University of Virginia Library

Scæna. 2.

Gismunda in Purple commeth out of her Chamber, attended by foure maides that are the Chorus.
Gismund.
“O vaine, vnsteadfast state of mortall things,
“Who trusts this world, leans to a brittle stay,
“Such fickle fruit, his flattering bloome forth brings
“Ere it be ripe, it falleth to decay,
The ioy and blisse that late I did possesse,
In weale at will, with one I loued best,
Is turned now into so deepe distresse,
As teacheth me to know the worlds vnrest.
For neither wit nor princely stomackes serue
Against his force that slaies without respect,
The noble and the wretch: ne doth reserue,
So much as one, for worthines elect.
Ah me deare Lord, what well of teares may serue
To feed the streames of my foredulled eies,
To weepe thy death, as thy death doth deserue,
And waile thy want in full sufficing wise.
Ye lampes of heauen, and all ye heauenly powers,
Wherein did he procure your high disdaine,
He neuer sought with vast huge mounting towers
To reach aloft, and ouer-view your raigne,
Or what offence of mine was it vnwares,
That thus your furie should on me be throwen,
To plague a woman with such endles cares,
I feare that enuie hath the heauens this showen.
The Sunne his glorious vertues did disdaine,
Mars at his manhood mightily repind,
Yea all the Gods no longer could sustaine,
Each one to be excelled in his kind.
For he my Lord surpast them euerie one,
Such was his honor all the world throughout,
But now my loue, oh whither art thou gone?
I know thy ghost doth houer here about,
Expecting me (thy heart) to follow thee:
And I (deare loue) would faine dissolue this strife,
But staie a while, I may perhaps foresee
Some meanes to be disburdend of this life,
“And to discharge 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 these our daily rites,
Which with my maidens I shall do to thee,
Which is, in songs to cheere our dying spirits
With hymnes of praises of thy memorie.

Cantant. Qua mihi cantio, nondum occurrit.
The Song ended, Tancred the King commeth out of his pallace with his guard.