Let their aspects revive in you the fire that shined so late,

Still mount and still retain your heavenly state.

Gods were with dance and with music served of old, Those happy days derived their glorious style from gold: This pair, by Hymen joined, grace you with measures then,

Since they are both divine and you are more than men.

Orph.

Sib.

Pro.

Enth.

Let here Sibylla's trophy stand,

Lead her now by either hand,

That she may approach yet nearer,

And the bride and bridegroom hear her
Bless them in her native tongue,

Wherein old prophecies she sung,
Which time to light hath brought.

She speaks that which Jove hath taught :
Well may he inspire her now,
To make a joyful and true vow.
Sponsam sponse toro tene pudicam,
Sponsum sponsa tene toro pudicum.
Non haec unica nox datur beatis,
At vos perpetuo haec beabit una
Prole multiplici, parique amore.
Laeta, ac vera refert Sibylla; ab alto
Ipse Juppiter annuit loquenti.
So be it ever, joy and peace,

And mutual love give you increase,

That your posterity may grow
In fame, as long as seas do flow.

Live you long to see your joys,
In fair nymphs and princely boys ;

Orph.

Breeding like the garden flowers,

Which kind heav'n draws with her warm

showers.

Enough of blessing, though too much

Never can be said to such ;

But night doth waste, and Hymen chides,
Kind to bridegrooms and to brides.
Then, singing, the last dance induce,
So let good night present excuse.

The Song.

No longer wrong the night
Of her Hymenæan right;
A thousand Cupids call away,
Fearing the approaching day;
The cocks already crow :

Dance then and go!

The last new dance of the masquers, which concludes all with a lively strain at their going out.

FINIS.

Р

The description of a Maske: presented in the Banqueting roome at Whitehall, on Saint Stephens night last, At the Mariage of the Right Honourable the Earle of Somerset: And the right noble the Lady Frances Howard. Written by Thomas Campion. Whereunto are annexed diuers choice Ayres composed for this Maske that may be sung with a single voyce to the Lute or Base-Viall. London Printed by E. A. for Laurence Li'sle, dwelling in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Tygers head. 1614. 4to.

The ill-omened marriage of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, with the divorced wife of the Earl of Essex was celebrated at Whitehall, 26 December, 1613, in the presence of the King, Queen, Prince Charles, and many nobles and bishops. Campion's masque was worthy of a better occasion. Chamberlain's account of the reception of the masque is by no means flattering. In a letter to Mrs. Alice Carleton, sister to Sir Dudley Carleton, he writes: "I hear little or no commendation of the masque made by the Lords that night, either for device or dancing, only it was rich and costly" (Nichols's "Progresses of James I.," ii. 725). He had given the same unfavourable report about the masque that Campion prepared for the Princess Elizabeth's marriage.

Pulchro pulchra datur sociali fædere; amanti
Tandem nubit amans; ecquid amabilius?

1 The same sentiment is more neatly and metrically expressed in Campion's first book of Latin Epigrams (No. 68):—

"De Nuptiis.

Rite ut celebres nuptias,

Dupla tibi face est opus;

Prætendat unum Hymen necesse,

At alteram par est Amor."