1    Ladies, a general welcome from his grace
2    Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates
3    To fair content and you: none here, he hopes,
4    In all this noble bevy, has brought with her
5    One care abroad; he would have all as merry
6    As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,
7    Can make good people. O, my lord, you're tardy:
Enter Chamberlain, SANDS, and LOVELL
8    The very thought of this fair company
9    Clapp'd wings to me.

10   You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

11   Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal
12   But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these
13   Should find a running banquet ere they rested,
14   I think would better please 'em: by my life,
15   They are a sweet society of fair ones.

16   O, that your lordship were but now confessor
17   To one or two of these!

18   I would I were;
19   They should find easy penance.

20   Faith, how easy?

21   As easy as a down-bed would afford it.

22   Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,
23   Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this:
24   His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
25   Two women placed together makes cold weather:
26   My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
27   Pray, sit between these ladies.

28   By my faith,
29   And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies:
30   If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
31   I had it from my father.

32   Was he mad, sir?

33   O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too:
34   But he would bite none; just as I do now,
35   He would kiss you twenty with a breath.

36   Well said, my lord.
37   So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
38   The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
39   Pass away frowning.

40   For my little cure,
41   Let me alone.

42   You're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady,
43   Or gentleman, that is not freely merry,
44   Is not my friend: this, to confirm my welcome;
45   And to you all, good health.

46   Your grace is noble:
47   Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
48   And save me so much talking.

49   My Lord Sands,
50   I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours.
51   Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen,
52   Whose fault is this?

53   The red wine first must rise
54   In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em
55   Talk us to silence.

56   You are a merry gamester,
57   My Lord Sands.

58   Yes, if I make my play.
59   Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,
60   For 'tis to such a thing,--

61   You cannot show me.

62   I told your grace they would talk anon.

63   What's that?

64   Look out there, some of ye.

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

68   How now! what is't?

69   A noble troop of strangers;
70   For so they seem: they've left their barge and landed;
71   And hither make, as great ambassadors
72   From foreign princes.

73   Good lord chamberlain,
74   Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;
75   And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em
76   Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
77   Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed
78   You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
79   A good digestion to you all: and once more
80   I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.
81   A noble company! what are their pleasures?

82   Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd
83   To tell your grace, that, having heard by fame
84   Of this so noble and so fair assembly
85   This night to meet here, they could do no less
86   Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
87   But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct,
88   Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat
89   An hour of revels with 'em.

90   Say, lord chamberlain,
91   They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em
92   A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.

93   The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,
94   Till now I never knew thee!

95   My lord!

96   Your grace?

97   Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:
98   There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
99   More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
100  If I but knew him, with my love and duty
101  I would surrender it.

102  I will, my lord.

103  What say they?

104  Such a one, they all confess,
105  There is indeed; which they would have your grace
106  Find out, and he will take it.

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

110  Ye have found him, cardinal:
Unmasking
111  You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:
112  You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,
113  I should judge now unhappily.

114  I am glad
115  Your grace is grown so pleasant.

116  My lord chamberlain,
117  Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?

118  An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter--
119  The Viscount Rochford,--one of her highness' women.

120  By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
121  I were unmannerly, to take you out,
122  And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!
123  Let it go round.

124  Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
125  I' the privy chamber?

126  Yes, my lord.

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

129  I fear, too much.

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

132  Lead in your ladies, every one: sweet partner,
133  I must not yet forsake you: let's be merry:
134  Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths
135  To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
136  To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream
137  Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.