Part 25

_Pal._ [I am] gladder I have so good meat to't.

_Arc._ Is't not mad lodging here in the wild woods Cosen?

_Pal._ Yes, for them that have wild Consciences.

_Arc._ How tasts your victuals? your hunger needs no sawce I see.

_Pal._ Not much. But if it did, yours is too tart: sweet Cosen: what is this?

_Arc._ Venison.

_Pal._ 'Tis a lusty meat: Give me more wine; here _Arcite_ to the wenches We have known in our daies. The Lord Stewards daughter. Doe you remember her?

_Arc._ After you Cuz.

_Pal._ She lov'd a black-hair'd man.

_Arc._ She did so; well Sir.

_Pal._ And I have heard some call him _Arcite_; an.

_Arc._ Out with't faith.

_Pal._ She met him in an Arbor: What did she there Cuz? play o'the virginals?

_Arc._ Something she did Sir.

_Pal._ Made her groan a Month for't; or 2. or 3. or 10.

_Arc._ The Marshals Sister, Had her share too, as I remember Cosen, Else there be tales abroad, you'll pledge her?

_Pal._ Yes.

_Arc._ A pretty brown wench 'tis: There was a time When young men went a hunting, and a wood, And a broad beech: and thereby hangs a tale: heigh ho.

_Pal._ For _Emily_, upon my life, fool A way with this strain'd mirth; I say again That sigh was breath'd for _Emily_; base Cosen, Dar'st thou break first?

_Arc._ You are wide.

_Pal._ By heaven and earth, there's nothing in thee honest.

_Arc._ Then I'll leave you: you are a Beast now:

_Pal._ As thou mak'st me, Traytor.

_Arc._ There's all things needfull, files and shirts, and perfumes. I'll come again some two hours hence, and bring That that shall quiet all.

_Pal._ A Sword and Armor.

_Arc._ Fear me not; you are now too fowl; farewell. Get off your Trinkets, you shall want nought.

_Pal._ Sir ha:

_Arc._ I'll here no more. [_Exit._

_Pal._ If he keep touch, he dies for't. [_Exit._

_Scæna Quarta._

_Enter Jaylors daughter._

_Daugh._ I am very cold, and all the Stars are out too, The little Stars, and all, that look like aglets: The Sun has seen my Folly: _Palamon_; Alas no; he's in heaven; where am I now? Yonder's the sea, and there's a Ship; how't tumbles And there's a Rock lies watching under water; Now, now, it beats upon it; now, now, now, There's a leak sprung, a sound one, how they cry! Upon her before the wind, you'll loose all els: Up with a course or two, and tack about Boys. Good night, good night, y'are gone; I'm very hungry, Would I could find a fine Frog; he would tell me News from all parts o'th' world, then would I make A Careck of a Cockle-shell, and sayll By East and North East to the King of _Pigmies_, For he tels fortunes rarely. Now my Father Twenty to one is trust up in a trice To morrow morning, I'll say never a word.

_Sing._

_For I'll cut my green coat, afoot above my knee,_ _And I'll clip my yellow locks; an inch below mine eie._ _hey, nonny, nonny, nonny._

_He's buy me a whit Cut, forth for to ride_ _And I'll goe seek him, throw the world that is so wide._ _hey nonny, nonny, nonny._

O for a prick now like a Nightingale, to put my brest Against. I shall sleep like a Top else. [_Exit._

_Scæna_ [5].

_Enter a Schoolmaster 4. Countrymen: and Baum._ _2. or 3., with a Taborer._

_Sch._ Fy, fy, what tediosity, & disensanity is here among ye? have my Rudiments bin labour'd so long with ye? milk'd unto ye, and, by a figure, even the very plumbroth & marrow of my understanding laid upon ye? and do you still cry where, and how, & wherefore? you most course freeze capacities, ye jave Judgements, have I said thus let be, and there let be, and then let be, and no man understand me, _prob deum, medius fidius_, ye are all dunces: For why here stand I. Here the Duke comes, there are you close in the Thicket; the Duke appears, I meet him, and unto him I utter learned things, and many figures, he hears, and nods, and hums, and then cries rare, and I goe forward, at length I fling my Cap up; mark there; then do you as once did _Meleager_, and the _Bore_ break comely out before him: like true lovers, cast your selves in a Body decently, and sweetly, by a figure trace, and turn Boys.

_1._ And sweetly we will doe it Master _Gerrold_.

_2._ Draw up the Company, Where's the Taboror?

_3._ Why _Timothy_?

_Tab._ Here my mad boys, have at ye.

_Sch._ But I say where's their wom[e]n?

_4._ Here's _Friz_ and _Maudline_.

_2._ And little _Luce_, with the white legs, and bouncing _Barbary_.

_1._ And freckled _Nel_; that never fail'd her Master.

_Sch._ Where be your Ribands maids? swym with your Bodies And carry it sweetly, and deliverly And now and then a favor, and a friske.

_Nel._ Let us alone Sir.

_Sch._ Where's the rest o'th' Musick.

_3._ Dispers'd as you commanded.

_Sch._ Couple then And see what's wanting; where's the _Bavian_? My friend, carry your tail without offence Or scandall to the Ladies; and be sure You tumble with audacity, and manhood, And when you bark doe it with judgement.

_Bau._ Yes Sir.

_Sch. Quo usque tandem?_ Here is a woman wanting.

_4._ We may goe whistle: all the fat's i'th' fire.

_Sch._ We have, As learned Authors utter, wash'd a Tile, We have been _fatuus_, and labour'd vainly.

_2._ This is that scornfull peece, that scurvy hilding That gave her promise faithfully, she would be here, _Cicely_ the Sempsters daughter: The next gloves that I give her shall be dogs-skin; Nay and she fail me once, you can tell _Arcas_, She swore by wine, and bread, she would not break.

_Sch._ An E[e]l and woman, A learned Poet sayes: unles by'th' tail And with thy teeth thou hold, will either fail, In manners this was false position.

_1._ A fire ill take her; do's she flinch now?

_3._ What Shall we determine Sir?

_Sch._ Nothing, Our business is become a nullity Yea, and a woefull, and a pittious nullity.

_4._ Now when the credit of our Town lay on it, Now to be frampall, now to piss o'th' nettle, Goe thy ways, I'll remember thee, I'll fit thee.

_Enter Jaylor's daughter._

Daughter,

_The George alow, came from the South, from_ _The coast of Barbary a._ _And there he met with brave gallants of war_ _By one, by two, by three, a._ _Well hail'd, well hail'd, you jolly gallants,_

[Chair and stools out.

_And whither now are you bound a?_ _O let me have your company till come to the sound a._ _There was three fools, fell out about an howlet:_ _The one sed it was an owl_ _The other he sed nay,_ _The third he sed it was a hawk, and her bels were cut away._

_3._ There's a dainty mad woman Mr. comes i'th' Nick, as mad as a march Hare; If we can get her dance, we are made again: I warrant her, she'll do the rarest gambols.

_1._ A mad woman? we are made Boys.

_Sch._ And are you mad good woman?

_Daugh._ I would be sorry else, Give me your hand.

_Sch._ Why?

_Daugh._ I can tell your fortune. You are a fool: tell ten, I have poz'd him: Buz Friend you must eat no white bread, if you do Your teeth will bleed extremely, shall we dance ho? I know you, y'are a Tinker: Sir, ha Tinker Stop no more holes, but what you should.

_Sch. Dii boni._ A Tinker Damzell?

_Daug._ Or a Conjurer: raise me a devill now; and let him play. _Quipassa_, o'th' bels and bones.

_Sch._ Go take her, and fluently persuade her to a peace: _Et opus exegi, quod nec Jovis ira, nec ignis._ Strike up, and lead her in.

_2._ Come Lass, lets trip it.

_Daugh._ I'll lead. [_Wind Horns._

_3._ Doe, doe.

_Sch._ Persuasively, and cunningly: away boys,

[_Ex. all but Schoolemaster._

I hear the horns: give me some Meditation, and mark your Cue; _Pallas_ inspire me.

_Enter Thes. Pir. Hip. Emil. Arcite: and train._

_Thes._ This way the Stag took.

_Sch._ Stay, and edifie.

_Thes._ What have we here?

_Per._ Some Countrey sport, upon my life Sir.

_Thes._ Well Sir, goe forward, we will edifie. Ladies sit down, we'll stay it.

_Sch._ Thou doughtie Duke all hail: all hail sweet Ladies.

_Thes._ This is a cold beginning.

_Sch._ If you but favor; our Country pastime made is, We are a few of those collected here That ruder Tongues distinguish villager, And to say veritie, and not to fable; We are a merry rout, or else a rable Or company, or by a figure, _Chorus_ That for thy dignitie will dance a Morris. And I that am the rectifier of all By title Pedagogus, that let fall The Birch upon the breeches of the small ones, And humble with a Ferula the tall ones, Doe here present this Machine, or this frame And daintie Duke, whose doughtie dismall fame From _Dis_ to _Dedalus_, from post to pillar Is blown abroad; help me thy poor well willer, And with thy twinckling eyes, look right and straight Upon this mighty Morr--of mickle waight Is--now comes in, which being glew'd together Makes Morris, and the cause that we came hither The body of our sport of no small study I first appear, though rude, and raw, and muddy, To speak before thy noble grace, this tenner: At whose great feet I offer up my penner. The next the Lord of May, and Lady bright, The Chambermaid, and Servingman by night That seek out silent hanging: Then mine Host And his fat Spouse, that welcomes to their cost The gauled Traveller, and with a beck'ning Informes the Tapster to inflame the reck'ning: Then the beast eating Clown, and next the fool, The _Bavian_, with long tail, and eke long tool _Cum multis aliis_, that make a dance, Say I, and all shall presently advance.

_Thes._ I, I by any means, dear _Domine_.

_Per._ Produce. [_Musick Dance._ _Intrate filii_, Come forth, and foot it. Knock for Schoolm. Enter The Dance.

_Ladies, if we have been merry_ _And have pleas'd thee with a derry,_ _And a derry, and a down_ _Say the Schoolmaster's no Clown._ _Duke, if we have pleas'd thee too_ _And have done as good Boys should doe_ _Give us but a tree or twaine_ _For a Maypole, and again_ _Ere another year run out_ _We'll make thee laugh and all this rout._

_Thes._ Take 20. _Domine_; how does my sweet heart?

_Hip._ Never so pleas'd Sir.

_Emil._ 'Twas an excellent dance, and for a preface I never heard a better.

_Thes._ Schoolmaster, I thank you, One see'em all rewarded.

_Per._ And heer's something to paint your Pole withall.

_Thes._ Now to our sports again.

_Sch._ May the Stag thou huntst stand long, And thy dogs be swift and strong: May they kill him without lets, And the Ladies eat his dowsets: Come we are all made. [_Wind Horns._

_Dii Deæq_; _Omnes_, ye have danc'd rarely wenches. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna_ [6].

_Enter Palamon from the Bush._

_Pal._ About this hour my Cosen gave his faith To visit me again, and with him bring Two Swords, and two good Armors; If he fail He's neither man, nor Soldier; When he left me I did not think a week could have restor'd My lost strength to me, I was grown so low, And Crest-fal'n with my wants: I thank thee _Arcite_, Thou art yet a fair Foe; And I feel my self With this refreshing, able once again To out-dure danger: To delay it longer Would make the world think when it comes to hearing, That I lay fatting like a Swine, to fight And not a Soldier: Therefore this blest morning Shall be the last; And that Sword he refuses, If it but hold, I kill him with; 'tis Justice: So love, and Fortune for me: O good morrow.

_Enter Arcite with Armors and Swords._

_Arc._ Good morrow noble kinsman.

_Pal._ I have put you To too much pains Sir.

_Arc._ That too much fair Cosen, Is but a debt to honor, and my duty.

_Pal._ Would you were so in all Sir; I could wish ye As kind a kinsman, as you force me find A beneficiall foe, that my embraces Might thank ye, not my blows.

_Arc._ I shall think either Well done, a noble recompence.

_Pal._ Then I shall quit you.

_Arc._ Defy me in these fair terms, and you show More than a Mistris to me, no more anger As you love any thing that's honorable: We were not bred to talk man, when we are arm'd And both upon our guards, then let our fury Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us, And then to whom the birthright of this Beauty Truely pertains (without obbraidings, scorns, Dispisings of our persons, and such powtings Fitter for Girles and Schooleboyes) will be seen And quickly, yours, or mine: Wilt please you arme Sir? Or if you feel your self not fitting yet And furnish'd with your old strength, I'll stay Cosen And ev'ry day discourse you into health, As I'm spar'd, your person I 'm friends with And I could wish I had not said I lov'd her Though I had [dide]; But loving such a Lady And justifying my Love, I must not fly from't.

_Pal. Arcite_, thou art so brave an enemy That no man but thy Cosen's fit to kill thee, I'm well, and lusty, choose your Armes.

_Arc._ Choose you Sir.

_Pal._ Wilt thou exceed in all, or do'st thou doe it To make me spare thee?

_Arc._ If you think so Cosen, You are deceiv'd, for as I 'm a Soldier, I will not spare you.

_Pal._ That's well said.

_Arc._ You'll find it.

_Pal._ Then as [I am] an honest man and love, With all the justice of affection I'll pay thee soundly: This I'll take.

_Arc._ That's mine then, I'll arme you first.

_Pal._ Do: Pray thee tell me Cosen, Where gotst thou this good Armor?

_Arc._ 'Tis the Dukes, And to say true, I stole it, doe I pinch you?

_Pal._ No.

_Arc._ Is't not too heavie?

_Pal._ I have worn a lighter, But I shall make it serve.

_Arc._ I'll buckl't close.

_Pal._ By any means.

_Arc._ You care not for a Grand guard?

_Pal._ No, no, we'll use no horses, I perceive You would fain be at that Fight.

_Arc._ I'm indifferent.

_Pal._ Faith so am I: Good Cosen, thrust the buckle Through far enough.

_Arc._ I warrant you.

_Pal._ My Cask now.

_Arc._ Will you fight bare-arm'd?

_Pal._ We shall be the nimbler.

_Arc._ But use your Gantlets though; those are o'th' least, Prethee take mine good Cosen.

_Pal._ Thank you _Arcite_. How doe I look, am I falen much away?

_Arc._ Faith very little; Love has us'd you kindly.

_Pal._ I'll warrant thee, I'll strike home.

_Arc._ Doe, and spare not; I'll give you cause sweet Cosen.

_Pal._ Now to you Sir, Me thinks this Armor's very like that, _Arcite_, Thou wor'st that day the 3. Kings fell, but lighter.

_Arc._ That was a very good one, and that day I well remember, you out-did me Cosen, I never saw such valour: When you charg'd Upon the left wing of the Enemie, I spur'd hard to come up, and under me I had a right good horse.

_Pal._ You had indeed A bright Bay I remember.

_Arc._ Yes but all Was vainly labour'd in me, you out-went me, Nor could my wishes reach you; Yet a little I did by imitation.

_Pal._ More by virtue, Yo[u] are modest Cosen.

_Arc._ When I saw you charge first, Me thought I heard a dreadfull clap of Thunder Break from the Troop.

_Pal._ But still before that flew The lightning of your valour: Stay a litt[l]e, Is not this peece too streight?

_Arc._ No, no, 'tis well.

_Pal._ I would have nothing hurt thee but my Sword, A bruise would be dishonor.

_Arc._ Now I'm perfect.

_Pal._ Stand off then.

_Arc._ Take my Sword, I hold it better.

_Pal._ I thank ye: No, keep it, your life lyes on it, Here's one, if it but hold, I aske no more, For all my hopes: My Cause and honor guard me.

[_They bow severall wayes: then advance and stand._

_Arc._ And me my love: Is there ought else to say?

_Pal._ This only, and no more: Thou art mine Aunts Son. And that blood we desire to shed is mutuall. In me, thine, and in thee, mine: My Sword Is in my hand, and if thou killst me The gods, and I forgive thee; If there be A place prepar'd for those that sleep in honor, I wish his wearie soul, that falls may win it: Fight bravely Cosen, give me thy noble hand.

_Arc._ Here _Palamon_: This hand shall never more Come near thee with such friendship.

_Pal._ I commend thee.

_Arc._ If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward, For none but such, dare die in these just Tryalls. Once more farewell my Cosen.

_Pal._ Farewell _Arcite_. [_Fight._ [_Horns within: they stand._

_Arc._ Loe Cosen, loe, our Folly has undone us.

_Pal._ Why?

_Arc._ This is the Duke, a hunting as I told you, If we be found, we're wretched, O retire For honors sake, and safely presently Into your Bush agen; Sir we shall find Too many hours to dye in, gentle Cosen: If you be seen you perish instantly For breaking prison, and I, if you reveal me, For my contempt; Then all the world will scorn us, And say we had a noble difference, But base disposers of it.

_Pal._ No, no, Cosen I will no more be hidden, nor put off This great adventure to a second Tryall I know your cunning, and I know your cause, He that faints now, shame take him, put thy self Upon thy present guard.

_Arc._ You are not mad?

_Pal._ Or I will make th'advantage of this hour Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me, I fear less then my fortune: Know weak Cosen I love _Emilia_, and in that I'll bury Thee, and all crosses else.

_Arc._ Then come, what can come Thou shalt know _Palamon_, I dare as well Die, as discourse, or sleep: Only this fears me, The law will have the honor of our ends, Have at thy life.

_Pal._ Look to thine own well _Arcite_. [_Fight again. Horns._

_Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Emilia, Perithous and train._

_Theseus._ What ignorant and mad malicious Traitors, Are you? That 'gainst the tenor of my Laws Are making Battail, thus like Knights appointed, Without my leave, and Officers of Armes? By _Castor_ both shall dye.

_Pal._ Hold thy word _Theseus_, We are certainly both Traitors, both despisers Of thee, and of thy goodness: I'm _Palamon_ That cannot love thee, he that broke thy Prison, Think well, what that deserves; And this is _Arcite_ A bolder Traytor never trod thy ground, A Falser never seem'd friend: This is the man Was beg'd and banish'd, this is he contemnes thee And what thou dar'st doe; and in this disguise Against this own Edict follows thy Sister, That fortunate bright Star, the fair _Emilia_ Whose servant, (if there be a right in seeing, And first bequeathing of the soul to) justly [I am], and which is more, dares think her his. This treacherie like a most trusty Lover, I call'd him now to answer; If thou be'st As thou art spoken, great and virtuous, The true decider of all injuries, Say, Fight again, and thou shalt see me _Theseus_ Doe such a Justice, thou thy self wilt envie Then take my life, I'll wooe thee to't.

_Per._ O Heaven, What more than man is this!

_Thes._ I have sworn.

_Arc._ We seek not Thy breath of mercy _Theseus_, 'Tis to me A thing as soon to dye, as thee to say it, And no more mov'd: where this man calls me Traitor, Let me say thus much; If in love be Treason, In service of so excellent a Beautie, As I love most, and in that faith will perish, As I have brought my life here to confirme it, As I have serv'd her truest, worthiest, As I dare kill this Cosen, that denies it, So let me be most Traitor, and ye please me: For scorning thy Edict Duke, aske that Lady Why she is fair, and why her eyes command me Stay here to love her. And if she say Traytor, I'm a villain fit to lye unburied.

_Pal._ Thou shalt have pity of us both, O _Theseus_, If unto neither thou shew mercy, stop (As thou art just) thy noble ear against us, As thou art valiant; For thy Cosens soul Whose 12. strong labors crown his memory, Let's die together, at one instant, Duke, Only a little let him fall before me, That I may tell my Soul he shall not have her.

_Thes._ I grant your wish, for to say true, your Cosen Has ten times more offended, for I gave him More mercy than you found, Sir, your offences Being no more than his: None here speak for 'em For ere the Sun set, both shall sleep for ever.

_Hippol._ Alas the pity, now or never Sister Speak not to be denied; That face of yours Will bear the curses else of after ages For these lost Cosens.

_Emil._ In my face dear Sister I find no anger to'em; Nor no ruin, The misadventure of their own eyes kill'em; Yet that I will be woman, and have pitty, My knees shall grow to'th' ground but I'll get mercie. Help me dear Sister, in a deed so virtuous, The powers of all women will be with us, Most royall Brother.

_Hippol._ Sir by our tye of Marriage.

_Emil._ By your own spotless honor.

_Hip._ By that faith, That fair hand, and that honest heart you gave me.

_Emil._ By that you would have pitty in another, By your own virtues infinite.

_Hip._ By valor, By all the chast nights I have ever pleas'd you.

_Thes._ These are strange Conjurings.

_Per._ Nay then I'll in too: By all our friendship Sir, by all our dangers, By all you love most, wars; And this sweet Lady.

_Emil._ By that you would have trembled to deny A blushing Maid.

_Hip._ By your own eyes: By strength In which you swore I went beyond all women, Almost all men, and yet I yielded _Theseus_.

_Per._ To crown all this; By your most noble soul Which cannot want due mercie, I beg first.

_Hip._ Next hear my prayers.

_Emil._ Last let me intreat Sir.

_Per._ For mercy.

_Hip._ Mercy.

_Emil._ Mercy on these Princes.

_Thes._ Ye make my faith reel: Say I felt Compassion to'em both, how would you place it?

_Emil._ Upon their lives: But with their banishments.

_Thes._ You are a right woman, Sister; You have pitty, But want the understanding where to use it. If you desire their lives, invent a way Safer than banishment: Can these two live And have the agony of love about 'em, And not kill one another? Every day They'ld fight about you; Hourly bring your honor In publique question with their Swords; Be wise then And here forget 'em; It concerns your credit, And my [oth] equally: I have said they die, Better they fall byth' Law, than one another. Bow not my honor.

_Emil._ O my noble Brother, That [oth] was rashly made, and in yo[u]r anger, Your reason will not hold it, if such vows Stand for express will, all the world must perish. Beside, I have another oath, gainst yours Of more authority, I'm sure more love, Not made in passion neither, but good heed.

_Thes._ What is it Sister?

_Per._ Urge it home brave Lady.