Then the Graces begin, and one after the other for nine verses sing the “Hue and Cry for Cupid”: _1st G._ Beauties, have ye seen this toy Callèd Love, a little boy, Almost naked, wanton, blind; Cruel now, and then as kind? If he be amongst ye, say? He is Venus’ runaway. * * * * * _2d G._ Trust him not; his words, though sweet, Seldom with his heart do meet. All his practice is deceit; Any gift it is a bait; Not a kiss but poison bears, And most treason in his tears. * * * * * _1st G._ If by these ye please to know him, Beauties, be not nice, but show him. _2d G._ Though ye had a will to hide him, Now, we hope, ye’ll not abide him. _3d G._ Since you hear his falser play, And that he’s Venus’ runaway. After this Cupid himself comes running out from behind the trophies: he is armed; he is followed by twelve boys “most antickly” attired, representing the Sports and pretty Lightnesses that accompany Love under the titles of Joci and Risus. _Cupid._ Come, my little jocund sports, Come away; the time now sorts With your pastime; this same night Is Cupid’s day. Advance your light, With your revel fill the room, That our triumphs be not dumb. Then the boys “fall into a subtle, capricious” dance, bearing torches with ridiculous gestures. Venus all the time stands on one side, the Graces grouped around her. Can we realize what a pretty picture this would make? When the dance is over, Venus and her maidens surround Cupid and apprehend him. What has he been doing? “Have you shot Minerva or the Thespian dames? Heat agèd Ops again with youthful flames? Or have you made the colder Moon to visit, Once more, a sheepcote? Say what conquest is it Can make you hope such a renown to win? Is there a second Hercules brought to spin? Or, for some new disguise, leaves Jove his thunder?” At this point Hymen entered, and the manner of his entry was thus: He wore a saffron-colored robe, his under-vesture white, his socks yellow, a yellow veil of silk on his left arm, his head crowned with roses and marjoram, in his right hand a torch of pine tree. After him came a youth in white, bearing another torch of white thorn; behind him two others in white, the one bearing a distaff and the other a spindle. Then followed the Auspices, those who “handfasted” the pair and wished them luck--_i. e._, prayed for them. Then one who bore water and another who bore fire; and lastly musicians. Cupid at sight of Hymen breaks off: “Hymen’s presence bids away; ’Tis already at his night: He can give you further light. You, my Sports, may here abide, Till I call to light the bride.”