Guild.
Ladies, a general welcome from his grace ^note
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 ^note
As, first, good ^note company, good wine ^note, good welcome,
Can make good people. Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir Thomas Lovell. ^note
O, my lord, you're ^note tardy:
The very thought of this fair company
Clapp'd wings to me.

Cham.
You are ^note 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
To one or two of these!

Sands.
I would I were;
They should find easy penance.

Lov.
Faith, how easy?

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:
His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women placed together makes ^note cold weather:
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.

Sands.
By my faith, ^note
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 ^note kiss you twenty with a breath. [Kisses her. ^note

Cham.
Well said, my lord.
So, now you're ^note, fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

Sands.
For my little cure ^note
Let me alone. Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.

Wol.
You're ^note welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady
Or gentleman that is not freely merry,
Is not my friend ^note: this, to confirm my welcome;
And to you all, good health. [Drinks. ^note

Sands.
Your grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.

Wol.
My Lord Sands,
I am beholding ^note to you: cheer your neighbours ^note.
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 ^note.

Sands.
Yes, if I make ^note my play.
Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,
For 'tis to such a thing— ^note

Anne.
You cannot show me.

Sands.
I told your grace they ^note would talk anon. [Drum ^note and trumpet: chambers discharged.

Wol.
What's that?

Cham.
Look out there, some of ye. [Exit Servant. ^note

Wol.
What warlike voice,
And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you're ^note privileged. Re-enter Servant. ^note

Cham.
How now! what is't?

Serv.
A noble troop of strangers;
For so they seem: they've ^note left their barge, and landed;
And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.

Wol.
Good lord chamberlain,

Go, give 'em ^note welcome; you can speak the French tongue ^note;
And, pray, receive 'em ^note nobly and conduct 'em ^note
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him. [Exit Chamberlain, attended. ^note All rise, and tables removed.
You have ^note now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
A good digestion ^note to you all: and ^note once more
I shower a welcome on ye ^note; welcome all. Hautboys. Enter the King and others ^note, as masquers, habited like shepherds ^note, 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 ^note
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 ^note.

Wol.
Say, lord chamberlain,
They have ^note done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em ^note
A thousand thanks and pray 'em ^note take their pleasures ^note. [They choose ^note. The King chooses Anne Bullen.

King.
The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee! [Music. Dance.

Wol.
My lord ^note!

Cham.
Your grace?

Wol.
Pray, tell 'em ^note thus much from me ^note:
There should be one amongst 'em ^note, 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.

Cham.
I will, my lord. [Whispers the Masquers ^note.

Wol.
What say they?

Cham.
Such a one, they all confess,
There is indeed; which they would have your grace ^note
Find out, and he will take it.

Wol.
Let me see then.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make
My royal choice.

King. [Unmasking ^note]
Ye have ^note 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 ^note unhappily.

Wol.
I am glad
Your grace is grown so pleasant.

King.
My lord chamberlain,
Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?

Cham.
An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,
The Viscount Rochford, one of her highness' ^note women ^note. ^note

King.
By heaven, she is ^note 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 Lovell, is the banquet ready
I' the privy chamber?

Lov.
Yes, my lord.

Wol.
Your grace,
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

King.
I fear, too much.

Wol.
There's fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.

King.
Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner,
I must not yet forsake you. Let's be merry,
Good my lord cardinal: ^note I have half ^note 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 ^note. [Exeunt with trumpets.

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