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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    Not Peer Reviewed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. Pray speake
    2430You that have seene them, what they are.
    Mess. I will Sir,
    And truly what I thinke: Six braver spirits
    Then these they have brought, (if we judge by the outside)
    I never saw, nor read of: He that stands
    2435In the first place with Arcite, by his seeming
    Should be a stout man, by his face a Prince,
    (His very lookes so say him) his complexion,
    Nearer a browne, than blacke; sterne, and yet noble,
    Which shewes him hardy, fearelesse, proud of dangers:
    2440The circles of his eyes show faire within him,
    And as a heated Lyon, so he lookes;
    His haire hangs long behind him, blacke and shining
    Like Ravens wings: his shoulders broad, and strong,
    Armd long and round, and on his Thigh a Sword
    2445Hung by a curious Bauldricke; when he frownes
    To seale his will with, better o' my conscience
    Was never Souldiers friend.
    Thes. Thou ha'st well describde him,
    Per. Yet a great deale short
    2450Me thinkes, of him that's first with Palamon.
    Thes. Pray speake him friend.
    Per. I ghesse he is a Prince too,
    And if it may be, greater; for his show
    Has all the ornament of honour in't:
    2455Hee's somewhat bigger, then the Knight he spoke of,
    But of a face far sweeter; His complexion
    Is (as a ripe grape) ruddy: he has felt
    Without doubt what he fights for, and so apter
    To make this cause his owne: In's face appeares
    2460All the faire hopes of what he undertakes,
    And when he's angry, then a setled valour
    (Not tainted with extreames) runs through his body,
    And guides his arme to brave things: Feare he cannot,
    He shewes no such soft temper, his head's yellow,
    2465Hard hayr'd, and curld, thicke twind like Ivy tops,
    Not to undoe with thunder; In his face
    K The
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