THE TRIVMPH OF PEACE A Masque, presented by the Foure Honourable Houses, OR Jnnes of Court. Before the King and Queenes Majesties, in the Banquetting-house at White Hall, February the third, 1633.
Invented and Written, By James Shirley, of Grayes Inne, Gent.
LONDON, Printed by Iohn Norton, for William Cooke, and are to be sold at his Shop, neere Furnivals-Inne-gate, in Holborne. 1633.
TO THE FOVRE Equall and Honourable Societies, THE JNNES of COVRT.
I Want words to expresse Your cheerefull and active desires, to present Your duties to their royall Maiesties, in this Masque: to celebrate, by this humble tender of Your hearts, and services, the happinesse of our Kingdome, so blest in the present governement, and never so rich in the possession of so many, and great pledges of their Parents vertue, our Native Princes.
Your cleare devotions already offered, ond accepted, let not me want an Altar for my Oblation to You. This entertaynment which tooke life from your command, and wanted no motion, or growth, it could derive from my weake Phansie: I sacrifice againe to You, and vnder Your smile to the world, let it not repent you to looke vpon what is the second time made Your owne, and with it, the Heart of the Sacrificer, infinitely bound to acknowledge your free, and Noble soules, that have left no way for a Poet to satisfie his ambition, how to thanke you, but with thinking, he shall never be able to satisfie it.
I dare not racke my preface to a length, proceede to be Your selues (the Ornament of our Nation,) and when You have leisure to converse with imaginations of this kinde, it shall be an addition to your many favours, to read these papers, and obliege beside, the scales of Your other encouragement,
The Masque of the Gentlemen of the foure Honorable Societies, or Jnnes of Court.
AT Elie and Hatton-Houses, the Gentlemen and their Assistants met, and in this manner prepard for the Court. The Antimasquers were vsher'd by a Hornepipe, and a Shalme, riding in Coates and Caps of yellow Taffata, spotted with Silver, their Feathers red, their Horses led by men in coates of blew Taffata, their wings red, and part of their sleeves yellow, Caps and Feathers: all the torch-bearers in the same habite appoynted to attend, and give plentifull light to the whole traine.
Phansie, in a sute of severall coloured Feathers hooded. A paire of Bats-wings on his shoulders, riding alone as sole presenter of the Antimasques.
After him rode Opinion and Confidence together, Opinion in an old fashioned Doublet of blacke Velvet, and truncke Hose, a short Cloake of the same with an antique Cape, a blacke Velvet cap pinch'd up, with a white fall, a Staffe in his hand.
Confidence in a slash'd Doublet parti-coloured Breeches sutable with poynts at knees, favours upon his breast, and arme: a broad brim'd Hat, tied upon one side, banded with a Feather, a long Locke of Haire, trim'd with severall coloured Ribbands, wide Boots, and great Spurres with Bels for rowels.
Next rode Iollity and Laughter. Iollity in a flame-coloured Suite, but trick'd like a Morise-dancer, with Scarfes and Napkins, his Hat fashioned like a Cone, with a little fall.
Laughter in a long side Coate of severall colours, laughing Visards on his breast and backe, a Cap with two grinning faces, and Feathers betweene.
Then followed variety of Anticke musicke after which rode sixe Proiectors, one after another, their horses led by Torch-bearers.
The first a Iocky with a Bonnet on his head upon the top of it a whip, he seeming much to obserue and affect a bridle which he had in his hand.
The second a Country fellow in a Leather Doubled and gray trunke Hose, a wheele with a perpetuall motion on his head, and in his hand a flayle.
The third, a grimme Philosopicall fac'd fellow in his gowne furr'd, and girdled about him, a furnace upon his head, and in his hand a lampe.
The fourth in a case of blacke Leather vast to the middle, and round on the top, with glasse eyes, and bellowes under each arme.
The fist a Physition, on his head a Hat with a bunch of Carrots, a Capon perched upon his fist.
The sixt like a Seaman, A Shippe upon his head and holding a Line and Plummet in his hand.
Here variety of other Anticke musicke counterfeiting the voyces of Birds, and after these rode, a Magpy, a Crow, a Iay, and a Kite, in a quadrangular figure, and in the midst an Owle, these were followed by three Satires, two a breast, and one single, sided with torch-bearers. Then three Dotterels in the same manner and attendance.
After these a Windmill, against which a phantasticke Knight with his Lance, and his Squire arm'd seem'd to make their attempts.
These moving forward in ridiculous shew and postures, a Drummer followeth on Horsebacke, in a Crimson taffata coate, a white Hat and Feather, tip'd with crimson, beating two kettle Drummes.
Then 14. Trumpetors, in crimson Satten coates, white Hats and Feathers, and rich Banners.
The Marshall followed these bravely mounted. attended with forty foote, in Cotes and Hose of Scarlet trim'd with Silver-lace, white Hats and Feathers, their Truncheons tip'd with Silver: these upon every occasion moving to and fro, to preserue the order of their march, and restraine the rudenesse of people, that in such triumphs, are wont to be insolent, and tumultuary.
After these an hundred Gentlemen, gloriously furnished and gallantly mounted, riding two and two a breast, every Gentleman having his two Pages richly attired, and a groome to attend him.
Next after these a Chariot drawne by foure horses, two and two together, richly furnished and adorn'd with Gold and Silver, the Charioter in a Polonian coate of greene cloth of Silver. In this were advanced Musicians like Priests and Sybills, sonnes and daughters of Harmony, some with Coronets, other with wreathes of Lawrell and Mirtle, playing upon their Lutes, three Foote-men on each side in blew Satten wrought with Silver, and every one a Flambeaux in his hand.
In the next Chariot of equall glory, were placed on the lowest staires foure in skie-coloured Taffata Robes seeded with starres, Mantles ashe coloured, adom'd with Fringe, and Silver-lace, Coronets with Starres upon their heads. In a seate a little more elevate sate Geniu, and Amphiluchs.
On the highest seate of this Chariot, sate the three Howers, or Heavenly sisters, Irene, Diche, and Eunomia. All whose habits shall be described in their proper places: this Chariot attended as the former.
After these came the foure Triumphals or Magnificent Chariots, in which were mounted the grand Masquers, one of the foure Houses in euery Chariot, seated within an halfe Ovall, with a glorious Canopy over their heads, all bordered with silver Fringe, and beautified with Plumes of Feathers on the top.
- The first Chariot, Silver & Orenge.
- The second, Silver & Watchet.
- [Page 5]The third, Silver & Crimson.
- The fourth, Siluer & White.
All after the Romane forme, adorned with much embossed and carved workes, and each of them wrought with Silver, and his seuerall colour, they were mounted on carriages, the Spring trees, Pole and Axle-trees, the Charioters seate, and standers, wheeles, with the fellyes, spokes, and naves all wrought with Silver, and their severall colour.
They were all drawne with foure Horses a front after the magnificent Romane Triumphs, their furniture, Harnesse, Headstall, Bits, Raines, and Traces, Shaferon, Cronet, Petronell, and Barbe of rich cloth of Silver, of severall workes, and colours answerable to the linings of the Chariots.
The Charioters in Polony-coates of the same colour of the Chariots, their Caps Feathers, and Buskings answerable.
The two out Horses of euery Chariot led by two men in habits wrought with Siluer, and conformable to the colour of the other furniture, foure foot-men on eyther side of euery Chariot, in rich habits also wrought with Siluer answerable to the rest, euery one carrying a Flambeaux in his hand.
Betweene every of these Chariots foure Musitians in their Robes and Garlands, were mounted; riding two a breast, attended with Torch-bearers.
The Habit of the Masquers gaue infinite splendor to this solemnity; which more aptly shall be expressed in his Place.
TThis Masque was presented in the Banquetting-house. At white Hall before the King and Queenes Maiesties and a great Assembly of Lords and Ladies, and other persons of quality, whose aspect setting on the degrees prepared for that purpose gaue a great grace to this spectacle, especially being all richly attired.
At the lower end of the roome opposite to the state was raysed a Stage with a descent of staires in two branches landing into the roome. This Basement was painted in rusticke worke.
The border of the front and sides that enclosed all the Sceane had first a ground of Arber-worke entermixt with loose branches and leaues, and in this was two Niches, and in them two great figures standing in easy postures in their naturall colors, and much bigger then the life, the one attired after the Grecian manner held in one hand a Scepter, and in the other a Scrowle, and a picked antique crowne on his head, his curasse was of Gold richly enchased, his robe blue and Siluer, his armes and thighs bare with buskings enricht with ornaments of Gold, his browne locks long and curled, his Beard thicke but not long, and his face was of a grave and ioviall aspect, this figure stood on a round pedestall fained of white Marble, enricht with severall caruings; above this in a compartiment of Gold was written MINOS. The figure on the other side was in a Romane habit, holding a Table [Page 7]in one hand, and a Pen in the other, and a white Bend or Diadem about his head, his Robe was crimson and Gold, his Mantle yellow and Siluer, his Buskins watchet trim'd with Siluer, his haire and Beard long and white with a uenerable aspect, standing likewise on a round Pedestall answerable to the other. And in the compartiment over him was written NVMA. Above all this in a proportionate distance hung two great Festons of fruites in colors which serued for finishing to these sides. The upper part in manner of a large Freeze was adorn'd with severall compartiments with draperies hanging downe, and the ends tied up in knots, with trophies proper to feasts and triumphs, composed of Masking Vizards and torches. In one of the lesser compartiments was figured a sharpe sited eye, and in the other a Golden-yoke, in the midst was a more great and rich compartiment on the sides of which sate naked Children in their naturall colors with Siluer wings in action of sounding Golden Trumpets, and in this was figured a Caduseus with an Oliue-branch all which are Hierogliphicks of Peace Iustice and Law.
A Curtaine being sodainly drawne up the Sceane was discovered representing a large streete with Sumptuous Pallaces Lodges Portico's, and other noble peeces of Architecture with pleasant Trees and grounds, this going farre from the eye opens it selfe into a spacious place adorn'd with publique and private buildings seene a far of, representing the Forum or Piazza of Peace. Over all was a [Page 8]cleare Sky with transparent Clouds which enlightned all the Scene.
The Spectators having entertained their eyes a while with the beavty and variety of this Scene from one of the sides of the streetes enters Opinion, &c.
Twas Iocund.
Did not I doe the foole well?
Another Antimasque of the Master of the Taverne, His Wife, and Servants. after these—
- A Maquerelle.
- Two Wenches.
- Two wanton Gamsters.
These hauing danc'd and expressed their natures goe into the Taverne. then—
- A Gentleman.
- Beggers 4.
The Gentleman first danceth alone: to him the Beggers, he bestows his charity, the Cripples vpon his going off, throw away their leggs, and dance.
All the Proiectors daunce after their Antimasque, The [Page 9]
- Maquerelle.
- Wenches.
- Gentlemen.
Returne, as from the Taverne, they dance together, The Gallants, are cheated, and left to dance in with a drunken repentance.
The Scene becomes a woody Landschape with low grounds proper for hunting, the furthest part more desert, with bushes and by waies representing a place fit for purse-taking.
In the furthest part of the Scene is seene an Ivy-bush, out of which comes an Owle.
- An Owle.
- A Crow.
- A Kite.
- A Iay.
- A Magpy.
The Birds dance and wonder at the Owle. When these are gone, enter A Merchant, a Horse-backe, with his Portmantue. Two Theeves set vpon him and robbe him: these by A Constable, and Officersare apprehended and carryed off. Then Foure Nimphes enter dancing with their Iavelins. Three Satires spie them and attempt their persons, one of the Nimphes escapeth, a noyse of Hunters and their hornes within, as at the fall of a Deere, then Enter Foure Huntsmen and One Nimph. These drive away the Satires, and having rescued the Nimphes, dance with them.
After the Dotterells are caught by severall imitations, enters A Windwill. A phantastique Knight. and His Squire armed. The phantastique Aduenturer, with his lance makes attempts vpon the Windmill, his Squire imitates: to them Enter A Country Gentleman, and his Servant. Bowlers, 4. These are assavlted by the Knight and his Squire, but are sent off lame for their folly.
The Antimasquers being gone there appeares in the highest and formost part of the heaven by little and little to breake forth a whitish Cloud bearing a Chariot fained of Goldsmiths-worke, and in it fate Irene, or Peace in a flowery vesture like the spring, a Garland of Olives on her head a branch of Palme in her hand, Buskins of greene Taffata, great puffs about her necke and shoulders.
Song 2.
Here out of the highest part of the opposite side came softly descending another Cloud, of an orient colour, bearing a silver Chariot curiously wrought, and differing in all things from the first, in which sate Eunomia or Law, in a purple Sattin Robe, adorn'd with golden Startes, a mantle of carnation Lac'd, and Fring'd with Gold, a Coronet of light upon her head, Buskins of Purple, drawne out with Yellow.
Song 3.
At this a third Cloud of a various color from the other two, begins to descend toward the middle of the Scene with somewhat a more swifter motion, and in it sate a Person representing Diche or Iustice in the midst in a white Robe and mantle of Sattin, a faire long hame circled with a Coronet of Siluer Pikes, white Wings and Buskins, a Crowne imperiall in her hand.
Song 4.
Then the whole traine of Musitians move in a comely figure toward the King and Queene, and bowing to their State, this following Ode is sung.
Song 5.
The Scene is changed, and the Masquers appeare [Page 17]setting on the ascent of an Hill, cut out like the degrees of a Theater, and ouer them a delicious Arbor with termes of young Men their Armes converted into Scrowles, and under their wasts a foliage with other caruings to cover the ioyning of the terme from the naked, all fained of Siluer, these bore up an Architraue, from which was raised a light covering arched, and interwoven with Branches through which the Sky beyond was seene.
The Masquers were sixteene in number, the sonnes of Peace Law and Iustice, who setting in a gracious but not set forme, every part of the seates made a various Composition, but all together tending to a Piramidall figure.
Their habits was mixt, betweene the ancient and moderne, their bodies Carnation, the shoulders trimd with Knots of pure silver, and scallops of White and Carnation, vnder them the Labels of the same, the under-sleeves white, and a puft sleeve full of gathering, falling downe to the elbow, about their waste was a small scallop, and a slender Girdle, their vnder Bases were Carnation and White, with Labels as at their shoulders, and all this in every part was richly Embroydered with pure silver: their Hats Carnation low croun'd, the brimme double, and cut into severall quarters lined with white, and all ouer richly Embroydered, as the rest, about their Hats were wreathes of Olive, and plumes of white Feathers, with severall falls, the longest toward the backe; their long stockings were white, with white shooes and Roses.
Beneath these a Genius or Angelicall person, with Wings of severall coloured Fethers, a Carnation Robe tuck'd vp, yellow long haire bound with a siluer Coronet, a small white Rod in his hand, white Buskins, who descended to the Stage, speaketh,
Here with loud Musicke, the Masquers descend and dance their entry to the Violins, which ended, they retire to the Scene, and then the Howers and Chori againe move toward the State and sing.
Song 6.
The song ended, and the Musitians returned, the Masquers dance their maine dance, after which they againe retire to the Seene, at which they no sooner arrive, but there is heard a great noyse, and confusion of voyces within, some crying, they will come in, others knocke'em downe, call the rest of the Guard: then a cracke is heard in the workes, as if there were some danger by some piece of the Machines falling, this continued a little time, there rush in
- A Carpenter.
- A Paynter.
- One of the Black-guard.
- A Taylor.
- The Taylors Wife.
- An Embroderers Wife.
- A Feather-makers Wife.
- A property-mans Wife.
Knocke downe my Wife, I'de see the tallest Beefe-eater on you all, but hold vp his Halberd in the way of knocking my Wife downe, and ile bring him a button-hole lower.
Nay, let 'em, let 'em Husband, at their perrill.
Complaine to my Lord Chamberlaine.
My husband is somewhere in the workes; I'me sure I helpt to make him an Owle and a Hobbihorse, and I see no reason but his Wife may bee admitted in Forma paperis, to see as good a Maske as this.
I never saw one afore, I am one of the Guard, though of another complexion, and I will see't now I am here, though I be turn'd out of the Kitchin to morrow for't.
I, come, be resolute, we know the worst, and let us challenge a priviledge, those staires were of my painting.
And that Timber I set vp: some body is my witnesse.
I am sure my husband sold 'em most of the Feathers; some body promis'd me a fall too if I came to Court, but let that passe.
And mine embroyder'd two of the best habits, what though we be no Ladies, we are Christians in these cloathes, and the Kings subiects God blesse us.
Nay, now I am in, I will see a dance, though my shop-windowes be shut vp for't, tell us? — hum? dee heare? doo not they laugh at us? what were wee best to doe, the Masquers will doe no feates as long [Page 21]we are here, be rul'd by me, harke euery one, 'tis our best course to dance a figary our selues, and then they'l thinke it a peece of the Plot, and we may goe off agen with the more credite, we may else kisse the Porters-lodge for't, let's put a tricke vpon 'em in renenge, 'twill seeme a new device too.
Content.
And the Musitians knew but our mind now▪
Harke they are at it, now for a lively friske.
now, let vs goe off cleanely, and some body will thinke, this was meant for an Antimasque.
They being gone, the Masquers are encouraged by a Song, to their Revells with the Ladies.
Song 7.
The Revels being past, the Scene is changed into a plaine Champion Country which terminates with the Horizon, and above a darkish Skie, with dusky clouds, through which appeared the new Moone, but with a faint light by the approach of the morning; from the furthest part of this ground, arose by little and little a great vapour which being come a bout the middle of the Scene, it slackens its motion, and begins to fall downeward to the earth from whence it came: and out of this rose another cloud of a strange shape, and colour, on which sate a young Maide, with a dimme Torch in her hand, her face was an Olive colour, so was her armes and breast, on her head a curious dressing, and about her necke a string of great Pearle, her garment was transparent, the ground darke Blue, and sprinkled with siluer Spangles, her Buskins white, trim'd with Gold: by these markes she was knowne to be the forerunner of the morning, called by the Ancients Amphiluche, and is that glimps of light, which is seene when the night is past, and the day not yet appearing.
Song 8.
Amphiluche ascending, the Masquers are called from their Reuels by other voyces.
Song 9.
Amphiluche hidden in the Heavens, and the Masquers retired.
And thus concluded this Masque, which was, for the variety of the Shewes, and richnesse of the Habits, the most magnificent that hath beene brought to Court in our time.
THe Scene and Ornament, was the act of Inigo Iones Esquire, Surueyer of his Maiesties workes.
The Composition of the Musicke, was perform'd by Mr. William Lawes, and Mr. Simon Ives, whose Art gaue an Harmonious soule to the otherwise languishing Numbers.