Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a
longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen and
divers other ladies and gentlemen as guests at one door;
at another door enter Sir Henry Guilford.GUILFORD Ladies, a general welcome from his Grace Salutes you all. This night he dedicates To fair content and you. None here, he hopes, In all this noble bevy has brought with her5 One care abroad. He would have all as merry 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 company10 Clapped wings to me.CHAMBERLAIN You are young, Sir Harry Guilford.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,15 I think would better please ’em. By my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones.LOVELL O, that your Lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these!
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SANDS I would I were.20 They should find easy penance.LOVELL Faith, how easy?SANDS As easy as a down bed would afford it.CHAMBERLAIN Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?—Sir Harry, Place you that side; I’ll take the charge of this.⌜The guests are seated.⌝25 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 ’em waking. Pray sit between these ladies.SANDS By my faith,30 And thank your Lordship.—By your leave, sweet ladies.⌜He sits 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;35 But he would bite none. Just as I do now, He would kiss you twenty with a breath.⌜He kisses Anne.⌝CHAMBERLAIN Well said, my lord. So, now you’re fairly seated, gentlemen,40 The penance lies on you if these fair ladies Pass away frowning.SANDS For my little cure, Let me alone.Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, ⌜with Attendants and
Servants,⌝ and takes his state.WOLSEY You’re welcome, my fair guests. That noble lady
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45 Or gentleman that is not freely merry Is not my friend. This to confirm my welcome, And to you all good health.⌜He drinks to them.⌝SANDS Your Grace is noble. Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks50 And save me so much talking.WOLSEY My Lord Sands, I am beholding to you. Cheer your neighbors.— Ladies, you are not merry.—Gentlemen, Whose fault is this?SANDS 55 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 60 Yes, if I make my play. Here’s to your Ladyship, and pledge it, madam,⌜He drinks to her.⌝ For ’tis to such a thing—ANNE You cannot show me.SANDS I told your Grace they would talk anon.Drum and Trumpet. Chambers discharged.WOLSEY 65 What’s that?CHAMBERLAIN Look out there, some of you.⌜Servants exit.⌝WOLSEY What warlike voice, And to what end, is this?—Nay, ladies, fear not. By all the laws of war you’re privileged.Enter a Servant.CHAMBERLAIN 70 How now, what is ’t?SERVANT 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.
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WOLSEY 75 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 beauty80 Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.⌜Lord Chamberlain exits, with Attendants.⌝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 you. Welcome all!Hautboys. Enter 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?CHAMBERLAIN 85 Because they speak no English, thus they prayed 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,90 But leave their flocks and, under your fair conduct, Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat An hour of revels with ’em.WOLSEY Say, Lord Chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace, for which I95 pay ’em A thousand thanks and pray ’em take their pleasures.⌜The masquers⌝ choose Ladies. ⌜The⌝
King ⌜chooses⌝ Anne Bullen.KING The fairest hand I ever touched! O beauty, Till now I never knew thee.Music, Dance.WOLSEY My lord!
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CHAMBERLAIN 100 Your Grace?WOLSEY Pray tell ’em thus much from me: There should be one amongst ’em by his person More worthy this place than myself, to whom,105 If I but knew him, with my love and duty I would surrender it.CHAMBERLAIN I will, my lord.Whisper ⌜with the masquers.⌝WOLSEY What say they?CHAMBERLAIN Such a one they all confess110 There is indeed, which they would have your Grace Find out, and he will take it.WOLSEY Let me see, then.⌜He leaves his state.⌝ By all your good leaves, gentlemen.⌜He bows before the King.⌝ Here I’ll make115 My royal choice.KING, ⌜unmasking⌝ You 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.WOLSEY 120 I am glad Your Grace is grown so pleasant.KING My Lord Chamberlain, Prithee come hither. What fair lady’s that?CHAMBERLAIN An ’t please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter,125 The Viscount Rochford, one of her Highness’ women.KING By heaven, she is a dainty one.—Sweetheart, I were unmannerly to take you out And not to kiss you. ⌜He kisses Anne.⌝ A health, gentlemen!130 Let it go round.⌜He drinks a toast.⌝
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WOLSEY Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I’ th’ privy chamber?LOVELL Yes, my lord.WOLSEY Your Grace,135 I fear, with dancing is a little heated.KING I fear, too much.WOLSEY There’s fresher air, my lord, In the next chamber.KING Lead in your ladies ev’ry one.—Sweet partner,140 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 To lead ’em once again, and then let’s dream Who’s best in favor. Let the music knock it.They exit, with Trumpets.
Henry VIII
