Classic Poem

[SCENE XXII.]

Enter Shift like 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:
And 'twere 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 K ING A LEXANDER , the Q UEEN [ of the Isle
of Strange Marshes ,] M USTANTIUS , two Lords,
and C LAMYDES like 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 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. And'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, and't shall please your grace, rather than she shall it lose,
I myself will be her champion for half a dozen blows.
K. Alex. 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—
Of truth, madam, I sorry am none will thy cause maintain—
Well according to the law of arms, yet, trumpet, sound again—

Enter behind , C LYOMON as to combat, and N
ERONIS 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 [do] 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.
S. Shift. [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!
Clam. O king, although we be discharged 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 bereaved me of my right,
The which he will not show unless 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 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 restored 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 escaped from the Norway King I am assured 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 declared before me here
The cause of this the grudge which you [do] 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 [to] 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
Clam. Well, come, my Clyomon, let us pass, and, as we journey 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, Cœur-d'acier, come and wait, your journey you shall take;
And, seeing thou art prepared and hast all things in readiness,
Haste thee before to Denmark [court] with [utmost] speediness,
And tell the king and the queen that Clyomon their son
In health and happy state to their court doth return.
Clam. 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.
Nero. O heavens, is this my loving knight whom I have served 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 lest thou be spied,
And tell thy master's message there: the gods my journey guide!

Enter K ING OF D ENMARK , the Q UEEN , J ULIANA ,
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 corps 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 B RYAN S ANS-FOY with the head of his sword .

B. Sans-foy. Well, I have at last through travel long achived 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 subdued 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.
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.
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.
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 C LYOMON , C LAMYDES , and S UBTLE 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 and 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.
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 Martha 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, ne'er seem 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 [your grace] 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, [pray] 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.
Clyo. O father, this is Clamydes and son to Suavia King,
Who for my sister ventured 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 deceived; this is Clamydes sure.
King of D. Well, my son, do cease a while such talk to put in sure,
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 J ULIANA [ and First Lord; and, after
them , S UBILE 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 subdued 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 than, 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, [no,] you are deceived; this is Clamydes sure.
Juli. No, brother, then you are deceived, 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, whom, 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 B RYAN S ANS-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, [say,] 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 darest thou enterprise to take my name thus unto thee?
Clam. Nay, rather, how darest 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 deceived,
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 determined 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 [do] call:
This is Clamydes, the fear of whom my daunted mind doth 'pall.
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 traitorously 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.
Clamydes, ah, most welcome thou our daughter to enjoy!
The heavens be praised that this have wrought to foil all future noy!
Clam. I thank your grace that you thus so well esteem of me.

Re-enter S UBILE Shift.

S. Shift. What, is all things finish'd and every man eased?
Is the pageant pack'd up and all parties pleased?
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 wait 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, and'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 Q UEEN OF D ENMARK with N ERONIS 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 loved 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-laced, 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 served 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 pursued 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 joys! O heavenly sight! O words more worth than gold!
Neronis, O my dear, welcóme! my arms I here unfold
To clasp thy comely corps 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.