The Two Noble Kinsmen
Act II

II.i

JAILER
   I may depart with little while I live; something
   I may cast to you, not much. Alas, the prison I
   keep, though it be for great ones, yet they seldom
   come; before one salmon, you shall take a number
   of minnows. I am given out to be better lin'd
   then it can appear to me report is a true
   speaker. I would I were really that I am
   delivered to be. Marry, what I have (be it what
   it will) I will assure upon my daughter at
   the day of my death.

WOOER
   Sir, I demand no more then your own offer,
   and I will estate your daughter in what I
   have promised.

JAILER
   Well, we will talk more of this when the 
   solemnity is passed. But have you a full promise
   of her? 

Enter Daughter.

   When that shall be seen, I tender my consent.

WOOER
   I have, Sir. Here she comes.

JAILER
   Your friend and I have chanced to name
   you here, upon the old business. But no more of that
   now; so soon as the court hurry is over, we will
   have an end of it. I'th mean time look tenderly
   To the two prisoners. I can tell you they are princes.

DAUGHTER
   These strewings are for their chamber.
   'Tis pity they are in prison, and 'tis pity they
   should be out. I do think they have patience to 
   make any adversity ashamed; the prison itself is 
   proud of 'em, and they have all the world in their 
   chamber.

JAILER
   They are famed to be a pair of absolute men.
   
DAUGHTER
   By my troth, I think Fame but stammers 'em;
   they stand a grise above the reach of report.

JAILER
   I heard them reported in battle to be the only
   doers. 

DAUGHTER
   Nay, most likely, for they are noble sufferers.
   I marvel how they would have looked had they been
   victors, that with such a constant nobility enforce
   a freedom out of bondage, making misery their
   mirth and affliction a toy to jest at.

JAILER
   Do they so?

DAUGHTER
   It seems to me they have no more sense of their
   captivity than I of ruling Athens. They eat
   well, look merrily, discourse of many things,
   but nothing of their own restraint and disasters.
   Yet sometime a divided sigh, martyred, as 'twere,
   I'th deliverance, will break from one of them-
   when the other presently gives it so sweet a rebuke,
   that I could wish myself a sigh to be so chid,
   or at least a sigher to be comforted.

WOOER
   I never saw 'em.

JAILER
   The Duke himself came privately in the night,

Enter Palamon, and Arcite, above.

   And so did they; what the reason of it is, I
   Know not. Look, yonder they are; that's
   Arcite looks out.

DAUGHTER
   No, sir, no, that's Palamon. Arcite is the
   lower of the twain; you may perceive a part
   of him.

JAILER
   Go to, leave your pointing. They would not
   make us their object. Out of their sight.

DAUGHTER
   It is a holiday to look on them. Lord, the
   difference of men!

Exeunt.

II.ii

Enter Palamon and Arcite in prison.

PALAMON
   How do you, noble cousin?

ARCITE
   How do you, sir?

PALAMON
   Why, strong enough to laugh at misery
   And bear the chance of war; yet we are prisoners,
   I fear, forever, cousin.

ARCITE
                            I believe it,
   And to that destiny have patiently
   Laid up my hour to come.

PALAMON
                            Oh, cousin Arcite,
   Where is Thebes now? Where is our noble country?
   Where are our friends and kindreds? Never more
   Must we behold those comforts, never see
   The hardy youths strive for the games of honour
   (Hung with the painted favours of their ladies)
   Like tall ships under sail: then start amongst 'em
   And as an east wind leave 'em all behind us,
   Like lazy clouds, whilst Palamon and Arcite,
   Even in the wagging of a wanton leg
   Outstripped the people's praises, won the garlands,
   Ere they have time to wish 'em ours. O never
   Shall we two exercise, like twins of honour,
   Our armes again, and feel our fiery horses
   Like proud seas under us; our good swords, now
   (Better the red-eyed god of war nev'r wore)
   Ravished our sides, like age must run to rust,
   And deck the temples of those gods that hate us.
   These hands shall never draw 'em out like lightning
   To blast whole armies more.

ARCITE
                               No, Palamon,
   Those hopes are prisoners with us. Here we are
   And here the graces of our youths must wither
   Like a too-timely spring; here age must find us,
   And, which is heaviest, Palamon, unmarried.
   The sweet embraces of a loving wife,
   Loaden with kisses, armed with thousand Cupids,
   Shall never clasp our necks, no issue know us;
   No figures of ourselves shall we ev'r see
   To glad our age, and like young eagles teach 'em
   Boldly to gaze against bright arms, and say
   "Remember what your fathers were, and conquer."
   The fair-eyed maids shall weep our banishments,
   And in their songs, curse ever-blinded Fortune
   Till she for shame see what a wrong she has done
   To youth and nature. This is all our world.
   We shall know nothing here but one another,
   Hear nothing but the clock that tells our woes.
   The Vine shall grow, but we shall never see it:
   Summer shall come, and with her all delights;
   But dead-cold winter must inhabit here still.

PALAMON
   'Tis too true, Arcite. To our Theban hounds,
   That shook the aged forest with their echoes,
   No more now must we halloa, no more shake
   Our pointed javelins, whilst the angry swine
   Flys like a Parthian quiver from our rages,
   Struck with our well-steeled darts: All valiant uses,
   (The food, and nourishment of noble minds,)
   In us two here shall perish; we shall die
   (Which is the curse of honour) lastly,
   Children of grief and ignorance.

ARCITE
                                    Yet, cousin,
   Even from the bottom of these miseries,
   From all that fortune can inflict upon us,
   I see two comforts rising, two mere blessings,
   If the gods please, to hold here a brave patience,
   And the enjoying of our griefs together.
   Whilst Palamon is with me, let me perish
   If I think this our prison.

PALAMON
                               Certainly,
   'Tis a main goodness, cousin, that our fortunes
   Were twined together; 'tis most true, two souls
   Put in two noble bodies, let 'em suffer
   The gall of hazard, so they grow together,
   Will never sink; they must not, say they could.
   A willing man dies sleeping, and all's done.

ARCITE
   Shall we make worthy uses of this place
   That all men hate so much?

PALAMON
                              How, gentle cousin?

ARCITE
   Let's think this prison holy sanctuary,
   To keep us from corruption of worse men.
   We are young and yet desire the ways of honour,
   That liberty and common conversation,
   The poison of pure spirits, might, like women,
   Woo us to wander from. What worthy blessing
   Can be but our imaginations
   May make it ours? And here being thus together,
   We are an endless mine to one another;
   We are one another's wife, ever begetting
   New births of love; we are father, friends, acquaintance;
   We are in one another, families;
   I am your heir, and you are mine. This place
   Is our inheritance; no hard oppressor
   Dare take this from us; here, with a little patience,
   We shall live long, and loving. No surfeits seek us;
   The hand of war hurts none here, nor the seas
   Swallow their youth. Were we at liberty,
   A wife might part us lawfully, or business,
   Quarrels consume us, envy of ill men
   Crave our acquaintance. I might sicken, cousin,
   Where you should never know it, and so perish
   Without your noble hand to close mine eyes,
   Or prayers to the gods; a thousand chances
   Were we from hence, would sever us.

PALAMON
                                       You have made me
   (I thank you, cousin Arcite) almost wanton
   With my captivity. What a misery
   It is to live abroad and everywhere;
   'Tis like a beast methinks. I find the court here;
   I am sure a more content, and all those pleasures
   That woo the wills of men to vanity,
   I see through now, and am sufficient
   To tell the world, 'tis but a gaudy shadow,
   That old Time, as he passes by, takes with him.
   What had we been, old in the court of Creon,
   Where sin is justice, lust and ignorance
   The virtues of the great ones. Cousin Arcite,
   Had not the loving gods found this place for us,
   We had died as they do, ill old men, unwept,
   And had their epitaths, the people's curses.
   Shall I say more?

ARCITE
                     I would hear you still.

PALAMON
                                             Ye shall.
   Is there record of any two that lov'd
   Better then we do, Arcite?

ARCITE
                              Sure there cannot.

PALAMON
   I do not think it possible our friendship
   Should ever leave us.

ARCITE
                          'Till our deaths it cannot.


Enter Emilia and her woman.

   And after death our spirits shall be led
   To those that love eternally. Speak on, sir.
   This garden has a world of pleasure in't.

EMILIA
   What flower is this?

WOMAN
                         'Tis calld Narcissus, madam.

EMILIA
   That was a fair boy, certain, but a fool
   To love himself; were there not maids enough?

ARCITE
   Pray forward.

PALAMON
                 Yes.

EMILIA
                      Or were they all hard-hearted?

WOMAN
   They could not be to one so fair.

EMILIA
                                      Thou wouldst not.

WOMAN
   I think I should not, madam.

EMILIA
                              That's a good wench.
   But take heed to your kindness, though.

WOMAN
                                           Why, madam?

EMILIA
   Men are mad things.

ARCITE
   Will ye go forward, cousin?

EMILIA
   Canst not thou work such flowers in silk, wench?

WOMAN
                                                    Yes.

EMILIA
   I'll have a gown full of 'em, and of these.
   This is pretty colour; wil't not do
   Rarely upon a skirt, wench?

WOMAN
                                Dainty, madam.

ARCITE
   Cousin, cousin! How do you sir? Why, Palamon!

PALAMON
   Never till now was I in prison, Arcite.

ARCITE
   Why, what's the matter, man?

PALAMON
                                Behold, and wonder!
   By heaven, she is a goddess.

ARCITE
                                Ha!

PALAMON
                                    Do reverence.
   She is a goddess, Arcite.

EMILIA
                             Of all flowers,
   Methinks a rose is best.

WOMAN
                            Why, gentle madam?

EMILIA
   It is the very emblem of a maid.
   For when the west wind courts her gently
   How modestly she blows, and paints the sun
   With her chaste blushes! When the north comes near her,
   Rude and impatient, then, like chastity,
   She locks her beauties in her bud again,
   And leaves him to base briars.

WOMAN
                                  Yet, good madam,
   Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
   She falls for't. A maid,
   If she have any honour, would be loath
   To take example by her.

EMILIA
                           Thou art wanton.

ARCITE
   She is wondrous fair.

PALAMON
                         She is all the beauty extant.

EMILIA
   The sun grows high; let's walk in. Keep these flowers.
   We'll see how near art can come near their colors.
   I am wondrous merry hearted; I could laugh now.

WOMAN
   I could lie down, I am sure.

EMILIA
                                And take one with you?

WOMAN
   That's as we bargain, madam.

EMILIA
                                 Well, agree then.


Exeunt Emilia and woman.


PALAMON
   What think you of this beauty?

ARCITE
                                  'Tis a rare one.

PALAMON
   Is't but a rare one?

ARCITE
                        Yes, a matchless beauty.

PALAMON
   Might not a man well lose himself and love her?

ARCITE
   I cannot tell what you have done; I have.
   Beshrew mine eyes for't, now I feel my shackles.

PALAMON
   You love her, then?

ARCITE
                       Who would not?

PALAMON
                                      And desire her?

ARCITE
   Before my liberty.

PALAMON
                      I saw her first.

ARCITE
   That's nothing.

PALAMON
                   But it shall be.

ARCITE
   I saw her too.

PALAMON
                   Yes, but you must not love her.

ARCITE
   I will not as you do, to worship her
   As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess;
   I love her as a woman, to enjoy her:
   So both may love.

PALAMON
                     You shall not love at all.

ARCITE
   Not love at all. Who shall deny me?

PALAMON
                                        I 
   That first saw her, I that took possession
   First with mine eye of all those beauties
   In her revealed to mankind. If thou lov'st her,
   Or entertain'st a hope to blast my wishes,
   Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
   False as thy title to her. Friendship, blood,
   And all the ties between us I disclaim,
   If thou once think upon her.

ARCITE
                                Yes, I love her,
   And if the lives of all my name lay on it,
   I must do so; I love her with my soul.
   If that will lose ye, farewell Palamon.
   I say again, I love, and in loving her maintain
   I am as worthy and as free a lover
   And have as just a title to her beauty
   As any Palamon or any living
   That is a man's son.

PALAMON
                        Have I cald thee friend?

ARCITE
   Yes, and have found me so; why are you moved thus?
   Let me deal coldly with you: am not I
   Part of your blood, part of your soul? you have told me
   That I was Palamon, and you were Arcite.

PALAMON
                                            Yes.

ARCITE
   Am not I liable to those affections,
   Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?

PALAMON
   Ye may be.

ARCITE
              Why then would you deal so cunningly,
   So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman,
   To love alone? Speake truly: do you think me
   Unworthy of her sight?

PALAMON
                          No, but unjust
   If thou pursue that sight.

ARCITE
                             Because another
   First sees the enemy, shall I stand still
   And let mine honour down, and never charge?

PALAMON
   Yes, if he be but one.

ARCITE
                          But say that one
   Had rather combat me?

PALAMON
                         Let that one say so,
   And use thy freedom. Else, if thou pursuest her,
   Be as that cursed man that hates his country,
   A branded villain.

ARCITE
                      You are mad.

PALAMON
                                    I must be,
   Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concerns me.
   And in this madness, if I hazard thee
   And take thy life, I deal but truly.

ARCITE
                                         Fie, sir!
   You play the child extremely. I will love her;
   I must, I ought to do so, and I dare,
   And all this justly.

PALAMON
                        O that now, that now
   Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune:
   To be one hour at liberty, and grasp
   Our good sword in our hands! I would quickly teach thee
   What 'twere to filch affection from another;
   Thou art baser in it then a cutpurse.
   Put but thy head out of this window more
   And, as I have a soul, I'll nail thy life to't.

ARCITE
   Thou dar'st not, fool, thou canst not, thou art feeble.
   Put my head out? I'll throw my body out
   And leap the garden, when I see her next,

Enter Jailer.

   And pitch between her arms, to anger thee.
   
PALAMON
   No more; the keeper's coming. I shall live
   To knock thy brains out with my shackles.

ARCITE
                                             Do.

JAILER
   By your leave, gentlemen.

PALAMON
                             Now, honest keeper?

JAILER
   Lord Arcite, you must presently to'th Duke;
   The cause I know not yet.

ARCITE
                             I am ready, keeper.

JAILER
   Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you
   Of your fair cousin's company.

Exeunt Arcite and Jailer.

PALAMON
                                  And me too,
   Even when you please of life. - Why is he sent for?
   It may be he shall marry her; he's goodly,
   And like enough the Duke hath taken notice
   Both of his blood and body. But his falsehood -
   Why should a friend be treacherous? If that
   Get him a wife so noble and so fair,
   Let honest men ne'er love again. Once more
   I would but see this fair one. Blessed garden,
   And fruit and flowers more blessed that still blossom
   As her bright eyes shine on ye: would I were
   For all the fortune of my life hereafter
   Yon little tree, yon blooming apricock!
   How I would spread, and fling my wanton arms
   In at her window; I would bring her fruit
   Fit for the gods to feed on; youth and pleasure
   Still as she tasted should be doubled on her,
   And, if she be not heavenly, I would make her
   So near the Gods in nature, they should fear her.

Enter Jailer.

   And then I am sure she would love me. -How now, keeper?
   Where's Arcite?

JAILER
                   Banished. Prince Pirithous
   Obtained his liberty, but never more
   Upon his oath and life must he set foot
   Upon this kingdom.

PALAMON
                     He's a blessed man,
   He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms
   The bold young men, that when he bids 'em charge,
   Fall on like fire. Arcite shall have a fortune,
   If he dare make himself a worthy lover,
   Yet in the field to strike a battle for her,
   And if he lose her then, he's a cold coward;
   How bravely may he bear himself to win her
   If he be noble Arcite; thousand ways.
   Were I at liberty, I would do things
   Of such a virtuous greatness, that this lady,
   This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her
   And seek to ravish me.

JAILER
                          My Lord, for you
   I have this charge to-

PALAMON
                             To discharge my life.

JAILER
   No, but from this place to remove your lordship. 
   The windows are too open.               

PALAMON
                             Devils take 'em
   That are so envious to me. Prithee, kill me.

JAILER
   And hang for't afterward!

PALAMON
                             By this good light
   Had I a sword I would kill thee.

JAILER
   Why, my lord?

PALAMON
   Thou bringest such pelting, scurvy news continually,
   Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.

JAILER
   Indeed you must, my lord.

PALAMON
                             May I see the garden?

JAILER
   No.

PALAMON
   Then I am resolved; I will not go.

JAILER
   I must constrain you, and for you are dangerous,
   I'll clap more irons on you.

PALAMON
                                Do, good keeper.
   I'll shake 'em so, ye shall not sleep;
   I'll make ye a new morris. -Must I go?

JAILER
   There is no remedy.

PALAMON
                       Farewell, kind window.
  May rude wind never hurt thee! O, my lady,
  If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,
  Dream how I suffer! Come, now bury me.

Exeunt Palamon, and Keeper.

II.iii

Enter Arcite.

ARCITE
  Banished the kingdom? 'Tis a benefit,
  A mercy I must thank 'em for; but banished
  The free enjoying of that face I die for-
  Oh, 'twas a studied punishment, a death
  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 to thee; thou shalt feed
  Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty,
  That nature nev'r exceeded, nor nev'r 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 am resolved another shape shall make me
  Or end my fortunes. Either way, I am 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 a chiding.
  Let the plough play today; I'll tickl't out
  Of the jades' tails tomorrow.

1.
                                 I am sure
  To have my wife as jealous as a turkey -
  But that's all one: I'll go through; let her mumble.

2.
  Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her,
  And all's made up again.

3.
  Aye, do but put a fescue in her fist, and you shall see her
  Take a new lesson out, and be a good wench.
  Do we all hold against the Maying?

4.
                                     Hold? 
  What should ail us?

3.
  Arcas will be there.

2.
                       And Sennois.
  And Rycas - and three better lads ne'er danced
  Under the green tree - and ye know what wenches, ha?
  But will the dainty dominie, the schoolmaster,
  Keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know

3.
  He'll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to;
  The matter's too far driven between him
  And the tanner's 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, hey for the weavers!

1.
  This must be done in the woods.

4.
  Oh, pardon me.

2.
  By any means; our thing of learning says so -
  Where he himself will edify the Duke
  Most parlously in our behalfs. He's excellent i'th' woods;
  Bring him to the plains, his learning makes no cry.

3.
  We'll see the sports, then every man to's tackle;
  And, sweet companions, let's rehearse, by any means, 
  Before the ladies see us, and do sweetly, 
  And God knows what may come on't.

4.
  Content; the sports once ended, we'll perform.
  Away, boys -and hold.

ARCITE

                         By your leave, honest friends:
  Pray you, whither go you?

4.
                            Whither? 
  Why, what a question's that?

ARCITE
                                Yes, 'tis a question, 
  To me that know not.

3.
                       To the Games, my friend.

2.
  Where were you bred, you know it not?

ARCITE
                                         Not far, sir;
  Are there such games to day?

1.
                                Yes, marry, are there,
  And such as you neuer saw; The Duke himself
  Will be in person there.

ARCITE
                            What pastimes are they?

2.
  Wrastling, and running. - 'Tis a pretty fellow.

3.
  Thou wilt not go along?

ARCITE
                           Not yet, sir.

4.
                                          Well, sir,
  Take your own time. Come boys.

1.
                                  My mind misgives me
  This fellow has a vengeance trick o'th' hip;
  Mark how his body's made for't.

2.
                                    I'll be hanged, though,
  If he dare venture. Hang him, plum porridge!
  He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let's be gone, lads.

Exeunt Countrymen

ARCITE
  This is an offered opportunity
  I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled,
  The best men calld it excellent, and run
  Swifter than wind upon a field of corn
  (Curling the wealthy eares) never flew. I'll venture,
  And in some poor disguise 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

II.iv

Enter Jailer's Daughter, alone.

DAUGHTER
  Why should I love this gentleman? 'Tis odds
  He never will affect me: I am base,
  My father the mean keeper of his prison,
  And he a prince. To marry him is hopeless;
  To be his whore is witless. Out upon't!
  What pushes are we wenches driven to
  When fifteen once has found us? First I saw him.
  I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man;
  He has as much to please a woman in him,
  If he please to bestow it so, as ever
  These eyes yet looked on. Next, I pitied him -
  And so would any young wench, o'my conscience,
  That ever dreamed, or vowed her maidenhead
  To a young handsome man. Then, I loved him,
  Extremely loved him, infinitely loved him!
  And yet he had a cousin, fair as he too.
  But in my heart was Palamon, and there,
  Lord, what a coil he keepes! To hear him
  Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!
  And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken
  Was never gentleman. When I come in
  To bring him water in a morning, first
  He bows his noble body, then salutes me, thus:
  'Fair, gentle maid, good morrow; may thy goodness
  Get thee a happy husband.' Once, he kissed me.
  I loved my lips the better ten days after:
  Would he would do so every day! He grieves much,
  And me as much to see his misery.
  What should I do to make him know I love him?
  For I would fain enjoy him. Say I ventured
  To set him free? What says the law then? Thus much
  For law or kindred! I will do it!
  And this night, or tomorrow, he shall love me. 

Exit.

II.v

A short flourish of cornets and shouts within. 
Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia; Arcite 
with a garland

THESEUS
  You have done worthily; I have not seen
  Since Hercules, a man of tougher sinews.
  Whate'er you are, you run the best, and wrestle,
  That these times can allow.

ARCITE
                               I am proud to please you.

THESEUS
  What country bred you?

ARCITE
                           This; but far off, Prince.

THESEUS
  Are you a gentleman?

ARCITE
                         My father said so;
  And to those gentle uses gave me life.

THESEUS
  Are you his heir?

ARCITE
                     His youngest, sir.

THESEUS
                                          Your father
  Sure is a happy sire then. What profess you?

ARCITE
  A little of all noble qualities.
  I could have kept a hawk, and well have hallowed
  To a deep cry of dogs. I dare not praise
  My feat in horsemanship; yet they that knew me
  Would say it was my best piece; last, and greatest,
  I would be thought a soldier.

THESEUS
                                 You are perfect.

PIRITHOUS
  Upon my soul, a proper man.

EMILIA
                               He is so.

PIRITHOUS
  How do you like him, lady?

HIPPOLYTA
                               I admire him.
  I have not seen so young a man so noble,
  If he say true, of his sort.

EMILIA
                                Believe,
  His mother was a wondrous handsome woman;
  His face methinks, goes that way.

HIPPOLYTA
                                     But his body
  And fiery mind illustrate a brave father.

PIRITHOUS
  Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,
  Breaks through his baser garments.

HYPPOLYTA
                                      He's well got sure.

THESEUS
  What made you seek this place, sir?

ARCITE
                                        Noble Theseus,
  To purchase name, and do my ablest service
  To such a well-found wonder as thy worth,
  For only in thy court, of all the world
  Dwells fair-eyed Honour.

PIRITHOUS
                            All his words are worthy.

THESEUS
  Sir, we are much indebted to your travel,
  Nor shall you lose your wish. Pirithous,
  Dispose of this fair gentleman.

PIRITHOUS
                                   Thanks, Theseus.
  Whate'er you are, you're mine, and I shall give you
  To a most noble service: to this lady,
  This bright young virgin; pray observe her goodnesse.
  You have honoured her fair birthday with your virtues
  And, as your due, you're hers; kiss her fair hand, sir.

ARCITE
  Sir, you're a noble giver. - Dearest beauty,
  Thus let me seal my vowed faith. when your servant,
  Your most unworthy creature, but offends you,
  Command him die, he shall.

EMILIA
                              That were too cruel.
  If you deserve well, sir, I shall soon see't.
  You're mine and somewhat better than your rank I'll use you.

PIRITHOUS
  I'll see you furnished and, because you say
  You are a horseman, I must needs entreat you
  This afternoon to ride, but 'tis a rough one.

ARCITE
  I like him better, Prince; I shall not then
  Freeze in my saddle.

THESEUS
                        Sweet, you must be ready,
  And you, Emilia, and you, friend, and all,
  Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance
  To flowery May, in Dian's wood. Wait well, sir,
  Upon your mistress - Emily, I hope
  He shall not go a foot.

EMILIA
                           That were a shame, sir,
  While I have horses. - Take your choice, and what
  You want at any time, let me but know it;
  If you serve faithfully, I dare assure you
  You'll find a loving mistress.

ARCITE
                                  If I do not,
  Let me find that my father ever hated,
  Disgrace and blows.

THESEUS
  Go lead the way; you have won it.
  It shall be so; you shall receive all dues
  Fit for the honour you have won; 'twere wrong else.
  - Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant,
  That, if I were a woman, would be master.
  But you are wise. 

EMILIA
                     I hope, too wise for that, sir. 

Flourish. Exeunt omnes.

II.vi

Enter Jailer's Daughter, alone.

DAUGHTER
  Let all the Dukes and all the devils roar,
  He is at liberty! I have ventured for him
  And out I have brought him; to a little wood
  A mile hence I have sent him, where a cedar
  Higher than all the rest spreads like a plane
  Fast by a brook, and there he shall keep close
  'Till I provide him files and food, for yet
  His iron bracelets are not off. Oh, Love,
  What a stout-hearted child thou art! My father
  Durst better have endured cold iron than done it.
  I love him beyond love and beyond reason,
  Or wit, or safety; I have made him know it;
  I care not, I am desperate. If the law
  Find me and then condemn me for't, some wenches,
  Some honest-hearted maids, will sing my dirge
  And tell to memory my death was noble,
  Dying almost a martyr. That way he takes,
  I purpose, is my way too. Sure he cannot
  Be so unmanly as to leave me here;
  If he do, maids will not so easily
  Trust men again. And yet he has not thanked me
  For what I have done, no, not so much as kissed me,
  And that methinks is not so well; nor scarcely
  Could I persuade him to become a free man,
  He made such scruples of the wrong he did
  To me and to my father. Yet I hope,
  When he considers more, this love of mine
  Will take more root within him. Let him do
  What he will with me, so he use me kindly,
  For use me so he shall, or I'll proclaim him,
  And to his face, no man. I'll presently
  Provide him necessaries and pack my clothes up
  And where there is a path of ground I'll venture
  So he be with me; by him, like a shadow
  I'l ever dwell. Within this hour the whoobub
  Will be all o'er the prison: I am then
  Kissing the man they look for. Farewell, father!
  Get many more such prisoners and such daughters,
  And shortly you may keepe yourself. Now to him.

Exit