SCENE IV. - The Presence Chamber 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 Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, 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, Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord SANDS, and Sir THOMAS LOVELL. The very thought of this fair company Cham. Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these! 1 10 first. Th whether we consider it as enumerative or as superlative, is awkward. It probably means: “As, first, good company, next, good wine, and, last, good welcome." 6 1 [state,] canopy over the chair of state. (Rolfe.) This banquet scene (January 3, 1527) is derived ultimately from Cavendish's Life of Wolsey, probably by way of Stow and Holinshed, and according to Spedding's analysis is Fletcher's work and not Shakespeare's. (R) 12 a running banquet, a slight repast or hasty dessert. Cf. the same expression V. iv. 69. (R) 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 entering. Nay, you must not freeze; 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. Sands. O, very mad, But he would bite none Was he mad, sir? exceeding mad; in love too; He would kiss you twenty with a breath. [Kisses her. 20 Well said, my lord. 30 Cham. Sands. Let me alone. For my little cure, Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended, and takes his state. Wol. Y' are welcome, my fair guests that noble Or gentleman, that is not freely merry, Is not my friend. This to confirm my Sands. Let me have such a bowl may hold And save me so much talking. Wol. welcome; [Drinks. Your grace is noble : my thanks, My Lord Sands, gentlemen, I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. — Ladies, you are not merry Sands. The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, Madam, Anne. You cannot shew me. Sands. I told your Grace they would talk anon. Cham. Look out there, some of ye. Wol. 40 [Exit a Servant. What warlike voice, 50 And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not; Servant returns. Cham. How now! what is 't? Servant. A noble troop of strangers, For so they seem: they've left their barge, and landed; 41 beholding, beholden — as 46 make, may determine. (R) often. (R) 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 Some attend him. [Exit Chamberlain, attended. All arise, and the tables are removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. Hautboys. Enter the King and others, as maskers, 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? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd 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 'em. Wol. 68 [Enter the King and others, as maskers.] This visit of the King in disguise is historical, and was quite in the fashion of the time. The occurrences at the real masquing, according to Cav Say, Lord Chamberlain, endish, Wolsey's biographer, were much as they are here represented. But it was not on this occasion that Henry first danced with Anne Bullen. (w) |