Lou. Faith how easie?
San. As easie as a downe bed would affoord it
Cham. Sweet Ladies will it please you sit; Sir Harry Place you that side, Ile take the charge of this: His Grace is entring. Nay, you must not freeze, Two women plac"d together, makes cold weather: My Lord Sands, you are one will keepe "em waking: Pray sit betweene these Ladies
San. By my faith, And thanke your Lordship: by your leaue sweet Ladies, If I chance to talke a little wilde, forgiue me: I had it from my Father
An.Bul. Was he mad Sir?
San. O very mad, exceeding mad, in loue too; But he would bite none, iust as I doe now, He would Kisse you Twenty with a breath
Cham. Well said my Lord: So now y"are fairely seated: Gentlemen, The pennance lyes on you; if these faire Ladies Pa.s.se away frowning
San. For my little Cure, Let me alone.
Hoboyes. Enter Cardinall Wolsey, and takes his State.
Card. Y"are welcome my faire Guests; that n.o.ble Lady Or Gentleman that is not freely merry Is not my Friend. This to confirme my welcome, And to you all good health
San. Your Grace is n.o.ble, Let me haue such a Bowle may hold my thankes, And saue me so much talking
Card. My Lord Sands, I am beholding to you: cheere your neighbours: Ladies you are not merry; Gentlemen, Whose fault is this?
San. The red wine first must rise In their faire cheekes my Lord, then wee shall haue "em, Talke vs to silence
An.B. You are a merry Gamster My Lord Sands
San. Yes, if I make my play: Heer"s to your Ladiship, and pledge it Madam: For tis to such a thing
An.B. You cannot shew me.
Drum and Trumpet, Chambers dischargd.
San. I told your Grace, they would talke anon
Card. What"s that?
Cham. Looke out there, some of ye
Card. What warlike voyce, And to what end is this? Nay, Ladies, feare not; By all the lawes of Warre y"are priuiledg"d.
Enter a Seruant.
Cham. How now, what is"t?
Seru. A n.o.ble troupe of Strangers, For so they seeme; th" haue left their Barge and landed, And hither make, as great Emba.s.sadors From forraigne Princes
Card. Good Lord Chamberlaine, Go, giue "em welcome; you can speake the French tongue And pray receiue "em n.o.bly, and conduct "em Into our presence, where this heauen of beauty Shall shine at full vpon them. Some attend him.
All rise, and Tables remou"d.
You haue now a broken Banket, but wee"l mend it.
A good digestion to you all; and once more I showre a welcome on yee: welcome all.
Hoboyes. Enter King and others as Maskers, habited like Shepheards, vsher"d by the Lord Chamberlaine. They pa.s.se directly before the Cardinall and gracefully salute him.
A n.o.ble Company: what are their pleasures?
Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they praid To tell your Grace: That hauing heard by fame Of this so n.o.ble and so faire a.s.sembly, This night to meet heere they could doe no lesse, (Out of the great respect they beare to beauty) But leaue their Flockes, and vnder your faire Conduct Craue leaue to view these Ladies, and entreat An houre of Reuels with "em
Card. Say, Lord Chamberlaine, They haue done my poore house grace: For which I pay "em a thousand thankes, And pray "em take their pleasures.
Choose Ladies, King and An Bullen.
King. The fairest hand I euer touch"d: O Beauty, Till now I neuer knew thee.
Musicke, Dance.
Card. My Lord
Cham. Your Grace
Card. Pray tell "em thus much from me: There should be one amongst "em by his person More worthy this place then my selfe, to whom (If I but knew him) with my loue and duty I would surrender it.
Whisper.
Cham. I will my Lord
Card. What say they?
Cham. Such a one, they all confesse There is indeed, which they would haue your Grace Find out, and he will take it
Card. Let me see then, By all your good leaues Gentlemen; heere Ile make My royall choyce
Kin. Ye haue found him Cardinall, You hold a faire a.s.sembly; you doe well Lord: You are a Churchman, or Ile tell you Cardinall, I should iudge now vnhappily
Card. I am glad Your Grace is growne so pleasant
Kin. My Lord Chamberlaine, Prethee come hither, what faire Ladie"s that?
Cham. An"t please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullens Daughter, the Viscount Rochford, One of her Highnesse women
Kin. By Heauen she is a dainty one. Sweet heart, I were vnmannerly to take you out, And not to kisse you. A health Gentlemen, Let it goe round
Card. Sir Thomas Louell, is the Banket ready I"th" Priuy Chamber?
Lou. Yes, my Lord
Card. Your Grace I feare, with dancing is a little heated
Kin. I feare too much
Card. There"s fresher ayre my Lord, In the next Chamber
Kin. Lead in your Ladies eu"ry one: Sweet Partner, I must not yet forsake you: Let"s be merry, Good my Lord Cardinall: I haue halfe a dozen healths, To drinke to these faire Ladies, and a measure To lead "em once againe, and then let"s dreame Who"s best in fauour. Let the Musicke knock it.
Exeunt. with Trumpets.