the wall through which it was cut was
thick, so it was not easy for Arcite to see into the garden. At last
he caught a glimpse of Emelia.

"Oh, how lovely she is!" he said. "I shall die of my wish to serve
her. Most beautiful of maidens she is, truly."

When Palamon heard this, he turned on Arcite, looked coldly at him and
asked, "Sayest thou so in earnest or in jest?"

"Nay, truly in earnest, my cousin; I have little will to jest!"

Palamon looked fiercely at him and said, "Little honor to thee then!
Hast thou forgotten thine oath of truest brotherhood to me, and mine
to thee? Hast thou forgotten thy promise to help me in all I do? How,
then, canst thou dream of claiming to love my lady? This thou shalt
not do, false Arcite! I loved her first, and told thee, and thou must
help me to win her if ever we escape. Thine honor demands this of
thee. Otherwise thou art no true knight."

But Arcite drew himself up scornfully and said, "Rather it is thou
that art false! A moment ago thou didst not know whether she were
maiden or Spirit! I loved her first for what she is, and told thee as
my brother! But even if thou hadst loved her first, could I, because
of that, refuse to love the fairest of maidens? Besides, why should we
strive? Thou knowest too well that thou shalt never win her smile, nor
yet shall I! These prison walls so thick and black leave no hope for
us. We fight as did the fabled dogs for the bone. They fought all day,
yet neither won. There came a kite while they raged, and carried off
the bone. Love thou the maid if thou wilt. I shall love her till I
die."

The prison had been narrow and bare and cold before, but now it seemed
ten times more dismal. The world from which it shut them in was so
much more sweet because of the maiden who dwelt there, and the
friendship for each other which had cheered them through many evil
days was broken.

But Emelia the Radiant sang her gay songs and stepped lightly among
the flowers, with never another thought of the weary eyes that watched
her.

One day the greatest friend that Duke Theseus of Athens had, came to
see him. This friend had known Arcite in Thebes, and had loved the
handsome boy. He begged Theseus to forgive him, and to let him go
free. Theseus was glad to find something he could do to please his
dear friend, so one morning he took him with him to the prison where
Palamon and Arcite were. The attendants could scarcely follow, for the
royal robes filled all