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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Give me the victory of this question, which
    Is true loves merit, and blesse me with a signe
    2770Of thy great pleasure.
    Here Musicke is heard, Doves are seene to flutter, they
    fall againe upon their faces, then on their knees.
    Pal. O thou that from eleven, to ninetie raign'st
    In mortall bosomes, whose chase is this world
    2775And we in heards thy game; I give thee thankes
    For this faire Token, which being layd unto
    Mine innocent true heart, armes in assurance They bow.
    My body to this businesse: Let us rise
    And bow before the goddesse: Time comes on. Exeunt.
    2780Still Musicke of Records.
    Enter Emilia in white, her haire about her shoulders, a whea-
    ten wreath: One in white holding up her traine, her haire
    stucke with flowers: One before her carrying a silver
    Hynde, in whic his conveyd Incense and sweet odours,
    2785which being set upon the Altar her maides standing a
    loofe, she sets fire to it, then they curtsey and kneele.
    Emilia. O sacred, shadowie, cold and constant Queene,
    Abandoner of Revells, mate contemplative,
    Sweet, solitary, white as chaste, and pure
    2790As windefand Snow, who to thy femall knights
    Alow'st no more blood than will make a blush,
    Which is their orders robe. I heere thy Priest
    Am humbled fore thine Altar, O vouchsafe
    With that thy rare greene eye, which never yet
    2795Beheld thing maculate, looke on thy virgin,
    And sacred silver Mistris, lend thine eare
    (Which nev'r heard scurrill terme, into whose port
    Ne're entred wanton sound,) to my petition
    Seasond with holy feare; This is my last
    2800Of vestall office, I am bride habited,
    But mayden harted, a husband I have pointed,
    But doe not know him out of two, I should
    Choose one, and pray for his successe, but I
    Am guiltlesse of election of mine eyes,
    2805Were I to loose one, they are equall precious,
    I
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