Talk us to silence. Anne. My lord Sands. Sands. You are a merry gamester, Yes, if I make my play.1 Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam; Anne. You cannot show me. Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [drum and trumpets within; chambers 2 discharged. Wol. Cham. Look out there, some of you. Wol. What's that? [Exit Servant. What warlike voice? And to what end is this?-Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileged. Re-enter SERVANT. Cham. How now? what is 't? Ser. 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 2 Small cannon. 1 If I choose my game. 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, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him. A noble company! What are their pleasures? To tell your grace;—that, having heard by fame This night to meet here, they could do no less, But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, 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 plea sures. [Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O More worthy this place than myself; to whom, [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. 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, Wol. I am glad, Your grace is grown so pleasant. 1 Mischievously. K. Hen. 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. heart, I were unmannerly, to take you out, And not to kiss you. Let it go round. A health, gentlemen ; Sweet 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, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. K. Hen. I fear, too much. Wol. In the next chamber. 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 1 To lead them once again; and then let's dream Who's best in favor. Let the music knock it. [Exeunt, with trumpets. A stately kind of dance. ACT II. SCENE I. A street. Enter TWO GENTLEMEN, meeting. 1 Gen. Whither away so fast? 2 Gen. Even to the hall, to hear what shall become 0,-God save you! Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gen. I'll save you That labor, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony Of bringing back the prisoner. 1 Gen. Yes, truly, is he, and condemn'd upon it. 2 Gen. I am sorry for 't. 1 Gen. So are a number more. 2 Gen. But, pray, how pass'd it? 1 Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar, where, to his accusations, He pleaded still, Not Guilty, and alleged |