Oberon, the Fairy Prince: A MASQUE OF PRINCE HENRY'S. The first face of the scene appeared all obscure, and nothing perceived but a dark rock, with trees beyond it, and all wildness that could be presented: till, at one corner of the cliff, above the horizon, the moon began to shew, and rising, a SATYR was seen by her light to put forth his head and call. 1 Sat. CHROMIS !* Mnasil !t none appear? See you not who riseth here? You saw Silenus late, I fear.‡ I'll prove if this can reach your ear. He wound his cornet, and thought himself answered; but was deceived by the echo. O, you wake then! come away, What doth make you thus delay? * They are the names of two young Satyrs, I find in Virgil Eclog. 6, that took Silenus sleeping; who is feigned to be the pædagogue of Bacchus as the Satyrs are his collusores or play-fellows. So doth Diodor. Siculus, Synesius, Julian, in Casarib. report them. A proverbial speech, when they will tax one the other of drinking or sleepiness; alluding to that former place in Virgil: Chromis et Mnasilús in antro Silenum, pueri, somno videre jacentem, Inflatum hesterno venas, ut semper, Iaccho. § Silenus is everywhere made a lover of wine, as in Cyclops Eurip., and known by the notable ensign, his tankard: out of the same place of Virgil: Et gravis attrita pendebat cantharus ansa. As also out of that famous piece of sculpture, in a little gem or piece of jasper, observed by Mons. Casaubon, in his tract de Satyrica Poësi, from Rascasius Bagarrius: wherein is Wound his cornet the second time, and found it. I thought 'twas she! Here he wound the third time, and was answered by another Satyr, who likewise shewed himself. Ay, this sound I better know; List! I would I could hear moe. At this they came running forth severally, to the number of ten, from divers parts of the rock, leaping and making antick actions and gestures; some of them speaking, some admiring: and amongst them a SILENE, who is ever the prefect of the Satyrs, and so presented in all their chori and meetings. 2 Sat. Thank us, and you shall do so. 3 Sat. Ay, our number soon will grow. 2 Sat. See Silenus !T 3 Sat. CERCOPS too! described the whole manner of the scene, and chori of Bacchus, with Silenus and the Satyrs. An elegant and curious antiquity, both for the subtilty and labour: where, in so small a compass (to use his words), there is Rerum, personarum, actionum plane stupenda varietas. lowing Narcissus; and his self-love. Respecting that known fable of Echo's fol In the pomps of Dionysius or Bacchus, to every company of Satyrs, there was still given a Silene for their overseer or governor. And in that which is described by Athenæus in his fifth book. Bini Sileni non semel commemorantur, qui totidem plurium Satyrorum gregibus præsint. Erant enim eorum epistatæ, præsules, et coryphæi, propter grandem ætatem. He was also purpureo pallio vestitus cum albis soleis, et petasatus, aureum caduceum parvum ferens. Vid. Athena. Dipnos. lib. 6, de pompa Ptolemaică. 4 Sat. Yes. What is there now to do? 5 Sat. Are there any nymphs to woo? 4 Sat. If there be, let me have two. Silen. Chaster language It nights, * These are Solemn to the shining rites 2 Sat. Will they come abroad anon? Bacchus, though he still be young, Is the spring, and there can stay * The nature of the Satyrs the wise IIorace expressed well, in the word, when he called them Risores et Dicaces, as the Greek poets, Nonnus, &c., style them diλokepToμovs. Nec solum dicaces, sed et proni in venerem, et saltatores assidui et credebantur, et fingebantur. Unde Satyrica saltatio, quæ dixivvis dicebatur, et à qua Satyri ipsi oikivvioral. Vel à Sicino inventore, vel anò Ths Kivnoews, id est, a motu saltationis satyrorum, qui est concitatissimus. But in the Silenes was nothing of this petulance and lightness, but, on the contrary, all gravity and profound knowledge of most secret mysteries. Insomuch as the most learned of poets, Virgil, when he would write a poem of the beginnings and hidden nature of things, with other great antiquities, attributed the parts of disputing them to Silenus rather than any other. Which whosoever thinks to be easily, or by chance done by the most prudent writer, will easily betray his own ignorance or folly. To this, see the testimonies of Plato, Synesius, Herodotus, Strabo, Philostratus, Tertullian, &c. Omn. O, that he would come away! Sat. Grandsire, we shall leave to play** Silen. He'll deserve All you can, and more, my boys. 3 Sat. And to make 'em quickly fall? Silen. Peace, my wantons! he will do More than you can aim unto. 4 Sat. Will he build us larger caves? Silen. Yes, and give you ivory staves When you hunt; and better wine I Sat. Than the master of the vine? 2 Sat. And rich prizes, to be won, When we leap, or when we run? I Sat. Ay, and gild our cloven feet? sweet? I Sat. Bind our crooked legs in hoops Made of shells with silver loops? 2 Sat. Tie about our tawny wrists Bracelets of the fairy twists? § Mercury, who for the love of Penelope, while she was keeping her father Icarius's herds on the mountain Taygetas, turned himself into a fair buck-goat; with whose sports and flatteries the nymph being taken, he begat on her Pan: who was born, Capite cornuto, barbaque ac pedibus hircinis. As Homer hath it in Hymnis: and Lucian in dialogo Panis et Mercurii. He was called the giver of grace, xapidoτns, dainpos, Kai λevкòs. Hilaris et albus, nitens Cyllenius alis. As Bacchus was called avotos, floridus; and Hebo, à lanugine et molli ætate, semper virens. Il Apollo is said, after Jupiter had put Saturn to flight, to have sung his father's victory to the harp, Purpurea toga decorus, et laura coronatus, mirificeque deos omnes qui accubuerant, in convivio delectavisse. Which Tibullus, in lib. 2 Elegiar. points to: Sed nitidus, pulcherque veni. vestem Nunc indue Purpuream, longas nunc bene recte comas. THe was then lovely, as being not yet stained with blood, and called χρυσοπλεξ"Αρης, quasi aureum flagellum (vel rectius auream galeam) habens. Among the ancients the kind, both of the Centaurs and Satyrs, is confounded; and common with either. As sometimes the Satyrs are said to come of the Centaurs, and again the **In Julius Pollux, lib. 4, cap. 19, in that par Centaurs of them. Either of them are dipuès, which he entitles de satyricis personis, we read but after a diverse manner. And Galen observes that Silenus is called Tarros, that is, avus, to out of Hippocrates, Comment. 3 in 6 Epide-note his great age: as amongst the comic permicor. that both the Athenians and Ionians sons, the reverenced for their years were called called the Satyrs φηρας, οι φηρέας ; which name πάπποι : and with Julian in Cas. Bacchus, when the Centaurs have with Homer: from whence, he speaks him fair, calls him manπídiov. it were no unlikely conjecture, to think our word Fairies to come Viderint critici. tt A name of Bacchus, Lyæus, of freeing men's minds from cares: παρὰ τὸ λύω, solvo. L 4 Sat. And, to spight the coy nymphs' scorns, Hang upon our stubbed horns Garlands, ribbands, and fine posies 3 Sat.. Fresh as when the flower discloses ? I Sat. Yes, and stick our pricking ears With the pearl that Tethys wears. 2 Sat. And to answer all things else, Trap our shaggy thighs with bells; That as we do strike a time, In our dance shall make a chime- I Sat. Or the stripes Silen. O, that he so long doth tarry! Silen. Look! does not his palace show There are crowned with lasting youth: But their guards, methinks, do sleep! 1 Sat. They've ne'er an eye To wake withal. 2 Sat. Nor sense, I fear; For they sleep in either ear.1 3 Sat. Holla,Sylvans!-sure they're caves Of sleep these, or else they're graves. 4 Sat. Hear you, friends!-who keeps the keepers? I Sat. They are the eighth and ninth sleepers! 2 Sat. Shall we cramp 'em? Silen. Satyrs, no. 3 Sat. Would we had Boreas here, to blow Off their heavy coats, and strip 'em. 4 Sat. Ay, ay, ay; that we might whip 'em. 3 Sat. Or that we had a wasp or two For their nostrils. I Sat. Hairs will do Even as well: take my tail. 2 Sat. What d'you say to a good nail Through their temples? 2 Sat. Or an eel In their guts, to make 'em feel? 4 Sat. Shall we steal away their beards? 3 Sat. For Pan's goat, that leads the herds? 2 Sat. Or try whether is more dead, His club or the other's head? Silen. Wags, no more: you grow too bold. I Sat. I would fain now see them rolled Buz, quoth the blue flie, And so do we. In his ear, in his nose, [They tickle them. He eat the dormouse; Else it was he. The two Sylvans starting up amazed, and betaking themselves to their arms, were thus questioned by Silenus : Silen. How now, Sylvans! can you wake? I commend the care you take In your watch! Is this your guise, To have both your ears and eyes and means to sleep soundly, without any thoughts of care.-WHAL. They had it from the Greek; it is rightly rendered by Whalley. Επ' αμφοτερα νυ χ' η 'πικληρος όνατα Sealed so fast; as these mine elves 3 Sat. We had thought we must have got Stakes, and heated 'em red-hot, And have bored you through the eyes, cock: at which they were interrupted by Silen. Stay! the cheerful Chanticleer 2 Sat. Or have fetched some trees to Every Satyr bow his head. heave Up your bulks, that so did cleave To the ground there. 4 Sat. Are you free Yet of sleep, and can you see I Sat. Be your eyes yet moon-proof? I Sat. Say you so? then let us fall Shall we, grandsire? Let us sport, Silen. Do, my wantons, what you please. I'll lie down and take mine ease. I Sat. Brothers, sing then, and upbraid, As we use, yond' seeming maid. SONG. Now, my cunning lady: moon, Of the boy you keep so hid? Of your paleness to be rid. But perhaps it is your grace To wear sickness in your face, That there might be wagers laid Still, by fools, you are a maid. Come, your changes overthrow, What your look would carry so ; Moon, confess then what you are, Let us Satyrs have a share. With more virtue: every one Here they fell suddenly into an antick dance full of gesture and swift motion, and continued it till the crowing of the eyes. Who hath not heard, who hath not seen, Who hath not sung his name? The soul that hath not, hath not been ; With buried sloth, and knows not fame, By this time the chariot was come as far forth as the face of the scene. And the Satyrs beginning to leap, and express their joy for the unused state and solemnity, the foremost SYLVAN began to speak. I Syl. Give place, and silence; you were rude too late; This is a night of greatness and of state, Not to be mixt with light and skipping sport; A night of homage to the British court, Who with these knights, attendants, here preserved In Fairy land, for good they have deserved Vid. Cyc. Euripid. ubi Satiri Ulyssi Of yond' high throne are come of right to auxilio sint ad amburendum oculum Cyclopis. pay Their annual vows; and all their glories lay At's feet, and tender to this only great, True majesty, restored in this seat; To whose sole power and magic they do give The honour of their being; that they live My boys, whom you must quake at when you see. He is above your reach; and neither doth His meditations, to his height, are even: He is a god o'er kings; yet stoops he then And not by force. He's such a king as they Who're tyrants' subjects, or ne'er tasted peace, Would in their wishes form for their release. "Tis he that stays the time from turning old, And keeps the age up in a head of gold. That in his own true circle still doth run; And holds his course as certain as the sun. He makes it ever day, and ever spring, Where he doth shine, and quickens everything, Like a new nature: so that true to call I Syl. I thank the wise Silenus for this Stand forth bright FAIES and ELVES, and tune your lays Unto his name; then let your nimble feet Tread subtle circles, that may always meet In point to him; and figures to express The grace of him and his great emperess, That all that shall to-night behold the rites Performed by princely Oberon and these knights, 1 Then the lesser Faies dance.] "The little ladies (Sir John Finnet says) performed their dance to the amazement of all beholders, considering the tenderness of their years, and the many intricate changes of the dance, which was so disposed that which way soever the changes went the little duke (Charles) was still found to be in the midst of these little dancers." Had Sir John been much skilled in the mysteries of fairyland he would have recollected that the May without stop point out the proper heir Designed so long to Arthur's crowns and chair. SONG BY TWO FAIES. 1 Faie. Seek you majesty, to strike? Bid the world produce his like. 2 Faie. Seek you glory, to amaze? Here let all eyes stand at gaze. Cho. Seek you wisdom, to inspire? Touch then at no other's fire. 1 Faie. Seek you knowledge, to direct? Trust to his without suspect. 2 Faie. Seek you piety, to lead? In his footsteps only tread. Cho. Every virtue of a king, And of all in him we sing. |