Their very noses had been counsellors

To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so. Sands. They have all new legs, and lame ones; one would take it,

That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin

And springhalt reigned among 'em.

Cham.

Death! my lord,

Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,
That, sure, they've worn out Christendom.

Enter Sir THOMAS LOVELL

How now!

What news, Sir Thomas Lovell ?

Lov.

'Faith, my lord,

I hear of none, but the new proclamation

That's clapped upon the court-gate.

Cham.

What is 't for?

Lov. The reformation of our travelled gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. Cham. I am glad 't is there: now,

our monsieurs

I would pray

To think an English courtier may be wise,
And never see the Louvre.

Lov.

They must either

For so run the conditions-leave those remnants

Of fool, and feather, that they got in France,

With all their honourable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks;
Abusing better men than they can be,

Out of a foreign wisdom; renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings,
Short blistered breeches, and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men;

Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away

The lag end of their lewdness, and be laughed at. Sands. "Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases

There will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whoresons
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies;
A French song and a fiddle has no fellow.

Sands. The devil fiddle 'em! I am glad they're

going,

For, sure, there's no converting of 'em now,
An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song,
And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r lady,

Held current music too.

1

Cham

Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.

Sands.

Well said, Lord Sands :

No, my lord,

Sir Thomas,

To the Cardinal's.

O, 't is true :

Nor shall not, while I have a stump.

Cham.

Whither were you a-going?

Lov.

Your lordship is a guest too.

Cham.

This night he makes a supper, and a great one,
To many lords and ladies; there will be

The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.

Lov. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,

A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us;
His dews fall everywhere.

Cham

No doubt, he's noble ;

He had a black mouth that said other of him.

Sands. He may, my lord,-has wherewithal; in

him

Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine : Men of his way should be most liberal;

They are set here for examples.

Cham.

But few now give so great ones.

True, they are so;

My barge stays;

Your lordship shall along.-Come, good Sir Thomas,

We shall be late else; which I would not be,
For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford,
This night to be comptrollers.

Sands.

I am your lordship's.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-The Presence-chamber in York Place. Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter ANNE BULLEN, and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen, as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir HENRY GUILDFORD

Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates

To fair content, and you.

None here, he hopes,

In all this noble bevy, has brought with her

One care abroad; he would have all as merry

As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome, Can make good people.

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord SANDS, and Sir THOMAS LOVELL

O, my lord, you are tardy;

The very thought of this fair company

Clapped wings to me.

Cham. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford. Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the Cardinal But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running banquet ere they rested, I think would better please 'em: by my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Lov. O, that your lordship were confessor

To one or two of these.

Sands.

I would I were ;

They should find easy penance.

Lov.

but now

'Faith, how easy?

Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir

Harry,

Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this:
His
grace is entering.-Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women placed together makes cold weather :—
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep them

waking;

Pray, sit between these ladies.

Sands.

By my faith,

And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet

ladies :

[Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN

and another Lady.