Читать книгу King Henry the Eighth - Уильям Шекспир, William Szekspir, the Simon Studio - Страница 6

  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

    One care abroad; he would have all as merry

    As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,

    Can make good people.

    O, my lord, y'are tardy,

    The very thought of this fair company

    Clapp'd wings to me.

  CHAMBERLAIN. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

  SANDYS. 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,

    They are a sweet society of fair ones.

  LOVELL. O that your lordship were but now confessor

    To one or two of these!

  SANDYS. I would I were;

    They should find easy penance.

  LOVELL. Faith, how easy?

  SANDYS. 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 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.

  SANDYS. By my faith,

    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?

  SANDYS. 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. [Kisses

her]

  CHAMBERLAIN. Well said, my lord.

    So, now y'are fairly seated. Gentlemen,

    The penance lies on you if these fair ladies

    Pass away frowning.

  SANDYS. For my little cure,

    Let me alone.

  WOLSEY. Y'are 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!

[Drinks]

  SANDYS. Your Grace is noble.

    Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks

    And save me so much talking.

  WOLSEY. My Lord Sandys,

    I am beholding to you. Cheer your neighbours.

    Ladies, you are not merry. Gentlemen,

    Whose fault is this?

  SANDYS. The red wine first must rise

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

    Talk us to silence.

  ANNE. You are a merry gamester,

    My Lord Sandys.

  SANDYS. Yes, if I make my play.

    Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam,

    For 'tis to such a thing-

  ANNE. You cannot show me.

  SANDYS. I told your Grace they would talk anon.

                             [Drum and trumpet. Chambers

discharg'd]

  WOLSEY. What's that?

  CHAMBERLAIN. Look out there, some of ye. Exit a

SERVANT

  WOLSEY. What warlike voice,

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

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

  CHAMBERLAIN. How now! what is't?

  SERVANT. A noble troop of strangers-

    For so they seem. Th' have left their barge and landed,

    And hither make, as great ambassadors

    From foreign princes.

  WOLSEY. 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

    Shall 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 more

    I show'r a welcome on ye; welcome all.

    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

    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.

  WOLSEY. 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. The KING chooses ANNE

BULLEN]

  KING. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,

    Till now I never knew thee! [Music.

Dance]

  WOLSEY. My lord!

  CHAMBERLAIN. Your Grace?

  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,

    If I but knew him, with my love and duty

    I would surrender it.

  CHAMBERLAIN. I will, my lord.

                                         [He whispers to the

maskers]

  WOLSEY. What say they?

  CHAMBERLAIN. Such a one, they all confess,

    There is indeed; which they would have your Grace

    Find out, and he will take it.

  WOLSEY. Let me see, then. [Comes from his

state]

    By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make

    My royal choice.

  KING. [Unmasking] Ye 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.

  WOLSEY. I am glad

    Your Grace is grown so pleasant.

  KING. 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. By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweet heart,

    I were unmannerly to take you out

    And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!

    Let it go round.

  WOLSEY. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready

    I' th' privy chamber?

  LOVELL. Yes, my lord.

  WOLSEY. Your Grace,

    I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

  KING. I fear, too much.

  WOLSEY. There's fresher air, my lord,

    In the next chamber.

  KING. Lead in your ladies, ev'ry 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.