Page 1643 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

CHAMBERLAIN

How now, what is’t?

SERVANT
A noble troop of strangers,
For so they seem; they’ve left their barge and landed,
And hither make, as great ambassadors [55]

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. [60]
[Exit Lord Chamberlain, attended]
All rise, 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 ye: welcome all!
Hautboys. Enter [the] King and others as masquers, habited like
shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the

Cardinal, and gracefully salute him
A noble company: what are their pleasures?

CHAMBERLAIN
Because they speak no English, thus they prayed [65]
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, [70]

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