_Emil._ That you would never deny me any thing Fit for my modest suit, and your free granting: I tye you to your word now, if ye fall in't, Think how you maim your honor; (For now I'm set a begging Sir, I'm deaf To all but your compassion) how, their lives Might breed the ruin of my name; Opinion, Shall any thing that loves me perish for me? That were a cruell wisdom, doe men proyn The straight young Bows that blush with thousand Blossoms Because they may be rotten? O Duke _Theseus_ The goodly Mothers that have groan'd for these, And all the longing Maids that ever lov'd, If your vow stand, shall curse me and my Beauty, And in their funerall songs, for these two Cosens Despise my crueltie, and cry woe worth me, Till I'm nothing but the scorn of women; For Heavens sake save their lives, and banish 'em. _Thes._ On what conditions? _Emil._ Swear'em never more To make me their Contention, or to know me, To tread upon the Dukedome, and to be Where ever they shall travel, ever strangers to one another. _Pal._ I'll be cut a peeces Before I take this oath, forget I love her? O all ye gods dispise me then: Thy Banishment I not mislike, so we may fairly carry Our Swords, and cause along: Else never trifle, But take our lives Duke, I must love and will, And for that love, must and dare kill this Cosen On any peece the earth has. _Thes._ Will you _Arcite_ Take these conditions? _Pal._ He's a villain then. _Per._ These are men. _Arcite._ No, never Duke: 'Tis worse to me than begging To take my life so basely, though I think I never shall enjoy her, yet I'll preserve The honor of affection, and dye for her, Make death a Devill. _Thes._ What may be done? For now I feel compassion. _Per._ Let it not fall again Sir. _Thes._ Say _Emilia_ If one of them were dead, as one must, are you Content to take th'other to your husband? They cannot both enjoy you; They are Princes As goodly as your own eyes, and as noble As ever fame yet spoke of: Look upon'em, And if you can love, end this difference, I give consent, are you content too, Princes? _Both._ With all our souls. _Thes._ He that she refuses Must dye then. _Both._ Any death thou canst invent Duke. _Pal._ If I fall from that mouth, I fall with favor. And Lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes. _Arc._ If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me, And Soldiers sing my Epitaph. _Thes._ Make choice then. _Emil._ I cannot Sir, they are both too excellent For me, a hayr shall never fall of these men. _Hip._ What will become of 'em?