But sure a general doom on man is past, And all are fools and lovers, first or last: This, both by others and myself, I know, For I have served their sovereign long ago; Oft have been caught within the winding train } Of female snares, and felt the lover's pain, } And learned how far the god can human hearts constrain. } To this remembrance, and the prayers of those, Who for the offending warriors interpose, I give their forfeit lives, on this accord, To do me homage, as their sovereign lord; And, as my vassals, to their utmost might, Assist my person, and assert my right.-- This freely sworn, the knights their grace obtained; Then thus the king his secret thoughts explained:-- If wealth, or honour, or a royal race, Or each, or all, may win a lady's grace, Then either of you, knights, may well deserve A princess born; and such is she you serve: For Emily is sister to the crown, And but too well to both her beauty known. But should you combat till you both were dead, Two lovers cannot share a single bed. As therefore both are equal in degree, The lot of both be left to Destiny. Now hear the award, and happy may it prove To her, and him who best deserves her love. Depart from hence in peace, and free as air, Search the wide world, and where you please repair; But on the day when this returning sun To the same point through every sign has run, Then each of you his hundred knights shall bring, In royal lists, to fight before the king; And then the knight, whom Fate, or happy Chance, Shall with his friends to victory advance, And grace his arms so far in equal fight, From out the bars[153] to force his opposite, Or kill, or make him recreant on the plain, The prize of valour and of love shall gain; The vanquished party shall their claim release, And the long jars conclude in lasting peace. The charge be mine to adorn the chosen ground, The theatre of war for champions so renowned; And take the patron's place of either knight, } With eyes impartial to behold the fight; } And heaven of me so judge, as I shall judge aright. } If both are satisfied with this accord, Swear, by the laws of knighthood, on my sword.-- Who now but Palamon exults with joy? And ravished Arcite seems to touch the sky: The whole assembled troop was pleased as well, Extol the award, and on their knees they fell To bless the gracious king. The knights, with leave Departing from the place, his last commands receive; On Emily with equal ardour look, And from her eyes their inspiration took. From thence to Thebes' old walls pursue their way, Each to provide his champions for the day. It might be deemed, on our historian's part, Or too much negligence, or want of art, If he forgot the vast magnificence Of royal Theseus, and his large expence. He first inclosed for lists a level ground,