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."
Then mournfully the ransom sent The good frères took once more. And with the captives they had freed Sailed to the English shore.
And Earl de Bray's castell they sought, And to fair Agnes told, How that her lover could not be Ransomed for gems or gold.
And that the cruel sultan asked,-- Nor meaner thing would take,-- Her own right arm and lily hand, Cut off for her love's sake.
A shudder ran through all who heard, Her mother shrieked aloud, Her father, crimsoning, clutched his sword, And death to Moslems vowed.
Her little sister to her ran, And clasped her tightly round: "Sure, sister, such a wicked man Cannot on earth be found?"
But Agnes smoothed the child's long hair And kissed her, then spoke low, "That cruel is the ransom asked. My dear ones, well I know. { 30} "But did not God for ransom give His own beloved Son? And do not churls and nobles give Their lives for king and throne?