■

! 1 ,i;

■fe

.

.

%

::,

v' -

Hi

1

<

.-." ; ■

■HBIH|l

■A

■v-1 ■ ■ .. .'■■. /■.•..■. -i

■■■'■"vA ;' .■■' fe. !.£ V ,.'. ; ^ ■ ■-...■

(S

• VI J

.*,

^ - ' ;

O

: \

't

:,; I

ri%^?

«> :;

■.'■■■'■ '.' ■ .

JdllVJ-dU1 ''flUiliVJ-dU'

-CALIFOfi^ ^OF-CAllF0fi^

r— u-»

LBvaan-i^ y0AHvaan-#

"JiUJNV-iUl-

<\\\El!NIVER%

^ad/\INllJV\>

v>clOSANGEl£n*

"flUdllVJ-iV)1' ^UdllVJJO^

%13AIM-3\\v

^AavaaiH^ ^amih^

ms%

rxT

^lOSANGElfx>

^AINfldW

%a3AIN(13W^

HRARYQ^

W

<AWE-

5JAE-UNIVEIM//

o# "^hhainih^

#

11 "«J

PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY

FREDERICK HALL AT THE

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

PRESS

THE TRAGEDY OF

TANCRED AND GISMUND

1591-2

• 3

> j j

THE MALONE SOCIETY

REPRINTS

1914

This reprint of Tancred and Gismund has been pre- pared under the direction of the General Editor.

Oct. ipiy. W. W.Greg.

PR

There is no entry of Tancred and Gismund in the r^

Registers of the Stationers' Company. The only known edition is a quarto printed by Thomas /*?/*"/ Scarlet for sale by R. Robinson. This is in a type the body of which approximates to modern English (22 11. = 94 mm.). Copies vary in that the date on the title-page appears either as 1 5-9 1 or 1 5-92. The British Museum possesses three copies, marked re- spectively C 34. e. 43, 161. k. 7 1, and C. 34. e. 44. Of these the first is perfect, though the second leaf is rather badly damaged, and bears the date 15-92. From the second all but a small corner of the title- page has been torn away ; while the third wants the whole of the preliminary sheet except the third leaf. Perfect copies in the Bodleian Library and the Dyce Collection are also dated 15*92. A copy at Eton College wants the title-page. On the other hand there is preserved in the collection of the Earl of Ellesmere at Bridgewater House a copy ^ea^ing the date 15-91. The title-page of this copy appears to differ from those dated 15-92 in nothing but the date and the position of the printer's mark.

The play was not new at the time of its pub- lication, being revised from an earlier piece. This, we are informed by William Webbe in his epistle to Wilmot, had been acted before the queen by the gentlemen of the Inner Temple. There does not appear to be any contemporary record of the per- formance, but from the allusion to e these 24. yeres ' in Wilmot's address to the Templers, we are perhaps entitled to date it 1 <>6y.

The earlier version is extant in two manuscripts at the British Museum, Lansdowne i%6 and Har-

ld

grave 205-. At least one other manuscript has been reported as in private hands but is not now known, while there is some reason to suppose that in making the revision Wilmot had before him a text of the earlier play, differing in certain respects from those now extant.

The original version was of composite authorship, and the abbreviated names of five different writers are appended to the five acts of the printed text. They are Rod. Staf[ford]., Hen. No[el]., G. Al., Ch. Hat[ton]., and R. W[ilmot]. Of these there is no indication in the manuscripts. The whole was later revised by the author of the last act and brought, as the title-page tells us, into keeping with c the decorum of these daies '.

List of Doubtful Readings, &c.

Ep. Ded. 3 ? W\ after this a pos- sible trace of a period appears in some copies Preh 5- geamls] read gleams Text 7 Cupid.] half a line too low in original 85 Lord,

209 (no c.w.)

225 mo/}] the mark over the 0 is doubtful and pro- bably accidental

229 enddlejfe

231 might ie

26? furfte] i.e. surest

274. {no c.w.)

351 impart your] possibly impartyour

381 what

387 fo,

4.18 ferfake

419 vp, 4.29 delight 43 1 c.w. Subuert 448 fight 45"9 kinde,

46l LUCy

485) lai d

491 filder

496 flood,

523 Ant)

526 (no c.w.)

537 daies)

5- 5- 6 Brutus'] so B.M.2, Dyce,

Eton : Bratus B.M.1*3,

Bodl. 5 64 Chor. 4.] half a line too

low in original 572 tofore^ 578 Chor. i/j half a line too

low in original

VI

588 d] read do

589 nam] read name

622 proue

644 carefull] /<? B.M.2^ Dyce,

Eton : carefhll B.M.1*3,

Bod/. 699 WHat 716 (no c.iv.) 729 ofman

777 his

781 (no c.iv.)

822 turne th

840 afTault,] possibly afTault,

85-8 Actus. 3.

868 iu

908 ,On

911 Iulia,

943 villanous.] possibly villa nous.

965 he auen

967 counfming 1008 Tan. 103 1 c.w. (hall 1 125- snd i\^6 Gif. 125-0 c.w. (But 1264 mine, 1283 captiuate 125)4 Iul. Nay

1306" hurt, Let not] so B.Af.1.3, D_?w, £/<?#, Bodl. : hurt,

1309	rofe.
1327	floud.
1328	Lord
1436	handy] possibly han dy enters] possibly ente rs
i+37
1487	eachone,
1491	more
15-05-	,. Yong
i?77	defpitle
io'39 Receaue] possibly
	R eceaue
1664	attir
1703	auoid
1706 G//^
	(king
1708	loue
1709	Gif. the
	me
1728	(no c.iv.)
I73T	Sca*na 3,
17^	requeft,
1813	dead
1830	we
1831	Iul
1850	thou] possibly tho u
1874	the'ffect
sig. H4V. 1 1 meafurestrod^
I?	forrth
17	afcendeib
J9	mas
28	inir,
3i	l,Wiiii.

On sig. G4 recto, the final d of the running title is broken so as to resemble a.

vu

List of Characters

in order of appearance.

Cupid.

Gismund, daughter to Tancred. Tancred, prince of Salerne. Lucrece, his sister. Guiszard, County Palurin, Gismund's lover.

Julio, lord chamberlain to

Tancred. Renuchio, captain of Tancred's

guard. Megaera, a fury.

Chorus of four maidens, guard, two furies.

Gismund is called Gismunda on her first appearance, 1. 88. According to the prose Argument Tancred is King of Naples as well as Prince of Salerne. Lucrece enters at 1. 2,7 y, but her name first appears unabbreviated at 1. 374, where it is given as Lucre, cf. 1. <$i6 (also 1. 538). The form Lucrece first appears at 1. 6x4.. Guiszard is called Guishard in the verse Argument and Guiszhard at 1. 690. He first appears in II. ii, but does not speak till III. iii (1. 694.). Julio and Renuchio appear in II. ii, and III. iii, but first speak in IV. ii (11. 106b and loop respectively). The description of them given above is from the stage direction 1. 370, but later on they appear to exchange roles. It is Renu- chio, there called Renugio, whom Tancred sends to fetch Gismund, IV. iii, and it is Julio cwith his gard' who brings in Guiszard, IV. iv.

The Editor's thanks are due to the Earl of Elles- mere for permission to reproduce the title-page of his copy of Tancred and Gismund^ dated 1^91, and to Mr. Strachan Holme, librarian of Bridgewater House, for kindly procuring a photograph of the same.

• • •

Vlll

tt

•-^

"Mi<M

> 4&n

THE

TRAGEDIE

of Tancrcd and Gifmund,

COMPILED BY THE GEN-

demcn of the Inner Temple,andby them pre-

fentcd before her M a iestie-

%mi) reuiued uid potifhed According to the decorum oj -theft Mies. *;R.W.

LONDON,

/V//Wft/ ^ Thomas Scarlet ^nd art to befpldtty R,Rcbiiuon. i $$i* cl.

» >

1 1

Title-page. A i recto (Bridgewater House").

TRAGEDIE

cf Tancred and Gifmund,

COMPILED BY THE GEN-

demcn of the Inner Templc,and by them pre- fentcd before her M aiestie.

Tfervly nuiued and foil feed according to the decorum ofthejc dates. By R.W*7f>T at-.

■., 0>*

LONDON)

Printed by Thomas Scarlet ,and are to be/olde by R,Robinibn. 15 p 2.

Vrr f -oai^w A T RRrm ^RnnT.KTANV

Mi

To his trend R.\V. &titrR.trFr. Icofce Kof nob) fo; tbetearmesofmi infrcafo;,? toil bc$ no longer, anD fo: pour p;o- oiifw.Bi toil rcfufc tbeai as baD patmc nt-neit&er ran Bf be faftffitD lvitban^Ujmg,buf a per cmptoue per- formance of en o!D intention of rcurs , the publiftjing 1 meaneoftljofetoau" paper* (as it pleafetb you to cat fljf, but as J eflccm tbeitt, a mc£ crquifi! e inuentionj of (7//- iw*»^/ SDragtoie . &btnhc not to Hiftme off toitrj longer &elapes,no;aUeogemo;e crcufes to get furtfcer rcfpi'rr, katt J arreSrou tottb mg ^ilHmefiyann commence fuclj a feute of bnamoencfTc againG ?ou, as tofim the cafe fljalbe fcano before 'be JuDgcsof courte0e,Ue ceurt toil t:tc out of pour immooeratmooc3ie. #notbus mucb 3f tel vou befo)e,?ou fi}a! not be able to toage againtt me in tie cbaraes grotoinej bpon tins action , cfpcctaUp , if tlje

too;0»pful comp;.np of trje inner temple gentlemen pa- tronise mp caufc, as tinbcubteolp tbcp toil, vca>$ ratbtr pleabpdrrtallrfo;me ibenJct mrcaufcmifcarp.becaufe tbemfducsare partics.SDbe train-Die Jras b\> tbem moff pit&elp frames, ano no leffe curioud? acteo in bie to of t f r ^aici!£, by to&om it toas tben as pjincelp acrcptcD , as of ftc to<>olebono;able auDience notablr applanocorpea, sno of al men generally ocureo,as a toojfe.cif ber in ttatt* lints of fljcto,ocp tb of conceits; true o:namenfsof poc» tf call arte , inferio; to none of t tie bet! in (bat hinoe : no, tuere tbe Koman Seneca tbe eenfurer.&be b;aue rourbs tbat tbcn(to their bigb p;aifes) fo feelingh? perfojmeo tbe fame inacrion.oiD Owtlr alter lap fcptbeboHebnregar* ceo, o; perhaps let it run ab;oaDc(as mant? parentes Doe tbeir cbilo;encncepafioanoiing) notrefpetrtngfotnncb tobatbaro fo;funemirjbt befall it being out of tbeir fin* gers,as boto tbeir brroical toif s might againe be quickly coneetueb toi;b ne to inuenfions of like too:tbincs,tobcr* of Cfjep baue been euer Once toonoerfull fertill . I5ut t bis o;pban of tbeirs(foj be toano;ctb as it toei e fatberlefTe) ta^ notUJttbftano!'n3,bv tbe rare % betotifui perfections

appca-

/D„„r _t.<it\

7 he Tragedte dcfar ted . Afterward bewailing his mifhapjie commanded the Earlt to beattacbed,imprifbned,flrangled,vnboweUed^ and his heart in a cup ofgolde to beprefented to his daugh- ter 'fietbankefu/Iy receiueth the prefent, filling the cuppe (wherein the heart was) with her teares,with a venimem potion (by her diflilledfor thatpurpofe) fhee dranke to her Earle. Which her father hearing ofjametoolateto comfort his dying daughter } who for her lafl requefl b t fought him y that her louer andherfelfe^ might tn one tombe be together buried, for a perpetual! memorie of their fait hfuli louts, which requefl hegraunted, adding to the burialljiimfelft flaine with his owne hands Jo his ownereproch,and the ter- ror ofall other hard hearted fathers.

Adus.i. Scxna.i.

Cupid commeth out oftheheauens in a cradle of "flowers ; dr awing forth vponthe Jlage in a blew twifie off Ike 9 fromhts left handVaine hope,Brittleioy. Cdndwitha carnation twifi offilkefrom his right hand, Faire re- femb 'lance \Late Repentance. ., There reft my chariot on the mountaine tops, *l ' Ithatinfhapeappearevntoyourfight

A naked boy,not cloathde but with my wings, Am thatgreat GodofLoue,who with his might R uleth the waft wide world,and liuing things. Th is left hand bcaresvaine hope5mortioyfullftate, With faire Refcmblance,louers to allure, This right hand holds Repentance all too late3 Warre3fTre,bloud.,and paines without rccurc. On fweete Ambrofia5is not my fbode, Nectiris not my drinke,as to the reft a, Of all the Gods : I drinke the louers bloud,

„And

Sig. A a verso (Bodleian).

THE

TRAGEDIE

of Tancred and Gifmund.

COMPILED BY THE GEN-

tlemen of the Inner Temple,and by them pre-.

fented before her Maiestie.

Newly reuiued and polijhed according to the decorum ofthefe daks. By R. W.

LONDON,

Printed by Thomas Scarlet^ and are to befolde by R. Robinfon. ifp2.

^To the right Worlhipfull and

* vertuous Ladies, the L. Marie Peter, & the Ladie

Anne Graie, long health of bodie, with qui-

et of minde, in the fauor of God and men

for euer.

T is moji certaine (right vertuous and worjhipfull ) that of all humane lear- nings Poetrie (how contemptible fo e- uer it is in thefe dates, is the moji anci- ent) and in Poetrie , there is no argument 10 of more antiquitie and elegancie than is the matter ofLoue;for itfeemes to be as old as the world, G? to beare date from the firfi time that man £? woman was : therfore in this, as in thefinefi mettall, thefrejhejl wits haue in all ages Jhown their bef workman/hip. So amongfl others thefe Gentlemen, which with what fweetnejje of voice and Hue HneJJe of action they then expreffed it, they which were of her Maieflies right Honorable maidens can teflifie.

Which being a difcourfe of two louers,perhappes it may feeme a thing neither ft to be offered vnto your Lady/hips, 20 nor worthie me to bufie myfelfe wit hall: yet can I tell you Madames, it differ e th fo far re from the ordinarie amorous difcourfes of our daies, as the manners of our time do from the modejlie and innocencie of that age.

And now for that wearie winter is come vpon vs, which bringeth with him drouping daies and tedious nights, if it he true, that the motions of our mindes follow the tempera- ture of the aire wherein we Hue, then I thinke, theperufing of fome mournfull matter, tending to the view of a notable example, will refrefj your wits inagloomie day, £? eafeyour 30 wearines of the louring night. Which ifitpleafeyou, may

* 2 ferue

The Epiftle Dedicatorie. ferueye alfofor afolemne reuell againft this Fefliuall time, for Gifmunds bloudiejhadow, with a little coft, may he in- treated in her felfe-like per/on to fpeake to ye.

Hauing th erf ore a dejire to be know en to your W I deui- Jed this waie with myfelfe to procure the fame,perfuading myfelfe, there is nothing more welcome to your wifedomes, then the knowledge of wife, graue, & worthie matters, ten- ding to the good inflructions of youths, of whom you are mothers. 4°

In this refpect therefore, IJhall humhlie dejire ye to he- flow a fauourahle countenance vpon this little labor, which when ye haue graced it withall, I mufl <2? will acknowledge my felfe greatly indebted vnto your Ladyjhips in this be- half e : neither jh all I among ft the reft, that admire your rare vertues, (which are not afewe in EJJex) ceafe to com- mend this vndeferued gentlenes.

Thus defiring the king of heauen to increafe his graces in ye both, granting that your ends may be as honorable, as your Hues are vertuous, I leaue with a vaine babble of ma- $0 ny needlefse wordes to trouble you longer.

Your Worjhips moft dutifull and humble Orator

Robert Wilmot.

To his frend R. W.

MMttJZ.r/^.lookt not nolo foj tlje fearmes of ait intreatoj, 3 toil tog no longer, anb foj pour pjo* mifes,3 toil ref ufe ttiem as bab paiment: neither can 3 be fatifffeb imtt) anp tfjing, but a peremptojie per* fojmance of an olb intention of pours, tfje publiujing 3 meane of tfjofe foaff papers(as it pleafetb pou to eal tfje, but as 3 etreem tjem, a moff erquifiteinuention) of Gif- waWj-Crageoie. Cfjutfee not to ffjift me off tuitf) longer belapes, noj allebge moje ercufes to get furtfjer refpite, io leaft 3 arreff pou tort j mp Actum eft, ano commencefuclj a gntte of bnmnbenelfe againft pou, as tofjen tije cafe ftjalbefcanb before t\z 3ubges of courtefictfje court toil crie out of pour immoberat mobeffie. £nbtjjus mucj 3 tel pou before, pou ftjal not be able to foage ajainft me in tje charges groining top on tf)is action, efpeciallp, if tije foo^ujipful companp of tije 3nner temple gentlemen pa* trom?e my caufe, as tonboubteblp tfjep toil, pea, $ rattjer pleab partiallpfojmetfjen let mp caufe mifcarp,becaufe tijemfelues are parties. CjjetragebictnasbpttiemmoJt io pitjjelpframeb,anbno leffecuriouftpacteb inbtetu of ijer £Pateftp, by tofiom it teas tljen as pnncelp accepteb, as oftjjetofjoleJonojableauoiencenotablpapplauDeorpea, anij of al max generallp beftreb,as a tDojfe,eitfjer in Irate* lines of u)etu,beptjj of conceit, oj true ornaments of poe* ticall arte, inferior to none of t je bell in t £at fcinbe: no, toere ttje Koman ^w^tjecenfurer. Kty bjaue pouttis tjjat tfjen(totfjeir fjigijpjaifesjfofeelinglp performed ttje fame in action, bib ftjojtlp after laptop tfje tooofce tonregar* beb,oj perhaps let it run abjoabe(as manp parentes boe 30 tljeir cijilbjen once pall banbling) not refpecting fo muclj toijat ijarb fortune migijt befall it being out of t jeir tliu gers, as ijoto t jjeir jjeroical torts migfjt againe be quicfclp conceiueb toit jj neto inuentions of like tuojtljines, tufjer^ of tfjep ijaue been euer fincetoonberf till f ertill. 3U3ut tfjis ojpfjan of theirs (foj tie tuantyet j as it toere fattierleffe) jatjj ttottottfjftanbmg,bp tije rare f betotif ul perfections

appear

appearing in tym> Ijef {ierf o neuer foanfed great fauou- rers,and louing pjefcruers* &mong tobom3 cannot fuf* flcientlp comment! pour moje tljen charitable ?eale, and 40 fcfjolerlp companion totoards i;tm,tjat Jaue not onlp re* fcued ano defended ijim from tbedeuouringiatoes of on* liuion, Wt boucjfafed alfo to apparrelljim in a neto fute at pour oUm charges, to Jerin Je map again moje boldlp come abroad, ano op pour permifllon returne to ty# olde parents, clothed per Ijaps not in richer oj moje coftlp fur* niture tyzn it toent from ttjem, out in jjandfomnes I fa* ujion moje anftoerable to tjjefe timz#, loljerein fatyions are fo often altered. 3Let one tuojd fufficefojpourencou* ragement jjerein; namelp,tj)at pottrcommendablepains so in difrobing ijim of ijtg antifee curiofitie, and adorning Jjim toitb tfe appjooued guife of our ftatelieft (Engliflje termes (not dtmimffnng, but moje augmenting tjiss arti* ffciallcoloursof abfolutepoefie,deriued from jits firftpa* rents) cannot bnt bee grateful to moil mews appetites, tobo op on our ejeperiece toe ftnotu bWP to efteem fuclj loftpmeafures of fententiouflpcompofed Cragedies*

^olu mucb pou fljal make me, and tlje reft of pour pji* uate fiends beholding bnto pou, 3 lift not to difeourfe: and tberfo^e groundingbpon tijefe alledged reafon&Qat 60 tfje fuppjefting of tins Cragedie, fo tuojtfjp f oj p pjelTe, toere no otjer tfjing tfjen tuilfullp to defraud pour felfe of anbniuerfall tljanU, pour f rends of tytxt erpectations, and ftoeete <B. of a famous eternitie. 3 Ml ceafe to doubt of anp otjer pretence to cloafce pour batyf ulnelTe, Joping to read it in punt (toijicj* latelp lap neglected a* mongft pour papers) at our nert appointed meeting. 3 bid pou fjeartelp faretoell. JJrom #pjgo in (Filer, £u* guft ttje eigjt, iypi.

Tuus fide & facilitate 70

Guil. Webbe.

TO THE WORSHIPFVLL AND learned Societie, the Gentlemen Students of the Inner Temple, with the reft of hi sfingular good friends, the Gen- tlemen of the middle Temple, and to all other curteous rea- ders, R. W. rvijheth increafe of all health, worjloip & learning, with the immortall glorie of the graces adorning the fame.

YE may perceiue (right Worfhipful) in perufing the former Epiltle fent to mee, how fore I am befet with the importunities of my friends, to 10 publifh this Pamphlet : Truly I am and haue bin (if there be in me anie foundnes of iudgement) of this opinion, that whatfoeuer is committed to the prefle is commended to eternitie, and it fhall Hand a liuely witnes with our confcience, to our comfort or con- fufion, in the reckning of that great daie.

Aduifedly therefore was that Prouerbe vfed of our elder Philofophers, Manum a Tabula : with-hold thy hand from the paper, and thy papers from the print or light of the world : for a lewd word efcaped *o is irreuocable, but a bad or bafe difcourfe publifhed in print is intollerable.

Hereupon I haue indured fome conflicts between reafon and iudgement, whether it were conuenient for the common wealth, with the indecorum of my calling (as fome thinke it) that the memorie of Tan- creds Tragedie fhould be againe by my meanes, re- uiued, which the oftner I read ouer, and the more I confidered theron, the fooner I was won to content therunto : calling to mind that neither the thrice re- 3° uerend & lerned father M. Beza, was afhamed in his yonger yeres, to fend abroad in his owne name, his

Tragedie

To the Gentlemen of the Temple. Tragedy of Abraham^ nor that rare Scot (the fcholer of our age) Buchanan, his moft pathetical Ieptha.

Indeed I mull willingly confefle this worke Am- ple, and not worth comparifon to any of theirs : for the writers of them were graue men ; of this, young heads : In them is (hewn the perfection of their flu- dies ; in this, the imperfection of their wits. Neuer- theles herein they al agree, commending vertue, de- 4° telling vice, and liuely deciphering their ouerthrow that fupprefTe not their vnruely affections. Thefe things noted herin, how fimple fo euer the verfe be, I hope the matter wil be acceptable to the wife.

Wherefore I am now bold to prefent Gifmund to your fights, and vnto yours only, for therfore haue I coniured her, by the loue that hath bin thefe 24. yeres betwixt vs, that flie waxe not fo proude of her frefh painting, to ftragle in her plumes abroad, but to contein her felfe within the walles of your houfe 5 50 fo am I fure fhe fhalbe fafe fro the Tragedian Tyrants of our time, who are not afhamed to affirme that ther can no amarous poeme fauour of any fharpnes of wit, vnlefle it be feafoned with fcurrilous words.

But leauing them to their lewdnes, I hope you, & all difcreet readers, wil thankfully receiue my pains, the fruites of my firfl harueft : the rather, perceiuing that my purpofe in this Tragedie, tendeth onely to the exaltation of vertue, & fuppreffion of vice, with pleafure to profit and help al men, but to offend, or 60 hurt no man. As for fuch as haue neither the grace, nor the good gift to doe well themfelues, nor the common honeilie, to fpeak wel of others, I mull (as I may) heare and bear their baitings with patience. Yours denoted in his ability, R. IVilmot.

A Preface to the Queenes Maidens

Of Honor.

F Lowers of prime, pearles couched all in gold, Light of our daies that glads the fainting hearts Of them that fhall your mining geamls behold, Salue of each fore, recure of inward fmarts, In whom Vertue and Beautie ftriueth fo, As neither yeelds, behold here for your gaine Gifmonds vnluckie loue, her fault, her wo And death, at laft her cruell Father flaine 10

Through his mi (hap, and though you do not fee, Yet reade and rew their wofull Tragedie. So loue, as your high vertues done deferue, Grant you fuch pheeres, as may your vertues ferue With like vertues, and blisfull Venus fend Vnto your happie loues an happie end.

Another to the fame.

Glfmond, that whilome liu'de her fathers ioy And died his death, now dead, doth as (he may By vs praie you to pittie her annoy. 20

And to requite the fame, doth humbly pray, Heauens to forefend your loues from like decay. The faithfull Earle doth alfo make requeft, Wifhing thofe worthie knights whom ye imbrace, The conftant truth that lodged in his breaft. His hartie loue, not his vnhappie cafe, Befall to fuch as triumph in your grace.

A The

The Tragedie The King praies pardon of his cruell heit, And for amends, deiires it may fuffice, That by his bloud he warneth all the reft 3°

Of fond fathers, that they in kinder wife, Intreat the Iewels where their comfort lies. We, as their meilengers, befeech ye al On their behalfes, to pittie all their fmarts, And for our felues, (although the worth be fmall) We praie ye, to accept our humble hearts Auoud to ferue with praier and with praife, Your Honors, all vnworthie other waies.

The Tragedie of Tancred

and Gifmund.

Argumentum Tragedies.

TAncred the Prince of Salerne, ouerloues His onely daughter (wonder of that age) Gifmund^ who loues the Countie Palurin, Guifhardy who quites her likings with his loue : A Letter in a cane, defcribes the meanes Of their two meetings, in a fecret caue. Vnconftant fortune leadeth forth the king To this vnhappie fight, wherewith in rage, The gentle Earle he doometh to his death, 10

And greets his daughter with her louers hart. Gijmunda fils the goblet with her teares, And drinkes a poifon which Ihe had diftild, Whereof fhe dies, whofe deadly countenance So grieues her Father, that he flew himfelfe.

An

of Tancred and Gifmund.

An other of the fame more at large in profe.

A n c r E d king of Naples and Prince of 'Salerne, gauehis only daughter Gifmund \(whom he mofl dearely loued) in mariage to 2.0 \a foraine 'Prince, after whofe death Jhe retur- ned home to her Father, who hauing felt great grief e of hir abfence whilft her husband liued, imme- furably efieeming her, determined neuer to fujfer any fecond mariage to bereaue him of hir. She on the other fide waxing wearie of that her fathers purpofe, bent hir mind to the fe- cret loue of the CountyValurm : to whom (he being likewife inflamed with loue of her) by a Letter fubtilly inclofed in a clouen cane, Jhe gaue to vnderfiand a conuenient waiefor their defired meetings, through an old ruinous vaut, whofe 30 mouth opened directly vnder her chamber flo ore. Into this vaut when Jhe was one day defended (for the conuaiance of hir louer )hir father in the meane feafon (whofe only ioy was in his daughter) came to hir chamber, and not finding her there, fuppofing her to haue bin walked abroad for hir di- fport, he threw him downe on hir bed, andcouered his head with a curtain, minding to abide and reft there till hir re- turne. She nothing fufpecting this hir fathers vnfeafona- ble comming, brought vp hir louer out of the cane into hir chamber, where hir father efpied their fecret loue : and hee 40 (not efpied of them) was vpon this fight Jlriken with mer- uailous grief e -, bu t either for that thefodaine defpight had amazed him,& taken from him allvfe offpeech,orforthat he refolued himfelfto a more coueniet reuenge, he then f pake nothing, but noted their returne into the vaut, andfecretly

A 2 departed.

The Tragedie departed. Afterward bewailing bis mijhap, he commanded the Earle to be attached, imprijoned,Jlrangled, vnbowelled, and his heart in a cup ofgolde to be presented to his daugh- ter: Jhe thankefully receiueth the prefent, filling the cuppe (wherein the heart was) with her teares, with a venimous ?o potion (by her difli lied for that purpofe ) Jhe e dranke to her Earle. Which her father hearing of cam e too late to comfort his dying daughter, who for her laft requejl bef ought him, that herlouer and her f elf e, might in one tombe be together buried, for a perpetuall memorie of their faith full loues, which requejl he graunted, adding to the buriall, himfelfe flaine with his owne hands, to his owne reproch,and the ter- ror of all other hard hearted fathers.

Actus, i . Scama. i . /• »

Cupid commeth out of the heauens in a cradle of flowers, drawing forth vpon thefiage in a blew twijie of f Ike, from his left ha?jd Vaine hope, Brittle ioy. And with a carnation twifl of f Ike from his right hand, Faire re- femblance, Late Repentance. Cupid. There reft my chariot on the mountaine tops, I that in fhape appeare vnto your fight A naked boy, not cloathde but with my wings, Am that great God of Loue, who with his might 10 Ruleth the waft wide world, and liuing things. This left hand beares vaine hope, fhort ioyfull ftate, With faire Refemblance, louers to allure, This right hand holds Repentance all too late, Warre, fire, bloud, and paines without recure. On fweete Ambrofia, is not my foode, Nectar is not my drinke, as to the reft „ Of all the Gods: I drinke the louers bloud,

„And

of Tancred and Gifmond.

„And feed vpon the heart within his breaft. io Well hath my power in heauen and earth bin tride,

And deepeft hell, my pearcing force hath knowen.

The marble feas, my wonders haue defcride,

Which elder age throghout the world hath blowen.

To me, the king of Gods and men doth yeeld,

As witnes can the Greekifh maide, whom I •

Made like a cow go lowing through the field,

Leaft iealous Iuno mould the fcape efpie :

The doubled night, the Sunnes restrained courfe,

His fecret Healths, the flander to efchew, Like to

30 In fhape transformd, we lilt not to difcourfe. Amphi-

All that and more we forced him to do. trio to

The warlike Mars hath not fubdude our might, Alcmena.

We feard him not, his furie nor difdaine,

That can the Gods record : before whofe fight

He laie faft wrapt in Vulcans fubtill chaine.

He that on earth yet hath not felt our power,

Let him behold the fall and cruell fpoile

Of thee faire Troy, of Afia the flower,

So foule defaft, and leueld with the foile. 40 Who for ft Leander with his naked breft

So many nights to cut the frothie waues,

But Heroes loue, that lay inclofde in Seft ?

The ftouteft hearts to me mall yeeld them flaues.

Who could haue matcht the huge Alcides ftrength, Hercules.

Great Macedon, what force might haue fubdude ? Alexand.

Wire Scipio who ouercame at length,

But we, that are with greater force endude ?

Who could haue conquered the golden fleece

But Iafon, aided by Medeas art ? 50 Who durft haue ftolne faire Helen out of Greece

A 3 But

The Tragedie But I, with loue that boldned Paris heart > What bond of nature, what reftraint auailes Againft our power ? I vouch to witnes truth. Myrrha The Myrhe tree that with fhamefaft teares bewailes Her fathers loue, ftill weepeth yet for ruth. But now, this world not feeing in thefe daies, Such prefent proof es of our al-daring power, Difdaines our name, and feeketh fundrie waies, To fcorne and fcoffe, and fhame vs euerie houre, A brat, a baftard, and an idle boy, *°

A rod, a ftaffe, a whip to beate him out, And to be ficke of loue, a childifh toy, Thefe are mine honors now the world about, My name difgraft, to raife againe therefore, And in this age, mine ancient renowme By mightie acts, intending to reftore, Downe to the earth, in wrath now am I come. And in this place, fuch wonders fhall ye heare, As thefe your ftubborne, and difdainfull hearts, In melting teares, and humble yeelding feare, 70

Shall foone relent by fight of others fmarts. This princely pallace, will I enter in, And there inflame, the faire Gifmunda, fo Inraging all her fecret vaines within, Through fine loue, that fhe fhall feele much wo. Too late repentance, thou (halt bend my bow. Vaine hope, take out my pale dead heauie fhaft,^ Thou faire Refemblance, formoft forth fhalt go', With Brittle ioy : my felfe will not be leaft, But after me, comes death, and deadly paine. 8o

Thus fhall ye march, till we returne againe, Meane while, fit ftill, and here I fhall you fhew

Such

of Tan c red and Gifmund. Such wonders, that at laft with one accord, Ye fhall relent, and faie that now ye know, Loue rules the world, Loue is a mightie Lord, Exit. Cupid with his traine enter eth into King Tan- creds Pallace.

i. a Gifmunda in Purple commeth out of her Chamber^ atten- ded by foure maides that are the Chorus.

9°

Scama. 2.

„ y^V Vaine, vnfteadfaft ftate of mortall things, Gifmund.

„ V ^/ Who trufts this world, leans to a brittle ftay, Such fickle fruit, his flattering bloome forth „ Ere it be ripe, it falleth to decay, (brings

The ioy and blifle that late I did poflefle, In weale at will, with one I loued beft, Is turned now into fo deepe diftrefle, As teacheth me to know the worlds vnreft. For neither wit nor princely ftomackes ferue

100 Againft his force that flaies without refpect, The noble and the wretch : ne doth referue, So much as one, for worthines elect. Ah me deare Lord, what well of teares may ferue To feed the ftreames of my foredulled eies, To weepe thy death, as thy death doth deferue, And waile thy want in full fufficing wife. Ye lampes of heauen, and all ye heauenly powers, Wherein did he procure your high difdaine, He neuer fought with vaft huge mounting towers

no To reach aloft, and ouer-view your raigne, Or what offence of mine was it vnwares, That thus your furie mould on me be throwen,

To

The Tragedie To plague a woman with fuch endles cares, I feare that enuie hath the heauens this fhowen. The Sunne his glorious vertues did difdaine, Mars at his manhood mightily repind, Yea all the Gods no longer could fuftaine, Each one to be excelled in his kind. For he my Lord furpaft them euerie one, Such was his honor all the world throughout, no

But now my loue, oh whither art thou gone ? I know thy ghoft doth houer here about, Expecting me (thy heart) to follow thee : And I (deare loue) would faine diilblue this ftrife, But ftaie a while, I may perhaps forefee Some meanes to be disburdend of this life, „And to difcharge the dutie of a wife, „ Which is, not onely in this life to loue, „But after death her fancie not remoue. Meane while accept of thefe our daily rites, 130

Which with my maidens I fhall do to thee, Which is, in longs to cheere our dying fpirits With hymnes of praifes of thy memorie.

Cantant. Quee mihi cantio nondum occurrit. The Song ended, Tancred the King commeth out of his pallace with i.Hi his guard. Scasna. 3. Tancred. Faire daughter, I haue fought thee out with griefe,

To eafe the forrowes of thy vexed heart. 140

How long wilt thou torment thy father thus >

Who daily dies to fee thy needles teares,

Such bootlefle plaints that know nor meane nor end

Do but increafe the flouds of thy lament,

And

of Tancred and Gifmund. And iince the world knowes wel there was no want In thee, of ought that did to him belong Yet all thou feeft could not his life prolong. Why the doeft thou prouoke the heauens to wrath ? His doome of death was dated by his ftarres,

i ?o„ And who is he that may withftand his fate?

By thefe complaintes fmall good to him thou doeft,

Much griefe to me, molt hurt vnto thy felfe,

And vnto Nature greateft wrong of all.

Gif. Tell me not of the date of natures daies,

Then in the Aprill of her fpringing age :

No, no, it was my cruell deftinie,

That fpited at the pleafance of my life.

Tanc. My daughter knowes the proofe of natures

„For as the heauens do guide the lamp of life (courfe

1 60 „So can they fearch no further forth the flame, „Then whilft with oyle they do maintain the fame. Gif Curlt be the ftarres, and vanifh may they curft, Or fall from heauen, that in the dire afpect, Abridgde the health and welfare of my loue. Tanc. Gifmund my ioy, fet all thefe griefes apart, „The more thou art with hard mifhap befet, „The more thy patience mould procure thine eafe. Gif. What hope of hap may cheere my haples chance What iighs, what teares may counteruail my cares ?

170 What fliould I do, but ftill his death bewaile, That was the folace of my life and foule ? Now, now I want the wonted guide and ftay Of my defires, and of my wreaklefle thoughts, My Lord, my loue, my life, my liking gone, In whome was all the fulnes of my ioy, To whom I gaue the firft fruites of my loue,

B Who

The Tr age die Who with the comfort of his onely fight, All cares and forrowes could from me remoue. But father, now my ioyes forepaft to tel, Doe but reuiue the horrors of my hell. ^o

As fhe that feemes in darkenes to behold The gladfome pleafures of the chearefull light. Tanc . What then auailes thee fruitlefle thus to rue His abfence whom the heauens cannot returne : Impartiall death thy husband did fubdue, Yet hath he fpar'd thy kingly fathers life : Who during life, to thee a double ftay, As father, and as husband will remaine, With doubled loue to eafe thy widowes want. Of him whofe want is caufe of thy complaint, 190

Forbeare thou therefore al thefe needlefTe teares, That nippe the bloflbms of thy beauties pride. Gif. Father, thefe teares loue chalengeth of due. Tan. But reafon faith thou fhouldft the fame fubdue. Gif His funerals are yet before my fight. Tan. In endles mones Princes fhould not delight. Gif. The turtle pines in lofle of her true mate. Tan. And fo continues poore and defolate. Gif. Who can forget a iewell of fuch price > Tanc. She that hath learnd to matter her defires. 200 „ Let reafon worke that time doth eafilie frame „ In meaneft wittes : to beare the greateft illes. Gif So plenteous are the fprings Of forrowes that increafe my paffions, As neither reafon can recure my fmart, Nor can your care, nor fatherly comfort Appeafe the ftormie combats of my thoughts, Such is the fweet remembrance of his life. Then geue me leaue, of pittie pittie me,

of Tancred and Gifmund. zro And as I can I fhall allay thefe greefes.

Tan. Thefe folitarie walkes thou doeft frequent,

Yeeld frefh occafions to thy fecrete mones :

We wil therefore thou keep vs companie,

Leauing thy maidens with their harmonic

Wend thou with vs, virgins withdraw your felues. Tan. and Gif. with the Gard, depart into thepallace, the four may dens ft ay behind \ as Chorus to the Tragcedie.

The diuers haps which alwayes worke our care, Chor. i .

Our ioyes fo farre, our woes fo neere at hand, 220 Haue long ere this, and doyly doe declare

The fickle foot on which our ft ate doeth ft and.

„ Who plants his pleafures here to gather roote,

„ And hopes his happy life wil ft ill endure,

„ Let him behold how death with ftealingfoote

„ Steps in, when hejhall thinke his ioyes mbftfure.

„ No ranfome ferueth to redeem our daies.

If pr owes could prefer ue, or worthy deedes,

He had yet liu^d whofe twelue labours difplayes

His enddleffe fame, and yet his honor fp re ades. 230 And that great king that with fo fmall a power Alexan-

Bereft the might ie Perfian his crowne : der.

Doeth witneffe well our life is but a flower,

Though it be deckt with honor and renowme.

„ What growes to day in fauor of the heauen, Chor. 2.

„ Nurft with the fun, and with the fhowers fweete,

„ Pluckt with the hand it withereth ere euen.

„ So pane our daies euen as the riuers fleete.

The valiant Greekes that vnto Troya gaue

The tenne yeeres fiege, left but their names behind. 240 And he that did fo long and onelie faue Hector.

His fathers walles, found there at laft his end.

B 2 Proud

The Tr age die Proud Rome her felfe, that whilome laid her yoke On the wide world, and vanquifht all with warre, Yet could fhe not remoue the fatall ftroke Of death, from them that ftretcht her power fo farre.

Chor. y.Looke what the cruell Jiflers once decreed The thunderer him felfe cannot remoue : They are the Ladies of our dejlinie, To worke beneath, what is confpirde aboue, But happie he that ends this mortal/ life, M o

By fpeedie death ^ who is notforfl to fee , The many cares, nor feele the fundrie grief es Which we fuflainey in wo and miferie. Heere Fortune rules, who whenjhe lifi to play , Whirleth her wheele, and brings the high full lowy To morow takes, what Jhe hath giuen to daie^ Tojhewjhe can aduance, and ouer throw. Not Euripus vnquiet floudfo oft Ebs in a daie, and flow eth too and fro, As Fortunes change, pluckes dorvne that was aloft, *6o

And mingleth ioy, with enterchange of wo.

Chor. 4. „ Who Hues below, and f eeleth not the ftrokes, „ Which often times on higheft towers do fall, „ Nor bluftering winds, wherwith the ftrongeft okes Are rent and torne, his life is furfte of all : For he may fcorne Fortune, that hath no power On him, that is well £leafd with his eftate. He feeketh not her fweets, nor feares her fower, But liues contented in his quiet rate, And marking how thefe worldly things do wade, ^^o Reioyceth to himfelfe, and laughs to fee The folly of men, that in their wits haue made, Fortune a goddefle, placed in the skie.

Finis Actus 1. Exegit Rod. St of.

of Tancred and Gifmund. n.i Actus. 2. Scasna. i.

DEare Aunt, my fole companion in diftrefle, Gifmund. And true copartner of my thoughtfull cares: When with my felfe, I way my prefent ftate, Comparing it with my forepafled daies,

180 New heapes of cares, afrefh beginne t'affay My penfiue heart : as when the glittering raies, Of bright Phoebus, are fodainely ore-fpred, With duskie clouds, that dim his golden light, Namely, when I, laid in my widowes bed, Amid the filence, of the quiet night, With curious thought, the fleeting courfe obferue, Of gladfome youth : how foone his flower decaies. „ How time once paft, may neuer haue recourfe, „ No more then may the running ftreames reuert,

290 „ To ciimbe the hilles, when they bin rowled down „ The hollow vales, there is no curious art, „ Nor worldlie power, no not the gods can hold „ The fway of flying time, nor him returne „ When he is paft : all things vnto his might „ Muft bend, and yeeld, vnto the Iron teeth „ Of eating time : this in the fhedy night, When I record, how foone my youth withdrawes It felfe away, how fwift my pleafaunt fpring Runnes out his race, this this (Aunt) is the caufe.

300 When I aduife me fadlie on this thing,

That makes my heart, in penfiue dumps difmaid. For if I fhould, my fpringing yeares neglect. And fuffer youth, fruitles to fade away : Whereto liue I ? or whereto was I borne ?

2 Where-

The Tragedie Wherefore hath nature deckt me with her grace ? Why haue I tailed the delights of loue > And. felt the fweets of Hymeneus bed ? But to fay footh (deare Aunt) it is not I Sole and alone, can thus content to fpend My chearefull yeares : my father will not ftill 3 J°

Prolong my mournings, which haue grieued him, And pleafed me too long. Then this I craue, To be refolued of his princelie minde. For, ftoode it with the pleafure of his will To marrie me, my fortune is not fuch, So hard, that I fo long mould ftill perfift Makelefle alone in wofull widowhood, And fhall I tell mine Aunt ? come hether then, Geue me that hand, by thine owne right hand, I charge thy heart my councels to conceale. 32°

Late haue I feene, and feeing, tooke delight, And with delight, I will not fay, I loue, A Prince, an Earle, a Countie in the Court. But loue and duetie force me to refraine, . And driue away thefe fond affections, Submitting them vnto my fathers heft. But this (good Aunt) this is my chiefeft paine, Becaufe I ftand at fuch vncertaine ftay : For if my kinglie father would decree His finall doome, that I muft leade my life 33°

Such as I doe, I would content me then To frame my fancies to his princely heaft, And as I might, endure the greefe thereof. But now his iilence doubleth all my doubts, Whileft my fufpitious thoughts twixt hope & feare, Diftract me into fundrie paffions.

There-

of Tancred and Gifmund. Therefore (good. Aunt) this labour muft be yours, To vnderftand my fathers will herein : For wel I know your wifdome knowes the meanes,

340 So mail you both allay my ftormie thoughts, And bring to quiet my vnquiet mind. Luc. Sufficeth this (good Neece) that you haue faid, For I perceiue what fundrie paffions Striue in your breft, which oftentimes ere this Your countenance confufed did bewray, The ground whereof fince I perceiue to grow On iuft refpect of this your fole eftate, And skilful! care of fleeting youths decay, Your wife foreiight fuch forrowing to efchew

3 jo I much commend, and promife as I may To breake this matter, and impart your mind, Vnto your father, and to worke it fo, As both your honor fhal not be impeacht, Nor he vnfatisfied of your deiire. Be you no farther greeued, but returne Into your chamber. I mail take this charge, And you fhall fhortlie truely vnderftand What I haue wrought, and what the king affirmes. Gif. I leaue you to the fortune of my ftarres.

360 Gif. departeth into her chamber \ Luc. abiding on the Jf age. Luc. The heauens I hope will fauour your requeft. My Neece fhall not impute the caufe to be In my default, her will mould want effect : But in the king is all my doubt, lealt he My fuite for her new mariage mould reiect. Yet fhall I proue him : and I heard it faid, He meanes this euening in the parke to hunt, Here will I wait attending his approach.

Tancred

The Tragedie Tancred commeth out of his Pallace with Gui Izard the n. » Countie Palurine, Iulio the Lord Chamberlaine, Renu- chio captaine of his Guard, all ready to hunt. 37 1

Scama. 2. Tancred. \ TNcouple all our hounds : Lords to the chafe: y Faire filler Lucre, what's the newes with you? Luc. Sir, as I alwaies haue imployd my power,

And faithfull feruice, fuch as lay in me, In my belt wife, to honour you and yours : So now, my bounden dutie moueth me, Your maieftie molt humblie to intreat, With patient eares, to vnderftand the ftate, 380

Of mypore neece,your daughter. Tanc. what of her? Is fhe not well ? Inioyes fhe not her health > Say filter, eafe me of this iealous feare ? Lucr. She Hues my Lord, & hath her outward helth, But all the danger of her ficknes lies In the difquiet of her princelie mind : Tan. Refolue me ? what afflicts my daughter fo, Lucr. Since when the Princes hath intoumb'd her Her late difleafed husband of renowne : (Lord

Brother, I fee, and verie well perceiue, 390

She hath not cloPde together in his graue, All fparkes of nature, kindnes, nor of loue : But as fhe liues, fo liuing may fhe feele, Such paffions as our tender hearts opprefle, Subiect vnto th'impreffions of defire : For well I wot, my neece was neuer wrought, Of fteele, nor carued from the ftonie rocke, Such flearne hardnes, we ought not to expect, In her, whofe princelie heart, and fpringing yeares,

Yet

of Tancred and Gifmund.

4oo Yet flowring in the chiefeft heat of youth, Is lead of force, to feed on fuch conceits, As eaillie befalles that age, which asketh ruth Of them, whome nature bindeth by forefight Of their graue yeares, and carefull loue to reach, The things that are aboue their feeble force : And for that caufe, dread Lord although. Tanc. Sifter I fay.

If you efteeme, or ought refpect my life, Her honor, and the welfare of our houfe,

410 Forbeare, and wade no further in this fpeech. Your words, are wounds, I verie well perceiue, The purpofe of this fmooth oration : This I fufpected, when you firft began, This faire difcourfe with vs : Is this the end Of all our hopes, that we haue promifed Vnto our felfe, by this her widdowhood ? Would our deare daughter, would our onely ioy, Would fhe ferfake vs ? would fhe leaue vs now ? Before fhe hath clofde vp, our dying eies,

420 And with her teares, bewaild our funerall? No other folace, doth her father craue, But whilft the fates, maintaine his dying life, Her healthfull prefence, gladfome to his foule, Which rather then he willing would for-goe, His heart defires, the bitter taft of death : Her late marriage, hath taught vs to our griefe, That in the fruits, of her perpetuall light Confifts the onely comfort and reliefe, Of our vnweldy age : for what delight

430 What ioy > what comfort ? haue we in this world, Now growen in yeares, and ouer-worne with cares,

C Subuert

The Tragedie Subiect vnto the fodain ftroke of death, Already falling like the mellowed fruite, And dropping by degrees into our graue. But what reuiues vs? what maintaines our foule Within the prifbn of our withered breft? But our Gifmunda and her chearefull fight. O daughter, daughter, what defert of mine, Wherein haue I beene fo vnkind to thee ? Thou fhouldft defire to make my naked houfe 440 Yet once againe ftand defolate by thee > O let fuch fanfies vanifli with their thoughts, Tell her I am her father, whofe eftate, Wealth, honor, life, and all that we poflefle, Whollie relies vpon her prefence here. Tell her I mult account her all my ioy, Worke as fhe will : But yet fhe were vniuft, To hafte his death that liueth by her fight Lucr. Her gentle hart abhors fuch ruthles thoughts. Tan. Then let her not geue place to thefe defires. 4J0 Lucr. She craues the right that nature chalengeth. Tan. Tell her the king commaundeth other wife. Lucr. The kings comandment alwais mould be iuft. Tan. What ere it be the kings commaund is iuft. Lucr. Iuft to commaund: but iuftlie muft he charge. Tanc. He chargeth iuftlie that commands as king. Lucr. The kings command concerns the body beft. Tan. The king commands obedience of the minde. Luc. That is exempted by the law of kinde, Tan. That law of kind to children doth belong. 460 Lucy In due obedience to their open wrong. Tan. I then, as king and father, will commaund. Luc. No more then may with right of reafon ftand.

Tan.

of Tancred and Gifmund. Tan. Thou knoweft our minde, refolue her, depart, Returne the chafe, we haue beene chac'd enough. Tancred returned into his pallacey& leauetb the hunt. Luc. He cannot heare, anger hath ftopt his eares. And ouer-loue his iudgement hath decaide. Ah my poore Neece, I fhrewdly feare thy caufe. 470 Thy iuft complaint mail neuer be relieu'd.

11. M Gifmunda commeth alone out of her chamber.

Scama 3. Gif.^T\Y this I hope my aunt hath mou'd the king, fj And knows his mind, & makes' return to me To end at once all this perplexitie. Lo where fhe ftands. Oh how my trembling heart In doubtfull thoughts panteth within my breft. For in her meflage doth relie my fmart, Or the fweet quiet of my troubled minde.

480 Luc. Neece, on the point you lately willed me To treat of with the king in your behalfe, I brake euen now with him fo farre, till he In fodain rage of griefe, ere I fcarce had My tale out tolde, praid me to ftint my fuite, As that from which his minde abhorred moft. And well I fee his fanfie to refute, Is but difpleafure gainde, and labor loft. So firmely fixed ftands his kingly will, That til his body fhalbe lai d in graue,

490 He will not part from the delired fight

Of your prefence, which filder he mould haue, If he had once allied you againe, In marriage to any prince or peere.

C 2 This

The Tragedie This is his finall refolution. Gif. A refolution that refolues my bloud Into the Ice-fie drops of Lethes flood, Luc. Therefore my counfel is, you (hall not fturre, Nor further wade in fuch a cafe as this : But fince his will, is grounded on your loue, And that it lies in you, to faue or fpill, 500

His old fore-wafted age : you ought t'efchew, The thing that greeues fo much his crazed heart, And in the ftate you ftand, content your felfe : And let this thought, appeafe your troubled mind, That in your hands, relies your fathers death, Or blisfull life, and fince without your fight, He cannot Hue, nor can his thoughts indure, Your hope of marriage, you muft then relent, And ouer-rule thefe fond affections : Leaft it be faid,you wrought your fathers end. $ 10 Gif. Deare Aunt, I haue with patient eares indurde, The hearing of my fathers hard beheft : And fince I fee, that neither I my felfe, Nor your requeft, can fo preuaile with him, Nor anie fage aduice perfwade his mind To grant me my defire, In willing wife, I muft fubmit me vnto his command, And frame my heart to ferue his maieftie. And (as I may) to driue awaie the thoughts That diuerfly diftract my paffions, **o

Which as I can, He labour to fubdue, But fore I feare, I fhall but toile in vaine, Wherein (good Ant) I muft defire your paine. Luc. What lies in me by comfort or aduice, I mail difcharge with all humilitie. Gifmund and Lucre depart into Gifmunds chamber.

of Tancred and Gifmund. Chorus primus. Who markes our former times and prefent yeres, What we are now, and lookes what we haue bin,

jjo He cannot but lament with bitter teares, The great decay and change of all women. For as the world wore on and waxed olde, So vertue quaild, and vice began to grow. So that, that age, that whilome was of golde, Is worfe than brafle, more vile than yron now, The times were fuch, that if we ought beleeue Of elder daies) women examples were, Of rare vertues : Lucre difdaind to Hue Longer then chaft : and boldly without feare

540 Tooke fharpe reuenge on her inforced heart, With her owne hands : for that it not withftood The wanton will, but yeelded to the force Of proud Tarquin, who bought hir fame with blood. Queene Artemifla thought an hepe of ft ones, Chor. 2.

(Although they were the wonder of that age) A worthlefle graue, wherein to reft the bones Of her deare Lord, but with bold courage, She dranke his heart, and made her louely breaft His tombe, and failed not of wifely faith,

jfoOf promift loue, and of her bound beheft, Vntill Ihe ended had her daies by death. Vlyfles wife (fuch was her ftedfaftneffe) Abode his flow returne whole twentie yeeres : And fpent her youthfull daies in penfiuenes, Bathing her widdowes bed with brinifh teares. The ftout daughter of Cato Brutus wife, Portia Chor. 3

When me had heard his death, did not defire Longer to liue : and lacking vfe of knife,

3 (A

The Tr age die (A moft Arrange thing) ended her life by fire, And eat whot burning coales : O worthy dame ! 560

0 vertues worthy of eternall praife !

The floud of Lethe cannot warn out thy fame, To others great reproach, fhame, and difpraife. Chor. 4. Rare are thofe vertues now in rvomens mind^

Where Jh all we feeke fuch iewels pafsingfirange f

Scarfe can you now among a thoufand finde

One woman Jledf aft : all delight in change.

Marke but this princejfe that lamented here.

Of late fo fore her noble husbands death ^

And thought to Hue alone without a phearey V°

Behold how foonejhe changed hath that breath.

1 thinke thofe Ladies that haue Hud t ofore, A mirror and a glaffe to womenkinde,

By thofe their vertues they did fet fuch ft ore •, That vnto vs they none bequeath 'd behinde. Els info many yeeres we might hauefeene As vertuous as euer they haue beene. Chor. 1. Yet let not vs may dens condemne our kinde, Becaufe our vertues are not all fo rare : For we may frefhly yet record in minde, 580

There Hues a virgin, one without compare : Who of all graces hath her heauenly mare. In whofe renowme, and for whofe happie daies, Let vs record this Pasan of her praiie.

Cantant. Finis Actus 2. Per Hen. No.

Actus. 3. Scaena. 1. m'*

Cupid. O O, now they feel what lordly loue can d 1^ that proudly practife to deface his nam

of Tancred and Gifmund. * 90 In vaine they wraftle with fb fierce a foe,

of little fparkes arife a blazing flame. „ By fmall occafions loue can kindle heate, „ and waft the Oken breft to cinder dull : Gifmund I haue entifed to forget

her widdowes weedes, and burne in raging luft : Twas I en for ft her father to denie

her fecond marriage to any peere : Twas I allur'd her once againe to trie

the fower fweetes that Louers buy too deere. 600 The Countie Palurin^ a man right wife,

a man of exquifite perfections : I haue like wounded with her pearling eyes,

and burnt her heart with his reflections. Thefe two mail ioy in tailing of my fweete,

to make them proue more feelingly the greefe That bitter brings : for when their ioyes mail fleete,

their dole lhalbe increaft without releefe. Thus loue fhall make worldlings to know his might,

thus loue fhall force great princes to obey, dio Thus loue fhall daunt each proud rebelling fpirite,

thus loue fhall wreake his wrath on their decay. Their ghoftes fhall doe black hell to vnderftand,

how great and wonderfull a God is Loue : And this fhall learne the Ladies of this lande,

with patient mindes his mighty power to proue. From whence I did defcend now will I mount,

to loue, and all the Gods in their delights : In throrte of triumph there will I recount,

how I by fharpe reuenge on mortall wights, 6zo Haue taught the earth, and learned hellifh fpirites

to yeeld with feare their ftubburn hearts to loue :

Left

The Tragedie Leaft their difdain, his plagues and vengeance proue Cupid remounteth into the heauens.

Lucrete commeth out o/^Gifmunds Chamber folitary. ui.n

Scama. 2. Luc.^T^ItiQy that moueth euery gentle heart,

I To rue their griefs, that be diftreft in pain, Inforceth me, to waile my neeces fmart,

Whofe tender breft, no long time may fuftaine, The reftlefle toyle, that her vnquiet mind, 630

Hath caufd her feeble bodie to indure, But why it is, (alacke) I mult not find,

Nor know the man, by whome I might procure Her remedie, as I of dutie ought,

As to the law of kindfhip, doth belong, With carefull heart, the fecret meanes I fought,

Though fmall effect, is of my trauell fprong : Full often as I durft, I haue aflaid,

With humble words, the princes to require, To name the man, which fhe hath fo denaid, 6^0

That it abafht me, further to defire, (ceed,

Or aske from whence, thofe cloudie thoughts pro-

Whofe ftonie force: that fmokie fighs forth fend, Is liuelie witnes, how that carefull dread,

And hot defire, within her doe contend : Yet fhe denies, what fhe confeft of yore,

And then conioynd me, to conceale the fame : She loued once, (fhe faith) but neuer more,

Nor euer will, her fancie thereto frame : Though daily, I obferued in my breft, 6so

What fharpe conflicts, difquiet her fo fore,

That

of Tancred and Gijmund. That heauy fleep cannot procure her reft, But fearefull dreames prefent her euermore Molt hideous fights her quiet to moleft. That ftarting oft therwith fhe doth awake, To mufe vpon thofe fancies which torment Her thoughtfull heart with horror, that doth make Her cold chil fweat break foorth incontinent From her weake lims : and while the quiet night

660 Geues others reft, fhe turning to and fro

Doth wifh for day. But when the day brings light,

She keepes her bed, there to record her woe.

As foon as when fhe rifeth flowing teares

Stream down her chekes, immixt with dedly grones

Whereby her inward forow fb appeares,

That as fait teares the cruell caufe bemones.

In cafe fhe be conftrained to abide

In preace of company, fhe fcarcely may

Her trembling voice reftraine it be not fpied

670 From careful plaints her forrowes to bewray. By which reftraint the force doth fb increafe, When time and place geue liberty to plaine. That as fmall ftreames from running neuer ceafe, Til they returne into the feas againe : So her laments we feare wil not amend, Before they bring her Princely life to end. To others talke when as fhe fliould attend, Her heaped cares her fences fo oppreffe, That what theyfpeak,or wherto their words tende

680 She knowes not, as her anfweres do exprefle. Her chiefe delight is ftil to be alone, Her penfiue thoughts within themfelues debate, But whereupon this reftlefle life is growen,

D Since

The Tragedie Since I know not nor how the fame t'abate. I can no more but wifh it as I may, That he which knowes it would the fame allay, For which the Mufes with my fong fhal pray.

After the fong) which was by report very fweetely re- 688 peated of the Chorus, Lucrece departeth into Gif- munds chamber^ and Guifzhard commeth out of the in. Wallace with IulioG? Renuchio,££»£/£7W£7z, to whom he turneth^ and faith. Scasna. 3. Guif.~Y Eaue me my frends, this folitarie walke Intifeth me to breake your companie. Leaue me my frends, I can endure no talk. Let me intreat this common curtefie.

The Gentlemen depart. WHat greeuous pain they dure which neither may Forget their Loues, ne yet enioy their loue. 700

I know by proofe, and daily make allay, Though Loue hath brought my Ladies hart to loue My faithfull loue with like loue to requite : This doeth not quench, but rather caufe to flame The creeping fire, which fpreading in my breft With raging heat, graunts me no time of reft. If they bewaile their cruell deftenie, Which fpend their loue wher they no loue can find Wei may I plaine, fince Fortune haleth me To this torment of far more greeuous kind. 710

Wherein I feele as much extremitie, As may be felt in body or in minde. For by that fight which mould recure my paine, My forowes are redoubled all in vaine. Now I perceiue that only I alone Am her belou'd, her lookes allure me fo :

of Tancred and Gifmund. The thought thereof prouokes me to bemone Her heauy plight that greeueth at my woe. This entercourfe of our affections :

710 1 her to ferue, me thus to honor me, Bewraies the trueth of our elections, Delighting in this mutual fympathie. Thus loue for loue intreates the Queen of loue, That with her help Loues folace we may proue. I fee my miftres feekes as well as I To flay the ftrif e of her perplexed mind : Full faine fhe would our fecrete companie, If fhe the wifhed way therof might finde. Heauens haue ye feen, or hath the age ofman

730 Recorded fuch a myracle as this?

In equall loue two noble harts to frame,

That neuer fpake one with anothers bliffe,

I am aflured that fhe doth affent,

To my reliefe that I mould reape the fame,

If fhe could frame the meanes of my content,

Keeping her felfe from danger of defame.

In happy houre right now I did receiue

This cane from her: which gift though it be fmall,

Receiuing it what ioyes I did conceiue,

740 Within my fainting fpirits therewithall, Who knoweth loue aright may wel conceaue, By like aduentures that to them befall. „ For needs the Louer muft efteeme that well, „ Which comes from her with whom his hart doth AfTuredly it is not without caufe (dwel.

She gaue me this : fomething fhe meant thereby : For therewithall I might perceiue her paufe Awhile, as though fome waightie thing did lie

D 2 Vpon

The Tragedie Vpon her heart, which he concealed, becaufe The ftanders by fhould not our loues defcrie, 7f°

This clift bewraies that it hath been difclofde. Perhaps herein fhe hath fomething inclofde.

He breakes it.

0 thou great thunderer ! who would not ferue, Where wit with beautie chofen haue their place, Who could deuife more wifely to conferue Things from fufpect > O Venus, for this grace That dairies me, all vnworthy, to deferue

So rare a loue, in heauen I fhould thee place.

This fweet letter fome ioyfull newes conteines. 7^0

1 hope it brings recure to both our paines.

He reades it. Mine owne, as I am yours, whofe heart (I know) No lejje then mine, for lingering help of woe Doth long too long: Loue tendering your cafe And mine, hath taught recure of both our pain. A/y chamber floure doth hide a caue, where was An olde vautes mouth : the other in the plaine Doeth rife Southward, a furlong from the wall, Defend you there. This Jhall fuffice. Andfo 770

I yeeld my felfe, mine honor, life and all, To you. Pfe you the fame as there may grow Yourbliffe and mine (mine Earle) and that the fame Free may abide from danger of defame. Farewell, and fare fo well as that your ioy Which onely can, may comfort mine annoy.

Yours more then his owne, Gifmund. O blisful chance my forowes to afTwage. Wonder of nature, maruell of our age, Comes this from Gifmund} did fhe thus infold 780 This letter in the cane ? may it be fo ?

of Tancred and Gifmund. It were too fweet a ioy, I am deceu'd. Why mall I doubt, did fhe not giue it me > Therewith fhe fmilde, fhe ioyde, fhe raught the cane And with her owne fweet hand fhe gaue it me : And as we danft, fhe dallied with the cane, And fweetly whifpered I fliould be her king, And with this cane the fcepter of our rule, Command the fweets of her furprifed heart.

790 Therewith fhe raught from her alluring lockes, This golden trefle, the fauour of her grace, And with her owne fweet hand fhe gaue it me. O peereles Queene, my ioy, my hearts decree ; And thou faire Letter, how fhall I welcome thee : Both hand and pen wherewith thou written wert, Bleft may ye be, fuch folace that impart, And bleffed be this cane, and he that taught Thee to defcrie the hidden entrie thus : Not onely through a darke and dreadfull vaut,

800 But fire and fword, and through what euer be, Miftres of my defires, I come to thee.

Guifzard departeth in haft vnto the pallace. Chorus. 1. Right mightie is thy power, O crueli Loue, High loue himfelfe cannot refill thy bow, Thou fent'ft him down, euen fro the heauens aboue, In fundrie fhapes here to the earth below, Then how fhall mortall men efcape thy dart ? The feruent flame, and burning of thy fire ?

810 Since that thy might is fuch, and fince thou art, Both of the feas and land the Lord and fire. But why doth he that fprung from Ioues high head ? Chor. 2. And Phoebus lifter fhene, defpife thy power ?

3 Ne

The Tragedie Ne feares thy bow ? why haue they alwaies led A maiden life, and kept vntoucht the flowre ? Why doth ALgiflus loue ? and to obteine His wicked wil, confpires his vncles death, Or why doth Phasdra burne ? for whom is llaine Thefeus chaft fonne ? or Helen falfe of faith ? „ For Loue aflauts not but the idle heart, %%o

„ And fuch as Hue in pleafure and delight, „ He turne th oft their gladfome ioyes to fmart, „ Their play to plaint, their fport into defpite, Tis true that Dian chafeth with her bow,

Chor. 3 . The flying Hart, the Goat and fomie Bore, By hil, by dale, in heat, in froft, in fnow, She recketh not, but laboureth euermore. Loue feeks not her, ne knoweth where her to finde, WhiPft Paris kept his heard on Ida downe Cupid nere fought him out, for he is blinde. 830

But when he left the field to Hue in towne, He fel into his fnare, and brought that brand From Greece to Troy, which after fet on fire Strong Ilium, and al the Phryges land. „ Such are the f ruites of loue, fuch is his hire.

Chor 4 Who yeeldeth vnto him his captiue heart, " Ere he reiift, and holds his open breaft Withouten war to take his bloudy dart, Let him not thinke to make off when him lift His heauy yoke. „ Reiift his firft aflault, 840

„ Weake is his bow, his quenched brand is cold, „ Cupid is but a child, and cannot daunt „ The minde that beares him, or his vertues bold. But he geues poyfon fo to drinke in golde. And hideth vnder pleafant baites his hooke,

But

of Tan ere d and Gifmund. But ye beware, it wil be hard to hold Your greedy minds, but if ye wifely looke What (lie fnake lurkes vnder thofe flowers gay, But ye miftruft fome clowdie fmokes, and feare 850 A ftormy fliower after fo faire a day.

Ye may repent, and buy your pleafure deare, For feldome times is Cupid wont to fend „ Vnto an idle loue a ioyful end.

Finis Actus 3. G. Al.

ir. i Before this Act Megara rifeth out of bell ', with the 0-

ther Furies, Alecto and Tyfyphone, daunting an hellijh round: which done Jhe faith.

Actus. 3. Scsena. 1.

Sifters be gone, bequeath the reft to me, That yet belongs vnto this Tragsedie. The two Furies depart down. Vengeance and death from foorth the deepeft hell I bring the curfed houfe where Gifmund dwels. Sent from the griflie god that holds his raigne In Tartars vglie Realm, where Pelops lire (Who with his own fonnes flefh whom he had flain Did feaft the Gods) with famin hath his hire. To gape and catch at flying fruites iu vaine, And yeelding waters to his gafping throte, 870 Where ftormie iEoles fonne with endlefle paine Rowles vp the rock : where Titius hath his lot To feede the Gripe that gnawes his growing heart. Where proud Ixion wherled on the wheele,

Purfues

The Tragedie Purfues himfelfe : where due deferued fmart The damned Ghofts in burning flame do feele, From thence I mount : thither the winged God, Nephew to Atlas, that vpholds the skie, Of late downe from the earth, with golden rod, To Stigian Firrie, Salerne foules did guide, And made report, how Loue that lordly boy, 880

Highly difdaining his renownes decay, Slipt downe from heauen, haue fild with fickle ioy, Gifmunds heart, and made her throw awaie Chaftnes of life, to her immortall fhame, Minding to fhew by proofe of her foule end, Some terror vnto thofe that fcorne his name. Blacke Pluto (that once found Cupid his friend In winning Ceres daughter Queene of hels) And Parthie moued by the grieued Ghoft Of her late husband, that in Tartar dwels, 890

Who praid due paines for her, that thus hath loft All care of him, and of her chaftitie, The Senate then of hell by graue aduice Of Minos, iEac, and of Radamant, Commands me draw this hatefull aire, and rife Aboue the earth, with dole and death to dant The pride and prefent ioyes, wherewith thefe two Feed their difdained hartes, which now to do Behold I come, with inftruments of death. This (tinging fnake which is of hate and wrath, 900

He fixe vpon her fathers heart full faft, And into hers, this other will I caft, Whofe rankling venome mall infect them fo With enuious wrath, and with recurelefle wo Each fhall be others plague and ouerthrow.

Furies

»

of Tancred and Gifmund. „ Furies muft aide when men furceafe to know „ Their gods : and hel fends foorth reuenging paine 908 , On thofe whom fhame from fin cannot reftraine.

iv. a Megasra entreth into the pallace, and meeteth with Tancred comming out of Gifmunds chamber with Renuchio and Iulia, vpon whom Jlje thro- weth her Snake.

Scama. 2. Tan. /^\ Ods are ye guyds of iuftice and reuenge ? ItO thou great Thunderer, doeft thou be- holde With watchful eyes the fubtile fcapes of men Hardned in fhame, fear'd vp in the defire Of their owne luftes : why then doft thou withhold

9ao The blaft of thy reuenge ? why doeft thou graunt Such liuely breath, fuch lewd occafion To execute their mamelefle villanie > Thou, thou art caufe of al this open wrong, Thou that forbear'ft thy vengeance all too long, If thou fpare them raine then vpon my head The fulnefle of thy plagues with deadly ire, To reaue this ruthfull foule, who all too fore Burnes in the wrathfull torments of reuenge. O earth the mother of each liuing wight,

930 Open thy wombe, deuour this withered corps, And thou O hel, (if other hel there be Then that I feele) receiue my foule to thee. O daughter, daughter, wherefore do I grace Her with fo kind a name ? O thou fond girle, The fhamefull ruine of thy fathers houfe,

E Is

The Tragedte Is this my hoped ioy } is this the ftay Muft glad my griefe-ful yeares that waft away ? For life which firft thou didft receiue from me, Ten thoufand deaths fhal I receiue by thee ? For al the ioyes I did repofe in thee, 94°

Which I (fond man) did fettle in thy fight, Is this my recompence > that I muft fee The thing fo fhameful, and fb villanous. That would to God this earth had fwalowed This worthlefle burthen into loweft deepes, Rather then I (accurfed) had beheld The fight that howerly maflacars my life. O whether, whether flyeft thou foorth my foule >

0 whether wandreth my tormented mind ?

Thofe paines that make the mifer glad of death 9? o

Haue ceaz'd on me, and yet I cannot haue

What villains may commaund, a fpeedie death.

Whom fhal I firft accufe for this outrage ?

That God that guideth all, and guideth fo

This damned deede. Shal I blafpheme their names ?

The gods the authors of this fpectacle :

Or fhal I iuftly curfe that cruel ftarre

Whofe influence afligned this deftinie >

But nay, that traitor, fhal that vile wretch Hue

By whom I haue receau'd this iniurie > 960

Or fhal I longer make account of her

That fondly proftitutes her widowes fhame ?

1 haue bethought me what I fhall requeft.

He kneeles. On bended knees, with hands heau'd vp to he auen This (facred fenate of the Gods) I craue, Firft on the traytor your counfming ire :

Next

of Tancred and Gifmund. Next, on the curfed ftrumpet dire reuenge : Laft, on my felfe, the wretched father, fhame.

970 He rifeth.

Oh could I ftampe, and therewithall commaund Armies of Furies to affift my heart, To profecute due vengeance on their fbules. Heare me my frends, but as ye loue your Hues, Replie not to me, hearken and ftand amaz'd, When I (as is my wont) oh fond delight, Went foorth to feek my daughter, now my death, Within her chamber (as I thought) fhe was, But there I found her not, I demed then

980 For her difport fhe and her maidens were Downe to the garden walkt to comfort them, And thinking thus, it came into my mind There all alone to tarry her returne : And thereupon I (wearie) threw my felfe Vpon her widdowes bed (for fb I thought) And in the curten wrapt my curfed head. Thus as I lay anon I might beholde Out of the vaut vp through her chamber floore My daughter Gifmund bringing hand in hande

990 The Countie Palurin, alas it is too true, At her beds feete this traitor made me fee Her fhame, his treafon, and my deadly griefe. Her Princelie body yeelded to this theefe. The high defpite wherof fo wounded me That traunce-like, as a fenceles ftone I lay, For neither wit, nor tongue could vfe the meane T'exprefle the paflions of my pained heart. Forcelefle, perforce, I funke downe to this paine, As greedie famin doth conftraine the hauke,

E 2 Peecc

The Tragedie Peecemeale to rent and teare the yeelding praie : i ooo So far'd it with me in that heauie ftound, But now what fhal I doe ? how may I feeke To eafe my minde that burneth with defire Of dire reuenge? For neuer fhal my thoughts Graunt eafe vnto my heart, til I haue found A meane of vengeance to requite his paines, That fir ft conueyd this fight vnto my foule. Tan. Renuchio.

Renu. What is your Highnes will > Tan. Call my daughter : my heart boyles till I fee ioio Her in my fight, to whom I may difcharge All the vnreft that thus diftempereth me. Should I deftroy them both ? O gods ye know How neere and deere our daughter is to vs. And yet my rage perfwades me to imbrue My thirftie hands in both their trembling bloods, Therewith to coole my wrathful furies heate. But Nature, why repin'ft thou at this thought ? Why mould I thinke vpon a fathers debt To her that thought not on a daughters due > ioio

But ftil me thinks if I mould fee her die, And therewithall reflexe her dying eyes Vpon mine eyes, that fight would flit my heart. Not much vnlike the Cocatrice, that flaies The obiect of his foule infections. Oh what a conflict doth my mind endure ? Now fight my thoughts againft my paffions : Now ftriue my paffions againft my thoughts. Now fweates my heart, now chil cold falles it dead. Helpe heauens, and fuccour ye Celeftiall powers, 1030 Infufe your fecrete vertue on my foule.

fhall

of Tancred and Gifmund. Shall nature winne > fhall iuftice not preuaile > Shall I (a king) be proued partiall ? „ How fhall our Subiects then infult on vs, „ When our examples (that are light to them) „ Shalbe eclipfed with our proper deedes ? And may the armes be rented from the tree ? The members from the body be dhTeuer'd ? And can the heart endure no violence >

1040 My daughter is to me mine onlie heart, My life, my comfort, my continuance, Shall I be then not only fo vnkinde To pafTe all natures ltrength, and cut her off. But therewithal! fo cruell to my felfe, Againft all law of kinde to fhred in twaine The golden threed that doth vs both maintaine. But were it that my rage mould fo commaund, And I confent to her vntimelie death, Were this an end to all our miferies ?

iojo No, no, her ghoft wil ftill purfue our life. And from the deep her bloodies gaftfull fpirit Wil as my fhadow in the fhining day, Follow my footfteps till fhe take reuenge. I will doe thus therefore : the traitor dies, Becaufe he fcornd the fauor of his king, And our difpleafure wilfullie incurde : His daughter, with her forow for his bloud, Shall to our rage fupplie delightfull foode. Iulio.

1060 Iul. What ift your Maieftie commaundsr3 Tan. Iulio, if we haue not our hope in vaine, Nor all the truft we doe repofe in thee : Now mult we trie if thou approue the fame.

E 3 Herein

The Tragedie Herein thy force and wifdome we muft fee, For our commaund requires them both of thee. lul. How by your Graces bounty I am bound, Beyond the common bond wherein each man Stands bound vnto his king, how I haue found Honor and wealth by fauor in your fight, I doe acknowledge with molt thankfull minde. 1070 My trueth (with other meanes to ferue your Grace, What euer you in honor lhall afligne) Hath fworne her power true valfall to your heft, For proofe let but your Maieftie commaund I lhall vnlock the prifon of my foule, (Although vnkindlie horror would gaine-fay) Yet in obedience to your Highnes will, By whom I hold the tenor of this life, This hand and blade wil be the inftruments, To make pale death to grapple with my heart. 1080

Tan. Wei, to be fhort (for I am greeu'd too long By wrath without reuenge) I thinke you know Whilom a Pallace builded ftrong For warre, within our Court, where dreadlefle peace Hath planted now a weaker entrance. But of that pallace yet one vaut remaines, Within our Court, the fecret way whereof Is to our daughter Gifmunds chamber laide : There is alfo another mouth hereof, Without our wall : which now is ouergrowen, 1090

But you may finde it out, for yet it lies Directly South a furlong from our place : It may be knowen, hard by an auncient ftoope, Where grew an Oke in elder daies decaide, There wil we that you watch, there fhall you lee

A vil-

of Tancred and Gifmund. A villain traitor mount out of a vaut : Bring him to vs, it is th'Earle Palurin, What is his fault neither fhal you enquire, Nor lift we to difclofe, thefe curfed eyes i too Haue feene the flame, this heart hath felt the fire That cannot els be quencht but with his bloud. This muft be done : this will we haue you do. lul. Both this, and els what euer you thinke good. Iulio departeth into the Wallace.

ir. m Renugio bringeth Gifmund out of her chamber^ to whom Tancred faith.

Scama 3.

REnugio depart, leaue vs alone. Exit Renugio.

1 IIO Gifmund, if either I could caft afide

All care of thee : or if thou wouldft haue had Some care of me, it would not now betide That either thorow thy fault my ioy mould fade, Or by thy folly I mould beare the paine Thou haft procur'd : but now tis neither I Can {hun the griefe : whom thou haft more the flain Nor maift thou heale, or eafe the grieuous wound, Which thou haft geuen me. That vnftained life Wherein I ioy'd, and thought it thy delight,

mo Why haft thou loft it? Can it be reftor'd? Where is thy widdowhood, there is thy fhame. Gifmund, it is no mans, nor mens report, That haue by likely proofes enformd me thus. Thou knowelt how hardly I could be induc'd

To

The Tragedie To vex my felfe, snd be diipleafde with thee, With flying tales of flattering Sicophants. No, no, there was in vs fuch fetled truft Of thy chafte life, and vncorrupted minde : That if thefe eyes had not beheld thy fhame, In vaine ten thoufand cenfures could haue tolde, 1130 That thou didft once vnprincelike make agree With that vile traitor Countie Tallinn. Without regard had to thy felfe or me, Vnfhamefaftly to ftaine thy ftate and mine. But I vnhappieft haue beheld the fame, And feeing it, yet feele th'exceding griefe That flaies my heart with horror of that thought. Which griefe commandes me to obey my rage, And Iuftice vrgeth fome extreame reuenge, To wreake the wrongs that haue been orlred vs. 1140 But Nature that hath lockt within thy breft Two Hues : the fame inclineth me to fpare Thy bloud, and io to keep mine owne vnfpilt. This is that ouerweening-loue I beare To thee vnduetifull, and vndeferued. But for that traitor, he fhal furelie die, For neither right nor nature doth intreat For him, that wilfully without all awe Of gods, or men, or of our deadly hate, Incurde the iuft difpleafure of his king. iiyo

And to be briefe, I am content to know What for thy felfe thou canft obiect to vs, Why thou fhouldft not together with him die, So to afTwage the griefes that ouerthrow Thy fathers heart. Gif. O king, and father, humbly geue her leaue

To

of Tancred and Gifmund. To plead for grace, that ftands in your difgrace. Not that fhe recks this life : for I confefTe I haue deferu'd, when fo it pleafeth you,

i\6o To die the death. Mine honor and my name (As you fuppofe) diftained with reproach, And wel contented fhall I meet the ftroke That muft difleuer this detefted head Fro thefe lewd limmes. But this I wifli were known That now I liue not for my felfe alone. For when I faw that neither my requeft, Nor the intreatie of my carefull Aunt, Could winne your Highnes pleafure to our will : „ Then Loue, heate of the heart, life of the foule,

1 170,, Fed by defire, increafing by reftraint, Would not endure controlment any more : But violently enforft my feebled heart. (For who am I alas, ftill to refill Such endlefle conflicts) To relent and yeelde Therewith I chofe him for my Lord and pheare. Guifzard mine Earle that holds my loue full deare, Then if it be fo fetled in your mind, He lhall not liue becaufe he dar'd to loue Your daughter. Thus I geue your Grace to know

u 80 Within his heart there is inclofde my life. Therfore O father, if that name may be Sweet to your eares, and that we may preuaile By name of father, that you fauour vs. But otherwife, if now we cannot finde That which our falfed hope did promife vs. Why then proceed, and rid our trembling hearts Of thefe fufpitions : fince neither in this cafe His good deferts in feruice to your Grace,

F Which

The Tragedie Which alwaies hane bin iuft, nor in defires May mittigate the cruel rage of griefe. 1190

That ftraines your heart, but that mine Earl muft die Then all in vaine you aske what I can fay Why I mould liue, fufficeth for my part To fay I wil not liue, and fo refolue. Tan. Dar'ft thou fo defperat decree thy death > Gif. A dreadles heart delites in fuch decrees. Tan. Thy kind abhorreth fuch vnkindly thoughts. Gif. Vnkindly thoughts they are to them that liue In kindly loue. Tan. As I doe vnto thee. Gif. To take his life who is my loue to me. 1200

Tan. Haue I then loft thy loue? Gif If he fhal lofe His life, that is my loue. Tan. Thy loue. Begone. Returne vnto thy chamber. Gif I wil goe. Gifmund departeth to her chamber.

Iulio with his gard hringeth in the County Pal.prifoner ir. fo

Scama. 4.

lu. TTF it pleafe your highnes hither haue we broght I This captiue Earl as you commanded vs. Who (as we wer fortold) euen there we found Where by your maiefty we were inioin'd izio

To watch for him. What more your highnes willes, This heart and hand fhal execute your heft. Tan. Iulio we thank your paines. Ah Palurin, Haue we deferued in fuch traiterous fort Thou fhouldft abufe our kingly courtefies, Which we too long in fauor haue bellowed Vpon thy falfe-diifembling hart with vs. What grief thou therewithal haft throwen on vs

What

of Tancred and Gifmund. What fhame vpon our houfe, what dire diftrefle,

1 2 20 Our foul endures, cannot be vttered. And durft thou villen dare to vndermine Our daughters chamber, durft thy fhameles face Be bolde to kifle her : th'reft we wil conceale. Sufficeth that thou knoweft I too wel know All thy proceedings in thy priuat fhames. Herin what haft thou wonne } thine own content, With the difpleafure of thy Lord and king. The thought whereof if thou hadft had in mind The leaft remorce of loue and loyaltie

1230 Might haue reftraind thee from fo foule a fact. But Palurin, what may I deem of thee, Whom neither feare of gods, nor loue of him (Whofe Princely fauor hath been thine vpreare) Could quench the fewel of thy lewd deli res. Wherfore content thee that we are refolu'd (And therfore laid to fnare thee with this bayt) That thy iuft death, with thine efFufed blood, Shal coole the heate and choler of our mood. Guiz. My Lord the king, neither do I miflike

1240 Your fentence, nor do your fmoking lighes Reacht from the entrals of your boiling heart, Difturbe the quiet of my calmed thoughts : For this I feele, and by experience proue, Such is the force and endlefle might of loue, As neuer fhal the dread of carren death That hath enuide our ioyes, inuade my breft, For if it may be found a fault in me (That euermore haue lou'd your Maieftie) Likewife to honor and to loue your child,

12J0 If loue vnto you both may be a fault,

F 2 (But

The T rage die But vnto her my loue exceedes compare, Then this hath been my fault, for which I ioy That in the greateft luft of all my life, I /ball fubmitte for her fake to endure The pangues of death. Oh mighty Lord of loue Strengthen thy vaflall, boldlie to receaue Large wounds into this body for her fake. Then vfe my life or death, my Lord and king, For your reliefe to eafe your grieued foule : For whether I Hue, or els that I muft die, u6o

To end your paines I am content to beare : Knowing by death I Ihall bewray the trueth Of that found heart which liuing was her owne, And died aliue for her that liued mine, Tan. Thine Paluriny what, Hues my daughter thine > Traitor thou wrongft me, for me liueth mine. Rather I wifh ten thoufand fundrie deaths, Then I to liue and fee my daughter thine. Thine, that is dearer then my life to me ? Thine, whom I hope to fee an Emprefle ? Il?Q

Thine, whom I cannot pardon from my light ? Thine, vnto whom we haue bequeathed our crown ? Iulio, we wil that thou informe from vs Renuchio the Capten of our Gard, That we commaund this traitor be conueyd Into the dungeon vnderneath our Tower, There let him reft vntil he be refolu'd What further we intend, which to vnderftand, We will Renuchio repaire to vs.

Iul. O that I might your Maieftie entreate n8o

With clemencie to beutifie your feate, Toward this Prince diftreft by his delires,

Too

of Tancred and Gifmund. Too many, all too ftrong to captiuate Tan. „ This is the foundeft fafetie for a king „ To cut them off that vex or hinder him. Jul. „ This haue I found the fafetie of a king, „To fpare the Subiects that do honor him. Tan. Haue we been honourd by this leachers luft ? Jul. No, but by this deuout fubmiflion.

1190 Tan. Our fortune faies we muft do what we may. Jul. „This is praife-worth, not to do what you may. Tan. And may the Subiect countermaund the king? Jul. No, but intreat him. Tan. What he fhal decree. Jul. What wifdom mail difcern. Jul. Nay what our Shal beft determine. We wil not replie. (word

Thou knoweft our mind, our heart cannot be eafd, But with the flaughter of this Palurin.

The king hafieth into his Pallace. Guif. O thou great God, who from thy hieft throne

13°° Haft ftooped down, and felt the force of loue, Bend gentle eares vnto the wofull mone, Of me poore wretch, to graunt that I require : Help to perfwade the fame great God, that he So farre remit his might, and flack his fire From my deare Ladies kindled heart, that me May heare my death without her hurt, Let not Her face, wherein there is as cleere a light As in the riling moone : let not her cheekes As red as is the partie-coloured rofe.

13 10 Be paled with the newes hereof: and fo I yeeld my felfe, my fillie foul, and all, To him, for her, for whom my death fhall fhew I liu'd, and as I liu'd, I dide her thrall. Graunt this thou Thunderer : this dial fuffice,

F 3 My

The Tragedie My breath to vanifb in the liquid skies. Guizard is led to prifon. Chorus primus. Who doth not know the fruits of Paris loue, Nor vnderftand the end of Helens ioy, He may behold the fatall ouerthrow 1310

Of Priams houfe, and of the towne of Troy. His death at laft, and her eternal fhame, For whom fo many noble knights were llaine. So many a Duke, fb many a Prince of fame Bereft his life, and left there in the plaine. Medeas armed hand, Elizas fword, Wretched Leander drenched in the floud. Phillis fo long that waited for her Lord All thefe too dearly bought their loues with bloud. Cho. 2. But he in vertue that his Lady ferues 133°

Ne wils but what vnto her Honor longs, He neuer from the rule of reafon fwarues, He feeleth not the pangs, ne raging throngs Of blind Cupid : he liues not in defpaire As done his feruants : neither fpends his daies In ioy, and care, vaine hope, and throbbing feare. But feekes alway what may his foueraine pleafe In honor : he that thus ferues, reapes the fruite Of his fweet feruice : and no ielous dread Nor bafe fufpect of ought to let his fute 1340

(Which caufeth oft the louers hart to bleed) Doth fret his mind, or burneth in his breft : He wayleth not by day, nor wakes by night, When euery other liuing thing doth reft. Nor findes his life or death within her fight. Cho. 5. Remember thou in vertue ferue therfore

Thy

of Tancred and Gifmund. Thy chaft Lady : beware thou do not loue As whilom Venus did the faire Adonne, But as Diana lou'd the Amazons fonne.

13 10 Through whofe requeft the gods to him alone Reftorde new life : the twine that was vndone Was by the filters twifted vp againe. The loue of vertue in thy Ladies lookes, The loue of vertue in her learned talke, This loue yeelds matter for eternall bookes. This loue intifeth him abroad to walke, There to inuent and write new rondelaies Of learned conceit, her fancies to allure To vaine delights, fuch humors he allaies,

13^0 And fings of vertue and her garments pure. Cho. 4. Defire not of thy Soueraigne the thing Whereof fhame may enfue by any meane : Nor wifh thou ought that may difhonor bring. So whilom did the learned Tufcan feme His faire Lady : and glory was their end. Such are the praifes Louers done deferue, Whofe feruice doth to vertue and honor tend. Finis Actus 4. Compofuit Ch. Hat.

v. i Renuchio commeth out of the Wallace.

Actus 5-. Scsena 1.

1 37 1 Renu. /^"\H cruel fate, oh miferable chaunce lloh dire afpect of hateful deftinies, Oh wo may not be told : fuffic'd it not That I mould fee and with thefe eyes behold So foule, fo bloody, and fo bafe a deede :

But

The Tragedie But more to aggrauate the neauie cares Of my perplexed mind, mult onelie I Mull I alone be made the meflenger, That mull deliuer to her Princelie eares Such difmall newes? as when I fhal difclofe 1380

I know it cannot but abridge her daies. As when the thunder and three forked fire Rent through the cloudes by Ioues almighty power Breakes vp the bofom of our mother earth, And burnes her heart before the heat be felt. In this diftrefle whom mould I moll bewaile, My woe, that mull be made the meflenger Of thefe vnworthie and vnwelcome newes ? Or lhall I mone thy death, O noble Earle? Or Ihal I Hill lament the heauie hap 1390

That yet, O Queene, attends thy funeral. (I fee ? Cho. 1. What mones be thefe ? Renuchio is this Salerne Doth here king Tancred hold the awful crown > Is this the place where ciuill people be ? Or do the fauage Scythians here abound > Cho. 2. What mean thefe quellios ? whether tend thes Refolue vs maidens, & releafe our fears. (words ? What euer newes thou bring'll, difcouer them, Deteine vs not in this fufpicious dread, „The thought whereof is greater then the woe. 1400 Renu. O whither may I call my lookes ? to heauen ? Black pitchy clouds from thence rain down reuenge The earth fhal I behold ? llainde with the gore Of his heart bloud that dide moll innocent. Which way fo ere I turn mine eyes, me thinks His butchered corps Hands flaring in my face. Cho. 3. We humbly pray thee to forbear thefe words

So

of Tancred and Gifmund. So ful of terror to our may den hearts : „The dread of things vnknown breedes the iufpect

1410 „ Of greater dread, vntil the worft be knowen. Tel therfore what hath chaunft, and whereunto This bloudy cup thou holdeft in thy hand. Renu. Since fo is your requeft that I fhal doe, Although my mind fo forrowful a thing Repines to tell, and though my voice efchewes To fay what I haue feene : yet fince your will So fixed ftands to heare for what I rue, Your great defires I fhall herein fulfill. Firft by Salerne Citie, amids the plaine,

1410 There ftands a hil, whofe bottom huge and round, Throwen out in breadth, a large fpace doth contain And gathering vp in height fmall from the grounde Stil lefle and lefle it mounts : there fometime was A goodly towre vpreard, that flowrde in fame While fate and fortune feru'd, but time doth pafle, And with his fway fupprefleth all the fame : For now the walles be euened with the plaine. And all the reft fo fowly lies defaft : As but the only made doth there remaine

143° Of that which there was built in time forepaft : And yet that fhewes what worthy work tofore Hath there been reard: one parcel of that towre Yet ftands, which eating time could not deuoure : A ftrong turret compact of ftone and rock : Hugie without, but horrible within : To pafle to which by force of handy ftroke A crooked ftraite is made, that enters in And ieades into this vgly loathfome place. Within the which carued into the ground

G A deep

The Tragedie A deep dungeon there runnes of narrow fpace i44o

Dreadful and darke, where neuer light is found : Into this hollow caue, by cruel heft Of king Tancredy were diuers feruants fent To worke the horror of his furious breft, Earft nourifht in his rage, and now fterne bent, To haue the fame performde : I woful man Amongft the reft, was one to do the thing That to our charge fo ftraitly did belong, In fort as was commanded by the king. Within which dreadful prifon when we came, 14*0 The noble Countie Palurin that there Lay chain'd in giues, fall fettered in his bolts, Out of the darke dungeon we did vpreare And haPd him thence into a brighter place, That gaue vs light to worke our tyrannic But when I once beheld his manly face, And faw his cheare, no more appauld with feare, Of prefent death, then he whom neuer dread Did once amate : my heart abhorred then To geue confent vnto fo foul a deede, 14*0

That wretched death mould reaue fo worthy a man On falfe fortune I cride with lowd complaint, That in fuch fort ouerwhelmes nobilitie. But he whom neuer griefe ne feare could taint, With fmiling cheare himfelfe oft willeth me, To leaue to plaine his cafe, or forrow make, For him, for he was far more glad apaide Death to imbrace thus for his Ladies fake, Then life, or all the ioyes of life he faid. For lofle of life (quoth he) greeues me no more, 1470 Then lofle of that which I efteemed leaft,

My

of Tancred and Gifmund. My Ladies griefe, leaft fhe fhould rue therefore, Is all the caufe of griefe within my breft. He praid therfore that we would make report To her of thofe his laft words he would fay : That though he neuer could in any fort Her gentlenes requite, nor neuer lay Within his power to ferae her as he would, Yet file pofleft his heart with hand and might,

1480 To doe her all the honor that he could. This was to him of all the ioyes that might Reuiue his heart, the chiefeft ioy of al, That, to declare the faithfull heart which he Did beare to her, fortune fo wel did fall, That in her loue he mould both liue and die. After thefe words he ftaid, and fpake no more, But ioyfully beholding vs eachone, His words and cheare amazed vs fo fore That ftil we ftoode : when forthwith thereupon

1490 But why flack you (quoth he) to do the thing

For which you come ? make fpeed and ftay no more Performe your mailers will : now tel the king He hath his life for which he long'd fo fore : And with thofe words himfelfe with his own hand Faftned the bands about his neck. The reft Wondring at his ftout heart, aftonied ftand To fee him offer thus himfelfe to death. What ftony breft, or what hard heart of flint Would not relent to fee this dreery fight ?

ijoo So goodly a man, whom death nor fortunes dint Could once difarme, murdred with fuch defpite. And in fuch fort bereft amidft the flowers Of his frefh yeares, that ruthfull was to feene :

G 2 »For

The Tragedie „ For violent is death, when he deuoures r Yong men, or virgins, while their yeares be green. Lo now our feruants feeing him take the bands And on his neck himfelfe to make them faft : Without delay fet to their cruel hands, And fought to worke their fierce intent with haft, They ftretch the bloudy bands, and when the breth ijio Began to faile his breft, they flackt againe. Thrife did they pull, and thrife they lofed him, So did their hands repine againft their hearts : And oft times lofed to his greater paine. „ But date of death that fixed is fo faft, „ Beyond his courfe there may no wight extend, For ftrangled is this noble Earle at laft, Bereft of life, vnworthy fuch an end. Chor. O daned deed. Ren. What deem you this to be Al the fayd newes that I haue to vnfould? ijio

Is here (think' you) end of the crueltie That I haue feen > Chor. Could any heauier woe Be wrought to him, then to deftroy him fo > Ren. What, think you this outrage did end fo well ? The horror of the fact, the greateft griefe, The maflaker, the terror is to tell. Cho. Alack what could be more ? they threw per cafe The dead body to be deuourd and torne Of the wild beafts.

Renu. Would God it had been caft a fauage praie 1*30 To beafts and birds : but lo, that dreadfull thing Which euen the tyger would not work, but to Suffice his hunger : that hath the tyrant king Withouten ruth commaunded vs to doe, Onely to pleafe his wrathfull heart withal.

Happy

of Tancred and Gifmund. Happy had been his chance, too happy alas, If birdes, or beafts had eaten vp his corps, Yea heart and all : within this cup I bring, And am conft rained now vnto the face

i*4° Of his deare Ladie to prefent the fame.

Chor. What kind of crueltie is this you name ? Declare foorthwith, and wherunto doth tend This farther plaint. Ren. After his breath was gone, Forced perforce thus from his panting breft Straight they difpoiled him, and not alone Contented with his death, on the dead corps Which rauenous beafts forbeare to lacerate, Euen vpon this our villens frefh begunne To fhew new crueltie : foorthwith they pearce

i no His naked bellie, and vnript it fo,

That out the bowels gufht : who can rehearfe Their tyrannie, wherwith my heart yet bleedes. The warme entralles were torne out of his breft. Within their hands trembling not fully dead, His veines fmok'd, his bowels all to reeked Ruthlefle were rent, and throwen about the place : All clottered lay the bloud in lumps of gore, Sprent on his corps, and on his paled face, His trembling heart, yet leaping, out they tore,

iy^o And cruelly vpon a rapier

They fixt the fame, and in this hateful wife Vnto the king this heart they do prefent : A light longd for to feede his irefull eies. The king perceiuing each thing to be wrought As he had wilde, reioyfing to behold Vpon the bloudie fword the pearced heart, He calles then for this maflie cup of gold,

G 3 Into

The Tragedie Into the which the wofull heart he caft, And reaching me the fame, now go, quoth he, Vnto my daughter, and with fpeedy haft 1*70

Prefent her this, and fay to her from me, Thy father hath here in this cup thee fent That thing to ioy and comfort thee withal, Which thou louedft beft, euen as thou wert content To comfort him with his chiefe ioy of all. Cho. O hateful fact ! O pafTmg crueltie ! O murder wrought with too much hard defpitle

0 hainous deede, which no pofteritie

Wil once beleeue ! Ren. Thus was Earle Palurin

Strangled vnto the death, yea after death i*8o

His heart and bloud disboweled from his breft :

But what auaileth plaint ? it is but breath

Forewafted all in vaine : why do I reft

Here in this place ? why goe I not and doe

The hatefull meflage to my charge committed?

Oh were it not that I am forc'd thereto,

By a kings will, here would I ftay my feet,

Ne one whit farder wade in this intent :

But I muft yeeld me to my Princes heft,

Yet doth this fomewhat comfort mine vnreft, ^9°

1 am refolu'd her griefe not to behold,

But get me gone my meflage being told. (comes Where is the Princefle chamber ? Cho. Lo where me

Gifmund commeth out of her chamber , to whom Re- V* a nuchio deliuereth his cup , faying. Scama 2. 'pHy father, O Queen, here in this cup hath fent

The thing to ioy and comfort thee withall Which thou louedft beft, euen as thou waft content

To

of Tancred and Gifmund.

1600 To comfort him with his chiefe ioy of all. Gif. I thanke my father, and thee gentle fquire, For this thy trauell take thou for thy paines This bracelet, and commend me to the king.

Renuchio departeth. So now is come the long expected houre, The fatall hower I haue fo looked for, Now hath my father fatisfied his thirft With giltleffe bloud which he fo coueted. What brings this cup ? (ay me) I thought no lefle,

itfiolt is mine Earles, my Counties pearced heart,

Deare heart, too dearely haft thou bought my loue :

Extreamely rated at too high a price.

Ah my fweet heart, fweet waft thou in thy life,

But in thy death thou proueft palling fweet.

A fitter hearce then this of beaten gold,

Could not be lotted to fo good an heart :

My father therefore well prouided thus

To clofe and wrap thee vp in maffie gold,

And therewithall to fend thee vnto me,

\6zo To whom of duety thou doeft bell belong. My father hath in all his life bewraid A princely care and tender loue to me : But this furpafleth, in his later dayes To fend me this, mine owne deare heart to me. Wert thou not mine, dear hart, whiPft that my loue Daunced and plaid vpon thy golden ftrings ? Art thou not mine (deere heart) now that my loue Is fled to heauen, and got him golden wings ? Thou art mine owne, and ftil mine own malt be

KJ30 Therfore my father fendeth thee to me.

Ah pleafant harborough of my hearts thought !

Ah

The Tragedie Ah fweete delight, the quickner of my foule Seuen times accurfed be the hand that wrought Thee this defpight, to mangle thee fo foule : Yet in this wound I fee mine owne true loue, And in this wound thy magnanimitie, And in this wound I fee thy conftancie. Goe gentle heart, go reft thee in thy tombe, Receaue this token at thy laft farewell :

She kijjeth it. i<j4o

Thine owne true heart anon will follow thee, Which panting hafteth for thy companie. Thus haft thou run (poore heart) thy mortall race, And rid thy life from fickle fortunes fnares, Thus haft thou loft this world, and worldly cares, And of thy foe, to honour thee withall, Receau'd a golden graue, to thy defert, Nothing doth want to thy iuft funerall, But my fait teares to wafli thy bloudy wound. Which to the end thou mightft receaue, behold i5jo My father fends thee in this cup of gold, And thou fhalt haue them, though I was refolu'd To fhed no teares, but with a chearefull face Once did I think to wet thy funerall Only with bloud, and with no weeping eye. This done, foorthwith my foule ihal fly to thee, For therfore did my father fend thee me. Ah my pure heart, with fweeter companie, Or more content, how fafer may I proue To pafTe to places all vnknowen with thee. 1660

Why die I not therfore ? why doe I ftay ? Why doe I not this wofull life forgoe, And with thefe hands enforce this breath away ?

What

of Tancred and Gifmund.

What meanes this gorgeous glittering head attir

How ill befeeme thefe billaments of gold

Thy mournfull widdowhood? away with them,

So let thy trefles flaring in the winde She vn-

Vntrimmed hang about thy bared necke : dreffeth

Now hellifh furies fet my heart on fire, her haire.

1670 Bolden my courage, ftrengthen ye my hands

Againft their kind, to do a kindly deed :

But mall I then vnwreaken downe defcend ?

Shall I not worke fome iuft reuenge on him

That thus hath flain my loue? mall not thefe hands

Fire his gates, and make the flame to climbe

Vp to the pinnacles, with burning brands,

And on his cynders wreake my cruell teene.

Be ftill (fond girle) content thee firft to die,

This venomd water fhall abridge thy life, Jhe tahth

:68o This for the fame intent prouided I, a vtoll of

Which can both eafe and end this raging ftrife. poyfon out

Thy father by thy death fhall haue more woe, of her poc-

Then fire or flames within his gates can bring : *etm

Content thee then in patience hence to go,

Thy death his bloud mall wreake vpon the king.

Now not alone (a griefe to die alone)

„The onely myrror of extreame anoy,

But not alone, thou dieft my loue, for I

Will be copartner of thy deftinie. 1690 Be merrie then my foule, canft thou refufe

To die with him, that death for thee did choofe ?

Chor. 1. What damned furie hath pofleft our Queen

Why fit we ftill beholding her diltrefle ?

Madame forbeare, fupprelle this headflrong rage.

Gif. Maidens forbeare your comfortable wordes.

H Chor. 2.

The Tragedie Cho, 2. O worthy Queene, rafhnes doth ouerthrowe The author of his refolution.

Gif Where hope of help is loft what booteth feare ? Cho. 3. Feare wil auoyd the fting of infamie. Gif. May good or bad reports delight the dead ? 1700 Cho. 4. If of the liuing yet the dead haue care. Gif. An eafie griefe by councel may be cur'd. Cho. 1. But hedftrong mifchiefs princes fhould auoid Gif In headlong griefes and cafes defperate? Cho. 2. Cal to your mind (Gif.) you are the Queene. Gif Vnhappy widow, wife, and paramour. (king Cho. 3. Think on the king. Gif The king r the tyrant Cho. 3. Your father. Gif. Yea, the murthrer of my loue Ch.4. His force. Gif. the dead fear not the force of me Ch. 1. His care & griefe. Gif That neither car'd for me 1710 Nor greeued at the murther of my loue, My mind is fetled, you with thefe vain words, Withhold me but too long from my deli re. Depart ye to my chamber. Cho. We wil haft To tel the king hereof. Chorus depart into

Gif. I will preuent the Pal/ace.

Both you and him. Lo here, this harty draught The laft that in this world I meane to taft, Dreadlefle of death (mine Earle) I drink to thee. So now worke on, now doth my foul begin 1720

To hate this light, wherein there is no loue, No loue of parents to their children, No loue of Princes to their Subiects true, No loue of Ladies to their deareft loues. Now parTe I to the pleafant land of loue, Where heauenly loue immortall flourifheth : The Gods abhorre the company of men, Hel is on earth, yea hel it felfe is heauen

of Tancred and Gifmund. Compar'd with earth. I cal to witnes heauen,

1730 Heauen, faid I > no, but hel record I call,

And thou fterne Goddefle of reuenging wrongs

Witnefle with me I die for his pure loue

That liued mine. Shee lieth

y. Hi Tancred in hajl commeth out of his pallace with Iulio. down and

Scaena 3, couereth

Tan. "Y JX THere is my daughter? her face

Iulio. y y Behold, here, wofull king. with her

Tan. Ai me, break hart, & thou fly foorth haire.

What, doth my daughter Gif. take it fo? (my foul

1740 What haft thou done ? oh let me fee thine eyes, Oh let me dreffe vp thole vntrimmed locks, Looke vp, fweet child, look vp mine only ioy, Tis I thy father that befeecheth thee : Reare vp thy body, ftraine thy dying voice To fpeake to him, fweet Gifmund fpeake to me. Gif Who ftaies my foul? who thus difquiets me? Tan. Tis I thy father, ah behold my teares Like pearled deaw that trickle down my cheekes, To warn my iiluer haires. Gif Oh father king

i7yo Forbeare your teares, your plaint wil not auaile. Tan. Oh my fweet heart, haft thou receau'd thy life From me, and wilt thou to requite the fame, Yeeld me my death ? yea death and greater greefe To fee thee die for him that did defame Thine honor thus, my kingdome, and thy name. Gif. Yea therfore father gaue ye life to me, That I mould die, and now my date is done. As for your kingdome, and mine own renowne, Which you affirme dimonoured to be

1760 That fault impute it where it is, for he

H 2 That

The Tragedie That flew mine Earle, and fent his heart to me, His hands haue brought this fhame and griefe on vs But father, yet if anie fparke remaine Of your deare loue, if euer yet I could So much deferue, or at your hands defire, Grant that I may obtaine this laft requeft, Tanc. Saie louely child, faie on, what ere it be, Thy father grants it willingly to thee. Gif. My life I craue not, for it is not now In you to giue, nor in my felfe to faue, 1770

Nor craue I mercie for mine Earle and me, Who hath bin flaine with too much crueltie. With patience I muft awhile abide Within this life, which now will not be long. But this is my requeft, Father I praie, That mice it plea fed fo your maieftie, I mould inioy my loue aliue no more, Yet neretheles let vs not parted be, Whom cruell death could neuer feparate : But as we liude and dide together here, 1780

So let our bodies be together tombde, Let him with me, and I with him be laid Within one flirine, where euer you appoint, This if you grant me, as I truft you will, Although I Hue not to requite this grace, Th'immortall Gods due recompence fhall giue To you for this, and fo vaine world farewel, My fpeech is painefull, and mine eie-fight failes. Tanc. My daughter dies, fee how the bitter pangs Of tyrannous death, torments her princely heart, 1790 She lookes on me, at me (lie fhakes her head, For me fhe grones, by me my daughter dies, I, I, the author of this Tragedie.

On

of Tancred and Gifmund. On me, on me, yee heauens throw downe your ire, Now dies my daughter, hence with princely roabes Oh faire in life, thrice fairer in thy death, Deare to thy father in thy life thou wert, But in thy death, deareft vnto his heart, I kifle thy paled cheekes, and clofe thine eies,

1800 This duetie once I promift to my felfe,

Thou fhouldft performe to me, but ah falfe hope Now ruthful wretched king what refteth thee > Wilt thou now liue wafted with miferie ? Wilt thou now liue that with thefe eies didft fee Thy daughter dead ? wilt thou now liue to fee Her funerals, that of thy life was flay ? Wilt thou now liue that waft her Hues decay ? Shal not this hand reach to this heart the ftroke Mine armes are not fo weake, nor are my limmes

1 8 10 So feebled with mine age, nor is my heart So daunted with the dread of cowardice, But I can wreake due vengeance on that head That wrought the means thefe louers now be dead Iulio come neare, and lay thine own right hand Vpon my thigh, now take thine oath of me. Jul. I fweare to thee, my liege Lord, to difcharge What euer thou enioyneft Iulio. Tan. Firft then I charge thee that my daughter haue Her laft requeft, thou malt within one tombe

1810 Interre her Earle and her : and thereupon Engraue fome Royall Epitaph of loue. That done, I fwear thee thou fhalt take my corps Which thou fhalt rind by that time done to death, And lay my bodie by my daughters fide. Sweare this, fweare this I fay. Iul. I fweare.

H3 But

The Tragedie But will the king do fo vnkingly now. Tan. A kingly deed the king refolues to doe. Jul. To kil himfelfe. Tan. To fend his foule to eafe. Jul. Doth Ioue command it > Tan. Our ftars copell it. Jul. The wifeman ouerrules his ftars. Tan. So we 1830 Jul Vndaunted mould the minds of kings indure. Tan. So fhal it in this refolution. Iulio forbeare, and as thou loueft the king, When thou fhalt fee him weltring in his gore, Stretching his limmes, and gafping in his grones Then Iulio let to thy helping hand, Redouble ftroke on ftroke, and driue the flab Down deeper to his heart, to rid his foule. Now Hand afide, ftir not a foote, leaft thou Make vp the fourth to fill this Tragedie. 1840

Thefe eyes that firft beheld my daughters fhame, Thefe eyes that longed for the ruthful light Of her Earles heart, thefe eyes that now haue feene His death, her woe, and her auenging teene : Vpon thefe eyes we muft be firft auenged. Vnworthy lamps of this accurfed lump, Out of your dwellings : fo, it fits vs thus In bloud and blindnes to goe feeke the path That leadeth down to euerlafting night. Why frighft thou daftard? be thou defperate, 1850

One mifchiefe brings another on his neck, As mighty billowes tumble in the feas. Now daughter, feeft thou not how I amerce My wrath that thus bereft thee of thy loue, Vpon my head ? now fathers learn by me, Be wife, be warnde to vfe more tenderly The jewels of your ioyes. Daughter, I come.

EPI-

EPILOGVS. ltd. T O here the fweets of grifly-pale defpaire,

i860 Thefe are the bloflbms of this curfed tree

Such are the fruits of too much loue and Orewhelmed in the fence of miferie. (care

With violent hands he that his life doth end, His damned foul to endles night doth wend. Now refteth it that I difcharge mine oath, To fee th'unhappy louers and the king, Layd in one tombe : I would be very loath You mould wayt here to fee this mournful thing. For I am fure, and do ye all to wit,

1870 Through griefe wherin the Lords of Salerne be, Thefe funerals are not prepared yet : Nor do they think on that folemnitie. As for the fury, ye muft vnderftand, Now fhe hath {cqyi the'ffect of her defire, She is departed, and hath left our land, Graunting this end vnto her hellifh ire. Now humbly pray we that our Englifh dames May neuer lead their loues into miftruft : But that their honors may auoid the fhames

1880 That follow fuch as liue in wanton luft.

We know they beare them on their vertues bold With blisfull chaftitie fo wel content, That when their liues, and loues abroad are told, All men admire their vertuous gouernment. Worthie to liue where Furie neuer came, Worthie to liue where loue doth alwaies fee, Worthie to liue in golden trump of Fame, Worthie to liue, and honoured ftil to be. Thus end our fbrrowes with the letting Sun :

1890 Now draw the curtens for our Scame is done.

FINIS. R.W.

Introductio in Actum fecundum.

BEfore the fecond Act there was heardafweete noice offiil pipes, which foundings Lucrece entred, attended by a may den of honor with a couered goddard of gold, and drawing the curtens,Jhee offreth vnto Gifmunda to toft thereof; which whenjbee had done, the maid returned, and Lucrece rayfeth vp Gifmund from her bed, and then it follow eth vt in Act. 2. Seen. 1.

Introductio in Actum tertium.

Before this Acte the Hobaies founded a lofty Almain, and Cupid

10 Vjhereth after him, Guizard and Gifmund hand in hand. Julio and

Lucrece, Renuchio and another maiden of honor. The meafurestrod,

Gifmunda geues a cane into Guifzards hand, and they are all ledde

forrth again by Cupid, Et fequitur.

Introductio in Actum 4. Before this Act there was heard a confort of fweet mufick, which playing, Tancred commeth forth, G? draweth Gifmunds cur tens, and lies down vpon her bed, then from vnder the fl age afcendeih Guifz^ & he helpeth vp Gifmund, they amaroujly embrace, & depart. The king arifeth enraged, then mas heard & feen a form of thunder & 10 lightnifig, in which the furies rife vp, Et fequitur.

Introductio in Actum quintum. Before this Act was a dead march plaid, during which entred on thefiage Renuchio capten of the Guard, attended vpon by the guard, they tooke vp Guifz.from vnder thefiage, then after Guifzard had kindly taken leaue of them all, a firangling cord was faflened about his neck, & he haled foorth by them. Renuchio bewayleth it, & then entring in, bringeth foorth aflandingcup of gold, with a bloudy hart reeking whot init, and then faith vt fequitur.

Faultes efcaped.

30 ^ntyz preface to tjie £1. mat o& line 3. geaml&reab gleams, be* fojeacti.Lr.tuitlj,iTaoftoit^fce.ii.ljjcmi.fojfeartjjat,i*.feaveof tf)at.fce,i.acti.l.xUm.fo£bp^

ftamo.r.oiftramco.fce.ii.l.bu.fojliuel^b^eatjij.libertp.fce.ii.acte iiii. f 0} hut nap,r. but map. fce.iii. act hit. f oj tuiootDbootM*. toiootos beo.fte.u.fo£foljtloma,i\fo^ reaoe let not.

/

*?A

^OJIIVD-:

:alif(%, ^.ofcalifc

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY

Los Angeles

This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.

o

RECD LD-URO

9198?

yOk\mm

v>:L0SANCE

l(7t

%«3AiNn-

^lOSANGE | /Of

"%3MNH ■otf-UBRAR

$

I1VD-

Ian

as.

\1

%rm

,„ Illllli

3 1158 00996 965S

UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACII

AA 000 368 205 1

wmk.

!/?

Wa

"v— i ir 1 ir

.yvati :'«l ionvso^ "fr/wu

!

if

u

I

vffissH&33

iii

K:

nr " J	k ■HIB^H
n»	r % ,
* i
■	1* b' Ik' 1

I JU U M U> tUtU MM- "_>• 'I

, i i | V . »«.,:,

'

ABsmsmg

1

:

1 ••/',-. *'/

■ nV

« «■«• ■ ■ i'jr.

■

,

I ,

O :

* #

■

■

-:

I ■ -

■

mt

			"*^B ™i '■•
•		■ ■■- \

II

ffl]

h

■

1

■ Jl

■

|(Sif

I

/':,: "■'■: :$

■

;i

a

•.	J
		fl

'■.!.'■ . '

it:

1 IllMMMMMMMMMf

A*tiiJid.wt,*»/

f

sip

ijdSLEyjL

Sf

TO?

K&

am

--

Olfi" #

9 ,

r .

*

•

-

3 -

•

1*..

I

*

I

if

i

I

; v ■ < * :.

• § '« *

■ ;

-

■

I i