[13]
Amongst the slain were found, half-dead, two young knights named Palamon
and Arcite, whom the heralds recognised, from the cognisances on their
armour, as of blood-royal, and born of two sisters. Theseus sent them to
Athens to be held to ransom in prison perpetually, and himself returned
home in triumph.
So years and days passed, and Palamon and Arcite dwelt in durance in a
tower; till on a morrow of May it befel that the fair and fresh Emilia
arose to do observance to May, and walked in the garden, gathering flowers
and singing. Now in a high chamber of the tower, which adjoined the
garden-wall, Palamon by leave of his gaoler was pacing to and fro and
bewailing his lot, when he cast his eyes through the thick-barred window,
and beheld Emilia in the garden below; whereat he blenched, and cried out
as though struck to the heart. Arcite heard him, and, asking him why he so
cried out, bade him suffer imprisonment in patience; but Palamon replied
that the cause of his crying out was the beauty of the lady in the garden.
Thereupon Arcite spied out of the window at Emilia, and was so struck by
her fairness
"That if that Palamon was wounded sore,
Arcite is hurt as muche as he, or more."
So strife began between the two. Palamon said it were small honour for
Arcite to be false to his cousin and sworn brother, since each had taken an
oath not to hinder the other in love; nay, as a knight Arcite was bound to
help him in his amour.
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