Lov. Out of a foreign wisdom,) renouncing clean Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it, The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at. Sands. "T is time to give them 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 Sands. The devil fiddle them! I am glad they're going; (For, sure, there's no converting of them ;) now, am, beaten Cham. Your colt's tooth is not cast yet. Sands. Nor shall not, while I have a stump. Cham. Well said, lord Sands; No, my lord; Sir Thomas, To the cardinal's; O, 't is true: Whither were you a going? Lov. Your lordship is a guest too. This night he makes a supper, and a great one, 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; 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 : They are set here for examples. True, they are so; Cham. But few now give so great ones. My barge stays; Your lordship shall along:-Come, good sir Thomas, 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. [Ex. 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; 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, you are tardy; VOL. VII. C Enter Lord Chamberlain, LORD SANDS, and SIR The very thought of this fair company Cham. You are young, sir Harry Guildford. 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. [Kisses her. Cham. Well said, my lord. So, now you are fairly seated :-Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies 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; [Drinks. Sands. 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, For 't is to such a thing, Anne. You cannot show me. Sands, I told your grace they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpets within: Chambers discharged. Wol. What's that? Cham. Look out there, some of ye. [Exit a Servant. Wol. What warlike voice? And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war ye 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 hitber 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. Hauthoys. Enter the KING, and twelve others, as maskers, habited like shepherds, with sixteen torchbearers; 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 This night to meet here, they could do no less, But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, An hour of revels with them. I'ol. Say, lord chamberlain, 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. |