“Sire, in return for his labour your servant craves a gift.”

“Malakin,” returned the Soudan, “what gift would you have?”

“Sire, I would dare to tell it to your face, if only she were not so high above my reach.”

The Sultan who was both shrewd and quick witted made reply,

“Say out boldly what is in your mind, for I hold you dear, and remember what you have done.  If there is aught it beseems me to grant—­saving only my honour—­be assured that it is yours.”

“Sire, well I know that your honour is without spot, nor would I seek anything against it.  I pray you to bestow on your servant—­if so it be your pleasure—­my lady your daughter, for she is the gift I covet most in all the world.”

The Soudan kept silence, and considered for a space.  He knew well that Malakin was both valiant and wise, and might easily come to great honour and degree.  Since the servant was worthy of his high desire, the Soudan said, “By my law you have required of me a great thing, for I love my daughter dearly, and have no other heir.  You know well, and it is the simple truth, that she comes of the best and bravest blood in France, for her mother is the child of the Count of Ponthieu.  But since you too are valiant, and have done me loyal service, for my part I will give her to you willingly, save only that it be to the maiden’s mind.”

“Sire,” said Malakin, “I would not take her against her wish.”

The Soudan bade the girl be summoned.  When she came, he said, “Fair daughter, I have granted you in marriage, if it pleases you.”

“Sir,” answered the maiden, “my pleasure is in your will.”

The Soudan took her by the hand, saying, “Take her, Malakin, the maid is yours.”

Malakin received her with a glad heart, and wedded her according to the Paynim rite, bringing her to his house right joyously, with the countenance of all his friends.  Afterwards he returned with her to his own land.  The Soudan escorted them upon their way, with such a fair company of his household as seemed good to him.  Then he bade farewell to his child and her lord, and returned to his home.  But a great part of his fellowship he commanded to go with her for their service, Malakin came back to his own land, where he was welcomed right gladly of his friends, and served and honoured by all the folk of his realm.  He lived long and tenderly with his wife, neither were they childless, as this story testifies.  For of this lady, who was called the Fair Captive, was born the mother of that courteous Turk, the Sultan Saladin, an honourable, a wise, and a conquering lord.

XVII

THE CHATELAINE OF VERGI