Prose Life of Alexander, ed. by J. S. Westlake
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Corpus of Middle English Prose and VerseTitle:The Prose Life of Alexander Responsibility:Scribe[Robert Thornton]

Editor:J.S. Westlake

Distributor:Early English Text Society Publisher: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., LTD.

City:London

Date:1913 (for 1911)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

City:London

Date:1913 (for 1911)

Series:Early English Text Society (Series). Original Series : 143: 1913

(for 1911)

Note: Derived from: MS. Lincoln Cathedral 91.

Call no.: 820.6 E13 no. 143

View Source Description and Table of Contents |View Full Header of the Electronic Edition

LIFE OF ALEXANDER

[How Anectanabus fled Egypt to Macedonia]

The most learned Egyptians who know the size of the earth, the waves of the sea, and the order of the heavens (betokening the way of the stars and the turning of the skies), have bequeathed these things to the whole world through the highness and the wisdom of magic knowledge. And they tell of a king of that land, by name Anectanabus, great in understanding, and full of love in astrology and mathematics. Now, upon a day it happened that a messenger came, and said unto him that Artaxerxes, king of the Persians, was drawing nigh towards him with a very great force of foes. Yet he did not call out his army, nor get ready his advance. Instead of this, he hurried into his bedchambers in his palace, and, taking down a brazen shell, which was full of rain-water, and holding in his hand a brazen rod, sought by magic spells to summon the devils. By which wizardry he felt, in the shell itself, the fleets sailing over him amid fearful affray.

Now there were lords of Anectanabus set in sway over his armies to guard the Persian border.

And one hapless man coming to him, besought him: ‘O most mighty King Anectanabus, there ariseth against thee Artaxerxes, the king of the Persians, with an untold horde of foes and strange races. For they are Parthians, Medes, Persians, Syrians, Mesopotamians, Brapes, Phares, Argiri, Chaldaeans, Bachiri, Confires, Hircanians, and Agiophii, and many other folks coming from Eastern lands.’ On hearing this, Anectanabus said, sighing: ‘The trust that I gave to thee, heed thou right well; yet thy prowess hath not been the prowess of a doughty man, but the doings of a cowardly fellow. For worth showeth itself, not in the greatness of the folk, but in the steadfastness of their souls. Dost thou not know one lion putteth many

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does to flight?’ And having said these words, he went into his chamber alone, and made brazen shells, and filled them with rain-water, and held in his hand a palm rod, and gazing into this, began, as hard as he could, to utter spells, and beheld how the Egyptians were being smitten down at the onslaught of the Barbarians’ ships.

Forthwith he changed his dress, and shaved his head and beard, and took gold as much as he might bear, and which might be needful to him to busy himself with wizardry. And thus he fled from Egypt, near by Pelusium. And at length, coming into Ethiopia, he put on linen apparel, [and] in the guise of an Egyptian seer went into Macedonia. And there he sate himself, and before all the Greeks, and in their sight was soothsaying. But the Egyptians, when they saw how Anectanabus was not at Court, went to Serapis, who was their greatest god, and besought him that he might give them answer as to Anectanabus their king. And Serapis replied: ‘Anectanabus, your king, is gone from Egypt because of Artaxerxes, the king of the Persians, who will subdue you unto his lordship. Nevertheless, when a short time hath flown by, he will come back to shake off his thraldom, and will be avenged on your foes, and yoke them under you.’ And as soon as they had got this answer, they made a kingly statue out of a black stone, in honour of Anectanabus. And they wrote on it, at his feet, this saying, that it might be handed down for their offspring to think of. But Anectanabus remained in Macedonia, nor was he known.

[added in MS ]

How Anectanabus went up to the Palace to Olympia the Queen.

In the meantime, Philip, king of Macedonia, went out to battle. But Anectanabus went forward to the palace, that he might behold Olympia the queen, and see how fair she was. And when he saw her, his heart was smitten with love of her, and stretching forth his hand, he greeted her, saying, ‘Hail, Queen of Macedonia,’

disdaining to call her ‘lady’. And she, Olympia, answered him, speaking thus: ‘Hail, master, come thou and sit near.’ And when he sate thus, Olympia Page 3
asked many things of him. ‘Art thou not an Egyptian?’ And Anectanabus answered: ‘The word thou saidst was kingly, when thou didst name the Egyptians. For the Egyptians are wise, and read dreams, understand the birds of the air in their flight, open up the hidden places, and tell the fate of those newborn, babes. Of all these things, as a seer, I, too, have knowledge.’ And Olympia saw how he gazed upon her, and spoke, ‘Master, of what dost thou bethink thee, who thus lookest on me?’ And Anectanabus answered, ‘I call to my mind many answers of the gods. One answer had been that I was to look upon a queen.’ And saying this, he drew forth from his breast a cleansing tablet of bronze and ivory, inwrought with gold and silver, and on its face were three whirls. The first contained in itself the Twelve Minds, and in the third, sun and moon were fashioned. Next to them, was seen a chain of ivory, and from it he pulled forth sever wonder-bright stars, that told the hours and birth-dooms of men, and seven carven stones, and two stones for the saving men whole.

And Olympia beheld these things, and said: ‘Master, if thou wouldst I should believe thee, tell me the year, the day and hour of the king’s birth.’ And upon this, he said to the queen, ‘Wishest thou to hear nothing else from me?’ Quoth the queen, ‘Tell me what shall fall out betwixt Philip and me, for men say that, when Philip shall come from the war, he will thrust me forth, and take another mate.’ And Anectanabus answered: ‘They prate of many things untruly; but ere a long time pass, it shall be as they say.’ And the queen answered: ‘I beg thee, master, unveil me all the truth.’ Thereupon Anectanabus:‘One of the mightiest gods shall share thy bed and uphold thee through all thy thrivings and downfalls, even if they be overstrong.’ Olympia replied: ‘I beseech thee, say what shape this god shall put on?’ Anectanabus replied: ‘Neither young, nor old; his beard besprinkled with white hairs. Wherefore, if this please thee, be ready for him, for at night shalt thou see him, and in thy sleep shall he lie by thee.’ The queen said: ‘If I behold this, neither as a seer, nor as godly, but, as the god himself, will I worship’ [thee]. And at once Anectanabus said, ‘Fare thee well, O queen.’ After this Anectanabus, leaving the palace, and walking straight forth

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to the city’s camp in a desert spot, tore up herbs, and ground them, and took their juice, and wrought spells and other like things of the fiend, that in that same night Olympia might behold the god Hamon lying beside her, and saying to her thereafter, ‘Woman, thou hast conceived him who shall beshield thee.’ And, on the morrow, Olympia awoke from her slumbers, and called Anectanabus to her, and told him of the dream she had beheld. Then Anectanabus said: ‘If thou wilt give me room in the palace, thou shalt see the god himself, face to face. For that god shall come to thee in the shape of a great snake, and soon after, taking on a manlike body, he shall seem to be in my likeness.’ And to this Olympia said: ‘As thou hast spoken, master, do. Take to thyself a bed in the palace, and canst thou make good the truth thereof, I will deem thee to be the father of the boy.’ And, about the first watch of the night, Anectanabus took on him, through spells and wizardry to be changed into the shape of a great snake, and whistling on to the bedchamber of Olympia, to fly through. And he entered her room, and rose on to her bed, and with great love began to kiss her, and the kisses betokened to her who he was. And when he rose up from the bed, he smote her on the womb, and spake: ‘This begetting be thy avenging, and in no wise may it be upbraided of men.’

On such a fashion was Olympia cheated, who had lain with a man as though he had been a god. And in the morning, Anectanabus went down from the palace, and the queen was with child.

And when she began to be big, she called unto her Anectanabus, saying: ‘Master, tell me, what doom will Philip wreak on me, when he shall come back?’ And Anectanabus said to her, ‘Be not afraid: god Hamon will champion thee.’ And with these words he left the palace, and went outside the town, to a barren spot.

And, uprooting grasses, rubbed them, and grated them, and took their sap. And he caught a sea-bird, and began to sing over the herbs, and anoint the herbs with the sap. This he did in fellowship with the fiends, that he might betray King Philip through a dream. And this was brought about. That same night the god Hamon appeared to Philip, in a dream, lying with his wife Olympia, and, the night ended, he

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saw him touch her womb, and seal it with a golden ring. And on the ring there was a stone, and graven on this a lion’s head, and the chariot of the sun, and a very sharp sword. And he said to her: ‘Woman, thou hast conceived thy saviour.’

And Philip awoke from his sleep, and calling Arideus, made known to him the dream, and what he had seen. And Arideus said: ‘Philip, not from man, but from a god, hath thy wife conceived. In truth, the lion’s head and the chariot of the sun and the sharp sword, foretoken that he, who shall be born of her, shall journey to the East whence riseth the sun! And with the sharp sword shall he underyoke to himself the nations of the whole world.’

[added in MS ]

How Anectanabus in the Shape of a Mighty Dragon went to the fore in front of Philip and overcame his Enemies in the Fray.

In the meanwhile, King Philip fought and won. For there appeared in the battle a dragon, who went before him and laid low his foes. And when he came back to Macedonia, he met and kissed Olympia. And King Philip gazed upon her, and said, ‘To whom, O Olympia, hast thou given thyself up. For sinned thou hast, yet not sinned, for as much as thou hast brooked frowardness from a god. But I have seen all that has been done by a god on thee, in a dream: therefore be blameless in my eyes, and the eyes of all men!’ [added in MS ]

How Anectanabus in the Shape of a Dragon came before Philip at a Festival and kissed Olympia.

On a certain day Philip was feasting with his lords and chieftains of Macedonia and with Olympia his wife. And Anectanabus through wizardry took on himself the shape of a dragon, and, passing through the midst of the couch whereon they lay apart, whistled so loudly that all the revellers were stricken with fear, and the greatest dread, and coming near Olympia, he put his head on her breast and kissed her. Philip, seeing this, spoke to Olympia, ‘Woman, thee and all I tell; beheld this dragon, what time I laid my enemies low.’ [added in MS ]

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How a Bird laid an Egg in Philip’s Bosom at whose breaking there came forth a Serpent, which forthwith died.

And a few days after this Philip the king was sitting in his palace, and there appeared unto him a little and most gentle bird, which flew into his bosom and laid an egg. And the egg, falling to the ground, was broken. And at once there crept forth from it a very little snake. And it turned around, wishful to go into the egg, but, before it might put in its head, it was quenched. And Philip, seeing this, was heavily distressed, and called to him Arideus, and showed him the monstrous thing he had seen. And Arideus said to him, ‘King Philip, a son shall be born to thee, who shall reign after thy death, and shall fare forth over the whole world and sway all peoples, and ere he come back to the land of his birth, shall die by a most swift death.’

And as the time of child-birth was drawing nigh, Olympia began to feel pain, and her womb was tormented, and she bade Arideus be called to her, and spoke with him: ‘Master, my womb is wrenched with very heavy labours.’ Anectanabus n1 then spake: ‘Raise thyself awhile from thy throne, for in this hour the elements are troubled by the sun.’ This was done, and the pain went from her. And soon after, Anectanabus said to her, ‘Sit down, O Queen!’ and she sate herself and bore a child. And as soon as the boy was fallen on to the earth, a mighty thunderclap and thunderbolts, with tokens and lightnings came about throughout the whole world. Then night was spread forth and lasted, it reaching unto the last hour of day. Then parts of the clouds fell down in Italy. And seeing these signs, Philip the king was afrighted, and went in to Olympia, and said: ‘I deemed that this little babe should in no wise be fostered. For he is not conceived of me, but of some god, for at his birth I beheld the heavens changed. Yet let him be fostered in my memory, as though he were my son, and follow in the stead of a son I begot through another wife.’ And when he said this, she handled the babe with great care. And the boy’s face had the likeness neither of father nor mother. The hair on his head

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was shaggy as a lion’s. His eyes glistened like the stars, but each beamed with its own hue, one black, the other yellow. And his teeth were sharp, and his eager rush as a lion’s. His shape foreshadowed his energy and forethought. By his parents he was called Alexander. In the schools, and wheresoever he sate, he strove with them in letters and disputations, and by his keen swiftness won the mastership. And when he was twelve years old, he was beweaponed for battle, and excelled in arms. And Philip, seeing how quick he was, praised him, and said: ‘Son Alexander, I love thy speed, and wit of mind for its work. But I am sore and feel foolish that thy form is no unlike mine.’ And Olympia heard this, and was greatly afraid. And she called hither Anectanabus, and said: ‘Master, learn from me what Philip misdeemeth. For he said to Alexander, “Son, I love thy speed and wit of mind. But, that thy shape is unlike mine, I am saddened.”’ And Anectanabus began to think, and said: ‘His thought is nowise harmful.’ And gazing aloft as he was wont, he looked on a certain star, and riddled out his wish. And when Alexander heard this, he spake: ‘The star thou seest is seen in the heavens?’ And Anectanabus replied: ‘My son, it is.’ Alexander said: ‘Canst thou show it unto me?’ Anectanabus answered: ‘Follow me in the hour of night, and I will show it unto thee.’ Alexander said: ‘Thy fate is not known to thee, or uncertain?’ Anectanabus replied: ‘Enough of this.’ Alexander said: ‘I would fain know it.’ Anectanabus answered: ‘In truth know that from my son shall come my death.’ This said, as he went down from the palace, Alexander followed him in the hour of the evening without the city. And when they arrived up on to the ditch of the city, Anectanabus spake: ‘Son Alexander, gaze thou on the stars; look how the star of Hercules is perplexed, and how Mercury’s star is blithe. If I see Jove sparkling, my doom telleth me of my coming death at the hands of my son.’ At this sight Alexander came up nigh to him, and made an onslaught on him, making him fall

[added in MS ] n2
leaf 1
down in to ţe dyke, and thare he felle, & was all to-frusched; and ţan Alexander said vn-to hym one this wyse. ‘Fals

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wreche,’ quoţ he, ‘that presume to tell thynge ţat ere to com, rete als ţou were a prophete, and knewe ţe preuate of heuen. Now may ţou see that ţou lye, And ţarefore ţou arte worthy to hafe swilke a dede.’ And than Anectanabus ansuerd, & said: ‘I wyste wele ynoghe,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat I scholde die swylke a dede. Talde I note lange are to ţe, that myn awenn son schulde slae me ?’ ‘Whi, ame I thi son ?’ ţan quoţ Alexandire: ‘aa, for sothe,’ quoţ Anectanabus, ‘ I gat the.’ And wit ţat word, he alde ţe gaste. And than Alexander hert tendird on his Fader, And he tuke hym vp on his bakke, and bare hym to ţe palace. And when his moder Olympias saw hym, Scho said vn-till hym. ‘Son,’ quoţ scho, ‘what es that?’ ‘Als thi foly hase made it,’ quoţ he, ‘so it es.’ And than he gert berye hym wirchipfully.

In the mene tyme, a prynce of Macedoyne broghte ţe kyng a horse vn-temed, a grete and a faire; & he was tyed on ilke side wit chynes of Iren, for he walde wery men and ete ţam. This ilke horse was called Buktiphalas, bicause of his vgly lukynge, For he hade a heued lyke a bulle, & knottills in his frount, as ţay had hene ţe bygynnyng of hournes. And when ţe kyng saw ţe bewtee of this horse, he said till his seruandis, ‘Take this horse and putte hym in a stable, and makes barre of yren be-fore hym, that thefe and oţer mysdoers, ţat sall be done to dede, may be putt in-till hym, to be slaen of hym. And ţay didd soo. In ţe mene tyme ţe kynge Philippe had ane answere of his goddes, that hee schulde regne nexte after hym, the whilke myghte ryde that wylde horse witowtten harme.

So it felle ţat Alexander ţe whilke was ţan twelue ere alde, wexe strange & rete hardy, & was wysse and discrete; for he was wele lered & connand in all ţe seuen sciences, ţe whilke twa philosophirs had teched hym : ţat es to say, Arestotle &

Calistene. And one a day, as Alexander passed for-by ţe place ţare als ţe foresaide stode, he luked in betwene ţe barre of yrnne and saw, bifore ţe horse, mens hend and fete, & oţer of ţaire membris, liggand scatered here & thare, and he had grete wonder ţare-off. And he putt in his Page 9
hande bitwene ţe barre, And ţe horse
leaf 1 bk.

strekede oute his nekke, als ferre als he myghte, and likked Alexander hand; and he knelid doun on his kneesse, and bi-helde Alexander in ţe vesage langly. And Alexander vnderstode wele ţe will of ţe horse, and opynd the barre, and went into ţe horse, and straked him softely on ţe bakke wit his rite hand; And belyfe ţe horse wexe wonderly meke till Alexander; and rite as a honde will couche when his maister biddes hym, so dide he till Alexander; and Alexander lukede besides hym, & sawe a sadill & a brydell hyng thare; and he tuke & dydţam on hym, &
leppe one his bakke & rade furthe on hym. And when the kynge Philippe sawe hym do so, he said vn-till hym ‘Mi son Alexander’ quoţ he: ‘All ţe ansuers of our godde are fulfillede in the! For when I ame dede, ţou mon regne after me’ And Alexander ansuerd; & said ‘I pray the, Fader,’ quoţ he, ‘ordeyne me horse & men, for I gaa seke dede of arme.’ ‘For sothe’ quoţ ţe kynge wit a glade chere, ‘Take ţe a hundreth horse, and xl thosande pounde of golde; and take wit the of ţe worthieste knyghte ţat lange to me, and wendis furthe.’ And he diddso.

And he tuke wit hym also a philosopre ţat highte Eufestius, whilke he traysted mekill in, And twelue childre ţat he chese to be his playfers, and went hym furthe, and come in-till a contreth ţat es called Polipone. And when the kynge of ţe land herd tell, ţat swilke men ware entred in-to his rewme in swilke araye, he raysed a gret Oste, and come agaynes Alexander for to feghte wit hym.

And when he come nerehand hym, he said vn-till hym. ‘Tell me’ quoţ he ‘whatt ţou ert ?’ And Alexander ansuerd ‘I am Alexander’ quoţ he ‘ţe son of Philippe, ţe kynge of Macedoyne.’ ‘And what hope ţou ţat I be ?’ quoţ ţe kynge till hym. And Alexander ansuerd. ‘Ţou ert kynge of Arridouns’ quoţ he. ‘Neuer-ţe-lesse, if all I do ţe ţat wirchippe ţat I calle ţe kynge, empride ţe nathynge ţare-of. For men see ofte tymes men ţat ere in heghe astate com to lawe degree, & men ţat ere in lawe degree, come till heghe astate.’ ‘Ţou sais rite wele’ quoţ ţe kynge. ‘Take hede to thyn awen selfe!’ And Alexander ansuerd & said ‘Ga hethen away fra me’

quoţ he ‘for ţou can say noghte to mee, ne I hafe noghte at do wit ţe.’ And ţan ţe kyng was worder wrathe, And said tillAlexander Page 10

‘Luke on me’

leaf 2
quoţ he ‘ţat spekes to the: Fore I swere the be my Fader hele, & I anes spitte in thi face, ţou schale dye.’ And wit ţat he spitte at Alexander, & said: ‘Take ţe ţare, ţou biche whelpe, ţat ţe seme till hafe.’ And Alexander stepped furthe, & said vn-till hym. ‘For ţou’ quoţ he ‘hase dispised me, bycause I ame littill; I swere ţe, bi ţe pete of my Fader, & by my moders wambe, in ţe whilke I was consayued of godd Amon, ţat ţou schall see mee, are oughte lange, in ţi rewme, redi to feghte wit ţe; and owţer I schall wyn thi rewme wit dynte of swerd, &
brynge it vnder my subieccionn, or ţou schall make me subiecte vn-to ţe.’ And ţare ţay assignede day of Batelle; and ayther of ţam went hame fra oţer.

And agaynes ţe day of Batelle, Alexander, bi ascent & ordynance of kynge Philippe, gadird a grete Oste, & went to the place ţare ţe Batelle was assigned, and fand all redy ţare, kyng Nicoll and his oste. And ţay trumpped vp appon bathe ţe parties, and bigan to feghte, & many men ware slaen on bathe ţe syde.

Bot at ţe laste, Alexander hade ţe felde, & tuke kyng Nicholl, & gart smytte of his heued, & went in-till his land, and conquered it; and his knyghtes went and coround hym kynge ţare-off. And sythen he went hame till his fader, kyng Philippe, and fand hym sittand at the mete at a bridale: For he had put awaye fra hym his wyfe Olympias, Alexander moder, and taken hym an-oţer ţat highte Cleopatra; And Alexander went in-to ţe haulle, and said vn-to ţe kynge Philipp: ‘Fader,’ quoţ he, ‘I pray ow, ţat for a rewarde of my firste iournee ţat I hafe now made, ee graunte me to take my Moder Olympias agayne vn-to ow, & do to hir as awe to be done to a qwenne, rathere ţan I gyffe hir to anoţer kynge; so ţat I be note oure enemy for euer. For this weddyng, ţat e hafe now made here, es vnlefull!’ When he hadd said thir wordes, ane of ţe ţat satt at ţe kynges burde, whase name was Lesias, ansuerd & said to ţe kyng: ‘lord’ quoţ he ‘ţou schall hafe a son of Cleopatra, and he schall regne after ţe !’ Alexander, than, was gretly greuede at his wordes, and wit a wardrere ţat he hade in his hande, he went

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till hym and kellede hym. When kyng Pilippe sawe this, he was gretly stirred, and rase vp, & gatt a swerde
leaf 2 bk.

& ranne towarde Alexander, for to hafe smytten hym. Bot onane he felle down; and ay ţe nerre Alexander ţat he drewe, ţe mare he felle to the erthe rite as he bene ferd. And ţan Alexander said vn-till hym: ‘Philippe’ quoţ he ‘how es it soo, that ţou, ţat hase wonn wit dynt of swerde alle Grece, ne hase now na strenghe to stande on thi fete.’ And ţan all ţe haulle was troubbled, and the brydale letted. And Alexander went abowte ţe haulle, and keste doun ţe bourde wit ţe mete, & ţe drynke ţat ware appon ţam, and tuke Cleopatra, and schotte hir oute at ţe haulle dore. And the kynge Philippe, for sorowe ţat he tuke till, felle grefe seke. And a littill afterwarde, Alexander went till hym for to vesett hym & comforthe hym, and said vn-till hym ‘Philippe,’ quoţ he, ‘if all it be note semely, ţat I calle ţe be ţi propre name; neuere-ţe-lesse, note as ţi son, bot as ţi gud frend, I sall telle the myn avice. It es fully my consaile ţat ţou reconnselle agayne vn-to the my lady, my Moder Olympias, and at ţou grefe ţe nathynge at ţe dede of Lesias, ne take na heuynes to the ţarefore.

For vnkyndely me thynnke ţat ţou didd, and vngudely, ţat ţou drewe ţi swerde for to smytte me ţare-wit.’ And when Philippe herd ţir wordes, his hert tendird, &
he bigane to wepe. And ţan Alexander went till his Moder Olympyas, and said vn-till hir: ‘Be note ferde’ quoţ he ‘ne be note heuy to my fader, for if alle thi trespas be preuee, & note knawen, neuer-ţe-lesse ţou erte in party to blame.’ And when be hade sayde thus, he ledd hir furthe to ţe kyng Philippe. And he tuk & kyssid hir, and thus was scho reconnselde vn-till hym agayne.

After ţis, ţare come messengers Fra Darius, ţe emperour of Perse, to kyng Philippe, and asked hym tribute And Alexander answerd to thir messengers, &
saide, ‘Saise to Darius, our lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat sen ţe tyme ţat Philippe son was waxen of age ţe hen ţat ay es waxen barayne & consumed Page 12
awaye, and so es Darius pryuede of his trybute.’ And [when] thir messengers herd thir wordes; ţay hade grete wounder of ţam & of ţe witt & ţe wisedome of Alexander.

In ţe mene tyme tythynge come to kyng Philippe, ţat Ermonye, ţe whilke bi-fore was suget vn-till hym, was rebelle & raysse agaynes hym. And he garte leaf 3
semble a grete Oste, and sent Alexander thedir ţare wit to feghte wit ţam, and to putt ţam agayne vnder his subieccionn. Alexander thanwent wit this Oste till Ermony & broghte it agayne in subieccion, as it was bi-fore.

An in ţe mene tyme, whils he was ţare, a lorde of Macedoyne ţe whilke highte Pansamy, a strange man & a balde, suget vn-to Philippe, and bade of lange tyme couette for to hafe ţe quene Olympias, conspirede agaynes ţe kynge, and come with a grete multytude of folke appon ţe kynge, to for-do hym. And when tythynge here of come to kyng Philippe, he went to mete hym in ţe felde wit a fewe menee.

And when he sawe ţe grete multitude ţat Pansamy hade wit hym, he turned& fledd, and Pansamy persued after hym, and ouerhied hym, and strake hym thurghe wit a spere, and itt ife all he were greuosely wonded, he dyed note alsone, bot he laye halfe dede in the waye. And than ţe Macedoynes, ţat wenede he bade bane dade, made mekill sorowe. And when ţis iournee was done Pansamy was gretly empridede ţare offe, & went in to ţe kynges palace for to take ţe qwene Olympias oute of it and hafe hir with hym. And euen ţe same tyme, Alexander come fra Hermony, & sawe swylke trouble & styrrynge in the rewme, and hyed hym faste towarde ţe kynges palace, and when Olympias herd telle ţat Alexander hir son had ţe victorye of his enemys, & was comande nere, Scho went furthe of ţe palace at a preuee posterne to mete hir son, and to welcome hym hame. And alsone als scho come nere hym, scho criede appon hym & said.

‘A A, my son Alexander, whare es ţe grace & ţe fortune ţat oure goddes highte the, ţat es to say, ţat ţou scholde alwaye ouercome thynn enemys & note be ouercomen, ţat Pansamy hase one ţis wyse slaen thi Fader.’ And alsone the worde come to Pansamy ţat Alexander was comen, and he went furthe of palace for to mete hym. And also faste als Alexander sawe hym, he oute wit a swerd and clafe his heued

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in to ţe tethe, & slewe hym. And ane of ţe Oste said till Alexander: ‘Philippe ţi fader’ quoţ he, ‘lyas dade in ţe felde.’ And ţan Alexander went thedir thare he laye, and saw hym euen at ţe dyinge. And ţan he began faste for to wepe. And Philippe luked apon hym, & said ‘A A, my dere son Alexander,’ quoţ he, ‘wit a glade hert [I] may now dye, for ţat ţou so soune hase venged my dede,’ & euen wit
leaf 3 bk.

ţat worde he alde ţe gaste. And Alexander wirchipfully gert hym be entered.

When kyng Philippe was entered, Alexander went and sett hym in his trone, and gerte calle by-fore hym alle ţe folke ţat was gaderd thedir, lordes & oţer, and said vn-to ţam on ţis wyse. ‘Men,’ quoţ he, ‘of Macedoyne of Tracy, and of Grece byhalde ţe fegure of Alexander and putte oute of our hertes drede of alle our enemys. For sekerly, and e will take gude hertis to ow, thurghe ţe helpe of oure goddis he schall hafe ţe ouerhande of all oure neghtebours, and our name schall spred ouer alle the werlde. And ţarefore ilkane of ow ţat hase Armour, makes it redy, and he ţat hase nane come to my palace & I sall gerre delyuer hym all ţat hym nedis, and ilk a man make hym redy to ţe werre.’ And when ţe lordes and knyghtis ţat ware of grete age, herd thir wordes ţay ansuerd Alexander, & said vn-till hym: ‘lorde,’ quoţ thaye, ‘we hafe seruede oure fader a longe tyme &
traueld wit hym in his werres, & ţarefore we ere now so bryssed in armes ţat ţare [es] no myghte lefte in vs for to suffre disesse ţat often tymes falles to men of werre. For we ere streken in grete age. And ţarefore, if it be plesynge vn-to ow, we consaile ow & we beseken owe, that e chese ow ong lordes & ong knyghtes, ţat ere listy men & able for to suffre disesse for to be wit ow. For here we giffe vp att armes if it be our will & forsakes ţam for euer.’ And ţan Alexander answerd & said: ‘I will rathere,’ quoţ he, ‘chese ţe sadnesse of an alde wyse man than ţe vnavesy lightenesse of onge men. For ong men often tymes traystand to mekill in thaire awenn doghtynes thurgh ţaire awen foly ere mescheued. Bot alde men wirkes all by consaile & by witte.’ When he had said thir wordes all men

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alowed his hie witte and hally ţay assentede to hym for to do his lyste.

Sone after Alexander assemblede a grete Oste, & went bi Schippe towarde Ytaly, and als he come by Calcedoyne, he assaylled it rete strangly, and ţe folke of Calcedoyne
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went to ţe walles of ţe Citee and defendid manly. Bot at the laste Alexander wan the Citee, and fra thethyn he Schippede in-till Italy. And alsone als ţe Romaynes herd of his comynge ţay were wonder ferde for hym, and the grete lordes of ţe lande tuke fourty thowsande of besande and Iccorounes of golde, and went vn-till hym, and presant hym wit ţam & bysoughte hym ţat he scholde note werrey appon ţam, ne do ţam na harme. And than Alexander tuke trybute of ţe Romaynes, and of alle the folkes ţat duelt bitwixe that & ţe weste Occeane, ţe whilke regione es callede Europe, & lefte ţam in gude pesse.

Fra thethyn he Schippede in-till Affrice, in thee whilke he fande bot fewe ţat rebelled agaynes hym and ţarefore als [men] swa saye, eneil sodeynly he conquerid it & broghte it vnder his subieccion. And fra Affric he went by Schippe till ane Ile, ţat es called Frontides, for to consaile wit a godd ţat ţay called Amon. And as Alexander & his men went towarde ţe temple of ţis forsaid godd, ţay mett in ţe waye a grete hert ţe whilke Alexander bad his men sla wit arowes. And ţay schott at hym; bet nane of ţam myghte hitt hym. And ţan Alexander tuke a bowe & schotte at hym & hitt hym & slewe hym. And ţan Alexander went in-to ţe temple, & made sacrafyce of ţis hert vn-to godd Amon, and bysoughte hym ţat he schulde gyffe hym ansuares. When Alexander hade made his prayers ţare to godd Amon, he went wit his Oste in-till a place ţat highte Taphoresey, In ţe whilke were feftene gude townues, & ţay bade twelne grete reuers ţat rane in-to ţe see, and at ţe entree of ţam in-to ţe see ţare was drawen ouer grete chynes of yryne, and thare Alexandir made Sacrafice till his godde. And on ţe same nyghte, a godd ţat [hight] Serapis apperid vn-till hym in his slepe, cledd in riche clothynge in ane horrible forme & a dredefull, and said vn-till

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hym. ‘Alexander,’ quoţ he, ‘may ţou take ţis montayne on ţi schulder & bere it a-way?’ Quoţ Alexander, ‘how myghte any man do pat?’ And Serapis ansuerd & said, ‘righte as ţis montayne sall neuer witowten leaf 4 bk.

end be remowed hethen, so thi name & thi dedes schall be made mynde of to the worldes end.’ And than Alexander prayed hym ţat he walde prophycye hym what kyns dede he scholde die. Serapis ansuerd and said, ‘It es noghte spedfull till a man to knawe his paynefull endynge. For if he knewe it, perauenture, he scholde neuer hafe Ioye in his hert. Neuer ţe lesse bicause ţou hase prayede me to telle ţe, I sall say the. After a drynke ţou schall take thi dede. For in thi outhe ţou sall make thyn endynge. Bot spirre me noţer ţe tyme ne ţe houre when it schal be, For I will on na wyse telle it to the. For-whi godde of ţe este partie of ţe werdle sall telle the alle thi werde.’ When Alexander wakkened of his dreme, he was reghte heuy, and sent ţe maste substance of his Oste to ţe Cite of Askalon and bad ţaim habide hym thare, and hym selfe & a certane of mene wit hym habade & thare he garte make a Citee & called it Alexander after his awenn name.

In the mene tyme , Egipcyens herd of ţe comynges of Alexander, & ţay went agaynes hym & submytt ţam vn-tillhym & resayffed hym wirchipfully. And when Alexander come in-till Egipte, he fand ane ymage of a kyng made of blake stane curiousely coruen, and he askede ţe Egipciens whase ymage it was, and ţay ansuerd & said, ‘It es ţe ymage,’ quop ţay, ‘of Anectanabus that was kynge of Egipte note lange sythen gane, ţe wyseste & ţe worthiest ţat euer was ţare-in.’

For sothe quoţ Alexander, ‘Auectanabus was my Fader.’ And ţan he knelid doun with grete reuerence & kyssed ţe ymage. Fra thethyn he went wit his Oste to Surry. But ţe Surriens agayne-stude hym and faghte wit hym and slewe many of his knyghtes. Neuer ţe lesse Alexander had ţe victorye. And ţan he went to Damaske, & Ensegged it & wanne it, and fra thethyn he went to Sydon & wan it. And ţan he went vnto ţe Citee of Tyre and layde Ensegge abowte it, and [in] ţis Ensegge he laye many a day. And thare

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his Oste suffred many dysesse. For ţat Cite was so strange in it-selfe bycause of ţe ground, ţat it was sett apon, and bycause of grete towres & many ţat ware abowte it, and also bicause it was so enclosed wit the see ţat it myghte noghte lightly
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be wonnen by nane assawte. Alexander ţan vmbithoghte hym, one what wyse he myghte best com to for to destruy ţis citee, and he gerte make a grete bastell of tree, and sett it apon schippes in ţe see euen forgaynes ţe cete, so ţat ţare myghte no shippe come nere the hauen for to vetaille ţe Citee or suppoell it wit men bycause of ţe bastelle. In ţe mene tyme Alexander Oste hade grete defawte of vetaylls, and ţan he sent lettres vnto Iadus, ţat at that tyme was bischoppe & gouernoure of ţe Iewes, and prayede hym for to suppoell hym wit som men, and also ţat he walde send sum vetails for hym & his Oste, and he scholde pay for ţam wit a glade chere, and ţat he scholde also send hym the tribute ţat he scholde gyffe Darius ţe emperour of Perse. For hym ware better, he said, hafe his frenchippe ţan ţe frenchipe of Darius. The Bischope ţan of ţe Iewes ansuerd ţe messangers ţat broghte hym ţe lettres & said ‘I hafe,’ quoţ he, ‘ made athe to Darius, ţat, whils he leffe, I schall neuer bere armes agaynes hym, and ţarefore I ne may note do agaynes myn Athe.’ The Messagers ţan went till Alexander & talde hym ţe bischopes ansuere, and he was greued & said ‘I make myn avowe,’ quţ he, ‘vntill oure goddes, ţat I schall take swilke vengeance on ţe Iewes ţat I sall make ţam to knawe, whethir it es better to ţam to be obeisant vn-to [my ?] commandement, or vn-to ţe kynges of Perse.’ And he callede a duke, ţat highte Melagere, and wit vcmen of armes, and badd ţam gaa in to ţe vale of Iosaphat, ţe whilke was full of beste & brynge of thase beste to ţe Oste for to vetaille ţam wit. And ane Sampson, ţat knewe ţe cuntre wele was ţaire gyde. Ţay went in to ţe vale, and gadird to gedir catell witowte nombir & be-gan for to dryfe on ţam. And he ţat was lorde of ţe cuntre, Theosellas bi name, raysed a grete multitude of folke and mett ţam & faughte wit ţam & slewe many of ţam. Bot Melagere & his felaws at ţat tym had ţe better. And ane ţat highte Caulus went baldly to Theosellas, & smate of his heued. All this was done bot a littill fra ţe citee of Gadir. And ţan Bertyne,

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lorde of ţe citee, seand this, was gretely stirrede and ischewede owte of ţe citee & wit xxx feghtyng men and sett vp a schowte apon the Macedoynes alle at anes, that alle ţe erthe trembled wit-alle. And when ţe Macedoyns saw that grete multytude of folke com appon ţam, ţay were rete ferde. And ţan Melagere walde hafe sent a Messangere to ţaire lorde Alexander, for to come & socoure ţam, bot he mygte fynd na man ţat walde vndertake ţe Message. Than thir twa batalles met Samen & faughte togedir, and thare was Sampson slaen, and Bertyne. And ţe Macedoyns wit ţe grete multitude of ţaire enemys ware dreuen abakke, and lyke for to be dreuen abakke & discomfites. And ane of ţe grekkes, ţat highte Arttes, seynge ţe meschefe ţay stode In, wann hym owte of the Bataile & went in alle ţe haste, ţat he myghte, till Alexander & talde hym ţat ţe Grekkes & ţe Macedoynes ware in poynte to be mescheuede, bot if he suppoellde ţam ţe tittere. And than Alexander lefte ţe segge of Tyre, and went wit his Oste to ţe vale of Iosaphat, and fand his men rite harde by-stadde wit ţaire enemys. And he and his Oste vmbylapped alle ţaire enemys, and daunge ţam doun & slewe ţam ilke a moder son.

And when he had so done he turned agayne vn-to Tyre, and fande the Bastelle, ţat he hade made in ţe See, dongen doune to ţe grounde. For alson als Alexandere was gane fra Tire to ţe vale of Iosaphat, Balan ţat was lorde of Tyre ischewid oute of ţe citee wit thee folke ţare-of, & assailled the bastell manfully, and tuk it & dange it doune. And when Alexander sawe that, he was gretly angerde, and his hert wonder heuy, and so ware alle ţe Macedoynes and the Grekes. In so mekill thay ware nerehand in dispeire for to wyn ţe citee, and ware in poynte to hafe riffen up ţe segge. And one ţe nyghte nexte suande, Alexander, als he laye &
slept, dremyd ţat he hadd in his hand a grape, ţe whilke hym thoghte he keste downe vnder his fete, and trade ţare-one, & alsone ţare ran oute of it a grete dele of wyne. And when Alexander wakned, he called till hym a Philosophre &
talde hym his dreme. And ţe Philosophre ansuerde, ‘be balde,’ quoţ he, ‘& lefe note to ensegge Tyre, for ţe grape ţat ţou Page 18
helde in thi hand, and keste vnder thi fete, and trade ţare-one, es ţe Citee of Tyre, ţe whilk ţou sall wynn thurg strent and trede it with thi fote, and ţarefore be nathynge abaiste.’ When Alexander herd thire wordes, he was gretly comforthed, and vmbithoghte hym one whate wyse he myghte gette this Citee.

And than he
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garte make anoţer bastelle in ţe see, grettere, & hyere, and strangere ţan ţe toţer was. For it was hiere ţan ţe hegheste towre of ţe citee. And ţis basteýe was tyede wit a hundrethe ankers. Ţan Alexander gert armede hyn suerely & wele, & wente by hym ane vp apon this bastelle, and badd all his men ţat ţay schulde make ţam redy for to feghte & to giffe assawte to ţe citee. And alsone als ţay sawe hym entire in to ţe citee, ţay scholde all at anes presse to ţe walles, and scale ţam, and clymbe ouer ţe walles baldely & wyn ţe citee. And when all men weren redy, hee gerte smyte soundere ţe cabills ţat ţe bastelle was tyed wit, &
ţe wawes of ţe see bare it to ţe walles of ţe Citee. And Alexander delyuerlye stert apon [ţe] walles, whare Balan stode, and ran apon hym & slew hym and keste hym ouer ţe walles in-to ţe dyke of ţe citee. And when ţe Macedoyns & ţe Grekes sawe Alexander entir in-to ţe citee, ţay schouffed to ţe walles all at anes, and clambe ouer, sum wit leddirs sum on oţer wyse witowtten any resistence. For ţe Tyreyenes was so ferde bycause of ţe dedde of Balan ţaire duc ţat ţay ne durste noghte turne agayne no defende ţe walle. And on this wyse was ţe citee taken and doungen doune to ţe erthe.

Fra ţe segge of Tyre Alexander & his men went to ţe citee of Gaa and assailedit, & wit schorte while ţay wan it. And Fra thethyn hyed hym towarde Ierusalem for to ensegge it.

Qwhen ţe Bischoppe of ţe Iewes herde telle ţat Alexander was commaund toward Ierusalem, he gert call bifore hym all ţe iewes ţat ware in ţe citee, and talde ţam ţe tythynge ţat ware talde hym. And sythen he commandid ţam ţat ţay schuld com to ţe temple, and be ţare in praynge Fastynge and wakynge & in sacrafice makyng vn-to godd, bisekand hym of helpe & socoure. And ţay did soo. And on ţe nyghte nexte

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after, when ţe Bischoppe hadd made his sacrafice, and was lyand in prayers, he fell on slomeryng and ane Angelle appered vn-till hym, and sayd, ‘Be note ferd,’

quoţ he, ‘bot swythe gere araye honestly all ţe stretis of (ţe) citee, and caste open the ates, and warne all ţe folke ţat ţay aray ţam in whitte clethynge, and thi-selfe & alle ţe prestis reueste ow solempnely, and to-morne arely wende furthe of ţe citee agaynes Alexander in processioun. For hym by-houe leaf 6 bk.

regne & be lorde of alle ţe werlde. Bot at ţe laste ţe wrethe of godd sall falle apon hym.’ When ţe bischoppe wakened of his slepe, he called till hym ţe iewes and talde ţam his reuelacion, and bad ţam do all als ţe Angelle hade schewed hym. And ţay did so. For ţay arayed ţe strete of ţe cetee and cledde ţam in whitte clethynge, and the bischope & ţe prestis reueste ţam, and bathe thay and alle ţe folke went furthe of ţe citee till a place whare ţe temple & all ţe citee may be seen. And ţare ţay habade ţe comynge of Alexander. And when Alexander come nere ţis foresaid place, and sawe be-for hym swilke a multitude of folke, cledd alle in whitte, and ţe preste arayed solempnely in riche vestymentis, and ţe byschope also in his pontyfycales and a mytir one his heued, and ţare-apon a plate of golde, whare-one was wretyn ţe name of grete godd Tetragramaton, he commaunded all his men ţat ţay schulde halde ţam by-hynd hym, and habyde till he com to ţam. And he lighte off his horse, and went bi hym ane to ţe iewes, And knelid down to ţe erthe and wirchippede ţe hye name of godd, ţat he saw ţar wretyn apon ţe bischopes heued. And ţan alle ţe iewes knelid doun & saluste Alexander and cried all wit a voyce: ‘lyff lyffe,’ quoţ ţay, ‘grete Alexander, lyffe, lyffe the gretteste Emperour of ţe werlde, lyffe he ţat sall ouercom all men and note be ouercomen. Prynce maste gloryous and maste worthy of all ţe prince ţat regne apon erthe.’ When ţe kynge of Surry saw ţis, ţay hadd grete wonder ţare-off. And a prynce of Alexanders, ţat highte Parmenon, said vn-till Alexander: ‘Mi lorde ţe Emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘we mervelle vs gretely ţat ţou, wham all men wirchippe and lowte, wirchippe here ţe bischope of ţe Iewes.’

And Alexander ansuered, ‘I wirchipe no hym,’ ţis quoţ he, ‘Bot Gdd, whase state he presente. For when I was in Macedoyne, and vmbithoghte me, on what Page 20
wyse I myte conquere Assye, I saw hym slepand, in swilk habite & in swylke araye; and he lete as he sett note by me, bot went baldely furthe bi me. And for I see nane in swilke arraye bot hym, I suppose it be he ţat I saw in my slepe.

And ţarefore I trowe ţat thurg ţe helpe of Godd I sall ouercom Daryus, ţe kyng of Perse, and his grete pryde fordo. And all thynge ţat I caste in my hert fo[r]

to do, it es my full triste ţat thurg his helpe I sall fulfill it, and wele bryng it to end. And ţis es ţe cause I wirchipped hym.’ And when he hadd said thies wordes, he went in-to ţe citee wit the bischope & ţe preste, and went in-to ţe temple ţat Salamon made. And as ţe bischope teched hym he offred sacrafice un-to Godd. And ţe bischope tuke Alexander in hande a buke of ţe prophicye of Daniel
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, in ţe whilke he fande wretyn, ţat a man of Grece sulde distruy ţe powere of Perse. And Alexander was reghte gladde, supposynge ţat it was hymselfe. And ţan he gaffe ţe bischoppe & ţe oţer preste grete gyfte & riche & precyous, And badd ţe bischope ashe of hym what so he walde. And the bischope askede ţat he walde giffe ţam leue to vse ţe same lawes ţat ţaire faderes vsed bifore ţam, and he graunted it. And ţan pe [sic] bischoppe askede ţat walde giffe ţe Iewes ţat ware in Medee & in Babyloyne, leue for to vse ţaire lawes, & he graunted hym ţat &
all oţer thynge ţat he walde aske.

Alexander than went fra Ierusalem, & lefte thare Andromac his Messagere, and hym selfe & his Oste went to ţe oţer cite ţat ware in ţe lande of Iudee, and at ilke a citee ţat he come to, he was wirchipfully ressayued. In ţe mene tyme ţe Surryens ţat fledd fra Alexander, went to Perse, and talde ţe emperour Darius how Alexander hadd done to ţam. And Darius spirred thaym of his stature & of his schappe, and ţay schewed hym purtrayed in a parchemyn skynn ţe ymage of Alexander. And alsone als Darius sawe it, he dispysed Alexander bycause of his littill stature, and be-lyfe he gerte

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write a lettre and sent it till Alexander. And ţare-wit he sent hym a handball &
oţer certane Iape in scorne. And ţis is ţe tenour of ţe lettre ţat he sent till hym.

‘Darius, kyng of kynges, and lord of all erthely lordes euen like vnto sonne schynande, wit ţe godde of Perse, vntill Alexander oure seruand we send. We hafe vnderstanden now on late, whareof we meruelle vs gretely, ţat ţou ert so raysed in pride and vayne glorye, ţat ţou hase semblede togedir a company of robbours and thefe oute of ţe weste parties, and caste ţe for to com in-till oure partie, supposynge thurg ţam for to ouer-sett and constreyne ţe grete myghte & ţe vertue of ţe percyens, whase strenghte ţou may neuer sloken ne ouercome, suppose ţou gadirde & sembled togedir all ţe werlde. For I do ţe wele to wiete ţou myghte nerehand alsonne nommer ţe sternes of heuen, as ţe folke of ţe empire of Perse.

Oure godde also,
leaf 7 bk.

by whaym all ţis werlde es gouerned & sustened, praysse & commende oure name passyng all oţer nacyons. ‘Bot note wit-standynge ţis; ţou as a littill bisne &
a dwerghe, a halfe man & orte of alle men, desyrand to ouerpasse ţi littillnesse, rite as a mouse crepe oute of hir hole,so ţou ert cropen out of ţe lande of Sethym, wenynge wit a few rebawde to conquere & optene ţe lande of Perse brade & lange, & to ryotte & playe the in thaym as myesse douse in ţe house whare na cattes ere. Bot I ţat priualy hase aspied thi gate, when ţou wene moste seurely for to stertle abowte, I sall sterte apon ţe & take ţe; & so in wrechidnes sall thi dayes fouly hafe an ende. ‘A grete Foly ţou dide for to take apon the swylke a presumpcyon. It ware full faire to ţe, if ţou myghte bi oure lefe, wit oure beneuolence, ocupie all anely ţe rewme of Macedoyne, eldynge ţarefore till vs erely a certane tribute, if all ţou couetid note oure empire.

Ţarefore it es gude ţat ţou lefe thi fonned purposse, and wende hame agayne, and sett the in thi moder knee. And lo, I sende the here a littill balle, wit ţe whilke als a childe ţou may play the. For ţou ert bot a childe. It es mare semely ţat ţou vse childe gamme ţan dede of armes. ‘We knawe wele thi pouert and thi nede, and

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ţat ţou hase vnnethes whare wit ţou may sustene thi caytyfde corse. Weue ţou, than, to brynge vnder thi subieccion the empyre of Darius. I say the by my Fader saule, ţat in the rewme of Perse ţare es so grete plente of golde, ţat, & it were gadirde to gedir on a hepe, It schulde passe ţe clerenes of ţe son.

Whare-fore we commande the, and straitely enioyne the, ţat ţou leue thi fole pride and thi vayne glory, & tourne hame agayne to Macedoyne. And if ţou will note soo, we sall sende to ţe a multitude of men of arme swilke ane saw ţou neuer, ţe whilke sall take ţe, and hynge ţe hye on a gebett as a traytour and a mayster of theefe: and note as ţe son of Philippe.’

When ţe messangers ţat were sent fra Darius come to king Alexander, ţay gaffe hym the lettres, and ţe balle & oţer certane Iapes, ţat ţe emperour sent hym in scorne. And Alexander tuke ţe lettres, and gert rede it openly by-fore alle men, and Alexander knyghtes when ţay herde ţe tenour of ţe lettres ware gretly astonayde and wonder heuy. And when Alexander sawe ţam so heuy by cause of ţe lettre, he saide vn-to ţam: ‘a a, my worthy knyghtis,’ quoţ he, ‘are e fered for ţe prowde worde ţat are contened in Darius lettres, wate e noghte wele ţat hunde, ţat berkes
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mekill, byte men noghte so sone, als doe hundes ţat comme one men wit-outten berkynge. We trewe wele ţe lettre says sothe of some thynge, ţat es to saye, of ţe grete plentee of golde, ţat Darius sais he hase. And ţarefore late vs manly feghte wit hym and we sall hafe ţat golde. For ţe grete multitude of his golde, als me thynke, schulde gare vs be balde and hardy for to fighte wit hym manly.’

When Alexander had saide thir worde he bade his knyghtis take the messangers of Darius and bynd ţaire hande bi-hynde ţam, & lede ţam furthe to the galowes, &
hynge ţam. And ţay tuke ţe messangers & bande ţam, and began for to lode ţam furthe to ţe galowes-warde, and ţan ţe messengers bigan for to crye rewfully vntill Alexander & sayd: ‘A, A wirchipfull lorde & kynge’, quoţ ţay, ‘ whate hafe we trespaste, ţat we schall be haungede for oure kynges dedis’. And ţan kyng Alexander ansuerd: ‘ţe worde of our Emperour’, quoţ he, ‘ gers me do ţis, ţat sent ow vn-to me, as vnto a theeffe, as ţe Page 23
lettre whilke e broghte witnesse’: ‘A, A lorde’, quoţ ţay, ‘oure emperour sent thus to ou: for our powere & our myghte was unknawwen vn-till hym. Bot we be-seke ow late vs gaa, and we schall mak aknawen vntill hym our grete glory, our ryaltee, & our noblaye.’

Ţan kyng Alexander badd his knyghtis lowse ţam, and bryng ţam in-till his haulle, to ţe mete. And thare he made ţam a grete feste & a ryall. And as ţay satt at the mete, ţir messangers saide vn till Alexander, ‘lorde,’ quoţ ţay, ‘if it be plesynge to our hye maiestee sende with vs a thowsand of doghty men of armes, and we sall delyuer ţam ţe Emperour Darius,’ and Alexander ansuerde agayne & said ‘Sittes stille’, quoţ he, ‘& makes ow mery. For I tell ow in certayne, for ţe betrayinge of our kynge, I will noghte graunt ow a knyghte wit ow’. Apon ţe morne, Alexander gart write a lettre vn-to Darius, whareoffe ţe tenour was this.

Ţe letter of Alexandere

‘Alexander, the son of Philippe & of qwene Olympias, vn-to Darius, kyng of ţe land ţat schynes wit ţe godde of Perse, we sende. If we graythely & sothefastly behalde oure selfe ţare es na thynge ţat we here hafe ţat we may bi righte calle ours, bot all it es lent vs for a tyme. For alle we ţat ere whirlede aboute wit ţe whele of fortune, now ere we broghte fra reches in-to pouerte: now fra myrthe & ioy in-to Sorowe & heuynssse; and agaynwarde : and now fra heghte, we are plungede in-to lawnesse. Ţarefore ţare schulde na man ţat es sett in hye degre triste to mekill in his hyenesse, that, thurgh pride & vayne glorye, he schulde despyse ţe dedis of oţer men lesse leaf 8 bk.

ţan he. For he wate neuer how sone ţe whele of fortune may turne abowte, and caste hym doune to lawe degree, ţat sitte hye on-lofte: and rayse hym to hye wirchipe and grete noblaye ţat bifore was pore and in lawe degree. And ţarefore the aughte to thynke grete schame, ţat swilke a worthy emperour as men halde the, schulde sende swylke

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a message vnto me so littill a man and so pore. For ţou ert euen lyke to ţe sonne, as thi selfe says, sittande in ţe trone of Nitas wit ţe godde of Perse.

Bot godde ţat euermare are liffaunde & neuermare dye, deyne note for to hafe ţe felachipe of dedely men. Sekerly I am a dedely man; and to ţe I come as to a dedely man, for to feghte wit the. Bot ţou ţat arte so grete & so gloryous &
calle thi selfe vndedely, Ţou sall wynne na thynge of me, if alle ţou hafe ţe ouerhande of me. For ţou hase ouercommen bot a littill man, and a theeffe als ţou sayse. And if I hafe ţe ouerhande ouer the, It sall be to me ţe gretteste wirchipe ţat euere byfell me, for als mekill als I sall hafe ţe victorye of ţe worthieste emperour of ţe werlde. Bot ţare ţou saide, ţat, in ţe rewme of Perse, es so grete plentee of golde, ţou hase scharpede oure herti, and made mare balde for to feghte with the, & for to wynne ţat golde; for to relefe oure pouerte wit-all, & putte awaye our nede whilke ţou says we hafe. In ţat also, ţat ţou sent vs a hande-balle and oţer barne-laykaynes, ţou prophicyed rite, and betakend bi-fore, thynges ţat we trewe, thurg godde helpe, sall falle vn-till vs. By ţe rowndenes of ţe balle, we vnderstande all the werld aboute vs, ţe whilke sall falle vnder oure subieccion. Bi ţe tane of ţe laykanes ţat ţou sent vs, ţe whilke es made of wande and cruke donwarde at ţe ouerend, we vnderstand ţat all ţe kynges of ţe werlde, and all ţe grete lorde, sall lowte till vs. Bi ţe toţer laykan, ţat es of golde, and hase apon it, as it ware, a manne hede, we vnderstande ţat we sall hafe ţe victorye of all men and neuer be ouercommen. And ţou ţat ert so grete & so myghty hase now onwarde sent vs trybute, in als mekell als ţou sent vs a handballe, and ţir oţer thynges ţat I rehersed by-fore, the whilke contene in ţam so grete dignyte.’

When ţis lettre was wreten, Alexander called till ţe messangers of ţe Emperour of Perse, and gaffe ţam riche gyftes and betuke ţam ţe lettre, and badd ţam bere it to ţaire lorde. And ţan Alexander sembled his Oste, and by-gan for to wende towarde Perse. When the messangers of Perse come to ţe emperour ţay talde hym of ţe grete ryaltee of kyng Alexander
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and tuke hym the letters ţat Alexander sent hym. And Page 25
ţe emperour garte rede ţam. And when he herd ţam redde he was wonder wrathe, and sent a lettre belyue vn-till twa grete lorde that hadd ţe gouernance of ţe empire vnder hym sayand to ţam on this wiese.

‘Darius kyng of kynges and lorde of lordes vntill oure trewe lege Primus &

Antyochus, gretynge and ioy. We here tell ţat Alexander, Philippe sonne of Macedoyne, es so heghe raysede in pryde, ţat he es rebelle agaynes vs, & es commen in-till Asye, and hase distroyed it vtterly. And itt hym thynke note this ynoghe, bot he purpose hym for to come nere vs, and do ţe same till oţerre cuntre of oure empire as he hase done tyll Asye. Whare-fore we comande owe o payne of our legeance, ţat e semble ţe grete men & ţe worthy of ours empyre, wit oţer of our trewe lege; and, in all ţe haste ţat e may, gase & counters one childe, takand hym, and bryngand hym bi-fore oure presence, ţat we may lasche hym wele, als a wanton childe schulde be: and clethe hym in purpoure; & so send hym till his moder Olympias wele chastyede. For it seme note to be a feghter: but for to vse childe gamme.

Thire twa lordes Primus and Antyochus, when ţay hadde redde this lettre of ţe emperour, ţay wrate agayne vntill him on this wyse.

‘Vn-to Darius, kyng of kynge, grete godd, Primus & Antiochus, seruyce ţat ţay kan do. To our heghe maieste we make it aknawen, ţat ţe childe Alexandere, whilke e speke off, hase all vtterly distroyed our cuntree. And we sembled a grete multytude of folke, and faughte wit hym; bot he hase discomfit vs, and we were fayne for to flee. For unnethe myghte any of vs wynne awaye wit ţe lyfe.

Ţarefore we ţat e say ere helpers vnto owe, beseke our hye maiestee that e send sum socoure till vs our trewe leges.’

When Darius hadde redde ţis lettre, ţare come anoţer messanger till hym and talde hym ţat Alexander and his Oste hade lugede ţam appon the water of Strume.

And when Darius herd ţat he wrate anoţer lettre vntill Alexander, of whilke ţis was ţe tenour.

‘ Darius, kyng of kynges, and lorde of lorde, vn-till oure seruande Alexander.

Thorowte all ţe werlde ţe name of

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Darius es praysed & commended. Oure godde also hase it wreten in thaire bukes.

How than durste ţou be so balde, for to passe so many waters, and see, Mountaynes & cragge, for to werraye agaynes oure royalle maiestee. A grete wirchip me thynke it
leaf 9 bk.

ware to ţe, if ţou myghte mawgre oures, hafe in possessioun ţe kyngdome of Macedoyne all anely, witowtten mare. Thare-fore the es better amend ţe of thi mysededis, ţan we take swilke wreke appon the, ţat oţer men take bisne ţareby, sen alle ţe erthe witowtten oure lordchipe, may be callede wedowe. Torne agayne ţarefore, we consaile ţe, in-to thyn awenn cuntree, are oure wrethe and oure wreke falle apon ţe. Neuer-ţe-lesse, ţat oure wirchippe & oure grete noblaye be sumwhate knawen to ţe, we sende the a malefull of chesebolle sede, in takennyng ţare-of. Luke if ţou may nombir & telle all ţir chessebolle sede, & if ţou do ţatt ţan may ţe folke of oure oste be nowmerd. And if ţou may note do ţat oure folke may note be nowmerd. Ţarefor turnee hame agayne in-to ţi cuntree and lefe ţi foly ţat ţou hase bygun, and take na mare apon ţe swilke a presumpcion, for I tell ţe we haffe men of armes wit-oute nowmmere’.

When ţe Messangers of Darius come till Alexander, ţay tuk hym ţe lettre and ţe malefull of chessebolle sede. Alexander ţan gerte rede ţe letter. And sythen he putt his hand in ţe male, and tuke of ţe chessebolle sede & putt in his mouthe, & chewed it, & said, ‘I see wele’, quoţ he, ‘ţat he hase many men, bot ţay are rite softe as this sede are.’ In ţe mene tyme ţare come a Measanger till Alexander fra Macedoyne: and talde hym ţat his Moder Olympias was grefe seke.

And [when] Alexander herd ţis, he was wonder heuy. Neuer ţe lesse, he wrate vn to Darius a lettre, ţat spakke on this wyse.

‘Alexander ţe son of Philippe & of qwene Olympias vn-to Darius kynge of Perse, we sende. We do ţe wele to wiete ţat we hafe herde certane tythynge, whilke gers vs agayne oure will do ţat we now sall saye. Bot trow ţou note ţat we for fere or dowte of thi pride and ţi vayne glorye turne hame agayne now till oure awenn cuntre, Bot all anely for to vesett

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oure Moder Olympias, whilke lygges grefe seke. Bot wete pou wele, wit in schorte tym, we schall haste vs agayne, wit a grete nowmere of fresche knyghtis. And rite als ţou sent vs a malefell of chessobolle sede; so we sende ţe here a littill peper. For ţou schulde witte ţat rite as ţe scharpenes of ţis littill peper passe ţe multitude of ţe chessebolle sede, rite so ţe grete multitude of ţe Persyenes sall be ouercomen wit a fewe knyghtis of Macedoyne.’

This lettre be-kende Alexander to ţe knyghtis of Darius, ţe peper also, & bad ţam bere ţam to ţe emperour. And he gaffe ţam grete gyftes and riche, and sent ţam furthe. And ţan he turnede
leaf 10
agayne wit his Oste towarde Macedoyne.

Thare was ţe same tyme a wonder wyse man of werre ţe whilke highte Amorca, and he was prynce-werres in Araby, and lay ţare wit a grete multitude of men in awayte of Alexander & his Oste. And when he herde tell of ţe commyng of Alexander, he redied hym for to kepe hym. And when ţay mett, ţay faught togeder all ţe daye fra ţe morne till ţe euen. And so ţay dide all ţase thre deyes. And ţare was so mekill folke dede in ţat bataile, ţat ţe sone wexe eclipte &
wit-drewe his lighte, vggande for to see so mekill scheddynge of blude. Bot at laste ţe Percyenes ware so thikke-falde felled to ţe grounde, ţat ţaire prynce Amorca turned ţe bakke & fledd, and vnnethe myghte wynn awaye, and a fewe wit hym. So hastyly fledd Amorca, ţat he come nerehand alsone to Darius, as his measagers did ţat come fra Alexander, and fand Darius haldand ţe lettre in his hande, ţat Alexander sent hym, and spirrande what Alexander did wit ţe chessbolle sede. And ţe messangers ansuerd & said: ‘ He tuke of ţo chessbolle sede’, quoţ ţay, ‘and chewed of ţam, & said. I see wele,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat Darius hase many men, bot ţay are wonder softe’; And than Darius tuk of ţe peper, ţat Alexander sent, and putt in his mouthe and chewed it. And when he felide ţe strenghe of it, and ţe grete hete, he syghede sare, and saide: ‘Alexander knyghtis’, quoţ he, ‘are bot fewe, bot and ţay be als strange in ţam selfe, as ţis peper es in it selfe, ţay sall fynde nane in ţis werlde ţat may agaynestande ţam.’ And ţan ansuerde Amorca & saide, ‘Forsothe, lorde’, quoţ he, ‘e Page 28
say sothe, Alexander hase few knyghtis, bot ţay ere strange, ţat hase slaen my knyghtis ţat ware so many, so ţat vnnethe myghte I eschappe owte of ţaire hande.’ Alexander, if alle he hade ţe victorye of his enemys, he bare hym neuer ţe hiere ţarefore, ne empridede hym note ţare-of. Bot bathe Percyene & the Macedoyns ţat ware slaen, he gert brynge to beryell. And ţan he come wit his Oste in-to Cecill, whare many Cite submyt ţam vn-till hym, and of that rewme, ţare went wit hym: xvij. M. n3 feghtynge men. And fra thethyn he come till Ysaury, ţe whilke, witowtten any agayne standynge, was olden vntill hym. And Alexander went vp apon ţe Mounte Taurus, and fande ţare a citee ţat men callede Persypolis, and thare he tuk wit hym a certane of men of Armes, and went so thurgh Asye, and wan many Cite. And so he come in-to Frigy, and went in-to ţo temple of ţe son, and thare he made sacrafyce to ţe son. Fra thethyn, he come to a reuere, ţat es called Stamandra, and ţare he said till his men. ‘Blyste mote e be’,
leaf 10 bk.

quoţ he, ‘ţat hase getyn ţe comendacions & ţe praysynge of ţe gude doctour Homerus’, and ane of his men ansuerde & said, ‘Mi lorde kyng’, quoţ he, ‘Me thynke I may sauely writte ma praysynge, & lonynge of the, ţan Homerus did of ţam ţat distruyede ţe Citee of Trayane. For ţou hase done in ţi tyme ma wirchipfull thynge, ţan euer did ţay.’ And Alexander [ansuerd,] & said ‘Me ware leuer,’ quoţ he, ‘be a wyse manes disciple ţan for to hafe ţe lonynge of Achille.’ After this he remonede wit his Oste into Macedoyne, & fande his Modir Olympias wele couerd of hir sekenes, and suggournede ţare wit her a while. And than he ordeyned hym for to wende agayne into Persy, And keste hym for to logge at a Citee, ţat men calle Abandryan. The men of ţe Citee, when ţay herde telle of his commynge, ţay sperede ţe ates of ţe Citee, and wachede ţe citee one ilke a syde. And when Alexander saw ţat, he went & assaillede ţe Citee. And ţe burge of ţe Citee, when ţay sawe ţat ţe citee was note strange ynoghe of ţe selfe, for to agaynstande ţe assawte of ţaire enemys, ţay criede till Alexander & saide: ‘Kyng Alexander,’ quoţ ţay, ‘we spered

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note ţe ates of [the] citee to ţat entent for to agaynestande the, Bot allanly for ţe drede of Darius, kyng of Perse, ţe whilke as it was tolde till vs, es purpossede for to send his men hedir, for to destruye vs & oure citee.’ And ţan Alexander said vnto ţam agayn. ‘Iffe e will,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat we distruy ow noghte, opene our ates, and when I hafe made an ende wit Darius, ţan sall I come agayne, & speke wit owe.’ And ţan ţe Citaenes opened ţe ates. Fra thethen ţay went to Comnoliche. And fra thethyn to Bihoy, and so to Caldiple. Syne ţay come till a grete reuere, whare Alexander Oste hadd grete defaute of vetalls, and ţan his knyghtis murnede gretely and said, ‘Oure horses,’ quoţ ţay, ‘fayle vs ay mare & mare.’ Alexander ansuerd & said, ‘A A, my doghty knyghtis,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat itt heder-towarde hase in werre suffred many perills & mekill disesse, ere e nowe in despeyre of our hele for ţe failynge of our horse, Sall we note gete horse ynowe, and we lyffe & hafe qwert, and if we dye we sall hafe na nede of horse, na ţay may do us na prophete. Haste we vs ţarefore in all ţat we maye to ţe place whare we sall gete horse witowtten nowmer, and vetaills also, bathe for oure selfe & for oure horse.’ When he hadd all saide, ţay went furthe and come till a place ţat es called Luctus, ţat es to saye wepynge, leaf 11
whar ţay fande vetails ynoghe, and mete ynoghe for ţaire horse. Fra thethyn ţay remoued & come till a place ţat hatt Trigagantes, and ţare ţay luged ţam. And Alexander went in-to a temple of Apollo; whare als he aghteled to hafe made Sacrafice, and hafe hadd ansuere of that godd of certane thynges ţat he walde hafe aschede. Bot a woman ţat hite acora, whilke was preste of ţat temple, talde Alexander ţat ţan was note ţe tyme of ansuere. On ţe Morne Alexander come to ţe temple & made his sacrafice. And Apollo said till Alexander, ‘Hercules,’ quoţ
he. And Alexander ansuered, & said, ‘Now ţat ţou calle me Hercules,’ quoţ he: ‘I see wele ţat all thyn ansuers ere false.’ Fra thethyn Alexander went till a citee ţat es called Thebea, and said vn-to ţe folke of ţe citee: ‘Sende me furthe,’ quoţ he, ‘foure hundreth knyghtis, wele armed for to wend wit Page 30
vs in suppoellyng of vs.’ And when ţe Thebeans herd thir worde, ţay spered ţe ates of ţe citee, for to agaynestande Alexander, and went to ţe walle, and cried lowde ţat Alexander myghte here: ‘Alexander,’ quoţ ţay, ‘bot if [ţou] gaa hethyn fra vs, we sall do the a velany, & thi knyghtis also.’ When Alexander herde this, he smyled& saide: ‘e Thebeens,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat ere so mekill praysed & commended of strenghe, Spere e our ates & saise e will feghte wit me; ţare es na doghety man of arme ţat couete for to haue wirchip and loos; ţat will close hym witin walles, bot fightes wit his enemys manly in ţe felde.’ When he hadd saide thir worde, he bad ţat foure thowsande archers sulde gaa abowte ţe citee wit ţaire bowes, & lay apon ţam wit arowes ţat stode apon ţe walle. And he bad two hundreth men of armes ga to ţe walles, and myne ţam doune, and a hundrethe he bad take fyrebrande, & gaa to ţe ates & brynne ţam. And he ordeynde oţer foure hundreth men, for to bett doun ţe walles wit Sewes of werre, Engynes and Gonnes & oţer maner of Instrumente of werre. And hym selfe, and ţe remenant of ţe oste lay nere ţam to socour ţam when ţay hadd nede. And belyfe fra ţay hadd gyffen assawte to ţe citee, ţe ates ware brynt, & mekill folke was slayne witin ţe citee, Sum wit arowes, sum wit stanes of Engynes; ţe Fire also by-gan for to sett in house wit-in ţe citee, & rayse a grete lowe. In ţe Oste of Alexander was, ţe same tyme, a man ţe whilke highte Cicesterus, a grete enemy to ţe citee.

He, when he sawe ţe citee bryne, made righte mery.

leaf 11 bk.

Bot a man of the citee ţat highte Hismon, when he saw his cuntree ţusgates be distruyed, come and felle one knees be-fore Alexander, and bigan for to synge a sange of Musyke & of murnyge wit an Instrument of Musike, Supposyng ţare-by for to drawe Alexanders herte to Mercy, & styrre hym to hafe rewthe on ţe citee.

Alexander be-helde hym, & sayde: ‘Maister,’ quoţ he, ‘whareto synge ţou me ţis sange ?’ ‘A Alorde,’ quoţ Hismon, ‘to luke ife I myte styrre ţi herte to hafe mercy on ţe citee.’ And ţan Alexander was wonder wrathe, and bad dynge ţe walles of ţe cetee doun to ţe harde erthe. And when ţay had so done ţay remoued & went ţaire way, and ane of ţe worthieste men of ţe citee, ţe whilke hyghte Clitomarus, went wit ţam in company. Bot ţe Thebeens ţat ware lefte aftire ţe birnynge

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of ţe citee went to ţe temple of Apollo, and askede weţer euer mare ţaire citee sulde be repaireld agayne. Apollo ansuerde, & said, ‘he ţat schall bygge ţis citee agayne sall hafe thre victories. And when he hase geten thre victories, he sall onane come & reparell this citee, and bigge it agayne, also wele, als euer it was.’

Alexander fra ţe citee of Thebe, went to Corynthe, and ţare come till hym certane lordes, prayand hym ţat he walde come & see a wrestillynge. And he graunted ţam. And to ţis Ilke wrestillynge ţare come folke witowtten nowmer. And when all men were gadirde, Alexander saide: ‘whilk of owe,’ quoţ he, ‘sall gaa &
be-gynn ţis playe’. Clitomarus ţan, of whaym I spake bifore, knelid bi-fore ţe kyng, & saide : ‘lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘& e wolle vouche-saffe to giffe me leue, I will be-gyn.’ And Alexander bad hym ga to. And Clitomarus went in-to ţe place, and ţe firste man ţat come in his hande, at the first tourne he threwe hym wide open. And Alexander said vntill hym: ‘Caste thre men,’ quoţ he, ‘& ţou sall be coround’. Ţan ţare come anoţer man to Clitomarus and vnnethe he come in his hande, when he was casten wyde open. And one ţe same wyse he seruede ţe thirde.

And ţan Alexander gart sett on his heuede a precious coroun, and ţe kynge seruaunde spirrede hym what his name was. ‘My name,’ quoţ he, ‘ es wit owtten citee’. When Alexander herde ţat he saide vn-till hym: ‘Thou noble wristiller,’

quoţ he, ‘whi arte ţou callede wit owtten citee.’ ‘Wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ
he, be-fore ţat e werede ţe emperours Dyademe, I hadde a citee full of folke &
of reches. Bot now, sene e come to this astate & ţis dignytes, I am spoylede &
priuede of my citee.’ And when [he] herde this, he wiste wele ţat he ment of ţe citee of Thebe. And ţan he garte his sergeante leaf 12
make a crye that [he] hadd giffen Clitomarus leue for to repairelle ţe citee of Thebes. Fra Corinthe, Alexander and his oste remowed till a citee ţat highte Platea, of ţe whilke a man ţat highte Scrassageras was prynce. And Alexander went to ţe temple of Diane, and fande ţare a woman preste, ţe whilke was a mayden, & scho was araied lyke preste of ţat tymme. And when [scho] sawe Alexander, scho saide vn-till hym: ‘Alexander,’ quoţ scho, ‘ţou Page 32
arte welcomme. Ţou schall conquere all ţe werlde.’ One ţe morne Scrassageras went to ţe same temple, and alsone als ţe preste sawe hym, scho saide vn-till hym: ‘Scrassageras, quoţ scho, ‘ what thou wit-in a schorte while ţou schall be priued of ţe lordchip ţat ţou now hase ?’ And when he herde ţis he was righte wrathe wit hir, & saide, ‘ţou arte note worthy,’ quoţ he, ‘for to be preste here. Alexander come to ţe isterdaye, and ţou prophicyed hym gude; And to me ţou sais, ţat I schall lose all my lordechipe.’ And scho ansuerd; & saide, ‘Bee note angry to me,’ quoţ scho: ‘for all ţis buse be fulfilled, and nathynge ţare of lefte ne ouerhippede.’ A littill after it felle ţat Alexander was gretely angrede at Scrassageras, and tuke fra hym his lordchipe, & Scrassageras went to ţe cite of Athene, and sare wepande he complenede hym to ţe citaenes of Athene &
talde ţam how ţat Alexander hadd priued hym of his lordechipe. And ţan ţe Atheneanes ware wonder [wrathe] towardes Alexander, and made grete boste &
manace, ţat ţay schold ryse agaynes hym, bot if he restorede Scrassageras agayne till his lordechipe. Alexander remowed his Oste fra Platea to ţe citee of Athenes, and when [he] herde telle ţat ţe Athenens ware wrathe till hym-warde, and manaced hym, he wrate vn-to ţam a lettre ţat spak one this wyse.

‘ Alexander, ţe son of Philippe and of qwene Olympias, vn to the Athenenes, gretynge. Fra ţe tyme ţat oure Fadir was dedde, & we were sett in ţe Trone of his dingnytee, we went into ţe weste Marches, whare all ţe folke ţat duelle thare for ţe maste party alde ţam vn-till vs witowtten stresse. Fra ţe citee of Rome to ţe weste see occyane, all men submytte ţam vn-till vs ţat wit oure awen fre will we hafe taken ţam till oure grace. And thase ţat walde note submytt ţam till vs wit fairenes, we hafe distruyed ţam & ţaire cite, and doungen ţam down to ţe erthe. And now ţis oţer daye as we went fra Macedoyne & passed thurg Asye: bi ţe cite of Thebe, ţe Thebeyens despysed vs, & lete as ţay sett note by vs.

Bot onane we garte ţair pryde falle, and de-Page 33
struyed bathe ţam & thaire citee. And ţarefore we write vn-to ow; that e sende vs ten philosopres ţat be wyse,
leaf 12 bk.

by ţe whilke we may be encensede and conselled. For oţer thyng will we nane aske ow, Bot alle anely ţat ţe halde vs for our lorde & our kynge. And if e will note submytt owe vn-till vs, ow buse oţer be strangere ţan we, or ells submytt yow to sum lordechip, ţat be strangere ţan oures.’

The Athenyenes redd ţis lettre and ţan ţay bigan to crye one highte. And ane, ţat highte Eschille, stode vp amange ţam, and said: ‘It es fully my consell,’

quoţ he, ‘ţat we on na wise assent [to thise] worde of Alexander.’ Alle ţe folke ţan ţat was gadirde ţare, prayed ţe philosophre Demostines, ţat he walde tell ţam his conselle, as touchynge ţat matere. And he stude vp, & badd all men be still. And ţan he said vn-to ţam. ‘Sirs,’ quoţ he, ‘I pray ow takes tent vn-to my worde & herkenes gudly what I sall say. If e fele ow of power, for till agaynestande Alexander, & to supprise hym, ţan feghtes wit hym manly, and obeys note till his worde. And if e suppose e be note strange ynoghe to feghte wit hym ţan here hym, and obeys vn-till hym. e knawe wele, ţat als oure eldirs telles vs, erses was a grett kynge, & a myghty, and many victories he gatt. And neuer ţe lesse in Ellada he suffrede grete meschefe. Bot he, this Alexander, hase done many batailles, in ţe whilke he suffrede neuer disese bot alwaye had ţe ouerhande. Ţe Thirienes, I pray ow, ware [ţai] note balde knyghtes and strange, and all ţaire lyfe hade bene excercysede in Armes ? And whate profitede ţam ţaire strenghe? Ţe Thebienes also ţat were so wyse, and so grete exercyse hadde in armes, fra ţe firste tyme ţat ţe citee was bygged, whareoff seruede ţaire grete witt ţam, and ţaire grete strength, when Alexander assailede ţam? Ţe Poliponiens faghte wit Alexander, bot ţay myghte na while agaynestande his men of armes. Bot alson ţaire ware disconfit and slaen. It es note vnknawen vn-to owe, how many citee castells & townne for fere submittis ţam vn-till hym witowtten any assawte gyffyng. Ţarefore, it es note my consaile ţat e be heuy, ne wrathe till Alexander

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for Scrassageras. For all men knawes wele ţat Alexander es a wonder wyse man & a warre, & a man ţat gouernes hym by reson; and ţarefore e may wele wete, he walde note putt Scrassageras oute of his lordechipe upon lesse ţan forfett vn-till hym.’ When ţe Athenyenes had herde ţir worde, ţay commedid gretly the conseille of Demostines, and than they ordeyned a coroun of golde ţe weghte of .1. pounde, and sent Messangers ţarewit, and wit tribute vn-till Alexander, bot philosophres sent ţay nane.

leaf 13

And when ţire Messangers come till Alexander, ţay gaffe hym ţe coroun. and ţe tribute, ţat ţe Athenyenes sent hym, and talde hym ţat ţay had highte hym a grete nowmer of catelle. And when Alexander had herd ţam, he vnderstode wele ţe concell of Eschilus ţat concelld ţe Athenyenes to agaynestand hym, and also ţe concell of Demostenes that concellde ţam ţe contrary, and ţan he wrate a lettre to ţam whareof the Tenoure was this.

‘Alexander ţe son of Philippe and quene Olympias, for ţe name of kynge will we note take apon vs, before we hafe oure enemys vnder oure subieccion: vn-to ţe Athenyenes gretyng. It es note oure entent to come in our citee wit oure oste, Bot allanly to come & dispuyte wit our philosophres, and to asche ţam certane questyons, Oure purposse was also to hafe declared for oure trewe legge & oure gude Frende. Bot our dede proues ţe contrary, as it done vs till vnderstande.

Oure godde we take to witnesse, ţat whilke of ow so ryse agayne vs, we sall take swilke wreke apon hym ţat oţer men sall take ensample ţare-by. Bot e ale schrewes, and euyll men, euer mare trowe ill, and thynkes ill. Wate e note wele ţat ţe Thebienes ţat raise agaynes vs, hadd ţaire mede als ţay disserued. And e haffand in vs a wrange consayte, blame vs, For we putt Scrassageras owte of his Office the whilke forfett gretly agaynes oure maieste. We sent vn-to ow bi lettre for ten philosophres, bot e, note knawande oure grete powere & oure myghte, despysed oure maundement and walde note fulfill it. Neuer ţe les if all e hafe offendid agaynes

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vs whider-towarde and bene disobeyande till oure maiestee, we forgiffe ow all our gilt, and ţe greuance ţat e hafe don vs, so ţat e be obeyande vn-till vs, fra ţis tyme forwarde. Comforthes ow ţarefore & bee mery, for of vs e schall hafe na greuance ne na disesse because e did after ţe concell of Demostynes.

When ţe Athenyenes herd ţis lettre redd, ţay ware rite gladd, and ţan Alexander & his Oste went fra thethyn vn-to Lacedoyne. Bot ţe Lacedouns walde one na wyse obey vn-till Alexander, bot said ilkan of ţam till oţer, ‘latt vs note be lykke ţe Athenyenes,’ quoţ ţay, ‘ţat drede ţe manaschynge, and ţe boste of Alexander bot late vs schewe oure myte, and oure strenghe and manly defende leaf 13 bk.

oure citee agayne hym.’ When ţay hadd saide, ţay spered ţe ates of ţe cetee faste, and went manly to ţe walles. And a grete nowmer of ţam tuke ţam schippe &
went to ţe see, a grete nauy, to feghte wit Alexander are he come to lande. And when Alexander saw this, he sent a lettre to ţam sayand on this wyse.

‘Alexander ţe son of Philippe and of ţe quene Olympias vn-to ţe Lacedounes we sende. We concell ow, ţat ţat, that our elders hase lefte ow, e kepe hale &
sound & in sauetee and lyfte note our hende ouer hie to ţe thynge ţat ţe may note reche to. And if e desire for to hafe ioy of our strenthe, dose swa ţat e be worthy to hafe wirchipe of vs. Ţarefore we comande ow, ţat e turne agayne wit our schippe, and leue ţam, & gase to lande by our awenn fre will; or sekirly I sall sett fire in tham & brynne ţam. And if ee dispice oure commandement, blame na man bot our selfe, if we wreke vs one owe.’

The Lacedounes redd ţis lettre, and when it was redd, ţay ware wonder heuy. Note for-thi ţay redied ţam to feghte. Bot Alexander arryued in an oţer coste, and come to ţe citee are ţay wiste and vmbylapped ţe citee one ilke a syde, and assaillede it strangly & dange ţe Lacedouns of ţe walles & slewe many of ţam &
wounded many, and sett fyre in ţaire schippe & brynt ţam. Ţe remanant of ţam ţat ware lefte

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appon lyfe, when ţay saw this grete meschefe come owte of ţe citee vn-till Alexander, & felle doun at his fete, & besoughte hym of mercy & of grace. And Alexander ansuerd, ‘I come to ow,’ quoţ he, ‘meke & mylde, bot in ţat degre e walde note ressayffe me, ţarefore now are our schippe brynned, and our citee distruyed, & our folke slayne. Warned I note be-fore ţat e schulde note heue our hande ouer-hye to ţe sternes, to ţe whilke nane erthely man may wynn. For wha so euer clymbe hier, ţan his fete may wynn to sum halde, he sall falle onane doun to ţe grounde. And ţarefore es ţare a commone prouerbe: Ţat “wha sa hewes to hie, ţe chippes will falle in his egh.” e wende hafe done till vs as our eldirs didde sumetyme till kynge erses, bot our wenyng dessayued ow. For e myghte note agaynestande vs when we assaillede ow.’ Whan leaf 14
he hadd saide on this wise, he gaffe ţam leue to gaa whare ţay walde. And than he remouede thethyn & went towarde Cicill. And when ţe emperour Darius herd tell of ţe comyng of Alexander, he was gretly abaiste and sent after all his prince, Dukes & Erles, & oţer grete lordes, & went till a consaile. And he saide vn-to ţaim, ‘I see wele,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat he, this Alexander, ţat gase thus abowte werrayand, waxe gretly in wirchipe, and ay-whare whare he comme he hase ţe victory. I wende he hadd bene a theeffe & a robbour, ţat hadde went till cuntre ţat ere wayke & feble, and durst note agaynestande hym, & robbed ţam & spoyled ţam. Bot now, I see wele, he es a doghty man of Armes, & a noble werrayour. And ay ţe mare ţat I hafe depraued hym and despysed hym; ţe mare ryse his name, &
his wirchipe. I sent hym a balle, a toppe, & a scourge, for to lere barne-laykes; bot hym ţat I called a disciple, he seme a mayster & whare-so-euer he gase, Fortune gase wit hym. Ţarefore vs byhoue to trete of oure hele, & of oure pople, and pute awaye all pride & all foly: & namare despisse Alexander, saynge ţat he es noghte, by cause we are emperour of Perse. For his littillnes waxes and ours gretnes decresse. I hafe grete dowte, ţat godde forluke helpe hym, so ţat whils we ere abowte, & wene to putte hym out of Ellada, we be spoyled, by hym, of ţe rewme of Perse.’

When Darius hadd said thir worde, his broder Coriather Page 37
ansuerd & said, ‘ ţou hase here,’ quoţ he, ‘gretly magnified & commendid Alexander, in that, ţat ţou sais he es mare feruent for to come in-to Perse, ţan we in-till Ellada. And ţarefore if it be plesyng vn-to our maiestee, vse e ţe maners of Alexauder, and so sall [e] wele & peysably welde our empire & couquere many oţer rewmes. Alexander, when he gase to bataile and sall feghte, he lates [nane] of his prynce ne his oţer lorde gaa be-fore, & hym selfe come by-hynde, bot he gase bi-fore ţam alle, and so rise his wirchip & his name.’

Quod Darius, ‘wheţer awe me to take sa ensample at Alexander, or Alexander at me.’ A prynce ansuerde & saide, ‘ Alexander,’ quod he, ‘es a warrer man & a wyse, & hase trespaste in na degree & ţarefore he duse manly by hym selfe all ţat he doe. For he hase taken ţe fourme of ţe lyonn.’ ‘Whareby knawes ţou ţat,’

quoţ Darius,
leaf 14 bk.

and he ansuerd & saide, ‘whate tyme,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat I was sent to Macedoyne for til aske tribute of kyng Philippe, I saw, bi his Figure & his wise ansuere, ţat he schuld be a passyng man, bathe of witt, & of doynges. Thare-fore, if it be plesyng vn-to ow, I consell ţat e sende till all ţe lande & cuntre ţat lange to our empire, ţat es to say to Parthy & Medy, Appollamy, Mesopotamy, Ytaly, Bactri, and till all ţe remenant for ţay ere subiete vn-to ow a hundreth : c.

and fifty l. of dyuerse folke. To ţe lordes of all thire, I rede e sende comnandyng ţam, ţat ţay come to ow, in all ţe haste ţat ţay may, with all ţe men ţat ţay may gett whilk ere able to ga to werre . And when ţay [ere] all sembled to gedir late vs beseke oure goddis of helpe. And ţan Alexander when he see swilk a multitude of folke agaynes hym, his hert sall faile hym, and his mens also. And owţer he sall for fere turne hame agayne till his awen cuntree, or ells submytt hym vn-to ow.’ And ţan ansuerd anoţer prynce, & sayde, ‘This es a gud concell,’ quoţ he, ‘bot it es note profitable. Wate ţou note wele ţat a wolfe

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chase a grete floke of schepe & gerse ţam sparple. Righte so, and ţe wysdome of ţe grekes passe oţer nacyons.’

In this mene tym, Alexander sembled a gret multitude of folke to ţe nowmer of cc of feghtynge men, and remewed to warde Perse, & come till a reuere ţat es called Mociona, of whilke ţe water was wonder calde, & faire, & clere. And Alexander hadd a grete lyste for to be bathede ţare-in, and went in-to it & bathed hym, &
waschede hym ţare-in, and also son he felle in a feuer and a heued-werke ţare-wit, so ţat he fure wonder ill. And when ţe Macedoyns saw ţaire lorde so grefe seke, ţay were wonder heuy and reghte dredand and said amanges selfe: ‘And Darius,’ quod ţay, ‘wete ţat oure lorde Alexander be ţus seke, he sall come &
falle apon vs sodaynly, & fordo vs ilkan. For, and we hadd ţe hele of oure lorde Alexander, we hadd comforth ynoghe & dredde no nacyon.’ Than kyng Alexander called till hym his Phicisiene ţaf highte Philippe & badd hym ordeyne hym a Medcyne for his sekenes. Ţis ilk Phicisiene leaf 15
was bot a ong man, bot he was a passyng kunnyng man and a sotell in all ţe poyntes ţat langed to phisic. And he highte Alexander, ţat [by] a certane drynke he sulde onane make hym all hale. Nowe fell it, ţat was wit Alexander a prynce, ţat highte Parmenius & was lorde of hermony. This prynce hade grete envy to ţis phicsiene, bicause ţat Alexander luffede hym so passandly wele & belyfe he wrate till Alexander, and warned hym ţat he schulde be warre wit Phillippe his phicisiene, and on na wyse resayfe ţat drynke ţat he walde gyffe hym. For he said ţat Darius had highte to giffe hym his doghter to wyffe & his kyngdom after his dissesse if swa ware, ţat he myghte be any crafte make ane ende of hym. When Alexander hadda redd ţis lettre he was na thynge trubbled, so mekill he tristede of ţe conscience of his phisician.

In ţe mane tyme, ţis Phisician come till Alexander wit ţe forsaid drynke, and Alexander tuk ţis drynke in a hande & ţe forsaid lettre in his oţer hande and biheld ţe Phisician in ţe vesage rite scharpely. To whome ţe Phisician saide: Page 39

‘wirchipfull Emperour,’ quoţ he ‘be na thyng fered bot drynke ţe medcyne baldely,’ and ţan onane Alexander tuk this drynke, & schewed Philippe ţe lettre.

And when Philippe had redde ţe lettre, he said till Alexander: ‘Now for sothe, my lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘I take oure goddes to witnesse ţat I ne am note gilty of this treson, ţat here es wretyn.’ Alexander ţan was all hale als euer he was, &
called vn-till Philyppe his phisician & enbraced hym in his armes & said: Philippe,’ quoţ he, ‘knawes ţou how mekill luffe & triste I hafe in the. Firste I dranke thi medecyne, & syne I schewede ţe ţe lettre ţat was sent me agaynes the.’ ‘Mi lorde,’ quoţ Philippe, ‘I beseke ow ţat e wolle vochesaffe to send after myn accusour, and do hym come bi-fore our presence ţat ţis lettre sent vn-to ow, and hase lered me for to do swilk a hie treson. Be-lyfe ţan gerte Alexander send after Parmeny for to come vn-till hym, and gerte ţe sothe be serched, & fande ţat he was worthy ţe dede. And ţan he gert girde of his heued.

Fra ţeine kyng Alexander remowed his Oste till hermony ţe mare & onane he conquered it, & put it vnder his subieccion. And fra ţeine he trauailed many a day
leaf 15 bk.

wit his Oste, and at ţe last e come till a cuntre wonder drye, & full of creuesce of cauerne, & alde cisternes whare na water myghte be funden. And Fra ţeine ţay passede thurg a cuntree, ţat es called Andrias, to ţe Reuere of Eufrates. And ţare ţay lugede ţam. Ţan Alexander garte brynge many grete tree, for to make a brygge of ouer ţat water, appon schippe, and garte tye ţam Samen wit chenys of Iren & iren nayle. And when ţe brigge was all redy, he badde his knyghtes wende ouer apon it. Bot whan ţay saw ţe grete reuer ryne so swiftely and with so a grate a byrre, thay dred ţam ţat ţe brygge schulde falle. For ţay supposede ţe chenys schuld breke because of grete weghte. And, when Alexander saw ţam dredand on this wyse, he gert hirde-men, ţat were ţare kepand katell, wend oner before, and warnede ţat ţe Oste schulde folowe ţam. Bot it ţe knyghtis ware ferde & durste noghte wende ouer. Than was Alexander rite wrathe and callede vntill hym all his prynces, & grete lorde, and firste he went hym selfe ouer

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ţe bryges, & all his prynce folowed hym, and sythen all ţe Oste. Twa grete ryuers rynnes thurg Medee, Mesopotamy and Babiloyne, ţat es to say Tygre &

Eufrates, and soo rynne in-to ţe reuere of Nilus. When Alexander & all hys Oste ware past ouer Eufrates, he gert smyte sonder ţe brygge ţat he hadd gert make bifore, and dissolue ilk a pece ţare-off fra oţer. And when his knyghtis sawe that, ţay ware reghte heuy and murnede gretly ţarefore, and said emanges ţam selfe, ‘What sall we now doo,’ quoţ ţay, ‘when we are harde by-stadde wit oure enemys & walde flee. For ouer ţis reuere may we note wyun.’ And when Alexander perceyued ţat murmoure of his folke, he said vn-to ţam. ‘What es ţat,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat e say amange ow, “If it falle ţat we flee owte of ţe bataile.” Sothely, I late ow wele wite, ţat ţis is ţe cause whi I garte for-do ţis brygg, ţat I gert make; For-thi, ţat owţer we schulde feghte manly or ells if [we] walde flee, we schulde all perische at anes and all drynke of a coppe. For-whi ţe victorye es note aretted to ţam ţat flie, Bot to ţam ţat habyde, or folowes on ţe chace.

Ţarefore comforthe ow wele, & bese balde of hertis, and thynke it bot a playe stalworthly to feghte. For I say ow sekerly; we ne schall neuer see Macedoyne, be-fore we hafe ouercomen all oure enemys, And ţan wit ţe victorie we sall tourne hame agayne.

In ţis mene tyme, kyng Darius gadirde a grete multitude of men agaynes Alexander, and ordeyned ouer ţam fyve-hundreth leaf 16
chyftaynes of grete lordes and luged hym wit his men apon ţe reuere of Tygre.

And one a day thir twa kynges wit ţaire bather Ostes mett togedir apon a faire felde and faughte togedir wonder egerly. Bot sone Darius men hadd ţe werre &
ode to grounde thikkfalde, slayne in ţe felde. And when ţe remenante saw ţat, ţay tuk ţam to ţe flighte. In Darius oste was a man of Perse, a doghety, & a balde; to whaym Darius highte for to giffe his doghter to wyfe, if so were, ţat he myghte, by any way, sla kyng Alexander. This man gatt hym clethyng and Armour like vn-to ţe macedoyns, and went amange ţam, as ţay faghte, ay till he come by-hynd kyng Alexander. And alson als he come nere hym, he lifte his Page 41
swerde on heghte, & lete flye at hym wit all ţe myghte ţat he hade, and hitt hym on ţe heued so fercely, ţat he perched his bacenett, and drewe ţe blode of hym.

When Alexander knyghtis saw that: ţay tuke hym anone, & broghte hym bifore Alexander, and Alexander, supposyng ţat he hadde bene a macedoyne, saide vn-till hym. ‘Wirchipfull man,’ quoţ he, ‘& doghety & strange what ayled ţe at me, for to giffe suylke a strake, knewe ţou note wele ţat it was I, Alexander our helpere & our allere seruande.’ And [the] Percyene ansuerd, & said, ‘Wiete ţou wele wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘I ne ame na macedoyne, bot I am a man of Perse; and this dede I didd. For kyng Darius made me a promysse of his doghetir to wife, if I myghte brynge hym thi heid.’ Than kyng Alexander called bi-for hym all his knyghtis and askede ţam what ţam thoghte was for to do wit this man. Sum ansuerde & saide ţam thoghte it beste to gerre smyte of his heid, Sum for to putt hym to ţe fire for to brynne, Sum to gare drawe & hang hym. And when Alexander had herde ţaire concell, he ansuerd & said: ‘Sirs,’ quoţ he, ‘what wrange or what defawte can e fynde in ţis man, Sen he hase besied hym till obey till his lordes commandement, and at his power fulfilled it. Whilke of ow, so deme hym worthy to be dedde, es worthy in tyme commynge to hafe ţe same dome.

For if I commande ane of ow for to ga & sla Darius, ţe same payne, that e deme ţis man for to suffre, ware e worthy for to suffre ourselfe of Darius, if e myte be getyn.’ And
leaf 16 bk.

ţan he commanded ţat he schulde wende hame to his felawes witowtten any harme.

When Darius herde ţat his lordes ware slayne in grete nowmer, he gadered a grete multitude of knyghtis and of fotemen, and went vp on a hill ţat es called Taurisius, and thare he made his mustre of his men, supposynge ţat he schuld ouercome Alexander thurg multitude of folke. Bot alson als ţay mett wit ţaire bathere oste, and bigan for to fighte, Darius men fledd and hymselfe also. And Alexander persuede hym vn-to ţe citee of Bactrian, and ţare he luged hym, and offerde Sacrafice till his godde. And on ţe morne he garte assaile ţe Page 42
citee, and wanne it on werre. And in ţe cheffe place ţare-of he sett his trone.

And all ţir oţer cite ţat were abowte it, he wann ţam o werre, & putt ţam vnder his subieccion. In ţis ilke citee of Bactrian, he fande tresour witowtten nowmer, and also his moder, and his wyfe.

And in ţe mene tyme, whils Alexander lay at Batran: ţare come a prynce of Darius oste vn-till Alexander, & said vn-till hym, ‘Wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘ I hafe a lang tyme bene a knyght of Darius, and done hym grete seruyce; and itt to this day I had neuer na reward of hym. And ţarefore if it like vn-to owre maieste; take me ten thowsande of our men of armes; and I hete ow, for to brynge to our hande kyng Darius, & ţe maste parte of his oste.’ And when Alexander had herde ţis, he said vn-till hym. ‘Frende,’ quoţ he, ‘I thanke ţe mekill of thi faire promys. Neuer ţe lesse, I late ţe wite my men will note beleue ţat ţou will feghte agaynes thyn owenn peple.’ In ţe mene tyme a Prynce of Darius oste sent vn-till hym a letter, of whilk ţis was ţe tenour.

‘To Darius, grete kyng of kynges, his lordes whilke he hase ordeyned cheftaynes vnder hym Sende meke seruyce. Oftymes be-fore this hafe we wreten to our maieste, and now agayne we writte vn-to ow, & late ow wite ţat ţe macedoynes &
kyng Alexander, as wode lyouns ere enterde leaf 17
oure lande, and all oure strenthes, as a wilde raueschande beste he hase destruyed: & oure knyghtes slayne. And oppressed we are wit so grete tribulacionns, ţat we [may] na lengare suffre his mawgree, ne his malece bere.

Whare-fore, mekly we be-seke our benyngne maiestee, ţat e will drawe to oure mynde oure meke seruyce, and swilke socoure vouchsaffe to send vs, ţat we put off and agaynestande ţe violence & ţe malice of oure foresaid enemys.’ When Darius had redde ţis lettre, on ane he gert writte a lettir to kyng Alexander, sayand on ţis wyse.

‘ Daryus kyng of Perse and kyng of kynge, vn-to my seruande Alexander, I say.

Now late ţare es commen till oure eres tythynge: ţat ţou wene to euen thi littilhede till oure heghe magnificence. Bot Sen it es inpossible till a heuy asse, wit

Page 43
owtten wenges, or oţer instrumente of flying, for to be lifte vp to ţe sternes, late note thyn hert be raysede to hye in pride for ţe victories ţat ţou hase geten. We hafe wele herd tell ţat ţou hase done gentilly, and schewed grete humanytee till oure moder, oure wyfe, & oure childre, and ţarefore I late ţe wele wite ţat, als lang als ţou dose wele to ţam, ţou sall fynde me nane enemy to the. And if ţou do ill to ţam ţou sall hafe ţe enemytee of me, and ţarefore spare ţam noghte, bot do to ţam as ţe liste. For somtyme ţou sall see & fele ţe sentence of oure ire lighte apon thi heghe pride.’

When Alexander hadd redde ţis lettre he wrate hym Anoţer agayne whareoff ţe tenour was this.

‘Alexander ţe son of Philippe & qwene Olympias to Darius kyng of Perse we write.

Pride & vayne glorie hase oure godde all way hated; and take vengeance of dedly men ţat takes apon ţam ţe name of immortalitee. Bot ţou, als I wele see, cessee note itt hider-to for to blasfeme in all ţat ţou may. Bot of that ţat ţou blame me for ţe benygnytes that I schewed ţi moder, ţi wyfe, & ţi childre; ţou ert moued on a lewed fantasye. For I late ţe wele wyte, I did it note leaf 17 bk.

for to be thanked of the, ne for to hafe thi Beneuolence ţarefore. Bot it come of a gentilnes of oure awenn hert, fownded in vertu. Of thee victories also whilke ţe forluke of godd hase sent vs, ere we nathyng enpriddede. For we knawe wele ţat oure goddis alwaye helpes vs, whilke ţou ilk a daye dispyse & sette at note. And this sall be ţe laste letter ţat I sall writte vn-to ţe. Beware if ţou will, For I say the sekerly, I come to ţe onane.’

Ţis lettre gaffe Alexander to ţe messangers of Darius and many grete gifte ţare wit. Seyme, he sent anoţer lettre, till his prynce & his lorde, of ţis tenour.

‘ Alexander, ţe son of Philippe & of ţe quene Olympias vn-to ţe prynce & ţe lorde vnder our subieccion in Capadoce, In laodice, or ells whare duelland, gretyng, & gude grace. We charge ou & commande ow straytly ţat ilkan of ow ordayne vs in all ţe haste ţat e may jm nete-hydes barked, & send ţam till Alexander, ţat we and oure knyghtis may gere Page 44
make vs of ţam clethyng, & schoees; And wit cameles ţat e haue at Alexsander gerre cary ţam to ţe water of Eufrates.’

In ţis mene tyme a prynce of Darius, Nostande by name, wrate to Darius on ţis wise.

‘To Darius ţe wirchipfull grete godd his seruande Nostand law seruyce. Me aughte note to sende swylk tythynge to our ryalle maiestee, bot grete nede gers me do it. Ţarefore be it knawen vn-to our hie lordchipe, ţat twa grete prynce of ours,& I, hase foghten wit kyng Alexander, And hym es fallen ţe victorie, &
slayne he hase thir twa worthy prynce, & mekill oţer folke, and I fleed greuously wonded. And many worthi knyghtis of ours hase forsaken our lordchipe & ioyned ţam till Alexander oste, ţe whilk he hase wirchipfully, and hase giffen grete lordchipes of ours.’

And when Darius had redd ţis lettre, he sent in haste till Nostand, and commanded hym for till ordeyne a grete Oste; and manfully agaynestande ţe folke of Macedoyne. He sent also a lettre to Porus kyng of Ynde, prayng hym to helpe hym agaynes Alexander, and Porus wrate agayne in ţis manere.

‘ Porus, kyng of Ynde, vn-to Darius, kyng of Perse, gretyng. For ţou hase prayed vs to come to the in helpynge
leaf 18
of the agaynes thyn enemys, we late the wete, ţat we are redy & alwaye hase bene, for to com to helpe ow. Bot as at ţis tyme we are lettede to com to ow, because of grete seknesse ţat we ere stadd in, Neuer ţe lesse, sekerly, it es rite heuy vn-till vs, & greuous, vn-till [vs to] here of ţe grete injury ţat es done vn-till ow. And ţarefore we late ow wite, ţat wit-in schorte tym, we sall come for to helpe ow wit ten legyouns of knyghtis.’

Bot when Rodogorius, Darius moder, herd telle ţat Darius hir son ordayned hym for to feghte agayne wit kyng Alexander scho was rite sory and wrote a lettre vn-till hym ţat contened this sentence.

‘To kyng Darius, hir moste biloued son, Rodogorius, his modir sende gretyng &
ioy. I hafe vnderstanden ţat e hafe assemblede our men, & mekill oţer folke also, for to feghte

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eftsones wit Alexander. Bot I late ţe wite it will availe ţe nathynge. For ţoghe e hadd gadirde to gedir alle ţe men in ţe werlde duellyng, it e ware vnable to agaynestande hym. For ţe foreluke of godd mayntene hym, & vphalde hym. And ţarefore dere son, it es my consell, our heghenesse of herte e lefe, & fall sumwhate fra our glory, and bese fauorable to ţe gretnes of Alexander. For better it es to forga ţat at e may note halde, and haffe in pesse ţan ţat at e may halde, ţan for too couett all and be excluded & for-ga all.’

When Darius redde ţis lettre, he was gretly troubbled and weped bitterly, command vn-till his mynde, his moder, his wyf, & his childer.

In the mene tyme kyng Alexander remowed his oste, and drew nere ţe cite of Susis, in ţe whilke Darius was lengand the same tyme, so ţat he myte see all ţe heghe hille ţat ware abownn ţe citee. Ţan Alexander commanded all his men, ţat ilkan of ţam suld cutte downe a brawnche of a tree, and bere ţam furth wit ţam &
dryfe bi-fore ţam alle manere of beste ţat ţay myte fynde in ţe way. And when the Percyenes saw ţam fra ţe heghe hille ţay wondred ţam gretly. And Alexander come wit his oste to ţe citee of Susis and luged hym nere besyde ţe citee. And than he called bis prynnce & his oţer lorde and said vn-to ţam, ‘Late vs,’ quoţ
he, ‘ send a messangere to kyng Darius & bidd hym owţer & com feghte wit vs or ells
leaf 18 bk.

submyt hym vn-till vs.’ The nexte nyghte after, Godd Amon apperede vntill Alexander in his slepe bryngand hym ţe figurre of Mercuri & a mantill, and anoţer manere of garment of Macedoyne, and saide vn-till hym. ‘Alexander, son,’

quoţ hee, ‘euer mare when ţou hase nede, sall I helpe the. And ţarefore luke ţou sende noghte to Darius ţat messangere ţat ţou spake off. For I will ţat ţou thi selfe clethe thee wit my figure & wende thedir ţi selfe; if alle it be perilous for to do, Dred ţe na thynge, for I sall be thi helpe, so ţat ţou sall hafe na maner of disesse.

On ţe morne when Alexander rase fra slepe, he was gretly comforthed of his dreme & called till hym his prynce and talde ţam alle his dreme, and ţay assentede alle, ţat he schulde wende to Darius in his propir person. And onane he called vn-till hym ane of ţe prince, ţe whilke highte Emulus. This Page 46
prynce was a wyghte man, & an hardy & wonder trewe till Alexander. And ţan Alexander bad hym lepe one a horse, and brynge wit hym a noţer horse & folow hym. And he didd so. And when ţay come to gedir to ţe water of Graunte, ţat in ţe langage of Perse es called Struma, ţay fande it frosen ouer, and Alexander onane chaunged he wede, & lefte ţe foresaid prynce wit twa horse at ţe water-syde and hym selfe, wit ţe horse ţat he satt apon, went ouer ţe water apon ţe Ys, towarde ţe citee of Susis. And his prynce besoghte hym ţat he walde suffre hym wende wit hym, ne perauenture any disesse felle hym by ţe waye. And Alexander ansuerd & sayde, ‘Habyde me here,’ quoţ he, ‘For he sall be my helpere, wham in dreme I sawe appere vn-to me.’ This ilke water I spake of bi-fore, all ţe wynter seson ilke a nyghte was frosen all ouer; bot tymely in ţe mornynge als sone als ţe warme son smate apon it, ţan it dissoluede agayne, &
ran wonder swiftely; ţe brede of ţat water es ţe space of a furlange. When Alexander come to ţe ate of ţe citee the Perciens, when ţay saw hym, hadd grete wonder of his figure, and wend he hadd bene a godd, and onane ţay asked hym what he was ? And he ansuerd and said he was a messangere sent fra kyng Alexander to ţaire lorde Darius, and be-lyfe ţay broghte hym til hym. Darius, when Alexander come bi fore hym, said vn-til hym. ‘Whethyn ert ţou,’ quoţ he ? ‘I ame,’ quoţ

Alexander, ‘sent vn-to ţe fra kyng Alexander to wiete where to ţou taries to come till hymu to gyffe hym batelle. Owthir come & feghte manfully wit thyne enemys or ells submitte ţe till hym &
leaf 19
pay hym tribute.’

And Darius heard him and said, ‘ Art thou then the Alexander who with such madness shaped thy speech, for I see thou holdest thyself not from words as a messenger doth, but art bold as a king. Yet know that by thy words I am not frightened at all. Come dine with me this day.’ And with these words, he reached out his hand to him and took him by his right, and led him into the palace. And Alexander, musing, began to say: ‘A right good token hath this barbarian wrought me when he clasped my right hand and drew me into Page 47
the palace, because, as the gods say sooth, ere long the palace shall be mine.’

And going in, Darius and Alexander lay by a table, and the daintiest feast was laid out. And Darius’ marshall gazed hard at Alexander face to face. And the table was wreathed in cleanest gold. But the Persians, seeing Alexander’s shape, yet knew nothing of what wisdom, doughtiness, and strength lurked in this small body. The dishes and tables and seats were wrought of the finest gold. The cup-bearers bore cups in golden vessels and rarest jewels. And when a cup was handed to Alexander, he hid it in his breast. And another cup was brought to him and he did the same, and thus too with a third. And those who bore the cups, seeing this, gave the news to the Emperor Darius. And he, hearing of it, rose up; saying: ‘Friend, what is this that thou doest, hiding the cups in thy breast?’ And Alexander: ‘In our king’s feasts the guests are wont, whenever they will, to take their drinking-vessels. But, as this seemeth to you unworthy, I will give them back forthwith.’ And with these words he gave them back to the cup-bearers. But the Persians who sate at the feast said each to each, ‘a good custom, indeed, and one to be praised.’ And some lords, too, praised this way and exalted it. But one of the Princes of Darius, called Anapolus, sitting at the feast, gazed hard at Alexander and his face. For he had seen him when, at Darius’ bidding, he went into Macedonia to take tribute of Philip. He, knowing his voice and looking on his face, began to think to himself and say: ‘Is this not Alexander?’ And rising at once he drew near to Darius, saying: ‘This messenger whom thou beholdest is Alexander, the son of Philip of Macedon.’ And Alexander, seeing them with each other in talk, knew they were speaking of him and he was known. And at this he rose up from his place and leapt away from the board. And taking a blazing torch from a Persian’s hand, himself mounted his palfrey, which he found ready outside Darius’s palace, and fled in the swiftest flight. And the Persian seeing this, taking weapons, mounted their steeds with a mighty stir, and quickly followed after Alexander. And in the darkness of the nightfall, they began to stray, some scratched their faces by the tree-boughs, some falling into ditches. But Alexander, bearing his blazing torch in hand, fared straight

Page 48
forward. Now, Darius sate on his throne and thought of Alexander and how great his daring was. He saw a statue of gold of Xerxes the Persian king, who sate below the high-seat in the hall. And at once the statue broke and was all scattered asunder. And Darius seeing this was smitten with heaviness of heart and began to weep sorely and long. And he said: ‘This foretokeneth the wasting of my life, and the utter downfall of the Persian kingdom.’ Alexander, however, coming to the river Grancus, found it swollen, and leapt athwart it. But ere he was over the stream burst its banks, and swept his horse away; with great hardship Alexander escaped and met Eumulus, his lord. And thus he went back to his army and told them of Darius, how he had dealt with him, and the torch with which he had fled away. [added in MS ]

HOW ALEXANDER PUT HEART INTO HIS HOST ANEW.

And on the following day, he gathered his army, which told two hundred and twenty thousand of weaponed men. And he went up [added in MS ]

leaf 19
on a hye place & comforthed his men and said vn-to ţam: ‘Ţe multitude of ţe percienes,’ quoţ he, ‘may note be euend to ţe multitude of ţe greckes. For sewrly we are ma ţan ţay. And if ţay were ane hundreth sythes maa then wee, late note our hertis faile ow ţarefore. For I telle ow a grete multitude of flyes may do na harme till a fewee waspes.’ And when ţe Oste had herde thire wordes ţay commendide hym halelely wit a voyce.

Than ţe emperour Darius remowed his oste, and come to ţe reuere of Graunt on ţe nyghte, and went ouer on ţe ys, and ţar he luged hym. The Oste of Darius was wonder grete and strange. For ţay hadd in ţaire oste Xm cartes ordaynd For ţe werre, and grete multitude of Olyfante, wit towres of tree on ţam, stuffed wit feghtyng men. And sone after appon a day thir twa kynges wit ţaire oste mett samen on a faire felde, Darius wit his men, and Alexander wit his men.

Page 49

Than Alexender lept apon his horse, ţat highte Buctiphalas, and rade furthe bi-fore all his oste, and houed in ţe myddes waye bitwene ţe twa ostes. And when ţe Percyenes saw hym, ţa had grete wonder of hym, and ware rite ferde for hym, by cause he was so vggly. Neuere-ţe-lesse ţay tromped vp & went towarde Alexander. And sone ţe batell ioyned, & faghte togedir fersely, and many men dyed on ayther party; ţare was so thikke schott of arowes, ţat ţe ayer was couerde, as it had bene wit a clowde. Some faghte wit swerde, sum wit speres, sum wit axes, & sum wit arowes. Ţe felde lay full of folke, sum dede, sum halfe-dede, & sum greuously wonded. Thay began for to feghte at ţe son-rysynge, and faghte to ţe son-settyng. Bot ţare dyed many ma of ţe percyenes ţan ţare dide of Macedoyns.

And when Darius sawe his men falle so thikke in ţe felde, he lefte ţe felde, and fledd, and ţe percyenes seyng that, ţay fledd also. Bot ţan ţaire cartes of werre rane amange ţe percyens & slewe of ţam folke witowte nouwmer & namely of fotemen. For by ţat tyme it was myrke nyghte, and ţay ne myte note see for till eschewe ţam. When Darius come
leaf 19 bk.

to the foresaid watere he fande it frosen, and ouer he went. And when he was ouer, ţe oţer lordes of perse went appon ţe ys, so grete a multitude ţat ţay couerde ţe ys fra ţe taa banke to ţe toţer, & ţat a grete brede, & ţan onane ţe ys brake als sone als Darius was paste ouer, & all ţat ware on ţe ys ware perischte, ilk a moder son, & drownede in ţe water. Ţe remanaunt, when ţay come to the water, ţay myte note wyn ouer. And ţan ţe Macedoynes come, & dange ţam downe. In this batelle ţare was slaen of ţe percyenes CCCm witowten thase ţat were drownned.

Kyng Darius fledd to ţe citee of Susis, & went in till his palace, & felle downe to ţe grounde, & sigheand & wepande wit a sare hert, he said theis wordes: ‘Allas, full wa es me, vnhappye wriche, ţat euer I was borne, for ţe ire & ţe indignacionn of heuen es fallen one mee. For I Darius ţat lifte my seluen vp to ţe sternes, Now am I broghte lawe to ţe erthe. Now es Darius, ţat conquerede all ţe Este nacyons, & made ţam subiecte & tributaries vn-till hym, fayne for to flee fra his enemys and submytte hym vn-to ţam. And it ware Page 50
knawen vn-to ţe wreched man, what schulde falle till hym afterwarde, he schulde hafe littill thoghte of ţe tyme presentt, bot one ţe tyme to come solde his thote be. In a poynte of a daye it falles, ţat ţe meke es raysede vp to ţe clowdde, and ţe prowde es putt to note.’ And when he hade saide thir wordes, he rase vp, & satt & wrate a lettre vn-till Alexander, sayande on this wyese.

‘Till his lorde Alexander, kyng of Macedoyne, Darius, kyng of Perse, gretyng &

Joy. We hafe wele vndirstanden by ţat that we hafe herde of owe and sene, ţat e hafe in ow grete wysedom & a hye witt: so ţat note allanly e knawe thynges ţat are present or passede, bot also thynge ţat ere for to come, and ţarefore all thynge, ţat e doo: e do it witowten any lakke or repreue. Neuer-ţe-lesse hafe in mynde ţat rite as wee ware, so ware e geten & borne of a fleschly woman. And ţare fore rayse note our herte to hye bicause of our prowesche & our doghty dedis, so ţat e forgete our laste ende. For ofte tymes we see ţat ţe lattere end of a man discordes wit ţe firste. It suffice till a werryoure for to gete ţe victorye of his enemys, ţofe all he schewe note alle ţe malice ţat he may.

Remembre ow of ţe wirchipfull kyng erses oure progenytour, ţat many victoryes gatt & schane in alle prosperiteez, Be-fore he raysed his hert in pride passande mesure. Alle ţe wirchippe ţat he hadd: wonn be-fore, he loste in Ellada, ţarefore remembre ow, ţat all ţe wirchipes & ţe victoryes ţat e hafe geten by ţe forluke of godd
ye got this victory. To us then who beseech grant your mercy. Yield us our mother, our sons, and wife, and we will render unto you the treasures we have in Aydem and Susa and Batram, the which our fathers hoarded and hid in earthen cellars. And we will give you the kingsbip of the Medes and Persians, that thus ye may have and keep what victory Jove the all-mighty hath granted you.’ [added in MS ]

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HOW THE MESSENGERS OF DARIUS GAVE ALEXANDER THE LETTER, AND HIS ANSWER.

The messengers of Darius coming then to Alexander gave him the letter, which Alexander read soon before them all. Then one of his chieftains, called Parmerion, said to Alexander: ‘Most mighty emperor, take all the wealth which Darius covenants unto thee, and give back to him his wife and sons.’ And, hearing this, Alexander called to him the messengers of Darius, and before all spoke thus, saying: ‘Tell ye to your emperor we wonder first that he misdeemed his mother, wife, and sons to be betrayed by our hands. If he be overcome, bid him not promise us a reward. If he bow himself to our yoke, all his honours and the majesty of God shall be laid bare to our sway. If he be not overcome, let him do us battle once again.’ This said, he gave them rich gifts and sent them forth away. Then he bade the soldiers take up and gather the bodies of the dead and bury them in graves: and he bade them heal those that were wounded. [added in MS ]

HOW ALEXANDER ENCAMPED BY THE STREAM GRANCUS.

Then he encamped with his host by the stream of Grancus, and wintered there some days. And there he offered up victims to the gods. And about the river there were palaces, and they were the fairest, raised up with greatest skill, and Xerxes the King of the Persians had built them. Alexander, seeing them, bade them be burned. And soon after this, stirred by ruth, he gave word none should dare touch them. And there too was a most fair and very wide field in which the Kings and Deemsters of Persia were of old buried. And digging into this field the Macedonians found in the graves gemmed vases. And there they found the grave of Ninus the King of Assyria and Persia, which was hollowed out of a single amethyst, and engraven on the outside with palm-leaves and sundry kinds of birds. And so bright was the amethyst that even from the outside the man’s body appeared whole. And in this place was a narrow and evil tower on which stood many men, some with cut legs, some with broken thighs, some with torn hands, and some blinded. They hearing

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the noise of the armed men cried out to Alexander, who bearing their cries, bade them be taken thence. And seeing them was struck with ruth and wept, and bade each one be given ten thousand drachmas, and be restored every one to his own.

For Darius kept them in prison, since they were of noble birth, and awarded all their possessions to his thralls. In the meantime the messengers from Alexander to Darius told all that Alexander had said. And Darius hearing this began to get ready for the fight. And he wrote another letter to Porus King of India, which runneth as follows: [added in MS ]

THE LETTER SENT BY DARIUS TO PORUS KING OF INDIA.

‘Darius King of the Persians to Porus King of Our Indians joy. We asked but lately of you, and again we ask you to come and help against those who strive to overthrow our palace. We know well also that the like harm will light on you.

For this Alexander, who fighteth thus, hath an unquenchable and wild soul, which like a lion ceaseth not, and is like the sea when stirred by mighty winds.

Furthermore, unwillingly though it be, we have gathered numberless races, and we have taken our counsel to fight with him to the very death. [added in MS ]

leaf 20
better vs es for to dy manly in ţe felde ţan for to see ţe mescheffe of oure pople & ţe dissolacion of oure rewme. Whare-fore, hafand reward and compassion of oure disesse, we be-seke ow, ţat e late oure prayeres sattell in our hert, &
helpe for to succour vs now at oure nede, hafand in oure mynde ţe grete noblaye of oure progenytours. And I seure ow ţat [I sall] giffe ilke a fote-man ţat come wit ow, thre pece of golde, And ilke a horse-man, fyve pece of golde, And also mete & drynke ynoghe to ow & all our men. And whare so e lugge ow, we schalle fynde ow a hundreth & fourscore tentes curyously wrogbte. And also we schall gyffe ow Alexander horse Buktyphalas, and alle appairaill, & ţe araye ţat langes till Alexander hallely schall be ours and also all ţe spoylle of his folke sall be dalte amange oure folke. Wherefore we beseke ow ţat also son als this Page 53
lettre comme to ow, e haste ow till vs in all ţat e may. For wite e wele for certayne, that rite als he done till vs, so he purpose hym in tyme commynge for to do to owe.’

In the men tyme, certane men of Darius went fra hym & come till Alexander, &
talde hym, ţat Darius purposede hym for to feghte wit hym eftesones, and had sent till Porus, kyng of Inde, for to come in grete haste, for to helpe hym.

When Alexander herd ţis, be-lyfe he remowed his Oste to ward Darius, thynkand in his herte ţat he wolde on na wyse take apon hym ţe name of Emperour be-fore he hadd wonn Darius and his rewme one werre. And when Darius herde of ţe commyng of Alexander, he dredd hym gretly & ţe percyenes also. Bot ţare was two prynce of Darius, of ţe whilke ţe tane highte Bisso & ţe toţer Ariobarsantes, thir twa when ţair herd of ţe comyng of Alexander, conspyred togedir for to slaa ţaire lord Darius, supposyng for till hafe a grete thanke of Alexander, and a gret reward for ţaire dede. And ayther of ţam ware sworne till oţer. And than thay went to ţe kynges palace, and come intill his chamber wit drawen swerdes in ţaire hande, and fand Darius bi hym ane. And when Darius saw that, he trowed wele ţat ţay wolde sla hym, And said vn-to ţam: ‘Dere frende, hedir to warde hafe I called ow my seruaunde, bot now I call ow my lordes. What ayles ow at me ţat e will sla me ? Haes Alexander cheriste ţe macedoynes mare ţan I hafe done ow? Hafe I note sorow & disese ynoghe of enemyse witowtten ? Bot if e conspire agaynes me for to sla me wit owtten gilt, I say for sothe, & e sla me leaf 20 bk.

thus preuelye, And Alexander may gete ow, he will take mare cruell vengeance one ow, then on any theues. For sothely it es na comforthe ne lykyng till ane Emperour to fynd an oţer Emperour murthered wit his awen men.’ Bot ţay were nathynge stirrede to petee, ne tendernesse, ne mercy, thurg his worde, Bot went till ym and wit grete cruelnesse smate hym, & al-to magle hym, and went faste ţaire waye, & lefte hym for dede.

And when Alexander herd tell ţat Darius was slayne he Page 54
went ouer ţe water of Graunt, and all his Oste wit hym, and come to ţe cetee of Susis. And alsone als ţe percyenes saw hym, Thay Opened ţe ates of ţe citee, &
rescheyued hym wit grete wirchipe. And when ţe prynce ţat slewe Darius wiste ţat Alexander was comen in-to ţe citee ţay went & helde ţam in hidils ay till ţay myte gete knaweynge of Alexander will, as towchand ţat that ţay hadd done to Darius. Alexander ţan went in-to ţe kynges Palace, and as he went ţare-in he merueyled hym gretly of ţe biggyng ţare-off. For Cirus ţe kyng of Perse gert bigg it ryally. And the pament ţareoffe was made of stanes of dyuerse colours, &
ţe walles all enueround wit fyne golde & precyous stanes & sternes lyke to ţe firmament, and pelers of golde ţat bare vp ţe werke. When Alexander saw all this curious werke, he meruailed hym gretly. And than he went to ţe chambre ţare Darius laye halfe dede. And alsone als he saw hym he haddgrete rewthe &
compassion of hym, and he tuke off his awenn mantill & couerd [hym] ţare-wit, &
went and graped his wondes and wepid for hym rit tenderly, & said un-til hym.

‘Rise vp, sir Darius,’ quoţ he, ‘& be of gude comforthe. And als frely as euer ţou reioysede thyn Empire, so mot ţou itt do, And be als myghty, & als gloryouse als euer ţou was. I swere the here by oure myty goddes & by ţe faythe in my body, ţat here I resigne vn-to the all thyn empyre, desyrand souerayngly for to hafe ţe lyfe of the, as ţe son of ţe Fader, For sekerly it es vnfittand &
unsemly till ane emperour for to be reioysede of an oţer emperours mescheffe &
disesse, when fortune hase forsaken hym. Telle me, sir, what ţay are ţat hase thus faren wit the, and I sewre ţe als I am trew man I sall venge the to ţe uttereste.’ And
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when Alexander had said this & mekill mare, Sare wepand Darius putt furthe his hande, and layde his arme abowte Alexander nekke, and kyssed his breste, his nekke, & his hande, & saide thir worde, thare that here folowes. ‘A, dere son Alexander,’ quoţ he, ‘als thi heghe witt knawes wele, all this werlde es corupt and sett in malice. For ţe souerayne forluke of godd, all thynge knawande fra ţe begynnyng, and hafand felyng of ţe wirkynge for to come, made man in that wyse, at ţe

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begynnynge, ţat nathyng es in hym stable ne faste. So ţat all thynge ţat ere passande & werldely, fra ţat he faile of gouernance, tournes alson till hym in contrarye. For if godd hadd ordeyned all thynge esy to man and alwaye witowtten chaungynge sent hym prosperitee, man schulde be lyftede vp so hie in pryde & in vayne glorye, ţat he solde note arett alle his wele-fare & his welthe vn-to godd, bot till his awenn desert & his awenn vertu. And so schulde men gaa fra ţaire makare. On ţe toţer syde if ţe heghe wyssedom of godd hadd made ţe werlde on ţat wyse ţat all illes and infelicytes fell apon man witowtten any maner of gudenesse, so many freletese sulde folow ţe kynde of man, ţat we schulde all be drawen in-to ţe gilder of disparacion, so ţat we solde hafe na triste in ţe gudnes of godd. And ţarefore grete godd wolde so wisely skifte all thynges, ţat, when a man full of felicitee, thurgh his heghe pride will note knawe his makere, Fra ţe heghte of pride in-to ţe pitte of mekenes & lawnes he mon be plungede. So ţat he ţat thurgh pride & felicite forgatt his godd, thurgh fallynge in wrechidnesse & disesse hafe mynde of his godd. Reghte als ţou may see bi me, my dere son Alexander, ţat was raysede vp so hye in-pride & vayne glorye, thurgh reches & prosperitee ţat felle vn-to me, ţat I trowed note ţat I was goddes creature bot goddes Felawe. And ţan, thurg blyndeness of pride, I couthe note see that, ţat now, thurgh scharpenesse of mekenes and mescheffe, I see clerely &
knawes. Bot if it happen ţat any man be vmbilappede wit grete infilicitee, so ţat he, despairand of ţe grace of godd, supposse na remedy, ne nane lukes eftere;
leaf 21 bk.

ţan oure lorde godd rayse hym vp to ţe heghte of prosperitee, so ţat ţan he, ţat bicause of wrechidnes & infelicitee, myte note see godd ne knawe hym, thurgh felicite & prosperitee knawes ţat he, ţat may bryng a man to lawe state, may rayse a man till heghe degree. And he ţat may rayse a man till heghe degree, may putt hym to lawnesse agayne, when hym lyst, and ţarefore, son, late note thy hert ryse to hye in pride, for ţe victoryes ţat godd hase sent the, if all ţou may do now whate ţe listrit as [ ţou] were a godd. Bot alway thynke on thy laste ende. For ţou ert a dedly man, and ilk a day if ţou behalde graythely ţou may see thy dedd bi-fore thyn eghne. Consedirs Page 56
ţou note how oure lyffe may be lykkened to ţe werke of Eranes, ţat so sotelly makes ţaire webbes? Bot alson als a little blaste of wynde puffes apon ţam, ţay breke, & falles to grownde. Behalde & see how glorius I was isterday & how wrechede I am to-day, & how law I am broghte. I was lorde nerehande of all ţe werlde, & now I hafe na power of myn awen selfe. Now I be-seke the, son, ţat ţou will bery me wit thy benynge handes. And suffre for to come to myn exequise bathe ţe Macedoynes and ţe persyenes. And fra this tyme forwarde, ţe empire of Macedoyne & ţe empire of perse be bathe ane. Haffe recomend vn-to the my Moder Rodogon, & trete hir wirchipfuily as thyn awenn Moder. And I be-seke ţe also, ţat ţou be Mercyable to my wyfe. And if it be lykynge to ţe, take Rosan my dogheter to thi wyfe. For semely it es, ţat e be ioynede togeder ţat er comen of so wirchipfull progenitours, For ţou of kyng Philippe, and scho of kyng Darius, And of ow twa may a wirchipfull & a noble fruyte sprynge.’ And rite as he had saide thir worde he swelt in Alexander armes. Kyng Alexander, ţan, after ţe custom was for to bery emperours, gert araye Darius body als ryally as he couthe. And wit all ţe solempnyte and wirchipe ţat myghte be done, he helped hym selfe for to bere ţe bere, sare wepande, and gert ţe Macedoynes & ţe Percyenes gaa bi-fore ţe bere. The persyenes also weped wonder faste, note allanly for ţe dede of Darius, bot for petee of ţaire hertis, ţat ţay saw Alexander wepe so enterely. And when Darius was beried Alexander went agayne to ţe palace.

And one ţe morne Alexander went and sett hym in a trone all of golde & precyous stanes, the whilke Cyrus sumtyme gert
leaf 22
make ţat was kynge of Perse. And the Macedoynes and ţe Persyenes sett apon his hede a coroune ţat was Darius, ţe whilke was so precious, ţat men knewe nane like it in na lande. For all ţe palace schane thurg bryghtness of ţe precyous stanes, ţat were sett ţare-in. And ţe trone was all of golde, & of precious stanes, & ofţe sege ţareoffe was vii seuen cubete heghe fra ţe grounde, and a grece of seuen gree was made

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ţare-to, whareby kynges ascended ţare-to. And thir gree were mede wonder craftyly & curyously. The firste gree was of ane amatist. The seconde gree was of a Smaragd. The thredd gree was of a Topa. The ferthe gree was of a granat.

The fifte was of ane adamand. The sext was of fyn golde. And the seuennt was of clay. And thay ware not [wit-o]wtten grete cause ordeyned one ţis wyse.

For ţe first gree w[as a]ne amatist, for amange all oţer stanes it hase this vertu, that it represses & halde donne ţe fumositee of wyne & ţe myghte ţareoffe, & suffers note a man ţat bere it on hym be troubbled in his witt ne in his mynde thurgh drownkeness. And, on ţe same wise, solde ilke a kyng be of perfite witt & mynde, & thurg nane occasion do na mysse. The secund gree was of a Smaragd, ţe whilke clarifye & kepe ţe sighte of hym ţat beres [it] apon hym, and so schulde a kynge hafe clere sighte of his hert, wysely for to see &
discerne that ţat es spedfull & profitable bathe for hym selfe & for ţe comon profit. The thirdd gree was of a Topa, ţe whilke es so clere, ţat & a man bihalde hym selfe ţare-in, it sall seme till hym, as his hede ware tournede downwarde, and his fete vpwarde; And it betakenes ţat a kyng schulde alway take hede till his laste ende. The ferthe gree was of a Granat whilk passe all manere of precious stanes in reedness: & betakens ţat a kyng suld be schamfull for till consent till any thynge ţat es vnlefull. The fifte was of ane Adamande. Ţe Adamande es so harde ţat it may note be broken nowţer with yren ne wit stane, bot if it firste be enoynted wit gayte blode. On ţe same wyse a kyng suld be of so grete constance & sadnesse ţat, for na prayere, ne for na worldely gude, he solde note bewg fra ţe way of ryght-wisnesse. The sexte gree was of fyne gold: for rite as gold passe all maner of metalle in bewtee, & in precioustee; rite so a kyng awe to be preferred before oţer men & gouernours of ţam.

leaf 22 bk.

Ţe seuent was of Clay, till ţat entent ţat a man ţat es raysed vp to ţe dingnyte of a kyng sulde alway vmbythynk hym ţat he was made of erthe, & at ţe laste Page 58
to ţe erthe he sall agayne. When Alexander was sett apon this trone, coronnde wit his diademe, & ţe Macedoynes & ţe persenes standyng abowte hym: be-fore ţam alle he gert write a lettre till all cuntree, ţat was of this tenour.

‘Alexander the son of godd Amon & qwene Olympias kyng of kynges & lorde of lordes, till alle Dukes, Prynce, Erles, Baronns, maisters, & till all ţe folke of Perse: ioy & grace. Sen it es plesynge to godd, ţat I sitt one ţe trone of Darius, & be lorde of ţe persyenes, grete cause I hafe for to be reioyist gretely ţareoffe, ne were it for ţe gret multitude of folke ţat ere slayne. Bot sen it so es ţat godd hase ordeynede me to be our lorde, and our gouernour, ţarefore we commande ow ţat in ilke a citee, thurghowte ţe lordchipe of Perse, e ordeyne prynce and gouernours as ţare was in Darius tyme, to ţe whilke we commande ow ţat e be obeyande as e before-tymes hafe bene, and that ţay do rite till ilke a man at ţaire powere. Also it es oure will and oure commandement, ţat ilke a man welde & reioyse paysabily his landes and his possessiouns. We commande alsoo, ţat fra this lande of perse vn-till Ellada, & fra thethyn to Macedoyne, be redy way & open so ţat ilke a man ţat will may passe bathe in and owte, wit merchandyse or any oţer erandes ţat ţay hafe at do, and Joy & pese be vn-to owe.’

Ţan gert Alexander all men be still, and said one this wyse: ‘Whilke of ow so slew myn enemy Darius; come forthe be-for me, and I shall giffe ow worthy mede, & conable wirchipe do ţam, I swere bi oure godde ţat ere Almyty, & bi my moste biloved moder Olympias, ţat I sall gyffe ţam worthy mede.’ When Alexander had saide thir wordes ţe persyenes wepede wonderly sare. And than ţe twa man-morthireres Bisso and Aryobarantes come bi-fore Alexander, and sayde vn-till hym: ‘Wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ ţay, ‘we ere thase ţat slew Darius thyne enemy wit oure Awenn hende.’ And when Alexander saw ţam, he bade his knyghtes belyfe ga & take ţam, & bynde
leaf 23
ţam, & lede ţam to Darius grafe, & ţare smyte of ţaire heuedes, And than ţay ansuerd, & saide vn-till Alexander: ‘A, A, wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ ţay, Page 59

‘swore ţou note till vs, bi oure godde ţat ere Almyty, & bi ţe hele of thi moder Olympias, ţat ţou solde gerre do vs na harme, bot ţat ţou solde giff vs a worthi reward.’ And Alexander saide agayne vn-to ţam: ‘So aughte me wele for to swere, for to gette knawyng of ţe slaers of Darius. For I solde neuer hafe getyn knawyng ţareoffe had I note sworne so. And itt I sall safe myn athe wele ynoghe. For it was al-way myn entent, ţat if I myte wete what ţay ware, ţay solde hafe swilke a rewarde. For ţay ţat slaes ţaire awenn lorde it es a taken ţat ţay will hafe na conscience to sla anoţer man.’ And when ţe perseyenes herde this ţay by-gan to prayse Alexander & to commende hym and blysse hym as he had bene a godd. Ţan kyng Alexander gert hede tha twa homycydes. And all ţe rewme he sett in gouernance of certayne lordes. Amanges oţer ţare was ane alde lorde was eme to Darius, ţe whilke highte Climitus, ţat was gretly luffede wit ţe persyenes; And Alexander at ţe request of all the persyenes ordeyned hym for to be chefe goueruour vnder hym of all perse. And one ţe morne Alexander sett hym in his trone, wit his coroun on his hede, and efter ţe biddynng of Darius he commande to brynge bi-fore hym Rosan, Darius doghter, wit a coroun on hir hede, sett full of precious stanes. And ţare, as ţe maner was of ţe persyenes, he tuke hir to his wyfe, and made hir to sitt wit hym in his trone & command all men to wirchipe hir als quene. And ţan ţe persyenes were wonderly glade, & onane ţay brote ţaire godde bi-fore Alexander, and bi-gan to wirchipe hym, & loue hym rite als he hade bene a godd, and said vn-till hym, hallely wit a voyce, ‘ţou thi selfe es a godd, For that ţat es plesande till oure goddes alway ţou dose.’ And when Alexander saw this, he was gretly troubled & rite ferde & said vn-to ţam ‘Wirchipfull sirs,’ quoţ he, ‘I pray ow ţat e wirchipe me note as a godd, for sothely I am as e are, a corupteble & a dedly man, and in me ţare es na parcell of the godhede. And ţarefore, I beseke ow, cesse of this wirchipe ţat e do me’

Ţan gert Alexander write a lettre till Olympias his moder & till Arestotle his maister, makand mencyon of all ţe bataylls & ţe disesse ţat he hadd suffred in Perse, and of ţe grete reches

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ţat he fande ţare, of ţe whilke he & all his men ware made riche. And also he wrate vn-to ţam,
leaf 23 bk.

ţat ţay scholde make grete solempnytee lastyng aghte dayes because of ţe weddynge of Alexander & Rosan Darius doghter. And so did Alexander, in Perse, wit ţe maceydoynes & ţe persyenes, many a daye.

Affter this kyng Alexander sembled a grete Oste, bathe of macedoyns & of persyenes, and went towarde Inde for to werre apon Porus, kyng of Inde, ţe whilke ordeynede hym for to come & helpe kyng Darius. And, when Alexander was entered in-till Inde, he went thurg wildernes & waste cuntree, whare in ware grete reuers and many grete caues & cauernes. And ţan Alexander & his men wex wery, & irkede rite sare. And ţe prynces Of macedoyne & of grece murmourede amange ţam gretly, & saide ilkan till oţer: ‘It myte hafe sufficed till vs, ţat we hafe ouer-sett kyng Darius, & conqerred ţe kyngdom of Perse. Where-be seke we forthire in-till Inde, ţe whilke es full of wilde beste, and leues oure awenn lande. Ne ţis Alexander nane oţer thynge desyre, bot for to wende abowte and thurgh werre to brynge all ţe worlde vndere his subieccion. For werre & debate unresche his body so fer furth ţat, and he ristede any lange tyme witowten werre, rite als it were for defaute of mete he schulde faile & dye. Leue we hym ţarefore, and turne we agayne vn-till oure awenn cuntree, and late hym wende furthe wit the persyenes, if he will.’ When Alexander herde ţis, he garte all ţe Oste habide, and he went and stodde in ane heghe place amange ţam, & sayde one this wise: ‘Departis ow in twaa, so ţat ţe persyenes be by ţam-selfe and ţe Macedoynes and ţe grekes bi ţam-selfe.’ And when ţay hadd so done, Alexander saide to ţe Macedoynes and ţe grekes: ‘A A, myne owenn dere knyghtis,’ quoţ he, ‘wele [e] knawe ţat thir persyenes, vn-to ţis day, hase bene contrary & rebelles vn-to ow & to me, and e will now lefe me here wit ţam, and tourne agayne to our awenn cuntree. Wele e wate, ţat when our hertes were troubblede, & fered, for ţe wordes ţat ware contened in Darius lettres, I thrug my speche & my consell comforthed our hertis. And afterwarde, when we come in-to ţe felde agaynes oure enemys, I went bi-fore ow all.

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And I by myn ane was ţe firste man ţat entrede ţe batayýe. And itt more-ouer, as e wele wate, I tuke apon me for to be oure allere messangere vn-to kynge Darius.

And ţare, for ow, I putt my selfe in many grete leaf 24
perills. And ţarefore, witte wele for certayne, ţat, rite as hedirtowarde, we hafe ouercomen oure enemys and hade ţe better of ţam, rite so fro heţein-forwarde, thurgh ţe helpe of oure godde we sall ouercome oure enemys, &
hafe ţe victorye of ţam. And ţarefore I say ow forsothe, ţat, all if e will tourne agayne to grece & macedoyne, I sall note tourne agayne on na wyse, ţat e may knawe ţat, witowtten gouernance of a kynge, nane Oste may wynne na wirchipe.’ When Alexander had said ţus, all ţe prynce of Macedoyne and of ţe grekes schamede gretely, and askede mercy & forgifnesse, sayande one this wyse: ‘Moste wirchipfull emperour, oure lyfe lyes hallely in our hande. Whedir so euer e will goo we will gladly felowe our hye maiestee; ţofe we schulde all dye for ow on a daye, we sall folow ow & neuer lefe ow.’ And ţan ţay remowed fra ţeinne and come in-till a cuntree of Inde ţat es called Phisiacen, in ţe laste ende of July. And ţare mette hym ţe embassatours of Porus kyng of Inde, and broghte hym lettres fra Porus, ţat said on this wyse.

‘ Porus kyng of Inde: vn-to ţe theeffe Alexander, ţat thurg thifte & robbery many citee wynne, biddyng we send. Sen ţou ert dedely: wharto wene ţou ţat ţou ert of powere to agaynstande godd ţat es vndedely. A grete fole, me thynke, ţou ert ţat hase eghne, and cane nott see. Trowes ţou we be lyke vn-to ţe percyenes ţat ţou hase made subiecte vn-to the ? Ţou hase foughten hedirtowarde wit softe men & cowarde, & for ţou hase ouercomen ţam, ţou wene, ţat thi littillness sall brynge oure hye maiestee vnder thi subieccion; ţe whilke es vnpossyble for to bee, bot if godde submytt ţam vn-to men, and ţe erthe be euen lyke to ţe heuen.

I late the wiete, ţat I may note be ouercommen for note allanly men bot also godde doee seruyce to my name. Wate ţou note wele, ţat ane Dynise, ţe fader of Bachus, come in-till Inde, wit a grete Oste for to feghte, bot onane he tournede ţe bakke & fledd, for he

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was note of powere to agaynstande ţe vertu of men of Inde. And ţarefore, or any schame or mischeffe com to ţe; we consell the & commande the, ţat in all ţe haste ţat ţou may, ţou tourne hame agayne to thyne awen lande. Fore wele ţou knawes, ţat, bi-fore erses was kynge of Perse, ţe macedoynes gaffe tribute till Inde. Bot, bycause ţat ţaire lande es barayne & vnprofitable, & na thynge ţer-in plesande till a kynge: ţe men of Inde sett note ţare-by. For ilke a man, desyres mare a large lande & a plenteuous: ţan leaf 24 bk.

a strayte lande & a barayne. And ţarefore, itt the thirde tourne, I comaunde the that ţou tourne hame to thyne awenn lande. And neuer, in thi lyfe, couette to hafe Lordschipe ţare ţou may nane gete.’

When ţis lettre was comen till Alexander, he gerte rede it be-fore all men. And when his knyghtis hadd herde ţe tenour of ţis lettre, ţay were trublede. And Alexander sayde vn-to ţam: ‘My wirchippfull knyghtis,’ quoţ he, ‘late note our hertis be trublede ne fered for Porus lettre. Hafe e note in mynde, wit how grete pride Darius wrate vn-till vs dyuerse tymes ? I say ow sotheley ţat all ţe folke of thyse Este parties hase ţaire hertis & ţaire wittis lyke vn-to ţe bestes ţat ţay duelle wit-all, ţat es at say, Tygres, Pardes, & oţer wilde bestis, whilke full selden ere slaenn of men, and ţarefore ţay triste all in ţaire strengthe.’ And when Alexander hade said thir wordes, he garte writte a lettre vn-to Porus kynge of Inde whareof this was the tenour.

‘Kyng of kynges and lorde of lordes, Alexander ţe son of godd Amon & ţe quene Olympias, vn-to Porus we sende. Ţou hase scharpede oure wittes, & gyffen vs hardynesse for to feghte agaynes ţe, whare ţou says ţat macedoyne es bot a littill lande & barayne of all thyng ţat gude es. And Inde, ţou says, es large, & plenteuous of all gude & reches. And ţarefore we sall enforce vs to feghte wit the at all oure myghte, for to conquere thi lande ţat, ţou sais, es so full of reches. And, for ţou halde vs pouer, & of na reputacion, ţarefore we desire for to ascende to ţe heghte of thi majestie. And also ţare ţou says, ţat note allanly vn-to men, bot also vn-to godde ţou erte emperour, I sall come to the, for to feght wit ţe, as wit an

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haythen man full of Pompe & pride and vayne glory, & note as wit a godd For all ţe werlde may note agaynstand ţe wrethe of a godd. Ţer-fore, sen ţe elementis of this aere, ţat es at say Thunners, leuenynge and water, may note bere ţe indygnacion of godde, how schulde ţan dedely men mowe agaynstande ţaire wrethe?

And ţarefore I late the
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wele witte ţat ţi founde proudde speche trubble me note ne moue me neuer a dele.’

When Porus hadd this lettre, he was wondere wrathe & assemblede a grete Oste of men, and a grete multitude of Olyphanntes wit ţe whilke ţe men of Inde ere wount for to feghte, and went agaynes Alexander. This Oste of Porus was rite grete &
strange, for ţare ware ţer in xiiij. cartes of were and viijc Oliphannte, and ilk an Olyphanthadd a toure of tree apon his bakke, & in ilke a toure xxx men.

Ţare ware also oţer feghting men on horse and on fote witowten nowmer. And when ţe Macedoynes and ţe persyenes sawe ţe grete multitude bathe of men & of Olyphaunte, ţay were fered, & gretely stonayde. Neuer ţe lesse, bathe ţe partyes ordayned ţam to batell, and arayed ţaire batells, Alexander on his syde, and Porus on his syde. And Alexander lepe vp-on his horse Buktiphalas & prikkede bi-fore all his men, and comanded, ţat ţe Medoynes & ţe persyenes sulde firste begynn to feghte. And so ţay did; & hym selfe wit ţe grekes, and ţe macedoynes stode on ţe toţer syde, redy to succour ţam when myster ware. And for ţe Olyphaunte also, Alexander gert make suylke an ordynance. He gert make xxiiij ymage of brasse, and gert fill ţam fall of dry wodde. And he gerte make also cartes of yren, for to bere thir ymage before ţe Olyphaunte and when ţe Oste came nere togedir he gert sett fyre in ţe wodd ţat was in ţe ymages. And when ţe Olyphaunte saw ţir ymages, ţay wende ţat ţay hadd bene men and schott owte ţaire groynes, as ţay were wount for to do for till hafe weryed ţam. And alsone thurgh ţe grete hete, ţay were brynned and than thay gaffe bakke, & fledd for drede to brynne ţayre groynes. And ţarefore ţe men ţat were abown in ţe toures myghte note wyn to for to feghte. And when Porus saw that he was reghte Page 64
sary. Ţan ţe Medoynes & ţe persyenes, wit arowes and speres & oţer dyuerse wapynes of werre, slewe thykfalde of ţe men of Inde. And thus ţay faghte contenuelly xxxti days, & mekill pople of bathe ţe parties ware dede. And at ţe laste ţe Medoynes, & ţe persyenes, began faste for to fayle. And when Alexander saw that, he was wondere wrathe, and entrede in-to ţe batelle, sittand on his horse Buctiphalas,
leaf 25 bk.

and faghte mannfully, & ţe grekes & ţe macedoynes wit hym. And his horse also helped hym gretely. And than belyfe ţe Indyenes began gretely for to fayle. And when Porus saw that he turned ţe bakke & fledd And ţan ţe Indyenes ţat ware lefte on lyfe fledd also. And Alexander luged hym thare wit his Oste and made Sacrafice till his godde and commaunded for to bery ţe dedd bodys, bathe of Indyenes & of ţe persyenes & ţe Macedoynes.

Sone after, apon a day, Alexander ensegedd Porus citee & wann it, and went in-till Porus Palace, whare-In he fande mare reches ţan any man will trowe. For he fande ţare-in xý pelers of Massy golde, ilkan of a grete thikness & a grete lenthe, wit ţaire chapytralles. And bitwene ţe pelers of golde, ware hyngande venette of golde & syluere, wit leues of golde. And ţe brawnche of this venett ware sum of cristalle, sum of Margarite, sum of Smaragdes, & sum of Onyches, and ţay semed as ţay hade bene verray vynes. Ţe walles also of ţe palace ware couerde all ouer wit plates of golde, ţe whilke when ţe Macedoynes cutte in soundre & brakke, ţay fande ţat ţay ware a gret ynche thikke. And ţir walles ware sett full of diuerse precious stanes, ţat es at say, of charebuncles, Smaragdes, Margarites & Amatistes. And ţe ates of ţe Palace ware of Euour wonder whitt, & ţe bande of ţam, & ţe legges of Ebene. Ţe chambirs, also, of ţis Palace, were all of Cipresse, and ţe bedde in ţam ware sett full of Margarite, Smaragde, & charebuncles. Ţe haull, also, of ţis Palace, was sett full of ymages of golde, & bi-twix ţam stode perlatanes of golde, in ţe branches of whilke ţare were many manners of fewles & ilke a fewle was colourede, & paynted after his kynde asked, ţe bekes of ţam, & ţe clowes ware all of fyne golde. And ay, Page 65
when Porus liste, thir fewles thurg crafte of music walde synge after ţaire kynde askede & was. He fande also in ţat Palace veselles witowten nowmer, sum of golde, sum of Cristalle, Sum of oţer maneres of precyouse stanes, sum of Suluere, and ţat all maner of vesell ţat men sulde be serued offe. Bot ţare were bot fewe of ţam of Siluere.

Fra thethyn, Alexander remowede his Oste & come to ţe ates of Caspee, and ţare he luged hym. It was a noble lande & a gude. Bot ţare ware ţare-In many maners leaf 26
of nedders and of wilde beste. Fra ţeine Alexander sent a lettre till Talifride quene of Amaon, of ţis tenour.

‘ Kyng of kynges, and lorde of lordes, Alexander, ţe son of godd Amon, & ţe quene Olympias, vn-to Talifride ţe quene of Amaon, ioy. The grete Bataylles ţat we hafe hadd wit kyng Darius, & how we hafe conquered all his rewme, and his lordchipes, we trowe he noghte unknawen vn-to ow. And also how we hafe foghten with Porus ţe kyng of Inde & his cheeffe citee wonnen. And also wit many oţer folkes, & ţay ware neuer of powere to agaynestande vs, ţe whilke we suppose be note vnknawen vn-to owe. Whare-fore we sende ow worde, & commande ow, ţat e sende vs tribute, if e will ţat wee com note to ow to do ow disesse.’

And vn-to this lettre Talifride made ansuere by lettre one this wyse.

‘ Talyfride quene of Amazon wit oţer grete ladys of oure rewme, vn-till Alexander, kynge of Macedoyne, joy. We hafe wele herde telle of ţe bye witt ţat es in the, thurg whilke ţou hase in mynde thynge ţat ere passede, and dispose thynges ţat ere present, and knawe thynge ţat ere to come. Avyse the wele ţarefore are ţou come till vs, what trebulacionne & disesse may falle the in thi commynge. For ţare was neuer nane it ţat werreyed agayne vs ţat ne he had schame ţareoffe at ţe ende. And ţarefore take hede to thi last ende. For grete schame it es till a wyse man thurg indiscrecion to falle in mescheffe. Bot if it be lykynge to ţe, to knawe our conuersacyon, and oure habitacion, we declare it vn-to ţe be oure

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present lettres, ţat oure habitacion es in ane Ile, ţat es closede abowte wit a grete reuer ţat noţer hase bygynnynge nor endynnge. Bot on a syde we hafe a strayte entree. And the nowmer of women ţat duelle ţer-in es ccxiiiim ţat ere note filed wit men. For oure husbande duelle note amange vs ne no noţer man, Bot on ţe toţer syde of ţe reuer. And ilke a ere we make a solempne feste in the wirchipe of Iubiter xxx days. And ţan we go till oure husbandes, and duelle wit ţam oţer xxx dayes & hase oure luste and oure disporte leaf 26 bk.

togedir as kynde askes. And if any of vs consayfe & bere a childe if it be a male ţe modere kepis it seuen ere and than sende it to ţe fadere. And if scho bere a mayden childe ţe moder halde it wit hir & teche it oure maners. When we goo to werre agayne oure enemys we ere cm rydand one horse wele armede. And sum of vs hase bowes & arowes, and sum speres, and oţer diuerse wapyne. And ţe remanent kepe oure Ile. And when we come wit the victorye oure husbande does vs grete wirchipe. And ţarefore if ţou come agaynes vs we late the witt ţat we will feghte wit the at all oure myte. And if it happen ţat ţou hafe ţe victory of vs, wirchipe sall it nane be to the bicause ţou hase discomfit women. And if we discomfit the, it sall be an heghe wirchippe till vs, ţat we may discomfit so wirchipfull an emperour; and to the it sall be a hye reproue. Wherefore we sygnifie vn-to ţe by oure lettres ţat ţou come note agaynes vs for sekerly ţare may grete dysese come ţareoffe, ţat perauenture ţou knawe note now offe at ţis tymme.’

When Alexander hadd redd ţis lettre, he began to lawghe. And onane he garte writte anoţer lettre, and sent it to Talyfride, whareoffe ţe tenour was this.

‘Alexander kyng of kynges and of lorde, the son of godd Amon & ţe qwene Olympias, to Talyfride quene of Amaon and ţe oţer ladys of ţe same rewme: ioy.

We late ow weite ţat thre parties of ţe werlde, ţat es to say, Asye, Affric, &

Europe we hafe conquered and made subiects vn-till vs, & ţare was neuer nane of ţam ţat myte agaynstande oure powere. And if we now suld note be of powere, to feghte with owe it ware ane heghe schame till us. Neuer-ţe-lesse for als mekill Page 67
als we lufe our conuersacion we consell ţat e come forthe of our Ile & our husbonde wit ow, and appere in oure presence. For we swere ow bi god Amon oure Fader, & by all oure godde ţat e sall hafe na disesse of vs. Bot gyffe vs sumwhat in name of tribute and we schall fynd ow and oure Amaonns ţat come leaf 27
wit ow horse ynowe. And when ou listees for to wende hame agayne, e schall hafe gude leue.’

And when ţe Amaons hadd redd ţis lettre, ţay went to consell, and thoghte it was beste for to ascent vn-till hym. And ţan ţay sent hym x stedes ţe beste ţat myte be funden in any cuntree, and x oţer horse ţe beste ţat myte be geten, and a grete sum of golde. And Talifride hir selfe and oţer ladys wit hir went un-till hym, and accorded wit hym, and went hame agayne, wonder glade and blythe.

In ţe mene tyme it was talde Alexander, ţat Porus, ţe kyng of Inde, was in Bactricen, and assembled a grete Oste for to feghte eftsonns wit hym. And when Alexander herde this, he remowede his Oste, and chese owte c.l of duyercs ţat knewe ţe cuntree, for to hafe ţe gouernance of his Oste, and to lede ţam seurly thurgh ţat strange cuntree. In ţe Monethe of Auguste, when ţe son es maste hate, ţay bigan for to take ţaire iournee. And thay went thurg a dry cuntree, sandye, & witowtten water. And nedlynge ţam byhoued wende armede, ţare was so grete plentee of neddirs, and cruell wylde bestes. For thies forsaid gyde ware mare fauorable to Porus, ţan till Alexander & his Oste, and ţarefore ţay ledd ţam thurgh swilke barrayne and perilous cuntree. And when Alexander saw it schope thus, and that his consell byfore had sayd ţe sothe, ţat es at say, bathe his awnn frende and men of Caspy, ţat conseld hym ţat he suld note hye hym ouerfaste, ne triste to mekill to strangers; ţau he commanded ţat all men schulde wende armed: & so ţay did. And ţan all ţe Oste schane rite as it had bene sternes, for sum of ţaire armours ware of golde, sum of siluer, and sum of precious stanes. And when Alexander saw ţe araye of his Oste, and ţaire baners bi-fore ţam Schynande so faire, he was rite gladde. Neuer-ţe-les grete disese he hadd, ţat nowţer he, ne his men, myte fynde na water.

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So it felle ţat a knyghte of Macedoyne ţat hyte ephilus fand water standynge in an holle stane, ţat was gadird ţare of ţe dewe of ţe heuen, the whilke ţis forsaide knyghte putt in his Bacenett, & brothe it till Alexander for to drynke.

And Alexander saide un-till hym, ‘I suppose,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat I drynke ţis water, sall ţe Macedoynes & ţe persyenes be any thynge refreschede ţareby, or I sall hafe all ţe refreschyng be my selfe.’ And he ansuerd, & saide, ‘Ţou all ane lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘sall be comforthed ţareby.’ Quoţ Alexander ţan, ‘And if e leaf 27 bk.

sall all perische trowes ţou ţat it solde be lykand to mee, for to lyfe in sorowe & disese seynge ţe dedd of ţe Macedoynes & ţe persyenes ?’ And be-lyue he garte helle downn ţe water on ţe erthe be-fore all his men. And when his knyghtis saw that, ţay were hugely comforthede ţare-by rite als Ilkan of ţam hadd dronken a grete draughte of water, and ţan went furthe ţaire waye. And on ţe morne, ţay come till a reuere whase bankes was growand full of grete redys &
ţay ware als hye as pyne-treese; a, for ţe maste partie of xý fote lange. Than badd [he] that ţay drawe of ţe water and brynge to ţe Oste. Bot all ţat dranke ţareoffe it keste ţam in-till a flux, and slewe a grete hepe of ţam. For ţat water was wonder scharpe, and als bittire als any mekill gyrse. Bot ţan was Alexander gretly disessedd & all his Oste note allanly of ţam-selfe, bot also for ţaire horse & ţaire beste ţat ţay ledd wit ţam ţe whilke bi-gan for to faile for thryste. Alexander hadd wit hym a thowsande Olypante ţat bare his golde, And foure hundreth cartes of werre and jm & cc wayne. He hadd also in his Oste cccm horse men and muyles & camelles witowten nowmer, ţat bare ţaire vetails, and oţer thynge ţat was necessarye to ţe Oste; also oxen and kye, schepe and swyne, witowten nowmer, ţe whilke perischt for defaute of drynke. Sum of Alexander knyghtes lykked Iren, Sum dranke oyle, & sum ware at so grete meschefe ţat ţay dranke ţaire awen stalynge. And thare was so grete habundance of nedders & oţer venymous bestee, ţat ţam byhoued nede trauelle armed, and ţat was a grete nuy to ţam & an heghe disese. Ţan was Alexander wonder sorye & namely for ţe disese ţat his Oste suffrede.

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And as ţay went endlande ţis reuere, abowte ţe viii houre of ţe day, ţay come till a castell ţat stode in a littill Ile in ţis forsaid ryuere; Aud this castell was made of ţe forsaid rede. Ţe brede of this ryuer was foure furlange lent. And in ţat castell ţay sawe a few men. And ţan Alexander bad his men spirre ţam ţat ware in ţe castell in ţe langage of Inde whare ţay myghte fynde any swete watir able for to drynke. And also son als ţay spake to ţam ţay with-drewe ţam & hidd. And Alexander gerte schotte arowes in-to ţe castell and ţan ţay hidd ţam wele ţe mare. And when Alexander saw leaf 28
that ţay walde one na wyse speke wit hym, he hadd a certane of his knyghtes nakne ţam & swyme ouer ţe water to ţe castell. And ţan xxxvii balde knyghtis &
hardy of Macedoyne nakned ţam, and tuke ilkan of ţam a swerde in his hande &
went in-to ţe water & swame it to ţay were passede ţe fertbe parte ţareoffe.

And sodeynly thare rase oute of ţe water a grete multitude of beste, ţat ere called ypotaynes, grettere of body than an olypant, and deuored thir knyghtis euer-ilkanne. And ţan was Alexander rite sare greuede, and be-lyfe garte take ţe forsaid guyde cl & caste ţam in-to ţe water. And onane ţe ypotaynes deuored ţem.

And Alexander thoghte it was note spedfull langare to stryffe wit thase monstres, and garte tromppe vp and remowed his Oste fra ţeine, and went so all ţat day wondere wery for thriste. And also ţay hadd grete disese & nuye of wilde Beste ţat come apon ţam, ţat es to say, of lyones, beres, vnycornes, tygres, and parde, wit ţe whilke ţay faughte & grete trauell hade.

And as ţay went on ţis wyse wit grete angere & disese aboute ţe elleued houre ţay saw a littill bate in ţe riuere made of rede and men rowande ţare-in. And Alexander gert spirre ţam in ţe langage of Inde, whare ţay myte fynde any fresche water. And ţay talde whare & schewed ţam a place a littill ţeine whare-in ţay saide ţay scholde fynde a grete staunke of swete water and gude.

And ţan Alexander & hys Oste went all aboute ţat ryuere, & come till ţis forsaid stanke and luged ţam aboute it. And Alexander comanded ţat ţay sulde felle Page 70
a wodd ţat growed faste ţare-by three myle on lenthe, & alls mekill on brede.

Ţat wodde was all of ţe rede ţat I spak of bi-fore, and ţe stanke was a myle on lent. Ţan Alexander comanded ţat ţay sulde make many fires in ţe Oste, and gerte trompe to ţe mete. Ald alson ţe mone be-gan to schynne ţare come a grete multitude of scorpyons towarde ţe stanke for to take ţam a drynke. And ţan ţare come oţer manere of nedders, and dragones wonder grete of dyuerse colours. And all ţat cuntree resounned of ţe noyse & ţe hissinge ţat ţay made. Ţir dragones come dounne fra ţe hye mountaynes for to drynke of ţe stanke, and ţay hadd crestis one ţaire hedde & ţaire breste ware bryghte lyk golde, & ţaire mowthes open. Ţaire aande slewe any qwikk thynge ţat it smate apon, and oute of ţaire eghne ţare come flammes of fyre. And when Alexander & his Oste saw ţam ţay ware rit
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fered for ţam. For ţay wende ţay schulde hafe weried ţam ilkan. And ţan Alexander comforthed ţam and saide vn-to ţam: ‘Mi wirchipfull knyghtes,’ quoţ
he, ‘bees note agaste of ţam, bot does ilkane as e see me do.’ And ţan he tuk a nett & sett it bitwixe hym & ţam and tuke his schelde & his spere & faughte wit ţam manfully. And when his knyghtes saw ţat ţay ware gretly comforthed & be-lyfe tuke ţaire wapynne & didd als ţay sawe Alexander doo, and slewe of ţam a grete multitude, whatt thurg dyuerse wapynne, what in ţaire fyres. And of Alexander knyghtes ţe dragones slewe xxti & xxxti fotemen. After ţam, ţare come owte of ţe forsaide wodde of rede, Crabbes of a wonderfull greteness; and ţaire bakkes ware harder ţan cocadrille. And when ţe knyghtis smate ţam one ţe bakkes wit ţaire speres, ţay myte note perche ţam, ne na harme do ţam. Neuer-ţe-lesse ţay slewe many of ţam in ţaire Fires and ţe remenant of ţam gatt in-to ţe staunke. And aboute ţe sexte houre of ţe nyghte ţare come apon ţam whytt lyones grettere ţan Bulles, and ţay schoke ţaire heuede at ţam & grete manace made in ţaire manere.

Ţan ţe knyghtes keped ţam in ţaire nettis and slew ţam. After this ţare com apon ţam ţan a grete multitude of swynne ţat ware all of a wonderfull mekilness, wit tuskes of a cubett lenthe. And wit ţam ţare come wilde men & women of ţe whilke ilkan hadd sex hende. Bot Alexander & his knyghtes keped ţam in ţaire Page 71
nettis & slewe many of ţam. And on ţis wyse Alexander & his Oste was gretly disesed. Ţan comanded Alexander ţat ţay schuld make many fyres witowtten ţe Oste abonte ţe stanke. After this ţare come apon ţam a wondere grete beste, grettere & strangere ţan an Olyphaunt, and he hadde in his frunte three lange hornes. And he was schapen lyke a horse & he was all blakke. And ţis beste was called in ţe langage of Inde ‘Anddontrucion’. And or he went to ţe water at drynke, he assailled ţe Oste. Bot Alexander went here & ţare amange ţe oste &
comforthed ţam. This ilke beste slewe of his knyghtes xxviij and bare donne lij and at ţe laste it felle in ţe nettis and was slayne. After ţis ţare come oute of ţe rede a grete multitude of mys als grete als foxes, and ete up ţe dede bodys. Ţare was na qwike thynge, ţat ţay bate ţat ne also son it dyed. Bot harme did ţay nane
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to ţe oste. Ţan come ţare flyande amange ţam bakkes, grettere ţam wilde dowfes, and ţaire tethe ware lyke men-tethe. And ţay didd men mekill disese and hurte many men. Of sum ţay bate offe ţe nese; of sum ţe eres. In ţe mornenynge arely ţare come many fewlis als grete as wlturs, reed of colour, and ţaire fete &
ţaire bekes all blakke. Bot ţay didd na disese to ţe oste, bot went to ţe stanke-syde & drewe fisches & ele oute of ţe water, & ete ţam.

Ţhan lefte Alexander ţir perilous place, and come wit his Oste, in-to ţe cuntree of Bactricen, ţe whilke was full of golde & oţer reches. And ţe men of ţe cuntree resayfed hym benyngly & wirchipfully and gaffe hym and his Oste grete giftes. And ţare he habade xxti dayes. In ţat cuntree ţay sawe trees ţat, in-stedde of leues, bare wolle; ţe whilke folke of ţe cuntree gaderd & made clathe ţareoffe. Ţe knyghtes of Alexander wex wonder balde & strange of hert because of ţe victoryes ţay hadd wonnen of ţe wilde beste before neuenned.

Fra thethyn, Alexander remowed his Oste and come to ţe place whare Porus lay wit ţe folke ţat he hadd assembled. And one ţe morne bathe Alexander and Porus tuke ţaire grounde & arayed ţaire batells for to feghte. And than Page 72

Alexander lepped apon his horse Buktiphalas and went bifore his Oste & ţan ţay trumpede up & ţe batells joyned samen, & faghte togedir rite sare. Bot ţe Indienes fell thikfalde in ţe batell as corne dose in ţe felde be-fore ţe sythe.

And when Porus saw that, he went and stode bi-fore all his men, and cryed vn-till Alexander, & saide on this wyse: ‘It sitte note till an emperour,’ quoţ
he, ‘to lose his men ţus in vayne. Bot it sitte till hym for to determyne his cause with his awenn hande. And ţarefore late thi folke stand still on ţe ta syde, & myn on ţe toţer & late the & me feghte to gedir hand for hand. And if it happen ţat ţou ouercome me, my folke & I sall be subiecte vn-to ţe. And if I ouer come the, than thou & thi folke be subiecte vn-to me.’ Thir worde said Porus dispysand Alexander, bicause ţat he was a man of littill stature. For he was bot three cubites hye, & Porus was fyfe cubetes hye & mare. And ţarefore he traysted hym all in strenghe of his body, note knawande ţe vertu & ţe hardnes ţat was hidd in Alexander.

leaf 29 bk.

And than bathe ţe ostes stode still ant lete ţe twa kynge feghte samen, Porus gaffe Alexander a grete str[a]ke on ţe hede, & was in poynte to hafe felled hym.

And then Porus knyghtes sett vp a grete Schowte. And Porus tourned hym to ţam-warde for to reproue ţam for ţaire schowttyng. And Alexandsr went till hym manfully & tuke his swerd in bathe his hande & lete flye at hym & hitt hym fullbott one ţe heued & slew hym. And when ţe Indienes saw that ţay bi-gan scharply for to fighte wit Alexander & his oste. Vnto whayme Alexander spake &
sayde: ‘Wrechis,’ quoţ he, ‘wharto feghte e sen our kynge es dede. Wate e note wele that thare na gouernour es ţe folke are sparpled be-lyfe als schepe ţat ere witowtten ane hirde.’ Ţe Indienes ansuerd & saide: ‘Vs es leuer,’ quoţ ţay, ‘fighte manfully, and dye in the felde, ţan for to see ţe dissolacion of oure folke, and oure lande be distroyed & wasted.’ ‘Leues our feghtynge,’ quoţ

Alexander, ‘& wende hame to our howse pesaybly & seurely. For I swere ow bi oure godde, if ee will do so, e sall hafe no harme, ne our lande sall note be distroyed ne spoyled, bicause ţat e hafe foghten so manfully for our kynge.’ And when ţe Indienes

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herde thir wordes ţay keste fra ţam ţaire wapyne & thanked Alexander and wirchiped him rite als he hadd bene a godd. Than kyng Alexander luged hym ţare &
his Oste wit hym, & he command to bery ţe dede corse ţat ware slayne in ţe Batell, and offred sacrafice till his godde. Also he garte Entere Porus ţe kynge of Inde wirchipfully.

Fra thethyn Alexander remowed his Oste & come till a cuntree ţat was called Oxidraces. The folkes of ţat cuntree are wonder Symple men, and note prowde, &
ţay are called Gumnosophiste. Ţay feghte neuer mare ne stryfes. Ţay ga alway naked & citez ne townnez hafe ţay nane, Bot duellez in luge & in caues. When ţe kyng of ţis folke herd tell of ţe commyng of Alexander he wrate a lettre, & sent vn-till hym whareoffe this was the tenour.

leaf 30

‘The coruptible Gumnosophist vn-till Alexander a man wee wryte. We here tell ţat ţou comme to werre apon vs, whare of we merueylle vs gretly. For wit vs sall ţou fynd nathyng ţat ţou may spoyle vs offe. For we hafe na thyng elles amange vs, bot allanly whare with we may sustene oure wafull bodys. What may ţou ţan take fra vs. Bot if ţou come for to feght wit vs, feghte on. For I late the wele witt, ţat oure symplenes will we on na wyse lefe.’

When Alexander had radd this lettre he sent ane ansuere agayne on this wyse.

‘Paisably,’ quoţ he, ‘will we com to ow and no violence do ow.’ And ţan he wente in-to ţe cuntree whare ţay duelled. And he saw ţam ga naked & duelle in luges &
in caues, & ţaire wyfes & ţaire childre away fra ţam, walkand wit wilde beste.

And he hadd grete marueylle, & asked ţam if ţay hadd any oţer howse. And ţay ansuerde & said, ‘Nay. Bot in thir holette duelle we alwaye & in ţir caues.’ And Alexander commendid gretely ţaire symplenesse, and bad ţam aske hym whate-so ţay walde. And ţay ansuerd & sayde, ‘Gyffe vs,’ quoţ ţay, ‘vndedlynesse, so ţat we mow note dye; for oţer reches couet we nane.’ Quoţ Alexander, ‘I am dedely my selfe, how ţan may I giffe ou vndedlyness ?’ And when ţay herd hym say soo ţan ţay ansuerd & sayde on this wyse. ‘A, A, wreched man,’ quoţ ţay, ‘whare to wende ţou ţus

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aboute, & quelle so many men, & soo many ilke dedi dooes sen ţou wate wele ţat ţou sall dye.’ ‘For sothe,’ quoţ he, ‘ţe cause whi I do it es of ţe prouydence of godd. For hys mynystre I am, doand ţe commandement of hym. ee wate wele ţat ţe see es note trubbled of hym selfe. Bot when ţe wynde entres in-till hym, ţan it stirre hym & truble hym. I walde hafe ristedd and lefte all werre. Bot ţare es anoţer spyryte & suffres it note be in reste.’ And when Alexander hadde said thir worde he lefte ţam & went till anoţer cuntree.

Anoţer day, he come wit his Oste till a place wharee twa ymage ware, ţe whilke Ercules gart make & sett in ţat place. And ţe tane of ţam was of fyne golde and ţe toţer of fyne Siluere, & the lenthe of aythir of ţam was twa cubettis. When Alexander saw ţir ymage,
leaf 30 bk.

he gert perche ţam for to witt, wheţer ţay ware holle or massy. And he fand ţat ţay were a party holle. And he garte stoppe ţe hole agayne and putt in ţam a thowsande nobles, & fyve hundreth. And fra ţeine he remowed his Oste, and entrede in-till a wildirnesse calde & myrk, so ţat ţay myghte vnnethes an knawe anoţer or see anoţer. And fra thythin ţay went seuen daye iournee and entred in-till a wildirnesse, and come till a grete reuere. And bi-onde ţat riuere ţay saw wonder faire & wele vesaged women cledd in foule clethyng & horrible; and ţay hadd in ţaire hande wapne made all of siluere, bicause ţay hadd noţer Iren ne stele. And ţay rade one horse. And men saw ţay nane amange ţam. And when ţe Oste walde hafe passede ouer this ryuere, ţay myte note be cause it was rite brade and full of dragones and oţer monstres.

Fra thethin ţay went aboute towarde ţe lefte party of Inde and come till a dry Marras full of gret rede. And as ţay passed thurgh ţat Marras, be-lyue ţare come owte of ţe rede a beste lyke ane ypotayne, whase breste was lyke to ţe cocadrille, and his bakke lyk a sawe, and his tethe wonder grete, & als scharpe as a suerde; bot in his gangyng he was

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als slaw als a snyle. And, in his oute - come, he slew twa knyghtis of Alexander. This ilke beste myte ţay on na wyse perche wit ţaire speres. Bot wit mellis of yren ţay slew it.

And fra ţeine ţay trauelde thritty day iourne and come to ţe vttermaste iles of Inde, & ţare ţay luged ţam beside a ryuere ţat es callede in ţat langage of Inde Hemmahurer. And aboute ţe Eleuend houre ţar come owte of ţe wodde a grete multitude of Olyphante & come apon ţam wit a gret birre & ţaire groynes opyn.

And onane Alexander lepe apon his horse Buktiphalas and busked hym agaynes ţam and badd ţe macedoynes ţat ţay solde tak ţaire horse and ilk a man a swyne in a bande, & wende agaynes ţe olyphantis. And when ţe oliphantes saw ţam, ţay come gapande wit ţaire groyne redy te tak ţam. And when ţe Macedoynes saw ţat ţay ware fered and durste note go to ţam. And Alexander saide vn-to ţam, ‘My wirchipfull knyghtes,’ quoţ he, ‘bese of gud comforthe and drede ow nathynge.

For, and e will gare oure swyne crye faste leaf 31
e schall see all ţir Olyphantes flee anon.’ And alsone als ţe Olyphantes herde ţe crye of ţe swyne, and ţe noyse of ţaire trompes, ţay fledd and durste note habyde. And Alexander & his men pursued tham, and what wit nettis, whatt wit swerdes & speres, ţay slewe of ţam a grete multitude, and come agayne to thaire tentis.

Anoţer day ţay removed ţeine, and trauelde thurg the same wodde of Inde. And ţay fande ţare women with berdis rechande downn to ţaire pappes, & ţaire heuede playne abownne, and ţay ware cledd all in skynnes. Ţay chasede thir women and sum of ţam ţay tuke & broghte ţam till Alexander. And he gart spirre ţam in the langage of Inde, how ţay liffed in thase woddes, whare na duellyng was of men.

And ţay ansuered & said, ‘We lyffe all,’ quoţ ţay, ‘wit venyson ţat we take in thir woddes thurg huntynge.’

When ţay ware passed oute of thir wodde ţay come in-till a faire felde vn-till a place whare this forsaid riuere ran. And ţare ţay fande bath men & women all naked. And ţay ware

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als ruge of hare as ţay hade bene bestes. Whase kynde & custom it was als wele to be in ţe water, als on ţe lande. And als sone als ţay saw Alexander Oste onane ţay fledd to ţe water, and dowked in-till it. Fra ţeine ţay traueld xv day iournee, and entred in-till woddes ţat ware full of cynocephals, ţe whilke als son als ţay saw Alexander & his oste onane ţay assaillede ţam. Bot Alexander &
his men, what wit arowes whate wit speres & nettes slew a grete multitude of ţam, and ţe remenaunt of ţam fledd here and thare in ţe wodde.

Fra thethyn ţay went fourty dayes & come in-till a champaynne cuntree, ţat was all Barayne, and na hye place ne na hilles myghte be sene on na syde. And as it ware aboute ţe xj houre of ţe day, ţare bigan so grete a wynde to blawe oute of ţe Este ţat it blew doune to ţe erthe all thaire tentis & ţaire luges. And ţare was grete disese ymang ţe oste. For ţe wynde tuk fire-brandes oute of fyres ţat ţay hadd made, and smate dyuerse men & brynte ţam. And ţan Alexander knyghtes mournurede gretly & said amange ţam, ‘Ţe wrethe & ţe wreke of oure godde,’ quoţ
ţay, ‘falle apon vs, Bicause we seke to ferre towarde ţe son rysynge.’ ‘My wirchipfull knyghte,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘bese leaf 31 bk.

of gud comforthe and no thyng ferde for this tempeste es notee fallen thurg wrethe of oure goddes bot because of equinox of heruest.’ When ţe wynde was cessed ţay gadirde te-gedir ţat ţe wynd hadd sparpled.

Fra ţeine ţay went xxv days and come in-till a grene valay, and ţare ţay luged ţam. Than commanded Alexander ţat ţay schuld make many fyres. For it began for to be vnsufferable calde. And thare be-gan for to falle grete flawghtis of snawe, as ţay had bene grete lokkes of wolle. When Alexander saw that, he was ferde ţat it schuld note hafe cessed sone, aud bad his men ţat ţay suld tred doun ţe snawe & full it wit ţaire fete. And ţaire fyres also helpe ţam gretly.

Neuer-ţe-lesse ţare ware fyve hundrethe of ţe Oste dedd thurghţat snawe, ţe whilk Alexander gart bery. Ţan ţare felle a passand grete rayne, and ţe snaw cessed. Wit ţe rayne, also, ţare come so thikke a myste, ţat contenually three days to gedir ţay

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saw na sonn. And oute of ţe clude ţat hange abown ţam ţer fell as it hadd bene grete fyrebrande ţe whilk brynt many of thaire tenttis and of ţaire luges. And onane Alexander offred sacrafice till his godde and bad his knyghtis put alde ryuen clathe wate bi-fore ţe fire, and he made his prayere. And also son the whedir wexe clere & faire.

Fra thethin, ţay remowed and come till a grete ryuere ţat es called Ganges &
ţare ţay luged ţam. And as ţay luked ouer on the toţer syde, ţay saw twa or thre men walke up & downn ţare. And Alexander badd his men spirre ţam in ţe langage of Inde what ţey ware. And ţay ansuered & said. ‘We are Bragmayns,’ quoţ ţay.

Alexander hadd grete desyre to speke wit ţe Bragmayns. Bot he myte note wynn ouer ţe water; it was so depe & so brade Bot if it had bene in ţe monethe of July and Auguste. And also it was full of ypotaynes & scorpyones and cocadrilles, out taken in ţe forsaid monethes And when he saw ţat he myghte on na wyse wynn ouer he was rete heuy. And belyfe he garte make a lyttill bate of redis, & couerde it wit nowtte hydis & gerte pykk it wele bathe wit-in &
witowtten. And when ţe bate was made, he gert a knyght of his gang in-to it, and gaffe hym a lettre wit hym for to bere leaf 32
to Dindimus, ţat was kyng of ţe Bragmayns, of whilk lettre ţis was ţe tenour.

‘ Kyng of kynges and lorde of lorde, Alexander ţe son of godd Amon & of ţe quene Olympias, vn-to Dindimus kyng of Bragmayns, ioy. Euer sen we were comen to ţat age ţat we couthe discerne by-twix gud & ill we hafe desyred soueraynly for to hafe wysdomme & konnyng, & for to putt away fra vs ignorance & vnconnynge. For as ţe wise techynge of oure philosopres declares opynly, Eloquence wit owtten witt & wisdom dose oftesythes mare skathe ţan gude. Ţarefore we hafe wele vnderstanden by relacion of dyuerse men, ţat our lyfe & our maners are diuised and diuerse fra all oţer men; so ţat noţer on ţe See ne on ţe lande e seke na helpe and ţat e eme anoţer manere of doctryne ţan we hafe lerende of oure doctours. Whare-fore we pray ow ţat e will certyfye vs bi our lettres of our lyffe and our maners and our doctryne. For Page 78
perauenture we may take ţare of sum gud Ensample, and our wysdome & our gudnesse neuer be ţe lesse. For it es na harme till a man thurg his gudnes to make anoţer man gude as he es. The whilk I may proue bi this simylitudI supposse a man hadd in his hand a lyght candill, many oţer candills may be lyghted ţare at, it lose nathynge of his lyghte. And rite so it es of ţe gudnesse of a man. For many men may take gude ensample of hym & his gudnesse be na thynge enmenuste ţareby.

Wherefore itt eftsons we pray ow ţat witowtten any taryinge or delay, e schowe vs ţe maners of our lyffyng.’

Than kyng Dindimus resaffed ţis lettre wirchipfully and wrate anoţer agayne of this tenour.

‘ Dyndimus maister of ţe Bragmayns vn-to kyng Alexander ioy & gretynge. We hafe wele vndirstanden by ţe tenour of thi lettres, ţat ţou desyres gretly for to hafe verray connynge and perfitt wysdom; ţe whilke are mekill better ţan any kyngdom; for ţay may neuer be boghte wit na pryce, whare-fore I comend ţe gretly, knawyng ţat ţou arte a wyse man. For ane Emperour witowtten leaf 32 bk.

wisdom, es noghte lorde of his subiectis, Bot his sugettis ere lordes of hym. e wrate vntill vs, praying vs for to schewe owe oure maners of lyffynge, ilke a poynte efter oţer, ţe whilke we halde inpossible for to doo. For oure maner of lyffynge es full ferre dyuerse fra ours. For noţer we wirchipe ţe goddes ţat e wirchipe, ne ledis ţe lyfe ţat e lede. And if I writte owe oughte of oure maner of lyffyng, e may hafe na sauoure ţare in, because e are besily ocupied wit dedis of armes. Neuer-ţe-lesse ţat e say note ţat I layne oure lyfe fra ow for envy, Als mekill as come to my mynde at ţis tyme I sall writt vnto ow of oure maners.

‘ We Bragmayns lede a symple lyfe & a clene and ţe wirchipyng of many goddes we eschu. We do na synnes ne we will hafe na mare ţan reson of kynde asches. All thynge we suffer & ţat, say we, es necessary & ynoge, ţat es note ouermekill. We tille na lande, ne eryes, ne sawes, ne okes noţer ox ne horse in plughe ne in carte. Ne nett caste we nane in ţe see, for to take fysche; Ne hunttynge ne fewlynge vse we

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nanne. Mete & drynke hafe we ynoghe, and oţer mete seke we nane, bot ţat ţe erthe oure allere moder witowtten mannes labour brynges furthe. Wit swilke metis we fill oure wambes, whilke nues vs note, ne na harme dose. And it of swilke metis we fill note oure bodis to full. For amange vs it es an vn-semely thynge & an vn-leefull to see a grete-belyed man. And ţare-for ere we all oure lyfe tym witowtten sekenesse & lyffe lang & alwaye are in gude hele till oure lyffes ende. We vse neuermare na medcyns ne sekes na helpe for ţe hele of oure bodys. At a terme of deede endes oure lyfes, for ane of vs leues na langere ţan an-oţer, Bot efter ţe order of ţe birthe of man, ţe terme of deede comes till ilke a man. Thare come nane of vs at na fire for na calde, ne clathe come ţare nane apon vs, Bot alway we ga naked. We fulfill neuer ţe desyres of oure bodys.

Thurg pacyence we suffree all thynge. All oure inwarde enemys we slaa, So ţat we drede nane enemys witowtten. For lightlyer es a citee or a castelle taken ţat es ensegged bathe wit inwarde enemys & witowtten, ţan ţat ţat es ensegged allanly wit owtwarde enemys. Bot ţou, emperour, feghtes agaynes owtwarde enemys for [to] foster & nuresche thyn inwarde enemys, ţe whilke ere fendes of helle.

We Bragmayns has slayne all oure inwarde enemys and ţarefore we drede nane owtwarde enemys ne nane helpe sekes for to hafe agayne ţam leaf 33
noţer be see ne be land. Bot we ere always sewre ynoghe, and lyffe witowtten any drede. Oure bodys we hill wit ţe leues of trees and ţe fruyte of ţam we ete.

We ete mylke also and drynkes water of a gude ryuere or of swete welles. We wirchippe a godd, and till hym alwaye we elde lonynge. We desire ţe life of ţe werlde ţat es to come, and vs liste note here ţe ţyng ţat turne to na profett.

We spekke note mekill, Bot when we ere artede for to speke we say note bot ţe sothe, and onane we halde vs still. Reches luffe we note. Couetise es a thynge ţat may note be filled, ţe whilke oftesythe brynge a man till a mescheuous ende.

Wrethe ne envie es ţare nane amange vs, ne nane of vs es strangere ţan anoţer.

Of the pouert ţat we hafe we ere riche, for we hafe it in comon. We strife neuer mare, ne beres neuer wapen. We bere peesse ilkan till oţer of custom, note thurg vertu. Domes hafe we nane amanges vs, for we do nane ill, whare-fore Page 80
we schulde be called vn-to dome. A law ţare es ţat es contrary til oure kynde.

For we do na mercy, bicause we do no thyng whare-fore we sulde aske mercy. We do na labour ţat pertene to couetise or auarice. We giffe note oure bodyse to lechorye, we do nane advowtrye, ne we do na synn whare-fore vs sulde nede to do penance. We fynde na fawte in na thynge, For we all does that ţat righte es. We dye na sodeyne dede, For thurg foule dedis we corupte note ţe ayere. We vse na clathes ţat are littede of dyuerse coloures. Oure wiffes ne are note gayly arayed for to plese vs. Ne wit ţam we comon note bicause of luste of lecherye, bot bicause of childre getynge. Our wyffes sekes na noţer clethynge, ţan ţe forluke of godd hase granted ţam. And whaa dare take apon hym for to chaunge his wirkynge, an heghe syn vs thynke it ware till any man for to presume to do it.

Baththis vse we nane, ne warme water to wasche oure bodys wit all. Ţe Son mynistres vs hete, and ţe dewe of ţe ayer ministre vs moyster & wete. We hafe na thoghte of na thynge, ne we schewe na lordechipe abownn oţer men ţat ere lyke vn-till us. For a grete crueltee we halde it to constreyne a man to serue vs, whayme kynde & ţe forluke of godd hase made oure broţer als fre als we are. We brynne na stanes for to make lyme off and ţare-wit to make vs howses at duelle in, and curiouse palase: ne vessell make we nane. In caues or creuyce of cragges we duelle, whare thare come na noyse of wyndes leaf 33 bk.

ne whare vs thare drede na rayne. On ţe erthe we slepe witowtten any besynesse.

Swilk howses we hafe; in ţe whilke, whils we lyffe, we duelle, and when we dye, ţay ere oure graues. We sayle note in ţe see aboute na merchandyse, in ţe whilke ţay suffre many perills ţat sayles ţarein & many meruaylles can tell offe. The crafte of Eloquence & faire speche, lere we note for to polishe oure wordes; Bot thurgh ţe sympilnesse ţat we hafe ţat suffres vs note to lye, all oure speche we speke. Scoles of philosophres haunt wee note, whase techechynge es alway discordand & na thynge certayne, ne stabill diffines, bot for ţe mare partye lyes. Bot ţa scoles we haunte in ţe whilke we lere to lyffe vertuosly and also thynges ţat teches vs for to do no wrange to no man. Bot after verray rightwisnesse to helpe ilk man at oure powere. Plays lufe we nane.

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Bot if vs liste hafe any disporte we take & rede ţe lyfes & ţe dedis of oure Auncestres, and oure predicessours. And if we fynde any thynge in ţam ţat es cause of laughtre ţar-at we wepe & makes dole. Neuer-ţe-lesse we behalde oţer thynges of ţe whilke oure hertis ere gladdide and grete lykyng has, ţat es at say, heuen-schyne wit sternes wit-owt nowmer; ţe son faire & bryghte, of whase bryghtnesse all ţe werlde takes lyghte and hete. The see we se alwaye of purpour coloure, and when tempeste ryse ţare-in it distruyes note ţe land ţat es nere it, as it does in oure partes. Bot he embrace it as his sister and gase abuoute it. And in ţe se we see many dyuerse kynde of Fisches, Delphines & porpase layke ţam. We hafe lykyng also for to bihalde faire feldes alouer floresched wit flores of ţe whilke a swete reflaire enters in-till oure nose, in ţe whilke a sensible saule hase maste delite. Also we delit vs in faire place of wodde & of swete welles whare we here swete sange of fewles. This customs hafe we al-way, ţe whilke, & ţou walde halde note bot a while, we trowe ţou suld thynke ţam rite hard. Blame note me, for all ţat ţou requerede me be ţi lettres I send ţe wretyn. Neuer-ţe-less, and it sulde not displese the, I walde tell ţe a littill of oure doctryne ţe whilke makes oure lyfe to seme harde vn-to ţe. ee hafe wit-in a schorte while conquered & made sugete vn-to our empire all Asy, Europe, & Affryke. As our selfe hase sayde
leaf 34
e make ţe lighte of ţe son to faile, when e seke ţe termes of his course thurg werre. e ete all manere of thynges ţat corne till hande, And our vesages seme as e ware fastande & hungry. e slaa our childre makande sacrafice of ţam to Mawmetes. e sawe discorde bi-twix kynges and thase ţat schulde be meke e stirre for to be prowde. e make men to thynke ţat grete space of landes sufice ţam note And so ţay seke duellynge place of heuen.

‘Also thurg our goddes e do many ill dedis, as ţay didd ţam selfe, Ensample of Iubiter our godd & of Proserpyna ţat e wirchipe as a goddesse. For Iubiter defouled many mens

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wyfes, and Proserpyna made many men to do advowtry wit hir. Full wreched & full hye fules ţay ere, ţat swilke goddes wirchipes. ee will note suffer men lyfe in ţaire awenn libertee bot makes ţam our thralles & our sugetes. e deme note ritwisly, e gerre our iuge change our lawes as ow liste. e say many thynge ţat sulde be donne, bot e do ţam note. e halde na man wysse bot hym ţat hase Eloquence of speche. e hafe all our witt in our tunge, and all our wysdome es in our mouthe. e lufe golde & siluer & gaders ţam togedir and desyre to hafe grete howse & hye, and grete multitude of seruande. e ete & drynk to mekill, so ţat oftymes our stomake thurgh grete repleccion es greued & many sekenesse ţare-thurg e fall in, & so ofte sythes dyes before our tyme. e wolde euermare halde our reches and all thynge ţat e may gete. Bot all thynge at ţe laste leues ow. Ţe wysdom allanly of ţe Bragmayns passe as our witt & our wysdom. For, & we wele consedere, ţe me moder ţat broghte forthe stanes & trees, of ţe same was bathe oure bygynnyng & ours. e honowre our Sepultours curyousely wit golde &
syluer, and in vesselle made of precyouse stanes e putt ţe asse of our bodys, when ţay ere brynned. And what may be werre ţan for till take ţe banes, ţat ţe erthe sulde hafe, for to ga bryn ţam, and note suffere ţe erthe resayffe his element ţe whilke he broghte forthe.

‘We sla na beste in ţe wirchipe of godde. Nee temples make we nane, for to sett in ymage of golde or of siluere in ţe name of false godde, as e do; ne awters of golde and of precious stanes. e hafe swilke a lawe for to honoure our godde wit our gudes for ţat ţay sall here our prayers. Bot we vndirstande & wate wele ţat noţer for golde ne siluer; ne for ţe blode of calues nor gayte ne schepe Godd heres any man. Bot for gude werkes ţe whilke Godd lufes, and thurg ţe wordes of deuote prayere. Godd will here a man for ţe worde. For thurg worde we ere lyke to Godd. For Godd es worde,
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and ţat worde made all ţe werlde aud thurg ţat worde all thynge hase beyng, Mouyng & lyfe. That worde wirchipe wee and luffes & honowres. Godd es a spirite.

And he lufes nathyng bot ţat that es clene. Whare-fore we halde ow full grete foles, that wene our kynde be heuenly, and ţat e hafe Page 83
communicacion with Godd, And neuer-ţe-less files our kynde wit advowtries &
fornicacions & seruyce of Mawmettis & false goddis, and many oţer wikkede dedis: ilke a day ţis e do. Ţis e luffe, and ţarefore when e ere dede ye sall suffere tourmentis witowtten nowmer. e wene ţat Godd will be mercyable vn-to ow bicause ţat e offre hym blode & flesse of dyuerse beste. Bot we on ţe contrarye wyse luffe clennesse bathe of Body & of saule, so ţat we mowe afe after ţis lyfe ioy ţat neuer sall afe ende.

‘ee serue note a Godd ţat regne in heuen, Bot e do seruyce to many false goddis.

For als so many membris, als e afe on our bodys, als many goddis e wircipe &
serues. For e calle a man ţe lesse werlde, and rite as a man here hase many lymmes, so e say ţare are many goddes in heuen. e say Iuno es godd of ţe hert, bicause he was wonder angry; and Mars e say es godd of ţe breste, bicause he was prynce of Batells. Mercury e calle godd of ţe tung, bicause he was wonder euloquent in spekyng. Hercules e trowe be godd of ţe armes, Bicause he did twelfe passande dedes of armes. ee trowe Bacus be godd of ţe trotte, for he fande firste drounkynnesse. Couetise, e sauy, es godd of ţe lyuer, for he was ţe firste lechoure ţat euer was. And e say ţat he ase in his hande a byrnand fyrebrande whare-wit he styrres ţe luste of lechery. Cereris e calle godd of ţe wambe, bicause sco was ţe firste Fynder of wheete. And Venus, because scho was moder of lecery, e say scho es godd of ţe preuee membres of man & woman.

Mynerua, bicause scho was fynder of many werkes, e say wisdome riste in her, and ţarefore e call hir godd of ţe heued. And on ţis wyse all ţe body of man e deuyde in goddes, & na party ţareoffe e lefe in our awen powere. Ne e trowe note that a godd ţat es in heuen made our bodys of noghte. False goddes e wirchipe ţat sall brynge ow to thralledome & schame & schenchipe, and to thaym e make sacrafice & tribute payes. Vn-to Mars e offere a Bare. To Bacus e offere a gayte ; To Iune a pacoke; To Iubiter a Bulle; To Appollo leaf 35
a swane; To Venus a doufe; To Mynerua ane owle; To Cereris floure; To Mercury hony. And Hercules e onowren wit floures & grene braunches of treesse. Ţe temple Page 84
of Couetyse e enourne wit rose. Alle our myghte & oure triste e putt in ţam ţat may ow nathyng helpe at nede. Now sothely e pray ţam note to be our helpers, Bot oure tourmentours. For it byhoues nedis be ţat, als many goddes als e wirchipe & gyffe ţam powere of our lymmes, als many tourmente e suffere. Ane of our goddes stirres ow to fornycacion. Ane oţer to ete & drynke to mekill, and anoţer to feghte & stryffe. All ere ţay our lordes, and to ţam e obey & serues and wirchippes. So ţat wonder it es ţat our wrechid bodys fayles note for ţe many seruyce ţat e do to so many goddes. And gud rite it es ţat e serue swilke goddes bicause of ţe many wikkede dedis ţat e do. And for e will note cesse of our ill dedis, ţarefore e serue swilke goddes till our awenn harme, For euermare ţay desyre ţat e do ill. If our goddes here ow when e pray to ţam, ţay do ow harme in our conscience. For ţat that e pray fore es ill. And if ţay here ow noghte, ţan ere ţay contrarye to our desyres. Whare-fore whethir ţay here ow, or ţay here ow noghte, euermare ţay do ow disesse. Ţise ere ţa tourmente ţat oure doctours talde vs offe, ţat here in this werlde tourmente ow as e ware dede.

For, and e consyder wele, ţare may no man suffere wers tourment ţan e doo. For all ţe takens ţat oure doctours telle vs ere in helle, and we see ţam in owe.

Ţare are many paynes in helle, e suffre paynes when e wake for to do advowtres, fornycacions, & thiftes, man-slawghters. And namely, ţat e bee filled of werldly reches a, & of worldly rechesse. For oure doctours says, ţare es in helle so mekill thriste, ţat it may neuer be slokend; and e haue so grete Couetyse of worldely reches ţat e may neuer be full. Ţay say also ţat in helle ţare es a hunde ţat es callede Cerberus ţe whilke hase thre heuedes; And if ee conseder ryte, our wambes are lyke Cerberus. For mekill etyng & drynkkynge, ţay say also, ţare es in helle a maner of nedder ţat es called Idra. And e for ţe many vice, ţat e hafe bicause of our full wambe may be callede Idra. Whare-fore & we bi-helde wele all ţe illes ţat

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are in helle, ţay duelle in ow.

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Waa es ow, wreches, ţat swilke a mysbileue haldes; whare-fore after ţis lyfe, e mon suffere paynes witowtten nowmer.’

When Alexander hadd redd ţis lettre, he was wonder wrathe, because of iniury of his godde. Neuer-ţe-less, be-lyfe he gart write anoţer agayne of this tenour.

‘Kyng of kynges, and lorde of lorde, Alexander ţe son of godd Amon and of ţe quene Olympias, to Dindimus, kyng of ţe Bragmayns, gretyng. If all be fun trew amanges ow ţat ţou hase sent wretyn in thy lettres, ţan allanly e are gude men in ţis werlde; for as ţou says e do nan ill. Bot wit ţou wele for certayne, ţat ţis maner of lyffyng comme note of vertu bot of custom. All thynge ţat we do, e saye es synn. And all ţe crafte, ţat ere amange vs on ţe same wyse, e say, ţay ere synnes. e will distroye all ţe customs ţat man-kynde hedirtowarde hase hadd & vsed. Owther e schew bi our worde, ţat e are godde, or ells till goddes e hafe envy. And ţarefore e say, as e say, I may not write to ow all ţe order of our lyffyng. Bot als mekill ţareoffe als I may vnderstande at this tyme, I sall writte vn-to ow. ee say e vse note for to till ţe erthe, ne sawe na corne, ne plante na vynes, ne sett na trees, na to make na faire howse. And ţe cause here-of as it wele semes es for e hafe na Iren, whareof e myghte make ow tuyles for to wirke with-alle. And ţarefore ow byhoues nedes ett herbes & lede an harde lyfe, ryte as beste. For e may nowţer gette brede ne flesche ne fysche.

Does not wolfes on ţe same wyse, ţe whilke, when ţay may note gete ţaire fill of flesche, ţay fill ţaire belys of ţe erthe ? And it ware lefull or lykande to ow to come till oure cuntree, we sulde lere na wisdom of oure nede. And ţarefore late our hunger habyde at hame in our awenn cuntree. Ţat man es note mekills at commend ţat alwayes lyffes in disesse. Bot he es gretly to commend, ţat in reches lyffe attemperally. Bot and men schulde be commendid ţat are oppressed wit disesse, ţan sulde blynd men, leprouse men, & oţer swilke ouer all oţer be commendid; ţe blynde, for he sees not at desyre; ţe pouer, for he hase note at do. And we walde make oure duellynge in our cuntree we sulde suffere Page 86
pouert & wrechidnes rite as e do. e say also ţat our wyfes vse na prowde aray for to plese ţaire husbande, and ţe cause es for ţay hafe na noţer leaf 36
thyng for till araye ţam wit. Also e say e do nane advowtries ne fornycacions.

And ţat es na meruaile! For-whi, how sulde ţay hafe luste to lechery ţat etes note. Luste of lechery es note comonly, bot yf it come of hete of ţe leuer or ells of habudance of mete & drynke. Bot e ete nathynge hot herbes & rote, as e ware swyne, & drynkes water & vnnethes may e sloken our hunger and ţarefore e hafe nan appitite to women.

‘e hafe na liste to studie aboute lerynge, ne e seke na mercy ne dees nane till oţer. And all this e hafe in comon wit beste. For rite as beste hase nowţer reson ne discrecion, ne hase na felynge of gude, rite so ţay hafe na delite in gode. Bot till vs resonable men ţat has free will of kynde ere many lykynges &
blandeschynge granted. For it es im-possible ţat ţis werlde wyde & brade sulde note hafe sum chaungynge of gouernance; So ţat ne after heuyness & sorowe, Ioy &
myrthe sulde note folowe. For-why manes will es variable & chaungeable ţat chaunge wit ţe heuen abownn. On ţe same wyse manes hert es dyuerse. For when ţe day es clere, manes hert es gladde & blythe. And when ţe day es derke, manes wittis are derke & dulle & heuy. Also men chaunge thurg dyuerse ages. For barnehed reioyse it in sympilnesse, outhede in presumptuosnes, And grete elde in stabilnes. For wha will luke efter wysdome in a childe, In a unge man stabillnes, or in an alde man wildenes ? Many delitable thynges come till oure mynde. For sum we See wit oure eghne; Sum we hafe thurgh herynge; Sum we fele thurg smellyng; Sum thurg tastynge; and Sum thurgh towchynge. Sumtyme we hafe delite in salutacions & swete sange & melodys of dyuerse Instrumente. Of ţe erthe we hafe al maner of gud fruyte; of ţe see we hafe habundance of fysche, and of ţe ayere delyte of fewles of dyuerse kyndis. If ţou abstene ţe fra all thies owthir it es for pride or for envy. For pride, ţat ţou dispyse swilke precyouse gifte. For envy bicause ţay ere note gyffen ow, as ţat ţay ere to vs.

Bot efter myn opynyon I deme ţat

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our lyffyng and our maners commes mare of foundnesse ţan of wysdom. For sen e are men e schulde hafe ţe vertu of a resonable creature, and ţat hafe e nohte.’

When Dindimus hadd redd ţis lettre, onane he wrate anoţer to kyng Alexander of ţis tenour.

‘Dyndimus, ţe mayster of ţe Bragmayns, vn-till Alexander, gretyng. We hafe vndirstand ţe tenour of ţi lettres & ţus we ansuere. We er note leaf 36 bk.

lorde of this werlde, as we sulde euermare lyffe ţare in. But we ere pilgrymes in ţis werlde, and when dede comme we wende till oţer habytacions. Oure Synne greue vs note, ne we duelle note in ţe tabernacles of synners. We do na thyfte.

And for ţe conscyence ţat we haue, we gaa note furthe in open. We say note ţat we ere goddes, ne nane envy hase vn-to ţam. Godd ţat made all ţat es in ţis werlde, he ordeyned many diuerse thynge. For warne dyuersitees ware of thynge ţe werld myte noghte stande. Godd gaffe man fre will, for to discerne of all thynge ţat ere in ţe werld, and chese whilke hym lyste. Whare-fore he ţat leues ţe ill & chese ţe gude, note godd, but goddes frende he may be called. Because ţat we lyffe contenently, and in quiete & reste, e say ţat we ere godde, or elles ţat we hafe envy to godde. But this suspeccion ţat e hafe of vs, pertene to ow. For e ţat ere blawen full of ţe wynde of pride e aray our bodys wit gloryous clethyng, and on our fyngers, e putt iowells of golde & precyous stanes.

‘Bot I pray ow, what profit does ţis ow: Golde and siluer saues note a manes saule, ne sustene note mens bodys. Bot we ţat knawes ţe verray profitt of golde, and ţe kynd ţareoffe, when vs thriste, & gase to ţe ryuere for to take vs a drynke, if we fynde golde in ţe way, we trede apon it wit oure fete. For golde noţer fille vs when we hunger, ne slokens oure thriste, ne it hele note a man ţat es seke. If a man thriste & drynke water, it putte away his thriste. Also if a man hunger & ete mete, it does away his hunger. Bot and golde ware of ţe same kynde, als son als a man hadd it, ţe vice of Couetyse suld be slokynde in hym.

Be ţis cause es golde ill.

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For ay ţe mare ţat a man hase ţareoffe, ţe mare he couetes. Wikkede men are wyrchippede amange ow. For comonly a man luffes hym ţat es lyke till hym selfen.

e say ţat godd takes nane hede till dedly thynges. And neuer-ţe-lesse e bygge temples, and makes autres in ţam, and settis vp mawmettes abownn ţam, and grete delyte hase when bestes ere offerde, & in ţam, and at our name es noysede, ţis was done to ţi fader, to thyn Eldfader, & till all thi progenytours. And ţe same also es highte on-to ţe. Wit swilke wirchipes ţay ere rewarded, ţat knawes note ţam selfe dedly.’

When Alexander hadd redd ţis lettre onane he sente anoţer agayne and that was of this tenour ţe whilk ţat folowes.

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‘ Alexander, ţe son of godd Amon & of ţe quene Olympias, kyng of kynge & lorde of lorde, vn-to Dyndymus kynge of ţe Bragmayns we sende. For als mekill als our duellynge es in ţat partye of ţe werlde fra ţe begynynge, whare na strangers may com to ow, bot if it be rite fewe, ne e may note passe forthe of our cuntree, but als swa say e, are parred in, and na ferrere may passe; ţarefore e magnyfye our manere of lyffynge and suppose ţat e are blyssed because ţat e er so spered in, ţat if e walde neuer so gladly passe furthe for to lere ţe customes ţat oţer men vse, e may note; and nyll-e will-e, ow by-houe nedis suffere ţat caytefftee ţat e lyffe in. Whare-fore it seme bi our techynge, that ţay ţat ligge in presonn, are als mekill at comend als e, ţe whilke vn-to ţaire lyues ende suffres sorowe and nede. And as me thynke, ţe gudnesse ţat e ruse ow offe, may wele be lykkened to ţe paynes of ţaim ţat ere in presonn. And so ţat that oure lawe demes to be done t[i]ll wikked men, e suffere kyndely. And ţarefore hym ţat we halde wyse, e halde an Ebbere fule . Sothely me thynk our lyffynge es note blyssed bot wrechid and as it ware a chastying to owe. I swere ow by oure godde of myghte, ţat, & I myghte come to ow with an oste, I sulde gare ow leue our wrechid lyfe, and by-come men of armes, als many of ow als ware able.’

When Alexander had sent this lettre till Dyndimus he gart Page 89
rayse vp a pelare of Marble a wonder grete, & an heghe, and gart writt ţare-apon this title wit lettres of grewe, of latyne, and of ţe langage of Inde. ‘I Alexander, Philipp son of Macedoyne, after ţe discomfytour & ţe dedd of Darius &

Porus come on werre vn-to this place.’

Fra ţeine kyng Alexander & his Oste remowed & come in-till a felde, ţat was called Actea & ţare ţay luged. Abowte ţat felde was a thikke wodd of treesse berand fruyte; of ţe whilke wilde men ţat duelt in ţe Same wodd vsede for till hafe ţaire fude, whase bodyes ware grete as geaunte, and ţaire clethynge ware made of skynnes of dyuerse beste. And when ţay saw Alexander Oste luge ţare, onane ţare come oute of ţe wodd, a grete multitude of ţam wit lange roddes in ţaire hand & bi-gan for to feghte wit ţe oste. And ţan Alexander commanded ţat all [ţe] oste schulde sette vp a schowte at anes. And also sone als ţe wylde men herde ţat
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noyse, ţay were wondere fered because ţay had neuer be-fore herde swilke a noyse. And than ţay be-gan to flee hedir & thedir in ţe wodd. And Alexander &
his men persued ţam and slewe of ţam vic xxx iiij. And ţay slew of Alexander knyghtes xxvij. In ţat felde Alexander & his oste leuged iij dayes and vetailed ţam of ţat fruyte ţat growed in ţe wodd.

Fra ţeine pay remowed and come till a grete ryuer, & luged ţam ţare. And as it ware abowte none, ţare come apon ţam a wilde man, als mekill als a geaunte. And he was rughe of hare all ouer, and his hede was lyke till a swyne, And his voyce also. And when Alexander saw hym, he bad his knyghtis tak hym & bryng hym bi-for hym. And when ţay come abowte hym, he was na thynge fered, ne fledd note, bot stodd baldly bi-fore ţam. And when Alexander saw that, he comanded ţat ţay sulde take a onge damesell & nakken hir & sett hir bi-fore hym. And ţay did soo. And onane, he ranne apon ir romyandd as he hadd bene wodd. Bot ţe knyghtes wit grete deficcultee refte hyr fra hym. And ay he romyed & made grete mane. And efte ţay broghte hym till Alexander and sett hym bi-fore hym. And Alexander wonderd gretly of his figure. And ţan he

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gerte bynd hym till a tree & make a fyre abowte hym & brynne hym. And so ţay didd. Fra ţeine ţay remowed & come till anoţer felde in ţe whilke ţare ware growand treesse, of a wonderfull heghte, and ţay bigan for to sprynge vp at ţe son rysynge; And bi ţe son settynge ţay wyted a-way in-to ţe erthe agayne. At ţe firste houre of ţe day ţay bi-gan to sprynge oute of ţe erthe, & so ţay wex ay to myddaye, and ţan ţay bi-gan to decresse. And by ţe son settynge ţay ware in ţe erthe agayne, And was na thyng of ţam sene bi-fore on ţe morne. Ţir treesse bare a fruyte wonder swete of reflayre bot ţay [ware] bitter of taste. When Alexander saw ţat fruyte he bade a knyghte bryng hym ţareoffe. And he went & tuk ţareoffe, and onane a wikked spirit smate hym, and be-lyfe he was dede. And ţan ţay herd a voyce in ţe ayer ţat said on ţis wyse: ‘What man so neghes ţir treesse he sall dye onane.’ Ţare was also in ţat felde fewles wonder meke &
tame. Bot what man so layde nande on any of ţam, onane ţare come fire oute of ţam, & brynt hym rite greuosly.

leaf 38

Than ţay remowed fra ţeine, And come till a Mountayne, ţat was so hye, ţat ţay ware viij dayes in gangyng ar ţay myte wyne to ţe heghte ţareoffe. And when ţay come to ţe heghte of it, ţare come agaynes ţam a grete multitude of dragones, Serpentes, and lyones ţe whilke turmentid Alexander & his men reghte gretely.

And at ţe laste, ţay askaped ţaire daungere, and went doune of ţe mountayne and come in-till a vaylay ţat was so myrke ţat vnnethes myghte ane of ţam See anoţer. In ţat depe valay ware treesse growand of whilke ţe fruyte & ţe lefes ware wonder sauory in ţe tastynge, and reuells of water faire & clere. Aghte dayes contenuelly ţay saw na son. And at ţe viij days end ţay come to ţe fote of a mountayne whare all ţe Oste thurg a wikked thikk ayer ware so gretley disessed ţat ţay ware in poynte to hafe bene choked ţareoffe. And when ţay come a-bown on ţe mountayne, ţay fande ţe ayer mare sotell, and ţe lighte of ţe day mare clere. And ţus ţay ware wendand vpwarde, on ţis Mountayne Elleuen, xj, days wit grete trauaile. And when ţay come to ţe

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hegheste of ţis Mountayne, ţay saw on ţe toţer syde faire weder & bryghte. And ţan ţay went down of ţis Mountayne, and come in till a grete playne of whilke ţe erthe was wonder rede. And in ţis playne ţare ware growande treesse witowtten nowmer; and ţay passed note a cubit in heghte, & ţaire fruyte & ţaire lefes ware passandly swete as ţay had bene fyges. And ţay fande ţare reuells rite many, of clere water as cristalle. And it was als nureschand to manes body, as it hadd bene mylke wit-outen eny oţer mete. Thurgh ţat ilk playne ţay went fourty .xl.

days and ţan ţay com till wonder heghe Mountaynes; and it semed as ţe toppes had towched ţe firmament. And ţir Mountaynes ware als brant vp-rite as ţay had bene walles. So ţat ţare was na clymbyng vpon ţam. And at ţe laste ţay fande twa passage be-twix ţase Mountaynes, of whilke, ţe tane streched towarde ţe west, and ţe toţer towarde ţe Este. Than Alexander demed ţat that dyuyson be-twix ţase Mountaynes was made thurg Noye flode. And ţan ţay went by ţat passage ţat streched to warde ţe Este Seuen days. And on ţe heghten .viij. day ţay fande a Basilisc ţat men calle a Cocatrys, a grete & ane horrible. And bicause of his grete elde he was foull stynkand.

leaf 38 bk.

Ţis ilke Basilisc was so venymous, ţat note all anely thurg his stynke, bot also thurg his sighte allane, whaym so he luked on, he sulde dy onane; ţan ţe Macedoynes and ţe persyenes, as ţay passede thurg ţe strayt way dyed thikkfalde thurgh ţe sighte of ţat Basilisc. And when Alexander knyghtis saw that perill, ţay durste passe na forther bot said amange ţam: ‘Ţe vertue of oure goddes,’

quoth ţay, ‘es bifore vs, ţat schewes vs ţat we schulde ga na forthir.’ Bot Alexander went bi hym ane vppon an heghe cragge, where he myghte see on ferrome fra hym. And ţan he saw this pestellencius beste ţe Basilisc lygg slepande in myddes of ţe passage. Ţe kynde of hym was ţat, als so sone als he felid a man or a beste com nere hym, for to open his eghne & stare appon ţam, and als many als he luked on, solde sudaynly falle doun & dye. When Alexander had sen hym, Be lyfe he went dounne of ţe cragge, and gart sett a merke ţat na man sulde passe.

And

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ţan he gart a pavysse be made seuen cubites of lenghte & foure on brede; and on ţe vtter syde ţareoffe he gart sett a grete Mirroure, And a large. And at ţe nethir ende of ţe pavisse he gart nayle a burde ţe lenthe of a cubit for to couere wit his legges, and his fete, so ţat na party of hym myte be sene. And ţan Alexander tuk ţis pavisse in his handis, and went towarde this Basilisc, and warned his men ţat nan of ţam sulde passe his termes. And when he come nere ţe basillsc, ţe basilisc opynde his eghne. And wit a grete ire he bi-belde ţe Mirroure and saw hymselfe ţare-in. And of ţe refleccion of ţe bemes of his sighte strykande appon hymselfe Sudanly he was dede. And when Alexander knewe wele ţat he was dede, he called till his knyghtis; And bad ţam come see hym ţat slewe ţaire felawes. And when ţay come till hym, ţay saw ţe Basilisc dede. And ţan ţay comended & prayssed gretly his hardynesse and his hye witt, And went &
brynede ţe Basilisc at ţe commandement of Alexander.

Fra ţeine ţay went till ţey come to ţe ferreste of ţat waye ; and ferrere myte ţay note wynn. For ţare ware so hye Mountaynes agaynes ţam and cragges like walles ţat ţay myte passe no forţer. And ţan ţay turned agayne, and come to ţe forsaide playne; and went by ţat way ţat streched towarde ţe weste fyvftene .xv. days. And ţan ţay lefte ţat way, And turnede on ţe lefte hande. And so ţay went foure score iiij n4 days, and at ţe laste ţay come till a Mountayne of adamande; and at ţe fute ţareoffe ţare hange chynes of golde. Ţis Mountayne hadd made
leaf 39
of saphyres twa thowsande gree & a halfe, by ţe whilke men ascendid to ţe summit of ţe Mountayne. And ţare Alexander & his Oste luged ţam.

And on ţe morne Alexander Offerd sacrafice till his goddes, And ţan he tuk with hym xij twelue prynce of ţe wyrchip-fulleste ţat he hade, and went vp bi ţe forsaid gree till he come aboun on ţe Mountayne. And ţare he fande a palace wonder faire and curiously wroghte; and it hade twelve ates and thre score & ten wyndows. And ţe lyntalls bathe of ţe durs and of ţe wyndows ware of fyn golde, wele burnescht, and ţat Palace was called ţe howse of ţe son. Ţare was also Page 93
a temple all of golde & of precious stanes, And bi-fore ţe dores ţareoffe ţare was a vyne of golde, berande grapes of charbuncles, of Rubyes, Dyamande, and many oţer maneres of precyous stanes. Ţan kyng Alexander & his prince went in-to ţe palace; and fande ţare a man liggand in a bedd of golde, and couerd wit a riche clathe of golde. And he was rite a mekill man and a faire, And his berde &
his heued ware als whitt als any wolle; and hym semed lyke a Bischoppe. Als son als Alexander & his prynce saw ţis alde man ţay knelid dounne on ţaire kneesse and saluste hym. And he ansuerd & saide: ‘Welcom Alexander,’ quoţ he, ‘I telle the ţou sall see, ţat neuer flescly man bi-fore this tyme sawe; And ţou sall here ţat neuer erthly man herde are.’ And Alexander ansuerd & sayd: Maste blyssed alde man,’ quoth he, ‘how hase ţou knawyng of me ?’ ‘For sothe,’ quoth he, ‘bi-fore Noy flode couerde all ţe erthe, knewe I bathe the, & thi dedis. I wate wele ţou desyres for to See ţe haly tree of ţe Son And ţe Mone ţe whilke telle thynge ţat ere to come.’ ‘aa for sothe,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘ţer es nathynge ţat I desyre mare, ţan for to see ţam.’ And he was rit gladd. Ţan saide ţe alde man till hym: ‘And e be clene of flescly dede wit women, ţan es it leefull to ow to see ţam and to entir in-to ţat haly place ţat es a sette of godd. And if e be note clene, it es note leefull to ow.’ ‘is, sir, sothely,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘we ere clene.’ Ţan raise ţe alde man vp of ţe bedd ţat he lay in, and said vn-to ţam: ‘Putte offe our rynge,’ quoţ he, ‘and oure clathes, & our schone, and folowes me.’ And ţay dyd so. And ţan Alexander tuk wit hym tholomeus and Antiochus, & folowed ţe alde man, and went thurg ţe wodd ţat was aboun on ţe Mountayne closed with mannes hande. Ţe
leaf 39 bk.

treesse of ţat wodd ware an hundreth .c. fote lange & hye, and ţay ware lyke lorers or Olyue treesse; And out of ţam ţare ran rykyles & fynne bawme. And as ţay went thurg ţat wodd ţay saw a tree wondere hye, in ţe whilke ţare satt a mekill fewle. Ţat tree hadd noţer ţare-on lefes ne fruyte. Ţe fewle ţat satt ţare-on hadd on his hedd a creste lyk till a pacokke, & his beeke also crested.

Abowte his nekke, he hadd fethirs lyke golde. Ţe hynder of hym was lyk purpure; Page 94
and ţe tayle was ownnded ouerthwert, wit a colour reede as rose & wit blewe. And his fethers ware rite faire schynand. When Alexander saw ţis fewle he was gretely meruailled of ţe faired of hym; ţan saide ţe Alde man: ‘Alexander,’ quoţ
he, ‘ţis ilke fewle ţat ţou here seese es a fenix.’ And ţan ţay went forţer thurg ţe forsaid wodd, And come to thiese haly tree of ţe son & ţe mone ţat growed in mydde of ţe wodde. And ţan ţe alde man saide till Alexander: ‘Luke vp,’ quoţ he, ‘to one haly tree, and thynke in thi hert what preuatee so ţe liste, and ţou sall hafe a trewe ansuere. Bot luke ţat ţou speke na worde in opyn. And ţare-by sall ţou witt ţat it es a gude spiritt, ţat knawes thi thoghte.’ Thir twa tree were wonder hye. And ţe tree of ţe Son had leues lyk fyne golde, reed & faire schynande. And ţe tree of ţe mone had lefes whitt als syluer & faire schynande. And ţan walde Alexander hafe Offrede Sacrafyce to ţir tree. Bot ţe alde man walde note suffre hym, bot said: ‘It es note leuefull,’

quoţ he, ‘in ţis haly place, nowţer to offre encense, ne to slaa na beste, Bot to knele doun to ţe boles of ţir tree & kysse ţam & pray ţe son & ţe mone to giffe trew ansuers.’ And ţan Alexander spirred ţe alde man, in what langage ţe tree sulde giffe ţaire answers. And ţe alde man ansuerd & said: ‘The tree of ţe Son,’ quoţ he, ‘answers owţer all in ţe langage of Inde or ells of grewe. And ţe tree of ţe Mone begynne wit ţe langage of grewe & ende wit ţe langage of Inde.’

And as ţay stode ţus spekande, Sudaynly ţare come a bryghte beme fra ţe weste ţat schane ouer all ţe wodde. And ţan Alexander kneled doun, and kyssede ţe tree an thoght ţus in his hert: ‘Sall I conquere all ţe werlde, and efterwarde wit ţe victorye wende hame to Macedoyne till my moder Olympias, and my sisters? And leaf 40
ţan ţe tree of ţe son ansuerd softly in ţe langage of Inde, And said ţir verse: ‘Tu dominatorum orbis dominus simul et pater extas, Set patrum rignum per tempora nulla videbis;’

ţat es at say, ‘ţou ert bathe lorde & fader of alle ţe werlde, Bot ţe Rewme of thy Fadyrs sall ţou neuer see wit thyn eghne.’ Ţan bygan Alexander to thynke how lange he sulde lyffe,

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and whate dedd he sulde dye. And ţe tree of ţe Mone ansuerd by ţir twa verse: ‘Anno completo viues & mensibus octo,

De quo confidis tibi mortis pocula dabit.’

Ţat es at saye, ‘A twluemonthe & aughte monethes sall ţou lyffe. And ţan he ţat ţou traiste on, sall giffe ţee a drynke of dedd.’ Ţan bi-gan Alexander to thynke in his hert on ţis wyse, ‘Tell me now, haly tree, Wha he es ţat sall slaa mee.’

And ţan ţe tree of ţe son ansuerd by ţir twa verse: ‘Si tibi pandatur vir qui tua facta resoluet,

Illum confrynges & sic mea carmina fallent.’

Ţat es at say: ‘And I schew the ţe manes name, ţat sall vndo thi dedis, ţou will slaa hym, and so sall my prophycye fayle.’ And ţan ţe forsaide ald man sayd till Alexander: ‘Disese na mare ţir trees,’ quoţ he, ‘wit thyne askynges. Bot tourne we agayne, as we come hedir.’ And ţan Alexander & his twa prynce wit hym tourned agayne wit ţe alde man. And ay as he went, he weped bitterly, bicause of his schorte tyme; and his prynce also weped rite sare. Bot he commanded ţam ţat ţay schulde note telle to na man of his Oste ţat that ţay hadd herde & sene. And when ţay ware comen to ţe forsaide Palace ţe alde [man] said vn-till Alexander: ‘ Torne bakke agayne,’ quoth he, ‘for it es note leefull to na man to passe forthire. If ţe liste wende toward ţe weste, ţou sall note trauelle full lange are ţou come to ţe place, whare ţe liste to bee.’ Aud when ţe alde man had said ţir worde, he went in-to ţe palace and Alexander and his twa prynce went doun by ţe forsaide gree & come to ţe Oste.

Apon ţe morne Alexander & his Oste remowed ţeine & went agayneward fyftene days, And come agayne to ţe forsaid playne & ţare ţay luged ţam. And ţare at ţe entree of ţa twa forsaid ways, Alexander gart rayse vp twa pelers of Marble, and by-twixe ţam he haude a table of golde, on ţe whilke was wretyn in ţe langage of grewe, hebrew, of latyne, and of Inde, one this wyse: ‘I, Alexander, Phillipp son of Macedoyne,

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sett thir pelers here, after ţe dedd of Darius kyng of Perse and of Porus kynge of Inde. What man so will passe forţer late hym leaf 40 bk.

tourne one ţe lefte hand. For wha so tourne one ţe rite hande he sall fynde many obstacle & greuance ţat sall perauenture lett his agayne-commynge.

Fra ţeine ţay remowed thurg ţat playne and lefte ţase strayte wayes, takand ţe way westeward ţe gayneste towarde Macedoyne. And at ţe laste ţay come till a cuntree ţat highte Prasiac, And ţare ţay luged ţam. And when men of ţat cuntree herd of ţe commynge of Alexander, wit grete wirchipe ţay broghte hym grete presante of swilk thynge as ţay hadd in ţaire lande, ţat es at say, skynnes of fischez lyke vn-to ţe skynnes of pardes, or of lyouns also, and lawmpray skynnes of sex cubites lange. In ţat cuntree was a noble citee all of precyous stanes made witowtten ýyme or sande, sett apon an hill. Of ţe whilke citee, a wirchipfull lady and a faire hadd ţe lordechipe. Ţis lady was wedowe and scho hadd three sones. The firste of ţam highte Candeolus, ţe secand Marcipius, And ţe thirde hight Carator. To ţis lady Alexander sent a lettre of ţis tenour: ‘Alexander ţe son of godd Amon & of ţe quene Olympias, kyng of kynges & lorde of lordes vn-to quene Candace of Meron ioy & gretyng. We sende ow ane ymage of godd Amon all of fyne golde; And ţarefore come till vs ţat we may wende togeder to ţe Mountayne for to make sacrafyce ţare to godd Amon.’ When ţe Qwene Candace hadd redd ţis lettre, Scho sent hir embassatours till kyng Alexander wit grete presante and with a lettre of this tenour: ‘Candace, quene of Meron, vn-till Alexander, kyng of kynge, ioy. Wele we knawe ţat e hafe by reuelacion of godd Amon ţat e schulde couquere Perse, Inde and Egipte, and subiecte vn-to ow all oţer nacions. And all ţat e hafe done, note allanly was graunted bot also of all oţer godde. Till vs ţat hase faire saules &
bryghte it nede noghte to make sacrafyce to godd Amon in ţe Mountaynes.

Neuer-ţe-lesse bicause we will note offende owere maiestatee, we sende till Page 97

Amon oure godd a Coron of golde and precyouse stanes, And ten chynes of golde sett full of precious stanes. And vn-to ow we sende a hundrethe Besaunte of golde; And twa hundreth papeiayes closed in cage leaf 41
of golde, c childer of Ethipes, cc apes, cccc Olyphantis, xxxiiii n5 vnycornes, iij n6 panters skynne, of parde & lyounes cccc, and we beseke owre hye maieste ţat e will notyfye vn-till vs bi our wirchipfull lettres, wheder e haue conquered alle ţe werlde and made it subiecte vn-to ow or note.’

Amange her embassatours ţat scho sent till Alexander ţare was a wonder crafty &
a sutell payntoure. And hym scho charged ţet he schulde besely byhalde Alexander & purtray his fygure in a parchemyn skynn and brynge it to hir. And so he did. Alexander ressayued ţe forsaid gyftes reuerently and sent hir noble gyftes agayne wit hir embassatours. And when ţay come hame ţe payntour tuke hir ţe fegure of Alexander purtrayed as I saide be-fore. And when ţe quene saw it, Scho was rite gladde, for scho desyred gretly for to see his fygure.

After ţis ane of ţe quene sonnes ţat hight Candeolus went furthe of ţe Citee wit his wyfe and a fewe of his menee for to take ţe sporte. And onane ţe kyng of ţe Bebrikes, knawyng ţe fairehed of Candeolus wyfe, come appon ţam with a grete multitude of men, and slew many of Candeolus menee and refte hym his wyfe & went his way. And ţan Candeolus and his men ţat ware lefte on lyfe went till Alexander Oste for to be-seke hym of helpe agaynes ţe kynge of Bebrikes. And ţe waches of ţe oste tuke Candeolus & broghte hym bi-fore Tholomeus, ţat was ţe secund person after Alexander. And Tholomeus spirred hym what he was, & what he did ţare. ‘I am,’ quoţ he, ‘quene Candace son and ţis day als I went wit my wyfe & a preuee menee for to take ţe sporte, ţe kynge of ţe Bebrikes come apon vs wit a grete multitude of men uand hase slayne many of my menee & refte me my wyfe.

And ţarefore I am comen heder for to beseke my lord, ţe Emrerour, of helpe &
socoure.’ When Tholomeus had herd ţis onane he garte take kepe of Candeolus &
went till Alexander tentis and wakkned Alexander & talde hym & talde ilk a dele ţat Candeolus had talde hym. And when Alexander hadd herde Page 98
his tale he badd hym gange agayne till his tent and do a coroun on his hede and putt apon hym ţe kynge clothynge,
leaf 41 bk.

and sett hym in the kynge trone & say Vn-to Candeolus ţat he was kyng Alexander.

‘And bidd an of thi men,’ quoţ he, ‘feche vn-to ţe Antyochus, And late hym bryng me to ţe insteedd of Antyochus, and when I come bi-for thee telle me bi-fore Candeolus all ţat he talde the. And aske me consell, als I ware Antyochus, what es beste to do in ţat mater.’ Tholomeus went and didd all als Alexander badd hym. And he asched Alexander in stedd of Antyochus be-fore Candeolus what was beste to do. And Alexander ansuerd & sayde on herand Candeolus: ‘Wirchipfull Emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘if it be plesynge to our maiestee I will go wit Candeolus ţis same nyghte to ţe kynge of ţe Bebrikes, and comande hym one our byhalue ţat he elde Candeolus his wyfe agayne. And if he will note do soo, I sall late hym witt ţat e sall sende a grete powere to his Citee & bryne it vp stikke &
stourre.’ When Candeolus hadd herde hym say ţus, he knelyd vn-till hym & said: ‘A a, wirchipfull Antyochus,’ quoţ he, ‘ wele walde it seme ţe for to be a kyng for ţe hye witt and ţe manhede ţat es in the.’ Than kyng Alexander tuke wit hym a grete powere and went apon ţe same nyghte wit Candeolus vn-to ţe Citee, whare ţe kyng of ţe Bebrikes lay. And whan ţay come to ţe citee, ţe waytes cryed apon ţam, and askede what ţay ware. And Alexander ansuerd & sayd: ‘Candeolus,’ quoţ
he, ‘es here wit ane Oste of men, and ţe cause of his commynge es to be restorede agayne of his wyfe ţe whilke our kynge raueste away fro hym ţis same day. And my lord kyng Alexander commande ow ţat e delyuer hir anone, or sewrely we sall brynne this citee & our selfe are we passe hethyn.’ And when ţe men of ţe citee herde this, ţay ware ferde ynoghe and onane went to ţe kynge palace &
brakke vp ţe ates, & tuke Candeolus wyfe & delyuerd hir till hir lorde. Ţan Candeolus kneled doun till Alexander & saide vn-till hym: ‘A a, my dere frende,’

quoţ he, ‘wirchipfull Antyochus, Blyssed mot ţou be for ţis grete gudnes ţat ţou hase schewed mee. And I beseke the nowe ţat Page 99
ţou will vouche-saffe for to wende with me vn-to my moder quene Candace, ţat scho may rewarde ţe for ţis ţat ţou hase done for me.’ And when Alexander herde this he was rite gladde. For he had gretely desyrede for to see quene Candace &
hir citee also. And ţan he sayd: ‘Goo we,’ quoţ he, ‘to ţe emperour and asche hym leue.’ And ţay did soo; and when he had leue, he went wit Candeolus. And as ţay went togedir ţay come till heghe mountaynes ţat reched vpto ţe clowdes and apon ţam ţare growed trees of a wonderfull heghte lyke leaf 42
vn-to cedres ţat bare appills of Inde rite grete, Of ţe whilk Alexander wonnderde hym gretly. Ţay saw also ţare vynes growe wit wondere grete bobbis of grapes; for a man myte vnnethe bere an of ţam. Ţare ware also trees ţat bare nutte als grete als gourdde. And ţare ware also many apes. Fra ţeine ţay went &
come to ţe citee of quene Candace.

And when Candace herd tell ţat hir son Candeolus and his wyfe ware comande and ware safe & sounde, And at a messangere of kyng Alexander come wit ţaim, scho was wonder gladde; and onane scho arayed hir ryally as a quene suld be, and sett apon hir hedde a croun full ryche all of golde sett full of precyouse stanes, and went furthe wit hir lordes to ţe ates of hir palace, for to mete hir son Candeolus and Alexander messanger. This quene was a wondere faire lady & a semely; And when Alexander saw hir, hym thogte als he hade sene his moder Olympias. Hir palace was wonder ryalle & precyouse and all ţe ruffe ţare-of schane wit golde & precyouse stanes. Than quene Candace tuke Alexander bi ţe hande, And ledd hym vp till hir chambir, whare ţare ware beddes arayed wit ţe fyneste clathes of golde ţat myghte be getyn; And ţat chambir was of golde &
precyous stanes, ţe whilke are called Onychyns & ţe burde & ţe bynkes of euour &

Smaragde & Amatistes. Ţe Pelers of ţe Palace ware all of Marble, And ţar ware grauen in ţam cartes of werre, ţat semed to mannes sighte as ţay hadd bene rynnand; And Olyphanntes tredand men vnder ţaire fete. Vndernethe ţat Palace rane a water wonder swete, & clere as any cristalle.

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Ţat day Alexander ete wit quene Candace & hir childire.

Apon ţe morne quene Candace tuk Alexander by ţe right hande & ledd hym in-till hir bedd-chambir, and nane wit ţam, Bot ţay twa allan. Ţis chambir was couerde all ouer wit-in wit golde & precious stanes. And it schane wit-in, as it had bene ţe sonne. And oute of ţis chambir scho ledd hym in-till a wit-drawyng chambir made of cypresse. Ţis chambir was sett apon foure wheles by crafte of clergy; And twenty xxti Olyphauntis drewe it whedir as scho wolde hafe it. And when Alexander & ţe quene ware entrede in-to ţat chambir, onane it stirredd &
by-gan for to remowe. And ţan Alexander was astonayde & meruaylled hym gretly &
said vn-to ţe quene : For sothe,’ quoţ he, ‘ & ţir meruaills ware in oure cuntree ţay ware rite commendable & mekill worthy leaf 42 bk.

to be praysede.’ The quene answerde: ‘Ţou saise sothe, Alexander,’ quoţ scho, ‘ţay ware mare commendable amange ţe Greke, ţan amange vs. And also sone als Alexander herde hys name be neuenede, he was gretly trubblede, and his vesage bi-gan to waxe pale, and his chere to change. And than the quene said efte vn-to hym: ‘Alexander,’ quoţ she, ‘for to schewe ţe mare verrayly ţat ţou ert Alexander, com with me.’ And ţan scho tuk hym by ţe hande & leedde hym in-till anoţer chambir, and schewed hym ţare his awenn Fygure purtrayed in a parchemyn skyne. And when Alexander saw ţat, he wex pale & wanne & biganne to tremblee.

And ţan ţe quene said vn-till hym: ‘Alexander,’ quoţ scho,’ where-fore ert ţou ferde, & why chaunge ţou chere. Thou ţat hase distroyed all ţe werlde; conquerour of Perse, of Inde, of Mede, and many oţer rewmes & lande, Now arte ţou witowtten scheddynge of blode fallen in ţe dawngere & in ţe hande of quene Candace vnauysyli. And ţare-by may ţou wele knawe ţat a manes hert sulde on na wyse be enhanced in pride. For if all it bee ţat ofte tymmes grete prosperitee fall to man, Sodaynly falle adversitee till hym when he leste wenes.’ When Alexander herde ţis he bigan to grayste wit ţe teethe and to torne his hede hedir & thedir, And quene Candace saide vn-till hym: ‘Whare to angers ţou ţe,’

quoţ scho, ‘& truble thi selfe? What may now thi grete Imperiall glory, thi witt & thi mighte serue

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the offe?’ Alexander ansuerde & said: Forsothe,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘resonably I am angry at my selfe bicause I hafe na swerde here.’ Quoţ ţe quene: ‘I suppose ţou hadd a swerde, nowe, what walde do ţare-wit?’ ‘Sothely,’ quoţ he, ‘bicause I hafe wilfully betrayed my-selfe vn-to ţe. First I solde sla ţe and ţan, I dowte it not, I sulde be slayne for ţe.’ ‘Now for sothe,’ quoţ scho, ‘ţis was wisely &
manfully sayde. Neuer-ţe-less be nathynge heuy. For as ţou delyuerde my son wyfe Candeolus oute of ţe daungere of ţe kyng of Bebrikes Swaa sall I delyuer the oute of ţe daungere of thyn enemys ţat ţou hase here. For I say ţe in certayne, and it ware knawen ţat ţou ware here vn-to my menee, onane ţay walde slaa ţe bycause ţou slewe Porus ţe kynge of Inde. For my son wyfe Carator was his doughter.’ And when scho had said ţis, Scho tuk Alexander bi ţe hande & ledd hym forthe in-till hir forchambire and said vntill hir sones: ‘My dere sonnes,’ quoţ
scho, ‘I pray ow late vs make ţis knyghte of Alexander gude chere, and schew hym all ţe humanytee ţat we can. For Alexander has schewed vs grete frendchipe and grete gudnesse.’ And ţan hir ongeste ansuerde & said: ‘Moder,’

leaf 43
quoţ he, ‘sothe it es ţat he es a messangere of Alexanders, & a knyghte of his, and ţat he delyuerde my broţer wyfe of ţe hande of ţe kynge of ţe Bebrikes and broghte hym & hir hame vn-till vs bathe safe & sownde. Neuer-ţe-lesse my wyfe constreyne me for to do Antyochus to dede bicause of ţe dede of hir Fadir Porus, whilke Alexander slewe, So ţat Alexander may hafe sorow for his knyghte.

Quoţ quene Candace ţan: ‘Lefe son, what wirchip may we get ţareoffe if we slaa this knyghte ţus traytourusly.’ And ţan Candeolus sayde wit a grete Ire, ‘Ţis knyghte,’ quoţ he, ‘saued me & my wyfe & broghte vs hedir safe & sonde; And als saffe sall I hafe hym, agayne till his lorde, or I sall be dede ţarefore.’ And Carator ansuerde & saide: ‘Broţer,’ quoţ he, ‘what says ţou? will ţou ţat aythere of vs here slaa oţer?’ ‘In gud faythe broţer,’ quoţ he, ‘it es note my will, ne my liste. Neuer-ţe-lesse if it be thi liste, I am redy, rather ţan ţis knyghte be dedde.’ And when ţe quene saw ţat hir sonnes walde ayther of ţam slaa oţer, scho was wonder sary, and tuk Alexander on syde, and saide vn-till hym preualy: ‘A, a, kyng Alexander,’

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quoţ scho, ‘whi will ţou note schewe thi witt, and helpe thurg thi wisdom ţat my sonnes slaa not ayther of ţam oţer ?’ And Alexander answerde and said: ‘Late me goo speke wit ţam,’ quoţ he. And scho lete hym goo. And he went to ţam and sayde vn-to Carator: ‘For sothe, Carator,’ quoţ he, ‘I late ţe wite ţat if ţou slaa me, ţou sall wynne bot lyttill wirchipe ţareoffe. For I say ţe, kyng Alexander hase many worthyer knyghtis wit hym ţan I am; And ţarefore he will hafe littill sorowe for my dede. Trowes ţou ţat and Alexander hadd lufed me wele ţat he walde hafe sent me hyder to be killed amange owe. Bot if ţou will ţat I beken the Alexander ţe slaere of ţi wyfe fader & bryng hym bi-for the, Swere me ţat what so I asche ţe, ţou sall graunte mee it, And I sure ţe bi ţe faythe of my body, I sall bryng Alexander in-to ţis palace be-fore ţe.’ And when Carator herde this, he was rite glade, and trowed ţat that Alexander said. And so ware ţe twa breţer pesede, And highte Alexander ţat his askynge sulde be fulfilled als ferforthe als ţaire powere reched, if so ware ţat he helde couenant. Ţan quene Candace leedd Alexander on syde & sayd vn-till hym in preuatee: ‘Wele ware me,’ quoţ
scho, ‘myghte I ilke day hafe ţe present be-fore myn eghne as I hafe myn awenn childere. For thurgh the sulde I ouercome all myn Enemys.’ And ţan [scho] gaffe Alexander a coroun of golde sett full of precyous dyamande, and a mantill Imperiall of a clathe of golde
leaf 43 bk.

wit sternes wofen ţare-in, and sett full of precyouse stanes. And ţan scho kyssed hym & oţer preuee thynge didd till hym, And badde hym goo in hir blyssynge.

Than kyng Alexander and Candeolus went furthe all that daye, And come till a grete spelunc, and ţare ţay herberde ţam. And Candeolus saidetill Alexander: ‘In this spelunc,’ quoţ hee, ‘ţat you here see all godde ere wount for to ete and halde ţaire consaill.’ And ţan onane Alexander made sacrafyce till his godde and enterde in-to ţe caue by hym ane. And ţare he sawe a myrke clowde, & in ţat myrknesse, he sawe as it ware bryghte sternes, and amange ţase sternes he saw a grete godd sitt, And his eghne lyke twa lanternes. And when Alexander saw hym he was so fered ţat he was as it hadd bene

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in a transynge. And ţan ţe godd said vn-to hym: ‘Haile, Alexander,’ quoţ he. And Alexander ansuerde & said: ‘Lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘what art ţou ?’ ‘I am,’ quoţ he, ‘Sensonchosis ţat gouerne ţe kyngdom of ţe werlde and ţat hase made men sugettes vn-to the. And ţou hase bigged ţiselfe many ryalle citee. Bot temple walde ţou nane make in ţe wirchippe of me.’ And Alexander ansuerd & said: ‘Lorde,’ quoţ
he, ‘& ţou will graunt me ţat I sall wit prosperitee come in-to Macedoyne I sall ordeyne the a temple ţare sall note be swilke anoţer in all ţe werlde.’ And he ansuerd agayne & saide: ‘For sothe,’ quoţ hee, ‘Macedoyne sall ţou neuer see wit thyn eghne. Neuer-ţe-lesse walke Innermare & luke what ţou see.’ Alexander ţan went forthirmare & saw anoţer myrke clowde and saw a godd sitt in a trone lyke a kynge, and Alexander said vn-till hym: ‘Lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘what art ţou ?’ ‘I am,’ quoţ he, ‘ţe begynnynge of all godde and Serapis es my name. I sawe the in ţe lande of liby & nowe I see ţe here.’ ‘Serapis,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘I beseke ţe telle me wha it es ţat sall sla me.’ Quod Serapis: ‘I talde ţe bi-fore, ţat and ţe cause of a manes dede ware knawen vn-till hym, he solde dy for sorowe. Ţou hase bygged a glorious citee agaynes ţe whilke many emperours sall fighte.

Ţare-in sall thi graue be made and ţare-in sall ţou be beried.’ And ţan Alexander come oute of ţe caue, and tuke his leue at Candeolus and went till his Oste.

One ţe morne he remowed his Oste And come till a valay ţat was full of grete serpentes ţe whilk hade in ţaire heuedis Grete smaragde. Thir serpente leaf 44
lyffede all wit gyngere and pepir ţat growede in ţe valaye. And ilke a ere ţay feghte togedir and many of ţam slae oţer. Off ţe forsaid Smaragdes tuk Alexander sum wit hym of ţe gretteste ţat he couthe gett.

Fra ţeine ţay remowed & come in-till a place in ţe whilke ţare ware beste ţat hade one ilke a fote twa clees as swyne hase, and ţase clees ware three fote brade wit ţe whilke ţay smate Alexander knyghtes. Ţay had also heuedes lyke swyne & tayles lyke lyouns. Ţare ware also amange ţam grypes ţe Page 104
whilke smate kynghtes [sic] in ţe vesage reghte felly. Ţay ware so strange ţat ane of ţam wolde bere away an armed knyghte & his horse also. Ţan kynge Alexander rade hedir & ţedir amange his men and comforthed ţam and badd ţam feghte manly agaynes ţam wit speres and wit arowes. And so ţay did. Bot ţare was slayne of Alexander knyghtes ccviii.

And fra ţeine ţay remowed and come till a grete ryuer ţe whilke was twenty furlange on brede fra ţe ta banke to ţe toţer. And on ţase bankes ţare growed redis wonder grete and hye. Of ţase redes garte Alexander mak bates & anoynte ţam wit terre & talg of beste, And badd his knyghtis row ouer ţe water in ţase bates. And ţay did soo. And when ţe [pople] of ţe cunntree herde tell of ţe commynge of Alexander & his Oste, ţay sent hym gyftes of swylk thynge als was in ţaire cuntree, ţat es at say Grete spounge bathe whitte & purpure & schelles of ţe see so grete ţat an of ţam walde halde twa pekkes or three. Ţay sent hym also wormes ţat ţay drew owte of ţat ryuer grettere ţan a manes thee, and ţay ware swetter of taste ţan any fysche. Ţay gaffe hym Cukstoles all rede ţat ware of a wonderfull gretnesse. In ţat ryuer ware womans ţat ware wonder faire & ţay hade on ţam mekill here ţat rechedd doun to thaire fete. Ţir women, when ţay saw any straunge men swymme in ţat riuer, owţer ţay drownned ţam in ţe water, or ells ţay walde lede ţam to ţe rede ţat growed on ţe water bankes and garre ţam lye by ţam ay till any lyfe was in ţam. Ţe Macedoynes persued ţam & tuke twa of ţam and broghte ţam till Alexander,
leaf 44 bk.

and ţay ware als white as any snawe, and ţay ware ten fote lange and ţaire teethe ware lyke dogge teethe.

Efter this Alexander went and closed in a maner of folkee ţat are called Gog &

Magog, with-in ţe hille of Caspy. Ţis folke were of ţe ten kynde of Israel, and ţay ware leedd owte of ţaire awenn land bi a kyng of Perse because of ţaire synne and halden in thralledom. And ţay asched Alexander leue for to wende furt of ţat cuntree. And Alexander gert spirre ţe cause of ţaire thraldom, and he was encensed ţat because ţay

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hadd forsaken ţaire godde lawe, ţat es at say, godd of Isr and wirchiped Calues & oţer Mawmettes, ţarefore ţay ware ledd oute of ţaire awenn lande & halden in thralldom, and ţat prophetes had prophiced be-fore ţat ţay sulde neuer come oute of thraldom bi-fore agayne ţe day of dome. And ţan Alexander ansuerde & said ţat he sulde sperre ţam In mare seurely. And ţan he garte close all ţe entree wit stane & lyme & sand, Bot all ţat he garte make on ţe day was fordone on ţe nyghte. And when Alexander saw ţat mannes laboure myghte note stande in stede, he bi-soghte godd of Isrý ţat if it ware his liste ţat ţay habade ţare, ţat he walde close ţam in. And ţe nexte nyghte aftir ilk a cragge felle till oţer, and so ţare may nathynge passe in nor owte. And ţare-by it seme ţat it es note godde will ţat ţay come oute. Neuer-ţe-lesse abowte ţe Ende of ţe werlde ţay sall breke oute and do mekill schathe & slaa many men.

Fra ţeine ţay remowed & come to ţe grete See Occeane. In ţat See ţay sawe ane Ile a littill fra ţe lande. And in ţat Ile ţay herde men speke grewe. And ţan Alexander commanded ţat sum of his knyghts sulde do off ţaire clathes and swyme ouer to ţe ile. And ţay did soo. And als sone als ţay come in ţe See ţare come gret crabbes vp oute of ţe water & pullede ţam downne to ţe grounde & drownned ţam.

Thanne remowed ţay fra thethyn and went ay endlande ţe See syde towarde ţe solstice of wynter trauellande xý days; and at ţe laste ţay come to a reede See, and ţare ţay lugede ţam. Ţare was faste by a Mountayne wonder hye, One ţe whilke Alexander went vp. And when he was abown on ţe heghte ţareoffe, hym thoghte ţat he was nerre ţe Firmament ţan ţe erthe; ţan he ymagned in his hert swilk a gynn how he myghte make
leaf 45
grippes bere hym vp in-to ţe ayere. And onane he come doune of ţe Mountayne and garte come bi-fore hym his Maistre wrightes and comandid ţam ţat ţay sulde make hym a chayer and trelesse it wit barre of Iren one ilk a syde so ţat he myte sauely sitt ţare-in. And ţan he gart brynge foure gripes and tye ţam faste wit Iren cheynes vn-to ţe chayere, and in ţe ouermare party of ţe chayere he gart putt

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mete for ţe grippes. And pan he wente and sett hym in ţe chayere. And onane ţe grippes bare hym vp in ţe ayer so hye ţat Alexander thoghte all ţe erthe na mare ţan a flure ţare men thressche corne, and ţe See lyke a dragon abowte ţe erthe.

Ţan sodaynly a specyall vertu of godd vmbilapped ţe grippes ţat gart ţam discende douue to ţe erthe in a felde: ten .x. day iournee fra ţe Oste, and he hadd na hurt ne na schathe in ţe chayere. Bot wit grete disesse at ţe laste he come till his Oste.

After ţis Alexander ymagened in his hert ţat he walde knaw ţe preuates ţat are in ţe see. And onane he gart come bifore hym all ţe Maister glasyers ţat ware in ţe Oste, And comandede ţam to make hym a grete tounne of passandly clere glasse ţat he myghte thurg it clerely see all maner of thynge ţat ware witowtten it.

And when it was made he gart trelesse it al abowte witowtten wit barres of yren and feste ţare-to lang cheynes of yren, and gart a certane of ţe strangeste &
maste tristy knyghtes ţat langed vn-till hym halde ţir cheynes. And ţan he went in-to ţe tounne & gart pykke wele ţe entree whare he went in, and ţan late it doun into ţe See. And ţare he sawe dyuerse schappes of fisches of dyuerse colours; and sum he sawe hafe ţe schappe of dyuerse beste here one ţe lande, gangande on fete as beste dose here & etande fruyte of treesse ţat growe on ţe See grunde. Ţir beste come till hym. Bot onane as ţay saw hym thorow ţe glasse ţay fledde fra hym. He sawe ţare also many oţer meruaylous thynge, ţe whilke he walde tell na man bicause men walde noghte hafe trowed ţam if he had talde ţam, and at a certayne houre ţase ţat he hadd assyngned be-fore, his knyghtes drewe hym vp oute of ţe See.

Fra ţeine ţay Remowed Folowande ţe bankes of ţe Rede See, and luged ţam in a place, whare ţare ware wylde Beste that hade on ţaire heuedis hornes lyke vn-to leaf 45 bk.

sawes, and ţay ware als scharpe als swerde. And with thire hornes ţay slewe &
hurte many knyghtis of Alexanders & cloue ţaire cheldes in sonder.

Neuer-ţe-lesse Alexander knyghtis slew of ţam ccccli.

And fra beine ţay remowed and come in-till wilderness Page 107
bitwex ţe reed See and Araby, whare grete multitude of Pepir growed; And ţare ware many grete nedders wit hornnes on ţaire hedes lyke tuppe hornes, wit ţe whilke ţay smate Alexander knyghtis rit felly. Off ţase nedderes slew ţe Macedoynes a grete party.

Ţeine ţay remowed and luged in a place whare many Rynosephales ware, ţe whilke hade heuedes & manes lyke horse. And ţay hade grete bodys, and wonder grete teethe and lange, and oute of ţaire mouthes ţay schotte flawme of fyre. And when ţay saw ţe Oste luge ţare ţay come & assaylled ţam. And Alexander ran hyder and thedir amange ţe oste and comforthed his knyghtes and bad ţam feghte manly wit ţase monstres. And so ţay didd. Neuer-ţe-lesse ţare ware a grete multitude of his knyghtis slayne of ţase beste. Bot of ţe Rynocephales ţare was slayne an hugge multitude.

Ţan ţay remowed fra ţeine and come in-till a champayne cuntree and luged ţam ţare, And lay ţare a certane days, Bicause of his horse Buktyphalas ţat fell seke ţare; of ţe whilke sekenesse he dyed. And when Alexander saw hym dedd he made grete dole for hym and weped for hym rit sare. For he hadd borne hym in many a Batelle, and broghte [hym] oute of many perells. And ţarefore when he was dede Alexander gart doo aboute hym grete exequyes and gart make hym a full riche toumbe & a hye and did hym ţare-in and made a grete citee ţare, ţe whilke in mynde of his horse he gart call Buktyphalas.

Fra ţeine ţay remowed and come till a ryuere ţat was called Cytan or Deciracy whare men of ţe cuntree broghte hym v Olyphantes and v cartes of werre. And fra ţeine ţay remowed & come till kynge erses palace. And in ţat Palace ţay fande bedde of clene golde many a thowsande. Ţare ware also grete fewles white als doufes, ţe whilke had knawyng be-fore of a seke man wheder he schulde lyffe or dye. For if ţay by-helde ţe seke man in ţe vesage, he schulde mende & fare wele.

And if ţay tourned ţam awaywarde witowtten Page 108
doute he schulde dye,
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and if ţay tourned hym ţe bakke wit owtten dowte he sulde dye.

FRa ţeine ţay remowed and come to ţe grete Citee of Babiloyne and wanne it oo werre and slew ţe kynge ţareoffe & ţe Captayne also. And pare he duelled vn-till his lyffes end, and pat was Bot vij seuen Monethes. In ţat mene tyme Alexander sent a lettre till Olympias his Moder and till his Mayster Arestotle, latand ţam witte of ţe Batells and ţe dyssese ţat ţay suffred bathe wynters and Somers in Inde and oţer cuntree, and also of ţe Batells ţat ţay had hadd wit dyuerse Monstres. And ţan Arestotle wrate anoţer lettre till Alexander agayne ţe whilke was of this tenour:

‘Un-till Alexandere ţe grete kynge of kynge Arestotle sende ioy and seruyce.

When I hade redde our wyrchipfull lettres I was gretly astonayd. For whilke cause I desyre with all myn hert for to fynde lonynge ţat I myghte elde vn-to ţe. I take witnesse at oure godde ţat for ţe passande hardenesse of ţi ert & ţe grete auentours ţat ţou hase put ţe in, ţou erte wele worthy for to be loued &
praysede. For ţou hase sene & assayed thynge ţat neuer man or ţis durste assaye.

Whare-for thankynge & lonynge I elde to ţe makere of all ţis wyde werlde ţat swylke victoryes hase grantede vn-to ţe. For ţou hase ouercommen all & nane hase ouercomen ţe. Full blyssede are all thy prynce ţat hase bene obeyande vnto ţe, and helped ţe in all thi disesse.’

Afftir ţis Alexander gart make in Babyloyne a wonder curious trone of golde, ţare was note swilke anoţer in ţe werlde. For ţe greke broghte so mekill golde oute of perse & oute of Inde, ţat it ware wonder for to telle. Ţis ilke toure was twlue cubyte hye and by twelue grece men ascended ţare-too, and ţase gree ware all of golde. Ţis trone was wonderfully wroghte and sett apon twelue ymage of golde, ţe whilke trone ţe forsaid ymage helde vp wit ţaire hende. And on ţase twelue ymage ware wretyn ţe names of ţe twelue prynce of Macedoyne. Ţe seet of ţe trone was of a Smaragde,

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& ţe syde ţare off ware of Topaes & in ilkan of ţe gree ware sett dyuerse maneres of precyouse stanes. In ţe summyt of ţis trone ţare wassett a ruby ţat schane on ţe nyghte as it hade bene ţe Mone. In ţis trone also was ţare sett on ilke a syde dyuerse ymage on ţe whilke ware wretyn bathe in latyne & in grew leaf 46 bk.

verse ţat contened all ţe nammes of ţe rewmes & cuntree ţat Alexandere had conquered and ware sugetes vn-till hym.

After ţis Alexander gert make a coron of golde sett full of all maner of precyouse stanes, and gert wryte apon it a tytle in grew & in latyn: ‘Ortus &
occasus, Aquilo michi seruit & Auster.’ Ţat es at saye: ‘Est & weste, Northe &
southe dose seruyce vn-to me.’ In the mene tyme whils Alexander was in babyloyne, a woman was delyuer of a knaue childe ţe whilke fra ţe heuede to ţe nauyll hadd schappe of man, & was borne dedd. And fra ţe nauyll downwarde it had lyknesse of dyuerse beste and was qwykke. Ţis Monstre was taken & broghte till Alexander; and als son als he saw it he meruaylled gretly ţare-off, and gart come bi-fore hym a philosopher ţat couthe of wiche-crafte, & aschede hym what it sygnyfyed. And when ţe philosopher saw it, he syghede, & saye wepand sayde vn-to hym: ‘Sothely wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘ţe tyme comme nere that ţou sall passe oute of this werlde.’ ‘Telle me,’ quoţ Alexander, ‘whareby ţou knawes ţat.’ And ţe philosophre ansuerde & sayde: ‘My lorde,’ quoţ he, ‘ţe halfe of ţis Monstre ţat hase ţe schappe of man & es dedd, betakens ţat ţou sall passe out of ţis werlde in haste. And ţe toţer party ţat hase ţe lyknes of dyuerse beste & es on lyfe, betakynges ţe kynges ţat sall come after ţe. Bot ţare sall nane of ţam be lyke vn-to ţe, na mare ţan a beste es lyke vn-till a man.’ When Alexander herde ţis he was wonder heuy, and sare wepand he sayde on ţis wyse: ‘O Allmyghty Iubiter,’ quoţ he, ‘what mene it ţat my dayes sall be so schortte ? Me thynke ţat it had bene semely ţat I had leffed langere for till haf endid thynge ţat are in my thoghte. Bot for als mekill als it es note plesande vn-to ţe, I beseke the ţat ţou resayffe me when I sall passe hethen als thyn awen seruante.’

In this mene tyme ţare was in Macedoyne a lorde ţat highte Page 110

Antipater, ţe whilke of langetyme be-fore hadd casten for ţe dedde of Alexander; And wit many oţer ţat he hadd confedred vn-till hym he conspyred for to brynge it tyll ende, bot he myghte neuer come aboute ţer-with. For Olympias, Alexander moder, wrate vn-till hym oftesythes and warned hym ţat he scholde be warre wit Antipater & his childre, and herefore was Antypater wonder sary. So apon a tyme he vmbythoghte hym ţat he myghte neuer come aboute wit his purpose for to slaa Alexander, bot if it ware thurg enpuysonynge.

leaf 47

And so apon a daye he went till a Sotell leche, and boghte of hym a maner of drynke made of puyson that was so felle & se ranke ţat ţare myghte no vesselle halde it Bot a vessell made of Iren; and ţare-in he putt it. And ţan he gaffe it his son Cassandre, and bad hym bere it till his broţer Iobas and byd hym, quoţ
he, gyffe it to kyng Alexander in his drynke, when he see his tyme. This ilk Iobas was a faire ong man & was duellyng with Alexander, and gretly by-luffede &
cheriste of hym. Bot so it be-felle apon a tyme ţat Alexander smate Iobas on ţe heued wit a warderere for na trespasse. Whare-fore Iobas was gretly angred and greued at Alexander and consented till his dede, and tuke ţe puyson of his broţer ţat was ordeyned for Alexander dede ţat luffed hym so mekill.

And apon a daye Alexander gart ordeyne a grete reuelle in Babyloyne and called ţare too all his prynce on ilke a syde. And as he satt at ţe mete Imange his prynce he was wonder mery & gladde & iocund, and reheted his lorde & prayed ţam ţat ţay schulde be mery. Ţan Iobas ţat serued ţe kyng of his coupe tuke of ţe puyson a porcyon, and putt it vnder ţe nayle of his thowme, and broghte ţe coppe to ţe kynge full of wyne. And as he gaffe it to ţe kynge, he lete ţe puyson falle in ţe wyne priualy. And als sone als ţe kyng hadd dronken ţe puyson, Sudaynly he gaffe a grete scryke, and lened hym downn towarde ţe rite syde. For hym thoghte reghte als a man hadd smyten hym in-to ţe lyuere wit a suerde.

Neuer-ţe-lesse he feyned & forbare a while & suffred a grete penance, and when he myte na langere habyde, he rase vp fra ţe burde and saide till his lorde &
his knyghtes: ‘Lordyngis,’ quoţ he,

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‘I pray ow sitt e still & ete & drynke & bee mery.’ Bot ţay ware gretly troubbled and rase vp fra ţe burde and stode witowtten for to see ţe ende. And Alexander went in-till his chambir gretly tourmentid and soghte a fethir for to putt in his throtte for to garre hym hafe a vomet of ţe puyson ţat he hadd resayffed. And Iobas, ţat was cheffe of all this hye treson, gatt a fethir &
enoynt it wit ţe same puyson & broghte it till Alexander; and he tuk it & putt it in his throtte, and belyfe
leaf 47 bk.

ţe puyson vexed hym ay mare & mare. And ţan Alexander bade ane gange & open ţe palace ates ţat ware on Eufrates banke. And alle ţat nyte he woke in grete payne & tourment. And aboute mydnythte he rase oute of ţe bedde ţat he lay in and putt oute ţe lyghte ţat brynt by-fore hym, and for he myghte noghte ga vprighte, he creped one hende & one fete doune towarde Eufrate for till hafe drownned hym selfe, ţat ţe strenth of ţe water myth hafe borne hym away whare neuer man solde hafe fun hym.

And Rosan his wyfe folowed as faste as scho myghte. And when scho come to hym scho felle vpon hym & enbraced hym in hir armes & said vn-till hym: ‘Allas, my lorde Alexander,’ quoţ scho, ‘will ţou now leue me & gaa slaa thi-selfe.’ And scho wepe ţat it was dole to see; and Alexander ansuerde & sayde: ‘I beseke ţe Rosan,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat ert so dere to me & so swete, late nane wit of myn Endynge, if all it be ţat we may na langare hafe ioy togedir.’ And ţan Rosan ledd Alexander agayne to his bedd, and layde her armes aboute his nekke and kyssede hym many a tyme, and sare wepand said vn-till hym: ‘A, A, my swete lorde,’ quoţ scho, ‘if ţine ende be nowe commen, ordayne firste for vs or e passe heţine.’ And onane he callede vn-till hym Iobas & bade hym feche vn-till hym Semyon his notary. And when he was comen he garte bere hym down in-to ţe haulle, and he garte come by-fore hym all his prynce & bade his notary wryte his testament bi-fore ţam all on ţis wyse.

‘ ARestotle oure dere Maister, we comande the & prayse the, ţat of oure awen tresour ţou sende to ţe preste of Egipt ţat ministre in ţe temple, whare-in oure body sall be beryed

Page 112

& entered, j besande of golde. Also I will that Tholomeus ţat es kepare of oure body be our Gouernour, And forgetis noghte my laste will, Bot late my testament be alway bi-fore our eghne so ţat it be fulfilled & noghte forgetyn. My will es also ţat if Rosan my wyfe be delyuer of a knafe childe ţat he be our Emperour and gyffe hym what name so ow liste, and if scho be delyuer of a mayden childe, ţan es it my will ţat the Macedoynes chese ţam a kynge, and ţat my wyfe be lady of
leaf 48
all my mobles. Also I will ţat Tholomeus be kyng of Egipt, and ţat he tak till his wyfe Cleopatra, ţat my Fader wedded sumtyme here bi-fore, and ţat he be lorde & prynce ouer all ţe lorde of ţe Este euen vn-to Bactrian. Also I will ţat my broţer Arrideus be kynge of ţe Pelopones, also ţat Cleopater be kyng of Perse, Mellagere kyng of Ethopy, And Anthiochus be kyng vn-to ţe lande of Gog &
magoge, Areste kynge of Inde, Lissymacus lorde of Seleuce, Lythamon kyng of hungary, Caulus kyng of Ermony, Illicus kyng of Dalmace. Symeon my Notary, will I, be Kyng of Capadoce & Pamphily, Cassander & Iobas be lorde vn-to ţe Ryuer ţat es called Soll, Antipater ţaire Fader be kyng of Cicile.’ When this testament was in wrytynge bi-fore Alexander Sodeynly ţare come a thonnere & a leuennynge &
ane erthedoun rite a hedous, so ţat all babyloyne qwoke ţare-wit. And than thorowte all Babyloyne ţe noyse rase ţat Alexander was dede. And ţan all ţe Macedoynes rasse hallely and come armed to ţe Palace, and cryed on ţe prynce &
said vn-to ţam : ‘Sothely,’ quoţ ţay, ‘but if e onane schewe vs oure Emperour we sall slaa ow ilk ane.’ And when kyng Alexander herde swilke noyse he askede whate it ment, and ţe prynce ansuerde & sayde: ‘Ţe Macedoynes,’ quoţ ţay, ‘are comen armede hedir before ţe ates, & says sekerly bot if ţay see ow ţay sall slaa vs alle are ţay passe heţine.’ And when Alexander herde ţis, he badd his knyghtis ţat ţay scholde take hym vp, and bere hym in-to ţe consistorye. And ţay did soo. And ţan he garte open ţe Palace ates ţat ţe Macedoynes myte come by-fore hym. And ţan kyng Alexander be-gan to comend ţam of ţaire strenth &
ţaire grete doghtynes, and charged ţam ţat ţay scholde be in pesse & reste ilkane wit oţer. Ţan ţe Macedoynes, sare wepande, sayde vn-till Alexander: ‘A, A, wirchipfull,’ quoţ ţay, ‘ordayne & telle vs are e passe Page 113
heyne wham e will ţat be oure emperour efter ow.’ And Alexander ansuerd & sayde, ‘ A, A, my dere knyghtis,’ quoţ he, ‘ when I am dede whaym so e will chese, be our emperour efter mee.’ And ţay ansuerde, ‘ Lord,’ quoţ ţay, ‘ we beseke owe ţat e will graunt vs Perdic to be oure Emperour.’ ‘I vouche wele saffe,’ quoţ

Alexander, ‘ţat Perdic be our Emperour. Gers hym come be-fore mee.’ And when he was comen by-fore hym he gaffe hym ţe kyngdome leaf 48 bk.

of Macedoyne wit ţe Emperourchipe. And he gaffe hym also Rosan for to be his wyffe, and prayed hym ţat he walde be gude & gentill till hir. And ţan he kyssede all ţe lorde & ţe knyghtis of Macedoyne ilkane after oţer, and sighed and weped wonder sare. Ţare was ţan so grete dole & wepynge, ţat it was lyke a thonere. For men Suppose ţat note allanly men made Sorow for ţe dede of so worthy ane Emperour, Bot also ţe son and all ţe oţer planetis and elementes ware troubled.

A prynce of Macedoyne stode nere Alexander bedd ţat highte Seleucus, & wit grete dole & wepynge he sayd: ‘A, A, ţou wirchipfull emperour,’ quoţ he, ‘what sall we do when ţou ert dede. Philippe ţi fader gouerned vs wele & alle oure rewme, Bot ţe gentilnes & ţe largesse of the na tunge may tell.’ And ţan Alexander sett hym vp in his bedd and gaffe hym selfe a grete flappe on ţe cheke and by-gan for to wepe rite bitterly, and in ţe langage of Macedoyne, he sayde on ţis wyse: ‘Full waa es me vnhappy wreche,’ quoţ he, ‘ţat euer I was borne to man. For now Alexander dyes and Macedoyne sall waxe ay lesse & lesse and emenische day bi day.’ Than all ţe Macedoynes wit an hye voyce and bitter wepynge sayd vn-till hym: ‘Better it ware till vs,’ quoţ ţay, ‘ for to dy wit ţe ţan for to se ţe dy in oure presence. For wele we wate ţat, efter ţe dede of the, ţe kyngdom of Macedoyne es vndone for euere. Allas oure wirchipfull Alexander, why lefes ţou vs here and wende away be thyn ane, withowten thi Macedoynes ?’ Than kyng Alexander alway sighand & wepand said vn-to ţam: ‘A, A, my dere Macedoynes,’

quoţ he, ‘fra this tym forwarde sall neuer our name hafe lordchipe ouer ţe Barbarenes.’ And ban ţe Macedoynes cryed and sayde: ‘O wirchipfull lorde,’ quoţ

Page 114
ţay, ‘ţou ledd vs in-to Perse, Arraby, and Inde, and vn-to the werlde ende, and in-to what cuntree ţat ţe liste wende; why, lorde, flee ţou now fra vs ? Lede vs wit the whedir so ţou gase.’ Ţan kyng Alexander sent to ţe templee of Appollo in Athenes many riche iowels, and on ţe same wyse till all oţer temples. And ţan he commanded ţat when he ware dede, ţay schulde enoynte his body and embawme it wit riche oynementes, ţe whilke kepis menes bodys in graues witowtten corupcioun.

Ţan he badde Tholomeus ţat he scholde [take] a c besantes of golde, & ţare-off gere make hym a tombe in Alexander. And onane leaf 49
as he had commanded hym ţus, one-seeand ţam all, he swelt. And ţan his prynce lifte vp his body, and did apon his clethyng of astate and putt a riche coron on his heued, and sett hym in ţe emperours chayer, ţe whilke twelue prynce drewe wit ţaire breste fra Babiloyne till Alexander. Tholomeus went alway bi-fore ţe chayere wepande & sayande one ţis wyse: ‘Full waa es me, My lord Alexander, waa es me. For in all thi lyfe slew ţou neuer so many men as ţou dose nowe after ţi dede.’ All Alexanders knyghtis also weped & made grete dole & sayde on ţis wyse: ‘Waa es vs weches ! whatt schall wee now do after ţe dede of oure lorde Alexander ? Whedir sall we now gaa or whate partye may we now chese? Whare schall we now get any helpe till oure lyfelade?’ One ţis wyse ţay went wepand after Alexander, till ţay come till ţe citee of Alexander. And ţare ţay beryed hym in a toumbe ţat was rite hye and wonder curyouslye wroghte. Ţis tombe was all of fyne golde sett full of precyous stanes, and on ţat toumbe ţer was sett xxx ymages of golde wonder craftily made.

Alexander was a man bot of a comon stature, wit a lange nekke, Faire eghne &
glad, his chekes ruddy, and all ţe remenant of his lymmes ware faire & semely &
lyke vn-till a lorde. He ouercome all men & neuer was ouercomen. The lenthe of his lyffe was xxxij ere, twa & thritty ere & seuen monethes. Fra ţe twentyd ere of his birthe he gaffe hym to werre, and in twelue ere he conquered all ţe werlde, and made subiect un-till hym alkyn nacyonns. Seuen monethes he ristede hym. He was borne on ţe vij ký of January, and dyed on ţe vij ký of August.

Page 115

He byggid also in his lyfe xij grete citee ţat hider-to-warde bene enhabyt, and ţis are ţaire names. Firste Alexander ţat es called yprysilicas, ţe secund Alexander es called Bepyporum, ţe thrid Alexander es callede Sithia, ţe ferthe Alexander es called Bicontristi, ţe fifte Alexander es called Ţeraucton, ţe sext Alexander es called Buctiphalon, ţe seuent es called vnder ţe ryuer of Tygre, ţe aghtend New Babiloyne, ţe nyend Aptreadam, ţe tend Messagetes, ţe elleuend Ypsyacon, ţe twelfed es called Egipt.

Explicit vita Alexandry magni conquestoris.

Here ende ţe lyf of gret Alexander conquerour of all ţe worlde.

Notes
n1 [return to reference] sic in both editions 1489 and 1494
n2 [return to reference] The early Text begins.

n3 [return to reference] In printed text, “ý” inserted superscript above “M.”

n4 [return to reference] In printed text, “xx” inserted superscript above “iiij”

n5 [return to reference] In printed text, “xx” inserted superscript above “xxxiiii,” i.e., thirty-four score.

n6 [return to reference] A tilde appears above “iij” in printed text, i.e., three hundred?

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