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His lord, that kept it bravely. When naught served,

When neither curb would crack, girth break, nor diff'ring plunges

Disroot his rider whence he grew, but that

He kept him 'tween his legs, on his hind hooves --

On end he stands --

That Arcite's legs, being higher than his head,

Seemed with strange art to hang. His victor's wreath

Even then fell off his head; and presently ...

Backward the jade comes o'er and his full poise

Becomes the rider's load. Yet is he living;

But such a vessel 'tis that floats but for

The surge that next approaches. He much desires

To have some speech with you -- lo, he appears.

[Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, and Arcite in a chair borne by attendants.]

PALAMON O miserable end of our alliance!

The gods are mighty. Arcite, if thy heart,

Thy worthy manly heart, be yet unbroken,

Give me thy last words. I am Palamon,

One that yet loves thee dying.

ARCITE Take Emilia, ...

And with her all the world's joy. Reach thy hand --

Farewell -- I have told my last hour. I was false,

Yet never treacherous. Forgive me, cousin --

One kiss from fair Emilia -- [They kiss.] 'tis done.

Take her; I die. [He dies.]

PALAMON Thy brave soul seek Elysium.

EMILIA [to Arcite's body.]

I'll close thine eyes, Prince. Blessed souls be with thee.

Thou art a right good man, and, while I live,

This day I give to tears.

PALAMON And I to honor.

THESEUS In this place first you fought, e'en very here

I sundered you. Acknowledge to the gods ...

Our thanks that you are living.

His part is played, and, though it were too short,

He did it well. Your day is lengthened and

The blissful dew of heaven does arouse you.

The powerful Venus well hath graced her altar,

And given you your love; our master, Mars,

Hath vouched his oracle, and to Arcite gave

The grace of the contention. So the deities

Have showed due justice. -- Bear this hence.

[Exeunt attendants with Arcite's body.]

PALAMON O cousin,

That we should things desire which do cost us ...

The loss of our desire! That naught could buy

Dear love, but loss of dear love!

THESEUS Never fortune

Did play a subtler game -- the conquered triumphs,

The victor has the loss. Yet in the passage

The gods have been most equal. Palamon,

Your kinsman hath confessed the right o'th' lady

Do lie in you, for you first saw her and

Even then proclaimed your fancy. He restored her

As your stol'n jewel, and desired your spirit

To send him hence, forgiven. The gods my justice ...

Take from my hand, and they themselves become

The executioners. Lead your lady off,

And call your lovers from the stage of death,

Whom I adopt my friends. A day or two

Let us look sadly and give grace unto

The funeral of Arcite, in whose end

The visages of bridegrooms we'll put on

And smile with Palamon, for whom an hour,

But one hour since, I was as dearly sorry

As glad of Arcite, and am now as glad ...

As for him sorry. O you heavenly charmers, --

What things you make of us! For what we lack

We laugh, for what we have, are sorry; still

Are children in some kind. Let us be thankful

For that which is, and with you leave dispute

That are above our question. Let's go off

And bear us like the time. [Flourish. Exeunt.]

EPILOGUE

CHORUS

I would now ask ye how ye like the play,

But, as it is with schoolboys, cannot say.

I am cruel fearful. Pray yet stay awhile,

And let me look upon ye. No man smile?

Then it goes hard, I see. He that has

Loved a young handsome wench, then, show his face --

'Tis strange if none be here -- and, if he will,

Against his conscience let him hiss and kill

Our market. 'Tis in vain, I see, to stay ye.

Have at the worst can come, then! Now, what say ye? ... [Ep.10]

And yet mistake me not -- I am not bold --

We have no such cause. If the tale we have told --

For 'tis no other -- any way content ye,

For to that honest purpose it was meant ye,

We have our end; and ye shall have ere long

I dare say, many a better to prolong

Your old loves to us. We and all our might

Rest at your