Corona Minervæ. Or A masque presented before Prince Charles His Highnesse, the Duke of Yorke his brother, and the Lady Mary his sister, the 27th of February, at the Colledge of the Museum Minervæ.

Corona Minervae. A Maſque PRESENTED BEFORE Prince CHARLES his Highneſſe, The Duke of YORKE his Brother, And the Lady MARY his Siſter, the 27th. of February, at the Colledge of the Muſeum Minervae.

A Curtaine being dravvne, there is diſcovered a Frontiſpice, wheron the Image of Minerva is ſeene ſitting upon a ſtone, placed betvveene tvvo Returnes of a broken Arch, ſupported by tvvo Braſſe ſtatues of Mars, and Mercury, ſtanding in neeches of Corinthian Worke: Vnder, vvithin a Proſpective is ſeene, a pav'd Gallery invironed on either ſide and terminated vvith Dorike Columnes, vvhich flying avvay, Minerva preſents her ſelfe attired in her proper Habit.

Over the Entrance in a Square was Written

Corona Minervae.

Minerva. WHat rare unvaliew'd Iewels are here ſent, As if the Gods themſelves ſtriv'd to preſent Minerva with their choiceſt Gems, & Grace Her cabinet, as yet too meane a place To hold ſuch Deities, who more adorne This preſence, than the roſie finger'd Morne (Guiding the Eaſt for the upriſing Sun) Doth beautifie his Carre, ready to run His daily Circle round. It hath been ſayd, The Friends and Servants of the Iove-borne Mayd Are poore, except thoſe, whom Bellonas hand Enrols for Souldiers of Mars warlike band, Who ſometimes want their pay too: But now ſee A treaſure here depoſited with mee, Out-valuing all the Riches of the Earth; Three Pledges of ſweet Peace, whoſe happy Birth Bleſſeth this preſent Age, and Crown's it ſo, That former Ages paſt, could they but know How fortunate this is, they all would mourne They paſt ſo ſoone, or elſe would backe returne, To ſee an Age, wherein both Armes and Arts Flouriſh at height, and both ſhare equall parts. Time enters here to Minerva in a Party coloured Robe halfe White, halfe Blacke, fringed with Silver, with one wing of a Swan, another of a Batt. Time. Great Miſtriſſe of both Armes and Arts, 'tis true, Your exploration of their praiſes due, They are the Bleſſings, which the Ages paſt Fell ignorant, and unworthy-of to taſte. And I old Time, that of thoſe Ages ſaw The firſt, and laſt, till now could never draw Ayre, that ſo pleas'd mee, as in this bleſt Clime, That Crown's with Youth the old-old head of Time. All breath's Panchaian here: nay onely this Is the cleare Weſterne that Favonian is, Perpetuall Spring creating. Gods heere Your two-fold Diſcipline, in which you were So late diſtracted by the world's neglect, Shall re-aſſume it's ancient faire reſpect. Minerva.

Time, you ſpeake comfort to mee.

Time. And no more Than my glad Daughter Truth is ſpreading o're This happy Monarchy, whoſe ſupreame head (In higheſt Heaven his name is regiſtred) By Pow'r and Wiſdome, will the uſe advance Of Armes and Arts, above diſpight and chance. Minerva.

Time, thou haſt made mee happy.

Time. No, 'tis hee That hath felicitated you and mee, Who hath already by defenſive Armes, Beate backe the boaſts, that were intended harmes, Which Induſtry is crowned with a peace, That daily will bring forth the Arts increaſe; You may obſerve th' aſſurance of it here In theſe, who he is pleaſ'd (to grace your Spheare) Should leave their owne; each an illuſtrious gem, Proper to his Imperiall Diadem; I could with Ioy and wonder dwell an age Vnder their ſmiles; from an old man, turne Page To waite upon their perſons: breake my Glaſſe, And pick up ſand by ſand, ere I would paſſe From their divine aſpects; uſe all delay Had not the Fates decreed Time muſt away. Minerva. But not ſo faſt, good Time, your haſte may make Their Graces leave me too. Time. Ile undertake, Sacred Minerva, they will not, but grace You and your Arts, whilſt there is time and place, Yet ere I goe, for I muſt ſtay a while In this faire preſence, and my haſte beguile With a report of an unlook't for crew, Comming to ſee your Princely gueſts and you. Minerva.

Time, what are they?

Time. The ſeaſons of the yeare Having diſcover'd the convention here, All equally poſſeſt with an ambition, To ſee and to be ſeene without commiſſion From me, or from the Moneths, or powerfull Sol, That wont is to infranchiſe, or controle Them at his pleaſure, now are altogether Broke looſe, and fill'd with gladneſſe, poſting hither. Cold Winter ſtretching out his cramp'd up nerves, Strives to out-ſtrip the Iolly Spring, who ſerves Sommer the like, and with her nimble feet Runs through her heat, till they with Autumne meet; At laſt, they all conjoyn'd come on their way, Like the whole yeere contracted in this day, Each ſeaſon hath a ſeverall preſent too, In which they ſtrive each other to out-do, As if by generall warrant from their Fate, They all were alwayes to attend this State. Minerva.

'Tis welcome newes.

A Confuſion is here heard of ſeverall voyces of Birds, and Beaſts, ſuch as are peculiar to every ſeaſon. Againe here ſeverall noyſes and voyces are heard confuſedly of Birds and Beaſts, as exactly performed to the life, that no man could diſtinguiſh them. Vpon which, Time. Harke, they are all at hand, And all their Heraulds, both by ayre and land, The Birds and Beaſts of every ſeaſon met, In a moſt ſingular diſcord; harke how they ſet Throat againſt throat; the Wren and Red-breſt ſwel To be above the Larke and Philomell. The Cuckow with the Howlet ſtrives, and now The bleating Lamb joyes 'gainſt the lowing Cow, All in confuſion, and ſo ſhall you ſee, Will the contention of the Seaſons be, Till I be ſtickler. See they come, ſtandby. Here enter the foure Seaſons ruſhing in, Winter, Spring pulling him backe, Spring, Sommer, Autume, and Winter ſtriving for precedence. Springs habit was of greene Taffata, fringed with ſilver; and figured with flowers, a Chaplet of ſeverall flowers upon her head. Spring.

VVinter, keepe backe, I claime priority.

Winter in a long Gowne of freeze, his haire and beard all made of Icicles, a Garland of Hollies and Ivie intwin'd upon his head. Winter. No wanton Girle, I muſt have firſt acceſſe, My age and honour can require no leſſe. Sommer in a ſtraw coloured Robe of Taffata, with a Garland of Corne-flowers, and blew Bottles upon his head. Sommer.

I claime it from you both.

Autumne his garment of Peuke-colour, a pruning knife in his hand, as a Vintiger, a Chaplet of Grapes and Damoſens upon his head. Autumne. Why, Summer you? The place to Autumne properly is due. Spring. How can that be? Looke into every race, Doe you not find, that Youth takes the firſt place. Was not the whole world young before 'twas old? Winter. And what of that, proud girle? thy reaſon's cold, Colder than is my Froſt. Did not the Spring Of the old world riſe from an elder thing, What elſe was Chaos? hah? Spring.

I mind not that.

Winter.

Fond Laſs, thou mind'ſt, ſay'ſt, do'ſt, thou know'ſt not what.

Sommer. I doe: for Sommers ſtrength is at full growth, Like middle age in man. Antumne. I would be loath To give the knowledge of declining Age Which Autumne ſhadowes, for the Sommers rage. Winter. Y'are all againſt mee, and yet it doth appeare, None is anothers Friend. Spring. Yet to the yeare Wee all doe gratefull Service, thou do'ſt none. Winter.

I would heare that.

Spring. In mee the Spring, 'tis knowne, The Graſs, the Grain, the Leafe, the Flow'r, the Fruit, The Birds that ſing, the Beaſts, the Fiſhes mute Take their beginnings. Sommer. Make no tedious tale, You begin well, I ripe and perfect all. Spring. In that you wrong mee Sommer: For you doe Out of my hands take Worke and Credit too. Sommer. I wrong not you ſo much as Autumne mee; For hee gets all the Crop from me and thee. Autumne. But all the ſtore I gather for the yeare, Winter devours, or ſpoyles. Winter. Pray Sirs forbeare, You increaſe all, you ripen all you ſay, You gather all, I ſpend all, and beſt may. I am the carefull Husband of the Earth, That gives her comforts after every Birth, In which you weare her out, or bring her low Paſt hope, that from her teeming womb ſhould grow Ever more timely Fruits: I kindly then (That ſhee may live and propagate agen) Quench her feint thirſt with plenteous ſhowrs of rain Wherewith I fill her veines, and drowne her paine. Then having made her bed as ſoft below, I cover her with Swan downe, you call Snow, Which keepes her warme, ſo lay I her to reſt: And for her lying-in make many a Feaſt Of her late ſtore, for mortals that doe pray To ſee her blithe againe another day. Spring.

Which day would never come, wer't not with mee.

VVinter.

Nor thou with it, did not I ſet her free.

Sommer.

This ſtrife will grow unto an endleſſe fit.

Autumne.

Would wee had Time here to determine it.

Time. Time is at hand, who gives an inſtant charge Diſtinctly, that each one of you enlarge Himſelfe by practiſe, ſhew what you can doe, Before the Preſence you aſpire unto. What Preſents, or what Paſtimes you have brought To pleaſe theſe Glories, whom all you have ſought T'endeere your ſervice to. All Foure.

I have the beſt.

Here every one offered Baſkets of freſh Fruits and Flowres. Time. Nay one at once, for whilſt you all conteſt Each to be firſt, you but confuſion make; Let Time then governe you, for order ſake: Seaſons, I promiſe you both firſt and laſt, And all ſhall equally their favours taſte. All foure.

Wee all obey.

Time. Then thus I order yee, Out of your diſcord to raiſe harmonie, Preſents y'have brought I ſee of fruits, and flowers, Leave them with me; whilſt from their Caves and Bowers, Each ſeaſon ſummon forth & here advance A paire of his attendance in a dance, To move delight. All foure.

Immediately 'tis done.

Here as Time ſpeaketh, the Seaſons go off. Firſt, Spring, then Sommer, Autumne next, and laſt Winter, and immediately, as they depart, the ſeverall voyces are heard diſtinctly, and in order according to the words of Time. Time. Firſt Spring lead you the way, then ev'ry one In order follow, let your Heraulds ſound Each to his ſeaſon, as the yeare goes round: The Spring begins her part already, harke! The evening Lambe, and morning early Larke Lead her her way, the merry Cuckow too Buſie in's office; Sommer, now goe you, Now marke the Ioy the Fawne & Swallow takes, Of which there's more then one a Sommer makes, To welcome her; now Autumne take your turne, Leſt Sommers too long raigne your Harveſt burne: The Thruſh now chaunts her notes at his approach, And the glad Bore-pig having ſcap'd the broach At the laſt Faire, runs wild about to taſte The ſcatter'd graine, and the ſweet fatting maſte. Now follow Winter whilſt your Robin ſings, Over the halfe dead earth, to wake the Springs, In her cold veines, hearke how the hoarſe growne Cow Low's for her fodder, and to whit to whow Madge Howlet cryes, for cold ſhe'as in her feet, But other muſicke now for Dauncers meet. Here enter to dance, Emblem of the Spring. a Frog followed by a Fiſher-man. To them, Of the Sommer. a Sheepſherer leading a Ram. To them, Of the Autumne. a Drunken Butcher holding a Pig by the taile. Of Winter. To them a Chimney-ſweeper and a Cat. All to ſeverall ſtraines of agreeing muſicke. At length all being entred, they joyne in a Dance. The Dance ended. Time. Creatures be gone, and let your Muſes meet With fluent numbers, and harmonious ſweet Voyces, to ſing, of all their preſents here The worth and rarity, and let the neere Adjoyning Woods, Rocks, Vallies, Caues, and Hils Reſound their ecchoing helpes to grace their skils, While I their ſeverall preſents over-view, The Spring brings here all that is rare, and new, Of early flowers and fruits, ſuch as to name In other ſeaſons might beget a blame, For longing Ladies ſakes. The Sommer brings Gifts no leſſe dainty, for her offrings; So Autumne, and ſo Winter, ſo all beare At once, the rarities of all the yeare. Yet let not my dull talke attempt to wrong, T'anticipate the Subject of their Song, But let the woods, rocks, &c. Here are ſung the ſeverall Songs by ſeverall voices, with Symphanies betwixt, and a Chorus: during which, Time peruſeth the ſeverall preſents, as he diſcovers them orderly: All which are exprest in the Song.

The Seaſons Song. Spring. Thoſe Flow'rs your Infancie did crowne, Spring doth againe to you reſigne, Which now are yours, no more her owne, The Prim-roſe, and ſweet Eglantine, The Daiſie, Pinck, and Violet blew, All which receiv'd their ſents from you. May Bloſſomes now ſhall never fade, You have May everlaſting made. Chorus. All hearts rejoyce, which now behold Againe the happy Age of Gold. For Time to us hath brought far more True joyes, then fain'd were heretofore. Three Royall Bloſſomes to us hee doth bring, Whoſe lookes and ſweetneſſe, make eternall Spring. May Cherries plaſht up to the wall, The Dew-berries, that in valleyes growes, Kept in your lips, ſhall never fall, The Lady Graſſe, and the Muske Roſe, Which were your Mantle ſwathing band You make yet floriſh freſhly, and Sweet Fennell, for Court flatterers fit Lives under you, you above it. Chorus. All hearts rejoyce, &c. Sommer. To keepe the Sommers heat away, Which Earth from the young Sun receives. The Elme, the Siccamore, and Bay Still ſhade you with their laſting Leaves. The Lillies, and the Damaske Roſe, The ſheets and bed, when you repoſe, More white, more ſweet, more ſoft have bin Since they did touch your whiter skin. 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉 To ſleepe when your faire eyes incline, Hiding from Men their deareſt light, Let hearts eaſe, Flow'rs of Ieſſamine, And Roſe-marie your couches dight. The holy Thiſtle downe ſhall fill Your Pillowes, Boulſters, and untill You riſe like Gemini, arme in arme, Levander cotten keepe you warme. Chorus. All hearts rejoyce, &c. Autumne. Riſing from Beds of Iuly flow'rs With Hyacinthus, and Narciſſus ſpred Into your lap Autumnus pow'rs, The Mul-berries, and Raſpis red, Pomona in her Basket beares Apricocks, and Bon Chriſtian Peares. And Bacchus forth his hand will reach To pluck the Damſon, Fig, and Peach. And for digeſtion, Candian wines Will skinke out of his Indian gourd Mellecottones, and Nectarines Hee brings you from his mellow hoord, That you ſhall wiſh, while you them taſte, Autumne and Spring may ever laſt: Or, that, except them two, there were No other Seaſons of the yeare. Chorus. All hearts rejoyce, &c. Winter. Cold Winter brings to crowne your Age Many happy yeares are told. The Mirtle, Savory, and Sage, The ſemper viva, never old, To Crowne your high victorious browes Greene lawrell Garlands, Arbute boughes With Palmes, and Olives, whoſe increaſe Are emblems of your laſting peace. Nor is cold winter yet at all Leſſe frolicke, then the wanton Spring: The Robin red Breſt in the Hall Picking up crummes at Chriſtmas ſing When winds blow cold, and wayes be fowle In Barnes, and ſheepe coats ſits the Owle, Whoſe note the husbandman delights When as ſhee h • ots in froſty nights. Chorus. All harts, &c. The Songs being ended.

Minerva. Here is diſcovered the Temple of Minerva ſupported upon Doricke columnes ſtanding in a grove, before the Temple gate an anticke Greeke Altar whereon was a Crowne placed. SEaſons I thanke you, that have all ſo well Striv'd by your loves each others to excell In honour of theſe Princes. Now by you, Time, let my ſervice be preſented too. Time. TIme takes your charge, and ſwiftly will declare What the devotions of Minerva are. To you great Prince, and to each bleſſed Bud Of the ſame Royall Stocke, and link'd in bloud With you, Minerva gratefully imparts Full knowledge, and true uſe of Armes, Arts, And that ſhee, bound unto this gratitude I by fames Trumpet will make underſtood Her reaſon through the VVorld, for thus ſhee ſayes, Whereas of old ſhee was ſole patroneſſe Of Armes, and Arts, and former ages through Had reverence, and adoration due To her divinitie; ſhee by blind chance Hath beene of late, and blinder ignorance Rudely oppoſ'd, oppreſt, and laſtly throwne By violence from her proper manſion Altars, and Temples, that were dedicate To her of old, are now laied ruinate, And ſhee forlorne to give the World a view Was all to ſeeke of houſe, and patron too, Labouring with that diſtreſſe, unto this Ile More gratious made by the moſt gratious ſmile Of its moſt royall Soveraigne, then the day In other Lands, by Phoebus brighteſt ray, She bent her courſe, and here ſhee was receiv'd By the moſt gratious, bounteous King releiv'd, Planted, and raiſd to a magnificke State, Above the reach of her malignant Fate: For which unequall grace, ſhee can no leſſe Here a cupid deſcending with a light in his hand ſhevves unto the Prince a Crowne, which is placed on Minerva's Altar, and reſerved by her for his highnes. Then yeeld her ſelfe to be his votareſſe, Of all her gifts devoting the renowne A due addition to his fourefold Crowne. In pledge whereof, firſt branch of that faire ſtem, High Prince, here is a Royall diadem Brought from her old, here to her Athens new By your propitious Fate reſerv'd for you Vpon Minerva's Altar, 'tis noe ſlight Or fabulous thing that Time ſhall now recite; Hippocrates divinanatura preditus nonus a Chriſamide Rege, decimus et octavus ab AEſculapio. Vigeſimus a looe ex Patre Heraclida, ex matre Paxithea Phaenaretes ſilia ex familia He aclidarum, quare ex utroque ſe. mine a Diis ortum habet divinus Hippocrates, ut qui a patre quidem Aſclepiades eſt, a matre Heraclides. didicit artātuma Patre Heraclidatū ab avo Hippocrate & proinde iuſt • ſſime, in multis terrae locis divinos honores etiam ipſe c • nſequutus eſt, et tisdem donariis cum Hercule et AEscula pioab Athenienſi bus dignu • factus eſt. paetus in epiſtola ad Regem Regum Magnum Artaxerxem. Heraclidae erant Gigantes, in oratione Theſſaliad Athenienſes. Hippocrates genere et arte conjunctus eſt Aeſculapio, hic vero Herculis eſt ex fratre nepos. in Epiſtola ſenatus Populique Abderitarum. Tis found in my records' mongſt ancient rules That were obſerved in Minervas Schooles That thoſe of Phyſicke were not held the leaſt But rather moſt Divine of all the reſt, And that of old Phyſitians had relation Mongſt Princes, and the gods, and adoration Given to their perſon, and their memories. Then ſhin'd Minerva's Altar, when her wiſe Athenians there, to adde his renowne, Gave Hercules an Aeſculapian Crowne: And after him, when by the ſame decree Great skil'd Hippocrates upon his knee Receiv'd the like, and was ſent crowned thence Phyſitians, and Philoſophers, high Prince, This Crowne ſtill reſerves in ſtore Great Sir, to adde unto your future fowre. To this, as to the reſt, y'are Princely heire Prince of Phyſitians borne your titles faire And I finde it (Time ſhall doe noe wrong) In rendring truth, though his diſcourſe be long. In Florence the firſt Dukes to crowne the name Of Coſmus, who moſt piouſly became Patron of chriſtian cures ſucceſſively, Were (the Phyſitians art to dignifie) Through many raignes calld Coſmus, latter daies Have crow'nd the Medici with flouriſhing Baies, All of them ſtill imploying, that they are Patrons of all Phyſitians regulare: And from the illuſtrious Florence Medici You draw a line from France to Britanie Twas firſt the honour of the Florence Crowne To take its faire denomination From phyſicks Art, and that but rationall In France to phyſicke ſupernaturall. That titles linckt, and both in one brought ore Met the miraculous cure was here before In the thrice happy England, ſoe you are By vertue of deſcent apparant heire To the Phyſitians crowne, who both inherit Of rationall, and miraculous cures the ſpirit. That thoſe of phyſicke. Hippocrates divina natura praeditus eſt, nonus quidem a Criſamide Rege: &c, Hippocrates is indowed with a Divine Nature the ninth truly by de • cent from King Criſamides, the eightteenth from Eſculapius, the twentith from Iupiter: by his mother Praxithea the daughter of Phaenaretes. he is of the family of the Heraclides, by his father an Aſclepiad, ſo that by both his parents divine Hippocrates hath his off-ſpring from the gods, & for his Art moſt iuſtly hath in many places of the earth obtayned divine honors & with Hercules & Eſculapius, hee hath by the Athenians bin made worthy of the ſame gifts &c: Petus Proconſull in his Epiſtle to the great King of Kings Artaxerxes. For which, and for the favours done to her Minerva muſt on you this Crowne conferre. Minerva. Here the muſicke ſounds for the dance of the 4. Nations of England Scotland, France and Ireland. TIme while you ſtrive to ſhew my gratitude I feare you are thought tedious if not rude To preſſe ſoe farre. But harke this Muſicke ſaies Each Nation, that ſubjectingly obeyes Their Majeſties, and you are come to ſhow With nimble feete the duty, that they owe Viſum est, ac decretum ſenatui & populo Athenienſium ut gratiam condignam Hippocrati pro benefactis referat, ipſum publicè magnis myſteriis initiare quemadmodum Herculem f • ium lovis, & Coronare ipſum Corona aurea mille anreorum, et ipſam Coronam quatriis magnis Minerva feſtis, in Gertamine gymnico per praeconem proclamare. in Decreto Atheni, enſium. Ab initio Dei unde genus noſtrum eſſe gloriamur Aeſ • ulapius et Hercules in hominum utilitatem prognatiſunt. Et ho • proptervirtutem quam exercuerunt, omnes de • rumloco habent Oratio Thèſſali ad Athenienſes.All in their kinde t'expreſſe their skill in dance. Glad England firſt, blith Scotland, ſprightly France And civiliz'd Ireland ſhall in order trace And doe their beſt to gaine a greater grace. Enter the Dancers who having ended their dance Minerva ſpeakes to the Princes. Minerva. NOw Princely ones may't pleaſe you to advance And your aſpects on freſher objects glance Of Armes, and Arts. Time. Pray you be pleas'd to walke and pardon Time, old folks are full of talke. The Prince, and the reſt are here conducted by Minerva, and Time towards the Chamber of Arts, and Armes, by the way Minerva turning to the Prince ſpeakes. Minerva. GReat Britaines Prince, ſince that your innate love To learning doth ſoe ſoone your highnes move To view Minerva's manſion, and to be Admitted one of hers. Behold, and ſee How I begin (out of a tender care Complying with your yeeres) bookes to prepare Fit for your ſtudies, now from which by ſenſe You may extract the ſweeteſt quinteſſence Ego nunc cum mea ſobole, oleaeramulis coronotus ad Mineruae aram ſupplex conſiſto. Oratio Hippocratis ad aram conſiſtentis Coro. illa aurea inveſtrotheatro i • poſita ad ſum. ām aemulationē ac felicitatem patrem meum evexit: ſed et hoc beneficium ſuperaſtis, dum et patrem et me publicè Cereris et Proſerpinae myſteriis ac ſacris initiaſtis. Theſſalus in ora • . ad Athenienſes. Theſſalus filius Hippocratis aurea corona coronatus ab Athenienſibus Theodoret. Had by alluſion to each Authours name To ſweeten learnings roote ſoe as the ſame To others bitter might prove ſweete to you Then freely taſte, and taſting caſt your view Vpon each Authours name, whereby you may Be more acquainted with them day by day. And, as your better part ſhall ſhine more cleare I'le from themſelves ſtill make you better cheare. The Princes, and the reſt being entred. Time. HOw now, what myſtery is this? How dare you uſe the Prince thus, ſchoole-miſtris? Are th'armes, and arts you promis'd to his view To be pick't out of bookes? This is a new And a courſe way of entertainment too. A banquet had ben fitter. Minerva. Such is this TIme, if you knew but what ſweete learning is Compos'd in theſe plaine bookes, your ſelfe would ſay Both for delight, and health his Highnes may Not onely taſte, but as his meat devoure them, And ſoe become a Helluo librorum. Time. YEt by your learned leave, Minerva, let Before his taſter here the bookes be ſet What Authour's this? pray let us here begin Suetonius ſaies his out ſide: but within All ſweet meats. Oh ſweete Suetonius! What's his next neighbour? Aulus Gellius, All gellies, as I am true Time. What lurkes Here in this volume? Tis Frier Bacons workes Moſt ſweetely interlarded. And here's Cato In bisket cakes, and ſugar plates in Plato. Eraſmus full of preſerv'd Raſpices, Delicate Authors all. Now what are theſe Dameſins in Damaſcenus, and preſerv'd Lemons here in Levinus Lemnius ſerv'd. Aples in Apuleius. All's good cheere. But ſtay Minerva, what good drinke ha'ye here To waſh it downe? oh here I ſee are brought Nine Amphora's of glaſſe; in each a draught Of ſeverall waters, ſent from ſeverall wells And fountaines, where the ſacred Muſes dwelles, As their nine names, which are inſcrib'd thereon Doe plainely ſhow. See firſt from Helicon Clio a cleare immortall liquour ſends, Vrania Eridanus commends, Thalia of Ionian pleaſant ſtreames A drinke hath ſent. The auncient Poets Theames Bacchus Minervas botle-man did bring This ſweeteſt Nectar from the Theſpian ſpring, A preſent from Erato: this pure cleane Freſh water ſeemes to come from Hippocrene Euterpe's gift: and here, and pleaſe you, ſip ye Of the cleare brooke, that runnes from Aganippe, Sent by Melpomene, ſo of the reſt, Whoſe liquours come to dignifie the feaſt, So may you eate, and drinke, and carry more Of learning hence then Pallas keepes in ſtore. The banquet being ended Minerva turning to the Prince ſpeakes for a concluſion thus. Minerva. NOw (royall Prince) with thankes let Pallas ſay; Sh'has by your brightneſſe had a glorious day: But you declining your Phoebean light Will leave her ſhrouded in perpetuall night, Vnleſſe to ſhow • y'are pleas'd you leave for grace A ſmile, which may illuminate the place. So ſhall Minerva give a glad adieu Withall her Atmes, and Arts to wait on you. For the Banquet were provided litle Angels holding Candles to give light unto the Princes: which hung in the aire could no way be diſcerned. The Banquet which Minerva gave was incloſed in Artificiall bookes, ſo handſomely made that no man could know but that they were very bookes indeed, diſpoſed and placed according to their ſeverall volumnes: betweene which by theſe nine ſeverall amphoras of Glaſſe were placed, full of 9 ſeverall ſorts of Wines as ſent from the 9 Muſes. The Authors that Minerva ſhewed the Princes were many, but the firſt that fell into the Princes hands were theſe, which follow named: and in the frontiſpeece of them were found theſe Verſes following. In Suetonius theſe MY title is Suetonius, but within A hiſtory of ſweete meates doth begin, Which ſo may pleaſe (Illuſtrious Prince) your taſte As your life may all Caeſars Acts out laſt. Aulus Gellius. LEt the lampe waſting ſtudent, who delights In reading Aulus Gellius Attike nights, Make himſelfe pale: here for a Courtiers wit Is nouriſhing ſtrong gelly much more fit. Frier Bacons workes. Frier Bacons workes my inſide well may be Now Conjur'd into Collops: and yet ſee There is no Puritane but would deſire Like to the devill to devoure this Frier. Lucius Florus. See Lucius Florus from his hiſtory Renders you nothing but a Prophecy Vpon your flower deluces, which he ſayes Shall grace your crowne bove all his Emperours bayes. Levinus Lemnius de occultis naturae miraculis. IF for Levinus Lemnius you doe finde Dried canded Lemons, or a Citron rinde, Heere ſoone read over: for at once you looke On all the hidden ſecrets of his booke. Apuleius. NOt Apuleius golden Aſſes ſtory (Glory of Princes) here is ſet before ye: But golden apples of the Heſperides Are brought your taſte, as well as ſight to pleaſe. Quintus Curtius. MY outſide's Quinius Curtius (gratious Princes) But ſee within my leaves are curious Quinces This tranſpoſition well excuſed may be: Bookes and their titles doe not ſtill agree. Origen. IF (curious reader) you deſire to know, Why the inſide and the title differ ſo: As Origen and Orang, make no doubt, The Anagram's within of what's without. Damaſcenus. OLd Damaſcenus ſayes you are to young, Sweet Prince, to reade or taſte of Phyſicke ſtrong: Therefore which better may your palate ſuite, Praeſcribes you damſens your liege Country fruite. Eraſmus Roterodamus. VVHen with Eraſmus you hereafter meete, Youle find him like this Raſpis ſharpe & ſweet Sweete like Almond butter, which ne're came From any butter box of Roterdame. Cato. CAto from Sugar Cakes not differs farre, Since into diſtickes both divided are. Plato. VOuch ſafe of Platoes workes to taſte a piece, Though not of Greeke, yet full of Ambergreece. Manuſcripti. AMongſt ſo many bookes tis not ore ſlip't, That you have here a Manuſcript. You may well ſee by what you doe finde in't, 'Twas done by hand and never yet in Print. Hermolaus Barbarus. OF Hermolaus Barbarus the ſence Is harmeles; barberies, like Eloquence: Which though 'tis ſweet, hath tartnes mix't among Witneſſe each wanton witty womans tongue. Cardanus. Cardanus workes theſe are, as ſome doe ſay, But it ſeemes rather that they were his play. Littleton. HEre Littleton is ſet before your eyes, Becauſe law's common, little ſhall ſuffice: Yet is that little much to be regarded, Becauſe an old Coke hath it interlarded. FINIS