from his own country, but he used it honourably and with such discretion, that no man wondered how he had it. Three years he passed in this manner, and so conducted himself both in peace and war, that Theseus prized no one more dearly than him. Having brought Arcite to this state of happiness, I will now return awhile to Palamon.
In a strong prison, and in horrible gloom, Palamon had sat for seven long years, wasting with love and sorrow. In the seventh year, however, during a night of May, it happened (whether by chance or destiny) that, through the aid of a friend, he broke from prison soon after midnight. He had so plied his gaoler with wine, drugged with narcotics, that he slept like death; and thus he was enabled to escape.
The night being short, and the day near at hand, he was compelled to lie hidden; his purpose being to remain close all day, and in the night to journey on towards Thebes; where, having arrived, he would rouse his friends to help him war on Theseus, in which attempt he resolved either to die, or win his Lady Emily.
