The Two Noble Kinsmen Part 37

Halfe sights saw That Arcite was no babe; G.o.d's lyd, his richnes And costlines of spirit look't through him, it could No more be hid in him then fire in flax, Then humble banckes can goe to law with waters, That drift windes force to raging: I did thinke Good Palamon would miscarry; yet I knew not Why I did thinke so; Our reasons are not prophets, When oft our fancies are. They are comming off: Alas, poore Palamon! [Cornets.]

[Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Pirithous, Arcite as victor, and attendants, &c.]

THESEUS.

Lo, where our Sister is in expectation, Yet quaking, and unsetled.--Fairest Emily, The G.o.ds by their divine arbitrament Have given you this Knight; he is a good one As ever strooke at head. Give me your hands; Receive you her, you him; be plighted with A love that growes, as you decay.

ARCITE.

Emily, To buy you, I have lost what's deerest to me, Save what is bought, and yet I purchase cheapely, As I doe rate your value.

THESEUS.

O loved Sister, He speakes now of as brave a Knight as ere Did spur a n.o.ble Steed: Surely, the G.o.ds Would have him die a Batchelour, least his race Should shew i'th world too G.o.dlike: His behaviour So charmed me, that me thought Alcides was To him a sow of lead: if I could praise Each part of him to'th all I have spoke, your Arcite Did not loose by't; For he that was thus good Encountred yet his Better. I have heard Two emulous Philomels beate the eare o'th night With their contentious throates, now one the higher, Anon the other, then againe the first, And by and by out breasted, that the sence Could not be judge betweene 'em: So it far'd Good s.p.a.ce betweene these kinesmen; till heavens did Make hardly one the winner. Weare the Girlond With joy that you have won: For the subdude, Give them our present Iustice, since I know Their lives but pinch 'em; Let it here be done.

The Sceane's not for our seeing, goe we hence, Right joyfull, with some sorrow.--Arme your prize, I know you will not loose her.--Hipolita, I see one eye of yours conceives a teare The which it will deliver. [Florish.]

EMILIA.

Is this wynning?

Oh all you heavenly powers, where is your mercy?

But that your wils have saide it must be so, And charge me live to comfort this unfriended, This miserable Prince, that cuts away A life more worthy from him then all women, I should, and would, die too.

HIPPOLITA.

Infinite pitty, That fowre such eies should be so fixd on one That two must needes be blinde fort.

THESEUS.

So it is. [Exeunt.]

Scaena 4. (The same; a Block prepared.)

[Enter Palamon and his Knightes pyniond: Iaylor, Executioner, &c. Gard.]

(PALAMON.)

Ther's many a man alive that hath out liv'd The love o'th people; yea, i'th selfesame state Stands many a Father with his childe; some comfort We have by so considering: we expire And not without mens pitty. To live still, Have their good wishes; we prevent The loathsome misery of age, beguile The Gowt and Rheume, that in lag howres attend For grey approachers; we come towards the G.o.ds Yong and unwapper'd, not halting under Crymes Many and stale: that sure shall please the G.o.ds, Sooner than such, to give us Nectar with 'em, For we are more cleare Spirits. My deare kinesmen, Whose lives (for this poore comfort) are laid downe, You have sould 'em too too cheape.

1. KNIGHT.

What ending could be Of more content? ore us the victors have Fortune, whose t.i.tle is as momentary, As to us death is certaine: A graine of honour They not ore'-weigh us.

2. KNIGHT.

Let us bid farewell; And with our patience anger tottring Fortune, Who at her certain'st reeles.

3. KNIGHT.

Come; who begins?

PALAMON.

Ev'n he that led you to this Banket shall Taste to you all.--Ah ha, my Friend, my Friend, Your gentle daughter gave me freedome once; You'l see't done now for ever: pray, how do'es she?

I heard she was not well; her kind of ill Gave me some sorrow.

IAILOR.

Sir, she's well restor'd, And to be marryed shortly.

PALAMON.

By my short life, I am most glad on't; Tis the latest thing I shall be glad of; pre'thee tell her so: Commend me to her, and to peece her portion, Tender her this. [Gives purse.]

1. KNIGHT.

Nay lets be offerers all.

2. KNIGHT.

Is it a maide?

PALAMON.

Verily, I thinke so, A right good creature, more to me deserving Then I can quight or speake of.

ALL KNIGHTS.

Commend us to her. [They give their purses.]

IAILOR.

The G.o.ds requight you all, And make her thankefull.

PALAMON.

Adiew; and let my life be now as short, As my leave taking. [Lies on the Blocke.]

1. KNIGHT.

Leade, couragious Cosin.

2. KNIGHT.

Wee'l follow cheerefully. [A great noise within crying, 'run, save, hold!']