Lights all on this side the Atlantic seas, See where he shines, Justice and Wisdom placed These now she trusts with Pleasure, and to these Here the whole choir of music called the twelve Masquers forth from the top of the mountain, which then opened, with this 4 SONG. Ope, aged Atlas, open then thy lap, And from thy beamy bosom strike a light, And signs Of royal education, and the right. chief of whom.] The names of the twelve Masquers are not given; it appears, however, that they were led on by Charles, now prince of Wales. If we may trust Jenkin, in the next piece, this was the first time that he bore a part, and danced in these entertainments. In their descent from the hill, DEDALUS came down before them. Her. But, Hermes, stay, a little let me pause; Who's this that leads? Mer. A guide that gives them laws To all their motions, Dædalus the wise. Her. And doth in sacred harmony comprise His precepts? Mer. Yes. Her. They may securely prove, Then, any labyrinth, though it be of love. Here, while they put themselves in form, DEDALUS Dæd. Come on, come on! and where you go, As ev'n the observer scarce may know Which lines are Pleasure's, and which not. First figure out the doubtful way, At which a while all youth should stay, 5 First figure out, &c.] This alludes to that beautiful apologue, the Choice of Hercules, by Prodicus. Where she and Virtue did contend, Not only shows the mover's wit, Here the first DANCE. After which, SONG. Dæd. O more and more! this was so well, And now put all the aptness on, Or colour can disclose: That if those silent arts were lost, Instructed by the height'ning sense In their true motions found. Begin, begin; for look, the fair That they may vent their murmuring hymns Make haste, make haste; for this Here the second DANCE. After which, SONG. Dæd. It follows now you are to prove The fair will think you do them wrong. Go choose among- -but with a mind Grace, laughter, and discourse may meet, Will you that I give the law To all your sport, and sum it? Just to the .] Some word (time or tune, probably) was lost at the press, or dropt in the MS. I have already observed that all these Masques, from the Golden Age Restored, were printed, or at least published, some years after the author's death. That any one could look into this wretched volume (the folio of 1641) and suppose that Jonson had any share in forming it, is quite extraordinary. There is not a page without some ridiculous blunder. Virtue her own reward Virtue by her own light, biti mire seen w/ Der Warkness) Here they danced with the Ladies, and the whole Revels followed; which ended, MERCURY called to DEDALUS in this speech: which was after repeated in Song by two trebles, two tenors, a base, and the whole Chorus. SONG. Mer. An eye of looking back were well, Your thoughts, how you were sent, To walk with Pleasure, not to dwell. •These, these are hours by Virtue spared, Her sports be soft, her life is hard. You must return unto the Hill, With labour, and inhabit still From whence you ever may look down She, she it is in darkness shines, By her own light to every eye; More seen, more known, when Vice stands by: There, there is Virtue's seat: Strive to keep her your own; 'Tis only she can make you great, Though place here make you known. |