not help himself. There is no likelihood that you, any more than myself, shall ever stand in her favour; seeing that we are condemned to perpetual imprisonment without hope of ransom. We are but like the two hounds striving for a bone; which, when they were spent with rage, a kite bore away from both. At the King's Court, therefore, my brother, "each man for himself," say I: love, if you are inclined; for I love, and ever shall. Here in this prison must we remain, and take what may befall us.'
Great was the strife between them, which lasted longer than I have leisure to tell:—but to my story. It happened one day, that a worthy king, named Perithous, who had been the companion of Theseus from their childhood, came to Athens upon a visit to his friend: for so great was the affection between them, that, according to the old tradition, when one died, the other went down into Tartarus to seek him there. But this is beside my tale.
King Perithous entertained a strong regard for Arcite, and had known him some years in Thebes. At the earnest entreaty, therefore, of Perithous, Theseus granted the young prisoner
