The passionate and sensitive Palamon has chosen the Queen of Love as his Patroness, and it is in her Temple that, in the [47:1]second scene, he puts up his prayers. This scene is not equal to the first or third, having the poetical features less prominently brought out, while the tone of thought is less highly pitched, and also less consistently sustained. But it is distinctly Shakspeare's. The rugged versification is his, and the force of language. [Sidenote: Even the incompetent old husband bit is his.] One unpleasing sketch of the deformity of decrepit old age, which need not be quoted, is largely impressed with his air of truth, and some personifications already noticed are also in his manner. [Sidenote: Act V. scene ii. (Weber; i. Littledale) is Shakspere's.] [Sidenote: A Shakspere touch.] _Palamon._ Our stars must glister with new fire, or be To-day extinct: our argument is love! . . . . . (_They kneel._) Hail, sovereign Queen of Secrets! who hast pow|er To call the fiercest tyrant from his rage To weep unto a girl!--that hast the might Even with an eye-glance to choke Mars's drum, And turn the alarm to whis|pers!|... What gold-like pow|er Hast thou not power upon? To Phœbus thou Add'st flames hotter than his: the heavenly fires Did scorch his mortal son, thou him: The Hunt|ress All moist and cold, some say, began to throw Her bow away and sigh. Take to thy grace Me thy vowd soldier,--who do bear thy yoke As 'twere a wreath of roses, yet is heav|ier Than lead itself, stings more than net|tles:-- I have never been foul-mouthed against thy law; ... I have been harsh To large confessors, and have hotly askt | them If they had mothers: _I_ had one,--a wom|an, And women 'twere they wronged.... Brief,--I am To those that prate and have done,--no compan|ion; To those that boast and have not,--a defi|er; To those that would and cannot,--a rejoi|cer! Yea, him I do not love, that tells close offices The foulest way, nor names concealments in The boldest language: Such a one I am, And vow that _lover never yet made sigh Truer than I_.... (_Music is heard, and doves are seen to flutter: they fall upon their faces._) [48:1]I give thee thanks For this fair token!... [Sidenote: Emilia's Prayer is surely Shakspere's.] Emilia's Prayer in the Sanctuary of the pure Diana, forming the third scene, is in some parts most nervous, and the opening is inexpressibly beautiful in language and rhythm. Several ideas and idioms are identically Shakspeare's. [Sidenote: Act V. scene iii. (Weber; i. Littledale) Shakspere's]