essage: he asks thee for what belongs
to him, nor does he demand what is unjust. Constantinople, which thou
dost hold, should be his and shall be his. It would be neither just nor
right that discord should arise between you two. So give him the crown
without contest, for it is right that thou shouldst surrender it."

(Vv. 2495-2524.) Alis replies: "Fair gentle friend, thou hast undertaken
a mad enterprise in bearing this message. There is little comfort in
thy speech, for well I know that my brother is dead. I should rejoice,
indeed, to learn that he was still alive. But I shall not believe the
news until I have seen him with my eyes. He died some time ago, alas!
What thou sayest is not credible. And if he lives, why does he not come?
He need never fear that I will not bestow on him some lands. He is a
fool to hold aloof from me, for in serving me he will find profit. But
no one shall possess the crown and empire beside me." He liked not the
speech of the emperor, and did not fail to speak his mind in the reply
he made. "Alis," he says, "may God confound me if the matter is thus
allowed to stand. I defy thee in thy brother's name, and dutifully
speaking in his name, I summon all those whom I see here to renounce
thee and to join his cause. It is right that they should side with him
and recognise him as their lord. Let him who is loyal now stand forth."

(Vv. 2525-2554.) Upon saying this he leaves the court, and the emperor
summons those in whom he has most confidence. He requests their advice
concerning this defiance upon his brother's part, and wishes to learn
if he can trust them to lend no support or help to his brother's claim.
Thus he tries to test the loyalty of each; but he finds not one who
sides with him in the dispute, rather do they all bid him remember the
war which Eteocles undertook against his own brother Polynices, and how
each one died by the other's hand. [223] "So, too, it may happen to you,
if you undertake a war, and all the land will be distressed." Therefore,
they advise that such a peace be sought as shall be both reasonable and
just, and that neither one make excessive demands. Thus Alis understands
that if he does not make an equitable agreement with his brother all his
vassals will desert him; so he says that he will respect their wishes in
making any suitable contract, provided that however the affair may rum
out the crown shall remain in his possession.

(Vv. 2555-2618.) In order to secure