LUCRECE. Sufficeth this, good niece, that you have said; For I perceive what sundry passions Strive in your breast, which oftentimes ere this Your countenance confused did bewray. The ground whereof since I perceive to grow On just respect of this your sole estate, And skilful care of fleeting youth's decay, Your wise foresight such sorrowing to eschew I much commend, and promise as I may To break this matter, and impart your mind Unto your father, and to work it so, As both your honour shall not be impeach'd, Nor he unsatisfied of your desire. Be you no farther grieved, but return Into your chamber. I shall take this charge, And you shall shortly truly understand What I have wrought, and what the king affirms.
GISMUNDA. I leave you to the fortune of my stars.
[GISMUNDA _departeth into her chamber_, LUCRECE _abiding on the stage_.
LUCRECE. The heavens, I hope, will favour your request. My niece shall not impute the cause to be In my default, her will should want effect: But in the king is all my doubt, lest he My suit for her new marriage should reject. Yet shall I prove him: and I heard it said, He means this evening in the park to hunt.[54] Here will I wait attending his approach.
TANCRED _cometh out of his palace with_ GUISCARD, _the_ COUNTY PALURIN, JULIO, _the Lord Chamberlain_, RENUCHIO, _captain of his guard, all ready to hunt_.
TANCRED. Uncouple all our hounds; lords, to the chase-- Fair sister Lucre[ce], what's the news with you?
LUCRECE. Sir, as I always have employ'd my power And faithful service, such as lay in me, In my best wise to honour you and yours: So now my bounden duty moveth me Your majesty most humbly to entreat With patient ears to understand the state Of my poor niece, your daughter.
TANCRED. What of her? Is she not well? Enjoys she not her health? Say, sister: ease me of this jealous fear?
LUCRECE. She lives, my lord, and hath her outward health; But all the danger of her sickness lies In the disquiet of her princely mind.
TANCRED. Resolve me; what afflicts my daughter so?
LUCRECE. Since when the princess hath entomb'd her lord, Her late deceased husband of renown; Brother, I see, and very well perceive, She hath not clos'd together in his grave All sparks of nature, kindness, nor of love: But as she lives, so living may she feel Such passions as our tender hearts oppress, Subject unto th'impressions of desire: For well I wot my niece was never wrought Of steel, nor carved from the stony rock: Such stern hardness we ought not to expect In her, whose princely heart and springing years Yet flow'ring in the chiefest heat of youth, Is led of force to feed on such conceits, As easily befalls that age, which asketh ruth Of them, whom nature bindeth by foresight Of their grave years and careful love to reach The things that are above their feeble force: And for that cause, dread lord, although--