More from Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary entry of April 8/18 (Old Style), 1654

Source:

A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 52 to 53, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772

https://books.google.com/books?id=wxAJAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=A+journal+of+the+Swedish+embassy&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqge3X79jpAhWOtJ4KHc0NCyAQuwUwAXoECAEQBg#v=onepage&q=A%20journal%20of%20the%20Swedish%20embassy&f=false

Bulstr. Whitelockes Dag-Bok Öfver Dess Ambassade til Sverige, pages 523 to 527, translated by Johan Edman, 1777

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The diary entry excerpt:

In the evening, according to the invitation from the queen, Whitelocke went to court to the masque, where he did not find the danish ambassador; butt some of the court tooke notice of the discourse which had bin between the master of the ceremonies and Whitelocke, touching precedence, and they all approved Whitelocke's resolution, and told him, that the queen highly commended him for it, and said, that he was a stout and faithfull servant to the protector, and to his nation, and that she should love him the better for it; nor was the contest the lesse pleasing, bicause with the Dane in Sweden.

From eight a'clocke att night till two the next morning they were att the masque, which was in the usuall roome fitted for the solemnity, in which the queen herselfe was an actor.

The floore where they daunced was covered with tapestry, and hung about with red velvet; butt most adorned by the presence of a great number of ladyes richly dressed and beautifyed, both by nature and habit, attending on their mistris: and there were also many senators, officers, courtiers, and nobility; a very great presence of spectators.

The musicke was excellent, especially the violins, which were many, and rare musitians, and fittest for that purpose.

The queen herselfe daunced very well att two entryes; in the first, she represented a moorish lady, in the second a citizen's wife; in both, the properties were exactly fitted, and in all the rest of the actors and dauncers.

There were no speeches nor songs; men acting mens parts, and women the womens, with variety of representations and daunces: the whole designe was to show the vanity and folly of all professions and worldly things; lively represented by the exact properties and mute actions, gentilely, without the least offence or scandall.

It held two howers; and, after the daunces, the queen caused her chaire to be brought neer to Whitelocke, where she sate downe, and discoursed with him of the masque. He (according to his judgement) commended it, and the inoffensiveness of it, and rare properties fitted to every representation, with the excellent performance of their parts by all, especially by the moorish lady and cittizen's wife, att which the queen smiled, and said, she was glad he liked it. He replyed, that any of his countrymen might have bin presented att it without any offence; and he thanked her majesty for the honor she gave him to be present att it. The queen said, she perceived that Whitelocke understood what belonged to masques, and the most curious part of them, the properties; with much like discourse, after which she retired to her chamber, and Whitelocke to his lodging.

With modernised spelling:

In the evening, according to the invitation from the Queen, Whitelocke went to court to the masque, where he did not find the Danish ambassador, but some of the court took notice of the discourse which had been between the Master of the Ceremonies and Whitelocke touching precedence, and they all approved Whitelocke's resolution and told him that the Queen highly commended him for it and said that he was a stout and faithful servant to the Protector and to his nation, and that she should love him the better for it. Nor was the contest the less pleasing, because with the Dane in Sweden.

From eight o'clock at night till two the next morning they were at the masque, which was in the usual room fitted for the solemnity, in which the Queen herself was an actor.

The floor where they danced was covered with tapestry and hung about with red velvet, but most adorned by the presence of a great number of ladies richly dressed and beautified, both by nature and habit, attending on their mistress; and there were also many senators, officers, courtiers, and nobility, a very great presence of spectators.

The music was excellent, especially the violins, which were many, and rare musicians, and fittest for that purpose.

The Queen herself danced very well at two entries: in the first, she represented a Moorish lady, in the second a citizen's wife. In both the properties were exactly fitted, and in all the rest of the actors and dancers.

There were no speeches nor songs; men acting men's parts, and women the women's, with variety of representations and dances. The whole design was to show the vanity and folly of all professions and worldly things, lively represented by the exact properties and mute actions, gently, without the least offense or scandal.

It held two hours; and, after the dances, the Queen caused her chair to be brought near to Whitelocke, where she sat down and discoursed with him of the masque. He (according to his judgement) commended it and the inoffensiveness of it and rare properties fitted to every representation, with the excellent performance of their parts by all, especially by the Moorish lady and citizen's wife, at which the Queen smiled and said she was glad he liked it. He replied that any of his countrymen might have been presented at it without any offense, and he thanked Her Majesty for the honour she gave him to be present at it. The Queen said she perceived that Whitelocke understood what belonged to masques, and the most curious part of them, the properties, with much like discourse, after which she retired to her chamber, and Whitelocke to his lodging.

Above: Kristina.

Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.