ARCITE. This is an offerd oportunity I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled, The best men calld it excellent, and run— Swifter the winde upon a feild of Corne (Curling the wealthy eares) never flew: Ile venture, And in some poore disguize be there; who knowes Whether my browes may not be girt with garlands? And happines preferre me to a place, Where I may ever dwell in sight of her. [Exit Arcite.] Scaena 4. (Athens. A room in the prison.) [Enter Iailors Daughter alone.] DAUGHTER. Why should I love this Gentleman? Tis odds He never will affect me; I am base, My Father the meane Keeper of his Prison, And he a prince: To marry him is hopelesse; To be his whore is witles. Out upon’t, What pushes are we wenches driven to, When fifteene once has found us! First, I saw him; I (seeing) thought he was a goodly man; He has as much to please a woman in him, (If he please to bestow it so) as ever These eyes yet lookt on. Next, I pittied him, And so would any young wench, o’ my Conscience, That ever dream’d, or vow’d her Maydenhead To a yong hansom Man; Then I lov’d him, Extreamely lov’d him, infinitely lov’d him; And yet he had a Cosen, faire as he too. But in my heart was Palamon, and there, Lord, what a coyle he keepes! To heare him Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is! And yet his Songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken Was never Gentleman. When I come in To bring him water in a morning, first He bowes his noble body, then salutes me, thus: ‘Faire, gentle Mayde, good morrow; may thy goodnes Get thee a happy husband.’ Once he kist me. I lov’d my lips the better ten daies after. Would he would doe so ev’ry day! He greives much, And me as much to see his misery. What should I doe, to make him know I love him? For I would faine enjoy him. Say I ventur’d To set him free? what saies the law then? Thus much For Law, or kindred! I will doe it, And this night, or to morrow, he shall love me. [Exit.] Scaena 5. (An open place in Athens.) [Enter Theseus, Hipolita, Pirithous, Emilia: Arcite with a Garland, &c.] [This short florish of Cornets and Showtes within.] THESEUS. You have done worthily; I have not seene, Since Hercules, a man of tougher synewes; What ere you are, you run the best, and wrastle, That these times can allow. ARCITE. I am proud to please you. THESEUS. What Countrie bred you? ARCITE. This; but far off, Prince. THESEUS. Are you a Gentleman? ARCITE. My father said so; And to those gentle uses gave me life. THESEUS. Are you his heire? ARCITE. His yongest, Sir. THESEUS. Your Father Sure is a happy Sire then: what prooves you? ARCITE. A little of all noble Quallities: I could have kept a Hawke, and well have holloa’d To a deepe crie of Dogges; I dare not praise My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me Would say it was my best peece: last, and greatest, I would be thought a Souldier. THESEUS. You are perfect. PERITHOUS. Vpon my soule, a proper man. EMILIA. He is so. PERITHOUS. How doe you like him, Ladie?