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Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede. |
| For er the sonne unto the reste wente, |
| 1780 | The stronge kyng Emetreus gan hente |
| This Palamon, as he faught with Arcite, |
| And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte. |
| And by the force of twenty is he take |
| Unyolden, and ydrawen unto the stake. |
| 1785 | And in the rescus of this Palamoun |
| The stronge kyng Lygurge is born adoun, |
| And kyng Emetreus, for al his strengthe, |
| Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe, |
| So hitte him Palamoun er he were take; |
| 1790 | But al for noght, he was broght to the stake. |
| His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naught, |
| He moste abyde, whan that he was caught, |
| By force, and eek by composicioun. |
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But sometime comes the end of every deed; |
| And before the sun had sunk to rest in gold, |
| 1780 | The mighty King Emetreus did hold |
| This Palamon, as he fought with Arcite, |
| And made his sword deep in the flesh to bite; |
| And by the force of twenty men he's made, |
| Unyielded, to withdraw to barricade. |
| 1785 | And, trying hard to rescue Palamon, |
| The mighty King Lyburgus is borne down; |
| And King Emetreus, for all his strength, |
| Is hurled out of the saddle a sword's length, |
| So hits out Palamon once more, or ere |
| 1790 | But all for nothing, he's brought to barrier. |
| His hardy heart may now avail him naught; |
| He must abide there now, being fairly caught |
| By force of arms, as by provision known. |
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