Bolden my courage, strengthen ye my hands, Against their kind, to do a kindly deed. But shall I then unwreaken[84] down descend? Shall I not work some just revenge on him That thus hath slain my love? shall not these hands Fire his gates, and make the flame to climb Up to the pinnacles with burning brands, And on his cinders wreak my cruel teen[85]? Be still, fond girl; content thee first to die, This venom'd water shall abridge thy life: [_She taketh a vial of poison out of her pocket_. This for the same intent provided I, Which can both ease and end this raging strife. Thy father by thy death shall have more woe, Than fire or flames within his gates can bring: Content thee then in patience hence to go, Thy death his blood shall wreak upon the king. Now not alone (a grief to die alone) "The only mirror of extreme annoy;" But not alone thou diest, my love, for I Will be copartner of thy destiny. Be merry then, my soul; can'st thou refuse To die with him, that death for thee did choose? CHORUS 1. What damned fury hath possessed our Queen? Why sit we still beholding her distress? Madam, forbear, suppress this headstrong rage. GISMUNDA. Maidens, forbear your comfortable words. CHORUS 2. O worthy Queen, rashness doth overthrow The author of his resolution. GISMUNDA. Where hope of help is lost, what booteth fear? CHORUS 3. Fear will avoid the sting of infamy. GISMUNDA. May good or bad reports delight the dead? CHORUS 4. If of the living yet the dead have care. GISMUNDA. An easy grief by counsel may be cur'd. CHORUS 1. But headstrong mischiefs princes should avoid. GISMUNDA. In headlong griefs and cases desperate? CHORUS 2. Call to your mind, Gismund, you are the Queen. GISMUNDA. Unhappy widow, wife, and paramour. CHORUS 3. Think on the king. GISMUNDA. The king, the tyrant king? CHORUS 4. Your father. GISMUNDA. Yes, the murtherer of my love. CHORUS 4. His force. GISMUNDA. The dead fear not the force of men. CHORUS 1. His care and grief. GISMUNDA. That neither car'd for me, Nor grieved at the murther of my love. My mind is settled; you with these vain words Withhold me but too long from my desire. Depart ye to my chamber. CHORUS. We will haste To tell the king hereof. [CHORUS _depart into the palace_.