Reading boundaryStart: Thus passed year by year, and day by day,Stop after: Let him beware, his necke lieth *to wed*.
Summary
One May morning, Emily rises before dawn, gathers flowers, and sings in the garden beside the prison tower. Palamon sees her through a barred window and cries out as if wounded. He cannot tell whether she is a woman or Venus, and prays for escape. Arcite looks too and declares that Emily’s beauty will kill him unless she grants him mercy.
Palamon accuses Arcite of betraying their sworn brotherhood by loving the lady Palamon claimed first. Arcite replies that Palamon initially worshiped her as a goddess, that love outranks human law, and that neither prisoner is likely to win her. Their dispute continues until Perithous, Theseus’s closest friend and Arcite’s friend, secures Arcite’s release without ransom. The condition is severe: if Arcite is ever found in Theseus’s territory, he will be beheaded.
Who’s who
Emily — Hippolyta’s sister, honoring May in the garden below the prison.
Palamon — Theban prisoner who sees Emily first and claims Arcite’s love violates their oath.
Arcite — Palamon’s cousin and fellow prisoner, who also falls in love with Emily.