Love Restored,

IN A MASQUE AT COURT, BY GENTLEMEN,

THE KING'S SERVANTS.

LOVE RESTORED.] From the folio, 1616. This is a sprightly little piece, and Robin Goodfellow's account of the petty tricks used by the inferior orders to procure a sight of these exhibitions, and the conduct of the menial officers of the Court, is as interesting as it is amusing, from its being a lively picture of real occurrences. We learn from many of our old dramas that considerable bustle and confusion took place at Whitehall whenever a Masque was presented, and that previously to the entrance of the Court, the doors were in a manner besieged by crowds of citizens and others clamorously advancing their respective pretensions to the honour of admission. It is said by the Puritans, and probably with some approach to truth, that the galleries were used, on these occasions, as places of assignation, and that the citizens' wives were invited to the Masques, &c., by the younger courtiers for the purposes of gallantry. "There is not a lobby nor chamber, if it could speak (says Sir Edward Peyton), but would verify this." This was, however, after the Queen's death, and when the decorum of the Court was less strictly maintained.

[This piece was presented during Christmas, 1610-11. See remarks on Love Freed from Folly, ante p. 79.-F. C.]

The King and Court being seated, and in expectation,

Enter MASQUERADO.

I would I could make them a show myself! In troth, ladies, I pity you all. You are in expectation of a device to-night, and I am afraid you can do little else but expect it. Though I dare not shew my face, I can speak truth under a vizard. Good faith, an't please your majesty, your Masquers are all at a stand; I cannot think your majesty will see any show tonight, at least worth your patience. Some two hours since, we were in that forwardness, our dances learned, our masquing attire on, and attired. A pretty fine speech was taken up of the poet too, which if he never be paid for now, it's no matter; his wit costs him nothing. Unless we should come in like a morrice-dance, and whistle our ballad ourselves, I know not what we should do we have neither musician to play our tunes, but the wild music here; and the rogue play-boy, that acts Cupid, is got so hoarse, your majesty cannot hear him half the breadth of your chair.

Enter PLUTUS as CUPID.

See, they have thrust him out, at adventure. We humbly beseech your majesty to bear with us. We had both hope and purpose it should have been better, howsoever we are lost in it.

Plu. What makes this light, feathered vanity here? away, impertinent folly. Infect not this assembly.

Masq. How, boy!

Plu. Thou common corruption of all manners and places that admit thee.

Masq. Have you recovered your voice to rail at me?

Plu. No, vizarded impudence. I am neither player nor masquer; but the god himself, whose deity is here profaned by thee. Thou, and thy like, think yourselves authorized in this place to all licence of surquedrie. But you shall find custom hath not so grafted you here but you may be rent up, and thrown out as unprofitable evils. I tell thee I will have no more masquing; I will not buy a false and fleeting delight so dear: the merry madness of one hour shall not cost me the repentance of an age.

stuck to this shape you see me in of mine own, with my broom and my candles, and came on confidently, giving out I was a part of the Device: at which, though they had little to do with wit, yet because some on't might be used here to-night, contrary to their knowledge, they thought it fit way should be made for me; and, as it falls out, to small purpose.

so vain a vocation. I answered, We are
all masquers sometimes: with which they
knocked Hypocrisy o' the pate, and made
room for a bombard man, that brought
Douge for a country lady or two, that
fainted, he said, with fasting for the fine
sight since seven o'clock in the morning.
O how it grieved me that I was prevented
of that shape, and had not touched on it
in time, it liked me so well; but I thought
I would offer at it yet. Marry, before I
could procure my properties, alarum came
that some of the whimlens had too much;
and one shewed how fruitfully they had
watered his head, as he stood under the
grices; and another came out, complain-
ing of a cataract shot into his eyes by a
planet as he was star-gazing. There was
that device defeated! By this time I saw
a fine citizen's wife or two let in; and that
figure provoked me exceedingly to take it;
which I had no sooner done, but one of the
black-guard had his hand in my vestrie,
and was groping of me as nimbly as the
Christmas cut-purse. He thought he
might be bold with me because I had not a
husband in sight to squeak to. I was glad
to forego my form to be rid of his hot
steeming affection, it so smelt of the boil-
ing-house. Forty other devices I had of
wiremen and the chandry, and I know not
what else but all succeeded alike. I
offered money too, but that could not be
done so privately as it durst be taken, for
the danger of an example. At last a troop
of strangers came to the door, with whom
I made myself sure to enter: but before I
could mix they were all let in, and I left alone
without for want of an interpreter. Which,
when I was fain to be to myself as a Colos-
sus, the company told me I had English
enough to carry me to bed; with which all
the other statues of flesh laughed. Never
till then did I know the want of a hook
and a piece of beef, to have baited three or
four of those goodly wide mouths with. In
this despair, when all invention and trans-subtler
lation too failed me, I e'en went back and

'I answered, We are all masquers sometimes.] Jonson is always happy in his allusions to this anomaly in the practice and preaching of the Puritans. See vol. i. p. 236 b.

Plu. Just as much as you are fit for. Away, idle spirit; and thou the idle cause of his adventuring hither, vanish with him. 'Tis thou that art not only the sower of vanities in these high places, but the call of all other light follies to fall, and feed on them. I will endure thy prodigality nor riots no more; they are the ruins of states. Nor shall the tyranny of these nights hereafter impose a necessity upon me of entertaining thee. Let them embrace more frugal pastimes. Why should not the thrifty and right worshipful game of Post and Pair content them; or the witty_invention of Noddy, for counters; or God make them rich at the tables ?3 but masquing and revelling! Were not these ladies and their gentlewomen more housewifely employed, a dozen of them to a light, or twenty (the more the merrier) to save charges, in their chambers at home, and their old night-gowns, at Draw-gloves, Riddles, Dreams, and other pretty purposes, rather than to wake here in their flaunting wires and tires, laced gowns, embroidered petticoats, and other taken-up braveries? Away, I will no more of these superfluous excesses. They are these make me hear so ill both in town and country, as I do; which if they continue I shall be the first shall leave them.

Masq. Either I am very stupid, or this a reformed Cupid.

Rob. How does any take this for Cupid? the Love in Court? Masq. Yes, is't not he? Rob. Nay then, we spirits, I see, are yet, and somewhat better discoverers. No; it is not he, nor his

to the different offices. For one of the blackguard, which occurs below, see p. 97 b.

8 At the tables?] It may now be added to seems to be a species of backgammon. Noddy the note on this game (vol. ii. p. 68 6), that it I believe, a variation of cribbage.

A bomlard man that brought bouge] i.e., provisions. Bouge of Court was an allowance of meat and drink to the officers of the Court.is, WHAL

Whalley has not noticed the bombard-man. He was one of the people who attended at the buttery-hatch, and carried the huge cans of beer

They are these make me hear so ill] i.e., make me to be so ill spoken of. This Latinism has been noticed before. Taken up braveries are expensive dresses procured on credit.

Or makes it old.

But here are beauties will revive
Love's youth, and keep his heat alive :

As often as his torch here dies,
He need but light it at fresh eyes.
Joy, joy the more; for in all courts,
If Love be cold, so are his sports.

Cup. I have my spirits again, and feel my limbs.

brother Anti-Cupid, the Love of Virtue, Yes, tyrant Money quencheth all desire, though he pretend to it with his phrase and face: 'tis that impostor Plutus, the god of money, who has stolen Love's ensigns; and in his belied figure reigns the world, making friendships, contracts, marriages, and almost religion; begetting, breeding, and holding the nearest respects of mankind: and usurping all those offices in this age of gold, which Love himself performed in the golden age. 'Tis he that pretends to tie kingdoms, maintain commerce, dispose of honours, make all places and dignities arbitrary from him, even to the very country where Love's name cannot be razed out, he has yet gained there upon him by a proverb, Not for Love or Money. There Love lives confined by his tyranny to a cold region, wrapt up in furs like a Muscovite, and almost frozen to death: while he, in his inforced shape, and with his ravished arms, walks as if he were to set bounds and give laws to destiny. 'Tis you mortals that are fools; and worthy to be such that worship him: for if you had wisdom, he had no godhead. He should stink in the grave with those wretches whose slave he was; contemn him, and he is one. Come, follow me. I'll bring you where you shall find Love, and by the virtue of this majesty, who projecteth so powerful beams of light and heat through this hemisphere, thaw his icy fetters, and scatter the darkness that obscures him. Then, in despight of this insolent and barbarous Mammon, your sports may proceed, and the solemnities of the night be complete, without depending on so earthy an idol.

Plu. Ay, do; attempt it: 'tis like to find most necessary and fortunate event, whatsoever is enterprised without my aids. Alas, how bitterly the spirit of poverty spouts itself against my weal and felicity! but I feel it not. I cherish and make much of myself, flow forth in ease and delicacy, while that murmurs and starves.

Away with this cold cloud, that dims
My light! Lie there, my furs and charms,
Love feels a heat, that inward warms,
And guards him naked in these places,
As at his birth, or 'mongst the Graces.
Impostor Mammon, come, resign
This bow and quiver; they are mine.
Thou hast too long usurped my rites,
I now am lord of mine own nights.
Begone, whilst yet I give thee leave.
When thus the world thou wilt deceive,
Thou canst in youth and beauty shine
Belie a godhead's form divine,
Scatter thy gifts, and fly to those
Where thine own humour may dispose;
But when to good men thou art sent,'
By Jove's direct commandement,
Thou then art aged, lame, and blind,
And canst nor path nor persons find.
Go, honest spirit, chase him hence
To his caves; and there let him dispense
For murders, treasons, rapes, his bribes
Unto the discontented tribes;
Where let his heaps grow daily less,
And he and they still want success.
The majesty that here doth move,
Shall triumph, more secured by Love,
Than all his earth; and never crave
His aids, but force him as a slave.
To those bright beams I owe my life,
And I will pay it in the strife
Of duty back. See, here are ten,
The spirits of courts, and flower of men,
Led on by me, with flamed intents,
To figure the ten ornaments,
That do each courtly presence grace.
Nor will they rudely strive for place,

Enter CUPID in his chariot, guarded with One to precede the other; but
the Masquers, in number ten.

SONG.

O, how came Love, that is himself a fire,
To be so cold?

'Tis you mortals that are fools, &c.] Nullam numen habes si sit prudentia, sed te Nos facimus, fortuna, deam.-Juv. Sat. x.

As music them in form shall put,
So will they keep their measures true,
And make still their proportions new,
Till all become one harmony,
Of honour and of courtesy,
True valour and urbanity,

2 But when to good men thou art sent,] This and the three succeeding lines are from one of Lucian's Dialogues.