Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him. [Exit Chamberlain, attended. 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 twelve others, as maskers, habited like shepherds, with sixteen Torchbearers, 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,

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,

They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay them

A thousand thanks, and pray them take their plea

sures.

[Ladies chosen for the dance. The King chooses

Anne Bullen.

K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O

beauty,

Till now I never knew thee!

Wol. My lord,

Cham. Your grace?

Wol.

[music. Dance.

Pray, tell them thus much from me: There should be one among them, 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 goes to the company, and returns. Wol. What say they?

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.

[comes from his state.

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

My royal choice.

K. Hen.

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.1

Wol.

I am glad,

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

1 Mischievously.

t

K. Hen.

My lord chamberlain,

Pr'ythee, come hither: what fair lady's that?

Cham. 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.

heart,

I were unmannerly, to take you out,
And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen;
Let it go round.

Sweet

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

Lov.

Wol.

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

Yes, my lord.

Your grace,

There's fresher air, my

lord,

K. Hen. I fear, too much.

Wol.

In the next chamber.

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 measure1
To lead them once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favor. Let the music knock it.
[Exeunt, with trumpets.

A stately kind of dance.