Page 1383 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

PALAMON and ARCITE

Any death thou canst invent, Duke.

PALAMON
If I fall from that mouth, I fall with favour,
And lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes.

ARCITE
If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me,

And soldiers sing my epitaph.

THESEUS

Make choice then. [285]

EMILIA
I cannot, sir, they are both too excellent;
For me, a hair shall never fall of these men.

HIPPOLYTA
What will become of ’em?

THESEUS
Thus I ordain it,
And by mine honour once again, it stands,

Or both shall die: you shall both to your country, [290]
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, [295]
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 ye?

PALAMON
Yes! − Here, cousin Arcite,