done to others, and fearing the judgment that was rightly her due.  The merchants inquired of the lady whence she came, and she told them the truth, saying that she was a miserable wretch and a poor sinner, as they could see for themselves.  She related the cruel adventure which had chanced to her, and prayed them to take pity on a most unhappy lady, and they answered that mercy they would show.  So with meat and drink her former beauty came to her again.

Now this merchant ship fared so far that she came to the land of the Paynims, and cast anchor in the port of Aumarie.  Galleys of these Saracens came to know their business, and they answered that they were traffickers in divers merchandise in many a realm.  They showed them also the safe conduct they carried of princes and mighty lords that they might pass in safety through their countries to buy and sell their goods.  The merchants got them to land in this port, taking the lady with them.  They sought counsel one of the other to know what it were best to do with her.  One was for selling her as a slave, but his companion proposed to give her as a sop to the rich Soudan of Aumarie, that their business should be the less hindered.  To this they all agreed.  They arrayed the lady freshly in broidered raiment, and carried her before the Soudan, who was a lusty young man.  He accepted their gift, receiving the lady with a right glad heart, for she was passing fair.  The Soudan inquired of them as to who she was.

“Sire,” answered the merchants, “we know no more than you, but marvellous was the fashion in which she came to our hands.”

The gift was so greatly to the Soudan’s mind that he served the chapmen to the utmost of his power.  He loved the lady very tenderly, and entreated her in all honour.  He held and tended her so well, that her sweet colour came again to her, and her beauty increased beyond measure.  The Soudan sought to know by those who had the gift of tongues as to the lady’s home and race, but these she would not reveal to any.  He was the more thoughtful therefore, because he might see that she was a dame of birth and lineage.  He inquired of her as to whether she were a Christian woman, promising that if she would deny her faith, he would take her as his wife, since he was yet unwed.  The lady saw clearly that it were better to be converted by love than perforce; so she answered that her religion was to do her master’s pleasure.  When she had renounced her faith, and rejected the Christian law, the Soudan made her his dame according to the use and wont of this country of the Paynim.  He held her very dear, cherishing her in all honour, for his love waxed deeper as the days wore on.

In due time it was with this lady after the manner of women, and she came to bed of a son.  The Soudan rejoiced greatly, being altogether merry and content.  The lady, for her part, lived in fair fellowship with the folk of her husband’s realm.  Very courteous was she, and very serviceable, so that presently she was instructed in the Saracen tongue.  In no long while after the birth of her son she conceived of a maid, who in the years that befell grew passing sweet and fair, and richly was she nurtured as became the daughter of so high a prince.  Thus for two years and a half the lady dwelt with the Paynim in much softness and delight.