His hat, adorn’d with wings, disclosed the god,
  And in his hand he bore the sleep-compelling rod:  550
  Such as he seem’d, when, at his sire’s command,
  On Argus’ head he laid the snaky wand. 
  Arise, he said, to conquering Athens go,
  There fate appoints an end to all thy woe. 
  The fright awaken’d Arcite with a start,
  Against his bosom bounced his heaving heart;
  But soon he said, with scarce-recover’d breath,
  And thither will I go, to meet my death. 
  Sure to be slain; but death is my desire,
  Since in Emilia’s sight I shall expire. 560
  By chance he spied a mirror while he spoke,
  And gazing there, beheld his alter’d look;
  Wondering, he saw his features and his hue
  So much were changed, that scarce himself he knew. 
  A sudden thought then starting in his mind,
  Since I in Arcite cannot Arcite find,
  The world may search in vain with all their eyes,
  But never penetrate through this disguise. 
  Thanks to the change which grief and sickness give,
  In low estate I may securely live, 570
  And see unknown my mistress day by day. 
  He said; and clothed himself in coarse array: 
  A labouring hind in show; then forth he went,
  And to the Athenian towers his journey bent: 
  One squire attended in the same disguise,
  Made conscious of his master’s enterprise. 
  Arrived at Athens, soon he came to court,
  Unknown, unquestion’d in that thick resort: 
  Proffering for hire his service at the gate,
  To drudge, draw water, and to run or wait. 580

    So fair befell him, that for little gain
  He served at first Emilia’s chamberlain;
  And, watchful all advantages to spy,
  Was still at hand, and in his master’s eye;
  And as his bones were big, and sinews strong,
  Refused no toil that could to slaves belong;
  But from deep wells with engines water drew,
  And used his noble hands the wood to hew. 
  He pass’d a year at least attending thus
  On Emily, and call’d Philostratus. 590
  But never was there man of his degree
  So much esteem’d, so well beloved as he. 
  So gentle of condition was he known,
  That through the court his courtesy was blown: 
  All think him worthy of a greater place,
  And recommend him to the royal grace;
  That, exercised within a higher sphere,
  His virtues more conspicuous might appear. 
  Thus by the general voice was Arcite praised,
  And by great Theseus to high favour raised; 600
  Among his menial servants first enroll’d,
  And largely entertain’d with sums of gold: 
  Besides what secretly from Thebes was sent,
  Of his own income, and his annual rent: 
  This well employ’d, he purchased friends and fame,
  But cautiously conceal’d from whence it came. 
  Thus for three years he lived with large increase,
  In arms of honour, and esteem in peace;
  To Theseus’ person he was ever near;
  And Theseus for his virtues held him dear. 610