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

FESTIVITIES 39
To whom the Cardinal said he was very well content
they should so do. Then went the maskers, and
first saluted all the dames, and then returned to the
most worthiest, and there opened their great cup of
gold, filled with crowns, and other pieces of gold, to
whom they set certain pieces of the gold to cast
at. Thus perusing all the ladies and gentlewomen,
to some they lost, and of some they won. And
perusing after this manner all the ladies, they returned
to the Cardinal with great reverence, pouring down
all the gold left in their cup, which was above two
'
hundred crowns. At all,' quoth the Cardinal, and
so cast the dice, and won them, whereat was made
great noise and joy. Then quoth the Cardinal to
my Lord Chamberlain, ' Ipray you,' quoth he, ' that
you will show them that meseemeth there should
be a noble man amongst them, who is more meet to
occupy this seat and place than amI; to whom
Iwould most gladly surrender the same, according
to my duty, ifIknew him.' Then spake my Lord
Chamberlain unto them in French, declaring my
Lord Cardinal's words, and they rounding him again
in the ear, the Lord Chamberlain said to my Lord
Cardinal, ' Sir, they confess,' quoth he, ' that among
them there is such a noble personage, whom,if your
Grace can appoint out from the rest, he is content to
disclose himself, and to take and accept your place,
most worthily.' With that the Cardinal, taking a
good advisement among them, at the last, quoth he,
' Meseemeth the gentleman with the black beard