THE DESCRIPTION of a Mask: ❧ Presented in the Banqueting room at Whitehall, on Saint Stephen's night last, At the Marriage of the Right Honourable the Earl of Somerset: And the right noble the Lady FRANCES Howard. Written by Thomas Campion. Whereunto are annexed divers choice Airs composed for this Mask that may be sung with a single voice to the Lute or Bass-viol. LONDON Printed by E. A. for Laurence Li'sle, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the tigers head. 1614 Pulchro pulchra datur, sociali faedere amanti Tandem nubit amans; ecquid amabilius? Verae vt super sint nuptiae Praeite duplici face: Praetendat alteram necesse Hymen, alteram par est Amor. Vniego mallemplacuisse docto, Candido, et fastu sine iudicanti, Millium quam millibus imperitorum Inque iudentûm. The description of a mask, Presented in the Banqueting room at Whitehall, On St. Stephen's night last: At the Marriage of the right Honourable the Earl of Somerset, & the right noble the Lady Frances Howard. IN ancient times, when any man sought to shadow or heighten his Invention, he had store of feigned persons ready for his purpose; As satires, Nymphs & their like: such were then in request and belief among the vulgar. But in our days, although they have not utterly lost their use, yet find they so little credit, that our modern writers have rather transferred their fictions to the persons of Enchanters & Commanders of Spirits, as that excellent Poet Torquato Tasso hath done, and many others. In imitation of them (having a presentation in hand for Persons of high State) I grounded my whole Invention upon Inchauntmens' and several transformations: The workmanship whereof was undertaken by M. Constantine an Italian, Architect to our late Prince Henry: but he being too much of himself, and no way to be drawn to impart his intentions, failed so far in the assurance he gave, that the main invention even at the last cast, was of force drawn into a far narrower compass than was from the beginning intended: The description whereof as it was performed, I will as briefly as I can deliver. The place wherein the Mask was presented, being the Banqueting house at White Hall: the upper part, where the State is placed, was Theatred with Pillars, Scaffolds, and all things answerable to the sides of the Room. At the lower end of the Hall before the Scene was made an Arch Triumphal, passing beautiful, which enclosed the whole Works: The Scene itself (the Curtain being drawn) was in this manner divided. On the upper part there was formed a Sky with Clouds very artificially shadowed. On either side of the Scene below was set a high Promontory, and on either of them stood three large pillars of gold: the one Promontory was bounded with a Rock standing in the Sea, the other with a Wood; In the midst between them appeared a Sea in perspective with ships, some cunningly painted, some artificially sailing. On the front of the Scene, on either side was a beautiful garden, with six seats a piece to receive the Maskers: behind them the main Land, and in the midst a pair of stairs made exceeding curiously in the form of a Schalop shell. And in this manner was the eye first of all entertained. After the King, Queen, and Prince were placed, and preparation was made for the beginning of the Mask, there entered four Squires, who as soon as they approached near the Presence, humbly bowing themselves, spoke as followeth. The first Squire. THat fruit that neither dreads the Syrian heats, Nor the sharp frosts which churlish Boreas threats, The fruit of Peace, and joy our wishes bring To this high State, in a Perpetual Spring. Then pardon (Sacred Majesty) our grief Unseasonably that presseth for relief. The ground whereof (if your blessed ears can spare A short space of Attention) we'll declare. GReat honours Herald Fame having Proclaimed This Nuptial feast, and with it all inflamed▪ From every quarter of the earth three Knights In Courtship seen, as well as martial fights) Assembled in the Continent, and there Decreed this night A solemn Service here. For which, by six and six embarked they were In several Keels; their Sails for Britain bent. But (they that never favoured good intent) Deformed Error that enchanting fiend, And wing-tongued Rumour his infernal friend, With Curiosity and Credulity, Both Sorceresses, all in hate agree Our purpose to divert, in vain they strive, For we in spite of them came near t'arrive, When suddenly (as Heaven and hell had met) A storm confused against our Tackle beat, Severing the Ships: but after what befell Let these relate, my tongus too weak to tell. The second Squire. A Strange and sad Ostent our Knights distressed, For while the Tempests fiery rage increased, About our Decks and Hatches, lo, appear Serpents, as Lerna had been poured out there Crawling about us, which fear to eschew The Knights the Tackle climbed, and hung in view, When violently a flash of lightning came, And from our sights did bear them in the flame. Which passed, no Serpent there was to be seen, And all was hushed, as storm had never been. The third Squire. AT Sea, their mischiefs grew, but ours at Land, For being by chance arrived, while our Knights stand To view their storme-tost friends on two Cliffs near, Thence lo they vanished, and six Pillars were Fixed in their footsteps, Pillars all of gold, Fair to our eyes, but woeful to behold. The fourth Squire. THus with prodigious hate and cruelty, Our good Knights for their love afflicted be, But, ō protect us now, Majestic Grace, For see, those cursed Enchanters press in place That our past sorrows wrought: these, these alone Turn all the world into confusion. Towards the end of this speech, two Enchanters, and two Enchanteresses appear: Error first, in a skin coat scaled like a Serpent, and an antic habit painted with Snakes, a hair of curled Snakes, and a deformed vizard. With him Rumour in a skin coat full of winged Tongues, and over it an antic rob, on his head a Cap like a tongue, with a large pair of wings to it. Curiosity in a skin coat full of eyes, and an antic habit over it, a fantastic Cap full of Eyes. Credulity in the like habit painted with ears, and an antic Cap full of ears. When they had whispered a while as if they had rejoiced at the wrongs which they had done to the Knights, the Music and their Dance began: straight forth rushed the four Winds confusedly, the Eastern wind in a skin coat of the colour of the Sunrising, with a yellow hair, and wings both on his shoulders and feet. The Western Wind in a skin coat of dark crimson, with crimson hair and wings. The Southern Wind in a dark russet skin coat, hair and wings suitable. The Northern wind in a grisled skin coat, with hair and wings accordingly. After them in confusion came the four Elements: Earth, in a skin coat of grass green, a mantle painted full of trees, plants, and flowers, and on his head an oak growing. Water, in a skin coat waved, with a mantle full of fishes, on his head a Dolphin. Air, in a skye-coloured skin coat, with a mantle painted with Fowl, and on his head an Eagle. Fire, in a skin coat, and a mantle painted with flames: on his head a cap of flames, with a Salamander in the midst thereof. Then entered the four parts of the earth in a confused measure. Europe in the habit of an Empress, with an Imperial Crown on her head. Asia in a Persian Lady's habit with a Crown on her head. Africa like a Queen of the moors, with a crown. America in a skin coat of the colour of the juice of Mulberries, on her head large round brims of many coloured feathers, and in the midst of it a small Crown. All these having danced together in a strange kind of confusion; past away, by four and four. At which time, Eternity appeared in a long blue Taffeta rob, painted with Stars, and on her head a Crown. Next, came the three Destinies, in long robes of white Taffeta like aged women, with Garlands of Narcissus Flowers on their heads, and in their left hands they carried distaffs according to the descriptions of Plato and Catullus, but in their right hands they carried altogether a Tree of Gold. After them, came Harmony with nine musicans more, in long Taffeta robes and caps of Tinsel, with Garlands guilt, playing and singing this Song. Chorus. Vanish, vanish hence confusion, Dim not Hymen's golden light With false illusion. The Fates shall do him right, And fair Eternity, Who pass through all enchantments free: Eternity sings alone. Bring away this Sacred Tree, The Tree of Grace, and Bounty, Set it in Bel-Annas eye, For she, she, only she Can all Knotted spells untie. Pulled from the Stock, let her blessed Hands convey To any suppliant Hand, a bough, And let that Hand, advance it now Against a Charm, that Charm shall fade away. Toward the end of this Song the three, destinies set the Tree of Gold before the Queen. Chorus. Since Knightly valour rescues Dames distressed, By Virtuous Dames, let charmed Knights be released. After this Chorus, one of the Squires speaks. SInce Knights by valour Rescue Dames distressed, Let them be by the Queen of Dames released: So sing the Destinies, who never err, Fixing this Tree of Grace and Bounty here, From which, for our enchanted Knights we crave A branch, pulled by your Sacred Hand, to have; That we may bear it as the Fates direct, And manifest your glory in th'effect. In virtues favour then, and Pity now, (Great Queen) vouchsafe us a divine touched bough. At the end of this speech, the Queen pulled a branch from the Tree and gave it to a Nobleman who delivered it to one of the Squires. A Song whilè the Squires descend With the bough, toward the Scene. Go happy man like th'evening Star, Whose beams to Bridegroom's welcome are. May neither Hag, nor Fiend withstand The power of thy Victorious Hand. The uncharmed Knights surrender now, By virtue of thy raised Bough. Away Enchauntements, Vanish quite, No more delay our longing sight: 'Tis fruitless to contend with Fate, Who gives us power against your hate. Brave Knights, in Courtly pomp appear, For now are you long looked for here. Then out of the air a cloud descends, discovering six of the Knights alike, in strange and sumptuous atires, and withal on either side of the Cloud, on the two Promontories, the other six Maskers are suddenly transformed our of the pillars of gold, at which time, while they all come forward to the dancing place, this Chorus is sung, & on the sudden the whole Scene is changed: for whereas before all seemed to be done at the sea and sea coast, now the Promontories are suddenly removed, and London with the Thames is very artificially presented in their place. The Squire lifts up the Bough. Chorus. Virtue and Grace, in spite of Charms, Have now redeemed our men at Arms. there's no enchantment can withstand, Where Fate directs the happy hand. The Maskers first Dance. The third Song of three parts, with a Chorus of five parts, sung after the first Dance. WHile dancing rests, fit place to music granting, Good spells the Fates shall breathe, all envy daunting Kind ears with joy enchanting, chanting. Chorus. Io, Io Hymen. Like looks, like hearts, like loves are linked together, So must the Fates be pleased, so come they hither, To make this joy persever ever. Chorus. Io, Io Hymen. Love decks the spring, her buds to th'air exposing, Such fire here in these bridal Breasts reposing We leave with charms enclosing, closing. Chorus. Io, Io Hymen. The Maskers second Dance. The fourth Song a Dialogue of three with a Chorus after the second Dance. 1 LEt us now sing of loves delight, For he alone is Lord to night. 2 Some friendship between man, and man prefer, But I th'affection between man and wife. 3 What good can be in life, Whereof no fruits appear? 1 Set is that Tree in ill hour, That yields neither fruit nor flower. 2 2 How can man Perpetual be, but in his own Posterity? Chorus. That pleasure is of all most bountiful and kind, That fades not straight, but leaves a living joy behind. After this Dialogue the Maskers dance with the Ladies, wherein spending as much time as they held fitting, they returned to the seats provided for them. Straight in the Thames appeared four Barges with skippers in them, & withal this song was sung. Come a shore, come merry mates, With your nimble heels, and pates: Summon every man his Knight, Enough honoured is this night. Now, let your Seaborn Goddess come. Quench these lights, and make all dumb. Some sleep, others let her call, And so Goodnight to all, good-night to all. At the conclusion of this song arrived twelve skippers in red caps, with short cassocks and long slops wide at the knees, of white canvas striped with crimson, white gloves and Pomp's, and red stockings: these twelve danced a brave and lively dance, shouting and triumphing after their manner. After this followed the Maskers last dance, wherewith they retired. At the Embarking of the Knights, the Squires approach the state, and speak. The first Squire. ALl that was ever asked, by vow of jove, To bless a state with, Plenty, Honour Love, Power, Triumph, private pleasure, public peace, Sweet springs, and Autumn's filled with due increase, All these; and what good else, thought can supply. Ever attend your Triple Majesty. The second Squire. ALl blessings which the Fates, Prophetic Sung, At Peleus' Nuptials, and what ever tongue Can figure more, this night, and aye betide, The honoured Bridegroom, and the honoured Bride. All the Squires together. Thus speaks in us th'affection of our Knights, Wishing you health, and Miriads of goodnights. The Squires speeches being ended, this Song is Sung while the Boats pass away. Hast aboard, hast now away, Hymen frowns, at your delay: Hymen doth long nights affect; Yield him then his due respect. The Seaborn Goddess straight will come, Quench these lights, and make all dumb. Some Sleep, others she will call, And so good-night to all, good-night to all. FINIS. AIRS, Made by several Authors: AND Sung in the Mask at the Marriage of the Right Honourable ROBERT, Earl of Somerset, and the Right Noble the Lady FRANCES HOWARD. Set forth for the Lute and Base Viol, and may be expressed by a single voice, to either of those Instruments. LONDON: Printed for Laurence Lisle, dwelling at the Sign of the Tigers-head in Paul's Churchyard. 1614 CANTO. I. The firrt Song: made and expressed by Mr. Nicholas Laneir. BRing a- way, bring a- way this sacred Tree, the tree of grace and bounty, Set it in Bell- Annae's, eye: for she, she only she only, she can all knotted spells un- tie. Pulled from this stock, let her blessed hand convey To any suppliant hand a bough, And let that hand advance it now Against a charm, that charm shall fade a- way. BASSO. I. BRing away. CANTO. II. These three Songs following were composed by Mr. Coprario, and sung by Mr. john Allen, and Mr. Laneir. Go happy man like th'evening Star, Whose beams to May neither Hag nor Fiend with- stand, The power of Bride- grooms welcome are. Th'vnchar- med Knights surren- der thy vi- ctorious hand. now, By ver- tue of thy raised Bow. 2 Away Enchantments; vanish quite: No more delay our longing sight. 'Tis fruitless to contend with Fate, Who gives us power against your hate. Brave Knights in Courtly pomp appear, For now are you long looked for here. BASSO. II. Go happy man. CANTO. III. WHile dancing rests fit place to Mu- sick granting, Good spells the Fates shall breath, all En- vy daunting, Kind ears with joy en- chan- ting. Io Io Io Io Io high- men, Io Hylas- men. 2 Like looks, like hearts, like loves are linked together. So must the Fates be pleased, so come they hither. To make this joy persever. Io Io Hymen. 3 Love decks the Spring, her buds to th'air exposing: Such fire here in these Bridal breasts reposing, They leave with Charms enclosing. Io Io Hymen. BASSO. III. WHile dancing. CANTO. IIII. COme a shore, come merry Mates, With your nim-ble ble heels & pates, Summon every man his Knight, Enough honoured is this night. Now let your seaborn Goddess come, Quench these lights and make all dumb, Some sleep, others let her call, And so good night, good night to all. good night, good night, good night, good night to all. 2 Hast aboard, hast now away: Hymen frowns at your delay▪ Hymen doth long nights affect; Yield him then his due respect. The Seaborn Goddess straight will come, Quench those lights, and make all dumb. Some sleep; others she will call; And so good night to all, good night to all. BASSO. IIII. COme a shore. CANTO. V. A Song, made by Th. Campion, and sung in the Lord's Mask at the Count Palatines Marriage, we have here added, to fill up these empty Pages. Woo her and win her he that can, Each woe- man So she must take and leave a man, Till time more hath two Lo- verse: This doth jove to show that want makes beau- tie grace dis- co- verse. If fair Women were more scant, they would be more respe- cted. more affe- cted. 2 Courtship and Music suit with Love; They both are works of passion: Happy is he whose words can move, Yet sweet Notes help persuasion. Mix your words with Music then, That they the more may enter: Bold assaults are fit for men, That on strange beauties venture. BASSO. V. Woo her. FINIS. The Names of the Maskers. 1 THE Duke of Lennox. 2 The Earl of Pembroke. 3 The Earl of Dorset. 4 The Earl of Salisbury. 5 The Earl of Mountgomerie. 6 The Lord Walden. 7 The Lord Scroop. 8 The Lord North. 9 The Lord Hayes. 10 Sir Thrmas Howard. 11 Sir Henry Howard. 12 Sir Charles Howard. FINIS.