Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

The Two Noble Kinsmen.
170Like wrinckled peobles in a glasse streame
You may behold 'em (Lady, Lady, alacke)
He that will all the Treasure know o'th earth
Must know the Center too; he that will fish
For my least minnow, let him lead his line
175To catch one at my heart. O pardon me,
Extremity that sharpens sundry wits
Makes me a Foole.
Emili. Pray you say nothing, pray you,
Who cannot feele, nor see the raine being in't,
180Knowes neither wet, nor dry, if that you were
The ground-peece of some Painter, I would buy you
T'instruct me gainst a Capitall greefe indeed
Such heart peirc'd demonstration; but alas
Being a naturall Sister of our Sex
185Your sorrow beates so ardently upon me,
That it shall make a counter reflect gainst
My Brothers heart, and warme it to some pitty
Though it were made of stone: pray have good comfort.
Thes. Forward to'th Temple, leave not out a Iot
190O'th sacred Ceremony.
1. Qu. O This Celebration
Will long last, and be more costly then,
Your Suppliants war: Remember that your Fame
Knowles in the care, o'th world: what you doe quickly,
195Is not done rashly; your first thought is more.
Then others laboured meditance: your premeditating
More then their actions: But oh Iove, your actions
Soone as they mooves as Asprayes doe the fish,
Subdue before they touch, thinke, deere Duke thinke
200What beds our slaine Kings have.
2. Qu. What greifes our beds
That our deere Lords have none.
3, Qu. None fit for'th dead:
Those that with Cordes, Knives, drams precipitance,
205Weary of this worlds light, have to themselves
Beene deathes most horrid Agents, humaine grace
Affords them dust and shaddow.
1. Qu. But our Lords
B3 Lie