The great Emetrius, the Indian King, Upon a bay steed trapp’d in shining steel, Covered with cloth of gold from head to heel, Came riding like the god of armies, Mars; His coat-armour was made of cloth of Tars, O’erlaid with pearls all white and round and great: His saddle was of smooth gold, newly beat. A mantlet on his shoulder as he came, Shone, cramm’d with rubies sparkling like red flame, And his crisp hair in shining rings did run, Yellow it was, and glittering as the sun. His nose was high, his eyes were bright citrine, His lips were round, his colour was sanguine, With a few freckles scattered here and there, ’Twixt black and yellow mingling they were, And lion-like his glance went to and fro. His age was five and twenty years, I trow. A downy beard had just begun to spring, His voice was like a trumpet thundering. Upon his head he wore a garland green, Of laurel, fresh, and pleasant to be seen. Upon his wrist he bore for his delight An eagle, tame, and as a lily white. There was a great festival, and the dancing, and minstrelsy, and feasting, and rich array of Theseus’ palace were most wondrous to behold. I should never have time to tell you What ladies fayrest ben, or best daunsynge, be Or which of hem can carole[107] best and singe, sing Ne who most felyngly speketh of love; What haukes sitten on the perche above, sit What houndes liggen on the floor adoun. lie What ladies danced the best, or fairest were, Or which of them best sung or carol’d there; Nor who did speak most feelingly of love, What hawks were sitting on the perch above, What hounds lay crouching on the floor adown. Then there were the temples to visit, to ask grace and favour from the gods. Palamon went to the Temple of Venus, the goddess of love, and prayed her to help him to gain his lady. Venus promised him success. Arcite thought it more prudent to go to the god of war, Mars; so he sacrificed in his temple, and prayed for victory in the lists. Mars promised him the victory. But Emelye did not wish to marry either of her lovers. She went to the temple of Diana early in the morning, and asked the goddess to help her _not_ to get married! She preferred her free life, walking in the woods and hunting. She made two fires on Diana’s altar: but Diana would not listen to her, and both the fires went out suddenly, with a whistling noise, and Emelye was so frightened that she began to cry. Then Diana told her she was destined to marry one of these poor knights who had suffered so much for her, and so she must make up her mind to it. Emelye then departed: but Mars and Venus had a great dispute, because, as you know, they had promised success to each of the two knights, and Emelye could not marry both. Now, you shall see how each of them managed to gain a victory.