Classic Poem

[SCENE XXI.]

Enter B RYAN S ANS-FOY with the head .

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 forced with owl to hide myself amongst the ivy green,
And dare not with the sely 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 Brian 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.