King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII

ACT I SCENE IV	A Hall in York Place.
	Hautboys. A small table under a state for CARDINALWOLSEY, a longer table for the guests. Then enterANNE and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen asguests, at one door; at another door, enterGUILDFORD
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	5
	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.	10
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,	15
	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.	20
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;	25
	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:	30
	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,	35
	He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
	Kisses her
Chamberlain	Well said, my lord.
	So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
	The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
	Pass away frowning.	40
SANDS	For my little cure,
	Let me alone.
	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;	45
	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,	50
	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	55
	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,	60
	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.	65
	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;	70
	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;	75
	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	80
	I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.
	Hautboys. Enter KING HENRY VIII and others, asmasquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by theChamberlain. They pass directly before CARDINALWOLSEY, 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	85
	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.	90
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 VIIIchooses ANNE
KING HENRY VIII	The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,
	Till now I never knew thee!	95
	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,	100
	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,	105
	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.	110
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	115
	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.	120
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	125
	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.	130
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	135
	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