1.4 A Hall in York Place.
[Hautboys. A small table under a state for CARDINAL
WOLSEY, a longer table for the guests. Then enter ANNE
and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests, at one
door; at another door, enter GUILDFORD]
GUILDFORD
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’re tardy:
[Enter Chamberlain, SANDS, and LOVELL]
The very thought of this fair company
Clapp’d wings to me.
Chamberlain 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.
LOVELL O,
that your lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these!
SANDS I would I were;
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:
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 By my faith,
And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies:
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]
[Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL
WOLSEY, and takes his state]
CARDINAL WOLSEY 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.
[Drinks]
SANDS Your grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.
CARDINAL WOLSEY My Lord Sands,
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
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 trumpet, chambers discharged]
CARDINAL WOLSEY What’s that?
Chamberlain Look out there, some of ye.
[Exit Servant]
CARDINAL WOLSEY What warlike voice,
And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you’re privileged.
[Re-enter Servant]
Chamberlain 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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY 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 beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
[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 KING HENRY VIII and others, as
masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the
Chamberlain. They pass directly before CARDINAL
WOLSEY, and gracefully salute him]
A noble company! what are their pleasures?
Chamberlain 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 ’em.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Say, lord chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em
A thousand thanks, and pray ’em take their pleasures.
[They choose Ladies for the dance.
KING HENRY VIII chooses ANNE]
KING HENRY VIII The fairest hand I ever touch’d! O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee!
[Music. Dance]
CARDINAL WOLSEY My lord!
Chamberlain Your grace?
CARDINAL 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,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty
I would surrender it.
Chamberlain I will, my lord.
[Whispers the Masquers]
CARDINAL WOLSEY What say they?
Chamberlain Such a one, they all confess,
There is indeed; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Let me see, then.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I’ll make
My royal choice.
KING HENRY VIII Ye 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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY I am glad
Your grace is grown so pleasant.
KING HENRY VIII My lord chamberlain,
Prithee, come hither: what fair lady’s that?
Chamberlain An’t please your grace,
Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter–
The Viscount Rochford,–one of her highness’ women.
KING HENRY VIII By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly, to take you out,
And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!
Let it go round.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
I’ the privy chamber?
LOVELL Yes, my lord.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Your grace,
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
KING HENRY VIII I fear, too much.
CARDINAL WOLSEY There’s fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.
KING HENRY VIII 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 measure
To lead ’em once again; and then let’s dream
Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it.
[Exeunt with trumpets]
Act 1.3 | Act 2.1
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