I think, would better please them: By m Sands. I would, I were They should find easy penance. Lov. 'Faith, h Sands. As easy as a down-bed would a Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you Place you that fide, I'll take the charge His grace is ent'ring.-Nay, you must no Two women plac'd together makes cold My lord Sands, you are one will keep the Pray, fit between these ladies. Sands. By my fait And thank your lordship.-By your leav [Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive r I had it from my father. Anne. Was he mad, fir Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, i But he would bite none; just as I do nov He would kiss you twenty with a breath. Cham. Well So, now you are fairly feated :-Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Sands. Let me alone. For my little cure, Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended; and takes bis ftate. 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; [Drinks. Sands. And fave me fo much talking. Wol. My lord Sands, I am beholden to you: cheer your neighbours Whofe fault is this? Sands. The red wine firft muft rife In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we fhall have them Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam, For 'tis to fuch a thing, Anne. You cannot show me. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpets within: chambers discharged. And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; Re-enter Servant. Cham. How now? what is't? Serv. A noble troop of strangers; For fo 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; I shower a welcome on you ;-Welcome all. Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve others, as Mafkers, habited like Shepherds, with fixteen torch-bearers; usher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully falute him. A noble company! What are their pleasures ? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd This night to meet here, they could do no less, But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, An hour of revels with them. Wol. Say, lord chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay them A thousand thanks, and pray them take their pleasures. [Ladies chofen for the dance. The King choofes ANNE BULLEN. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. Wol. My lord, Cham. Wol. Your grace? [Mufick. Dance. Pray, tell them thus much from me : There should be one amongst them, by his person, More worthy this place than myself; to whom, [Cham. goes to the company, and returns, Wol. What fay they? Cham. Such a one, they all confefs, There is, indeed; which they would have your grace Find out, and he will take it. Wol. Let me fee then. [Comes from his ftate. By all your good leaves, gentlemen;-Here I'll make K. Hen. You have found him, cardinal: [Unmasking. You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: I should judge now unhappily. Wol. Your grace is grown so pleasant. K. Hen. I am glad, My lord chamberlain, Cham. Pr'ythee, come hither: What fair lady's that? 7 Cham. An't please your grace, fir Thomas Bullen's daughter, The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women. K. Hen. 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. Wol. Sir Thomas Loyell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber? Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. K. Hen. I fear, too much. Wol. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forfake 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 them once again; and then let's dream Who's best in favour.-Let the mufick knock it. [Exeunt, with trumpets. ACT |