| Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was, |
| Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde `Allas,' |
| For seen his lady shal he nevere mo; |
| 500 | And shortly to concluden al his wo, |
| So muche sorwe hadde nevere creature, |
| That is, or shal whil that the world may dure. |
| His slep, his mete, his drynke is hym biraft, |
| That lene he wex and drye as is a shaft. |
| 505 | Hise eyen holwe and grisly to biholde, |
| His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde; |
| And solitarie he was and evere allone |
| And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his mone. |
| And if he herde song or instrument, |
| 510 | Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent. |
| So feble eek were hise spiritz, and so lowe, |
| And chaunged so, that no man koude knowe |
| His speche nor his voys, though men it herde. |
| And in his geere for al the world he ferde |
| 515 | Nat oonly lik the loveris maladye |
| Of Hereos, but rather lyk manye |
| Engendred of humour malencolik |
| Biforen in his celle fantastik, |
| And shortly turned was al up so doun |
| 520 | Bothe habit and eek disposicioun |
| Of hym, this woful lovere daun Arcite. |
|
| Now when Arcita unto Thebes was come, |
| He lay and languished all day in his home, |
| Since he his lady nevermore should see, |
| 500 | But telling of his sorrow brief I'll be. |
| Had never any man so much torture, |
| No, nor shall have while this world may endure. |
| Bereft he was of sleep and meat and drink, |
| That lean he grew and dry as shaft, I think. |
| 505 | His eyes were hollow and ghastly to behold, |
| His face was sallow, all pale and ashen-cold, |
| And solitary kept he and alone, |
| Wailing the whole night long, making his moan. |
| And if he heard a song or instrument, |
| 510 | Then he would weep ungoverned and lament; |
| So feeble were his spirits, and so low, |
| And so changed was he, that no man could know |
| Him by his words or voice, whoever heard. |
| And in this change, for all the world he fared |
| 515 | As if not troubled by malady of love, |
| But by that humor dark and grim, whereof |
| Springs melancholy madness in the brain, |
| And fantasy unbridled holds its reign. |
| And shortly, all was turned quite upside-down, |
| 520 | Both habits and the temper all had known |
| Of him, this woeful lover, Dan Arcite. |
|
