This fool should have been sent to Anticyra,
The isle of Ellebore, there to have purg'd,
Not hoped a happy seat within your waters.-
Hear now the message of the Fates, and Jove,
On whom these Fates depend, to you, as Neptune
The great commander of the seas and isles.
That point of revolution being come,

When all the Fortunate Islands should be join'd,
MACARIA one, and thought a principal,
That hitherto hath floated, as uncertain
Where she should fix her blessings, is to-night
Instructed to adhere to your Britannia :
That where the happy spirits live, hereafter
Might be no question made, by the most curious,
Since the MACARII come to do you homage,
And join their cradle to your continent.

Here the scene opens, and the MASQUERS are discovered sitting in their several sieges. The air opens above, and APOLLO, with HARMONV, and the SPIRITS of Music sing, the while the Island moves forward, PROTEUS sitting below, and hearkening.

SONG.

Look forth, the shepherd of the seas,
And of the ports that keep the keys,
And to your Neptune tell,
Macaria, prince of all the isles,
Wherein there nothing grows but smiles,
Doth here put in, to dwell.

The winds are sweet and gently blow,
But Zephyrus, no breath they know,
The father of the flowers:

By him the virgin violets live,
And every plant doth odours give,
As new, as are the hours.

Cho. Then, think it not a common cause,
That to it so much wonder draws,
And all the heavens consent,
With harmony to tune their notes,
In answer to the public votes,
That for it up were sent.

By this time, the island having joined itself to the shore, PROTEUS, PORTU NUS, and SARON come forth, and go up singing to the state, while the MASQUERS take time to rank themselves.

SONG.

Pro. Ay, now, the heights of Neptune's honours shine, And all the glories of his greater style

Are read, reflected in this happiest isle.

Por. How both the air, the soil, the seat combine
To speak it blessed!

Sar.

These are the true groves

Where joys are born.

Pro.

Where longings,

Por.

And where loves!

Cho. 'Tis odour all that comes !

And every tree doth give his gums.

Pro. There is no sickness, nor no old age known
To man, nor any grief that he dares own.
There is no hunger here, nor envy of state,
Nor least ambition in the magistrate.
But all are even hearted, open, free,

And what one is, another strives to be.

Por. Here, all the day, they feast, they sport, and spring,

Now dance the Graces' hay; now Venus ring:
To which the old musicians play and sing.

Sar. There is Arion, tuning his bold harp,

From flat to sharp,

Por. And light Anacreon,

Pro.

Sar. Por.

He still is one!

Stesichorus there, too,

That Linus and old Orpheus doth outdo
To wonder.

And Amphion! he is there.

Nor is Apollo dainty to appear

In such a quire, although the trees be thick, Pro. He will look in, and see the airs be quick, And that the times be true.

Por.

Pro.

Then, chanting,

Then,

Up with their notes, they raise the prince of

men,

Sar. And sing the present prophesy that goes,
Of joining the bright Lily and the Rose.

Cho. See! all the flowers,

Pro.

That spring the banks along,
Do move their heads unto that under song.

Cho. Saron, Portunus, Proteus, help to bring
Our primrose in, the glory of the spring;
And tell the daffodil, against that day,

That we prepare new garlands fresh as May,
And interweave the myrtle and the bay.

This sung, the island goes back, whilst the Upper Chorus takes it from them, and the MASQUERS prepare for their figure.

Cho. Spring all the graces of the age,
And all the loves of time;

Bring all the pleasures of the stage,
And relishes of rhyme.

Add all the softnesses of courts,

The looks, the laughters, and the sports; And mingle all their sweets, and salts, That none may say, the triumph halts,

The MASQUERS dance their ENTRY, or FIRST DANCE.

Which done, the first prospective, a maritime palace, or the house of OCEANUS is discovered to loud music.

The other above is no more seen.

Johp. Behold the palace of Oceanus ! Hail, reverend structure! boast no more to us Thy being able all the gods to feast; We saw enough; when Albion was thy guest.

Here the MEASURES.

After which, the second prospective, a sea, is shown to the former music.

Johp. Now turn, and view the wonders of the deep,

Where Proteus' herds, and Neptune's orcs do

keep,

Where all is plough'd, yet still the pasture's green; New ways are found, and yet no paths are seen.

Here PROTEUS, PORTUNUS, SARON, go up to the Ladies with this SONG.

Pro. Come, noble nymphs, and do not hide
The joys for which you so provide:

Por.

Sar. If not to mingle with the men,
What do you here? Go home agen.
Your dressings do confess,
By what we see, so curious parts
Of Pallas, and Arachne's arts,

That you could mean no less.
Pro. Why do you wear the silk-worm's toils,
Or glory in the shell-fish' spoils;
Or strive to shew the grains of ore
That you have gather'd on the shore,
Whereof to make a stock

Sar.

To graft the greener emerald on,
Or any better water'd stone,

Or ruby of the rock.
Pro. Why do you smell of amber-grise,
Of which was formed Neptune's niece,
The queen of love; unless you can,
Like sea-born Venus, love a man?

Sar.

Try, put yourselves unto't.

Cho. Your looks, your smiles, and thoughts that meet,
Ambrosian hands, and silver feet,
Do promise you will do't.

The REVELS follow.

Which ended, the fleet is discovered, while the three cornets play.