APPENDIX
B
An
account by Sir John Harington of the masque Solomon and
the Queen of Sheba presented before King James I of England
and King Christian IV of Denmark in July of 1606 is here
quoted from Mary Susan Steele's Plays & Masques
at Court During the Reigns of Elizabeth, James and Charles:
One
day, a great feast was held, and, after dinner, the
representation of Solomon his Temple and the coming
of the Queen of Sheba was made, or (as I may better
say) was meant to have been made, before their Majesties,
by device of the Earl of Salisbury and others. --But
alas! as all earthly things do fail to poor mortals
in enjoyment, so did prove our presentment hereof.
The lady who did play the Queen's part, did carry most
precious gifts to both their Majesties; but, forgetting
the steppes arising to the canopy, overset her caskets
into his Danish Majesties lap, and fell at his feet,
tho I rather think it was in his face. Much was the
hurry and confusion; cloths and napkins were at hand
to make all clean. His majesty then got up, and woud
dance with the Queen of Sheba; but he fell down and
humbled himself before her, and was carried to an inner
chamber and laid on a bed of state; which was not a
little defiled with the presents of the Queen bestowed
on his garments; such as wine, cream, jelly, beverage,
cakes, spices, and other good matters.
The
entertainment and show went forward, and most of the
presenters went backward, or fell down, wine did so
occupy their upper chambers. Now did appear in rich
dress, Hope, Faith, and Charity. Hope did assay to
speak, but wine rendered her endeavours so feeble that
she withdrew, and hoped the King would excuse her brevity:
Faith was then all alone, for I am certain that she
was not joyned with good works, and left the Court
in a staggering condition: Charity came to the King's
feet, and seemed to cover the multitude of sins her
sisters had committed; in some sort she made obeysance
and brought gifts, but said she would return home again,
as there was no gift which heaven had not already given
his Majesty. She then returned to Hope and Faith, who
were both sick and spewing in the lower hall. Next
came Victory, in bright armour, and presented a rich
sword to the King, who did not accept it, but put it
by with his hand; and by a strange medley of versification,
did endeavour to make suit to the King. But Victory
did not triumph long; for, after much lamentable utterance,
she was led away like a silly captive, and laid to
sleep on the outer steps of the anti-chamber. Now did
Peace make entry, and strive to get foremost to the
King; but I grieve to tell how great wrath she did
discover unto those of her attendants; and much contrary
to her semblance, most rudely made war with her olive
branch, and laid on the pates of those who did oppose
her coming.53
Footnotes
53
M. S. Steele, Plays & Masques at Court During
the Reigns of Elizabeth, James and Charles (1926,
1968), p. 151.
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