William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (586 page)
Read William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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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.
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 blessèd goddess!
I love her as a woman, to enjoy her—
So both may love.
As she is heavenly and a blessèd 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.
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 her, 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.
I must do so. I love her with my soul—
If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon!
I say again,
I love her, 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 called 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.
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?
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? Speak truly. Do you think me
Unworthy of her sight?
To love alone? Speak 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?
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.
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.
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.
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 swords in our hands! I would quickly teach
thee
What ’twere to filch affection from another.
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse.
Put but thy head out of this window more
And, as I have a soul, I’ll nail thy life to’t.
To be one hour at liberty and grasp
Our good swords in our hands! I would quickly teach
thee
What ’twere to filch affection from another.
Thou art baser in it than 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,
Put my head out? I’ll throw my body out
And leap the garden when I see her next,
Enter the Jailer
⌈
above
⌉
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.
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.
The cause I know not yet.
ARCITE I am ready, keeper.
JAILER
Prince Palamon, I must a while bereave you
Of your fair cousin’s company.
Of your fair cousin’s company.
Exeunt Arcite and the 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. Blessèd 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 apricot—
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—
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. Blessèd 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 apricot—
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 the Jailer
⌈
bove
⌉
And then I am sure she would love me. How now,
keeper,
Where’s Arcite?
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.
Upon his oath and life, must he set foot
Upon this kingdom.
PALAMON ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
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.
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.
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 as word I would kill thee.
JAILER Why, my lord?
PALAMON
Thou bring’st such pelting scurvy news continually,
Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.
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, then; and for you are dangerous,
I’ll clap more irons on you.
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?
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.
If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,
Dream how I suffer. Come, now bury me.
Exeunt Palamon and the Jailer
2.3Enter 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—
O, ‘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 into thee. Thou shalt feed
Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty
That nature ne’er exceeded, nor ne’er 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.
A mercy I must thank ’em for; but banished
The free enjoying of that face I die for—
O, ‘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 into thee. Thou shalt feed
Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty
That nature ne’er exceeded, nor ne’er 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 four Country People, one of whom carries a garland before them. Arcite stands apart
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
My masters, I’ll be there—that’s certain.
SECOND COUNTRYMAN And I’ll be there.
THIRD COUNTRYMAN And
I.
I.
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Why then, have with ye, boys! ’Tis but a chiding—
Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t out
Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.
Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t out
Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.
FIRST COUNTRYMAN I am sure
To have my wife as jealous as a turkey—
But that’s all one. I’ll go through, let her mumble.
But that’s all one. I’ll go through, let her mumble.
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her,
And all’s made up again.
And all’s made up again.
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Ay, 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?
Take a new lesson out and be a good wench.
Do we all hold against the maying?
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Hold? What should ail us?
THIRD COUNTRYMAN Areas will be there.
SECOND COUNTRYMAN And Sennois, and Rycas, and three better lads ne’er danced under 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.
THIRD COUNTRYMAN 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.
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN Shall we be lusty?
SECOND COUNTRYMAN 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!
FIRST COUNTRYMAN This must be done i’th’ woods.
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN O, pardon me.
SECOND COUNTRYMAN By any means, our thing of learning said so; where he himself will edify the Duke most parlously in our behalfs—he’s excellent i’th’ woods, bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.
THIRD COUNTRYMAN 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.
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN Content—the sports once ended, we’ll perform. Away boys, and hold.
ARCITE (
coming forward
) By your leaves, honest friends, pray you whither go you? 6
coming forward
) By your leaves, honest friends, pray you whither go you? 6
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Whither? Why, what a question’s that?
ARCITE Yet ’tis a question
To me that know not.
THIRD COUNTRYMAN To the games, my friend.
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Where were you bred, you know it not?
ARCITE Not far, sir
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