRUTH, anon, shall strip thee to the heart; And show how mere Fantastical thou art. Know then, the first Production of Things, Required Two; from mere One nothing springs: Without that knot, the Theme thou gloriest in, (Th'unprofitable Virgin) had not been. The Golden Tree of Marriage began In Paradise, and bore the fruit of Man; On whose sweet branches Angels sat, and sung, And from whose firm root all Society sprung. LOVE (whose strong Virtue wrapped heavens soul in Earth, And made a Woman glory in his Birth In Marriage, opens his inflamed Breast; And, lest in him Nature should stifled rest, His genial fire about the world he darts; Which Lips with Lips combines, and Hearts with Hearts. Marriage LOVES Object is; at whose bright eyes He lights his Torches, and calls them his Skies. For her, he wings his shoulders; and doth fly To her white bosom, as his Sanctuary: In which no lustful Finger can profane him, Nor any Earth, with black Eclipses wane him. She makes him smile in sorrows, and doth stand Twixt him, and all wants, with her silver hand. In her soft Locks, his tender Feet are tied; And in his Fetters he takes worthy pride. And as Geometricians have approved That Lines, and Superficies are not moved By their own forces, but do follow still. Their bodies' motions; so the self-loved Will Of Man, or Woman should not rule in them, But each with other wear the Anademe. Mirrors, though decked with Diamonds, are nought worth, If the like Forms of Things they set not forth; So Men, or Women are worth Nothing, neither, If either's Eyes and Hearts present not either. OPINION. Untouched Virginity, Laugh out; to see Freedom in Fetters placed, and urged 'gainst thee. What Griefs lie groaning on the Nuptial Bed? What dull Satiety? In what sheets of Lead Tumble, and toss the restless Married Pair, Each, oft, offended with the other's air? From whence springs all-devouring Avarice, But from the Cares, which out of Wedlock rise? And, where there is in Life's best-tempered Fires And End, set in itself to all desires, A settled Quiet, Freedom never checked, How far are Married Lives from this effect? a A narrow Sea, between Aulis, a Port of Boeotia, and the Isle Euboea. See Pom. Mela. lib. 2. EURIPUS, that bears Ships, in all their pride, 'gainst roughest Winds, with violence of his Tide, And ebbs, and flows, seven times in every day, Toils not more turbulent, or fierce than they. And then, what Rules Husbands prescribe their Wives! In their Eyes Circles, they must bound their Lives. The Moon, when farthest from the Sun she shines, Is most refulgent; nearest, most declines: But your poor Wives far off must never roam, But waste their Beauties, near their Lords, at home: And when their Lords range out, at home must hide (Like to begged Monopolies) all their Pride. When their Lords list to feed a serious Fit They must be serious; when to show their Wit In jests, and Laughter, they must laugh, and jest; When they wake, wake; and when they rest, must rest. And to their Wives Men give such narrow scopes, As if they meant to make them walk on Ropes: No Tumblers bide more peril of their Necks In all their Tricks; Then Wives in husband's Checks. Where Virgins, in their sweet, and peaceful State Have all things perfect; spin their own free Fate; Depend on no proud Second; are their own Centre, and Circle; Now, and always One. To whose Example, we do still hear named One God, one Nature, and but one World framed, One Sun, one Moon, one Element of Fire, So, of the Rest; One King, that doth inspire Soul, to all Bodies, in this royal Sphere: TRUTH. And where is Marriage more declared, then there? Is there a Band more strict, then that doth tie The Soul, and Body in such unity? Subjects to Sovereigns? doth one Mind display In th'one's Obedience, and the others Sway? Believe it, Marriage suffers no compare, When both Estates are valued, as they are. The Virgin were a strange, and stubborn Thing, Would longer stay a Virgin, than to bring herself fit use, and profit in a Make. OPINION. How she doth err! and the whole Heaven mistake! Look how a Flower, that close in Closes grows, Hid from rude Cattle, bruised with no Ploughs, Which th' Air doth stroke, Sun strengthen, Showers It many Youths, & many Maids desire; (shoot higher, The same, when cropped by cruel hand is withered, No Youths at all, No Maidens have desired: So a Virgin, while untouched she doth remain, Is dear to hers; but when with bodies stain Her chaster Flower is lost, she leaves to appear Or sweet to Young Men, or to maidens dear. That Conquest then may crown me in this War, Virgins, O Virgins fly from HYMEN far. TRUTH. Virgins, O Virgins, to sweet HYMEN yield, For as a lone Vine, in a naked Field, Never extols her branches, never bears Ripe Grapes, but with a headlong heaviness wears Her tender body, and her highest sprout Is quickly leveled with her fading root; By whom no Husbandmen, no Youths will dwell; But if, by fortune, she be married well To th' Elm, her Husband, many Husbandmen, And many Youths inhabit by her, then: So whilst a Virgin doth, untouched, abide All unmanured, she grows old, with her pride; But when to equal Wedlock, in fit Time, Her Fortune, and Endeavour lets her climb Dear to her Love, and Parents, she is held. Virgins, O Virgins, to sweet HYMEN yield. OPINION. These are but words; hast thou a Knight will try (By stroke of Arms) the simple Verity? TRUTH. To that high proof I would have dared thee. I'll straight fetch Champions for the Brides and Me. OPINION. The like will I do for Virginity. HEre, they both descended the Hall, where at the lower end, a March being sounded with Drums and fifes, there entered (led forth by the Earl of Nottingham, who was Lord high Constable for that night, and the Earl of Worcester, Earl Marshall) sixteen Knights, Armed, with Pikes, and Swords; their Plumes, and Colours, Carnation and White, all richly accoutred, and making their Honours to the State, as they marched by in Pairs, were all ranked on one side of the Hall. They placed, sixteen others alike accoutred for Riches, and Arms, only that their Colours were varied to Watchet, and White; were by the same Earls led up, and passing in like manner, by the State, placed on the opposite side. Whose Names (as they were given to me, both in Order, and Orthography) were these. TRUTH. Duke of LENNOX. Lo. EFFINGHAM. Lo. WALDEN, Lo. Mounteagle. Sir THO. SOMERSET. Sir CHAR HOWARD. Sir JOHN GREY. Sir THOUGH MOUNSON. Sir JOHN LEIGH. Sir ROB. MAUNSELL. Sir EDW. HOWARD. Sir HEN GOODYERE. Sir ROGER DALISON. Sir FRAN. HOWARD. Sir LEW. MAUNSELL. Mr. Gunteret. OPINION. Earl of SUSSEX. Lo. Willoughby. Lo— GERRARD. Sir. ROB. CAREY. Sir OL. CRUMWEL. Sir WIL. HERBERT. Sir ROB. DREWRY. Sir WI. WOODHOUSE. Sir CAREY REYNOLDS. Sir RIC. HOUGHTON. Sir WIL. CONSTABLE. Sir THO. GERRARD, Sir ROB. Killigrew. Sir THOUGH BADGER. Sir THO. DUTTON. Mr. DIG BIE. By this time, the Bar being brought up, TRUTH proceeded. TRUTH. Now join; and if his varied Trial fail, To make my Truth in Wedlock's praise prevail, I will retire, and in more power appear; To cease this strife, and make our Question clear. Whereat OPINION insulting, followed her with this speech. OPINION. ay, Do: it were not safe thou shouldst abide: This speaks thy Name, with shame to quit thy side. Here the Champions on both sides addressed themselves for fight, first Single; after Three to Three: and performed it with that alacrity, and vigour, as if MARS himself had been to triumph before VENUS, & invented a new Music. When, on a sudden, (the last Six having scarcely ended) a striking Light seemed to fill all the Hall, and out of it an Angel or Messenger of Glory appearing. ANGEL. PRinces, attend a tale of height, and wonder. TRUTH is descended in a second Thunder, And now will greet you, with judicial state, To grace the Nuptial part in this debate; And end with reconciled hands these wars. Upon her head she wears a Crown of Stars, Through which her orient Hair waves to her waist, By which believing Mortals hold her fast, And in those golden Chords are carried even Till with her breath she blows them up to Heaven. She wears a Robe enchased with Eagles Eyes, To signify her sight in Mysteries; Upon each shoulder sits a milk white Dove, And at her feet do witty Serpents move: Her spacious Arms do reach from East to West, And you may see her Heart shine through her breast. Her right hand holds a Sun with burning Rays, Her left a curious bunch of golden keys, With which Heaven Gates she locketh, and displays. A Crystal Mirror hangeth at her breast, By which men's Consciences are searched, and dressed: On her Coach wheels Hypocrisy lies racked; And squint-eyed Slander, with vainglory backed Her bright Eyes burn to dust: in which shines Fate. An Angel ushers her triumphant Gate, Whilst with her finger's Fans of Stars she twists, And with them beats back Error, clad in mists. Eternal Unity behind her shines That Fire, and Water, Earth, and Air combines. Her voice is like a Trumpet loud, and shrill, Which bids all sounds in Earth, and Heaven be still. And see! descended from her Chariot now, In this related Pomp she visits you. TRUTH. Honour to all, that Honour Nuptials. To whose fair Lot, in justice, now it falls, That this my Counterfeit be here disclosed, Who, for Virginity hath herself opposed. Nor, though my Brightness do undo her Charms, Let these her Knights think, that their equal Arms Are wronged therein; "For Valour wins applause " That dares, but to maintain the weaker Cause. And Princes, see, 'tis mere OPINION, That in TRVTH'S forced rob, for TRUTH hath gone! Her gaudy Colours, pieced, with many Folds, Show what uncertainties she ever holds: Vanish Adulterate TRUTH, and never dare With proud Maids praise, to press where Nuptials are. And Champions, since you see the Truth I held, To Sacred HYMEN, reconciled, yield: Nor, (so to yield,) think it the least Despite "It is a Conquest to submit to Right. This Royal judge of our Contention Will prop, I know, what I have under gone; To whose right Sacred Highness I resign Low, at his feet, this Starry Crown of mine, To show his Rule, and judgement is divine; These Doves to him I consecrate withal, To note his Innocence, without spot, or gall; These Serpents, for his Wisdom; and these Rays, To show his piercing Splendour; These bright Keys, Designing Power to ope the ported Skies, And speak their Glories to his subjects' Eyes. Lastly, this Heart, with which all Hearts be true: And TRUTH in him make Treason ever rue. With This, they were led forth, hand in hand, reconciled, as in Triumph: and thus the Solemnities ended. Vivite concordes, & nostrum discite munus.