Then spoke the sultan: "Hugh de Vere, I've need of men like thee, And thou shalt be the first man here, In this land, after me. "Thou shalt have gold, and gems, and land, Palaces shall be thine. And thou shalt wed a queenly bride, And be a son of mine. "Only forsake thy fathers' faith, Mah'med and God adore, And forget thy love and fatherland. Which thou shalt see no more." Then Hugh de Vere obeisance made;-- "Since I must make reply, I will not change my love or faith, Far liever would I die. {28} "I have a God who died for me. His soldier I am sworn. Shall I, whose shoulder bears the cross, Upon the cross bring scorn? "I have a love, a gentle girl. Whom I love as my wife; I cannot bear a Moslem name. Nor wed a Moslem wife." "Bethink thee now," the sultan said; "How knowest thou that the maid Is not now wed, since thy return Hath been so long delayed? "Fickle and false is woman's heart, It changes like the sky; The showers that fall so fast to-night To-morrow' sun will dry. "Nor--trust me--e'er was maiden yet Constant as is the dove, Who dies of grief for her lost mate, And knows no second love." Then at the monarch's feet bowed low The saintly frères who came To ransom slaves, bound by their vow, For Jesu's holy name. And at his footstool wealth untold With lavish hands they pour: "His bride sends thee her gems and gold; Sir Hugh de Vere restore!" The sultan spoke: "The other knights And men may go with thee. But not for gold or jewels bright Shall Hugh de Vere go free. "I love him with a brother's love, His love I hope to win. And in this land raise him above All men save Saladin. "What is a woman's love to mine? A hundred slaves I'll give, Let him his Christian faith resign, And in my shadow live. "His lady-love sends pearls and gold, She'd give them for a shawl, But she must give a dearer thing Before I yield my thrall. {29} "I'll try how Christian maidens love-- This answer to her bear, 'Thy faith and fealty to prove, Give what is far more dear. "'This is the ransom I demand, No meaner thing I'll take, Thy own right arm and lily hand Cut off for thy love's sake." "Return, good frères," Sir Hugh then said, "To my betrothed bride, And speak of me henceforth as dead, Since here I must abide. "For rather would I die this day Beneath the paynim swords, Than ye should bear Agnes de Bray The sultan's cruel words. "For well I know her faithful heart Both arm and life would give To ransom mine;--and will not prove Her death, that I may live."