King Henry VIII | Page 9

CHAMBERLAIN. What is't for?
LOVELL. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court
with quarrels, talk, and tailors.
CHAMBERLAIN. I'm glad 'tis there. Now I would pray our monsieurs
To think an English courtier may be wise, And never see the Louvre.
LOVELL. They must either, For so run the conditions, leave those
remnants Of fool and feather that they got in France, With all their
honourable points of ignorance Pertaining thereunto, as fights and
fireworks, Abusing better men than they can be, Out of a foreign
wisdom, renouncing clean The faith they have in tennis and tall
stockings, Short blist'red breeches, and those types of travel, And
understand again like honest men, Or pack to their old playfellows.
There, I take it, They may, "cum privilegio," wear away The lag end of
their lewdness and be laugh'd at.
SANDYS. 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases Are grown so
catching.
CHAMBERLAIN. What a loss our ladies Will have of these trim
vanities!
LOVELL. Ay, marry, There will be woe indeed, lords; the sly
whoresons Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies. A French song
and a fiddle has no fellow.
SANDYS. The devil fiddle 'em! I am glad they are going, For, sure,
there's no converting of 'em. Now An honest country lord, as I am,
beaten A long time out of play, may bring his plainsong And have an
hour of hearing; and, by 'r Lady, Held current music too.
CHAMBERLAIN. Well said, Lord Sandys; Your colt's tooth is not cast
yet.
SANDYS. No, my lord; Nor shall not, while I have a stump.
CHAMBERLAIN. Sir Thomas, Whither were you a-going?
LOVELL. To the Cardinal's. Your lordship is a guest too.
CHAMBERLAIN. O, 'tis true: This night he makes a supper, and a

great one, To many lords and ladies; there will be The beauty of this
kingdom, I'll assure you.
LOVELL. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed, A hand as
fruitful as the land that feeds us; His dews fall everywhere.
CHAMBERLAIN. No doubt he's noble; He had a black mouth that said
other of him.
SANDYS. He may, my lord; has wherewithal; in him Sparing would
show a worse sin than ill doctrine. Men of his way should be most
liberal; They are set here for examples.
CHAMBERLAIN. True, they are so; But few now give so great ones.
My barge stays; Your lordship shall along. Come, good Sir Thomas,
We shall be late else; which I would not be, For I was spoke to, with
Sir Henry Guildford, This night to be comptrollers.
SANDYS. I am your lordship's.
[Exeunt.]

SCENE IV. A Hall in York Place.
[Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, 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
Guildford.]
GUILDFORD. 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 Sandys, and Sir Thomas Lovell.]
O, my lord, you're tardy; The very thought of this fair company Clapp'd
wings to me.
CHAMBERLAIN. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
SANDYS. 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!
SANDYS. I would I were; They should find easy penance.

LOVELL. Faith, how easy?
SANDYS. 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 ent'ring. Nay, you
must not freeze; Two women plac'd together makes cold weather. My
Lord Sandys, you are one will keep 'em waking; Pray, sit between these
ladies.
SANDYS. 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. Was he mad, sir?
SANDYS. 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.]
CHAMBERLAIN. Well said, my lord. So, now you're fairly seated.
Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away
frowning.
SANDYS. For my little cure, Let me alone.
[Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and