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When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season season'd are
To their right praise, and true perfection.
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Here is an example of a superstitious meaning attaching to supposed mysterious music.
There are very few cases of this kind in Shakespeare—i.e., where the music of the stage is an integral part of the drama.
Antony and Cleop. 4/3, 12. Music of hautboys under the stage.
| 4 Soldier.
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… Peace, what noise?
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| 1 Sold.
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Music in the air.
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| 4 Sold.
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It signs well, does it not?
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| 1 Sold.
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Peace, I say!
What should this mean?
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| 2 Sold.
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'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd,
Now leaves him.
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A very usual popular amusement was the Masque, which would consist of a public procession with decorated cars containing the characters, accompanied by hobby horses, tumblers, and open air music. This is referred to in the next passage, where Theseus
