A MASKE Presented At Ludlow Castle, On Michaelmasse night, before the IOHN Earle of Bridgewater, Vicount BRACKLY, Eheu quid volui misero mihi! London, Printed for HVMPHREY ROBINSON, At the signe of the Three Pidgeons in This Poem, which receiv'd its first occasion of birth from your selfe, and others of your noble familie, and much honour from your own Person in the performance, now returns againe to make a finall dedication of it selfe to you. Although not openly acknowledg'd by the Author, yet it is a legitimate offspring, so lovely, and so much desired, that the often copying of it hath tir'd my pen to give my severall friends satisfaction, and brought me to a necessitie of producing it to the publick view; and now to offer it up in all rightfull devotion to those faire hopes, and rare Endowments of your much-promising Youth, which give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live sweet Lord to be the honour of your Name, and receive this as your owne, from the hands of him, who hath by many favours beene long oblig'd to your most honour'd Parents, and as in this repræsentation your attendant Thyrsis, so now in all reall expression Your faithfull, and most humble Servant, A MASKE PERFORMED BEFORE THE PRÆS- But to my task. Neptune besides the sway That like to rich, and various gemms inlay By course commits to severall government And gives them leave to weare their Saphire crowns, COMUS A Maske COMUS A Maske Are comming to attend their Fathers state, Bacchus that first from out the purple Grape Whom therefore she brought up and Comus nam'd, At last betakes him to this ominous wood, And in thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd His orient liquor in a Chrystall glasse To quench the drouth of Phoebus, which as they tast |