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The Two Noble Kinsmen: Act II, Scene 3

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The Two Noble Kinsmen
Act II, Scene 3

The country near Athens.

  1. Enter Arcite.

Arcite

1 - 23
  1. Banish’d the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit,
  2. A mercy I must thank ’em for; but banish’d
  3. The free enjoying of that face I die for—
  4. O, ’twas a studied punishment, a death
  5. Beyond imagination! Such a vengeance
  6. That were I old and wicked, all my sins
  7. Could never pluck upon me. Palamon!
  8. Thou hast the start now; thou shalt stay and see
  9. Her bright eyes break each morning ’gainst thy window,
  10. And let in life into thee; thou shalt feed
  11. Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty,
  12. That nature nev’r exceeded, nor nev’r shall.
  13. Good gods! What happiness has Palamon!
  14. Twenty to one, he’ll come to speak to her,
  15. And if she be as gentle as she’s fair,
  16. I know she’s his; he has a tongue will tame tempests,
  17. And make the wild rocks wanton. Come what can come,
  18. The worst is death: I will not leave the kingdom.
  19. I know mine own is but a heap of ruins,
  20. And no redress there. If I go, he has her.
  21. I am resolv’d another shape shall make me,
  22. Or end my fortunes. Either way, I am happy:
  23. I’ll see her, and be near her, or no more.
  1. Retires.
  1. Enter four Country People, and one with a garland before
  2. them.

First Country Folk

24
  1. My masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.

Second Country Folk

25
  1. And I’ll be there.

Third Country Folk

26
  1. And I.

Fourth Country Folk

27 - 29
  1. Why then have with ye, boys! ’Tis but a chiding.
  2. Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t out
  3. Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.

First Country Folk

30 - 32
  1.                               I am sure
  2. To have my wife as jealous as a turkey.
  3. But that’s all one, I’ll go through, let her mumble.

Second Country Folk

33 - 34
  1. Clap her aboard tomorrow night, and stow her,
  2. And all’s made up again.

Third Country Folk

35 - 38
  1.                          Ay, do but put
  2. A fescue in her fist, and you shall see her
  3. Take a new lesson out, and be a good wench.
  4. Do we all hold against the Maying?

Fourth Country Folk

39 - 40
  1.                                    Hold?
  2. What should ail us?

Third Country Folk

41
  1.                     Arcas will be there.

Second Country Folk

42 - 46
  1.                      And Sennois,
  2. And Rycas, and three better lads nev’r danc’d
  3. Under green tree; and ye know what wenches, ha?
  4. But will the dainty domine, the schoolmaster,
  5. Keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know.

Third Country Folk

47 - 50
  1. He’ll eat a horn-book ere he fail. Go to!
  2. The matter’s too far driven between him
  3. And the tanner’s daughter to let slip now;
  4. And she must see the Duke, and she must dance too.

Fourth Country Folk

51
  1. Shall we be lusty?

Second Country Folk

52 - 55
  1.                    All the boys in Athens
  2. Blow wind i’ th’ breech on ’s, and here I’ll be,
  3. And there I’ll be, for our town, and here again,
  4. And there again. Ha, boys, heigh for the weavers!

First Country Folk

56
  1. This must be done i’ th’ woods.

Fourth Country Folk

57
  1.                                 O, pardon me!

Second Country Folk

58 - 61
  1. By any means; our thing of learning says so—
  2. Where he himself will edify the Duke
  3. Most parlously in our behalfs. He’s excellent i’ th’ woods,
  4. Bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.

Third Country Folk

62 - 65
  1. We’ll see the sports, then every man to ’s tackle!
  2. And, sweet companions, let’s rehearse by any means
  3. Before the ladies see us, and do sweetly,
  4. And God knows what may come on’t.

Fourth Country Folk

66 - 67
  1.                                   Content. The sports
  2. Once ended, we’ll perform. Away, boys, and hold!

Arcite

68
  1. Comes forward.
  2. By your leaves, honest friends: pray you, whither go you?

Fourth Country Folk

69
  1. Whither? Why, what a question’s that?

Arcite

70 - 71
  1.                                       Yes, ’tis a question
  2. To me that know not.

Third Country Folk

72
  1.                      To the games, my friend.

Second Country Folk

73
  1. Where were you bred you know it not?

Arcite

74 - 75
  1.                                      Not far, sir.
  2. Are there such games today?

First Country Folk

76 - 78
  1.                             Yes, marry, are there;
  2. And such as you never saw. The Duke himself
  3. Will be in person there.

Arcite

79
  1.                          What pastimes are they?

Second Country Folk

80
  1. Wrastling and running.—’Tis a pretty fellow.

Third Country Folk

81
  1. Thou wilt not go along?

Arcite

82
  1.                         Not yet, sir.

Fourth Country Folk

83 - 84
  1.               Well, sir,
  2. Take your own time. Come, boys.

First Country Folk

85 - 87
  1.                                 My mind misgives me
  2. This fellow has a veng’ance trick o’ th’ hip,
  3. Mark how his body’s made for’t.

Second Country Folk

88 - 90
  1.                                 I’ll be hang’d though
  2. If he dare venture. Hang him, plum porridge!
  3. He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come let’s be gone, lads.
  1. Exeunt four Countrymen.

Arcite

91 - 99
  1. This is an offer’d opportunity
  2. I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled,
  3. The best men call’d it excellent; and run
  4. Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,
  5. Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I’ll venture,
  6. And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows
  7. Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands,
  8. And happiness prefer me to a place
  9. Where I may ever dwell in sight of her?
  1. Exit Arcite.
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