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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    What a sweet face has Arcite? if wise nature
    With all her best endowments, all those beuties
    2355She sowes into the birthes of noble bodies,
    Were here a mortall woman, and had in her
    The coy denialls of yong Maydes, yet doubtles,
    She would run mad for this man: what an eye?
    Of what a fyry sparkle, and quick sweetnes,
    2360Has this yong Prince? Here Love himselfe sits smyling,
    Iust such another wanton Ganimead,
    Set Love a fire with, and enforcd the god
    Snatch up the goodly Boy, and set him by him
    A shining constellation: What a brow,
    2365Of what a spacious Majesty he carries?
    Arch'd like the great eyd Iuno's, but far sweeter,
    Smoother then Pelops Shoulder? Fame and honour
    Me thinks from hence, as from a Promontory
    Pointed in heaven, should clap their wings, and sing
    2370To all the under world, the Loves, and Fights
    Of gods, and such men neere 'em. Palamon,
    Is but his foyle, to him, a meere dull shadow,
    Hee's swarth, and meagre, of an eye as heavy
    As if he had lost his mother; a still temper,
    2375No stirring in him, no alacrity,
    Of all this sprightly sharpenes, not a smile;
    Yet these that we count errours may become him:
    Narcissus was a sad Boy, but a heavenly:
    Oh who can finde the bent of womans fancy?
    2380I am a Foole, my reason is lost in me,
    I have no choice, and I have ly'd so lewdly
    That women ought to beate me. On my knees
    I aske thy pardon: Palamon, thou art alone,
    And only beutifull, and these the eyes,
    2385These the bright lamps of beauty, that command
    And threaten Love, and what yong Mayd dare crosse 'em
    What a bold gravity, and yet inviting
    Has this browne manly face? O Love, this only
    From this howre is Complexion: Lye there Arcite,
    2390Thou art a changling to him, a meere Gipsey.
    And
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