Classic Poem

[SCENE XII]

Enter T HRASELLUS , King of Norway, and two Lords.

Thra. Where deep desire hath taken root, my lords, alas, you see
How that persuasion booteth not, if contrary it be
Unto the first expected hope where fancy hath take place;
And vain it is for to withdraw by counsel in that case
The mind who with affection is to one only thing affected,
The which may not till dint of death from thence be sure rejected.
You know, my lords, through fame what force of love hath taken place
Within my breast as touching now Neronis' noble grace,
Daughter to Patranius King, who doth the sceptre sway
And in the Isle of Marshes eke bear rule now at this day:
Through love of daughter his my sorrows daily grow,
And daily dolours do me daunt, for that, alas, I show
Such friendship whereas favour none is to be found again;
And yet from out my careful mind naught may her love restrain.
I sent to crave her of the king; he answer'd me with nay:
But shall I not provide by force to fetch her thence away?
Yes, yes, my lords; and therefore let your aids be prest with mine,
For I will sure Neronis have, or else my days I'll pine;
For King Patranius and his power I hold of small account:
To win his daughter to my spouse amids his men I'll mount.
First 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 isle environ'd is with sea on every side,
And landing-place, lo, is there none whereas you may have tide
To set your men from ship to shore, but by one only way,
And in that place a garrison great he keepeth at this day;
So that if you should bring your power, your travail were in vain:
That is not certainly the way Neronis for to gain.
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 sail with such as you think best, all dress'd in merchants' guise,
And for to get her to your ship some secret mean devise,
By showing of strange merchandise, or other such like thing:
Lo, this is best advice I can, Thrasellus, lord and king
Second Lord. And certainly, as you have said, my lord, it is the way:—
Wherefore, O king, do prosecute the same without delay
Thra. Of truth, my lords, this your advice doth for our purpose frame:
Come, therefore, let us hence depart to put in ure the same
With present speed, for merchant-wise myself will thither sail.
First Lord. This is the way, if any be, of purpose to prevail.