your arguments in peace, Savë my life, and be not reckëless To gettë her that hath my life in cure, For in this woe I may not long endure.”
What needeth greater dilatation? I say, by treaty and ambassadry, And by the Popë’s mediation, And all the Church, and all the chivalry, That in destruction of Mah’metry, And in increase of Christë’s lawë dear, They be accorded so as ye may hear;
How that the Soudan, and his baronage, And all his lieges, shall y-christen’d be, And he shall have Constance in marriáge, And certain gold, I n’ot what quantity, And hereto find they suffisant suretý. The same accord is sworn on either side; Now, fair Constance, Almighty God thee guide!
Now wouldë some men waiten, as I guess, That I should tellen all the purveyance, The which the emperor of his nobless Hath shapen for his daughter, Dame Constance. Well may men know that so great ordinance May no man tellen in a little clause, As was arrayed for so high a cause.
Bishops be shapen with her for to wend, Lordës, ladíes, and knightës of renown, And other folk enough, this is the end. And notified is throughout all the town, That every wight with great devotioún Should pray to Christ, that he this marriáge Receive in gree, and speedë this voyáge.
The day is comen of her départíng— I say the woful fatal day is come, That there may be no longer tarrying, But forward they them dressen all and some. Constance, that was with sorrow all o’ercome, Full pale arose, and dressed her to wend, For well she saw there was no other end.
Alas! what wonder is it though she wept, That shall be sent to a strange natión From friendës, that so tenderly her kept, And to be bound under subjectión of one, she knew not his conditión? Husbands be all good, and have been of yore, That knowë wivës; I dare say no more.