Cham. A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us; Cham. 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. 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 at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; at another door, enter SIR HENRY GUILDFORD. Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all: This night he dedicates come, Can make good people.--O, my lord, you are The very thought of this fair company 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 conTo one or two of these! Sands. [fessor I would, I were; They should find easy penance. ? Lov. Place you My Lord Sands, you are one will keep them waking; Pray, sit between these ladies. Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies: [Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and 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, [Kisses her. Sands. Let me alone. 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; And to you all good health. [Drinks. 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 beholden 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. 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. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpets within: Chambers Wol. discharged. What's that? [Exit a Servant. Cham. Look out there, some of you. Wol. What warlike voice? And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileg'd. 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. 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. A good digestion to you all: and, once more, I shower a welcome on you;-Welcome all. 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 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 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 touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. [Musick. 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. [Chamberlain 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 Find out, and he will take it. [grace 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 judge now unhappily. Wol. I am glad, Your grace is grown so pleasant. The Viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women. K. Hen. By heaven, she is a dainty one.- I were unmannerly, to take you out, 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. Wol. There's fresher air, my lord, In the next chamber. 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 meas ure |