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sumptuously attired aristocrats
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John Evelyn, visiting Paris in 1651, sees Louis XIV dancing in a masque:
'A masque representing fire was admirable. Then came a Venus out of the Clouds etc. The Conclusion was an heaven whither all ascended. But the glory of the Masque was the great persons performing it, namely the French king and his brother the duke of Anjou, other dukes and counts, and a number of Gentlemen with all the grandeur of the Court: the King performing to the admiration of all: the Musique was 24 Violins, vested al'antique; but the habites of the Masquers were stupendiously rich and glorious.'
John Evelyn Diary, Oxford University Press, 1959
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