Excerpt from The Works of Ben Ionson, Vol. 8 of 9: With Notes Critical and Explanatory and a Biographical Memoir
Time Vindicated, &c.] This Entertainment, which forms a kind of retort courteous to the scurrilous satires now dispersed with mischievous activity, appears only in the second folio. The light parts of it are composed with great gaiety and humour; and the singing and dancing must have been given with great effect among the rich and beautiful concomitants of scenery, &c., that surrounded them.
In the Dulwich College MS. this is called the Prince"s Masque; its unusual splendour seems to have induced the Master of the Revels (sir John Astley) to enter into a more particular mention of it than is common with these costive gentlemen.
"Upon New-year"s day at night, the Alchemist was acted by the King"s players.
"Upon Sonday, being the 19th of January, (1623,) the Princes Masque appointed for Twelfe daye, was performed. The speeches and songs composed by Mr. Ben Johnson, and the scene made by Mr. Inigo Jones, which wras three times changed during the tyme of the Masque, wherein the first that was discovered was a prospective of Whitehall, with the Banqueting House; the second was the Masquers in a cloud; and the third a forest. The French embassador was present.
"Antemasques were of tumblers and jugglers. The Prince did lead the measures with the French embassadors wife.
"The measures, braules, corrantos, and galliards being ended, the Masquers with the ladies did daunce two contrey daunces, where the French embassadors wife and Mademoysal St. Luke did daunce." Malones Hist, of the Eng. Stage.
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