Hymenaei, or the Solemnities of Masque and Barriers at a Marriage (Truth versus Opinion) · chunk 1 of 4
Jonson, Ben · published 1616 · first performed or written 1606 [Jan 5] (Annals) masque unassigned nearest T12 Olympian gods: Jupiter, Juno, Venus and · 511 words · other edition — not in the analysis
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T12: iupiter, saturn, iuno, venus, gods, mars, earth, titan, love, fair.
Sit now propitious Aides, To Rites, so duely priz'd; And view two noble Maides, Of different sexe, to VNION sacrific'd. In honour of that blest Estate, Which all good minds should celebrate. Here out of a Microcosme, or Globe, (figuring Man) with a kind of contentious Musique, issued forth the first Masque, of eight men. These represented the foure Humors, and foure Affections, all gloriously attired, distinguisht only by their seuerall Ensignes and Colours; and, dauncing out on the Stage, in their returne, at the end of their daunce, drew all their swords, offered to encompasse the Altar, and disturbe the Ceremonies. At which, HYMEN troubled, spake: SAue, saue the virgins; keepe your hallow'd lights Vntouch'd; and with their flame defend our Rites. The foure vntemp'red Humors are broke out, And, with their wild affections, goe about To rauish all Religion. If there be A Power, like REASON, left in that huge Bodie, Or little world of Man, from whence these came, Looke forth, and with thy bright and numerous flame Instruct their darknesse, make them know, and see, In wronging these, they haue rebell'd 'gainst thee. FOrbeare your rude attempt; what ignorance Could yeeld you so prophane, as to aduance One thought in act, against these mysteries? Are VNION'S orgies of so slender price? She that makes soules, with bodies, mixe in loue, Contracts the world in one, and therein IOVE; Is spring, and end of all things: yet, most strange! Her selfe nor suffers spring, nor end, nor change. No wonder, they were you, that were so bold; For none but Humors and Affections would Haue dar'd so rash a venture. You will say It was your zeale, that gaue your powers the sway; And vrge the masqued, and disguis'd pretence, Of sauing bloud, and succ'ring innocence? So want of knowledge, still begetteth iarres, When humorous earthlings will controll the starres. Informe your selues, with safer reuerence, To these mysterious rites, whose mysticke sence, REASON (which all things, but it selfe, confounds) Shall cleare vnto you, from th'authentique grounds. THe Paire, which doe each other side, Though (yet) some space doth them diuide, This happie Night must both make one Blest sacrifice, to VNION. Nor is this Altar but a signe Of one more soft, and more diuine. The Geniall bed, where HYMEN keepes The solemne Orgies, void of sleepes: And wildest CVPID, waking, houers With adoration 'twixt the louers. The Tead of white and blooming Thorne, In token of encrease is borne: As also, with the ominous light, To fright all malice from the Night. Like are the fire, and water, set; That, eu'n as moisture, mixt with heat, Helpes euerie naturall birth, to life; So, for their Race, ioyne man and wife. Who come to decke the geniall Bower, And bring, with them, the gratefull Hower That crownes such meetings, and excites The married Paire to fresh delights: As Courtings, Kissings, Coyings, Othes, and Vowes, Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the Ioyes, And melting Toyes, That chaster LOVE allowes. CHO, Haste, haste, for HESPERVS his head downe bowes.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Sit now propitious Aides, To Rites, so duely priz'd; And view two noble Maides, Of different sexe, to VNION sacrific'd. In honour of that blest Estate, Which all good minds should celebrate. Here out of a Microcosme, or Globe, (figuring Man) with a kind of contentious Musique, issued forth the first Masque, of eight men. These represented the foure Humors, and foure Affections, all gloriously attired, distinguisht only by their seuerall Ensignes and Colours; and, dauncing out on the Stage, in their returne, at the end of their daunce, drew all their swords, offered to encompasse the Altar, and disturbe the Ceremonies. At which, HYMEN troubled, spake: SAue, saue the virgins; keepe your hallow'd lights Vntouch'd; and with their flame defend our Rites. The foure vntemp'red Humors are broke out, And, with their wild affections, goe about To rauish all Religion. If there be A Power, like REASON, left in that huge Bodie, Or little world of Man, from whence these came, Looke forth, and with thy bright and numerous flame Instruct their darknesse, make them know, and see, In wronging these, they haue rebell'd 'gainst thee. FOrbeare your rude attempt; what ignorance Could yeeld you so prophane, as to aduance One thought in act, against these mysteries? Are VNION'S orgies of so slender price? She that makes soules, with bodies, mixe in loue, Contracts the world in one, and therein IOVE; Is spring, and end of all things: yet, most strange! Her selfe nor suffers spring, nor end, nor change. No wonder, they were you, that were so bold; For none but Humors and Affections would Haue dar'd so rash a venture. You will say It was your zeale, that gaue your powers the sway; And vrge the masqued, and disguis'd pretence, Of sauing bloud, and succ'ring innocence? So want of knowledge, still begetteth iarres, When humorous earthlings will controll the starres. Informe your selues, with safer reuerence, To these mysterious rites, whose mysticke sence, REASON (which all things, but it selfe, confounds) Shall cleare vnto you, from th'authentique grounds. THe Paire, which doe each other side, Though (yet) some space doth them diuide, This happie Night must both make one Blest sacrifice, to VNION. Nor is this Altar but a signe Of one more soft, and more diuine. The Geniall bed, where HYMEN keepes The solemne Orgies, void of sleepes: And wildest CVPID, waking, houers With adoration 'twixt the louers. The Tead of white and blooming Thorne, In token of encrease is borne: As also, with the ominous light, To fright all malice from the Night. Like are the fire, and water, set; That, eu'n as moisture, mixt with heat, Helpes euerie naturall birth, to life; So, for their Race, ioyne man and wife. Who come to decke the geniall Bower, And bring, with them, the gratefull Hower That crownes such meetings, and excites The married Paire to fresh delights: As Courtings, Kissings, Coyings, Othes, and Vowes, Soft Whisperings, Embracements, all the Ioyes, And melting Toyes, That chaster LOVE allowes. CHO, Haste, haste, for HESPERVS his head downe bowes.