The prison had been narrow and bare and cold before, but now it seemed ten times more dismal.  The world from which it shut them in was so much more sweet because of the maiden who dwelt there, and the friendship for each other which had cheered them through many evil days was broken.

But Emelia the Radiant sang her gay songs and stepped lightly among the flowers, with never another thought of the weary eyes that watched her.

One day the greatest friend that Duke Theseus of Athens had, came to see him.  This friend had known Arcite in Thebes, and had loved the handsome boy.  He begged Theseus to forgive him, and to let him go free.  Theseus was glad to find something he could do to please his dear friend, so one morning he took him with him to the prison where Palamon and Arcite were.  The attendants could scarcely follow, for the royal robes filled all the dingy little space!  A streak of light from the window fell on the Duke’s mantle and his jewels.  They looked strangely bright in that dark room beside the faded clothes of the two young prisoners.

Arcite and the friend of Theseus greeted each other joyously, and the heart of Arcite beat wildly with hope, but when he heard the words of Theseus the Duke it sank like lead.

“Arcite,” said he, “by the desire of my friend, I grant to thee thy freedom.  I grant it on one condition only.  Thou must wander away far beyond my kingdom.  If ever thou art seen for one moment on any furthest corner of my land, that moment shall be thy last.  By the sword thou shalt die.”

Homeward to Thebes sped Arcite with a sad heart.

“Woe is me for the day that I was born!” he moaned; “woe is me that ever I knew the friend of Theseus!  Had he not known me, I might even now be gazing on the maiden I serve, from the window in the Duke’s tower.  Ah, Palamon, thou art the victor now!  Day by day thou gazest on her, and kind fortune may grant to thee thy freedom and her favor while I am banished for ever!  Ah, why do we complain against our fortune?  We know that we seek happiness, but know not the road thither!  Think how I dreamt and longed for freedom, and thought that if I were only out of prison my joy would be perfect.  Behold, my freedom is my banishment, and my hope my undoing!”

As for Palamon, when he saw that Arcite was gone, he made the great tower walls re-echo with his howls of misery.  The very fetters on his ankles were wet with his salt tears.

“Alas,” he groaned, “Arcite, my cousin, thou hast borne off the prize in this strife of ours!  Thou walkest now at liberty in Thebes.  Little thou thinkest of me and of my sorrow!  Strong thou art, and wise.  Doubtless thou art even now gathering together the people of Thebes to invade this land and win the sister of the Duke for thy wife, while I die here in this prison like a caged lion.  The prison walls heed my weeping and my wailing not at all.”

He could not even rejoice in the sight of Emelia when she walked in the garden, so fearful was he lest Arcite should win her.