of hue. Their chaffare was so thriftly and so new, That every wight had dainty to chaffare With them, and eke to sellë them their ware.
Now fell it, that the masters of that sort Have shapen them to Romë for to wend, Were it for chapmanhood or for disport, None other message would they thither send, But come themselves to Rome, this is the end: And in such place as thought them ávantage For their intent, they took their herbergage.
Sojourned have these merchants in that town A certain time as fell to their pleasance: And so befell, that th’ excellent renown Of th’ emperorë’s daughter, Dame Constance, Reported was, with every circumstance, Unto these Syrian merchants in such wise, From day to day, as I shall you devise
This was the common voice of every man: “Our emperor of Romë, God him see, A daughter hath, that since the world began, To reckon as well her goodness and beautý, Was never such another as is she: I pray to God in honour her sustene, And would she were of all Európe the queen.
“In her is highë beauty without pride, And youth withoutë greenhood or follý: To all her workës virtue is her guide; Humbless hath slain in her all tyranny: She is the mirror of all courtesy, Her heart a very chamber of holiness, Her hand miníster of freedom for almess.”
And all this voice was sooth, as God is true; But now to purpose let us turn again. These merchants have done freight their shippës new, And when they have this blissful maiden seen, Homë to Syria then they went full fain, And did their needës, as they have done yore, And liv’d in weal; I can you say no more.
Now fell it, that these merchants stood in grace Of him that was the Soudan of Syrie: For when they came from any strangë place He would of his benignë courtesy Make them good cheer, and busily espy Tidings of sundry regnës, for to lear The wonders that they mightë see or hear.