Scene + 

III + 

The country near Athens. + 

Enter Arcite. + 

Arcite + 

Banish’d the kingdom? ’tis a benefit, + 

A mercy, I must thank ’em for; but banish’d + 

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 resolv’d: another shape shall make me, + 

Or end my fortunes; either way, I’m happy: + 

I’ll see her, and be near her, or no more. + 

Enter four Country-people, 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 ye, boys! ’tis but a chiding: + 

Let the plough play to-day; I’ll tickle’t out + 

Of the jades’ tails to-morrow. + 

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 to-morrow night, and stoa her, + 

And all’s made up again. + 

Third Countryman + 

Ay, do but put + 

A feskue 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 danc’d + 

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 is 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’ the breech on us: and here I’ll be, + 

And there I’ll be, for our town, and here again, + 

And there again: ha, boys, heigh for the weavers! + 

First Countryman + 

This must be done i’ the 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’ the woods; + 

Bring him to the 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 to-day? + 

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’ the hip; + 

Mark how his body’s made for’t + 

Second Countryman + 

I’ll be hang’d 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 offer’d opportunity + 

I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled, + 

The best men call’d it excellent; and run + 

Swifter than wind upon a field of corn, + 

Curling the wealthy ears, nev’r 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. + 