The Knight Tale

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    The Knight's Tale

    Modern English

    1 Once on a time, as old tales tell to us,

    2There was a duke whose name was

    Theseus:

    3 Of Athens he was lord and governor,

    4 And in his time was such a conqueror

    5That greater was there not beneath the

    sun.

    6 Full many a rich country had he won;7 hat with his wisdom and his chivalry

    8 !e gained the realm of Femininity,

    9 That was of old time known as "cythia.

    10 There wedded he the queen, !i##olyta,

    11And brought her home with him to his

    country.

    12 $n glory great and with great #ageantry,

    13 And, too, her younger sister, %mily.

    14 And thus, in victory and with melody,

    15 &et $ this noble duke to Athens ride

    16ith all his armed host marching at his

    side.

    17 And truly, were it not too long to hear,

    18$ would have told you fully how, that

    year,

    19 as gained the realm of Femininity

    20 'y Theseus and by his chivalry;

    21And all of the great battle that was

    wrought

    22 here Ama(ons and the Atheniansfought;

    23And how was wooed and won

    !i##olyta,

    24 That fair and hardy queen of "cythia;

    25And of the feast was made at their

    wedding,

    26And of the tem#est at their home)

    coming;

    27 'ut all of that $ must for now forbear.

    28 $ have, *od knows, a large field for myshare,

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    29And weak the o+en, and the soil is

    tough.

    30 The remnant of the tale is long enough.

    31 $ will not hinder any, in my turn;

    32 &et each man tell his tale, until we learn

    33hich of us all the most deserves to

    win;

    34"o where $ sto##ed, again $ll now

    begin.

    35This duke of whom $ s#eak, of great

    renown,

    36hen he had drawn almost unto the

    town,

    37 $n all well)being and in utmost #ride,

    38 !e grew aware, casting his eyes aside,

    39That right u#on the road, as su##liantsdo,

    40 A com#any of ladies, two by two,

    41-nelt, all in black, before his

    cavalcade;

    42'ut such a clamorous cry of woe they

    made

    43That in the whole world living man had

    heard

    44 o such a lamentation, on my word;

    45 or would they cease lamenting till atlast

    46Theyd clutched his bridle reins and

    held them fast.

    47hat folk are you that at my home)

    coming

    48/isturb my trium#h with this dolorous

    thing0

    49 1ried Theseus. /o you so much envy

    502y honour that you thus com#lain and

    cry0

    51Or who has wronged you now, or who

    offended0

    521ome, tell me whether it may be

    amended;

    53And tell me, why are you clothed thus,

    in black0

    54 The eldest lady of them answered back,

    55After shed swooned, with cheek so

    deathly drear

    56 That it was #itiful to see and hear,57 And said: &ord, to whom Fortune has

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    but given

    583ictory, and to conquer where youve

    striven,

    594our glory and your honour grieve not

    us;

    60 'ut we beseech your aid and #ity thus.

    61!ave mercy on our woe and our

    distress.

    62 "ome dro# of #ity, of your gentleness,

    63 5#on us wretched women, oh, let fall6

    64 For see, lord, there is no one of us all

    65 That has not been a duchess or a queen;

    66ow we are ca#tives, as may well be

    seen:

    67

    Thanks be to Fortune and her

    treacherous wheel,

    68Theres none can rest assured of

    constant weal.

    69 And truly, lord, e+#ecting your return,

    70$n 7itys tem#le, where the fires yet

    burn,

    71e have been waiting through a long

    fortnight;

    72ow hel# us, lord, since it is in your

    might.

    73 $, wretched woman, who am wee#ingthus,

    74 as once the wife of -ing 1a#aneus,

    75ho died at Thebes, oh, cursed be the

    day6

    76 And all we that you see in this array,

    77And make this lamentation to be

    known,

    78All we have lost our husbands at that

    town

    79 /uring the siege that round about it lay.80 And now the old 1reon, ah welaway6

    81 The lord and governor of Thebes city,

    82 Full of his wrath and all iniquity,

    83 !e, in des#ite and out of tyranny,

    84 To do the dead a shame and villainy,

    85Of all our husbands, lying among the

    slain,

    86 !as #iled the bodies in a hea#, amain,

    87

    And will not suffer them, nor give

    consent,88 To buried be, or burned, nor will relent,

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    89'ut sets his dogs to eat them, out of

    s#ite.

    90And on that word, at once, without

    res#ite,

    91

    They all fell #rone and cried out

    #iteously:

    92!ave on us wretched women some

    mercy,

    93And let our sorrows sink into your

    heart6

    94This gentle duke down from his horse

    did start

    95ith heart of #ity, when hed heard

    them s#eak.

    96$t seemed to him his heart must surely

    break,97 "eeing them there so miserable of state,

    98ho had been #roud and ha##y but so

    late.

    99 And in his arms he took them tenderly,

    100 *iving them comfort understandingly:

    101And swore his oath, that as he was true

    knight,

    102!e would #ut forth so thoroughly his

    might

    103 Against the tyrant 1reon as to wreak

    1043engeance so great that all of *reece

    should s#eak

    105And say how 1reon was by Theseus

    served,

    106As one that had his death full well

    deserved.

    107This sworn and done, he no more there

    abode;

    108!is banner he dis#layed and forth he

    rode

    109Toward Thebes, and all his host

    marched on beside;

    110or nearer Athens would he walk or

    ride,

    111 or take his ease for even half a day,

    112'ut onward, and in cam# that night he

    lay;

    113 And thence he sent !i##olyta the queen

    114 And her bright sister %mily, $ ween,

    115 5nto the town of Athens, there to dwell116 hile he went forth. There is no more

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    to tell.

    117The image of red 2ars, with s#ear and

    shield,

    118"o shone u#on his banners snow)white

    field

    119$t made a billowing glitter u# anddown;

    120And by the banner borne was his

    #ennon,

    121On which in beaten gold was worked,

    com#lete,

    122The 2inotaur, which he had slain in

    1rete.

    123Thus rode this duke, thus rode this

    conqueror,

    124 And in his host of chivalry the flower,125 5ntil he came to Thebes and did alight

    126Full in the field where hed intent to

    fight.

    127 'ut to be brief in telling of this thing,

    128ith 1reon, who was Thebes dread

    lord and king,

    129!e fought and slew him, manfully, like

    knight,

    130 $n o#en war, and #ut his host to flight;

    131 And by assault he took the city then,132 &evelling wall and rafter with his men;

    133 And to the ladies he restored again

    134The bones of their #oor husbands who

    were slain,

    135 To do for them the last rites of that day.

    136 'ut it were far too long a tale to say

    137The clamour of great grief and

    sorrowing

    138

    Those ladies raised above the bones

    burning139 5#on the #yres, and of the great honour

    140 That Theseus, the noble conqueror,

    1417aid to the ladies when from him they

    went;

    142 To make the story short is my intent.

    143hen, then, this worthy duke, this

    Theseus

    144!ad slain 1reon and won Thebes city

    thus,

    145 "till on the field he took that night hisrest,

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    146And dealt with all the land as he

    thought best.

    147$n searching through the hea# of enemy

    dead,

    148

    "tri##ing them of their gear from heel

    to head,

    149The busy #illagers could #ick and

    choose,

    150After the battle, what they best could

    use;

    151 And so befell that in a hea# they found,

    1527ierced through with many a grievous,

    bloody wound,

    153Two young knights lying together, side

    by side,

    154 'earing one crest, wrought richly, oftheir #ride,

    155 And of those two Arcita was the one,

    156The other knight was known as

    7alamon.

    157ot fully quick, nor fully dead they

    were,

    158'ut by their coats of arms and by their

    gear

    159 The heralds readily could tell, withal,

    160 That they were of the Theban bloodroyal,

    161And that they had been of two sisters

    born.

    162Out of the hea# the s#oilers had them

    torn

    163 And carried gently over to the tent

    164 Of Theseus; who shortly had them sent

    165 To Athens, there in #rison cell to lie

    166 For ever, without ransom, till they die.

    167 And when this worthy duke had all thisdone,

    168!e gathered host and home he rode

    anon,

    169ith laurel crowned again as

    conqueror;

    170 There lived he in all 8oy and all honour

    171!is term of life; what more need words

    e+#ress0

    172 And in a tower, in anguish and distress,

    173 7alamon and Arcita, day and night,174 /welt whence no gold might hel# them

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    to take flight.

    175Thus #assed by year by year and day by

    day,

    176 Till it fell out, u#on a morn in 2ay,

    177 That %mily, far fairer to be seen

    178 Than is the lily on its stalk of green,

    179And fresher than is 2ay with flowers

    new

    1809For with the roses colour strove her

    hue,

    181$ know not which was fairer of the

    two,

    182 'efore the dawn, as was her wont to do,

    183"he rose and dressed her body for

    delight;

    184For 2ay will have no sluggards of thenight.

    185 That season rouses every gentle heart

    186And forces it from winters slee# to

    start,

    187 "aying: Arise and show thy reverence.

    188 "o %mily remembered to go thence

    189 $n honour of the 2ay, and so she rose.

    1901lothed, she was sweeter than any

    flower that blows;

    191!er yellow hair was braided in onetress

    192'ehind her back, a full yard long, $

    guess.

    193 And in the garden, as the sun u#)rose,

    194"he sauntered back and forth and

    through each close,

    195*athering many a flower, white and

    red,

    196

    To weave a delicate garland for her

    head;

    197And like a heavenly angels was her

    song.

    198The tower tall, which was so thick and

    strong,

    199 And of the castle was the great don8on,

    2009herein the two knights languished in

    #rison,

    201Of whom $ told and shall yet tell,

    withal,

    202 as 8oined, at base, unto the gardenwall

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    203 hereunder %mily went dallying.

    204'right was the sun and clear that morn

    in s#ring,

    205 And 7alamon, the woeful #risoner,

    206 As was his wont, by leave of his gaoler,

    207as u# and #acing round that chamber

    high,

    208From which the noble city filled his

    eye,

    209And, too, the garden full of branches

    green,

    210 herein bright %mily, fair and serene,

    211ent walking and went roving u# and

    down.

    212 This sorrowing #risoner, this 7alamon,

    213'eing in the chamber, #acing to andfro,

    214 And to himself com#laining of his woe,

    215 1ursing his birth, he often cried Alas6

    216 And so it was, by chance or other #ass,

    217That through a window, closed by

    many a bar

    218 Of iron, strong and square as any s#ar,

    219 !e cast his eyes u#on %milia,

    220

    And thereu#on he blenched and cried

    out Ah6

    221 As if he had been smitten to the heart.

    222 And at that cry Arcita did u#)start,

    223Asking: 2y cousin, why what ails you

    now

    224That youve so deathly #allor on your

    brow0

    225hy did you cry out0 hos offended

    you0

    226

    For *ods love, show some #atience, as

    $ do,227 ith #rison, for it may not different be;

    228 Fortune has given this adversity.

    229 "ome evil dis#osition or as#ect

    230 Of "aturn did our horosco#es affect

    231To bring us here, though differently

    twere sworn;

    232'ut so the stars stood when we two

    were born;

    233

    e must endure it; that, in brief, is

    #lain.234 This 7alamon re#lied and said again:

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    235 1ousin, indeed in this o#inion now

    236 4our fancy is but vanity, $ trow.

    237 $ts not our #rison that caused me to cry.

    238'ut $ was wounded lately through the

    eye

    239/own to my heart, and that my bane

    will be.

    240 The beauty of the lady that $ see

    241 There in that garden, #acing to and fro,

    242 $s cause of all my crying and my woe.

    243 $ know not if shes woman or goddess;

    244 'ut 3enus she is verily, $ guess.

    245And thereu#on down on his knees he

    fell,

    246 And said: O 3enus, if it be thy will

    247 To be transfigured in this garden, thus

    248'efore me, sorrowing wretch, oh now

    hel# us

    249 Out of this #rison to be soon esca#ed.

    250 And if it be my destiny is sha#ed,

    251 'y fate, to die in durance, in bondage,

    252 !ave #ity, then, u#on our lineage

    253That has been brought so low by

    tyranny.

    254 And on that word Arcita looked to see

    255 This lady who went roving to and fro.

    256And in that look her beauty struck him

    so

    257 That, if #oor 7alamon is wounded sore,

    258 Arcita is as dee#ly hurt, and more.

    259 And with a sigh he said then, #iteously:

    260 The virgin beauty slays me suddenly

    261Of her that wanders yonder in that

    #lace;

    262

    And save $ have her #ity and her grace,263 That $ at least may see her day by day,

    264 $ am but dead; there is no more to say.

    265This 7alamon, when these words he

    had heard,

    2667itilessly he watched him, and

    answered:

    267 /o you say this in earnest or in #lay0

    268 ay, quoth Arcita, earnest, now, $ say6

    269 *od hel# me, $ am in no mood for #lay6

    270 7alamon knit his brows and stood atbay.

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    271$t will not #rove, he said, to your

    honour

    272 After so long a time to turn traitor

    273To me, who am your cousin and your

    brother,

    274"worn as we are, and each unto theother,

    275That never, though for death in any

    #ain,

    276ever, indeed, till death shall #art us

    twain,

    277 %ither of us in love shall hinder other,

    278o, nor in any thing, O my dear

    brother;

    279

    'ut that, instead, you shall so further

    me280 As $ shall you. All this we did agree.

    281"uch was your oath and such was mine

    also.

    282 4ou dare not now deny it, well $ know.

    283Thus you are of my #arty, beyond

    doubt.

    284And now you would all falsely go

    about

    285To love my lady, whom $ love and

    serve,

    286And shall while life my hearts blood

    may #reserve.

    287 ay, false Arcita, it shall not be so.

    288$ loved her first, and told you all my

    woe,

    289 As to a brother and to one that swore

    290 To further me, as $ have said before.

    291For which you are in duty bound, as

    knight,

    292 To hel# me, if the thing lie in yourmight,

    293Or else youre false, $ say, and

    downfallen.

    294 Then this Arcita #roudly s#oke again:

    2954ou shall, he said, be rather false than

    $;

    296 And that youre so, $ tell you utterly;

    297For #ar amour $ loved her first, you

    know.

    298 hat can you say0 4ou know not, evennow,

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    299 hether she is a woman or goddess6

    300 4ours is a worshi# as of holiness,

    301hile mine is love, as of a mortal

    maid;

    302 herefore $ told you of it, unafraid,

    303 As to my cousin and my brother sworn.

    304&et us assume you loved her first, this

    morn;

    305-now you not well the ancient writers

    saw

    306 Of ho shall give a lover any law0

    307 &ove is a greater law, aye by my #an,

    308Than man has ever given to earthly

    man.

    309

    And therefore statute law and such

    decrees

    310 Are broken daily and in all degrees.

    311A man must needs have love, maugre

    his head.

    312!e cannot flee it though he should be

    dead,

    313 And be she maid, or widow, or a wife.

    314 And yet it is not likely that, in life,

    3154oull stand within her graces; nor shall

    $;

    316 For you are well aware, aye verily,

    317That you and $ are doomed to #rison

    drear

    318 7er#etually; we gain no ransom here.

    319e strive but as those dogs did for the

    bone;

    320They fought all day, and yet their gain

    was none.

    321Till came a kite while they were still so

    wroth

    322 And bore the bone away between themboth.

    323And therefore, at the kings court, O my

    brother,

    324$ts each man for himself and not for

    other.

    325&ove if you like; for $ love and aye

    shall;

    326 And certainly, dear brother, that is all.

    327 !ere in this #rison cell must we remain

    328 And each endure whatever fate ordain.329 *reat was the strife, and long, betwi+t

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    the two,

    330 $f $ had but the time to tell it you,

    331 "ave in effect. $t ha##ened on a day

    332 9To tell the tale as briefly as $ may,

    333 A worthy duke men called 7irithous,

    334ho had been friend unto /uke

    Theseus

    335"ince each had been a little child, a

    chit,

    336 as come to visit Athens and visit

    337 !is #lay)fellow, as he was wont to do,

    338For in this whole world he loved no

    man so;

    339 And Theseus loved him as truly) nay,

    340"o well each loved the other, old books

    say,

    341That when one died 9it is but truth $

    tell,

    342The other went and sought him down in

    !ell;

    343 'ut of that tale $ have no wish to write.

    344 7irithous loved Arcita, too, that knight,

    345!aving known him in Thebes full many

    a year;

    346 And finally, at his request and #rayer,

    347 And that without a coin of ransom #aid,

    348/uke Theseus released him out of

    shade,

    349 Freely to go whereer he wished, and to

    350 !is own devices, as $ll now tell you.

    351The com#act was, to set it #lainly

    down,

    352As made between those two of great

    renown:

    353 That if Arcita, any time, were found,

    354 %ver in life, by day or night, on ground

    355 Of any country of this Theseus,

    356And he were caught, it was concerted

    thus,

    357That by the sword he straight should

    lose his head.

    358!e had no choice, so taking leave he

    s#ed

    359!omeward to Thebes, lest by the

    swords shar# edge

    360!e forfeit life. !is neck was under

    #ledge.

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    ordain,

    395 hen better is the gift, in any guise,

    396Than men may often for themselves

    devise0

    397 One man desires only that great wealth

    398hich may but cause his death or long

    ill)health.

    399One who from #rison gladly would be

    free,

    400At home by his own servants slain

    might be.

    401 $nfinite evils lie therein, tis clear;

    402e know not what it is we #ray for

    here.

    403

    e fare as he thats drunken as a

    mouse;

    404A drunk man knows right well he has a

    house,

    405'ut he knows not the right way leading

    thither;

    406And a drunk man is sure to sli# and

    slither.

    407 And certainly, in this world so fare we;

    408 e furiously #ursue felicity,

    409 4et we go often wrong before we die.

    410 This may we all admit, and s#ecially $,

    411ho deemed and held, as $ were under

    s#ell,

    412 That if $ might esca#e from #rison cell,

    413Then would $ find again what might

    heal,

    414ho now am only e+iled from my

    weal.

    415 For since $ may not see you, %mily,

    416 $ am but dead; there is no remedy.

    417 And on the other hand, this 7alamon,418 hen that he found Arcita truly gone,

    419"uch lamentation made he, that the

    tower

    420 esounded of his crying, hour by hour.

    421 The very fetters on his legs were yet

    422 Again with all his bitter salt tears wet.

    423 Alas6 said he, Arcita, cousin mine,

    424ith all our strife, *od knows, youve

    won the wine.

    4254oure walking, now, in Theban streets,at large,

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    426And all my woe you may from mind

    discharge.

    4274ou may, too, since youve wisdom and

    manhood,

    428 Assemble all the #eo#le of our blood

    429 And wage a war so shar# on this city

    430That by some fortune, or by some

    treaty,

    4314ou shall yet have that lady to your

    wife

    432For whom $ now must needs lay down

    my life.

    433 For surely tis in #ossibility,

    434"ince you are now at large, from #rison

    free,

    435 And are a lord, great is your advantage436 Above my own, who die here in a cage.

    437For $ must wee# and wail, the while $

    live,

    438$n all the grief that #rison cell may

    give,

    439And now with #ain that love gives me,

    also,

    440hich doubles all my torment and my

    woe.

    441 Therewith the fires of 8ealousy u#)start

    442ithin his breast and burn him to the

    heart

    443 "o wildly that he seems one, to behold,

    444&ike seared bo+ tree, or ashes, dead and

    cold.

    445Then said he: O you cruel *ods, that

    sway

    446This world in bondage of your laws, for

    aye,

    447 And write u#on the tablets adamant

    4484our counsels and the changeless

    words you grant,

    449hat better view of mankind do you

    hold

    450Than of the shee# that huddle in the

    fold0

    451 For man must die like any other beast,

    452 Or rot in #rison, under foul arrest,

    453 And suffer sickness and misfortune sad,

    454 And still be ofttimes guiltless, too, bygad6

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    455 hat management is in this #rescience

    456That, guiltless, yet torments our

    innocence0

    457 And this increases all my #ain, as well,

    458

    That man is bound by law, nor may

    rebel,

    459For fear of *od, but must re#ress his

    will,

    460 hereas a beast may all his lust fulfill.

    461And when a beast is dead, he feels no

    #ain;

    462'ut, after death, man yet must wee#

    amain,

    463Though in this world he had but care

    and woe:

    464 There is no doubt that it is even so.465 The answer leave $ to divines to tell,

    466'ut well $ know this #resent world is

    hell.

    467 Alas6 $ see a ser#ent or a thief,

    468That has brought many a true man unto

    grief,

    469*oing at large, and where he wills may

    turn,

    470 'ut $ must lie in gaol, because "aturn,

    471 And

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    dead;

    486 And e+iled 9on the forfeit of his head

    487 Arcita must remain abroad, nor see,

    488 For evermore, the face of his lady.

    4894ou lovers, now $ ask you this

    question:

    490 ho has the worse, Arcita or 7alamon0

    491 The one may see his lady day by day,

    492 'ut yet in #rison must he dwell for aye.

    493 The other, where he wishes, he may go,

    494 'ut never see his lady more, ah no.

    495ow answer as you wish, all you that

    can.

    496 For $ will s#eak right on as $ began.

    497 %+#licit #rima #ars.

    498 "equitur #ars secunda.

    499ow when Arcita unto Thebes was

    come,

    500!e lay and languished all day in his

    home,

    501 "ince he his lady nevermore should see,

    502 'ut telling of his sorrow brief $ll be.

    503 !ad never any man so much torture,

    504o, nor shall have while this world may

    endure.

    505'ereft he was of slee# and meat and

    drink,

    506That lean he grew and dry as shaft, $

    think.

    507!is eyes were hollow and ghastly to

    behold,

    508!is face was sallow, all #ale and ashen)

    cold,

    509 And solitary ke#t he and alone,

    510ailing the whole night long, making

    his moan.

    511 And if he heard a song or instrument,

    512Then he would wee# ungoverned and

    lament;

    513 "o feeble were his s#irits, and so low,

    514And so changed was he, that no man

    could know

    515!im by his words or voice, whoever

    heard.

    516

    And in this change, for all the world he

    fared

    517 As if not troubled by malady of love,

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    518'ut by that humor dark and grim,

    whereof

    519"#rings melancholy madness in the

    brain,

    520 And fantasy unbridled holds its reign.

    521And shortly, all was turned quiteu#side)down,

    522'oth habits and the tem#er all had

    known

    523 Of him, this woeful lover, /an Arcite.

    524 hy should $ all day of his woe indite0

    525hen hed endured all this a year or

    two,

    526This cruel torment and this #ain and

    woe,

    527 At Thebes, in his own country, as $said,

    528 5#on a night, while slee#ing in his bed,

    529!e dreamed of how the winged *od

    2ercury

    530'efore him stood and bade him ha##ier

    be.

    531!is slee#)bestowing wand he bore

    u#right;

    532 A hat he wore u#on his ringlets bright.

    533 Arrayed this god was 9noted at a lea#

    534As hed been when to Argus he gave

    slee#.

    535And thus he s#oke: To Athens shall you

    wend;

    536For all your woe is destined there to

    end.

    537And on that word Arcita woke and

    started.

    538 ow truly, howsoever sore $m smarted,

    539 "aid he, to Athens right now will $ fare;

    540or for the dread of death will $ now

    s#are

    541 To see my lady, whom $ love and serve;

    542$ will not reck of death, with her, nor

    swerve.

    543And with that word he caught a great

    mirror,

    544And saw how changed was all his old

    colour,

    545 And saw his visage altered from itskind.

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    546 And right away it ran into his mind

    547That since his face was now disfigured

    so,

    548'y suffering endured 9as well we

    know,

    549!e might, if he should bear him low intown,

    550&ive there in Athens evermore,

    unknown,

    551 "eeing his lady well)nigh every day.

    552 And right anon he altered his array,

    553 &ike a #oor labourer in mean attire,

    554 And all alone, save only for a squire,

    555ho knew his secret heart and all his

    case,

    556And who was dressed as #oorly as hewas,

    557To Athens was he gone the nearest

    way.

    558 And to the court he went u#on a day,

    559 And at the gate he #roffered services

    560 To drudge and drag, as any one devises.

    561 And to be brief herein, and to be #lain,

    562!e found em#loyment with a

    chamberlain

    563 as serving in the house of %mily;

    564For he was shar# and very soon could

    see

    565hat every servant did who served her

    there.

    566ight well could he hew wood and

    water bear,

    567For he was young and mighty, let me

    own,

    568 And big of muscle, aye and big of bone,

    569 To do what any man asked, in a trice.570 A year or two he was in this service,

    5717age of the chamber of %mily the

    bright;

    572!e said 7hilostrates would name him

    right.

    573 'ut half so well beloved a man as he

    574 as never in that court, of his degree;

    575 !is gentle nature was so clearly shown,

    576

    That throughout all the court s#read his

    renown.577 They said it were but kindly courtesy

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    578 $f Theseus should heighten his degree

    579And #ut him in more honourable

    service

    580 herein he might his virtue e+ercise.

    581

    And thus, anon, his name was so u#)

    s#rung,

    582'oth for his deeds and sayings of his

    tongue,

    583That Theseus had brought him nigh and

    nigher

    584And of the chamber he had made him

    squire,

    585And given him gold to maintain

    dignity.

    586

    'esides, men brought him, from his

    own country,

    587From year to year, clandestinely, his

    rent;

    588 'ut honestly and slyly it was s#ent,

    589And no man wondered how he came by

    it.

    590And three years thus he lived, with

    much #rofit,

    591 And bore him so in #eace and so in war

    592There was no man that Theseus loved

    more.593 And in such bliss $ leave Arcita now,

    594And u#on 7alamon some words

    bestow.

    595$n darksome, horrible, and strong

    #rison

    596These seven years has now sat

    7alamon,

    597 asted by woe and by his long distress.

    598 ho has a two)fold evil heaviness

    599 'ut 7alamon0 whom love yet torturesso

    600 That half out of his wits he is for woe;

    601 And 8oined thereto he is a #risoner,

    602 7er#etually, not only for a year.

    603And who could rhyme in %nglish,

    #ro#erly,

    604 !is martyrdom0 Forsooth, it is not $;

    605 And therefore $ #ass lightly on my way.

    606 $t fell out in the seventh year, in 2ay,

    607 On the third night 9as say the books ofold

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    608hich have this story much more fully

    told,

    609 ere it by chance or were it destiny

    6109"ince, when a thing is destined, it must

    be,

    611 That, shortly after midnight, 7alamon,

    612'y hel#ing of a friend, broke from

    #rison,

    613 And fled the city, fast as he might go;

    614For he had given his guard a drink that

    so

    615as mi+ed of s#ice and honey and

    certain wine

    616 And Theban o#iate and anodyne,

    617

    That all that night, although a man

    might shake

    618This gaoler, he sle#t on, nor could

    awake.

    619And thus he flees as fast as ever he

    may.

    620The night was short and it was nearly

    day,

    621herefore he needs must find a #lace

    to hide;

    622And to a grove that grew hard by, with

    stride623 Of furtive foot, went fearful 7alamon.

    624$n brief, hed formed his #lan, as he

    went on,

    625That in the grove he would lie fast all

    day,

    626And when night came, then would he

    take his way

    627Toward Thebes, and there find friends,

    and of them #ray

    628 Their hel# on Theseus in wars array;

    629And briefly either he would lose his

    life,

    630 Or else win %mily to be his wife;

    631 This is the gist of his intention #lain.

    632 ow $ll return to Arcita again,

    633ho little knew how near to him was

    care

    634Till Fortune caught him in her tangling

    snare.

    635 The busy lark, the herald of the day,636 "alutes now in her song the morning

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    #oise;

    668For every day unlooked)for chance

    annoys.

    669 And little knew Arcita of his friend,

    670

    ho was so near and heard him to the

    end,

    671here in the bush lie sat now, kee#ing

    still.

    672Arcita, having roamed and roved his

    fill,

    673 And having sung his rondel, lustily,

    674 $nto a study fell he, suddenly,

    675As do these lovers in their strange

    desires,

    676

    ow in the trees, now down among the

    briers,

    677ow u#, now down, like bucket in a

    well.

    678 %ven as on a Friday, truth to tell,

    679The sun shines now, and now the rain

    comes fast,

    680 %ven so can fickle 3enus overcast

    681 The s#irits of her #eo#le; as her day,

    682 $s changeful, so she changes her array.

    683

    "eldom is Friday quite like all the

    week.684 Arcita, having sung, began to s#eak,

    685And sat him down, sighing like one

    forlorn.

    686 Alas, said he, the day that $ was born6

    687 !ow long, O

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    699And even more does

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    secrets store,

    728 As $ have often told you heretofore,

    729And have befooled the great /uke

    Thesues,

    730

    And falsely changed your name and

    station thus:

    731 %ither $ shall be dead or you shall die.

    732 4ou shall not love my lady %mily,

    733 'ut $ will love her, and none other, no;

    734 For $ am 7alamon, your mortal foe.

    735And though $ have no wea#on in this

    #lace,

    736 'eing but out of #rison by *ods grace,

    737 $ say again, that either you shall die

    738 Or else forgo your love for %mily.

    7391hoose which you will, for you shall

    not de#art.

    740 This Arcita, with scornful, angry heart,

    741hen he knew him and all the tale had

    heard,

    742 Fierce as a lion, out he #ulled a sword,

    743And answered thus: 'y *od that sits

    above6

    744ere it not you are sick and mad for

    love,

    745And that you have no wea#on in this

    #lace,

    746Out of this grove youd never move a

    #ace,

    747'ut meet your death right now, and at

    my hand.

    748 For $ renounce the bond and its demand

    749hich you assert that $ have made with

    you.

    750

    hat, arrant fool, loves free to choose

    and do,

    751And $ will have her, s#ite of all your

    might6

    752'ut in as much as youre a worthy

    knight

    753And willing to defend your love, in

    mail,

    754!ear now this word: tomorrow $ll not

    fail

    755 9ithout the cogni(ance of any wight

    756 To come here armed and harnessed as aknight,

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    757And to bring arms for you, too, as youll

    see;

    758And choose the better and leave the

    worse for me.

    759

    And meat and drink this very night $ll

    bring,

    760%nough for you, and clothes for your

    bedding.

    761 And if it be that you my lady win

    762And slay me in this wood that now $m

    in,

    763Then may you have your lady, for all of

    me.

    764 This 7alamon re#lied: $ do agree.

    765

    And thus they #arted till the morrow

    morn,

    766hen each had #ledged his honour to

    return.

    767 O 1u#ido, that knowst not charity6

    768O des#ot, that no #eer will have with

    thee6

    769Truly, tis said, that love, like all

    lordshi#,

    770/eclines, with little thanks, a

    #artnershi#.

    771 ell learned they that, Arcite and7alamon.

    772 Arcita rode into the town anon,

    773And on the morrow, ere the dawn, he

    bore,

    774 "ecretly, arms and armour out of store,

    775%nough for each, and #ro#er to

    maintain

    776 A battle in the field between the twain.

    777 "o on his horse, alone as he was born,

    778 !e carried out that harness as hedsworn;

    779And in the grove, at time and #lace

    theyd set,

    780 Arcita and this 7alamon were met.

    781%ach of the two changed colour in the

    face.

    782 For as the hunter in the realm of Thrace

    783"tands at the clearing with his ready

    s#ear,

    784 hen hunted is the lion, or the bear,785 And through the forest hears him

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    rushing fast,

    786'reaking the boughs and leaves, and

    thinks aghast.

    787 !ere comes a#ace my mortal enemy6

    788

    ow, without fail, he must be slain, or

    $;

    789 For either $ must kill him ere he #ass,

    790 Or he will make of me a dead carcass)

    791"o fared these men, in altering their

    hue,

    792"o far as each the strength of other

    knew.

    793There was no good)day given, no

    saluting,

    794

    'ut without word, rehearsal, or such

    thing,

    795%ach of them hel#ing, so they armed

    each other

    796As dutifully as he were his own

    brother;

    797And afterward, with their shar# s#ears

    and strong,

    798They thrust each at the other wondrous

    long.

    7994ou might have fancied that this

    7alamon,800 $n battle, was a furious, mad lion,

    801 And that Arcita was a tiger quite:

    802 &ike very boars the two began to smite,

    803&ike boars that froth for anger in the

    wood.

    8045# to the ankles fought they in their

    blood.

    805And leaving them thus fighting fast and

    fell,

    806 Forthwith of Theseus $ now will tell.807 *reat destiny, minister)general,

    808 That e+ecutes in this world, and for all,

    809The needs that *od foresaw ere we

    were born,

    810"o strong it is that, though the world

    had sworn

    811 The contrary of a thing, by yea or nay,

    812 4et sometime it shall fall u#on a day,

    813Though not again within a thousand

    years.814 For certainly our wishes and our fears,

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    815hether of war or #eace, or hate or

    love,

    816All, all are ruled by that Foresight

    above.

    817 This show $ now by mighty Theseus,

    818 ho to go hunting is so desirous,

    819 And s#ecially of the hart of ten, in 2ay,

    820That, in his bed, there dawns for him no

    day

    821That hes not clothed and soon #re#ared

    to ride

    822ith hound and horn and huntsman at

    his side.

    823 For in his hunting has he such delight,

    824 That it is all his 8oy and a##etite

    825To be himself the great harts deadly

    bane:

    826 For after 2ars, he serves /ianas reign.

    8271lear was the day, as $ have told ere

    this,

    828hen Theseus, com#act of 8oy and

    bliss,

    829 ith his !i##olyta, the lovely queen,

    830 And fair %milia, clothed all in green,

    831 A)hunting they went riding royally.

    832And to the grove of trees that grew hard

    by,

    833$n which there was a hart, as men had

    told,

    834/uke Theseus the shortest way did

    hold.

    835And to the glade he rode on, straight

    and right,

    836For there the hart was wont to go in

    flight,

    837 And over a brook, and so forth on hisway.

    838This duke would have a course at him

    today,

    839ith such hounds as it #leased him to

    command.

    840And when this duke was come u#on

    that land,

    841 5nder the slanting sun he looked, anon,

    842 And there saw Arcita and 7alamon,

    843 ho furiously fought, as two boars do;844 The bright swords went in circles to

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    and fro

    845 "o terribly, that even their least stroke

    846 "eemed #owerful enough to fell an oak;

    847'ut who the two were, nothing did he

    note.

    848This duke his courser with the shar#

    s#urs smote,

    849And in one bound he was between the

    two,

    850And lugged his great sword out, and

    cried out: !o6

    851 o more, $ say, on #ain of losing head6

    852'y mighty 2ars, that one shall soon be

    dead

    853

    ho smites another stroke that $ may

    see6

    854'ut tell me now what manner of men

    ye be

    855 That are so hardy as to fight out here

    856 ithout a 8udge or other officer,

    857 As if you)rode in lists right royally0

    858 This 7alamon re#lied, then, hastily,

    859"aying: O "ire, what need for more

    ado0

    860

    e have deserved our death at hands of

    you.

    861Two woeful wretches are we, two

    ca#tives

    862That are encumbered by our own sad

    lives;

    863And as you are a righteous lord and

    8udge,

    864 *ive us not either mercy or refuge,

    865 'ut slay me first, for sacred charity;

    866

    'ut slay my fellow here, as well, with

    me.

    867Or slay him first; for though you learn

    it late,

    868 This is your mortal foe, Arcita) wait6)

    869That from the land was banished, on his

    head.

    870 And for the which he merits to be dead.

    871 For this is he who came unto your gate,

    872 1alling himself 7hilostrates) nay, wait6)

    873

    Thus has he fooled you well this many

    a year,874 And you have made him your chief

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    squire, $ hear:

    875 And this is he that loves fair %mily.

    876For since the day is come when $ must

    die,

    877 $ make confession #lainly and say on,

    878 That $ am that same woeful 7alamon

    879 ho has your #rison broken, viciously.

    880 $ am your mortal foe, and it is $

    881 ho love so hotly %mily the bright

    882 That $ll die gladly here within her sigh6

    883 Therefore do $ ask death as #enalty,

    884'ut slay my fellow with the same

    mercy,

    885 For both of us deserve but to be slain.

    886This worthy duke #resently s#oke

    again,

    887"aying: This 8udgment needs but a

    short session:

    8884our own mouth, aye, and by your own

    confession,

    889!as doomed and damned you, as $ shall

    record.

    890There is no need for torture, on my

    word.

    891

    'ut you shall die, by mighty 2ars the

    red6

    892'ut then the queen, whose heart for #ity

    bled,

    893 'egan to wee#, and so did %mily

    894 And all the ladies in the com#any.

    895*reat #ity must it be, so thought they

    all,

    896That ever such misfortune should

    befall:

    897

    For these were gentlemen, of great

    estate,

    898And for no thing, save love, was their

    debate.

    899They saw their bloody wounds, so sore

    and wide,

    900And all cried out) greater and less, they

    cried:

    901 !ave mercy, lord, u#on us women all6

    902And down u#on their bare knees did

    they fall,

    903 And would have kissed his feet therewhere he stood,

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    904Till at the last assuaged was his high

    mood;

    905For soon will #ity flow through gentle

    heart.

    906

    And though he first for ire did shake

    and start,

    907!e soon considered, to state the case in

    brief,

    908hat cause they had for fighting, what

    for grief;

    909And though his anger still their guilt

    accused,

    9104et in his reason he held them both

    e+cused;

    911$n such wise: he thought well that every

    man912 ill hel# himself in love, if he but can,

    913 And will himself deliver from #rison;

    914And, too, at heart he had com#assion

    on

    915Those women, for they cried and we#t

    as one,

    916 And in his gentle heart he thought anon,

    917 And softly to himself he said then: Fie

    918 5#on a lord that will have no mercy,

    919 'ut acts the lion, both in word anddeed,

    920 To those re#entant and in fear and need,

    921 As well as to the #roud and #itiless man

    922That still would do the thing that he

    began6

    923 That lord must surely in discretion lack

    924ho, in such case, can no distinction

    make,

    925'ut weighs both #roud and humble in

    one scale.

    926And shortly, when his ire was thus

    grown #ale,

    927!e looked u# to the sky, with eyes

    alight,

    928And s#oke these words, as he would

    #romise #light:

    929 The god of love, ah benedicite6

    930 !ow mighty and how great a lord is he6

    931Against his might may stand no

    obstacles,932 A true god is he by his miracles;

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    933For he can manage, in his own sweet

    wise,

    934 The heart of anyone as he devise.

    935 &o, here, Arcita and this 7alamon,

    936 That were delivered out of my #rison,

    937And might have lived in Thebes right

    royally,

    938 -nowing me for their mortal enemy,

    939 And also that their lives lay in my hand;

    940And yet their love has wiled them to

    this land,

    941Against all sense, and brought them

    here to die6

    942 &ook you now, is not that a folly high0

    943

    ho can be called a fool, e+ce#t he

    love0

    944And see, for sake of *od who sits

    above,

    945"ee how they bleed6 Are they not well

    arrayed0

    946Thus has their lord, the god of love,

    re#aid

    947Their wages and their fees for their

    service6

    948

    And yet they are su##osed to be full

    wise

    949ho serve love well, whatever may

    befall6

    950 'ut this is yet the best 8est of them all,

    951 That she for whom they have this 8ollity

    9521an thank them for it quite as much as

    me;

    953"he knows no more of all this fervent

    fare,

    954'y *od6 than knows a cuckoo or a

    hare.

    955'ut all must be essayed, both hot and

    cold,

    956A man must #lay the fool, when young

    or old;

    957$ know it of myself from years long

    gone:

    958For of loves servants $ve been

    numbered one.

    959And therefore, since $ know well all

    loves #ain,960 And know how sorely it can man

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    constrain,

    961 As one that has been taken in the net,

    962 $ will forgive your tres#ass, and forget,

    963At instance of my sweet queen,

    kneeling here,

    964 Aye, and of %mily, my sister dear.

    965And you shall #resently consent to

    swear

    966That nevermore will you my #ower

    dare,

    967or wage war on me, either night or

    day,

    968'ut will be friends to me in all you

    may;

    969 $ do forgive this tres#ass, full and fair.

    970And then they swore what he demandedthere,

    971And, of his might, they of his mercy

    #rayed,

    972And he e+tended grace, and thus he

    said:

    973 To s#eak for royaltys inheritress,

    974 Although she be a queen or a #rincess,

    975 %ach of you both is worthy, $ confess,

    976

    hen comes the time to wed: but

    nonetheless,977 $ s#eak now of my sister %mily,

    978 The cause of all this strife and 8ealousy)

    9794ou know yourselves she may not

    marry two,

    980At once, although you fight or what you

    do:

    981One of you, then, and be he loath or

    lief,

    982 2ust #i#e his sorrows in an ivy leaf.

    983 That is to say, she cannot have youboth,

    984 !owever 8ealous one may be, or wroth.

    985 Therefore $ #ut you both in this decree,

    986 That each of you shall learn his destiny

    987As it is cast; and hear, now, in what

    wise

    988The word of fate shall s#eak through

    my device.

    989 2y will is this, to draw conclusion flat,

    990 ithout re#ly, or #lea, or caveat991 9$n any case, acce#t it for the best,

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    992That each of you shall follow his own

    quest,

    993 Free of all ransom or of fear from me;

    994And this day, fifty weeks hence, both

    shall be

    995!ere once again, each with a hundredknights,

    996Armed for the lists, who stoutly for

    your rights

    997 ill ready be to battle, to maintain

    9984our claim to love. $ #romise you,

    again,

    999 5#on my word, and as $ am a knight,

    1000 That whichsoever of you wins the fight,

    1001 That is to say, whichever of you two

    10022ay with his hundred, whom $ s#okeof, do

    1003!is foe to death, or out of boundary

    drive,

    1004 Then he shall have %milia to wive

    1005 To whom Fortune gives so fair a grace.

    1006 The lists shall be erected in this #lace.

    1007 And *od so truly on my soul have ruth

    1008As $ shall #rove an honest 8udge, in

    truth.

    10094ou shall no other 8udgment in mewaken

    1010Than that the one shall die or else be

    taken.

    1011And if you think the sentence is well

    said,

    1012"#eak your o#inion, that youre well

    re#aid.

    1013 This is the end, and $ conclude hereon.

    1014

    ho looks u# lightly now but

    7alamon0

    1015ho lea#s for you but Arcita the

    knight0

    1016And who could tell, or who could ever

    write

    1017 The 8ubilation made within that #lace

    1018here Theseus has shown so fair a

    grace0

    1019'ut down on knee went each one for

    delight

    1020 And thanked him there with all hisheart and might,

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    1021And s#ecially those Thebans did their

    #art.

    1022And thus, with high ho#es, being blithe

    of heart,

    1023

    They took their leave; and homeward

    did they ride

    1024To Thebes that sits within her old walls

    wide.

    1025 %+#licit secunda #ars.

    1026 "equitur #ars tercia.

    1027$ think that men would deem it

    negligence

    1028 $f $ forgot to tell of the e+#ense

    1029 Of Theseus, who went so busily

    1030 To work u#on the lists, right royally;

    1031 For such an am#hitheatre he made,

    1032 $ts equal never yet on earth was laid.

    1033The circuit, rising, hemmed a mile

    about,

    1034alled all of stone and moated dee#

    without.

    1035ound was the sha#e as com#ass ever

    traces,

    1036And built in tiers, the height of si+ty

    #aces,

    1037 That those who sat in one tier, ordegree,

    1038"hould hinder not the folk behind to

    see.

    1039%astward there stood a gate of marble

    white.

    1040 And westward such another, o##osite.

    1041$n brief, no #lace on earth, and so

    sublime,

    1042as ever made in so small s#ace of

    time;

    1043For in the land there was no craftsman

    quick

    1044 At #lane geometry or arithmetic,

    1045o #ainter and no scul#tor of hard

    stone,

    1046'ut Theseus #ressed meat and wage

    u#on

    1047 To build that am#hitheatre and devise.

    1048 And to observe all rites and sacrifice,

    1049 Over the eastern gate, and high above,1050 For worshi# of =ueen 3enus, god of

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    love,

    1051 !e built an altar and an oratory;

    1052And westward, being mindful of the

    glory

    1053

    Of 2ars, he straightway builded such

    another

    1054As cost a deal of gold and many a

    bother.

    1055 And northward, in a turret on the wall,

    1056 Of alabaster white and red coral,

    1057 An oratory s#lendid as could be,

    1058 $n honour of /ianas chastity,

    1059/uke Theseus wrought out in noble

    wise.

    1060 'ut yet have forgot to advertise

    1061 The noble carvings and the #ortraitures,

    1062The sha#es, the countenances, the

    figures

    1063 That all were in these oratories three.

    1064First, in the fane of 3enus, one might

    see,

    1065rought on the wall, and #iteous to

    behold,

    1066The broken slumbers and the sighing

    cold,

    1067 The sacred tears and the lamenting dire,

    1068 The fiery throbbing of the strong desire,

    1069That all loves servants in this life

    endure;

    1070 The vows that all their #romises assure;

    10717leasure and ho#e, desire,

    foolhardiness,

    1072'eauty, youth, bawdiness, and riches,

    yes,

    1073

    1harms, and all force, and lies, and

    flattery,1074 %+#ense, and labour; aye, and

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    all

    1114 The #ortraiture that was u#on the wall

    1115ithin the fane of mighty 2ars the

    red0

    1116

    $n length and breadth the whole wall

    was #ainted

    1117 &ike the interior of that grisly #lace,

    1118The mighty tem#le of great 2ars in

    Thrace,

    1119$n that same cold and frosty region

    where

    11202ars to his su#reme mansion may

    re#air.

    1121First, on the wall was limned a vast

    forest

    1122 herein there dwelt no man nor anybeast,

    1123ith knotted, gnarled, and leafless

    trees, so old

    1124The shar#ened stum#s were dreadful to

    behold;

    1125Through which there ran a rumbling,

    even now,

    1126As if a storm were breaking every

    bough;

    1127 And down a hill, beneath a shar#descent,

    1128 The tem#le stood of 2ars armi#otent,

    1129rought all of burnished steel, whereof

    the gate

    1130as grim like death to see, and long,

    and strait.

    1131And therefrom raged a wind that

    seemed to shake

    1132The very ground, and made the great

    doors quake.

    1133The northern light in at those same

    doors shone,

    1134For window in that massive wall was

    none

    1135Through which a man might any light

    discern.

    1136 The doors were all of adamant eterne,

    1137 ivetted on both sides, and all along,

    1138ith toughest iron; and to make it

    strong,1139 %ach #illar that sustained this tem#le

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    grim

    1140as thick as tun, of iron bright and

    trim.

    1141 There saw $ first the dark imagining

    1142 Of felony, and all the com#assing;

    1143 And cruel anger, red as burning coal;

    11447ick#urses, and the dread that eats the

    soul;

    1145The smiling villain, hiding knife in

    cloak;

    1146The farm barns burning, and the thick

    black smoke;

    1147 The treachery of murder done in bed;

    1148The o#en battle, with the wounds that

    bled;

    11491ontest, with bloody knife and shar#menace;

    1150And loud with creaking was that dismal

    #lace.

    1151 The slayer of himself, too, saw $ there,

    1152!is very hearts blood matted in his

    hair;

    1153The nail thats driven in the skull by

    night;

    1154

    The cold #lague)cor#se, with ga#ing

    mouth u#right1155 $n middle of the tem#le sat 2ischance,

    1156ith gloomy, grimly woeful

    countenance.

    1157And saw $ 2adness laughing in his

    rage;

    1158Armed risings, and outcries, and fierce

    outrage;

    1159The carrion in the bush, with throat

    wide carved;

    1160 A thousand slain, nor one by #lague,nor starved.

    1161The tyrant, with the s#oils of violent

    theft;

    1162The town destroyed, in ruins, nothing

    left.

    1163And saw $ burnt the shi#s that dance by

    #hares,

    1164The hunter strangled by the fierce wild

    bears;

    1165 The sow chewing the child right in thecradle;

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    1166The cook well scalded, s#ite of his long

    ladle.

    1167 othing was lacking of 2ars evil #art:

    1168 The carter over)driven by his cart,

    1169 5nder a wheel he lay low in the dust.

    1170There were likewise in 2ars house, as

    needs must,

    1171The surgeon, and the butcher, and the

    smith

    1172ho forges shar# swords and great ills

    therewith.

    1173 And over all, de#icted in a tower,

    1174"at 1onquest, high in honour and in

    #ower,

    1175

    4et with a shar# sword hanging oer his

    head1176 'ut by the tenuous twisting of a thread.

    1177 /e#icted was the death of

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    story

    1196 $n reverence of 2ars and of his glory.

    1197 ow to the tem#le of /iana chaste,

    1198 As briefly as $ can, $ll #ass in haste,

    1199 To lay before you its descri#tion well.

    1200$n #ictures, u# and down, the wall

    could tell

    1201 Of hunting and of modest chastity.

    1202There saw $ how 1allisto fared when

    she

    1203 9/iana being much aggrieved with her

    1204as changed from woman into a she)

    bear,

    1205 And after, made into the lone 7ole "tar;

    1206There was it; $ cant tell how such

    things are.

    1207 !er son, too, is a star, as men may see.

    1208 There saw $ /a#hne turned into a tree

    1209 9$ do not mean /iana, no, but she,

    12107eneus daughter, who was called

    /a#hne

    1211 $ saw Actaeon made a hart all rude

    1212 For #unishment of seeing /iana nude;

    1213$ saw, too, how his fifty hounds had

    caught

    1214And him were eating, since they knew

    him not.

    1215 And #ainted farther on, $ saw before

    1216 !ow Atalanta hunted the wild boar;

    1217 And 2eleager, and many another there,

    1218For which /iana wrought him woe and

    care.

    1219There saw $ many another wondrous

    tale

    1220From which $ will not now draw

    memorys veil.

    1221This goddess on an antlered hart was

    set,

    1222ith little hounds about her feet, and

    yet

    1223'eneath her #erfect feet there was a

    moon,

    1224a+ing it was, but it should wane full

    soon.

    1225

    $n robes of yellowish green her statue

    was,1226 "hed bow in hand and arrows in a case.

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    1227!er eyes were downcast, looking at the

    ground.

    1228here 7luto in his dark realm may be

    found.

    1229 'efore her was a woman travailing,

    1230ho was so long in giving birth, #oorthing,

    1231 That #itifully &ucina did she call,

    12327raying, Oh hel#, for thou mayst best

    of all6

    1233ell could he #aint, who had this

    #icture wrought,

    1234ith many a florin hed his colours

    bought,

    1235

    'ut now the lists were done, and

    Theseus,1236 ho at so great cost had a##ointed thus

    1237 The tem#les and the circus, as $ tell,

    1238hen all was done, he liked it

    wondrous well.

    1239 'ut hold $ will from Theseus, and on

    1240 To s#eak of Arcita and 7alamon.

    1241 The day of their return is forthcoming,

    1242hen each of them a hundred knights

    must bring

    1243 The combat to su##ort, as $ have told;1244 And into Athens, covenant to u#hold,

    1245!as each one ridden with his hundred

    knights,

    1246ell armed for war, at all #oints, in

    their mights.

    1247And certainly, twas thought by many a

    man

    1248That never, since the day this world

    began,

    1249 "#eaking of good knights hardy of theirhands,

    1250 herever *od created seas and lands,

    1251 as, of so few, so noble com#any.

    1252 For every man that loved all chivalry,

    1253 And eager was to win sur#assing fame,

    1254!ad #rayed to #lay a #art in that great

    game;

    1255And all was well with him who chosen

    was.

    1256 For if there came tomorrow such a case,1257 4ou know right well that every lusty

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    knight

    1258ho loves the ladies fair and kee#s his

    might,

    1259 'e it in %ngland, aye or otherwhere,

    1260

    ould wish of all things to be #resent

    there

    1261 To fight for some fair lady. 'encite6

    1262Twould be a #leasant goodly sight to

    see6

    1263 And so it was with those with 7alamon.

    1264ith him there rode of good knights

    many a one;

    1265"ome would be armoured in a

    habergeon

    1266 And in a breast#late, under light 8u#on;

    1267And some wore breast)and back)#latesthick and large;

    1268And some would have a 7russian

    shield, or targe;

    1269"ome on their very legs were armoured

    well,

    1270And carried a+e, and some a mace of

    steel.

    1271There is no new thing, now, that is not

    old.

    1272 And so they all were armed, as $ havetold,

    1273 To his own liking and design, each one.

    1274There might you see, riding with

    7alamon,

    1275&ycurgus self, the mighty king of

    Thrace;

    1276'lack was his beard and manly was his

    face.

    1277 The eyeballs in the sockets of his head,

    1278 They glowed between a yellow and ared.

    1279And like a griffon glared he round

    about

    1280From under bushy eyebrows thick and

    stout.

    1281!is limbs were large, his muscles hard

    and strong.

    1282!is shoulders broad, his arms both big

    and long,

    1283 And, as the fashion was in his country,1284 !igh in a chariot of gold stood he,

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    1285ith four white bulls in traces, to

    #rogress.

    1286 $nstead of coat)of)arms above harness,

    1287ith yellow claws #reserved and bright

    as gold,

    1288!e wore a bear)skin, black and veryold.

    1289!is long combed hair was hanging

    down his back,

    1290 As any ravens feather it was black:

    1291A wreath of gold, arm)thick, of heavy

    weight,

    1292as on his head, and set with 8ewels

    great,

    1293 Of rubies fine and #erfect diamonds.

    1294 About his car there circled huge whitehounds,

    1295 Twenty or more, as large as any steer,

    1296 To hunt the lion or the antlered deer;

    1297And so they followed him, with

    mu((les bound,

    1298earing gold collars with smooth rings

    and round.

    1299 A hundred lords came riding in his rout,

    1300

    All armed at #oint, with hearts both

    stern and stout1301 ith Arcita, in tales men call to mind,

    1302 The great %metreus, a king of $nd,

    1303 5#on a bay steed harnessed all in steel,

    13041overed with cloth of gold, all dia#ered

    well,

    13051ame riding like the god of arms, great

    2ars.

    1306!is coat)of)arms was cloth of the

    Tartars,

    1307 'egemmed with #earls, all white andround and great.

    1308Of beaten gold his saddle, burnished

    late;

    1309A mantle from his shoulders hung, the

    thing

    13101lose)set with rubies red, like fire

    bla(ing.

    1311!is cris# hair all in bright ringlets was

    run,

    1312 4ellow as gold and gleaming as thesun.

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    1313!is nose was high, his eyes a bright

    citrine,

    1314!is li#s were full, his colouring

    sanguine.

    1315

    And a few freckles on his face were

    seen,

    1316one either black or yellow, but the

    mean;

    1317 And like a lion he his glances cast.

    1318ot more than five)and)twenty years

    hed #ast.

    1319!is beard was well beginning, now, to

    s#ring;

    1320 !is voice was as a trum#et thundering.

    1321

    5#on his brows he wore, of laurel

    green,

    1322A garland, fresh and #leasing to be

    seen.

    1323 5#on his wrist he bore, for his delight,

    1324 An eagle tame, as any lily white.

    1325A hundred lords came riding with him

    there,

    1326All armed, e+ce#t their heads, in all

    their gear,

    1327 And wealthily a##ointed in all things.

    1328 For, trust me well, that dukes and earlsand kings

    1329 ere gathered in this noble com#any

    1330 For love and for increase of chivalry.

    1331About this king there ran, on every

    side,

    13322any tame lions and leo#ards in their

    #ride.

    1333And in such wise these mighty lords, in

    sum,

    1334 ere, of a "unday, to the city come

    1335About the #rime, and in the town did

    light.

    1336This Theseus, this duke, this noble

    knight,

    1337 hen hed conducted them to his city,

    1338And quartered them, according to

    degree,

    1339!e feasted them, and was at so much

    #ains

    1340 To give them ease and honour, of hisgains,

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    1341That men yet hold that never human

    wit,

    1342 Of high or low estate, could better it.

    1343 The minstrelsy, the service at the feast,

    1344

    The great gifts to the highest and the

    least,

    1345 The furnishings of Theseus, rich #alace,

    1346 ho highest sat or lowest on the dais,

    1347hat ladies fairest were or best

    dandling,

    1348Or which of them could dance the best,

    or sing,

    1349Or who could s#eak most feelingly of

    love,

    1350

    Or what hawks sat u#on the #erch

    above,

    1351Or what great hounds were lying on the

    floor)

    1352Of all these $ will make no mention

    more;

    1353 'ut tell my tale, for that, $ think, is best;

    1354ow comes the #oint, and listen if

    youve (est.

    1355That "unday night, ere day began to

    s#ring,

    1356 hen 7alamon the earliest lark heardsing,

    1357Although it lacked two hours of being

    day,

    13584et the lark sang, and 7alamon sang a

    lay.

    1359ith #ious heart and with a high

    courage

    1360 !e rose, to go u#on a #ilgrimage

    1361 5nto the blessed 1ythereas shrine

    1362 9$ mean =ueen 3enus, worthy andbenign.

    1363And at her hour he then walked forth

    a#ace

    1364 Out to the lists wherein her tem#le was,

    1365 And down he knelt in manner to revere,

    1366And from a full heart s#oke as you shall

    hear.

    1367 Fairest of fair, O lady mine, 3enus,

    1368/aughter of

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    1itheron,

    1370 'y that great love thou borest to Adon,

    1371 !ave #ity on my bitter tears that smart

    1372And hear my humble #rayer within thy

    heart.

    1373 Alas6 $ have no words in which to tell

    1374The effect of all the torments of my

    hell;

    1375 2y heavy heart its evils cant bewray;

    1376$m so confused $ can find naught to

    say.

    1377'ut mercy, lady bright, that knowest

    well

    1378 2y heart, and seest all the ills $ feel,

    1379 1onsider and have ruth u#on my sore

    1380 As truly as $ shall, for evermore,

    1381 ell as $ may, thy one true servant be,

    1382 And wage a war henceforth on chastity.

    1383$f thou wilt hel#, thus do $ make my

    vow,

    1384To boast of knightly skill $ care not

    now,

    1385 or do $ ask tomorrows victory,

    1386 or any such renown, nor vain glory

    1387Of #ri(e of arms, blown before lord and

    churl,

    1388'ut $ would have #ossession of one

    girl,

    1389 Of %mily, and die in thy service;

    1390Find thou the manner how, and in what

    wise.

    1391 For $ care not, unless it better be,

    1392hether $ vanquish them or they do

    me,

    1393 "o $ may have my lady in my arms.

    1394For though 2ars is the god of wars

    alarms,

    1395 Thy #ower is so great in !eaven above,

    1396 That, if it be thy will, $ll have my love.

    1397 $n thy fane will $ worshi# always, so

    1398That on thine altar, whereer $ ride or

    go,

    1399 $ will lay sacrifice and thy fires feed.

    1400 And if thou wilt not so, O lady, cede,

    1401 $ #ray thee, that tomorrow, with a s#ear,

    1402Arcita bear me through the heart, 8ust

    here.

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    1403For $ll care naught, when $ have lost

    my life,

    1404 That Arcita may win her for his wife.

    1405This the effect and end of all my

    #rayer,

    1406*ive me my love, thou blissful ladyfair.

    1407 ow when hed finished all the orison,

    1408 !is sacrifice he made, this 7alamon,

    1409ight #iously, with all the

    circumstance,

    1410 Albeit $ tell not now his observance.

    1411 'ut at the last the form of 3enus shook

    1412 And gave a sign, and thereu#on he took

    1413

    This as acce#tance of his #rayer that

    day.

    1414For though the augury showed some

    delay,

    14154et he knew well that granted was his

    boon;

    1416And with glad heart he got him home

    right soon.

    1417 Three hours unequal after 7alamon

    1418 To 3enus tem#le at the lists had gone,

    1419 5# rose the sun and u# rose %mily,

    1420 And to /ianas tem#le did she hie.

    1421!er maidens led she thither, and with

    them

    1422They carefully took fire and each

    emblem,

    1423And incense, robes, and the remainder

    all

    1424 Of things for sacrifice ceremonial.

    1425There was not one thing lacking; $ll but

    add

    1426 The horns of mead, as was a way theyhad.

    1427$n smoking tem#le, full of dra#eries

    fair,

    1428This %mily with young heart

    debonnaire,

    1429 !er body washed in water from a well;

    1430 'ut how she did the rite $ dare not tell,

    1431 %+ce#t it be at large, in general;

    1432

    And yet it was a thing worth hearing

    all;1433 hen ones well meaning, there is no

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    transgression;

    1434'ut it is best to s#eak at ones

    discretion.

    1435!er bright hair was unbound, but

    combed withal;

    1436 "he wore of green oak leaves a coronal

    1437 5#on her lovely head. Then she began

    1438 Two fires u#on the altar stone to fan,

    1439 And did her ceremonies as were told

    1440 $n "tatius Thebaid and books as old.

    1441hen kindled was the fire, with sober

    face

    1442 5nto /iana s#oke she in that #lace.

    1443O thou chaste goddess of the wildwood

    green,

    1444'y whom all heaven and earth and sea

    are seen,

    1445=ueen of the realm of 7luto, dark and

    low,

    1446*oddess of maidens, that my heart dost

    know

    1447For all my years, and knowest what $

    desire,

    1448Oh, save me from thy vengeance and

    thine ire

    1449 That on Actaeon fell so cruelly.

    14501haste goddess, well indeed thou

    knowest that $

    1451 /esire to be a virgin all my life,

    1452 or ever wish to be mans love or wife.

    1453 $ am, thou knowst, yet of thy com#any,

    1454 A maid, who loves the hunt and venery,

    1455And to go rambling in the greenwood

    wild,

    1456 And not to be a wife and be with child.

    1457 $ do not crave the com#any of man.

    1458ow hel# me, lady, since thou mayst

    and can,

    1459'y the three beings who are one in

    thee.

    1460For 7alamon, who bears such love to

    me,

    1461 And for Arcita, loving me so sore,

    1462This grace $ #ray thee, without one

    thing more,

    1463 To send down love and #eace betweenthose two,

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    1464And turn their hearts away from me: so

    do

    1465That all their furious love and their

    desire,

    1466

    And all their ceaseless torment and

    their fire

    1467'e quenched or turned into another

    #lace;

    1468And if it be thou wilt not show this

    grace,

    1469 Or if my destiny be moulded so

    1470That $ must needs have one of these

    same two,

    1471Then send me him that most desires

    me.

    1472 'ehold, O goddess of utter chastity,

    1473The bitter tears that down my two

    cheeks fall.

    1474"ince thou art maid and kee#er of us

    all,

    14752y maidenhead kee# thou, and still

    #reserve,

    1476And while $ live a maid, thee will $

    serve.

    1477The fires bla(ed high u#on the altar

    there,

    1478hile %mily was saying thus her

    #rayer,

    1479'ut suddenly she saw a sight most

    quaint,

    1480For there, before her eyes, one fire went

    faint,

    1481 Then bla(ed again; and after that, anon,

    1482The other fire was quenched, and so

    was gone.

    1483 And as it died it made a whistlingsound,

    1484As do wet branches burning on the

    ground,

    1485And from the brands ends there ran

    out, anon,

    1486hat looked like dro#s of blood, and

    many a one;

    1487 At which so much aghast was %mily

    1488That she was near da(ed, and began to

    cry,

    1489 For she knew naught of what it

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    signified;

    1490 'ut only out of terror thus she cried

    1491 And we#t, till it was #itiful to hear.

    1492 'ut thereu#on /iana did a##ear,

    1493ith bow in hand, like any right

    huntress,

    1494And said: 2y daughter, leave this

    heaviness.

    1495Among the high gods it has been

    affirmed,

    1496 And by eternal written word confirmed,

    1497That you shall be the wife of one of

    those

    1498ho bear for you so many cares and

    woes;

    1499 'ut unto which of them may not tell.

    1500 $ can no longer tarry, so farewell.

    1501 The fires that on my altar burn incense

    1502"hould tell you everything, ere you go

    hence,

    1503Of what must come of love in this your

    case.

    1504And with that word the arrows of the

    chase

    1505

    The goddess carried clattered and did

    ring,1506 And forth she went in mystic vanishing;

    1507 At which this %mily astonished was,

    1508And said she then: Ah, what means

    this, alas6

    1509 $ #ut myself in thy #rotection here,

    1510 /iana, and at thy dis#osal dear.

    1511And home she wended, then, the

    nearest way.

    1512

    This is the #ur#ort; theres no more to

    say.

    1513At the ne+t hour of 2ars, and following

    this,

    1514 Arcita to the tem#le walked, that is

    1515 /evoted to fierce 2ars, to sacrifice

    1516 ith all the ceremonies, #agan)wise.

    1517ith sobered heart and high devotion,

    on

    1518 This wise, right thus he said his orison.

    1519 O mighty god that in the regions cold

    1520Of Thrace art honoured, where thylordshi#s hold,

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    1521 And hast in every realm and every land

    1522 The reins of battle in thy guiding hand,

    1523 And givest fortune as thou dost devise,

    1524 Acce#t of me my #ious sacrifice.

    1525 $f so it be that my youth may deserve,

    1526And that my strength be worthy found

    to serve

    1527Thy godhead, and be numbered one of

    thine,

    1528Then #ray $ thee for ruth on #ain thats

    mine.

    1529For that same #ain and even that hot

    fire

    1530herein thou once didst burn with

    dee# desire,

    1531hen thou didst use the marvelous

    beauty

    1532Of fair young wanton 3enus, fresh and

    free,

    1533And hadst her in thine arms and at thy

    will

    15349!owbeit with thee, once, all the

    chance fell ill,

    1535And 3ulcan caught thee in his net,

    whenas

    1536 !e found thee lying with his wife,alas6)

    1537For that same sorrow that was in thy

    heart,

    1538!ave #ity, now, u#on my #ains that

    smart.

    1539$m young, and little skilled, as knowest

    thou,

    1540ith love more hurt and much more

    broken now

    1541 Than ever living creature was, $m sure;

    1542For she who makes me all this woe

    endure,

    1543 hether $ float or sink cares not at all,

    1544And ere shell hear with mercy when $

    call,

    1545 $ must by #rowess win her in this #lace;

    1546And well $ know, too, without hel# and

    grace

    1547Of thee, my human strength shall not

    avail1548 Then hel# me, lord, tomorrow not to

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    fail,

    1549For sake of that same fire that once

    burned thee,

    1550The which consuming fire so now

    burns me;

    1551 And grant, tomorrow, $ have victory.

    15522ine be the toil, and thine the whole

    glory6

    1553Thy sovereign tem#le will $ honour

    most

    1554 Of any s#ot, and toil and count no cost

    1555To #leasure thee and in thy craft have

    grace,

    1556 And in thy fane my banner will $ #lace,

    1557 And all the wea#ons of my com#any;

    1558 And evermore, until the day $ die,

    1559 %ternal fire shalt thou before thee find.

    1560 2oreover, to this vow myself $ bind:

    15612y beard, my hair that ri##les down so

    long,

    1562That never yet has felt the slightest

    wrong

    1563 Of ra(or or of shears, to thee $ll give,

    1564 And be thy loyal servant while $ live.

    1565

    ow, lord, have #ity on my sorrows

    sore;

    1566 *ive me the victory. $ ask no more.

    1567 ith ended #rayer of Arcita the young,

    1568The rings that on the tem#le door were

    hung,

    1569And even the doors themselves, rattled

    so fast

    1570 That this Arcita found himself aghast.

    1571The fires bla(ed high u#on the altar

    bright,

    1572 5ntil the entire tem#le shone with light;

    1573And a sweet odour rose u# from the

    ground;

    1574And Arcita whirled then his arm

    around,

    1575And yet more incense on the fire he

    cast,

    1576 And did still further rites; and at the last

    1577 The armour of *od 2ars began to ring,

    1578

    And with that sound there came a

    murmuring,1579 &ow and uncertain, saying: 3ictory6

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    1580For which he gave 2ars honour and

    glory.

    1581And thus in 8oy and ho#e, which all

    might dare,

    1582 Arcita to his lodging then did fare,

    1583 Fain of the fight as fowl is of the sun.

    1584'ut thereu#on such quarrelling was

    begun,

    1585From this same granting, in the heaven

    above,

    1586Twi+t lovely 3enus, goddess of all

    love,

    1587 And 2ars, the iron god armi#otent,

    1588That

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    1610And tumbling down of towers and of

    walls

    1611 5#on the miner and the car#enter.

    1612$ struck down "amson, that #illar

    shaker;

    1613 And mine are all the maladies so cold,

    1614The treasons dark, the machinations

    old;

    1615 2y glance is father of all #estilence.

    1616ow wee# no more. $ll see, with

    diligence,

    1617That 7alamon, who is your own true

    knight,

    1618 "hall have his lady, as you hold is right.

    1619

    Though 2ars may hel# his man, yet

    none the less

    1620'etween you two there must come

    sometime #eace,

    1621And though you be not of one

    tem#erament,

    1622 1ausing each day such violent dissent,

    1623 $ am your grandsire and obey your will;

    1624ee# then no more, your #leasure $ll

    fulfill.

    1625

    ow will $ cease to s#eak of gods

    above,

    1626Of 2ars and 3enus, goddess of all

    love,

    1627 And tell you now, as #lainly as $ can,

    1628 The great result, for which $ first began.

    1629 %+#licit tercia #ars.

    1630 "equitur #ars quarta.

    1631*reat was the fete in Athens on that

    day,

    1632 And too, the merry season of the 2ay

    1633 *ave everyone such 8oy and such#leasance

    1634That all that 2onday theyd but 8oust

    and dance,

    1635Or s#end the time in 3enus high

    service.

    1636 'ut for the reason that they must arise

    1637 'etimes, to see the heralded great fight,

    1638 All they retired to early rest that night.

    1639

    And on the morrow, when that day did

    s#ring,1640 Of horse and harness, noise and

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    clattering,

    1641 There was enough in hostelries about.

    1642 And to the #alace rode full many a rout

    1643Of lords, bestriding steeds and on

    #alfreys.

    1644There could you see ad8usting of

    harness,

    1645"o curious and so rich, and wrought so

    well

    1646Of goldsmiths work, embroidery, and

    of steel;

    1647The shields, the helmets bright, the gay

    tra##ings,

    1648The gold)hewn casques, the coats)of)

    arms, the rings,

    1649 The lords in vestments rich, on theircoursers,

    1650-nights with their retinues and also

    squires;

    1651The rivetting of s#ears, the helm)

    buckling,

    1652The stra##ing of the shields, and.

    thong)lacing)

    1653$n their great need, not one of them was

    idle;

    1654 The frothing steeds, cham#ing thegolden bridle,

    1655And the quick smiths, and armourers

    also,

    1656ith file and hammer s#urring to and

    fro;

    16574eoman, and #easants with short staves

    were out,

    16581rowding as thick as they could move

    about;

    1659 7i#es, trum#ets, kettledrums, andclarions,

    1660That in the battle sound such grim

    summons;

    1661 The #alace full of #eo#le, u# and down,

    1662!ere three, there ten, debating the

    renown

    1663And questioning about these Theban

    knights,

    1664"ome #ut it thus, some said, $ts so by

    rights.

    1665 "ome held with him who had the great

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    black beard,

    1666"ome with the bald)heads, some with

    the thick haired;

    1667"ome said, !e looks grim, and hell

    fight like hate;

    1668!e has an a+e of twenty #ound inweight.

    1669 And thus the hall was full of gossi#ing

    1670&ong after the bright sun began to

    s#ring.

    1671The mighty Theseus, from slee#

    awakened

    1672'y songs and all the noise that never

    slackened,

    1673

    -e#t yet the chamber of this rich

    #alace,

    1674Till the two Theban knights, with equal

    grace

    1675And honour, were ushered in with

    flourish fitting.

    1676 /uke Theseus was at a window sitting,

    1677 Arrayed as he were god u#on a throne.

    1678Then #ressed the #eo#le thitherward

    full soon,

    1679 To see him and to do him reverence,

    1680 Aye, and to hear commands ofsa#ience.

    1681 A herald on a scaffold cried out !o6

    1682Till all the #eo#les noise was stilled;

    and so,

    1683hen he observed that all were fallen

    still,

    1684!e then #roclaimed the mighty rulers

    will.

    1685The duke our lord, full wise and full

    discreet,

    1686!olds that it were but wanton waste to

    meet

    1687And fight, these gentle folk, all in the

    guise

    1688 Of mortal battle in this enter#rise.

    1689herefore, in order that no man may

    die,

    1690 !e does his earlier #ur#ose modify.

    1691o man, therefore, on #ain of loss of

    life,1692 "hall any arrow, #ole)a+e, or short

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    knife

    1693 "end into lists in any wise, or bring;

    1694or any shortened sword, for #oint)

    thrusting,

    1695 "hall a man draw, or bear it by his side.

    1696 or shall knight against o##onent ride,

    1697"ave one full course, with any shar#)

    ground s#ear;

    16985nhorsed, a man may thrust with any

    gear.

    1699And he thats overcome, should this

    occur,

    1700"hall not be slain, but brought to

    barrier,

    1701

    hereof there shall be one on either

    side;1702 &et him be forced to go there and abide.

    1703And if by chance the leader there must

    go,

    1704 Of either side, or slay his equal foe,

    1705o longer, then, shall tourneying

    endure.

    1706*od s#eed you; go forth now, and lay

    on sure.

    1707

    ith long sword and with maces fight

    your fill.

    1708*o now your ways; this is the lord

    dukes will.

    1709 The voices of the #eo#le rent the skies,

    1710"uch was the u#roar of their merry

    cries:

    1711ow *od save such a lord, who is so

    good

    1712!e will not have destruction of mens

    blood6

    1713 5# start the trum#ets and make melody.1714 And to the lists rode forth the com#any,

    1715$n marshalled ranks, throughout the city

    large,

    1716All hung with cloth of gold, and not

    with serge.

    1717 Full like a lord this noble duke did ride,

    1718ith the two Theban knights on either

    side;

    1719And, following, rode the queen and

    %mily,1720 And, after, came another com#any

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    1721 Of one and other, each in his degree.

    1722And thus they went throughout the

    whole city,

    1723And to the lists they came, all in good

    time.

    1724The day was not yet fully come to

    #rime

    1725hen throned was Theseus full rich

    and high,

    1726 And =ueen !i##olyta and %mily,

    1727 hile other ladies sat in tiers about.

    1728$nto the seats then #ressed the lesser

    rout.

    1729And westward, through the gate of

    2ars, right hearty,

    1730 Arcita and the hundred of his #arty1731 ith banner red is entering anon;

    1732And in that self)same moment,

    7alamon

    1733 $s under 3enus, eastward in that #lace,

    1734 ith banner white, and resolute of face.

    1735$n all the world, searching it u# and

    down,

    1736"o equal were they all, from heel to

    crown,

    1737 There were no two such bands in anyway.

    1738For there was no man wise enough to

    say

    1739 !ow either had of other advantage

    1740 $n high re#ute, or in estate, or age,

    1741 "o even were they chosen, as $ guess.

    1742And in two goodly ranks, they did then

    dress.

    1743

    And when the name was called of every

    one,

    1744That cheating in their number might be

    none,

    1745Then were the gates closed, and the cry

    rang loud:

    1746ow do your devoir, all you young

    knights #roud6

    1747The heralds cease their s#urring u# and

    down;

    1748ow ring the trum#ets as the charge is

    blown;1749 And theres no more to say, for east and

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    west

    1750Two hundred s#ears are firmly laid in

    rest;

    1751And the shar# s#urs are thrust, now,

    into side.

    1752ow see men who can 8oust and whocan ride6

    1753ow shivered are the shafts on bucklers

    thick;

    1754One feels through very breast)bone the

    s#ears #rick;

    1755&ances are flung full twenty feet in

    height;

    1756Out flash the swords like silver

    burnished bright.

    1757 !elmets are hewed, the lacings ri##edand shred;

    1758Out bursts the blood, gushing in stern

    streams red.

    1759ith mighty maces bones are crushed

    in 8oust.

    1760One through the thickest throng begins

    to thrust.

    1761There strong steeds stumble now, and

    down goes all.

    1762 One rolls beneath their feet as rolls aball.

    1763One flails about with club, being

    overthrown,

    1764Another, on a mailed horse, rides him

    down.

    1765One through the bodys hurt, and haled,

    for aid.

    1766 "#ite of his struggles, to the barricade,

    1767As com#act was, and there he must

    abide;1768 Anothers ca#tured by the other side.

    1769At times /uke Theseus orders them to

    rest,

    1770To eat a bite and drink what each likes

    best.

    1771And many times that day those Thebans

    two

    17722et in the fight and wrought each other

    woe;

    17735nhorsed each has the other on that

    day.

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    1774 o tigress in the vale of *algo#hey,

    1775 hose little whel# is stolen in the light,

    1776 $s cruel to the hunter as Arcite

    1777 For 8ealousy is cruel to 7alamon;

    1778 or in 'elmarie, when the hunt is on

    1779 $s there a lion, wild for want of food,

    1780That of his #rey desires so much the

    blood

    1781 As 7alamon the death of Arcite there.

    1782Their 8ealous blows fall on their

    helmets fair;

    1783Out lea#s the blood and makes their

    two sides red.

    1784'ut sometime com