Princeps Rhetoricus or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Combat of Caps. Drawn forth into arguments, GENERAL and SPECIAL. In usum Scholae MASONENSIS: ET In Gratiam totius Auditorii Mercurialis. VENI, VIDE. Nella {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} la {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. LONDON, Printed for H. R. at the three Pigeons in S. Paul's churchyard. 1648. DUCI RHETORICO, Et toti Decentiarum Satellitio, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. SAlve peculium dulce-triste meum, suavissima Maceries; Egovobis commendo haec Principis Rhetorici Argumenta; quasi multum in parvo; * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Nam de integra Fabulâ conclamatum est. Ne igitur totus pereat Princeps noster, decerpsi (quasi rediviva Principis Hippolyti membra) Haec quae sequuntur collectanea, ut fiat Virbius Quid plura? state vos in procinctu virtutis, Nobilitatis, Eloquentiae & Religionis. Fiat. Valete. J. M. Chori Princeps Rhetorici. THE school MODERATOR: OR, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. THE COMBAT OF CAPS, Decemb. 21. 1647. THe whole draught of the Invention moves upon two principal Hinges: 1. The main Plot, or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 2. The counterplot, or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The first designs forth the Orders of the Place in point of Government; the other, the didactical part, in way of Method, thus, in order following. 1. The main Plot represents the fundamental discipline in ordine ad Regimen usitatum Loci: and is wrapped up in the first part of the Title, (Princeps Rhetoricus) In relation to the Authority of the school Prince, his five Seniors, and twelve Sub-seniors or Keepers, throughout the whole year, and consisteth of two dramatical parts: 1. Citement. 2. Indictment. The Citement summons the Officers, Seniors, Sub-seniors, and Juniors in the five first Classes, at the Instalment of their Prince. The indictment belongs to the freshmen and Sub-juniors of the fift and sixt form, according as they stand severally charged by their Seniors. 2. The counterplot lays forth ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}) our methodical Exercise, alternis diebus, three days a week, i. e. Grammatically and Rhetorically on Tuesday; Poetically on Thursday; Logically on Saturday, viz. upon some Thema simplex, some one word Problematically given forth upon Monday morning: As Cubus, Aera, Sphaera, Annus, several weeks, several words, canvased Philologically through the Grammarians, Lexicons, Glossaries, Nomenclators, critics, Historians, quasi opus Philologicum: and also hunted through the Arithmeticians and Cosmographers quasi Exercitium Mathematicum: and forthwith out of the present Result the declaimers come forth, quasi Praxis Rhetorica: this for Tuesday perennitèr: the Books being laid by the library keepers prae manibus, in ordine ad Classes; and the Exercise recorded in three several Books, and kept by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the keeper of the weekly Papers. Now the Thesis or Controversall word for the present was Pileum, a Cap, being the garb of the place. But occasionally at this time è re naetâ; For a negligent young Student of the House had lost his college Bonnet, whose name, together with his loss, renewed the old school-game, The Parson has lost his Cap, and so fell in accidentally to be the Basis of the counterplot, and gave the Title {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The subject of the second, third, fourth Acts, debated Academically. And thus the two Plots interweave all the year Scholasticè, Methodi gratiâ. And to day Dramaticè, Compendii causa, ut mundus in Tabellula, The Essay of a fortnight's study. And thus much for the Argument at large. The Persons of the rhetorical Drama, are the same with the domestical Students, distinguished by a threefold degree: In ordine ad 1. Officia. Their Titles and Offices. 2. Classes. Forms and places. 3. Aetates. Ages. 1. The Office is twofold: 1. Schoole-Officers, 2. Court-Officers; yet both mercurial: only the first more properly attend the business of the public weal, or school; the other the pleasure of the Prince, or Moderator. That respects Substance, this Ceremony. 2. The Classes are ever six, with an Entrance, termed Vestibulum. 3. The Ages were not here much material to the Plot; yet the Plot is material to the Ages. Fiat Aemulatio, & Pudor. Now as for the terms of the distinct Titles and Places, they will hardly admit of English; being originally imposed, and still use in Greek or Latin, which are the indispensable dialect of the province; and yet we will venture here to rank them in a triple Paralles 1. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Seniores. Old standers. 2. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Juniores. Succeeders. 3. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Tyrones'. Freshmen. The two first, in order to their Charge, are called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Keepers, or Guards-men; but in another sense, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, quasi e specula decernentes: in a grammatical Acception, Overseers, Watchmen, Spies. For in this Utopia, the main business is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Custodia, Tuitio, Excubatio. Watch and Ward, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, where every Officer stands sentinel in the defence of decency, and defiance of rudeness: for as {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, decent ofder, is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, so it is the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the guarded treasure, the golden Apple of our Hesperian Garden. O●do Anima rerum, and needs many watchful eyes to guard it; Tot Argi oculati, vigilesque Dracones. And thus in order following stands the Posture of our school Model, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: And therefore in Rank and File, see them here upon their march, facing the Spectators. Officiorum Tituli Specifici: The Officers in their threefold Order. 1. Office. 2. Classis. 3. Aetat. Anno. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Princeps Rhetoricus. School-Moderator. ● ●● {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Moderator Mercurialis. Decider of Controversies. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. & Monitor Monitorum. Keeper of Keepers. 1. 13. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Legumque Custos. Defender of the Laws, and Mr. of Requests. The four prime Monitors. 1. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Praeses succelli. President of the chapel. ●. 13. 2. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Decentiarum explorator. quest-man of decency. 2. 12. 3. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Linguarum Custos. Monitor of Language. 2. 13. 4. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Ingenii speculator. Observer of Invention. 3. 13. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The twelve Sub-officials, or subordinate Monitor or Keepers. Offic. Class. Aetat. 1. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Praefectus Scrinii Rhetorici. Chief Register of Exercise. 3. 14 2. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Librarius. Producer of Auth. Keeper of the three School Libraries. 3. 14 3. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Ostiarius. Commander of the keys and hatches. 3. 14 4. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, sive {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Nolae Curator. The Timer of the Bell & hourglass. 3. 13 5. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Lucifer. Orderer of the lights. 4. 13 6. Cubiculorum decurio. Chief Chamberlain and searcher of studies. 4. 14 7. Praeses limitaneus. Marquess of the Bounds. 4. 14 8. Aulae mensor. Controller of the Hall. 4. 13 9 Silentarius. Usher of the Peace. 5. 13 10. Ambulantion ductor. Leader of the Fieldwalks. 5. 14 11. Sigillorum procurator & productor. Overseer of the Sigillums. 5. 9 12. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Pileorum monitor. Overseers of Gowns and Caps. 3. 15 The Court-Officers. Insignium {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Offic. Clas. Ae t●● 1. Ceremoniarum, Rituumque Custos, Ordinunique magister Urbanus. Master of Ceremonies. 2 15 2. Nequitiarum Regulus, five Atlas minor, Tyronumque patronus. Master of Misrule. 2 11 3. Caducifer, ●eciali● Her●cticus. Mace-bearer, and herald at arms. 4 14 4. Aman●cuses Rhetorici. The two rhetorical Text bearers, Aristotle on the right hand, quintilian the left. 5 10 5 10 5. Diademifer. The cap of rhetorical Maintenance. 5 15 6. Tyro●●●● {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Master-Keeper of the freshmen. 3 15 Personae personantes Orchestri●●s. 1. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Sir Sh●●ulus The Parson, or Cap-loser. 3. 15 2. Merlin's Chorista Merlin's Chorister, or Fo●d Hope. 3. echo. Empty Fame. 5. 9 The freshmen and Sub-juniors of the 6. Form. 1. Sir Antonio draggle-gown. 2. Sir Henrico Srud●e-hawke. 3. Monsieur le Card-●●ummer. 4. Monsieur le Tittle-tattle. Monsieur le Incongruo. The Vestibulum, or Petty Tyrones'. The Habit. THe habit was uniform, pro more loci, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Gown and Cap, differing in the colour of the fancy, quasi significator officii, the ensign of office. Only the Prince and six prime Seniors wore Beavers, to show the privilege of their long standing, with Brims also reversed, in token of freedom above the rest; and decked with stars of several magnitudes; having in their right hands truncheons of several colours, & silk Bends o'er their shoulders, Emblemata Honorum, Types of their calling. All white Gloves. white Pumps, linen stockings, knots differing in colour. The symbolical Properties. 1. A mercurial Mace Argent. Caduceus, with two Snakes, intertwining, and plumed Argent. signifying the power of Serpentine eloquence. This is the Fexanima Pytho, insinuating persuasion. 2. A mercurial Bonnet, plumed Argent, Edged ore; typifing the gallant rational Head-piece, a Princely Presence, and a freeborn Speaker, whose brains are laid with Gold, and his tongue tipped with Silver. Aurum Argentumque loquitur. Again, the Snakes have respect to the will, the Cap to the the Intellect, the wings to the fancy, and the Colours to the Passions. 3. A scutcheon or mercurial shield, which bore Gules, three keys, Or. on the dexter hand; but on the sinister, a Bend Azure charged with four Stars of equal radii; over them Sol, under that a Cube, Triangle, and Circle, all Or. the Crest or Rose with wings Argent. quasi Rosa volans. Observe farther, that the allusion was mathematical, and chiefly astronomical, from beginning to the end, as thus: The two designs are as the Arctic and Antarctic Poles, bearing the Axis of the main work. The five Strophae, Antistropta, or Acts, do bear the number and office of the Zones; the seven chief Seniors wander as the Planets through the zodiac, the Planets proper stage; the twelve Sub-monitors, as the twelve signs, fixed to the zodiac, The entire number of Actors, the same with the Constellations; some Southern, some Northern moving, all according to their Longitude, latitudes, and altitudes, according to their place & magnitudes, in the upper & lower division of the School place. All in time and order of vicissitude, moving through the degrees of the zodiac, till they have reached to the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the highest pitch of school Honour, viz. Princeps Rhetoricus, the Sol scholae; {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the mercurial Moderator of the whole Regiment; for it is Sceptrum successivum, in ordine ad meritum Ascensionis. The Prologue twofold: 1. The mock-Prologue. 2. And the Serious. 1. THe first lays the contrivance of the Anti-plot or counterdesigne: ubi consulitur de inductione Pilei in Scenam & Curiam Principis Rhetorici. The Contrivets five, Misrule, Corister, Custos pileorum, Ostiarius, and Monitor Scholae. 2. The second gives the argument of the main plot or fixed work in hand. Being twofold. 1. In Greek Jambic, Ad Doctos. 2. Ad populum. In English. The English Prologue. All hail thrice fair Assembly. What Orders, Laws, Rights, Constitutions, here Run yearly round in this school Hemisphere: And what Our Elders, and Our Classes do, Are this day tendered to your public view. Our Prince is King of Bees; whose well-manned throne, No peevish wasp can climb, nor lazy drone. Under whose VER GE our new Atlantis lies, And comes well-near th'Utopian Paradise. As for the scene that lies in Grecian-Rome, A piece new weaved i'th' Greek and Latian lome; Yet for your sakes (sweet Ladies) all along, The work's embroidered in our Mother Tongue. Sirs, you are wise, accept what is not ill, Who are not wise, let them do what they will. The expression of the mercurial Coat-Armour. 1. THe scutcheon is also allusive every way; by the Plumed Rose in the Crest is declared, that fragrancy and celerity are the top-work of eloquence: swiftness, and sweetness, are the last and highest parts of this science: again, Invention must not drag low, language must fly high. 2. The 3 Golden Keys lay open this conceit; that logic, rhetoric, and Grammar, are by way of entrance, taught fundamental in Schools; but the work is left to be crowned and matured in the Academies: therefore as we the 3 Keys, Oxford gives the 3 Crowns, which also decipher the 3 principal Scienences, 1. Theology, 2. Law, 3. Physic: And why may not we here have a Key for them also? 3. By the Cube, arithmetic; by the Triangle, Geometry; by the Circle, Cosmography are here intended, and stand Quartered under the 4 Stars, as taught in a different place and manner from the other three Arts before. 4. The Bend of Stars with eight Radii, represent the prime 4 Seniors or Ministers, each man being Keeper of 8 distinct Laws or Canons; Himself shining amongst his fellows as a Star in his place: Again, these Stars denote the 4 Cardinal qualities here (under this Prince) professed, attained, kept, 1. Language, 2. Invention, 3. Manners, 4. Religion, each consisting of eight several branches, clear and star-like. 5. The Sun hath the chief influence, as the glory and light of the rest; {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and stands mounted in the highest angle above the bend of stars, locus Principis Rhetorici, the Prince's place; but by the Sun is chiefly intended Religion, without which, all Arts are but mere darkness, or at least, Ignis fatuus. Yet our Sol appears quartered in a sinister side, because the Pulpits doth challenge the upper hand of the Schools, and Theology the wall of philology. But if the Parson at any time shall lose his Cap, and turn Tityre tu patulae, a Coridon of our Arcadia; then will we Quarter our Sol upon the right, and his Cap upon the left; for than he is our Junior: his sheephook hath done Homage to our Rod; Divinity hath struck Top sail to Grammar, and the Liturgy in Syntacticall obeisance hath veiled his bonnet to the Accidence. 6. The two fields, Gules on the right hand, Azure on the left in a philosophical acception lively depaint the Will and the Wit, the Heart and the Brain, the two fixed seats of our fourfold learning. Thus much for the blazonry in brief, Sed aliquid latet, quod non patet, qui nucleum vult nacem frangat. And now we come to the Argument in special, and Correlative to each Act. Princeps Rhetoricus, The school captain. BUt why Princeps, and why Rhetoricus? that falls in next to be scanned, for non est in promptu ubique O Oedipus, all teeth are not nutcrackers. Therefore observe, that the whole allusion brancheth itself, into five strains of rhetoric, or Acts oratorical distringued here by 5 titles: The first Act we call Inauguratio, the Instalment, The second, Pompa, the Entertainment. The third, Criticus, the Linguist. The fourth, the Disputant. The fifth, the Judge or Moderator. And in order to these is personated a Prince thus qualified: Princeps. In the first, Princeps legitime inauguratus. In the second, Princeps Pompaticus. Third, Philologicus. Fourth, Philosophicus. Fifth, Judicialis. And in the Catastrophe of the scene, Princeps Religiosus: and through the whole Acts, Princeps Heroicè moratus: of noble deportment; alluding to the seven fold buckler of Ajax, under which Ulysses lay protected. Homer's Prince of Eloquence: and thus much for our Prince, Quatenùs Princeps: invested with Title, Authority, Quality; now view him quatenus Rhetoricus. His Prince-part was a notion assumed, feigned, and allegorically Rhetoricis. borrowed: but the rhetoric part and title are in earnest, & (ex professo) opus loci & Personae. For now One was to make good in himself (by way of precedent to the rest) the Character of a complete Rhetorician, and that by the exact Test of our two rhetorical Text-men, Aristotle and Quintilian: for one while he cunningly insinuates; as at his first Ascent to the chair. Detur, ait, Dignori, ego enim (comparatiuè) non merui. Like Caesar in Tacitus, waving finely his new imposed dignity; and yet at the same instant, policetur abundè, promiseth mountains, to rule like an Angel. Again, sometimes his speech becomes demonstrative, praising and inveigling: sometimes deliberative, pondering the future good: sometime Juciciall; according as the Lost-Cap finds Argument through the five Acts, occasionally, & ex Ansâ datâ: for still the matter is before the judge, coram Judice lis. And still the parson's Cap makes work for all. argumentatiuè. Then next, touching those three Aristotelian Requisites, 1. Natura, 2. Ars, 3. Exercitatio. they were better there seen, than here spoken. As candid spectability, a Tongue well hung, firm sides, retentive memory, fancy clear, a princely undaunted presence, & cujus ex ore melle dulcior s●uebat Oratio, &c. But to complete the matter, after some fair essays of 1. Invention, 2. Disposition, 3. Elocution, and 4. Pronunciation, he falls upon the moderating part of Oratory; and exhibits a rhetorical skill in the belike use of authors, culling out for his own Hive, the flowers inservient to his present purpose, mutatis mutandis 3 tèr, i. e. Alterum, Alteratum, or Aliud. Sometimes again he leaves moderating, and falls to debating, syllogysticè, upon the Argument, till being victor in the truth, he concludes by a double power, Argumento 1. recti. 2. sceptri. And so becomes in fine, both Princeps and Rhetoricus, coincident in nature and title, the rhetorical Princess: for, in vero conveniunt Rex & lex. The Arguments of the 5 Acts severally and particularly; and these in twofold notion, 1. Historical. 2. Moral. ACT. I. Princeps legitimè inauguratus, or, The Instalment. The Argument historical. SCENA I. A Curtain is displayed, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the prime School monitor appears in a studying posture: is interrupted by the entrance of the 2 Text-bearers, inducing {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the wandering scholar Lose-Cap to the sight and speech of the Monitor, with a Petition tendered de recuperand● Parsonuli Pilco, for recovery of his Cap, defunct; the Petition is accepted by Phylophylax the Monitor; with promise to be presented in Court, and to have fair audience in the business (for his Office is not only School-Superintendent, but also libellorum custos, Master of request and complaints) And here is the first stone laid in the arch-fabric of the counterplot. SCENA II. LOrd of misrule enters with his bonny fresh men, undertakes their protection, contra gentes & jura; and against the imperious wand of Custos Tyronum, his main Antagonist and theirs. And this is the second trick of wit in the cross plot, so to disturb the main plot. SCEN. III. HEre the main plot begins. The Master of Ceremonies appears with the Keeper of the freshmen: 'tis consulted De Curiâ rectè curandâ, that things be done in Place, Time and Order. Exit ceremonious. Custos induces his Fresh charge, percheth them up at the Bar: succeeds again ceremonious with his whole court-train. And first, marshalleth his fourth Classis, next his fift; then fall in the Officers, Seniors, Attendants, Prince, in ceremonial order. ceremonious leads the way, next him, Lord misrule, then two Monitors abrest. Singly succeeds them Monitor Monitorum; next, Praeco Fecialis, the mercurial herald at arms, Princeps Rhetoricus in the midst. After him the two Text-bearers; then the other two Monitors abrest, the Cap of Maintenance after them, and last, Custos▪ Tyronum, Proclaimer and Guards-man general. They proceed to Election, on a fourfold Ground; 1. Sucession, 2. Merit, 3. Suffrages, 4. Laws and customs. Invenitur Caduceo Habilis & Idoneus, proclaimed fit for the mercurial sceptre. The queries are ten: As first, whether he hath orderly ascended from Classis to Classis, non faciens saltum, not making a skip. 2. Whether he be patiens inediae, frigoris, & sudoris. An multa tulit, fecitque sudavit & alsit: whether he be snow-proof, able to endure Heats and Colds, and to watch by the Lamp of Cleanthes. Again, whether he hath learned obedire & imperare, to obey and command, as Junior and Senior; and whether well versed in the laws appertaining to the chair mercurial: whether bene moratus, Bene linguatus, Religiosus, & Humilis. And being approved by the Register general, proclaimed Prince by the herald, and voiced by the rest, he ascends the chair of Eloquence. Then follows the citement of Officers; after that, the Canto or hymn of Congratulation●; the Speeches encomiastical ad Principem. After the Citement, the Indictment is read against the Tyroes, whose penalties are imposed in way of several themes, and liberty to speak for themselves, par poenae culpa. Their Patron is Lord of misrule. SCEN. IV. EX Improviso, abruptly breaks in Sir Shone, Molestus Interpellator Curiae, in a great fume, impatient of longer attendance, a blunt, unbred, rude, insulse Scholar, and as roughly entertained by the Guards-man: they chop logic at staves end dilemmatically; Here I can have ye, & there; but pates find mediums. Master Keeper assaults the Parson, Argumento Baculino, with Halberd Eloquence, the Parson indoctrinates the Keeper with crabtree logic, but is foiled at his own weapon; till Misrule, and the school-monitor, his Fratres fraterrimi, complotters and sworn partners, step in to his rescue; by whose provision and request, his Petition is heard, registered, and deliberated on, but deferred till the next Court Sessions mercurial. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Ode Acclamatoria. The Congratulatory Canto. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The humble Partishon of Sir Shone of Wales, in formâ paperis following. BE it known to all and some, that her hath a partishon in her packets, ad hunc venarabilem collegium, propter facere Huc and Cry, post cappum sumum (misere defunctum, & lostum) per omnes Chamberos, Studies, & Corneros. And also her desires to enter her Actions, or rather her Passions in te Law, for a scire facias, through te six mercurial classes, with a non est Inventus, as touching her Pileus; and a Quare Latitat, amongst all her cousin scholars, and her shall be pound to pray, for her six venerable said Monitors while her may, for ever and a day, and longer too, when her hath nothing else to do. The moral Argument of this Act, for want of room, we pass by. The Authors, like so many flourie fields, Campi Rhetorici, were Tacitus, Justine, Justinian, Quintilian, Utopia Mori, Atlantis Verulamei, Apuleius: The Greeks, Homer, Aristophanes, Plutarch, Zenophon de Cyropaedia, Longinus, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Aristotle's rhetoric, Plato, Aeschylus, &c. The language chiefly Greek; but Auditorii gratiâ, translated here and there into English. ACT. II. Princeps Pompaticus: or, The Entertainment. The Argument historical. Atlas' minor, alias Misrule, ascends his Astronomical Cabinet. A Scematicall figure is erected at the command of the Prince de pileo restaurando. His censure upon astrology. This course failing, by the consent of the Court, a Hue and Cry is voiced. Sir Shone the Proclaimer. An echo answers within; he runs in after the echo, his supposed countryman; instead of him, falls upon Merlin's Chorister, the old Welsh Bard; who by the Harmonious power of his voice, summons in (in three several dances) 18 Caps distinct. The Song between Chorister and echo. Choris. Echo, O echo; thou Oracle, O echo, echo tell. Echo. What shall the echo, echo tell? Choris. The scholar's Cap is lost, how shalt be found? Echo. Charm Atlas, charm the Caps from under ground; By six and six, so shall the Cap be found. Choris. Caps all, O Caps all, appear at echoes call, Six great, six small. Echo. Here, here we rise at echoes call. Choris. When you the Viols hear, brave Sprights appear. Echo. Sound Viols sound, for at your sound we'll venture. Room, room for Caps, by six and six we enter. The first Dance, consisting of the six grammatical Persons. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. I. Thou. He. We. Ye. They. After the Dance they impeach each other De furto Pilei. I puts it off to Thou, Thou to He, so the rest alternative; but neither I, Thou, nor He, We, Ye, nor They: Ergo tandem Nemo, Nemo is the man, nobody has it. Morally alluding to the depraved nature of children; accusing and excusing; peevish liars: the tutor's task to cure. And also implies, that men themselves act the children's scene; Instead of vindicating, often recriminating, waspish, serpentine, childish, saying, unsaying, gainsaying. Quis enim non ab Ovo mendax? And thirdly, it alludes to the academians' contradictory humour, Affirmo, Nego. The second Dance consisted of six Gipsies, Cap-men, of several Colours. THe intent of this, was like the other, but in a higher way. Suggere jam Quintiliane Colorem; every man hath some colour for what he says, or does; in a several cast of natural rhetoric. But by these colours is primely intended the principles and depth of mystical philosophy: in which the idle Scholars Cap is seldom found. The third Dance was of the chief Faculties, personated lively. 1 A Cardinal. A mitre. Signifying Degrees of preferment. 2 A Master of Arts Square Cap. Degrees of Learning. 3 The Falkner. Montero. Degrees of Gentry. 4 Seaman. sailor's Thrum. Degrees of travel. & foreign. 5 soldier. An Helmet. Degrees of Martial Officers. 6 Smith. Fuddle-cap. Degrees of Trades. Moral. Thus every Cap what ere it be, Is still a sign of some degree. The Dance ends merrily. Lose-Cap breaks his confining Circle, and chops in among the Caps, dancing; is defended from their Battouns by the soldier's buckler, and carried away upon his shoulders; the Seamen advancing one leg, fuddle-Cap the other, shooing him in the exit. The sum of the intendment, belongs to oratorical practice; these 6 be subjects of eloquence; work for a wise head, and a winning tongue. A sight proposed to the Prince, what manner of men he has to deal with; that will be great or wise. ACT. II. SCENA II. After that all vanish and nothing effected, Atlas demands further of the Merlin's Chorister what's to be done. He answers again in SONG. Cho. Echo, O echo, for Merlin's sake O echo, once more tell, Echo. What shall the echo once more tell? Cho. Tell who the Cap doth wear, and who goes clear, Echo. No figure cast by spell, or Charm, or magic: But scholarlike, by Grammar, Wit, and logic. Atlas interprets the Oracle, the Prince likes and consents; and commands a preparation scholastical, de Pilei disquisitione Etymologica. ACT. III. Princeps Rhetoricus, or, Criticus the Linguist. The Argument. THe philological Books are fetched forth from the Trino-Musaeum; the Triple Library, 1. Grammatical, 2. Philosophical, 3. Mathematical; the Grammarians are first scanned; then the Glossaries & Dictionaries, than the declaimers ex tempore deliver their Cap-verdit Etymologically. The Prince in his Chair moderating; Monitor scholae, and two head Monitors maintaining the Table in the middle, the other two at Desks ex opposite, and forms ex adverso to Forms. This way also proving invalid, command is given by his highness' elegance; for an academical Certamen, logically controverted. Exeunt omnes. ACT. IV. Princeps Academicus, or, The Disputant. THe authors scientifical, and in order to the 7 Arts are produced. Then a set dispute between the three main sciences; de melioritate praerogatiuâ Pilei; the question is stated two ways, 1. Which is guilty of the Parsons Cap. 2. Which most worthy among themselves of the three: Next intervenes a Question between the two Princes, rhetoric and Misrule, de prioritate Galeri & Pilei, the pre-eminence of the Hat and the Cap; but while the disputes grew hot, enters a message from the Cantabrigian Fellow-Commoners, desiring of the Court a conference touching the new lost Cap, as a main case concerning their copyhold, 'Tis condescended to, and the Court dissolves for the present. ACT. V. Princeps Judicialis, or, The Judge. HEre is a set form of a Sessions; a Court of Judicature, more Judiciali. The Tyroes declaim: the themes five, 1. Hornbook, 2. the hawk, 3. Long tail, 4. Knave of Clubs, 5. A noun is the Name of a Thing. Before the Declamation each fresh Declamer takes his Briny dose of water and salt; from the hand of the Tyro-guardian: at every stand, or dead lift, they are helped out, by their Suggester, and nimble-tongued Patron Monseiur de la Misrule; and at last by his mediation, Annuit Princeps, the bills of Indictment are expunged; Et donantur Pileo Tyrones': made free of the college. Exit Misrule. Misrule within sends Message to the Monitor Monitorum; He craves excuse for his absence a while; A flourish of Cornets. Forthwith return in form of a pontifical Train the 5 Counter-plotters; Misrule in the midst as a Prince; and the scholar's Cap advanced upon a truncheon, more triumphali: He is made to give account of his device, that no offence be given or taken; and after some Questions problematically propounded by the Prince; He and his seniors are invited to an astronomical dance in reference to the Planets, with Laurels, each bearing a star advanced frontwise. After this the Prince returns to his chair, gives his charge to the Tyrones', Juniors, and Seniors in their turns, concluding that Religion is the finis ultimatus, the ultimate End of all our Sudies; and Humility the last work of Religion, ending with this Motto, Quantò doctior, tantò submissior; withal couching briefly in a fourfold distinction, the four Ends of all men's academical labours, 1. mechanical, ditescere, 2. sophistical, clarescere, 3. philosophical, cognoscere, and 4. angelical, videre Deum. i. e. Practic●s, se abnegando. The Questions in this ACT accidently emergent were these. 1. WHether the mercurial Cap be more injured by the father's indulgence, the son's negligence, or the Master's insufficience? 2. Whether a lying humour be rather sucked from the dugs of the Nurse; or the paps of custom, or rather, An mendacium be ex traduce? Hereditary? 3. Whether the parson's Cap hath received more cuts and blows, from the blunt weapons of Bacchus, or the sharp sword of Mars? 4. Whether a-well-bred Rhetorician did ever want a Mocenas, or his Cap mendicant? 5. Whether every Noble and great Gentlemen ought to be princeps Rhetoricus, a prime good speaker? 6. Whether every Master of Arts be princeps Rhet. Et e contra? 7. Whether the greatest enemy to the Cap, be not the Cap? Science against Science more persecuting then Ignorance? 8. An pileum Sir-Shonnuli fit ex Lana Caprina? 9 An fiat Pileorum transmigratio? 10. Pileus An tandem fataliter— Exeat omnis? EPILOGVS. AS soon as the Court-scene closed, and had as it were bid good-night to Action and Invention, Prince-Misrule-Atlas (now left singly on the Stage) presents the Audience with a Caution or two, by the horary Advise of his Quadrant; which being elevated to a just height, he calculates the hours of the day, 3 of clock, 33 min. and 3 digits. Then warns them, Maturare Reditum, imminet ursa; to hasten homewards, lest {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Keeper of the great Bear meet with them after All. The bear being a starting-enemy to the Coach-Horse; and Twilight a dangerous time for Caps. Venit Hesperus ite. So Atlas bids his Star-like Guests Adieu, As you have shined on us this Day, With friendly Influence: So may The New year shine on You. E fonte Cambrino, Jan. 19 1648. FINIS.