Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Car-dinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen, and divers other Ladies and Gentlewomen, as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir Henry Guilford.

Guil. Ladies, a gen'ral 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, then good wine, good wel

come,

Can make good people.

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands and Lovel.

O my Lord, y'are tardy;
The very thoughts of this fair company
Clap'd wings to me.

Cham. You're young, Sir Harry Guilford.
Sands. Sir Thomas Lovel, had the Cardinal
But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these
Should find a running banquet, ere they rested;
I think 'twould better please 'em. By my life
They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Lov. O, that your Lordship were but now con

feffor

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 fit? Sir

Harry,

Place you that fide, I'll take the charge of this.
His Grace is entring. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women, placed together, make cold weather.
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep'em waking;.
Pray, fit 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. Was he mad, Sir?

[Sits.

Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too;

But he would bite none; just as I do now,

He'd kiss you twenty with a breath.

[Kiffes her.

Cham. Well faid, my Lord.
So, now y'are fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lyes on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

Sands. For my little cure,

Let me alone.

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolley, and takes his

State.

Wol. Y'are welcome, my fair guests. That noble Or gentleman that is not freely merry, [lady Is not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome; And to you all good health.

Sands. Your Grace is noble.

[Drinks.

Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And fave me fo much talking.

Wol. My Lord Sands,

I am beholden to you; cheer your neighbour.
-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 filence.

Anne. You're 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 thew me.

Sands. I told your Grace that they would talk

anon.

[Drum and trumpets, chambers discharg'd.

Wol. What's that?

Cham. Look out there, fome of ye.

Wol. What warlike voice,

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

By all the laws of war y' are privileg'd.

Enter a Servant.

Cham. How now? what is't?

Serv. A noble troop of strangers,

For fo they feem; they have left their barge and

landed,

And hither make, as great ambaffadors

From foreign princes.

Wol. Good Lord Chamberlain,

Go give 'em welcome; you can speak the French

tongue;

And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct 'em
Into our prefence, where this heav'n of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
[All arife, and tables removed.
-You've now a broken ban banquet, but we'll mend it.
A good digeftion to you all; and, once more,
I show'r a welcome on ye. Welcome all.

Hautboys. Enter King and others as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, usher'd by the Lord Chamber lain. They pafs directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully falute him.

A noble company! what are their pleasures?

Cham. Because they fpeak no English, thus they pray'd

To tell your Grace, that having heard by fame
Of this so noble and fo fair aflembly,
This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great refpect 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've done my poor house grace, for which I A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their plea

fures.

[Chuses ladies. King and Anne Bullen.

King. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,

Till now I never knew thee.

Wol. My Lord,

Cham. Your Grace

[Mufic. Dance

Wol. 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

would furrender it.

Cham. I will, my Lord.

[Whisper.

[Chamb. goes to the company, and returns.

Wol. What say they?

• Cham. Such a one, they all confefs,

There is, indeed; which they would have your

Grace

Find out, and he will take it.

Wol. Let me see then.

By all your good leaves, Gentlemen, here I'll make My royal choice.

King. You've 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'm glad

Your Grace is grown so pleasant.
King. My Lord Chamberlain,
Pr'ythee come hither. What fair lady's that?

Cham. An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bul-
len's daughter,

The Viscount Rochford, one of her Highness' wo

men.

King. By Heaven she's a dainty one. Sweet

heart,

I were unmannerly to take you out,

[To Anne Bullen.

And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen
Let it go round.

* That is, unluckily, mischievously.
VO L. VII.

C

Wol. Sir Thomas Lovel, is the banquet ready

T' th' privy chamber?

Lov. Yes, my Lord.

Wol. Your Grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
King. I fear too much.

Wol. There's fresher air, my Lord,

In the next chamber.

King. 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 them once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.

Whither away fo faft?

2 Gen. O Sir, God save ye:

Ev'n to the hall, to hear what shall become

Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

1 Gen. I'll fave you

That labour, Sir. All's now done, but the ceremony

Of bringing back the pris'ner.

2 Gen. Were you there?

■ Gen. Yes, indeed, was I.

2 Gen. Pray, fpeak, what has happen'd?

I Gen. You may guess quickly what.

2 Gen. Is he found guilty?

I Gen. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't.

2 Gen. I'm sorry for't.

1 Gen. So are a number more.

2 Gen. But, pray, how pass'd it?

■ Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great Duke