Complete explanation of the essay alongside the original text
Original
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.
Explanation
Masque means some sort of stage performance involving a combination of singing, acting, and dancing. Such type of entertainment received patronage from the royalty who watched such performances for pleasure. Since, such form of acting cum singing is liked by royal family members, they should receive recognition and appreciation, and not berated as a costly form of entertainment.
Original
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.
Explanation
When a performer dances in tune with the tone and meaning of a song, it becomes a nice thing to watch. Such shows have not one but multiple dancers on stage. Some music is played in parts to accentuate the show’s appeal. A song is sung as the dancers begin to perform. The dancers engage in loud and meaningful dialogues maintaining high standards of civility and gracefulness. The performers attach more value to their acting with their dancing taking a complementary role. The actors speak with dignity and grace. The songs are heavy in content and are sung with grave and manly voice. Light songs are not played in such performances.
Original
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.
Explanation
Different groups of performers try to outperform each other by synchronizing their singing with the background music. Such performance appeals to the viewers. They provide ample sensual pleasure to the viewers who like the way dancers sync their dialogues with the music and songs. As the show progresses, scenes on stage change seamlessly. Such show entertains the viewers and makes them enjoy every bit of the performance.
Original
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.
Explanation
The stage for such performances must have lively lighting with an array of colours and intensity. Such a mix of varied lighting and sound would enthrall the audience. Their attention would remain focused on the stage.
Original
Let the gongs be loud and cheerful, and not chirpings or pulings. Let the music like wise 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.
Explanation
The sound emanating from the stage should be loud enough to reverberate in the minds of the audience. Candles can provide lighting of white, pink or green colour. These are inexpensive devices, but hold considerable visual appeal for viewers. The attire of the music team should be colourful enough to attract attention. They can be dressed as combatants wearing helmets. Those who dislike such musical performers are people of poor taste, with dumb brains, and little knowledge of musical charms. They are humans with dull and stupid minds.
Original
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.
Explanation
Such people with negative perception about the charms of music and stage performances like dancing are no doubt unfit to be members of a civilized society. Their minds are lewd and depraved. Music performances are very welcomed when there is anxiety or sorrow in the background. Music soothes the scarred minds. It’s a good idea to have separate music groups for male and female performers. It will add colour and variety to this form of performing arts.
Original
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.