free Looke out at the windowe behold I haue brought tooles with mee Clamy. Ah Knowledge then cowardly that caitife did me charme Shift Yea or else he could neuer haue done you any harme But be of good cheere for such a shift I haue made That the keyes of the prison I haue got your selfe perswade Wherewith this morning I am come to set you free And as they lye in their beds you may murder Bryan and his men and set all other at libertie Clamy. Ah Knowledge this hath me bound to be thy friend for euer Shift A true seruant you may see will deceiue his maister neuer So the doores are open now come and follow after me Enter out Clamy. Ah heauens in what case my selfe do I see But speake Knowledge canst thou tell how long haue I bene heere Shift These ten dayes full and sleeping still this sentence is most cleere Clamy. Alas then this same is the day the which appointed was By the Knight of the golden Sheeld to me that combat ours should passe Before king Alexanders grace and there I know he is Ah cruell Fortune why shouldst thou thus wrest my chance amis Knowing I do but honour seeke and thou doest me defame In that contrary mine exspect thou all things seekes to frame The faith and loyaltie of a knight thou causest me to breake Ah hatefull dame why shouldst thou thus thy fury on me wreake Now will king Alexander iudge the thing in me to bee The which since first I armes could beare no wight did euer see But knowledge giue from thee to me those weapons that I may Vpon that Bryan be reueng'd which cowardly did betray Me of my things and heere from thrall all other knights set free Whome he by charme did bring in bale as erst he did by mee Come into his lodging will I go and challenge him and his Exit Shift Do so and to follow I will not mis Ah sirra here was a shift according to my nature and condition And a thousand shifts more I haue to put my selfe out of suspition But it doth me good to thinke how that cowardly knaue Bryan sance foy Shall be taken in the snare my hart doth euen leape for ioy Harke harke my maister is amongst them but let him shift as he can For not to deale with a dog he shall haue help of his man Exeunt Enter after a little fight within Clamydes three Knights Clamy. Come come sir Knights for so vnfortunate was neuer none as I That I should ioy that is my ioy the heauens themselues deny That cowardly wretch that kept you here and did me so deceiue Is fled away and hath the Sheeld the which my Lady gaue To me in token of her loue the Serpents head like case For which this mine aduenture was to winne her noble grace 1 Knight And sure that same th' occasion was why we aduentred hether Clamy. Well sith I haue you deliuered when as you please together Each one into his natiue soile his iourney do prepare For though that I haue broke my day as erst I did declare Through this most cowardly catifes charmes in meeting of the Knight Which of the golden Sheeld beares name to know else what he hight I will to Alexanders court and if that thence he be Yet will I seeke to finde him out least he impute to me Some cause of cowardlinesse to be and therefore sir Knights depart As to my selfe I wish to you with feruent zeale of hart Yet if that any one of you do meete this Knight by way What was the cause of this my let let him perstand I pray Omnes We shall not misse ô noble Knight to accomplish this your will Exeunt Clamy. Well then adue fit Knights each one the gods protect you still What knowledge ho where art thou man come forth that hence we may Shift within Where am I faith breaking open of chests here within for I le haue the spoile of all away Clamy. Tush tush I pray thee come that hence we may no riches thou shalt lacke Shift with a bag as it were full of gold on his backe I come now with as much money as I am able to carry of my backe A there was neuer poore asse so loden but how now that cowardly Bryan haue you slaine And your Sheeld the Serpents head and coate haue you againe Clamy. Ah no knowledge the knights that here were captiues kept they are by me at libertie But that false Bryan this same night is fled away for certaintie And hath all things he tooke from me conuayed where none doth know Shift O the bones of me how will you then do for the Serpents head to Iuliana to show Clamy. I haue no other hope alas but onely that her grace Will credit giue vnto my words when as I shew my cace How they were lost but first ere I vnto that dame returne He seeke the knight of the golden Sheeld whereas he doth soiourne To accomplish what my father wild and therefore come away Exit Shift Well keepe on before for I mind not to stay A fura the craftiest knaue the better lucke that 's plaine I haue such a deale of substance here where Bryans men are slaine That is passeth O that I had while for to stay I could lode a hundreth cuts full of kitching stuffe away Well it s not best to cary too long behinde left my maister ouer-go And then some knaue knowing of my money a peece of cosonage sho Exit Enter Neronis Neronis How cast that tree but withered be That wanteth sap to moist the roote How can that Vine but waste and pine Whose plants are troden vnder foote How can that spray but soone decay That is with wild weeds ouergrowne How can that wight in ought delight Which showes and hath no good will showne Or else how can that heart alasse But die by whom each ioy doth passe Neronis ah I am the Tree which wanteth sap to moyst the roote Neronis ah I am the vine whose Plants are troden vnder foote I am the spray which doth decay and is with wild weeds ouergrowne I am the wight without delight which shows and hath no good wil showne Mine is the heart by whom alas each pleasant ioy doth passe Mine is the heart which vades away as doth the flower or grasse In wanting sap to moyst the roote is ioyes that made me glad And plants being troden vnder foote is pleasures that was had I am the spray which doth decay whom cares haue ouergrowne But stay Neronis thou saist thou showest and hath no good will showne Why so I do how can I tell Neronis force no crueltie Thou seest thy knight endued is with all good gifts of courtesie And doth Neronis loue indeed to whom loue doth she yeeld Euen to that noble brute of fame the knight of the golden Sheeld Ah wofull Dame thou knowest not thou of what degree he is Of noble bloud his gesters showe I am assured
beguile Clyo. Well father Coryn let that passe wee haue nothing to do withall And now that this is done come reward thy paine I shall There is part of a recompence thy good will to requite Coryn By my troth cha thank you c ham bound to pray vor you day and night And now I hil euē home send Iack my boy this sheep to seek out Clyo. Tell me father ere thou goest didst thou not see a Lady wandring here about Cor. A Lady no good vaith gentleman cha zaw none cha tel you plane Clyo. Wel then farewell father gramercies for thy paine Ah Neronis where thou art or where thou doest abide Thy Clyomon to seeke thee out shall rest no time nor tide Thy foe here lieth slaine on ground and liuing is thy frend Whose trauel til he see thy face shall neuer haue an end My Ensigne here I leaue behind these verses writ shall yeeld A true report of traytor slaine by the knight of the golden sheeld And as vnknowne to any wight to trauell I betake Vntil I may her find whose sight my hart may ioyfull make Exit Enter Shift very braue Shift Iesu what a gazing do you make at me to see me in a gowne Do you not know after trauell men being in Court or in Towne And specially such as is of any reputation they must vse this guise Which signifieth a foole to be sage graue and of counsell wise But where are we thinke you now that Shift is so braue Not running to seeke the knight of the golden sheeld an other office I haue For comming here to the court of strange Marshes so named Where King Alexander in his owne person lies that Prince mightily famed Betweene Mustantius brother to the late king deceased And the Queene through King Alexander a strife was appeased But how or which way I thinke you do not know Well then giue eare to my tale and the truth I wil show The old King being dead through sorrow for Neronis Whom we do heare Louer to the Knight of the Golden Sheeld is The Queene being with child the scepter asked to sway But Mustantius the Kings brother he did it denay Whereof great contention grew amongst the Nobles on either side But being by them agreed the iudgement to abide Of King Alexander the great who then was comming hither At his arriuall to the Court they all were cald togither The matter being heard this sentence was giuen That either partie should haue a Champion to combat them betweene That which Champion were ouercome the other should sway And to be foughten after that time the sixteene day Now my maister Clamydes comming hither for Mustantius wil he bee But vpon the Queenes side to venter none can we see And yet she maketh proclamation through euery land To giue great gift to any that will take the combat in hand Well within ten daies is the time and king Alexander hee Staieth till the day appointed the triall to see And if none came at the day for the Queene to fight Then without trauel to my maister Mustantius hath his right But to see all things in a readines against th appointed day Like a shifting knaue for aduantage to Court I le take my way Exit Enter Neronis like a Sheepheards boy Nero. The painfull pathes the wearie wayes the trauels and ill fare That simple feete to Princes seeme in practise verie rare As I poore Dame whose pensiue heart no pleasure can delight Since that my state so cruelly fell Fortune holds in spight Ah poore Neronis in thy hand is this a seemely showe Who shouldst in Court thy Lute supplie where pleasures erst did flowe Is this an instrument for thee to guide a sheepheards flocke That art a Princes by thy birth and borne of noble stocke May mind from mourning more refraine to thinke on former state May heart from sighing eke abstaine to see this simple rate May eyes from downe distilling teares when thus a loue I am Resistance make but must they not through ceaselesse sorrowes frame A Riuer of bedewed drops for to distill my face Ah heauens when you are reuengd inough then looke vpon my cace For till I heare some newes alas vpon my louing Knight I dare not leaue this loathsome life for feare of greater spight And now as did my maister will as sheepe that is a stray I must go seeke her out againe by wild and wearie way Ah wofull sight what is alas with these mine eyes beheld That to my louing Knight belongd I view the Golden Sheeld Ah heauens this Herse doth signifie my Knight is slaine Ah death no longer do delay but rid the liues of twaine Heart hand and eueri sence prepare vnto the Hearse draw nie And thereupon submit your selues disdaine not for to die With him that was your mistresse ioy her life and death like case And well I know in seeking me he did his end embrace That cruell wretch that Norway King this cursed deed hath dunne But now to cut that lingering threed that Lachis long hath spunne The sword of this my louing knight behold I here do take Of this my wofull corps alas a finall end to make Yet ere I strike that deadly stroke that shall my life depraue Ye muses ayd me to the Gods for mercie first to craue Sing heere Well now you heauens receiue my ghost my corps I leaue behind To be inclosd with his in earth by those that shall it find Descend Prouidence Proui. Stay stay thy stroke thou wofull Dame what wilt thou thus dispaire Behold to let this wilfull fact I Prouidence prepaire To thee from seate of mightie loue looke hereupon againe Reade that if case thou canst it reade and see if he be slaine Whom thou doest loue Nere. Ah heauens aboue All land and praise and ho honour due to you I here do render That would vouchsafe your handmaid here in wofull state to tender But by these same Verses do I find my faithfull knight doth liue Whose hand vnto my deadly foe the mortall stroke did giue Whose cursed carkasse loe it is which here on ground doth lie Ah honour due for this I yeeld to mightie Ioue on hie Proui. Well let desparation die in thee I may not here remaine But be assured that thou shalt ere long thy knight attaine Ascend Nero. And for their prouidence diuine the Gods aboue I le praise And shew their works so wonderfull vnto their laud alwaies Well sith that the gods by prouidence hath signed vnto mee Such comfort sweete in my distresse my Knight againe to see Farewell all feeding Shepherds flocks vnseemly for my state To seeke my loue I will set forth in hope of friendly fate But first to Shepherds house I will my pages tyre to take And afterwards depart from thence my iourney for to make Exit Enter Sir Clyomon Clyo. Long haue I sought but all in vaine for neither far nor neare Of my Neronis wofull dame by no meanes can I
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
King my force in fight could frame To vanquish him now hauing met thus happily togither Though they are greed our combat rest decreed ere we came hither Are you that knight that did subdue Sir Samuel in field For which you had in recompence of vs that Golden Sheeld Clyo. I am that knight renowned Prince whose name is yet vnknowne And since I foyld Sir Samuel some prowesse I haue showne Queen Then as I gesse you are that Knight by that same sheeld you bear Which sometime was restored to health within our Pallace here By Neronis our daughter she betrayed by Norway king Clyo. I am that knight indeed O Queene whom she to health did bring Whose seruant euer I am bound wheresoeuer that she be Whose enemie O Queene is slaine pursuing her by me Queene Know you not where she abides Sir knight to vs declare Clyo. No certis would to Gods I did she should not liue in care But escaped from the Norway king I am assur'd she is Queene Well her absence was her fathers death which turnd to bale my blis Clyo. And till I find her out againe my toile no end shall haue Queene Alas he is nigh inough to her small toile the space doth craue King Well Sir knights since that you haue declar'd before me here The cause of this the grudge which you to each other beare I wish you both a while to pawse and to my words attend If Reason rest with you be sure Knights this quarell I will end Without the sheading any bloud betwixt you here in sight Clamydes wey you are nobly borne and will you then sir Knight Go hazard life so desperately I charge you both refraine Since for so smal a cause the strife doth grow betwixt you twaine And let him know your name sir knight and so your malice end Clyo. I haue vowed to the contrary which vowe I must defend King Well though so it be that you haue vowed your name shall not be knowne Yet not detracting this your vow your countrey may be showne And of what stocke by birth you bee Shift But Lady he is dashed now I see Clyo. Indeed this hath astond me much I cannot but confesse My country and my birth my state which plainly wil expresse My name for that vnto them all my state is not knowne King Sir knight of our demand from you againe what answere shall be showne Clyo. Of Denmarke noble Prince I am and son vnto the king King Why then sir Cliomon hight your name as rare report doth ring Clyo. It doth indeed so hight my name O Prince of high renowne I am the Prince of Denmarkes sonne and heire vnto the Crowne Clamy. And are you son to Denmarke king then do imbrace your frend Within whose heart here towards you all malice makes an end Who with your sister linked is in loue with loyall hart Clyo. And for her sake and for thine owne like friendship I impart King Well sir knights since friendship rests where rancor did remaine And that you are such friends become I certaine am right faine In hope you wil continue stil you shall to Court repaire And remaine if that you please awhile to rest you there Till time you haue decreed which way your iourney you will frame Both We yeeld you thanks beseeching Ioue still to augment your fame Exeunt Clamydes Well come my Clyomon let vs passe and as we iourne by way My most misfortunes vnto thee I wholly will bewray What hapned in my last affaires and for thy sisters sake Clyomon Well then Coeur d'acer come and waite your iourney you shall take And seeing thou art prepared and hast all things in readinesse Hast thee before to Denmarke with speedinesse And tell the King and the Queene that Clyomon their sonne In health and happie state to their court doth returne But in no wise to Iuliana say any thing of mee Curdaser I will not shew one word amisse contrary your decree Clamydes Well then my Clyomon to take our leaue to court let vs repare Clyomon As your friend and companyon Clamydes euery where Exit Neronis Oh heauens is this my louing knight whom I haue serud so lōg Now haue I tride his faithfull hart oh so my ioyes doth throng To thinke how fortune fauoreth me Nerones now be glad And praise the gods thy iourney now such good successe hath had To Denmarke will I hast with ioy my message to declare And tell the King how that his sonne doth homeward now repaire And more to make my ioyes abound fortune could neuer frame A finer meane to serue my turne then this for by the same I may vnto the Queene declare my state in secret wise As by the way I will recount how best I can deuise Now pack Nerones like a page hast hence lest thou be spide And tell thy maisters message there the gods my iourney guide Exit Enter King of Denmarke the Queene Iuliana two Lords King Come Lady Queene and daughter eke my Iuliana deare We muse that of your Knight as yet no newes againe you heare Which did aduenture for your loue the Serpent to subdue Iulia. O father the sending of that worthy knight my woful hart doth rue For that alas the furious force of his outragious might As I haue heard subdued hath full many a worthy knight And this last night O father past my mind was troubled sore Me thought in dreame I saw a Knight not knowne to me before Which did present to me the head of that same monster slaine But my Clamydes still in voyce me thought I heard complaine As one bereft of all his ioy now what this dreame doth signifie My simple skill will not suffice the truth thereof to specifie But sore I feare to contraries the exspect thereof will hap Which will in huge calamities my wofull corps bewrap For sending of so worthy a Prince as was Clamydes he To sup his dire destruction there for wretched loue of me Queene Tush daughter these but fancies be which run within your mind King Let them for to suppresse your ioyes no place of harbour find Lord O Princes let no dollors dant behold your Knight in place Iulia. Ah happie sight do I behold my knight Clamydes face Enter Bryan Sance foy with the head on his sword Bryan Wel I haue at last through trauell long atchiued my iourneys end Though Bryan yet Clamydes name I stoutly must defend Ah happie sight the King and Queene with daughter in like case I do behold to them I will present my selfe in place The mightie Gods renowmed King thy princely state maintaine King Sir Clamydes most welcome sure you are to court againe Bryan O Princes lo my promise here performed thou maist see The Serpents head by me subdude I do present to thee Before thy fathers royall grace Iulia. My Clamydes do embrace Thy Iuliana whose hart thou hast till vitall race be runne Sith for her sake so venturously this deed by thee was done
rage At the last very scacely in at a chamber I did pry Where the Queene with other Ladyes very busy I did spy Decking vp a strange Lady very gallant and gay To bring her here in presence as in court I heard say Clyomon A strange Lady Knowledge of whence is she canst thou tell me Knowledge Not I an t shall please you but anon you shall see For lo where the Lady with your mother doth come Clyomon Then straightway my duty to her grace shal be done The mighty Gods preserue your state O Queene and mother deare Hoping your blessing I haue had though absent many a yeare Enter Queene My Clyomon thy sight my son doth make thy aged mother glad Whose absence long and many a yeare hath made thy pensiue parents sad And more to let thee know my sonne that I do loue and tender thee I haue here for thy welcome home a present which I le giue to thee This Lady though she be vnknowne refuse her not for sure her state Deserues a Princes sonne to wed and therefore take her for thy more Clyomon O noble Queene and mother deere I thanke you for your great good will But I am otherwise bestowd and sure I must my oath fulfill And so I mind if gods to fore on such decree I meane to pause For sure I must of force deny my noble father knowes the cause King Indeed my Queene this much he told he lou'd a Lady since he went Who hath his hart and euer shall and none but her to loue he 'is bent Clyomon So did I say and so I wil no beawties blaze no glistering wight Can cause me to forget her loue to whom my faith I first did plight Nerones Why are you so straight lac't sir Knight to cast a Lady off so coy Turne once againe and looke on me perhaps my sight may bring you ioy Clyo. Bring ioy to me alas which way no Ladies looks cā make me glad Nero. Then were my recōpence but small to quit my paine for you I had Wherefore sir knight do wey my words set not so light the loue I show But when you haue bethought your selfe you wil recant and turne I know Queene 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. Wel then I see t is time to speake sir knight let me one questiō craue Say on your mind Where is that Lady now become to whom your plighted faith you gaue Clyo. Nay if I could absolue that doubt then were my mind at ease Nero. Were you not brought to health by her whē you came sick once of the seas Cly. Yea sure I must cōfesse a truth she did restore my health to me For which good deed I rest her owne in hope one day her face to see Nero. But did you not promise her to returne to see her at a certaine day And ere you came that to performe the Norway King stole her away And so your Lady there you lost Clyomon All this I graunt but to his cost For stealing her against her will this hand of mine bereft his life Ne. Now sure sir knight you serud him wel to reach him know an other 〈◊〉 wife But yet once more sir Knight replie the truth I craue to vnderstand In Forrest once who gaue you drink whereas you stood with sword in hād Fearing least some had you pursude for slaying of your enemie Cly. That did a sillie shepheards boy which there I tooke 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 Queene should know That I in health returned was but since I neuer saw him Ne. And sure he stands not far from hence though now you do not know him Clyo. 〈…〉 from hence where might he be Nero. Of troth Sir Knight my selfe am he I bought your message the King as here the Queene can testifie I gaue you drinke in Forrest sure when you with drought were like to die I found you once vpon the shore full sicke when as you came from seas I bought you home to fathers Court I sought al means your mind to pleas And 〈◊〉 was that all this while haue waighted like a Page on thee 〈◊〉 hoping for to 〈…〉 might discouer mee And so by hap at last I did I thanke your mothers noble grace 〈…〉 me courteously when I had told her all my case And now let this suffice my deare I am Neronis whom you see Who 〈…〉 gone before and since I met with thee Clyo. 〈…〉 fight O words more worth then gold 〈◊〉 O my 〈…〉 armes I here vnfold To clasp thy comely corps withall twice welcome to thy knight Nero. And I enioyfull am no doubt my Clyomon of thy happie sight Clyo. 〈◊〉 my assured friend lo how Dame Fortune fauoureth mee This is 〈◊〉 my deare loue whose face so long I wisht to see Clamy. My Clyomon I am as glad as you your selfe to see this day Ki. Well daughter though a stranger yet welcome to Court as I may say Queene And Lady as welcome vnto me as if thou wert mine onely child Nero. For this your gracious curtesie I thanke you noble Princes mild 〈◊〉 Though strange and vnacquainted yet do make account you welcome are Your nuptiall day as well as mine I know my father will prepare King Yes we are prest your nuptiall day with daughter ours to see As well as Clyomons our sonne with this his Lady faire Come therefore to our Court that we the same may soone prepare For we are prest throughout our land for all our Peeres to send Omnes Thy pleasure most renowned King thy seruants shall attend FINIS
who doth the Scepter sway And in the I le of Marshes eke beare rule now at this day Through loue of daughter his nay sorrowes daily grow And daily do loues do me daunt for that alas I show Such Friendship whereas favour none is to be found againe And yet from oâ—â— my carefull mind nought may her loue restraine I sent to craue her of the king he answered me with nay But shall I not prouide by force to fetch her thence away Yes yes my Lords and therefore let your aydes be prest with mine For I will sure Neronis haue or else my dayes I le pine For King Patranius and his power I hold of small account To winne his daughter to my spouse amids his men I le mount 1 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 I le enuirond is with sea on euery side And landing place lo is there none whereas you may haue tide To set your men from ship to shore but by one onely way And in that place a garison great he keepeth at this day So that if you should bring your power your trauell were in vaine That is not certainly the way Neronis for to gaine 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 saile with such as you thinke best all drest in Merchants guise And for to get her to your Ship some secret meane deuise By shewing of strange Merchandies or other such like thing Lo this is best aduise I can Thrassellus Lord and King 2 Lord And certainly as you haue sayd my Lord it is the way Wherefore ô King do prosecute the same without delay Thrasell. Of truth my Lords this your aduise doth for our purpose frame Come therefore let vs hence depart to put in vre the same With present speed for Merchant-wise my selfe will thither saile 1 Lord This is the way if any be of purpose to preuaile Exeunt Enter Clyomon with a Knight signifying one of those that Clamyde had deliuered Clyomon Sir Knight of truth this fortune was most luckely assignd That we should meete in trauell thus for thereby to my mind You haue a castle of comfort brought in that you haue me told Clamydes our appointed day no more then I did hold Knight No certis sir he kept not day the cause I haue expressed Through that inchanter Bryans charmes he came full sore distressed Yet fortune fauored so his state that through his help all wee Which captiues were through cowardly craft from bondage were set free And at our parting willed vs if any with you met We should informe you with the truth what was his onely let Clyomon Well know you where he abideth now sir Knight I craue of curtesie Knight No questionlesse I know not I to say it of a certaintie Clyomon Well then adue sir Knight with thanks I let you on your way Knight Vnto the gods I you commit nought else I haue to say Exit Clyomon A sirra now the hugie heapes of cares that lodged in my mind Is skaled from their nestling place and pleasures passage find For that as well as Clyomon Clamydes broke his day Vpon which newes my passage now in seeking him I le stay And to Neronis back againe my ioyfull iourney make Least that she should in absence mine some cause of sorrow take And now all dumps of deadly dole that danted knightly brest A due since salue of solace sweete hath sorrowes all supprest For that Clamydes cannot brag nor me accuse in ought Vnto the gods of destenies that thus our fates hath brought In equall ballance to be wayed due praises shall I send That thus to way each cause aright their eyes to earth did bend Well to keepe my day with Lady now I mind not to be slack Wherefore vnto Patranius court I le dresse my iourney back But stay me thinks I Rumor heare throughout this land to ring I will attend his talke to know what tidings he doth bring Enter Rumor running Ye rowling Clowdes giue Rumor roome both ayre and earth below By sea and land that euery eare may vnderstand and know What wofull hap is chaunced now within the ile of late Which of strange Marshes beareth name vnto the noblest state Neronis daughter to the King by the King of Norway he Within a ship of Marchandise conuayed away is she The King with sorow for her sake hath to death resignd And hauing left his Queene with child to guide the realme behind Mustantius brother to the King from her the Crowne would take But till she be deliuered the Lords did order make That they before King Alexander thither comming should appeale And he by whom they hold the Crowne therein should rightly deale For either part lo this to tell I Rumor haue in charge And through all lands I do pretend to publish it at large Exit Clyomon Ah wofull Rumor raunging thus what tidings do I heare Hath that false King of Norway stolne my loue and Lady deare Ah hart ah hand ah head and mind and euery sence beside To serue your maisters turne in need do euery one prouide For till that I reuenged be vpon that wretched king And haue againe my Lady deare and her from Norway bring I vow this body takes no rest ah fortune fickle dame That canst make glad and so soone sad a Knight of worthie fame But what should I delay the time now that my deare is gone Auaileth ought to ease my griefe to make this pensiue mone No no wherefore come courage to my hart and happie hands prepare For of that wretched King I will wreake all my sorow and care And mauger all the might he may be able for to make By force of armes my lady I from him and his will take Exit Enter Clamydes and Shift with his bag of money still Clamy. Come knowledge thou art much to blame thus for to lode thy self To make thee on thy way diseased with carying of that pelfe But now take courage vnto thee for to that ile I will Which of strange Marshes called is for fame declareth still The Knight of the golden Sheeld is there and in the court abideth Thither will I him to meete whatsoeuer me betideth And know his name as thou canst tell my father charged me Or else no more his princely court nor person for to see Come therefore that vnto that ile we may our iourney take And afterwards hauing met with him our viage for to make To Denmarke to my Lady there to shew her all my cace And then to Swauia if her I haue vnto my fathers grace Shift Nay but an t shall please you are you sure the Knight of the golden Sheeld in the ile of strange Marshes is Clamy. I was informed credibly I warrant thee we shall not mis Exit Shift Then
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