SCENE IV.

The presence chamber in York-place.

Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door Anne Bullen, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; ut another door, enter Sir Henry Guildford.

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.-O, my lord, you are tardy;

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir
Thomas Lovell,

The very thought of this fair company
Clapp'd wings to me.

Cham.

You are young, sir Harry Guildford. Sand. 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

Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Chum. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Si 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, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

Sands.

Let me alone.

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; And to you all good health.

Sands.

[Drinks.

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

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.

Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anou, [Drum and trumpets within: chamberst discharged.

IVol.

Cham. Look out there, some of you.

Wol.

What's that?

[Exit a Servant.

What warlike voice?

And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you are privileg'd.

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
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty

* Choose my game.

+ Small cannon.

Shall shine at full upon them :-Some attend him.[Exit Chamberlain, attended. 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.

Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve others, as muskers, 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? 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 plea

sures.

[Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen.

K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O,

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, my lord: You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal, I should judge now unhappily t.

Wol.

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

I am glad,

My lord chamberlain,

K. Hen. 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.-Sweet>

heart,

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,

There's fresher air, my lord,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

K. Hen. I fear, too much.

Wol.

In the next chamber.

K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet

partner,

I must not yet forsake you :-Let's be merry;—

* The chief place.

+ Mischievously.