Tethys Festival

TETHYS FESTIVAL: OR THE QVEENES WAKE

Celebrated at Whitehall, the fifth day of June 1610.

Deuiſed by Samvel Daniel, one of the Groomes of her Maieſties moſt Honourable priuie Chamber. LONDON Printed for Iohn Budge. 1610.

The Preface to the Reader.

For ſo much as ſhewes and ſpectacles of this nature, are vſually regiſtred, among the memorable acts of the time, beeing Complements of ſtate, both to ſhew magnificence and to celebrate the feaſts to our greateſt reſpects: it is expected (according now fo the cuſtome) that I, beeing imployed in the buſines, ſhould publiſh a diſcription and forme of the late Mask, wherewithall it pleaſed the Queenes moſt excellent Maieſtie to ſolemnize the creation of the high and mightie Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, in regard to preſerue the memorie thereof, and to ſatiſfie their deſires, who could haue no other notice, but by others report of what was done. Which I doe not, out of a deſire, to be ſeene in pamphlets, or of forwardnes to ſhew my inuētion therin: for I thank God, I labour not with that diſeaſe of oſtentation, nor affect to be known to be the man digitoɋ’ monſtrarier, hic eſt, hauing my name already wider in this kind, then I deſire, and more in the winde then I would. Neither doe I ſeeke in the divulging hereof, to giue it other colours then thoſe it wore, or to make an Apologie of what I haue done: knowing, howſoeuer, it muſt paſſe the way of cenſure, whereunto I ſee all publications ( of what nature ſoeuer) are liable. And my long experience of the world, hath taught me this, that neuer Remonſtrances nor Apologies could euer get ouer the ſtreame of opinion, to doe good on the other ſide, where contrarie affection, and conceipt had to doe: but onely ſerued to entertaine their owne partialneſſe, who were fore-perſwaded, and ſo was a labour in vaine. And it is oftentimes an argument of puſilanimitie, and may make vt iudicium noſtrum, metus videatur, and render a good cauſe ſuſpected by too much labouring to defend it, which might be the reaſon that ſome of the late greateſt Princes of Chriſtendome would neuer haue their vndertakings made good by ſuch courſes, but with ſilence indured (and in a moſt wittie age) the greateſt batterie of paper that could poſſibly be made, & neuer once recharged the leaſt ordinance of a pen againſt it, counting it their glorie to do whileſt other talked. And ſhall we who are the poore Inginers for ſhadowes, & frame onely images of no reſult, thinke to oppreſſe the rough cenſures of thoſe, who notwithſtanding all our labour will like according to their taſte, or ſeeke to auoid them by flying to an Army of Authors as idle as ourſelues? Seeing there is nothing done or written, but incounters with detraction and oppoſition, which isan excellent argument of all our imbecillities & might allay our preſumption, when we ſhall ſee our greateſt knowledges not to be fixt, but rowle according to the vncertaine motion of opinion, and controwleable by any ſurly ſhew of reaſon, which we find is double edged and ſtrikes euery way alike. And therefore I do not ſee why any man ſhould rate his owne at that valew, and ſet ſo low priſes vpon other mens abilities. L'homme vaut l'homme, a man is worth a man, and none hath gotten ſo high a ſtation of vnderſtanding, but he ſhall find others that are built on an equall floore with him, and haue as far a proſpect as he, which when al is done, is but in a region ſubiect to al paſſiōs & imperfections.

 And for theſe figures of mine, if they come not drawn in all proportions to the life of antiquity (from whoſe tyrannie, I ſee no reaſon why we may not emancipate our inuentions, and be as free as they, to vſe our owne imageſ) yet I know them ſuch as were proper to the buſines, and diſcharged thoſe parts for which they ſerued, with as good correſpondencie, as our appointed limitations would permit.

 But in theſe things wherein the onely life conſiſts in ſhew: the arte and inuention of the Architect giues the greateſt grace, and is of moſt importance: ours, the leaſt part and of leaſt note in the time of the performance thereof, and therefore haue I interſerted the diſcription of the artificiall part which only ſpeakes M. Inago Iones.

TETHYS FESTIVALL.

WHEREIN TETHYS¹ QVEENE OF the Ocean, and wife of Neptune, attended with thirteene Nymphs of ſeuerall Riuers, is repreſented in this manner:

Firſt the Queenes Maieſtie in the figure of Tethys. The Ladies in the ſhape of Nimphes, preſiding ſeuerall Riuers, appropriaten, either to their dignitie, Signiories or places of birth.

1 Whereof the firſt was the Ladie Elizabeths grace repreſenting the Nymph of Thames.

2 The Ladie Arbella the Nymph of Trent.

3 The Counteſſe of Arundell the Nymph of Arun.²

4 The Counteſſe of Darbie the Nymph of Darwent.³

5 The Counteſſe of Eſſex the Nymph of Lee.⁴

6 The Counteſſe of Dorcet the Nymph of Ayr.⁵

7 The Counteſſe of Mongommerie, the Nymph of Severn.⁶

8 The Vicounteſſe Haddington the Nymph of Rother.⁷

9 The Ladie Elizabeth Gray the Nymph of Medway.⁸

Theſe foure Riuers are in Monmouth ſhire.

The Ladie Elizabeth Guilford, the Nymph of Duleſſe.

The Ladie Katherine Peeter, the Nymph of Olwy.

The Ladie Winter, the Nymph of Wy.

The Ladie Winſor, the Nymph of Vske.

The diſcription of the firſt Scene.

On the Trauers which ſerued as a curtaine for the firſt Scene, was figured a darke cloude, interſer with certaine ſparkling ſtarres, which, at the ſound of a loud muſick, being inſtantly drawne, the Scene was diſcouered with theſe adornementſ: Firſt on eyther ſide ſtood a great ſtatue of twelue foot high, repreſenting Neptune and Nereus. Neptune holding a Trident, with an Anchor made to it, and this Mot. His artibuſ: that is, Regendo, & retinendo, alluding to this verſe of Virgill, He tibi erunt artes, &c. Nereus holding out a golden fiſh in a net, with this word Induſtria: the reaſon whereof is deliuered after, in the ſpeech vttered by Triton. Theſe Sea-gods ſtood on pedeſtals and were al of gold. Behinde them were two pillaſters, on which hung compartments with other deuiſes: and theſe bore vp a rich Freeze, wherein were figures of tenne foote long, of flouds, and Nymphes, with a number of naked children, dallying with a draperie, which they ſeemed to holde vp, that the Scene might be ſeene, and the ends thereof fell downe in foldes by the pillaſters. In the midſt was a compartment, with this inſcription, Tethyos Epinicia, Tethys feaſts of triumph. This was ſupported with two winged boyes, and all the worke was done with that force and boldneſſe on the gold and ſiluer, as the figures ſeemed round and not painted.

The Scene it ſelfe was a Port or Hauen, with Bulworkes at the entrance, and the figure of a Caſtle commaunding a fortified towne: within this Port were many Ships, ſmall and great, ſeeming to lie at Anchor, ſome neerer, and ſome further off⁹, according to perſpectiue: beyond all appeared the Horiſon or termination of the Sea, which ſeemed to mooue with a gentle gale, and many Sayles, lying ſome to come into the Port, and others paſſing out. From this Scene iſſued Zephirus with eight Naydes, Nymphs of fountaines, and two Tritons ſent from Tethys to giue notice of her intendement, which was the Ante-maske or firſt ſhew. The Duke of Yorke preſented Zephirus, in a ſhort robe of greene ſatin imbrodered with golden flowers with a round wing made of lawnes on wyers, and hung down in labels. Behind his ſhoulders two ſiluer wings. On his head a Garland of flowers conſiſting of all colours, and on one Arme which was out bare, he wore a bracelet of gold ſet with rich ſtones. Eight little Ladies neere of his ſtature repreſented the Naydes, and were attired in light robes adorned with flowers, their haire hanging downe, and wauing with Garlands of water ornaments on their heads.

 The Tritons wore skin-coates of watchet Taffata (lightned with ſiluer) to ſhew the Muſcles of their bodies. From the waſte almoſt to the knee were finnes of ſiluer in the manner of baſes, a mantle of Sea-greene laced, and fringed with golde, tyed with a knot vppon one ſhoulder, and falling down in foldes behinde, was faſtened to the contrary ſide: on their heads garlands of Sedge, with trumpets of writhen ſhels in their hand: Buskins of Sea-greene laid with ſiluer lace. Theſe perſons thus attired, entred with this ſong of foure parts, and a muſicke of twelue Lutes.

Youth of the ſpring, milde Zephirus blow faire,

    And breath the ioyfull ayre,

Which Tethys wiſhes may attend this day,

  Who comes her ſelfe to pay

  The vowes her heart preſents,

  To theſe faire complements.

Breath out new flowers, which yet were neuer knowne

  Vnto the ſpring, nor blowne

Before this time, to bewtifie the earth

  And as this day giues birth

   Vnto new types of ſtate,

   So let it bliſſe create.

Beare Tethys meſſage to the Ocean King,

  Say how ſhe ioyes to bring

Delight vnto his Ilands and his Seas,

  And tell Meliades

 The of-ſpring of his bood,

 How ſhe applaudes his good

   The ſong ended, Triton in the behalfe of Zephirus deliuers Tethys meſſage with her Preſents (which was a Trident to the King, and a rich ſword and skarfe to the Prince of Waleſ) in theſe wordes.

From that intelligence which moues the Sphere

Of circling waues (the mightie Tethys, Queene

Of Nymphes and riuers, who will ſtraight appeare,

And in a humane Character be ſeene)

We haue in charge to ſay, that euen as Seas

And lands, are grac'd by men of worth and might,

ſo they returne their fauours; and in theſe

Exalting of the good ſeeme to delight.

Which ſhe, in glory, lately viſiting

The ſweete, and pleaſant Shores of Cambria, found

By an vnvſuall, and moſt forward Spring

Of comfort, wherewith all things did abound,

For ioy of the Inueſtiture at hand

Of their new Prince, whoſe Rites, with acts renownd

Were here to be ſolemniz'd on this Strand:

And therefore ſtreight reſolues t'adorne the day

With her al-gracing preſence, and the traine,

Of ſome choice Nymphs ſhe pleas'd to call away

From ſeuerall Riuers which they entertaine.

  And firſt the louely Nymphe of ſtately Thames,

(The darling of the Ocean) ſummond is:

Then thoſe of Trent and Aruns gracefull ſtreames,

Then Darwent next with cleare-wau'd worthineſſe.

The beauteous Nymph of Chrystall-ſtreaming Lee

Giues next attendance: Then the Nymph of Ayr

With modeſt motion makes her ſweete repaire.

The Nymph of Seuerne follows in degree,

With ample ſtreames of grace: and next to her

The cheerefull Nymph of Rother doth appaere

With comely Medway, th'ornament of Kent,

And then foure goodly Nymphes that beutifie

Cambers faire ſhores, and all that Continent

The graces of cleere Vske, Olwy, Duleſſe, Wy.

  All theſe within the goodly ſpacious Bay

Of manifold inharboring Milford meete,

The happy Port of Vnion, which gaue way

To that great Heros Henry, and his fleete,

To make the bleſt coniunction that beg at

A greater, and more glorious far then that.

  From hence ſhe ſends her deare lou'd Zephirus;

To breath out her affection and her zeale

To you great Monarch of Oceanus,

And to preſent this Trident as the ſeale

And enſigne of her loue and of your right.

 And therewithall ſhe wils him, greete the Lord

And Prince of th’Iles (the hope and the delight,

Of all the Northerne Nations) with this ſword

Which ſhe vnto Aſtrea ſacred found,

And not to be vnſheath'd but on iuſt ground.

Herewith, ſayes ſhe, deliuer him from mee

This skarffe, the zone of loue and Amitie,

Tingird the ſame; wherein he may ſuruay,

Infigur’d all the ſpacious Emperie

That he is borne vnto another day.

Which, tell him, will be world enough to yeeld

All workes of glory euer can be wrought.

Let him not paſſe the circle of that field,

But thinke Alcides pillars are the knot

For there will be within the large extent

Of theſe my waues, and watry Gouernement

More treaſure, and more certaine riches got

Then all the Indies to Iberus brought,

For Nereus will by induſtry vnfold

A Chimicke ſecret, and turne fiſh to gold.

  This charge ſhe gaue, and lookes with ſuch a cheere

As did her comfort and delight bewray,

Like cleere Aurora when ſhe doth appeare

In brighteſt roabes to make a glorious day.

   The Speech ended, the Naydes daunce about Zephirus, and then withdraw them aſide, when ſuddenly at the ſound of a loud and fuller muſique, Tethys with her Nymphes appeares, with another Scene, which I will likewiſe deſcribe, in the language of the Architector, who contriued it, and ſpeakes in his owne meſtier to ſuch as are vnderſtāders & louers of that deſign. Firſt at the opening of the heauens appeared 3. circles of lights and glaſſes, one within another, and came downe in a ſtraight motion fiue foote, and then began to mooue circularly; which lights and motion ſo occupied the eyes of the ſpectators, that the manner of altering the scene was ſcarcely diſcerned: for in a moment the whole face of it was changed, the Port vaniſhed, and Tethys with her Nymphes appeared in their ſeuerall Cauernes gloriouſly adorned. This scene was comparted into 5. Neeces, whereof that in the middeſt had ſome ſlender pillowes of whole round, and were made of moderne Architecture in regard of roome: theſe were of burniſht gold, and bare vp the returnes of an Architraue, Freeze, and Corniſh of the ſame worke: on which, vpon eyther ſide was a Plinth directly ouer the pillers, & on them were placed, for finiſhings, two Dolphins of ſiluer, with their tailes wreathed together, which ſupported ouall vaſes of gold.

Betweene the two pillers on eyther ſide were great ornaments of relieuo, the Baſement were two huge Whales of ſiluer. Aboue in an action mounting were two Sea-horſes, and aboue them, on each ſide of Tethys ſeat was placed a great Trident. The ſeate or Throne it ſelfe was raiſed ſixe ſteps, and all couered with ſuch an artificiall ſtuffe, as ſeemed richer by candle, then any cloth of gold. The reſts for her armes were two Cherubines of gold: ouer her head was a great skallop of ſiluer, from which hung the foldes of this rich drapery.

Aboue the Skallop, and round about the ſides was a reſplendent freeze of iewell glaſſes or lights, which ſhewed like Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Emralds, and ſuch like,

The part which returned from the two Plinthes that bare vp the Dolphines, was circular, and made a hollowneſſe ouer Tethys head, and on this circle were 4. great Chartuſes of gold, which bore vp a round bowle of ſiluer, in mannner of a fountaine, with mask-heads of gold, out of which ran an artificiall water. On the middeſt of this was a triangular baſement formed of ſcrowles & leaues, and then a rich Vayle adorned with flutings, and inchaſed worke with a freeze of fiſhes, and a battaile of Tritons, out of whoſe mouthes, ſprang water into the Bowle vnderneath. On the top of this was a round globe of gold full of holes, out of which iſſued aboundance of water, ſome falling into the receipt below, ſome into the Ovall vaſe, borne vp by the Dolphines, and indeed there was no place in this great Aquatick throne, that was not filled with the ſprinckling of theſe two naturall ſeeming waters. The Neeces wherein the Ladies ſate, were foure, with Pillaſters of gold, mingled with ruſtick ſtones ſhewing like a minerall to make it more rocke, and Cauern-like, varying from that of Tethys throne. Equall with the heads of the Pillars was an Architraue of the ſame work, aboue was a circular frontiſpice, which roſe equall with the Bowle of the fountaine fore diſcribed. On the ruſtick frontiſpice lay two great figures in Rileue, which ſeemed to beare vp a Garland of Sea-weeds: to which from two antick Candleſtickes which ſtood ouer the Pillaſters were hanging Labells of gold. And theſe were the finiſhings of the top of the two Neeces next to that of Tethys.

  In the ſpace betweene the frontiſpice and the Architraue ſtood a great Concaue ſhel, wherein was the head of a Sea-god, and on either ſide the ſhell to fill vp the roome, two great mask heads in perfile. The other two Neeces which were outermoſt, were likewiſe borne vp with Pillaſters of gold, and for variation had ſquare frontiſpices, and againſt the ſtreight Architraue of the other was an Arch. All theſe were mingled with ruſtick, as before.

  In the middle betweene the frontiſpice & the Arch, was a Bowle or fountaine made of foure great skalops, borne vp by a great maske head which had likewiſe foure aſpects, and lying vpon this Arch (to fill vp the Concaues) were two figures turned halfe into fiſhes, theſe with their heads held vp the ſides of this Bowle: aboue this were three great Cherubines heads ſpouting water into the Bowle. On the middeſt of the ſquare frontiſpice ſtood a great vaſe adorned.

 The reſt of the ornaments conſiſted of maske-heads, ſpouting water, ſwannes, feſtons of maritime weedes, great ſhels, and ſuch like; and all this whole Scene was filled with the ſplendor of gold and ſiluer: onely ſome beautifull colours behinde to diſtinguiſh them, and to ſet off the reſt.

  The whole worke came into the forme of a halfe round: there ſate three Ladies in each Neece, which made ſixe of a ſide: the Queene in the middeſt, and the Lady Elizabeth at her feete.

  Now concerning their habite: firſt their head-tire was compoſed of ſhels and corrall, and from a great Muriake ſhell in forme of the creſt of an helme, hung a thin wauing vaile. Their vpper garments had the boddies of sky-colored taffataes for lightnes, all embrodered with maritime inuention: then had they a kinde of halfe skirts of cloth of ſiluer imbrodered with golde, all the groūd work cut out for lightnes which hung down ful, & cut in points: vnderneath that, came baſes (of the ſame as was their bodies) beneath their knee. The long skirt was wrought with lace, waued round about like a Riuer, and on the bankes ſedge and Sea-weedes, all of gold. Their ſhoulders were all imbrodered with the worke of the ſhort skirt of cloth of ſiluer, and had cypreſſe ſpangled, ruffed out, and fell in a ruffe aboue the Elbow. The vnder ſleeues were all imbrodered as the bodies: their ſhoes were of Satin, richly imbrodered, with the worke of the ſhort skirt.

 In this habite they diſcended out of their Cauernes one after another, and ſo marched vp with winding meanders like a Riuer, till they came to the Tree of victory, which was a Bay erected at the right ſide of the ſtate, vpon a little mount there raiſed, where they offer their ſeuerall flowers in golden vrnes which they bare in their hands: whilſt a ſoft muſique of twelue Lutes and twelue voyces, which entertained the time, expreſt as a Chorus, their action in this manner.

WAs euer houre brought more delight

  To mortall ſight,

Then this, wherein faire Tethys daignes to ſhew

    Her, and her Nymphes arow

   In glory bright?

See how they bring their flowers,

   From out their watry bowers,

   To decke Apollos Tree,

   The tree of victory.

About whoſe verdant bowes,

They Sacrifice their vowes,

    And wiſh an euerlaſting ſpring

   Of glory, to the Oceans King.

 This ſonge and ceremony ended they fall into their firſt daunce, after which Tethys with drawes and repoſes her vpon the Mount vnder the tree of victory, entertain’d with Muſicque and this ſong.

If ioy had other figure

  Then ſoundes, and wordes, and motion,

To intimate the meaſure,

  And height of our deuotion:

 This day it had beene ſhow'd

 But what it can, it doth performe,

Since nature hath beſtowd

 No other letter,

  To expreſſe it better,

  Then in this forme;

Our motions, ſoundes, and wordes,

  Tun'd to accordes,

Must ſhew the well-ſet partes,

Of our affections and our harts,

 After this Tethys riſes, and with her Nymphes performes her ſecond daunce, and then repoſes her againe vpon the Mount, entertaind with another ſonge.

Are they ſhadowes that we ſee?

  And can ſhadowes pleaſure giue?

  Pleaſures onely ſhadowes bee

 Caſt by bodies we conceiue,

 And are made the thinges we deeme,

 In thoſe figures which they ſeeme.

But theſe pleaſures vaniſh faſt,

Which by ſhadowes are expreſt

 Pleaſures are not, if they laſt,

 In their paſſing, is their beſt.

  Glory is moſt bright and gay

  In a flaſh, and ſo away.

Feed apace then greedy eyeſ

On the wonder you behold.

 Take it ſodaine as it flies

 Though you take it not to hold:

 When your eyes haue done their part,

 Thought muſt length it in the hart.

After this ſonge Tethys againe ariſes, and with her Nymphes, taketh out the Lordes to daunce their Meaſures Corantos and Galliardes, which done they fall into their third and retyring daunce, wherewith they returne againe into their ſeuerall Cauernes, and ſodainely vaniſh. When to auoid the confuſion which vſually attendeth the deſolue of theſe ſhewes; and when all was thought to be finiſht, followed another entertainement, and was a third ſhew no leſſe delightfull than the reſt, whoſe introduction was thus.

Zephirus marching a certaine ſpace after Tethys and her Nymphes, attended with his Tritons, a ſodaine flaſh of lightning cauſes them to ſtay, and Triton deliuereth this ſpeech.

Behold the Poſt of heauen, bright Mercury

Is ſent to ſommon and recall againe,

Imperial Tethys with her company,

Vnto her watry Manſion in the maine:

And ſhift thoſe firmes, wherein her power did daigne

T inueſt her ſelfe and hers, and to reſtore

Them to themſelues whoſe beauteous ſhapes they wore.

 And then bowing himſelfe to wardes the State, craueth their ſtay, and prepareth them, to the expectation of a returne of the Queene and her Ladies in their formes, with theſe wordes.

ANd now bright Starre the Guidon of this ſtate,

And you great Peeres the ornaments of power

With all theſe glittering troupes that haue the fate,

To be ſpectators of this bleſſed houre.

Be pleaſd to ſit a while, and you ſhall ſee

A transformation of farre more delight

And apter drawne to nature, then can be

Diſcrib’d in an imaginary ſight.

  Triton hauing ended his ſpeech, Mercury moſt artificially, and in an exquiſite poſture deſcends, and ſommons the Duke of Yorke, and ſix young Noble-men to attend him, and bring backe the Queene and her Ladies in their owne forme, directing him to the place where to finde them; with this ſpeech.

FAire branch of power, in whoſe ſweete feature here

Milde Zephirus a figure did preſent

Of youth and of the ſpring-time of the yeare

I ſommon you, and ſix of high diſcent

T’attend on you (as hopefull worthyes borne

To ſhield the Honour and the cleare Renowne

Of Ladies) that you preſently returne

And bring backe thoſe, in whoſe faire ſhapes were ſhowne

The late-ſeene Nymphes in figures of their owne

Whom you ſhall finde hard by within a groue

And Garden of the ſpring addreſt to Ioue.

  Hereupon the Duke of Yorke with his attendants departing to performe this ſeruice, the lowde Muſicque ſoundes, and ſodainely appeares the Queenes Maieſty in a moſt pleaſant and artificiall Groue, which was the third Scene, and from thence they march vp to the King conducted by the Duke of Yorke, and the Noblemen, in very ſtately manner.

  And in all theſe ſhewes, this is to be noted, that there were none of inferiour ſort, mixed amongſt theſe great Perſonages of State and Honour (as vſually there haue beene) but all was performed by themſelues with a due reſeruation of their dignity. And for thoſe two which did Perſonate the Tritons, they were Gentlemen knowne of good worth and reſpect. The introducing of Pages with torches, might haue added more ſplendor, but yet they would haue peſtred the roome, which the ſeaſon would not well permit.

  And thus haue I deliuered the whole forme of this ſhew, and expoſe it to the cenſure of thoſe who make it their beſt ſhow, to ſeeme to know: with this Poſtſcript.

Pretulerim ſcriptor delirus inerſque videri

Dum mea delectant mala me, vel denique fallant,

Quam ſapere & ringi.

S. D.