A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. VII (4th edition) | Page 6

vault, and secretly departed. Afterward, bewailing his mishap, he commanded the earl to be attached, imprisoned, strangled, unbowelled, and his heart in a cup of gold to be presented to his daughter:[16] she thankfully receiveth the present, filling the cup (wherein the heart was) with her tears, with a venomous potion (by her distilled for that purpose) she drank to her earl. Which her father hearing of, came too late to comfort his dying daughter, who for her last request besought him that her lover and herself might in one tomb be together buried for a perpetual memory of their faithful loves; which request he granted, adding to the burial himself, slain with his own hands, to his own reproach, and the terror of all other hard-hearted fathers.
Introductio in Actum Secundum.
Before the second act there was heard a sweet noise of still pipes, which sounding, Lucrece entered, attended by a maiden of honour with a covered goddard of gold, and, drawing the curtains, she offereth unto Gismunda to taste thereof; which when she had done, the maid returned, and Lucrece raiseth up Gismunda from her bed, and then it followeth ut in act ii. sc. 1.
Introductio in Actum Tertium.
Before this act the hautboys sounded a lofty almain, and Cupid ushereth after him Guiscard and Gismunda, hand in hand; Julio and Lucrece, Renuchio and another maiden of honour. The measures trod, Gismunda gives a cane into Guiscard's hand, and they are all led forth again by Cupid, ut sequitur.
Introductio in Actum Quartum.
Before this act there was heard a consort of sweet music, which playing, Tancred cometh forth, and draweth Gismunda's curtains, and lies down upon her bed; then from under the stage ascendeth Guiscard, and he helpeth up Gismunda: they amorously embrace and depart. The king ariseth enraged. Then was heard and seen a storm of thunder and lightning, in which the furies rise up, ut sequitur.
Introductio in Actum Quintum.
Before this act was a dead march played, during which entered on the stage Renuchio, Captain of the Guard, attended upon by the guard. They took up Guiscard from under the stage; then after Guiscard had kindly taken leave of them all, a strangling-cord was fastened about his neck, and he haled forth by them. Renuchio bewaileth it; and then, entering in, bringeth forth a standing cup of gold, with a bloody heart reeking hot in it, and then saith, ut sequitur.

TANCRED AND GISMUNDA.[17]

ACT I., SCENE 1.
CUPID _cometh out of the heavens in a cradle of flowers, drawing forth upon the stage, in a blue twist of silk, from his left hand, Vain Hope, Brittle Joy: and with a carnation twist of silk from his right hand, Fair Resemblance, Late Repentance_.
CUPID. There rest my chariot on the mountaintops.[18] I, that in shape appear unto your sight[19] A naked boy, not cloth'd but with my wings, And that great God of Love, who with his might Ruleth the vast wide world and living things.[20] This left hand bears Vain Hope, short joyful state, With Fair Resemblance, lovers to allure: This right hand holds Repentance all too late, War, fire,[21] blood, and pains without recure. On sweet ambrosia is not my food, Nectar is not my drink: as to the rest Of all the gods: I drink the lover's blood. And feed upon the heart[22] within his breast. Well hath my power in heaven and earth been try'd, And deepest hell my piercing force hath known. The marble seas[23] my wonders hath descry'd, Which elder age throughout the world hath blown.[24] To me the king of gods and men doth yield, As witness can the Greekish maid,[25] whom I Made like a cow go glowing through[26] the field, Lest jealous Juno should the 'scape espy. The doubled night, the sun's restrained course, His secret stealths, the slander to eschew, In shape transform'd,[27] we[28] list not to discourse. All that and more we forced him to do. The warlike Mars hath not subdu'd our[29] might, We fear'd him not, his fury nor disdain, That can the gods record, before whose sight He lay fast wrapp'd in Vulcan's subtle chain. He that on earth yet hath not felt our power, Let him behold the fall and cruel spoil Of thee, fair Troy, of Asia the flower, So foul defac'd, and levell'd[30] with the soil Who forc'd Leander with his naked breast So many nights to cut the frothy waves, But Hero's love, that lay inclos'd in Sest? The stoutest hearts to me shall yield them slaves. Who could have match'd the huge Alcides'[31] strength? Great Macedon[32] what force might have subdu'd? Wise Scipio who overcame at length, But we, that are with greater force endu'd? Who could have conquered the golden fleece[33] But Jason, aided by Medea's art? Who durst have stol'n fair Helen out of