Salutes ye all: this night he dedicates To fair content, and you: none here, he hopes, Enter Lord CHAMBERLAIN, Lord SANDS, and Sir THOMAS LOVELL. The very thought of this fair company Cham. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford. Lov. O, that your lordship were but now con fessor To one or two of these! Sands. I would, I were; They should find easy penance. Sands. As easy as a down bed would afford it. Harry, Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this: His grace is ent'ring.-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. too: But he would bite none; just as I do now, Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies: [Seats himself between Anne Bullen and another If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; Anne. Was he mad, Sir? Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love [Kisses her. Cham. Well said, my lord.- • Company. The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away frowning. Sands. For my little cure, Let me alone. 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; And to you all good health. Sands. Your grace is noble : [Drinks. Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, Wol. My lord Sands, I am beholden to you: cheer your neighbours. 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 t Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam, For 'tis to such a thing, Anne. You cannot shew me. Sands. I told your grace they would talk anon. [Drum and Trumpets within: Chambers t discharged. Wol. What's that? Cham. Look out, there, some of you. Wol. What warlike voice? Exit a Servant. And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileged. 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. Chair. Choose my game. Small cannon. Wol. Good lord chamberlain, Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French tongue; And pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Shall shine at full upon them :-Some attend him.[Exit Chamberlain, attended.—All arise, 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 Torch-bearers; 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 1 To tell your grace;-That, having heard by fame. This night to meet here, they could do no less, 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 touch'd! 0, beauty! Till now I never knew thee. [Music.-Dance. Wol. My lord, Cham. Your grace? Wol. Pray tell them thus much from me; There should be one amongst them, by his person, More worthy this place than myself; to whom, If I but knew him, with my love and duty 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 My royal choice. K. Hen. You have found him, cardinal: [Unmasking. You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,' I should now judge unhappily. Wol. I am glad, Your grace is grown so pleasant. Pr'ythee, come hither: What fair lady's that? Cham.. An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Ballen'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, Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber? Lov. Yes, my lord. Wol. Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. Wol. 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 ;Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen. healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure + ACT II. SCENE I.-A Street. Enter two GENTLEMEN, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. 0, God save you! Even to the hall, to hear what shall become. Of the great duke of Buckingham. Mischievously. + Dance. 1 Gent. I'll save you That labour, Sir. All's now done, but the cere mony Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gent. Were you there? 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Pray speak, what has happen'd? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it, 2 Gent. I am sorry for❜t. 1 Gent. So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it? 1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where, to his accusations, He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleged Many sharp reasons to defeat the law. The king's attorney, on the contrary, Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions Of divers, witnesses; which the duke desired To him brought, viva voce, to his face: At which appear'd against him, his surveyor; Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; aud John Court, Confessor to him; with that devil-monk, Hopkins, that made this mischief. 2 Gent. That was he, That fed him with his prophecies? 1 Gent. The same. [not: Much All these accused him strongly; which he fain 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,to hear His knell rung out, his judgment,-he was stirr'd He never was so womanish; the cause 2 Gent. Certainly, The cardinal is the end of this. |