The Canterbury tales

About this Item

Title

Author

Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400

Publication

Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin

1957

Rights/Permissions

Available at URL http://www.hti.umich.edu/c/cme/

This text has been made available through the Oxford Text Archive for personal scholarly use only. OTA number: U-1678-C

Link to this Item

http://name.umdl.umich.edu/CT

Cite this Item

"The Canterbury tales." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/CT. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 7, 2024.

Pages

The Knight's Tale

Part  I
Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, Line 859 
Ther was a duc that highte theseus; Line 860 
Of atthenes he was lord and governour, Line 861 
And in his tyme swich a conquerour, Line 862 
That gretter was ther noon under the sonne. Line 863 
Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne; Line 864 
What with his wysdom and his chivalrie, Line 865 
He conquered al the regne of femenye, Line 866 
That whilom was ycleped scithia, Line 867 
And weddede the queene ypolita, Line 868 
And broghte hire hoom with hym in his contree Line 869 
With muchel glorie and greet solempnytee, Line 870 
And eek hir yonge suster emelye. Line 871 
And thus with victorie and with melodye Line 872 
Lete I this noble duc to atthenes ryde, Line 873 
And al his hoost in armes hym bisyde. Line 874 
And certes, if it nere to long to heere, Line 875 
I wolde have toold yow fully the manere Line 876 
How wonnen was the regne of femenye Line 877 
By theseus and by his chivalrye; Line 878 
And of the grete bataille for the nones Line 879 
Bitwixen atthenes and amazones;  Line 880 

Page 26

 Line 880 
And how asseged was ypolita, Line 881 
The faire, hardy queene of scithia; Line 882 
And of the feste that was at hir weddynge, Line 883 
And of the tempest at hir hoom-comynge; Line 884 
But al that thyng I moot as now forbere. Line 885 
I have, God woot, a large feeld to ere, Line 886 
And wayke been the oxen in my plough. Line 887 
The remenant of the tale is long ynough. Line 888 
I wol nat letten eek noon of this route; Line 889 
Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, Line 890 
And lat se now who shal the soper wynne; Line 891 
And ther I lefte, I wol ayeyn bigynne. Line 892 
This duc, of whom I make mencioun, Line 893 
Whan he was come almoost unto the toun, Line 894 
In al his wele and in his mooste pride, Line 895 
He was war, as he caste his eye aside, Line 896 
Where that ther kneled in the heighe weye Line 897 
A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye, Line 898 
Ech after oother, clad in clothes blake; Line 899 
But swich a cry and swich a wo they make Line 900 
That in this world nys creature lyvynge Line 901 
That herde swich another waymentynge; Line 902 
And of this cry they nolde nevere stenten Line 903 
Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. Line 904 
What folk been ye, that at myn homcomynge Line 905 
Perturben so my feste with criynge? Line 906 
Quod theseus. Have ye so greet envye Line 907 
Of myn honour, that thus compleyne and crye? Line 908 
Or who hath yow mysboden or offended? Line 909 
And telleth me if it may been amended, Line 910 
And why that ye been clothed thus in blak. Line 911 
The eldeste lady of hem alle spak, Line 912 
Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere, Line 913 
That it was routhe for to seen and heere. Line 914 
She seyde: lord, to whom fortune hath yiven Line 915 
Victorie, and as a conqueror to lyven, Line 916 
Nat greveth us youre glorie and youre honour, Line 917 
But we biseken mercy and socour. Line 918 
Have mercy on oure wo and oure distresse! Line 919 
Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentillesse, Line 920 
Upon us wrecched wommen lat thou falle. Line 921 
For, certes, lord, ther is noon of us alle, Line 922 
That she ne hath been a duchesse or a queene. Line 923 
Now be we caytyves, as it is wel seene, Line 924 
Thanked be fortune and hire false wheel, Line 925 
That noon estaat assureth to be weel. Line 926 
And certes, lord, to abyden youre presence, Line 927 
Heere in this temple of the goddesse clemence Line 928 
We han ben waitynge al this fourtenyght. Line 929 
Now help us, lord, sith it is in thy myght. Line 930 
I, wrecche, which that wepe and wayle thus, Line 931 
Was whilom wyf to kyng cappaneus, Line 932 
That starf at thebes -- cursed be that day! --  Line 933 
And alle we that been in this array Line 934 
And maken al this lamentacioun, Line 935 
We losten alle oure housbondes at that toun, Line 936 
Whil that the seege theraboute lay. Line 937 
And yet now the olde creon, weylaway! Line 938 
That lord is now of thebes the citee, Line 939 
Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee, Line 940 
He, for despit and for his tirannye, Line 941 
To do the dede bodyes vileynye Line 942 
Of alle oure lordes whiche that been yslawe, Line 943 
Hath alle the bodyes on an heep ydrawe, Line 944 
And wol nat suffren hem, by noon assent, Line 945 
Neither to been yburyed nor ybrent, Line 946 
But maketh houndes ete hem in despit. Line 947 
And with that word, withouten moore respit, Line 948 
They fillen gruf and criden pitously, Line 949 
Have on us wrecched wommen som mercy, Line 950 
And lat oure sorwe synken in thyn herte. Line 951 
This gentil duc doun from his courser sterte Line 952 
With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke. Line 953 
Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke, Line 954 
Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat, Line 955 
That whilom weren of so greet estaat; Line 956 
And in his armes he hem alle up hente, Line 957 
And hem conforteth in ful good entente, Line 958 
And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght, Line 959 
He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght Line 960 
Upon the tiraunt creon hem to wreke, Line 961 
That al the peple of grece sholde speke Line 962 
How creon was of theseus yserved Line 963 
As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. Line 964 
And right anoon, withouten moore abood, Line 965 
His baner he desplayeth, and forth rood Line 966 
To thebes-ward, and al his hoost biside. Line 967 
No neer atthenes wolde he go ne ride, Line 968 
Ne take his ese fully half a day, Line 969 
But onward on his wey that nyght he lay, Line 970 
And sente anon ypolita the queene, Line 971 
And emelye, hir yonge suster sheene, Line 972 
Unto the toun of atthenes to dwelle, Line 973 
And forth he rit; ther is namoore to telle. Line 974 
The rede statue of mars, with spere and targe, Line 975 
So shyneth in his white baner large, Line 976 
That alle the feeldes glyteren up and doun; Line 977 
And by his baner born is his penoun Line 978 
Of gold ful riche, in which ther was ybete Line 979 
The mynotaur, which that he slough in crete. Line 980 
Thus rit this duc, thus rit this conquerour, Line 981 
And in his hoost of chivalrie the flour, Line 982 
Til that he cam to thebes and alighte Line 983 
Faire in a feeld, ther as he thoughte to fighte. Line 984 
But shortly for to speken of this thyng, Line 985 
With creon, which that was of thebes kyng,  Line 986 

Page 27

 Line 986 
He faught, and slough hym manly as a knyght Line 987 
In pleyn bataille, and putte the folk to flyght; Line 988 
And by assaut he wan the citee after, Line 989 
And rente adoun bothe wall and sparre and rafter; Line 990 
And to the ladyes he restored agayn Line 991 
The bones of hir housbondes that were slayn, Line 992 
To doon obsequies, as was tho the gyse. Line 993 
But it were al to longe for to devyse Line 994 
The grete clamour and the waymentynge Line 995 
That the ladyes made at the brennynge Line 996 
Of the bodies, and the grete honour Line 997 
That theseus, the noble conquerour, Line 998 
Dooth to the ladyes, whan they from hym wente; Line 999 
But shortly for to telle is myn entente. Line 1000 
Whan that this worthy duc, this theseus, Line 1001 
Hath creon slayn, and wonne thebes thus, Line 1002 
Stille in that feeld he took al nyght his reste, Line 1003 
And dide with al the contree as hym leste. Line 1004 
To ransake in the taas of bodyes dede, Line 1005 
Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede, Line 1006 
The pilours diden bisynesse and cure Line 1007 
After the bataille and disconfiture. Line 1008 
And so bifel that in the taas they founde, Line 1009 
Thurgh-girt with many a grevous blody wounde, Line 1010 
Two yonge knyghtes liggynge by and by, Line 1011 
Bothe in oon armes, wroght ful richely, Line 1012 
Of whiche two arcita highte that oon, Line 1013 
And that oother knyght highte palamon. Line 1014 
Nat fully quyke, ne fully dede they were, Line 1015 
But by hir cote-armures and by hir gere Line 1016 
The heraudes knewe hem best in special Line 1017 
As they that weren of the blood roial Line 1018 
Of thebes, and of sustren two yborn. Line 1019 
Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn, Line 1020 
And han hem caried softe unto the tente Line 1021 
Of theseus; and he ful soone hem sente Line 1022 
To atthenes, to dwellen in prisoun Line 1023 
Perpetuelly, -- he nolde no raunsoun. Line 1024 
And whan this worthy duc hath thus ydon, Line 1025 
He took his hoost, and hoom he rit anon Line 1026 
With laurer crowned as a conquerour; Line 1027 
And ther he lyveth in joye and in honour Line 1028 
Terme of his lyf; what nedeth wordes mo? Line 1029 
And in a tour, in angwissh and in wo, Line 1030 
This palamon and his felawe arcite Line 1031 
For everemoore; ther may no gold hem quite. Line 1032 
This passeth yeer by yeer and day by day, Line 1033 
Till it fil ones, in a morwe of may, Line 1034 
That emelye, that fairer was to sene Line 1035 
Than is the lylie upon his stalke grene, Line 1036 
And fressher than the may with floures newe --  Line 1037 
For with the rose colour stroof hire hewe, Line 1038 
I noot which was the fyner of hem two --  Line 1039 
Er it were day, as was hir wone to do, Line 1040 
She was arisen and al redy dight; Line 1041 
For may wole have no slogardie a-nyght. Line 1042 
The sesoun priketh every gentil herte, Line 1043 
And maketh hym out of his slep to sterte, Line 1044 
And seith arys, and do thyn observaunce. Line 1045 
This maked emelye have remembraunce Line 1046 
To doon honour to may, and for to ryse. Line 1047 
Yclothed was she fressh, for to devyse: Line 1048 
Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse Line 1049 
Bihynde hir bak, a yerde long, I gesse. Line 1050 
And in the gardyn, at the sonne upriste, Line 1051 
She walketh up and doun, and as hire liste Line 1052 
She gadereth floures, party white and rede, Line 1053 
To make a subtil gerland for hire hede; Line 1054 
And as an aungel hevenysshly she soong. Line 1055 
The grete tour, that was so thikke and stroong, Line 1056 
Which of the castel was the chief dongeoun, Line 1057 
(ther as the knyghtes weren in prisoun Line 1058 
Of which I tolde yow and tellen shal) Line 1059 
Was evene joynant to the gardyn wal Line 1060 
Ther as this emelye hadde hir pleyynge. Line 1061 
Bright was the sonne and cleer that morwenynge, Line 1062 
And palamoun, this woful prisoner, Line 1063 
As was his wone, by leve of his gayler, Line 1064 
Was risen and romed in a chambre an heigh, Line 1065 
In which he al the noble citee seigh, Line 1066 
And eek the gardyn, ful of braunches grene, Line 1067 
Ther as this fresshe emelye the shene Line 1068 
Was in hire walk, and romed up and doun. Line 1069 
This sorweful prisoner, this palamoun, Line 1070 
Goth in the chambre romynge to and fro, Line 1071 
And to hymself compleynynge of his wo. Line 1072 
That he was born, ful ofte he seyde, allas! Line 1073 
And so bifel, by aventure or cas, Line 1074 
That thurgh a wyndow, thikke of many a barre Line 1075 
Of iren greet and square as any sparre, Line 1076 
He cast his eye upon emelya, Line 1077 
And therwithal he bleynte and cride, a! Line 1078 
As though he stongen were unto the herte. Line 1079 
And with that cry arcite anon up sterte, Line 1080 
And seyde, cosyn myn, what eyleth thee, Line 1081 
That art so pale and deedly on to see? Line 1082 
Why cridestow? who hath thee doon offence? Line 1083 
For goddes love, taak al in pacience Line 1084 
Oure prisoun, for it may noon oother be. Line 1085 
Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. Line 1086 
Som wikke aspect or disposicioun Line 1087 
Of saturne, by som constellacioun, Line 1088 
Hath yeven us this, although we hadde it sworn;  Line 1089 

Page 28

 Line 1089 
So stood the hevene whan that we were born. Line 1090 
We moste endure it; this is the short and playn. Line 1091 
This palamon answerde and seyde agayn: Line 1092 
Cosyn, for sothe, of this opinioun Line 1093 
Thow hast a veyn ymaginacioun. Line 1094 
This prison caused me nat for to crye, Line 1095 
But I was hurt right now thurghout myn ye Line 1096 
Into myn herte, that wol my bane be. Line 1097 
The fairnesse of that lady that I see Line 1098 
Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro Line 1099 
Is cause of al my criyng and my wo. Line 1100 
I noot wher she be womman or goddesse, Line 1101 
But venus is it soothly, as I gesse. Line 1102 
And therwithal on knees doun he fil, Line 1103 
And seyde: venus, if it be thy wil Line 1104 
Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure Line 1105 
Bifore me, sorweful, wrecched creature, Line 1106 
Out of this prisoun help that we may scapen. Line 1107 
And if so be my destynee be shapen Line 1108 
By eterne word to dyen in prisoun, Line 1109 
Of oure lynage have som compassioun, Line 1110 
That is so lowe ybroght by tirannye. Line 1111 
And with that word arcite gan espye Line 1112 
Wher as this lady romed to and fro, Line 1113 
And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so, Line 1114 
That, if that palamon was wounded sore, Line 1115 
Arcite is hurt as muche as he, or moore. Line 1116 
And with a sigh he seyde pitously: Line 1117 
The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly Line 1118 
Of hire that rometh in the yonder place, Line 1119 
And but I have hir mercy and hir grace, Line 1120 
That I may seen hire atte leeste weye, Line 1121 
I nam but deed; ther nis namoore to seye. Line 1122 
This palamon, whan he tho wordes herde, Line 1123 
Dispitously he looked and answerde, Line 1124 
Wheither seistow this in ernest or in pley? Line 1125 
Nay, quod arcite, in ernest, by my fey! Line 1126 
God helpe me so, me list ful yvele pleye. Line 1127 
This palamon gan knytte his browes tweye. Line 1128 
It nere, quod he, to thee no greet honour Line 1129 
For to be fals, ne for to be traitour Line 1130 
To me, that am thy cosyn and thy brother Line 1131 
Ysworn ful depe, and ech of us til oother, Line 1132 
That nevere, for to dyen in the peyne, Line 1133 
Til that the deeth departe shal us tweyne, Line 1134 
Neither of us in love to hyndre oother, Line 1135 
Ne in noon oother cas, my leeve brother; Line 1136 
But that thou sholdest trewely forthren me Line 1137 
In every cas, as I shal forthren thee, --  Line 1138 
This was thyn ooth, and myn also, certeyn; Line 1139 
I woot right wel, thou darst it nat withseyn. Line 1140 
Thus artow of my conseil, out of doute, Line 1141 
And now thow woldest falsly been aboute Line 1142 
To love my lady, whom I love and serve, Line 1143 
And evere shal til that myn herte sterve. Line 1144 
Nay, certes, false arcite, thow shalt nat so. Line 1145 
I loved hire first, and tolde thee my wo Line 1146 
As to my conseil and my brother sworn Line 1147 
To forthre me, as I have toold biforn. Line 1148 
For which thou art ybounden as a knyght Line 1149 
To helpen me, if it lay in thy myght, Line 1150 
Or elles artow fals, I dar wel seyn. Line 1151 
This arcite ful proudly spak ageyn: Line 1152 
Thow shalt, quod he, be rather fals than I; Line 1153 
And thou art fals, I telle thee outrely, Line 1154 
For paramour I loved hire first er thow. Line 1155 
What wiltow seyen? thou woost nat yet now Line 1156 
Wheither she be a womman or goddesse! Line 1157 
Thyn is affeccioun of hoolynesse, Line 1158 
And myn is love, as to a creature; Line 1159 
For which I tolde thee myn aventure Line 1160 
As to my cosyn and my brother sworn. Line 1161 
I pose that thow lovedest hire biforn; Line 1162 
Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, Line 1163 
That "who shal yeve a lovere any lawe?" Line 1164 
Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan, Line 1165 
Than may be yeve to any erthely man; Line 1166 
And therfore positif lawe and swich decree Line 1167 
Is broken al day for love in ech degree. Line 1168 
A man moot nedes love, maugree his heed. Line 1169 
He may nat fleen it, thogh he sholde be deed, Line 1170 
Al be she mayde, or wydwe, or elles wyf. Line 1171 
And eek it is nat likly al thy lyf Line 1172 
To stonden in hir grace; namoore shal I; Line 1173 
For wel thou woost thyselven, verraily, Line 1174 
That thou and I be dampned to prisoun Line 1175 
Perpetuelly; us gayneth no raunsoun. Line 1176 
We stryve as dide the houndes for the boon; Line 1177 
They foughte al day, and yet hir part was noon. Line 1178 
Ther cam a kyte, whil that they were so wrothe, Line 1179 
And baar awey the boon bitwixe hem bothe. Line 1180 
And therfore, at the kynges court, my brother, Line 1181 
Ech man for hymself, ther is noon oother. Line 1182 
Love, if thee list, for I love and ay shal; Line 1183 
And soothly, leeve brother, this is al. Line 1184 
Heere in this prisoun moote we endure, Line 1185 
And everich of us take his aventure. Line 1186 
Greet was the strif and long bitwix hem tweye, Line 1187 
If that I hadde leyser for to seye, Line 1188 
But to th' effect. It happed on a day, Line 1189 
To telle it yow as shortly as I may, Line 1190 
A worthy duc that highte perotheus, Line 1191 
That felawe was unto duc theseus Line 1192 
Syn thilke day that they were children lite,  Line 1193 

Page 29

 Line 1193 
Was come to atthenes his felawe to visite, Line 1194 
And for to pleye as he was wont to do; Line 1195 
For in this world he loved no man so, Line 1196 
And he loved hym als tendrely agayn. Line 1197 
So wel they lovede, as olde bookes sayn, Line 1198 
That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle, Line 1199 
His felawe wente and soughte hym doun in helle, --  Line 1200 
But of that storie list me nat to write. Line 1201 
Duc perotheus loved wel arcite, Line 1202 
And hadde hym knowe at thebes yeer by yere, Line 1203 
And finally at requeste and preyere Line 1204 
Of perotheus, withouten any raunsoun, Line 1205 
Duc theseus hym leet out of prisoun Line 1206 
Frely to goon wher that hym liste over al, Line 1207 
In swich a gyse as I you tellen shal. Line 1208 
This was the forward, pleynly for t' endite, Line 1209 
Bitwixen theseus and hym arcite Line 1210 
That if so were that arcite were yfounde Line 1211 
Evere in his lif, by day or nyght, oo stounde Line 1212 
In any contree of this theseus, Line 1213 
And he were caught, it was acorded thus, Line 1214 
That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed. Line 1215 
Ther nas noon oother remedie ne reed; Line 1216 
But taketh his leve, and homward he him spedde. Line 1217 
Lat hym be war! his nekke lith to wedde. Line 1218 
How greet a sorwe suffreth now arcite! Line 1219 
The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte; Line 1220 
He wepeth, wayleth, crieth pitously; Line 1221 
To sleen hymself he waiteth prively. Line 1222 
He seyde, allas that day that I was born! Line 1223 
Now is my prisoun worse than biforn; Line 1224 
Now is me shape eternally to dwelle. Line 1225 
Noght in purgatorie, but in helle. Line 1226 
Allas, that evere knew I perotheus! Line 1227 
For elles hadde I dwelled with theseus, Line 1228 
Yfetered in his prisoun everemo. Line 1229 
Thanne hadde I been in blisse, and nat in wo. Line 1230 
Oonly the sighte of hire whom that I serve, Line 1231 
Though that I nevere hir grace may deserve, Line 1232 
Wolde han suffised right ynough for me. Line 1233 
O deere cosyn palamon, quod he, Line 1234 
Thyn is the victorie of this aventure. Line 1235 
Ful blisfully in prison maistow dure, --  Line 1236 
In prison? certes nay, but in paradys! Line 1237 
Wel hath fortune yturned thee the dys, Line 1238 
That hast the sighte of hire, and I th' absence. Line 1239 
For possible is, syn thou hast hire presence, Line 1240 
And art a knyght, a worthy and an able, Line 1241 
That by som cas, syn fortune is chaungeable, Line 1242 
Thow maist to thy desir somtyme atteyne. Line 1243 
But I, that am exiled and bareyne Line 1244 
Of alle grace, and in so greet dispeir, Line 1245 
That ther nys erthe, water, fir, ne eir, Line 1246 
Ne creature that of hem maked is, Line 1247 
That may me helpe or doon confort in this, Line 1248 
Wel oughte I sterve in wanhope and distresse. Line 1249 
Farwel my lif, my lust, and my gladnesse! Line 1250 
Allas, why pleynen folk so in commune Line 1251 
On purveiaunce of god, or of fortune, Line 1252 
That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a gyse Line 1253 
Wel bettre than they kan hemself devyse? Line 1254 
Som man desireth for to han richesse, Line 1255 
That cause is of his mordre or greet siknesse; Line 1256 
And som man wolde out of his prisoun fayn, Line 1257 
That in his hous is of his meynee slayn. Line 1258 
Infinite harmes been in this mateere. Line 1259 
We witen nat what thing we preyen heere: Line 1260 
We faren as he that dronke is as a mous. Line 1261 
A dronke man woot wel he hath an hous, Line 1262 
But he noot which the righte wey is thider, Line 1263 
And to a dronke man the wey is slider. Line 1264 
And certes, in this world so faren we; Line 1265 
We seken faste after felicitee, Line 1266 
But we goon wrong ful often, trewely. Line 1267 
Thus may we seyen alle, and namely I, Line 1268 
That wende and hadde a greet opinioun Line 1269 
That if I myghte escapen from prisoun, Line 1270 
Thanne hadde I been in joye and perfit heele, Line 1271 
Ther now I am exiled fro my wele. Line 1272 
Syn that I may nat seen you, emelye, Line 1273 
I nam but deed; ther nys no remedye. Line 1274 
Upon that oother syde palamon, Line 1275 
Whan that he wiste arcite was agon, Line 1276 
Swich sorwe he maketh that the grete tour Line 1277 
Resouneth of his youlyng and clamour. Line 1278 
The pure fettres on his shynes grete Line 1279 
Weren of his bittre, salte teeres wete. Line 1280 
Allas, quod he, arcita, cosyn myn, Line 1281 
Of al oure strif, God woot, the fruyt is thyn. Line 1282 
Thou walkest now in thebes at thy large, Line 1283 
And of my wo thow yevest litel charge. Line 1284 
Thou mayst, syn thou hast wisdom and manhede, Line 1285 
Assemblen alle the folk of oure kynrede, Line 1286 
And make a werre so sharp on this citee, Line 1287 
That by som aventure or some tretee Line 1288 
Thow mayst have hire to lady and to wyf Line 1289 
For whom that I moste nedes lese my lyf. Line 1290 
For, as by wey of possibilitee, Line 1291 
Sith thou art at thy large, of prisoun free, Line 1292 
And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage Line 1293 
Moore than is myn, that sterve here in a cage. Line 1294 
For I moot wepe and wayle, whil I lyve, Line 1295 
With al the wo that prison may me yive, Line 1296 
And eek with peyne that love me yeveth also, Line 1297 
That doubleth al my torment and my wo.  Line 1298 

Page 30

 Line 1298 
Therwith the fyr of jalousie up sterte Line 1299 
Withinne his brest, and hente him by the herte Line 1300 
So woodly that he lyk was to biholde Line 1301 
The boxtree or the asshen dede and colde. Line 1302 
Thanne seyde he, o crueel goddes that governe Line 1303 
This world with byndyng of youre word eterne, Line 1304 
And writen in the table of atthamaunt Line 1305 
Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt, Line 1306 
What is mankynde moore unto you holde Line 1307 
Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde? Line 1308 
For slayn is man right as another beest, Line 1309 
And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest, Line 1310 
And hath siknesse and greet adversitee, Line 1311 
And ofte tymes giltelees, pardee. Line 1312 
What governance is in this prescience, Line 1313 
That giltelees tormenteth innocence? Line 1314 
And yet encresseth this al my penaunce, Line 1315 
That man is bounden to his observaunce, Line 1316 
For goddes sake, to letten of his wille, Line 1317 
Ther as a beest may al his lust fulfille. Line 1318 
And whan a beest is deed he hath no peyne; Line 1319 
But man after his deeth moot wepe and pleyne, Line 1320 
Though in this world he have care and wo. Line 1321 
Withouten doute it may stonden so. Line 1322 
The answere of this lete I to dyvynys, Line 1323 
But wel I woot that in this world greet pyne ys. Line 1324 
Allas, I se a serpent or a theef, Line 1325 
That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef, Line 1326 
Goon at his large, and where hym list may turne. Line 1327 
But I moot been in prisoun thurgh saturne, Line 1328 
And eek thurgh juno, jalous and eek wood, Line 1329 
That hath destroyed wel ny al the blood Line 1330 
Of thebes with his waste walles wyde; Line 1331 
And venus sleeth me on that oother syde Line 1332 
For jalousie and fere of hym arcite. Line 1333 
Now wol I stynte of palamon a lite, Line 1334 
And lete hym in his prisoun stille dwelle, Line 1335 
And of arcita forth I wol yow telle. Line 1336 
The somer passeth, and the nyghtes longe Line 1337 
Encressen double wise the peynes stronge Line 1338 
Bothe of the lovere and the prisoner. Line 1339 
I noot which hath the wofuller mester. Line 1340 
For, shortly for to seyn, this palamoun Line 1341 
Perpetuelly is dampned to prisoun, Line 1342 
In cheynes and in fettres to been deed; Line 1343 
And arcite is exiled upon his heed Line 1344 
For everemo, as out of that contree, Line 1345 
Ne nevere mo he shal his lady see. Line 1346 
Yow loveres axe I now this questioun: Line 1347 
Who hath the worse, arcite or palamoun? Line 1348 
That oon may seen his lady day by day, Line 1349 
But in prison he moot dwelle alway; Line 1350 
That oother wher hym list may ride or go, Line 1351 
But seen his lady shal he nevere mo. Line 1352 
Now demeth as yow liste, ye that kan, Line 1353 
For I wol telle forth as I bigan. Line 1354 Explicit prima pars. 

Sequitur pars secunda.
Whan that arcite to thebes comen was, Line 1355 
Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde allas! Line 1356 
For seen his lady shal he nevere mo. Line 1357 
And shortly to concluden al his wo, Line 1358 
So muche sorwe hadde nevere creature Line 1359 
That is, or shal, whil that the world may dure. Line 1360 
His slep, his mete, his drynke, is hym biraft, Line 1361 
That lene he wex and drye as is a shaft; Line 1362 
His eyen holwe, and grisly to biholde, Line 1363 
His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde, Line 1364 
And solitarie he was and evere allone, Line 1365 
And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his mone; Line 1366 
And if he herde song or instrument, Line 1367 
Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent. Line 1368 
So feble eek were his spiritz, and so lowe, Line 1369 
And chaunged so, that no man koude knowe Line 1370 
His speche nor his voys, though men it herde. Line 1371 
And in his geere for al the world he ferde, Line 1372 
Nat oonly lik the loveris maladye Line 1373 
Of hereos, but rather lyk manye, Line 1374 
Engendred of humour malencolik, Line 1375 
Biforen, in his celle fantastik. Line 1376 
And shortly, turned was al up so doun Line 1377 
Bothe habit and eek disposicioun Line 1378 
Of hym, this woful lovere daun arcite. Line 1379 
What sholde I al day of his wo endite? Line 1380 
Whan he endured hadde a yeer or two Line 1381 
This crueel torment and this peyne and wo, Line 1382 
At thebes, in his contree, as I seyde, Line 1383 
Upon a nyght in sleep as he hym leyde, Line 1384 
Hym thoughte how that the wynged God mercurie Line 1385 
Biforn hym stood and bad hym to be murie. Line 1386 
His slepy yerde in hond he bar uprighte; Line 1387 
An hat he werede upon his heris brighte. Line 1388 
Arrayed was this god, as he took keep, Line 1389 
As he was whan that argus took his sleep; Line 1390 
And seyde hym thus: to atthenes shaltou wende, Line 1391 
Ther is thee shapen of thy wo an ende. Line 1392 
And with that word arcite wook and sterte. Line 1393 
Now trewely, hou soore that me smerte, Line 1394 
Quod he, to atthenes right now wol I fare, Line 1395 
Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare Line 1396 
To se my lady, that I love and serve.  Line 1397 

Page 31

 Line 1397 
In hire presence I recche nat to sterve. Line 1398 
And with that word he caughte a greet mirour, Line 1399 
And saugh that chaunged was al his colour, Line 1400 
And saugh his visage al in another kynde. Line 1401 
And right anon it ran hym in his mynde, Line 1402 
That, sith his face was so disfigured Line 1403 
Of maladye the which he hadde endured, Line 1404 
He myghte wel, if that he bar hym lowe, Line 1405 
Lyve in atthenes everemoore unknowe. Line 1406 
And seen his lady wel ny day by day. Line 1407 
And right anon he chaunged his array, Line 1408 
And cladde hym as a povre laborer, Line 1409 
And al allone, save oonly a squier Line 1410 
That knew his privetee and al his cas, Line 1411 
Which was disgised povrely as he was, Line 1412 
To atthenes is he goon the nexte way. Line 1413 
And to the court he wente upon a day, Line 1414 
And at the gate he profreth his servyse Line 1415 
To drugge and drawe, what so men wol devyse. Line 1416 
And shortly of this matere for to seyn, Line 1417 
He fil in office with a chamberleyn Line 1418 
The which that dwellynge was with emelye; Line 1419 
For he was wys and koude soone espye Line 1420 
Of every servaunt which that serveth here. Line 1421 
Wel koude he hewen wode, and water bere, Line 1422 
For he was yong and myghty for the nones, Line 1423 
And therto he was long and big of bones Line 1424 
To doon that any wight kan hym devyse. Line 1425 
A yeer or two he was in this servyse, Line 1426 
Page of the chambre of emelye the brighte; Line 1427 
And philostrate he seyde that he highte. Line 1428 
But half so wel biloved a man as he Line 1429 
Ne was ther nevere in court of his degree; Line 1430 
He was so gentil of condicioun Line 1431 
That thurghout al the court was his renoun. Line 1432 
They seyden that it were a charitee Line 1433 
That theseus wolde enhauncen his degree, Line 1434 
And putten hym in worshipful servyse, Line 1435 
Ther as he myghte his vertu excercise. Line 1436 
And thus withinne a while his name is spronge, Line 1437 
Bothe of his dedes and his goode tonge, Line 1438 
That theseus hath taken hym so neer, Line 1439 
That of his chambre he made hym a squier, Line 1440 
And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree. Line 1441 
And eek men broghte hym out of his contree, Line 1442 
From yeer to yeer, ful pryvely his rente; Line 1443 
But honestly and slyly he it spente, Line 1444 
That no man wondred how that he it hadde. Line 1445 
And thre yeer in this wise his lif he ladde, Line 1446 
And bar hym so, in pees and eek in werre, Line 1447 
Ther was no man that theseus hath derre. Line 1448 
And in this blisse lete I now arcite, Line 1449 
And speke I wole of palamon a lite. Line 1450 
In derknesse and horrible and strong prisoun Line 1451 
Thise seven yeer hath seten palamoun Line 1452 
Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse. Line 1453 
Who feeleth double soor and hevynesse Line 1454 
But palamon, that love destreyneth so Line 1455 
That wood out of his wit he goth for wo? Line 1456 
And eek therto he is a prisoner Line 1457 
Perpetuelly, noght oonly for a yer. Line 1458 
Who koude ryme in englyssh proprely Line 1459 
His martirdom? for sothe it am nat I; Line 1460 
Therfore I passe as lightly as I may. Line 1461 
It fel that in the seventhe yer, of may Line 1462 
The thridde nyght, (as olde bookes seyn, Line 1463 
That al this storie tellen moore pleyn) Line 1464 
Were it by aventure or destynee --  Line 1465 
As, whan a thyng is shapen, it shal be --  Line 1466 
That soone after the mydnyght palamoun, Line 1467 
By helpyng of a freend, brak his prisoun Line 1468 
And fleeth the citee faste as he may go. Line 1469 
For he hadde yeve his gayler drynke so Line 1470 
Of a clarree maad of a certeyn wyn, Line 1471 
With nercotikes and opie of thebes fyn, Line 1472 
That al that nyght, thogh that men wolde him shake, Line 1473 
The gayler sleep, he myghte nat awake; Line 1474 
And thus he fleeth as faste as evere he may. Line 1475 
The nyght was short and faste by the day, Line 1476 
That nedes cost he moot hymselven hyde; Line 1477 
And til a grove faste ther bisyde Line 1478 
With dredeful foot thanne stalketh palamon. Line 1479 
For, shortly, this was his opinion, Line 1480 
That in that grove he wolde hym hyde al day, Line 1481 
And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way Line 1482 
To thebes-ward, his freendes for to preye Line 1483 
On theseus to helpe him to werreye; Line 1484 
And shortly, outher he wolde lese his lif, Line 1485 
Or wynnen emelye unto his wyf. Line 1486 
This is th' effect and his entente pleyn. Line 1487 
Now wol I turne to arcite ageyn, Line 1488 
That litel wiste how ny that was his care, Line 1489 
Til that fortune had broght him in the snare. Line 1490 
The bisy larke, messager of day, Line 1491 
Salueth in hir song the morwe gray, Line 1492 
And firy phebus riseth up so bright Line 1493 
That al the orient laugheth of the light, Line 1494 
And with his stremes dryeth in the greves Line 1495 
The silver dropes hangynge on the leves. Line 1496 
And arcita, that in the court roial Line 1497 
With theseus is squier principal, Line 1498 
Is risen and looketh on the myrie day. Line 1499 
And for to doon his observaunce to may, Line 1500 
Remembrynge on the poynt of his desir, Line 1501 
He on a courser, startlynge as the fir, Line 1502 
Is riden into the feeldes hym to pleye,  Line 1503 

Page 32

 Line 1503 
Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye. Line 1504 
And to the grove of which that I yow tolde Line 1505 
By aventure his wey he gan to holde, Line 1506 
To maken hym a gerland of the greves Line 1507 
Were it of wodebynde or hawethorn leves, Line 1508 
And loude he song ayeyn the sonne shene: Line 1509 
May, with alle thy floures and thy grene, Line 1510 
Welcome be thou, faire, fresshe may, Line 1511 
In hope that I som grene gete may. Line 1512 
And from his courser, with a lusty herte, Line 1513 
Into the grove ful hastily he sterte, Line 1514 
And in a path he rometh up and doun, Line 1515 
Ther as by aventure this palamoun Line 1516 
Was in a bussh, that no man myghte hym se, Line 1517 
For soore afered of his deeth was he. Line 1518 
No thyng ne knew he that it was arcite; Line 1519 
God woot he wolde have trowed it ful lite. Line 1520 
But sooth is seyd, go sithen many yeres, Line 1521 
That feeld hath eyen and the wode hath eres. Line 1522 
It is ful fair a man to bere hym evene, Line 1523 
For al day meeteth men at unset stevene. Line 1524 
Ful litel woot arcite of his felawe, Line 1525 
That was so ny to herknen al his sawe, Line 1526 
For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille. Line 1527 
Whan that arcite hadde romed al his fille, Line 1528 
And songen al the roundel lustily, Line 1529 
Into a studie he fil sodeynly, Line 1530 
As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres, Line 1531 
Now in the crope, now doun in the breres, Line 1532 
Now up, now doun, as boket in a welle. Line 1533 
Right as the friday, soothly for to telle, Line 1534 
Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste, Line 1535 
Right so kan geery venus overcaste Line 1536 
The hertes of hir folk; right as hir day Line 1537 
Is gereful, right so chaungeth she array. Line 1538 
Selde is the friday al the wowke ylike. Line 1539 
Whan that arcite had songe, he gan to sike, Line 1540 
And sette hym doun withouten any moore. Line 1541 
Allas, quod he, that day that I was bore! Line 1542 
How longe, juno, thurgh thy crueltee, Line 1543 
Woltow werreyen thebes the citee? Line 1544 
Allas, ybroght is to confusioun Line 1545 
The blood roial of cadme and amphioun, --  Line 1546 
Of cadmus, which that was the firste man Line 1547 
That thebes bulte, or first the toun bigan, Line 1548 
And of the citee first was crouned kyng. Line 1549 
Of his lynage am I and his ofspryng Line 1550 
By verray ligne, as of the stok roial, Line 1551 
And now I am so caytyf and so thral, Line 1552 
That he that is my mortal enemy, Line 1553 
I serve hym as his squier povrely. Line 1554 
And yet dooth juno me wel moore shame, Line 1555 
For I dar noght biknowe myn owene name; Line 1556 
But ther as I was wont to highte arcite, Line 1557 
Now highte I philostrate, noght worth a myte. Line 1558 
Allas, thou felle mars! allas, juno! Line 1559 
Thus hath youre ire oure lynage al fordo, Line 1560 
Save oonly me and wrecched palamoun, Line 1561 
That theseus martireth in prisoun. Line 1562 
And over al this, to sleen me outrely, Line 1563 
Love hath his firy dart so brennyngly Line 1564 
Ystiked thurgh my trewe, careful herte, Line 1565 
That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte. Line 1566 
Ye sleen me with youre eyen, emelye! Line 1567 
Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye. Line 1568 
Of al the remenant of myn oother care Line 1569 
Ne sette I nat the montance of a tare, Line 1570 
So that I koude doon aught to youre plesaunce. Line 1571 
And with that word he fil doun in a traunce Line 1572 
A longe tyme, and after he up sterte. Line 1573 
This palamoun, that thoughte that thurgh his herte Line 1574 
He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde, Line 1575 
For ire he quook, no lenger wolde he byde. Line 1576 
And whan that he had herd arcites tale, Line 1577 
As he were wood, with face deed and pale, Line 1578 
He stirte hym up out of the buskes thikke, Line 1579 
And seide: arcite, false traytour wikke, Line 1580 
Now artow hent, that lovest my lady so, Line 1581 
For whom that I have al this peyne and wo, Line 1582 
And art my blood, and to my conseil sworn, Line 1583 
As I ful ofte have told thee heerbiforn, Line 1584 
And hast byjaped heere duc theseus, Line 1585 
And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus! Line 1586 
I wol be deed, or elles thou shalt dye. Line 1587 
Thou shalt nat love my lady emelye, Line 1588 
But I wol love hire oonly and namo; Line 1589 
For I am palamon, thy mortal foo. Line 1590 
And though that I no wepene have in this place, Line 1591 
But out of prison am astert by grace, Line 1592 
I drede noght that outher thow shalt dye, Line 1593 
Or thow ne shalt nat loven emelye. Line 1594 
Chees which thou wolt, for thou shalt nat asterte! Line 1595 
This arcite, with ful despitous herte, Line 1596 
Whan he hym knew, and hadde his tale herd, Line 1597 
As fiers as leon pulled out his swerd, Line 1598 
And seyde thus: by God that sit above, Line 1599 
Nere it that thou art sik and wood for love, Line 1600 
And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place, Line 1601 
Thou sholdest nevere out of this grove pace, Line 1602 
That thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. Line 1603 
For I defye the seurete and the bond Line 1604 
Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee. Line 1605 
What, verray fool, thynk wel that love is free, Line 1606 
And I wol love hire maugree al thy myght!  Line 1607 

Page 33

 Line 1607 
But for as muche thou art a worthy knyght; Line 1608 
And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille, Line 1609 
Have heer my trouthe, tomorwe I wol nat faille, Line 1610 
Withoute wityng of any oother wight, Line 1611 
That heere I wol be founden as a knyght, Line 1612 
And bryngen harneys right ynough for thee; Line 1613 
And ches the beste, and leef the worste for me. Line 1614 
And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge Line 1615 
Ynough for thee, and clothes for thy beddynge. Line 1616 
And if so be that thou my lady wynne, Line 1617 
And sle me in this wode ther I am inne, Line 1618 
Thow mayst wel have thy lady as for me. Line 1619 
This palamon answerde, I graunte it thee. Line 1620 
And thus they been departed til amorwe, Line 1621 
Whan ech of hem had leyd his feith to borwe. Line 1622 
O cupide, out of alle charitee! Line 1623 
O regne, that wolt no felawe have with thee! Line 1624 
Ful sooth is seyd that love ne lordshipe Line 1625 
Wol noght, his thankes, have no felaweshipe. Line 1626 
Wel fynden that arcite and palamoun. Line 1627 
Arcite is riden anon unto the toun, Line 1628 
And on the morwe, er it were dayes light, Line 1629 
Ful prively two harneys hath he dight, Line 1630 
Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne Line 1631 
The bataille in the feeld bitwix hem tweyne; Line 1632 
And on his hors, allone as he was born, Line 1633 
He carieth al the harneys hym biforn. Line 1634 
And in the grove, at tyme and place yset, Line 1635 
This arcite and this palamon ben met. Line 1636 
Tho chaungen gan the colour in hir face, Line 1637 
Right as the hunters in the regne of trace, Line 1638 
That stondeth at the gappe with a spere, Line 1639 
Whan hunted is the leon or the bere, Line 1640 
And hereth hym come russhyyng in the greves, Line 1641 
And breketh bothe bowes and the leves, Line 1642 
And thynketh, heere cometh my mortal enemy! Line 1643 
Withoute faille, he moot be deed, or I; Line 1644 
For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe, Line 1645 
Or he moot sleen me, if that me myshappe, --  Line 1646 
So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe, Line 1647 
As fer as everich of hem oother knewe. Line 1648 
Ther nas no good day, ne no saluyng, Line 1649 
But streight, withouten word or rehersyng, Line 1650 
Everich of hem heelp for to armen oother Line 1651 
As freendly as he were his owene brother; Line 1652 
And after that, with sharpe speres stronge Line 1653 
They foynen ech at oother wonder longe. Line 1654 
Thou myghtest wene that this palamon Line 1655 
In his fightyng were a wood leon, Line 1656 
And as a crueel tigre was arcite; Line 1657 
As wilde bores gonne they to smyte, Line 1658 
That frothen whit as foom for ire wood. Line 1659 
Up to the ancle foghte they in hir blood. Line 1660 
And in this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle, Line 1661 
And forth I wole of theseus yow telle. Line 1662 
The destinee, ministre general, Line 1663 
That executeth in the world over al Line 1664 
The purveiaunce that God hath seyn biforn, Line 1665 
So strong it is that, though the world had sworn Line 1666 
The contrarie of a thyng by ye or nay, Line 1667 
Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day Line 1668 
That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeer. Line 1669 
For certeinly, oure appetites heer, Line 1670 
Be it of werre, or pees, or hate, or love, Line 1671 
Al is this reuled by the sighte above. Line 1672 
This mene I now by myghty theseus, Line 1673 
That for to hunten is so desirus, Line 1674 
And namely at the grete hert in may, Line 1675 
That in his bed ther daweth hym no day Line 1676 
That he nys clad, and redy for to ryde Line 1677 
With hunte and horn and houndes hym bisyde. Line 1678 
For in his huntyng hath he swich delit Line 1679 
That it is al his joye and appetit Line 1680 
To been hymself the grete hertes bane, Line 1681 
For after mars he serveth now dyane. Line 1682 
Cleer was the day, as I have toold er this, Line 1683 
And theseus with alle joye and blis, Line 1684 
With his ypolita, the faire queene, Line 1685 
And emelye, clothed al in grene, Line 1686 
On huntyng be they riden roially. Line 1687 
And to the grove that stood ful faste by, Line 1688 
In which ther was an hert, as men hym tolde, Line 1689 
Duc theseus the streighte wey hath holde. Line 1690 
And to the launde he rideth hym ful right, Line 1691 
For thider was the hert wont have his flight, Line 1692 
And over a brook, and so forth on his weye. Line 1693 
This duc wol han a cours at hym or tweye Line 1694 
With houndes swiche as that hym list comaunde. Line 1695 
And whan this duc was come unto the launde, Line 1696 
Under the sonne he looketh, and anon Line 1697 
He was war of arcite and palamon, Line 1698 
That foughten breme, as it were bores two. Line 1699 
The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro Line 1700 
So hidously that with the leeste strook Line 1701 
It semed as it wolde felle an ook. Line 1702 
But what they were, no thyng he ne woot. Line 1703 
This duc his courser with his spores smoot, Line 1704 
And at a stert he was bitwix hem two, Line 1705 
And pulled out a swerd, and cride, hoo! Line 1706 
Namoore, up peyne of lesynge of youre heed! Line 1707 
By myghty mars, he shal anon be deed Line 1708 
That smyteth any strook that I may seen. Line 1709 
But telleth me what myster men ye been, Line 1710 
That been so hardy for to fighten heere  Line 1711 

Page 34

 Line 1711 
Withouten juge or oother officere, Line 1712 
As it were in a lystes roially. Line 1713 
This palamon answerde hastily, Line 1714 
And seyde, sire, what nedeth wordes mo? Line 1715 
We have the deeth disserved bothe two. Line 1716 
Two woful wrecches been we, two caytyves, Line 1717 
That been encombred of oure owene lyves; Line 1718 
And as thou art a rightful lord and juge, Line 1719 
Ne yif us neither mercy ne refuge, Line 1720 
But sle me first, for seinte charitee! Line 1721 
But sle my felawe eek as wel as me; Line 1722 
Or sle hym first, for though thow knowest it lite, Line 1723 
This is thy mortal foo, this is arcite, Line 1724 
That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed, Line 1725 
For which he hath deserved to be deed. Line 1726 
For this is he that cam unto thy gate Line 1727 
And seyde that he highte philostrate. Line 1728 
Thus hath he japed thee ful many a yer, Line 1729 
And thou hast maked hym thy chief squier; Line 1730 
And this is he that loveth emelye. Line 1731 
For sith the day is come that I shal dye, Line 1732 
I make pleynly my confessioun Line 1733 
That I am thilke woful palamoun Line 1734 
That hath thy prisoun broken wikkedly. Line 1735 
I am thy mortal foo, and it am I Line 1736 
That loveth so hoote emelye the brighte Line 1737 
That I wol dye present in hir sighte. Line 1738 
Wherfore I axe deeth and my juwise; Line 1739 
But sle my felawe in the same wise, Line 1740 
For bothe han we deserved to be slayn. Line 1741 
This worthy duc answerde anon agayn, Line 1742 
And seyde, this is a short conclusioun. Line 1743 
Youre owene mouth, by youre confessioun, Line 1744 
Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde; Line 1745 
It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde. Line 1746 
Ye shal be deed, by myghty mars the rede! Line 1747 
The queene anon, for verray wommanhede, Line 1748 
Gan for to wepe, and so dide emelye, Line 1749 
And alle the ladyes in the compaignye. Line 1750 
Greet pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle, Line 1751 
That evere swich a chaunce sholde falle; Line 1752 
For gentil men they were of greet estaat, Line 1753 
And no thyng but for love was this debaat; Line 1754 
And saugh hir blody woundes wyde and soore, Line 1755 
And alle crieden, bothe lasse and moore, Line 1756 
Have mercy, lord, upon us wommen alle! Line 1757 
And on hir bare knees adoun they falle, Line 1758 
And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood; Line 1759 
Til at the laste aslaked was his mood, Line 1760 
For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte. Line 1761 
And though he first for ire quook and sterte, Line 1762 
He hath considered shortly, in a clause, Line 1763 
The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the cause, Line 1764 
And although that his ire hir gilt accused, Line 1765 
Yet in his resoun he hem bothe excused, Line 1766 
As thus: he thoghte wel that every man Line 1767 
Wol helpe hymself in love, if that he kan, Line 1768 
And eek delivere hymself out of prisoun. Line 1769 
And eek his herte hadde compassioun Line 1770 
Of wommen, for they wepen evere in oon; Line 1771 
And in his gentil herte he thoughte anon, Line 1772 
And softe unto hymself he seyde, fy Line 1773 
Upon a lord that wol have no mercy, Line 1774 
But been a leon, bothe in word and dede, Line 1775 
To hem that been in repentaunce and drede, Line 1776 
As wel as to a proud despitous man Line 1777 
That wol mayntene that he first bigan. Line 1778 
That lord hath litel of discrecioun, Line 1779 
That in swich cas kan no divisioun, Line 1780 
But weyeth pride and humblesse after oon. Line 1781 
And shortly, whan his ire is thus agoon, Line 1782 
He gan to looken up with eyen lighte, Line 1783 
And spak thise same wordes al on highte: Line 1784 
The God of love, a, benedicite! Line 1785 
How myghty and how greet a lord is he! Line 1786 
Ayeyns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles. Line 1787 
He may be cleped a God for his myracles; Line 1788 
For he kan maken, at his owene gyse, Line 1789 
Of everich herte as that hym list divyse. Line 1790 
Lo heere this arcite and this palamoun, Line 1791 
That quitly weren out of my prisoun, Line 1792 
And myghte han lyved in thebes roially, Line 1793 
And witen I am hir mortal enemy, Line 1794 
And that hir deth lith in my myght also; Line 1795 
And yet hath love, maugree hir eyen two, Line 1796 
Broght hem hyder bothe for to dye. Line 1797 
Now looketh, is nat that an heigh folye? Line 1798 
Who may been a fool, but if he love? Line 1799 
Bihoold, for goddes sake that sit above, Line 1800 
Se how they blede! be they noght wel arrayed? Line 1801 
Thus hath hir lord, the God of love, ypayed Line 1802 
Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse! Line 1803 
And yet they wenen for to been ful wyse Line 1804 
That serven love, for aught that may bifalle. Line 1805 
But this is yet the beste game of alle, Line 1806 
That she for whom they han this jolitee Line 1807 
Kan hem therfore as muche thank as me. Line 1808 
She woot namoore of al this hoote fare, Line 1809 
By god, than woot a cokkow or an hare! Line 1810 
But all moot ben assayed, hoot and coold; Line 1811 
A man moot ben a fool, or yong or oold, --  Line 1812 
I woot it by myself ful yore agon, Line 1813 
For in my tyme a servant was I oon. Line 1814 
And therfore, syn I knowe of loves peyne, Line 1815 
And woot hou soore it kan a man distreyne, Line 1816 
As he that hath ben caught ofte in his laas, Line 1817 
I yow foryeve al hoolly this trespaas,  Line 1818 

Page 35

 Line 1818 
At requeste of the queene, that kneleth heere, Line 1819 
And eek of emelye, my suster deere. Line 1820 
And ye shul bothe anon unto me swere Line 1821 
That nevere mo ye shal my contree dere, Line 1822 
Ne make werre upon me nyght ne day, Line 1823 
But been my freendes in all that ye may. Line 1824 
I yow foryeve this trespas every deel. Line 1825 
And they hym sworen his axyng faire and weel, Line 1826 
And hym of lordshipe and of mercy preyde, Line 1827 
And he hem graunteth grace, and thus he seyde: Line 1828 
To speke of roial lynage and richesse, Line 1829 
Though that she were a queene or a princesse, Line 1830 
Ech of you bothe is worthy, doutelees, Line 1831 
To wedden whan tyme is, but nathelees Line 1832 
I speke as for my suster emelye, Line 1833 
For whom ye have this strif and jalousye. Line 1834 
Ye woot yourself she may nat wedden two Line 1835 
Atones, though ye fighten everemo. Line 1836 
That oon of you, al be hym looth or lief, Line 1837 
He moot go pipen in an yvy leef; Line 1838 
This is to seyn, she may nat now han bothe, Line 1839 
Al be ye never so jalouse ne so wrothe. Line 1840 
And forthy I yow putte in this degree, Line 1841 
That ech of yow shal have his destynee Line 1842 
As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse; Line 1843 
Lo heere youre ende of that I shal devyse. Line 1844 
My wyl is this, for plat conclusioun, Line 1845 
Withouten any repplicacioun, --  Line 1846 
If that you liketh, take it for the beste: Line 1847 
That everich of you shal goon where hym leste Line 1848 
Frely, withouten raunson or daunger; Line 1849 
And this day fifty wykes, fer ne ner, Line 1850 
Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes Line 1851 
Armed for lystes up at alle rightes, Line 1852 
Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille. Line 1853 
And this bihote I yow withouten faille, Line 1854 
Upon my trouthe, and as I am a knyght, Line 1855 
That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght, --  Line 1856 
This is to seyn, that wheither he or thow Line 1857 
May with his hundred, as I spak of now, Line 1858 
Sleen his contrarie, or out of lystes dryve, Line 1859 
Thanne shal I yeve emelya to wyve Line 1860 
To whom that fortune yeveth so fair a grace. Line 1861 
The lystes shal I maken in this place, Line 1862 
And God so wisly on my soule rewe, Line 1863 
As I shal evene juge been and trewe. Line 1864 
Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken, Line 1865 
That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken. Line 1866 
And if yow thynketh this is weel ysayd, Line 1867 
Seyeth youre avys, and holdeth you apayd. Line 1868 
This is youre ende and youre conclusioun. Line 1869 
Who looketh lightly now but palamoun? Line 1870 
Who spryngeth up for joye but arcite? Line 1871 
Who kouthe telle, or who kouthe it endite, Line 1872 
The joye that is maked in the place Line 1873 
Whan theseus hath doon so fair a grace? Line 1874 
But doun on knees wente every maner wight, Line 1875 
And thonked hym with al hir herte and myght, Line 1876 
And namely the thebans often sithe. Line 1877 
And thus with good hope and with herte blithe Line 1878 
They taken hir leve, and homward gonne they ride Line 1879 
To thebes, with his olde walles wyde. Line 1880 Explicit secunda pars. 

Sequitur pars tercia.
I trowe men wolde deme it necligence Line 1881 
If I foryete to tellen the dispence Line 1882 
Of theseus, that gooth so bisily Line 1883 
To maken up the lystes roially, Line 1884 
That swich a noble theatre as it was, Line 1885 
I dar wel seyen in this world ther nas. Line 1886 
The circuit a myle was aboute, Line 1887 
Walled of stoon, and dyched al withoute. Line 1888 
Round was the shap, in manere of compas, Line 1889 
Ful of degrees, the heighte of sixty pas, Line 1890 
That whan a man was set on o degree, Line 1891 
He letted nat his felawe for to see. Line 1892 
Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit, Line 1893 
Westward right swich another in the opposit. Line 1894 
And shortly to concluden, swich a place Line 1895 
Was noon in erthe, as in so litel space; Line 1896 
For in the lond ther was no crafty man Line 1897 
That geometrie or ars-metrike kan, Line 1898 
Ne portreyour, ne kervere of ymages, Line 1899 
That theseus ne yaf him mete and wages, Line 1900 
The theatre for to maken and devyse. Line 1901 
And for to doon his ryte and sacrifise, Line 1902 
He estward hath, upon the gate above, Line 1903 
In worshipe of venus, goddesse of love, Line 1904 
Doon make an auter and an oratorie; Line 1905 
And on the gate westward, in memorie Line 1906 
Of mars, he maked hath right swich another, Line 1907 
That coste largely of gold a fother. Line 1908 
And northward, in a touret on the wal, Line 1909 
Of alabastre whit and reed coral, Line 1910 
An oratorie, riche for to see, Line 1911 
In worshipe of dyane of chastitee, Line 1912 
Hath theseus doon wroght in noble wyse. Line 1913 
But yet hadde I foryeten to devyse Line 1914 
The noble kervyng and the portreitures, Line 1915 
The shap, the contenaunce, and the figures, Line 1916 
That weren in thise oratories thre.  Line 1917 

Page 36

 Line 1917 
First in the temple of venus maystow se Line 1918 
Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde, Line 1919 
The broken slepes, and the sikes colde, Line 1920 
The sacred teeris, and the waymentynge, Line 1921 
The firy strokes of the desirynge Line 1922 
That loves servantz in this lyf enduren; Line 1923 
The othes that hir covenantz assuren; Line 1924 
Plesaunce and hope, desir, foolhardynesse, Line 1925 
Beautee and youthe, bauderie, richesse, Line 1926 
Charmes and force, lesynges, flaterye, Line 1927 
Despense, bisynesse, and jalousye, Line 1928 
That wered of yelewe gooldes a gerland, Line 1929 
And a cokkow sittynge on hir hand; Line 1930 
Festes, instrumentz, caroles, daunces, Line 1931 
Lust and array, and alle the circumstaunces Line 1932 
Of love, which that I rekned and rekne shal, Line 1933 
By ordre weren peynted on the wal, Line 1934 
And mo than I kan make of mencioun. Line 1935 
For soothly al the mount of citheroun, Line 1936 
Ther venus hath hir principal dwellynge, Line 1937 
Was shewed on the wal in portreyynge, Line 1938 
With al the gardyn and the lustynesse. Line 1939 
Nat was foryeten the porter, ydelnesse, Line 1940 
Ne narcisus the faire of yore agon, Line 1941 
Ne yet the folye of kyng salomon, Line 1942 
Ne yet the grete strengthe of ercules --  Line 1943 
Th-enchauntementz of medea and circes --  Line 1944 
Ne of turnus, with the hardy fiers corage, Line 1945 
The riche cresus, kaytyf in servage. Line 1946 
Thus may ye seen that wysdom ne richesse, Line 1947 
Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardynesse, Line 1948 
Ne may with venus holde champartie, Line 1949 
For as hir list the world than may she gye. Line 1950 
Lo, alle thise folk so caught were in hir las, Line 1951 
Til they for wo ful ofte seyde allas! Line 1952 
Suffiseth heere ensamples oon or two, Line 1953 
And though I koude rekene a thousand mo. Line 1954 
The statue of venus, glorious for to se, Line 1955 
Was naked, fletynge in the large see, Line 1956 
And fro the navele doun al covered was Line 1957 
With wawes grene, and brighte as any glas. Line 1958 
A citole in hir right hand hadde she, Line 1959 
And on hir heed, ful semely for to se, Line 1960 
A rose gerland, fressh and wel smellynge; Line 1961 
Above hir heed hir dowves flikerynge. Line 1962 
Biforn hire stood hir sone cupido; Line 1963 
Upon his shuldres wynges hadde he two, Line 1964 
And blynd he was, as it is often seene; Line 1965 
A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and kene. Line 1966 
Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle yow al Line 1967 
The portreiture that was upon the wal Line 1968 
Withinne the temple of myghty mars the rede? Line 1969 
Al peynted was the wal, in lengthe and brede, Line 1970 
Lyk to the estres of the grisly place Line 1971 
That highte the grete temple of mars in trace, Line 1972 
In thilke colde, frosty regioun Line 1973 
Ther as mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. Line 1974 
First on the wal was peynted a forest, Line 1975 
In which ther dwelleth neither man ne best, Line 1976 
With knotty, knarry, bareyne trees olde, Line 1977 
Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde, Line 1978 
In which ther ran a rumbel in a swough, Line 1979 
As though a storm sholde bresten every bough. Line 1980 
And dounward from an hille, under a bente, Line 1981 
Ther stood the temple of mars armypotente, Line 1982 
Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree Line 1983 
Was long and streit, and gastly for to see. Line 1984 
And therout came a rage and swich a veze Line 1985 
That it made al the gate for to rese. Line 1986 
The northren lyght in at the dores shoon, Line 1987 
For wyndowe on the wal ne was ther noon, Line 1988 
Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne. Line 1989 
The dore was al of adamant eterne, Line 1990 
Yclenched overthwart and endelong Line 1991 
With iren tough; and for to make it strong, Line 1992 
Every pyler, the temple to sustene, Line 1993 
Was tonne-greet, of iren bright and shene. Line 1994 
Ther saugh I first the derke ymaginyng Line 1995 
Of felonye, and al the compassyng; Line 1996 
The crueel ire, reed as any gleede; Line 1997 
The pykepurs, and eek the pale drede; Line 1998 
The smylere with the knyf under the cloke; Line 1999 
The shepne brennynge with the blake smoke; Line 2000 
The tresoun of the mordrynge in the bedde; Line 2001 
The open werre, with woundes al bibledde; Line 2002 
Contek, with blody knyf and sharp manace. Line 2003 
Al ful of chirkyng was that sory place. Line 2004 
The sleere of hymself yet saugh I ther, --  Line 2005 
His herte-blood hath bathed al his heer; Line 2006 
The nayl ydryven in the shode a-nyght; Line 2007 
The colde deeth, with mouth gapyng upright. Line 2008 
Amyddes of the temple sat meschaunce, Line 2009 
With disconfort and sory contenaunce. Line 2010 
Yet saugh I woodnesse, laughynge in his rage, Line 2011 
Armed compleint, outhees, and fiers outrage; Line 2012 
The careyne in the busk, with throte ycorve; Line 2013 
A thousand slayn, and nat of qualm ystorve; Line 2014 
The tiraunt, with the pray by force yraft; Line 2015 
The toun destroyed, ther was no thyng laft. Line 2016 
Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppesteres; Line 2017 
The hunte strangled with the wilde beres; Line 2018 
The sowe freten the child right in the cradel; Line 2019 
The cook yscalded, for al his longe ladel. Line 2020 
Noght was foryeten by the infortune of marte Line 2021 
The cartere overryden with his carte: Line 2022 
Under the wheel ful lowe he lay adoun. Line 2023 
Ther were also, of martes divisioun,  Line 2024 

Page 37

 Line 2024 
The barbour, and the bocher, and the smyth, Line 2025 
That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth. Line 2026 
And al above, depeynted in a tour, Line 2027 
Saugh I conquest, sittynge in greet honour, Line 2028 
With the sharpe swerd over his heed Line 2029 
Hangynge by a soutil twynes threed. Line 2030 
Depeynted was the slaughtre of julius, Line 2031 
Of grete nero, and of antonius; Line 2032 
Al be that thilke tyme they were unborn, Line 2033 
Yet was hir deth depeynted ther-biforn Line 2034 
By manasynge of mars, right by figure. Line 2035 
So was it shewed in that portreiture, Line 2036 
As is depeynted in the sterres above Line 2037 
Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love. Line 2038 
Suffiseth oon ensample in stories olde; Line 2039 
I may nat rekene hem alle though I wolde. Line 2040 
The statue of mars upon a carte stood Line 2041 
Armed, and looked grym as he were wood; Line 2042 
And over his heed ther shynen two figures Line 2043 
Of sterres, that been cleped in scriptures, Line 2044 
That oon puella, that oother rubeus --  Line 2045 
This God of armes was arrayed thus. Line 2046 
A wolf ther stood biforn hym at his feet Line 2047 
With eyen rede, and of a man he eet; Line 2048 
With soutil pencel depeynted was this storie Line 2049 
In redoutynge of mars and of his glorie. Line 2050 
Now to the temple of dyane the chaste, Line 2051 
As shortly as I kan, I wol me haste, Line 2052 
To telle yow al the descripsioun. Line 2053 
Depeynted been the walles up and doun Line 2054 
Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee. Line 2055 
Ther saugh I how woful calistopee, Line 2056 
Whan that diane agreved was with here, Line 2057 
Was turned from a womman til a bere, Line 2058 
And after was she maad the loode-sterre; Line 2059 
Thus was it peynted, I kan sey yow no ferre. Line 2060 
Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see. Line 2061 
Ther saugh I dane, yturned til a tree, --  Line 2062 
I mene nat the goddesse diane, Line 2063 
But penneus doghter, which that highte dane. Line 2064 
Ther saugh I attheon an hert ymaked, Line 2065 
For vengeaunce that he saugh diane al naked; Line 2066 
I saugh how that his houndes have hym caught Line 2067 
And freeten hym, for that they knewe hym naught. Line 2068 
Yet peynted was a litel forther moor Line 2069 
How atthalante hunted the wilde boor, Line 2070 
And meleagre, and many another mo, Line 2071 
For which dyane wroghte hym care and wo. Line 2072 
Ther saugh I many another wonder storie, Line 2073 
The which me list nat drawen to memorie. Line 2074 
This goddesse on an hert ful hye seet, Line 2075 
With smale houndes al aboute hir feet; Line 2076 
And undernethe hir feet she hadde a moone, --  Line 2077 
Wexynge it was and sholde wanye soone. Line 2078 
In gaude grene hir statue clothed was, Line 2079 
With bowe in honde, and arwes in a cas. Line 2080 
Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun, Line 2081 
Ther pluto hath his derke regioun. Line 2082 
A womman travaillynge was hire biforn; Line 2083 
But for hir child so longe was unborn, Line 2084 
Ful pitously lucyna gan she calle, Line 2085 
And seyde, help, for thou mayst best of alle! Line 2086 
Wel koude he peynten lifly that it wroghte; Line 2087 
With many a floryn he the hewes boghte. Line 2088 
Now been thise lystes maad, and theseus, Line 2089 
That at his grete cost arrayed thus Line 2090 
The temples and the theatre every deel, Line 2091 
Whan it was doon, hym lyked wonder weel. Line 2092 
But stynte I wole of theseus a lite, Line 2093 
And speke of palamon and of arcite. Line 2094 
The day approcheth of hir retournynge, Line 2095 
That everich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge Line 2096 
The bataille to darreyne, as I yow tolde. Line 2097 
And til atthenes, hir covenant for to holde, Line 2098 
Hath everich of hem broght an hundred knyghtes, Line 2099 
Wel armed for the werre at alle rightes. Line 2100 
And sikerly ther trowed many a man Line 2101 
That nevere, sithen that the world bigan, Line 2102 
As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond, Line 2103 
As fer as God hath maked see or lond, Line 2104 
Nas of so fewe so noble a compaignye. Line 2105 
For every wight that lovede chivalrye, Line 2106 
And wolde, his thankes, han a passant name, Line 2107 
Hath preyed that he myghte been of that game; Line 2108 
And wel was hym that therto chosen was. Line 2109 
For if ther fille tomorwe swich a cas, Line 2110 
Ye knowen wel that every lusty knyght Line 2111 
That loveth paramours and hath his myght, Line 2112 
Were it in engelond or elleswhere, Line 2113 
They wolde, hir thankes, wilnen to be there, --  Line 2114 
To fighte for a lady, benedicitee! Line 2115 
It were a lusty sighte for to see. Line 2116 
And right so ferden they with palamon. Line 2117 
With hym ther wenten knyghtes many on; Line 2118 
Som wol ben armed in an haubergeoun, Line 2119 
And in a brestplate and light gypoun; Line 2120 
And som wol have a paire plates large; Line 2121 
And som wol have a pruce sheeld or a targe; Line 2122 
Som wol ben armed on his legges weel, Line 2123 
And have an ax, and som a mace of steel --  Line 2124 
Ther is no newe gyse that it nas old. Line 2125 
Armed were they, as I have yow told, Line 2126 
Everych after his opinioun. Line 2127 
Ther maistow seen, comynge with palamoun, Line 2128 
Lygurge hymself, the grete kyng of trace.  Line 2129 

Page 38

 Line 2129 
Blak was his berd, and manly was his face; Line 2130 
The cercles of his eyen in his heed, Line 2131 
They gloweden bitwixen yelow and reed, Line 2132 
And lik a grifphon looked he aboute, Line 2133 
With kempe heeris on his browes stoute; Line 2134 
His lymes grete, his brawnes harde and stronge, Line 2135 
His shuldres brode, his armes rounde and longe; Line 2136 
And as the gyse was in his contree, Line 2137 
Ful hye upon a chaar of gold stood he, Line 2138 
With foure white boles in the trays. Line 2139 
In stede of cote-armure over his harnays, Line 2140 
With nayles yelewe and brighte as any gold, Line 2141 
He hadde a beres skyn, col-blak for old. Line 2142 
His longe heer was kembd bihynde his bak; Line 2143 
As any ravenes fethere it shoon for blak; Line 2144 
A wrethe of gold, arm-greet, of huge wighte, Line 2145 
Upon his heed, set ful of stones brighte, Line 2146 
Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz. Line 2147 
Aboute his chaar ther wenten white alauntz, Line 2148 
Twenty and mo, as grete as any steer, Line 2149 
To hunten at the leoun or the deer, Line 2150 
And folwed hym with mosel faste ybounde, Line 2151 
Colered of gold, and tourettes fyled rounde. Line 2152 
An hundred lordes hadde he in his route, Line 2153 
Armed ful wel, with hertes stierne and stoute. Line 2154 
With arcita, in stories as men fynde, Line 2155 
The grete emetreus, the kyng of inde, Line 2156 
Upon a steede bay trapped in steel, Line 2157 
Covered in clooth of gold, dyapred weel, Line 2158 
Cam ridynge lyk the God of armes, mars. Line 2159 
His cote-armure was of clooth of tars Line 2160 
Couched with perles white and rounde and grete; Line 2161 
His sadel was of brend gold newe ybete; Line 2162 
A mantelet upon his shulder hangynge, Line 2163 
Bret-ful of rubyes rede as fyr sparklynge; Line 2164 
His crispe heer lyk rynges was yronne, Line 2165 
And that was yelow, and glytered as the sonne. Line 2166 
His nose was heigh, his eyen bright citryn, Line 2167 
His lippes rounde, his colour was sangwyn; Line 2168 
A fewe frakenes in his face yspreynd, Line 2169 
Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak ymeynd; Line 2170 
And as a leon he his lookyng caste. Line 2171 
Of fyve and twenty yeer his age I caste. Line 2172 
His berd was wel bigonne for to sprynge; Line 2173 
His voys was as a trompe thonderynge. Line 2174 
Upon his heed he wered of laurer grene Line 2175 
A gerland, fressh and lusty for to sene. Line 2176 
Upon his hand he bar for his deduyt Line 2177 
An egle tame, as any lilye whyt. Line 2178 
An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there, Line 2179 
Al armed, save hir heddes, in al hir gere, Line 2180 
Ful richely in alle maner thynges. Line 2181 
For trusteth wel that dukes, erles, kynges Line 2182 
Were gadered in this noble compaignye, Line 2183 
For love and for encrees of chivalrye. Line 2184 
Aboute this kyng ther ran on every part Line 2185 
Ful many a tame leon and leopart. Line 2186 
And in this wise thise lordes, alle and some, Line 2187 
Been on the sonday to the citee come Line 2188 
Aboute pryme, and in the toun alight. Line 2189 
This theseus, this duc, this worthy knyght, Line 2190 
Whan he had broght hem into his citee, Line 2191 
And inned hem, everich at his degree, Line 2192 
He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour Line 2193 
To esen hem and doon hem al honour, Line 2194 
That yet men wenen that no mannes wit Line 2195 
Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it. Line 2196 
The mynstralcye, the service at the feeste, Line 2197 
The grete yiftes to the meeste and leeste, Line 2198 
The riche array of theseus paleys, Line 2199 
Ne who sat first ne last upon the deys, Line 2200 
What ladyes fairest been or best daunsynge, Line 2201 
Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge, Line 2202 
Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love; Line 2203 
What haukes sitten on the perche above, Line 2204 
What houndes liggen on the floor adoun, --  Line 2205 
Of al this make I now no mencioun, Line 2206 
But al th' effect, that thynketh me the beste. Line 2207 
Now cometh the point, and herkneth if yow leste. Line 2208 
The sonday nyght, er day bigan to sprynge, Line 2209 
Whan palamon the larke herde synge, Line 2210 
(although it nere nat day by houres two, Line 2211 
Yet song the larke) and palamon right tho Line 2212 
With hooly herte and with an heigh corage, Line 2213 
He roos to wenden on his pilgrymage Line 2214 
Unto the blisful citherea benigne, --  Line 2215 
I mene venus, honurable and digne. Line 2216 
And in hir houre he walketh forth a pas Line 2217 
Unto the lystes ther hire temple was, Line 2218 
And doun he kneleth, and with humble cheere Line 2219 
And herte soor, he seyde as ye shal heere: Line 2220 
Faireste of faire, o lady myn, venus, Line 2221 
Doughter to jove, and spouse of vulcanus, Line 2222 
Thow gladere of the mount of citheron, Line 2223 
For thilke love thow haddest to adoon, Line 2224 
Have pitee of my bittre teeris smerte, Line 2225 
And taak myn humble preyere at thyn herte. Line 2226 
Allas! I ne have no langage to telle Line 2227 
Th' effectes ne the tormentz of myn helle; Line 2228 
Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye; Line 2229 
I am so confus that I kan noght seye Line 2230 
But, -- mercy, lady bright, that knowest weele Line 2231 
My thought, and seest what harmes that I feele! Line 2232 
Considere al this and rewe upon my soore, Line 2233 
As wisly as I shal for everemoore,  Line 2234 

Page 39

 Line 2234 
Emforth my myght, thy trewe servant be, Line 2235 
And holden werre alwey with chastitee. Line 2236 
That make I myn avow, so ye me helpe! Line 2237 
I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe, Line 2238 
Ne I ne axe nat tomorwe to have victorie, Line 2239 
Ne renoun in this cas, ne veyne glorie Line 2240 
Of pris of armes blowen up and doun; Line 2241 
But I wolde have fully possessioun Line 2242 
Of emelye, and dye in thy servyse. Line 2243 
Fynd thow the manere hou, and in what wyse: Line 2244 
I recche nat but it may bettre be Line 2245 
To have victorie of hem, or they of me, Line 2246 
So that I have my lady in myne armes. Line 2247 
For though so be that mars is God of armes, Line 2248 
Youre vertu is so greet in hevene above Line 2249 
That if yow list, I shal wel have my love. Line 2250 
Thy temple wol I worshipe everemo, Line 2251 
And on thyn auter, where I ride or go, Line 2252 
I wol doon sacrifice and fires beete. Line 2253 
And if ye wol nat so, my lady sweete, Line 2254 
Thanne preye I thee, tomorwe with a spere Line 2255 
That arcita me thurgh the herte bere. Line 2256 
Thanne rekke I noght, whan I have lost my lyf, Line 2257 
Though that arcita wynne hire to his wyf. Line 2258 
This is th' effect and ende of my preyere: Line 2259 
Yif me my love, thow blisful lady deere. Line 2260 
Whan the orison was doon of palamon, Line 2261 
His sacrifice he dide, and that anon, Line 2262 
Ful pitously, with alle circumstaunces, Line 2263 
Al telle I noght as now his observaunces; Line 2264 
But atte laste the statue of venus shook, Line 2265 
And made a signe, wherby that he took Line 2266 
That his preyere accepted was that day. Line 2267 
For thogh the signe shewed a delay, Line 2268 
Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone; Line 2269 
And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone. Line 2270 
The thridde houre inequal that palamon Line 2271 
Bigan to venus temple for to gon, Line 2272 
Up roos the sonne, and up roos emelye, Line 2273 
And to the temple of dyane gan hye. Line 2274 
Hir maydens, that she thider with hire ladde, Line 2275 
Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde, Line 2276 
Th' encens, the clothes, and the remenant al Line 2277 
That to the sacrifice longen shal; Line 2278 
The hornes fulle of meeth, as was the gyse: Line 2279 
Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise. Line 2280 
Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire, Line 2281 
This emelye, with herte debonaire, Line 2282 
Hir body wessh with water of a welle. Line 2283 
But hou she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle, Line 2284 
But it be any thing in general; Line 2285 
And yet it were a game to heeren al. Line 2286 
To hym that meneth wel it were no charge; Line 2287 
But it is good a man been at his large. Line 2288 
Hir brighte heer was kembd, untressed al; Line 2289 
A coroune of a grene ook cerial Line 2290 
Upon hir heed was set ful fair and meete. Line 2291 
Two fyres on the auter gan she beete, Line 2292 
And dide hir thynges, as men may biholde Line 2293 
In stace of thebes and thise bookes olde. Line 2294 
Whan kyndled was the fyr, with pitous cheere Line 2295 
Unto dyane she spak as ye may heere: Line 2296 
O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene, Line 2297 
To whom bothe hevene and erthe and see is sene, Line 2298 
Queene of the regne of pluto derk and lowe, Line 2299 
Goddesse of maydens, that myn herte hast knowe Line 2300 
Ful many a yeer, and woost what I desire, Line 2301 
As keepe me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn ire, Line 2302 
That attheon aboughte cruelly. Line 2303 
Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I Line 2304 
Desire to ben a mayden al my lyf, Line 2305 
Ne nevere wol I be no love ne wyf. Line 2306 
I am, thow woost, yet of thy compaignye, Line 2307 
A mayde, and love huntynge and venerye, Line 2308 
And for to walken in the wodes wilde, Line 2309 
And noght to ben a wyf and be with childe. Line 2310 
Noght wol I knowe compaignye of man. Line 2311 
Now help me, lady, sith ye may and kan, Line 2312 
For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. Line 2313 
And palamon, that hath swich love to me, Line 2314 
And eek arcite, that loveth me so soore, Line 2315 
(this grace I preye thee withoute moore) Line 2316 
As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two, Line 2317 
And from me turne awey hir hertes so Line 2318 
That al hire hoote love and hir desir, Line 2319 
And al hir bisy torment, and hir fir Line 2320 
Be queynt, or turned in another place. Line 2321 
And if so be thou wolt nat do me grace, Line 2322 
Or if my destynee be shapen so Line 2323 
That I shal nedes have oon of hem two, Line 2324 
As sende me hym that moost desireth me. Line 2325 
Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee, Line 2326 
The bittre teeris that on my chekes falle. Line 2327 
Syn thou art mayde and kepere of us alle, Line 2328 
My maydenhede thou kepe and wel conserve Line 2329 
And whil I lyve, a mayde I wol thee serve. Line 2330 
The fires brenne upon the auter cleere, Line 2331 
Whil emelye was thus in hir preyere. Line 2332 
But sodeynly she saugh a sighte queynte, Line 2333 
For right anon oon of the fyres queynte, Line 2334 
And quyked agayn, and after that anon Line 2335 
That oother fyr was queynt and al agon; Line 2336 
And as it queynte it made a whistelynge, Line 2337 
As doon thise wete brondes in hir brennynge, Line 2338 
And at the brondes ende out ran anon  Line 2339 

Page 40

 Line 2339 
As it were blody dropes many oon; Line 2340 
For which so soore agast was emelye Line 2341 
That she was wel ny mad, and gan to crye, Line 2342 
For she ne wiste what it signyfied; Line 2343 
But oonly for the feere thus hath she cried, Line 2344 
And weep that it was pitee for to heere. Line 2345 
And therwithal dyane gan appeere, Line 2346 
With bowe in honde, right as an hunteresse, Line 2347 
And seyde, doghter, stynt thyn hevynesse. Line 2348 
Among the goddes hye it is affermed, Line 2349 
And by eterne word writen and confermed, Line 2350 
Thou shalt ben wedded unto oon of tho Line 2351 
That han for thee so muchel care and wo; Line 2352 
But unto which of hem I may nat telle. Line 2353 
Farwel, for I ne may no lenger dwelle. Line 2354 
The fires which that on myn auter brenne Line 2355 
Shulle thee declaren, er that thou go henne, Line 2356 
Thyn aventure of love, as in this cas. Line 2357 
And with that word, the arwes in the caas Line 2358 
Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge, Line 2359 
And forth she wente, and made a vanysshynge; Line 2360 
For which this emelye astoned was, Line 2361 
And seyde, what amounteth this, allas? Line 2362 
I putte me in thy proteccioun, Line 2363 
Dyane, and in thy disposicioun. Line 2364 
And hoom she goth anon the nexte weye. Line 2365 
This is th' effect; ther is namoore to seye. Line 2366 
The nexte houre of mars folwynge this, Line 2367 
Arcite unto the temple walked is Line 2368 
Of fierse mars, to doon his sacrifise, Line 2369 
With alle the rytes of his payen wyse. Line 2370 
With pitous herte and heigh devocioun, Line 2371 
Right thus to mars he seyde his orisoun: Line 2372 
O stronge god, that in the regnes colde Line 2373 
Of trace honoured art and lord yholde, Line 2374 
And hast in every regne and every lond Line 2375 
Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond, Line 2376 
And hem fortunest as thee lyst devyse, Line 2377 
Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise. Line 2378 
If so be that my youthe may deserve, Line 2379 
And that my myght be worthy for to serve Line 2380 
Thy godhede, that I may been oon of thyne, Line 2381 
Thanne preye I thee to rewe upon my pyne. Line 2382 
For thilke peyne, and thilke hoote fir Line 2383 
In which thow whilom brendest for desir, Line 2384 
Whan that thow usedest the beautee Line 2385 
Of faire, yonge, fresshe venus free, Line 2386 
And haddest hire in armes at thy wille --  Line 2387 
Although thee ones on a tyme mysfille, Line 2388 
Whan vulcanus hadde caught thee in his las, Line 2389 
And foond thee liggynge by his wyf, allas! --  Line 2390 
For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte, Line 2391 
Have routhe as wel upon my peynes smerte. Line 2392 
I am yong and unkonnynge, as thow woost, Line 2393 
And, as I trowe, with love offended moost Line 2394 
That evere was any lyves creature; Line 2395 
For she that dooth me al this wo endure Line 2396 
Ne reccheth nevere wher I synke or fleete. Line 2397 
And wel I woot, er she me mercy heete, Line 2398 
I moot with strengthe wynne hire in the place, Line 2399 
And, wel I woot, withouten help or grace Line 2400 
Of thee, ne may my strengthe noght availle. Line 2401 
Thanne help me, lord, tomorwe in my bataille, Line 2402 
For thilke fyr that whilom brente thee, Line 2403 
As wel as thilke fyr now brenneth me, Line 2404 
And do that I tomorwe have victorie. Line 2405 
Myn be the travaille, and thyn be the glorie! Line 2406 
Thy sovereyn temple wol I moost honouren Line 2407 
Of any place, and alwey moost labouren Line 2408 
In thy plesaunce and in thy craftes stronge, Line 2409 
And in thy temple I wol my baner honge Line 2410 
And alle the armes of my compaignye; Line 2411 
And everemo, unto that day I dye, Line 2412 
Eterne fir I wol bifore thee fynde. Line 2413 
And eek to this avow I wol me bynde: Line 2414 
My beerd, myn heer, that hongeth long adoun, Line 2415 
That nevere yet ne felte offensioun Line 2416 
Of rasour nor of shere, I wol thee yive, Line 2417 
And ben thy trewe servant whil I lyve. Line 2418 
Now, lord, have routhe upon my sorwes soore; Line 2419 
Yif me victorie, I aske thee namoore. Line 2420 
The preyere stynt of arcita the stronge, Line 2421 
The rynges on the temple dore that honge, Line 2422 
And eek the dores, clatereden ful faste, Line 2423 
Of which arcita somwhat hym agaste. Line 2424 
The fyres brenden upon the auter brighte, Line 2425 
That it gan al the temple for to lighte; Line 2426 
A sweete smel the ground anon up yaf, Line 2427 
And arcita anon his hand up haf, Line 2428 
And moore encens into the fyr he caste, Line 2429 
With othere rytes mo; and atte laste Line 2430 
The statue of mars bigan his hauberk rynge; Line 2431 
And with that soun he herde a murmurynge Line 2432 
Ful lowe and dym, and seyde thus, victorie! Line 2433 
For which he yaf to mars honour and glorie. Line 2434 
And thus with joye and hope wel to fare Line 2435 
Arcite anon unto his in is fare, Line 2436 
As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. Line 2437 
And right anon swich strif ther is bigonne, Line 2438 
For thilke grauntyng, in the hevene above, Line 2439 
Bitwixe venus, the goddesse of love, Line 2440 
And mars, the stierne God armypotente, Line 2441 
That juppiter was bisy it to stente; Line 2442 
Til that the pale saturnus the colde, Line 2443 
That knew so manye of aventures olde, Line 2444 
Foond in his olde experience an art Line 2445 
That he ful soone hath plesed every part. Line 2446 
As sooth is seyd, elde hath greet avantage;  Line 2447 

Page 41

 Line 2447 
In elde is bothe wysdom and usage; Line 2448 
Men may the olde atrenne, and noght atrede. Line 2449 
Saturne anon, to stynten strif and drede, Line 2450 
Al be it that it is agayn his kynde, Line 2451 
Of al this strif he gan remedie fynde. Line 2452 
My deere doghter venus, quod saturne, Line 2453 
My cours, that hath so wyde for to turne, Line 2454 
Hath moore power than woot any man. Line 2455 
Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan; Line 2456 
Myn is the prison in the derke cote; Line 2457 
Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte, Line 2458 
The murmure and the cherles rebellyng, Line 2459 
The groynynge, and the pryvee empoysonyng; Line 2460 
I do vengeance and pleyn correccioun, Line 2461 
Whil I dwelle in the signe of the leoun. Line 2462 
Myn is the ruyne of the hye halles, Line 2463 
The fallynge of the toures and of the walles Line 2464 
Upon the mynour or the carpenter. Line 2465 
I slow sampsoun, shakynge the piler; Line 2466 
And myne be the maladyes colde, Line 2467 
The derke tresons, and the castes olde; Line 2468 
My lookyng is the fader of pestilence. Line 2469 
Now weep namoore, I shal doon diligence Line 2470 
That palamon, that is thyn owene knyght, Line 2471 
Shal have his lady, as thou hast him hight. Line 2472 
Though mars shal helpe his knyght, yet nathelees Line 2473 
Bitwixe yow ther moot be som tyme pees, Line 2474 
Al be ye noght of o compleccioun, Line 2475 
That causeth al day swich divisioun. Line 2476 
I am thyn aiel, redy at thy wille; Line 2477 
Weep now namoore, I wol thy lust fulfille. Line 2478 
Now wol I stynten of the goddes above, Line 2479 
Of mars, and of venus, goddesse of love, Line 2480 
And telle yow as pleynly as I kan Line 2481 
The grete effect, for which that I bygan. Line 2482 Explicit tercia pars. 

Sequitur pars quarta.
Greet was the feeste in atthenes that day, Line 2483 
And eek the lusty seson of that may Line 2484 
Made every wight to been in swich plesaunce Line 2485 
That al that monday justen they and daunce, Line 2486 
And spenden it in venus heigh servyse. Line 2487 
But by the cause that they sholde ryse Line 2488 
Eerly, for to seen the grete fight, Line 2489 
Unto hir reste wenten they at nyght. Line 2490 
And on the morwe, whan that day gan sprynge, Line 2491 
Of hors and harneys noyse and claterynge Line 2492 
Ther was in hostelryes al aboute; Line 2493 
And to the paleys rood ther many a route Line 2494 
Of lordes upon steedes and palfreys. Line 2495 
Ther maystow seen devisynge of harneys Line 2496 
So unkouth and so riche, and wroght so weel Line 2497 
Of goldsmythrye, of browdynge, and of steel; Line 2498 
The sheeldes brighte, testeres, and trappures, Line 2499 
Gold-hewen helmes, hauberkes, cote-armures; Line 2500 
Lordes in parementz on hir courseres, Line 2501 
Knyghtes of retenue, and eek squieres Line 2502 
Nailynge the speres, and helmes bokelynge; Line 2503 
Giggynge of sheeldes, with layneres lacynge Line 2504 
(there as nede is they weren no thyng ydel); Line 2505 
The fomy steedes on the golden brydel Line 2506 
Gnawynge, and faste the armurers also Line 2507 
With fyle and hamer prikynge to and fro; Line 2508 
Yemen on foote, and communes many oon Line 2509 
With shorte staves, thikke as they may goon. Line 2510 
Pypes, trompes, nakers, clariounes, Line 2511 
That in the bataille blowen blody sounes; Line 2512 
The paleys ful of peple up and doun, Line 2513 
Heere thre, ther ten, holdynge hir questioun, Line 2514 
Dyvynynge of thise thebane knyghtes two. Line 2515 
Somme seyden thus, somme seyde it shal be so; Line 2516 
Somme helden with hym with the blake berd, Line 2517 
Somme with the balled, somme with the thikke herd; Line 2518 
Somme seyde he looked grymme, and he wolde fighte; Line 2519 
He hath a sparth of twenty pound of wighte. Line 2520 
Thus was the halle ful of divynynge, Line 2521 
Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge. Line 2522 
The grete theseus, that of his sleep awaked Line 2523 
With mynstralcie and noyse that was maked, Line 2524 
Heeld yet the chambre of his paleys riche, Line 2525 
Til that the thebane knyghtes, bothe yliche Line 2526 
Honured, were into the paleys fet. Line 2527 
Duc theseus was at a wyndow set, Line 2528 
Arrayed right as he were a God in trone. Line 2529 
The peple preesseth thiderward ful soone Line 2530 
Hym for to seen, and doon heigh reverence, Line 2531 
And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence. Line 2532 
And heraud on a scaffold made an oo! Line 2533 
Til al the noyse of peple was ydo, Line 2534 
And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al stille, Line 2535 
Tho shewed he the myghty dukes wille. Line 2536 
The lord hath of his heigh discrecioun Line 2537 
Considered that it were destruccioun Line 2538 
To gentil blood to fighten in the gyse Line 2539 
Of mortal bataille now in this emprise. Line 2540 
Wherfore, to shapen that they shal nat dye, Line 2541 
He wol his firste purpos modifye. Line 2542 
No man therfore, up peyne of los of lyf, Line 2543 
No maner shot, ne polax, ne short knyf  Line 2544 

Page 42

 Line 2544 
Into the lystes sende, or thider brynge; Line 2545 
Ne short swerd, for to stoke with poynt bitynge, Line 2546 
No man ne drawe, ne bere it by his syde. Line 2547 
Ne no man shal unto his felawe ryde Line 2548 
But o cours, with a sharpe ygrounde spere; Line 2549 
Foyne, if hym list, on foote, hymself to were. Line 2550 
And he that is at meschief shal be take Line 2551 
And noght slayn, but be broght unto the stake Line 2552 
That shal ben ordeyned on either syde; Line 2553 
But thider he shal by force, and there abyde. Line 2554 
And if so falle the chieftayn be take Line 2555 
On outher syde, or elles sleen his make, Line 2556 
No lenger shal the turneiynge laste. Line 2557 
God spede you! gooth forth, and ley on faste! Line 2558 
With long swerd and with maces fighteth youre fille. Line 2559 
Gooth now youre wey, this is the lordes wille. Line 2560 
The voys of peple touchede the hevene, Line 2561 
So loude cride they with murie stevene, Line 2562 
God save swich a lord, that is so good, Line 2563 
He wilneth no destruccion of blood! Line 2564 
Up goon the trompes and the melodye, Line 2565 
And to the lystes rit the compaignye, Line 2566 
By ordinance, thurghout the citee large, Line 2567 
Hanged with clooth of gold, and nat with sarge. Line 2568 
Ful lik a lord this noble duc gan ryde, Line 2569 
Thise two thebans upon either syde; Line 2570 
And after rood the queene, and emelye, Line 2571 
And after that another compaignye Line 2572 
Of oon and oother, after hir degree. Line 2573 
And thus they passen thurghout the citee, Line 2574 
And to the lystes come they by tyme. Line 2575 
It nas nat of the day yet fully pryme Line 2576 
Whan set was theseus ful riche and hye, Line 2577 
Ypolita the queene, and emelye, Line 2578 
And othere ladys in degrees aboute. Line 2579 
Unto the seetes preesseth al the route. Line 2580 
And westward, thurgh the gates under marte, Line 2581 
Arcite, and eek the hondred of his parte, Line 2582 
With baner reed is entred right anon; Line 2583 
And in that selve moment palamon Line 2584 
Is under venus, estward in the place, Line 2585 
With baner whyt, and hardy chiere and face. Line 2586 
In al the world, to seken up and doun, Line 2587 
So evene, withouten variacioun, Line 2588 
Ther nere swiche compaignyes tweye; Line 2589 
For ther was noon so wys that koude seye Line 2590 
That any hadde of oother avauntage Line 2591 
Of worthynesse, ne of estaat, ne age, Line 2592 
So evene were they chosen, for to gesse. Line 2593 
And in two renges faire they hem dresse. Line 2594 
Whan that hir names rad were everichon, Line 2595 
That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon, Line 2596 
Tho were the gates shet, and cried was loude: Line 2597 
Do now youre devoir, yonge knyghtes proude! Line 2598 
The heraudes lefte hir prikyng up and doun; Line 2599 
Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun. Line 2600 
Ther is namoore to seyn, but west and est Line 2601 
In goon the speres ful sadly in arrest; Line 2602 
In gooth the sharpe spore into the syde. Line 2603 
Ther seen men who kan juste and who kan ryde; Line 2604 
Ther shyveren shaftes upon sheeldes thikke; Line 2605 
He feeleth thurgh the herte-spoon the prikke. Line 2606 
Up spryngen speres twenty foot on highte; Line 2607 
Out goon the swerdes as the silver brighte; Line 2608 
The helmes they tohewen and toshrede; Line 2609 
Out brest the blood with stierne stremes rede; Line 2610 
With myghty maces the bones they tobreste. Line 2611 
He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste; Line 2612 
Ther stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al; Line 2613 
He rolleth under foot as dooth a bal; Line 2614 
He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun, Line 2615 
And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun; Line 2616 
He thurgh the body is hurt and sither take, Line 2617 
Maugree his heed, and broght unto the stake: Line 2618 
As forward was, right there he moste abyde. Line 2619 
Another lad is on that oother syde. Line 2620 
And some tyme dooth hem theseus to reste, Line 2621 
Hem to refresshe and drynken, if hem leste. Line 2622 
Ful ofte a day han thise thebanes two Line 2623 
Togydre ymet, and wroght his felawe wo; Line 2624 
Unhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye. Line 2625 
Ther nas no tygre in the vale of galgopheye, Line 2626 
Whan that hir whelp is stole whan it is lite, Line 2627 
So crueel on the hunte as is arcite Line 2628 
For jelous herte upon this palamon. Line 2629 
Ne in belmarye ther nys so fel leon, Line 2630 
That hunted is, or for his hunger wood, Line 2631 
Ne of his praye desireth so the blood, Line 2632 
As palamon to sleen his foo arcite. Line 2633 
The jelous strokes on hir helmes byte; Line 2634 
Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede. Line 2635 
Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede. Line 2636 
For er the sonne unto the reste wente, Line 2637 
The stronge kyng emetreus gan hente Line 2638 
This palamon, as he faught with arcite, Line 2639 
And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte; Line 2640 
And by the force of twenty is he take Line 2641 
Unyolden, and ydrawe unto the stake. Line 2642 
And in the rescus of this palamoun Line 2643 
The stronge kyng lygurge is born adoun, Line 2644 
And kyng emetreus, for al his strengthe,  Line 2645 

Page 43

 Line 2645 
Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe, Line 2646 
So hitte him palamoun er he were take; Line 2647 
But al for noght, he was broght to the stake. Line 2648 
His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naught: Line 2649 
He moste abyde, whan that he was caught, Line 2650 
By force and eek by composicioun. Line 2651 
Who sorweth now but woful palamoun, Line 2652 
That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte? Line 2653 
And whan that theseus hadde seyn this sighte, Line 2654 
Unto the folk that foghten thus echon Line 2655 
He cryde, hoo! namoore, for it is doon! Line 2656 
I wol be trewe juge, and no partie. Line 2657 
Arcite of thebes shal have emelie, Line 2658 
That by his fortune hath hire faire ywonne. Line 2659 
Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne Line 2660 
For joye of this, so loude and heighe withalle, Line 2661 
It semed that the lystes sholde falle. Line 2662 
What kan now faire venus doon above? Line 2663 
What seith she now? what dooth this queene of love, Line 2664 
But wepeth so, for wantynge of hir wille, Line 2665 
Til that hir teeres in the lystes fille? Line 2666 
She seyde, I am ashamed, douteless. Line 2667 
Saturnus seyde, doghter, hoold thy pees! Line 2668 
Mars hath his wille, his knyght hath al his boone, Line 2669 
And, by myn heed, thow shalt been esed soone. Line 2670 
The trompours, with the loude mynstralcie, Line 2671 
The heraudes, that ful loude yelle and crie, Line 2672 
Been in hire wele for joye of daun arcite. Line 2673 
But herkneth me, and stynteth noyse a lite, Line 2674 
Which a myracle ther bifel anon. Line 2675 
This fierse arcite hath of his helm ydon, Line 2676 
And on a courser, for to shewe his face, Line 2677 
He priketh endelong the large place Line 2678 
Lokynge upward upon this emelye; Line 2679 
And she agayn hym caste a freendlich ye Line 2680 
(for wommen, as to speken in comune, Line 2681 
Thei folwen alle the favour of fortune) Line 2682 
And was al his chiere, as in his herte. Line 2683 
Out of the ground a furie infernal sterte, Line 2684 
From pluto sent at requeste of saturne, Line 2685 
For which his hors for fere gan to turne, Line 2686 
And leep aside, and foundred as he leep; Line 2687 
And er that arcite may taken keep, Line 2688 
He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed, Line 2689 
That in the place he lay as he were deed, Line 2690 
His brest tobrosten with his sadel-bowe. Line 2691 
As blak he lay as any cole or crowe, Line 2692 
So was the blood yronnen in his face. Line 2693 
Anon he was yborn out of the place, Line 2694 
With herte soor, to theseus paleys. Line 2695 
Tho was he korven out of his harneys, Line 2696 
And in a bed ybrought ful faire and blyve; Line 2697 
For he was yet in memorie and alyve, Line 2698 
And alwey criynge after emelye. Line 2699 
Duc theseus, with al his compaignye, Line 2700 
Is comen hoom to atthenes his citee, Line 2701 
With alle blisse and greet solempnitee. Line 2702 
Al be it that this aventure was falle, Line 2703 
He nolde noght disconforten hem alle. Line 2704 
Men seyde eek that arcite shal nat dye; Line 2705 
He shal been heeled of his maladye. Line 2706 
And of another thyng they weren as fayn, Line 2707 
That of hem alle was ther noon yslayn, Line 2708 
Al were they soore yhurt, and namely oon, Line 2709 
That with a spere was thirled his brest boon. Line 2710 
To othere woundes and to broken armes Line 2711 
Somme hadden salves, and somme hadden charmes; Line 2712 
Fermacies of herbes, and eek save Line 2713 
They dronken, for they wolde hir lymes have. Line 2714 
For which this noble duc, as he wel kan, Line 2715 
Conforteth and honoureth every man, Line 2716 
And made revel al the longe nyght Line 2717 
Unto the straunge lordes, as was right. Line 2718 
Ne ther was holden no disconfitynge Line 2719 
But as a justes, or a tourneiynge; Line 2720 
For soothly ther was no disconfiture. Line 2721 
For fallyng nys nat but an aventure, Line 2722 
Ne to be lad by force unto the stake Line 2723 
Unyolden, and with twenty knyghtes take, Line 2724 
O persone allone, withouten mo, Line 2725 
And haryed forth by arme, foot, and too, Line 2726 
And eke his steede dryven forth with staves Line 2727 
With footmen, bothe yemen and eek knaves, --  Line 2728 
It nas arretted hym no vileynye; Line 2729 
Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. Line 2730 
For which anon duc theseus leet crye, Line 2731 
To stynten alle rancour and envye, Line 2732 
The gree as wel of o syde as of oother, Line 2733 
And eyther syde ylik as ootheres brother; Line 2734 
And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree, Line 2735 
And fully heeld a feeste dayes three, Line 2736 
And conveyed the kynges worthily Line 2737 
Out of his toun a journee largely. Line 2738 
And hoom wente every man the righte way. Line 2739 
Ther was namoore but fare wel, have good day! Line 2740 
Of this bataille I wol namoore endite, Line 2741 
But speke of palamon and of arcite. Line 2742 
Swelleth the brest of arcite, and the soore Line 2743 
Encreesseth at his herte moore and moore. Line 2744 
The clothered blood, for any lechecraft, Line 2745 
Corrupteth, and is in his bouk ylaft, Line 2746 
That neither veyne-blood, ne ventusynge, Line 2747 
Ne drynke of herbes may ben his helpynge. Line 2748 
The vertu expulsif, or animal,  Line 2749 

Page 44

 Line 2749 
Fro thilke vertu cleped natural Line 2750 
Ne may the venym voyden ne expelle. Line 2751 
The pipes of his longes gonne to swelle, Line 2752 
And every lacerte in his brest adoun Line 2753 
Is shent with venym and corrupcioun. Line 2754 
Hym gayneth neither, for to gete his lif, Line 2755 
Vomyt upward, ne dounward laxatif. Line 2756 
Al is tobrosten thilke regioun; Line 2757 
Nature hath now no dominacioun. Line 2758 
And certeinly, ther nature wol nat wirche, Line 2759 
Fare wel phisik! go ber the man to chirche! Line 2760 
This al and som, that arcita moot dye; Line 2761 
For which he sendeth after emelye, Line 2762 
And palamon, that was his cosyn deere. Line 2763 
Thanne seyde he thus, as ye shal after heere: Line 2764 
Naught may the woful spirit in myn herte Line 2765 
Declare o point of alle my sorwes smerte Line 2766 
To yow, my lady, that I love moost; Line 2767 
But I biquethe the servyce of my goost Line 2768 
To yow aboven every creature, Line 2769 
Syn that my lyf may no lenger dure. Line 2770 
Allas, the wo! allas, the peynes stronge, Line 2771 
That I for yow have suffred, and so longe! Line 2772 
Allas, the deeth! allas, myn emelye! Line 2773 
Allas, departynge of oure compaignye! Line 2774 
Allas, myn hertes queene! allas, my wyf! Line 2775 
Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf! Line 2776 
What is this world? what asketh men to have? Line 2777 
Now with his love, now in his colde grave Line 2778 
Allone, withouten any compaignye. Line 2779 
Fare wel, my sweete foo, myn emelye! Line 2780 
And softe taak me in youre armes tweye, Line 2781 
For love of god, and herkneth what I seye. Line 2782 
I have heer with my cosyn palamon Line 2783 
Had strif and rancour many a day agon Line 2784 
For love of yow, and for my jalousye. Line 2785 
And juppiter so wys my soule gye, Line 2786 
To speken of a servaunt proprely, Line 2787 
With alle circumstances trewely --  Line 2788 
That is to seyen, trouthe, honour, knyghthede, Line 2789 
Wysdom, humblesse, estaat, and heigh kynrede, Line 2790 
Fredom, and al that longeth to that art --  Line 2791 
So juppiter have of my soule part, Line 2792 
As in this world right now ne knowe I non Line 2793 
So worthy to ben loved as palamon, Line 2794 
That serveth yow, and wol doon al his lyf. Line 2795 
And if that evere ye shul ben a wyf, Line 2796 
Foryet nat palamon, the gentil man. Line 2797 
And with that word his speche faille gan, Line 2798 
For from his feet up to his brest was come Line 2799 
The coold of deeth, that hadde hym overcome, Line 2800 
And yet mooreover, for in his armes two Line 2801 
The vital strengthe is lost and al ago. Line 2802 
Oonly the intellect, withouten moore, Line 2803 
That dwelled in his herte syk and soore, Line 2804 
Gan faillen whan the herte felte deeth. Line 2805 
Dusked his eyen two, and failled breeth, Line 2806 
But on his lady yet caste he his ye; Line 2807 
His laste word was, mercy, emelye! Line 2808 
His spirit chaunged hous and wente ther, Line 2809 
As I cam nevere, I kan nat tellen wher. Line 2810 
Therfore I stynte, I nam no divinistre; Line 2811 
Of soules fynde I nat in this registre, Line 2812 
Ne me ne list thilke opinions to telle Line 2813 
Of hem, though that they writen wher they dwelle. Line 2814 
Arcite is coold, ther mars his soule gye! Line 2815 
Now wol I speken forth of emelye. Line 2816 
Shrighte emelye, and howleth palamon, Line 2817 
And theseus his suster took anon Line 2818 
Swownynge, and baar hire fro the corps away. Line 2819 
What helpeth it to tarien forth the day Line 2820 
To tellen how she weep bothe eve and morwe? Line 2821 
For in swich cas wommen have swich sorwe, Line 2822 
Whan that hir housbondes ben from hem ago, Line 2823 
That for the moore part they sorwen so, Line 2824 
Or ellis fallen in swich maladye, Line 2825 
That at the laste certeinly they dye. Line 2826 
Infinite been the sorwes and the teeres Line 2827 
Of olde folk, and folk of tendre yeeres, Line 2828 
In al the toun for deeth of this theban. Line 2829 
For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man; Line 2830 
So greet wepyng was ther noon, certayn, Line 2831 
Whan ector was ybroght, al fressh yslayn, Line 2832 
To troye. Allas, the pitee that was ther, Line 2833 
Cracchynge of chekes, rentynge eek of heer. Line 2834 
Why woldestow be deed, thise wommen crye, Line 2835 
And haddest gold ynough, and emelye? Line 2836 
No man myghte gladen theseus, Line 2837 
Savynge his olde fader egeus, Line 2838 
That knew this worldes transmutacioun, Line 2839 
As he hadde seyn it chaunge bothe up and doun, Line 2840 
Joye after wo, and wo after gladnesse, Line 2841 
And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. Line 2842 
Right as ther dyed nevere man, quod he, Line 2843 
That he ne lyvede in erthe in some degree, Line 2844 
Right so ther lyvede never man, he seyde, Line 2845 
In al this world, that som tyme he ne deyde. Line 2846 
This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo, Line 2847 
And we been pilgrymes, passynge to and fro. Line 2848 
Deeth is an ende of every worldly soore. Line 2849 
And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore Line 2850 
To this effect, ful wisely to enhorte Line 2851 
The peple that they sholde hem reconforte. Line 2852 
Duc theseus, with al his bisy cure,  Line 2853 

Page 45

 Line 2853 
Caste now wher that the sepulture Line 2854 
Of goode arcite may best ymaked be, Line 2855 
And eek moost honurable in his degree. Line 2856 
And at the laste he took conclusioun Line 2857 
That ther as first arcite and palamoun Line 2858 
Hadden for love the bataille hem bitwene, Line 2859 
That in that selve grove, swoote and grene, Line 2860 
Ther as he hadde his amorouse desires, Line 2861 
His compleynte, and for love his hoote fires, Line 2862 
He wolde make a fyr in which the office Line 2863 
Funeral he myghte al accomplice. Line 2864 
And leet comande anon to hakke and hewe Line 2865 
The okes olde, and leye hem on a rewe Line 2866 
In colpons wel arrayed for to brenne. Line 2867 
His officers with swifte feet they renne Line 2868 
And ryde anon at his comandement. Line 2869 
And after this, theseus hath ysent Line 2870 
After a beere, and it al over spradde Line 2871 
With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde. Line 2872 
And of the same suyte he cladde arcite; Line 2873 
Upon his hondes hadde he gloves white, Line 2874 
Eek on his heed a coroune of laurer grene, Line 2875 
And in his hond a swerd ful bright and kene. Line 2876 
He leyde hym, bare the visage, on the beere; Line 2877 
Therwith he weep that pitee was to heere. Line 2878 
And for the peple sholde seen hym alle, Line 2879 
Whan it was day, he broghte hym to the halle, Line 2880 
That roreth of the criyng and the soun. Line 2881 
Tho cam this woful theban palamoun, Line 2882 
With flotery berd and ruggy, asshy heeres, Line 2883 
In clothes blake, ydropped al with teeres; Line 2884 
And, passynge othere of wepynge, emelye, Line 2885 
The rewefulleste of al the compaignye. Line 2886 
In as muche as the servyce sholde be Line 2887 
The moore noble and riche in his degree, Line 2888 
Duc theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge, Line 2889 
That trapped were in steel al gliterynge, Line 2890 
And covered with the armes of daun arcite. Line 2891 
Upon thise steedes, that weren grete and white, Line 2892 
Ther seten folk, of whiche oon baar his sheeld, Line 2893 
Another his spere up on his hondes heeld, Line 2894 
The thridde baar with hym his bowe turkeys Line 2895 
(of brend gold was the caas and eek the harneys); Line 2896 
And riden forth a paas with sorweful cheere Line 2897 
Toward the grove, as ye shul after heere. Line 2898 
The nobleste of the grekes that ther were Line 2899 
Upon hir shuldres caryeden the beere, Line 2900 
With slakke paas, and eyen rede and wete, Line 2901 
Thurghout the citee by the maister strete, Line 2902 
That sprad was al with blak, and wonder hye Line 2903 
Right of the same is the strete ywrye. Line 2904 
Upon the right hond wente olde egeus, Line 2905 
And on that oother syde duc theseus, Line 2906 
With vessels in hir hand of gold ful fyn, Line 2907 
Al ful of hony, milk, and blood, and wyn; Line 2908 
Eek palamon, with ful greet compaignye; Line 2909 
And after that cam woful emelye, Line 2910 
With fyr in honde, as was that tyme the gyse, Line 2911 
To do the office of funeral servyse. Line 2912 
Heigh labour and ful greet apparaillynge Line 2913 
Was at the service and the fyr-makynge, Line 2914 
That with his grene top the hevene raughte; Line 2915 
And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte --  Line 2916 
This is to seyn, the bowes weren so brode. Line 2917 
Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a lode. Line 2918 
But how the fyr was maked upon highte, Line 2919 
Ne eek the names that the trees highte, Line 2920 
As ook, firre, birch, aspe, alder, holm, popler, Line 2921 
Wylugh, elm, plane, assh, box, chasteyn, lynde, laurer, Line 2922 
Mapul, thorn, bech, hasel, ew, whippeltree, --  Line 2923 
How they weren feld, shal nat be toold for me; Line 2924 
Ne hou the goddes ronnen up and doun, Line 2925 
Disherited of hire habitacioun, Line 2926 
In which they woneden in reste and pees, Line 2927 
Nymphes, fawnes and amadrides; Line 2928 
Ne hou the beestes and the briddes alle Line 2929 
Fledden for fere, whan the wode was falle; Line 2930 
Ne how the ground agast was of the light, Line 2931 
That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright; Line 2932 
Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree, Line 2933 
And thanne with drye stikkes cloven a thre, Line 2934 
And thanne with grene wode and spicerye, Line 2935 
And thanne with clooth of gold and with perrye, Line 2936 
And gerlandes, hangynge with ful many a flour; Line 2937 
The mirre, th' encens, with al so greet odour; Line 2938 
Ne how arcite lay among al this, Line 2939 
Ne what richesse aboute his body is; Line 2940 
Ne how that emelye, as was the gyse, Line 2941 
Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse; Line 2942 
Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr, Line 2943 
Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desir; Line 2944 
Ne what jeweles men in the fyre caste, Line 2945 
Whan that the fyr was greet and brente faste; Line 2946 
Ne how somme caste hir sheeld, and somme hir spere, Line 2947 
And of hire vestimentz, whiche that they were, Line 2948 
And coppes fulle of wyn, and milk, and blood, Line 2949 
Into the fyr, that brente as it were wood; Line 2950 
Ne how the grekes, with an huge route, Line 2951 
Thries riden al the fyr aboute Line 2952 
Upon the left hand, with a loud shoutynge, Line 2953 
And thries with hir speres claterynge; Line 2954 
And thries how the ladyes gonne crye;  Line 2955 

Page 46

 Line 2955 
Ne how that lad was homward emelye; Line 2956 
Ne how arcite is brent to asshen colde; Line 2957 
Ne how that lyche-wake was yholde Line 2958 
Al thilke nyght; ne how the grekes pleye Line 2959 
The wake-pleyes, ne kepe I nat to seye; Line 2960 
Who wrastleth best naked with oille enoynt, Line 2961 
Ne who that baar hym best, in no disjoynt. Line 2962 
I wol nat tellen eek how that they goon Line 2963 
Hoom til atthenes, whan the pley is doon; Line 2964 
But shortly to the point thanne wol I wende, Line 2965 
And maken of my longe tale an ende. Line 2966 
By processe and by lengthe of certeyn yeres, Line 2967 
Al stynted is the moornynge and the teres Line 2968 
Of grekes, by oon general assent. Line 2969 
Thanne semed me ther was a parlement Line 2970 
At atthenes, upon certein pointz and caas; Line 2971 
Among the whiche pointz yspoken was, Line 2972 
To have with certein contrees alliaunce, Line 2973 
And have fully of thebans obeisaunce. Line 2974 
For which this noble theseus anon Line 2975 
Leet senden after gentil palamon, Line 2976 
Unwist of hym what was the cause and why; Line 2977 
But in his blake clothes sorwefully Line 2978 
He cam at his comandement in hye. Line 2979 
Tho sente theseus for emelye. Line 2980 
Whan they were set, and hust was al the place, Line 2981 
And theseus abiden hadde a space Line 2982 
Er any word cam fram his wise brest, Line 2983 
His eyen sette he ther as was his lest. Line 2984 
And with a sad visage he siked stille, Line 2985 
And after that right thus he seyde his wille: Line 2986 
The firste moevere of the cause above, Line 2987 
Whan he first made the faire cheyne of love, Line 2988 
Greet was th' effect, and heigh was his entente. Line 2989 
Wel wiste he why, and what thereof he mente; Line 2990 
For with that faire cheyne of love he bond Line 2991 
The fyr, the eyr, the water, and the lond Line 2992 
In certeyn boundes, that they may nat flee. Line 2993 
That same prince and that moevere, quod he, Line 2994 
Hath stablissed in this wrecched world adoun Line 2995 
Certeyne dayes and duracioun Line 2996 
To al that is engendred in this place, Line 2997 
Over the whiche day they may nat pace, Line 2998 
Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge. Line 2999 
Ther nedeth noght noon auctoritee t' allegge, Line 3000 
For it is preeved by experience, Line 3001 
But that me list declaren my sentence. Line 3002 
Thanne may men by this ordre wel discerne Line 3003 
That thilke moevere stable is and eterne. Line 3004 
Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, Line 3005 
That every part dirryveth from his hool; Line 3006 
For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng Line 3007 
Of no partie or cantel of a thyng, Line 3008 
But of a thyng that parfit is and stable, Line 3009 
Descendynge so til it be corrumpable. Line 3010 
And therfore, of his wise purveiaunce, Line 3011 
He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce, Line 3012 
That speces of thynges and progressiouns Line 3013 
Shullen enduren by successiouns, Line 3014 
And nat eterne, withouten any lye. Line 3015 
This maystow understonde and seen at ye. Line 3016 
Loo the ook, that hath so long a norisshynge Line 3017 
From tyme that it first bigynneth to sprynge, Line 3018 
And hath so long a lif, as we may see, Line 3019 
Yet at the laste wasted is the tree. Line 3020 
Considereth eek how that the harde stoon Line 3021 
Under oure feet, on which we trede and goon, Line 3022 
Yet wasteth it as it lyth by the weye. Line 3023 
The brode ryver somtyme wexeth dreye; Line 3024 
The grete tounes se we wane and wende. Line 3025 
Thanne may ye se that al this thyng hath ende. Line 3026 
Of man and womman seen we wel also Line 3027 
That nedes, in oon of thise termes two, Line 3028 
This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age, Line 3029 
He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page; Line 3030 
Som in his bed, som in the depe see, Line 3031 
Som in the large feeld, as men may see; Line 3032 
Ther helpeth noght, al goth that ilke weye. Line 3033 
Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye. Line 3034 
What maketh this but juppiter, the kyng, Line 3035 
That is prince and cause of alle thyng, Line 3036 
Convertynge al unto his propre welle Line 3037 
From which it is dirryved, sooth to telle? Line 3038 
And heer-agayns no creature on lyve, Line 3039 
Of no degree, availleth for to stryve. Line 3040 
Thanne is it wysdom, as it thynketh me, Line 3041 
To maken vertu of necessitee, Line 3042 
And take it weel that we may nat eschue, Line 3043 
And namely that to us alle is due. Line 3044 
And whoso gruccheth ought, he dooth folye, Line 3045 
And rebel is to hym that al may gye. Line 3046 
And certeinly a man hath moost honour Line 3047 
To dyen in his excellence and flour, Line 3048 
Whan he is siker of his goode name; Line 3049 
Thanne hath he doon his freend, ne hym, no shame. Line 3050 
And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth, Line 3051 
Whan with honour up yolden is his breeth, Line 3052 
Than whan his name apalled is for age, Line 3053 
For al forgeten is his vassellage. Line 3054 
Thanne is it best, as for a worthy fame, Line 3055 
To dyen whan that he is best of name. Line 3056 
The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse. Line 3057 
Why grucchen we, why have we hevynesse, Line 3058 
That goode arcite, of chivalrie the flour, Line 3059 
Departed is with duetee and honour Line 3060 
Out of this foule prisoun of this lyf?  Line 3061 

Page 47

 Line 3061 
Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf Line 3062 
Of his welfare, that loved hem so weel? Line 3063 
Kan he hem thank? nay, God woot, never a deel, Line 3064 
That both his soule and eek hemself offende, Line 3065 
And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende. Line 3066 
What may I conclude of this longe serye, Line 3067 
But after wo I rede us to be merye, Line 3068 
And thanken juppiter of al his grace? Line 3069 
And er that we departen from this place Line 3070 
I rede that we make of sorwes two Line 3071 
O parfit joye, lastynge everemo. Line 3072 
And looketh now, wher moost sorwe is herinne, Line 3073 
Ther wol we first amenden and bigynne. Line 3074 
Suster, quod he, this is my fulle assent, Line 3075 
With al th' avys heere of my parlement, Line 3076 
That gentil palamon, youre owene knyght, Line 3077 
That serveth yow with wille herte, and myght, Line 3078 
And ever hath doon syn ye first hym knewe, Line 3079 
That ye shul of youre grace upon hym rewe, Line 3080 
And taken hym for housbonde and for lord. Line 3081 
Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. Line 3082 
Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee. Line 3083 
He is kynges brother sone, pardee; Line 3084 
And though he were a povre bacheler, Line 3085 
Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer, Line 3086 
And had for yow so greet adversitee, Line 3087 
It moste been considered, leeveth me; Line 3088 
For gentil mercy oghte to passen right. Line 3089 
Thanne seyde he thus to palamon the knight: Line 3090 
I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng Line 3091 
To make yow assente to this thyng. Line 3092 
Com neer, and taak youre lady by the hond. Line 3093 
Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond Line 3094 
That highte matrimoigne or mariage, Line 3095 
By al the conseil and the baronage. Line 3096 
And thus with alle blisse and melodye Line 3097 
Hath palamon ywedded emelye. Line 3098 
And god, that al this wyde world hath wroght, Line 3099 
Sende hym his love that hath it deere aboght; Line 3100 
For now is palamon in alle wele, Line 3101 
Lyvynge in blisse, in richesse, and in heele, Line 3102 
And emelye hym loveth so tendrely, Line 3103 
And he hire serveth al so gentilly, Line 3104 
That nevere was ther no word hem bitwene Line 3105 
Of jalousie or any oother teene. Line 3106 
Thus endeth palamon and emelye; Line 3107 
And God save al this faire compaignye! amen. Line 3108 

The Canterbury tales

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The Knight's Tale

Part I

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Sequitur pars secunda.

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Sequitur pars tercia.

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Sequitur pars quarta.

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