The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - William Shakespeare


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[Enter Keeper.]

       And pitch between her armes to anger thee.

       PALAMON.

       No more; the keeper’s comming; I shall live

       To knocke thy braines out with my Shackles.

       ARCITE.

       Doe.

       KEEPER.

       By your leave, Gentlemen—

       PALAMON.

       Now, honest keeper?

       KEEPER.

       Lord Arcite, you must presently to’th Duke;

       The cause I know not yet.

       ARCITE.

       I am ready, keeper.

       KEEPER.

       Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you

       Of your faire Cosens Company. [Exeunt Arcite, and Keeper.]

       PALAMON.

       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 faire,

       Let honest men ne’re love againe. Once more

       I would but see this faire One. Blessed Garden,

       And fruite, and flowers more blessed, that still blossom

       As her bright eies shine on ye! would I were,

       For all the fortune of my life hereafter,

       Yon little Tree, yon blooming Apricocke;

       How I would spread, and fling my wanton armes

       In at her window; I would bring her fruite

       Fit for the Gods to feed on: youth and pleasure

       Still as she tasted should be doubled on her,

       And if she be not heavenly, I would make her

       So neere the Gods in nature, they should feare her,

       [Enter Keeper.]

       And then I am sure she would love me. How now, keeper.

       Wher’s Arcite?

       KEEPER.

       Banishd: Prince Pirithous

       Obtained his liberty; but never more

       Vpon his oth and life must he set foote

       Vpon this Kingdome.

       PALAMON.

       Hees a blessed man!

       He shall see Thebs againe, and call to Armes

       The bold yong men, that, when he bids ‘em charge,

       Fall on like fire: Arcite shall have a Fortune,

       If he dare make himselfe a worthy Lover,

       Yet in the Feild to strike a battle for her;

       And if he lose her then, he’s a cold Coward;

       How bravely may he beare himselfe to win her

       If he be noble Arcite—thousand waies.

       Were I at liberty, I would doe things

       Of such a vertuous greatnes, that this Lady,

       This blushing virgine, should take manhood to her

       And seeke to ravish me.

       KEEPER.

       My Lord for you

       I have this charge too—

       PALAMON.

       To discharge my life?

       KEEPER.

       No, but from this place to remoove your Lordship:

       The windowes are too open.

       PALAMON.

       Devils take ‘em,

       That are so envious to me! pre’thee kill me.

       KEEPER.

       And hang for’t afterward.

       PALAMON.

       By this good light,

       Had I a sword I would kill thee.

       KEEPER.

       Why, my Lord?

       PALAMON.

       Thou bringst such pelting scuruy news continually

       Thou art not worthy life. I will not goe.

       KEEPER.

       Indeede, you must, my Lord.

       PALAMON.

       May I see the garden?

       KEEPER.

       Noe.

       PALAMON.

       Then I am resolud, I will not goe.

       KEEPER.

       I must constraine you then: and for you are dangerous,

       Ile clap more yrons on you.

       PALAMON.

       Doe, good keeper.

       Ile shake ‘em so, ye shall not sleepe;

       Ile make ye a new Morrisse: must I goe?

       KEEPER.

       There is no remedy.

       PALAMON.

       Farewell, kinde window.

       May rude winde never hurt thee. O, my Lady,

       If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,

       Dreame how I suffer. Come; now bury me. [Exeunt Palamon, and

       Keeper.]

      Scaena 3. (The country near Athens.)

       [Enter Arcite.]

       ARCITE.

       Banishd the kingdome? tis a benefit,

       A mercy I must thanke ‘em for, but banishd

       The free enjoying of that face I die for,

       Oh twas a studdied punishment, a death

       Beyond Imagination: Such a vengeance

       That, were I old and wicked, all my sins

       Could never plucke upon me. Palamon,

       Thou ha’st the Start now, thou shalt stay and see

       Her bright eyes breake each morning gainst thy window,

       And let in life into thee; thou shalt feede

       Vpon the sweetenes of a noble beauty,

       That nature nev’r exceeded, nor nev’r shall:

       Good gods! what happines has Palamon!

       Twenty to one, hee’le come to speake to her,

       And if she be as gentle as she’s faire,

       I know she’s his; he has a Tongue will tame

       Tempests, and make the wild Rockes wanton.

       Come what can come,

       The worst is death; I will not leave the Kingdome.

       I know mine owne is but a heape of ruins,

       And no redresse there; if I goe, he has her.

       I am resolu’d an other shape shall make me,

       Or end my fortunes. Either way, I am happy:

      


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