Great was the strife and long betwixt them tway, If that I haddë leisure for to say; But to the effect: it happen’d on a day (To tell it you as shortly as I may), A worthy duke that hight Perithous, That fellow was to the Duke Theseus 357 Since thilkë 358 day that they were children lite, 359 Was come to Athéns, his fellow to visite, And for to play, as he was wont to do; For in this world he loved no man so; And he lov’d him as tenderly again. So well they lov’d, as oldë bookës sayn, That when that one was dead, soothly to tell, His fellow went and sought him down in hell: But of that story list me not to write. Duke Perithous loved well Arcite, And had him known at Thebes year by year: And finally at réquest and prayére Of Perithous, withoutë ransón Duke Theseus him let out of prisón,