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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. "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
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 plainsong,
And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r lady,
Held current music too.

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.
Cham.

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 in-
deed,

A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us;
His dews fall everywhere.

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.

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 CAR-
DINAL, 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
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 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. [Kisses her.
Cham.
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.

[Drinks.

Sands.
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 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
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 you;-Welcome all.

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Hautboys. 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?

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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.

Iol.

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.

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