ACT 1
Scene 1

...must needs leave.
Music. Enter Hymen with a torch burning, a Boy in a white robe before, singing and strewing flowers. After Hymen, a Nymph encompassed in her tresses, bearing a wheaten garland; then Theseus between two other Nymphs with wheaten chaplets on their heads. Then Hippolyta, the bride, led by Pirithous, and another holding a garland over her head, her tresses likewise hanging. After her, Emilia, holding up her train. Then Artesius and Attendants.

...set down there.
to First Queen
Sad lady, rise.

...me to her.
to First Queen
What’s your request? Deliver you for all.

...vault to everything.
Pray you, kneel not.
I was transported with your speech and suffered
Your knees to wrong themselves. I have heard the fortunes
Of your dead lords, which gives me such lamenting
As wakes my vengeance and revenge for ’em.
King Capaneus was your lord. The day
That he should marry you, at such a season
As now it is with me, I met your groom
By Mars’s altar. You were that time fair—
Not Juno’s mantle fairer than your tresses,
Nor in more bounty spread her. Your wheaten wreath
Was then nor threshed nor blasted. Fortune at you
Dimpled her cheek with smiles. Hercules, our kinsman,
Then weaker than your eyes, laid by his club;
He tumbled down upon his Nemean hide
And swore his sinews thawed. O grief and time,
Fearful consumers, you will all devour!

...forth Our undertaker.
O, no knees, none, widow!
Unto the helmeted Bellona use them
And pray for me, your soldier.

The First Queen rises.
Troubled I am.
Turns away.

...good comfort.
coming forward
Forward to th’ temple. Leave not out a jot
O’ th’ sacred ceremony.

...kings when living.
It is true, and I will give you comfort
To give your dead lords graves;
The which to do must make some work with Creon.

...bread and sloth.
Artesius, that best knowest
How to draw out, fit to this enterprise,
The prim’st for this proceeding, and the number
To carry such a business: forth and levy
Our worthiest instruments, whilst we dispatch
This grand act of our life, this daring deed
Of fate in wedlock.

...For best solicitation?
Why, good ladies,
This is a service whereto I am going
Greater than any was; it more imports me
Than all the actions that I have foregone,
Or futurely can cope.

...take a husband.
Pray stand up.

Hippolyta and Emilia rise.
I am entreating of myself to do
That which you kneel to have me.—Pirithous,
Lead on the bride; get you and pray the gods
For success and return; omit not anything
In the pretended celebration.—Queens,
Follow your soldier. To Artesius.
As before, hence you,
And at the banks of Aulis meet us with
The forces you can raise, where we shall find
The moiety of a number for a business
More bigger looked. To Hippolyta.
Since that our theme is haste,
I stamp this kiss upon thy currant lip;
Sweet, keep it as my token.—Set you forward,
For I will see you gone. The wedding procession begins to exit towards the temple.
Farewell, my beauteous sister.—Pirithous,
Keep the feast full; bate not an hour on ’t.

...till your return.
Cousin, I charge you,
Budge not from Athens. We shall be returning
Ere you can end this feast, of which I pray you
Make no abatement.—Once more, farewell all.

...such a mast’ry.
As we are men,
Thus should we do; being sensually subdued,
We lose our human title. Good cheer, ladies.
Now turn we towards your comforts.
Flourish. They exit.

Scene 4

...I continue mine.
Flourish. Then enter, through one door, Theseus, victor, accompanied by Lords and Soldiers. Entering through another door, the three Queens meet him, and fall on their faces before him.

...“Amen” to ’t!
Th’ impartial gods, who from the mounted heavens
View us their mortal herd, behold who err
And, in their time, chastise. Go and find out
The bones of your dead lords and honor them
With treble ceremony; rather than a gap
Should be in their dear rites, we would supply ’t;
But those we will depute which shall invest
You in your dignities and even each thing
Our haste does leave imperfect. So, adieu,
And heaven’s good eyes look on you.

Enter a Herald and Soldiers bearing Palamon and Arcite on biers.
What are those?

...to the King.
By th’ helm of Mars, I saw them in the war,
Like to a pair of lions, smeared with prey,
Make lanes in troops aghast. I fixed my note
Constantly on them, for they were a mark
Worth a god’s view. What prisoner was ’t that told me
When I enquired their names?

...Arcite and Palamon.
’Tis right; those, those.
They are not dead?

...name of men.
Then like men use ’em.
The very lees of such, millions of rates,
Exceed the wine of others. All our surgeons
Convent in their behoof; our richest balms,
Rather than niggard, waste. Their lives concern us
Much more than Thebes is worth. Rather than have ’em
Freed of this plight, and in their morning state,
Sound and at liberty, I would ’em dead.
But forty-thousandfold we had rather have ’em
Prisoners to us than Death. Bear ’em speedily
From our kind air, to them unkind, and minister
What man to man may do—for our sake, more,
Since I have known frights, fury, friends’ behests,
Love’s provocations, zeal, a mistress’ task,
Desire of liberty, a fever, madness,
Hath set a mark which nature could not reach to
Without some imposition, sickness in will
O’er-wrestling strength in reason. For our love
And great Apollo’s mercy, all our best
Their best skill tender.—Lead into the city,
Where, having bound things scattered, we will post
To Athens ’fore our army.
Flourish. They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 5

...shall love me.
Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, Arcite in disguise, with a garland, Attendants, and others.
to Arcite
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.

...to please you.
What country bred you?

...far off, prince.
Are you a gentleman?

...gave me life.
Are you his heir?

...His youngest, sir.
Your father,
Sure, is a happy sire, then. What proves you?

...thought a soldier.
You are perfect.

...well got, sure.
to Arcite
What made you seek this place, sir?

...words are worthy.
Sir, we are much indebted to your travel,
Nor shall you lose your wish.—Pirithous,
Dispose of this fair gentleman.

...in my saddle.
to Hippolyta
Sweet, you must be ready,—
And you, Emilia,—and you, friend,—and all,
Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance
To flowery May in Dian’s wood.—Wait well, sir,
Upon your mistress.—Emily, I hope
He shall not go afoot.

...Disgrace and blows.
Go lead the way; you have won it.
It shall be so; you shall receive all dues
Fit for the honor you have won. ’Twere wrong else.—
Sister, beshrew my heart, you have a servant
That, if I were a woman, would be master;
But you are wise.

...for that, sir.
Flourish. They all exit.

ACT 3
Scene 5

...Pallas, inspire me!
Enter Theseus, Pirithous, Hippolyta, Emilia, and train.
This way the stag took.

...Stay, and edify!
What have we here?

...my life, sir.
to Schoolmaster
Well, sir, go forward. We
will “edify.”

Chairs and stools brought out.
Ladies, sit down. We’ll stay it.
Theseus, Hippolyta, and Emilia sit.

...hail, sweet ladies!
aside
This is a cold beginning.

...shall presently advance.
Ay, ay, by any means, dear Domine.

...all this rout.
Take twenty, Domine.—How does my sweetheart?

...heard a better.
Schoolmaster, I thank you.—One see ’em all rewarded.

...He gives money.
Now to our sports again.

...eat his dowsets.
Wind horns within. Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous, and Train exit.

Scene 6

...Arcite. Fight again.
Horns. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous and train.
What ignorant and mad malicious traitors
Are you, that ’gainst the tenor of my laws
Are making battle, thus like knights appointed,
Without my leave and officers of arms?
By Castor, both shall die.

...man is this!
I have sworn.

...not have her.
I grant your wish, for to say true, your cousin
Has ten times more offended, for I gave him
More mercy than you found, sir, your offenses
Being no more than his.—None here speak for ’em,
For ere the sun set both shall sleep forever.

...ever pleased you—
These are strange conjurings.

...on these princes.
You make my faith reel. (To Emilia.)
Say I felt
Compassion to ’em both, how would you place it?

...with their banishments.
You are a right woman, sister: you have pity,
But want the understanding where to use it.
If you desire their lives, invent a way
Safer than banishment. Can these two live,
And have the agony of love about ’em,
And not kill one another? Every day
They’d fight about you, hourly bring your honor
In public question with their swords. Be wise, then,
And here forget ’em; it concerns your credit
And my oath equally. I have said they die.
Better they fall by th’ law than one another.
Bow not my honor.

...but good heed.
What is it, sister?

...and banish ’em.
On what conditions?

...the Earth has.
Will you, Arcite,
Take these conditions?

...death a devil!
What may be done? For now I feel compassion.

...fall again, sir.
Say, Emilia,
If one of them were dead, as one must, are you
Content to take th’ 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 ’em,
And, if you can love, end this difference.
I give consent.—Are you content too, princes?

...all our souls.
He that she refuses
Must die then.

...sing my epitaph.
to Emilia
Make choice, then.

...become of ’em?
Thus I ordain it—
And, by mine honor, once again, it stands,
Or both shall die: you shall both to your country,
And each within this month, accompanied
With three fair knights, appear again in this place,
In which I’ll plant a pyramid; and whether,
Before us that are here, can force his cousin
By fair and knightly strength to touch the pillar,
He shall enjoy her; the other lose his head,
And all his friends; nor shall he grudge to fall,
Nor think he dies with interest in this lady.
Will this content you?

...They shake hands.
Are you content, sister?

...Else both miscarry.
to Palamon and Arcite
Come, shake hands again, then,
And take heed, as you are gentlemen, this quarrel
Sleep till the hour prefixed, and hold your course.

...shake hands again.
Come, I’ll give you
Now usage like to princes and to friends.
When you return, who wins I’ll settle here;
Who loses, yet I’ll weep upon his bier.
They exit.

ACT 4
Scene 2

...my unhappy beauty?
Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous and Attendants.
to Attendant
Bring ’em in
Quickly, by any means; I long to see ’em.
To Emilia.
Your two contending lovers are returned,
And with them their fair knights. Now, my fair sister,
You must love one of them.

...should fall untimely.
Who saw ’em?

...Enter a Messenger.
From whence come you, sir?

...From the knights.
Pray speak,
You that have seen them, what they are.

...never soldier’s friend.
Thou hast well described him.

...first with Palamon.
Pray speak him, friend.

...embossed with silver.
Are they all thus?

...sons of honor.
Now, as I have a soul, I long to see ’em.—
Lady, you shall see men fight now.

...it must be.
to Emilia
You have steeled ’em with your beauty. (To Pirithous.)
Honored friend,
To you I give the field; pray order it
Fitting the persons that must use it.

... Yes, sir.
Come, I’ll go visit ’em. I cannot stay—
Their fame has fired me so—till they appear.
Good friend, be royal.

...want no bravery.
All but Emilia exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1

...bring forth comfort.
Flourish. Enter Theseus, Pirithous, Hippolyta, and Attendants. Three altars set up onstage.
Now let ’em enter and before the gods
Tender their holy prayers. Let the temples
Burn bright with sacred fires, and the altars
In hallowed clouds commend their swelling incense
To those above us. Let no due be wanting.
They have a noble work in hand will honor
The very powers that love ’em.

...and their Knights.
You valiant and strong-hearted enemies,
You royal german foes, that this day come
To blow that nearness out that flames between you,
Lay by your anger for an hour and, dove-like,
Before the holy altars of your helpers,
The all-feared gods, bow down your stubborn bodies.
Your ire is more than mortal; so your help be.
And as the gods regard you, fight with justice.
I’ll leave you to your prayers, and betwixt you
I part my wishes.

...crown the worthiest!
Theseus and his train exit.

Scene 3

...love, I’ll cry.
Flourish. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous, and some Attendants.

...will no further.
O, she must.
She shall see deeds of honor in their kind,
Which sometime show well, penciled. Nature now
Shall make and act the story, the belief
Both sealed with eye and ear.—You must be present;
You are the victor’s meed, the price and garland
To crown the question’s title.

...there, I’d wink.
You must be there;
This trial is as ’twere i’ th’ night, and you
The only star to shine.

...I will not.
Why, the knights must kindle
Their valor at your eye. Know, of this war
You are the treasure, and must needs be by
To give the service pay.

...Out of itself.
Well, well, then; at your pleasure.
Those that remain with you could wish their office
To any of their enemies.

...made your lot.
Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, and others, exit. Emilia remains, comparing again the pictures of Arcite and Palamon.

...Alas, poor Palamon!
Cornets. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Arcite as victor, and Attendants and others.
Lo, where our sister is in expectation,
Yet quaking and unsettled.—Fairest Emily,
The gods by their divine arbitrament
Have given you this knight; he is a good one
As ever struck at head.—Give me your hands.
Receive you her, you him. Be plighted with
A love that grows as you decay.

...rate your value.
O loved sister,
He speaks now of as brave a knight as e’er
Did spur a noble steed. Surely the gods
Would have him die a bachelor, lest his race
Should show i’ th’ world too godlike. His behavior
So charmed me that methought Alcides was
To him a sow of lead. If I could praise
Each part of him to th’ all I have spoke, your Arcite
Did not lose by ’t, for he that was thus good
Encountered yet his better. I have heard
Two emulous Philomels beat the ear o’ th’ night
With their contentious throats, now one the higher,
Anon the other, then again the first,
And by-and-by out-breasted, that the sense
Could not be judge between ’em. So it fared
Good space between these kinsmen, till heavens did
Make hardly one the winner.—Wear the garland
With joy that you have won.—For the subdued,
Give them our present justice, since I know
Their lives but pinch ’em. Let it here be done.
The scene’s not for our seeing. Go we hence
Right joyful, with some sorrow.—Arm your prize;
I know you will not lose her.—Hippolyta,
I see one eye of yours conceives a tear,
The which it will deliver.

...blind for ’t.
So it is.
Flourish. They exit.

Scene 4

...Lo, he appears.
Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, and Arcite carried in a chair.

...I to honor.
In this place first you fought; e’en very here
I sundered you. Acknowledge to the gods
Our thanks that you are living.
His part is played, and though it were too short,
He did it well. Your day is lengthened, and
The blissful dew of heaven does arrouse you.
The powerful Venus well hath graced her altar,
And given you your love. Our master, Mars,
Hath vouched his oracle, and to Arcite gave
The grace of the contention. So the deities
Have showed due justice.—Bear this hence.

...is carried out.
Never Fortune
Did play a subtler game. The conquered triumphs;
The victor has the loss; yet in the passage
The gods have been most equal.—Palamon,
Your kinsman hath confessed the right o’ th’ lady
Did lie in you, for you first saw her and
Even then proclaimed your fancy. He restored her
As your stol’n jewel and desired your spirit
To send him hence forgiven. The gods my justice
Take from my hand and they themselves become
The executioners. Lead your lady off,
And call your lovers from the stage of death,
Whom I adopt my friends. A day or two
Let us look sadly, and give grace unto
The funeral of Arcite, in whose end
The visages of bridegrooms we’ll put on
And smile with Palamon—for whom an hour,
But one hour since, I was as dearly sorry
As glad of Arcite, and am now as glad
As for him sorry. O you heavenly charmers,
What things you make of us! For what we lack
We laugh, for what we have are sorry, still
Are children in some kind. Let us be thankful
For that which is, and with you leave dispute
That are above our question. Let’s go off
And bear us like the time.
Flourish. They exit.