A voice was heard, in general audience, That said; “Thou hast deslander’d guiltëless The daughter of holy Church in high presence; Thus hast thou done, and yet hold I my peace?” Of this marvel aghast was all the press, As mazed folk they stood every one For dread of wreakë, save Constance alone.
Great was the dread and eke the repentánce Of them that haddë wrong suspición Upon this sely innocent Constance; And for this miracle, in conclusión, And by Constance’s mediatión, The king, and many another in that place, Converted was, thanked be Christë’s grace!
This falsë knight was slain for his untruth By judgëment of Alla hastily; And yet Constance had of his death great ruth; And after this Jesus of his mercý Made Alla weddë full solemnëly This holy woman, that is so bright and sheen, And thus hath Christ y-made Constance a queen.
But who was woeful, if I shall not lie, Of this wedding but Donegild, and no mo’, The kingë’s mother, full of tyranny? Her thought her cursed heart would burst in two; She would not that her son had donë so; Her thought