No manner man might gladden Theseus, Saving his oldë father Egeus, That knew this worldë’s transmutatioun, As he had seen it changen up and down, Joy after woe, and woe after gladness; And shewed him example and likeness. “Right as there diëd never man,” quoth he, “That he ne liv’d in earth in some degree, Right so there lived never man,” he said, “In all this world, that sometime be not died. This world is but a throughfare full of woe, And we be pilgrims, passing to and fro: Death is an end of every worldly sore.” And over all this said he yet much more To this effect, full wisely to exhort The people, that they should them recomfórt.
Duke Theseus, with all his busy cure, Casteth about, where that the sepulture Of good Arcite may best y-maked be, And eke most honourable in his degree. And at the last he took conclusión, That there as first Arcite and Palamon Haddë for love the battle them between, That in that selvë grovë, sweet and green, There as he had his amorous desires, His cómplaint, and for love his hotë fires, He wouldë make a fire, in which th’ offíce Of funeral he might all áccomplice; And let anon command to hack and hew The oakës old, and lay them on a rew In culpons, well arrayed for to brenne. His officers with swiftë