And one to the charnel-and one, Oh where? In the noon. Ere the sun through heaven once more has rolled, The rats in her heart Will have made their nest, And the worms be alive in her golden hair, While the spirit that guides the sun Sits throned in his flaming chair, The Pageant to [celebrate] the arrival of the Queen, A Pursuivant. PLACE for the Marshal of the Masque ! 1st. Speaker. What thinkest thou of this quaint masque, which turns, Like morning from the shadow of the night, The night to day, and London to a place Of peace and joy? 2nd. Speaker. And Hell to Heaven. Eight years are gone, And they seem hours, since in this populous street I trod on grass made green by summer's rain, For the red plague kept state within that palace 3rd Spe. (a youth). Yet, father, tis a happy sight to see, Beautiful, innocent, and unforbidden By God or man ;—'tis like the bright procession Of skiey visions in a solemn dream From which men wake as from a paradise, And draw new strength to tread the thorns of life. Which bloom so rarely in this barren world? Oh, kill these bitter thoughts which make the present When avarice and tyranny, vigilant fear, And open-eyed conspiracy, lie sleeping As on Hell's threshold; and all gentle thoughts With his own gift. 2nd Spe. How young art thou in this old age of time! How green in this grey world! Canst thou not think Of change in that low scene, in which thou art Not a spectator but an actor? [ The day that dawns in fire will die in storms, Even though the noon be calm. My travel's done; Before the whirlwind wakes I shall have found My inn of lasting rest, but thou must still Be journeying on in this inclement air. * 1st Spe. That Is the Archbishop. 2nd Spe. Rather say the Pope. London will be soon his Rome: he walks He looks elate, drunken with blood and gold;- Mitred adulterer! he is joined in sin, Which turns Heaven's milk of mercy to revenge. Another Citizen (lifting up his eyes). Good Lord! rain it down upon him. [ Amid her ladies walks the papist queen, As if her nice feet scorned our English earth. There's old Sir Henry Vane, the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Essex, and Lord Keeper Coventry, And others who made base their English breed With papists, atheists, tyrants, and apostates. * * * * * * 4th Spe. a (pursuivant) Give place, give place! You torch-bearers advance to the great gate, And then attend the Marshal of the Masque Into the Royal presence. Fifth Spe. (a law student). What thinkest thou Of this quaint show of ours, my aged friend? Ist Spe. I will not think but that our country's wounds May yet be healed-The king is just and gracious, Though wicked counsels now pervert his will: These once cast off 2nd Spe. As adders cast their skins And keep their venom, so kings often change; Like the base patchwork of a leper's rags. 3d Sp. Oh, still those dissonant thoughts-List, loud music Grows on the enchanted air! And see, the torches Restlessly flashing, and the crowd divided Like waves before an admiral's prow. Another Spe. Give place To the Marshal of the Masque ! * 3rd Spe. How glorious! See those thronging chariots Rolling like painted clouds before the wind: Some are Like curved shells dyed by the azure depths The mettled horses in the torchlight stir Waste by lame famine, wealth by squalid want, The anti-masque, and serves as discords do Or day unchanged by night; or joy itself SCENE II. A Chamber in Whitehall. Enter the KING, QUEEN, LAUD, WENTWORTH, and King. Thanks, gentlemen. I heartily accept Was performed gallantly. Queen. And, gentlemen, Call your poor Queen your debtor. Your quaint pageant Rose on me like the figures of past years, Treading their still path back to infancy, More beautiful and mild as they draw nearer |