| ACT I SCENE IV | A Hall in York Place. |
| [
Hautboys. A small table under a state for CARDINAL
WOLSEY, a longer table for the guests. Then enter
ANNE and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as
guests, at one door; at another door, enter
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 | 5 |
| As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome, |
| Can make good people. O, my lord, you're tardy: |
[Enter Chamberlain, SANDS, and LOVELL] |
| The very thought of this fair company |
| Clapp'd wings to me. |
| Chamberlain | You are young, Sir Harry Guildford. | 10 |
| 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. | 15 |
| LOVELL | O, that your lordship were but now confessor |
| To one or two of these! |
| SANDS | I would I were; |
| They should find easy penance. |
| LOVELL | Faith, how easy? | 20 |
| SANDS | 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 entering. Nay, you must not freeze; |
| Two women placed together makes cold weather: | 25 |
| 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: |
| If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; | 30 |
| 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. | 35 |
| [Kisses her] |
| Chamberlain | Well said, my lord. |
| So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen, |
| The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies |
| Pass away frowning. |
| SANDS | For my little cure, | 40 |
| Let me alone. |
| [Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, and takes his state] |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | 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. | 45 |
| [Drinks] |
| SANDS | Your grace is noble: |
| Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, |
| And save me so much talking. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | My Lord Sands, |
| I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. | 50 |
| 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 'em |
| Talk us to silence. | 55 |
| 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,-- | 60 |
| ANNE | You cannot show me. |
| SANDS | I told your grace they would talk anon. |
| [Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged] |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | What's that? |
| Chamberlain | Look out there, some of ye. |
| [Exit Servant] |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | What warlike voice, | 65 |
| And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not; |
| By all the laws of war you're privileged. |
| [Re-enter Servant] |
| Chamberlain | How now! what is't? |
| Servant | A noble troop of strangers; |
| For so they seem: they've left their barge and landed; | 70 |
| And hither make, as great ambassadors
|
| From foreign princes. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | Good lord chamberlain, |
| Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue; |
| And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em | 75 |
| 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. | 80 |
[
Hautboys. Enter KING HENRY VIII and others, as
masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the
Chamberlain. They pass directly before CARDINAL
WOLSEY, and gracefully salute him
] |
| A noble company! what are their pleasures? |
| Chamberlain | 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 | 85 |
| 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. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | Say, lord chamberlain, | 90 |
| 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. KING HENRY VIII
chooses ANNE
] |
| KING HENRY VIII | The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty, |
| Till now I never knew thee! |
| [Music. Dance] |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | My lord! | 95 |
| Chamberlain | Your grace? |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | 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 | 100 |
| I would surrender it. |
| Chamberlain | I will, my lord. |
| [Whispers the Masquers] |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | What say they? |
| Chamberlain | Such a one, they all confess, |
| There is indeed; which they would have your grace | 105 |
| Find out, and he will take it. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | Let me see, then. |
| By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make |
| My royal choice. |
| KING HENRY VIII | Ye have found him, cardinal: | 110 |
[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. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | I am glad |
| Your grace is grown so pleasant. | 115 |
| KING HENRY VIII | My lord chamberlain, |
| Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that? |
| Chamberlain | An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter-- |
| The Viscount Rochford,--one of her highness' women. |
| KING HENRY VIII | By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart, | 120 |
| I were unmannerly, to take you out, |
| And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen! |
| Let it go round. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready |
| I' the privy chamber? | 125 |
| LOVELL | Yes, my lord. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | Your grace, |
| I fear, with dancing is a little heated. |
| KING HENRY VIII | I fear, too much. |
| CARDINAL WOLSEY | There's fresher air, my lord, | 130 |
| In the next chamber. |
| KING HENRY VIII | Lead 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 | 135 |
| To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream |
| Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it. |
| [Exeunt with trumpets] |
The Essential Student History Quiz (with answers and illustrations)