PR 1816 TIME VINDICATED TO HIMSELF AND TO HIS HONOURS; In the presentation at Court on Twelfth-night, 1623. Qui se mirantur, in illos TIME VINDICATED, &c.] This Entertainment, which forms a kind of retort courteous to the scurrilous satires now dispersed with mischievous activity, appears only in the second folio. The light parts of it are composed with great gaiety and humour; and the singing and dancing must have been given with great effect among the rich and beautiful concomitants of scenery, &c. that surrounded them. In the Dulwich College MS. this is called the Prince's Masque ; its unusual splendor seems to have induced the Master of the Revels (Sir John Astley) to enter into a more particular mention of it than is common with these costive gentlemen. "Upon New-year's day at night, the Alchemist was acted by the King's players. "Upon Sonday, being the 19th of January, (1623) the Princes Masque appointed for Twelfe daye, was performed. The speeches and songs composed by Mr. Ben Johnson, and the scene made by Mr. Inigo Jones, which was three times changed during the tyme of the Masque, wherein the first that was discovered was a prospective of Whitehall, with the Banqueting House; the second was the Masquers in a cloud; and the third a forest. The French embassador was present, "Antemasques were of tumblers and jugglers. The Prince did lead the measures with the French embassadors wife. "The measures, braules, corrantos, and galliards being ended, the Masquers with the ladies did daunce two contrey daunces, where the French embassadors wife and Mademoysal St. Luke did daunce." Malone's Hist, of the Eng. Stage. TIME VINDICATED. The Court being seated, a Trumpet sounded, and FAME entered, followed by the CURIOUS, the EYED, the EA RED, and the NOSED.' Fame. Give ear, the worthy, hear what Fame proclaims. Ears. What, what? is't worth our ears? Nose. Or noses? For we are curious, Fame; indeed, THE CURIOUS. Eyes. We come to spy. Ears. And hearken. Nose. And smell out. Fame. More than you understand, my hot inquisitors. Nose. We cannot tell. Eyes. It may be. Ears. However, go you on, let us alone. meant. Nose. And nose the thing you scent not. First, whence come you ? Fame. I came from Saturn. Ears. Saturn! what is he? Nose. Some Protestant, I warrant you, a timeserver, As Fame herself is. * The Eyed, &c.] It appears, from the sequel, that the masks of the performers were furnished with numerous eyes, ears, and noses, respectively. Fame. You are near the right. Indeed, he's Time itself, and his name CHRONOS. Nose. How! Saturn! Chronos! and the Time itself! You are found: enough. A notable old pagan! Ears. One of their gods, and eats up his own children. Nose. A fencer, and does travel with a scythe, 'Stead of a long sword, Eyes. Hath been oft call'd from it, To be their lord of Misrule.' Ears. As Cincinnatus Was from the plough, to be dictator. We need no interpreter: on, what of Time? to summon All sorts of persons worthy, to the view Nose. O, we shall have his Saturnalia. Eyes. Slaves of their lords. Nose. The servants of their masters. 2 To be their lord of Misrule.] "In the feast of Christmass, there was in the king's house, wheresoever he was lodged, a lord of misrule, or master of merry disports; and the like had ye in the house of every noble man of honour, or good worship, were he spiritual or temporal." Stow. In the following verses the poet alludes to that liberty which reigned amongst the Romans during the Saturnalia, or feasts of Saturn. These were appointed to remind them of the general equality between all men in the first age. WHAL. |