Hautboys.Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY,attended;and takes his state WOLSEY.Y'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]SANDYS.Your Grace is noble.Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks And save me so much talking.WOLSEY.My Lord Sandys,I am beholding to you.Cheer your neighbours.Ladies,you are not merry.Gentlemen,Whose fault is this?SANDYS.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 Sandys.SANDYS.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.SANDYS.I told your Grace they would talk anon.[Drum and trumpet.Chambers discharg'd]WOLSEY.What's that?CHAMBERLAIN.Look out there,some of ye.Exit a SERVANT WOLSEY.What warlike voice,And to what end,is this?Nay,ladies,fear not:By all the laws of war y'are privileg'd.
Re-enter SERVANT
CHAMBERLAIN.How now!what is't?SERVANT.A noble troop of strangers--For so they seem.Th'have left their barge and landed,And hither make,as great ambassadors From foreign princes.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 remov'd You have now a broken banquet,but we'll mend it.A good digestion to you all;and once more I show'r a welcome on ye;welcome all.
Hautboys.Enter the KING,and others,as maskers,habited like shepherds,usher'd by the LORD CHAMBERLAIN.They pass directly before the CARDINAL,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.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.The KING chooses ANNE BULLEN]KING.The fairest hand I ever touch'd!O beauty,Till now I never knew thee![Music.Dance]WOLSEY.My lord!CHAMBERLAIN.Your Grace?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.[He whispers to the maskers]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.WOLSEY.Let me see,then.[Comes from his state]By all your good leaves,gentlemen,here I'll make My royal choice.KING.[Unmasking]Ye have found him,Cardinal.You hold a fair assembly;you do well,lord.You are a churchman,or,I'll tell you,Cardinal,I should judge now unhappily.WOLSEY.I am glad Your Grace is grown so pleasant.KING.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.By heaven,she is a dainty one.Sweet heart,I were unmannerly to take you out And not to kiss you.A health,gentlemen!Let it go round.WOLSEY.Sir Thomas Lovell,is the banquet ready I'th'privy chamber?LOVELL.Yes,my lord.WOLSEY.Your Grace,I fear,with dancing is a little heated.KING.I fear,too much.WOLSEY.There's fresher air,my lord,In the next chamber.KING.Lead in your ladies,ev'ry 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.
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