|
By processe, and by lengthe of certeyn yeres, |
| 2110 | Al stynted is the moornynge and the teres |
| Of Grekes, by oon general assent. |
| Thanne semed me ther was a parlement |
| At Atthenes, upon certein pointz and caas, |
| Among the whiche pointz yspoken was |
| 2115 | To have with certein contrees alliaunce, |
| And have fully of Thebans obeisaunce, |
| For which this noble Theseus anon |
| Leet senden after gentil Palamon, |
| Unwist of hym what was the cause and why. |
| 2120 | But in hise blake clothes sorwefully |
| He cam at his comandement in hye; |
| Tho sente Theseus for Emelye. |
| Whan they were set, and hust was al the place, |
| And Theseus abiden hadde a space |
| 2125 | Er any word cam fram his wise brest, |
| Hise eyen sette he ther as was his lest, |
| And with a sad visage he siked stille, |
| And after that right thus he seyde his wille: |
|
|
With passing in their length of certain years, |
| 2110 | All put by was the mourning and the tears |
| Of Greeks, as by one general assent; |
| And then it seems there was a parliament |
| At Athens, upon certain points in case; |
| Among the which points spoken of there was |
| 2115 | To have certain bonds of alliances |
| That should hold Thebes from all defiances. |
| Whereat this noble Theseus, anon, |
| Invited there the gentle Palamon, |
| Not telling him what was the cause, and why; |
| 2120 | But in his mourning clothes, and sorrowfully, |
| He came upon that bidding, so say I. |
| And then Duke Theseus sent for Emily. |
| When they were seated and was hushed the place, |
| And Theseus had mused a little space, |
| 2125 | Before any word came from his full wise breast, |
| His two eyes fixed on whoso pleased him best, |
| Then with a sad face sighed he deep and still, |
| And after that began to speak his will. |
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