• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

CHAMBERLAIN.

True, they are so;

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.

SANDYS.

I am your lordship's.

Exeunt

ACT I. SCENE 4.

London. 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 other LADIES and GENTLEMEN, as guests, at one door; at another door enter SIR HENRY GUILDFORD

GUILDFORD.

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.

Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, LORD SANDYS, and SIR

THOMAS LOVELL

O, my lord, y'are tardy,

The very thought of this fair company

Clapp'd wings to me.

CHAMBERLAIN.

You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

SANDYS.

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.

LOVELL.

O that your lordship were but now confessor

To one or two of these!

SANDYS.

I would I were;

They should find easy penance.

LOVELL.

Faith, how easy?

SANDYS.

As easy as a down bed would afford it.

CHAMBERLAIN.

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 Sandys, you are one will keep 'em waking:

Pray sit between these ladies.

SANDYS.

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?

SANDYS.

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]

CHAMBERLAIN.

Well said, my lord.

So, now y'are fairly seated. Gentlemen,

The penance lies on you if these fair ladies

Pass away frowning.

SANDYS.

For my little cure,

Let me alone.

Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state

WOLSEY.

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!

[Drinks]

SANDYS.

Your Grace is noble.

Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks

And save me so much talking.

WOLSEY.

My Lord Sandys,

I am beholding to you. Cheer your neighbours.

Ladies, you are not merry. Gentlemen,

Whose fault is this?

SANDYS.

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 Sandys.

SANDYS.

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.

SANDYS.

I told your Grace they would talk anon.

[Drum and trumpet. Chambers

discharg'd]

WOLSEY.

What's that?

CHAMBERLAIN.

Look out there, some of ye. Exit a

SERVANT

WOLSEY.

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

CHAMBERLAIN.

How now! what is't?

SERVANT.

A noble troop of strangers-

For so they seem. Th' have left their barge and landed,

And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

WOLSEY.

Good Lord Chamberlain,

Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;

And pray receive 'em nobly and conduct 'em

Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty

Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.

Exit CHAMBERLAIN attended. All rise, and tables remov'd

You have now a broken banquet, but we'll mend