Classic Poem

[SCENE XIII.]

Enter C LYOMON with a Knight, signifying one of
those that C LAMYDES had delivered.

Clyo. Sir knight, of truth this fortune was most luckily assign'd,
That we should meet in travel thus, for thereby to my mind
You have a castle of comfort brought in that you have me told
Clamydes our appointed day no more than I did hold.
Knight . No, certis, sir, he kept not day, the cause I have express'd,
Through that enchanter Bryan's charms he came full sore distress'd;
Yet fortune favour'd so his state that through his help all we,
Which captives were through cowardly craft, from bondage were set free;
And at our parting willèd us, if any with you met,
We should inform you with the truth what was his only let
Clyo. Well, know you where he abideth now, sir knight, I crave of courtesy.
Knight . No, questionless, I know not I, to say it of a certainty.
Clyo. Well, then, adieu, sir knight, with thanks; I let you on your way.
Knight . Unto the gods I you commit; naught else I have to say.
Clyo. A[h] sirrah, now the hugy heaps of cares that lodgèd in my mind
Are scalèd from their nestling-place, and pleasures passage find,
For that, as well as Clyomon, Clamydes broke his day;
Upon which news my passage now in seeking him I'll stay,
And to Neronis back again my joyful journey make,
Lest that she should in absence mine some cause of sorrow take:
And now all dumps of deadly dole that daunted knightly breast,
Adieu, since salve of solace sweet hath sorrows all supprest.
For that Clamydes cannot brag nor me accuse in ought,
Unto the gods of destinies, that thus our fates have brought
In equal balance to be weigh'd, due praises shall I send,
That thus to weigh each cause a-right their eyes to earth did bend.
Well, to keep my day with lady now I mind not to be slack,
Wherefore unto Patranius' court I'll dress my journey back:
But stay, methinks I Rumour hear throughout this land to ring;
I will attend his talk to know what tidings he doth bring.

Enter Rumour running .

Rum. Ye rolling clouds, give Rumour room, both air and earth below,
By sea and land, that every ear may understand and know
What woful hap is chancèd now, within the Isle of late,
Which of Strange Marshes beareth name, unto the noblest state.
Neronis, daughter to the king, by the King of Norway he
Within a ship of merchandise convey'd away is she.
The king with sorrow for her sake hath [un]to death resign'd;
And having left his queen with child to guide the realm behind,
Mustantius, brother to the king, from her the crown would take;
But till she be deliverèd the lords did order make
That they before King Alexander thither coming should appeal,
And he, by whom they hold the crown, therein should rightly deal
For either part: lo, this to tell I Rumour have in charge,
And through all lands I do pretend to publish it at large.
Clyo. Ah, woful Rumour ranging thus! what tidings do I hear?
Hath that false King of Norway stoln my love and lady dear?
Ah heart, ah hand, ah head, and mind, and every sense beside,
To serve your master's turn in need do every one provide!
For till that I revengèd be upon that wretched king,
And have again my lady dear and her from Norway bring,
I vow this body takes no rest. Ah Fortune, fickle dame,
That canst make glad and so soon sad a knight of worthy fame!
But what should I delay the time, now that my dear is gone?
Availeth aught to ease my grief, to make this pensive moan?
No, no;
Wherefore come, courage, to my heart, and, happy hands, prepare?
For of that wretched king I will wreak all my sorrow and care,
And, maugre all the might he may be able for to make,
By force of arms my lady I from him and his will take.