Classic Poem

Enter C LAMYDES .

Clam . As to the weary wandering wights whom waltering waves environ,
No greater joy of joys may be than 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 were greater than might be, but, tempests overpast,
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 dash'd through bearing lesser brain and keeping under sail,
So that I have through travail long at last possess'd the place
Whereas my bark in harbour 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 rush'd on rocks,
And so decay'd 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 honest 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 vow'd 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!

Enter J ULIANA with a white shield .

Ah peerless dame, my Juliana dear!
Juli . 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.
Clam . 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
Juli . 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.
Clam . 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.
Juli . 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 honour, 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.
Clam . If not,
Be sure, O lady, with my life I never will return.
Juli . Then as thou seem'st in thine attire a virgin 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.
Clam . O lady, as your pleasure is, I shall at all assays
Endeavour my good-will to win, if Mars do send me might,
Such honour as your grace with joy shall welcome home your knight.
Juli . Then farewell, my dear Clamydes: the gods direct thy way,
And grant that with the serpent's head behold thy face I may!
Clam . You shall not need to doubt thereof, O faithful dame so true!
And, humbly kissing here thy hand, I bid thy grace adieu.
Ah happy time and blissful day, wherein by fate I find
Such friendly favours as are 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 honour'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 honour sends me forth 'mongst warlike wights to share.