William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (590 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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PALAMON
Would you were so in all, sir—I could wish ye
As kind a kinsman, as you force me find
A beneficial foe, that my embraces
Might thank ye, not my blows.
As kind a kinsman, as you force me find
A beneficial foe, that my embraces
Might thank ye, not my blows.
ARCITE
I shall think either,
Well done, a noble recompense.
Well done, a noble recompense.
PALAMON
Then I shall quit you.
ARCITE
Defy me in these fair terms, and you show
More than a mistress to me—no more anger,
As you love anything that’s honourable.
We were not bred to talk, man. When we are armed
And both upon our guards, then let our fury,
Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us;
And then to whom the birthright of this beauty
Truly pertains—without upbraidings, scorns,
Despisings of our persons, and such poutings
Fitter for girls and schoolboys—will be seen,
And quickly, yours or mine. Will’t please you arm,
sir?
Or, if you feel yourself not fitting yet,
And furnished with your old strength, I’ll stay,
cousin,
And every day discourse you into health,
As I am spared. Your person I am friends with,
And I could wish I had not said I loved her,
Though I had died; but loving such a lady,
And justifying my love, I must not fly from’t.
More than a mistress to me—no more anger,
As you love anything that’s honourable.
We were not bred to talk, man. When we are armed
And both upon our guards, then let our fury,
Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us;
And then to whom the birthright of this beauty
Truly pertains—without upbraidings, scorns,
Despisings of our persons, and such poutings
Fitter for girls and schoolboys—will be seen,
And quickly, yours or mine. Will’t please you arm,
sir?
Or, if you feel yourself not fitting yet,
And furnished with your old strength, I’ll stay,
cousin,
And every day discourse you into health,
As I am spared. Your person I am friends with,
And I could wish I had not said I loved her,
Though I had died; but loving such a lady,
And justifying my love, I must not fly from’t.
PALAMON
Arcite, thou art so brave an enemy
That no man but thy cousin’s fit to kill thee.
I am well and lusty—choose your arms.
That no man but thy cousin’s fit to kill thee.
I am well and lusty—choose your arms.
ARCITE Choose you, sir.
PALAMON
Wilt thou exceed in all, or dost thou do it
To make me spare thee?
To make me spare thee?
ARCITE
If you think so, cousin,
You are deceived, for as I am a soldier,
I will not spare you.
You are deceived, for as I am a soldier,
I will not spare you.
PALAMON
That’s well said.
ARCITE
You’ll find it.
PALAMON
Then as I am an honest man, and love
With all the justice of affection,
I’ll pay thee soundly.
With all the justice of affection,
I’ll pay thee soundly.
He chooses one armour
This I’ll take.
ARCITE (
indicating the remaining armour
)
indicating the remaining armour
)
That’s mine, then.
I’ll arm you first.
PALAMON
Do.
Arcite arms Palamon
Pray thee tell me, cousin,
Where gott’st thou this good armour?
ARCITE
‘Tis the Duke’s,
And to say true, I stole it. Do I pinch you?
PALAMON
No.
ARCITE
Is’t not too heavy?
PALAMON
I have worn a lighter—
But I shall make it serve.
ARCITE
I’ll buckle’t close.
PALAMON
By any means.
ARCITE
You care not for a grand guard?
PALAMON
No, no, we’ll use no horses. I perceive
You would fain be at that fight.
You would fain be at that fight.
ARCITE
I am indifferent.
PALAMON
Faith, so am I. Good cousin, thrust the buckle
Through far enough.
Through far enough.
ARCITE
I warrant you.
PALAMON
My casque now.
ARCITE
Will you fight bare-armed?
PALAMON We shall be the nimbler.
ARCITE
But use your gauntlets, though—those are o’th’ least.
Prithee take mine, good cousin.
Prithee take mine, good cousin.
PALAMON
Thank you, Arcite.
How do I look? Am I fall’n much away?
How do I look? Am I fall’n much away?
ARCITE
Faith, very little—love has used you kindly.
PALAMON
I’ll warrant thee, I’ll strike home.
ARCITE
Do, and spare not—
I’ll give you cause, sweet cousin.
I’ll give you cause, sweet cousin.
PALAMON Now to you, sir.
Palamon arms Arcite
Methinks this armour’s very like that, Arcite,
Thou wor’st that day the three kings fell, but lighter.
Thou wor’st that day the three kings fell, but lighter.
ARCITE
That was a very good one, and that day,
I well remember, you outdid me, cousin.
I never saw such valour. When you charged
Upon the left wing of the enemy,
I spurred hard to come up, and under me
I had a right good horse.
I well remember, you outdid me, cousin.
I never saw such valour. When you charged
Upon the left wing of the enemy,
I spurred hard to come up, and under me
I had a right good horse.
PALAMON
You had indeed—
A bright bay, I remember.
A bright bay, I remember.
ARCITE
Yes. But all
Was vainly laboured in me—you outwent me,
Nor could my wishes reach you. Yet a little
I did by imitation.
Was vainly laboured in me—you outwent me,
Nor could my wishes reach you. Yet a little
I did by imitation.
PALAMON
More by virtue—
You are modest, cousin.
You are modest, cousin.
ARCITE
When I saw you charge first,
Methought I heard a dreadful clap of thunder
Break from the troop.
Methought I heard a dreadful clap of thunder
Break from the troop.
PALAMON
But still before that flew
The lightning of your valour. Stay a little,
Is not this piece too strait?
The lightning of your valour. Stay a little,
Is not this piece too strait?
ARCITE
No, no, ’tis well.
PALAMON
I would have nothing hurt thee but my sword—
A bruise would be dishonour.
A bruise would be dishonour.
ARCITE
Now I am perfect.
PALAMON
Stand off, then.
ARCITE
Take my sword; I hold it better.
PALAMON
I thank ye. No, keep it—your life lies on it.
Here’s one—if it but hold, I ask no more
For all my hopes. My cause and honour guard me.
Here’s one—if it but hold, I ask no more
For all my hopes. My cause and honour guard me.
ARCITE
And me, my love.
They bow several ways, then advance and standIs there aught else to say?
PALAMON
This only, and no more. Thou art mine aunt’s son,
And that blood we desire to shed is mutual:
In me, thine, and in thee, mine. My sword
Is in my hand, and if thou kill’st me,
The gods and I forgive thee. If there be
A place prepared for those that sleep in honour,
I wish his weary soul that falls may win it.
Fight bravely, cousin. Give me thy noble hand.
And that blood we desire to shed is mutual:
In me, thine, and in thee, mine. My sword
Is in my hand, and if thou kill’st me,
The gods and I forgive thee. If there be
A place prepared for those that sleep in honour,
I wish his weary soul that falls may win it.
Fight bravely, cousin. Give me thy noble hand.
ARCITE
Here, Palamon. This hand shall never more
Come near thee with such friendship.
Come near thee with such friendship.
PALAMON
I commend thee.
ARCITE
If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward—
For none but such dare die in these just trials.
Once more farewell, my cousin.
For none but such dare die in these just trials.
Once more farewell, my cousin.
PALAMON
Farewell, Arcite.
Fight. Horns within; they stand
ARCITE
Lo, cousin, lo, our folly has undone us.
PALAMON
Why?
ARCITE
This is the Duke a-hunting, as I told you.
If we be found, we are wretched. O, retire,
For honour’s sake, and safely, presently,
Into your bush again. Sir, we shall find
Too many hours to die. In, gentle cousin—
If you be seen, you perish instantly
For breaking prison, and I, if you reveal me,
For my contempt. Then all the world will scorn us,
And say we had a noble difference,
But base disposers of it.
If we be found, we are wretched. O, retire,
For honour’s sake, and safely, presently,
Into your bush again. Sir, we shall find
Too many hours to die. In, gentle cousin—
If you be seen, you perish instantly
For breaking prison, and I, if you reveal me,
For my contempt. Then all the world will scorn us,
And say we had a noble difference,
But base disposers of it.
PALAMON
No, no, cousin,
I will no more be hidden, nor put off
This great adventure to a second trial.
I know your cunning and I know your cause—
He that faints now, shame take him! Put thyself
Upon thy present guard—
I will no more be hidden, nor put off
This great adventure to a second trial.
I know your cunning and I know your cause—
He that faints now, shame take him! Put thyself
Upon thy present guard—
ARCITE
You are not mad?
PALAMON
Or I will make th’advantage of this hour
Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me
I fear less than my fortune. Know, weak cousin,
I love Emilia, and in that I’ll bury
Thee and all crosses else.
Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me
I fear less than my fortune. Know, weak cousin,
I love Emilia, and in that I’ll bury
Thee and all crosses else.
ARCITE
Then come what can come,
Thou shalt know, Palamon, I dare as well
Die as discourse or sleep. Only this fears me,
The law will have the honour of our ends.
Have at thy life!
Thou shalt know, Palamon, I dare as well
Die as discourse or sleep. Only this fears me,
The law will have the honour of our ends.
Have at thy life!
PALAMON
Look to thine own well, Arcite!
They fight again.Horns. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous, and train.
⌈
Theseus
⌉
separates Palamon and Arcite
THESEUS
What ignorant and mad malicious traitors
Are you, that ’gainst the tenor of my laws
Are making battle, thus like knights appointed,
Without my leave and officers of arms?
By Castor, both shall die.
Are you, that ’gainst the tenor of my laws
Are making battle, thus like knights appointed,
Without my leave and officers of arms?
By Castor, both shall die.
PALAMON
Hold thy word, Theseus.
We are certainly both traitors, both despisers
Of thee and of thy goodness. I am Palamon,
That cannot love thee, he that broke thy prison—
Think well what that deserves. And this is Arcite;
A bolder traitor never trod thy ground,
A falser ne’er seemed friend. This is the man
Was begged and banished; this is he contemns thee,
And what thou dar’st do; and in this disguise,
Against thine own edict, follows thy sister,
That fortunate bright star, the fair Emilia,
Whose servant—if there be a right in seeing
And first bequeathing of the soul to—justly
I am; and, which is more, dares think her his.
This treachery, like a most trusty lover,
I called him now to answer. If thou be’st
As thou art spoken, great and virtuous,
The true decider of all injuries,
Say, ’Fight again’, and thou shalt see me, Theseus,
Do such a justice thou thyself wilt envy.
Then take my life—I’ll woo thee to’t.
We are certainly both traitors, both despisers
Of thee and of thy goodness. I am Palamon,
That cannot love thee, he that broke thy prison—
Think well what that deserves. And this is Arcite;
A bolder traitor never trod thy ground,
A falser ne’er seemed friend. This is the man
Was begged and banished; this is he contemns thee,
And what thou dar’st do; and in this disguise,
Against thine own edict, follows thy sister,
That fortunate bright star, the fair Emilia,
Whose servant—if there be a right in seeing
And first bequeathing of the soul to—justly
I am; and, which is more, dares think her his.
This treachery, like a most trusty lover,
I called him now to answer. If thou be’st
As thou art spoken, great and virtuous,
The true decider of all injuries,
Say, ’Fight again’, and thou shalt see me, Theseus,
Do such a justice thou thyself wilt envy.
Then take my life—I’ll woo thee to’t.
PIRITHOUS
O heaven,
What more than man is this!
What more than man is this!
THESEUS
I have sworn.
ARCITE
We seek not
Thy breath of mercy, Theseus. ‘Tis to me
A thing as soon to die as thee to say it,
And no more moved. Where this man calls me traitor
Let me say thus much—if in love be treason,
In service of so excellent a beauty,
As I love most, and in that faith will perish,
As I have brought my life here to confirm it,
As I have served her truest, worthiest,
As I dare kill this cousin that denies it,
So let me be most traitor and ye please me.
For scorning thy edict, Duke, ask that lady
Why she is fair, and why her eyes command me
Stay here to love her, and if she say, ‘Traitor’,
I am a villain fit to lie unburied.
Thy breath of mercy, Theseus. ‘Tis to me
A thing as soon to die as thee to say it,
And no more moved. Where this man calls me traitor
Let me say thus much—if in love be treason,
In service of so excellent a beauty,
As I love most, and in that faith will perish,
As I have brought my life here to confirm it,
As I have served her truest, worthiest,
As I dare kill this cousin that denies it,
So let me be most traitor and ye please me.
For scorning thy edict, Duke, ask that lady
Why she is fair, and why her eyes command me
Stay here to love her, and if she say, ‘Traitor’,
I am a villain fit to lie unburied.
PALAMON
Thou shalt have pity of us both, O Theseus,
If unto neither thou show mercy. Stop,
As thou art just, thy noble ear against us;
As thou art valiant, for thy cousin’s soul,
Whose twelve strong labours crown his memory,
Let’s die together, at one instant, Duke.
Only a little let him fall before me,
That I may tell my soul he shall not have her.
If unto neither thou show mercy. Stop,
As thou art just, thy noble ear against us;
As thou art valiant, for thy cousin’s soul,
Whose twelve strong labours crown his memory,
Let’s die together, at one instant, Duke.
Only a little let him fall before me,
That I may tell my soul he shall not have her.
THESEUS
I grant your wish; for to say true, your cousin
Has ten times more offended, for I gave him
More mercy than you found, sir, your offences
Being no more than his. None here speak for ’em,
For ere the sun set both shall sleep for ever.
Has ten times more offended, for I gave him
More mercy than you found, sir, your offences
Being no more than his. None here speak for ’em,
For ere the sun set both shall sleep for ever.
HIPPOLYTA (
to Emilia)
to Emilia)
Alas, the pity! Now or never, sister,
Speak, not to be denied. That face of yours
Will bear the curses else of after ages
For these lost cousins.
Speak, not to be denied. That face of yours
Will bear the curses else of after ages
For these lost cousins.
EMILIA
In my face, dear sister,
I find no anger to ’em, nor no ruin.
The misadventure of their own eyes kill ’em.
Yet that I will be woman and have pity,
My knees shall grow to th’ ground, but I’ll get mercy.
Help me, dear sister—in a deed so virtuous
The powers of all women will be with us.
I find no anger to ’em, nor no ruin.
The misadventure of their own eyes kill ’em.
Yet that I will be woman and have pity,
⌈
She kneels
⌉
Help me, dear sister—in a deed so virtuous
The powers of all women will be with us.
Hippolyta kneels
Most royal brother—
HIPPOLYTA
Sir, by our tie of marriage—
EMILIA
By your own spotless honour—
HIPPOLYTA
By that faith,
That fair hand, and that honest heart you gave me—
EMILIA
By that you would have pity in another,
By your own virtues infinite—
By your own virtues infinite—
HIPPOLYTA
By valour,
By all the chaste nights I have ever pleased you—
THESEUS
These are strange conjurings.
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