Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

PUBLIUS

in Albion's Triumph — Townshend, Aurelian

Metadata

PlayAlbion's Triumph
AuthorTownshend, Aurelian
Year (catalogued)1631
First performance1632
Decade1630s
GenreMasque
Play typeOccasional
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)Pub. | Pub
Words424
Characters2131
Typicality0.22 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA13846
BritDrama no.2353
ClusterCluster 23 — Gulls, fops & laughing-stocks

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

Though I have earned it with the sweat of my brows in January, yet I am glad I saw it, for there never was such a sighed seen. The Triumph. The Triumph of ALBANACTUS. They did so, for some rid me. Some trodden on my toes. Some cried, some kept it in; for my partly, I confessed all, for fear I should have been p est to death. Were not yours so too? Where stood you? You had the better friends sir, I pray where sat you? Is not your study backward? with a shop-light in it, where one can see nothing but the sky? Why then you saw no Triumph. If what I saw was but a show, what you saw was but a shadow, or at the most a Vision. For it seems your body kept home, though your spirit walked. To confute that Heresy of yours, I have gone, and seen, and know, but I will say nothing. Faith sir, I am very full indeed. ALBANACTUS Caesar from his sumptuous Palace, through the high-streets of ALBI POLIS rid Triumphing, on a Chariot, made— Sir I saw him not as he was born, naked, but since you affect such brevity, I saw the King and a great deal more, and so I turned my back, and went away. When you begin to tell your dreams, I'll not jog you, till you wake of your self. I am not angry, but a little short-winded upon oc casion. Yet to give you some satisfaction because you have done me wrong. Before Caesar Marched Captive Kings, with their hands bound. And Ladies, with their Arms across, furious wild Beasts, great Giants, and little Dwarves with Lictors, and Pictors, and a number of Pry ts that were as you would have them, In their shirts. These with certain Princes that were behind him: made up a Triumph too great to come out of any mortal men mouth. I mean in words. But as you hunt me you would hunt a Hare off her legs. I grant it, But yet grant me one Request deer Platonicus? Go but with me to the Amphitheater. Yes. I should sleep at such a sighed. All together, and so (I hope) are you Lifting up the stone I stumbled at. To see what lies under it. If there lie not a Moral under it, then have you taught me false Doctrine. See it, yes, and feel it too. Every one there (I can assure you) went not upon his own feet.

Plot summary

Plot — Albion's Triumph
Mercury descends to inform the goddess Alba that Jove has decreed a triumph in Albipolis. When he attempts to return to heaven, he has difficulty flying because his wings have been singed by proximity to the sun (implying the shining beauty of Alba). The triumph takes place, and is discussed by two citizens. Platonicus insists that he has seen the true triumph even though he missed the physical event, for he is able to understand the allegorical meaning. They go to see sports in the amphitheatre. Cupid and Diana join forces to shoot at Albanactus: he is conquered by the beauty of Alba and presented to her as love’s sacrifice. Dancing ensues, after which Albanactus joins Alba in the audience. The happy couple are given presents by allegorical figures wishing them happiness and fruitful issue; they are further blessed by the arrival of Peace. The gods seem disgruntled, but Peace enlists them in the support of Albion: Neptune will defend the navy, Bellona vanquish the nation’s enemies, Cybele ensure prosperity, and Plutus bring in wealth from overseas. A final song identifies King Charles and Queen Henrietta Maria (no longer shadowed as Albanactus and Alba) as Hymen’s twins, and wishes them long life.