The Fortunate Isles and Their Union

THE FORTVNATE ISLES .

His Matie being sett ,

ENtreth in , running , IOHPHIEL , an aëry spirit , and ( according to the Magi ) the Intelligence of Iupiters sphere : Attired in light silks of seuerall colours , with wings of the same , a bright yellow haire , a chaplet of flowers , blew silke stockings , and pumps , and gloues , with a siluer fan in his hand .

IOHPHIEL . Like a lightning from the skie , or an arrow shot by Loue , Or a Bird of his let fly ; Bee 't a Sparrow , or a Doue : With that winged hast , come I , loosed from the Sphere of Ioue , To wish good-night to your delight .

To him enters a Melancholique Student , in bare and worne cloathes , shrowded vnder an obscure cloake , and the eaues of an old hatt , fetching a deepe sigh , his name , Mr .

MERE-FOOLE . Oh , oh ! IOHPHIEL . In Saturn's name , the Father of my Lord ! What ouer-charged peice of Melancholie Is this , breakes in betweene my wishes thus , With bombing sighes ? MERE-FOOLE . No! no Intelligence ! Not yet ! and all my vowes now nine dayes old ! Blindnes of fate ! Puppies had seene by this time : But I see nothing ! that I should ! or would see ! What meane the Brethren of the Rosie-Crosse So to desert their votary ! IOHPHIEL . O! t is one Hath vow'd himselfe vnto that aërie order , And now is gaping for the flie they promis'd him . I 'll mixe a little with him for my sport . MERE-FOOLE . Haue I both in my lodging , and my diet , My cloaths , and euery other solemne charge Obseru'd 'hem ! made the naked bords my bed ! A fagot for my pillow ! hungred sore ! IOHPHIEL . And thirsted after 'hem ! MERE-FOOLE . To looke gaunt , and leane ! IOHPHIEL . Which will not be . MERE-FOOLE . ( Who 's that ? ) yes , and outwatcht , Yea , and out-walked any Ghost aliue In solitarie circle , worne my bootes , Knees , armes , and elbowes out ! IOHPHIEL . Ran on the score ! MERE-FOOLE . That haue I ( who suggests that ? ) and for more Then I will speake of , to abate this flesh , And haue not gaind the sight ; IOHPHIEL . Nay scarce the sense , MERE-FOOLE . ( Voice , thou art right ) of any thing but a cold Wind in my stomacke . IOHPHIEL . And a kind of whimsie . MERE-FOOLE . Here in my head , that puts me to the staggers , Whether there be that Brotherhood , or no . IOHPHIEL . Beleeue fraile man , they be : And thou shalt see . MERE-FOOLE . What shall I see ? IOHPHIEL . Mee . MERE-FOOLE . Thee ? Where ? IOHPHIEL . Here . If you Be Mr. Mere-Foole . MERE-FOOLE . Sir , our name is Mery-Foole . But by contraction Mere-Foole . IOHPHIEL . Then are you The wight I seeke : and Sr. my name is Iohphiel , Intelligence to the Sphere of Iupiter , An aëry iocular spirit , imploy'd to you From Father OVTIS . MERE-FOOLE . OVTIS ? who is hee ? IOHPHIEL . Know yee not OVTIS ? Then know Nobody : The good old Hermit , that was said to dwell Here in the forest without trees , that built The Castle in the aire , where all the Brethren Rhodostaurotick liue . It flies with wings , And runnes on wheeles : where Iulian de Campis Holds out the brandisht blade . MERE-FOOLE . Is 't possible They thinke on mee ? IOHPHIEL . Rise , be not lost in wonder , But heare mee , and be faithfull . All the Brethren Haue heard your vowes , salute you , and expect you , By mee , this next returne . But the good Father Has bin content to die for you . MERE-FOOLE . For mee ? IOHPHIEL . For you . Last New-years day , which some giue out Because it was his Birth-day , and began The yeare of Iubile , he would rest vpon it , Being his hundred fiue and twentith yeare : But the truth is , hauing obseru'd your Genesis , He would not liue , because he might leaue all He had to you . MERE-FOOLE . What had hee ? IOHPHIEL . Had ? An office , Two , three , or foure . MERE-FOOLE . Where ? IOHPHIEL . In the vpper Region : And that you 'll find . The Farme of the great Customes , Through all the Ports of the Aires Intelligences ; Then Constable of the Castle Rosy-Crosse : Which you must be , and Keeper of the Keyes Of the whole Kaball , with the Seales ; you shall be Principall Secretarie to the Starres ; Know all their signatures , and combinations , The diuine rods , and consecrated roots . What not ? Would you turne trees vp like the wind , To shew your strength ? march ouer heads of armies , Or points of pikes , to shew your lightnesse ? force All doores of arts , with the petarr , of your wit ? Reade at one view all books ? speake all the languages Of seuerall creatures ? master all the learnings Were , are , or shall be ? or , to shew your wealth , Open all treasures , hid by nature , from The rocke of Diamond , to the mine of Sea-coale ? Sir , you shall doe it . MERE-FOOLE . But how ? IOHPHIEL . Why , by his skill , Of which he has left you the inheritance , Here in a pot : this little gally pot , Of tincture , high rose tincture . Ther 's your a Order , You will ha' your Collar sent you , er 't be long . MERE-FOOLE . I lookt Sr. for a halter , I was desperate . IOHPHIEL . Reach forth your hand : MERE-FOOLE . O Sr. a broken sleeue Keepes the arme back as 't is i' the prouerbe . IOHPHIEL . Nay , For that I doe commend you : you must be poore With al your wealth , & learning . Whē you ha' made Your glasses , gardens in the depth of winter , Where you will walke inuisible to Mankinde , Talkt with all birds & beasts in their owne language , When you haue penetrated hills like ayre , Diu'd to the bottome of the Sea , like lead , And riss' againe like corke , walk't in the fire An 't were a Salamander , pass'd through all The winding orbes , like an Intelligence , Vp to the Empyreum , when you haue made The World your gallery , can dispatch a busines In some three minuts , with the Antipodes , And in fiue more , negotiate the Globe ouer ; You must be poore still . MERE-FOOLE . By my place , I know it . IOPHIEL . Where would you wish to be now ? or what to see ? Without the fortunate purse to beare your charges , Or wishing hat ? I will but touch your temples , The corners of your eyes , and tinct the tip , The very tip o' your nose , with this Collyrium And you shall see i' the aire all the Ideas , Spirits , and Atomes , Flies , that buz about This way , and that way , and are rather admirable , Then any way intelligible . MERE-FOOLE . O , come , tinct me , Tinct me : I long , saue this great belly , I long . But shall I onely see ? IOHPHIEL . See , and commaund As they were all your vallets , or your foot-boyes : But first you must declare , ( your Greatnes must , For that is now your stile ) what you would see , Or whom . MERE-FOOLE . Is that my stile ? My Greatnes , then , Would see King Zoroastres . IOHPHIEL . Why you shall : Or any one beside . Thinke whom you please ? Your thousand , Your ten thousand , to a million : All 's one to me , if you could name a myriad . MERE-FOOLE . I haue nam'd him . IOHPHIEL . You'haue reason . MERE-FOOLE . I , I haue reason . Because he 's said to be the Father of coniurers , And a cunning man i' the starres . IOHPHIEL . I , that 's it troubles vs . A little for the present : For , at this time He is confuting a French Almanack , But he will straight haue don , Ha' you but patience ; Or thinke but any other in meane time , Any hard name . MERE-FOOLE . Then , Hermes Trismegistus . IOHPHIEL . O , {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Why , you shall see him , A fine hard name . Or him , or whom you will , As I said to you afore . Or what do you thinke Of Howle-glasse , in stead of him ? MERE-FOOLE . No , him I haue a minde to . IOHPHIEL . O' , but Vlen-spiegle Were such a name ! but you shal haue your longing . What lucke is this , he should be busie to ? He is waighing water , but to fill three houreglasses , And marke the day in pen'orths like a cheese , And he has done . T is strange you should name him Of all the rest ! there being Iamblicus , Or Porphyrie , or Proclus , any name That is not busy . MERE-FOOLE . Let me see Pythagoras . IOHPHIEL . Good . MERE-FOOLE . or Plato , IOHPHIEL . Plato , is framing some Idea's , Are now bespoken , at a groat a dozen , Three grosse at least : And , for Pythagoras , He has rashly run himselfe on an imployment , Of keeping Asses from a feild of beanes ; And cannot be stau'd off . MERE-FOOLE . Then , Archimedes . IOHPHIEL . Yes , Archimedes ! MERE-FOOLE . I , or Aesope . IOHPHIEL . Nay , Hold your first man , a good man , Archimedes , And worthy to be seene ; but he is now Inventing a rare Mouse-trap with Owles wings And a Catts-foote , to catch the Mise alone : And Aesop , he is filing a Fox tongue , For a new fable he has made of Court ; But you shall see 'hem all , stay but your time And aske in season ; Things ask'd out of season A man denies himselfe . At such a time As Christmas , when disguising is o' foote , To aske of the inventions , and the men , The witts , and the ingines that moue those Orbes ! Me thinkes , you should enquire now , after Skelton , Or Mr. Scogan . MERE-FOOLE . Scogan ? what was he ? IOHPHIEL . O' a fine gentleman , and a Master of Arts , Of Henry the fourth's times , that made disguises For the Kings sonnes , and writ in ballad-royall Daintily well . MERE-FOOLE . But , wrote he like a Gentleman ? IOHPHIEL . In rime ! fine tinckling rime ! and flowand verse ! With now & then some sense ! & he was paid for 't , Regarded , and rewarded : which few Poets Are now adaies . MERE-FOOLE . And why . IOHPHIEL . 'Cause euery Dabler In rime is thought the same . But you shall see him . Hold vp your nose . MERE-FOOLE . I had rather see a Brathman , Or a Gymnosophist yet . IOHPHIEL . You shall see him , Sir . Is worth them both . And with him Domine Skelton , The worshipfull Poet Laureat to K. Harry And Tytire tu of those times . Aduance quick Scogan , And quicker Skelton , shew your craftie heads , Before this Heyre of arts , this Lord of learning , This Master of all knowledge in reuersion . Enter SKOGAN , and SKELTON in like habits , as they liu'd . SCOGAN . Seemeth wee are call'd of a morall intent If the words , that are spoken , as well now be ment . IOHPHIEL . That Mr. Scogan I dare you ensure . SCOGAN . Then , Sonne , our acquaintance is like to indure . MERE-FOOLE . A pretty game ! like Crambe Mr. Scogan , Giue me thy hand . Thou' art very leane , me thinks . Is 't liuing by thy witts ? SCOGAN . If it had bin that , My worshipfull Sonne , thou hadst ne'r bin so fatt . IOHPHIEL . He tels you true Sr. Here 's a gentleman ( My paire of crafty Clearkes ) of that high caract , As hardly hath the age produc't his like . Who not content with the witt of his owne times , Is curious to know yours , and what hath bin , MERE-FOOLE . Or is , or shall be . IOHPHIEL . Note his Latitude ! SKELTON . O , vir amplissimus ! ( Vt scholis dicimus ) Et gentilissimus ! IOHPHIEL . The question-issimus Is , should he aske a sight now , for his life ; I meane , a person , he would haue restor'd , To memorie of these times , for a Play-fellow , Whether you would present him , with an Hermes , Or , with an Howle-glas ? SKELTON . An Howleglasse To come , to passe On his Fathers Asse ; There neuer was , By day , nor night , A finer sight . With fethers vpright In his horned cap , And crooked shape , Much like an Ape . With Owle on fist , And Glasse at his wrist . SKOGAN . Except the soure Knaues entertain'd for the guards , Of the Kings , & the Queenes that triumph in the cards . IOHPHIEL . I , that were a sight and a halfe , I confesse , To see 'hem come skipping in , all at a messe ! SKELTON . With Elinor Rumming . To make vp the mumming ; That comely Gill , That dwelt on a hill , But she is not grill : Her face all bowsy , Droopie , and drowsie , Scuruy , and lowsie , Comely crinkled , Wondersly wrinkled , Like a rost pigs eare , Bristled with haire . SCOGAN . Or , what do you say to Ruffian Fitz-Ale ? IOHPHIEL . An excellent sight , if he be not too stale . But then , we can mix him with moderne Vapors , The Child of Tobacco , his pipes , and his papers . MERE-FOOLE . You talk'd of Elinor Rumming , I had rather See Ellen of Troy . IOHPHIEL . Her you shall see . But credit mee , That Marie Ambree ( Who march'd so free . To the siege of Gaunt , And death could not daunt , As the Ballad doth vaunt ) Were a brauer wight , And a better sight . SKELTON . Or Westmister Meg , With her long leg , As long as a Crane ; And feet like a plane : With a paire of heeles , As broad as two wheeles ; To driue downe the dew , As she goes to the stew : And turnes home metry , By Lambeth ferry . Or you may haue come In , Thomas Thumbe , In a pudding fatt With Doctor Ratt . IOHPHIEL . I , that ! that ! that ! Wee 'll haue 'em all , To fill the Hall .

The Antimasque followes .

Consisting of these twelue persons , Owleglas , the foure Knaues , two Ruffians Fitzale , and Vapors ; Elnor Rumming , Mary Ambree , Long = Meg of Westminster , Tom Thumbe , and Doctor Ratt .

Which done ,

MERE-FOOLE . What! are they vanish'd ! where is skipping Skelton ? Or morall Scogan ? I doe like their shew And would haue thankt 'hem , being the first grace The Company of the Rosie-Crosse hath done me . IOHPHIEL . The company o' the Rosie-crosse ! you wigion , The company of Players . Go , you are , And wil be stil your selfe , a Mere-foole , In ; And take your pot of hony here , and hogs greace , See , who has guld you , and make one . Great King , Your pardon , if desire to please haue trespass'd . This foole should haue bin sent to Antycira , ( The I le of Ellebore , ) there to haue purg'd , Not hop'd a happie seat within your waters . Heare now the message of the Fates , and Ioue , On whom those Fates depend , to you , as Neptune The great Commander of the Seas , and Iles . That point of Reuolution being come When all the Fortunate Islands should be ioyn'd , MACARIA , one , and thought a Principall , That hetherto hath floted , as vncertaine Where she would fix her blessings , is to night Instructed to adhere to your BRITANNIA : That where the happie spirits liue , hereafter Might be no question made , by the most curious , Since the Macarij come to doe you homage , And ioyne their cradle to your continent .

Here the Scene opens , and the Masquers are discouer'd sitting in their seuerall seiges . The aire opens aboue , and APOLLO with Harmony , and the spirits of Musique sing , the while the Iland moues forward , Proteus sitting below , and hearkning .

Song . Looke forth the Shepheard of the Seas , And of the Ports that keep the keyes , And to your Neptune tell , MACARIA , Prince of all the Isles , Wherein there nothing growes , but smiles , Doth here put in , to dwell . The windes are sweete , and gently blow , But Zephirus , no breath they know , The Father of the flowers : By him the virgin violets liue , And euery plant doth odours giue , As new , as are the howers . CHORVS . Then , thinke it not a common cause , That to it so much wonder drawes , And all the heauens consent , With Harmony to tune their notes , In answer to the publique votes , That for it vp were sent .

By this time , the Iland hauing ioyned it selfe to the shore ; PROTEVS , PORTVNVS , and SARON come forth , and go vp singing to the State , while the Masquers take time to ranke themselues .

Song . PROTEVS . I , now , the heights of Neptunes honors shine , And all the glories of his greater stile Are read , reflected in this happiest I le . PORTVNVS . How both the aire , the soile , the seat combine To speake it blessed ! SARON . These are the true groues , Where ioyes are borne , PROTEVS . Where longings , PORTVNVS . and where loues ! SARON . That liue ! PROTEVS . That last ! PORTVNVS . No intermitted wind Blowes here , but what leaues flowers , or fruit behind CHORVS . T is odour all , that comes ! And euery tree doth giue his gummes . PROTEVS . There is no sicknes , nor no old age knowne To man , nor any greife that he dares owne . There is no hunger there , nor enuy of state . Nor least ambition in the Magistrate . But all are euen-harted , open , free , And what one is , another striues to be . PORTVNVS . Here all the day , they feast , they sport , and spring ; Now dance the Graces Hay , now Venus Ring : To which the old Musitians play , and sing . SARON . There is ARION , tuning his bold Harpe , from flat to sharpe . PORTVNVS . And light Anacreon , He still is one ! PROTEVS . Stesichorus there , too , That Linus , and old Orpheus doth out-doe To wonder . SARON . And Amphion ! he is there . PORTVNVS . Nor is Apollo dainty to appeare In such a quire , although the trees be thick , PROTEVS . He will looke in , and see the aires be quick , And that the times be true . PORTVNVS . Then , chanting , PROTEVS . Then , Vp , with their notes , they raise the Prince of Men . SARON . And sing the present Prophecie that goes Of ioyning the bright LILLIE , and the ROSE . CHORVS . See! all the flowres PROTEVS . That spring the banks along , Do moue their heads vnto that vnder-song . CHORVS . SARON , PORTVNVS , PROTEVS , helpe to bring Our Primrose in , the glorie of the spring ! And tell the Daffadill , against that day , That we prepare new Gyrlands fresh as May . And enterweaue the Myrtle , and the Bay .

This sung , the Island goes back , whilst the vpper Chorus takes it from them , and the Masquers prepare for their figure .

CHORVS . Spring all the Graces of the age , And all the Loues of time ; Bring all the pleasures of the stage , And relishes of rime : Add all the softnesses of Courts , The lookes , the laughters , and the sports . And mingle all their sweets , and salts , That none may say , the Triumph halts .

The Masquers dance their Entry or first dance .

Which done , the first Prospectiue , a Maritime Palace , or the house of Oceanus is discouered to lowd Musique .

The other aboue is no more seene .

IOHPHIEL . Behold the Palace of Oceanus ! Hayle Reuerend structure ! Boast no more to vs Thy being able , all the Gods to feast ; We saw enough : when ALBION was thy guest .

The measures .

After which , the second Prospectiue , a Sea is showne , to the former Musique .

IOHPHIEL . Now turne ; and view the wonders of the deepe , Where Proteus heards , & Neptunes Orkes do keep , Where all is plough'd , yet still the pastures greene New wayes are found , and yet no paths are seene . Here Proteus , Portunus , Saron goe vp to the Ladies with this Song . PROTEVS . Come noble Nymphs , and doe not hide The ioyes , for which you so prouide : SARON . If not to mingle with the Men , What do you here ? Go home agen . PORTVNVS . Your dressings doe confesse , By what wee see , so curious parts Of Pallas , and Arachnes arts , That you could meane no lesse . PROTEVS . Why do you weare the silke-wormes toyles . Or glorie in the shell-fish spoiles ; Or striue to shew the graines of Ore That you haue gather'd on the shore , whereof to make a stocke To graft the greener Emerald on , Or any better water'd stone , SARON . Or Rubie of the rock ? PROTEVS . Why do you smell of Amber-gris , Of which was formed Neptunes Neice , The Queene of Loue : vnlesse you can Like Sea-borne Venus loue a Man ? SARON . Try , put your selues vnto 't . CHORVS . Your lookes , your smiles , and thoughts that meete . Ambrosian hands , and siluer feete , Do promise you will do 't .

The Reuels follow .

Which ended , the Fleete is discouered , while the three Corners play .

IOHPHIEL . T is time , your eyes should be refresht at length With something new , a part of NEPTVNES strength , See , yond' , his Fleete , ready to goe or come , Or fetch the riches of the Ocean home , So to secure him , both in peace , and warres , Till not one ship alone , but all be starres . Then the last Song . PROTEVS . Although we wish the glorie still might last Of such a night , and for the causes past : Yet now , great Lord of waters , and of Iles , Giue Proteus leaue to turne vnto his wiles . PORTVNVS . And , whilst young ALBION doth thy labours ease , Dispatch Portunus to thy Ports , SARON . And Saron to thy Seas : To meet old Nereus , with his fiftie girles , From aged Indus laden home with pearles , And Orient gummes , to burne vnto thy name . CHORVS . And may thy subiects hearts be all one flame . Whilst thou dost keepe the earth in firme estate , And 'mongst the winds , do'st suffer no debate , But both at Sea , and Land , our powers increase , With health , and all the golden gifts of Peace . After which , their last Dance . The END