When Fleur had thus learned all the truth, he left the empty tomb and sought his father, saying, ’Father, let me go forth into the wide world to seek my Blanchefleur, for till she is found I can know neither peace nor joy.’ Hearing these words from his son, King Fenis was sorely troubled, cursing in his heart the day on which he had sold Blanchefleur, whom now he would fain have bought back ten pounds dearer than he sold her, did he but know where she was to be found.

‘Abide with me, O Fleur, my son!’ pleaded the King, ’and I will wed you to a royal bride!’

‘Not so, my father!’ Fleur replied; ’for there lives no woman upon earth that I can love save Blanchefleur, and her alone; so be content to let me go!’

‘If needs must, then go,’ said King Fenis, yielding to his son’s desire, ‘and I will make provision of all things needful for your journey.’

‘’Twere best,’ said Fleur, ’for me to travel as a merchant; so give me, I pray you, twelve mules, three laden with skins, three with coin of the realm, two with costly apparel of silk, velvet and scarlet, and the other four with furs. Give me also twelve muleteers to lead the mules, and twelve men-at-arms to be my guard; likewise one of your stewards, and a chamberlain of wisdom and discretion; last of all, send with me the two merchants, who, having sold Blanchefleur into distant lands, will best know how and where to seek her.’

At the thought and talk of parting the King wept sore, yet gave to his son according to his desire, adding thereto a palfrey, richly caparisoned; and when Fleur, wearing golden spurs, was mounted on the palfrey and would be gone, his mother came to say farewell, and gave him as her parting gift a ring, which she bade him ever wear, for the fair gem set in this golden ring had magic power to ward off hurt from foe, or fire, or water, or of wild beasts, nor while he wore it could any man refuse him aught he asked: so Fleur, with heartfelt thanks to his mother for so great a gift, put the ring upon his ringer. Then came good-bye, said with sorrow sore and deep on either side, more especially by father and mother, who with sinking hearts thrice kissed their son, well knowing that they should see his face no more.

Thus provided and equipped with loving care did Fleur ride forth into the wide world in quest of Blanchefleur, steadfastly purposing to find her or perish in the quest; and, having left his home, he rode with all his train to the seaport of Nicaea, where Blanchefleur had been sold, and when come there he took his lodgings in the house of a rich man, who nobly entertained his guest; but Fleur, thinking only of his love, sate dolefully at table, scarce knowing what or if he ate, and this his mournful mien being perceived by the hostess, she bade her husband mark it too, saying, ’Master, see you how sad and thoughtful is that young man who sits and sighs? He calls himself a merchant, but I misdoubt me what may be the wares he seeks!’ Then turning to Fleur himself this hostess said, ’Young sir, in sitting thus sad and silent, and keeping fast where a feast is spread; likewise, in age, mien, and bearing, you recall to my remembrance a fair maiden who no long time ago was here, and sate sighing as you now do. Her name was Blanchefleur, and Fleur the name of him she mourned, and for whose sake she was brought to this port of Nicaea and sold for a great price to merchants who were leading her away to Babylon, there, as they hoped, to sell her again at double the price they gave.’

At the sound of Blanchefleur’s name Fleur answered not, but for very bewilderment of joy overturned the wine-cup before him with his knife. When somewhat come to himself, he drew from his stores a golden cup and offered it to the hostess, saying, ’Accept this cup as payment, both for the wine which has been spilt and for the tidings you have given of my lost Blanchefleur;’ and when the hostess had thanked him, Fleur arose and went to the harbour, and there hired a ship in which to sail to Babylon; and when the ship was ready he and his servants, and all that they had, embarked in it, and sailed on and on till they came to a city called Bagdad; and at Bagdad they landed, and took up their abode with a rich man, who set the best of everything before them; but though Fleur sate at the table, his thoughts were far away with his lost love.

‘Sir,’ said the host, marking the dejection of his guest, ’why do you not eat? Is the fare not to your taste?’ And when Fleur answered not to his inquiries, the host continued, ’Young sir, give ear to me! I will tell you somewhat to distract your thoughts. No long time ago some merchants came to this house to spend the night, and with them they brought a maiden, who for fairness of face and sorrow of heart resembled you, for she sate weeping, and would neither eat nor drink, and by those of her company she was called Blanchefleur.’

‘Sir host!’ cried Fleur with altered mien, ’can you not tell me more? Marked you not what road the travellers took on leaving you?’

‘Young sir,’ replied the host, ‘they took the road to Babylon.’

Then Fleur arose, and brought from his store a golden cup and a scarlet mantle. ‘Take these,’ said he to the host, ’as my gift, but keep your thanks for Blanchefleur, who reigns within my heart.’

Well pleased with such a lordly gift, the host wished his guest
God-speed and good-luck to find his love.

Supper over, the company retired to rest, and at the morrow’s early dawn Fleur himself awoke his chamberlain and bade him rouse their people, as he would be up and away; so when all was ready they set forth, guided through the city by their host, and when he had set them on the right way, they rode on and on till they came to a great river, and saw on its farther side a city, Montfelis by name; and here was no bridge, but only a horn hanging on a cypress tree for those to blow who would call the ferryman.

So Fleur blew the horn, which being heard in Montfelis, presently a large boat appeared in which the servants and baggage were ferried across the river, but the master ferryman took Fleur alone in a little boat.

‘Young sir,’ said the boatman, marking the doleful bearing of his passenger, ‘whither go you and what seek you in this land?’

‘As you may see, we are merchants,’ replied Fleur, ’and on our way to Babylon, but as to-night it is too late to travel farther, can you tell us of any hostelry where we and our horses may stay the night?’

‘Sir,’ said the boatman, ’truly I know of an inn to suit your purpose, but the cause which moved me to ask your journey’s purpose is, that not long ago we ferried across this river a maiden who resembled you in form and sadness, and by the people with her she was called Blanchefleur; this Blanchefleur was the fairest creature ever seen; and in my own house she told me that she was loved by a heathen prince, and because of him had been sold away into distant lands.’

Starting up in eager haste at sound of Blanchefleur’s name, Fleur cried, ‘And whither went the maiden Blanchefleur on leaving you?’

‘Young sir,’ replied the boatman, as I have heard tell, Blanchefleur was sold to the Admiral of Babylon, and he loved her more than all his wives.’

At these tidings Fleur rejoiced; but, fearing for his life, he let drop no word of seeking Blanchefleur.

After lodging for the night in the ferry-house, Fleur asked his host if he could commend him to any good friend in Babylon for lodging and furtherance in his trade.

‘Yes, truly that I can,’ replied the boatman. ’At the entrance to Babylon you will find a river, and on the river a bridge, and on the bridge a toll-keeper, to whom, if you give this ring from me, you will be welcome.’