THE ELIZABETHAN MASQUE

161

and 'a Comedy of Errors (like to Plautus his Menechmus) was

played by the players.' The night was afterwards called 'The

Night of Errors.' Next day was spent in mock trials and con-

sultation 'for the recovery of our lost honour.' The result was

a show which although not actually a masque is yet of very great

interest.

When the Prince and the Ambassador of Templaria were seated,

they were presented with this device: 'At the side of the Hall, behind a

curtain, was erected an altar to the Goddess of Amity; her arch-flamen

ready to attend the sacrifice...round about the same sate Nymphs and

Fairies,...and made very pleasant melody with viols and voices, and

sang hymns...to her deity.' Then there came from another room three

pairs of the famous friends of antiquity. Lastly, were presented Graius

and Templarius...but the Goddess did not accept their service until

the arch-flamen had performed mystic rites, the nymphs had sung

hymns and they had renewed their devotions. Then the arch-flamen

pronounced Graius and Templarius perfect friends and cursed any who

should attempt to separate them. When the show was ended the Prince

made the Ambassador a Knight of the Helmet1.

On Twelfth Night the Grayans presented 'a shew which

concerned his Highness's State and Government.'1

First there came six Knights of the Helmet, with three prisoners,

attired like monsters and miscreants. The Knights gave the Prince to

understand, that as they were returning from their adventures out of

Russia, they surprised these three persons, which were conspiring

against his Highness and his dignity. Then entered in the two goddesses

Virtue and Amity, who disclosed to the Prince that these suspected

persons were Envy, Male-content, and Folly. 'Then willed they the

Knights to depart, and to carry away the offenders; and that they them-

selves should come in more pleasing sort, and better befitting the present.

So the Knights departed, and Virtue and Amity promised that they two

would support his Excellency against all his foes whatsoever, and then

departed with most pleasant musick. After their departure, entred the

six Knights in a very stately mask, and danced a new devised measure;

and after that, they took to them Ladies and Gentlewomen, and danced

with them their galliards, and so departed with musick.'J

This show may be compared with the Nottingham 'devices.'

The chief sign of advance is that the masque is not simply part

of the furniture of the show, but the show is made to lead up to

1 Prog. Eli%. vol. in, pp. 281, 282. 1 Ibid. pp. 297, 298.

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