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 fixteen torch-bearers; usher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully falute 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 fo noble and so fair affembly

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 condu&t,
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 chofen for the dance. The King choofes

ANNE BULLEN.

K. Hen. The faireft hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty, Till now I never knew thee.

Wol. My lord,

Cham.

Wol.

Your grace?

[Mufick. Dance.

Pray, tell them thus much from me :

There should be one amongst them, by his perfon,

More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty

[Cham. goes to the company, and returns.

Wol. What fay they?

Cham.
There is, indeed; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.

Such a one, they all confefs,

Wol.

Let me fee then.

[Comes from his state.

By all your good leaves, gentlemen ;- Here I'll make
My royal choice.

K. Hen.

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 fhould judge now unhappily.

Wol.

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

K. Hen.

I am glad,

My lord chamberlain,

Cham.

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

7

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

The viscount Rochford, one of her highnefs' women.
K. Hen. By heaven, fhe is a dainty one.-Sweetheart,
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,

There's fresher air, my lord,

K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forfake 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 beft in favour.-Let the mufick knock it.

[Exeunt, with trumpets.

ACT