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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    The liverie of the warlike Maide appeares,
    Pure red, and white, for yet no beard has blest him.
    And in his rowling eyes, sits victory,
    2470As if she ever ment to corect his valour:
    His Nose stands high, a Character of honour.
    His red lips, after fights, are fit for Ladies.
    Emil. Must these men die too?
    Per. When he speakes, his tongue
    2475Sounds like a Trumpet; All his lyneaments
    Are as a man would wish 'em, strong, and cleane,
    He weares a well-steeld Axe, the staffe of gold,
    His age some five and twenty.
    Mess. Ther's another,
    2480A little man, but of a tough soule, seeming
    As great as any: fairer promises
    In such a Body, yet I never look'd on.
    Per. O, he that's freckle fac'd?
    Mess. The same my Lord,
    2485Are they not sweet ones?
    Per. Yes they are well.
    Mess. Me thinkes,
    Being so few, and well disposd, they show
    Great, and fine art in nature, he's white hair'd,
    2490Not wanton white, but such a manly colour
    Next to an aborne, tough, and nimble set,
    Which showes an active soule; his armes are brawny
    Linde with strong sinewes: To the shoulder peece,
    Gently they swell, like women new conceav'd,
    2495Which speakes him prone to labour, never fainting
    Vnder the waight of Armes; stout harted, still,
    But when he stirs, a Tiger; he's gray eyd,
    Which yeelds compassion where he conquers: sharpe
    To spy advantages, and where he finds 'em,
    2500He's swift to make 'em his: He do's no wrongs,
    Nor takes none; he's round fac'd, and when he smiles
    He showes a Lover, when he frownes, a Souldier:
    About his head he weares the winners oke,
    And in it stucke the favour of his Lady:
    his
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