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CARDINAL WOLSEY'S BANQUETS.

them into the chamber, with such a number of drums and fifes, as I have seldom seen together at one time in any masque. At their arrival into the chamber, two and two together, they went directly before the Cardinal where he sat, saluting him very reverently; to whom the Lord Chamberlain for them said, 'Sir, forasmuch as they are strangers, and can speak no English, they have desired to declare unto your Grace thus:-They, having understanding of this your triumphant banquet, where was assembled such a number of. excellent fair dames, could do no less, under the supportation of your good grace, but to repair hither to view as well their incomparable beauty, as for to accompany them at mumchance, and then after to dance with them, and to have of them acquaintance. And, sir, they furthermore require of your grace licence to accomplish the cause of their repair. To whom the Cardinal answered,' that he was very well contented they should do so.'

<< Then the maskers went first and saluted all the dames as they sat, and then returned to the most worthiest, and there opened a cup full of gold, with crowns and other pieces of coin, to whom they set diverse pieces to cast at. Thus, in this manner perusing all the ladies and gentlewomen, and to some they lost, and of some they won. And this done, they returned unto the Cardinal with great reverence, pouring down all the crowns in the cup, which was about two hundred crowns. 'At all?' quoth the Cardinal, and so cast the dice, and won them all at a cast, whereat was great joy made. Then quoth the Cardinal to my Lord Chamberlain, I pray you,' quoth he, 'shew them that it seemeth me that there should be among them some noble man, whom I suppose to be much more worthy to sit and occupy this place and room than I, to whom I would most gladly, if I knew him, surrender my place

CARDINAL WOLSEY'S BANQUETS

according to my duty.' Then spake my Lord Chamberlain unto them in French, declaring my Lord Cardinal's mind, and they rounding him again in the ear, my Lord Chamberlain said to my Lord Cardinal, 'Sir, they confess,' quoth he, that among them there is such a noble personage, whom, if your Grace can appoint him from the others, he is contented to disclose himself, and to accept your place most worthily.' With that the Cardinal, taking a good advisement among them, at the last quoth he, 'Me seemeth the gentleman with the black beard should be even he.' And with that he arose out of his chair, and offered the same to the gentleman in the black beard, with his cap in his hand.

'The person to whom he offered then his chair, was Sir Edward Neville, a comely knight, of a goodly personage, that much more resembled the King's person in that mask than any other. The King, hearing and perceiving the Cardinal so deceived in his estimation and choice, could not forbear laughing, but plucked down his visor, and Master. Neville's also, and dashed out with such a pleasant countenance and cheer, that all noble estates there assembled, see-. ing the King to be there amongst them, rejoiced very much. The Cardinal eftsoons desired his Highness to take the place of estate; to whom the King answered that he would go first and shift his apparel; and so departed, and went straight into my lord's bedchamber, where was a great fire, made and prepared for him, and there new-apparelled him with rich and princely garments. And in the time of the King's absence, the dishes of the banquet were clean taken up, and the tables spread again with new and sweet perfumed cloths; every man sitting still until the King and his maskers came in among them again, every man being newlyapparelled. Then the King took his seat under the cloth of

8.

CARDINAL WOLSEY'S BANQUETS.

estate, commanding no man to remove, but sit still, as they did before. Then in came a new banquet before the King's Majesty, and to all the rest through the tables, wherein, I suppose, were served two hundred dishes, or above, of wondrous costly meats and devices subtlely devised. Thus passed they forth the whole night with banqueting, dancing, and other triumphant devices, to the great comfort of the King and pleasant regard of the nobility there assembled."

The Presence Chamber in YORK PLACE.

A small table under a state for the CARDINAL, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers LORDS, LADIES, and GENTLEWOMEN, as guests; at another door enter SIR HENRY GUILDFORD.

Guild.

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. O, my lord, you are tardy :

Enter Lord Chamberlain, LORD SANDS, and SIR THOMAS LOVELL.
The very thought of this fair company

They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Chamb. 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;
Two women placed together makes cold weather:
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.
By my faith,

Sands.

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.
Was he mad, sir?
Sands. 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.
Well said, my Lord.
So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,

Chamb.

[Kisses her.]

Wol.

Serv.

Wol.

The

CARDINAL WOLSEY'S BANQUETS.

penance lies on you, if these fair ladies

Pass away frowning.

Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state.
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 ;

And to you all, good health.

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[Drum and trumpets within: Chambers discharged.] What warlike voice,

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

By all the laws of war you're privileged.

A noble troop of strangers;

For so they seem; they have left their barge and landed;
And hither make, as great ambassadors

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

Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.

Enter the KING, and twelve others, as maskers, habited like shepherds, with sixteen torch-bearers; ushered by the LORD CHAMBERLAIN. They pass directly before the CARDINAL, and gracefully salute him.

Wol. A noble company! what are their pleasures?
Chamb. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd
To tell your grace, that, having heard by fame

Wol.

Of this so noble and so fair assembly

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.

Say, Lord Chamberlain,

They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em
A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.

[Ladies chosen for the dance. The KING chooses ANNE BULLEN.]

K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touched! O beauty,

Till now I never knew thee.

Wol. Chamb. Wol.

My Lord.

Your Grace?

Pray, tell 'em thus much for me :

There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
More worthy this place than myself; to whom,

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Chamb.

CARDINAL WOLSEY'S BANQUETS.

If I but knew him, with my love and duty

I would surrender it.

Wol.
Chamb.

What say they?

Wol:

K. Hen.

Wol.

K. Hen.

I will, my Lord.

[CHAMB. goes to the company, and returns.]

Such a one, they all confess,

There is indeed; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.

Let me see, then. [Comes from his state.]
By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make
My royal choice.

You 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.

I am glad

My Lord Chamberlain,

Your Grace is grown so pleasant.

Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?

Chamb. An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,—
The Viscount Rochford,-
-one of her highness' women.

K. Hen. By Heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,

K. Hen. 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 'em once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.

[Exeunt with trumpets.] King Henry VIII., act i., sc. 4.

When the star of Wolsey's grandeur set, it was at York House that the Duke of Suffolk waited on him to require his resignation of the Great Seal. It was here also that the great Cardinal subsequently bade farewell-"a long fare