Act V, Scene 1

THESEUS	Now let 'em enter and before the gods Tender their holy prayers. Let the temples Burn bright with sacred fires, and the altars In hallowed clouds commend their swelling incense To those above us. Let no due be wanting. [Flourish of cornets.] They have a noble work in hand, will honor The very powers that love 'em. [Enter Palamon with his three Knights, at one door, and Arcite with his three Knights, at the other door.]
PIRITHOUS	Sir, they enter.
THESEUS	You valiant and strong-hearted enemies, You royal german foes that this day come To blow that nearness out that flames between ye, ... [V.1.10] Lay by your anger for an hour and dove-like, Before the holy altars of your helpers, The all-feared gods, bow down your stubborn bodies. Your ire is more than mortal -- so your help be; And as the gods regard ye, fight with justice. I'll leave you to your prayers, and betwixt ye I part my wishes.
PIRITHOUS	Honor crown the worthiest. [Exit Theseus and his train.]
PALAMON	[to Arcite.] The glass is running now that cannot finish Till one of us expire. Think you but thus, That were there aught in me which strove to show ... [V.1.20] Mine enemy in this business, were't one eye Against another, arm oppressed by arm, I would destroy th'offender -- coz, I would, Though parcel of myself. Then from this gather How I should tender you.
ARCITE	I am in labor To push your name, your ancient love, our kindred, Out of my memory, and i' th' self-same place To seat something I would confound. So hoist we The sails that must these vessels port even where The heavenly limiter pleases.
PALAMON	You speak well, ... [V.1.30] Before I turn, let me embrace thee, cousin -- This I shall never do again.
ARCITE	One farewell.
PALAMON	Why, let it be so -- farewell, coz.
ARCITE	Farewell, sir. [Exeunt Palamon and his three Knights.] Knights, kinsmen, lovers -- yea, my sacrifices, True worshipers of Mars, whose spirit in you Expels the seeds of fear and th'apprehension Which still is father of it, go with me Before the god of our profession. There Require of him the hearts of lions and The breath of tigers, yea, the fierceness too, ... [V.1.40] Yea, the speed also -- to go on, I mean, Else wish we to be snails. You know my prize Must be dragged out of blood -- force and great feat Must put my garland on me, where she sticks, The queen of flowers. Our intercession, then, Must be to him that makes the camp a cistern Brimmed with the blood of men -- give me your aid, And bend your spirits towards him. [They kneel before the altar, fall on their faces, then on their knees again.] [Praying to Mars] ~~~ Thou mighty one, That with thy power hast turned green Neptune into purple; Whose havoc in vast field comets prewarn, ... [V.1.50] Unearthed skulls proclaim; whose breath blows down The teeming Ceres' foison; who dost pluck With hand armipotent from forth blue clouds The masoned turrets, that both mak'st and break'st The stony girths of cities; me thy pupil, Youngest follower of thy drum, instruct this day With military skill, that to thy laud I may advance my streamer, and by thee Be styled the lord o'th' day. Give me, great Mars, Some token of thy pleasure. ... [V.1.60] [Here they fall on their faces, as formerly, and there is heard clanging of Armour, with a short thunder, as the burst of a battle, whereupon they all rise and bow to the altar.] O great corrector of enormous times, Shaker of e'er-rank states, thou grand decider Of dusty and old titles, that heal'st with blood The earth when it is sick, and cur'st the world O'th' pleurisy of people, I do take Thy signs auspiciously, and in thy name, To my design, march boldly. [to his Knights.] Let us go.

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