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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Thes. Why the knights must kindle
    3035Their valour at your eye: know of this war
    You are the Treasure, and must needes be by
    To give the Service pay.
    Emil, Sir pardon me,
    The tytle of a kingdome may be tride
    3040Out of it selfe.
    Thes. Well, well then, at your pleasure,
    Those that remaine with you, could wish their office
    To any of their Enemies.
    Hip. Farewell Sister,
    3045I am like to know your husband fore your selfe
    By some small start of time, he whom the gods
    Doe of the two know best, I pray them he
    Be made your Lot.
    Exeunt Theseus, Hipolita, Perithous, &c.
    3050Emil. Arcite is gently visagd; yet his eye
    Is like an Engyn bent, or a sharpe weapon
    In a soft sheath; mercy, and manly courage
    Are bedfellowes in his visage: Palamon
    Has a most menacing aspect, his brow
    3055Is grav'd, and seemes to bury what it frownes on,
    Yet sometime tis not so, but alters to
    The quallity of his thoughts; long time his eye
    Will dwell upon his object. Mellencholly
    Becomes him nobly; So do's Arcites mirth,
    3060But Palamons sadnes is a kinde of mirth,
    So mingled, as if mirth did make him sad,
    And sadnes, merry; those darker humours that
    Sticke misbecomingly on others, on them
    Live in faire dwelling.
    3065Cornets. Trompets sound as to a charge.
    Harke how yon spurs to spirit doe incite
    The Princes to their proofe, Arcite may win me,
    And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to
    The spoyling of his figure. O what pitty
    3070Enough for such a chance; if I were by
    I might doe hurt, for they would glance their eies
    M Toward