Scene i
editEnter Clamydes.
Clamydes
- As to the weary wandering wights whom waltering waves environ,
- No greater joy of joys may be, then when from out the ocean
- They may behold the altitude of billows to abate,
- For to observe the longitude of seas in former rate,
- And having then the latitude of sea-room for to pass,
- Their joy is greater through the grief than erst before it was;
- So likewise I, Clamydes, Prince of Suavia, noble soil,
- Bringing my bark to Denmark here, to bide the bitter broil
- And beating blows of billows high, while raging storms did last,
- My griefs was greater then might be, but, tempests overpassed,
- Such gentle calms ensued hath as makes my joys more,
- Through terror of the former fear, than erst it was before.
- So that I sit in safety, as sea-man under shrouds
- When he perceives the storms be past, through vanishing of clouds;
- For why
- The doubtful care that drave me off, in danger to prevail,
- Is dashed through bearing lesser brain and keeping under sail,
- So that I have through travail long at last possessed the place
- Whereas my bark in harbor safe doth pleasures great embrace,
- And hath such license limited, as heart can seem to ask,
- To go and come, of custom free or any other task:
- I mean by Juliana she, that blaze of beauty’s breeding,
- And for her noble gifts of grace, all other dames exceeding;
- She hath from bondage set me free, and freed, yet still bound
- To her above all other dames that live upon the ground;
- For had not she been merciful, my ship had rushed on rocks,
- And so decayed amids the storms through force of clubbish knocks;
- But when she saw the danger great, where subject I did stand
- In bringing of my silly bark full-fraught from out my land,
- She like a meek and modest dame—what should I else say more?—
- Did me permit with full consent to land upon her shore,
- Upon true promise that I would, here faithful still remain,
- And that perform which she had vowed for those that should obtain
- Her princely person to possess, which thing to know I stay,
- And then adventurously for her, to pass upon my way.
- Lo where she comes! Ah peerless dame, my Juliana dear!
Enter Juliana with a white shield.
Juliana
- My Clamydes! of troth, sir prince, to make you stay thus here
- I proffer too much injury, that’s doubtless on my part;
- But let it no occasion give to breed within your heart
- Mistrust that I should forge or feign with you my love in aught.
Clamydes
- No, lady, touching you in me doth lodge no such a thought,
- But thanks for your great courtesy, that would so friendly here
- In mids of misery receive a foreign stranger mere.
- But lady, say what is your will, that it I may perstand.
Juliana
- Sir prince,
- Upon a vow who spouseth me must needsly take in hand
- The flying serpent for to slay, which in the forest is,
- That of Strange Marvels beareth name; which serpent doth not miss,
- By daily use from every coast that is adjacent there,
- To fetch a virgin maid, or wife, or else some lady fair,
- To feed his hungry paunch withal, if case he can them take;
- His nature, lo, it only is of women spoil 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 give his like consent:
- Lo, Sir Clamydes, now you know what is my whole intent;
- And if you will, as I have said, for me this travail take,
- That I am yours with heart and mind, your full account do make.
Clamydes
- Ah lady,
- If case these travails should surmount the travails whereby came
- Unto the worthies of the world such noble bruit and fame,
- Yea, though the dangers should surpass stout Hercules his toil,
- Who, fearing naught the dogged fiend, stern Cerberus did foil;
- Take here my hand, if life and limb the living gods do lend,
- To purchase thee the dearest drop of blood my heart shall spend:
- And therefore, lady, link with me thy loyal heart for aye,
- For I am thine till fates untwine of vital life the stay,
- Protesting here, if gods assist, the serpent for to kill.
Juliana
- Then shalt thou of all women win the heart and great good-will,
- And me possess for spoused wife, who in election am
- To have the crown of Denmark here as heir unto the same;
- For why no children hath my sire besides me but one other,
- And he, indeed, is heir before for that he is my brother,
- And Clyomon so hight his name; but where he doth remain,
- Unto my parents is unknown, for once he did obtain
- Their good-wills for to go abroad, a while to spend his days
- In purchasing through active deeds both honor, laud, and praise,
- Whereby he might deserve to have the order of a knight:
- But, this omitting, unto thee, Clamydes, here I plight
- My faith and troth, if what is said by me thou dost perform.
Clamydes
- If not,
- Be sure, O lady, with my life I never will return.
Juliana
- Then as thou seem’st in thine attire a virgin’s knight to be,
- Take thou this shield likewise of white, and bear thy name by me—
- The White Knight of the Silver Shield—to elevate thy praise.
[Gives shield.
Clamydes
- O lady, as your pleasure is, I shall at all assays
- Endeavor my good-will to win, if Mars do send me might,
- Such honor as your grace with joy shall welcome home your knight.
Juliana
- Then farewell, my dear Clamydes: the gods direct thy way,
- And grant that with the serpent’s head behold thy face I may!
Clamydes
- You shall not need to doubt thereof, O faithful dame so true!
- And humbly kissing here thy hand, I bid thy grace adieu.
[Exit Juliana.
- Ah happy time and blissful day, wherein by fate I find
- Such friendly favors as is food to feed both heart and mind!
- To Suavia soil I swiftly will prepare my footsteps right,
- There of my father to receive the order of a knight,
- And afterwards address myself, in hope of honor’s crown,
- Both tiger fell and monster fierce by dint for to drive down.
- The flying serpent soon shall feel how boldly I dare vaunt me;
- And if that Hydra’s head she had, yet dread should never daunt me;
- If murdering Minotaur a man might count this ugly beast,
- Yet for to win a lady such I do account it least
- Of travails toil to take in hand; and therefore, farewell care,
- For hope of honor sends me forth ‘mongst warlike wights to share.
[Exit.