Lo, her this Arcite and this Palamoun, here That quytely weren out of my prisoun, freely (quit) And might have lyved in Thebes ryally, royally And witen I am here mortal enemy, know, their And that here deth lith in my might also, their, lieth And yet hath love, maugré here eyghen tuo, I-brought hem hider bothe for to dye. Now loketh, is nat that an heih folye? look, high Who may not ben a fole, if that he love? be Byholde for Goddes sake that sitteth above, Se how they blede! be they nought wel arrayed! Thus hath here lord, the god of love, hem payed them Here wages and here fees for here servise. their And yet they wenen for to ben ful wise, think That serven love, for ought that may bifalle. serve But this is yette the beste game of alle, That sche, for whom they have this jolitee, fun Can hem therfore as moche thank as me. can them, much Sche woot no more of al this hoote fare, knows By God, than wot a cuckow or an hare. knows But al moot ben assayed, hoot or colde; must be tried A man moot ben a fool other yong or olde; must be, either I woot it by myself ful yore agon: For in my tyme a servant was I on. one “Here are this Arcite and this Palamon, Safe out of prison both, who might have gone And dwelt in Thebes city royally, Knowing I am their mortal enemy, And that their death within my power lies: Yet hath blind Love, in spite of both their eyes, Led them both hither only to be slain! Behold the height of foolishness most plain! Who is so great a fool as one in love? For mercy’s sake--by all the gods above, See how they bleed! a pretty pair are they! Thus their liege lord, the god of love, doth pay Their wages, and their fees for service done; And yet each thinks himself a wise man’s son Who serveth Love, whatever may befall. But this is still the greatest joke of all, That she, the cause of this rare jollity, Owes them about as many thanks as I! She knew no more of all this hot to-do, By Mars! than doth a hare or a cuckoo! But one must have one’s fling, be’t hot or cold; A man will play the fool either young or old. I know it by myself--for long ago In my young days I bowed to Cupid’s bow.”