THESEUS.
Pray stand up.
I am entreating of myself to do
[They rise.]
That which you kneel to have me.—Pirithous,
Lead on the bride; get you and pray the gods
For success and return; omit not anything
In the pretended celebration.—Queens,
Follow your soldier. [To Artesius.] As before, hence you,
And at the banks of Aulis meet us with
The forces you can raise, where we shall find
The moiety of a number for a business
More bigger looked.
[Exit Artesius.]
[To Hippolyta.] Since that our theme is haste,
I stamp this kiss upon thy currant lip;
Sweet, keep it as my token. Set you forward,
For I will see you gone.
[The wedding procession moves towards the temple.]
Farewell, my beauteous sister.—Pirithous,
Keep the feast full; bate not an hour on ’t.
PIRITHOUS.
Sir,
I’ll follow you at heels. The feast’s solemnity
Shall want till your return.
THESEUS.
Cousin, I charge you,
Budge not from Athens. We shall be returning
Ere you can end this feast, of which I pray you
Make no abatement. Once more, farewell all.
[Exeunt all but Theseus and the Queens.]