Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.

Act I. Scene IV.

The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth

Guild.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.

O, my lord! you’re tardy:

The very thought of this fair company

Clapp’d wings to me.

Cham.You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

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.

Lov.O! that your lordship were but now confessor

To one or two of these!

Sands.I would I were;

They should find easy penance.

Lov.Faith, how easy?

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

Cham.Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,

Place you that side, I’ll take the charge of this;

His Grace is ent’ring. Nay you must not freeze;

Two women plac’d 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:[Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and another Lady.

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;

I had it from my father.

Anne.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.[Kisses her.

Cham.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.

Wol.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.[Drinks.

Sands.Your Grace is noble:

Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,

And save me so much talking.

Wol.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.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.You cannot show me.

Sands.I told your Grace they would talk anon.[Drum and trumpets within; chambers discharged.

Wol.What’s that?

Cham.Look out there, some of ye.[Exit a Servant.

Wol.What war-like voice,

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

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

Cham.How now, what is ’t?

Serv.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.

Wol.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 the Lord 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 ye; welcome all.

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 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.

Wol.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.

K. Hen.The fairest hand I ever touch’d! O beauty,

Till now I never knew thee![Music.Dance.

Wol.My lord.

Cham.Your Grace?

Wol.Pray tell them 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.

Cham.I will, my lord.[Whispers the Masquers.

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.[Unmasking.]You 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.

Wol.I am glad

Your Grace is grown so pleasant.

K. Hen.My Lord Chamberlain,

Prithee, 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. 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.Yes, my lord.

Wol.Your Grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

K. Hen.I fear, too much.

Wol.There’s fresher air, my lord,

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

To lead ’em once again; and then let’s dream

Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it.[Exeunt with trumpets.