direct thy way And graunt that with the Serpents head behold thy face I may Exit Clamy. You shall not need to doubt thereof O faithfull Dame so true And humbly kissing here thy hand I bid thy Grace adue Ah happie time and blisfull day wherein by fate I find Such friendly fauours as is foode to feede both heart and mind To Suauia soile I swiftly will prepare my foot-steps right There of my father to receiue the order of a Knight And afterwards addresse my selfe in hope of honours Crowne Both Tyger fell and Monster fierce by dint for to driue downe The flying Serpent soone shall feele how boldly I dare vaunt me And if that Hydras head she had yet dread should neuer daunt me If murdering Minataure a man might count this ougly beast Yet for to win a Lady such I do account it least Of trauels toyle to take in hand and therefore farewell care For hope of honour sends me forth mongst warlike wights to share Exit Enter Sir Clyomon Knight of the golden Sheeld sonne to the King of Denmarke with subtill Shift the Vice booted Clyo. Come on good fellow follow me that I may vnderstand Of whence thou art thus trauelling here in a forraine land Come why dost thou not leaue loytering there and follow after me Shift Ah I am in an t shall please you Clyo. In why where art thou in Shift Faith in a dirtie Ditch with a woman so beraide as it 's pittie to see Clyo. Wel I see thou art a merrie cōpanion I shall like better of thy cōpany But I pray thee come away Shift If I get out one of my legs as fast as I may Ha lo A my buttocke the very foundation thereof doth breake Ha lo once againe I am as fast as though I had frozen here a weeke Here let him slip vnto the Stage backwards as though he had puld his leg out of the mire one boote off and rise vp to run in againe Clyo. Why how now whither runst thou art thou foolish in thy minde Shi. But to fetch one of my legs an t shall please that I haue left in the mire behind Clyo. One of thy legs why looke man both thy legs thou hast It is but one of thy bootes thou hast lost thy labour thou doest wast Shift But one of my bootes Iesu I had such a wrench with the fall That I assure I did thinke one of my legs had gone withall Clyo. Well let that passe and tell me what thou art and what is thy name And from whence thou cam'st and whither thy iourney thou doest frame That I haue met thee by the way thus trauelling in this sort Shift What you haue requested an t shall please I am able to report What I am by my nature each wight shall perceiue That frequenteth my company by the learning I haue I am the sonne of Appollo and from his high seate I came But whither I go it skils not for knowledge is my name And who so hath knowledge what needs he to care Which way the wind blowe his way to prepare Cly. And art thou knowledge of troth I am glad that I haue met with thee Shift I am knowledge and haue as good skill in a woman as any man whatsoeuer he bee For this I am certaine of let me but lie with her all night And I le tell you in the morning whither she is maide wife or spright And as for other matters speaking of languishes or any other thing I am able to serue an t shall please an t were great Alexander the King Clyo. Of troth then for thy excellencie I will thee gladly entertaine If in case that with me thou wilt promise to remaine Shift Nay an t shall please ye I am like to a woman say nay and take it When a gentleman profers entertainment I were a foole to forsake it Clyo. Well knowledge then sith thou art content my seruant to bee And endued with noble qualities thy personage I see Thou hauing perfect knowledge how thy selfe to behaue I will send thee of mine arrant but haste thither I craue For here I will stay thy comming againe Shift Declare your pleasure sir and whither I shall go and then the case is plaine Clyo. Nay of no great importance but being here in Suania And neare vnto the Court I would haue thee to take thy way Thither with all speede because I would heare If any shewes or triumphs be towards else would I not come there For onely vpon feates of armes is all my delight Shift If I had knowne so much before serue that serue will I would haue seru'd no martiall Knight Well sir to accomplish your will to the court I will by And what newes is there stirring bring word by and by Exit Clyo. Do so good knowledge and here in place thy comming I will stay For nothing doth delight me more then to heare of martiall play Can foode vnto the hungrie corps because of greater ioy Then for the haughtie heart to heare which doth it selfe imploy Through martiall excercises much to winne the brute of Fame Where mates do meete which there vnto their fancies seemes to frames Can musicke more the pensiue heart or daunted mind delight Can comfort more the carefull corps and ouer palled spright Reioyce then sound of Trumpet doth each warlike wight allure And Drum and Fyfe vnto the fight doth noble hearts procure To see in sunder shiuered the Lance that leades the way And worthy knights vnbeauered in field amidst the fray To heare the ratling Cannons roare and Hyles on Helmets ring To see the souldiers swarme on heapes where valiant hearts doth bring The cowardly crew into the case of carefull Captiues band Where auncients braue displayed be and wonne by force of hand What wight would not as well delight as this to heare and see Betake himselfe in like affaires a fellow mate to bee With Clyomon to Denmarke King the onely sonne and heire Who of the Golden Sheeld as now the knightly name doth beare In euery land since that I foyld the worthy Knight of Fame Sir Samuel before the King and Prince of martiall game Alexander cald the Great which when he did behold He gaue to me in recompence this Shield of glittering Gold Requesting for to know my name the which shall not be showen To any Kight vnlesse by force he make it to be knowen For so I vowed to Denmarke King my fathers grace when I First got his leaue that I abroad my force and strength might try And so I haue my selfe behau'd in Citie Towne and field That neuer yet did fall reproach to the Knight of the Golden Shield Enter Subtill Shift running Shift Gods ames where are you where are you and you bee a man come away Clya. Why what is the matter knowledge to tell thy arrand stay Shift Stay what talke you of staying why then all the sight will be past Clamides the Kings sonne shall be dubd
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
THE HISTORIE OF the two valiant Knights Syr Clyomon Knight of the Golden Sheeld sonne to the King of Denmarke And Clamydes the white Knight sonne to the King of Suauia As it hath bene sundry times Acted by her Maiesties Players VIRESSIT VVLNERE VERITAS LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede 1599 The Prologue AS lately lifting vp the leaues of worthy writers workes Wherein the Noble acts and deeds of many hidden lurks Our Author he hath found the Glasse of glory shining bright Wherein their liues are to be seene which honour did delight To be a Lanthorne vnto those which dayly do desire Apollos Garland by desert in time for to aspire Wherein the froward chances oft of Fortune you shall see Wherein the chearefull countenance of good successes bee Wherein true Louers findeth ioy with hugie heapes of care Wherein as well as famous facts 〈◊〉 placed are Wherein the iust reward of both is manifestly showne That vertue from the roote of vice might openly be knowne And doubting nought right Courteous all in your accustomed woont And gentle eares our Author he is prest to bide the brunt Of bablers tongues to whom he thinks as frustrate all his toile As peereles taste to filthy Swine which in the mire doth moile Well what he hath done for your delight he gaue not me in charge The Actors come who shall expresse the same to you at large THE HISTORIE OF Sir Clyomon Knight of the golden Sheeld son to the King of Denmark And Clamydes the white Knight sonne to the King of Swauia Enter Clamydes CLamy. As to the wearie wādring wights whom waltring waues 〈◊〉 No greater ioy of ioyes may be then when from out the Ocean They may behold the Altitude of Billowes to abate For to obserue the Longitude of Seas in former rate And hauing then the latitude of Sea-roome for to passe Their ioy is greater through the griefe then erst before it was So likewise I Clamydes Prince of Swauia Noble soyle Bringing my Barke to Denmarke here to bide the bitter broyle And beating blowes of Billowes high while raging stormes did last My griefes was greater then might be but tempests ouerpast Such gentle calmes ensued hath as makes my ioyes more Through terror of the former feare then erst it was before So that I sit in safetie as Sea-man vnder shrowdes When he perceiues the stormes be past through vanquishing of Clowdes For why the doubtfull care that draue me off in daunger to preuaile Is dasht through bearing lesser braine and keeping vnder saile So that I haue through trauell long at last possest the place Whereas my Barke in harbour safe doth pleasures great embrace And hath such license limited as heart can seeme to aske To go and come of custome free or any other taske I meane by Iuliana she that blaze of bewties breeding And for her noble gifts of grace all other dames exceeding Shee hath from bondage set me free and freed yet still bound To her aboue all other Dames that liues vpon the ground For had not she bene mercifull my ship had rusht on Rocks And so decayed amids the stormes through force of clubbish knocks But when she saw the daunger great where subiect I did stand In bringing of my silly Barke full fraught from out my land She like a meeke and modest Dame what should I else say more Did me permit with full consent to land vpon her shore Vpon true promise that I would here faithfull still remaine And that performe which she had vowed for those that should obtaine Her princely person to possesse which thing to know I stay And then aduenturously for her to passe vpon my way Loe where she comes ah peereles Dame my Iuliana deare Enter Iuliana with a white Sheeld Iuliana My Clamydes of troth Sir Prince to make you stay thus here I profer too much iniurie that 's doubtlesse on my part But let it no occasion giue to breede within your hart Mistrust that I should forge or faine with you my Loue in ought Clamy. No Lady touching you in me doth lodge no such a thought But thankes for your great curtesie that would so friendly heere In mids of miserie receiue a forraine straunger meere But Lady say what is your will that it I may perstand Iulia. Sir Prince vpon a vow who spowseth me must needsly take in hand The flying Serpent for to sley which in the Forrest is That of strange maruels beareth name which Serpent doth not mis By dayly vse from euery coast that is adyacent there To fetch a Virgin maide or wife or else some Lady faire To feed his hungrie panch withall if case he can them take His nature loe it onely is of women spoyle to make Which thing no doubt did daunt me much and made me vow indeed Who should espouse me for his wife should bring to me his head Whereto my father willingly did giue his like consent Lo Sir Clamydes now you know what is my whole intent And if you will as I haue said for me this trauell take That I am yours with heart and mind your full account do make Cla. Ah Lady if case these trauels should surmount the trauels whereby came Vnto the worthies of the world such noble brute and fame Yea though the dangers should surpasse stout Hercules his toyle Who fearing nought the dogged feend sterne Serbarus did foyle Take here my hand if life and limbe the liuing Gods do lend To purchase thee the dearest drop of bloud my heart shall spend And therefore Lady lincke with me thy loyall heart for aye For I am thine til fates vntwine of vital life the stay Protesting here if Gods assist the Serpent for to kil Iuli. Then shalt thou of all women win the heart and great good wil And me possesse for spowsed wife who in election am To haue the Crowne of Denmarke here as heire vnto the same For why no children hath my fire besides mee but one other And he indeed is heire before for that he is my brother And Clyomon so hight his name but where he doth remaine Vnto my Parents is vnknowne for once he did obtaine Their good wills for to go abroad a while to spend his daies In purchasing through actiue deeds both honour laud and praise Whereby he might deserue to haue the order of a Knight But this omitting vnto thee Clamydes here I plight My faith and troth if what is said by me thou dost performe Clamy. If not be sure O Lady with my life I neuer will returne Iuli. Then as thou seemest in thine attire a Virgins Knight to be Take thou this Sheeld likewise of white and beare thy name by me The white Knight of the Siluer Sheeld to eleuate thy praise Clamy. O Lady as your pleasure is I shall at all assayes Endeuour my good will to win if Mars do send me might Such honour as your grace with ioy shall welcome home your Knight Iuli. Then farewell my deare Clamydes the gods
but I in Ʋenus yoke Am forst for want of valiancie my freedome to prouoke Bearing the name and port of knight enchantments for to vse Wherewith full many a worthy wight most cowardly I abuse As witnesseth the number now which in my Castle lye Who if they were at libertie in armes I durst not try The feeblest there though he vnarmd so is my courage danted When as I see the glittering armes whereby each Knight is vanted But how I vanquish these same Knights is wonderfull to see And Knights that ventured for her loue whom I do loue they bee That 's Iuliana daughter to the King of Denmarks grace Whose beautie is the cause that I do haunt or keepe this place For that no wight may her possesse vnlesse by vow decreed He bring and do present to her the flying Serpents head Which many hath attempt to do but none yet could him slay Ne afterward hence backe againe for me could passe away For that through my inchantments lo which heere this forrest keepe So soone as I did looke on them they straight were in a sleepe Then presently I them vnarmd and to my Castle brought And there in prison they do lye not knowing what was wrought Lo thus I range the woods to see who doth the Serpent slay That by inchantment I may take the head from him away And it present vnto the Dame as though I were her Knight Well heere comes one I le shrowd my selfe for sure I will not fight Enter Subtill Shift Shift Gogs bloud where might I meete with that cowardly knaue Bryan sance foy I could tell him such a tale now as would make his hart leape for ioy Well yonder I haue espied one whatsoeuer he be Bryan Nay gogs bloud I le be gone he shall not fight with me But by inchantment I le be euen with him by and by Shift A an t shall please you I le fight with no man neuer come so nye Bryan Why what art thou declare whither doost thou run Shift Euen the cowardly cowardlyest villaine an t shall please you that liues vnder the sun Bryan What of my fraternitie doest thou not know Bryan sance foy Shift What maister Bryan Iesu how my hart doth leape for ioy That I haue met with you who euer had better lucke Bryan But touch me not Shift Wherefore Bryan A lest you inchant me into the likenesse of a bucke Shift Tush tush I warrant thee but what art thou declare Bryan Knowledge and it shall please you who hither doth repaire To tell you good newes Shift Good newes what are they knowledge expresse Bryan A Knight hath slaine the flying Serpent Shift Tush it is not so Bryan It is most true that I do confesse Shift Ah what hight his name Knowledge let me that vnderstand Clamydes the White Knight sonne to the King of Swauia land Who for Iuliana daughter to the King of Denmarks grace Did take the attempt in hand now you know the whole case Bryan Ah happy newes of gladsomnesse vnto my danted mind Now for to winne my Ladyes loue good fortune is assignd For though she be Clamydes right wonne worthely indeed Yet will I sure possesse that Dame by giuing of the head But Knowledge where about declare doeth that Clamydes rest Shift Euen hard by in the Forrest heere where he slew the beast I left him and to seeke you did hye But let vs go furder into the woods you shall meete him by and by Bryan Well Knowledge for thy paines take this as some reward And if thou wilt abide with me be sure I le thee regard Aboue all others of my men besides I le giue to thee A thing that from inchantments aye preserued shalt thou be Shift Then here is my hand I le be your seruant euer Bryan And seeing thou art a coward as well as I I le forsake thee neuer But come let vs go Clamydes to meete Exeunt Shift Keepe on your way and I le follow I trust if he meete him hee le take him to his feete Gogs bloud was euer seene such a iolt-headed villaine as he To be so afraid of such a faint-hart knaue as I am to see Of the fraternitie quoth you burlady it s a notable brood Well Shift these chinks doeth thy hart some good And I le close with Bryan till I haue gotten the thing That he hath promised me and then I le be with him to bring Well such shifting knaues as I am the ambodexter must play And for commoditie serue euery man whatsoeuer the world say Well after Bryan I will and close with him awhile But as well as Clamydes in the end I le him begile Enter Clamydes with the head vpon his sword Clamy. Ah happy day my deadly foe submitted hath to death Lo heere the hand lo heere the sword that stopt the vitall breath Lo heere the head that shall possesse my Iulianas deare The Knight of the golden Sheeld his force what neede I now to feare Since I by force subdued haue this Serpent fierce of might Who vanquisht hath as I haue heard full many a worthie Knight Which for to winne my Ladyes loue their liues haue venterd heere Besides that cowardly Bryan which the faithlesse shield doth beare A number keepes as I haue heard as captiues in his hold Whome he hath by inchantment got and not through courage bold Shall such defamed dastards dard by Knights thus beare their name Shall such as are without all faith liue to impaire our fame Shall valiant harts by cowardly charme be kept in captiues thrall Shall Knights liue subiect to a wretch which hath no hart at all Nay first Clamydes claime to thee fell Atrapos his stroke Ere thou doest see such worthy Knights to beare the heauie yoke Of cowardly Bryan without faith his charmes let daunt not thee And for his force thou needst not feare the Gods thy shield will be Well to meete the Knight of the golden Shield yet ten daies space I haue And to set free these worthy Knights but rest a while I craue Heere in this place neere to this fort for that I weary am With trauell since from killing of the Serpent late I came Heere let him sit downe and rest himselfe Lo heere a while I mind to rest and Bryan then subdue And then to Alexanders court to keepe my promise true Enter Bryan sance foy and Shift Bryan Come Knowledge for here he lyes layd weary on the ground Shift Nay I le not come in his sight if you would giue me a thousand pound For he is the terriblest Knight of any you haue heard spoke Hee le beate a hundreth such as you and I am downe at one stroke Bryan Tush feare thou naught at al I haue charmed him and he is fast asleepe Lying neere vnto the Castle here which I do keepe And ten dayes in this sleepe I haue charm'd him to remaine Before nature shall ouercome it that he might wake againe In the meane
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
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