William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (588 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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ARCITE
Dear cousin Palamon—
PALAMON
Cozener Arcite, give me language such
As thou hast showed me feat.
As thou hast showed me feat.
ARCITE
Not finding in The circuit of my breast any gross stuff
To form me like your blazon holds me to
This gentleness of answer—’tis your passion
That thus mistakes, the which, to you being enemy,
Cannot to me be kind. Honour and honesty
I cherish and depend on, howsoe’er
You skip them in me, and with them, fair coz,
I’ll maintain my proceedings. Pray be pleased
To show in generous terms your griefs, since that
Your question’s with your equal, who professes
To clear his own way with the mind and sword
Of a true gentleman.
To form me like your blazon holds me to
This gentleness of answer—’tis your passion
That thus mistakes, the which, to you being enemy,
Cannot to me be kind. Honour and honesty
I cherish and depend on, howsoe’er
You skip them in me, and with them, fair coz,
I’ll maintain my proceedings. Pray be pleased
To show in generous terms your griefs, since that
Your question’s with your equal, who professes
To clear his own way with the mind and sword
Of a true gentleman.
PALAMON
That thou durst, Arcite!
ARCITE
My coz, my coz, you have been well advertised
How much I dare; you’ve seen me use my sword
Against th’advice of fear. Sure, of another
You would not hear me doubted, but your silence
Should break out, though i’th’ sanctuary.
How much I dare; you’ve seen me use my sword
Against th’advice of fear. Sure, of another
You would not hear me doubted, but your silence
Should break out, though i’th’ sanctuary.
PALAMON
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 week’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.
Might justify your manhood; you were called
A good knight and a bold. But the whole week’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.
ARCITE
Kinsman, you might as well Speak this and act it in your glass as to
His ear which now disdains you.
His ear which now disdains you.
PALAMON
Come up to me, Quit 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’t; 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.
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’t; 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.
ARCITE
Be content, Again betake you to your hawthorn house.
With counsel of the night I will be here
With wholesome viands. These impediments
Will I file off. You shall have garments and
Perfumes to kill the smell o’th’ prison. After,
When you shall stretch yourself and say but ’Arcite,
I am in plight’, there shall be at your choice
Both sword and armour.
With counsel of the night I will be here
With wholesome viands. These impediments
Will I file off. You shall have garments and
Perfumes to kill the smell o’th’ prison. After,
When you shall stretch yourself and say but ’Arcite,
I am in plight’, there shall be at your choice
Both sword and armour.
PALAMON
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.
But only Arcite, therefore none but Arcite
In this kind is so bold.
ARCITE Sweet Palamon.
PALAMON
I do embrace you and your offer—for
Your offer do’t I only, sir; your person,
Without hypocrisy, I may not wish
More than my sword’s edge on’t.
Your offer do’t I only, sir; your person,
Without hypocrisy, I may not wish
Wind horns within
ARCITE
You hear the horns—Enter your muset lest this match between’s
Be crossed ere met. Give me your hand, farewell.
I’ll bring you every needful thing—I pray you,
Take comfort and be strong.
Be crossed ere met. Give me your hand, farewell.
I’ll bring you every needful thing—I pray you,
Take comfort and be strong.
PALAMON
Pray hold your promise, And do the deed with a bent brow. Most certain
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.
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.
ARCITE
Plainly spoken, Yet—pardon me—hard language: when I spur
Wind horns within
My horse I chide him not. Content and anger
In me have but one face. Hark, sir, they call
The scattered to the banquet. You must guess
I have an office there.
Wind horns within
My horse I chide him not. Content and anger
In me have but one face. Hark, sir, they call
The scattered to the banquet. You must guess
I have an office there.
PALAMON
Sir, your attendance Cannot please heaven, and I know your office
Unjustly is achieved.
Unjustly is achieved.
ARCITE
’Tis a good title. I am persuaded this question, sick between’s,
By bleeding must be cured. I am a suitor
That to your sword you will bequeath this plea
And talk of it no more.
By bleeding must be cured. I am a suitor
That to your sword you will bequeath this plea
And talk of it no more.
PALAMON
But this one word: You are going now to gaze upon my mistress—
For note you, mine she is—
For note you, mine she is—
ARCITE Nay then—
PALAMON
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 o’er me, but enjoy it till
I may enforce my remedy. Farewell.
You are going now to look upon a sun
That strengthens what it looks on. There you have
A vantage o’er me, but enjoy it till
I may enforce my remedy. Farewell.
Exeunt
severally,
⌈
Palamon
as into the bush
⌉
3.2severally,
⌈
Palamon
as into the bush
⌉
Enter the Jailer’s Daughter, with a file
JAILER’S DAUGHTER
He has mistook the brake I meant, is gone
After his fancy. ’Tis now wellnigh morning.
No matter—would it were perpetual night,
And darkness lord o’th’ world. Hark, ’tis a wolf!
In me hath grief slain fear, and, but for one thing,
I care for nothing—and that’s Palamon.
I reck not if the wolves would jaw me, so
He had this file. What if I hollered for him?
I cannot holler. If I whooped, what then?
If he not answered, I should call a wolf
And do him but that service. I have heard
Strange howls this livelong night—why may’t not be
They have made prey of him? He has no weapons;
He cannot run; the jangling of his gyves
Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
A sense to know a man unarmed, and can
Smell where resistance is. I’ll set it down
He’s torn to pieces: they howled many together
And then they fed on him. So much for that.
Be bold to ring the bell. How stand I then?
All’s chared when he is gone. No, no, I lie:
My father’s to be hanged for his escape,
Myself to beg, if I prized life so much
As to deny my act—but that I would not,
Should I try death by dozens. I am moped—
Food took I none these two days,
Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes
Save when my lids scoured off their brine. Alas,
Dissolve, my life; let not my sense unsettle,
Lest I should drown or stab or hang myself.
O state of nature, fail together in me,
Since thy best props are warped. So which way now?
The best way is the next way to a grave,
Each errant step beside is torment. Lo,
The moon is down, the crickets chirp, the screech-owl
Calls in the dawn. All offices are done
Save what I fail in: but the point is this,
An end, and that is all.
After his fancy. ’Tis now wellnigh morning.
No matter—would it were perpetual night,
And darkness lord o’th’ world. Hark, ’tis a wolf!
In me hath grief slain fear, and, but for one thing,
I care for nothing—and that’s Palamon.
I reck not if the wolves would jaw me, so
He had this file. What if I hollered for him?
I cannot holler. If I whooped, what then?
If he not answered, I should call a wolf
And do him but that service. I have heard
Strange howls this livelong night—why may’t not be
They have made prey of him? He has no weapons;
He cannot run; the jangling of his gyves
Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
A sense to know a man unarmed, and can
Smell where resistance is. I’ll set it down
He’s torn to pieces: they howled many together
And then they fed on him. So much for that.
Be bold to ring the bell. How stand I then?
All’s chared when he is gone. No, no, I lie:
My father’s to be hanged for his escape,
Myself to beg, if I prized life so much
As to deny my act—but that I would not,
Should I try death by dozens. I am moped—
Food took I none these two days,
Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes
Save when my lids scoured off their brine. Alas,
Dissolve, my life; let not my sense unsettle,
Lest I should drown or stab or hang myself.
O state of nature, fail together in me,
Since thy best props are warped. So which way now?
The best way is the next way to a grave,
Each errant step beside is torment. Lo,
The moon is down, the crickets chirp, the screech-owl
Calls in the dawn. All offices are done
Save what I fail in: but the point is this,
An end, and that is all.
Exit
3.3Enter Arcite with a bundle containing meat, wine, and
files
ARCITE
I should be near the place. Ho, cousin Patamon!
Enter Palamon ⌈
as
from the
bush
⌉
PALAMON
Arcite.
ARCITE
The same. I have brought you food and files. Come forth and fear not, here’s no Theseus.
PALAMON
Nor none so honest, Arcite.
ARCITE
That’s no matter—We’ll argue that hereafter. Come, take courage—
You shall not die thus beastly. Here, sir, drink;
I know you are faint. Then I’ll talk further with you.
You shall not die thus beastly. Here, sir, drink;
I know you are faint. Then I’ll talk further with you.
PALAMON
Arcite, thou mightst now poison me.
ARCITE
I might—But I must fear you first. Sit down and, good now,
No more of these vain parleys. Let us not,
Having our ancient reputation with us,
Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health, sir.
No more of these vain parleys. Let us not,
Having our ancient reputation with us,
Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health, sir.
PALAMON
Do.
⌈
Arcite drinks
⌉
ARCITE Pray sit down, then, and let me entreat you, By all the honesty and honour in you, No mention of this woman—’twilt disturb us. We shall have time enough.
PALAMON
Well, sir, I’ll pledge you.
Palamon drinks
ARCITE
Drink a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood,
man.
Do not you feel it thaw you?
man.
Do not you feel it thaw you?
PALAMON
Stay, I’ll tell you
After a draught or two more.
Palamon drinks
ARCITE
Spare it not—
The Duke has more, coz. Eat now.
PALAMON
Yes.
Palamon eats
ARCITE
I am glad
You have so good a stomach.
PALAMON
I am gladder
I have so good meat to’t.
I have so good meat to’t.
ARCITE
Is’t not mad, lodging Here in the wild woods, cousin?
PALAMON
Yes, for them
That have wild consciences.
That have wild consciences.
ARCITE
How tastes your victuals?
Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.
Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.
PALAMON
Not much.
But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
What is this?
But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
What is this?
ARCITE Venison.
PALAMON
’Tis a lusty meat—
Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches
We have known in our days. ⌈
Drinking
⌉ The lord
steward’s daughter.
Do you remember her?
Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches
We have known in our days. ⌈
Drinking
⌉ The lord
steward’s daughter.
Do you remember her?
ARCITE
After you, coz.
PALAMON
She loved a black-haired man.
ARCITE
She did so; well, sir.
PALAMON
And I have heard some call him Arcite, and—
ARCITE
Out with’t, faith.
PALAMON
She met him in an arbour—
What did she there, coz? Play o’th’ virginals?
ARCITE
Something she did, sir—
What did she there, coz? Play o’th’ virginals?
ARCITE
Something she did, sir—
PALAMON
Made her groan a month for’t—
Or two, or three, or ten.
Or two, or three, or ten.
ARCITE
The marshal’s sister Had her share too, as I remember, cousin,
Else there be tales abroad. You’ll pledge her?
PALAMON Yes.
Else there be tales abroad. You’ll pledge her?
PALAMON Yes.
⌈
They drink
⌉
ARCITE
A pretty brown wench ’tis. There was a time
When young men went a-hunting, and a wood,
And a broad beech, and thereby hangs a tale—
Heigh-ho!
When young men went a-hunting, and a wood,
And a broad beech, and thereby hangs a tale—
Heigh-ho!
PALAMON
For Emily, upon my life! Fool,
Away with this strained mirth. I say again,
That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,
Dar’st thou break first?
Away with this strained mirth. I say again,
That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,
Dar’st thou break first?
ARCITE
You are wide.
PALAMON
By heaven and earth,
There’s nothing in thee honest.
There’s nothing in thee honest.
ARCITE
Then I’ll leave you—
You are a beast now.
You are a beast now.
PALAMON As thou mak’st me, traitor.
ARCITE (
pointing to the bundle
)
pointing to the bundle
)
There’s all things needful: files and shirts and
perfumes—
I’ll come again some two hours hence and bring
That that shall quiet all.
perfumes—
I’ll come again some two hours hence and bring
That that shall quiet all.
PALAMON A sword and armour.
ARCITE
Fear me not. You are now too foul. Farewell.
Get off your trinkets: you shall want naught.
Get off your trinkets: you shall want naught.
PALAMON Sirrah—
ARCITE
I’ll hear no more.
Exit
PALAMON
If he keep touch, he dies for’t.
Exit
⌈
as into the bush
⌉
3.4⌈
as into the bush
⌉
Enter the Jailer’s Daughter
JAILER’S DAUGHTER
I am very cold, and all the stars are out too,
The little stars and all, that look like agtets—
The sun has seen my folly. Palamon!
Alas, no, he’s in heaven. Where am I now?
Yonder’s the sea and there’s a ship—how’t tumbles!
And there’s a rock lies watching under water—
Now, now, it beats upon it—now, now, now,
There’s a leak sprung, a sound one—how they cry!
Open her before the wind—you’ll lose all else.
Up with a course or two and tack about, boys.
Good night, good night, you’re gone. I am very
hungry.
Would I could find a fine frog—he would tell me
News from all parts o‘th’ world, then would I make
A carrack of a cockle-shell, and sail
By east and north-east to the King of Pygmies,
For he tells fortunes rarely. Now my father,
Twenty to one, is trussed up in a trice
Tomorrow morning. I’ll say never a word.
(She sings)
For I’ll cut my green coat, a foot above my knee,
And I’ll clip my yellow locks, an inch below mine eye,
Hey nonny, nonny, nonny,
He s’buy me a white cut, forth for to ride,
And I’ll go seek him, through the world that is so wide,
Hey nonny, nonny, nonny.
O for a prick now, like a nightingale,
To put my breast against. I shall sleep like a top else.
The little stars and all, that look like agtets—
The sun has seen my folly. Palamon!
Alas, no, he’s in heaven. Where am I now?
Yonder’s the sea and there’s a ship—how’t tumbles!
And there’s a rock lies watching under water—
Now, now, it beats upon it—now, now, now,
There’s a leak sprung, a sound one—how they cry!
Open her before the wind—you’ll lose all else.
Up with a course or two and tack about, boys.
Good night, good night, you’re gone. I am very
hungry.
Would I could find a fine frog—he would tell me
News from all parts o‘th’ world, then would I make
A carrack of a cockle-shell, and sail
By east and north-east to the King of Pygmies,
For he tells fortunes rarely. Now my father,
Twenty to one, is trussed up in a trice
Tomorrow morning. I’ll say never a word.
(She sings)
For I’ll cut my green coat, a foot above my knee,
And I’ll clip my yellow locks, an inch below mine eye,
Hey nonny, nonny, nonny,
He s’buy me a white cut, forth for to ride,
And I’ll go seek him, through the world that is so wide,
Hey nonny, nonny, nonny.
O for a prick now, like a nightingale,
To put my breast against. I shall sleep like a top else.
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