The Maids Tragedy | Page 5

his chain, And struggling with the rest, has got
away.
Nep. Let him alone, I'le take him up at sea; He will not long be thence;
go once again And call out of the bottoms of the Main, Blew Proteus,
and the rest; charge them put on Their greatest pearls, and the most
sparkling stone The bearing Rock breeds, till this night is done By me a
solemn honour to the Moon; Flie like a full sail.
Eol. I am gone.
Cin. Dark night, Strike a full silence, do a thorow right To this great
Chorus, that our Musick may Touch high as heaven, and make the East
break day At mid-[n]ight.
[Musick.
SONG. Cinthia _to thy power, and them we obey. Joy to this great
company, and no day Come to steal this night away, Till the rites of
love are ended, And the lusty Bridegroom say, Welcome light of all
befriended. Pace out you watry powers below, let your feet Like the
Gallies when they row, even beat_. _Let your unknown measures set
To the still winds, tell to all That Gods are come immortal great, To
honour this great Nuptial_.
The Measure. Second Song.

_Hold back thy hours dark night, till we have done, The day will come
too soon; Young Maids will curse thee if thou steal'st away, And leav'st
their blushes open to the day. Stay, stay, and hide the blushes of the
Bride. Stay gentle night, and with thy darkness cover The kisses of her
Lover. Stay, and confound her tears, and her shrill cryings, Her weak
denials, vows, and often dyings; Stay and hide all, but help not though
she call_.
Nep. Great Queen of us and Heaven, Hear what I bring to make this
hour a full one, If not her measure.
Cinth. Speak Seas King.
Nep. Thy tunes my Amphitrite joyes to have, When they will dance
upon the rising wave, And court me as the sails, my Trytons play
Musick to lead a storm, I'le lead the way.
Song. Measure.
_To bed, to bed; come Hymen, lead the Bride, And lay her by her
Husbands side: Bring in the Virgins every one That grieve to lie alone:
That they may kiss while they may say, a maid, To morrow 'twill be
other, kist and said: Hesperus be long a shining, Whilst these Lovers
are a twining_.
Eol. Ho! _Neptune!_
Nept. _Eolus!_
Eol. The Seas go hie, Boreas hath rais'd a storm; go and applie Thy
trident, else I prophesie, ere day Many a tall ship will be cast away:
Descend with all the Gods, and all their power to strike a cal[m].
Cin. A thanks to every one, and to gratulate So great a service done at
my desire, Ye shall have many floods fuller and higher Than you have
wisht for; no Ebb shall dare To let the day see where your dwellings are:
Now back unto your Government in haste, Lest your proud charge
should swell above the waste, And win upon the Island.

Nep. We obey.
[_Neptune descends, and the Sea-gods_.
Cinth. Hold up thy head dead night; seest thou not day? The East
begins to lighten, I must down And give my brother place.
Nigh. Oh! I could frown To see the day, the day that flings his light
Upon my Kingdoms, and contemns old Night; Let him go on and flame,
I hope to see Another wild-fire in his Axletree; And all false drencht;
but I forgot, speak Queen. The day grows on I must no more be seen.
Cin. Heave up thy drowsie head agen, and see A greater light, a greater
Majestie, Between our sect and us; whip up thy team; The day breaks
here, and you some flashing stream Shot from the South; say, which
way wilt thou go?
Nigh. I'le vanish into mists. [Exeunt.
Cin. I into day. _[Finis Mask_.
King. Take lights there Ladies, get the Bride to bed; We will not see
you laid, good night _Amintor,_ We'l ease you of that tedious
ceremony; Were it [my] case, I should think time run slow. If thou
beest noble, youth, get me a boy, That may defend my Kingdom from
my foes.
Amin. All happiness to you.
King. Good night Melantius. [Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.
Enter Evadne, Aspatia, Dula, and other Ladies.
Dul. Madam, shall we undress you for this fight? The Wars are nak'd
that you must make to night.

Evad. You are very merry Dula.
Dul. I should be far merrier Madam, if it were with me as it is with you.
Eva. Why how now wench?
Dul. Come Ladies will you help?
Eva. I am soon undone.
Dul. And as soon done: Good store of Cloaths will trouble you at both.
Evad. Art thou drunk _Dula_?
Dul. Why here's none