CYNTHIA

When hath Diana, Like and envious wretch, That glitters only to his soothed self, Denying to the world, the precious use Of hoarded wealth, withheld her friendly aid? Monthly, we spend our still-repaired shine, And not forbid our virgin-waxen torch To burn, and blaze, while nutriment does last: That once consumed, out of JOVE'S treasury A new we take, and stick it in our sphere, To give the mutinous kind of wanting men, Their look't—for light. Yet, what is their desert? "Bounty is wronged, interpreted as endue; "Mortals can challenge not a ray, by right, "Yet do expect the whole of CYNTHIA'S light. But if that Deities withdrew their gifts, For humane follies, what could men deserve But death, and darkness? It behooves the high, For their own sakes, to do things worthily. Else, noble ARETE, they would not blame, And tax, for or unjust, or for as proud, Thy CYNTHIA, in the things which are indeed The greatest glories in our starry crown; Such is our chastity: which safely scorns (Not Love ; for who more fervently does love Immortal honour, and divine renown? But) giddy CUPID, VENUS frantic son. Yet ARETE, if by this veiled light, We but discovered (what we not discern) Any the least of imputations stand Ready to sprinkle our unspotted fame, With note of lightness, from these revels near: Not, for the empire of the universe, Should night, or court, this whatsoever shine, Or grace of ours unhappily enjoy. "Place, and occasion are two privy thieves; "And from poor innocent ladies often steal "(The best of things) and honourable name: "To stay with follies, or where faults may be, "Infers a crime, although the party free. That then so answered (dearest ARETE) What the argument or of what sort our sports Are Like to be this night, I not demand. Nothing which duty, and desire to please Bears written in the forehead, comes amiss. But unto whose invention, must we owe, The compliment of this nights furniture? We have already judged him, ARETE: Nor are we ignorant, how noble minds Suffer too much through those indignities, Which times, and vicious persons cast on them: Our self have ever vowed to esteem (As virtue, for it self, so) fortune base; Who's first in worth, the same be first in place. Nor farther notice (ARETE) we crave Then thine approvals sovereign warranty: Let been thy care, to make us known to him, " CYNTHIA shall brighten, what the world made dim. Clear pearl of heaven, and, not to be farther ambitious in titles, CYNTHIA. The same of this illustrous night, among others, hath also drawn these four fair virgins from the palace of their Queen Perfection (a word which makes no sufficient difference, betwixt hers, and thine) to visit thy imperial court: for she, their sovereign, not finding where to dwell among men, before her return to heaven, advised them wholly to consecrate themselves to thy celestial service, as in whose clear spirit (the proper element, and sphere of virtues) they should behold not her alone, (their ever honoured mistress) but themselves (more truly them selves) to live inthronized. Her self would have commended them unto thy favour more particularly, but that she knows no commendation is more available with them, then that of proper virtue. Nevertheless, she willed them to present this crystal mound , a note of monarchy, and symbol of perfection, to thy more worthy deity ; which, as here by me they most humbly do, so amongst the rarities thereof, that is the chief, to show whatsoever the world hath excellent, howsoever remote and vam rious. But your irradiate judgement will soon discover the secrets of this little crystal world. Themselves (to appear more plainly) because they know nothing more odious, then false pretexts, have chosen to express their several qualities, thus, in several colours. The first, in citron colour, is natural Affection , which given us to procure our good, is sometime called STORGE, & as every one is nearest to himself, so this handmaid of reason, allowable selflove , as it is without harm, so are none without it: Her place in the court of Perfection was to quic ken minds in the pursuit of honour. Her device is a perpendicular Level , upon a Cube , or Square. The word, SEE SVO MODULO. Alluding to that true measure of ones self, which as every one ought to make, so is it most conspicuous in thy divine example. The second, in green, is AGLAIA, delectable and pleasant Conversati on , whose property is to move a kindly delight, and sometime not with out laughter: Her office, to entertain assemblies, and keep societies to gether with fair familiarity. Her device within a Ring of clouds, a Heart with shine about it. The word, CURARUM NVEILA PELLO. And all gory of CYNTHIA'S light, which no less clears the sky, then her fair mirth the heart. The third, in the discoloured mantle spangled all over, is EVPHANTAS TO, a well conceited Wittiness , and employed in honouring the court with the riches of her pure invention. Her device, upon a Petasus , or Mercurial hat, a Crescent. The word, SIC LAUS INGENII. Inferring, that the praise and glory of wit, does ever increase, as does thy growing moon. The fourth in white, is APHELEIA, a Nymph as pure and simple as the soul, or as and abrase table, and is therefore called Simplicity , without folds, without plights, without colour, without counterfeit: and (to speak plainly) Plainness it self. Her device is no device. The word un der her silver Shield , OMNIS ABEST FUCUS. Alluding to thy spotless self, who art as far from impurity, as from mortality. My self (celestial Goddess) more fit for the court of CYNTHIA, then the arbours of CYTHEREE, am called ANTEROS, or Loves enemy ; the more welcome therefore to thy court, and the fitter to conduct this quaternion , who as they are thy professed votaries, and for that cause adversaries to Love , yet thee (perpetual Virgin ) they both love, and vow to love eater nally. NOt without wonder, nor without delight, Mine eyes have viewed (in contemplations depth) This work of wit, divine, and excellent: What shape? what substance? or what unknown power In virgins habit, crowned with laurel leaves, And olive branches woven in between, On sea-girt rocks, Like to a Goddess shines? Oh front! O face! O all celestial sure, And more then mortal! ARETE, behold Another CYNTHIA, and another Queen, Whose glory (Like a lasting plenilune ) Seems ignorant of what it is to wane! Not under heaven and object could be found More fit to please. Let CRITES make approach. Bounty forbids to Paul our thanks with stay, Or to defer our favour, after view: "The time of grace is, when the cause is new. With no less pleasure, then we have beheld This precious crystal, work of rarest wit, Our eye does read thee (now enstil'd) our CRITES; Whom learning, virtue, and our favour last, Exempteth from the gloomy multitude. "With common eye the supreme should not see. Henceforth be ours, the more thy self to be. We do approve thy censure, beloved CRITES. Which MERCURY, thy true propitious friend, (A deity , next JOVE, beloved of us) Will undertake to see exactly done: And for this service of discovery Performed by thee, in honour of our name, We vow to guerdon it with such endue grace, As shall become our bounty, and thy place. "Princes, that would their people should do well, "Must at themselves begin, as at the head; "For men, by their example, pattern out "Their imitations, and reguard of laws: "A virtuous Court a world to virtue draws.