Let me have such a bowl may hold my
And save me so much talking.

Wol.

thanks,

My lord Sands,

I am beholden 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

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 trumpets within; 13 chambers discharged.

Wol.

Cham. Look out there, some of you.

Wol.

What's that?

[Exit a Servant.

What warlike voice?

And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not;

By all the laws of war you are privileg'd.

Re-enter Servant.

Cham. How now? what is't?

Serv.

A noble troop of strangers;

For so they seem: they have left their barge, and

landed;

And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

Wol.

Good lord chamberlain,

Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French

tongue;

And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them,
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them:-Some attend him.-
[Exit Chamberlain, attended. All arise, 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 you;-Welcome all.

Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve others, as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, with sixteen torchbearers; usher'd 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 conduct,

Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat
An hour of revels with them.

Wol.
Say, lord chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace; for which I

pay them

A thousand thanks, and pray them take their pleasures. [Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen.

K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O,

beauty,

Till now I never knew thee.

Wol. My lord,

Cham.

Wol.

Your grace?

[Musick. Dance.

Pray, tell them thus much from me:

There should be one amongst them, 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.

[Chamberlain goes to the company, and returns. Wol. What say they?

Cham.

Such a one, they all confess,

There is, indeed; which they would have your grace

Find out, and he will take it.

Wol.

Let me see then.

[Comes from his state.

By all your good leaves, gentlemen;-Here I'll make

My royal choice.

K. Hen.

14 You 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.

Wol.

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

K. Hen.

I am glad,

My lord chamberlain,

Pr'ythee, come hither: What fair lady's that?

Cham. An't please your grace, sir Thomas Bullen's

daughter,

The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women.

K. Hen. By heaven, she is a dainty one.-Sweet

heart,

I were unmannerly, to take you out,

And not to kiss you.-A health, gentlemen,

Let it go round.

Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber?

Lov.

Wol.

Yes, my lord.

Your grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

K. Hen. I fear, too much.

Wol.

In the next chamber.

There's fresher air, my lord,

K. Hen. 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

To lead them once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour.-Let the musick knock it.

VOL. IX.

Q [Exeunt, with trumpets.

Even to the hall, to hear what shall become

Of the great duke of Buckingham.

1 Gent.

I'll save you

That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony

Of bringing back the prisoner.

1 Gent. Yes, truly, is he, and condemn'd upon it.

2 Gent. I am sorry for't.

1 Gent.

So are a number more.

2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it?

1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke

Came to the bar; where, to his accusations,

He pleaded still, not guilty, and alledg'd
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The king's attorney, on the contrary,
Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses; which the duke desir'd