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What flower is this?

WOMAN 'Tis called narcissus, madam.

EMILIA That was a fair boy, certain, but a fool ...

To love himself. Were there not maids enough?

ARCITE [to Palamon.] Pray forward.

PALAMON Yes.

EMILIA [to her Woman.] ~~~ ~~~ Or were they all hard-hearted?

WOMAN They could not be to one so fair.

EMILIA Thou wouldst not.

WOMAN I think I should not, madam.

EMILIA That's a good wench --

But take heed to your kindness, though.

WOMAN Why, madam?

EMILIA Men are mad things.

ARCITE Will ye go forward, cousin?

EMILIA [to her Woman.] Canst not thou work such flowers in silk, wench?

WOMAN Yes.

EMILIA I'll have a gown full of 'em, and of these.

This is a pretty color -- will't not do

Rarely upon a skirt, wench?

WOMAN Dainty, madam.

ARCITE [to Palamon.] Cousin, cousin, how do you, sir? Why, Palamon!

PALAMON Never till now was I in prison, Arcite.

ARCITE Why, what's the matter, man?

PALAMON Behold and wonder! [Arcite sees Emilia.]

By heaven, she is a goddess!

ARCITE Ha!

PALAMON Do reverence.

She is a goddess, Arcite.

EMILIA [to her Woman.] ~~~ Of all flowers

Methinks a rose is best.

WOMAN Why, gentle madam?

EMILIA It is the very emblem of a maid --

For when the west wind courts her gently,

How modestly she blows, and paints the sun

With her chaste blushes! When the north comes near her, ...

Rude and impatient, then, like chastity,

She locks her beauties in her bud again,

And leaves him to base briars.

WOMAN Yet, good madam,

Sometimes her modesty will blow so far

She falls for't -- a maid,

If she have any honor, would be loath

To take example by her.

EMILIA Thou art wanton.

ARCITE [to Palamon.] She is wondrous fair.

PALAMON She is all the beauty extant.

EMILIA [to her Woman.]

The sun grows high -- let's walk in. Keep these flowers.

We'll see how close art can come near their colors. ...

I am wondrous merry-hearted -- I could laugh now.

WOMAN I could lie down, I am sure.

EMILIA And take one with you?

WOMAN That's as we bargain, madam.

EMILIA Well, agree then. [Exeunt Emilia and her Woman.]

PALAMON What think you of this beauty?

ARCITE 'Tis a rare one.

PALAMON Is't but a rare one?

ARCITE Yes, a matchless beauty.

PALAMON Might not a man well lose himself and love her?

ARCITE I cannot tell what you have done; I have,

Beshrew mine eyes for't. Now I feel my shackles.

PALAMON You love her then?

ARCITE Who would not?

PALAMON And desire her?

ARCITE Before my liberty.

PALAMON I saw her first.

ARCITE That's nothing.

PALAMON But it shall be.

ARCITE I saw her too.

PALAMON Yes, but you must not love her

ARCITE I will not, as you do, to worship her

As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess!

I love her as a woman, to enjoy her --

So both may love.

PALAMON You shall not love at all.

ARCITE Not love at all -- who shall deny me?

PALAMON I that first saw her, I that took possession ...

First with mine eye of all those beauties

In her revealed to mankind. If thou lov'st her,

Or entertain'st a hope to blast my wishes,

Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow

False as thy title to her. Friendship, blood,

And all the ties between us I disclaim,

If thou once think upon her.

ARCITE Yes, I love her --

And if the lives of all my name lay on it,

I must do so. I love her with my soul --

If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon! ...

I say again,

I love her, and in loving her maintain

I am as worthy and as free a lover,

And have as just a title to her beauty,

As any Palamon, or any living

That is a man's son.

PALAMON Have I called thee friend?

ARCITE Yes, and have found me so. Why are you moved thus?

Let me deal coldly with you. Am not I

Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me

That I was Palamon and you were Arcite.

PALAMON Yes.

ARCITE Am I not liable to those affections,

Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?

PALAMON Ye may be.

ARCITE Why then would