Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/129

 from sleep and food: he grew lean and hollow-eyed; and his complexion was sallow and pale as ashes. Comfortless and desolate, he always remained alone; and if he happened to hear a song or instrument he would weep without avail, so feeble were his spirits, and he altogether so changed, that his voice was strange to those who knew him.

After enduring for some time this distraction, he one night, in sleep, thought that the winged Mercury stood before him, and bid him be of good cheer. The god was arrayed as when he closed the eyes of Argus; his sleep-compelling wand he held upright before him, and upon his shining locks he wore a winged cap. 'To Athens,' said he, 'shall you go; there will you see an end to all your grief.'

With that word Arcite started and awoke. 'Whatever ill befall me,' said he, 'to Athens will I go: no dread of death shall prevent my seeing the lady whom I love and serve: in her presence I care not to die.' Then observing how much he was changed, both in appearance and colour, he thought that if he bore himself in lowly condition, he might live unknown in