And, sweet Perseda, accept this ring To equal it: receive my heart to boot; It is no boot, for that was thine before: And far more welcome is this change to me, Than sunny days to naked savages, Or news of pardon to a wretch condemn'd, That waiteth for the fearful stroke of death: As careful will I be to keep this chain, As doth the mother keep her children From water-pits or falling in the fire. Over mine armour will I hang this chain; And, when long combat makes my body faint, The sight of this shall show Perseda's name, And add fresh courage to my fainting limbs. This day the eager Turk of Tripolis, The knight of Malta, honour'd for his worth, And he that's titled by the golden spur, The Moor upon his hot Barbarian horse, The fiery Spaniard, bearing in his face The impress of a noble warrior, The sudden Frenchman and the big-bon'd Dane, And English archers, hardy men-at-arms, I-cleped Lions of the western world: Each one of these approved combatants, Assembled from sev'ral corners of the world, Are hither come to try their force in arms, In honour of the Prince of Cyprus' nuptials. Amongst these worthies will Erastus troop, Though like a gnat amongst a hive of bees: Know me by this thy precious carcanet: And, if I thrive in valour, as the glass, That takes the sunbeams burning with his force, I'll be the glass, and thou that heav'nly sun, From whence I'll borrow what I do achieve: And, sweet Perseda, unnoted though I be, Thy beauty yet shall make me known ere night. PERSEDA. Young slips are never graff'd in windy days; Young scholars never enter'd with the rod. Ah, my Erastus, these[385] are Europe's knights, That carry honour graven in their helms, And they must win it dear, that win it thence: Let not my beauty prick thee to thy bane; Better sit still than rise and overta'en. ERASTUS. Counsel me not, for my intent is sworn, And be my fortune, as my love deserves! PERSEDA. So be thy fortune, as thy features serve, And then Erastus lives without compare. _Enter a_ MESSENGER. Here comes a messenger to haste me hence.-- I know your message, hath the princess Sent for me? MESSENGER. She hath, and Desires you to consort her to the triumphs. [_Exit._ _Enter_ PISTON. PISTON. Who saw my master? O sir, are you here? The prince and all th' outlandish[386] gentlemen Are ready to go to the triumphs; They stay for you. ERASTUS. Go, sirrah, Bid my men bring my horse, and a dozen staves. PISTON.