Behold a ghastly Band,

Each a Torch in his Hand!

Enlarg'd the former narrow Bounds,

And added Length to solemn Sounds,

known before.

I wou'd not die, nor dare complain,
Thy tuneful Voice with numbers joyn,
Thy words will more prevail than mine.
To Souls oppress'd, and dumb with grief,
The Gods ordain this kind releif ;
That Musick shou'd in sounds convey
What dying Lovers dare not say.

2

A Sigh or Tear perhaps she'll give, But love on pitty cannot live.

180

Tell her that Hearts for Hearts were made, And love with love is only paid.

Tell her my pains so fast encrease,

That soon they will be past redress;
But ah! the Wretch, that speechless lyes,
Attends but Death to close his Eyes.

Chronos. Then Goddess of the Silver Bow begin.

Horns, or Hunting-Musique within.

Enter DIANA.

Diana. With Horns and with Hounds I waken the Day,

And hye to my Woodland walks away:
I tuck up my Robe, and am buskined soon,
And tye to my Forehead a wexing Moon.
I course the fleet Stagg, unkennel the Fox,
And chase the wild Goats or'e summets of
Rocks,
32

With shouting and hooting we pierce thro'

the Sky;

And Eccho turns Hunter, and doubles the Cry.

Cho. of all. With shouting and hooting we pierce through the Skie,

And Eccho turns Hunter, and doubles the
Cry.

Janus. Then our Age was in it's Prime:
Chronos. Free from Rage.

Diana.
And free from Crime.
Momus. A very Merry, Dancing, Drinking,
Laughing, Quaffing, and unthinking Time.
Cho. of all. Then our Age was in it's Prime,
Free from Rage, and free from Crime, 42
A very Merry, Dancing, Drinking,
Laughing, Quaffing, and unthinking Time.
[Dance of Diana's attendants.

THE SECULAR MASQUE. Text from the original but posthumous edition of 1700, except as noted.

And shall I conclude my Pains? Now blest be the Powers above,

I feel the Blood bound in my Veins; With a lively Leap it began to move, And the Vapours leave my Brains. Amyntas. Body join'd to Body, and Heart join'd to Heart;

To make sure of the Cure ;

Go call the Man in Black, to mumble o're his part.

Phillis. But suppose he should stay .

Amyntas. At worst, if he delay; 'Tis a Work must be done;

We'll borrow but a Day,

...

And the better the sooner begun.

CHORUS of Both.

and embrace.]

[They run out together hand in hand.

PROLOGUE.

Is it not strange to hear a Poet say,
He comes to ask you how you like the Play?
You have not seen it yet! alas 'tis true;
But now your Love and Hatred judge, not
You.

And cruel Factions (brib'd by Interest) come,
Not to weigh Merit, but to give their Doome.
Our Poet, therefore, jealous of th' Event,
And (though much Boldness takes) not
confident,

Has sent me whither you, Fair ladies, too
Sometimes upon as small Occasions goe, 10
And from this Scheme, drawn for the Hour
and Day,

Bid me inquire the Fortune of his Play.
The curtain drawn discovers two Astrologers;
The Prologue is presented to them.

1 Astrol. reads. A figure of the heavenly Bodies in their several Apartments, Feb. the

SONG OF A SCHOLAR, ETC. 13 Hermo never] Hermo, Never 1700. 20 Charms] Charm 1700.