Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/152

 songs, the gallantry, and the more earnest love-making.

Before daybreak, and as soon as the lark had begun to sing, Palamon, with a devout and courageous heart bent his steps towards the Temple of Venus that was erected in the lists: where he knelt down and besought her help to gain him possession of his Lady Emily, in whose service he fain would die. 'And if, Goddess! mine,' said he, 'thou grant that I may have my love, I will evermore worship in thy temple, and offer daily sacrifice upon thine altar. But if thou turn thy face from me, lady sweet! I pray that on the morrow Arcite's spear may cleave my heart; for, my life being gone, I reck not his better fate in winning her to wife.' When his prayer and sacrifice were concluded, the statue of the Goddess shook, and made a sign, which, although somewhat delayed, he accepted as a boon that his prayer had been heard favourably: so home he went, light of heart.

At sunrise Emily arose, and attended by her maidens, went forth to the Temple of Diana; taking with them the fire, and the incense, the