The Two Noble Kinsmen
Act III

III.i

Enter Arcite alone.

ARCITE
  The Duke has lost Hippolyta; each took
  A several laund. This is a solemn rite
  They owe bloomed May, and the Athenians pay it
  To'th heart of ceremony. Oh, Queen Emilia,
  Fresher than May, sweeter
  Than her gold buttons on the boughs, or all
  Th' enamelled knacks o'th mead, or garden - yea,
  We challenge too the bank of any nymph
  That makes the stream seem flowers: thou, oh jewel
  O'th wood, o'th world, hast likewise blest a pace
  With thy sole presence. In thy rumination
  That I, poor man, might eftsoons come between
  And chop on some cold thought! Thrice blessed chance
  To drop on such a mistress, expectation
  Most guiltless on't! Tell me, oh Lady Fortune
  (Next, after Emily, my sovereign) how far
  I may be proud. She takes strong note of me,
  Hath made me near her, and, this beauteous morn
  (The prim'st of all the year) presents me with
  A brace of horses: two such steeds might well
  Be by a pair of kings backed, in a field
  That their crowns' titles tried. Alas, alas,
  Poor cousin Palamon, poor prisoner, thou
  So little dream'st upon my fortune, that
  Thou thinkst thyself the happier thing, to be
  So near Emilia; me thou deem'st at Thebes,
  And therein wretched, although free. But if
  Thou knew'st my mistress breathed on me, and that
  I ear'd her language, lived in her eye; oh, coz,
  What passion would enclose thee.

Enter Palamon as out of a bush, with his shackles; [he] bends his
fists at Arcite. 

PALAMON
                                     Traitor kinsman,
  Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signs
  Of prisonment were off me and this hand
  But owner of a sword! By all oaths in one, 
  I and the iustice of my love would make thee
  A confessed traitor! Oh, thou most perfidious
  That ever gently looked, the void'st of honour
  That e'er bore gentle token, falsest cousin
  That ever blood made kin: call'st thou her thine?
  I'll prove it in my shackles, with these hands,
  Void of appointment, that thou liest, and art
  A very thief in love, a chaffy lord
  Nor worth the name of villain. Had I a sword
  And these house clogges away -

ARCITE
                                  Dear cousin Palamon -

PALAMON
  Cozener Arcite, give me language such
  As thou hast showed me feat.

ARCITE
                                 Not finding in
  The circuit of my breast any gross stuff
  To form me like your blazon, holds me to
  This gentleness of answer. 'Tis your passion
  That thus mistakes, the which to you being enemy,
  Cannot to me be kind: honor and honesty
  I cherish and depend on, howsoe'er
  You skip them in me, and with them, fair coz,
  I'll maintain my proceedings. Pray be pleased
  To show in generous terms your griefes, since that
  Your question's with your equal, who professes
  To clear his own way with the mind and sword
  Of a true gentleman.

PALAMON
                        That thou durst, Arcite!

ARCITE
  My coz, my coz, you have been well advertised
  How much I dare; you've seen me use my sword
  Against th' advice of fear. Sure, of another
  You would not hear me doubted, but your silence
  Should break out, though i'th sanctuary.

PALAMON
                                             Sir,
  I have seen you move in such a place, which well
  Might justify your manhood; you were called
  A good knight and a bold. But the whole week's not fair
  If any day it rain: their valiant temper
  Men lose when they incline to treachery,
  And then they fight like compelled beares; would fly
  Were they not tied.

ARCITE
                      Cousin, you might as well
  Speak this and act it in your glass as to
  His ear which now disdains you.

PALAMON
                                   Come up to me;
  Quit me of these cold gyves; give me a sword,
  Though it be rusty, and the charity
  Of one meal lend me. Come before me then,
  A good sword in thy hand, and do but say
  That Emily is thine - I will forgive
  The trespass thou hast done me, yea, my life,
  If then thou carry't, and brave souls in shades
  That have died manly, which will seek of me
  Some news from earth, they shall get none but this:
  That thou art brave and noble.

ARCITE
                                  Be content.
  Again betake you to your hawthorn house.
  With counsel of the night, I will be here
  With wholesome viands. These impediments
  Will I file off; you shall have garments and
  Perfumes to kill the smell o'th prison. After,
  When you shall stretch yourself and say but, 'Arcite
  I am in plight', there shall be at your choice
  Both sword and armour.

PALAMON
                          Oh you heavens, dares any
  So noble bear a guilty business! None
  But only Arcite; therefore none but Arcite
  In this kind is so bold.

ARCITE
                             Sweet Palamon.

PALAMON
  I do embrace you, and your offer; for
  Your offer do't I only, sir; your person
  Without hipocrisy I may not wish

Wind horns of cornets.

  More then my sword's edge on't.

ARCITE
                                  You hear the horns;
  Enter your musit, lest this match between's
  Be crossed ere met. Give me your hand; farewell.
  I'll bring you every needful thing. I pray you
  Take comfort and be strong.

PALAMON
                               Pray hold your promise
  And do the deed with a bent brow. Most certain
  You love me not; be rough with me, and pour
  This oil out of your language. By this air,
  I could for each word give a cuff, my stomach
  Not reconciled by reason.

ARCITE
                              Plainly spoken.
  Yet pardon me hard language. When I spur

Wind horns.

  My horse, I chide him not; content and anger
  In me have but one face. Hark, sir, they call
  The scattered to the banquet; you must guess
  I have an office there.

PALAMON
                           Sir, your attendance
  Cannot please heaven, and I know your office
  Unjustly is achieved.

ARCITE
                          'Tis a good title.
  I am persuaded this question, sick between's,
  By bleeding must be cured. I am a suitor
  That to your sword you will bequeath this plea,
  And talk of it no more.

PALAMON
                           But this one word:
  You are going now to gaze upon my mistres -
  For, note you, mine she is -

ARCITE
                                  Nay, then -

PALAMON
                                                 Nay, pray you!
  You talk of feeding me to breed me strength.
  You are going now to look upon a sun
  That strengthens what it looks on; there
  You have a vantage o'er me. But enjoy't till
  I may enforce my remedy. Farewell. 

Exeunt.

III.ii

Enter Jailer'a Daughter alone.

DAUGHTER
  He has mistook the brake I meant, is gone
  After his fancy. 'Tis now well nigh morning,
  No matter: would it were perpetual night,
  And darkness lord o'th'world! - Hark, 'tis a wolf!
  In me hath grief slain fear and but for one thing
  I care for nothing and that's Palamon.
  I reck not if the wolves would jaw me, so
  He had this file. What if I hallooed for him?
  I cannot hallow. If I whooped - what then?
  If he not answered, I should call a wolf,
  And do him but that service. I have heard
  Strange howls this livelong night; why may't not be
  They have made prey of him? He has no weapons,
  He cannot run: the jangling of his gyves
  Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
  A sense to know a man unarmed and can
  Smell where resistance is. I'll set it down,
  He's torn to pieces; they howled many together
  And then they fed on him. So much for that:
  Be bold to ring the bell. How stand I then?
  All's chared when he is gone - no, no, I lie.
  My father's to be hanged for his escape,
  Myself to beg, if I prized life so much
  As to deny my act - but that I would not,
  Should I try death by dozens. I am moped.
  Food took I none these two days;
  Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes,
  Save when my lids scoured off their brine. Alas,
  Dissolve, my life! Let not my sense unsettle,
  Lest I should drown, or stab, or hang myself.
  Oh, state of nature, fail together in me,
  Since thy best props are warped! - So, which way now?
  The best way is the next way to a grave:
  Each errant step beside is torment. Lo,
  The moon is down, the crickets chirp, the screech-owl
  Call in the dawn; all offices are done
  Save what I fail in. But the point is this:
  An end, and that is all. 

III.iii

Scaena 3. Enter Arcite, with Meate, Wine, and Files.



Pal.
Arcite.

Arc.
The same: I have brought you foode and files,
Come forth and feare not, here's no Theseus.

Pal.
Nor none so honest Arcite.

Arc.
That's no matter,
Wee'l argue that hereafter: Come take courage,
You shall not dye thus beastly, here Sir drinke
I know you are faint, then ile talke further with you.

Pal.
Arcite, thou mightst now poyson me.

Arc.
I might.
But I must feare you first: Sit downe, and good now
No more of these vaine parlies; let us not
Having our ancient reputation with us
Make talke for Fooles, and Cowards, To your health, &c.

Pal.
Doe.

Arc.
Pray sit downe then, and let me entreate you
By all the honesty and honour in you,
No mention of this woman, t'will disturbe us,
We shall have time enough.

Pal.
Well Sir, Ile pledge you.

Arc.
Drinke a good hearty draught, it breeds good (blood man.
Doe you not feele it thaw you?

Pal.
Stay, Ile tell you after a draught or two more.



Arc.
I am glad you have so good a stomach.

Pal.
I am gladder I have so good meate too't.




Arc.
How tasts your vittails? your hunger needs no sawce (I see, 
But if it did, yours is too tart: sweete Cosen: what is this?

Arc.
Venison.

Pal.
Tis a lusty meate:
Giue me more wine; here Arcite to the wenches



Arc.
After you Cuz.

Pal.
She lov'd a black-haird man.

Arc.
She did so; well Sir.

Pal.
And I have heard some call him Arcite, and

Arc.
Out with't faith.

Pal.
She met him in an Arbour:
What did she there Cuz? play o'th virginals?

Arc.
Something she did Sir.

Pal.
Made her groane a moneth for't; or 2. or 3. or 10.

Arc.
The Marshals Sister,
Had her share too, as I remember Cosen,
Else there be tales abroade, you'l pledge her?

Pal.
Yes.

Arc.
A pretty broune wench t'is. There was a time
When yong men went a hunting, and a wood,


Away with this straind mirth; I say againe
That sigh was breathd for Emily; base Cosen,
Dar'st thou breake first?

Arc.
You are wide.

Pal.
By heaven and earth, ther's nothing in thee honest.

Arc.
Then Ile leave you: you are a Beast now:

Pal.
As thou makst me, Traytour.

perfumes: 
That that shall quiet all,

Pal.
A Sword and Armour.

Arc.
Feare me not; you are now too fowle; farewell.
Get off your Trinkets, you shall want nought;

Pal.
Sirha:

Arc.
Ile heare no more. 

Exit.


Pal.
If he keepe touch, he dies for't. 

Exit.

III.iv

Enter Jailer's Daughter.

DAUGHTER
  I am very cold and all the stars are out too,
  The little stars and all, that looke like aglets:
  The sun has seen my folly. - Palamon! -
  Alas, no, he's in heaven; where am I now?
  Yonder's the sea and there's a ship; how't tumbles!
  And there's a rock lies watching under water;
  Now, now, it beates upon it; now, now, now!
  There's a leak sprung, a sound one! How they cry!
  Run her before the wind, you'll lose all else.
  Up with a course or two and tack about, boys!
  Good night, good night, you're gone - I am very hungry.
  Would I could find a fine frog; he would tell me
  News from all parts o'th'world. Then would I make
  A carrack of a cockle shell and sail
  By east and north-east to the king of pygmies,
  For he tells fortunes rarely. Now, my father
  Twenty to one is trussed up in a trice
  Tomorrow morning; I'll say never a word.
                                                (Sings)
        For I'll cut my green coat, a foot above my knee
        And I'll clip my yellow locks, an inch below mine eye.
                Hey, nonny, nonny, nonny.
        He's buy me a white cut, forth for to ride,
        And I'll go seek him through the world that is so wide.
                Hey, nonny, nonny, nonny.

  Oh, for a prick now, like a nightingale, 
  To put my breast against. I shall sleep like a top else. 

III.v

Scaena 6. Enter a Schoole master .4. Countrymen: and


Baum .2. or 3 wenches, with a Taborer.


















1.
And sweetly we will doe it Master Gerrold.

2.
Draw up the Company, Where's the Taborour.

3.
Why Timothy.

Tab.
Here my mad boyes, have at ye.

Sch.
But I say where's their women?

4.
Here's Friz and Maudline.

2.
And litle Luce with the white legs, and bouncing 
(Barbery. 
1.
And freckeled Nel; that never faild her Master.


And now and then a fauour, and a friske.

Nel.
Let us alone Sir.

Sch.
Wher's the rest o'th Musicke.

3.
Dispersd as you commanded.

Sch.
Couple then
And see what's wanting; wher's the Bavian?
My friend, carry your taile without offence
Or scandall to the Ladies; and be sure
You tumble with audacity, and manhood,
And when you barke doe it with judgement.

Bau.
Yes Sir.

Sch.
Quo usque tandem. Here is a woman wanting

4.
We may goe whistle: all the fat's i'th fire.

Sch.
We have,
As learned Authours utter, washd a Tile,
We have beene fatuus, and laboured vainely.

2.
This is that scornefull peece, that scurvy hilding
That gave her promise faithfully, she would be here,
Cicely the Sempsters daughter:
The next gloves that I give her shall be dog skin;
Nay and she faile me once, you can tell Arcas
She swore by wine, and bread, she would not breake.

Sch.
An Eele and woman,
A learned Poet sayes: unles by'th taile
And with thy teeth thou hold, will either faile,
In manners this was false position

1.
A fire ill take her; do's she flinch now?

3.
What
Shall we determine Sir?

Sch.
Nothing,
Our busines is become a nullity
Yea, and a woefull, and a pittious nullity.

4.
Now when the credite of our Towne lay on it,
Now to be frampall, now to pisse o'th nettle,
Goe thy waies, ile remember thee, ile fit thee,


Enter Iaylors daughter.


Daughter.
The George alow, came from the South, from
The coast of Barbary a.
And there he met with brave gallants of war
By one, by two, by three, a
Well haild, well haild, you jolly gallants,
And whither now are you bound a


Chaire and


stooles out.
O let me have your company till come to the sound a
There was three fooles, fell out about an howlet
The one sed it was an owle
The other, he sed nay,






Sch.
And are you mad good woman?

Daugh.
I would be sorry else,
Give me your hand.

Sch.
Why?

Daugh.
I can tell your fortune.
You are a foole: tell ten, I have pozd him: Buz
Friend you must eate no white bread, if you doe
Your teeth will bleede extreamely, shall we dance ho?
I know you, y'ar a Tinker: Sirha Tinker
Stop no more holes, but what you should.

Sch.
Dij boni. A Tinker Damzell?


Daug.
Or a Conjurer: raise me a devill now, and let him (play 


Strike up, and leade her in.

2.
Come Lasse, lets trip it.

Daugh.
Ile leade. 

(Winde Hornes:


3.
Doe, doe.

Sch.
Perswasively, and cunningly: away boyes,


Ex. all but Schoolemaster.

I heare the hornes: give me some
Meditation, and marke your Cue;
Pallas inspire me.


Enter Thes. Pir. Hip. Emil. Arcite: and traine.


Thes.
This way the Stag tooke.

Sch.
Stay, and edifie.

Thes.
What have we here?

Per.
Some Countrey sport, upon my life Sir.

Per.
Well Sir, goe forward, we will edifie.
Ladies sit downe, wee'l stay it.

Sch.
Thou doughtie Duke all haile: all haile sweet (Ladies.

Thes.
This is a cold beginning.


That ruder Tongues distinguish villager.
And to say veritie, and not to fable;
We are a merry rout, or else a rable
Or company, or by a figure, Choris
That fore thy dignitie will dance a Morris.
And I that am the rectifier of all
By title Pedagogus, that let fall
The Birch upon the Breeches of the small ones,
And humble with a Ferula the tall ones,
Doe here present this Machine, or this frame,
And daintie Duke, whose doughtie dismall fame
From Dis to Dedalus, from post to pillar
Is blowne abroad; helpe me thy poore well willer,
And with thy twinckling eyes, looke right and straight
Vpon this mighty Morr = of mickle waight
Is = now comes in, which being glewd together
Makes Morris, and the cause that we came hether.
The body of our sport of no small study
I first appeare, though rude, and raw, and muddy,
To speake before thy noble grace, this tenner:
At whose great feete I offer up my penner.
The next the Lord of May, and Lady bright,
The Chambermaid, and Servingman by night
That seeke out silent hanging: Then mine Host
And his fat Spowse, that welcomes to their cost
The gauled Traveller, and with a beckning
Informes the Tapster to inflame the reckning:
Then the beast eating Clowne, and next the foole,
The Bavian with long tayle, and eke long toole,
Cum multis alijs that make a dance,
Say I, and all shall presently advance.

Thes.
I, I by any meanes, deere Domine.

Per.
Produce. 

Musicke Dance.

Intrate filij, Come forth, and foot it,


Knocke for


Schoole. Enter


The Dance.
Ladies, if we have beene merry
And have pleasd thee with a derry,
And a derry, and a downe
Say the Schoolemaster's no Clowne:
Duke, if we have pleasd three too
And have done as good Boyes should doe,
Give us but a tree or twaine
For a Maypole, and againe
Ere another yeare run out,
Wee'l make thee laugh and all this rout.

Thes.
Take 20. Domine; how does my sweet heart.

Hip.
Never so pleasd Sir.

Emil.
Twas an excellent dance, and for a preface
I never heard a better.


Thes.
Schoolemaster, I thanke you, One see 'em all rewarded. 


Sch.
May the Stag thou huntst stand long,
And thy dogs be swift and strong:
May they kill him without lets,

III.vi

Pal.
About this houre my Cosen gave his faith
To visit me againe, and with him bring
Two Swords, and two good Armors; if he faile
He's neither man, nor Souldier; when he left me
I did not thinke a weeke could have restord
My lost strength to me, I was growne so low,
And Crest-falne with my wants: I thanke thee Arcite,
Thou art yet a faire Foe; and I feele my selfe
With this refreshing, able once againe
To out dure danger: To delay it longer


And not a Souldier: Therefore this blest morning
Shall be the last; and that Sword he refuses,
If it but hold, I kill him with; tis Iustice:
So love, and Fortune for me: O good morrow.


Enter Arcite with Armors and Swords.


Arc.
Good morrow noble kinesman,

Pal.
I have put you
To too much paines Sir.

Arc.
That too much faire Cosen,
Is but a debt to honour, and my duty.

Pal.
Would you were so in all Sir; I could wish ye
As kinde a kinsman, as you force me finde
A beneficiall foe, that my embraces
Might thanke ye, not my blowes.

Arc.
I shall thinke either
Well done, a noble recompence.

Pal.
Then I shall quit you.

Arc.
Defy me in these faire termes, and you show
More then a Mistris to me, no more anger
As you love any thing that's honourable;
We were not bred to talke man, when we are arm'd
And both upon our guards, then let our fury
Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us,
And then to whom the birthright of this Beauty
Truely pertaines (without obbraidings, scornes,
Dispisings of our persons, and such powtings
Fitter for Girles and Schooleboyes) will be seene
And quickly, yours, or mine: wilt please you arme Sir,
Or if you feele your selfe not fitting yet
And furnishd with your old strength, ile stay Cosen
And ev'ry day discourse you into health,
As I am spard, your person I am friends with,
And I could wish I had not saide I lov'd her
Though I had dide; But loving such a Lady
And justifying my Love, I must not fly from't.

Pal. Arcite
, thou art so brave an enemy
That no man but thy Cosen's fit to kill thee,
I am well, and lusty, choose your Armes.

Arc.
Choose you Sir.

Pal.
Wilt thou exceede in all, or do'st thou doe it
To make me spare thee?

Arc.
If you thinke so Cosen,
You are deceived, for as I am a Soldier.
I will not spare you.

Pal.
That's well said.

Arc.
You'l finde it

Pal.
Then as I am an honest man and love,
With all the justice of affection
Ile pay thee soundly: This ile take.

Arc.
That's mine then,
Ile arme you first.

Pal.
Do: pray thee tell me Cosen,
Where gotst thou this good Armour.

Arc.
Tis the Dukes,
And to say true, I stole it; doe I pinch you?

Pal.
Noe.

Arc.
Is't not too heavie?

Pal.
I have worne a lighter,
But I shall make it serve.

Arc.
Ile buckl't close.

Pal.
By any meanes.

Arc.
You care not for a Grand guard?

Pal.
No, no, wee'l use no horses, I perceave
You would be faine be at that Fight.

Arc.
I am indifferent.

Pal.
Faith so am I: good Cosen, thrust the buckle
Through far enough.

Arc.
I warrant you.

Pal.
My Caske now.

Arc.
Will you fight bare-armd?

Pal.
We shall be the nimbler.



Pal.
Thanke you Arcite.
How doe I looke, am I falne much away?

Arc.
Faith very little; love has usd you kindly.

Pal.
Ile warrant thee, Ile strike home.

Arc.
Doe, and spare not;
Ile give you cause sweet Cosen.

Pal.
Now to you Sir,
Me thinkes this Armor's very like that, Arcite,
Thou wor'st that day the 3. Kings fell, but lighter.

Arc.
That was a very good one, and that day
I well remember, you outdid me Cosen,
I never saw such valour: when you chargd
Vpon the left wing of the Enemie,
I spurd hard to come up, and under me
I had a right good horse.

Pal.
You had indeede
A bright Bay I remember.

Arc.
Yes but all
Was vainely labour'd in me, you outwent me,
Nor could my wishes reach you; yet a little
I did by imitation.

Pal.
More by vertue,
You are modest Cosen.

Arc.
When I saw you charge first,
Me thought I heard a dreadfull clap of Thunder
Breake from the Troope.

Pal.
But still before that flew
The lightning of your valour: Stay a little,
Is not this peece too streight?

Arc.
No, no, tis well.

Pal.
I would have nothing hurt thee but my Sword,
A bruise would be dishonour.

Arc.
Now I am perfect.

Pal.
Stand off then.

Arc.
Take my Sword, I hold it better.

Pal.
I thanke ye: No, keepe it, your life lyes on it,
Here's one, if it but hold, I aske no more.
For all my hopes: My Cause and honour guard me.

Arc.
And me my love: Is there ought else to say?


They bow severall


wayes:


then advance


and stand.

Pal.
This onely, and no more: Thou art mine Aunts Son.
And that blood we desire to shed is mutuall,
In me, thine, and in thee, mine: My Sword
Is in my hand, and if thou killst me
The gods, and I forgive thee; If there be
A place prepar'd for those that sleepe in honour,
I wish his wearie soule, that falls may win it:
Fight bravely Cosen, give me thy noble hand.

Arc.
Here Palamon: This hand shall never more
Come neare thee with such friendship.

Pal.
I commend thee.

Arc.
If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward,
For none but such, dare die in these just Tryalls.
Once more farewell my Cosen,

Pal.
Farewell Arcite. 

Fight.



Hornes within: they stand.


Arc.
Loe Cosen, loe, our Folly has undon us.

Pal.
Why?

Arc.
This is the Duke, a hunting as I told you,
If we be found, we are wretched, O retire
For honours sake, and safely presently
Into your Bush agen; Sir we shall finde
Too many howres to dye in, gentle Cosen:
If you be seene you perish instantly
For breaking prison, and I, if you reveale me,
For my contempt; Then all the world will scorne us,
And say we had a noble difference,
But base disposers of it.

Pal.
No, no, Cosen
I will no more be hidden, not put off
This great adventure to a second Tryall:
I know your cunning, and I know your cause,
He that faints now, shame take him, put thy selfe
Vpon thy present guard.

Arc.
You are not mad?

Pal.
Or I will make th' advantage of this howre
Mine owne, and what to come shall threaten me,
I feare lesse then my fortune: know weake Cosen
I love Emilia, and in that ile bury
Thee, and all crosses else.

Arc.
Then come, what can come
Thou shalt know Palamon, I dare as well
Die, as discourse, or sleepe: Onely this feares me,
The law will have the honour of our ends.
Have at thy life.

Pal.
Looke to thine owne well Arcite.


Fight againe. Hornes.



Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Emilia, Perithous and traine.


Theseus.
What ignorant and mad malicious Traitors,
Are you? That gainst the tenor of my Lawes
Are making Battaile, thus like Knights appointed,
Without my leave, and Officers of Armes?
By Castor both shall dye.

Pal.
Hold thy word Theseus,
We are certainly both Traitors, both despisers
Of thee, and of thy goodnesse: I am Palamon
That cannot love thee, he that broke thy Prison,
Thinke well, what that deserves; and this is Arcite
A bolder Traytor never trod thy ground
A Falser neu'r seem'd friend: This is the man
Was begd and banish'd, this is he contemnes thee
And what thou dar'st doe; and in this disguise
Against this owne Edict followes thy Sister,
That fortunate bright Star, the faire Emilia
Whose servant, (if there be a right in seeing,
And first bequeathing of the soule to) justly
I am, and which is more, dares thinke her his.
This treacherie like a most trusty Lover,
I call'd him now to answer; if thou bee'st
As thou art spoken, great and vertuous,
The true descider of all injuries,
Say, Fight againe, and thou shalt see me Theseus
Doe such a Iustice, thou thy selfe wilt envie,
Then take my life, Ile wooe thee too't.

Per.
O heaven,
What more then man is this!

Thes.
I have sworne.

Arc.
We seeke not
Thy breath of mercy Theseus, Tis to me
A thing as soone to dye, as thee to say it,
And no more mov'd: where this man calls me Traitor,
Let me say thus much; if in love be Treason,
In service of so excellent a Beutie,
As I love most, and in that faith will perish,
As I have brought my life here to confirme it,
As I have serv'd her truest, worthiest,
As I dare kill this Cosen, that denies it,
So let me be most Traitor, and ye please me:
For scorning thy Edict Duke, aske that Lady
Why she is faire, and why her eyes command me
Stay here to love her; and if she say Traytor,
I am a villaine fit to lye unburied.

Pal.
Thou shalt have pitty of us both, o Theseus,
If unto neither thou shew mercy, stop,
(As thou art just) thy noble eare against us,
As thou art valiant; for thy Cosens soule
Whose 12. strong labours crowne his memory,
Lets die together, at one instant Duke,
Onely a little let him fall before me,
That I may tell my Soule he shall not have her.

Thes.
I grant your wish, for to say true, your Cosen
Has ten times more offended, for I gave him
More mercy then you found, Sir, your offenses
Being no more then his: None here speake for 'em
For ere the Sun set, both shall sleepe for ever.

Hipol.
Alas the pitty, now or never Sister
Speake not to be denide; That face of yours
Will beare the curses else of after ages
For these lost Cosens.

Emil.
In my face deare Sister
I finde no anger to 'em; nor no ruyn,
The misadventure of their owne eyes kill 'em;
Yet that I will be woman, and have pitty,
My knees shall grow to'th ground but Ile get mercie.
Helpe me deare Sister, in a deede so vertuous,
The powers of all women will be with us,
Most royall Brother.

Hipol.
Sir by our tye of Marriage.

Emil.
By your owne spotlesse honour.

Hip.
By that faith,
That faire hand, and that honest heart you gave me.

Emil.
By that you would have pitty in another,
By your owne vertues infinite.

Hip.
By valour,
By all the chaste nights I have ever pleasd you.

Thes.
These are strange Conjurings.


Per.
Nay then Ile in too: By all our friendship Sir, by all (our dangers, 

Emil.
By that you would have trembled to deny
A blushing Maide.

Hip.
By your owne eyes: By strength
In which you swore I went beyond all women,
Almost all men, and yet I yeelded Theseus.

Per.
To crowne all this; By your most noble soule
Which cannot want due mercie, I beg first.

Hip.
Next heare my prayers.

Emil.
Last let me intreate Sir.

Per.
For mercy.

Hip.
Mercy.

Emil.
Mercy on these Princes.

Thes.
Ye make my faith reele: Say I felt
Compassion to 'em both, how would you place it?

Emil.
Vpon their lives: But with their banishments.

Thes.
You are a right woman, Sister; you have pitty,
But want the vnderstanding where to use it.
If you desire their lives, invent a way
Safer then banishment: Can these two live
And have the agony of love about 'em,
And not kill one another? Every day
They'ld fight about you; howrely bring your honour
In publique question with their Swords; Be wise then
And here forget 'em; it concernes your credit,
And my oth equally: I have said they die,
Better they fall by'th law, then one another.
Bow not my honor.

Emil.
O my noble Brother,
That oth was rashly made, and in your anger,
Your reason will not hold it, if such vowes
Stand for expresse will, all the world must perish.
Beside, I have another oth, gainst yours
Of more authority, I am sure more love,
Not made in passion neither, but good heede.

Thes.
What is it Sister?

Per.
Vrge it home brave Lady.

Emil.
That you would nev'r deny me any thing
Fit for my modest suit, and your free granting:
I tye you to your word now, if ye fall in't,
Thinke how you maime your honour;
(For now I am set a begging Sir, I am deafe
To all but your compassion) how their lives
Might breed the ruine of my name; Opinion,
Shall any thing that loves me perish for me?
That were a cruell wisedome, doe men proyne


The goodly Mothers that have groand for these,
And all the longing Maides that ever lov'd,
If your vow stand, shall curse me and my Beauty,
And in their funerall songs, for these two Cosens
Despise my crueltie, and cry woe worth me,
Till I am nothing but the scorne of women;
For heavens sake save their lives, and banish 'em.

Thes.
On what conditions?

Emil.
Sweare 'em never more
To make me their Contention, or to know me,
To tread upon thy Dukedome, and to be


Before I take this oth, forget I love her?
O all ye gods dispise me then: Thy Banishment
I not mislike, so we may fairely carry
Our Swords, and cause along: else never trifle,
But take our lives Duke, I must love and will,
And for that love, must and dare kill this Cosen
On any peece the earth has.

Thes.
Will you Arcite
Take these conditions?

Pal.
He's a villaine then.

Per.
These are men.


I never shall enjoy her, yet ile preserve
The honour of affection, and dye for her,
Make death a Devill.




Content to take th' other to your husband?
They cannot both enjoy you; They are Princes
As goodly as your owne eyes, and as noble
As ever fame yet spoke of; looke upon 'em,
And if you can love, end this difference,
I give consent, are you content too Princes?

Both.
With all our soules.

Thes.
He that she refuses
Must dye then.

Both.
Any death thou canst invent Duke.

Pal.
If I fall from that mouth, I fall with favour,
And Lovers yet unborne shall blesse my ashes.

Arc.
If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me,
And Souldiers sing my Epitaph.

Thes.
Make choice then.

Emil.
I cannot Sir, they are both too excellent
For me, a hayre shall never fall of these men.

Hip.
What will become of 'em?

Thes.
Thus I ordaine it,
And by mine honor, once againe it stands,
Or both shall dye. You shall both to your Countrey,
And each within this moneth accompanied
With three faire Knights, appeare againe in this place,
In which Ile plant a Pyramid; and whether
Before us that are here, can force his Cosen
By fayre and knightly strength to touch the Pillar,
He shall enjoy her: the other loose his head,
And all his friends; Nor shall he grudge to fall,
Nor thinke he dies with interest in this Lady:
Will this content yee?

Pal.
Yes: here Cosen Arcite
I am friends againe, till that howre.

Arc.
I embrace ye.

Thes.
Are you content Sister?

Emil.
Yes, I must Sir,
Els both miscarry.

Thes.
Come shake hands againe then,
And take heede, as you are Gentlemen, this Quarrell
Sleepe till the howre prefixt, and hold your course.

Pal.
We dare not faile thee Theseus.

Thes.
Come, Ile give ye
Now usage like to Princes, and to Friends:
When ye returne, who wins, Ile settle heere,
Who looses, yet Ile weepe upon his Beere. 

Exeunt.