Yes, if he be but one.
ARCITE.
But say that one Had rather combat me?
PALAMON.
Let that one say so, And use thy freedome; els if thou pursuest her, Be as that cursed man that hates his Country, A branded villaine.
ARCITE.
You are mad.
PALAMON.
I must be, Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concernes me, And in this madnes, if I hazard thee And take thy life, I deale but truely.
ARCITE.
Fie, Sir, You play the Childe extreamely: I will love her, I must, I ought to doe so, and I dare; And all this justly.
PALAMON.
O that now, that now Thy false-selfe and thy friend had but this fortune, To be one howre at liberty, and graspe Our good Swords in our hands! I would quickly teach thee What 'twer to filch affection from another: Thou art baser in it then a Cutpurse; Put but thy head out of this window more, And as I have a soule, Ile naile thy life too't.
ARCITE.
Thou dar'st not, foole, thou canst not, thou art feeble. Put my head out? Ile throw my Body out, And leape the garden, when I see her next
[Enter Keeper.]
And pitch between her armes to anger thee.
PALAMON.
No more; the keeper's comming; I shall live To knocke thy braines out with my Shackles.
ARCITE.
Doe.
KEEPER.
By your leave, Gentlemen--
PALAMON.
Now, honest keeper?
KEEPER.
Lord Arcite, you must presently to'th Duke; The cause I know not yet.
ARCITE.
I am ready, keeper.
KEEPER.
Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you Of your faire Cosens Company. [Exeunt Arcite, and Keeper.]
PALAMON.
And me too, Even when you please, of life. 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 faire, Let honest men ne're love againe. Once more I would but see this faire One. Blessed Garden, And fruite, and flowers more blessed, that still blossom As her bright eies shine on ye! would I were, For all the fortune of my life hereafter, Yon little Tree, yon blooming Apricocke; How I would spread, and fling my wanton armes In at her window; I would bring her fruite Fit for the Gods to feed on: youth and pleasure Still as she tasted should be doubled on her, And if she be not heavenly, I would make her So neere the Gods in nature, they should feare her,
[Enter Keeper.]
And then I am sure she would love me. How now, keeper. Wher's Arcite?
KEEPER.
Banishd: Prince Pirithous Obtained his liberty; but never more Vpon his oth and life must he set foote Vpon this Kingdome.
PALAMON.
Hees a blessed man! He shall see Thebs againe, and call to Armes The bold yong men, that, when he bids 'em charge, Fall on like fire: Arcite shall have a Fortune, If he dare make himselfe a worthy Lover, Yet in the Feild to strike a battle for her; And if he lose her then, he's a cold Coward; How bravely may he beare himselfe to win her If he be noble Arcite--thousand waies. Were I at liberty, I would doe things Of such a vertuous greatnes, that this Lady, This blushing virgine, should take manhood to her And seeke to ravish me.
KEEPER.
My Lord for you I have this charge too--
PALAMON.
To discharge my life?
KEEPER.
No, but from this place to remoove your Lordship: The windowes are too open.
PALAMON.
Devils take 'em, That are so envious to me! pre'thee kill me.
KEEPER.
And hang for't afterward.
PALAMON.
By this good light, Had I a sword I would kill thee.
KEEPER.
Why, my Lord?
PALAMON.
Thou bringst such pelting scuruy news continually Thou art not worthy life. I will not goe.
KEEPER.
Indeede, you must, my Lord.
PALAMON.
May I see the garden?
KEEPER.
Noe.
PALAMON.
Then I am resolud, I will not goe.
KEEPER.
I must constraine you then: and for you are dangerous, Ile clap more yrons on you.
PALAMON.
Doe, good keeper. Ile shake 'em so, ye shall not sleepe; Ile make ye a new Morrisse: must I goe?
KEEPER.