On the same day rode forth Theseus with Hippolyta and Emilia to hunt the
hart, and Theseus was aware of the two knights fighting. He spurred his
steed between them, and cried to them to hold their hands. And Palamon told
him who they were, and why they fought. Theseus at first was angry, and
condemned them both to death; but when the queen Hippolyta and Emilia and
the ladies of their train pleaded for them, he relented, bethinking himself
of what love is, for he himself had been a servant [lover] in his time;
wherefore, at the request of the queen and Emilia, he forgave them, if they
would swear to do his country no harm, and be his friends. And when they
had sworn, he reasoned with them, that each was worthy to wed Emilia, but
that both could not so do; therefore let each depart for a year, and gather
to him a hundred knights, and then return to tourney in the lists for the
hand of Emilia.
"Who loketh lightly now but Palamoun?
Who springeth up for joye but Arcite?"
And thanking him on their knees, they took their leave and rode away.
Royal were the lists which Theseus made, a mile in circuit, and walled with
stone. Eastward and westward were marble gates, whereon were built temples
of Venus and Mars, while in a turret on the north wall was a shrine of
Diana goddess of chastity.
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