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CHLORIDIA.] From the undated 4to. but probably printed in 1630 it is also in the fol. 1641. See the observations on Love's Triumph. No mention of Jones occurs in the 4to. edition of this Masque; though his name is found in the folio.

CHLORIDIA.

HE King and Queen's majesty having given their command for the invention of a new argument, with the whole change of the scene, wherein her majesty, with the like number of her ladies, purposed a presentation to the king; it was agreed, it should be the celebration of some rites done to the goddess Chloris, who, in a general council of the gods, was proclaimed goddess of the flowers; according to that of Ovid, in the Fasti,

--Arbitrium tu Dea floris habe.

And was to be stellified on earth, by an absolute decree from Jupiter, who would have the earth to be adorn'd with stars, as well as the heaven.

Upon this hinge the whole invention moved.

The ornament which went about the scene, was composed of foliage, or leaves heighten'd with gold, and interwoven with all sorts of flowers, and naked children, playing and climbing among the branches; and in the midst a great garland of flowers, in which was written, CHLORIDIA.

The curtain being drawn up, the scene is discovered, consisting of pleasant hills, planted with young trees, and all the lower banks adorned with flowers. And from some hollow parts of those hills, fountains come gliding down; which, in the far-off landscape, seemed all to be converted to a river.

Over all a serene sky, with transparent clouds,

giving a great lustre to the whole work; which did imitate the pleasant Spring.

When the spectators had enough fed their eyes with the delights of the scene, in a part of the air, a bright cloud begins to break forth; and in it is sitting a plump boy, in a changeable garment, richly adorned, representing the mild ZEPHYRUS. On the other side of the scene, in a purplish cloud, appeareth the SPRING, a beautiful maid, her upper garment green, under it a white robe wrought with flowers; a garland on her head.

Here ZEPHYRUS begins his dialogue, calling her forth, and making narration of the gods' decree at large, which she obeys, pretending it is come to earth already; and there begun to be executed by the king's favour, who assists with all bounties, that may be either urged as causes or reasons of the Spring.

I SONG.

Zeph. Come forth, come forth, the gentle Spring,
And carry the glad news I bring,

To earth, our common mother:

It is decreed by all the gods,

That heaven of earth shall have no odds,
But one shall love another.

Their glories they shall mutual make,
Earth look on heaven, for heaven's sake,
Their honours shall be even:
All emulation cease, and jars,
Jove will have earth to have her stars
And lights, no less than heaven.

Spring. It is already done, in flowers
As fresh and new as are the hours,
By warmth of yonder sun:
But will be multiplied on us,
If from the breath of Zephyrus
Like favour we have won.

Zeph. Give all to him: His is the dew,

Spring.

The heat, the humour,

-All the true

Beloved of the Spring! Zeph. The sun, the wind, the verdure!

Spring.

That wisest nature cause can call
Of quick'ning any thing.

-All

At which ZEPHYRUS passeth away through the air, and the SPRING descendeth to the earth; and is received by the NAIADES, or Napeæ, who are the nymphs, fountains, and servants of the season.

2 SONG.

Naiades. Fair maid, but are you come to dwell,
And tarry with us here?

Spring. Fresh fountains, I am come to tell
A tale in yond' soft ear,
Whereof the murmur will do well;
If you your parts will bear.

Naïades. Our purlings wait upon the Spring.
Spring. Go up with me, then; help to sing
The story to the king.

Here the SPRING goes up, singing the argument, to the king, and the NAÏADES follow with the close.

Spring.

Cupid hath ta'en offence of late,

At all the gods, that of the state,
And in their council, he was so deserted,
Not to be call'd unto their guild,

But slightly pass'd by as a child.

Naïades. Wherein he thinks his honour was perverted.

Spring. And though his mother seek to season,

And rectify his rage with reason,

By shewing he lives yet under her command,
Rebellious he doth disobey,

And she hath forced his arms away.

Naïades. To make him feel the justice of her hand.
Whereat the boy, in fury fell,
With all his speed, is gone to hell,
There to excite and stir up jealousy.
To make a party 'gainst the gods,

And set heaven, earth, and hell at odds.

Naïades. And raise a chaos of calamity.

The SONG ended, the Nymphs fall into a dance, to their voices and instruments, and so return into the scene.

The ANTIMASque.

A part of the under-ground opening, out of it enter a Dwarf post from hell, riding on a curtal, with cloven feet, and two Lacqueys: these dance, and make the first entry of the Antimasque. He alights and speaks.

Dwarf. Hold my stirrup, my one lacquey; and look to my curtal, the other; walk him well, sirrah, while I expatiate myself here in the report of my office. Oh, the Furies! how I am joyed with the title of it! Postillion of hell! yet no Mercury; but a mere cacodæmon, sent hither with a packet of news! news! never was hell so furnished of the commodity of news! Love hath been lately there, and so entertain'd by Pluto and Proserpine, and all the grandees of the place, as it is there perpetual holyday; and a cessation of torment granted, and proclaimed for ever! Half-famish'd Tantalus is fallen to his fruit, with that appetite, as it threatens to undo the whole company of costard-mongers; and has a river afore him, running excellent wine. Ixion is loosed from his wheel, and turn'd dancer, does