Page 1309 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4
P. 1309
’Tis bad he goes about.
PALAMON
Leave that unreasoned;
Our services stand now for Thebes, not Creon.
Yet to be neutral to him were dishonour, [100]
Rebellious to oppose; therefore we must
With him stand to the mercy of our fate,
Who hath bounded our last minute.
ARCITE
So we must.
Is’t said this war’s afoot, or it shall be
On fail of some condition?
VALERIUS
’Tis in motion; [105]
The intelligence of state came in the instant
With the defier.
PALAMON
Let’s to the King, who were he
A quarter carrier of that honour which
His enemy come in, the blood we venture
Should be as for our health, which were not spent, [110]
Rather laid out for purchase. But alas,
Our hands advanced before our hearts, what will
The fall o’th’stroke do damage?
ARCITE
Let th’event,
That never-erring arbitrator, tell us
When we know all ourselves, and let us follow [115]
The becking of our chance.
Exeunt.
Scene III IT
