go thy way out of this city without any delay, for if I find thee here after this day, thou shalt die a most cruel death.
Then arose this woeful Empress, and put on her clothes, and after leapt on her palfrey, and rode toward the east alone without any sefe con- duct; and as she rode thus mourning by the way, the espyed on the left side of the way, a pair of gallows, and seven officers, leading a man to be hanged, wherefore she was moved with great pity, and smote her horse with her flick, and rode up to them, praying them, she might redeem that misdoer, if he might be saved from death by any means.
Then said they, Lady, It pleaseth us well that you redeem him. An- the Empress accorded with them and paid his ransom and he was delivered.
Then said she to him, Now my good friend, be true to me 'till thou die, since I have delivered thee from death.
On my soul (quoth he) I promise you ever to be true. And when he
