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Cleanness (a.k.a. Purity)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Patience
Pearl
St Erkenwald
Wars of Alexander
Wars of Alexander
1
WHen folk
ere
festid & fed fayn wald
þai
here
2
Sum
farand
þing efter fode to fayn
þare
her[t],
3
Or
þai
ware
fourmed on fold or
þaire
fadirs oþer.
4
Sum is leue to
lythe
þe lesing of Sayntis,
5
Þat lete
þer
lifis be lorne for oure lordis
sake
;
6
And sum has langing of lufe lays to herken,
7
How ledis for
þaire
lemmans has langor endured.
8
Sum couettis & has comforth to
carpe
& to lestyn
9
Of curtaissy of knyȝthode of craftis of armys,
10
Of kyngis
at
has conquirid & ouer-comyn landis.
11
Sum of wirschip I-wis
slike
as
þam
wyse lattis,
12
And sum of wanton werkis þa þat
ere
wild-hedid;
13
Bot
if
þai
wald on many wyse, a wondire
ware
it els,
14
For as
þaire
wittis
ere
with-in, so
þer
will folowis.
15
And I forwith ȝow all
ettillis
to schewe
16
Of ane Emperoure þe
aȝefullest
þat euer armys hauntid,
17
Þat was þe athill Alexsandire as þe buke tellis,
18
Þat aȝte euyn as his awyn all the werd ouire.
19
For he recouerd quills he regnyd þe regions all clene,
20
And all rialme & þe riches in-to þe rede est.
21
I sall rehers, & ȝe will,
renkis
rekyn ȝour tongis,
22
A remnant of his rialte & rist quen vs likis.
23
Oute in þe erth of Egipt enhabet vmquile
24
Þe wysest wees of þe werd as I in writt fynd.
25
For
þai
þe mesure & þe mett of all þe mulde couthe,
26
Þe sise of all þe grete see & of þe grym
wawys
;
27
Of þe ordere of þat
odde
home þat ouer þe aire
hingis
28
Knew þe kynd, & þe curses of þe clere
sternys
,
29
Of Articus be aghill tre airis & oþire
30
Of þe fold & of þe firmament wele þe fete cuthe;
31
And Antarticus also þat all
apon
turnys,
32
Þe pasage of þe planettis þe poyntis & þe sygnes.
33
Þai
ware
þe kiddest of þat craft knawyn in
þaire
tyme,
34
And þe sotellest vndere son segis in
þaire
lyfe.
35
Þus
ware
þai
breued
for þe best, as þe buke tellis;
36
All
þai
lerid of þat lare þat it lere wald.
37
As wide as þe werd was went worde of
þaire
teching,
38
Of sorsery &
slike
werkis
sleȝtis
enogh.
39
And þe kyng of þat contre was a clerke noble,
40
Þe athelest ane of þe werd & Anec was hatten.
41
He was wyse enoȝe wirdis to reken,
42
When he þe heuyn beheld of lede[s]
opon
lyfe;
43
Þe iapis of all gemetri gentilli he couth,
44
And wele as Aristotill þe artis all seuyn.
45
Þer preued neuer nane his prik for passing of witt,
46
Plato nor Piktagaras ne Prektane him seluen.
47
Emang his duykis on a day as he on dese syttis,
48
Þan was him
bodword
vnblyth broȝt to þe sale,
49
Þat Artaxenses was armed
with
þe men of his rewme,
50
Þe proude king of Persy to pase him
agayn
.
51
Þoȝe
he þa sawis herd say ȝit samyd he na princis,
52
Ne ost ordand he nane of na kyd knyȝtis,
53
Bot airis euen furth him ane & entirs his chambre,
54
To knaw by his clergi þe
come
of his faa.
55
He
takis
a Boll of bras burneschid full clene,
56
And full he fillis it of þe flode
at
fell
fra
þe heuen.
57
On hiȝt in his a hand haldis a
wand
,
58
And kenely be coniurisons
callis
to him spiritis.
59
In-to þis water as he waitis was he ware sone
60
Of his enmys in þat Element ane endles nombre;
61
He saȝe
þam
in þe hiȝe see sailand to-gedire,
62
Was neuer
sene
slike
a some vnder þe son bemys.
63
Carrygis comand he knew, keruand þe ithis,
64
Dromonds dryfes ouer þe depe
with
dukis & Erles,
65
Gales & grete schipis full of grym
wapens
,
66
And full of
breneid
bernes bargis a
hundreth
;
67
Of
slik
a naue is noy to here or to tell.
68
For all be largenes of lenth
at
he luke myȝt,
69
Slik
was þe multitude of mast so
mekil
& so thike,
70
Þat all him þoȝt bot he treis, a hare wod it
semyd
.
71
At þe enteris of Egipt as Anec had beden,
72
ware
peris of his prouynce & princes of his cytes,
73
Was comandid of
þaire
kyng to kepe þa landis,
74
Þat nane aproche it to paire of Persy ne othire.
75
Þan was a wardan ware oute in þe
wale
stremys
76
Of all þe naue & þe note I
neuenyd
be-fore;
77
Laȝt liȝtly his ledis & leuys his warde,
78
Comes to courte to þe kyng & on kneys fallis,
79
Anec bi his awyn name he onane gretis,
80
Sais, 'ȝare þe now ȝapely or ȝild vp þi rewme;
81
Artaxenses is at hand & has ane ost reryd,
82
And resyn vp
with
all his rewme to ride vs
agayn
;
83
For he him-self is on þe se
with
siche a somme armed,
84
Þat any hathill vnder heuen
ware
hardy to rekyn.
85
For þer is comyn
with
him knyȝt[es] of landis dyuerse,
86
Segis of many syde oute of
sere
remys,
87
Þe Perseyns & a pupill þat parthy is
callid
,
88
Men of Mesepotayme & of Mede
bathe
,
89
Of Syre & of Sychim a selle nounbre,
90
Of Capidos & Caldec kene men of armes,
91
Fell feȝtand folke þat Faire we
call
,
92
Þe Arrabiens & all þa [of] þat origyne,
93
Bernys out of Batary batails arayed,
94
And oþire out of þe orient many
od
hundrethe
.'
95
Þen Anec onane riȝt efter
þire
wordis,
96
A lowde laȝter he loȝe & to þe lede said,
97
'Haue þou na care,' quod þe kyng, 'bot kepe to þe marche,
98
As I haue demyd þe to do, and dred þou na ferryre;
99
For soth, it is
vnsemely
slike
sawis of a prynce.
100
I kan noȝt knaw
at
þou
carpis
as a knyȝt suld,
101
Bot as a frek
at
ware
ferid & feynes riȝt nowe.
102
Ert þou noȝt hurtles & hale? lat noȝt þi hert faile.
103
For vertu vailes noȝt all
if
þou avaied worthe,
104
Emange þe multitude of men quare mane
ere
togeder,
105
Bot þer aboute as
þai
ere
blend
with
bignes
of will.
106
If
þai
be folke bot a fa oft tydis
þam
þe better.
107
Or elis wate þou noȝt wele þe witles berne,
108
How it is commonly
carped
in contries a-boute,
109
Þat anelepy leon þat ouer þe land
rynnys
,
110
Will make to
fange
to þe fliȝt & flay many hertis?'
111
With
þat þe segge all him selfe
silis
to his chambre,
112
And in þe brasen boll full [of] blak watere
113
He shapis him of shire wax
litill
schipis many,
114
And ȝapely ȝarkid in his hand a ȝerd of a palme.
115
Þen con he chater & enchant
with
all his chefe miȝtis,
116
Avysid him in þe vessell & was avaied sone,
117
How þe powere out of Persy pellid doune his knyȝtis,
118
And how his land suld be lost withouten lett mare.
119
When he was ware of þis
wathe
how it worthe suld,
120
Þan wendis he
wiȝtly
furth & his wede changis,
121
Clede him all as a clerke & his
croune
shauys,
122
And
with
a bytand blade he his bered voydis.
123
Þen
takis
to him tresour & trusses in
baggis
,
124
As many Besandis on his bake as he bere miȝt,
125
And oþire necessari notis as nedis to his craftis,
126
To sike salmary dangell as him self vyses.
127
He
toke
traimmes him
with
to tute in þe
sternes
,
128
Astrala[b]us
algate
as his arte wald,
129
Quadrentis coruen all of quyte
siluyre
full quaynte,
130
Mustours &
mekil
quat mare þen a
littill
.
131
When he was
graþed
with
his
gere
, a gladen he waytis,
132
And passis furþe at a posterne preualy alane,
133
Furþe on his fete withouten fole he passis his way,
134
Vn-wetandly to any wee þat wont in his
wanes
.
135
Þus airis he out of Egipte & his erde leuys,
136
Fled for ferd of his fais fere
fra
his kythis,
137
It was na bote him to bide ne batill to ȝelde;
138
For all his kyngdome he knew suld be
kast
vnder.
139
Fra
þe partis of Persy he past bot a
littill
,
140
And euyn so þurȝe Ethyope & þare him eft clethis,
141
All his liche in lyn claþe for ledis suld trowe
142
And all be puple persayue a prophete he were.
143
Þen metis he furthe to Messadon full vn-mete
gatis
,
144
And quen he come to þat kith as þe chance tellis,
145
Oft
with
his instrumentis out he openly deuynes,
146
And noþer
hild
he it ne hid, bot here qua sa likid.
147
Bot þan was methe for to
mele
þurȝe men of his burȝ,
148
Þat he by-hind him at hame withoute hede leuyd.
149
Slik
care
kindils
in his curte quen
þai
þer
kyng
myssid
,
150
Þat it
ware
tere any tonge of
þar
tene to reken;
151
Princes of his palas preses in-to chambre,
152
To
laite
þar
lord
at
was lost
with
latis
vn-blythe;
153
Kairis
into closettis knyȝtis & Erlis,
154
Sekand
þar
souerayn
with
many salt terys;
155
Barons & bachelers
balefully
gretis,
156
Swiers swemyle swouned ladys,
157
And many was þe bald berne
at
banned
þar
quile,
158
Þat euer he dured þat day vndede
opon
erthe.
159
Bot quen
þai
wist he was went & wald noȝt be foun,
160
Couth
þai
na bote
þam
e
bland
how best for to wirke,
161
Bot
silis
to ser Sirraphis
at
sittis in his trone,
162
Þat was
þar
god alþire-
graythist
on þe ground
samen
.
163
Him
þai
supplyed & soȝt & him ensence
castis
,
164
Honourd him
with
offyrings & elkend him fayre,
165
Þat he suld say
þam
þe sothe & sorely
þam
teche
166
Queder
þaire
kyng was becomen
at
þar
care
kyndils
.
167
Þan sayd Syraphis him selfe he sayd
þam
þir
wordis:
168
Anec, ȝour athill kyng is out of his awyn land,
169
For Artaxenses
aȝe
is all him ane foundid,
170
Þe proude kyng of Persee þat passes vs
a-gaynes
.
171
Full wele he wist,
or
he went quat suld worþe efter,
172
And all þe fourme of þe fare þat fall ȝow be-houys.
173
For all þe erth of Egipt
fra
end vn-to othire
174
Bees conquirid & ouercomyn clene alto-gedre.
175
Þe puple out of Perse is purvaid all
samen
;
176
Þe kyng is comand full kene
with
his kene ostis,
177
Þat sall oure
renkis
all rayme & oure rewme
bathe
,
178
And we be all at
þare
will þus is wirdis schapen.
179
Sen it is sett to be soo & slipe it ne may,
180
Ne schewid to be na noþire schap ne we to
schount
nouthire,
181
Bot
gefe
þaim
vp þe girdill, vs gaynes noȝt ellis.
182
Bot seses, seris, of ȝour
syte
& soruȝes na mare;
183
For, certayn,' quod Syraphis, 'myselfe I it knawe,
184
ȝour kyng sall in a noþire kithe
kast
out his elde,
185
And come
a-gayn
eft ȝonge man ȝit to his rewme.
186
Þan sall þat victoure ȝow venge on ȝour vile fais,
187
And þe province of Persee purely distruye,
188
And
gett
agayn
his avyn gronde
at
he forgais nowe,
189
And ane of þe
oddist
emperours of þe erde worthe.'
190
When he þis talis had tald, þen
tuke
þai
be-lyfe,
191
And efter Anec on-ane ane ymage
gert
make;
192
Þe buke sais, of blake stane all þe bode ouyre,
193
With
corone &
with
conyschantis as it a kynge were.
194
Quen it was perfite & piȝt, a place
þai
it wayted,
195
And stallid him in a stoute stede & stiȝthed him faire.
196
Lordis
lift
him on
loft
&
lawe
to him bowid,
197
In reuerence of þe riche kynge
at
had
þer
rewme gydid.
198
Quen he was
semely
vp set
with
septour in hand,
199
Þen ledis
at
ware
lettird on
lawe
at
his feet
200
All þe sawis of
þaire
Syre as Siraphis tald,
201
Þare gan
þai
graithly
þam
graue in golden lettirs,
202
All þe wordis
at
he
þaim
werpid of
þaire
ware kynge.
203
Þare
þai
wrate
þam
I-wis as þe buke tellis,
204
Supposand
þaim
in sum tyme for sothe to be knawen,
205
And men to make of
þam
mynd euer-mare efter.
206
Be þat
þaire
enmes
þar
erde was entird with-in,
207
Þe powere oute of Persee
with
many proude ostes;
208
Bot of
þar
batails to
brefe
it botis me na ferrire.
209
For all
þai
conquirid clene þis cithe at
þaire
will,
210
And Anec is all his ane ferre of his awyn landis,
211
With-in þe merris of Messedoyn þar na man him knewe.
212
Bot will ȝe herken hende now sall ȝe here
213
How he kide him in þe courete & quayntid him
with
ladis.
214
Syre, it be-tid on a tyme þe text me recordis,
215
Þat þe mode kynge of Messedone
with
mekill
nounbre,
216
Þat was Sire Philip þe fers farne out of toune,
217
For to feȝt
with
his fais out of fere landis.
218
Quen he was
boune
oute of burȝe & his bake turned,
229
As
tite
as Anec him amed out of his awyn kythe,
220
He paste vp to þe palais & preualy entirs,
221
Þat he miȝt lend þare on
loft
& luke on þe qwene
222
Sone as him selfe was in þe sale & saȝe hire
with
eȝe,
223
He beheld Olympadas þat honourable lady;
224
Hire bewte bitis in his brest & his bodi thrillis,
225
And drifes thurȝe his depe hert as he
ware
dart-wondid.
226
Þe lede
lawid
in hire lofe as leme dose of gledis,
227
Put vp his hand to his
hare
& heldid it bot
littill
.
228
'
Haile
, modi qwene of Messidoyne' he maister-like said;
229
Þare deyned him na daynte 'madame' hire to
call
.
230
Be-cause he knew him a kyng he
carpid
on þis wyse.
231
For
if
he come as a clerke
with
a
croune
schauyn,
232
And diȝt as a Doctour in drabland wedis,
233
ȝit all þe erth of Egipt had he bene aire ouire.
234
Þan answars him þe qwene
with
full myld speche,
235
'
Haile
, maister,' quod þat myld & made him to sytt
236
On a sege hire be-syde of
silkyn
clathis,
237
And þar hire
spakid
with
his speche & spird of him wordis.
238
Quen he was sete in his
sete
, þat
semely
qwene
239
Ai
of Egipt erd enquirid
if
he were,
240
Þoȝt him
like
of þat lede be langage & othire;
241
For-þi
scho
wetis
if
he wald wete hire to say.
242
'A! athel qwene,' quod Anec '
ai
be þou ioyed!
243
If
þou a wirschipfull worde has werpid & spoken,
244
A riall roune þou me redis a reson of blis,
245
Quen þou
mynnys
of þat marche &
with
þi mouth tellis.
246
For þare enhabetis in þat erd þat þou
are
sayd.
247
Þe wisest wees in þis werd þe welken vndire.
248
For
þai
can swyth of a sweuyn all þe swepe tell,
249
Wheþire it be sele or soroȝe in a sete quile.
250
And
þai
can certifi & se by sygnes of þe heuyn,
251
Quat sall be-fall
a-pon
fold with-inen a fewe ȝerys.
252
Sum vndirstandis in a stounde þe steuen of þe briddis,
253
To say þe by
þaire
sapience quat
þar
sange menys;
254
Sum can þi consaile declare,
þofe
þou it
carpid
neuire,
255
Þe poyntis of all þi preuates pertly can schewe.
256
Sum can þe brefe be-life þe
birth
of þine childire,
257
Be it hee, be [it]
scho
haly
þare
werdes.
258
And
if
I say it my-selfe
slik
sotellte I haue,
259
Sa clere a witt & sa clene my creatoure I lofe,
260
Þat all þe notis
at
I
neuyn
nobly I can,
261
As any prophet a-perte to proue ȝow þe sothe.'
262
Quen he
þire
sawis had sayd he in his sege lened,
263
In stody still as a stane & starid in hire face,
264
Beheld
haterly
þat hend þat had his hert percid,
265
With
depe desire of delite
ay
on þat dere waytis.
266
Sone as hire selfe it sawe
at
he hire sa behaldis,
267
Þen
scho
talkis him to &
titely
him
fraynes
:
268
'Quare-on muse ȝe sa
mekill
, maistir?'
scho
sayd;
269
'ȝe behald me sa hogely quare-on is ȝour mynd?'
270
'My frely fode,' quod þe freke ‘noȝt bot þe werdes
271
Of my gracious goddis þe grettest on erde.
272
Þai
haue tald me be-for þis tyme þat now I trew fynd,
273
How I suld lenge in a land & loke on a qwene.'
274
Þan out of his bosom he brayd a blesand table
275
Of Euour & of othire þingis
odly
fourmed,
276
Of bras & of
brynt
gold & o[f] briȝt siluer,
277
Þat thre serclis
sere
in itselfe had.
278
In þe first compas I
ken
as me þe claus tellis,
279
Stude þe xij vndirstandings stoutly engrauen.
280
In þis oþir
draȝt
ware
deuysid a dusan of bestis,
281
And
semely
sett was in þe thrid þe son & þe mone.
282
Sethen he clekis out of a cas vij clere
sternes
283
To tell him takens of þe tymes & talis of our werdis;
284
And vij stele-grauyn stanys & stoute oþire tway,
285
Þat wald for hurte or for harme any hathill kepe.
286
Þus as he
tuke
furth his toylis & his trammys schewis,
287
'
If
I sall lefe on þi lare,' quod þe leue qwene,
288
'Say me þe day & þe
same
ȝere & þe selfe tyme
289
Of þe
birth
of þe bald kyng þat I best lufe.'
290
Þan answars Anec onane sayd, 'Is þar oȝt ellis
291
At
ȝe wald, hend, of me here or
at
ȝoure hert willis?
292
For any cas þat is to com to knaw
if
þe likis,
293
I sall as namely ȝow
neuyn
as it
ware
nowe done.'
294
'Þan will I,' quod þe
wale
qwene, 'ȝe wete me to say,
295
Quat me & Philip sall fall vs be-twene.
296
For, bow he
fra
þe bataill bernys me tell,
297
Þen will he wed anoþire wife &
wayfe
me for euer.'
298
'
Nay
, noȝt for
ay
,' quod þe freke 'þar haue
þai
fals spoken;
299
Neuir þe latter,
or
oȝt lange sall lymp as þou sayd.
300
Bot ȝit I fynd, for all his fare fleme he sall þe toþire,
301
And wild ȝourself to will nyll he so will he.'
302
Þan was a-wondird of his wordis þe worthe lady,
303
Be-soȝt sekirly þis sire
if
he safe vouchid,
304
Þat
scho
myȝt
weterly
wete þe will of all þingis,
305
Quatkyn poynt or plyte predestend hire were.
306
'Athill qwene,' quod Anec 'as I am enfourmed,
307
Ane of þe grettist of oure godis of grace & of miȝt,
308
I fynd,
or
it be fere to fleschely þe knaw,
309
And efter in all aduersites is amed þe to help.'
310
Þan sayd Olympadas 'now, honourable maister,
311
I
be-seke
þe, my sire
if
þou me say wald,
312
Quatkyn fygour on fold or fourme
at
he beris,
313
Þat demyd is or destaned þis dede for to worche.'
314
'Þat will I wele,' quod þe wee, '& noȝt a word leȝe.
315
Þis miȝty god
at
I me[ne] is of a medill age,
316
Noȝt of ȝouth nor of eld nor ȝerris to many,
317
Bot euyn so be-twene twa & to [mekyll] of nouthire.
318
How he is
merkid
& made is mervaile to
neuyn
,
319
With
— tachid in his for-top — twa tufe hornes;
320
A berd as a besom
with
thyn bred
haris
,
321
A mouthe as a mastif hunde vn-metely to shaw.
322
Bot, dame,
if
he be þus diȝt drede þe neuer þe more,
323
Bot ȝe be buxsom &
bayne
&
boune
to his will.
324
Be
nyȝter-tale
he sall be neȝe þis note to begyn,
325
And ȝe be merryd neuer þe mare bot mete him in sweuyn.'
326
'Now certayn, sire,' sayd þe qwene 'selly me
thinke
.
327
Bot may I se þis be sothe
at
ȝe me say here,
328
Noȝt as a prophet ne a prest I prays sall þi selfe,
329
Bot rehers þe as hieȝe gode & hie þe for euire.'
330
With
þat rysis vp þe
renke
& his rowme lefys,
331
Laȝt leue at þe qwene for a
litill
quile,
332
Gase him doune be þe grecis
a-gayn
fra
þe sale,
333
Furthe to make his maistryse & mose in his arte.
334
Þus passis he
fra
þe place to proue his
sleȝtis
,
335
Silis
furth all him selfe þe cyte with-outen,
336
Drafe in-to a depe dissert & drewe vp herbis,
337
Þe chosest for inchantement
at
he chese couthe.
338
Quen he had gedird his
grese
& grune
þaim
esundire,
339
For Iapis of his gemetry þe ious out he wrengis,
340
Erne
till
exorȝise & ethis euer
elike
,
341
Þat it suld worthe as he wald & on na way faile.
342
He clatird on coniurisons &
calid
to him deuyls,
343
And all þe incheson of his charme
with
þat þe chefe qwene
344
Þe
same
nyȝt in hire slep suld se
with
hire eȝen
345
Amon hire awyn god in hire armes ligge,
346
And
dreme
at
he didd hire swa, & quen he done hadd,
347
Þan suld he say to hire-selfe sadly
þire
wordis,
348
'Now has þou, woman, I-wys with-in þi twa sydis
349
Consayued him
at
in all þi care þi cors sall defend.'
350
Þis ilk euyn ouer-ȝede &
arly
on þe morne,
351
As
arly
as þe riche qwene was resyn
fra
slepe,
352
Þan efter Anec on-ane
scho
al aboute sendis,
353
Takis
him betwene
þam
twa tald him hire sweuyn,
354
'ȝa,' quod he, 'comly qwene I couthe, & þou wald
355
Preualy in þi palais lat me a place haue,
356
Make þe to se þe
same
gode & þi-selfe wakand,
357
Face to face all his fourme & his effecte clene.
358
Þis grete god full of grace sall glide to þi chambre,
359
In a dredfull deuys a dragons fourme,
360
And þan þe figour of a freke he sall take eftire,
361
And preualy in þat part a-pere ȝowe be-forne.'
362
Þan answars him þe swete quene & sone him it grantis,
363
'Sire, chese þe a chambre quare þe chefe
þinkis
,
364
Nowþire myne awen ne na nothire god lat þe noȝt spare,
365
Or any place
at
ȝow plece my palas with-in.
366
For may þou hald me þis hest as þou here tellis,
367
And profe þus in my presens as a propire sothe,
368
Þen sall I cherische þe
with
chere as þou my child were,
369
Loute þe louely &
loue
all my lyfe days.'
370
'Graunt mercy,' quod þe grete clerke to þe gude lady,
371
Thankis hire full
thraly
& þen forth wendis
372
To loke &
layte
him a loge quare he lenge myȝte,
373
And
buske
him a bedsted quare him best likid.
374
Qwen it was metyn to þe
merke
þat men
ware
to ryst,
375
And folke was on
þaire
firste slepe & it was furth euyns,
376
Þan Anec onane his artis he fandis,
377
And changid by enchantmentis his chere all to-gedire.
378
Þer worthid he by his wiche-craft in-to a wild dragon,
379
And to þe ladi lere he lendid in haste,
380
Fliȝand in his fethire-hames &
ferly
fast sletis,
381
And in a
braide
,
or
he blan he þe bed entris.
382
Quen he was laide be-lyfe, his
liknes
he changis,
383
Worthis
agayn
to a wee
fra
a worme turnys.
384
Þen kisses he kenely þe quene & clappis in armes,
385
Langis sare to þe
layke
& on-
loft
worthis.
386
Quen he had wroȝt all his will hire wame þen he touches,
387
And
with
a
renyst
reryd þis reson he said,
388
'Þis concepcion
with
kyngis sal be
callid
here-efter
389
A verra victor a-vansid
with
all þe vayne werde.'
390
Þus be-gylid he þis gude wyfe & makis hire to wene
391
It
ware
na
gett
of na gome bot of god ane.
392
Qwen þe day-raw rase he rysis be-lyfe,
393
Lendis a-lande
fra
þe
loft
& left hire
with
child.
394
Sone as hire bele gun
bolne
all hire blee changis,
395
So was
scho
ferd & a-friȝt, a
ferly
ware
ellis.
396
To be bonden
with
barne
mekill
bale
to hire neȝehis,
397
For it & Philip hire fere o-ferrom was sybb.
398
Þan Anec hire awyn clerke
scho
on-ane
callis
,
399
'Lo, maistir,
slike
a myschefe!' & maynly hire pleynes.
400
'I dred þat I
nere
dee
, bot ȝe me deme sone
401
Quat me is beste of þis case
if
euer þe kyng turne.'
402
'Be noȝt a-bayste,' quod þe berne ‘ne a-bleyd nothire,
403
Þare sall na chanche þe chefe þe charge of a pese,
404
For Amon oure athill gode sall all-way þe helpe,
405
And kepe þe full careles
if
any cas fallis.’
406
Quat dose now þis diuinour bot to desert wendis,
407
Airis on all him ane out of þe cite,
408
ȝede him furthe eftirsons herbis to seche,
409
Reft
þam
vp be þe
rotis
& radly
þam
stampis.
410
Þe Iuse for his gemetry þat Iogloure
takis
,
411
A[nd] sythen a brid of þe see him seluyn him
fangis
,
412
Clatirs to hyre coynte þingis kenely enchantis,
413
And [
with
] þe wose of þe wede hire
wengis
anoyntis;
414
And all þis
demerlayke
he did bot be þe deuyllis craftis,
415
How he myȝt compas &
kast
þe kynge to begyle.
416
He wroȝt a wondirfull
wile
, & will ȝe now here
417
How he be-glouird þis gome & gilid him in sweuyn?
418
Þis ilk Philip þe fyrs þat in be fiȝt lenges,
419
Þe
same
nyȝt in his slepe he saȝe, as him thoȝt,
420
Amon his awen god in armes
with
his qwene,
421
And make
with
hire market as [he] a man were.
422
And quen he wroȝt had his will þen
witrely
him metis,
423
Þat he bowes to hire belechiste &
bigly
it sewys,
424
And sethen asselis it him selfe
semely
& faire
425
With
a rede golde rynge on þis aray grayuyn;
426
A lyons heuyd was on-
loft
louely coruyn,
427
Þe bounde of a briȝt son & a brande kene.
428
And þen he went furth his way sayd, 'Woman, þou hauys
429
Þi full defendoure on fold now frely consay[u]yd.'
430
Als radly as þe riche kynge rase on þe morne,
431
Riȝt in þe dawynge of day a diuinour he
callis
,
432
And as him
dremyd
ilke a dele þat doctour he tellis,
433
And
fraynes
him fast on þis fare how it be-fall suld.
434
'Phylip,' quod þe phylysofyre, 'þi fere is
with
childe,
435
And
with
no
gett
of na gome bot of god selfe.
436
And, gudman, on þe gold rynge þe thre grauen thyngis,
437
Þai
ere
þus
mekill
to mene as me my mind tellis.
438
To þe lyon hede,' quod þe lede 'þen
licken
I, on first,
439
Þe
birth
þat
scho
bere sall als best it
be-semys
,
440
Þat chefe sall to a chiftan &
slike
a chefe maister,
441
As to be halden
heuydman
of all þe hale werde.
442
Now sall I clerily declare þe course on þe sonne;
443
Þat sygnyfys þe
same
man þat sett is, be wird,
444
So many prouynce to pas þurȝe prowis of armys,
445
Þat he sall
hit
with
his hede in-to þe heghe est.
446
Now of þis bytand brand berne, will ȝe here;
447
And all is bot þis hathill man as I
are
sayd,
448
Þat sall sa fele men afray
with
fauchon in hande,
449
And out of nounbre to
neuyn
of nacions wynn.'
450
Þan foundis Philip to þe fyȝt & þe fild entres,
451
And sone in delingis of dyntis a dragon aperis,
452
Þat streȝt be-for him in þe stoure strikis doune his faas,
453
And all his enmys in þat erd he endid in a stounde.
454
When Phylyp
with
his faire folke had þe fild won,
455
Þan metis he him to Messadone, þar metis him þe qwene,
456
Kyssis comly hire king & of his
come
ioys,
457
And how he fore
scho
him
fraynes
ferly[ly]
ȝerne.
458
'Wele, graunt mercy,' quod þe kyng, 'my god, I him loue;
459
Bot how þat ȝe ga sa grete, gud dame?' he sayd.
460
'Þou has ragid,' quod þe
renge
, '
with
vnryd
gestis
;
461
Now hafe I, lede, all to lange lengid
fra
hame.'
462
Þus to bre hire o bourde he
breuys
þire
wordis;
463
'To quam has þou þe
tane
till
tell m[e] þe sothe?
464
Outhire mete has mendid þe full
mekill
, as may I noȝt trowe,
465
Or ane has stollen in my stede sen I was
stad
þare.'
466
Þus bayst he þe briȝt qwene þat all hire ble changid,
467
To
skyre
skarlet hewe
skyftis
hire face,
468
Hire chere
at
was chalke-quyte as any chaffe worthis;
469
So was
scho
schamed of þe schont þat hire þe schalk made.
470
'
Nay
,' quod þe comly kyng, 'cache vp þine hert,
471
Þofe
þou haue forfet, na force so has fele othire.
472
Þou has giltid, bot noȝt gretly it greuys me þe les;
473
For god has
geten
þe þis
gett
agaynes
þi will.
474
All þat was done þe bedene was me be
dreme
schewyd,
475
I saȝe it surely as my-selfe slepe in my tentis,
476
And oure god all-to-gedire is ground of þe cause;
477
Of me worthis þe þe wite ne of na wee ellis.'
478
Þen tyd it anes on a tym a lytill terme efter,
479
Þis dere kyng on a day on his dese syttis,
480
Had parreld him a proude feste of princes & dukis,
481
With
maistirlingis of Messadone & many oþire noble[s].
482
Þus as he sat in his
sete
softly by his qwene,
483
In schene schemerand schroude all of schire stanes,
484
He
kest
vp his contenance & knyȝtly he lokes,
485
And gladis gudly his
gestis
as his degre wald.
486
Þan Ane[c]tanabus on-ane in alþire-mast ioy
487
Did on him his dragon-hame & drafe thurȝe þe sale,
488
With
slike
a
rowste
& rerid þe romance it
wittnes
,
489
Þat
nere
had bernes for þat bere bene broȝt out of witt.
490
He was sa
hatter
& sa hoge quen he þe hall entird,
491
Lete
sa lathely a
late
& sa loude cried,
492
Þat all þe fest was a-ferd & oþire folke
bathe
.
493
To þe chefe chaiare of þe qwene he chese him be-lyue,
494
And laide as hendly as a hunde his hede in hire arme,
495
Seþin kyssis he hire clene mouthe enclynes hire
lawe
,
496
And braydis furth
with
a brym bere out at þe brade ȝatis.
497
Þen sayd Philip to his fere & all his fre
gestis
498
'ȝone selfe dragon forsothe I saȝe
with
myne eȝen;
499
Quen I was
stad
in þe stoure he strenthid all myne oste,
500
And þar þe floure in þe filde I
fangid
þurȝe him selfe.'
501
Anoþire
ferly
þar fell within fewe days,
502
Þe king was sett in his sale
with
septir in hand;
503
Þen come þar-in a
litill
brid in-to his arme floȝe,
504
And þar hurkils & hydis as
scho
were hand-tame;
505
Fast
scho
flekirs about his fete & fleȝtirs aboute,
506
And þar it nestild in a
noke
as it a nest were,
507
Qwill
scho
had layd in his lape a
litill
tyne
egg
,
508
And þan
scho
fangis
hire fliȝt & floȝe away swyth.
509
Þis
egg
,
or
þe kyng wyst to be erth fallis,
510
Brak, & so it wele
burde
&
brast
all e-soundir;
511
Þan wendis þar-out a
litill
worm & wald it eft enter,
512
And
or
scho
hit
in hire hede a hard deth suffirs.
513
Þan was ser Philip of þat fare
ferly
mekill
sturbid,
514
Callis
to him a kid clerke declaris to him þis wonder,
515
Besoȝt him quat it sygnified to tell him þe treuthe.
516
'Þat graunt I gudly,' quod þe gome & þus-
gate
he spekis:
517
'Sire, þere sall borne be a
barne
of þi blithe lady,
518
Þat driȝtyn efter þi day has destaned to regne,
519
Þe quilke sall walke all þe werd & wyn it him selfe,
520
And hent sall a full
hetire
deth
or
he may hame couer.'
521
Þus he vndid him ilka dele & him þe dome reched,
522
Said it was sett to be so he saȝe by his artis.
523
And
if
ȝow likis of þis lare to lesten any forthire,
524
Sone sall I tell ȝow a text how it be-tid efter.
525
Now it teȝt þe tyme
at
trauald þat qwene,
526
Quen
scho
suld bryng furth hire
birth
to þe werd.
527
Scho
bidis many hard
brayde
baret
enduris,
528
What of
wandreth
& wa as wemen dose all.
529
Thik schouris hire thrat tholid
mekill
soroȝe,
530
Many peralus pull grete payne suffirs,
531
Sa sare
werkis
hire þe wame &
slik
vn-wyn dreis,
532
Þat all
scho
dredis hire dede & doute for þe werst.
533
Þan eftir Anectanabus
scho
on-ane clepis,
534
And he was
boune
at hire bode & bowes to hire chambre,
535
Gais him vp at þe grece & gretis him faire,
536
Fand hire sett in a sege & soroȝe
ay
elike
.
537
A! Anec!' quod þe qwene, 'me arȝes of my-selfe;
538
I am all in auntir sa akis me þe wame,
539
Of
werke
well ne I wede &
slike
wa tholis,
540
Þat me
ware
dere to be dede & dure þus on lyfe.'
541
'ȝa,
wynnes
ȝow vp,' quod þe we '& walkis a
littill
,
542
For þe aire nowe & þe elementis
ere
evyn in þis tyme
543
So trauailid out of temperoure & troubild of þat sone,
544
Þat makis þi grippis & þi gridis a grete dele be kenere.'
545
Þan faris
scho
vp & farkis furth a fute or tway,
546
And sone sesis all hire
syte
in a sete quyle.
547
'Now bow þe doune,' quod þe berne &
scho
his
bone
fillis,
548
And syttand so in hire sege was softly delyuerd.
549
Bot now is meruaill to me of þis wondire,
550
Quen þis man
fra
his modire wambe on þe mold fell;
551
For all þe erd euyn ouer sa egirly schakis,
552
Þat teldis, templis, & touris tomble on hepis.
553
Þe liȝt
lemand
late laschis
fra
þe heuyn,
554
Thonere
thrastis
ware
thra
thristid
þe welkyn,
555
Cloudis clenely to-clefe clatird vnfaire;
556
All blakenid a-boute & boris þe son.
557
Wild wedirs vp werpe & þe wynd ryse,
558
And all flames þe flode as it fire were,
559
Nowe briȝt, nowe
blaa
nowe on blase efter,
560
And þan ouer-qwelmys in a
qwirre
& qwatis euer
e-like
.
561
Þan
slike
a derknes þar drafe & demyd þe
skewys
,
562
As blesenand as
bale
fyre & blake as þe hell,
563
Þat it was neuer bot as nyȝt
fra
þe none tyme
564
Till
it to mydday was meten on þe morne efter.
565
Gife þis
ware
mervale to
myn
ȝet emange othire
566
Þen
rekils
it vnruydly & raynes doune stanys,
567
Fell
fra
þe fyrmament as a hand lyftyng,
568
And some as hoge as þi hede
fra
þe heuyn fallis.
569
Sa ferd was Philip of þat fare þat his flesche trymblid,
570
For
sere
sygnes
at
he saȝe as selly
ware
ellis.
571
As wyde as all þe werd was þurȝe warnyng
þai
hadd,
572
Þat houre þat Olympadas was of hire son liȝter.
573
Than lendis him vp þe leue kyng his lady to vysite,
574
Quod þe man to his
make
'I am in many thoȝtis,
575
Þat þis frute sall haue na fostring ne be fed nouþire;
576
I
ges
it be noȝt of my
gett
bot of god fourmed;
577
Be many cause
at
I
ken
I kan noȝt supose
578
It be consayued of my kynde ne come of my-selfe.
579
I saȝe so, in þe
same
tyme he seuyrd
fra
þi wambe,
580
Þe erd & all þe elementis so egirly
schoutid
.
581
And queþir ȝit, for any quat a quyle latt him kepe,
582
And norisch him as namely as he myne awyn warre,
583
ȝit will þare make of him mynde &
myn
it here-eftire
584
Hathils, swilke a haly son I hade in my tyme.
585
Anoþer
barne
,' quod þe berne 'I of my blode haue,
586
Ane of my sede, I supose & sibbire of þe twa,
587
Þat I wan on myne oþire wyfe þat I wedd first.
588
Lat him as ayre, quen I am erþed, enherit my landis,
589
And stall we him in stede of þis to stiȝtill my rewme,
590
For he is borne of my blode & a-bore
nerre
,
591
And fede we þis othire, þat folke quen we
ere
fay worthid,
592
May sitt &
carpe
,
slike
a knaue
þaire
last kyng hade.'
593
Þai
did all as he demed & his domes plesed,
594
Cherest
þai
þis ȝonge child & chosely him kepid;
595
Þai
ware
as besy him a-boute birdis & ladis,
596
As he had bene
þar
hiȝe god for sa
þai
hopid all,
597
Þis
barne
, quen he borne was as me þe boke tellis,
598
Miȝt wele a-prefe for his a-port to any prince oute.
599
Bot of þe lyfe þat he liȝt off he
like
was to nane,
600
Nouþer of fetour ne of face to fadire ne to modyre.
601
Þe fax on his faire hede was
ferly
to schawe,
602
Large lyons lockis þat lange
ere
& scharpe;
603
With
grete glesenand eȝen grymly he lokis,
604
Þat
ware
as
blyckenand
briȝt as blesand
sternes
,
605
ȝit
ware
þai
sett
vnsamen
of
serelypy
hewys;
606
Þe tane to brene at a blisch as blak as a cole,
607
As any ȝare ȝeten gold ȝalow was þe tothire.
608
And he
wald-eȝed
was as þe writt schewys,
609
ȝit it tellis me þis tale þe tethe in his hede
610
Was as bitand breme as any bare tuskis.
611
His steuyn stiffe was [&] steryn þat stonayd many,
612
And as a lyon he lete quen he loude
romys
.
613
His fell fygoure & his fourme fully be-takend
614
Þe prowis & þe grete pryse þat he a-preuyd eftire,
615
His hardynes, his hyndelaike & his
hetter
myȝtis,
616
Þe wirschip þat he wan quen he wex eldire.
617
Þan sembled his syb men be sent of
þam
all,
618
To consaile of þis kyng son how
þai
him
call
suld,
619
And so him
neuyned
was þe name of his next frendis
620
Alexsandire þe athill be allirs a-corde.
621
Þan was he lede furthe be-lyfe to lere at þe scole,
622
As sone as to þat sapient him-self was of elde,
623
On-ane vn-to Arystotill þat was his awen maister,
624
And one of þe coronest clerkis þat euer knew letter.
625
Þan was he broȝt to a
benke
a boke in his hand,
626
And faste by his enfourme was fettild his place;
627
For it come noȝt a kyng son ȝe knaw wele to sytt
628
Doune in margon & molle emange othire schrewis.
629
Sone wex he
witter
& wyse & wondir wele leres,
630
Sped him in a schort space to spell & to rede,
631
And seþen to gramere he gase as þe gyse wald,
632
And þat has he all hale in a hand-quyle.
633
In foure or in fyfe ȝere he ferre was in lare
634
Þan othire
at
had bene þare seuynte wynter;
635
Þat he suld passe him in þat plite vnpussible
semed
,
636
Bot
at
god will
at
gaa furth qua may
agayn
stande?
637
In absens of Arystotill
if
any of his feris
638
Raged
with
him vnridly or rofe him
with
harme,
639
Him wald he kenely on þe
croune
knok
with
his tablis,
640
Þat al
to-brest
wald þe bordis & þe blode folowe.
641
If
any scolere in þe scole his skorne at him makis,
642
He skapis him full
skathely
bot
if
he skyp better.
643
Þus
with
his feris he faȝ, as I fynd wreten,
644
As wele in letter & in lare as any
laike
ellis.
645
Þus
skilfull
lange he scolaid & þe scole vsed,
646
Tille
he was euyn of eld elleuyn wynter.
647
He had na pere in na place þat proued so his tyme,
648
For þe principalte of all þe pake he of a-prefe wynnys.
649
And qwen it teȝt to þe tyme of ten ȝere of age,
650
Þen was him
kend
of þe kynde & craft of bataile,
651
Wele &
wiȝtly
in were to welden a spere,
652
A[nd] preke on a proude stede proudly enarmed.
653
Þat lare was him lefe to & lerid in a qwile
654
Was þar na lede to him
like
with-in a fewe ȝeris.
655
So cheualus a chiftan he cheuys in a stonde,
656
Þat in anters of armes all men he passes.
657
Quen Philip see him sa fers in his first elde,
658
His hert & his hardynes hiȝely he lofed,
659
Comendid
mekill
his knyȝt-hede, him
callid
on a day
660
Be-twene
þam
selfe on a tyme & talkis
þire
wordis:
661
'Alexsander,' quod þe kyng, 'I augirly prayse
662
Þi wirschip, þi worthines þi wit & þi strenth.
663
Es nane so
teche
of þi tyme to tryi now o lyfe.
664
How suld I, lede, for þi lofe bot lufe þe in hert?
665
Bot I am sary for sothe my son,
at
þi fourme
666
Is
lickenand
on na lym ne
like
to my selfe;
667
Oft storbis me þi statour & stingis me ȝerne,
668
Þat þi personale proporcion sa party is to myne.'
669
Þis herd hire þe hend quene &
heterly
scho
dredis,
670
Sent eftir Anec & askis him be-lyue,
671
Be-knew him clene all þe case how þe kyng sayd,
672
And
frayns
him fast quat þe freke of hire fare
thingis
.
673
Þen con he calke & a-conte &
kest
on his fyngirs,
674
Lokis him vp to þe lifte & þe lady
swares
:
675
'Be noȝt a-friȝt,' quod þe freke, 'ne a-frayd nouþir;
676
It sall þe noy noȝt a n
eg
nane of his thoȝtis.'
677
With
þat he heuys vp [his] hede & to þe heuyn lokis.
678
Hedis
heterly
on hiȝe behelde on a
sterne
,
679
Of þe quilke he hopid in his hert sumquat to knawe,
680
Quat euire he wald wete of his will all-to-gedire.
681
Quod Alexander to þis athill as he his arte fandis,
682
'Quat is þe planet or þe poynt ȝe purpose to seme?
683
Quat
sterne
is it
at
ȝe stody on quare stekis it in heuyn?
684
May ȝe oȝt me in any maner to þat
sterne
schewe?'
685
'Þat can I wele,' quod þe clerke 'ellis couthe I
littill
;
686
Noȝt bot sewe me, son quen þe son is to reste,
687
Quen it [is] dreuyn to þe derke & þe day fynyst,
688
And þou sall sothely se þe
same
with
þine eȝen.'
689
'Is oȝt þi werid to þe wissid?' quod þe wee þan;
690
'For þat I couet to
ken
if
þou me kythe wald.'
691
'Sire, sothely of myne awen son slayne
mon
I worth,
692
So was me destaned to
dye
gane many winter.'
693
As
tyte
as Anec[tanabus] þis aunter had tald,
694
Þen
treyned
doune
fra
þe toure to tute in þe
sternes
.
695
Þan airis ser Alexander eftire his fadire,
696
Þat euer he kyndild of his kynde
kend
he bot
litill
.
697
Þus led he furthe his leue child late on ane euen,
698
Sylis softely him selfe þe cite with-outen,
699
Boȝes him vp to a
brenke
as þe buke tellis,
700
To þe hiȝt of þe depe
dike
& to þe heuyn waytis.
701
‘Alexander, athil son,' quod Anec his syre,
702
‘Loo! ȝonde, behald ouer þi hede & se my
hatter
werdis;
703
Þe euyll
sterne
of Ercules how egirly it soroȝes,
704
And how þe mode Marcure makis sa
mekill
ioy;
705
Loo! ȝonder þe gentill Iubite, how Iolyle he schynes,
706
Þe domes of my destany drawis vnto [me] swyth.
707
Þik & þrathly am I thret & thole
mon
I sone
708
Þe
slaȝter
of myne awen son as me was sett euer.'
709
Vnethis werped he þat worde þe writt me recordis,
710
Þat ne Alexander as sone was at him be-hind,
711
And on þe bake
with
slike
a
bire
he bare
with
his handis,
712
Þat doune he drafe to þe depest of þe
dike
bothom,
713
Sayd, ‘lo!
vnhappeiste
vndire heuyn þat þus on hand
takis
714
As be þe welken to wete quat suld come efter!
715
Þou has feyned þe for wyse & fals all-to-gedire,
716
Wele
semys
slike
a sacchell to syeȝe þus of lyfe!'
717
Þan Anec, as him aȝt wele augirly granys,
718
Dryues vp a dede voyce & dymly he spekis,
719
‘Wele was þis cas to me knawen & kyd many wynter,
720
Þat I suld
dee
slike
a dethe be dome of my werdis.
721
Sayd I þe noȝt so my selfe here be-fore,
722
I suld be slayn of my son as now sothe worthis?'
723*
'What, and am I,' quod Alexander, 'ane of þi childer?'
724*
'ȝha, son! als glad I my god I
gat
þe myseluen.'
725*
Fro
he had hym þis worde sayd he wakens no more,
726*
Bot
gaue
a
gremly
grane & þe gast ȝheldez.
727*
That oþer wy for hys werkez wepys eueryllyke,
728*
So hard & so hertly þat neȝ hys hert
brestes
.
729*
Þus plenys þis prouud knyght þe pyte of hys fader,
730*
Cares
hym downe into þe cafe þar as þe cors ligges,
731*
Belife
lyftes
he on-
lofte
euen on hys shulders,
732*
And beres hym forth
vppon
hys bake at þe brade ȝates.
733*
Sone sayd þe whene, when sho hym see
with
syland
teres;
734*
'What haue ȝe done, my dere sonn?' and
drowpys
doun in swone.
735*
'Dame, now is þar none other to do bot deme it þi seluen,
736*
For as þi foly was before so foloweth aftir.'
737*
Than makes þis man & hys moder
menskfully
& faire
738*
Titely
hys enterment, as
þai
þat tyme vsed.
739*
Þus shamesly of hys awne childe hym chevyd such end.
740*
And her fynes a fytt & fayr when vs likez.
741*
The
same
& þe selue tyme as says me þe text,
742*
Fro
þe cuntre of capadose come a kyd prince
743*
To kyng philipp þe fers & hym a fole bryngez;
744*
A grett horse & a hoge a hegh & a wilde,
745*
A
store
& a styf stede stalwortly bondyn;
746*
His choll chaltird & chauelez in chynez of yren;
747*
In rapes fast for
ryfyng
of bernes;
748*
For other mete þan manysflesche mouthed he neuer.
749*
Busifolen to þis blonk was
breued
þe name.
750*
He hed so ferdfull a face as ony fyre lokez;
751*
Bere als a
boles
heued a bryn on hys shulderr,
752*
And toton owt of hys top als tyndis of hornes.
753*
The fayrnes of þis ilke fole when philip avysed,
754*
Þan says he to hys seruand to see to þis
capyll
,
755*
And stighillys hym in som stede a stable by hym one,
756*
With
lang lates of yren þat he might
lig
in.
757*
And all
at
wer dampned to þe deth & demyd at þe
lawe
,
758*
Þai
sall be broȝt
fra
þe bare þis blonk into stable,
759*
To wery at hys awne wille &
weyle
of þe fattest.
760*
ȝit philip of hys faire goddes hym
fanges
suche a
sware
,
761*
Yff
ony berne wer so bald baron or other,
762*
Or wy þat myght þis wilde best worth for to ryde,
763*
Was dewly aftir hys day destinate to regne.
764*
When alexander was of elde awght ȝeres & foure,
765*
Þan was he worthy &
wight
& wisely hed leryd
766*
At arestotell all ouer þe artez all seuen,
767*
And castor, ane oþer clerke þar
at
wer hys kyd maisteres.
768*
So
carez
he in þe castell-ȝarde & comes on a day
769*
By a
wyndow
als þis wild horse [was] warloked in bandez;
770*
Lokes in at a lat sagh ly hym byforne
771*
So mony menbres of men wer mervayle to tell.
772*
Þar liggez lymmes of
laddes
leggez
& harmes,
773*
Tharmes
thrist
owt of thees banes & shuldres.
774*
Som hanchyd of þe heued som þe handez etyn,
775*
Som
þar
riggez owt rytte & som
þar
ribbez rent.
776*
Of þis wonder he hed & so he wele
burd
.
777*
And hardly hys awne hand in at a hole puttes,
778*
He layd owt a lang neke & hys hand likkys;
779*
Faire faldes hys fete & falles hym to þe erth,
780*
Hendly haldes vp hys heued byheld in hys face,
781*
On Alexander
ay-whare
euer
elike
wates.
782*
Þen wist þe wy wele enogh hys wyll all-to-geder;
783*
Brades vppe þe brade ȝate & þe barre entres,
784*
On þe rige
with
hys right hande hym rodely strakez,
785*
And he full frely & faire hym
faunys
& loutez.
786*
Was neuer barslett in band more buxum to hys lord
787*
Þen was þis blonke to þis bern for all his breme teches.
788*
Þus lowtes þis lede on
low
&
lowsys
hys chynez,
789*
Blyssis blythly hym abouute & a bridyll fyndez;
790*
Grathez
on þis gay
gere
& þen a gilt sadyll;
791*
Ledes hym forth of þat loge & þen of-
lofte
lepys.
792*
Than strenys he hys streropes & streȝt vp sittes;
793*
Lad hym by þe loran & hym þe lede wissez.
794*
And he als rekyndly
ran
rolland hym vnder,
795*
As he þe sadyll hed sewyd seuenten wynter.
796*
Sone as philip þe ferse hym on þis fole metes,
797*
'Son,' he sayd, 'now
er
þe sawes into þi seluen fyneshit,
798*
Right as my graceux gode hase galet me before.
799*
For þou must rewle all my realm qwen I am raght hyne.'
800*
Quod Alexander als beliue 'my awne athell fader,
801*
I
beseke
þe my soueren þat þou my
sete
dresse
802*
In a chosyn chariott as a chefe maister,
803*
With
folawand me a fair flete of fele men of armes.'
804*
'Þat graunt I gladly,' quod þe gome '
with
a gode wille,
805*
Frist of my faire foles
fang
þe a
hundreth
,
806*
And syne sexty thowsand, my son þou þi seluen
wale
807*
Of shillynges & of shire gold to shote in þi Cofyre.
807a*
Syne of my chefe chiftanes chese þe þe best,
808*
Þe most proved of my princez in poyntez of were;
809*
Wyes ne no
wale
wede
want
shall þe noþer,
810*
And held on
with
a hale here þar hersound þou worth.'
811*
Thys
barne
hym
buskes
as he bede & bade he no langre,
812*
Bot
grathes
hym to þe
gate
with
a
gyn
noble.
813*
Forth
with
eufestyus he ferd a freke þat he loued,
814*
Þat was a fyne philo[so]f[e]r a frend of hys awne.
815*
ȝitte
takez
he hym with-owte þe town twelf tried childer,
816*
Þat he hed Cosyn hym for chefe hys cheualry to lede;
817*
And fair enformed
þam
of fight & fetez of armez
818*
For ȝapest in hys awne yoke ȝarly to drawe;
819*
Fers
felons
with
hym
fangez
& florens enowe,
820*
Full preciouse apparement hys person to cleth,
821*
Comand kenely hys knyghtez to kepe to hys blonkez,
822*
Þat no vnchaunce
þaim
achefe þat in þe chare ȝodez.
823*
He prekys forth on hys play bot
with
a preuay menȝe,
824*
Chaterand
with
hys chiftanes in hys child
gere
.
825*
To poliponenses hase he passed a prouince vnk[n]awyn,
826*
And so was strykyn
or
he styntyd in-to þe strange realm.
827*
The kyng of þatt cuntree þat þe kyth weldyd,
828*
Which was
callyd
nicholas & hym
naytly
metes,
829*
Had
rasyd
vp a rode hoste & heldyd hym ayaynez
830*
With
bald baratours on bent hym batell to ȝelde.
831*
He
flonge
ow[t] on a fers fole far from hys hoste,
832*
Ayres to sir alexander &
angrely
franes
:
833*
'What is þi name, notesman
neuen
me þe sothe;
834*
And whyne ert þou & who & what makys þou here?'
835*
Þe knyght, as he wele couth hym curtasly answers:
836*
'Sir, kyng philip þe ferse my fader was haten,
837*
And all þe marche of massydon he manours clene;
838*
And I hys heyre alexander als elders me
callen
.'
839*
Þat oþer
renishit
r[e]nke hym rightes in þe sadyll,
840*
Stranes owt hys sterops & sternly lokez,
841*
With
a sembland as a hye sir settes owt þe brest,
842*
Sayd: 'who am I þat am here as þou supposez?'
843*
'Sir, þou art a kyng of þis kyth I
ken
wele my-seluen,
844*
Bott neuer þe latter in his lede
if
þou be lord here,
723
Þof
I þis wirschip þe
wayfe
as wald þine astate,
724
Lat þou þi hert neuer þe hiȝere
hale
into pride.
725
For it was wont,' quod þe wee 'as wyse men tellis,
726
Full hiȝe þingis ouer-heldis to held oþer-quile.
727
Slike
as
ere
now broȝt a-bofe nowe þe bothum askis,
728
And
slike
at
left
ere
on
lawe
ere
lift
to þe
sternes
.'
729
'Sa ma aydeus,' quod þat oþire man ‘þou tellis me treuthe,
730
Son þis ensample of þi-selfe þou sais me, I trowe.
731
Vn-behalde þe wele on ilk halfe & haue a gud eȝe,
732
Les on þine ane here-efterward þine ossyngis liȝt.'
733
Þan Alexander all in ire
angrile
spekis:
734
'Hy þe
hethen-ward
, þou hathill & houe þou na langire.
735
For na-þing as a-nent me þou has noȝt to
mell
,
736
Ne
with
þi domes me to dele dole vndire sonne.'
737
Now is ser Nicollas anoyed & nettild
with
ire,
738
As wrath as [a] waspe & wode of his mynde,
739
Reviles he þis oþire
renke
with
vnrid speche:
740
'Behald,' quod he hedirward '& herken how I say;
741
Now be þe hert & þe hele of my hathill fadire,
742
And be þe god,' quod þe gome 'þat
gafe
me þe saule,
743
A[ls]
sprent
[of] my spittyng a specke on þi chere,
744
Þou sall be diȝt to þe deth &
drepid
of my handis.'
745
Quen he had spokin so, for spyte he spittis in his face,
746
Dispises him despetously dispersons him foule.
747
'Hent þe þare,' quod þe hatill 'as þe to haue
semes
,
748
Cure, for þi kene
carpe
chache nowe a schame!'
749
Þan went him furthe Alexander & his
ande
takis
,
750
Lete a-swage
or
he
sware
þe swelme of his
angirs
,
751
Be-seȝis him how he say wold
or
he his saȝe ȝeld,
752
And turnes him þen to þe
tulke
& talkis
þire
wordis:
753
'For þou has noȝtid me now Nicollas,' he sayd,
754
'I swere þe, be my syre saule & by his selfe pite,
755
And be þe worthe wombe of my
wale
modre
756
Þat I was
geten
in of gode &
graithely
consayued,
757
Þou seis me, lede,
or
oȝt lange in þi lande armed,
758
And oþire recouyre me þi rewme or reche vp þe girdill.'
759
Þan set
þai
þam
slike
a day to semble & to fiȝt,
760
And þar-to
tuke
vp
þaire
trouthis &
twyned
esondre.
761
Þen ȝode him furthe þi[s] ȝong man ȝapeli & swythe
762
In-to þe marche of Messedone & manly a-semblis
763
Of saudiours & sekir men a soume out of nounbre,
764
Þat was þe baldest & þe best
breueyd
in armes.
765
He parrails him a proude ost of princes & oþire,
766
Farkis to ser Philip &
fangis
his leue,
767
And þan Bocifilas his blonke he bremely ascendis,
768
And
bounes
on
with
his bataill out at þe brade ȝatis.
769
Þe
same
day
at
was sett þe sembling of
bathe
,
770
Aithire
with
a firs flote in þe fild metis.
771
Þe nounbre of ser Nicollas it noyes me to reken,
772
And Alexander was ane oste of augird many.
773
With
þat
þai
tuke
vp
þaire
trompes
a-pon
þe twa sidis,
774
Braidis banars a-brade
buskis
to mete.
775
So knilid þe clarons þat all þe
cliffe
rynges,
776
Þe holtis & þe haire heere & þe hillis scheuyn.
777
Ilk a hathill to hors hiȝis him be-lyue,
778
Stridis into stele-bowe stertis
apon
loft
,
779
Has a helme on his hede &
honge
on his swyre
780
A schene schondirhand schild & a schaft hentis.
781
Quat of stamping of stedis & stering of bernes,
782
All dymed þe
dale
& þe dust ryses.
783
With
slik
a
bront
& a brusche þe bataill a-sembild,
784
As þe erth & all þe el[e]mentis at anes had wrestild.
785
Now aithire stoure on
þar
stedes strikis to-gedire,
786
Spurnes out
spakly
with
speris in hand,
787
Brekis in-to blasons bordren shildis,
788
Beris in-to briȝt stele bitand lances,
789
Sone in scheuerand schidis schaftis
ere
brosten
,
790
Al to-spryngis in sprotis speris of syris,
791
Dryfuys doune duchepers & doykis of
þar
horses,
792
Fellis fay to þe fold many fresch knyȝtis.
793
Quat dose now þis Nichollas bot nymes him a spere,
794
Kest
him on þis ȝong knyȝt to couire him a name;
795
And Alexander
with
anothire airis him
agayne
,
796
Girdis grymly to-gedire greuosly metis.
797
Sa sare was þe semble
þire
seggis be-twene,
798
Þat al to-wraiste
þai
þar
wode & werpis in-sondire,
799
Al to-clatirs in-to
cauels
clene to
þaire
handis,
800
Þar left nouþire in
þar
hand þe lengthe of an ellyn.
801
Þen
littid
þai
na langer bot laschid out swerdis,
802
Aithire a blesynand brand brait out of schethe,
803
Hewis on
hattirly
had thurgh mailes,
804
Many starand stanes strikis of
þaire
helmes.
805
Þen Alexander in ane ire his arme
vpliftis
,
806
Swythe swyngis out his swerde & his
swayfe
feches.
807
Þe noll of Nicollas þe kyng he
fra
þe nebb partis,
808
Þat doun he fell
fra
his fole & fynyst for euir.
809
Þus was him destand þat day as driȝten had shapid,
810
To hent him þe hiȝere hande of his athill fais.
811
Þare
slike
wirschip he wan
ware
wonder to tell;
812
Had of þat hiȝe kynge þe hede
fra
þe shuldirs.
813
Þen was him
geuyn
vp be ȝerde & ȝolden þe rewme,
814
And all
at
left was o lyfe lordis & othire,
815
Come to þat conquerour & on knese fallis,
816
And in his mercy & meth
mekely
þaim
put.
817
Þis
renke
& his rounsy
þai
reche vp a
croune
,
818
As gome
at
has þe garland & all þe gre wonn.
819
Þus
with
þe floure in þe fild he
fangid
his enmy,
820
And haldis on
with
hale here hame to his fadire.
821
Þan fyndis he Philip on his flett
with
a fest huge
822
Had wed him anoþer wyfe &
wayfid
his quene;
823
Ane Cleopatras
caled
a grete kyngis doȝter,
824
And had Olympadas & openly for-saken.
825
‘Fadire,' quod þis fell knyȝt quen he þis fest entirs,
826
'Þe palme here of my first price I pray þe resayfe,
827
Forthe to þe weding
or
I winde of my
wale
modire,
828
And
kaire
me to a-noþire kynge to couple hire to wyfe.
829
For þe to felsen ne to foloȝe fallis me na mare,
830
Ne here to
duell
with
þi douce deynes me na langer,
831
Now þou mas þe
slike
a mangery & macchis changis,
832
And I to consaile
vn-callid
I can noȝt þar-on.’
833
With
þat þar
carpis
to þe kyng a knyȝt at þe table,
834
AneLesias, a lede & on loude speches:
835
'Cleopatras a knafe child consayue sall & bere
836
Þat demed is eftir þi deth duly to regne.'
837
Þan Alexander at þis knyȝt
angirs
vnfaire,
838
Wynnes
him vp a wardrere he walt in his handis,
839
So hard him
hittis
on þe hede his
hernes
out weltid,
840
And sa he lost has þe lyfe for his leþer wordis.
841
Þan was þe
wale
kyng wrath as wonder
ware
ellis,
842
Braydis him vp
fra
þe
borde
& a brand clekis,
843
Airid toward Alexander & ames him to strike.
844
Bot þan him failis þe feete
or
he first wenys,
845
He
stakirs
, he stumbil, & stande he ne miȝt,
846
Bot
ay
fundirs & fallis as he ferde
ware
.
847
Þe faster forward him he faris þe faster he snapirs;
848
Quat was þe cause of þe case þat knawis oure lorde.
849
'Quat now,' quod athill Alexander 'quat ailis þe to fall?
850
Has þou na force in þi fete ne fele of þi-selfe?
851
For a freke to be ferd or a-fraid outhire,
852
And þou þe gouernere of grece þat
ware
grete wondire!'
853
Þen tittis he doune in þat tene þe tablis ilkane,
854
Out of þe hall be [þe]
hare
halis
he þe bride,
855
And so þe wee in his wreth wrekis his modire,
856
And Philip falne sare seke & all þe fest strubled.
857
As sone as Alexander of
angire
he slakis,
858
He lendis
o-loft
to þe lede a
litill
days eftir,
859
Cairis
vp
with
comfurth þe kyng for to vysite,
860
He comes to þe curten &
carpis
þis wordis:
861
'Philip,' quod þis ilke freke & forwith him standis,
862
'
Þof
it
vn-semely
me sytt þe so for to
call
,
863
Noȝt as þi suget & þi son my sawe I þe ȝeld,
864
Bot as a
felaw
or a frynde fallis to a-nothire.
865
Sire, latt þi wreth a-wai wende &
with
þi wyfe
saȝtill
,
866
And þe los of Lesias
litill
þou charge.
867
I did bot my deuire to
drepe
him, me
thinke
;
868
For it awe him noȝt sa openly
slike
ossing to make.
869
And ser, vnworthely þou wroȝ, & þat þou wele knawis,
870
Quen þou was
boune
with
a brand my bodi to schende.'
871
Þen rewis þe riche kyng of vnride werkis,
872
Blischis vp to þe berne &
braste
out
at
grete.
873
Þen airis him on Alexander to his awen modire;
874
'Bees not
a-glopened
, madame ne greued at my fadire;
875
If
all ȝe synned him be-syde as ȝour selfe knawis,
876
Þar-of na we may þe wite it was godis will.'
877
With
þat he
fanges
hire furthe to Philip hire ledis,
878
And he comly hire kist & cordis
with
hire faire,
879
Anes
with
Olympadas & þe tothire woydis,
880
And lofes hire lely to his lyfes ende.
881
Sone eftir in a seson as þe buke sais,
882
Come driuand
fra
Darius þe deyne Empereure,
883
Heraudis on heȝe hors hendly a-rayed,
884
To ser Philip þe fers to feche þar trouage.
885
Litill
kyngis þar come as þe clause tellis,
886
Liȝt doune at þe loge &
þar
blonkis leues,
887
Caires
in-to þe curte to
craue
him
þar
dettis,
888
Touchis
titly
þar
tale & tribute him askis.
889
'ȝa,
caires
hame,' quod Alexander '
a-gayn
to ȝoure kithes,
890
And sais ȝour maister, he make na ma sandis;
891
For sen Philip had a fresch son þat fast now encressis,
892
Þat bees noȝt suffird, I supose nane
slike
him to ȝeld.
893
For sais ȝour lord, þe lefe hen þat laide hire first
egg
,
894
Hire bodi nowe
with
barante is barely consumed,
895
And is Darius so of his dett duly depryued;
896
And be þis titill, him tellis na tribute him fallis.'
897
Þen merualid
þam
þe messangirs
mekill
of his speche,
898
His witt & his wisdome wonderly praysed.
899
Faire at ser Ph[ilip] þe fers
fange
þai
þar
leue,
900
And syne clene of all þe curte &
cairis
to
þar
landis.
901
To þe palais of þe proude kyng to persie
þai
went,
902
Dose
þam
in to Darius þar he on dese syttis,
903
And telles him how his trouage is
tynt
al-to-gedire,
904
As Alexander awyn mouth had
þam
all enfourmed.
905
Þen messangirs to Messedoyne come in þe mene qwile
906
To Ph[ilip] þe fell kyng & freschly him tald,
907
Þat all þe erthe of Ermony Erles & princes,
908
Þat suld be suget to him-selfe wald
seke
him
with
armes.
909
And Alexander belyfe as athil man suld,
910
Vndirfangid
to feȝt for Ph[ilip] to wende,
911
Gedirs him a grete ost
graithes
him in plates,
912
And aires toward Ermony þat erd to distroy.
913
Þan was a man in Messadone in þe marche
duellid
,
914
A proued prince & a proude Pausanna was hatten,
915
A
big
berne & a bald in
brenys
to ryde,
916
Þe son of ane Cerastis as þe buke
witnes
.
917
Þis freke all his franche of Ph[ilip] he haldis,
918
And was a suget to him-selfe & serues him aȝt;
919
Bot þan he depely many day disired to haue þe quene,
920
And lyes vmlapped
with
hire lufe many lange wynter.
921
And by þat cause to þe kyng he
kest
slik
a
hate
,
922
Þat he desiris his deth & diȝtis [him] þare-fore.
923
All þe folke of his affinite he freschly a-semblis,
924
And
sekis
furth
with
a hoge some a-saile him to ȝeld.
925
Quen Ph[ilip] heris of þat fare gret
ferly
him
thinke[s]
,
926
Ferkis furth
with
a fewe folk him in þe fild metis,
927
Seis þe multitude sa
mekill
of men
at
he bringes,
928
Braidis on his blonke toward þe burȝe &
þaim
þe bak shewis.
929
Þen
schrikis
schilli all þe schalkis &
schoutis
him at anes,
930
And Pausanna þe prince
a-pon
a proude stede
931
Sprengis out
with
a spere & spedis him eftir,
932
And þurgh þe bac in-to þe brest him beris to þe erd;
933*
He heldes doun in þe hey way & halfe-deyde he liggez,
933
All
ware
he wondirly wondid he wendis noȝt be-lyfe.
934
His men & all þe Messadones full maynly
ware
stourbed,
935
Quat of doloure & dyn quen
þai
him dede hopid.
936
Pausanna þan for þe prowis
slike
a pride hentis,
937
Vnethes wist he for welth wirke quat he miȝt.
938
He prekis in-to þe palais to pull out þe quene,
939
Wenys to wild hire at will & away lede.
940
Þan comes Alexander in þat cas þe cronaclis tellis,
941
With
a riall ost of many able princes,
942
Airand out of Ermony & had all þe erth won;
943
Sees
slike
a rottillyng in þe rewme & ridis al þe faster.
944
Þan past vp þe proud quene in-to preue chambre,
945
Wayues
out at
wyndou
& waytis a-boute,
946
Saȝe be þe sygnes & be sike as
with
hire son comys,
947
And be þe alyens armes
at
he was all maister.
948
With
þat
scho
haldis out hire hede & heȝe to him
callis
,
949
'Quare is þi werdes, my
wale
son þou wan of þi godis,
950
Þou suld be victour & venge & vencust neuire?
951
If
þou haue any hert here help now þi modire.'
952
Sone as pausanna þe prince with-in þe palais heris
953
Þe comynge of þe kene knyȝt he
caires
him
agaynes
,
954
Presis out of þe palais
with
a pake armed,
955
And metes him in þe myd-fild
with
a
mekill
nounbre.
956
And Alexander be-lyue quen he on him waites,
957
He swyngis out
with
a swerd & swappis him to dethe;
958
And þe
renkis
, all þe route reches vp
þaire
wapen
959
Vn-to þis kid conquirour & cried eftir socure.
960
Þan was þar ane in þe ost on Alexander
callis
,
961
Sayd, 'Ph[ilip] þi fadire is in þe fild
drepid
.'
962
And he
halis
furth on hede & halfe-dede him fyndis,
963
Brusches doune by þe berne & bittirly wepis.
964
‘A! Alexander!’ quod þe kyng ‘now am I at ane ende;’
965
A
litill
liftis
vp his liddis & lokis in his face;
966
'Bot ȝit it gladis me,' quod þe gome 'to ga þus to deth,
967
To se my
slaare
in my siȝt be sa sone ȝolden,
968
A! wele be þe, my
wale
son' &
waged
with
his hede;
969
'Þou has baldly on my bane & bremely me vengid.'
970
With
þat he bloþirs in þe brest & þe breth stoppis,
971
And in a spedfull space so þe sprete ȝeldis.
972
And Alexander
ay
on-ane augirly he wepis,
973
And gretis for him as greuously as he him
geten
hade.
974
With
barons & bachelers him broȝt to þe cite,
975
And erdis him in his awen erd as Emperoure fallis.
976
Þe day efter his deth drerely him wendis
977
Alexander his aire & syttis in his trone,
978
A clene
croune
on his hede clustird
with
gemmes,
979
To se how him
seme
wald þe
sete
of his fadire.
980
He seis doune in þe
sete
with
septir in hande,
981
Makis a crie þat all þe curte kniȝtis & erles
982
Suld put
þaim
in-to presens his precep to here.
983
And all comyn at a
kall
& on kneis heldis;
984
Þan blisches he to his baronage &
breues
þir
wordis:
985
'Lo! maistirs of Messedone sa miȝty men & noble,
986
ȝe Traces & of Tessaloyne & ȝe þe trewe Grekis,
987
How likis ȝow nowe ȝour lege lord? lokis on my fourme,
988
And letis all ferdschip at flee &
fange
vp ȝour hertis,
989
And aires for nane alyens quils Alexander lastis.
990
For
with
þe graunt of my god I
gesse
,
or
I
dye
,
991
Þat all þe Barbare blode sall bowe to my-selfe.
992
Þare is na region ne rewme ne
renke
vnder heuen,
993
Ne nouthire-quare na nacion bot it sall my name loute.
994
For we of grece sall haue þe gree
with
grace
ay
to wild,
995
And anely be ouer þe werd honourd & praysed.
996
And quilk of all myne athill men þat any armes
wantis
,
997
Lat pas in-to my palais & plates him delyuire,
998
And he
at
of his awen has harnas him swythe,
999
And make him
boune
ilka berne to bataill to ride.'
1000
Þan answard him
with
[a] voice all his proud princes,
1001
And Erles in his Empire þat
ware
in eld striken,
1002
Hathils of hiȝe age Auncient kniȝtis,
1003
Barons & bachelers & bryssid
ware
in Armes:
1004
'Sire, we hafe farne to þe fiȝt & bene in fild preued
1005
With
ser Ph[ilip] ȝour fadire mony fele wynter,
1006
And now vs failis all oure force & oure flesch
waykis
;
1007
For be þe floure neuer sa fresche it fadis at þe last.
1008
Sire, all þe ȝeris of oure ȝouthe es ȝare syne passid,
1009
And we for-trauailid & terid þat now oure topp
haris
,
1010
Al to heuy to be
hildid
in any here wedis,
1011
Or any angwische of armes any mare suffire.
1012
For-þi, lord,
with
ȝoure leue we
lawe
ȝow be-sechis
1013
We may noȝt stand now in stede oure strenth is [to] febill.
1014
Wale
ȝow oþir werriouris þat
wiȝt
ere
& ȝonger,
1015
Slike
as
ere
stife in a stoure strakis to thole.'
1016
'
Nay
, be my
croune
,' quod þe king, 'my couatyng is elder
1017
Þe sadnes of
slike
men þan swyftnes of childir;
1018
For
barnes
in
þar
bignes
it baldis
þam
mekill
,
1019
Oft
with
vnprouednes in presse to pas out of lyfe;
1020
For-thi ouer-siȝt of alde men I anely me chese;
1021
Be
connynge
& be consaile
þai
kyth
ai
þar
werkis.'
1022
Þe
sleȝt
of hys sapience
þai
selcuthely prayse,
1023
And clene a-cordis to his
carpe
kniȝtis & othire.
1024
Þen dose him furthe þis dere kyng a
litill
dais eftir,
1025
Alexander
with
ane ost of many athill dukis,
1026
Samed a
vnsene
somme to saile he begynnes
1027
Ouer in-to ytaile þa yles to distruye.
1028
In-to þe coste of Calodone he comes him ouer first,
1029
And þar a cite he asailes & in sege lengis.
1030
Bot wees
wiȝtly
with-in þe wallis ascendid,
1031
Freschly fendid of & fersly with-stude.
1032
'ȝe Calodoyns,' quod þe kyng he
callis
fra
with-oute,
1033
'Outhire macches ȝow maynly þerto or namely
dies
,
1034
And fiȝtis fast
with
ȝour fais to ȝe fey worthe,
1035
Or ȝefes ȝarely vp þe ȝerde & ȝeld me þe cite.'
1036
So chaunses it þis chiftan
or
he a-cheued þine,
1037
Þat fele he brenes of þa bernes & þe burȝe wynnes,
1038
And
caires
so out of Calodone quen he it couerid had,
1039
Ouer þe ythes in-to Italee & þat Ile entirs.
1040
Þen
ware
þai
[redles of] rede all
redd
of his
come
,
1041
Prays him all of þe pees & presandis him faire,
1042
Sexti thousand
þai
him send of sekire besandis,
1043
Of clere gold of
þaire
kist
& coruns a
hundrethe
.
1044
Þare
tuke
he tribute þat tyme þe titill recordis,
1045
Out euyn in-to þe occident of all
at
þare
duellid
,
1046
Of qwilke þe erde & þe erthe Europe was
callid
,
1047
And ames þan to Affrike & all at esse leues.
1048
Þan raȝt he
fra
þa regions & remowed his ost,
1049
Cachis in-to anoþire kythe &
crossis
ouer þe stremes,
1050
Aires in-to Affrike
with
many athill prince[s],
1051
Anoþer
wing
of þe werd & wynnes it be-lyfe,
1052
Þat syde sodanly & sone þat ser he a-cheues.
1053
For þar he fande bot fewe þat felly withstude,
1054
Na ridars in þa regions ne rebell bot
littill
;
1055
He laches it þe liȝtlyere as was þe les wonder.
1056
Þan
kaires
he
fra
þo contres & kerue[s] ouer þe stremes,
1057
Furthe to Frantites he ferd
slike
a ferre Ile,
1058
Seches þar to a synagoge him-selfe & his princes,
1059
Amon
þar
awen god
at
þai
honoure myȝt.
1060
And so to þe temple as he tiȝt
with
his
tid
Erles,
1061
Þan metis him myddis þe way was meruale to sene,
1062
A hert
with
a huge hede þe hareest on erthe,
1063
Was to be-hald as a harow for-helid ouer þe tyndis;
1064
And þan comande him þe kyng kenely to schote,
1065
Bot þar was na man so nemyll þat him
hit
couthe.
1066
'A! hilla,
haile
' quod Alexander & him a n
arawe
hent,
1067
Droȝe, & at þe first
draȝte
him
dreped
for euire.
1068
Fra
þethen
to þis day þan is þat ilke place,
1069
Þe stede þar þis stith man strikis þis hert,
1070
Sagittarius forsoth men
gafe
it to name,
1071
And will do for þat ilke werk
ay
qwen þe werd turnes.
1072
Þen aires him on ser Alexander
till
Amon temple,
1073
Offirs to his awen gode & honours him faire,
1074
Geuys
him
garsons
of gold & of gud stanes,
1075
And hald hestes him to
hete
him
hettirly
besekis
.
1076
Þan passes he
þethen
with
his princes to sich a place wendis,
1077
Capho Resey we rede þe romaunce it
callis
;
1078
And þar-in fyndis him þe freke fyftene Burghes,
1079
And glidand to þe grete see xij grym waters.
1080
Of ilka bild, sais þe buke barred was þe ȝatis,
1081
Stoken stifly with-out
with
staplis & cheynes.
1082
Þare lengis him lefe þe kynge & logis all a neuen,
1083
And sacrifyce þar efsones to many
sere
godis.
1084
Þe
same
niȝt in his slepe Seraphis aperis,
1085
Anothire of his grete godis in a grym fourme,
1086
Cled in a comly clathe of castans hewes,
1087
And
silis
euyn to him-selfe & said him
þir
wordis:
1088
Alexander, athill kynge' & asperly spekis,
1089
Toward a miȝti montayne him myntis
with
his fynger,
1090
'May þou oȝt, lede, þe ȝonder lawe
lyft
on þi schulder,
1091
And stire it oute of þe stede & stable in a-nothire?'
1092
'
Nay
, qua miȝt þat,' quod þe man 'for mede vndire heuen?'
1093
'Sire, as ȝone ȝondire hiȝe hill sall
ay
hald his place,
1094
So sall þi name
fra
now furth be
mynned
in mynde,
1095
And
ay
to þe day of dome þi dedis be remenbrid.'
1096
Þan Alexander belyue him askis a demaunde,
1097
'I be-seche þe now, Syraphas
if
þou me say wald
1099
Þe prophecy,
or
þou pas of all my playn werdis,
1100
How me is destayned to
dye
& quen my day fallis?'
1101
'Sire, certayne,' quod Seraphis 'as to my-selfe
thinkis
,
1102
For any hathill vnder heuen I hald for þe better,
1103
Withouten wa noȝt
at
wete þe
wathe
of his ende
1104
Þen know þe cas
or
it come &
ay
in care lenge.
1105
Bot neuer-þe-les I sall þe
neuen
sen þou me now prays,
1106
Þou sall be drechid of a drinke a
draȝt
of vnsele,
1107
And all þi ȝeris
ere
ȝeten ȝare & þi ȝouthe fenyst,
1108
Lange
or
þou haue meten þe
merke
of þi mydill age.
1109
Bot quen ne in quat time sal qwaite þe þis aunter,
1110
Enquire me noȝt þat question for I queth þe it neuer.
1111
For outhire out of þe orient sall openly here-efter
1112
Vndo þe dreȝt of þi days & þi ded tell.'
1113
Þan waynest him þis vayne god & voidis
fra
þe chambre.
1114
Þe modi kyng on þe morne all monand he ryses;
1115
Þe mast parti of his princes & of his proud ost
1116
Hastis
þam
in-to Ascoiloym & þar
þai
him bydis.
1117
Þan
callis
he to him carpentaris & comandis
þaim
swyþe
1118
In mynde & in memory of him to make a cite,
1119
And
neuens
it his awen name þat neuer syne changid,
1120
Bot Alexsander
ay
furth efter him-seluen.
1121
Now airis he furthe
with
his ost to Egist he
thinkes
;
1122
And clene all þe contre quen
þai
his
come
herd,
1123
As he had bene a hiȝe gode
þai
ȝode him
a-gayn
,
1124
Resaued him
with
reuerence & to
þar
rewme lede.
1125
Þere entirs him þat Emperoure & in þat erd findis
1126
Of Anec his awen sire ane ymage of sable,
1127
A berne was of blake stane all þe body hewen
1128
With
conyschance of a kynge
with
coron & septere.
1129
Þan askis of
þam
Alexander as he þar-on lokis,
1130
Quat maner of man
apon
mold it was made efter?
1131
Sire Anectabus,' quod all
with
a steuen,
1132
'Þat all þe erth of Egipte enerid vmquile.'
1133
With
þat þe flammand flode fell in his eȝen,
1134
'Þat Anec,' quod þis athil kyng 'was myne awen fadire.'
1135
Þan fallis he flat on þe fold & þe fete kyssis;
1136
On þe stane quare it stode stilly he mournes.
1137
Syne in-to Sirie
with
his seggis he soȝt at þe
gaynest
,
1138
And
þai
as baratours bald him
bigly
with-standis,
1139
Set on him sadly & sloȝe of his kniȝtis;
1140
Bot ȝet ȝarely
are
he ȝode
þai
ȝald him þe regne.
1141
Þan drafe he sa to Damac
with
dukis & princes,
1142
And sone he sesyd all þat syde & Sydoyne he
takis
,
1143
And þen trussis him to Tyre & þare his tentis settis
1144
Be-syde þe cite
with
a some & in a sege lengys.
1145
Þare he lies
with
his ledis lang
or
he foundes,
1146
Before þe burȝe
with
his bernes &
mekill
bale
suffirs.
1147
Quat of ane, quat of oþire oft his oste pleynes,
1148
For wele wist
þai
þam
nane to wyn to þe cite,
1149
It was sa stiffe & sa strang & stalworthly wallid,
1150
And so hedously hiȝe it was a huge wondire,
1151
Tildid full of turestis & toures of defence,
1152
Batailid & bretagid a-boute as a castell.
1153
Þe
wawis
of þe wild see
apon
þe wallis betis,
1154
þe pure populande hurle passis it
vmby
,
1155
It was enforced
with
sa fele fludis & othire,
1156
It
semed
neuer sege vnder son be saute it to wyn.
1157
Þan
etils
him sir Alexander & belyue makis
1158
Be-side þe cite in þe See to sett vp a loge,
1159
A hiȝe tilde as a toure teldid on schippis,
1160
Þat miȝt na Naue for þat note neȝe to þe cite.
1161
Quen he þis baistell had bild vp to þe burȝe wallis,
1162
And tiȝt him as tyme was þe toune to assaill,
1163
Slik
mischife in þe mene quile emang his men fallis,
1164
For megire & for meteles
ware
mervaile to here.
1165
Þar was Princes in poynt to perisch for euire,
1166
All in doute to be dede dukis & erlis,
1167
In fere to be famyschist many fers kniȝtis,
1168
For þar is na wa in þe werd to þe wode hunger.
1169
Þan pleynis him þe proud kyng þe pete of his men,
1170
And sendis out his sandis-men
with
selid lettirs,
1171
To ierusalem to Iaudis
at
þe iewes teches,
1172
Þat was be bischop in þat burȝe
breuyd
in þa dais;
1173
Him moneste as a maister him maynly to send
1174
Fresch folke for þe fiȝt & fode for his oste,
1175
And all þe trouage þare to him
tittly
to
wayne
,
1176
Þat he to Darius of dewe was dangird to paye.
1177
And ȝit comand he þis clerke þe kyng in his writtes,
1178
For any richas him redis rathere to thole
1179
Þe mayntenance of þe Messedoyns & of þe meri Grekis,
1180
Þan
þaim
of Persy to pay or to plese authere.
1181
Þan
takis
þe bischop þe breue & buȝes to a chambre,
1182
Resayued it
with
reuerence & redis it ouire,
1183
Gase him doun be degrece
a-gayne
to þe sale,
1184
Swiftly to þe swiars &
þam
his
sware
ȝeldis:
1185
'Sirs, airis
a gayn
to Alexander & all þus him tellis,
1186
Þat me was done many day depely to swere,
1187
Neuer Persy to paire to pas
with
myne armes
1188
In damaging of Darius durand his lyfe.'
1189
Sone as þe
wale
kyng wist he writhis him vnfaire,
1190
'Now be þat god,' quod be gome 'þat
gatt
me on erthe,
1191
I sall anes on þe iewis enioyne
or
I
die
,
1192
Sall ken
þam
quas comandment to kepe
at
þam
fall.'
1193
ȝit for na
torfar
him tid Tyre wald he noȝt leue,
1194
Bot chese him out a chiftane & charge[s] him belyue,
1195
A mody man, ser Meliager a maistir of his oste,
1196
To fande him furth
with
a flote of fyue
hundreth
kniȝtis;
1197
A[nd] Ioynes him to Iosaphat his iournay to
take
,
1198
And all þe pastours & þe playnes prestly to driue,
1199
And bring in all þe bestaill barayn & othire,
1200
Þat he miȝt se on any syde þe cite of Gadirs.
1201
Þan mouys he on, ser Meliager þis miȝtifull prince
1202
With
a soume of sekir men & Sampson
þam
ledis,
1203
A
renke
at
in þa regions had redyn oft sythis,
1204
And knew þe costis & þe kitthis clene all-to-gedire.
1205
Þus ȝede
þai
furthe egirly & entirs þe vaile,
1206
And
slike
a prai
þam
apreued as pyne were to reken,
1207
Bryngis furthe, sayd þe boke bestis out of nounbre,
1208
And trottes on toward Tyre
with
taite
at
þaire
hertis.
1209
Bot
or
þai
meten
ware
a myle þe meris with-outen,
1210
Þar metis
þaim
with
a
mekill
flote þe maistir of þe playnes,
1211
He þat was duke of þe droues & of þe
derfe
hillis,
1212
Ane Theosellus, a
tulke
þat tened
þam
vnfaire.
1213
He girdis in
with
a
ging
armed in plates,
1214
Al
to-bruntes
oure bernes &
brathly
woundid,
1215
Fellis fele at a frusch fey to þe gronde,
1216
And many
renke
at
he
roue
rase neuer efter.
1217
Þan was ser Meliager moued & maynly debatis,
1218
Flingis
out on a foie
with
a fell spere,
1219
Gers
many grete syre grane & girdis þurȝe maillis,
1220
And many bernes at a
braide
in his
brath
endis.
1221
And Sampson on anothire side setis out belyue,
1222
Bruschis forth on a blonk brymly he smytis,
1223
Betis on
with
a brande broken was his lance,
1224
Hewis doun of þa hirdis hurtis
þam
vn-faire.
1225
Arystes, ane athill man
ai
elike
fiȝtis,
1226
Spirris out
with
a spere & spedis his miȝtis,
1227
And noyed of
þare
note-men
at
þe nete kepid,
1228
And many bald,
or
he blan broȝt out o lyue.
1229
Caulus, anothire kniȝt on a kene stede,
1230
On Theosellus in twa his tymbre he brekis;
1231
And þan he dryfes to þe duke as demys þe textis,
1232
And
with
a swyng of a swerd swappis of hes hede.
1233
When he was
drepid
& dede
at
þe droues ȝemyd,
1234
Þe prekars of þe pastors & of þe proude landis,
1235
All þe folke of his affinite
at
fresch
ware
vn-wondid,
1236
Þat outhire fote had or fole to þe fliȝt foundid.
1237
Þus Meliager
with
his men þe
menske
has a-chevyd,
1238
For þe fairere of
þar
faes & þe fild wonn;
1239
Raschis
with
rethere & rydis bot a quyle,
1240
Þat ne neȝis
þam
a-nothire note as new as þe first.
1241
Þare was a maistir of þe marches miȝtist of othire
1242
Ane Beritinus, a berne as þe buke tellis,
1243
Come girdand out of Gadirs out of þe grete cite,
1244
With
þe selcuthest soume þat semblid was euire.
1245
Slik
a mynd vn-to me
ware
meruaill to reken,
1246
Thretti thousand in thede of
thra
men of armes,
1247
Slike
as was
buskest
on blonkes in
brenys
& platis,
1248
And othire folawand on fote fele with-outen nounbre.
1249
Þe multitude was sa
mekill
as
mynes
vs þe writtis,
1250
Of wees & of wild horsis &
wapened
prenys,
1251
Sa stithe a steuyn in þe stoure of stedis & ellis,
1252
As it was
semand
to siȝt as all þe soyle trymblid.
1253
Þan
ware
þe Messedones amayd quen þa see sa many;
1254
Sire Meliager [was] in gret mynd a man out to sende
1255
To Alexander belyue
þaire
allire maister,
1256
To come & help
with
his here
or
þai
to hande ȝode.
1257
Þare was nane þat was glad þat message to gange,
1258
Bot ilka
lathire
& othire to leue
þaire
frynde,
1259
Fest
þar forward in-fere þat fewe
at
þai
ware
,
1260
To do as driȝten wald deme &
dyi
all to-gedire;
1261
To tell
þaire
torfere
entyre it taryed me swythe.
1262
Bot so þe mode Meliager & his men feȝtis,
1263
Þat ser Beritinus þe bald
þai
bretned
to dethe,
1264
And Sampson on þis side was slay
þar-agaynys
.
1265
Þen mournes all þe Messedones & maynten him ȝerne,
1266
Makis
þar
mane for þat man & many othire noble,
1267
For maistris & mynistris menere & grettir,
1268
Þat was in morsels magged & martrid a
hundreth
.
1269
And þat left
ware
on lyfe bot a
litill
meȝne,
1270
Ware
als malstrid & mased & matid of
þaire
strenthes,
1271
Sa
waike
& so wyndles & wery for-foȝten,
1272
Þat
þai
were
will
in þis werd qwat
þai
worthe suld.
1273
Sire Meliager & othire maa mayned were sare,
1274
All be-bled & to-brissid þat neȝe
þar
breth failes,
1275
Þai
were sa feble & sa faynt & full of
þaim
-selfe,
1276
Þat all in fere was in fourme þe fild for to ȝeld.
1277
Þan aires him forth Arestes was augrily wondid,
1278
To Alexander onone þas auntirs him tellis,
1279
Þe morth of all þe Messedone[s] & of þe many grekis,
1280
Rekens him
þar
resons þat
reuthe
was to here.
1281
With
þat þe
semely
kyng chacches his bernes,
1282
Semblis him a huge soume &
fra
þe sege wendis,
1283
Þe toure of Tire & þe toune
titly
he leues,
1284
And Ioynes him to Iosaphat full ioyles he rydes.
1285
Ay
he gretis as he gase for grefe of his knyȝtis,
1286
Ay
he pleynys as he passes þe pite of his erlis,
1287
Ay
he wepis as he wendis for his
wale
princes,
1288
And soueraynly for Sampson he sorowis
ay
elike
.
1289
When he was
tane
fraward
Tyre toward þe vaile,
1290
Þe werke
at
he wroȝt had þat water whyt-in,
1291
Þat he had sett in þe see þe cite with-out,
1292
Þar-in he lefte had a lede þe loge for to kepe.
1293
Bot þan ser Balaan, a berne
at
in þe burȝe lengis,
1294
Ane of þe terands of Tyre atyres him belyue,
1295
Buskes
him in
breneis
with
big
men of armes,
1296
With
traumes &
with
tribochetis þe tild to asaile.
1297
He bekirs out at þe bild within þe burȝe-wallis,
1298
And
þai
without in þe werke
wiȝtly
defendis,
1299
Schot scharply betwene schomes of dartis;
1300
Weris wondirly wele werpis out stanes.
1301
Bot Balaa[n] in þe barmeken sa bitterly fiȝtis,
1302
All to-combirs
þam
clene
with
cast
of engynes.
1303
Sone þe top of þe toure he tiltis in-to þe watir,
1304
And all þe
tulkis
in þe tild he termens o lyue;
1305
And þan in batis & in bargis he
bownes
him swyth,
1306
To þe bothum of þe baistell he
buskis
him with-out,
1307
Bretens
doun all þe bild & þe bernys quellis,
1308
Drenches hire in þe hiȝe see & drawis hire on hepis.
1309
Quen it was smeten in small
with
þe smert
waȝes
,
1310
Ilka gobet his
gate
glidis
fra
othire.
1311
Þus þe strenth ilk stike was in a stounde wasted,
1312
And Balaa[n] bowis in-to þe burȝe & barris to þe ȝatis.
1313
Be þis oure kyng
with
his kniȝt[is] is comen in-to þe vaile,
1314
Alexander
with
ane ost his kniȝtis to help,
1315
Fyndis a fewe of his folke feȝtand ȝerne,
1316
And
ay
a segge be him-selfe sett all a
hundreth
.
1317
With
þat Bucifalon his blonke he brased in þe side,
1318
Springis out
with
a spere spillis at þe
gaynest
,
1319
Ridis euen þurȝe þe route þar rankest
þai
were,
1320
Be rawe of
þaire
rabetis he ruschid to þe erthe,
1321
He strikis all
fra
þar
stedis streȝt him be-forne.
1322
Was nane sa stiffe in þat stoure miȝt stand him
agayn
;
1323
Quare althire-thickest was þe thrange þurȝe
þaim
he
rynnes
,
1324
And makis a wai wyde enoȝe waynes to mete.
1325
He laschis out a lange swerde quen his launce failes,
1326
Threschis doun in a thrawe many
threuyn
dukis,
1327
Stirs him sa in a stonde & his stithe erlis,
1328
Þat þar was [na] berne on bent bott
bretened
or ȝolden.
1329
Þe seggis on his awen side þat he slayn fyndis,
1330
He mas to graue sum in grete & sum in gray marble.
1331
And þa þat laft
ware
o-lyue he lokis
þar
woundis,
1332
And faire
fangis
his folke &
fra
þe fild wendis.
1333
Þan bowes he to þe baistall & brymly it semblis,
1334
Gedirs of ilk
glode
grettir & smallire,
1335
And prekis furth
with
his pray & passes
fraward
Gadirs,
1336
And tiȝt
agayne
toward Tyre to termen his sege.
1337
Quen he was dreuyn ouer þe
dales
& drewe to þe cite,
1338
With
þat he blisches to þe burȝe & sees his bild voidid,
1339
Als bare as a bast his baistell a-way,
1340
But outhire burde or bate bot þe brade wattir,
1341
Þan mournes all þe Messadones & maynly was sturb[i]d.
1342
And Alexander also was augrely greuyd,
1343
So
ware
þai
troubild out of tone quen
þai
þaire
tild
miste
,
1344
Þat of þe
taking
of Tire
trest
þai
na langire.
1345
And so him-selfe in his slepe þe
same
niȝt eftir,
1346
Him thoȝt he had in his hand & held of a vyne
1347
A growen grape of a grype a grete & a rype,
1348
Þe quilke he
flange
on þe flore &
with
his fete tredis.
1349
And quen he broken had þe bery als þe berne
semes
,
1350
Þar folowis out of fresche wyne feetles to mete;
1351
So largely & so delauyly of licoure, him
thinkis
,
1352
Of ane rasyn to
ryn
it was a
ryfe
wondire.
1353
Þe kynge
callis
him a clerke kenely on þe morne,
1354
Als radly as he rase to reche him his sweuyn.
1355
'Sire, bees adred neuir a dele' þe diuinour said,
1356
'I
vndire-take
on my trouthe Tire is þine awen;
1357
For þe bery
at
ȝe brake sa is þe burȝe euen.
1358
Þai
sall be sesid þe full sone & to þi-selfe ȝolden,
1359
For þou sall eft all on ernest entire on þe wallis,
1360
And foulire vndir þi feete with-in a fewe days.'
1361
Now compas kenely þis kynge &
castis
in his mynd
1362
How he miȝt couir in any cas to come to þe cite,
1363
Deuynes depely on dais dropis many
wiles
,
1364
If
he cuthe
seke
any
sleȝt
þat him serue wald;
1365
And makis to sett in þe see riȝt in þe
same
place,
1366
Þar as þe bild
at
he bi[l]did
biggid
wasse first,
1367
To stable vp a grete strenthe all on
store
schipis,
1368
Hugir be þe halfe dele & hiȝere þan þe toþire;
1369
And þat he fiches & firmes sa fast to þe wall,
1370
So
nere
vnethes
at
ane eld miȝt narowly betwene,
1371
And band hire, as þe buke sais
bigly
to-gedire,
1372
With
þat
scho
flisch noþir fayle fyue
score
aunkirs.
1373
Quen he had tiȝt vp þis tram & þis tild rerid,
1374
Hit had of bradnes abofe to
breue
out of mesure;
1375
And to hede be a huge thing hiȝere it
semed
1376
Þan was þe wallis, sais þe writt of þe
wale
touris.
1377
Þan Alexander all his ane an-ane he ascendis,
1378
Closid all in clere stele & in clene plates,
1379
And monestis ilk modire son maynly & swyth,
1380
Þat all be
bowne
at a
brayd
þe burȝe to assaile.
1381
And all þe ost euyn ouir he openly comandis
1382
To be radly all arayd & redy to fiȝt;
1383
And quen
þai
saȝe þat him-selfe þe cite was entrid,
1384
Wan
vp
wiȝtly
on þe wallis ilk wee him eftir.
1385
Now tenelis vp taburs & all þe toun rengis,
1386
Steryn steuyn vp strake strakid
þar
trumpis,
1387
Blewe bemys of bras bernes assemblis,
1388
Seȝes to on ilk syde & a saute ȝeldis.
1389
Þare presis to
with
paues peple withouten;
1390
Archars
with
arows
of atter envemonde
1391
Schotis vp scharply at shalkis on þe wallis,
1392
Lasch at
þam
of
loft
many lede floȝen,
1393
And
þai
ȝapely a-ȝayne ȝildis
þam
swythe,
1394
Bekire out of þe burȝe bald men many,
1395
Kenely
þai
kast
of
with
kastis
of stanys,
1396
Driues dartis at oure dukis dedly
þam
woundid.
1397
Þan passe vp oure princes prestly enarmed,
1398
In-to þe baistell a-bofe bremely ascendid,
1399
Sum
with
lances on-
loft
&
with
lange swerdis,
1400
With
ax &
with
alblaster & alkens
wapen
.
1401
Alexander
ai
elike
augrily feȝtis,
1402
Now a schaft, now a schild nowe a scheue hentis,
1403
Now a
sparth
, now a spere & sped so his miȝtis,
1404
Þat it
ware
tere any tonge to of his turnes rekyn.
1405
And
þai
with-in on þe wall worthili with-stude,
1406
Fersly defend of & fellid of his knyȝtis,
1407
Thristis
ouir thikefald many
threuyn
berne[s],
1408
And doun bakward
þam
bare into þe brad wattir.
1409
With
þat oure wees without writhis
þam
vnfare,
1410
Went wode of
þaire
witt & wrekis
þam
swyth;
1411
For na wounde ne na
wathe
wand
þai
na langir,
1412
Bot all wirkis him þe wa & wrake
at
he cuthe.
1413
Sum braidis to
þar
bowis bremely
þai
schut,
1414
Quethirs
out quarels quikly be-twene;
1415
Strykis vp of þe stoure stanes of engynes,
1416
Þat þe bretage a-boue
brast
all in soundire,
1417
Girdis ouir garettis
with
gomes to þe erthe,
1418
Tilt torettis doun toures on hepis,
1419
Spedely
with
sprygaldis spilt
þaire
braynes,
1420
Many miȝtfull man marris on þe wallis.
1421
And be þe kirnells
ware
kast
& kutt doun before,
1422
Be þat þe baistell & þe burȝe
ware
bathe
elike
hiȝe,
1423
And all oure werke without þe wallis
weterly
semed
,
1424
Þe sidis of þe cite to se to o fernes,
1425
Þan Alexander belyf on
þam
all entris,
1426
Bruschis in
with
a brand on bernes a
hundreth
,
1427
Thrang thurȝe a thousand þare thikest þai were,
1428
Wynnes worthly ouer þe wallis with-in to þe cite.
1429
Þe first modire son he mett oþire man outhire,
1430
Was Balaan þe bald bern, as þe boke tellis,
1431
And him he settis on a saute & sloȝe him belyue,
1432
And werpid him out ouir þe wall in-to þe wild streme.
1433
Sone as oure athils be-hind saȝe þar he entred,
1434
His men & all þe Messedones maynly ascendis,
1435
And
þai
of Grece gredely girdis vp eftire,
1436
Thringis vp on a thraw thousandis many.
1437
Sum stepis vp on
sties
to þe stane wallis,
1438
On ilka staffe of a staire stike wald a cluster;
1439
And qua sa leddirs had nane as þe lyne tellis,
1440
Wald
gett
þam
hald
with
þar
hend & on-
loft
clyme.
1441
Sa freȝt
ware
þar othire þat feȝtis within,
1442
For Balaan
þar
bald duke þat broȝt was of lyue,
1443
Þat all failis
þam
þe force & so ferd worthe,
1444
Þat nothire
with
stafe ne
with
stane withstand
þai
na langir.
1445
Sire Alexander
with
his athils & his awen
sleȝtis
1446
Þe toune of Tire þus he
tuke
& othire twa burȝes,
1447
In þe quilke þe siriens of þis sire so many soroȝes had,
1448
As wald bot tary all oure tale
þaire
tourment to reken.
1449
Sone as þis cite was sesid & slayne vp & ȝolden,
1450
Þen ridis furth þe riche kynge & remowed his ost,
1451
Gais him furth to Gasa a-nothire grete cite,
1452
And þat he settis on a saute & sesis it be-lyue;
1453
And quen þis Gasa was
geten
he
graythis
him swyth,
1454
And Ioynes him toward Ierusalem þe iewis to distroy;
1455
And ȝe þat kepis of þis
carpe
to knaw any ferre,
1456
Sone sall I
neuen
ȝow þe note þat is next eftir.
1457
Als hastily as
þai
herd of in þe haly cite,
1458
And
bodword
to þe bischop broȝt of his
come
,
1459
For Alexander
aȝe
almast he euen
deis
,
1460
For he had
nite
him a n
erand
noȝt bot o new time.
1461
And now him
þinke
in his þoȝt him thurt noȝt haue carid
1462
In all his mast mystir nad he þat man faylid,
1463
When he for socure to þe cite sent him his lettir;
1464
And he soyned him be his sorement þat sare him
for-thinkis
.
1465
'For me had leuer,' quod þe lede 'be lethirely for-sworn
1466
On as many halidoms as opens & speris,
1467
Þan anys haue greuyd þat gome or warned him his
erand
!
1468
Þat euer I warned him his will wa is me þat stonde!'
1469
Þus was Iaudes of ioy & iolite depryued;
1470
And all þe iewis of ierusalem he Ioyntly a-sembles.
1471
He said, 'Alexander is at hand & will vs all cumbre,
1472
And we
ere
dredles vndone bot driȝten vs help.'
1473
Þan bedis þe bischop all þe burȝe
barnes
& othire,
1474
Athils of all age eldire & ȝongire,
1475
Comandis to ilka creatour to crie þurȝe þe stretis,
1476
To thre dais on a thrawe be threpild to-gedire,
1477
Ilk a frek & ilka fante to fast & to pray,
1478
To ocupy
þar
oures & orisons & offire in
þaire
temple,
1479
And
call
vp
with
a clene voice to þe kyng of heuyn,
1480
To kepe
þam
,
at
þis conquiroure encumbrid
þaim
neuir.
1481
Now seȝen
þai
to
þar
Sinagogis all þe cite ouire,
1482
Ilka bodi þar bedis þat in þe burȝe lengis,
1483
Putt
þam
to prayris & penaunce enduris,
1484
Þe vengance of þis victoure to voide
if
þai
miȝt.
1485
Þe niȝt eftir þe note as tellis me þe writtis,
1486
Quen all þe cite was on-slepe and sacrifis endid,
1487
In ane abite of þe aire ane Aungell aperis
1488
To Iaudas of ierusalem & him
with
ioy gretis:
1489
'I bringe þe
bodword
of blis ser bischop,' he said,
1490
'
With
salutis of solas I am sent
fra
þe trone,
1491
Fra
þe maister of man þe miȝtfull fadere,
1492
Þat bedis þe noȝt be a-baist he has þi
bone
herd;
1493
And I amonest þe to-morne as I am enIoyned,
1494
Þat þou as radly as þou rise aray all þe cite,
1495
Þe stretis & in all stedis stoutly & faire,
1496
Þat it be onest all ouire & open vp þe ȝatis.
1497
Lett þan þe pupill ilka poll apareld be clene,
1498
And al manere of men in mylk-quyte clathis.
1499
And pas, þou & þi prelatis & prestis of þe temple,
1500
Raueste all on a raw as ȝoure rewill askis.
1501
And quen þis conquirour comes
caire
him
agaynes
;
1502
For he
mon
ride þus & regne ouire all þe ronde werde
1503
Be lordschip in ilka lede in-to his laste days,
1504
And þen be diȝt to þe deth of driȝtins ire.'
1505
Sone þe derke ouire-drafe & þe day springis,
1506
Oure bischop
bounes
him of bed &
buskis
on his wedis,
1507
And þen iogis all þe iewis & generall
callis
,
1508
A-vaies
þaim
his vision how þe voice bedis;
1509
Þan consals him þe clergy clene all-to-gedire,
1510
And all þe cite asentis sarazens & oþir,
1511
To
buwne
furth
with
all þe burȝe &
buske
þam
belyue,
1512
As him was said in his slepe þis souerayn to mete.
1513
Þan
rynnes
he furth in a
rase
& arais all þe cite,
1514
Braidis ouire
with
bawdkyns all þe brade stretis,
1515
With
tars &
with
tafeta þare he trede sulde,
1516
For þe erth to
slike
ane Emperoure
ware
ouire feble.
1517
He plyes ouire þe pauement
with
pallen webis,
1518
Mas on hiȝt ouire his hede for hete of þe sone,
1519
Sylours of sendale to sele ouire þe
gatis
,
1520
And sammes
þaim
on aithire side
with
silken
rapis,
1521
And þen he
caggis
vp on cordis as curteyns it were,
1522
Euen
as þe esyngis ȝede ouire be þe costes,
1523
All þe wawis with-oute in webis of ynde,
1524
Of briȝt blasand blewe browden
with
sternes
.
1525
Þus atired he þe toune &
titely
þar-eftir
1526
On ilka way wid open werped he þe ȝatis;
1527
And qua so lukis
fra
with-out & with-in haldis,
1528
It
semyd
as þe cite to se ane of þe seuyn heuyns.
1529
Now passis furth þis prelate
with
prestis of þe temple,
1530
Reueschid him rially & þat in riche wedis,
1531
With
erst & abite vndire all as I am in-fourmede,
1532
Full of bridis & of bestis of bise & of purpre;
1533
And þat was garnest full gay
with
golden
skirtis
,
1534
Store
starand stanes strekilland all ouire,
1535
Saudid full of safirs & oþire
sere
gemmes,
1536
And poudird
with
perry was perrour & othire.
1537
And sithen he
castis
on a Cape of
kastand
hewes,
1538
With
riche rabies of gold railed bi þe hemmes,
1539
A vestoure to vise on of violet floures,
1540
Wroȝt full of wodwose & oþir wild bestis;
1541
And þan him hiȝtild his hede & had on a Mitre,
1542
Was forgid all of fyne gold & fret full of perrils,
1543
Stiȝt
staffull
of stanes þat straȝt out bemes,
1544
As it
ware
shemerand shaftis of þe shire son.
1545
Doctours & diuinours & othire dere maistris,
1546
Iustis of iewry & iogis of þe
lawe
,
1547
Ware
tired all in tonacles of tarrayn webbis;
1548
Þai
were
bret-full
of bees all þe body ouire,
1549
And oþer clientis & clerkis as to þe
kirke
fallis,
1550
Ware
all
samen
of a soyte in surples of raynes,
1551
Þat
slike
a siȝt, I supose was neuer
sene
eftire,
1552
So parailed a procession a person
a-gaynes
.
1553
Now bowis furth þe bischop at þe burȝe ȝatis,
1554
With
prestis &
with
prelatis a pake out of nombre;
1555
And all þe cite in sorte felowis him eftir,
1556
Quirris
furth all in quite of qualite as aungels;
1557
Maistirs, marchands, & Maire mynistris & othire,
1558
Worthi wedous & wenchis & wyues of þe cite;
1559
Be ilka
barne
in þe burgh as blaȝt
ere
þaire
wedis
1560
As any snyppand snawe þat in þe
snape
liȝtis.
1561
Þar passis þe procession a piple be-forne,
1562
Of childire all in chalk quyte chosen out a
hundreth
,
1563
With
bellis &
with
baners & blasand torchis,
1564
Instrumentis & ymagis within of þe Mynstire;
1565
Sum
with
sensours & so[m]
with
silueryn
cheynes,
1566
Quare-of þe
reke
aromatike rase to þe welken;
1567
Sum
with
of þe sayn-tware many
sere
thingis,
1568
With
tablis & topoures & tretice of þe
lawe
;
1569
Sum bolstirs of burnet en-brouden
with
perill,
1570
Bare before þe bischop his buke on to
lig
;
1571
Sum candilstickis of clere gold & of clene siluer,
1572
With
releckis full rially þe richest on þe auutere.
1573
Þus seyis all þe semle þe cite with-oute,
1574
Vn-to a stonen stede streȝt on be temple,
1575
Scopulus, by sum
skill
þe scripture it
callis
,
1576
And þare þe
come
of þe kynge þis couent abidis.
1577
Sone Alexander
with
ane ost of many athille dukis,
1578
Come prekand toward þe place
with
princes & erlis,
1579
Sees
slike
a multitude of men in milke-quite clathis,
1580
And ilk seg in a soyte
at
selly him
thinkis
.
1581
Þan fyndis he in þis oþire flote fanons & stolis,
1582
Practisirs & prematis & prestis of þe
lawe
,
1583
Of dialiticus & decre doctours of aythir,
1584
Bathe
chambirlayn & chaplayne in chalke-quite wedis.
1585
And as he waytis in a
wra
þan was he ware sone
1586
Of þe maister of þat meneyhe in-myddis þe puple,
1587
Þat was þe bald bischop a-bofe all þ[e] iewis,
1588
Was
graþid
in a garment of gold & of pu[r]pree.
1589
And þan he heues vp his eȝe be-haldis on his myter,
1590
Be-fore he saȝe of fine gold forgid a plate,
1591
Þar-in grauen þe grettest of all gods names,
1592
Þis title, Tetragramaton for so þe text tellis.
1593
With
þat comandis þe kyng his knyȝtis ouire ilkane,
1594
Bathe
beron & bachelere & bald men of armes,
1595
Na nere þat place to aproche a payn of
þar
lyuys,
1596
Bot all to hald
þam
be-hynd heraud & othire.
1597
Þan airis he furth all him ane to þis athill meneȝe,
1598
Bowis him doun of his blonke þe bischop be-forne,
1599
And kneland on þe cald erth he
knockis
on his brest,
1600
And reuerencez þis haly name
at
he seis wreten.
1601
Þan þe iewis of ierusalem Iustis & othire,
1602
Lordis & ladis be þe
litill
childere,
1603
Enclynes
þam
to þe conquirour & him on kneis gretis,
1604
Kest
vp a kene crie &
carpis
þir
wordis.
1605
'
Ay
moȝt he lefe,
ay
moȝt he lefe' quod ilka man twyse,
1606
'Alexander, þe athill aire vndire þe heuyn,
1607
Ay
moȝt he lefe,
ay
moȝt he lefe þe lege Emperoure,
1608
Þe wildire of all þe werde & worthist on erthe,
1609
Ay
moȝt he lef,
ay
moȝt he leue' quod loude all at anys,
1610
'Ouircomere clene of ilka coste & ouircomyn neuir,
1611
Þe gretest & þe gloriosest þat euir god formed,
1612
Erle or Emperoure or any erdly prince.'
1613
Þare was comen
with
him kyngis as þe clause tellis,
1614
Seneiours out of Sireland was to him-selfe ȝolden,
1615
And
þai
meruailed
þam
mekill
as þe buke tellis,
1616
When
þai
it herd so be-heryd & held it in wondire.
1617
Þan Permeon, a proude kniȝt a prince of his oste,
1618
Aires to sir Alexander & askis at him swythe,
1619
Syn him adoured all men eldire & ȝongir,
1620
Qui he obeschid so
lawe
& bende þe bischop of iewis?
1621
'
Nay
,' quod þe comly kynge & þe knyȝt
swaris
,
1622
Nouthire
haylsid
I him ne hildid him nouthire,
1623
Bot it was gode
at
I grete þe gouernoure of all,
1624
Of quam in þe abite & þe armes he was all clethid.
1625
'For in be marche of Messedone me
mynes
on a tyme,
1626
Þat
slike
a segg in my slepe me sodanly aperid,
1627
Euyn in
slike
a similitude & þis
same
wedis,
1628
For all þe werd as þis wee wendis now atired.
1629
And þen I mused in my mynde how
at
I myȝt wyn
1630
Anothire anell of þe erth þat Aysy we
call
it,
1631
And me thret to be
thra
& for na þing turne,
1632
Bot tire me
titely
þarto &
tristly
to wende.
1633
And syne saȝe I na segg þat sa was arayd;
1633*
And he hoppyd þe
helder
þat þis was he
at
he saw þen,
1634
And sekirly yone
semys
þe
same
to se to within,
1635
Þe
same
gode
at
in my slepe saȝe in my days;
1636
And now I hope me, þurȝe þe helpe of þe haly fadire,
1637
Of quam þe hered haly name is ȝondire on hiȝe wreten,
1638
To do
with
Darius
or
I
dyi
how so me dere
thinke
,
1639
And þe pride of all þe Persens purely distroy.
1640
And ȝit I sothely supose quat so my sale hopis,
1641
Þat sall fall
apon
fold
slik
fyaunce I haue
1642
In þe grace of grete god
at
gyes all þe
sternes
,
1643
Þat it sall be in my will & on na way faile.'
1644
Now
tas
þe bishop þe berne & to þe burȝe wendis,
1645
With
sange & solempnite him to þe cite ledis,
1646
He was resayued, as I rede
with
reuerence & Ioye
1647
As he
ware
duke of ilk douth & dreuyn doun
fra
heuen.
1648
Þan gas he furth
with
his
gingis
to godis awen temple,
1649
Þat of sir Salamon þe sage sett was & foundid,
1650
And þare he
lythis
of
þare
lare [&] as þe
law
wald;
1651
He offird in þat oratori & honourd oure lorde.
1652
And Iaudas of ierusalem & all þe iewis eftir
1653
Bringis out a brade buke & to þe berne reches,
1654
Was plant full of prophasys playnely all ouire,
1655
Of þe doctrine of Daniell & of his dere sawis.
1656
Þe lord lokis on þe lyne & on a lefe fyndis
1657
How þe gomes out of grece suld
with
þaire
grete miȝtis
1658
Þe pupill out of Persye purely distroy;
1659
And þat he hopis sall be he & hertly he ioyes.
1660
Þan partis he to þa prelatis many proude
giftis
,
1661
Was nane sa pore in þat place bot he his purse fillis,
1662
Geues
þam
garsons
of gold & of gud stanes,
1663
Rife
riches enoȝe robies & perles,
1664
Besands to þe bischop he bed out of nounbre,
1665
Reches him of rede gold ransons many,
1666
Tas
him to his tresory talent him to shewe,
1667
Bad him
wale
quat he wald & wild him þe toþir.
1668
ȝit bedis he him, þe bald kyng as þe buke tellis:
1669
'Sire, quat þou will in þis werd to wild & to haue,
1670
Noȝt bot aske it at Alexander quat þou will
apon
reson,
1671
And I sall grant,
or
I ga
with
a gud will.'
1672
Þan bowis doun þe bischop & him a
bone
askis,
1673
'Sire, þis I depely disire durst I it
neuyn
,
1674
Þat it be leuefull vs oure lare & oure
law
vse,
1675
As oure fadirs has folowid forwith þis tyme;
1676
As of ȝoure grete gudnes
at
ȝe grant wald
1677
To lat vs sitt be safe bot for þis seuyn wyntir,
1678
But tribute or trouag quils þe terme lastis,
1679
Þan were we halden all þe hepe to hiȝe þe for euir.
1680
And ȝit I will, be ȝoure leue a worde & na mare,
1681
Þat þe men of Medi man, be ȝoure leue,
1682
Lang all in oure
lawe
lely to-gedire,
1683
And
þai
of Babilon
bathe
& bede I na nothire.'
1684
Quod Alexander belyue 'all þis I graunt,
1685
And els any othire thinge aske & be serued.'
1686
'
Nay
, now na mare,' quod þe man, &
mekly
him thankid,
1687
'Bot
ay
þi lordschip & þi loue quils my lyfe dures.'
1688
Now
kastis
þis conquirour to
caire
fra
þe cite,
1689
And mas to bide in þe burȝe a berne of his awyn,
1690
A messagere to
myn
on quat men of him said,
1691
Ane Ardromacius, a gome as þe buke tellis.
1692
Þan bowis to þe bischop his benyson to
fang
,
1693
Takis
lufly his leue & lendis on forthere.
1694
To
Sere
cites þar be-syde he soȝt
with
his hostis,
1695
And
þai
frendly & faire frely resayued him.
1696
Þan of þe Siriens summe in þe
same
tyme
1697
Flow
fra
þe fell kyng as fals men suld,
1698
Did
þam
to sir Darius & depely
þam
playnt,
1699
Quat erroure of þis Emperoure & euill
þai
suffird.
1700
And he
þam
faire vndir-fong &
fraynes
þam
ȝerne,
1701
Askis
þam
of sir Alexander all
at
he cuthe,
1702
Bathe
of his statoure & his strenth
if
he
ware
store
ben,
1703
His qualite, his quantite he quirys all-to-gedire;
1704
And
þai
in parchement him payntid his person him shewid,
1705
Ane amlaȝe, ane asaleny ane ape of all othire,
1706
A wirling, a wayryngle a
wawil-eȝid
shrewe,
1707
Þe cait[if]este creatour þat cried was euire.
1708
And þan, as he lenes & lokis on his fourme,
1709
His
litillaike
& his
licknes
he
laythly
dispiced,
1710
And thre thingis of his thede, he þoȝt him sa feble,
1711
He dressis to him in dedeyne & in dispite sendis:
1712
First a ball, says þe buke þe
barne
with
to play,
1713
A
herne
-pan es of a berne of
brend
gold yeuen,
1714
For hottre & for
hething
a Hatt made of twyggis;
1715
Sayd þat was
benere
him to bere þan a briȝt helme.
1716
Slike
presandis out of Persy he to þe prince sendis,
1717
His brefe
with
a brade sele & biddis hum ga swythe.
1718
And qua sa will has to wete howe it worthis eftir,
1719
Now sall I
neuen
vs here next þe note of his lettir.
1720
'Sire dere Darius on dese þe digne Emperoure,
1721
Þe kynge without comparrison of kyngis all othire,
1722
Of all lordis þe lord þat leues in erthe,
1723
Predicessour of princes & peree to þe sonn,
1724
þe souerayne sire of my soyle þat sittis in my trone,
1725
In fang
with
my faire godis þat I affie maste,
1726
To Alexander, þat of all so augrily him letes,
1727
Oure subiet & oure seruand þus we oure-selfe write.
1728
For it is
wayued
vs to wete þat wickidly þou haues,
1729
Þurȝe enmyte & enuy elacion of pride,
1730
Be vanyte & vayne glori þat in þi wayns
kindlis
,
1731
Puruayd þe pletours oure partis to ride.
1732
For þou has samed, as men he sais a selly nounbre
1733
Of wrichis & wirlingis out of þe west endis,
1734
Of
laddis
& of losengers & of
litill
theuys,
1735
Slike
sary soroȝis as þi-selfe to
seke
vs
agaynes
,
1736
And wenes to wild all þi will & þat worthis ful late,
1737
Þe prouynce & principalte of Persye la graunt.
1738
For þou ert fere al to faynt oure force to ministere;
1739
Þof
þou had gedird all þe gomes þat euire god fourmed,
1740
So, man, riued is oure rewme þat þou may reȝt
lycken
1741
Þe
store
strenthe of oure stoure to
sternes
of þe heuen.
1742
And
slike
a
nekard
as þi-selfe a noȝt of all othire,
1743
Is bot a maddinge to mell
with
mare þan him-seluen.
1744
'Forthi is bettir vnbynd & of þe
brathe
leue,
1745
And feyne all
with
fairnes & fayne
at
þou may.
1746
For mare
menseke
is a man to
meke
him be tyme,
1747
Þan eftir made to be
meke
malegreue his chekis.
1748
For all þe gracious godis & gudnes on erthe,
1749
Þat sanys
sete
& soile & sustaynes þe erth,
1750
Prayses
ay
þe Persyns passing all othire,
1751
And for þe
oddiste
of ilka ost honoures oure name.
1752
And
slike
a dwinyng, a dwaȝe & a dwerȝe as þi-selfe,
1753
A grub, a grege out of grace ane erd-growyn sorowe,
1754
Will
couet ȝit as a kyng
with
caytefes to lyte,
1755
To couir
at
combrid all þe kyngis vndire þe cape of heuen!
1756
Riȝt as a flaw of fell snawe
ware
fallyn of a
ryft
,
1757
Of a wysti wonn waghe
with
þe wynd blawen,
1758
So
with
a flote of Fresons folowand þi helis,
1759
Þou
sekis
fraward
Sichim þi-selfe wrothir-
haile
,
1760
And leuys as a lorell þus oure lande to entire,
1761
And maa þi lepis & þi
laikis
& quat þe liste ellis,
1762
As ratons or ruȝe myse in a rowme chambre,
1763
Aboute in beddis or in bernys þare baddis
ere
nane.
1764
Bot I haue
wilily
waited þi
wiles
& þi
castis
,
1765
And quen þou hopis all-þir hiest to haue all
þar
will,
1766
I sall þe sett on a saute &
sla
þe [
with
] my handis.
1766*
And so sall, fole, for þi folez be fenyshit on dawes.
1767
‘For-þi for pompe or for pride þi purpose a-vise,
1767*
For
yf
þou shote ouer sheet þou shendes þi flayne.
1768
Turne þe, trechoure, be-time þat þou na treson haue,
1769
And drawe
a-gayn
to þi den vndire þi dam
wyngis
.
1770
Se quat I send to þe, son þi-selfe
with
to
laike
,
1771
A hatt & a hand-ball & a
herne
-panne;
1772
Slike
presandis to play
with
as pertines to babbis.
1773
For
ai
a child mot him chese to childire
geris
;
1774
For mestire & miserie vnneth may þou forthe
1775
Þine awen caitefe cors to clethe & to fede,
1776
And supposis as a sott to sese oure landis,
1777
And outhire darius to
drepe
or dryfe
fra
his kythis!
1778
Bot by þe grace & þe gude þat god
gaue
my fadire,
1779
So riued is þe rede gold oure regions with-in,
1780
Þat qua sa had it on a hepe haly to-gedire,
1781
It wald vs let, as I leue þe liȝt of þe son!
1782
For-þi bid I þe badrich on
bathe
twa þine eȝen,
1783
And on þe plegg & þe payn & perill as folowis,
1784
All þi vanyte to voide & þi vayne pride,
1785
And mew
agayn
to Messedone
or
any mare fall.
1786
For be þe saule of my sire bot
if
þou sone turne,
1787
We sall þe send sike a soume of segis en-armed,
1788
Noȝt as Philips fant sall fare
with
þi-selfe,
1789
Bot as a prince of proued theues pyne þe to dede.'
1790
Als sone as his sandismen to þis sire come,
1791
Þai
present him þe playntis þe pistill him rechis,
1792
And Alexander belyue be-fore all his princes,
1793
To all his ost euyn on he openly declaris.
1794
And quen his kniȝtis of þis clause þe
carpe
vndirstode,
1795
Þen
ware
þai
frekly a-frayd of þe fell saȝes;
1796
And as sone as him-selfe saȝe his seggis amoued,
1797
In bilding of his bachelers he
breuys
þire
wordis:
1798
'Quat now? my worthi werriouris sa
wiȝt
& sa noble,
1799
Mi bernes & my baratours þe best vndire heuen;
1800
Lettis neuire it broȝt be on brade for vpbraide of schame,
1801
ȝe doute for þe indityngs of Darius pistils.
1802
I sett ȝowe ane ensample ȝe se it all daye,
1803
In
thorps
& in many thede þar ȝe þurȝe ride,
1804
At ilka cote a kene curre as he þe chache wald;
1805
Bot as bremely as he baies he bitis neuir þe fastir.
1806
Bot in sum, I suppose wele þat sothe is þe lettir,
1807
Þare as he tellis quyche a tunne of tresoure he hauys.
1808
For-þi vs buse to be
bigg
& bataill him ȝeld,
1809
Þe grete
garisons
of gold sall gedire vp oure hertis.'
1810
With
þat commands þe kyng his knyȝtis be-lyue,
1811
Þe donesmen þat
fra
Darius come
with
þe
derfe
lettir,
1812
Þat
þai
suld
titly
þam
take
& by þe toȝe throtis,
1813
And for
þaire
souerayne
sake
þam
send to þe galawis.
1814
Þan was þa messangers a-maied as meruale
ware
ellis,
1815
With
kene carefull crie þis conquirour
þai
said:
1816
'Allas! quat
lake
lyse in vs lord if it be ȝoure will,
1817
Þus causeles for oure kynge encumbird to worthe?'
1818
'The saȝes of ȝour souerayn' said þe kynge þen,
1819
'Nedis me to
slike
notis as I had neuir
etlid
,
1820
Þat has ȝow sent to my-selfe noȝt sa as him aȝe;
1821
Loo '
litill
thefe' in ilka lyne his lettir me
callis
'
1822
'ȝa,' quod
þai
, 'comly kyng' & on knes fallis,
1823
'Þase ditis endited to ȝowe sir Darius him-seluyn,
1824
For he knew noȝt of ȝour kniȝthede ne of ȝour kid strenth;
1825
Ne wist noȝt of ȝour worthenes & wrate all þe baldire.
1826
Bot wald ȝe grant vs to gaa &
gefe
vs ȝour lefe,
1827
Þen suld we bremely ȝour bill to þe berne shewe.'
1828
Þen lete þe lord
þam
allane & went
till
his fest,
1829
Takis
þam
with
him to his tent &
þam
at ese makis.
1830
Sone as
þai
in his sale were sett at þe table,
1831
'Sire Alexander, athill kynge,' quod all
with
a steuyn,
1832
'Comands
with
vs to
caire
kniȝtis a thousand,
1833
And we sall surely oure sire þe send in
þaire
handis.'
1834
'ȝa, make we blis,' quod þe kyng 'blithe mote ȝe worthe,
1835
For as for
takynge
of ȝour lord sall na lede wynde.'
1836
To Darius anoþir day enditis he a pistill,
1837
A crest clenly inclosid þat consayued þis wordis.
1838
‘Alexander, þe aire & eldest childe
bathe
1839
Of kyng Philip þe fers þe fendere of grece,
1840
And als of Olimpades þat honourable lady,
1841
To þe, Darius, on dese þus dite I my lettir.
1842
Þou prince of all þe Persyns þat peres to þe sonne,
1843
Þe conquirour of ilka cost
callid
of þi-selfe,
1844
With
all þi gracious godis
graithid
in þi trone,
1845
All þus I send to ȝowe my sawe vndir my sele wreten.
1846
Sire,
if
we se
with
a suth surely me
thinke
,
1847
Oure facultes, oure faire fees oure fermes & our landis,
1848
We may noȝt chalang
þam
ne clayme ne
call
þaim
oure awen,
1849
Bot all I deme it as det & to a day borowid.
1850
For sen we riden on þe rime & on þe ringe seten
1851
Of þe qwele of Fortoun þe quene þat swiftly changis,
1852
Ofte pas we in pouert
fra
plente of gudis,
1853
Fra
mirthe in-to mournynge
fra
mournyng in-to Ioye.
1854
For now vs
wantis
in a
qwirre
as þe quele turnes;
1855
Quen we suppose in oure sele to sit alþir heist,
1856
Þan fondis furth dame Fortoun to þe flode-ȝatis,
1857
Draȝes vp þe damme-borde & drenchis vs euire.
1858
For-þi a we þat has wit
þofe
he wele suffir,
1859
So sadly in soueraynete he set neuire his hope
1860
For pride of na pro[s]perite ne prise
at
him folewis,
1861
To olle
ay
on his vndireling for
ouer-laike
a quyle.
1862
For any sele vndire son a sott I him hald,
1863
Þat
ay
has deyne & dispite at dedis of
litill
,
1864
Sen oft þe hauenlest here is houen to þe
sternes
,
1865
And he þat
graithist
is of gudis gird all to poudire.
1866
For-þi a depe dishonoure ȝe do to ȝoure name,
1867
Ane emperoure þat on erth is euyn to ȝoure-selfe,
1868
To me sa
litill
& sa
lawe
slike
lettirs to sende,
1869
And presand out of Persy bot for a pure
hethyng
.
1870
For þou enherestis all þis erth & euens to þe son,
1871
And
callis
þe kyng of ilka kithe vndir þe cape of heuen,
1872
And þarto sittis, as þou sais in sege as ane Aungell,
1873
To-gedire
with
þi grete gods and on a gilt trone.
1874
Bot syn gostid godesses & gods
ere
graythid
neuir to
dye
,
1875
Bot
ai
sall last furth
elike
on-lyue ouire mare,
1876
Þai
naue no will to my notis ne wilnyng to haue,
1877
No dole ne no daliance of dedely bernes.
1878
Bot I knaw I am coruptible &
caire
ȝow
agaynes
,
1879
Als
with
a dedly duke to do my bataill;
1880
Bot
þof
þou be victor a-vaile na vaunte sall arise,
1881
Ne lose, bot as a
litill
thefe ȝow limpid to encumbre.
1882
Bot chance it me, þat am a childe þe cheuer to worthe,
1883
So þat be
geuyn
me þe gree grete glorie is myn awen.
1884
For þan sall spring vp þe speche & sprede out of mynd,
1885
How I haue conquired a kyng þe kidest of þe werd.
1886
Bot a tale ȝe me tald I trow be na faile,
1887
Of þe
ryfenes
of þe rede gold ȝour region with-in,
1888
Quilke plente is in Persy of perell & of ellis,
1889
Þe somme of siluer & of siche & of
sere
stanes,
1890
Þare-with
oure wittes has þou wele & oure
will
sharpid,
1891
And blid
with
þi besands þe bataill to ȝeld,
1892
Made vs corageous & kene ȝoure clere gold to wyn,
1893
And put a-way oure pouert ȝe plede vs to hald.
1894
Bot as touchand þe trufils þat ȝe to me sent,
1895
Þe
herne
-pan, þe hand-ball þe hatt made of twiggis,
1896
Þare has þou prophesid apert & playnely vs schewid,
1897
And faire affirmed vs before þat sall fall eftir.
1898
For by þe ball, sir, I
breue
all þe brode werd,
1899
Þe erthe
at
to myne enpire enterely bees ȝolden.
1900
And be þe hat þat is holewe be-for þe heued bowed,
1901
I constru þat ilka kyng sall clyne to my-selfe.
1902
Þan hope I by þe
herne
pan þat þe hede couirs,
1903
Ouir-comers to be
callid
& ouire-comen neuire.
1904
Now þou, þe grettest vndir god
graithis
me trouage,
1905
With
all þis dignites be-dene þat I diuined haue.'
1906
Þis brefe bedis
þaim
bere & besands
þam
rechis;
1907
And eftir armes all his ost & airis on eftir forthire.
1908
Sire Darius for þe ditis
nere
died
he for
angire
,
1909
To twa of þe derrest of his dukis ditis he þis pistill:
1910
'I, þe corounnest kyng of kyngis all othire,
1911
To þe, sir primus, a prince of Persye þe grettest,
1912
And als to ser Antagoyne myn awen athill dukis,
1913
Þe soueraynest of my seniourie my saroparis hatten,
1914
Se here I send ȝow my seele
with
salutis of ioye.
1915
Fra
Alexander þe kyng as I am in-fourmed,
1916
Is entrid
with
oure enmys an endles nounbre,
1917
Þe Anglies of Asie & has
þam
all stroyed,
1918
For-þi of life & o lym my lege men I charge
1919
To prestli ȝow apparaill & pas
þam
agaynes
,
1920
With
all þe hathils & þe heris & þe hiȝe maistris
1921
Þat ȝe may semble in þe sidis saudiours & othire.
1922
Þen chese ȝow furth my chiftanes & me þe child
take
,
1923
Laches me þis losengere & ledis me him hedire,
1924
Þat I may him skelp
with
a skorge & þen of
skire
porpure
1925
A side slauyn him sewe & send him to his modire;
1926
For now he proches for pride & propurly he wedis,
1927
For-þi him bose to be bett as a
barne
fallis.
1928
For it aȝe noȝt
slik
ane Asald nane abletus to off werres,
1929
Bot
at
þe bowlis as a brode or
with
a ball playe.'
1930
Þire
princes, sone as þe pistill was put
þam
in hand,
1931
Þan part
þai
þe proud sele þe printe
þai
adhoured,
1932
Vn-lappis liȝtly þe lefe & þe line redes,
1933
And þus-
gate
agynward
þai
graithid
him anothire.
1934
'To þe kiddest kyng to a-count of kyngis all othire,
1935
Sire Dari,
with
þi dere godis drised on þi trone,
1936
Gouernoure of ilk a gome & god all þi-selfe,
1937
Þi satrapairs, þi seniours
with
seruage obeschen:
1938
Sire, wetis it wele, ȝoure worthines & wenys it na langire,
1939
Þat þis child,
with
his chiftans ȝe charge vs to
take
,
1940
Has reden all oure regions & raymed oure landis,
1941
Departid all oure prouynce & purely it wastid.
1942
And we þan
lift
vp a lite & lent him
a-gayne
,
1943
Ferd furth
with
a flote & him in þe fyld metis;
1944
Bot sone we bed him þe bake & besely we shapid
1945
Out of þe handis vn-hewyn of oure hatill fais.
1946
And now haly all þe hepe
at
ȝe ȝoure help
callis
,
1947
Vn-to ȝoure
mekill
maieste we
mekely
beseke
,
1948
Þat vs ȝour lege & ȝoure lele men it likid ȝow to forthire,
1949
Or
þan oure wirschip at-wynde & wastid be þe regme.'
1950
As radly as þe riche kyng had red ouir þis pistill,
1951
Be þat mevis in A Messangere & maynly him tellis,
1952
Þat Alexander was at hand & had his ost loygid
1953
A-pon
þe streme of Struma þat strekis þurȝe his landis.
1954
Sire Darius for þa ditis was depely a-greuyd,
1955
Callis
him his consail a clause he him enditis,
1956
Mas a brefe at a
braide
& it in
brathe
sendis,
1957
To Alexander as be-lyue & all þus him gretes.
1958
'I, sir Dari, þe deyne &
derfe
Emperoure,
1959
Þe kyng of kyngis I am
callid
& conquirour
bathe
,
1960
Of all lordis þe lord a-lose þurȝe þe werd,
1961
And ane of þe souerayne sires vndir þe vij
sternes
,
1962
To þe, my seruand, I send & suthely þou knawes,
1963
And wete þou wele þurȝe all þe werde is wirschip oure name.
1964
For all þe gracious gods
at
þe ground visitis,
1965
All
ere
done me to doute ducsses & othire.
1966
How
burde
þe þan be sa bald for blod in þi heued,
1967
To moue þus ouir þe mountey[n]s & ouir þe many watirs
1968
With
slike
a soumme ouir þe see a saute vs to ȝeld,
1969
Or any maistrie to make my maieste
a-gayne
?
1970
For wella wide
ware
þe wele wete þou na nothire,
1971
Bathe
þi glorie & þi grace þi gladnes in erthe,
1972
Miȝt þou þe marches of Messedoyne mayntene þi-selfe,
1973
And gouerne bot þine awen gronde
agaynes
oure will.
1974
For-þi
ware
bettir vnbynde
or
þou
bale
suffire
1975
Remowe
agayne
to þi rewme & rew of þi
werkis
.
1976
For certayne, nyf my seniourie ne I my-selfe nouthire,
1977
All þe werd myȝt a wedowe wele þan be
callid
.
1978
For-þi turne þe be-time
or
any tene worthe,
1979
Or
at
þe
hate
of my hert
apon
þi hede
kindill
.
1980
Lend
agayn
to þi lande nowe quen þou leue hauys,
1981
Þat I mete þe in my malicoly my meth be to
littill
.
1982
For-þi to ken þe to knaw my kyndnes here-eftir,
1983
Bath
my grace & my glori & my grete strenthe,
1984
Loo here a
gloue
full of graynes I
graythe
þe to
take
,
1985
Of þe chesses of a chesboll chosen for þe nanys.
1986
For may þou sowme me
þire
sedis surely þou trowe,
1987
Þou miȝt a-count all oure kniȝtis & oure kyd ostis;
1988
And þou truches
þaim
to tell þen tidis þe na noþir,
1989
Bot move
a-gayn
to Messedone & meve þe na forthire.
1990
Fyne, fole, of þi fare &
fange
to þi kythis;
1991
For þis sede I þe send vnsowmyd bees neuire.
1992
So
ere
we of all folke to be nombrid,
1993
Or
any wee to a-counte vndire þe clere
sternys
.'
1994
Now aires furth his athill men to Alexander wendis,
1995
Vn-to þe streme of struma streȝt
with
þa lettirs,
1996
And he
þam
redis in a rese & reches to þe sedis,
1997
Tastis
þam
vndire his tuthe & talkis
þir
wordis:
1998
'Here I se,' quod þis sire 'be
þire
ilke cornes,
1999
Þat þe pupill out of Persy
ere
passandly many,
2000
Bot
þam
semes
to be softe as
þir
sedis prouys:
2001
For-þi how fele be all þe flote it forces bot
littill
.'
2002
Be þis was men of Messedone
fra
his modire comen,
2003
And said þat
semely
was seke &
semed
to
die
;
2004
And he þe waest of þe werd wald worth hire to visite,
2005
Bot ȝit to Dary,
or
he went he diȝt þus a lettir.
2006
‘Alexsaundere þe athill aire oute [of] grece,
2007
Þe son of Ph[ilip] þe fers & of his faire lady,
2008
Honoured Olimpadas þe
oddest
vndire heuyn,
2009
To þe, ser Dari, on þi dese þis dities I write.
2010
For I am sent, be þe sure many
sere
letters,
2011
And namly now on newe time
fra
myne awen kith,
2012
Out of þe marche of Messadone þat
mekill
me greues,
2013
All oþir wais to wirke & my will likis.
2014
Bot I warne þe,
or
I wynd & will
at
þou knaw,
2015
Þat for na drede I with-draw ne doute of þi pride,
2016
For baisting of þi bobance ne of þi breme wordis,
2017
Bot for to se þat is seke my
semely
modire.
2018
Bot wete þou wele þis, I-wis with-in a
wale
time,
2019
Fra
þat I
fraist
haue þat faire of my fayre lady,
2020
I sall þe
seke
with
a sowme of seggis enarmed,
2021
Ane ost to noy þus to
neuyn
all of new knyȝtis.
2022
And for þe
sake
of þi sede þou sent
with
þi lettre,
2023
Loo, here a purse full of pepire my powere to ken,
2024
To se þi-selfe a similitude how all þi soft grayns
2025
Sall vndire-put be all þe pake vn-to
þir
peper-cornes.'
2026
Þis pistill to Persyns he
with
his pepir
takis
,
2027
Partis prestly
þam
to many proude
giftis
,
2028
And
þai
haue laȝt
þam
þar
leue & þe lettir
fangis
,
2029
And passis on to Persy þe princes to schewe.
2030
Þan Alexander belyue
with
his athill dukis,
2031
Rais him radly to ride & remowis his ost;
2032
Fra
þe streme of struma he streȝtis & still mournes,
2033
And mevis him toward Messedone his modir to visit.
2034
He aires þurȝe Arabie & armed þar he findis
2035
A duke of Darys þe kyng þat drafe him
agayne
,
2036
A pere out of Persy & prince of his ost,
2037
A maister man in þa marches Amont was hatten.
2038
He girdis him
with
a
ging
þe grekis he asailes,
2039
With
Alexander all day asperly feȝtis,
2040
Marres of þe Messedons miȝtfull kniȝtis,
2041
Dingis
doun of þe dukis deris
þam
vn-faire,
2042
Fra
morne to þe
mirke
niȝt maynly þa cocken,
2043
Seȝes doun on aythire side segis out of nounbre.
2044
Begynnys sone in þe gray day as any gleme springis,
2045
And so to sett of þe son sesid
þai
neuire.
2046
Þus thre dais out a thraw
þai
threp
ay
elike
;
2047
So lange, sais me þe lyne lastid þe bataill,
2048
Sike scoures were of blude of schondirhed bernes,
2049
Þat foles ferd in þe
flosches
to þe fetelakis;
2050
Sa
store
& stithe was þe stoure þe story me tellis,
2051
Þat for soroȝe of þe siȝt þe son on þe heuen
2052
Kest
away his clerete & his clippis suffirs,
2053
For
bale
to blische on þe blode
at
on þe bent floȝes.
2054
With
þat oure gomes out of grece gedirs vp
þar
hertis,
2055
Fey fallis in þe fild fele of
þire
othire,
2056
Þe pouwere of Persy in partis many
2057
Seȝes sidlings doun slayn of
þaire
blonkis.
2058
And quen þe duke of ser Darys þa dedis be-haldis,
2059
Amonta þe miȝtfull his men þan he
fangis
,
2060
And vneth limpid him þe lee þe lyne me recordis,
2061
Fra
his faes
with
a fewe þe filde to de-voide.
2062
And
slike
a pas, sais þe prose to Persy he ridis,
2063
Þat ȝit þe selfe sandismen he in þe sale fyndis,
2064
Þat
fra
þe streme of struma were
apon
stedis wysid
2065
Fra
Alexander & his ost
with
his athill pistill.
2066
And ȝit ser dary on his dese þa dities a-visis,
2067
Held þe lettir in his
loue
& at þe ledis
fraynes
,
2068
Quat he said of þe sedis þat he him-selfe sent.
2069
And
þai
swiftly him
sward
& swyth þus him tellis:
2070
'Þe kyng him kaȝt,' quod þe kniȝtis '& on þe cornes bitis,
2071
And wele he
geses
be þe graynes ȝoure gomes
ere
fele,
2072
Bot a thing, he said, he saȝe þat solast him maste,
2073
Þat
ware
bot soft, he suposed for so þe sede proued.'
2074
Þan pullis him vp þe proude kyng & on þe pepire tastis,
2075
Said, as it
tuke
him by þe tonge 'his
tulkis
ere
fewe,
2076
Bot, be his kniȝtis as kene as me þis cornes shewis,
2077
All þe werd war to
waike
his wrothe to with-stand.'
2078
Þe mody man Amonta þan
melis
þir
wordis,
2079
'ȝis, he ledis bot a lite lord,
with
ȝoure lefe;
2080
Þare is bot fewe
at
him foloȝes bot feȝtand bernes,
2081
Bot mare fersere in feld fell neuire of modire.
2082
For I my-selfe
with
a sowme set
þaim
agayns
,
2083
With
of þe Persyns proude a pake out of nounbre,
2084
Felire þan his folke be full fyue thousand,
2085
And ȝit vs fell all to ferre þe fayntir to worthe;
2086
For
þai
haue hedid of oure hathils & a hepe woundid,
2087
Fey falne to þe fold many fers erlis,
2088
Bet doun oure bachelers my banir to-rased,
2089
And a selly somme slayne of my kniȝtis.
2090
Quethire days thre þurȝe-out
thraly
we foȝten,
2091
Derfe
dintis &
dreȝe
delt &
taken
,
2092
And ȝit þe
lawest
at þe last vs limpid to bee,
2093
And vnethis sauyd I my-selfe vnslayn of
þar
handis.
2094
Bot treuly, ser,' quod þe duke 'gret tresore me
thinke
2095
At Alexander þe athill for of all
ware
he maister,
2096
A-vanced
with
þe victore & vengid on his faes,
2097
Was neuire þe heȝare of a hawe his hert full of pride.
2098
For
mekely
ilka modire son his awen men & othire,
2099
Als wele þe pure Persens as þe grete grekis,
2100
All þe douth
at
was dede be-dene he comands
2101
To gedire
þam
vp ilka gome &
þam
in grauys ligg.'
2102
Now Alexander & his ost armed on ridis,
2103
And sone Cecile he
with
his seggis entrid,
2104
Þar
sere
citis of þa sidis to him-selfe sweren,
2105
And saudiours him to sewe seuyntene thousand.
2106
Þan ȝede he ouire in-to ane Ile Yssanna was hatten,
2107
And þat was ȝapely him ȝeuyn & ȝolden be-lyue.
2108
Þan vp he clame to a
cliffe
þat to þe cloudis
semed
,
2109
Þe Tor of Tare to taken þe tretis it
callis
,
2110
Þare fand he tildid on þe top & tild vp a cite,
2111
Þe proud toun of Persopole & to þe place he neȝes.
2112
Þare saȝe he selcuthis
sere
as þe buke sais,
2113
Þe muses of musike & þe
merke
how it was made first.
2114
Þan aires he in-to Asie &
ai
as he fonndis,
2115
All þe citis of þa sidis he sesis
þam
clene,
2116
So fares he furth to Frigie a-noþire faire Ile,
2117
And ane þar of his ald gods he honourd in a temple.
2118
Þan ferd he furth to a Flum was fyue cubetis brad,
2119
Scamandra þe
slire
flode þe scriptour it
callis
.
2120
'Now
happy
be ȝee,' quod þe hathill 'all in hert beris
2121
Þe honouris of þat
odd
clerke Homore þe grete.'
2122
'
Mekill
dere,' quod ane Doctoneus 'of ȝow I deme sall,
2123
And he of þe
takyng
of Troi tald all his lyue.'
2124
'
Nay
, I wald more worth,' quod þe [wee] 'a wyse man disc[i]ple,
2125
Þan þe honour þat Acheles aȝt all his time.'
2126
Þan moves he him to Messedone
with
his mony princes,
2127
Amendid of hire malidy his modire he fyndis,
2128
A
litill
dais
with
hire lengis & of hire lyfe ioyes,
2129
And
graythes
him þan
with
his
gere
&
a-gayn
fondis.
2130
He passes on to-ward Persy & piȝt doun his tentis
2131
Besyd a burȝe
at
þe buke Abandra men
callis
.
2132
Þai
fall on freschly þe folke of þe cite,
2133
And barris bremely at a burȝe þe foure brad ȝatis.
2134
Þan
takis
þe kyng his kniȝtis vmlapis þe wallis,
2135
Settis
vp-on
a saute on sidis enoȝe;
2136
Bot, for þe cite was vnsure þe seggis within
2137
Miȝt noȝt þe
braidis
a-bide of bernes enarmed.
2138
Þan cries all to þe kyng 'ser conquirour,'
þai
said:
2139
'Ne steke we noȝt oure stiff ȝatis ȝour strenthe to defend,
2140
Bot for dred of ser Dary þe
derfe
Emperoure,
2141
Lest, had we haldit to ȝour heste he had vs eft wastid.'
2142
'ȝa, werpis
þam
vp,' quod þe wee '& wyde open settis,
2143
If
at
ȝe shap ȝow to
shount
vnschent of oure handis.
2144
For quen I done haue
with
Dary & my dede fenyschid,
2145
Þan sall I tell ȝow my tale how it sall tide eftir.'
2146
So baiste
þam
þe bald kyng
with
his breme wordis,
2147
Þat
þai
vnȝarked him þe ȝatis & ȝald him þe keys.
2148
Þe burȝe þus of abrandra he
with
his men
takis
,
2149
To
take
& leue quat him list & lendis on forthire.
2150
Þen wyndis he to A wath toun was Wyothy hatten,
2151
And come so to Caldipol anoþir kid cite,
2152
So to þe watir of wintir as it þe writte
callis
.
2153
Þare
nere
was fey for defaute enfamyschist his ost,
2154
Kniȝtis
kest
vp a crie & kenely
þam
menes:
2155
‘Loo, oure foles
ere
in fere fodeles to
dye
;'
2156
Þai
pleyne more þe pouirte & þe pite of
þar
horsis
2157
Þan þe soroȝe of
þam
-selfe by þe seuynt parte.
2158
'Quat ailes ȝow?' quod Alexander to his athill dukis,
2159
'Mi barons & my baratorus þe
biggest
in erth,
2160
Þat has þe angwisch of armes
ay
to now suffird;
2161
Quethire euire ȝoure hertis, I hope for horsys abatis?
2162
May vs noȝt limp,
if
any life lenge in oure brestis,
2163
To couer be cas at a cleke courseris a thousand?
2164
And vs demed be þe dome to
die
of þe werd,
2165
Þan standis in stede noȝt of a stra all þe
store
stedis.
2166
For-þi I rede,' quod þe
renke
'we ride on forthire,
2167
And pas to sum othire place þare plente is in,
2168
Þat we may
fange
at þe full þe fude
at
vs
wantis
,
2168*
And
bath
our folk & owr folez fyll
þaire
wambes.'
2169
Þan prekis he furth
with
his princes to
slike
a playn wendis,
2170
Luctus it hiȝt, þe letterure & þe line þus it
callis
;
2171
Þare his forrayouris fand þe fulth of vitaill,
2172
Bathe
to berne & to blonk bide quen him likid.
2173
When he was full þare & fedd he
flittis
with
his ost,
2174
To Tergarontes he teȝe þare tiȝt was a mynstre;
2175
He piȝt doun his pauilion & passis to þe temple,
2176
Sire Appoline to adoure & othire ald goddis,
2177
To offire in þat oritorie
with
honour he wyndis,
2178
And sum of
þam
at
spire how he spede suld.
2179
Bot sone ane ȝacora him said a
semely
summe,
2180
Þan was nan honour of answaringis bot on an-oþere bide.
2181
Þan dose him furth þe dere king &, on þe day eftire,
2182
He seȝis to þe Synagog & sacrif[is]e makis,
2183
And Appoline als beliue him aykewordly
swaris
,
2184
'Sire Ercules þe Emperoure' he euire in ane
callis
.
2185
Þan Alexander all in ire
angrily
spekis:
2186
'Now fynd I wele,' quod þe freke 'þat fals
ere
þi wordis,
2187
Now þou
neuyns
me a new name
at
I neuire hiȝt;
2188
And þou a god,' quod þe gome 'þat is grete ioye!'
2189
Þan
sekis
he furth
with
a somme & to A cite wyndis,
2190
Þe toun Thebea þe tretis it
callis
,
2191
And þare he biddis all þe burȝe þat foure bald kniȝtis
2192
Suld be lett
with
him lend &
lenge
in his weris.
2193
Þen tened þe Thebees folke & tynd to þe ȝatis,
2194
And to with-stand his strenthe steȝid to þe wallis,
2195
Bad him bow on be-lyue & bide þare na laingire;
2196
For
if
he did, withouten dome þe deth
þai
him hiȝt.
2197
Þan
fangis
him vp þe fell kyng a fuyll feyned laȝtir,
2198
Said, 'ȝe of Tebet
ere
tried þe
tethiest
on erth,
2199
Of all þe seggis vndir son þat citizens hatt;
2200
Mast hiȝe ȝe
ere
hersid & herid of ȝoure strenthe.
2201
And nowe sa ȝape men as ȝe þe ȝatis hase stoken,
2202
And me & þe pruddest of my princes proferne vs werre;
2203
And
at
ȝe so
will
, I-wis wondire me
thinke
,
2204
For þus wald neuer
at
ȝe wroȝt þe wirscip of armes.
2205
It contraries kniȝthede ȝe knaw wele ȝour-selfe,
2206
To any
wiȝt
werriours in wallis
þam
to close.
2207
For he þat kid is & kene & couettis a name,
2208
Will feȝt fersely in fild his famen
agayns
.'
2209
Þan Alexander be-liue all a-boute þe cite,
2210
Makis foure thousand
with
flanes & bowis,
2211
Biddis
þam
to bend vp
brathly
with
arowis
2212
To wonde þe wees with-in þat on þe wallis houys.
2213
And twa thousand be tale he
titely
comaundis,
2214
Of wele
buskid
bernns in
brenys
& platis,
2215
All þe sidis of þe cite þat sechus had
biggid
,
2216
And Amphion, an athill kempe onane to distruy.
2217
A full thousand he
fangid
to fire þe foure ȝatis,
2218
And thre thousand of
thra
men to thraw
with
engynes.
2219
Him-selfe of slingis &
slike
a-semblis a me[n]ȝe,
2220
To heede & help of his hyne
if
any harme lympid.
2221
Now
ere
his seggis all sett & þe saute neȝis,
2222
Were wakens be-twene werbild in trompis;
2223
Oure pepill
with
payns pressis to without,
2224
Halis
vp hemp cordis hurled out
arowis
;
2225
Othire athils of armes Albastis bendis,
2226
Quirys
out quarrels quappid thurȝe mayles.
2227
Sum
with
gunnes
of þe grekis girdis vp stanes,
2228
To tene þe Tebis folke þat on þe touris feȝtis;
2229
Sum braide ouir þe barrers in blasand wede,
2230
And faire
fest
on a fire all þe foure ȝatis;
2231
All þe burȝe at a
braide
was on a
bale
kyndild
,
2232
And þa þat sounde
ware
vnslayn als sottes
þam
ȝeldis.
2233
Þan with-out in oure ost as þe buke tellis,
2234
A Sire,
at
Sicistrus was
callid
be name,
2235
A meri man, a Messangere þat maynly was ioyd
2236
To se þe cite be sa sone sindid to brandis.
2237
Anothre hathill vndire hand þat Hismon was
callid
,
2238
Ane a maistre of musike a man of þe cite,
2239
Aires to ser Alexander & in his hert wepis,
2240
As qua sai, 'prince, of oure place sum pete þou haue.'
2241
Þan lokis þe lord to þe lede said, ‘lettrid berne,
2242
Quare-to feynys þou þis fare for-with myne eȝen?'
2243
'Sire conquirour,' quod þe clerke 'ȝoure corage to bend,
2244
And in
ridding
of oure riche toun ȝour
reuth
for to
call
.'
2245
Þan was þe
wale
kyng wrath &
wiȝtly
comaundis
2246
To bete in-to þe bare erth all þe burȝe-walles;
2247
And quen all
kynd
was on colis &
kast
a-pon
hepis,
2248
Þan airis he on
with
his ost mare honour to wynn.
2249
A Ientill man full ioyles iournais him eftir,
2250
Foloȝes
þare
fare
ai
on fote as
þai
ride,
2251
A sege
at
of þe
same
toun sire was & maistre,
2252
Ane
callid
was Cletomacus to crie eftir socure,
2253
His ledis
at
left
ware
o-lyue a lite of þe cite.
2254
Þan askid
at
sire Appoline al
with
a steuen,
2255
'
If
euire it worthe sall to wee quen þe werd stand,
2256
Oure bu[r]ȝe
agayn
for to
bigg
þat
bretted
is to noȝt?'
2257
Þan gales
þaire
god
a-gayn
& þus spekis:
2258
'Þe
tulke
þat tilld ȝour toun sall tield vp & rere,
2259
Sall thre times haue þe
thra
of sum
threuyn
gome
2260
Of were ore of wristilling for þus has wirid shapen.
2261
And quen þat wirschip is won within a
wale
time,
2262
Þan sall he sett vp him-selfe þe cite as be-forne.'
2263
Þus answars
þam
þaire
ald gode & osses on þis wyse,
2264
And
þai
als fayne, all þe flote as fowell of þe day.
2265
Þan aires on ser Alexander
with
his athill princes,
2266
To þe castell of Corynthi he comes
with
his ost,
2267
With
þe Pers of þa partese to play on þe toures,
2268
As all þe sires of þa sidis him-selfe had required.
2269
Þe multitude
ware
sa miche of men for to reken,
2270
Þat þare was sembild & sett þat siȝt to be-hald.
2271
Quod Alexander bilyue to all
at
þare stode,
2272
'Quat gome sall þis gammen begin
apon
first?'
2273
Þan comes forth Cletomacus & to þe kyng
swaris
,
2274
Þe
tulke
out of Thebie I tald ȝow be-forne,
2275
'
If
it ȝoure
mekill
maieste miȝt any thinge plese,
2276
I wald to wacken ȝoure welth now wirstill a turne.'
2277
Þan mas þe prince him a place & prestly him matches,
2278
And he him girdes to þe grounde & þe gree wynnes.
2279
'Now faithly,' quod þe fell kyng 'fall þe so thrise,
2280
Þou sall be
crouned
,
or
I
caire
for kiddest of þe gamen.'
2281
Þan ȝede he eftsones to & his euen
kastis
,
2282
Thringis to þe thrid time & þe
thra
wynnys.
2283
And þan comandis him þe kyng a coroune on hede,
2284
As for þe prise of þe play putfull of stanes;
2285
Þan bad him beddels belyue: '
breue
vs þi name.'
2286
'Sirres, by my sothe,' quod þe segge 'Sitiles I hiȝt.'
2287
'Qwi so, my worthe werstillare?' þe
wale
kyng said,
2288
'How tidis it þe & tou[n]les þi toname is
callid
?'
2289
'Mi louely lorde,' quod þe lede &
law
him declines,
2290
'Be-for ȝe come
slike
a kyng & þe
croune
werrid,
2291
I had a cite my-selfe & seggis I-nowe;
2292
And sethen ȝe aȝt þis enpire I am it all priued.'
2293
Þan trowid trewly þe kyng þat Theby he menyd,
2294
And beddels & bailyfs he bad on brad crie,
2295
Be-fore his pupill apert þe powere him grauntis
2296
To sett his cite vp
agayn
& of him-selfe halden.
2297
Þan passis he to a proude toun Platea was hatten,
2298
Þare was stiȝtild ane Strasageras þat was a stiffe prince,
2299
Duse him in
with
his dukis to Dyanaas temple,
2300
And fand a pure prophetas aparaild in vailes.
2301
And
scho
, as sone as
scho
him saȝe said him
þir
wordis:
2302
'
Welcom
we,
at
all þe werd sall wyn
with
þi handis.'
2303
Þe secund day before þe son he at þe cite wildid,
2304
In-to þe temple he turned
tythandis
to herken;
2305
'Quat
ware
þi will, ser, to wete?' þe woman
frayned
;
2306
'Þou lesis all þi lordschip within a lite dais.'
2307
'Quat, & has þou ossed to Alexander þis ayndain wirdes,
2308
And me þus
ill
? vn-ably þine abet þou weris.'
2309
Nay
, tene ȝow noȝt, for treuly þus tide bose it nede.'
2310
And so it worthid, for in a wrath þe
wale
kyng swyth
2311
Him of his principalete priued & þan þe prince fondis
2312
Onane to Athenas & on þe athill playntes;
2313
And
þai
said, soure suld him sowe bot he þe cite ȝeld.
2314
And Alexander
with
his ostes aires on forthire,
2315
Ateynes him to-ward þe termes & of
þar
tene heres,
2316
And
slike
a word he
þaim
wayues
be writ
fra
him-self.
2317
And qua so will has to wete how it worthid eftir,
2318
Here sall I tell
þam
at loues to here forthire.
2319
'I Alexander, þe aire & eldest childe hatten
2320
Of kyng Philip þe fers þat
fest
am in grece,
2321
And of þe quene Olimpades þe
oddest
vnder heuen,
2322
To all ȝow of Athenes þus
etill
I my saȝes.
2323
Fra
þat my fadere was fey & farne out o lyue,
2324
And I was sett in his sege
with
septour to regne,
2325
Sethen went I
with
my werriours in-to þe west endes,
2326
And
ay
with-out any armes
þaim
all at anys ȝolden,
2327
All Europe to myn enpire enterely
þaim
geuyn
,
2328
Euyn to þe Occiane out of ald Rome.
2329
Qua þat vs rekinly resayues na riddour
þai
tholid,
2330
And all
at
othire wais wroȝt we wast
þam
for euire.
2331
And now
fra
þe marche of Messedone I meued
opon
late
2332
Þurȝe þe anglis here of Afle
with
myne athill dukis,
2333
And so þe Thebies
þam
tiȝt þe toun to defende,
2334
And I
þar
pompe &
þaire
pride to poudire declined.
2335
To ȝow now write I on þis wise þat, wald ȝe me send
2336
Ten fyne Philisofours to fand
with
my wittes,
2337
ȝoure burȝes ne ȝour briȝt bees bidd I þan nothire,
2338
Bot
at
ȝe knaw me for kyng &
call
me ȝour lord.
2339
For & ȝe
nyk
now to myn empire ȝour nekis for to bowe,
2340
Þan bos ȝow
bigger
to be þen all my bald princes,
2341
Or
laite
anothire ladis-man a-losed mare of strenth
2342
Þan I my-selfe or my seggis be þe seuent dele.'
2343
Þire
athils of Atenes
þire
augard clerkis
2344
Þan reuerenst
þai
þe riche seele & red ouer þe pistill,
2345
Syne
kest
vp a crie
with
a kene voice at anys,
2346
Sum in comendinge of his
carpe
& sum clene it spitid.
2347
A Filisphire þan on first before þe folke risis,
2348
Ane Eschilus in erde & ernstly he spekis,
2349
Þe douth & all diuinours be-dene he comaundis,
2350
Þat
þai
suld corde be na cas vn-to þe kingis hestis.
2351
With
þat all
samen
on a
sopp
semblis þe pupill,
2352
A doctour, ane Domystyne
þai
derely
beseke
2353
To consaile
þaim
als in þe cause & ken
þam
þe best.
2354
And he rekinly rase & rekyns
þire
wordis:
2355
'I
be-seke
ȝow now, my citiȝens
if
þat ȝe safe vouche,
2356
Bot sobirly a sete quile my saȝes for to here.
2357
Sirs,
if
ȝe fele ȝow so fers his force to with-stand,
2358
Aires
agaynes
him
with
armes admitts noȝt his saȝes.
2359
And
if
ȝe fynde ȝe be to faynt fulfillis his will,
2360
Vn-to his
mekill
maieste
mekely
ȝow bowe.
2361
For Sexes in sum time surmountid all kyngis,
2362
ȝit liȝt he
law
at þe last for all his lethire prid.
2363
Bot Alexander
with
his armee in alkin rewmys
2364
Has
happend
ȝit
ai
hedire-to þe herre of his faes;
2365
Vnnombirable
ere
þe notis to
neuen
of his weres,
2366
And ȝit betid neuir þe time þat euire
tuke
he schame.
2367
Ware
noȝt þe
tulkis
out of Tire þe tidiest on erth,
2368
Þe kiddest kniȝtis to a-count vnder þe cape of heuen,
2369
Quat
bathe
for corage & kene &
connyng
in armes?
2370
Loke quare it profet
þam
a peese all
þaire
proud strenth.
2371
Was noȝt þe Thebes þar-to þe
threyest
of othire,
2372
Þe worthiest wees of þe werd & of witt clerest,
2373
Fra
þat
þaire
cites
ware
sett þe sotelest of weres?
2374
Quat seruyd all
þai
sapient or
sleȝt
of batall?
2375
Of Poliponenses þe pupill
with
þis prince foȝten,
2376
And þat
þam
lethirly con like by þe lattir ende,
2377
For þar þe kyng of
þaire
kythe was
killid
doun & heded,
2378
His
renkis
raymed all þe route & all þe rewme ȝolden.
2379
Wate ȝe noȝt wele þurȝe all þe werd how wirdis
with
him cheues?
2380
Hase he noȝt cites butt saute sesyd out of nounbre?
2381
And for Strasagirs þe strang he of his strenth priued,
2382
ȝe meue al þus malicoly his maieste
a-gayne
.
2383
Þare do ȝe noȝt ȝour deuire þat
dare
I wele proue,
2384
It was þe gilt all of þe gome & noȝt of þe gud lord.
2385
Ne had he trispast him to I
take
it on my trouthe,
2386
Had neuire his cite ne his soile be sesid
fra
him nouthire.
2387
For þe auaunt ser Alexander is all þe werd famyd
2388
For ane of þe curtast kyng þat euir
croune
werid,
2389
And wete ȝe wele at
slik
a we
at
is wyse halden,
2390
He wald neuire suprise no sege vndir heuen.'
2391
With
þat all of Atenenys þis aunceant maistir,
2392
And clene all þe clergy comensure & othire,
2393
Þis diuinour Domestyne bedene
þai
comendid,
2394
A-cordis
þaim
to his consaile & kendly it prased.
2395
Þan amed
þai
to ser Alexander onane for to send
2396
A
croune
all of clere gold clustrid
with
gemmes,
2397
Of fyfty ponde
with
þe payse as þe prose tellis,
2398
Þis tresoure tire
þai
him to & tribute him
hetes
.
2399
Now
ere
þe sandismen sett on
þaire
horsis,
2400
A Ientill man þat Iowell enioyned was to kepe,
2401
Þat was full sekirly & soft all in
silke
falden;
2402
Bot clerkis to þe conquirour
caired
with
þaim
many.
2403
Þan movis furth þe messagere of mylis bot fewe,
2404
Þat
þai
nere liȝt as belyue at þe kyngis tentis,
2405
Knelid doun befor þe kyng & him þe
croune
rechid,
2406
And ȝerely tribute him to
geue
ȝapely him
hetis
.
2407
Þan
takis
þe gudman þe
gifte
& gretly
þam
thankis,
2408
And vndirstandis in a stound how it stude clene,
2409
Of þe
eging
of Eschilus þat ertid his feris,
2410
Þat
þai
with-sitt suld his saȝes & serue noȝt his pistill.
2411
Þe dities of Domestiane so did he
bathe
,
2412
Þat comaundid & his comandmentis to kepe in all wyse,
2413
ȝit neuire-þe-lattir to þa ledis a lettir he fourmed,
2414
In presidine
with
his awen prince reportand þa wordis:
2415
'I, kyng Philip son þe fers & his faire ladis,
2416
Honoured Olimpades þat I obesche maste,
2417
I kepe neuire king to be
callid
ne cache me þat name,
2418
Till
all þe barbarine blude a-bowe to þe grekis.
2419
I
etill
neuir Athenes
with
armes for to entre,
2420
Bot ȝow to question enquere & qwete
with
my wittis.
2421
I purpose
ay
out of repreue ȝoure persons to leue,
2422
And ȝe þe contrari clene ȝoure concience it opence.
2423
Bot quilk as first of ȝow foundis a fote vs
agayne
,
2424
Sall neuir deuoide my dedeyne ne my
derfe
ire.
2425
And ȝe
at
wickid
ere
within
ay
wickidly ȝe
thinke
;
2426
For as þe grayne is in þe grape growis þe frutis.
2427
Þe Tebies
tulkid
vs
with
tene a-tired
þam
in armes,
2428
ȝit
rad
for all
þaire
rebelte resayued
þai
þaire
medis.
2429
And for Strasagera þe stoute ȝe stithli me blamed,
2430
Þare as he gilt me
agayns
& I him gradid haue,
2431
I wrate to ȝow me to
wayue
be ten wyse clerkis;
2432
ȝe
kest
out comaundmentis ȝe knew noȝt my strenth.
2433
I miȝt a-coupe of þat cause
if
I it kythe wald;
2434
Bot I
for-geue
ȝow all þe gilt & greues me na mare.
2435
For-þi bees glad now, all þe
gingis
ȝe sall na gref haue,
2436
Þe diuinour domestyne for ȝe his domes held.'
2437
Fra
þai
consayued had þe clause & construed þe lettir,
2438
Þai
ware
þe meriest modirsons on morne miȝt ryse.
2439
Now fonndis furth þe fell kyng &
flittis
with
his ostes,
2440
Lendis him to Lacedoyne a
litill
fra
þe cite,
2441
With-out þe burȝe on a
banke
he bildis his tentis,
2442
And þare him-selfe
with
a somme in a sege le[n]gis.
2443
Þe ledis out of Lacedone belyue
þam
asemble,
2444
Said, 'bow we neuir to his bode for
bale
apon
erth,
2445
Ne lat vs neuir be sa lethire
at
we
like
worthe
2446
To
þam
of Ateynes it is oure opyn schame;
2447
For
þai
ware
baist of his
bost
bredid for noȝt;
2448
Bot be we kniȝtly & kene oure corage to schew.'
2449
With
þat
þai
ȝarkid to þe ȝatis & ȝode to þe wallis,
2450
Sum in Iopons, sum in Iesserantis sum Ioyned all in platis.
2451
A
grayne
of þe grete see
þaim
aboute glidis;
2452
For-þi
buskis
þam
þe burgh a bataill with-out,
2453
Preses furth at posternes in-to þe porte wyndis,
2454
Schalkis scott into shipis all in shire mailes;
2455
Archars
with
arows
with
attrid barbis,
2456
Gais
þam
in-to galays &
grathis
þam
be-forne.
2457
Bowes bernes in-to bargis
with
basinettis on heued,
2458
Sparrethis
spetous to
spend
& speris in handis,
2459
Þai
crosse
ouir toward þe kynge as kyndmen suld,
2460
With
as feyle on þe flode as foȝten with-in.
2461
Þe lord him lokis on þe ledis & a
litill
smyles
,
2462
And sent twa vndir his seele
þir
saȝes in a pistill.
2463
'I, Philip son þe fell kyng as I first sayd,
2464
And als of Olimpades I anely ȝow rede,
2465
Þat þe end of ȝoure eldirs enterely ȝe be-hald,
2466
And roomes noȝt at þe ray[n]bowe þat reche ȝe ne may,
2467
And þe powere of þe Persens so truly ȝe
traist
.
2468
Lat se now,
getis
ȝow a name &
naytis
ȝour stre[n]the;
2469
Bot bowis first
fra
ȝour bargis & blythly
þaim
wayfe
,
2470
For,
fest
I all on a fire þe foly is ȝoure awen.'
2471
Ledis out of Lacedone quen
þai
þe lettir redd,
2472
Were drery, bot for all þe dole þa diȝt
þaim
to fiȝt.
2473
With
þat þe kyng & his kniȝtis vm-clappis þe cite,
2474
Settis all þe gailis on gledis & girdis doun þe wallis;
2475
Þe citizens & seriantis
at
vneslayne
ware
2476
Bowis
þam
to þis baratour bodis & lyuys.
2477
'ȝe knaw wele,' quod þe conquirour 'my comyng was esye;
2478
Bot for ȝe
fangid
me noȝt faire fired is ȝour schippis,
2479
ȝour burȝe is
bretind
& ȝour bernes I bed ȝow my-selfe,
2480
ȝe suld noȝt stody ne
stem
þe
sternes
for to handill.
2481
For he þat steppis on a
stee
quen þe staues failis,
2482
Þan fautis him
festing
to his fete & fall him be-houes;
2483
So, riȝt as Sexis was slayn sum time
with
ȝour eldirs,
2484
So
ettild
ȝe ser Alexander bot þare ȝoure ame failes.'
2485
Quen he þis saȝe had
þam
said þe cite he
þam
grauntid,
2486
Fondis furth
with
his folke
þar
fraunches
þam
leues.
2487
Þis souerayn
with
his seggis þurȝe Sycile he wyndis,
2488
Þoȝt to ride & to rayme þe regions of barbres.
2489
Þan was ser Darius dred & sembled
derf
ostis,
2490
His kniȝtis, his consaill &
carpis
þire
wordis,
2491
Said: 'lo! my seris, now may se ȝour-selfe
with
ȝour eȝen,
2492
How Alexander in his armes all-way encreses,
2493
In valour & in victori & vertues so noble;
2494
Þare as I thret him as a thefe thedis to dispoyle,
2495
Now werrays he full worthily as
wiȝt
man suld,
2496
Constreynes
with
his contenance kniȝtis to him bow.
2497
Þe mare I spek him dispite & in my speche hindire,
2498
Þe hiȝere I here him enhansed & hersude his name.
2499
A ball & a
herne
pan I to þe
barne
sent,
2500
For burde & for bobance þe bab
with
to play.
2501
Him þat I countid bot a knaue may now be
cald
maistir;
2502
For quare he fondis on fold dame fortune him foloȝe[s].
2503
For-þi vs haue bos in hert þe hele of oure pupill,
2504
And for na pompe ne na pride his person dispice,
2505
For his lose, for all his
litillaike
is loued þurȝe be werd.
2506
And þe mare I
myn
oure maieste þe mare it abatis,
2507
Þe grace of þe grete god I
ges
, will him help,
2508
Of prise þe hiȝe prouynce vn-to þis prince leues.
2509
Quen we hope althire-hiȝest to hery him
with
armes,
2510
Þan am I
redd
all oure rewme be reft vs for euire.'
2511
Sone as ser Dary
till
his dukis deuysid had
þir
wordis,
2512
Þan answars him ane Oriathire ane of his awen
brethire
,
2513
'Þou has þis gome out of grece so gretly e[n]hansid,
2514
Þat we Elanda suld leue & he þis landis entre.
2515
Bot wald ȝour maieste þe maners of þis man sewe,
2516
ȝe miȝt ȝoure rewme haue in ryst & othire rewmes wyn.
2517
For Alexander all-ways or any of his erles,
2518
Naytis
him-selfe in ilke nede & so his name rysis.'
2519
'Quat sall I
take
of him my temes
tittire
þan he myne?'
2520
'Sire, on my perell,' quod a prince 'he passes all othire;
2521
Þe wee wirkis all be witt he worthis þe bettir;
2522
For-þi of þe lion, as I leue laȝt is his
birthe
.'
2523
'Quat knawis þou þat?' quod þe kyng & þen þe kniȝt
swaris
:
2524
'Sire, I was sent on a sand my-sell on a time,
2525
To Philip his fadere to feche oure trouage;
2526
Þare had I siȝt of þe segg his sapient I herde.
2527
For-þi plese it to ȝour person ȝoure princes a-sembles,
2528
Of Mede of Mesopotane þe men of Itaile,
2529
Þe pupill of Appolomados þe panthis folke,
2530
And ma þat houes to ȝour hest a
hundreth
& fifti.
2531
Lat vs gedire þus oure gomes oure gods will vs help;
2532
And quen he sesse vs sike a sowme sare will he drede.
2533
ȝa, bot a wolfe, quod a wee will were many flokkis,
2534
And so þe grace of þe grekis ouire-gos þe barbers.'
2535
Be þis ser Ph[ilip] son þe fers of feȝtand folk
2536
Had semblid ane
vnsene
sowme as þe buke sais,
2537
Twa C. Mille in thede all of
threuen
kniȝtis.
2538
Ridis furth in aray removis his tentis;
2538*
And thoght to loge þar & rest & ease hym þat nyght.
2539
Vn-to a watere he wendis as þe buke tellis,
2540
Þat
with
þa marchesmen Mocian was hatten;
2541
It was clerire þan cristall & cole as a chill;
2542
Þare-in couet oure kyng his cors for to bathe.
2543
With
þat þan
wan
of his wede & weschid him all ouire,
2544
Quare-þurȝe he hent
slike
a harme
at
hatirly
him greued.
2545
Þis chele eftir chaufing enchafis so his
hernes
,
2546
Þat he was fallen in a feuire
or
he first wend.
2547
Þan mourned all þe Messedons as meruaill
ware
ellis.
2548
Þai
saȝe him so to be seke said ilkane to othire:
2549
'Be þis disese to ser Darie & his dukis knawen,
2550
He sall vs sett on a-saute & surely en[c]oumbre.'
2551
If
þai
were sary & so na selly me
thingke
,
2552
For
ay
þe hele of þe hede helpis all þe menbris.
2553
Þan
callis
to him þe conquirour a clerke of his awen,
2554
Ane Philip, his fesisiane his fare to behald;
2555
Of al manere of medcyne man þat maste couthe,
2556
A ȝonge berdles
barne
as þe buke tellis,
2557
Said: '
lat
liȝtly my lord for in a
litill
stonde
2558
My-self
with
a serop sall saue ȝow be-lyue.'
2559
Þan permeon þe proude a prince of his ost,
2560
Þat held þe erth of Ermonye & enmyte hadd
2561
Vn-to þis clerke of þe kyngis & be no cause els
2562
Bot for þe lede was loued &
with
þe lord chereschest;
2563
Þan ames he to ser Alexander on ane
slike
a pistill:
2564
'Kepis ȝow,' quod he, 'conquirour & caches noȝt his drenke;
2565
For Darius eftir his deth his doȝter has him hiȝt,
2566
And ȝow to
sla
be som
sleȝt
to sese him his landis.'
2567
ȝit was þe berne noȝt a bene baist of his wordis,
2568
He asurid him so sadly þe serep he
takis
,
2569
Þe licor in his awen
looue
þe lettir in þe tothire,
2570
And into Phili[pi]s face fast he behaldis.
2571
He bad him dred neuire a dele & it drink swyth,
2572
And þan þe pistill of þe prince he put him in hand.
2573
Þe leche lokid ouire þe lynes 'my lordinge,' he said,
2574
'I am noȝt gilty of þis gile be all þe grete gods!'
2575
As fast was he fysch-hale & Philip he
callis
,
2576
Halsis him full hertly & of his hele thankis,
2577
Said, 'wele knew þou my kynd lufe þi concience,
2578
First suposid I of þi serop syne sesid þe þe lettir.'
2579
'Mi louely lord, be ȝour leue lattes him a-pere,
2580
Þe
tulk
at
sike a trayne has touchid to my-selfe.'
2581
Þan eftir ser Permes his prince prestly he sendis,
2582
And þare þe trechoure was
tane
& for his trayne hedid.
2583
Þan mouys he furth
with
his men & Medy he wynnys
2584
Enterly to his empire & Ermonye þe mare.
2585
Till
a dissert þan he drafe was dry & na watere,
2586
Þurȝe Adriac
till
Eufraten & ames þare his tentis,
2587
And mas a brig ouire þe
bourne
of Barges
with
cheynes;
2588
Comandis his kniȝtis ouire to
caire
& þar
þai
vncachid hertis.
2589
Þai
saȝe þe streme so stife it stonaid
þam
all,
2590
For ferd þe
festing
suld faile &
þai
in þe flode
droune
.
2591
Þan mas he
laddis
ouire to lend & lokars of bestis,
2592
And monestis
þam
ilk modire-son him maynly to tell.
2593
ȝit was his baratours a-baist & þen þe berne writhis,
2594
Fandis him first on be-fore & all foloȝes eftir.
2595
Þan passid þare out of Paradese twa proude Flummes,
2596
Þurȝe Medy & Messopotane
þai
move, as I fynd,
2597
And so to Babilon
þai
bowe ane is þe
bourne
of Tygre,
2598
Þe tothire is Eufrates full euen &
rynnes
so to Sylus.
2599
Þan cutis þe kyng in to þe cablis & to his kniȝtis sais:
2600
'Lo!
þof
vs fall now to flee we may na ferryre wend;
2601
Þare I rede,' quod be kyng 'oure bakis neuir to turne,
2602
And
if
we did, with-outen dome to
die
all at anes;
2603
For he þat folowid has
ai
þe floure & he
at
fled neuire.
2604
Bees liȝt & laches ȝow a lose it is a lord gamen.
2605
For I make a-vow
at
Messedone we sall na mare see,
2606
Till
all þe barbres vs bow þan may we blith turne.'
2607
Now has ser Darie þe
derfe
of dukis & princes
2608
Heued vp a hoge ost & fyue
hundreth
kniȝtis
2609
Ere
chosen to chiftans & chargid
þaim
to lede;
2610
Trottis him on to Tigre & þare his tentis settis;
2611
Þan mett
þai
on þe oþire morne
with
a
mekill
nombre,
2612
Sire Alexander þe hathill armed on blonkis.
2613
Þe multitude
ware
to me meruaile to reken,
2614
Þat sammed was on aiþir side many sadd thousand.
2615
Now
ere
þe baners out-bred & þe
bate
neȝis,
2616
Blew bemys of bras
buskis
to-gedire,
2617
Þe crie of þe clarions þe cloudis it persyd;
2618
For þe dewt of þe dyn daunced stedis.
2619
Bathe
þe twa batails bremely assemblis,
2620
And aithire segg
with
his sowme soȝt vn-to othire.
2621
Kniȝtis on cursours
kest
þan in fewtire,
2622
Taches in-to targetis tamed
þaire
brenys
.
2623
Þare was stomling of stedis sticking of erles,
2624
Sharpe schudering of schote schering of mailes,
2625
So stalworthly within a stond sterid
þaim
þe grekis,
2626
Þat of þe barb[r]yne blod all þe fild flowis.
2627
Sone as ser Darie þe deth of his douth sees,
2628
Þe pite of þe Persens him prickis in his saule,
2629
Sees his meneȝe so mynesch & his men
fangid
,
2630
A few þat fresch
ware
vndefoulid & to þe fliȝt tournes.
2631
ȝit was ane of his os, ane
odd
man of strenth,
2632
A burly berne & a bald as þe buke tellis,
2633
A segg
at
he ensurid had to sese him his doȝtir,
2634
If
he miȝt
sla
with
any
sleȝt
þe seniour of grece.
2635
He cled him all in clene stele a conyschaunce ouire,
2636
Þat made was &
merkid
on messedone armes,
2637
Aires him to ser Alexander in all-þir-mast puple,
2638
As he a hathill
ware
of his behind him he stelis,
2639
A briȝt
brynnand
brand he braidis out of shethe,
2640
And þurȝe-out þe helme into þe hede he hurt him a
littill
.
2641
And þe kniȝtis of oure cost as
þai
þe cas saȝe,
2642
Þan
fange
þai
þis ilk freke & be-fore þe kyng bryngis.
2643
'Quat now? my worthi werreours?' þe
wale
kyng said,
2644
He wend wele
at
he
ware
a wee of his awen,
2645
'Qui has þou brest so my brayn &
with
a brand wondid
2646
ȝour sekire seruant in
same
all were I sire
callid
,
2647
All
ware
I halden as for hede ȝour helpere at nede?'
2648
'
Nay
, hope ȝe neuire,' quod þe hathil 'ser hiȝe emperoure,
2649
Me any Messedone to be þou ames of þine awen,
2650
Bot of cruell kind comen of barbres.
2651
And þis I did for ser Darius his doȝtir me hiȝt,
2652
And cordid on þis condicion to couple hire to wyfe,
2653
And he went out of þe werd to wild all his regne,
2654
To hew þi hede
fra
þi hals & anys it him shewe.'
2655
Þan
callis
oure kyng him his kniȝtis
þaire
consaile to
frayn
,
2656
'Quat sall be done him for þis dede?' &
þai
bedene
sware
,
2657
Sum,
at
he
hangid
suld be hiȝe sum þe hede priued,
2658
Sum bedis in a
bale
-fire
brin
him to poudire.
2659
'Quat has he fauted?' quod þe frek '
þof
he him forced haue
2660
Þe charges of his chiftan chefely to fill?
2661
He þat him demes to þe dede he dampnes him-selfe,
2662
And diȝtis him his awen dome & þat dare I proue.
2663
For demed I any of my douth ser darye to spill,
2664
As ȝe þis gentill man enioyne suld him be iugid þen.'
2665
He latis þe Persyn in pesse pas
with
his hele,
2666
Mekill
for his
mayn
strenth & for his miȝt praysed.
2667
As sone as Darye þe
derfe
of þis dede heris,
2668
Þat he was sauyd vnslayne he semblis his knyȝtis,
2669
Vp to a miȝti montayne his men
þaire
he schewis,
2670
And
gessis
him wele þare to degrayd þe grekis maistir.
2671
Þan fandis he furth in-to þe fild & fled als beliue,
2672
And Alexander
with
his ost him asperly folowed
2673
Riȝt to þe bu[r]ȝe of Batran & bildid þare his tentis,
2674
Mas him glad
with
his
ginge
& to his godis offirs.
2675
Þe cite þan he assailid & sesid on þe morne,
2676
With
all þe burȝes þare a-boute &
busked
þare his
sete
.
2677
Þare fand he tresour vntald & als þe trew spouse
2678
Of ser Dary,
bath
his dame & all his dere childire.
2679
Now dose him
fra
Darius a dereworth prince,
2680
Aires to ser Alexander adoures him
lawe
,
2681
'I haue erdid
with
ȝoure enmy ser emperoure,' he said,
2682
'As soiet serued haue I þat sire many
sere
wyntir;
2683
And all my trauaill I
tint
for
tuke
I no gudes.
2684
Bot wald it now ȝour worthines to wend
with
my-selfe,
2685
A ten Mille vs
take
of
tulkis
enarmed,
2686
I sall ȝow
hete
in ȝoure hand to haue at ȝoure will
2687
Sire Dary,
with
þe mast dole of his
derfe
erles.'
2688
'
Nay
, leue, lat ane,' quod þe lord 'þen leue I no straungers,
2689
Þat þou be willi in þi witt to werray þine awen,
2690
Ne tell þou me noȝt þat tale I trow noȝt þi wordis.'
2691
Be þis ser Dary
fro
his dukis deuysid his pistill:
2692
Þe kyng of kyngs was
callid
& clere god
bathe
,
2693
Þus, vndirstand I, was þe stile & stiȝt in þare-eftir:
2694
'ȝour satrapaires, ȝour seruant
with
seruand obeschen;
2695
Sire, we haue
wayued
to ȝow writtis ȝit write we þe
same
,
2696
How þis maistir of Messedone has on oure marchis entrid,
2697
brynd
vp oure
biggingis
bretted
oure kniȝtis,
2698
And we ouire-sett be to sare to suffire any langire.
2699
For-þi ȝour dignite bydene we drerily
be-seke
,
2700
A-gayns
þe force of oure faa vs forthire a quile.'
2701
Quen he had red all þe rawis for rancour he swellis,
2702
And out on-ane to Alexander all þus he writis.
2703
'I Dary,
with
þe dignite þe diademe of Persee,
2704
Of all þe kyngis þe kyng þat corouned was euire,
2705
To þe, my seruand, I say as me was sent late,
2706
How þi
lawnes
& þi
litillaike
þou
lickyns
to my hiȝt.
2707
Bot parde, þi prouidence inpossible it
semes
,
2708
A heuy As to be houyn vp to þe
sternes
,
2709
A thing
threuyn
is & thike &
þarnes
þe
wyngis
,
2710
And fautis þe fethirhames & þe fliȝt-loomes.
2711
For-þi þi mynd neuir þe mare lat mounte in-to pride
2712
For chance of na cheualry þat þou a-cheued hase.
2713
For vertu ne no victori ne vant noght þi-selfe;
2714
He þat enhansis him to heȝe þe
heldire
he declynes.
2715
I haue herd of þi hendlaike of heraudis & of othire,
2716
Of þi noblay now o newe time a-nentes my modire.
2717
Bathe
to my wyfe & to my
barnes
quat bounte þou shewis,
2718
Quat curtassy & kyndlaike I
ken
alto-gedire.
2719
Bot surely all þe seson þat þou
þam
so pleses,
2720
Þou
fangis
me neuire to þi frynd fyne quen þe likis.
2721
And
if
þou wirke
þaim
all þe wa & wrak
at
þou may,
2722
Þe mare vnfryndschip þarfore fall sall þe neuire;
2723
For-þi to put
þam
to pyne I pray þe noȝt wande,
2724
For myn
angire
on þine arrogance sall at þe last
kindill
.'
2724*
Þarfor do þou þi best god forbyd þou spare.'
2725
Quen he had lokid ouir þe lines he laȝes at his wordis,
2726
And ditis
agayn
to ser Dary þis dete þat foloȝes:
2727
'I, Alexander, þe eldest & all myne ane
2728
Of kyng Philip & his fere þat frely lady,
2729
Honourd Olimpades þat anely me fosterd,
2730
To þe kyng of Persy þis prolouge I write:
2731
Sire, vanite & vayne-glori & vices of pride,
2732
Þa
ere
þe gaudis as I
gesse
þat all gods hatis,
2733
And ilka dedly douth
þai
driffe
þam
to punesch,
2734
Þat has driȝten of vndedlynes draȝen
þaim
to name.
2735
Þis similitude to þi-selfe I say all-to-gedire,
2736
Þat a-suris so in þi surquitry & sesis neuire-mare
2737
To
bost
ne to blasfeme blyn will þou nouthire.
2738
Bot for þi gold & þi gudis a god þou þe makis,
2739
Þou vp-braydis me for þe beute þat I þi blod schewid,
2740
As to þi modire I mene & to þi mery childir,
2741
Þare mas þou þe to malicole & meenes for
litill
.
2742
I wroȝt it noþire for þi will ne for þi
wale
threte.
2743
If
I kid
þam
curtassy it come
fra
my-selfe,
2744
Haly of oure awen hert & of oure hynd thewis;
2745
Ne we prid vs for na prouwis predestayned we
ere
,
2746
Oure gods
gayn
vs þare-to þat gretly þou spises.
2747
Latt now þis lettre be þe last & loke to þi-selfe,
2748
For sekire & on my surement I
seke
ȝow
agayns
.'
2749
Þis brefe he bedis
þam
to bere þat broȝt him þe toþire,
2750
And
takis
þam
of his tresoure &
twynnes
with
þaim
faire.
2751
Quen
þai
to Persy
ware
past a pistill he enfourmes,
2752
Wrate a writt of his will so sendis to his princes,
2753
His seruandis & his seneschalls out of
sere
rewmes,
2754
And þus comandis he
þam
clene þe kyng his stile.
2755
'I, Alexander, þat as aire avaunced is in grece,
2756
Þe son of Ph[ilip] þe fers as I first tald,
2757
And als of Olimpades myne honourable modire,
2758
Þus send I to my satraparis my princes & my dukes,
2759
My pers out of siphagoyne salutis & grace,
2760
Of þe sele of Surry my seggis & myn erles,
2761
My kniȝtis out of Capodos & all my kid lordis,
2762
Þe ledis out of Landace & all þe landis out-by.
2763
I comand ȝow on þe clere faithe þat ȝe my
croune
aȝe,
2764
Þat belyue to Alysaundire þat is myn awen cite,
2765
Þat ilkane of ȝow send be ȝour-selfe of
sere
slayn bestis,
2766
Of fresch & of fyne wroȝt fellis a thousand,
2767
Sum grayne to be neþire
gloues
graythid
to my kniȝtis,
2768
Sum pured pelloure depurid to put in oure wedis,
2769
Lat
kest
þam
apon
camels þat in þat kith lengis,
2770
And aires
with
þaim
to Eufraten þis
erand
haues in mynd.'
2771
Þan was a man, as me
mynes
in þe morne-qwile,
2772
Was of ser Daris a duke þe
derfe
Emperoure,
2773
Ane þat Nostanda was named & a noble prince,
2774
Þat certified his souerane
þir
saȝes in a pistill:
2775
'Sire Dari, duke of ilk a douth & driȝten þi-selfe,
2776
Þe grete glorius god
graythid
in þi trone,
2777
Nostanday, to ȝour nobilnes þat
ay
my nek bowis,
2778
With
seruage to ȝour senurie my-selfe I comand.
2779
It
semed
noȝt ȝoure seruand sire, vndistreyned
2780
Vn-to ȝour
mekill
maieste þis matir to write,
2781
Bot I am depely distressid þis dede for to wirke,
2782
And made þis myscheffe to
myn
malegrefe my chekis.
2783
For wete it wele ȝour worthines þat of oure
wale
princes
2784
Twa of þe
tethiest
ere
tint
& termynd of lyue,
2785
Þat lost was now þe last day a
litill
fra
Tygre,
2786
In batail
apon
bent fild in-
bland
with
þe grekis.
2787
Þare was I gird to þe grond & greuously woundid,
2788
Vnnethe it cheuyd me þat chance to chape to þe fliȝt;
2789
And oþire many of oure men miȝtfull kniȝtis,
2790
And erlis of all ȝour empire enterely deuydid,
2791
ȝoure lore & ȝour legaunce lethirly forsaken,
2792
Aires
þaim
to ser Alexander & on-ane ȝeldis.
2793
And he
þaim
faire vndirfange enfeffid
þaim
belyue,
2794
In palais, in prouince in principall regnes.'
2795
Þen to Nostanda on next þus notis he a lettir,
2796
Þat he suld semple him a sowme & set
þaim
agaynes
.
2797
Anothire pistill lete he pas to Porrus of Ynde,
2798
To come & helpe
with
his here & he him þus
swaris
:
2799
'I, Porrus, þat possessid am þe partyse of yynde,
2800
And am þe coron be kynd of clene all þat Iles,
2801
Sire Dary,
with
þi dyademe drest on þi trone,
2802
To þe þat salutis I send þe sele of myn armes.
2803
Þou prayes vn-to my person my powere to sempble,
2804
And ȝow enforce
with
my folke ȝour faes to withstand;
2805
And I am
boun
at ȝour bode & buxsom was euire,
2806
To heȝe & to help ȝour hest quen I my hele lastis.
2807
Bot now a langour me lettis þat I laȝt haue,
2808
Slike
a seknes for-sothe is on my-selfe halden,
2809
Þat I ne may streyne me ne stere for stondis so hard,
2810
Bot lyse in langwysches & lokis quen my lyfe endis.
2811
And as warysche I my
warke
þat I am wonden,
2812
As me is wa for þi woȝe & þi
wrange
bathe
,
2813
I may noȝt ryde ȝow to reschow my
reuthe
is þe mare.
2814
Bot I sall leue & be lechid for-þi be liȝt-hertid;
2815
And I be couird of my coth care for na grekis,
2816
Amay þe for na Messedoynes ne men vndire heuen;
2817
For I sall hele all in hast &
hale
to ȝoure kythis
2818
With
ten legions at þe last & all of lele knyȝtis.'
2819
Be þis Rodogars þe riche þat renewid lady,
2820
Þe dere dame of Dari of þis dede heris,
2821
Þat hire awen child
with
Alexander amed eft to feȝt,
2822
And sorowis selcuthly sare & sendis him a pistill;
2823
'To kyng dary þe
derfe
þe derrest of my childire,
2824
Rodogoras þe riche quene' þis
rauth
scho
him writis:
2825
'Bald baratour on bent borne of my bosom,
2826
Here send I þe, my swete salutis & ioy.
2827
Þou has heuyd vp þi huge ost as I haue herd tell,
2828
Samed all þi saudiours & semblid þi pupill,
2829
And
etils
to ser Alexander eft to assail.
2830
Wete þou wele it is noȝt worthe ware þe be tyme;
2831
For had þou gedird all þe gomes I
gesse
, of þe werd,
2832
ȝit to with-stand him a stonde þi strenthe
ware
to
littill
.
2833
For godis prouidence apert
ay
prestly him helpis,
2834
Sauys & sustenes him-selfe & socurs him euire.
2835
For-þi
hoo
with
þi hautes & þine vnhemed wittis,
2836
A-vaile of þi vanite & of þi vayne pride,
2837
Obey þe to þe baratour þe best I con rede;
2838
Magnifie him
with
þi mouthe &
meke
þi hert,
2839
For any hathill vndire heuen þat
at
he ne hade may,
2840
Mare sekire it
ware
him to forsake þen sewe any forthire;
2841
In pese & in pacience possede
at
he miȝt,
2842
[Þan] Be excludit out of his erd & euire-mare
duell
.'
2842*
Sir Dary for þoo dytez was deply diseassyd;
2843
Quen he þis rawis had rede he rewfully wepid,
2844
His eldirs & his ancestris als he remembris;
2845
Þoȝt how pride
þaim
depriued: & here a passe ende.
2846
Þen aires him on ser Alexander furth
with
his princes,
2847
To þe cite-ward of Susys him-selfe he aproches.
2848
Þare-in ser Darius
duellid
with
his
derfe
ostis,
2849
So neȝe he come to þa
cliffis
he
kend
ouire þe cite.
2850
With
þat comaunds he he[s] kniȝtis to cutt doune belyue
2851
Bowis of
buskis
& of braunches of
bolis
& of lindes,
2852
And bynde to
þaire
hors feete of bobis of herbis,
2853
Bath
to Meeris & to mulis & all maner of bestis.
2854
Þe popill out of Persy þat
slike
a pake saȝe,
2855
Beheld on he to þe hillis &
heterly
was stroubid;
2856
Þai
ware
so woundird of þat werke &
wetirly
it
semed
2857
As all þe grond & þe greues had glid
þaim
agayns
.
2858
So neȝe þe cite he soȝt & sett vp his tentis,
2859
Þat thre days to þat thede him
tharne
& na mare.
2860
Said: 'let ane dryue to Dary & bede him dryffe sone,
2861
Or put him to my powere & plede we na langire.'
2862
Þe
same
niȝt in his slepe him soda[n]ly a-perid
2863
Amon, his awen god in aung[e]ls wyse,
2864
In a mery mantill of mervailous hewis,
2865
Meuand as a Messedone in Marcure fourme;
2866
Said: ‘vn-to Susys my son na sandisman þou send,
2867
Bot
fange
my fygour to þe fast & fand furth þi-selfe,
2868
Clethe þe
with
my conyschaunce & for na care drede,
2869
I
hete
þe haly my help na harme sall þou suffire.'
2870
Þan slade he
sliȝly
a-way & he
fra
slepe ryse,
2871
A breme blasand blis in his brist rysys.
2872
He knew his kniȝtis þat cas &
þai
him clene redd,
2873
Þat he suld
graythe
him to ga as him his god chargis.
2874
Þan
callis
to him þis conquirour ane of his kid prince[s],
2875
Emynelaus, þat his erlis & his ost ledes,
2876
Hend & hardy of his hand a huge man of strenthe,
2877
And þare-to lede lelist to his lord leuand of lyue.
2878
He bad him
boun
him belyue & on a blonk worth,
2879
Anoþire foole
with
him
fange
& founde
with
himselfe.
2880
Strad vp him-selfe on a stede in starand wedis,
2881
And on a cursoure þe kniȝt
with
a collt foloȝes.
2882
To þe grete flode of Granton to-gedire
þai
ride,
2883
Þai
fand it forsen
þaim
be-fore a fote-thike yse.
2884
Þat is þe streme of Strama
with
many steds clepid,
2885
And ȝit þe pure propure name in percynne tonge.
2886
Þan Alexander belyue his wedes he changis,
2887
Þis
renke
with
his Ronsees he ridis ouire & leuys.
2888
'A! lat me lend
with
ȝow, lord' þe lede him
besekis
,
2889
'For drede þat
angire
or a-ventour or any
slike
fall.'
2890
Nay
, houe þou here,' quod þe kyng 'vn-to my hame-
come
.
2891
He þat I saw in my slepe sall be my sekire helpe.'
2892
With
þat he braides on þe blonke & broches him in þe syd,
2893
Bowis him to-ward þe burȝe as briȝt as ane aungell.
2894
Þis reuere
at
I first rede be rewle of his kynde,
2895
As wele in seson of Somere as in þe sad wintre,
2896
And þat is neuir bot on niȝtis so
naytely
it fresys,
2897
Till
any powere to pas or preke on
with
stedis.
2898
ȝit has þe floum, as I fynd a forelange obrede,
2899
And euire-ilke mornynge it meltis for miȝt of þe son;
2900
With
slike
a reryd þan it
rynnes
þe romance it
witnes
,
2901
Þat qua so
tuke
it in þat tyme
tint
ware
for euire.
2902
Be þis enproched him oure prince vn-to þe proude cite,
2903
Band his blonke at a barrere with-out þe burȝe ȝatis.
2904
Þe Persyns of his passag was passyngly wondird,
2905
And
gesses
him to be gode for glori of his wedis.
2906
'Quat dones man ert þou?' quod Dary & drafe him
agayne
.
2907
'Sire Alexander,' quod þis athill 'has all þus me sent,
2908
Bedis
buske
þe to batell; quat bade makis þou here?
2909
Outhire ȝare þe ȝapely þar-to or
till
his ȝokke bowe.'
2910
'Qweþire þu be he?' quod þe hathill 'so hately þou spekis,
2911
Þou
melis
noȝt as a ministir a messangere bowis;
2912
Þou
carpis
euyn as a kyng þat closid
ware
in pride.
2913
Bot I am dred neuire a dele of all þi bald saȝes.
2914
Bot for þi souerayne
sake
þat sent þe þus hedire,
2915
ȝit sall þou sit
with
my-selfe & soupe
or
þou wynde.'
2916
He raȝt him þan be þe arme & reuerence him makis,
2917
And to his palais a-pert
with
princes him ledis,
2918
Þare aires him in ser Alexander & all þus he
thinkis
,
2919
'Þis ilke bar-bryn berne grete beute me schewys,
2920
Þat here þus hyndly be þe hand ledis to his Innes;
2921
Þis hame
with
help of my god I haue sall he[r]-eftir.'
2922
So
silis
he furth
with
þe sire in-to a somere hall,
2923
Þare sesonde was a soper þe sotelest vndire heuen.
2924
Sire Darius drawis to þe dese & oþir dere princes,
2925
Settis þis sire
with
him-selfe lete serue
þaim
to-gedire.
2926
Þat bild was all of
brynt
gold as þe buke tellis,
2927
With
þe
bath
, þe
bordis
& þe
benkes
beten of þat ilke.
2928
Þe wessell to vyse on was verraly þe
same
,
2929
And all þe sale of a sute set full of stanes.
2930
Þe popill of Persy
opon
þis prince waitis,
2931
Þe
litillaike
of his
like
lathely þat
þai
spyse;
2932
Bot þe wisedome & þe worthenes & of þe
wale
thewis
2933
Þat in þat cors was enclosed
kend
þai
full
litill
.
2934
Butlers full besyly broȝt vp þe wyne,
2935
In grete gobletis of gold
graythid
full of ȝymmes;
2936
And Alexander belyue as he had
ay
dronken,
2937
With
þat he clekis vp þe coupe & putis in his bosom.
2938
Anoþire boll was him broȝt &
bathe
he deuoydid,
2939
And ȝit he threw to þe thrid &
thrast
in þare-eftir.
2940
Sone as þe clientis þat knew
at
of þe coupe serued,
2941
Þai
knele doun before þe kyng & him þe cas tald.
2942
Þan has ser Dary dedeyne &
derfely
he lokes,
2943
Rysys him vp
renysch
& reȝt in his
sete
,
2944
'Quat faris þou
with
,' quod he, 'frynde? a fon þe
besemes
;
2945
Quy voydis þou my vessell? it is a vile schame.'
2946
'Sire, it is þe custum,' quod þe kniȝt 'in oure kyngis fest,
2947
Þat, be it ane, be it oþire þat
þai
of drinke,
2948
Þe
gestis
sall haue þe goblettis &
þaim
gud
þinke
,
2949
To wild & wende
with
a-way & wirke quat
þaim
likes;
2950
Bot sen þis vse is here vn-honourable here I
þam
leue;'
2951
Braidis
þaim
furth withouten bade þe butlers
þaim
yeldis.
2952
'Now sothely,' quod þan ilk a segge softly to-gedire,
2953
'Þis maner
at
he
melis
of is
menskefull
& noble.'
2954
Þan was þare ane proude pere a prince at þe table,
2955
Anepo, þat on Alexander all-way be-haldis,
2956
Þan
mynes
him anes in Messedone he had þe man
sene
,
2957
Quen he was sent to his syre to feche
þaire
trouage.
2958
His vertuse & his vysage his voise he remenbris,
2959
His fourme & his fetoure his fygoure a-vysis,
2960
He studis & he stuynes he
stemes
with-in,
2961
'Is þis noȝt Philip son þe firs þe fedare of grece?'
2962
With
þat he
sleȝly
vp soȝt & his
sete
leuys,
2963
Droȝe him euyn to ser Dary þare he on dese bydis,
2964
Said, 'Surely, ser, þis sandisman þat sittis ȝow be-forne
2965
Is Alexander him awen self or all myn ame faillis.'
2966
Sone þis gouernour of grece is of þis gaude ware,
2967
He torkans
with
&
vndire-tuke
he touched of him-selfe,
2968
Herd a nyngkiling of his name &
naytis
him to ryse,
2969
Buskis
him vp at a
braide
&
fra
þe
burde
rysys.
2970
He
tas
a torche
fra
a
tulke
þat by þe table standis,
2971
Felly
fangis
it in his fist & to his fole wyndis,
2972
Fyndis him faire him before þare he him feste hade,
2973
Raȝt him radly þe reyne & on his rige worthis.
2974
With
þat he brochis his blonke þat þe blode fames,
2975
Sparis out
spacly
as sparke out of gledes.
2976
Be þe liȝt
at
he led laches he þe way,
2977
And fandis fast to þe fliȝt
with
a fers will.
2978
Þe pepill of þe palais quen
þai
his passe saȝe,
2979
Rusches vp in a res
rynnes
in-to chambres,
2980
Sum araies
þaim
in ringis & sum in row
brenys
,
2980*
Some in stalwart stuffe & some in stele plates
2981
With
hard hattis on
þaire
hedis hied to
þaire
horsis,
2982
Prekis eftir þe prince prestly enarmed.
2983
Bot now was niȝt on
þam
neȝed þat noyd
þaim
sare.
2984
Sone
ware
þai
willid
fra
þe way þe wod was so thike,
2985
Sum on buȝes & on brerys blemysched þe face,
2986
Sum
ware
dreuyn doun in
dikis
sum in depe
myrys
;
2987
Bot Alexander at myn ame
þaire
aȝe
is a-schapid,
2988
Ay
trottis him to þe trod-
gate
as him þe torche wyssis.
2989
Sire Dary as a drery man
duellis
at hame,
2990
With
princes in his palais all pense he sittis,
2991
Þe baldnes of þis baratour he besyly remembris,
2992
Þat skapid so sone
skatheles
fra
all his
schathill
dukis.
2993
Þan was an ymage within as I am enfourmede,
2994
Of Sexeres þat sum-quyle þat cite had to welde,
2995
Forgid all of fyne gold & fettild his
seete
2996
Vndire þe souerayne sege þare sett
ere
þe
lawis
.
2997
And sodanly þat semylacre as tellis þe textis,
2998
It all to-paschis in-to peces & to poudire dryuys.
2999
Þan was þe
wale
kyng waa & wepand he said:
3000
'Þis be-takens trombling of my tild & tene of my regne.'
3001
And Alexander all þat quile asperly rydis
3002
To þe grete flode of Granton & it on a glace fyndis.
3003
Or
he was soȝt to þe side ȝit sondird þe qweryns,
3004
His hors it hunyschist for euire & he
with
hard schapid.
3005
Þan aires he
with
Emynelows euen to his princes,
3006
And
derfly
on þe toþir day a douth he assembles,
3007
Twa
hundreth
thousand on a throm all of
threuen
kniȝtis,
3008
Cairis
him vp to a
cliffe
& comfurthis his hostis;
3009
'Sall neuir þe Persyns pake be pere to þe grekis,
3010
And
if
þai
ma
ware
be many mayes noȝt ȝour hertis;
3011
Full many flees may fell bot a fewe waspis.'
3012
And all þe company clene comendid his wittis.
3013
Be þis ser Dary was diȝt whit his dere erles,
3014
Heuyd vp a huge ost & hast him to ryde,
3015
His
ginge
& all his garysons in glyssynand wedis,
3016
Gaes him on to granton &
graithes
þare his tentis.
3017
His stoure was so stalworthe &
store
& strange to a-byde,
3018
He had of men out of mynde many
mayn
hundreth
,
3019
Þat sike a siȝt & a sowme of seggis enarmed
3020
Was neuir
sene
, I suppose sen þe sege of troy.
3021
Þe chiftayne had chariotis chosen for þe nanes,
3022
Ten thousand be tale tried for þe were.
3023
And
þai
ware
sett aþire side full of sythe-bladis,
3024
Kene keruand as
knyfes
& cursers
þam
drowe.
3025
Þe next day be þe none new note ryses,
3026
Aithire freke
with
his folke in þe fild metis,
3027
And bald bernes on bent banars vnfaldis,
3028
Put pennons on pollis payntid of
siluir
.
3029
Alexander as belyue is armed vp clene,
3030
Bounes
him to his blonke þe best vndire heuen,
3031
Þat was þe blonk Bucifal as þe buke tellis,
3032
A foole worth fyfty of þe firste þat in þe flode
drouned
.
3033
He spynnes him out a grete space
fra
he[s] peris all,
3034
Couers him full clenly & closed in his
gere
.
3035
Þe powere out of Persy quen þay þe prince saȝe,
3036
Frayed was of his fourme so ferdfull him
semed
.
3037
Now
ere
þe batails
boune
with
braggins in trumpis,
3038
Þe breme bemen
blaste
beres to þe welken.
3039
Alexander allþire first on
þaim
all he settis,
3040
And aithire ward at a
wapp
wiȝtly
inIoynes.
3041
Archars & all men asperly fiȝtis,
3042
Þare was Iusting o Ioy Iopons a-tamed;
3043
Siles doun on aithire side selcuth kniȝtis,
3044
Sum
darid
, sum dede sum depe wondid.
3045
So fell fliȝt was of flanys as I fynd wreten,
3046
Of
arrows
& of all quat þat all þe aire blindid;
3047
Hogere on to be-hald þan of haile-stanes,
3048
And all þe fild full of folke fyue mile large.
3049
Als sone as þe son vp soȝt þe
slaȝtere
begynnes,
3050
And so to þe son-sett slakid
þai
neuire.
3051
Be þat þe barbryne blode be-gan to discende,
3052
Þe proudest of þe Persyns past out of lyue.
3053
Sone as ser Dary it deuysid & seȝis his foke faile,
3054
With
þat he bedis
þam
þe bake & bidis na langir;
3055
Þen quen
þai
fange
to þe fliȝt was furth in with euyn,
3056
And
mirke
out of mesure na man
þaim
a-pered.
3057
For-þi þe chariotis in þe chace choppid
þaim
to deth,
3058
Þe
cartis
þat I
carpid
of
with
þe kene sythis,
3059
Þare fell as fele
þam
before of fotemen & othire,
3060
As
risonis
in a ranke fild quen riders it spillen.
3061
Sire Dary dryue in þe derke & his douth folows,
3062
Gaes him on to grantun vn-to þe grete
burne
,
3063
Fand it frosen him before as fell for þe time,
3064
Past him on
with
his pers a pake out of nombre.
3065
His folke fellis all þe flode a forelange o brede,
3066
Þe streme
fra
þe a strande streȝt to þat othire.
3067
Sone
fra
him-self was at þe side it sonders behind,
3068
And all
at
lent
ware
on
loft
loste þar þe swete.
3069
Þus many
deed
þat day as þe buke tellis,
3070
Of pollis out of Persye withouten þe grekis,
3071
Thre
hundreth
Mille
thra
men þat
tharned
þaire
lyues,
3072
With
þe fooles & þe folke þat þe flode
drouned
.
3073
Þis senioure out of Susys to his cite wendis,
3074
Fallis doun on his face flat in þe sale.
3075
'Wa is me,' quod he, 'wriche, wa is me
vnhappy
!'
3076
Siȝis selcuthely sare & sadly he wepys,
3077
'I þat was straȝt to þe
sternes
am streken now to grond,
3078
Now craton, now caitefe now am I
kast
vndire,
3079
Þat had of þe Orient all ouire homage vmqwile.
3080
Wist any we quat him suld worth þis werd wald he leue,
3081
Full sympill in a seteqwile
seke
to þe cloudes,
3082
And
þai
at
mast
ere
of miȝt smyten all to poudire.'
3083
With
þat reufully he rase &
renkis
out he sendis,
3084
To Alexander belyue & all
slike
a pistill.
3085
'I drery kynge on my dese Darius of Persy,
3086
To Alexander þat Aire þat all has to wild,
3087
Þe lege lord of my lyfe to lose or to saue,
3088
Þus send I to my souerayne salutis & ioy.
3089
So wyde is þe wisdom þat wonne[s] in ȝour saule,
3090
Þat wele ȝe wate, of all men
at
I worthid here before,
3091
Of all be notis þat
ere
now & quat on next sewes.
3092
For-þi ȝour werke
ay
be witt ȝe wirke vnreproued.
3093
Sire, I knawlage me a creatour & come of a woman,
3094
Heues noȝt ȝour hert vp to hiȝe
take
hede to ȝour end;
3095
It limps noȝt all-way þe last to
licken
with
þe first,
3096
Quat suld a kniȝt mare to kepe bot conquire his enmy?
3097
Was noȝt Sexes him-selfe þe soueraynest in erth,
3098
And cheued him of cheualry chekis out of nombre?
3099
ȝit for his will out of worde was
won
in-to pride,
3100
In þe lede here of Elanda lithirly he feyned.
3101
Þinke
þat allanely of god þis
ouirlaike
þou haues,
3102
For-þi haue mercy on þi men þi methe we
beseke
,
3103
Als of ȝoure grete gudnes to grant vs oure modire,
3104
Oure bride, oure
barnes
out of bande for besandis enoȝe,
3105
For all þe feete
at
oure fadirs in þe fold hade,
3106
In Battri & in þis bild þe burȝe of Elanda,
3107
Þe maistri & þe maieste of Mede & of Persy,
3108
With
all þe Iolyte & Ioy þat Iubiter vs lenes.'
3109
Þe seggis
at
fra
Susses was sent
with
þe pistill
3110
Aires to ser Alexander onone it him reches;
3111
And he dos on before his ost openly to rede,
3112
And all his kniȝtis for þe
carpe
ware
kenely reioysed.
3113
Þen was ane Permeon, a pere a prince of his oste,
3114
Enclynes him doun to þe kyng said: 'kid emperoure,
3115
Resayue þis risches, I rede þat ȝow þis
renke
bedis,
3116
And lyuers him his ladis & all his lele childire.'
3117
Þan Alexander belyue þa hathels he
callis
,
3118
Þe berne
at
broȝt him þe brefe said, 'bowis to ȝour lord,
3119
And say, me
wondirs
, I-wisse
if
he it wete wald,
3120
For any mede
a-pon
mold his meneyhe to lyuire?
3121
If
he be fallen vndire fote & his folke streyned,
3122
And vencust of oure violence quat vailis him his hestis?
3123
His person & his prouynce he put it in my will,
3124
And ȝeld him vndire my ȝoke þan ȝerne I na mare.
3125
And
if
[he] grant him noȝt de-grayd bot for þe gre threpis,
3126
Bid
buske
him eft to þe bent vs bataill to ȝeld.'
3127
Þus monest he þe messangers
þaire
maistir to say,
3128
Geuys
þam
giftis
full gude & lete
þam
ga swyth.
3129
And þan comands he his kniȝtis þe corses vp to gedire,
3130
Of all þe douth
at
was dede & diȝt
þam
in graues.
3131
And
at
wondid was, I-wis as þe writt tellis,
3132
To serche
þaire
saluys &
þar
saris
with
surgens noble.
3133
At þe grete flode of Granton now
graythis
he his tentis,
3134
Honoured þare his ald gods & offirs
þam
nouches;
3135
Þare fand he palais vp piȝt & many proud hames,
3136
Sum-quile of Sexes
ware
sett þe sire of þo landis.
3137
Þa bildis he bedis
þam
to
brin
sone of his
bone
rewis,
3138
And bad na beren be sa bald a brand for to
kyndill
.
3139
Þare was a brade bent fild was beried full of kniȝtis,
3140
Of ald peres out of Persy prince & dukes.
3141
Þe Messedones in þe mold
mynes
to be graues,
3142
Fand coupis all of clene gold & costious stanes,
3143
Þe sepulture of a sire þat of Surre was kyng.
3144
Him was þe name Ninus was in a
noke
fonden,
3145
Was of ane athill amatist & all within grauen,
3146
Plantid full of palmetres & many proud fowles,
3147
And
slike
a clerete it
kest
þu[r]ȝe kynd of it-selfe,
3148
Þai
miȝt haue
kend
without þe
kist
þe corps all-to-gedire.
3149
Þare was a tenefull toure &
tulkis
in-closid;
3150
Sum
ware
þe handis of hewen & sum wondid hoȝes,
3151
Sum þe eȝen, sum þe eres & egirly cries
3152
On Alexander eftir help & he
þam
all liuers.
3153
He wepis on
þam
for wa said, 'wa is me, my childire!'
3154
And ilkane of his talentis he
takis
ten thousand.
3155
Þus
ware
þai
diȝt of ser Dary for he dedeyne hade,
3156
Þat
þai
ware
comen doun of kyngis & be no cause ellis.
3157
Be now þe douth of ser Daris þe
derfe
messangere
3158
Fra
Alexander
agayn
his answare him broȝt;
3159
And he þan girdis out to grete eft
graythis
him to fyȝt,
3160
To þe honoryd here out of ynde þus ordans a pistill.
3161
'Þat þe sceptoure & þe soile sesid am of Persy,
3162
To Porrus vndire my present plesance & ioy.
3163
First wrate I to ȝour worthines ȝit write I þe
same
,
3164
To help vs at
þire
hathill men þat haue wald my regne,
3165
And, be ȝe sure, þe
same
way is to ȝour-self
ettild
.
3166
For he þat werrais vs
with
þe wildare of grece,
3167
Is wrawid & wrathful of will & wode as a lyon,
3167*
As
wawes
of þe wild see when wynd
þaim
distrobles;
3168
And
if
I sande men & sammen seggis out of nombre,
3169
And cokke
with
þe conquirour
till
I be cald
drepid
,
3170
ȝit me is bettir on þe bent in bataile be slayne,
3171
Þan se þe lose of my ledis &
ay
leue in sorowe.
3172
For-þi ȝoure lordschip as legeman I
lawly
be-seke
,
3173
As I þat am in angwisch myne askyng to fill;
3174
Ten schilling of my trew gold a man þat is armed,
3175
And fyue to a fote-man faithely I
hete
.
3176
ȝit sall I ordane to ȝour ane quare-euire oure ost liggis,
3177
A ix
score
of new
geere
of nurtrid maydens.
3178
Bucifalon þe bald stede sall
bathe
be oure awen,
3179
And þe armes of Alexander & all þe pilage.'
3180
Now flees þar
fra
þe fell kynge a fone of his kniȝtes,
3181
To Alexander beliue & all þus him tald,
3182
How þat ser Dary
with
his dukis eft drissis him to fiȝt,
3183
Had prayd eftir powere to Porrus of ynde.
3184
Þan ordans him þis honorable
with
his ost
flitis
,
3185
Agayn
þe Persyns king him ordans to ride,
3186
For þe name of an Emperoure ne wald he neuire
fange
,
3187
Or
þen þat souerayne
ware
slayne or ȝild him his regne.
3188
Sone as þe kyng of þat kith of his
come
herys,
3189
Þan was he
ferly
a-friȝt & his folke
bathe
.
3190
Than
kest
þam
twa of his kniȝtis him causeles to spill,
3191
Þai
trowid þan of Alexander to
adill
þaim
a mede;
3192
Þire
traitours on þis trechoure trowthis has strakid,
3193
Lendis
þaim
on-
loft
to þe lorde laȝt out swerdis.
3194
'Quat sall I dreȝe,' quod ser Dary 'my derew-orth childire?
3195
First
cald
I ȝow my clyentis þat now I
call
lordis,
3196
Semes
ȝow noȝt it suffice my sorowe with-out,
3197
Þat as a bitand brand me
brettens
with-in,
3198
And
slaa
ȝe me þus sudanly? þe se[n]ioure of grece,
3199
He will me wreke on ȝoure werke wers þan of thefes!'
3200
Þar meuyd
þaim
na mercy bot maynly him woundid,
3201
Þat doun he hildis all to-hewyn
þaire
handis be-twene.
3202
Þan dryfes furthe þa dones men & halfe dede him leuys,
3203
Famand out of fresch blod & here a fitt end.
3204
Quen Alexander of þis athill þis auntir hadd herd,
3205
How he was diȝt of his douth & to þe dede woundid,
3206
He streȝt him to struma & ouire þe streme ridis,
3207
Soȝt him in Sussys him-selfe
with
his ost.
3208
Þe pepill out of Persy quen
þai
oure prince see,
3209
Þan ȝode
þai
furthe & vn-ȝarkid þe ȝatis of þe cite,
3210
Resayues him full rially
with
reuerence & ioy,
3211
Said: '
welcum
be þou, werraiour þat all þe erd loutis!'
3212
Sone as
þir
weried wiȝtis was ware of hes
come
,
3213
Þat sloȝe so
þaire
souerayne þat neuire sake hadd,
3214
Þai
heȝe
þaim
to holes & hyrnes & hydis
þaim
belyue,
3215
Þoȝt,
or
þai
wist of his will
þai
wald noȝt apere.
3216
Þan gase he vp be degrece þe grecen maistir,
3217
Passis in-to þe palais a paradyce
semed
,
3218
Was on þe make of þat mote noȝt mervalled a
litill
,
3219
Þat compast was of Cusys þat kynge was of Persy.
3220
Þe flore vndire þe fote fynely was paued,
3221
Couerd all of cristall & oþire clere stanes.
3222
ȝit
ware
þe
wawes
of þe
wanes
wroȝt, as I rede,
3223
Polischid all of pure gold & of plate werkis.
3224
And þat was streken full of
sternys
& of
sere
gemmys,
3225
With
briȝt blasynand bees as bemes of þe son.
3226
Þe hathill hedis vp-on heȝe & hogely he wondirs,
3227
Þat euire suld emperoure in erth
slike
ane herde wild.
3228
Quen he had
ferlyd
his fill
apon
þat faire hame,
3229
Þurȝe-out þe sale þan he soȝt in-to þe selfe chambre,
3230
Þare quare þe lord in lay
with
laythely
woundis,
3231
Girdid out as gutars in grete
gill-stremes
,
3232
ȝit was þare lyfe in his like
litill
if
it
semed
,
3233
At
ilk
blast
of his breth þe blode
fra
him glidis,
3234
Sire Alexander him avysis & authly him
thinke
;
3235
Þe pure pete of his payn persid his hert.
3236
Þan nymes he
fra
his awyn neke an emperoures mantill,
3237
And þat he couirs ouire þe kyng & clappis him in armes,
3238
With
grym gretyng &
gro
& grysely terys;
3239
Bad: 'comfurth þe, ser conquirour & of þi care ryse,
3240
Don aȝayne þe dignite þe diademe of Pers,
3241
And all þe riȝtis of þi rewme resayue as before.
3242
My pure powarfull gods I prestly pauoure,
3243
Þine empire & þine erytage enterely þe to ȝeld;
3244
Suld neuir na gome be to glade
þofe
he grete
ware
,
3245
Of his neȝbour noy enentes him-selfe,
3246
Quen fortune foundis him
fra
& him þe fete schewis,
3247
And all þe welth him at-wendis & þe werd changis.
3248
Brynge furth þi banes, &
with
my brand I sall þi dede venge.'
3249
Þis saȝe sobband he said & þe segge wakyns,
3250
Hyndely hildis him vp & his hand kyssis,
3251
Þe brest & þe bare necke &
breues
þire
wordis:
3252
'A! Alexander, athill son' & augrily granys,
3253
'Þe depe distruccion of ȝour dome has many day bene knawyn,
3254
Þat all þe welth of þe werld worthis at þe last
3255
To cayrayne & corupcion clene all-to-gedire.
3256
Þe warnes of þi
wale
gode þat wist all before,
3257
And fully feld all þe fare þat fall suld on erthe;
3258
On þis maner made he man þurȝe his miȝt first,
3259
Suld noȝt be foun in him fast ne ferme ne stable,
3260
Bot houande here a hand-qwile &
hingand
in payse,
3261
Now in leuell, now on-
loft
now on
lawe
vndire.
3262
All werdly þing, I-wis þurȝe will of oure lord,
3263
In-to þe contrare clene is at a clamp turned.
3264
For had he worȝt
ay
to wees welth & na nothire,
3265
So grete had bene vayn glorie glotony & pride,
3266
Suld nane haue
gessid
þat grace come of god, bot of
þaim
-selfe;
3267
So
fra
þe makare o mold suld many man haue erryd.
3267*
And had he shapyn
Ay
to shalkez shendship &
illys
,
3268
So feyle had bene þe frelettis foloȝand oure kynd,
3269
We had bene drawen all bedene in-to disspaire clene,
3270
And of þe godnes of god noȝt a grew
traisted
.
3271
For-þi he wald of his will his werkis to be changand,
3272
Þat quen a hathill
ware
ouire hiȝe in
happ
& in welthe,
3273
Þat he knew noȝt his creatour bi-cause of his pride,
3274
In-to þe
dike
of debonerte
droune
bud him nede.
3275
Þis was his will
at
it worthid wene þou na nothire,
3276
Þe gome his god
at
for-gatt
for any grace here,
3277
His welth to wite all a-way & wickidnes apere,
3278
To ken þe caytefe to knaw qua caused him on first.
3279
Þe
same
ensampill of my-selfe now is betid, þu sees;
3280
So grete I grew of my gods & gold in my cofirs,
3281
Þat kindly gods creatoure I
kend
noȝt my-selfe,
3282
Bot for his
feloȝe
& his fere faithly me leued,
3283
Þus prosperite & pride so purely me blyndid,
3284
I couthe noȝt se
fra
my sege to þe soile vndire,
3285
Þat
at
me failed þan to fynd fast at myn eȝen.
3286
Be þe myrrour now of
meknes
I may a myle knawe,
3287
If
any hathill be so hard
with
vnhapp
woundid,
3288
So
at
he hopis him no helpe of þe heȝe fadire,
3289
Þan
liftis
oure lord him on-
loft
his langour he breggis,
3290
In-hanses him in hand-quile & heues him to welthis
3291
So heȝe, þat he for vn-hele seȝes noȝt his driȝten.
3292
Lat þan him knaw his creatour in
kindling
of ioy,
3293
Þat he þat
lawene
has a lede may
lyft
,
if
him
thinke
,
3294
And he þat bringis him on-
loft
breten
all to poudire.
3295
Þi saule, son, in-to surquitery lat
seke
neuire þe hiȝhare,
3296
For gre þe graunt
ere
of god & noȝt of þi grete strenthis.
3297
If
all þe limp as þe list loke to þine ende,
3298
For
die
þe bose, quen all is done &
ay
þi day scortis.
3299
Me
þink
my lyfe as to þe lenȝth is
like
to þis werke,
3300
Þat þis coppis
opon
kell-wyse knytt in þe woȝes,
3301
With
þe lest winde of þe werd þat þe werd touches,
3302
Þe note anentes ilk ane & all to noȝt worthis.
3303
Lo! so þe quele of qwistsunnes my qualite has changid!
3304
I, þat was ȝustirday so ȝape & ȝemed all þe werld,
3305
To day am dreuyn all to dust to dolour & paynes,
3306
Has noȝt o maistri so meche as miȝt of my-selfe.
3307
My dere son,' quod Daryus, 'it drawes
nere
þe tyme;
3308
My banes, on my benyson bery
with
þi hand,
3309
With
þe proued princes out of Pers &
with
þe proude grekis,
3310
And þe maistirlings of Messedoyne ȝe me to mold bring.
3311
Lat þan oure kyng-domes a-corde & cock we na langir,
3312
Bot
ay
perpetuall pes oure partys betwene.
3313
Vn-to ȝoure
mekill
maieste my modire I comande,
3314
Rodogarus þe riall & rewis on my bride;
3315
My doȝtir Rosan þe riche resayues to ȝour spouse,
3316
It comys wele of hiȝe kyn kyngis to descend.
3317
Tak
tent to þat
at
I tell be tendire of my kniȝtis.'
3318
And
with
þis speke
at
he spake þe sprete he ȝeldis.
3319
Þan was his body enbawmed &, as he bede, grauen.
3320
Þis bald baratoure him bare & as a
barne
gretis,
3321
So did þe pepill out of Persy bot for his pite mare
3322
Þan for þe dethe of Dary be dowble of þe twa.
3323
And Alexander belyue as he was enterid,
3324
He meues
agayn
to þe mote & on þe morne eftir,
3325
Vp to þe souerayne sege
with
Septour he wyndis,
3326
Þat Cusus þe conquirour of clere gold maked.
3327
Þe mody men of Messedone þe maistirs of Persy
3328
Þan put
þam
in-to presen, as þe prose tellis;
3329
Sire Darius awen dyademe
þai
did on his hede,
3330
A coron, ane þe costious þat euire kyng weryd,
3331
On þe propurest of proiecte þat euire prince bere.
3332
Þe massy werke was þe
menest
made of þe noble,
3333
Þe pride þar-of for to proue it pyned any cristen;
3334
It
gaue
so glorius a gleme of gold & of stanes,
3335
Þat as þe loge for þe liȝt
lemed
as of heuen.
3336
Þe
sete
þare him-selfe satte in soyte
with
þe
croune
,
3337
Þat was
lift
a-pon
loft
on oþire
litill
segis,
3338
Seuyn cubet of clere gold was countid þe hiȝt.
3339
And vij degrece was þar
grayd
for
gate
vp of kingis,
3340
And
þai
ware
Ientilly Ioyned in a Ioyly wyse.
3341
Þe first an athil Amatast as I am infourmed,
3342
And of a Smeth [s]maragadane Smyten was þe toþir;
3343
Þe thrid of a Topas a-tyred & trelest & grauen;
3344
Þe ferd degre a Granate a gracious gemme;
3345
Þe fyfte was of ane Adomant all-to-gedire makid;
3346
Þe sext of
gletirand
gold gayle was forgid;
3347
Þe ouirmast, all of þe erth with-out oþire werkis,
3348
Apon
þis wyse
ware
þai
grayd
& for grete cause.
3349
Þe first was of an Amatist þat all chaye demes
3350
Riche, said þe romance & ronkenes of wynes,
3351
Lattis na dronkynnes
þam
dere þat douth
at
it beris.
3352
Þe
same
wyse
mon
a wee waite to him-selfe,
3353
A kniȝt
at
couettis to clym to kyngs astate,
3354
Him bus haue warnes him
with
of wit & of mynde,
3355
Þat he wirke noȝt on þe wethire halfe for
wathe
apon
erth.
3356
Þe s[e]cunde was of Smaragdone þat
ay
þe siȝt kepis;
3357
Quat berne as beris it him on it briȝtens his eȝen.
3358
So bus a kyng to consaile haue a clere hert,
3359
To se
at
syttis him to se & sagely to wirke.
3360
Þe thrid was a Topas, I trow
at
to þe trone lengis;
3361
Þat is so clere of his kind þe clause me recordis,
3362
Þat qua-sum-euire in þat ilk his ymage behaldis,
3363
Þe face is to þe fold-ward þe fete to þe firment.
3364
So comes it wele for a kyng to knaw
till
his end,
3365
How
ay
þe top to þe taa is turned at þe last.
3366
Quen fortune
festis
him he fendis beliue,
3367
And all his dignite bedene driues in-to poudire.
3368
Þe ferd was a granate, I
gesse
goules althire fynest;
3369
Is nane so redy, as I rede of all þe riche stanes;
3370
Slike
color aȝe a kyng wele in conyschance to bere,
3371
Þat he schape to na schauadry þat schend suld his fame.
3372
Þe fift was all of adomant as þe buke tellis;
3373
Þat is he þat is so hard þat hurt may nane tole;
3374
Is nothire stele ne na stane so stife it may perce,
3375
And growis out of þe grete see in
graynes
& in cragis.
3376
If
any Naue to it neȝe þat naylid is
with
iryn,
3377
Þen cleuys it
ay
to þe
clife
carryg & othyre;
3378
Bot blode of body, sais þe buke bees it neuire percid,
3379
Or þe natour of anothire thing þat nedis noȝt to reken.
3380
Þat
same
kynd suld a kyng of his craft vse,
3381
So stable & so stedfast to stand in his werkes,
3382
Þat for na prayere ne pres ne plesaunce on erthe,
3383
Out of þe
rake
of riȝtwysnes
ren
suld he neuire.
3384
Þe Sext was of gold graciously hewen,
3385
Of all metals o mold þe maistir & þe syre;
3386
Þe
same
cure is a kyng be kind of his
leggis
,
3387
To gy & gouerne his gomes þe grettest he is makid.
3388
Þe seuynt vp to þe sege was of þe selfe erth,
3389
Þat is na mare for to mene as me my mynd tellis,
3390
Bot ilka kyng suld him knaw cried of þe soile,
3391
And to þe
same
sustenance sodanly to worthe.
3392
Þus sett oure syre in his
sete
with
septoure in hand,
3393
In pelour & in pall & proud men him by.
3394
Þan lete he lettres belyue
with
ledis out to send,
3395
Þurȝe all þe prouynce of pers promicid þis werkis.
3396
'Þe kyng with-outen compere of kyngis all othire,
3397
Of all þe lordis now þe lord þat lefis
apon
erth,
3398
Sire Alexander, athill son of Amon his driȝten,
3399
And als of Olimpades anyly consayued,
3400
To þe souerayns & þe Senescalls þe sires & þe maistris,
3401
And all þe pers out of persy princes & dukis,
3402
Þe Iustis & þe gentils & Iugemen of
lawe
,
3403
Bathe
citiȝens & seriant salutis of grace.
3404
Syn it lokid has þe largenes of þe lord of heuen,
3405
Þat me þis diademe of Dary demed is & graunted,
3406
And to be here þus enhansid in his hiȝe trone,
3407
ȝe sall be glad of my degre & gretly reioyd,
3408
And ordans
aiquare
ouire all honourable princes,
3409
Gouernours & gardens of all þe grete burȝes,
3410
As was in Darius days to deme men þe riȝt,
3411
And clene all þe clientis to kepe
þaire
demayndes.
3412
Ilk a pepill his possession in pes moȝt he broweke,
3413
Armoure & actons y latt all þat be kepid,
3414
Caires
þam
to castells & in kinge houses,
3415
And none so bald, ere I bide to bere
þam
na mare.
3416
And
fra
þis marche to Messedone quils I am maistir here,
3417
Þe passage in aithire part sall playn be & open,
3418
Þe comers out of aithire coste to
caire
vndistrobbed,
3419
With
message & marchandise & al manire nedis.'
3420
Now is his pistils all past & pese he comandis;
3421
'Quilke of my fryndis
ere
þe folke þat my faa sloȝe,
3422
Þat was þe
drepars
of Dary now doo
þam
a-pere,
3423
Þat
þai
may weld for þis werke wirschip to mede.
3424
My
mekill
miȝtfull gods I maynly ȝow swere,
3425
And on þe lay
at
I leue & be my lufed modire,
3426
Þe worthe wage
þaim
wayne þat
þai
haue wele serued.'
3427
Þan all þe pepill out of Persy pouret out to wepe;
3428
Bathe
Besan & Anabras as þe buke tellis,
3429
Þat
ware
þe banes of his body baldly
þam
shawis;
3430
Said: 'we to-hewid him [
with
] oure handis hiȝe emperoure.'
3431
Þai
wend wele
þaim
to wyn a waryson for euire.
3432
Þan bad he bernes
þaim
to bynd & bringe
þaim
be-lyue
3433
Vn-to þe gudmans graue & hewe of
þaire
hedis.
3434
'Allas, my lord,' quod þa ledis '& ȝe so late swore,
3435
To ȝour worthi gods, ȝour
wale
dame we suld no waa suffire!'
3436
'Siris, as ȝe worthi
ware
, I-wisse I wate wele I hiȝt,
3437
And bot ȝour harmes were vnhid I held noȝt myne athis.
3438
For sen I
wan
in-to þe werld my witt has bene
aye
,
3439
Quen treid was a trechory þe
tulkis
to be hedid.'
3440
Þan he did
þaim
to deth as driȝten him praysed,
3441
Þe prouynce piȝt is in pes & princes
ere
maked,
3442
An ald derling of Darius was duke made of pers,
3443
Request of þe rials ane of his riche vncles.
3444
Oure emperoure, quen þis was endid erly on þe morne,
3445
With
all þa alyens him by & ancient lordis,
3446
He gase
a-gayne
to de-grece vp to þe gilt trone,
3447
Dobbed in his diademe & diȝt as be-fore;
3448
As Dary demed,
or
he
deid
his doȝtir he comandes,
3449
Mad Rosan þe riche radly to apere,
3450
Hire hede vn-helid was on hiȝe &
hild
all in trissis,
3451
Vm-by-clappid
with
a coronacle of costious stanes;
3452
As þe manere of þat marche was he wedd hire to wyfe,
3453
And in þe sege
with
him-selfe to sitt he hir makis,
3454
Comands hire as a conquyres of knyȝtis to be louted,
3455
And all þe pepill out of Persy was passandly ioyed.
3456
Þai
gone
agraythen
vp
þaire
gods on gilten segis,
3457
Sayed: 'þou ert duke of ilk dome & driȝtin þi-selfe!'
3458
Þan was he fraid in his flesche bad, 'feyne of ȝoure wordis!
3459
I am a coruptible kyng & of clay fourmed!'
3460
Þan out onone to Aristotil & to his awen modire
3461
Of all his weris & his welth he wrate alto-gedire;
3462
And aȝt daies all bedene he dites in his pistill,
3463
For reuerence of Rosan to revell & halowe.
3464
Al be þe metire bot mene þus
mekill
haue I ioyned;
3465
Forthi, lordis, be ȝour leue list ȝow to suffire.
3466
Now will I tary for a time & tempire my wittis;
3467
And he þat stiȝe to þe
sternes
stiȝtill vs in heuen!
3468
Lordis, will ȝe me
lithe
& lestin a stonde,
3469
Now sall I kithe vs a
carpe
of a kyng riche,
3470
Of þe auntours of ser Alexander þat aire was of grece,
3471
How all þe werd at his will he wan
or
he
deid
.
3472
Þe lattir ende of his lyfe me list ȝow to tell.
3473
For all þe first is in fittis & folowand þe lettir,
3474
And he þat made ȝow þis mirth oft
mynes
his saule,
3475
Þat driȝtin deyne him to dele a dele of his blis.
3476
Sone as ser Dary was
deid
& done out of lyue,
3477
And Alexander as aire had all for to wild,
3478
Resayued to his riche quene Rosan his doȝtir,
3479
And was þe
croune
be-kend of clene all þus ends,
3480
He gedird him a grete ost &
graythid
him to ride,
3481
A powere of þe Persens & of þe prowde grekis,
3482
Þe Messedones & all men he [maynly] comandis
3483
On kyng Porrus to preke & prese him
with
armes.
3484
Now gase he furthe
with
his
ging
þe
gaynest
in-to ynde.
3485
Þare many daies be dissert he dryfes
with
his ost,
3486
Be hiȝe hillis &
howis
& be holuȝe dounes,
3487
Be wast & be wildirnes & watirles
bournes
.
3488
Sone was he wery of þe way so was his
wale
kniȝtis;
3489
Menyd
þaim
þe Messedones emang
þaim
-selfe,
3490
Þai
said, it miȝt be sufficient þe sesyng of Persy,
3491
And him þat trouage on tyme has
tane
of oure eldirs.
3492
'Quat suld we fonde any ferre? Now faylis oure strent[h]is;
3493
Þis erd of ynde is ilk dele enhabet
with
bestis,
3494
And he bet willis all þe werd be weris him to loute,
3495
His flesche is fostard & fedd be fiȝt & by sternes.
3496
And were his person in pes bot for a pure tyme,
3497
Þan suld he faile as a freke
at
þe fode
wantis
.
3498
Bot lat vs leue him at longe & lende to oure hames,
3499
And pas quedire as him plese
with
þe proud barbres.'
3500
Sone as oure kyng of his kniȝtis þis
carpe
vndire-stondis,
3501
He mas to stand all þe stoure & standis vp in þe myddis,
3502
'Bald baratours on bent blythly me heris,
3503
All þe pepill out of Persy
ere
put in my will;
3504
All
ware
rebell in
arest
now is þe rewme ȝold,
3505
And I your kyng as ȝe knaw
with
croune
&
with
septour.
3506
And now ȝe leue me þus liȝtly bot for a
litill
pyne,
3507
To
caire
a-gayne
to ȝour kithid I can noȝt þare-on.
3508
Knaw ȝe noȝt how in ȝour care I cu[m]furth ȝow anys,
3509
Quene ȝe dout so þe dites of Darus in his pistill?
3510
Eft quen we ferd in-to fild &
with
oure faes mett,
3511
I was þe first ȝow before þat þe fild entrid,
3512
Soȝt in-to Sussys my-selfe for ȝoure hele,
3513
In þe habet of Amon oure allirs driȝten,
3514
Put my person in plegg & perils a
hundreth
,
3515
And in-to tourment on-tald me
tuke
for ȝour
sake
.
3516
'Bot wetis it wele with-out wene I wene in my saule,
3517
As I ȝit haue hediretoward heried all my faes,
3518
So sall I
gete
hus
ay
þe gree
with
my gud helpe,
3519
And for na tene
at
may betide turne sall I neuire,
3520
If
ȝe will lend in-to ȝour landis loke
at
ȝour hertis!
3521
Bot me to do
slike
a dede driȝtin it schilde!
3522
I sall neuire
graithe
me to grece, gase quen ȝow likis,
3523
Or
mare wirschip I haue won for
wathe
vndire heuen.'
3524
Quen he þis reson had redd þan rewid his princes,
3525
And of
forge[f]nes
of
þaire
gilt his grace
þai
be-seke
.
3526
Kniȝtis
callis
him on kneys, said: 'kid emperoure,
3527
All oure life & oure lose is lent in ȝour handis,
3528
Oure-selfe & oure seruage is surely ȝoure awen,
3529
Ai
at ȝoure beding to be oure bodi & oure gudis,
3530
Quare-euer ȝe wend in all þe werd in water or in erthe,
3531
Ay
mekely
at ȝour mandment ȝour maieste to folowe.
3532
If
we suld
die
all-bedene at an day tyme,
3533
We sall neuir spise ȝow ne sporne in speche ne in dede,
3534
Ne neuire ȝour rialte renay bot rede to sewe,
3535
Quils any
blast
of oure breth in oure brest lengis.'
3536
Þan ȝede he furth in-to ynde & in þase Iles weres;
3537
Quen all þe iolite of giugne & Iulus was endid,
3538
And messangers
a-pon
þe marche him metis belyue,
3539
Fra
kyng Porrus þe proude þis pistill him broȝt.
3540
'I, Porrus, þat as principall possessid am in ynde,
3541
To þis michare out of Messedone þis mandment I write.
3542
Þou, Alexander, þou Ape þou Amlaȝe out of grece,
3543
Þou
litill
thefe, þou losangere þou
lurkare
in cites,
3544
Sen þou ert destayned to
die
& dedely þi-selfe,
3545
Þat
agayn
driȝtin of vnde[d]lynes quat may þi dede vaile?
3546
Madding marrid has þi mode & þi mynd changid.
3547
Sen god has sent þe
with
to see & ȝit þi witt failes,
3548
I hope þou wenes
at
we be
like
to
þire
lethire Persyns,
3549
Þat þou þi lordschip to loute has now on late strayned,
3550
And for þou fellid has in fiȝt a fiȝt
at
was sympull,
3551
Now muses þou to þi miserie my maieste to bowe.
3552
If
gomes be gouerners of gods þan mai þi
gesse
worth;
3553
And
if
þe land here on
lawe
be
lickned
to þe heuen,
3554
Þe ministracion of men to me were to febill.
3555
All driȝtens & dewessis
ere
dute of my name;
3556
Ane ser Denys, a duke gane many wintire,
3557
He bed vs bataill on bent & þe back turned.
3558
And
or
þat Sexes him-selfe sesid was in Persy,
3559
At þe marche of Messedone made vs trouage.
3560
Bot for þe partise
ere
vn-prophetable vs plese
þaim
na langir,
3561
Ai
wald þe wise haue
wale
soile mare þan a wast lee.
3562
Caire
agayn
to þi kith caiteffe, I bidd,
3563
Here na lordschip þe limpis quat list þe disyre.'
3564
Sone as þis clause to oure kyng [was] comyn & deliuere,
3565
Be-fore his bachelers on brade he bedis it to rede.
3566
His
tulkis
of þis titill quen
þai
þe tenour herd,
3567
Þan
ware
þai
sory of þa sawes & selly frayed.
3568
'Quat now, my worthe werrayouris?' þe
wale
kyng sayd,
3569
'For Porrus pistill, I pray ne for his proud wordis,
3570
No for na manas he mas mayes noȝt ȝoure hertis.
3571
Did noȝt ser Dary to vs write his pistill
with
pride,
3572
And all þe berbrens bernes in bestis
þam
affyed,
3573
As lebards, lesards, & lenxis lions & tigris?'
3574
With
comfurth of his contenance his knyȝtis he gladis,
3575
And þan to Porrus apart þis pistill he writis.
3576
'I, þat þe kyng am of kyng[s] &
crouned
of lordis,
3577
Þe eldist child of Amon þat all has to wild,
3578
And honourd Olimpades
with
him ane
geten
,
3579
To þe
oddest
aire out of ynde þis answare I make.
3580
I-wis, oure wittis
with
þi wordis þou has wele scharpid,
3581
And made vs bald
with
þi
bost
þe bataill to ȝeld.
3582
Oure boundis
ere
barrayne & bare & þine full of welth;
3583
Þe kenir is oure corage ȝoure kyng-dome to wyn,
3584
To put away oure pouerte & pas to ȝoure hiȝtes.
3585
And ga noȝt, as ȝe gude
ware
agayn
ȝow to fiȝt,
3586
Bot a berne full of
bost
a barbrene prince,
3587
Wenand me & all þe werd to
waike
to ȝow-selfe.'
3588
Quen Porrus
with
his preue men þis pistill had redd,
3589
Þan was he wondirly wrathe &
wiȝtly
asembles
3590
Þe kniȝtis & þe captayns of all þe coste by,
3591
His champions, his chiftans his cheualry to-gedire.
3592
He feris him a faire flote was fed for þe nanes,
3593
Of vnicornes, of olyfauntis & wondirfulle bestis,
3594
As ilkane vsyd
with
in ynde vmquile
with
to fiȝte,
3595
And aires
agayne
Alexander
with
armes him to mete.
3596
Þe powere of sir Porrus was passandly many;
3597
A stour stiffe vndire stele þe strangest of þe werde
3598
Of sithid chariotis him sued a selcuth nombre,
3599
At þe fewist, as I find a fouretene thousand;
3600
With-outen bachelers on blonkis & bowmen on fote,
3601
Foure
hundreth
Olyfants in-fere folowid him enarmi[d],
3602
With
ilkane bunden on his bake a borden castell,
3603
And thretty
tulkis
in ilk toure tired in platis.
3604
Oure mey-he out of Messedone quen
þai
so many saȝe,
3605
Þan
ware
þai
storbet of þat stoure so was þe stythe Persyns.
3606
All þe athils of sir Alexander was arȝed in
þaire
hertis
3607
To mache
with
sike a multitude of men & of bestis.
3608
Þan was
þir
chiftans chosen cheualous kniȝtis
3609
Þat
buskid
ware
on
bathe
halfe þe bataill to rewle.
3610
With
þat
þai
tuke
vp þe trumpis be thretty at anes,
3611
A-grydis grymly to-gedir þe grekes & barbres.
3612
Sire Alexander was armed & askis his stede
3613
Þat was þe bald bocifalon & on his bake worthes;
3614
Mare þan a stane
cast
at a count be-fore his kniȝtis all
3615
He standis vp in his stereps in starand maylis.
3616
Þe men out of Medy he mas, & of Pers,
3617
To enverom alle þe vaward of all þe vile yndes,
3618
And he was
graythid
[
with
] a
ging
of grekis kniȝtis
3619
And maistres out [of] Messedone þis meyhe to helpe.
3620
Þe pepill out of Persye
ware
petusly woundid
3621
Of Olifauntis ouir all
with
horrible hurtis;
3622
All
at
vnweried a-way wynnes in þe stoundis
3623
Durst neuir his face to his faes eft on fold bide.
3624
Sire Alexander him a-visis & ames in his wittis
3625
How he miȝt bring it a-boute
þire
bestis to devoide;
3626
And mas to beete all of bras as bernes it
ware
,
3627
And full of glorand gledis
þaim
to þe gorge fillis;
3628
Ane instrument all of iren
þare
ymage to bere,
3629
Was compast on
carte
-wise & cursoures
þaim
dreȝe.
3630
Þire
Olifantis of ynde quen
þai
þare-on waite,
3631
Þai
wend
þai
ware
wees & wyndis
þaim
agayn
3632
To
drepe
þaim
as
þaire
first did disclosid
þai
þe chaviles,
3633
And sone was
snaypid
on þe snowte
with
þe
snart
hetis.
3634
With
þat
þai
fonge to þe fliȝt be fifty at anes,
3635
Of ilkan athill
ware
þai
aȝed
þat any armes werid.
3636
Sone as ser Porrus of þe poynte & o þe plite waytis,
3637
Þan was he tangid
with
tene & turbled vnfaire.
3638
Þan preses in be Persyns & of þe proud Medis
3639
With
arowis
&
with
othire armes
agayn
all þe yndis,
3640
Tolls of þe tirantis & termynd o lyue,
3641
Seȝes doun on aithire side a sowme out of nounbre,
3642
Thretti dais on a throm
þai
threpid euire
elike
,
3643
So lange at þe lest way as lastid þe bataill.
3644
Þare was þe Medis martird & many of Perses
3645
Gorred & gais þurȝe & grysely woundid.
3646
Oure mody kyng of Messedone þe myschefe be-haldis,
3647
Seis
þaim
faile so ethfully & felly was greued.
3648
Apon
þe bald bucifelon
brant
vp he sittis,
3649
Springis out a spere sperid all þe platis.
3650
Þe brest of þe bataill he baldly a-prochid,
3651
Girdis doun of þe grettis & þe gree wynnys.
3652
His awen men of Messedone maynly
þai
feȝt,
3653
So did his gomes out [of] grece &
gate
a grete name.
3654
Sone discendid þare doun þe duȝtiest of ynde,
3655
And Porrus prekis
fra
þe place & þe playn voidis,
3656
His ledis
at
left
ware
o lyue lendis him eftire.
3657
And Alexander in þat angle all þe niȝt logis,
3658
Offirs all his old gods his honour
þam
thankis,
3659
As wele þe ynde as his awen he graue
þaim
all.
3660
Þe secund day
with
a saute a cite he
takis
,
3661
Þe proddest ane
at
Porrus possessour was euire.
3662
He past in-to his palais & in þe place findis
3663
Þat
semed
no synfull saule þe selcuthe to trowe.
3664
First fand he þare of fyne gold a foure
hundreth
postis,
3665
With
crafti coronals & clene coruen of þe
same
.
3666
Be-twene þe pelers was piȝt
with
precious leuys,
3667
Gilden wynes
with
grapis of gracious stanes.
3668
Sum were of cristall clere clustrid to-gedire;
3669
Sum made
ware
of Margarits þe mast of þe werd;
3670
Sum was smeth smaragdyns & oþire small gemmes,
3671
And new nychometis nemellus endentid,
3672
Þat
ware
as
semely
quen
þai
ware
samen
,
3673
And all pargestis of plate as pure as þe noble.
3674
Þe Messedons in
þam
merkid
with
þaire
mekill
brandis,
3675
And þe thinnest was a nynche thicke quen
þai
ware
þurȝe persed;
3676
And þo
ware
strenkild
with
stanes as
sterne
o þe heuyn,
3677
With
charbokl[e]s on þe champ &
with
chefe perles.
3678
Smeten was smaragdans in-to þe smeth
werkis
,
3679
And athill amytists als in aungels
licknes
;
3680
Of Euor & of Olifants was ordand þe ȝatis,
3681
With
barrers of ane Ebyn-tree bonden
with
cheynes.
3682
Þe Ebyn, as þe buke sais
brin
will neuir,
3683
And growis in þe Iles of ynde as Isodry tellis.
3684
Þe solers was of Sypirs all of a soyte makid;
3685
And Symolacres in þe sale was sett
vp-on
trones
3686
All of
glittirand
gold as gomes it were,
3687
Discheualer
with
chaplets of changand hewes;
3688
And ilka
tulke
a tabernacle tildid was ouire,
3689
And þat was grauen all
grayd
of gilden platis,
3690
Flamband all in filour & fewlis en-blanchid,
3691
Mekely
merkid
& made of all manere kyndis;
3692
And þa
ware
proudly depaynt þe pennes & þe
wingis
,
3693
Of all colours to acounte as
þai
ere
cled here;
3694
Of fethirhame & all fare as feetely enioyned,
3695
As
þai
ware
shapen o þe schell to schew to oure eȝen.
3696
Bet was all of
brent
gold þe billis & þe chauyls,
3697
And, quen as Porrus con plese in presens of lordis,
3698
Þai
made as mery melody & musik
þai
sanng
3699
As in þe moneths of Mai or mydsomere euyn!
3700
Þare fand he vessale of value to vyse out of nombre,
3701
Gurds & Goblets of gold althire-finest,
3702
Coupis all of cristall & oþire clere gemmes;
3703
Þai
fande bot a fewe dele forged of
siluir
.
3704
Þan rade he
fra
þa regions & remewid his hostis;
3705
To þe ȝatis of Caspy he come & sett doun his tentis,
3706
A lande, as þe buke tellis a large & a noble,
3707
All sauand bot serpentis & oþire
sere
bestis.
3708
To þe mode qwene of Amazoyne þan makis him þis pistill.
3709
'I, þat þe kyng am of kyngs & kiddist of lordis,
3710
Alexander, athil child of Amon oure driȝtin,
3711
To Calistride þe conquirese comfurth & ioye!
3712
Oure weris & oure wirschips & of oure
wale
notis,
3713
How we haue done ser Dary &
drepid
his kniȝtis,
3714
Couerd all his kyngdoms & conquirid his landis,
3715
I leue it to ȝour ladyschip þis lange noȝt vnknawen.
3716
With
Porrus in þe playn fild proued haue my strenthis,
3717
And oþire fele, þat
ware
to faynt oure force to with-stand.
3718
For-þi ȝour landis,
if
ȝow list to leuire
fra
oure handis,
3719
Tas
tite
vn-to ȝour tresory & trebute vs pays.'
3720
Þan writis
agayne
þe
wale
quene & on þis wyse spekis:
3721
'I, Calistride, þe conquirese þat kepis all þis endis,
3722
With
þe mery mai[d]ons of Amazoyne þe miȝtist in erthe,
3723
And othire birdis e
bland
þe
biggist
in erthe,
3724
To þe modi kyng of Messedone message of blisse.
3725
ȝoure saule sa full of sapient sedis & floures,
3726
Þat all þe present is apert puttis þou in mynde,
3727
And has of cases þat
ere
to come a knawlage in dole.
3728
For-þi oure soile
or
þou
seke
vmse þe be tyme,
3729
Quat tene &
torfare
may tide & tent to þine ende.
3730
Þare werraid neuir
with
vs na wee þat wirschip achewid,
3731
Þat he ne was heried in hast or had a heȝe schame.
3732
For ilka lered man of lyue him so lethir haldis,
3733
If
he þat for distruccion doun in-to þe depe fallis.
3734
Bot oure werkis & of oure wonynge-stede
if
ȝe wald knawe,
3735
I sal declare ȝow þe cas clene by
þire
writtis.
3736
Oure inhabetting, ser, is in an Ilee & amed as a sercle,
3737
With
rynand
all aboute oure erd an endles wattre.
3738
And we
ere
of females at þe fewis foure & xx Mille,
3739
And twa
hundreth
þar-to & all of tried ladis.
3740
A preue planke is at a place to pas & to entre,
3741
Oure bernes bildis noȝt vs by bot ouir þe
bourne
wyndis.
3742
Bot ȝet be-ȝonde ilka ȝere make we vs festis,
3743
And thretti dais all be-dene oure delitis hauntis.
3744
If
any consaue þar a knaf þan kepis him his modire
3745
Vij ȝere with-in oure-selfe & sendis him his fadir.
3746
And be
scho
lyuir of a
lasse
scho
lengis in oure burȝe,
3747
And is oure thewis of oure thede
thryfandly
enfourmed.
3748
Quen we to feȝt
with
oure faes fares out of
wanes
,
3749
A
hundreth
thousand I hope we be on horses enarmed,
3750
Þa leues in oure lede oure
lithis
to defend.
3751
Quen we repaire
with
þe palme þan prayses vs oure feris.
3752
And,
buske
ȝe to oure bondsward vs bataill to ȝeld,
3753
ȝet sall we maynly on þe marche mete ȝow in armes.
3754
To lithe vs all
if
þou limpes na louyng þou
gettis
,
3755
For þou wynnes noȝt bot wemen þare-of na worde rysis.
3756
Bot & god graunt vs þe gree grete glorie haue we þan,
3757
For þe athelist emperoure we wan euen at oure will.
3758
Be noȝt to sturten
with
þi sturte to stryue vs
a-gayn
,
3759
For many leres may þe limpe
slik
as þou noȝt wenes!'
3760
Quen he had lokid ouir þe lyne he laȝes at hire wordis,
3761
And to þat lady belyme þis lettre he writis.
3762
'I, Alexander, þat am aire of Amon him-selfe,
3763
To þe maistres out of Amazoyne many-fald ioyes!
3764
Thre partys of þe proud werde I playnly haue won,
3765
Affrike & Asye and Europ þat othire.
3766
ȝit was neuire man
a-pon
mold oure miȝtis to with-stand,
3767
And feȝt
with
vs in þe fild; ȝow fallis þe
same
.
3768
Bot be-cause we lufe ȝour comyng we consall ȝow blyth
3769
To pas out
with
ȝour paramours & pere vs be-forne.
3770
On Amon oure athill sire an athe I ȝow make,
3771
Of vs to suffire na sare to sauely to wende,
3772
Bathe
oure gold ȝow to
gefe
& of oure gud kniȝtis,
3773
To mary to ȝoure maidens & make
þam
a-vaunced.'
3774
Sone as
þai
wist of his will
þai
wiȝtly
him sente
3775
Ten vncorsayd coltis þe clennest of þe werd,
3776
And as mony to amend of milk-quyte stedis,
3777
Of mony & of
mekill
quat
mayn
giftis
.
3778
Dame Calistride þe conquiris comes
with
hire ladis,
3779
Mas hire pes
with
oure prince & pas to hire landis.
3780
Þen come a sande to þis sire in þe
same
tyme,
3781
Þat kyng porrus þe proud
with
pers out of ynde
3782
Was in þe bonds of Batriane & eft had assemblid
3783
Anoþire ost of
od
men him eft on to ride.
3784
As hastely as he it herd his ostis he
flittis
,
3785
And athils harnest on hors a
hundreth
& fyfti
3786
Was chosene to chiftans & all of chefe dukes,
3787
Ordand of oure emperoure his ostis to lede.
3788
Þus pas he furthe
with
his princes ser Porrus to mete,
3789
In August eftir Iuli as be boke tellis.
3790
All
ware
þai
swollen of þe swete & sweltid on þe son;
3791
Sum in
þaire
harnais for hete was honest for euire.
3792
Þai
went be waldis & be wastis þar watirs
ware
nane,
3793
And armed bud
þam
all bee for angwischis o bestis,
3794
As colwers & for coltris & crabbid snakis,
3795
And oþire warlaȝes wild þat in þe wod
duelled
.
3796
As
ai
stremand
sternes
stared all
þaire
wedis,
3797
Of gai
glitirand
gold glesenyd
þaire
schildis.
3798
Þai
droȝe furth be dissert & drinkles
þai
spill,
3799
Was nouthire waldis in
þar
walke ne watir to fynde.
3800
A kniȝt þat zephall was
callid
fand in a cole schade
3801
A
litill
drysnyng of dewe was droppid
fra
þe heuen,
3802
Þat it was in a holoȝe stane & in his helme fillis,
3803
And bringis it to oure bald kyng to brigge
with
his hetis.
3804
Þan Alexander to þis athill all þus he spekis,
3805
'Þis solayne sope
if
I sup quethire sustene it may
3806
Þe menbris of þe Messedones & of þe many Persens,
3807
Or I my-selfe sall be serued &
þai
sitt
with
nyfils?'
3808
'Sire, ȝe sall first be refreschid' faythly he sayd.
3809
'Quat? & ȝe perisch?' quod þe prince '& pas out o lyue?
3810
Queþir euire me list þan to lefe
with
langour & sorowe?'
3811
And hilds it doun out of þe helme befor his athils all.
3812
Þan
slike
a comfurth
þam
enclosed for his kynd wordis,
3813
As all þe watir of þe werd
ware
in
þaire
wambs
hellid
.
3814
Þan ferd
þai
furth
till
a flode & findis all þe strandis
3815
Full of Redis, as I rede rughere þan thornes.
3816
His folke fell to it fast & freschely
þai
drynke,
3817
Bot was na
renke
at
to it
ran
at
euire rase eftire.
3818
It was so keruand & kene! Þan was his kniȝtis stroubid
3819
Mare for þe
bale
of
þaire
bestis & brist of
þaim
-selfe.
3820
For
with
his florantis olifants him folowed a thousand,
3821
Of sithid chariotis & soo & sextene
hundreth
,
3822
With
coȝrres &
with
clene floure camels and mules,
3823
And out of nounbre of
nowte
at
nedid to his ostis,
3824
Thre C Mille in thede of
thra
men of armes.
3825
Be now
þai
ware
so neȝe
tane
þat
þai
for nede supposid,
3826
Sum of his awen vryn & sum on Iren lickid,
3827
Þat it was sorowe any segge þe siȝt to be-hald!
3828
Þan aires him on ser Alexander
with
angwischis & payne,
3829
Ay
foloȝe furth by þe flumme
at
I first tald,
3830
And at þe
aȝtand
houre I ame, of þe day,
3831
Þan comes
þaim
to a castell was closid in þe
borne
.
3832
It was a mervalous mote made all of redis,
3833
And foure forlange, I finde þe flode was o brede.
3834
A fewe within þe forslet of folke þare a-perid,
3835
Waiteand out at
wyndows
to wondire on his ostis.
3836
Sire Alexander bad his men aske
þaim
of ynde,
3837
And
frayne
quare
þai
find miȝt any fresch watir;
3838
And
þai
þan hent in
þaire
hedis & hidd
þam
belyue.
3839
And he felly
with
flane
flingis
at þe wallis,
3840
ȝit for na spell
at
he spirid spek wald
þai
neuire.
3841
And þan comandis he his kniȝt[is] kenely to swymme,
3842
And
þai
all bare, saue þe breke
with
brandis in hand,
3843
Þan thringis in on a throw thretty & seuyn.
3844
Als fast as
þai
þe forthing-dole had of þe flode past,
3845
Þan girds þare vp
fra
þe ground & grymly
þaim
woundis
3846
Of Seeles & of see-
Bules
a swyth nounbre,
3847
Droȝe
þam
doun in-to þe depe &
drouned
þam
for euire.
3848
Þan ȝede he þine
with
his erles & egirly him thristis;
3849
Lebards lendis
þaim
agaynes
leons & beres;
3850
Dragons & dromondaris & of
þir
derfe
Tigirs
3851
Fra
morne to þe
mirke
niȝt
þaim
maynly assailed.
3852
Þus raȝt he
fra
þis reuir be many ruȝe waies
3853
To it was meten to þe mere to myd-ouir-vndorne.
3854
Þan come he streke on a staunke þe store me tellis,
3855
Was neuir na hony in na hyue vndire heuen swettir.
3856
A foure furelange or fyue it was of full brede,
3857
Umby-thorned
with
a thike wod thre mile a-boute,
3858
Was all of þe Rede ryse as I redd first;
3859
And þat he cuttis doun clene &
kindils
in fyris.
3860
He
gert
tild vp his tentis be þat
terne
syde,
3861
Þoȝt þare a longe quile to lie & lachen his esee.
3862
Þe mone ouir þe montayns meryly it schynes
3863
Or
he miȝt drinke any drope & þen his dole neȝes.
3864
Þan comes þare-out creuesses of manykins hewis,
3865
Scorpions
þaim
to
scere
& scalid neddirs,
3866
And
þai
so large & so
laith
& so lowd
schrikis
,
3867
Þat all þe soile of þa sidis of þe sound ryngis.
3868
Dragons dryfes doun o driȝt
fra
þe
derfe
hillis,
3869
With
kene carefull crie & crestis on
þaire
hedis,
3870
Grisely
gapand
& grim
with
gilden brestis,
3871
And flawmes feruent as fyre floȝe
fra
þaire
eȝen;
3872
Þai
drewe toward oure douth
with
dedly
blastis
.
3873
Sir Alexander & his ost was arȝed vnfaire,
3874
Was þare na freke in þe fild þat faithly he leued
3875
To be deuowrid & devoidid & vencuste for euire.
3876
Þe kyng þan comfurthid his kniȝtis all
if
he care þoled:
3877
'Mi bald baratours,' he bad 'a-baste noȝt ȝoure hertis;
3878
Seis ensampill at my-selfe &
seke
ȝe na ferre,
3879
Bot hedis haly to my hand & harmes þar-eftire.'
3880
A brand & a briȝt schild bremely he hentis,
3881
Feȝtis freschely & fast
with
þa fell bestis,
3882
Dasches
dragons doun
geuys
þaim
depe woundis,
3883
Slaes
of þa serpentis many sadd
hundreth
.
3884
Þan bildid of his bachelers & braidis to
þaire
wapen
;
3885
If
þai
ware
mased & amayd maynly
þaim
feȝt.
3886
ȝit was þar twenti þat time tangid to dede,
3887
And þat þe comliest kniȝtis
at
þe kyng ledis;
3888
Of athill archars als as þe buke tellis,
3889
A-boute a thretty in þat thede
tharned
þaire
lyfes.
3890
Þus many
deid
of his douth as þe boke tellis,
3891
And him limpis all þe loose be þe lattire end.
3892
Now comes a company of Crabbe-fische as calues gret,
3893
Meuand of þis marras oure men to assaill,
3894
With
backis, as þe buke sais
biggir
& hardere
3895
Þan ony comon cogill-stane or cocatryse scales.
3896
Quen kniȝtis of oure conquirours
kest
at
þam
lances,
3897
Was nane so wele-stelid poynt
at
þam
perse miȝte.
3898
Bot gomes
with
þaire
greues in twa in þe gledis spurned,
3899
And all
at
left
ware
o lyue in-to þe loȝe entirs.
3900
Be
þai
had fyneschid þis fiȝt was ferre in with euyn,
3901
Foure houres full farne & þe fifte neghes.
3902
And leons quyte as lylly lent
þam
agayn
,
3903
Of bodis
biggire
þan
bules
berand vnfaire.
3904
Oure kniȝtis at þe first
come
clenly
þaim
sloȝe,
3905
Alto
bretind
þaim
on bent & broȝt
þaim
on fliȝt.
3906
Wild berys in þe wast
fra
þe wodd comes,
3907
With
ilka tenefull tothe as tyndis of harowis.
3908
A cubete lenth, sais þe clause
cald
was þe lest.
3909
Þai
seke
out be sundres sexti to-gedire,
3910
With
wild men of þe wast & women e-
bland
,
3911
With
sex handis, & soo sett out of kynd.
3912
Þai
held in
hettirly
& hurtis of his kniȝtis;
3913
And
þai
with
brandis & bowis bremely
þaim
woundis,
3914
Sloȝe of þa sauagyus a sowme out of nombre,
3915
And many scopid into þe
scoghe
without
scath
mare.
3916
Sire Alexander & his ost angwisch enduris,
3917
Was
waik
, as na wondire was & wery for-foȝten.
3918
And
þam
he bedis at a
braide
to beet vp þe stank,
3919
With-out his ost ouir all horrible fires.
3920
Þan come a beste of a busche
with
a blak heued,
3921
Mad &
merkid
as a Meere þe mast of þe werd,
3922
Fere fersere þan an olifant as we find written,
3923
Stayrand on to þe staunke þe stour to asaill.
3924
Þis breme best bare as þe buke tellis,
3925
Before forne in þe fronte thre fell tyndis,
3926
Hedous horns & hoge & hiȝt in
þaire
tonge
3927
Adanttrocay
with
all men as I am enfourmed.
3928
Before
scho
drank of þis
dam
his douth sho assaild,
3929
And oure kyng
with
his
carpe
his kniȝtis he gladis.
3930
Aȝt & tuenti men of armes onone
scho
delyuird,
3931
Bernes was diȝt þe deth
with
dintis enoghe.
3932
Þan mys out of þis marras as any
mayn
foxes
3933
Come furth, & fedd
þaim
in-fere of þe ded corses.
3934
All
at
was bitten of þa best was at a
brunt
dede,
3935
Bot ȝit
þai
noyed bot a
nykid
to nane þat was ermed.
3936
Þan floȝe þar by þe firmament of þa foule Backes,
3937
Als
store
& as stalword as
þire
sedill
dowis
3938
With
mekill
maȝten teeth as it of men
ware
;
3939
And
at
vn-armed was
þai
asperly wondid,
3940
Of sum
þai
nyppid
fra
þe nebb þe nose be þe eȝen,
3941
Of sum
þai
ete of
þaire
eris euen by þe
rotis
,
3942
Sum
þai
luggid
of þe lippis þe
lire
fra
þe chekis,
3943
Bot
þar
bitis, as þe buke sais blemest na kniȝtis.
3944
Þan come a fliȝtir in of fowls as fast as it dawid,
3945
To vise on as vowtres as vermeon hewid,
3946
Þaire
boukis &
þar
bathire
fete was of blak sable,
3947
And did bot plaid by þe pepill & fed
þaim
on fyschis.
3948
Quen he had voidid þis vermyn & vencust þat of ynde,
3949
Out of þis perlaous place he past
with
his ost
3950
In-to þe boundis of Bactry þar bildid he his tentis.
3951
Þare reches was of redde gold & many riche gemes;
3952
And clene all þat contre qwen
þai
his
come
wist,
3953
Þai
mett him full manerly &
mekely
resayued
3954
With
presentis of pirre & many proude
giftes
,
3955
And thretti dayis in þat thede he tholes & abidis.
3956
A sertane folke was in þat soile þat Serres
ere
callid
,
3957
And all þe lyndis in þat land
with
leves as wolle.
3958
And so
þire
Serres,
at
I said
þaim
in þe somere gedirs,
3959
And makis
þaim
wedis þar-of to were for wintris
blastis
.
3960
Þire
baratours bawers
ere
bremly reioyed
3961
Of þe conquest of
þire
cocatrices & of þa kene bestis;
3962
And now he
caire[s]
fra
þat kithe & comes in a stounde
3963
Quare Porrus
with
his powere on a playn lengis.
3964
Sire Alexander & his ost
caires
þaim
a-gayne
3965
With
brade baners & briȝt & bragging of troumpis.
3966
Apon
þe bald bocifalon before his men all
3967
He
flingis
out a forelange his feris to assaile.
3968
Þe Persens putt
þaim
in pres & þe proude grekis;
3969
Þe Medis & þe Messedons maynely
þai
feȝt,
3970
Þai
swey
doun as swiftly þa swart men of ynde,
3971
As euire did corne in a croft be-fore a kene sithe.
3972
Quen sir Porrus saȝe his princes in þe prese faile,
3973
Þan aires he out be-for his ost on Alexander
callis
:
3974
'It comes,' he said, 'to na kyng ne kidd emperoure
3975
To latt his pepill þus pas & perisch in ydill;
3976
It fallis mare faire him þe fiȝt to fynesch him-selfe.
3977
Forþi lat stedill all oure stoure & stedd
þam
esoundire,
3978
Þi semble o þe taa syde & myne on þe tothire;
3979
Lat vs twa termyn þe
taite
be-twene vs alane.
3980
If
I be vencust in þe vaile & voidid of my lyfe,
3981
Lat all my seggis & soile be to þi-selfe ȝolden;
3982
And
if
þou failis in þe fild & I þe floure wynn,
3983
Latt þan þine erlis & þine erd myne empire obeyi.'
3984
Þus porrus in his hiȝe pride to oure kyng spekis,
3985
For he was
litill
&
laghe
him
laythly
dispices.
3986
For quen he
wan
to wax þe writt me recordis,
3987
Thre cubettis
fra
þe
croune
doun his cors had o lenghte.
3988
Þe person of ser Porrus past him þat hiȝt twyse,
3989
He feetis him forth in his force & in his faire hiȝte.
3990
Bot þe prowis & þe prouidens & of þe pure thewis
3991
Þat
lurkis
with-in þis lede full
litill
he
kennes
.
3992
Now is þe partise in pes &
þai
þe place dele;
3993
Aithire kyng
with
his cause encontres on othire.
3994
Sire Porrus
with
a proude swerd him on þe pan strikis
3995
So snelle
at
he snatirs
with
nere
snaypid
him for euire.
3996
Þan
kastis
vp a kene crie þe kniȝtis out of ynde,
3997
For he was
dased
of þe dint & half dede him
semyd
.
3998
Porrus, as a prince suld persayued
þar
latis
,
3999
Turnes him toward his
tulkis
&
titely
rehetis.
4000
Sire Alexander him avises & his
aande
takis
,
4001
As bald barratour & breme his brand vp he
liftis
,
4002
With
bathe
his handis in-to þe brayne his basenet he cleuys,
4002*
And he fallis doun fey & fynes in þat stound.
4003
Þe pepill of ser Porrus quen
þai
[him] pas saȝe,
4004
With
all manere of men maynly
þai
fiȝt.
4005
'A! wriches!' quod þe
wale
kyng & wisely he spekis,
4006
'Eftir þe deth of ȝour duke quat deynes ȝowe to stryue?
4007
Wete ȝe wele,' quod þe wee 'be werrayours
laȝes
,
4008
Þat quen þe gouernoure is gane þan is þe gomes wastid.'
4009
'Sire, it is bettir for to
bate
& on þe bent faile,
4010
Þan se þis
rewthe
on ȝour
renkis
& reft be ȝour gudis.'
4011
'Sirs, blynes of ȝour bataile & bowes to ȝoure landis;
4012
ȝoure fermes & ȝoure fraunches I frely ȝow grant;
4013
For ȝe haue cockid for ȝour kyng ȝe sall no care suffire!'
4014
And þan
callid
him on knese &
kest
doun
þaire
armes.
4015
Þai
come to þis conquirour comend him as driȝtin,
4016
Þan sett he sales vp of
silke
& sacrifece makis.
4017
Sire Porrus, as him wele fell he proudely enteris,
4018
And all þe fey in þe fild & here a fitt ende.
4019
Þan aires he furth
with
his erlis & entris an Ile
4020
Quare
þir
Exidraces as Ermets inhabet in caues,
4021
A progenie of pore men þat neuire pride hauntis,
4022
And ȝit þe gentill genosophis
þam
þe gest
callis
.
4023
Is þare na
bost
þaim
e
bland
ne bataills vsyd,
4024
Nouthire cites in to sytt cellis, nor na tounes,
4025
Bot crepis in-to creuesse & craggis on hillis,
4026
And
ay
is naked [as] a nedill as natour
þam
schapis.
4027
Þe kyng of þat contre quen he þe
come
heres
4028
Of þis prince & his parray þis pistill he him sendis.
4029
'We, corruptible creatours &
cald
as be-fore,
4030
To þe mode man of Messedone all þus-
gate
I write.
4031
Sire, it is sayd to oure-selfe
with
sere
mens tongis,
4032
How þou comes in-to oure kith-ward to cumbre vs
with
care,
4033
And þat Vs wondres, I-wis for wyn may ȝe nouthire
4034
Nouthire gold ne na gude
at
euir gode fourmed.
4035
Sen
at
we Ioy nouthire gemmes ne Iuwels in cofirs,
4036
Pelour, pirre, ne perle ne na proude wedis,
4037
Ne sauand bot to sustene
with
oure awen sary craftis,
4038
Quat in þis time may ȝe
take
if
ȝe oure termes entre?
4039
If
ȝe will
seke
in-to oure soile & sett vs
agayne
,
4040
Oure simpilnes & oure sobirte forsake sall we neuire.'
4041
Quen he had lokid ouire þe lefe a lettre he in-dities,
4042
Þat he aproched all
with
pes & in na plite ellis.
4043
Quen he was entrid
þar
erde & sees
þaim
all nakid,
4044
And won as it
ware
wildirnes in wastis & greues,
4045
Darke in dennes vndire dounes & in derne holis,
4046
And
bath
þar
bridis &
þar
barnes
with
bestes on þe
fellis
,
4047
Þan Alexander
at
þam
askis & all him a-wondres:
4048
'Haue ȝe na houses ne na hames ne holis in to bery?'
4049
And þar
þai
schewid him in schurrys to schellis & to caues,
4050
Said, 'here we ilka day
duell
deuyse how ȝow likis.'
4051
Quen he
þaire
simpilnes sees he soroȝes in his hert,
4052
Pleynes of
þaire
pouerte & profurs
þaim
full faire,
4053
'Quat euire ȝe will in all þe werd
or
I wend, askis,
4054
And I sall gladly ȝow
geue
with
a gud will.'
4055
'Sire, neuire to
dee
,' quod
þai
þan 'bot euire dure o lyue,
4056
Þat we desire ȝow bedene & þan do vs na mare.'
4057
'Be driȝtin, sirs, I am a duke dedelike my-selfe,
4058
Forþi vnde[d]lynes to dele I dowe be na ways.'
4059
'Now sen it worthis,' quod þa wees 'wriche, for to
die
,
4060
Quarto hiȝis þou
fra
half to halfe & all þis harme wirkis?'
4061
'Sire, be my
croune
,' quod þe kyng 'þe cause
at
I haue
4062
Is purly gods prouidens predestayned it is before.
4063
ȝe se, wele seldom is þe see
with
him-selfe turbild
4064
Bot
with
þir
walowand windis; my will
ware
to rifte,
4065
Bot a-noþir gast, & noȝt my gast þar-of my gast lettis;'
4066
And wendis a-way
with
þat word & wemles
þaim
leuys.
4067
Þe secund day
with
vp son he
with
his sowme neȝes,
4068
Quare
þire
Imagis
ere
þat Arculious had in an Ile rerid.
4069
Þe tane was all athill gold of
siluir
þe tothire,
4070
Twelfe cubettis
fra
þe topp doun & twa was þe brede.
4071
He made his pepill
þaim
to perse to proue
þam
with-in,
4072
Quethire
þai
ware
hologhe or hale & hale he
þam
fyndis,
4073
Saȝe
þaim
thike þurȝe-out & aithire thrill stoppis,
4074
And fillis
þam
florentis a fyftene
hundreth
.
4075
Þan drafe he þine
with
his dukis in a deyne entris,
4076
A
wilsom
wast & wild & wondirly colde,
4077
As
mirke
as any mydniȝt quen þe mone failes,
4078
Þat vnnethes
ken
may a kniȝt to se to his fere.
4079
Fifty days be desert he foundis
with
his folke,
4080
Till
he come blesenand on a brym was welland hate,
4081
And on þe ferre halfe of þe
bourne
was wemen on hors,
4082
Þat frely faire
ware
of face bot foule
ware
clethid.
4083
Sum beris all of
brent
gold brandis in
þaire
handis,
4084
Sum bataill-axes &
with
bowes all of briȝt
siluir
,
4085
For brase is nane
with
þa bonds ne no
bige
Iren;
4086
Ne neuire na berne
þam
e
bland
as þe buke tellis.
4087
Þan wald his pepill & his princes haue past ouir þe
bourne
,
4088
And miȝt noȝt for þe morsure & maynyng of bestis,
4089
It was so borely & brade &
bred full
of ydres,
4090
Of dragons & of othire deuyls & doukand neddirs.
4091
Þan
caires
furth oure conquirour
with
his kid ostis,
4092
Lede
þam
be þe left side of þe lande of ynde,
4093
Sone was he dreuyn
with
his dukis into a dryi meere,
4094
Was full of gladen & of gale & of grete redis.
4095
Þan snyȝes þar, out of þat snyth hill as
with
a snayles pas,
4096
A burly best
with
a bake as bedell as a saȝe,
4097
Kene tethe as a
knyfe
a cowdrife breste,
4098
Of sembalaunce as a see-
bule
& sloȝe him twa kniȝtis.
4099
Wald þar na brande in him bite ne no
bigge
launce,
4100
Bot alto-maukid hire
with
maces & mellis of Iren.
4101
A twenti dais ouire ten
with
torfare
þai
ride;
4102
To þe formast forest of ynde oure folke all aprochid.
4103
Euyn at þe flode of Enmare oure emperoure logis,
4104
And at þe xj houre I ame, as it
ware
,
4105
Of Olifants out of þe ways an endles nounbre
4106
Come
with
a carefull crie oure kniȝtis to assaill.
4107
A-pon
þe bald Bucifalon he bremely ascendis,
4108
Bedis of his swiers ga swyth & swyne
with
þaim
take
.
4109
Þai
ware
a-baiste all belyue as þe buke tellis,
4110
Þat durst na berne on þe bent a-bide bot him-selfe.
4111
'Be noȝt a-baist, my bachelars' þe bald kyng sayd,
4112
'For
with
þe sweling of þe swyne we sall
þaim
all voide.’
4113
And so
þai
did al bedene & sum oure douth sloȝe,
4114
Tuke
out þe tuskis & þe tethe & ternen of þe
skinnes
.
4115
Þat oþir dai be desert
þam
destaned to ride,
4116
Be þe wild ynde woddis & wemen
þai
faund
4117
With
bare hedes as a
barne
& berdis to þe pappis,
4118
And had na hattir
þam
to hele bot hidis of bestis.
4119
His seggis sesid of
þam
sum & to him-selfe broȝt,
4120
And he þan askid
þam
of ynde & at
þam
enquires,
4121
Quat was
þaire
viaunce in þa vales. 'ser, venyson,'
þai
said,
4122
'
Slike
as we haunt in
þar
holis
with
hunting in tymes.'
4123
Þen ferd
þai
furth all in fere & to fild comys,
4124
Euyn to þe heued of Enmaure as I first rekend.
4125
Þare fand
þai
bernys & bridis & all
bale
-nakid,
4126
At
was resild as a resch & roghe as a bere.
4127
ȝit was þe custom of
þar
kinde as þe clause tellis,
4128
Als wele to bide in þe
bourne
as on þe brade lande.
4129
Onone as
þai
on Alexander & on his ost waites,
4130
Þai
flee as fast in-to flode & to þe founce plangid.
4131
Þan ferd
þai
furthe be þe frithis fiftene dais,
4132
And sa
þai
willid
in-to a wod was full [of] wild bestis,
4133
Rynoceros, as I rede þe romance
þam
callis
;
4134
And
þai
assembild on oure seggis bot
þai
ware
sone
drepid
.
4135
Þan sexti days
with
his seggis he soȝt be disert,
4136
Till
he was
won
in-to a werd all of wast fildis,
4137
Quare nouthire holtis was ne hilles ne no hiȝe [h]eggis,
4138
Bot all as planir & as playn as a playn table.
4139
Euen at þe elleuynt houre
or
euynsange tyme,
4140
Quen he had tild vp his tentis turbils þe welken;
4141
Þe semblant sorowis of þe soile & þe son wadis,
4142
Þe werd wannes at a
wap
& þe wedire
gloumes
.
4143
Þan fell a fliȝt & a fire betwene þe foure wyndis,
4144
Aquiloun & Affrike & ewrus þe thrid,
4145
Vulturnus þe violent þat voidis doun þe leuys,
4146
Þe south & of all sydis sadly
þai
mete,
4147
A breme
blast
on þe bent as þe buke tellis,
4148
Þat all
þaire
tents it to-terid & turned doun þe hallis;
4149
þar
pauylyons of pirre
þaire
payntid clathis
4150
It alto-schatird, & to-scailed
þam
in sondire.
4151
Þan was kniȝtis of þe case kenely affraid,
4152
And ilka segge be him-selfe said vn-to othire,
4153
'Þe writhe of þe
wale
god I wate, on vs liȝtis,
4154
For oure founding ouire his forbod so ferre to þe est.'
4155
Þan comforthis
þaim
þe conquirour &
carpis
on þis wyse,
4156
Bad, 'baise ȝow noȝt, my baratours ne batis noȝt ȝour hertis,
4157
It is na
greme
of oure gode ne grefe
at
vs fallis,
4158
Bot þe entring of þe equinox it euire
elike
-dele
kyndils
.'
4159
Sone as þe wedire wex wele & þe wynde pesid,
4160
As, be þe
bale
neuir so breme it blynnes at þe last,
4161
Þan ferd
þai
forth
fra
fild to fild & freschly assemblis
4162
All
at
was sperpolid on þe
spene
& spilt
with
þe
blastis
.
4163
Þan fandis he furth, as I fynd fyue & twenti days,
4164
Come to a velans vale þare was a vile cheele,
4165
Quare flaggis of þe fell snawe fell
fra
þe heuen,
4166
Þat was a-brade, sais þe buke as battis
ere
of woll.
4167
Þan bett he many briȝt fire & lest it blin nold,
4168
And made his folk
with
þaire
feete as flores it to trede;
4169
Þe hete was
þam
a hoge helpe &
hettirly
it voidis,
4170
And ȝit was perischist,
or
he past a part of his kniȝtis.
4171
Þan vmby-clappis
þaim
a cloude & couirs all ouire,
4172
As any pynaund pik þe planetis it hidis,
4173
And þat so thestir & so thik a thre dais eftir,
4174
Þai
saȝe na
leme
of þe lyft ne liȝt of þe son.
4175
Þan fell þar
fra
þe firmament as it
ware
fell sparkis,
4176
Ropand doun o rede fire þan any rayn thikire;
4177
Þaire
cabons &
þaire
couertours it
kindils
on a
lowe
,
4178
And all
þar
pauillions of pall it to poudire wastis.
4179
It tinds on tend
lowe
trappour of stede,
4180
And many costious costis consumes in-to
askis
,
4181
Bages & baners it blemyschid & swellis,
4182
And quare it neȝes on þe nakid it noyis for euire.
4183
Þan knelis doun oure conquirour &
callis
on his driȝtins,
4184
Giffe
þam
siluir
& so & sens at
þaim
castis
.
4185
Vnneth his prayere was past quen purid all þe cloudis,
4186
And stint was all þe stikill stormes in a stand-quile.
4187
Þen rade he in aray remowis his ostis,
4188
To þe grete flode of Gangem &
graythid
þar his tents.
4189
His bernes blischis ouir þe
bourne
& on þe
banke
saȝe
4190
Quare thre wees in a
wraa
welk
þaim
allane.
4191
Sire Alexander bad an athil aske þem of ynde,
4192
Quase
þai
were,
quethin
þai
were & of quat kind.
4193
And
þai
him swiftly
swarid
with
a swete steuyn,
4194
'We
ere
bald Bragmenys þat neuir
bale
thoȝt.'
4195
Þan list þe lord on his lyfe haue
with
þa ledis spoken,
4196
Miȝt he haue won ouir þe water for wounding of bestis,
4197
As see-
bule
& serpentis & soukand locerhes,
4198
Bathe
eddirs & ascres & atterand wormes.
4199
Þire
Cocatricesse in creuessis þar kindiles
þai
brede,
4200
Scorpions many
score
scautand
neddirs;
4201
And all-way bot in angwisch as þe buk sais,
4202
And saue þe Iolite of Iuly
þai
Iowke in þa strandis.
4203
Quen he persayued be na poynt
at
he pas miȝt,
4204
Þan was he sary in þat sithe & sadly he pleyned,
4205
Callid
to his carpentars & of his kid wriȝtis,
4206
Bad make him
boun
at a
braide
a barge all of redis.
4207
Quen it was done at his diuyse & draȝen ouer
with
hidis,
4208
Pared & parreld at his pay pickid & taloghid,
4209
Þan bowes þarin a bachelere to bragmeyn he wendis,
4210
To þe souereayn sire of þe soile & sesid him þis pistill.
4211
'I, þat kyng am of kyngis &
crouned
of lordis,
4212
Alexander þe aire of Amone oure driȝtin,
4213
And of þe quene Olimpades þat I am of sprongen,
4214
To þe, ser Dindyn, on þi dese dities of Ioye.
4215
Sen we chapid out of childhede & cheued to eldire,
4216
Þat we cuthe any-
gates
gesse
betwyx gud &
ill
,
4217
Syne was oure will
ay
with
witt to warisch oure saule,
4218
And
kest
out all vnclennes & clene it deuoidid;
4219
For þe philisophour in his fourme vs feetly declares,
4220
Þat saȝe with-outen sapience it seldoum aproues.
4221
And it is
wayued
vs to wete & warned now late,
4222
Þat all oure leuyng & oure
laȝes
ȝe
wetirly
dispice,
4223
And ȝour manars
fra
all othire mens so
mekill
ere
deffirrid,
4224
Þat nouthire in see ne in soile
seke
ȝe na helpe.
4225
Bott deyned it ȝour doctryne bedene vs to write,
4226
ȝoure customes & ȝoure conscience & of ȝour clene thewis,
4227
We miȝt sum
connynge
per cas chach of ȝoure wordis,
4228
And ȝour lare of a
leke
suld neuire þe les worth.
4229
Slike
similitude of science is sett, as of kynde,
4230
As of a blesand brand or of a briȝt candill.
4231
For many liȝtis of a liȝt is liȝtid othire-quile,
4232
And ȝit þe liȝt
at
þam
liȝtis is liȝtid as before.'
4233
Quen he had waytid ouer þis writtis his mynd he remembris,
4234
And be þe
same
sandisman him send sike anothire.
4235
'I, ser Dindimus, a duke þat neuire deere wroȝt,
4236
Blith berne on my
benke
þe Bragmeyns maistir,
4237
To þe modi kynge of Messedone þis maundment I write.
4238
Sire Alexander, þe athill
at
all þe werd loutis,
4239
Sire, þe tenour of þi titill I trow, be na mare,
4240
Bot anly wisdom & witt þou willis in þi saule.
4241
And bettir it is to þine a-bofe þan buschels of
siluir
,
4242
And mare passand of prisse þan all þi proude rewmes.
4243
Sen ȝe discrecion disire we depely ȝow pray;
4244
For a kyng with-outen
cunnyng
he can noȝt distreyne
4245
His subiectis, to be subi[e]ctis as subiectis aȝe,
4246
Bot subiectis
till
his subiectis his subiectis him makis.
4247
Þou prayes vs to þi person a pistill to write
4248
Of all oure lefyng & oure
laȝes
& oure land techis;
4249
Quare-of þe proces to preue vnpossible it were,
4250
And
if
we did it to dome it dose ȝow na gude.
4251
For þi tent is all on terrandry & tourment of armes,
4252
In
bost
& in bobans in bataills & stryuys,
4253
A craft
till
oure condicions
at
cordis bot
litill
;
4254
For simpilnes & surquitry a-sewis noȝt to-gedire.
4255
Bot leue ȝe noȝt we be to heȝe ne hauten of will
4256
To steryn or to sturtyn or sterid to enuy;
4257
A partie of oure propertes & of oure pure thewis
4258
ȝit sall I send ȝow to say sen ȝe me soȝt haue.
4259
Sire, we þe Bragmeyns blode birdis & othire,
4260
A
lowly
lyfe in oure land we lede, & a clene.
4261
All ydolatris in oure Ile
ere
vttirly devoidid,
4262
& to na syn vndire son a-sent we vs neuire.
4263
All þat ouire mesure is to
mekill
emell
we declyne,
4264
And nouthire couet we na corne bot þat vs kind leues,
4265
Þat is þe filling of fode þat ilk flesch askis,
4266
And þar-to suffirand oure-selfe & sobire as a mayden.
4267
Hald we no hors for na harow ne na horned stottis,
4268
Ne nauthire sondire we þe soile ne na sede sawis,
4269
Seke
we neuire no sustinance to saue
with
oure lyuys.
4270
Set we na saynes in þe see ne sese we na fischis,
4271
Ne nouthire hunt we ne hauke ne hent we na foules,
4272
Bot sike as growis on þe gronde with-outen gomes werke.
4273
And þat we fede vs
with
in-fere & fillis full oure tables,
4274
A dayntefull diete þat damage vs neuire.
4275
Haue we no cures of courte ne na cointe sewes,
4276
Swanes ne na swete thing to swell oure wames.
4277
All superfluyte of soule & surfet vs wlattis,
4278
To pegge vs as a peny hoge þat praysis noȝt oure
laȝes
.
4279
Forþi failis vs all infirmit[e]s of ffeuyre & of ells,
4280
Ne for na febill
at
we fele na fysyke vs nedis.
4281
Vs mistris neuire na medcyne for malidy on erthe,
4282
Bot
ay
as fresche & as
fere
a[s] fisch quen he plays.
4283
Oure lord has lemett vs
elike
þe lenthe of oure days,
4284
For þar leues na lede in oure lande langire þan othire.
4285
If
he be sexti ȝere of sowme þat a segge lastis,
4286
His successoure has bot þe
same
& þan þe saule ȝeldis.
4287
We chaufe vs at na Chymmneys for chelis of wintir,
4288
Ne comes na clathis on oure corps for na cald wyndis.
4289
We bede noȝt to blemysch oure blode
with
bodely dissires.
4290
Perseuerance of pacience & pes we reserue;
4291
Oure inward enmys ilkane we inwardly
drepis
,
4292
Þat is to say, all þe syn
at
solp may þe saule,
4293
As surfet, surquidry, & slawth þe seuyn all bedene;
4294
So þat oure werraours without vs worthis noȝt
at
drede.
4295
For wele sonere is a cite sesid, or a castell,
4296
Þat segid is on
bath
sidis [than] segid is with-out.
4297
And þou wirkis bot on þa witerward & worthis
þaim
ouire,
4298
And suffirs so within þi flesche þe faes of þe saule.
4299
And we sitt all-way so sure be sand & be wattir,
4300
Þat na supowell vndire son
seke
we vs neuire,
4301
Ne schroude to scheld
with
oure schap bot þe schire banes,
4302
And
with
þe braunches of þe bowis þat beris vs oure fodis.
4303
Haue we na deliteable drinke of diuerse wynes,
4304
Bot watir of a
wale
well or of a wild
bourne
.
4305
And þat
sullepe
sire
at
sett all þe werde,
4306
In him we lely beleue & in na
laȝe
ellis.
4307
In all oure diȝans on daies þat duke we comend,
4308
Wele wenand in anothire werd to won
ay
o-lyue.
4309
And quat as pertenys to na profe vs plese noȝt
at
lesten,
4310
Ne
mekills
mellis
noȝt oure mouth bot mesure oure wordis.
4311
Quen as we speke any spech we speke
ai
þe treuth,
4312
And þan is still as a stane & stirs it na ferryn.
4313
Riches ne no rede gold
rose
we
þam
nouthire,
4314
Bot
ay
voide of enuy & of vayne thoȝtis.
4315
Is þar na berne vs e
blande
biggir
þan anothire,
4316
Of land ne of lor[d]schip bot all
elike
simple.
4317
Þe pouert of oure persons for plente we hald,
4318
Þe quilke is part vs, all þe pake be parcells euyn.
4319
Is þar na brag in oure bondis ne bering of armes,
4320
B[o]t
ay
perpetuall pes piȝt in oure landis.
4321
Ne nouthire Iugement ne Iayll ne Iustice of aire;
4322
For dose na douth þar no dere to dome to be
callid
.
4323
Ne custome in oure contre contraris oure
laȝes
,
4324
Is þar na mercy ne methe in oure marche vsyd;
4325
And I sall quethe þe forqui & quat is þe cause:
4326
Þar dose na modirson
o-mys
na mercy to
craue
,
4327
For auyrice & errogaunce & all we devoide,
4328
And to na licherous lustes leeue ve oure membris,
4329
A-vowtri ne na vayne glorie ne na vice hauntis,
4330
Ne neuire to-pliȝt worth a pere to-ponyscht be-fore.
4331
Fynd we na faute in na freke þat vs emange
duellis
,
4332
For
ay
on reson & on riȝt rewelle we oure-selfe.
4333
Ne seȝes na segge of oure sede sodanly of lyue,
4334
For þe aire within oure habitacle is
ai
vn-corumpid.
4335
Nouthire to toly ne to taunde transmitte we na vebbis,
4336
To vermylion ne violett ne variant
littis
.
4337
Oure paramours vs to plese ne pride
þaim
bewenes,
4338
Nouthire ffurrers, filetts, ne frengs ne frettis of perle.
4339
Is
þam
na surcote of
silke
ne
serkis
of raynes,
4340
Ne kirtils of camlyn bot as
þam
kynd leues.
4341
Ne neȝe we neuire
þaim
on niȝt to
naite
for na luste,
4342
Bot for to sustayne oure sede & syn
ay
to voide.
4343
Make we na salues for na sares ne na somir-bathis,
4344
Bot
with
þe
wale
dewe &
with
þe warme son.
4345
Howe durst any be so bald to blemysche for schame
4346
Þe hand-werke of þat hiȝe gode þat all oure
happe
haues?
4347
List vs na lordschips lache of ledis as oure-selfe,
4348
For all oure libertes
elike
ere
lante
vs & paysed;
4349
And to sett him in-to seruitute a syn vs it
thinke
,
4350
Þat god has fourmed to be free & to his face
licknud
.
4351
Make we na vessall of virre ne of na clere
siluir
,
4352
Ne
store
staned strenthis ne na stithe hames,
4353
Manere mynstre, ne mote ne marbryn werkis,
4354
Bot
duells
here in disolatis in dennes & in cauys;
4355
Ne nouthire housing we haue
ay
quils we here
duell
,
4356
Bot
at
is fetid of flesch & of na fraunche piers;
4357
Þat is þe carions
kistis
þat couers þe saule,
4358
A full faynt forcelett & of fen makid.
4359
We
ere
na sailers on þe see to sell ne to byi;
4360
Ne rede we neuire na retorik ne rial to speke;
4361
Bot certis in all simpilnes sett we oure wordis,
4362
Þat latis neuire lesing in oure lippis spring.
4363
Ne foloȝe we na ficesyens ne philisophour scolis,
4364
As sophistri &
slik
thing to sott
with
þe pepill.
4365
It is bot
wiles
& wrenkis
at
þai
with
dele,
4366
And all
þare
fete &
þar
fare in falshede it endis.
4367
Lufe we no
laike
in oure lede ne laȝand mirthis,
4368
Bot quen vs pleses to play we passe & we rede
4369
Of þe actis of oure auncestours & of
þar
athill thewis;
4370
And quen we gamen suld & glade we grete & we pleyn.
4371
And othire sertis wee see þat solace oure hertis;
4372
First, þe faire firmament fichid full of sterres,
4373
Þe rede son, quen he ryses &
rynnys
in his sercle,
4374
Þat all þe land
with
his leme lewis & cleres;
4375
Þe playn purperyn see full of prode fischis,
4376
For tide ne for tempest it touchis noȝt oure kythis,
4377
Ne neuire sondres oure soile bot sesis at þe
brinkis
.
4378
Anothire mirthe is in May þat vs maste ioyes,
4379
Þe faire floryscht filds of floures & of herbys,
4380
Quare-of þe breth as of bawme blawis in oure noose,
4381
Þat ilk sensitife saule mast souorly delyte,
4382
As in þe woddis for to walke vndire
wale
schawis,
4383
Quen all is lokin ouire
with
leuys as it
ware
littill
heuen.
4384
Þan haue we liking to
lithe
þe
late
of þe foules,
4385
Þe swoȝing of þe swift wynde & of þe swete wellis.
4386
Þe kind of
þire
customs we kepe euire-mare,
4387
Þe quilk, I hope, ser, þe to hald vnhalesom it
ware
.
4388
If
þou will chalang
þaim
be chaunce chese
if
þe likis,
4389
For here is written all þi will & we na writh serue.
4390
As þe tenour of ȝour titill is oure techis haue we schawid,
4391
Oure dedis & of oure disciplyne a dele of
þaim
aythir;
4392
And of þi lare a litill-quat likis me to write,
4393
For þe sothe of oure solitude will serue þe stille aftir.
4394
Sire, ȝe haue laȝt now on late within a lite ȝeres
4395
All Europ & Asie & Auffrik þe mare;
4396
Þat seising
burde
sufficiant
þofe
soȝt ȝe na ferre.
4397
Bot
ay
mekill
wald haue mare as many man spellis;
4398
Þe son, for
sake
of ȝour syn sesys his liȝt,
4399
Be-cause of ȝoure couatise to clym to his bounds.
4400
And ȝe
with
wodnes of weris all þe werde fretis,
4401
And ȝit for-feȝtils ȝoure face all fasting it
semes
.
4402
A-nothire
laȝe
is in ȝoure lande
at
oure lord hatis,
4403
As,
slaa
ȝoure sonnes in sacrifice & othire synnys many,
4404
To sawe emang
þir
simpill men sedis of debate,
4405
And make a terant of a
tulke
þat neuire tene thoȝt.
4406
Þe soile ne þe foure sees suffice ȝowe nouthire,
4407
Bot
if
ȝe miȝt
ken
þe costis of þe clere heuen.
4408
ȝoure giltis growis of ȝour gods or god
geue
þam
sorowe,
4409
For many modirson
þai
marre miȝt ellis haue bene safe.
4410
A-vise ȝow now be Venus quat vertous him foloȝes,
4411
Þe Iusule of Iupiter & of his Iapis als,
4412
Dame Proserpyne, a prophetese of ȝoure praysid
laȝes
;
4413
Latis þis be witnes of my wordis & waitis now
þar
tetchis.
4414
Venus was a-vowtrere & many vice hauntid,
4415
And Iupiter a Iettoure þat Iapid many ladis;
4416
Dame proserpine in preue place playd as hire likid.
4417
Loo, sary sottis
slike
a sowme of synnars ȝe lufe!
4418
ȝe lett men of
þar
libertes
at
þam
oure lord grauntid,
4419
Thryngis
þam
in-to
thraldom
& of
þaire
thede spoiles.
4420
Vn-iust is ȝour Iugementis so is ȝoure Iugis all;
4421
Þe dedis of ȝour domesmen ȝe for dere halde.
4422
Is þare na
renke
in ȝoure rewme þat othire rewill kepis,
4423
Bot "þus me
þinke
" & "so me
þinke
" & threpis it is
lawe
!
4424
Þus
fra
þe
rote
of riȝtwisnes rauyst
ere
ȝe clene,
4425
And to þe way of wickidnes be warlaȝes gidid.
4426
ȝe hald na wee of þe werd of witt worthe a myte,
4427
Bot he can practise & paynt & polisch his wordis.
4428
For all ȝoure wisdom, I-wis is wroken to ȝour tongis,
4429
And all þe sauour of ȝoure sauls is sattild in ȝour mouthis.
4430
ȝoure grete
garisons
of gold vngastly ȝe spende
4431
In
bigging
of burgis & bilding of toures;
4432
And quen ȝe sitt in ȝoure sale
with
syris & dukis,
4433
Þan haue ȝee seggis ȝow to serue sowmes enogh.
4434
Þan as a Mare at a moghe ȝoure mawis ȝe fill,
4435
With
bakin mete &
with
briddis
bolnes
ȝoure paunches,
4436
Stuffis so ȝour stomake
with
stullis & of wynes,
4437
Þat vnethis haldis, be ȝe
hoo
þe hide of ȝow hale!
4438
Quat dewis ȝow þan
þire
diatis & all þis dere fode,
4439
ȝoure sowping in vnseson ȝoure surfete of drinkis,
4440
Bot settis ȝow in-to sekenes of
sere-lepy
kyndis,
4441
And
gers
ȝow
die
or
ȝoure day many
dreȝe
wyntir?
4442
Þan ȝe couett &
craue
castels & rewmes,
4443
And thristis eftir all thingis
at
in ȝoure thoȝt
rynnes
,
4444
Iaspre, Iuwels, & gemmes & Iettand perle:
4445
And all sall leue ȝow at þe laste & in-to
laire
worth!
4446
And maydese ȝit, for all ȝour molle þat modire ws cried,
4447
Þat fourmed þe flode & þe flynt & þe faire lyndis.
4448
And, as I
brefe
it in þis bull þe bragmeyns takens
4449
Surmontis all ȝour sapientis & oure assemy thewis.
4450
And oþir werkis of wast is wroȝt in ȝoure landis,
4451
As, graffis garnyscht of gold & gilten tombis,
4452
Thurghis to thrawyn in quen ȝe
þraa
worthe,
4453
Sum of
siluir
, sum of sipirs sum of
sere
gemmes.
4454
Þus make ȝe vessels in vayne to ȝoure foule corses,
4455
To crom in ȝoure cariouns þat kind ȝow defendis,
4456
Þat ilk slymand slugh quen ȝe
ere
slide hyne,
4457
And will noȝt suffire þe erth to haue
at
him fallis.
4458
For iolite of Iupitir ȝe ioyen vp templis,
4459
With
Imagis of ȝoure ydolatry all within payntid;
4460
Symolacris vp sett of Seropis & othir,
4461
And slees in-to þe sacrifis many
sere
bestis.
4462
Quen ȝe haue tildid
vp-on
[top] ȝour trouthles gods,
4463
Sum of gold, sum of glas sum of gray marbill,
4464
Sum of latoun & of lede & sum of liȝt
siluir
,
4465
And sum
ere
tiffid all of tree & sum of tyn pured,
4466
Þan fall ȝe flatt on þe fold
with
fees
þaim
adoures,
4467
Bath
Amon & Appolyne & asskis at
þam
welthys.
4468
Of any gud
at
ȝe geet a
gift
ye
þam
offirre,
4469
A quantite of all-quat of quike & of ellis;
4470
ȝe
latt
as
þai
miȝt all leth
at
ony lede wald,
4471
And
þai
may send ȝow bot vnsele & noȝt oþir godis.
4472
Þus ȝe comende
þaim
on knees as cocards suld,
4473
Þat nouthire siȝt has ne saule bot of segge werke;
4474
ȝe haue na sauour, I suppose how þat þe kyng of heuen
4475
He has na hert vs to here ne no hathill ellis
4476
For calues ne for
kidis
blode ne for na crispe wethris,
4477
Bot an[l]y for oure orisons & for na noþire
giftis
.
4478
God seȝis oure saȝes for his son
at
in him-selfe
duellis
;
4479
For sekire god is þe son þat all oure sede loues.
4480
And sothly, by þe
same
son we ere him all
like
,
4481
And all he sustayned of þat son þat any saule wildis.
4482
Forþi
vnhappy
we ȝow hald þat in ȝoure hertis leues
4483
ȝoure kind
with
slike
a conquirour to comen or to euen.
4484
And othire harlotry ȝe hant þat heris þe goste,
4485
Of fornicacion & filth & many foule synnes,
4486
Maumentry, &
manslatir
mosardry & pride,
4487
Þat dose ȝow
dompe
to þe devill quen he
ere
dede
hethen
.
4488
And we þe contrari clene kepis all oure lyue,
4489
Þat we may bowe to þat blis þat neuir sall haue ende.
4490
ȝe gronde ȝow noȝt on a god þat all of glett fourmed,
4491
Þat note newid all of noȝt þat neuire sall haue ende,
4492
Bot oþire many do ȝe
menske
ere
him na mare sibbe
4493
Þan was þe flesch of þe fysch to þe faire me[m]bree.
4494
Ilk lede þat liȝt is of ȝour lede ȝe
call
þe
litill
werde,
4495
And
gesse
wele as many gods as growis in him membris;
4496
Ilk a parcele of his person a-proprid is a-pert driȝtin,
4497
And euire-ilk lym, it awne lust eftir as him list
craues
!
4498
For marcure was
manslaȝt
a mammlere of wordis,
4499
ȝe
graith
him to be gouenoure & god of þe tonge.
4500
And Arcules has aythire arme in his awen warde,
4501
For þe xij wondirfull werkis he wroȝt
with
his handis.
4502
Mars for his maisterris & for his many weris,
4503
Him
brefe
ȝe for his
baratris
þe breste to defend.
4504
Dame Iuno was a iettir & ioyned full of iree,
4505
For-þi
scho
hedis to þe hert & has it to ȝeme.
4506
Bary he was brayne-wode for bebbing of wynes,
4507
Forþi [þe] swire & þe swalow þat swiere he kepis.
4508
Cupido has þe custodi & cure of þe mawe,
4509
For he was couatus & cursid vnclene of him-selfe.
4510
Serenon is sustenour & sire of þe wambe,
4511
For hem was quartirs of qwete vmqwile out of nombre.
4512
Dame venus þe a-v[er]ous for vices
opon
niȝtis,
4513
Is possessour & principale of all þe preue menbris.
4514
Þus ilk cantell of ȝoure cors ȝe
call
þam
driȝtins,
4515
Deu[i]dis it in-to duesses & oþire deuels many.
4516
Of ilk gobet of þat glett ȝe a god make,
4517
And leues noȝt as
mekill
as a lym ȝour liches on to stand.
4518
ȝe haue na hoping in þat hathill
at
on hiȝe sittis,
4519
How he ȝoure nase & ȝoure nebb & all of noȝt cried,
4520
Bot
þinkis
on
þir
othir thefis &
þam
as
thrall
seruys,
4521
And sacrifice to ilk a segge a
sere-lepy
gifte
.
4522
To Mars in his mynstir
at
maynteines þe weris,
4523
ȝe bringe him a wild bare for his
wale
dedis.
4524
Þe carcas of a fatt
kid
þat carayne is worthe,
4525
Þat bring ȝe to ser bacus to bere vp his drinke.
4526
And Iupiter þat Ioglour sum Iape bos haue;
4527
A bullok or a fell
bule
is broȝt to his temple.
4528
And Iuno þe Ientill for ioy of his pride,
4529
ȝe presand hire a pakoke
with
pennes of an Aungell.
4530
Minerua was a maistres of many kingis werkis,
4531
A ratland niȝt ravyn is him to rent ȝolden.
4532
To Venus þe vowtriere may noȝt ells a-vaile,
4533
Bot ilk moneth to mede & mi[l]ke-quite
doufe
.
4534
Appollo
with
a quite swan is paid him to tende;
4535
A manere of corne to mercure þat we þi muld
call
.
4536
And Serenon is sone serued þat sees to þe paunche;
4537
Haue he a boll full of bran bedis he na mare.
4538
And Ercules as emperoure emyddis all he standis;
4539
And for he preuyd
ay
þe prise in prowis of armes,
4540
He has a hatt on his hede hiȝtild o floures,
4541
Of palme & of peruyk & othire proud blossoms.
4542
Þe
kirke
of cupido is clenly a-rayed,
4543
Þe stallis & in all stedis strowid
with
Rose.
4544
Lo, to so many mayned gods ȝour menbris ȝe dele,
4545
And will noȝt knaw ȝour creatour
at
ȝow of clay fourmed.
4546
Þire
deme ȝe for ȝour driȝtins þat
drepis
þe saule;
4547
For
þai
may sende ȝow na sele bot
sla
ȝow within.
4548
As many of þat feleschip as ȝe trow & adoures,
4549
As many turmentis & tene ȝow tidis in hell.
4550
A-vise ȝow now quat velany & vices
þai
ȝow teche:
4551
Ane leris ȝow to be licherus & leris ȝow to syn;
4552
Ane, to be grindand gluttis & glorand dronkin;
4553
And ane, to bragg & to
bost
&
bate
with
þe pepill.
4554
If
ȝe be herd of ȝour
happ
vnhappe
þai
ȝow ken;
4555
Forþi bot harlotry or harme is
at
ȝe here
craue
;
4556
And
if
ȝe hede to ȝour hestis ȝour hert is a-meued,
4557
So queþir
þai
here or els-quat it hurtis
ay
þe saule.
4558
ȝour doctours ere ȝoure duesses
þaire
ditis alegis,
4559
How þat
þai
hampire in ȝour here
with
many hard payn.
4560
Þai
cause all vnkindnes & corperall lustis,
4561
As surquitry & sacrilag & othire
sere
tecches;
4562
Constrene ȝow in-to cauatise to clame all þe werd,
4563
To rayme & to robry to rayme men
þaire
godis,
4564
Wailaway
to wriches & wa is ȝow in erthe;
4565
Herefore ȝe
hinge
mon
in hell quen ȝe
ere
hethen
passed!'
4566
Þan was þe kyng of his
carpe
crabbid vnfaire,
4567
For he was spetous of speche & spised his driȝtins;
4568
Quen he had lokid on þe lyne he lappid it to-gedire,
4569
And notid to him a-nothire new þat now next fologhes.
4570
Þe kynge
crouned
of kyngis o lordis all othire,
4571
Ser Alexander þe athelest of Amons childire,
4572
And of þe quene Olimpades þat I was of
geten
,
4573
To þe best of bragmeyns blissing & hele!
4574
Sire, þe his sothe
at
ȝe say of all seggis oute
4575
ȝe may be sett be ȝow-selfe for syn doo ȝe neuire!
4576
Bot sothely
slike
a simpilnes as me my saule demys,
4577
It comes bot of acustoumes & of na clene thewes.
4578
And owþir ȝe
gesse
at
ȝe be gods for ȝoure gud werkis,
4579
Or deynes
with
oure driȝtins for þat we
þam
dere hald.
4580
ȝe say ȝe sawe neuire soile ne na citis
biggis
;
4581
How suld ȝe telle withouten toles or any tild rere?
4582
Is þer non Instrumentis of Iren in all þat Ile founden,
4583
Ne nakin metall of to make messelyne ne othire.
4584
For-quy as bestis on þe bent ȝe growe on þe greuys,
4585
Refete ȝow
with
refuse of
rotis
& of herbys;
4586
Þe
same
wyse dose a wolfe þat
wantis
of his pray;
4587
Quen he has faute of his flesch he fallis to þe soile!
4588
Lo,
if
me list in-to ȝoure land
with
all my ledis entre,
4589
Quat wisdom at ȝour wricchidnes or witt miȝt I lere?
4590
Þe, lede, is
litill
to loue þat leuys
ay
in sorowe,
4591
Bot
mekill
mare he is
menskid
þat in a mene
duellis
.
4592
Ware
þai
so wyse þat has waes qua
ware
so wide praysed
4593
As þa þat lepros
ere
& lame þat neuire of leth knewe?
4594
If
I ȝoure parties aproche & piȝt vp my tentis,
4595
If
I it miȝt, as I ne may for missyng of schipis,
4596
Þare suld my folk for defaute be famyscht for euire,
4597
And worthe in a
wale
quile to wricchis as ȝour-selfe!
4598
ȝe say ȝour women has na wedis þe werd
with
to plese,
4599
Garlands ne no gay
gere
to
glyffe
in ȝour eȝen,
4600
Silke
of Sipris, ne say ne saffrond kellis;
4601
For-quy þare is nane to
gete
now
neuyn
I þe cause!
4602
Adultery on all wise als ȝe deuoyde,
4603
Ethchewis
ay
þat caffare as castite wald;
4604
If
ȝe na will haue to þat werk it wondres me
littill
;
4605
How suld ȝe
nayte
euir þat note þat neȝes neuir þe fode?
4606
Slik
lust is lang on þe leuir & likand spices,
4607
Mast cherischid & encheson of chasteand metis;
4608
And ȝe bot fede ȝow
with
frute
at
flays noȝt ȝoure hongir,
4609
For-þi neuire ailes ȝow þat apetite
þir
artis
with
to dele.
4610
Is þar na lare in ȝoure land labour of scolis,
4611
Fesike, ne no philosofy ne no fourme ellis,
4612
Piromancie, ne poisei ne practyse of
lawe
,
4613
Ne neuire na mercy ȝow
emell
as
mynes
me ȝour pistill;
4614
All þis condicions I
call
bot comon of bestis,
4615
Þat has no sent in
þaire
saule ne sauour in na gude.
4616
Bot we þat fourmed is & fast & has a fre will
4617
Differris as in oure fraunches fere
fra
ȝoure kynde.
4618
It
ware
no possible poynt to paise in my witt,
4619
Þat all miȝt
ay
be eftir ane with-outen any chaunge.
4620
For eftir
baret
or
bale
blis vs aperis
4621
And eftir wele comys wa for so þe werd askis.
4622
Ouir wild is many ways wraiste as þe wedire
skiftis
;
4623
For a clere cloudless day mas a clene mynde;
4624
Quen it is briȝt all a-bowte it blithis oure hertis.
4625
And be þar gold in oure
gate
or any gud stanes,
4626
We do bot foules it
with
our fete vs fayns it na more,
4627
And quen it walows & wannes all oure thestres,
4628
ȝet
ere
we toghid to &
fra
be turnyng of eldris.
4629
For quilk a frek is bot a fant þan is he first simple,
4630
And quen he preues
fra
þat prike þan is he proud-lokid,
4631
Metis on þe medill
merke
& þare his mynd stablis.
4632
Mekill
variaunce of vertus enveronis oure saules,
4633
For we
ere
fetid full faire & has oure fyue wittis.
4634
Ane, oure siȝt
with
to see & sauour at þe nasee,
4635
And ane to tast & to touche & þen oure twa eris.
4636
Of all þe frutis on þe fold we
fange
at oure will,
4637
Bath
venyson & volatile & variand fisches.
4638
If
ȝe refrene ȝow
þar-fra
it falis bot of pride
4639
Or ellis ȝow writhis
with
ȝour wele for ȝe na welth haue!
4640
Be many opynion I prefe þat pure is ȝoure tecches,
4641
Mare fonden
opon
foly þan ficchid on reson.'
4642
Sone as þe kyng of þe kith þe clause had devysid,
4643
He settis him doun full sobirly & sendis him anothire.
4644
'I, sir Dyndyn þe derrest
at
duells
in þis Ile,
4645
Þe best of þe bragmeyns of bounte & of thewis,
4646
To Alexander, þat aire þat erles all þe werd,
4647
Þe souerayne sire of all þe soile salus & ioye.
4648
Sire, we erd noȝt in elementis as euirmare to
duell
,
4649
Bot as qua pas a pilgrymage
fra
Parysch to rome;
4650
To othire hames vs hiȝe quen we
ere
hethen
voided,
4651
And in þe cites of syn þan sitt we na langire.
4652
Vse we nane Epocrise ne ire, ne no theftis,
4653
Ne nothire
gesse
we vs gods ne grym at oure driȝtin.
4654
For many seerties we seet þat sysed all þe werde,
4655
And wroȝt þe will of ilk we to
wale
as him likid.
4656
And he þat
wayues
ay
þe werst & wirkis þe bettir,
4657
Þat gome is gods gud frend & god neuire þe
hildire
.
4658
And þis similitude þat oure sede þou settis my pistill,
4659
Þe
same
ensampill, as me
semes
in-to ȝoure-self touches.
4660
For so þe qwele of qwistounes ȝoure qualite encreses,
4661
Þat noþir
gesse
ȝe gouernour no god bot ȝour-selfe!
4662
ȝe
brixsill
our benignite oure bonerte repreues,
4663
And beris
a-pon
vs blasfeme þat neuire
bale
thoȝt.
4664
All be we suggets in oure-selfe & simpill oure
latis
,
4665
Voide & vacand of vices as virgyns it
ware
.
4666
Neuir-þe-les of a
laȝe
hald we vs driȝtins.
4667
It is ȝoure-selfe & noȝt oure-self þat
ai
þe self hantis;
4668
Aboundance of Auoure ȝow all has englaymed,
4669
For ȝe bot fage
ay
þe flesche & felsen it wele.
4670
ȝe bide no besynes of bedis bot to þe body clethe.
4671
Els ȝe may
cast
ȝow to be coynt ȝe count for na ferrir.
4672
With
soft
serkis
of
silke
ȝoure sidis vm-loke,
4673
Doubeletis of damaske & sum of dere tars,
4674
With
ilka fingire on ȝoure fist fillid full of ryngis,
4675
Schard al of shire gold as it a schryne were.
4676
Quat profetis ȝow þis paraile & all þis proud iettis?
4677
For nouthire saues it þe saule ne ȝour-selfe fedis.
4678
Bot we, þat knawis wele &
ken
þe kynd of þe noble,
4679
Quen we
ere
drinkeles & dry we draw to þe
bourne
;
4680
And be þar gold in oure
gate
or any gud stanes,
4681
We do bot foulis it
with
oure fete vs faynes it na more.
4682
For nouthire purgis it oure pliȝt ne priues it oure hungir,
4683
Ne nouþir salues it oure sares ne sesis it oure thrist.
4684
For folowid it
slike
a fraunchis
at
it vs fede wald,
4685
Þe cursed
laike
o couatis
ware
clene
with
it drenchid.
4686
ȝe vise ȝow þar-of vessel for vanyte & pride;
4687
As gud
ware
crestyns of clathe þe caryon to serue.
4688
I se na godlaik in gold bot grefe to þe saule,
4689
For þe fastir it fallis on a freke þe fastir he couettis.'
4690
Sire Alexander all at ese avisis him on þis pistill,
4691
And
wayues
to him a-noþire writt
at
on þis wyse spellis.
4692
'Hiȝe kyng with-out comparison of kyngis all oþire,
4693
Of all lordis þe lord þat leues vndire heuen,
4694
Sire Alexander, þe aire of Amon oure driȝtin,
4695
To þe, ser Dyndyn on þi dese þis dities I write.
4696
In
slike
a side of þe soile ȝour-selfe is in-closid,
4697
May wele na wee,
if
he wald wyn to ȝour kithis.
4698
Forþi enhabete ȝe in angwysch at ȝoure vnthankis;
4699
And all ȝoure lefing & ȝoure lare
at
ȝe so loude prayse,
4700
It comis bot of a kyndnes & of na clene thewys.
4701
And als ȝe fonde may na forþire to hiȝen ȝoure name,
4702
Bot pyned þar in a parroke inparked as bestis,
4703
Þus pere to
þir
presons þat
ay
in payn lengis,
4704
And he þat seȝis to vs sage ȝe bot a sott
call
.
4705
Be þe grace of my god miȝt I ȝour grond entre,
4706
I suld ȝow ken to be kniȝtis & clethe ȝow
with
armes'
4707
Þan piȝt oure prince in þat place a pelare of marble,
4708
Quare-on a
tulke
with
a toile þis titill vp he wrate,
4709
Sum langage on latine & lettres of ynde,
4710
Sum was
graithid
o grew þat þus to-gedire spekis:
4711
'I, Philip son þe fell kyng þe fondere of grece,
4712
Sire Alexander þe athill þ[a]t aȝe all þe barbres
4713
Eftir þe day & þe dethe of Dary & of Porrus,
4714
Þus fere I foloȝed haue my faes;' & here a fitt end.
4715
Now gase he
fra
gangan and all his
ging
eftir,
4716
Fondis forth
with
his folke & a fild entris,
4717
Vmfaldin
with
a faire wod florischst out ouire
4718
Of Appils & almands & all manere of frutis.
4719
All þe chiere of þe champe was chargid
with
floures,
4720
Acrea, sais oure autour þat angill is hatten.
4721
ȝit wont men in þa woddis as þe buke tellis,
4722
Of Ioynttours as Ieants in Iopons of hidis,
4723
And
þai
ware
fedd all of frute & of na fode ellis,
4724
Of grapis & of gernets & othire gude spices,
4725
Of sike as growis in þe grewis I tald of before.
4726
Þai
ware
as rughe as a resche þe bake & þe sidis;
4727
Quen
þai
persayued of oure prince &
slik
a pake Armed,
4728
Þan stode
þai
glorand on his gome
with
grisely mawis.
4729
And he mas heraud & heres to hant for þe nanes,
4730
And sett vp a scharp
schoute
at
all þe schaw ryngis.
4731
And
þai
for
skere
of þe
skrike
in-to þe
schaw
fledd,
4732
For
þai
hadd herd neuire of how ne of mans noyse;
4733
And sex
hundreth
was
slane
& sesid
with
oure kniȝtis,
4734
And foure and threti, as I flode was in þe fild
drepid
,
4735
And iiij
score
on þis side & seuen
at
was armed
4736
Was
with
þe churles in þe chace choppid to deth.
4737
Þus thre daies in þat thede thurgh-out
þai
lengid,
4738
And dietis
þam
with
damysens & oþir dere frute.
4739
Þan ferd he furth to a flumme & sett þare his tentis,
4740
And newly eftir þe none or
nere
þare-aboute,
4741
Þare coms a
bonde
of a
brenke
& breed
þaim
vnfaire;
4742
A burly best & a
bigg
was as a man shapen,
4743
Vmquile he groned as a
galt
with
grysely
latis
,
4744
Vmquile he noys as a
nowte
as an ox quen he lawes,
4745
ȝarmand
& ȝerand a ȝoten him
semed
;
4746
And was as bristils as a bare all þe body ouire;
4747
Dom as a dore-nayle & defe was he
bathe
,
4748
With
laith
leggis
& lange & twa
laue
eres;
4749
A heuy hede & a hoge as it a hors
ware
,
4750
And large was his
odd
lome þe lenthe of a ȝerde.
4751
With
þat comands oure kyng his kniȝtis him to
take
,
4752
And
þai
a-saillid him sone bot he na segge dredis,
4753
For nouthire fondis he to flee ne na fens made,
4754
Bot stude & stared as a stott & stirred he na forthire.
4755
Þan
callis
to him þe conquirour a comly mayden,
4756
Bad hire be broȝt be-fore þe best & bare to be nakid.
4757
And he be-held on þat hend & hissis as a neddire,
4758
He wald haue strangild hire streȝt ne had stiffe men bene;
4759
He wald haue schowid on þat schene had noȝt men halden,
4760
And to þe prince pauelion prestly him lede.
4761
Quen þe had
ferlied
his fill on his foule schapp,
4762
He
gers
þaim
bynde him at a
braid
&
brent
him to poudire.
4763
Þen rade he
fra
þat reuir & remowid his ost
4764
In-till
a brade bent fild & bildid vp his tentis.
4765
Þare fande he lindis on þat lande þe lenthe of a spere,
4766
And
þai
ware
frett full of frute þe fairest of þe werde.
4767
It
ware
to tere any tong to tell of þa trees kinde,
4768
For
þai
wald sett
with
þe son &
with
þe son rise.
4769
Fra
morewane to þe mydday merely
þai
spring,
4770
And þan discende
þai
doun as þe day passis.
4771
Lo, þis was a wondirfull werk bot gods awen will,
4772
Þat
þai
suld wax soo & wane within a
wale
time.
4773
For,
fra
it droȝe to þe derke
ay
till
it dawid eftir,
4774
It was bot vacant & voide as vanite it were.
4775
Þe kyng in his caban
with
his kniȝtis he ligis,
4776
Tutand out of his tents & þe trees waitis.
4777
A bad a berne of a bobb bring him a nappill;
4778
Þan bowis furth a bachelere his bedinge to fill;
4779
And he was sodanly sesid &
slane
with
a sprete.
4780
With
þat enverrouns all þe vale a voice
fra
þe heuen,
4781
Said, 'quaso
fangis
o þis frute bees fey in a stounde!'
4782
ȝit bred þar briddis in þa braunches
at
blith was & tame,
4783
And
if
a man had
þaim
hent or
with
his hand touchid,
4784
Þan floȝe þar flawmes out of fire before & be-hind,
4785
And quare it liȝt on his like it lichid him for euire.
4786
Now bowis furth þis baratour & bidis na langire,
4787
Vp at a maȝte mountane he
myns
with
his ost,
4788
And viij daies be-dene þe driȝe was, & mare,
4789
Or
he miȝt couire to þe copp
fra
þe caue vndire.
4790
Quen he was comen to þe crest his kniȝtis wald haue esid;
4791
And namely a new note neghis on hand,
4792
Of dragons & of dromondaris & of diuerse neddirs,
4793
Of liones & of leopards & othire
laith
bestis.
4794
Þare was hurling on hiȝe as it in hell
ware
,
4795
Quat of wrestling of wormes & wonding of kniȝtis.
4796
As gotis out of guttars in
golanand
wedres,
4797
So voidis doun þe vemon be vermyns schaftis.
4798
At oþir time of oure
tulkis
was tangid to dede,
4799
And slayn
with
þa serpents a sowme out of noimbre.
4800
So hard
þai
hampird oure heere & herid oure erles,
4801
Vnneth it chansid
þaim
þe cheke þe cheffire to worthe.
4802
Quen he sckonfet &
skerrid
all þa
skathill
fendis,
4803
Þen metis he doun of þe mounte in-to a
mirk
vale,
4804
A drere
dale
& a depe a dym & a thestir.
4805
Miȝ[t] þare na saule vndire son see to a-nothire;
4806
Þai
ware
vmbe-thonrid
in þat thede
with
slike
a thike cloude,
4807
Þat
þai
miȝt fele it
with
þaire
fiste as flabband webbis;
4808
With
all þe bothom full of
bournes
briȝt as þe
siluire
,
4809
And bery-bobis on þe braes brethand as mirre.
4810
Þus drafe
þai
furth in derknes a neȝen daies euen,
4811
So lang
þaim
lackis
at þe last þe liȝt of þe son.
4812
Þan come
þai
blesnand
till
a
barme
of a
brent
lawe,
4813
Neȝe throtild
with
þe thik aire & thrange in
þare
andes
.
4814
Þai
labourde vp
a-gayn
þe lift an elleuen dais,
4815
& quen
þai
couert to þe crest þen clerid þe welkyn;
4816
Þe schaftis of þe schire son schirkind þe cloudis,
4817
And gods glorious gleme
glent
þam
e-maunge.
4818
Þan past
þai
doun
fra
þat
pike
in-to a playn launde,
4819
Quare all þe gronde was of gols & growen full of Impis,
4820
A cubete lenth, sais þe clause
cald
was þe maste,
4821
Quare-of þe feloure & þe frute as fygis it sawourd.
4822
Þare fand
þai
Revers, as I rede ricchest of þe werd,
4823
Þof
it
ware
Ioly Iurdan or Iacobs well;
4824
Was neuir no mede ne no milke so mild vndire heuen,
4825
Ne
cliffe
of cristall so clere
at
euire god fourmed.
4826
A
hundreth
daies & a halfe he held be þa playnes,
4827
Till
he was comen
till
a
cliffe
at
to þe cloudis
semed
,
4828
Þat was so staire & so stepe þe store me tellis,
4829
Miȝt þar no wee bot
with
wyngis
win to þe topp.
4830
ȝit fand he clouen þurȝe þe
clynt
twa crasid
gatis
,
4831
Ane to þe
noke
of þe north a-nothire to þe est.
4832
Sire Alexander him a-vises & all him a-wondres,
4833
And trowid it was wroȝt of na lede werkis.
4834
With
þat stairis he forth þe stye þat streȝt to þe est,
4835
And seuen dais
with
his men he soȝt be þa costis.
4836
And on þe
aȝtent
day eftire þe prime,
4837
A Basilisk in a browe breis
þaim
vn-faire,
4838
A straȝtiil & a stithe worme stinkand of elde,
4839
And is so bittir & so breme & bicchid in him-selfe,
4840
Þat
with
þe stinke & þe strenth he stroyes noȝt allane,
4841
Bot quat he settis on his siȝt he
slaes
in a stonde.
4842
He vemons in þe vaward valiant kniȝtis,
4843
Maistirs out of Messedone of Mede & of Persee;
4844
Þai
seȝe doun sodanly
slane
of
þaire
blonkis,
4845
To step & to stand-dede & in þe strete liggis.
4846
With
þat areris all þe route & radly
þai
said,
4847
'Þe writh of þe
wale
god vs of þe wai lettis.'
4848
Þe kyng to knaw of þat case vp to þe
cliffe
wendis,
4849
Saȝe quare þe
same
serpent slepit in a roke.
4850
Þan mas he bonds in a
braide
at
sall na pepill pas,
4851
In
bole
& in balan
buskes
he his fotes,
4852
A blason as a berne-dure þat all þe body schildis,
4853
And fiches in a fyne glas on þe fere side.
4854
Þe sc[h]rewe in þe schewere his schadow be-haldis,
4855
And so þe
slaȝtir
of his siȝt in-to him-selfe entris.
4856
Þan
cals
oure kyng him his kniȝtis & comandis him to
bryn
,
4857
And
þai
as sone as
þai
him saȝe him for his
sleȝt
thankis.
4858
Sone as þis
balefull
best was broȝt out o lyfe,
4859
Þan ridis furth oure riche kyng & remowis his ost.
4860
And of þis way
at
he went sone worthis him a nende,
4861
So
at
he
flitt
may na ferre ne his folke nouthire.
4862
Þare was so hedous & so hoge hillis
þam
beforn,
4863
Cloȝes
at
was cloude he
clynterand
torres,
4864
Rochis & rogh stanes rokkis vnfaire,
4865
Scutis
to þe scharpe
schew
sckerres
a
hundreth
.
4866
Þan ȝaris he him ȝapely & a-ȝayne turnes,
4867
And past in-to þe proud playn I proued to ȝow first,
4868
Þat all was
brett-full
of bowis & blossoms so swete,
4869
Þat bawme ne braunche o aloes bettir was neuire.
4870
Fra
þens oure note men be northe nymes
þaim
þe way,
4871
And þat þan fonde all þe flote fiftene dayis.
4872
And
þai
croke
ouire
crosse
to cache
þaim
anothire,
4873
Þat led
þam
to þe left hand & þat a lange quile;
4874
And þus
þai
dryfe furth þe driȝt of daies foure
score
,
4875
Till
at
þai
come
till
a
cliffe
as þe clause tellis,
4876
Ane egge þat was all ouire of Adamand stanes,
4877
With
,
hingand
in þe rughe roches rede gold cheynes.
4878
Þan was þare
graythed
of degreces for gomes vp to wynde,
4879
Twa thousand be tale & fyue trew
hundrethe
.
4880
And
þai
ware
sett so in soute of safers fyne,
4881
Þat of þe noblay to
neuen
it neyd any cristen.
4882
Þare logis þe leue kyng late on an euen,
4883
Vndire þis maȝte mountayne & on þe morne eftir,
4884
Þare setts he furth of
sere
gods a selle nounbre,
4885
Þat he honours & his ost & offirs ilk ane.
4886
Syne
tas
he
with
him
titly
his twelue tried prince[s],
4887
Gas him vp be degreces to þe grete lawe,
4888
Trenes
to þe topward þat touched to þe cloudis,
4889
Þat he miȝt lend þar o-
loft
& waite eftir wondirs.
4890
Vp-on
þe cop of þe
cliffe
a closure he fyndis,
4891
A palais, ane of þe precioussest & proudest in erth,
4892
A bild, as þe buke sais
with
twa brade ȝatis,
4893
And seuenty
wyndows
beside of
serelepis
werkes.
4894
Þe ȝatis
ware
of ȝeten gold ȝarkid of platis,
4895
Þe windows on þe selfe wyse as þe writ schews;
4896
And
þai
ware
coruen full clene & clustrid
with
gemmes,
4897
Stiȝt
staffull
of stanes stagis & othire.
4898
ȝit was a mynstir on þe mounte of metall as þe nobill,
4899
Vmbe-gildid
with
a garden of golden vynes,
4900
Was chatrid full of chefe frute of charbocle stanes,
4901
With-outen mesure emaunge of margrite grete.
4902
Þis hame
at
houes on þis hill was in þe hiȝe est,
4903
Forthi ȝit hedirto it hat þe hous of þe son.
4904
It was so precious a place & proudly a-tired,
4905
Þare was na place it a pere bot paradyse selfe.
4906
Þen aires furth ser Alexander in-to þis athill temple,
4907
With
Caulus &
with
cleopas & othire kidd princes,
4908
And fand a berne in a bedd bawnand alane,
4909
Ane of þe graciousest gomes þat euire god fourmed.
4910
All
lemed
of his letere þe loge as of heuen,
4911
For it was gayly begane
with
golden webbis.
4912
A blewe bleaut o-bofe brad him al ouire,
4913
Was browde all
with
brent
gold full of briȝt aungels.
4914
Þe testre trased full of trones
with
trimballand
wingis
;
4915
Þe silloure full of Seraphens & othire
sere
halows,
4916
With
curtyns all of clene
silke
& coddis of þe
same
,
4917
With
cumly knottis &
with
koyntis & knopis of perle.
4918
It
ware
to tere me to tell þe tirement to-gedire,
4919
Or a nany clerke þe cost to de-vise;
4920
And he þat ristis in þat rowme þe romance it tellis,
4921
Was ane of þe borliest bernes þat euire body hade,
4922
With
fell face as þe fire &
ferly
faire schapen,
4923
Balgh
brade in þe brest & on þe bely sklendire.
4924
His cheuelere as chauele for changing of eld,
4925
And as blaȝt was his berd as any briȝt snaw.
4926
Sone as oure prince
with
his peris his person avyses,
4927
He
gesse
him wele to be god & of na gome kind.
4928
He knelis doun
with
his kniȝtis on þe cald erthe,
4929
With
haile
him
hailsis
on heȝe & oþir hend wordis.
4930
Þe
renke
within þe redell þan raxsils his armes,
4931
Rymed him full
renyschly
& rekind
þir
wordis:
4932
'
Haile
, Alexander!' quod þis athill '
at
all þe erth weldis,
4933
Þou ert
welcum
, I-wis & all þi
wale
princes.
4934
Sire, þou sall see
with
þi siȝt
slike
signes,
or
þou passe,
4935
As neuire segge vndire son saȝe bot þine ane.
4936
And þou sall here
apon
happis
or
þou
hethen
founde,
4937
Þat neuire hathill vndire heuen herd bot þi-selfe.'
4938
'A! A!
happy
haly here man' quod þis hathill þan,
4939
How þat þou
neuynes
my name & þou me neuire
kend
?'
4940
'ȝis, sothly, ser,' saied þe segge 'þi-selfe & þi werkis,
4941
Or
any drope of þi delume drechet had þe erd.
4942
List þe noȝt loke on þe lindis þat leuys euire mare,
4943
Þat has þe surname of þe son & of þe mone alls;
4944
Þat is to mene, bot of þe mone & miȝt has to speke,
4945
And tell þe trewly all þe text quat tide sall here-eftir?'
4946
'ȝis, by my
croune
,' quod þe kyng & kyndly was ioyed,
4947
'Þis word I wald, be ȝour will noȝt all þe werd leuir!'
4948
'Ser, waite
at
þou be wemles for woman touching,
4949
Þan may ȝe leuely on
þam
loke & lesten ȝour wirdis.
4950
For be ȝe pure of þat pliȝt ȝe may þis place entre,
4951
Þat is þe
sette
of þat sire þat sett all þe werd.'
4952
'Ser, I am clene of þat craft I knaw wele my-selfe,
4953
Be þou oure gide to þe greuys
apon
gods name.'
4954
With
þat
bownes
him þat berne &
fra
his bed ryses,
4955
Cled all in clene gold kirtill & mantill,
4956
A grym grisely gome
with
grete gray lokis;
4957
Al
glitered
þe ground for glori of his wedis.
4958
'Sirs, ȝe þat will has to wend ȝour
wapens
deuoidis,
4959
Nymes of ȝour nethir
gloue
& nakens ȝoure
leggis
,
4960
Pesan, pancere, & platis all to ȝoure preue clathis,
4961
Iopon & iesserand & radly me folows!'
4962
Þe kyng at his comaundment
with
his kniȝtis him spoilis,
4963
Puttis of to þe selfe
serke
senture & othire,
4964
Takis
with
him ser telomew an of his princes,
4965
And Antiet, an athill duke & eftir him wendis.
4966
Þai
ferd furth all in fere
þir
foure all to-gedire;
4967
Þe lede
at
was
þar
ladisman þe lord & his kniȝtis
4968
Went þurȝe a
wale
wode was wondire of to tell,
4969
As it
ware
hiȝtild in þat hill
with
handis of aungels.
4970
For þare
ware
tacchid vp trees þe triest of þe werd,
4971
A
hundreth
fote to þe hede þe hiȝt was & mare,
4972
Lyke
oleues out of lebany & lores so grene,
4973
With
sichomures & sipresses & sedrisse e-
blande
.
4974
Þare trekild doun of þa teres of iemmes,
4975
Boyland out of þe barke bawme & mirre,
4976
Of scence & of othire salue as sechis out of wellis,
4977
Þat rase neuire of aromitike sike rekils in erth.
4978
Þai
fande a
ferly
faire tre quare-on na frute groued,
4979
Was void of all hire verdure & vacant of leues,
4980
A
hundreth
fote & a halfe it had of leȝt large,
4981
With-outen bark ouþir bast full of bare pirnes.
4982
Þar bade a brid on a boghe a-bofe in þe topp,
4983
Was of a port of a
paa
with
sike a proude crest,
4984
With
bathe
þe chekis & þe chauyls as a chykin brid,
4985
And all gilden was hire gorg
with
golden fethirs,
4986
All hire hames be-hind was hewid as a purpure.
4987
And all þe body & þe brest & on þe bely vndire
4988
Was finely florischt & faire
with
frekild pennys,
4989
Of gold graynes & of goules full of gray mascles.
4990
Þan waitis on hire þe
wale
kyng & wondire him
thinke
,
4991
Was in þe figure of hire fourme noȝt
ferlid
a
littill
.
4992
'Quat loke ȝe?' quod þe ladisman 'do lendis on forthire,
4993
ȝone is a fereles foule a Fenix we
calle
.'
4994
Þan bowe þa forthe all e
bland
& to
þire
treis comes,
4995
Þe plants of þe proud son & of þe pale mone.
4996
'Behalds now,' quod þis
hare
man 'to
þir
haly bowis,
4997
And quat þou will of
þaim
to wete wis in þi saghe.
4998
Appose
þaim
all in preuate bot make na playn wordis,
4999
And þou may swythe haue a
sware
at
swike sall þe neuire.
5000
Þan may þou
gesse
in þi gast it is a gude sprete
5001
Þat sends þe sike asouerance & sees to þi thoȝtis.'
5002
Þire
boles
was, as þe boke sayes borly & hiȝe,
5003
Þe lind of þe liȝt son louely clethid,
5004
With
feylour as of fine gold þat
ferly
faire
lemes
,
5005
Þat oþir loken ouire
with
leues as it
ware
liȝt
siluir
.
5006
Þan Alexander at þis athill askis a demande,
5007
'In quatkyn maner of lede sall me
þir
treis
sware
?'
5008
'Sothly, ser, þe son-tree' said þe segge þan,
5009
'Entris in
with
yndoyes & endis in greke;
5010
And mast-quat
ay
þe mone-tree þurȝe miȝt of hire kynde,
5011
Quen it kithis vs any
carpe
þe contrarie spekis;
5012
For
scho
begynes all in grew & endis in ynde,
5013
And þus be twinlepi tongis tell
þai
oure wirdis.'
5014
Þan knelis doun þe conquirour vn-to þe cald erthe,
5015
And aithire
bole
eftir
bole
blithly he kissis,
5016
And þoȝt
if
he suld
with
þe
thra
of all þe thedes wete,
5017
If
he suld move
agayn
to Messedon quare his modire
duellid
.
5018
Þan schogs hire þe son-tree & schoke hire schire leues,
5019
And
with
a sweȝand swoȝe þis
sware
scho
him ȝeldis:
5020
'Sire, þou ert lele of ilk lede þe lorde & þe fadire;
5021
Bot þi sire soile in na side see sall þou neuire.
5022
For þi modire nor ȝit Messedon þou seȝis
þaim
na mare.'
5023
Þan list him
lithe
of his lyfe & of his last ende:
5024
'So maideux,' quod þe mone-tree 'þi meere bees na langir
5025
Bot out þis anlepi ȝere & aftir viij monethis;
5026
Þan sall he duale þe
with
a drinke
at
þou full dere
traistis
.'
5027
Þan makis he mournyng & mane & in his mynd
thinkis
,
5028
Qua suld þat trecherous trayne of treson him wirke.
5029
He said, 'hende haly tree' & halsid hire in armes,
5030
'Quat person sall do me depresse I pray þe me tell?'
5031
'Sire, sothely,' said þe son-tree '
if
I þe sothe
neuened
,
5032
Qua suld þe wite out of þe werd & þe þi werdis dele,
5033
Þan suld þou
slaa
þe
same
segge & so my sawis faile;
5034
And þat may worthe be na wai for
ay
my wordis standis.'
5035
Þan lokid on him his ladisman said, 'lefe of þi wordis,
5036
For writhing of
þire
wale
treeis & willne
þaim
na mare.
5037
Bot
graythe
þe, gome, on gods behalue and
a-gayn
turne,
5038
For ouire þe lemetis of
þire
lindis may no lede founde.'
5039
Þen
bownes
agayn
þe bald kyng baldly he wepis,
5040
Þat he so
skitly
suld
skifte
&
fra
his skars terme.
5041
So did his princes, sais þe prose for pete of him-selfe,
5042
With
ȝedire ȝoskingis & ȝerre ȝett out to grete.
5043
Þan bedis
þaim
þe barotour on
bathe
þaire
eȝen twa,
5044
Þat
þai
suld neuire þis note to nane of his ost
neuyn
,
5045
Quat
þai
beheld in þe hill & herd
with
þaire
eres;
5046
And he þan styntis of his stoure & steris his hert.
5047
'
If
ȝe will gange,' quod þis gide '
a-gayn
to ȝoure kniȝtis,
5048
Moves ȝow to þe nethire-ward next I it hald.'
5049
Þan passis he to þis proud place & oure kynge leues,
5050
And he gose doun be grece
a-gayn
to his tentis.
5051
Þar logis he
fra
þe late niȝt
till
efte þe liȝt schewis,
5052
With
sare sighingis & sadd for
sake
of his wirdis;
5053
Costreynes him
with
his contenance to
with
his kniȝtis play,
5054
Bot þat bot sprang of þe splene þe sprite was vn-esid.
5055
Sone as þe day-rawe rase he risis vp belyue,
5056
Riches him radly to ride & remows his ost,
5057
Driues on
with
his dukis day eftir othire,
5058
Till
he was meten to þe meere quare he þe monte entird,
5059
Þat was þe proud playn fild I proued ȝow be-fore,
5060
Quare all þe face of þe fild was of fyne goules.
5061
Þare piȝt he doun his pauylions &
with
his princes bidis,
5062
And þe driȝt of a day he
duellis
in þa costis.
5063
Betwene þa
styes
in a stound þat strekis þurȝe þe mountis
5064
He mas twa pylars doun to pynche all of playn marble,
5065
And tacchis vp of treed gold a pelare in þe myddis,
5066
With
a prolouge in þat plate on aithire post writen.
5067
'I, Alexander þe athill eftire þe date
5068
Of þe prince & Persye & Porrus
þire
pilars en-haunsid.
5069
Qua list þis lymit ouir-lende lene to þe left hand,
5070
For þe
rake
on þe riȝt hand þat may na man passe.'
5071
Þis titill was of twa tongis
tane
out & grauen,
5072
Of Ebru & of yndoys & of
þire
ald lettres,
5073
Of latine & of othire lare & leues out of grece,
5074
Proudly prikid all in prose; & here a pas endis.
5075
Now strekis he furth
with
his stour & steris
with
his tentis,
5076
He leuys all þe march-
gats
I
neuend
ȝow before,
5077
And nymmes a-nothire on þe north þe next to his kith,
5078
Þat to þe marche of Messedone was him mast qweme.
5079
Sone was he lent in a lande a large & a noble,
5080
Preciosa, þe precious þe prose þus it
callis
;
5081
And clene all þat contre quen
þai
his
come
wist,
5082
With
sike as provid in þa partis presentis him faire,
5083
Sum fellis of fischis
ferly
to tell,
5084
Was
like
as of lepards & lions
skynnes
;
5085
Sum
with
lions on lyue & lamprays sloȝis,
5086
Þat sex cubettis clere was of clene lenghe.
5087
Þar was a cite in þat side asisid all
with
gemmes,
5088
With-outen lyme or
laire
a lady it kepid,
5089
A worthi wedow & a wlonk
with
thre
wale
childire,
5090
Þat qwene Candace þe clere was
callid
in þa bonds.
5091
Now sall I sothely of hire sons say ȝow þe names;
5092
Þe first wos Candoyle
callid
a kniȝt althire-fairest;
5093
Þe medilmast of þe men was Marcipy hatten;
5094
Þe thrid Caraptus is
cald
þat kepid all hire landis.
5095
Sone as þe kyng of hire knew a clause he hire writis,
5096
An Image all of athill gold of Amon hire sendis;
5097
To mete him in þe montayns þat mild he be-sechis,
5098
Þat
þai
miȝt sacrif[is]e
samme
þar to his
sere
driȝtins.
5099
Sone as þis princes of pris þis pistill had deuysid,
5100
Þan sendis
scho
to him sandis-men
with
selid lettris,
5101
With
tribute & trouage & many tried
giftis
,
5102
And
þire
þe wordis of hire write
at
on þese wyse spekis.
5103
'To þe kiddist kyng of kyngs all othire,
5104
Sire Alexander þe athilest of Amons strinds,
5105
I, Candace þe conquires coround of Mede,
5106
To ȝour honoure
with
obeyaunce me ane I comaunde.
5107
For it was purveid a-pert of þe kyng of heuen,
5108
Pre-desteyned of his prouydence & of his pure miȝt,
5109
Þat ȝe suld pas in-to Pers & prese it
with
armes.
5110
Itale, Egipt, & ynde & all
þire
Iles ouire,
5111
ȝour wirschip & ȝour worthenes [in] all þe werd sprong,
5112
ȝour curtassy, ȝour kniȝthede & all ȝoure clene thewis.
5113
And þat
with
men of þe mold noȝt
melid
vs alane,
5114
Bot driȝtins & duesses ȝour dedis declaris.
5115
Forþi like it to ȝour lordschip & lathis noȝt my sawis.
5116
We
at
ere
voide
ay
of vice & vacant of syn,
5117
Quat suld we moue in-to þe montts? þat mystirs bot
litill
,
5118
Outhire Appole to adoure or any othire driȝtins.
5119
Bot
sen
it syttis noȝt to oure simpilnes ȝour saȝe to with-stande,
5120
Ne noþir to
mele
ne to mote ȝoure maieste
a-gayn
,
5121
ȝit sall I send ȝow
fra
my soile a sertan of
giftis
,
5122
For reuerence of ȝour rialte & of ȝoure
rosid
werkis.
5123
I drysse ȝow here a diademe ȝoure druits to were,
5124
Þe gaiest
gift
vndire god of gold & of stanes,
5125
And to ȝow selfe of þe
same
o
serelepy
hewis,
5126
A
hundreth
in a hale heere hiȝtild
with
crestis,
5127
And twa
hundret
& ten be tale at þe leste,
5128
Of
rekanthes
of rede gold railed of gemmes,
5129
With
pellicans & pape-ioyes polischt & grauen,
5130
With
cambs &
with
coronacles all of clene perle,
5131
Thretti goblettis of gold þe grattest in þe worde,
5132
Fyue
hundreth
all of euyn elde of Ethyops childire,
5133
Rynoseros, a roghe best
with
raggid
tyndis.
5134
An aȝte to ȝour empire I
fra
myn erd
wayue
,
5135
Berrers of ane Ebyn-tree & brilles a thousand,
5136
Foure
hundreth
Olifants in fere þis fardill to bere,
5137
And thretti
hundreth
of my thede þat
threuen
ere
& tame.
5138
I presand ȝow, of panters full of proud mascles,
5139
Foure
hundreth
fellis ȝit to fee
at
fynely
ere
tewid.'
5140
Of lepards & of lionesses þis lady him sendis,
5141
A purtrayour in preuate
scho
prays
with
þam
to pas,
5142
And his personele proporcions in perchemen hire bring.
5143
All was done as
scho
demed & he hire dere thankis,
5144
And
graithis
hire
giftis
agayn
þe gaiest vndire heuen.
5145
Þe payntour presentis his aport &
shoo
was proud þen,
5146
For
scho
had depely many day desyrid him to see.
5147
Þen wendis furth hire dere son a
litill
dais eftir,
5148
Þat was ser Candoile þe kene þat was hire kidd aire,
5149
His wife & his women &
with
his
wale
feres,
5150
Out of þe cite
þai
soȝt to solace
þar
hertis;
5151
Þe kyng of Bebrike þe bald him on þe bent metis,
5152
With
a company clene of kniȝtis enarmed,
5153
Maynes many of his men & him his
make
refis,
5154
For he þat lady had loued many lange wintire.
5155
He
gers
a berne on a blonke hire bremely to
cast
5156
Before a bald bachelere on a
bigg
stede
;
5157
Scho
gaffe
skirmand
skrikis
at
all þe
skowis
range,
5158
It miȝt a persid any hert to here how
scho
wepid.
5159
Þan was ser Candoile in þat cas kenely distourbid,
5160
Aires on as bely[ue] to Alexander tentis,
5161
Thoȝt he wald sewe to þat sire &
seke
him of grace,
5162
If
he wald helpe
with
his heere þat hend to reschowe.
5163
Be he þe pauylion a-prochid it past with-in euen,
5164
And sone þe wacche-men with-out quen
þai
him þare sawe,
5165
Þai
tuke
him, & to Telomew
titte
þai
him ledd,
5166
Þe mast praysed of þe pers bot þe prince selfe.
5167
'Quat dons man ert þou?' quod þe duke '& quat dos þou here,
5168
Quat is þe cause of þi
come
? do kith vs þi name.'
5169
'Sirs, Candaces son þe conquires & Candoile I hiȝt;'
5170
And clene tald him [of his] care þe cause all-to-gedire.
5171
Þan
trines
on ser Telomew &
fra
his tent wyndis,
5172
Comands ser Candoile to kepe in a kniȝtis warde,
5173
Cairys
in-to a cabayne quare þe kyng liggis,
5174
Fand him slowmand on slepe &
sleely
him
rayses
,
5175
And tellis him of þat
tithandis
þe tale how itt standis,
5176
How þar was comyn
slike
a kniȝt to
craue
him of help,
5177
Þe son of Candace þe quene þe kepare of Mede;
5178
And how þe Bebrik kyng had him his wyfe refid.
5179
'ȝa, aire
a-gayn
,' quod Alexander 'in-to þine awen tent;
5180
Do on þi hede a dyademe þe derrest
at
I haue,
5181
A
croun
all of clene gold & a kyngis mantill,
5182
A-seȝee þe doun in my sege as þou my-selfe
ware
;
5183
Lat com a-boute þe my kniȝtis &
call
ye my name,
5184
With
liȝt lions
latis
as a lord suld;
5185
Say þi-selfe is my-selfe & þan my-selfe
call
,
5186
As I
ware
Antioc þat athill non
aghe
of me þou stand,
5187
And I sall hiȝe to þi hest as [I] þi hathill
ware
.
5188
Quen I com to þi
call
& knele þe before,
5189
Þou sall declare me þe cas of Candals auntir,
5190
Befor his person apert ilk poynt as he touchid.
5191
Be noȝt a-baist quen I bow ne bede me noȝt to ryse,
5192
Bot lat þi semblance be sadd quen þou þi saȝe ȝildis;
5193
And sai þan, 'Antioc, myn athill' quen þou has all tald,
5194
'Latt se þi witt in þis werke' & wysely me rede.'
5195
Þan
trines
furth ser Telomew & tyris him belyue;
5196
In emperouris aparell his person he clethis.
5197
And Alexander as belyue in antioks name,
5198
Quen he was
callid
,
with
a kniȝt he coms in a stounde.
5199
Þan tellis to him ser Telomew þe tale all-to-gedire,
5200
Be-fore ser Candale þe kene his consaile him askis.
5201
'
Ware
it ȝour will,' quod þe wee '
wale
emperoure,
5202
Þan wald I fare
with
þis freke his fere to reskowe,
5203
And bid þe Bebrike on
bathe
twa his eȝen,
5204
Withouten bade to þis briȝt his brid to restore;
5205
And say þat sire, on þi be-half bot he hire sone ȝeld,
5206
We sall his cite & him-selfe synge in-to poudire!'
5207
With
þat inclynes þe kniȝt & kyndly him loues,
5208
Said, 'antiok, of all men
ay
be þou Ioyed;
5209
It
semes
þe, for þi sapience to sit in a trone,
5210
And to be cled as a kyng
with
croune
&
with
septir!'
5211
Þan aires him furth ser Alexander as Antiok it
ware
,
5212
Cairis
on
with
candoile & caȝt him his leue,
5213
Soȝt furth þe
same
niȝt & to þe cite
wan
,
5214
Quare þe Bebrik kyng
with
þe bird lengis.
5215
Sone þe wacchis on þe wallis
þam
wiȝtly
ascryes,
5216
Qua
þai
ware
, & of
quethen
& quat was
þar
errande
.
5217
'It is ser Candoile,' quod þe kynge 'is comyn for his spouse;
5218
And I am messangere made þat mild to delyuire.
5219
'Þe maistir out of Messedone ȝow maynly enjoynes,
5220
If
ȝe ȝoure cite will saue to sese him his brid.'
5221
Þan was þe burgaige a-baiste &
brest
vp þe ȝatis,
5222
Of þe palais of þe proud kyng his paramour him
tuke
.
5223
Sire Candoile to oure conquirour
carpis
þire
wordis,
5224
And adoures him for his athill dede & Antiok him
calls
.
5225
'I pray þe, prince,
with
me pas to my praysid modire,
5226
Þat þou may merote haue &
menske
& mede for þi werkis.'
5227
Þan was oure kyng of þat
carpe
kyndly reioyed,
5228
For him had list on hire to loke many lang wintir.
5229
He said, 'aire we to Alexander & askis him his leue,
5230
And I sall fayn
with
þe found & felsyn þi will.'
5231
Þan
trines
he to ser Telomew
at
in his trone sittis,
5232
Laȝt his leue at þe lede as he his lorde
ware
.
5233
Þis kid he for a coyntise &
kest
slike
a
wile
,
5234
Lest he
ware
knawyn for þe kyng þe kniȝt for to blinde.
5235
Þan
caires
he furthe
with
Candoile vp at a
cliffe
wyndis,
5236
A hidous hill & a hiȝe þat to þe heuen
semed
,
5237
Was loken all in lange lindis
like
to þe cedres,
5238
Growand full of gernetts & gracious frutes.
5239
Þare fand
þai
bery-
buskis
& braunches
with
grapis,
5240
Þat vnnethes bere miȝt a berin a bole on his schuldire.
5241
With
hesils
hild
of hodere cloud lang þa appills,
5242
And all þe woddis full of wolfes & of wild apis.
5243
Þai
bow vp to a
banke
& þe burgh neȝes;
5244
And Candace þe conquires quen
scho
þe cas heris,
5245
How
bathe
hire
barne
& his brid was broȝt hame sond,
5246
Þan was
scho
glad in hire gast & gretly reioysed.
5247
In-to a chambre
scho
chese & changid hire wedis;
5248
A Robe all of rede gold & þan a riche mantill,
5249
A
croune
& a corecheffe clustert
with
gemmes,
5250
And [cam] doun of hire closere
with
kniȝtis him to mete.
5251
A grete
gate
be degrece
agayn
þaim
scho
foundis;
5252
'Kys me, ser Candoile!' & clappis him in armes,
5253
Said,
welcum
be þou,
wale
son & þou, my
wale
doȝtir!
5254
And I am glad of ȝoure
gest
as gode
geffe
me ioye.'
5255
Sire Alexander hire a-vises & all his hert liȝtis,
5256
Him þoȝt hire
like
at a loke his lady his modire.
5257
Scho
was so faire & so fresche as faucon hire
semed
,
5258
An elfe out of an-othire erde or ellis an Aungell.
5259
Hire palais was full precious
þof
it parades
ware
,
5260
Plied ouir
with
pure gold all þe plate-rofes,
5261
And þat was ioyned full of gemes & of ioly stanes,
5262
With
breme blasenand bemes briȝt as þe son.
5263
Þe kyng
with
dame Candace þe castell he entres,
5264
Silis
in
with
þat
semely
in-to a somere-hall,
5265
A strenthe, was stiȝtild all of stagis þe stithest of þe werd,
5266
Was nane so comly a close vndire þe can[o]pe of heuen,
5267
Þe bild was all of
brent
gold þe beddis of þe
same
,
5268
Piȝt full of pentests & oþire proude stanes,
5269
Of Onycles & orfrays & orient perles,
5270
And
with
þire
precious piers of paradise stremes,
5271
Bathe
þe
benkis
& þe
bordis
bett of þe noble,
5272
Smeten full of smaragdins & oþir small gemmes,
5273
Of Acats & of Amatistis & adamants fyne,
5274
Calcidoynes & crisopaces & oþir clere bees.
5275
Þe pilars
ware
of purfire polischt & hewen,
5276
With
gomes
grouelings
of gold
graythid
for þe nanes,
5277
Fondand on all foure on fote & on handis,
5278
Buskid
vndire þe baisens to bere vp þe postis.
5279
Þare
ran
a reuire, as I rede vndire þat riche hame,
5280
Was neuir na cristall so clere as was þa clere strandis.
5281
Þe kyng & Candace þe quene & Candeile hire aire,
5282
Þe
same
day in þe sale was serued to-gedire.
5283
Scho
sesis him on þe secunde day [& sone]
with
him laches,
5284
Raȝt him by þe riȝt hand &
raikis
to a chambre,
5285
Was parraillid all of plate-gold pariet & oþire,
5286
With
stoute starand stanes þat stremed as þe son.
5287
Was þar na leuyand lede ne lyfe bot
þam
ane.
5288
And þan
scho
laches him be-lyfe & ledis him forthire,
5289
In-to a clochere
with
a kay þe clennest of þe werde,
5290
Was sammed all of sipris & seder-tables.
5291
Þis selere was be sorsry selcuthely foundid,
5292
Made for a mervall to meeue
with
engine;
5293
Twenti tamed Olifants turned it a-boute,
5294
Quirland
all on queles quen þe quene entres.
5295
Quen
þai
ware
sett þar in
samen
on
silkin
webbis,
5296
Sone begynnes it to gaa & gretly he wondres.
5297
'
Ware
slike
a wondire in oure marche of Messedone,' he said,
5298
'It
ware
a daynte to deme for any duke oute!'
5299
Þan answars him þis athill quene & Alexander him
callid
,
5300
'
Mekill
grettir it
ware
to ȝow of grece & to gomes here.'
5301
Þan
stemes
he
with
þe stoute kyng &
stiggis
with
his name;
5302
His chere out of chere hew it changis in-to pale,
5303
Þan has þat hende him by þe hand & hent vp a laȝtir.
5304
In to A preue parlour
þai
passe
bathe
to-gedire,
5305
And þar in perchement depayntid his person
scho
schewid.
5306
Said, 'se þi-selfe a sampill þat I þe sothe
neuyn
!'
5307
As fast as he on þis figour
festid
his siȝt,
5308
All falowis his face & his flesche trimblis;
5309
'Qui fadis so þi faire hew?' said þe faire lady
5310
'Þe werreour of all þe werd & wastour of ynde,
5311
Þou þat has
brettend
on þe bent þe barbrins folke,
5312
Þe pepill out of Panty þe Persens & þe Medis.
5313
Loo, now, þe here withouten hiȝt in-to my handis sesed,
5314
Bot in a womans ward for all þi
wale
dedis!
5315
Ser, wete it wele ȝoure worthenes þat for na wele here
5316
Suld neuire no hathill vndire heuen [be] to hiȝe losed;
5317
For all þe welthe of þe werd
ware
it a wee grantid,
5318
It witis a-way at a
wapp
as þe wynd turnes.'
5319
Þan chawfis him þat chiftane &
with
him-selfe chidis,
5320
All
if
he spared to spek his sprete he rehetis.
5321
As any terand for tene he
with
his tethe
gnaistes
,
5322
And hitterly on ilk side his heued he declines.
5323
'Qui colkins þou, ser conquirour & crabbis so þi saule,
5324
Quat may þi vertu now a-vaile & all þine vayn pride?'
5325
'I swete,' quod þe swete kyng 'þat I na swerd haue,
5326
For I na
wapen
haue, I-wis my writh
with
to venge!'
5327
'Now, bald baratour on bent
if
þou a brand hade,
5328
Quat prowis miȝt þi person a-preue in þis stounde?'
5329
For I vnwarly,' quod þe kyng 'am to ȝoure will
taken
,
5330
I suld þe
slaa
þare þou sittis & þan my-selfe eftir!'
5331
Now, be my
croun
,' quod þe quene 'as kniȝtly þou
swaris
;
5332
Bot neuir-þe-lattir ȝit be 1iȝt & lete of þi sorowe.
5333
For þou has broȝt my son wife of bebricans handis,
5334
And I sall surely þe saue vnsesid of þe berbrens.
5335
For
ware
it knawen of þi
come
þai
walld þi cors schind,
5336
For opressing of þe gud prince Porrus of Ynde.
5337
And Caratros my kid son has couplid him to wyfe
5338
Þe doȝtir of þis dere kynge þat þou to dethe broȝt.'
5339
With
þat
scho
sesis þis sire & to þe sale ledes,
5340
Sendis eftir hire sons & sobirly
þam
tretis
5341
Þis athill of ser Alexander as
þai
were all halden,
5342
At
þai
suld
menske
him & mirthe & make him at esee.
5343
'I knaw it wele,' quod Caratros 'my comly modire,
5344
Þat he my brothirs brid has out of bands leuird,
5345
& how þe kyng, be þat cause has to þis kith sent;
5346
Bot my wyfe will ga wode for wa bot I þis wee spill.
5347
Ne
ware
he a messangere & ȝit mare for ȝoure-selfe,
5348
Sure suld him sowe for his
sake
at
him has sent hedire.
5349
So sall his maistir, & I may be my dire saule,
5350
For he þe fadire of my fere has in þe feld
drepid
.'
5351
'A!' quod þis lade, 'leue son
if
we þis lede sloȝe,
5352
Suld we vs nymme any name oȝt bot of sorowe?'
5353
'ȝa, Cartros,' quod Candoile 'þis kniȝt has me saued,
5354
And I sal lede him on lyue vn-to his lord tentis.'
5355
'Quat
baitis
þou me so, my brothire
with
þi breme wordis,
5356
List ye we stryfe in þis stede & strike aithire oþir?'
5357
'Þat kepe I noȝt,' quod Candoile 'ȝit for na cas
neuend
,
5358
Bot
if
þe langis to þat
laike
lo me here redy!'
5359
Þan
callis
Candace þe kniȝt in consaille him
takis
,
5360
Sees hire sons wald him
sla
& radly
scho
pleynes;
5361
'Lord Alexander, þine are quare is þi wittis?
5362
I prai þe for þi prouidence pesse now my childire.'
5363
Þan bows þis baratour
þire
brethire
to stere,
5364
Fand caratros & candoile
at
knyfes
to-drawen,
5365
Bad, 'blyns, bernes of ȝoure
brathe
& of ȝour breme wordis;
5366
ȝe fare bot
with
folite, quare
ere
ȝoure fyue wittis?'
5367
Þan
carps
he to ser Caratros & kythis on þis wyse,
5368
'Ser,
if
þou lessen my life na lowere þou wynnes.
5369
For Alexander of his awen has many athill kniȝtis
5370
Þat
ere
mare sekire at a-say þan
slike
seuen
houndreth
.
5371
For
if
I
ware
fallen fey him forced bot
littill
.
5372
For
ware
I a tresour to þat
tulk
trowe wele þi-selfe,
5373
Þat me so sodanly þat sire had noȝt sent hedire,
5374
With-outen wees me to warde
nay
, wene þou þat neuir.
5375
Bot
if
þe list on þat lede loke
with
þine eȝen,
5376
Sire Alexander þe athill þine aldfadire bane,
5377
Þe thare bot graunt me to
geue
quat guds as I
craue
,
5378
And I sall prestly þat prince present in-to þi handis.'
5379
Þan
ware
þire
brethire
full blithe, þus
ware
þai
bath
pesed,
5380
And Candoile
callis
to þe king & kindly him thankis,
5381
'Had I ȝow
ay
with
me here
happy
ware
I þan,
5382
Þan wald I wene
with
ȝour witt to wast all my fais.'
5383
With
þat
scho
kende him a
croun
clustrid
with
gemmes,
5384
With
Amatists & Adamands & an athill mantill,
5385
Sterind & stiȝt full of stanes sithin stelis to him cussis,
5386
With
othire preuates him plesis bad pas on
with
hele.
5387
Nowe aires furth oure conquirour & candoile him gidis,
5388
Driues furth all þe dai
till
doun was þe son,
5389
And so
þai
come
till
a caue was out of course hoge,
5390
Be-twene twa hillis in a hope &
herberd
all niȝt.
5391
'Sire,' quod candoile þe kene & to þe kynge said,
5392
'All spritis in þis spelonk here speke
þai
to-gedire,
5393
Here is
þaire
comon consaile;' & þis þe kyng heris,
5394
Makis he gracis to his goddis & þan þe
grofe
entres.
5395
Quen he was doun in þe depe he saȝe a dym cloude
5396
Full of starand
sternes
& stiȝtild in þe myddest
5397
A grete grysely god on a gay trone,
5398
Þat liȝt
lemand
eȝen as lanterns he had.
5399
Oure mode kyng was so maied myndles him
semed
:
5400
'
Haile
, Alexander þe hende' quod þat hiȝe driȝtin.
5401
'Sire, qua
ere
ȝe?' said oure ser 'Synches I hiȝt;
5402
And to my powere vndire-putt is all þe playn werd.
5403
For þi name a cite has þou sesid bot þou settis me na temple.'
5404
'Sire,
if
I miȝt
merke
to Messedone a Maistir I þe hiȝte;
5405
Sall nane be
like
it in na lede;''
nay
, lange noȝt þar-eftir!
5406
Þou sall neuir loke on þat land ga
lawere
& be-hald.'
5407
Þan
kend
him quare anothire cloude was full of briȝt
sternes
,
5408
And quare a-nothire grym god was
graythid
on a sege.
5409
'Sire, quat ert þou,' said þe segge 'ser Sirapis, I-wis;
5410
Þe grond & þe begininge of all þe godis oute.'
5411
'Now I
be-seke
þe, Serapis,' said oure kyng þan,
5412
'Quat segge is sett me to
slaa
þe sothe þou me tell.'
5413
'Sire, I haue
neuend
þe
or
now þat,
ware
þat note knawen
5414
Till
any douth of quat dome þen
died
I for sorowe.
5415
Þou has a blisfull burȝe
biggid
to þi name,
5416
Quare many bernes sall debate & bald emperouris,
5417
Þare sall þi berynes be bildid & þi body grauen.'
5418
Þan come vp oure kidd kyng &
fra
þe kniȝt partis,
5419
Þus
kaires
he
fro
candele bad, 'kepe wele him driȝtin.'
5420
Moues him on to his meny & on þe morne eftir
5421
Þan dryues he furth
with
his dukis in-to a deyne entris,
5422
A vale full of vermyn & all of vile neddirs.
5423
And
þai
ware
crokid
& coynnt
with
corouns on hede,
5424
As it smytten [
ware
] all of smythis of smaragdens fine.
5425
ȝit
ware
þai
pasturde of pepir as þe prose tellis,
5426
Of gyloffre & of gingere els ioyed
þaim
na fodis.
5427
For all ouire couerd was þe coue
claggid
with
spices,
5428
Þat makis
þire
wormes so wele & wond in
þaire
kyndis,
5429
Þat ilka
twelmonth
a turne
þai
turnay to-gedire,
5430
Ilkane mellis
with
his
make
& so þare many
dies
.
5431
Þan pas
þai
thethen
till
a place of perlious bestis,
5432
With
clouen clees, sais þe clause as kynd of þe hoggs.
5433
Þai
ware
thike &
threuen
wele thre foote o brede,
5434
Quare-with
þai
faȝt
with
in-fere & fellid of his kniȝtis,
5435
Þai
ware
so brefe at a blisch borely & grym.
5436
On ilka best a bares hede full of breme tuskis,
5437
Þus
ware
þai
fourmed all be-fore & farand be-hynde
5438
Like
as it
ware
lepards & lions
with
tailis.
5439
ȝit was þar gedird out of gripis & griffons emange,
5440
Þat felly flappid at þe faces of þe fell erles,
5441
And euir ilka best was so
bigge
of body & of
wyng
,
5442
Þat he miȝt bere away a blonke & a kniȝt armed.
5443
Þe kyng was on his couresere to comforth his dukis,
5444
On þe bald bucifalon e
blande
þaim
he rydis,
5445
Prekis
fra
place in-to place bad, 'plukis vp ȝour hertis,’
5446
And cherischest his chiftans
with
chelous wordis.
5447
He baldis of his bachelers & his bowmen he cheris,
5448
To flay
with
flanes of þe fowlis & þe fell bestis.
5449
And it was done at his dome; with-drewe
þai
na langir,
5450
Bath
archere & alblastis & all
þaim
a-sailed.
5451
Þe bataile on
bathe
halfis brymly begynnys,
5452
Oure seggis & þe Synagyns semblid vnfaire;
5453
Gripis gripis of oure gomes out of gilt sadils,
5454
Tuk
þam
in
þaire
talons & titt
fra
þaire
blonkis.
5455
Bot ȝit oure kyng
with
his kniȝtis so kenely defendis,
5456
And
with
his
ginge
out of grece þat he þe gree wynnes.
5457
Bot ȝit was herid of his here twa
hundreth
& ouire,
5458
Þus
gafe
vp þe gaste
with
gold on
þai
heles.
5459
Þan ferd he furth
till
a flode & þat a
ferly
hoge,
5460
Twenti forelang & ferre it had of full breede,
5461
And all þe strands of þe streme stode full of stith reedis,
5462
Quare-of he beds at a
braid
him bargis to make.
5463
Quen it was hewyn at his hest
with
heggis ouire-folden,
5464
Þan entirs in of his erles & ouire þe ee passis.
5465
And all þat kith of oure kyng quen
þai
his
come
wist,
5466
Þai
perid to him
with
presands þe proudis of þat land.
5467
Sum spends on him of spon[ges] a sparles nounbre,
5468
Of mirre & of
mekill
quat milke-quite
5469
Sum men muscles him mett &
with
so
mekill
schellis,
5470
Þat sex pond miȝt of paise haue ni of watre.
5471
Sum of seelis of þe see sendis to him cotis,
5472
Sum bees
at
ware
blode-rede & borely wormes
5473
As large as a mans
lege
& lamprays of
weȝt
5474
Twa
hundreth
pond
ay
a pece & past it be fifty.
5475
ȝit was þar wonand in þis water as women it
semed
,
5476
Þat
ferly
faire
ware
of face
with
haare to
þaire
heelis.
5477
Ouire-stride þar any strange man or be
þir
strandis sailed,
5478
Þai
droȝe
þam
doun in-to þe depe &
drowned
þaim
for euire,
5479
Or els
þai
tillid
þaim
to þe trees as þe buke tellis,
5480
And
gert
þaim
laike
with
þaim
so lange
till
þaim
þe life
wantis
.
5481
Oure men
tuke
of
þaim
twa was ten foote of hiȝt,
5482
Als blaȝt as any briȝt snaw & as biche sons tothed.
5483
Þan aires furth ser Alexander &
with
his arte closis
5484
Of terands of
þir
tartaryns twa & twenti kyngs.
5485
He stekis
þam
vp
with
þar
stoures in a straite
lawe
,
5486
And I sall
neuen
ȝow
þar
names
if
ȝe
þaim
neuire herd.
5487
Gogg & magogg þe grete he
with
þir
gomes pyndis,
5488
Agekany & Anafrage & Almade
bathe
,
5489
Sire Camour & ser Cacany
with
all
þar
kidd ostis,
5490
And ane ser Clambert þe kene was kyng of
þer
ostis;
5491
Gamarody þe goblyn a-nothire gryn sire,
5492
Marthyney þe miȝtfull & Magen his fere,
5493
Appedanere, Olaathere & Alane þe grete,
5494
And ane ser naþy onone he in þe
nabb
speris.
5495
He
lockis
in ane ser limy
with
a
laith
mey[n]he,
5496
And raryfey, a riche ray he in þe roche stoppis,
5497
Sire Filies, a fell kyng
with
all his fers kniȝtis,
5498
And ane ser Bedwyn þe bald
with
many briȝt helmes.
5499
Arteneus ane athill kemp als-so he in-parkis,
5500
And ane ser Tarbyn, a
tulke
with
many toore thousandis;
5501
Sire Saltary, a-nothire sire now is þe sowme reckend.
5502
All
þire
he closis in þat
cliffe
&
cairis
on forthire
5503
To þe occyan at þe erthes ende & þar in an Ilee he heres
5504
A grete glauir & a
glaam
of grekin tongis.
5505
Þan bad he kniȝtis
þaim
vnclethe & to þat kithe swym,
5506
Bot all
at
come in-to þat cole crabbis has
þaim
drenchid.
5507
Þan sewis furth þat souerayn
ay
by þa salt strandis
5508
Toward þe settynge of þe son in seson of wintir;
5509
Sexti dais
with
his sowme sadly he ridis,
5510
Raȝt on to þe reede See & rerid þare his tentis.
5511
Þare was a miȝti montayne
at
to þe mone
semed
,
5512
He
gessis
it
gaynir
to god þan to þe grounde vndire,
5513
And
slike
a fonned fantasy þan fell in his hert,
5514
How þat he
liftid
miȝt be
fra
þe
lawe
vn-to þe liȝt
sternes
.
5515
Þan made he smythis to gaa smert & smethe him a chaiere
5516
Of blake iren & of
bigge
& bynde it
with
cheynes,
5517
A sekire sege in to sitt & sett him on-
loft
.
5518
And foure Griffons full grym he in þat
graythe
festes
;
5519
He makis to
hinge
ouir
þaire
hede in hokis of iren
5520
Flesch on ferrom
þaim
fra
at
þai
miȝt noȝt to reches,
5521
To make
þaim
freke to þe fliȝt þat fode for to wyn,
5522
For
þai
ware
fastand be-fore halden for þe nanes.
5523
Now is he
won
þurȝe
þar
wingis
vp to þe
wale
cloudis;
5524
So hiȝe to heuen
þai
him
hale
in a hand-quile,
5525
Midil-erth bot as a mylnestane na mare to him
semed
,
5526
And all þe watir of þe werd bot as a wrethen neddire.
5527
Þe vertu of þe verray god envirounis him swythe,
5528
And þan
þai
fell on a fild as ferre
fra
his ost
5529
As any freke miȝt founde in fiftene daies,
5530
And he vnhurt
with
mekill
vnhome he to his ost wynes.
5531
A-nothire wondirfull witt ȝit worthid in his hert,
5532
How he miȝt
seke
doun sounde into þe see bothom,
5533
To see quat selcuthe is seet in þe salt watir,
5534
How many kind of creatours þat in þe cole
duellis
.
5535
Þan
gert
he gomes for to gang &
grayth
him a tonn
5536
Of grene
glitterand
glas
with
gerrethis
of iren,
5537
Þat he miȝt sitt in him-selfe &
with
his seȝt persee
5538
Ane & othire & all þing
at
outwith it lengid.
5539
Sone was it blawen at a
braide
& broȝt him be-forne,
5540
All
boun
as he badd & bunden
with
cheynes.
5541
Þan of his bald bachelers þe
biggist
out
callis
,
5542
And raȝt to
þaim
þire
rekenthis
to rewle & to hald.
5543
He makis a conand
with
his kniȝtis & kend
þaim
þe time,
5544
How lange him likid
fra
þe lande to leng in þe depe,
5545
In at a wicket he went & wynly it speris;
5546
Princes pointid it
with
pik & he þe plunge entres.
5547
Þare saȝe he figours of fischis & fourmes diuerse,
5548
Þat
kend
he neuir so many kindis ne of so qwaynt hewis.
5549
Sum ferd all on foure feete & farand as bestis,
5550
Bot quen
þai
blischt on þis berne þan bade
þai
na langir.
5551
And oþir sellis he saȝe
at
sai wald he neuir,
5552
Þat
ware
vnlikly to leue to any man wittis.
5553
Sone so þe setnes was gane þat him-selfe made,
5554
Þai
dreȝe him vp to þe drye & he na dere sufird.
5555
Þan
raikis
he by þe reede see & rides
ay
þe sannd,
5556
Ferly
ferre
with
his folke & ficchid his tentis,
5557
Þare fande he bestis on þe brym
with
bemes as sawis,
5558
Þat
ware
as bitand breme as bladis of swerdis.
5559
Þai
sett in a sadd sowme & sailid his kniȝtis,
5560
Porris doun of his princes & persys
þar
schildis,
5561
ȝit fellid his folke of
þaim
fey foure
score
hundreth
,
5562
And foure
hundreth
, & ferre be fifti,
þai
drepid
.
5563
Þan driues he
þethin
with
his dukis in-to desert landis,
5564
Is riȝt between þe reede see & Arrabie costis,
5565
A
wilsom
wast & a wild & wons full of neddirs,
5566
And
þai
ware
hedously hoge & horned as Tupis.
5567
Þai
turred doun of his
tulkis
&
with
þar
tyndis sloȝe;
5568
Bot þe
dreȝest
deele of
þaim
died
of his dukis handis.
5569
Þan past he to a-noþir place & piȝt doun his tentis,
5570
And fand a bataill of bestis as breme as þe first.
5571
Þai
ware
of figour & of fourme as fendis of hell,
5572
With
heuy hedis & hoge as horses it were.
5573
And
þai
ware
tacchid full of tethe as tyndis
ere
of harows,
5574
And fell flammes as of fire floȝe
fra
þaire
mouthes.
5575
A selly sowme of his seggis was
slane
or
he wist,
5576
And he þan hertis his here biddis, 'hewis on, my childire;'
5577
And
ferly
ferd of his folke was in þe fild strangild.
5578
Bot all þe dreȝe of þa deuels
þai
drenchid
or
þai
past.
5579
Þan fondis he furth
with
his folke in-to a fild entris,
5580
And þar he logis
with
his lordis & lengis for a quile.
5581
For
slike
a fell infirmite was in his hors bunden,
5582
Bucifalon þe bald stede þat he for
bale
dies
.
5583
Þe berne blischis on his blonke & seȝes his breth faile,
5584
Sighis selcuthly sare & sadli he wepis,
5585
For he had standen him in stede in stouris full hard,
5586
Won him wirschip in were
fra
many
wathe
saued.
5587
Þe kynge to þis carion he
castis
his eȝen,
5588
Said, 'fare wele, my faire foole þou failid me neuire!
5589
Sall now þi flesch here be freten
with
fowlis &
with
wormes,
5590
Þat has so doȝtyly done?
nay
, driȝtin for-bede!'
5591
Þan bilds he þare a berynes þis beste in-to ligg,
5592
Of schene schemerand gold as it a schrine
ware
,
5593
A tombe as a tabernacle & tildis vp a cite
5594
In reuerence of þat riche stede & eftir him it
callis
.
5595
Þan ridis he to a Reuere a ruyde & a hoge,
5596
Detiraty þe depe þe men þare it
callis
;
5597
Fyue thousand Olifants in feree þa frithmen him broȝt,
5598
A
hundreth
Mille heuy chargis
ware
hewen for þe were.
5599
Þan pas he to a proude place a palas of ioye,
5600
Of Sexis, at sum time was senyour of Persy.
5601
Þar fand he garettis all of gold & gildin chaumbres,
5602
And many a miracle in þe mote þat miche
ware
to reken.
5603
Þare fand
þai
bridis in þa bilds borely & quite,
5604
Of feþir fresch as any fame as
ere
þir
fedill
dowfis
,
5605
Þat see wald of a sekeman
or
any sorow ailid,
5606
Queþir he suld warisch of þat waa or of þe werd turne.
5607
For
if
þai
blithly vp
blenkid
& blischt on his face,
5608
Þan suld he couir of his care men knew by þe takens;
5609
And
if
þai
chaungid
opon
chaunce his chere to be-hold,
5610
With-outen doute he was dede þan durid he na langir.
5611
Now bowis furth þis baratour & Babiloyn he wynnys,
5612
Brettenes
þe bald kyng & bringis him of lyue,
5613
Ane Nabizanda was named & a noble kniȝt,
5614
Was ane þe proudest of his pirs & prince of his ward.
5615
He lengis in lithis & in lee to his lyues ende,
5616
A seuen monethis in sonde & sende out a pistill
5617
To his modire in-to Messedone & to his maistir als
5618
Of his auntours, of his angwisch & of his athill werkis,
5619
And Aristotill be-lyue him anothire writis.
5620
'To þe kyng of kyngis,' quod þis clerke 'comande I myselfe.
5621
Sire, quen I waitid on ȝour werkis I wex all affraid
5622
Sum grayne of godhede, I
gesse
was growen ȝow within;
5623
For þou has said þat neuir did segge ne saȝe bot þine ane;
5624
ȝit miȝt neuir, I lofe oure lorde my lege, ȝow with-stande;
5625
Sire, blissid be all þe bachelers
at
þe in
bales
helpid!'
5626
And now fynes here a fitt & folows a-nothire.
5627
Oure bold kyng in Babiloun nowe bildis vp a trone,
5628
Þe postis
with
all þe apurtynance as pure as þe noble,
5629
Þat was so wondirly wroȝt of werkis diuerse,
5630
Þat
slike
a sege vndire son was neuire
sene
eftir.
5631
So grete
garisons
of gold þe grekis in broȝt,
5632
Þe Medis & þe Messedons many horsis chargid,
5633
Þat
þai
out of ynde & els-quare
with
olifants lede;
5634
It wald haue wlated any wee þat welth to be-hald.
5635
Twelfe cubettis
fra
þe cald erth he
castis
it on hiȝt,
5636
And xij degreces all of gold for
gate
vp of lordis;
5637
And twyse sex Semylacris sesid he þar-vndire,
5638
Þat held on hiȝe
with
þaire
handis all
þir
heuy werke.
5639
And þar was grauyn in þos gomes
with
grekin letteris,
5640
And titild in þe tried names of his twelfe princes.
5641
With
ilk a statute þat þar stude stoutely enarmed,
5642
And euir-ilk a person a prince payntid was eftir.
5643
All þe
sete
of þe sege was smaragdyns fyne,
5644
Off tried topaces & trewe tyrid was þe
wawes
,
5645
A tabernacle ouir þe trone tildid vp on
loft
,
5646
And þan
with
stanes of ilka state wall þe stoure clustrid.
5647
A charbocle as a chasse was in þe chefe boll,
5648
Þat
brynt
in bely-blind niȝt as briȝt as þe son,
5649
With
Imagis vndire in ilka nend & Impid in þe names
5650
Of all þe prouynces & þe places þat he was prince ouire.
5651
And
þai
ware
visid all in versis in variant lettirs,
5652
Sum in latens lare sum langage of grece,
5653
Assisid all of sex foote & sett in betwene,
5654
Ay
thre paire on a plate qware a poynt ristis.
5655
Now sall I
neuyn
ȝow þe names note ȝe þe wordis;
5656
Þe pepill out of Panthi is plant in first,
5657
Pruto, Picard, & Pers and Pamphalie
bathe
,
5658
Portingale & Paiters it paies me trouage,
5659
Arrabe & Artoyes and Assie þe mare,
5660
Abbeon & Aufrike and Acres anothire,
5661
Effosym & Ethiops
þire
ebrues folke;
5662
All Ermony & Ewrope enterely me serues,
5663
Ingland, Itaile, & Yndee & Ireland costis,
5664
Meede & Mesopotayme & Massedoyne eke;
5665
Turke, Tuscane, & Troy and Tartary clene,
5666
Surre, Sysyll, & Saarde & Syres all ouire;
5667
Gyane, Garnad, & Grece & Gascoyne I haue,
5668
Baxe, Bayon, & Burdeux & Bretayn þe graunt,
5669
Capidos, & Calde þe Canony pepill,
5670
Russe, Romayn & Ramys a rent
þai
vs ȝeld.
5671
All Calabree & Corwaile oure coroun obien,
5672
Bathe
naples & Norway
þire
Nauernes all,
5673
Þe beeris out of Hungry & out of haythen Spayn,
5674
Frigie, Flandres, & Fraunce & Femony vs loutis,
5675
Ascalioun, & Arcagee all of vs haldis;
5676
Tiree, & Tasse, & Tessale oure tributars
ere
,
5677
Poliponens, & Pentapol & Palestyne þe riche.
Lexeme
1
adill
line 3191
56
agayn
line 50
line 82
line 185
line 188
line 332
line 383
line 636
line 795
line 889
line 1123
line 1183
line 1185
line 1322
line 1336
line 1769
line 1785
line 1942
line 1969
line 1975
line 1980
line 1989
line 2035
line 2129
line 2256
line 2257
line 2296
line 2382
line 2423
line 2726
line 2906
line 3158
line 3185
line 3324
line 3446
line 3507
line 3545
line 3562
line 3585
line 3595
line 3631
line 3639
line 3720
line 3758
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line 3964
line 4039
line 4814
line 5017
line 5037
line 5039
line 5047
line 5050
line 5120
line 5144
line 5179
line 5251
18
agaynʒ
line 170
line 473
line 953
line 1501
line 1552
line 1735
line 1878
line 1919
line 1973
line 2082
line 2208
line 2358
line 2430
line 2700
line 2748
line 2796
line 2857
line 3849
1
aʒed
line 3635
1
aʒefullest
line 16
4
aghe
line 169
line 1459
line 2987
line 5186
1
aglopened
line 874
1
agraythen
line 3456
2
aʒtand
line 3830
line 4836
1
algate
line 128
1
alofte
line 858
3
ande
line 749
line 4000
line 4813
5
anger
line 750
line 857
line 1908
line 2724
line 2889
1
angirs
line 837
3
angrile
line 832*
line 733
line 2185
4
are
line 246
line 447
line 1140
line 3504
2
arly
line 350
line 351
7
arwes
line 1066
line 1390
line 2211
line 2224
line 2455
line 3046
line 3639
1
askez
line 4180
4
at
line 636
line 872
line 1103
line 2178
221
at
line 10
line 56
line 68
line 100
line 101
line 152
line 157
line 161
line 166
line 188
line 197
line 199
line 199
line 202
line 260
line 266
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line 468
line 525
line 570
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line 634
line 636
line 665
line 683
line 757*
line 767*
line 728
line 769
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line 1045
line 1059
line 1171
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line 1203
line 1208
line 1216
line 1227
line 1233
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line 1259
line 1290
line 1293
line 1357
line 1366
line 1370
line 1412
line 1480
line 1580
line 1600
line 1623
line 1629
line 1633*
line 1635
line 1642
line 1676
line 1701
line 1745
line 1755
line 1860
line 1899
line 1929
line 1946
line 1964
line 1979
line 2014
line 2053
line 2080
line 2100
line 2131
line 2143
line 2168
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line 2203
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line 2605
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line 2644
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line 2839
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line 2976
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line 3105
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line 3275
line 3276
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line 3317
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line 3351
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line 3360
line 3425
line 3497
line 3519
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6
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4
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1
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3
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2
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2
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3
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1
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7
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7
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5
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4
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4
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9
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1
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1
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2
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1
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4
hilen
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4
hitte
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2
hoo
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5
hores
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1
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41
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1
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2
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1
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2
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line 3058
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31
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kest
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4
kest
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2
kid
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10
kindill
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1
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3
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1
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1
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2
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3
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3
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2
laire
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1
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1
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1
lante
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1
lasse
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1
laue
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1
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19
lawe
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1
lawene
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1
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1
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5
layk
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3
layke
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3
layt
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5
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1
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2
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5
legg
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6
leme
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1
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3
lete (as)
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3
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1
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4
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52
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1
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1
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1
lockis
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20
lofte
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12
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1
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7
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2
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line 2067
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2
lowe
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8
lowe
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1
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1
luged
line 3942
1
lurkare
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1
lurke
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7
lycken
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11
lyfte
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2
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16
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1
lyre
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5
lyþen
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3
make
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1
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1
manslatir
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5
mayn
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1
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2
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8
mekely
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1
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8
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2
melle
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4
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2
mensked
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1
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1
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6
merk
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3
merk
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6
merke
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5
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44
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15
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1
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2
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1
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14
nay
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5
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2
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1
nekard
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1
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line 3935
9
nere
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26
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1
nikked
line 2339
1
nite
line 1460
3
noke
line 506
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2
nowte
line 3823
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1
nyʒter-tale
line 324
11
odde
line 27
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1
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line 275
1
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line 4326
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line 3
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2
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1
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line 4983
1
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line 4818
3
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2
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1
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3
rad
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1
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line 5133
2
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5
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2
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2
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2
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1
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1
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19
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14
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2
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line 2244
1
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1
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2
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4
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rowste
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1
ryfenes
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1
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1
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line 747*
1
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2
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1
saʒtle
line 865
8
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line 5
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43
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7
samen
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2
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1
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2
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1
scautand
line 4200
53
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3
schount
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1
schout
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1
schowted
line 929
2
schrikis
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1
sckerres
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3
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6
score
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1
scutis
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1
scylful
line 645
20
seke
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35
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7
semly
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3
semly
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7
sene
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1
sere
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22
sere
line 86
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6
serelepy
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3
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14
sete
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6
silk
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1
skatheles
line 2992
1
skathely
line 642
1
skere
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2
skinnes
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1
skitly
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2
skrike
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2
skwe
line 561
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3
skyfte
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1
skyl
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3
skyre
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1
skyrtez
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16
sla
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1
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line 967
3
slaʒtir
line 708
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3
sleʒly
line 2870
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line 5174
9
sleʒt
line 38
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line 2374
line 2566
line 2634
line 4857
89
slik
line 11
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1
smyles
line 2461
1
snape
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1
snart
line 3633
2
snayped
line 3633
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1
sopp
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1
spakid
line 237
2
spakly
line 786
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2
sparþe
line 1403
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1
spene
line 2458
1
spenne (2)
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1
sprent
line 743
3
stad
line 465
line 499
line 5156
2
staf-ful
line 1543
line 4897
1
stakirs
line 845
3
stee
line 1437
line 2481
line 5063
1
stem
line 2480
2
stemmed
line 2960
line 5301
26
sterneʒ
line 28
line 127
line 282
line 604
line 678
line 683
line 684
line 694
line 703
line 728
line 1524
line 1642
line 1741
line 1864
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line 1993
line 2480
line 2708
line 3077
line 3224
line 3467
line 3676
line 3796
line 5396
line 5407
line 5514
1
stiggis
line 5301
10
stor
line 745*
line 1367
line 1534
line 1702
line 1741
line 2050
line 2165
line 3017
line 3937
line 4352
12
sware
line 674
line 750
line 1621
line 2069
line 2183
line 2273
line 2523
line 2656
line 2798
line 4193
line 5007
line 5331
4
sware
line 760*
line 1184
line 4999
line 5019
1
swayf
line 806
1
sweʒe
line 3970
7
syled
line 111
line 161
line 335
line 733*
line 1087
line 2922
line 5264
3
sylkyn
line 236
line 1520
line 5295
12
syluer
line 129
line 3028
line 3703
line 4069
line 4084
line 4184
line 4241
line 4351
line 4453
line 4464
line 4808
line 5005
1
syluerin
line 1565
2
syt
line 182
line 546
326
þaim
line 11
line 61
line 106
line 160
line 165
line 165
line 167
line 181
line 201
line 202
line 203
line 204
line 205
line 338
line 353
line 409
line 409
line 617
line 660
line 817*
line 822*
line 759
line 816
line 897
line 902
line 904
line 928
line 982
line 1018
line 1116
line 1117
line 1129
line 1148
line 1180
line 1184
line 1192
line 1192
line 1202
line 1206
line 1210
line 1212
line 1224
line 1240
line 1275
line 1302
line 1323
line 1392
line 1393
line 1396
line 1408
line 1409
line 1410
line 1425
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line 1443
line 1480
line 1480
line 1483
line 1508
line 1511
line 1520
line 1596
line 1603
line 1615
line 1662
line 1698
line 1698
line 1700
line 1700
line 1701
line 1812
line 1813
line 1828
line 1829
line 1829
line 1848
line 1848
line 1906
line 1906
line 1917
line 1919
line 1930
line 1988
line 1996
line 1997
line 2000
line 2027
line 2028
line 2041
line 2082
line 2101
line 2101
line 2115
line 2142
line 2146
line 2154
line 2157
line 2178
line 2206
line 2211
line 2232
line 2263
line 2316
line 2318
line 2326
line 2327
line 2330
line 2333
line 2353
line 2353
line 2370
line 2376
line 2394
line 2402
line 2407
line 2427
line 2443
line 2446
line 2451
line 2452
line 2456
line 2456
line 2469
line 2472
line 2476
line 2485
line 2485
line 2486
line 2589
line 2592
line 2609
line 2625
line 2719
line 2721
line 2723
line 2733
line 2734
line 2743
line 2749
line 2750
line 2750
line 2754
line 2769
line 2770
line 2792
line 2793
line 2793
line 2796
line 2845
line 2857
line 2883
line 2925
line 2948
line 2949
line 2950
line 2951
line 2951
line 2980
line 2983
line 2983
line 3024
line 3039
line 3054
line 3056
line 3057
line 3059
line 3128
line 3128
line 3130
line 3134
line 3137
line 3152
line 3153
line 3167*
line 3190
line 3191
line 3193
line 3200
line 3214
line 3214
line 3266
line 3328
line 3351
line 3414
line 3415
line 3422
line 3426
line 3429
line 3431
line 3432
line 3432
line 3440
line 3489
line 3489
line 3560
line 3572
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line 3629
line 3631
line 3632
line 3647
line 3658
line 3659
line 3674
line 3773
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line 3812
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line 3838
line 3845
line 3847
line 3847
line 3849
line 3851
line 3865
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line 3885
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line 3902
line 3904
line 3905
line 3905
line 3913
line 3918
line 3933
line 3947
line 3958
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line 3964
line 3968
line 3977
line 4022
line 4023
line 4026
line 4043
line 4047
line 4052
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line 4071
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line 4073
line 4074
line 4086
line 4092
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line 4115
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line 4119
line 4120
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line 4133
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line 4169
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line 4184
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line 4190
line 4232
line 4297
line 4313
line 4337
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line 4340
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line 4388
line 4391
line 4408
line 4418
line 4419
line 4466
line 4467
line 4468
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line 4514
line 4520
line 4579
line 4738
line 4741
line 4762
line 4783
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line 4811
line 4817
line 4837
line 4862
line 4870
line 4872
line 4873
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line 4997
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line 5022
line 5036
line 5043
line 5141
line 5215
line 5251
line 5287
line 5340
line 5426
line 5444
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line 5454
line 5478
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line 5480
line 5480
line 5480
line 5481
line 5485
line 5486
line 5505
line 5506
line 5520
line 5521
line 5542
line 5543
line 5561
line 5568
67
take
line 55
line 123
line 127
line 190
line 286
line 353
line 410
line 463
line 713
line 815*
line 749
line 760
line 773
line 1044
line 1142
line 1181
line 1197
line 1289
line 1446
line 1644
line 1666
line 1693
line 1812
line 1829
line 1922
line 1939
line 1984
line 2026
line 2075
line 2091
line 2134
line 2148
line 2149
line 2366
line 2385
line 2407
line 2519
line 2568
line 2582
line 2683
line 2685
line 2750
line 2901
line 2970
line 3094
line 3154
line 3317
line 3491
line 3515
line 3610
line 3660
line 3719
line 3825
line 4000
line 4038
line 4108
line 4114
line 4751
line 4886
line 4964
line 5071
line 5165
line 5222
line 5329
line 5359
line 5454
line 5481
3
taking
line 1344
line 1835
line 2123
1
þareagaynis
line 1264
1
þarefra
line 4638
4
þarnes
line 2709
line 2859
line 3071
line 3889
348
þay
line 1
line 3
line 13
line 25
line 33
line 35
line 36
line 105
line 106
line 149
line 159
line 160
line 163
line 190
line 194
line 201
line 203
line 209
line 248
line 250
line 272
line 298
line 437
line 571
line 593
line 594
line 595
line 596
line 605
line 618
line 738*
line 758*
line 759
line 773
line 798
line 801
line 817
line 899
line 901
line 935
line 1021
line 1022
line 1040
line 1042
line 1059
line 1116
line 1122
line 1123
line 1138
line 1140
line 1148
line 1205
line 1209
line 1256
line 1259
line 1263
line 1272
line 1272
line 1275
line 1298
line 1319
line 1343
line 1343
line 1344
line 1358
line 1383
line 1393
line 1395
line 1405
line 1411
line 1413
line 1435
line 1444
line 1457
line 1481
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line 1548
line 1615
line 1616
line 1683
line 1695
line 1699
line 1704
line 1791
line 1795
line 1812
line 1815
line 1822
line 1830
line 1876
line 1931
line 1931
line 1933
line 2028
line 2045
line 2046
line 2069
line 2086
line 2132
line 2138
line 2147
line 2156
line 2196
line 2250
line 2264
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line 2329
line 2344
line 2350
line 2352
line 2374
line 2393
line 2395
line 2398
line 2404
line 2410
line 2428
line 2437
line 2438
line 2447
line 2449
line 2459
line 2471
line 2548
line 2551
line 2588
line 2589
line 2590
line 2596
line 2597
line 2611
line 2641
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line 2656
line 2733
line 2751
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line 2872
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line 2883
line 2931
line 2933
line 2941
line 2947
line 2978
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line 3010
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line 3191
line 3208
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line 3214
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line 3215
line 3329
line 3340
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line 3456
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line 3567
line 3604
line 3605
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line 3632
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line 3635
line 3642
line 3652
line 3672
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line 3698
line 3703
line 3774
line 3774
line 3790
line 3792
line 3798
line 3798
line 3807
line 3814
line 3816
line 3825
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line 3837
line 3838
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line 3842
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line 3940
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line 3942
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line 3969
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line 3992
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line 4174
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line 4193
line 4199
line 4202
line 4365
line 4409
line 4470
line 4471
line 4547
line 4550
line 4554
line 4557
line 4559
line 4560
line 4592
line 4723
line 4726
line 4727
line 4728
line 4731
line 4732
line 4737
line 4752
line 4766
line 4768
line 4769
line 4770
line 4772
line 4800
line 4806
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line 4810
line 4812
line 4814
line 4815
line 4818
line 4822
line 4844
line 4846
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line 4872
line 4874
line 4875
line 4880
line 4896
line 4966
line 4978
line 5013
line 5044
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line 5081
line 5098
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line 5379
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line 5392
line 5423
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line 5433
line 5434
line 5435
line 5437
line 5449
line 5458
line 5465
line 5466
line 5478
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line 5520
line 5522
line 5524
line 5528
line 5550
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line 5554
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line 5562
line 5566
line 5567
line 5571
line 5573
line 5578
line 5578
line 5603
line 5607
line 5609
line 5633
line 5651
line 5670
192
þayr
line 2
line 3
line 5
line 7
line 14
line 14
line 33
line 34
line 37
line 73
line 149
line 150
line 152
line 154
line 157
line 162
line 166
line 166
line 178
line 197
line 200
line 202
line 206
line 206
line 208
line 209
line 253
line 253
line 257
line 375
line 592
line 596
line 775*
line 775*
line 760
line 773
line 785
line 791
line 798
line 799
line 800
line 804
line 886
line 887
line 888
line 899
line 900
line 958
line 1018
line 1021
line 1043
line 1059
line 1124
line 1208
line 1227
line 1238
line 1255
line 1258
line 1261
line 1266
line 1270
line 1274
line 1280
line 1320
line 1321
line 1331
line 1343
line 1386
line 1410
line 1413
line 1419
line 1440
line 1442
line 1448
line 1478
line 1478
line 1481
line 1559
line 1595
line 1650
line 1657
line 1765
line 1813
line 1833
line 2028
line 2054
line 2057
line 2093
line 2156
line 2168*
line 2250
line 2257
line 2263
line 2315
line 2334
line 2334
line 2370
line 2373
line 2377
line 2399
line 2428
line 2428
line 2486
line 2622
line 2655
line 2669
line 2852
line 2957
line 2981
line 2981
line 2987
line 3071
line 3127
line 3132
line 3132
line 3201
line 3213
line 3411
line 3433
line 3456
line 3525
line 3606
line 3628
line 3632
line 3674
line 3791
line 3796
line 3797
line 3799
line 3813
line 3819
line 3838
line 3869
line 3871
line 3884
line 3889
line 3898
line 3926
line 3941
line 3943
line 3946
line 3946
line 3998
line 4014
line 4043
line 4046
line 4046
line 4051
line 4052
line 4083
line 4121
line 4122
line 4127
line 4148
line 4149
line 4149
line 4168
line 4177
line 4177
line 4178
line 4366
line 4366
line 4369
line 4413
line 4418
line 4419
line 4558
line 4563
line 4615
line 4807
line 4813
line 4844
line 4967
line 5043
line 5045
line 5150
line 5216
line 5393
line 5428
line 5454
line 5454
line 5476
line 5485
line 5486
line 5489
line 5490
line 5519
line 5523
line 5560
line 5567
line 5574
line 5638
2
tayt
line 1208
line 3979
8
þenk
line 672
line 1101
line 1121
line 2425
line 2918
line 3101
line 4520
line 5027
1
terne
line 3860
1
þerwyth
line 1890
4
tethe
line 663
line 2198
line 2371
line 2784
4
þethen
line 1068
line 1076
line 5431
line 5563
1
thraldom
line 4419
4
thristis
line 554
line 773*
line 1407
line 2939
34
til
line 340
line 463
line 564
line 646
line 1072
line 1828
line 2418
line 2511
line 2585
line 2586
line 2606
line 2897
line 2909
line 3169
line 3364
line 3814
line 4080
line 4136
line 4246
line 4253
line 4773
line 4812
line 4827
line 4827
line 4875
line 4875
line 5051
line 5058
line 5388
line 5389
line 5414
line 5431
line 5459
line 5480
79
þire
line 95
line 167
line 262
line 347
line 462
line 660
line 752
line 797
line 984
line 1087
line 1604
line 1797
line 1930
line 1986
line 1997
line 1998
line 2000
line 2025
line 2055
line 2078
line 2301
line 2343
line 2343
line 2354
line 2462
line 2490
line 2511
line 2774
line 3164
line 3192
line 3212
line 3251
line 3548
line 3608
line 3625
line 3630
line 3735
line 3850
line 3937
line 3958
line 3960
line 3961
line 4020
line 4064
line 4068
line 4199
line 4386
line 4404
line 4438
line 4520
line 4546
line 4609
line 4703
line 4931
line 4966
line 4994
line 4996
line 5002
line 5007
line 5036
line 5038
line 5068
line 5072
line 5102
line 5110
line 5223
line 5270
line 5363
line 5379
line 5428
line 5477
line 5484
line 5487
line 5502
line 5542
line 5604
line 5638
line 5661
line 5672
6
tite
line 229
line 693
line 1060
line 2519
line 3719
line 5165
11
titely
line 267
line 738*
line 888
line 1175
line 1283
line 1525
line 1632
line 1812
line 2213
line 3999
line 4886
1
tobrest
line 640
1
tobruntes
line 1214
14
þoʒ
line 51
line 254
line 471
line 723
line 862
line 1739
line 1858
line 1880
line 2600
line 2659
line 3244
line 4396
line 4823
line 5259
4
torfar
line 1193
line 1261
line 3729
line 4101
1
þorpes
line 1803
4
traistis
line 1344
line 2467
line 3270
line 5026
1
þral
line 4520
1
þrast
line 554
1
tristly
line 1632
7
þro
line 554
line 1246
line 1631
line 2218
line 3071
line 3824
line 4452
3
þro
line 2259
line 2282
line 5016
2
þroly
line 371
line 2090
5
trone
line 694
line 4888
line 5171
line 5195
line 5231
1
þryuandely
line 3747
8
þryuen
line 1326
line 1407
line 2259
line 2537
line 2709
line 3007
line 5137
line 5433
22
tulk
line 752
line 1212
line 1304
line 2075
line 2258
line 2274
line 2367
line 2580
line 2685
line 2970
line 3149
line 3439
line 3566
line 3603
line 3688
line 3999
line 4405
line 4708
line 4798
line 5372
line 5500
line 5567
1
tulket
line 2427
1
twelmonyth
line 5429
2
twynne
line 760
line 2750
4
tyne
line 903
line 2683
line 2784
line 2901
20
þynke
line 326
line 363
line 867
line 925
line 1351
line 1461
line 1580
line 1638
line 1846
line 2094
line 2203
line 2551
line 2948
line 3234
line 3293
line 3299
line 4349
line 4423
line 4423
line 4990
2
tyþing
line 2304
line 5175
1
vmbe
line 1154
2
vmbythoured
line 3857
line 4806
1
vncallid
line 832
2
vndertake
line 1356
line 2967
1
vndirfangid
line 910
2
vnhap (1)
line 3287
line 4554
3
vnhappy
line 713
line 3075
line 4482
1
vnsamen
line 605
1
vnsemely
line 862
1
vnsemely
line 99
2
vnsene
line 1026
line 2536
1
vplyften
line 805
44
vpon
line 31
line 42
line 158
line 251
line 732*
line 773
line 778
line 930
line 1130
line 1153
line 1641
line 1670
line 1953
line 1979
line 2064
line 2135
line 2247
line 2272
line 2331
line 2444
line 2769
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line 2930
line 3120
line 3228
line 3300
line 3337
line 3348
line 3355
line 3397
line 3538
line 3648
line 3685
line 3766
line 3966
line 4107
line 4462
line 4512
line 4641
line 4663
line 4890
line 4936
line 4953
line 5609
1
waged
line 968
1
wailaway
line 4564
1
wald-eʒed
line 608
5
wale
line 759*
line 806*
line 1014
line 1667
line 4655
48
wale
line 75
line 294
line 809*
line 755
line 827
line 841
line 949
line 968
line 1189
line 1287
line 1376
line 2018
line 2245
line 2261
line 2287
line 2310
line 2643
line 2742
line 2783
line 2932
line 2999
line 3256
line 3435
line 3488
line 3561
line 3568
line 3712
line 3720
line 4005
line 4153
line 4304
line 4344
line 4382
line 4523
line 4597
line 4772
line 4847
line 4933
line 4968
line 4990
line 5036
line 5089
line 5149
line 5201
line 5253
line 5253
line 5314
line 5523
1
wandez
line 57
1
wandreth
line 528
3
wap
line 3040
line 4142
line 5318
6
wapen
line 65
line 958
line 1400
line 3884
line 4958
line 5326
1
wapened
line 1250
196
ware (2)
line 3
line 13
line 33
line 35
line 72
line 84
line 101
line 150
line 199
line 225
line 280
line 293
line 374
line 391
line 395
line 540
line 554
line 565
line 570
line 595
line 604
line 605
line 811
line 841
line 846
line 852
line 933
line 934
line 1001
line 1003
line 1040
line 1164
line 1209
line 1235
line 1245
line 1253
line 1259
line 1269
line 1270
line 1331
line 1343
line 1404
line 1421
line 1422
line 1441
line 1516
line 1544
line 1547
line 1550
line 1647
line 1702
line 1756
line 1795
line 1814
line 1970
line 1974
line 2073
line 2095
line 2232
line 2253
line 2269
line 2305
line 2367
line 2373
line 2438
line 2447
line 2475
line 2547
line 2613
line 2630
line 2638
line 2644
line 2647
line 2751
line 2832
line 2840
line 2856
line 2901
line 2912
line 2984
line 2986
line 3010
line 3023
line 3068
line 3112
line 3136
line 3150
line 3155
line 3156
line 3187
line 3222
line 3244
line 3272
line 3340
line 3348
line 3429
line 3436
line 3504
line 3567
line 3585
line 3605
line 3609
line 3620
line 3626
line 3631
line 3635
line 3656
line 3669
line 3672
line 3672
line 3675
line 3676
line 3692
line 3695
line 3717
line 3790
line 3792
line 3813
line 3825
line 3885
line 3899
line 3938
line 4044
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2
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6
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1
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4
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3
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5
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2
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3
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1
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10
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×