_Iris._ Ceres,[437-8] most bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas; Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch'd with stover,[438-9] them to keep; Thy banks with peonéd[438-10] and twillèd[438-11] brims, Which spongy[438-12] April at thy best betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns;[438-13] and thy brown groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Being lass-lorn;[438-14] thy pole-clipt vineyard;[438-15] And thy sea-marge, steril, and rocky-hard, Where thou thyself dost air;--the Queen o' the Sky,[438-16] Whose watery arch[438-17] and messenger am I, Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign Grace, Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport. Her peacocks[438-18] fly amain: Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain. _Enter CERES._ _Cer._ Hail, many-color'd messenger, that ne'er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;[438-19] Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers; And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown My bosky[440-20] acres and my unshrubb'd down,[440-21] Rich scarf to my proud Earth;--why hath thy Queen Summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green? [Illustration: CERES ENTERS, AT IRIS' CALL] _Iris._ A contract of true love to celebrate; And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd lovers. _Cer._ Tell me, heavenly Bow, If Venus[440-22] or her son, as thou dost know, Do now attend the Queen? Since they did plot The means that dusky Dis[440-23] my daughter got,[440-24] Her and her blind boy's[440-25] scandal'd company I have forsworn. _Iris._ Of her society Be not afraid: I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos,[440-26] and her son Dove-drawn with her. _Cer._ Here, Queen of highest state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.[440-27] _Enter JUNO._[440-28] _Juno._ How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue. SONG. Juno. _Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Long continuance, and increasing, Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you._ Cer. _Earth's increase, and foison plenty,[441-29] Barns and garners never empty; Vines with clustering bunches growing; Plants with goodly burden bowing; Spring come to you at the farthest In the very end of harvest![441-30] Scarcity and want shall shun you; Ceres' blessing so is on you._ _Ferd._ This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold To think these spirits?[441-31] _Pros._ Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies.