Abby Sage Richardson

Name: Stories from Old English Poetry — The Two Noble Kinsmen
Author: Abby Sage Richardson

Summary

“Stories from Old English Poetry — The Two Noble Kinsmen”, published in 1899, is a work by Abby Sage Richardson. It explores elements such as Palamon, Arcite and knights.

Quotes from Stories from Old English Poetry… (Abby Sage Richardson)

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ But alas for Palamon! just at evening he is overcome, when he would go to the help of the brave Lycurgus, who is unhorsed, and fighting bravely; and Theseus cries out that Arcite has the victory, and Palamon must yield himself conquered.
Then Palamon’s heart sinks like lead in his breast, and by the throne of Jupiter, on high Olympus, Venus wrings her hands, in anguish of his defeat. But who is more proud than Arcite, and whose eyes beam so tenderly as Emelie’s, since, woman-like, her heart is already moved with love for the victorious hero. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ Weep no more, for I promise thy pleasure shall yet be done, and Palamon shall have Emelie.”
Now in the broad daylight, Athens is all astir. Now is heard the clattering of hoofs; the ringing of hammers, which rivet together the links of the armor; the tramping of hurried feet; the sharp word of command, and the knights calling on their squires. Now is seen the glitter of gold and the flash of steel, the waving of plumes and fluttering of mantles. Now each man has fastened the last buckle and helped his master mount, and the steeds champ their shining bits, impatient to be gone. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ Never since the world began, were there such brave preparations. The field was made a circle, and walled about with stone. At three points in the walls a fair temple was built. One of pure marble, in honor of Venus, queen of Love and Beauty. The second, shining with gold, was to Mars, god of war. The third, of red and white coral, beautiful beyond compare, was dedicated to Diana, at whose altar sweet Emelie worshipped.
When the year was at an end, into Athens came Palamon with his hundred knights, each the flower of chivalry. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ The morning dawned brightly,—such another May morning as that in which Palamon and Arcite first saw the Lady Emelie walking in the garden beside their prison walls. Two hours before day broke, Palamon had risen and gone into the Temple of Venus, and laid gifts on her altars. And after he had asked her aid, the goddess had smiled on him, and nodded in answer to his supplications. Emelie, too, as was her wont, went to the Temple of Diana, and the huntress queen then told her that one of the knights should be her wedded lord, but which one not even Emelie might know till the tourney was over. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ Meanwhile, in the court of Jupiter, king of gods and of men, there was a great contention, To Mars, Jupiter had promised the victory for his chosen knight; but Venus, her lovely eyes red with weeping, besought that her favored suitor, young Palamon, might have Emelie for his bride. While she thus prayed the stern Jupiter, her breast heavy with sighs, and her cheeks wet with silver tears, Saturn, oldest of the gods, thus whispered her,—“ Grieve not, O fairest of the daughters of the gods. To Jupiter and Mars belong victory in war and honor among men ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ Now this brave knight is unhorsed, and meets his enemy in fierce grapple; now one is trampled under foot; now clouds of dust hide all like a thick smoke; here they struggle unfairly and are led to the stake, till the affray is over; there one is borne bleeding from the field. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ When the duke demanded the reason of this affray, and their drawn weapons, there was no other way for the knights than to confess the truth, and tell the cause of their quarrel. This Palamon did, not hiding that he had broken loose from his strong prison, and accusing Arcite of having forsworn himself in returning to Athens to live as a menial in the palace of the duke.
When all this story had been told, the listeners were much moved. The hardy queen, more used to battles than to tears, wept for very womanhood ”

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Source: Wikisource

Abby Sage Richardson, Stories from Old English Poetry… (1899)

“ In one year’s time, at Athens here, we will hold a tourney, at which both Palamon and Arcite, with each a hundred bravest knights, shall enter the lists, and he who comes off conqueror, shal wed the lady. The other must do as he best can. ”

Abby Sage Richardson

Summary

Quotes from Stories from Old English Poetry… (Abby Sage Richardson)

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