Arc. I cannot tell what you have done; I have, Beshrew mine eyes for't! Now I feel my shackles. Pal. You love her, then? Pal. Yes; but you must not love her. Pal. You shall not love at all. Arc. Not love at all? who shall deny me? Pal. I, that first saw her; I, that took possession First with mine eye of all those beauties in her Arc. Yes, I love her; And if the lives of all my name lay on it, I say again, I love; and, in loving her, maintain And have as just a title to her beauty, As any Palamon, or any living, That is a man's son. Pal. Have I called thee friend? Arc. Yes, and have found me so. Why are you moved thus? Let me deal coldly with you: am not I That I was Palamon, and you were Arcite. Arc. Am not I liable to those affections, Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer? Pal. You may be. Arc. Why, then, would you deal so cunningly, So strangely, so unlike a Noble Kinsman, To love alone? Speak truly; do you think me Unworthy of her sight? Pal. No; but unjust, If thou pursue that sight. Arc. Because another First sees the enemy, shall I stand still, And let mine honour down, and never charge? Pal. Let that one say so, And use thy freedom! else, if thou pursuest her, Arc. You are mad. As her bright eyes shine on ye! 'Would I were, And then I'm sure she'd love me. How now, Jailor. Banished. Prince Perithous Obtained his liberty; but never more, Upon his oath and life, must he set foot Upon this kingdom. Pal. He's a blessed man! He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms Fall on like fire: Arcite shall have a fortune, Of such a virtuous greatness, that this lady, And seek to ravish me. Jailor. My lord, for you I have this charge too. Pal. To discharge my life? Jailor. No; but from this place to remove your lordship; The windows are too open. Pal. Devils take 'em, That are so envious to me! Prithee kill me! Jailor. And hang for❜t afterward? Pal. By this good light, Had I a sword, I'd kill thee! Jailor. Why, my lord? Pal. Thou bring'st such pelting scurvy news continually, Thou art not worthy life! I will not go. Jailor. No. Pal. Then I'm resolved I will not go. Constrain you, then; and, for you're dangerous, I'll clap more irons on you. Pal. Do, good keeper! I'll shake 'em so, you shall not sleep; Pal. Farewell, kind window! May rude wind never hurt thee! Oh, my lady, SCENE III. Enter ARCITE. [Exeunt. Arc. Banished the kingdom? 'Tis a benefit, A mercy, I must thank 'em for; but banished The free enjoying of that face I die for, Oh, 'twas a studied punishment, a death Beyond imagination! Such a vengeance, That, were I old and wicked, all my sins Could never pluck upon me. Palamon, Thou hast the start now; thou shalt stay and see Her bright eyes break each morning 'gainst thy window, And let in life into thee; thou shalt feed I know she's his; he has a tongue will tame Tempests, and make the wild rocks wanton. Come what can come, The worst is death; I will not leave the kingdom: I know my own is but a heap of ruins, Enter four Country People; one with a garland before them. 1 Coun. My masters, I'll be there, that's certain. 2 Coun. And I'll be there. 3 Coun. And I. Arc. Not far, sir. Are there such games to-day? 1 Coun. Yes, marry are there; And such as you ne'er saw: The duke himself Will be in person there. Arc. What pastimes are they? When fifteen once has found us! First, I saw him; I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man; That ever dreamed, or vowed her maidenhead ness 'Get thee a happy husband!' Once he kissed me; I loved my lips the better ten days after : And me as much to see his misery: What should I do to make him know I love him? 2 Coun. Wrastling and running.-'Tis a pret- For I would fain enjoy him: Say I ventured ty fellow. 3 Coun. Thou wilt not go along? Arc. Not yet, sir. 4 Coun. Well, sir, Take your own time. Come, boys! 1 Coun. My mind misgives me, This fellow has a vengeance trick o'th' hip; 2 Coun. I'll be hanged, though, If he dare venture! hang him, plumb-porridge! He wrastle? He roast eggs. Come, let's be gone, lads! [Exeunt Countrymen. Arc. This is an offered opportunity I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled, The best men called it excellent; and run, Swifter the wind upon a field of corn, (Curling the wealthy ears) ne'er flew. I'll venture, And in some poor disguise be there: Who knows Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands, And happiness prefer me to a place, Where I may ever dwell in sight of her? [Erit. To set him free? what says the law then? SCENE V. [Exit. [A short flourish of cornets, and shouts within.] seen, Since Hercules, a man of tougher sinews: Arc. I'm proud to please you. Sure is a happy sire, then. What prove you? I could have kept a hawk, and well have hallooed est, I would be thought a soldier. Thes. You are perfect. Per. Upon my soul, a proper man! His face methinks goes Hip. But his body, that way. And fiery mind, illustrate a brave father. Per. Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun, Breaks through his baser garments. Hip. He's well got, sure. Thes. What made you seek this place, sir? To purchase name, and do my ablest service Per. All his words are worthy. Thes. Sir, we are much indebted to your travel, Nor shall you lose your wishes. Perithous, Dispose of this fair gentleman. Per. Thanks, Theseus! Whate'er you are, you're mine; and I shall give What a stout-hearted child thou art! My father Durst better have endured cold iron than done it. Some honest-hearted maids, will sing my dirge, Trust men again: And yet he has not thank'd me For what I've done; no, not so much as kiss'd me; And that, methinks, is not so well; nor scarcely SCENE I. ACT III. Pal. Cozener Arcite, give me language such As thou hast shew'd me feat! Arc. Not finding, in Cornets in sundry places. Noise and hallooing, The circuit of my breast, any gross stuff as people a-maying. Enter ARCITE. Arc. The duke has lost Hippolita; each took A several land. This is a solemn rite They owe bloom'd May, and the Athenians pay it To th' heart of ceremony. Oh, queen Emilia, Fresher than May, sweeter Than her gold buttons on the boughs, or all Th' enamell'd knacks o' th' mead or garden! yea, We challenge too the bank of any nymph, That makes the stream seem flowers; thou, oh, jewel O'th' wood, o'th' world, hast likewise blest a place With thy sole presence. In thy rumination To drop on such a mistress! Expectation I car'd her language, lived in her eye, oh, coz, Enter PALAMON as out of a bush, with his shackles; bends his fist at ARCITE. Pal. Traitor kinsman! Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signs I'll prove it in my shackles, with these hands Nor worth the name of villain! Had I a sword, Arc. Dear cousin Palamon To form me like your blazon, holds me to enemy, Cannot to me be kind. Honour and honesty Your question's with your equal, who professes Pal. That thou durst, Arcite! Arc. My coz, my coz, you have been well advertised How much I dare: You've seen me use my sword Against th' advice of fear. Sure, of another You would not hear me doubted, but your silence Should break out, though i' th' sanctuary. Arc. Kinsman, you might as well Speak this, and act it in your glass, as to His ear, which now disdains you! Pal. Come up to me! Quit me of these cold gyves, give me a sword (Though it be rusty), and the charity Of one meal lend me; come before me then, That thou art brave and noble. Arc. Be content; Again betake you to your hawthorn-house. "I am in plight!" there shall be at your choice Both sword and armour. |