Clyomon and Clamydes (Malone Society Reprint)

Editor's Introduction
No entry referring to Clyomon and Clamydes has been found in the Stationers' Register, and the only early edition known is that from the press of Thomas Creede bearing the date 1599. This is a quarto printed in roman type of a size approximating to modern pica (20 ll. = 82 mm.). Of this a copy, wanting the leaf A 1 before the title-page and also slightly mutilated, is in the British Museum, while a perfect copy is in the possession of the Duke of Devonshire. The first of these has formed the basis of the present reprint, but the second has been consulted in all cases of doubt. No variants have been observed.

The title-page states that the play had been performed by the Queen's players. This company acted regularly at court down to 1591. After that it apparently fell into low water, for its only subsequent appearance there was on 6 January 1594, and its performances in London seem to have been few. In the provinces Queen's men continue to be mentioned till 1602, but it is doubtful whether the same company is intended, for this left London in the spring of 1594, and there is some reason to suppose that it did not outlive the year. Whether it was the original owner of the play there is no means of telling.

Dyce included Clyomon and Clamydes in his edition of the works of George Peele, with the remark: 'On the title-page of a copy of this play, a MS. note in a very old hand attributes it to Peele; and, I have no doubt, rightly.' This copy does not appear to be now known. Bullen, on the other hand, though reprinting the play along with Peele's, doubted his authorship, and critical opinion has certainly upheld this view. More than one writer has indeed attempted to vindicate Peele's right, but no attempt has ever been made to show that the arguments advanced in support of this ascription would not equally prove Peele's authorship of Common Conditions, a very similar piece which was entered in the Stationers' Register on 27 July if 76 (Arber's Transcript, ii. 301), and may be some years older. Those who deny Peele's authorship have suggested the names of Robert Wilson, Richard Bower, and Thomas Preston as possible claimants, but without advancing any convincing grounds for their conjectures. All that can here be said is that Clyomon and Clamydes is very likely by the same hand as, and almost certainly contemporary with, Common Conditions, to which it is, if anything, probably anterior. This would place its composition at least ten years earlier than the printing of the Arraignment of Paris, Peele's earliest play. That these rambling romances retained some popularity seems to be proved by the burlesque of them of Peele's Old Wives Tale.

The Prologue

 * As lately lifting vp the leaues of worthy writers workes,
 * Wherein the Noble acts and deeds of many hidden lurks,
 * Our Author he hath found the Glaſſe of glory ſhining bright,
 * Wherein their liues are to be ſeen, which honour did delight,
 * To be a Lanthorne vnto thoſe which dayly do deſire,
 * Apollos Garland by deſert, in time for to aſpire,
 * Wherein the froward chances oft, of Fortune you ſhall ſee,
 * Wherein the chearefull countenance, of good ſucceſſes bee:
 * Wherein true Louers findeth ioy, with hugie heapes of care,
 * Wherein as well as famous facts, ignomious placed are:
 * Wherein the iuſt reward of both is manifeſtly ſhowne,
 * That vertue from the roote of vice, might openly be knowne.
 * And doubting nought right Courteous all, in your accuſtomed woont
 * And gentle eares, our Author he, is preſt to bide the brunt
 * Of bablers tongues, to whom he thinks, as fruſtrate all his toile,
 * As peereles taſte to filthy Swine, which in the mire doth moile.
 * Well, what he hath done for your delight, he gaue not me in charge,
 * The Actors come, who ſhall expreſſe the ſame to you at large.

scene i
Enter Clamydes.
 * Lamy. As to the wearie wãdring wights, whom waltring waues enuirõ,
 * No greater ioy of ioyes may be, then when from out the Ocean
 * They may behold the Altitude of Billowes to abate,
 * For to obſerue the Longitude of Seas in former rate,
 * And hauing then the latitude of Sea-roome for to paſſe,
 * Their ioy is greater through the griefe, then erſt before it was.
 * So likewiſe I Clamydes, Prince of Swauia, Noble ſoyle,
 * Bringing my Barke to Denmarke here, to bide the bitter broyle:
 * And beating blowes of Billowes high, while raging ſtormes did laſt,
 * My griefes was greater then might be, but tempeſts ouerpaſt,
 * Such gentle calmes enſued hath, as makes my ioyes more
 * Through terror of the former feare, then erſt it was before.
 * So that I ſit in ſafety, as Sea-man vnder ſhrowdes
 * When he perceiues the ſtorms be paſt, through vanqiſhing of Clowdes;
 * For why, the doubtfull care that draue me off, in daunger to preuaile,
 * Is daſhed through bearing leſſer braine, and keeping vnder ſaile:
 * So that I haue through trauell long, at laſt poſſeſt the place
 * Whereas my Barke in harbour ſafe, doth pleaſures great embrace:
 * And hath ſuch licenſe limited, as heart can ſeeme to aſke,
 * To go and come, of cuſtome free, or any other taſke:
 * I meane by Iuliana ſhe, that blaze of bewties breeding,
 * And for her noble gifts of grace, all other dames exceeding;
 * Shee hath from bondage ſet me free, and freed, yet ſtill bound
 * To her, aboue all other Dames that liues vpon the ground;
 * For had not ſhe bene mercifull, my ſhip had ruſht on Rocks,
 * And ſo decayed amids the ſtormes, through force of clubbiſh knocks:
 * But when ſhe ſaw the daunger great, where ſubiect I did ſtand,
 * In bringing of my ſilly Barke full fraught from out my land,
 * She like a meeke and modeſt Dame, what ſhould I elſe ſay more?
 * Did me permit with full conſent to land vpon her ſhore:
 * Vpon true promiſe that I would, here faithfull ſtill remain,
 * And that performe which ſhe had vowed, for thoſe that ſhould obtaine
 * Her princely perſon to poſſeſſe, which thing to know I ſtay,
 * And then aduenturouſly for her, to paſſe vpon my way.
 * Loe where ſhe comes, ah peereles dame, my Iuliana deare.

Enter Iuliana with a white Sheeld.
 * Iuliana. My Clamydes, of troth, Sir Prince, to make you ſtay thus here,
 * I profer too much iniurie, thats doubtleſſe on my part;
 * But let it no occaſion giue, to breede within your hart
 * Miſtruſt that I ſhould forge or faine, with you my Loue in ought.
 * Clamy. No Lady, touching you, in me doth lodge no ſuch a thought,
 * But thankes for your great curteſie that would ſo friendly heere
 * In mids of miſerie receiue a forraine ſtraunger meere:
 * But Lady ſay, what is your will, that it I may perſtand?


 * Iulia. Sir Prince, vpon a vow who ſpowſeth me, muſt needſly take in hand
 * The flying Serpent for to ſley, which in the Forreſt is,
 * That of strange maruels beareth name; which Serpent doth not mis,
 * By dayly vſe from euery coaſt that is adyacent there,
 * To fetch a Virgin maide or wife, or elſe ſome Lady faire,
 * To feed his hungrie panch withall, if caſe he can them take,
 * His nature loe it onely is, of women ſpoyle 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 giue his like conſent:
 * Lo Sir Clamydes, now you know what is my whole intent:
 * And if you will, as I haue ſaid, for me this trauell take,
 * That I am yours, with heart and mind, your full account do make.


 * Cla. Ah Lady, if caſe theſe trauels ſhould ſurmount, the trauels whereby came
 * Vnto the worthies of the world, ſuch noble brute and fame,
 * Yea though the dangers ſhould ſurpaſſe ſtout Hercules his toyle,
 * Who fearing naught the dogged feend, ſterne Serbarus did foyle.
 * Take here my hand, if life and limbe the liuing Gods do lend,
 * To purchaſe thee, the deareſt drop of bloud my heart ſhall ſpend.
 * And therefore Lady, lincke with me, thy loyall heart for aye,
 * For I am thine til fates vntwine of vital life the ſtay,
 * Proteſting here if Gods aſſiſt, the Serpent for to kil.


 * Iuli. Then ſhalt thou of all women win, the heart and great good wil,
 * And me poſſeſſe for ſpowſed wife, who in election am
 * To haue the Crowne of Denmarke here, as heire vnto the ſame;
 * For why, no children hath my ſire beſides mee, but one other,
 * And he indeed is heire before, for that he is my brother.
 * And Clyomon ſo hight his name, but where he doth remaine,
 * Vnto my Parents is vnknowne, for once he did obtaine
 * Their good wills for to go abroad, a while to ſpend his daies
 * In purchaſing through actiue deeds both honor, laud, and praiſe,
 * Whereby he might deſerue to haue the order of a Knight:
 * But this omitting vnto thee, Clamydes here I plight
 * My faith and troth, if what is ſaid by me thou doſt performe.


 * Clamy. :If not, be ſure O Lady with my life, I neuer will returne.


 * Iuli. Then as thou ſeemeſt in thine attire, a Virgins Knight to be,
 * Take thou this Sheeld likewiſe of white, and bear thy name by me,
 * The white Knight of the Siluer Sheeld, to eleuate thy praiſe.


 * Clamy. O Lady as your pleaſure is, I ſhall at all aſſayes
 * Endeuour my good will to win, if Mars do ſend me might,
 * Such honour as your grace with ioy, ſhall welcome home your Knight.


 * Iuli. Then farewell my deare Clamydes, the gods direct thy way,
 * And graunt that with the Serpents head, behold thy face I may.

Exit.
 * Clamy. You ſhall not need to doubt thereof, O faithfull Dame ſo true,
 * And humbly kiſſing here thy hand, I bid thy grace adue.
 * Ah happie time and blisfull day, wherein by fate I find
 * Such friendly fauours as is foode, to feede both heart and mind:
 * To Suauia ſoyle I ſwiftly will prepare my foot-ſteps right,
 * There of my father to receiue the order of a Knight,
 * And afterwards addreſſe my ſelfe in hope of honours Crowne,
 * Both Tyger fell and Monſter fierce, by dint for to driue downe.
 * The flying Serpent ſoone ſhall feele, how boldly I dare vaunt me,
 * And if that Hydras head ſhe had, yet dread ſhould neuer daunt me.
 * If murdering Minataure, a man might count this ougly beaſt,
 * Yet for to win a Lady ſuch, I do account it leaſt.
 * Of trauels toyle to take in hand, and therefore farewell care,
 * For hope of honour ſends me forth, mongſt warlike wights to ſhare.

Exit.

scene ii
Enter Sir Clyomon, Knight of the golden Sheeld, ſonne to the King of Denmarke, with subtill Shift the Vice, booted.


 * Clyo. Come on good fellow follow me, that I may vnderſtand
 * Of whence thou art, thus trauelling here in a forraine land:
 * Come why doſt thou not leaue loytering there, and follow after me?


 * Shift. Ah I am in ant ſhall pleaſe you.


 * Clyo. In, why where art thou in?


 * Shift. Faith in a dirtie Ditch with a woman, ſo beraide, as it’s pittie to ſee.


 * Clyo. Well, I ſee thou art a merrie cõpanion, I ſhall like better of thy cõpany:
 * But, I pray thee, come away.


 * Shift. If I get out one of my legs, as faſt as I may
 * Ha lo, A my buttocke, the very foundation thereof doth breake,
 * Ha lo, once againe, I am as faſt, as though I had frozen here a weeke.

Here let him flip vnto the ſtage backwards, as though he had puld his leg out of the mire, one boote off, and then riſe vp to <DIV style="text-indent:24%;">run in againe.</DIV>


 * Clyo. Why how now, whither runſt thou, art thou fooliſh in thy mind?


 * Shi. But to fetch one of my legs ant ſhall pleaſe, that I haue left in the mire behind.


 * Clyo. One of thy legs, why looke man, both thy legs thou haſt,
 * It is but one of thy bootes thou haſt loſt, thy labour thou doeſt waſt.


 * Shift. But one of my bootes, Ieſu, I had ſuch a wrench with the fall,
 * That I aſſure, I did thinke one of my legs had gone withall.


 * Clyo. Well let that paſſe, and tell me what thou art, and what is thy name?
 * And from whence thou cam’ſt, and whither thy iourney thou doeſt frame,
 * That I haue met thee by the way, thus trauelling in this ſort?


 * Shift. What you haue requeſted, ant ſhall pleaſe, I am able to report,
 * What I am by my nature each wight ſhall perceiue
 * That frequenteth my company, by the learning I haue.
 * I am the ſonne of Appollo, and from his high ſeate I came,
 * But whither I go, it skils not, for knowledge is my name:
 * And who ſo hath knowledge, what needs he to care
 * Which way the wind blowe, his way to prepare.


 * Cly. And art thou knowledge, of troth I am glad that I haue met with thee.


 * Shift. I am knowledge, and haue as good skill in a woman as any man whatſoeuer he bee.
 * For this I am certaine of, let me but lie with her all night,
 * And Ile tell you in the morning, whether ſhe is maid, wife, or ſprite:
 * And as for other matters, ſpeaking of languiſhes, or any other thing,
 * I am able to ſerue, ant ſhall pleaſe, ant were great Alexander the King.


 * Clyo. Of troth, then for thy excellencie, I will thee gladly entertaine,
 * If in caſe that with me thou wilt promiſe to remaine.


 * Shift. Nay ant ſhall pleaſe ye, I am like to a woman, ſay nay, and take it,
 * When a gentleman profers entertainment, I were a foole to forſake it.


 * Clyo. Well knowledge, then ſith thou art content my ſeruant to bee,
 * And endued with noble qualities, thy perſonage I ſee,
 * Thou hauing perfect knowledge, how thy ſelfe to behaue:
 * I will ſend thee of mine arrant; but haſte thither I craue:
 * For here I will ſtay thy comming againe.


 * Shift. Declare your pleaſure ſir, and whither I ſhall go, and then the caſe is plaine.


 * Clyo. Nay of no great importance, but being here in Suauia
 * And neare vnto the Court, I would haue thee to take thy way
 * Thither with all ſpeed, becauſe I would heare
 * If any ſhews or triumphs be towards, elſe would I not come there,
 * For onely vpon feates of armes is all my delight.


 * Shift. If I had knowne ſo much before, ſerue that ſerue will, I would haue ſeru'd no martiall Knight.
 * Well ſir, to accompliſh your will, to the court I will hy,
 * And what news is there ſtirring, bring word by and by.

<DIV style="text-indent:56%;">Exit.</DIV>


 * Clyo. Do ſo good knowledge, and here in place thy comming I will ſtay:
 * For nothing doth delight me more, than to heare of martiall play.
 * Can foode vnto the hungrie corps, be cauſe of greater ioy,
 * Then for the haughtie heart to heare, which doth it ſelfe imploy,
 * Through martiall excerciſes much to winne the brute of Fame,
 * Where mates do meete which therevnto their fancies ſeemes to frame:
 * Can muſicke more the penſiue heart or daunted mind delight,
 * Can comfort more the carefull corps and ouer palled ſpright,
 * Reioyce, then ſound of Trumpet doth each warlike wight allure,
 * And Drum and Fyfe vnto the fight doth noble hearts procure,
 * To ſee in ſunder ſhiuered, the Lance that leades the way,
 * And worthy knights vnbeauered, in field amidſt the fray,
 * To heare the ratling Cannons roare, and Hylts on Helmets ring,
 * To ſee the ſouldiers ſwarm on heapes, where valiant hearts doth bring
 * The cowardly crew into the caſe of carefull Captiues band,
 * Where auncients braue diſplayed be, and wonne by force of hand.
 * What wight would not as well delight as this to heare and ſee,
 * Betake himſelfe in like affairs a fellow mate to bee,
 * With Clyomon, to Denmarke King the onely ſonne and heire,
 * Who of the Golden Sheeld as now, the knightly name doth beare
 * In euery land ſince that I foyld the worthy Knight of Fame,
 * Sir Samuel before the King, and Prince of martiall game.
 * Alexander cald the Great, which when he did behold,
 * He gaue to me in recompence, this Shield of glittering Gold:
 * Requeſting for to know my name, the which ſhall not be ſhowen
 * To any Knight, vnleſſe by force he make it to be knowen.
 * For ſo I vowed to Denmarke King, my fathers grace when I
 * Firſt got his leaue, that I abroad my force and ſtrength might try.
 * And ſo I haue my ſelfe behau'd, in City, Towne and field,
 * That neuer yet did fall reproach, to the Knight of the Golden Shield.

<DIV style="text-indent:16%;">Enter Subtill Shift, running.</DIV>


 * Shift. Gods ames, where are you, where are you? and you bee a man come away.


 * Clya. Why what is the matter knowledge? to tell thy arrand ſtay.


 * Shift. Stay, what talke you of ſtaying, why then all the ſight will be paſt,
 * Clamides the Kings ſonne ſhall be dubd Knight in all haſt.


 * Clyo. Ah knowledge, then come indeed, and good paſtime thou ſhalt ſee,
 * For I will take the honour from him, that dubbed I may bee.
 * Vpon a couragious ſtomacke, come let vs haſte thither.

<DIV style="text-indent:56%;">Exit.</DIV>


 * Shift. Leade you the way and ile follow, weele be both made knights togither.
 * Ah ſirrah, is my maſter ſo luſtie, or dares he be ſo bold?
 * It is no maruell then, if he beare a Sheeld of Gold.
 * But by your patience if he continue in this buſineſſe, farewell maiſter than,
 * For I promiſe you, I entend not very long to be his man:
 * Although vnder the title of knowledge my name I do faine,
 * Subtill Shift I am called, that is moſt plaine.
 * And as it is my name, ſo it is my nature alſo,
 * To play the ſhifting knaue whereſoeuer I go.
 * Well, after him I will, but, ſoft now, if my maiſter chance to be loſt
 * And any man examine me, in telling his name I am as wiſe as a poſt.
 * What a villaine was I, that ere he went, could not aske it?
 * Well, its no great matter, I am but halfe bound, I may ſerue whom I will yet.

<DIV style="text-indent:56%;">Exit.</DIV>

scene iii
<DIV style="text-indent:4%;">Enter the Ring of' Suauia, with the Herauld before him:</DIV> <DIV style="text-indent:19%;">Clamydes, three Lords.</DIV>


 * King. Come Clamides, thou our ſonne, thy Fathers talke attend,
 * Since thou art preſt thy youthfull days in proweſſe for to ſpend:
 * And doeſt of vs the order aske, of knighthood for to haue,
 * We know thy deeds deſerues the ſame, and that which thou doeſt craue
 * Thou ſhalt poſſeſſe: but firſt my ſonne, know thou thy fathers charge,
 * And what to knighthood doth belong, thine honour to enlarge:
 * Vnto what end a knight is made, that likewiſe thou maiſte know,
 * And beare the ſame in mind alſo, that honour thine may flow
 * Amongſt the worthies of the world, to thy immortall fame:
 * Know thou therefore Clamydes deare, to haue a knightly name
 * Is firſt aboue all other things his God for to adore,
 * In truth according to the lawes preſcribde to him before.
 * Secondly, that he be true vnto his Lord and king.
 * Thirdly, that he keepe his faith and troth in euery thing.
 * And then before all other things that elſe we can commend,
 * He be alwaies ready preſt, his country to defend:
 * The Widow poor, and fatherleſſe, or Innocent bearing blame,
 * To ſee their cauſe redreſſed right, a faithfull knight muſt frame:
 * In truth he always muſt be tried, this is the totall charge,
 * That will receiue a knightly name, his honour to enlarge.


 * Cla. O Father, this your gracious counſell giuen, to me your onely ſonne,
 * Shall not be in obliuion caſt, till vitall race be runne:
 * What way dooth winne Dame Honours Crowne, thoſe pathes my ſteppes ſhall trace.
 * And thoſe that to reproach doth leade, which ſeeketh to deface
 * True Honour in her Regall ſeate, I ſhall deteſt for aye,
 * And be as vtter enemie, to them both night and day:
 * By flying force of flickring fame, your grace ſhall vnderſtand
 * Of my behauiour noble ſyre, in euery forraine land.
 * And if you heare by true report, I venture in the Barge
 * Of wilfulneſſe contrary this, your graces noble charge:
 * Let ignomie to my reproach, in ſteed of Lady fame,
 * Sound through the earth and Azure Skies, the ſtrained blaſt of ſhame:
 * Whereby within Obliuions Tombe, my deeds ſhall be detained,
 * Where otherwiſe of memorie, the mind I might haue gained;
 * So that the den of darkſomeneſſe, ſhall euer be my cheſt,
 * Where worthy deeds prefers each wight, with honour to be bleſt.


 * King. Well Clamydes then kneele downe, according as is right,
 * That here thou mayſt receiue of me, the order of a Knight.

<DIV style="text-indent:4%;">Here let him kneele down, Clyomon with Subtill Shift watching in place,</DIV> <DIV style="text-indent:4%;">and as the King doth go about to lay the Mace of his head, let Clyomon</DIV> <DIV style="text-indent:8%;">take the blowe, and ſo paſſe away preſently.</DIV>


 * Shift. :Now prepare your ſelfe, or ile be either a Knight or a knaue.


 * Clyo. Content thy ſelfe knowledge, for ile quickly him deceiue.


 * King. The Noble orders of a Knight, Clamydes vnto thee
 * We giue through due deſert, wherefore ſee that thou bee,
 * Both Valiant, Wiſe, and Hardie.


 * Shift. Away now quickly, leaſt we be take tardie.

<DIV style="text-indent:55%;">Exeunt.</DIV>


 * King. Ah ſtout attempt of Baron bold, that hath from this my ſonne,
 * The Knight-hood tane, my Lords purſue, ere far he can be runne.

<DIV style="text-indent:15%;">Purſue him and bring in Shift.</DIV>
 * Ah Clamydes how art thou bereft of honour here?
 * Was like preſumption euer ſeene, that one a ſtraunger meere,
 * Should come in preſence of a Prince, and tempt as he hath done,
 * To take the Knight-hood thus away, from him who is his ſonne?


 * Clamy. Ah father, how am I perplext, till I reuenged be,
 * Vpon the wretch which here hath tane, the honour thus from me?
 * Was euer any one deceiu'd of knighthood ſo before?


 * King. Well Clamydes, my Lords returne, ſtay till we do know more.

<DIV style="text-indent:8%;">Enter Shift brought in by the two Lords, who purſued</DIV> <DIV style="text-indent:15%;">Clyomon.</DIV>


 * 1 Lord. O King the knight is fled and gone, purſute preuaileth nought,
 * But here his ſlaue we taken haue, to tell why this he wrought.


 * King. Ah cruell grudge that greeues my ghoſt, ſhall he eſcape me ſo?
 * Shall he with honour from my ſonne, without diſturbance go?
 * Ah Catiffe thou, declare his name, and why he ventred here:
 * Or death ſhall be thy guerdon ſure, by all the Gods I ſweare.


 * Shift. Ah ant ſhall pleaſe you, I know neither him, his country nor name.


 * 2 Lo. What, what ſir? are not you his ſeruant? will you deny the ſame?


 * King. Nay then you are a diſſembling knaue, I know very well.


 * Shift. Ant ſhall pleaſe your Grace, euen the very troth I ſhall tell,
 * I ſhould haue bene his ſeruant when we met togither,
 * Which was not full three hours before we came hither.


 * King. Well what is his name, and of what countrey declare?


 * Shift. That cannot I tell ant ſhall pleaſe you, you neuer ſaw ſeruant in ſuch care:
 * To know his Maiſters name, neither in Towne nor Field,
 * And what he was he would tell, but the Knight of the Golden Sheeld.


 * King. Well Clamides marke my charge, what I to thee ſhall ſay,
 * Prepare thy ſelfe for to purſue that Traytor on his way:
 * Which hath thine honour reft from thee, and either by force of hand
 * Or loue, his name and natiue ſoyle, ſee that thou vnderſtand,
 * That I may know for what intent, he bare this grudge to thee,
 * Elſe ſee thou neuer doeſt return againe to viſit me:
 * For this imports him for to be, of valiant heart and mind:
 * And therefore do purſue thy foe, vntill thou doeſt him find.
 * To know his name and what he is, or as I ſaid before,
 * Do neuer view thy father I, in preſence any more.


 * Clamy. Well father, ſith it is your charge, and precept giuen to mee,
 * And more for mine owne honours ſake, I franckly do agree
 * To vndertake the enterpriſe, his name to vnderſtand,
 * Or neuer elſe to ſhew my face againe in Suauia land.
 * Wherefore I humbly do deſire, the order to receiue,
 * Of Knighthood, which my ſole deſire hath euer bene to haue:
 * It is the name and meane, whereby true honour is atchiued:
 * Let me not then O father deare, thereof be now depriued.
 * Sith that mine honour cowardly was ſtolne by Caitiffe he,
 * And not by dinted daſtards deed, O father loſt by me.


 * King. Well Clamides, then kneele downe, here in our Nobles ſight,
 * We giue to thee that art our ſonne, the order of a Knight:
 * But as thou wilt our fauour winne, accompliſh my deſire.


 * Clamy. Elſe neuer to your royall Court, O father ile retire.


 * King. Well, then adue Clamides deare, the Gods thine ayder be:
 * But come my Lords, to haue his hire, that Caitiffe bring with me.


 * Shift. Alas ant ſhall pleaſe you, I am knowledge, and no euill did pretend,
 * Set me at libertie, it was the knight that did offend.


 * Cla. O father, ſith that he is knowledge, I beſeech your grace ſet him free,
 * For in theſe affaires he ſhall waite and tend on mee:
 * If he will proteſt, to be true to me euer.


 * Shift. Ah Noble Clamydes, heeres my hand, ile deceiue you neuer.


 * Clamy. :Wel then father, I beſeech your Grace grant that I may haue him.


 * King. Well Clamydes, I am content, ſith thou my ſonne doeſt craue him.
 * Receiue him therefore at my hands. My Lords come lets depart.


 * All. We ready are to wait on you, O king, with willing heart.

<DIV style="text-indent:55%;">Exeunt.</DIV>
 * Clamy. Well knowledge, do prepare thy ſelfe, for here I do proteſt,
 * My fathers precepts to fulfill, no day nor night to reſt
 * From toylſome trauell, till I haue reuengd my cauſe aright,
 * On him who of the golden Sheeld, now beareth name of knight:
 * Who of mine honour hath me robd, in ſuch a cowardly ſort,
 * As for to be of noble heart, it doth him not import.
 * But knowledge, to me thy ſeruice ſtill thou muſt with loyall heart profeſſe.


 * Shift. Vſe me that all other villains may take enfample by me, if I digreſſe.


 * Clamy. Well then come follow ſpeedily, that him purſue we may.

<DIV style="text-indent:56%;">Exit.</DIV>


 * Shift. Keepe you before ant ſhall pleaſe you, for I mind not to ſtay.
 * Ah ſirrah Shift, thou waſt driuen to thy ſhifts now indeed,
 * I dreamd bfore, that vntowardly I ſhould ſpeed:
 * And yet it is better lucke then I looked to haue:
 * But as the prouerb ſaith, good fortune euer hapneth to the veryeſt knaue:
 * And yet I could not eſcape with my maiſter, do what I can,
 * Well by this bargaine he hath loft his new Seruing-man:
 * But if Clamydes ouertake him now, what buffets will there be,
 * Vnleſſe it be four miles off the fray, there will be no ſtanding for me.
 * Well after him I will, but howſoeuer my maſter ſpeed,
 * To ſhift for my ſelfe I am fully decreed.

<DIV style="text-indent:56%;">Exit.</DIV>

scene iv
<DIV style="text-indent:15%;">''Enter King Alexander the Great, as valiantly ſet forth as may be, &. ſo and as many ſouldiers as can.''</DIV>


 * Alex. After many inuincible victories, and conqueſts great atchiued,

I Alexander with ſound of Fame, in ſafetie am arriued Vpon my borders long wiſhed for, of Macedonia ſoile, And all the world ſubiect haue, through force of warlike toile, O Mars I lawd thy ſacred name, and for this ſafe returne, To Pallas Temple will I wend, and ſacrifices burne To thee, Bellona and the reſt, that warlike wights do guide, Who for King Alexander did, ſuch good ſucceſſe prouide. Who bowes not now vnto my becke, my force who doth not feare? Who doth not of my conqueſts great, throughout the world heare? What King as to his ſoueraigne Lord, doth now not bow his knee? What Prince doth raigne vpon the earth, which yeelds not vnto mee Due homage for his Regall Mace? What countrey is at libertie? What Dukedome, Hand, or Prouince elfe, to me now are not tributarie? What Fort of Force, or Caſtle ſtrong, haue I not battered downe? What Prince is he, that now by me, his Princely ſeate and Crowne Doth not acknowledge for to hold, not one the world throughout, But of King Alexanders power they all do ſtand in doubt? They feare as Fowles that houering flie, from out the Fawcons way, As Lambe the Lyon, ſo my power, the ſtowteſt do obey. In field who hath not felt my force, where battering blowes abound?