The Two Noble Kinsmen
Act V

V.i

Scaena 1. Enter Thesius, Perithous, Hipolita, attendants. 
Tender their holy prayers: Let the Temples
Burne bright with sacred fires, and the Altars
In hallowed clouds commend their swelling Incense
To those above us: Let no due be wanting,


Florish of Cornets.

They have a noble worke in hand, will honour
The very powers that love 'em.


Enter Palamon and Arcite, and their Knights.


Per.
Sir they enter.

Thes.
You valiant and strong harted Enemies
You royall German foes, that this day come
To blow that nearenesse out that flames betweene ye;
Lay by your anger for an houre, and dove-like
Before the holy Altars of your helpers
(The all feard gods) bow downe your stubborne bodies,
Your ire is more than mortall; So your helpe be,
And as the gods regard ye, fight with Iustice,
Ile leave you to your prayers, and betwixt ye
I part my wishes.

Per.
Honour crowne the worthiest.


Exit Theseus, and his traine.


Pal.
The glasse is running now that cannot finish
Till one of us expire: Thinke you but thus,
That were there ought in me which strove to show
Mine enemy in this businesse, wer't one eye
Against another: Arme opprest by Arme:
I would destroy th 'offender, Coz, I would
Though parcell of my selfe: Then from this gather
How I should tender you.

Arc.
I am in labour
To push your name, your auncient love, our kindred
Out of my memory; and i'th selfe same place
To seate something I would confound: So hoyst we
The sayles, that must these vessells port even where
The heavenly Lymiter pleases.

Pal.
You speake well;
Before I turne, Let me embrace thee Cosen
This I shall never doe agen.

Arc.
One farewell.

Pal.
Why let it be so: Farewell Coz.


Exeunt Palamon and his Knights.


Arc.
Farewell Sir;
Knights, Kinsemen, Lovers, yea my Sacrifices
True worshippers of Mars, whose spirit in you
Expells the seedes of feare, and th' apprehension
Which still is farther off it, Goe with me
Before the god of our profession: There
Require of him the hearts of Lyons, and
The breath of Tigers, yea the fearcenesse too,
Yea the speed also, to goe on, I meane:
Else wish we to be Snayles; you know my prize
Must be drag'd out of blood, force and great feate
Must put my Garland on, where she stickes
The Queene of Flowers: our intercession then
Must be to him that makes the Campe, a Cestron
Brymd with the blood of men: give me your aide
And bend your spirits towards him. 

They kneele.

Thou mighty one, that with thy power hast turnd
Greene Neptune into purple.
Comets prewarne, whose havocke in vaste Feild
Vnearthed skulls proclaime, whose breath blowes downe,
The teeming Ceres foyzon, who dost plucke
With hand armenypotent from forth blew clowdes,
The masond Turrets, that both mak'st, and break'st
The stony girthes of Citties: me thy puple,
Yongest follower of thy Drom, instruct this day
With military skill, that to thy lawde
I may advance my Streamer, and by thee,
Be stil'd the Lord o'th day, give me great Mars
Some token of thy pleasure.



Here they fall on their faces as formerly, and there is heard



Shaker of ore-rank States, thou grand decider
Of dustie, and old tytles, that healst with blood
The earth when it is sicke, and curst the world
O'th pluresie of people; I doe take
Thy signes auspiciously, and in thy name
To my designe; march boldly, let us goe. 

Exeunt.



To daie extinct; our argument is love,
Which if the goddesse of it grant, she gives
Victory too, then blend your spirits with mine,
You, whose free noblenesse doe make my cause
Your personall hazard; to the goddesse Venus
Commend we our proceeding, and implore
Her power unto our partie. 

Here they kneele as formerly.

Haile Soveraigne Queene of secrets, who hast power
To call the feircest Tyrant from his rage;
And weepe unto a Girle; that ha'st the might
Even with an ey-glance, to choke Marsis Drom
And turne th' allarme to whispers, that canst make
A Criple florish with his Crutch, and cure him
Before Apollo; that may'st force the King
To be his subjects vassaile, and induce
Stale gravitie to daunce, the pould Bachelour
Whose youth like wanton Boyes through Bonfyres
Have skipt thy flame, at seaventy, thou canst catch
And make him to the scorne of his hoarse throate
Abuse yong laies of love; what godlike power
Hast thou not power upon? To Phaebus thou
Add'st flames, hotter then his the heavenly fyres
Did scortch his mortall Son, thine him; the huntresse
All moyst and cold, some say began to throw
Her Bow away, and sigh: take to thy grace
Me thy vowd Souldier, who doe beare thy yoke
As t'wer a wreath of Roses, yet is heavier
Then Lead it selfe, stings more than Nettles;
I have never beene foule mouthd against thy law,
Nev'r reveald secret, for I knew none; would not
Had I kend all that were; I never practised
Vpon mans wife, nor would the Libells reade
Of liberall wits: I never at great feastes
Sought to betray a Beautie, but have blush'd
At simpring Sirs that did: I have beene harsh
To large Confessors, and have hotly ask'd them
If they had Mothers, I had one, a woman,
And women t'wer they wrong'd. I knew a man
Of eightie winters, this I told them, who
A Lasse of foureteene brided; twas thy power
To put life into dust, the aged Crampe
Had screw'd his square foote round,
The Gout had knit his fingers into knots,
Torturing Convulsions from his globie eyes,
Had almost drawne their spheeres, that what was life
In him seem'd torture: this Anatomie
Had by his yong faire pheare a Boy, and I
Beleev'd it was his, for she swore it was,
And who would not beleeve her? briefe I am
To those that prate and have done; no Companion
To those that boast and have not; a defyer
To those that would and cannot; a Rejoycer,
Yea him I doe not love, that tells close offices
The fowlest way, nor names concealements in
The boldest language, such a one I am,
And vow that lover never yet made sigh
Truer then I. O then most soft sweet goddesse
Give me the victory of this question, which
Is true loves merit, and blesse me with a signe
Of thy great pleasure.



Pal.
O thou that from eleven, to ninetie raign'st
In mortall bosomes, whose chase is this world
And we in heards thy game; I give thee thankes
For this faire Token, which being layd unto
Mine innocent true heart, armes in assurance 

They bow.

My body to this businesse: Let us rise
And bow before the goddesse: Time comes on. 

Exeunt.



Still Musicke of Records.




Enter Emilia in white, her haire about her shoulders, a wheaten







Sweet, solitary, white as chaste, and pure
As windefand Snow, who to thy femall knights
Alow'st no more blood than will make a blush,
Which is their orders robe. I heere thy Priest
Am humbled fore thine Altar, O vouchsafe
With that thy rare greene eye, which never yet
Beheld thing maculate, looke on thy virgin,
And sacred silver Mistris, lend thine eare
(Which nev'r heard scurrill terme, into whose port
Ne're entred wanton sound,) to my petition
Seasond with holy feare; This is my last
Of vestall office, I am bride habited,
But mayden harted, a husband I have pointed,
But doe not know him out of two, I should
Choose one, and pray for his successe, but I
Am guiltlesse of election of mine eyes,
Were I to loose one, they are equall precious,
I could doombe neither, that which perish'd should
Goe too't unsentenc'd: Therefore most modest Queene,
He of the two Pretenders, that best loves me
And has the truest title in't, Let him
Take off my wheaten Gerland, or else grant
The fyle and qualitie I hold, I may
Continue in thy Band.


See what our Generall of Ebbs and Flowes
Out from the bowells of her holy Altar
With sacred act advances: But one Rose,
If well inspird, this Battaile shal confound
Both these brave Knights, and I a virgin flowre
Must grow alone unpluck'd.


The flowre is falne, the Tree descends: O Mistris
Thou here dischargest me, I shall be gather'd,
I thinke so, but I know not thine owne will;
Vnclaspe thy Misterie: I hope she's pleas'd,
Her Signes were gratious.


They curtsey and Exeunt.

V.ii

Would eate, and when I would kisse her: I told her
Presently, and kist her twice.

Doct.
Twas well done; twentie times had bin far better,
For there the cure lies mainely.

Wooer.
Then she told me
She would watch with me to night, for well she knew
What houre my fit would take me.

Doct.
Let her doe so,
And when your fit comes, fit her home,
And presently.

Wooer.
She would have me sing.

Doctor.
You did so?

Wooer.
No.

Doct.
Twas very ill done then,
You should observe her ev'ry way.

Wooer.
Alas
I have no voice Sir, to confirme her that way.

Doctor.
That's all one, if yee make a noyse,
If she intreate againe, doe any thing,
Lye with her if she aske you.

Iaylor.
Hoa there Doctor.

Doctor.
Yes in the waie of cure.

Iaylor.
But first by your leave
I'th way of honestie.

Doctor.
That's but a nicenesse,
Nev'r cast your child away for honestie;
Cure her first this way, then if shee will be honest,
She has the path before her.

Iaylor.
Thanke yee Doctor.

Doctor.
Pray bring her in
And let's see how shee is.

Iaylor.
I will, and tell her
Her Palamon staies for her: But Doctor,
Me thinkes you are i'th wrong still. 

Exit Iaylor.




Wooer.
Why, doe you thinke she is not honest Sir?

Doctor.
How old is she?

Wooer.
She's eighteene.

Doctor.
She may be,
But that's all one, tis nothing to our purpose,
What ere her Father saies, if you perceave
Her moode inclining that way that I spoke of
Videlicet, the way of flesh, you have me.

Wooer.
Yet very well Sir.

Doctor.
Please her appetite
And doe it home, it cures her ipso facto,
The mellencholly humour that infects her,

Wooer.
I am of your minde Doctor.


Enter Iaylor, Daughter, Maide.


Docter.
You'l finde it so; she comes, pray honour her.



Daughter.
I thanke him for his gentle patience,
He's a kind Gentleman, and I am much bound to him,
Did you nev'r see the horse he gave me?

Iaylor.
Yes.

Daugh.
How doe you like him?

Iaylor.
He's a very faire one.

Daugh.
You never saw him dance?

Iaylor.
No.

Daugh.
I have often.
He daunces very finely, very comely,
And for a Iigge, come cut and long taile to him,
He turnes ye like a Top.

Iaylor.
That's fine indeede.

Daugh.
Hee'l dance the Morris twenty mile an houre,
And that will founder the best hobby-horse
(If I have any skill) in all the parish,
And gallops to the turne of Light a' love,
What thinke you of this horse?

Iaylor.
Having these vertues
I thinke he might be broght to play at Tennis.

Daugh.
Alas that's nothing.

Iaylor.
Can he write and reade too.


Must rise betime that cozens him; you know
The Chestnut Mare the Duke has?

Iaylor.
Very well.

Daugh.
She is horribly in love with him, poore beast,
But he is like his master coy and scornefull.

Iaylor.
What dowry has she?

Daugh.
Some two hundred Bottles,
And twenty strike of Oates, but hee'l ne're have her;
He lispes in's neighing able to entice
A Millars Mare,
Hee'l be the death of her.

Doctor.
What stuffe she utters?

Iaylor.
Make curtsie, here your love comes.

Wooer.
Pretty soule
How doe ye? that's a fine maide, ther's a curtsie.

Daugh.
Yours to command ith way of honestie;
How far is't now to'th end o'th world my Masters?

Doctor.
Why a daies Iorney wench.

Daugh.
Will you goe with me?

Wooer.
What shall we doe there wench?

Daugh.
Why play at stoole ball,
What is there else to doe?

Wooer.
I am content
If we shall keepe our wedding there.

Daugh.
Tis true
For there I will assure you, we shall finde
Some blind Priest for the purpose, that will venture
To marry us, for here they are nice, and foolish;
Besides my father must be hang'd to morrow
And that would be a blot i'th businesse
Are not you Palamon?

Wooer.
Doe not you know me?



Wooer.
That's all one, I will have you.

Daugh.
Will you surely?

Wooer.
Yes by this faire hand will I.

Daugh.
Wee'l to bed then.

Wooer.
Ev'n when you will.

Daugh.
O Sir, you would faine be nibling.

Wooer.
Why doe you rub my kisse off?

Daugh.
Tis a sweet one,
And will perfume me finely against the wedding.
Is not this your Cosen Arcite?

Doctor.
Yes sweet heart,
And I am glad my Cosen Palamon
Has made so faire a choice.

Daugh.
Doe you thinke hee'l have me?

Doctor.
Yes without doubt.

Daugh.
Doe you thinke so too?

Iaylor.
Yes.


Now he's at liberty: Alas poore Chicken
He was kept downe with hard meate, and ill lodging
But ile kisse him up againe.


Enter a Messenger.




Iaylor.
Are they i'th Field?

Mess.
They are
You beare a charge there too.

Iaylor.
Ile away straight
I must ev'n leave you here.

Docter.
Nay wee'l goe with you,
I will not loose the Fight.

Iaylor.
How did you like her?

Doctor.
Ile warrant you within these 3. or 4. daies
Ile make her right againe. You must not from her
But still preserve her in this way.

Wooer.
I will.

Doc.
Lets get her in.

Wooer.
Come sweete wee'l goe to dinner
And then weele play at Cardes.

Daugh.
And shall we kisse too?

Wooer.
A hundred times

Daugh.
And twenty.

Wooer.
I and twenty.

Daugh.
And then wee'l sleepe together.

Doc.
Take her offer.

Wooer.
Yes marry will we.

Daugh.
But you shall not hurt me.

Wooer.
I will not sweete.

Daugh.
If you doe (Love) ile cry. 

Florish. Exeunt.

V.iii

Scaena 3. Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Emilia, Perithous: and


Emil.
Ile no step further.

Per.
Will you loose this sight?

Emil.
I had rather see a wren hawke at a fly
Then this decision ev'ry; blow that falls
Threats a brave life, each stroake laments
The place whereon it fals, and sounds more like
A Bell, then blade: I will stay here,
It is enough my hearing shall be punishd,
With what shall happen, gainst the which there is
No deaffing, but to heare; not taint mine eye
With dread sights, it may shun.

Pir.
Sir, my good Lord
Your Sister will no further.

Thes.
Oh she must.
She shall see deeds of honour in their kinde,
Which sometime show well pencild. Nature now
Shall make, and act the Story, the beleife
Both seald with eye, and eare; you must be present,
You are the victours meede, the price, and garlond
To crowne the Questions title.

Emil.
Pardon me,
If I were there, I'ld winke

Thes.
You must be there;
This Tryall is as t'wer i'th night, and you
The onely star to shine.

Emil.
I am extinct,
There is but envy in that light, which showes
The one the other: darkenes which ever was
The dam of horrour, who do's stand accurst
Of many mortall Millions, may even now
By casting her blacke mantle over both
That neither could finde other, get her selfe
Some part of a good name, and many a murther
Set off wherto she's guilty.

Hip.
You must goe.

Emil.
In faith I will not.

Thes.
Why the knights must kindle
Their valour at your eye: know of this war
You are the Treasure, and must needes be by
To give the Service pay.

Emil.
Sir pardon me,
The tytle of a kingdome may be tride
Out of it selfe.

Thes.
Well, well then, at your pleasure,
Those that remaine with you, could wish their office
To any of their Enemies.

Hip.
Farewell Sister,
I am like to know your husband fore your selfe
By some small start of time, he whom the gods
Doe of the two know best, I pray them he
Be made your Lot.


Exeunt Theseus, Hipolita, Perithous, &c.


Emil.
Arcite is gently visagd; yet his eye
Is like an Engyn bent, or a sharpe weapon
In a soft sheath; mercy, and manly courage
Are bedfellowes in his visage: Palamon
Has a most menacing aspect, his brow
Is grav'd, and seemes to bury what it frownes on,
Yet sometime tis not so, but alters to
The quallity of his thoughts; long time his eye
Will dwell upon his object. Mellencholly
Becomes him nobly; So do's Arcites mirth,
But Palamons sadnes is a kinde of mirth,
So mingled, as if mirth did make him sad,
And sadnes, merry; those darker humours that
Sticke misbecomingly on others, on them
Live in faire dwelling.


Cornets. Trompets sound as to a charge.

Harke how yon spurs to spirit doe incite
The Princes to their proofe, Arcite may win me,
And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to
The spoyling of his figure. O what pitty
Enough for such a chance; if I were by
I might doe hurt, for they would glance their eies
Toward my Seat, and in that motion might
Omit a ward, or forfeit an offence
Which crav'd that very time: it is much better


Then minister to such harme, what is the chance?


Enter Servant.


Ser.
The Crie's a Palamon.

Emil.
Then he has won: Twas ever likely,
He lookd all grace and successe, and he is
Doubtlesse the prim'st of men: I pre'thee run
And tell me how it goes.


Showt, and Cornets: Crying a Palamon.


Ser.
Still Palamon.


Palamons on the left, why so, I know not,
I had no end in't; else chance would have it so.


Another cry, and showt within, and Cornets.

On the sinister side, the heart lyes; Palamon
Had the best boding chance: This burst of clamour
Is sure th' end o'th Combat. 

Enter Servant.


Ser.
They saide that Palamon had Arcites body
Within an inch o'th Pyramid, that the cry
Was generall a Palamon: But anon,
Th 'Assistants made a brave redemption, and
The two bold Tytlers, at this instant are
Hand to hand at it.

Emil.
Were they metamorphisd
Both into one; oh why? there were no woman
Worth so composd a Man: their single share,
Their noblenes peculier to them, gives
The prejudice of disparity values shortnes


Cornets. Cry within, Arcite, Arcite.

To any Lady breathing = More exulting?
Palamon still?

Ser.
Nay, now the sound is Arcite.

Emil.
I pre'thee lay attention to the Cry.


Cornets. A great showt and cry, Arcite, victory.

Set both thine eares to'th busines.

Ser.
The cry is
Arcite, and victory, harke Arcite, victory,
The Combats consummation is proclaim'd
By the wind Instruments.

Emil.
Halfe sights saw
That Arcite was no babe: god's lyd, his richnes
And costlines of spirit look't through him, it could
No more be hid in him, then fire in flax,
Then humble banckes can goe to law with waters,
That drift windes, force to raging: I did thinke
Good Palamon would miscarry, yet I knew not
Why I did thinke so; Our reasons are not prophets
When oft our fancies are: They are comming off:
Alas poore Palamon. 

Cornets.




Thes.
Lo, where our Sister is in expectation,
Yet quaking, and unsetled: Fairest Emily,
The gods by their divine arbitrament
Have given you this Knight, he is a good one
As ever strooke at head: Give me your hands;
Receive you her, you him, be plighted with
A love that growes, as you decay;

Arcite.
Emily,
To buy you, I have lost what's deerest to me,
Save what is bought, and yet I purchase cheapely,
As I doe rate your value.

Thes.
O loved Sister,
He speakes now of as brave a Knight as ere
Did spur a noble Steed: Surely the gods
Would have him die a Batchelour, least his race
Should shew i'th world too godlike: His behaviour
So charmd me, that me thought Alcides was
To him a sow of lead: if I could praise
Each part of him to'th all; I have spoke, your Arcite
Did not loose by't; For he that was thus good
Encountred yet his Better, I have heard
Two emulous Philomels, beate the eare o'th night
With their contentious throates, now one the higher,
Anon the other, then againe the first,
And by and by out breasted, that the sence
Could not be judge betweene 'em: So it far'd
Good space betweene these kinesmen; till heavens did
Make hardly one the winner: weare the Girlond
With joy that you have won: For the subdude,
Give them our present Iustice, since I know
Their lives but pinch 'em; Let it here be done:
The Sceane's not for our seeing, goe we hence,
Right joyfull, with some sorrow. Arme your prize,
I know you will not loose her: Hipolita
I see one eye of yours conceives a teare
The which it will deliver. 

Florish.


Emil.
Is this wynning?
Oh all you heavenly powers where is your mercy?
But that your wils have saide it must be so,
And charge me live to comfort this unfriended,
This miserable Prince, that cuts away
A life more worthy from him, then all women;
I should, and would die too.

Hip.
Infinite pitty
That fowre such eies should be so fixd on one
That two must needes be blinde fort.

Thes.
So it is. 

Exeunt.

V.iv

Scaena 4. Enter Palamon and his Knightes pyniond: Iaylor, 

Palamon.
Speech prefix not in Q
Ther's many a man alive, that hath out liv'd
The love o'th people, yea i'th selfesame state
Stands many a Father with his childe; some comfort
We have by so considering: we expire
And not without mens pitty. To live still,
Have their good wishes, we prevent
The loathsome misery of age, beguile,
The Gowt and Rheume, that in lag howres attend
For grey approachers; we come towards the gods
Yong, and unwrapper'd not, halting under Crymes
Many and stale: that sure shall please the gods
Sooner than such, to give us Nectar with 'em,
For we are more cleare Spirits. My deare kinsemen.
Whose lives (for this poore comfort) are laid downe,
You have sould 'em too too cheape.

1. K.
What ending could be
Of more content? ore us the victors have
Fortune, whose title is as momentary,
As to us death is certaine: A graine of honour
They not o're-weigh us.

2.K.
Let us bid farewell;
And with our patience, anger tottring Fortune,
Who at her certain'st reeles.

3.K.
Come? who begins?

Pal.
Ev'n he that led you to this Banket, shall
Taste to you all: ah ha my Friend, my Friend,
Your gentle daughter gave me freedome once;
You'l see't done now for ever: pray how do'es she?
I heard she was not well; her kind of ill
Gave me some sorrow.

Iaylor.
Sir she's well restor'd,
And to be marryed shortly.

Pal.
By my short life
I am most glad on't; Tis the latest thing
I shall be glad of, pre'thee tell her so:
Commend me to her, and to peece her portion
Tender her this.

1.K.
Nay lets be offerers all.

2.K.
Is it a maide?

Pal.
Verily I thinke so,
A right good creature, more to me deserving
Then I can quight or speake of.

All K.
Commend us to her. 

They give their purses.


Iaylor.
The gods requight you all,
And make her thankefull.

Pal.
Adiew; and let my life be now as short,
As my leave taking. 

Lies on the Blocke.


1.K.
Leade couragious Cosin.

1.2.K.
Wee'l follow cheerefully.


A great noise within crying, run, save hold:



Enter in hast a Messenger.


Mess.
Hold, hold, O hold, hold, hold.


Enter Pirithous in haste.


Pir.
Hold hoa: It is a cursed hast you made
If you have done so quickly: noble Palamon,
The gods will shew their glory in a life
That thou art yet to leade.

Pal.
Can that be,
When Venus I have said is false? How doe things fare?

Pir.
Arise great Sir, and give the tydings eare
That are most early sweet, and bitter.

Pal.
What
Hath wakt us from our dreame?

Pir.
List then: your Cosen
Mounted upon a Steed that Emily
Did first bestow on him, a blacke one, owing
Not a hayre worth of white, which some will say
Weakens his price, and many will not buy
His goodnesse with this note: Which superstition
Heere findes allowance: On this horse is Arcite
Trotting the stones of Athens, which the Calkins
Did rather tell, then trample; for the horse
Would make his length a mile, if't pleas'd his Rider
To put pride in him: as he thus went counting
The flinty pavement, dancing as t'wer to'th Musicke
His owne hoofes made; (for as they say from iron
Came Musickes origen) what envious Flint,
Cold as old Saturne, and like him possest
With fire malevolent, darted a Sparke
Or what feirce sulphur else, to this end made,
I comment not; the hot horse, hot as fire
Tooke Toy at this, and fell to what disorder
His power could give his will, bounds, comes on end,
Forgets schoole dooing, being therein traind,
And of kind mannadge, pig-like he whines
At the sharpe Rowell, which he freats at rather
Then any jot obaies; seekes all foule meanes
Of boystrous and rough Iadrie, to dis-seate
His Lord, that kept it bravely: when nought serv'd,

When neither Curb would cracke, girth breake nor diffring (plunges 
He kept him tweene his legges, on his hind hoofes
on end he stands
That Arcites leggs being higher then his head
Seem'd with strange art to hang: His victors wreath
Even then fell off his head: and presently
Backeward the Iade comes ore, and his full poyze
Becomes the Riders loade: yet is he living,
But such a vessell tis, that floates but for
The surge that next approaches: he much desires
To have some speech with you: Loe he appeares.


The gods are mightie Arcite, if thy heart,
Thy worthie, manly heart be yet unbroken:
Give me thy last words, I am Palamon,
One that yet loves thee dying.

Arc.
Take Emilia
And with her, all the worlds joy: Reach thy hand,
Farewell: I have told my last houre; I was false,
Yet never treacherous: Forgive me Cosen:
One kisse from faire Emilia: Tis done:
Take her: I die.

Pal.
Thy brave soule seeke Elizium.


Thou art a right good man, and while I live,
This day I give to teares.

Pal.
And I to honour.

Thes.
In this place first you fought: ev'n very here
I sundred you, acknowledge to the gods
Our thankes that you are living:
His part is playd, and though it were too short
He did it well: your day is lengthned, and,
The blissefull dew of heaven do's arowze you.
The powerfull Venus, well hath grac'd her Altar,
And given you your love: Our Master Mars
Hast vouch'd his Oracle, and to Arcite gave
The grace of the Contention: So the Deities
Have shewd due justice: Beare this hence.

Pal.
O Cosen,
That we should things desire, which doe cost us
The losse of our desire; That nought could buy
Deare love, but losse of deare love.

Thes.
Never Fortune
Did play a subtler Game: The conquerd triumphes,
The victor has the Losse: yet in the passage,
The gods have beene most equall: Palamon,
Your kinesman hath confest the right o'th Lady
Did lye in you, for you first saw her, and
Even then proclaimd your fancie: He restord her
As your stolne Iewell, and desir'd your spirit
To send him hence forgiven; The gods my justice
Take from my hand, and they themselves become
The Executioners: Leade your Lady off;
And call your Lovers from the stage of death,
Whom I adopt my Frinds. A day or two
Let us looke sadly, and give grace unto
The Funerall of Arcite, in whose end
The visages of Bridegroomes weele put on
And smile with Palamon; for whom an houre,
But one houre since, I was as dearely sorry,
As glad of Arcite: and am now as glad,
As for him sorry. O you heavenly Charmers,
What things you make of us? For what we lacke
We laugh, for what we have, are sorry still,
Are children in some kind. Let us be thankefull
For that which is, and with you leave dispute
That are above our question: Let's goe off,
And beare us like the time. 

Florish. Exeunt.