The Two Noble Kinsmen

1 Enter Arcite.
2 ARCITE.
3 Banished the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit,
4 A mercy I must thank ’em for; but banished
5 The free enjoying of that face I die for,
6 O, ’twas a studied punishment, a death
7 Beyond imagination, such a vengeance
8 That, were I old and wicked, all my sins
9 Could never pluck upon me. Palamon,
10 Thou hast the start now; thou shalt stay and see
11 Her bright eyes break each morning ’gainst thy window
12 And let in life into thee; thou shalt feed
13 Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty
14 That nature ne’er exceeded nor ne’er shall.
15 Good gods, what happiness has Palamon!
16 Twenty to one, he’ll come to speak to her;
17 And if she be as gentle as she’s fair,
18 I know she’s his; he has a tongue will tame
19 Tempests and make the wild rocks wanton.
20 Come what can come,
21 The worst is death; I will not leave the kingdom.
22 I know mine own is but a heap of ruins,
23 And no redress there. If I go, he has her.
24 I am resolved another shape shall make me
25 Or end my fortunes. Either way I am happy.
26 I’ll see her and be near her, or no more.
27 Enter four Countrymen, and one with a garland before them.
28 FIRST COUNTRYMAN.
29 My masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.
30 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
31 And I’ll be there.
32 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
33 And I.
34 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
35 Why, then, have with you, boys. ’Tis but a chiding.
36 Let the plough play today; I’ll tickle ’t out
37 Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.
38 FIRST COUNTRYMAN.
39 I am sure
40 To have my wife as jealous as a turkey,
41 But that’s all one. I’ll go through; let her mumble.
42 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
43 Clap her aboard tomorrow night, and stow her,
44 And all’s made up again.
45 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
46 Ay, do but put
47 A fescue in her fist and you shall see her
48 Take a new lesson out and be a good wench.
49 Do we all hold against the Maying?
50 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
51 Hold?
52 What should ail us?
53 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
54 Arcas will be there.
55 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
56 And Sennois.
57 And Rycas; and three better lads ne’er danced
58 Under green tree. And ye know what wenches, ha?
59 But will the dainty domine, the schoolmaster,
60 Keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know.
61 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
62 He’ll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to;
63 The matter’s too far driven between him
64 And the tanner’s daughter to let slip now;
65 And she must see the Duke, and she must dance too.
66 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
67 Shall we be lusty?
68 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
69 All the boys in Athens
70 Blow wind i’ th’ breech on ’s. And here I’ll be,
71 And there I’ll be, for our town, and here again,
72 And there again. Ha, boys, hey for the weavers!
73 FIRST COUNTRYMAN.
74 This must be done i’ th’ woods.
75 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
76 O, pardon me.
77 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
78 By any means; our thing of learning says so—
79 Where he himself will edify the Duke
80 Most parlously in our behalfs. He’s excellent i’ th’ woods;
81 Bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.
82 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
83 We’ll see the sports, then every man to ’s tackle;
84 And, sweet companions, let’s rehearse, by any means,
85 Before the ladies see us, and do sweetly,
86 And God knows what may come on ’t.
87 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
88 Content; the sports once ended, we’ll perform.
89 Away, boys, and hold.
90 ARCITE.
91 By your leaves, honest friends: pray you, whither go you?
92 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
93 Whither? Why, what a question’s that?
94 ARCITE.
95 Yes, ’tis a question
96 To me that know not.
97 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
98 To the games, my friend.
99 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
100 Where were you bred, you know it not?
101 ARCITE.
102 Not far, sir;
103 Are there such games today?
104 FIRST COUNTRYMAN.
105 Yes, marry, are there,
106 And such as you never saw; the Duke himself
107 Will be in person there.
108 ARCITE.
109 What pastimes are they?
110 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
111 Wrestling, and running.—’Tis a pretty fellow.
112 THIRD COUNTRYMAN.
113 Thou wilt not go along?
114 ARCITE.
115 Not yet, sir.
116 FOURTH COUNTRYMAN.
117 Well, sir,
118 Take your own time. Come, boys.
119 FIRST COUNTRYMAN.
120 My mind misgives me,
121 This fellow has a vengeance trick o’ th’ hip;
122 Mark how his body’s made for ’t.
123 SECOND COUNTRYMAN.
124 I’ll be hanged, though,
125 If he dare venture. Hang him, plum porridge!
126 He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let’s be gone, lads.
127 [_Exeunt Countrymen._]
128 ARCITE.
129 This is an offered opportunity
130 I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled—
131 The best men called it excellent—and run
132 Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,
133 Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I’ll venture,
134 And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows
135 Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands,
136 And happiness prefer me to a place
137 Where I may ever dwell in sight of her?
138 [_Exit Arcite._]