The Knight’s Tale

shapen of thy woe an end.” And with that word Arcite woke and start. “Now truëly how sore that e’er me smart,” Quoth he, “to Athens right now will I fare. Nor for no dread of death shall I not spare To see my lady that I love and serve; In her presénce I reckë not to sterve.” And with that word he caught a great mirrór, And saw that changed was all his colór, And saw his visage all in other kind. And right anon it ran him ill his mind, That since his facë was so disfigúr’d Of malady the which he had endúr’d, He mightë well, if that he bare him low, Live in Athenës evermore unknow, And see his lady well-nigh day by day. And right anon he changed his array, And clad him as a poorë labourer. And all alone, save only a squiér, That knew his privity and all his cas, Which was disguised poorly as he was, To Athens is he gone the nextë way. And to the court he went upon a day, And at the gate he proffer’d his service, To drudge and draw, what so men would devise. And, shortly of this matter for to sayn, He fell in office with a chamberlain, The which that dwelling was with Emily. For he was wise, and couldë soon espy Of every servant which that served her. Well