Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

    The Two Noble Kinsmen.
    1900Fight bravely Cosen, give me thy noble hand.
    Arc. Here Palamon: This hand shall never more
    Come neare thee with such friendship.
    Pal. I commend thee.
    Arc. If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward,
    1905For none but such, dare die in these just Tryalls,
    Once more farewell my Cosen,
    Pal. Farewell Arcite. Fight.
    Hornes within: they stand.
    Arc. Loe Cosen, loe, our Folly has undon us.
    1910Pal. Why?
    Arc. This is the Duke, a hunting as I told you,
    If we be found, we are wretched, O retire
    For honours sake, and safely presently
    Into your Bush agen; Sir we shall finde
    1915Too many howres to dye in, gentle Cosen:
    If you be seene you perish instantly
    For breaking prison, and I, if you reveale me,
    For my contempt; Then all the world will scorne us,
    And say we had a noble difference,
    1920But base disposers of it.
    Pal. No, no, Cosen
    I will no more be hidden, nor put off
    This great adventure to a second Tryall:
    I know your cunning, and I know your cause,
    1925He that faints now, shame take him, put thy selfe
    Vpon thy present guard.
    Arc. You are not mad?
    Pal. Or I will make th' advantage of this howre
    Mine owne, and what to come shall threaten me,
    1930I feare lesse then my fortune: know weake Cosen
    I love Emilia, and in that ile bury
    Thee, and all crosses else.
    Arc. Then come, what can come
    Thou shalt know Palamon, I dare as well
    1935Die, as discourse, or sleepe: Onely this feares me,
    The law will have the honour of our ends.
    Have at thy life.
    H2 Pal.