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This gentil duc doun from his courser sterte |
| 95 | With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke; |
| Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke, |
| Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat, |
| That whilom weren of so greet estaat. |
| And in his armes he hem alle up hente, |
| 100 | And hem conforteth in ful good entente, |
| And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght, |
| He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght |
| Upon the tiraunt Creon hem to wreke, |
| That all the peple of Grece sholde speke |
| 105 | How Creon was of Theseus yserved, |
| As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. |
| And right anoon, withouten moore abood, |
| His baner he desplayeth, and forth rood |
| To Thebes-ward, and al his hoost biside, |
| 110 | No neer Atthenes wolde he go ne ride, |
| Ne take his ese fully half a day, |
| But onward on his wey that nyght he lay, |
| And sente anon Ypolita the queene, |
| And Emelye, hir yonge suster sheene, |
| 115 | Unto the toun of Atthenes to dwelle, |
| And forth he rit; ther is namoore to telle. |
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This noble duke down from his horse did start |
| 95 | With heart of pity, when he'd heard them speak. |
| It seemed to him his heart must surely break, |
| Seeing them there so miserable of state, |
| Who had been proud and happy but so late. |
| And in his arms he took them tenderly, |
| 100 | Giving them comfort understandingly: |
| And swore his oath, that as he was true knight, |
| He would put forth so thoroughly his might |
| Against the tyrant Creon as to wreak |
| Vengeance so great that all of Greece should speak |
| 105 | And say how Creon was by Theseus served, |
| As one that had his death full well deserved. |
| This sworn and done, he no more there abode; |
| His banner he displayed and forth he rode |
| Toward Thebes, and all his host marched on beside; |
| 110 | Nor nearer Athens would he walk or ride, |
| Nor take his ease for even half a day, |
| But onward, and in camp that night he lay; |
| And thence he sent Hippolyta the queen |
| And her bright sister Emily, I ween, |
| 115 | Unto the town of Athens, there to dwell |
| While he went forth. There is no more to tell. |
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