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PIRITHOUS All his words are worthy.

THESEUS [to Arcite.] Sir, we are much indebted to your travel, ...

Nor shall you lose your wish. -- Pirithous,

Dispose of this fair gentleman.

PIRITHOUS Thanks, Theseus.

[to Arcite.] Whate'er you are, you're mine, and I shall give you

To a most noble service, to this lady,

This bright young virgin; pray observe her goodness.

You have honored her fair birthday with your virtues,

And as your due you're hers. Kiss her fair hand, sir.

ARCITE Sir, you're a noble giver. [to Emilia.] Dearest beauty,

Thus let me seal my vowed faith. [He kisses her hand.]

~~~ When your servant,

Your most unworthy creature, but offends you, ...

Command him die, he shall.

EMILIA That were too cruel.

If you deserve well, sir, I shall soon see't.

You're mine, and somewhat better than your rank I'll use you.

PIRITHOUS [to Arcite.] I'll see you furnished, and, because you say

You are a horseman, I must needs entreat you

This afternoon to ride -- but 'tis a rough one.

ARCITE I like him better, prince -- I shall not then

Freeze in my saddle.

THESEUS [to Hippolyta.] ~~~ Sweet, you must be ready --

And you, Emilia, [to Pirithous.] and you, friend -- and all,

Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance ...

To flow'ry May in Dian's wood. [to Arcite.] Wait well, sir,

Upon your mistress. -- Emily, I hope

He shall not go afoot.

EMILIA That were a shame, sir,

While I have horses. [to Arcite.] Take your choice, and what

You want, at any time, let me but know it.

If you serve faithfully, I dare assure you,

You'll find a loving mistress.

ARCITE If I do not,

Let me find that my father ever hated --

Disgrace and blows.

THESEUS Go, lead the way -- you have won it.

It shall be so: you shall receive all dues ...

Fit for the honor you have won. 'Twere wrong else.

[to Emilia.] Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant

That, if I were a woman, would be master.

But you are wise.

EMILIA I hope too wise for that, sir. [Flourish. Exeunt.]

Act II, Scene 6

Enter the Jailer's Daughter.

DAUGHTER Let all the dukes and all the devils roar --

He is at liberty! I have ventured for him,

And out I have brought him. To a little wood

A mile hence I have sent him, where a cedar

Higher than all the rest spreads like a plane,

Fast by a brook -- and there he shall keep close

'Till I provide him files and food, for yet

His iron bracelets are not off. O Love,

What a stout-hearted child thou art! My father

Durst better have endured cold iron than done it. ...

I love him beyond love and beyond reason

Or wit or safety. I have made him know it --

I care not, I am desperate. If the law

Find me and then condemn me for't, some wenches,

Some honest-hearted maids, will sing my dirge

And tell to memory my death was noble,

Dying almost a martyr. That way he takes,

I purpose, is my way too. Sure, he cannot

Be so unmanly as to leave me here.

If he do, maids will not so easily ...

Trust men again. And yet, he has not thanked me

For what I have done -- no, not so much as kissed me --

And that, methinks, is not so well. Nor scarcely

Could I persuade him to become a free man,

He made such scruples of the wrong he did

To me and to my father. Yet, I hope

When he considers more, this love of mine

Will take more root within him. Let him do

What he will with me -- so he use me kindly.

For use me, so he shall, or I'll proclaim him, ...

And to his face, no man. I'll presently

Provide him with necessaries and pack my clothes up,

And where there is a patch of ground I'll venture,

So he be with me. By him, like a shadow,

I'll ever dwell. Within this hour the hubbub

Will be all o'er the prison -- I am then

Kissing the man they look for. Farewell, father;

Get many more such prisoners and such daughters,

And shortly you may keep yourself. Now to him. [Exit.]

ACT III, Scene 1

A bush in place. Cornets in sundry places. Noise and hollering as of people a-Maying. Enter Arcite.

ARCITE The Duke has lost Hippolyta -- each took

A several laund. This is a solemn