THESE things are but toys, to come amongst such serious observations. But yet, since princes will have such things, it is better they should be graced with elegancy, than daubed with cost. Dancing to song, is a thing of great state and pleasure. I understand it, that the song be in quire, placed aloft, and accompanied with some broken music; and the ditty fitted to the device. Acting in song, especially in dialogues, hath an extreme good grace; I say acting, not dancing (for that is a mean and vulgar thing); and the voices of the dialogue would be strong and manly (a base and a tenor; no treble); and the ditty high and tragical; not nice or dainty. Several quires, placed one over against another, and taking the voice by catches, anthem-wise, give great pleasure. Turning dances into figure, is a childish curiosity. And generally let it be noted, that those things which I here set down, are such as do naturally take the sense, and not respect petty wonderments. It is true, the alterations of scenes, so it be quietly and without noise, are things of great beauty and pleasure; for they feed and relieve the eye, before it be full of the same object. Let the scenes abound with light, specially colored and varied; and let the masquers, or any other, that are to come down from the scene, have some motions upon the scene itself, before their coming down; for it draws the eye strangely, and makes it, with great pleasure, to desire to see, that it cannot perfectly discern. Let the songs be loud and cheerful, and not chirpings or pulings. Let the music likewise be sharp and loud, and well placed. The colors that show best by candle-light are white, carnation, and a kind of sea-water-green; and oes, or spangs, as they are of no great cost, so they are of most glory. As for rich embroidery, it is lost and not discerned. Let the suits of the masquers be graceful, and such as become the person, when the vizors are off; not after examples of known attires; Turke, soldiers, mariners', and the like. Let anti-masques not be long; they have been commonly of fools, satyrs, baboons, wild-men, antics, beasts, sprites, witches, Ethiops, pigmies, turquets, nymphs, rustics, Cupids, statuas moving, and the like. As for angels, it is not comical enough, to put them in anti-masques; and anything that is hideous, as devils, giants, is on the other side as unfit. But chiefly, let the music of them be recreative, and with some strange changes. Some sweet odors suddenly coming forth, without any drops falling, are, in such a company as there is steam and heat, things of great pleasure and refreshment. Double masques, one of men, another of ladies, addeth state and variety. But all is nothing except the room be kept clear and neat.
These entertainments are mere trifles among such serious observations. Yet since princes insist on having them, elegance is better than a lavish display of expense. Dancing to song has great dignity and charm. I mean a choir placed above the stage, accompanied by a mixed group of instruments. The words should suit the theme of the performance. Acting through song, especially in dialogues, is extremely effective. I mean acting, not dancing, which in this setting is common and vulgar. The dialogue should use strong, manly voices, a bass and a tenor, with no treble. The words should be lofty and tragic, not delicate or dainty. Several choirs facing one another and taking up the melody in turn, as in an anthem, give great pleasure. Arranging dances into elaborate shapes is a childish fancy. In general, these recommendations concern things that naturally please the senses, not petty novelties meant to provoke wonder. Scene changes can indeed be very beautiful and pleasing, provided they happen quietly and without noise. They refresh and relieve the eye before it tires of the same sight. Let the scenery be full of light, especially light of varied colors. The masked performers, and anyone else descending from the stage, should move about on it before coming down. This draws the eye remarkably. It creates a delightful desire to see clearly what cannot yet be fully made out. Let the songs be loud and cheerful, not chirping or whining. Let the instrumental music likewise be clear, piercing, and loud, with the musicians well placed. The colors that show best by candlelight are white, flesh-pink, and a kind of sea-green. Rings and spangles cost little but create the most brilliant effect. Rich embroidery, however, is wasted because it cannot be seen. The masked performers’ costumes should be graceful and suit their wearers when the masks come off. They should not copy familiar outfits, such as those of Turks, soldiers, sailors, and the like. Let the comic interludes known as antimasques be short. They have commonly featured fools, satyrs, baboons, wild men, grotesque figures, beasts, spirits, witches, Ethiopians, pygmies, little Turks, nymphs, countryfolk, Cupids, moving statues, and the like. Angels are not comic enough for antimasques. At the other extreme, hideous figures such as devils and giants are equally unsuitable. Above all, their music should be entertaining, with some unexpected changes. Sweet scents released suddenly, without falling droplets, give great pleasure and refreshment in a gathering filled with heat and perspiration. Double masques, one performed by men and another by ladies, add dignity and variety. But all of this amounts to nothing unless the room is kept uncluttered and tidy.
For justs, and tourneys, and barriers; the glories of them are chiefly in the chariots, wherein the challengers make their entry; especially if they be drawn with strange beasts: as lions, bears, camels, and the like; or in the devices of their entrance; or in the bravery of their liveries; or in the goodly furniture of their horses and armor. But enough of these toys.
For jousts, tournaments, and combat at barriers, the main splendor lies in the chariots in which the challengers enter. This is especially true if unusual animals draw them, such as lions, bears, camels, and the like. Other highlights are the ingenious displays accompanying their entrance, their splendid uniforms, and the fine equipment for their horses and armor. But enough of these trifles.