230 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

  235 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!

  240 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

  245 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.

  250 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,

  255 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

  260 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.

  265 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 bringst such pelting, scurvy news continually,

  270 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.

  PALAMON Do, good keeper!

  275 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 winds never hurt thee! – Oh, my lady,

  If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,

  280 Dream how I suffer! – Come, now bury me.

  Exeunt Palamon and Jailer.

  [2.3] 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

  5 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

  10 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

  15 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.

  20 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 Countrymen, and one with a garland before them.

  [Arcite stands aside.]

  1 COUNTRYMAN

  25 My masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.

  2 COUNTRYMAN

  And I’ll be there.

  3 COUNTRYMAN

  And I.

  4 COUNTRYMAN

  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.

  30 1 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.

  2 COUNTRYMAN

  Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her,

  And all’s made up again.

  3 COUNTRYMAN Ay, do but put

  35 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 COUNTRYMAN Hold?

  What should ail us?

  3 COUNTRYMAN

  Arcas will be there.

  2 COUNTRYMAN And Sennois

  40 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.

  3 COUNTRYMAN

  He’ll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to;

  45 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 COUNTRYMAN

  Shall we be lusty?

  2 COUNTRYMAN All the boys in Athens

  Blow wind i’th’ breech on’s. And here I’ll be,

  50 And there I’ll be for our town and here again,

  And there again – ha, boys, hey for the weavers!

  1 COUNTRYMAN

  This must be done i’th’ woods.

  4 COUNTRYMAN Oh, pardon me.

  2 COUNTRYMAN

  By any means; our thing of learning says so –

  Where he himself will edify the Duke

  55 Most parlously in our behalfs. He’s excellent i’th’ woods;

  Bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.

  3 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

  60 And God knows what may come on’t.

  4 COUNTRYMAN

  Content; the sports once ended, we’ll perform.

  Away, boys – and hold. [Arcite comes forward.]

  ARCITE By your leaves, honest friends:

  Pray you, whither go you?

  4 COUNTRYMAN Whither?

  Why, what a question’s that?

  ARCITE Yes, ’tis a question,

  To me that know not.

  65 3 COUNTRYMAN To the games, my friend.

  2 COUNTRYMAN

  Where were you bred, you know it not?

  ARCITE Not far, sir;

  Are there such games today?

  1 COUNTRYMAN Yes, marry, are there

  And such as you never saw; the Duke himself

  Will be in person there.

  ARCITE What pastimes are they?

  2 COUNTRYMAN

  70 Wrestling and running. – ’Tis a pretty fellow.

  3 COUNTRYMAN

  Thou wilt not go along?

  ARCITE Not yet, sir.

  4 COUNTRYMAN Well, sir,

  Take your own time. Come, boys.

  1 COUNTRYMAN [aside to the others] My mind misgives me,

  This fellow has a vengeance trick o’th’ hip;

  Mark how his body’s made for’t.

  2 COUNTRYMAN I’ll be hanged, though,

  75 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 called it excellent – and run

  80 Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,

  Curling the wealthy ears, 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.

  [2.4] 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;

  5 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,

  10 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,

  15 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 keeps! To hear him

  Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!

  20 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

  25 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?

  30 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.

  [2.5] A short flourish of cornets and shouts within. Enter THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, PIRITHOUS, EMILIA; ARCITE [disguised as a countryman] with a garland; [attendants and spectators].

  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?

  5 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

  10 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 seat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me

  Would say it was my best piece; last and greatest,

  I would be thought a soldier.

  15 THESEUS You are perfect.

  PIRITHOUS [to Emilia]

  Upon my soul, a proper man.

  EMILIA He is so.

  PIRITHOUS [to Hippolyta]

  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,

  20 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.

  HIPPOLYTA He’s well got, sure.

  THESEUS [to Arcite]

  What made you seek this place, sir?

  25 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 [to Arcite]

  30 Sir, we are much indebted to your travel,

  Nor shall you lose your wish. Pirithous,

  Dispose of this fair gentleman.

  PIRITHOUS Thanks, Theseus.

  [to Arcite] Whate’er you are, you’re mine, and I shall give you

  To a most noble service: to this lady, [Leads him to Emilia.]

  35 This bright young virgin; pray observe her goodness.

  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. [Kisses her hand.]

  When your servant,

  40 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

  45 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 [to Hippolyta] Sweet, you must be ready,

  And you, Emilia, and [to Pirithous] you, friend, and all,

  50 Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance

  To flowery May, in Dian’s wood. [to Arcite]

  Wait well, sir,

  Upon your mistress. – Emily, I hope

  He shall not go afoot.

  EMILIA That were a shame, sir,

  While I have horses. [to Arcite]

  Take your choice and what

  55 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.

  60 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.

  [2.6] 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

  5 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

  10 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,

  15 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;

  20 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,

  25 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 –

  30 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,

  35 I’ll ever dwell. Within this hour the hubbub

  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 keep yourself. Now to him. Exit.

  [3.1] Cornets in sundry places. Noise and hallooing as people a-Maying. Enter ARCITE alone.

  ARCITE

  The Duke has lost Hippolyta; each took

  A several laund. This is a solemn rite

  They owe bloomed May and the Athenians pay it

  To th’ heart of ceremony. Oh, Queen Emilia,

  5 Fresher than May, sweeter

  Than her gold buttons on the boughs, or all

  Th’enamelled knacks o’th’ mead, or garden – yea,