Chapter 2

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 Greece But I, with love that bold'ned Paris' heart? What bond of nature, what restraint avails[34] Against our power? I vouch to witness truth. The myrrh tree,[35] that with shamefast tears bewails Her father's love, still weepeth yet for ruth,[36] But now, this world not seeing in these days Such present proofs of our all-daring[37] power, Disdains our name, and seeketh sundry ways To scorn and scoff, and shame us every hour. A brat, a bastard, and an idle boy: A[38] rod, a staff, a whip to beat him out! And to be sick of love, a childish toy: These are mine honours now the world about, My name disgrac'd to raise again therefore, And in this age mine ancient renown By mighty acts intending to restore, Down to the earth in wrath now am I come; And in this place such wonders shall ye hear, As these your stubborn and disdainful hearts In melting tears and humble yielding fear Shall soon relent by sight of others' smarts. This princely palace will I enter in, And there inflame the fair Gismunda so, Enraging all her secret veins within, Through fiery love that she shall feel much woe.[39] Too-late-Repentance, thou shalt bend my bow; Vain Hope, take out my pale, dead, heavy shaft, Thou, Fair Resemblance, foremost forth shalt go, With Brittle Joy: myself will not be least, But after me comes Death and deadly Pain. Thus shall ye march, till we return again.[40] Meanwhile, sit still, and here I shall you show Such wonders, that at last with one accord Ye shall relent, and say that now you know Love rules the world, Love it a mighty lord.[41]

[CUPID _with his train entereth into_ KING TANCRED'S _palace_.