 | The Two Noble Kinsmen |  |
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Arcite.Arcite.
Banish'd the Kingdom? 'tis a benefit,
A mercy I must thank 'em for, but banish'd
The free enjoying of that face I die for,
433
Beyond Imagination: Such a vengeance
That were I old and wicked, all my sins
Could never pluck upon me; Palamon;
Thou hast the Start now, thou shalt stay and see
Her bright eyes break each morning 'gainst thy window,
And let in life into thee; Thou shalt feed
Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty,
That nature never exceeded, nor never shall:
Good gods? what happiness has Palamon?
Twenty to one, he'll come to speak to her,
And if she be as gentle, as she's fair,
I know she's his, he has a Tongue will tame
Tempests, and make the wild Rocks wanton. Come what can come,
The worst is death; I will not leave the Kingdom,
I know mine own is but a heap of ruins,
And no redress there, if I go, he has her,
I 'm resolv'd an other shape shall make me,
Or end my fortunes. Either way, I 'm happy:
I'll see her, and be near her, or no more.
Enter 4. Country people, & one with a garland before them.
1.
My Masters, I'll be there that's certain.
2.
And I'll be there.
3.
And I.
4.
Why then have with ye Boys; 'Tis but chiding,
Let the plough play to day, I'll ticktl' out
Of the jades tails to morrow.
1.
I'm sure
To have my wife as jealous as a Turkey:
But that's all one, I'll goe through, let her mumble.
2.
Clap her aboard to morrow night, and stoa her,
And all's made up again.
3.
I, do but put a fesku in her fist, and you shall see her
Take a new lesson out, and be a good wench.
Doe we all hold, against the Maying?
4.
Hold? what should ail us?
3.
Areas, will be there.
2.
And Sennois.
And Rycas, and 3. Better lads never danc'd under green Tree,
And yet know what wenches: ha?
But will the dainty Domine, the Schoolemaster keep touch
Doe you think: For he do's all ye know.
3.
He'll eat a hornbook ere he fail: goe too, the matter's
too far driven between him, and the Tanners daughter,
to let slip now, and she must see the Duke, and she
must dance too.
4.
Shall we be lusty.
2.
All the Boys in Athens blow wind i'th' breech on's,
and here I'll be and there I'll be, for our Town, and here
again, and there again: Ha, Boys, heigh for the weavers.
1.
This must be done i'th' woods.
4.
O pardon me.
2.
By any means our thing of learning sees so: Where
he himself will edifie the Duke most parlously in our behalfs:
He's excellent i'th' woods, bring him to'th' plains,
his learning makes no cry.
3.
We'll see the sports, then every man to's Tackle: and
Sweet Companions lets rehearse by any means, before
May come on't.
4.
Content; the sports once ended, we'll perform. Away
Boys and hold.
Arc.
By your leaves honest friends: Pray you wither goe you.
4.
Whither? Why, what a question's that?
Arc.
Yes, 'tis a question, to me that know not.
3.
To the Games, my Friend
2.
Where were you bred you know it not?
Arc.
Not far Sir,
Are there such Games, to day?
1.
Yes marry are there:
And such as you never saw; The Duke, himself
Will be in person there.
Arc.
What pastimes are they?
2.
Wrastling, and Running; 'Tis a pretty Fellow.
3.
Thou wilt not goe along.
Arc.
Not yet Sir.
4.
Well Sir
Take your own time, come Boys.
1.
My mind misgives me
This fellow has a veng'ance trick o'th hip,
Marke how his Bodi's made for't
2.
I'll be hang'd though
If he dare venture, hang him plumb-porredge,
He wrestle? He rost eggs. Come lets be gon Lads.
Exeunt 4.
Arc.
This is an offer'd oportunity
I durst not wish for. Well, I could have wrestled,
The best men call'd it excellent, and run
Swifter, than wind upon a feild of Corn
(Curling the wealthy ears) never slew: I'll venture,
And in some poor disguize be there, who knows
Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands?
And happiness prefer me to a place,
Where I may ever dwell in sight of her.
Exit Arcite
| The Two Noble Kinsmen | |