Lapas attēli
PDF
ePub

I call'd these youths forth in their blood, and

prime,

Out of the honour that I bore their parts,
To make them fitter so to serve the Time

By labour, riding, and those ancient arts,
That first enabled men unto the wars,
And furnish'd heaven with so many stars :
Hip. As Perseus, Castor, Pollux, and the rest,

Who were of hunters first, of men the best ;
Whose shades do yet remain within yond'

groves,

Themselves there sporting with their nobler loves.

Dia. And so may these do, if the time give leave. Sat. Chaste Dian's purpose we do now conceive, And yield thereto.

Ven. And so doth Love.

Vot. All votes do in one circle move.

Grand Cho.

Turn hunters then,

Again.

Hunting, it is the noblest exercise,

Makes men laborious, active, wise,
Brings health, and doth the spirits delight,
It helps the hearing, and the sight:
It teacheth arts that never slip

The memory, good horsemanship,
Search, sharpness, courage, and defence,
And chaseth all ill habits thence.

Turn hunters then,

Again,

But not of men.
Follow his ample,

And just example,

That hates all chase of malice, and of blood:

And studies only ways of good,

To keep soft peace in breath.

Man should not hunt mankind to death,
But strike the enemies of man;

Kill vices if you can:

They are your wildest beasts,

And when they thickest fall, you make the gods true feasts.

[merged small][graphic]

NEPTUNE'S TRIUMPH

FOR THE

RETURN OF ALBION.

CELEBRATED IN A MASQUE AT THE COURT ON THE TWELFTH-NIGHT, 1624.

Omnis et ad reducem jam litat ara Deum.-MART.

NEPTUNE'S TRIUMPH, &C.] Charles (i. e. Albion) returned from his ill-fated expedition to Spain on the fifth of October, in the preceding year (1623). Before this Masque appeared, the Spanish match was completely broken off, and James, who had long set his heart upon it, and for several years honestly and sedulously laboured to effect it, wearied out at length by the interminable juggling of the court of Spain, was, by this time, reconciled to the disappointment. Neptune's Triumph appears to have been celebrated with uncommon magnificence. All hearts and hands were in it; and the Spanish influence then received a check, from which it has not recovered to this day.

NEPTUNE'S TRIUMPH, ETC.

His Majesty being set, and the loud music ceasing. All that is discovered of a scene, are two erected pillars, dedicated to Neptune, with this inscription upon the one,

NEP. RED.

On the other.

SEC. Jov.

The Poet entering on the stage, to disperse the argument, is called to by the Master-Cook.

Cook.

[graphic]

O you hear, you creature of diligence and business? what is the affair, that you pluck for so, under your cloke?

Poet. Nothing, but what I colour for, I assure you; and may encounter with, I hope, if luck favour me, the gamesters' goddess.

Cook. You are a votary of hers, it seems, by your language. What went you upon, may a man ask you? Poet. Certainties, indeed, sir, and very good ones; the representation of a masque; you'll see't anon.

Cook. Sir, this is my room, and region too, the Banquetting-house. And in matter of feast, the solemnity, nothing is to be presented here, but with my acquaintance and allowance to it.

« iepriekšējāTurpināt »