The Knights Tale of Palamon and Arcite

THE KNIGHT'S TALE OF PALAMON AND ARCITE. One bright May morning (the Knight said), the lovely Emily, sister-in-law to the Duke, was walking in the royal garden beneath the tower in which Palamon and Arcite were prisoners.

She was fairer than the lily upon its stalk of green, and it would be hard to say which was fresher, the bloom of her cheeks or the color of the rose. She was daintily attired, her yellow hair falling down her back in a long braid. Up and down the garden she wandered, gathering here a white flower and there a red One, to make a garland for her head. And all the while she sang with a voice like an angel's.

Chancing to look through his barred window, Palamon caught sight of beautiful Emily.

" Ah," he cried, pierced to the heart with love. " It is the goddess Venus herself!" Then Arcite looked out, and he too was smitten with love and cried out: "Her fresh beauty will slay me! If I cannot have her grace, I am but dead." Then, for the first time in their lives, the two cousins began to quarrel.

Soon after it came to pass that a friend of Arcite prevailed on Theseus to set him free. Theseus decreed, however, that Arcite must leave Athens at once, and that he should lose his head if he were ever found there again. So Arcite, though free, thought himself less fortunate than Palamon, who remained in prison; for now he could not even look upon Emily from a distance.

The time came when Arcite could bear the pain of absence no longer. Disguising himself as a laborer, he returned to Athens and took service in the house hold of the duke.

Seven years had passed and Palamon was still pining in prison. At last one night he escaped. In a wood near by he chanced to meet Arcite, and the two rivals at once fell to quarreling again over Emily.

"Either thou or I must die," said Palamon. Arcite promised that the next day he would bring weapons, so that they might fight for the lady whom they both loved.

They met as agreed, and while they were fighting fiercely Duke Theseus chanced to come through the wood on his way to the hunt. Queen Hippolyta rode with him, and with her was the lady Emily, clad all in green.

" Hold!" cried the duke, drawing his sword. " No more, on pain of death ! Who are you that dare to fight here?" When he heard their story, he cried angrily, " Your own mouths condemn you, and you shall both die." Then the queen and Emily began to weep. Falling on their knees they begged Duke Theseus not to treat two such gentle youths so cruelly. Relenting, the duke made them this offer. At the end of 50 weeks, Palamon and Arcite should each bring a hundred knights armed for the lists. They would hold a great tournament, and the victor should have Emily for his wife. Both joyfully agreed.

When the great day arrived, both sides fought bravely and well. But before the day was done, Palamon was struck down and taken captive.

Then Theseus cried out : " Hold ! The fight is over. Arcite of Thebes shall have the lady Emily, for he has fairly won her." But just as Arcite, filled with joy, was riding proudly toward Emily, his horse stumbled and he was thrown heavily against his saddle-bow. His breast was crushed and he was mortally injured.

When, in spite of all remedies, Arcite knew that he must die, he sent for the lady Emily and his friend and rival Palamon.

"Alas!" he said, "after all the sorrow I have borne, I must die and leave you, my heart's lady. Raise me gently in your arms, I pray you, and harken unto me. For love of you and from jealousy I have had strife with my dear cousin here for many a day.

But to speak truly, there is no man so worthy to be loved of fair lady as he. And if ever you should bethink you to become a wife, forget not my noble Palamon." His breath then failed him, and murmuring " Emily," the brave knight passed away.

So great was Emily's sorrow that she wept day and night, and could not be comforted. Palamon, too, was bowed down with grief, and all Athens mourned Arcite.

After some time had passed, Palamon and Emily were married. She loved him so tenderly, and he served her so devotedly, that never was there a harsh word between them. And they lived together in health and wealth and happiness long years thereafter.