seventy Massie Candlesticks holding white Wax Torches and Tapers innumerable, with certain Pillars imboss'd at the Corners of them ten Foot high, upon which was fastened a Canopy in imitation of a clear Night, when a multitude of Stars break out of a gloomy shadow, and upon the Stage, two Figures of a large proportion, which served for imaginary Gyants; and to correspond with the Frontispiece, and by the Cornishes of the open Galleries, many Statues of Brass, and pendant from the Arches, certain Globes of Crystal, which made great Lights; and round about Benches for Gentlemen, with a most beautiful Rail to keep out the Common-people. In the midst a Throne, upon which were the Chairs of the King, and of the Princes Don Carlos, and Don Fernando, his Brothers: Below them again Foot-paces, on which Carpets with Cushi∣ons, for the Ladies and Damsels. There was form'd a Moun∣tain of fifty foot broad, and eighty in circumference, which was made to split it self into two, and, though it was so vast in bulk, yet one Man moved it with much ease. It cover'd the Scene, and was of the same Dorick Work, and it had an Ascent by many Steps to a spatious Cave, peopled with many wild Beasts. What this Mountain hid shall be revealed, when we speak of the Scenes, as they served in their proper places of the Mask.
The Subject was the Glory of Niquea, notorious in the Books of Amadis; it was written for the height of the Court, as knowing the little liberty which that affords to the Muses, and the great Caution wherewith these Virgins of Parnassus must there demean themselves, the want of which knowledge occasions many absurdities to those Poets (how eminent soever in other respects) who have been bred far from the severity of that School.
The Festival was appointed for St. Philips Day, but the embroylment of so much Fabrick deferr'd it till Whit-Monday, by which time all was in perfection. At the shutting in of day