of this Why belike he is some runnagate that will not show his name Ah why should I this allegate he is of noble fame Why dost thou not expresse thy loue to him Neronis then Because shamefastnesse and womanhood bids vs not seeke to men Ah carefull Dame loe thus I stand as t were one in a trance And lacketh boldnesse for to speake which should my words aduance The knight of the Golden Sheeld it is to whom a thrall I am Whom I to health restored haue since that to court he cam And now he is prest to passe againe vpon his wearie way Vnto the Court of Alexander yet hath he broke his day As he to me the whole exprest ah sight that doth me greeue Loe where he comes to passe away of me to take his leaue Enter Clyomon Clyo. Who hath more cause to praise the Gods then I whose state deplored Through phisicke and Neronis helpe to health am now restored Whose feruent thrall I am become yet vrgent causes dooth Constraine me for to keepe it close and not to put in proofe What I might do to winne her loue as first my oath and vow In keeping of my name vnknowne which she will not allow If I should seeme to breake my minde being a Princes borne To yeeld her loue to one vnknowne I know shee le thinke it scorne Besides here longer in this Court alas I may not stay Although that with Clamydes he I haue not kept my day Least this he should suppose in me for cowardlinesse of hart To seeke him out elsewhere I will from out this Land depart Yet though vnto Neronis she I may not shew my mind A faithfull heart when I am gone with her I leaue behind Whose bountiousnesse I here haue felt but since I may not stay I will to take my leaue of her before I passe away Loe where she walkes O Princesse well met why are you here so sad Ne. Good cause I haue since pleasures passe the which shuld make me glad Clyo. What you should meane O Princesse deare hereby I do not know Nero. Then listen to my talke a while Sir Knight and I will show If case you will reaunswere me my question to obsolue The which propound within my mind doth oftentimes reuolue Clyo. I will O Princes answere you as aptly as I may Nero. Well then Sir Knight apply your cares and listen what I say A ship that stormes had tossed long amidst the mounting waues Where harbour none was to be had fell Fortune so depraues Through ill successe that ship of hope that Ancors hold doth faile Yet at the last shee s driuen to land with broken Mast and saile And through the force of furious wind and Billowes bounsing blowes She is a simple shipwracke made in euery point God knowes Now this same ship by chance being found the finders take such paine That fit to saile vpon the Seas they rig her vp againe And where she was through storms sore shakt they make her whole soūd Now answere me directly here vpon this my propound If this same ship thus rent and torne being brought in former rate Should not supply the finders true to profit his estate In what she might Clyo. Herein a right I will O Princesse as I may directly answere you This ship thus found I put the case it hath an owner now Which owner shall sufficiently content the finders charge And haue againe to serue his vse his ship his boate or barge The ship then cannot serue the turne of finders this is plaine If case the owner do content or pay him for his paine But otherwise if none lay claime nor seeme that ship to stay Then is it requisit it should the finders paines repay For such endeuour as it is to serue for his behoofe Nero. What owner truly that it hath I haue no certaine proofe Clyo. Then can I not define thereof but thus I wish it were That you would me accept to be that ship O Lady faire And you the finder then it should be needlesse for to mooue If I the ship of dutie ought to serue at your behooue Nero. Thou art the ship O worthy Knight so shiuered found by mee Clyo. And owner haue I none deare dame I yeeld me whole to thee For as this ship I must confesse that was a shipwrack made Thou hast restored me vnto health whom sicknesse causd to vade For which I yeeld O Princesse deare at pleasure thine to be If your grace O noble Dame will so accept of me Nero. If case I will what haue you showne Clyo. Because I am to you vnknowne Nero. Your fame importeth what you be Clyo. You may your pleasure say of me Nero. What I haue said due proofe do showe Clyo. Well Lady deare to thee I owe More seruice then of dutie I am able to professe For that thou didst preserue my life amidst my deepe distresse But at this time I may not stay O Lady here with thee Thou knowest the cause but this I vow within three score dayes to bee If destinie restraine me not at Court with thee againe Protesting whilest that life doth last thine faithfull to remaine Nero. And is there then no remedie but needs you will depart Clyo. No Princesse for a certaintie but here I leaue my hart In gage with thee till my returne which as I said shall be Nero. Well sith no perswasion may preuaile this Iewell take of me And keepe it alwayes for my sake Clyo. Of it a deare account I le make yet let vs part deare Dame with ioy And to do the same I will my selfe imploy Nero. Well now adieu till thy returne the Gods thy iourney guide Exit Clyo. And happily in absence mine for thee deare Dame prouide Ah Clyomon let dolours die driue daunts from out thy mind Since in the sight of Fortune now such fauour thou dost find As for to haue the loue of her whom thou didst sooner judge Would haue denied thy loyaltie and gainst thy good will grudge But that I may here keepe my day you sacred Gods prouide Most happie fate vnto my state and thus my iourney guide The which I tempt to take in hand Clamydes for to meete That the whole cause of my first let to him I may repeate So shall I seeme for to excuse my selfe in way of right And not be counted of my foe a false periured Knight Exit Enter Thrasellus King of Norway two Lords Thra. Where deepe desire hath taken roote my Lords alas you see How that perswasion 〈◊〉 not if contrarie it be Vnto the first expected hope where fancie hath take place And vaine it is for to withdraw by counsell in that case The mind who with affection is to one onely thing affected The which may not till dint of death from them be sure reiected You know my Lords through fame what force of loue hath taken place Within my breast as touching now Neronis noble grace Daughter to Patranius King
grieueth mee Enter King Alexander the Queene Mustantius two Lords and Clamydes like a Champion Mustan. O Alexander lo behold before thy royall grace My Champion here at pointed day I do present in place Alexand. Well sir Duke in your defence is he content to be Clamy. Yea worthy Prince not fearing who incounter shall with me Although he were with Hercules of equall power and might Yet in the cause of this same Duke I challenge him the fight Alexa. I like your courage well sir Knight what shal we call your name Clamy. Clamydes sonne to the Swauian King O Prince so hight the same Alexa. Now certainely I am right glad Clamydes for to see Such valiant courage to remaine within the mind of thee Well Lady according to the order tane herein what do you say Haue you your Champion in like case now ready at the day Queene No sure ô King no Champion I haue for to ayde my cause Vnlesse t will please your noble grace on further day to pause For I haue sent throughout this I le and euery forraine land But none as yet hath proffered to take the same in hand Alex. No I am more sorie certainly your chance to see so ill But day deferred cannot be vnlesse Mustantius will For that his Champion readie here in place he doth present And who so missed at this day should loose by full consent Of either part the tytle right and sway of regall Mace To this was your consentment giuen as well as his in place And therefore without his assent we cannot referre the day Shift An t shall please your grace herein trie Mustantius what he will say Alex. How say you Mustantius are you content the day to deferre Mustan. Your Grace will not will me I trust for then from law you erre And hauing not her Champion here according to decree There resteth nought for her to loose the Crowne belongs to mee Shift Nay an t shall please your grace rather then she shall it lose I my selfe will be her Champion for halfe a doozen blowes Mustan. Wilt thou then by full congo to the Challenger there stands Shift Nay soft of sufferance commeth ease though I cannot rule my tongue I le rule my hands Mustan. Well noble Alexander sith that she wants her Champion as you see By greement of your royall grace the Crowne belongs to mee Alex. Nay Mustantius she shall haue law wherefore to sound begin To see if that in three houres space no Champion will come in Sound here once Of truth Madam I sorie am none will thy cause maintaine Well according to the law of Armes yet Trumpet sound againe Sound second time What and is there none will take in hand to Combat for the Queene Shift Faith I thinke it must be I must do the deed for none yet is seene Queene O King let pittie pleade for me here in your gracious sight And for so slender cause as this depriue me not of right Consider once I had to spowse a Prince of worthy fame Though now blind Fortune spurne at me her spight 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 Queene with wrong oppressed so But pitie the young Infants case wherewith O King I go And though I suffer wrong let that find fauour in your sight King Why Lady I respect you both and sure would if I might Entreate Mustantius there unto some such good order frame Your strife should cease and yet each one well pleased with the same Queene I know your grace may him perswade as reason wils no lesse King Well Sir Mustantius then your mind to me in breefe expresse Will you vnto such order stand here limited by me Without deferring longer time say on if you agree Mustan. In hope your grace my state will way I giue my glad consent King And for to end all discord say Madame are you content Queene Yea noble King King Well then before my nobles all giue eare vnto the King For swaying of the sword and Mace all discord to beate downe The child when it is borne we elect to weare the Crowne And till that time Mustantius you of lands and liuing heere Like equall part in euerie point with this the Queene shall share But to the child when it is borne if Gods grant it to liue The kingdome whole in euery part as tytle we do giue But yet Mustantius we will yeeld this recompence to you You shall receiue fiue thousand Crownes for yearely pension due To maintaine your estate while you here liue and do remaine And after let the whole belong vnto the Crowne againe Now say your minds if you agree Page I would the like choise were put to me Must. I for my part O Noble King therewith am well content Well better halfe then nought at all I likewise giue consent Enter Clyomon as to Combat Clyo. Renowned King and most of fame before thy royall grace The Queene to aid I do present my person here in place Mustan. You come too late in faith Sir knight the houre and time is past Clyo. Your houre I am not to respect I entered with the blast Clâ—my. What Princox is it you are come to combat for the Queene Good Fortune now I hope ere long your courage shall be seene Clyo. And sure I count my hap as good to meete with you Sir knight Come according to your promise made prepare your selfe to fight Clamy. I knew you well inough sir although your sheeld were hid from mee Clyo. Now you shall feele me as well as know me if hand and hart agree King Stay stay Sir knights I charge you not in combat to proceed For why the quarell ended is and the parties are agreed And therefore we discharge you both the combat to refraine Page The heauens therefore O noble King thy happie sheeld remaine Clamy. O King although we be dischargd for this contention now Betwixt vs twaine there resteth yet a combat made by vow Which should be fought before your Grace and since we here be met To iudge twixt vs for victorie let me your Grace entreat King For what occasion is your strifes sir knights first let me know Clamid. The trueth thereof renowned king thy seruant he shall show What time O king as I should take of Suauia king my sier The noble orders of a Knight which long I did desier This knight a straunger 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 haue had for which my father he Did of his blessing giue in charge O noble king to me That I should know his name that thus bereaued me of my right The which he will not shew vnles he be subdued in fight Whereto we either plighted faith that I should know his name If that before thy Grace O
adieu Clamides deare the Gods thine ayder be But come my Lords to haue his hire that Caitiffe bring with me Shift Alas not shall please you I am knowledge and no euill did pretend Set me at libertie it was the knight that did offend Cla. O father sith that he is knowledge I beseech your grace set him free For in these affaires he shall waite and tend on mee If he will protest to be true to me euer Shift Ah Noble Clamydes heere 's my hand I le deceiue you neuer Clamy. Wel then father I beseech your Grace grant that I may haue him King Well Clamydes I am content sith thou my sonne doest craue him Receiue him therefore at my hands My Lords come le ts depart All We ready are to waite on you O King with willing hart Exeunt Clamy. Well knowledge do prepare thy selfe for here I do protest My fathers precepts to fulfill no day nor night to rest From toylsome trauell till I haue reuengd my cause aright On him who of the golden Sheeld now beareth name of knight Who of mine honour hath me robd in such a cowardly sort As for to be of noble heart it doth him not import But knowledge to me thy seruice stall thou must with loyall hart professe Shift Vse me that all other villains may take ensample by me if I digresse Clamy. Well then come follow speedily that him pursue we may Exit Shift Keepe you before an t shall please you for I mind not to stay Ah sirrah Shift thou wast driuen to thy shifts now indeed I dreamd bfore that vntowardly I should speed And yet it is better lucke then I looked to haue But as the prouerbe saith good fortune euer hapneth to the veryest knaue And yet I could not escape with my maister do what I can Well by this bargaine he hath lost his new Seruing-man But if Clamydes ouertake him now what buffets will there be Vnlesse it be foure miles off the fray there will be no standing for me Well after him I will but howsoeuer my maister speed To shift for my selfe I am fully decreed Exit Enter King Alexander the Great as valiantly set forth as may be and as many souldiers as can Alex. After many inuincible victories and conquests great atchiued I Alexander with sound of Fame in safetie am arriued Vpon my borders long wished for of Macedonia soile And all the world subiect haue through force of warlike toile O Mars I lawd thy sacred name and for this safe returne To Pallas Temple will I wend and sacrifices burne To thee Bellona and the rest that warlike wights do guide Who for King Alexander did such good successe prouide Who bowes not now vnto my becke my force who doth not feare Who doth not of my conquests great throughout the world heare What King as to his soueraigne Lord doth now not bow his knee What Prince doth raigne vpon the earth which yeelds not vnto mee Due homage for his Regall Mace What countrey is at libertie What Dukedome Iland or Prouince else to me now are not tributarie What Fort of Force or Castle strong haue I not battered downe What Prince is he that now by me his Princely seate and Crowne Doth not acknowledge for to hold not one the world throughout But of King Alexanders power they all do stand in doubt They feare as Fowles that houering flie from out the Fawcons way As Lambe the Lyon so my power the stowtest do obey In field who hath not felt my force where battering blowes abound King or 〈◊〉 who hath not 〈◊〉 his knees to me on ground And yet Alexander what art thâ—â— thou art a mortall wight For all that ever thou hast got or wonne by force in fight I. Lo. Acknowledging thy state ô King to be at thou hast said The Gods no doubt as they haue bene will be thy sheeld and aid In all attempts thou takst in hand 〈◊〉 no glorie vaine Thou seekest but acknowledging thy victories and gaine Through the prouidence of sacred Gods to happen vnto thee For vaine is trust that in himselfe man doth repose we see And therefore least these victories which thou ô King hast got Should blind thine eyes with arrogancie thy noble fame to blot Let that victorious Prince his words of Macedon thy fire To acknowledge still thy state O King thy noble heart inspire Who after all his victories 〈…〉 obtained Least that the great felicitie of that which she had gained Should cause him to forget himselfe 〈…〉 did prouide Which came vnto his chamber doore and euery morning cryde Philip thou art a mortall man this practise of thy sire A midst all these thy victories thy seruant doth desire O Alexander that 〈…〉 print within thy mind And then no doubt as father did thou solace sweete shall find Alex. My Lords your counsell doubtlesse I esteeme and with great thanks againe I do require 〈…〉 this is plaine All 〈…〉 and since the Gods diuine To vs 〈…〉 this fortune doeth assigne To haue in our subiection the world for most part We will at this 〈…〉 with feruent zeale of hart In 〈…〉 gods such sacrifices make Of thankfulnesse for our successe as they in part shall take The same 〈…〉 from vs sent Come 〈…〉 to accomplish our intent Omnes We 〈…〉 King to follow thee with victorie Alex. 〈…〉 Drums and Trumpets both that we may march triumphantly Exeunt Enter Sir Clyomon Knight of G. S. Clyo. Now Clyomon a knight thou art though some perhaps may say Thou cowardly camst 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 martiall be and sterne knights of his hall To take the knighthood from their Prince euen mauger of them all It giues a guerdon of goodwill to make my glory glance When warlike wights shall heare thereof my fame they will aduance And where I was pretended late to Denmarke king my sire His royall grace to see homeward to retire Now is my purpose altered by brute of late report And where fame resteth to be had thither Clyomon will resort For as I vnderstand by fame that worthy Prince of might The conqueror of conquerors who Alexander hight Returning is to Macedon from many a bloudie broyle And there to keepe his royall Court now after wearie toyle Which makes the mind of Clyomon with ioyes to be clad For there I know of martiall mates is company to be had Adiu therefore both Denmarke king and Suania Prince beside To Alexanders Court I will the Gods my iourney guide Enter Clamydes and Shift Clamy. Come knowledge here he is nay stay thou cowardly knight That like a dastard camst to steale away my right Clyo. What what you raile sir princkocks Prince me coward for to call Shift An t shall please you he is a coward he would haue hyrde me Amidst your fathers
our home returne wee le make My Lords therefore do keepe your way 1. Lo. As it please your grace we shall obey But behold Madame what wofull wight here in our way before As seemeth very sicke to me doth lie vpon the shore Nero. My Lords le ts know the cause of greefe whereof he is oppressed That if he be a knight it may by some meanes be redressed Faire sir well met why lie you here what is your cause of griefe Clyo. O Lady sicknesse by the Sea hath me opprest in briefe Nero. Of truth my Lords his countenance bewrayes him for to bee In health of valiant heart and mind and eke of hye degree 2. Lo. It doth no lesse then so import O Princes as you say Nero. Of whence are you or what 's your name you wander forth this way Clyo. Of small valure O Lady faire alas my name it is And for not telling of the same hath brought me vnto this Nero. Why for what cause sir Knight shuld you not expresse your name Clyo. Because O Lady I haue vowed contrary to the same But where I trauell Lady faire in Citie Towne or field I am called and do beare by name the knight of the Golden Shield Ne. Are you that knight of the Goldē sheeld of whom such fame doth go Clyo. I am that selfe same knight faire dame as here my Sheeld doth sho Nero. Ah worthy then of helpe indeed my Lords assist I pray And to my lodging in the court see that you him conuey For certainly within my minde his state is much deplored But do dispaire in nought sir knight for you shall be restored If Phisicke may your greefe redresse for I Neronis loe Daughter to Patranius king for that which fame doth shoe Vpon your acts will be your friend as after you shall proue 1. Lo. In doing so you shall haue need of mightie loue aboue Clyo. O Princes if I euer be to health restord againe Your faithfull seruant day and night I vow here to remaine Nero. Well my Lords come after me do bring him I require Ambo We shall O Princes willingly accomplish your desire Exeunt Enter Bryan sance foy hauing Clamydes his apparell on his Sheeld and the Serpents head Bry. Ah sirrah now is the ten dayes full expired wherein Clamydes he Shall wake out of his charmed sleepe as shortly you shall see But here I haue what I desired his Sheeld his coat and head To Denmarke will I straight prepare and there present with speed The same to Iulianas grace as in Clamydes name Whereby I am assur'd I shall enioy that noble Dame For why Clamydes he is safe for euer being free And vnto knowledge is he left here garded for to bee But no man knowes of my pretents ne whither I am gone For secretly from Castle I haue stolne this night alone In this order as you see in the attire of a noble knight But yet poore Bryan still thy heart holds courage in despight Well yet the old prouerbe to disproue I purpose to begin Which alwayes sayth that cowardly hearts faire Ladies neuer win Shall I not Iulianas win and who hath a cowardlyer hart Yet for to brag and boast it out I le will none take my part For I can sooke 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 Forrest for now I will in knight Clamydes name To Denmarke to present this head to Iuliana bright Who shall cowardly dastard wed in steed of a worthy knight Exit Enter Shift with sword and target Shift Be your leaue I came vp so early this morning that I cannot see my way I am sure it s scarce yet in the breake of the day But you muse I am sure wherefore these weapons I bring Well listen vnto my tale and you shall know euery thing Because I played the shifting knaue to saue my selfe from harme And by my procurement my maister was brought in this charme The ten dayes are exspir'd and this morning he shall awake And now like a craftie knaue to the prison my way will I take With these same weapons as though I would fight to set him free Which will giue occasion that he shall mistrust there was no deceit in mee And hauing the charge of him here vnder Bryan sance foy I le open the prison doores and make as though I did imploy To do it by force through good will and onely for his sake Then shall Clamydes being at liberty the weapons of me take And set vpon Bryan and all his men now that they are a sleepe And so be reuenged for that he did him keepe By charme in this order so shall they both deceiued be And yet vpon neither part mistrust towards me Well neere to the prison I le draw to see if he be awake Harke harke this same is he that his lamentation doth make Clamydes in prison Ah fatall hap where am I wretch in what distressed cace Be reft of Tyro head and sheeld not knowing in what place My body is ah heauenly gods was ere such strangenes seene What do I dreame or am I still within the forrest greene Dreame no no alas I dreame not I my senses all do faile The strangenes of this cruell hap doth make my hart to quaile Clamydes ah by fortune she what froward luck and fate Most cruelly assigned is vnto thy noble state Where should I be or in what place hath desteny assignd My sely corps for want of foode and comfort to be pind Ah farewell hope of purchasing my lady since is lost The Serpents head whereby I should possesse that iewell most Ah farewell hope of honour eke now shall I breake my day Before king Alexanders grace whereon my faith doth stay And shall I be found a faithlesse Knight fye on fell fortune she Which hath her wheele of froward chance thus whirled back on me Ah farewell King of Swauia land ah farewell Denmarke dame Farewell thou Knight of the golden Sheeld to thee shall rest all fame To me this direfull desteny to thee I know renowne To me the blast of ignomy to thee dame honours crowne Ah hatefull hap what shall I say I see the gods hath signed Through cruelty my carefull corps in prison to be pined And nought alas amates me so but that I know not where I am Nor how into this dolefull place my wofull body came Shift Alas good Clamydes in what an admiration is he Not knowing in what place his body should be Clamy. Who nameth poore Clamydes there reply to him againe Shift An t shall please you I am your seruant Knowledge which in a thousand woes for you remaine Clamy. Ah Knowledge where am I declare and be briefe Shift Where are you faith euen in the Castle of that false theefe Bryan sance foy against whome to fight and set you
Ah welcome home my faithfull Knight Bryan Gramerces noble Lady bright King Well Iuliana in our court your louer cause to stay For all our Nobles we will send against your nuptiall day Go cary him to take his rest Iulian. I shall obey your graces hest Come my Clamydes go with me in court your rest to take Bryan I thanke you Lady now I see accompt of me you make Exeunt King Well my Queene sith daughter ours hath chosen such a make The terrour of whose valiant hart may cause our foes to quake Come let vs presently depart and as we did decree For all our nobles will we send their nuptialls for to see Queene As pleaseth thee thy Lady Queene O king is well agreed Lo. May it please your graces to arest for loe with posting speed A messenger doth enter place King Then will we stay to know the case Enter Neronis Nero. The mightie powers renowned Prince preserue your state for ay King Messenger thou art welcome what hast thou to say Nero. Sir Clyomon your noble sonne knight of the golden Sheeld Who for his valiant victories in Towne and eke in field Is famed through the world to your court doth now returne And hath sent me before to Court your grace for to enforme King 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 Ah ioy of ioyes surpassing all what ioy is this to me My Clyomon in Court to haue the nuptiall for to see Of Iuliana sister his oh so I ioy in mind Queene My boy where is thy maister speake what is he far behind Declare with speed for these my eyes do long his face to view Nero. Oh Queene this day he will be here t is truth I tell to you But noble Queene let pardon here my bold attempt excuse And for to heare a simple boy in secret not refuse Who hath strange tidings from your sonne to tell vnto your grace Exit Lord Behold my Lord where as I gesse some strangers enter place King I hope my Clyomon be not far Oh ioy I see his face Clyo. Come Knowledge come forward why art thou alwaies slacke Get you to Court brush vp our apparell vntrusse your packe Go seeke out my Page bid him come to me with all speed you can Shift Go seek out fetch bring here gogs ounds what am I a dog or a man I were better be a hangman and liue so like a drudge Since your new man came to you I must packe I must trudge Clyo. How stands thou knaue why gets thou not away Shift Now now sir you are so hastie now I know not what to say Clyo. O noble Prince the Gods aboue preserue thy royall grace King How ioyfull is my heart deare sonne to view againe thy face Clyomon And I as ioyfull in the view of parents happie plight Whome sacred gods long time maintaine in honor day and night But this my friend O father deere euen as my selfe intreate Whose noblenes when time shall serue to you he shall repeate King If case my sonne he be thy friend with hart I thee imbrace Clyomon With loyall hart in humble wise I thanke your noble grace King My Clyomon declare my sonne in thine aduentures late What hath bin wrought by fortune most to aduance thy noble state Clyomon O father the greatest ioy of all the ioyes which was to one assignd Since first I left your noble court by cruell fortune blind Is now bereft from me away through her accursed fate So that I rather finde she doth enuy my noble state Then seeke for to aduance the same so that I boldly may Expresse she neuer gaue so much but more she tooke away And that which I haue lost by her and her accursed ire From trauell will I neuer cease vntill I may aspire Vnto the view thereof oh King wherein is all my ioy King Why how hath fortune wrought to thee this care and great anoy Clyomon O father vnto me the heauenly powers assignd a noble dame With whome to liue in happy life my hart did wholie frame But not long did that glasing starre giue light vnto mine eyes But this fell fortune gins to frowne which euery state despise And takes away through cancred haue that happy light from me In which I fixed had my hope a blessed state to see And daughter to the King she was which of strange Marshes hight Bearing brute each where to be dame Bewties darling bright Right heire vnto dame Vertues grace dame Natures patterne true Dame Prudence scholler for her wit dame Venus for her hue Diana for her daintie life Susanna being sad Sage Saba for her sobernesse mild Marpha being glad And if I should reentre make amongst the Muses nine My Lady lackt no kind of art which man may well define Amongst those daintie dames to be then let all iudge that heare If that my cause it be not iust for which this pensiue cheare Fell fortune forceth me to make King Yet Clyomon good counsell take Let not the losse of the Lady thine so pinch thy hart with griefe That nothing may vnto thy mind giue comfort or reliefe What man there Ladies are enow although that she be gone Then leaue to waile the want of her cease off to make this mone Clyo. No father neuer seeme for to perswade for as is said before What trauell I haue had for her it shall be tryple more Vntill I meete with her againe Clamy. Well Clyomon a while refraine And let me here my woes recount before your fathers grace But let me craue your sister may be sent for into place O King vouchsafe I may demaund a simple bound Although a straunger yet I hope such fauour may be found The thing is this that you will send for Iuliana hither Your daughter faire that we may talke a word or twaine togither King For what let me know sir knight do you her fight desire Clyo. The cause pretends no harme my Liege why he doth this require Ki. My Lord go bid our daughter come and speake with me straight way Lo. I shall my Liege in euerie point your mind herein obey Exit Clyo. Oh father this is Clamydes and sonne to Swauia King Who for my sister ventured life the serpents head to bring With whom I met in trauell mine but more whad did befall To worke his woe when as she comes your grace shall know it all King My sonne you are deceiued much I you assure in this The person whom you tearme him for in court alreadie is Clamy. No father I am not deceiued this is Clamydes sure King Well my sonne do cease a while such talke to put in vre For loe thy sister entereth place which soone the doubt shall end Clamy. Then for to shew my name to her I surely do pretend My Iuliana noble Dame Clamydes do embrace Who many a bitter brunt hath bode since that he
heare Did euer fortune violate two louers in such sort The griefes ah are intollerable the which I do support For want of her but hope somewhat reuiues my pensiue hart And doth to me some sodaine cause of comfort now impart Through newes I heare as I abroad in weary trauell went How that the Queene her mother hath her proclamations sent Through euery land to get a Knight to combat on her side Against Mustantius Duke and Lord to haue a matter tride And now the day is very nigh as I do vnderstand In hope to meete my Lady there I will into that land And for her mother vndertake the combat for to trye Yea though the other Hector were I would him not denye What soeuer he be but ere I go a golden Sheeld I le haue Although vnknowne I will come in as doth my Knighthood craue But couered will I keepe my Sheeld because I le not be knowne If case my Lady be in place till I haue prowesse showne Well to haue my Sheeld in readinesse I will no time delay And then to combat for the Queene I straight will take my way Exit Enter Neronis like the Page Nero. Ah weary paces that I walke with steps vnsteady still Of all the gripes of grislie griefes Neronis hath her fill And yet amids these miseries which were my first mishaps By brute I heare such newes alas as more and more inwraps My wretched corps with thousand woes more then I may support So that I am to be compard vnto the scaled fort Which doth so long as men and might and sustenance preuaile Giue to the enemies repulse that commeth to assailes But when assistance gins to faile and strength of foes increase They forced are through battering blowes the same for to release So likewise I so long as hope my comfort did remaine The griefly greefes that me assaild I did repulse againe But now that hope begins to faile and greefes anew do rise I must of force yeeld vp the Forte I can no way deuise To keepe the same the Forte I meane it is the wearie corse Which sorrowes daily do assaile and siege without remorse And now to make my griefes the more report alas hath told How that my fathers aged bones is shrined vp in mold Since Norway king did me betray and that my mother shee Through Duke Mustantius vncle mine in great distresse to bee For swaying of the Septer 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 maister meete That as his Page in these affaires would seeme me to intreate And in good time here commeth one he seemes a knight to be I le profer seruice if in case he will accept of me Enter Clyomon with his Sheeld couered strangely disguised Clyo. Well now as one vnknowne I will go combat for the Queene Who can bewray me since my Sheeld is not for to be seene But stay who do I here espie of truth a proper Boy If case he do a maister lacke he shall sustaine no noy For why in these affaires he may stand me in passing steed Nero. Well I see to passe vpon my way this Gentleman 's decreed To him I will submit my selfe in seruice for to be If case he can his fancie frame to like so well on me Well met sir knight vpon your way Clyo. My Boy gramercies but to me say Into what countrey is thy iourney dight Nero. Towards the strange Marshe of truth Sir Knight Clyo. And thither am I going high Ioue 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 heare Nero. Sir Knight by name I am called Cur Daceer Clyo. Cur Daceer what heart of Steele now certis my boy I am a Gentleman and do entertaine thee with ioy And to the strange Marshes am I going the Queene to defend Come therefore for without more saying with me thou shalt wend Exit Nero. As diligent to do my dutie as any in this land Ah Fortune how fauourablie my friend doth she stand For thus no man knowing mine estate nor degree May I passe safely a Page as you see Exit Enter Bryan sance foy with the Head Bry. Euen as the Owle that hides her head in hollow tree till night And dares not while sir Phoebus shines attempt abroad in flight So likewise I as Buzzard bold while chearefull day is seene Am forst with Owle to hide my selfe amongst the Iuie greene And dares not with the seelie Snaile from cabbin show my head Till Vesper I behold aloft in skies begin to spread And then as Owle that flies abroad when other fowles do rest I creepe out of my drowsie denne when summons hath supprest The head of euerie valiant heart loe thus I shrowd the day And trauell as the Owle by night vpon my wished way The which hath made more tedious my iourney by halfe part But blame not Bryan blame alas his cowardly catiffes hart Which dares not showe it selfe by day for feare of worthy wights For none can trauell openly to escape the venturous Knights Vnlesse he haue a noble mind and eke a valiant hart The which I will not brag vpon I assure you for my part For if the courage were in me the which in other is I doubtles had inioyed the wight whom I do loue ere this Well I haue not long to trauell now to Denmarke I draw nie Bearing knight Clamydes name yet Bryan sance foy am I But though I do vsurpe his name his sheeld or ensigne here Yet can I not vsurpe his heart still Bryans heart I beare Well I force not that he is safe inough and Bryan as I am I will vnto the Court whereas I shall enioy that dame Exit Enter Shift like a Waffler Shift Rowme there for a reckning see I beseech you if thale stand out of the way Iesu Iesu why do you not know that this is the day That the combat must passe for Mustantius and the Queene But to fight vpon her side as yet no Champion is seene And Duke Mustantius he smiles in his sleeue because he doth see That neither for loue nor rewards any one her Champion will be An t were not but that my maister the other Champion is To fight for the Queene my selfe I surely would not mis Alas good Lady she and her child is 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 deliuered and haue the Princes roome Now shall Duke Mustantius be sure the Scepter to sway If that none do come in to fight in her cause this day And King Alexander all this while hath he stayed the triall to see Well here they come roome there for the King here 's such thrusting of women as it