in Neptune's Triumph for the Return of Albion — Jonson, Ben
Metadata
Play
Neptune's Triumph for the Return of Albion
Author
Jonson, Ben
Year (catalogued)
1624
First performance
1624
Decade
1620s
Genre
Masque
Play type
Occasional
Theater
before the Court;
Speech prefix(es)
CHORVS.
Words
263
Characters
1434
Typicality
0.38 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A04656
BritDrama no.
2080
Cluster
Cluster 2 — Allegory, Nature & pageant voices
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
And be it thought no common Cause, That, to it, so much wonder draws, And all the Hea'uens consent, With HARMONY, to tune their notes, In answer to the public votes That, for it, up were sent. It was no envious Stepdame's rage, Or Tyrants malice of the age, That did employ him forth. But such a Wisdom, that would prove, By sending him, their hearts, and love That else might fear his worth. 'Tis incense all, that flames! And these materials scarce have names! See! He is here! SAKON, PORTUNUS, PROTEUS bring him thus, Safe, as thy Subjects wishes gave him us: And of thy glorious Triumph let it be No lose a partly, that thou their loves dost see, Then, that his sacred hea'ds returned to thet. This sung, the Island goes back, while the upper Chorus takes it from them, and the Masquers prepare for their figure. Spring all the Graces of the age, And all the Loves of time; Bring all the pleasures of the stage, And relishes of rhyme: Add all the softnesses of Courts The locks, the laughters, and the sports. And mingle all their sweets, and salts, That none may say, the Triumph halts. Your looks your smiles, and thoughts that meet, Ambrosian hands, and silver feet, do promise you will do't. And may thy Subjects hearts be all on flame: While thou dost keep the earth in firm estate, And, amongst the winds, dost suffer no debate. But both at sea, and land, our powers increase, With health, and all the golden gifts of peace.
Plot summary
Plot — Neptune's Triumph for the Return of Albion
A masque is to be performed in the Banqueting House. The poetis interrupted by the master-cook, who claims te be in charge of the venue, and, after a discussion of their jobs, the coek claims professional brotherhood of the poet. At his request, the poet describes the argument of the masque. Having sent his son Albion with Hippius and Proteus out into foreign countries, Neptune subsequently dispatched a floating island to bring them home. Monsters attempted to detain the travellers, but they eventually returned, to general public rejoicing. Now Neptune himself is to welcome their return — somewhat belatedly, in order to avoid commparisan with the people’s vulgar celebrations. ‘The cook is perturbed to learn that there is to be no antimasque, and provides one from his stew-pot. The main masque follows: the masquers arrive on the floating island. Dancing ensues, after which the cook provides a second antimasque of sailors.