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"From the mask with the black visard and silver mantle.
"THESE."
She had barely finished the perusal, when there came tripping in the
page of Sir John Finett, carrying a sealed billet redolent with the most
costly perfume. The superscription was precisely similar, and nearly in
the same hand:--"To the Fairest, These."
She hastily broke open the packet.
"Beauteous and most matchless queen! jealous of thy coming, the orb
of day hasteneth to hide himself in Thetis's lap. He leaveth thee
our luminary in his stead, whose twin stars shall so outmimic day
that his brightness shall not be remembered. Truly am I in great
heaviness and sorrow, seeing that I cannot be with you in the
opening of the pageant, by reason of mine office, and my duty to
the king. Yet will I not leave you without a protector. My trusty
friend Weldon will enact your faithful knighte. He weareth a black
visard and mantle of spotted silver, and will accompany you to the
bower, from whence he delivereth the queene and her distressed
damsels out of durance. When the dancing begins, expect me.


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