Now it chanced that a certain duke who was a friend of Arcite came to
visit Theseus, and persuaded him to set young Arcite free. Theseus
did so, but only on condition that Arcite should leave Athens for
ever. "If from this time forth you are found in this land," he said,
"your head will be forfeit." So Arcite went to Thebes, very
heavy-hearted, because although he was now free, he might never more
see the maid of the garden. Palamon's case was equally hard, for
although he might see his beloved, never might he speak to her nor
woo her, for he must remain a poor neglected prisoner, high up in the
castle tower. Now tell me, you lovers, if you can, whose lot was the
worse? Is it better to be free and never see one's lady, or to be a
prisoner and see her every day?--Judge for yourselves. I must go on
with my story.

Arcite lived in Thebes, so sorrowfully that he fell a-weeping
whenever music was played, and soon grief had so changed his
countenance that no man would have recognised him. At last he could
bear this state no longer, but made up his mind to go to Athens, and
there seek his lady. He came therefore to the palace of Theseus and
hired himself as a servant. He was strong and able to draw water and
hew wood. In course of time he was made a chamberlain, and at length,
since he was always mannerly and courteous and obedient, Theseus
promoted him, and he became a squire and one of his best beloved
followers.

Meanwhile Palamon languished in prison, till, made desperate by
despair, he one night drugged his jailer and escaped. When day came
he sought refuge in a wood, intending to wait there for the dark to
cover his escape. As Fortune willed it, that very morning, Arcite
(now calling himself Philostratus) rode out into the wood to enjoy