The Two Noble Kinsmen Part 9

PALAMON.

Let that one say so, And use thy freedome; els if thou pursuest her, Be as that cursed man that hates his Country, A branded villaine.

ARCITE.

You are mad.

PALAMON.

I must be, Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concernes me, And in this madnes, if I hazard thee And take thy life, I deale but truely.

ARCITE.

Fie, Sir, You play the Childe extreamely: I will love her, I must, I ought to doe so, and I dare; And all this justly.

PALAMON.

O that now, that now Thy false-selfe and thy friend had but this fortune, To be one howre at liberty, and graspe Our good Swords in our hands! I would quickly teach thee What 'twer 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 soule, Ile naile thy life too't.

ARCITE.

Thou dar'st not, foole, thou canst not, thou art feeble.

Put my head out? Ile throw my Body out, And leape the garden, when I see her next

[Enter Keeper.]

And pitch between her armes to anger thee.

PALAMON.

No more; the keeper's comming; I shall live To knocke thy braines out with my Shackles.

ARCITE.

Doe.

KEEPER.

By your leave, Gentlemen--

PALAMON.

Now, honest keeper?

KEEPER.

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

ARCITE.

I am ready, keeper.

KEEPER.

Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you Of your faire Cosens Company. [Exeunt Arcite, and Keeper.]

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 n.o.ble, and so faire, Let honest men ne're love againe. Once more I would but see this faire One. Blessed Garden, And fruite, and flowers more blessed, that still blossom As her bright eies s.h.i.+ne on ye! would I were, For all the fortune of my life hereafter, Yon little Tree, yon blooming Apric.o.c.ke; How I would spread, and fling my wanton armes In at her window; I would bring her fruite Fit for the G.o.ds 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 neere the G.o.ds in nature, they should feare her,

[Enter Keeper.]

And then I am sure she would love me. How now, keeper.

Wher's Arcite?

KEEPER.

Banishd: Prince Pirithous Obtained his liberty; but never more Vpon his oth and life must he set foote Vpon this Kingdome.

PALAMON.

Hees a blessed man!

He shall see Thebs againe, and call to Armes The bold yong men, that, when he bids 'em charge, Fall on like fire: Arcite shall have a Fortune, If he dare make himselfe a worthy Lover, Yet in the Feild to strike a battle for her; And if he lose her then, he's a cold Coward; How bravely may he beare himselfe to win her If he be n.o.ble Arcite--thousand waies.

Were I at liberty, I would doe things Of such a vertuous greatnes, that this Lady, This blus.h.i.+ng virgine, should take manhood to her And seeke to ravish me.

KEEPER.

My Lord for you I have this charge too--

PALAMON.

To discharge my life?

KEEPER.

No, but from this place to remoove your Lords.h.i.+p: The windowes are too open.

PALAMON.

Devils take 'em, That are so envious to me! pre'thee kill me.

KEEPER.

And hang for't afterward.

PALAMON.