Lov. Faith, my lord, What is 't for? I hear of none but the new proclamation 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. Out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it, The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at. Cham. What a loss our ladies Will have of these trim vanities! Lov. There will be woe indeed. Sands. 20 Ay, marry, I am glad they're going, 40 For, sure, there's no converting of 'em : now, A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song, 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 Cham. Sands. 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, Enter Lord Chamberlain, LORD SANDS, and SIR THOMAS LOVELL. O, my lord, you're tardy : The very thought of this fair company 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. Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry, By my faith, Sands. 15 20 [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. Sands. Let me alone. For my little cure, 25 [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. 35 [Drinks. My Lord Sands, 40 Wol. Whose fault is this? Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have them Anne. My Lord Sands. Sands. You are a merry gamester, 45 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. Wol. [Drum and trumpets within: Chambers discharged. What's that? 50 [Exit a Servant. What warlike voice, Cham. Look out there, some of ye. Re-enter Servant. A noble troop of strangers; 55 Cham. How now! what is 't? From foreign princes. Wol. Good lord chamberlain, Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue; Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty 60 Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him. [Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. 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, Wol. Say, lord chamberlain, 70 75 They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em Wol. My lord! Cham. Wol. Your grace ? [Music Dance. Pray, tell 'em thus much from me : 80 There should be one amongst 'em, by his person, I would surrender it. Cham. I will, my lord. [Goes to the masquers, and returns. Cham. 85 Wol. K. Hen. [Unmasking.] Ye have found him, 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. Yes, my lord. Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. K. Hen. I fear, too much. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner, 90 94 100 105 |