About this time my cousin promised to come back and see me again, bringing two swords and two good sets of armor. If he fails, he's neither man nor soldier. When he left me, I didn't think even a week could restore my lost strength—I was so weakened and discouraged by my poverty. I thank you for that, Arcite. You're still a worthy opponent, and I feel myself, with this new strength, able again to face any danger. To wait longer would make the world think, when word gets out, that I was fattening myself like a pig before the fight, not acting like a true soldier. So this blessed morning will be the last. If Arcite refuses the sword, but it holds, I'll kill him with it. That's justice. Love and fortune, stand with me!

My cousin said he'd be back around now with two swords and armor for us both. If he doesn't show, he's a coward. When he left, I was so weak and beaten down I couldn't have imagined recovering in a week. But you've helped bring me back, Arcite, and honestly, you're a good opponent to face. Now I feel strong enough for this. If we wait any longer, people will think I'm just sitting around getting fat instead of being a real fighter. This morning's the last chance. That sword he offered? If it's solid, I'm using it on him. Simple as that. Hope and love, stick with me.

my cousin's bringing swords and armor. if he doesn't show he's no soldier. i was so weak i thought i'd never recover, but you helped me get strong again. you're a worthy enemy. we can't wait longer or people will think i'm just a coward fattening up. this morning's the end of it. if that sword holds, i'm taking him down. gods be with me.

Oh, good morning.

Hey, good morning.

hey good morning

Good morning, my noble relative.

Hey, noble cousin.

morning, cousin

I've caused you so much trouble, sir.

I'm sorry, I've put you through so much.

sorry for the trouble, sir

That trouble, fair cousin, is only a debt I owe to honor and to my duty.

That trouble you're talking about? It's just what honor demands. It's my duty.

that's just what honor requires of me

I wish you were always this way, sir. I could hope you'd be as kind a relative as you're forcing me to recognize as a beneficial enemy—someone whose embrace I'd thank instead of having to fight.

If you were always like this, that'd be something. You're proving to be a good enemy in a strange way, someone I'd want to thank with a hug instead of punching.

if only you were always like this. you're the kind of enemy worth embracing instead of fighting

I'll accept that judgment, either way—either fighting well or respectful conversation.

I'm good with that. Whether it's a good fight or a good conversation, I'll take the compliment.

that works for me either way

Then I'll pay you back.

Then I'll return the favor.

then i'll do the same

If you challenge me in these fair words, you show yourself to be even more than a beloved, more than a lover. No more of this anger. I ask you by everything you value that's honorable—we weren't raised to talk, man. When we're both armed and standing guard, then let our fury come out like two tides meeting and flowing strongly from us. And then whoever the birthright of this beautiful woman truly belongs to will be settled without cruel insults, without mocking each other, without petty complaints fit only for schoolgirls and boys. It will be shown quickly, yours or mine. Will you arm yourself, sir? Or if you don't feel strong enough yet and lack your old power, I'll stay here, cousin, and talk you back into health while I have time. I don't fight with your person—we're friends there. I wish I'd never said I loved her, even if I'd died for it. But loving such a lady, and standing by my love, I can't run from it.

If you keep talking to me like this, you're showing you're more than just a lover—you're everything good. Stop with the anger, okay? By all that's honorable, by everything you care about—we're not talkers, we're fighters. Once we're both armed and ready, then our anger will come out like two tides crashing together. And then we'll see whose claim to this beautiful woman is real—no insults, no mocking, no petty garbage. Just a clean, quick answer: yours or mine. You ready to fight, or do you need more time to get your strength back? Because I can hang around and talk you back into shape if you need it. I'm not mad at you as a person—I respect you. I actually wish I'd never fallen for her, but I did, and I'm not backing down from that.

you talk like you're more than just a lover. forget the anger. when we're armed, our fury will show whose claim to her is real. no insults, just the truth. you ready to fight or do you need more time? i'm not angry at you as a person. i wish i hadn't fallen for her but i did, so i'm committed

Arcite, you're such a brave enemy that no one but your own cousin would be fit to kill you. I'm fine and strong—go ahead, choose your weapons.

Arcite, you're such a great fighter that only family should get to take you down. I'm doing good, I'm strong. Go pick your weapons.

arcite, you're such a fighter. only family should kill you. i'm ready. pick your weapons

Choose you, sir.

In other words: choose you, sir.

choose you sir

Are you going to have the best of everything, or are you doing this to make me hesitant?

Are you taking the best option, or are you trying to make me hold back?

are you getting the best weapons to hold me back?

If you think that, cousin, you're wrong. As sure as I'm a soldier, I won't hold back from hurting you.

You're mistaken, cousin. I'm a soldier through and through—I'm not going easy on you.

you're wrong. i'm a real soldier—i won't hold back

That’s well said.

In other words: that’s well said.

that’s well said

You’ll find it.

In other words: you’ll find it.

you’ll find it

Then, as I'm an honest man and love with all the fairness of true affection, I'll hit you hard.

Alright, as an honest man and someone who loves truly and fairly, I'm going to hit you with everything I've got.

as an honest man in love, i'll fight you with everything

I'll take this one.

I'll go with this one.

i'll take this

That one's mine then. I'll put your armor on first.

That's the one for me, then. Let me help you with your armor.

that's mine. let me arm you

Do.

In other words: do.

do.

Tell me, cousin, Where did you get this good armor?

Hey cousin, where did you get this awesome armor?

where'd u get this armor?

It belongs to the Duke. To be honest, I stole it. Does it pinch you?

It's the Duke's—actually, I stole it. Is it too tight?

that's the duke's. i stole it. does it pinch?

No.

In other words: no.

no

Is it too heavy?

Is it weighing you down?

too heavy?

I've worn a lighter one before, but I'll make this one work.

I've worn lighter stuff, but this'll do the job.

lighter than i'm used to but it'll work

I'll strap it up tight.

I'll buckle it down.

got it tight

By any means.

In other words: by any means.

by any means

Don't you want a large metal shield on the chest?

You don't want one of those big chest plates?

you don't want a big chest guard?

No, no. We won't use horses. I can tell you're eager for this fight.

Nah, we'll go on foot. I can see you want this fight bad.

no horses. i can tell you want this fight

I don't have a preference either way.

I don't really care either way.

don't care

Honestly, I feel the same way. Good cousin, push the buckle through all the way.

Yeah, me too. Make sure the buckle goes all the way through, cousin.

same here. make sure the buckle's all the way through

I promise you it is.

Don't worry, it's tight.

got it, trust me

My helmet now.

Give me my helmet.

my helmet

Will you fight without arm protection?

You're fighting with bare arms?

no arm guards?

We'll be quicker that way.

We'll move faster.

we'll be quicker

But wear gloves though. These are the smallest we have. Please take mine, good cousin.

But keep the gloves on. These are the tiniest ones we've got. Here, take mine, cousin.

wear gloves though. take mine, they're smaller

Thank you, Arcite. How do I look? Have I lost a lot of weight?

Thanks, Arcite. How do I look? Have I wasted away?

thanks. how do i look? am i too thin?

Really, not much at all. Love has actually treated you well.

Not really—love's actually done you right.

nah, love's been good to you

I assure you, I'll strike true.

Don't worry, I'll land a real blow.

i'll strike home / i promise

Yes, do it, and don't hold back. I'll give you good reason to fight hard, sweet cousin.

Go for it, no mercy. I'll make sure you've got plenty to worry about, cousin.

hit hard, don't stop. i'll give you reason to fight

I drink to your health, sir.

Here's to you, sir.

cheers

It seems to me this armor is very like the one you wore that day when the three kings fell, but lighter.

This armor reminds me of the one you wore that day when the three kings fell, except it's lighter.

looks like armor u wore when the three kings fell but lighter

That was a really good example of your fighting, and I remember that day well. You beat me then, cousin. I never saw such courage. When you charged at the left wing of the enemy, I pushed hard to catch up with you, and underneath me I had a really good horse.

That was a great fight you put on, and I remember it perfectly. You outfought me that day, cousin—seriously impressive. When you charged the left flank, I rode hard to keep up, and my horse was a beauty.

that was great fighting. you beat me that day—amazing courage. when you charged, i tried to keep up with a good horse

You did indeed. A bright reddish-brown one, I remember.

Yeah, you did. That beautiful reddish-brown horse.

yeah, that bright bay horse

Yes, but all my effort was wasted on me. You outpaced me, and I couldn't even match your goals. Though I did what I could by following your example.

Yeah, but it didn't matter—you left me in the dust. I couldn't catch up to what you were doing. I just tried to copy what you did.

but you left me behind. i couldn't reach you. i just tried copying what you did

More through your own skill and strength. You're being too modest, cousin.

More like you just had the talent and the guts for it. Don't be modest, cousin.

you had the skill for it. stop being modest

When I saw you charge first, I thought I heard a terrible crash of thunder break loose from the troops.

When I saw you charge, it was like watching a thunderbolt come down from the whole army.

when you charged, i heard thunder from the troops

But before that came the lightning of your courage. Wait a moment. Isn't this piece too tight?

But before the thunder was your lightning. Hold on—isn't this armor too snug?

but your courage was the lightning. wait, is this too tight?

No, no, it's fine.

Nope, you're good.

nah it's fine

I'd want nothing to hurt you except my sword. A bruise would be a shame.

I want the only thing that hurts you to be my sword. Getting bruised from the armor would be embarrassing.

only my sword should hurt you. armor marks would be shameful

Now I'm ready.

Alright, I'm set.

i'm ready

Stand off, then.

In other words: stand off, then.

stand off then

Take my sword. I have a better grip on it.

Use this one instead. I've got a better handle on it.

take my sword, better grip

I thank you, but no. Keep it—your life depends on it. I have this one. If it just holds, I need nothing more for all my hopes. My cause and my honor protect me!

Thanks, but no thanks. You keep it—you'll need it to stay alive. I'll take this one. As long as it doesn't break, I've got everything I need. My cause is just, and my honor will protect me.

nah keep it. your life's on it. i'll use this one. if it holds, that's all i need. honor guards me

And may my love for her be my shield!

And may my love keep me safe.

my love will save me

Is there anything else to say?

Anything else you want to say?

anything else?

Just this one thing, and nothing more. You are my aunt's son. And the blood we want to shed is mutual—in me it's yours, and in you it's mine. My sword is in my hand, and if you kill me, the gods and I forgive you. If there is a place set aside for those who die in honor, I hope whoever falls wins that place. Fight with courage, cousin. Give me your noble hand.

One last thing, that's all. You're my aunt's son. The blood we're about to spill is the same blood—yours is in me, mine is in you. I've got my sword, and if you kill me, I forgive you and so do the gods. If there's a heaven for people who die with honor, I hope whoever falls gets there. Be brave, cousin. Give me your hand.

one thing only. you're my aunt's son. we share the same blood. if you kill me, we're forgiven. fight bravely and give me your hand

Here, Palamon. This hand will never come close to you with such friendship again.

Here, Palamon. This is the last time this hand touches you as a friend.

here palamon. this hand won't be friendly again

I commend you.

i've commend you.

i commend you

If I fall, call me a coward and say I didn't deserve to live, because only cowards would die in such a righteous fight. Once more, goodbye, my cousin.

If I go down, call me a coward, because only cowards die in something this fair and justified. One last goodbye, cousin.

if i fall, call me coward—only cowards die in a fair fight. goodbye cousin

Farewell, Arcite.

In other words: farewell, arcite.

farewell arcite

Look, cousin, look. Our foolishness has destroyed us.

Cousin, look. We've been stupid and now we're finished.

cousin, our foolishness destroyed us

Why?

In other words: why?

why

It's the Duke—he's hunting, just as I told you. If we're found, we're ruined. Go back, immediately, for your honor and safety, into your hiding spot again. Sir, we'll have plenty of time to die. Dear cousin, if you're caught, you're dead instantly for breaking out of prison, and if you expose me, I'm dead for my crime. Then the whole world will scorn us and say we had a noble difference, but we threw it away in a base way.

It's the Duke out hunting, like I said. If he finds us, we're done for. Get back into the bushes right now—save yourself, save your honor. Sir, we'll get more chances to die. Cousin, if they see you, you're dead on the spot for escaping prison. If you tell on me, I'm done for too. The whole world will laugh at us, saying we had something noble going but we messed it up completely.

it's the duke hunting. we're done if found. hide now. you'll die for escaping, i'll die if you tell. the world will mock us

No, no, cousin. I won't hide anymore, and I won't put off this crucial battle for a second try. I know your cunning and your reasons. Whoever is afraid now deserves to be shamed! Ready yourself for this moment—

No, I'm done hiding. I'm not putting this off to some other time. I know what you're doing and why. If anybody backs down now, they deserve the shame. Get ready—

no more hiding. i'm not delaying this. you know why i won't back down. get ready

Are you not crazy?

You're out of your mind?

are you insane?

Or I'll take what this moment offers me, and whatever threatens me in the future frightens me less than my own fate. Know this, weak cousin: I love Emilia, and in that love I'll bury you and every other obstacle.

Or I'll grab this chance while I've got it, and whatever comes later scares me less than my own destiny. Listen, cousin: I love Emilia. That love is everything to me—I'll put you and every other problem in the ground for it.

i'll take this moment. my love for emilia matters more than anything. i'll put you down for her

Then come what may. You'll learn, Palamon, that I'll fight, talk, or sleep with the same heart. One thing scares me though: the law will take the honor of our deaths. I'm coming at you!

Alright then, whatever happens. You'll see, Palamon—I'm as ready to fight as I am to talk or rest. Only thing worries me is the law stealing the honor of how we die. Here I come!

come what may. i'll fight as hard as i live. the law scares me—it'll steal our honor. here i come!

Look to your own welfare, Arcite.

Take care of yourself, Arcite.

watch yourself / arcite

What kind of ignorant, crazed, spiteful traitors are you, fighting in direct defiance of my laws, kitted out like knights for a duel, without my permission and without any heralds to officiate? I swear by Castor, you'll both be executed.

Who the hell are you two, a pair of clueless, crazy, nasty traitors? You're breaking my laws, dressed up like knights to have a duel, and you never asked me, and there's no official here to referee! I swear by Castor, you're both dead.

who do u traitors think u are?? dueling against my laws no permission, no officials ur both gonna die

Let your word stand, Theseus. We are certainly both traitors, both people who have despised you and your goodness. I am Palamon, the man who can't love you—I'm the one who broke out of your prison. Think about what that deserves. And this is Arcite, a bolder traitor than any who ever walked your land, a false friend if there ever was one. This is the man you begged to leave and banished. This is the man who ignores you and what you can do. And in this disguise, against your own order, he followed your sister—that lucky, bright star, the beautiful Emilia. I am her servant—if seeing someone first and giving your soul to them means anything—and I do so rightly. Even more: I dare to think she's mine. I called him here now to answer for this betrayal. If you are what they say of you—great and good, the true judge of all wrongs—say 'Fight again,' and you'll see me, Theseus, do such a perfect judgment that you yourself will envy it. Then take my life. I'll beg you to do it.

Keep your word, Theseus. Yes, we're both traitors, and we both look down on you and your so-called goodness. I'm Palamon, the one who could never love you, the one who broke out of your prison. Think about what that deserves. And this is Arcite. No bolder traitor ever walked your land, and no friend was ever more fake. This is the man you let go on condition he stayed banished. He's the one who sneers at you and anything you might do to him. In this disguise, against your own orders, he's been following your sister, Emilia, that lucky, shining star. I'm her servant, and rightly, if seeing her first and giving her my soul first counts for anything. And he dares to think she's his. I called him here to answer for that betrayal, like any loyal lover would. If you really are the great, fair judge people say you are, tell us 'Fight again,' and you'll see me deliver justice so perfect you'll be jealous. Then take my life. I'm begging you to.

yes we're traitors. we defied you. i broke out of your prison. arcite's worse—he chased your sister. i love emilia and i'm claiming her. if you're truly just, let us fight and show you perfect judgment. then kill me

Oh heavens, what more than human strength is this!

My god, what incredible nobility is this!

god, what incredible courage

I have sworn.

i've have sworn.

i sworn

We don't ask for your mercy, Theseus. For me, it would be as quick to die as for you to say it—I'm not moved. Where this man calls me a traitor, let me say this much: if loving someone is treason, if serving someone so beautiful—as I love most, and will stay loyal until I die—is treason, if I've brought my life here to prove it, if I've served her most truly and most worthily, if I dare kill this cousin who denies it, then call me the biggest traitor you want. I'm fine with that. For breaking your law, Duke, ask that lady why she's beautiful, why her eyes command me to stay and love her. And if she says 'traitor,' then I'm a criminal not fit to be buried.

We're not asking for your pity, Theseus. Honestly, dying is just as easy for me as it is for you to say it—I'm not scared. This guy calls me a traitor? Fine, let me be clear: if loving someone is betrayal, if serving someone so perfect—and I love her most, I'll love her 'til I die—if I've come here and risked my life to prove it, if I've been true to her in every way, if I'm willing to kill my own cousin for her, then yeah, I'm a traitor. Go ahead and say it. As for your law? Ask her why she's so beautiful, why her eyes make me stay and love her. If she says 'traitor,' then I deserve to rot.

we don't want mercy. i'm not scared to die. if loving someone is treason, then yes, i'm a traitor. i love emilia and i'll die for her. ask why she's beautiful—that's why i'm here

You should feel pity for both of us, Theseus, if you're not showing mercy to either one. Stop, since you're just, and listen to us with honor. Since you're brave, for the sake of your cousin whose twelve great deeds fill his memory, let us both die at the same time, Duke. Only let him fall just before me, so I can tell my soul he won't have her.

You should feel bad for both of us, Theseus, if you're saying no to mercy for either of us. Listen to us like the fair judge you are. For your cousin's memory—all those twelve great things he did—let us die together, right now. Just have him go first, so I can die knowing he won't have her.

feel pity for both of us. listen fairly. for your cousin's honor, let us die together. just let him die first so i know he won't have her

I'll grant your wish. To be honest, your cousin has done much worse. I gave him more mercy than you found, sir. Your crimes are no worse than his. Let nobody here speak in favor of either of you. Before sunset, both of you will sleep forever.

I'll give you what you asked for. Truth is, your cousin has done way more damage. I was actually nicer to him than I was to you, and you did pretty much the same thing. Nobody here should speak up for either of you. By the time the sun goes down, you're both going to be dead.

you got your wish. your cousin's worse—i was easier on him. by sunset you're both dead

Oh, what a pity! Now or never, sister, speak—don't be refused. Your face will carry the curses of all future ages for these lost cousins.

This is so sad. Sister, now's your chance to say something, don't lose it. If you don't, people will curse you forever for letting these cousins die.

such a waste. sister speak now or regret it forever. your beauty will be cursed for these cousins

In my face, dear sister, I see no anger toward them, and no sign of ruin. Their own eyes' misfortune is what will kill them. But since I will act like a woman and feel pity, I'll get down on my knees to the ground or I'll get mercy somehow.

Looking at my own face, sister, I'm not angry at them—I see no doom. Their own bad luck is what's killing them. But I'm going to be a woman now and feel compassion. I'll drop to my knees if it means getting mercy for them.

i'm not angry at them. their own bad luck kills them. i'll kneel down to get mercy

Stand with me, sister; in such a noble act Every woman's strength and force will be beside us. Most royal brother—

Help me, sister; in doing something this noble All women's strength will be with us. Most royal brother—

help me sister all women's power with us royal brother

Sir, by the bond of marriage between us—

Sir, by our marriage vows—

sir by everything we promised when we married

By your own pure honor—

By your spotless honor—

swear by your honor

By that promise, by that beautiful hand, and by that honest heart you gave me—

By that faith, by that lovely hand, and by that true heart you promised me—

by that faith, that hand, that honest heart

By what you would want someone to show to you—pity in another person, by your infinite strengths—

By what you'd want done to you—mercy from someone else—by all your goodness—

by mercy you'd want shown to you, by your virtue

By courage, by every chaste night I've ever made you happy—

By your bravery, by every faithful night we've spent together—

by your bravery, by every night i've loved you

These are strange ways to call in a favor.

This is an unusual way to ask for something.

strange requests

Alright then, I'll join in too.

Okay, I'm in too.

i'm in

I ask by the bond between us, sir, and by every threat we have faced, By everything you treasure most: your military deeds and this beautiful woman—

By our friendship, sir, by everything we've been through, By all you love most: your wars and this beautiful lady—

by our friendship by all we went thru by all u love wars and lady

By what you would have shook with fear to refuse—a woman blushing to ask—

By what you'd have been afraid to say no to—a shy woman asking—

by what you feared to refuse—a blushing woman's plea

By your own eyes, by the strength in which you swore I outshone all women, almost all men, and yet I gave myself to you, Theseus—

By your own eyes, by the strength you used to swear I was better than every woman, almost every man, and yet I said yes to you, Theseus—

by your eyes, your strength. you said i was greater than all women, almost all men, yet i gave myself to you

To top all of this off, by your most noble spirit, which can't lack the right kind of pity, I ask first.

And to cap it all off, by your most noble soul, which has to have real mercy in it, I'm asking first.

by your noble soul that must have mercy, i ask first

Next, listen to my prayers.

Then hear what I'm asking for.

then hear me

Finally, let me make my request, sir.

And last, let me have my say, sir.

and let me ask last

For mercy.

In other words: for mercy.

for mercy

Mercy.

In other words: mercy.

mercy

I beg for compassion toward these noble men.

Show mercy to these princes.

save these princes please

You're making me question my own faith. Tell me—if I felt pity for both of them, how would you arrange it?

You're shaking my confidence. If I felt sorry for both of them, what would you suggest?

you're testing my faith. if i pity them both, what do i do?

Let them live, but send them away.

Save their lives and banish them.

let them live but banish them

You're a real woman, sister—you have pity, but you don't know where to use it correctly. If you want them to live, think of a way that's safer than just sending them away. Can two men who love the same woman actually live together and not kill each other? Every single day they'd fight about you, constantly using swords to question your honor in public. Be smart, then, and forget about them. It affects your reputation and my word equally. I've said they die. It's better for them to fall through the law than to kill one another. Don't make me break my honor.

You're being typical—you've got a heart, but you don't know how to use it smartly. If you really want them alive, come up with something better than just exile. Can these two guys who both love you even exist in the same world without one of them killing the other? They'd be fighting about you every single day, pulling swords on each other in front of everyone, making a mess of your reputation. Think clearly: let them go. It saves your honor and keeps my word good. I've decided they die. Let the law kill them instead of having them murder each other. Don't ask me to go back on my oath.

you're just a woman—kind but dumb about it. if you want them alive, find something better than exile. they'd fight daily. let the law kill them instead. don't break my oath

Oh, my noble brother, that promise was made too quickly, made in your anger. Your good sense won't hold to it. If hasty oaths like that actually stand, the whole world would have to die. Besides, I have another oath against yours, one with more authority—I'm sure more loving—not made in passion, but with careful thought.

Brother, you made that oath too fast, in a fit of anger. You don't actually believe in it. If every angry promise had to be kept, nobody would survive. But I've got another oath that beats yours—stronger, more heartfelt—and I made it carefully, not in anger.

you made that oath in anger, you don't really mean it. angry oaths would destroy the world. i have a stronger oath made with thought

Tell me, sister, what oath do you mean?

What oath are you talking about?

what do you mean?

Push it, brave lady.

Go ahead, make your point.

go ahead, lady

That you swore you'd never deny me anything that fits my modest requests and that you freely grant. I'm holding you to your word now. If you fail, think about how you harm your honor—because now I'm begging, sir, I'm deaf to everything except your compassion—how could their lives ruin my reputation? Listen: would any sensible person destroy young, healthy branches covered with thousands of flowers just because they might rot later? My god, Duke Theseus, the good mothers who gave birth to these two, and every loving girl who ever loved, if your oath stands, will curse me and my beauty and despise my cruelty in the songs they sing at their funerals, saying 'woe to me!' until I'm nothing but women's scorn. For the sake of heaven, save their lives and send them away.

You promised never to refuse me anything that's reasonable for me to ask for, anything you could grant. I'm using that promise now. If you back down, you'll destroy your honor—and right now, all I'm hearing is your mercy, not anything else. How would saving them ruin my reputation? Think about it: would any smart person cut down young branches covered in thousands of beautiful flowers just because they might eventually rot? These two have mothers who bore them, and countless women who love—if you keep that oath, they'll all curse me and my face, singing at their funerals about what a cruel woman I am, until I'm the shame of all women. Please, for heaven's sake, let them live and just exile them.

you swore never to deny me reasonable requests. i'm calling that in. if you refuse you break your honor. why would saving them hurt my reputation? save them and banish them instead

On what conditions?

In other words: on what conditions?

on what conditions

Promise them they'll never compete for me again, never come near me, never step foot on your land, and wherever they go, let them be forever strangers to each other.

Make them swear they'll never fight over me again, never see me, never come back here, and no matter where they go, they'll stay separated from each other.

swear they'll never fight for me again, never see me, never come back, never see each other

I'll be cut to pieces before I take that oath! Forget that I love her? Oh, all you gods, hate me then! I don't mind the exile as long as we can both carry our swords and our claim at the same time. But don't bother with anything else—just take our lives, Duke. I have to love, and I will love, and because of that love I must and will kill this cousin on any piece of ground anywhere on this earth.

I'd let them cut me into pieces before I swear to that! Stop loving her? God, strike me down! I'm fine with going into exile if we can at least carry our swords and our cause with us. But otherwise, forget it—just kill us, Duke. I have to love her, I'm going to love her, and because of that I'm willing and able to kill my own cousin on any battlefield anywhere.

i'd die before taking that oath! stop loving her? strike me down! banish us but let us keep fighting for her. otherwise just kill us

Will you, Arcite, accept these conditions?

Arcite, will you take the deal?

arcite, you accepting this?

In that case, he must be a coward.

So he's definitely a coward.

what a coward

These are men!

In other words: these are men!

these men

No, never, Duke. To accept my life this way would be worse than begging. Even though I think I'll never really have her, I'll preserve the honor of my love and die for her. I'll make death a devil before I give up that honor.

Never, Duke. Taking my life handed to me would be pathetic. I know I'll probably never actually have her, but I'm going to keep my love honorable and die for it. I'll fight death itself before I give that up.

never. accepting life like that is worse than begging. i'll keep my love honorable and die for her

What can be done? I'm starting to feel sympathy for you.

What should I do here? I'm really feeling for you guys.

what can i do? i feel for you

Don't let it slip away again, sir.

Don't lose it again, please.

dont lose it again

Listen, Emilia. If one of them were dead, as one must be, would you be willing to marry the other? They cannot both have you. They are princes as handsome as your own eyes and as noble as anyone has ever been famous for being. Look at them both. If you can love one of them, settle this conflict; I give my approval. Are you willing too, princes?

Okay Emilia, here's the thing: one of these guys has to die. Would you marry the other one? They can't both be with you. These are princes—as good-looking as anything and as noble as history gets. Just look at them. If you can fall for one of them, let's end this fight. I'm good with it. What about you two, princes?

emilia: one guy dies will you marry the other? they're both amazing just pick one

With all our hearts.

Absolutely, with everything we have.

yeah with everything

The one she refuses must die.

Whoever she doesn't pick dies.

whoever she rejects dies

Any death you can invent, Duke.

Whatever death you decide on, Duke.

whatever death you choose

If I fall from her favor, I fall with honor, and lovers not yet born will bless my remains.

If she doesn't pick me, at least I'll die with honor, and future lovers will remember me kindly.

if she doesn't pick me ill die with honor future lovers will remember me

If she refuses me, the grave will become my bride, and soldiers will sing my epitaph.

If she turns me down, at least the grave will be my wedding, and soldiers will honor me.

if she rejects me my grave becomes my bride soldiers will honor me

Make choice, then.

In other words: make choice, then.

make choice then

I cannot choose, sir. They are both too excellent. I do not want a single hair from either of these men to be harmed.

I can't do this, sir. They're both amazing. I don't want to be responsible for either of them dying.

i cant choose they're both too good i dont want either to die

What will happen to them?

What's going to happen to them?

what happens to them?

This is how I decree it. By my honor, this arrangement stands, or you both die. You will both return to your country. Within this month, each of you, accompanied by three noble knights, must appear again in this place. There I will plant a pyramid. Whichever of you can force your cousin by fair and knightly strength to touch the pillar will enjoy her. The other will lose his head and all his friends. He should not complain about his defeat or think he dies with a claim on this lady. Will this satisfy you?

Here's my order. By my honor, either this happens or you both die. Go back to your country. In the next month, each of you come back here with three noble knights. I'm putting up a pyramid. Whoever can force his cousin to touch that pillar through fair, knightly strength gets to marry her. The loser loses his head and all his friends. He should accept it without complaint. Does this work for you?

go home for a month come back each with 3 knights fight by the pyramid winner gets her loser dies accept?

Yes. Here, cousin Arcite, I am your friend again until that hour arrives.

Yeah, okay. Arcite, we're good again until that day comes.

yes im your friend til then

I embrace you.

I'm embracing you now.

i embrace you

Are you satisfied with this, sister?

Are you okay with this, Emilia?

you good with this?

Yes, I must agree, sir, otherwise both will be ruined.

Yes, I have to, sir. Otherwise both of them are doomed.

yeah i have to or they both die

Come, shake hands again. And I warn you, as you are gentlemen, let this quarrel sleep until the appointed time, and stay the course.

Come on, shake hands. And listen, as gentlemen, put this fight to rest until the day comes, and stay ready.

shake hands stop fighting til then stay ready

We dare not fail you, Theseus.

In other words: we dare not fail you, theseus.

we dare not fail

Come, I will treat you now as princes and as friends. When you return, whoever wins, I will remain here to settle matters. Whoever loses, I will still weep at his tomb.

Come on, I'll treat you like princes and friends from now on. When you come back, the winner will find me here. For the loser, I'll mourn at his grave.

ill treat you like princes winner sees me to settle up loser: ill cry at your grave