Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies Published according to the true originall copies.
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Title
Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies Published according to the true originall copies.
Author
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Publication
London :: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount [at the charges of W. Iaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley],
1623.
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"Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies Published according to the true originall copies." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A11954.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 8, 2024.
Pages
Actus Primus.
Scoena Prima.
Enter the Duke of Norfolke at one doore. At the other, the Duke of Buckingham, and the Lord Aburgauenny.
Buckingham.
GOod morrow, and well met. How haue ye doneSince last we saw in France?
Norf.
I thanke your Grace:Healthfull, and euer since a fresh AdmirerOf what I saw there.
Buck.
An vntimely AgueStaid me a Prisoner in my Chamber, whenThose Sunnes of Glory, those two Lights of MenMet in the vale of Andren.
Nor.
'Twixt Guynes and Arde,I was then present, saw them salute on Horsebacke,Beheld them when they lighted, how they clungIn their Embracement, as they grew together,Which had they▪What foure Thron'd ones could haue weigh'dSuch a compounded one?
Buck.
All the whole timeI was my Chambers Prisoner.
Nor.
Then you lostThe view of earthly glory: Men might sayTill this time Pompe was single, but now marriedTo one aboue it selfe. Each following dayBecame the next dayes master, till the lastMade former Wonders, it's. To day the French,All Clinquant all in Gold, like Heathen GodsShone downe the English; and to morrow, theyMade Britaine, India: Euery man that stood,Shew••d like a Mine▪ Their Dwarfish Pages wereAs Cherubins, all gilt: the Madams too,Not vs'd to toyle, did almost sweat to beareThe Pride vpon them, that their very labourWas to them, as a Painting. Now this MaskeWas cry'de incompareable; and th' ensuing nightMade it a Foole, and Begger. The two KingsEquall in lustre, were now best, now worstAs presence did present them: Him in eye,Still him in praise, and being present both,'Twas said they saw but one, and no DiscernerDurst wagge his Tongue in censure, when these Sunnes(For so they phrase 'em) by their Heralds challeng'dThe Noble Spirits to Armes, they did performe
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Beyond thoughts Compasse, that former fabulous StorieBeing now seene, possible enough, got creditThat Beuis was beleeu'd.
Buc.
Oh you go farre.
Nor.
As I belong to worship, and affectIn Honor, Honesty, the tract of eu'ry thing,Would by a good Discourser loose some life,Which Actions selfe, was tongue too.
Buc.
All was Royall,To the disposing of it nought rebell'd,Order gaue each thing view. The Office didDistinctly his full Function: who did guide,I meane who set the Body, and the LimbesOf this great Sport together?
Nor.
As you guesse:One certes, that promises no ElementIn such a businesse.
Buc.
I pray you who, my Lord?
Nor.
All this was ordred by the good DiscretionOf the right Reuerend Cardinall of Yorke.
Buc.
The diuell speed him: No mans Pye is freedFrom his Ambitious finger. What had heTo do in these fierce Vanities? I wonder,That such a Keech can with his very bulkeTake vp the Rayes o' th' beneficiall Sun,And keepe it from the Earth.
Nor.
Surely Sir,There's in him stuffe, that put's him to these ends:For being not propt by Auncestry, whose graceChalkes Successors their way; nor call'd vponFor high feats done to' th' Crowne; neither AlliedTo eminent Assistants; but Spider-likeOut of his Selfe-drawing Web. O giues vs note,The force of his owne merit makes his wayA guift that heauen giues for him, which buyesA place next to the King.
Abur.
I cannot tellWhat Heauen hath giuen him: let some Grauer eyePierce into that, but I can see his PridePeepe through each part of him: whence ha's he that,If not from Hell? The Diuell is a Niggard,Or ha's giuen all before, and he beginsA new Hell in himselfe.
Buc.
Why the Diuell,Vpon this French going out, tooke he vpon him(Without the priuity o' th' King) t'appointWho should attend on him? He makes vp the FileOf all the Gentry; for the most part suchTo whom as great a Charge, as little HonorHe meant to lay vpon: and his owne LetterThe Honourable Boord of Councell, outMust fetch him in, he Papers.
Abur.
I do knowKinsmen of mine, three at the least, that haueBy this, so sicken'd their Estates, that neuerThey shall abound as formerly.
Buc.
O manyHaue broke their backes with laying Mannors on 'emFor this great Iourney. What did this vanityBut minister communication ofA most poore issue.
Nor.
Greeuingly I thinke,The Peace betweene the French and vs, not valewesThe Cost that did conclude it.
Buc.
Euery man,After the hideous storme that follow'd, wasA thing Inspir'd, and not consulting, brokeInto a generall Prophesie; That this TempestDashing the Garment of this Peace, aboadedThe sodaine breach on't.
Nor.
Which is budded out,For France hath flaw'd the League, and hath attach'dOur Merchants goods at Burdeux.
Abur.
Is it therefore?Th' Ambassador is silenc'd?
Nor.
Marry is't.
Abur.
A proper Title of a Peace, and purchas'dAt a superfluous rate.
Buc.
Why all this BusinesseOur Reuerend Cardinall carried.
Nor.
Like it your Grace,The State takes notice of the priuate differenceBetwixt you, and the Cardinall. I aduise you(And take it from a heart, that wishes towards youHonor, and plenteous safety) that you readeThe Cardinals Malice, and his PotencyTogether; To consider further, thatWhat his high Hatred would effect, wants notA Minister in his Power. You know his Nature,That he's Reuengefull; and I know, his SwordHath a sharpe edge: It's long, and't may be saideIt reaches farre, and where 'twill not extend,Thither he darts it. Bosome vp my counsell,You'l finde it wholesome. Loe, where comes that RockThat I aduice your shunning.
Enter Cardinall Wolsey, the Purse borne before him, certaine of the Guard, and two Secretaries with Papers: The Cardinall in his passage, fixeth his eye on Buck∣ham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdaine.
Car.
The Duke of Buckinghams Surueyor? Ha?Where's his Examination?
Secr.
Heere so please you.
Car.
Is he in person, ready?
Secr.
I, please your Grace.
Car.
Well, we shall then know more, & BuckinghamShall lessen this bigge looke.
〈◊〉〈◊〉
Exeunt Cardinall, and his Traine.
Buc.
This Butchers Curre is venom'd-mouth'd, and IHaue not the power to muzzle him, therefore bestNot wake him in his slumber. A Beggers booke,Out-worths a Nobles blood.
Nor.
What are you chaff'd?Aske God for Temp'rance, that's th' appliance onelyWhich your disease requires.
Buc.
I read in's looksMatter against me, and his eye reuil'dMe as his abiect obiect, at this instantHe bores me with some tricke; He's gone to' th' King:Ile follow, and out-stare him.
Nor.
Stay my Lord,And let your Reason with your Choller questionWhat 'tis you go about: to climbe steepe hillesRequires flow pace at first. Anger is likeA full hot Horse, who being allow'd his waySelfe-mettle tyres him: Not a man in EnglandCan aduise me like you: Be to your selfe,As you would to your Friend.
Buc.
Ile to the King,And from a mouth of Honor, quite cry downe
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This Ipswich fellowes insolence; or proclaime,There's difference in no persons.
Norf.
Be aduis'd;Heat not a Furnace for your foe so hotThat it do sindge your selfe. We may out-runneBy violent swiftnesse that which we run at;And lose by ouer-running: know you not,The fire that mounts the liquor til't run ore,In seeming to augment it, wasts it: be aduis'd;I say againe there is no English SouleMore stronger to direct you then your selfe;If with the sap of reason you would quench,Or but allay the fire of passion.
Buck.
Sir,I am thankfull to you, and Ile goe alongBy your prescription: but this top-proud fellow,Whom from the flow of gall I name not, butFrom sincere motions, by Intelligence,And proofes as cleere as Founts in Iuly, whenWee see each graine of grauell; I doe knowTo be corrupt and treasonous.
Norf.
Say not treasonous.
Buck.
To th' King Ile say't, & make my vouch as strongAs shore of Rocke: attend. This holy Foxe,Or Wolfe, or both (for he is equall rau'nousAs he is subtile, and as prone to mischiefe,As able to perform't) his minde, and placeInfecting one another, yea reciprocally,Only to shew his pompe, as well in France,As here at home, suggests the King our MasterTo this last costly Treaty: Th' enteruiew,That swallowed so much treasure, and like a glasseDid breake ith' wrenching.
Norf.
Faith, and so it did.
Buck.
Pray giue me fauour Sir: This cunning CardinallThe Articles o' th' Combination drewAs himselfe pleas'd; and they were ratifiedAs he cride thus let be, to as much end,As giue a Crutch to th' dead. But our Count-CardinallHas done this, and tis well: for worthy Wolsey(Who cannot erre) he did it. Now this followes,(Which as I take it, is a kinde of PuppieTo th' old dam Treason) Charles the Emperour,Vnder pretence to see the Queene his Aunt,(For twas indeed his colour, but he cameTo whisper Wolsey) here makes visitation,His feares were that the Interview betwixtEngland and France, might through their amityBreed him some preiudice; for from this League,Peep'd harmes that menac'd him. PriuilyDeales with our Cardinal, and as I troaWhich I doe well; for I am sure the EmperourPaid ere he promis'd, whereby his Suit was grantedEre it was ask'd. But when the way was madeAnd pau'd with gold: the Emperor thus desir'd,Tha•• he would please to alter the Kings course,And breake the foresaid peace. Let the King know(As soone he shall by me) that thus the CardinallDoes buy and sell his Honour as he pleases,And for his owne aduantage.
Norf.
I am sorryTo heare this of him; and could wish he wereSomthing mistaken in't.
Buck.
No, not a sillable:I doe pronounce him in that very shapeHe shall appeare in proofe.
Enter Brandon, a Sergeant at Armes before him, and two or theee of the Guard.
Brandon.
Your Office Sergeant: execute it.
Sergeant.
Sir,My Lord the Duke of Buckingham, and EarleOf Hertford, Stafford and Northampton, IArrest thee of High Treason, in the nameOf our most Soueraigne King.
Buck.
Lo you my Lord,The net has falne vpon me, I shall perishVnder deuice, and practise:
Bran.
I am sorry,To see you tane from liberty, to looke onThe busines present. Tis his Highnes pleasureYou shall to th' Tower.
Buck.
It will helpe me nothingTo plead mine Innocence; for that dye is on meWhich makes my whit'st part, black. The will of Heau'nBe done in this and all things: I obey.O my Lord Aburgany: Fare you well.
Bran.
Nay, he must beare you company. The KingIs pleas'd you shall to th' Tower, till you knowHow he determines further.
Abur.
As the Duke said,The will of Heauen be done, and the Kings pleasureBy me obey'd.
Bran.
Here is a warrant fromThe King, t'attach Lord Mountacute, and the BodiesOf the Dukes Confessor, Iohn de la Car,One Gilbert Pecke, his Councellour.
Buck.
So, so;These are the limbs o' th' Plot: no more I hope.
Bra.
A Monke o' th' Chartreux.
Buck▪
O Michaell Hopkins?
Bra.
He.
Buck.
My Surueyor is falce: The ore-great CardinallHath shew'd him gold; my life is spand already:I am the shadow of poore Buckingham,Whose Figure euen this instant Clowd puts on,By Darkning my cleere Sunne. My Lords farewell.
Exe.
Scena Secunda.
Cornets. Enter King Henry, leaning on the Cardinals shoul∣der, the Nobles, and Sir Thomas Louell: the Cardinall places himselfe vnder the Kings feete on his right side.
King.
My life it selfe, and the best heart of it,Thankes you for this great care: I stood i' th' leuellOf a full-charg'd consederacie, and giue thankesTo you that choak'd it. Let be cald before vsThat Gentleman of Buckinghams, in person,Ile heare him his confessions iustifie,And point by point the Treasons of his Maister,He shall againe relate.
A noyse within crying roome for the Queene, vsher'd by the Duke of Norfolke. Enter the Queene, Norfolke and Suffolke: she kneels. King riseth from his State, takes her vp, kisses and placeth her by him.
Queen.
Nay, we must longer kneele; I am a Suitor.
King.
Arise, and take place by vs; halfe your SuitNeuer name to vs; you haue halfe our power:
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The other moity ere you aske is giuen,Repeat your will, and take it.
Queen.
Thanke your MaiestyThat you would loue your selfe, and in that loueNot vnconsidered leaue your Honour, norThe dignity of your Office; is the poyntOf my Petition.
Kin.
Lady mine proceed.
Queen.
I am solicited not by a few,And those of true condition; That your SubiectsAre in great grieuance: There haue beene CommissionsSent downe among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heartOf all their Loyalties; wherein, althoughMy good Lord Cardinall, they vent reprochesMost bitterly on you, as putter onOf these exactions: yet the King, our MaisterWhose Honor Heauen shield from soile; euen he escapes notLanguage vnmannerly; yea, such which breakesThe sides of loyalty, and almost appearesIn lowd Rebellion.
Norf.
Not almost appeares,It doth appeare; for, vpon these Taxations,The Clothiers all not able to maintaineThe many to them longing, haue put offThe Spinsters, Carders, Fullers, Weauers, whoVnfit for other life, compeld by hungerAnd lack of other meanes, in desperate mannerDaring th' euent too th' teeth, are all in vprore,And danger serues among them.
Kin.
Taxation?Wherein? and what Taxation? My Lord Cardinall,You that are blam'd for it alike with vs,Know you of this Taxation?
Card.
Please you Sir,I know but of a single part in oughtPertaines to th' State▪ and front but in that FileWhere others tell steps with me.
Queen.
No, my Lord?You know no more then others? But you frameThings that are knowne alike, which are not wholsomeTo those which would not know them, and yet mustPerforce be their acquaintance. These exactions(Whereof my Soueraigne would haue note) they areMost pestilent to th' hearing, and to beare 'em,The Backe is Sacrifice to th' load; They sayThey are deuis'd by you, er else you sufferToo hard an exclamation.
Kin.
Still Exaction:The nature of it, in what kinde let's know,Is this Exaction?
Queen.
I am much too venturousIn tempting of your patience; but am boldnedVnder your promis'd pardon. The Subiects griefeComes through Commissions, which compels from eachThe sixt part of his Substance, to be leuiedWithout delay; and the pretence for thisIs nam'd, your warres in France: this makes bold mouths,Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freezeAllegeance in them; their curses nowLiue where their prayers did: and it's come to passe,This tractable obedience is a SlaueTo each incensed Will: I would your HighnesseWould giue it quicke consideration; forThere is no primer basenesse.
Kin.
By my life,This is against our pleasure.
Card.
And for me,I haue no further gone in this, then byA single voice, and that not past me, butBy learned approbation of the Iudges: If I amTraduc'd by ignorant Tongues, which neither knowMy faculties nor person, yet will beThe Chronicles of my doing: Let me say,'Tis but the fate of Place, and the rough BrakeThat Vertue must goe through: we must not stintOur necessary actions, in the feareTo cope malicious Censurers, which euer,As rau'nous Fishes doe a Vessell followThat is new trim'd; but benefit no furtherThen vainly longing. What we oft doe best,By sicke Interpreters (once weake ones) isNot ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oftHitting a grosser quality, is cride vpFor our best Act: if we shall stand still,In feare our motion will be mock'd, or carp'd at,We should take roote here, where we sit;Or sit State-Statues onely.
Kin.
Things done well,And with a care, exempt themselues from feare:Things done without example, in their issueAre to be fear'd. Haue you a PresidentOf this Commission? I beleeue, not any.We must not rend our Subiects from our Lawes,And sticke them in our Will. Sixt part of each?A trembling Contribution; why we takeFrom euery Tree, lop, barke, and part o' th' Timber:And though we leaue it with a roote thus hackt,The Ayre will drinke the Sap. To euery CountyWhere this is question'd, send our Letters, withFree pardon to each man that has deny'deThe force of this Commission: pray looke too't;I put it to your care.
Card.
A word with you.Let there be Letters writ to euery Shire,Of the Kings grace and pardon: the greeued CommonsHardly conceiue of me. Let it be nois'd,That through our Intercession, this ReuokementAnd pardon come: I shall anon aduise youFurther in the proceeding.
Exit Secret.
Enter Surueyor.
Queen.
I am sorry, that the Duke of BuckinghamIs run in your displeasure.
Kin.
It grieues many:The Gentleman is Learn'd, and a most rare Speaker,To Nature none more bound; his trayning such,That he may furnish and instruct great Teachers,And neuer seeke for ayd out of himselfe: yet see,When these so Noble benefits shall proueNot well dispos'd, the minde growing once corrupt,They turne to vicious formes, ten times more vglyThen euer they were faire. This man so compleat,Who was enrold 'mongst wonders; and when weAlmost with rauish'd listning, could not findeHis houre of speech, a minute: He, (my Lady)Hath into monstrous habits put the GracesThat once were his, and is become as blacke,As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by Vs, you shall heare(This was his Gentleman in trust) of himThings to strike Honour sad. Bid him recountThe fore-recited practises, whereofWe cannot feele too little, heare too much.
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Card.
Stand forth, & with bold spirit relate what youMost like a carefull Subiect haue collectedOut of the Duke of Buckingham.
Kin.
Speake freely.
Sur.
First, it was vsuall with him; euery dayIt would infect his Speech: That if the KingShould without issue dye; hee'l carry it soTo make the Scepter his. These very wordsI'ue heard him vtter to his Sonne in Law,Lord Aburgany, to whom by oth' he menac'dReuenge vpon the Cardinall.
Card.
Please your Highnesse noteThis dangerous conception in this point,Not frended by his wish to your High person;His will is most malignant, and it stretchesBeyond you to your friends.
Queen.
My learn'd Lord Cardinall,Deliuer all with Charity.
Kin.
Speake on;How grounded hee his Title to the CrowneVpon our faile; to this poynt hast thou heard him,At any time speake ought?
Sur.
He was brought to this,By a vaine Prophesie of Nicholas Henton.
Kin.
What was that Henton?
Sur.
Sir, a Chartreux Fryer,His Confessor, who fed him euery minuteWith words of Soueraignty.
Kin.
How know'st thou this?
Sur.
Not long before your Hignesse sped to France,The Duke being at the Rose, within the ParishSaint Laurence Poultney, did of me demandWhat was the speech among the Londoners,Concerning the French Iourney. I replide,Men feare the French would proue perfidiousTo the Kings danger: presently, the DukeSaid, 'twas the feare indeed, and that he doubted'Twould proue the verity of certaine wordsSpoke by a holy Monke, that oft, sayes he,Hath sent to me, wishing me to permitIohn de la Car, my Chaplaine, a choyce howreTo heare from him a matter of some moment:Whom after vnder the Commissions Seale,He sollemnly had sworne, that what he spokeMy Chaplaine to no Creature liuing, butTo me, should vtter, with demure Confidence,This pausingly ensu'de; neither the King, nor's Heyres(Tell you the Duke) shall prosper, bid him striueTo the loue o' th' Commonalty, the DukeShall gouerne England.
Queen.
If I know you well,You were the Dukes Surueyor, and lost your OfficeOn the complaint o' th' Tenants; take good heedYou charge not in your spleene a Noble person,And spoyle your nobler Soule; I say, take heed;Yes, heartily beseech you.
Kin.
Let him on: Goe forward.
Sur.
On my Soule, Ile speake but truth.I told my Lord the Duke, by th' Diuels illusionsThe Monke might be deceiu'd, and that 'twas dangerousFor this to ruminate on this so farre, vntillIt forg'd him some designe, which being beleeu'dIt was much like to doe: He answer'd, Tush,It can doe me no damage; adding further,That had the King in his last Sicknesse faild,The Cardinals and Sir Thomas Louels headsShould haue gone off.
Kin.
Ha? What, so rancke? Ah, ha,There's mischiefe in this man; canst thou say further?
Sur.
I can my Liedge.
Kin.
Proceed.
Sur.
Being at Greenwich.After your Highnesse had reprou'd the DukeAbout Sir William Blumer.
Kin.
I remember of such a time, being my sworn ser∣uant,The Duke retein'd him his. But on: what hence?
Sur.
If (quoth he) I for this had beene committed,As to the Tower, I thought; I would haue plaidThe Part my Father meant to act vponTh' Vsurper Richard, who being at Salsbury,Made suit to come in's presence; which if granted,(As he made semblance of his duty) wouldHaue put his knife into him.
Kin.
A Gyant Traytor.
Card.
Now Madam, may his Highnes liue in freedome,And this man out of Prison.
Queen.
God mend all.
Kin.
Ther's somthing more would out of thee; what say'st?
Sur.
After the Duke his Father, with the knifeHe stretch'd him, and with one hand on his dagger,Another spread on's breast, mounting his eyes,He did discharge a horrible Oath, whose tenorWas, were he euill vs'd, he would outgoeHis Father, by as much as a performanceDo's an irresolute purpose.
Kin.
There's his period,To sheath his knife in vs: he is attach'd,Call him to present tryall: if he mayFinde mercy in the Law, 'tis his; if none,Let him not seek't of vs; By day and nightHee's Traytor to th' height.
Exeunt.
Scaena Tertia.
Enter L. Chamberlaine and L. Sandys.
L. Ch.
Is't possible the spels of France should iuggleMen into such strange mysteries?
L. San.
New customes,Though they be neuer so ridiculous,(Nay let 'em be vnmanly) yet are follow'd.
L. Ch.
As farre as I see, all the good our EnglishHaue got by the late Voyage, is but meerelyA fit or two o' th' face, (but they are shrewd ones)For when they hold 'em, you would sweare directlyTheir very noses had been CouncelloursTo Pepin or Clotharius, they keepe State so.
L. San.
They haue all new legs,And lame ones; one would take it,That neuer see 'em pace before, the SpauenA Spring-halt rain'd among 'em.
L. Ch.
Death my Lord,Their cloathes are after such a Pagan cut too't,That sure th' haue worne out Ch••istendome: how now?What newes, Sir Thomas Louell?
Enter Sir Thomas Louell.
Louell.
Faith my Lord,I heare of none but the new Proclamation,That's clapt vpon the Court Gate.
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L. Cham.
What is't for?
Lou.
The reformation of our trauel'd Gallants,That fill the Court with quarrels, talke, and Taylors.
L. Cham.
I'm glad 'tis there;Now I would pray our MonsieursTo thinke an English Courtier may be wise,And neuer see the Lonure.
Lou▪
They must either(For so run the Conditions) leaue those remnantsOf Foole and Feather, that they got in France,With all their honourable points of ignorancePertaining thereunto; as Fights and Fire-workes,Abusing better men then they can beOut of a forreigne wisedome, renouncing cleaneThe faith they haue in Tennis and tall Stockings,Short blistred Breeches, and those types of Trauell;And vnderstand againe like honest men,Or pack to their old Playfellowes; there, I take it,They may Cum Praulegio, wee awayThe lag end of their lewdnesse, and be laugh'd at.
L. San.
Tis time to giue 'em Physicke, their diseasesAre growne so catching.
L. Cham
What a losse our LadiesWill haue of these trim vanities?
Louell.
I marry,There will be woe indeed Lords, the slye whorsonsHaue got a speeding tricke to lay downe Ladies.A French Song, and a Fiddle, ha's no Fellow.
L. San.
The Diuell fiddle 'em,I am glad they are going,For sure there's no conuerting of 'em: nowAn honest Country Lord as I am, beatenA long time out of play, may bring his plaine song,And haue an houre of hearing, and by't LadyHeld currant Musicke too.
L. Cham.
Well said Lord Sands,Your Colts tooth is not cast yet?
L. San.
No my Lord,Nor shall not while I haue a stumpe.
L. Cham.
Sir Thomas,Whither were you a going?
Lou.
To the Cardinals;Your Lordship is a guest too.
L. Cham.
O, 'tis true;This night he makes a Supper, and a great one,To many Lords and Ladies; there will beThe Beauty of this Kingdome Ile assure you.
Lou.
That ChurchmanBeares a bounteous minde indeed,A hand as fruitfull as the Land that feeds vs,His dewes fall euery where.
L. Cham.
No doubt hee's Noble;He had a blacke mouth that said other of him.
L. San.
He may my Lord,Ha's wherewithall in him;Sparing would shew a worse sinne, then ill Doctrine,Men of his way, should be most liberall,They are set heere for examples.
L. Cham.
True, they are so;But few now giue so great ones:My Barge stayes;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 GuilfordThis night to be Comptrollers.
L. San.
I am your Lordships.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
Hoboies. A small Table vnder a State for the Cardinall, a longer Table for the Guests. Then Enter Anne Bullen, and diuers other Ladies, & Gentlemen, as Guests at one Doore; at an other Doore enter Sir Henry Guilford.
S. Hen. Guilf.
Ladyes,A generall welcome from his GraceSalutes ye all; This Night he dedicatesTo faire content, and you: None heere he hopesIn all this Noble Beuy, has brought with herOne care abroad: hee would haue all as merry:As first, good Company, good wine, good welcome,Can make good people.
Enter L. Chamberlaine L. Sands and Louell.
O my Lord, y' are tardy;The very thought of this faire Company,Clapt wings to me.
Cham.
You are young Sir Harry Guilford▪
San.
Sir Thomas Louell, had the CardinallBut halfe my Lay-thoughts in him, some of theseShould finde a running Banket, ere they rested,I thinke would better please 'em: by my life,They are a sweet society of faire ones.
Lou.
O that your Lordship were but now Confessor,To one or two of these.
San.
I would I were,They should finde easie pennance.
Lou.
Faith how easie?
San.
As easie as a downe bed would affoord it.
Cham.
Sweet Ladies will it please you sit; Sir HarryPlace you that side, Ile take the charge of this:His Grace is entring. Nay, you must not freeze,Two women plac'd together, makes cold weather:My Lord Sands, you are one will keepe 'em waking:Pray sit betweene these Ladies.
〈◊〉〈◊〉
San.
By my faith,And thanke your Lordship: by your leaue sweet Ladies,If I chance to talke a little wilde, forgiue me:I had it from my Father.
An. Bul.
Was he mad Sir?
San.
O, very mad, exceeding mad, in loue too;But he would bite none, iust as I doe now,He would Kisse you Twenty with a breath.
Cham.
Well said my Lord:So now y' are fairely seated: Gntlemen,The pennance lyes on you; if these faire LadiesPasse away frowning.
San.
For my little Cure,Let me alone.
Hoboyes. Enter Cardinall Wolsey, and takes his State.
Card
Y' are welcome my faire Guests; that noble LadyOr Gentleman that is not freely merryIs not my Friend. This to confirme my welcome,And to you all good health.
San.
Your Grace is Noble,Let me haue such a Bowle may hold my thankes.And saue me so much talking.
Card.
My Lord Sands,
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I am beholding to you: cheere your neighbours:Ladies you are not merry; Gentlemen,Whose fault is this?
San.
The red wine first must riseIn their faire cheekes my Lord, then wee shall haue 'em,Talke vs to silence.
An. B.
You are a merry GamsterMy Lord Sands.
San.
Yes, if I make my play:Heer's to your Ladiship, and pledge it Madam:For tis to such a thing.
An. B.
You cannot shew me.
Drum and Trumpet, Chambers dischargd.
San.
I told your Grace, they would talke anon.
Card.
What's that?
Cham.
Looke out there, some of ye.
Card.
What warlike voyce,And to what end is this? Nay, Ladies, feare not;By all the lawes of Warre y' are priuiledg'd.
Enter a Seruant.
Cham.
How now, what is't?
Seru.
A noble troupe of Strangers,For so they seeme; th' haue left their Barge and landed,And hither make, as great EmbassadorsFrom forraigne Princes.
Card.
Good Lord Chamberlaine,Go, giue 'em welcome; you can speake the French tongueAnd pray receiue 'em Nobly, and conduct 'emInto our presence, where this heauen of beautyShall shine at full vpon them. Some attend him.
All rise, and Tables remou'd.
You haue now a broken Banket, but wee'l mend it.A good digestion to you all; and once moreI showre a welcome on yee: welcome all.
Hoboyes. Enter King and others as Maskers, habited like Shepheards, vsher'd by the Lord Chamberlaine. They passe directly before the Cardinall, and gracefully sa∣lute him.
A noble Company: what are their pleasures?
Cham.
Because they speak no English, thus they praidTo tell your Grace: That hauing heard by fameOf this so Noble and so faire assembly,This night to meet heere they could doe no lesse,(Out of the great respect they beare to beauty)But leaue their Flockes, and vnder your faire ConductCraue leaue to view these Ladies, and entreatAn houre of Reuels with 'em.
Card.
Say, Lord Chamberlaine,They haue done my poore house grace:For which I pay 'em a thousand thankes,And pray 'em take their pleasures.
Choose Ladies, King and An Bullen.
King.
The fairest hand I euer touch'd: O Beauty,Till now I neuer knew thee.
Musicke, Dance.
Card.
My Lord.
Cham.
Your Grace.
Card.
Pray tell 'em thus much from me:There should be one amongst 'em by his personMore worthy this place then my selfe, to whom(If I but knew him) with my loue and dutyI would surrender it.
Whisper.
Cham.
I will my Lord.
Card.
What say they?
Cham.
Such a one, they all confesseThere is indeed, which they would haue your GraceFind out, and he will take it.
Card.
Let me see then,By all your good leaues Gentlemen; heere Ile makeMy royall choyce.
Kin.
Ye haue found him Cardinall,You hold a faire Assembly; you doe well Lord:You are a Churchman, or Ile tell you Cardinall,I should iudge now vnhappily.
Card.
I am gladYour Grace is growne so pleasant.
Kin.
My Lord Chamberlaine,Prethee come hither, what faire Ladie's that?
Cham.
An't please your Grace,Sir Thomas Bullens Daughter, the Viscount Rochford,▪One of her Highnesse women.
Kin.
By Heauen she is a dainty one. Sweet heart,I were vnmannerly to take you out,And not to kisse you. A health Gentlemen,Let it goe round.
Card.
Sir Thomas Louell, is the Banket readyI' th' Priuy Chamber?
Lou.
Yes, my Lord.
Card.
Your GraceI feare, with dancing is a little heated.
Kin.
I feare too much.
Card.
There's fresher ayre my Lord,In the next Chamber.
Kin.
Lead in your Ladies eu'ry one: Sweet Partner,I must not yet forsake you: Let's be merry,Good my Lord Cardinall: I haue halfe a dozen healths,To drinke to these faire Ladies, and a measureTo lead 'em once againe, and then let's dreameWho's best in fauour. Let the Musicke knock it.
Exeunt with Trumpets.
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