was nearly dazed with sorrow, he dreamt one night
that a beautiful winged boy with golden curls stood before him. "Go
thou to Athens," said the boy; "the end of all thy sorrow awaits thee
there!"

Arcite started up wide awake and said, "I will to Athens, to my lady.
It were good even to die in her presence."

He caught up a mirror. He had not cared to look in one for many
months, but now that he meant to return to his lady, he wished to see
if he looked strong and young as ever. At first he was shocked to see
how great a change had passed over his face. Then he thought, "If I do
not say who I am, I may live unknown in Athens for years. Then I shall
see my lady day by day."

Quickly he called to him a squire, and told him all his will, and
bound him to keep his name a secret and to answer no questions about
himself or his master. Then Arcite sent his squire to find clothes
such as the laborers in Athens wore. When he returned, Arcite and he
put on the clothes and set out by the straight road to Athens.

In Athens no one took any notice of the two poor men.

Before they came to the castle the squire left his master and found a
house to live in, where he could do Arcite's bidding at any time. But
Arcite hurried on to the courtyard gate. There he waited till the
master of the servants who waited on Emelia came out. Then he said to
him, "Take me, I pray thee, into thy service. Drudge I will and draw
water, yea, and in all thou dost command I will obey."

The master of the servants asked Arcite what was his name.
"Philostrate, my lord," said Arcite, and as "Philostrate" he entered
that part of the castle where Emelia's home was.

He could hew wood and carry water well, but he was not long left to do
such rough work. The master of the house saw that whatever he trusted
to Philostrate's care was rightly done, so he gave him less humble
work to do, and made him a page in the house of Emelia. The lords and
ladies of the castle began to notice what a gentle and kind page this
Philostrate was. They spoke to Theseus about him, and said that he
deserved to have a higher place that he might show his goodness and
courage in knightly deeds. To please them, Theseus made him one of his
own squires.

Seven years passed away, and Palamon was still in prison. This year,
however, in the May-time, a friend of his, who heard where he was,
helped him to escape. During the short night he fled as fast as he
could, but when the early daw