Of such a virtuous greatness that this lady,

This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her

And seek to ravish me.

JAILER My lord, for you

I have this charge to—

PALAMON To discharge my life.

JAILER

No, but from this place to remove your lordship—

The windows are too open.

PALAMON

Devils take ’em That are so envious to me—prithee kill me.

JAILER

And hang for’t afterward?

PALAMON

By this good light, Had I as word I would kill thee.

JAILER Why, my lord?

PALAMON

Thou bring’st such pelting scurvy news continually,

Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.

JAILER

Indeed you must, my lord.

PALAMON May I see the garden?

JAILER

No.

PALAMON Then I am resolved—I will not go.

JAILER

I must constrain you, then; and for you are dangerous,

I’ll clap more irons on you.

PALAMON

Do, good keeper. I’ll shake ’em so ye shall not sleep:

I’ll make ye a new morris. Must I go?

JAILER

There is no remedy.

PALAMON

Farewell, kind window. May rude wind never hurt thee. O, my lady,

If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,

Dream how I suffer. Come, now bury me.

Exeunt Palamon and the Jailer

2.3 Enter Arcite

ARCITE

Banished the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit,

A mercy I must thank ’em for; but banished

The free enjoying of that face I die for—

O, ‘twas a studied punishment, a death

Beyond imagination; such a vengeance

That, were I old and wicked, all my sins

Could never pluck upon me. Palamon,

Thou hast the start now—thou shalt stay and see

Her bright eyes break each morning ’gainst thy

window,

And let in life into thee. Thou shalt feed

Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty

That nature ne’er exceeded, nor ne’er shall.

Good gods! What happiness has Palamon!

Twenty to one he’ll come to speak to her,

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

I know she’s his—he has a tongue will tame

Tempests and make the wild rocks wanton.

Come what can come,

The worst is death. I will not leave the kingdom.

I know mine own is but a heap of ruins,

And no redress there. If I go he has her.

I am resolved another shape shall make me,

Or end my fortunes. Either way I am happy—

I’ll see her and be near her, or no more.

Enter four Country People, one of whom carries a garland before them. Arcite stands apart

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

My masters, I’ll be there—that’s certain.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN And I’ll be there.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN And I.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

Why then, have with ye, boys! ’Tis but a chiding—

Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t out

Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN I am sure

To have my wife as jealous as a turkey—

But that’s all one. I’ll go through, let her mumble.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her,

And all’s made up again.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

Ay, do but put A fescue in her fist and you shall see her

Take a new lesson out and be a good wench.

Do we all hold against the maying?

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

Hold? What should ail us?

THIRD COUNTRYMAN Areas will be there.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN And Sennois, and Rycas, and three better lads ne’er danced under green tree; and ye know what wenches, ha? But will the dainty dominie, the schoolmaster, keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN He’ll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to, the matter’s too far driven between him and the tanner’s daughter to let slip now, and she must see the Duke, and she must dance too.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN Shall we be lusty?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN All the boys in Athens blow wind i’th’ breech on’s! And here I’ll be and there I’ll be, for our town, and here again and there again—ha, boys, hey for the weavers!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN This must be done i’th’ woods.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN O, pardon me.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN By any means, our thing of learning said so; where he himself will edify the Duke most parlously in our behalfs—he’s excellent i’th’ woods, bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN We’ll see the sports, then every man to’s tackle—and, sweet companions, let’s rehearse, by any means, before the ladies see us, and do sweetly, and God knows what may come on’t.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN Content—the sports once ended, we’ll perform. Away boys, and hold.

ARCITE (coming forward) By your leaves, honest friends, pray you whither go you? 6

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

Whither? Why, what a question’s that?

ARCITE Yet ’tis a question

To me that know not.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN To the games, my friend.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

Where were you bred, you know it not?

ARCITE Not far, sir

Are there such games today?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

Yes, marry, are there, And such as you never saw. The Duke himself

Will be in person there.

ARCITE What pastimes are they?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

Wrestling and running. (To the others) ’Tis a pretty fellow.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN (to Arcite)

Thou wilt not go along?

ARCITE Not yet, sir.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

Well, sir, Take your own time. (To the others) Come, boys.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

My mind misgives me—This fellow has a vengeance trick o’th’ hip:

Mark how his body’s made for’t.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

I’ll be hanged though If he dare venture; hang him, plum porridge!

He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let’s be gone, lads.

Exeunt the four Countrymen

ARCITE

This is an offered opportunity

I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled—

The best men called it excellent—and run

Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,

Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I’ll venture,

And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows

Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands,

And happiness prefer me to a place