the hall. They placed sixteen others like accoutred for riches, and arms, only that their colours were varied to watchet and white; who were by the same earls led up, and passing in like manner, by the state, placed on the opposite side."

By this time, the BAR being brought up, TRUTH proceeded.

Truth. Now join; and if this varied trial fail,
To make my truth in wedlock's praise prevail,
I will retire, and in more power appear,
To cease this strife, and make our question clear.

Whereat OPINION insulting, followed her with this speech.

Opin. Ay, do: it were not safe thou shouldst abide : This speaks thy name, with shame to quit thy side.

Here the champions on both sides addrest themselves for fight, first single; after, three to three: and

2 "The names of the combatants (Jonson says in the 4to.) as they were given to me, both in Order and Orthography, were these.

On the side of TRUTH.

Duke of Lennox.
Lord Effingham.
Lord Walden.
Lord Mounteagle.
Sir Thomas Somerset.
Sir Charles Howard.

Sir John Gray.
Sir Thomas Mounson.
Sir John Leigh.
Sir Robert Maunsell.
Sir Edward Howard.
Sir Henry Goodyere.
Sir Roger Dalison.
Sir Francis Howard.
Sir Lew Maunsell.
Master Gauteret.

On the side of OPINION.
Earl of Sussex.
Lord Willoughby.
Lord Gerrard.
Sir Robert Carey.
Sir Oliver Cromwel.
Sir William Herbert.
Sir Robert Drewry.
Sir William Woodhouse.
Sir Carey Reynolds.
Sir Richard Houghton.
Sir William Constable.
Sir Thomas Gerrard.
Sir Robert Killegrew.
Sir Thomas Badger.
Sir Thomas Dutton.
Master Digbie."

performed it with that alacrity, and vigour, as if Mars himself had been to triumph before Venus, and invented a new masque. When on a sudden, (the last six having scarcely ended) a striking light seemed to fill all the hall, and out of it an ANGEL or messenger of glory appearing.

Angel. Princes, attend a tale of height, and wonder, Truth is descended in a second thunder, And now will greet you, with judicial state, To grace the nuptial part in this debate; And end with reconciled hands these wars.

Upon her head she wears a crown of stars, Through which her orient hair waves to her waste, By which believing mortals hold her fast, And in those golden cords are carried even, Till with her breath she blows them up to heaven. She wears a robe enchased with eagles eyes, To signify her sight in mysteries: Upon each shoulder sits a milk-white dove, And at her feet do witty serpents move: Her spacious arms do reach from east to west, And you may see her heart shine through her breast. Her right hand holds a sun with burning rays, Her left a curious bunch of golden keys, With which heaven's gates she locketh and displays.

3 Her right hand holds a sun, &c.] Milton is greatly indebted to this magnificent portraiture of Truth, although his commentators cannot find it out. The purblind Mr. Bowles runs to a Spanish proverb, and Mr. Warton to Dante. These precious discoveries are carefully treasured up in every Edition of this great poet. But, indeed, nothing can be more amusing than the mode in which Jonson is treated in general.

The Arcades, with the exception of three trifling songs, is made up of the speech of the Genius. Upon which Warton remarks that, "in the King's Entertainment, the Genius speaks, somewhat in Milton's manner, &c." In Milton's manner! If the reader will turn to the passage, (vol. vi. p. 411,) he will find that Jonson speaks in his own manner. In whose manner Milton (who was

A crystal mirror hangeth at her breast,

By which men's consciences are search'd, and drest :
On her coach-wheels Hypocrisy lies rack'd;
And squint-eyed Slander, with Vain-glory back'd.
Her bright eyes burn to dust, in which shines Fate:
An angel ushers her triumphant gate,
Whilst with her fingers fans of stars she twists,
And with them beats back Error, clad in mists.
Eternal Unity behind her shines,

That fire and water, earth and air combines.
Her voice is like a trumpet loud and shrill,
Which bids all sounds in earth, and heaven be still.
And see! descended from her chariot now,
In this related pomp she visits you.

Enter TRUTH.

Truth. Honour to all that honour nuptials,
To whose fair lot, in justice, now it falls,
That this my counterfeit be here disclosed,
Who, for virginity, hath herself opposed.
Nor though my brightness do undo her charms,
Let these her knights think, that their equal arms
Are wrong'd therein: For valour wins applause,
That dares but to maintain the weaker cause.
And princes, see, 'tis mere Opinion

That in Truth's forced robe, for Truth hath gone!
Her gaudy colours, pieced with many folds,
Shew what uncertainties she ever holds :
Vanish, adulterate Truth! and never dare
With proud maids praise, to press where nuptials are.
And, champions, since you see the truth I held,
To sacred Hymen, reconciled, yield:

not then born) speaks, is another question. And Mr. Todd "has been induced (he says) to make large extracts from a MS. Masque by Marston, that the reader may comprehend the nature of those entertainments." (Arcades, 132.) This is the more kind and considerate, as nothing on this head is to be found elsewhere.

Nor (so to yield) think it the least despight:
"It is a conquest to submit to right."
This royal judge of our contention
Will prop, I know, what I have undergone;
To whose right sacred highness I resign,
Low at his feet, this starry crown of mine,
To shew his rule and judgment is divine;
These doves to him I consecrate withal,
To note his innocence, without spot, or gall;
These serpents, for his wisdom: and these rays,
To shew, his piercing splendor: these bright keys
Designing power to ope the ported skies,
And speak their glories to his subjects' eyes.

Lastly, this heart, with which all hearts be true:
And truth in him make treason ever rue.

With this they were led forth, hand in hand, reconciled, as in triumph. And thus the solemnities ended. Vivite concordes, et nostrum discite munus.