PALAMON

Your advice Is cried up with example: what strange ruins Since first we went to School, may we perceive Walking in Thebs? Skars, and bar weeds The gain o'th Martialist, who did propound To his bold ends, honour, and golden Ingots, Which though he wone, he had not, and now flirted By peace for whom he fought, who then shall offer To Marsis so scorned Altar? I do bleed When such I meet, and wish great would Resume her ancient fit of Jealousy To get the Soldier work, that peace might purge For her repletion, and retain anew Her cham itable heart now hard, and harsh Then strife, or war could be. 'Tis in our power, (Unless we fear that Apes can Tutor's) to Be Master's of our manners: what need I Affect another's gate, which is not catching Where there is faith, or to be found upon Another's way of speech, when by mine own I may be reasonably conceived; saved too, Speaking it truly; why am I bound By any generous bound to follow him Follows his Taylor, haply so long until The followed, make pursuit? or let me know, Why mine own Barbe is unblest, with him My poor Chin too, for 'tis not Cizard joust To such a Favorites glass: What Cannon is there That does command my Rapier from my hip To dangle't in my hand, or to go tip toe Before the street be foul? Either I am The fore-horse in the Term, or I am none That draw i'th sequent trace: these poor flight sores, Need not a plantin; That which tips my bosom Almost to'th heart's, He, A most unbounded Tyrant, whose successes Makes heaven unfeared, and villainy assured Beyond its power: there's nothing, almost puts Faith in a favour, and deifies alone Voluble chance, who only attributes The faculties of other Instruments To his own Ne ves and act; Commands men service, And what they win in't, boot and glory on; That fears not to do harm; good, dares not; Let The blood of mine that's sib to him, be sucked From me with Leeches, Let them break and fallen Off me with that corruption. Nothing truer: I think the Echoes of his shames have dea'ft The ears of heavenly Justice: widows cries Descend again into their throats; and have not: Enter Vam leri S. Endue audie nce of the Gods: alerius Small winds shake him, But whats to e matter? Val. Theseus (who where he threats appals,) hath sent Deadly defiance to him, and pronounces Ruin to Thebs, who is at hand to seal The promise of his wrath. Leave that unreasond. Our sir ices stand now for Thebs, not Creon, Yet to be neutral to him, were dishonour; Rebellious to oppose: therefore we must With him stand to the mercy of our Fate, Who hath bounded our last minute. Lets to the king, who, were he A quarter carrier of that honour, which His Enemy come in, the blood we venture Should be as for our health, which were not spent, Rather laid out for purchase: but alas Our hands advanced before our hearts, what will The fallen o'th stroke do damage? How do you Noble Cousin? Why strong enough to laugh at misery, And bear the chance of war yet, we are prisoners I fear for ever Cousin. O Cousin Arcite, Where is Thebs now? where is our noble Country? Where are our friend , and kindreds? never more Must we behold those comforts, never see The hardy youths strive for the Games of honour (Hung with the painted favours of their Ladies) Like tall Ships under sail: then start amongst they And as and Eastwind leave they all behind us, Like lazy Clouds, while Palamon and Arcite, Even in the wagging of a wanton leg Outstripped the peoples praises, wone the Garlands, Ere they have time to wish they ours. Oh never Shall we two exercise, Like Twyns of honour, Our Arms again, and feel our fyry horses Like proud Seas under us, our good Swords, now (Better the red-eyd God of war never were) Bravishd 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. 'Tis too true Arcite. To out Theban hounds, That shook the aged Foe: rest with their echos, No more now must we halloa, no more shake Our pointed Iavelyns, while the angry Swine Flies Like a Parthian quiver from our rages, Struck with our well-steeld Darts: All valiant uses, (The soode, and nourishment of noble minds,) In us two here shall perish; we shall die (which is the curse of honour) lastly, Children of grief, and Ignorance. How gentle Cousin? You have made me (I thank you Cousin Arcit ) almost wanton With my Captivity: what a misery It is to live abroad? and every where: 'Tis Like a Beast me thinks: I find the Court here, I am sure a more content, and all those pleasures 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, Where sin is Justice, lust, and ignorance, The virtues of the great ones: Cousin Arcite, Had not the loving gods found this place for us We had died as they do, ill old men, unwept, And had their Epitaphs, the peoples Curses, Shall I say more? I do not think it possible our friendship Should ever leave us. Yes. Never till now I was in prison Arcite. Behold, and wonder. By heaven she is a Goddess. Do reverence. She is a Goddess Arcite. She is all the beauty extant. What think you of this beauty? Is't but a rare one? Might not a man well loose himself and love her? You love her then? And desire her? I saw her first. But it shall be. Yes, but you must not love her. You shall not love at all. I that first saw her; I that took possession First with mine eye of all those beauty's In her revealed to mankind: if thou lovest her. Or entertainest 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. Have I called thee friend? Yes. You may be. No, but unjust, If thou pursue that sighed. Yes, if he be but one. 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. I must be. Till thou art worthy, Arcite, it concerns me, And in this madness, if I hazard thee And take thy life, I dcale but truly. Oh that now, that now Thy false-sel e 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 tw'er to filch affection from another: Thou a baser in it then a Cutpurse; Put but thy hea out of this window more, And as I have a soul, I'll nail thy life too't. No more; the keeper's coming; I shall live To k cke thy brains out with my Shackles. 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 never love again. Once more I would but see this fair One: Blessed Garden, And fruit, and flowers more blessed that still blossom As her brigh eyes shine on you. would I were For all the fortune of my life hereafter Yond little Tree, yond 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 do bled on her, And if she be not heavenly I would make her So near the Gods in nature, they should fear her. Enter Keeper. And then I am sure she would love me: how now keeper Where's Arcite, He's a blessed man, He shall see Thebs again, and call to Arms The bold young men, that when he bids they charge, Fallen on Like fire: Arcit shall have a Fortune, If he dare make himself a worthy Lover, Yet in the Field to strike a bat le for her; And if he loose her then, he's a cold Coward; How brav lie 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. To discharge my life. By this good light Had I a sword I would kill thee. Thou bringest such pelting scurvy news continually Thou art not worthy life ; I will not go. May I see the garden? Then I am resolved, I will not go. Do good keeper. I'll shake'em so, you shall not sl epe, I'll make you a new Morri e, must I go? Fare well kind window. May rude wind never hurt thee. Oh my Lady If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was, Dream how I suffer. Come; now bury me. Cosoner Arcite, give me language, such As thou hast showed me feat. That thou durst Arcite. Sir, I have seen you move in such a place, which well Might justify your manhood, you were called A good knight and a bold; But the whole weeke's not fair If any day it rain: Their valiant temper Men lose when they incline to treachery, And then they fight Like compelled Bears, would fly Were they not tied. Come up to me, Q it me of these cold Gyves, give me a Sword Though it be rusty, and the charity Of one meal lend me; Come before me then A good Sword in thy hand, and do but say That Emily is thine, I will forgive The trespass thou hast done me, yea my life If then thou carry , and brave souls in shades That have died manly, which will seek of me Some news from earth, they shall get none but this That thou art brave, and noble. O you heavens, dares any So noble bear a guilty business! none But only Arcite, therefore none but Arcite In this kind is so bold. I do embràce you, and your offer, for Your offer doo't I only, Sir your person Without hypocrisy I may not wish Wind horns of Cornets. More then my Swords edge ont. Pray hol your promise; And do the deed with a bent brow, most creaine You love me not, be rough with me, and pour This oil out of your language; by this air I could for each word, give a Cuff: my stomach not reconciled by reason, Sir your attendance Cannot please heaven, and I know your office Unjustly is atcheev'd. But this one word: You are going now to gaze upon my Mistress, For note you, mine she is. Nay pray you, You talk of feeding me to breed me strength You are going now to look upon a Sun That strengthens what it looks on, there You have a vantage over me, but enjoy't till I may enforce my remedy. Farewell. Arcite. Nor none so honest Arcite. Arcite, thou mightest now poison me. Do. Well Sir, I'll pledge you. Stay, to ll you after a draught or two more. Yes. I am gladder I have so good meat too't. Yes, for then that have wild Consciences. Not much. But if it did, yours is too : sweet Cousin: what is this? 'Tis a lusty meat: Give me more wine; here Arcite to the wenches We have known in our days. The Lord Stewards daughter. Do you remember her? She loved a black-haird man. And I have herd some call him Arcite. and She met him in and Arbour: What did she there Cuz? play o'th virginals? Made her groan a month for't; or 2. or 3. or 10. Yes. For Emily, upon my life; Fool Away with this strained mirth; I say again That sighs was breathed for Emily; base Cousin, Darest thou break first? By heaven and earth, ther's nothing in thee honest. As thou makest me, Traitor. A Sword and Armour. Sir would: If he keep touch, he die for't. About this hour my Cousin gave his faith To visit me again, and with him bring Two Swords, and two good Armours; if he fail He's neither man, nor Soldier; when he left I did not think a week could have restored My lost strength to me, I was grown so low, And Crestfallen with my wants: I thank thee Arcite, Thou art yet a fair Foe; and I feel my self With this refreshing, able once again To out dure danger: To delay it longer Would make the world think when it comes to hearing, That I lay fatting Like a Swine, to fight And not a Soldier: Therefore this blessed morning Shall be the last; and that Sword he refuses, If it but hold, I kill him with; 'tis Justice: So love, and Fortune for me: Oh good morrow. Enter Arcite with and Swords. I have put you To too much pains Sir. Would you were so in all Sir; I could wish you As kind a kinsman, as you force me find A beneficial foe, that my embraces Might thank you, not my blows. Then I shall quit you. Arcite, thou art so brave and enemy That no man but thy Cousin's fit to kill thee, I am well, and lusty, choose your Arms. Wilt thou exceed in all, or dost thou do it To make me pare thee? That's well said. Then as I am and honest man and love, With all the justice of affection I'll pay thee soundly: This isle take. Do: pray thee tell me Cousin, Where gotst thou this good Armour. No. I have worn a lighter, But I shall make it serve. By any means. No, no, we'll use no horses, I perceive You would feign be at that Fight. Faith so am I: good Cousin, thrust the buckle Through far enough. My Cask now. We shall be the ni bler. Thank you Arcite. How do I look, am I fallen much away? I'll warrant thee, I'll strike home. Now to you Sir, Me thinks this Armo'rs very Like that, , Thou worst that day the 3. Kings fell, but lighter. You had indeed A bright Bay I remember. More by virtue, You are modest Cousin. But still before that flew The lightning of your valour: Stay a little, Is not this piece too ? I would have nothing hurt thee but my Sword, A bruise would be dishonour. Stand off then. I thank you: No, keep it, your life lies on it, Here's one, if it but hold, I ask no more, For all my Hope's: My Cause and honour guard me. This only, and no more: Thou art mine Ants 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 killest 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 Cos , give me thy noble hand. I commend thee. Farewell Arcite. Why? 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 thy self Upon thy present guard. Or I will make th'advantage of this hour Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me, I fear less then my fortune: know weak Cousin I love Emilia, and in that isle bury Thee, and all crosses else. Look to thine own well Arcite. 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 never seemed friend: This is the man Was begged and banished, this is he contemnes thee And what thou darest do; and in this disguise Against this 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 descider of all injuries, Say, Fight again, and thou shalt see me Theseus Do such a Justice, thou thy self wilt envy, Then take my life, I'll woo thee too't. Thou shalt have pity of us both, oh Theseus, If unto neither thou show mercy, stop, (As thou art just) thy noble ear against us, As thou art valiant; for thy Cosens soul Whose 12. strong labours crown his memory, Lets die together, at one instant Duke, Only a little let him fallen before me, That I may tell my Soul he shall not have her. I'll be cut a pieces Before I take this oath, forget I love her? Oh all you gods despise me then: Thy Banishment I not mislike, so we may fairly carry Our Swords, and cause along: else never trifle, But take our lives Duke, I must love and will, And for that love, must and dare kill this Cousin On any piece the earth has. H'es a villain then. If I fallen from that mouth, I fallen with favour, And Lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes. Yes: here Cousin Arcite I am friends again, till that hour. We dare not fail thee Theseus. The glasso is running now that cannot finish Till one of us expire: Think you but thus, That were there ought in me which strove to show Mine enemy in this business, were't one eye Against another: Arm oppressed by Arm: I would destroy offender, Coz, I would Though parcel of my self: Then from this gather How I should tender you. You speak well; Before I turn, Let me embrace thee Cousin This I shall never do again. Why let it be so: Farewell Coz. Our stars must glister with new fire, or be To day extinct; our argument is love, Which if the goddess of it grant, she gives Victory too, then blend your spirits with mine, You, whose free nobleness do make my cause Your personal hazard; to the goddess Venus Commend we our proceeding, and implore Her power unto our party. H they kneel as formerly. Hail Sovereign Queen , who hast power To call the fiercest Tyrant from his rage; And weep unto a Girl; that ha'st the might Even with and ey-glance, to choke Marsis Drom And turn alarm to whispers, that canst make A Cripple flourish with his Cr changed, and cure him Before Apollo; that mayest force the King To be his Subject's vassal, and induce Stale gravity to dance, the pould Bachelor Whose youth Like wanton Boys through Bonfyres Have skipped thy flame, at seventy, thou canst catch And make him to the scorn of his hoarse throat Abuse young lays of love; what godlike power Hast thou not power upon? To thou Addest flames, hotter then his the heavenly fires Did scorch his mortal Son, thine him; the huntress All moist and cold, some say began to throw Her Bow away, and sighs: take to thy grace Me thy vowed Soldier, who do bear thy yoke As were a wreathe of Roses, yet is heavier Then Led it self, stings more than Nettles; I have never been foul mouthed against thy law, Never revealed secret, for I knew none; would not Had I kenned all that were; I never practised Upon men wife, nor would the Libels read Ofliberall wits: I never at great feasts Sought to betray a Beauty, but have blushed At simpering Sirs that did: I have been harsh To large onfessors, and have hotly asked them If they had Mother's, I had one, a woman, And women were they wronged. I knew a man Of eighty winter's, this I told them, who A Lass of fourteen brided, it thy power To put life into dust, the aged Cramp Had screwed his square foot round, The Gout had knit his fingers into knots, Torturing Convulsions from his globy eyes, Had almost drawn their spheres, that what was life In him seemed torture: this Anatomy Had by his young fair pheare a Boy, and I Believed it was his, for she swore it was, And who would not believe her? brief I am To those that prate and have done; no Companion To those that boast and have not; a defyer To those that would and cannot; a Rejoicer, Yea him I do not love, that tells close offices The foulest way, nor names concealments in The boldest language, such a one I am, And vow that lover never yet made sighs Truer then I. Oh then most soft sweet goddess Give me victory of this question, which Is true loves merit, and bless me with a sign Of thy great pleasure. Oh thou that from eleven, to ninety reignest In mortal bosoms, whose chase is this world And we in heards thy game; I give thee thanks For this fair Token, which being laid unto Mine innocent true heart, arms in assurance They bow. My body to this business. Let us rise And bow b over the goddess: Time comes on. Even he that led you to this Banquet, shall Taste to you all: ah would my Friend, my Friend, Your gentle daughter gave me freedom once; You'll see't done now for ever: pray how does she? I herd she was not well; her kind of ill gave me some sorrow. By my short life I am most glad on't; 'Tis the latest thing I shall be glad of, prithee tell her so: Commend me to her, and to piece her portion Tender her this. Verily I think so, A right good creature, more to me deserving Then I can quite or speak of. Adieu; and let my life be now as short, As my leave taking. Can that be, When Venus I have said is false? How do things fare? What Hath waked us from our dream? Oh miserable end of our alliance The gods are Arcite, if thy heart, Thy worthy, manly heart be yet unbroken; Give me thy last words, I am Palamon, One that yet loves thee dying. Thy brave soul Elikium. And I to honour. Oh Cousin, That we should things desire, which do cost us The lose of our desire; That nought could buy Dear love, but lose of deer love. Traitor kinsman, Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signel Of prisonment were off me, and this hand But owner of a Sword: By all oaths in one I, and the justice of my love would make thee A conf Traitor, oh thou most perfidious That ever gently looked the voids of honour. That ever boar gentle Token; falsest Cousin That ever blood made kin, callest thou his thine? I'll prove it in my Shackles, with these hands, Void of appointment, that thouly'st, and art A very thief in love, a Changed y Lord Nor worth the name of villain: had I a Sword And these house clogs away. Certainly, 'Tis a main goodness Cousin, that our Fortune's Were twine together; 'tis most true, two sou es Put in two noble Bodies, let'em suffer The gaul of hazard, so they grow together, Will never sink, they must not, say they could, A willing man die sleeping, and all's done. Now honest keeper? Yes, I pity Decays where ere I find them, but such most That sweating in and honourable Toil Are paid with ice to coole'em. You shall. Is there record of any two that loved Better then we do Arcite? Devils take they That are so envious to me; prithee kill me.