At the day that it was presented, there was a choice roome reserved for the gentlemen, of both their houses, who comming in troope about seven of the clocke, received that speciall honor and noble favour, as to be brought to their places, by the Right Honourable the Earle of Northampton, Lord Privie Seale. TO THE WORTHIE | SIR FRANCIS BACON, HIS MA-|JESTIES SOLLICITOR GENE-|rall, and the grave and learned Bench of | the anciently allied houses of Grayes | Inne, and the Inner Temple, the Inner | _Temple, and Grayes Inne._ _Yee that spared no time nor travell, in the setting forth, ordering, & furnishing of this Masque, being the first fruits of honor in this kinde, which these two societies have offered to his Majestie: Will not thinke much now to looke backe upon the effects of your owne care and worke: for that whereof the successe was then doubtfull, is now happily performed and gratiously accepted. And that which you were then to thinke of in straites of time, you may now peruse at leysure. And you Sir_ Francis Bacon _especially, as you did then by your countenance, and loving affection advance it, so let your good word grace it, and defend it, which is able to adde value to the greatest, and least matters._ THE DEVISE OR | ARGUMENT OF THE | MASQUE. _Jupiter_ and _Juno_ willing to doe honour to the Mariage of the two famous Rivers _Thamesis_ and _Rhene_, imploy their Messengers severally, _Mercurie_ and _Iris_ for that purpose. They meete and contend: then _Mercurie_ for his part brings forth an Anti-masque all of Spirits or divine Natures: but yet not of one kinde or liverie (because that had been so much in use heretofore) but as it were in consort like to broken Musicke. And preserving the proprietie of the devise; for that Rivers in nature are maintained either by Springs from beneath, or Shewers from above: He raiseth foure of the _Naiades_ out of the Fountaines, and bringeth downe five of the _Hyades_ out of the Cloudes to daunce; hereupon _Iris_ scoffes at _Mercurie_ for that hee had devised a daunce but of one Sexe, which could have no life: but _Mercurie_ who was provided for that exception, and in token that the Match should be blessed both with Love and Riches calleth forth out of the Groves foure _Cupids_, and brings downe from _Jupiters_ Altar foure _Statuaes_ of gold and silver to daunce with the Nymphes and Starres: in which daunce the _Cupids_ being blinde, and the _Statuaes_ having but halfe life put into them, and retaining still somewhat of their old nature, giveth fit occasion to new and strange varieties both in the Musick and paces. This was the first Anti-masque.