Hampton Court ... Illustrated with forty-three drawings by Herbert ...

38
HAMPTON COURT
looking out of the windows into Thames, returned
again, and showed him that it seemed they were
noblemen and strangers arrived at his bridge, coming
as ambassadors from some foreign prince. With
that quoth the Cardinal, 'Ishall desire you, because
you can speak French, to take the pains to go into
the hall there to receive them, according to their
estates, and to conduct them into this chamber, where
they shall see us, and all these noble personages being
merry at our banquet, desiring them to sit down with
us, and to take part of our fare.' Then went they
incontinent down into the hall, whereas they received
them with twenty new torches, and conveyed them
up into the chamber, with such a number of drums
and fifes asIhave seldom seen together at one place
and time. At their arrival into the chamber, two and
two together, thev went directly before the Cardinal
where he sat, and saluted him very reverently; to
whom the Lord Chamberlain for them said: ' Sir,
forasmuch as they be strangers, and cannot speak
English, they have desired me to declare unto you
that they, having understanding of this your triumphant
banquet, where was assembled such a number
of excellent fair dames, could do no less, under the
supportation of your Grace, but to repair hither to
view as well their incomparable beauty, as for to
accompany them at mumchance, and then after to
dance with them, and to have of their acquaintance.
And, sir, furthermore they require of your Grace
licence to accomplish the said cause of their coming.'