TWO NOBLE KINSMEN
1634 Edition
1: PROLOGVE.
2: [ Florish.]
3: New Playes,
and Maydenheads, are neare a kin,
4: Much follow'd both, for
both much mony g'yn,
5: If they stand sound, and well: And a
good Play
6: (Whose modest Sceanes blush on his marriage
day,
7: And shake to loose his honour) is like hir
8: That after holy Tye, and first nights stir
9: Yet still is Modestie, and still retaines
10:
More of
the maid to sight, than Husbands paines;
11: We pray our Play
may be so; For I am sure
12: It has a noble Breeder, and a
pure,
13: A learned, and a Poet never went
14: More famous yet twixt Po and silver Trent.
15:
Chaucer
(of all admir'd) the Story gives,
16: There constant to
Eternity it lives;
17: If we let fall the Noblenesse of
this,
18: And the first sound this child heare, be a
hisse,
19: How will it shake the bones of that good man,
20: And make him cry from under ground, O fan
21:
22:
23:
24: For to say Truth, it were an
endlesse thing,
25: And too ambitious to aspire to him;
26: Weake as we are, and almost breath lesse swim
27: In this deepe water. Do but you hold out
28:
Your
helping hands, and we shall take about,
29: And something doe
to save us: You shall heare
30: Sceanes though below his Art,
may yet appeare
31:
32:
33: A little
dull time from us, we perceave
34: Our losses fall so thicke,
we must needs leave.
35: [ Florish.]
Act I Scene 1
36: Actus Primus.
37:
38:
39:
40:
41:
42:
43:
[ head (her Tresses likewise hanging.) After her
Emilia holding]
44:
45: [ The Song, Musicke.]
46: Roses their sharpe spines being
gon,
47: Not royall in their smels alone,
48: But in their hew.
49: Maiden
Pinckes, of odour
faint,
50: Dazies smel-lesse, yet most quaint
51: And sweet Time true.
52:
Prim-rose first borne, child
of Ver,
53: Merry Spring times Herbinger,
54: With her bels dimme.
55:
Oxlips, in their Cradles
growing,
56: Mary-golds, on death beds blowing,
57: Larkes-heeles trymme.
58:
All deere natures children:
sweetely
59: fore Bride and Bridegroomes feete [ Strew Flowers.]
60: Blessing their
sence.
61: Not an angle of the aire,
62: Bird
melodious, or bird faire,
63: Is absent hence.
64: The Crow, the slaundrous
Cuckoe, nor
65: The boding
Raven, nor Chough hee
66: Nor chattring Pie,
67: May on our Bridehouse pearch or sing,
68:
Or with them
any discord bring
69: But from it fly.
70: [ Enter 3. Queenes in Blacke, with vailes staind, with
imperiall]
71:
72:
73:
74:
1. Qu.
For pitties sake and true gentilities,
75: Heare, and respect me.
76:
2. Qu.
For your Mothers sake,
77:
And as you wish your
womb may thrive with faire ones,
78: Heare and respect me.
79:
80:
81:
Of cleere virginity, be Advocate
82: For us, and our distresses: This good deede
83:
Shall raze you
out o'th Booke of Trespasses
84: All you are set downe there.
85:
Theseus.
Sad Lady rise.
86:
Hypol.
Stand up.
87:
Emil.
No knees to me.
88:
What woman I may
steed that is distrest,
89: Does bind me to her.
90:
Thes.
What's your request? Deliver you for all.
91:
92:
93: The Beakes of Ravens, Tallents of
the Kights,
94: And pecks of Crowes,
in the fowle feilds of Thebs,
95: He will not suffer us to burne
their bones,
96: To urne their ashes, nor to take th' offence
97: Of mortall loathsomenes from the blest eye
98: Of holy Phaebus, but infects the windes
99:
With stench of our slaine
Lords. O pitty Duke,
100: Thou purger of the earth, draw thy feard
Sword
101: That does good turnes to'th world; give us the Bones
102: Of our dead Kings, that we may Chappell them;
103: And of thy boundles goodnes take some note
104:
That for our
crowned heades we have no roofe,
105: Save this which is the Lyons,
and the Beares,
106: And vault to every thing.
107:
Thes.
Pray you kneele not,
108:
I was
transported with your Speech, and suffer'd
109:
110:
111: As wakes my vengeance, and revenge for 'em.
112:
King Capaneus, was your Lord the day
113: That he should
marry you, at such a season,
114: As now it is with me, I met your
Groome,
115: By Marsis Altar, you were that time faire;
116: Not Iunos Mantle fairer then your Tresses,
117: Nor in more bounty spread her. Your wheaten wreathe
118:
Was then
nor threashd, nor blasted; Fortune at you
119:
120:
121: He tumbled downe upon his Nenuan hide
122:
And
swore his sinews thawd: O greife, and time,
123: Fearefull consumers,
you will all devoure.
124:
1. Qu.
O I hope some
God,
125: Some God hath put his mercy in your manhood
126: Whereto meel infuse powre, and presse you forth
127:
Our
undertaker.
128:
Thes.
O no knees, none Widdow,
129: Vnto the Helmeted-Belona use them,
130: And pray for
me you Souldier.
131: Troubled I am. [ turnes
away.]
132:
2. Qu.
Honoured Hypolita
133:
Most dreaded Amazonian, that ha'st slaine
134: The Sith-tuskd-Bore; that
with thy Arme as strong
135: As it is white, wast neere to make the
male
136: To thy sex captive; but that this thy Lord
137: Borne to uphold Creation, in that honour
138:
First nature stilde
it in, shrunke thee into
139: The bownd thou wast ore-flowing; at
once subduing
140: Thy force, and thy affection: Soldiresse
141: That equally canst poize sternenes with pitty,
142: Whom now I know hast much more power on him
143:
Then ever he had
on thee, who ow'st his strength,
144: And his, Love too: who is a
Servant for
145: The Tenour of the Speech. Deere Glasse of Ladies
146: Bid him that we whom flaming war doth scortch,
147: Vnder the shaddow of his Sword, may coole us:
148:
Require him he
advance it ore our heades;
149: Speak't in a womans key: like such a
woman
150: As any of us three; weepe ere you faile; lend us a knee;
151: But touch the ground for us no longer time
152: Then
a Doves motion, when the head's pluckt off:
153: Tell him if he i'th
blood cizd field, lay swolne
154: Showing the Sun his Teeth; grinning
at the Moone
155: What you would doe.
156:
Hip.
Poore Lady, say no more:
157:
I had as
leife trace this good action with you
158: As that whereto I am
going, and never yet
159: Went I so willing, way. My Lord is taken
160: Hart deepe with your distresse: Let him consider:
161: Ile speake anon.
162:
3.
Qu.
O my petition
was [ kneele to Emilia.]
163: Set downe in yce,
which by hot greefe uncandied
164: Melts into drops, so sorrow
wanting forme
165: Is prest with deeper matter.
166:
Emilia.
Pray stand up,
167:
Your greefe is
written in your cheeke.
168:
3. Qu.
O woe,
169: You cannot reade it there; there through my teares,
170: Like wrinckled peobles in a glasse streame
171: You may behold 'em (Lady, Lady, alacke)
172: He that
will all the Treasure know o'th earth
173: Must know the Center too;
he that will fish
174: For my least minnow, let him lead his line
175: To catch one at my heart. O pardon me,
176: Extremity
that sharpens sundry wits
177: Makes me a Foole.
178:
Emili.
Pray you say nothing, pray you,
179:
Who cannot feele, nor see the raine being in't,
180: Knowes
neither wet, nor dry, if that you were
181: The ground-peece of some
Painter, I would buy you
182: T' instruct me gainst a Capitall greefe
indeed
183: Such heart peirc'd demonstration; but alas
184: Being a naturall Sister of our Sex
185:
Your sorrow beates so
ardently upon me,
186: That it shall make a counter reflect gainst
187: My Brothers heart, and warme it to some pitty
188: Though it were made of stone: pray have good comfort.
189:
Thes.
Forward to'th Temple, leave not out a Iot
190: O'th sacred Ceremony.
191:
1. Qu.
O This Celebration
192:
Will long last, and be more
costly then,
193: Your Suppliants war: Remember that your Fame
194: Knowles in the eare, o'th world: what you doe quickly,
195: Is not done rashly; your first thought is more.
196: Then others laboured meditance: your premeditating
197:
More then
their actions: But oh Iove, your actions
198: Soone as they mooves as
Asprayes doe the fish,
199: Subdue before they touch, thinke, deere Duke thinke
200:
What beds our slaine Kings have.
201:
2. Qu.
What greifes our beds
202:
That our
deere Lords have none.
203:
3. Qu.
None fit
for'th dead:
204: Those that with Cordes, Knives, drams precipitance,
205: Weary of this worlds light, have to themselves
206: Beene deathes most horrid Agents, humaine grace
207:
Affords them
dust and shaddow.
208:
1. Qu.
But our Lords
209: Ly blistring fore the visitating
Sunne,
210: And were good Kings, when living.
211:
Thes:
It is true, and I will give you comfort,
212: To give your dead Lords graves:
213: The which to
doe, must make some worke with Creon;
214:
1. Qu.
And that worke presents it selfe to'th doing:
215:
Now twill take forme, the heates are gone to morrow.
216: Then,
booteles toyle must recompence it selfe,
217: With it's owne sweat;
Now he's secure,
218: Not dreames, we stand before your puissance
219: Wrinching our holy begging in our eyes
220: To make
petition cleere.
221:
2. Qu.
Now you may take
him,
222: Drunke with his victory.
223:
3. Qu.
And his Army full
224:
Of Bread, and sloth.
225:
Thes.
Artesius that best knowest
226: How to draw out fit to this enterprise,
227: The
prim'st for this proceeding, and the number
228: To carry such a
businesse, forth and levy
229: Our worthiest Instruments, whilst we
despatch
230: This grand act of our life, this daring deede
231: Of Fate in wedlocke.
232:
1. Qu.
Dowagers, take hands
233:
Let us be Widdowes to our
woes, delay
234: Commends us to a famishing hope.
235:
All.
Farewell.
236:
237:
238:
For best solicitation.
239:
Thes.
Why good Ladies,
240: This is a
service, whereto I am going,
241: Greater then any was; it more
imports me
242: Then all the actions that I have foregone,
243: Or futurely can cope.
244:
1. Qu.
The more proclaiming
245:
Our suit shall be
neglected, when her Armes
246: Able to locke Iove from a
Synod, shall
247: By warranting
Moone-light corslet thee, oh when
248: Her twyning Cherries shall
their sweetnes fall
249: Vpon thy tastefull lips, what wilt thou
thinke
250: Of rotten Kings or blubberd Queenes, what care
251: For what thou feelst not? what thou feelst being able
252: To make Mars spurne his Drom. O if thou couch
253: But one night with her, every howre in't will
254:
Take hostage
of thee for a hundred, and
255: Thou shalt remember nothing more,
then what
256: That Banket bids thee too.
257:
Hip.
Though much unlike
258:
You should be
so transported, as much sorry
259: I should be such a Suitour; yet I
thinke
260: Did I not by th' abstayning of my joy
261: Which breeds a deeper longing, cure their surfeit
262:
That
craves a present medcine, I should plucke
263: All Ladies scandall on
me. Therefore Sir
264: As I shall here make tryall of my prayres,
265: Either presuming them to have some force,
266: Or
sentencing for ay their vigour dombe,
267: Prorogue this busines, we
are going about, and hang
268: Your Sheild afore your Heart, about
that necke
269: Which is my Fee, and which I freely lend
270: To doe these poore Queenes service.
271:
All
Queens.
Oh helpe now
272: Our Cause cries for your
knee.
273:
Emil.
If you grant not
274: My Sister her petition in that force,
275:
With that Celerity,
and nature which
276: Shee makes it in: from henceforth ile not dare
277: To aske you any thing, nor be so hardy
278: Ever to
take a Husband.
279:
Thes.
Pray stand up.
280: I am entreating of my selfe to doe
281: That which
you kneele to have me; Pyrithous
282: Leade on the Bride; get
you and pray the Gods
283: For successe, and returne, omit not any
thing
284: In the pretended Celebration: Queenes
285: Follow your Soldier (as before) hence you
286: And at the banckes of Anly meete us with
287: The
forces you can raise, where we shall finde
288: The moytie of a
number, for a busines,
289: More bigger look't; since that our Theame
is haste
290: I stamp this kisse upon thy currant lippe,
291: Sweete keepe it as my Token; Set you forward
292:
For I will see
you gone. [ Exeunt towards the Temple.]
293: Farewell my beauteous Sister:
Pyrithous
294: Keepe the
feast full, bate not an howre on't.
295:
Pirithous.
Sir
296: Ile follow you at
heeles; The Feasts solempnity
297: Shall want till your returne.
298:
Thes.
Cosen I charge you
299: Boudge not from Athens; We shall be returning
300:
Ere you can
end this Feast; of which I pray you
301: Make no abatement; once more
farewell all.
302: o'th (world.
303:
304:
3. Qu.
If not above him, for
305:
Thou being
but mortall makest affections bend
306: To Godlike honours; they
themselves some say
307: Grone under such a Mastry.
308:
Thes.
As we are men
309:
Thus should we doe,
being sensually subdude
310: We loose our humane tytle; good cheere
Ladies. [ Florish.]
311: Now turne we towards your
Comforts. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 2
312: Scaena 2. Enter Palamon, and
Arcite.
313:
Arcite.
Deere Palamon,
deerer in love then Blood
314: And our prime Cosen, yet unhardned in
315: The Crimes of nature; Let us leave the Citty
316: Thebs, and the temptings in't, before we further
317:
Sully our
glosse of youth,
318: And here to keepe in abstinence we shame
319: As in Incontinence; for not to swim
320: I'th aide
o'th Current, were almost to sincke,
321: At least to frustrate striving, and to follow
322:
The common
Streame, twold bring us to an Edy
323: Where we should turne or
drowne; if labour through,
324: Our gaine but life, and weakenes.
325:
Pal.
Your advice
326: Is cride
up with example; what strange ruins
327: Since first we went to
Schoole, may we perceive
328: Walking in Thebs? Skars, and bare
weedes
329: The gaine o'th Martialist, who did propound
330: To his bold ends, honour, and golden Ingots,
331:
Which though he
won, he had not, and now flurted
332: By peace for whom he fought,
who then shall offer
333: To Marsis so scornd Altar? I
doe bleede
334: When such I meete, and with great Iuno would
335: Resume her ancient fit of Ielouzie
336: To get
the Soldier worke, that peace might purge
337: For her repletion, and
retaine anew
338: Her charitable heart now hard, and harsher
339: Then strife, or war could be.
340:
Arcite.
Are you not out?
341:
Meete you no
ruine, but the Soldier in
342: The Cranckes, and turnes of Thebs? you
did begin
343: As if you met decaies of many kindes:
344: Perceive you none, that doe arowse your pitty
345:
But th'
un-considerd Soldier?
346:
Pal.
Yes, I pitty
347: Decaies where ere I finde them, but such most
348: That sweating in an honourable Toyle
349:
Are paide with yce to
coole 'em.
350:
Arcite.
Tis not this
351: I did begin to speake of: This is vertue
352:
Of no respect in
Thebs, I spake of Thebs
353: How dangerous if we will keepe our
Honours,
354: It is for our resyding, where every evill
355: Hath a good cullor; where eve'ry seeming good's
356:
A certaine
evill, where not to be ev'n Iumpe
357: As they are, here were to be
strangers, and
358: Such things to be meere Monsters.
359:
Pal.
Tis in our power,
360: (Vnlesse we feare that Apes can Tutor's) to
361: Be
Masters of our manners: what neede I
362: Affect anothers gate, which
is not catching
363: Where there is faith, or to be fond upon
364: Anothers way of speech, when by mine owne
365: I may
be reasonably conceiv'd; sav'd too,
366: Speaking it truly; why am I
bound
367: By any generous bond to follow him
368: Followes his Taylor, haply so long untill
369:
The follow'd, make
pursuit? or let me know,
370: Why mine owne Barber is unblest, with
him
371: My poore Chinne too, for tis not Cizard iust
372: To such a Favorites glasse: What Cannon is there
373:
That does
command my Rapier from my hip
374: To dangle't in my hand, or to go
tip toe
375: Before the streete be foule? Either I am
376: The fore-horse in the Teame, or I am none
377:
That draw i'th
sequent trace: these poore sleight sores,
378: Neede not a plantin;
That which tips my bosome
379: Almost to'th heart's,
380:
Arcite.
Our Vncle
Creon.
381:
Pal.
He,
382: A most unbounded Tyrant, whose
successes
383: Makes heaven unfeard, and villany assured
384: Beyond its power: there's nothing, almost puts
385:
Faith in a
feavour, and deifies alone
386: Voluble chance, who onely attributes
387: The faculties of other Instruments
388: To his owne
Nerves and act; Commands men service,
389: And what they winne in't,
boot and glory on;
390: That feares not to do harm; good, dares not;
Let
391: The blood of mine that's sibbe to him, be suckt
392: From me with Leeches, Let them breake and fall
393:
Off me with
that corruption.
394:
Arc.
Cleere spirited Cozen
395: Lets leave his Court, that we may nothing share,
396: Of his lowd infamy: for our milke,
397: Will relish of the pasture, and we must
398: Be vile, or disobedient, not his kinesmen
399:
In blood, unlesse
in quality.
400:
Pal.
Nothing truer:
401: I thinke the Ecchoes of his shames have dea'ft
402:
The eares of
heav'nly Iustice: widdows cryes
403: [ Enter
Valerius.]
404:
405:
Val.
The King cals for you; yet be leaden footed
406: Till his great rage be off him. Phebus when
407: He broke his whipstocke and exclaimd against
408:
The Horses of
the Sun, but whisperd too
409: The lowdenesse of his Fury.
410:
Pal.
Small windes shake him,
411: But whats the matter?
412:
413:
414:
Ruine
to Thebs, who is at hand to seale
415: The promise of his wrath.
416:
Arc.
Let him approach;
417: But
that we feare the Gods in him, he brings not
418: A jot of terrour to
us; Yet what man
419: Thirds his owne worth (the case is each of
ours)
420: When that his actions dregd, with minde assurd
421: Tis bad he goes about.
422:
Pal.
Leave that
unreasond.
423: Our services stand now for Thebs, not Creon,
424: Yet to be neutrall to him, were dishonour;
425: Rebellious to oppose: therefore we must
426:
With him stand to
the mercy of our Fate,
427: Who hath bounded our last minute.
428:
Arc.
So we must;
429: Ist sed
this warres afoote? or shall it be
430: On faile of some condition.
431:
Val.
Tis in motion
432: The
intelligence of state came in the instant
433: With the defier.
434:
Pal.
Lets
to the king, who, were he
435: A quarter carrier of that honour,
which
436: His Enemy come in, the blood we venture
437: Should be as for our health, which were not spent,
438:
Rather
laide out for purchase: but alas
439: Our hands advanc'd before our
hearts, what will
440: The fall o'th stroke doe damage?
441:
Arci.
Let th' event,
442:
That never erring
Arbitratour, tell us
443: When we know all our selves, and let us
follow
444: The becking of our chance. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 3
445: Scaena 3. Enter Pirithous,
Hipolita, Emilia.
446:
Pir.
No further.
447:
Hip.
Sir farewell; repeat my wishes
448: To our great Lord, of whose succes I dare not
449: Make any timerous question, yet I wish him
450:
Exces, and
overflow of power, and't might be
451: To dure ill-dealing fortune;
speede to him,
452: Store never hurtes good Gouernours.
453:
Pir.
Though I know
454:
His Ocean needes not
my poore drops, yet they
455: Must yeild their tribute there: My
precious Maide,
456: Those best affections, that the heavens infuse
457: In their best temperd peices, keepe enthroand
458: In
your deare heart.
459:
Emil.
Thanckes Sir;
Remember me
460: To our all royall Brother, for whose speede
461: The great Bellona ile sollicite; and
462: Since in
our terrene State petitions are not
463: Without giftes understood:
Ile offer to her
464: What I shall be advised she likes, our hearts
465: Are in his Army, in his Tent.
466:
Hip.
In's bosome:
467:
We have bin Soldiers,
and wee cannot weepe
468: When our Friends don their helmes, or put
to sea,
469: Or tell of Babes broachd on the Launce, or women
470: That have sod their Infants in
(and after eate them)
471: The brine, they wept at killing 'em; Then
if
472: You stay to see of us such Spincsters, we
473: Should hold you here for ever.
474:
Pir.
Peace be to you
475:
As I pursue this
war, which shall be then
476: Beyond further requiring. [ Exit
Pir.]
477:
Emil.
How his longing
478: Followes his Friend; since his depart, his sportes
479: Though craving seriousnes, and skill, past slightly
480:
His
careles execution, where nor gaine
481: Made him regard, or losse
consider, but
482: Playing ore busines in his hand, another
483: Directing in his head, his minde, nurse equall
484: To these so diffring Twyns; have you observ'd him,
485:
Since our
great Lord departed?
486:
Hip.
With much labour:
487: And I did love him fort, they two have Cabind
488: In
many as dangerous, as poore a Corner,
489: Perill and want
contending, they have swift
490: Torrents whose roring tyranny and
power
491: I'th least of these was dreadfull, and they have
492: Fought out together, where Deaths-selfe was lodgd,
493: Yet fate hath brought them off: Their knot of love
494:
Tide,
weau'd, intangled, with so true, so long,
495: And with a finger of
so deepe a cunning
496: May be outworne, never undone. I thinke
497: Theseus cannot be umpire to himselfe
498: Cleaving his conscience into twaine, and doing
499:
Each side
like Iustice, which he loves best.
500:
Emil.
Doubtlesse
501: There is a best, and
reason has no manners
502: To say it is not you: I was acquainted
503: Once with a time, when I enjoyd a Play-fellow;
504: You were at wars, when she the grave enrichd,
505:
Who made too
proud the Bed, tooke leave o'th Moone
506: (Which then lookt pale at
parting) when our count
507: Was each a eleven.
508:
Hip.
Twas Flauia.,
509:
Emil.
Yes
510: You talke of Pirithous and Theseus love;
511:
Theirs has more
ground, is more maturely seasond,
512: More buckled with strong
Iudgement, and their needes
513: The one of th' other may be said to
water [ 2. Hearses ready]
[ with Palamon:]
[ and
Arcite:]
[ the 3.]
[ Queenes.]
[ Theseus:
and]
[ his Lordes]
[ ready.]
514: Their
intertangled rootes of love, but I
515: And shee (I sigh and spoke
of) were things innocent,
516: Lou'd for we did, and like the
Elements
517: That know not what, nor why, yet doe effect
518: Rare issues by their operance; our soules
519:
Did so to one
another; what she lik'd,
520: Was then of me approov'd, what not
condemd
521: No more arraignement, the flowre that I would plucke
522: And put betweene my breasts, oh (then but beginning
523: To swell about the blossome) she would long
524:
Till shee had
such another, and commit it
525: To the like innocent Cradle, where Phenix like
526:
They dide in perfume: on my head no toy
527: But was her patterne, her affections (pretty
528: Though happely, her careles, were, I followed
529:
For my most
serious decking, had mine eare
530: Stolne some new aire, or at
adventure humd on
531: From musicall Coynadge; why it was a note
532: Whereon her spirits would sojourne (rather dwell on)
533: And sing it in her slumbers; This rehearsall
534:
(Which
fury-innocent wots well) comes in
535: Like old importments bastard,
has this end,
536: That the true love tweene Mayde, and mayde, may be
537: More then in sex individuall.
538:
Hip.
Y'are out of breath
539:
And this high
speeded-pace, is but to say
540: That you shall never (like the Maide Flavina)
541:
Love any that's calld Man.
542:
Emil.
I am sure I shall not.
543:
Hip.
Now alacke weake Sister,
544:
I must no
more beleeve thee in this point
545: (Though, in't I know thou dost
beleeve thy selfe,)
546: Then I will
trust a sickely appetite,
547: That loathes even as it longs, but
sure my Sister
548: If I were ripe for your perswasion, you
549: Have saide enough to shake me from the Arme
550: Of
the all noble Theseus, for whose fortunes,
551: I will now in,
and kneele with great assurance,
552: That we, more then his Pirothous, possesse
553:
The high throne in his heart.
554:
Emil.
I am not against your faith,
555: Yet I continew mine. [ Exeunt.]
556: [ Cornets.]
Scene 4
557: Scaena 4. A Battaile strooke
within: Then a Retrait: Florish.
558:
559:
560:
1. Qu.
To thee no starre be darke.
561:
2.
Qu.
Both heaven and earth
562: Friend
thee for ever.
563:
3. Qu.
All the good that may
564: Be wishd upon thy head, I cry Amen too't.
565:
566:
567: And in their time chastice: goe and finde
out
568: The bones of your dead Lords, and honour them
569: With treble Ceremonie, rather then a gap
570:
Should be in their
deere rights, we would suppl'it.
571: But those we will depute, which
shall invest
572: You in your dignities, and even each thing
573: Our hast does leave imperfect; So adiew
574: And
heavens good eyes looke on you. What are those?
575: [ Exeunt
Queenes.]
576:
Herald.
Men of great
quality, as may be judgd
577: By their appointment; Some of Thebs
have told's
578: They are Sisters children, Nephewes to the King.
579:
Thes.
By'th Helme of Mars, I saw them in
the war,
580: Like to a paire of Lions, smeard with prey,
581: Make lanes in troopes agast. I fixt my note
582:
Constantly on
them; for they were a marke
583: Worth a god's view: what prisoner was't that told me
584:
When I
enquired their names?
585:
Herald.
We leave,
they'r called
586: Arcite and Palamon,
587:
Thes.
Tis right, those, those
588:
They are
not dead?
589:
Her.
Nor in a state of life, had
they bin taken [ 3. Hearses ready.]
590: When their last
hurts were given, twas possible
591: They might have bin recovered;
Yet they breathe
592: And haue the name of men.
593:
Thes.
Then like men use 'em
594:
The very
lees of such (millions of rates)
595: Exceede the wine of others, all
our Surgions
596: Convent in their behoofe, our richest balmes
597: Rather then niggard wast, their lives concerne us,
598: Much more then Thebs is worth, rather then have 'em
599:
Freed of
this plight, and in their morning state
600: (Sound and at liberty) I
would 'em dead,
601: But forty thousand fold, we had rather have 'em
602: Prisoners to us, then death; Beare 'em speedily
603: From our kinde aire, to them unkinde, and minister
604:
What man
to man may doe for our sake more,
605: Since I have knowne frights,
fury, friends, beheastes,
606: Loves, provocations, zeale, a mistris
Taske,
607: Desire of liberty, a feavour, madnes,
608: Hath set a marke which nature could not reach too
609:
Without
some imposition, sicknes in will
610: Or wrastling strength in
reason, for our Love
611: And great Appollos mercy, all our
best,
612: Their best skill tender. Leade into the Citty,
613: Where having bound things scatterd, we will post [
Florish.]
614: To Athens for our Army. [ Exeunt.]
615: [ Musicke.]
Scene 5
616: Scaena 5. Enter the Queenes
with the Hearses of their
617: [ Knightes, in a Funerall
Solempnity, &c.]
618: Vrnes, and odours, bring
away,
619: Vapours, sighes, darken the day;
620: Our dole more deadly lookes than
dying
621: Balmes, and Gummes, and heavy cheeres,
622: Sacred vials fill'd with teares,
623: And
clamors through the wild ayre flying.
624: Come all sad, and
solempne Showes,
625: That are quick-eyd pleasures foes;
626: We convent nought else but woes. We convent,
&c.
627:
628:
629:
2. Qu.
And this to yours.
630:
1. Qu.
Yours this way: Heavens lend
631:
A thousand
differing waies, to one sure end.
632:
3. Qu.
This world's a Citty full of straying Streetes,
633:
And Death's the market place, where each one meetes.
634: [ Exeunt severally.]
Act II Scene 1
635: Actus Secundus.
636: Scaena 1. Enter Iailor, and Wooer.
637:
638:
639: Keepe, though it be for great ones, yet they
seldome
640: Come; Before one Salmon, you shall take a number
641: Of Minnowes: I am given out to be better lyn'd
642: Then it can appeare, to me report is a true
643:
Speaker: I would
I were really, that I am
644: Deliverd to be: Marry, what I have (be
it what
645: It will) I will assure upon my daughter at
646: The day of my death.
647:
Wooer.
Sir I
demaund no more then your owne offer,
648: And I will estate your
Daughter in what I
649: Have promised,
650:
651:
652: [ Enter
Daughter.]
653: When that shall be seene, I tender my
consent.
654:
Wooer.
I have Sir; here shee
comes.
655:
Iailor.
Your Friend and I have
chanced to name
656: You here, upon the old busines: But no more of
that.
657: Now, so soone as the Court hurry is over, we will
658: Have an end of it: I'th meane time looke tenderly
659: To the two Prisoners. I can tell you they are princes.
660:
661:
662:
Doe thinke they have patience to make any
adversity
663: Asham'd; the prison it selfe is proud of 'em; and
664: They have all the world in their Chamber.
665:
Iailor.
They are fam'd to be a paire of absolute men.
666:
667:
668: (doers.
669:
670: Mervaile how they would have lookd had they beene
671: Victors, that with such a constant Nobility, enforce
672: A freedome out of Bondage, making misery their
673:
Mirth, and
affliction, a toy to jest at.
674:
Iailor.
Doe
they so?
675:
Daug.
It seemes to me they have no
more sence of their
676: Captivity, then I of ruling Athens: they
eate
677: Well, looke merrily, discourse of many things,
678: But nothing of their owne restraint, and disasters:
679:
Yet
sometime a devided sigh, martyrd as twer
680: I'th deliverance, will
breake from one of them.
681: When the other presently gives it so
sweete a rebuke,
682: That I could wish my selfe a Sigh to be so
chid,
683: Or at least a Sigher to be comforted.
684:
Wooer.
I never saw 'em.
685:
Iailor.
The Duke himselfe came privately in the night,
686: [ Enter Palamon, and Arcite,
above.]
687: And so did they, what the reason of it is, I
688: Know not: Looke yonder they are;
that's
689: Arcite lookes out.
690:
Daugh.
No Sir, no, that's Palamon:
Arcite
is the
691: Lower of the twaine; you may perceive a part
692: Of him.
693:
Iai.
Goe too, leave your
pointing; they would not
694: Make us their object; out of their
sight.
695:
Daugh.
It is a holliday to looke on
them: Lord, the
696: Diffrence of men. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 2
697: Scaena 2. Enter Palamon, and
Arcite in prison.
698:
Pal.
How doe you
Noble Cosen?
699:
Arcite.
How doe you Sir?
700:
Pal.
Why strong inough to laugh at misery,
701: And beare the chance of warre yet, we are prisoners
702: I feare for ever Cosen.
703:
Arcite.
I
beleeve it,
704: And to that destiny have patiently
705: Laide up my houre to come.
706:
Pal.
Oh
Cosen Arcite,
707: Where is Thebs now? where is our noble
Country?
708: Where are our friends, and kindreds? never more
709: Must we behold those comforts, never see
710: The
hardy youthes strive for the Games of honour
711: (Hung with the
painted favours of their Ladies)
712: Like tall Ships under saile:
then start amongst 'em
713: And as an Eastwind leave 'em all behinde
us,
714: Like lazy Clowdes, whilst Palamon and Arcite,
715: Even in the wagging of a wanton leg
716: Out-stript
the peoples praises, won the Garlands,
717: Ere they have time to
wish 'em ours. O never
718: Shall we two exercise, like Twyns of
honour,
719: Our Armes againe, and feele our fyry horses
720: Like proud Seas under us, our good Swords, now
721:
(Better the
red-eyd god of war nev'r were)
722: Ravishd our sides, like age must
run to rust,
723: And decke the Temples of those gods that hate us,
724: These hands shall never draw 'em
out like lightning
725: To blast whole Armies more.
726:
Arcite.
No
Palamon,
727: Those hopes
are Prisoners with us, here we are
728: And here the graces of our
youthes must wither
729: Like a too-timely Spring; here age must
finde us,
730: And which is heaviest (Palamon) unmarried,
731: The sweete embraces of a loving wife
732: Loden with
kisses, armd with thousand Cupids
733: Shall never claspe our neckes,
no issue know us,
734: No figures of our selves shall we ev'r see,
735: To glad our age, and like young Eagles teach 'em
736: Boldly to gaze against bright armes, and say
737:
Remember what
your fathers were, and conquer.
738: The faire-eyd Maides, shall
weepe our Banishments,
739: And in their Songs, curse ever-blinded
fortune
740: Till shee for shame see what a wrong she has done
741: To youth and nature; This is all our world;
742: We
shall know nothing here but one another,
743: Heare nothing but the
Clocke that tels our woes.
744: The Vine shall grow, but we shall
never see it:
745: Sommer shall come, and with her all delights;
746: But dead-cold winter must inhabite here still.
747:
Pal.
Tis too true
Arcite. To our Theban houndes,
748: That shooke the aged Forrest with their ecchoes,
749: No more now must we halloa, no more shake
750:
Our pointed
Iavelyns, whilst the angry Swine
751: Flyes like a parthian quiver
from our rages,
752: Strucke with our well-steeld Darts: All valiant
uses,
753: (The foode, and nourishment of noble mindes,)
754: In us two here shall perish; we shall die
755:
(Which is the
curse of honour) lastly,
756: Children of greife, and Ignorance.
757:
Arc.
Yet Cosen,
758: Even from
the bottom of these miseries
759: From all that fortune can inflict
upon us,
760: I see two comforts rysing, two meere blessings,
761: If the gods please, to hold here a brave patience,
762: And the enjoying of our greefes together.
763: Whilst Palamon is with me, let me perish
764: If I thinke this our prison.
765:
Pala.
Certeinly,
766:
Tis a maine goodnes
Cosen, that our fortunes
767: Were twyn'd together; tis most true,
two soules
768: Put in two noble Bodies, let 'em suffer
769: The gaule of hazard, so they grow together,
770:
Will never
sincke, they must not, say they could,
771: A willing man dies
sleeping, and all's done.
772:
Arc.
Shall we
make worthy uses of this place
773: That all men hate so much?
774:
Pal.
How gentle Cosen?
775:
Arc.
Let's thinke this prison, holy sanctuary,
776: To keepe us from corruption of worse men,
777: We are
young and yet desire the waies of honour,
778: That liberty and
common Conversation
779: The poyson of pure spirits; might like women
780: Wooe us to wander from. What worthy blessing
781: Can
be but our Imaginations
782: May make it ours? And heere being thus
together,
783: We are an endles mine to one another;
784: We are one anothers wife, ever begetting
785:
New birthes of
love; we are father, friends, acquaintance,
786: We are in one
another, Families,
787: I am your heire, and you are mine: This place
788: Is our Inheritance: no hard Oppressour
789: Dare take
this from us; here with a little patience
790: We shall live long,
and loving: No surfeits seeke us:
791: The hand of war hurts none
here, nor the Seas
792: Swallow their youth: were we at liberty,
793: A wife might part us lawfully, or busines,
794: Quarrels consume us, Envy of ill men
795:
Crave our acquaintance,
I might sicken Cosen,
796: Where you should never know it, and so
perish
797: Without your noble hand to close mine eies,
798: Or praiers to the gods; a thousand chaunces
799:
Were we from
hence, would seaver us.
800:
Pal.
You have made me
801:
(I thanke you
Cosen Arcite) almost wanton
802: With my Captivity: what a
misery
803: It is to live abroade? and every where:
804: Tis like a Beast me thinkes: I finde the Court here,
805:
I am
sure a more content, and all those pleasures
806: That wooe the wils
of men to vanity,
807: I see through now, and am sufficient
808: To tell the world, tis but a gaudy shaddow,
809: That
old Time, as he passes by takes with him,
810: What had we bin old in
the Court of Creon,
811: Where sin is Iustice, lust, and
ignorance,
812: The vertues of the great ones: Cosen Arcite,
813: Had not the loving gods found this place for us
814: We had died as they doe, ill old men, unwept,
815:
And had their
Epitaphes, the peoples Curses,
816: Shall I say more?
817:
Arc.
I would heare you still.
818:
Pal.
Ye shall.
819:
Is there record of any
two that lov'd
820: Better then we doe Arcite?
821:
Arc.
Sure there cannot.
822:
Pal.
I doe not thinke it possible our friendship
823: Should ever leave us.
824:
Arc.
Till our deathes it cannot
825:
[ Enter Emilia and her woman.]
826: And after death our
spirits shall be led
827: To those that love eternally. Speake on
Sir.
828: This garden has a world of pleasure in't.
829:
Emil.
What Flowre is this?
830:
Wom.
Tis calld Narcissus Madam.
831:
Emil.
That was a faire Boy certaine, but a foole,
832: To love himselfe, were there not maides enough?
833:
Arc.
Pray forward.
834:
Pal.
Yes.
835:
Emil.
Or
were they all hard hearted?
836:
Wom.
They could
not be to one so faire.
837:
Emil.
Thou wouldst
not.
838:
Wom.
I
thinke I should not, Madam.
839:
Emil.
That's a
good wench:
840: But take heede to your kindnes though.
841:
Wom.
Why Madam?
842:
Emil.
Men are mad things.
843:
Arcite.
Will ye goe forward Cosen?
844:
845:
846:
Emil.
Ile have a gowne
full of 'em and of these,
847: This is pretty colour, wilt not doe
848: Rarely upon a Skirt wench?
849:
Wom.
Deinty Madam.
850:
Arc.
Cosen, Cosen, how doe you Sir? Why
Palamon?
851:
Pal.
Never till now I was in prison Arcite.
852:
Arc.
Why whats the matter
Man?
853:
Pal.
Behold, and wonder.
854: By heaven shee is a Goddesse.
855:
Arcite.
Ha.
856:
Pal.
Doe reverence.
857:
She is a Goddesse Arcite.
858:
Emil.
Of all Flowres,
859: Me thinkes a Rose is best.
860:
Wom.
Why gentle Madam?
861:
Emil.
It is the very Embleme of a Maide.
862:
For when the west wind courts her gently
863: How modestly she
blowes, and paints the Sun,
864:
865:
866: Shee
lockes her beauties in her bud againe,
867: And leaves him to base
briers.
868:
Wom.
Yet good Madam,
869: Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
870:
She fals for't: a
Mayde
871: If shee have any honour, would be loth
872: To
take example by her.
873:
Emil.
Thou art wanton.
874:
Arc.
She is wondrous faire.
875:
Pal.
She is all the beauty extant.
876:
877:
878: I am wondrous merry
hearted, I could laugh now.
879:
Wom.
I could
lie downe I am sure.
880:
Emil.
And take one
with you?
881:
Wom.
That's as we bargaine Madam,
882:
Emil.
Well, agree then.
883: [ Exeunt Emilia and woman.]
884:
Pal.
What thinke you of this beauty?
885:
Arc.
Tis a rare one.
886:
Pal.
Is't but a rare one?
887:
Arc.
Yes a matchles beauty.
888:
Pal.
Might not a man well lose himselfe and love her?
889:
Arc.
I cannot tell what you have done, I
have,
890: Beshrew mine eyes for't, now I feele my Shackles.
891:
Pal.
You love her then?
892:
Arc.
Who would not?
893:
Pal.
And desire her?
894:
Arc.
Before my liberty.
895:
Pal.
I saw her first.
896:
Arc.
That's nothing
897:
Pal.
But it shall be.
898:
Arc.
I saw her too.
899:
Pal.
Yes, but you must not love her.
900:
Arc.
I will not as you doe; to worship her;
901:
As she is heavenly, and a blessed Goddes;
902: (I love her as a
woman, to enjoy her)
903: So both may love.
904:
Pal.
You shall not love at all.
905:
Arc.
Not love at all.
906:
Who shall deny
me?
907:
Pal.
I that first saw her; I that tooke
possession
908: First with mine eye of all those beauties
909: In her reveald to mankinde: if thou lou'st her,
910:
Or
entertain'st a hope to blast my wishes,
911: Thou art a Traytour Arcite and a fellow
912:
False as thy Title to her:
friendship, blood
913: And all the tyes betweene us I disclaime
914: If thou once thinke upon her.
915:
Arc.
Yes I love her,
916: And if
the lives of all my name lay on it,
917: I must doe so, I love her
with my soule,
918: If that will lose ye, farewell Palamon,
919: I say againe, I love, and in loving her maintaine
920: I am as worthy, and as free a lover
921:
And have as just a title
to her beauty
922: As any Palamon or any living
923: That is a mans Sonne.
924:
Pal.
Have I cald
thee friend?
925:
926:
927: Part of your blood,
part of your soule? you have told me
928: That I was Palamon,
and you were Arcite.
929:
Pal.
Yes.
930:
Arc.
Am not I liable to those affections,
931: Those joyes, greifes, angers, feares, my friend shall suffer?
932:
Pal.
Ye may be.
933:
Arc.
Why then would you deale so cunningly,
934:
So strangely, so vnlike a noble kinesman
935: To love alone?
speake truely, doe you thinke me
936: Vnworthy of her sight?
937:
Pal.
No; but unjust,
938: If
thou pursue that sight.
939:
Arc.
Because an
other
940: First sees the Enemy, shall I stand still
941: And let mine honour downe, and never charge?
942:
Pal.
Yes, if he be but one.
943:
Arc.
But say that one
944:
Had rather combat
me?
945:
Pal.
Let that one say so,
946: And use thy freedome; els if thou pursuest her,
947:
Be as that
cursed man that hates his Country,
948: A branded villaine.
949:
Arc.
You are mad.
950:
Pal.
I must be.
951: Till thou art worthy,
Arcite, it concernes me,
952: And in this madnes, if I hazard thee
953:
And take thy life, I
deale but truely.
954:
Arc.
Fie Sir.
955: You play the Childe extreamely: I will love her,
956:
I must, I
ought to doe so, and I dare,
957: And all this justly.
958:
Pal.
O that now, that now
959:
Thy
false-selfe and thy friend, had but this fortune
960: To be one howre
at liberty, and graspe
961:
962:
963: Thou art
baser in it then a Cutpurse;
964: Put but thy head out of this window
more,
965: And as I have a soule, Ile naile thy life too't.
966:
967:
968: And leape the garden, when I see
her next
969: [ Enter Keeper.]
970: And
pitch between her armes to anger thee.
971:
Pal.
No more; the keeper's comming; I shall live
972: To knocke thy braines out with my Shackles.
973:
Arc.
Doe.
974:
Keeper.
By your leave Gentlemen.
975:
Pala.
Now honest keeper?
976:
Keeper.
Lord
Arcite, you must presently to'th
Duke;
977: The cause I know not yet.
978:
Arc.
I am ready keeper.
979:
Keeper.
Prince
Palamon, I must awhile bereave
you
980: Of your faire Cosens Company.
981: [ Exeunt
Arcite, and Keeper.]
982:
Pal.
And me
too,
983: Even when you please of life; why is he sent for?
984: It may be he shall marry her, he's goodly,
985: And
like enough the Duke hath taken notice
986: Both of his blood and
body: But his falsehood,
987: Why should a friend be treacherous? If
that
988: Get him a wife so noble, and so faire;
989: Let
honest men ne're love againe. Once more
990: I would but see this faire One: Blessed Garden,
991: And fruite, and flowers more blessed that still blossom
992: As her bright eies shine on ye. Would I were
993: For
all the fortune of my life hereafter
994: Yon little Tree, yon
blooming Apricocke;
995: How I would spread, and fling my wanton
armes
996: In at her window; I would bring her fruite
997: Fit for the Gods to feed on: youth and pleasure
998:
Still as she
tasted should be doubled on her,
999: And if she be not heavenly I
would make her
1000: So neere the Gods in nature, they should feare
her.
1001: [ Enter Keeper.]
1002:
1003:
1004:
Keeper.
Banishd:
Prince Pirithous
1005: Obtained his liberty; but never more
1006: Vpon his oth and life must he set foote
1007: Vpon
this Kingdome.
1008:
Pal.
Hees a blessed man,
1009: He shall see Thebs againe, and call to Armes
1010: The bold yong men, that when he bids 'em charge,
1011:
Fall on
like fire: Arcite shall have a Fortune,
1012: If he dare make
himselfe a worthy Lover,
1013: Yet in the Feild to strike a battle
for her;
1014: And if he lose her then, he's a cold Coward;
1015: How bravely may he beare himselfe to win her
1016: If he be noble Arcite; thousand waies.
1017:
Were I at
liberty, I would doe things
1018: Of such a vertuous greatnes, that
this Lady,
1019: This blushing virgine should take manhood to her
1020: And seeke to ravish me.
1021:
Keeper.
My Lord for you
1022:
I have this
charge too.
1023:
Pal.
To discharge my life.
1024:
1025:
1026:
Pal.
Devils take 'em
1027: That are so
envious to me; pre'thee kill me.
1028:
Keep.
And hang for't afterward.
1029:
Pal.
By this good light
1030:
Had I a sword
I would kill thee.
1031:
Keep.
Why my Lord?
1032:
1033:
1034:
Keep.
Indeede you must my Lord..
1035:
Pal.
May I see the garden?
1036:
Keep.
Noe.
1037:
Pal.
Then I am resolud, I will not goe.
1038:
1039:
1040:
Pal.
Doe good keeper.
1041: Ile shake 'em so, ye shall not sleepe,
1042: Ile
make ye a new Morrisse, must I goe?
1043:
Keep.
There is no remedy.
1044:
Pal.
Farewell kinde window.
1045:
May rude
winde never hurt thee. O my Lady
1046: If ever thou hast felt what
sorrow was,
1047: Dreame how I suffer. Come; now bury me.
1048: [ Exeunt Palamon, and Keeper.]
Scene 3
1049: Scaena 3. Enter
Arcite.
1050:
Arcite.
Banishd the kingdome?
tis a benefit,
1051: A mercy I must thanke 'em for, but banishd
1052: The free enjoying of that face I die for,
1053: Oh
twas a studdied punishment, a death
1054: Beyond Imagination: Such a
vengeance
1055: That were I old and wicked, all my sins
1056: Could never plucke upon me.
Palamon;
1057: Thou ha'st the
Start now, thou shalt stay and see
1058: Her bright eyes breake each
morning gainst thy window,
1059: And let in life to thee; thou shalt
feede
1060: Vpon the sweetenes of a noble beauty,
1061: That nature nev'r exceeded, nor nev'r shall:
1062:
Good gods?
what happines has Palamon?
1063: Twenty to one, hee'le come to
speake to her,
1064: And if she be as gentle, as she's faire,
1065: I know she's his, he has a
Tongue will tame
1066:
1067:
1068: I know mine
owne, is but a heape of ruins,
1069: And no redresse there, if I goe,
he has her.
1070: I am resolu'd an other shape shall make me,
1071: Or end my fortunes. Either way, I am happy:
1072: Ile see her, and be neere her, or no more.
1073:
[ Enter .4. Country people, & one with a garlond before
them.]
1074:
1075:
2.
And Ile be
there.
1076:
3.
And I.
1077:
4.
Why then have with ye Boyes; Tis but a chiding,
1078: Let the plough play to day, ile tick'lt out
1079: Of
the Iades tailes to morrow.
1080:
1.
I am sure
1081: To have my wife as jealous as a Turkey:
1082: But
that's all one, ile goe through, let her mumble.
1083:
2.
Clap her aboard to morrow night, and stoa her,
1084:
And all's made up againe.
1085:
3.
I, doe but put a
feskue in her fist, and you shall see her
1086: Take a new lesson
out, and be a good wench.
1087: Doe we all hold, against the Maying?
1088:
4.
Hold? what should aile us?
1089:
3.
Arcus will be there.
1090:
2.
And
Sennois.
1091:
1092:
1093:
1094:
1095:
3.
Hee'l
eate a hornebooke ere he faile: goe too, the matter's
1096:
1097:
1098:
1099:
4.
Shall we
be lusty.
1100:
2.
All the Boyes in Athens blow wind
i'th breech on's,
1101:
1102:
1103:
1104:
4.
O pardon me.
1105:
1106:
1107:
1108:
1109:
3.
Weele see the sports, then every man to's Tackle: and
1110: Sweete Companions lets rehearse by any meanes, before
1111: The Ladies see us, and doe sweetly, and God knows what
1112: May come on't.
1113:
1114:
1115:
1116:
1117:
4.
Whither? why, what a
question's that?
1118:
Arc.
Yes, tis a question,
to me that know not.
1119:
3.
To the Games my
Friend.
1120:
2.
Where were you bred you know it not?
1121:
Arc.
Not farre Sir,
1122: Are
there such Games to day?
1123:
1.
Yes marry are
there:
1124: And such as you neuer saw; The Duke himselfe
1125: Will be in person there.
1126:
Arc.
What pastimes are they?
1127:
2.
Wrastling, and Running; Tis a pretty Fellow.
1128:
3.
Thou wilt not goe along.
1129:
Arc.
Not yet Sir.
1130:
4.
Well Sir
1131:
Take your owne time, come Boyes
1132:
1.
My minde misgives me
1133: This
fellow has a veng'ance tricke o'th hip,
1134: Marke how his Bodi's
made for't
1135:
2.
Ile be hangd though
1136: If he dare venture, hang him plumb porredge,
1137:
1138:
1139: I durst not wish for.
Well, I could have wrestled,
1140: The best men calld it excellent,
and run
1141: Swifter, then winde upon a feild of Corne
1142: (Curling the wealthy eares) never flew: Ile venture,
1143:
And in
some poore disguize be there, who knowes
1144: Whether my browes may
not be girt with garlands?
1145: And happines preferre me to a place,
1146: Where I may ever dwell in sight of her. [ Exit
Arcite]
,
Scene 4
1147: Scaena 4. Enter Iailors
Daughter alone.
1148:
1149:
1150: My Father
the meane Keeper of his Prison,
1151: And he a Prince; To marry him
is hopelesse;
1152: To be his whore, is witles; Out upon't;
1153: What pushes are we wenches driven to
1154: When
fifteene once has found us? First I saw him,
1155: I (seeing) thought
he was a goodly man;
1156: He has as much to please a woman in him,
1157: (If he please to bestow it so) as ever
1158: These
eyes yet lookt on; Next, I pittied him,
1159: And so would any young
wench o'my Conscience
1160: That ever dream'd, or vow'd her
Maydenhead
1161: To a yong hansom Man; Then I lov'd him,
1162: (Extreamely lov'd him) infinitely lov'd him;
1163:
And yet he had
a Cosen, faire as he too.
1164: But in my heart was Palamon,
and there
1165: Lord, what a coyle he keepes? To heare him
1166: Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is?
1167: And
yet his Songs are sad-ones; Fairer spoken,
1168: Was never Gentleman.
When I come in
1169: To bring him water in a morning, first
1170: He bowes his noble body, then salutes me, thus:
1171: Faire, gentle Mayde, good morrow, may thy goodnes,
1172:
Get thee
a happy husband; Once he kist me,
1173: I lov'd my lips the better
ten daies after,
1174: Would he would doe so ev'ry day; He greives
much,
1175: And me as much to see his misery.
1176: What should I doe, to make him know I love him,
1177: For I would faine enjoy him? Say I ventur'd
1178: To
set him free? what saies the law then? Thus much
1179: For Law, or
kindred: I will doe it,
1180: And this night, or to morrow he shall
love me. [ Exit.]
Scene 5
1181: Scaena 4. Enter Theseus,
Hipolita, Pirithous,
1182: [ Emilia: Arcite with a
Garland, &c.]
[ This short florish]
[ of
Cornets]
[ and]
[ Showtes within.]
1183:
Thes.
You have done worthily; I have not seene
1184: Since Hercules, a man of tougher synewes;
1185: What ere you are, you run the best, and wrastle,
1186:
That these
times can allow.
1187:
Arcite.
I am proud to
please you.
1188:
Thes.
What Countrie bred you?
1189:
Arcite.
This; but far off, Prince.
1190:
Thes.
Are you a Gentleman?
1191:
Arcite.
My father said so;
1192:
And to
those gentle uses gave me life.
1193:
Thes.
Are
you his heire?
1194:
Arcite.
His yongest Sir.
1195:
Thes.
Your Father
1196: Sure is
a happy Sire then: what prooves you?
1197:
Arcite.
A little of all noble Quallities:
1198:
I could have kept a Hawke, and well have holloa'd
1199: To a
deepe crie of Dogges; I dare not praise
1200: My feat in
horsemanship; yet they that knew me
1201: Would say it was my best
peece: last, and greatest,
1202: I would be thought a Souldier.
1203:
Thes.
You are perfect.
1204:
Pirith.
Vpon my soule, a proper man.
1205:
Emilia.
He is so.
1206:
Per.
How doe you like him Ladie?
1207:
Hip.
I admire him,
1208:
I have not seene so
yong a man, so noble
1209: (If he say true,) of his sort.
1210:
Emil.
Beleeve,
1211: His mother
was a wondrous handsome woman,
1212: His face me thinkes, goes that
way.
1213:
Hyp.
But his Body
1214: And firie minde, illustrate a brave Father.
1215:
Per.
Marke how his vertue, like a hidden
Sun
1216: Breakes through his baser garments.
1217:
Hyp.
Hee's well got sure.
1218:
Thes.
What made you seeke this place Sir?
1219:
Arc.
Noble
Theseus.
1220: To purchase
name, and doe my ablest service
1221: To such a well-found wonder, as
thy worth,
1222: For onely in thy Court, of all the world
1223: Dwells faire-eyd honor.
1224:
Per.
All his words are worthy.
1225:
Thes.
Sir, we are much endebted to your travell,
1226: Nor shall you loose your wish: Perithous
1227: Dispose of this faire Gentleman.
1228:
Perith.
Thankes
Theseus.
1229: What
ere you are y'ar mine, and I shall give you
1230: To a most noble
service, to this Lady,
1231: This bright yong Virgin; pray observe
her goodnesse;
1232:
1233:
1234:
Arc.
Sir, y'ar a noble Giver: dearest Bewtie,
1235: Thus let me seale my vowd faith: when your Servant
1236: (Your most unworthie Creature) but offends you,
1237:
Command him
die, he shall.
1238:
Emil.
That were too cruell.
1239: If you deserve well Sir; I shall soone see't:
1240:
1241:
1242:
You are a horseman, I must needs intreat
you
1243: This after noone to ride, but tis a rough one.
1244:
Arc.
I like him better (Prince) I shall not then
1245: Freeze in my Saddle.
1246:
Thes.
Sweet, you must be readie,
1247:
And
you Emilia, and you (Friend) and all
1248: To morrow by the
Sun, to doe observance
1249: To flowry May, in Dians wood:
waite well Sir
1250: Vpon your Mistris: Emely, I hope
1251: He shall not goe a foote.
1252:
Emil.
That were a shame Sir,
1253: While I have horses: take your choice, and what
1254: You want at any time, let me but know it;
1255:
If you serve
faithfully, I dare assure you
1256: You'l finde a loving Mistris.
1257:
Arc.
If I doe not,
1258: Let me
finde that my Father ever hated,
1259: Disgrace, and blowes.
1260:
Thes.
Go leade the way; you have won it:
1261: It shall be so; you shall receave all dues
1262: Fit
for the honour you have won; Twer wrong else,
1263: Sister, beshrew
my heart, you have a Servant,
1264: That if I were a woman, would be
Master,
1265: But you are wise. [ Florish.]
1266:
Emil.
I hope too
wise for that Sir. [ Exeunt omnes.]
Scene 6
1267: Scaena 6. Enter Iaylors
Daughter alone.
1268:
Daughter.
Let all the
Dukes, and all the divells rore,
1269: He is at liberty: I have
venturd for him,
1270: And out I have brought him to a little wood
1271: A mile hence, I have sent him, where a Cedar
1272: Higher than all the rest, spreads like a plane
1273:
Fast by a
Brooke, and there he shall keepe close,
1274: Till I provide him
Fyles, and foode, for yet
1275: His yron bracelets are not off. O
Love
1276: What a stout hearted child thou art! My Father
1277: Durst better have indur'd cold yron, than done it:
1278: I love him, beyond love, and beyond reason,
1279:
Or wit, or
safetie: I have made him know it
1280: I care not, I am desperate, If
the law
1281: Finde me, and then condemne me for't; some wenches,
1282: Some honest harted Maides, will sing my Dirge.
1283: And tell to memory, my death was noble,
1284:
Dying almost a
Martyr: That way he takes,
1285: I purpose is my way too: Sure he
cannot
1286: Be so unmanly, as to leave me here,
1287: If
he doe, Maides will not so easily
1288: Trust men againe: And yet he
has not thank'd me
1289: For what I have done: no not so much as kist
me,
1290: And that (me thinkes) is not
so well; nor scarcely
1291: Could I perswade him to become a Freeman,
1292: He made such scruples of the wrong he did
1293: To
me, and to my Father. Yet I hope
1294: When he considers more, this
love of mine
1295: Will take more root within him: Let him doe
1296: What he will with me, so he use me kindly,
1297: For
use me so he shall, or ile proclaime him
1298: And to his face,
no-man: Ile presently
1299: Provide him necessaries, and packe my
cloathes up,
1300: And where there is a path of ground Ile venture
1301: So hee be with me; By him, like a shadow
1302: Ile
ever dwell; within this houre the whoobub
1303: Will be all ore the
prison: I am then
1304: Kissing the man they looke for: farewell
Father;
1305: Get many more such prisoners, and such daughters,
1306: And shortly you may keepe your selfe. Now to him. [ Cornets
in]
[ sundry places.]
[ Noise and]
[ hallowing
as]
[ people a Maying.]
Act III Scene 1
1307: Actus Tertius.
1308: Scaena 1. Enter Arcite alone.
1309:
Arcite.
The Duke has lost Hypolita; each tooke
1310: A severall land. This is a solemne Right
1311: They
owe bloomd May, and the Athenians pay it
1312: To'th heart of
Ceremony: O Queene Emilia
1313: Fresher then May, sweeter
1314: Then hir gold Buttons on the bowes, or all
1315: Th'
enamelld knackes o'th Meade, or garden, yea
1316: (We challenge too)
the bancke of any Nymph
1317: That makes the streame seeme flowers;
thou o Iewell
1318: O'th wood, o'th world, hast likewise blest a pace
1319: With thy sole presence, in thy rumination
1320: That
I poore man might eftsoones come betweene
1321: And chop on some cold
thought, thrice blessed chance
1322: To drop on such a Mistris,
expectation
1323: Most giltlesse on't: tell me O Lady Fortune
1324: (Next after Emely my Soveraigne) how far
1325: I may be prowd. She takes strong note of
me,
1326: Hath made me neere her; and this beuteous Morne
1327: (The prim'st of all the yeare) presents me with
1328: A brace of horses, two such Steeds might well
1329:
Be by a paire
of Kings backt, in a Field
1330: That their crownes titles tride:
Alas, alas
1331: Poore Cosen Palamon, poore prisoner, thou
1332: So little dream'st upon my fortune, that
1333: Thou
thinkst thy selfe, the happier thing, to be
1334: So neare Emilia, me thou deem'st at
Thebs,
1335: And therein
wretched, although free; But if
1336: Thou knew'st my Mistris breathd
on me, and that
1337: I ear'd her language, livde in her eye; O Coz
1338: What passion would enclose thee.
1339:
1340:
1341:
Palamon.
Traytor kinseman,
1342: Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signes
1343: Of prisonment were off me, and this hand
1344:
But owner of a
Sword: By all othes in one
1345: I, and the iustice of my love would
make thee
1346: A confest Traytor, o thou most perfidious
1347: That ever gently lookd the voydes of honour.
1348: That eu'r bore gentle Token; falsest Cosen
1349:
That ever blood
made kin, call'st thou hir thine?
1350: Ile prove it in my Shackles,
with these hands,
1351: Void of appointment, that thou ly'st, and art
1352: A very theefe in love, a Chaffy Lord
1353: Nor worth
the name of villaine: had I a Sword
1354: And these house clogges
away.
1355:
Arc.
Deere Cosin Palamon,
1356:
Pal.
Cosoner Arcite, give me
language, such
1357: As thou hast shewd me feate.
1358:
Arc.
Not finding in
1359:
The circuit of my
breast, any grosse stuffe
1360: To forme me like your blazon, holds
me to
1361: This gentlenesse of answer; tis your passion
1362: That thus mistakes, the which to you being enemy,
1363:
Cannot to
me be kind: honor, and honestie
1364: I cherish, and depend on, how so ev'r
1365:
You skip them in me,
and with them faire Coz
1366: Ile maintaine my proceedings; pray be
pleas'd
1367: To shew in generous termes, your griefes, since that
1368: Your question's with your equall, who professes
1369: To cleare his owne way, with the minde and Sword
1370:
Of a true
Gentleman.
1371:
Pal.
That thou durst Arcite.
1372:
1373:
1374:
Against th'
advice of feare: sure of another
1375: You would not heare me
doubted, but your silence
1376: Should breake out, though i'th
Sanctuary.
1377:
Pal.
Sir,
1378: I
have seene you move in such a place, which well
1379: Might justifie
your manhood, you were calld
1380:
1381:
1382: Men loose when they encline to trecherie,
1383:
And then they
fight like compelld Beares, would fly
1384: Were they not tyde.
1385:
Arc.
Kinsman, you might as well
1386: Speake this, and act it in your Glasse, as to
1387: His eare, which now disdaines you.
1388:
Pal.
Come up to me,
1389:
Quit me of these
cold Gyves, give me a Sword
1390: Though it be rustie, and the
charity
1391: Of one meale lend me; Come before me then
1392: A good Sword in thy hand, and doe but say
1393:
That Emily
is thine, I will forgive
1394: The trespasse thou hast done me, yea
my life
1395: If then thou carry't, and brave soules in shades
1396: That have dyde manly, which will seeke of me
1397: Some newes from earth, they shall get none but this
1398:
That
thou art brave, and noble.
1399:
Arc.
Be
content,
1400: Againe betake you to your hawthorne house,
1401: With counsaile of the night, I will be here
1402: With wholesome viands; these impediments
1403: Will I file off, you shall have garments, and
1404: Perfumes to kill the smell o'th prison, after
1405: When you shall stretch your selfe, and say but
Arcite
1406: I am in plight, there shall be at your choyce
1407: Both Sword,
and Armour.
1408:
Pal.
Oh you heavens, dares any
1409: So noble beare a guilty busines! none
1410: But
onely Arcite, therefore none but Arcite
1411: In this
kinde is so bold.
1412:
Arc.
Sweete Palamon.
1413:
Pal.
I doe embrace you,
and your offer, for
1414: Your offer doo't I onely, Sir your person
1415: Without hipocrisy I may not wish
1416:
Winde hornes of Cornets.
1417:
More then my
Swords edge ont.
1418:
Arc.
You heare the
Hornes;
1419: Enter your Musicke least this match between's
1420: Be crost, er met, give me your hand, farewell.
1421: Ile bring you every needfull thing: I pray you
1422:
Take comfort
and be strong.
1423:
Pal.
Pray hold your
promise;
1424: And doe the deede with a bent brow, most certaine
1425: You love me not, be rough with me, and powre
1426: This oile out of your language; by this ayre
1427:
I could for
each word, give a Cuffe: my stomach
1428: Not reconcild by reason,
1429:
Arc.
Plainely spoken,
1430: Yet
pardon me hard language, when I spur
1431:
Winde
hornes.
1432: My horse, I chide him not; content, and
anger
1433: In me have but one face. Harke Sir, they call
1434: The scatterd to the Banket; you must guesse
1435: I
have an office there.
1436:
Pal.
Sir your
attendance
1437: Cannot please heaven, and I know your office
1438: Vnjustly is atcheev'd.
1439:
Arc.
If a good title,
1440:
I am perswaded
this question sicke between's,
1441: By bleeding must be cur'd. I am a Suitour,
1442:
That to your
Sword you will bequeath this plea,
1443: And talke of it no more.
1444:
Pal.
But this one word:
1445: You are going now to gaze upon my Mistris,
1446:
For note you,
mine she is.
1447:
Arc.
Nay then.
1448:
Pal.
Nay pray you,
1449:
You talke of
feeding me to breed me strength
1450: You are going now to looke upon
a Sun
1451: That strengthens what it lookes on, there
1452: You have a vantage ore me, but enjoy't till
1453:
I may enforce
my remedy. Farewell. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 2
1454: Scaena 2. Enter Iaylors
daughter alone.
1455:
Daugh.
He has
mistooke; the Beake I meant, is gone
1456: After his fancy, Tis now
welnigh morning,
1457: No matter, would it were perpetuall night,
1458: And darkenes Lord o'th world, Harke tis a woolfe:
1459: In me hath greife slaine feare, and but for one thing
1460:
I
care for nothing, and that's Palamon.
1461: I wreake not if
the wolves would jaw me, so
1462: He had this File; what if I hallowd
for him?
1463: I cannot hallow: if I whoop'd; what then?
1464: If he not answeard, I should call a wolfe,
1465:
And doe him but
that service. I have heard
1466: Strange howles this live-long night,
why may't not be
1467: They have made prey of him? he has no weapons,
1468: He cannot run, the Iengling of his Gives
1469: Might
call fell things to listen, who have in them
1470: A sence to know a
man unarmd, and can
1471: Smell where resistance is. Ile set it downe
1472: He's torne to peeces, they howld many together
1473: And then they feed on him: So much for that,
1474:
Be bold to
ring the Bell; how stand I then?
1475: All's char'd when he is gone,
No, no I lye,
1476: My Father's to be hang'd for his escape,
1477: My selfe to beg, if I prizd life so much
1478: As to
deny my act, but that I would not,
1479: Should I try death by dussons. I am mop't,
1480:
Foode tooke I
none these two daies.
1481: Sipt some water. I have not closd mine
eyes
1482: Save when my lids scowrd off their brine; alas
1483: Dissolue my life, Let not my sence unsettle
1484: Least I should drowne, or stab, or hang my selfe.
1485:
O state
of Nature, faile together in me,
1486: Since thy best props are
warpt: So which way now?
1487: The best way is, the next way to a
grave:
1488: Each errant step beside is torment. Loe
1489:
1490:
1491:
Save what I faile in: But the point is
this
1492: An end, and that is all. [ Exit.]
Scene 3
1493: Scaena 3. Enter Arcite,
with Meate, Wine, and Files.
1494:
1495:
1496:
Pal.
Arcite.
1497:
Arc.
The same: I have brought you foode and files,
1498: Come forth and feare not, here's no Theseus.
1499:
Pal.
Nor none so honest Arcite.
1500:
Arc.
That's no matter,
1501: Wee'l argue that hereafter: Come take courage,
1502:
You shall
not dye thus beastly, here Sir drinke
1503: I know you are faint,
then ile talke further with you.
1504:
Pal.
Arcite, thou mightst now poyson me.
1505:
Arc.
I might.
1506: But I must
feare you first: Sit downe, and good now
1507: No more of these vaine
parlies; let us not
1508: Having our ancient reputation with us
1509: Make talke for Fooles, and Cowards, To your health, &c.
1510:
Pal.
Doe.
1511:
Arc.
Pray sit downe then, and let me entreate you
1512: By all the honesty and honour in you,
1513: No
mention of this woman, t'will disturbe us,
1514: We shall have time
enough.
1515:
Pal.
Well Sir, Ile pledge you.
1516:
Arc.
Drinke a good hearty draught, it
breeds good (blood man.
1517: Doe you
not feele it thaw you?
1518:
Pal.
Stay, Ile tell
you after a draught or two more.
1519:
1520:
1521:
Arc.
I am glad you have so good a stomach.
1522:
Pal.
I am gladder I have so good meate too't.
1523:
1524:
1525:
Arc.
How
tasts your vittails? your hunger needs no sawce (I see,
1526:
1527: But if it did, yours is too tart: sweete Cosen: what is
this?
1528:
Arc.
Venison.
1529:
Pal.
Tis a lusty meate:
1530:
Giue me more
wine; here Arcite to the wenches
1531:
1532:
1533:
Arc.
After you Cuz.
1534:
Pal.
She lov'd a black-haird man.
1535:
Arc.
She did so; well Sir.
1536:
Pal.
And I have heard some call him
Arcite, and
1537:
Arc.
Out with't faith.
1538:
Pal.
She met him in an Arbour:
1539:
What
did she there Cuz? play o'th virginals?
1540:
Arc.
Something she did Sir.
1541:
Pal.
Made her groane a moneth for't; or 2. or 3. or 10.
1542:
Arc.
The Marshals Sister,
1543: Had her share too, as I remember Cosen,
1544:
Else there be tales
abroade, you'l pledge her?
1545:
Pal.
Yes.
1546:
Arc.
A pretty broune wench t'is. There was
a time
1547: When yong men went a hunting, and a wood,
1548:
1549:
1550:
Away with this straind mirth; I say againe
1551: That sigh was breathd for Emily; base Cosen,
1552: Dar'st thou breake first?
1553:
Arc.
You are wide.
1554:
Pal.
By heaven and earth, ther's nothing in thee
honest.
1555:
Arc.
Then Ile leave you: you are a Beast now:
1556:
Pal.
As thou makst me, Traytour.
1557: perfumes:
1558:
1559: That that shall
quiet all,
1560:
Pal.
A Sword and Armour.
1561:
Arc.
Feare me not; you are now too fowle;
farewell.
1562: Get off your Trinkets, you shall want nought;
1563:
Pal.
Sirha:
1564:
Arc.
Ile heare no more. [ Exit.]
1565:
Pal.
If he keepe
touch, he dies for't. [ Exit.]
Scene 4
1566: Scaena 4. Enter Iaylors
daughter.
1567:
Daugh.
I am very cold, and
all the Stars are out too,
1568: The little Stars, and all, that
looke like aglets:
1569: The Sun has seene my Folly: Palamon;
1570: Alas no; hees in heaven; where am I now?
1571: Yonder's the sea, and ther's a Ship; how't tumbles
1572:
And
ther's a Rocke lies watching under water;
1573: Now, now, it beates
upon it; now, now, now,
1574: Ther's a leak sprung, a sound one, how
they cry?
1575: Vpon her before the winde, you'l loose all els:
1576: Vp with a course or two, and take about Boyes.
1577: Good night, good night, y'ar gone; I am very hungry,
1578:
Would
I could finde a fine Frog; he would tell me
1579: Newes from all
parts o'th world, then would I make
1580: A Carecke of a Cockle
shell, and sayle
1581: By east and North East to the King of Pigmes,
1582:
For he tels fortunes rarely. Now my Father
1583: Twenty to one is trust up in a trice
1584: To morrow
morning, Ile say never a word.
1585: [ Sing.]
For
ile cut my greene coat, a foote above my knee,
1586: And ile
clip my yellow lockes; an inch below mine eie.
1587: hey,
nonny, nonny, nonny,
1588: He's buy me a white Cut, forth for
to ride
1589: And ile goe seeke him, throw the world that is
so wide
1590: hey, nonny, nonny, nonny.
1591: O
for a pricke now like a Nightingale, to put my breast
1592: Against. I shall sleepe like a Top else. [ Exit.]
Scene 5
1593: Scaena 6. Enter a Schoole
master .4. Countrymen: and
1594: [ Baum .2. or 3 wenches, with a Taborer.]
1595:
1596:
1597:
1598:
1599:
1600:
1601:
1602:
1603:
1604:
1605:
1606:
1607:
1608:
1609:
1610:
1611:
1.
And sweetly we will doe it Master
Gerrold.
1612:
2.
Draw up the Company, Where's the Taborour.
1613:
3.
Why Timothy.
1614:
Tab.
Here my mad boyes, have at ye.
1615:
Sch.
But I say where's their women?
1616:
4.
Here's
Friz and Maudline.
1617:
2.
And litle Luce with the white legs, and bouncing
(Barbery.
1618:
1.
And freckeled Nel; that
never faild her Master.
1619:
1620:
1621: And
now and then a fauour, and a friske.
1622:
Nel.
Let us alone Sir.
1623:
Sch.
Wher's the rest o'th Musicke.
1624:
3.
Dispersd as you commanded.
1625:
Sch.
Couple then
1626:
And see what's
wanting; wher's the Bavian?
1627: My friend, carry your taile
without offence
1628: Or scandall to the Ladies; and be sure
1629: You tumble with audacity, and manhood,
1630: And when you barke doe it with judgement.
1631:
Bau.
Yes Sir.
1632:
Sch.
Quo usque tandem. Here is a woman wanting
1633:
4.
We may goe whistle: all the fat's i'th fire.
1634:
Sch.
We have,
1635: As learned
Authours utter, washd a Tile,
1636: We have beene fatuus, and
laboured vainely.
1637:
2.
This is that scornefull
peece, that scurvy hilding
1638: That gave her promise faithfully,
she would be here,
1639: Cicely the Sempsters daughter:
1640: The next gloves that I give her shall be dog skin;
1641:
Nay and
she faile me once, you can tell Arcas
1642: She swore by wine,
and bread, she would not breake.
1643:
Sch.
An
Eele and woman,
1644: A learned Poet sayes: unles by'th taile
1645: And with thy teeth thou hold, will either faile,
1646: In manners this was false position
1647:
1.
A fire
ill take her; do's she flinch now?
1648:
3.
What
1649: Shall we determine Sir?
1650:
Sch.
Nothing,
1651: Our busines is become a
nullity
1652: Yea, and a woefull, and a pittious nullity.
1653:
4.
Now when the credite of our Towne lay on it,
1654: Now to be frampall, now to pisse o'th nettle,
1655: Goe thy waies, ile remember thee, ile fit thee,
1656:
[ Enter Iaylors daughter.]
1657:
Daughter.
The George alow, came from the South,
from
1658: The coast of Barbary a.
1659: And
there he met with brave gallants of war
1660: By one, by two,
by three, a
1661: Well haild, well haild, you jolly
gallants,
1662: And whither now are you bound a [
Chaire and]
[ stooles out.]
1663: O let me have
your company till come to the sound a
1664: There was three
fooles, fell out about an howlet
1665: The one sed it was an
owle
1666: The other, he sed nay,
1667:
1668:
1669:
1670:
1671:
1672:
Sch.
And are you mad good woman?
1673:
Daugh.
I would be sorry else,
1674:
Give me
your hand.
1675:
Sch.
Why?
1676:
Daugh.
I can tell your fortune.
1677:
You
are a foole: tell ten, I have pozd him: Buz
1678: Friend you must
eate no white bread, if you doe
1679: Your teeth will bleede
extreamely, shall we dance ho?
1680: I know you, y'ar a Tinker: Sirha
Tinker
1681: Stop no more holes, but what you should.
1682:
Sch.
Dij boni. A Tinker Damzell?
1683:
Daug.
Or a Conjurer: raise me a devill now, and let him
(play
1684:
1685:
1686:
1687: Strike
up, and leade her in.
1688:
2.
Come Lasse, lets trip
it.
1689:
Daugh.
Ile leade. [ (Winde
Hornes:]
1690:
3.
Doe, doe.
1691:
Sch.
Perswasively, and cunningly: away boyes,
1692: [ Ex. all but
Schoolemaster.]
1693: I heare the hornes: give me some
1694: Meditation, and marke your Cue;
1695: Pallas inspire
me.
1696: [ Enter Thes. Pir. Hip. Emil. Arcite: and
traine.]
1697:
Thes.
This way the
Stag tooke.
1698:
Sch.
Stay, and edifie.
1699:
Thes.
What have we here?
1700:
Per.
Some Countrey sport, upon my life Sir.
1701:
Per.
Well Sir, goe forward, we will
edifie.
1702: Ladies sit downe, wee'l stay it.
1703:
Sch.
Thou doughtie Duke all haile: all haile sweet
(Ladies.
1704:
Thes.
This is a cold beginning.
1705:
1706:
1707: That ruder Tongues distinguish villager.
1708:
And to say
veritie, and not to fable;
1709: We are a merry rout, or else a rable
1710: Or company, or by a figure, Choris
1711: That
fore thy dignitie will dance a Morris.
1712: And I that am the
rectifier of all
1713: By title Pedagogus, that let fall
1714: The Birch upon the Breeches of the small ones,
1715:
And humble
with a Ferula the tall ones,
1716: Doe here present this Machine, or
this frame,
1717: And daintie Duke, whose doughtie dismall fame
1718: From Dis to Dedalus, from post to pillar
1719: Is blowne abroad; helpe me thy poore well willer,
1720: And with thy twinckling eyes, looke right and straight
1721:
Vpon
this mighty Morr = of mickle waight
1722: Is = now comes in, which
being glewd together
1723: Makes Morris, and the cause that we came
hether.
1724: The body of our sport of no small study
1725: I first appeare, though rude, and raw, and muddy,
1726:
To speake
before thy noble grace, this tenner:
1727: At whose great feete I
offer up my penner.
1728: The next the Lord of May, and Lady bright,
1729: The Chambermaid, and Servingman by night
1730: That
seeke out silent hanging: Then mine Host
1731: And his fat Spowse,
that welcomes to their cost
1732: The gauled Traveller, and with a
beckning
1733: Informes the Tapster to inflame the reckning:
1734: Then the beast eating Clowne, and next the foole,
1735: The Bavian with long tayle, and eke long toole,
1736:
Cum multis alijs that make a dance,
1737: Say I, and all
shall presently advance.
1738:
Thes.
I, I by any
meanes, deere Domine.
1739:
Per.
Produce. [ Musicke Dance.]
1740:
Intrate filij, Come forth,
and foot it, [ Knocke for]
[ Schoole. Enter]
[ The
Dance.]
1741: Ladies, if we have beene merry
1742: And have pleasd thee with a derry,
1743: And a derry, and a downe
1744:
Say the Schoolemaster's no Clowne:
1745: Duke, if we
have pleasd three too
1746: And have done as good Boyes should
doe,
1747: Give us but a tree or twaine
1748: For a Maypole, and againe
1749:
Ere another yeare run
out,
1750: Wee'l make thee laugh and all this rout.
1751:
Thes.
Take 20. Domine; how does my sweet
heart.
1752:
Hip.
Never so pleasd Sir.
1753:
Emil.
Twas an excellent dance, and for a
preface
1754: I never heard a better.
1755:
Thes.
Schoolemaster, I thanke you, One see 'em all
rewarded.
1756:
1757:
1758:
Sch.
May the Stag thou huntst stand long,
1759:
And thy dogs be swift and strong:
1760: May they kill him without
lets,
1761:
1762:
1763:
Scene 6
1764:
1765:
Pal.
About this houre my Cosen gave his faith
1766: To visit me againe, and with him bring
1767: Two
Swords, and two good Armors; if he faile
1768: He's neither man, nor
Souldier; when he left me
1769: I did not thinke a weeke could have
restord
1770: My lost strength to me, I was growne so low,
1771: And Crest-falne with my wants: I thanke thee Arcite,
1772: Thou art yet a faire Foe; and I feele my selfe
1773: With this refreshing, able once againe
1774:
To out dure danger:
To delay it longer
1775:
1776:
1777: And not a
Souldier: Therefore this blest morning
1778: Shall be the last; and
that Sword he refuses,
1779: If it but hold, I kill him with; tis
Iustice:
1780: So love, and Fortune for me: O good morrow.
1781: [ Enter Arcite with Armors and
Swords.]
1782:
Arc.
Good morrow noble kinesman,
1783:
Pal.
I have put you
1784:
To too much paines
Sir.
1785:
Arc.
That too much faire Cosen,
1786: Is but a debt to honour, and my duty.
1787:
Pal.
Would you were so in all Sir; I could wish ye
1788: As kinde a kinsman, as you force me finde
1789: A
beneficiall foe, that my embraces
1790: Might thanke ye, not my
blowes.
1791:
Arc.
I shall thinke either
1792: Well done, a noble recompence.
1793:
Pal.
Then I shall quit you.
1794:
Arc.
Defy me in these faire termes, and you show
1795: More then a Mistris to me, no more anger
1796: As
you love any thing that's honourable;
1797: We were not bred to talke
man, when we are arm'd
1798: And both upon our guards, then let our
fury
1799: Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us,
1800: And then to whom the birthright of this Beauty
1801: Truely pertaines (without obbraidings, scornes,
1802:
Dispisings
of our persons, and such powtings
1803: Fitter for Girles and
Schooleboyes) will be seene
1804: And quickly, yours, or mine: wilt
please you arme Sir,
1805: Or if you feele your selfe not fitting yet
1806: And furnishd with your old strength, ile stay Cosen
1807: And ev'ry day discourse you into health,
1808: As I
am spard, your person I am friends with,
1809: And I could wish I had
not saide I lov'd her
1810: Though I had dide; But loving such a Lady
1811: And justifying my Love, I must not fly from't.
1812:
Pal. Arcite
, thou art so brave an enemy
1813: That no man but thy Cosen's fit to kill thee,
1814: I am well, and lusty, choose your Armes.
1815:
Arc.
Choose you Sir.
1816:
Pal.
Wilt thou exceede in all, or do'st thou doe it
1817: To make me spare thee?
1818:
Arc.
If you thinke so Cosen,
1819:
You are
deceived, for as I am a Soldier.
1820: I will not spare you.
1821:
Pal.
That's well
said.
1822:
Arc.
You'l finde it
1823:
Pal.
Then as I am an honest man and love,
1824:
With all the justice of affection
1825: Ile pay thee soundly:
This ile take.
1826:
Arc.
That's mine then,
1827: Ile arme you first.
1828:
Pal.
Do: pray thee tell me Cosen,
1829:
Where gotst thou this good Armour.
1830:
Arc.
Tis the Dukes,
1831:
And to say true, I
stole it; doe I pinch you?
1832:
Pal.
Noe.
1833:
Arc.
Is't not too heavie?
1834:
Pal.
I have worne a lighter,
1835:
But I
shall make it serve.
1836:
Arc.
Ile buckl't
close.
1837:
Pal.
By any meanes.
1838:
Arc.
You care not for a Grand guard?
1839:
Pal.
No, no, wee'l use no horses, I perceave
1840: You would be faine be at that Fight.
1841:
Arc.
I am indifferent.
1842:
Pal.
Faith so am I: good Cosen, thrust the buckle
1843: Through far enough.
1844:
Arc.
I warrant you.
1845:
Pal.
My Caske now.
1846:
Arc.
Will you fight bare-armd?
1847:
Pal.
We shall be the nimbler.
1848:
1849:
1850:
Pal.
Thanke you
Arcite.
1851: How doe I looke, am I falne much away?
1852:
Arc.
Faith very little; love has usd you
kindly.
1853:
Pal.
Ile warrant thee, Ile strike
home.
1854:
Arc.
Doe, and spare not;
1855: Ile give you cause sweet Cosen.
1856:
Pal.
Now to you Sir,
1857:
Me thinkes this
Armor's very like that, Arcite,
1858: Thou wor'st that day the 3. Kings fell, but
lighter.
1859:
Arc.
That was a very good one,
and that day
1860: I well remember, you outdid me Cosen,
1861: I never saw such valour: when you chargd
1862:
Vpon the left wing
of the Enemie,
1863: I spurd hard to come up, and under me
1864: I had a right good horse.
1865:
Pal.
You had indeede
1866:
A bright Bay I
remember.
1867:
Arc.
Yes but all
1868: Was vainely labour'd in me, you outwent me,
1869:
Nor could my
wishes reach you; yet a little
1870: I did by imitation.
1871:
Pal.
More by vertue,
1872:
You are modest
Cosen.
1873:
Arc.
When I saw you charge first,
1874: Me thought I heard a dreadfull clap of Thunder
1875: Breake from the Troope.
1876:
Pal.
But still
before that flew
1877: The lightning of your valour: Stay a little,
1878: Is not this peece too streight?
1879:
Arc.
No, no, tis well.
1880:
Pal.
I would have nothing hurt thee but my Sword,
1881: A bruise would be dishonour.
1882:
Arc.
Now I am perfect.
1883:
Pal.
Stand off then.
1884:
Arc.
Take my Sword, I hold it better.
1885:
Pal.
I thanke ye: No, keepe it, your life lyes on it,
1886: Here's one, if it but hold, I aske no more.
1887: For all my hopes: My Cause and honour guard me.
1888:
Arc.
And me my love: Is there ought else to say? [
They bow severall]
[ wayes:]
[ then advance]
[ and
stand.]
1889:
Pal.
This onely, and no
more: Thou art mine Aunts Son.
1890: And that blood we desire to shed
is mutuall,
1891: In me, thine, and in thee, mine: My Sword
1892: Is in my hand, and if thou killst me
1893: The gods,
and I forgive thee; If there be
1894: A place prepar'd for those that
sleepe in honour,
1895: I wish his wearie soule, that falls may win
it:
1896: Fight bravely Cosen, give me
thy noble hand.
1897:
Arc.
Here Palamon:
This hand shall never more
1898: Come neare thee with such
friendship.
1899:
Pal.
I commend thee.
1900:
Arc.
If I fall, curse me, and say I was a
coward,
1901: For none but such, dare die in these just Tryalls.
1902: Once more farewell my Cosen,
1903:
Pal.
Farewell Arcite. [ Fight.]
1904:
[ Hornes within: they
stand.]
1905:
Arc.
Loe Cosen, loe,
our Folly has undon us.
1906:
Pal.
Why?
1907:
Arc.
This is the Duke, a hunting as I told
you,
1908: If we be found, we are wretched, O retire
1909: For honours sake, and safely presently
1910:
Into your Bush agen;
Sir we shall finde
1911: Too many howres to dye in, gentle Cosen:
1912: If you be seene you perish instantly
1913: For
breaking prison, and I, if you reveale me,
1914: For my contempt;
Then all the world will scorne us,
1915: And say we had a noble
difference,
1916: But base disposers of it.
1917:
Pal.
No, no, Cosen
1918:
I will no more be
hidden, not put off
1919: This great adventure to a second Tryall:
1920: I know your cunning, and I know your cause,
1921: He
that faints now, shame take him, put thy selfe
1922: Vpon thy present
guard.
1923:
Arc.
You are not mad?
1924:
Pal.
Or I will make th' advantage of this howre
1925: Mine owne, and what to come shall threaten me,
1926: I feare lesse then my fortune: know weake Cosen
1927:
I love Emilia, and in that ile bury
1928: Thee, and all crosses else.
1929:
Arc.
Then come, what can come
1930: Thou shalt know Palamon, I dare as well
1931:
Die, as
discourse, or sleepe: Onely this feares me,
1932: The law will have
the honour of our ends.
1933: Have at thy life.
1934:
Pal.
Looke to thine owne well Arcite.
1935: [ Fight againe.
Hornes.]
1936: [ Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Emilia,
Perithous and traine.]
1937:
Theseus.
What ignorant and mad malicious Traitors,
1938: Are you? That gainst the tenor of my Lawes
1939: Are
making Battaile, thus like Knights appointed,
1940: Without my leave,
and Officers of Armes?
1941: By Castor both shall dye.
1942:
Pal.
Hold thy word Theseus,
1943: We are certainly both Traitors, both despisers
1944: Of thee, and of thy goodnesse: I am
Palamon
1945: That
cannot love thee, he that broke thy Prison,
1946: Thinke well, what
that deserves; and this is Arcite
1947: A bolder Traytor never
trod thy ground
1948: A Falser neu'r seem'd friend: This is the man
1949: Was begd and banish'd, this is he contemnes thee
1950: And what thou dar'st doe; and in this disguise
1951:
Against this
owne Edict followes thy Sister,
1952: That fortunate bright Star, the
faire Emilia
1953: Whose servant, (if there be a right in
seeing,
1954: And first bequeathing of the soule to) justly
1955: I am, and which is more, dares thinke her his.
1956: This treacherie like a most trusty Lover,
1957:
I call'd him now
to answer; if thou bee'st
1958: As thou art spoken, great and
vertuous,
1959: The true descider of all injuries,
1960: Say, Fight againe, and thou shalt see me
Theseus
1961: Doe
such a Iustice, thou thy selfe wilt envie,
1962: Then take my life,
Ile wooe thee too't.
1963:
Per.
O heaven,
1964: What more then man is this!
1965:
Thes.
I have sworne.
1966:
Arc.
We seeke not
1967:
Thy breath of mercy Theseus, Tis to me
1968: A thing as soone to dye, as thee to
say it,
1969: And no more mov'd: where this man calls me Traitor,
1970: Let me say thus much; if in love be Treason,
1971: In service of so excellent a Beutie,
1972: As I love most, and in that faith will perish,
1973: As I have brought my life here to confirme it,
1974: As I have serv'd her truest, worthiest,
1975:
As I dare kill this
Cosen, that denies it,
1976: So let me be most Traitor, and ye please
me:
1977: For scorning thy Edict Duke, aske that Lady
1978: Why she is faire, and why her eyes command me
1979:
Stay here to
love her; and if she say Traytor,
1980: I am a villaine fit to lye
unburied.
1981:
Pal.
Thou shalt have pitty of us
both, o Theseus,
1982: If unto neither thou shew mercy, stop,
1983: (As thou art just) thy noble eare against us,
1984: As thou art valiant; for thy Cosens soule
1985:
Whose 12. strong
labours crowne his memory,
1986: Lets die together, at one instant
Duke,
1987: Onely a little let him fall before me,
1988: That I may tell my Soule he shall not have her.
1989:
Thes.
I grant your wish, for to say true, your Cosen
1990: Has ten times more offended, for I gave him
1991: More mercy then you found, Sir, your offenses
1992:
Being no more
then his: None here speake for 'em
1993: For ere the Sun set, both
shall sleepe for ever.
1994:
Hipol.
Alas the
pitty, now or never Sister
1995: Speake not to be denide; That face
of yours
1996: Will beare the curses else of after ages
1997: For these lost Cosens.
1998:
Emil.
In my
face deare Sister
1999: I finde no anger to 'em; nor no ruyn,
2000: The misadventure of their owne eyes kill 'em;
2001: Yet that I will be woman, and have pitty,
2002:
My knees shall
grow to'th ground but Ile get mercie.
2003: Helpe me deare Sister, in
a deede so vertuous,
2004: The powers of all women will be with us,
2005: Most royall Brother.
2006:
Hipol.
Sir by our tye of Marriage.
2007:
Emil.
By your owne spotlesse honour.
2008:
Hip.
By that faith,
2009:
That faire hand,
and that honest heart you gave me.
2010:
Emil.
By that you would have pitty in another,
2011: By your owne vertues infinite.
2012:
Hip.
By valour,
2013:
By all the chaste
nights I have ever pleasd you.
2014:
Thes.
These
are strange Conjurings.
2015:
Per.
Nay then Ile
in too: By all our friendship Sir, by all (our dangers,
2016:
2017:
Emil.
By that you would have trembled
to deny
2018: A blushing Maide.
2019:
Hip.
By your owne eyes: By strength
2020:
In
which you swore I went beyond all women,
2021: Almost all men, and
yet I yeelded Theseus.
2022:
Per.
To
crowne all this; By your most noble soule
2023: Which cannot want due
mercie, I beg first.
2024:
Hip.
Next heare my
prayers.
2025:
Emil.
Last let me intreate Sir.
2026:
Per.
For mercy.
2027:
Hip.
Mercy.
2028:
Emil.
Mercy on these Princes.
2029:
Thes.
Ye make my faith reele: Say I felt
2030:
Compassion to 'em both, how would you place it?
2031:
Emil.
Vpon their lives: But with their banishments.
2032:
Thes.
You are a right woman, Sister; you
have pitty,
2033: But want the vnderstanding where to use it.
2034: If you desire their lives, invent a way
2035: Safer
then banishment: Can these two live
2036: And have the agony of love
about 'em,
2037: And not kill one another? Every day
2038: They'ld fight about you; howrely bring your honour
2039:
In
publique question with their Swords; Be wise then
2040: And here
forget 'em; it concernes your credit,
2041: And my oth equally: I
have said they die,
2042: Better they fall by'th law, then one
another.
2043: Bow not my honor.
2044:
Emil.
O my noble Brother,
2045:
That oth was
rashly made, and in your anger,
2046: Your reason will not hold it,
if such vowes
2047: Stand for expresse will, all the world must
perish.
2048: Beside, I have another
oth, gainst yours
2049: Of more authority, I am sure more love,
2050: Not made in passion neither, but good heede.
2051:
Thes.
What is it Sister?
2052:
Per.
Vrge it home brave Lady.
2053:
Emil.
That you would nev'r deny me any thing
2054: Fit for my modest suit, and your free granting:
2055: I tye you to your word now, if ye fall in't,
2056:
Thinke how you
maime your honour;
2057: (For now I am set a begging Sir, I am deafe
2058: To all but your compassion) how their lives
2059: Might breed the ruine of my name; Opinion,
2060:
Shall any thing
that loves me perish for me?
2061: That were a cruell wisedome, doe
men proyne
2062:
2063:
2064: The goodly Mothers
that have groand for these,
2065: And all the longing Maides that
ever lov'd,
2066: If your vow stand, shall curse me and my Beauty,
2067: And in their funerall songs, for these two Cosens
2068: Despise my crueltie, and cry woe worth me,
2069:
Till I am
nothing but the scorne of women;
2070: For heavens sake save their
lives, and banish 'em.
2071:
Thes.
On what
conditions?
2072:
Emil.
Sweare 'em never more
2073: To make me their Contention, or to know me,
2074: To
tread upon thy Dukedome, and to be
2075:
2076:
2077: Before I take this oth, forget I love her?
2078:
O all ye gods dispise me then: Thy Banishment
2079: I not
mislike, so we may fairely carry
2080: Our Swords, and cause along:
else never trifle,
2081: But take our lives Duke, I must love and
will,
2082: And for that love, must and dare kill this Cosen
2083: On any peece the earth has.
2084:
Thes.
Will you Arcite
2085:
Take
these conditions?
2086:
Pal.
He's a villaine then.
2087:
Per.
These are men.
2088:
2089:
2090:
I never shall enjoy her, yet ile preserve
2091: The honour of affection, and dye for her,
2092:
Make death a
Devill.
2093:
2094:
2095:
2096:
2097: Content to take th' other to your husband?
2098:
They cannot both enjoy you; They are Princes
2099: As goodly as
your owne eyes, and as noble
2100: As ever fame yet spoke of; looke
upon 'em,
2101: And if you can love, end this difference,
2102: I give consent, are you content too Princes?
2103:
Both.
With all our soules.
2104:
Thes.
He that she refuses
2105:
Must dye
then.
2106:
Both.
Any death thou canst invent
Duke.
2107:
Pal.
If I fall from that mouth, I
fall with favour,
2108: And Lovers yet unborne shall blesse my ashes.
2109:
Arc.
If she refuse me, yet my grave will
wed me,
2110: And Souldiers sing my Epitaph.
2111:
Thes.
Make choice then.
2112:
Emil.
I cannot Sir, they are both too excellent
2113: For me, a hayre shall never fall of these men.
2114:
Hip.
What will become of 'em?
2115:
Thes.
Thus I ordaine it,
2116:
And by mine
honor, once againe it stands,
2117: Or both shall dye. You shall both
to your Countrey,
2118: And each within this moneth accompanied
2119: With three faire Knights, appeare againe in this place,
2120: In which Ile plant a Pyramid; and whether
2121: Before us that are here, can force his Cosen
2122:
By fayre and
knightly strength to touch the Pillar,
2123: He shall enjoy her: the
other loose his head,
2124: And all
his friends; Nor shall he grudge to fall,
2125: Nor thinke he dies
with interest in this Lady:
2126: Will this content yee?
2127:
Pal.
Yes: here Cosen
Arcite
2128: I
am friends againe, till that howre.
2129:
Arc.
I
embrace ye.
2130:
Thes.
Are you content Sister?
2131:
Emil.
Yes, I must Sir,
2132: Els both miscarry.
2133:
Thes.
Come shake
hands againe then,
2134: And take heede, as you are Gentlemen, this
Quarrell
2135: Sleepe till the howre prefixt, and hold your course.
2136:
Pal.
We dare not faile thee Theseus.
2137:
Thes.
Come, Ile give ye
2138: Now usage like to Princes, and to Friends:
2139: When ye returne, who wins, Ile settle heere,
2140:
Who looses,
yet Ile weepe upon his Beere. [ Exeunt.]
Act IV Scene 1
2141: Actus Quartus.
2142: Scaena 1. Enter Iailor, and his friend.
2143:
Iailor.
Heare you no more, was nothing saide of me
2144: Concerning the escape of Palamon?
2145: Good
Sir remember.
2146:
1.Fr.
Nothing that I heard,
2147: For I came home before the busines
2148: Was fully
ended: Yet I might perceive
2149: Ere I departed, a great likelihood
2150: Of both their pardons: For Hipolita,
2151: And faire-eyd Emilie, upon their knees
2152:
Begd with
such hansom pitty, that the Duke
2153: Me thought stood staggering,
whether he should follow
2154: His rash oth, or the sweet compassion
2155: Of those two Ladies; and to second them,
2156: That
truely noble Prince Perithous
2157: Halfe his owne heart, set
in too, that I hope
2158: All shall be well: Neither heard I one
question
2159: Of your name, or his
scape. [ Enter 2. Friend.]
2160:
Iay.
Pray heaven it hold so.
2161:
2.
Fr.
Be of good comfort man; I bring you newes,
2162: Good newes.
2163:
Iay.
They are welcome,
2164:
2.Fr.
Palamon has cleerd you,
2165: And got your pardon, and discoverd
2166:
2167:
2168: Not to be held ungratefull to her goodnes,
2169: Has given a summe of money to her Marriage,
2170: A
large one ile assure you.
2171:
Iay.
Ye are a
good man
2172: And ever bring good newes.
2173:
1.Fr.
How was it ended?
2174:
2.Fr.
Why, as it should be; they that nev'r begd
2175: But they prevaild, had their suites fairely granted,
2176: The prisoners have their lives.
2177:
1.Fr.
I knew t'would be so.
2178:
2179:
2180:
Iay.
I hope they are
good.
2181:
2.Fr.
They are honourable,
2182: How good they'l prove, I know not.
2183: [ Enter Wooer.]
2184:
1.Fr.
T'will
be knowne.
2185:
Woo.
Alas Sir, wher's your
Daughter?
2186:
Iay.
Why doe you aske?
2187:
Woo.
O Sir when did you see her?
2188:
2.Fr.
How he lookes?
2189:
Iay.
This morning.
2190:
(she
sleepe?
2191:
2192:
Iay.
I doe not
thinke she was very well, for now
2193: You make me minde her, but
this very day
2194: I ask'd her questions, and she answered me
2195: So farre from what she was, so childishly.
2196: So
sillily, as if she were a foole,
2197: An Inocent, and I was very angry.
2198:
But what of her Sir?
2199:
2200:
2201: As by an other that lesse
loves her:
2202:
Iay.
Well Sir.
2203:
1.Fr.
Not right?
2204:
2.Fr.
Not well? =
Wooer.
No Sir
not well.
2205:
Woo.
Tis too true, she is mad.
2206:
1.Fr.
It cannot be.
2207:
Woo.
Beleeve you'l finde it so.
2208:
Iay.
I halfe suspected
2209:
What you told
me: the gods comfort her:
2210: Either this was her love to Palamon,
2211:
Or feare of my miscarrying on his scape,
2212: Or both.
2213:
Woo.
Tis likely.
2214:
Iay.
But why all this haste Sir?
2215:
Woo.
Ile tell you quickly. As I late was
angling
2216: In the great Lake that lies behind the Pallace,
2217: From the far shore, thicke set with reedes, and Sedges,
2218: As patiently I was attending sport,
2219: I heard a
voyce, a shrill one, and attentive
2220: I gave my eare, when I might
well perceive
2221: T'was one that sung, and by the smallnesse of it
2222: A boy or woman. I then left my angle
2223: To his
owne skill, came neere, but yet perceivd not
2224: Who made the
sound; the rushes, and the Reeds
2225: Had so encompast it: I laide
me downe
2226: And listned to the words she song, for then
2227: Through a small glade cut by the Fisher men,
2228: I
saw it was your Daughter.
2229:
Iay.
Pray goe on
Sir?
2230:
2231:
2232: Is gone to'th wood to
gather Mulberies,
2233: Ile finde him out to morrow.
2234:
1.Fr.
Pretty soule.
2235:
Woo.
His shackles will betray him, hee'l be taken,
2236: And what shall I doe then? Ile
bring a beavy,
2237: A hundred blacke eyd Maides, that love as I doe
2238: With Chaplets on their heads of Daffadillies,
2239: With cherry-lips, and cheekes of Damaske Roses,
2240:
And all
wee'l daunce an Antique fore the Duke,
2241: And beg his pardon; Then
she talk'd of you Sir;
2242: That you must loose your head to morrow
morning,
2243: And she must gather flowers to bury you,
2244: And see the house made handsome, then she sung
2245:
Nothing but
Willow, willow, willow, and betweene
2246: Ever was, Palamon,
faire Palamon,
2247: And Palamon, was a tall yong man.
The place
2248: Was knee deepe where she sat; her careles Tresses,
2249: A wreake of bull-rush rounded; about her stucke
2250: Thousand fresh water flowers of severall cullors.
2251:
That me
thought she appeard like the faire Nimph
2252: That feedes the lake
with waters, or as Iris
2253: Newly dropt downe from heaven; Rings
she made
2254: Of rushes that grew by, and to 'em spoke
2255: The prettiest posies: Thus our true love's tide,
2256:
This you
may loose, not me, and many a one:
2257: And then she wept, and sung
againe, and sigh'd,
2258: And with the same breath smil'd, and kist
her hand.
2259:
2.Fr.
Alas what pitty it is?
2260:
Wooer.
I made in to her.
2261: She saw me, and straight sought the flood, I sav'd her,
2262:
And
set her safe to land: when presently
2263: She slipt away, and to the
Citty made,
2264: With such a cry, and swiftnes, that beleeve me
2265: Shee left me farre behinde her; three, or foure,
2266: I saw from farre off crosse her, one of 'em
2267:
I knew to be
your brother, where she staid,
2268: And fell, scarce to be got away:
I left them with her.
2269: [ Enter Brother, Daughter, and
others.]
2270: And hether came to tell you: Here they are.
2271:
Daugh.
May you never more enjoy the
light, &c.
2272: Is not this a fine Song?
2273:
Bro.
O a very fine one.
2274:
Daugh.
I can sing twenty
more.
2275:
Bro.
I thinke you can,
2276:
Daugh.
Yes truely can I, I can sing the Broome,
2277: And Bony Robin. Are not you a tailour?
2278:
Bro.
Yes,
2279:
Daugh.
Wher's my wedding Gowne?
2280:
Bro.
Ile bring it to morrow.
2281:
Daugh.
Doe, very rarely, I must be abroad else
2282: To call the Maides, and pay the Minstrels
2283: For
I must loose my Maydenhead by cocklight
2284: Twill never thrive
else.
2285: O faire, oh sweete, &c. [ Singes.]
2286:
Bro.
You must ev'n
take it patiently.
2287:
Iay.
Tis true,
2288:
2289:
2290:
Iay.
Yes
wench we know him.
2291:
Daugh.
Is't not a fine
yong Gentleman?
2292:
Iay.
Tis, Love.
2293:
Bro.
By no meane crosse her, she is then
distemperd
2294: For worse then now she showes.
2295:
1.Fr.
Yes, he's a fine man.
2296:
Daugh.
O, is he so? you have a Sister.
2297:
1.Fr.
Yes.
2298:
Daugh.
But she shall never have him, tell her so,
2299: For a tricke that I know, y'had best looke to her,
2300: For if she see him once, she's gone, she's done,
2301:
And undon
in an howre. All the young Maydes
2302: Of our Towne are in love with
him, but I laugh at'em
2303: And let 'em all alone, Is't not a wise
course?
2304:
1.Fr.
Yes.
2305:
Daugh.
There is at least two hundred now with child (by
him,
2306:
2307: Close as a Cockle; and all these must be
Boyes,
2308: He has the tricke on't, and at ten yeares old
2309: They must be all gelt for Musitians,
2310: And sing
the wars of Theseus.
2311:
2.Fr.
This is
strange.
2312:
Daugh.
As ever you heard, but say nothing.
2313:
1.
Fr.
No.
2314:
2315:
2316: As twenty to dispatch, hee'l tickl't up
2317:
In
two howres, if his hand be in.
2318:
Iay.
She's
lost
2319: Past all cure.
2320:
Bro.
Heaven forbid man.
2321:
Daugh.
Come hither, you are a wise man.
2322:
1.Fr.
Do's she know him?
2323:
1.
Fr.
No, would she did.
2324:
Daugh.
You are master of a Ship?
2325:
Iay.
Yes.
2326:
Daugh.
Wher's your Compasse?
2327:
Iay.
Heere.
2328:
Daugh.
Set it too'th North.
2329:
2330:
2331:
Let me alone; Come waygh my hearts,
cheerely.
2332:
2333:
2334: Whistle Master?
2335:
Bro.
Lets get her in.
2336:
Iay.
Vp to the top Boy.
2337:
Bro.
Wher's the Pilot?
2338:
1.
Fr.
Heere,
2339:
Daugh.
What
ken'st thou?
2340:
2. Fr.
A faire wood.
2341:
Daugh.
Beare for it master: take about:
[ Singes.]
2342: When Cinthia with her borrowed
light, &c. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 2
2343: Scaena 2. Enter Emilia
alone, with 2. Pictures.
2344:
2345:
2346: And end their strife: Two such yong hansom men
2347:
Shall never fall for me, their weeping Mothers,
2348: Following
the dead cold ashes of their Sonnes
2349: Shall never curse my
cruelty: Good heaven,
2350: What a
sweet face has Arcite? If wise nature
2351: With all her best
endowments, all those beuties
2352: She sowes into the birthes of
noble bodies,
2353: Were here a mortall woman, and had in her
2354: The coy denialls of yong Maydes, yet doubtles,
2355: She would run mad for this man: what an eye?
2356:
Of what a fyry
sparkle, and quick sweetnes,
2357: Has this yong Prince? Here Love
himselfe sits smyling,
2358: Iust such another wanton Ganimead,
2359: Set Love a fire with, and enforcd the god
2360: Snatch up the goodly Boy, and set him by him
2361: A
shining constellation: What a brow,
2362: Of what a spacious Majesty
he carries?
2363: Arch'd like the great eyd Iuno's, but far
sweeter,
2364: Smoother then Pelops Shoulder? Fame and honour
2365: Me thinks from hence, as from a Promontory
2366: Pointed in heaven, should clap their wings, and sing
2367:
To all
the under world, the Loves, and Fights
2368: Of gods, and such men
neere 'em. Palamon,
2369: Is but his foyle, to him, a meere
dull shadow,
2370: Hee's swarth, and meagre, of an eye as heavy
2371: As if he had lost his mother; a still temper,
2372: No stirring in him, no alacrity,
2373:
Of all this sprightly
sharpenes, not a smile;
2374: Yet these that we count errours may
become him:
2375: Narcissus was a sad Boy, but a heavenly:
2376: Oh who can finde the bent of womans fancy?
2377: I
am a Foole, my reason is lost in me,
2378: I have no choice, and I
have ly'd so lewdly
2379: That women ought to beate me. On my knees
2380: I aske thy pardon: Palamon, thou art alone,
2381: And only beutifull, and these the eyes,
2382:
These the bright
lamps of beauty, that command
2383: And threaten Love, and what yong
Mayd dare crosse 'em
2384: What a bold gravity, and yet inviting
2385: Has this browne manly face? O Love, this only
2386: From this howre is Complexion: Lye there
Arcite,
2387: Thou art a changling to him, a meere Gipsey.
2388: And this the noble Bodie: I am sotted,
2389: Vtterly lost: My Virgins faith has fled me.
2390: For if my brother but even now had ask'd me
2391:
Whether I
lov'd, I had run mad for Arcite,
2392: Now if my Sister; More
for Palamon,
2393: Stand both together: Now, come aske me
Brother,
2394: Alas, I know not: aske me now sweet Sister,
2395: I may goe looke; What a meere child is Fancie,
2396: That having two faire gawdes of equall sweetnesse,
2397: Cannot distinguish, but must crie for both.
2398:
[ Enter
Emil. and Gent.]
2399:
Emil.
How now
Sir?
2400:
Gent.
From the Noble Duke your
Brother
2401: Madam, I bring you newes: The Knights are come.
2402:
Emil.
To end the quarrell?
2403:
Gent.
Yes.
2404:
Emil.
Would I might end first:
2405:
What
sinnes have I committed, chast Diana,
2406: That my unspotted
youth must now be soyld
2407: With blood of Princes? and my
Chastitie
2408: Be made the Altar, where the lives of Lovers,
2409: Two greater, and two better never yet
2410: Made
mothers joy, must be the sacrifice
2411: To my unhappy Beautie?
2412: [ Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Perithous and
attendants.]
2413:
Theseus.
Bring 'em
in quickly,
2414: By any meanes, I long to see 'em.
2415: Your two contending Lovers are return'd,
2416:
And with them
their faire Knights: Now my faire Sister,
2417: You must love one of
them.
2418:
Emil.
I had rather both,
2419: So neither for my sake should fall untimely
2420: [ Enter Messengers. Curtis.]
2421:
Thes.
Who saw 'em
2422:
Per.
I a while.
2423:
Gent.
And I.
2424:
Thes.
From whence come you Sir?
2425:
Mess.
From the Knights.
2426:
Thes.
Pray speake
2427: You that have seene them, what they are.
2428:
Mess.
I will Sir.
2429:
And truly what I
thinke: Six braver spirits
2430: Then these they have brought, (if we
judge by the outside)
2431: I never saw, nor read of. He that stands
2432: In the first place with Arcite, by his seeming
2433: Should be a stout man, by his face a Prince,
2434: (His very lookes so say him) his complexion,
2435:
Nearer a
browne, than blacke; sterne, and yet noble,
2436: Which shewes him
hardy, fearelesse, proud of dangers:
2437: The circles of his eyes
show faire within him,
2438: And as a heated Lyon, so he lookes;
2439: His haire hangs long behind him, blacke and shining
2440: Like Ravens wings: his shoulders broad, and strong,
2441: Armd long and round, and on his Thigh a Sword
2442: Hung by a curious Bauldricke; when he frownes
2443:
To seale his
will with, better o'my conscience
2444: Was never Souldiers friend.
2445:
Thes.
Thou ha'st well describde him,
2446:
Per.
Yet a great deale short
2447: Me thinkes, of him that's first with
Palamon.
2448:
Thes.
Pray speake him friend.
2449:
Per.
I ghesse he is a Prince too,
2450:
And
if it may be, greater; for his show
2451: Has all the ornament of
honour in't:
2452: Hee's somewhat bigger, then the Knight he spoke
of,
2453: But of a face far sweeter; His complexion
2454: Is (as a ripe grape) ruddy: he has felt
2455:
Without doubt what
he fights for, and so apter
2456: To make this cause his owne: In's
face appeares
2457: All the faire hopes of what he undertakes,
2458: And when he's angry, then a setled valour
2459: (Not
tainted with extreames) runs through his body,
2460: And guides his
arme to brave things: Feare he cannot,
2461: He shewes no such soft
temper, his head's yellow,
2462: Hard hayr'd, and curld, thicke twind
like Ivy tops,
2463: Not to undoe with thunder; In his face
2464: The liverie of the warlike
Maide appeares,
2465: Pure red, and white, for yet no beard has blest
him.
2466: And in his rowling eyes, sits victory,
2467: As
if she ever ment to corect his valour:
2468: His Nose stands high, a
Character of honour.
2469: His red lips, after fights, are fit for
Ladies.
2470:
Emil.
Must these men die too?
2471:
Per.
When he speakes, his tongue
2472: Sounds like a Trumpet; All his lyneaments
2473: Are
as a man would wish 'em, strong, and cleane,
2474: He weares a
well-steeld Axe, the staffe of gold,
2475: His age some five and
twenty.
2476:
Mess.
Ther's another,
2477: A little man, but of a tough soule, seeming
2478:
As great as
any: fairer promises
2479: In such a Body, yet I never look'd on.
2480:
Per.
O, he that's freckle fac'd?
2481:
Mess.
The same my Lord,
2482: Are they not sweet ones?
2483:
Per.
Yes they
are well.
2484:
Mess.
Me thinkes,
2485: Being so few, and well disposd, they show
2486:
Great, and fine
art in nature, he's white hair'd,
2487: Not wanton white, but such a
manly colour
2488: Next to an aborne, tough, and nimble set,
2489: Which showes an active soule; his armes are brawny
2490: Linde with strong sinewes: To the shoulder peece,
2491:
Gently
they swell, like women new conceav'd,
2492: Which speakes him prone
to labour, never fainting
2493: Vnder the waight of Armes; stout
harted, still,
2494: But when he stirs, a Tiger; he's gray eyd,
2495: Which yeelds compassion where he conquers: sharpe
2496: To spy advantages, and where he finds 'em,
2497:
He's swift to
make 'em his: He do's no wrongs,
2498: Nor takes none; he's round
fac'd, and when he smiles
2499: He showes a Lover, when he frownes, a
Souldier:
2500: About his head he weares the winners oke,
2501: And in it stucke the favour of his Lady:
2502: His age, some six and thirtie. In his hand
2503: He beares a charging Staffe, embost with silver.
2504:
Thes.
Are they all thus?
2505:
Per.
They are all the sonnes of honour.
2506:
Thes.
Now as I have a soule I long to see 'em.
2507: Lady you shall see men fight now.
2508:
Hip.
I wish it,
2509:
But not the cause my
Lord; They would show
2510: Bravely about the Titles of two
Kingdomes;
2511: Tis pitty Love should be so tyrannous:
2512: O my soft harted Sister, what thinke you?
2513:
Weepe not, till
they weepe blood; Wench it must be.
2514:
Thes.
You have steel'd 'em with your Beautie: honord
(Friend,
2515:
2516: Fitting the persons that must use it.
2517:
Per.
Yes Sir.
2518:
Thes.
Come, Ile goe visit 'em: I cannot stay,
2519: Their fame has fir'd me so; Till they appeare,
2520: Good Friend be royall.
2521:
Per.
There
shall want no bravery.
2522:
Emilia.
Poore wench
goe weepe, for whosoever wins,
2523: Looses a noble Cosen, for thy
sins. [ Exeunt.]
Scene 3
2524: Scaena 3. Enter Iailor,
Wooer, Doctor.
2525:
2526:
2527:
Iay.
She is continually in a harmelesse distemper,
sleepes
2528: Little, altogether without appetite, save often
drinking,
2529: Dreaming of another world, and a better; and what
2530: Broken peece of matter so'ere she's about, the name
2531:
Palamon
lardes it, that she farces ev'ry
busines
2532: [ Enter Daughter.]
2533: Withall, fyts it to every question; Looke where
2534:
Shee comes,
you shall perceive her behaviour.
2535:
2536:
2537: Giraldo, Emilias Schoolemaster; he's as
2538:
Fantasticall too, as ever he may goe upon's legs,
2539: For in
the next world will Dido see Palamon, and
2540: Then will she be out of love with Eneas.
2541:
Doct.
What stuff's here? pore soule.
2542:
Ioy.
Ev'n thus all day long.
2543:
2544:
2545: Or no ferry: then if it be your chance to
come where
2546: The blessed spirits, as ther's a sight now; we maids
2547: That have our Lyvers, perish'd, crakt to peeces with
2548: Love, we shall come there, and doe nothing all day long
2549: But picke flowers with Proserpine, then will I make
2550: Palamon a Nosegay, then let him marke me, = then.
2551:
2552:
2553:
2554: Thother
place, such burning, frying, boyling, hissing,
2555: Howling,
chattring, cursing, oh they have shrowd
2556: Measure, take heede; if
one be mad, or hang or
2557: Drowne themselves, thither they goe, Iupiter blesse
2558:
Vs, and there shall we be put in a
Caldron of
2559: Lead, and Vsurers grease, amongst a whole million of
2560: Cutpurses, and there boyle like a Gamon of Bacon
2561: That will never be enough. [
Exit.]
2562:
Doct.
How her braine coynes?
2563:
2564:
2565:
2566:
2567:
2568:
2569:
2570:
2571:
2572:
2573:
2574:
2575:
2576:
2577:
[ Sings.]
I will be true, my
stars, my fate, &c. [ Exit. Daugh.]
2578:
Iay.
What thinke you
of her Sir?
2579: (minister to.
2580:
2581:
Doct.
Vnderstand you, she ever affected any man, ere
2582: She beheld Palamon?
2583:
Iay.
I was once Sir, in great hope, she had fixd her
2584: Liking on this gentleman my friend.
2585:
Woo.
I did thinke so too, and would account I had a
(great
2586: Pen-worth on't, to give halfe my state, that both
2587: She and I at this present, stood unfainedly on the
2588: Same tearmes.
2589:
2590:
2591:
Execute
their preordaind faculties, but they are
2592: Now in a most
extravagant vagary. This you
2593: Must doe, Confine her to a place,
where the light
2594: May rather seeme to steale in, then be
permitted; take
2595: Vpon you (yong Sir her friend) the name of
2596: Palamon, say you come to eate with her, and to
2597: Commune of Love; this will catch her attention, for
2598: This her minde beates upon; other objects that are
2599: Inserted tweene her minde and eye, become the prankes
2600:
And
friskins of her madnes; Sing to her, such greene
2601: Songs of Love,
as she sayes Palamon hath sung in
2602: Prison; Come to her,
stucke in as sweet flowers, as the
2603: Season is mistres of, and
thereto make an addition of
2604: Som other compounded odours, which
are grateful to the
2605: Sence: all this shall become Palamon, for Palamon can
2606:
Sing, and Palamon
is sweet, and ev'ry good thing, desire
2607: To eate with her, crave
her, drinke to her, and still
2608: Among, intermingle your petition
of grace and acceptance
2609: Into her favour: Learne what Maides
have beene her
2610: Companions, and play-pheeres, and let them
repaire to
2611: Her with Palamon in their mouthes, and
appeare with
2612: Tokens, as if they suggested for him, It is a
falsehood
2613: She is in, which is with falsehoods to be combated.
2614: This may bring her to eate, to sleepe, and reduce what's
2615: Now out of square in her, into their former law, and
2616: Regiment; I have seene it approved, how
many times
2617: I know not, but to make the number more, I have
2618: Great hope in this. I will betweene the passages of
2619: This project, come in with my applyance: Let us
2620:
2621:
Act V Scene 1
2622: Actus Quintus.
2623: Scaena 1. Enter Thesius, Perithous, Hipolita,
attendants.
2624:
2625: Tender their holy prayers: Let
the Temples
2626: Burne bright with sacred fires, and the Altars
2627: In hallowed clouds commend their swelling Incense
2628: To those above us: Let no due be wanting,
2629:
[ Florish
of Cornets.]
2630: They have a noble worke in hand, will
honour
2631: The very powers that love 'em.
2632: [ Enter Palamon and Arcite, and their Knights.]
2633:
Per.
Sir they enter.
2634:
Thes.
You valiant and strong harted Enemies
2635: You royall German foes, that this day come
2636: To
blow that nearenesse out that flames betweene ye;
2637: Lay by your
anger for an houre, and dove-like
2638: