THE Words of a New Interlude, CALLED THE FOUR SEASONS, OR LOVE in every AGE. AND Of all the Musical Entertainments, IN THE NEW OPERA, CALLED THE iceland Princess, OR THE Generous portugese. Performed at the THEATRE ROYAL. Written by Mr. Motteux. LONDON, Printed for R. Basset, at the George over against the Inner-Temple-Lane in Fleetstreet. 1699. PROLOGUE: Sung by Mr. Leveridge. 1. You've been with dull Prologues here bantered so long, They signify nothing, or less than a Song. To Sing you a Ballad this time we thought fit; For sound has oft nicked you, when Sense could not hit. Then Ladies be kind, And Gentlemen mind! Wit-Carpers, Play-Sharpers, Loud Bullies, Tame Cullies, sour Grumblers, Wench-Bumblers, Give Ear, every Man! Mobb'd Sinners, In Pinners, Kept-Toppers, Bench-Hoppers, High-Fliers, Pit-Plyers, Be still, if you can! You're all in Damnation for leading the Van. 2. Ye Side-box Gallants, whom the Vulgar call Beaux, Admirers of— Self, and nice Judges of— clothes, Who, now the War's over across boldly the Main, Yet ne're were at Sieges, unless at Campeigne. Spare all, on the Stage, Love in every Age. Young Tattles, Wild Rattles, Fan-Tearers, Mask-Fleerers, Old Coasters, Love Boasters, Who set up for Truth! Young Graces, Black Faces, Some faded, Some jaded, Old Mothers, And Others, Who've yet a Colts-Tooth. See us act that in Winter, you'd all act in youth, 3. Ye Gallery haunters, who Love to lye Snug, And munch apple or Cakes while some Neighbour you hug. Ye loftier Genteels, who above us all sit, And look down with contempt on the Mob in the Pit! Here's what you like best, Jig, Song, and the rest. Free Laughers, Close Gaffers, Dry Joakers, Old Soakers, Kind Cousins By Dozens, Your Custom don't break! Sly Spouses With Blowzes, Grave Horners, In Corners, Kind No-Wits, Save-Poets, Clap till your hands ache; And though the Wits damn us, we'll say the Whims take. ACT II. A mask. The Music by Mr. Daniel Purcel. The words fitted to the Notes by the Author. Several-Arcadian Shepherds advance and express their Joy for the News brought' em. Whatever is marked thus(") is left out in the singing. Mr. Leveridge. Shepherd. THIS glorious Day, let Pleasures flow; Now Love and Hymen jar no more: Ye Sports, appear, let Sorrow cease below! Hither repair, the Golden Age restore. Let Mortals share the Blessings of the Skies, See Jove for ever cease to rove, And own, tho' Nuptial feuds arise, No Joys can vie with Lawful Love. Mr. Freeman. A Shepherd. Happy he who wisely choose To taste of Love without his Woes. " Happy She whose Charms improve " The soft Delights of Harmless Love. CHORUS. Change may raise a wanton Fire, But Truth can best improve Desire, And Kindles, never to expire. Mr. Pate and Mr. Leveridge. Two Shepherds. Cease, ye Rovers, cease to Range Pleasure revels least in Change. Wandring still, and still uneasy, Nought can fix ye, nought can please ye; While True Love, like heavenly Joys, Never dies, and never cloys. Mis Campion. A Shepherdess. From drooping Minds let Sorrow fly, Joy must reign, and Anguish die. Souls who grieve for Coy Denying, Hearts now raging, wreaths dying, Know, that Lovers who pursue, Soon or late the Fair subdue. Blame your Fear when you despair, Not the wishing dying Fair. Mr. Magnus's Boy. A Shepherd. All the Pleasures, Hymen brings Lawful Sweets, and chast Desires All the Pleasures Hymen brings, Flow from ever-living Springs, And never-dying Fires. Mis Lindsey. A Sheperdess. The Jolly Swains That were roving o'er Plains From all Regions hither fly, To claim kind Hymen's gentle tie. With their wanton Motions courting Some lovely Maid Whose Eyes persuade To soft Delights, and amorous Sporting. Enter Swains and Shepherdesses, who dance. Grand CHORUS. Love's flamme divinely burns: The Golden Age returns. Jove, Juno, and Cupid, and Hymen agree, All Hearts thus are blessed, and less happy when free. ACT III. A SONG. LOvely Charmer, dearest Creature, Kind Invader of my heart, graced with every guist of Nature, raised with every grace of Art! Oh! could I but make thee love me, As thy Charms my heart have moved, None could e're be blessed above me, None could e're be more beloved. ACT IV. A Dialogue between a Clown and his Wife. Sung by Mr. Pate, and Mr. Leveridge. Set by Mr. Leveridge. Wife. HOld, John, e're you leave me, i'troth I will know Whither so smugg'd up thus early you go? With clean Hands and Face, Your best Band with a Lace Your Sunday Reparel when you should go Plough, So trim none would think you a married Man now. Hold, John, e're you leave me, e'troth I will know Whither so smugg'd up thus early you go? Man. Go, Joan, I wo'n't tell you: To led a sweet Life I've learnt of my Betters to steal from my Wife. Mayhaps with my Neighbour I'll dust it away, Mayhaps play at Put, or some other such Play. Wife. I guess at what game you'd be playing to day. follows him. Man. Don't plague me. The Devil's in Women I think. Go, Joan, I tell thee I 'm going to drink? Come, prithee, don't think that I've got no more Grace: Nay go, or I'll gi' thee a Dowse in the Face. Wife. I'll find then some body to strike in your Place. Why should you deny me? I never did you. Weeping. Because I an't new, you won't give me my due, But Troth, if you wo' not, another shall do. Man. If thus you e're do, Oh! how I'll belabour your Booby and You. threatening. Wife. If thus you e're do, Oh how I'll belabour your Trollop and You. They beat one another. Both. Oh how I'll belabour your Booby and You. Oh how I'll belabour your Trollop and you, and you, Wife. Well, John, do not go, Wheadling and crying. And I wo'not do so, Do not go, my dear Johny, My Precious, my Hony. She kisses him. Oh pray do not go, And I wo'not do so. Man. Adsooks by that buss I'm inveigled to stay, Come, Joan, come and spoil me from going astray. CHORUS. Wife. Come, give your best Band. Man. Here take my best Band. Both. Now, give me thy hand. Man. Thus 'tis with you Women. Wife. Thus 'tis with you men. Both. Whene're you fall out 'tis to fall in again. An Incantation set by Mr. D. Purcell. ' HEar thou by whom the rattling Thunder's hurled! ' Hear, Parent Sun, bright Eye, and Monarch of the World. Mr. Bowen. Priest. Hear, gentle Moon, pale Queen of Night, And ye refulgent Orbs of Light: Great Court of Heaven so ample and so high And all ye swarming Commons of the Sky. CHORUS. O Skies! O Sea! O Earth! O Hell! on all Your powers we call. E're the Blasphemers fall, Oh hear our solemn call. Mr. Freeman. Another Priest. Hear, ye friendly earthly Powers, Gods of kindly Fruits and Flowers, Who, unseen, delight to trip Where Birds flutter, hop, and skip, Where they warble, chirp, and coo, Where in Whispers Zephirs woe, Where poor echo sweetly grieves, And remurmurs thro' the Leaves. Mr. Pate. Another Priest. Rouse, ye Gods of the main! Take Vengeance on those who your Altars profane. Hush no more the loud Storms! Command thern to blow, Till foaming with Rage the Waves roar as they flow, " While they heave and they swell, ' Toss the Slaves to the Skies, and then plunge 'em to hell. Infernal powers, grim sullen sprights, Who fill our Souls with dire affrights! " By all your burning Lakes, " Your Furies, Racks, and Snakes. " By your could Icy Seas " Where wretches lingering frieze, " By all the sobs and moans, " By all the bursting Groans, By all the dismal yell, And horrors of your hell, Your dreadful Pleasure tell. End with the Verse, Hear ye Gods of the main, &c. The Chorus is repeated. O Skies! O Sea! O Earth! O Hell! on all Your powers we call. E're the Blasphemers fall, Oh hear our solemn call. The Enthusiastic SONG. Set, Sung, and Acted, by Mr. Leveridge. OH Cease, cease urge no more the God to swell my Breast! The Mansion dreads the great Guest. But lo! he comes! I shake! I feel, I feet his Sway, And now he hurries me along. Then, crowds, believe, and, Kings, obey, 'tis heaven inspires the Song. hast! To the Gods due Vengeance give. Hark! From their Seats they cry, Who lets Blasphemers live, Shall by Blasphemers die. hast, hast, due Vengeance give. " Let the Sound " echo all around. hast, hast, due Vengeance, Vengeance give. Beware! Ten thousand, thousand threatening Ills I see! Invasions! Wars! Plagues! Ruin! Endless Woes! Ah wretched Isle, I weep for Thee, Save, save thyself, Resign the God's Blaspheming Foes. Now, now the Thunder roars. The Earth now groans and quakes. The rising Main a Deluge pours. The World's Foundation shakes. Hell gapes! The Fiends appear! Oh hold, ye angry powers, relent, of we despair. See, we fulfil On your Foes your dreadful Will. See the Throng, Hoot 'em, as they're dragged along. Now they tear'em, now they die; All applaud, and shout for Joy. Peace returns, all Nature smiles Happy Days now bless our Isles. Now we laugh with Plenty crowned, Merry Sports and Love go round.— " The Vision's o'er!— The God deserts my breast. " Hush! gently bear me hence to Rest, he is lead off. ACT V. THE FOUR SEASONS: OR Love in every Age, A Musical Interlude. Set to Music by Mr. Jeremy clerk. This Entertainment was designed for another Season, and another Occasion: And what is marked thus(") is omitted. THe Overture is a Symphony, lofty, yet gay: At the latter part, it changes to a flat adagio; to which mournful Movement The Genius of the Stage appears in a melancholic Posture, with attendants. Mr. Leveridge. Genius. " Mourn, drooping Seat of Pleasures, mourn. " Mourn what all others bless, the Summer's warm Return. Chorus of Attendants. Mourn drooping, Seat of Pleasures, mourn! " Thy darling Guests, thy fair, thy best Supports, " For rival Fields forsake our lovely Sports: " We grieve alone, while Birds and Shepherds Sing. " Alas, we bear a Winter in the Spring. CHORUS. Chorus. Mourn drooping Seat of Pleasures, Mourn! Mr. Freeman. While a gay March is performed Apollo appears. apollo. Rouse, rouse, ye tuneful Sons of Art! The God of Numbers and of Days, Infusing Life in every Part, Appears, your fainting hopes to raise. " Advance in crowds, soft Pleasures, sprightly Joys, " Tune every Lyre, raise every voice. " Advance, soft Pleasures, sprightly Joys. " While your Mr. Henry Purcel. Amphion played, and Sung, " Your Thebes in decent Order sprung. " Let harmony be thus employed, " To raise what Discord has destroyed; " And music, that even Trees can move, " Shall draw the Fair from every Grove. Revive, every Pleasure, and die, every Care! Ye Ages of Life, and ye Seasons appear! Show now, that, as Love in all Ages can warm, So Harmony here in all Seasons can charm. The Chorus repeat from Revive every Pleasure, and die every Care! &c. While the Chorus repeat that verse, the Scene changes, and discovers the four Seasons, on four several Stages. The Genius and 〈◇〉 of his Attendants withdraw. Enter a Girl of Thirteen or Fourtween years old. Miss Campion. Girl. MUST I a Girl for ever be! Will ne'er my Mother mary me! They tell me I'm Pretty, They tell me I'm Witty: But when I would mary, She cries, I must tarry, Must I a Girl for ever be! Will ne're my Mother mary me! Enter a Youth. Mr. Magnes's Boy. Youth. OH! Miss! The Spring is come again, The pretty Birds sing, bill, and cooe. All dance in Couples on the Green: 'tis time we should be doing too. My Dear, let's mary; then we'll try, Why Men and Maids together lie. Girl. Peace, naughty Thing! I heard one say That Marriage is no Children's Play. Think you to have me for a Song? Besides, they tell me I 'm too young: Boy. No, now to wed betimes is common; When e're you mary, you're a Woman, Come, I must have you, quickly too, Girl. fie, why d'you make so much ado? he kisses her. Boy. fie, I'm ashamed! fie, what d'you do? Both repeat their last last Line together. Boy. Be quiet, or I'll call my Mother. Girl. Nay, prithee, let me take another. Both repeat their last Line together. Boy. Another Kiss, and then— Girl. What then? Boy. Another, and another. Girl. " I fear I should repent my Choice, " And mary nothing but a Voice: " But tho' 't would spoil my Shape and Growth, were't you a Man, I'd venture both. Boy. Nay, never fear, you'll quickly know, Tho I am little, soon I'll grow. Girl. Oh, no, no, no. Oh, no, no, no. Boy. Oh let us go. You'll find it so. They repeat their last Line together for a Chorus. He goes off with her. The Dance of Spring here. Enter two young Lasses with Baskets of Flowers, and Nosegays in their hands. They Dance. Enter to them two young Sparks, the Lasses, dancing, offer 'em Nosegays, curtisying, and smiling. The Sparks make love to 'em and carry 'em off. Enter a Country Lass with a rak, as at Hay-making. Mis Lindsey. 1. " Oh Why thus alone must I pass the long day! " Where a Gentleman by, 'twere sweet to make hay, " And on the Grass coupled to jig it away. " I'll then go sell all, even my rak and my Pail, " To buy a high Topping, and hugeous long Tail. " Your powdered wild Bores will then all come to woe, " I'll learn how to flaunt it, and quickly come too, " And serve a Town Husband, as other Wives do. 2. " I hate a dull Clown who knows hardly what's what, " Who shrugging and grinning stands twirling his Hat, " Nor dares tell a Body what he would be at. " With smoke and worse liquour he sots and he Feasts, " And instead of his Mistress he fondles his Beasts. " With his hands in his Pockets he whistling goes by, " Or by me on a Hay-cock he snoring does lye, " When the Booby much better himself might employ. Enter a Gentleman. Mr. Leveridge. Gent. 'tis sultry Weather, Pretty Maid, Come, let's retire to yonder shade. She stands bashfully hiding her face. Pray, why so shy? Why thus d'ye stand? Sure 'tis no Crime to touch your hand. Oh let me take a civil kiss! She Curtsies when he kisses her. What harm is there in doing this? fie, why d'ye cover thus your breast? One Favour more, and then I'm blessed. She bashfully puts him off. Lass. Oh pray, Sir. Nay, nay, Sir. Oh fie, Sir. Oh why, Sir, Why do you Now pull me thus to you? ( Aside.) Oh what shall I say! When a Gentleman suitors 'tis hard to say nay— I 'm even out of Breath; Oh, dear! what d'ye do? Good La! Is it thus that you Gentlefolks woe. Gent. " Oh how the moments sweetly pass, " In shady Groves, upon the Grass, " With a fresh, sprightly Country Lass! " Thus fair with native Charms alone; " Modest, yet easy to be won: " She gives us every Joy in one. Lass. Good, Sir, do not hold me. Gent. Good Lass, do not fly. Lass. What good can I do you? Gent. Come yonder, we'll try. Lass. I vow, I can't find in my heart to deny. Gent. Oh come to the Grove. Lass. Oh I dare not, I swear. I 'm afraid of the Serpents that sting Women there. One stung my poor Sister, and made her so swell, 'tis now almost ninemonths, and she's not yet well. Gent. Here, I give you a Charm he gives her a Ring. To keep you from harm. secured by the Ring Women venture the sting. Lass. Oh! what shall I give you for such a fine Thing? Gent. Oh come, come, you'll give me another fine Thing. He goes off with her, each repeating their last verse. Exeunt. Enter an African Lady, with Slaves who dance with Timbrels. A Negro Lord makes Love to her. They go off together. Enter a Lusty Strapping Middle-ag'd Widow all in Mourning. She weeps and blubbers. Mr. Pate. OH my poor Husband! For ever he's gone! Alas! I 'm undone. I sigh, and I moan. Must I these could Nights lye alone! Alas! I 'm undone— I did what I list: We kist, and we kist: But his Health soon he mist, And thro Business and Care he ceased to be gay And at last, poor Soul! he dwindled away, We wrangled And jangled When in an ill mood, Yet often like Pigeons we bill'd and we coo'd. 'tis done. Oh! he's gone Alack, and alack I must now for ever do Penance in Black. Enter a Drunken Officer, Reeling, he hickups. Mr. Leveridge. Offi. WHy, Widow, why Widow! What makes thee so sad? Art thou mad? If one Husband is gone, there are more to be had. Come, I'll be thy Hony!— Leave keeping a Pother, One Man like one Nail serves to drive out another. Wi. How! Talk so to me! What, think you I'd Wed? 'tis scarce a Month yet since my poor Hony's dead. Offi. A Month! 'tis an Age. You're mad to delay. Most Widows now choose e're the Funeral Day. Wi. Not I: I'll ne're do't. fie, what would People say? Offi. They'll say, you're a Woman. Come, away with this Fan, See! See!— here's a Shape!— here's a Grace,— here's a Leg! here's a Man, I'll get thee with Twins, till a hundred and ten. Wi. You lye,— go, you'll talk at another rate then. She pats him in a smiling way. Offi. Then try me. Wi. Leave fooling. Offi. I'll do't by this Kiss. By this, this, and this! I'll be hanged if I miss. Wi. Oh should I do this! Offi. Twill ease you of Pain. Wi. Go, you're a sad Man! Offi. I'll kill thee with Kindness. Wi. Ay, do if you can. They repeat their last Line, and he hurries her away. Exeunt. A French Country-woman with Grapes and other Fruits comes in, in Wooden Shoes, a French Vintage-maker make Love to her in a dance, and goes off with her. While four of five Bars are performed by a through Base, enter an Old Gentleman, in an old-fashioned Dress Mr. Crossfield. , following a Young Lass, or Girl Mis Campion. , and pushing a Youth from her The Boy. . An Old Woman, in an old-fashioned Dress Mis Lindsey. , comes and Thrusts him away from the Young Couple. The Old Woman sings like one without Teeth. Old Wom. HOld, good Mr. Fumble. fie! What do you mean, To court my Grand Daughter? She's scarce yet fifteen. And you, H'usi'fe; why stay you? go get you to School. Your Baby go dandle, I'll handle This doting old Tool. Old Man. Hold, hold! Do not scold. With my Grandson go cooe. He points to the Youth. You love him I know. Together go cooe! " Good Lad, prithee do. " Tho he's somewhat bashful, he'll quickly come to I 'm not yet so old, I long to be at her, to have and to hold. I'll wed thee, To the Girl. I'll bed thee, I'll rouse thee, I'll touze thee, I'll give thee what's better and sweeter than Gold. Girl. No, no, you're too old. Old Man. Dear Girl, why so shy? Girl. Old Man, why so dry? Old Wom. Good Lad, how d'you do? Boy. Ne're the better for You. Old Wom. Hold! Boy! I am brisk yet, And gaily can frisk it. Old Man. I've yet three good Teeth, and a Stump: And see I can caper and jump! Jumps. Old Wom. Why thus do you shun her? What makes you so bold? To the Boy. Why thus do you shun him? What makes you so bold? To the Girl. Boy and Girl. Indeed you're to old. Crying as being frighted. Too old, and too could. Old Man. I find 'tis in vain! To the Old Woman. Come, no longer let's strain. Let the Young take the Young, Let the Old take the Old. The Old Man goes and takes the Old Woman by the hand, and she him, hugging one another. We'll hug ourselves warm, now the Weather is could. All the the four repeat the last two Lines as a Chorus. Enter a Dutch-woman with a Stove warming her self, her clothes lined with Furs. An Old Miser makes Love to her in a Dance. Enter Cupid, who sings. COme all, come all— Enter the Ages and Seasons. Let soft Desires your Hearts engage, 'tis sweet to Love in every Age. every Season, every Creature, yields to Love, and courts his Joys. None are Truer, none are Sweeter When Discretion guides the Choice. Cupid with the Four Ages and the Four Seasons, mingle in a Dance while the following Grand Chorus is sung. Grand Chorus of all the Voices and Instruments. HAil, God of Desire! Hail, God of the Year! All Ages you fire. All Seasons you cheer. Thus ever conspire, And reign every where, " Love blooms in on Sping. The four Parts of Music answerable to the four Ages of Life and Seasons of the Year, sing each the Line that's suitable to them. " In our Summer it grows. " In our Autumn 'tis ripe. " In our Winter it glows. Then all together. Hail, God of Dsiere! Hail, God of the Year! All Ages you fire. All Seasons you cheer. Thus ever conspire, And reign every where. FINIS.