King Henry The Eighth

1 Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table
2 for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen and divers other Ladies and
3 Gentlemen as guests, at one door. At another door enter Sir Henry
4 Guildford.
5 GUILDFORD.
6 Ladies, a general welcome from his Grace
7 Salutes ye all. This night he dedicates
8 To fair content and you. None here, he hopes,
9 In all this noble bevy has brought with her
10 One care abroad. He would have all as merry
11 As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome
12 Can make good people.
13 Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sandys and Sir Thomas Lovell.
14 O, my lord, you’re tardy.
15 The very thought of this fair company
16 Clapped wings to me.
17 CHAMBERLAIN.
18 You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
19 SANDYS.
20 Sir Thomas Lovell, had the Cardinal
21 But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these
22 Should find a running banquet ere they rested,
23 I think would better please ’em. By my life,
24 They are a sweet society of fair ones.
25 LOVELL.
26 O, that your lordship were but now confessor
27 To one or two of these!
28 SANDYS.
29 I would I were.
30 They should find easy penance.
31 LOVELL.
32 Faith, how easy?
33 SANDYS.
34 As easy as a down bed would afford it.
35 CHAMBERLAIN.
36 Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,
37 Place you that side; I’ll take the charge of this.
38 His Grace is ent’ring. Nay, you must not freeze;
39 Two women placed together makes cold weather.
40 My Lord Sandys, you are one will keep ’em waking.
41 Pray, sit between these ladies.
42 SANDYS.
43 By my faith,
44 And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies.
45 If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
46 I had it from my father.
47 ANNE.
48 Was he mad, sir?
49 SANDYS.
50 O, very mad, exceeding mad in love too;
51 But he would bite none. Just as I do now,
52 He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
53 [_Kisses her._]
54 CHAMBERLAIN.
55 Well said, my lord.
56 So, now you’re fairly seated. gentlemen,
57 The penance lies on you if these fair ladies
58 Pass away frowning.
59 SANDYS.
60 For my little cure,
61 Let me alone.
62 Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey and takes his state.
63 WOLSEY.
64 You’re welcome, my fair guests. That noble lady
65 Or gentleman that is not freely merry
66 Is not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome;
67 And to you all, good health.
68 [_Drinks._]
69 SANDYS.
70 Your Grace is noble.
71 Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks
72 And save me so much talking.
73 WOLSEY.
74 My Lord Sandys,
75 I am beholding to you. Cheer your neighbours.
76 Ladies, you are not merry. Gentlemen,
77 Whose fault is this?
78 SANDYS.
79 The red wine first must rise
80 In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have ’em
81 Talk us to silence.
82 ANNE.
83 You are a merry gamester,
84 My Lord Sandys.
85 SANDYS.
86 Yes, if I make my play.
87 Here’s to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam,
88 For ’tis to such a thing—
89 ANNE.
90 You cannot show me.
91 SANDYS.
92 I told your Grace they would talk anon.
93 [_Drum and trumpet. Chambers discharged._]
94 WOLSEY.
95 What’s that?
96 CHAMBERLAIN.
97 Look out there, some of ye.
98 [_Exit Servant._]
99 WOLSEY.
100 What warlike voice,
101 And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not.
102 By all the laws of war you’re privileged.
103 Enter Servant.
104 CHAMBERLAIN.
105 How now, what is’t?
106 SERVANT.
107 A noble troop of strangers,
108 For so they seem. They’ve left their barge and landed,
109 And hither make, as great ambassadors
110 From foreign princes.
111 WOLSEY.
112 Good Lord Chamberlain,
113 Go, give ’em welcome—you can speak the French tongue—
114 And pray receive ’em nobly, and conduct ’em
115 Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
116 Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
117 [_Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed._]
118 You have now a broken banquet, but we’ll mend it.
119 A good digestion to you all; and once more
120 I shower a welcome on ye. Welcome all!
121 Hautboys. Enter King and others as masquers, habited like shepherds,
122 ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal
123 and gracefully salute him.
124 A noble company! What are their pleasures?
125 CHAMBERLAIN.
126 Because they speak no English, thus they prayed
127 To tell your Grace: that having heard by fame
128 Of this so noble and so fair assembly
129 This night to meet here, they could do no less,
130 Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
131 But leave their flocks and, under your fair conduct,
132 Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat
133 An hour of revels with ’em.
134 WOLSEY.
135 Say, Lord Chamberlain,
136 They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em
137 A thousand thanks and pray ’em take their pleasures.
138 [_The masquers choose ladies. The King chooses Anne Bullen._]
139 KING.
140 The fairest hand I ever touched! O beauty,
141 Till now I never knew thee.
142 [_Music. Dance._]
143 WOLSEY.
144 My lord!
145 CHAMBERLAIN.
146 Your Grace?
147 WOLSEY.
148 Pray tell ’em thus much from me:
149 There should be one amongst ’em, by his person
150 More worthy this place than myself, to whom,
151 If I but knew him, with my love and duty
152 I would surrender it.
153 CHAMBERLAIN.
154 I will, my lord.
155 [_Whispers with the Masquers._]
156 WOLSEY.
157 What say they?
158 CHAMBERLAIN.
159 Such a one they all confess
160 There is indeed, which they would have your Grace
161 Find out, and he will take it.
162 WOLSEY.
163 Let me see, then.
164 By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I’ll make
165 My royal choice.
166 KING.
167 [_Unmasking_.] Ye have found him, Cardinal.
168 You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord.
169 You are a churchman, or I’ll tell you, Cardinal,
170 I should judge now unhappily.
171 WOLSEY.
172 I am glad
173 Your Grace is grown so pleasant.
174 KING.
175 My Lord Chamberlain,
176 Prithee come hither. What fair lady’s that?
177 CHAMBERLAIN.
178 An’t please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter,
179 The Viscount Rochford, one of her Highness’ women.
180 KING.
181 By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
182 I were unmannerly to take you out
183 And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!
184 Let it go round.
185 WOLSEY.
186 Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
187 I’ th’ privy chamber?
188 LOVELL.
189 Yes, my lord.
190 WOLSEY.
191 Your Grace,
192 I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
193 KING.
194 I fear, too much.
195 WOLSEY.
196 There’s fresher air, my lord,
197 In the next chamber.
198 KING.
199 Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner,
200 I must not yet forsake you. Let’s be merry,
201 Good my Lord Cardinal, I have half a dozen healths
202 To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
203 To lead ’em once again, and then let’s dream
204 Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it.
205 [_Exeunt with trumpets._]