The Life of Henry the Eighth

SCENE IV. A Hall 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 other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir Henry Guildford.]

GUILDFORDLadies, a general welcome from his GraceSalutes ye all; this night he dedicatesTo fair content and you. None here, he hopes,In all this noble bevy, has brought with herOne care abroad. He would have all as merryAs, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,Can make good people.

[Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sandys, and Sir Thomas Lovell.]

O, my lord, you're tardy;The very thought of this fair companyClapp'd wings to me.CHAMBERLAINYou are young, Sir Harry Guildford.SANDYSSir Thomas Lovell, had the CardinalBut half my lay thoughts in him, some of theseShould find a running banquet ere they rested,I think would better please 'em. By my life,They are a sweet society of fair ones.LOVELLO, that your lordship were but now confessorTo one or two of these!SANDYSI would I were;They should find easy penance.LOVELLFaith, how easy?SANDYSAs easy as a down-bed would afford it.CHAMBERLAINSweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this.His Grace is ent'ring. Nay, you must not freeze;Two women plac'd together makes cold weather.My Lord Sandys, you are one will keep 'em waking;Pray, sit between these ladies.SANDYSBy 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.ANNEWas he mad, sir?SANDYSO, 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.

[Kisses her.]

CHAMBERLAINWell said, my lord.So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,The penance lies on you, if these fair ladiesPass away frowning.SANDYSFor my little cure,Let me alone.

[Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.]

WOLSEYYou're welcome, my fair guests. That noble ladyOr gentleman that is not freely merryIs not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome;And to you all, good health.

[Drinks.]

SANDYSYour Grace is noble.Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,And save me so much talking.WOLSEYMy Lord Sandys,I am beholding to you; cheer your neighbours.Ladies, you are not merry. Gentlemen,Whose fault is this?SANDYSThe red wine first must riseIn their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'emTalk us to silence.ANNEYou are a merry gamester,My Lord Sandys.SANDYSYes, if I make my play.Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam,For 'tis to such a thing, —ANNEYou cannot show me.SANDYSI told your Grace they would talk anon.

[Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged.]

WOLSEYWhat's that?CHAMBERLAINLook out there, some of ye.

[Exit Servant.]

WOLSEYWhat warlike voice,And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;By all the laws of war you're privileg'd.

[Re-enter Servant.]

CHAMBERLAINHow now! what is't?SERVANTA noble troop of strangers,For so they seem. They've left their barge and landed,And hither make, as great ambassadorsFrom foreign princes.WOLSEYGood Lord Chamberlain,Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'emInto our presence, where this heaven of beautyShall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.

[Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables remov'd.]

You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.A good digestion to you all; and once moreI shower a welcome on ye. Welcome all!

[Hautboys. Enter the King, and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, usher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him.]

A noble company! What are their pleasures?CHAMBERLAINBecause they speak no English, thus they pray'dTo tell your Grace, that, having heard by fameOf this so noble and so fair assemblyThis 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 entreatAn hour of revels with 'em.WOLSEYSay, Lord Chamberlain,They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'emA thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.

[They choose ladies for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen.]

KINGThe fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,Till now I never knew thee!

[Music. Dance.]

WOLSEYMy lord!CHAMBERLAINYour Grace?WOLSEYPray, 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 dutyI would surrender it.CHAMBERLAINI will, my lord.

[Whispers the Masquers.]

WOLSEYWhat say they?CHAMBERLAINSuch a one, they all confess,There is indeed; which they would have your GraceFind out, and he will take it.WOLSEYLet me see, then.By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll makeMy royal choice.KINGYe 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.WOLSEYI am gladYour Grace is grown so pleasant.KINGMy Lord Chamberlain,Prithee come hither. What fair lady's that?CHAMBERLAINAn't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter, —The Viscount Rochford, – one of her Highness' women.KINGBy heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,I were unmannerly to take you outAnd not to kiss you. A health, gentlemenLet it go round.WOLSEYSir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet readyI' the privy chamber?LOVELLYes, my lord.WOLSEYYour Grace,I fear, with dancing is a little heated.KINGI fear, too much.WOLSEYThere's fresher air, my lord,In the next chamber.KINGLead 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 healthsTo drink to these fair ladies, and a measureTo lead 'em once again; and then let's dreamWho's best in favour. Let the music knock it.

[Exeunt with trumpets.]

ACT II

SCENE I. Westminster. A street

[Enter two Gentlemen at several doors.]

FIRST GENTLEMANWhither away so fast?SECOND GENTLEMANO, God save ye!Even to the hall, to hear what shall becomeOf the great Duke of Buckingham.FIRST GENTLEMANI'll save youThat labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremonyOf bringing back the prisoner.SECOND GENTLEMANWere you there?FIRST GENTLEMANYes, indeed, was I.SECOND GENTLEMANPray, speak what has happen'd.FIRST GENTLEMANYou may guess quickly what.SECOND GENTLEMANIs he found guilty?FIRST GENTLEMANYes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't.SECOND GENTLEMANI am sorry for't.FIRST GENTLEMANSo are a number more.SECOND GENTLEMANBut, pray, how pass'd it?FIRST GENTLEMANI'll tell you in a little. The great DukeCame to the bar; where to his accusationsHe pleaded still not guilty and allegedMany sharp reasons to defeat the law.The King's attorney on the contraryUrg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessionsOf divers witnesses; which the Duke desir'dTo have brought viva voce to his face;At which appear'd against him his surveyor;Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Car,Confessor to him, with that devil-monk,Hopkins, that made this mischief.SECOND GENTLEMANThat was heThat fed him with his prophecies?FIRST GENTLEMANThe same.All these accus'd him strongly; which he fainWould have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not.And so his peers, upon this evidence,Have found him guilty of high treason. MuchHe spoke, and learnedly, for life; but allWas either pitied in him or forgotten.SECOND GENTLEMANAfter all this, how did he bear himself?FIRST GENTLEMANWhen he was brought again to the bar, to hearHis knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'dWith such an agony, he sweat extremely,And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty.But he fell to himself again, and sweetlyIn all the rest show'd a most noble patience.SECOND GENTLEMANI do not think he fears death.FIRST GENTLEMANSure, he does not;He never was so womanish. The causeHe may a little grieve at.SECOND GENTLEMANCertainlyThe Cardinal is the end of this.FIRST GENTLEMAN'Tis likely,By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder,Then deputy of Ireland; who remov'd,Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,Lest he should help his father.SECOND GENTLEMANThat trick of stateWas a deep envious one.FIRST GENTLEMANAt his returnNo doubt he will requite it. This is noted,And generally, whoever the King favours,The Cardinal instantly will find employment,And far enough from court too.SECOND GENTLEMANAll the commonsHate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience,Wish him ten fathom deep. This duke as muchThey love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,The mirror of all courtesy, —

[Enter Buckingham from his arraignment; tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side; accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sandys, and common people.]

FIRST GENTLEMANStay there, sir,And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of.SECOND GENTLEMANLet's stand close, and behold him.BUCKINGHAMAll good people,You that thus far have come to pity me,Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgement,And by that name must die; yet, Heaven bear witness,And if I have a conscience, let it sink me,Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful!The law I bear no malice for my death;'T has done, upon the premises, but justice;But those that sought it I could wish more Christians.Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em;Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,Nor build their evils on the graves of great men,For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.For further life in this world I ne'er hope,Nor will I sue, although the King have merciesMore than I dare make faults. You few that lov'd meAnd dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

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