THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN

Act 2 Scene 5

(Short flourish of cornetts and shouts within. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, Arcite disguised, with a garland, and attendants)
l1l	Theseus	 You have done worthily. I have not seen
l2l		Since Hercules a man of tougher sinews.
l3l		Whate’er you are, you run the best and wrestle
l4l		That these times can allow.
	Arcite	I am proud to please you.
l5l	Theseus	What country bred you?
	Arcite	This—but far off, prince.
l6l	Theseus	Are you a gentleman?
	Arcite	My father said so,
l7l		And to those gentle uses gave me life.
l8l	Theseus	Are you his heir?
	Arcite	His youngest, sir.
	Theseus	Your father
l9l		Sure is a happy sire, then. What proves you?
l10l	Arcite	A little of all noble qualities.
l11l		I could have kept a hawk and well have hollered
l12l		To a deep cry of dogs# I dare not praise
l13l		My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me
l14l		Would say it was my best piece# last and greatest,
l15l		I would be thought a soldier.
	Theseus	You are perfect.
l16l	Pirithous	Upon my soul, a proper man.
	Emilia	He is so.
l17l	Pirithous	(to Hippolyta)
		 How do you like him, lady?
	Hippolyta	I admire him.
l18l		I have not seen so young a man so noble—
l19l		If he say true—of his sort.
	Emilia	Believe
l20l		His mother was a wondrous handsome woman—
l21l		His face methinks goes that way.
	Hippolyta	But his body
l22l		And fiery mind illustrate a brave father.
l23l	Pirithous	Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,
l24l		Breaks through his baser garments.
	Hippolyta	He’s well got, sure.
l25l	Theseus	(to Arcite)
		 What made you seek this place, sir?
	Arcite	Noble Theseus,
l26l		To purchase name and do my ablest service
l27l		To such a well-found wonder as thy worth,
l28l		For only in thy court of all the world
l29l		Dwells fair-eyed honour.
	Pirithous	All his words are worthy.
l30l	Theseus	(to Arcite)
		 Sir, we are much indebted to your travel,
l31l		Nor shall you lose your wish.—Pirithous,
l32l		Dispose of this fair gentleman.
	Pirithous	Thanks, Theseus.
l33l		(To Arcite)
		 Whate’er you are, you’re mine, and I shall give you
l34l		To a most noble service, to this lady,
l35l		This bright young virgin# pray observe her goodness.
l36l		You have honoured her fair birthday with your virtues,
l37l		And as your due you’re hers. Kiss her fair hand, sir.
l38l	Arcite	Sir, you’re a noble giver.
		(To Emilia)
		 Dearest beauty,
l39l		Thus let me seal my vowed faith.
		(He kisses her hand)
		 When your servant,
l40l		Your most unworthy creature, but offends you,
l41l		Command him die, he shall.
	Emilia	That were too cruel.
l42l		If you deserve well, sir, I shall soon see ’t.
l43l		You’re mine, and somewhat better than your rank I’ll use you.
l44l	Pirithous	(to Arcite)
		 I’ll see you furnished, and, because you say
l45l		You are a horseman, I must needs entreat you
l46l		This afternoon to ride—but ’tis a rough one.
l47l	Arcite	I like him better, prince—I shall not then
l48l		Freeze in my saddle.
	Theseus	
		(to Hippolyta)
		 Sweet, you must be ready—
l49l		And you, Emilia,
		(to Pirithous)
		 and you, friend—and all,
l50l		Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance
l51l		To flow’ry May in Dian’s wood.
		(To Arcite)
		 Wait well, sir,
l52l		Upon your mistress.—Emily, I hope
l53l		He shall not go afoot.
	Emilia	That were a shame, sir,
l54l		While I have horses.
		(To Arcite)
		 Take your choice, and what
l55l		You want, at any time, let me but know it.
l56l		If you serve faithfully, I dare assure you,
l57l		You’ll find a loving mistress.
	Arcite	If I do not,
l58l		Let me find that my father ever hated—
l59l		Disgrace and blows.
	Theseus	Go, lead the way—you have won it.
l60l		It shall be so: you shall receive all dues
l61l		Fit for the honour you have won. ’Twere wrong else.
l62l		(To Emilia)
		 Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant
l63l		That, if I were a woman, would be master.
l64l		But you are wise.
	Emilia	I hope too wise for that, sir.
		( 64B Flourish. Exeunt)