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  • Title: Henry The Eighth (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Diane Jakacki
  • Research assistant: Beth Norris
  • Research assistant (proof): Simon Carpenter

    • Copyright Diane Jakacki. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Diane Jakacki
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry The Eighth (Folio 1, 1623)

    211
    The Life of King Henry the Eight.
    I am beholding to you: cheere your neighbours:
    720Ladies you are not merry; Gentlemen,
    Whose fault is this?
    San. The red wine first must rise
    In their faire cheekes my Lord, then wee shall haue 'em,
    Talke vs to silence.
    725An. B. You are a merry Gamster
    My Lord Sands.
    San. Yes, if I make my play:
    Heer's to your Ladiship, and pledge it Madam:
    For tis to such a thing.
    730An. B. You cannot shew me.
    Drum and Trumpet, Chambers dischargd.
    San. I told your Grace, they would talke anon.
    Card. What's that?
    Cham. Looke out there, some of ye.
    735Card. What warlike voyce,
    And to what end is this? Nay, Ladies, feare not;
    By all the lawes of Warre y'are priuiledg'd.

    Enter a Seruant.
    Cham. How now, what is't?
    740Seru. A noble troupe of Strangers,
    For so they seeme; th'haue left their Barge and landed,
    And hither make, as great Embassadors
    From forraigne Princes.
    Card. Good Lord Chamberlaine,
    745Go, giue 'em welcome; you can speake the French tongue
    And pray receiue 'em Nobly, and conduct 'em
    Into our presence, where this heauen of beauty
    Shall shine at full vpon them. Some attend him.
    All rise, and Tables remou'd.
    750You haue now a broken Banket, but wee'l mend it.
    A good digestion to you all; and once more
    I showre a welcome on yee: welcome all.

    Hoboyes. Enter King and others as Maskers, habited like
    Shepheards, vsher'd by the Lord Chamberlaine. They
    755passe directly before the Cardinall and gracefully sa-
    lute him.
    A noble Company: what are their pleasures?
    Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they praid
    To tell your Grace: That hauing heard by fame
    760Of this so Noble and so faire assembly,
    This night to meet heere they could doe no lesse,
    (Out of the great respect they beare to beauty)
    But leaue their Flockes, and vnder your faire Conduct
    Craue leaue to view these Ladies, and entreat
    765An houre of Reuels with 'em.
    Card. Say, Lord Chamberlaine,
    They haue done my poore house grace:
    For which I pay 'em a thousand thankes,
    And pray 'em take their pleasures.
    770Choose Ladies, King and An Bullen.
    King. The fairest hand I euer touch'd: O Beauty,
    Till now I neuer knew thee.
    Musicke, Dance.
    Card. My Lord.
    775Cham. Your Grace.
    Card. Pray tell 'em thus much from me:
    There should be one amongst 'em by his person
    More worthy this place then my selfe, to whom
    (If I but knew him) with my loue and duty
    780I would surrender it. Whisper.
    Cham. I will my Lord.
    Card. What say they?
    Cham. Such a one, they all confesse
    There is indeed, which they would haue your Grace
    785Find out, and he will take it.
    Card. Let me see then,
    By all your good leaues Gentlemen; heere Ile make
    My royall choyce.
    Kin. Ye haue found him Cardinall,
    790You hold a faire Assembly; you doe well Lord:
    You are a Churchman, or Ile tell you Cardinall,
    I should iudge now vnhappily.
    Card. I am glad
    Your Grace is growne so pleasant.
    795Kin. My Lord Chamberlaine,
    Prethee come hither, what faire Ladie's that?
    Cham. An't please your Grace,
    Sir Thomas Bullens Daughter, the Viscount Rochford,
    One of her Highnesse women.
    800Kin. By Heauen she is a dainty one. Sweet heart,
    I were vnmannerly to take you out,
    And not to kisse you. A health Gentlemen,
    Let it goe round.
    Card. Sir Thomas Louell, is the Banket ready
    805I'th'Priuy Chamber?
    Lou. Yes, my Lord.
    Card. Your Grace
    I feare, with dancing is a little heated.
    Kin. I feare too much.
    810Card. There's fresher ayre my Lord,
    In the next Chamber.
    Kin. Lead in your Ladies eu'ry one: Sweet Partner,
    I must not yet forsake you: Let's be merry,
    Good my Lord Cardinall: I haue halfe a dozen healths,
    815To drinke to these faire Ladies, and a measure
    To lead 'em once againe, and then let's dreame
    Who's best in fauour. Let the Musicke knock it.
    Exeunt with Trumpets.

    Actus Secundus. Scena Prima.


    820Enter two Gentlemen at seuerall Doores.
    1. Whether away so fast?
    2. O, God saue ye:
    Eu'n to the Hall, to heare what shall become
    Of the great Duke of Buckingham.
    8251. Ile saue you
    That labour Sir. All's now done but the Ceremony
    Of bringing backe the Prisoner.
    2. Were you there?
    1. Yes indeed was I.
    8302. Pray speake what ha's happen'd.
    1. You may guesse quickly what.
    2. Is he found guilty?
    1. Yes truely is he,
    And condemn'd vpon't.
    8352. I am sorry fort.
    1. So are a number more.
    2. But pray how past it?
    1. Ile tell you in a little. The great Duke
    Came to the Bar; where, to his accusations
    840He pleaded still not guilty, and alleadged
    Many sharpe reasons to defeat the Law.
    The Kings Atturney on the contrary,
    Vrg'd on the Examinations, proofes, confessions

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