Enter Lord Chamberlain, LORD SANDS, and SIR THOMAS LOVELL. 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 them. 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 ; They should find easy penance. 'Faith, how easy? Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this: By my faith, Sands. 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. So, now you are fairly seated ;-Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away frowning. Sands. For my little cure, Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state. 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; [Drinks. Your grace is noble ; Sands. And save me so much talking. Wol. Whose fault is this? Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have them Talk us to silence. Anne. You are a merry gamester, my lord Sands. Sands. Yes, if I make my play.1 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. Wol. [Drum and trumpets within: chambers2 discharged. What's that? [Exit a Servant. What warlike voice? Cham. Look out there, some of you. Wol. And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; 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; 1 i. e. if I may choose my game. 2 Chambers are short pieces of ordnance. 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 prayed 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 pleasures. [Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses ANNE BULLEN. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touched! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. Wol. My lord, [Music. Dance. Cham. Wol. Your grace? Pray tell them thus much from me : There should be one amongst them, by his person, I would surrender it. Cham. I will, my lord. [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. 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.-Sweetheart, I were unmannerly to take you out, And not to kiss you.2-A health, gentlemen; Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber? Your grace, I fear, with dancing, is a little heated. 1 i. e. waggishly, mischievously. 2 A kiss was anciently the established fee of a lady's partner. K. Hen. I fear, too much. Wol. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forsake you.-Let's be merry :- I'll save you Even to the hall to hear what shall become Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. That labor, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gent. 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Were you there? Pray, speak, what has happened? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon it. 2 Gent. I am sorry for❜t. 1 Thus in Antonio and Mellida : "Fla. Faith, the song will seem to come off hardly. Catz. Troth, not a whit, if you seem to come off quickly. |