The Two Noble Kinsmen

it cannot;
And after death our spirits shall be led
To those that love eternally. Speak on, sir. Enter Emilia and her Woman below. Emilia

This garden has a world of pleasures in’t.
What flower is this?

Woman ’Tis call’d Narcissus, madam. Emilia

That was a fair boy certain, but a fool,
To love himself: were there not maids enough?

Arcite Pray, forward. Palamon Yes. Emilia Or were they all hard-hearted? Woman They could not be to one so fair. Emilia Thou wouldst not. Woman I think I should not, madam. Emilia

That’s a good wench!
But take heed to your kindness though!

Woman Why, madam? Emilia Men are mad things. Arcite Will ye go forward, cousin? Emilia Canst not thou work such flowers in silk, wench? Woman Yes. Emilia

I’ll have a gown full of ’em; and of these;
This is a pretty colour: will’t not do
Rarely upon a skirt, wench?

Woman Dainty, madam. Arcite Cousin, cousin! how do you, sir? why, Palamon? Palamon Never till now I was in prison, Arcite. Arcite Why, what’s the matter, man? Palamon

Behold, and wonder!
By heaven, she is a goddess!

Arcite Ha! Palamon

Do reverence;
She is a goddess, Arcite!

Emilia

Of all flowers,
Methinks, a rose is best.

Woman Why, gentle madam? Emilia

It is the very emblem of a maid:
For when the west wind courts her gently,
How modestly she blows, and paints the sun
With her chaste blushes! when the north comes near her,
Rude and impatient, then, like chastity,
She locks her beauties in her bud again,
And leaves him to base briers.

Woman

Yet, good madam,
Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
She falls for it: a maid,
If she have any honour, would be loath
To take example by her.

Emilia Thou art wanton. Arcite She’s wondrous fair! Palamon She’s all the beauty extant! Emilia

The sun grows high; let’s walk in. Keep these flowers;
We’ll see how near art can come near their colours,
I’m wondrous merry-hearted; I could laugh now.

Woman I could lie down, I’m sure. Emilia And take one with you? Woman That’s as we bargain, madam. Emilia Well, agree then. Exeunt Emilia and Woman. Palamon What think you of this beauty? Arcite ’Tis a rare one. Palamon Is’t but a rare one? Arcite Yes, a matchless beauty. Palamon Might not a man well lose himself, and love her? Arcite

I cannot tell what you have done; I have,
Beshrew mine eyes for’t! Now I feel my shackles.

Palamon You love her, then? Arcite Who would not? Palamon And desire her? Arcite Before my liberty. Palamon I saw her first. Arcite That’s nothing. Palamon But it shall be. Arcite I saw her too. Palamon Yes; but you must not love her. Arcite

I will not, as you do, to worship her,
As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess;
I love her as a woman, to enjoy her:
So both may love.

Palamon You shall not love at all. Arcite Not love at all! who shall deny me? Palamon

I, that first saw her; I, that took possession
First with mine eye of all those beauties in her
Reveal’d to mankind. If thou lovest her,
Or entertain’st a hope to blast my wishes,
Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
False as thy title to her: friendship, blood,
And all the ties between us, I disclaim,
If thou once think upon her!

Arcite

Yes, I love her;
And if the lives of all my name lay on it,
I must do so; I love her with my soul.
If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon!
I say again, I love; and, in loving her, maintain
I am as worthy and as free a lover,
And have as just a title to her beauty,
As any Palamon, or any living
That is a man’s son.

Palamon Have I call’d thee friend? Arcite

Yes, and have found me so. Why are you mov’d thus?
Let me deal coldly with you: am not I
Part of your blood, part of your soul? you’ve told me
That I was Palamon, and you were Arcite.

Palamon Yes. Arcite

Am not I liable to those affections,
Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?

Palamon Ye may be. Arcite

Why, then, would you deal so cunningly,
So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman,
To love alone? Speak truly; do you think me
Unworthy of her sight?

Palamon

No; but unjust
If thou pursue that sight.

Arcite

Because another
First sees the enemy, shall I stand still,
And let mine honour down, and never charge?

Palamon Yes, if he be but one. Arcite

But say that one
Had rather combat me?

Palamon

Let that one say so,
And use thy freedom: else, if thou pursu’st her,
Be as that cursed man that hates his country,
A branded villain.

Arcite You are mad. Palamon

I must be,
Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concerns me;
And, in this madness, if I hazard thee,
And take thy life, I deal but truly.

Arcite

Fie, sir!
You play the child extremely: I will love her,
I must, I ought to do so, and I dare;
And all this justly.

Palamon

O, that now, that now
Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune,
To be one hour at liberty, and grasp
Our good swords in our hands! I’d quickly teach thee
What ’twere to filch affection from another!
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse:
Put but thy head out of this window more,
And, as I have a soul, I’ll nail thy life to’t!

Arcite

Thou dar’st not, fool; thou canst not; thou art feeble:
Put my head out! I’ll throw my body out,
And leap the garden, when I see her next,
And pitch between her arms, to anger thee.

Palamon

No more! the keeper’s coming: I shall live
To knock thy brains out with my shackles.

Arcite Do! Enter Gaoler. Gaoler By your leave, gentlemen. Palamon Now, honest keeper? Gaoler

Lord Arcite, you must presently to the duke:
The cause I know not yet.

Arcite I’m ready, keeper. Gaoler

Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you
Of your fair cousin’s company.

Palamon

And me too,
Even when you please, of life. Exeunt Gaoler and Arcite. 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 fair,
Let honest men ne’er love again. Once more
I would but see this fair one.⁠—Blessed garden,
And fruit and flowers more