was wounded sore, Arcite is hurt as much as he, or more. And with a sigh he saidë piteously: “The freshë beauty slay’th me suddenly Of her that roameth yonder in the place. And but I have her mercy and her grace, That I may see her at the leastë way, I am but dead; there is no more to say.” This Palamon, when he these wordës heard, Dispiteously he looked, and answér’d: “Whether say’st thou this in earnest or in play?” “Nay,” quoth Arcite, “in earnest, by my fay. God help me so, me lust full ill to play.” This Palamon gan knit his browës tway. “It were,” quoth he, “to thee no great honoúr For to be false, nor for to be traitoúr To me, that am thy cousin and thy brother Y-sworn full deep, and each of us to other, That never for to dien in the pain, Till that the death departen shall us twain, Neither of us in love to hinder other, Nor in none other case, my levë brother; But that thou shouldest truly farther me In every case, as I should farther thee. This was thine oath, and mine also certáin; I wot it well, thou dar’st it not withsayn. Thus art thou of my counsel out of doubt. And now thou wouldest falsely be about To love my lady, whom I love and serve, And ever shall, until mine heartë sterve. Now certes, false Arcite, thou shalt not so. I lov’d her first, and toldë thee my woe As to my counsel, and my brother sworn To farther me, as I have told beforn. For which thou art y-bounden as a knight To helpë me, if it lie in thy might, Or ellës art thou false, I dare well sayn,”
This Arcita full proudly spake again: “Thou shalt,” quoth he, “be rather false than I, And thou art false, I tell thee utterly; For par amour I lov’d her first ere thou. What wilt thou say? thou wist it not right now Whether she be a woman or goddéss. Thine is affectión of holiness, And mine is love, as to a creature: For which I toldë thee mine áventure As to my cousin, and my brother sworn. I posë, that thou loved’st her beforn: Wost thou not well the oldë clerkë’s saw, That who shall give a lover any law? Love is a greater lawë, by my pan, Than may be giv’n to any earthly man: Therefore positive law, and such decree, Is broke alway for love in each degree A man must needës love, maugré his head. He may not flee it, though he should be dead, All be she maid, or widow, or else wife.