Томас Кэмпион Вторая Маска
(Дворцовая пьеса, повящённая свадьбе принцессы
Елизаветы Стюарт и Фредерика, курфюрста Пфальцского).
Компановка сцены: дерево, скамья, музыкальные инструменты, пещера,
с другой стороны - роща, откуда выходят певец Орфей и очарованные им звери.
Он высок, кудряв, с лавровым венком на голове и серебряной птицей в руке.
Действие начинается выступлением молодожёнов.
Супруги: "Вот славный Феб, упрямства не любя,
Всё кличет Лиссу из норы опять,
Чтоб, не ярясь, явила нам себя...
Нейдёт ! Пора и нам её позвать.
Супруги кричат в свою очередь, и следом Лисса,
Богиня Безумия, в диком облике выходит из пещеры.
Она выглядит странной и смущённой, но всё же
общительна и с изумлением говорит:
Лисса: "Несносно, что над логовом шумят,
Когда нужны мне лишь покой и тьма.
Должно быть, в том Юпитер виноват:
Он Царь и Бог, для тех, кто без ума".
Орфей: "Ты Лисса ?" - Лисса: "Да !" - Орфей: "К чему ж дурная брань ? -
Не раздражайся. Плакать перестань.
Зачем зовут, узнаешь от меня".
Лисса: "Кто ж ты такой ? - Не верю свету дня !
Не ты ль божественный певец Орфей ?"
Орфей: "Тот самый ! Послан к Милости Твоей.
Тебя доселе не стеснял запрет
Нести в расстройстве духа всякий бред,
Однако, посреди твоих затей,
Тобой в темницу спрятан был Энтей.
А в нём такой божественный задор,
Что ни к чему назойливый надзор.
Юпитер требует сквозь мрак теней,
Чтоб тотчас был освобождён Энтей".
Лисса: "Но как ? Пойдёт большая кутерьма.
Сбегут все-все лишённые ума,
Что заперты. Открой лишь только вход -
И не смирить ту смуту, что пойдёт, -
Их ярость". Орфей: "Одолей свой страх.
Толково взвесь. Не действуй впопыхах.
Старайся, чтоб Энтей был невредим...
Юпитера мы музыкой почтим,
Споём, чтоб в такт мелодии попасть
И вложим в звуки красоту и страсть.
А ты свой долг исполни поскорей !"
Лисса: "Юпитер хочет - будет выпущен Энтей".
Орфей: "Зверьё при мне взвывает в унисон.
Теперь я жду безумцев на поклон".
При звуках странной музыки входят двенадцать безумцев: шестеро мужчин и шесть женщин, все в разных настроениях, с разными ужимками и гримасами. Меж ними страстные любовники, любовницы и себялюбцы; меланхолик - трусоватый человек, полный страхов; учёный педант, отходящий от науки к неодолимой фантазии; человек, похожий на ростовщика. То есть, все представляют всевозможные виды неистовства. Среди них был Энтей (Entheus) - человек, похожий на бабочку из рода шкиперов - (поэт, одержимый поэтической страстью). Музыка заставляет их припрыгивать вверх и вниз; потом в силу новых изменений в мелодиях и темпах, психи впадают в возбуждённое неописуемое состояние, пока звучат громкие фантастические мотивы. Но в конце концов всё сменила тихая торжественная симфония, во время которой заговорил Орфей.
Орфей: "Что ж, Лисса ! Прочь всю дурь и гам !
И забирай отсюда весь Бедлам.
Приказ Юпитера - и нет святей -
Вам места нет. Здесь нужен лишь Энтей !...
Thomas Campion Second Masque
The consorts:
"Again, again, fresh kindle Phoebus' sounds,
T’exhale Mania from her earthly den ;
Allay the fury that her sense confounds,
And call her gently forth ; sound, sound again".
The consorts both sound again, and Mania, the god
deess of madness, appears wildly out of her cave. Her
habit was confused and strange, but yet graceful ; she
as one amazed speaks.
Mania. "What powerful noise is this importunes me,
T'abandon darkness which my humour fits ?
Jove's hand in it I feel, and ever he
Must be obeyed ev'n of the frantic'st wits".
Orpheus: "Mania !" Mania: "Hah !" Orpheus: "Brain-sick, why start'st thou so ?
Approach yet nearer, and thou then shall know
The will of Jove, which he will breathe from me."
Mania: "Who art thou ? if my dazzled eyes can see,
Thou art the sweet enchanter heav'nly Orpheus."
Orpheus: "The same, Mania, and Jove greets thee thus:
though several power to thee and charge he gave
T'enclose in thy dominions such as rave
Through blood's distemper, how durst thou attempt
T'imprison Entheus whose rage is exempt
From vulgar censure ? It is all divine,
Full of celestial rapture, that can shine
Through darkest shadows : therefore Jove by me
Commands thy power straight to set Entheus free".
Mania: "How can I ? Frantics with him many more
In one cave are locked up ; ope once the door,
All will fly out, and through the world disturb
The peace of Jove ; for what power then can curb
Their reinless fury ?" Orpheus: "Let not fear in vain
Trouble thy crazed fancy ; all again,
Save Entheus, to thy safeguard shall retire,
For Jove into our music will inspire
The power of passion, that their thoughts shall bend
To any form or motion we intend.
Obey Jove's will then ; go, set Entheus free".
Mania: "I willing go, so Jove obeyed must be".
Orpheus: "Let Music put on Protean changes now ;
Wild beasts it once tamed, now let Frantics bow".
At the sound of a strange music twelve Frantics
enter, six men and six women, all presented in sundry
habits and humours. There was the lover, the self lover,
the melancholic man full of fear, the school-man
overcome with fantasy, the over-watched usurer, with
others that made an absolute medley of madness ; in
midst of whom Entheus (or poetic fury} was hurried
forth, and tost up and down, till by virtue of a new
change in the music, the Lunatics fell into a mad measure,
fitted to a loud fantastic tune ; but in the end thereof
the music changed into a very solemn air, which they
softly played, while Orphetis spake.
Orpheus: "Through these soft and calm sounds, Mania, pass
With thy Fantastics hence ; here is no place
Longer for them or thee ; Entheus alone
Must do Jove's bidding now : all else be gone".
During this speech Mania with her Frantics depart,
leaving Enthetis behind them, who was attired in a
close curace of the antic fashion, bases with labels,
a robe fastened to his shoulders, and hanging down
' behind ; on his head a wreath of laurels, out of which
grew a pair of wings ; in the one hand he held a book,
and in the other a pen.
Entheus: "Divinest Orpheus, O how all from thee
Proceed with wondrous sweetness ! Am I free?
Is my affliction vanished ?" Orpheus: "Too, too long,
Alas, good Entheus, hast thou brooked this wrong.
What ! number thee with madmen ! O mad age,
Senseless of thee, and thy celestial rage !
For thy excelling rapture, ev'n through things
That seems most light, is borne with sacred wings :
Nor are these musics, shows, or revels vain,
When thou adorn'st them with thy Phoebean brain. *
Th'are palate-sick of much more vanity,
That cannot taste them in their dignity.
Jove therefore lets thy prisoned sprite obtain
Her liberty and fiery scope again ;
And here by me commands thee to create
Inventions rare, this night to celebrate,
Such as become a nuptial by his will
Begun and ended".
Entheus: Jove I honour still,
And must obey. Orpheus, I feel the fires
Are ready in my brain, which Jove inspires.
Lo, through that veil I see Prometheus stand
Before those glorious lights which his false hand
Stole out of heav'n, the dull earth to inflame
With the affects of Love and honoured Fame.
I view them plain in pomp and majesty,
Such as being seen might hold rivality
With the best triumphs. Orpheus, give a call
With thy charmed music, and discover all.
Orpheus: "Fly, cheerful voices, through the air, and clear
These clouds, that yon hid beauty may appear".
A Song.
1
Come away ; bring thy golden theft,
Bring, bright Prometheus, all thy lights ;
Thy fires from Heav'n bereft
Show now to human sights.
Come quickly, come ! thy stars to our stars straight present,
For pleasure being too much deferred loseth her best content.
What fair dames wish, should swift as their own thoughts appear ;
To loving and to longing hearts every hour seems a year.
2
See how fair, O how fair, they shine !
What yields more pomp beneath the skies ?
Their birth is yet divine,
And such their form implies.
Large grow their beams, their near approach afford them so ;
By nature sights that pleasing are, cannot too amply show.
O might these flames in human shapes descend this place,
How lovely would their presence be, how full of grace !
In the end of the first part of this song, the upper
part of the scene was discovered by the sudden fall of a
curtain ; then in clouds of several colours (the upper
part of them being fiery, and the middle heightened
with silver} appeared eight stars of extraordinary bigness,
which so were placed, as that they seemed to be
fixed between the firmament and the earth. In the
front of the scene stood Prometheus, attired as one of
the ancient heroes.
Entheus: "Patron of mankind, powerful and bounteous,
Rich in thy flames, reverend Prometheus,
In Hymen's place aid us to solemnise
These royal nuptials ; fill the lookers' eyes
With admiration of thy fire and light,
And from thy hand let wonders flow to-night".
Prometheus: "Entheus and Orpheus, names both dear to me,
In equal balance I your third will be
In this night's honour. View these heav'n born stars,
Who by my stealth are become sublunars ;
How well their native beauties fit this place,
Which with a choral dance they first shall grace ;
Then shall their forms to human figures turn,
And these bright fires within their bosoms burn.
Orpheus, apply thy music, for it well
Helps to induce a courtly miracle".
Orpheus: "Sound, best of musics, raise yet higher our sprites,
While we admire Prometheus' dancing lights".
A Song*.
1
Advance your choral motions now,
You music-loving lights :
This night concludes the nuptial vow,
Make this the best of nights :
So bravely crown it with your beams
That it may live in fame
As long as Rhenus or the Thames
Are known by either name.
2
Once more again, yet nearer move
Your forms at willing view ;
Such fair effects of joy and love
None can express but you.
Then revel midst your airy bowers
Till all the clouds do sweat,
That pleasure may be poured in showers
On this triumphant seat.
3
Long since hath lovely Flora thrown
Her flowers and garlands here ;
Rich Ceres all her wealth hath shown,
Proud of her dainty cheer.
Changed them to human shape, descend,
Clad in familiar weed,
That every eye may here commend
The kind delights you breed.
According to the humour of this song, the stars
moved in an exceeding strange and delightful manner,
and I suppose few have ever seen more neat artifice
than Master Inigo Jones shewed in contriving their
motion, who in all the rest of the workmanship which
belonged to the whole invention shewed extraordinary
industry and skill, which if it be not as lively exprest
in writing as it appeared in view, rob not him of his
due, but lay the blame on my want of right appi'ehending
his instructions for the adorning of his art. But
to return to our purpose j about the end of this song, the
stars suddenly vanished, as if they had been drowned
amongst the clouds, and the eight masquers appeared in
their habits, which were infinitely rick, befitting states
(such as indeed they all were} as also a time so far
Heightened the day before with all the richest show of
solemnity that could be invented. The ground of their
attires was massy cloth of silver, embossed with flames
of embroidery ; on their heads, they had crowns, flames
made all of gold-plate enameled, and on the top a
feather of silk, representing a clоud of smoke. Upon
their new transformation, the whole scene being clouds
dispersed, and there appeared an element of artificial
fires, with several circles of lights, in continual motion,
representing the house of Prometheus, who then thus
applies his speech to the masquers.
They are transformed.
Prometheus: "So pause awhile, and come, ye fiery sprites,
Break forth the earth like sparks t'attend these knights".
Sixteen pages, like fiery spirit's, all their attires being
alike composed of flames, with fiery wings and bases,
bearing in either hand a torch of virgin wax, come
forth below, dancing a lively measure, and the dance
being ended, Prometheus speaks to them from above.
The Torch-bearers' Dance.
Prometheus: "Wait, spirits, wait, while through the clouds we pace,
And by descending gain a higher place".
The pages return toward the scene, to give their
attendance to the masquers with their lights : from the
side of the scene appeared a bright and transparent
cloud, which reached from the top of the heavens to the
earth : on this cloud the masquers, led by Prometheus,
descended with the music of a full song ; and at the
end of their descent, the cloud brake in twain, and one
part of it (as with a wind] was blown over thwart the
scene.
While this cloud was vanishing, the wood being the
under-part of the scene, was insensibly changed, and in
place thereof appeared four noble women-statues of
silver, standing in several niches, accombanied with
ornaments of architecture, which filled all the end of
the house, and seemed to be all of gold-smith's work.
The first order consisted of pilasters all of gold, set
with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals and such like.
The capitals were composed, and of a new invention.
Over this was a bastard order with cartouches reversed
Coming from the capitals of every pilaster, which made
the upper part rich and full of ornament. Over every
statue was placed a history in gold, which seemed to be
of base relief; the conceits which were figured in them
were these. In the first was Prometheus, embossing in
clay the figure of a woman, in the second he was repre
sented stealing fire from the chariot-wheel of the sun ;
in the third he is exprest putting life with this fire into
his figure of clay ; and in the fourth square Jupiter,
enraged, turns these new-made women into statues.
Above all, for finishing, ran a cornice, which returned
over every pilaster, seeming all of gold and richly carved.
A full Song.
Supported now by clouds descend,
Divine Prometheus, Hymen's friend :
Lead down the new transformed fires
And fill their breasts with love's desires,
That they may revel with delight,
And celebrate this nuptial night.
So celebrate this nuptial night
That all which see may say
They never viewed so fair a sight
Even on the clearest day.
While this song is sung, and the masquers court the
four new transformed ladies, four other statues appear
in their places.
Entheus. "See, see, Prometheus, four of these first dames
Which thou long since out of thy purchased flames,
Didst forge with heav'nly fire, as they were then
By Jove transformed to statues, so again
They suddenly appear by his command
At thy arrival. Lo, how fixed thy stand ;
So did Jove's wrath too long, but now at last,
It by degrees relents, and he hath placed
These statues, that we might his aid in plore,
First for the life of these, and then for more".
Prometheus: "Entheus, thy counsels are divine and just,
Let Orpheus deck thy hymn, since pray we must".
The first invocation in a full song.
Powerful Jove, that of bright stars,
Now hast made men fit for wars,
Thy power in these statues prove
And make them women fit for love.
Orpheus: "See, Jove is pleased ; statues have life and move !
Go, new-born men, and entertain with love
The new-born women, though your number yet
Exceeds their's double, they are armed with wit
To bear your best encounters. Court them fair:
When words and music please, let none despair".
The Song**.
Woo her, and win her, he that can !
Each woman hath two lovers,
So she must take and leave a man,
Till time more grace discovers.
This doth Jove to shew that want
Makes beauty most respected :
If fair women were more scant,
They would be more affected.
2
Courtship and music suit with love,
They both are works of passion ;
Happy is he whose words can move,
Yet sweet notes help persuasion.
Mix your words with music then,
That they the more may enter ;
Bold assaults are fit for men,
That on strange beauties venter.
Prometheus: "Cease, cease your wooing strife ! see, Jove intends
To fill your number up, and make all friends.
Orpheus and Entheus, join your skills once more,
And with a hymn the deity implore".
The second invocation to the tune of the first.
Powerful Jove, that hast given four,
Raise this number but once more,
That complete, their numerous feet
May aptly in just measures meet.
The other four statues are transformed into women,
in the time of this invocation.
Entheus: "The number's now complete, thanks be to Jove !
No man needs fear a rival in his love ;
For all are sped, and now begins delight
To fill with glory this triumphant night".
The masquers, having every one entertained his lady,
begin their first new entering dance : after it, while
they breathe, the time is entertained with a dialoguesing.
Breathe you now, while lo Hymen
To the bride we sing :
O how many joys and honours,
From this match will spring !
Ever firm the league will prove,
Where only goodness causeth love.
Some for profit seek
What their fancies most disleek ;
These love for virtue's sake alone :
Beauty and youth unite them both in one.
Chorus:
Live with thy bridegroom happy, sacred bride ;
How blest is he that is for love envied !
The masquers' second dance.
Breathe again, while we with music Fill the empty space :
O but do not in your dances Yourselves only grace.
Ev'ry one fetch out your fere,
Whom chiefly you will honour here.
Sights most pleasure breed,
When their numbers most exceed.
Choose then, for choice to all is free ;
Taken or left, none discontent must be.
Chorus:
Now in thy revels frolic-fair delight,
To heap joy on this ever-honoured night.
The masquers during this dialogue take out others to
dance with them ; men women, and women men ; and
first of all the princely bridegroom and bride were
drawn into these solemn revels, which continued a long
space, but in the end were broken off with this short
song.
A Song:
Cease, cease you revels, rest a space ;
New pleasures press into this place,
Full of beauty and of grace.
The whole scene was now again changed, and became
a prospective with porticoes on each side, which seemed
to go in a great way ; in the middle was erected an
obelisk, all of silver, and in it lights of several colours ;
on the side of this obelisk, standing on pedestals, were
the statues of the bridegroom and bride, all of gold in
gracious postures. This obelisk was of that height, that
the top there of touched the highest clouds, and yet Sibylla
did draw it forth with a thread of gold. The grave
sage was in a robe of gold tuckt up before to her girdle,
a kirtle gathered full and of silver ; with a veil on her
head, being bare-necked, and bearing in her hands a
scroll of parchment.
Entheus: "Make clear the passage to Sibylla's sight,
Who with her trophy comes to crown this night ;
And, as herself with music shall be led,
So shall she pull on with a golden thread
A high vast obelisk, dedicate to Fame,
Which immortality itself did frame.
Raise high your voices now ; like trumpets fill
The room with sounds of triumph, sweet and shrill".
A Song.
Come triumphing, come with state,
Old Sibylla, reverend dame ;
Thou keep'st the secret key of fate,
Preventing swiftest Fame.
This night breathe only words of joy,
And speak them plain, now be not coy.
Sibylla.
Debetur altojure principium Jovi
Votis det ipse vim meis, dictis fidem.
Utrinque decoris splendet egregium jubar ;
Media triumphus mole stat dignus sua
Ccelumque summo capite dilectum petit.
Quam pulchra pulchro sponsa respondet viro !
Quam plena numinis ! Patrem vultu exprimit
Parens futttra masculae proUs, parens
Regum, imperatorum. Additur Germaniae
Robur Britannicum : ecquid esse par potest ?
Utramquejunget una mens gentem fides,
Disque cultus unus, et simplex amor.
Idem erit utrique hostis, sodalis idem, idem
Votum periclitantium atque eadem manus.
Favebit illis pax favebit bellica
Fortuna, semper aderit adjutor Deus.
Sic, sic Sibylla; vocibus nee his deest
Pondus, nee hoc inane monumentum trahit.
Et aureum est, et quale neeflammas tiniet.
Neefulgzira, ipsi quippe sacratur Jovi.
Prometheus: "The good old sage is silenced, her free tongue
That made such melody, is now unstrung :
Then grace her trophy with a dance triumphant ;
Where Orpheus is none can fit music want".
A song and dance tritimphant of the masquers.
I
Dance, dance ! and visit now the shadows of our joy,
All in height, and pleasing state, your changed forms employ.
And as the bird of Jove salutes with lofty wing the morn,
So mount, so fly, these trophies to adorn.
Grace them with all the sounds and motions of delight,
Since all the earth cannot express a lovelier sight.
View them with triumph, and in shades the truth adore :
No pomp or sacrifice can please Jove's greatness more.
2
Turn, turn ! and honour now the life these figures bear:
Lo, how heav'nly natures far above all art appear !
Let their aspects revive in you the fire that shined solate,
Still mount and still retain your heavenly state.
Gods were with dance and with music served of old.
Those happy days derived their glorious style from gold :
This pair, by Hymen joined, grace you with measures then,
Since they are both divine and you are more than men.
Orpheus: "Let here Sibylla's trophy stand,
Lead her now by either hand,
That she may approach yet nearer,
And the bride and bridegroom hear her
Bless them in her native tongue,
Wherein old prophecies she sung,
Which time to light hath brought.
She speaks that which Jove hath taught :
Well may he inspire her now,
To make a joyful and true vow.
Sibylla: "Sponsam spouse toro tene pudicam,
Sponsum sponse tene toro pudicum.
Non haec unica nox datur beatis,
At vos perpetuo haec beabit una
Prole multiplici, parique amore.
Laeta ac vera refert Sibylla ; ab alto
Ipse Juppiter annuit loquenti".
Prometheus: "So be it ever, joy and peace,
And mutual love give you increase,
That your posterity may grow
In fame, as long as seas do flow".
Entheus: "Live you long to see your joys,
In fair nymphs and princely boys ;
Breeding like the garden flowers,
Which kind heav'n draws with her warm showers".
Orpheus: "Enough of blessing, though too much
Never can be said to such ;
But night doth waste, and Hymen chides,
Kind to bridegrooms and to brides.
Then, singing, the last dance induce,
So let good night present excuse".
The Song.
No longer wrong the night
Of her Hymenaean right ;
A thousand Cupids call away,
Fearing the approaching day ;
The cocks already crow :
Dance then and go !
The last new dance of the masquers, which concludes
fill with a lively strain at their going out.
FINIS.
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