This night to be comptrollers. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to York-house. Hautboys. A fmall table under a ftate for the Cardinal, a longer Table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen, and divers other ladies and gentlemen, as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir Henry Guilford. Guil. Ladies, a gen'ral welcome from his Grace To fair content and you: none here, he hopes, As, firft good company, good wine, good welcome, (12) Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands and Lovell." O my lord, y'are tardy; The very thoughts of this fair company Clap'd wings to me. Cham. You're young, Sir Harry Guilford. 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 pleafe 'em: by my life, They are a fweet fociety of fair ones. Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confeffor To one or two of thefe. Sands. I would I were They should find eafie penance. Lov, 'Faith, how eafie? Sands. As eafie, as a down-bed would afford it. (12) As, first, good Company, good Wine, &c.] As this Paffage has been all along pointed, Sir Harry Guilford is made to include All theíe under the firft Article; and then gives us the Drop as to What should follow. Poet, I am perfwaded, wrote; The As first-good Company, good Wine, good Welcome, &c. i.e. he would have you as merry as thefe 3 Things can make You, the best Company in the Land, of the best Rank, good Wine, &c. B 4 Cham. Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you fit? Sir Harry, Place you that fide, I'll take the charge of this: His Grace is entring; nay, you must not freeze : Two women, plac'd together, make cold weather: My lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking; Pray, fit between these ladies. Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship. By your leave, fweet ladies; 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; Cham. Well faid, my lord: So now y'are fairly feated: gentlemen, The penance lyes on you, if these fair ladies Sands. For my little cure, (13) Let me alone. Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolfey, and takes his ftate. Wol. Y'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. Your Grace is noble: Let me have fuch a bowl may hold my thanks, And fave me fo much talking. Wol. My lord Sands, I am beholden to you; cheer your neighbour : Sands. The red wine first must rife [Drinks. In their fair cheeks, my lord, then we shall have 'em (13) For my little Cure,] This Word I have reftor'd from the firft Folio. Some of the modern Editions read, Cue. But Lord Sands feems to me to profecute the Idea of penance, mention'd by the Lord Chamberlain, and. humourously alluded to the Cure of Souls. Anne. Anne. You're a merry gamefter, My lord Sands. Sands. Yes, if I make my play: Here's to your ladyship, and pledge it, madam: Anne. You cannot fhew me. Sands, I told your Grace, that they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpets, chambers difcharged. Wol. What's that? Cham. Look out there, fome of ye. Wol. What warlike voice, And to what end is this? nay, ladies, fear not; Enter a Servant. Cham. How now, what is't? Ser. A noble troop of ftrangers, For fo they feem, have left their barge and landed; From foreign Princes. Wol. Good Lord Chamberlain, Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue; [All arife, and tables removed. Hautboys. Enter King and others as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, uber'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully falute him. A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd This night to meet here, they could do no less, Crave leave to view thefe ladies, and entreat An hour of revels with 'em. Wol. Say, Lord Chamberlain, They've done my poor house grace: for which I pay 'em A thousand thanks, and pray 'em, take their pleasures. [Chufe ladies, King and Anne Bullen. King. The faireft hand I ever touch'd! O beauty, 'Till now I never knew thee. [Mufick. Dance. Wol. Pray tell 'em thus much from me : Cham. I will, my Lord. Wol. What fay they? Cham. Such a one, they all confefs, [Whisper. There is indeed; which they would have your Grace Wol, Let me fee then: By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make King. You've found him, Cardinal : You hold a fair affembly: you do well, lord. Wol. I'm glad, Your Grace is grown so pleasant. King My lord Chamberlain, Pr'ythee come hither, what fair lady's that? [daughter, Cham. An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's (The Viscount Rochford,) one of her Highnefs' women. King. By heaven, fhe's a dainty one: sweet heart, I were unmannerly to take you out,' [To Anne Bullen. And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen, Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I'th' privy chamber; Lov. Yes, my lord. Wol. Wol. Your Grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. Wol. There's fresher air, my lord, King. Lead in your ladies every one: fweet partner, I must not yet forfake you; let's be merry. Good my lord Cardinal: I have half a dozen healths To lead them once again; and then let's dream [Exeunt with Trumpets. W ACT II. SCENE, a Street. Enter two Gentlemen at feveral Doors. I GENTLEMAN. HITHER away fo faft? 2 Gen. O Sir, God fave ye: Ev'n to the hall, to hear what shall become 1 Gen. I'll fave you That labour, Sir. All's now done, but the Ceremony Of bringing back the pris❜ner. 2 Gen. Were you there? 1 Gen. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gen. Pray, fpeak, what has happen'd? 1 Gen. You may guefs quickly what. 2 Gen. Is he found guilty? 1 Gen. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't. 2 Gen. I'm forry for't. 1 Gen. So are a number more. |