Somewhat to read, for them that list.
Tempus adest plausus aurea pompa venit. So ends
the scene of idiots; and enter ASTROPHEL in pomp.
Gentlemen that have seen a thousand lines of folly
drawn forth ex uno puncto impudentiae, and two
famous mountains to go to the conception of one mouse;
that have had your ears deafened with the echo of Fame's
brazen towers, when only they have been touched with a
leaden pen; that have seen PAN sitting in his bower of
delights, and a number of MIDASes to admire his miserable
hornpipes: let not your surfeited sight—newly come from
such puppet-play—think scorn to turn aside into this Theatre
of Pleasure: for here you shall find a paper stage strewed
with pearl, an artificial heaven to overshadow the fair frame,
and crystal walls to encounter your curious eyes; whiles the
tragi-comedy of love is performed by starlight.
The chief actor here is MELPOMENE, whose dusky robes, dipped in the ink of tears [which] as yet seem to drop, when I view them near; the argument, cruel Chastity; the prologue, Hope; the epilogue, Despair. Videte quaeso et linguis animisque favete.
