Thus Theseus smiled on all with equal grace, And each was set according to his place; With ease were reconciled the differing parts, For envy never dwells in noble hearts. At length they took their leave, the time expired, Well pleased, and to their several homes retired. Mean while the health of Arcite still impairs; From bad proceeds to worse, and mocks the leech's cares 750 Swoln is his breast; his inward pains increase, All means are used, and all without success. The clotted blood lies heavy on his heart, Corrupts, and there remains, in spite of art: Nor breathing veins, nor cupping will prevail; All outward remedies and inward fail: The mould of nature's fabric is destroy'd, Her vessels discomposed, her virtue void; The bellows of his lungs begin to swell: All out of frame is every secret cell, 760 Nor can the good receive, nor bad expel. Those breathing organs thus within oppress'd, With venom soon distend the sinews of his breast. Nought profits him to save abandon'd life, Nor vomit's upward aid, nor downward laxative. The midmost region batter'd and destroy'd, When nature cannot work, the effect of art is void. For physic can but mend our crazy state, Patch an old building, not a new create. Arcite is doom'd to die in all his pride, 770 Must leave his youth, and yield his beauteous bride, Gain'd hardly, against right, and unenjoy'd. When 'twas declared all hope of life was past, Conscience (that of all physic works the last) Caused him to send for Emily in haste. With her, at his desire, came Palamon; Then on his pillow raised, he thus begun: