THE Sun's-Darling: A Moral Masque: As it hath been often presented at Whitehall, by their Majesty's Servants; and after at the Cockpit in Drury Lane, with great Applause. Written by john Foard and Tho. Decker Gent. LONDON, Printed by I. Bell, for Andrew Penneycuicke, Anno Dom. 1656. To the Right Honourable THOMAS WRIATHESLEY, Earl of Southampton, Lord WRIATHSLEY, of Tichfield, etc. MY LORD! HErodotus Reports that the Egyptians by Wrapping their Dead in Glass, presents them lively to all Posterity; But your Lordship will do more, by the Vivifying beams of your Acceptation, Revive the parents of this Orphan Poem, and make them live to Eternity. While the Stage flourished, the POEM lived by the breath of General Applauses, and the Virtual Fervour of the Court; But since hath languished for want of heat, and now near shrunk up with Cold, creeps (with a shivering fear) to Extend it selse at the Flames of your Benignity. My Lord, though it seems Rough and Forlorn, It is the issue of Worthy parents, and we doubt not, but you will find it accomplished with their Virtue. Be pleased then (my Lord) to give it entertainment, the more Destitute and needy it is, the Greater Reward may be challenged by your Charity; and so being sheltered under your Wings, and Comforted by the Sunshine of your Favour, it will become Proof against the Injustice of Time, and like one of Demetrius' statues appear fresher and fresher to all Ages. My Lord, were we not Confident of the Excellence of the Piece, we should not dare to Assume an impudence to prefer it to a Person of your HONOUR, and KNOWN JUDGEMENT; whose HEARTS are ready SACRIFICES, to your NAME and HONOUR, Being my Lord Your Lordship's most humble, and most Obligedly, Submissive Servants, Theophilus Bird. Andrew Penneycuicke. Upon the SUN'S DARLING. IS he then found? Phoebus make holiday; Tie up thy Steeds; And let the Cyclops Play; Mulciber leave thy Anvil, and be trim; Comb thy black muzzle, be no longer Grim; Mercury be quick, with mirth furnish the heavens, Jove, this day let all run at fix and sevens; And Ganymede be nimble, to the Brim Fill Bouls of Nectar, that the Gods may swim, To solemnize their healths that did discover The obscure being of the sun's fond lover. That from the Example of their liberal mirth We may enjoy like freedom on Earth. john Tatham, READER. IT is not here intended to present thee with the perfect Analogy betwixt the World and man, which was made for Man; Nor their Coexistence, the World determining with Man this: I presume hath been by others Treated on, But drawing the Curtain of this moral, you shall find him in his progression as followeth. The first Season. PResent him in the Twilight of his age Nor Pot-gun-proof, and, yet he'll have his page: This small Knight-Errant will encounter things Above his perch, and like the partridge Springs. The second Season. Folly, his squire, the Lady Humour brings. Who in his ear far sweeter Novels sings. He follows them; forsakes the April Queen, And now the Noontide of his age is seen. The third Season. AS soon as Nerved with strength, he becomes Weak, Folly and Humour, doth his reason break; Hurries him from his Noontide to his even; From Summer to his 〈◊〉 he is driven. The fourth Season. ANd now the Winter, or his nonage takes him: The sad remembrance of his errors wakes him; Folly and Humour, Fain he'd cast away, But they will never leave him, till he's Clay. Thus Man as Clay Descends, Ascends in spirit; Dust, goes to dust, The soul unto its Merit. The Names of the Persons. Phoebus the Sun, Winter. Raybright the sun's Darling Conceit. Lady Spring. Detraction Youth, Time. Delight, Priest of the Sun. Health. Folly. Summer. A Soldier. Plenty. A Spaniard. Pomona. An Italian Dancer. Cupid. A French tailor. Fortune. A Forester. Autumn. Aeolus. Bacchanalian. Maskers. Bounty. 3 Clowns. THE Sun's-Darling. ACT. I. AN ALTAR. Enter the Priest of the Sun. Raybright discovered sleeping. Pr. LEt your tunes, you sweet-voiced spears, overtake him: Charm his fancies, open his ears, now awake him. begin. SONG. Fancies are but streams of vain pleasure: They who by their dreams true joys measure; Feasting, starve; laughing, weep; playing smart, whilst in sleep fools with shadows smiling, wake and and find hopes like wind, Idle hopes beguiling. Thoughts fly away, Time hath past'em Wake now, awake, see and taste'em. Ray. That I might ever slumber, and enjoy Contents as happy as the soul's best wishes Can fancy or imagine, 'tis a cruelty Beyond example, to usurp the peace I sat enthroned in, who was't plucked me from it. Pr. Young man look hither. Ray. Good; I envy not The pomp of your high office; all preferment Of earthly glories are to me diseases, Infecting those found parts which should preserve The flattering retribution to my thankfulness; The times are better to me; there's no taste Left on the palate of my discontent To catch at empty hopes, whose only blessedness Depends on being miserable. Pr. Raybright Thou drawst thy great descent from my grand patron the Sun; whose priest I am. Ray. For small advantage; He who is high-born never mounts von battlemen Of sparkling stars, unless I be in spirit As humble as the child of one that sweats To eat the dear-earned bread of honest thrift. Pr. Hast thou not flowed in honours? Ray. honours, I'd not be baited with my fears Of losing 'em, to be their monstrous creature An age together, 'tis beside as comfortable To die upon the embroidery of the grass, Unwound, as to ser a world at gaze, Whilst from a pinnacle I tumble down And break my neck, to be talked of, and wondered at. Pr. You have worn rich habits. Fine Ass-trappings. A Pedlar's heir turned gallant, follows fashion, Can by a cross-legged Tailor be transformed Into a Jackanapes of passing bravery: 'Tis a stout happiness to wear good clothes, Yet live and die a fool— mew. Pr. You have had choice Of beauties to enrich your marriage-bed. Ray. Monkeys and paraquitoes are as pretty To play withal, though not indeed so gentle. honesty's indeed a fine jewel, but the Indies Where it grows is hard to be discovered, troth sir I care for no long travels with lost labour. Pr. Pleasures of every sense have been your servants, whenas you've commanded them. Ray. To threaten ruin, Corrupt the purity of knowledge, wrest Desires of better life, to those of these This scurvy one, this life scarce worth the keeping. Pr. 'Tis melancholy, and too fond indulgence To your own dulled affections: sway your judgement, You could not else be thus lost, or suspect The care your ancestor the Sun takes of ye. Ray. The care, the scorn he throw; on me. Pr. Fie, fie; Have you been sent out into strange lands, Seen Courts of foreign Kings, by them been graced, To bring home such neglect. Ray. I have reason for't. Pr. Pray show it. Ray. Since my coming home I have found More sweets in one unprofitable dream, Then in my lives whole pilgrimage. Pr. Your fantasy Misleads your judgement vainly, sir in brief I am to tell you, how I have received From your Progenitor, my Lord, the Sun, A token, that he visibly will descend From the celestial orb to gratify all your wild longings. Ray. Very likely, when pray: The world the whiles shall be beholding to him For a long night, new married men will curse, Though their brides tickle for't, oh! candle and lanthorn Will grow to an excessive rate i'th' City. Pr. These are but flashes of a brain disordered. Contain your float of spleen in seemly bounds, Your eyes shall be your witness. Ray. He may come. Enter Time with a whip, whipping Follie before him. Tim. Hence, hence, thou shame of nature, mankind's foil: Time whips thee from the world, kicks thee, and scorns thee. Fol. Whip me from the world, why whip? am I a dog, a cur, a mongrel: baw waw. Do thy worst, I defy thee. Sings. I will roar and squander, Cousin, and be drunk too; I will maintain my Pander, Keep my Horse, and P●nok too; brawl and scuffle, shifted and shuffle, Swagger in my Potmeals: dams rank with; do mad prank with Roaring boars and oatmeals, Pox a time, I care not, being passed 'tis nothing: I le be free and spare not▪ sorrows are lives 〈◊〉: melancholy is but folly, Mirth and youth are plotters. Time go hang thee, I will bang thee, Though I die in corners. And what think you of this, you old doting moth-eaten bearded 〈◊〉 as I am Folly by the mother's side, and a time-bred Gentleman, I will sing thee to death, if thou 〈◊〉 me; Cannot a man of fashion, for 〈◊〉, put on now and then his working-day robes of humility, but he must presently be subject to a Beadle's rod of Correction; go mend thyself Cannibal, 'tis not without need, I am sure the Times were never more beggarly and proud, waiting-women flaunt it in Cast-suits, and their Ladies fall for 'em; knaves over-brave wise men, while wise men ●and with cap and knee to fools: Pitiful Time! pitiful Ty. Out foul, prodigious, and abortive birth; Behold the sand glass of thy days is broke Fol. Bring me another, I'll shatter that too. Ty. No; thoust misspent thy hours, lavish fool, like The circuit of thy life, in ceaseless riots It is not therefore fit that thou shouldst live In such a Court as the sun's Majesty vouchsafes to illuminate with his bright beams. Fol. In any Court, father baldpate, where my granam the Moon shows her horns, except the Consistory Court, and there she need not appear; Cuckolds Carry such sharp stilettoes in their foreheads, I'll live here and laugh at the bravery of ignorance, maugre thy scurvy and abominable beard. Ty. Priest of the Sun 'tis near about the minute, thy Patron will descend, scourge hence this trifle; Time is ne'er lost, till in the common Schools Of impudence, time meets with wilful fools. Exit. Fol. Farewell 1538, I might have said five thousand, but the others long enough a Conscience to be honest Conditioned, pox on him; it's a notable railing whipper, of a plain Time whipper. Pre. You heard the charge he left. Fol. ay, ay, a may give a charge, 'a has been a petty Court holder ever since he was a minute old, he took you for a foreman of a Jury Ray. Pray sir, what are you? Fol. no matter what, what are you? Ray. Not as you are, I thank my better fates, I am grand child to the Sun. Fol. And I am x german, some two or three hundred removes off, to the Moon, and my name is Folly. Ray, Folly, sir of what quality? Fol. Quality; any quality in fashion: Drinking, Whoring, Singing, Dancing, Dicing, Swearing, Roaring 〈◊〉 oisting, Lying▪ Cogging, Canting, lcetero, will you have any more. Ray. you have a merry heart, if you can guide it. Fol. Yes faith; so, so, I laugh not at those whom I fear, I fear not those whom I love, and I love not any whom I laugh not at, pretty strange humour, is't not? Ray. To any one that knows you not, it is. Pre. You must a void. Enter Recorders. Fol. Away away, I have no such meaning indeed-la. Pre. Hark the fair hour is come, draw to the Altar, And with amazement, reverence, and comfort Behold the broad eyed lamp of heaven descending,— Stand— The Sun above. Fol. Oh brave! Pre. Stand. SONG. Glorious and bright, lo here we bend Before thy throne, trembling, attend Thy sacred pleasures, be pleased then To shower thy comforts down, that men May freely taste in life's extremes The influence of thy powerful dreams. Roy. Let not my fate too swiftly run, Till thou acknowledge me thy sun. Oh there's no joy even from the womb, Of frailty: till we be called home. Fol. Now am I an arrant rascal, and cannot speak one word for myself, if I were hanged. Sun. Raybright. Pre. It calls ye, answer. Ray. Lord and Father. Sun. We know thy cares, appear to give release, Boldly make thy demands, tor we will please To grant whate'er thou sayst for▪ Ray. Fair beamed sir; I dare not greedily prefer Eternity of earth's delights, Before that duty which invites My filial piety, in this Your love shall perfect my heart's bliss; If I, but for one only year, Enjoy the several pleasures here, With every season in his kind, Can bless a mortal with. Sun. I find Thy reason breeds thy appetite, and grant it Thou masterest thy desire, and shall not want it; To the spring garden let him be conveyed, And entertained there by that lovely maid: All the varieties the Spring can show, Be subject to his will. Pre. Lights Lord, we go. Fol. And I will follow, that am not in love with such fopperies. Exit. Sun. We must descend, and leave a while our sphere To greet the world— ha, there does now appear A circle in this round, of beams that shine, As if their friendly lights would darken mine: No let 'em shine out still, for these are they, By whose sweet favours, when our warmths decay, Even in the storms of winter, daily nourish Our active motions, which in Summer flourish By their fair quickening dews of noble loves: Oh may you all like stars, whilst swift time moves, Stand fixed in firmaments of blessed contents: meanwhile recreations we present, Shall strive to please; I have the foremost tract; Each season else begins and ends an Act. Exit. Actus Secundus. Enter Spring, Raybright, Youth, Health and Delight. Spr. Welcome the mother of the year, the Spring; That mother on whose back age ne'er can sit. For age still waits upon her that Spring the Nurse; Whose milk the Summer sucks, and is made wanton. Physician to the sick, strength to the sound; By whom all things above, and underground Are quickened with new heat, fresh blood, brave vigour, That Spring on thy fair cheeks, in kisses lays Ten thousand welcomes, free as are those rays From which thy name thou borrowest: glorious name! Raybright, as bright in person as in 〈◊〉 Ray. Your eyes amazed me first, but now mine ears Feel your tongues charms, in you move all the spheres. Ch Lady! would the Sun, which gave me life, Had never sent me to you. Spr. Why! all my veins Shrink up, as if cold Winter were come back, And with his frozen beard have numbed my lips To hear that sigh fly from you. Ray. Round about me A firmament of such full blessings shine, I in your sphere seem a star more divine Than in my Father's Chariot; should I ride One year about the world in all his pride. Sp. Oh that sweet breath revives me! if thou never Partest hence (as part thou shalt not) be happy ever. Ray. I know I shall. Spr. Thou to buy, whose state? king's would lay down their crowns, fresh Youth wait, I charge thee, on my darling. Tou. Madam I shall, And on his smooth check such sweet roses set, You still shall sit to gather then, and when Their colours fade, brave shall spring again. Spr. Thou (without whom they that have hills of gold Are slaves and wretches) Health that canst nor be sold Nor bought, I charge thee make his heart a tower Guarded, for there lies the spring's paramour. Hea. One of my hands is writing still in heaven, (For that's health's library) tother on the earth Is Physics treasurer, and what wealth those lay Up for my queen, all shall his will obey▪ Ray. Mortality sure falls from me▪ Spr. Thou! to whose tunes The five nice Senses dance; thou that dost spin Those golden threads all women love to wind, And but for whom, man would cut off mankind. Delight not base, but noble, touch thy lyre, And fill my Court with brightest Delphic fire. Del. Hover, you winged Musicians, in the air; Clouds leave your dancing, no winds stir but fair. Hea. Leave blustering March— SONG. What bird so sings, yet so does wail, 'Tis Philomel the Nightingale; jug, jug, jug, Terve she cries, And hating earth, to heaven she flies— Cuckoo. Ha, ha, hark, hark, the cuckoos sing Cuckoo, to welcome in the Spring. Brave pricksong; who is't now we hear! 'Tis the lark's silver leer a leer: Chirup the Sparrow flies away; For he fell too't ere break of day. Ha, ha, hark, hark, the Cuckoos sing Cuckoo, to welcome in the Spring. Spr. How does my sun-born sweetheart like his queen; Her court, her train. Ray. Wondrous, such ne'er were seen. Hea. Fresher and fresher pastimes, one delight Is a disease to th'wanton appetite. Del. Music take Echoes voice, and dance quick rounds To thine own times in repercussive sounds. Exit. Echo of Cornets. Spr. Enough? I will not weary thee, pleasures change▪ Thou, as the Sun in a free zodiac range.— Enter Delight. Del. A company of rural fellows, faced Like lovers of your Laws, beg to be graced Before your Highness, to present their sport▪ Spr. What is't? Del. A Morris. Spr. Give them our Court: Stay, these dull birds may make thee stop thine ear, Take thou my lightning, none but Laurel here Shall scape thy blasting; whom thou wilt confound Smite; let those stand, who in thy choice sit crowned. Ray. Let these then, I may surfeit else on sweets. Sound sleeps do not still lie in princes' sheets. Spr. Beckon the Rurals in, the Country-gray Seldom ploughs treason, shouldst thou be stolen away. By great ones, that's my fear. Ray. Fear it not Lady; Should all the world's black sorceries be laid To blow me hence, I move not. Spr. I am made Morris In that word the earth's Empress— Are not these sports too rustic? Ray. No; pretty and pleasing. Spr. My youngest girl, the violet-breathing May, Being told by Flora that my love dwelled here, Is come to do you service, will you please To honour her arrival. Ray. I shall attend. Spr. On them, and bid my rosy-fingered May Rob hills and dales, with sweets to strew his way. Morris Exit. Ray. An Empress, sayst thou, fallen in love with me. Fol. she's a great woman, and all great women wish to be Empresses; her name, the Lady Humour. Ray. Strange name, I never saw her, knew her not: What kind of creature is she? Fol. Creature! of a skin soft as Pomatum, sleek as Jelly, white as blanched Almonds; no mercer's wife ever handled yard with a prettier breath; sweet as a monkey's; lips of cherries, teeth of pearl, eyes of diamond, foot and leg as— Ray. And what's thy name? Fol. 'Tis but a folly to tell it, my name is Folly. Ray. Fumor and Folly; to my listening ear Thy lady's praises often have been sung, The trumpet sounding forth her graceful beauties. Kindles high flames within me to behold her. Fol. she's as hot as you for your heart. Ray. This Lady, called the Spring, is an odd trifle. Fol. A green sickness thing, I came by the way of a hobby-horse letter of Attorney, sent by my Lady as a spy to you: Spring a hot Lady, a few fields and garden's lass, can you feed upon salads and tanzies, eat like an Ass upon grass every day at my Ladies, comes to you now a Goose, now a Woodcock, nothing but fowl; fowl pies, platters all covered with foul, and is not fowl very good fare? Ray. Yea marry is't sir, the fowl being kept clean. My admiration wastes itself in longings To see this rare piece, I'll see her; what are Kings, were not their Pleasures varied; shall not mine then? should day Last ever, 'twould be loathed as night. Change is the sauce that sharpens appetite; The way, I'll to her. Fol. The way is windy and narrow; for look you, I do but wind this Cornet, and if another answer it, she comes. Ray. Be quick then— Cornets. Enter Humour, a Soldier, a Spaniard, an Italian Dance, a French Tailor. Hum. Is this that slower the Spring so dotes upon? Fol. This is that honeysuckle, she sticks in her ruff. Hum. A bedfellow for a Fairy. Ray. Admired perfection! You let my praises to so high a tune, My merits cannot reach 'em. Hum. My heartstrings shall then, As mine eye gives that sentence on thy person; And never was mine eye a corrupt Judge, That Judge to save thee would condemn a world, And lose mankind to gain thee; 'tis not the Spring▪ With all her gaudy arbours, nor perfumes Sent up in flattering incense to the Sun, For shooting glames at her, and for sending Whole quires of singers to her every morn, With all her amorous fires, can heat thy blood as I can with one kiss. Ray. The rose-lipped dawning Is not so melting, so delicious. Turn me into a bird that I may sit Still singing in such boughs. Fol. What bird? Sol. A Ringtail. Hu. Thou shalt be turned to nothing but to mine, My Mine of pleasures which no hand shall rifle But this, which in warm Nectar baths the palm: Invent some other tires; music; stay; none Fol. Heyday. Hu. New gowns, fresh fashions, I am not brave enough To make thee wonder at me. Ray. Not the Moon Riding at midnight in her crystal Chariot, With all her Courtiers in their robes of stars Is half so glorious. Hu. This feather was a bird of Paradise, Shall it be yours. Ray. No Kingdom buys it from me. Fol. Being in fools paradise he must not lose his bauble. Ray. I am wrapped. Fol. In your mother's smock. Ra. I am wrapped above man's being, in being sphered In such a globe of rarities, but say Lady What these are that attend you. Hu. All my attendants Shall be to the sworn servants. Fol. Folly is sworn to him already, never to leave him. Ray. He. Fol. A French Gentleman that trails a Spanish pike. A Tailor. Tay. we monsieur, heigh nimbla upon de cross caper, me take a de measure of de body from de top a de noddle to de heel and great toe, oh stish de fine: dis collar is cut out in anger scurvy, ohais beeshes pincha de bum, me put one French yard into de toder●ose. Fol. N. French yards, they want a yard at least. Ray. Shall I be brave then? Hu. Golden as the sun. Re What's he that looks so smickly? Fol. A Flounder in a frying-pan, still skipping, one that loves mutton so well, he always carries capers about him; his brains lie in his legs, and his legs serve him to no other use then to do tricks, as if he had bought 'em of a Juggler, he's an Italian dancer, his name— Dan. Signior Lavolta (Messer mio) me tesha all de bella Corantoes, galliardaes, piamettaes, capeorettaes, amorettas dolche dolche to declamante do bona robaes de Tuscana. Ray. I ne'er shall be so nimble. Fol. Yes, if you power quicksilver into your shinbones, as he does. Ray. This now? Fol. A most sweet Spaniard. Spa. A Confecianador, which in your tongue is, a comfit-maker of Toledo, I can teach sugar to slip down your throat a million of ways. Fol. And the throat has but one in all, oh Toledo! Spa. In Conserves, candies, marmalades, sinkadoes, ponadoes, marablane, Bergamo●u, aranxues muria, lemons, berengenas of Toledo, oriones, potatoes of Malage, and ten millions more. Fol. Now 'tis ten millions, a Spaniard can multiply. Spa. I am your servitor. Rey. My palate pleased to what's this last? Sol. I am a Gun that can roar, two stilettoes in one sheath, I can fight and bounce too, my Lady by me, presents this sword and belt to you Ray 〈◊〉 Mistress. Hu. Put 〈◊〉 on. Sol. I'll drill you how to give the lie, and stab in the punto, if you dare not fight, then how to vamp a rotten quarrel without ado. Ray▪ How: dare not fight! there's in me the sun's fire. Hu. No more of this, dances awake the music▪ Oyes! Music! Ray. No more of this, this sword arms me for battle. Hu. Come then, let thou and I rise up in arms, The field embraces, kisses our alarms. Fol. A dancer and a sailor, yet stand still: strike up-Dance. Enter Spring, Health, Youth, Delight Spr. Oh! thou enticing strumpet, how durst thou Throw thy voluptuous spells about a Temple That's consecrate to me. Hu. Poor Spring, goody herbwife; How dar'st thou cast a glance on this rich jewel I ha' bought for mine own wearing. Spr. Bought! art thou sold then? Ray. Yes, with her gifts, she buys me with her graces. Heal. Graces! A Witch. Spr. What can she give thee. Ray. All things. Spr. Which I for one bubble cannot add a sea too. Fol. And show him a hobby-horse in my likeness. Spr. My Raybright, hear me; I regard not these. Ray. What dowry can you bring me? Spr. Dowry! ha! is't come to this? am I held poor and base? A girdle make, whose buckles stretched toth' length Shall reach from th'Arctic to th'Antarctic pole: What ground soever thou canst with that enclose I'll give thee freely, not a Lark that calls The morning up, shall build on any turf But she shall be thy tenant, call thee Lord, And for her rent pay thee in change of songs. Ray. I must turn birdcatcher. Fol. Do you think to have him for a song? Hu. Live with me still; and all the measures played to by the spheres, I'll teach thee; Let's but thus dally, all the pleasures The Moon beholds, her man shall reach thee. Ray. Divinest! Fol. Here's a Lady. Spr. Is't come to who gives most? The self same Bay tree into which was turned: Peneian Daphne, I have still kept green; That tree shall now be thine, about it sit: All the old poets with fresh Laurel Crowned, Singing in verse the praise of chastity; Hither when thou shalt come, they all shall rise, Sweet Cantoes of thy love, and mine to sing: And invoke none but thee as Delian King. Ray. Live by singing ballets? Folly Oh! base, turn poet, I would not be one myself. Hu. Dwell in mine arms, aloft we'll hover, And see fields of armies fighting: Oh! part not from me, I will discover There, all but books of fances writing; Del. Not far off stands the Hipocrenian well, Whither I'll lead thee, and but drinking there, To welcome thee, nine Muses shall appear: And with full bowls of knowledge thee inspire. Ray. Hang knowledge, drown your muse. Fol. ay, ●, or they'll drown themselves in Sack & Claret Hu. Do not regard their toys, Be but my darling, age to free thee From her curse, shall fall a dying; Call me their Empress; time to see thee Shall for get his art of flying. Ray. Oh! my all excellence. Sp. Speak thou for me; I am fainting. Heal. Leave her, take this and travel, tell the world I'll bring thee in to all the Courts of Kings; Where thou shalt stay, and learn their languages; Kiss Ladies, revel out the nights in dancing: The day, manly pastimes; snatch from time His glass, and let the golden sands run forth As thou shalt jog them, riot it, go brave; Spend half a world, my Queen shall bear thee out: Yet all this while, though thou climb hills of years, Shall not one wrinkle sit upon thy brow, Nor any sickness shake thee; Youth and Health, As slaves, shall lackey by thy Chariot wheels; And who, for two such jeweller, would not sell The East, and West Indies; both are thine, so that— Ray. What? Fol. All lies gallop o'er the world, and not grow old, nor be sick; a lie; one gallant went but into France last day, & was never his own man since, another stepped but into the low Countries, and was drunk dead under the table, another did but peep into England, and it cost him more in good morrows blown up to him under his window, by Drums and Trumpets, than his whole voyage, besides he run mad upon't. Hu. Here's my last farewell, ride along with me; I'll raise by art, out of base earth, a palace; Whither thyself, waving a Crystal stream, Shall call together the most glorious spirits Of all the Kings that have been in the world; And they shall come only to feast with thee. Ray. Rare! Hu. At one end of this palace shallbe heard That Music which gives motion to the Heaven; And in the middle Orpheus shall sit and weep, For sorrow that his Luce had not the charms To bring his fair Eurydice from hell; Then at another end— Ray. I'll hear no more; This ends your strife, you only I adore. Sp. Oh! I am sick at heart; unthankful man 'tis thou hast wounded me, farewell, she is led in. Ray. Farewell? Fol. Health, recover her; sirrah Youth, look to her. Hea. That bird that in her nest sleeps out the spring May fly in Summer, but with sickly wing. Exit. Ray. I owe thee for this pill, Doctor. Hu. The Spring will Die sure. Ray. Leather? Hu. If she does, Folly here is a kind of a foolish poet, And he shall write her Epitaph. Ray. Against the morning See it then writ, and I'll reward thee for it. Fol. It shall not need. Ray. 'Tis like it shall not need, this is your Folly, Hu. He shall be ever yours. Fol. I hope ever to be mine own folly, he's one of our fellows. Hu. In triumph now I lead thee; no, be thou Cesar, And lead me. Ray Neither; we'll ride with equal state Both in one Chariot, since we have equal fate▪ Hu. Each do his office to this man your Lord; For though Delight, and Youth, and Health should leave him, This Ivory gated palace shall receive him. Exit. Actus Tertius., Enter Raybright Melancholy. Ray. OH my dear love the Spring, I am cheated of thee; Thou hadst a body the four elements Dwelled never in a fairer; a mind princely? Thy language like thy fingers, Musical. How cool wert thou in anger, in thy diet How temperate, and yet sumptuous; thou wouldst not waste The weight of a sad violet in excess; yet still thy board had dishes numberless. Dumb beasts even loved thee; once a young Lark Sat on thy hand, and gazing on thine eyes Mounted and sung, thinking them moving skies— Enter Follie. Fol. I ha' done my Lord: my Muse has pumped hard for an Epitaph upon the late departed Spring, and here her lines spring up. Ray. Read. Fol. Read; so I will, pleas you to reach me your high ears. Here lies the blithe Spring, Who first taught birds to sing; Yet in April herself fell a crying: Then May growing hot A sweating sickness she got, And the first of june lay a dying. Yet no month can say But her merry daughter May Stuck her Coffin with flowers great plenty. The Cuckoo sung in verse An Epitaph o'er her hearse, But assure you the lines were not dainty. Ray. No more are thine, thou Idiot; hast thou none To poison with thy nast jigs but mine, My matchless frame of nature, creation's wonder, Out of my sight. Fol. I am not in't, if I were, you'd see but scurvily; you find fault as Patrons do with books, to give nothing. Ray. Yes balled one, beastly base one, blockish away; Vex me not fool, turn out a doors your roarer, French Tailor, and that Spanish gingerbread, And your Italian skipper; then sir, yourself. Fol. myself! Carbonado me, bastinado me, strappado me, hang me, I'll not stir; poor Folly, honest Folly, jocundary Folly forsake your Lordship; no true Gentleman hates me, and how many women are given daily to me (if I would take 'em) some not far off know; Tailor gone, Spanish fig gone, all gone but I— Enter Humour. Hu. My waiters coited off by you, you flay them; Whence come these thunderbolts, what furies haunt you? Ray. You. Fol. she! Ray. Yes, and thou. Fol. Baw waw. Ray. I shall grow old, diseased, and melancholy; For you have robbed me both of Youth and Health, And that delight my Spring bestowed upon me: But for you two, I should be wondrous good; By you I have been cozened, baffled, and torn From the embracements of the noblest creature. Hu. Your Spring. Ray. Yes she, even she, only the Spring: One morning spent with her, was worth ten nights With ten of the prime beauties in the world: She was unhappy never, but in two sons, March a rude roaring fool. Fol. And April a whining puppy. Hu. But May was a fine piece. Ray. Mirror of faces. Fol. Indeed May was a sweet creature, and yet a great raiser of maypoles. Hu. When will you sing my praises thus? Ray. Thy praises, that art a common creature. Hu. Common! Ray. Yes, common: I cannot pass through any PRINCE's Court, Through any Country, Camp, Town, City, Village, But up your name is cried, nay cursed; a vengeance On this your debauched Humour. Fol. A Vintner spoke those very words last night, to a company of roaring boys, that would not pay their reckoning. Ray. How many bastards hast thou? Hu. None. Ray. 'Tis a lie, be judge by this your squire else. Fol. Squire! worshipful Mr Folly. Ray. The Courtier has his Humour, has he not Folly? Fol. Yes marry has he, folly; the Courtier's humour is to be brave, and not pay for't; to be proud, and no man cares for't. Ray. Brave Ladies have their humours. Fol. Who has to do with that, but brave Lords. Ray. Your Citizens have brave humours. Fol. Oh! but their wives have tickling humour. Hu. Yet done. Fol. Humour Madam, if all are your bastards that are given to humour you, you have a company of as arrant rascals to your children, as ever went toth' gallows; a Collier being drunk jostled a Knight into the kennel, and cried 'twas his humour; the Knight broke his coxcomb, and that was his humour. Ray. And yet you are not common. Hu. No matter what I am: Rail, curse, be frantic, get you to the tomb Of your rare Mistress; dig up your dead Spring And lie with her, kiss her; me, have you lost▪ Fol. And I scorn to be found. Ray. Stay: must I lose all comfort, dearest stay; There's such a deal of magic in those eyes, I'm charmed to kiss these only. Fol. Are you so? kiss on, I'll be kissed some where I warrant. Ray. I will not leave my Folly for a world. Folly Nor I you for ten. Ray. Nor thee my love, for worlds piled upon worlds. Hu. If ever for the Spring you do but sigh, I take my bells. Fol. And I my hobby-horse,— Will you be merry than, and jawfand. Ray. As merry as the cuckoos of the spring, Fol. Again. Ray. How Lady, lies the way? Hu. I'll be your convoy, And bring you to the Court of the sun's queen, (Summer a glorious and majestic creature) Her face outshining the poor Springs, as far As a sunbeam does a lamp, the moon a star. Ray. Such are the spheres I'd move in, attend: us Folly. Ext. Enter Raybright and Humour. Ray▪ I muse, my nimble Folly stays so long. Hu. he's quick enough of foot, and counts, I swear) That minute cast away, not spent on you. Ray. His company is music, next to yours; Both of you are a Consort; and I, your tunes Lull me asleep, and when I most am sad, My sorrows vanish from me in soft dreams: But how far must we travel, is it our motion Puts us in this heat; or is the air In love with us, it clings with such embraces, It keeps us in this warmth, Hu. This shows, her Court Is not far off, you covet so to see: Her subjects seldom kindle needless fires, The Sun lends them his flames. Ray. Has she rare buildings. Hu. Magnificent and curious; every noon The horses of the day bait there, whilst he (Who in a golden Chariot makes them gallop In twelve hours o'er the world) alights a while, To give a love-kiss to the Summer queen. Ray. And shall we have fine sights there? Hn. Oh! Ray. And hear more ravishing music? Bu. All the quiristers That learned to sing i'th' Temple of the Spring; But her attain such cunning, that when the winds Roar and are mad, and clouds in antic gambols Dance o'er our head, their voices have such charms, They'll all stand still to listen— Ray. Excellent. Enter Follie. Fol. I sweat like a pampered jade of Asia, and drop like a Cob-nut out of Africa— Enter a Forester. For. Back: whither go you? Oyes! this way. For. None must pass: Here's kept no open Court; our Queen this day Rides forth a hunting, and the air being hot, She will not have rude throngs to stifle her— back Ext. Enter Summer and Delight. Sum. And did break her heart then▪ Del. Yes with disdain. Sum. The heart of my dear mother nurse the Spring, I'll break his heart for 't● had she not a face, Too tempting for a jove. Del. The graces sat, On her fair eyelids ever, but his youth Lusting for change, so doted on a Lady, Fantastic, and yet fair; a piece of wonder: They call her Humour; and her parasite Folly, He cast the sweet Spring off, and turned us from him; Yet his celestial kinsman, for young Raybright Is the Snns darling: knowing his journeying hither To see thy glorious Court, sends me before To attend on you, and spend all my hours In care for him— Enter Sun. Recorders. Sum. Obey your charge— oh thou builder, Of me thy hand maid! Landlord of my life, Life of my love, throne where my glories sit; I ride in triumph on a silver cloud; Now I but see thee. Sun. Rise; is Raybright come yet. Del. Not yet. Sun. Be you indulgent over him, And lavish thou thy treasure— Enter Plenty. Plen. Our princely x Raybright, Your darling, and the world's delight, is come. Sun. who with them. Ple. A goddess in a woman, attended By a prating saucy fellow, called Folly. Sun. They'll confound him, but he shall run, Go and receive him. Sun. Your sparkling eyes, and his arrival, draws Heaps of admirers; earth itself will sweat To bear our weights; vouchsafe, bright power, to borrow Winds not too rough from Aeolus, to fan Our glowing faces Sun. I will: ho Aeolus; Unlock the jail, and lend a wind or two, To fan my girl the Summer. Aeo. I will. Sun. No roarers. Aeo. No. Hoboyes, Sun. Quickly. The Sun takes his heat above. Aeo. Fly you slaves, Summer sweats; cool her. Enter Summer, Raybright, Humour, Plenty, Folly, Country-fellows and Wenches. SONG. Hay-makers, Rakers, Reapers and Mowers, Wait on your Summer-Queen, Dress up with Musk-rose her eglantine bowers, Daffodils strew the green, Sing dance and play 'Tis Holy day. the Sun does bravely shine on our ears of corn. Rich as a pearl comes every girl, this is mine, this is mine, this is mine; Let us die, ere away they be born. Bow to the Sun, to our Queen, and that fair one come to behold our sparts, Each bonny lass here is counted a rare one, as those in PRINCE's Courts. these and we with Country glee will teach the woods to resound, and the hills with echoes hollow: skipping lambs their bleating dams 'mongst kids shall trip it round, for joy thus our wenches we follow. Wind, jolly Huntsmen, your neat Bugles shrilly, Hounds make a lusty cry: Spring up, you falconers, the Partridges freely, then let your brave Hawks fly. Horses amain ever ridg, over plain, the Dogs have the Stag in chase; 'tis a sport to content a King. So ho ho, through the skies how the proud bird flies, and sowcing kills with a grace, Now the Deer falls, hark how they ring.— Sum. Leave off, the Sun is angry, & has drawn A cloud before his face▪ The Sun by degrees is clouded. Hu. He is vexed to see That proud star shine near you, at whose rising The Spring fell sick and died; think what I told you, His coins will kill you else. Sum. It cannot— fair Prince! Though your illustrious name has touched mine ear: Till now I never saw you, nor never saw A man whom I more love, more hate, Ray. Ha Lady! Sum. For him I love you, from whose glittering rays You boast your great name, for that name I hate you, Because you killed my mother, and my nurse. Plen. Killed he my grandmother, Plenty will never Hold you byth' hand again. Sum. You have free leave To thrust your arm into our treasury As deep as I myself: Plenty shall wait Still at your elbow, all my sports are yours, Attendants yours, my state and glory's yours; But these shall be as sunbeams from a glass Reflected on you, not to give you heat To dote on a smooth face, my spirit's too great, Exit. Ray. Divinest! Flourish Hu. Let her go. Fol. And I'll go after, for I must and will have a fling at one of her plum-trees. Ray. I ne'er was scorned till now. Hu. This is that Alteza, That Rhodian wonder, gazed at by the Sun: I feared thine eyes should have beheld a face, The Moon has not a clearer, this! a dowdy, Fol. An ouzel, this a queen-apple; or a crab she gave you. Hu. She bids you share her treasure, but who keeps it. Fol. She points to trees great with child with fruit, but when delivered grapes hang in ropes, but no drawing, not a drop of wine: whole ears of corn lay their ears together for bread, but the devil a bit I can touch. Hu. Be ruled by me once more, leave her. Ray. In scorn, as he does me. Fol. Scorn! If I be not deceived, I ha' seen Summer go up and down with hot coddlings; and that little baggage, her daughter Plenty, crying six bunches of radish for a penny. Hu. Thou shalt have nobler welcomes, for I'll bring thee To a brave and bounteous housekeeper, free Autumn. Fol. Oh! there's a lad— let's go then. Plen. Where's this Prince, my mother; for the Indies Must not have you part— Ra. Must not? Sum. No; must not. I did but chide thee like a whistling wind Playing with leavy dancers: when I told thee I hated thee, I lied; I dote upon thee. Unlock my garden of th'Hesperides, By dragons kept (the Apples being pure gold) Take all that fruit, 'tis thine. Plen. Love but my mother, I'll give thee corn enough to feed the world. Ray. I need not golden apples, not your corn; What land soe'er, the world's surveyor, the Sun Can measure in a day, I dare call mine: All kingdoms I have right to, I am free Of every Country; in the four elements I have as deep a share as an Emperor; All beasts whom the earth bears are to serve me, All birds to sing to me, and can you catch me With a tempting golden Apple, Plen. she's too good for thee; When she was born, the Sun for joy did rise Before his time, only to kiss those 〈◊〉, Which having touched, he stole from them such store Of light, she shone more bright than e'er before: At which he vowed, whenever thee did die, he'd snatch them up, and in his 〈◊〉 sphere Place them, since she had no two stars so clear. Ray. Let him now snatch them up away. Hu. Away, and leave this gipsy. Sun. Oh! I am lost. Ray. Love scorned, of no triumph more than love can boast. Exit. Plen. This strump will confound him. Recorders. Sum. She has me deluded— Enter Sun. Sun. Is Raybright gone. Sum. Yes, and his spiteful eyes Have shot darts through me. Sun. ay, thy wounds will cure, And lengthen out thy days, his followers gone▪ Cupid and Fortune take you charge of him. Here thou, my brightest Queen, must end thy reign, Some nine months hence I'll shine on thee again. Exeunt. Actus Quartus. Enter Pamona, Raybright, Cupid and Fortune. Ray. YOur entertainment, autumn's bounteous queen, Have feasted me with rarities as delicate, As the full growth of an abundant year Can ripen to my palate. Pom. They are but courtings Of gratitude to our dread Lord the Sun, From whom thou drawest thy name; the feast of fruits Our gardens yield, are much too course for thee; Could we contract the choice of nature's plenty Into one form, and that form to contain All delicates, which the wanton sense Would relish: or desire to invent to please it, The present were unworthy far to purchase A sacred league of friendship. Ray. I have rioted In surfeits of the ear, with various music Of warbling birds; I have smelled perfumes of roses, And every flower with which the fresh-trimmed earth Is mantled in: the Spring could mock my senses With these fine barren lullabies, the Summer Invited my then ranging eyes to look on Large fields of ripened corn, presenting trifles Of waterish petty dainties, but my taste Is only here pleased, tother objects claim The y●e of formal, these are real bounties, Pom. 〈◊〉 can transcend thy wishes, whom the creatures Of every age and quality posts, madding From land to land, and sea to sea to meet, Shall wait upon thy nod, Fortune and Cupid, Love yield thy quiver, and thine arrows up To this great Prince of Time, before him Fortune, Power Power out thy mint of treasures, crown him sovereign Of what his thoughts can glory to command: He shall give payment of a royal prize To Fortune, Judgement, and to Cupid's eyes. Fort. Be a Merchant, I will freight thee With all store that time is bought for. Cup. be a lover, I will wait thee With success in life most sought for. For. Be enamoured on bright honour, And thy greatness shall shine glorious. Cup. Chastity, if thou smile on her, Shall grow servile, thou victorious. Fort. Be a warrior, conquest ever Shall triumphantly renown thee. Cup. Be a Courtier, beauty never Shall but with her duty crown thee. Fort. Fortune's wheel is thine, depose me, I'm thy slave, thy power hath bound me. Cup. Cupid's shafts are thine, dispose me, Love loves love, thy graces wound me. Fort. Cup. Live, reign, piece is fame's jewel; We obey, oh! be not cruel. Ray. You ravish me with infinites, and lay A bounty of more sovereignty and amazement, Than the Atlas of mortality can support— Enter Humour and Follie Hu. What's here. Fol. Nay pray observe. Ray. Be my heart's Empress, build your kingdom there. Hu. With what an earnestness he complies. Fol. Upon my life he means to turn Costermonger, and is projecting how to forestall the market; I shall cry Pippins rarely. Ray. Till now, my longings were ne'er satisfied, And the desires my sensual appetite Were only fed with barren expectations, To what I now am filled with. Fol. Yes we are filled and must be emptied, these wind fruits have distended my guts into a Lenten pudding, there's no fat in them, my belly swells, but my sides fall away, a month of such diet would make me a living Anatomy. Po. These are too little, more are due to him, That is the pattern of his father's glory; Dwell but amongst us, industry shall strive, To make another artificial nature; And change all other seasons into ours. Hu. Shall my heart break, I can contain no longer. Ray. How fares my loved Humour? Hu. A little stirred, no matter, I'll be merry: Call for some Music, do not; I'll be melancholy. Fol. A sullen humour, and common, in a dicer that has lost all his money. Po. Lady! I hope 'tis no neglect of courtesy In us, that so disturbs you, if it rise From any discontent, reveal the cause, It shall be soon removed. Hu. Oh! my heart, help to unlace my gown. Fol. And unlace your petticoat. Hu. Saucy, how now! 'tis well you have some sweet heart, some new fresh sweet heart; i'm a goodly fool to be thus played on, stalled, and foiled. Po. Why Madam? We can be courteous without stain of honour; 'Tis not the raging of a lustful blood That we desire to tame with satisfaction: Nor hath his masculine graces in our breast Kindled a wanton fire, our bounty gives him A welcome free, but chaste and honourable. Hu. Nay 'tis all one, I have a tender heart, Come, come, let's drink. Fol. A humour in fashion with gallants, and brought out of the low Countries. Hu. Fie! there's no music in thee, let us sing. Fol. Here's humour in the right trim, a few more such toys would make the little world of man run mad, as the Puritan that sold his conscience for a May pole— Flourish: shout. Ray. The meaning of this mirth. Po. My Lord is coming. Ray. Let us attend, to humble our best thanks, For these high favours— Enter Autumn & Baccanalian, Humour & Follie. Pom. My dearest Lord, according to th' injunction Of your command, I have with all observance, Given entertainment to this noble stranger. Au. The Sun-born Raybright, minion of my love, Let us be twins in heart, thy grandsires beames Shine graciously upon our fruits, and vines: I am his vassal-servant, tributary: And for his sake, the kingdoms I possess, I will divide with thee, thou shalt command The Lydian Tmolus, and Campanian mounts, To nod their grape-crowned heads into thy bowls, Expressing their rich juice: a hundred grains Both from the baltic and Sicilian fields, Shall be Congested for thy sacrifice 'In Ceres' fane, Tiber shall pay thee Apples, And Sicyon Olives, all the Choicest fruits, Thy Father's heat doth ripen. Ray. Make me but treasurer Of your respected favours, and that honour Shall equal my ambition. Au. My Pomona, Speed to prepare a banquet of novelties; This is a day of rest, and worth whiles, Will sport before our friends, and shorten time With length of wonted revels. Pom. I obey: Will't please you Madam, a retirement From these extremes in men, more tolerable, Will better fit our modesties. Hu. I'll drink, and be a Bacchanalian; no, I will not; Enter, I'll follow; stay, I'll go before. Po. Fe'ne what humour pleaseth. Exit. Flourishes Au. Raybright, a health to Phoebus— Drinks. These are the paeans which we sing to him, And ye wear no bays, our cups are only Crowned with Lyeus' blood, to him a health— Drinks. Ray. I must pledge that too. Au. Now one other health To our grand Patron, called, good fellowship; Whose livery, all our people hereabout Are called in.— Drinks Ray. I am for that too. Au. 'Tis well, let it go round, and as our custom is Of recreations of this nature, join, Your voices, as you drink, in lively notes; Sing jos unto Bacchus. Fol. hay ho's, a god of winds, there's at least four and twenty of them imprisoned in my belly; it I sigh not forth some of them, the rest will break out at the back door; and how sweet the Music of their roaring will be, let an Irishman judge. Ray. He is a songster too. Fol. A very foolish one; my musics natural, and came by inheritance; my father was a French Nightingale, and my mother an English wagtail; I was born a Cuckoo in the Spring, and lost my voice in Summer, with laying my eggs in a sparrow's nest; but I'll venture for one, fill my dish; every one take his own, and when I hold up my finger, off with it. Au. Begin. Fol. Cast away care, he that Loves sorrow, Lengthens not a day, nor can buy tomorrow: Money is trash, and he that will spend it, let him drink merrily, Fortune will send it. Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, oho. Play it off stiffly, we may not part so: merrily etc. Wine is a Charm, it heats the blood too, Cowards it will arm, if the wine be good too; quickens the wit, and makes the back able; scorns to submit to the watch or Constable. Merrily, etc. Plots fly about, give us more liquour; Brothers of a rout, our brains will flow quicker; empty the Cask, score up, we care not, fill all the Pots again, drink on, and spare not, Merrily, etc. Now have I more air than ten Musicians, besides there is a whirlwind in wind in my brains, I could both caper and turn round. Au. Oh! a Dance by all means, Now cease your healths, and in an active motion Bestir ye nimbly, to beguile the hours. Fol. I am for you in that too, 'twill jog down the lees of these rouses into a freer passage; but take heed of sure footing, 'tis a slippery season; many men fall by rising, and many women are raised by falling— Dance Au. How likes our friend this pastime? Ray. Above utterance, Oh! how have I in ignorance and dullness, Run through the progress of so many minutes; Accusing him, who was my life's first author, Of slackness and neglect, whilst I have dreamt The folly of my days in vain expense, Of useless taste and pleasure; pray my Lord Let one health pass about, whilst I be me What course I am to take, for being denizen In your unlimited courtesies. Au. Devise a round, You have your liberty. Ray. A health to autumn's self. And here let time hold still his restless glass, That not another golden sand may fall To measure how it passeth. Au. Continue here with me, and by thy presence Create me favourite to thy fair progenitor; And be mine heir. Ray. I want words to express my thankfulness. Au. whate'er the wanton Spring, When she doth diaper the ground with beauties, Toils for, comes home to Autumn, Summers sweats either in pasturing her furlongs, reaping The crop of bread, ripening the fruits for food, Autumns garners house them, Autumns jollities Feeds on them; I alone in every land Traffic my useful merchandise, gold and jewels, Lordly possessions, are for my commodities Mortgaged and lost, 〈◊〉 Chief moderator Between the cheek-parched Summer, and th' extremes Of Winter's tedious frost; nay, in myself I do contain another teeming Spring▪ Surety of health prosperity of life Belongs to Autumn, if thou then canst hope T' inherit immortality in frailty, live here 〈◊〉 time be spent, yet be not old. Ray. 〈◊〉 the Sun, you are the years great emperor. Au. On now, to new variety of feasts; Princely contents are fit for princely guests, Exit— Ray▪ My Lord I'll follow; sure I am not well. flourish. Fol. Surely I am half drunk, or monstrously mistaken, you mean to stay here belike. Ray. Whither should I go else? Fol. Nay, if you will kill yourself in your own defence, I'll not be of your Jury— Enter Humour. He You have had precious pleasures, choice of drunkenness; will you be gone? Ray. I feel a war within me, And every doubt that resolution kills Springs up a greater in the years revolution; There cannot be a season more delicious, When Plenty (Summer's daughter) empties daily Her cornucopia, filled with choicest viands. Fol. Plenty's horn is always full in the City. Ray. When temperate heat offends not with extremes; When day and night have their distinguishment With a more equal measure. Hu. Ha! in contemplation. Fol. Troubling himself with this windy-guts; this belly-aching Autumn; this Apple john Kent, and warden of fruiterer's hall. Ray. When the bright Sun, with kindly distant beams guilds ripened fruit. Hu. And what fine meditation transports you thus, You study some Encomium Upon the beauty of the garden's Queen, You'd make the paleness to supply the vacancy Of Cinthia's dark defect. Fol. Madam let! but a green sickness chambermaid be throughly steeled, if she get not a better colour in one month, I'll be forfeited to Autumn for ever, and fruit-eat my flesh into a consumption. Hu. Come Raybright, whatsoever suggestions Have won on thy apt weakness, leave these empty And hollow sounding pleasures, that include Only a windy substance of delight, Which every 〈◊〉 altars into air: I'll stay no longer here. Ray. I must. Hu. You shall not, These are adulterate mixtures of vain follies; I'll bring thee Into the Court of Winter, there thy food: Shall not be sickly fruits, but healthful broths, Strong meat and dainty. Fol. Pork, Beef, Mutton, (very sweet Mutton, veal Venison, Capon, fine fat Capon, partridge, Snite, plover, larks, teal admirable Teal, my Lord. Hu. Mystery there, like to another nature, Confects the substance of the choicest fruits, In a rich candy, with such imitation Of form and colour, 'twill deceive the eye: Until the taste be ravished. Fol. Comfits and Caraways, marchpanes and Marmalades Sugar-plums and Poppin-pies, ginger bread and Walnuts Hu. Nor is his bounty limited, he'll not spare T'exhaust the treasure of a thousand Indies. Fol. Two hundred pound suppers, and neither fiddlers nor broken glasses reckoned, besides, a hundred pound a throw, ten times together, if you can hold out so long. Ray. You tell me wonders! Be my conductress, I'll fly this place in secret; Three quarters of my time is almost spent, The last remains to crown my full content. Now if I fail, let man's experience read me; 'Twas Humour, joined with Folly, did mislead me. He Leave this naked season, Wherein the very trees shake off their locks, It is so poor and barren. Fol. And when the hair falls off, I have heard a Poet say, 'tis no good sign of a sound body. Ray. Come let's go taste old Winter's fresh delights, And ● well with pleasures our big appetites. The Summer, Autumn, and the Spring, As 'twere conjoined in one conjugal ring; An emblem of four Provinces we sway, Shall all attend our pastimes night and day; Shall both be subject to our glorious state, While we enjoy the blessings of our fate: And since we've notice that some barbarous spirits Mean to oppose our entrance, if by words They'll not desist, we'll force our way with swords. Exeunt. Actus Quintus. Enter three Clowns. 1. HEar you the news neighbour? 2. Yes, to my grief neighbour; they say our Prince Raybright is coming hither, with whole troops and trains of Courtiers; we're like to have a fine time on't neighbours. 3. Our Wives and Daughters are, for they are sure to get by the bargain, though our barn be emptied, they will be sure to be with barn for't: Oh! these Courtiers, neighbours, are pestilent knaves; but ere I'll suffer it, I'll pluck a Crow with some of 'em. 1. Faith neighbour let's lay our heads together, and resolve to die like men, rather than live like beasts. 2. ay, like horn-beasts, neighbour; they may talk and call us Rebels, but a fig for that, 'tis not a fart matter; let's be true amongst ourselves, and with our swords in hand resist his entrance— Enter Winter. Wint. What such murmurings does your gall bring forth, Will you prove't true, no good comes from the North; Bold saucy mortals, dare you then aspire With snow and ice to quench the sphere of fire: Are your hearts frozen like your clime, from thence All temperate heat's fled of obedience: How durst you else with force think to withstand Your PRINCE's entry into this his land; A Prince who is so excellently good, His virtue is his honour, more than blood; In whose clear nature, as two Suns, do rise The attributes of Merciful, and Wise: Whose laws are so impartial, they must Be counted heavenly, cause theyare truly just: Who does with princely moderation give His subjects an example how to live; Teaching their erring natures to direct Their wills, to what it ought most to affect: That as the Sun does unto all dispense Heat, light, nay life from his full influence, Yet you wild fools, possessed with giant rage, Dare, in your lawless fury, think to wage War against heaven, and from his shining throne Pull jove himself, for you to tread upon; Were your heads circled with his own green Oak, Yet are they subject to his thunderstroke; And he can sink such wretches as rebel, From heaven's sublime height, into the depth of hell. 1. The devil a can as soon, we fear no colours, let him do his worst; there's many a tall fellow besides us, will die rather than see his living taken from them, nay even eat up; all things are grown so dear, there's no enduring more mouths than our own, neighbour. 2. Thou'rt a wise fellow, neighbour, prate is but prate; they say this Prince too would bring new laws upon us, new rights into the Temples of our gods, and that's abominable, we'll all be hanged first— Wint. A most fair pretence, To found rebellion upon conscience; Dull stubborn fools, whose perverse judgements still Are governed by the malice of your will, Not by indifferent reason, which to you comes, as in droughs the elemental dew Does on the parched earth, 'twets, but does not give Moisture enough to make the plants to live: Things void of soul, can you conceive that he, Whose every thought's an act of piety, Who's all religious, furnished with all good That ever was comprised in flesh and blood, Cannot direct you in the fittest way To serve those powers, to which himself does pay True zealous worship▪ nay's so near allied To them, himself must needs be deified— Enter Follie. Fol. Save you Gentlemen! 'tis very cold, you live in frost, you've Winter still about you. 2. What are you sir? Fol. A Courtier sir; but you may guess, a very foolish one, to leave the bright beams of my Lord, the Prince, to travel hither; I have an Ague on me, do you not see me shake: Well, if our Courtiers, when they come hither, have not warm young wenches, good wines, and fires to heat their bloods, 'twill freeze into an Apoplexy; farewell frost, I'll go seek a fire to thaw me, I'm all ice I fear already. Exit. 1. Farewell and be hanged, ere such as these shall eat what we have sweated for, we'll spend our bloods; come neighbours, let's go call our company together, and go meet this Prince he talks so of. 3. Some shall have but a sour welcome of it, if my Crab ● tree cudgel hold here. Wint. 'Tis, I see, Not in my power to alter destiny: You're mad in your rebellious minds, but hear What I presage, with understanding clear: As your black thoughts are misty, take from me This as a true and certain augury, This Prince shall come, and by his glorious side Laurel-crowned conquest shall in triumph ride, Armed with the justice that attends his cause, You shall with penitence embrace his laws: He to the frozen northern clime shall bring A warmth so temperate, as shall force the Spring Usurp my privilege, and by his Ray Night shall be changed into perpetual day. Plenty and happiness shall still increase, As does his light, and Turtle-footed Peace Dance like a Fairy through his realms, while all That envy him shall like swift Comets fall, By their own fire consumed, and glorious he Ruling, as 'twere, the force of destiny, Shall have a long and prosperous reign on earth, Then fly to heaven, and give a new star birth. flourish. Enter Raybright, Humour, Bounty, Winter and Delight. But see, our star appears, and from his eye Fly thousand beams of sparkling majesty. Bright son of Phoebus! welcome, I begin To feel the ice fall from my crisped skin; For at your beams the Waggoner might thou His Chariot, axled with Rephean snow; Nay, the slow moving North-star having felt Your temperate heat, his icicles would melt. Ray. What bold rebellious Caitiffs dare disturb The happy progress of our glorious peace▪ Contemn the Justice of our equal laws, Profane those sacred rights, which still must be Attendant on monarchal dignity. I came to frolic with you, and to cheer Your drooping souls by vigour of my beams; And have I this strange welcome! reverend Winter! I'm come to be your guest; your bounteous free Condition does assure, I shall have A welcome entertainment. Win. Illustrious sir! I am ignorant How much expression my true zeal will want To entertain you fitly, yet my love, And hearty duty, shall be far above My outward welcome, to that glorious light Of heaven, the Sun which chases hence the night; I am so much a vastaile, that I'll strive, By honouring you, to keep my faith alive To him, brave Prince, though you, who do inherit Your father's cheerful heat, and quickening spirit; Therefore as I am Winter, worn and spent So far with age, I am Time's monument; Antiquities example, in my zeal, ay, from my youth, a span of Time will steal To open the free treasures of my Court, And swell your soul with my delights and sport. Ray. Never till now Did admiration beget in me truly The rare matched twins at once, pity and pleasure; So royal, so abundant in earth's blessings, Should not partake the comfort of those beams, With which the Sun beyond extent doth cheer The other seasons, yet my pleasures with you, From their false charms, doth get the start as far As heaven's great lamp from every minor star. Boun. Sir! you can speak well, if your tongue deliver The message of your heart, without some curing Of restraint, we may hope to enjoy The lasting riches of your presence hence, Without distrust or change Ray. Winter's sweet bride, All Conquering Bounty, queen of hearts, life's glory, Nature's perfection; whom all love, all serve; To whom Fortune, even in extreme's a slave, When I fall from my duty to thy goodness, Then let me be ranked as nothing. Boun. Come you, flatter me. Ray. I flatter you! Why Madam? you are Bounty; Sole daughter to the royal throne of peace. Hu. He minds not me now. Ray. bounty's self! For you he is no soldier dares not fight, No Scholar he, that dares not plead your merits, Or study your best Sweetness, should the Sun, Eclipsed for many years, forbear to shine Upon the bosom of our naked pastures, Yet where you are, the glories of your smiles would warm the barren grounds, arm heartless misery, And cherish desolation. Deed I honour you, And as all others ought to do, I serve you▪ Hu. Are these the rare sights, these the promised Compliments. Win. Attendance on our revels, let delight Conjoin the day with sable-footed night; Both shall forsake their orbs, and in one sphere Meet in soft mirth, and harmless pleasures here; While plump Lyeus shall, with garland crowned Of triumph-ivy, in full cups abound Of Cretan wine, and shall dame Ceres call To wait on you, at Winter's festival: While gaudy Summer, Autumn, and the Spring, Shall to my Lord their Choicest viands bring. we'll rob the sea, and from the subtle air, Fetch her inhabitant, to supply our fare. That were Apecious here, he in one night Should sate with dainties his strong appetite. Begin our revels then, and let all pleasure Flow like the Ocean, in a boundless measure— flourish. Enter Conceit, and Detraction. Con. Wit and pleasure soft attention, Grace the sports of our invention. De. Conceit peace, for Detraction Hath already drawn a faction, Shall deride thee. Con. Antic leave me; For in labouring to bereave me Of a scholar's praise, thy dotage:— Shall be hissed at. De. Here's a hot age; When such petty penmen covet Fame by folly, on, I'll prove it Scurvy by thy part, and try thee By thine own wit. Con. I defy thee, Here are nobler Judges, wit Cannot suffer where they sit. De. Prithee foolish Conceit, leave off thy set-speeches, and come to the conceit if self in plain languages; what goodly thing is't, in the name of laughter? Con. Detraction do thy worst, Conceit appears, In honour of the Sun, their fellow-friend, Before thy censure; know then that the spheres, Have for a while resigned their orbs, and lend Their seats to the Four Elements, who joined With the Four known Complexions, have atoned A noble I ague, and severally put on Material bodies; here amongst 'em none Observes a difference; Earth and Air alike Are sprightly active; Fire and Water seek No glory of pre-eminence; Phlegm and Blood, Choler and Melancholy, who have stood In contrarieties, now meet for pleasure, To entertain Time in a courtly measure. De. Impossible and improper; first to personate insensible Creatures, and next to compound quite opposite humours; fie, fie, fie, it's abominable. Con. Fond ignorance! how darest thou vainly scan impossibility; what reigns in man Without disorder; wisely mixed by nature, Maskers. To fashion and preserve so high a creature. De. Sweet sir! when shall our mortal eyes behold this new piece of wonder; We must gaze on the stars for it doubtless, Con. See, thus the clouds fly off, and run in chase, The Maskers discovered. When the Sun's bounty lends peculiar grace. De. Fine i'faith; pretty, and in good earnest; but sirrah scholar; will they come down too? Con. Behold 'em well, the foremost represents Air, the most sportive of the Elements, De. A nimble rascal, I warrant him some Alderman's son; wondrous giddy and lightheaded; one that blew his patrimony away in feather and Tobacco. Con. The next near him is Fire. Det. A choleric gentleman, I should know him, a younger brother and a great spender, but seldom or never carries any money about him; he was begot when the sign was in Taurus, for a roars like a Bull, But is indeed a bell-wether. Con. The third in rank is Water. Det. A phlegmatic cold piece of stuff, his father methinks should be one of the Dunce-table, and one that never drunk strong beer in's life but at festival times, and then he caught the heartburning a whole vacation and half a Term after. Con. The fourth is Earth. Det. A shrewd plodding-pated fellow, and a great lover of news; I guess at the rest, Blood is placed near Air, Choler near Fire, Phlegm and Water are sworn brothers, and so are Earth and Melancholy. Con. Fair nymph of Harmony, be it thy task To sing them down, and rank them in a mask.— SONG. See the Elements conspire, Nimble Air does court the Earth, Water does commix with Fire, To give our PRINCE's pleasure birth; Each delight, each joy, each sweet, In one composition meet. All the seasons of the year, Winter does invoke the Spring, Summer does in pride appear, Autumn forth its fruits doth bring, And with emulation pay Their tribute to this Holiday; In which the Darling of the Sun is come, To make this place a new Elysium. Wint. How do these pleasures please? Hu. Pleasures! Boun. Live here, And be my Lord's friend, and thy sports shall vary A thousand ways, invention shall beget Conceits as curious as the thoughts of change Can aim at. Hu. Trifles: progress o'er the year Again my Raybright, therein like the Sun, As he in heaven runs his circular course, So thou on earth run thine, for to be fed With stale delights, breeds dulness and contempt; Think on the Spring. Ray. She was a lovely Virgin. Wint. My royal Lord! Without offence, be pleased but to afford Me give you my true figure, do not scorn My age, nor think, cause I appear forlorn, I serve for no use, 'tis my sharper breath does purge gross exhalations from the earth; My frosts and snows do purify the air From choking fogs, makes the sky clear and fair: And though by nature cold and chill I be, Yet I 〈◊〉 warm in bounteous charity; And can, my Lord, by grave and sage advice, Bring you toth' happy shades of Paradise. Ray. that wonder; Oh! can you bring me thither? Wint. I can direct and point you out a path Hu. But where's the guide? Quicken thy spirits, Raybright, I'll not leave thee, we'll run the self same race again, that happiness These lazy, sleeping, tedious winter's nights Become not noble action. Ray To the Spring Recorders. I am resolved— Oh! what strange light appears; The Sun is up sure. The Sun above. Sun. Wanton Darling look, and worship with amazement. Oes! gracious Lord. Sun. Thy sands are numbered, and thy glass of frailty 〈…〉 out to the last: here in this mirror Let man behold the circuit of his fortunes; The 〈◊〉 of the Spring dawns like the Morning, Bedewing Childhood with unrelished beauties Of gawdy sights; the Summer, as the Noon, Shines in delight of Youth, and ripens strength To autumn's Manhood, here the Evening grows, And knits up all felicity in folly; Winter at last draws on the Night of Age; Yet still a humour of some novel fancy Untasted, or untried, puts off the minute Of resolution, which should bid farewell To a vain world of weariness and sorrows. The powers from whom man does derive his pedigree Of his creation, with a royal bounty Give him health, youth, delight for free attendants To rectify his carriage: to be thankful Again to them, Man should cashier his riots, His bosom whorish sweetheart, idle Humour; His Reasons dangerous seducer, Folly; then shall Like four straight pillars, the four Elements Support the goodly structure of mortality; Then shall the four Complexions, like four heads Of a clear river, streaming in his body, Nourish and comfort every vein and sinew. No sickness of contagion, no grim death Of deprivation of healths real blessings Shall then affright the creature built by heaven, Reserved to immortality, henceforth In peace go to our Altars, and no more Question the power of supernal greatness, But give us leave to govern as we please Nature, and her dominion, who from us, And from our gracious influence, hath both being And preservation; no replies but reverence. Man hath a double guard, if time can win him; heaven's power above him, his own peace within him. FINIS.