Young and unwapper'd,' not halting under crimes
Many and stale; that, sure, shall please the gods
Sooner than such, to give us nectar with 'em,
For we are more clear spirits. My dear kinsmen,
Whose lives for this poor comfort are laid down,
You've sold 'em too-too cheap.

Ist Knight.

Of more content?

What ending could be

O'er us the victors have

Fortune, whose title is as momentary

As to us death is certain; a grain of honour

They not o'erweigh us.

2d Knight.

Let us bid farewell,

And with our patience anger tottering Fortune,

Who, at her certain'st, reels.

3d Knight.

Come; who begins?

Palamon. Even he that led you to this banquet shall Taste 2 to you all. — Ah ha, my friend, my friend!

Your gentle daughter gave me freedom once;

You'll see't done now for ever.

Pray, how does she?

I heard she was not well; her kind of ill

Gave me some sorrow.

Gaoler.

Sir, she's well restor'd,

By my short life,

And to be married shortly.

Palamon.

I am most glad on't! 'Tis the latest thing

I shall be glad of; prithee, tell her so:
Commend me to her, and, to piece her portion,
Tender her this.

1st Knight.

1 Unworn.

Nay, let's be offerers all.

ΙΟ

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[Gives a purse.

2" Alluding to the ancient custom of having the king's food tasted before

it was served, as a precaution against poison."— Rolfe.

2d Knight. Is it a maid?

Palamon.

A right good creature, more to me deserving

Than I can quit or speak of.

All Knights. Commend us to her.

Gaoler.

And make her thankful!

Palamon. Adieu! and let my life be now as short

Verily, I think so;

[Give their purses.

The gods requite you all,

As my leave-taking.

Ist Knight.

[Lays his head on the block.

Lead, courageous cousin.

2d Knight. We'll follow cheerfully.

[A great noise within, crying, "Run, save, hold!”

Enter in haste a Messenger.

Messenger. Hold, hold! O, hold, hold, hold!

Enter PIRITHOUS in haste.

Pirithous. Hold, ho! it is a cursed haste you made, If you have done so quickly. - Noble Palamon,

The gods will show their glory in a life

That thou art yet to lead.

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Palamon.

Venus I've said is false?

Can that be, when

How do things fare?

Pirithous. Arise, great sir, and give the tidings ear

That are most dearly sweet and bitter!

Palamon.

Hath wak'd us from our dream?

Pirithous.

Mounted upon a steed that Emily

What

[PALAMON rises.

List then! Your cousin,

Did first bestow on him, a black one, owing1

Not a hair-worth of white, which some will say

1 Owning.

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Weakens his price, and many will not buy

1

His goodness with this note; which superstition
Here finds allowance, on this horse is Arcite,
Trotting the stones of Athens, which the calkins 1
Did rather tell2 than trample; for the horse
Would make his length a mile, if't pleas'd his rider
To put pride in him: as he thus went counting
The flinty pavement, dancing as 'twere to the music
His own hoofs made — for, as they say, from iron

Came music's origin - what envious flint,
Cold as old Saturn, and like him possessed
With fire malevolent, darted a spark,

Or what fierce sulphur else, to this end made,
I comment not; the hot horse, hot as fire,
Took toy at this, and fell to what disorder

His power could give his will, bounds, comes on end,
Forgets school-doing, being therein trained,
And of kind manage1; pig-like he whines
At the sharp rowel, which he frets at rather
Than any jot obeys; seeks all foul means
Of boisterous and rough jadery,” to disseat

His lord that kept it bravely. When nought serv'd,

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70

When neither curb would crack, girth break, nor differing

plunges

Disroot his rider whence he grew, but that

He kept him 'tween his legs, on his hind hoofs

On end he stands,

That Arcite's legs being higher than his head,

1 The parts of a horseshoe which are turned up and pointed to prevent

a horse from slipping.

2 Count.

8 Freak.

4 Managing a horse; French manège.

5 Viciousness.

Seem'd with strange art to hang; his victor's wreath
Even then fell off his head, and presently
Backward the jade comes o'er, and his full poise
Becomes the rider's load. Yet is he living;
But such a vessel 'tis that floats but for

The surge that next approaches: he much desires
To have some speech with you. Lo, he appears!

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Enter THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, EMILIA, and ARCITE borne in a chair.

Palamon. O miserable end of our alliance!
The gods are mighty !— Arcite, if thy heart,
Thy worthy manly heart, be yet unbroken,
Give me thy last words; I am Palamon ;
One that yet loves thee dying.

Yet never treacherous; forgive me, cousin! —

One kiss from fair Emilia! (Kisses her.) — 'Tis done :
Take her. I die!

Palamon.

Thy brave soul seek Elysium !

[Dies.

Emilia. I'll close thine eyes, prince; blessed souls be

with thee!

Thou art a right good man; and, while I live,

This day I give to tears.

Palamon.

And I to honour.

Theseus. In this place first you fought; even very here

I sunder'd you acknowledge to the gods

Your thanks that you are living.

His part is play'd, and, though it were too short,

He did it well; your day is lengthen'd, and

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The blissful dew of heaven does arrose1 you:
The powerful Venus well hath grac'd her altar,
And given you your love; our master Mars
Has vouch'd his oracle, and to Arcite gave
The grace of the contention: so the deities
Have show'd due justice.- Bear this hence.
Palamon.

O cousin,

That we should things desire which do cost us
The loss of our desire! that nought could buy
Dear love but loss of dear love!

Theseus.
Never fortune
Did play a subtler game: the conquer'd triumphs,
The victor has the loss; yet in the passage
The gods have been most equal. Palamon,
Your kinsman hath confess'd the right o' the lady
Did lie in you, for you first saw her and
Even then proclaim'd your fancy; he restor'd her,
As your stolen jewel, and desir'd your spirit
To send him hence forgiven. The gods my justice
Take from my hand, and they themselves become
The executioners. Lead your lady off;
And call your lovers from the stage of death,
Whom I adopt my friends. A day or twɔ
Let us look sadly, and give grace unto

The funeral of Arcite; in whose end
The visages of bridegrooms we'll put on,
And smile with Palamon, for whom an hour,
But one hour since, I was as dearly sorry
As glad of Arcite, and am now as glad

As for him sorry. -O you heavenly charmers,

What things you make of us! For what we lack

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