“Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, Ther was a duk that highte Theseus. Of Athenes he was lord and governor, That greter was ther non under the sonne. Ful many a rich contree had he wonne. What with his wisdom and his chevalrie, He conquerd all the regne of Feminie, That whilom was ycleped Scythia; And wedded the freshe quene Ipolita, And brought hire home with him to his contree With mochel glorie and great solempnitee, And eke hire yonge suster Emelie. And thus with victorie and with melodic Let I this worthy duk to Athenes ride, And all his host, in armes him beside.”

Shakespeare also, in the Midsummer Night’s Dream , calls him the Duke of Athens. ↩