The Presence-chamber in York Place.
 Hautboys. A small table under a state for Cardinal Wolsey,
 a longer table for the guests.
 Then enter ANNE BULLEN, and divers other LADIES and GENTLEMEN, as guests
 at one door; at another door enter SIR HENRY GUILFORD.

Guilford	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
	As first, good company, good wine, good welcome
	Can make good people.

              Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, LORD SANDS and LOVELL.

						O my lord, y'are tardy;
	The very thought of this fair company
	Clapped wings to me.

Chamberlain	You are young, Sir Harry Guilford.

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.

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?

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.
	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;
	I had it from my father.

Anne Bullen							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.

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,
	Let me alone.

           Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY and takes his state.

Cardinal	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.

Sands							Your grace is noble;
	Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
	And save me so much talking.

Cardinal								My Lord Sands,
	I am beholding 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 'em
	Talk us to silence.

Anne Bullen						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-

Anne Bullen							You cannot show me.
											[Drum and trumpet.
											Chambers discharged.

Sands	I told your grace they would talk anon.

Cardinal									What's that?

Chamberlain	Look out there, some of ye.

Cardinal									What warlike voice,
	And to what end is this? Nay ladies, fear not;
	By all the laws of war you're privileged.

                             Enter a 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.

Cardinal						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 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!

                                Hautboys.
        Enter KING and others as MASQUERS, habited like shepherds,
                     ushered 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 prayed
	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.

Cardinal								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;
											KING chooses ANNE BULLEN.

King Henry	The fairest hand I ever touched! O beauty,
	Till now I never knew thee!
											[Music. Dance.
Cardinal	My lord.

Chamberlain			Your grace?

Cardinal						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 to the Masquers.
Cardinal	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.

Cardinal									Let me see then,
	By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make
	My royal choice.

King Henry		[Unmasking.] Ye have found him, cardinal.
	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									I am glad
	Your grace is grown so pleasant.

King Henry									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	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.

Cardinal	Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
	I'th'privy chamber?

Lovell						Yes my lord.

Cardinal									Your grace,
	I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

King Henry	I fear, too much.

Cardinal					There's fresher air, my lord,
	In the next chamber.

King Henry	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.
