SCENE III. The country near Athens

Enter Arcite .

ARCITE. Banished the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit, A mercy I must thank ’em for; but banished The free enjoying of that face I die for, O, ’twas a studied punishment, a death Beyond imagination, such a vengeance That, were I old and wicked, all my sins Could never pluck upon me. Palamon, Thou hast the start now; thou shalt stay and see Her bright eyes break each morning ’gainst thy window And let in life into thee; thou shalt feed Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty That nature ne’er exceeded nor ne’er shall. Good gods, what happiness has Palamon! Twenty to one, he’ll come to speak to her; And if she be as gentle as she’s fair, I know she’s his; he has a tongue will tame Tempests and make the wild rocks wanton. Come what can come, The worst is death; I will not leave the kingdom. I know mine own is but a heap of ruins, And no redress there. If I go, he has her. I am resolved another shape shall make me Or end my fortunes. Either way I am happy. I’ll see her and be near her, or no more.

Enter four Countrymen, and one with a garland before them.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN. My masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. And I’ll be there.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. And I.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Why, then, have with you, boys. ’Tis but a chiding. Let the plough play today; I’ll tickle ’t out Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN. I am sure To have my wife as jealous as a turkey, But that’s all one. I’ll go through; let her mumble.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. Clap her aboard tomorrow night, and stow her, And all’s made up again.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. Ay, do but put A fescue in her fist and you shall see her Take a new lesson out and be a good wench. Do we all hold against the Maying?

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Hold? What should ail us?

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. Arcas will be there.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. And Sennois. And Rycas; and three better lads ne’er danced Under green tree. And ye know what wenches, ha? But will the dainty domine, the schoolmaster, Keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. He’ll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to; The matter’s too far driven between him And the tanner’s daughter to let slip now; And she must see the Duke, and she must dance too.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Shall we be lusty?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. All the boys in Athens Blow wind i’ th’ breech on ’s. And here I’ll be, And there I’ll be, for our town, and here again, And there again. Ha, boys, hey for the weavers!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN. This must be done i’ th’ woods.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. O, pardon me.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. By any means; our thing of learning says so— Where he himself will edify the Duke Most parlously in our behalfs. He’s excellent i’ th’ woods; Bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. We’ll see the sports, then every man to ’s tackle; And, sweet companions, let’s rehearse, by any means, Before the ladies see us, and do sweetly, And God knows what may come on ’t.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Content; the sports once ended, we’ll perform. Away, boys, and hold.

ARCITE. By your leaves, honest friends: pray you, whither go you?

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Whither? Why, what a question’s that?

ARCITE. Yes, ’tis a question To me that know not.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. To the games, my friend.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. Where were you bred, you know it not?

ARCITE. Not far, sir; Are there such games today?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN. Yes, marry, are there, And such as you never saw; the Duke himself Will be in person there.

ARCITE. What pastimes are they?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. Wrestling, and running.—’Tis a pretty fellow.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN. Thou wilt not go along?

ARCITE. Not yet, sir.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN. Well, sir, Take your own time. Come, boys.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN. My mind misgives me, This fellow has a vengeance trick o’ th’ hip; Mark how his body’s made for ’t.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN. I’ll be hanged, though, If he dare venture. Hang him, plum porridge! He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let’s be gone, lads.

[ Exeunt Countrymen . ]

ARCITE. This is an offered opportunity I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled— The best men called it excellent—and run Swifter than wind upon a field of corn, Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I’ll venture, And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands, And happiness prefer me to a place Where I may ever dwell in sight of her?

[ Exit Arcite . ]