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SIR CLYOMON AND SIR CLAMYDES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As lately lifting up the leaves of worthy writer's works
Last Line: All. Thy pleasure, most renownèd king, thy servants shall attend.


DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
KING OF DENMARK.
CLYOMON, his son.
KING OF SUAVIA.
CLAMYDES, his son.
THRASELLUS, King of Norway.
MUSTANTIUS, brother to the Queen of the Isle of Strange Marshes.
BRYAN SANS-FOY.
SUBTLE SHIFT.
CORIN, a shepherd.
Boatswain.
Lords, Knights, Soldiers, Servants.

QUEEN OF DENMARK.
JULIANA, her daughter.
QUEEN, widow of Patranius King of the Isle of Strange Marshes.
NERONIS, her daughter.
Two Ladies.

PROVIDENCE.
RUMOUR.

THE PROLOGUE.

As lately lifting up the leaves of worthy writers' works,
Wherein the noble acts and deeds of many hidden lurks,
Our author he hath found the glass of glory shining bright,
Wherein their lives are to be seen which honour did delight,
To be a lantern unto those which daily to desire
Apollo's garland by desert in time for to aspire;
Wherein the froward chances oft of fortune you shall see,
Wherein the cheerful countenance of good successes be,
Wherein true lovers findeth joy with hugy heaps of care,
Wherein, as well as famous facts, ignomious placèd are,
Wherein the just reward of both is manifestly shown,
That virtue from the root of vice might openly be known;
And doubting naught, right courteous all, in your accustom'd wont
And gentle ears, our author he is prest to bide the brunt
Of babblers' tongues, to whom he thinks as frustrate all his toil
As pearls cast to filthy swine which in the mire do moil.
Well,
What he hath done for your delight, he gave not me in charge:
The actors come, who shall express the same to you at large.

Enter CLAMYDES.

Clam. As to the weary wandering wights whom waltering waves environ,
No greater joy of joys may be than when from out the ocean
They may behold the altitude of billows to abate,
For to observe the longitude of seas in former rate,
And having then the latitude of sea-room for to pass,
Their joy is greater, through the grief, than erst before it was;
So likewise I Clamydes, Prince of Suavia, noble soil,
Bringing my bark to Denmark here, to bide the bitter broil
And beating blows of billows high, while raging storms did last,
My griefs were greater than might be, but, tempests overpast,
Such gentle calms ensuèd have as make my joys more,

Through terror of the former fear, than erst it was before;
So that I sit in safety, as sea-man under shrouds
When he perceives the storms be past through vanishing of clouds;
For why
The doubtful care that drave me off, in danger to prevail,
Is dash'd through bearing lesser brain and keeping under sail,
So that I have through travail long at last possess'd the place
Whereas my bark in harbour safe doth pleasures great embrace,
And hath such license limited as heart can seem to ask,
To go and come, of custom free or any other task:
I mean by Juliana she, that blaze of beauty's breeding,
And for her noble gifts of grace all other dames exceeding;
She hath from bondage set me free, and freèd yet still bound
To her above all other dames that live upon the ground,
For, had not she been merciful, my ship had rush'd on rocks,
And so decay'd amids the storms through force of clubbish knocks;
But when she saw the danger great where subject I did stand
In bringing of my silly bark full-fraught from out my land,
She, like a meek and modest dame,—what should I else say more?—
Did me permit with full consent to land upon her shore,
Upon true promise that I would here faithful still remain,
And that perform which she had vow'd for those that should obtain
Her princely person to possess; which thing to know I stay,
And then adventurously for her to pass upon my way:
Lo where she comes!

Enter JULIANA with a white shield.

Ah peerless dame, my Juliana dear!
Juli. My Clamydes! of troth, sir prince, to make you stay thus here
I proffer too much injury, that's doubtless on my part;
But let it no occasion give to breed within your heart
Mistrust that I should forge or feign with you my love in aught.
Clam. No, lady, touching you in me doth lodge no such a thought,
But thanks for your great courtesy, that would so friendly here
In mids of misery receive a foreign stranger mere.
But, lady, say what is your will, that it I may perstand.
Juli. Sir prince,
Upon a vow who spouseth me must needsly take in hand
The flying serpent for to slay, which in the Forest is
That of Strange Marvels beareth name; which serpent doth not miss,
By daily use, from every coast that is adjacent there,
To fetch a virgin-maid, or wife, or else some lady fair,
To feed his hungry paunch withal, if case he can them take;
His nature, lo, it only is of women spoil to make:
Which thing, no doubt, did daunt me much, and made me vow indeed,
Who should espouse me for his wife should bring to me his head;
Whereto my father willingly did give his like consent:
Lo, Sir Clamydes, now you know what is my whole intent;
And if you will, as I have said, for me this travail take,
That I am yours with heart and mind your full account do make.
Clam. Ah lady,
If case these travails should surmount the travails whereby came
Unto the worthies of the world such noble bruit and fame,
Yea, though the dangers should surpass stout Hercules his toil,
Who, fearing naught the doggèd fiend, stern Cerberus did foil;
Take here my hand, if life and limb the living gods do lend,
To purchase thee the dearest drop of blood my heart shall spend:
And therefore, lady, link with me thy loyal heart for aye,
For I am thine till Fates untwine of vital life the stay,
Protesting here, if gods assist, the serpent for to kill.
Juli. Then shalt thou of all women win the heart and great good-will,
And me possess for spousèd wife, who in election am
To have the crown of Denmark here as heir unto the same;
For why no children hath my sire besides me but one other,
And he, indeed, is heir before for that he is my brother,
And Clyomon so hight his name; but where he doth remain
Unto my parents is unknown, for once he did obtain
Their good-wills for to go abroad, a while to spend his days
In purchasing through active deeds both honour, laud, and praise,
Whereby he might deserve to have the order of a knight:
But, this omitting, unto thee, Clamydes, here I plight
My faith and troth, if what is said by me thou dost perform.
Clam. If not,
Be sure, O lady, with my life I never will return.
Juli. Then as thou seem'st in thine attire a virgin knight to be,
Take thou this shield likewise of white, and bear thy name by me—
The White Knight of the Silver Shield, to elevate thy praise.
[Gives shield.
Clam. O lady, as your pleasure is, I shall at all assays
Endeavour my good-will to win, if Mars do send me might,
Such honour as your grace with joy shall welcome home your knight.
Juli. Then farewell, my dear Clamydes: the gods direct thy way,
And grant that with the serpent's head behold thy face I may!
Clam. You shall not need to doubt thereof, O faithful dame so true!
And, humbly kissing here thy hand, I bid thy grace adieu.
[Exit JULIANA.
Ah happy time and blissful day, wherein by fate I find

Such friendly favours as are food to feed both heart and mind!
To Suavia soil I swiftly will prepare my footsteps right,
There of my father to receive the order of a knight,
And afterwards address myself, in hope of honour's crown,
Both tiger fell and monster fierce by dint for to drive down.
The flying serpent soon shall feel how boldly I dare vaunt me,
An if that Hydra's head she had, yet dread should never daunt me;
If murdering Minotaur a man might count this ugly beast,
Yet for to win a lady such I do account it least Of travails toil to take in
hand; and therefore, farewell care,
For hope of honour sends me forth 'mongst war-like wights to share.
[Exit.

Enter SIR CLYOMON.

Clyo. [To SUBTLE SHIFT within.] Come on, good fellow, follow
me, that I may understand
Of whence thou art, thus travelling here in a foreign land;
Come, why dost thou not leave loitering there and follow after me?
S. Shift. [within.] Ah, I am in, an't shall please you!
Clyo. In! why, where art thou in?
S. Shift. Faith, in a dirty ditch with a wanion, so beray'd as it's
pity to see.
Clyo. Well, I see thou art a merry companion, I shall like better of
thy company:
But, I pray thee, come away.
S. Shift. [within.] If I get out one of my legs, as fast as I may.
Ha lo! ah my buttock! the very foundation thereof doth break;
Ha lo! once again I am as fast as though I had frozen here a week.

Here let him slip unto the stage backwards, as though he had pulled his
leg out of the mire, one boot off, and then rise up to run in again.

Clyo. Why, how now! whither runn'st thou? art thou foolish in thy mind?
S. Shift. But to fetch one of my legs, an't shall please, that I have
left in the mire behind.
Clyo. One of thy legs! why, look, man, both thy legs thou hast;
It is but one of thy boots thou hast lost, thy labour thou dost wast.
S. Shift. But one of my boots! Jesu, I had such a wrench with the fall,
That, I assure, I did think one of my legs had gone withal.
Clyo. Well, let that pass, and tell me what thou art, and what is thy
name,
And from whence thou cam'st, and whither thy journey thou dost frame,
That I have met thee by the way, thus travelling in this sort.
S. Shift. What you have requested, an't shall please, I am able to
report.
What I am by my nature each wight shall perceive
That frequenteth my company by the learning I have:
I am the son of Apollo, and from his high seat I came;
But whither I go, it skills not, for Knowledge is my name,
And whoso hath knowledge, what needs he to care
Which way the wind blow, his way to prepare?
Clyo. And art thou Knowledge? of troth, I am glad that I have met with
thee.
S. Shift. I am Knowledge, and have as good skill in a woman as any man
whatsoever he be,
For this I am certain of, let me but lie with her all night,
And I'll tell you in the morning whether she is maid, wife, or sprite;
And as for other matters, speaking of languishes or any other thing,
I am able to serve, an't shall please, an't were great Alexander the King.
Clyo. Of troth, then, for thy excellency I will thee gladly entertain,
If in case that with me thou wilt promise to remain.
S. Shift. Nay, an't shall please ye, I am like to a woman,—say
nay, and take it;
When a gentleman proffers entertainment, I were a fool to forsake it.
Clyo. Well, Knowledge, then sith thou art content my servant to be,
And endu'd with noble qualities thy personage I see,
Thou having perfect knowledge how thyself to behave,
I will send thee of mine errand; but haste thither, I crave,
For here I will stay thy coming again.
S. Shift. Declare your pleasure, sir, and whither I shall go, and then
the case is plain.
Clyo. Nay, of no great importance, but being here in Suavia
And near unto the court, I would have thee to take thy way
Thither with all speed, because I would hear
If any shows or triumphs be towards, else would I not come there;
For only upon feats of arms is all my delight.
S. Shift. [aside.] If I had known so much before, serve that serve
will, I would have serv'd no martial knight.—
Well, sir, to accomplish your will, to the court I will hie,
And what news is there stirring bring word by and by.
Clyo. Do so, good Knowledge, and here in place thy coming I will stay,
For nothing doth delight me more than to hear of martial play.
[Exit S. SHIFT.
Can food unto the hungry corpse be cause of greater joy
Than for the haughty heart to hear, which doth itself employ
Through martial exercises much to win the bruit of fame,
Where mates do meet which thereunto their fancies seem to frame?
Can music more the pensive heart or daunted mind delight,
Can comfort more the careful corpse and over-pallèd sprite
Rejoice, than sound of trumpet doth each warlike wight allure,
And drum and fife unto the fight do noble hearts procure,
To see in sunder shiverèd the lance that leads the way,
And worthy knights unbeaverèd in field amidst the fray?
To hear the rattling cannons roar, and hilts on helmets ring,
To see the soldiers swarm on heaps where valiant hearts do bring
The cowardly crew into the case of careful captives' band,
Where ancients brave displayèd be and won by force of hand?
What wight would not as well delight as this to hear and see
Betake himself in like affairs a fellow mate to be
With Clyomon, to Denmark King the only son and heir,
Who of the Golden Shield as now the knightly name doth bear
In every land, since that I foil'd the worthy knight of fame,
Sir Samuel, before the king and prince of martial game,
Alexander call'd the Great; which when he did behold,
He gave to me in recompense this shield of glittering gold,
Requesting for to know my name, the which shall not be shown
To any knight unless by force he make it to be known;
For so I vow'd to Denmark King, my father's grace, when I
First got his leave that I abroad my force and strength might try,
And so I have myself behav'd in city, town, and field,
That never yet did fall reproach to the Knight of the Golden Shield.

Re-enter SUBTLE SHIFT running.

S. Shift. God's ames, where are you, where are you? an you be a man, come
away.
Clyo. Why, what is the matter, Knowledge? to tell thy errand stay.
S. Shift. Stay! what talk you of staying? why, then, all the sight will
be past:
Clamydes the king's son shall be dubb'd knight in all hast.
Clyo. Ah Knowledge, then come indeed, and good pastime thou shalt see!
I will take the honour from him that dubbèd I may be:
Upon a courageous stomach, come, let us haste thither.
S. Shift. Lead you the way and I'll follow; we'll be both made knights
togither.
[Exit CLYOMON.
Ah sirrah, is my master so lusty or dares he be so bold?
It is no marvel, then, if he bear a shield of gold:
But, by your patience, if he continue in this business, farewell master than,
For, I promise you, I intend not very long to be his man.
Although under the title of Knowledge my name I do feign,
Subtle Shift I am callèd, that is most plain;
And as it is my name, so it is my nature also
To play the shifting knave wheresoever I go.
Well, after him I will—but, soft now! if my master chance to be lost,
And any man examine me, in telling his name I am as wise as a post:
What a villain was I that, ere he went, could not ask it!
Well, it's no great matter, I am but half bound, I may serve whom I will yet.
[Exit.

Enter the KING OF SUAVIA with the Herald before him, CLAMYDES, and
three Lords.

King of S. Come, Clamydes, thou our son, thy father's talk attend.
Since thou art prest thy youthful days in prowess for to spend,
And dost of us the order ask of knighthood for to have,
We know thy deeds deserve the same, and that which thou dost crave
Thou shalt possess: but first, my son, know thou thy father's charge,
And what to knighthood doth belong, thine honour to enlarge;
Unto what end a knight is made that likewise thou mayst know,
And bear the same in mind also, that honour thine may flow
Amongst the worthies of the world to thy immortal fame.
Know thou, therefore, Clamydes dear, to have a knightly name
Is, first, above all other things, his God for to adore,
In truth, according to the laws prescrib'd to him before;
Secondly, that he be true unto his lord and king;
Thirdly, that he keep his faith and troth in every thing;
And then before all other things that else we can commend,
That he be always ready prest his country to defend;
The widow poor, and fatherless, or innocent bearing blame,
To see their cause redressèd right a faithful knight must frame;
In truth he always must be tried: this is the total charge,
That will receive a knightly name his honour to enlarge.
Clam. O father, this your gracious counsel given to me your only son,
Shall not be in oblivion cast till vital race be run!
What way doth win Dame Honour's crown, those paths my steps shall trace,
And those that to Reproach do lead, which seeketh to deface
True Honour in her regal seat, I shall detest for aye,
And be as utter enemy to them both night and day.
By flying force of flickering fame your grace shall understand
Of my behaviour, noble sire, in every foreign land;
And if you hear by true report I venture in the barge
Of Wilfulness, contráry this your grace's noble charge,
Let Ignomy to my reproach, instead of Lady Fame,
Sound through the earth and azure skies the strainèd blast of shame,
Whereby within Oblivion's tomb my deeds shall be detain'd,
Where otherwise of Memory the mind I might have gain'd,
So that the den of Darksomeness shall ever be my chest,
Where worthy deeds prefer each wight with honour to be blest.

Enter, behind, CLYOMON and SUBTLE SHIFT.

King of S. Well, Clamydes, then kneel down, according as is right,
That here thou mayst receive of me the order of a knight.
[CLAMYDES kneels; CLYOMON with SUBTLE SHIFT watching in place.
S. Shift. Now prepare yourself, or I'll be either a knight or a knave.
Clyo. Content thyself, Knowledge, for I'll quickly him deceive.
King of S. The noble order of a knight, Clamydes, unto thee
We give through due desert; wherefore see that thou be
Both valiant, wise, and hardy.

As the KING OF S. goes about to lay the mace on CLAMYDES'S head,
CLYOMON takes the blow.

S. Shift. Away now quickly, lest we be take tardy.
[Exeunt CLYOMON and SUBTLE SHIFT.
King. of S. Ah stout attempt of baron bold, that hath from this my son
The knighthood ta'en! My lords, pursue ere far he can be run.
[Exeunt two Lords.
Ah Clamydes, how art thou bereft of honour here!
Was like presumption ever seen, that one, a stranger mere,
Should come in presence of a prince and tempt, as he hath done,
To take the knighthood thus away from him who is his son?
Clam. Ah father, how am I perplex'd, till I revengèd be
Upon the wretch which here hath ta'en the honour thus from me!
Was ever any one deceiv'd of knighthood so before?
King of S. Well, Clamydes, my lords return; stay till we do know more.

Re-enter the two Lords, bringing in SUBTLE SHIFT.

First Lord. O king, the knight is fled and gone, pursuit prevaileth
nought;
But here his slave we taken have to tell why this he wrought.
King of S. Ah cruel grudge that grieves my ghost! shall he escape me
so?
Shall he with honour from my son, without disturbance, go?—
Ah caitiff thou, declare his name, and why he ventur'd here,
Or death shall be thy guerdon sure, by all the gods I swear!
S. Shift. Ah, an't shall please you, I know neither him, his country,
nor name.
Sec. Lord. What, what, sir? are not you his servant? will you deny the
same?
King of S. Nay, then you are a dissembling knave, I know very well.
S. Shift. An't shall please your grace, even the very troth I shall
tell:
I should have been his servant when we met togither,
Which was not full three hours before we came hither.
King of S. Well, what is his name, and of what country, declare.
S. Shift. That cannot I tell, an't shall please you: you never saw
servant in such care
To know his master's name, neither in town nor field,
And what he was he would [not] tell but the Knight of the Golden Shield.
King of S. Well, Clamydes, mark my charge, what I to thee shall say:
Prepare thyself for to pursue that traitor on his way,
Which hath thine honour reft from thee, and, either by force of hand
Or love, his name and native soil see that thou understand,
That I may know for what intent he bare this grudge to thee,
Else see thou never do return again to visit me;
For this imports him for to be of valiant heart and mind,
And therefore do pursue thy foe until thou dost him find,
To know his name and what he is, or, as I said before,
Do never view thy father I in presence any more.
Clam. Well, father, sith it is your charge and precept given to me,
And more for mine own honour's sake, I frankly do agree
To undertake the enterprise, his name to understand,
Or never else to show my face again in Suavia land.
Wherefore I humbly do desire the order to receive
Of knighthood, which my sole desire hath ever been to have:
It is the name and mean whereby true honour is achiv'd;
Let me not, then, O father dear, thereof be now depriv'd,
Sith that mine honour cowardly was stoln by caitiff he,
And not by dinted dastard's deed, O father, lost by me!
King of S. Well, Clamydes, then kneel down: here in our nobles' sight,
We give to thee that art our son the order of a knight;
But, as thou wilt our favour win, accomplish my desire.
Clam. Else never to your royal court, O father, I'll retire.
King of S. Well, then, adieu, Clamydes dear: the gods thine aider[s]
be!—
But come, my lords, to have his hire, that caitiff bring with me.
S. Shift. Alas, an't shall please you, I am Knowledge, and no evil did
pretend!
Set me at liberty; it was the knight that did offend.
Clam. O father, sith that he is Knowledge, I beseech your grace set him
free;
For in these affairs he shall wait and tend on me,
If he will protest to be true to me ever.
S. Shift. Ah noble Clamydes, here's my hand, I'll deceive you never!
Clam. Well, then, father, I beseech your grace grant that I may have
him.
King of S. Well, Clamydes, I am content, sith thou, my son, dost crave
him:
Receive him therefore at my hands.—My lords, come, let's depart.
All the Lords. We ready are to wait on you, O king, with willing heart.
[Exeunt all except CLAMYDES and SUBTLE SHIFT.
Clam. Well, Knowledge, do prepare thyself, for here I do protest,
My father's precepts to fulfill, no day nor night to rest
From toilsome travel till I have reveng'd my cause aright
On him who of the Golden Shield now beareth name of Knight;
Who of mine honour hath me robb'd in such a cowardly sort
As for to be of noble heart it doth him not import.
But, Knowledge, to me thy service still thou must with loyal heart profess.
S. Shift. Use me that all other villains may take ensample by me, if I
digress.
Clam. Well, then, come follow speedily, that him pursue we may.
S. Shift. Keep you before, an't shall please you, for I mind not to
stay.
[Exit CLAMYDES.
Ah sirrah Shift, thou wast driven to thy shifts now indeed!
I dream'd before that untowardly I should speed;
And yet it is better luck than I lookèd to have;
But, as the proverb saith, good fortune ever happeneth to the veriest knave:
And yet I could not escape with my master, do what I can:
Well, by this bargain he hath lost his new serving-man.
But if Clamydes overtake him now, what buffets will there be!
Unless it be four miles off the fray, there will be no standing for me.
Well, after him I will; but howsoever my master speed,
To shift for myself I am fully decreed.
[Exit.

Enter KING ALEXANDER THE GREAT, as valiantly set forth as may be, and as
many Lords and Soldiers as can.

K. Alex. After many invincible victories and conquests great achiv'd,
I, Alexander, with sound of fame, in safety am arriv'd
Upon my borders long wish'd-for of Macedonia soil,
And all the world subject have through force of warlike toil.
O Mars, I laud thy sacred name! and, for this safe return,
To Pallas' temple will I wend, and sacrifices burn
To thee, Bellona, and the rest, that warlike wights do guide,
Who for King Alexander did such good success provide.
Who bows not now unto my beck? my force who doth not fear?
Who doth not of my conquests great throughout the world hear?
What king as to his sovereign lord doth now not bow his knee?
What prince doth reign upon the earth which yields not unto me
Due homage for his regal mace? what country is at liberty?
What dukedom, island, or province else, to me now are not tributary?
What fort of force, or castle strong, have I not batter'd down?
What prince is he that now by me his princely seat and crown
Doth not acknowledge for to hold? not one the world throughout
But of King Alexander's power they all do stand in doubt:
They fear, as fowls that hovering fly from out the falcon's way;
As lamb the lion, so my power the stoutest do obey:
In field who hath not felt my force where battering blows abound?
King or keysar, who hath not fix'd his knees to me on ground?
And yet, Alexander, what art thou? thou art a mortal wight,
For all that ever thou hast got or won by force in fight.
First Lord. Acknowledging thy state, O king, to be as thou hast said,
The gods, no doubt, as they have been, will be thy shield and aid
In all attempts thou tak'st in hand, if case no glory vain
Thou seekest, but acknowledging thy victories and gain
Through the providence of sacred gods to happen unto thee,
For vain is trust that in himself man doth repose we see;
And, therefore, lest these victories which thou, O king, hast got
Should blind thine eyes with arrogancy, thy noble fame to blot,
Let that victorious Prince his words of Macedon, thy sire,
T' acknowledge still thy state, O king, thy noble heart inspire;
Who, after all his victories triumphantly obtain'd,

Lest that the great felicity of that which he had gain'd
Should cause him to forget himself, a child he did provide,
Which came unto his chamber-door, and every morning cried,
"Philip, thou art a mortal man!" This practice of thy sire,
Amidst all these thy victories, thy servant doth desire,
O Alexander, that thou wilt emprint within thy mind,
And then, no doubt, as father did, thou solace sweet shalt find.
K. Alex. My lord,
Your counsel doubtless I esteem, and with great thanks again
I do requite your courtesy, rejecting—this is plain—
All vain-glory from my heart; and since the gods divine
To us above all other kings this fortune do assign,
To have in our subjection the world for most part,
We will at this one hour['s] return, with fervent zeal of heart,
In Pallas' temple, to the gods such sacrifices make
Of thankfulness for our success, as they in part shall take
The same a gratulation sufficient from us sent:
Come, therefore, let us homewards march t' accomplish our intent.
All the Lords. We ready are, most famous king, to follow thee with
victory.
K. Alex. Then sound your drums and trumpets both, that we may march
triumphantly.
[Exeunt.


Enter CLYOMON.

Clyo. Now, Clyomon, a knight thou art, though some perhaps may say
Thou cowardly cam'st to Clamydes and stole his right away.
No, no,
It was no cowardly part to come in presence of a king,
And in the face of all his court to do so worthy a thing;
Amidst the mates that martial be and stern knights of his hall,
To take the knighthood from their prince even maugre of them all,
It gives a guerdon of good-will to make my glory glance;
When warlike wights shall hear thereof, my fame they will advance:
And where I was pretended late to Denmark King, my sire,
His royal grace to see, homeward to retire,
Now is my purpose altered by bruit of late report;
And where fame resteth to be had, thither Clyomon will resort.
For, as I understand by fame, that worthy prince of might,
The conqueror of conquerors, who Alexander hight,
Returning is to Macedon from many a bloody broil,
And there to keep his royal court now after weary toil;
Which makes the mind of Clyomon with joys to be clad,
For there, I know, of martial mates is company to be had.
Adieu, therefore, both Denmark King and Suavia Prince beside:
To Alexander's court I will; the gods my journey guide!

Enter CLAMYDES and SUBTLE SHIFT.

Clam. Come, Knowledge, here he is.—Nay, stay, thou cowardly
knight,
That, like a dastard, cam'st to steal away my right.
Clyo. What, what? you rail, sir princox-prince, me coward for to call.
S. Shift. An't shall please you, he is a coward; he would have hir'd
me, amidst your father's hall,
To have done it for him, being himself in such fear
That scarcely he durst before your presence appear.
Clyo. Why, how now, Knowledge! what, forsake thy master so soon?
S. Shift. Nay, master was, but not master is; with you I have done.
Clam. Well, for what intent cam'st thou my honour to steal away?
Clyo. That I took aught from thee, I utterly denay.
Clam. Didst not thou take the honour which my father to me gave?
Clyo. Of that thou hadest not, I could thee not deprave.
Clam. Didst not thou take away my knighthood from me?
Clyo. No, for I had it before it was given unto thee;
And having it before thee, what argument canst thou make
That ever from thee the same I did take?
S. Shift. That's true; he receiv'd the blow before at you it came,
And therefore he took it not from you, because you had not the same.
Clam. Well, what hight thy name? let me that understand;
And wherefore thou travelled'st here in my father's land,
So boldly to attempt in his court such a thing?
Clyo. The bolder the attempt is, more fame it doth bring.
But what my name is desirest thou to know?
S. Shift. Nay, he hath stoln sheep, I think, for he is asham'd his name
for to show.
Clam. What thy name is I would gladly perstand.
Clyo. Nay, that shall never none know, unless by force of hand
He vanquish me in fight, such a vow have I made;
And therefore to combat with me thyself do persuade,
If thou wilt know my name.
Clam. Well, I accord to the same.
S. Shift. Nay, then, God be with you! if you be at that point, I am
gone;
If you be of the fighter's disposition, I'll leave you alone.
Clam. Why, stay, Knowledge: although I fight, thou shalt not be
molested.
S. Shift. An't shall please you, this fear hath made me beray myself
with a proinstone that was not digested.
Clyo. Well, Clamydes, stay thyself, and mark my sayings here,
And do not think I speak this same for that thy force I fear,
But that more honour may redound unto the victor's part:
Wilt thou here give thy hand to me, withouten fraud of heart,
Upon the faith which to a knight doth rightly appertain?
And by the loyalty of a knight I'll swear to thee again
For to observe my promise just; which is, if thou agree
The fifteenth day next following to meet, sir prince, with me
Before King Alexander's grace, in Macedonia soil,
Who all the world subject hath through force of warlike toil,
For he is chief of chivalry and king of martial mates,
And to his royal court, thou know'st, repair all estates:
Give me thy hand upon thy faith of promise not to fail,
And here is mine to thee again, if Fortune's froward gale
Resist me not, the day forespoke to meet, sir prince, with thee,
Before that king to try our strengths: say if thou dost agree;
For triple honour will it be to him that gets the victory
Before so worthy a prince as he and nobles all so publicly,
Where otherwise, if in this place we should attempt the same,
Of the honour that were got thereby but small would be the fame.
Clam. Well, sir knight, here is my hand, I'll meet in place forespoke.
Clyo. And, by the loyalty of a knight, I'll not my words revoke.
Clam. Till then adieu; I'll keep my day.
Clyo. And I, if fates do not gainsay.
[Exit.
S. Shift. What, is he gone, and did take no leave of me?
Jesu, so unmannerly a gentleman did any man see?
But now, my lord, which way will you travel, declare.
Clam. Sith I have fifteen days' respite myself to prepare,
My lady's charge for to fulfill, behold, I do intend.
S. Shift. Your lady! an't shall please you, why, who is your lady? may
a man be so bold as ask and not offend?
Clam. Juliana, daughter to the King of Denmark, lo, is she,
Whose knight I am, and from her hands this shield was given to me
In sign and token of good-will; whose noble grace to gain,
I have protested in her cause for to omit no pain
Nor travail till I have subdu'd the flying serpent's force,
Which in the Forest of Marvels is, who taketh no remorse
Of womenkind, but doth devour all such as are astray,
So that no one dares go abroad nor wander forth the way;
And sith I have yet fifteen days myself for to prepare
To meet the Knight of the Golden Shield, my heart is void of care:
I will unto the forest wend, sith it is in my way,
And for my Juliana's sake that cruel serpent slay.
S. Shift. What, are you a madman? will you wilfully be slain?
If you go into that forest, you will never come out again.
Clam. Why so, Knowledge? dost thou think the serpent I fear?
S. Shift. No; but do you not know of Bryan Sans-foy, the champion,
dwells there?
Clam. A cowardly knight, Knowledge, is he, and dares fight with no man.
S. Shift. Ah, a noble match! couple him and me together than.
Yea, but although he dares not fight, an enchanter he is,
And whosoever comes in that forest to enchant he doth not miss.
Clam. Tush, tush, I fear him not, Knowledge; and therefore come away.
S. Shift. Well, seeing you are so wilfull, go you before, I'll not
stay.
[ExitA CLAMYDES.
Ah sirrah, now I know all my master's mind, the which I did not before:
He adventureth for a lady—well, I say no more.
But to escape the enchantments of Bryan Sansfoy,—
That's Bryan Without-faith,—I have devis'd a noble toy;
For he and I am both of one consanguinity;
The veriest cowardly villain that ever was born, that's of a certainty,
I'll fight with no man; no more will Bryan, that's plain,
But by his enchantments he putteth many to great pain,
And in a forest of strange marvels doth he keep,
Altogether by enchantments to bring men asleep
Till he have wrought his will of them. To Bryan straight will I,
And of my master's coming to the forest inform him privily:
So shall I win his favour; and, Subtle Shift, in the end
Thou shalt escape his enchantment, for he will be thy friend.
Well, unknown to my master, for mine own safeguard, this will I do;
And now, like a subtle shifting knave, after him I'll go.
[Exit.

Enter BRYAN SANS-FOY.

B. Sans-foy. Of Bryan Sans-foy who hath not heard? not for his valiant
acts,
But well I know throughout the world do ring his cowardly facts.
What though, I pray? all are not born to be God Mars his men;
To toy with dainty dames in courts should be no copesmates then:
If all were given to chivalry, then Venus might go weep,
For any court in venery that she were like to keep.
But shall I frame, then, mine excuse by serving Venus she,
When I am known throughout the world fainthearted for to be?
No, no, alas, it will not serve! for many a knight in love,
Most valiant hearts no doubt they have, and knightly prowess prove
To get their ladies' loyal hearts; but I in Venus' yoke
Am forc'd for want of valliancy my freedom to provoke,
Bearing the name and port of knight, enchantments for to use,
Wherewith full many a worthy wight most cowardly I abuse;
As witnesseth the number now which in my castle lie,
Who, if they were at liberty, in arms I durst not try
The feeblest there though he unarm'd, so is my courage daunted
Whenas I see the glittering arms whereby each knight is vaunted.
But how I vanquish these same knights is wonderful to see;
And knights that ventur'd for her love, whom I do love, they be,
That's Juliana, daughter to the King of Denmark's grace,
Whose beauty is the cause that I do haunt or keep this place,
For that no wight may her possess, unless by vow decreed
He bring and do present to her the flying serpent's head:
Which many have attempt to do, but none yet could him slay,
Ne afterward hence back again for me could pass away,
For that through my enchantments, lo, which here this forest keep,
So soon as I did look on them, they straight were in a sleep;
Then presently I them unarm'd and to my castle brought,
And there in prison they do lie, not knowing what was wrought.
Lo, thus I range the woods to see who doth the serpent slay,
That by enchantment I may take the head from him away,
And it present unto the dame, as though I were her knight.
Well, here comes one: I'll shroud myself, for sure I will not fight.

Enter SUBTLE SHIFT.

S. Shift. Gog's blood, where might I meet with that cowardly knave,
Bryan Sans-foy?
I could tell him such a tale now as would make his heart leap for joy.
Well, yonder I have espied one, whatsoever he be.
B. Sans-foy. [aside.] Nay, Gog's blood, I'll be gone; he shall not
fight with me:
But by enchantment I'll be even with him by and by.
S. Shift. Ah, an't shall please you, I'll fight with no man; never come
so nigh.
B. Sans-foy. Why, what art thou, declare; whither dost thou run?
S. Shift. Even the cowardliest villain, an't shall please you, that
lives under the sun.
B. Sans-foy. What, of my fraternity? dost thou not know Bryan Sans-foy?
S. Shift. What, Master Bryan! Jesu, how my heart doth leap for joy
That I have met with you! who ever had better luck?
But touch me not.
B. Sans-foy. Wherefore?
S. Shift. Ah, lest you enchant me into the likeness of a buck!
B. Sans-foy. Tush, tush, I warrant thee: but what art thou, declare.
S. Shift. Knowledge, an it shall please you; who hither doth repair
To tell you good news.
B. Sans-foy. Good news! what are they, Knowledge, express.
S. Shift. A knight hath slain the flying serpent.
B. Sans-foy. Tush, it is not so.
S. Shift. It is most true that I do confess.
B. Sans-foy. Ah, what hight his name, Knowledge? let me that
understand.
S. Shift. Clamydes, the White Knight, son to the King of Suavia land,
Who for Juliana, daughter to the King of Denmark's grace,
Did take the attempt in hand: now you know the whole case.
B. Sans-foy. Ah happy news of gladsomeness unto my daunted mind!
Now for to win my lady's love good fortune is assign'd;
For though she be Clamydes' right, won worthily indeed,
Yet will I sure possess that dame by giving of the head.
But, Knowledge, whereabout declare doth that Clamydes rest.
S. Shift. Even hard by in the forest here, where he slew the beast,
I left him, and to seek you did hie:
But let us go further into the woods, you shall meet him by and by.
B. Sans-foy. Well, Knowledge, for thy pains take this as some reward;
[Gives money.
And if thou wilt abide with me, be sure I'll thee regard
Above all others of my men; besides I'll give to thee
A thing that from enchantments aye preservèd shalt thou be.
S. Shift. Then here is my hand, I'll be your servant ever.
B. Sans-foy. And, seeing thou art a coward as well as I, I'll forsake
thee never.
But come, let us go Clamydes to meet.
S. Shift. Keep on your way and I'll follow.
[Exit BRYAN SANS-FOY.
I trust if he meet him, he'll take him to his feet.
Gog's blood, was ever seen such a jolt-headed villain as he,
To be so afraid of such a faint-heart knave as I am to see?
Of the fraternity, quoth you? by'rlady, it's a notable brood!
Well, Shift, these chinks doeth thy heart some good;
And I'll close with Bryan till I have gotten the thing
That he hath promis'd me, and then I'll be with him to bring:
Well, such shifting knaves as I am, the ambodexter must play,
And for commodity serve every man, whatsoever the world say.
Well, after Bryan I will, and close with him a while,
But, as well as Clamydes, in the end I'll him beguile.
[Exit.

Enter CLAMYDES with the head of the flying serpent upon his sword.

Clam. Ah happy day! my deadly foe submitted hath to death:
Lo, here the hand, lo, here the sword that stopt the vital breath!
Lo, here the head that shall possess my Juliana dear!
The Knight of the Golden Shield his force what need I now to fear?
Since I by force subduèd have this serpent fierce of might,
Who vanquish'd hath, as I have heard, full many a worthy knight,
Which, for to win my lady's love, their lives have ventur'd here:

Besides, that cowardly Bryan, which the Faithless Shield doth bear.
A number keeps, as I have heard, as captives in his hold,
Whom he hath by enchantment got and not through courage bold.
Shall such defamèd dastards, dar'd by knights, thus bear their name?
Shall such as are without all faith live to impair our fame?
Shall valiant hearts by cowardly charm be kept in captives' thrall?
Shall knights live subject to a wretch which hath no heart at all?
Nay, first, Clamydes, claim to thee fell Atropos her stroke,
Ere thou dost see such worthy knights to bear the heavy yoke
Of cowardly Bryan Without-faith: his charms let daunt not thee;
And for his force thou need'st not fear, the gods thy shield will be.
Well, to meet the Knight of the Golden Shield yet ten days' space I have
And to set free these worthy knights; but rest a while I crave:
Here in this place near to this fort, for that I weary am
With travail since from killing of the serpent late I came,
Lo, here a while I mind to rest, and Bryan then subdue,
And then to Alexander's court, to keep my promise true.
[Lies down and falls asleep.

Enter BRYAN SANS-FOY and SUBTLE SHIFT.

B. Sans-foy. Come, Knowledge, for here he lies, laid weary on the
ground.
S. Shift. Nay, I'll not come in his sight, if you would give me a
thousand pound,
For he is the terriblest knight of any you have heard spoke;
He'il beat a hundred such as you and I am down at one stroke.
B. Sans-foy. Tush, fear thou naught at all: I have charm'd him, and he
is fast asleep,
Lying near unto the castle here which I do keep;
And ten days in this sleep I have charm'd him to remain
Before nature shall overcome it that he might wake again.
In the mean season, lo, behold, the serpent's head I'll take away,
His shield, and his apparel: this done, then will I convey
His body into prison, with other his companions to lie,
Whose strengths, ah Knowledge, I durst never attempt to try!
S. Shift. Ah, handle him softly, or else you will cause him to awake!
B. Sans-foy. Tush, tush, not if all the noise in the world I were able
to make:
Till ten days be expirèd the charm will not leave him;
And then, I am sure, he will marvel who did thus deceive him.
[Takes away from CLAMYDES his apparel, his shield, and the serpent's
head.
So, now he is strippèd, stay thou here for a season,
And I'll go fetch two of my servants to carry him into prison.
S. Shift. Well, do so, Master Bryan, and for your coming I'll stay.
[Exit BRYAN.
Gog's blood, what a villain am I my master to betray!
Nay, sure, I'll awake him, if it be possible, ere they carry him to jail.—
Master! what, master! awake, man! what, master!—Ah, it will not prevail!
Am not I worthy to be hang'd? was ever seen such a deceitful knave?
What villany was in me when unto Bryan understanding I gave
Of my master's being in this forest? but much I muse, indeed,
What he means to do with my master's apparel, his shield, and the head.
Well, seeing it is through my villany my master is at this drift,
Yet, when he is in prison, Shift shall not be void of a shift
To get him away; but if it ever come to his ear
That I was the occasion of it, he'll hang me, that's clear.
Well, here comes Bryan: I'll cloak with him, if I may,
To have the keeping of my master in prison night and day.

Re-enter BRYAN SANS-FOY with two Servants.

B. Sans-foy. Come, sirs, take up this body, and carry it in to the
appointed place,
And there let it lie, for as yet he shall sleep ten days' space.
[Exeunt Servants, carrying out CLAMYDES.
S. Shift. How say you, Master Bryan, shall I of him have the guard?
B. Sans foy. By my troth, policy thy good-will to reward;
In hope of thy just service, content, I agree
For to resign the keeping of this same knight unto thee:
But give me thy hand that thou wilt deceive me never.
S. Shift. Here's my hand: charm, enchant, make a spider-catcher of me,
if I be false to you ever.
B. Sans-foy. Well, then, come, follow after me, and the guard of him
thou shalt have.
S. Shift. A thousand thanks I give you: this is all the promotion I
crave.
[Exit BRYAN SANS-FOY.
Ah sirrah, little knows Bryan that Clamydes my master is;
But to set him free from prison I intend not to miss:
Yet still in my mind I can do no other but muse
What practice with my master's apparel and shield he will use.
Well, seeing I have play'd the crafty knave with the one, I'll play it with the
other;
Subtle Shift for advantage will deceive his own brother.
[Exit.

Here a noise of Mariners within.

Clyo. [within.] Ah, set me to shore, sirs, in what country soever we
be!
Shipmaster. [within.] Well, hale out the cock-boat, seeing so sick
we do him see:
Strike sail, cast anchors, till we have rigg'd our ship again,
For never were we in such storms before, that's plain.

Enter CLYOMON and Boatswain.

Clyo. Ah, boatswain, gramercies for thy setting me to shore!
Boat. Truly, gentleman, we were never in the like tempests before.
Clyo. What country is this wherein now we be!
Boat. Sure, the Isle of Strange Marshes, as our master told to me.
Clyo. How far is it from Macedonia canst thou declare?
Boat. More than twenty days' sailing, an if the weather were fair.
Clyo. Ah cruel hap of Fortune's spite, which sign'd this luck to
me!—
What palace, boatswain, is this same, canst thou declare, we see?
Boat. There King Patranius keeps his court, so far as I do guess,
And by this train of ladies here I sure can judge no less.
Clyo. Well, boatswain, there is for thy pains; and here upon the shore
[Gives money.
I'll lie to rest my weary bones; of thee I crave no more.
[Exit Boatswain. CLYOMON lies down.

Enter NERONIS, two Lords, and two Ladies.

Nero. My lords,
Come, will it please you walk abroad to take the pleasant air,
According to our wonted use, in fields both fresh and fair?
My ladies here, I know right well, will not gain-say the same.
First Lord. Nor we, sure, for to pleasure you, Neronis, noble dame.
Nero. Yes, yes, men they love entreaty much before they will be won.
Sec. Lord. No, princess, that hath women's nature been since first the
world begun.
Nero. So you say.
First Lord. We boldly may,
Under correction of your grace.
Nero. Well, will it please you forth to trace?
That, when we have of fragrant fields the dulcet fumes obtain'd,
We may unto the sea-side go, whereas are to be gain'd
More strange sights among Neptune's waves in seeing ships to sail,
Which pass here by my father's shore with merry western gale.
First Lord. We shall your highness lead the way to fields erst spoke
before.
Nero. Do so, and, as we do return, we'll come hard by the shore.
[Exeunt.
Clyo. What greater grief can grow to gripe the heart of grievèd
wight
Than thus to see fell Fortune she to hold his state in spite?
Ah cruel chance, ah luckless lot, to me poor wretch assign'd!
Were ever seen such contraries by fraudulent goddess blind
To any one, save only I, imparted for to be?
T' amate the mind of any man, did ever Fortune she
Show forth herself so cruel bent as thus to keep me back
From pointed place by weather driven, my sorrows more to sack?
Ah fatal hap! herein, alas, what further shall I say?
Since I am forcèd for to break mine oath and pointed day
Before King Alexander's grace: Clamydes will be there,
And I through Fortune's cruel spite oppress'd with sickness here;
For now within two days it is that we should meet togither:
Woe worth the wind and raging storms, alas, that brought me hither!
Now will Clamydes me accuse a faithless knight to be,
And eke report that cowardliness did daunt the heart of me:
The worthy praise that I have won through fame shall be defac'd,
The name of the Knight of the Golden Shield, alas, shall be eras'd!
Before that noble prince of might whereas Clamydes he
Will show himself in combat-wise for to exclaim on me
For breaking of my pointed day; and, Clyomon, to thy grief,
Now art thou in a country strange, clean void of all relief,
Oppress'd with sickness through the rage of stormy blasts and cold:—
Ah Death, come with thy direful mace! for longer to unfold
My sorrows here it booteth not: yet, Clyomon, do stay;
The ladies, lo, come towards thee that walk'd the other way.

Enter NERONIS, two Lords, and two Ladies.

Nero. Come, fair dames, sith that we have in fragrant fields obtain'd
Of dulcet flowers the pleasant smell, and that these knights disdain'd
Not to bear us company, our walk more large to make,
Here by the sea of surging waves our home-return we'll take.—
My lords, therefore, do keep your way.
First Lord. As it please your grace, we shall obey.
But, behold, madam, what woful wight here in our way before,
As seemeth very sick to me, doth lie upon the shore.
Nero. My lords, let's know the cause of grief whereof he is oppress'd,
That, if he be a knight, it may by some means be redress'd.—
Fair sir, well met: why lie you here? what is your cause of grief?
Clyo. O lady, sickness by the sea hath me oppress'd, in brief.
Nero. Of truth, my lords, his countenance bewrays him for to be,
In health, of valiant heart and mind and eke of high degree.
Second Lord. It doth no less than so import, O princess, as you say.
Nero. Of whence are you, or what's your name, you wander forth this
way?
Clyo. Of small valure, O lady fair, alas, my name it is!
And for not telling of the same hath brought me unto this.
Nero. Why, for what cause, sir knight, should you not express your
name?
Clyo. Because, O lady, I have vow'd contráry to the same;
But where I travel, lady fair, in city, town, or field,
I'm callèd and do bear by name the Knight of the Golden Shield.
Nero. Are you that Knight of the Golden Shield, of whom such fame doth
go?
Clyo. I am that selfsame knight, fair dame, as here my shield doth
show.
Nero. Ah worthy, then, of help indeed!—My lords, assist, I pray,
And to my lodging in the court see that you him convey,
For certainly within my mind his state is much deplor'd.—
But do despair in naught, sir knight, for you shall be restor'd,
If physic may your grief redress; for I, Neronis, lo,
Daughter to Patranius King, for that which fame doth show
Upon your acts, will be your friend, as after you shall prove.
First Lord. In doing so you shall have meed of mighty Jove above.
Clyo. O princess, if I ever be to health restor'd again,
Your faithful servant, day and night, I vow here to remain.
Nero. Well, my lords, come after me; do bring him, I require.
Both Lords. We shall, O princess, willingly accomplish your desire.
[Exeunt.

Enter BRYAN SANS-FOY, having on the apparel of CLAMYDES, with his
shield, and the serpent's head.

B. Sans-foy. Ah sirrah,
Now are the ten days full expir'd wherein Clamydes he
Shall wake out of his charmèd sleep, as shortly you shall see.
But here I have what I desir'd, his shield, his coat, and head:
To Denmark will I straight prepare, and there present with speed.
The same to Juliana's grace, as in Clamydes' name,
Whereby I am assur'd I shall enjoy that noble dame;
For why Clamydes he is safe for ever being free,
And unto Knowledge is he left here guarded for to be.
But no man knows of my pretence, ne whither I am gone;
For secretly from castle I have stoln this night alone,
In this order as you see, in the attire of a noble knight;
But yet, poor Bryan, still thy heart holds courage in despite.
Well, yet the old proverb to disprove I purpose to begin,
Which always saith that cowardly hearts fair ladies never win:
Shall I not Juliana win, and who hath a cowardlier heart?
Yet for to brag and boast it out, I'll will none take my part;
For I can look both grim and fierce as though I were of might,
And yet three frogs out of a bush my heart did so affright
That I fell dead almost therewith: well, cowardly as I am,
Farewell, forest, for now I will, in Knight Clamydes' name,
To Denmark to present this head to Juliana bright,
Who shall a cowardly dastard wed instead of a worthy knight.
[Exit.

Enter SUBTLE SHIFT with sword and target.

S. Shift. Be your leave, I came up so early this morning that I cannot
see my way;
I am sure it's scarce yet in the break of the day.
But you muse, I am sure, wherefore these weapons I bring:
Well, listen unto my tale, and you shall know every thing;
Because I play'd the shifting knave to save myself from harm,
And by my procurement my master was brought in this charm.
The ten days are expir'd, and this morning he shall awake,
And now, like a crafty knave, to the prison my way will I take
With these same weapons, as though I would fight to set him free,
Which will give occasion that he shall mistrust there was no deceit in me;
And having the charge of him here under Bryan Sans-foy,
I'll open the prison-doors, and make as though I did employ
To do it by force, through good-will and only for his sake;
Then shall Clamydes, being at liberty, the weapons of me take,
And set upon Bryan and all his men, now that they are asleep,
And so be revengèd for that he did him keep
By charm: in this order so shall they both deceivèd be, And yet upon
neither part mistrust towards me. Well, near to the prison I'll draw to see if
he be awake:
Hark, hark, this same is he, that his lamentation doth make!
Clam. [in prison.] Ah fatal hap! where am I, wretch? in what
distressèd case!
Bereft of tire, of head, and shield, not knowing in what place
My body is! Ah heavenly gods, was e'er such strangeness seen?
What, do I dream? or am I still within the forest green?
Dream! no, no, 'las, I dream not I! my senses all do fail,
The strangeness of this cruel hap doth make my heart to quail.
Clamydes, ah, by Fortune she what froward luck and fate
Most cruelly assignèd is unto thy noble state!
Where should I be? or in what place hath destiny assign'd
My silly corpse for want of food and comfort to be pin'd?
Ah, farewell hope of purchasing my lady! since is lost
The serpent's head, whereby I should possess that jewel most.
Ah, farewell hope of honour eke! now shall I break my day
Before King Alexander's grace, whereon my faith doth stay.
And shall I be found a faithless knight? fie on fell Fortune, she
Which hath her wheel of froward chance thus whirlèd back on me!
Ah, farewell King of Suavia land! ah, farewell Denmark dame!
Farewell, thou Knight of the Golden Shield! to thee shall rest all fame;
To me this direful destiny; to thee, I know, renown;
To me the blast of Ignomy; to thee Dame Honour's crown.
Ah, hateful hap! what shall I say? I see the gods have sign'd
Through cruelty my careful corpse in prison to be pin'd;
And naught, alas, amates me so, but that I know not where I am,
Nor how into this doleful place my woful body came!
S Shift. Alas, good Clamydes, in what an admiration is he,
Not knowing in what place his body should be!
Clam. [in prison.] Who nameth poor Clamydes there? reply to him
again.
S. Shift. An't shall please you, I am your servant Knowledge, which in
a thousand woes for you remain.
Clam. [in prison.] Ah Knowledge, where am I, declare, and be brief.
S. Shift. Where are you! faith, even in the castle of that false thief,
Bryan Sans-foy, against whom to fight and set you free,
Look out at the window, behold, I have brought tools with me.
Clam. [in prison.] Ah Knowledge, then cowardly that caitiff did me
charm?
S. Shift. Yea, or else he could never have done you any harm:
But be of good cheer; for such a shift I have made,
That the keys of the prison I have got, yourself persuade,
Wherewith this morning I am come to set you free,
And, as they lie in their beds, you may murder Bryan and his men, and set all
other at liberty.
Clam. [in prison.] Ah Knowledge, this hath me bound to be thy
friend for ever!
S. Shift. A true servant, you may see, will deceive his master never.
[Opens the prison-door.
So, the doors are open; now come and follow after me.

Enter CLAMYDES.

Clam. Ah heavens, in what case myself do I see!
But speak, Knowledge, canst thou tell how long have I been here?
S. Shift. These ten days full, and sleeping still; this sentence is
most clear.
Clam. Alas, then this same is the day the which appointed was
By the Knight of the Golden Shield to me that combat ours should pass
Before King Alexander's grace; and there I know he is!
Ah cruel Fortune, why shouldst thou thus wrest my chance amiss,
Knowing I do but honour seek, and thou dost me defame,
In that contráry mine expect thou all things seeks to frame?
The faith and loyalty of a knight thou causest me to break:
Ah hateful dame, why shouldst thou thus thy fury on me wreak?
Now will King Alexander judge the thing in me to be
The which, since first I arms could bear, no wight did ever see.
But, Knowledge, give from thee to me those weapons, that I may
Upon that Bryan be reveng'd, which cowardly did betray
Me of my things, and here from thrall all other knights set free
Whom he by charm did bring in bale as erst he did by me.
Come, into his lodging will I go, and challenge him and his.
S. Shift. Do so, and to follow I will not miss.
[Exit CLAMYDES with the weapons.
Ah sirrah, here was a shift according to my nature and condition!
And a thousand shifts more I have to put myself out of suspicion:
But it doth me good to think how that cowardly knave, Bryan Sans-foy,
Shall be taken in the snare; my heart doth even leap for joy.
Hark, hark! my master is amongst them; but let him shift as he can,
For not, to deal with a dog, he shall have help of his man.
[Exit.

Re-enter, after a little fight within, CLAMYDES, with three Knights.

Clam. Come, come, sir knights; for so unfortunate was never none as I;
That I should joy that is my joy the heavens themselves deny:
That cowardly wretch that kept you here, and did me so deceive,
Is fled away, and hath the shield the which my lady gave
To me in token of her love, the serpent's head like case,
For which this mine adventure was, to win her noble grace.
First Knight. And sure that same th' occasion was why we adventur'd
hether.
Clam. Well, sith I have you deliver'd, whenas you please, together,
Each one into his native soil his journey do prepare;
For though that I have broke my day, as erst I did declare,
Through this most cowardly caitiff's charms, in meeting of the knight
Which of the Golden Shield bears name, to know else what he hight
I will to Alexander's court, and if that thence he be,
Yet will I seek to find him out, lest he impute to me
Some cause of cowardliness to be; and therefore, sir knights, depart;
As to myself I wish to you with fervent zeal of heart:
Yet, if that any one of you do meet this knight by way,
What was the cause of this my let, let him perstand I pray.
All the Knights. We shall not miss, O noble knight, t' accomplish this
your will.
Clam. Well, then, adieu, sir knights, each one; the gods protect you
still!
[Exeunt Knights.
What, Knowledge, ho! where art thou, man? come forth, that hence we may.
S. Shift. [within.] Where am I! faith, breaking open of chests here
within, for I'll have the spoil of all away.
Clam. Tush, tush,
I pray thee come, that hence we may; no riches thou shalt lack.

Re-enter SHIFT with a bag on his back.

S. Shift. I come now with as much money as I am able to carry of my back;
Ah, there was never poor ass so loaden! But how now! that cowardly Bryan have
you slain?
And your shield, the serpent's head, and coat, have you again?
Clam. Ah, no, Knowledge!
The knights that here were captives kept, they are by me at liberty,
But that false Bryan this same night is fled away for certainty,
And hath all things he took from me convey'd where none doth know.
S. Shift. O the bones of me! how will you, then, do for the serpent's
head to Juliana to show?
Clam. I have no other hope, alas, but only that her grace
Will credit give unto my words, whenas I show my case,
How they were lost: but first, ere I unto that dame return,
I'll seek the Knight of the Golden Shield whereas he doth sojourn,
T' accomplish what my father will'd; and therefore come away.
S. Shift. Well, keep on before, for I mind not to stay.
[Exit CLAMYDES.
Ah sirrah, the craftier knave, the better luck! that's plain:
I have such a deal of substance here, where Bryan's men are slain,
That it passeth: O, that I had while for to stay!
I could load a hundred carts full of kitchen-stuff away.
Well, it's not best to tarry too long behind, lest my master over-go,
And then some knave, knowing of my money, a piece of cozenage show.
[Exit.

Enter NERONIS.

Nero. How can that tree but wither'd be,
That wanteth sap to moist the root?
How can that vine but waste and pine,
Whose plants are trodden under foot?
How can that spray but soon decay,
That is with wild weeds overgrown?
How can that wight in aught delight,
Which shows and hath no good-will shown?
Or else how can that heart, alas,
But die, by whom each joy doth pass?
Neronis, ah, I am the tree which wanteth sap to moist the root!
Neronis, ah, I am the vine whose plants are trodden under foot!
I am the spray which doth decay, and is with wild weeds overgrown;
I am the wight without delight, which shows and hath no good-will shown:
Mine is the heart by whom, alas, each pleasant joy doth pass!
Mine is the heart which vades away as doth the flower or grass:
In wanting sap to moist the root, is joys that made me glad;
And plants being trodden under foot, is pleasures that were had:
I am the spray which doth decay, whom cares have overgrown—
But stay, Neronis; thou saist thou show'st and hast no good-will shown:
Why, so I do; how can I tell? Neronis, force no cruelty;
Thou seest thy knight enduèd is with all good gifts of courtesy:
And doth Neronis love indeed? to whom love doth she yield?
Even to that noble bruit of fame, the Knight of the Golden Shield.
Ah woful dame, thou know'st not thou of what degree he is!
Of noble blood his gestures show, I am assur'd of this.
Why, belike he is some runagate, that will not show his name:
Ah, why should I this allegate? he is of noble fame.
Why dost thou not express thy love to him, Neronis, then?
Because shamefacedness and womanhood bid us not seek to men.
Ah careful dame, lo, thus I stand, as 'twere one in a trance,
And lacketh boldness for to speak which should my words advance!
The Knight of the Golden Shield it is to whom a thrall I am,
Whom I to health restorèd have since that to court he came:
And now he is prest to pass again upon his weary way
Unto the court of Alexander; yet hath he broke his day,
As he to me the whole express'd.—Ah sight that doth me grieve!
Lo where he comes to pass away, of me to take his leave!

Enter CLYOMON.

Clyo. Who hath more cause to praise the gods than I, whose state
deplor'd,
Through physic and Neronis' help, to health am now restor'd?
Whose fervent thrall I am become: yet urgent causes dooth
Constrain me for to keep it close, and not to put in proof
What I might do to win her love; as first my oath and vow
In keeping of my name unknown, which she will not allow.
If I should seem to break my mind, being a princess born,
To yield her love to one unknown, I know she'll think it scorn:
Besides, here longer in this court, alas, I may not stay,
Although that with Clamydes he I have not kept my day,
Lest this he should suppose in me for cowardliness of heart:
To seek him out elsewhere I will from out this land depart.
Yet though unto Neronis she I may not show my mind,
A faithful heart, when I am gone, with her I leave behind,
Whose bounteousness I here have felt: but since I may not stay,
I will to take my leave of her before I pass away.
Lo where she walks.—O princess, well met: why are you here so sad?
Nero. Good cause I have, since pleasures pass, the which should make me
glad.
Clyo. What you should mean, O princess dear, hereby I do not know.
Nero. Then listen to my talk a while, sir knight, and I will show,
If case you will re-answer me my question to absolve,
The which propound within my mind doth oftentimes revolve.
Clyo. I will, O princess, answer you as aptly as I may.
Nero. Well, then, sir knight, apply your ears and listen what I say.
A ship, that storms had tossèd long amidst the mounting waves,
Where harbour none was to be had, fell Fortune so depraves,
Through ill success, that ship of hope, that anchor's hold doth fail,
Yet at the last she's driven to land with broken mast and sail,
And, through the force of furious wind and billows' bouncing blows,
She is a simple shipwreck made in every point, God knows.
Now this same ship by chance being found, the finders take such pain,
That fit to sail upon the seas they rig her up again,
And, where she was through storms sore shak'd, they make her whole and sound:
Now answer me directly here upon this my propound,
If this same ship thus rent and torn, being brought in former rate, his estate
Should not supply the finder's turn to profit In what she might.
Clyo. Herein a-right
I will, O princess, as I may, directly answer you.
This ship thus found, I put the case it hath an owner now;
Which owner shall sufficiently content the finder's charge,
And have again, to serve his use, his ship, his boat, or barge.
The ship, then, cannot serve the turn of finder, this is plain,
If case the owner do content or pay him for his pain;
But otherwise if none lay claim nor seem that ship to stay,
Then is it requisite it should the finder's pains repay
For such endeavour, as it is to serve for his behoof.
Nero. What owner truly that it hath, I have no certain proof.
Clyo. Then can I not define thereof, but thus I wish it were,
That you would me accept to be that ship, O lady fair,
And you the finder! then it should be needless for to move,

If I the ship of duty ought to serve at your behoove.
Nero. Thou art the ship, O worthy knight, so shiver'd found by me.
Clyo. And owner have I none, dear dame, I yield me whole to thee:
For as this ship, I must confess, that was a ship-wreck made,
Thou hast restor'd me unto health whom sickness caus'd to vade;
For which I yield, O princess dear, at pleasure thine to be,
If your grace, O noble dame, will so accept of me!
Nero. If case I will, what have you shown?
Clyo. Because I am to you unknown.
Nero. Your fame importeth what you be.
Clyo. You may your pleasure say of me.
Nero. What I have said due proof[s] do show.
Clyo. Well, lady dear, to thee I owe
More service than of duty I am able to profess,
For that thou didst preserve my life amidst my deep distress:
But at this time I may not stay, O lady, here with thee:
Thou know'st the cause; but this I vow, within three-score days to be,
If destiny restrain me not, at court with thee again,
Protesting whilst that life doth last thine faithful to remain.
Nero. And is there, then, no remedy, but needs you will depart?
Clyo. No, princess, for a certainty; but here I leave my heart
In gage with thee till my return, which, as I said, shall be.
Nero. Well,
Sith no persuasion may prevail, this jewel take of me,
And keep it always for my sake.
[Gives jewel.
Clyo. Of it a dear account I'll make:
Yet let us part, dear dame, with joy,
And to do the same I will myself employ.
Nero. Well, now adieu till thy return: the gods thy journey guide!
Clyo. And happily in absence mine for thee, dear dame, provide!
[Exit NERONIS.
Ah Clyomon, let dolours die, drive daunts from out thy mind!
Since in the sight of Fortune now such favour thou dost find
As for to have the love of her, whom thou didst sooner judge
Would have denied thy loyalty and 'gainst thy good-will grudge.
But that I may here keep my day, you sacred gods, provide
Most happy fate unto my state, and thus my journey guide,
The which I tempt to take in hand Clamydes for to meet,
That the whole cause of my first let to him I may repeat:
So shall I seem for to excuse myself in way of right,
And not be counted of my foe a false perjurèd knight.
[Exit.

Enter THRASELLUS and two Lords.

Thra. Where deep desire hath taken root, my lords, alas, you see
How that persuasion booteth not, if contrary it be Unto the first expected hope
where fancy hath take place;
And vain it is for to withdraw by counsel in that case
The mind who with affection is to one only thing affected,
The which may not till dint of death from thence be sure rejected.
You know, my lords, through fame what force of love hath taken place
Within my breast as touching now Neronis' noble grace,
Daughter to Patranius King, who doth the sceptre sway
And in the Isle of Marshes eke bear rule now at this day:
Through love of daughter his my sorrows daily grow,
And daily dolours do me daunt, for that, alas, I show
Such friendship whereas favour none is to be found again;
And yet from out my careful mind naught may her love restrain.
I sent to crave her of the king; he answer'd me with nay:
But shall I not provide by force to fetch her thence away?
Yes, yes, my lords; and therefore let your aids be prest with mine,
For I will sure Neronis have, or else my days I'll pine;
For King Patranius and his power I hold of small account:
To win his daughter to my spouse amids his men I'll mount.
First Lord. Most worthy prince, this rash attempt I hold not for the
best,
For sure Patranius' power is great and not to be supprest;
For why the isle environ'd is with sea on every side,
And landing-place, lo, is there none whereas you may have tide
To set your men from ship to shore, but by one only way,
And in that place a garrison great he keepeth at this day;
So that if you should bring your power, your travail were in vain:
That is not certainly the way Neronis for to gain.
But this your grace may do indeed, and so I count it best;
To be in all points with a ship most like a merchant prest,
And sail with such as you think best, all dress'd in merchants' guise,
And for to get her to your ship some secret mean devise,
By showing of strange merchandise, or other such like thing:
Lo, this is best advice I can, Thrasellus, lord and king.
Second Lord. And certainly, as you have said, my lord, it is the
way:—
Wherefore, O king, do prosecute the same without delay.
Thra. Of truth, my lords, this your advice doth for our purpose frame:
Come, therefore, let us hence depart to put in ure the same
With present speed, for merchant-wise myself will thither sail.
First Lord. This is the way, if any be, of purpose to prevail.
[Exeunt.

Enter CLYOMON and a Knight.

Clyo. Sir knight, of truth this fortune was most luckily assign'd,
That we should meet in travel thus, for thereby to my mind
You have a castle of comfort brought in that you have me told
Clamydes our appointed day no more than I did hold.
Knight. No, certis, sir, he kept not day, the cause I have express'd,
Through that enchanter Bryan's charms he came full sore distress'd; Yet fortune
favour'd so his state that through his help all we,
Which captives were through cowardly craft, from bondage were set free,
And at our parting willèd us, if any with you met,
We should inform you with the truth what was his only let.
Clyo. Well, know you where he abideth now, sir knight, I crave of
courtesy.
Knight. No, questionless, I know not I, to say it of a certainty.
Clyo. Well, then, adieu, sir knight, with thanks; I let you on your
way.
Knight. Unto the gods I you commit; 'naught else I have to say.
[Exit.
Clyo. Ah sirrah, now the hugy heaps of cares that lodgèd in my mind
Are scalèd from their nestling-place, and pleasures passage find,
For that, as well as Clyomon, Clamydes broke his day;
Upon which news my passage now in seeking him I'll stay,
And to Neronis back again my joyful journey make,
Lest that she should in absence mine some cause of sorrow take:
And now all dumps of deadly dole that daunted knightly breast,
Adieu, since salve of solace sweet hath sorrows all supprest.
For that Clamydes cannot brag nor me accuse in ought,
Unto the gods of destinies, that thus our fates have brought
In equal balance to be weigh'd, due praises shall I send,
That thus to weigh each cause a-right their eyes to earth did bend.
Well,
To keep my day with lady now I mind not to be slack,
Wherefore unto Patranius' court I'll dress my journey back:
But stay, methinks I Rumour hear throughout this land to ring;
I will attend his talk to know what tidings he doth bring.

Enter RUMOUR running.

Rum. Ye rolling clouds, give Rumour room, both air and earth below,
By sea and land, that every ear may understand and know
What woful hap is chancèd now, within the Isle, of late,
Which of Strange Marshes beareth name, unto the noblest state.
Neronis, daughter to the king, by the King of Norway he
Within a ship of merchandise convey'd away is she.
The king with sorrow for her sake hath to death resign'd;
And having left his queen with child to guide the realm behind,
Mustantius, brother to the king, from her the crown would take;
But till she be deliverèd the lords did order make That they before King
Alexander thither coming should appeal,
And he, by whom they hold the crown, therein should rightly deal
For either part: lo, this to tell I Rumour have in charge,
And through all lands I do pretend to publish it at large.
[Exit.
Clyo. Ah woful Rumour ranging thus! what tidings do I hear?
Hath that false King of Norway stoln my love and lady dear?
Ah heart, ah hand, ah head, and mind, and every sense beside,
To serve your master's turn in need do every one provide!
For till that I revengèd be upon that wretched king,
And have again my lady dear and her from Norway bring,
I vow this body takes no rest. Ah Fortune, fickle dame,
That canst make glad and so soon sad a knight of worthy fame!
But what should I delay the time, now that my dear is gone?
Availeth aught to ease my grief, to make this pensive moan?
No, no;
Wherefore come, courage, to my heart, and, happy hands, prepare!
For of that wretched king I will wreak all my sorrow and care,
And, maugre all the might he may be able for to make,
By force of arms my lady I from him and his will take.
[Exit.

Enter CLAMYDES, and SUBTLE SHIFT with the bag on his back as before.

Clam. Come, Knowledge, thou art much to blame thus for to load thyself,
To make thee on thy way diseas'd with carrying of that pelf.
But now take courage unto thee, for to that Isle I will
Which of Strange Marshes callèd is; for fame declareth still
The Knight of the Golden Shield is there and in the court abideth:
Thither will I him to meet, whatsoever me betideth,
And know his name, as, thou canst tell, my father chargèd me,
Or else no more his princely court nor person for to see.
Come, therefore, that unto that isle we may our journey take,
And afterwards, having met with him, our viage for to make
To Denmark, to my lady there, to show her all my case,
And then to Suavia, if her I have, unto my father's grace.
S. Shift. Nay, but, an't shall please you, are you sure the Knight of
the Golden Shield in the Isle of Strange Marshes is?
Clam. I was informèd credibly; I warrant thee, we shall not miss.
S. Shift. Then keep on your way; I'll follow as fast as I can.
[Exit CLAMYDES.
Faith, he even means to make a martris of poor Shift his man:
And I am so tied to this bag of gold I got at Bryan Sans-foy's,
That, I tell you, where this is, there all my joy is.
But I am so weary, sometimes with riding, sometimes with running, and other
times going a-foot,
That, when I come to my lodging at night, to bring me a woman it is no boot;
And such care I take for this pelf, lest I should it lose,
That where I come, that it is gold for my life I dare not disclose.
Well, after my master I must: here's nothing still but running and riding;
But I'll give him the slip, sure, if I once come where I may have quiet biding.
[Exit.

Enter NERONIS in the forest, in man's apparel.

Nero. As hare the hound, as lamb the wolf, as fowl the falcon's dint,
So do I fly from tyrant he, whose heart more hard than flint
Hath sack'd on me such hugy heaps of ceaseless sorrows here,
That sure it is intolerable the torments that I bear.
Neronis, ah, who knoweth thee a princess to be born,
Since fatal gods so frowardly thy fortune do adorn?
Neronis, ah, who knoweth her in painful page's show?
But no good lady will me blame which of my case doth know,
But rather, when they hear the truth wherefore I am disguis'd,
They'll say it is an honest shift the which I have devis'd;
Since I have given my faith and troth to such a bruit of fame
As is the Knight of the Golden Shield, and tyrants seek to frame
Their engines to detract our vows, as the King of Norway hath,
Who of all princes living now I find devoid of faith:
For, like a wolf in lambskin clad, he cometh with his aid,
All merchant-like, to father's court, and ginneth to persuade
That he had precious jewels brought, which in his ship did lie,
Whereof he will'd me take my choice, if case I would them buy;
Then I, mistrusting no deceit, with handmaids one or two,
With this deceitful merchant then unto the ship did go.
No sooner were we under hatch but up they hois'd their sail,
And, having then to serve their turn a merry western gale,
We were lash'd out from the haven, lo, a dozen leagues and more,
When still I thought the bark had been at anchor by the shore.
But being brought by Norway here, not long in court I was,
But that to get from thence away I brought this feat to pass;
For making semblance unto him as though I did him love,
He gave me liberty or aught that serv'd for my behove;
And having liberty, I wrought by such a secret slight,
That in this tire like to a page I scap'd away by night.
But, ah, I fear that by pursuit he will me overtake!
Well,
Here entereth one to whom some suit for service I will make.

Enter CORIN.

Cor. Go's bones, turn in that sheep there, an you be good
fellows!—Jesu, how cham beray'd!
Chave a cur here, an a were my vellow, cha must him conswade;
And yet an cha should kiss, look you, of the arse, cha must run myself an chill,
An cha should entreat him with my cap in my hand, ha wad stand still.
But 'tis a world to zee what merry lives we shepherds lead:
Why, we're gentlemen an we get once a thornbush over our head;
We may sleep with our vaces against the zon, an were hogs,
Bathe ourselves, stretch out our legs, an't were a kennel of dogs;
And then at night, when maids come to milking, the games begin:
But I may zay to you, my neighbour Hodge's maid had a clap,—well, let them
laugh that win!
Chave but one daughter, but chould not vor vorty pence she were zo sped;
Cha may zay to you, she looks every night to go to bed:
But 'tis no matter, the whores be so whiskish when they're under a bush,
That they're never satisfied till their bellies be flush.
Well, cha must abroad about my flocks, lest the fengeance wolves catch a lamb,
Vor, by my cursen zoul, they'll steal an cha stand by; they're not averd of the
dam.
Nero. [aside.] Well,
To scape the pursuit of the king, of this same shepherd here,
Suspicion wholly to avoid, for service I'll inquire.—
Well met, good father: for your use a servant do you lack?
Cor. What, you will not flout an old man, you courtnold Jack?
Nero. No, truly, father, I flout you not; what I ask, I would have.
Cor. Go's bones, thee leest: serve a shepherd an be zo brave?
You courtnoll crackropes, would be hang'd! you do nothing now and then
But come up and down the country, thus to flout poor men.
Go to, goodman boy; chave no zervice vor no zuch flouting Jacks as you be.
Nero. Father, I think as I speak; upon my faith and troth, believe me;
I will willingly serve you, if in case you will take me.
Cor. Dost not mock?
Nero. No, truly, father.
Cor. Then come with me; by Go's bones, chill never vorsake thee.
Whow, bones of my zoul, thou'lt be the bravest shepherd's boy in our town;
Thous go to church in this coat bevore Madge a Sunday in her grey gown:
Good Lord, how our church-wardens will look upon thee! bones of God, zeest,
There will be more looking at thee than our Sir John the parish-priest;
Why, every body will ask whose boy thou'rt; an cha can tell thee this by the
way,
Thou shalt have all the varest wenches of our town in the vields vor to play;
There's neighbour Nichol's daughter, a jolly smug whore with vat cheeks,
And neighbour Hodge's maid—meddle not with her, she hath eaten set
leeks,—
But there's Frumpton's wench in the frieze sack, it will do thee good to see
What canvosing is at the milking-time between her and me;
And those wenches will love thee bonomably in every place,
But do not vall in with them in any kind of case.
Nero. Tush, you shall not need to fear me: I can be merry with measure
as well as they.
Cor. Well, then, come follow after me, and home chill lead thee the
way.
[Exit.
Nero. Alas, poor simple shepherd! by this princes may see
That, like man, like talk, in every degree.
[Exit.

Enter THRASELLUS and two Lords.

Thra. My lords, pursue her speedily, she cannot far be gone;
And, lo, himself to seek her out, your king he will be one.
Ah fraudulent dame, how hath she gloz'd from me to get away!
With sugred words how hath she fed my senses night and day!
Professing love with outward shows, and inwardly her heart
To practise such a deep deceit, whereby she might depart
From out my court so suddenly, when I did wholly judge
She lov'd me most entirèly and not against me grudge,
She made such signs by outward shows! I blame not wit and policy,
But here I may exclaim and say, "Fie, fie, on women's subtilty!"
Well, well, my lords, no time delay, pursue her with all speed,
And I this forest will seek out myself, as is decreed,
With aid of such as are behind and will come unto me.
Both Lords. We shall not slack what here in charge to us is given by
thee.
[Exeunt.
Thra. Ah subtle Neronis, how hast thou me vexèd!
Through thy crafty dealings how am I perplexèd!
Did ever any win a dame and lose her in such sort?
The maladies are marvellous the which I do support
Through her deceit; but forth I will my company to meet:
If ever she be caught again, I will her so entreat
That others all shall warning take by such a subtle dame,
How that a prince for to delude such engines they do frame.

Enter CLYOMON.

Clyo. Nay, traitor, stay, and take with thee that mortal blow or stroke
The which shall cause thy wretched corpse this life for to revoke:
It joyeth me at the heart that I have met thee in this place.
Thra. What, varlet, dar'st thou be so bold with words in such a case
For-to upbraid thy lord and king? what art thou, soon declare.
Clyo. My lord and king I thee defy; and in despite I dare
Thee for to say, thou art no prince, for thou a traitor art;
And what reward is due therefore, to thee I shall impart.
Thra. Thou braggest all too boldly still: what hight thy name, express.
Clyo. What hight my name thou shalt not know, ne will I it confess;
But for that thou my lady stol'st from father's court away,
I'll sure revenge that traitorous fact upon thy flesh this day,
Since I have met so luckily with thee here all alone,
Although, as I do understand, from thee she now is gone;
Yet therefore do defend thyself, for here I thee assail.
Thra. Alas, poor boy, thinkest thou against me to prevail?

They fight, and THRASELLUS falls.

Thra. Ah heavens, Thrasellus he is slain!—Ye gods, his ghost
receive!
[Dies.
Clyo. Now hast thou justice for thy fact, as thy desert doth crave.
But, ah, alas, poor Clyomon, though thou thy foe hast slain,
Such grievous wounds thou hast receiv'd as do increase thy pain:
Unless I have some speedy help, my life must needly waste,
And then, as well as traitor false, my corpse of death shall taste.
Ah my Neronis, where art thou? ah, where art thou become?
For thy sweet sake thy knight shall here receive his vital doom:
Lo, here, all gor'd in blood, thy faithful knight doth lie!
For thee, ah faithful dame, thy knight for lack of help shall die!
For thee, ah, here thy Clyomon his mortal stroke hath ta'en!
For thee, ah, these same hands of his the Norway King have slain!
Ah, bleeding wounds from longer talk my foltring tongue do stay,
And, if I have not speedy help, my life doth waste away!

Enter CORIN and his dog.

Cor. A plague on thee for a cur! a ha driven my sheep above from the
flock:
Ah thief, art not asham'd? I'll beat thee like a stock;
And cha been a-zeeking here above vour miles and more:
But chill tell you what, chave the bravest lad of Jack the courtnoll that ever
was zeen bevore.
Ah, the whorecop is plaguily well lov'd in our town!
An you had zeen [him] go to church bevore Madge my wife in her holiday gown,
You would have bless'd yourzelves t'ave seen it: she went even cheek by jowl
With our head-controm's wife, brother to my neighbour Nichol;
You know ha dwells by Master Justice over the water on the other side of the
hill,
Cham zure you know it, between my neighbour Filcher's varm-house and the wind-
mill.
But an you did zee how Joan Jenkin and Gillian Geffrey love my boy Jack,—
Why, it is marvellation to see; Joan did so baste Gillian's back,
That, by Go's bones, I laugh'd till cha be-piss'd myzelf when cha zaw it:
All the maids in town vall out for my boy, but an the young men know it,
They'll be zo jealisom over them, that cham in doubt
Ich shall not keep Jack my boy till seven years go about.
Well, cham ne'er the near vor my sheep, chave sought it this vour mile;
But chill home and send Jack foorth to zeek it another while.
But, bones of God, man, stay! Jesu, whather wilt? wha, what mean'st lie here?
Clyo. Ah, good father, help me!
Cor. Nay, who there, by your leave! chill not come near.—
What, another? bones of me, he is either kill'd or dead!—
Nay, varewell: vorty pence, ye're a knave!—Go's death, 'a doth bleed!
Clyo. I bleed, indeed, father; so grievous my wounds be,
That if I have not speedy help, long life is not in me.
Cor. Why, what art thou? or how chanc'd thou camest in this case?
Clyo. Ah father, that dead corpse which thou seest there in place,
He was a knight and mine enemy whom here I have slain,
And I a gentleman whom he hath wounded with marvellous pain.
Now thou knowest the truth, good father, show some courtesy
To stop my bleeding wounds, that I may find some remedy
My life to preserve, if possible I may.
Cor. Well, hear you, gentleman, chould have you know this by the way,
Cham but vather Corin the shepherd, cham no suringer I;
But chill do what cha can vor you, cha were loth to see you die.
Lo, how zay you by this? have cha done you any ease?
Clyo. Father, thy willingness of a certainty doth me much please.
But, good father, lend me thy helping hand once again,
To bury this same knight whom here I have slain:
Although he was to me a most deadly enemy,
Yet to leave his body unburied were great cruelty.
Cor. Bones of God, man, our priest dwells too far away.
Clyo. Well, then, for want of a priest, the priest's part I will play:
Therefore, father, help me to lay his body aright,
For I will bestow a hearse of him because he was a knight,
If thou wilt go to a cottage hereby and fetch such things as I lack.
Cor. That chill, gentleman, and by and by return back.
[Exit.
Clyo. But, Clyomon, pluck up thy heart with courage once again;
And I will set o'er his dead corse, in sign of victory [plain],
My golden shield, and sword but with the point hanging down,
As one conquer'd and lost his renown,
Writing likewise thereupon, that all passengers may see,
That the false King of Norway here lieth slain by me.

Re-enter CORIN with a hearse.

Cor. Lo, gentleman, cha brought zuch things as are requisite for the
zame.
Clyo. Then, good father, help me the hearse for to frame.
Cor. That chall, gentleman, in the best order that cha may.
O, that our parish-priest were here! that you might hear him say;
Vor, by Go's bones, an there be any noise in the church, in the midst of his
prayers he'll swear:
Ah, he loves hunting a-life! would to God you were acquainted with him a while!
And as vor a woman,—well, chill zay nothing, but cha know whom he did
beguile.
Clyo. Well, father Corin, let that pass, we have nothing to do withal:
And now that this is done, come, reward thy pain I shall;
There is part of a recompense thy good-will to requite.
[Gives money.
Cor. By my troth, cha thank you, cham bound to pray vor you day and
night:
And now chill even home, and send Jack my boy this sheep to seek out.
Clyo. Tell me, father, ere thou goest, didst thou not see a lady
wandering here about?
Cor. A lady! no, good vaith, gentleman, cha zaw none, cha tell you
plain.
Clyo. Well, then, farewell, father; gramercies for thy pain.
[Exit CORIN.
Ah Neronis, where thou art or where thou dost abide,
Thy Clyomon to seek thee out shall rest no time nor tide!
Thy foe here lieth slain on ground, and living is thy friend,
Whose travel till he see thy face shall never have an end.
My ensign here I leave behind; these verses writ shall yield
A true report of traitor slain by the Knight of the Golden Shield;
And, as unknown to any wight, to travel I betake,
Until I may her find whose sight my heart may joyful make.
[Exit.

Enter SUBTLE SHIFT very brave.

S. Shift. Jesu, what a gazing do you make at me to see me in a gown!
Do you not know, after travel men being in court or in town,
And specially such as are of any reputation, they must use this guise,
Which signifieth a fool to be sage, grave, and of counsel wise?
But where are we, think you now, that Shift is so brave?
Not running to seek the Knight of the Golden Shield; another office I have;
For coming here to the court of Strange Marshes so nam'd,
Where King Alexander in his own person lies, that prince mightily fam'd,
Between Mustantius brother to the late king deceas'd,
And the queen, through King Alexander, a strife was appeas'd,
But how or which way I think you do not know:
Well, then, give ear to my tale, and the truth I will show.
The old king being dead through sorrow for Neronis,
Whom we do hear lover to the Knight of the Golden Shield is,
The queen, being with child, the sceptre askèd to sway,
But Mustantius the king's brother he did it denay,
Whereof great contention grew amongst the nobles on either side,
But being by them agreed the judgment to abide
Of King Alexander the Great, who then was coming hither,
At his arrival to the court they all were call'd togither:
The matter being heard, this sentence was given,
That either party should have a champion to combat them between,
That which champion were overcome, the other should sway,
And to be foughten after that time the sixteen day.
Now, my master Clamydes coming hither, for Mustantius will he be;
But upon the queen's side to venture none can we see,
And yet she maketh proclamation through every land
To give great gifts to any that will take the combat in hand.
Well, within ten days is the time, and King Alexander he
Stayeth till the day appointed the trial to see;
And if none come at the day for the queen to fight,
Then, without travail to my master, Mustantius hath his right.
But to see all things in a readiness against th' appointed day,
Like a shifting knave, for advantage to court I'll take my way.
[Exit.

Enter NERONIS disguised as a shepherd's boy.

Nero. The painful paths, the weary ways, the travails and ill fare,
That simple feat to princess seem[s] in practice very rare,
As I, poor dame, whose pensive heart no pleasure can delight
Since that my state so cruelly fell Fortune holds in spite.
Ah poor Neronis, in thy hand is this a seemly show,
Who shouldst in court thy lute supply where pleasures erst did flow?
Is this an instrument for thee, to guide a shepherd's flock,
That art a princess by thy birth and born of noble stock?
May mind from mourning more refrain, to think on former state?
May heart from sighing eke abstain, to see this simple rate?
May eyes from down-distilling tears, when thus alone I am,
Resistance make, but must they not through ceaseless sorrows frame
A river of distillèd drops for to bedew my face?
Ah heavens, when you 're reveng'd enough, then look upon my case!
For till I hear some news, alas, upon my loving knight,
I dare not leave this loathsome life for fear of greater spite:
And now, as did my master will, a sheep that is astray
I must go seek her out again by wild and weary way.—
Ah woful sight! what is, alas, with these mine eyes beheld?
That to my loving knight belong'd I view the golden shield.
Ah heavens, this hearse doth signify my knight is slain!
Ah death, no longer do delay, but rid the lives of twain!
Heart, hand, and every sense, prepare, unto the hearse draw nigh,
And thereupon submit yourselves; disdain not for to die
With him that was your mistress' joy, her life and death like case;
And well I know in seeking me he did his end embrace;
That cruel wretch, that Norway King, this cursèd deed hath done:
But now to cut that lingering thread that Lachis long hath spun,
The sword of this my loving knight, behold, I here do take,
Of this my woful corpse, alas, a final end to make!
Yet, ere I strike that deadly stroke that shall my life deprave,
Ye Muses, aid me to the gods for mercy first to crave!
[Sings here.
Well, now, you heavens, receive my ghost! my corpse I leave behind,
To be enclos'd with his in earth by those that shall it find.

PROVIDENCE descends.

Prov. Stay, stay thy stroke, thou woful dame: what wilt thou thus
despair?
Behold, to let this wilful fact, I, Providence, prepare
To thee from seat of mighty Jove. Look hereupon again;
Read that, if case thou canst it read, and see if he be slain
Whom thou dost love.
Nero. [after reading the verses on the hearse.] Ah heavens above,
All laud and praise and honour due to you I here do render,
That would vouchsafe your handmaid here in woful state to tender!
But by these same verses do I find my faithful knight doth live,
Whose hand unto my deadly foe the mortal stroke did give,
Whose cursèd carcass, lo, it is which here on ground doth lie:
Ah, honour due for this I yield to mighty Jove on high!
Prov. Well,
Let desperation die in thee: I may not here remain,
But be assurèd that thou shalt erelong thy knight attain.
[Ascends.
Nero. And for their providence divine the gods above I'll praise,
And show their works so wonderful unto their laud always.
Well,
Sith that the gods by providence have signèd unto me
Such comfort sweet in my distress, my knight again to see,
Farewell all feeding shepherd's flocks, unseemly for my state;
To seek my love I will set forth in hope of friendly fate:
But first to shepherd's house I will, my page's tire to take,
And afterwards depart from thence my journey for to make.
[Exit.

Enter CLYOMON.

Clyo. Long have I sought, but all in vain, for neither far nor near
Of my Neronis, woful dame, by no means can I hear.
Did ever fortune violate two lovers in such sort?
The griefs, ah, are intolerable the which I do support
For want of her! but hope somewhat revives my pensive heart,
And doth to me some sudden cause of comfort now impart
Through news I hear, as I abroad in weary travel went;
How that the queen her mother hath her proclamations sent
Through every land, to get a knight to combat on her side,
Against Mustantius duke and lord to have a matter tried;
And now the day is very nigh, as I do understand:
In hope to meet my lady there I will into that land,
And for her mother undertake the combat for to try,
Yea, though the other Hector were, I would him not deny,
Whatsoever he be: but, ere I go, a golden shield I'll have;
Although unknown, I will come in as doth my knighthood crave;
But cover'd will I keep my shield, because I'll not be known,
If case my lady be in place, till I have prowess shown.
Well,
To have my shield in readiness, I will no time delay,
And then to combat for the queen I straight will take my way.
[Exit.

Enter NERONIS disguised as a page.

Nero. Ah weary paces that I walk with steps unsteady still!
Of all the gripes of grisly griefs Neronis hath her fill:
And yet amids these miseries which were my first mishaps,
By bruit I hear such news, alas, as more and more enwraps
My wretched corpse with thousand woes more than I may support;
So that I am to be compar'd unto the scalèd fort,
Which doth, so long as men and might and sustenance prevail,
Give to the enemy repulse that cometh to assail,
But when assistance gins to fail, and strength of foes increase,
They forcèd are through battering blows the same for to release:
So likewise I, so long as hope my comfort did remain,
The grisly griefs that me assail'd I did repulse again,
But now that hope begins to fail, and griefs anew do rise,
I must of force yield up the fort, I can no way devise
To keep the same; the fort I mean it is the weary corse
Which sorrows daily do assail and siege without remorse.
And now, to make my griefs the more, report, alas, hath told
How that my father's agèd bones are shrinèd up in mould,
Since Norway King did me betray, and that my mother she
Through Duke Mustantius uncle mine in great distress to be
For swaying of the sceptre there: what should I herein say?
Now that I cannot find my knight, I would at combat-day
Be gladly there, if case I could with some good master meet,
That as his page in these affairs would seem me to entreat:—
And in good time here cometh one; he seems a knight to be;
I'll proffer service, if in case he will accept of me.

Enter CLYOMON with his shield covered, strangely disguised.

Clyo. Well, now, as one unknown, I will go combat for the queen:
Who can bewray me since my shield is not for to be seen?
But stay, who do I here espy? of truth, a proper boy:
If case he do a master lack, he shall sustain no noy,
For why in these affairs he may stand me in passing steed.
Nero. [aside.] Well,
I see to pass upon my way this gentleman's decreed:
To him I will submit myself in service for to be,
If case he can his fancy frame to like so well on me.—
Well met, sir knight, upon your way.
Clyo. My boy, gramercies; but to me say
Into what country is thy journey dight?
Nero. Towards the Strange Marshe[s], of truth, sir knight.
Clyo. And thither am I going; high Jove be my guide!
Nero. Would gods I were worthy to be your page by your side!
Clyo. My page, my boy! why, what is thy name? that let me hear.
Nero. Sir knight, by name I am callèd Cœur-d'acier.
Clyo. Cœur-d'acier! what, Heart of Steel? now, certis, my boy,
I am a gentleman, and do entertain thee with joy;
And to the Strange Marshes am I going, the queen to defend:
Come, therefore, for, without more saying, with me thou shalt wend.
Nero. As diligent to do my duty as any in this land.
[Exit CLYOMON.
Ah Fortune, how favourably my friend doth she stand!
For thus, no man knowing mine estate nor degree,
May I pass safely a page as you see.
[Exit.

Enter BRYAN SANS-FOY with the head of the serpent.

B. Sans-foy. Even as the owl that hides her head in hollow tree till
night,
And dares not, while Sir Phœbus shines, attempt abroad in flight,
So likewise I, as buzzard bold, while cheerful day is seen,
Am forc'd with owl to hide myself amongst the ivy green,
And dare not with the silly snail from cabin show my head,
Till Vesper I behold aloft in skies begin to spread,
And then, as owl that flies abroad when other fowls do rest,
I creep out of my drowsy den when Somnus hath supprest
The head of every valiant heart; lo, thus I shroud the day,
And travel, as the owl, by night upon my wishèd way;
The which hath made more tedious my journey by half part:
But blame not Bryan; blame, alas, his cowardly caitiff's heart,
Which dares not show itself by day for fear of worthy wights,
For none can travel openly t' escape the venturous knights,
Unless he have a noble mind and eke a valiant heart,
The which I will not brag upon, I assure you, for my part;
For if the courage were in me the which in other is,
I doubtless had enjoy'd the wight whom I do love ere this.
Well,
I have not long to travel now, to Denmark I draw nigh,
Bearing Knight Clamydes' name, yet Bryan Sans-foy am I;
But though I do usurp his name his shield or ensign here,
Yet can I not usurp his heart, still Bryan's heart I bear:
Well,
I force not that; he's safe enough; and Bryan, as I am,
I will unto the court whereas I shall enjoy that dame.
[Exit.

Enter SUBTLE SHIFT as a whiffler.

S. Shift. Room there for a reckoning! see, I beseech you, if they'll
stand out of the way!
Jesu, Jesu, why, do you not know that this is the day
That the combat must pass for Mustantius and the queen?
But to fight upon her side as yet no champion is seen;
And Duke Mustantius he smiles in his sleeve because he doth see
That neither for love nor rewards any one her champion will be:
An't were not but that my master the other champion is,
To fight for the queen myself I surely would not miss.
Alas, good lady! she and her child are like to lose all the land
Because none will come in in her defence for to stand;
For where she was in election, if any champion had come,
To rule till she was deliver'd and have the prince's room,
Now shall Duke Mustantius be sure the sceptre to sway,
If that none do come in to fight in her cause this day;
And King Alexander all this while hath he stay'd the trial to see:
Well, here they come.—Room there for the king! here's such thrusting of
women as it grieveth me.

Enter KING ALEXANDER, the QUEEN of the Isle of Strange Marshes,
MUSTANTIUS, two Lords, and CLAMYDES as a champion.

Must. O Alexander, lo, behold, before thy royal grace
My champion here at pointed day I do present in place.
K. Alex. Well, sir duke, in your defence is he content to be?
Clam. Yea, worthy prince, not fearing who encounter shall with me;
Although he were with Hercules of equal power and might,
Yet in the cause of this same duke I['d] challenge him the fight.
K. Alex. I like your courage well, sir knight; what shall we call your
name?
Clam. Clamydes, son to the Suavian King, O prince, so hight the same.
K. Alex. Now certainly I am right glad, Clamydes, for to see
Such valiant courage to remain within the mind of thee.—
Well, lady,
According to the order ta'en herein, what do you say?
Have you your champion in like case now ready at the day?
Queen of the S. M. No, sure, O king, no champion I have for to aid my
cause,
Unless 'twill please your noble grace on further day to pause;
For I have sent throughout this isle and every foreign land,
But none as yet hath profferèd to take the same in hand.
K. Alex. No?
I am more sorry certainly your chance to see so ill,
But day deferrèd cannot be unless Mustantius will,
For that his champion ready here in place he doth present;
And whoso missèd at this day should lose, by full consent
Of either part, the title, right, and sway of regal mace:
To this was your consentment given as well as his in place,
And therefore without his assent we cannot defer the day.
S. Shift. An't shall please your grace, herein try Mustantius what he
will say.
K. Alex. How say you, Mustantius? are you content the day to defer?
Must. Your grace will not will me, I trust, for then from law you err;
And having not her champion here according to decree,
There resteth naught for her to lose, the crown belongs to me.
S. Shift. Nay, an't shall please your grace, rather than she shall it
lose,
I myself will be her champion for half a dozen blows.
Must. Wilt thou? then by full congé to the challenger there
stands.
S. Shift. Nay, soft! Of sufferance cometh ease; though I cannot rule my
tongue, I'll rule my hands.
Must. Well, noble Alexander, sith that she wants her champion as you
see,
By greement of your royal grace the crown belongs to me.
K. Alex. Nay, Mustantius, she shall have law: wherefore to sound begin,
To see if that in three hours' space no champion will come in.—
[Sound here once.
Of truth, madam, I sorry am none will thy cause maintain.—
Well
According to the law of arms, yet, trumpet, sound again.—
[Sound second time.

Enter, behind, CLYOMON as to combat, and NERONIS disguised as a
page.

What, and is there none will take in hand to combat for the queen?
S. Shift. Faith, I think it must be I must do the deed, for none yet is
seen.
Queen of the S. M. O king, let pity plead for me here in your gracious
sight,
And for so slender cause as this deprive me not of right!
Consider once I had to spouse a prince of worthy fame,
Though now blind Fortune spurn at me, her spite I needs must blame;
And though I am bereft, O king, both of my child and mate,
Your grace some greement may procure: consider of my state,
And suffer not a widow-queen with wrong oppressèd so,
But pity the young infant's case wherewith, O king, I go,
And, though I suffer wrong, let that find favour in your sight.
K. Alex. Why, lady, I respect you both, and sure would, if I might,
Entreat Mustantius thereunto some such good order frame,
Your strife should cease, and yet each one well pleasèd with the same.
Queen of the S. M. I know your grace may him persuade, as reason wills
no less.
K. Alex. Well, Sir Mustantius, then your mind to me in brief express;
Will you unto such order stand here limited by me,
Without deferring longer time? say on, if you agree.
Must. In hope your grace my state will weigh, I give my glad consent.
K. Alex. And for to end all discord, say, madam, are you content?
Queen of the S. M. Yea, noble king.
K. Alex. Well, then, before my nobles all, give ear unto the thing,
For swaying of the sword and mace all discord to beat down:
The child, when it is born, we elect to wear the crown;
And till that time, Mustantius, you of lands and living here
Like equal part in every point with this the queen shall share,
But to the child, when it is born, if gods grant it to live,
The kingdom whole in every part as title we do give.
But yet, Mustantius, we will yield this recompense to you,
You shall receive five thousand crowns for yearly pension due,
To maintain your estate while you here live and do remain;
And after let the whole belong unto the crown again.
Now say your minds if you agree.
Nero. [aside.] I would the like choice were put to me!
Queen of the S. M. I, for my part, O noble king, therewith am well
content.
Must. Well, better half than naught at all: I likewise give consent.
Clyo. [coming forward.] Renownèd king and most of fame, before
thy royal grace,
The queen to aid, I do present my person here in place.
Must. You come too late, in faith, sir knight; the hour and time is
past.
Clyo. Your hour I am not to respect; I enter'd with the blast.
Clam. What, princox, is it you are come to combat for the queen?
Good fortune now! I hope ere long your courage shall be seen.
Clyo. And sure I count my hap as good to meet with you, sir knight:
Come,
According to your promise made, prepare yourself to fight.
Clam. I knew you well enough, sir, although your shield were hid from
me.
Clyo. Now you shall feel me as well as know me, if hand and heart
agree.
K. Alex. Stay, stay, sir knights, I charge you not in combat to
proceed,
For why the quarrel ended is and the parties are agreed;
And therefore we discharge you both the combat to refrain.
Nero. [aside.] The heavens therefore, O noble king, thy happy
shield remain!
Claim. O king, although we be discharg'd for this contention now,
Betwixt us twain there resteth yet a combat made by vow,
Which should be fought before your grace; and since we here be met,
To judge 'twixt us for victory let me your grace entreat.
K. Alex. For what occasion is your strife, sir knights, first let me
know.
Clam. The truth thereof, renownèd king, thy servant he shall show.
What time, O king, as I should take of Suavia King my sire
The noble order of a knight, which long I did desire,
This knight a stranger comes to court, and at that present day
In cowardly wise he comes by stealth, and takes from me away
The honour that I should have had; for which my father he
Did of his blessing give in charge, O noble king, to me,
That I should know his name that thus bereav'd me of my right,
The which he will not show unless he be subdu'd in fight;
Whereto we either plighted faith that I should know his name,
If that before thy grace, O king, my force in fight could frame
To vanquish him: now having met thus happily togither,
Though they are greed, our combat rest[s], decreed ere we came hither.
[K. Alex.] Are you that knight that did subdue Sir Samuel in field,
For which you had in recompense of us that golden shield?
Clyo. I am that knight, renownèd prince, whose name is yet
unknown,
And since I foil'd Sir Samuel, some prowess I have shown.
Queen of the S. M. Then, as I guess, you are that knight, by that same
shield you bear,
Which sometime was restor'd to health, within our palace here,
By Neronis our daughter, she betray'd by Norway King.
Clyo. I am that knight, indeed, O queen, whom she to health did bring;
Whose servant ever I am bound wheresoever that she be,
Whose enemy, O queen, is slain, pursuing her, by me.
Queen of the S. M. Know you not where she abides? sir knight, to us
declare.
Clyo. No, certis; would to gods I did! she should not live in care;
But escap'd from the Norway King I am assur'd she is.
Queen of the S. M. Well,
Her absence was her father's death, which turn'd to bale my bliss.
Clyo. And till I find her out again, my toil no end shall have.
Nero. [aside.] Alas, he's nigh enough to her! small toil the space
doth crave.
K. Alex. Well, sir knights, since that you have declar'd before me here
The cause of this the grudge which you to each other bear,
I wish you both a while to pause and to my words attend:
If reason rest with you, be sure, knights, this quarrel I will end
Without the shedding any blood betwixt you here in fight.
Clamydes, weigh you are nobly born, and will you, then, sir knight,
Go hazard life so desperately? I charge you both refrain,
Since for so small a cause the strife doth grow betwixt you twain:
And let him know your name, sir knight, and so your malice end.
Clyo. I have vow'd to the contrary, which vow I must defend.
K. Alex. Well,
Though so it be that you have vow'd your name shall not be known,
Yet, not detracting this your vow, your country may be shown,
And of what stock by birth you be.
S. Shift. [aside.] By'rlady, he is dash'd now, I see.
Clyo. [aside.] Indeed, this hath aston'd me much: I cannot but
confess
My country, and my birth, my state; which plainly will express
My name, for that unto them all my state is not [un] known.
K. Alex. Sir knight,
Of our demand from you again what answer shall be shown?
Clyo. Of Denmark, noble prince, I am, and son unto the king.
K. Alex. Why, then Sir Clyomon hight your name, as rare report doth
ring?
Clyo. It doth indeed so hight my name, O prince of high renown;
I am the Prince of Denmark's son, and heir unto the crown.
Clam. And are you son to Denmark King? then do embrace your friend,
Within whose heart here towards you all malice makes an end,
Who with your sister linkèd is in love with loyal heart.
Clyo. And, for her sake and for thine own, like friendship I impart.
K. Alex. Well, sir knights, since friendship rests where rancour did
remain,
And that you are such friends become, I certain am right fain
In hope you will continue still: you shall to court repair,
And remain, if that you please, a while to rest you there,
Till time you have decreed which way your journey you will frame.
Clyo. Clam.} We yield you thanks, beseeching Jove still to augment your
fame.
[Exeunt all except CLAMYDES, CLYOMON, and NERONIS.
Clam. Well, come, my Clyomon, let us pass, and, as we journ by way,
My most misfortunes unto thee I wholly will bewray,
What happen'd in my last affairs and for thy sister's sake.
Clyo. Well, then, Coeur-d'acier, come and wait, your journey you shall
take;
And, seeing thou art prepar'd and hast all things in readiness,
Haste thee before to Denmark with speediness,
And tell the king and the queen that Clyomon their son
In health and happy state to their court doth return;
But in no wise to Juliana say anything of me.
Nero. I will not show one word amiss contrary your decree.
Clam. Well, then,
My Clyomon, to take our leave, to court let us repair.
Clyo. As your friend and companion, Clamydes, everywhere.
[Exeunt CLAMYDES and CLYOMON.
Nero. O heavens, is this my loving knight whom I have serv'd so long?
Now have I tried his faithful heart: O, so my joys do throng
To think how Fortune favoureth me! Neronis, now be glad,
And praise the gods thy journey now such good success hath had.
To Denmark will I haste with joy, my message to declare,
And tell the king how that his son doth homeward now repair;
And more to make my joys abound, Fortune could never frame
A finer mean to serve my turn than this, for by the same
I may unto the queen declare my state in secret wise,
As by the way I will recount how best I can devise.
Now pack, Neronis, like a page; haste hence last thou be spied,
And tell thy master's message there: the gods my journey guide!
[Exit.

Enter the KING and QUEEN OF DENMARK, JULIANA, and two Lords.

King of D. Come, lady queen; and daughter eke, my Juliana dear,
We muse that of your knight as yet no news again you hear,
Which did adventure for your love the serpent to subdue.
Juli. O father,
The sending of that worthy knight my woful heart doth rue,
For that, alas, the furious force of his outrageous might,
As I have heard, subduèd hath full many a worthy knight!
And this last night, O father, past, my mind was troubled sore;
Methought in dream I saw a knight, not known to me before,
Which did present to me the head of that same monster slain;
But my Clamydes still in voice methought I heard complain
As one bereft of all his joy: now what this dream doth signify,
My simple skill will not suffice the truth thereof to specify;
But sore I fear to contraries th' expect thereof will hap,
Which will in huge calamities my woful corpse bewrap
For sending of so worthy a prince, as was Clamydes he,
To sup his dire destruction there for wretched love of me.
Queen of D. Tush, daughter, these but fancies be, which run within your
mind.
King of D. Let them for to suppress your joys no place of harbour find.
First Lord. O princess, let no dolours daunt: behold your knight in
place.
Juli. Ah happy sight! do I behold my knight Clamydes' face?

Enter BRYAN SANS-FOY with the serpent's head on his sword.

B. Sans-foy. Well,
I have at last through travel long achiev'd my journey's end:
Though Bryan, yet Clamydes' name I stoutly must defend.—
Ah happy sight! the king and queen with daughter in like case
I do behold: to them I will present myself in place.—
The mighty gods, renownèd king, thy princely state maintain!
King of D. Sir Clamydes, most welcome sure you are to court again.
B. Sans-foy. O princess, lo, my promise here performèd thou mayst
see;
The serpent's head by me subdu'd I do present to thee
Before thy father's royal grace.
Juli. My Clamydes, do embrace
Thy Juliana, whose heart thou hast till vital race be run,
Sith for her sake so venturously this deed by thee was done:
Ah, welcome home, my faithful knight!
B. Sans-foy. Gramercies, noble lady bright.
King of D. Well, Juliana, in our court your lover cause to stay:
For all our nobles we will send against your nuptial day.
Go carry him to take his rest.
Juli. I shall obey your grace's hest.—
Come, my Clamydes, go with me in court your rest to take.
B. Sans-foy. I thank you, lady; now I see account of me you make.
[Exeunt JULIANA and BRYAN SANS-FOY.
King of D. Well, my queen, sith daughter ours hath chosen such a make,
The terror of whose valiant heart may cause our foes to quake,
Come, let us presently depart, and, as we did decree,
For all our nobles will we send, their nuptials for to see.
Queen of D. As pleaseth thee, thy lady queen, O king, is well agreed.
First Lord. May it please your graces to arrest, for, lo, with posting
speed
A messenger doth enter place.
King of D. Then will we stay to know the case.

Enter NERONIS disguised as a page.

Nero. The mighty powers, renownèd prince, preserve your state for
aye!
King of D. Messenger, thou art welcome: what hast thou to say?
Nero. Sir Clyomon, your noble son, Knight of the Golden Shield,
Who for his valiant victories in town and eke in field
Is famèd through the world, to your court doth now return,
And hath sent me before to court, your grace for to inform.
King of D. Ah messenger, declare, is this of truth the which that thou
hast told?
Nero. It is most true, O noble king, you may thereof be bold.
King of D. Ah joy of joys, surpassing all! what joy is this to me,
My Clyomon in court to have, the nuptial for to see
Of Juliana sister his! O, so I joy in mind!
Queen of D. My boy, where is thy master, speak; what, is he far behind?
Declare with speed, for these my eyes do long his face to view.
Nero. O queen, this day he will be here, 'tis truth I tell to you:
But, noble queen, let pardon here my bold attempt excuse,
And for to hear a simple boy in secret not refuse,
Who hath strange tidings from your son to tell unto your grace.
[Exit with the QUEEN OF D.
First Lord. Behold, my lord, where, as I guess, some strangers enter
place.
King of D. I hope my Clyomon be not far.—O joy, I see his face!

Enter CLYOMON, CLAMYDES, and SUBTLE SHIFT.

Clyo. Come, Knowledge, come forward; why art thou always slack?
Get you to court, brush up our apparel, untruss your pack:
Go seek out my page, bid him come to me with all speed you can.
S. Shift. Go seek out, fetch, bring here! Gog's ounds, what am I, a dog
or a man?
I were better be a hangman an live so like a drudge:
Since your new man came to you, I must pack, I must trudge.
Clyo. How, stands thou, knave? why gets thou not away?
S. Shift. Now, now, sir, you are so hasty now, I know not what to say.
[Exit.
Clyo. O noble prince, the gods above preserve thy royal grace!
King of D. How joyful is my heart, dear son, to view again thy face!
Clyo. And I as joyful in the view of parents' happy plight,
Whom sacred gods long time maintain in honour day and night!
But this my friend, O father dear, even as myself entreat,
Whose nobleness, when time shall serve, to you he shall repeat.
King of D. If case my son he be thy friend, with heart I thee embrace.
Clam. With loyal heart in humble wise I thank your noble grace.
King of D. My Clyomon, declare, my son, in thine adventures late
What hath been wrought by Fortune most t' advance thy noble state.
Clyo. O father,
The greatest joy of all the joys which was to me assign'd,
Since first I left your noble court, by cruel Fortune blind,
Is now bereft from me away through her accursèd fate,
So that I rather find she doth envý my noble state
Than seek for to advance the same; so that I boldly may
Express she never gave so much but more she took away;
And that which I have lost by her and her accursèd ire,
From travail will I never cease until I may aspire
Unto the view thereof, O king, wherein is all my joy.
King of D. Why, how hath Fortune wrought to thee this care and great
annoy?
Clyo. O father,
Unto me the heavenly powers assign'd a noble dame,
With whom to live in happy life my heart did wholly frame;
But not long did that glazing star give light unto mine eyes
But this fell Fortune gins to frown, which every state despise,
And takes away through canker'd hate that happy light from me,
In which I fixèd had my hope a blessèd state to see:
And daughter to the King she was which of Strange Marshes hight,
Bearing bruit each where to be Dame Beauty's darling bright,
Right heir unto Dame Virtue's grace, Dame Nature's pattern true,
Dame Prudence' scholar for her wit, Dame Venus for her hue,
Diana for her dainty life, Susanna being sad,
Sage Saba for her soberness, mild Marpha being glad;
And if I should re-entry make amongst the Muses Nine,
My lady lack'd no kind of art which man may well define
Amongst those dainty dames to be: then let all judge that hear,
If that my cause it be not just for which this pensive cheer
Fell Fortune forceth me to make.
King of D. Yet, Clyomon, good counsel take;
Let not the loss of lady thine so pinch thy heart with grief
That nothing may unto thy mind give comfort or relief:
What, man! there ladies are enow, although that she be gone;
Then leave to wail the want of her, cease off to make this moan.
Clyo. No, father,
Never seem for to persuade, for, as is said before,
What travail I have had for her it shall be triple more
Until I meet with her again.
Clam. Well, Clyomon, a while refrain,
And let me here my woes recount before your father's grace;
But let me crave your sister may be sent for into place.—
O king, vouchsafe I may demand a simple bound;
Although a stranger, yet I hope such favour may be found:
The thing is this, that you will send for Juliana hither,
Your daughter fair, that we may talk a word or twain togither.
King of D. For what, let me know, sir knight, do you her sight desire.
Clyo. The cause pretends no harm, my liege, why he doth this require.
King of D. My lord, go bid our daughter come and speak with me
straightway.
First Lord. I shall, my liege, in every point your mind herein obey.
[Exit.
Clyo. O father, this is Clamydes and son to Suavia King,
Who for my sister ventur'd life the serpent's head to bring,
With whom I met in travel mine; but more what did befall
To work his woe, whenas she comes, your grace shall know it all.
King of D. My son, you are deceivèd much, I you assure, in this;
The person whom you term him for in court already is.
Clyo. No, father, I am not deceiv'd; this is Clamydes sure.
King of D. Well, my son, do cease a while such talk to put in ure,
For, lo, thy sister entereth place, which soon the doubt shall end.
Clam. Then for to show my name to her I surely do pretend.

Re-enter JULIANA and First Lord; and, after them, SUBTLE SHIFT.

My Juliana, noble dame, Clamydes do embrace,
Who many a bitter brunt hath bode since that he saw thy face.
Juli. Avaunt, dissembling wretch! what credit canst thou yield?
Where's the serpent's head thou brought, where is my glittering shield?
Tush, tush, sir knight, you counterfeit; you would Clamydes be,
But want of these bewrays you quite and shows you are not he.
Clam. O princess, do not me disdain! I certain am your knight.
Juli. What, art thou frantic, foolish man? avaunt from out my sight!
If thou art he, then show my shield and bring the serpent's head.
Clam. O princess, hear me show my case by Fortune fell decreed!
I am your knight, and when I had subdu'd the monster fell
Through weary fight and travail great, as Knowledge here can tell,
I laid me down to rest a space within the forest, where
One Bryan then, who Sans-foy hight, with cowardly usage there
By chanting charm brought me asleep; then did he take from me
The serpent's head, my coat, and shield the which you gave to me,
And left me in his prison, lo, still sleeping as I was:
Lo, lady, thus I lost those things the which to me you gave;
But certainly I am your knight, and he who did deprave
The flying serpent of his life, according as you will'd,
That whoso won your love, by him the same should be fulfill'd.
Juli. Alas, poor knight, how simply have you framèd this excuse!
The name of such a noble knight t' usurp and eke abuse.
Clyo. No, sister, you are deceiv'd; this is Clamydes sure.
Juli. No, brother, then you are deceiv'd, such tales to put in ure;
For my Clamydes is in court, who did present to me,
In white attire, the serpent's head and shield as yet to see.
Clam. That shall I quickly understand.—O king, permit I may
Have conference a while with him, who, as your grace doth say,
Presents Clamydes for to be before your royal grace.
Juli. Behold,
No whit aghast to show himself, where he doth enter place.

Re-enter BRYAN SANS-FOY.

Clam. Ah traitor, art thou he that doth my name and state abuse?
Juli. Sir knight,
You are too bold, in presence here such talk against him for to use.
B. Sans-foy. Wherefore dost thou upbraid me thus? thou varlet, do
declare.
Clyo. No varlet he; to call him so, sir knight, to blame you are.
Clam. Wouldst thou perstand for what intent such talk I here do frame?
Because I know thou dost usurp my state and noble name.
B. Sans-foy. Who art thou, or what's thy name? re-answer quickly make.
Clam. I am Clamydes, whose name to bear thou here dost undertake.
B. Sans-foy. Art thou Clamydes? 'vaunt, thou false usurper of my state!
Avoid this place, or death shall be thy most accursèd fate:
How dar'st thou enterprise to take my name thus unto thee?
Clam. Nay, rather, how dar'st thou attempt t' usurp the name of me?
Juli. You lie, sir knight, he doth not so; 'gainst him you have it
done.
Clyo. Sister, you are deceiv'd,
My friend here is Clamydes Prince, the King of Suavia's son.
Juli. Nay, brother, neither you nor he can me deceive herein.
Clam. O king, bow down thy princely ears, and listen what I say:
To prove myself the wight I am before your royal grace,
And to disprove this faithless knight, which here I find in place
For to usurp my name so much, the combat will I try;
For before I will mine honour lose, I rather choose to die.
King of D. I like well your determin'd mind.—But how say you, sir
knight?
S. Shift. Nay, by his ounds, I'll gage my gown he dares not fight.
B. Sans-foy. [aside.] By Gog's blood, I shall be slain now if the
combat I deny,
And not for the ears of my head with him I dare try.
King of D. Sir knight,
Why do you not re-answer make in trial of your name?
B. Sans-foy. I will, O king, if case he dare in combat try the same.
King of D. Well, then, go to prepare yourselves, each one his weapons
take.
Juli. Good father, let it not be so; restrain them for my sake;
I may not here behold my knight in danger for to be
With such a one who doth usurp his name to purchase me:
I speak not this for that I fear his force or strength in fight,
But that I will not have him deal with such a desperate wight.
King of D. Nay, sure there is no better way than that which is decreed;
And therefore for to end their strife the combat shall proceed.—
Sir knights, prepare yourselves the truth thereof to try.
Clam. I ready am, no cowar[d]ly heart shall cause me to deny.
B. Sans-foy. [aside] Nay, I'll never stand the trial of it, my
heart to fight doth faint;
Therefore I'll take me to my legs, seeing my honour I must attaint.
King of D. Why, whither runs Clamydes? Sir knight, seem to stay him.
Clyo. Nay, it is Clamydes, O king, that doth fray him.
Clam. Nay, come, sir, come, for the combat we will try.
B. Sans-foy. Ah, no, my heart is done! to be Clamydes I deny.
King of D. Why, how now, Clamydes! how chance you do the combat here
thus shun?
B. Sans-foy. O king, grant pardon unto me! the thing I have begun
I must deny; for I am not Clamydes, this is plain,
Though greatly to my shame I must my words revoke again;
I am no other than the knight whom they Sans-foy call:
This is Clamydes, the fear of whom my daunted mind doth pal.
Juli. Is this Clamydes? Ah worthy knight, then do forgive thy dear!
And welcome eke ten thousand times unto thy lady here!
Clam. Ah my Juliana bright! what's past I do forgive,
For well I see thou constant art; and, whilst that I do live,
For this my firmèd faith in thee for ever I'll repose.
Juli. O father,
Now I do deny that wretch, and do amongst my foes
Recount him for this treason wrought.
King of D. Well, Knowledge, take him unto thee; and for the small
regard
The which he had to valiant knights, this shall be his reward:
Sith he by charms his cruelty in cowardly manner wrought
On knights, who, as Clamydes did, the crown of honour sought,
And traitourously did them betray in prison for to keep,
The fruits of such-like cruelty himself by us shall reap
By due desert: therefore I charge to prison him convey,
There for to lie perpetually unto his dying day.
B. Sans-foy. O king, be merciful and show some favour in this case!
King of D. Nay, never think that at my hands thou shalt find any grace.
[Exit BRYAN SANS-FOY with SUBTLE SHIFT.
Clamydes, ah, most welcome thou our daughter to enjoy!
The heavens be prais'd that this have wrought to foil all future noy!
Clam. I thank your grace that you thus so well esteem of me.

Re-enter SUBTLE SHIFT.

S. Shift. What, is all things finish'd and every man eas'd?
Is the pageant pack'd up and all parties pleas'd?
Hath each lord his lady and each lady her love?
Clyo. Why, Knowledge, what mean'st thou those motions to move?
S. Shift. You were best stay a while and then you shall know,
For the queen herself comes the motion to show.
You sent me, if you remember, to seek out your page,
But I cannot find him; I went whistling and calling through the court in such a
rage!
At the last very sca[r]cely in at a chamber I did pry,
Where the queen with other ladies very busy I did spy
Decking up a strange lady very gallant and gay,
To bring her here in presence, as in court I heard say.
Clyo. A strange lady, Knowledge! of whence is she canst thou tell me?
S. Shift. Not I, an't shall please you, but anon you shall see,
For, lo, where the lady with your mother doth come.
Clyo. Then straightway my duty to her grace shall be done.


Re-enter the QUEEN OF DENMARK with NERONIS in female attire.

The mighty gods preserve your state, O queen and mother dear,
Hoping your blessing I have had, though absent many a year!
Queen of D. My Clyomon! thy sight, my son, doth make thy agèd
mother glad,
Whose absence long and many a year hath made thy pensive parents sad;
And more to let thee know, my son, that I do love and tender thee,
I have here for thy welcome home a present which I'll render thee;
This lady, though she be unknown, refuse her not, for sure her state
Deserves a prince's son to wed, and therefore take her for thy mate.
Clyo. O noble queen and mother dear, I thank you for your great good-
will,
But I am otherwise bestow'd, and sure I must my oath fulfil,
And so I mind, if gods tofore, on such decree I mean to pause,
For sure I must of force deny, my noble father knows the cause.
King of D. Indeed, my queen, this much he told, he lov'd a lady since
he went,
Who hath his heart and ever shall, and none but her to love he's bent.
Clyo. So did I say, and so I will; no beauty's blaze, no glistering
wight,
Can cause me to forget her love to whom my faith I first did plight.
Nero. Why, are you so strait-lac'd, sir knight, to cast a lady off so
coy?
Turn once again and look on me; perhaps my sight may bring you joy.
Clyo. Bring joy to me! alas, which way? no lady's looks can make me
glad.
Nero. Then were my recompense but small to quit my pain for you I had:
Wherefore, sir knight, do weigh my words, set not so light the love I show,
But when you have bethought yourself, you will recant and turn, I know.
Queen of D. My Clyomon, refuse her not; she is and must thy lady be.
Clyo. If otherwise my mind be bent, I trust your grace will pardon me.
Nero. Well, then, I see 'tis time to speak: sir knight, let me one
question crave.
Clyo. Say on your mind.
Nero. Where is that lady now become, to whom your plighted faith you
gave?
Clyo. Nay, if I could absolve that doubt, then were my mind at ease.
Nero. Were you not brought to health by her, when you came sick once
off the seas?
Clyo. Yea, sure, I must confess a truth, she did restore my health to
me,
For which good deed I rest her own in hope one day her face to see.
Nero. But did you not promise her to return to see her at a certain
day,
And, ere you came that to perform, the Norway King stole her away,
And so your lady there you lost?
Clyo. All this I grant, but to his cost,
For, stealing her against her will, this hand of mine bereft his life.
Nero. Now, sure, sir knight, you serv'd him well, to teach him know
another man s wife:
But yet once more, sir knight, reply, the truth I crave to understand,
In forest once who gave you drink whereas you stood with sword in hand,
Fearing lest some had you pursu'd for slaying of your enemy?
Clyo. That did a silly shepherd's boy, which there I took my page to
be.
Nero. And what is of that page become? remains he with you, yea or no?
Clyo. I sent him hither ere I came, because the king and queen should
know
That I in health returnèd was; but since I never saw him.
Nero. And, sure, he stands not far from hence, though now you do not
know him.
Clyo. Not far from hence! where might he be?
Nero. Of troth, sir knight, myself am he:
I brought your message to the king, as here the queen can testify,
I gave you drink in forest sure when you with drought were like to die,
I found you once upon the shore full sick whenas you came from seas,
I brought you home to father's court, I sought all means your mind to please,
And I it was that all this while have waited like a page on thee,
Still hoping for to spy a time wherein I might discover me;
And so by hap at last I did, I thank your mother's noble grace,
She entertain'd me courteously when I had told her all my case;
And now let this suffice, my dear, I am Neronis whom you see,
Who many a weary step hath gone before and since I met with thee.
Clyo. O sudden joy! O heavenly sight! O words more worth than gold!
Neronis, O my dear, welcóme! my arms I here unfold
To clasp thy comely corpse withal: twice-welcome to thy knight!
Nero. And I as joyful am, no doubt, my Clyomon, of thy happy sight.
Clyo. Clamydes, my assurèd friend, lo, how Dame Fortune favoureth
me!
This is Neronis my dear love, whose face so long I wish'd to see.
Clam. My Clyomon, I am as glad as you yourself to see this day.
King of D. Well, daughter, though a stranger yet, welcome to court, as
I may say.
Queen of D. And, lady, as welcome unto me as if thou wert mine only
child.
Nero. For this your gracious courtesy I thank you, noble princess mild.
Juli. Though strange and unacquainted yet, do make account you welcome
are:
Your nuptial day as well as mine I know my father will prepare.
King of D. Yes, we are prest your nuptial day with daughter ours to
see,
As well as Clyomon's our son with this his lady fair;
Come, therefore, to our court, that we the same may soon prepare,
For we are prest throughout our land for all our peers to send.
All. Thy pleasure, most renownèd king, thy servants shall attend.





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