Guild.
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 (Music). O, my lord, you are tardy. Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir Thomas Lovell, and more Lords and Ladies, L.H. 2 E.
The very thought of this fair company
Clapp'd wings to me.

Cham.
You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
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.

Cham.
Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,
Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this. Trumpets.
His grace is ent'ring. My Lord Sands,
Pray, sit between these ladies.

Sands.
By my faith,
And thank your lordship.—By your leave, sweet ladies: [Seats himself between Anne Boleyn and another Lady.
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 kis you twenty with a breath. [Kisses her.

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

Sands.
For my little cure,
Let me alone. Flourish of Trumpets. Enter R.H., Four Trumpeters, Pursuivant with mace, Two Silver Pillar-bearers, Two Gentlemen Ushers, Cardinal Wolsey, attended by Two Pages; and takes his state.

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;
And to you all good health. Drinks. Flourish of trumpets.

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 beholden 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 them
Talk us to silence.

Anne.
You are a very merry gamester,
My Lord Sands.

Sands.
Yes, if I make my play. Chambers discharged,* ^note L.H. Drums and fifes heard in the distance:

Wol.
What's that?

Cham.
Look out there, some of you. [Exeunt Servants, L.H.

Wol.
What warlike voice?
And to what end is this?—Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you are privileg'd. Enter Servants and a Seneschal, L.H. 2 E.

Cham.
How now? what is't?

Serv.
A noble troop of strangers;
For so 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;
And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them,
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them:—Some attend him.— [Exit Chamberlain, L.H. 2 E., attended by Guildford. All arise, 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 you;—Welcome all. [Drums and Fifes.

Enter the King, L.H.U.E., and twelve others, as maskers, habited like Shepherds, preceded by sixteen Drummers and Fifers, and sixteen torch-bearers; 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
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 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 chosen for the dance. The King chooses Anne Boleyn.

K. Hen.
The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty,
Till now I never knew thee. MUSIC—DANCE.

Wol.
My lord,—

Cham.
Your grace?

Wol.
Pray, tell them thus much from me:
There should be one amongst them, 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. [Cham. goes to the company, and returns.

Wol.
What say they?

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

Wol.
Let me see then— [Comes from his state.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen;—Here I'll make
My royal choice.

K. Hen.
You 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.

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

K. Hen.
My Lord Chamberlain,
Pr'ythee, 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' women.

K. Hen.
By heaven, she is a dainty one.—Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly, to take you out,
And not to kiss you.* ^note



—A health, gentlemen,
Let it go round.

Wol.
Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
I' th' privy chamber?

Lov.
Yes, my lord.

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

K. Hen.
I fear, too much.

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

K. Hen.
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 them once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour.—Let the music knock it. [Exeunt with music.(3)8Q0035 END OF ACT FIRST.

Previous section