And Theseus cried to them that the tourney was finished, and that
Arcite should have the lady; whereat the rejoicing of the people was loud.
But in heaven Venus wept, so that her tears fell down into the lists; yet
Saturn promised that her sorrow should be eased soon.
And in truth as Arcite rode in triumph down the lists, looking up at
Emilia, Pluto, at the bidding of Saturn, sent from hell a fury, that
started from the ground in front of Arcite's horse, which shied and threw
his rider; and Arcite pitched on his head, and lay as though dead. They
bore him to Theseus' palace, cut his harness from off him, and laid him in
a bed.
Theseus for three days entertained the knights of the tourney, and then all
of them went their several ways. But Arcite lay dying; no longer had Nature
any power;
"And certeinly, ther nature wol nat wirche,
Far-wel, phisyk! go ber the man to chirche!"
On his deathbed he called Palamon and Emilia to his side, and bade farewell
to his heart's queen, commending Palamon to her,
"As in this world right now ne knowe I non
So worthy to ben loved as Palamon
That serveth yow, and wol don al his lyf.
And if that ever ye shul ben a wyf,
Forget nat Palamon, the gentil man."
And his speech failed him, and his strength went out of him: but he still
kept his eyes fixed on his lady, and his last word was "Mercy, Emilye!"
Theseus gave Arcite a costly funeral, and built his funeral pyre in the
grove where Palamon had heard him lament on the morning of May.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29