Cynthia's Revels Part 31

The fourth, in watchet tinsel, is the kind and truly benefique Eucolos, who imparteth not without respect, but yet without difficulty, and hath the happiness to make every kindness seem double, by the timely and freely bestowing thereof. He is the chief of them, who by the vulgar are said to be of good nature.

His symbol is, "divae maximae"; an adjunct to signify thy greatness, which in heaven, earth, and h.e.l.l, is formidable.

MUSIC. A DANCE BY THE TWO MASQUES JOINED, DURING WHICH CUPID AND MERCURY RETIRE TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE.

CUP. Is not that Amorphus, the traveller?

MER. As though it were not! do you not see how his legs are in travail with a measure?

CUP. Hedon, thy master is next.

MER. What, will Cupid turn nomenclator, and cry them?

CUP. No, faith, but I have a comedy toward, that would not be lost for a kingdom.

MER. In good time, for Cupid will prove the comedy.

CUP. Mercury, I am studying how to match them.

MER. How to mismatch them were harder.

CUP. They are the nymphs must do it; I shall sport myself with their pa.s.sions above measure.

MER. Those nymphs would be tamed a little indeed, but I fear thou has not arrows for the purpose.

CUP. O yes, here be of all sorts, flights, rovers, and b.u.t.t-shafts. But I can wound with a brandish, and never draw bow for the matter.

MER. I cannot but believe it, my invisible archer, and yet methinks you are tedious.

CUP. It behoves me to be somewhat circ.u.mspect, Mercury; for if Cynthia hear the tw.a.n.g of my bow, she'll go near to whip me with the string; therefore, to prevent that, I thus discharge a brandish upon--it makes no matter which of the couples. Phantaste and Amorphus, at you. [WAVES HIS ARROW AT THEM.]

MER. Will the shaking of a shaft strike them into such a fever of affection?

CUP. As well as the wink of an eye: but, I pray thee, hinder me not with thy prattle.

MER. Jove forbid I hinder thee; Marry, all that I fear is Cynthia's presence, which, with the cold of her chast.i.ty, casteth such an antiperistasis about the place, that no heat of thine will tarry with the patient.

CUP. It will tarry the rather, for the antiperistasis will keep it in.

MER. I long to see the experiment.

CUP. Why, their marrow boils already, or they are all turn'd eunuchs.

MER. Nay, an't be so, I'll give over speaking, and be a spectator only.

[THE FIRST DANCE ENDS.]

AMO. Cynthia, by my bright soul, is a right exquisite and spendidious lady; yet Amorphus, I think, hath seen more fashions, I am sure more countries; but whether I have or not, what need we gaze on Cynthia, that have ourself to admire?

PHA. O, excellent Cynthia! yet if Phantaste sat where she does, and had such attire on her head, (for attire can do much,) I say no more--but G.o.ddesses are G.o.ddesses, and Phantaste is as she is!

I would the revels were done once, I might go to my school of gla.s.s again, and learn to do myself right after all this ruffling.

[MUSIC; THEY BEGIN THE SECOND DANCE.]

MER. How now Cupid? here's a wonderful change with your brandish!

do you not hear how they dote?

CUP. What prodigy is this? no word of love, no mention, no motion!

MER. Not a word my little ignis fatue, not a word.

CUP. Are my darts enchanted? is their vigour gone? is their virtue--

MER. What! Cupid turned jealous of himself? ha, ha, ha!

CUP. Laughs Mercury?

MER. Is Cupid angry?

CUP. Hath he not cause, when his purpose is so deluded?

MER. A rare comedy, it shall be ent.i.tled Cupid's?

CUP. Do not scorn us Hermes.

MER. Choler and Cupid are two fiery things; I scorn them not.

But I see that come to pa.s.s which I presaged in the beginning.

CUP. You cannot tell: perhaps the physic will not work so soon upon some as upon others. It may be the rest are not so resty.

MER. "Ex ungue"; you know the old adage; as these so are the remainder.

CUP. I'll try: this is the same shaft with which I wounded Argurion. [WAVES HIS ARROW AGAIN.]

MER. Ay, but let me save you a labour, Cupid: there were certain bottles of water fetch'd, and drunk off since that time, by these gallants.

CUP. Jove strike me into the earth! the Fountain of Self-love!

MER. Nay faint not Cupid.

CUP. I remember'd it not.

MER. Faith, it was ominous to take the name of Anteros upon you; you know not what charm or enchantment lies in the word: you saw, I durst not venture upon any device in our presentment, but was content to be no other then a simple page. Your arrows'

properties, (to keep decorum,) Cupid, are suited, it should seem, to the nature of him you personate.

CUP. Indignity not to be borne!

MER. Nay rather, an attempt to have been forborne.

[THE SECOND DANCE ENDS.]