The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613)

Intro

Online Critical Edition in Progress - Version 1.c.
Date variant: 1612
Shakespeare Network - https://shakespearenetwork.net/

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Act III, Scene 3

Same as Scene 1.

ARCITE
[Enter Arcite with meat, wine, and files.]

I should be near the place.--Ho! Cousin Palamon!

PALAMON
[within]
Arcite?

ARCITE
The same. I have brought you food and files.
Come forth and fear not; here's no Theseus.

PALAMON
Nor none so honest, Arcite.

ARCITE
That's no matter.
We'll argue that hereafter. Come, take courage;
You shall not die thus beastly. Here, sir, drink--
I know you are faint--then I'll talk further with you.

PALAMON
Arcite, thou mightst now poison me.

ARCITE
I might;
But I must fear you first. Sit down and, good now,
No more of these vain parleys. Let us not,
Having our ancient reputation with us,
Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health.

[He drinks.]

PALAMON
Do!

ARCITE
Pray sit down, then, and let me entreat you,
By all the honesty and honor in you,
No mention of this woman; 'twill disturb us.
We shall have time enough.

PALAMON
Well, sir, I'll pledge you.

[He drinks.]

ARCITE
Drink a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood, man.
Do not you feel it thaw you?

PALAMON
Stay, I'll tell you
After a draught or two more.

ARCITE
Spare it not.
The Duke has more, coz. Eat now.

PALAMON
Yes.

[He eats.]

PALAMON
I am glad
You have so good a stomach.

PALAMON
I am gladder
I have so good meat to 't.

ARCITE
Is 't not mad lodging
Here in the wild woods, cousin?

PALAMON
Yes, for them
That have wild consciences.

ARCITE
How tastes your victuals?
Your hunger needs no sauce, I see.

PALAMON
Not much.
But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin.
What is this?

ARCITE
Venison.

PALAMON
'Tis a lusty meat.
Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches
We have known in our days!

[He raises his cup in a toast.]

The Lord Steward's daughter!
Do you remember her?

ARCITE
After you, coz.

PALAMON
She loved a black-haired man.

ARCITE
She did so; well, sir?

PALAMON
And I have heard some call him Arcite, and--

ARCITE
Out with 't, faith.

PALAMON
She met him in an arbor.
What did she there, coz? Play o' th' virginals?

ARCITE
Something she did, sir.

PALAMON
Made her groan a month for 't--
Or two, or three, or ten.

ARCITE
The Marshal's sister
Had her share, too, as I remember, cousin,
Else there be tales abroad. You'll pledge her?

PALAMON
PALAMON Yes.

[He lifts his cup and then drinks.]

ARCITE
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!

PALAMON
For Emily, upon my life! Fool,
Away with this strained mirth. I say again
That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,
Dar'st thou break first?

ARCITE
You are wide.

PALAMON
By heaven and Earth,
There's nothing in thee honest.

ARCITE
Then I'll leave you.
You are a beast now.

PALAMON
As thou mak'st me, traitor.

ARCITE
There's all things needful: files and shirts and perfumes.
I'll come again some two hours hence and bring
That that shall quiet all.

PALAMON
A sword and armor.

ARCITE
Fear me not. You are now too foul. Farewell.
Get off your trinkets; you shall want naught.

PALAMON
Sirrah--

ARCITE
I'll hear no more.

[He exits.]

PALAMON
If he keep touch, he dies for 't.

[He exits.]

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The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613)

Act III, Scene 3

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