CORONA MINERVAE. OR A masque Presented before Prince CHARLES HIS highness, The Duke of York his Brother, and the Lady Mary his Sister, the 27th of February, at the College of the museum MINERVAE.  
LONDON, Printed for WILLIAM SHEARES. 1635.   

Corona Minervae. A Masque PRESENTED BEFORE Prince CHARLES his Highness, The Duke of York his Brother, And the Lady MARY his Sister, the 27th. of February, at the College of the Museum Minervae.  
A Curtain being drawn, there is discovered a frontispiece, whereon the Image of Minerva is seen sitting upon a stone, placed between two Returns of a broken Arch, supported by two Brass statues of Mars, and Mercury, standing in niches of Corinthian Work: Under, within a Prospective is seen, a paved Gallery environed on either side and terminated with Doric Columns, which flying away, Minerva presents herself attired in her proper Habit.  
Over the Entrance in a Square was Written  
Corona Minervae.  Minerva. 
WHat rare unvalued jewels are here sent,  
As if the Gods themselves strived to present  
Minerva with their choicest Gems, & Grace  
Her cabinet, as yet too mean a place  
To hold such Deities, who more adorn  
This presence, than the rosy fingered Morn  
(Guiding the East for the uprising Sun)  
Doth beautify his Car, ready to run  
His daily Circle round. It hath been said,  
The Friends and Servants of the Jove-born Maid  
Are poor, except those, whom Bellona's hand  
enrolls for Soldiers of Mars warlike band,  
Who sometimes want their pay too: But now see  
A treasure here deposited with me,  
outvaluing all the Riches of the Earth;  
Three Pledges of sweet Peace, whose happy Birth  
Blesseth this present Age, and Crown's it so,  
That former Ages passed, could they but know  
How fortunate this is, they all would mourn  
They passed so soon, or else would back return,  
To see an Age, wherein both Arms and Arts  
Flourish at height, and both share equal parts.  Time enters here to Minerva in a Party coloured Robe half White, half Black, fringed with Silver, with one wing of a Swan, another of a bat. Time. 
Great Mistress of both Arms and Arts, 'tis true,  
Your exploration of their praises due,  
They are the Blessings, which the Ages past  
Fell ignorant, and unworthy-of to taste.  
And I old Time, that of those Ages saw  
The first, and last, till now could never draw  
Air, that so pleased me, as in this blessed Clime,  
That Crown's with Youth the old-old head of Time.  
All breath's Panchaian here: nay only this  
Is the clear Western that Favonian is,  
Perpetual Spring creating. God's here  
Your twofold Discipline, in which you were  
So late distracted by the world's neglect,  
Shall reassume it's ancient fair respect.  Minerva. 
Time, you speak comfort to me.  Time. 
And no more  
Than my glad Daughter Truth is spreading o'er  
This happy Monarchy, whose supreme head  
(In highest Heaven his name is registered)  
By Power and Wisdom, will the use advance  
Of Arms and Arts, above despite and chance.  Minerva. 
Time, thou hast made me happy.  Time. 
No, 'tis he  
That hath felicitated you and me,  
Who hath already by defensive Arms,  
Beat back the boasts, that were intended harms,  
Which Industry is crowned with a peace,  
That daily will bring forth the Arts increase;  
You may observe th' assurance of it here  
In these, who he is pleased (to grace your Sphere)  
Should leave their own; each an illustrious gem,  
Proper to his Imperial Diadem;  
I could with joy and wonder dwell an age  
Under their smiles; from an old man, turn Page  
To wait upon their persons: break my Glass,  
And pick up sand by sand, ere I would pass  
From their divine aspects; use all delay  
Had not the Fates decreed Time must away.  Minerva. 
But not so fast, good Time, your haste may make  
Their grace's leave me too.  Time. 
I'll undertake,  
Sacred Minerva, they will not, but grace  
You and your Arts, whilst there is time and place,  
Yet ere I go, for I must stay a while  
In this fair presence, and my haste beguile  
With a report of an unlooked for crew,  
Coming to see your Princely guests and you.  Minerva. 
Time, what are they?  Time. 
The seasons of the year  
Having discovered the convention here,  
All equally possessed with an ambition,  
To see and to be seen without commission  
From me, or from the Months, or powerful Sol,  
That wont is to infranchise, or control  
Them at his pleasure, now are altogether  
Broke loose, and filled with gladness, posting hither.  
Cold Winter stretching out his cramped up nerves,  
Strives to outstrip the jolly Spring, who serves  
Summer the like, and with her nimble feet  
Runs through her heat, till they with Autumn meet;  
At last, they all conjoined come on their way,  
Like the whole year contracted in this day,  
Each season hath a several present too,  
In which they strive each other to outdo,  
As if by general warrant from their Fate,  
They all were always to attend this State.  Minerva. 
'Tis welcome news.  A Confusion is here heard of several voices of Birds, and Beasts, such as are peculiar to every season. Again here several noises and voices are heard confusedly of Birds and Beasts, as exactly performed to the life, that no man could distinguish them. Upon which, Time. 
Hark, they are all at hand,  
And all their Heralds, both by air and land,  
The Birds and Beasts of every season met,  
In a most singular discord; hark how they set  
Throat against throat; the Wren and Redbreast swell  
To be above the Lark and Philomell.  
The Cuckoo with the owlet strives, and now  
The bleating Lamb joys 'gainst the lowing Cow,  
All in confusion, and so shall you see,  
Will the contention of the Seasons be,  
Till I be stickler. See they come, stand by.  Here enter the four Seasons rushing in, Winter, Spring pulling him back, Spring, Summer, autumn, and Winter striving for precedence. spring's habit was of green Taffeta, fringed with silver; and figured with flowers, a Chaplet of several flowers upon her head. Spring. 
Winter, keep back, I claim priority.  Winter in a long Gown of freeze, his hair and beard all made of Icicles, a Garland of holies and Ivy entwined upon his head. Winter. 
No wanton Girl, I must have first access,  
My age and honour can require no less.  Summer in a straw coloured Robe of Taffeta, with a Garland of Cornflowers, and blue Bottles upon his head. Summer. 
I claim it from you both.  Autumn his garment of Peuke-colour, a pruning knife in his hand, as a Vintiger, a Chaplet of Grapes and Damosens upon his head. Autumn. 
Why, Summer you?  
The place to Autumn properly is due.  Spring. 
How can that be? Look into every race,  
Do you not find, that Youth takes the first place.  
Was not the whole world young before 'twas old?  Winter. 
And what of that, proud girl? thy reason's cold,  
Colder than is my Frost. Did not the Spring  
Of the old world rise from an elder thing,  
What else was Chaos? hah?  Spring. 
I mind not that.  Winter. 
Fond Lass, thou mindest, sayst, dost, thou know'st not what.  Summer. 
I do: for summer's strength is at full growth,  
Like middle age in man.  Autumn. 
I would be loath  
To give the knowledge of declining Age  
Which Autumn shadows, for the summer's rage.  Winter. 
Y'are all against me, and yet it doth appear,  
None is another's Friend.  Spring. 
Yet to the year  
we all do grateful Service, thou dost none.  Winter. 
I would hear that.  Spring. 
In me the Spring, 'tis known,  
The Grass, the Grain, the Leaf, the Flower, the Fruit,  
The Birds that sing, the Beasts, the Fishes mute  
Take their beginnings.  Summer. 
Make no tedious tale,  
You begin well, I ripe and perfect all.  Spring. 
In that you wrong me Summer: For you do  
Out of my hands take Work and Credit too.  Summer. 
I wrong not you so much as Autumn me;  
For he gets all the Crop from me and thee.  Autumn. 
But all the store I gather for the year,  
Winter devours, or spoils.  Winter. 
Pray Sirs forbear,  
You increase all, you ripen all you say,  
You gather all, I spend all, and best may.  
I am the careful Husband of the Earth,  
That gives her comforts after every Birth,  
In which you wear her out, or bring her low  
Past hope, that from her teeming womb should grow  
Ever more timely Fruits: I kindly then  
(That she may live and propagate again)  
Quench her faint thirst with plenteous showers of rain  
Wherewith I fill her veins, and drown her pain.  
Then having made her bed as soft below,  
I cover her with Swan down, you call Snow,  
Which keeps her warm, so lay I her to rest:  
And for her lying-in make many a Feast  
Of her late store, for mortals that do pray  
To see her blithe again another day.  Spring. 
Which day would never come, were't not with me.  Winter. 
Nor thou with it, did not I set her free.  Summer. 
This strife will grow unto an endless fit.  Autumn. 
Would we had Time here to determine it.  Time. 
Time is at hand, who gives an instant charge  
Distinctly, that each one of you enlarge  
Himself by practice, show what you can do,  
Before the Presence you aspire unto.  
What Presents, or what Pastimes you have brought  
To please these Glories, whom all you have sought  
T'endear your service to.  All four. 
I have the best.  Here every one offered Baskets of fresh Fruits and Flowers. Time. 
Nay one at once, for whilst you all contest  
Each to be first, you but confusion make;  
Let Time then govern you, for order's sake:  
Seasons, I promise you both first and last,  
And all shall equally their favours taste.  All four. 
we all obey.  Time. 
Then thus I order ye,  
Out of your discord to raise harmony,  
Presents y'have brought I see of fruits, and flowers,  
Leave them with me; whilst from their Caves and Bowers,  
Each season summon forth & here advance  
A pair of his attendance in a dance,  
To move delight.  All four. 
Immediately 'tis done.  Here as Time speaketh, the Seasons go off. First, Spring, then Summer, Autumn next, and last Winter, and immediately, as they depart, the several voices are heard distinctly, and in order according to the words of Time. Time. 

First Spring lead you the way, than every one  
In order follow, let your Herald's sound  
Each to his season, as the year goes round:  
The Spring begins her part already, hark!  
The evening Lamb, and morning early Lark  
Lead her her way, the merry Cuckoo too  
Busy in's office; Summer, now go you,   

Now mark the joy the Fawn & Swallow takes,  
Of which there's more than one a Summer makes,  
To welcome her; now Autumn take your turn,  
Lest Sommers too long reign your Harvest burn:  
The Thrush now chants her notes at his approach,  
And the glad boar-pig having scaped the broach  
At the last Fair, runs wild about to taste  
The scattered grain, and the sweet fatting mast.  
Now follow Winter whilst your Robin sings,  
Over the half dead earth, to wake the Springs,  
In her cold veins, hark how the hoarse grown Cow  
lows for her fodder, and to whit to whoo  
Madge owlet cries, for cold she as in her feet,  
But other music now for Dancers meet.   Here enter to dance, 
1 Emblem of the Spring.  a Frog followed by a Fisherman. To them, 
2 Of the Summer.  a sheepshearer leading a Ram. To them, 
3 Of the Autumn.  a Drunken Butcher holding a Big by the tail. 
4 Of Winter.  To them a chimneysweeper and a Cat. All to several strains of agreeing music. At length all being entered, they join in a Dance. The Dance ended. Time. 
Creatures be gone, and let your Muses meet  
With fluent numbers, and harmonious sweet  
Voices, to sing, of all their presents here  
The worth and rarity, and let the near  
Adjoining Woods, Rocks, Valleys, Caves, and Hills  
Resound their echoing helps to grace their skills,  
While I their several presents overview,  
The Spring brings here all that is rare, and new,  
Of early flowers and fruits, such as to name  
In other seasons might beget a blame,  
For longing ladies' sakes. The Summer brings  
Gifts no less dainty, for her offerings;  
So Autumn, and so Winter, so all bear  
At once, the rarities of all the year.  
Yet let not my dull talk attempt to wrong,  
T'anticipate the Subject of their Song,  
But let the woods, rocks, &c.  Here are sung the several Songs by several voices, with Symphonies betwixt, and a Chorus: during which, Time peruseth the several presents, as he discovers them orderly: All which are expressed in the Song. 

The Seasons Song.  Spring. 
Those Flowers your Infancy did crown,  
Spring doth again to you resign,  
Which now are yours, no more her own,  
The Primrose, and sweet Eglantine,  
The Daisy, pink, and Violet blue,  
All which received their scents from you.  
May Blossoms now shall never fade,  
You have May everlasting made.  Chorus. 

All hearts rejoice, which now behold  
Again the happy Age of Gold.  
For Time to us hath brought far more  
True joys, then feigned were heretofore.  
Three Royal Blossoms to us he doth bring,  
Whose looks and sweetness, make eternal Spring.   

May Cherries plashed up to the wall,  
The Dew-berries, that in valleys grows,  
Kept in your lips, shall never fall,  
The Lady Grass, and the Musk Rose,  
Which were your Mantle swathing band  
You make yet flourish freshly, and  
Sweet fennel, for Court flatterers fit  
Lives under you, you above it.   Chorus. 
All hearts rejoice, &c.  Summer. 
To keep the summer's heat away,  
Which Earth from the young Sun receives.  
The Elm, the sycamore, and Bay  
Still shade you with their lasting Leaves.  
The Lilies, and the Damask Rose,  
The sheets and bed, when you repose,  
More white, more sweet, more soft have been  
Since they did touch your whiter skin.  
To sleep when your fair eyes incline,  
Hiding from Men their dearest light,  
Let hearts ease, Flowers of jasmine,  
And Rosemary your couches dight.  
The holy Thistle down shall fill  
Your Pillows, Bolsters, and until  
You rise like Gemini, arm in arm,  
Levander cotton keep you warm.  Chorus. 
All hearts rejoice, &c.  Autumn. 
Rising from Beds of july flowers  
With Hyacinthus, and Narcissus spread  
Into your lap Autumnus powers,  
The Mulberries, and Raspis red,  
Pomona in her Basket bears  
Apricots, and Bon Christian Pears.  
And Bacchus forth his hand will reach  
To pluck the Damson, Fig, and Peach.  
And for digestion, Candian wines  
Will skink out of his Indian gourd  
Mellecottons, and Nectarines  
He brings you from his mellow hoard,  
That you shall wish, while you them taste,  
Autumn and Spring may ever last:  
Or, that, except them two, there were  
No other Seasons of the year.  Chorus. 
All hearts rejoice, &c.  Winter. 
Cold Winter brings to crown your Age  
Many happy years are told.  
The Myrtle, Savory, and Sage,  
The semper viva, never old,  
To Crown your high victorious brows  
Green laurel Garlands, Arbute boughs  
With Palms, and Olives, whose increase  
Are emblems of your lasting peace.  
Nor is cold winter yet at all  
Less frolic, than the wanton Spring:  
The Robin red Breast in the Hall  
Picking up crumbs at Christmas sing  
When winds blow cold, and ways be fowl  
In Barns, and sheep coats sits the Owl,  
Whose note the husbandman delights  
whenas she hoots in frosty nights.  Chorus. 
All hearts, &c.  The Songs being ended.  Minerva. Here is discovered the Temple of Minerva supported upon Doric columns standing in a grove, before the Temple gate an antic Greek Altar whereon was a Crown placed. 
SEasons I thank you, that have all so well  
strived by your loves each others to excel  
In honour of these Princes. Now by you,  
Time, let my service be presented too.  Time. 
TIme takes your charge, and swiftly will declare  
What the devotions of Minerva are.  
To you great Prince, and to each blessed Bud  
Of the same Royal Stock, and linked in blood  
With you, Minerva gratefully imparts  
Full knowledge, and true use of Arms, Arts,  
And that she, bound unto this gratitude  
I by fame's Trumpet will make understood  
Her reason through the World, for thus she says,  
Whereas of old she was sole patroness  
Of Arms, and Arts, and former ages through  
Had reverence, and adoration due  
To her divinity; she by blind chance  
Hath been of late, and blinder ignorance  
Rudely opposed, oppressed, and lastly thrown  
By violence from her proper mansion  
Altars, and Temples, that were dedicate  
To her of old, are now laid ruinate,  
And she forlorn to give the World a view  
Was all to seek of house, and patron too,  
Labouring with that distress, unto this I'll  
More gracious made by the most gracious smile  
Of its most royal Sovereign, than the day  
In other Lands, by Phoebus brightest ray,  
She bent her course, and here she was received  
By the most gracious, bounteous King relieved,  
Planted, and raised to a magnific State,  
Above the reach of her malignant Fate:  
For which unequal grace, she can no less  Here a cupid descending with a light in his hand shows unto the Prince a Crown, which is placed on Minerva's Altar, and reserved by her for his highness. 
Then yield herself to be his votaress,  
Of all her gifts devoting the renown  
A due addition to his fourfold Crown.  
In pledge whereof, first branch of that fair stem,  
High Prince, here is a Royal diadem  
Brought from her old, here to her Athens new  
By your propitious Fate reserved for you  
Upon Minerva's Altar, 'tis no slight  
Or fabulous thing that Time shall now recite;  

Hippocrates divinanatura preditus nonus a Chrisamide Rege, decimus et octavus ab AEsculapio. Vigesimus a looe ex Patre Heraclida, ex matre Paxithea Phaenaretes silia ex familia He aclidarum, quare ex utroque se. mine a Diis ortum habet divinus Hippocrates, ut qui a patre quidem Asclepiades est, a matre Heraclides. didicit artātuma Patre Heraclidatum ab avo Hippocrate & proinde iustissime, in multis terrae locis divinos honores etiam ipse consequutus est, et tisdem donariis cum Hercule et AEscula pioab Atheniensi bus dignus factus est. paetus in epistola ad Regem Regum Magnum Artaxerxem. Heraclidae erant Gigantes, in oratione Thessaliad Athenienses. Hippocrates genere et arte conjunctus est Aesculapio, hic vero Herculis est ex fratre nepos. in Epistola senatus Populique Abderitarum.  'tis found in my records 'mongst ancient rules  
That were observed in Minerva's Schools  
That those of Physic were not held the least  
But rather most Divine of all the rest,  
And that of old Physicians had relation  
'mongst Princes, and the gods, and adoration  
Given to their person, and their memories.  
Then shined Minerva's Altar, when her wise  
Athenians there, to add his renown,  
Gave Hercules an Aesculapian Crown:  
And after him, when by the same decree  
Great skilled Hippocrates upon his knee  
Received the like, and was sent crowned thence  
Physicians, and Philosophers, high Prince,  
This Crown still reserves in store  
Great Sir, to add unto your future four.  
To this, as to the rest, y'are Princely heir  
Prince of Physicians borne your titles fair  
And I find it (Time shall do no wrong)  
In rendering truth, though his discourse be long.  
In Florence the first Dukes to crown the name  
Of Cosmus, who most piously became  
Patron of christian cures successively,  
Were (the physician's art to dignify)  
Through many reigns called Cosmus, latter days  
Have crowned the Medici with flourishing Bays,  
All of them still employing, that they are  
Patrons of all Physicians regular:  
And from the illustrious Florence Medici  
You draw a line from France to brittany  
'twas first the honour of the Florence Crown  
To take its fair denomination  
From physics Art, and that but rational  
In France to physic supernatural.  
That titles linked, and both in one brought over  
Met the miraculous cure was here before  
In the thrice happy England, so you are  
By virtue of descent apparent heir  
To the physician's crown, who both inherit  
Of rational, and miraculous cures the spirit.  

That those of physic. Hippocrates divina natura praeditus est, nonus quidem a Crisamide Rege: etc., Hippocrates is endowed with a Divine Nature the ninth truly by descent from King Crisamides, the eighteenth from Esculapius, the twentieth from jupiter: by his mother Praxithea the daughter of Phaenaretes. he is of the family of the Heraclides, by his father an Asclepiad, so that by both his parents divine Hippocrates hath his offspring from the gods, & for his Art most justly hath in many places of the earth obtained divine honours & with Hercules & Esculapius, he hath by the Athenians been made worthy of the same gifts etc.: Petus Proconsul in his Epistle to the great King of Kings Artaxerxes.  For which, and for the favours done to her  
Minerva must on you this Crown confer.  Minerva. Here the music sounds for the dance of the 4. Nations of England Scotland, France and Ireland. 
TIme while you strive to show my gratitude  
I fear you are thought tedious if not rude  
To press so far. But hark this Music says  
Each Nation, that subjectingly obeys  
Their Majesties, and you are come to show  
With nimble feet the duty, that they owe  

Visum est, ac decretum senatui & populo Atheniensium ut gratiam condignam Hippocrati pro benefactis referat, ipsum publicè magnis mysteriis initiare quemadmodum Herculem fusum lovis, & Coronare ipsum Corona aurea mille anreorum, et ipsam Coronam quatriis magnis Minerva festis, in Gertamine gymnico per praeconem proclamare. in Decreto Atheni, ensium. Ab initio Dei unde genus nostrum esse gloriamur Aesculapius et Hercules in hominum utilitatem prognatisunt. Et hos proptervirtutem quam exercuerunt, omnes de-rumloco habent Oratio Thèssali ad Athenienses.  All in their kind t'express their skill in dance.  
Glad England first, blithe Scotland, sprightly France  
And civilised Ireland shall in order trace  
And do their best to gain a greater grace.  Enter the Dancers who having ended their dance Minerva speaks to the Princes. Minerva. 
NOw Princely ones may't please you to advance  
And your aspects on fresher objects glance  
Of Arms, and Arts.  Time. 
Pray you be pleased to walk  
and pardon Time, old folks are full of talk.  The Prince, and the rest are here conducted by Minerva, and Time towards the Chamber of Arts, and Arms, by the way Minerva turning to the Prince speaks. Minerva. 
GReat Britain's Prince, since that your innate love  
To learning doth so soon your highness move  
To view Minerva's mansion, and to be  
Admitted one of hers. Behold, and see  
How I begin (out of a tender care  
Complying with your years) books to prepare  
Fit for your studies, now from which by sense  
You may extract the sweetest quintessence  

Ego nunc cum mea sobole, oleaeramulis coronotus ad Minerva aram supplex consisto. Oratio Hippocratis ad aram consistentis Coro. illa aurea in vestro theatro in posita ad sum. ām aemulationēac felicitatem patrem meum evexit: sed et hoc beneficium superastis, dum et patrem et me publicè Cereris et Proserpinae mysteriis ac sacris initiastis. Thessalus in ora●. ad Athenienses. Thessalus filius Hippocratis aurea corona coronatus ab Atheniensibus Theodoret.  Had by allusion to each Authors name  
To sweeten learning's root so as the same  
To others bitter might prove sweet to you  
Then freely taste, and tasting cast your view  
Upon each Authors name, whereby you may  
Be more acquainted with them day by day.  
And, as your better part shall shine more clear  
I'll from themselves still make you better cheer.  The Princes, and the rest being entered. Time. 
HOw now, what mystery is this?  
How dare you use the Prince thus, schoolmistress?  
Are th'arms, and arts you promised to his view  
To be picked out of books? This is a new  
And a course way of entertainment too.  
A banquet had been fitter.  Minerva. 
Such is this  
TIme, if you knew but what sweet learning is  
Composed in these plain books, yourself would say  
Both for delight, and health his Highness may  
Not only taste, but as his meat devour them,  
And so become a Helluo librorum.  Time. 
YEt by your learned leave, Minerva, let  
Before his taster here the books be set  
What author's this? pray let us here begin  
Suetonius says his out side: but within  
All sweet meats. Oh sweet Suetonius!  
What's his next neighbour? Aulus Gellius,  
All jellies, as I am true Time. What lurks  
Here in this volume? 'tis friar Bacons works  
Most sweetly interlarded. And here's Cato  
In biscuit cakes, and sugar plates in Plato.  
Erasmus full of preserved Raspices,  
Delicate Authors all. Now what are these  
Damesins in Damascenus, and preserved  
Lemons here in Levinus Lemnius served.  
Apples in Apuleius. All's good cheer.  
But stay Minerva, what good drink ha'ye here  
To wash it down? oh here I see are brought  
Nine Amphoras of glass; in each a draught  
Of several waters, sent from several wells  
And fountains, where the sacred Muses dwells,  
As their nine names, which are inscribed thereon  
Do plainly show. See first from Helicon  
Clio a clear immortal liquor sends,  
Urania Eridanus commends,  
Thalia of Ionian pleasant streams  
A drink hath sent. The ancient poet's themes  
Bacchus Minerva's bottleman did bring  
This sweetest Nectar from the Thespian spring,  
A present from Erato: this pure clean  
Fresh water seems to come from Hippocrene  
Euterpe's gift: and here, and please you, sip ye  
Of the clear brook, that runs from Aganippe,  
Sent by Melpomene, so of the rest,  
Whose liquours come to dignify the feast,  
So may you eat, and drink, and carry more  
Of learning hence then Pallas keeps in store.  The banquet being ended Minerva turning to the Prince speaks for a conclusion thus. Minerva. 
NOw (royal Prince) with thanks let Pallas say;  
Sh'has by your brightness had a glorious day:  
But you declining your Phoebean light  
Will leave her shrouded in perpetual night,  
Unless to show y'are pleased you leave for grace  
A smile, which may illuminate the place.  
So shall Minerva give a glad adieu  
Withal her Arms, and Arts to wait on you.  For the Banquet were provided little Angels holding Candles to give light unto the Princes: which hung in the air could no way be discerned. The Banquet which Minerva gave was enclosed in Artificial books, so handsomely made that no man could know but that they were very books indeed, disposed and placed according to their several volumes: between which by these nine several amphoras of Glass were placed, full of 9 several sorts of Wines as sent from the 9 Muses. The Authors that Minerva showed the Princes were many, but the first that fell into the PRINCE's hands were these, which follow named: and in the frontispiece of them were found these Verses following. 

In Suetonius these  
MY title is Suetonius, but within  
A history of sweet meats doth begin,  
Which so may please (Illustrious Prince) your taste  
As your life may all Caesar's Acts out last.   

Aulus Gellius.  
LEt the lamp wasting student, who delights  
In reading Aulus Gellius Attic nights,  
Make himself pale: here for a courtier's wit  
Is nourishing strong jelly much more fit.   

friar Bacons works.  
friar Bacons works my inside well may be  
Now Conjured into Collops: and yet see  
There is no Puritan but would desire  
Like to the devil to devour this Friar.   

Lucius Florus.  
See Lucius Florus from his history  
Renders you nothing but a Prophecy  
Upon your flower deluces, which he says  
Shall grace your crown 'bove all his emperor's bays.   

Levinus Lemnius de occultis naturae miraculis.  
IF for Levinus Lemnius you do find  
Dried candied Lemons, or a Citron rind,  
Here soon read over: for at once you look  
On all the hidden secrets of his book.   

Apuleius.  
NOt Apuleius golden ass's story  
(Glory of Princes) here is set before ye:  
But golden apples of the Hesperides  
Are brought your taste, as well as sight to please.   

Quintus Curtius.  
MY outside's Quinius Curtius' (gracious Princes)  
But see within my leaves are curious Quinces  
This transposition well excused may be:  
Books and their titles do not still agree.   

Origen.  
IF (curious reader) you desire to know,  
Why the inside and the title differ so:  
As Origen and Orang, make no doubt,  
The anagrams within of what's without.   

Damascenus.  
OLd Damascenus says you are too young,  
Sweet Prince, to read or taste of Physic strong:  
Therefore which better may your palate suit,  
Prescribes you damsens your liege Country fruit.   

Erasmus Roterodamus.  
WHen with Erasmus you hereafter meet,  
You'll find him like this Raspis sharp & sweet  
Sweet like Almond butter, which ne'er came  
From any butter box of Roterdame.   

Cato.  
CAto from Sugar Cakes not differs far,  
Since into distichs both divided are.   

Plato.  
VOuchsafe of Plato's works to taste a piece,  
Though not of Greek, yet full of Ambergris.   

Manuscripti.  
AMongst so many books 'tis not over slipped,  
That you have here a Manuscript.  
You may well see by what you do find in't,  
'Twas done by hand and never yet in Print.   

Hermolaus Barbarus.  
OF Hermolaus Barbarus the sense  
Is harmless; barberies, like Eloquence:  
Which though 'tis sweet, hath tartness mixed among  
Witness each wanton witty woman's tongue.   

Cardanus.  
Cardanus works these are, as some do say,  
But it seems rather that they were his play.   

Littleton.  
HEre Littleton is set before your eyes,  
Because law's common, little shall suffice:  
Yet is that little much to be regarded,  
Because an old Coke hath it interlarded.   
FINIS