The Two Noble Kinsmen

1 Enter Arcite with meat, wine and files.
2 ARCITE.
3 I should be near the place.—Ho! Cousin Palamon!
4 PALAMON.
5 [_From the bush._] Arcite?
6 ARCITE.
7 The same. I have brought you food and files.
8 Come forth and fear not; here’s no Theseus.
9 Enter Palamon.
10 PALAMON.
11 Nor none so honest, Arcite.
12 ARCITE.
13 That’s no matter.
14 We’ll argue that hereafter. Come, take courage;
15 You shall not die thus beastly. Here, sir, drink—
16 I know you are faint—then I’ll talk further with you.
17 PALAMON.
18 Arcite, thou mightst now poison me.
19 ARCITE.
20 I might;
21 But I must fear you first. Sit down and, good now,
22 No more of these vain parleys; let us not,
23 Having our ancient reputation with us,
24 Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health.
25 [_Drinks._]
26 PALAMON.
27 Do.
28 ARCITE.
29 Pray sit down, then, and let me entreat you,
30 By all the honesty and honour in you,
31 No mention of this woman; ’twill disturb us.
32 We shall have time enough.
33 PALAMON.
34 Well, sir, I’ll pledge you.
35 [_Drinks._]
36 ARCITE.
37 Drink a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood, man.
38 Do not you feel it thaw you?
39 PALAMON.
40 Stay, I’ll tell you
41 After a draught or two more.
42 ARCITE.
43 Spare it not; the Duke has more, coz. Eat now.
44 PALAMON.
45 Yes.
46 [_Eats._]
47 ARCITE.
48 I am glad you have so good a stomach.
49 PALAMON.
50 I am gladder I have so good meat to ’t.
51 ARCITE.
52 Is’t not mad lodging,
53 Here in the wild woods, cousin?
54 PALAMON.
55 Yes, for them
56 That have wild consciences.
57 ARCITE.
58 How tastes your victuals?
59 Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.
60 PALAMON.
61 Not much.
62 But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
63 What is this?
64 ARCITE.
65 Venison.
66 PALAMON.
67 ’Tis a lusty meat.
68 Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches
69 We have known in our days! The Lord Steward’s daughter,
70 Do you remember her?
71 ARCITE.
72 After you, coz.
73 PALAMON.
74 She loved a black-haired man.
75 ARCITE.
76 She did so; well, sir?
77 PALAMON.
78 And I have heard some call him Arcite, and—
79 ARCITE.
80 Out with’t, faith.
81 PALAMON.
82 She met him in an arbour.
83 What did she there, coz? Play o’ th’ virginals?
84 ARCITE.
85 Something she did, sir.
86 PALAMON.
87 Made her groan a month for ’t,
88 Or two, or three, or ten.
89 ARCITE.
90 The Marshal’s sister
91 Had her share too, as I remember, cousin,
92 Else there be tales abroad. You’ll pledge her?
93 PALAMON.
94 Yes.
95 ARCITE.
96 A pretty brown wench ’tis. There was a time
97 When young men went a-hunting, and a wood,
98 And a broad beech; and thereby hangs a tale.
99 Heigh ho!
100 PALAMON.
101 For Emily, upon my life! Fool,
102 Away with this strained mirth! I say again
103 That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,
104 Dar’st thou break first?
105 ARCITE.
106 You are wide.
107 PALAMON.
108 By heaven and earth,
109 There’s nothing in thee honest.
110 ARCITE.
111 Then I’ll leave you.
112 You are a beast now.
113 PALAMON.
114 As thou mak’st me, traitor.
115 ARCITE.
116 There’s all things needful: files and shirts and perfumes.
117 I’ll come again some two hours hence, and bring
118 That that shall quiet all.
119 PALAMON.
120 A sword and armour?
121 ARCITE.
122 Fear me not. You are now too foul. Farewell.
123 Get off your trinkets; you shall want naught.
124 PALAMON.
125 Sirrah—
126 ARCITE.
127 I’ll hear no more.
128 [_Exit._]
129 PALAMON.
130 If he keep touch, he dies for ’t.
131 [_Exit._]