Machine derived contents note: List of illustrations; Preface and acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; 1. Culture and politics, court and country: assumptions and problems, questions and suggestions; 2. Sir William Davenant and the drama of love and passion; 3. Thomas Carew and the poetry of love and nature; 4. Aurelian Townshend and the poetry of natural innocence; 5. The Caroline court masque; 6. Criticism and compliment: the politics of love; Index