Nose. Why if it be not that, let it be this then, (For since you grant us freedom, we will hold it) Let's have the giddy world turn'd the heels upward, And sing a rare black Sanctus," on his head, Eyes. No, the man In the moon dance a coranto, his bush Nose. No, no, I'd have this. Fame. Any thing. Nose. That could be monstrous Enough, I mean. A Babel of wild humours. not. Eyes. And talking of all men they never heard of. And sing a rare black Sanctus.] The black Sanctus was a profane parody of some hymn in the Mass book; and the tune to which it was set was probably loud and discordant, to assist the ridicule. As a satire on the monks, whom it lashes with some kind of coarse humour, it appears to have been very popular. It may be referred to the times of Hen. VIII. when to criminate the ancient possessors of the monasteries, was to render a most acceptable service to that hateful tyrant, and his rapacious court. Sir J. Harrington, who printed it entire, calls it the Monks Hymn to Saunte Satan." It occurs in Beaumont and Fletcher: "Let's sing him a black Sanctus, then let's all howl And is also introduced by Phil. Holland in his translation of Livy: Nata in vanos tumultus gens, truci cantu, ciamoribusque variis, horrendo cuncta impleverunt sono. Lib. v. c. 37. "With an hideous and dissonant kind of singing like a black Sanctus, they filled all about with a fearful and horrible noise." Ears. And all together by the ears o'the sudden. Eyes. And when the matter is at hottest, then All fall asleep. Fame. Agree among yourselves, And what it is you'd have, I'll answer you. Ears. No, never agree. Nose. Not upon what? Something that is unlawful. Ears. Ay, or unreasonable. Eyes. Or, impossible. Nose. Let it be uncivil enough, you hit us right. Ears. And a great noise. Eyes. To little or no purpose, Nose. And if there be some mischief, 'twill become it. Eyes. But see there be no cause, as you will answer it. Fame. These are mere monsters. Nose. Ay, all the better. Fame. You do abuse the time. These are fit freedoms For lawless prentices, on a Shrove-tuesday, Eyes. Why, if not those, then something to make sport. Ears. We only hunt for novelty, not truth. Fame. I'll fit you, though the Time faintly permit it. The second ANTIMASQUE of TUMBLERS, and JUGLERS, brought in by the CAT AND FIDDLE, who make sport with the CURIOUS, and drive them away. Fame. Why now they are kindly used like such spectators, That know not what they would have. Commonly nour, Free from the molestation of these insects, Who being fled, Fame now pursues her errand. Loud Music. To which the whole Scene opens; where SATURN sitting with VENUS is discovered above, and certain VoTARIES coming forth below, which are the CHORUS. Fame. For you, great king, to whom the Time doth owe All his respects and reverence, behold These, Time hath promised at Love's suit to free, By you restored on earth, most like his own; Ven. Beside, that it is done for Love, It is a work, great Time, will prove [Music. Sat. Vot. Sat. If Love be pleased, so am I, What Love did ask, if Love knew why. That heard her why, and waits thy how. The MASQUERS are discovered, and that which obscured them vanisheth. 1 Vot. These, these must sure some wonders be! Cho. O, what a glory 'tis to see Men's wishes, Time, and Love agree. [A pause. SATURN and VENUS pass away, and the MASQUERS descend. Cho. What grief, or envy had it been, 1 Vot. That these, and such had not been seen, But still obscured in shade! Who are the glories of the Time, Their very number, how it takes! Cho. Now they are nearer seen, and view'd, Here to a loud Music, they march into their figure, and dance their ENTRY, or first DANCE. Ven. Sat. Vot. Sat. Vot. After which. The night could not these glories miss, Of being delighted, in the nobler sort. His victories of lightest trouble prove; Then follows the MAIN DANCE; Which done, CUPID with the SPORT, comes for ward. Cup. [to the Masquers.] Take breath a while, young bloods, to bring Fresh charges to the beauties here. Sport. Or, if they charge you, do not fear, Cup. Or quit the field. Sport. Nay, that they'll never do. |