The Queen of the Hid Isle An Allegoric Poem |
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 | The Queen of the Hid Isle |  |
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Scene II.
—The Lists near Amanda's Castle.Aman.
Proclaim the tourney. Let the just begin;
For God shall send a champion; doubt it not.
Herald.
In Balder's name I challenge all spurred knights,
Whomso it list gainsay his word, who says
She that men call Amanda, queen of Troy,
Is no true queen, but a base harlotry,
Be-painted and be-kist of belamours,
Bosomed in wantonness and lapped in lust:
In proof whereof there lies his knightly gage.
Aman.
What! shall it lie unlifted? Of my knights
Will none darrain the battle in my right?—
You, good Sir Percivale?
Sir Percivale.
I crave you grace.
On me hath Slander set her chiefest seal,
Which so to battle were to set my print
And signet to.
Aman.
Then let the trumpet sound!
Let strangers reap the glory.
[Fanfare of trumpets.
Aman.
Look, Eulice.
Who comes?
Eulice.
I see nor hear no sight or sound.
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Then sound again!
[Fanfare, and answering blast.
Eulice.
I hear a winded horn
Close in the woods.
Aman.
A third time put your breath
Into the brazen tube. Heaven helps the right.
[Fanfare.
Whom see you now?
Eulice.
One on a piebald horse,
With brisket all bemired and neck befoamed
With riding hard, comes hither from the woods.
Enter Clarimonde.
Clar.
Who is the challenger of this day's just?
Aman.
Sir Herald, pray you read again the charge.
Her.
In Balder's name I challenge all spurred knights,
Whomso it list gainsay his word, who says
She that men call Amanda, queen of Troy,
Is no true queen, but a base harlotry,
Be-painted and be-kissed of belamours,
Bosomed in wantonness and lapped in lust:
In proof whereof there lies his knightly gage.
Clar.
Thou faitour knight! thus do I lift thy gage,
And for thy leasing hurl it in thy teeth.
Fight, caitiff, or be choked with thine own lie!
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That will I. Reach me hither my good lance.
[They take their places at opposite ends of the lists.
Aman.
Sound, herald!
[Fanfare. They tilt, and Clarimonde is unhorsed.
Hath Heaven forgotten truth?
Yet, valiant knight, thou shalt not bleed to death.
[She descends towards Clarimonde.
Bald.
Lo, this was one that fed her lusting eyes
With belgards and with kisses. Kiss him now.
Aman.
Lift up the aventail, that he may breathe.
Unclench the brassart of the sword-arm. See!
'Twas here he took the point. Good master leech,
Brail up the wing of this poor wounded hawk.
'Tis a good wound: he took it for the right.
Bald.
Heaven knows, and hath decreed it otherwise.
But that all men go hence assured hereof,
Sound again trumpet. Once more, come who will,
I'll prove upon his body this man lied.
[Fanfare; answer at a distance.
Aman.
Eulice, whom see you? I see nought.
Eulice.
Lo, queen,
There comes a boat adown the river-sweep,
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Bright like a fairy warrior, cased in gold.
Heaven sends thee thy deliverer. Offer thanks.
Enter Hermadon in the boat.
Aman.
Welcome, fair sir; you come in happy hour
If you would fight with traitors and false knights
That blow upon my name and rule my land.
Herm.
It pains me, queen, to dip my spotless sword
In blood of bourders and base recreants
That gird at chastity, and through the world
Do high oppression on the weak and poor.
Where is the man?
Aman.
Yonder the villain stands.
Herm.
What! with the blazoned shield and knightly arms?
Aman.
The same.
Herm.
Cast off that gear for very shame,
Or do submission to thy lady queen,
Swear fealty and homage.
Bald.
Sir, be merry!
Herm.
Seem I to you as merry? I am sad.
Bald.
A coward's sadness on the verge of fight.
Herm.
I grieve to be a knight, to wear the spurs,
To wield the sword, for knighthood is abased.
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Then put the spurs off. We thirst not for blood.
Herm.
Peace, vaunter. Busk thee for the fight or yield.
[They take their places.
Aman.
Sound, heralds.
[Fanfare. They tilt, and Balder is easily unhorsed.
Aman.
Spare him, for he spared our friend.
Herm.
It is too late. High justice hath been done.
All men take warning by this churl's offence
And by his chastisement. So scoffers end
Who gibe at grace and knighthood. Take him hence.
And you, fair queen, I am your guest this night.
To-morrow we will set your realm at peace,
And pass upon our journey.
Aman.
Come away
And banquet with us after this fair fray.
| The Queen of the Hid Isle | |