University of Virginia Library

ACTUS QUINTUS

Enter Pasquino, Gabriello and Glausamond.
Pasq.
I tell the, I'le giue thee
Very honorable satisfaction.

Gab.
I prethe now, I haue great occation for it.

Glaus.
Come, vntrusse; I know by my selfe,
Courtiers had neuer more need of mony,
Nor lesse conscience how they cam by it.
Yet honorable satisfaction is noble satisfaction.

Gab.
I, but I haue bene so often cheated by it
Already that I am resolued,
I will trust it no more.

Glaus.
Will and resolucion be two braue
Thinges in man, if they be well-grounded.

Pasq.
I'le refer my selfe to him.

Gab.
To Glausamond?

Glaus.
Mum, you may; I warrant you, I will not meddle.

Pasq.
Prithe, be vmpire.

Glaus.
I? away, away!

Gab.
If Glausamond will make a conscionable
End, that I shall haue what I layd out,
I'le put it to him.

Pasq.
Let's stand to his gentlenes, howsoeuer.

Gab.
I care not greatly.

Glaus.
My constitution is not giuen to be
Judiciall. But, vpon both your intreaties,
I shall strayne to doe much.

Both
Pray, make an end betweene vs.

Glaus.
Doe you agree to stand to my order?

Both
Very willingly.

Glaus.
Then thus. He that by lusty wordes and
Great bragges would haue shew'd him selfe
To haue bene the brauer fellow and after-
ward did flintch and break company,
Which, I take, was Pasquino—

Gab.
Most discerningly conceiued!

Glaus.
Shall pay the whole eight shillinges, viz.,
Foure for his owne part and
Foure for Gabriello's.

Gab.
O, most iudicially decree'd!

Pasq.
O, most vnconscionably!

Glaus.
Say I doe vniustly, if I doe not render
You both a very satisfieing reason.
'Tis fitt that Pasquino should pay the
Whole—one halfe for being vnsociable
And the other for Gabriello's patience.
But your last censure is to come yet.

Pasq.
Lett it come, when it will come. I'le
Neuer stay to heare it.

[Offers to be gone.
Gab.
Nay, hang me, an you goe!

Glaus.
Come, come. Hearken to the verdict,
As the court recordes it.
Pasquino for his offence must giue to
Gabriello for his patience the money
Before named, or it shalbe at Pasquino's
Choice, whether he will doe soe or finde
Gabriello with muscadine after braune,
And sack and clarret after egges and old
Conies (which is the meate, you know, he
Hath protest to loue so well, and the
Better he likes the meate,
The lesse drinke will serue him)
From this day to this day—

Gab.
This day twelue mounth!

Glaus.
O, no! till this day senighte.
The cap of iustice must be set on
Equally, iust with the corner before,
Bending or inclineing to nether side,
And hereby shew the wearer of it to be
Impartiall. Therefore, from this day
To this day senight is a fitt time.
And so shall you goe from the place where
You are, to the place from whence you
Came, when this quarrell was first begun,
And soe let drinke settle what drinke
Did first provoke.

Pasq.
A iudge? A hangman!
I'le neuer stand to this end.

Glaus.
This or none. 'Tis a direct contempt of
The court, and you incurr the danger of
Commitment, an you doe not.

Gab.
Nay, you are gone in the courtes aboue.
Now an you can but bring it downe
Into the country and get a pac't iury
There, much may bee.

Glaus.
Ne Hercules contra duos, nec peccans contra Judicem.
Patience in extreamity bringes a man to the
Three Cranes in the Vintree.
Enter waiting-woman, chafinge.
Goe thither, and I warrant you, no more controuersy.
[Exit Gabriello, and Pasquino.
I must needes speake with this gentlewoman
That comes so i'th'nicke.

Wait.
Theese bodkins and siluer thimbles are vnlucky.
I thought I had had, for euery day in the
Weeke, one, and by being a little too coy,
I haue driuen them all away and am
Not now so fortunate as a country
Wench that hath her sweetheart come
To her on Sondayes in the afternoones.

Glaus.
Shall I salue your sore?
I'le doe your worke as well as any.

Wait.
Cannot one greeue a little in private,
But you must come ruffling in thus?

Glaus.
I thought you had loued ruffleing.
But if you doe not, I'le handle you
As tenderly as an egg, gingerly, gingerly.

Wait.
I pray, lett me alone and be gone. Vpon
My modesty, my lady wilbe heere presently.

Glaus.
Nay, if the wind be in that dore, I am gone!
I loue company at all sportes but this,
But I would haue none by at this
But my selfe and one more.
[Exit Glausamond.

Wait.
I am fortunately ridd of him.
Trust me, he's very vnhappy.

Enter Tancred.
Tanc.
Good time o'th'euen, minion,
Good time o'th'euen. Is your lady within?

Wait.
An your Maiesty please, I'le call her.

Tanc.
Where is she?

Wait.
In the garden, at her priuate meditation.

Tanc.
What company?

Wait.
None but her owne thoughtes, and they are holy.

Tanc.
I doe not question whether they be or no.
Therefore, thy reply is vnnecessary in the
Last part. Tell her, I came to se her,
But will not depriue her of so sweete
An euening as this is.
You'l tell her, my good gerle?

Wait.
I'm going, an't please your Maiesty.
[Exitura.
Your Grace will not stay, till I come agayne?

Tanc.
O, no. 'Tis now too late.
[Exit waiting-woman.
Is she gone? Then
This may perhaps be a good stale, especially
If the wench be, as most chamber-maydes are
Commonly, the prologue to the play, for if
They that come by way of sutors, doe not
First take say of theese, 'tis ten to one
But they shall goe without a bit of venison.
Pauseth a while.
All time, as 'tis time in respect of howers
Or dayes, we se alike; onely the weather
Or season alters, as moueing accedentes
Or happ'ning mutations make it change.
Nor doth one day deserue denomination
More then annother, as it is a day
Composed of succession of instantes
Or articles of time. But we that are
The masters of this time, by Heauen's permission,
Doe giue an epithite to this or that,
Call this day sacred or the other curst,
As the thing pleaseth which we se done in it.
Grant now, you curtious fates, yt giue vs cause
T'exclame of time or blesse its gliding minnits,
That what I heard in parte and wholly feare,
This night may proue the voyce of fame, not treuth.
No time's more fit then this for me to know
Whether I shalbe fortunate or no.
Sit downe and rest, you aged limbs, and if
Sits downe, as hideing him selfe.
My feigned absence make this place be thought
More sure then yet it is, I shall perceaue
Whate're the night is guilty of; and if
So great an oportunity as this
Be slighted with neglect, I will conclude
Ghismonda's holy still and mark this night
With such an orient-rosie-colour'd letter,
It shall surpas all in the calender.
In hope of good successe I'le take my ease;
Feares may be turn'd to ioyes, if Heauen please.

Dormit.
Enter Ghismonda and waiting-woman.
Ghism.
The nights seeme long, the howers sloely goe,
To one that is opressed with grefe and woe;
And such a one I thought my selfe to be,
Vntill I was reuiu'd, thinking on thee.
Stops.
The nightes seeme short, ye howers go on apace,
To one that rarely sees his mistris' face;
Therefore, me thinkes, thou shouldst make hast to se
Thy Princes which so highly vallues thee,
And like a gemm esteeme that part of time,
Wherin thou maist to such aduancment clime
As haue thy Queene thy consort; thou dost not know
Whether thou e're shalt do't agayne or no.
One knockes.
Se who's there. That is a hopefull knock.

Enter Guiscardo.
Wait.
Euen the man that expectation cal'd for.

Ghism.
What, Guiscardo? Is not that a thorny way?

Guisc.
Deare Madam, it did scratch a little, but
The blod I lost, was spent as martirs' liues
And poured out, because they should be canoniz'd.

Ghism.
Thou seldom mak'st comparisons, but when thou dost
Make such as these, thou think'st them pertenent.
You may go se what a clock 'tis now.

Wait.
May I not play one game at laugh
And lie downe, before I come agayne?

Ghism.
Yes, two or three.

Wait.
I humbly thanke your Excellency.

[Exit waiting-woman.
Ghism.
Now priuacy hath giu'n vs leaue to know
As much as may be, keping our honour safe,
My hart explaynes it selfe thus far to thee,
That neuer seruant with a more pleasing comfort
Beheld his mistris then my loueing eies
Doe now looke on thy best-beloued face.
Thus nam'd and thought, thou'rt welcome. If epithite
There be that more can please thee, speak't but to me;
I'le not be daynty to bestow't on thee.
Thou'rt welcome to this place, my deare Guiscardo.
Guiscardo kneeles and kisseth her hand.
Nay, goe a little higher, if you like.

Guisc.
It is a most presumptuous crime to be
More bold then with royall maiesty.

Ghism.
'Tis fit to be bold, when the Princes bids.
A lady once desir'd to kisse her loue
And told him so, whereat the man shrunk back.

Guisc.
Pardon me, Madam, if I be so bold
As to come forward, and, by your permission,
Doe that which he, it seem'd, did leaue vndoone.

He kisseth her.
Ghism.
That was but a story that I tould you.

Guisc.
And I shew'd your Grace the meaneing.

Ghism.
Doe you begin to apprehend?

Guisc.
I doe,
And with so greate a zeale of heart do tender
My homage first and then my loue to you
That did your person lay aside your greatnes,
And I could think that you were not ye Princes,
I durst presume to tell you I were hee
You haue great interest in, or he in you.

Ghism.
The greater prize, the glory is the more
To him that gaines it, and thou'lt be more renoun'd,
If thou be grac'd by me then by a meaner.
Come, sit downe heere, and, if thou dost remember
That song which once did please me, let me heare.
The stilnes of the night doth bannish feare;
Yet sing but softly, lest some list'ning eare
Should chance to spoyle our musick.

The song, sung by Guiscardo.
Vertue, Beautie, Goodnes stroue
How to teach a man to loue.
Vertue, teaching wisely, sayd:
“Loue thou a well-disposed mayd”.
Beauty sayd: “Loue one that's faire,
And then thou canst not want an heire”.
But Goodnes sayd: “I wish thee loue
[King stirrs.
Such a one as I approue:
Such a body, such a mynd
With the Princes you may finde”.

The Princes falls asleepe.
Guisc.
She falles aslepe, to heare her worth commended.
Vertue did euer so. O blest Guiscardo!
If thou darst be so bold, steale one kis more
From these soft lips which, euen with a touch,
Will make thee liue aboue the yeares of Nestor.

[He kisseth her.
Tanc.
You powers of patience, afford me but one dramm.

Guisc.
Such a kisse as this doth far exceede
In relish all the nectar Joue e're tasted.

[He kisses her agayne.
Tanc.
My buttons breake; I can conteine no longer.

Ghism.
I could sleep euermore, or feigne to sleepe,
If I might haue such reall dreames to please me.
Did they, whose flinty hartes haue none bene hit
With the smart touches of blind Cupid's quiuer,
But once conceaue or feele what hapines
It is to be in loue, they'd mourne and weepe,
And sob and sigh, to thinke those dayes are past
In which they might haue seru'd there prentice age
In Venus' schole, and by this time haue knowne
How to do thus.

She embraceth Guiscardo.
Tanc.
Patienc hath held too long. Die, both together!
King shoots at them with a pistoll.
Are you impenitrable? Then this shall do it.
As he runs at them with a sword, he stumbles and falls.
My chance hath kept me inocent, and Heauen
Detein'd my hand from being soyl'd with blood
And gaue me so much fauor, 'cause I should not
Be hangman to so high-offending sinners.
Yet it doth prompt me thus far as to see
A iust reueng be taken on this slaue.

Ghism.
Be not offended, sir; what was done here,
Inocence it selfe could not find fault with.

Tanc.
I scorne to call thee daughter, or the subiect;
He is a traytor, and thou art a whore.
Goe worship folly, for she is the power
That most commaunds o're brittle womanhood.

Guisc.
Humbly I beg, sir, that your will may bee
Perform'd on me, yea, with the vtmost rigor,
So my deare Princes' honor may be safe.

Ghism.
Let your iust censure be vpon our merit
And not a wrong end set, for then you make it
Be capable of being cal'd erronious.
As I haue hope of Heauen, no other thing
Was done worse then you se!

Tanc.
'Tis probable
That you two, burning in hot desire,
And, as it seemes (which breakes my hart to think on't),
Inflam'd with other's lust, should be together
And not act wickednes! You may as well affirme
Goates are not hot, nor monkies' lust incontenent,
As to perswade me thinke that this is true.
Glausamond, Gabriello, Pasquino, where are you?

Enter Glausamond, Gabriello and Pasquino.
Ghism.
'Tis hard to alter your imagination;
But, honoured father, let me neuer haue
A looke of fauor from you, if there weare
Any thing done, but only Guiscardo
Did sing a song. If you doubt of this,
Put him and me, both, to fire-ordeall.

Glaus.
There's no hurt in this. A good song
Is worth much to a young lady, when
She hath need on't, and, no question,
Will doe her more good then hurt,
If it be well sunge.

Tanc.
Hold thy tonge! Now thy iestes are out of season.
I'm in another moode and now begin
To doubt thy mother's treuth, whether thou wert
Truly begott or no, for if thou hadst
But any drop of blood in thee of myne,
Thou'dst scorne to goe soe far below thy selfe
As make thy seruant master of thine honour.
Couldst thou feigne such obedience and such loue,
And then proue false, both to thy selfe and father?
O, rash young man, that run'st vnto thine end,
Feareing to come too late! Couldst thou not stay,
Vntill the apoynted time had cal'd the to it,
But thou must make soe swift precipitation?
Now I begin to call into my mynd,
This was the cause that made thee so vnwilling
To goe thy iorney. But thou wilt wish th'adst gone,
Before this sentence had commaunded the,
Guiscardo, go to execucion.

Ghism.
Sure, sir,
So smale a slip, yea, such a little one
That I doe doubt whether't be one or no,
Without a far-extended indignation
Weare meriting the name of cruelty,
Canot deserue so sharp a condemnation.

Tanc.
'Tis iustice and not cruelty condemns him;
Nor can your busy tongue be worse imploy'd
Then in excusing such a haynous crime.
I haue decreed his fate, but doubt of yours.

Ghism.
Haue you decreed, this inocent shall die?

Tanc.
His inocence is dead already, but his guilt
Shall be so punnished as I haue told you.

Ghism.
Is your decre irreuocable?

Tanc.
As that last word irreuocable.

Ghism.
Then let me make one suit vnto you, sir—
That you will not torment your selfe with thinking
What shall become of me, but suffer me
To spend those solemne dayes I yet haue left,
All alone by my selfe, sometimes my closet
Being the cell which I shall make partaker
Of those sad wordes my sighes shall dayly vtter,
Sometimes that you'l permit me come and se
This rome, wherin it pleas'd your Maiesty
To take offence—not giuen, but receaued.
Nor will I burden long this place or that,
If your decre stand firme and alter not,
For though I haue a body feminine,
I'le shew a spirit that is masculine.
And if Guiscardo's act deserue to be
Cal'd an offence, thy soule shal not be fre
[Speaking to Guiscardo.
From being immur'd in flesh one hower, but I
Wilbe an actor in thy tragedy.
But if you'l shew your selfe compassionat,
Let vs die both together, for 'tis too late
To alter my decree, if yours do hould.
I'm but a woman, yet made of the mould
That Cesar was.

Tanc.
Thou dost resolue—
At least, talke like an emperor, and while
This wicked roote, whence thine ill-setled thoughtes
First tooke infection, doth stand so neare thee,
Thy will will make thy resolucion seeme
Stronger this present then in futuryty,
When wise repentance shall infeeble it.
You, Gabriello and Pasquino, take Guiscardo
As your prisoner and keep him closely and
Safely, till you vnderstand our further plesure.

Ghism.
One word, before he goe, pray, suffer me
To grace him with—at least to please my selfe.
Neuer was man so well-belou'd of any
As I intirely loue thy company.

Glaus.
As I'm vertuous, sir, 'tis pitty to part 'hem!

Tanc.
What now, sir? Haue him away!

Ghism.
Not one word more?

Tanc.
You haue had too many already. Do as I bid you.

Gab. and Pasq.
You heare the King, whome we must nedes obey.

Guisc.
Giue me leaue, great King, once to speak to you,
Before I breath my last. Did not white inocence
Liue in my breast, I'd blush and so be silent;
Were my soule clog'd with guilt of this offence,
I'd hang my heade and not implore your mercy;
But since I'm free, yet you will haue me dye,
I tell you, murder fits not maiesty.

Gab. and Pasq.
Come, you must stay no longer.

Guisc.
I'm satisfied, goe on.

[Ex. Gabriello, Guiscardo and Pasquino.
Ghism.
I'le take my leaue too, and if you heare
Ghismonda's deade, before Guiscardo die,
Thinke, 'twas because she lou'd soe constantly.
[Exit Ghismonda.

Glaus.
This an heroick wench; but Heauens defend,
So sweet a peece should haue so sower an end,
Vntill age produce it.

Tanc.
Feare not; she
That could so soone shake of her husband's losse
Which she sem'd so to greeue for, will make this cros
A recreation to her.

Glaus.
O, good sir, let your hart be more waxie,
For o' my conscience, shee's chaste!

Tanc.
O rogue!

Glaus.
Do not condemne, before you know cause.

Tanc.
I know too much.

Glaus.
By your fauor, what?

Tanc.
She kissed him twice or thrice in my sight.

Glaus.
That was but a weake and dry expression.

Tanc.
What wouldst thou haue?

Glaus.
Nothing, I, sir; but they that would be naught,
As my fond, foolish, blushing face would neuer
Suffer me to be, had rather haue other thinges.

Tanc.
Goe call Gabriello and Pasquino hither.
[Exit Glausamond.
She did but onely kisse him that I saw,
But the earnestnes of it was a shrewd suspicion.
If they did more, the sleep that seiz'd on me
Became there baud; els I should haue preuented it.
The pistol mist them, the sword mist them,
And I fell downe, iust as I made at them.
But chance did this to saue my reputation,
Because I should not foule my sword i'th'gore
Of so adulterate and corrupted blood.
Or it may be that Justice, knowing them inocent,
Did lay some rub i'th'way to make me fall
And kepe my handes from sin and them from death.
It canot be! Well, first I will doe this—
Put out the heate, whereby Ghismonda's fire
Tooke inflamation, and so cure her distemper;
And when the part, wherin the gangren growes,
Is amputated, the head is in no danger,
Because it grew so low as in the foote.
And for Ghismonda, her blood, being parte of mine
At least in reputation, I'le not shed,
But leaue for offence to Heauen's discretion.
Yet I will dayly make experiment
Enter Gabriello, Glausamond and Pasquino.
Whether 'tweare like she did offend or not.
Guiscardo's safe?

Pasq.
Yes, sure enough, I warrant you.

Tanc.
Did you bring him in at the iron gate?

Gab.
Yes, an't please your Maiesty.

Tanc.
And he shall haue theire fate that goe in there.
With all the speed you can, let him be executed.
Yet not in that base sort that felons die;
Because my fauor made him a peare o'th'realme,
I'le giue him leaue to haue a nobler end.
Vpon the scaffold, where the traytorous lordes
Do vse to die, there let his amorous head
Be taken of, and so hee'le soone be dead.
And when the executioner hath done
His office thus far, let him forthwith
Rip vp his breast and take the panting hart
Which anguish will make swell, then put it in
A cup of gold prepared purposely,
And you, Pasquino, straight carry it to Ghismonda.
This will make her ether b[l]ush or weepe.
If she be guilty, she will hide her face,
And then wee'l scorne her. But if her soule be fre
From this foule sin, her teares will presently
Declare so much, and then wee'l rayse her ioy
By curteous vsage. Goe! This way will shew
Whether we haue ben too seuere or no.

[Exit Pasquino and Gabriello.
Glaus.
It could haue done no hurt, if you had stay'd
The execution a little longer.

Tanc.
O yes, we should not then so sodainely
Haue vnderstood whether Ghismonda be
Guilty or no. This way we shall soone
Perceaue the treuth of all. But howsoeuer
You will conclude, Guiscardo merites death;
His boldnes made his faulte a haynous one.

Glaus.
I doe not thinke soe, for boldnes nowadayes
Is cal'd a vertue and gaynes both prick and prayse;
And if you haue no more condemning reason
Then this, most courtiers must be hang'd for treason.

Tanc.
If I should haue winck'd at this presumption
In proud Guiscardo, it might haue drawne him on
To thinke on stranger thinges and to assay
What wisdome this way will be sure to stay.
That which I haue decreed, I'le not recall;
Better the subiect then the Kinge should fall.

[Exeunt.
Enter at another dore Pasquino and an executioner.
Pasq.
The scaffold ready?

Ex.
Yes.

Pasq.
And all other instrumentes of death?

Ex.
As may bee.

Pasq.
Set forth the scaffold; anger is impatient.
Yet if it be not ready when he comes,
I thinke he wilbe contented to stay for it!
Executioner brings the scaffold.
Soe. I'le goe fetch him. Doe you attend ye while.
[Exit Pasquino.

Ex.
Had Guiscardo kist Peg or Dol now,
There had bene no danger in it, but many
Times, when a man leaps high at the
First leape, commonly he breakes his neck
In the fall.

Enter Pasquino, Guiscardo and Gabriello.
Pasq.
Here's the place you'r like to leaue your head at.

Guisc.
I'm sory for it, since I haue not deseru'd it.
If I had merited this kind of death,
Which, I protest, I haue not, I should die
As willingly as euer man expired.
Yet to be destin'd to this end, which none
But traytors vse to suffer, when my soule
Knowes it selfe guiltles as a new-borne babe,
Grat'th against weake nature and is a weight
Too heauy far for innocence to beare.

Pasq.
Each of our liues is in our soueraigne's hand,
Nor will it profit thee to blame his will.
That which the King hath sayd, we must performe;
Therefore, beleeue me, we dare not shew thee fauor
And so aduenture to get his displeasure.

Guisc.
'Tis easy to triumph on mysery.
A mouse's strength throwes downe a falling tree,
Though't be a cedar; yea, the meanest creature,
Eu'n the mole, whose grou'ling path's confin'd
To goe in earth so deepe that shee's deni'd
To se the light o'th'sun vpon the surface,
With her swine's snout will quicly ruinate
A castle wall that is before declineing.
Thou art this mole and now dar'st tread vpon
My faleing fortunes and there ill disaster.
I doe forgiue thee, since I know right well
I'm goeing to Heauen, where malice doth not dwel.
Strike, dismall sword! Neuer did any die
That was thought faulty, with lesse guilt then I.

Executioner cuts of his head.
Pasq.
Carry the body hence and open it.
When you haue done, take out the hart which yet
Doth pant within it, and, as the King directed,
Put it i'th'golden cup that he comanded,
And bring it hether. Sure, 'twill be sad newes,
When I shall giue the Princes such a token.

Exit Executioner cum cadauere.
Gab.
I'm glad the King apoynted thee to deliuer't.

Pasq.
'Tis no great thing to doe.

Gab.
Surely, noe.
To carry a cup with no more liquor in it
Then riseth from the fume a dieing heart
Is able to steame out, is no great matter
Of labor or of bodyly toyle; yet 'tis
A thing my stomake would not stand to doe,
Vnles it weare to carry a cruell foe
The heart of his dead frend, t'augment his woe—
This were a deede of merit.

Enter Ghismonda and her wayting-woman.
Ghism.
What, Pasquino!
And Gabriello too! How doth your charge?

Pasq.
I hope, well.

Ghism.
How doth the Kinge?

Pasq.
Very well. Long may he be soe!

Ghism.
And you se, I am well too.

Both
We hope so, honour'd lady.

Ghism.
Then you hope I am as Guiscardo is,
And that's well. I'm sure, your loyall heartes
Will not desire me in another state.

Pasq.
I sayd, I hoped he was well.

Ghism.
How doe you hope?

Pasq.
Pray, pardon me.

Ghism.
Come, my resolution is so firmely fixt,
I will not start at any thing. Out with it!

Pasq.
I hope his soule is well, but his bodie's dead.

Ghism.
And doe you se me stir'd? I told my father
I was made of the mold that Cesar was,
For he was made of earth, and soe am I,
And I will shew a Roman constancie.
You'l thinke much that I should haue the patience now
To tell you how your wordes belie your knowledg.
First you sayd, you hop'd Guiscardo was well;
Then you sayd, the King is well, as if you knew it;
And lastly you hop'd I was, and you saw it.
O, you base-minded, hollow-harted slaues!
Your wordes belye your thoughtes; your deedes, your consciences,
All your faire shewes are but forsworne pretences.
You hop'd nor this, nor that, that I or hee,
Your Princes or Guiscardo, did do well.
You hop'd Guiscardo and my selfe were well,
And yet you striue to kill vs; him in act
Vniustly you haue murder'd, me in effect.
And lastly, that you sayd the King was well
Of your owne knowledg thus I contradict—
He hath an ouer-loding clogg within him,
That he can neuer breath without vexation.
And now you'l witnes that I haue some patience.
Enter Executioner with the cup.
What, sirrah! Tell me, haue you brought a cup
That one may drinke of once and, drinking, die?

Pasq.
Madam, he hath brought that which I must giue
To your owne handes, although you checke me for it.
Within this golden cup remaines the hart
Of dead Guiscardo which the King, your father,
Hath sent you for a present, to comfort you
With that which you so dearely did affect.

Ghism.
Neuer did Tancred, the great King of Salern,
Declare his wisdome more, for 'tis but right
And iustice that so noble a hart as this
Should [not] be layd in a meaner graue then gold.
Returne the latest thankes that I can giue
Vnto my father, now grown mercifull
In sending me so honourable a present,
And tell him that my onely suit is to him,
One common graue may hold Guiscardo and me,
So that spectators may no difference see
'Twixt his and mine. Thus may we in death inioy
What he in life deni'd so cruelly.

Pasq.
I'le let him know your pleasure.

[Exeunt Pasquino and Gabriello.
Ghism.
I pray you, doe.
Sweete entertayner of all my deare delightes!
Accursed be his cruelty that causeth
Me thus to se thee with my corporal eies!
I thought, and so it was sufficient,
That I had ioy enough, when I beheld thee
With the sight of my soule. Minks, reach my cabinet.
I'le drinke one draught to thee; thou art so worthy.
Waiting-woman reacheth the cabinet, which the Princes openeth, findes a letter and reads the superscription thus:
“To the faire handes of my indeared Princes
Your honourer and true seruant Guiscardo.
Humbly presentes his service.”
Thy hand wrote virgin lines, and thy tongue spake
Just as thy hand wrote, and all thy life
Was but a iorney in a virtuous path.
Were I so good as thou wert, I would wish
To liue on earth still, there to imitate
Thy rare perfections, and thus I should giue cause
To the most vpright liuers to die for shame
Or greeffe, despareing of thy imitation.
Findes a bottell in the cabinet.
Come, thou dissoluer of all cares and troubles,
Enter that breast which so much longs to feele thee;
Please her that hath displeased all but him
Whose inocence did make him loose his life.
Send me but quickly to him, and thou wilt be
A learn'd phisitian, cureing misery.
Emptieth the bottle into the cup.
Here's a draught to the memory of Guiscardo.
Drinks.
The cup's too shallow and my wind too short
To drinke to thee in such a gratefull sort
As thy large merit cals for and enioynes me.
But what is wanting in the humid quantity,
The vertue o'th'confection will supply.
Thou little part of euer-lou'd Guiscardo,
Yet great in my esteeme, do not blush
To looke thy loue i'th'face, but come to me
And ease my greefe by thy sweete company.
Though the King pleas'd to take thy life and blood,
For no fault els but 'cause thou wert too good,
Yet 'tis a hard and most vnequall thinge
That inocence should die to please the King,
And though on earth thou hadst so sharp a doome,
Yet patience allwaise gaines by marterdome,
And thou wert such a martir. My hart, come forth.
I'le lay thee in a softer sepulcher, and though't be not
So rich, yet 'tis more warme. Come of from me,
I'le haue thee cloath a far more noble body.
Takes of a black vaile, lined with white.
I wrap thee in this cloth, because its whitenes
Is like thy master, cleare without a stayne;
Then next in this sad blacke, whose sable hue
Doth shew a mourning hand did put it o're thee;
And now goe to thy center.
Puts the hart in her breast.
Neuer woman was
With a liue man and all his lineamentes
So truely pleas'd as this pore, cold, dead hart
Doth comfort me by its soe neare abideing.
Lie closse to me; thou art a welcom guest.
I will go to thy master and there rest;
Though't be a solemne meeting, yet 'twill be
Honour to him and ease of mynd to me.

She struggles; waiting-woman cries.
Wait.
Madam, mistris, Princes, lady!

Ghism.
Doe not disturb my pleasing passage to him.

She cries still.
Enter Tancred, Pasquino and Glausamond.
Pasq.
I am afraid your Maiestie's come too late.

Tanc.
My deare Ghismonda, looke vpon thy father,
And if thou hast a sence of what I speake
Or apprehention of the teares I sheed,
Speake to him that is greeueing, aged, weeping.

Ghism.
Death comes too slowly, yet suffers me to tell you,
Those teares do not befitt you, nor please me.
Who but your selfe did euer mourne for that
Which your owne will was the sole causer of?
Yet, if you haue a iott of that loue in you
Which you haue made so great profession of,
Afford this fauor which I humbly craue,
That Guiscardo and I may haue one graue;
And since he shew'd him selfe a constant louer,
Good sir, giue leaue, one vrn vs both may couer.
By takeing so much pitty, you will be
Cal'd mercifull.
She struggles.
Guiscardo, I come to thee.

Tanc.
O, my deare hart, how little do I deserue
To be the father of such a noble child!
Sweete, do not leaue me so; my teares shall wash
Those foule sins of my cruelty, committed
'Gainst thee and thy so well-belou'd Guiscardo.
At this name she opens her eies.
O, holy saint, thine inocence and his were
Cossin germans,
Or rather twins, so that thou canst not heare
His name repeated, but thou lift'st vp thine eies,
As if to him thou offeredst sacrifice.
She grones and dies.
O, now shee's gone.

Glaus.
Past all hope; stiffe allready.

Tanc.
I'le trye her thus. As at the repetition
Of thy Guiscardo's name thou didst looke vp,
So doe againe. No tongue can speake, when death
Bereaues it of ability to moue.
If his name thou so lou'dst, haue not the power
To draw one word more from thee, let Tancred's name
Be grac'd so far as haue thee call him father.
I merit les then hee, and so my name
Is not so vertuous. Shee's dead and cannot.
This is a day, wherein mishap's a victor,
And cruelty, the beastliest thing in man,
Hath died my regall name so deepe in blood
That he that cals me tirant, fauors me.
I was a king vntill this darke-lookt hower,
But now I'm slaue to hellish misery.
'Tis fit I should be, since I haue deseru'd it.
Had I giu'n leaue that youthfull appetite
Might haue inioy'd its wish in such a sort
As did agree with noble decencie,
I had bene blest, and those two dead, aliue,
For they did wish no more; theire moderacion
Was so reseru'd and fearefull of ill-doeing
That they chose rather to vndergoe that taske
Which to weake nature's harsh and terrible,
Eu'n death it selfe, then any way t'assay
To gather pleasures from a sinfull tree.
Take in my daughter's body, and let it haue
A fitt obseruance for so great a Princes
Vntill I come, which shalbe presently,
And then I'le se the rightes perform'd my selfe.
Could I make them reuiue, whose death I caus'd,
I'd kis the ground and creep vpon my knees
And licke the dust, as if it were the spirit
Of some most precious cordiall. But in vayne
I wish for that which will not come agayne.
Go, thou deiected man, and provide store
Of blackes. Such martirs neuer were before;
No story doth record where such a paire
Did die so good, so inocent, so faire.
[Exit Tanc.