Musick. Banquet set out: Table under a State for the Cardinal. Enter a great Company of Lords, Ladies, &c. and Anne Bullen: to them, Sir Henry Guilford.

Gui.
Ladies, a general welcome from his grace
Salutes you 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 ^note company,14Q0919 good wine, good welcome,
Can make good people.—O, my lord, you're tardy; Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir Thomas Lovel.
The very thought of this fair company
Clap'd wings to me.

Cha.
You are young, sir Harry Guilford.

San.
Sir Thomas Lovel, 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!

San.
I would, I were;
They should find easy penance.

Lov.
'Faith, how easy?

San.
As easy as a down bed would afford it.

Cha.
Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?—Sir Harry,
Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this;
His grace is entring.—Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:—
My lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking,

Pray, sit between these ladies.

San.
By my faith,
And thank your lordship.—By your leave, sweet ladies: [seating himself between Anne Bullen, and another Lady.
If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
I had it from my father.

Ann.
Was he mad, sir?

San.
O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too:
But he would bite none; just as I do † now,
He would kiss you twenty with a breath.

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

San.
For my little cure,
Let me alone. Flourish. Enter Wolsey, attended; and takes his State.

Wol.
You're 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.

San.
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 to you: cheer your neighbours. ^note—
Ladies, you are not merry;—Gentlemen,
Whose fault is this?

San.
The red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em
Talk us to silence.

Ann.
You are a merry gamester,
My lord Sands.

San.
Yes, if I may choose my ^note play.14Q0920
Here's to your ladiship: and pledge it, madam;
For 'tis to such a thing,—

Ann.
You cannot shew me.

San.
I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Trumpets within: Chambers discharg'd.

Wol.
What's that?

Cha.
Look out there, some of you. [Exit an Att.

Wol.
What warlike voice?
And to what end is this?—Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you're priviledg'd. Re-enter Attendant.

Cha.
How now? what is't?

Att.
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'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. Company rise: Tables remov'd.
You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
A good digestion ^note to you all: and, once more,
I shower a welcome on you; welcome, all. Flourish. Enter 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?

Cha.
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. [Musick. Dance form'd: King chooses Anne Bullen.

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

Wol.
My lord,—

Cha.
Your grace?

Wol.
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.

Cha.
I will, my lord. [whispers the Maskers.

Wol.
What say they?

Cha.
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.

Kin.
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.

Kin.
My lord chamberlain,
Pr'ythee, come hither; What fair lady's that?

Cha.
An't please your grace, sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,
The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women.

Kin.
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.

Wol.
Sir Thomas Lovel, is the banquet ready
I' the privy-camber? ^note

Lov.
Yes, my lord.

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

Kin.
I fear, too much.

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

Kin.
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 'em once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour.—Let the musick knock it. [Exeunt. Loud Musick.

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