Sands. He may, my lord; '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.

Cham. 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.

Sands.

I am your lordship's. [Exeunt.

60

Hautboys.

SCENE IV. A Hall in York Place.

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.

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

59. 'has, he has. Ff 'ha's.' 63. My barge stays. They are in the king's palace at Bridewell, and proceed thence down the river to York Place (Whitehall).

67. comptrollers, i.e. of the entertainment.

Sc. 4. By FLETCHER (Sp.). The account of Wolsey's banquet was ultimately derived from Cavendish's Life of Wolsey. The historical date was January 3, 1527.

under a state, a canopied chair.

As, first, good company, good wine, good wel

come,

Can make good people. O, my lord, you 're tardy:

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 'em: 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 ;

Faith, how easy?

They should find easy penance.

Lov.

Sir

Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?
Harry,

Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this
His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women placed together makes 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;

6. As, first, good company, etc., i.e. apart from the special matter of the mirth for which company, wine, and welcome

10

20

provide the favouring conditions.

12. a running banquet, a hasty refreshment or dessert at the conclusion of a feast.

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.

Cham.

[Kisses her.

30

Well said, my lord.
So, now you're 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, and
takes his state.

Wol. You're 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.

Sands.

[Drinks.

Your grace is noble : Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,

And save me so much talking.

Wol.

My Lord Sands,

40

I am beholding 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

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.

Sands. I told your grace they would talk anon. [Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged.

Wol.

Cham. Look out there, some of ye.

Wol.

What's that?

[Exit Servant.

What warlike voice, 50

And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you 're privileged.

And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

Wol.

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.

[Exit Chamberlain,

Some attend him. 60

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 ye;

46. make my play, win my

game.

49. chambers discharged. It

welcome all.

was this discharge of cannon that caused the destruction of the first Globe Theatre. Cf. Introduction.

Hautboys. Enter the
the KING and others, as
masquers, habited like shepherds, 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
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 con-
duct,

Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat

An hour of revels with 'em.

Wol.

Say, lord chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em

A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.

The

[They choose Ladies for the dance.
King chooses Anne Bullen.

King. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O

Wol.

Pray, tell 'em thus much from me :
There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty

I would surrender it.

Cham.

I will, my lord.
[Whispers the Masquers.

79. this place, i. e. the seat of honour.

70

80