THE Description of a Maske presented before the Kinges Maiestie at White Hall, on twelft night last, in honour of the Lord HAYES, and his Bride, daughter, and heire to the Honourable the Lord DENNYE, their mariage hauing been the same day at Court solemnized. (1607)
AS in battailes, so in all other actions that are to bee reported, the first, and most necessary part is the discription of the place, with his oportunities, and properties, whether they be naturall, or artificiall. The greate hall (wherein the Maske was presented) receiued this diuision, and order: The vpper part where the cloth & chaire of State were plac't, had scaffoldes and seates on eyther side continued to the skreene; right before it was made a partition for the dauncing place; on the right hand whereof were consorted ten Musitions, with Basse and Meane Lutes, a Bandora, a double Sack-bott, and an Harpsicord, with two treble Violins; on the other side somewhat neerer the skreene were plac't 9. Violins and three Lutes, and to answere both the Consorts (as it were in a triangle) sixe Cornets, and sixe Chappell voyces, were seated almost right against them, in a place raised higher in respect of the pearcing sound of those Instruments-eighteen foote from the skreen, an other Stage was raised higher by a yearde then that which was prepared for dancing: This higher Stage was all enclosed with a double vale, so artificially painted, that it seemed as if darke cloudes had hung before it: within that shrowde was concealed a greene valley, with greene trees round about it, and in the midst of them nine golden trees of fifteene foote high, with armes and braunches very glorious to behold: From the which groue toward the State was made a broade descent to the dauncing place, iust in the midst of it; on either hand were two ascents, like the sides of two hilles, drest with shrubbes and trees; that on the right hand leading to the bowre of Flora: the other to the house of Night; which bowre and house were plac't opposite at either end of the skreene, and betweene them both was raised a hill, hanging like a cliffe ouer the groue belowe, and on the top of it a goodly large tree was set, supposed to be the tree of Diana; behind the which toward the window was a small descent, with an other spreading hill that climed vp to the toppe of the window, with many trees on the height of it, whereby those that played on the Hoboyes at the Kings entrance into the hall were shadowed: The bowre of Flora was very spacious, garnisht with all kind of flowers, and flowrie branches with lights in them; the house of Night ample, and stately, with blacke pillors, whereon many starres of gold were fixt: within it when it was emptie, appeared nothing but cloudes and starres, and on the top of it stood three Turrets vnderpropt with small blacke starred pillers, the middlemost being highest and greatest, the other two of equall proportion: about it were plac't on wyer artificial Battes, and Owles, continually mouing: with many other inuentions, the which for breuitie sake I passe by with silence.
Thus much for the place, and now from thence let vs come to the persons.
The Maskers names were these, (whom both for order and honour I mention in the first place.
- 1 Lord Walden.
- 2 Sir Thomas Howard
- 3 Sir Henrie Carey, Master of the Iewell house.
- 4 Sir Richard Preston, Gent. of the K. priuie Chamber.
- 5 Sir Iohn Ashley, Gent. of the K. priuie Chamber.
- 6 Sir Thomas Iarret Pentioner.
- 7 Sir Iohn Digby, one of the Kings Caruers.
- 8 Sir Thomas Badger, Master of the Kings Hariers.
- 9 Maister Goringe.
(Th. Campion's book does include the music for these songs. I've not heard of anyone reproducing this thing. It might be time to recontact my English Lit prof from Macon State. He studied masques.)
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