ARKCODEX
Act I, Scene 4
1A Hall in York Place.
2Hautboys. 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.
3GuildfordLadies, 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’re tardy:
4Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir Thomas Lovell.
5The very thought of this fair company
Clapp’d wings to me.
6ChamberlainYou are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
7SandsSir 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.
8LovellO, that your lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these!
9SandsI would I were;
They should find easy penance.
10LovellFaith, how easy?
11SandsAs easy as a down-bed would afford it.
12ChamberlainSweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir 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.
13SandsBy my faith,
And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies:
If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
I had it from my father.
14AnneWas he mad, sir?
15SandsO, 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.
16ChamberlainWell said, my lord.
So, now you’re fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.
17SandsFor my little cure,
Let me alone.
18Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.
19WolseyYou’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. Drinks.
20SandsYour grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.
21WolseyMy Lord Sands,
I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours.
Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen,
Whose fault is this?
22SandsThe red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have ’em
Talk us to silence.
23AnneYou are a merry gamester,
My Lord Sands.
24SandsYes, if I make my play.
Here’s to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,
For ’tis to such a thing—
25AnneYou cannot show me.
26SandsI told your grace they would talk anon. Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged.
27WolseyWhat’s that?
28ChamberlainLook out there, some of ye. Exit Servant.
29WolseyWhat warlike voice,
And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
By all the laws of war you’re privileged.
30Reenter Servant.
31ChamberlainHow now! what is’t?
32ServantA noble troop of strangers;
For so they seem: they’ve left their barge and landed;
And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.
33WolseyGood 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 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 ye; welcome all.
34Hautboys. Enter the King and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him.
35A noble company! what are their pleasures?
36ChamberlainBecause 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 ’em.
37WolseySay, lord chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em
A thousand thanks, and pray ’em take their pleasures. They choose Ladies for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen.
38KingThe fairest hand I ever touch’d! O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee! Music. Dance.
39WolseyMy lord!
40ChamberlainYour grace?
41WolseyPray, 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.
42ChamberlainI will, my lord. Whispers the Masquers.
43WolseyWhat say they?
44ChamberlainSuch a one, they all confess,
There is indeed; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.
45WolseyLet me see, then.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I’ll make
My royal choice.
46KingYe have found him, cardinal: Unmasking.
You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:
You are a churchman, or, I’ll tell you, cardinal,
I should judge now unhappily.
47WolseyI am glad
Your grace is grown so pleasant.
48KingMy lord chamberlain,
Prithee, come hither: what fair lady’s that?
49ChamberlainAn’t please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter—
The Viscount Rochford—one of her highness’ women.
50KingBy heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly, to take you out,
And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!
Let it go round.
51WolseySir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
I’ the privy chamber?
52LovellYes, my lord.
53WolseyYour grace,
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
54KingI fear, too much.
55WolseyThere’s fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.
56KingLead in your ladies, every one: sweet partner,
I must not yet forsake you: let’s be merry:
Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
To lead ’em once again; and then let’s dream
Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it. Exeunt with trumpets.