Palamon, thy mortal foe. I have no weapon
in this place, for only last night did I escape from prison. Yet I
fear thee not. Thou shalt die, or thou shalt cease to love my lady.
Choose as thou wilt!"

Then Arcite rose up in his wrath and drew his sword. He said, "Were it
not that thou art ill and mad with grief, and that thou hast no
weapon here, thou shouldest never step from where thou standest. I
deny the bond thou claimest! Fool! how can I help thee to win the lady
I fain would wed myself? But because thou art a worthy knight and a
gentle, and art ready to fight for thy lady, accept my promise.
To-morrow I will not fail to wait for thee here without the knowledge
of any other. Also I will bring armor and weapons for thee and me, and
thou shalt choose of them what thou wilt, ere I arm myself! Food and
drink will I bring to thee this night into the grove. If so be that
thou slay me here to-morrow, then indeed thou mayest win thy lady if
thou canst!"

Then Palamon answered, "Let it be so."

Next morning Arcite rode to the wood alone. He met Palamon on the
woodland path where the flowers he had gathered the day before lay
withered on the ground. No word nor greeting passed between them, but
each helped to arm the other in silence. As the buckles were tightened
and the armor slipped into its place, the color came and went in the
faces of the two princes. They deemed that this would be the last of
all fights to one of them.

When they were ready they fenced together for a little, and then the
real fight began. So fierce was it that the men seemed like wild
animals in their rage. Palamon sprang at Arcite like a strong lion,
and Arcite glanced aside and darted at him again like a cruel tiger.
In the midst of this they heard a sound of the galloping of horses
that brought the royal hunters to the spot. In a moment the sword of
Theseus flashed between the fighters, and his voice thundered out,
"Ho! no more, on pain of death. Who are ye who dare to fight here
alone, with none to see justice done?"

The princes turned and saw Theseus, Duke of Athens. Behind him rode
Hippolyta with her sister, Emelia the Radiant, and many knights and
ladies.

Palamon answered the Duke's question swiftly, before Arcite had time
to speak. "Sire, what need of words? Both of us deserve death. Two
wretches are we, burdened with our lives. As thou art a just judge,
give to us neither mercy nor refuge, but slay us both. Thou knowrest
not that t