THE honor, and splendor of these Spectacles was such in the performance, as could those houres haue lasted, this of mine, now, had beene a most vnprofitable worke: But (when it is the fate, euen of the greatest, and most absolute births, to need, and borrow a life of posterity) little had beene done to the study of magnificence in these, if presently with the rage of the people, who (as a part of greatnesse) are priuiledged by Cu­stome, to deface their carkasses, the spirits had also perished. In dutie, therefore, to that Ma­iestie, who gaue them their authoritie, and grace; and, no lesse then the most royall of pre­decessors, deserues eminent celebration for these solemnities: I adde this later hand, to re­deeme them as well from ignorance, as enuie, two common euils, the one of Censure, the other of Obliuion.

[Page] Natu. Hist. lib. 5 cap 8. PLINIE, Poly hist. cap. 40. & 43. SOLINVS, Lib 4. cap. 5 PTOLOMAEE, and of late LEO Descrip. Afric. the African, remember vnto vs a riuer in Aethiopia, famous by the name of Niger; of which the people were called Nigritae, now Negro's: & are the blackest nation of the world. This Some take it to be the same with Nilus, which is by Lucan called M [...]las, signifying Niger. Howsoeuer, Plinie, in the place aboue noted, hath this: Nigri fl [...] ­u [...]o cadem na­tura, quae N [...]lo, calamum, papy­rum, & casdem gigni [...] an. man­tes. See Solin. aboue menti­oned. riuer taketh spring out of a certain Lake, east-ward; & after a long race, falleth into the westerne Ocean. Hence (because it was her Ma­iesties will, to haue them Black-mores at first) the inuention was deriued by me, & presented thus.

First, for the Scene, was drawne a Landtschape, consisting of small woods, and here and there a voide place filld with huntings; which falling, an artificiall Sea was seene to shoote forth, as if it flowed to the land, raised with waues, which seemed to mooue, and in some places the billow to breake, as imitating that orderly disorder, which is common in nature. In front of this Sea were placed sixe The forme of these [...], with their trumpets, you may read liue­ly describd, in Ouid. Met [...]m. lib. 1. Caeruleū Tritona vocat. &c and in Virgil, A [...]ne [...]d l [...]b. 10. Hunc [...] imm [...]n [...]s [...]. & se­ [...]nt. Tritons, in mouing, & spright­ly actions, their vpper parts humane, saue that their haires were blew, as pertaking of the Sea­colour: their desinent parts, fishe, mounted aboue their heads, and all varied in disposition. From their backs were borne out certaine light pieces of Taffata, as if carried by the winde, and their Musique made out of wreathed shels. Be­hinde these, a paire of Sea-Maides, for song, were as conspicuously seated; betweene which, two great Sea-horses (as bigge as the life) put forth themselues; the one mounting aloft, & writhing his head from the other, which seemed to sinck forwards; so intended for variation, & that the [Page] Figure behind, might come of better: Li [...]ian in PHΓO [...]. [...] presents Nilus so. Equa fli [...]atili insi­a [...]ntem. And Statius Nep­tune, in The [...]. vpon their backs, OCEANVS & NIGER were aduanced.

OCEANVS, presented in a humane forme, the co­lour of his flesh, blew; and shadowed with a robe of Sea-greene; his head grey, & The Anti­ents induc'd Oceanus al­wayes with a Buss he [...]di propter [...]m ventorū, a qui­bus incitatur, & impellit [...]r: vel quia Tauris [...] fremi­tū emittat, vel quia tanquam Taurus suri­bundus, in lit­tera seratur. Eurip'd. in Oreste.. [...] And R [...]uers somtimes were so call'd. Looke Virg. de Tib [...]ri, et Eri­dan [...]. Geor. 4. A [...]n [...]id. 8. Hor. car. lib. 4. Ode. [...]4. and Eurip. in Iore. horned; as he is described by the Antients: his beard of the like mixt colour▪ he was gyrlonded with Al­ga, or Sea-grasse; and in his hand a Trident.

NIGER, in forme and colour of an Aethiope; his haire, and rare beard curled, shadowed with a blew, and bright mantle: his front, neck, and wrists adorned with Pearle, and crowned, with an artificiall wreath of Cane, and Paper-rush.

These induced the Masquers, which were twelue Nymphs, Negro's; and the daughters of NIGER; attended by so many of the The Daugh­ters of Ocea­nus, & [...]ethys. See Hesiod in Theago▪ Orphe. in Hym. and Virgil in Ge­orgie. OCEA­NIAE which were their Light-bearers.

The Masquers were placed in a great concaue shell, like mother of Pearle, curiously made to moue on those waters, and rise with the billow; the top therof was stuck with a cheu'rō of lights, which, indented to the proportion of the shell, strooke a glorious beame vpon them, as they were seated, one aboue another: so that they were all seene, but in an extrauagant order.

On sides of the shell, did swim sixe huge Sea-monsters, varied in their shapes, and dispositions, bearing on their backs the twelue Torch bearers; who were planted there in seuerall graces; so as the backs of some were seene; some in purfle, or side; others in face; & all hauing their lights burning out of Whelks, or Murex shels.

[Page]The attire of the Masquers was alike, in all, without difference: the colours, Azure, and Siluer; but returned on the top with a scrole and antique dressing of Feathers, and Iewels interlaced with ropes of Pearle. And, for the front, eare, neck, and wrists, the ornament was of the most choise and orient Pearle; best set­ting of from the black.

For the Light bearers, Sea-greene, moued about the skirts with gold and siluer [...]eir hayre loose, and flowing, gyrlanded with Sea-grasse, and that stuck with branches of Corall.

These thus presented, the Scene behind, see­med a vast Sea (and vnited with this that flowed forth) from the terminaton, or horizon of which (being the leuell of the State, which was placed in the vpper end of the Hall) was drawne, by the lines of Prospectiue, the whole worke shoo­ting downewards, from the eye; which decorum made it more conspicuous, and caught the eye a far of with a wandring beauty. To which was added an obscure and cloudy night-piece, that made the whole set of. So much for the bodily part. Which was of Maister YNIGO IONES his designe, and act.

By this, one of the Tritons, with the two Sea-Maides, began to sing to the others lowd Mu­sique, their voyces being a tenor, and two trebles.

At this, the Moone was discouered in the vp­per part of the house, triumphant in a Siluer throne, made in figure of a Pyramis. Her gar­ments White, and Siluer, the dressing of her head antique; & crown'd with a Luminarie, or Sphaere of light: which striking on the clouds, and heightned with Siluer, reflected as naturall clouds do by the splendor of the Moone. The Heauen, about her, was vaulted with blew silke, and set with Starres of Siluer which had in them their seuerall lights burning. The sud­daine sight of which, made NIGER to interrupt OCEANVS, with this present passion. The Aethio­pians wor­shipd the Moone, by that surname. See Stepha. [...]. in voce [...] and his reasons.

Here the Tritons sounded, & they daunced on shore, euery couple (as they aduanced) seuerally presenting their Fans: in one of which were in­scribed their mixt Names, in the other a mute Hieroglyphick, expressing their mixed quallities. Which manner of Symbole I rather chose, then Imprese, as well for strangenesse, as relishing of antiquity, and more applying to that originall doctrine of sculpture, Diod. Sicul. Herod. which the Aegiptians are said, first, to haue brought from the Aethiopians.

• Hesiod. in. Theog.
  DORIS.
• PETRAEA.
• OCYRHOE.
• CYDIPPE.
• GLAVCE.
• TYCHE.
• BEROE.
• ACASTE.
• CLYTIA.
• IANTHE.
• LYCORYS.
• PLEXAVRE.

Their owne single Daunce ended, as they were about to make choice of their Men: One, from the Sea, was heard to call'hem with this charme, sung by a tenor voyce.

Here they daunc'd with their men, seuerall measures, and corranto's. All which ended, they [Page] were againe accited to sea, with a Song of two Trebles, whose cadences were iterated by a double Eccho, from seuerall parts of the Land.

At which in a Daunce they returned to the Sea, where they tooke their Shell; and, with this full Song, went out.

So ended the first Masque, which (beside the singular grace of Musicke and Daunces) had that successe in the nobility of performance; as no­thing needes to the illustration, but the memo­ry by whome it was personated.

TWo yeares being now past, that her Maie­sty had intermitted these delights, and the third almost come; it was her Highnesse plea­sure againe to glorifie the Court, & command that I should thinke on some fit presentment, which should answere the former, still keeping thē the same persons, the Daughters of NIGER, but their beauties varied, according to promise, and their time of absence excus'd, with foure more added to their Number.

To which limitts, when I had apted my in­uention, and being to bring newes of them, frō the Sea, I induc'd Boreas, one of the windes, as my fitest Messenger; presenting him thus.

In a robe of Russet, and White mixt, full, and bagg'd: his haire, and beard rough: and horrid; his wings gray, and ful of snow, and icycles. His mantle borne from him with wires, & in seueral puffes; his feet So Paus. in Eliacis reports him to haue, as he was carued in ar [...] Cips [...]lli. ending in serpents tayles; and in his hand a leaueles Branch, laden with icycles.

But before, in midst of the Hall; to keepe the State of the feast, and season; I had placed See, Iconolog. di Cesare Ripa. Ia­nuary, in a throne of Siluer; His robe of Ash­coullor [Page] long, fringed with Siluer; a white mantle: His winges white, and his buskins: In his hand a laurell bough, vpon his head an Anademe of lau­rell, fronted with the signe Aquarius, and the Character. Who as Boreas blusterd forth, dis­couer'd himselfe.

Here a second Wind came in, VVLTVRNVS, in a blew coulored robe & mantle, pufft as the former, but somewhat sweeter; his face blacke, and on his According to that of Vir. Denuntiat igneus Eu­ [...]. head a red Sunne, shewing he came from the East: his winges of seuerall coullors; his buskins white, and wrought with Gold.

Here, a Curtine was drawne (in which the Night was painted.) and the Scene discouer'd. which (because the former was marine, and these, yet of necessity, to come from the Sea) I deuisd, should bee an Island, floting on a calme water. In the middst therof was a Seate of state, call'd the Throne of Beautie, erected: diuided into eight Squares, and distinguish'd by so many Ionick pilasters. In these Squares the sixteene Masquers were plac'd by couples: behind them, in the center of the Throne was a tralucent Pillar, shining with seuerall colour'd lights, that reflected on their backs. From the top of which Pillar went seuerall arches to the Pilasters, that sustained the roofe of the Throne, which was likewise adorn'd with lights, and gyrlonds; And betweene the Pilasters, in front, little Cupids in [Page] flying posture, wauing of wreaths, and lights, bore vp the Coronice: ouer which were placed eight Figures, representing the Elements of Beauty; which aduanced vpon the Ionick, and being females, had the Corinthian order. The first was

SPLENDOR.

In a robe of flame colour,

The Rose is call'd, elegant­ly, by Achil. Tat. lib. 2. [...], the splen­dour of Plants, and is euery where taken for the Hi [...]ro­glyphick of Splendour.

naked brested; her bright hayre loose flowing: She was drawne in a circle of clowdes, her face, and body break­ing through; and in her hand a branch, with two Roses, a white, and a red. The next to her was

SERENITAS.

In a garment of bright skye-colour, a long tresse, & waued with a vayle of diuers colours, such as the golden skie some-times shewes: vpon her head a cleare, and faire Sunne shining, with rayes of gold striking downe to the feete of the figure. In her hand a

As this of Serenity., ap­plying to the Opticks reason of the Raine­bowe ▪ and the Myt [...]o [...]gists making her the Daughter of Electra.

Christall, cut with seuerall angles, and shadow'd with diuerse co­lours, as causd by refraction. The third

GERMINATIO.

In greene; with a Zone of golde about [Page] her Wast, crowned with Myrtle, her haire like­wise flowing, but not of so bright a colour: In her hand, a branch of

So Hor. lib. 1. Od. 4. makes it the ensigne of the Spring. Nunc decet [...]ut viridi nitidum caput impedire myrto, aut sl [...] ­re, terrae quem ferunt solutae. &c.

Myrtle. Her socks of greene, and Gold. The fourth was

LAETITIA.

IN a Vesture of diuerse colours, and all sorts of flowers embroidered thereon. Her socks so fitted. A

They are e­uery where the tokens of gladnesse, at al feasts, sports.

Gyrland of flowers in her hand; her eyes turning vp, and smiling, her haire flowing, and stuck with flowers. The fift

TEMPERIES.

IN a garment of Gold, Siluer, and colours wea­ued: In one hand shee held a

The signe of temperature, as also her girlond mixed of the foure Seasons.

burning Steele, in the other, an Vrne with water. On her head a gyrland of flowers, Corne, Vine-leaues, and Oliue branches, enter-wouen. Her socks, as her garment. The sixth

VENVSTAS.

IN a Siluer robe, with a thinne subtle vaile ouer her haire, and it:

P [...]arles, with the auntients, were the spe­ciall Hierogly­phicks of loue­linesse, in qui­bus nitor tan­tùm & leuor expetebantur.

Pearle about her neck, and forhead. Her socks wrought with pearle. In her hand shee bore seuerall colour'd

So was the Lilly, of which the most deli­cate Citty of the Persians was called Su­sae: signifiyng that kind of flower, in their tongue.

Lillies. The seauenth was

[Page]DIGNITAS.

IN a dressing of State, the haire bound vp with fillets of gold, the Garments rich, and set with iewells, and gold; likewise her buskins, and in her hand a

The signe, of honor, & dig­nity.

Golden rod. The eight

PERFECTIO.

IN a Vesture of pure Gold, a wreath of Gold vp­on her head. About her body the Both that, & the Compasse are known ensignes of perfection. Zodiack, with the Signes: In her hand a Compasse of gold, drawing a circle.

On the top of all the Throne, (as being made out of all these) stood

HARMONIA.

A Personage, whose dressing had something of al the others, & had her robe painted full of Figures. Her head was compass'd with a crowne of Gold, hauing in it She is so de­scrib'd in Ico­nolog. di Cesare Ripa, his reason of 7. iewells, in the crowne, al­ludes to Py­thagoras his comment, with Mac. lib. 2. Som. Sci. of the seauen Planets and their Spheares. seauen iewells e­qually set. In her hand a Lyra, wheron she rested.

This was the Ornament of the Throne. The ascent to which, consisting of sixe steppes, was couered with a The indu­cing of many Cupids wnts not defence, with the best and most receiu'd of the Antients, besides Prop. Stati. Claud. Sido: Apoll especially Phil. in Icon. Amor. whome I haue particularly followed, in this description. multitude of Cupids (chosen out of the best, and most ingenuous youth of the Kingdome, noble, and others) that were the [Page] Torch-bearers; and all armed, with Bowes, Qui­uers, Winges, and other Ensignes of Loue. On the sides of the Throne, were curious, and ele­gant Arbors appointed: & behind, in the back part of the Ile, a Groue, of growne trees laden with golden fruict, which other little Cupids plucked, and threw each at other, whilst on the ground They were the notes of Louelinesse and sacred to Ve­nus. See Phil. in that place, mentiond. Leuerets pick'd vp the bruised apples, and left them halfe eaten. The Ground-plat of the whole was a subtle indented Maze: And, in the two formost angles, were two Fountaines, that ranne continually, the one Of youth. Hebe's, the other Of pleasure. Hedone's: In the Arbors, were plac'd the Musitians, who represented the Shades of the old Poets, & were attir'd in a Priest-like habit of Crimson, and Purple, with Laurell gyrlonds.

The colours of the Masquers were varied; the one halfe in Orenge-tawny, and Siluer: the o­ther in Sea-greene, and Siluer. The bodies and short skirts of White, and Gold, to both.

The habite, and dressing (for the fashion) was most curious, and so exceeding in riches, as the Throne wheron they sat, seem'd to be a Mine of light, stroake frō their iewells, & their garmēts.

This Throne, (as the whole Iland mou'd for­ward, on the water,) had a circular motion of it owne, imitating that which we cal Motum mun­di, from the East to the West, or the right to the left side. For so Hom. Ilia. M. vnderstāds by [...], Orientalia mundi: by [...], Occidentalia. The [Page] steps, wheron the Cupids sate, had a motion con­trary, with Analogy, ad motum Planetarum, from the West to the East: both which turned with their seuerall lights. And with these three va­ried Motions, at once, the whole Scene shot it selfe to the Land.

Aboue which, the Moone was seene in a Sil­uer Chariot, drawne by Virgins, to ride in the cloudes, and hold them greater light: with the Signe Scorpio, and the Character, plac'd before her.

The order of this Scene was carefully, and ingeniously dispos'd; and as happily put in act (for the Motions) by the Kings Master Car­penter. The Paynters, I must needes say, (not to belie them) lent small colour to any, to attri­bute much of the spirit of these things to their pen'cills. But that must not bee imputed a crime either to the inuention, or designe.

Here the loude Musique ceas'd; and the Mu­sitians, which were placed in the Arbors, came forth through the Mazes, to the other Land: singing this full Song, iterated in the closes by two Eccho's, rising out of the Fountaines.

Which ended, Vulturnus the Wind, spake to the Riuer Thamesis that lay along betweene the shores, leaning vpon his Vrne (that flow'd with water,) and crown'd with flowers; with a blew cloth of Siluer robe about him: and was perso­nated by Maister THOMAS GILES, who made the Daunces.

With which the Windes departed; and the Riuer receiu'd them into the Land, by couples & foures, their Cupids comming before them.

• [Page]The QVEENE.
• La. ARABELLA.
• Co. of ARVNDEL.
• Co. of DERBY.
• Co. of BEDFORD.
• Co. of MONTGOMERY.
• La. ELIZ. GILFORD.
• La. KAT. PETER.
• La. ANNE WINTER.
• La. WINSORE.
• La. ANNE CLIFFORD.
• La. MARY NEVILL.
• La. ELIZ. HATTON.
• La. ELIZ. GARRARD.
• La. CHICHESTER.
• La. WALSINGHAM.

The dauncing forth a most curious Daunce, full of excellent deuice, and change, ended it in the figure of a Diamant, and so, standing still, were by the Musitians, with a second Song (sung by a loud Tenor) celebrated.

The Song ended; they Daunced forth their second Daunce, more subtle, and full of change, then the former; and so exquisitely performed; [Page] as the Kings Maiestie incited first (by his owne liking, to that which all others, there present, wish'd) requir'd them both againe, after some time of dauncing with the Lords. Which time, to giue them respite, was intermitted with Song; first by a treble voyce, in this manner.

Which was seconded by another treble; thus.

To which a tenor answerd.

AFter which Songs, they daunc'd Galliards, & C [...]ranto's; and with those excellent Graces, that the Musique, appointed to celebrate them, shew'd it could be silent no longer: but by the first Tenor, admit'd them thus.

HEere, they daunc'd a third most elegant, and curious Daunce, and not to be descri­b'd againe, by any art, but that of their owne footing: which, ending in the figure, that was to produce the fourth, Ianuary from his state saluted them, thus,

At which they daunc'd theyr last dance, into their Throne againe: and that turning, the Scene clos'd with this full Song.