"The Field of the Cloth of Gold" (which was revived in London, with only tolerable success, a year or two ago) has to do mainly with the meeting of Henry VIII. and Francis I. (Mr. David James) on that historic spot—an event which is here surrounded with the most ludicrous circumstances possible. There is a sub-plot which deals with the loves of Constance de Grey (Miss A. Swanborough) and the Earl of Darnley (Miss Lydia Thompson), as interrupted and jeopardised by the pretensions and machinations of Sir Guy the Cripple (Mr. Thomas Thorne). The comic incidents are somewhat pantomimical, and the main merit of the piece lies in the humour of its dialogue, which is always sparkling. One of the puns in this burlesque is among the very best ever perpetrated, and is, indeed, a historical possession. Need I quote it? The King has crossed over from Dover to Calais on a stormy day, and arrives in a very "indisposed" condition:—
Henry. I am ill.
Suffolk.Nay, sire, cheer up, I pray.
Henry. Yesterday all was fair—a glorious Sunday,
But this sick transit spoils the glory o' Monday.
But the piece is full of quips almost equally good. Mark the puns that the two kings fire off at each other when they foregather on the Field of the Cloth of Gold:—
Henry. Pshaw! Bluff King Hal fears not to make advances
So long as the great King of France is Francis.
Francis. With pride I this alliance look upon,
While Hal be on the throne of Albion.
Henry. The English Harry'd flattery despise,
He deems all truths here uttered by al-lies.
Of good old racy stock, he scorns hypocrisy.
Francis. We've heard much of the English Harri-stock-racy.