Page 1427 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

THESEUS

Lo, where our sister is in expectation, [105]
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; he plighted with [110]
A love that grows as you decay.

ARCITE
Emilia,

To buy you I have lost what’s dearest to me
Save what is bought, and yet I purchase cheaply,
As I do rate your value.

THESEUS
O loved sister,

He speaks now of as brave a knight as e’er [115]
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 behaviour
So charmed me that methought Alcides was

To him a sow of lead. If I could praise [120]
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, [125]
Anon the other, then again the first,
And by and by outbreasted, 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 [130]

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. [To Arcite] Arm your prize; [135]