Sund. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these! Sands. I would, I were; They should find easy penance. Lov. 'Faith, how easy? Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this: Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies : [Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and another Lady. If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; I had it from my father. Anne. Was he mad, sir? Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too: But he would bite none; just as I do now, He would kiss you twenty with a breath. [Kisses her. Cham. Well said, my lord. So, now you are fairly seated :-Gentlemen, Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state.8 Wol. You are welcome, my fair guests; that noble lady, Or gentleman, that is not freely merry, Is not my friend: This, to confirm my welcome; And to you all good health. Sands. [Drinks. Your grace is noble ; Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, And save me so much talking. Wol. My lord Sands, I am beholden to you: cheer your neighbours.- Whose fault is this? Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam, For 'tis to such a thing, Anne. You cannot show me. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpets within: Chambers ▾ discharged. & Chair. 9 Choose my game. Small cannon. Wol. What's that? Cham. Look out there, some of you. Wol. And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileg'd. [Exit a Servant. What warlike voice? Re-enter Servant. Cham. How now? what is't? Serv. A noble troop of strangers; For so they seem: they have left their barge, and landed; And hither make, as great ambassadors From foreign princes. Wol. Good lord chamberlain, Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French tongue; And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them, and Tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve Others, as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, with sixteen Torchbearers; ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him. A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd To tell your grace ;-That, having heard by fame This night to meet here, they could do no less, But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, An hour of revels with them. Wol. Say, lord chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay them A thousand thanks, and pray them take their plea sures. [Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses ANNE BULLEN. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, WVol. Pray, tell them thus much from me : There should be one amongst them, by his person, More worthy this place than myself; to whom, I will, my lord. I would surrender it. Cham. [Cham. goes to the company, and returns. Wol. What say they? Cham. Such a one, they all confess, There is, indeed; which they would have your grace Find out, and he will take it.2 Wol. Let me see then. [Comes from his state. By all your good leaves, gentlemen;-Here I'll make You have found him, cardinal : [Unmasking. You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: Wol. I am glad, My lord chamberlain, Pr'ythee, come hither: What fair lady's that? Cham. An't please your grace, sir Thomas Bullen's daughter, The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women. K. Hen. By heaven, she is a dainty one.-Sweet heart, I were unmannerly, to take you out, And not to kiss you.-A health, gentlemen, Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber? 2 The chief place. 3 Mischievously. |