garland of roses. Mars' temple was dark and gloomy, with pictures of
battle and murder on the walls. The statue of Mars himself was
guarded by a wolf of stone. In Diana's temple was the statue of the
goddess riding upon a hart, with small hounds about her feet. Her
dress was green and she carried a bow and quiver of arrows. A waxing
moon, her symbol, was painted below her statue.

On the Sunday appointed for their meeting, Arcite and Palamon entered
Athens with their companies. Bold knights and noble princes were
assembled from every land to do battle in honour of so fair a maid.
With Palamon came the great King of Thrace, wearing a crown of gold
set with rubies and diamonds. His armour was covered with a
coal-black bear-skin, and he was carried in a chair of gold.

The other knights were all famous and goodly to look upon. Each was
armed according to his liking, with mace or spear, breastplate and
shield. Some had greaves, some a Prussian shield; no fashion was too
old or too new to be seen there.

With Arcite came the great King of India, whose horse was decked with
cloth of gold, while he himself had coat-armour studded with pearls,
a saddle of beaten gold, and a mantle of sparkling rubies. On his
head was a green wreath of laurel, and he carried a tame white eagle
on his hand. Many a tame lion and leopard ran about his horse's feet.
With him came many a goodly knight equipped for the fray.

The entertainment was princely. I cannot tell you of the feasts, and
the minstrelsy, nor of the great gifts to high and low; neither can I
describe to you the fairness of the ladies and their graceful
dancing; nor the hounds that lay upon the floor, and the hawks who