Sands. The devil fiddle 'em! I'm glad they're Now, going: An honest country lord, as I am, beaten A long time out of play, may bring his plain song, Cham. Well said, lord Sands; Your colt's tooth is not cast yet. Sands. No, my lord; Nor shall not, while I have a stump. Cham. Sir Thomas, Whither are you going? Lov. To the cardinal's; Your lordship is a guest too. Cham. O, 'tis true: This night he makes a supper, and a great one, Lov. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed, A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us. Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal; in him, Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine : Cham. True, they are so; But few now give so great ones. My barge stays; We shall be late else: which I would not be ; Your lordship shall along. Sands. Ay, ay; if the beauties are there, I must make one among them, to be sure. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. York Place. Music A State for the CARDINAL, and a Table for the GUESTS.-ANNE BULLEN, LADY DENNY, and other LADIES, GENTLEMEN, as Guests, WOLSEY'S SERVANTS attending them, discovered. Enter GUILDFORD. Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes you 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. Enter CHAMBERLAIN, SANDS, and LOVEL. O my lord, you're tardy; The very thought of this fair company Clapp'd wings to me. 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 ? [All sit.] Sir Harry, Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this.-[Flourish of Trumpets. His grace is entering.-Nay, you must not freeze; Two women plac'd together make cold weather :— My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking; "Pray, sit between these ladies. Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies: [Sits between ANNE BULLEN and LADY DENNY. 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. For my little cure, Let me alone. [Flourish of Trumpets. Enter Two GENTLEMEN, WOLSEY, Two PAGES, and CROMWELL. All rise.-WOLSEY 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. All sit. [Flourish of Trumpets.] Sands. Your grace is noble; Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, Wol. My Lord Sands, [SERVANT gives him Wine. I am beholden to you: cheer your neighbours.— Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em 'Talk us to silence. Anne. You are a merry gamester, My Lord Sands. Sands. 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. [Drinks. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Drums and Trumpets, Cannon discharged,-All rise.. Wol. What's that?→→→→ Look out there, some of you. [Exit CROMWELL. What warlike voice? And to what end is this Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileg'd. [All sit. Enter CROMWELL. How now? what is't? Crom. A noble troop of strangers; 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; And, 'pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them D Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty You've now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. Music. Enter CROMWELL and CHAMBERLAIN, introducing the KING, NORFOLK, and SUFFOLK, in Masks, and Eight ATTENDANTS, habited as Shepherds, followed by Two GENTLEMEN. A noble company! what are their pleasures? To tell your grace;-That, having heard by fame. This night to meet here, they could do no less, An hour of revels with them. Wol. Say, lord chamberlain, They've done my poor house grace; for which I pay them A thousand thanks, and pray them take their plea sures. [The KING converses with ANNE BULLEN. A Dance. King. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee. Wol. My lord,— Cham. Your grace? Wol. 'Pray, tell them thus much from me: |