Cham. 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 them: 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 ent'ring. - Nay, you must not freeze; Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:My lord Sands, you are one will keep them waking; Pray, sit between these ladies. Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship. - By your leave, sweet ladies: [Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN 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 kiss you twenty with a breath. Cham. [Kisses her. Well said, my lord.— So, now you are fairly seated: - Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, Pass away frowning. Sands. if these fair ladies For my little cure, Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended; 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; [Drinks. Sands. And save me so much talking. Wol. Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have them Talk us to silence. Anne. My lord Sands. Sands. You are a merry gamester, Yes, if I make my play. Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam. 4 Anne. You cannot show me. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. Wol. [Drum and Trumpets within: Chambers discharged.* What's that? chambers discharged.] A chamber is a gun which stands erect on its breech. Such are used only on occasions of rejoicing, and are so contrived as to carry great charges, and thereby to make a noise more than proportioned to their bulk. They are called chambers because they are mere chambers to lodge powder; a chamber being the technical term for that cavity in a piece of ordnance which contains the combustibles. Some of them are still fired in the Park, and at the places opposite to the parliament-house when the king goes thither. Cham. Look out there, some of you. Wol. [Exit a Servant. What warlike voice? And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; Re-enter Servant. 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, You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. I shower a welcome on you; Welcome all. Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve Others, as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, with 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? To tell your grace; - That, having heard by fame This night to meet here, they could do no less, Out of the great respect they bear to beauty, An hour of revels with them. Say, lord chamberlain, Wol. 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 BULlen. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. Wol. My lord, [Musick. Your grace? Dance. Cham. 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: 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.'-A health, gentlemen, Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I'the privy chamber? Lov. Wol. Yes, my lord. Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. Wol. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner, I must not yet forsake 7 I were unmannerly, to take you out, [Exeunt, with Trumpets. And not to kiss you.] A kiss was anciently the established fee of a lady's partner. |