TETHYS’
FESTIVAL: OR THE QUEEN’S WAKE
Celebrated
at Whitehall, the fifth day of June 1610.
Devised
by Samuel Daniel,
one of the
grooms of her Majesty’s
most honourable Privy
Chamber.
London.
Printed
for John Budge.
1610.
The
Preface to the Reader.
For
so
much as shows and spectacles of this nature are usually regist’red
among the memorable acts of the time being complements of state, both
to show magnificence and to celebrate the feasts to our greatest
respects, it is expected (according now to the custom) that I, being
employed in the business, should publish a description and form of
the late masque, wherewithal it pleased the queen’s most excellent
Majesty to solemnize the creation of the high and mighty Prince
Henry, Prince of Wales, in regard to preserve the memory thereof, and
to satisfy their desires, who could have no other notice but by
others’ report of what was done. Which I do not, out of a desire,
to be seen in pamphlets, or of forwardness to show my invention
therein: for I thank God, I labour not with that disease of
ostentation, nor affect, to be known to be the man digitoque
monstrarier, hic est,
having my name already wider in this kind than I desire, and more in
the wind than I would. Neither do I seek in the divulging hereof, to
give it other colours than those it wore, or to make an apology of
what I have done: knowing, howsoever, it must pass the way of
censure, whereunto I see all publications (of what nature soever) are
liable. And my long experience of the world hath taught me this: that
never remonstrances nor apologies could ever get over the stream of
opinion, to do good on the other side, where contrary affection and
conceit had to do, but only served to entertain their own
partialness, who were fore-persuaded, and so was a labour in vain.
And it is oftentimes an argument of pusillanimity, and may make ut
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
Christendom would never have their undertakings made good by such
courses, but with silence endured (and in a most witty age) the
greatest battery of paper that could possibly be made, and never once
recharged the least ordinance of a pen against it, counting it their
glory to do whilst other talked.
And
shall we, who are the poor engineers for shadows and frame only
images of no result, think to oppress the rough censures of those
who, notwithstanding all our labour, will like according to their
taste, or seek to avoid them by flying to an army of authors as idle
as ourselves? Seeing there is nothing done or written, but encounters
with detraction and opposition, which is an excellent argument of all
our imbecilities and might allay our presumption, when we shall see
our greatest knowledges not to be fixed, but roll according to the
uncertain motion of opinion, and controllable
by any surly show of reason, which we find is double edged and
strikes every way alike.
And
therefore, I do not see why any man should rate his own at that value
and
set so low prices upon other men’s abilities. L'homme
vaut l'homme:
“a man is worth a man”, and none hath gotten so high a station of
understanding, but he shall find others that are built on an equal
floor with him, and have as far a prospect as he which when all is
done is but in a region subject to al passions and imperfections.
And
for these figures of mine, if they come not drawn in all proportions
to the life of antiquity (from whose tyranny I see no reason why we
may not emancipate our inventions, and be as free as they to use our
own images) yet I know them such as were proper to the business, and
discharged those parts for which they served, with as good
correspondency
as our appointed limitations would permit.
But
in these things wherein the only life consists in show the art and
invention of the architect gives 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 have I interserted
the description of the artificial part which only speaks M. Inigo
Jones.
FESTIVAL.
Tethys
Queen of the Ocean, and wife of Neptune, attended with thirteen
nymphs of several rivers, is represented in this manner:
First
the queen’s Majesty in the figure of Tethys. The Ladies in the
shape of nymphs, presiding several
rivers, appropriate,
either to their dignity, signories or places of birth.
Whereof the first was the Lady Elizabeth’s grace, representing the
nymph of Thames.
The Lady Arbella, the nymph of Trent.
The Countess of Arundel, the nymph of Arun.
The Countess of Derby, the nymph of Derwent.
The Countess of Essex, the nymph of Lee.
The Countess of Dorset, the nymph of Ayr.
The Countess of Montgomery, the nymph of Severn.
The Viscountess Haddington, the nymph of Rother.
The Lady Elizabeth Gray, the nymph of Medway.
four rivers are in Monmouthshire.
Lady Elizabeth Guilford, the nymph of Dulas.
Lady Katherine Peeter, the nymph of Olwy.
Lady Winter, the nymph of Wye.
Lady Winsor, the nymph of Usk.
The
description of the first scene.
On
the traverse
which served as a curtain for the first scene was figured a dark
cloud, intersert with certain sparkling stars, which, at the sound of
a loud music, being instantly drawn, the scene was discovered with
these adornments:
first,
on either side stood a great statue of twelve foot high, representing
Neptune and Nereus.
Neptune holding a trident, with an anchor made to it, and this motto,
his
artibus,
that is: regendo,
and retinendo,
alluding to this verse of Virgil: Hae
tibi erunt artes, &c.
Nereus holding out a golden fish in a net, with this word Industria,
the reason whereof is delivered after, in the speech uttered by
Triton. These sea-gods stood on pedestals and were all of gold.
Behind them were two pilasters on which hung compartments with other
devices, and these bore up a rich frieze, wherein were figures of ten
foot long, of floods, and nymphs, with a number of naked children
dallying with a drapery, which they seemed to hold up, that the scene
might be seen, and the ends thereof fell down in folds by the
pilasters. In the midst was a compartment, with this inscription:
Tethyos
Epinicia,
Tethys’ feasts of triumph. This was supported with two winged boys
and all the work was done with that force and boldness on the gold
and silver, as the figures seemed round and not painted.
The
scene itself was a port or haven with bulwarks at the entrance and
the figure of a castle commanding a fortified town. Within this port
were many ships, small and great, seeming to lie at anchor, some
nearer, and some further off, according to perspective. Beyond all
appeared the horizon or termination of the sea, which seemed to move
with a gentle gale, and many sails, lying some to come into the port,
and others passing out. From this scene issued Zephyrus
with
eight naiads, nymphs of fountains, and two Tritons
sent
from Tethys
to
give notice of her intendment, which was the ante-masque or first
show. The Duke of York presented Zephyrus,
in a short robe of green satin embroidered with golden flowers
with
a round wing
made of lawns on wires and hung down in labels. Behind his shoulders
two silver wings. On his head a garland of flowers consisting of all
colours, and on one arm which was out bare he wore a bracelet of gold
set with rich stones. Eight little ladies near of his stature
represented the naiads, and were attired in light robes adorned with
flowers, their hair hanging down, and waving with garlands of water
ornaments on their heads.
The
Tritons wore skin-coats of watchet
taffeta (light’ned with silver) to show the muscles of their
bodies. From the waist almost to the knee were fins of silver in the
manner of bases, a mantle of sea-green laced and fringed with gold,
tied with a knot upon one shoulder and falling down in folds behind,
was fastened to the contrary side. On their heads, garlands of
sedge,
with trumpets of writhen shells, in their hand, buskins of sea-green
laid with silver lace. These persons thus attired, ent’red with
this song of four parts, and a music of twelve lutes.
Youth
of the spring, mild Zephyrus blow fair
And
breathe the joyful air
Tethys wishes may attend this day,
Who
comes herself to pay
The
vows her heart presents
To
these fair complements.
out new flowers, which yet were never known
Unto
the spring, nor blown
this time, to beautify the earth
And
as this day gives birth
Unto
new types of state,
So
let it bliss create.
Tethys’ message to the Ocean king,
Say
how she joys to bring
unto his islands and his seas,
And
tell Meliades
The
offspring of his blood,
How
she applauds his good.
song ended, Triton in the behalf of Zephyrus delivers Tethys’
message with her presents (which was a trident to the king, and a
rich sword and scarf to the Prince of Wales) in these words:
that intelligence which moves the sphere
circling waves (the mighty Tethys, queen
nymphs and rivers, who will straight appear
in a human character be seen)
have in charge to say, that even as seas
lands are grac’d by men of worth and might,
they return their favours and, in these
of the good, seem to delight.
she, in glory, lately visiting
sweet and pleasant shores of Cambria,
found
an unusual and most forward spring
comfort, wherewith all things did abound,
joy of the investiture at hand
their new prince, whose rites, with acts renown’d,
here to be solemniz’d on this strand.
therefore, straight resolves t’ adorn the day
her all-gracing presence, and the train
some choice nymphs she pleas’d to call away
several rivers which they entertain.
And
first the lovely nymph of stately Thames,
darling of the Ocean) summon’d is,
those of Trent and Arun’s graceful streams,
Derwent next with clear-wav’d worthiness.
beauteous nymph of crystal-streaming Lee
next attendance, then the nymph of Ayr
modest motion makes her sweet repair.
nymph of Severn follows in degree,
ample streams of grace, and next to her
cheerful nymph of Rother doth appear
comely Medway, th’ ornament of Kent,
then four goodly nymphs that beautify
fair shores, and all that continent
graces of clear Usk, Olway, Dulas, Wye.
All
these within the goodly spacious bay
manifold enharbouring Milford
meet,
happy Port of Union, which gave way
that great heroes Henry and his fleet
make the blest conjunction that beg at
greater and more glorious far then that.
From
hence she sends her dear lov’d Zephyrus
breathe out her affection and her zeal
you great monarch of Oceanus,
to present this trident as the seal
ensign of her love and of your right.
And
therewithal she wills him greet the lord
Prince of th’ Isles (the hope and the delight,
all the Northern Nations) with this sword
she unto Astrea
sacred found,
not to be unsheath’d but on just ground.
says she, “deliver him from me
scarf, the zone of love and amity,
engird
the same; wherein he may survey,
all the spacious empery
he is borne unto another day.
tell him, will be world enough to yield
works of glory ever can be wrought.
him not pass the circle of that field,
think Alcides’ pillars
are the knot
there will be within the large extent
these my waves and watery government
treasure, and more certain riches got,
all the Indies to Iberus
brought,
Nereus will by industry unfold
chemic
secret, and turn fish to gold”.
charge she gave, and looks with such a cheer
did her comfort and delight bewray,
clear Aurora when she doth appear
brightest robes to make a glorious day.
The
speech ended, the naiads dance about Zephyrus,
and then withdraw them aside, when suddenly at the sound of a loud
and fuller music Tethys
with
her nymphs appears, with another scene, which I will likewise
describe, in the language of the architector
who contrived it, and speaks in his own mestier
to such as are understanders and lovers of that design: first at the
opening of the heavens appeared 3 circles of lights and glasses, one
within another, and came down in a straight motion five foot,
and then began to move 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 nymphs appeared in their several caverns gloriously adorned. This
scene was comparted into 5 neeces,
whereof that in the midst had some slender pillows
of whole round, and were made of modern architecture. In regard of
room these were of burnisht gold, and bare up the returns of an
architrave, freeze, and cornish
of the same work, on which, upon either side was a plinth
directly over the pillars, and on them were placed, for finishings,
two dolphins of silver, with their tails wreathed together, which
supported oval vases of gold.
Between
the two pillars on either side were great ornaments of relievo,
the basement were two huge whales of silver. Above in an action
mounting were two seahorses and above them, on each side of Tethys’
seat was placed a great trident. The seat or throne itself was raised
six steps and all covered with such an artificial stuff as seemed
richer by candle then any cloth of gold. The rests for her arms were
two cherubines
of gold, over her head was a great scallop of silver from which hung
the folds of this rich drapery. Above the scallop, and round about
the sides, was a resplendent freeze of jewel glasses or lights which
shewed like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, em’ralds, and such like.
The part which returned from the two plinths that bare up the
dolphins was circular and made a hollowness over Tethys’ head, and
on this circle were 4 great chartuses
of gold which bore up a round bowl of silver in manner of a fountain,
with mask-heads of gold out of which ran an artificial water. On the
midst of this was a triangular basement form’d of scrolls and
leaves, and then a rich veil
adorned with flutings, and enchased
work with a freeze of fishes, and a battaile
of tritons out of whose mouths sprang water into the bowl underneath.
On the top of this was a round globe of gold full of holes, out of
which issued abundance of water, some falling into the receipt below,
some into the oval vase borne up by the dolphins, and indeed there
was no place in this great aquatic throne that was not filled with
the sprinkling of these two natural seeming waters. The niches
wherein the ladies sat were four with pilasters of gold, mingled with
rustic
stones showing like a mineral to make it more rock and cavern-like,
varying from that of Tethys’ throne.
Equal
with the heads of the pillars was an architrave of the same work,
above was a circular frontispiece which rose equal with the bowl of
the fountain fore described. On the rustic
frontispiece lay two great figures in relieve which seemed to bear up
a garland of sea-weeds to which from two antick candlesticks which
stood over the pilasters were hanging labels of gold. And these were
the finishings of the top of the two niches next to that of Tethys.
In the space between the frontispiece and the architrave stood a
great concave shell wherein was the head of a sea-god and on either
side [of] the shell, to fill up the room, two great mask-heads in
profile. The other two niches which were outermost, were likewise
borne up with pilasters of gold, and for variation had square
frontispieces; and against the straight architrave of the other was
an arch. All these were mingled with rustic as before. In the middle
between the frontispiece and the arch, was a bowl or fountain made of
four great scallops borne up by a great mask-head which had likewise
four aspects; and lying upon this arch (to fill up the concaves) were
two figures turned half into fishes, these with their heads held up
the sides of this bowl; above this were three great cherubines’
heads spouting water into the bowl. On the midst of the square
frontispiece stood a great vase adorned.
The
rest of the ornaments consisted of mask-heads spouting water, swans,
festoons of maritime weeds, great shells and such like; and all this
whole scene was filled with the splendour of gold and silver, only
some beautiful colours behind to distinguish them and to set off the
rest.
The
whole work came into the form of a half round: there sat three ladies
in each niche which made six of a side: the queen in the midst, and
the lady Elizabeth at her feet.
Now,
concerning their habit: first their head-tire was composed of shells
and coral, and from a great Muriak
shell in form of the crest of an helm hung a thin waving veil. Their
upper garments had the bodies of sky-coloured taffetas for lightness,
all embroidered with maritime invention. Then had they a kind of half
skirts of cloth of silver embroidered
with gold, all the groundwork cut out for lightness which hung down
full and cut in points; underneath that came bases
(of the same as was their bodies) beneath their knee. The long skirt
was wrought with lace, waved round about like a river, and on the
banks sedge and sea-weeds all of gold. Their shoulders were all
embroidered with the work of the short skirt of cloth of silver and
had cypress spangled, ruffed out, and fell in a ruff above the elbow.
The under-sleeves were all embroidered as the bodies: their shoes
were of satin, richly embroidered, with the work of the short skirt.
In
this habit they descended out of their caverns one after another and
so marched up with winding meanders like a river till they came to
the tree of victory, which was a bay erected at the right side of the
state upon a little mount there raised, where they offer their
several flowers in golden urns which they bare in their hands whilst
a soft music of twelve lutes and twelve voices which entertained the
time expresst as a Chorus their action in this manner:
ever hour brought more delight
To
mortal sight
this, wherein fair Tethys deigns to show
Her
and her nymphs a-row
In
glory bright?
how they bring their flowers
From
out their watery bowers,
To
deck Apollo’s tree,
The
tree of victory,
whose verdant bows
sacrifice their vows
And
wish an everlasting spring
Of
glory to the ocean’s king.
song and ceremony ended they fall into their first dance, after which
Tethys withdraws and reposes her upon the mount under the tree of
victory, entertain’d with music and this song:
joy had other figure
Than
sounds, and words, and motion,
intimate the measure
And
height of our devotion,
This
day it had been show’d
But
what it can it doth perform,
nature hath bestow’d
No
other letter
To
express it better
Than
in this form:
motions, sounds, and words,
Tun’d
to accords,
Must
show the well-set parts
our affections and our hearts.
this, Tethys rises and with her nymphs performs her second dance and
then reposes her again upon the mount, entertain’d with another
song.
they shadows that we see?
And
can shadows pleasure give?
Pleasures
only shadows be
Cast
by bodies we conceive
And
are made the things we deem
In
those figures which they seem.
these pleasures vanish fast,
by shadows 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.
apace then greedy eyes
the wonder you behold.
Take
it sudden as it flies
Though
you take it not to hold:
When
your eyes have done their part
Thought
must length
it in the heart.
After
this song Tethys again arises, and with her nymphs taketh out the
lords to dance their measures, corantos
and galliards,
which done they fall into their third and retiring dance wherewith
they return again into their several caverns, and suddenly vanish.
When, to avoid the confusion which usually attendeth the dissolve of
these shows, and when all was thought to be finisht, followed another
entertainment, and was a third show no less delightful than the rest,
whose introduction was thus: Zephyrus marching a certain space after
Tethys and her nymphs, attended with his tritons, a sudden
flash of lightning causes them to stay, and Triton delivereth this
speech:
The post of heaven, bright Mercury,
sent to summon and recall again
Tethys with her company,
her watery mansion in the main
shift those firms wherein her power did deign
herself and hers, and to restore
to themselves, whose beauteous shapes they wore.
And
then, bowing himself towards the state, craveth their stay, and
prepareth them to the expectation of a return of the queen and her
ladies in their forms with these words:
now, bright star, the guidon
of this state
you great peers, the ornaments of power,
all these glittering troupes that have the fate
be spectators of this blessed hour,
pleas’d to sit a while, and you shall see
transformation of far more delight
apter drawn to nature than can be
in an imaginary sight.
Triton
having ended his speech, Mercury, most artificially and in an
exquisite posture, descends and summons the Duke of York and six
young noblemen to attend him, and bring back the queen and her ladies
in their own form, directing him to the place where to find them with
this speech:
branch of power, in whose sweet feature here
Zephyrus a figure did present
youth and of the springtime of the year,
summon you and six of high descent
attend on you (as hopeful worthies born
shield the honour and the clear renown
ladies) that you presently return
bring back those in whose fair shapes were shown
late-seen nymphs in figures of their own,
you shall find hard by within a grove
garden of the spring addresst to Jove.
Hereupon
the Duke of York with his attendants departing to perform this
service, the loud music sounds, and suddenly appears the queen’s
Majesty in a most pleasant and artificial grove, which was the third
scene, and from thence they march up to the king conducted by the
Duke of York and the noblemen in very stately manner. And in all
these shows, this is to be noted, that there were none of inferior
sort mixed amongst these great personages of state and honour (as
usually there have been), but all was perform’d by themselves with
a due reservation of their dignity. And for those two which did
personate the tritons, they were gentlemen known of good worth and
respect. The introducing of pages with torches might have added more
splendour, but yet they would have pest’red the room, which the
season would not well permit.
And
thus have I delivered the whole form of this show and exposed it to
the censure of those who make it their best show to seem to know,
with this Postscript:
scriptor delirus inersque videri
mea delectant mala me, vel denique fallant,
sapere et ringi.
S.
D.