And with that word Arcita gan espy 340 Where as this lady roamed to and fro. And with that sight her beauty hurt him so, That if that Palamon 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 341 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 342 he looked, and answér’d: “Whether say’st thou this in earnest or in play?” “Nay,” quoth Arcite, “in earnest, by my fay. 343 God help me so, me lust full ill to play.” 344 This Palamon gan knit his browës tway.