Collected Works of Giovanni Boccaccio
Page 395
Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
She falls for’t — a maid, 145
If she have any honour, would be loath
To take example by her.
Emi. Thou art wanton.
Arc. (to Palamon)
She is wondrous fair.
Pal. She is all the beauty extant.
Emi. (to her Woman)
The sun grows high — let’s walk in. Keep these flowers.
We’ll see how close art can come near their colours. 150
I am wondrous merry-hearted — I could laugh now.
Wom. I could lie down, I am sure.
Emi. And take one with you?
Wom. That’s as we bargain, madam.
Emi. Well, agree then.
Exeunt Emilia and her Woman
Pal. What think you of this beauty?
Arc. ’Tis a rare one.
Pal. Is’t but a rare one?
Arc. Yes, a matchless beauty. 155
Pal. Might not a man well lose himself and love her?
Arc. I cannot tell what you have done; I have,
Beshrew mine eyes for’t. Now I feel my shackles.
Pal. YOU love her then?
Arc. Who would not? 160
Pal. And desire her?
Arc. Before my liberty.
Pal. I saw her first.
Arc. That’s nothing.
Pal. But it shall be.
Arc. I saw her too.
Pal. Yes, but you must not love her.
Arc. I will not, as you do, to worship her 165
As she is heavenly and a blessèd goddess!
I love her as a woman, to enjoy her —
So both may love.
Pal. You shall not love at all.
Arc. Not love at all — who shall deny me?
Pal. I that first saw her, I that took possession 170
First with mine eye of all those beauties
In her revealed to mankind. If thou lov’st her,
Or entertain’st a hope to blast my wishes,
Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
False as thy title to her. Friendship, blood, 175
And all the ties between us I disclaim,
If thou once think upon her.
Arc. Yes, I love her —
And if the lives of all my name lay on it,
I must do so. I love her with my soul —
If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon! 180
I say again, I love her, and in loving her maintain
I am as worthy and as free a lover,
And have as just a title to her beauty,
As any Palamon, or any living 185
That is a man’s son.
Pal. Have I called thee friend?
Arc. Yes, and have found me so. Why are you moved thus?
Let me deal coldly with you. Am not I
Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me
That I was Palamon and you were Arcite.
Pal. Yes. 190
Arc. Am not I liable to those affections,
Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?
Pal. Ye may be.
Arc. Why then would you deal so cunningly,
So strangely, so unlike a noble kinsman,
To love alone? Speak truly. Do you think me 195
Unworthy of her sight?
Pal. No, but unjust
If thou pursue that sight.
Arc. Because another
First sees the enemy, shall I stand still,
And let mine honour down, and never charge?
Pal. Yes, if he be but one.
Arc. But say that one 200
Had rather combat me?
Pal. Let that one say so,
And use thy freedom; else, if thou pursuest her,
Be as that cursèd man that hates his country,
A branded villain.
Arc. You are mad.
Pal. I must be.
Till thou art worthy, Arcite, it concerns me; 205
And in this madness if I hazard thee
And take thy life, I deal but truly.
Arc. Fie, sir.
You play the child extremely. I will love her,
I must, I ought to do so, and I dare —
And all this justly.
Pal. O, that now, that now 210
Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune —
To be one hour at liberty and grasp
Our good swords in our hands! I would quickly teach thee
What ‘twere to filch affection from another.
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse. 215
Put but thy head out of this window more
And, as I have a soul, I’ll nail thy life lo’t.
Arc. Thou dar’st not, fool; thou canst not; thou art feeble.
Put my head out? I’ll throw my body out
And leap the garden when I see her next, 220
Enter the Jailer
And pitch between her arms to anger thee.
Pal. No more — the keeper’s coming. I shall live
To knock thy brains out with my shackles.
Arc. Do.
Jai. By your leave, gentlemen.
Pal. Now, honest keeper?
Jai. Lord Arcite, you must presently to th’ Duke. 225
The cause I know not yet.
Arc. I am ready, keeper.
Jai. Prince Palamon, I must a while bereave you
Of your fair cousin’s company.
Exeunt Arcite and the Jailer
Pal. And me, too,
Even when you please, of life. Why is he sent for?
It may be he shall marry her — he’s goodly, 230
And like enough the Duke hath taken notice
Both of his blood and body. But his falsehood!
Why should a friend be treacherous? If that
Get him a wife so noble and so fair,
Let honest men ne’er love again. Once more 235
I would but see this fair one. Blessèd garden,
And fruit and flowers more blessèd, that still blossom
As her bright eyes shine on ye! Would I were,
For all the fortune of my life hereafter,
Yon little tree, yon blooming apricot — 240
How I would spread and fling my wanton arms
In at her window! I would bring her fruit
Fit for the gods to feed on; youth and pleasure
Still as she tasted should be doubled on her;
And if she be not heavenly, I would make her 245
So near the gods in nature they should fear her —
Enter the Jailer
And then I am sure she would love me. How now, keeper,
Where’s Arcite?
Jai. Banished — Prince Pirithous
Obtained his liberty; but never more,
Upon his oath and life, must he set foot 250
Upon this kingdom.
Pal. [aside] He’s a blessèd man.
He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms
The bold young men that, when he bids ’em charge,
Fall on like fire. Arcite shall have a fortune,
If he dare make himself a worthy lover, 255
Yet in the field to strike a battle for her;
And if he lose her then, he’s a cold coward.
How bravely may he bear himself to win her
If he be noble Arcite; thousand ways!
Were I at liberty I would do things 260
Of such a virtuous greatness that this lady,
This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her
And seek to ravish me.
Jai. My lord, for you
I have this charge to —
Pal. To discharge my life.
Jai. No, but from this place to remove your lordship — 265
The windows are too open.
Pal. Devils take ’em
That are so envious to me — prithee kill me.<
br />
Jai. And hang for’t afterward?
Pal. By this good light,
Had I a sword I would kill thee.
Jai. Why, my lord?
Pal. Thou bring’st such pelting scurvy news continually, 270
Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.
Jai. Indeed you must, my lord.
Pal. May I see the garden?
Jai. No.
Pal. Then I am resolved — I will not go.
Jai. I must constrain you, then; and for you are dangerous,
I’ll clap more irons on you.
Pal. Do, good keeper. 275
I’ll shake ’em so ye shall not sleep:
I’ll make ye a new morris. Must I go?
Jai. There is no remedy.
Pal. Farewell, kind window.
May rude wind never hurt thee. O, my lady,
If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was, 280
Dream how I suffer. Come, now bury me.
Exeunt Palamon and the Jailer
Act II. Scene III.
Enter Arcite
Arc. Banished the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit,
A mercy I must thank’ em for; but banished
The free enjoying of that face I die for —
O,— ’twas a studied punishment, a death
Beyond imagination; such a vengeance 5
That, were I old and wicked, all my sins
Could never pluck upon me. Palamon,
Thou hast the start now — thou shalt stay and see
Her bright eyes break each morning ‘gainst thy window,
And let in life into thee. Thou shalt feed 10
Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty
That nature ne’er exceeded, nor ne’er shall.
Good gods! What happiness has Palamon!
Twenty to one he’ll come to speak to her,
And if she be as gentle as she’s fair, 15
I know she’s his — he has a tongue will tame
Tempests and make the wild rocks wanton.
Come what can come,
The worst is death. I will not leave the kingdom.
I know mine own is but a heap of ruins, 20
And no redress there. If I go he has her.
I am resolved another shape shall make me,
Or end my fortunes. Either way I am happy —
I’ll see her and be near her, or no more.
Enter four Country People, one of whom carries a garland before them. Arcite stands apart
First Cou.
My masters, I’ll be there — that’s certain. 25
Second Cou. And I’ll be there.
Third Cou. And I.
Fourth Cou.
Why then, have with ye, boys! ’Tis but a chiding —
Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t out
Of the jades’ tails tomorrow.
First Cou. I am sure 30
To have my wife as jealous as a turkey —
But that’s all one. I’ll go through, let her mumble.
Second Cou.
Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her,
And all’s made up again.
Third Cou. Ay, do but put
A fescue in her fist and you shall see her 35
Take a new lesson out and be a good wench.
Do we all hold against the maying?
Fourth Cou.
Hold? What should ail us?
Third Cou. Areas will be there.
Second Cou. And Sennois, and Rycas, and three better lads ne’er danced under green tree; and ye know what wenches, ha? But will the dainty dominie, the Schoolmaster, keep touch, do you think? For he does all, ye know. 43
Third Cou. He’ll eat a hornbook ere he fail. Go to, the matter’s too far driven between him and the tanner’s daughter to let slip now, and she must see the
Duke, and she must dance too.
Fourth Cou. Shall we be lusty? 48
Second Cou. All the boys in Athens blow wind i’th’ breech on’s! And here I’ll be and there I’ll be, for our town, and here again and there again — ha, boys, hey for the weavers!
First Cou. This must be done i’th’ woods.
Fourth Cou. O, pardon me. 54
Second Cou. By any means, our thing of learning said so; where he himself will edify the Duke most parlously in our behalfs — he’s excellent i’th’ woods, bring him to th’ plains, his learning makes no cry. 58
Third Cou. We’U see the sports, then every man to’s tackle — and, sweet companions, let’s rehearse, by any means, before the ladies see us, and do sweetly, and God knows what may come on’t.
Fourth Cou. Content — the sports once ended, we’ll perform. Away boys, and hold.
Arc. (coming forward)
By your leaves, honest friends, pray you whither go you? 65
Fourth Cou.
Whither? Why, what a question’s that?
Arc. Yet ’tis a question
To me that know not.
Third Cou. To the games, my friend. second countryman
Where were you bred, you know it not?
Arc. Not far, sir —
Are there such games today?
First Cou.Yes, marry, are there, 70
And such as you never saw. The Duke himself
Will be in person there.
Arc. What pastimes are they?
Second Cou.
Wrestling and running. (To the others)’ Tis a pretty fellow.
Third Cou. (to Arcite)
Thou wilt not go along?
Arc. Not yet, sir.
Fourth Cou. Well, Sir,
Take your own time. (To the others) Come, boys.
First Cou.My mind misgives me —
This fellow has a vengeance trick o’th’ hip: 76
Mark how his body’s made for’t.
Second Cou.I’ll be hanged though
If he dare venture; hang him, plum porridge!
He wrestle? He roast eggs! Come, let’s be gone, lads.
Exeunt the four Countrymen
Arc. This is an offered opportunity 80
I durst not wish for. Well I could have wrestled —
The best men called it excellent — and run
Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,
Curling the wealthy ears, never flew. I’ll venture,
And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows 85
Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands,
And happiness prefer me to a place
Where I may ever dwell in sight of her? Exit
Act II. Scene IV.
ENTER THE JAILER’S Daughter
Jailer’s Dau.
Why should I love this gentleman? ’Tis odds
He never will affect me. I am base,
My father the mean keeper of his prison,
And he a prince. To marry him is hopeless,
To be his whore is witless. Out upon’t, 5
What pushes are we wenches driven to
When fifteen 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 10
These eyes yet looked on. Next, I pitied him,
And so would any young wench, o’my conscience,
That ever dreamed or vowed her maidenhead
To a young handsome man. Then, I loved him,
Extremely loved him, infinitely loved him — 15
And yet he had a cousin fair as he, too.
But in my heart was Palamon, and there,
Lord, what a coil he keeps! To hear him
Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!
And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken 20
Was never gentleman. When I come in
To bring him water in a morning, first
He bows his noble body, then salutes me, thus:
‘Fair, gentle maid, good morrow. May thy goodness
I loved my lips the better ten days after.
Would he would do so every day! He grieves much,
And me as much to see his misery.
What should I do to make him know I love him?
For I would fain enjoy him. Say I ventured 30
To set him free? What says the law then? Thus much
For law or kindred! I will do it,
And this night; ere tomorrow he shall love me. Exit
Act II. Scene V.
SHORT FLOURISH OF trumpets and shouts within. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, Arcite disguised, with a garland, and attendants
The. You have done worthily. I have not seen
Since Hercules a man of tougher sinews.
Whate’er you are, you run the best and wrestle
That these times can allow.
Arc. I am proud to please you.
The. What country bred you?
Arc. This — but far off, prince. 5
The. Are you a gentleman?
Arc. My father said so,
And to those gentle uses gave me life.
The. Are you his heir?
Arc. His youngest, sir.
The. Your father
Sure is a happy sire, then. What proves you?
Arc. A little of all noble qualities. 10
I could have kept a hawk and well have hollered
To a deep cry of dogs; I dare not praise
My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me
Would say it was my best piece; last and greatest,
I would be thought a soldier.
The. YOU are perfect. 15
Pir. Upon my soul, a proper man.
Emi. He is so.
Pir. (to Hippolyta)
How do you like him, lady?
Hipp. I admire him.
I have not seen so young a man so noble —
If he say true — of his sort.
Emi. Believe
His mother was a wondrous handsome woman — 20
His face methinks goes that way.
Hipp. But his body
And fiery mind illustrate a brave father.
Pir. Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,
Breaks through his baser garments.
Hipp. He’s well got, sure.
The. (to Arcite)
What made you seek this place, sir?
Arc. Noble Theseus, 25
To purchase name and do my ablest service
To such a well-found wonder as thy worth,
For only in thy court of all the world
Dwells fair-eyed honour.
Pir. All his words are worthy.
The. (to Arcite)
Sir, we are much indebted to your travel, 30
Nor shall you lose your wish. — Pirithous,
Dispose of this fair gentleman.
Pir. Thanks, Theseus.