The second scene introduces the heroes of the piece, Palamon and Arcite. They are two youths of the blood-royal of Thebes, who follow the banners of their sovereign with a sense that obedience is their duty, but under a sorrowful conviction that his cause is unjust, and their country rotten at the core. The scene is a dialogue between them, occupied in lamentations and repinings over the dissolute manners of their native Thebes. [Sidenote: has the characteristics of Shakspere.] Its broken versification points out Shakspeare; the quaintness of some conceits is his; and several of the phrases and images have much of his pointedness, brevity, or obscurity. The scene, though not lofty in tone, does not want interest, and contains some extremely original illustrations. But quotations will be multiplied abundantly before we have done; and their number must not be increased by the admission of any which are not either unusually good or very distinctly characteristic of their author. Some lines of the scene have been already given. [Sidenote: Act I. scene iii.] The third scene has the farewell commendations of the young Emilia and her sister to Perithous, when he sets out to join Theseus, then before the Theban walls, and a subsequent conversation of the two ladies. [Sidenote: is probably all Shakspere's.] Much of this scene has Shakspeare's stamp deeply cut upon it: it is probably all his. [Sidenote: Act I. scene iii. has the characteristics of Shakspere.] It is identified, not only by several others of the qualities marking the first scene, but more particularly by the wealth of its allusion, and by a closeness, directness, and pertinency of reply which Fletcher's most spirited dialogues do not reach. It presents more than one exceed[33:1]ingly beautiful climax; a figure which repeatedly occurs in the play, and is always used with peculiar energy. SCENE--_Before the Gates of Athens.--Enter Perithous, Hippolita, and Emilia._ _Perithous._ No further. _Hippolita._ Sir, farewell. Repeat my wish|es To our great lord, of whose success I dare | not Make any timorous question; yet I wish | him Excess and overflow of power, an't might | be, To dure ill-dealing Fortune. Speed to him! Store never hurts good governors. [Sidenote: Shakspere metaphor,] _Perithous._ Though I know His ocean needs not my poor drops, yet they Must yield their tribute there. (_To Emilia._) My precious maid, Those best affections that the heavens infuse In their _best-tempered pieces_, keep _enthroned_ In your dear heart! _Emilia._ Thanks, sir! Remember me To our all royal brother, for whose speed The great Bellona I'll solicit; and, Since in our terrene state, petitions are | not, Without gifts, understood, I'll offer to | her What I shall be advised she likes. Our hearts Are in his army, in his tent. [Sidenote: phrase.]