Cham. O, 'tis true : This night he makes a supper, and a great one, 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. Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal; in him, Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine: Cham. True, they are so; But few now give so great ones. My barge stays; Come, good Sir Thomas, We shall be late else; which I would not be; Your lordship shall along. Sands. Ay, ay; if the beauties are there, I must make one among them, to be sure. [Exeunt, L. SCENE IV. - York Place.-Music.-A State Chair and Canopy R. for the CARDINAL, and a Table for the Guests. -ANNE BULLEN, LADY DENNY, and other Ladies and Gentlemen, as Guests, Wolsey's Servants attending them, discovered.Orchestra in Back Ground. Enter GUILDFORD, R. Guild. (c.) Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes you all: This night he dedicates Enter CHAMBERLAIN, SANDS, and Lovel, L. O, my lord, you're tardy; Cham. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford. But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these I think, would better please them: -By my life, [Surveying the Ladies. 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. Lov. 'Faith, how easy? Sands. As easy as a down bed would afford it. Sir Harry, Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this. [Flourish of Trumpets. His grace is entering.-Nay, you must not freeze; Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship. (L.) By your leave, sweet ladies: [Sits between ANNE BULLEN and Lady DENNY. If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; 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. Well said, my lord- Sands. For my little cure, Let me alone. [Kisses her. [Flourish of Trumpets. Enter, R. two Gentlemen, WOLSEY, two Pages, and CROMWELL.- All rise. - WOLSEY takes his State. Wol. [On the Steps leading up to his State-Seat, R.] You are welcome, my fair guests; that noble lady, Or gentleman, that is not freely merry, 2 Is not my friend: This, to confirm my welcome: [Drinks. All sit.-Flourish of Trumpets. Sands. Standing R. between LADIES BULLEN and DENNY.] Your grace is noble; Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, [Servant gives him Wine. Wol. [Seated-CROM. stands on his R.] 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 'em Talk us to silence. Anne. You are a merry gamester, My Lord Sands. Sands. Yes, if I make my play. Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam ; For 'tis to such a thing Anne. You cannot show me. [Drinks. Sands. I told your grace they would talk anon. [Drums and Trumpets.-Cannon discharged. All rise. Wol. [Rising.] What's that? Look out there, some of you. What warlike voice? [Exit CROMWELL, L. And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileged. Re-enter CROMWELL, L. How now? what is't? [All sit. Crom. (L.) 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 them welcome; And, 'pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them Shall shine at full upon them:-Some attend him. [Exeunt CHAMBERLAIN, and two Gentlemen. You've now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. [Music. Enter CHAMBERLAIN, introducing the KING, NOR FOLK, and SUFFOLK, in Masks, and cight Attendants, habited as Shepherds, followed by two Gentlemen, and stand L. A noble company! what are their pleasures? Chan. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd To tell your grace; [The King advances to c. and after surveying the splendor of the Banquet, fixes his eyes on ANNE BULLEN.] That having heard by fame Of this so noble and so fair assembly Wol. Say, Lord Chamberlain, They've done my poor house grace; for which I pay them A thousand thanks, and pray them take their pleasures. [Sits. The King walks and converses with ANNE BULLEN, while the Lords and Ladies rise from the table and dance.] King. [Aside as he rises from fr his seat.] The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. 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. [CHAMBERLAIN goes to the Company. 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 to the KING, C. By all your good leaves, gentlemen :- Here I'll make 1 My royal choice. King. You've found him, cardinal: [The KING Unmasks-all rise and bow. You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal, I should judge now unhappily. Wol. (c.) I am glad, Your grace is grown so pleasant. What fair lady's that? [Pointing to ANNE BULLEN. Cham. An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter, The Viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women. King. By Heaven, she is a dainty one-SweetheartI were unmannerly, to take you out, [TO ANNE BULLEN. And not to kiss you.-A health, gentlemen, [SANDS formally bows to LADY DENNY, L. and Wol. Sir Thomas Lovel, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber? Lov. Yes, my lord. Wol. Your grace, I fear, is a little heated. King. I fear, too much. Wol. There's fresher air, my lord, In the next chamber. King [With ANNE BULLEN, c.] Lead in your ladies, every one.-Nay, come; I must not yet forsake you: Let's be merry; Which being ended, they shall all go sleep: [Flourish of Drums and Trumpets. Exeunt, R. WOLSEY, with Lights, the KING and ANNE BULLEN, CHAMBERLAIN, NORFOLK, and SUFFOLK, LORD SANDS, and LADY DENNY, CROMWELL, two Pages, LOVEL, and GUILDFORD, and the rest of the Guests. END OF ACT I, |