Besides these variations in the names contained in the two poems, we find in the «Sowdan» some slight modifications as to the matter related; none of which, however, is of so significant a character, as necessarily to point to some other original than the «Destruction», which the very striking points of resemblance above cited show almost decisively to have been the original of the «Sowdan». The differences in the subject-matter may be explained by the tendency of the poet to follow his original only as far as the principal events are concerned, but to have his own way in the arrangement of the subject-matter, and especially to deal freely with secondary incidents. Thus he may have thought the combat round Château-Miroir—which, moreover, is related in the «Destruction» in a rather obscure and confused style—to be a rather episodical incident, which he had better leave out in his poem, as not advancing the principal course of events. A similar explanation may be given of the fact, that the account of Lukafer’s desiring the hand of Floripas is given on another occasion in the «Sowdan» than in the «Destruction». In the «Destruction», l. 241, Lucafer claims that maiden immediately on arriving in the [p-xxvii] Soudan’s camp, as a reward for his having travelled such a long way in Laban’s service. The poet of the «Sowdan» thinking, perhaps, that this was not a sufficient reason to justify such a claim, mentions this incident at another time, which he may have considered as more properly chosen for demanding a reward. It is on returning from a victorious expedition undertaken by Lukafer that the latter in the «Sowdan», ll. 224–242, asks for the hand of Floripas. As to the following or second part of the «Sowdan», on the whole the same subject is treated of as in the Ashmole «Ferumbras». But there are many differences between the two poems. In the «Sowdan», l. 1411 «et seq.», Roland is captured by the Saracens at the same time as Oliver, and both on being conducted before Laban at once avow their names. In the Ashmole MS., ll. 909, &c., Oliver is led away to the Soudan together with Gwylmer, Berard, Geoffrey, and Aubray, whereas Roland is among the French peers whom Charlemagne sends on a mission to Laban to demand the surrender of Oliver.[57] The names of the twelve peers do not agree in both poems. In the «Sowdan» we find the following list (cf. ll. 1653 «et seq.», and ll. 1730, 880):—Roland, Oliver, Duk Neymes of Bavere, Oger Danoys, Tery Lardeneys, Folk Baliante, Aleroyse of Loreyne, Miron of Braban, Bishop Turpyn, Bernard of Spruwse, Bryer of Mountez,[58] Guy of Bourgoyne.[59]—Richard of Normandye, although a most important personage, is not included amongst the «Douzeperes». Nor is Guenelyn mentioned as a peer of France. Four of these names, Folk Baliant, Turpyn, Bernard of Spruwse, Aleroyse of Loreyne, do not occur at all in the Ashmolean «Ferumbras».[60]