Henry VIII Translation Act 1, Scene 4
Hautboys. A small table under a state for CARDINAL WOLSEY, a longer table for the guests. Then enter ANNE and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests, at one door; at another door, enter GUILDFORD
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, you're tardy:
GUILDFORD
Ladies, the cardinal welcomes all of you. He dedicates tonight to happiness and you. No one here, he hopes, in this troop of nobles, has brought a single sorrow with her. He wants everyone to be as happy as good company, good wine, and a good welcome can make good people. Oh, my lord, you're late.
Enter Chamberlain, SANDS, and LOVELL
GUILDFORD
The very thought of this fair companyClapp'd wings to me.
GUILDFORD
The thought of this beautiful company made me hurry.
CHAMBERLAIN
You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
CHAMBERLAIN
You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
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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.
SANDS
Sir Thomas Lovell, if the cardinal had even half my unreligious thoughts in him, some of these women would have a quick refreshment before they rested that I think would please them more than this one. I swear by my life, they're a sweet band of beauties.
LOVELL
O, that your lordship were but now confessorTo one or two of these!
LOVELL
Oh, if only you were the confessor of one or two of them!
SANDS
I would I were;They should find easy penance.
SANDS
I wish I were. I would give them an easy penance.
LOVELL
Faith, how easy?
LOVELL
Really? How easy?
SANDS
As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
SANDS
As easy as a feather-bed would make 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 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.
CHAMBERLAIN
Sweet ladies, would you sit? Sir Harry, you seat this half of them. I'll be in charge of the other half. The cardinal is entering. No, don't freeze us: two women placed together makes cold weather. My Lord Sands, you'll keep them awake. Please, sit between these ladies.
SANDS
By 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.
SANDS
Certainly, and thank you, your lordship. Please, sweet ladies, if I talk a little wildly, forgive me. I inherited it from my father.
ANNE
Was he mad, sir?
ANNE
Was he crazy, 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.
SANDS
Oh, very crazy, extremely crazy, including in love. But he wouldn't bite anyone. Like I do now, he would give you twenty kisses in one breath.
Kisses her
CHAMBERLAIN
Well said, my lord. So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away frowning.
CHAMBERLAIN
Well said my lord. So, now you're beautifully seated between two beauties. Gentleman, you'll be punished if these beautiful ladies leave looking unhappy.
SANDS
For my little cure,Let me alone.
SANDS
As for me, don't worry.
Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, and takes his state
CARDINAL WOLSEY
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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
You're welcome, my beautiful guests. Whatever noble lady or gentleman is not happy is not my friend. I drink to confirm my welcome. Good health to you all.
Drinks
SANDS
Your grace is noble:Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,And save me so much talking.
SANDS
You're noble, your grace. Let me have a cup like that to hold my thanks and I'll drink it to save so much talking.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
My Lord Sands, I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen, Whose fault is this?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
My Lord Sands, thank you. Entertain your neighbors. Ladies, you are not happy. Gentlemen, whose fault is this?
SANDS
The red wine first must riseIn their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'emTalk us to silence.
SANDS
The red wine must first flush their beautiful faces, my lord. Then they'll talk so much we'll have to be silent.
ANNE
You are a merry gamester,My Lord Sands.
ANNE
You're a cheerful player, 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,—
SANDS
Yes, if I have something to play. Here's to you, your ladyship. Drink to it, ma'am, because it's a toast to a thing—
ANNE
You cannot show me.
ANNE
You can't show me.
SANDS
I told your grace they would talk anon.
SANDS
I told you they would talk soon, your grace.
Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What's that?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What's that?
CHAMBERLAIN
Look out there, some of ye.
CHAMBERLAIN
Some of you go look outside.
Exit Servant
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What warlike voice,And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;By all the laws of war you're privileged.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What warlike noise was that, and what was it for? No, don't be afraid, ladies. The laws of war will protect you.
Re-enter Servant
CHAMBERLAIN
How now! what is't?
CHAMBERLAIN
Well? What is it?
SERVANT
A noble troop of strangers; For so they seem: they've left their barge and landed; And hither make, as great ambassadors From foreign princes.
SERVANT
It seems like a noble band of strangers. They've left their barge and come to land. They're heading here as great ambassadors from foreign princes.
CARDINAL 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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Good lord chamberlain, go welcome them. You can speak French. And please treat them well and bring them to us, where beauty as plentiful as in heaven will shine on them. Go with him, some of you.
Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed
CARDINAL WOLSEY
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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Your feast has been broken up, but we'll fix that. I wish all of you good digestion. I welcome you once more: welcome, all.
Hautboys. Enter KING HENRY VIII and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Chamberlain. They pass directly before CARDINAL WOLSEY, and gracefully salute him
CARDINAL WOLSEY
A noble company! what are their pleasures?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
This is a noble band! What do they want?
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.
CHAMBERLAIN
Because they don't speak English, they asked me to tell you that, having heard rumors of this noble and beautiful crowd meeting here tonight, they had to leave their flocks because of the great respect they have for beauty. They beg you to allow them to see these ladies and they ask for an hour of dancing with them.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Say, lord chamberlain,They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'emA thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Tell them, lord chamberlain, they have done an honor to my house. I give them a thousand thanks in return and ask them to do as they like.
They choose Ladies for the dance. KING HENRY VIII chooses ANNE
KING HENRY VIII
The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,Till now I never knew thee!
KING HENRY VIII
The most beautiful hand I ever touched! Oh, I never knew what beauty was until now!
Music. Dance
CARDINAL WOLSEY
My lord!
CARDINAL WOLSEY
My lord!
CHAMBERLAIN
Your grace?
CHAMBERLAIN
Yes, your grace?
CARDINAL 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.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Please, tell them this from me: one of them should be more worthy of sitting here than me. If I could only recognize him, I would give up this seat to him out of my love and duty.
CHAMBERLAIN
I will, my lord.
CHAMBERLAIN
I will, my lord.
Whispers the Masquers
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What say they?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What do they say?
CHAMBERLAIN
Such a one, they all confess,There is indeed; which they would have your graceFind out, and he will take it.
CHAMBERLAIN
They all confess that there is one like that. If you can find him he will take the seat.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Let me see, then.By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll makeMy royal choice.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Let me see, then. Allow me, gentlemen. I choose the king here.
KING HENRY VIII
Ye have found him, cardinal:
KING HENRY VIII
You found him, cardinal.
Unmasking
KING HENRY VIII
You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,I should judge now unhappily.
KING HENRY VIII
You throw a beautiful party. That's a good thing, lord. If you weren't a churchman, cardinal, I can tell you I would judge you badly.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
I am gladYour grace is grown so pleasant.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
I am glad you're making so many jokes, your grace.
KING HENRY VIII
My lord chamberlain,Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?
KING HENRY VIII
Please, come here, my lord chamberlain. Who's that beautiful lady?
CHAMBERLAIN
An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter—The Viscount Rochford,—one of her highness' women.
CHAMBERLAIN
Your grace, that's Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter. He's the Viscount Rochford. She's one of the queen's ladies in waiting.
KING HENRY VIII
By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart, I were unmannerly, to take you out, And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen! Let it go round.
KING HENRY VIII
By God, she's a pretty one. Sweetheart, I would be rude to dance with you and not kiss you. Drink to her health, gentlemen! Everyone drink.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet readyI' the privy chamber?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet in the private room ready?
LOVELL
Yes, my lord.
LOVELL
Yes, my lord.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Your grace,I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
I'm worried you feel a little hot from dancing, your grace.
KING HENRY VIII
I fear, too much.
KING HENRY VIII
Yes, I'm afraid I feel very hot.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
There's fresher air, my lord,In the next chamber.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
There's fresher air in the next room, my lord.
KING HENRY VIII
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.
KING HENRY VIII
Everyone, lead in your ladies. Dear partner, I won't abandon you yet. Let's be cheerful. My good lord cardinal, I have half a dozen toasts to drink to these beautiful ladies, and I have to dance with them again. And then let's think about whom I like best. Let the music play.
Exeunt with trumpets
