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  • Title: Henry The Eighth (Modern)
  • Editor: Diane Jakacki

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Modern)

    Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen and divers other Ladies, and Gentlemen as guests at one door; at an other door enter 665Sir Henry Guilford.
    Guildford
    Ladies,
    A general welcome from his grace
    Salutes ye all. This night he dedicates
    To fair content and you. None here he hopes,
    670In 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.
    Enter Lord Chamberlain Lord Sandys, and Lovell.
    675O my lord, y'are tardy.
    The very thought of this fair company
    Clapped wings to me.
    Chamberlain
    You are young, Sir Harry Guilford.
    Sandys
    Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal
    680But 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
    685To 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.
    690Chamberlain
    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 placed together makes cold weather.
    My Lord Sandys, you are one will keep 'em waking;
    695Pray, sit between these ladies.
    Sandys
    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.
    Was he mad, sir?
    Sandys
    O, very mad, exceeding mad in love, too.
    But he would bite none, iust as I do now,
    He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
    Chamberlain
    Well said, my lord.
    705So 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.
    710Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.
    Wolsey
    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.
    715Sandys
    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 beholden to you. Cheer your neighbours!
    720Ladies 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.
    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.
    You cannot show me.
    Drum and trumpet; chambers discharged.
    Sandys
    I told your grace they would talk anon.
    Wolsey
    What's that?
    Chamberlain
    Look out there, some of ye!
    735Wolsey
    What warlike voice,
    And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
    By all the laws of war y'are privileged.
    Enter a Servant.
    Chamberlain
    How now, what is't?
    740Servant
    A noble troupe 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,
    745Go, 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.
    All rise and tables removed.
    750You have now a broken banquet, but we'll mend it.
    A good digestion to you all! And once more
    I shower a welcome on ye! Welcome, all.
    Hoboyes. Enter King and others as masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They 755pass directly before the Cardinal and gracefully salute him.
    A noble company! What are their pleasures?
    Chamberlain
    Because they speak no English, thus they prayed
    To tell your grace that, having heard by fame
    760Of 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
    Craue leave to view these ladies, and entreat
    765An 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.
    770Choose Ladies, King and Ann Bullen.
    King Henry
    The fairest hand I ever touched. O, Beauty,
    Till now I never knew thee.
    Music, dance.
    Wolsey
    My lord.
    775Chamberlain
    Your grace.
    Wolsey
    Pray tell 'em thus much from me:
    There should be one amongst 'em by his person
    More worthy this place then my self, to whom
    (If I but knew him), with my love and duty
    780I would surrender it.
    Whisper.
    Chamberlain
    I will, my lord.
    Wolsey
    What say they?
    Chamberlain
    Such a one, they all confess,
    There is indeed; which they would have your grace
    785Find out, and he will take it.
    Wolsey
    Let me see then,
    By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make
    My royal choice.
    King Henry
    Ye haue found him Cardinal!
    790You 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.
    795King Henry
    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.
    800King Henry
    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.
    Wolsey
    Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
    805I'th'privy chamber?
    Lovell
    Yes, my lord.
    Wolsey
    Your grace,
    I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
    King Henry
    I fear too much.
    810Wolsey
    There's fresher air, my lord,
    In the next chamber.
    King Henry
    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
    815To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
    To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream
    Who's best in favor. Let the music knock it!