Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

The Two Noble Kinsmen.
And in this madnes, if I hazard thee
And take thy life, I deale but truely.
Arc. Fie Sir.
955You play the Childe extreamely: I will love her,
I must, I ought to doe so, and I dare,
And all this justly.
Pal. O that now, that now
Thy false-selfe and thy friend, had but this fortune
960To be one howre at liberty, and graspe
Our good Swords in our hands, I would quickly teach thee
What tw'er to filch affection from another:
Thou art baser in it then a Cutpurse;
Put but thy head out of this window more,
965And as I have a soule, Ile naile thy life too't.
Arc. Thou dar'st not foole, thou canst not, thou art feeble.
Put my head out? Ile throw my Body out,
And leape the garden, when I see her next
Enter Keeper.
970And pitch between her armes to anger thee.
Pal. No more; the keeper's comming; I shall live
To knocke thy braines out with my Shackles.
Arc. Doe.
Keeper. By your leave Gentlemen.
975Pala. Now honest keeper?
Keeper. Lord Arcite, you must presently to'th Duke;
The cause I know not yet.
Arc. I am ready keeper.
Keeper, Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you
980Of your faire Cosens Company.
Exeunt Arcite, and Keeper.
Pal. And me too,
Even when you please of life; why is he sent for?
It may be he shall marry her, he's goodly,
985And like enough the Duke hath taken notice
Both of his blood and body: But his falsehood,
Why should a friend be treacherous? If that
Get him a wife so noble, and so faire;
Let honest men ne're love againe. Once more
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