The white-cold virgin fnow upon my heart
Abates the ardour of my liver.

Now come, my Ariel; bring a corollary,
Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly.—
No tongue; all eyes; be filent.

A Mafque. Enter IRIS.

[Soft mufick.

Iris. Ceres, moft bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease; Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch'd with ftover, them to keep; Thy banks with peonied and lilied brims,

Which fpungy April at thy heft betrims,

To make cold nymphs chafte crowns; and thy broom groves,

Whofe fhadow the difmiffed bachelor loves,

Being lafs-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard;
And thy fea-marge, fteril, and rocky-hard,
Where thou thyfelf do'ft air: The queen o' the sky,
Whose watery arch, and messenger, am I,

Bids thee leave these; and with her fovereign grace,
Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,

To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain;
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

Enter CERES.

Cer. Hail, many.colour'd meffenger, that ne'er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;

Who, with thy faffron wings, upon my flowers
Diffuseft honey-drops, refrething showers;
And with each end of thy blue bow doft crown
My bosky acres, and my unfhrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth; Why hath thy queen
Summon'd me hither, to this fhort-grafs'd green?

56

Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate; And fome donation freely to eftate

On the blefs'd lovers.

Cer.

Tell me, heavenly bow,
If Venus, or her son, as thou dost know,

Do now attend the queen ? fince they did plot
The means, that dusky Dis my daughter got,
Her and her blind boy's fcandal'd company
I have forfworn.

Iris.

Of her fociety

Be not afraid I met her deity

Cutting the clouds towards Paphos; and her fon
Dove-drawn with her: here thought they to have done
Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,
Whofe vows are, that no bed-rite shall be paid
Till Hymen's torch be lighted: but in vain;
Mars's hot minion is return'd again;

Her wafpifh-headed son has broke his arrows,

Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out.

Cer:

Higheft queen of state,

Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.

Enter JUNO.

Jun. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me, To bless this twain, that they may profperous be, And honour'd in their iffue.

Juno

SONG.

Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increafing,
Hourly joys be ftill upon you!

Juno fings her blessings on you.

Cer.

Cer.

Earth's increafe, and foison plenty;
Barns, and garners never empty;
Vines, with cluft'ring bunches growing;
Plants, with goodly burden bowing ;
Spring come to you, at the fartheft,
In the very end of harvest!
Scarcity, and want, shall shun you;
Ceres' bleffing fo is on you.

Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and
Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold
To think these spirits?

Pro.

Spirits, which by mine art

I have from their confines call'd to enact

My prefent fancies.

Fer.

Let me live here ever;

So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife,

Make this place Paradise.

[JUNO and CERES whisper, and fend IRIS on employment.]

Pro.

Sweet now, filence:

Juno and Ceres whifper feriously;

There's fomething else to do: hufh, and be mute,
Or elfe our spell is marr'd.

Iris. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the wand'ring brooks,
With your fedg'd crowns, and ever-harmless looks,
Leave your crifp channels, and on this green land
Answer your fummons; Juno does command:
Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contract of true love; be not too late.

Enter certain Nymphs.

You fun-burnt ficklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry;

Make