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The Life of Henry the Eighth


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Servant.]

WOLSEY

      What warlike voice,

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

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

      [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,

      And hither make, as great ambassadors

      From foreign princes.

WOLSEY

      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. Some attend him.

      [Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables remov'd.]

      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!

      [Hautboys. Enter the King, and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, usher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, 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,

      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.

WOLSEY

      Say, 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.]

KING

      The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,

      Till now I never knew thee!

      [Music. Dance.]

WOLSEY

      My lord!

CHAMBERLAIN

      Your Grace?

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

      I would surrender it.

CHAMBERLAIN

      I will, my lord.

      [Whispers the Masquers.]

WOLSEY

      What say they?

CHAMBERLAIN

      Such a one, they all confess,

      There is indeed; which they would have your Grace

      Find out, and he will take it.

WOLSEY

      Let me see, then.

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

      My royal choice.

KING

      Ye 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.

WOLSEY

      I am glad

      Your Grace is grown so pleasant.

KING

      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

      By 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.

WOLSEY

      Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready

      I' the privy chamber?

LOVELL

      Yes, my lord.

WOLSEY

      Your Grace,

      I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

KING

      I fear, too much.

WOLSEY

      There's fresher air, my lord,

      In the next chamber.

KING

      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 'em once again; and then let's dream

      Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.

      [Exeunt with trumpets.]

      ACT II

      SCENE I. Westminster. A street

      [Enter two Gentlemen at several doors.]

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      Whither away so fast?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

      O, God save ye!

      Even to the hall, to hear what shall become

      Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      I'll save you

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

      Of bringing back the prisoner.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

      Were you there?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      Yes, indeed, was I.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

      Pray, speak what has happen'd.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      You may guess quickly what.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

      Is he found guilty?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

      I am sorry for't.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

      So