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Or gentleman, that is not freely merry,

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 save me so much talking.

Wol. My lord Sands,

I am beholden to you: cheer your neighbours.
Ladies, you are not merry ;-Gentlemen,

Whose fault is this?

Sands. The red wine first must rise

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In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em 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,

For 'tis to such a thing

Anne. You cannot shew me.

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Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon. [Drum and Trumpets, Chambers discharg'd.

Wol. What's that?

Cham. Look out there, some of you. [Exit Servant.

Wol. What warlike voice?

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

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

Re-enter Servant.

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Cham. How now? what is't?

Serv. A noble troop of strangers;

For

For so they seem: they have left their barge, and

landed;

And hither make, as great ambassadors

From foreign princes.

Wol. Good lord chamberlain,

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 669
Shall shine at full upon them :-Some attend him.—

[All arise, and Tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. A good digestion to you all : and, once more,

I shower a welcome on you ;-Welcome all.

Hautboys. Enter the King, and others, as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute

him.

A noble company! What are their pleasures?

Cham. 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

This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,

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But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat

An hour of revels with them.

Wol. Say, lord chamberlain,

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They have done my poor house grace, for which I

pay them

A thousand thanks, and pray them take their plea.

sures.

[Chuse Ladies for the Dance. King, and ANNE BULLEN. King. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O, beauty! 'Till now I never knew thee. [Musich. Dance.

Wol. My lord

Cham. Your grace ?

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
I would surrender it.

Cham. I will, my lord.
[Chamberlain goes

Wol. What say they?

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to the Company, and returns,

Cham. Such a one, they all confess,

There is, indeed; which they would have your grace

Find out, and he will take it.

Wol. Let me see then.

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By all your good leaves, gentlemen ; — Here I'll

make

My royal choice.

King. You have 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 am glad,

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

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King. My lord chamberlain,

Pr'ythee, come hither: What fair lady's that? 710 Cham. An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,

The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women. King. By heaven, she is 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.

Wol. Sir Thomas Lovel, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber?

Lov. Yes, my lord,

Wol. Your grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

King. I fear, too much.

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Wol. There's fresher air, my lord, In the next chamber.

King. Lead in your ladies, every one.

partner,

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-Sweet

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 musick knock it. 730 [Exeunt, with Trumpets.

ACT

W

ACT II. SCENE 1.

A Street. Enter two Gentlemen at several Doors.

1 Gentleman.

HITHER away so fast?

2-Gen. O-God save you!

Even to the hall, to hear what shall become

Of the great duke of Buckingham.

1 Gen. I'll save you

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

Of bringing back the prisoner.

2 Gen. Were you there?

1 Gen. Yes, indeed, was I.

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

1 Gen. You may guess quickly what.

2 Gen. Is he found guilty?

1 Gen. Yes, truly, is he, and condemn'd upon it.

2 Gen. I am sorry for❜t.

1 Gen. So are a number more.

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

1 Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where, to his accusations,

He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleg'd
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The king's attorney, on the contrary,
Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses; which the duke desir'd
To have brought, vivá voce, to his face :
"At which appear'd against him, his surveyor;

10

20

Sir

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