This had a pleasant outcome for him later. What a very gallant man he was! In charge of one of the great Gates, he had delivered many a hack and thrust. With him Gahmuret found a number of knights, their arms in slings and heads in bandages. But their wounds were not such as to keep them from fighting, they had not lost their vigour.

The Burgrave begged his guest in the friendliest way to dispose of him and his without ceremony. He led Gahmuret to his wife, who then kissed him, which was little to his liking. They then went for refreshments. This done, the Marshal left him and went before the Queen to claim a rich reward for the news he was bringing.

‘Madam,’ he said, ‘our cares have given way to joy! The man we are entertaining here is a knight of such high quality that we must forever thank the gods for their grace in bringing him to us.’

‘Now tell me, I command you, who is this knight?’

‘He is a proud warrior, a high-born Angevin, who has taken the pay of the Baruc himself. You should see how little he spares himself, when he is unleashed! How beautifully he swerves away and veers to the attack! He shows his enemies what mischief means! I saw him fighting gloriously when the Babylonians were out to relieve Alexandria and drive the Baruc off by force. What hosts were felled there in that rout! It was there that the charming fellow exerted himself so mightily that there was nothing they could do but run away. He is given the reputation of having distinguished himself beyond all others in many lands.’

‘Now watch for a suitable occasion and see that he comes and talks to me here. We have an armistice today, you know, so that the gallant man can ride up here to me – or must I go to him? His skin is a different colour from ours. I only hope this is no sore point with him? I wish I had known of it before. I would show him all honour if my councillors wished it. If it is his pleasure to approach me, how shall I receive him? Is he near enough to me in birth for my kiss not to be thrown away?’

‘He is known to be a scion of royal stock, let my life be pledge for it, ma’am. I will tell your princes to robe themselves and wait on you until he and I ride up. Instruct your ladies. For I shall go down at once and bring you the noble stranger so well-endowed with charming qualities.’

No sooner said than done. The Marshal went briskly about his mistress’s bidding. Rich robes – I heard they were very costly – were quickly brought for Gahmuret, and these he donned. To meet his wishes they were embellished with heavy Anchors of Arabian gold. Then he, who well knew how to requite a love-gift, mounted a horse which a jouster from Babylon had once ridden against him – he had thrust him off it, to the latter’s chagrin! You ask ‘Did his host bear him company?’ He and all his knights! And indeed they were happy to do so. They rode on together and dismounted before the Palace, where many knights were assembled in splendid robes. Linking hands, his pages preceded him, two and two. Their lord found a bevy of ladies there in exquisite gowns. As they lit on the Angevin the Queen’s eyes did great hurt to her. He looked so very winsome that, irresistibly, he unlocked her heart which until that time her femininity had kept locked fast. She advanced a pace or two towards her guest and bade him kiss her, and then led him to the wall that faced the enemy, and there, under its broad windows, they sat down on a quilt of samite spread on a soft divan. If anything is ‘brighter than the day’ the Queen does not resemble it. She had a woman’s heart and was all that a knight could want in other ways, but not ‘like the dewy rose’ – she was of a swarthy aspect. Her crown was a bright ruby through which her head was visible.