When as we both had lost the sight of thee, It grieved us both, but specially thy queen, Who in thy absence ever fears the worst, Least some mischance befall your royal grace.
'Shall my sweet Bremo wander through the woods?
Toil to and fro for to redress my want, Hazard his life; and all to cherish me?
I like not this,' quoth she, And thereupon craved to know of me If I could teach her handle weapons well.
My answer was I had small skill therein, But glad, most mighty king, to learn of thee.
And this was all.
BREMO.
Wast so? none can dislike of this.
I'll teach You both to fight: but first, my queen, begin.
Here, take this weapon; see how thou canst use it.
AMADINE.
This is too big, I cannot wield it in my arm.
BREMO.
Ist so? we'll have a knotty crabtree staff For thee.--But, sirra, tell me, what saist thou?
MUCEDORUS.
With all my heart I willing am to learn.
BREMO.
Then take my staff & see how canst wield it.
MUCEDORUS.
First teach me how to hold it in my hand.
BREMO.
Thou holdest it well.
Look how he doth; thou maist the sooner learn.
MUCEDORUS.
Next tell me how and when tis best to strike.
BREMO.
Tis best to strike when time doth serve, Tis best to loose no time.
MUCEDORUS.