Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine:
Men of his way should be most liberal;
They are set here for examples.

Cham.

61

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.

A hall in York Place.

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 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.

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir
Thomas Lovell.

O, my lord, you're tardy:

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 'em: by my life,
They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor

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

Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this: 20
His grace is entering. 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.

And thank your lordship.
ladies:

By my faith,
By your leave, sweet

:

Anne.

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;

I had it from my father.

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.

[Kisses her.

Well said, my lord. 30

So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning...

Sands.

Let me alone.

For my little cure,

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.

Wol. You'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.

[Drinks.

Your grace is noble:

Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,

And save me so much talking.

Wol.

My Lord Sands, 40

I am beholding 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 'em

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 trumpet : chambers discharged.

And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;

By all the laws of war you're privileged.

Re-enter Servant.

Cham. How now! what is 't?
Serv.

A noble troop of strangers;

Wol.

For so they seem: they've left their barge, and

landed;

And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

Good lord chamberlain,

:

Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French

tongue;

A

And, pray, receive 'em nobly and conduct 'em Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him. 60 [Exit Chamberlain, attended. 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 ye; welcome all.

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,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,