Though they be never so ridiculous,

Nay, let 'em be unmanly, yet are follow'd.

Cham. As far as I see, all the good our English
Have got by the late voyage is but merely

A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones,
For when they hold 'em, you would swear directly,
Their very noses had been counsellors

To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so.

Sands. They have all new legs, and lame ones: one would take it,

That newer saw 'em pace before, the spavin,

A springhalt reign'd among them.

Cham.

Death! my lord,

Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,

That, sure, they 've worn out christendom. How now?
What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?

Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.

Cham. I am glad 't is there: now, I would pray our mousieurs To think an English courtier may be wise,

And never see the Louvre.

Lov.
They must either
(For so run the conditions) leave those remnants
Of fool, and feather, that they got in France,
With all their honourable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks;
Abusing better men than they can be,
Out of a foreign wisdom; renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings,
Short blister'd breeches, and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men,

Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away

The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at.

Sands. 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases Are grown so catching.

Cham.

What a loss our ladies

Will have of these trim vanities.

Lov.

Ay, marry,

There will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whoresons

Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies;

A French song, and a fiddle, has no fellow.

Sands. The devil fiddle them! I am glad they 're going, For, sure, there's no converting of them: now,

An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song,
And have an hour of hearing, and, by 'r-lady,

This night he makes a supper, and a great one,

To many lords and ladies: there will be

The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.

Lov. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,

A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us:

His dews fall every where.

Cham.

No doubt, he's noble;

He had a black mouth that said other of him.

Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal: in him, Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine.

Men of his way should be most liberal;

They are set here for examples.

Cham.

True, they are so;

Come, good Sir Thomas,

But few now give so great ones. My barge stays;

Your lordship shall along:

We shall be late else; which I would not be,
For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford,

This night to be comptrollers.

Sands.

I am your lordship's.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

The Presence-Chamber in York-Place.

Hautboys. A small Table under a State for the Cardinal, a longer Table for the Guests; then enter ANne Bullen, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as Guests, at one door; at 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! y' 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.
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.

They should find easy penance.

Faith, how easy?

Lov.
Sands.
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 plac'd together makes cold weather:
My lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.

As easy as a down-bed would afford it.

Sands.

And thank your lordship.

By my faith,

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.

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended, and takes

his state.

Wol. Y' are welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady, Ör 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 beholding 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 'em

Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, Madam,

For 't is to such a thing,

Anne.

You cannot show me.

Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon.

Wol.

[Drum and Trumpets within; Chambers discharged.
What's that?

Cham. Look out there, some of you.
Wol.

[Exit a Servant. What warlike voice,

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

Re-enter Servant.

A noble troop of strangers,

Cham. How now! what is 't?

Serv.

For so they seem: they 've 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 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 ye.

- Welcome all.