Arc. So we must.—
Is't said this war's afoot? or it shall be,
On fail of some condition ?
Val. 'Tis in motion ;
Th' intelligence of state came in the instant
^Vith the defter.
Pal. Let's to the king ; who, were he
A quarter carrier of that honor which
His enemy comes in, the blood we venture
Should be' as for our health ; which were not spent,
Hather laid out for purchase : but, alas,
Our hands advanc'd before our hearts, what will
The fall o' the stroke do damage }
Arc. Let th' event.
That never-erring arbitrator, tell us
AVhen we know all ourselves ; and let us follow
The becking of our chance. {Exeuftt.
VII. 3s6. [t.n.k. 14.
Act/.] TUfC TWO NOBLE K'lNSMKX. li/.#///.
SCENK III. licforc thegitUsof Atfuns,
Enter riKiTHous, IIiim'olv r a, nW Emilia.
Pir. No furtlicr !
^i^P' Sir, farewell : repeat mv wishes
To our great lord, of whose success I dare not
Make any timorous (juesiion ; )et I wish liirn
Excess aiul overllow (jf power, an't niij^hl 1)^.
To dare ill-dealing fortune. .Speed lo him;
Store never hurts good governors.
P^*"' Though I know
His ocean needs not my poor dr«)ps. \tt ihty
Must yield their tribute' there. My precious' maid.
Those best affecti(jns that the heavens infuse
In their best-temjier'd pieces, keep enthron'd
In your dear heart !
Emi. Th.mks, sir. KemrndKT mc
To our all-royal brother ; Un whose speed
The great Bellona I'll solicit ; and
Since, in our terrene stale, petitions are not
Without gifts understood. Ill offer to her
What I shall be advis'd she likes. Our hearts
Are in his army, in his tent.
Hi p. In's bosom.
We have been soldiers, and we cannot weep
When our friends don their helms, or put to sea.
Or tell of babes broach'd on the lance, or w«)mcn
That ha\e sod their infatits in — and aflcre.it t; » m —
The brine they wept at killing \\w', then, ;t
You stay to see of us such spinsters. \vc
Should hold you here for ever.
Pzr. Peace t)c to you.
As I pursue this war! which shall i)e then
lieyond further reijuiring. \ExiU
Em/. How his longini;
Follows his friend ! since his deparl. his spoits.
Though craving seriousness and skill, pass'd slightly
His careless execution, where nor gain
Made him regard, or loss consider; but
Playing one business in his hand, another
Directing in his head, his ni!'' - "-•• f()ual
T.N.K. IS-l ^ ' '
Act /.] THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. [Sceve UL
To these so differing twins. Have you observ'd him
Since our great lord departed ?
Hip. With much labor;
And I did love him for't. The}' two have cabin d
In many as dangerous as poor a corner,
Peril and want contending ; they have skiff'd
Torrents, whose roaring tyranny and power
r the least of these was dreadful; and they have
Fought out together, where death's self was lodg'd ;
Yet faith hath brought them off. Their knot of love
Tied, weav'd, entangled, with so true, so long,
And with a tinger of so deep a cunning,
May be out- worn, never undone. I think
Theseus cannot be umpire to himself,
Cleaving his conscience into twain, and doing
Each side like justice, which he loves best.
E))u'. Doubtless
There is a best, and reason has no manners
To say it is not you. I was acquainted
Once with a time, when I enjoy'd a playfellow ;
You were at wars when she the grave enrich'd,
\Vho made too proud the bed, took leave o' the moor '■
Which then look'd pale at parting — when our count
Was each eleven.
Hip. 'Twas Flavina.
Emi. Yes.
You talk of Pirithous' and Theseus' love :
Theirs has more ground, is more maturely season'd.
More buckled with strong judgment, and their needs
The one of th' other may be said to water
Their intertangled roots of love ; but I,
And she I sigh and spoke of, were things innocent,
Lov'd for we did, and like the elements
That know not what nor why, yet do effect
Rare issues by their operance, our souls
Did so to one another : what she lik'd
Was then of me approv'd ; what not, condemn 'd.
No more arraignment ; the flower that I would pluck
And put between my breasts — then but beginning
To swell about the blossom — she would long
Till she had such another, and commit it
To the like innocent cradle, where, phenix-like,
VII. 358. [t.n.k. 16
AcU:\ THE TH'O SOBLi: KlSsytRS. 'V..*.;-
They elite! in pcrfuinc ; on my head no loy
But was her pattern ; her affections — prcily.
Though happily her careless wear — 1 f«j|low'd
For my most serious decking: had mine ear
Stol'n some new air, or at adventure huninrd one
From musical coinage, why, it was a note
Whereon her spirits wouUrsojourn,— rather dwell on.
And sing it in her slumbers : this rehearsal —
Which, every innocent wots well, comes in
Like old importment's bastard —has this end.
That the true love 'tween maid and maid may be
More than in sex dividual.
Hip. You're out of breath ;
And this high-speeded pace is but to say.
That you shall never, like the maid Flavina,
Love any that's call'd man.
Emi. I'm sure I siiall not.
Hip. Now, alack, weak sister.
I must no more believe thee in this j)oint —
Though in't I know thou dost believe thyself —
Than I will trust a sickly appetite.
That loathes even as it longs. But. sure, my sister.
If I were ripe for your persuasion, you
Have said enough to shake me from the arm
Of the all-noble Theseus ; for whose fortuiK.^
I will now in and kneel, with great assurance
That we, more than his Pirithous, possess
The high throne in his heart.
Eiiii. I am not
Against your faith ; yet I continue mine. \Exeunt.
Scene IV. A field before Thebes. Peitii bodies lying on
the ground; among them Palamon and ArciTK.
A battle struck within ; then a retreat ; then a fiouriih.
Then enter THESEUS {7>ictor). Herald. •/«
tendants. The three Queens meet Vw F.SKL'S,
and fall on their faces before him.
First Queen. To thee no star be dark !
Sec. Oueen. Both heaven and earth
Friend thee for ever!
r.N.K. 17.] VII. j5^
Aci/.} THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. \Scene IV,
Third Queen. All the good that may
Be wish'd upon thy head, I cry Amen to"t !
Thes. Th' impartial gods, who from the mounted
heavens
View us their mortal herd, behold who err,
And in their time chastise. Go, and find out
The bones of your dead lords, and honor them
With treble ceremony : rather than a gap
Should be in their dear rites, we would supply't.
But those we will depute which shall invest
You in your dignities, and even each thing
Our haste does leave imperfect. So, adieu,
And heaven's good eyes look on you ! \Exeu7it Queens,
What are those?
Herald. Men of great quality, as may be judg'd
By their appointment ; some of Thebes have told's
They're sisters' children, nephews to the king.
Thes. Byth' helm of Mars, I saw them in the war —
Like to a pair of lions smear'd with prey —
Make lanes in troops aghast : I fix'd my note
Constantly on them ; for they were a mark
Worth a god's view. What was't that prisoner told me
When I inquir'd their names .^
Herald. We learn they're call'd
Arcite and Palamon.
Thes. 'Tis right ; those, those.
They are not dead.'*
Herald. Nor in a state of life : had they been taken
When their last hurts were given, 'twas possible
They might have been recover'd ; yet they breathe.
And have the name of men.
Thes. Then like men use 'em :
The very lees of such, miUions of rates
Exceed the wme of others : all our surgeons
Convent in their behoof ; our richest balms.
Rather than niggard, waste : their lives concern us
]\Iuch more than Thebes is worth : rather than have *em
Freed of this plight, and in their morning state,
Sound and at liberty, I would 'em dead ;
But, forty thousand fold, we had rather have 'em
Prisoners to us than death. Bear 'em speedily
From our kind air, — to them unkind, — and minister
VII. 360. [t.k.k. i&
^ci /.] THE TWO SOni.h: KINSMEN. (Sf #■# K
What man to man may do ; for our sake, niorcr
Since I have known hj^ht's fury, friends' Uchcsls,
Love's provocations, zeal in a mistress' task.
Desire of Uberty. a fever, machu-ss.
'T hath set a mark which nature could not reach to
Without some imposition, sickness in will.
Or wrestling strength in reason. For our love.
And great Apollo's mercy, all ourhest
Their best skill tender ! — Lead into the city ;
Where, having hound things scatter'd, we will po£t
To Athens 'fore our army. [F/oiiris/i. /'.\,unt; . U/,miantt
carrrtNtC I\t/iitnon nnd Arciff,
Scene V. Another part of the s,i>nt'. more remote from
Thebes.
Ejifer the three Queens 7*;'//// the hearses of their husbunds
in a funeral solemnity, &»c.
Song.
Urns and odors bring away !
Vapors, sighs, darken the day !
Our dole more deadly looks than dying;
Balms, and gums, and heavy cheers.
Sacred vials fill'd with tears.
And clamors through the wild air nviniTf
Come, all sad and solemn shows.
That are quick-ey'd pleasure's foes :
We convent naught else but woes :
We convent, ^.c
Third Queen. This funeral path brings to your house-
hold's grave :
Joy seize on you again ! Peace sleep with him !
Sec. Queen. And this to yours.
FirsT(2neen. Yours this way. Heat
A thousaTid differing ways to one sure end.
Third (lueen. This world's a city full -' ^tr .v n
And death's the market-place, where .
k\( II
19-1
VII.
Act//.] THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. \_Scene I.
ACT II.
bCENE I. Athens. A garden, luith a castle in the back
groiifid.
Enter Gaoler and Wooer.
Gaoler. I may depart with little, while I live ; some-
thing I may cast to you, not much. Alas, the prison I
keep, though it be for great ones, yet they seldom conie :
before one salmon, you shall take a number of minnows.
I am given out to be better lined than 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 than your own offer ;
and I will estate your daughter in what I have promised.
Gaoler. Well, we will talk more of this when the so-
lemnity is past. But have you a full promise of her.-*
when that shall be seen, I tender my consent.
Wooer. I have, sir. Here she comes.
Enter Gaoler's Daughter ivith strewings.
Gaoler. 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' the mean time, look tenderly to the two prisoners ;
I can tell you they are princes.
Daitgh. These strewings are for their chamber. 'Tis
pity they are in prison, and 'twere pity they should be
out. I do think they have patience to make any adver-
sity ashamed : the prison itself is proud of 'em ; and they
have all the world in their chamber.
Gaoler. They are famed to be a pair of absolute men.
Dangh. By my troth, I think fame but stammers 'em ;
they stand a grise above the reach of report.
Gaoler. I heard them reported in the battle to be the
only doers.
baicgh. 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
VII. 362. [t.n.k. 20.
Ac/ //.] 7V/£ THO NOBLE K/NSMt.W \ '.,■/ /.
out of bondage, making miser)- their mirth, aud affliction
a toy to jest at.
Gaoler. Do they so ?
Daugh. It seems to me they have no more sense of
their captivity than I of ruUng Athens: tliry rai wril.
look merrily, iHscourse of many things, but : "
their own restraint and disasters. Yet s
break from one of them ; when the other pr*
it so sweet a reljuke. that I could wish mys< •; .i -.^.i ...
be so chid, or at least a sigher to be comforted.
Wooer. I never saw 'em.
Gaoler. The duke himself came privately in the night,
and so did they : what the reason of it is, I know not.
Palamon and Akcitk appear at a Ti'tntitnu of Sk. tiru'er.
Look, yonder they are,-* that's Arcite looks out.
Dangh. No, sir, no ; that's Palamon : Arcite is the
lower of the twain ; you may perceive a ^)art of him.
Gaoler. Go to! leave your pointing: they would not
make us their object : out of their sight !
Daug/i. It is a holiday to look on them. Lord, ihe
difference of men I [Exit wit It Gaoler and li'ik*/'r.
Pal. How do you, noble cousin ?
Are. How do you, sir.^
Pal. Why, strong enough to laugh at misery.
And beir the chance of war yet. We are prisoners
I fear for ever, cousin.
Arc. I believe it ;
And to that destiny have patiently
Laid up my hour to come.
/\il, O, cousin Arcite,
Where is Thebes now ? w here 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 ganies of honor.
Hung with the painted favors of iheir ladies.
Like tall ships under sail ; then start am«>ngst 'em.
And, as an east wind, leave *em .ill behind us
Like lazy clouds, whilst Talamon and .-Xrcitc,
Even in the wagging of .i w-anton leg.
Outstripp'd the peoples praises, won the garland*,
x.N.K. at.) Vll. 36>
Act II. '\ THE TIVO NOBLE KIXSMEA'. {Scene L
Ere they have time to wish 'em ours. O, never
Shall we two exercise, like twins of honor,
Our arms again, and feel our tiery horses
Like proud seas under us ! Our good swords now,—
Better the red-ey'd god of war ne'er ware, —
Ravish'd 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 !
Arc. No, Palanion,
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, arm'd with thousand Cupids,
Shall never clasp our necks ; no issue know us,
No figures of ourselves shall we e'er 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-ey'd 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.
Pal. 'Tis too true, Arcite. To our Theban hounds.
That shook the aged forest with their echoes,
No more now must we holla ; no more shake
Our pointed javelins, whilst the angry swine
Flies like a Parthian quiver from our rages.
Stuck with our well-steel'd 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 honor — lastly.
Children of grief and ignorance.
Arc. Yet, cousin.
Even from the bottom of these miseries,
VII. :!64. [T.N.K. 22,
Act n.\ THE TWO SOPl.E KIS'SMEN. \&*mt K
From all that fortune can inflict upon us,
I see two comforts ri>.ini^. two mere blessinf^.
If the gods jjlease to hohl here, — a brave patience;
And the enjoying of our griefs together.
Whilst Palamon is with ine, lei me ()erish
If I think this our prison !
Pal. Certainly
'Tis a main goodness, cousin, that nm iMiumrs
Were twin'd 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.
Arc. Shall we make worthy uses of this place.
That all men hate so much ?
Pal. How, gentle cousin?
Arc. Let's think this jirison holy sancluar)'.
To keep us from corruption of worse men:
We're young, and yet desire the ways of honor ;
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're one another's wife, ever begetting
New births of love; we're father, friends, arnn.unf.mre;
We are, in one another, families ;
I am your heir, and you are mine : this plac •
Is our inheritance ; no hard oppress<»r
Dare take tliis 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
(}rave our acquaintance ; I might sicken, cousin.
Where you should never know it. and so perish
Without your noble hand to close mine ryes.
Or prayers to the gcds : a thousand chances.
Were we from hence, would sever us.
p^^j Vou'x e innde mC —
T.N K 21.1
Act IT."] THE Tiro NOiBLE KINSMEN. [Scene.
I thank you, cousin Arcite — almost wanton
With my captivity : what a miser}'
It is to Hve abroad, and every wheie !
'Tis Hke a beast, methinks : I find the court here,
I'm sure, a more content ; and all those pleasure
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,
AVhere sin is justice, lust and ignorance
The virtues of the great ones ? Cousin Arcite,
Had not the loving gods found this place for us,
AVe had died as they do, ill old men, unv/ept.
And had their epitaphs, the people's curses.
Shall I say more ?
Arc. I'd hear you still.
Pal. Ye shall.
Is there record of any two that Icv'd
Better than we do, Arcite ?
Arc. Sure, there cannot.
PaL I do not think it possible our friendship
Should ever leave us.
Arc. Till our deaths it cannot;
And after death our spirits shall be led
To those that love eternally. Speak on, sir.
Enter EMILIA a7id Waiting-woman be'tow^
Emi. This garden has a world of pleasures in't.
What flower is this ?
\Vait.~w. 'Tis call'd narcissus, madam.
Emi. That was a fair boy certain, but a fool
To love himself : were there not maids enough }
Arc, Pray, forward.
Pal. Yes.
Emi. Or were they all hard-hearted ?
V/ait.-w. They could not be to one so fair,
Emi, Thou wouldst not.
Waif,~7V. I think I should not, madam,
Emi. That's a good wench I
But take heed to your kindness though !
IVait.-w, Why, madam?
VII. 3«6. [t.n.k. 24
Act II.-\ THE TWO SOBLE KISSMRN.
Enii. Men are mad tiling's.
Arc. Will ye jjo forward, cousin ?
Emi. Canst not thou work such Mowers in silk.wtn. h >
\Vait.-7u.
Emi. I'll have a gown full of 'em ; and of lhes< .
This is a pretty color : wiil't not do
Rarely upon a skirt, wench ?
Wait.-zu. Dainty, madam.
Arc. Cousin, cousin I how do you, sir ? why, Palamon !
Pal. Never till now I was in prison, Arcitc
Arc. Why, what's the matter, man ?
Pal. Behold, and wonder!
By heaven, she is a goddess !
Arc. Hal
Pal. Do reverence ;
She is a goddess, Arcite !
Emi. Of all Mowers,
Methinks, a rose is best.
Wait.-7u. Why, gentle madam ?
Emi. It is the very emblem of a maid :
For when the west wind courts her gentl\ .
How modestly she blows, and |)aints the sun
With her chaste blushes ! when the north comes near her.
Rude and- impatient, thrn. like chastity.
She locks her beauties in her bud again,
And leaves him to base briers.
IVait.-w. Yet, good madam.
Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
She falls for it : a maid.
If she have any honor. wouUl be loath
To take example by her.
Emi. TIkhi art wanton.
Arc. She's wondrous fair !
Pal. She's all the l)eauiy c\t.»nl !
Emi. The sun grows high ; let's walk in. Keep ihc^
flowers ;
We'll see how near art can come near their colors.
I'm wondrous merry-hearteti ; I could laugh now.
IVait.-w. I could lie down, I'm sure.
Emi. And lake one with you ?
Wait.-w. That's as we bargain, madam.
T.N. K. 25.] VII. J67.
Act II ^ THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. l^cene I.
Emi. Well, agree then.
[Exit with Waiting-woinaii.
Pal. What think you of this beauty?
Arc. 'Tis a rare one.
Pal. Is't but a rare one ?
Arc. Yes, a matchless beauty.
Pal. Might not a man well lose himself, and love her .^
Arc. I cannot tell what you have done ; I have,
Beshrew m.ine eyes for't ! Now I feel my shackles.
Pal. You love her, then ?
Arc. Who would not ?
Pal. And desire her ?
Arc. Before my liberty.
Pal. I saw her first.
Arc. That's nothing.
Pal. But it shall be.
Arc. I saw her too.
Pal. Yes ; but you must not love her.
Arc. 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.
Pal, You shall not love at all.
Arc. Not love at all ! who shall deny me ?
Pal. I, that first saw her ; I, that took possession
First with mine eye of all those beauties in her
Reveal'd to mankind. If thou lovest 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!
Arc. 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
1 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.
Pal. Have I call'd thee friend?
VII. :t63. [t.n.k. 2&
Aci //.] THE TWO SOlil.E K!SS.\tEN.
Arc. Yts, and have found rnc so. Whv .irr \ou
mov'd thus?
Let me deal coldly with you : am not I
Part of your blood, part of your soul ? you've loM nte
That I was I'alamon, and you were Arcilr.
Pal. Yes.
.{re. Am not I licd)le to those affections.
Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?
Pal. Ye may be.
Arc. Why, then, would you deal so cunningly.
So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman.
To love alone } Speak truly ; do you think mc
Unworthy of her sight ?
Pal. No ; but unjust
If thou pursue that sight.
Arc. Because another
First sees the enemy, shall I stand still.
And let mine honor down, and never charge?
Pal. Yes, if he be but one.
Arc. Hut say that one
Had rather combat nu- ?
Pal. Let that one say so.
And use thy freedom : else, if thou pursu'st her.
Be as that cursed man that hates his counir)'.
A branded villain !
Arc. You are mad.
Pal. I must be.
Till thou art worthy, Arcite ; it concrrns mc;
And, in this madness, if 1 hazard thee
And take thy life, 1 deal but truly.
Arc. Tie. sir!
You play the child extremely : I will love her,
1 must. I ought to do so, and I dare ;
And all this justly.
Pal. ' O. that now, that now
Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune.
To be one hour at libertv. and grasp
Our good sworils in our hands ! I'd quickly teach (i;rc-
What 'twere to tilch affection from another!
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse :
Put but thy head out of this window n)orr.
And, as 1 have a soul. I'll nail thy ' '• '■''? '
T..M.K. 27.] ^■"- 3'^>-
Act Ii, 1 THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. ^Scene 1,
Arc. 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,
And pitch between her arms, to anger thee.
Pal. No more ! the keeper's coming : I shall live
To knock thy brains out with my shackles.
Arc. Do I
Re-enter Gaoler.
Gaoler. By your leave, gentlemen.
Pa/. Now, honest keeper?
Gaoler. Lord Arcite, you must presently to the duke :
The cause I know not yet.
Arc. I'm ready, keeper.
Gaoler. Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you
Of your fair cousin's company.
Pal. And me too,
E\en when you please, of life. \Exeu7it Gaoler and Arcite.
Why is he sent for }
It may be, he shall marr}- 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 ;