forests disappear: there is shown a
glorious palace whose walls and gates are transparent. Before the gates
lie asleep two 'Sylvans'--i.e. men of the woods. The Satyrs gather round
these sleeping sentinels and wake them up with singing:

Buzz, quoth the blue fly:
Hum, quoth the bee:
Buzz and hum they cry
And so do we.
In his ear, in his nose,
Thus do you see? [They tickle them.]
He ate the dormouse
Else it was he.

The Sylvans wake: they explain that it is yet too early for the gates to
open. Meantime let them sing and dance to while away the time. One of
them sings therefore. After the song they fall into an 'antick dance
full of gesture and swift motion' and thus continue till the crowing of
a cock gives the signal for the whole palace to open. It is like a
transformation scene at a pantomime. There is the palace with all its
occupants--the 'whole nation of Fays' or Fairies. Some are playing
instruments of music; some are singing: some are bearing lights: at the
back of the stage sit the 'Knights masquers.' With them Oberon in his
chariot. And then, drawn by two white bears, guarded by three Sylvans on
each side, the chariot moves down the stage. Observe that to produce all
these effects the stage must have been very deep. The song they sing is
in praise of the King:

Melt earth to sea, sea flow to air,
And air fly into fire,
Whilst we in tunes to Arthur's chair
Bear Oberon's desire:
Than which there's nothing can be higher
Save James to whom it flies:
But he the wonder is of tongues and ears and eyes--

The Satyrs leap and dance again for joy at so splendid a sight.

Then Silenus speaks in praise of Prince Oberon, who is, of course,
Prince Henry, the elder son of James, who died young. The flattery is no
worse than was usual in Masques. Silenus says that the Prince--

Stays the time from turning old,
And keeps the age up in a head of gold.
He makes it ever day and ever spring
When he doth shine, and quickens everything.

Then two Fays sing a song and all the Fays together dance, after which
all together sing. Then Oberon and his knights dance. Another song
follows. Then they all together dance 'measures, corantos, and
galliards,' till Phosphorus the day star appears and calls them away--

To rest! To rest! The herald of the day,
Bright Phosphorus commands you hence. Obey.

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