Cham.

Sir Thomas,
Whither were you a going ?
Lov.

To the cardinal's;
Your lordship is a guest too.
Cham.

O, 'tis true:
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 every where.
Cham.

No doubt, he's noble; He had a black mouth, that said other of him. Sands. He may, my lord, he 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.

I am your lordship’s.

[Exeunt.

My barge stays;] The speaker is now in the King's palace at Bridewell, from which he is proceeding by water to York. place, (Cardinal Wolsey's house) now Whitehall.

SCENE IV.

The Presence-Chamber in York-Place.

Hautboys. A small Table under a State for the Car

dinal, 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
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
As first-good company, good wine, good welcome
Can make good people. -O, my lord, you are

tardy;

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord SANDS, and Sir

THOMAS Lovell.
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,
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 confessor
To one or two of these!
Sands.

I would, I were;
They should find easy penance.
Lov.

'Faith, how easy? Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,

Place you that side, l'll take the charge of this:
His grace is ent'ring.–Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:-
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

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.

[Kisses her. Cham.

Well said, iny lord.So, now you are fairly seated :-Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away frowning Sand.

For my little cure, Let me alone.

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey,

and takes his state.

attended

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

discharged. Wol.

What's that? Cham. Look out there, some of you.

[Exit a Servant. 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 Torch-bearers; 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 Í

pay them

sures.

A thousand thanks, and pray them take their plea.

Ladies chosen for the Dance. The King

chooses ANNE BULLEN. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch’d! O, beauty,