User:Sbh/Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes (critical edition)/Scene vi

Scene vi

Enter Bryan Sans-foy.

Bryan Sans-foy

Of Bryan Sans-foy who hath not heard? not for his valiant acts,

But well I know throughout the world doth ring his cowardly facts.

What tho, I pray? all are not born to be God Mars his men;

To toy with dainty dames in courts should be no copesmates then:

If all were given to chivalry, then Venus might go weep,

For any court in venery that she were like to keep.

But shall I frame, then, mine excuse by serving Venus she,

When I am known throughout the world faint-hearted for to be?

No, no, alas, it will not serve! for many a knight in love,

Most valiant hearts no doubt they have, and knightly prowess prove

To get their ladies’ loyal hearts; but I in Venus’ yoke

Am forced for want of valiancy my freedom to provoke,

Bearing the name and port of knight, enchantments for to use,

Wherewith full many a worthy wight most cowardly I abuse;

As witnesseth the number now which in my castle lie,

Who, if they were at liberty, in arms I durst not try

The feeblest there though he unarmed, so is my courage daunted

Whenas I see the glittering arms whereby each knight is vaunted.

But how I vanquish these same knights is wonderful to see;

And knights that ventured for her love, whom do love, they be,

That’s Juliana, daughter to the King of Denmark’s grace,

Whose beauty is the cause that I do haunt or keep this place,

For that no wight may her possess, unless by vow decreed

He bring and do present to her the flying serpent’s head:

Which many hath attempt to do, but none yet could him slay,

Ne afterward hence back again for me could pass away,

For that through my enchantments, lo, which here this forest keep,

So soon as I did look on them, they straight were in a sleep;

Then presently I them unarmed and to my castle brought,

And there in prison they do lie, not knowing what was wrought.

Lo, thus I range the woods to see who doth the serpent slay,

That by enchantment I may take the head from him away,

And it present unto the dame, as though I were her knight.

Well, here comes one: I’ll shroud myself, for sure I will not fight.

Enter Subtle Shift.

Subtle Shift

Gog’s blood, where might I meet with that cowardly knave, Bryan Sans-foy?

I could tell him such a tale now as would make his heart leap for joy.

Well, yonder I have espied one, whatsoever he be.

Bryan Sans-foy

[aside] Nay, Gog’s blood, I’ll be gone; he shall not fight with me:

But by enchantment I’ll be even with him by and by.

Subtle Shift

A[h], and’t shall please you, I’ll fight with no man; never come so nigh.

Bryan Sans-foy

Why, what art thou, declare; whither dost thou run?

Subtle Shift

Even the cowardliest villain, and’t shall please you, that lives under the sun.

Bryan Sans-foy

What, of my fraternity? dost thou not know Bryan Sans-foy?

Subtle Shift

What, Master Bryan! Jesu, how my heart doth leap for joy

That I have met with you! who ever had better luck?

But touch me not.

Bryan Sans-foy

Wherefore?

Subtle Shift

A[h], lest you enchant me into the likeness of a buck!

Bryan Sans-foy

Tush, tush, I warrant thee: but what art thou, declare.

Subtle Shift

Knowledge, and it shall please you; who hither doth repair

To tell you good news.

Bryan Sans-foy

Good news! what are they, Knowledge, express.

Subtle Shift

A knight hath slain the flying serpent.

Bryan Sans-foy

Tush, it is not so.

Subtle Shift

It is most true that I do confess.

Bryan Sans-foy

Ah, what hight his name, Knowledge? let me that understand.

Subtle Shift

Clamydes, the White Knight, son to the King of Suavia land,

Who for Juliana, daughter to the King of Denmark’s grace,

Did take the attempt in hand: now you know the whole case.

Bryan Sans-foy

Ah happy news of gladsomeness unto my daunted mind!

Now for to win my lady’s love good fortune is assigned;

For though she be Clamydes’ right, won worthily indeed,

Yet will I sure possess that dame by giving of the head.

But, Knowledge, whereabout declare doth that Clamydes rest.

Subtle Shift

Even hard by in the forest here, where he slew the beast,

I left him, and to seek you did hie:

But let us go further into the woods, you shall meet him by and by.

Bryan Sans-foy

Well, Knowledge, for thy pains take this as some reward;

[Gives money.]

And if thou wilt abide with me, be sure I’ll thee regard

Above all others of my men; besides I’ll give to thee

A thing that from enchantments aye preserved shalt thou be.

Subtle Shift

Then here is my hand, I’ll be your servant ever.

Bryan Sans-foy

And, seeing thou art a coward as well as I, I’ll forsake thee never.

But come, let us go Clamydes to meet.

Subtle Shift

Keep on your way and I’ll follow.

[Exit Bryan Sans-foy. ]

I trust if he meet him, he’ll take him to his feet.

Gog’s blood, was ever seen such a jolt-headed villain as he,

To be so afraid of such a faint-heart knave as I am to see?

Of the fraternity, quoth you? by’rlady, it’s a notable brood!

Well, Shift, these chinks doeth thy heart some good;

And I’ll close with Bryan till I have gotten the thing

That he hath promised me, and then I’ll be with him to bring:

Well, such shifting knaves as I am, the ambodexter must play,

And for commodity serve every man, whatsoever the world say.

Well, after Bryan I will, and close with him a while,

But, as well as Clamydes, in the end I’ll him beguile.

[Exit.

Explanatory Notes

Brian Sans-foy: Our author probably borrowed the name Sans-foy from Spenser’s Faerie Queene, B. I. C. ii.—Dyce.