[Exeunt.]
SCENE VI. The same part of the forest as in scene III.
Enter Palamon from the bush.
PALAMON.
About this hour my cousin gave his faith
To visit me again, and with him bring
Two swords and two good armours. If he fail,
He’s neither man nor soldier. When he left me,
I did not think a week could have restored
My lost strength to me, I was grown so low
And crestfall’n with my wants. I thank thee, Arcite,
Thou art yet a fair foe, and I feel myself,
With this refreshing, able once again
To outdure danger. To delay it longer
Would make the world think, when it comes to hearing,
That I lay fatting like a swine to fight
And not a soldier. Therefore, this blest morning
Shall be the last; and that sword he refuses,
If it but hold, I kill him with. ’Tis justice.
So, love and fortune for me!
Enter Arcite with armours and swords.
O, good morrow.
ARCITE.
Good morrow, noble kinsman.
PALAMON.
I have put you
To too much pains, sir.
ARCITE.
That too much, fair cousin,
Is but a debt to honour, and my duty.
PALAMON.
Would you were so in all, sir; I could wish ye
As kind a kinsman as you force me find
A beneficial foe, that my embraces
Might thank ye, not my blows.