ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 3
1The same part of the forest as in scene I.
2Enter Arcite, with meat, wine, files, etc.
3ArciteI should be near the place.—Hoa, Cousin Palamon!
4Enter Palamon.
5PalamonArcite?
6ArciteThe same: I’ve brought you food and files.
Come forth and fear not; here’s no Theseus.
7PalamonNor none so honest, Arcite.
8ArciteThat’s no matter:
We’ll argue that hereafter. Come, take courage;
You shall not die thus beastly: here, sir, drink;
I know you’re faint; then I’ll talk further with you.
9PalamonArcite, thou mightst now poison me.
10ArciteI 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! Drinks.
11PalamonDo.
12ArcitePray, sit down, then; and let me entreat you,
By all the honesty and honour in you,
No mention of this woman! ’twill disturb us;
We shall have time enough.
13PalamonWell, sir, I’ll pledge you. Drinks.
14ArciteDrink a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood, man.
Do not you feel it thaw you?
15PalamonStay; I’ll tell you
After a draught or two more.
16ArciteSpare it not;
The duke has more, coz. Eat now.
17PalamonYes. Eats.
18ArciteI’m glad
You have so good a stomach.
19PalamonI am gladder
I have so good meat to’t.
20ArciteIs’t not mad lodging
Here in the wild woods, cousin?
21PalamonYes, for them
That have wild consciences.
22ArciteHow tastes your victuals?
Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.
23PalamonNot much:
But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
What is this?
24ArciteVenison.
25Palamon’Tis a lusty meat.
Give me more wine: here, Arcite, to the wenches
We’ve known in our days! The lord-steward’s daughter;
Do you remember her?
26ArciteAfter you, coz.
27PalamonShe lov’d a black-hair’d man.
28ArciteShe did so: well, sir?
29PalamonAnd I have heard some call him Arcite; and—
30ArciteOut with it, faith!
31PalamonShe met him in an arbour:
What did she there, coz? play o’ the virginals?
32ArciteSomething she did, sir.
33PalamonMade her groan a month for’t;
Or two, or three, or ten.
34ArciteThe marshal’s sister
Had her share too, as I remember, cousin,
Else there be tales abroad: you’ll pledge her?
35PalamonYes.
36ArciteA 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!
37PalamonFor Emily, upon my life! Fool,
Away with this strain’d mirth! I say again,
That sigh was breath’d for Emily: base cousin,
Dar’st thou break first?
38ArciteYou’re wide.
39PalamonBy heaven and earth,
There’s nothing in thee honest.
40ArciteThen I’ll leave you:
You are a beast now.
41PalamonAs thou mak’st me, traitor.
42ArciteThere’s all things needful—files, and shirts, and perfumes:
I’ll come again some two hours hence, and bring
That that shall quiet all.
43PalamonA sword and armour?
44ArciteFear me not. You are now too foul; farewell:
Get off your trinkets; you shall want nought.
45PalamonSirrah—
46ArciteI’ll hear no more. Exit.
47PalamonIf he keep touch, he dies for’t. Exit.