Arcite is gently visaged, yet his eye Is like an engine bent, or a sharp weapon In a soft sheath; mercy and manly courage Are bedfellows in his visage. Palamon Has a most menacing aspect; his brow Is graved, and seems to bury what it frowns on; Yet sometimes ’tis not so, but alters to The quality of his thoughts. Long time his eye Will dwell upon his object. Melancholy Becomes him nobly; so does Arcite’s mirth; But Palamon’s sadness is a kind of mirth, So mingled as if mirth did make him sad And sadness merry. Those darker humours that Stick misbecomingly on others, on them Live in fair dwelling. (Cornets. Trumpets sound as to a charge.) Hark how yon spurs to spirit do incite The princes to their proof! Arcite may win me And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to The spoiling of his figure. O, what pity Enough for such a chance? If I were by, I might do hurt, for they would glance their eyes Towards my seat, and in that motion might Omit a ward or forfeit an offence Which craved that very time. It is much better I am not there. (Cornets. A great cry and noise within crying “À Palamon!”) Oh better never born Than minister to such harm. Enter Servant. What is the chance? (SERVANT: The cry’s “À Palamon.”) Then he has won. ’Twas ever likely. He looked all grace and success, and he is Doubtless the prim’st of men. I prithee run And tell me how it goes. (Shout and cornets, crying “À Palamon!”) (SERVANT: Still “Palamon.”) Run and enquire. (Exit Servant.) Poor servant, thou hast lost. Upon my right side still I wore thy picture, Palamon’s on the left. Why so, I know not. I had no end in ’t else; chance would have it so. On the sinister side the heart lies; Palamon Had the best-boding chance. (Another cry and shout within, and cornets.) This burst of clamour Is sure th’ end o’ th’ combat. Enter Servant.

Emilia Monologue from The Two Noble Kinsmen

About this piece

Rehearse Emilia's monologue

More from The Two Noble Kinsmen

Browse