[52:1]Hippolita. Infinite pity,
That four such eyes should be so fixed on one,
That two must needs be blind for't. (Exeunt.)
Act V. scene vi. (Weber; sc. iv. Littledale) is clearly Shakspere's.
The authorship of the last scene admits of no doubt. The manner is Shakspeare's, and some parts are little inferior to his very finest passages. Palamon has been vanquished, and he and his friends are to undergo execution of the sentence to which the laws of the combat subjected them. The depth of the interest is now fixed on these unfortunate knights, and a fine spirit of resigned melancholy inspires the scene in which they pass to their deaths.[52:2]
(Enter Palamon and his knights, pinioned; jailor, executioner, and guard.)
Palamon. There's many a man alive that hath outlived
The love of the people; yea, in the self-same state
[53:1]Stands many a father with his child; some com|fort
We have by so considering. We expire,—
And not without men's pity;—to live still,
Have their good wishes. We prevent
[53:2]The loathsome misery of age, beguile
The gout and rheum, that in lag hours attend
For grey approachers. We come towards the gods
Young and unwarped, not halting under crimes
Many and stale; that sure shall please the gods
[53:3]Sooner than such, to give us nectar with | them,—
For we are more clear spir|its!|...
2 Knight. Let us bid farewell;
And with our patience anger tottering for|tune,
Who at her certain'st reels.
3 Knight. Come, who begins?
Palamon. Even he that led you to this banquet shall
Taste to you all....
* * * * *
Adieu, and let my life be now as short
As my leave-taking. (Lies on the block.)