Lov.

Faith, my lord,

What is 't for?

I hear of none but the new proclamation
That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.

Cham.

Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.

Cham. I'm glad 'tis there: now I would pray our monsieurs To think an English courtier may be wise,

And never see the Louvre.

Lov.
They must either,
For so run the conditions, leave those remnants
Of fool and feather that they got in France,
With all their honourable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks,
Abusing better men than they can be
Out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings,
Short blister'd breeches and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men,

Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away

The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at.
Sands. 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases
Are grown so catching.

Cham.

What a loss our ladies

Will have of these trim vanities!

Lov.

There will be woe indeed.

Sands.

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20

Ay, marry,

I am glad they're going,

40

For, sure, there's no converting of 'em now,
An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song,
And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r lady,
Held current music too.

O, 'tis true :

Whither were you a-going?

Lov.

This night he makes a supper, and a great one,

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 everywhere.

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.

Cham.
True, they are so ;
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.

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I am your lordship's.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-The Presence-Chamber in York Place.

Hautboys. A small table under a state for the CARDINAL, a longer table for the guests. Enter, on one side, ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; on the other, 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

5

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,

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!

I would I were ;

Sands.
They should find easy penance.

Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,
Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this:
His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.

By my faith,

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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.

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

Sands.

Let me alone.

For my little cure,

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[Kisses her.

30

Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state.

Wol. Ye'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.

Wol.

My Lord Sands, 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 them
Talk us to silence.

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[Drinks.

40

Yes, if I make my play.

Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,
For 'tis to such a thing—

You cannot show me.

Anne.
Sands. I told your grace they would talk anon.

Wol.

[Drum and trumpets within: Chambers discharged. What's that?

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ye.

[Exit a Servant. What warlike voice,

Cham. Look out there, some of
Wol.
And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war ye 're privileg'd.

Re-enter Servant.

A noble troop of strangers;

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Cham. How now! what is 't?
Serv.
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 '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. Some attend him.

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[Exit Chamberlain, attended. 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.

65

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,
But leave their flocks, and, under your fair conduct
Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat

An hour of revels with 'em.

Wol.

Say, lord chamberlain,

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They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay
A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.
[Ladies chosen for the dance.

The KING chooses ANNE BULLEN.

K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee!

Wol. My lord!

Cham.

Wol.

[Music Dance.

Pray, tell 'em thus much from me :

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Your grace ?

There should be one amongst 'em, 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. [Goes to the masquers, 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.

85

Let me see then. [Comes from his state.

By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make
My royal choice.

K. Hen. [Unmasking.] Ye have found him, cardinal :
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.

I am glad

My lord chamberlain,

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

K. Hen.

Prithee, 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. A health, gentlemen!

Let it go round.

Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber?

Lov.

Wol.

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
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.
I must not yet forsake you. Let's be merry,

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100

105

Sweet partner,