The mother of the Soudan, well of vices, Espied hath her sonë’s plain intent, How he will leave his oldë sacrifices: And right anon she for her council sent, And they be come, to knowë what she meant, And when assembled was this folk in fere, 1500 She sat her down, and said as ye shall hear.

“Lordës,” she said, “ye knowen every one, How that my son in point is for to lete 1501 The holy lawës of our Alkaron, 1502 Given by God’s messenger Mahométe: But one avow to greatë God I hete, 1503 Life shall rather out of my body start, Than Mahomet’s law go out of mine heart.