Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
A sense to know a man unarmed, and can
Smell where resistance is. I’ll set it down
He’s torn to pieces: they howled many together
And then they fed on him. So much for that.
Be bold to ring the bell. How stand I then?
All’s chared when he is gone. No, no, I lie:
My father’s to be hanged for his escape,
Myself to beg, if I prized life so much
As to deny my act—but that I would not,
Should I try death by dozens. I am moped—
Food took I none these two days,
Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes
Save when my lids scoured off their brine. Alas,
Dissolve, my life; let not my sense unsettle,
Lest I should drown or stab or hang myself.
O state of nature, fail together in me,
Since thy best props are warped. So which way now?
The best way is the next way to a grave,
Each errant step beside is torment. Lo,
The moon is down, the crickets chirp, the screech-owl
Calls in the dawn. All offices are done
Save what I fail in: but the point is this,
An end, and that is all.
Exit
3.3 Enter Arcite with a bundle containing meat, wine, and files
ARCITE
I should be near the place. Ho, cousin Patamon!
Enter Palamon ⌈as from the bush⌉
PALAMON
Arcite.
ARCITE
The same. I have brought you food and files. Come forth and fear not, here’s no Theseus.
PALAMON
Nor none so honest, Arcite.
ARCITE
That’s no matter—We’ll argue that hereafter. Come, take courage—
You shall not die thus beastly. Here, sir, drink;
I know you are faint. Then I’ll talk further with you.
PALAMON
Arcite, thou mightst now poison me.
ARCITE
I might—But I must fear you first. Sit down and, good now,
No more of these vain parleys. Let us not,
Having our ancient reputation with us,
Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health, sir.
PALAMON
Do.
⌈Arcite drinks⌉
ARCITE Pray sit down, then, and let me entreat you, By all the honesty and honour in you, No mention of this woman—’twilt disturb us. We shall have time enough.
PALAMON
Well, sir, I’ll pledge you.
Palamon drinks
ARCITE
Drink a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood,
man.
Do not you feel it thaw you?
PALAMON
Stay, I’ll tell you
After a draught or two more.
Palamon drinks
ARCITE
Spare it not—
The Duke has more, coz. Eat now.
PALAMON
Yes.
Palamon eats
ARCITE
I am glad
You have so good a stomach.
PALAMON
I am gladder
I have so good meat to’t.
ARCITE
Is’t not mad, lodging Here in the wild woods, cousin?
PALAMON
Yes, for them
That have wild consciences.
ARCITE
How tastes your victuals?
Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.
PALAMON
Not much.
But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
What is this?
ARCITE Venison.
PALAMON
’Tis a lusty meat—
Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches
We have known in our days. ⌈Drinking⌉ The lord
steward’s daughter.
Do you remember her?
ARCITE
After you, coz.
PALAMON
She loved a black-haired man.
ARCITE
She did so; well, sir.
PALAMON
And I have heard some call him Arcite, and—
ARCITE
Out with’t, faith.
PALAMON
She met him in an arbour—
What did she there, coz? Play o’th’ virginals?
ARCITE
Something she did, sir—
PALAMON
Made her groan a month for’t—
Or two, or three, or ten.
ARCITE
The marshal’s sister Had her share too, as I remember, cousin,
Else there be tales abroad. You’ll pledge her?
PALAMON Yes.
⌈They drink⌉
ARCITE
A pretty brown wench ’tis. There was a time
When young men went a-hunting, and a wood,
And a broad beech, and thereby hangs a tale—
Heigh-ho!
PALAMON
For Emily, upon my life! Fool,
Away with this strained mirth. I say again,
That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,
Dar’st thou break first?
ARCITE
You are wide.
PALAMON
By heaven and earth,
There’s nothing in thee honest.
ARCITE
Then I’ll leave you—
You are a beast now.
PALAMON As thou mak’st me, traitor.
ARCITE (pointing to the bundle)
There’s all things needful: files and shirts and
perfumes—
I’ll come again some two hours hence and bring
That that shall quiet all.
PALAMON A sword and armour.
ARCITE
Fear me not. You are now too foul. Farewell.
Get off your trinkets: you shall want naught.
PALAMON Sirrah—
ARCITE
I’ll hear no more.
Exit
PALAMON
If he keep touch, he dies for’t.
Exit ⌈as into the bush⌉
3.4 Enter the Jailer’s Daughter
JAILER’S DAUGHTER
I am very cold, and all the stars are out too,
The little stars and all, that look like agtets—
The sun has seen my folly. Palamon!
Alas, no, he’s in heaven. Where am I now?
Yonder’s the sea and there’s a ship—how’t tumbles!
And there’s a rock lies watching under water—
Now, now, it beats upon it—now, now, now,
There’s a leak sprung, a sound one—how they cry!
Open her before the wind—you’ll lose all else.