Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/505

 Somewhat to read, for them that list.

Tempus adest plausus aurea pompa venit. So ends the scene of idiots; and enter ASTROPHEL in pomp. Gentlemen that have seen a thousand lines of folly drawn forth ex uno puncto impudentiae, and two famous mountains to go to the conception of one mouse; that have had your ears deafened with the echo of Fame's brazen towers, when only they have been touched with a leaden pen; that have seen PAN sitting in his bower of delights, and a number of MIDASes to admire his miserable hornpipes: let not your surfeited sight—newly come from such puppet-play—think scorn to turn aside into this Theatre of Pleasure: for here you shall find a paper stage strewed with pearl, an artificial heaven to overshadow the fair frame, and crystal walls to encounter your curious eyes; whiles the tragi-comedy of love is performed by starlight.

The chief actor here is MELPOMENE, whose dusky robes, dipped in the ink of tears [which] as yet seem to drop, when I view them near; the argument, cruel Chastity; the prologue, Hope; the epilogue, Despair. Videte quaeso et linguis animisque favete.