And he answered: “Rather than I lose Constance, I will be christen’d doubtëless: I must be hers, I may none other choose, I pray you hold your arguments in peace, 1472 Savë my life, and be not reckëless To gettë her that hath my life in cure, 1473 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, 1474 And in increase of Christë’s lawë dear, They be accorded 1475 so as ye may hear;