[Lays his head on the block.]
FIRST KNIGHT.
Lead, courageous cousin.
SECOND AND THIRD KNIGHT.
We’ll follow cheerfully.
[A great noise within crying “Run!” “Save!” “Hold!”]
Enter in haste a Messenger.
MESSENGER.
Hold, hold! O hold, hold, hold!
Enter Pirithous in haste.
PIRITHOUS.
Hold, ho! It is a cursed haste you made
If you have done so quickly!—Noble Palamon,
The gods will show their glory in a life
That thou art yet to lead.
PALAMON.
Can that be,
When Venus, I have said, is false? How do things fare?
PIRITHOUS.
Arise, great sir, and give the tidings ear
That are most dearly sweet and bitter.