University of Virginia Library

Actus Tertius.

Scæna Prima.

Enter Arcite alone.
Arcite.
The Duke has lost Hypolita; Each took
A severall land. This is a solemn Right
They owe bloom'd May, and the Athenians pay it
To'th' heart of Ceremony: O Queen Emilia
Fresher than May, sweeter
Then her gold Buttons on the bows, or all
Th'enamell'd knacks o'th' Mead, or garden, ye
(We challenge too) the banck of any Nymph
That makes the stream seem flowers; Thou o Jewell
O'th wood, o'th world, hast likewise blest a pace
With thy sole presence, in thy rumination
That I poor man might eftsoones come betwen
And chop on some cold thought, thrice blessed chance
To drop on such a Mistris, expectation
Most guiltless on't: tell me O Lady Fortune
(Next after Emely 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 backt, in a Field
That their crowns titles tried: Alas, alas
Poor Cosen Palamon, poor prisoner, thou
So little dream'st upon my fortune, that
Thou thinkst thy self, the happier thing, to be
So near Emilia, me thou deem'st at Thebs,
And therein wretched, although free; But if
Thou knew'st my Mistris breath'd on me, and that
I ear'd her language, liv'd in her eye; O Coz.
What passion would enclose thee.

Enter Palamon as out of a Bush, with his Shackles: bends his fist at Arcite.
Palamon.
Traytor 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 justice of my love would make thee
A confest Traytor: O thou most perfidious
That ever gently look'd the voydes of honor.
That ev'r bore gentle Token; falsest Cosen
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 ly'st, and art
A very theef in love, a Chaffy Lord
Nor worth the name of villain: had I a Sword
And these house cloggs away.

Arc.
Dear Cosin Palamon.

Pal.
Cosoner Arcite, give me language, such
As thou hast shew'd me feat.

Arc.
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 honestie
I cherish, and depend on, how so ev'r
You skip them in me, and with them fair Coz.
I'll maintain my proceedings; pray be pleas'd
To shew in generous terms, your griefs since that
Your question's with your equall, who professes
To clear his own way, with the mind and Sword
Of a true Gentleman.

Pal.
That thou durst Arcite.

Arc.
My Coz, my Coz. you have been well advertis'd
How much I dare, y'ave 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.

Pal.
Sir,
I have seen you move in such a place, which well
Might justifie your manhood, you were call'd
A good knight and a bold; But the whole week's not fair
If any day it rayn: Their valiant temper
Men loose when they encline to trecherie,
And then they fight like coupel'd Beeres, would fly
Were they not ty'd.

Arc.
Kinsman, you might as well
Speak this, and act it in your Glass, as to
His ear, which now disdains you.

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

Arc.
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 your self, and say but Arcite
I'm in plight, there shall be at your choice
Both Sword, and Armor.

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

Arc.
Sweet Palamon.

Pal.
I doe embrace you, and your offer, for
Your offer do't I only, Sir your person
Without hypocrisy I may not wish
Wind horns of Cornets.
More than my Swords edge out.

Arc.
You hear the Horns;
Enter your Musick least this match between's
Be crost e'r met, give me your hand, farewell.
I'll bring you every needfull thing: I pray you
Take comfort and be strong.

Pal.
Pray hold your promise;
And doe 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 ayr
I could for each word, give a Cuff: my stomach
Not reconcil'd by reason,

Arc.
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 scatter'd to the Banket; you must guess
I have an office there.

Pal.
Sir your attendance
Cannot please heaven, and I know your office
Unjustly is atcheiv'd.

Arc.
If a good title,
I'm persuaded this question sick between's,
By bleeding must be cur'd. I 'm a Suitor,
That to your Sword you will bequeath this plea,
And talk of it no more.

Pal.
But this one word:
You are, going now to gaze upon my Mistris,
For note you, mine she is.

Arc.
Nay then.

Pal.
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.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Jaylors daughter alone.
Daugh.
He has mistook; the Beak I meant, is gone
After his fancy, 'Tis now welnigh morning,
No matter, would it were perpetuall 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 wreak not if the wolves would jaw me, so
He had this File; what if I hollow'd for him?
I cannot hollow: if I whoop'd; what then?
If he not answer'd, I should call a wolf,
And doe him but that service. I have heard
Strange howls this live-long night, why may't not be
They have made prey of him? he has no weapons,
He cannot run, the Jengling of his Gives
Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
A sence to know a man unarm'd, and can
Smell where resistance is. I'll set it down
He's torn to peeces, they howl'd many together
And then they fed on him: So much for that,
Be bold to ring the Bell; How stand I then?
All's char'd when he is gone, No, no I lye,
My Father's to be hang'd for his escape,
My self to beg, if I priz'd life so much
As to deny my act, but that I would not,
Should I try death by dussons: I am mop't,
Food took I non these two daies.
Sipt some water, I have not clos'd mine eyes
Save when my lids scowrd off their bine; alas
Dissolve my life, Let not my sence unsettle
Least I should drown, or stab or hang my self.
O state of Nature, fail together in me,
Since thy best props are warpt: So which way now?
The best way is, the next way to a grave:
Each errant step beside is torment. Loe
The Moon is down, the Cr'ckets chirpe, the Schreich-owl
Calls in the dawn; all offices are done
Save what I sail in: But the point is this
And end, and that is all.
Exit.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Arcite, with Meat, Wine, and Files.
Arc.
I should be near the place, hoa. Cosen Palamon.

Enter Palamon.
Pal.
Arcite?

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

Pal.
Nor none so honest Arcite.

Arc.
That's no matter,
We'll argue that hereafter: Come take courage,
You shall not dye thus beastly, here Sir drink:
I know you're faint, then I'll talk further with you.

Pal.
Arcite, thou mightst now poyson me.

Arc.
I might.
But I must fear you first: Sit down, and good now
No more of these vain parlies; let us not
Having our ancient reputation with us
Make talk for Fools, and Cowards, To your health. &c.

Pal.
Doe.

Arc.
Pray sit down then, and let me entreat you
By all the honesty and honor in you,
No mention of this woman, 'twill disturb us,
We shall have time enough.

Pal.
Well Sir, I'll pledge you.

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

Pal.
Stay, I'll tell you after a draught or two more.

Arc.
Spare it not, the Duke has more Cuz: Eat now.

Pal.
Yes.

Arc.
I'm glad you have so good a stomach.

Pal.
I'm gladder I have so good meat to't.

Arc.
Is't not mad lodging here in the wild woods Cosen?

Pal.
Yes, for them that have wild Consciences.

Arc.
How tasts your victuals? your hunger needs no sawce I see.

Pal.
Not much.
But if it did, yours is too tart: sweet Cosen: what is this?

Arc.
Venison.

Pal.
'Tis a lusty meat:
Give me more wine; here Arcite to the wenches
We have known in our daies. The Lord Stewards daughter.
Doe you remember her?

Arc.
After you Cuz.

Pal.
She lov'd a black-hair'd 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 Arbor:
What did she there Cuz? play o'the virginals?

Arc.
Something she did Sir.

Pal.
Made her groan a Month for't; or 2. or 3. or 10.

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

Pal.
Yes.

Arc.
A pretty brown wench 'tis: There was a time
When young men went a hunting, and a wood,
And a broad beech: and thereby hangs a tale: heigh ho.

Pal.
For Emily, upon my life, fool
A way with this strain'd mirth; I say again
That sigh was breath'd for Emily; base Cosen,
Dar'st thou break first?

Arc.
You are wide.

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

Arc.
Then I'll leave you: you are a Beast now:

Pal.
As thou mak'st me, Traytor.

Arc.
There's all things needfull, files and shirts, and perfumes.
I'll come again some two hours hence, and bring
That that shall quiet all.

Pal.
A Sword and Armor.

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

Pal.
Sir ha;

Arc.
I'll here no more.

Exit.
Pal.
If he keep touch, he dies for't.

Exit.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Jaylors daughter.
Daugh.
I am very cold, and all the Stars are out too,
The little Stars, and all, that look 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 beats upon it; now, now, now,
There's a leak sprung, a sound one, how they cry?
Upon her before the wind, you'll loose all els:
Up with a course or two, and tack about Boys.
Good night, good night, y'are gone; I 'm 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 Careck of a Cockle-shell, and sayll
By East and North East to the King of Pigmies,
For he tels fortunes rarely. Now my Father
Twenty to one is trust up in a trice
To morrow morning, I'll say never a word.
Sing.
O for a prick now like a Nightingale, to put my brest
Against. I shall sleep like a Top else.

Exit.

Scæna Sexta.

Enter a School-master 4. Countrymen: and Baum. 2. or 3. wenches, with a Taborer.
Sch,

Fy, fy, what tediosity, & disensanity is here among ye?
have my Rudiments bin labour'd so long with ye? milk'd unto
ye, and, by a figure, even the very plumbroth & marrow of
my understanding laid upon ye? and do you still cry where,
and how, & wherefore? you most course freeze capacities, ye
jave Judgements, have I said thus let be, and there let be,
and then let be, and no man understand me, proh deum,
medius fidius, ye are all dunces: For why here stand I. Here
the Duke comes, there are you close in the Thicket; the
Duke appears, I meet him, and unto him I utter learned
things, and many figures, he hears, and nods, and hums, and
then cries rare, and I goe forward, at length I fling my Cap
up; mark there; then do you as once did Meleager, and the
Bore break comely out before him: like true lovers, cast your
selves in a Body decently, and sweetly, by a figure trace,
and turn Boys.

1.
And sweetly we will doe it Master Gerrold.

2.
Draw up the Company, Where's the Taboror?

3.
Why Timothy?

Tab.
Here my mad boys, have at ye.

Sch.
But I say where's their woman;

4.
Here's Friz and Maudline.

2.
And little Luce, with the white legs, and bouncing Barbary.

1.
And freckled Nel; that never fail'd her Master.

Sch.
Where be your Ribands maids? swym with your Bodies
And carry it sweetly, and deliverly
And now and then a favor, and a friske.

Nel.
Let us alone Sir.

Sch.
Where's the rest o'th' Musick.

3.
Dispers'd as you commanded.

Sch.
Couple then
And see what's wanting; where's the Bavian?
My friend, carry your tail without offence
Or scandall to the Ladies; and be sure
You tumble with audacity, and manhood,
And when you bark 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' sire.

Sch.
We have,
As learned Authors utter, wash'd a Tile,
We have been fatuus, and labour'd vainly.

2.
This is that scornfull 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 dogs-skin;
Nay and she fail me once, you can tell Arcas,
She swore by wine, and bread, she would not break.

Sch.
An Eeel and woman,
A learned Poet sayes: unles by'th' tail
And with thy teeth thou hold, will either sail,
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 business is become a nullity
Yea, and a woefull, and a pittious nullity.

4.
Now when the credit of our Town lay on it,
Now to be frampall, now to piss o'th' nettle,
Goe thy ways, I'll remember thee, I'll fit thee.

Enter Iaylor's 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 hail'd, well hail'd, you jolly gallants,
Chair and stools out.
And whither now are you bound a?
O let me have your company till come to the sound a.
There was three fools, fell out about an howlet:
The one sed it was an owl.
The other he sed nay,
The third he sed it was a hawk, and her bels were cut away.

3.

There's a dainty mad woman Mr. comes i'th' Nick, as
mad as a march Hare; If we can get her dance, we are made
again: I warrant her, she'll do the rarest gambols.

1.
A mad woman? we are made Boys.

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 fool: tell ten, I have poz'd him: Buz.
Friend you must eat no white bread, if you do
Your teeth will bleed extremely, shall we dance ho?
I know you, y'are a Tinker: Sir, ha Tinker
Stop no more holes, but what you should.

Sch.
Dii boni. A Tinker Damzell?

Daug.
Or a Conjurer: raise me a devill now, and let him play.
Quipassa, o'th' bels and bones.

Sch.
Go take her, and fluently persuade her to a peace:
Et opus exegi, quod nec Jouis ira, nec ignis.
Strike up, and lead her in.

2.
Come Lass, lets trip it.

Daugh.
I'll lead.

(Wind Horns:
3.
Doe, doe.

Sch.
Persuasively, and cunningly: away boys,
(Ex. all but Schoolemaster.
I hear the horns: give me some
Meditation, and mark your Cue;
Pallas inspire me.

Enter Thes. Pir. Hip. Emil. Arcite: and train.
Thes.
This way the Stag took.

Sch.
Stay, and edifie.

Thes.
What have we here?

Per.
Some Countrey sport, upon my life Sir.

Thes.
Well Sir, goe forward, we will edifie,
Ladies sit down, we'll stay it.

Sch.
Thou doughtie Duke all hail: all hail sweet Ladies.

Thes.
This is a cold beginning.

Sch.
If you but favor; our Country pastime made is,
We are a few of those collected here
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, Chorus
That for 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 blown abroad; help me thy poor well willer,
And with thy twinckling eyes, look right and straight
Upon this mighty Morr—of mickle waight
Is—now comes in, which being glew'd together
Makes Morris, and the cause that we came hither
The body of our sport of no small study
I first appear, though rude, and raw, and muddy,
To speak before thy noble grace, this tenner:
At whose great feet I offer up my penner.
The next the Lord of May, and Lady bright,
The Chambermaid, and Servingman by night
That seek out silent hanging: Then mine Host
And his sat Spouse, that welcomes to their cost.
The gauled Traveller, and with wth a beck'ning
Informes the Tapster to inflame the reck'ning.
Then the beast eating Clown, and next the fool,
The Bavian, with long tail, and eke long tool
Cum multis aliis, that make a dance,
Say I, and all shall presently advance.

Thes.
I, I by any means, dear Domine.

Per.
Produce.
Musick Dance:
Intrate filii, Come forth, and foot it.

Knock for Schoolm. Enter The Dance.
Thes.
Take 20. Domine; how does my sweet heart?

Hip.
Never so pleas'd Sir.

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

Thes.
School-master, I thank you, One see'em all rewarded.

Per.
And heer's something to paint your Pole withall.

Thes.
Now to our sports again.

Sch.
May the Stag thou huntst stand long,
And thy dogs be swift and strong:
May they kill him without lets,
And the Ladies eat his dowsets: Come we are all made.
Wind Horns.
Dii Deæq; Omnes, ye have danc'd rarely wenches.

Exeunt.

Scæna Septima.

Enter Palamon from the Bush.
Pal.
About this hour my Cosen gave his faith
To visit me again, and with him bring
Two Swords, and two good Armors; If he fail
He's neither man, nor Soldier; When he left me
I did not think a week could have restor'd
My lost strength to me, I was grown so low,
And Crest-fal'n with my wants: I thank thee Arcite,
Thou art yet a fair Foe; And I feel my self
With this refreshing, able once again
To out-dure danger: To delay it longer
Would make the world think when it comes to hearing,
That I lay fatting like a Swine, to fight
And not a Soldier: Therefore this blest morning
Shall be the last; And that Sword he refuses,
If it but hold, I kill him with; 'tis Justice:
So love, and Fortune for me: O good morrow.

Enter Arcite with Armors and Swords.
Arc.
Good morrow noble kinsman,

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

Arc.
That too much fair Cosen,
Is but a debt to honor, and my duty.

Pal.
Would you were so in all Sir; I could wish ye
As kind a kinsman, as you force me find
A beneficiall foe, that my embraces
Might thank ye, not my blows.

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

Pal.
Then I shall quit you.

Arc.
Defy me in these fair terms, and you show
More than a Mistris to me, no more anger
As you love any thing that's honorable:
We were not bred to talk 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 pertains (without obbraidings, scorns,
Dispisings of our persons, and such powtings
Fitter for Girles and Schooleboyes) will be seen
And quickly, yours, or mine: Wilt please you arme Sir?
Or if you feel your self not fitting yet
And furnish'd with your old strength, I'll stay Cosen
And ev'ry day discourse you into health,
As I'm spar'd, your person I'm friends with
And I could wish I had not said I lov'd her
Though I had did; 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'm well, and lusty, choose your Armes.

Arc.
Choose you Sir.

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

Arc.
If you think so Cosen,
You are deceiv'd, for as I 'm a Soldier.
I will not spare you.

Pal.
That's well said.

Arc.
You'll find it.

Pal.
Then as I'm an honest man and love,
With all the justice of affection
I'll pay thee soundly: This I'll take.

Arc.
That's mine then,
I'll arme you first.

Pal.
Do: Pray thee tell me Cosen,
Where gotst thou this good Armor?

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

Pal.
No.

Arc.
Is't not too heavie?

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

Arc.
I'll buckl't close.

Pal.
By any means.

Arc.
You care not for a Grand guard?

Pal.
No, no, we'll use no horses, I perceive
You would fain be at that Fight.

Arc.
I'm indifferent.

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

Arc.
I warrant you.

Pal.
My Cask now.

Arc.
Will you fight bare-arm'd?

Pal.
We shall be the nimbler.

Arc.
But use your Gantlets though; those are o'th' least,
Prethee take mine good Cosen.

Pal.
Thank you Arcite.
How doe I look, am I falen much away?

Arc.
Faith very little; Love has us'd you kindly.

Pal.
I'll warrant thee, I'll strike home,

Arc.
Doe, and spare not;
I'll give you cause sweet Cosen.

Pal.
Now to you Sir,
Me thinks 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 out-did me Cosen,
I never saw such valour: When you charg'd
Upon the left wing of the Enemie,
I spur'd hard to come up, and under me
I had a right good horse.

Pal.
You had indeed
A bright Bay I remember.

Arc.
Yes but all
Was vainly labour'd in me, you out-went me,
Nor could my wishes reach you; Yet a little
I did by imitation.

Pal.
More by virtue,
Yor are modest Cosen.

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

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 dishonor.

Arc.
Now I'm perfect.

Pal.
Stand off then.

Arc.
Take my Sword, I hold it better.

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

They bow severall wayes: then advance and stand.
Arc.
And me my love: Is there ought else to say?

Pal.
This only, 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 sleep in honor,
I wish his wearie soul, that falls may win it:
Fight bravely Cosen, give me thy noble hand.

Arc.
Here Palamon: This hand shall never more
Come near 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.
Horns within: they stand.
Arc.
Loe Cosen, loe, our Folly has undone us.

Pal.
Why?

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

Pal.
No, no, Cosen
I will no more be hidden, nor 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 self
Upon thy present guard.

Arc.
You are not mad?

Pal.
Or I will make th'advantage of this hour
Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me,
I fear less then my fortune: Know weak Cosen
I love Emilia, and in that I'll bury
Thee, and all crosses else.

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

Pal.
Look to thine own well Arcite.

Fight again. Horns.
Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Emilia, Perithous and train.
Theseus.
What ignorant and mad malicious Traitors,
Are you? That 'gainst the tenor of my Laws
Are making Battail, 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 goodness: I'm Palamon
That cannot love thee, he that broke thy Prison,
Think well, what that deserves; And this is Arcite
A holder Traytor never trod thy ground,
A Falser never seem'd friend: This is the man
Was beg'd and banish'd, this is he contemnes thee
And what thou dar'st doe; and in this disguise
Against this own Edict follows thy Sister,
That fortunate bright Star, the fair Emilia
Whose servant, (if there be a right in seeing,
And first bequeathing of the soul to) justly
I'm, and which is more, dares think her his.
This treacherie like a most trusty Lover,
I call'd him now to answer; If thou be'st
As thou art spoken, great and virtuous,
The true descider of all injuries,
Say, Fight again, and thou shalt see me Theseus
Doe such a Justice, thou thy self wilt envie
Then take my life, I'll wooe thee to't.

Per.
O Heaven,
What more than man is this!

Thes.
I have sworn.

Arc.
We seek not
Thy breath of mercy Theseus, 'Tis to me
A thing as soon 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 Beautie,
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 fair, and why her eyes command me
Stay here to love her. And if she say Traytor,
I'm a villain sit to lye unburied.

Pal.
Thou shalt have pity of us both, O Theseus,
If unto neither thou shew mercy, stop
(As thou art just) thy noble ear against us,
As thou art valiant; For thy Cosens soul
Whose 12. strong labors crown his memory,
Let's die together, at one instant, Duke,
Only a little let him fall before me,
That I may tell my Soul 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 than you sound, Sir, your offences
Being no more than his: None here speak for'em
For ere the Sun set, both shall sleep for ever.

Hippol.
Alas the pity, now or never Sister
Speak not to be denied; That face of yours
Will bear the curses else of after ages
For these lost Cosens.

Emil.
In my face, dear Sister
I find no anger to'em; Nor no ruin,
The misadventure of their own eyes kill'em;
Yet that I will be woman, and have pitty,
My knees shall grow to'th' ground but I'll get mercie,
Help me dear Sister, in a deed so virtuous,
The powers of all women will be with us,
Most royall Brother.

Hippol.
Sir by our tye of Marriage.

Emil.
By your own spotless honor.

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

Emil.
By that you would have pitty in another,
By your own virtues infinite.

Hip.
By valor,
By all the chast nights I have ever pleas'd you

Thes.
These are strange Conjurings.

Per.
Nay then I'll in too: By all our friendship Sir, by all our dangers,
By all you love most, wars; And this sweet Lady.

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

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

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

Hip.
Next hear my prayers.

Emil.
Last let me intreat Sir.

Per.
For mercy.

Hip.
Mercy.

Emil.
Mercy on these Princes.

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

Emil.
Upon their lives: But with their banishments.

Thes.
You are a right woman, Sister; You have pitty,
But want the understanding where to use it.
If you desire their lives, invent a way
Safer than 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; Hourly bring your honor
In publique question with their Swords; Be wise then
And here forget 'em; It concerns your credit,
And my o'th equally: I have said they die,
Better they fall byth' Law, than one another.
Bow not my honor.

Emil.
O my noble Brother,
That o'th was rashly made, and in your anger,
Your reason will not hold it, if such vows
Stand for express will, all the world must perish:
Beside, I have another oath, gainst yours
Of more authority, I'm sure more love,
Not made in passion neither, but good heed.

Thes.
What is it Sister?

Per.
Urge it home brave Lady.

Emil.
That you would never 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,
Think how you maim your honor;
(For now I'm set a begging Sir, I'm deaf
To all but your compassion how, their lives
Might breed the ruin of my name; Opinion
Shall any thing that loves me perish for me?
That were a cruell wisdom, doe men proyn
The straight young Bows that blush with thousand Blossoms
Because they may be rotten? O Duke Theseus
The goodly Mothers that have groan'd for these,
And all the longing Maids 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'm nothing but the scorn of women;
For Heavens sake save their lives, and banish 'em.

Thes.
On what conditions?

Emil.
Swear'em never more
To make me their Contention, or to know me,
To tread upon the Dukedome, and to be
Where ever they shall travel, ever strangers to one another.

Pal.
I'll be cut a peeces
Before I take this oath, forget I love her?
O all ye gods dispise me then: Thy Banishment
I not mislike, so we may fairly 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 villain then.

Per.
These are men.

Arcite.
No, never Duke: 'Tis worse to me than begging
To take my life so basely, though I think
I never shall enjoy her, yet I'll preserve
The honor of affection, and dye for her,
Make death a Devill.

Thes.
What may be done? For now I feel compassion.

Per.
Let it not fall again Sir.

Thes.
Say Emilia
If one of them were dead, as one must, are you
Content to take th'other to your husband?
They cannot both enjoy you; They are Princes
As goodly as your own eyes, and as noble
As ever same yet spoke of: Look upon'em,
And if you can love, end this difference,
I give consent, are you content too, Princes?

Both.
With all our souls.

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 favor.
And Lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes.

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

Thes.
Make choice then.

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

Hip.
What will become of 'em?

Thes.
Thus I ordain it,
And by mine honor, once again it stands,
Or both shall dye. You shall both to your Countrey,
And each within this month accompanied
With three fair Knights, appear again in this place,
In which I'll plant a Pyramid; And whether
Before us that are here, can force his Cosen
By fair 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 think he dies with interest in this Lady:
Will this content ye?

Pal.
Yes: Here Cosen Arcite
I'm friends again, till that hour.

Arc.
I embrace ye.

Thes.
Are you content Sister?

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

Thes.
Come shake hands again then,
And take heed, as you are Gentlemen, this Quarrell
Sleep till the hour persixt, and hold your course.

Pal.
We dare not fail thee Theseus.

Toes.
Come, I'll give ye
Now usage like to Princes, and to Friends:
When ye return, who wins, I'll settle here,
Who loses, yet I'll weep upon his Beer.

Exeunt.