For shortly for to tellen at o word, (330)
The sowdan and the cristen everichone
Ben al to-hewe and stiked at the bord, 430
But it were only dame Custance allone.
This olde sowdanesse, cursed crone,
Hath with hir frendes doon this cursed dede,
For she hir-self wolde al the contree lede.
428. E. soothly; _rest_ shortly. 432. Pt. Hl. this cursed; _rest
omit_ this.
Ne ther was Surrien noon that was converted 435
That of the conseil of the sowdan woot,
That he nas al to-hewe er he asterted.
And Custance han they take anon, foot-hoot, (340)
And in a shippe al sterelees, god woot,
[143: T. 4860-4889.]
They han hir set, and bidde hir lerne sayle 440
Out of Surrye agaynward to Itayle.
435. E. _omits_ ther. 440. Hn. Cm. bidde; Cp. Pt. bidden; Ln. beden;
E. biddeth; Hl. bad.
A certein tresor that she thider ladde,
And, sooth to sayn, vitaille gret plentee
They han hir yeven, and clothes eek she hadde,
And forth she sayleth in the salte see. 445
O my Custance, ful of benignitee,
O emperoures yonge doghter dere,
He that is lord of fortune be thy stere! (350)