Yow loveres axe I now this questioun:
Who hath the worse, Arcite or Palamoun?
That oon may seen his lady day by day,
But in prison he moot dwelle alway;
That oother wher hym list may ride or go,
But seen his lady shal he nevere mo.
Now demeth as yow liste, ye that kan,
For I wol telle forth as I bigan.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Knight’s Tale. At the end of the first part of the tale, we are asked to judge who is worse off, Arcite or Palamon? They are both in love with the beautiful Emily. Palamon must always stay locked up in prison, but can see her from his cell every day. And Arcite is free to ride and walk where he pleases, but will never see his lady again as he is banished from Athens.