Robes or rags, as suit it may,
Oh look forth, the pageant see,
Divine Author, which to thee
Mortals play; this earthly ball
Let unfold, for there of all

That is done, the scene must be.

[Two globes open with music at the same time; in the one shall be a glorious throne, and on it the Author sitting; in the other the representation shall take place; this last must have two doors; on the one a cradle painted, on the other a coffin.

AUTHOR.

Since I have devised this play,
That my greatness may be shown,
I here seated on my throne,
Where it is eternal day,

Will my company survey.
Mortals, who your entrance due
By a cradle find, and who
By a tomb your exit make,
Pains in all your acting take,

Your great Author watches you.

Enter DISCRETION with an instrument, and sings.

Let praise the mighty Lord of earth and sky,

Sun, moon, and host of heaven;

To Him be praises given

From the fair flowers, the earth's emblazonry:

Let light and fire their praises lift on high,

And ice and frost and dew,

Summer and winter too,

And all that under this blue veil doth lie,
Whence He looks down, who still

Is Arbiter and Judge of good and ill.

AUTHOR.

Me no sound can more engage
Than the faithful canticle

On man's lips, which Daniel

Sang, that so he might assuage

The Chaldean monarch's rage.

The Law of Grace acts as prompter, to remind cach of his part should he forget it, and to correct the mistakes which any may make, and thus the play within the play begins.

Enter BEAUTY and DISCRETION at the door of the cradle.

BEAUTY.

Come, and let us hand in hand

Through these pleasant meadows roam,

Which are May's delightful birthplace,

Which the sun woos evermore.

DISCRETION.

That to quit my cell I never
Wish, thou hast already known,
Never from the pleasant bondage
Of my cloister breaking forth.

BEAUTY.

And with thee must all things always

This austere aspèct put on?

Not a day of pleasure ever!
Tell me for what end did God
The flowers fashion, if the smell
Never shall the richness know
Of their fragrant censers swinging?
And the birds why made He more,
That with their delicious music
Float like winged harps of gold,
If the ear is not to hear them?
Why all tissues smooth and soft,
If the touch is not to crush them
With a free delight and bold?
Wherefore the delicious fruits,
If it were not to afford

With their seasonings to the taste
Cates of savors manifold?
Why in short has God created
Mountains, valleys, sun, or moon,
If the eye is not to see them?
Nay, with reason just I hold
We are thankless, not enjoying
All the rare gifts God bestows.

DISCRETION.

To enjoy by admiration

That may lawfully be done,
Thanking Him the while for all;
To enjoy their beauties no,

When we use, indeed misuse, them,
He their Giver quite forgot.
I abandon not my cloister,
Having this religion chose
To entomb my life, and thus
That I am Discretion show.

WORLD.

Only one has heard, the other

Missed the words the prompter spoke

Others enter, the Rich Man, the Husbandman-everything is characteristic, and managed with infinite variety and resource on the part of the poet; but we must pass over much. Presently the Beggar enters.

BEGGAR.

Who among all living men

May a direr misery know

Than is mine? this rugged soil

Is the softest bed I own

And the best; which if all Heaven

For a canopy it boasts,

Lies unsheltered, unprotected

From the heat and from the cold.

Hunger me and thirst torment;

Give me patience, O my God.

RICH MAN.

How shall I make ostentation
Best of all my wealth?

BEGGAR.

My wo

How shall I the best endure?

LAW OF GRACE.

Doing well; for God is God.