From a window they see Emilia enter the adjacent garden with her servant.

Emi. This garden has a world of pleasure in 't. What flower is this?

Serv. 'Tis call'd Narcissus, madam.

Emi. That was a fair boy certain, but a fool

To love himself: were there not maids enough?
Arc. Pray, forward.

Emi. Canst not thou work such flowers in silk, wench?

Serv.

Emi. I'll have a gown full of them; and of these;
This is a pretty colour; will't not do
Rarely upon a skirt, wench?

Yes.

The kinsmen, infatuated with love of Emilia, become jealous of each other, and, while disputing, the jailer appears and summons Arcite to proceed with him to Theseus. Later he returns without Arcite, and Palamon asks in surprise:

Gaoler. Banished. Prince Perithous

Obtain'd his liberty; but never more,

Upon his oath and life, must he set foot
Upon this kingdom.

The jailer informs Palamon that he is to be conveyed to a dungeon, and despite pleading and resistance forces him away. As he leaves the window from which he has beheld Emilia, he exclaims:

Pal.

-

Farewell, kind window!
May rude wind never hurt thee! Oh, my lady,

If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,

Dream how I suffer! Come, now bury me.

Arcite, before being banished, is permitted to take part in the athletic games in honor of Emilia's birthday, and winning, is brought wearing the garland of victory before Theseus. Thes. You have done worthily; I have not seen

Since Hercules, a man of tougher sinews:

Whate'er you are, you run the best and wrestle,
That these times can allow.

Arc. I am proud to please you.
Thes. What country bred you?
Thes.

Thes. Are you a gentleman?

Arc.

This; but far off, prince.

My father said so;

And to those gentle uses gave me life.

Thes. Are you his heir?

Arc.

Thes.

His youngest, sir.

Your father

Sure is a happy sire then. What prove you?
Arc. A little of all noble qualities:

I could have kept a hawk, and well have halloa'd
To a deep cry of dogs; I dare not praise

My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me
Would say it was my best piece; last, and greatest,
I would be thought a soldier.
Thes.
Per. Upon my soul, a proper man!
Emi.

Per. How do you like him, lady?
Hip.

Emi.

Hip.

You are perfect.

He is so.

I admire him:

I have not seen so young a man so noble
(If he say true) of his sort.

I believe,

His mother was a wondrous handsome woman!
His face, methinks, goes that way.

But his body,

And fiery mind, illustrate a brave father. Per. Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,

Breaks through his baser garments.

Received into favor by Theseus, Emilia giving him the choice of her horses for the continuance of the fête, Theseus pleasantly remarks:

Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant,
That, if I were a woman, would be master;

In Act III, while the merrymaking is proceeding in "Diana's Wood," Arcite, as his charger enters a thicket, encounters Palamon in shackles, having escaped from prison.

Pal.

Traitor kinsman!

Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signs
Of prisonment were off me, and this hand
But owner of a sword. By all oaths in one,
I, and the justice of my love, would make thee
A confess'd traitor! Oh, thou most perfidious
That ever gently look'd! the void'st of honour
That e'er bore gentle token! falsest cousin

That ever blood made kin! call'st thou her thine?

Arcite in vain endeavors to appease him, and urges him to remain in hiding till he returns. Palamon consents, and when night falls Arcite brings him food, wine, and files to remove his fetters. Palamon, mad with jealousy, persists in insulting him, and Arcite finally promises to return and meet him in combat.

In Act III, Scene vi, Palamon enters "from the Bush," then Arcite "with armours and swords":

Arc. Good morrow, noble kinsman!

Pal.

I have put you

To too much pains, sir.

Arc.

That too much, fair cousin,

Is but a debt to honour, and my duty.

Pal. Would you were so in all, sir! I could wish you

Arc.

As kind a kinsman, as you force me find

A beneficial foe, that my embraces
Might thank you, not my blows.

Well done, a noble recompense.

I shall think either,

Palamon asks Arcite where he got so fine a suit of armor for him, and Arcite replies that he had to steal it from the duke. They buckle each other's armor.

How do I look? am I fall'n much away?
Arc. Faith, very little; Love has us'd you kindly.
Pal. I'll warrant thee I'll strike home.

Arc.

Do, and spare not!

I'll give you cause, sweet cousin.

Pal.

Now to you, sir!

Methinks this armour's very like that, Arcite,
Thou wor'st that day the three kings fell, but lighter.
Arc. That was a very good one; and that day

Pal.

I well remember, you outdid me, cousin;
I never saw such valour; when you charg'd
Upon the left wing of the enemy,

I spurr'd hard to come up, and under me
I had a right good horse.

A bright-bay, I remember.

You had indeed;

While fighting they are surprised by Theseus, Hippolyta, and Emilia, with train. Theseus, furious at this infraction of his laws, condemns both to death, but yields to the pleading of Hippolyta and Emilia to spare them, and offers Emilia her choice of them.

If one of them were dead, as one must be, are you
Content to take the other to your husband?
They cannot both enjoy you; they are princes
As goodly as your own eyes, and as noble
As ever Fame yet spoke of; look upon them,
And if you can love, end this difference!

I give consent! are you content, too, princes?

Emilia refuses to make choice which will condemn one to death, and Theseus orders them to go to their own country, and return within a month, during which time he will plant a pyramid, and if either

Can force his cousin.

By fair and knightly strength to touch the pillar,

he shall wed Emilia, and the other shall be slain.

In Act iv, Scene ii, Emilia appears with the pictures of the two kinsmen: —

Emi. Yet I may bind those wounds up, that must open

And bleed to death for my sake else; I 'll choose,
And end their strife; two such young handsome men

Shall never fall for me: their weeping mothers,
Following the dead-cold ashes of their sons,
Shall never curse my cruelty. Good Heav'n,
What a sweet face has Arcite! If wise Nature,
With all her best endowments, all those beauties.
She sows into the births of noble bodies,
Were here a mortal woman, and had in her
The coy denials of young maids, yet doubtless
She would run mad for this man: what an eye!
Of what a fiery sparkle, and quick sweetness,

Has this young prince! here Love himself sits smiling;
Just such another wanton Ganymede

Set Jove afire, and enforc'd the god

Snatch up the goodly boy, and set him by him
A shining constellation! what a brow,

Of what a spacious majesty, he carries,

Arch'd like the great-ey'd Juno's, but far sweeter,
Smoother than Pelops' shoulder! Fame and Honour,
Methinks, from hence, as from a promontory
Pointed in heav'n, should clap their wings, and sing
To all the under-world, the loves and fights
Of gods and such men near 'em. Palamon
Is but his foil; to him, a mere dull shadow;
He's swarth and meagre, of an eye as heavy
As if he'd lost his mother; a still temper,
No stirring in him, no alacrity;

Of all this sprightly sharpness, not a smile.
Yet these that we count errors, may become him;
Narcissus was a sad boy, but a heavenly.

Oh, who can find the bent of woman's fancy?

I am a fool, my reason is lost to me!

I have no choice, and I have lied so lewdly,

That women ought to beat me. On my knees

I ask thy pardon, Palamon! Thou art alone,

And only beautiful; and these thy eyes,

These the bright lamps of beauty, that command
And threaten love, and what young maid dare cross 'em?
What a bold gravity, and yet inviting,

Has this brown manly face! Oh, Love, this only
From this hour is complexion; lie there, Arcite!

A messenger announces the return of Palamon and Arcite. In the battle that ensues Arcite wins. In Scene vi, the execution of Palamon is about to take place when Perithous arrests it with the tidings that Arcite has been thrown from the