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 every where.

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.

True, they are so;

CHAM.
But few now give so great ones. 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.

58 a black mouth] a slanderous tongue.

I am your lordship's.

[Exeunt.

63 My barge stays] The speaker is in the king's palace at Bridewell on the river Thames, and is proceeding westward by water to York Place (now Whitehall), Cardinal Wolsey's palace at Westminster.

67 your lordship's] at your lordship's service.

60

SCENE IV— A HALL 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're tardy:

The very thought of this fair company

Clapp'd 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,

(stage direction) Hautboys] Musical instruments resembling flutes. a state] a canopy. The word often means "a chair of state," as in the later stage directions of the Scene.

11 my lay thoughts] my secular thoughts, thoughts unbecoming in an ecclesiastic.

12 a running banquet] a hasty meal; sometimes the dessert or light course of sweetmeats which terminates a banquet. Cf. V, iv, 62,

infra.

10

I think would better please 'em: by my life,
They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these!

SANDS.

I would I were;

Faith, how easy?

They should find easy penance.

Lov.
SANDS. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
CHAM. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?

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 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.

SANDS.

By my faith,

Sir

And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet

ladies :

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.

CHAM.

[Kisses her.

20

Well said, my lord. 30

So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

27 Was he mad, sir?] Was he wild, sportive, sir?

30 kiss you twenty] kiss twenty women; "you" is the ethic dative.

SANDS.

Let me alone.

For my little cure,

Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, and takes his state

WOL. You're 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.

Your grace is noble: Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, And save me so much talking.

[Drinks.

My Lord Sands,

40

WOL.
I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours.
Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen,

Whose fault is this?

SANDS.

The red wine first must rise

In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em

Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,

For 't is to such a thing

ANNE.

You cannot show me.

SANDS. I told your grace they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpet: chambers discharged.

33 cure] cure of souls, parochial charge, congregation.

word facetiously.

Sands uses the

34 (stage direction) state] chair of state; cf. note on the stage direction

at the opening of the Scene.

46 if I make my play] if I take a hand in the game.

49 (stage direction) chambers discharged] cannons fired.

WOL.

What's that?

CHAM. LOOK out there, some of ye. [Exit Servant.

What warlike voice, 50

WOL.
And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you're privileged.

Re-enter Servant

CHAM. HOW now! what is 't?

SERV.

A noble troop of strangers;

For so they seem: they've left their barge, and landed; And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

WOL.

Good lord chamberlain,

Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;
And, pray, receive 'em nobly and conduct 'em
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them.

[Exit Chamberlain, attended.

Some attend him.

All rise, and tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. A good digestion to you all: and once more

I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.

Hautboys. Enter the KING and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, 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
Of this so noble and so fair assembly

This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,

60