THESEUS.
Will you, Arcite, Take these conditions?
PALAMON.
He's a villaine, then.
PERITHOUS.
These are men.
ARCITE.
No, never, Duke: Tis worse to me than begging To take my life so basely; though I thinke I never shall enjoy her, yet ile preserve The honour of affection, and dye for her, Make death a Devill.
THESEUS.
What may be done? for now I feele compassion.
PERITHOUS.
Let it not fall agen, Sir.
THESEUS.
Say, Emilia, If one of them were dead, as one must, are you Content to take th'other to your husband? They cannot both enjoy you; They are Princes As goodly as your owne eyes, and as noble As ever fame yet spoke of; looke upon 'em, And if you can love, end this difference. I give consent; are you content too, Princes?
BOTH.
With all our soules.
THESEUS.
He that she refuses Must dye, then.
BOTH.
Any death thou canst invent, Duke.
PALAMON.
If I fall from that mouth, I fall with favour, And Lovers yet unborne shall blesse my ashes.
ARCITE.
If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me, And Souldiers sing my Epitaph.
THESEUS.
Make choice, then.
EMILIA.
I cannot, Sir, they are both too excellent: For me, a hayre shall never fall of these men.
HIPPOLITA.
What will become of 'em?
THESEUS.
Thus I ordaine it; And by mine honor, once againe, it stands, Or both shall dye:--You shall both to your Countrey, And each within this moneth, accompanied With three faire Knights, appeare againe in this place, In which Ile plant a Pyramid; and whether, Before us that are here, can force his Cosen By fayre and knightly strength to touch the Pillar, He shall enjoy her: the other loose his head, And all his friends; Nor shall he grudge to fall, Nor thinke he dies with interest in this Lady: Will this content yee?
PALAMON.
Yes: here, Cosen Arcite, I am friends againe, till that howre.
ARCITE.
I embrace ye.
THESEUS.
Are you content, Sister?
EMILIA.
Yes, I must, Sir, Els both miscarry.
THESEUS.
Come, shake hands againe, then; And take heede, as you are Gentlemen, this Quarrell Sleepe till the howre prefixt; and hold your course.
PALAMON.
We dare not faile thee, Theseus.
THESEUS.
Come, Ile give ye Now usage like to Princes, and to Friends: When ye returne, who wins, Ile settle heere; Who looses, yet Ile weepe upon his Beere. [Exeunt.]
Actus Quartus.
Scaena 1. (Athens. A room in the prison.)
[Enter Iailor and his friend.]
IAILOR.
Heare you no more? was nothing saide of me Concerning the escape of Palamon? Good Sir, remember.
1. FRIEND.
Nothing that I heard, For I came home before the busines Was fully ended: Yet I might perceive, Ere I departed, a great likelihood Of both their pardons: For Hipolita, And faire-eyd Emilie, upon their knees Begd with such hansom pitty, that the Duke Me thought stood staggering, whether he should follow His rash oth, or the sweet compassion Of those two Ladies; and to second them, That truely noble Prince Perithous, Halfe his owne heart, set in too, that I hope All shall be well: Neither heard I one question Of your name or his scape.
[Enter 2. Friend.]
IAILOR.
Pray heaven it hold so.
2. FRIEND.
Be of good comfort, man; I bring you newes, Good newes.
IAILOR.
They are welcome,
2. FRIEND.
Palamon has cleerd you, And got your pardon, and discoverd how And by whose meanes he escapt, which was your Daughters, Whose pardon is procurd too; and the Prisoner, Not to be held ungratefull to her goodnes, Has given a summe of money to her Marriage, A large one, ile assure you.
IAILOR.
Ye are a good man And ever bring good newes.
1. FRIEND.
How was it ended?
2. FRIEND.
Why, as it should be; they that nev'r begd But they prevaild, had their suites fairely granted, The prisoners have their lives.
1. FRIEND.
I knew t'would be so.
2. FRIEND.
But there be new conditions, which you'l heare of At better time.
IAILOR.
I hope they are good.
2. FRIEND.