Princeps rhetoricus or Pilomachia· ye combat of caps. Drawn forth into arguments, general and special. In usum Scholæ Masonensis : et in gratiam totius auditorii mercurialis.

The Arguments of the 5 Acts severally and particu∣larly; and these in twofold notion, 1. Historical. 2. Morall.

ACT. I.

Princeps legitimè inauguratus, or, The Instalment. The Argument Historicall.

SCENA I.

A Curtain is displaied, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the prime School mo∣nitor appears in a studying posture: is interrupted by the entrance of the 2 Text-bearers, inducing 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the wandring schollar Lose-Cap to the sight and speech of the Monitor, with a Petition tendered de recuperand•• Parso∣nuli Pilco, for recovery of his Cap, defunct; the Petition is ac∣cepted by Phylophylax the Monitor; with promise to be presen∣ted in Court, and to have fair audience in the businesse (for his Office is not only School-Superintendent, but also libellorum custos, Master of request and complaints) And here is the first stone laid in the Arch-fabrick of the counterplot.

SCENA II.

LOrd of mis-rule enters with his bonny fresh men, undertakes their protection, contra gentes & jura; and against the im∣perious wand of Custos Tyronum, his main Antagonist and theirs. And this is the second trick of wit in the crosse plot, so to dis∣turb the main plot.

SCEN. III.

HEre the maine plot begins. The Master of Ceremonies ap∣pears with the Keeper of the Fresh-men: Tis consulted De Curiâ rectè curandâ, that things be done in Place, Time and Or∣der. Exit Ceremonius. Custos induces his Fresh charge, pearch∣eth them up at the Bar: succeeds again Ceremonius with his whole Court-traine. And first, marshalleth his fourth Classis, next his fift; then fall in the Officers, Seniors, Attendants, Prince, in ce∣remoniall order. Ceremonius leads the way, next him, Lord Mis-rule, then two Monitors abrest. Singly succeeds them Monitor Monitorum; next, Praeco Fecialis, the Mercuriall Herauld at Armes, Princeps Rhetoricus in the midst. After him the two Text-bearers; then the other two Monitors abrest, the Cap of Main∣tenance after them, and last, Custos▪ Tyronum, Proclaimer and Guards-man Generall.

They proceed to Election, on a fourefold Ground; 1. Sucessi∣on, 2. Merit, 3. Suffrages, 4. Lawes and Customes.

Invenitur Caduceo Habilis & Idoneus, proclaimed fit for the Mercuriall Scepter.

The Quaeries are ten: As first, whether he hath orderly as∣cended from Classis to Classis, non faciens saltum, not making a skip.

2. Whether he be patiens inediae, frigoris, & sudoris. An multa tulit, fecit{que} sudavit & alsit: whether he be Snow-proofe, able to endure Heats and Colds, and to watch by the Lamp of Cleanthes.

Againe, whether he hath learned obedire & imperare, to obey and command, as Junior and Senior; and whether well verst in the Lawes appertaining to the Chaire Mercuriall: whether be∣ne moratus, Bene linguatus, Religiosus, & Humilis.

And being approved by the Register generall, proclaimed Prince by the Herauld, and voiced by the rest, he ascends the Chaire of Eloquence.

Then followes the citement of Officers; after that, the Canto or Hymne of Congratulation••; the Speeches Encomiasticall ad Principem.

After the Citement, the Indictment is read against the Tyroes, whose penalties are imposed in way of severall Theames, and li∣berty to speak for themselves, par poenae culpa. Their Patron is Lord of mis-rule.

SCEN. IV.

EX Improviso, abruptly breaks in Sir Shone, Molestus Interpella∣tor Curiae, in a great fume, impatient of longer attendance, a blunt, unbred, rude, insulse Scholar, and as roughly entertain'd by the Guards-man: they chop Logick at staves end dilemmati∣cally; Here I can have ye, & there; but pates find mediums. Ma∣ster Keeper assaults the Parson, Argumento Baculino, with Halberd Eloquence, the Parson indoctrinates the Keeper with Crab-tree Logick, but is foyled at his owne weapon; till Misrule, and the Schoole-monitor, his Fratres fraterrimi, complotters and sworn partners, step in to his rescue; by whose provision and request, his Petition is heard, registred, and deliberated on, but deferred till the next Court Sessions Mercuriall.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Ode Acclamatoria. The Congratulatory Canto.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The humble Partishon of Sir Shone of Wales, in formâ paperis following.

BE it knowne to all and some, that her hath a partishon in her packets, ad hunc venarabilem collegium, propter facere Huc and Cry, post cappum sumum (misere defunctum, & lostum) per omnes Chamberos, Studies, & Corneros. And also her desires to

enter her Actions, or rather her Passions in te Law, for a scire facias, through te six mercuriall classes, with a non est Inventus, as touch∣ing her Pileus; and a Quare Latitat, amongst all her cozen Scholers, and her shall be pound to pray, for her six venerable said Monitors while her may, for ever and a day, and longer too, when her hath nothing else to do.

The Morall Argument of this Act, for want of roome, wee passe by.

The Authors, like so many flourie fields, Campi Rhetorici, were Tacitus, Justine, Justinian, Quintilian, Eutopia Mori, Atlantis Verulamei, Apuleius: The Greeks, Homer, Aristophanes, Plu∣tarch, Zenophon de Cyropaedia, Longinus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Aristotles Rhetorick, Plato, Aeschylus, &c. The language chiefly Greek; but Auditorii gratiâ, translated here and rhere into English.

ACT. II.

Princeps Pompaticus: or, The Entertainment. The Argument Historicall.

ATlas minor, alias Misrule, ascends his Astronomical Ca∣binet. A Scematicall figure is erected at the command of the Prince de pileo restaurando. His censure upon Astro∣logie. This course failing, by the consent of the Court, a Hue and Cry is voiced. Sir Shone the Proclaimer. An Eccho answers within; he runs in after the Eccho, his supposed coun∣triman; instead of him, fals upon Merlins Chorister, the old welch Bard; who by the Harmonious power of his voice, sum∣mons in (in three severall dances) 18 Caps distinct.

The Song between Chorister and Eccho.

Choris.

ECcho, O Eccho; thou Oracle, O Eccho, Eccho tel.

Eccho.

What shall the Eccho, Eccho tell?

Choris.

The Scholars Cap is lost, how shal't be found?

Eccho.

Charm Atlas, Charme the Caps from under ground;

By six and six, so shall the Cap be found.

Choris.

Caps all, O Caps all, appeare at Ecchoes call, Six great, six small.

Eccho.

Here, here we rise at Ecchoes call.

Choris.

When you the Viols heare, brave Sprights appeare.

Eccho.

Sound Viols sound, for at your sound we'l venter. Roome, roome for Caps, by six and six we enter.

The first Dance, consisting of the six Gram∣maticall Persons.

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
I.	Thou.	He.	We.	Ye.	They.

After the Dance they impeach each other De furto Pilei. I puts it off to Thou, Thou to He, so the rest alternative; but neither I, Thou, nor He, We, Ye, nor They: Ergo tandem Nemo, Nemo is the man, No body has it.

Morally alluding to the depraved nature of children; accusing and excusing; peevish lyars: the Tutors taske to cure.

And also implies, that men themselves act the Childrens Scean; Instead of vindicating, often recriminating, waspish, serpentine, childish, saying, unsaying, gain-saying. Quis enim non ab Ovo mendax?

And thirdly, it alludes to the Academians contradictory hu∣mour, Affirmo, Nego.

The second Dance consisted of six Gipsies, Cap-men, of severall Colours.

THe intent of this, was like the other, but in a higher way. Suggere jam Quintiliane Colorem; every man hath some co∣lour for what he sayes, or does; in a severall cast of naturall Rhetorick.

But by these colours is primely intended the principles and depth of mysticall Philosophie: in which the idle Scholars Cap is seldome found.

The third Dance was of the chiefe Faculties, personated lively.

1 A Cardinall.	A Miter.	Signifying	Degrees of preferment.
2 A Master of Arts	Square Cap.	Degrees of Learning.
3 The Falkner.	Montero.	Degrees of Gentry.
4 Seaman.	Saylors Thrum.	Degrees of travell. & Forrain.
5 Souldier.	An Helmet.	Degrees of Martial Officers.
6 Smith.	Fuddle-cap.	Degrees of Trades.

MORALL.

Thus every Cap what ere it be, Is still a sign of some degree.

The Dance ends merily. Lose-Cap breaks his confining Circle, and chops in among the Caps, dancing; is defended from their Battouns by the Souldiers buckler, and carried away upon his shoulders; the Seamen advancing one leg, fuddle-Cap the other, shooing him in the exit.

The sum of the intendment, belongs to oratoricall practice; these 6 be subjects of eloquence; work for a wise head, and a win∣ning tongue. A sight proposed to the Prince, what manner of men he has to deal with; that will be great or wise.

ACT. II. SCENA II.

After that all vanish and nothing effected, Atlas demands fur∣ther of the Merlins Chorister whats to be done. He an∣swers again in SONG.

Cho.

Eccho, O Eccho, for Merlins sake O Eccho, once more tell,

Eccho.

What shall the Eccho once more tell?

Cho.

Tell who the Cap doth weare, and who goes clear,

Eccho.

No figure cast by Spel, or Charm, or Magick: But Scholar-like, by Grammar, Wit, and Logick.

Atlas interprets the Oracle, the Prince likes and consents; and commands a preparation Scholasticall, de Pilei disquisitione Etymologica.

ACT. III.

Princeps Rhetoricus, or, Criticus the Linguist.

The Argument. THe Philologicall Books are fetcht forth from the Trino-Musaeum; the Triple Library, 1. Grammaticall, 2. Phi∣losophicall, 3. Mathematicall; the Grammarians are first scann'd; then the Glossaries & Dictionaries, then the De∣clamers ex tempore deliver their Cap-verdit Etymologically. The Prince in his Chair moderating; Monitor scholae, and two head Monitors maintaining the Table in the middle, the other two at Desks ex opposite, and Formes ex adverso to Forms. This way also proving invalid, command is given by his Highnesse ele∣gance; for an Academicall Certamen, logically controverted.

Exeunt omnes.

ACT. IV.

Princeps Academicus, or, The Disputant.

THe Authours scientificall, and in order to the 7 Arts are produced. Then a set dispute between the three main sciences; de melioritate Praerogativâ Pilei; the question is stated two waies, 1. Which is guilty of the Parsons Cap. 2. Which most worthy among themselves of the three: Next intervenes a Question between the two Princes, Rhetorick and Misrule, de prioritate Galeri & Pilei, the preheminence of the Hat and the Cap; but while the disputes grew hot, enters a mes∣sage from the Cantabrigian Fellow-Commoners, desiring of the Court a conference touching the new lost Cap, as a maine case concerning their Coppy-hold, 'Tis condescended to, and the Court dissolves for the present.

ACT. V.

Princeps Judicialis, or, The Judge.

HEre is a set form of a Sessions; a Court of Judicature, more Judiciali. The Tyroes declame: the Theams five, 1. Horn-book, 2. the Hawke, 3. Long Tayle, 4. Knave of Clubs, 5. A Noune is the Name of a Thing.

Before the Declamation each fresh Declamer takes his Briny Dos of water and salt; from the hand of the Tyro-guardian: at every stand, or dead lift, they are helpt out, by their Suggester, and nimble-tongu'd Patron Monseiur de la Misrule; and at last by his mediation, Annuit Princeps, the Bils of Indictment are expunged; Et donantur Pileo Tyrones: made free of the Col∣ledge. Exit Misrule.

Misrule within sends Message to the Monitor Monitorum; He craves excuse for his absence a while; A flourish of Cornets. Forthwith return in form of a pontificall Train the 5 Counter-plotters; Misrule in the midst as a Prince; and the Schollars Cap advanced upon a Trunchion, more triumphali: He is made to give account of his device, that no offence be given or taken; and after some Questions problematically propounded by the Prince; He and his seniors are invited to an Astronomicall dance in reference to the Planets, with Laurels, each bearing a star advan∣ced frontwise. After this the Prince returns to his Chaire, gives his charge to the Tyrones, Juniors, and Seniors in their turns, con∣cluding that Religion is the finis ultimatus, the ultimate End of all our Sudies; and Humility the last work of Religion, ending with this Motto, Quantò doctior, tantò submissior; withall couching briefly in a fourfold distinction, the four Ends of all mens Aca∣demicall labours, 1. Mechanicall, ditescere, 2. Sophisticall, cla∣rescere, 3. Philosophicall, cognoscere, and 4. Angelicall, videre Deum. i. e. Practic••s, se abnegando.

The Questions in this ACT accidently emergent were these.

• 1. WHether the Mercuriall Cap be more injured by the Fa∣thers indulgence, the Sons negligence, or the Masters in∣sufficience?
• 2. Whether a lying humour be rather suckt from the dugs of the Nurse; or the paps of custome, or rather, An mendacium be ex traduce? Hereditary?
• 3. Whether the Parsons Cap hath received more cuts and blows, from the blunt weapons of Bacchus, or the sharp sword of Mars?
• ...

• 4. Whether a-wel-bred Rhetorician did ever want a Mocenas, or his Cap mendicant?
• 5. Whether every Noble and great Gentlemen ought to be princeps Rhetoricus, a prime good speaker?
• 6. Whether every Master of Arts be princeps Rhet. Et e contra?
• 7. Whether the greatest enemy to the Cap, be not the Cap? Science against Science more persecuting then Ignorance?
• 8. An pileum Sir-Shonnuli fit ex Lana Caprina?
• 9. An fiat Pileorum transmigratio?
• 10. Pileus An tandem fataliter—Exeat omnis?

EPILOGƲS.

AS soon as the Court-scene closed, and had as it were bid good-night to Action and Invention, Prince-Misrule-Atlas (now left singly on the Stage) pre∣sents the Audience with a Caution or two, by the Horarie Advise of his Quadrant; which being elevated to a just height, he calculates the howrs of the day, 3 of clock, 33 min. and 3 digits. Then warns them, Maturare Reditum, im∣minet ursa; to hasten homewards, lest 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Keeper of the great Bear meet with them after All. The Beare be∣ing a starting-enemy to the Coach-Horse; and Twilight a dangerous time for Caps. Venit Hesperus ite.

So Atlas bids his Star-like Guests Adieu, As you have shin'd on Ʋs this Day, With friendly Influence: So may The New year shine on You.

E fonte Cambrino, Jan. 19. 1648.