Page 1329 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Or entertainest a hope to blast my wishes, [225]
Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
False as thy tide to her. Friendship, blood,
And all the ties between us I disclaim,

If thou once think upon her.

ARCITE
Yes, I love her,
And if the lives of all my name lay on it, [230]
I must do so; I love her with my soul.

If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon!
I say again
I love her, and in loving her maintain
I am as worthy and as free a lover, [235]
And have as just a title to her beauty,

As any Palamon or any living
That is a man’s son.

PALAMON
Have I called thee friend?

ARCITE
Yes, and have found me so; why are you moved thus?

Let me deal coldly with you. Am not I [240]
Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me
That I was Palamon and you were Arcite.

PALAMON
Yes.

ARCITE
Am not I liable to those affections,
Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?

PALAMON
Ye may be.