Speeches (Lines) for SERVANT in "The Two Noble Kinsmen"

EMILIA. Arcite is gently visaged, yet his eye
Is like an engine bent, or a sharp weapon
In a soft sheath; mercy and manly courage
Are bedfellows in his visage. Palamon
Has a most menacing aspect; his brow
Is graved, and seems to bury what it frowns on;
Yet sometimes 'tis not so, but alters to
The quality of his thoughts. Long time his eye
Will dwell upon his object. Melancholy
Becomes him nobly; so does Arcite's mirth;
But Palamon's sadness is a kind of mirth,
So mingled, as if mirth did make him sad
And sadness merry. Those darker humors that
Stick misbecomingly on others, on them
Live in fair dwelling.
[Cornets. Trumpets sound as to a charge.]
Hark how yon spurs to spirit do incite
The princes to their proof! Arcite may win me,
And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to
The spoiling of his figure. O, what pity
Enough for such a chance? If I were by,
I might do hurt, for they would glance their eyes
Towards my seat, and in that motion might
Omit a ward or forfeit an offense
Which craved that very time.

[Cornets. A great cry and noise
within crying "A Palamon!"]

It is much better
I am not there. O, better never born
Than minister to such harm!

[Enter Servant.]

What is the chance?

SERVANT. The cry's "A Palamon."

EMILIA. Then he has won. 'Twas ever likely.
He looked all grace and success, and he is
Doubtless the prim'st of men. I prithee run
And tell me how it goes.

[Shout and cornets, crying "A Palamon!"]

SERVANT. Still "Palamon."

EMILIA. Run and inquire.

[Servant exits.]
[Addressing Arcite's picture.]

Poor servant, thou hast lost.
Upon my right side still I wore thy picture,
Palamon's on the left--why so, I know not.
I had no end in 't else; chance would have it so.
On the sinister side the heart lies; Palamon
Had the best-boding chance.

[Another cry, and shout within, and cornets.]
This burst of clamor
Is sure th' end o' th' combat.

[Enter Servant.]

SERVANT. They said that Palamon had Arcite's body
Within an inch o' th' pyramid, that the cry
Was general "A Palamon." But anon,
Th' assistants made a brave redemption, and
The two bold titlers at this instant are
Hand to hand at it.

EMILIA. Were they metamorphosed
Both into one--O, why, there were no woman
Worth so composed a man! Their single share,
Their nobleness peculiar to them, gives
The prejudice of disparity, value's shortness,
To any lady breathing.

[Cornets. Cry within, "Arcite, Arcite."]

More exulting?
"Palamon" still?

SERVANT. Nay, now the sound is "Arcite."

EMILIA. I prithee lay attention to the cry;
Set both thine ears to th' business.

[Cornets. A great shout, and cry "Arcite, victory!"]

SERVANT. The cry is "Arcite"
And "Victory! Hark, Arcite, victory!"
The combat's consummation is proclaimed
By the wind instruments.