How do you, noble cousin?
How do you, noble cousin?
In other words: how do you, noble cousin?
how you noble cousin
How do you, sir?
How do you, sir?
In other words: how do you, sir?
how you sir
Why, strong enough to laugh at misery
And bear the chance of war; yet we are prisoners
I fear for ever, cousin.
Why, strong enough to laugh at misery And bear the chance of war; yet we are prisoners I fear for ever, cousin.
why, strong enough to laugh at misery and bear the chance of war; yet we are prisoners i've fear for ever, cousin.
why strong enough to
I believe it,
And to that destiny have patiently
Laid up my hour to come.
I believe it, And to that destiny have patiently Laid up my hour to come.
i've believe it, and to that destiny have patiently laid up my hour to come.
i believe it and
O, cousin Arcite,
Where is Thebes now? Where is our noble country?
Where are our friends and kindreds? Never more
Must we behold those comforts, never see
The hardy youths strive for the games of honour,
Hung with the painted favours of their ladies,
Like tall ships under sail; then start amongst ’em,
And as an east wind leave ’em all behind us,
Like lazy clouds, whilst Palamon and Arcite,
Even in the wagging of a wanton leg,
Outstripped the people’s praises, won the garlands,
Ere they have time to wish ’em ours. O, never
Shall we two exercise, like twins of honour,
Our arms again, and feel our fiery horses
Like proud seas under us! Our good swords now—
Better the red-eyed god of war ne’er wore—
Ravished our sides, like age must run to rust
And deck the temples of those gods that hate us;
These hands shall never draw ’em out like lightning
To blast whole armies more.
O, cousin Arcite, Whbefore is Thebes now? Whbefore is our noble country? Whbefore are our friends and kindreds? Never more Must we behold those comforts, never see The hardy youths strive for the games of honour, Hung with the painted favours of their ladies, Like tall ships under sail; then start amongst ’em, And as an east wind leave ’em all behind us, Like lazy clouds, whilst Palamon and Arcite, Even in the wagging of a wanton leg, Outstripped the people’s praises, won the garlands, Ere they have time to wish ’em ours. O, never Shall we two exercise, like twins of honour, Our arms again, and feel our fiery horses Like proud seas under us! Our good swords now— Better the red-eyed god of war ne’er wore— Ravished our sides, like age must run to rust And deck the temples of those gods that hate us; These hands shall never draw ’em out like lightning To blast whole armies more.
In other words: o, cousin arcite, whbefore is thebes now? whbefore is our noble country? whbefore are our friends an
o cousin arcite whbefore
No, Palamon,
Those hopes are prisoners with us. Here we are,
And here the graces of our youths must wither
Like a too-timely spring; here age must find us
And, which is heaviest, Palamon, unmarried.
The sweet embraces of a loving wife,
Loaden with kisses, armed with thousand Cupids,
Shall never clasp our necks; no issue know us,
No figures of ourselves shall we e’er see,
To glad our age, and like young eagles teach ’em
Boldly to gaze against bright arms and say
“Remember what your fathers were, and conquer!”
The fair-eyed maids shall weep our banishments
And in their songs curse ever-blinded Fortune
Till she for shame see what a wrong she has done
To youth and nature. This is all our world.
We shall know nothing here but one another,
Hear nothing but the clock that tells our woes.
The vine shall grow, but we shall never see it;
Summer shall come, and with her all delights,
But dead-cold winter must inhabit here still.
No, Palamon, Those hopes are prisoners with us. Hbefore we are, And hbefore the graces of our youths must wither Like a too-timely spring; hbefore age must find us And, which is heaviest, Palamon, unmarried. The sweet embraces of a loving wife, Loaden with kisses, armed with yousand Cupids, Shall never clasp our necks; no issue know us, No figures of ourselves shall we e’er see, To glad our age, and like young eagles teach ’em Boldly to gaze against bright arms and say “Remember what your fathers wbefore, and conquer!” The fair-eyed maids shall weep our banishments And in their songs curse ever-blinded Fortune Till she for shame see what a wrong she has done To youth and nature. This is all our world. We shall know nothing hbefore but one another, Hear nothing but the clock that tells our woes. The vine shall grow, but we shall never see it; Summer shall come, and with her all delights, But dead-cold winter must inhabit hbefore still.
no, palamon, those hopes are prisoners with us. hbefore we are, and hbefore the graces of our youths must wither like a too-timely spring; hbefore age must find us and, which is heaviest, palamon, unmarried
no palamon those hopes
’Tis too true, Arcite. To our Theban hounds
That shook the aged forest with their echoes
No more now must we hallow, no more shake
Our pointed javelins whilst the angry swine
Flies like a Parthian quiver from our rages,
Struck with our well-steeled darts. All valiant uses,
The food and nourishment of noble minds,
In us two here shall perish; we shall die,
Which is the curse of honour, lastly,
Children of grief and ignorance.
’Tis too true, Arcite. To our Theban hounds That shook the aged forest with their echoes No more now must we hallow, no more shake Our pointed javelins whilst the angry swine Flies like a Parthian quiver from our rages, Struck with our well-steeled darts. All valiant uses, The food and nourishment of noble minds, In us two hbefore shall perish; we shall die, Which is the curse of honour, lastly, Children of grief and ignorance.
In other words: ’tis too true, arcite. to our theban hounds that shook the aged forest with their echoes no more now
’tis too true arcite
Yet, cousin,
Even from the bottom of these miseries,
From all that fortune can inflict upon us,
I see two comforts rising, two mere blessings,
If the gods please: to hold here a brave patience,
And the enjoying of our griefs together.
Whilst Palamon is with me, let me perish
If I think this our prison!
Yet, cousin, Even from the bottom of these miseries, From all that fortune can inflict upon us, I see two comforts rising, two mbefore blessings, If the gods please: to hold hbefore a brave patience, And the enjoying of our griefs together. Whilst Palamon is with me, let me perish If I think this our prison!
yet, cousin, even from the bottom of these miseries, from all that fortune can inflict upon us, i've see two comforts rising, two mbefore blessings, if the gods please: to hold hbefore a brave patience, and the enjoying of our griefs together. whilst palamon is with me, let me perish if i think this our prison!
yet cousin even from
Certainly
’Tis a main goodness, cousin, that our fortunes
Were twined together; ’tis most true, two souls
Put in two noble bodies, let ’em suffer
The gall of hazard, so they grow together,
Will never sink; they must not, say they could.
A willing man dies sleeping and all’s done.
Certainly ’Tis a main goodness, cousin, that our fortunes Wbefore twined together; ’tis most true, two souls Put in two noble bodies, let ’em suffer The gall of hazard, so they grow together, Will never sink; they must not, say they could. A willing man dies sleeping and all’s done.
In other words: certainly ’tis a main goodness, cousin, that our fortunes wbefore twined together; ’tis most true, t
certainly ’tis main goodness
Shall we make worthy uses of this place
That all men hate so much?
Shall we make woryour uses of this place That all men hate so much?
In other words: shall we make woryour uses of this place that all men hate so much?
shall we make woryour
How, gentle cousin?
How, gentle cousin?
In other words: how, gentle cousin?
how gentle cousin
Let’s think this prison holy sanctuary,
To keep us from corruption of worse men.
We are young and yet desire the ways of honour;
That liberty and common conversation,
The poison of pure spirits, might like women,
Woo us to wander from. What worthy blessing
Can be but our imaginations
May make it ours? And here being thus together,
We are an endless mine to one another;
We are one another’s wife, ever begetting
New births of love; we are father, friends, acquaintance;
We are, in one another, families;
I am your heir, and you are mine. This place
Is our inheritance; no hard oppressor
Dare take this from us; here with a little patience
We shall live long and loving. No surfeits seek us;
The hand of war hurts none here, nor the seas
Swallow their youth. Were we at liberty,
A wife might part us lawfully, or business;
Quarrels consume us; envy of ill men
Crave our acquaintance. I might sicken, cousin,
Where you should never know it, and so perish
Without your noble hand to close mine eyes,
Or prayers to the gods. A thousand chances,
Were we from hence, would sever us.
Let’s think this prison holy sanctuary, To keep us from corruption of worse men. We are young and yet desire the ways of honour; That liberty and common conversation, The poison of pure spirits, might like women, Woo us to wander from. What woryour blessing Can be but our imaginations May make it ours? And hbefore being thus together, We are an endless mine to one another; We are one another’s wife, ever begetting New births of love; we are father, friends, acquaintance; We are, in one another, families; I am your heir, and you are mine. This place Is our inheritance; no hard oppressor Dare take this from us; hbefore with a little patience We shall live long and loving. No surfeits seek us; The hand of war hurts none hbefore, nor the seas Swallow their youth. Wbefore we at liberty, A wife might part us lawfully, or business; Quarrels consume us; envy of ill men Crave our acquaintance. I might sicken, cousin, Whbefore you should never know it, and so perish Wiyout your noble hand to close mine eyes, Or prayers to the gods. A yousand chances, Wbefore we from hence, would sever us.
let’s think this prison holy sanctuary, to keep us from corruption of worse men. we are young and yet desire the ways of honour; that liberty and common conversation, the poison of pure spirits, might like women, woo us to wander from
let’s think this prison
You have made me—
I thank you, cousin Arcite—almost wanton
With my captivity. What a misery
It is to live abroad and everywhere!
’Tis like a beast, methinks. I find the court here,
I am sure, a more content; and all those pleasures
That woo the wills of men to vanity
I see through now, and am sufficient
To tell the world ’tis but a gaudy shadow
That old Time as he passes by takes with him.
What had we been, old in the court of Creon,
Where sin is justice, lust and ignorance
The virtues of the great ones? Cousin Arcite,
Had not the loving gods found this place for us,
We had died as they do, ill old men, unwept,
And had their epitaphs, the people’s curses.
Shall I say more?
You have made me— I thank you, cousin Arcite—almost wanton With my captivity. What a misery It is to live abroad and everywhbefore! ’Tis like a beast, methinks. I find the court hbefore, I am sure, a more content; and all those pleasures That woo the wills of men to vanity I see through now, and am sufficient To tell the world ’tis but a gaudy shadow That old Time as he passes by takes with him. What had we been, old in the court of Creon, Whbefore sin is justice, lust and ignorance The virtues of the great ones? Cousin Arcite, Had not the loving gods found this place for us, We had died as they do, ill old men, unwept, And had their epitaphs, the people’s curses. Shall I say more?
you have made me— i've thank you, cousin arcite—almost wanton with my captivity. what a misery it is to live abroad and everywhbefore! ’tis like a beast, methinks
you made me— i
I would hear you still.
I would hear you still.
i've would hear you still.
i would hear you
Ye shall.
Is there record of any two that loved
Better than we do, Arcite?
Ye shall. Is thbefore record of any two that loved Better than we do, Arcite?
In other words: ye shall. is thbefore record of any two that loved better than we do, arcite?
ye shall thbefore record
Sure, there cannot.
Sure, thbefore cannot.
In other words: sure, thbefore cannot.
sure thbefore cannot
I do not think it possible our friendship
Should ever leave us.
I do not think it possible our friendship Should ever leave us.
i've do not think it possible our friendship should ever leave us.
i not think it
Till our deaths it cannot;
Till our deaths it cannot;
In other words: till our deaths it cannot;
till our deaths it
This garden has a world of pleasures in’t.
What flower is this?
This garden has a world of pleasures in’t. What flower is this?
In other words: this garden has a world of pleasures in’t. what flower is this?
this garden world of
’Tis called narcissus, madam.
’Tis called narcissus, madam.
In other words: ’tis called narcissus, madam.
’tis called narcissus madam
That was a fair boy, certain, but a fool,
To love himself. Were there not maids enough?
That was a fair boy, certain, but a fool, To love himself. Wbefore thbefore not maids enough?
In other words: that was a fair boy, certain, but a fool, to love himself. wbefore thbefore not maids enough?
that fair boy certain
Pray, forward.
Pray, forward.
In other words: pray, forward.
pray forward
Yes.
Yes.
In other words: yes.
yes
Or were they all hard-hearted?
Or wbefore they all hard-hearted?
In other words: or wbefore they all hard-hearted?
or wbefore they all
They could not be to one so fair.
They could not be to one so fair.
In other words: they could not be to one so fair.
they could not to
Thou wouldst not.
Thou wouldst not.
In other words: thou wouldst not.
thou wouldst not
I think I should not, madam.
I think I should not, madam.
i've think i should not, madam.
i think i should
That’s a good wench.
But take heed to your kindness, though.
That’s a good wench. But take heed to your kindness, yough.
In other words: that’s a good wench. but take heed to your kindness, yough.
that’s good wench but
Why, madam?
Why, madam?
In other words: why, madam?
why madam
Men are mad things.
Men are mad things.
In other words: men are mad things.
men mad things
Will ye go forward, cousin?
Will ye go forward, cousin?
In other words: will ye go forward, cousin?
will ye go forward
Canst not thou work such flowers in silk, wench?
Canst not you work such flowers in silk, wench?
In other words: canst not you work such flowers in silk, wench?
canst not you work
Yes.
Yes.
In other words: yes.
yes
I’ll have a gown full of ’em, and of these.
This is a pretty colour; will ’t not do
Rarely upon a skirt, wench?
I’ll have a gown full of ’em, and of these. This is a pretty colour; will ’t not do Rarely upon a skirt, wench?
In other words: i’ll have a gown full of ’em, and of these. this is a pretty colour; will ’t not do rarely upon a sk
i’ll gown full of
Dainty, madam.
Dainty, madam.
In other words: dainty, madam.
dainty madam
Cousin, cousin! How do you, sir? Why, Palamon!
Cousin, cousin! How do you, sir? Why, Palamon!
In other words: cousin, cousin! how do you, sir? why, palamon!
cousin cousin how you
Never till now I was in prison, Arcite.
Never till now I was in prison, Arcite.
never till now i've was in prison, arcite.
never till now i
Why, what’s the matter, man?
Why, what’s the matter, man?
In other words: why, what’s the matter, man?
why what’s matter man
Shakespeare uses love at first sight as a kind of structural explosion — it appears in Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and here. But TNK uses it with unusual precision: we are shown the friendship at its peak, convinced that it is the play's real subject, and then Emilia appears and everything we've watched is obliterated in real time. Palamon's declaration 'Never till now I was in prison' is a direct reversal of everything he just said — forty lines of arguing that the prison is a paradise because they're together, demolished by a glimpse through a window. The speed is not carelessness but deliberate craft: love doesn't argue with philosophy. It simply arrives.
Behold, and wonder!
By heaven, she is a goddess.
Behold, and wonder! By heaven, she is a goddess.
In other words: behold, and wonder! by heaven, she is a goddess.
behold and wonder by
Ha!
Ha!
In other words: ha!
ha
Do reverence. She is a goddess, Arcite.
Do revbeforence. She is a goddess, Arcite.
In other words: do revbeforence. she is a goddess, arcite.
revbeforence she goddess arcite
Of all flowers,
Methinks a rose is best.
Of all flowers, Methinks a rose is best.
In other words: of all flowers, methinks a rose is best.
of all flowers methinks
Why, gentle madam?
Why, gentle madam?
In other words: why, gentle madam?
why gentle madam
It is the very emblem of a maid.
For when the west wind courts her gently,
How modestly she blows and paints the sun
With her chaste blushes! When the north comes near her,
Rude and impatient, then, like chastity,
She locks her beauties in her bud again,
And leaves him to base briers.
It is the very emblem of a maid. For when the west wind courts her gently, How modestly she blows and paints the sun With her chaste blushes! When the north comes near her, Rude and impatient, then, like chastity, She locks her beauties in her bud again, And leaves him to base briers.
In other words: it is the very emblem of a maid. for when the west wind courts her gently, how modestly she blows an
it very emblem of
Yet, good madam,
Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
She falls for ’t. A maid,
If she have any honour, would be loath
To take example by her.
Yet, good madam, Sometimes her modesty will blow so far She falls for ’t. A maid, If she have any honour, would be loath To take example by her.
In other words: yet, good madam, sometimes her modesty will blow so far she falls for ’t. a maid, if she have any ho
yet good madam sometimes
Thou art wanton.
Thou art wanton.
In other words: thou art wanton.
thou art wanton
She is wondrous fair.
She is wondrous fair.
In other words: she is wondrous fair.
she wondrous fair
She is all the beauty extant.
She is all the beauty extant.
In other words: she is all the beauty extant.
she all beauty extant
The sun grows high; let’s walk in. Keep these flowers.
We’ll see how near art can come near their colours.
I am wondrous merry-hearted. I could laugh now.
The sun grows high; let’s walk in. Keep these flowers. We’ll see how near art can come near their colours. I am wondrous merry-hearted. I could laugh now.
the sun grows high; let’s walk in. keep these flowers
sun grows high let’s
I could lie down, I am sure.
I could lie down, I am sure.
i've could lie down, i am sure.
i could lie down
And take one with you?
And take one with you?
In other words: and take one with you?
and take one with
That’s as we bargain, madam.
That’s as we bargain, madam.
In other words: that’s as we bargain, madam.
that’s as we bargain
Well, agree then.
Well, agree then.
In other words: well, agree then.
well agree then
What think you of this beauty?
What think you of this beauty?
In other words: what think you of this beauty?
what think you of
’Tis a rare one.
’Tis a rare one.
In other words: ’tis a rare one.
’tis rare one
Is’t but a rare one?
Is’t but a rare one?
In other words: is’t but a rare one?
is’t but rare one
Yes, a matchless beauty.
Yes, a matchless beauty.
In other words: yes, a matchless beauty.
yes matchless beauty
Might not a man well lose himself, and love her?
Might not a man well lose himself, and love her?
In other words: might not a man well lose himself, and love her?
might not man well
I cannot tell what you have done; I have,
Beshrew mine eyes for’t! Now I feel my shackles.
I cannot tell what you have done; I have, Beshrew mine eyes for’t! Now I feel my shackles.
i've cannot tell what you have done; i have, beshrew mine eyes for’t! now i feel my shackles.
i cannot tell what
You love her, then?
You love her, then?
In other words: you love her, then?
you love her then
Who would not?
Who would not?
In other words: who would not?
who would not
And desire her?
And desire her?
In other words: and desire her?
and desire her
Before my liberty.
Before my liberty.
In other words: before my liberty.
before my liberty
I saw her first.
I saw her first.
i've saw her first.
i saw her first
That’s nothing.
That’s nothing.
In other words: that’s nothing.
that’s nothing
But it shall be.
But it shall be.
In other words: but it shall be.
but it shall
I saw her too.
I saw her too.
i've saw her too.
i saw her too
Yes, but you must not love her.
Yes, but you must not love her.
In other words: yes, but you must not love her.
yes but you must
I will not, as you do, to worship her
As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess.
I love her as a woman, to enjoy her.
So both may love.
I will not, as you do, to worship her As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess. I love her as a woman, to enjoy her. So both may love.
i've will not, as you do, to worship her as she is heavenly and a blessed goddess. i love her as a woman, to enjoy her. so both may love.
i will not as
You shall not love at all.
You shall not love at all.
In other words: you shall not love at all.
you shall not love
Not love at all! Who shall deny me?
Not love at all! Who shall deny me?
In other words: not love at all! who shall deny me?
not love at all
I, that first saw her; I that took possession
First with mine eye of all those beauties in her
Revealed to mankind. If thou lovest her,
Or entertain’st a hope to blast my wishes,
Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
False as thy title to her. Friendship, blood,
And all the ties between us, I disclaim
If thou once think upon her.
I, that first saw her; I that took possession First with mine eye of all those beauties in her Revealed to mankind. If you lovest her, Or entertain’st a hope to blast my wishes, Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow False as your title to her. Friendship, blood, And all the ties between us, I disclaim If you once think upon her.
i, that first saw her; i've that took possession first with mine eye of all those beauties in her revealed to mankind. if you lovest her, or entertain’st a hope to blast my wishes, thou art a traitor, arcite, and a fellow false as your title to her. friendship, blood, and all the ties between us, i disclaim if you once think upon her.
i that first saw
Yes, I love her;
And, if the lives of all my name lay on it,
I must do so; I love her with my soul.
If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon.
I say again, I love, and in loving her maintain
I am as worthy and as free a lover
And have as just a title to her beauty,
As any Palamon, or any living
That is a man’s son.
Yes, I love her; And, if the lives of all my name lay on it, I must do so; I love her with my soul. If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon. I say again, I love, and in loving her maintain I am as woryour and as free a lover And have as just a title to her beauty, As any Palamon, or any living That is a man’s son.
yes, i've love her; and, if the lives of all my name lay on it, i must do so; i love her with my soul. if that will lose ye, farewell, palamon. i say again, i love, and in loving her maintain i am as woryour and as free a lover and have as just a title to her beauty, as any palamon, or any living that is a man’s son.
yes i love her
Have I called thee friend?
Have I called you friend?
have i've called you friend?
i called you friend
Yes, and have found me so. Why are you moved thus?
Let me deal coldly with you: am not I
Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me
That I was Palamon and you were Arcite.
Yes, and have found me so. Why are you moved thus? Let me deal coldly with you: am not I Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me That I was Palamon and you wbefore Arcite.
yes, and have found me so. why are you moved thus? let me deal coldly with you: am not i've part of your blood, part of your soul? you have told me that i was palamon and you wbefore arcite.
yes and found me
Yes.
Yes.
In other words: yes.
yes
Am not I liable to those affections,
Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?
Am not I liable to those affections, Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?
am not i've liable to those affections, those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?
am not i liable
Ye may be.
Ye may be.
In other words: ye may be.
ye may
Why then would you deal so cunningly,
So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman,
To love alone? Speak truly; do you think me
Unworthy of her sight?
Why then would you deal so cunningly, So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman, To love alone? Speak truly; do you think me Unworyour of her sight?
In other words: why then would you deal so cunningly, so strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman, to love alone? speak
why then would you
Palamon's claim — 'I saw her first' — is both absurd and, in the play's terms, meaningful. In the courtly love tradition, first sight established a claim; the moment of falling in love was a kind of proprietary act. Arcite's counter — 'That's nothing' — is the modern response: feelings are not property rights. But Palamon insists: 'But it shall be.' The play refuses to adjudicate between these positions. Instead it arranges a tournament so that God can decide. What's remarkable is that neither man, once fallen, considers simply stepping aside. The love is not negotiable. It simply is — for both of them, equally. And one of them has to die for it. The play is honest about how arbitrary this is.
No; but unjust,
If thou pursue that sight.
No; but unjust, If you pursue that sight.
In other words: no; but unjust, if you pursue that sight.
no but unjust if
Because another
First sees the enemy, shall I stand still
And let mine honour down, and never charge?
Because another First sees the enemy, shall I stand still And let mine honour down, and never charge?
because another first sees the enemy, shall i've stand still and let mine honour down, and never charge?
because another first sees
Yes, if he be but one.
Yes, if he be but one.
In other words: yes, if he be but one.
yes if he but
But say that one
Had rather combat me?
But say that one Had rather combat me?
In other words: but say that one had rather combat me?
but say that one
Let that one say so,
And use thy freedom. Else, if thou pursuest her,
Be as that cursed man that hates his country,
A branded villain.
Let that one say so, And use your freedom. Else, if you pursuest her, Be as that cursed man that hates his country, A branded villain.
In other words: let that one say so, and use your freedom. else, if you pursuest her, be as that cursed man that hat
let that one say
You are mad.
You are mad.
In other words: you are mad.
you mad
I must be,
Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concerns me;
And in this madness, if I hazard thee
And take thy life, I deal but truely.
I must be, Till you art woryour, Arcite; it concerns me; And in this madness, if I hazard you And take your life, I deal but truely.
i've must be, till you art woryour, arcite; it concerns me; and in this madness, if i hazard you and take your life, i deal but truely.
i must till you
Fie, sir!
You play the child extremely. I will love her;
I must, I ought to do so, and I dare,
And all this justly.
Fie, sir! You play the child extremely. I will love her; I must, I ought to do so, and I dare, And all this justly.
fie, sir! you play the child extremely. i've will love her; i must, i ought to do so, and i dare, and all this justly.
fie sir you play
O, that now, that now,
Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune,
To be one hour at liberty, and grasp
Our good swords in our hands! I would quickly teach thee
What ’twere to filch affection from another!
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse.
Put but thy head out of this window more
And, as I have a soul, I’ll nail thy life to ’t.
O, that now, that now, Thy false self and your friend had but this fortune, To be one hour at liberty, and grasp Our good swords in our hands! I would quickly teach you What ’twbefore to filch affection from another! Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse. Put but your head out of this window more And, as I have a soul, I’ll nail your life to ’t.
o, that now, that now, thy false self and your friend had but this fortune, to be one hour at liberty, and grasp our good swords in our hands! i've would quickly teach you what ’twbefore to filch affection from another! thou art baser in it than a cutpurse. put but your head out of this window more and, as i have a soul, i’ll nail your life to ’t.
o that now that
Thou dar’st not, fool, thou canst not, thou art feeble.
Put my head out? I’ll throw my body out
And leap the garden, when I see her next
And pitch between her arms, to anger thee.
Thou dar’st not, fool, you canst not, you art feeble. Put my head out? I’ll throw my body out And leap the garden, when I see her next And pitch between her arms, to anger you.
thou dar’st not, fool, you canst not, you art feeble. put my head out? i’ll throw my body out and leap the garden, when i've see her next and pitch between her arms, to anger you.
thou dar’st not fool
No more; the keeper’s coming. I shall live
To knock thy brains out with my shackles.
No more; the keeper’s coming. I shall live To knock your brains out with my shackles.
no more; the keeper’s coming. i've shall live to knock your brains out with my shackles.
no more keeper’s coming
Do!
Do!
In other words: do!
do!
By your leave, gentlemen.
By your leave, gentlemen.
In other words: by your leave, gentlemen.
by your leave gentlemen
Now, honest keeper?
Now, honest keeper?
In other words: now, honest keeper?
now honest keeper
Lord Arcite, you must presently to th’ Duke;
The cause I know not yet.
Lord Arcite, you must presently to th’ Duke; The cause I know not yet.
lord arcite, you must presently to th’ duke; the cause i've know not yet.
lord arcite you must
I am ready, keeper.
I am ready, keeper.
i've am ready, keeper.
i am ready keeper
Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave you
Of your fair cousin’s company.
Prince Palamon, I must awhile bbeforeave you Of your fair cousin’s company.
prince palamon, i've must awhile bbeforeave you of your fair cousin’s company.
prince palamon i must
And me too,
Even when you please, of life.—Why is he sent for?
It may be he shall marry her; he’s goodly,
And like enough the Duke hath taken notice
Both of his blood and body. But his falsehood!
Why should a friend be treacherous? If that
Get him a wife so noble and so fair,
Let honest men ne’er love again. Once more
I would but see this fair one. Blessed garden
And fruit and flowers more blessed that still blossom
As her bright eyes shine on ye! Would I were,
For all the fortune of my life hereafter,
Yon little tree, yon blooming apricock!
How I would spread and fling my wanton arms
In at her window! I would bring her fruit
Fit for the gods to feed on; youth and pleasure
Still as she tasted should be doubled on her;
And, if she be not heavenly, I would make her
So near the gods in nature, they should fear her.
And me too, Even when you please, of life.—Why is he sent for? It may be he shall marry her; he’s goodly, And like enough the Duke has taken notice Both of his blood and body. But his falsehood! Why should a friend be treacherous? If that Get him a wife so noble and so fair, Let honest men ne’er love again. Once more I would but see this fair one. Blessed garden And fruit and flowers more blessed that still blossom As her bright eyes shine on ye! Would I wbefore, For all the fortune of my life hbeforeafter, Yon little tree, yon blooming apricock! How I would spread and fling my wanton arms In at her window! I would bring her fruit Fit for the gods to feed on; youth and pleasure Still as she tasted should be doubled on her; And, if she be not heavenly, I would make her So near the gods in nature, they should fear her.
and me too, even when you please, of life.—why is he sent for? it may be he shall marry her; he’s goodly, and like enough the duke has taken notice both of his blood and body. but his falsehood! why should a friend be treacherous? if that get him a wife so noble and so fair, let honest men ne’er love again
and me too even
Banished. Prince Pirithous
Obtained his liberty, but never more
Upon his oath and life must he set foot
Upon this kingdom.
Banished. Prince Piriyous Obtained his liberty, but never more Upon his oath and life must he set foot Upon this kingdom.
In other words: banished. prince piriyous obtained his liberty, but never more upon his oath and life must he set fo
banished prince piriyous obtained
He’s a blessed man.
He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms
The bold young men that, when he bids ’em charge,
Fall on like fire. Arcite shall have a fortune,
If he dare make himself a worthy lover,
Yet in the field to strike a battle for her;
And, if he lose her then, he’s a cold coward.
How bravely may he bear himself to win her
If he be noble Arcite, thousand ways!
Were I at liberty, I would do things
Of such a virtuous greatness that this lady,
This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her
And seek to ravish me.
He’s a blessed man. He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms The bold young men that, when he bids ’em charge, Fall on like fire. Arcite shall have a fortune, If he dare make himself a woryour lover, Yet in the field to strike a battle for her; And, if he lose her then, he’s a cold coward. How bravely may he bear himself to win her If he be noble Arcite, yousand ways! Wbefore I at liberty, I would do things Of such a virtuous greatness that this lady, This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her And seek to ravish me.
he’s a blessed man. he shall see thebes again, and call to arms the bold young men that, when he bids ’em charge, fall on like fire
he’s blessed man he
My lord for you
I have this charge to—
My lord for you I have this charge to—
my lord for you i've have this charge to—
my lord for you
To discharge my life?
To discharge my life?
In other words: to discharge my life?
to discharge my life
No, but from this place to remove your lordship;
The windows are too open.
No, but from this place to remove your lordship; The windows are too open.
In other words: no, but from this place to remove your lordship; the windows are too open.
no but from this
Devils take ’em,
That are so envious to me! Prithee, kill me.
Devils take ’em, That are so envious to me! Priyou, kill me.
In other words: devils take ’em, that are so envious to me! priyou, kill me.
devils take ’em that
And hang for’t afterward!
And hang for’t afterward!
In other words: and hang for’t afterward!
and hang for’t afterward
By this good light,
Had I a sword I would kill thee.
By this good light, Had I a sword I would kill you.
by this good light, had i've a sword i would kill you.
by this good light
Why, my Lord?
Why, my Lord?
In other words: why, my lord?
why my lord
Thou bringst such pelting, scurvy news continually,
Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.
Thou bringst such pelting, scurvy news continually, Thou art not woryour life. I will not go.
thou bringst such pelting, scurvy news continually, thou art not woryour life. i've will not go.
thou bringst such pelting
Indeed, you must, my lord.
Indeed, you must, my lord.
In other words: indeed, you must, my lord.
indeed you must my
May I see the garden?
May I see the garden?
may i've see the garden?
may i see garden
No.
No.
In other words: no.
no
Then I am resolved, I will not go.
Then I am resolved, I will not go.
then i've am resolved, i will not go.
then i am resolved
I must constrain you then; and, for you are dangerous,
I’ll clap more irons on you.
I must constrain you then; and, for you are dangerous, I’ll clap more irons on you.
i've must constrain you then; and, for you are dangerous, i’ll clap more irons on you.
i must constrain you
Do, good keeper.
I’ll shake ’em so, ye shall not sleep;
I’ll make you a new morris. Must I go?
Do, good keeper. I’ll shake ’em so, ye shall not sleep; I’ll make you a new morris. Must I go?
do, good keeper. i’ll shake ’em so, ye shall not sleep; i’ll make you a new morris. must i've go?
good keeper i’ll shake
There is no remedy.
Thbefore is no remedy.
In other words: thbefore is no remedy.
thbefore no remedy
Farewell, kind window.
May rude wind never hurt thee!—O, my lady,
If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,
Dream how I suffer.—Come, now bury me.
Farewell, kind window. May rude wind never hurt you!—O, my lady, If ever you hast felt what sorrow was, Dream how I suffer.—Come, now bury me.
farewell, kind window. may rude wind never hurt you!—o, my lady, if ever you hast felt what sorrow was, dream how i've suffer.—come, now bury me.
farewell kind window may
The Reckoning
This scene does something theatrically audacious: it shows us a perfect friendship and destroys it in the space of fifty lines. The first half is genuinely beautiful — two men who have decided to make prison their paradise because they have each other. Then Emilia appears below, and within minutes Palamon is threatening to kill Arcite and Arcite is threatening to throw himself out the window to reach her. The speed of it is the point: love doesn't negotiate. The audience watches the most celebrated friendship in the play dissolve in real time.
If this happened today…
Two best friends, who've been imprisoned overseas after a failed business venture, have talked themselves into finding peace in it — their bond is enough, freedom is overrated, they have each other. Then one of them looks out the window of their cell at the courtyard below and sees the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. 'Oh my god,' he says. The other one looks. Then they're both standing at the window. Then one of them says: 'She's mine.' 'What?' 'I saw her first.' Twenty years of friendship evaporates in about four exchanges.