upon a SunThat strengthens what it lookes on; there
You have a vantage ore me, but enjoy’t till
I may enforce my remedy. Farewell. [Exeunt.]
Scaena 2. (Another Part of the forest.)
[Enter Iaylors daughter alone.]
DAUGHTER.
He has mistooke the Brake I meant, is gone
After his fancy. Tis now welnigh morning;
No matter, would it were perpetuall night,
And darkenes Lord o’th world. Harke, tis a woolfe:
In me hath greife slaine feare, and but for one thing
I care for nothing, and that’s Palamon.
I wreake not if the wolves would jaw me, so
He had this File: what if I hallowd for him?
I cannot hallow: if I whoop’d, what then?
If he not answeard, I should call a wolfe,
And doe him but that service. I have heard
Strange howles this livelong night, why may’t not be
They have made prey of him? he has no weapons,
He cannot run, the Iengling of his Gives
Might call fell things to listen, who have in them
A sence to know a man unarmd, and can
Smell where resistance is. Ile set it downe
He’s torne to peeces; they howld many together
And then they fed on him: So much for that,
Be bold to ring the Bell; how stand I then?
All’s char’d when he is gone. No, no, I lye,
My Father’s to be hang’d for his escape;
My selfe to beg, if I prizd life so much
As to deny my act, but that I would not,
Should I try death by dussons.—I am mop’t,
Food tooke I none these two daies,
Sipt some water. I have not closd mine eyes
Save when my lids scowrd off their brine; alas,
Dissolue my life, Let not my sence unsettle,
Least I should drowne, or stab or hang my selfe.
O state of Nature, faile together in me,
Since thy best props are warpt! So, which way now?
The best way is the next way to a grave:
Each errant step beside is torment. Loe,
The Moone is down, the Cryckets chirpe, the Schreichowle
Calls in the dawne; all offices are done
Save what I faile in: But the point is this,
An end, and that is all. [Exit.]
Scaena 3. (Same as Scene I.) [Enter Arcite, with Meate, Wine, and Files.]
ARCITE.
I should be neere the place: hoa, Cosen Palamon. [Enter
Palamon.]
PALAMON.
Arcite?
ARCITE.
The same: I have brought you foode and files.
Come forth and feare not, here’s no Theseus.
PALAMON.
Nor none so honest, Arcite.
ARCITE.
That’s no matter,
Wee’l argue that hereafter: Come, take courage;
You shall not dye thus beastly: here, Sir, drinke;
I know you are faint: then ile talke further with you.
PALAMON.
Arcite, thou mightst now poyson me.
ARCITE.
I might,
But I must feare you first: Sit downe, and, good, now
No more of these vaine parlies; let us not,
Having our ancient reputation with us,
Make talke for Fooles and Cowards. To your health, &c.
PALAMON.
Doe.
ARCITE.
Pray, sit downe then; and let me entreate you,
By all the honesty and honour in you,
No mention of this woman: t’will disturbe us;
We shall have time enough.
PALAMON.
Well, Sir, Ile pledge you.
ARCITE.
Drinke a good hearty draught; it breeds good blood, man.
Doe not you feele it thaw you?
PALAMON.
Stay, Ile tell you after a draught or two more.
ARCITE.
Spare it not, the Duke has more, Cuz: Eate now.
PALAMON.
Yes.
ARCITE.
I am glad you have so good a stomach.
PALAMON.
I am gladder I have so good meate too’t.
ARCITE.
Is’t not mad lodging here in the wild woods, Cosen?
PALAMON.
Yes, for them that have wilde Consciences.
ARCITE.
