title: The Masque at the Earl of Somerset's Marriage (The Masque of Squires)
variant_description: The title page exists in two states: Greg 324a(*) advertises airs "composed for this Maske"; Greg 324a(†) does not. See also Greg 
title_page_title: THE DESCRIPTION of a Maske<i>:</i> ... Whereunto are annexed diuers choyse <i>Ayres</i> composed for this Maske that may be sung with a single voyce to the Lute or Base-Viall.
title_page_author: Written by <i>Thomas Campion</i>.
title_page_performance: Presented in the Banqueting roome at <i>Whitehall</i>, on Saint Stephens night last, At the Mariage of the Right Honourable the Earle of <i>Somerset</i>: And the  right noble the Lady <i>FRANCES Howard</i>.
title_page_imprint: LONDON  Printed by E. <i>A.</i> for <i>Laurence Li'sle</i>, dwelling in Paules  Church-yard, at the signe of the <i>Tygers</i> head. 1614.
paratext_other_paratexts: Three Latin mottoes [A1v]; special title to music [C1r]; "The first Song: made and exprest by M<sup>r</sup>. Nicholas Laneir" [C1v]; "These three Songs following were composed by M<sup>r</sup>. Coprario, and sung by M<sup>r</sup>. Iohn Allen, and M<sup>r</sup>. Laneir" [C2v]; "A Song, made by Th. Campion, and sung in the Lords Maske at the Count Palatines Marriage, we haue here added, to fill vp these emptie Pages" [D1v]
stationer_additional_notes: The text notes that the workmanship for the masque was undertaken by "M. Constantine [Servi] an Italian, Architect to our late Prince Henry," but adds that he "fayled so farre in the assurance he gaue, that the mayne inuention euen at the last cast, was of force drawne into a farre narrower compasse then was from the beginning intended" [A2r].
transcript_modern_spelling: The description of a Masque presented in the banqueting room at Whitehall on Saint Stephen's night last at the marriage of the right honorable the Earl of Somerset and the right noble the lady Frances Howard written by Thomas Campion whereunto are annexed divers choice airs composed for this masque that may be sung with a single voice to the lute or Bass viol London printed by E.A. for Laurence Lisle dwelling in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Tiger's head 1614