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3d COUNTRYMAN [to Arcite.] Thou wilt not go along?

ARCITE Not yet, sir.

4th COUNTRYMAN Well, sir,

Take your own time. [to the others.] Come, boys.

1st COUNTRYMAN My mind misgives me --

This fellow has a vengeance trick o'th' hip:

Mark how his body's made for't.

2d COUNTRYMAN I'll be hanged though

If he dare venture; hang him, plum porridge!

He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let's be gone, lads.

[Exeunt the four Countrymen.]

ARCITE This is an offered opportunity ...

I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled --

The best men called it excellent -- and run

Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,

Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I'll venture,

And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows

Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands,

And happiness prefer me to a place

Where I may ever dwell in sight of her? [Exit.]

Act II, Scene 4

Enter the Jailer's Daughter.

DAUGHTER Why should I love this gentleman? 'Tis odds

He will never affect me. I am base,

My father the mean keeper of his prison,

And he a prince. To marry him is hopeless,

To be his whore is witless. Out upon't,

What pushes are we wenches driven to

When fifteen has once found us? First, I saw him;

I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man;

He has as much to please a woman in him --

If he please to bestow it so -- as ever ...

These eyes yet looked on. Next, I pitied him,

And so would any young wench, o'my conscience,

That ever dreamed or vowed her maidenhead

To a young handsome man. Then, I loved him,

Extremely loved him, infinitely loved him --

And yet he had a cousin fair as he, too.

But in my heart was Palamon, and there,

Lord, what a coil he keeps! To hear him

Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!

And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken ...

Was never gentleman. When I come in

To bring him water in a morning, first

He bows his noble body, then salutes me, thus:

'Fair, gentle maid, good morrow. May thy goodness

Get thee a happy husband.' Once he kissed me --

I loved my lips the better ten days after.

Would he would do so every day! He grieves much,

And me as much to see his misery.

What should I do to make him know I love him?

For I would fain enjoy him. Say I ventured ...

To set him free? What says the law then? Thus much

For law or kindred! I will do it,

And this night; ere tomorrow he shall love me. [Exit.]

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. ...

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 -- ...

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