The nuptialls of Peleus and Thetis. Consisting of a mask and a comedy, or The the [sic] great royall ball, acted lately in Paris six times by the King in person. The Duke of Anjou. The Duke of Yorke. with divers other noble men. Also by the Princess Royall Henrette Marie. The Princess of Conty. The Dutchess of Roquelaure. The Dutchess of Crequy. with many other ladies of honour.

The nuptialls of Peleus and Thetis. Consisting of a mask and a comedy, or The the [sic] great royall ball, acted lately in Paris six times by the King in person. The Duke of Anjou. The Duke of Yorke. with divers other noble men. Also by the Princess Royall Henrette Marie. The Princess of Conty. The Dutchess of Roquelaure. The Dutchess of Crequy. with many other ladies of honour.

Table of contents

Title page

[1]

The Stanzas of the Royall Ball, with the Argument of every Scene of the Comedy, which gives occasion to every entry in the Ball. THE ARGUMENT.

The Singers.

TO THE MOST EXCELLENT, And HIGH-BORN Lady, The Lady KATHERINE Marchionesse of DORCHESTER, &c.

THE PROLOGUE. Apollo and the Nine Muses, Epidan and Onochone Rivers of Thessaly, a Quire of water-Nymphs.

The first Entry.

THE NVPTIALS Of PELEUS and THETIS; OR; The Great Royall Ball.

THE FIRST ACT.

The first Scnee, where appears a Grott open on both sides.

The second Scene, which opens within a perspective where a Sea is seen.

The third Scene.

THE SECOND ACT.

The first Scene.

The second Scene.

The Third Scene.

THE THIRD ACT.

First Scene.

The second Scene

The last Scene.

[2]

Title page

The PROLOGUE.

1

ACT I. SCENE I.

The Second Scene.

The third Scene.

2

ACT II. SCENE I.

The Second Scene.

The Third Scene.

3

ACT III. SCENE I.

The second Scene.

The last Scene.

§

§

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THE NVPTIALLS OF PELEVS AND THETIS. CONSISTING OF A Mask and a Comedy, OR THE The Great Royall Ball, Acted lately in Paris six times BY

The King in Person.

The Duke of Anjou.

The Duke of Yorke.

with divers other Noble men.

ALSO BY

The Princess Royall Henrette Marie.

The Princess of Conty.

The Dutchess of Roqvelaure.

The Dutchess of Crequy.

with many other Ladies of Honour.

LONDON, Printed for Henry Herringman, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Ancor in the lower walke of the New Exchange. 1654.

§

§

[Page]

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The Stanzas of the Royall Ball, with the Argument of every Scene of the Comedy, which gives occasion to every entry in the Ball.
THE ARGUMENT.

PEleus King of Thessaly being enamored with Thetis, and crossed by two potent Rivalls, Jupiter and Neptune, doth so carry the business by the Counsells of Chiron, and by the succour of Prometheus, that both the Gods are at the end excluded of their pretentions; Neptune desists by reason of his old age, and Jupiter being the elder of the two, but much more considerable, doth voluntarily renounce his interest. Whereupon Thetis being plainely perswaded of the constancy, and fidelity of her Lover, gives her consent to marry him, so the Nuptialls are celebrated with a great concourse of Gods and Goddesses. Prometheus also having done good service in the business, and to put a period to his troubles, is there also present, and brings with him the Liberall and Mechanick Arts which hee had invented; Discord also would faine have been there, but that she was ashamed to appeare upon the theatre, having been chac'd out of France, and it had been to no purpose for her to disturb so ioyfull a meeting.

[Page]

The Singers.

Two Rivers of Thessaly.

Epidan and

Onochone

Jupiter

Neptune

Juno

Mercury

Peleus King of Thessaly

Thetis

Chiron

Prometheus

A Quire of water-Nymphs

A Quire of Syrens & Tritons

A Quire of priests of Man.

A Quire of all the Deities.

The Dancers.

Apollo, and the nine Muses.

Magicians.

Fishers of Corrall

The Furies of jelously

Savage men and women.

The Dryads or Woodnymphs.

Cavaliers of Thessaly

Chirons Academists

Peleus his Courtiers

Thetis young maids of honor

The Liberall & servile Arts

Love

Iuno

Hymen

Hercules

The harmony of the Sphears.

[Page]

TO THE MOST EXCELLENT, And HIGH-BORN Lady, The Lady KATHERINE Marchionesse of DORCHESTER, &c.

Madam;

I Believe, no discerning Reader will question my Judgement in point of Election, nor accuse my Election of much presumption in Dedicating this princely new piece to your Ladiship.

Touching the first, the Fancy comming from that Country which doth challenge as much Interest in your Illustrious blood as England, I humbly conceived it might well become your Ladiship to be Patronesse thereof.

Touching the second reason, it having been not onely Represented, but Acted so many times (and reserv'd yet for entertaining Pimentel the Spanish [Page] Ambassador) by a Great King in person, with such a number of Princes, Princesses, Nobles, and above a hundred Representators besides, so that the charge of the scene and shewes amounted to half a million of French liures; But above all, it being an invention so cryed up, so well contriv'd and trac'd, so full of wit, and variety of Musicall airs, with other gentilesses; I deem'd it would be a thing not unworthy of your Ladiships private entertainment.

Lastly, Madam, the Fancy being so fresh, and sutable to the season, it comes to usher in a happy and healthfull spring to your Honor, attended with affluences of all Felicity present and future, according to the humble and pregnant votes of

My most Highly Honored Lady,

Your thrice-Obedient and devoted Servitor JAM. HOVVEL.

The first of May 1654.

[Page]

THE PROLOGUE. Apollo and the Nine Muses, Epidan and Onochone Rivers of Thessaly, a Quire of water-Nymphs.

AT the opening of the Theater, Apollo and the Muses appeare upon the top of a Mountaine, on both sides thereof run two Rivers of Thessaly, and the water-Nymphs being separated in two Quires, fall into the prayse of Apollo, inviting him to come downe and give a happy Augury to the Loves of Peleus; The said Mountaine stoopes by little and little, whereupon the Rivers and Nymphs retiring, Apollo and the Muses fill the Stage, and compose the first entry of the Ball.

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[...]

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[...]

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The first Entry.

Apollo and the Nine Muses.

The King represents Apollo,

Madam Henriette Princesse of England. represents Erato.

Madamoisella of Ʋilleroy. represents Clio.

The Dutchesse of Crequy represents Euterpe.

The Dutchesse of Roquelaure represents Thalia.

The Princesse of Conty represents Vrania.

Madam de Monlovet represents Terpsicore.

Madam de Saint Simon represents Calliope.

Madam d'Olonne represents Melpomene.

Madamoiselle de Gourdon represents Polyhimney.

[Page]

THE NVPTIALS Of PELEUS and THETIS; OR; The Great Royall Ball.

The King of France representing Apollo.

MOre bright and better made then all the Gods,

Superior to the rest of Dëities by ods,

My ForeSPEAKER with immortal beams is crown'd,

Victorious beauties I raise from the ground,

I after Glory alwaies run,

Not after Daphne whom I shun.

That fierce destructive Python I did quell,

That ugly horrid Serpent hatch'd in Hell,

Rebellion, which had poyson'd farre and neare

Faire France I chac'd from off this Hemispheare:

I rather had this Monster slay,

Then with my Daphne sport and play.

Yet it must be at last, early or late

I must a Femall court, it is my Fate,

[Page] And though I am all God, yet there's a shee,

Whom with love glances I must deifie.

And what Nymph, Goddesse, Queen, or Muse

To be my Daphne would refuse.

Madam Henriette the Princesse of England, representing the muse Erato, which fell to her by lott.

My stemm is more then of a mortall race;

For to great Henries Granchild all give place:

My Innocent and young aspect,

Inspires both pitty and respect;

And he who loudly would complain

of Princes falls and Peoples raign,

Of angry starrs, and destiny,

Let him but cast his eyes on me.

Madamoiselle de Villeroy representing Clio, the inventresse of History.

I turn this charming look

Sometimes to Doomsday book;

These eyes, where in his throne

Love sits, make many mone;

My Rosy cheeks, my quickening fire,

Madd the beholders with desire:

And though I am but a young thing,

Blown as it were but in this spring;

My office is the History to tell

Of what a thousand yeers ago befell.

Madam the Dutchess of Crequy, representing Euterpe, the inventresse of Musique.

The Mouth of Fame doth tell,

In Mine the graces dwell:

[Page] So red, so small, Loves Queen

Had not, nor ere was seen;

A hundred beauties more

I have in banke and store;

Yet none esteemes them lesse:

I nature rather blesse

For those inward parts I have,

Which will last me to my Grave.

Though I with musique use to cheer the mind,

Yet in my Pipes no foulenesse you shall finde.

M. the Dutchesse of Roquelaure, representing Thalia, the inventresse of Comedy.

There is no heart so free

But it will yeeld to me;

I have the true supremacy

Of beauty both in front and eye:

My glances able are for to recover

The sickest amorist, the palest lover:

My Comedies, if that you listen well,

Are able to redeem a soul from hell.

Madame the Princesse of Conty, representing Vrania the inventresse of Astronomy.

The starres in their carreer

Are not so bright and cleer

As is my minde, which 'bove the Elements

Doth soar to view those high syderian Tents.

This port, this countenance, and eyes

Shew I did drop down from the skyes.

I study their Aspects and Influence,

Their Motions, & what good descends from thence.

[Page]Madam de Montlouet representing Terpsicore inventresse of dances and masks.

If for a mortall I am taken,

You may perchance be there mistaken,

I dart a ray will pierce the heart,

And make the center of it smart:

I carry such a Majesty,

Which represents Divinity:

The graces all in me do dwell,

Contending which shall bear the bell:

I doe preside in Maskes and Dances,

Wounding the looker with my glances.

M. the Dutchess of San Simon representing Calliope, the inventresse of Heroick Poesy.

Beauty a treasure of high rate

Is my companion and my mate;

Of vertues I have such a store,

That could enrich a thousand more:

I raise my spirits to enhance,

(When I am in poetique trance)

By high heroick verse the acts

Of noble Champions and their facts:

The Sock I scorn, the Buskin me

Doth raise to immortality.

Madam d' Olonne representing Melpomene, the inventresse of Tragaedy.

Although my countenance be grave,

Yet pleasure and delights I have▪

[Page] I look on Death and Destiny,

Yet are my straines Divinity:

The passages of vertue I rehearse,

Though in an Elegiack Tragick verse.

Madamoiselle de Gourdon representing Polhymny, the inventresse of vocall Musique.

A hundred objects I do see,

Although at my Nativity

They say I hooded was, my song

Will carry one to heaven along,

The various postures I do show

Will make the Gods themselves to bow;

I am the glory of our hills,

Where joy both heart and spirit fills.

THE FIRST ACT.

The first Scnee, where appears a Grott open on both sides.

Chiron, Peleus, a dumb quire of Magicians.

CHiron adviseth Peleus either to abandon love, or not to lose higher hopes; perswading him, that the old age of his Rivals, might happily give him some assurance, yet he exhorts him for preventing the violence that Jupiter might perchance offer to Thetis, to go upon Mount Caucasus, and implore the help of Prometheus, who with the fire he stole from heaven, had brought thence all the great and sublime sorts of knowledge; and Prometheus would be glad to oblige Peleus in such an occasion to crosse the passion of Jupiter, who made him endure such cruell [Page] torments; Peleus approves of Chirons counsell, whereupon the Magicians, as they dance, use a charm, carrying him away in a flying chair.

The second Entry.

Magicians.

The Count of Lude, the Marquis of Villequire, and of Genlis, the Lords Bontemps and Cabou, the Lords Verbec, Baptista, and Lambert.

The Count of Lude representing a Magician.

Let my heart go loose more then to one,

If I do love but three, I leasure have

To sell love by retale;

I cry; I sigh, and ready am to hang,

Yet then I vanish in the height of passion.

The Marquis of Villequier representing a Magician.

The beauty which me charmes is like the spring, wee ought to love each other, she is fierce, and so am I. A young forceresse may well become a Magician of twenty years.

The Marquis of Genlis representing a Musician.

Who can make scruple of my art and skill,

My reasons in due time have Energie enough;

If I look fair in any part,

I'st not a trick of Magique Art?

The second Scene, which opens within a perspective where a Sea is seen.

Thetis, Neptune, a Quire of Syrens▪ and Tritons, a Quire of dumb Fishers for Corrall.

[Page] Thetis appears upon a great shell attended by a halfe Demy water God, being encompassed by a fair troop of Corrall Fishers; On the other side Neptune appears upon another great shell drawn by four Sea horses, and begins to vent his passion to Thetis; but when he perceives that she despiseth him, he suddenly leaves her, and retires with all his train in choler, and striking the Sea with his Trident, he rais'd such a horrible tempest, that Thetis with all her Corrall Fishers was forced to descend, who being very joyfull to escape the storm, make a dance among themselves to cheer and entertain her with delight.

The third Entry.

A half Sea-God leading Thetis attended by twelve Fishers of Corrall.

Mounsieur the Count of St. Aignan prime Gentleman of the Kings Chamber, is the half Sea-God.

The Fishers of Corrall.

The Duke of Anjou the Kings onely brother, the Duke of York, the Duke Danville, the Count de G'viche, the little Count of Aignan, the Marquis of Mirepoix, Mounsieur Saintot, Mounsieur de la Chesnay, the Lord Bruneau, S. Fre. L'Anglois, and Raynal.

The Count Saint Aignan representing a demy Sea-God, beginns.

I have enhanc'd my gallantries so high,

That Neptunes Court is glorified thereby.

They equall the exploits of Paladins,

Whose fame the Earth with Ecchos dims,

What a poor thing it is to be

A Demy-God by land or Sea?

[Page] Yet I am one, I'de have it known,

It is no stain but a renown,

In the fair field of love for to be so

Where joy & sadness, flowers and weeds do grow:

And for the water-Nymphs none can express

Better then I whether th'are fish or flesh.

A Madrigall.

With a Nymph both fair and cruell;

The Fates have call'd me to a Duell

My torments endlesse are, my brest

with the Sea surges have like rest.

The Duke of Anjou representing a Fisherman.

1. In my fine hooks ther's danger, then beware

I am a fairer Fisherman by far,

Then love himself my hook and line

Can catch a creature though Divine.

2. Husbands their cares do double, lest one day

I fish within their ponds and catch the prey,

So subtill is my wit, that none can see

Where I do fish those things which flow from me.

3. I will launce out when Age improves my flanks,

In the mean time I keep upon the banks

For corrall on Vermilian lipps I fish,

And who will hinder me to have my wish?

The Duke of Yorke representing a Fisherman.

T'is not for me to fish for Corrall here,

I to another Coast my course must steer,

A fatall ground

Which Seas surround.

There I must fish upon an angry Main,

More then two Crowns and Scepters to regain.

[Page]

The Duke Damville representing a Fisherman for Corrall.

I have the same bait, hook and line

I had when I could scarce tell nine,

A few there are

Though nere so fair,

If I am set

Can 'scape my flaxen net.

The Count of Guiche representing a Fisherman.

Upon the side of a still peacefull pond

I use to fish, and dare not go beyond;

The time will come that I may also seek

The Rivers Banks, and happly a Sea-creek.

The little Count of Aignon representing a Fisherman.

As streight and slender as a rush

I use to cast my line, and push

It on, but I do onely catch

Small things, I cannot yet attach

Great wel-grown fishes, one might make

Good cheer with those I cannot take.

The Maaquis of Mirepoix representing a Fisherman.

Of this sweet Trade of Fishing I intend

To be one day a Master, and so mend

My fortunes, now, the greatest skill

Of a true Fisherman is to be still,

And patient for a while, to make no hast

So he may compasse well his ends at last.

The third Scene.

Thetis, Jupiter, Juno, a dumb Quire of the Furies of jealousie▪ Jupiter being encompassed with pomp and Majesty, descends [Page] from the Air in midst of a great cloud, and propounds to Thetis all the tender & passionate things which might oblige her to be his spouse; but shee refuseth this honor out of high respects she ow'd to Juno, who had been so carefull of her Education; whereupon Jupiter was upon point of carrying her away; but as he was wrapping her within the cloud wherein he descended, Iuno comes in a whirlwind not so violent as her rage; And after a loud fit of scolding, having brought the furies along with her, the earth open'd and disgorgeth a huge horrid Monster; At sight hereof Iupiter letting go his prey, and putting off his design till a more convenient time, returnes to Heaven.

In the mean time the Furies extreamly well pleased to have so opportunely done such a piece of service to Iuno, dance all before her, whereupon the goddesse Iuno having thanked Thetis for her vertuous resistance, takes the furies up with her in the same whirlwind which brought her down to persecute Iupiter in his repose, and in his glory.

The fourth Entry.

The King, the Duke of Ioyeuse, the Marquis of Genlis, Mounsieur Bontemps, the Lords de Lorge, Verpre, Beauchamp, Mollier, le Vacher, Desairs, Dolnist, Baptiste.

For the King representing a fury.

Spain, fly from this yong fury, fly away,

She comes to daunt thee, and with torch in hand

Through every corner she doth force her way,

To find thee out, 'gainst her thou canst not stand.

She persecutes the bad, and makes them read

Their guilt within their looks, nay, the same time

They mischief work, and do commit the crime,

She glides into the Conscience fear and dread.

[Page]

The Duke of Joyeuse representing a Fury.

Believe me not, to trust in me forbear,

A fained sweetnesse on my front I wear,

Of me there may be some mistakes,

for I do hide my claws and snakes.

The Marquis of Genlis representing another Fury.

My face is lovely, sweet and debonnair,

Such as an honest Fury ought to bear.

My heart some poyson may contain,

Yet serpents lodge not in my brain.

THE SECOND ACT.

The first Scene.

Which represents the top of Caucasus.

Prometheus, Peleus, a Quire of dumb men, and savage wmen.

PEleus being conducted by savage men and women, meets with Prometheus upon a Rock with his Eagle which gnawes upon his heart, and having made a light comparison of their torments, Prometheus assures him that the Oracle of Delphos had foretold that Thetis should bear a son greater then his Father; and that Iupiter also without doubt should be constrained to renounce his pretention, and that Mercury having been sent in his behalf to Iupiter, to acquaint him with the saying of the Oracle, the businesse should end to his contentment: Peleus hereupon returnes to Thessaly extreamly comforted, and the savages upon hopes that Prometheus should be freed from his torment, [Page] and that Peleus should obtain his hearts desire, could not more lively expresse their joy then by a dance.

The fifth Entry.

The Lords of Chesnay, and Joyeux, the Lords la Marre, Monglas, Laleu, Raynall, Roddier, all Savages.

Wee value beautious cheeks, and how

They must be used we also know,

Nor such rude savages are we,

But civiliz'd we soon may be.

The second Scene.

Which discovers a place of Gold and stones.

Jupiter, Mercury, a dumb Quire of Wood-Nymphs.

Jupiter meets with Mercury in this fair Palace which he had caus'd to be prepar'd in the secret place about Caucasus, to celebrate his Nuptialls there without the knowledge of Iuno, and devising the means how to conduct thither the new spouse; Mercury gave him notice what the Oracle had said; Iupiter being therewith surpriz'd, and fearing that the same distaster might befall him there, which had happen'd 'twixt him and Saturn, makes love to yield to ambition, and retires to Heaven after he had commanded Mercury to make it known that he would think on't no more, nor do an act so injurious to his Authority; the Dryades being Land-Nymphs, fell to be jealous of the good fortune of Thetis a Sea-goddesse, being there as spies to give account to Juno of all the purposes of Jupiter, and they expresse by a dance the joy they conceived that Jupiter had altered his resolutions.

[Page]

The sixth entry.

Dryades or wood-Nymphs.

The King, the Dukes of Joyeuse, and of Roquelaure, the Marquis of Genlis, Mounsier Bontemps, the Lords of Lorges, Desairs, le Vaiser, Verpre, Beauchamp, Molier, D'Olivet.

For the King representing a Dryade.

1.

A Nymph as great as generous,

In Oaks as green as pretious

I lead a happy traine:

My youthfull branches taper so,

As if to heaven they would grow,

And starres salute would fain:

They spread and shoot so bravely out, that they

The glory of their root will not betray.

2.

By their rind you well may know

With what strength and Sap these grow,

and whence it springs.

They may be fit Caesars to make,

Or Alexanders for to shake,

with thousand earthly Kings.

3.

About this proud and Royall Tree

Others do grow, but modestly

They creepe more humble then the grasse,

So that one day 'twil come to passe,

This Tree of Heaven may be made

Unto the Europian world a shade.

The Duke of Ioyeuse representing another Wood-Nymph.

While the seasons, rude and cold,

I wonder none with me makes bold

[Page] My wood hath this rare quality, it shall

Burn, warme, and make no noyse at all.

The Duke of Roquelaure representing also a Dryade.

1.

Some hold me for a merry wench,

And that I care not much for Continence,

I am the greatest babler I confesse,

And imitate Vergonda by my tresse.

2.

There is no Forrest but doth feel

The strokes of my victorious steel,

As soone as I doe haunt a cops of wood,

To bring the Axe among them were as good.

3.

I have my vanities, besides my Age

By right of Impudence sometimes doth rage,

And if a Tree cleffed may chance,

They presently impute the cause to me.

4.

But to conclude, sweet Nymphs, my pleasures shall

Never hurt yours, therefore doubt not at all;

To my beloved trunk ile so adhere,

That for to injure others none shall feare.

The Marriage of Genlis representing the last Dryade.

Within the bottom of a Grove

A Satyre thereabouts did rove,

Who held my honor at a bay,

But hard it was for to display

Whether a reall Satyre, or one clad

Like Satyres, or indeed a true Dryad.

[Page]

The Third Scene.

Which represents a Theater, and at the end of a prospective, a Statue of God Mars.

A Quire of Mars his Priests, with another dumb Quire of Thessalian Knights.

The Cavaliers of the Principall City of Thessalia being afflicted for the cruelty of Thetis against Peleus their Monarch, do bring in a combat at Barriers to the honor of Mars: in the mean time they offered sacrifices on the other side to the same God, with supplications, that he would imploy his credit with Venus for the returne of Peleus, and for mollifying the heart of Thetis; At this same time the Statue of Mars having spoken and foretold all good auguries, the Knights quit their armes and dance.

The seventh Entry.

A combat at Barriers by the Knights of Thessaly.

The Count of Saint Aignan chiefe of the Defendants.

Defendants

Young Beaufort,

San Maury,

Desens,

Derville.

M. Beaufort chiefe of the Appellants.

Appellants

Gamard,

Clinchant,

Ourdanlt,

De Hallus.

For the Count Sant Aignan representing a Thessalian Knight.

Attend me Lawrells, this combat's made

To gain the glory of those irons which hold

Me captive, therefore I must be more bold

Then any, and employ my trusty blade.

[Page] What force can lance or sword

Against me then afford?

THE THIRD ACT.

First Scene.

Which represents the portall of Thetis Palace.

Peleus, Chiron, a Quire of Chiron's Academists.

PEleus being returned from Caucasus, and living with Chiron, doth resolve by his advises to present himselfe to Thetis, and to make his addresse to her with amorous patheticall prayers, which he might do the more confidently by reason of Jupiter's declaration, wherein hee resolved not to think any more on her; The Disciples of the said Chiron, the inventor and Master of many differing professions frame a dance to expresse the joy they conceived for the return of Peleus.

The eight Entry.

Chiron making his Academy to dance for the entertainment of Peleus.

Mounsieur Hesselin Master of Chirons Academists.

The Academists habited like Indians.

The King,

The Lords Saintot, Bon [...] emps, and Cabou, the Lords Mollier, Bruneau, Langlois, Beaucham, le Vacher, Baptiste, D'Olvet, and de Lorges.

Chiron the Centaure who was to be represented by Mounsieur Hesselin.

Be not my friends at all astonished

To see a man onely for back and head,

[Page] He happy is who is a beast

Backward, and not above the brest.

I find no incommodity

That I am such a prodigy,

Half a man somtimes may need

Half a horse for better speed.

When I have moraliz'd by sense,

(Within my cell) neat and distinct

Unto the stable, I withdraw me thence,

From Reason taking pleasure in instinct.

The Master of the Academy represented by Master Hesselin.

If that my pride appear, I reason have,

For I instruct all gallant men and brave,

Lucre makes me not mercenary,

But I do teach all frank and free,

If 'mong my schollers

[King.]

one be pleas'd to pay,

I can afford the rest a good long day.

For the King representing an Academist.

This young Academist doth learn so well

His part, that all the rest he doth excel;

His present (and his future) Grandeur show

All mortall his high vertues are below.

This Master piece to perfect, it seems that

Fortune with Nature did cooperate.

The Bodies exercise is his delight

Against his own in many an eager fight;

He beaten hath the iron, and made them fly

A fair presage of future victory

He greater things prepares; And Spain shall find

How dextrous he will prove in every kind.

[Page] He cannot broke any should him exceed,

Whether he runnes, or leaps, or mounts the Steed,

In dancing neatly none surpasse him shall,

The world admires him, only the Ladies are

Wary, nor dare they what they thinke declare.

The second Scene

Thetis, Peleus, a dumb quire of Peleus Courtiers, and the little Maids of honor of Thetis Court.

Peleus doth all he can to gain the good grace of Thetis, but she continues still in the same rigor, and as Proteus daughter, takes advantage of the priviledge of her birth to deceive Peleus by various shapes, yet he faints not in the pursuit, but begins to adde boldnesse to affection: at last Thetis transformes her selfe to a Rock, which Peleus embraceth, and protesteth to perish rather then forsake her; at this last proof of Constancy and love, Thetis yeelds, and accepts him for her husband; hereupon all Peleus Court falls into an excesss of gladnesse, which makes the Courtiers to fall a dancing.

The ninth entry.

Courtiers.

The Duke of Candale, the Marquis of Villequier, and of Genlis the Count.

For the King who should have represented a Courtier.

This youthfull Courtier hath so high a look,

As if for some great King himselfe he took,

He's forward, bold, and cannot be alone,

Nothing doth please him more then to come on:

He sure will something do:

[Page]

The charge we see he hath is honourable,

And for his age very considerable,

Some lofty spirits would be glad with lesse,

But he doth farre more glorious things professe,

sure he will something do.

He ordinary titles doth excell,

He would do better, though he now doth well,

Had he no processe with a neerally,

Which yet doth set an edge on Majesty,

Sure he will something do

The Duke of Candale, representing a Courtier.

The Court would not so splendid be and brave,

Were I not there, nor halfe that lustre have:

We are the 'ffects of one another,

We laugh, and play and sport together,

The Courtier may do Fortune a good turne

As well as she to him—

The Marquis of Ʋillequier, representing another Courtier.

Fortune and Love are two odd things,

The one is blinde, to'ther hath Wings,

It is a tedious task and doubtfull gain

The true good-will of either to obtain;

For me, I like the lover, who doth go

By way of storming, and ends quickly so.

I will not knock too long at one hearts dore,

Lest in the mean time I lose hundreds more.

The Marquis of Genlis representing a Courtier also.

In the Court a number te [...]ds

To divers projects, divers ends,

[Page] All opposed to one another,

The sisters oft do cross the brother,

Touching my selfe, I hope to expedit

My businesse by my charming face and witt.

The last Scene.

Thetis, Peleus, a quier of all the Deities, Prometheus, a dumb quier of loves, Hercules, Hymen, Juno, dumb personag [...]s, a so a dumb quier of the Liberall and Mechanick Arts, a Celestiall Harmony.

Thetis and Peleus appear, being seated upon a high Throne, whereof the upper part changeth to a prospective of the Firmament where the loves are seated; and the other part of the Scene formeth it selfe into a Cloud, athwart whereof all the Dieties do glitter, being invited to the Marriage: Hercules brings with him Prometheus freed by Jupiters order; in the mean time, Juno and Hymen accompanyed by the intelligences that compose the Celestiall Harmony, descending in a great engine, all which being joyned to the Liberall and Mechanick Arts, which were the invention of Prometheus who conducted them thither, a great dance is formed on earth below, while the little loves make another in the heavens above at the same time.

The last entry.

The liberall Arts.

Madam de Brancas, Madamoiselle de Mancini, Madamoiselle de Mortsmart, Madamoiselle de la Riviere Bonnevill, Madamoiselle de Fovilloux, Madomoiselle Destree, Madamoiselle de la loupe.

Madam Brancas represents Geometry.

I trace the earth all over by account,

As farre as Pindus or Parnassus Mount;

[Page] I Corinth view, where every one

Cannot arrive, 'tis I alone

Who can by Land-skips, Mapps, and Instruments,

Measure all Regions, and their vast extents.

Madamoiselle Mancini, representing Musique.

In me a comely spritfull grace,

Makes Vnisons throughout my face:

A charming harmony

Moves betwixt lips and eye:

Sometimes I melt, bring sadnesses and smarts,

Which shews I am not welcome to all hearts.

Madamoiselle de mortmart, representing Logique.

My youth, my hue, my eyes do prove,

The strongest Reason in the School of Love

Is Beauty, 'twill convince the most austere,

And make a Fool of a Philosopher:

I pray let this serve for an argument,

I merit on Parnassus Hill a Tent.

Madamoiselle d' Estre, representing Astronomy.

My mind is not so mussled 'mong the clouds,

But I can know the causes which by crouds

Puzzle us here below; the starres when I

Was born, did smile at my Nativity,

The Heavens did powre their graces in such store,

That ever since it makes me them adore.

[Page]

Madamoiselle delle Rivere Bonnevill represents Grammar.

Though young and innocent, I have some fitts

Of the Green sicknesse, yet I well may sit

Among these sisters, to my A. B. C.

Ther's not an Art but 'tis an obligee:

The ground-work I do lay, cut out, and trace,

Therefore on Phocis Hill let me have place.

Madam de Fovilloux representing Rhetorick.

I usefull am at Court, Hearts will not yield

I snatch away, and so do winne the field,

I conquer with my tongue which I do file,

When I a charming beauty would beguile.

Madamoiselle de la Loupe representing Arithmetick.

My youthfull charms make many hearts

With grones, and sighes, and sobs to smart

Beyond computing, yet could I

To number them my selfe apply,

But that thereof I make a smal account,

They to so many Cyphers do amount.

Madam de Commenge representing Iuno.

Having immortall beauty in my face,

Where roses bloom, and Lillies still have place,

What reason is there I should jealous be?

Poor Mortalls be not so deceiv'd in me;

I jealousie do scorn with foul disdain,

I'le neither give nor take it, 'tis a grain

[Page] Of cursed, seed that naturally doth bear

A dry black leaf, which will the heart strings teare.

Hymen represented by the Duke of Ioyeuse.

I am as serious, as Cupid is a sot,

I turn his flames to vertue every jot,

Madam de Puy knowes well no Blonden is

So frequent with chast maids though full of wish.

The Duke Damville representing Hercules.

In the behalf of Love whose pleasing bait,

Have done me such good offices and bad,

I must begin my Labours, and go clad

On Venus shrine, and Altars for to wait;

I find my veines and passions all as hot

My heart as vigorous as 'twas at first,

Ther's nothing in me that's decay'd a jot,

For glory also I ne're more did thirst:

Only my feet are not so quick, as when

I deceive did my host, and may agen.

The Mechanique Arts.

The King represents represents Warre,

The Count St. Aignan represents Agriculture,

De Verpre represents Navigation,

De Lorges represents Hunting,

Le Vacher represents a Goldsmith,

Beauchamp represents a Painter,

D' olivet represents Chirurgery.

The King representing Warre.

Peace, sure thou'lt come at last so much desir'd,

Who hast to heaven thy self so long retir'd

And we must be

Thankfull to Warre for thee.

[Page] Behold she comes, and she to me is sent

To make me have a timely sentiment

Of Europes dolefull case, lo, she doth bring

Lawrels & palms, fit presents for a King.

Ye charming Femals, from your eyes

It is, that warrs and tumults rise

You dart the thunderbolts of strife,

You have your trumpets, drum and fife,

Venus we know is Mars his wife.

The Count Saint Aignan represents Agriculture or Husbandry.

By toyling much both night and day

In Mars his field, & Venus dales,

I glory have obtain'd, they say,

Having still propitious gales;

I have got Laurells, but the bloom

Is pass'd, the fruit is not yet come.

A Quire of Loves.

The Duke of Anjou the Kings brother, the Count of Guiche, the Marquis of Villeroy, the little Count of Saint Aignan, little Rassent page of the Chamber, Laleu, Donart and Aubry.

For Mounsieur, representing the first love.

Ladies, from this tender spray

There may some danger come one day,

Ye with caresses flatter him, he you,

Ye kiss, & hugg him, but you'l find it true,

It is a Lions cubb which yon do stroke,

Who with his paw in time may make you smoke;

[Page] He sports with you, he smiles and mocks,

Playes with your jewells, fancies, locks,

But take yee heed, for he at length

Will gather more encrease of strength;

Yet, I foresee he will wean quite

Himself from all such soft delight;

And marching in the steps of his great sires

Make Glory the sole Queen of his desires.

The Count of Guyche representing another love.

All those Loves I do behold

Brighter then the burnish'd gold,

Are nothing if compar'd with me,

Whether Fire, or Light they be,

I do discover in effect

I am all love, when I reflect

upon my self—

The Marquis of Villeroy representing another Love.

I peep to hear what lovers say,

When they whisper sport or play;

And sometimes lay

Traps in their way.

For the little Count of Saint Aignan representing another Love.

If hee be as discreet as is his mother,

He will neglect the love of any other,

But if the father he be like unto,

He mistresses will have & Beauties wooe.

[Page]

For litle Rassent representing another Love.

Our talents are diversified,

Each one hath his perfections aside; For me,

Till I have wings, 'tis meet

I fence my self with feet.

FINIS.

§

§

§

[Page]

THE NUPTIALS OF PELEUS AND THETIS. A NEW ITALIAN COMEDY, Whence the preceding MASK was extracted; Made English by a nearer adherence to the Original, then to the French TRANSLATION.

—Non seria semper.

London. Printed for Henry Herringman, at the Anchor.

[Page]

The PROLOGUE.

Apollo and the Muses upon the Pierian Mount; Quires of Water-Nymphs upon the Banks of Epidano and Onochono, Rivers of Thessaly.

The NYMPHS to APOLLO.

O Living Treasure of the glorious Sky,

Who by thy piercing all surveying eye

Dost in thy golden Armor conquer Night,

And so in triumph usher'st in the Light:

Among the glittering Stars thou dost not shine

With greater Lustre, then amongst the nine

Aonian Sisters▪ O descend and daign,

Great God, (leaving a while Olympian Raign)

To feast with us: a joyful Augury

Vouchsafe to Peleus passions, whose pure brest

May justly merit Hymen for his guest.

To the eternal Lawes of Love,

The highest Gods and Saints above

Are Subject: Monarchies and Scepters yield▪

To Love, and crown him Victor in the field:

1

[Page]

ACT I. SCENE I.

Chiron, Peleus, A Quire of dumb Magicians.

Chiron.

WHy do you thus your self torment?

Peleus.

Chiron, How shall I find content?

Chiron.

Pursue your hopes, and onward go▪

Peleus.

Is't possible I should do so?

When on my heart a beauty lies

That is descended from the Skies;

A beauty that's all moving and immense,

That hath o're me such an omnipotence?

Moreover, I two Rivals have,

No less then Gods, who me outbrave

For Neptune with his Trident, and great Jove

Are my competitors for Thetis love.

Chiron.

Peleus, Why do you thus your self torment?

Peleus.

Chiron, Where is it I should find content?

Chiron.

Then follow your fair hopes, and onward go.

Peleus.

How is it possible I should do so?

[Page]Chiron.

Listen to me, gray hairs do but in vain

Attempt young beauties, they will them disdain

Though they be Gods: Neptune is rich in yeers

As well as Treasure, Thetis will him jeer.

For Jove, besides his age, his rapes and wiles,

How he so many Ladies did beguile

Will make her shun him: but if you desire

To compass your designes, and quench your fire,

Behold those Magies that with charmed flight

Will guide you safely to Prometheus sight,

Who being bold and wise, is th'only man

Who in this Enterprise you pleasure can:

He is no friend to Jove, who him torments

With such eternal pangs, therefore he will,

To help you, exercise his utmost skil.

Wherefore take my advice, and hence away

To India, through the air cut out your way.

Delay is alwayes dangerous to Lovers,

He ne're obtain'd his ends who hums and hovers.

Peleus.

This Aiery journey I will undertake,

But though herein Fortune my friend I make

Yet are my hopes but smal, I have a hint,

That Thetis's cruel, and her heart is flint.

Chiron.

When modest beauties to excuses fall,

You must not presently it rigor call.

The heart oft-times desires what lips deny,

For a huge distance doth betwixt them lye.

Peleus.

Could it unto my Love-sick thoughts appear

That what you say hereto is true and clear,

Those pangs I suffer in my brest

Would turn to case, delight and rest.

But fall what will my fate portends.

I still will glory in my ends,

[Page] Which an unmeasurable joy distils,

And my so high-swoln heart with comfort fils.

Chiron, Peleus.

Let a true Lover never lose

His hope or courage when he wooes:

The more his suff'rance is, the more

Sweetness is kept for him in store.

In Cupids gentle kingdom nothing is

Impossible, but one may gain his wish.

Chiron.

Go on then happily, for who doth know

But that your constancy may tell you so?

Peleus.

On, on, then to my Magies I will go.

The Second Scene.

Thetis, Neptune, a Quire of Tritons, and Meremaids, with a Quire of Corral-Fishers.

The Quire of Tritons and Meremaids.

At such a splendid glorious show,

What heart but would turn fire and tow?

A Pomp so rare, a sight so fair,

Is able to perfume the air:

Nor Morn nor Sun did ever view

So bright and ravishing a hue.

At such a splendid glorious show,

What heart but would turn fire and tow?

Neptune.

There is no fence I find,

Love will invade my mind.

In these moist fields my Rivers run in vain,

To quench my fire, or tepifie my pain;

Though I in midst of waters lye,

Yet do I melt, dissolve and fry;

But Thetis, you at last will find it true,

To be more fool unto your self, then you

[Page] Are cruel unto me. Will you refuse

The richest of the Gods, Him who doth use

To give those gems that beauties do adorn,

Thence, where the Queen of Love her self was born?

Thetis.

Aurora commonly doth rise

Cheerful and smiling to our eyes

But suddenly we oftentimes do see,

She fals a weeping upon flower and tree.

If you desire the cause I should unfold,

It is because her

Titan.

Consort is so old.

Neptune.

Thetis, Be not deceiv'd, though I be gray,

My waters still are green, and so they may

Be wholsomer then Springs, which by and by

'Pon the least drowth grow shallower and dry.

Youth is unstable, heady, rash; but age

Is constant, cautious, provident, and sage.

Thetis.

I do confess, that you discourse, and reason

Like a quaint Amorist, although the season

Of Love in you be past. It was for Love

The Heavens made Youth, for which the Gods above

Have journeyed down to earth; no other age

Is fit a Female beauty to engage.

Neptune.

Perfidious thing, I plainly now do find,

Thou art unto another more inclin'd.

Come winds and tempests, and with my lament

Your blasts unite; Come, come incontinent,

Let hispid blust'ring Boreas from the North,

Bring all the Haracanes and Whirlwinds forth,

Blow off, and banish from my Kingdom quite

This impious Girle so full of hate and spite.

Revenge the quarrel of your King,

And with your vengeance Justice bring:

Shall she in my Dominions dwel,

Who hath inflam'd my heart with fire from hel?

[Page]Chorus.

Ingrateful, rash, and foolish Nymph, canst thou

Slight thus the greatest of the gods below▪

The grief will be thine own

When thou art wiser growne.

Neglected Amorists may learn from hence,

Against blind Cupids arrowes a true fence▪

Disdain of beauty a revenge may be,

Though not of love th'expected remedy:

The third Scene.

Thetis, Juno, Jupiter, A Quire of the furies of Jealousie:

Thetis

Now that the fury of the wind

Hath left so sweet a calm behind:

Now that the storm is gone,

I pray let me alone

To vent unto my self my moan.

Oh me, I find that ambushes are laid.

To take me and entrap poor silly maid:

What will become of thee my heart?

Th'art like to suffer many a smart.

Oh me, Oh me,

Poor heart what will become of thee?

Thy chastity Love studies to surprize.

He's sly and cunning, though not alwayes wise;

He Armour hath of every sort

For to assault a female Fort:

[Page] He prayes, complains, and pines,

He menaceth and whines

Now, if another God should joyn

With him, who can me then essoyn?

Oh me, Oh me,

Poor heart what will become of thee?

Jupiter.

What can blest heaven me avail,

If still of my desire I fail?

Celestial joies, if they to sorrow turne,

Far worse then all Tartarean tortures burn▪

O Thetis, thou alone

Hast made me quit my Throne,

Thou giv'st him law,

Who Gods doth aw [...]

It is my destiny and luck,

By thee for to be deadly struck;

And that which is the greatest wonder,

Thy beauti's stronger then my thunder.

But come, O come, my Fair, increase my blisse,

And let's cohabit both in Pardise.

Thetis.

O no,

Not so.

Jupiter.

Come and be partner of my Throne

Which Hymen offers thee alone;

That Empire Love hath thee design'd,

Come, come my Fair, be not unkind.

Thetis.

O no,

Not so▪

The heavens forbid I should be said,

(Poor innocent and silly maid)▪

[Page] For to be such a Rebel as to wrong

Her

Juno.

bed who train'd me all along

From my first cradle: I had rather dy

A thousand deaths, and scorch in Tartary.

Jupiter.

If you will use such slight Apologies,

To him who can command both lair and Skies;

To cleer your error, and my pain asswage,

I must use force, my Dear, but far from rage.

Cloud,

A cloud appears.

gently take her up.

Thetis.

Oh me.

Jupiter.

What ails my soul?

Thetis.

Aime, who helps me?

Jupiter.

What mortal Creature's hee

Can thee reprize from me?

Juno.

Disloyal Jove,

Juno with the help of the fishers and furies redeem her

is it my hapless fate

Thou should'st so oft thy Faith thus violate?

But since in Heaven no Justice can be found,

Or Piety among the Stars, the ground

Shall ope, and styx shall belch forth furies fell:

Come then appear, ye gastly dames of Hell;

And help to vindicate

The justness of my fate.

Jupiter.

Farewel my Thetis, so enchanting bright,

But know I do not thee abandon quite.

Thetis to Juno.

Great Goddesse, I no pardon crave of thee,

But pity; though infortunate I be,

Yet I am guiltless, and from foulnesse free.

[Page]Juno.

Such hazzards to escape is no offence,

Much less misfortune or incontinence.

Thetis and Juno.

Sweet gratitude doth alwayes rest

In a' well born gentle brest:

The Gods desire no more

For those blessings in such store,

Which on us Mortals ev'ry hour

They in silver showres do pour.

2

[Page]

ACT II. SCENE I.

Peleus, Promethus, A Quire of dumb men, and savage women.

Peleus.

INfortunate Prometheus, how thine

Eternal torments are like mine!

Prometheus.

Ah, who is he▪

Thus speaks to me?

Peleus

Tis Peleus King of Thessaly,

Who may thy mate for torture be.

Prometheus

I from the body of the Sun

Stole fire e're scarce the world begun.

Peleus

And I some fiery glances took

From Thetis all inchanting look.

Prometheus

Jove chastneth my temerity

By this voracious

A Vultur preying upon his heart which still renewes.

bird you see.

Peleus

Prometheus, it is Jove the very same

Torments likewise with jealousie my flame.

[Page]Prometheus

But yours one day

May find allay.

Peleus

But when, and how?

Prometheus

Ah, ah, my torments grow.

Peleus

O cruel pangs some truce and respit give,

Prometheus may with counsel me relieve.

Prometheus

I have receiv'd advice from Mercury,

The

Jove.

Thunderer will Thetis fly,

And his Ambition place (as you shal prove)

Before her Beauty, or his flames of love;

To credit this you may be bold,

For by the Oracle it is foretold.

Peleus

If it be true what issues from that vioce,

My soul shal carols sing, my heart rejoice

There never was so coy and cruel she,

But only sought by one, may conquered be.

Prometheus

Go, go, return where thou didst leave thy heart,

Thou shalt find ease for thy corroding smart.

In the vast sea of Love who e're doth sail

Must lose no wind, and then he may prevail.

[Page]Peleus

For this sweet counsel thou hast given me,

May heaven, O Prometheus, set thee free.

Prometheus

The Thunderer may be

Lesse cruel unto me.

Prometheus, Peleus

O dear, and solacing, sweet blissful Hope,

How comforting art Thou to those who cope

With rigid beauties? thou dost periods put

To black despair; the Gods did justly shut

Thee out of Hell; Thy breath though ne're so small

Would ease the damned souls in Pluto's Hall.

Peleus to the Savages

And you my faithful guides unto this place,

Enjoy the comforts also I embrace;

Be all partakers of my hopes, and share

Some of my joyes, which past expressions are.

The Second Scene.

Jupiter, Mercury, A Quire of dumb Dryads, or woo'd Nymphs.

Jupiter

Well,

What did the Oracle at Delphos say

Touching my love to Thetis, tell me, pray.

[Page]Mercury

Apollo from the Tripod did pronounce,

The

Achilles.

Son of Thetis (all will see)

Shall greater then his Father be.

Jupiter

How can that be? unless the fates renew

In me my

Saturn thrust out of [...] by Jupiter his son.

Sire's example, and make't true.

Mercury

That which Prometheus told me also is

No less infallible and true then this.

Jupiter

Then I do find that it doth me behove

To leave commanding Heaven, or not to love.

Mercury

Which do you most desire,

To serve or domineer?

Jupiter

I hold Love's golden fetter,

Then any Empire better,

The one doth thousand sweets instil,

Th'other the brain with cumbers fill.

Mercury

Permit me, mighty Jove, to tell you 'tis

Folly of a Mortal still to wish,

Under the vail of good, to meet the bad,

Which goes in Vertues habit often clad.

But you which o're the Spheers do sway,

And such coruscant beams display;

[Page] Can you be so transported, as endure

That a blind lying Boy should you allure,

Who will vapour every where,

That he did fetter Jupiter.

Thetis, suppose, an idle wench should prove:

Have you not Goddesses enough above?

If you Olympus loose, where will you find

Throughout the world a Kingdom of that kind?

Jupiter

In your Discourse you go so strongly on

That makes me half of your opinion.

Mercury

Nor can you any true content obtain

Whilst you are compast with a double pain.

Juno pursues you with her Furies here,

And Thetis may perhaps flye from you there;

The one is doubtful, th'other is jealous still,

Both may confederate to crosse your will.

Jupiter

'Tis true, that Juno me pursues,

And raiseth furies by whole crews.

Mercury

She every where doth stir and wheel about,

She doth disturb all Heaven to find you out.

Jupiter

Then Mercury, go and proclaime

From Pole to Pole that I disclaim

Thetis, and will no more my Honour maim.

Go speedily.

Mercury

Jove, I wil fly.

[Page]Jove

Fair Wood Nymphs let this day be Festival

That I my wonted freedom did recal,

Which impious fate and beauty did conspire

To captivate with false and fatuous fire.

Fair Wood Nymphs let this day by all

Be kept hereafter Festival.

The Third Scene.

A Quire of Priests, a dumb Quire of Cavaliers at Barriers.

The Quire of Priests.

Great God of War, the prop, defence and stay

Of Empires, intercede that Peleus may

(By favor of that

Venus.

Goddesse whom alone

Thou do'st adore, and art to serve so prone)

Return to sway again fair Thessaly:

Behold that amourous Warrier with mild eye.

And you brave Champions propitious make

Our vowes and Altars; let the welkin quake

With the high clashings of your Barriers.

Peleus at his return will pay you your Arrears.

One of the Priests.

But stay a little, stay,

Our Oracle will something say.

The Oracle

At last the King of Thessaly

Shall home return with mirth and glee.

[Page]The Quire of Priests

O newes more rare

Then Indian Pearle, and sweeter far

Then that Hyblean juice the Attic Bee

Stov'd in her cell for Joves Nativity;

And will King Peleus come agen?

Then Thessaly shall swarm with men.

O newes more rare

Then Indian pearle, and richer far.

3

[Page]

ACT III. SCENE I.

Peleus, Chiron, A dumb Quire of Chirons, Academists, or Disciples.

Peleus.

FOR him who parts from his delight

Time makes too quick and rapid flight,

But who is travelling to see his Love,

Each moment unto him an age doth prove.

Hope still with doubts, fruition with fear

Is commonly attended every where.

Chiron.

I with my companions here

Did think to find you full of cheer.

Now that you are a Champion o're the Gods,

Of whom for Faith and Love you have such odds;

Why do you thus afflict your self with pain?

Faint heart did ne're a Ladies favour gain.

Chiron.

Sometimes my spirits are alert and high,

Then they begin to languish presently;

[Page] Because I fear that Thetis heart

May Marble prove; hence comes my smart.

Chiron.

You are deceiv'd; when Thetis knowledg had

You left fair Greece, and undertook so bad

And hazardous a journey to find ease,

The fury of your passion to appease;

She with a pitying paleness then was struck,

And sighing said, The Stars send him good luck.

Go, lay close siege, and let her see

You are resolv'd for Battery.

The Female who believes she's truly lov'd,

Need not by too long Prayers to be mov'd.

Peleus.

Your counsel's good: now with alacrity

I will both Love and Fortune try;

And of the business you shall quickly see

I'l make a shaft or bolt. But where is she?

Chiron.

I'l go in quest of her.

In the mean time let my Disciples dance,

We will be fortunate in spite of chance:

[Page]

The second Scene.

Thetis, Peleus, A Quire of Peleus Courtiers.

Thetis

Love, if you will enter like a friend,

Lay down your Armes, let peace attend

Your purposes, and so you may

Be welcome, and so win the day.

If boisterously you me assault,

Come not neer me, but make a halt:

Be sure not to torment my heart,

Or with your passions make it smart.

Peleus.

O Thetis, you desire to shun

That which your self to me have done.

Thetis

Ohime.

Peleus.

My Dear,

What do you fear?

[Page]Thetis

Ohime, when you were far from hence

Love did do much for you; but now

You are so neer, I fear with violence

He will assault me with his bow.

I pray retire.

Peleus.

Will you with such a heart of flint and steel

Convert those pleasing passions which I feel

To pangs? Shall he still languish

With tears, with doubtfulness and anguish,

Who loves your eyes

More then the Stars or Skies?

Thetis

These words an amorous pleasure do instil

Into my brest, my thoughts with fancies swill;

Fool that I am, I who have made a vow

To any Love enchantments ne're to bow;

I who two Gods for marriage did refuse,

Shall I yeild now

And love-sick grow?

I pray retire.

Peleus.

From those fair eyes I will not part,

Who have infus'd into my heart

[Page] Grief, and content, with constancy;

All Trophies of your chastity,

And of my Faith: where ere you go

I will adore your shadow too and fro.

Thetis to her self

'Gainst such a charming violence

If I can find no guard or fence,

I'l have recourse for quenching of this fire

Unto the Arts of Proteus my great Sire.

Peleus will then desist, unless he fall

In love with Lions, Monsters, Rocks and all.

Peleus.

Dear, Whats that you whisper?

Thetis

May your laments

Find their contents.

Peleus

Oh pleasing accents!

Thetis.

But Peleus now I wil you disabuse,

They are fain'd fancies which you thus amuse

When you made me the object of your mind

You took me for a Nymph,

A cloud appears, wherein Thetis enters.

but you shall find

I am a ravenous Lion, a hard Rock,

A Monster that wears clouds in lieu of smock.

[Page]Peleus.

My sweetest friend,

What do you now intend?

Thetis.

I'l wrap my self within that cloud:

Peleus

Do not do so,

The Cloud vanishes and Thetis turns her self into a Lion

for I shall cry aloud.

O heaven bless me, what do I see!

Can such a beauteous Creature turn to be

A beast of such immane ferocity?

You cannot fright me, or make an escape,

My Thetis I'l pursue in any shape.

What do I see?

She transforms her self into a Monster.

This shape becomes you well,

And shewes that you are cruel, fierce and fell.

But all this cunning will not serve your turn,

The more you horrid are, the more I burn.

A Sacrifice of sighes and groans

I'l offer though you change to stones.

Dear, take your shape again,

And ease me of this pungent pain.

Thetis.

O God,

The more I monstrous make my self in show,

Thetis resumes her self.

The more my spirits melt, and gentle grow.

I am almost in Love.

[Page]Peleus

Almost! That word my panting brest doth pierce,

And shewes you still are cruel, fell and fierce,

In lieu of solacing my love-swoln mind,

It leaves a double agony behind,

Ohime, what Lions, Monsters thus oppose

My vertuous Love, and make themselvs my foes?

Thetis to her self.

I know not where to turne, my spirits are

in such a strange confusion, yet I dare

Not say I love as yet; my hot desire

I will suppress and quench this raging fire.

The tongue shall give my heart the ly;

I'l make no haste,

Though I must yeild at last,

There is no remedy.

Peleus

Dear Thetis, cast on him a pitying eye,

Whose brest for thee with candent coles doth fry.

Thetis to her self.

Distracted soul, 'tis too too true,

I must bid now Virginity adieu.

But sure my lips and faltring tongue doth err,

Oh did my heart do so; I must prefer

The heart before the tongue, because the last▪

Less noble is; i'th Heart Dame Nature plac'd

The pure arterial and illustrious blood;

I fear that I am too well understood.

By Peleus.

[Page] Ohime, by soft degrees I find

That cunning little God, though blind,

Doth make his way into my brest,

Maugre my self, I must make him my guest.

Yet I must try once more this Boy to mock,

And turn my self into a senseless Rock:

Peleus

Have I again lost Thetis?

Thetis doth metamorphose her self into a Rock.

is she gone?

Must I to stones and rocks make now my moan?

O precious cristal Rock, thou now dost hold

A gem more rich then Diamond or Gold;

He embraceth the Rock, and weeps upon it.

I fear that at the foot of this hard Rock

My Hope will shipwrack by a fatal shock.

But for strong water made of Mercury,

I'l try with tears this Rock to mollifie.

My heat is such, 'twill me to ashes turn,

Then will I make this precious Rock my Urne.

The Rock vanisheth▪ whereupon Thetis resumes her shape and speaks.

Love, Lo, I yield, I can no more resist

Thy all subduing power, or persist

In my first purposes, thy dart

Hath split in two my tender heart.

Who have no hearts at all are only fit

To cope with thee, and fence away thy hit.

Lo Peleus I am thine.

Peleus in a kind of rapture.

Hold heart, do not too wide thy self dilate,

Lest by excess of joy I draw my fate

Too soon upon me, and so dye

Ere I make use of Victory.

[Page] And you my faithful followers rejoice,

And cleave the air with your triumphing voice:

The Courtiers▪ sing.

You have been sharers of my misery,

Now you shall share of my prosperity.

The last Scene.

Thetis, Peleus, Prometheus, a Quire of Deities, Who had freed Prometheus. Hercules, Juno, Hymen, with the Liberal and Servile Arts.

Thetis and Peleus

Now our Desires

Do flame with equal fires.

And there doth nothing want but constancy,

For to complete both our Felicity.

Peleus.

Thetis, Thou art my chiefest good.

Thetis

And you my heart and precious bloud.

Thetis and Peleus

Behold the Gods are come to be our Guests,

And learn of us what it is to be blest.

[Page]Prometheus

Peleus, We now are both from tortures free;

You Hymen help'd, and Hercules help'd mee.

And to oblige us further, they are here

To mingle joy with us, and make good cheer.

The Quire of Deities

To them who languish

In pain and anguish,

Love gives at last

A sweet repast.

Thetis, Peleus, Prometheus

Just heaven ne're fails, and Powers above

To recompence a vertuous constant Love;

Grief, cares, and pain

Turn all at last to gain.

By this we find adversity to be

The surest road to true Felicity.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

The nuptialls of Peleus and Thetis. Consisting of a mask and a comedy, or The the [sic] great royall ball, acted lately in Paris six times by the King in person. The Duke of Anjou. The Duke of Yorke. with divers other noble men. Also by the Princess Royall Henrette Marie. The Princess of Conty. The Dutchess of Roquelaure. The Dutchess of Crequy. with many other ladies of honour.

Howell, James, 1594?-1666.

Edition statement

1654

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A86630

ID [STC]

Wing H3097

ID [STC]

Thomason E228_3

ID [STC]

ESTC R7256

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99873101

ID [PROQUEST]

99873101

ID [VID]

125555

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A86630)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 125555)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 39:E228[3])

Source

— The nuptialls of Peleus and Thetis. Consisting of a mask and a comedy, or The the [sic] great royall ball, acted lately in Paris six times by the King in person. The Duke of Anjou. The Duke of Yorke. with divers other noble men. Also by the Princess Royall Henrette Marie. The Princess of Conty. The Dutchess of Roquelaure. The Dutchess of Crequy. with many other ladies of honour., Howell, James, 1594?-1666..

Extent

[8], 26; [2], 25, [1] p.

Printed for Henry Herringman, and are to be sold at his shop at the Ancor in the lower walke of the New Exchange.,. London, :: 1654.. (The comedy has a separate dated title page, pagination and register.) (Possibly translated from the Tedide of Diamante Gabrielli. Cf. BM, v. 107, col. 922.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "May 25".) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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