The temple of love A masque. Presented by the Queenes Majesty, and her ladies, at White-hall on Shrove-Tuesday, 1634. By Inigo Iones, surveyor of his Maties. workes, and William Davenant, her Maties. servant.

THE TEMPLE OF LOVE.

AT the lower end of the Banquetting-house, op∣posite to the State, was a Stage of six foot high, and on that was raised an Ornament of a new Invention agreeable to the Subject; consisting of Indian Trophees: on the one side upon a basement sate a na∣ked Indian on a whitish Elephant, his legges shortning towards the necke of the beast, his tire and bases of se∣verall coloured feathers, representing the Indian Mo∣narchy: On the other side an Asiatique in the habit of an Indian borderer, riding on a Camell; his Turbant and Coat differing from that of the Turkes, figured for the Asian Monarchy: over these hung sheild like Compar∣timents: In that over the Indian was painted a Sunne rising, and in the other an halfe Moone; these had for finishing the Capitall of a great pillaster, which served as a ground to sticke them of, and bore up a large freeze or border with a Coronice. In this over the Indian lay the figure of an old man, with a long white haire and beard, representing the flood Tigris; on his head a wreath of Canes and Seage, and leaning upon a great Vrne, out of which runne water, by him in an extrava∣gant posture stood a Tyger.

At the other end of this freeze lay another naked man, representing Meander, the famous River of Asia, who likewise had a great silver urne, and by him lay an Vnicorne.

In the midst of this border was fixed a rich Comparti∣ment,

behind which was a crimson Drapery part of it borne up by naked Children tack'd up in severall pleats, and the rest was at each end of the Freeze tyed with a great knot, and from thence hung downe in foulds to the bottome of the pedestalls: In the midst of this Compartiment in an Ovall was written TEMPLVM¦AMORIS: all these figures were in their naturall co∣lours bigger than the life, and the Compartiments of Gold.

A Curtaine flying up the first Sceane was discover'd, in which appeared a spacious grove of shady trees; and a farre off on a mount with a winding way to the top was seated a pleasant bower environed with young trees, and in the lower part walkes planted with Cy∣presse, representing the place where the Soules of the Ancient Poets are fained to reside: the delight of this prospect was quickly diverted to the fight of a more strange apparision; for, out of the heaven by little and little broke foorth a great Cloud of a Rosie Colour, which being come downe some little way beganne to open, and in it was seene sitting a beautifull woman; her garment was Sky-colour set all with Starres of gold, her head was crowned with Laurell, with a spangled vaile hanging downe behind, and her haire in artificiall curles graciously dress'd, representing Divine Poesie, and by her a milke white Swanne, as she descends singing out of those venerable shades came forth a company of ancient Greeke Poets, as Demodicus, Foemius, Homer, He∣siod, Terpander, and Sapho a Poetesse in habits varied and of severall colours, with laurell wreaths on their heads. Divine Poesie sung this:

Divine Poesie.

(1.)

AS chearefull as the Mornings light, Comes Indamora from above, To guide those Lovers that want sight, To see and know what they should love.

(2.)

Her beames into each breast will steale, And search what ev'ry Heart doth meane, The sadly wounded shee will heale, And make the fouly tainted cleane.

(3.)

Rise you, from your darke shades below, That first gave words an harmony, And made false Love in Numbers flow, 'Till vice became a mysterie.

(4.)

And when I've purifi'd that Ayre To which Death turn'd you long agoe, Helpe with your voyces to declare What Indamora comes to show.

The Poets.

Soule of our Science! how inspir'd we come? By thee restor'd to voyces that lay dumbe, Awd lost in many a forgotten Tombe.

D. Poesie.

Y'are spirits all; and have so long From flesh, and frailty absent bin, That sure though Love should fill your song, It could not rellish now of sinne.

The Poets.

Vex not our sad remembrance with our shame! We have bin punish'd for ill-gotten fame, For each loose verse, tormented with a flame.

D. Poesie.

Descend then, and become with me, The happy Organs to make knowne In an harmonious Embassie, Our great affaire to yonder Throne.

Shee being descended to the ground in a Majesticke pace, goes up to the State, attended by the fore-named Poets; and the Cloud that brought her downe, closeth as it ascends.

D. Poesie.

Thou Monarch of mens hearts rejoyce! So much thou art belov'd in heaven, That Fate hath made thy reigne her choyce, In which Love's blessings shall be given.

The Poets.

Truth shall appeare, and rule 'till she resists Those subtle charmes, and melts those darker mists, In which Love's Temple's hid from Exorcists.

(Whom forsooth Divine Poesie they stile) This morne proclaim'd it from a falling Cloud.

(2.)

Who? Divine Poesie?

(3.)

I know her well. Shee's one that makes the holy Jigges, And sacred Catches for the gods, when they Are merry with mis-takes of men, and laugh To see us carelesse of their punishment.

(1.)

But who shall bring this mischiefe to our Art?

(3.)

Indamora, the delight of Destiny! Shee, and the beauties of her Traine: who sure Though they discover Summer in their lookes, Still carry frozen Winter in their blood. They raise strange doctrines, and new sects of Love: Which must not wooe or court the Person, but The Mind; and practise generation not Of Bodies but of Soules.

(2.)

Beleeve me, my Magicall friends, They must bring bodies with 'em that worship In our pleasant Temple: I have an odde Fantasticke faith perswades me there will be Little pastime upon earth without Bodies. Your Spirit's a cold Companion at midnight.

(1.)

Have we so long misse-led and entertain'd The youthfull of the world, (I meane their bodies) And now doe they betake themselves unto The dull imaginary pleasures of Their soules? This humor cannot last.

(2.)

If it should, we may rid our Temple Of all our Persian Quilts, imbroyder'd Couches, And our standing Beds; these (I take it) are Bodily implements; our soules need 'em not.

But where shall this new Sect be planted first?

(3.)

In a dull Northerne Ile, they call Britaine.

(2.)

Indeed 'tis a cold Northerly opinion; And I'le lay my life begot since their late Great Frosts. It will be long enough e're it Shall spread, and prosper in the South! Or if The Spaniard or Italian ever be Perswaded out of the use of their bodies, I'le give mine to a Raven for his Supper.

(3.)

The Miracle is more increas'd, in that It first takes birth and nourishment in Court.

(2.)

But my good damn'd friend tell me? Is there not One Courtier will resent the cause, and give Some countenance to the affaires of the body?

(3)

Certain yong Lords at first disliked the Phylosophy As most uncomfortable, sad, and new; But soone inclin'd to a superior vote, And are growne as good Platonicall Lovers As are to be found in an Hermitage, where he That was borne last, reckons above fourescore.

To these come foorth in hast another Magician, in shape and habit differing from the other, and spake as followeth.

(1.)

Here comes a brother of our misticke Tribe!

(3.)

He knowes th'occasion of our griefe, and by His hast imports discoveries more strange!

(4.)

Newes! newes! my sad companions of the shade! There's lately landed on our fatall shore Nine Persian youths, their habit and their lookes So smooth, that from the pleasures i'th Elisian fields Each female ghost will come, and enter in Their flesh againe, to make embraces warme.

(2.)

I hope these are no Platonicall Lovers, No such Carthusian Poets as doe write Madrigals to the mind? more of thy newes!

(4.)

The rest inferres small joy, and little hope: For though at first their youth and eager thoughts Directed them where our gay Altar stood, And they were ready too for sacrifice, I cannot tell what lucklesse light inform'd Their eyes, but Loves true Temple straight they spy'd Through the ascending mists, and would have enterd it To read grave frosty Homilies, And Anticke ••awes of Chastitie, but that (As my swift Spirit brought me word) a voyce Sent from within bad them with reverence Desist till Indamora did appeare, for then The gates would open, and the mists dry up That thus conceal'd it from the generall view, Which now their expectation doth attend.

(3.)

'Tis time to wake our drowsie Art, and try If we have power to hinder Destinie. Mount! mount! our charmes! fetch me, whilst you aspire, A Spirit of the Element of fire!

(2.)

Me one of Ayre!

(1.)

The water me supplies!

(4.)

Mine from the center of the earth shall rise!

(3.)

These shall infuse their sev'rall qualities In men; if not t'uphold the faction of The flesh, yet to infect the queasie age With blacker sinnes: If we (now we have joyn'd The force of all the Elements t'assist The horror of our will) shall not prevaile Against this hum'rous vertue of the Time, Nature, our weaknesse must be thought thy crime.

(2.)

To these I'le adde a seet of moderne Divels; Fine precise Fiends, that heare the devout close At ev'ry vertue but their owne, that claime Chambers and Tenements in heaven, as they Had purchas'd there, and all the Angels were Their harbingers. With these I'le vex the world.

(3.)

'Tis well design'd! Thanks to thy courteous Art! Let's murmure softly in each others eare, And those we first invok'd, will straight appeare! Enough! they come! to'th woods let's take our flight, We have more dismall businesse yet e're night.

The Antimasque of the Spirits.

1. Entry

The fiery Spirits all in flames, and their vizards of a Cholericke Complexion.

The Airy Spirits with sanguine vizards, their gar∣ments and Caps all of feathers.

The Watery Spirits were all over wrought with scales, and had fishes heads and finnes.

The Earthy Spirits had their garments wrought all over with leavelesse trees and bushes, with Serpents and other little Animals here and there about them, and on their heads barren rockes.

2. Entry

Brought in by the fiery Spirits, were debosht and quarrelling men with a loose Wench amongst them.

3. and 4. Entry

Brought in by the Spirits of Ayre, were of amorous men and women in ridiculous habits and Alchimists.

5. Entry

Brought in by the Spirits of Water, were drunken Dutch skippers.

6. Entry

Brought in by the Spirits of Earth, were Witches, Vsurers, and Fooles.

7. Entry

Was of a Moderne Divell, a sworne enemy of Poesie, Musicke, and all ingenious Arts, but a great friend to murmuring, libelling, and all seeds of discord, atten∣ded by his factious followers; all which was exprest by their habits and dance.

After these was an entry of three Indians of quality, of Indamora's traine in severall strange habits, and their dance as strange.

A Persian Page comes leaping in.

Hey! hey! how light I am? all soule within? As my dull flesh, were melted through my skinne? And though a Page, when landed on this shore, I now am growne a briske Ambassadour!

From Persian Princes too, and each as fierce A Lover, as did ever sigh in verse! Give audience then, you Ladies of this Ile! Lord how you lift your fannes up now, and smile! To thinke (forsooth) they are so fond to take So long a journey for your beauties sake! For know, th'are come! but sure, e're they returne, Will give your femallships some cause to mourne! For I must tell you, that about them all There's not one graine, but what's Platonicall! So bashfull that I thinke they might be drawne (Like you) to weare close Hoods, or vailes of Lawne. My Master is the chiefe that doth protect, Or (as some say) misse-lead this precise sect: One heretofore that wisely could confute A Lady at her window with his Lute. There devoutly in a cold morning stand Two howres, praysing the snow of her white hand, So long, till's words were frozen 'tweene his lips, And's Lute-strings learnt their quav'ring from his hips. And when he could not rule her to's intent, Like Tarquin he would proffer ravishment. But now, no feare of Rapes, untill he find A maydenhead belonging to the mind. The rest are all so modest too, and pure, So virginly, so coy, and so demure, That they retreat at kissing, and but name Hymen, or Love, they blush for very shame! Ladies! I must needs laugh! you'le give me leave I hope; and 'tis to thinke how you deceive Your selves with all this precious art, and care Tane in your glasse to dresse your lookes, and haire!

When (in good faith!) they heed no outward merit, But fervently resolve to wooe the Spirit! Hah! doe you all looke melancholy uow? And cast a Cloud of anger o're the brow? 'Tis time to flye, and my best swiftnesse use, Lest kill'd with pinnes, and Bodkins for my newes.

The Page retires, and the Noble Persian youths make their entry, apparelled in Asian Coats of Sea-greene embroidered that reached downe above their knees, with buttons and loops before and cut up square to their hips, and returned downe with two short skirts; the sleeves of this Coat were large with∣out seame, and cut short to the bending of the Arme, and hanging downe long behinde, trimm'd with buttons as those of the breast; out of this came a sleeve of white Sattin embroidered, and the Basis answerable to the sleeve, hung downe in gathering underneath the shortest part of their Coat; on their heads they wore Persian Turbants silver'd underneath, and wound about with white Cypresse, and one fall of a white feather before.

Their Dance ended, the mist and Clouds at an in∣stant disappeare, and the Sceane is all changed into a Sea somewhat calme, where the billowes moving sometimes whole, and sometimes breaking, beat gent∣ly on the land, which represented a new and strange prospect; the nearest part was broken grounds and Rockes, with a mountainous Countrey, but of a plea∣sant Aspect, in which were trees of strange forme and Colour, and here and there were placed in the bottome severall Arbors like Cottages, and strange beasts and birds, farre unlike the Countrey of these parts, expres∣sing an Indian Landschape▪ In the Sea were severall I∣lands,

and a farre off a Continent terminating with the Horrizon.

Out of a Creeke came waving forth a Barque of a gracious Antique designe, adorn'd with Scupture finishing in Scrowles, that on the poope had for Ornament a great Masque head of a Sea-god; and all the rest en∣rich'd with embost worke touch'd with silver and gold. In the midst of this Barque sate Orpheus with his Harpe, he wore a white robe girt, on his shoulders was (tyed with a knot) a mantle of Carnation, and his head crowned with a lawrell garland: with him, other persons in habits of Sea-men as pilots and guiders of the Barque, he playing one straine was answered with the voyces and instruments of the Brachmani joyn'd with the Priests of the Temple of Love, in extravagant habits sorting to their titles: whilst this Barque moved gently on the Sea, heaving and setting, and sometimes rowling, arrived neare to the further shore, it turn'd and return'd to the port from whence it came.

The Song of the Brachmani, in answer to Orpheus his Harpe,

1.

HEarke! Orpheus is a Sea-man growne, No winds of late have rudely blowne, Nor waves their troubled heads advance! His Harpe hath made the winds so mild, They whisper now as reconcil'd, The waves are sooth'd into a dance.

2.

See how the list'ning Dolphins play! And willingly mistake their way, As when they heard Arions strains! Whom once their scaly Ancestor, Convay'd upon his backe to shore, And tooke his musicke for his paines.

3.

Wee Priests that burne Loves Sacrifice, Our Orpheus greet with ravish'd eyes; For by this calmenesse we are sure, His Harpe doth now prepare the way, That Indamora's voyage may Be more delightfull, and secure.

4.

And now th'inchanted mists shall cleare, And Loves true Temple straight appeare, (Long hid from men by sacred power,) Where Noble Virgins still shall meet, And breath their Orizons, more sweet Than is the Springs ungather'd flower.

The Barque having taken port, the Masquers appeare in a Maritime Chariot made of a spungie Rockstuffe mixt with Shells, Sea-weeds, Corall, and Pearle, borne upon an Axletree with golden wheeles without a rimme with flat spokes like the blade of an Ore comming out of the Naves. This Chariot was drawne by Sea∣monsters, and floated with a sweet motion in the Sea:

Indamora Queene of Narsinga sate enthron'd in the highest part of this Chariot, in a rich seat, the backe of which was a great Skallop Shell. The habit of the Masquers was of Isabella Colour, and Watchet, with Bases in large paines cut through, all over richly em∣broyder'd with silver, and the dressing of their heads was of silver, with small falls of white feathers tipp'd with Watchet. This sight thus moving on the water, was accompanied with the musicke and voyces of the Chorus.

(1.)

SHe comes! each Princesse in her traine hath all That wise enamor'd Poets, beauty call! So fit and ready to subdue: That had they not kind hearts which take a care To free, and counsell, whom their eyes ensuare, Poore Lovers would have cause to rue.

(2.)

More welcome than the wandring Sea-mans starre, When in the Night the VVinds make causelesse warre, Vntill his Barque so long is tost, That's sayles toragges are blowne, the Maine-yard beares Not sheet enough to wipe, and dry those teares He shed to see his Rudder lost.

The Song ended, all the forepart of the Sea was in an instant turn'd to dry land, and Indamora with her Con∣tributary Ladies descended into the roome, and made their entry. Then for enter medium the Musicke began againe, and sung this Song.

The Song.

(1.)

THe Planets though they move so fast, Have power to make their swiftnesse last, But see, your strength is quickly gone! Yet move by sense and rules of Art, And each hath an immortall part, Which cannot tire, but they have none▪

(2.)

Let then your soft, and nimble feet Lead and in various figures meet Those stranger Knights, who though they came Seduc'd at first by false desire, You'le kindle in their breasts a fire Shall keepe Love warme, yet not enflame.

(3.)

At first they were your beauties prize, Now offer willing sacrifice Vnto the Vertues of the minde, And each shall weare when they depart, A lawfull though a loving heart, And wish you still both strict and kinde.

The Masquers having a while reposed, danced their second Dance, which ended, and the Queene being sea∣ted under the State by the King, the Sceane was chan∣ged into the true Temple of Chast Love; this Temple instead of Columnes had termes of young Satyrs bea∣ring

up the returnes of Architrane Freeze and Coro∣nice, all enrich'd of Gold-smiths worke, the further part of the Temple running farre from the eye was de∣sign'd of another kind of Architecture, with Pillasters, Neeches, and Statues; and in the midst a stately gate a∣dorn'd with Colomns and their Ornaments, and a Fron∣tispice on the top, all which seemed to bee of burnish'd gold. Into this Temple enters Sunesis and Thelema; Su∣nesis a man of a noble Aspect, and richly attir'd; his garment of Cloth of gold reaching downe below his knees, and girt with a tucke at the wast, with wide sleeves turn'd up; his mantle of Watchet fastned on both shoul∣ders, and hanging downe long behind, a garland of Sinope on his head, with a flame of fire issuing out of it, his Buskins were yellow, wrought with gold. Thelema a young woman in a Robe of changeable silke girt with severall tuckes, under her breast, and be∣neath her wast, and great leaves of silver about her shoulders hanging downe to the midst of her Arme; upon her head a garland of great Marigolds, and puffs of silver'd Lawne betweene. And at her shoulders were Angels wings, these sung this Dialogue, assisted by the Chori.

The Song.

Sunesis and Thelema.

Sunesis.

COme melt thy soule in mine, that when unite, We may become one virtuous appetite.

Thelema.

First breath thine into me, thine is the part More heavenly, and doth more adorne the heart.

Both.

Thus mix'd, our love will ever be discreet, And all our thoughts and actions pure, When perfect Will, and strengthned Reason meet, Then Love's created to endure.

Chorus.

Were Heaven more distant from us, we would strive To reach't with Pray'rs to make this Vnion thrive.

Whilst this Song continued, there came softly downe from the highest part of the heaven a bright and trans∣parent Cloud, which being come to the middle part of the Ayre it opened, and out of it came Amianteros, or Chast Love flying downe, clad all in Carnation and White, and two garlands of Laurell in one hand, and crown'd with another of the same; whilst he descended the Cloud closeth againe and returnes upwards, and is hidden in the heavens; Chast Love being come downe to the earth, was accompanied by Sunesis and Thelema, Divine Poesie, Orpheus, and the rest of the Poets up to the State, the great Chorus following at a distance, where they sung this Song.

The Song.

Amianteros, or Chast Love.

(1.)

VVHilst by a mixture thus made one, Y'are th' Embleme of my Deitie,

And now you may in yonder Throne, The patterne of your Vnion see.

(2.)

Softly as fruitfull showeres I fall, And th'undiscern'd increase I bring, Is of more precious worth than all A plenteous Summer payes a Spring.

(3.)

The benefit it doth impart, Will not the barren earth improve, But fructifie each barren heart, And give eternall▪ growth to Love.

Sunesis.

To CHARLES the mightiest and the best, And to the Darling of his breast, (Who rule b' example as by power) May youthfull blessings still increase, And in their Off-spring never cease, Till Time's too old to last an hower.

Chorus.

These wishes are so well deserv'd by thee, And thought so modest too by Destinie, That heaven hath seal'd the grant as a Decree.

After which they all retire to the Sceane, and Inda∣mora and her Ladies beginne the Revels with the King and the Lords, which continue the most part of the night. Thus ended this Masque which for the newnesse

of the invention, variety of Sceanes, Apparitions, and richnesse of habits was generally approved to be one of the most magnificent that hath beene done in England.