Collier was not aware that Nichols had printed this Masque in the third volume of his "Progress of Queen Elizabeth" from another MS., and that there is extant a third MS. copy in Add. MS. 5956 (Brit. Museum). I have contented myself with printing Collier's text without any material alterations; but I have given in a footnote the graceful song with which the Masque concludes in Nichols' transcript. The Masque was performed at Court 16th February 1617-8 (See Nichols' _Progresses of King James I._, iii. 466). THE MOUNTEBANK'S MASQUE. THE FIRST ANTIMASQUE OF MOUNTEBANKS. MOUNTEBANK'S SPEECH. The great Master of medicine, Æsculapius, preserve and prolong the sanity of these Royal and Princely Spectators. And if any here present happen to be valetudinary, the blessed finger of our grand Master Paracelsus be at hand for their speedy reparation. I have heard of a mad fellow that styles himself a merry Greek, and goes abroad by the name of Paradox, who with frisking and dancing, and new broached doctrine, hath stolen himself, this Festival time of Christmas, into favour at the Court of Purple, and having there got some approbation for his small performance, is grown so audacious as to intrude himself into this honoured presence. To prevent whose further growing fame, I have, with these my fellow Artists of several nations, all famous for the bank, hither made repair, to present unto your view more wholesome, more pleasing, and more novel delights, which, to avoid prolixity, I distribute into these following commonplaces. Names of Diseases cured by us, Which being infinite, purposely we omit. Musical Charms, Familiar Receipts, _Sing their Songs, viz._: _Chorus._ What is't you lack, what would you buy? What is it that you need? Come to me, Gallants; taste and try: Here's that will do the deed. 1 SONG. 1. Here's water to quench maiden fires; Here's spirits for old occupiers; Here's powder to preserve youth long, Here's oil to make weak sinews strong. What! 2. This powder doth preserve from fate; This cures the Maleficiate: Lost Maidenhead this doth restore, And makes them Virgins as before. What! 3. Here's cure for toothache, fever-lurdens,[623] Unlawful and untimely burdens: Diseases of all Sex and Ages This Medicine cures, or else assuages. What! 4. I have receipts to cure the gout, To keep pox in, or thrust them out; To cool hot bloods, cold bloods to warm, Shall do you, if no good, no harm. What! 2 SONG.