THE marriage OF Oceanus AND BRITTANIA. AN allegorical Fiction, really declaring England's Riches, Glory, and Puissance by SEA. To be represented in music, Dances, and proper Scenes. All Invented, Written, and Composed, BY RICHARD FLECKNO, Esq. Printed Anno MDCLIX THE marriage OF Oceanus and Brittania. The first part. A Symphony. After which the Scene is discovered, Representing the Maritime coast of Albion or England, by its white cliffs encompassed with Seas: flocks of Sheep grazing on the Downs, or tops of them, and Corn fields a far off in prospective. The Speech Or Argument Represented by a grave personage with a Book and Torch in his hand. The chief property of the Argument being to instruct the Auditory, and illustrate the Scene. NOthing sounds louder in the month of Fame, Than Oceanus and Britanias name. She Queen of isles, and he the King of Seas, The marriage now we celebrate of these, And here invite you Ladies to the feast, Our fury, you Gentlemen, our noble guests. You all are fairly, nobly welcome then, Pray fall to with your eyes, & know our Scene Is Albion or Britannia, as by these White cliffs appear, encompassed with Seas. For th' rest, with what affiduall services He gains her love; and what advantages Of Pleasure, Glory, Wealth, she gains again, (a) Alluding to those many Nations have successively pretended to the dominion of the Seas. First, the Persians, under Zeraces; then the Grecians under the Athenians; afterwards the Romans( to say nothing of the Carthaginians, and divers other Commonwealths of Italy, &c.) till the main Ocean lying open to their farther discovery by help of the magnetic needle. Now the French, now the Spaniard and Portugal, and afterward the Hollander became powerful by Sea, till at last the English became most powerful of all. ( To envy of all lands) by marrying him, All this our Scene does represent, mean while We hope you Ladies with a gracious smile, And with your favourable breaths will please To grace our Scene, and serenat our Seas. Which if you deign, we are assured then O'th' grace and favour of these Gentlemen. The first entry. Oceanus, in a Mantle of Seagreen and Silver; his Hair and Beard, blue 〈◊〉 curled, with a Diadem on his head, and a Trident in his hand, mounted on a Chariot composed of a great Scollop shell, drawn by two Seahorses in swimming posture; the Chariot gliding on the wheels of watermils to stem the waves. Encompassed with Troops of Tritons and Sirens. The Song or Recitative Expressing Oceanus' passions for Brittania. Ocean. O Wretched ay! In fire freeze, in water fry. Example of Loves cruelty! What freezing cold When Brittania I behold! What scorching fire, 'Twixt hot desire, And chilling fear Assaults my bosom here! O cruel cruel God of Love Makes Lovers such dire torments prove. Thou a God? thou a fiend, Hast flames unto no other end; And piercing darts, But only to torment poor human hearts. Here the Chorus condole with Oceanus, echoed by the neighbouring Rocks. Chorus. Flow flow our tears amain, For who when Oceanus weeps, Who all liquid Treasure keeps, Can from liquid tears refrain? Groan, groan ye all again. For who when Oceanus groans, Who even sads the very stones Can from sadding groans refrain. Ocean. In continuation of his complaint. * How oft have I beat at her shore, Just like some Lover at his Mistress door, To weary her to a consent, And yet, and yet she'd ne'er relent? How oft sprinkled the face of Heaven With tears that bootless back return. How oft my sighs to winds have given, That only hissed them to scorn. How oft complained to ruthless rocks, Whilst wanton echo only mocks My moan, and me: And when all's done, I see Brittania I no more can stir, * Then very cliffs and rocks encompass her. * All contained betwixt these Astericons or starry marks may be omitted in the reciting. Here whilst Oceanus makes a stand, four Dutch Skippers enter with bowls in their hands, singing, drinking, and dancing: with the lightness of their Song setting off the gravity of t'other: declaring the debauch of such people in a calm. The Song. COme boys, who are ever 'twixt swimming and sinking, And let us have a rubbers at drinking. Hai hai Bowl away, bowl away. Set me the bias right boys, And howl up stiff and tight boys. Drink, drink, Merrily drink, While the flagons do clink, And the Glasses do think, And good fellows do think, That the world goes round a round a, And no sober be found a. Fill the bowls full, Fill the bowls full boys. Say what they wull, Say what they wull boys, There is no life but in liquor, Then take it off quicker and quicker, And fill it up fuller and fuller. He is no sailor In's drink is a failer, But only should row in a Sculler. The dance, Full of reeling and drunken postures( to an extravagant fantastic Tune) ending in a scuffle conformable to the rudeness of such people: till Oceanus' rousing up himself, at sound of the Boatswains whistle they all cease their jollity, and run off several ways. Cho. * See As agitated by some furious wind, there's storms and tempests rising in his mind. What a distracted cloudy mien he has? The angry rack of Heaven is in his face▪ 'Tis natural Unto us all Unquiet, troubled to remain Till we our long desired ends obtain: But nature ne'er shall to eternity Produce so unquiet, troubled a thing as he. 2. See now he does compose himself to speak * Those are less dangerous ills that outward break. Oceana. BUt why should I despair To find Brittania kind As she is fair? No longer then in vain I'll thus complain; No longer be her scorn, Whilst I sigh, and weep, and mourn. A Noble Lover ever should Do somewhat more than common man, To make his passions understood, And show how much he dares and can. Brittania's love then to obtain, I'll do things of so high a strain, Herself shall be enforced to say, Whatever the event does prove, Oceanus only knew the way, To gain Brittania's love. The Air or Canzzonat, Inviting the British mariners and soldiers to brave action by Sea. Ocean. British mariners away, Hoist your sails, and all to Sea, Soldiers scour your armour bright, And prepare you to the fight, Brittania to please; Queen of all isles, and Empress of the Seas. Cho. Brittania to please, &c. Ocean. Fear nor wrack, nor death, for i'll, Be propitious t' ye the while; Some with wealth, some victory, come Richly and nobly laden home; Brittania to please, Queen of all isles, and Empress of the Seas. Cho. Brittanta to please, &c. Ocean. Soldiers, Mariners, away, Why d' ye linger, why d' ye stay? With joy and gladness all should go, And happy in the honour too, Brittania to please, Queen of all isles, and Empress of the Seas. Cho. Brittania to please, &c. The End of the first part. The second part. The speech, Magnifying the power and purity of love HOw mighty a Monarch is this love that go From heavens above, To depths below, Which way so ere you tend, You ne'er arrive at his dominions end? What vast extent has his command? That still, Makes Sea, and Land, Obey his will. And what's more strange again Makes very senseless things, have sense of him. I'th' mean time, sure That love must mighty be, and pure, Has all the waters of the main To purge and wash away its stain, And though they altogether came Yet cod they never quench the flame. At name of love let none be scandald then That's so Etherial, and divine in them, Ne'er since they both from Chaos came, Their hearts e'er burned with purer flame, Nor till to Chaos both return Ever shall with purer burn. The first Entry. Of the second part, A Symphony. After which Brittania appears enthroned in state with an imperial diadem on her head. In a bright yellow vest, and green mantle richly embroidered with Towns and cities. A cornu copiae, Or horn of abundance under her arm. Environed with the sea, unto which 3 Rivers pour forth their urns, that on the right hand inscribed Severn that on the left Humber, & that under, Thames her situation so contrived as it declares her temperate clime, equally removed from the Torrid and friged zone. The Song. Or Recitative, In contemplation of her happiness, with reflection on the unhappiness of civil wars. Brit. HAppy Brittania of all isles below High heavens the most does bless, Did Britain's better know, But their own happiness Thou whilst all other Nations, are Together by their limits tied, To sad calamities of war, And wide divisions beside, Which interest of state they call. Divided from them all, By situation dost possess Such unlimited happiness, Danger must or swim, or fly, Ere it can arrive at thee, And thou no other harms mayest know But what from civil wars may grow. * Which oh, far, far, Be from thee of all other war. Far far from thee That deadly viper be, That does corode, and tear, The mother's womb that did it bear; With wounds more deep, and wide, * than any other wounds beside. But oh fly, fly, As thou wouldst some abhorred disease, The abhorred memory Of such fatal times as these. Divert insensibly thy mind To thoughts of more delightful kind. The Air or Canzzonet. Brit. 1. HOw happy am I of all other Lands, Have the key both of peace and war in my hands, And can by none invaded be, Unless myself invadeth me. But all may sit content, and glad, Under their own Arbours shade, Embraced in the arms of peace Oh how happy days are these? Cho Oh how happy, &c. Brit. 2. HOw happy am I of all other Lands, Have the key both of peace and war in my hands, And can by none impoverished be, Unless myself impoverish me, But all may sit content, and glad, Under their own Arbours shade, Admiring of their wealth's increase, Oh how happy days are these? Cho Oh how happy, &c. But stay what waves are these appear, The billows rise, & yet no storms are near! 2. O 'tis the Ocean that does ride On the back of a full Tide, So jolly and so gay, He were grown young again you'd say. 3. I see he'll never quit his claim, Till he enjoys the princely dame. Who when Brittania heretofore Betrothed was tothth' Gallic shore Ne'er ceased by force and stratagem * Alluding to that opinion that England was formerly conjoined to France. until he had divorced them. Here Oceanus enters as before, and makes his solemn Addresses to Brittania. The Recitative, In the soft Lydian strain. Ocean. Fairer then fairest if your Eyes, Clearer than the clearest Skies, Deign to look upon a lover, Who this bold truth dares discover, That he loves, and loves most true, And ne'er loved but only you; Behold of all fair isles the fairest, Dearest, sweetest, and the rarest, The lowliest of your servants hear, Suspended betwixt hope and fear, Awaits from you his destiny Whether he should live or die. * whether he in dead low tides, Should pine away to be denied, Or else as he was wont to do, In lively spring tides visit you. Brit. I neither extremity approve Nor of overflowing love Nor i'th' ebb, that love is best By moderate passion is expressed. Ocean. Meaner excellencies move, Only unto moderate love, But Brittania's denies All things but extremities. Brit. Wonder! Oceanus who was wont to be So rough, should grow so smooth to flatter me! Ocean. How flatten ye? ●nd, Britania is as far 'Bove flattery, as others under are; Nor can low flattery reach her, more than I Can with my furging billows reach the sky. To write her praise my waves are too dilute To speak it, my inhabitants too ●●te Heavens ciphers, and fame's Tongue can hardly serve, * To write, and speak her praise, as they deserve. Brit. Cease cease your vain pursuit And vainer suit And know that till y'ave rendered me For pleasure, honour and utility, The most dilicious and content, The most renowned, and opulent, Of all the isles with circling wave You ever yet surrounded have, Never hope my love to gain; Till then cease, your suit is vain. Ocean. Most gladly I accept the task, And no other favour ask; What ho there? to delight the fair Let my twin-lights dance i'th' air On mast tops and on highest cordage dance Happy presage of the deliverance Both from danger, and from fear, Of the storm tossed Mariner. The Introduction. To the dancing on the Ropes, Castor and Pollux in Grecian military habits, with bright shining stars in their fore heads appearing & dancing i'th' clouds, in which the ropes are concealed. Ocean. you're not enoufe delighted yet where's old Glaucus? let him get His activest Phocij, and hear make Them dance for fair Brittania's sake. Hear the Tumblers are introduct like the Phocii or Seacalves, dancing and tumbling ridiculously their antique measure. Brit. We are so taken with your sports, And pleasant prospects you discover, We admit you to our shores and ports As a friend, though not a lover. Ocean. And to your shores and ports we'll bring Such store of every better things; Brittania shall, how ever loath, Admit me as a friend and lover both. The End of the second part. The third part. The Speech, Magnifying the English valour by Sea. VAlour, the weak so highly prize, And the strong even deifies; If anywhere on earth thou rest, 'tis i'th' valiant English breast; Dares o'th' raging floats to swim With but a board 'twixt death and him. And if they so admired of old, (b) I make the Argonauts( of which Jason was chief) the first who sailed by Sea,( in warlike Equipage at least) according to Plin. c. 7. l. 57 Those Argonants with courage bold. First put to sea and without fear Could see Sea-monsters swimming there: Much more would they admire them who Both sees and overcomes them too. With a courage bold as they Daring dangers of the Sea. No wonder Fortune then, who( as w'ar told) Assists the brave, the gallant, and the bold, In all their fights assists the English so, But chiefly we to Oceanus owe These following Naval fights & victories, Our Scene next represents unto your eyes. The first Entry Of the Third part. A Symphony. After which a Naval fight is represented, while the following Song is sung, Alluding to a victory the English formerly gained of the French by Sea, ni●●Sluce in Flanders, when all the French at first encounter leapt overboard to save themselves, as it was reported to the French King by his jester, in vaunting what brave fellows the French were to leap all into the Sea; and how very cowards the English, when never an one of them durst follow them. The Song So composed, as the Symphony sounds the Alarm whilst they sing Cho. In the warlike Phrygian strain. Alarm, alarm, the enemy comes, Sound your Trumpet, beat your Drums; See the foe comes on amain, Tack about, the wind to gain; Charge but the first Squadrons home, All the rest are overcome. And see they shift their Sails and stand With their Rudders all for Land. Hai hai Victory victory a flourish. How they fly? How they cry? a great cry. How to save our Swords the pain They leap into the watery main: And whilst in vain one death they shun, They headlong to another run. But yet they care not so from us they flee, For of all deaths, the terriblest are we. Here Oceanus enters, as before, with the Maritime spoils, and trophies of the Enemy, as broken oars, Rudders of ships, &c. The Recitative, Directed to the English mariners and soldiers. Ocean. BRave fellow-soldiers, unto you Only victory is due. drop reg've execution done on none But those you first have overcome; Whose warlike spoils, and trophies here, I unto Brittania bear. Witness o'th' valiant acts which you have done, Take breath, take breath awhile, And intermit your Noble toil, The better to prepare Ye to another war. For see Spain's huge Armado come, For which your Seas have scarcely room. You'd say, from multitude of these Did take the name of narrow Seas. But fear them not, I'll call Up winds from Aeolus den Shall dissipate them all. And then Once put to flight, they're vanquish ere they come to fight. The Dance. Here the four Winds rush in, winged, with swollen Garments and vizards, white plumes of Herons feathers as puffed from their months; and having danced a furious Dance, menacing the Spanish Armado; they all rush out to Sea. And that this victory was chiefly obtained by the Seas and Winds is confirmed by that saying of Philip the second, who hearing of the dissipation of his Fleet, answered, that he had set it forth to fight against men, and not the Elements. The Song. HAppy, happy those who are Heavens peculiar Love and care; With whom the Skies, and Seas, and Winds Against their enemy's combins! For when States by common ways grow great, Than men Malign, and envy their Estate. But when To their greatness Heavens conspire, Than men No longer envy, but admire. The End of the Third part. The fourth part. The speech, Declaring the Riches of Brittaniá. FAther of trade and sociable band Binds worlds to worlds and land conjoins to land Great Oceanus easy 'tis for thee To waft all nations to fair Brittany, With all they have of precious and rare Offering up as tribute unto her. And to her ports all foreign treasures bring Flowing unto them every precious thing Until she's rendered by the golden tide The richest isle of all the world beside. But this we chiefly wonder at in thee Thou canst in love so firm and constant be In all negotiations else, we find, As ficcle, and inconstant as the wind, But this is others praise, and not thine own, This, this, is mighty work of love alone, And this great love lest wonder thou canst do To change our minds, and hearts, and natures too. The first Entry. Of the fourth part, A Symphony. After which Brittani● as before, to her Oceanus with the trophies of the former maritime victories. The Song In offering them up at her feet. Ocean. BEhold the spoils of Nations here, Thus lowly at your feet I lay. Of Nations who are taught to fear Your power, yet they love your sway. And best supporters of a Throne, Are love and fear conjo●nd in one. Cho. And best, &c. Ocean. For fear is slavish without love. And love is childish without fear. Best conjunction still does prove, When they both united are. And best supporters of a Throne, Are love & fear conjoined in one. Cho. And best, &c. Ocean. Mean time may fair Brittania please, T' accept of them in gracious part, From him, who offering up of these, D●s offer up his soul and heart: And best supporters of a Throne, Are Land and Sea conjoined in one. Cho And best, &c. Brit. And we as such from King of seas Do graciously accept of these, Who when his latter task is done May count Brittania his own. Ocea. And my swift waves shall faster fly, Than birds feathered wings i'th' sky,▪ Than ships canvas ones i'th' seas, And( what's yet more swift than these) Than Jove's forked ones in fire, To accomplish her desire. The Invitation. Come Europe, swarthy Africa, Rich Asia and America Bring your treasures all away Tributo to pay Unto Brittania's Throne Come quickly come. Waves his Trident. The dance, Here the four parts of the World enter. Asia in Turkish habit, Africa in Moorish, and all black, America, swarthy in a feathered garment; and Europe fair and richly clad. And dancing first severally their entrance they deliver their riches to Oceanus, who presents them to Brittania, in this following Song. Ocean. AS to some Eastern monarch's Throne Their vassals all with presents come, So unto Brittania's here. All the world their presents bear. Asia Silk, Europa, fruit Africa all its wealth to boot. Neither does America Bring less precious things than they. Besides the riches either Ind, Unto fair Brittania send, Fragrant Odours, gums, and Spice, Gould, and gems, of highest price, Nothing that the sense can crave, Or gust desire, but here you have. Here they all do reverence to Brittania, and dance with Castanietes, who departed. Cho. Now all the world is pervious made; And so immense is her command, Brittania does extend her trade, Where ever there is Sea, or Land. Brit. And now that Oceanus hath Performed the task he was to do, In compliance with our faith, It rests that we perform ours too. Hark Hymen then unto the vow, I make to Oceanus now When ever I prove false to thee May I cease an isle to be. Ocean. And may I be a Sea no more When I quit Brittania's shore: (c) While there's Moon, and Months, and Tide, My love to her shall firm abide. Brit. And mine unto the Ocean (d) Whilst rivers flow and fountains run. When we each other cease to love, (c) He mentions Cynthia or the Moon, who faciliats his accesses to Brittania (d) and she the fountains and rivers by whom Oceanus insinuates himself into her bosom, by the one with more occult, by the other with more ways open. Both May we both unhappy prove. Ocean. And When we each other loath, Both May we perish, See the marginal note. perish both. Brit. Now it'ss time that we by Thames go The Land as well as main to please, Who less t'have part o'th' pleasures too May envy our solemnities. Cho. Though Oceanus here too for has cast His wanton arms, 'bout many an lands wast And as his loose embraces he bestowed Wyldly from one to t'other ebbd and flowed, Yet now you shall see Once married he'll be, As Vxorius or more Then he was amorous before. * 'tis not fruition that is dull no no When they are satiate and full, 'tis men are so. In heaven there's no such thing As surefeiting, And with immortal viands, none is cloyed When they're enjoyed; Both born then of immortal race. (e) Tellus is feigned goddess of the earth, and so not improperly may be taken for her mother, and Oceanus origin may well be derived from heaven, since the waters under the heavens were seperrated from those above. Gen. c. 1. Tellus' her Mother, Heaven, his Father was Like Promotheus his pain * Their joys shall still renew again. The End of the fourth Part. The fifth and last part. The Speech, Of Brittania's Fame. NOw shall Brittania's fame be known From Suns rise to his going down; And now from pole to pole shall she Renowned and celebrated be. Whilst other lands were never known Unto the watery Ocean, As buried in themselves shall lie In dust, and dull obscurity; None concerned in the care Of what they do nor what they are. Now finally shall he and she Through all the world renowned be. He for Ring, and she the gem, He Circumference again, And she the centre whither tend All his Rhombs and Lines. To end, He sovereign King o' th' watery Ball, And she sovereign Queen of all. This whilst Fame aloud did voice, All universally rejoice. More to which joy then to the feast, We have invited you our guest. For other cates divided do grow less, But joys increase. The first Entry. A Symphony. When the Scene is changed from a Maritime prospect to the prospect of the Town, where first is represented a confused crowd of Boys and girls, Porters, Knitting women, and such like Rabble, in the streets, assembled at the cry of new Ballads about a Ballad singer or two, hoarsly and ridiculously singing this following Ballad to the tune of Packington's pound. The Ballad, Of England's Triumphs by Sea. MY Masters all pray hark and draw nigh To the story we'll tell you by and by, And he is a foe to England's Glory Who is not a friend unto our story, That tells you with our shipping at sea How famous and renowned we be. But oh. The Hollander he is the sturdiest of all, And all he meets doth beat and maul, Yet we beat them, as they beat others, And still are loving friends and brothers. 2. King Edgar was first by day and by night, Did build him a Navy with all his might, Of ships ten thousand great and small, As writters report( with lie and all) When pirates durst as well be hanged, As appear on our coasts, they were so bangd. But oh. 3. The Dane, when the English ships they behold Do tremble more for fear, then for cold, And when they hear the English comes They more do trust to their sails then their guns And away they run to their Lapland witches To buy them a wind to blow in their breeches, But oh. 4. Upon the Mediterranean sea The Italian triumphs, and who but they? Until with their ships and galleys the Turk, With a vengeance makes the Italians work But we make very Tattardemallians Both of the Turk and of the Italians. But oh. 5. With the French as oft as the English do fight, They beat them soundly and give them their right, And make them at first encounter be glad To leap over board as if they were mad, Poor Monsieur who had rather be drowned Then 'gainst the English to stand his ground. But oh. 6. Next come the Spaniard in eighty eight And thinks to conquer all England strait, But we taught them this proverb at their return That they came for wool, and went home again shorn, And since full oft at Cales & Canaries Have paid them soundly for all their fegaries But oh. 7. Now heaven preserve our Navy long, And make it every day more strong, And above all, heaven grant that we May mongst ourselves but well agree, And then a fig for the Spaniard and Dane, The Italian, the Turk, and the devil again and Though The Hollander be the sturdyst of all And all he meets doth beat and mawl, Yet we'll beat them as they beat others, And still be loving friends and brothers. Here all the Rabble vanishes at sight of Brittania and Oceanus appearing enthroned in state, &c. and sound of delicate music introducing the last Dance of two gallantly clad, representing the Nobility and Gentry, who dance to a Courtly measure. Two in civil black Representing the burgess & Citizen, who dance a Galliard. And lastly, two Country swains in all their Country bravery, dancing a jig, or Country dance. After which they pause, while this following Song is sung by way of Epologue. The Song. THe marriage of this royal pair, Aloud proclaimed everywhere, Nobility, gentry, Citizen, and Honest Swain, or countryman, Every one in dance declare How highly they contented are; And having finished their Ball, For conclusion of all, There remains no more to do But to' declare that you're contented too. Here they all join in their main Dance which ended, the Curtain falls, and Representation ends. FINIS.