“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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.
Enter Subtill Shift, running. 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”