University of Virginia Library

Scena Quarta.

Enter Palamon and his Knights pinion'd: Jailor Executioner, &c. Gard.
1 K.
What ending could be
Of more content? o'er us the victors have
Fortune, whose Title is as momentary,
As to us death is certain: a grain of honor
They not o'er-weigh us.

2 K.
Let us bid farewel;
And, with our patience, anger tott'ring Fortune,
Who at her certain'st reels.

3 K.
Come: who begins?

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

Jail.
Sir, she's well restor'd,
And to be married shortly.

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

1 K,
Nay, let's be offerers all.

2 K.
Is it a maid?

Pal.
Verily I think so,
A right good creature, more to me deserving
Than I can quight or speak of.

All K.
Commend us to her.

They give their purses.
Jail.
The gods requite you all,
And make her thankful.

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

Lies on the Black.
1 K.
Lead courageous Cosin.

1. 2. K.
We'll follow cheerfully.

A great noise within, crying, run, save, hold.
Enter in haste a Messenger.
Mess.
Hold, hold, oh hold, hold, hold.

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

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

Pir.
Arise great Sir, and give the tidings ear
That are most early sweet, and bitter.

Pal.
What
Hath wak't us from our dream

Pir.
List then: your Cosin
Mounted upon a Steed that Emily
Did first bestow on him, a black one, owing
Not a hayr worth of white, which some will say
Weakens his price, and many will not buy
His goodness with this note: Which superstition
Hear finds allowance: On this horse is Arcite
Trotting the stones of Athens, which the Calkins
Did rather tell, than 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'were to'th' Musick
His own hoofs made; (For as they say from iron
Came Musicks origen) what envious Flint,
Cold as old Saturne, and like him possest
With fire malevolent, darted a Spark,
Or what feirce sulphur else, to this end made,
I comment not; The hot horse, hot as fire,
Took Toy at this, and fell to what disorder
His power could give his will, bounds, comes on end,
Forgets-school dooing, being therein train'd,
And of kind mannage, pig-like he whines
At the sharp Rowell, which he frets at rather
Than any jot obeyes; Seeks all foul means
Of boystrous and rough lad'rie, to dis-seat
His Lord, that kept it bravely: When nought serv'd,
When neither Curb would crack, girth break, not dist'ring plunges
Dis-root his Rider whence he grew, but that
He kept him 'tween his legs, on his hind hoofs on end he stands
That Arcites, legs being higher than his head
Seem'd with strange art to hang: His victors wreath
Even then fell off his head: And presently
Backward the jade comes o'er, and his full poyze
Becomes the Riders load: Yet is he living,
But such a vessell 'tis that floats but for
The surge that next approaches: He much desires
To have some speech with you: Loe he appears.

Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Emilia, Arcite, in a chair.
Pal.
O miserable end of our alliance
The gods are mightie Arcite, if thy heart,
Thy worthie, manly heart be yet unbroken:
Give me thy last words, I'm 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 hour; I was false,
Yet never treacherous: Forgive me Cosen:
One kiss from fair Emilia: 'Tis done:
Take her: I die.

Pal.
Thy brave soul seek Elizium.

Emil.
I'll close thine eyes, Prince; Blessed souls be with thee
Thou art a right good man, and while I live,
This day I give to tears.

Pal.
And I to honor.

These.
In this place first you sought: Even very here
I sundred you, acknowledge to the gods
Our thanks that you are living:
His part is play'd, and though it were too short
He did it well: your day is length'ned, and
The blissfull 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 shew'd due justice: Bear this hence.

Pal.
O Cosen,
That we should things desire, which doe cost us
The loss of our desire; That nought could buy
Dear love, but loss of dear love.

Thes.
Never Fortune
Did play a subtler Game: The conquer'd triumphs,
The victor has the Loss: yet in the passage,
The gods have been most equall: Palamon,
Your kinsman hath confest the right o'th' Lady
Did lye in you, for you first saw her, and
Even then proclaim'd your fancie: He restor'd her
As your stolen Jewell, and desir'd your spirit
To send him hence forgiven; The gods my justice
Take from my hand, and they themselves become
The Executioners: Lead your Lady off;
And call your Lovers from the stage of death,
Whom I adopt my Friends. A day or two
Let us look sadly, and give grace unto
The Funerall of Arcite, in whose end
The visages of Bridegroomes we'll put on
And smile with Palamon; For whom an hour,
But one hour since; I was as dearly 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 lack
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 bear us like the time.

Florish.
Exeunt