TPTT The Famous History of the Life of Henry the Eighth: ACT I
Introduction
THE PROLOGUE
ACT I
SCENE I. London. An ante-chamber in the palace.
SCENE II. The same. The council-chamber.
SCENE III. An ante-chamber in the palace.
SCENE IV. A Hall in York Place.
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
Feedback
  Search:   
for:

Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More
SCENE IV. A Hall in York Place.
Hautboys. A small table under a state for CARDINAL WOLSEY, a longer table for the guests. Then enter ANNE and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests, at one door; at another door, enter 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
5     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:

Enter Chamberlain, SANDS, and LOVELL

      The very thought of this fair company
      Clapp'd wings to me.
Chamberlain
10    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,
15    They are a sweet society of fair ones.
LOVELL
      O, that your lordship were but now confessor
      To one or two of these!
SANDS
      I would I were;
      They should find easy penance.
LOVELL
20    Faith, how easy?
SANDS
      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 entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
25    Two women placed 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:
30    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,
35    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.
SANDS
40    For my little cure,
      Let me alone.
Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, and takes his state
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      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;
45    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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      My Lord Sands,
50    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
55    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,
60    For 'tis to such a thing,--
ANNE
      You cannot show me.
SANDS
      I told your grace they would talk anon.
Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      What's that?
Chamberlain
      Look out there, some of ye.
Exit Servant
CARDINAL WOLSEY
65    What warlike voice,
      And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
      By all the laws of war you're privileged.
Re-enter Servant
Chamberlain
      How now! what is't?
Servant
      A noble troop of strangers;
70    For so they seem: they've left their barge and landed;
      And hither make, as great ambassadors
      From foreign princes.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      Good lord chamberlain,
      Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;
75    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 Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed

      You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
      A good digestion to you all: and once more
80    I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.

Hautboys. Enter KING HENRY VIII and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Chamberlain. They pass directly before CARDINAL WOLSEY, and gracefully salute him

      A noble company! what are their pleasures?
Chamberlain
      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
85    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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
90    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. KING HENRY VIII chooses ANNE
KING HENRY VIII
      The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,
      Till now I never knew thee!
Music. Dance
CARDINAL WOLSEY
95    My lord!
Chamberlain
      Your grace?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:
      There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
      More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
100   If I but knew him, with my love and duty
      I would surrender it.
Chamberlain
      I will, my lord.
Whispers the Masquers
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      What say they?
Chamberlain
      Such a one, they all confess,
105   There is indeed; which they would have your grace
      Find out, and he will take it.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      Let me see, then.
      By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make
      My royal choice.
KING HENRY VIII
110   Ye have found him, cardinal:

Unmasking

      You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:
      You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,
      I should judge now unhappily.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      I am glad
115   Your grace is grown so pleasant.
KING HENRY VIII
      My lord chamberlain,
      Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?
Chamberlain
      An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter--
      The Viscount Rochford,--one of her highness' women.
KING HENRY VIII
120   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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
125   I' the privy chamber?
LOVELL
      Yes, my lord.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
      Your grace,
      I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
KING HENRY VIII
      I fear, too much.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
130   There's fresher air, my lord,
      In the next chamber.
KING HENRY VIII
      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
135   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
Return to top of page ... or ... Go to next scene