ARKCODEX
Act II, Scene 3
1The country near Athens.
2Enter Arcite.
3ArciteBanish’d the kingdom? ’tis a benefit,
A mercy, I must thank ’em for; but banish’d
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 resolv’d: another shape shall make me,
Or end my fortunes; either way, I’m happy:
I’ll see her, and be near her, or no more.
4Enter four Country-people, and one with a garland before them.
5First CountrymanMy masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.
6Second CountrymanAnd I’ll be there.
7Third CountrymanAnd I.
8Fourth CountrymanWhy, then, have with ye, boys! ’tis but a chiding:
Let the plough play to-day; I’ll tickle’t out
Of the jades’ tails to-morrow.
9First CountrymanI am sure
To have my wife as jealous as a turkey:
But that’s all one: I’ll go through, let her mumble.
10Second CountrymanClap her aboard to-morrow night, and stoa her,
And all’s made up again.
11Third CountrymanAy, do but put
A feskue 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?
12Fourth CountrymanHold!
What should ail us?
13Third CountrymanArcas will be there.
14Second CountrymanAnd Sennois,
And Rycas; and three better lads ne’er danc’d
Under green tree; and ye know what wenches, ha!
But will the dainty domine, the schoolmaster,
Keep touch, do you think? for he does all, ye know.
15Third CountrymanHe’ll eat a hornbook, ere he fail: go to!
The matter is 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.
16Fourth CountrymanShall we be lusty?
17Second CountrymanAll the boys in Athens
Blow wind i’ the breech on us: and here I’ll be,
And there I’ll be, for our town, and here again,
And there again: ha, boys, heigh for the weavers!
18First CountrymanThis must be done i’ the woods.
19Fourth CountrymanO, pardon me!
20Second CountrymanBy any means; our thing of learning says so;
Where he himself will edify the duke
Most parlously in our behalfs: he’s excellent i’ the woods;
Bring him to the plains, his learning makes no cry.
21Third CountrymanWe’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.
22Fourth CountrymanContent: the sports
Once ended, we’ll perform. Away, boys, and hold!
23ArciteBy your leaves, honest friends; pray you, whither go you?
24Fourth CountrymanWhither! why, what a question’s that!
25ArciteYes, ’tis a question
To me that know not.
26Third CountrymanTo the games, my friend.
27Second CountrymanWhere were you bred, you know it not?
28ArciteNot far, sir.
Are there such games to-day?
29First CountrymanYes, marry, are there;
And such as you never saw: the duke himself
Will be in person there.
30ArciteWhat pastimes are they?
31Second CountrymanWrestling and running.—’Tis a pretty fellow.
32Third CountrymanThou wilt not go along?
33ArciteNot yet, sir.
34Fourth CountrymanWell, sir,
Take your own time.—Come, boys.
35First CountrymanMy mind misgives me
This fellow has a vengeance trick o’ the hip;
Mark how his body’s made for’t
36Second CountrymanI’ll be hang’d though,
If he dare venture; hang him, plum-porridge!
He wrestle? he roast eggs! Come, let’s be gone, lads. Exeunt Countrymen.
37ArciteThis is an offer’d opportunity
I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled,
The best men call’d it excellent; and run
Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,
Curling the wealthy ears, nev’r 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
Where I may ever dwell in sight of her? Exit.