Act II, Scene  5

Short flourish of cornets and shouts within. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, Arcite disguised, with a garland, and attendants.
 

THESEUS You have done worthily. I have not seen
Since Hercules a man of tougher sinews.
Whate'er you are, you run the best and wrestle
That these times can allow.
ARCITE I am proud to please you.
THESEUS What country bred you?
ARCITE This -- but far off, prince.
THESEUS Are you a gentleman?
ARCITE  My father said so,
And to those gentle uses gave me life.
THESEUS Are you his heir?
ARCITE His youngest, sir.
THESEUS Your father
Sure is a happy sire, then. What proves you?
ARCITE A little of all noble qualities. ... [II.5.10]
I could have kept a hawk and well have hollered
To a deep cry of dogs; I dare not praise
My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me
Would say it was my best piece; last and greatest,
I would be thought a soldier.
THESEUS You are perfect.
PIRITHOUS Upon my soul, a proper man.
EMILIA He is so.
PIRITHOUS [to Hippolyta.] How do you like him, lady?
HIPPOLYTA I admire him.
I have not seen so young a man so noble --
If he say true -- of his sort.
EMILIA Believe
His mother was a wondrous handsome woman -- ... [II.5.20]
His face methinks goes that way.
 
HIPPOLYTA But his body
And fiery mind illustrate a brave father.
PIRITHOUS Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,
Breaks through his baser garments.
HIPPOLYTA He's well got, sure.
THESEUS [to Arcite.] What made you seek this place, sir?
ARCITE Noble Theseus,
To purchase name and do my ablest service
To such a well-found wonder as thy worth,
For only in thy court of all the world
Dwells fair-eyed honor.
PIRITHOUS All his words are worthy.
THESEUS [to Arcite.] Sir, we are much indebted to your travel, ... [II.5.30]
Nor shall you lose your wish. -- Pirithous,
Dispose of this fair gentleman.
PIRITHOUS Thanks, Theseus.
[to Arcite.] Whate'er you are, you're mine, and I shall give you
To a most noble service, to this lady,
This bright young virgin; pray observe her goodness.
You have honored her fair birthday with your virtues,
And as your due you're hers. Kiss her fair hand, sir.
 
ARCITE Sir, you're a noble giver. [to Emilia.] Dearest beauty,
Thus let me seal my vowed faith. [He kisses her hand.]
~~~ When your servant,
Your most unworthy creature, but offends you, ... [II.5.40]
Command him die, he shall.
EMILIA That were too cruel.
If you deserve well, sir, I shall soon see't.
You're mine, and somewhat better than your rank I'll use you.
PIRITHOUS [to Arcite.] I'll see you furnished, and, because you say
You are a horseman, I must needs entreat you
This afternoon to ride -- but 'tis a rough one.
ARCITE I like him better, prince -- I shall not then
Freeze in my saddle.
THESEUS [to Hippolyta.] ~~~ Sweet, you must be ready --
And you, Emilia, [to Pirithous.] and you, friend -- and all,
Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance ... [II.5.50]
To flow'ry May in Dian's wood. [to Arcite.] Wait well, sir,
Upon your mistress. -- Emily, I hope
He shall not go afoot.
EMILIA That were a shame, sir,
While I have horses. [to Arcite.] Take your choice, and what
You want, at any time, let me but know it.
If you serve faithfully, I dare assure you,
You'll find a loving mistress.
ARCITE If I do not,
Let me find that my father ever hated --
Disgrace and blows.
THESEUS Go, lead the way -- you have won it.
It shall be so: you shall receive all dues ... [II.5.60]
Fit for the honor you have won. 'Twere wrong else.
[to Emilia.] Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant
That, if I were a woman, would be master.
But you are wise.
EMILIA I hope too wise for that, sir. [Flourish. Exeunt.]

 

Act II, Scene 6

Enter the Jailer's Daughter.

 

DAUGHTER Let all the dukes and all the devils roar --
He is at liberty! I have ventured for him,
And out I have brought him. To a little wood
A mile hence I have sent him, where a cedar
Higher than all the rest spreads like a plane,
Fast by a brook -- and there he shall keep close
'Till I provide him files and food, for yet
His iron bracelets are not off. O Love,
What a stout-hearted child thou art! My father
Durst better have endured cold iron than done it. ... [II.6.10]
I love him beyond love and beyond reason
Or wit or safety. I have made him know it --
I care not, I am desperate. If the law
Find me and then condemn me for't, some wenches,
Some honest-hearted maids, will sing my dirge
And tell to memory my death was noble,
Dying almost a martyr. That way he takes,
I purpose, is my way too. Sure, he cannot
Be so unmanly as to leave me here.
If he do, maids will not so easily ... [II.6.20]
Trust men again. And yet, he has not thanked me
For what I have done -- no, not so much as kissed me --
And that, methinks, is not so well. Nor scarcely
Could I persuade him to become a free man,
He made such scruples of the wrong he did
To me and to my father. Yet, I hope
When he considers more, this love of mine
Will take more root within him. Let him do
What he will with me -- so he use me kindly.
For use me, so he shall, or I'll proclaim him, ... [II.6.30]
And to his face, no man. I'll presently
Provide him with necessaries and pack my clothes up,
And where there is a patch of ground I'll venture,
So he be with me. By him, like a shadow,
I'll ever dwell. Within this hour the hubbub
Will be all o'er the prison -- I am then
Kissing the man they look for. Farewell, father;
Get many more such prisoners and such daughters,
And shortly you may keep yourself. Now to him. [Exit.]


 

To see other scenes from the show: 

Full Text Act III, Scene 3/Act III, Scene 4
Act I, Scene 1 Act III, Scene 5
Act I, Scene 2 Act III, Scene 6
Act I, Scene 3 Act IV, Scene 1
Act I, Scene 4/Act I, Scene 5 Act IV, Scene 2
Act II, Scene 1 Act IV, Scene 3
Act II, Scene 2 Act V, Scene 1
Act II, Scene 3/Act II, Scene 4 Act V, Scene 2/Act V, Scene 3
Act II, Scene 5/Act II, Scene 6 Act V, Scene 4
Act III, Scene 1/Act III, Scene 2 Act V, Scene 5/Act V, Scene 6

 

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