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 bed-chambers
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
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.
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
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
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, hesaw 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.'
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!'
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.'
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.'
Anectanabussic in both editions 1489 and 1494 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 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
The early Text begins.down̛ in to þe dyke, and thare he feƚƚe, & was
aƚƚ to-frusched̛; and þan̛ Alexander said̛ vn-to
hym one this wyse. 'Fals
wreche,' quoþ he, 'that presumeȝ to teƚƚ thyngeȝ
þat ere to com̛, reȝte als þou were a prophete,
and knewe þe preuateȝ of heuen̛. Now may þou
see that þou lyeȝ, And þare-fore þou arte
worthy to hafe swilke a dede.' And than̛ Anectanabus
ansuerd̛, & said̛: 'I wyste wele ynoghe,' quoþ he,
'þat I scholde die swylke a dede. Talde I noȝte lange are
to þe, that myn̛ awenn̛ son̛ schulde slae me ?'
'Whi, ame I thi son̛ ?' þan̛ quoþ Alexandire:
'ȝaa, for sothe,' quoþ Anectanabus, ' I gat the.' And wit
þat word̛, he ȝalde þe gaste. And than̛
Alexander hert tendird̛ on̛ his Fader, And he tuke hym vp on
his bakke, and bare hym to þe palace. And when̛ his moder
Olympias saw hym, Scho said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym. 'Son̛,'
quoþ scho, 'what es that?' 'Als thi foly hase made it,'
quoþ he, 'so it es.' And than̛ he gert berye hym
wirchipfully.
In the mene tyme, a prynce of Macedoyne broghte þe kyng a
horse vn-temed̛, a grete and a faire; & he was tyed̛
on̛ ilke side wit chynes of Iren̛, for he walde wery
men̛ and ete þam̛. This ilke horse was called̛
Buktiphalas, bi-cause of his vgly lukynge, For he hade a heued̛
lyke a buƚƚe, & knottiƚƚs in his frount, as þay had
hene þe bygynnyng of hournes. And when̛ þe kyng saw
þe bewtee of this horse, he said tiƚƚ his seruandis,
'Takeȝ this horse and putteȝ hym in a stable, and makes
barreȝ of yren̛ be-fore hym, that thefeȝ and oþer
mysdoers, þat saƚƚ be done to dede, may be putt
in-tiƚƚ hym, to be slaen̛ of hym. And þay didd̛
soo. In þe mene tyme þe kynge Philippe had̛ ane
answere of his goddes, that hee schulde regne nexte after hym, the
whilke myghte ryde that wylde horse wit-owtten̛ harme. So it
feƚƚe þat Alexander þe whilke was þan̛
twelue ȝere alde, wexe strange & reȝte hardy, & was wysse
and discrete; for he was wele lered̛ & connand̛ in aƚƚ
þe seuen̛ sciences, þe whilke twa philosophirs had
teched̛ hym : þat es to say, Arestotle & Calistene. And
one a day, as Alexander passed̛ for-by þe place þare
als þe foresaide stode, he luked in betwene þe
barreȝ of yrnne and saw, bifore þe horse, mens hend̛
and fete, & oþer of þaire membris, liggand̛
scatered̛ here & thare, and he had̛ grete wonder
þare-off. And he putt in his
hande bitwene þe barreȝ, And þe horse strekede oute his nekke, als ferre als he myghte, and likked̛ Alexander
hand̛; and he knelid̛ doun̛ on̛ his kneesse, and
bi-helde Alexander in þe vesage langly. And Alexander
vnderstode wele þe wiƚƚ of þe horse, and opynd̛
the barreȝ, and went into þe horse, and straked̛ him
softely on þe bakke wit his riȝte hand̛; And belyfe
þe horse wexe wonderly meke tiƚƚ Alexander; and riȝte
as a honde wiƚƚ couche when̛ his maister biddes hym, so dide
he tiƚƚ Alexander; and Alexander lukede besides hym, & sawe a
sadiƚƚ & a brydeƚƚ hyng thare; and he tuke &
dyd̛þam̛ on̛ hym̛, & leppe one his bakke &
rade furthe on̛ hym. And when̛ the kynge Philippe sawe hym
do so, he said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym 'Mi son̛ Alexander'
quoþ he: 'Aƚƚ þe ansuers of our goddeȝ are
fulfillede in the! For when̛ I ame dede, þou mon̛
regne after me' And Alexander ansuerd; & said̛ 'I pray the,
Fader,' quoþ he, 'ordeyne me horse & men̛, for I gaa seke
dedeȝ of armeȝ.' 'For sothe' quoþ þe kynge wit
a glade chere, 'Take þe a hundreth horse, and xl thosandeȝ
pounde of golde; and take wit the of þe worthieste knyghteȝ
þat langeȝ to me, and wendis furthe.' And he didd̛so.
And he tuke wit hym also a philosopℏre þat highte Eufestius, whilke he traysted̛ mekiƚƚ in, And twelue childre þat he chese to be his playfers, and went hym furthe, and come
in-tiƚƚ a contreth þat es called Polipone. And when̛
the kynge of þe land̛ herd̛ teƚƚ, þat
swilke men̛ ware entred̛ in-to his rewme in swilke araye, he
raysed̛ a gret Oste, and come agaynes Alexander for to feghte wit
hym̛. And when̛ he come nerehand̛ hym, he said̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym. 'Teƚƚ me' quoþ he 'whatt þou ert
?' And Alexander ansuerd̛ 'I am Alexander' quoþ he
'þe son̛ of Philippe, þe kynge of Macedoyne.' 'And
what hopeȝ þou þat I be ?' quoþ þe kynge
tiƚƚ hym. And Alexander ansuerd̛. 'Þou ert kynge of
Arridouns' quoþ he. 'Neuer-þe-lesse, if aƚƚ I do
þe þat wirchippe þat I calle þe kynge, empride
þe nathynge þare-of. For men̛ seeȝ ofte tymes
men̛ þat ere in heghe astate com̛ to lawe degree, &
men̛ þat ere in lawe degree, come tiƚƚ heghe astate.'
'Þou sais riȝte wele' quoþ þe kynge. 'Take hede
to thyn̛ awen̛ selfe!' And Alexander ansuerd̛ & said
'Ga hethen̛ away fra me' quoþ he 'for þou can̛
say noghte to mee, ne I hafe noghte at do wit þe.' And
þan̛ þe kyng was worder wrathe, And said
tiƚƚAlexander
'Luke on me' quoþ he 'þat spekes to the: Fore I swere the
be my Fader hele, & I anes spitte in thi face, þou schale dye.'
And wit þat he spitte at Alexander, & said̛: 'Take þe
þare, þou biche whelpe, þat þe semeȝ
tiƚƚ hafe.' And Alexander stepped̛ furthe, & said̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym̛. 'For þou' quoþ he 'hase dispised
me, by-cause I ame littiƚƚ; I swere þe, bi þe pete of
my Fader, & by my moders wambe, in þe whilke I was consayued of
godd Amon̛, þat þou schaƚƚ see mee, are oughte
lange, in þi rewme, redi to feghte wit þe; and owþer
I schaƚƚ wyn̛ thi rewme wit dynte of swerd̛, & brynge
it vnder my subieccionn̛, or þou schaƚƚ make me
subiecte vn-to þe.' And þare þay assignede day of
Bateƚƚe; and ayther of þam̛ went hame fra oþer.
And agaynes þe day of Bateƚƚe, Alexander, bi ascent &
ordynance of kynge Philippe, gadird a grete Oste, & went to the place
þare þe Bateƚƚe was assigned, and fand aƚƚ redy
þare, kyng Nicoƚƚ and his oste. And þay
trumpped̛ vp appon̛ bathe þe parties, and bigan̛
to feghte, & many men̛ ware slaen̛ on̛ bathe þe
sydeȝ. Bot at þe laste, Alexander hade þe felde, &
tuke kyng Nichoƚƚ, & gart smytte of his heued̛, & went
in-tiƚƚ his land, and conquered it; and his knyghtes went and
coround̛ hym kynge þare-off. And sythen̛ he went hame
tiƚƚ his fader, kyng Philippe, and fand̛ hym sittand̛
at the mete at a bridale: For he had put awaye fra hym his wyfe
Olympias, Alexander moder, and taken̛ hym an-oþer þat
highte Cleopatra; And Alexander went in-to þe hauƚƚe, and
said vn-to þe kynge Philipp̛: 'Fader,' quoþ he, 'I
pray ȝow, þat for a rewarde of my firste iournee þat
I hafe now made, ȝee graunte me to take my Moder Olympias agayne
vn-to ȝow, & do to hir as awe to be done to a qwenne, rathere
þan̛ I gyffe hir to anoþer kynge; so þat I be
noȝte ȝoure enemy for euer. For this weddyng, þat
ȝe hafe now made here, es vnlefuƚƚ!' When̛ he
hadd̛ said̛ thir wordes, ane of þe þat satt at
þe kynges burde, whase name was Lesias, ansuerd̛ &
said̛ to þe kyng: 'lord̛' quoþ he 'þou
schall hafe a son̛ of Cleopatra, and he schaƚƚ regne after
þe !' Alexander, than̛, was gretly greuede at his wordes,
and wit a wardrere þat he hade in his hande, he went
tiƚƚ hym and kellede hym. When̛ kyng Pℏilippe sawe
this, he was gretly stirred̛, and rase vp, & gatt a swerde & ranne to-wardeȝ Alexander, for to hafe smytten̛ hym̛.
Bot onane he feƚƚe down̛; and ay þe nerre Alexander
þat he drewe, þe mare he feƚƚe to the erthe
riȝte as he bene ferd̛. And þan̛ Alexander said
vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Philippe' quoþ he 'how es it soo, that
þou, þat hase wonn̛ wit dynt of swerde aƚƚe
Grece, ne hase now na strenghe to stande on thi fete.' And
þan̛ aƚƚ þe hauƚƚe was troubbled, and the
brydale letted. And Alexander went abowte þe hauƚƚe, and
keste doun̛ þe bourdeȝ wit þe mete, & þe
drynke þat ware appon̛ þam̛, and tuke Cleopatra,
and schotte hir oute at þe hauƚƚe dore. And the kynge
Philippe, for sorowe þat he tuke tiƚƚ, feƚƚe grefe
seke. And a littiƚƚ afterwardeȝ, Alexander went tiƚƚ
hym for to vesett hym & comforthe hym, and said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym
'Philippe,' quoþ he, 'if aƚƚ it be noȝte semely,
þat I calle þe be þi propre name;
neuere-þe-lesse, noȝte as þi son̛, bot as
þi gud̛ frend̛, I saƚƚ teƚƚe the myn̛
avice. It es fully my consaile þat þou reconnselle agayne
vn-to the my lady, my Moder Olympias, and at þou grefe þe
na-thynge at þe dede of Lesias, ne take na heuynes to the
þare-fore. For vnkyndely me thynnke þat þou
didd̛, and vngudely, þat þou drewe þi swerde
for to smytte me þare-wit.' And when̛ Philippe herd̛
þir wordes, his hert tendird̛, & he bigane to wepe. And
þan̛ Alexander went tiƚƚ his Moder Olympyas, and
said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hir: 'Be noȝte ferde' quoþ he 'ne
be noȝte heuy to my fader, for if aƚƚe thi trespas be
preuee, & noȝte knawen̛, neuer-þe-lesse þou erte
in party to blame.' And when̛ be hade sayde thus, he ledd̛
hir furthe to þe kyng Philippe. And he tuk & kyssid hir, and
thus was scho reconnselde vn-tiƚƚ hym agayne.
After þis, þare come messengers Fra Darius, þe
emperour of Perse, to kyng Philippe, and asked̛ hym tribute And
Alexander answerd̛ to thir messengers, & saide, 'Saise to Darius,
ȝour lorde,' quoþ he, 'þat sen̛ þe tyme
þat Philippe son̛ was waxen̛ of age þe hen
þat ay es waxen̛ barayne & consumed̛
awaye, and so es Darius pryuede of his trybute.' And [when] thir
messengers herd̛ thir wordes; þay hade grete wounder of
þam & of þe witt & þe wisedome of Alexander.
In þe mene tyme tythyngeȝ come to kyng Philippe,
þat Ermonye, þe whilke bi-fore was suget vn-tiƚƚ hym,
was rebeƚƚe & raysse agaynes hym. And he garte semble a grete
Oste, and sent Alexander thedir þare wit to feghte wit
þam̛, and to putt þam̛ agayne vnder his
subieccionn̛. Alexander than̛went wit this Oste tiƚƚ
Ermony & broghte it agayne in subieccion̛, as it was bi-fore.
An in þe mene tyme, whils he was þare, a lorde of
Macedoyne þe whilke highte Pansamy, a strange man̛ & a
balde, suget vn-to Philippe, and bade of lange tyme couette for to
hafe þe quene Olympias, conspirede agaynes þe kynge, and
come with a grete multytude of folke appon̛ þe kynge, to
for-do hym. And when̛ tythyngeȝ here of come to kyng
Philippe, he went to mete hym in þe felde wit a fewe
menȝee. And when̛ he sawe þe grete multitude
þat Pansamy hade wit hym, he turned̛& fledd̛, and
Pansamy persued̛ after hym̛, and ouerhied̛ hym, and
strake hym thurghe wit a spere, and ȝitt ife aƚƚ he were
greuosely wonded̛, he dyed̛ noȝte alsone, bot he laye
halfe dede in the waye. And than þe Macedoynes, þat
wenede he bade bane dade, made mekiƚƚ sorowe. And when þis
iournee was done Pansamy was gretly empridede þare offe, & went
in to þe kynges palace for to take þe qwene Olympias oute
of it and hafe hir with hym. And euen̛ þe same tyme,
Alexander come fra Hermony, & sawe swylke trouble & styrrynge in the
rewme, and hyed̛ hym faste towarde þe kynges palace, and
when Olympias herd̛ teƚƚe þat Alexander hir son̛
had þe victorye of his enemys, & was comande nere, Scho went
furthe of þe palace at a preuee posterne to mete hir son̛,
and to welcome hym hame. And alsone als scho come nere hym, scho
criede appon̛ hym̛ & said̛.
'A A, my son Alexander, whare es þe grace & þe fortune
þat oure goddes highte the, þat es to say, þat
þou scholde alwaye ouercome thynn̛ enemys & noȝte be
ouercomen̛, þat Pansamy hase one þis wyse slaen thi
Fader.' And alsone the worde come to Pansamy þat Alexander was
comen̛, and he went furthe of palace for to mete hym̛. And
also faste als Alexander sawe hym, he oute wit a swerd̛ and clafe
his heued̛
in to þe tethe, & slewe hym. And ane of þe Oste
said̛ tiƚƚ Alexander: 'Philippe þi fader' quoþ
he, 'lyas dade in þe felde.' And þan Alexander went
thedir thare he laye, and saw hym euen̛ at þe dyinge. And
þan̛ he began̛ faste for to wepe. And Philippe luked
apon̛ hym̛, & said̛ 'A A, my dere son Alexander,'
quoþ he, 'wit a glade hert [I] may now dye, for þat
þou so soune hase venged̛ my dede,' & euen̛ wit
þat worde he ȝalde þe gaste. And Alexander
wirchipfully gert hym be entered̛.
When kyng Philippe was entered, Alexander went and sett hym in his
trone, and gerte calle by-fore hym alle þe folke þat was
gaderd̛ thedir, lordes & oþer, and said̛ vn-to
þam̛ on þis wyse. 'Men̛,' quoþ he, 'of
Macedoyne of Tracy, and of Grece byhaldeȝ þe fegure of
Alexander and putteȝ oute of ȝour hertes drede of aƚƚe
ȝour enemys. For sekerly, and ȝe wiƚƚ take gude hertis
to ȝow, thurghe þe helpe of oure goddis he schaƚƚ hafe
þe ouerhande of aƚƚ ȝoure neghtebours, and ȝour
name schaƚƚ spred̛ ouer alle the werlde. And
þare-fore ilkane of ȝow þat hase Armour, makes it
redy, and he þat hase nane come to my palace & I saƚƚ gerre
delyuer hym̛ aƚƚ þat hym nedis, and ilk a man̛
make hym redy to þe werre.' And when̛ þe lordes and
knyghtis þat ware of grete age, herd̛ thir wordes þay
ansuerd̛ Alexander, & said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym̛: 'lorde,'
quoþ thaye, 'we hafe seruede ȝoure fader a longe tyme &
traueld̛ wit hym in his werres, & þare-fore we ere now so
bryssed̛ in armes þat þare [es] no myghte lefte in vs
for to suffre disesse þat often̛ tymes falles to men̛
of werre. For we ere streken̛ in grete age. And
þare-fore, if it be plesynge vn-to ȝow, we consaile
ȝow & we beseken ȝowe, that ȝe chese ȝow ȝong
lordes & ȝong knyghtes, þat ere listy men̛ & able for
to suffre disesse for to be wit ȝow. For here we giffe vp att
armes if it be ȝour wiƚƚ & forsakes þam̛ for
euer.' And þan̛ Alexander answerd̛ & said̛: 'I
wiƚƚ rathere,' quoþ he, 'chese þe sadnesse of an alde
wyse man̛ than̛ þe vnavesy lightenesse of ȝonge
men̛. For ȝong men̛ often tymes traystand̛ to
mekiƚƚ in thaire awenn̛ doghtynes thurgh þaire
awen̛ foly ere mescheued̛. Bot alde men̛ wirkes
aƚƚ by consaile & by witte.' When̛ he had said thir wordes
aƚƚ men̛
alowed̛ his hie witte and hally þay assentede to hym for to
do his lyste.
Sone after Alexander assemblede a grete Oste, & went bi Schippe
to-wardeȝ Ytaly, and als he come by Calcedoyne, he
assaylled̛ it reȝte strangly, and þe folke of
Calcedoyne went to þe walles of þe Citee and
defendid̛ manly. Bot at the laste Alexander wan̛ the Citee,
and fra thethyn̛ he Schippede in-tiƚƚ Italy. And alsone als
þe Romaynes herd̛ of his comynge þay were wonder
ferde for hym̛, and the grete lordes of þe lande tuke
fourty thowsandeȝ of besandeȝ and Ic
corounes of golde, and went vn-tiƚƚ hym̛, and presant hym
wit þam̛ & bysoughte hym þat he scholde noȝte
werrey appon̛ þam̛, ne do þam̛ na harme.
And than Alexander tuke trybute of þe Romaynes, and of aƚƚe
the folkes þat duelt bitwixe that & þe weste Occeane,
þe whilke regione es callede Europe, & lefte þam̛ in
gude pesse.
Fra thethyn he Schippede in-tiƚƚ Affrice, in thee whilke he
fande bot fewe þat rebelled̛ agaynes hym and
þare-fore als [men] swa saye, eneil sodeynly he conquerid̛
it & broghte it vnder his subieccion̛. And fra Affric he went by
Schippe tiƚƚ ane Ile, þat es called̛ Frontides, for to
consaile wit a godd̛ þat þay called̛ Amon̛.
And as Alexander & his men̛ went to-wardeȝ þe temple
of þis for-said̛ godd̛, þay mett in þe
waye a grete hert þe whilke Alexander bad his men̛ sla wit
arowes. And þay schott at hym; bet nane of þam̛
myghte hitt hym. And þan̛ Alexander tuke a bowe & schotte
at hym & hitt hym & slewe hym. And þan̛ Alexander went
in-to þe temple, & made sacrafyce of þis hert vn-to
godd̛ Amon, and by-soughte hym þat he schulde gyffe hym
ansuares. When̛ Alexander hade made his prayers þare to
godd̛ Amon̛, he went wit his Oste in-tiƚƚ a place
þat highte Taphoresey, In þe whilke were feftene gude
townues, & þay bade twelne grete reuers þat rane in-to
þe see, and at þe entree of þam̛ in-to þe
see þare was drawen̛ ouer grete chynes of yryne, and thare
Alexandir made Sacrafice tiƚƚ his goddeȝ. And on þe
same nyghte, a godd̛ þat [hight] Serapis apperid
vn-tiƚƚ hym in his slepe, cledd̛ in riche clothynge in ane
horrible forme & a dredefuƚƚ, and said̛ vn-tiƚƚ
hym. 'Alexander,' quoþ he, 'may þou take þis
montayne on þi schulder & bere it a-way?' Quoþ Alexander,
'how myghte any man̛ do pat?' And Serapis ansuerd̛ &
said̛, 'righte as þis montayne saƚƚ neuer wit-owten
end be remowed̛ hethen̛, so thi name & thi dedes schall be
made mynde of to the worldes end̛.' And than̛ Alexander
prayed hym þat he walde prophycye hym what kyns dede he scholde
die. Serapis ansuerd and said, 'It es noghte spedfuƚƚ tiƚƚ
a man to knawe his paynefuƚƚ endynge. For if he knewe it,
perauenture, he scholde neuer hafe Ioye in his hert. Neuer þe
lesse bi-cause þou hase prayede me to telle þe, I
saƚƚ say the. After a drynke þou schall take thi dede.
For in thi ȝouthe þou saƚƚ make thyn̛ endynge.
Bot spirre me noþer þe tyme ne þe houre when̛
it schal be, For I will on na wyse teƚƚe it to the. For-whi
goddeȝ of þe este partieȝ of þe werdle saƚƚ
teƚƚe the aƚƚe thi werdeȝ.' When̛ Alexander
wakkened̛ of his dreme, he was reghte heuy, and sent þe
maste substance of his Oste to þe Cite of Askalon̛ and bad
þaim̛ habide hym thare, and hym selfe & a certane of
menȝe wit hym habade & thare he garte make a Citee & called̛
it Alexander after his awenn̛ name.
In the mene tyme , Egipcyens herd̛ of þe comynges of
Alexander, & þay went agaynes hym & submytt þam̛
vn-tiƚƚhym & resayffed̛ hym wirchipfully. And when̛
Alexander come in-tiƚƚ Egipte, he fand ane ymage of a kyng made
of blake stane curiousely coruen̛, and he askede þe
Egipciens whase ymage it was, and þay ansuerd̛ & said, 'It
es þe ymage,' quop þay, 'of Anectanabus that was kynge of
Egipte noȝte lange sythen̛ gane, þe wyseste & þe
worthiest þat euer was þare-in̛.' For sothe
quoþ Alexander, 'Auectanabus was my Fader.' And þan he
knelid doun̛ with grete reuerence & kyssed̛ þe ymage.
Fra thethyn̛ he went wit his Oste to Surry. But þe
Surriens agayne-stude hym and faghte wit hym̛ and slewe many of
his knyghtes. Neuer þe lesse Alexander had þe victorye.
And þan̛ he went to Damaske, & Ensegged̛ it & wanne
it, and fra thethyn̛ he went to Sydon & wan it. And
þan̛ he went vnto þe Citee of Tyre and layde Ensegge
abowte it, and [in] þis Ensegge he laye many a day. And thare
his Oste suffred̛ many dysesseȝ. For þat Cite was so
strange in it-selfe by-cause of þe ground̛, þat it
was sett apon̛, and by-cause of grete towres & many þat
ware abowte it, and also bicause it was so enclosed̛ wit the see
þat it myghte noghte lightly be wonnen̛ by nane assawte. Alexander þan̛ vmbithoghte hym, one what wyse he myghte best com̛ to for to destruy þis citee, and he gerte make a
grete basteƚƚ of tree, and sett it apon̛ schippes in
þe see euen̛ forgaynes þe cete, so þat
þare myghte no shippeȝ come nere the hauen̛ for to
vetaille þe Citee or suppoeƚƚ it wit men̛ by-cause of
þe basteƚƚe. In þe mene tyme Alexander Oste hade
grete defawte of vetayƚƚs, and þan̛ he sent lettres
vnto Iadus, þat at that tyme was bischoppe & gouernoure of
þe Iewes, and prayede hym for to suppoeƚƚ hym wit som̛
men̛, and also þat he walde send̛ sum̛ vetails
for hym & his Oste, and he scholde pay for þam̛ wit a glade
chere, and þat he scholde also send̛ hym the tribute
þat he scholde gyffe Darius þe emperour of Perse. For hym
ware better, he said̛, hafe his frenchippe þan̛
þe frenchipe of Darius. The Bischope þan̛ of
þe Iewes ansuerd̛ þe messangers þat broghte hym
þe lettres & said̛ 'I hafe,' quoþ he, ' made athe to
Darius, þat, whils he leffeȝ, I schaƚƚ neuer bere
armes agaynes hym̛, and þarefore I ne may noȝte do
agaynes myn̛ Athe.' The Messagers þan̛ went till
Alexander & talde hym þe bischopes ansuere, and he was
greued̛ & said̛ 'I make myn̛ avowe,' quþ he,
'vntiƚƚ oure goddes, þat I schaƚƚ take swilke
vengeance on þe Iewes þat I saƚƚ make þam̛
to knawe, whethir it es better to þam̛ to be obeisant vn-to
[my ?] commandement, or vn-to þe kynges of Perse.' And he
callede a duke, þat highte Melagere, and wit vc
men̛ of armes, and badd̛ þam̛ gaa in to þe
vale of Iosaphat, þe whilke was fuƚƚ of besteȝ &
brynge of thase besteȝ to þe Oste for to vetaiƚƚe
þam̛ wit. And ane Sampson, þat knewe þe cuntre
wele was þaire gyde. Þay went in to þe vale, and
gadird̛ to gedir catell wit-owte nombir & be-gan̛ for to
dryfe on̛ þam̛. And he þat was lorde of
þe cuntre, Theosellas bi name, raysed̛ a grete multitude of
folke and mett þam̛ & faughte wit þam̛ & slewe
many of þam̛. Bot Melagere & his felaws at þat
tym̛ had þe better. And ane þat highte Caulus went
baldly to Theosellas, & smate of his heued̛. Aƚƚ this was
done bot a littiƚƚ fra þe citee of Gadir. And
þan̛ Bertyne,
lorde of þe citee, seand̛ this, was gretely stirrede and
ischewede owte of þe citee & wit xxx feghtyng men̛ and sett
vp a schowte apon̛ the Macedoynes aƚƚe at anes, that
aƚƚe þe erthe trembled̛ wit-aƚƚe. And̛
when̛ þe Macedoyns saw that grete multytude of folke
com̛ appon̛ þam̛, þay were reȝte
ferde. And þan Melagere walde hafe sent a Messangere to
þaire lorde Alexander, for to come & socoure þam̛,
bot he mygte fynd̛ na man̛ þat walde vndertake
þe Message. Than thir twa batalles met Samen̛ & faughte
to-gedir, and thare was Sampson slaen, and Bertyne. And þe
Macedoyns wit þe grete multitude of þaire enemys ware
dreuen̛ abakke, and lyke for to be dreuen̛ abakke &
discomfites. And ane of þe grekkes, þat highte Arttes,
seynge þe meschefe þay stode In, wann̛ hym owte of
the Bataile & went in alle þe haste, þat he myghte,
tiƚƚ Alexander & talde hym þat þe Grekkes & þe
Macedoynes ware in poynte to be mescheuede, bot if he suppoellde
þam̛ þe tittere. And than Alexander lefte þe
segge of Tyre, and went wit his Oste to þe vale of Iosaphat, and
fand̛ his men̛ riȝte harde by-stadde wit þaire
enemys. And he and his Oste vmbylapped̛ alle þaire enemys,
and daunge þam̛ doun̛ & slewe þam̛ ilke a
moder son̛. And when̛ he had so done he turned̛ agayne
vn-to Tyre, and fande the Bastelle, þat he hade made in þe
See, dongen̛ doune to þe grounde. For alson̛ als Alexandere
was gane fra Tire to þe vale of Iosaphat, Balan̛ þat
was lorde of Tyre ischewid̛ oute of þe citee wit thee folke
þare-of, & assailled̛ the basteƚƚ manfully, and tuk it
& dange it doune. And when̛ Alexander sawe that, he was gretly
angerde, and his hert wonder heuy, and so ware aƚƚe þe
Macedoynes and the Grekes. In so mekiƚƚ thay ware nerehand̛
in dispeire for to wyn̛ þe citee, and ware in poynte to
hafe riffen up þe segge. And one þe nyghte nexte suande,
Alexander, als he laye & slept, dremyd̛ þat he hadd̛
in his hand̛ a grape, þe whilke hym thoghte he keste downe
vnder his fete, and trade þare-one, & alsone þare
ran̛ oute of it a grete dele of wyne. And when̛ Alexander
wakned̛, he called̛ tiƚƚ hym̛ a Philosophre & talde
hym his dreme. And þe Philosophre ansuerde, 'be balde,'
quoþ he, '& lefe noȝte to ensegge Tyre, for þe grape
þat þou
helde in thi hand̛, and keste vnder thi fete, and trade
þare-one, es þe Citee of Tyre, þe whilk þou
saƚƚ wynn̛ thurgℏ strentℏ and trede it with thi
fote, and þare-fore be na-thynge abaiste.' When Alexander
herd̛ thire wordes, he was gretly comforthed̛, and
vmbithoghte hym̛ one whate wyse he myghte gette this Citee.
And than̛ he garte make anoþer basteƚƚe in þe
see, grettere, & hyere, and strangere þan þe toþer
was. For it was hiere þan̛ þe hegheste towre of
þe citee. And þis basteƚe was tyede wit a hundrethe
ankers. Þan̛ Alexander gert armede hyn̛ suerely &
wele, & wente by hym ane vp apon̛ this basteƚƚe, and
badd̛ aƚƚ his men̛ þat þay schulde make
þam̛ redy for to feghte & to giffe assawte to þe
citee. And alsone als þay sawe hym entire in to þe citee,
þay scholde aƚƚ at anes presse to þe walles, and
scale þam̛, and clymbe ouer þe walles baldely &
wyn̛ þe citee. And when̛ aƚƚ men̛
weren̛ redy, hee gerte smyte soundere þe cabiƚƚs
þat þe basteƚƚe was tyed̛ wit, & þe wawes
of þe see bare it to þe walles of þe Citee. And
Alexander delyuerlye stert apon̛ [þe] walles, whare
Balan̛ stode, and ran̛ apon̛ hym & slew hym and keste
hym ouer þe walles in-to þe dyke of þe citee. And
when̛ þe Macedoyns & þe Grekes sawe Alexander entir
in-to þe citee, þay schouffed̛ to þe walles
aƚƚ at anes, and clambe ouer, sum̛ wit leddirs sum̛ on
oþer wyse wit-owtten̛ any resistence. For þe
Tyreyenes was so ferde bycause of þe dedde of Balan̛
þaire duc þat þay ne durste noghte turne agayne no
defende þe walleȝ. And on̛ this wyse was þe
citee taken̛ and doungen̛ doune to þe erthe.
Fra þe segge of Tyre Alexander & his men̛ went to
þe citee of Gaȝa and assailed̛it, & wit schorte while
þay wan̛ it. And Fra thethyn̛ hyed̛ hym
towardeȝ Ierusalem for to ensegge it.
Qwhen̛ þe Bischoppe of þe Iewes herde teƚƚe
þat Alexander was commaund toward̛ Ierusalem, he gert
caƚƚ bifore hym̛ aƚƚ þe iewes þat ware in
þe citee, and talde þam̛ þe tythyngeȝ
þat ware talde hym. And sythen̛ he commandid̛
þam̛ þat þay schuld̛ com̛ to þe
temple, and be þare in praynge Fastyngeȝ and wakynge & in
sacrafice makyng vn-to godd̛, bisekand hym of helpe &
socoure. And þay did̛ soo. And on þe nyghte nexte
after, when þe Bischoppe hadd̛ made his sacrafice, and was
lyand̛ in prayers, he feƚƚ on slomeryng and ane Angeƚƚe
appered̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym, and sayd̛, 'Be noȝte
ferd̛,' quoþ he, 'bot swythe gere araye honestly aƚƚ
þe stretis of (þe) citee, and caste open̛ the
ȝates, and warne aƚƚ þe folke þat þay aray
þam̛ in whitte clethynge, and thi-selfe & aƚƚe
þe prestis reuesteȝ ȝow solempnely, and to-morne arely
wendeȝ furthe of þe citee agaynes Alexander in
processioun̛. For hym by-houeȝ regne & be lorde of
aƚƚe þe werlde. Bot at þe laste þe wrethe of
godd̛ saƚƚ falle apon̛ hym.' When̛ þe
bischoppe wakened̛ of his slepe, he called̛ tiƚƚ hym
þe iewes and talde þam̛ his reuelacion̛, and bad
þam̛ do aƚƚ als þe Angelle hade schewed̛
hym̛. And þay did̛ so. For þay arayed̛
þe streteȝ of þe cetee and cledde þam̛ in
whitte clethynge, and the bischope & þe prestis reueste
þam̛, and bathe thay and alle þe folke went furthe of
þe citee tiƚƚ a place whare þe temple & aƚƚ
þe citee may be seen̛. And þare þay habade
þe comynge of Alexander. And when̛ Alexander come nere
þis foresaid place, and sawe be-for hym̛ swilke a multitude
of folke, cledd̛ aƚƚe in whitte, and þe presteȝ
arayed̛ solempnely in riche vestymentis, and þe byschope
also in his pontyfycales and a mytir one his heued̛, and
þare-apon̛ a plate of golde, whare-one was wretyn þe
name of grete godd̛ Tetragramaton, he commaunded aƚƚ his
men̛ þat þay schulde halde þam̛
by-hynd̛ hym, and habyde tiƚƚ he com̛ to
þam̛. And he lighte off his horse, and went bi hym ane to
þe iewes, And knelid̛ down̛ to þe erthe and
wirchippede þe hye name of godd, þat he saw þar
wretyn̛ apon̛ þe bischopes heued̛. And
þan̛ alle þe iewes knelid̛ doun̛ & saluste
Alexander and cried aƚƚ wit a voyce: 'lyff lyffe,' quoþ
þay, 'grete Alexander, lyffe, lyffe the gretteste Emperour of
þe werlde, lyffe he þat saƚƚ ouer-com̛ aƚƚ
men̛ and noȝte be ouercomen̛. Prynce maste gloryous
and maste worthy of aƚƚ þe princeȝ þat
regneȝ apon̛ erthe.' When̛ þe kyngeȝ of
Surry saw þis, þay hadd̛ grete wonder þare-off.
And a prynce of Alexanders, þat highte Parmenon̛,
said̛ vn-tiƚƚ Alexander: 'Mi lorde þe Emperour,'
quoþ he, 'we mervelle vs gretely þat þou, wham̛
aƚƚ men̛ wirchippeȝ and lowteȝ, wirchippeȝ
here þe bischope of þe Iewes.' And Alexander
ansuered̛, 'I wirchipe noȝ hym,' þis quoþ he,
'Bot Gdd̛, whase state he presenteȝ. For when̛ I was
in Macedoyne, and vmbithoghte me, on̛ what
wyse I myȝte conquere Assye, I saw hym slepand̛, in swilk
habite & in swylke araye; and he lete as he sett noȝte by me, bot
went baldely furthe bi me. And for I see nane in swilke arraye bot
hym, I suppose it be he þat I saw in my slepe. And
þare-fore I trowe þat thurgℏ þe helpe of
Godd̛ I saƚƚ ouercom̛ Daryus, þe kyng of Perse,
and his grete pryde fordo. And aƚƚ thyngeȝ þat I
caste in my hert fo[r] to do, it es my fuƚƚ triste þat
thurgℏ his helpe I saƚƚ fulfiƚƚ it, and wele bryng it
to end̛. And þis es þe cause I wirchipped hym.' And
when̛ he hadd̛ said̛ thies wordes, he went in-to
þe citee wit the bischope & þe presteȝ, and went
in-to þe temple þat Salamon̛ made. And as þe
bischope teched̛ hym̛ he offred̛ sacrafice un-to
Godd̛. And þe bischope tuke Alexander in hande a buke of
þe prophicye of Daniel, in þe whilke he fande
wretyn̛, þat a man̛ of Grece sulde distruy þe
powere of Perse. And Alexander was reghte gladde, supposynge þat
it was hym-selfe. And þan̛ he gaffe þe bischoppe &
þe oþer presteȝ grete gyfteȝ & riche & precyous,
And badd̛ þe bischope ashe of hym what so he walde. And
the bischope askede þat he walde giffe þam̛ leue to
vse þe same lawes þat þaire faderes vsed̛
bifore þam̛, and he graunted̛ it. And þan̛
þepe bischoppe askede þat walde giffe þe Iewes þat
ware in Medee & in Babyloyne, leue for to vse þaire lawes, & he
graunted̛ hym þat & aƚƚ oþer thyngeȝ
þat he walde aske.
Alexander than̛ went fra Ierusalem, & lefte thare Andromac his
Messagere, and hym selfe & his Oste went to þe oþer
citeȝ þat ware in þe lande of Iudee, and at ilke a
citee þat he come to, he was wirchipfully ressayued̛. In
þe mene tyme þe Surryens þat fledd̛ fra
Alexander, went to Perse, and̛ talde þe emperour Darius how
Alexander hadd̛ done to þam̛. And Darius
spirred̛ thaym̛ of his stature & of his schappe, and
þay schewed̛ hym purtrayed̛ in a parchemyn̛
skynn̛ þe ymage of Alexander. And alsone als Darius sawe
it, he dispysed̛ Alexander bycause of his littiƚƚ stature,
and be-lyfe he gerte
write a lettre and sent it till Alexander. And þare-wit he sent
hym a handbaƚƚ & oþer certane Iapeȝ in scorne. And
þis is þe tenour of þe lettre þat he sent tiƚƚ
hym.
'Darius, kyng of kynges, and lord̛ of aƚƚ erthely lordes
euen̛ like vnto sonne schynande, wit þe goddeȝ of
Perse, vntiƚƚ Alexander oure seruand̛ we send̛. We
hafe vnderstanden̛ now on late, whare-of we meruelle vs gretely,
þat þou ert so raysed̛ in pride and vayne glorye,
þat þou hase semblede togedir a company of robbours and
thefeȝ oute of þe weste parties, and casteȝ þe
for to com̛ in-tiƚƚ oure partieȝ, supposynge
thurgℏ þam̛ for to ouer-sett and constreyne þe
grete myghte & þe vertue of þe percyens, whase strenghte
þou may neuer sloken̛ ne ouercome, suppose þou
gadirde & sembled̛ togedir aƚƚ þe werlde. For I do
þe wele to wiete þou myghte nerehand̛ alsonne nommer
þe sternes of heuen̛, as þe folke of þe empire
of Perse. Oure goddeȝ also, by whaym̛ aƚƚ þis
werlde es gouerned̛ & sustened̛, praysseȝ &
commendeȝ oure name passyng aƚƚ oþer nacyons. 'Bot
noȝte wit-standynge þis; þou as a littiƚƚ bisne
& a dwerghe, a halfe man̛ & orteȝ of aƚƚe men̛,
desyrand̛ to ouerpasse þi littiƚƚnesse, riȝte
as a mouse crepeȝ oute of hir hole,so þou ert cropen̛
out of þe lande of Sethym̛, wenynge wit a few rebawdeȝ
to conquere & optene þe landeȝ of Perse brade & lange, & to
ryotte & playe the in thaym̛ as myesse douse in þe house
whare na cattes ere. Bot I þat priualy hase aspied̛ thi
gateȝ, when̛ þou weneȝ moste seurely for to
stertle abowte, I saƚƚ sterte apon̛ þe & take
þe; & so in wrechidnes saƚƚ thi dayes fouly hafe an̛
ende. 'A grete Foly þou dide for to take apon̛ the swylke
a presumpcyon. It ware fuƚƚ faire to þe, if þou
myghte bi oure lefe, wit oure beneuolence, ocupie aƚƚ anely
þe rewme of Macedoyne, ȝeldynge þarefore tiƚƚ vs
ȝerely a certane tribute, if aƚƚ þou couetid̛
noȝte oure empire. Þare-fore it es gude þat
þou lefe thi fonned̛ purposse, and wende hame agayne, and
sett the in thi moder knee. And lo, I sende the here a littiƚƚ
baƚƚe, wit þe whilke als a childe þou may play the.
For þou ert bot a childe. It es mare semely þat þou
vse childeȝ gammeȝ þan dedeȝ of armes. 'We knawe
wele thi pouert and thi nede, and
þat þou hase vnnethes whare wit þou may sustene thi
caytyfde corse. Weueȝ þou, than̛, to brynge vnder thi
subieccion̛ the empyre of Darius. I say the by my Fader saule,
þat in the rewme of Perse þare es so grete plente of
golde, þat, & it were gadirde to gedir on a hepe, It schulde
passe þe clerenes of þe son̛. Whare-fore we commande
the, and straitely enioyneȝ the, þat þou leue thi
fole pride and thi vayne glory, & tourne hame agayne to Macedoyne.
And if þou wiƚƚ noȝte soo, we saƚƚ sende to
þe a multitude of men̛ of armeȝ swilke ane saw
þou neuer, þe whilke saƚƚ take þe, and hynge
þe hye on̛ a gebett as a traytour and a mayster of
theefeȝ: and noȝte as þe son of
Philippe.'
When̛ þe messangers þat were sent fra Darius come
to king Alexander, þay gaffe hym the lettres, and þe
baƚƚe & oþer certane Iapes, þat þe emperour
sent hym in scorne. And Alexander tuke þe lettres, and gert
rede it openly by-fore alle men̛, and Alexander knyghtes when
þay herde þe tenour of þe lettres ware gretly
astonayde and wonder heuy. And when̛ Alexander sawe
þam̛ so heuy by cause of þe lettre, he saide vn-to
þam: 'a a, my worthy knyghtis,' quoþ he, 'are ȝe
fered̛ for þe prowde wordeȝ þat are contened in
Darius lettres, wate ȝe noghte wele þat hundeȝ,
þat berkes mekiƚƚ, byteȝ men̛ noghte so sone, als
doeȝ hundes þat commeȝ one men̛ wit-outten
berkynge. We trewe wele þe lettre says sothe of some
thyngeȝ, þat es to saye, of þe grete plentee of
golde, þat Darius sais he hase. And þarefore late vs
manly feghte wit hym and we saƚƚ hafe þat golde. For
þe grete multitude of his golde, als me thynke, schulde gare vs
be balde and hardy for to fighte wit hym manly.'
When Alexander had̛ saide thir wordeȝ he bade his
knyghtis take the messangers of Darius and bynd̛ þaire
handeȝ bi-hynde þam̛, & lede þam̛ furthe to
the galowes, & hynge þam̛. And þay tuke þe
messangers & bande þam̛, and began for to lode þam
furthe to þe galowes-warde, and þan̛ þe
messengers bigan̛ for to crye rewfully vntiƚƚ Alexander &
sayd̛: 'A, A wirchipfuƚƚ lorde & kynge', quoþ
þay, ' whate hafe we trespaste, þat we schaƚƚ be
haungede for oure kynges dedis'. And þan̛ kyng Alexander
ansuerd̛: 'þe wordeȝ of ȝour Emperour',
quoþ he, ' gers me do þis, þat sent ȝow vn-to
me, as vnto a theeffe, as þe
lettre whilke ȝe broghte witnesseȝ': 'A, A lorde',
quoþ þay, 'oure emperour sent thus to ȝou: for
ȝour powere & ȝour myghte was unknawwen vn-tiƚƚ hym.
Bot we be-seke ȝow lateȝ vs gaa, and we schaƚƚ mak
aknawen̛ vntiƚƚ hym ȝour grete glory, ȝour
ryaltee, & ȝour noblaye.'
Þan̛ kyng Alexander badd̛ his knyghtis lowse
þam̛, and bryng þam̛ in-tiƚƚ his
hauƚƚe, to þe mete. And thare he made þam̛ a
grete feste & a ryaƚƚ. And as þay satt at the mete,
þir messangers saide vn tiƚƚ Alexander, 'lorde,' quoþ
þay, 'if it be plesynge to ȝour hye maiestee sendeȝ
with vs a thowsand of doghty men̛ of armes, and we saƚƚ
delyuer þam̛ þe Emperour Darius,' and Alexander
ansuerde agayne & said̛ 'Sittes stiƚƚe', quoþ he, '&
makes ȝow mery. For I teƚƚ ȝow in certayne, for
þe betrayinge of ȝour kynge, I wiƚƚ noghte graunt
ȝow a knyghte wit ȝow'. Apon þe morne, Alexander gart
write a lettre vn-to Darius, whareoffe þe tenour was this.
Þe letter of Alexandere
'Alexander, the son̛ of Philippe & of qwene Olympias, vn-to
Darius, kyng of þe land̛ þat schynes wit þe
goddeȝ of Perse, we sende. If we graythely & sothefastly
be-halde oure selfe þare es na thynge þat we here hafe
þat we may bi righte caƚƚe ours, bot aƚƚ it es lent vs
for a tyme. For aƚƚe we þat ere whirlede aboute wit
þe whele of fortune, now ere we broghte fra reches in-to
pouerte: now fra myrthe & ioy in-to Sorowe & heuynssse; and
agaynwardeȝ : and now fra heghte, we are plungede in-to lawnesse.
Þare-fore þare schulde na man̛ þat es sett in
hye degre triste to mekiƚƚ in his hyenesse, that, thurgh pride &
vayne glorye, he schulde despyse þe dedis of oþer
men̛ lesse þan he. For he wate neuer how sone þe
whele of fortune may turne abowte, and caste hym doune to lawe
degree, þat sitteȝ hye on̛-lofte: and rayse hym to hye
wirchipe and grete noblaye þat bifore was pore and in lawe
degree. And þarefore the aughte to thynke grete schame,
þat swilke a worthy emperour as men̛ haldeȝ the,
schulde sende swylke
a message vnto me so littill a man̛ and so pore. For þou
ert euen lyke to þe sonne, as thi selfe says, sittande in
þe trone of Nitas wit þe goddeȝ of Perse. Bot
goddeȝ þat euermare are liffaunde & neuermare dyeȝ,
deyneȝ noȝte for to hafe þe felachipe of dedely
men̛. Sekerly I am a dedely man̛; and to þe I come as
to a dedely man, for to feghte wit the. Bot þou þat arte
so grete & so gloryous & calleȝ thi selfe vndedely, Þou
saƚƚ wynne na thynge of me, if aƚƚe þou hafe þe
ouerhande of me. For þou hase ouercommen̛ bot a
littiƚƚ man̛, and a theeffe als þou sayse. And if I
hafe þe ouerhande ouer the, It saƚƚ be to me þe
gretteste wirchipe þat euere byfeƚƚ me, for als mekiƚƚ
als I saƚƚ hafe þe victorye of þe worthieste emperour
of þe werlde. Bot þare þou saide, þat, in
þe rewme of Perse, es so grete plentee of golde, þou hase
scharpede oure hertiȝ, and made mare balde for to feghte with
the, & for to wynne þat golde; for to relefe oure pouerte
wit-aƚƚ, & putte awaye our nede whilke þou says we hafe.
In þat also, þat þou sent vs a hande-baƚƚe and
oþer barne-laykaynes, þou prophicyed riȝte, and
betakend̛ bi-fore, thynges þat we trewe, thurgℏ
goddeȝ helpe, saƚƚ faƚƚe vn-tiƚƚ vs. By þe
rowndenes of þe baƚƚe, we vnderstande all the werld̛
aboute vs, þe whilke saƚƚ faƚƚe vnder oure
subieccion̛. Bi þe tane of þe laykanes þat
þou sent vs, þe whilke es made of wandeȝ and
crukeȝ donwardeȝ at þe ouerend̛, we vnderstand
þat aƚƚ þe kynges of þe werlde, and aƚƚ
þe grete lordeȝ, saƚƚ lowte tiƚƚ vs. Bi þe
toþer laykan̛, þat es of golde, and hase apon it, as
it ware, a manneȝ hede, we vnderstande þat we saƚƚ
hafe þe victorye of aƚƚ men̛ and neuer be
ouercommen̛. And þou þat ert so grete & so myghty
hase now onwardeȝ sent vs trybute, in als mekeƚƚ als
þou sent vs a handbaƚƚe, and þir oþer thynges
þat I rehersed by-fore, the whilke conteneȝ in
þam̛ so grete dignyteȝ.'
When̛ þis lettre was wreten̛, Alexander
called̛ till þe messangers of þe Emperour of Perse,
and gaffe þam̛ riche gyftes and betuke þam þe
lettre, and badd̛ þam̛ bere it to þaire lorde.
And þan̛ Alexander sembled̛ his Oste, and by-gan̛
for to wende towarde Perse. When the messangers of Perse come to
þe emperour þay talde hym of þe grete ryaltee of
kyng Alexander and tuke hym the letters þat Alexander sent
hym̛. And
þe emperour garte rede þam̛. And when he herd̛
þam̛ redde he was wonder wrathe, and sent a lettre belyue
vn-tiƚƚ twa grete lordeȝ that hadd̛ þe gouernance
of þe empire vnder hym sayand̛ to þam on this wiese.
'Darius kyng of kynges and lorde of lordes vntiƚƚ oure trewe
legeȝ Primus & Antyochus, gretynge and ioy. We here teƚƚ
þat Alexander, Philippe sonne of Macedoyne, es so heghe raysede
in pryde, þat he es rebeƚƚe agaynes vs, & es commen̛
in-tiƚƚ Asye, and hase distroyed̛ it vtterly. And ȝitt
hym thynke noȝte this ynoghe, bot he purposeȝ hym for to
come nere vs, and do þe same tiƚƚ oþerre cuntreȝ
of oure empire as he hase done tyƚƚ Asye. Whare-fore we comande
ȝowe o payne of ȝour legeance, þat ȝe semble
þe grete men̛ & þe worthy of ours empyre, wit
oþer of our trewe legeȝ; and, in aƚƚ þe haste
þat ȝe may, gase & counters ȝone childe, takand̛
hym, and bryngand̛ hym bi-fore oure presence, þat we may
lasche hym wele, als a wanton̛ childe schulde be: and clethe hym
in purpoure; & so send̛ hym tiƚƚ his moder Olympias wele
chastyede. For it semeȝ noȝte to be a feghter: but for to
vse childe gammeȝ.
Thire twa lordes Primus and Antyochus, when
þay hadde redde this lettre of þe emperour, þay
wrate agayne vntiƚƚ him on this wyse.
'Vn-to Darius, kyng of kyngeȝ, grete
godd̛, Primus & Antiochus, seruyce þat þay kan̛
do. To ȝour heghe maieste we make it aknawen̛, þat
þe childe Alexandere, whilke ȝe speke off, hase aƚƚ
vtterly distroyed̛ ȝour cuntree. And we sembled̛ 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 þe lyfe. Þare-fore we þat ȝe say ere
helpers vnto ȝowe, besekeȝ ȝour hye maiestee that
ȝe send̛ sum̛ socoure tiƚƚ vs ȝour trewe
leges.'
When̛ Darius hadde redde þis
lettre, þare come anoþer messanger till hym and talde hym
þat Alexander and his Oste hade lugede þam appon the water
of Strume. And when̛ Darius herd̛ þat he wrate
anoþer lettre vntiƚƚ Alexander, of whilke þis was
þe tenour.
' Darius, kyng of kynges, and lorde
of lordeȝ, vn-tiƚƚ oure seruande Alexander. Thorowte
aƚƚ þe werlde þe name of
Darius es praysed̛ & commended̛. Oure goddeȝ also hase
it wreten̛ in thaire bukes. How than̛ durste þou be
so balde, for to passe so many waters, and seeȝ, Mountaynes &
craggeȝ, for to werraye agaynes oure royaƚƚe maiestee. A
grete wirchip̛ me thynke it ware to þe, if þou myghte
mawgre oures, hafe in possessioun̛ þe kyngdome of Macedoyne
aƚƚ anely, wit-owtten mare. Thare-fore the es better amend̛
þe of thi mysededis, þan we take swilke wreke appon̛
the, þat oþer men̛ take bisne þareby, sen̛
aƚƚe þe erthe wit-owtten oure lordchipe, may be callede
wedowe. Torne agayne þare-fore, we consaile þe, in-to
thyn̛ awenn̛ cuntree, are oure wrethe and oure wreke
faƚƚe apon̛ þe. Neuer-þe-lesse, þat oure
wirchippe & oure grete noblaye be sumwhate knawen̛ to þe,
we sende the a malefuƚƚ of cheseboƚƚe sede, in takennyng
þare-of. Luke if þou may nombir & teƚƚe aƚƚ
þir chesseboƚƚe sedeȝ, & if þou do þatt
þan̛ may þe folke of oure oste be nowmerd̛. And
if þou may noȝte do þat oure folke may noȝte be
nowmerd̛. Þarefor turnee hame agayne in-to þi
cuntree and lefe þi foly þat þou hase bygun̛,
and take na mare apon̛ þe swilke a presumpcion, for I
teƚƚ þe we haffe men̛ of armes wit-oute
nowmmere'.
When̛ þe Messangers
of Darius come tiƚƚ Alexander, þay tuk hym þe lettre
and þe malefuƚƚ of chesseboƚƚe sedeȝ. Alexander
þan̛ gerte rede þe letter. And sythen̛ he putt
his hand̛ in þe male, and tuke of þe chesseboƚƚe
sedeȝ & putt in his mouthe, & chewed̛ it, & said, 'I see
wele', quoþ he, 'þat he hase many men̛, bot þay
are riȝte softe as this sedeȝ are.' In þe mene tyme
þare come a Measanger tiƚƚ Alexander fra Macedoyne: and
talde hym þat his Moder Olympias was grefe seke. And [when]
Alexander herd̛ þis, he was wonder heuy. Neuer þe
lesse, he wrate vn to Darius a lettre, þat spakke on̛ this
wyse.
'Alexander þe son̛ of Philippe & of qwene Olympias vn-to
Darius kynge of Perse, we sende. We do þe wele to wiete
þat we hafe herde certane tythyngeȝ, whilke gers vs
agayneȝ oure wiƚƚ do þat we now saƚƚ saye. Bot
trow þou noȝte þat we for fere or dowte of thi pride
and þi vayne glorye turne hame agayne now tiƚƚ oure
awenn̛ cuntre, Bot aƚƚ anely for to vesett
oure Moder Olympias, whilke lygges grefe seke. Bot wete pou wele, wit
in schorte tym̛, we schaƚƚ haste vs agayne, wit a grete
nowmere of fresche knyghtis. And riȝte als þou sent vs a
malefeƚƚ of chessobolle sedeȝ; so we sende þe here a
littiƚƚ peper. For þou schulde witte þat riȝte
as þe scharpenes of þis littiƚƚ peper passeȝ
þe multitude of þe chesseboƚƚe sedeȝ, riȝte
so þe grete multitude of þe Persyenes saƚƚ be
ouer-comen̛ wit a fewe knyghtis of
Macedoyne.'
This lettre be-kende Alexander to þe knyghtis of Darius,
þe peper also, & bad̛ þam̛ bere þam̛
to þe emperour. And he gaffe þam̛ grete gyftes and
riche, and sent þam̛ furthe. And þan̛ he
turnede agayne wit his Oste towarde Macedoyne.
Thare was þe same tyme a wonder wyse man̛ of werre
þe whilke highte Amorca, and he was prynce-werres in Araby, and
lay þare wit a grete multitude of men̛ in awayte of
Alexander & his Oste. And when̛ he herde teƚƚ of þe
commyng of Alexander, he redied̛ hym for to kepe hym. And
when̛ þay mett, þay faught to-geder aƚƚ þe
daye fra þe morne tiƚƚ þe euen̛. And so
þay dide aƚƚ þase thre deyes. And þare was so
mekiƚƚ folke dede in þat bataile, þat þe sone
wexe eclipte & wit-drewe his lighte, vggande for to see so mekiƚƚ
scheddynge of blude. Bot at laste þe Percyenes ware so
thikke-falde felled̛ to þe grounde, þat þaire
prynce Amorca turned̛ þe bakke & fledd̛, and
vnnetheȝ myghte wynn̛ awaye, and a fewe wit hym. So hastyly
fledd̛ Amorca, þat he come nerehand̛ alsone to Darius,
as his measagers did̛ þat come fra Alexander, and
fand̛ Darius haldand̛ þe lettre in his hande,
þat Alexander sent hym̛, and spirrande what Alexander
did̛ wit þe chessbolle sedeȝ. And þe messangers
ansuerd̛ & said̛: ' He tuke of þo chessboƚƚe
sedeȝ', quoþ þay, 'and chewed̛ of
þam̛, & said̛. I see wele,' quoþ he, 'þat
Darius hase many men̛, bot þay are wonder softe'; And than
Darius tuk of þe peper, þat Alexander sent, and putt in
his mouthe and chewed̛ it. And when he felide þe strenghe
of it, and þe grete hete, he syghede sare, and saide: 'Alexander
knyghtis', quoþ he, 'are bot fewe, bot and þay be als
strange in þam̛ selfe, as þis peper es in it selfe,
þay saƚƚ fynde nane in þis werlde þat may
agaynestande þam̛.' And þan ansuerde Amorca & saide,
'Forsothe, lorde', quoþ he, 'ȝe
say sothe, Alexander hase few knyghtis, bot þay ere strange,
þat hase slaen̛ my knyghtis þat ware so many, so
þat vnnetheȝ myghte I eschappe owte of þaire
handeȝ.' Alexander, if aƚƚe he hade þe victorye of
his enemys, he bare hym neuer þe hiere þare-fore, ne
empridede hym noȝte þare-of. Bot bathe Percyeneȝ &
the Macedoyns þat ware slaen̛, he gert brynge to
beryeƚƚ. And þan̛ he come wit his Oste in-to
Ceciƚƚ, whare many Citeȝ submyt
þam̛ vn̛-tiƚƚ hym, and of that rewme, þare
went wit hym̛: xvij. M. In printed text, "ƚ" inserted superscript above "M." feghtynge men̛. And fra thethyn̛ he come tiƚƚ Ysaury, þe whilke,
wit-owtten̛ any agayne standynge, was ȝolden vntiƚƚ
hym. And Alexander went vp apon̛ þe Mounte Taurus, and
fande þare a citee þat men̛ callede Persypolis, and
thare he tuk wit hym a certane of men̛ of Armes, and went so
thurgh Asye, and wan̛ many Citeȝ. And so he come in-to
Frigy, and went in-to þo temple of þe son̛, and thare
he made sacrafyce to þe son̛. Fra thethyn̛, he come
to a reuere, þat es called̛ Stamandra, and þare he
said̛ tiƚƚ his men. 'Blyste mote ȝe be', quoþ he, 'þat hase getyn̛ þe comendacions & þe
praysyngeȝ of þe gude doctour Homerus', and ane of his
men̛ ansuerde & said̛, 'Mi lorde kyng', quoþ he, 'Me
thynke I may sauely writte ma praysyngeȝ, & lonyngeȝ of the,
þan̛ Homerus did̛ of þam̛ þat
distruyede þe Citee of Trayane. For þou hase done in
þi tyme ma wirchipfuƚƚ thyngeȝ, þan̛ euer
did̛ þay.' And Alexander [ansuerd,] & said̛ 'Me ware
leuer,' quoþ he, 'be a wyse manes disciple þan for to hafe
þe lonyngeȝ of Achilleȝ.' After this he remonede wit
his Oste into Macedoyne, & fande his Modir Olympias wele couerd̛
of hir sekenes, and suggournede þare wit her a while. And
than̛ he ordeyned hym̛ for to wende agayne into Persy, And
keste hym for to logge at a Citee, þat men̛ calleȝ
Abandryan̛. The men̛ of þe Citee, when̛
þay herde telle of his commynge, þay sperede þe
ȝates of þe Citee, and wachede þe citee one ilke a
syde. And when̛ Alexander saw þat, he went & assaillede
þe Citee. And þe burgeȝ of þe Citee,
when̛ þay sawe þat þe citee was noȝte
strange ynoghe of þe selfe, for to agaynstande þe assawte
of þaire enemys, þay criede tiƚƚ Alexander & saide:
'Kyng Alexander,' quoþ þay, 'we spered̛
noȝte þe ȝates of [the] citee to þat entent for
to agaynestande the, Bot allanly for þe drede of Darius, kyng of
Perse, þe whilke as it was tolde tiƚƚ vs, es purpossede for
to send̛ his men̛ hedir, for to destruye vs & oure citee.'
And þan̛ Alexander said̛ vnto þam̛
agayn̛. 'Iffe ȝe wiƚƚ,' quoþ he, 'þat we
distruy ȝow noghte, openeȝ ȝour ȝates, and
when̛ I hafe made an ende wit Darius, þan̛ saƚƚ I
come agayne, & speke wit ȝowe.' And þan̛ þe
Citaȝenes opened̛ þe ȝates. Fra thethen̛
þay went to Comnoliche. And fra thethyn̛ to Bihoy, and so
to Caldiple. Syne þay come tiƚƚ a grete reuere, whare
Alexander Oste hadd̛ grete defaute of vetaƚƚs, and
þan̛ his knyghtis murnede gretely and said, 'Oure horses,'
quoþ þay, 'fayleȝ vs ay mare & mare.' Alexander
ansuerd̛ & said̛, 'A A, my doghty knyghtis,' quoþ he,
'þat ȝitt heder-towardeȝ hase in werreȝ
suffred̛ many periƚƚs & mekiƚƚ disesse, ere ȝe
nowe in despeyre of ȝour hele for þe failynge of ȝour
horseȝ, Saƚƚ we noȝte gete horseȝ ynowe, and we
lyffe & hafe qwert, and if we dye we saƚƚ hafe na nede of horse,
na þay may do us na prophete. Haste we vs þare-fore in
aƚƚ þat we maye to þe place whare we saƚƚ gete
horseȝ wit-owtten̛ nowmer, and vetaiƚƚs also, bathe
for oure selfe & for oure horseȝ.' When̛ he hadd̛
aƚƚ saide, þay went furthe and come tiƚƚ a place
þat es called Luctus, þat es to saye wepynge, whar
þay fande vetails ynoghe, and mete ynoghe for þaire horse.
Fra thethyn̛ þay remoued̛ & come tiƚƚ a place
þat hatt Trigagantes, and þare þay luged̛
þam̛. And Alexander went in-to a temple of Apollo; whare
als he aghteled̛ to hafe made Sacrafice, and hafe hadd̛
ansuere of that godd̛ of certane thynges þat he walde hafe
aschede. Bot a woman þat hiȝte Ȝacora, whilke was
preste of þat temple, talde Alexander þat þan̛
was noȝte þe tyme of ansuere. On þe Morne Alexander
come to þe temple & made his sacrafice. And Apollo said̛
tiƚƚ Alexander, 'Hercules,' quoþ he. And Alexander
ansuered̛, & said̛, 'Now þat þou calleȝ me
Hercules,' quoþ he: 'I see wele þat aƚƚ thyn̛
ansuers ere false.' Fra thethyn Alexander went till a citee þat
es called̛ Thebea, and said vn-to þe folke of þe
citee: 'Sendeȝ me furthe,' quoþ he, 'foure hundreth
knyghtis, wele armed̛ for to wend wit
vs in suppoellyng of vs.' And when̛ þe Thebeans herd̛
thir wordeȝ, þay spered̛ þe ȝates of
þe citee, for to agayne-stande Alexander, and went to þe
walleȝ, and cried̛ lowde þat Alexander myghte here:
'Alexander,' quoþ þay, 'bot if [þou] gaa
hethyn̛ fra vs, we saƚƚ do the a velany, & thi knyghtis
also.' When Alexander herde this, he smyled̛& saide: 'ȝe
Thebeens,' quoþ he, 'þat ere so mekiƚƚ praysed̛
& commended̛ of strenghe, Spere ȝe ȝour ȝates &
saise ȝe wiƚƚ feghte wit me; þare es na doghety
man̛ of armeȝ þat coueteȝ for to haue
wirchip̛ and loos; þat wiƚƚ close hym̛ witin
walles, bot fightes wit his enemys manly in þe felde.'
When̛ he hadd̛ saide thir wordeȝ, he bad þat
foure thowsandeȝ archers sulde gaa abowte þe citee wit
þaire bowes, & lay apon̛ þam̛ wit arowes
þat stode apon̛ þe walleȝ. And he bad two
hundreth men̛ of armes ga to þe walles, and myne
þam̛ doune, and a hundrethe he bad take fyrebrandeȝ, &
gaa to þe ȝates & brynne þam̛. And he ordeynde
oþer foure hundreth men̛, for to bett doun̛ þe
walles wit Sewes of werre, Engynes and Gonnes & oþer maner of
Instrumenteȝ of werre. And hym selfe, and þe remenant of
þe oste lay nere þam̛ to socour þam̛
when̛ þay hadd̛ nede. And belyfe fra þay
hadd̛ gyffen̛ assawte to þe citee, þe ȝates
ware brynt, & mekiƚƚ folke was slayne witin þe citee, Sum̛
wit arowes, sum̛ wit stanes of Engynes; þe Fire also
by-gan̛ for to sett in houseȝ wit-in þe citee, & rayse
a grete lowe. In þe Oste of Alexander was, þe same tyme,
a man̛ þe whilke highte Cicesterus, a grete enemy to
þe citee. He, when̛ he sawe þe citee bryne, made
righte mery. Bot a man̛ of the citee þat highte
Hismon̛, when̛ he saw his cuntree þusgates be
distruyed, come and feƚƚe one knees be-fore Alexander, and
bigan̛ for to synge a sange of Musyke & of murnyge wit an
Instrument of Musike, Supposyng þare-by for to drawe Alexanders herte to Mercy, & styrre hym to hafe rewthe on þe citee. Alexander be-helde hym, & sayde: 'Maister,' quoþ he, 'whareto
syngeȝ þou me þis sange ?' 'A Alorde,' quoþ
Hismon, 'to luke ȝife I myȝte styrre þi herte to hafe
mercy on̛ þe citee.' And þan̛ Alexander was
wonder wrathe, and bad dynge þe walles of þe cetee
doun̛ to þe harde erthe. And when̛ þay had so
done þay remoued̛ & went þaire way, and ane of
þe worthieste men̛ of þe citee, þe whilke
hyghte Clitomarus, went wit þam̛ in company. Bot þe
Thebeens þat ware lefte aftire þe birnynge
of þe citee went to þe temple of Apollo, and askede
weþer euer mare þaire citee sulde be repaireld agayne.
Apollo ansuerde, & said̛, 'he þat schaƚƚ bygge
þis citee agayne saƚƚ hafe thre victories. And when̛
he hase geten̛ thre victories, he saƚƚ onane come &
repareƚƚ this citee, and bigge it agayne, also wele, als euer it
was.'
Alexander fra þe citee of Thebe, went to Corynthe, and
þare come tiƚƚ hym certane lordes, prayand̛ hym
þat he walde come & see a wrestillynge. And he graunted̛
þam̛. And to þis Ilke wrestillynge þare come
folke witowtten̛ nowmer. And when̛ aƚƚ men̛ were
gadirde, Alexander saide: 'whilk of ȝowe,' quoþ he,
'saƚƚ gaa & be-gynn̛ þis playe'. Clitomarus
þan̛, of whaym̛ I spake bifore, knelid̛ bi-fore
þe kyng, & saide : 'lorde,' quoþ he, '& ȝe wolle
vouche-saffe to giffe me leue, I wiƚƚ be-gyn̛.' And
Alexander bad hym ga to. And Clitomarus went in-to þe place,
and þe firste man̛ þat come in his hande, at the
first tourne he threwe hym wide open̛. And Alexander said
vntiƚƚ hym: 'Caste thre men̛,' quoþ he, '& þou
saƚƚ be coround̛'. Þan̛ þare come
anoþer man̛ to Clitomarus and vnnetheȝ he come in his
handeȝ, when̛ he was casten̛ wyde open. And one
þe same wyse he seruede þe thirde. And þan
Alexander gart sett on̛ his heuede a precious coroun̛, and
þe kyngeȝ seruaundeȝ spirrede hym what his name was.
'My name,' quoþ he, ' es wit owtten̛ citee'. When
Alexander herde þat he saide vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Thou noble
wristiller,' quoþ he, 'whi arte þou callede wit owtten̛ citee.' 'Wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,' quoþ he, be-fore þat ȝe werede þe emperours Dyademe, I hadde a
citee fuƚƚ of folkeȝ & of reches. Bot now, sene ȝe
come to this astate & þis dignytes, I am spoylede & priuede of
my citee.' And when̛ [he] herde this, he wiste wele þat he
ment of þe citee of Thebe. And þan he garte his
sergeanteȝ make a crye that [he] hadd̛ giffen Clitomarus
leue for to repairelle þe citee of Thebes. Fra Corinthe,
Alexander and his oste remowed̛ tiƚƚ a citee þat
highte Platea, of þe whilke a man̛ þat highte
Scrassageras was prynce. And Alexander went to þe temple of
Diane, and fande þare a woman̛ preste, þe whilke was
a mayden̛, & scho was araied̛ lyke presteȝ of þat
tymme. And when̛ [scho] sawe Alexander, scho saide vn-tiƚƚ
hym: 'Alexander,' quoþ scho, 'þou
arte welcomme. Þou schaƚƚ conquere aƚƚ þe
werlde.' One þe morne Scrassageras went to þe same
temple, and alsone als þe preste sawe hym, scho saide
vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Scrassageras, quoþ scho, ' what thou wit-in a
schorte while þou schaƚƚ be priued̛ of þe
lordchip þat þou now hase ?' And when̛ he herde
þis he was righte wrathe wit hir, & saide, 'þou arte
noȝte worthy,' quoþ he, 'for to be preste here. Alexander
come to þe ȝisterdaye, and þou prophicyed̛ hym
gude; And to me þou sais, þat I schaƚƚ lose aƚƚ
my lordechip̛e.' And scho ansuerd; & saide, 'Beeȝ noȝte
angry to me,' quoþ scho: 'for aƚƚ þis buse be
fulfilled̛, and nathynge þare of lefte ne ouerhippede.' A
littiƚƚ after it feƚƚe þat Alexander was gretely
angrede at Scrassageras, and tuke fra hym his lordchipe, &
Scrassageras went to þe cite of Atheneȝ, and sare wepande
he complenede hym to þe citaȝenes of Atheneȝ & talde
þam̛ how þat Alexander hadd̛ priued̛ hym of
his lordechipe. And þan̛ þe Atheneanes ware wonder
[wrathe] towardes Alexander, and made grete boste & manace, þat
þay schold̛ ryse agaynes hym, bot if he restorede
Scrassageras agayne tiƚƚ his lordechipe. Alexander remowed̛
his Oste fra Platea to þe citee of Athenes, and when̛ [he]
herde teƚƚe þat þe Athenens ware wrathe tiƚƚ
hym-warde, and manaced̛ hym, he wrate vn-to þam̛ a
lettre þat spak one this wyse.
' Alexander, þe son of Philippe and of qwene Olympias, vn to
the Athenenes, gretynge. Fra þe tyme þat oure Fadir was
dedde, & we were sett in þe Trone of his dingnytee, we went into
þe weste Marches, whare aƚƚ þe folkeȝ þat
duelleȝ thare for þe maste party ȝalde þam̛
vn-tiƚƚ vs wit-owtten stresse. Fra þe citee of Rome to
þe weste see occyane, aƚƚ men̛ submytte
þam̛ vn-tiƚƚ vs þat wit oure awen fre wiƚƚ
we hafe taken þam̛ tiƚƚ oure grace. And thase
þat walde noȝte submytt þam̛ tiƚƚ vs wit
fairenes, we hafe distruyed̛ þam̛ & þaire
citeȝ, and doungen̛ þam̛ down̛ to þe
erthe. And now þis oþer daye as we went fra Macedoyne &
passed thurgℏ Asye: bi þe cite of Thebe, þe Thebeyens
despysed̛ vs, & lete as þay sett noȝte by vs. Bot
onane we garte þair pryde faƚƚe, and de-
struyed̛ bathe þam̛ & thaire citee. And
þare-fore we write vn-to ȝow; that ȝe sende vs
ten̛ philosopℏres þat be wyse, by þe
whilke we may be encensede and conselled̛. For oþer thyng
wiƚƚ we nane aske ȝow, Bot aƚƚe anely þat
þe halde vs for ȝour lorde & ȝour kynge. And ȝif
ȝe wiƚƚ noȝte submytt ȝowe vn-tiƚƚ vs,
ȝow buse oþer be strangere þan̛ we, or eƚƚs
submytt yow to sum lordechip̛, þat be strangere
þan̛ oures.'
The Athenyenes redd̛ þis lettre and þan þay
bigan to crye one highte. And ane, þat highte Eschiƚƚe,
stode vp amangeȝ þam̛, and said̛: 'It es fully my
conseƚƚ,' quoþ he, 'þat we on̛ na wise assent
[to thise] wordeȝ of Alexander.' Alle þe folke
þan̛ þat was gadirde þare, prayed þe
philosophre Demostines, þat he walde teƚƚ þam̛
his conselle, as touchynge þat matere. And he stude vp, &
badd̛ aƚƚ men̛ be stiƚƚ. And þan̛ he
said̛ vn-to þam̛. 'Sirs,' quoþ he, 'I pray
ȝow takes tent vn-to my wordeȝ & herkenes gudly what I
saƚƚ say. If ȝe fele ȝow of power, for tiƚƚ
agayne-stande Alexander, & to supprise hym, þan̛ feghtes
wit hym manly, and obeys noȝte tiƚƚ his wordeȝ. And if
ȝe suppose ȝe be noȝte strange ynoghe to feghte wit
hym̛ þan hereȝ hym̛, and obeys vn-tiƚƚ
hym̛. ȝe knawe wele, þat als oure eldirs telles vs,
Ȝerses was a grett kynge, & a myghty, and many victories he gatt.
And neuer þe lesse in Ellada he suffrede grete meschefe. Bot
he, this Alexander, hase done many bataiƚƚes, in þe whilke
he suffrede neuer disese bot alwaye had þe ouerhande. Þe
Thirienes, I pray ȝow, ware [þai] noȝte balde knyghtes
and strange, and aƚƚ þaire lyfe hade bene excercysede in
Armes ? And whate profitede þam̛ þaire strenghe?
Þe Thebienes also þat were so wyse, and so grete exercyse
hadde in armes, fra þe firste tyme þat þe citee was
bygged̛, whare-off seruede þaire grete witt þam̛,
and þaire grete strength, when̛ Alexander assailede
þam̛? Þe Poliponiens faghte wit Alexander, bot
þay myghte na while agayne-stande his men of armes. Bot
alson̛ þaire ware disconfit and slaen̛. It es
noȝte vnknawen vn-to ȝowe, how many citeeȝ
casteƚƚs & townneȝ for fere submittis þam̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym̛ wit-owtten̛ any assawte gyffyng.
Þarefore, it es noȝte my consaile þat ȝe be
heuy, ne wrathe tiƚƚ Alexander
for Scrassageras. For aƚƚ men knawes wele þat Alexander es
a wonder wyse man̛ & a warre, & a man̛ þat gouernes
hym by reson̛; and þare-fore ȝe may wele wete, he
walde noȝte putt Scrassageras oute of his lordechipe upon̛
lesse þan̛ forfett vn-tiƚƚ hym.' When̛ þe
Athenyenes had herde þir wordeȝ, þay commedid̛
gretly the conseiƚƚe of Demostines, and than̛ they
ordeyned̛ a coroun̛ of golde þe weghte of
.1. pounde, and sent Messangers þarewit, and
wit tribute vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, bot philosophres sent þay
nane. And when̛ þire Messangers come tiƚƚ Alexander,
þay gaffe hym þe coroun̛. and þe tribute,
þat þe Athenyenes sent hym̛, and talde hym þat
þay had̛ highte hym a grete nowmer of cateƚƚe. And
when̛ Alexander had herd̛ þam, he vnderstode wele
þe conceƚƚ of Eschilus þat conceƚƚd̛
þe Athenyenes to agaynestand̛ hym̛, and also þe
conceƚƚ of Demostenes that conceƚƚde þam̛
þe contrary, and þan̛ he wrate a lettre to
þam̛ whare-of the Tenoure was this.
'Alexander þe son of Philippe and quene Olympias, for
þe name of kynge wiƚƚ we noȝte take apon vs, before we
hafe oure enemys vnder oure subieccion: vn-to þe Athenyenes
gretyng. It es noȝte oure entent to come in ȝour citee wit
oure oste, Bot allanly to come & dispuyte wit ȝour philosophres,
and to asche þam̛ certane questyons, Oure purposse was also
to hafe declared̛ for oure trewe leggeȝ & oure gude
Frendeȝ. Bot ȝour dedeȝ proues þe contrary, as
it done vs tiƚƚ vnderstande. Oure goddeȝ we take to
witnesse, þat whilke of ȝow so ryseȝ agayneȝ vs,
we saƚƚ take swilke wreke apon̛ hym þat oþer
men̛ saƚƚ take ensample þare-by. Bot ȝe ale
schrewes, and euyƚƚ men, euer mare troweȝ iƚƚ, and
thynkes iƚƚ. Wate ȝe noȝte wele þat þe
Thebienes þat raise agaynes vs, hadd̛ þaire mede als
þay disserued̛. And ȝe haffand̛ in vs a wrange
consayte, blameȝ vs, For we putt Scrassageras owte of his Office
the whilke forfett gretly agaynes oure maieste. We sent vn-to
ȝow bi lettre for ten̛ philosophres, bot ȝe, noȝte
knawande oure grete powere & oure myghte, despysed̛ oure
maundement and walde noȝte fulfiƚƚ it. Neuer þe les
if aƚƚ ȝe hafe offendid agaynes
vs whider-towarde and bene disobeyande tiƚƚ oure maiestee, we
forgiffe ȝow aƚƚ ȝour gilt, and þe greuance
þat ȝe hafe don vs, so þat ȝe be obeyande
vn-tiƚƚ vs, fra þis tyme forwarde. Comforthes ȝow
þarefore & beeȝ mery, for of vs ȝe schaƚƚ hafe na
greuance ne na disesse be-cause ȝe did̛ after þe
conceƚƚ of Demostynes.
When̛ þe Athenyenes herd̛ þis lettre
redd̛, þay ware riȝte gladd̛, and þan̛
Alexander & his Oste went fra thethyn̛ vn-to Lacedoyne. Bot
þe Lacedouns walde one na wyse obey vn-tiƚƚ
Alexander, bot said̛ ilkan̛ of þam̛ tiƚƚ
oþer, 'latt vs noȝte be lykke þe Athenyenes,'
quoþ þay, 'þat drede þe manaschynge, and
þe boste of Alexander bot late vs schewe oure myȝte, and
oure strenghe and manly defende oure citee agayneȝ hym.' When̛ þay hadd̛ saide, þay spered̛ þe ȝates of þe cetee faste, and went manly to þe walles.
And a grete nowmer of þam̛ tuke þam̛
schippeȝ & went to þe see, a grete nauy, to feghte wit
Alexander are he come to lande. And when̛ Alexander saw this, he
sent a lettre to þam̛ sayand on this wyse.
'Alexander þe son̛ of Philippe and of þe quene
Olympias vn-to þe Lacedounes we sende. We conceƚƚ
ȝow, þat þat, that ȝour elders hase lefte
ȝow, ȝe kepe hale & sound & in sauetee and lyfteȝ
noȝte ȝour hende ouer hie to þe thyngeȝ þat
þe may noȝte reche to. And if ȝe desire for to hafe
ioy of ȝour strenthe, dose swa þat ȝe be worthy to
hafe wirchipe of vs. Þarefore we comande ȝow, þat
ȝe turne agayne wit ȝour schippeȝ, and leueȝ
þam̛, & gase to lande by ȝour awenn̛ fre
wiƚƚ; or sekirly I saƚƚ sett fire in tham̛ & brynne
þam̛. And if ȝee dispice oure commandement,
blameȝ na man̛ bot ȝour selfe, if we wreke vs one
ȝowe.'
The Lacedounes redd̛ þis lettre, and when̛ it was
redd̛, þay ware wonder heuy. Noȝte for-thi þay
redied þam̛ to feghte. Bot Alexander arryued̛ in an
oþer coste, and come to þe citee are þay wiste and
vmbylapped̛ þe citee one ilke a syde, and assaillede it
strangly & dange þe Lacedouns of þe walles & slewe many of
þam̛ & wounded̛ many, and sett fyre in þaire
schippeȝ & brynt þam̛. Þe remanant of
þam̛ þat ware lefte
appon lyfe, when̛ þay saw this grete meschefe come owte of
þe citee vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, & feƚƚe doun̛ at his
fete, & besoughte hym of mercy & of grace. And Alexander ansuerd, 'I
come to ȝow,' quoþ he, 'meke & mylde, bot in þat
degre ȝe walde noȝte ressayffe me, þarefore now are
ȝour schippeȝ brynned̛, and ȝour citee
distruyed̛, & ȝour folkeȝ slayne. Warned̛ I
noȝte be-fore þat ȝe schulde noȝte heue ȝour
handeȝ ouer-hye to þe sternes, to þe whilke nane
erthely man̛ may wynn̛. For wha so euer clymbeȝ hier,
þan̛ his fete may wynn̛ to sum̛ halde, he
saƚƚ falle onane doun̛ to þe grounde. And
þarefore es þare a commone prouerbe: Þat "wha sa
hewes to hie, þe chippes wiƚƚ faƚƚe in his egh."
Ȝe wende hafe done tiƚƚ vs as ȝour eldirs didde
sumetyme tiƚƚ kynge ȝerses, bot ȝour wenyng
dessayued̛ ȝow. For ȝe myghte noȝte agayne-stande
vs when̛ we assaillede ȝow.' Whan he hadd̛ saide on
this wise, he gaffe þam̛ leue to gaa whare þay walde.
And than̛ he remouede thethyn̛ & went to-warde
Ciciƚƚ. And when̛ þe emperour Darius herd̛ tell
of þe comyng of Alexander, he was gretly abaiste and sent after
aƚƚ his princeȝ, Dukes & Erles, & oþer grete lordes, &
went tiƚƚ a consaile. And he saide vn-to þaim̛, 'I see
wele,' quoþ he, 'þat he, this Alexander, þat gase
thus abowte werrayand̛, waxeȝ gretly in wirchipe, and
ay-whare whare he commeȝ he hase þe victory. I wende he
hadd̛ bene a theeffe & a robbour, þat hadde went tiƚƚ
cuntreȝ þat ere wayke & feble, and durst noȝte agayne-stande hym̛, & robbed̛ þam̛ & spoyled̛ þam̛. Bot now, I see wele, he es a doghty man̛ of
Armes, & a noble werrayour. And ay þe mare þat I hafe
depraued̛ hym̛ and despysed̛ hym; þe mare
ryseȝ his name, & his wirchipe. I sent hym a balle, a toppe, & a
scourge, for to lere barne-laykes; bot hym þat I called̛ a
disciple, he semeȝ a mayster & whare-so-euer he gase, Fortune
gase wit hym. Þare-fore vs byhoueȝ to trete of oure hele,
& of oure popleȝ, and pute awaye all pride & aƚƚ foly: &
namare despisse Alexander, saynge þat he es noghte, by cause we
are emperour of Perse. For his littiƚƚnes waxes and ours gretnes
decresseȝ. I hafe grete dowte, þat goddeȝ forluke
helpeȝ hym, so þat whils we ere abowte, & weneȝ to
putte hym out of Ellada, we be spoyled, by hym, of þe rewme of
Perse.'
When̛ Darius hadd̛ said thir wordeȝ, his broder
Coriather
ansuerd̛ & said̛, ' þou hase here,' quoþ he,
'gretly magnified̛ & commendid̛ Alexander, in that,
þat þou sais he es mare feruent for to come in-to Perse,
þan̛ we in-tiƚƚ Ellada. And þarefore if it be
plesyng vn-to ȝour maiestee, vse ȝe þe maners of
Alexauder, and so saƚƚ [ȝe] wele & peysably welde ȝour
empire & couquere many oþer rewmes. Alexander, when̛ he
gase to bataile and saƚƚ feghte, he lates [nane] of his
prynceȝ ne his oþer lordeȝ gaa be-fore, & hym selfe
come by-hynde, bot he gase bi-fore þam̛ aƚƚe, and so
riseȝ his wirchip̛ & his name.'
Quod̛ Darius, 'wheþer awe me to take sa ensample at
Alexander, or Alexander at me.' A prynce ansuerde & saide, '
Alexander,' quod̛ he, 'es a warrer man̛ & a wyse, & hase
trespaste in na degree & þarefore he duse manly by hym selfe
aƚƚ þat he doeȝ. For he hase taken þe fourme of
þe lyonn̛.' 'Whare-by knawes þou þat,'
quoþ Darius, and he ansuerd̛ & saide, 'whate tyme,'
quoþ he, 'þat I was sent to Macedoyne for til aske tribute
of kyng Philippe, I saw, bi his Figure & his wise ansuere, þat
he schuld be a passyng man̛, bathe of witt, & of doynges.
Thare-fore, if it be plesyng vn-to ȝow, I conseƚƚ þat
ȝe sende tiƚƚ aƚƚ þe landeȝ & cuntreȝ
þat langeȝ to ȝour empire, þat es to say to
Parthy & Medy, Appollamy, Mesopotamy, Ytaly, Bactri, and tiƚƚ
aƚƚ þe remenant for þay ere subieteȝ vn-to
ȝow a hundreth : c. and fifty l. of dyuerse folke. To þe
lordes of all thire, I rede ȝe sende comnandyng þam̛,
þat þay come to ȝow, in aƚƚ þe haste
þat þay may, with aƚƚ þe men̛ þat
þay may gett whilk ere able to ga to werre . And when̛
þay [ere] aƚƚ sembled̛ to gedir late vs beseke oure
goddis of helpe. And þan̛ Alexander when̛ he
seeȝ swilk a multitude of folke agaynes hym, his hert saƚƚ
faile hym̛, and his mens also. And owþer he saƚƚ for
fere turne hame agayne tiƚƚ his awen̛ cuntree, or eƚƚs
submytt hym vn-to ȝow.' And þan̛ ansuerd̛
anoþer prynce, & sayde, 'This es a gud conceƚƚ,' quoþ
he, 'bot it es noȝte profitable. Wate þou noȝte wele
þat a wolfe
chaseȝ a grete floke of schepe & gerse þam̛ sparple.
Righte so, and þe wysdome of þe grekes passeȝ
oþer nacyons.'
In this mene tym̛, Alexander sembled̛ a gret multitude of
folke to þe nowmer of cc of feghtynge men̛, and remewed to
warde Perse, & come tiƚƚ a reuere þat es called̛
Mociona, of whilke þe water was wonder calde, & faire, & clere.
And Alexander hadd̛ a grete lyste for to be bathede
þare-in, and went in-to it & bathed hym, & waschede hym
þare-in, and also son̛ he feƚƚe in a feuer and a
heued-werke þare-wit, so þat he fure wonder iƚƚ. And
when̛ þe Macedoyns saw þaire lorde so grefe seke,
þay were wonder heuy and reghte dredand̛ and said amanges
selfe: 'And Darius,' quod þay, 'wete þat oure lorde
Alexander be þus seke, he saƚƚ come & falle apon̛ vs
sodaynly, & fordo vs ilkan̛. For, and we hadd̛ þe
hele of oure lorde Alexander, we hadd̛ comforth ynoghe & dredde
no nacyon̛.' Than kyng Alexander called̛ tiƚƚ hym his
Phicisiene þaf highte Philippe & badd̛ hym ordeyne hym a
Medcyne for his sekenes. Þis ilk Phicisiene was bot a ȝong man̛, bot he was a passyng kunnyng man̛ and a soteƚƚ in
aƚƚ þe poyntes þat langed to phisic. And he highte
Alexander, þat [by] a certane drynke he sulde onane make hym
aƚƚ hale. Nowe feƚƚ it, þat was wit Alexander a
prynce, þat highte Parmenius & was lorde of hermony. This
prynce hade grete envy to þis phicsiene, bi-cause þat
Alexander luffede hym so passandly wele & belyfe he wrate tiƚƚ
Alexander, and warned̛ hym þat he schulde be warre wit
Phillippe his phicisiene, and on na wyse resayfe þat drynke
þat he walde gyffe hym. For he said̛ þat Darius had
highte to giffe hym his doghter to wyffe & his kyngdom̛ after his
dissesse if swa ware, þat he myghte be any crafte make ane ende
of hym̛. When̛ Alexander hadda redd̛ þis lettre
he was na thynge trubbled̛, so mekiƚƚ he tristede of þe
conscience of his phisician.
In þe mane tyme, þis Phisician come tiƚƚ Alexander
wit þe forsaid drynke, and Alexander tuk þis drynke in a
hande & þe forsaid lettre in his oþer hande and
biheld̛ þe Phisician in þe vesage riȝte
scharpely. To whome þe Phisician saide:
'wirchipfuƚƚ Emperour,' quoþ he 'be na thyng fered̛
bot drynke þe medcyne baldely,' and þan̛ onane
Alexander tuk this drynke, & schewed̛ Philippe þe lettre.
And when̛ Philippe had redde þe lettre, he said tiƚƚ
Alexander: 'Now for sothe, my lorde,' quoþ he, 'I take oure
goddes to witnesse þat I ne am noȝte gilty of this
treson̛, þat here es wretyn̛.' Alexander
þan̛ was aƚƚ hale als euer he was, & called̛
vn-tiƚƚ Philyppe his phisician & enbraced̛ hym in his armes
& said̛: Philippe,' quoþ he, 'knawes þou how mekill
luffe & triste I hafe in the. Firste I dranke thi medecyne, & syne I
schewede þe þe lettre þat was sent me agaynes the.'
'Mi lorde,' quoþ Philippe, 'I beseke ȝow þat
ȝe wolle vochesaffe to send after myn̛ accusour, and do hym
come bi-fore ȝour presence þat þis lettre sent vn-to
ȝow, and hase lered̛ me for to do swilk a hie treson̛.
Be-lyfe þan̛ gerte Alexander send after Parmeny for to come
vn-tiƚƚ hym, and gerte þe sothe be serched̛, & fande
þat he was worthy þe dede. And þan̛ he gert
girde of his heued̛.
Fra þeine kyng Alexander remowed̛ his Oste tiƚƚ
hermony þe mare & onane he conquered̛ it, & put it vnder
his subieccion̛. And fra þeine he trauailed̛ many a
day wit his Oste, and at þe last e come tiƚƚ a cuntre
wonder drye, & fuƚƚ of creuesceȝ of cauerneȝ, & alde
cisternes whare na water myghte be funden̛. And Fra þeine
þay passede thurgℏ a cuntree, þat es called̛ Andrias,
to þe Reuere of Eufrates. And þare þay lugede
þam̛. Þan Alexander garte brynge many grete
treeȝ, for to make a brygge of ouer þat water, appon̛
schippeȝ, and garte tye þam̛ Samen̛ wit chenys of
Iren̛ & iren̛ nayleȝ. And when̛ þe brigge
was aƚƚ redy, he badde his knyghtes wende ouer apon̛ it.
Bot whan̛ þay saw þe grete reuer ryne so swiftely and
with so a grate a byrre, thay dred þam̛ þat þe
brygge schulde faƚƚe. For þay supposede þe chenys
schuld breke be-cause of grete weghte. And, when Alexander saw
þam̛ dredand̛ on this wyse, he gert hirde-men̛,
þat were þare kepand̛ katell, wend̛ oner before,
and warnede þat þe Oste schulde folowe þam̛.
Bot ȝit þe knyghtis ware ferde & durste noghte wende ouer.
Than̛ was Alexander riȝte wrathe and callede vntiƚƚ
hym aƚƚ his prynces, & grete lordeȝ, and firste he went hym
selfe ouer
þe bryges, & aƚƚ his prynceȝ folowed̛ hym, and
sythen̛ aƚƚ þe Oste. Twa grete ryuers rynnes
thurgℏ Medee, Mesopotamy and Babiloyne, þat es to say Tygre
& Eufrates, and soo rynneȝ in-to þe reuere of Nilus. When
Alexander & aƚƚ hys Oste ware past ouer Eufrates, he gert smyte
sonder þe brygge þat he hadd̛ gert make bifore, and
dissolue ilk a pece þare-off fra oþer. And when his
knyghtis sawe that, þay ware reghte heuy and murnede gretly
þarefore, and said̛ emanges þam selfe, 'What
saƚƚ we now doo,' quoþ þay, 'when we are harde
by-stadde wit oure enemys & walde flee. For ouer þis reuere may
we noȝte wyun̛.' And when Alexander perceyued̛
þat murmoure of his folke, he said vn-to þam̛. 'What
es þat,' quoþ he, 'þat ȝe say amangeȝ
ȝow, "If it faƚƚe þat we flee owte of þe
bataile." Sothely, I late ȝow wele wite, þat þis is
þe cause whi I garte for-do þis brygg, þat I gert
make; For-thi, þat owþer we schulde feghte manly or
eƚƚs if [we] walde flee, we schulde aƚƚ perische at anes and
aƚƚ drynke of a coppe. For-whi þe victorye es noȝte
aretted̛ to þam̛ þat flieȝ, Bot to
þam̛ þat habydeȝ, or folowes on þe chace.
Þare-fore comfortheȝ ȝow wele, & bese balde of hertis,
and thynke it bot a playe stalworthly to feghte. For I say ȝow
sekerly; we ne schaƚƚ neuer see Macedoyne, be-fore we hafe
ouercomen̛ aƚƚ oure enemys, And þan̛ wit þe
victorie we saƚƚ tourne hame agayne.
In þis mene tyme, kyng Darius gadirde a grete multitude of
men̛ agaynes Alexander, and ordeyned̛ ouer þam̛
fyve-hundreth chyftaynes of grete lordes and luged hym wit his
men̛ apon̛ þe reuere of Tygre. And one a day thir twa
kynges wit þaire bather Ostes mett to-gedir apon̛ a faire
felde and faughte to-gedir wonder egerly. Bot sone Darius men̛
hadd þe werre & ȝode to grounde thikkfalde, slayne in
þe felde. And when̛ þe remenante saw þat,
þay tuk þam̛ to þe flighte. In Darius oste was
a man̛ of Perse, a doghety, & a balde; to whaym Darius highte for
to giffe his doghter to wyfe, if so were, þat he myghte, by any
way, sla kyng Alexander. This man̛ gatt hym clethyng and Armour
like vn-to þe macedoyns, and went amangeȝ þam̛,
as þay faghte, ay tiƚƚ he come by-hynd kyng Alexander. And
alson̛ als he come nere hym, he lifte his
swerde on heghte, & lete flye at hym̛ wit aƚƚ þe
myghte þat he hade, and hitt hym on þe heued̛ so
fercely, þat he perched his bacenett, and drewe þe blode
of hym. When̛ Alexander knyghtis saw that: þay tuke hym
anone, & broghte hym bifore Alexander, and Alexander, supposyng
þat he hadde bene a macedoyne, saide vn-till
hym. 'Wirchipfuƚƚ man,' quoþ he, '& doghety & strange what
ayled þe at me, for to giffe suylke a strake, knewe þou
noȝte wele þat it was I, Alexander ȝour helpere &
ȝour allere seruande.' And [the] Percyene ansuerd̛, &
said̛, 'Wiete þou wele wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,'
quoþ he, 'I ne ame na macedoyne, bot I am a man̛ of Perse;
and this dede I didd̛. For kyng Darius made me a promysse of his
doghetir to wife, if I myghte brynge hym thi heid̛.' Than kyng
Alexander called bi-for hym all his knyghtis and askede
þam̛ what þam̛ thoghte was for to do wit this
man̛. Sum̛ ansuerde & saide þam̛ thoghte it
beste to gerre smyte of his heid̛, Sum for to putt hym to þe
fire for to brynne, Sum to gare drawe & hang hym. And when Alexander
had herde þaire conceƚƚ, he ansuerd̛ & said: 'Sirs,'
quoþ he, 'what wrange or what defawte can̛ ȝe fynde in
þis man̛, Sen̛ he hase besied̛ hym tiƚƚ obey
tiƚƚ his lordes commandement, and at his power fulfilled̛
it. Whilke of ȝow, so demeȝ hym worthy to be dedde, es
worthy in tyme commynge to hafe þe same dome. For if I commande
ane of ȝow for to ga & sla Darius, þe same payne, that
ȝe deme þis man̛ for to suffre, ware ȝe worthy
for to suffre ȝourselfe of Darius, if ȝe myȝte be
getyn̛.' And þan he commanded̛ þat he schulde
wende hame to his felawes wit-owtten̛ any harme. When Darius
herde þat his lordes ware slayne in grete nowmer, he
gadered̛ a grete multitude of knyghtis and of fotemen̛, and
went vp on a hiƚƚ þat es called̛ Taurisius, and thare
he made his mustre of his men̛, supposynge þat he schuld
ouercome Alexander thurgℏ multitude of folke. Bot alson̛
als þay mett wit þaire bathere osteȝ, and bigan̛
for to fighte, Darius men̛ fledd̛ and hymselfe also. And
Alexander persuede hym vn-to þe citee of Bactrian̛, and
þare he luged hym, and offerde Sacrafice tiƚƚ his
goddeȝ. And on þe morne he garte assaile þe
citee, and wanne it on werre. And in þe cheffe place
þare-of he sett his trone. And aƚƚ þir oþer
citeȝ þat were abowte it, he wann̛ þam̛ o
werre, & putt þam̛ vnder his subieccion̛. In
þis ilke citee of Bactrian̛, he fande tresour
wit-owtten̛ nowmer, and also his moder, and his wyfe.
And in þe mene tyme, whils Alexander lay at Batran:
þare come a prynce of Darius oste vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, & said
vn-tiƚƚ hym̛, 'Wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,' quoþ he, '
I hafe a lang tyme bene a knyght of Darius, and done hym grete
seruyce; and ȝitt to this day I had neuer na reward̛ of
hym. And þare-fore if it like vn-to ȝowre maieste; take me
ten̛ thowsande of ȝour men̛ of armes; and I hete
ȝow, for to brynge to ȝour hande kyng Darius, & þe
maste parte of his oste.' And when̛ Alexander had herde
þis, he said vn-tiƚƚ hym. 'Frende,' quoþ he, 'I
thanke þe mekiƚƚ of thi faire promys. Neuer þe lesse,
I late þe wite my men̛ wiƚƚ noȝte beleue
þat þou wiƚƚ feghte agaynes thyn̛ owenn̛
peple.' In þe mene tyme a Prynce of Darius oste sent vn-till
hym a letter, of whilk þis was þe tenour.
'To Darius, grete kyng of kynges,
his lordes whilke he hase ordeyned cheftaynes vnder hym Sendeȝ
meke seruyce. Oftymes be-fore this hafe we wreten̛ to ȝour
maieste, and now agayne we writte vn-to ȝow, & lateȝ
ȝow wite þat þe macedoynes & kyng Alexander, as wode
lyouns ere enterde oure landeȝ, and aƚƚ oure strenthes, as a
wilde raueschande beste he hase destruyed: & oure knyghtes slayne.
And oppressed we are wit so grete tribulacionns, þat we [may] na
lengare suffre his mawgree, ne his malece bere. Whare-fore, mekly we
be-seke ȝour benyngne maiestee, þat ȝe wiƚƚ drawe
to ȝoure mynde oure meke seruyce, and swilke socoure vouchsaffe
to send̛ vs, þat we put off and agaynestande þe
violence & þe malice of oure fore-said enemys.' When̛
Darius had redde þis lettre, on ane he gert writte a lettir to
kyng Alexander, sayand on þis wyse.
' Daryus kyng of Perse and kyng of
kyngeȝ, vn-to my seruande Alexander, I say. Now late þare
es commen̛ tiƚƚ oure eres tythyngeȝ: þat
þou weneȝ to euen̛ thi littilhede tiƚƚ oure heghe
magnificence. Bot Sen̛ it es inpossible tiƚƚ a heuy asse,
wit
owtten̛ wenges, or oþer instrumenteȝ of flying, for to
be lifte vp to þe sternes, late noȝte thyn̛ hert be
raysede to hye in pride for þe victories þat þou
hase geten̛. We hafe wele herd teƚƚ þat þou hase
done gentilly, and schewed̛ grete humanytee tiƚƚ oure moder,
oure wyfe, & oure childre, and þarefore I late þe wele
wite þat, als lang als þou dose wele to þam̛,
þou saƚƚ fynde me nane enemy to the. And if þou do
iƚƚ to þam̛ þou saƚƚ hafe þe enemytee
of me, and þare-fore spare þam̛ noghte, bot do to
þam̛ as þe liste. For somtyme þou saƚƚ see
& fele þe sentence of oure ire lighte apon̛ thi heghe
pride.'
When̛ Alexander hadd̛ redde
þis lettre he wrate hym Anoþer agayne whare-off þe
tenour was this.
'Alexander þe son̛ of
Philippe & qwene Olympias to Darius kyng of Perse we write. Pride &
vayne glorie hase oure goddeȝ aƚƚ way hated̛; and
takeȝ vengeance of dedly men̛ þat takes apon̛
þam̛ þe name of immortalitee. Bot þou, als I
wele see, cesseeȝ noȝte ȝitt hider-to for to blasfeme
in aƚƚ þat þou may. Bot of that þat þou
blameȝ me for þe benygnytes that I schewed þi moder,
þi wyfe, & þi childre; þou ert moued̛ on a
lewed̛ fantasye. For I late þe wele wyte, I did it
noȝte for to be thanked̛ of the, ne for to hafe thi
Beneuolence þare-fore. Bot it come of a gentilnes of oure
awenn̛ hert, fownded in vertu. Of thee victories also whilke
þe forluke of godd̛ hase sent vs, ere we na-thyng
enpriddede. For we knawe wele þat oure goddis alwaye helpes vs,
whilke þou ilk a daye dispyseȝ & setteȝ at noȝte.
And this saƚƚ be þe laste letter þat I saƚƚ
writte vn-to þe. Beware if þou wiƚƚ, For I say the
sekerly, I come to þe onane.'
Þis lettre gaffe Alexander to þe messangers of Darius and many grete
gifteȝ þare wit. Seyme, he sent anoþer lettre,
tiƚƚ his prynceȝ & his lordeȝ, of þis tenour.
' Alexander, þe son̛ of
Philippe & of þe quene Olympias vn-to þe prynceȝ &
þe lordeȝ vnder our subieccion̛ in Capadoce, In
laodice, or ells whare duelland̛, gretyng, & gude grace. We charge
ȝou & commandeȝ ȝow straytly þat ilkan̛ of
ȝow ordayne vs in aƚƚ þe haste þat ȝe may
jm nete-hydes barked̛, & send þam̛ tiƚƚ
Alexander, þat we and oure knyghtis may gere
make vs of þam̛ clethyng, & schoees; And wit cameles
þat ȝe haue at Alexsander gerre cary þam̛ to
þe water of Eufrates.'
In þis mene
tyme a prynce of Darius, Nostande by name, wrate to Darius on
þis wise.
'To Darius þe wirchipfull
grete godd̛ his seruande Nostand̛ law seruyce. Me aughte
noȝte to sende swylk tythynge to ȝour ryalle maiestee, bot
grete nede gers me do it. Þare-fore be it knawen̛ vn-to
ȝour hie lordchipe, þat twa grete prynceȝ of
ȝours,& I, hase foghten̛ wit kyng Alexander, And hym̛
es fallen̛ þe victorie, & slayne he hase thir twa worthy
prynceȝ, & mekill oþer folke, and I fleed̛ greuously
wonded̛. And many worthi knyghtis of ȝours hase for-saken
ȝour lordchipe & ioyned þam̛ tiƚƚ Alexander oste,
þe whilk he hase wirchipfully, and hase giffen grete lord-chipes
of ȝours.'
And when̛ Darius had
redd̛ þis lettre, he sent in haste tiƚƚ Nostand, and
commanded̛ hym for tiƚƚ ordeyne a grete Oste; and manfully
agaynestande þe 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 þis manere.
' Porus, kyng of Ynde, vn-to
Darius, kyng of Perse, gretyng. For þou hase prayed vs to come
to the in helpynge of the agaynes thyn enemys, we late the wete,
þat we are redy & alwaye hase bene, for to com̛ to helpe
ȝow. Bot as at þis tyme we are lettede to com̛ to
ȝow, be-cause of grete seknesse þat we ere stadd̛ in,
Neuer þe lesse, sekerly, it es riȝte heuy vn-tiƚƚ vs,
& greuous, vn-tiƚƚ [vs to] here of þe grete injury
þat es done vn-tiƚƚ ȝow. And þarefore we late
ȝow wite, þat wit-in schorte tym̛, we saƚƚ come
for to helpe ȝow wit ten̛ legyouns of
knyghtis.'
Bot when̛ Rodogorius, Darius
moder, herd̛ teƚƚe þat Darius hir son̛
ordayned̛ hym for to feghte agayne wit kyng Alexander scho was
riȝte sory and wrote a lettre vn-tiƚƚ hym þat
contened̛ this sentence.
'To kyng Darius, hir moste biloued̛
son, Rodogorius, his modir sendeȝ gretyng & ioy. I hafe
vnderstanden̛ þat ȝe hafe assemblede ȝour
men̛, & mekiƚƚ oþer folke also, for to feghte
eftsones wit Alexander. Bot I late þe wite it wiƚƚ availe
þe nathynge. For þoghe ȝe hadd̛ gadirde to
gedir alle þe men̛ in þe werlde duellyng, ȝit
ȝe ware vnable to agayne-stande hym. For þe foreluke of
godd̛ maynteneȝ hym, & vphaldeȝ hym. And þarefore
dere son̛, it es my conseƚƚ, ȝour heghenesse of herte
ȝe lefe, & faƚƚ sumwhate fra ȝour glory, and bese
fauorable to þe gretnes of Alexander. For better it es to forga
þat at ȝe may noȝte halde, and haffe in pesse
þan þat at ȝe may halde, þan for too couett
aƚƚ and be excluded̛ & for-ga
aƚƚ.'
When̛ Darius redde þis
lettre, he was gretly troubbled̛ and weped̛ bitterly,
command̛ vn-tiƚƚ his mynde, his moder, his wyf, & his
childer.
In the mene tyme kyng Alexander remowed̛ his oste, and drew
nere þe cite of Susis, in þe whilke Darius was
lengand̛ the same tyme, so þat he myȝte see aƚƚ
þe heghe hilleȝ þat ware abownn̛ þe citee.
Þan Alexander commanded̛ aƚƚ his men̛, þat
ilkan̛ of þam̛ suld cutte down̛e a brawnche of a
tree, and bere þam̛ furth wit þam̛ & dryfe
bi-fore þam̛ aƚƚe manere of besteȝ þat
þay myȝte fynde in þe way. And when the Percyenes
saw þam̛ fra þe heghe hilleȝ þay
wondred̛ þam gretly. And Alexander come wit his oste to
þe citee of Susis and luged hym nere besyde þe citee. And
than̛ he called̛ bis prynnceȝ & his oþer
lordeȝ and said vn-to þam̛, 'Late vs,' quoþ he,
' send a messangere to kyng Darius & bidd̛ hym̛ owþer
& com̛ feghte wit vs or eƚƚs submyt hym vn-tiƚƚ vs.'
The nexte nyghte after, Godd̛ Amon̛ apperede vntiƚƚ
Alexander in his slepe bryngand̛ hym þe figurre of Mercuri
& a mantiƚƚ, and anoþer manere of garment of Macedoyne, and
saide vn-tiƚƚ hym. 'Alexander, son̛,' quoþ hee, 'euer
mare when̛ þou hase nede, saƚƚ I helpe the. And
þarefore luke þou sende noghte to Darius þat
messangere þat þou spake off. For I wiƚƚ þat
þou thi selfe clethe thee wit my figure & wende thedir þi
selfe; if aƚƚe it be perilous for to do, Dred þe na thynge,
for I saƚƚ be thi helpe, so þat þou saƚƚ hafe na
maner of disesse.
On þe morne when̛ Alexander rase fra slepe, he was
gretly comforthed̛ of his dreme & called tiƚƚ hym his
prynceȝ and talde þam̛ alle his dreme, and þay
assentede aƚƚe, þat he schulde wende to Darius in his
propir person. And onane he called̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym ane of
þe princeȝ, þe whilke highte Emulus. This
prynce was a wyghte man̛, & an hardy & wonder trewe tiƚƚ
Alexander. And þan̛ Alexander bad hym lepe one a horse,
and brynge wit hym a noþer horse & folow hym. And he didd̛
so. And when̛ þay come to gedir to þe water of
Graunte, þat in þe langage of Perse es called̛
Struma, þay fande it frosen̛ ouer, and Alexander onane
chaunged he wede, & lefte þe foresaid̛ prynce wit twa horse
at þe water-syde and hym selfe, wit þe horse þat he
satt apon̛, went ouer þe water apon̛ þe
Ysȝ, towarde þe citee of Susis. And his prynce besoghte
hym þat he walde suffre hym wende wit hym, ne perauenture any
disesse feƚƚe hym by þe waye. And Alexander ansuerd̛
& sayde, 'Habyde me here,' quoþ he, 'For he saƚƚ be my
helpere, wham̛ in dremeȝ I sawe appere vn-to me.' This ilke
water I spake of bi-fore, aƚƚ þe wynter seson ilke a nyghte
was frosen̛ aƚƚ ouer; bot tymely in þe mornynge als
sone als þe warme son̛ smate apon̛ it, þan̛
it dissoluede agayne, & ran̛ wonder swiftely; þe brede of
þat water es þe space of a furlange. When Alexander come
to þe ȝate of þe citee the Perciens, when þay
saw hym, hadd̛ grete wonder of his figure, and wend̛ he
hadd̛ bene a godd̛, and onane þay asked̛ hym what
he was ? And he ansuerd̛ and said̛ he was a messangere sent
fra kyng Alexander to þaire lorde Darius, and be-lyfe þay
broghte hym til hym. Darius, when Alexander come bi fore hym, said
vn-til hym. 'Whethyn̛ ert þou,' quoþ he ? 'I ame,'
quoþ Alexander, 'sent vn-to þe fra kyng Alexander to wiete
where to þou taries to come tiƚƚ hymu to gyffe hym
bateƚƚe. Owthir come & feghte manfully wit thyne enemys or
eƚƚs submitte þe tiƚƚ hym̛ & 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
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
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.
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
on a hye place & comforthed his men̛ and said̛ vn-to
þam̛: 'Þe multitude of þe percienes,'
quoþ he, 'may noȝte be euend to þe multitude of
þe greckes. For sewrly we are ma þan þay. And if
þay were ane hundreth sythes maa then̛ wee, late noȝte
ȝour hertis faile ȝow þarefore. For I telle ȝow
a grete multitude of flyes may do na harme till a fewee waspes.' And
when̛ þe Oste had herde thire wordes þay commendide
hym halelely wit a voyce.
Than̛ þe emperour Darius remowed̛ his oste, and
come to þe reuere of Graunt on þe nyghte, and went ouer on
þe ysȝ, and þar he luged̛ hym. The Oste of
Darius was wonder grete and strange. For þay hadd̛ in
þaire oste Xm cartes ordaynd̛ For þe werre, and grete
multitude of Olyfanteȝ, wit towres of tree on̛
þam̛, stuffed̛ wit feghtyng men̛. And sone after
appon̛ a day thir twa kynges wit þaire osteȝ mett
samen̛ on a faire felde, Darius wit his men̛, and Alexander
wit his men.
Than Alexender lept apon̛ his
horse, þat highte Buctiphalas, and rade furthe bi-fore aƚƚ
his oste, and houed in þe myddes waye bi-twene þe twa
ostes. And when̛ þe Percyenes saw hym, þa had grete
wonder of hym, and ware riȝte ferde for hym, by cause he was so
vggly. Neuere-þe-lesse þay tromped̛ vp & went
to-warde Alexander. And sone þe bateƚƚ ioyned, & faghte
to-gedir fersely, and many men̛ dyed̛ on ayther party;
þare was so thikke schott of arowes, þat þe ayer was
couerde, as it had bene wit a clowde. Some faghte wit swerdeȝ,
sum wit speres, sum wit axes, & sum̛ wit arowes. Þe felde
lay fuƚƚ of folke, sum̛ dede, sum̛ halfe-dede, &
sum̛ greuously wonded̛. Thay began̛ for to feghte at
þe son̛-rysynge, and faghte to þe son̛-settyng.
Bot þare dyed̛ many ma of þe percyenes þan
þare dide of Macedoyns.
And when̛ Darius sawe his men̛ faƚƚe so thikke in
þe felde, he lefte þe felde, and fledd, and þe
percyenes seyng that, þay fledd̛ also. Bot þan̛
þaire cartes of werre rane amange þe percyens & slewe of
þam̛ folke wit-owte nouwmer & namely of fote-men̛. For
by þat tyme it was myrke nyghte, and þay ne myȝte
noȝte see for tiƚƚ eschewe þam̛. When̛
Darius come to the foresaid̛ watere he fande it
frosen̛, and ouer he went. And when̛ he was ouer, þe
oþer lordes of perse went appon̛ þe ysȝ, so
grete a multitude þat þay couerde þe ysȝ fra
þe taa banke to þe toþer, & þat a grete brede,
& þan̛ onane þe ysȝ brake als sone als Darius
was paste ouer, & aƚƚ þat ware on þe ysȝ ware
perischte, ilk a moder son̛, & drownede in þe water.
Þe remanaunt, when̛ þay come to the water, þay
myȝte noȝte wyn̛ ouer. And þan̛ þe
Macedoynes come, & dange þam̛ downe. In this bateƚƚe
þare was slaen of þe percyenes CCCm wit-owten̛ thase
þat were drownned.
Kyng Darius fledd̛ to þe citee of Susis, & went in
tiƚƚ his palace, & feƚƚe downe to þe grounde, &
sigheand & wepande wit a sare hert, he said̛ theis wordes:
'Allas, fuƚƚ wa es me, vnhappye wriche, þat euer I was
borne, for þe ire & þe indignacionn̛ of heuen̛ es
fallen̛ one mee. For I Darius þat lifte my seluen̛ vp to þe
sternes, Now am I broghte lawe to þe erthe. Now es Darius,
þat conquerede aƚƚ þe Este nacyons, & made þam
subiecte & tributaries vn-tiƚƚ hym, fayne for to flee fra his
enemys and submytte hym vn-to þam̛. And it ware
knawen̛ vn-to þe wreched man̛, what schulde falle
tiƚƚ hym after-wardeȝ, he schulde hafe littiƚƚ thoghte
of þe tyme presentt, bot one þe tyme to come solde his
thoȝte be. In a poynte of a daye it falles, þat þe
meke es raysede vp to þe clowddeȝ, and þe prowde es
putt to noȝte.' And when̛ he hade saide thir wordes, he
rase vp, & satt & wrate a lettre vn-till Alexander, sayande on this
wyese.
'Tiƚƚ his lorde
Alexander, kyng of Macedoyne, Darius, kyng of Perse, gretyng & Joy.
We hafe wele vndirstanden by þat that we hafe herde of ȝowe
and sene, þat ȝe hafe in ȝow grete wysedom̛ & a
hye witt: so þat noȝte allanly ȝe knawe thynges
þat are present or passede, bot also thyngeȝ þat ere
for to come, and þare-fore aƚƚ thyngeȝ, þat
ȝe doo: ȝe do it wit-owten̛ any lakke or repreue.
Neuer-þe-lesse hafeȝ in mynde þat riȝte as wee
ware, so ware ȝe geten̛ & borne of a fleschly
woman̛. And þare fore rayse noȝte ȝour herte to
hye bi-cause of ȝour prowesche & ȝour doghty dedis, so
þat ȝe forgete ȝour laste ende. For ofte tymes we see
þat þe lattere end of a man̛ discordes wit þe
firste. It sufficeȝ tiƚƚ a werryoure for to gete þe
victorye of his enemys, þofe aƚƚ he schewe noȝte
aƚƚe þe malice þat he may. Remembre ȝow of
þe wirchipfuƚƚ kyng ȝerses oure progenytour, þat
many victoryes gatt & schane in aƚƚe prosperiteez, Be-fore he
raysed̛ his hert in pride passande mesure. Aƚƚe þe
wirchippe þat he hadd: wonn̛ be-fore, he loste in Ellada,
þare-fore remembre ȝow, þat aƚƚ þe
wirchipes & þe victoryes þat ȝe hafe geten̛ by
þe forluke of godd̛
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.'
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.
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
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:
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.
better vs es for to dy manly in þe felde þan
for to see þe mescheffe of oure pople & þe
dissolacion̛ of oure rewme. Whare-fore, hafand̛ reward̛
and compassion̛ of oure disesse, we be-seke ȝow, þat
ȝe late oure prayeres satteƚƚ in ȝour hert, & helpe for
to succour vs now at oure nede, hafand̛ in ȝoure mynde
þe grete noblaye of oure progenytours. And I seure ȝow
þat [I sall] giffe ilke a fote-man̛ þat comeȝ
wit ȝow, thre peceȝ of golde, And ilke a horse-man̛,
fyve peceȝ of golde, And also mete & drynke ynoghe to ȝow &
aƚƚ ȝour men̛. And whare so ȝe lugge ȝow, we
schaƚƚe fynde ȝow a hundreth & fourscore tentes curyously
wrogbte. And also we schaƚƚ gyffe ȝow Alexander horse
Buktyphalas, and aƚƚe appairaiƚƚ, & þe araye þat
langes tiƚƚ Alexander hallely schaƚƚ be ȝours and also
aƚƚ þe spoylle of his folke saƚƚ be dalte amangeȝ
ȝoure folke. Where-fore we beseke ȝow þat also
son̛ als this
lettre commeȝ to ȝow, ȝe haste ȝow tiƚƚ vs in
aƚƚ þat ȝe may. For wite ȝe wele for certayne,
that riȝte als he done tiƚƚ vs, so he purpose hym in tyme
commynge for to do to ȝowe.'
In the men
tyme, certane men̛ of Darius went fra hym & come tiƚƚ
Alexander, & talde hym, þat Darius purposede hym for to feghte
wit hym eftesones, and had sent tiƚƚ Porus, kyng of Inde, for to
come in grete haste, for to helpe hym. When̛ Alexander herd
þis, be-lyfe he remowed̛ his Oste to ward̛ Darius,
thynkand in his herte þat he wolde on na wyse take apon̛
hym þe name of Emperour be-fore he hadd̛ wonn̛ Darius
and his rewme one werre. And when Darius herde of þe commyng of
Alexander, he dredd̛ hym gretly & þe percyenes also. Bot
þare was two prynceȝ of Darius, of þe whilke þe
tane highte Bisso & þe toþer Ariobarsantes, thir twa
when̛ þair herd̛ of þe comyng of Alexander,
conspyred̛ togedir for to slaa þaire lord̛ Darius,
supposyng for tiƚƚ hafe a grete thanke of Alexander, and a gret
reward̛ for þaire dede. And ayther of þam̛ ware
sworne tiƚƚ oþer. And than̛ thay went to þe
kynges palace, and come intiƚƚ his chamber wit drawen̛
swerdes in þaire handeȝ, and fand Darius bi hym ane. And
when̛ Darius saw that, he trowed̛ wele þat þay
wolde sla hym̛, And said vn-to þam̛: 'Dere
frendeȝ, hedir to wardeȝ hafe I called ȝow my
seruaundeȝ, bot now I call ȝow my lordes. What ayles
ȝow at me þat ȝe wiƚƚ sla me ? Haes Alexander
cheriste þe macedoynes mare þan̛ I hafe done
ȝow? Hafe I noȝte sorow & disese ynoghe of enemyse
wit-owtten̛ ? Bot if ȝe conspire agaynes me for to sla me
wit owtten̛ gilt, I say for sothe, & ȝe sla me thus preuelye, And Alexander may gete ȝow, he wiƚƚ take mare
crueƚƚ vengeance one ȝow, then̛ on any theues. For
sothely it es na comforthe ne lykyng tiƚƚ ane Emperour to fynd an
oþer Emperour murthered̛ wit his awen̛ men̛.' Bot
þay were na-thynge stirrede to petee, ne tendernesse, ne mercy,
thurgℏ his wordeȝ, Bot went tiƚƚ ℏym and wit grete
cruelnesse smate hym, & al-to magle hym, and went faste þaire
waye, & lefte hym for dede.
And when̛ Alexander herd̛ teƚƚ þat Darius was
slayne he
went ouer þe water of Graunt, and aƚƚ his Oste wit hym, and
come to þe cetee of Susis. And alsone als þe percyenes
saw hym, Thay Opened þe ȝates of þe citee, &
rescheyued̛ hym̛ wit grete wirchipe. And when̛
þe prynceȝ þat slewe Darius wiste þat Alexander
was comen̛ in̛-to þe citee þay went & helde
þam̛ in hidils ay tiƚƚ þay myȝte gete
knaweynge of Alexander wiƚƚ, as towchand̛ þat that
þay hadd̛ done to Darius. Alexander þan̛ went
in-to þe kynges Palace, and as he went þare-in he
merueyled hym gretly of þe biggyng þare-off. For Cirus
þe kyng of Perse gert bigg it ryally. And the pament
þareoffe was made of stanes of dyuerse colours, & þe
walles aƚƚ enueround wit fyne golde & precyous stanes & sternes
lyke to þe firmament, and pelers of golde þat bare vp
þe werke. When̛ Alexander saw aƚƚ this curious werke,
he meruailed̛ hym gretly. And than̛ he went to þe
chambre þare Darius laye halfe dede. And alsone als he saw
hym̛ he hadd̛grete rewthe & compassion̛ of hym, and he
tuke off his awenn̛ mantiƚƚ & couerd̛ [hym] þare-wit,
& went and graped̛ his wondes and wepid̛ for hym riȝt
tenderly, & said̛ un-til hym. 'Rise vp, sir Darius,' quoþ
he, '& be of gude comforthe. And als frely as euer þou
reioysede thyn̛ Empire, so mot þou ȝitt do, And be als
myghty, & als gloryouse als euer þou was. I swere the here by
oure myȝty goddes & by þe faythe in my body, þat here
I resigne vn-to the aƚƚ thyn̛ empyre, desyrand̛
souerayngly for to hafe þe lyfe of the, as þe son̛ of
þe Fader, For sekerly it es vnfittand̛ & unsemly tiƚƚ
ane emperour for to be reioysede of an oþer emperours mescheffe
& disesse, when̛ fortune hase forsaken̛ hym. Teƚƚe me,
sir, what þay are þat hase thus faren̛ wit the, and I
sewre þe als I am trew man̛ I saƚƚ venge the to
þe uttereste.' And when̛ Alexander had said̛ this & mekiƚƚ mare, Sare wepand̛ Darius putt furthe his hande, and layde his arme abowte Alexander nekke, and kyssed his breste, his
nekke, & his hande, & saide thir wordeȝ, thare that here folowes.
'A, dere son̛ Alexander,' quoþ he, 'als thi heghe witt knawes
wele, aƚƚ this werlde es corupt and sett in malice. For þe
souerayne forluke of godd̛, aƚƚ thyngeȝ knawande fra
þe begynnyng, and hafand̛ felyng of þe wirkyngeȝ
for to come, made man̛ in that wyse, at þebegynnynge, þat nathyng es in hym stable ne faste. So
þat aƚƚ thyngeȝ þat ere passande & werldely, fra
þat he faile of gouernance, tournes alson̛ tiƚƚ hym in
contrarye. For if godd̛ hadd̛ ordeyned̛ aƚƚ
thyngeȝ esy to man̛ and alwaye wit-owtten̛ chaungynge
sent hym prosperitee, man̛ schulde be lyftede vp so hie in pryde
& in vayne glorye, þat he solde noȝte arett aƚƚe his
wele-fare & his welthe vn-to godd, bot tiƚƚ his awenn̛
desert & his awenn̛ vertu. And so schulde men̛ gaa fra
þaire makare. On þe toþer syde if þe heghe
wyssedom̛ of godd̛ hadd̛ made þe werlde on̛
þat wyse þat aƚƚ illes and infelicytes feƚƚ
apon̛ man̛ wit-owtten any maner of gudenesse, so many
freletese sulde folow þe kynde of man̛, þat we
schulde aƚƚ be drawen̛ in-to þe gilder of
disparacion̛, so þat we solde hafe na triste in þe
gudnes of godd̛. And þarefore grete godd̛ wolde so
wisely skifte aƚƚ thynges, þat, when̛ a man̛
fuƚƚ of felicitee, thurgh his heghe pride wiƚƚ noȝte
knawe his makere, Fra þe heghte of pride in-to þe pitte of
mekenes & lawnes he mon̛ be plungede. So þat he þat
thurgh pride & felicite forgatt his godd̛, thurgh fallynge in
wrechidnesse & disesse hafe mynde of his godd̛. Reghte als
þou may see bi me, my dere son̛ Alexander, þat was
raysede vp so hye in- pride & vayne glorye, thurgh reches &
prosperitee þat feƚƚe vn-to me, þat I trowed
noȝte þat I was goddes creature bot goddes Felawe. And
þan̛, thurgℏ blyndeness of pride, I couthe noȝte
see that, þat now, thurgh scharpenesse of mekenes and mescheffe,
I see clerely & knawes. Bot if it happen̛ þat any
man̛ be vmbilappede wit grete infilicitee, so þat he,
despairand̛ of þe grace of godd, supposse na remedy, ne
nane lukes eftere; þan̛ oure lorde godd̛ rayseȝ
hym vp to þe heghte of prosperitee, so þat þan̛
he, þat bi-cause of wrechidnes & infelicitee, myȝte
noȝte see godd̛ ne knawe hym, thurgh felicite & prosperitee
knawes þat he, þat may bryng a man̛ to lawe state,
may rayse a man̛ tiƚƚ heghe degree. And he þat may
rayse a man̛ tiƚƚ heghe degree, may putt hym to lawnesse
agayne, when̛ hym lyst, and þare-fore, son̛, late
noȝte thy hert ryse to hye in pride, for þe victoryes
þat godd̛ hase sent the, if aƚƚ þou may do now
whate þe listriȝt as [ þou] were a godd̛. Bot
alway thynke on thy laste ende. For þou ert a dedly man̛,
and ilk a day if þou be-halde graythely þou may see thy
dedd̛ bi-fore thyn̛ eghne. Consedirs
þou noȝte how oure lyffe may be lykkened̛ to þe
werke of Eranes, þat so sotelly makes þaire webbes? Bot
alson̛ als a little blaste of wynde puffes apon̛
þam̛, þay breke, & falles to grownde. Behalde & see
how glorius I was ȝisterday & how wrechede I am̛ to-day, &
how law I am broghte. I was lorde nerehande of all þe werlde, &
now I hafe na power of myn̛ awen̛ selfe. Now I be-seke the,
son̛, þat þou will bery me wit thy benynge
handes. And suffre for to come to myn̛ exequise bathe þe
Macedoynes and þe persyenes. And fra this tyme forwardeȝ,
þe empire of Macedoyne & þe empire of perse be bathe ane.
Haffe recomend̛ vn-to the my Moder Rodogon̛, & trete hir
wirchipfuily as thyn̛ awenn̛ Moder. And I be-seke þe
also, þat þou be Mercyable to my wyfe. And if it be
lykynge to þe, take Rosan̛ my dogheter to thi wyfe. For
semely it es, þat ȝe be ioynede to-geder þat er
comen̛ of so wirchipfuƚƚ progenitours, For þou of kyng
Philippe, and scho of kyng Darius, And of ȝow twa may a
wirchipfuƚƚ & a noble fruyte sprynge.' And riȝte as he had
saide thir wordeȝ he swelt in Alexander armes. Kyng Alexander,
þan̛, after þe custom̛ was for to bery
emperours, gert araye Darius body als ryally as he couthe. And wit
aƚƚ þe solempnyte and wirchipe þat myghte be done, he
helped hym selfe for to bere þe bere, sare wepande, and gert
þe Macedoynes & þe Percyenes gaa bi-fore þe bere.
The persyenes also weped̛ wonder faste, noȝte allanly for
þe dede of Darius, bot for petee of þaire hertis,
þat þay saw Alexander wepe so enterely. And when̛
Darius was beried̛ Alexander went agayne to þe palace.
And one þe morne Alexander went and sett hym in a trone
aƚƚ of golde & precyous stanes, the whilke Cyrus sumtyme gert
make þat was kynge of Perse. And the Macedoynes and þe
Persyenes sett apon̛ his hede a coroune þat was Darius,
þe whilke was so precious, þat men̛ knewe nane like
it in na lande. For aƚƚ þe palace schane thurgℏ
bryghtness of þe precyous stanes, þat were sett
þare-in. And þe trone was aƚƚ of golde, & of
precious stanes, & ofþe sege þare-offe was vii seuen̛
cubeteȝ heghe fra þe grounde, and a grece of seuen̛
greeȝ was made
þare-to, whare-by kynges ascended þare-to. And thir
greeȝ were mede wonder craftyly & curyously. The firste gree was
of ane amatist. The seconde gree was of a Smaragd̛. The
thredd̛ gree was of a Topaȝ. The ferthe gree was of a
granat. The fifte was of ane adamand̛. The sext was of
fyn̛ golde. And the seuennt was of clay. And thay ware
noȝt [wit-o]wtten̛ grete causeȝ ordeyned̛ one
þis wyse.
For þe first gree w[as a]ne amatist, for amange aƚƚ
oþer stanes it hase this vertu, that it represses & haldeȝ
donne þe fumositee of wyne & þe myghte þare-offe, &
suffers noȝte a man̛ þat bere it on̛ hym be
troubbled̛ in his witt ne in his mynde thurgh drownkeness. And,
on þe same wise, solde ilke a kyng be of perfite witt & mynde, &
thurgℏ nane occasion̛ do na mysse. The secund̛ gree
was of a Smaragd̛, þe whilke clarifyeȝ & kepeȝ
þe sighte of hym þat beres [it] apon̛ hym, and so
schulde a kynge hafe clere sighte of his hert, wysely for to see &
discerne that þat es spedfull & profitable bathe for hym selfe &
for þe comon̛ profit. The thirdd̛ gree was of a
Topaȝ, þe whilke es so clere, þat & a man̛
bi-halde hym selfe þare-in, it saƚƚ seme tiƚƚ hym, as
his hede ware tournede downwardeȝ, and his fete vpwardeȝ;
And it be-takenes þat a kyng schulde alway take hede tiƚƚ
his laste ende. The ferthe gree was of a Granat whilk passeȝ
aƚƚ manere of precious stanes in reedness: & betakens þat a
kyng suld be schamfuƚƚ for tiƚƚ consent tiƚƚ any thynge
þat es vnlefuƚƚ. The fifte was of ane Adamande. Þe
Adamande es so harde þat it may noȝte be broken̛
nowþer with yren̛ ne wit stane, bot if it firste be
enoynted̛ wit gayte blode. On þe same wyse a kyng suld be
of so grete constance & sadnesse þat, for na prayere, ne for na
worldely gude, he solde noȝte bewgℏ fra þe way of
ryght-wisnesse. The sexte gree was of fyne gold: for riȝte as
gold̛ passeȝ all maner of metaƚƚe in bewtee, & in
precioustee; riȝte so a kyng awe to be preferred̛ before
oþer men̛ & gouernours of þam̛. Þe seuent was of Clay, tiƚƚ þat entent þat a man̛
þat es raysed vp to þe dingnyte of a kyng sulde alway
vmbythynk hym þat he was made of erthe, & at þe laste
to þe erthe he saƚƚ agayne. When̛ Alexander was sett
apon̛ this trone, coronnde wit his diademe, & þe Macedoynes
& þe persenes standyng abowte hym: be-fore þam̛
aƚƚe he gert write a lettre tiƚƚ aƚƚ cuntreeȝ,
þat was of this tenour.
'Alexander the son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ & qwene Olympias
kyng of kynges & lorde of lordes, tiƚƚ aƚƚe Dukes,
Prynceȝ, Erles, Baronns, maisters, & tiƚƚ aƚƚ þe
folkeȝ of Perse: ioy & grace. Sen̛ it es plesynge to godd,
þat I sitt one þe trone of Darius, & be lorde of þe
persyenes, grete cause I hafe for to be reioyist gretely
þare-offe, ne were it for þe gret multitude of folke
þat ere slayne. Bot sen̛ it so es þat godd̛
hase ordeynede me to be ȝour lorde, and ȝour gouernour,
þare-fore we commande ȝow þat in ilke a citee,
thurghowte þe lordchipe of Perse, ȝe ordeyne prynceȝ
and gouernours as þare was in Darius tyme, to þe whilke we
commande ȝow þat ȝe be obeyande as ȝe
before-tymes hafe bene, and that þay do riȝte tiƚƚ
ilke a man̛ at þaire powere. Also it es oure wiƚƚ and
oure commandement, þat ilke a man̛ welde & reioyse
paysabily his landes and his possessiouns. We commande alsoo,
þat fra this lande of perse vn-tiƚƚ Ellada, & fra
thethyn̛ to Macedoyne, be redy way & open̛ so þat ilke
a man̛ þat wiƚƚ may passe bathe in and owte, wit
merchandyse or any oþer erandes þat þay hafe at do,
and Joy & pese be vn-to ȝowe.'
Þan gert Alexander aƚƚ men̛ be stiƚƚ, and said
one this wyse: 'Whilke of ȝow so slew myn̛ enemy Darius;
comeȝ forthe be-for me, and I shaƚƚ giffe ȝow worthy
mede, & conable wirchipe do þam̛, I swere bi oure
goddeȝ þat ere Almyȝty, & bi my moste biloved̛
moder Olympias, þat I saƚƚ gyffe þam̛ worthy
mede.' When̛ Alexander had saide thir wordes þe persyenes
wepede wonderly sare. And than̛ þe twa
man̛-morthireres Bisso and Aryobarȝantes come bi-fore
Alexander, and sayde vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,'
quoþ þay, 'we ere thase þat slew Darius thyne enemy
wit oure Awenn̛ hende.' And when̛ Alexander saw
þam̛, he bade his knyghtes belyfe ga & take
þam̛, & bynde þam, & lede þam̛ to Darius
grafe, & þare smyte of þaire heuedes, And than̛
þay ansuerd̛, & saide vn-tiƚƚ Alexander: 'A, A,
wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,' quoþ þay,
'swore þou noȝte tiƚƚ vs, bi oure goddeȝ
þat ere Almyȝty, & bi þe hele of thi moder Olympias,
þat þou solde gerre do vs na harme, bot þat
þou solde giff vs a worthi reward̛.' And Alexander saide
agayne vn-to þam̛: 'So aughte me wele for to swere, for to
gette knawyng of þe slaers of Darius. For I solde neuer hafe
getyn̛ knawyng þare-offe had I noȝte sworne so. And
ȝitt I saƚƚ safe myn̛ athe wele ynoghe. For it was
al-way myn̛ entent, þat if I myȝte wete what þay
ware, þay solde hafe swilke a rewarde. For þay þat
slaes þaire awenn̛ lorde it es a taken̛ þat
þay wiƚƚ hafe na conscience to sla anoþer man̛.'
And when þe perseyenes herde this þay by-gan̛ to
prayse Alexander & to commende hym and blysse hym as he had bene a
godd̛. Þan̛ kyng Alexander gert hede tha twa
homycydes. And aƚƚ þe rewme he sett in gouernance of
certayne lordes. Amanges oþer þare was ane alde lorde was
eme to Darius, þe whilke highte Climitus, þat was gretly
luffede wit þe persyenes; And Alexander at þe request of
aƚƚ the persyenes ordeyned hym for to be chefe goueruour vnder
hym of aƚƚ perse. And one þe morne Alexander sett hym in
his trone, wit his coroun̛ on his hede, and efter þe
biddynng of Darius he commande to brynge bi-fore hym Rosan̛,
Darius doghter, wit a coroun̛ on̛ hir hede, sett fuƚƚ
of precious stanes. And þare, as þe maner was of þe
persyenes, he tuke hir to his wyfe, and made hir to sitt wit hym in
his trone & command aƚƚ men̛ to wirchipe hir als quene. And
þan̛ þe persyenes were wonderly glade, & onane
þay broȝte þaire goddeȝ bi-fore Alexander, and
bi-gan̛ to wirchipe hym, & loue hym riȝte als he hade bene a
godd̛, and said̛ vn-till hym, hallely wit a voyce,
'þou thi selfe es a godd̛, For that þat es plesande
tiƚƚ oure goddes alway þou dose.' And when̛ Alexander
saw this, he was gretly troubled & riȝte ferde & said̛ vn-to
þam 'Wirchipfuƚƚ sirs,' quoþ he, 'I pray ȝow
þat ȝe wirchipe me noȝte as a godd̛, for sothely I
am as ȝe are, a corupteble & a dedly man̛, and in me
þare es na parceƚƚ of the godhede. And þarefore, I
beseke ȝow, cesseȝ of this wirchipe þat ȝe do me'
Þan gert Alexander write a lettre tiƚƚ Olympias his
moder & tiƚƚ Arestotle his maister, makand mencyon̛ of
aƚƚ þe batayƚƚs & þe disesseȝ þat he
hadd̛ suffred in Perse, and of þe grete reches
þat he fande þare, of þe whilke he & aƚƚ his
men̛ ware made riche. And also he wrate vn-to þam̛,
þat þay scholde make grete solempnytee lastyng aghte dayes
be-cause of þe weddynge of Alexander & Rosan̛ Darius
doghter. And so did̛ Alexander, in Perse, wit þe
maceydoynes & þe persyenes, many a daye.
Affter this kyng Alexander sembled̛ a grete Oste, bathe of
macedoyns & of persyenes, and went towarde Inde for to werre
apon̛ Porus, kyng of Inde, þe whilke ordeynede hym for to
come & helpe kyng Darius. And, when Alexander was entered
in-tiƚƚ Inde, he went thurgℏ wildernes & waste cuntree,
whare in ware grete reuers and many grete caues & cauernes. And
þan̛ Alexander & his men̛ wex wery, & irkede
riȝte sare. And þe prynces Of macedoyne & of grece
murmourede amangeȝ þam̛ gretly, & saide ilkan̛
tiƚƚ oþer: 'It myȝte hafe sufficed̛ tiƚƚ
vs, þat we hafe ouer-sett kyng Darius, & conqerred̛
þe kyngdom̛ of Perse. Where-be seke we forthire
in-tiƚƚ Inde, þe whilke es fuƚƚ of wilde besteȝ,
and leues oure awenn̛ landeȝ. Ne þis Alexander nane
oþer thyngeȝ desyreȝ, bot for to wende abowte and
thurgh werre to brynge aƚƚ þe worlde vndere his subieccion.
For werre & debate unrescheȝ his body so fer furth þat, and
he ristede any lange tyme witowten̛ werre, riȝte als it were
for defaute of mete he schulde faile & dye. Leue we hym
þarefore, and turne we agayne vn-tiƚƚ oure awenn̛
cuntree, and late hym wende furthe wit the persyenes, if he
wiƚƚ.' When Alexander herde þis, he garte aƚƚ
þe Oste habide, and he went and stodde in ane heghe place
amangeȝ þam̛, & sayde one this wise: 'Departis
ȝow in twaa, so þat þe persyenes be by
þam̛-selfe and þe Macedoynes and þe grekes bi
þam̛-selfe.' And when̛ þay hadd̛ so done,
Alexander saide to þe Macedoynes and þe grekes: 'A A, myne
owenn̛ dere knyghtis,' quoþ he, 'wele [ȝe] knawe
þat thir persyenes, vn-to þis day, hase bene contrary &
rebeƚƚes vn-to ȝow & to me, and ȝe wiƚƚ now lefe
me here wit þam̛, and tourne agayne to ȝour
awenn̛ cuntree. Wele ȝe wate, þat when ȝour
hertes were troubblede, & fered, for þe wordes þat ware
contened̛ in Darius lettres, I thrugℏ my speche & my
conseƚƚ comforthed̛ ȝour hertis. And afterwarde, when
we come in-to þe felde agaynes oure enemys, I went bi-fore
ȝow aƚƚ.
And I by myn̛ ane was þe firste man̛ þat entrede
þe batayƚe. And ȝitt more-ouer, as ȝe wele wate, I
tuke apon̛ me for to be ȝoure allere messangere vn-to kynge
Darius. And þare, for ȝow, I putt my selfe in many grete
periƚƚs. And þarefore, witteȝ wele for certayne,
þat, riȝte as hedirtowardeȝ, we hafe ouercomen̛
oure enemys and hade þe better of þam̛, riȝte so
fro heþein-forwardeȝ, thurgh þe helpe of oure
goddeȝ we saƚƚ ouercome oure enemys, & hafe þe
victorye of þam̛. And þare-fore I say ȝow
forsothe, þat, aƚƚ if ȝe will tourne agayne to grece &
macedoyne, I saƚƚ noȝte tourne agayne on̛ na wyse,
þat ȝe may knawe þat, wit-owtten̛ gouernance of
a kynge, nane Oste may wynne na wirchipe.' When̛ Alexander had
said̛ þus, aƚƚ þe prynceȝ of Macedoyne and
of þe grekes schamede gretely, and askede mercy & forgifnesse,
sayande one this wyse: 'Moste wirchipfuƚƚ emperour, oure lyfe
lyes hallely in ȝour hande. Whedir so euer ȝe wiƚƚ goo
we wiƚƚ gladly felowe ȝour hye maiestee; þofe we
schulde aƚƚ dye for ȝow on̛ a daye, we saƚƚ folow
ȝow & neuer lefe ȝow.' And þan̛ þay
remowed̛ fra þeinne and come in-tiƚƚ a cuntree of Inde
þat es called̛ Phisiacen̛, in þe laste ende of
July. And þare mette hym þe embassatours of Porus kyng of
Inde, and broghte hym lettres fra Porus, þat said on̛ this
wyse.
' Porus kyng of Inde: vn-to þe theeffe Alexander, þat
thurgℏ thifte & robbery many citeeȝ wynneȝ, biddyng we
send̛. Sen̛ þou ert dedely: wharto weneȝ
þou þat þou ert of powere to agaynstande godd̛
þat es vn-dedely. A grete fole, me thynke, þou ert
þat hase eghne, and cane nott see. Trowes þou we be lyke
vn-to þe percyenes þat þou hase made subiecteȝ
vn-to the ? Þou hase foughten̛ hedir-towarde wit softe
men̛ & cowardeȝ, & for þou hase ouercomen̛
þam̛, þou weneȝ, þat thi littillness
saƚƚ brynge oure hye maiestee vnder thi subieccion; þe
whilke es vnpossyble for to bee, bot if goddeȝ submytt
þam̛ vn-to men̛, and þe erthe be euen lyke to
þe heuen̛. I late the wiete, þat I may noȝte be
ouercommen̛ for noȝte allanly men̛ bot also goddeȝ
doeeȝ seruyce to my name. Wate þou noȝte wele,
þat ane Dynise, þe fader of Bachus, come in-tiƚƚ
Inde, wit a grete Oste for to feghte, bot onane he tournede þe
bakke & fledd, for he
was noȝte of powere to agaynstande þe vertu of men̛ of
Inde. And þarefore, or any schame or mischeffe com̛ to
þe; we con-seƚƚ the & commandeȝ the, þat in
aƚƚ þe haste þat þou may, þou tourne hame
agayne to thyne awen̛ lande. Fore wele þou knawes,
þat, bi-fore ȝerses was kynge of Perse, þe macedoynes
gaffe tribute tiƚƚ Inde. Bot, by-cause þat þaire
lande es barayne & vnprofitable, & na thyngeȝ þer-in
plesande tiƚƚ a kynge: þe men̛ of Inde sett noȝte
þare-by. For ilke a man̛, desyres mare a large lande & a
plenteuous: þan a strayte lande & a barayne. And
þarefore, ȝitt the thirde tourne, I comaunde the that
þou tourne hame to thyne awenn̛ lande. And neuer, in thi
lyfe, couette to hafe Lordschipe þare þou may nane
gete.'
When̛ þis lettre was
comen̛ tiƚƚ Alexander, he gerte rede it be-fore aƚƚ
men̛. And when̛ his knyghtis hadd̛ herde þe
tenour of þis lettre, þay were trublede. And Alexander
sayde vn-to þam̛: 'My wirchippfull knyghtis,' quoþ
he, 'late noȝte ȝour hertis be trublede ne fered̛ for
Porus lettre. Hafe ȝe noȝte in mynde, wit how grete pride
Darius wrate vn-tiƚƚ vs dyuerse tymes ? I say ȝow sotheley
þat all þe folke of thyse Este parties hase þaire
hertis & þaire wittis lyke vn-to þe bestes þat
þay dueƚƚe wit-aƚƚ, þat es at say, Tygres,
Pardes, & oþer wilde bestis, whilke fuƚƚ selden̛ ere
slaenn̛ of men̛, and þare-fore þay triste
aƚƚ in þaire strengthe.' And when̛ Alexander hade
said thir wordes, he garte writte a lettre vn-to Porus kynge of Inde
whare-of this was the tenour.
'Kyng of kynges and lorde of lordes, Alexander þe son̛
of godd̛ Amon̛ & þe quene Olympias, vn-to Porus we
sende. Þou hase scharpede oure wittes, & gyffen̛ vs
hardynesse for to feghte agaynes þe, whare þou says
þat macedoyne es bot a littiƚƚ lande & barayne of aƚƚ
thyng þat gude es. And Inde, þou says, es large, &
plenteuous of aƚƚ gudeȝ & reches. And þare-fore we
saƚƚ enforce vs to feghte wit the at aƚƚ oure myghte, for to
con-quere thi landeȝ þat, þou sais, es so fuƚƚ
of reches. And, for þou haldeȝ vs pouer, & of na
reputacion̛, þare-fore we desire for to ascende to þe
heghte of thi majestie. And also þare þou says, þat
noȝte allanly vn-to men̛, bot also vn-to goddeȝ
þou erte emperour, I saƚƚ come to the, for to feght wit
þe, as wit an̛
haythen̛ man̛ fuƚƚ of Pompe & pride and vayne glory, &
noȝte as wit a godd̛ For aƚƚ þe werlde may
noȝte agaynstand̛ þe wrethe of a godd̛.
Þer-fore, sen̛ þe elementis of this aere, þat
es at say Thunners, leuenyngeȝ and water, may noȝte bere
þe indygnacion of goddeȝ, how schulde þan̛
dedely men̛ mowe agaynstande þaire wrethe? And
þare-fore I late the wele witte þat þi founde
proudde speche trubbleȝ me noȝte ne moueȝ me neuer a
dele.'
When̛ Porus hadd̛ this lettre, he was wondere wrathe &
assemblede a grete Oste of men̛, and a grete multitude of
Olyphanntes wit þe whilke þe men̛ of Inde ere wount
for to feghte, and went agaynes Alexander. This Oste of Porus was
riȝte grete & strange, for þare ware þer in
xiiij. cartes of were and viijc Oliphannteȝ, and ilk an
Olyphanthadd̛ a toure of tree apon̛ his bakke, & in ilke a
toure xxx men̛. Þare ware also oþer feghting
men̛ on horse and on fote wit-owten nowmer. And when̛
þe Macedoynes and þe persyenes sawe þe grete
multitude bathe of men̛ & of Olyphaunteȝ, þay were
fered̛, & gretely stonayde. Neuer þe lesse, bathe þe
partyes ordayned̛ þam̛ to bateƚƚ, and
arayed̛ þaire bateƚƚs, Alexander on his syde, and
Porus on his syde. And Alexander lepe vp-on̛ his horse
Buktiphalas & prikkede bi-fore aƚƚ his men̛, and
comanded̛, þat þe Medoynes & þe persyenes sulde
firste begynn̛ to feghte. And so þay did̛; & hym
selfe wit þe grekes, and þe macedoynes stode on þe
toþer syde, redy to succour þam̛ when̛ myster
ware. And for þe Olyphaunteȝ also, Alexander gert make
suylke an̛ ordynance. He gert make xxiiij ymageȝ of brasse,
and gert fiƚƚ þam̛ faƚƚ of dry wodde. And he
gerte make also cartes of yren̛, for to bere thir ymageȝ
before þe Olyphaunteȝ and when̛ þe Osteȝ
came nere to-gedir he gert sett fyre in þe wodd̛ þat
was in þe ymages. And when̛ þe Olyphaunteȝ saw
þir ymages, þay wende þat þay hadd̛ bene
men̛ and schott owte þaire groynes, as þay were wount
for to do for tiƚƚ hafe weryed þam̛. And alsone
thurgh þe grete hete, þay were brynned̛ and
than̛ thay gaffe bakke, & fledd̛ for drede to brynne
þayre groynes. And þare-fore þe men̛ þat
were abown̛ in þe toures myghte noȝte wyn̛ to for
to feghte. And when̛ Porus saw that he was reghte
sary. Þan̛ þe Medoynes & þe persyenes, wit
arowes and speres & oþer dyuerse wapynes of werre, slewe
thykfalde of þe men̛ of Inde. And thus þay faghte
contenuelly xxxti days, & mekiƚƚ pople of bathe þe parties
ware dede. And at þe laste þe Medoynes, & þe
persyenes, began̛ faste for to fayle. And when̛ Alexander
saw that, he was wondere wrathe, and entrede in-to þe
bateƚƚe, sittand̛ on his horse Buctiphalas, and faghte mannfully, & þe grekes & þe macedoynes wit hym. And his horse
also helped̛ hym̛ gretely. And than̛ belyfe þe
Indyenes began̛ gretely for to fayle. And when̛ Porus saw
that he turned̛ þe bakke & fledd̛ And þan̛
þe Indyenes þat ware lefte on̛ lyfe fledd̛ also.
And Alexander luged̛ hym thare wit his Oste and made Sacrafice
tiƚƚ his goddeȝ and commaunded̛ for to bery þe
dedd̛ bodys, bathe of Indyenes & of þe persyenes & þe
Macedoynes.
Sone after, apon̛ a day, Alexander ensegedd̛ Porus citee
& wann̛ it, and went in-tiƚƚ Porus Palace, whare-In̛ he
fande mare reches þan̛ any man̛ wiƚƚ trowe. For
he fande þare-in xƚ pelers of Massy golde, ilkan̛ of a
grete thikness & a grete lenthe, wit þaire chapytraƚƚes.
And bitwene þe pelers of golde, ware hyngande venetteȝ of
golde & syluere, wit leues of golde. And þe brawncheȝ of
this venett ware sum̛ of cristaƚƚe, sum̛ of
Margariteȝ, sum̛ of Smaragdes, & sum̛ of Onyches, and
þay semed̛ as þay hade bene verray vynes. Þe
walles also of þe palace ware couerde aƚƚ ouer wit plates
of golde, þe whilke when̛ þe Macedoynes cutte in
soundre & brakke, þay fande þat þay ware a gret
ynche thikke. And þir walles ware sett fuƚƚ of diuerse
precious stanes, þat es at say, of charebuncles, Smaragdes,
Margarites & Amatistes. And þe ȝates of þe Palace
ware of Euour wonder whitt, & þe bandeȝ of þam̛,
& þe legges of Ebene. Þe chambirs, also, of þis
Palace, were aƚƚ of Cipresse, and þe beddeȝ in
þam̛ ware sett fuƚƚ of Margariteȝ,
Smaragdeȝ, & charebuncles. Þe hauƚƚ, also, of
þis Palace, was sett fuƚƚ of ymages of golde, & bi-twix
þam̛ stode perlatanes of golde, in þe branches of
whilke þare were many manners of fewles & ilke a fewle was
colourede, & paynted̛ after his kynde asked̛, þe bekes
of þam̛, & þe clowes ware aƚƚ of fyne golde.
And ay,
when̛ Porus liste, thir fewles thurgℏ crafte of music walde
synge after þaire kynde askede & was. He fande also in
þat Palace veselles wit-owten̛ nowmer, sum̛ of golde,
sum̛ of Cristaƚƚe, Sum̛ of oþer maneres of
precyouse stanes, sum̛ of Suluere, and þat aƚƚ maner
of veseƚƚ þat men̛ sulde be serued̛ offe. Bot
þare were bot fewe of þam̛ of Siluere.
Fra thethyn̛, Alexander remowede his Oste & come to þe
ȝates of Caspee, and þare he luged̛ hym̛. It was
a noble lande & a gude. Bot þare ware þare-In many maners
of nedders and of wilde besteȝ. Fra þeine Alexander sent a
lettre tiƚƚ Talifride quene of Amaȝon̛, of þis
tenour.
' Kyng of kynges, and lorde of lordes, Alexander, þe
son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛, & þe quene Olympias, vn-to
Talifride þe quene of Amaȝon̛, ioy. The grete
Batayƚƚes þat we hafe hadd̛ wit kyng Darius, & how we
hafe conquered̛ aƚƚ his rewme, and his lordchipes, we trowe
he noghte unknawen̛ vn-to ȝow. And also how we hafe
foghten̛ with Porus þe kyng of Inde & his cheeffe citee
wonnen̛. And also wit many oþer folkes, & þay ware
neuer of powere to agaynestande vs, þe whilke we suppose be
noȝte vnknawen̛ vn-to ȝowe. Whare-fore we sende
ȝow worde, & commandeȝ ȝow, þat ȝe sende vs
tribute, if ȝe wiƚƚ þat wee com̛ noȝte to
ȝow to do ȝow disesse.'
And vn-to this lettre Talifride made ansuere by lettre one this
wyse.
' Talyfride quene of Amazon̛ wit oþer grete ladys of
oure rewme, vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, kynge of Macedoyne, joy. We hafe
wele herde teƚƚe of þe bye witt þat es in the,
thurgℏ whilke þou hase in mynde thyngeȝ þat ere
passede, and disposeȝ thynges þat ere present, and
knaweȝ thyngeȝ þat ere to come. Avyse the wele
þarefore are þou come tiƚƚ vs, what
trebulacionneȝ & disesse may faƚƚe the in thi commynge. For
þare was neuer nane ȝit þat werreyed agayneȝ vs
þat ne he had̛ schame þare-offe at þe ende.
And þare-fore take hede to thi last ende. For grete schame it es
tiƚƚ a wyse man̛ thurgℏ indiscrecion̛ to
faƚƚe in mescheffe. Bot if it be lykynge to þe, to knawe
our conuersacyon̛, and oure habitacion̛, we declare it
vn-to þe be oure
present lettres, þat oure habitacion̛ es in ane Ile,
þat es closede abowte wit a grete reuer þat noþer
hase bygynnynge nor endynnge. Bot on a syde we hafe a strayte entree.
And the nowmer of women̛ þat duelleȝ þer-in es
ccxiiiim þat ere noȝte filed wit men̛. For oure
husbandeȝ duelleȝ noȝte amangeȝ vs ne no
noþer man̛, Bot on þe toþer syde of þe
reuer. And ilke a ȝere we make a solempne feste in the wirchipe
of Iubiter xxx days. And þan̛ we go till oure husbandes,
and duelleȝ wit þam̛ oþer xxx dayes & hase oure
luste and oure disporte to-gedir as kynde askes. And if any of vs
consayfe & bere a childe if it be a male þe modere kepis it
seuen̛ ȝere and than̛ sendeȝ it to þe
fadere. And if scho bere a mayden̛ childe þe moder
haldeȝ it wit hir & techeȝ it oure maners. When̛ we
goo to werre agayne ȝoure enemys we ere cm rydand̛ one horse
wele armede. And sum̛ of vs hase bowes & arowes, and sum̛
speres, and oþer diuerse wapyne. And þe remanent
kepeȝ oure Ile. And when̛ we come wit the victorye oure
husbandeȝ does vs grete wirchipe. And þare-fore if
þou come agaynes vs we late the witt þat we wiƚƚ
feghte wit the at aƚƚ oure myȝte. And if it happen̛
þat þou hafe þe victory of vs, wirchipe saƚƚ it
nane be to the bi-cause þou hase discomfit women̛. And if
we discomfit the, it saƚƚ be an heghe wirchippe tiƚƚ vs,
þat we may discomfit so wirchipfuƚƚ an emperour; and to the
it saƚƚ be a hye reproue. Where-fore we sygnifie vn-to þe
by oure lettres þat þou come noȝte agaynes vs for
sekerly þare may grete dysese come þare-offe, þat
perauenture þou knaweȝ noȝte now offe at þis
tymme.'
When̛ Alexander hadd̛ redd̛ þis lettre, he
began̛ to lawghe. And onane he garte writte anoþer lettre,
and sent it to Talyfride, whare-offe þe tenour was this.
'Alexander kyng of kynges and of lordeȝ, the son̛ of
godd̛ Amon̛ & þe qwene Olympias, to Talyfride quene of
Amaȝon̛ and þe oþer ladys of þe same
rewme: ioy. We late ȝow weite þat thre parties of þe
werlde, þat es to say, Asye, Affric, & Europe we hafe
conquered̛ and made subiects vn-tiƚƚ vs, & þare was
neuer nane of þam̛ þat myȝte agaynstande oure
powere. And if we now suld noȝte be of powere, to feghte with
ȝowe it ware ane heghe schame tiƚƚ us. Neuer-þe-lesse
for als mekiƚƚ
als we lufe ȝour conuersacion̛ we conseƚƚ þat
ȝe come forthe of ȝour Ile & ȝour husbondeȝ wit
ȝow, and appere in oure presence. For we swere ȝow bi
god̛ Amon̛ oure Fader, & by aƚƚ oure goddeȝ
þat ȝe saƚƚ hafe na disesse of vs. Bot gyffeȝ vs
sumwhat in name of tribute and we schaƚƚ fynd ȝow and
ȝoure Amaȝonns þat come wit ȝow horse ynowe. And
when̛ ȝou listees for to wende hame agayne, ȝe
schaƚƚ hafe gude leue.'
And when̛
þe Amaȝons hadd̛ redd̛ þis lettre,
þay went to conseƚƚ, and thoghte it was beste for to ascent
vn-tiƚƚ hym. And þan̛ þay sent hym x stedes
þe beste þat myȝte be funden̛ in any cuntree,
and x oþer horse þe beste þat myȝte be
geten̛, and a grete sum̛ of golde. And Talifride hir selfe
and oþer ladys wit hir went un-tiƚƚ hym̛, and
accorded̛ wit hym, and went hame agayne, wonder glade and blythe.
In þe mene tyme it was talde Alexander, þat Porus,
þe kyng of Inde, was in Bactricen̛, and assembled̛ a
grete Oste for to feghte eftsonns wit hym. And when̛ Alexander
herde this, he remowede his Oste, and chese owte c.l of duyercs
þat knewe þe cuntree, for to hafe þe gouernance of
his Oste, and to lede þam̛ seurly thurgh þat strange
cuntree. In þe Monethe of Auguste, when̛ þe
son̛ es maste hate, þay bigan̛ for to take þaire
iournee. And thay went thurgℏ a dry cuntree, sandye, &
wit-owtten̛ water. And nedlyngeȝ þam̛
byhoued̛ wende armede, þare was so grete plentee of
neddirs, and crueƚƚ wylde bestes. For thies forsaid gydeȝ
ware mare fauorable to Porus, þan̛ tiƚƚ Alexander &
his Oste, and þare-fore þay ledd̛ þam̛
thurgh swilke barrayne and perilous cuntreeȝ. And when̛
Alexander saw it schope thus, and that his conseƚƚ byfore had
sayd þe sothe, þat es at say, bathe his awnn̛
frendeȝ and men̛ of Caspy, þat conseld̛ hym
þat he suld noȝte hye hym ouerfaste, ne triste to
mekiƚƚ to stranȝgers; þau he commanded̛ þat
aƚƚ men̛ schulde wende armed̛: & so þay
did̛. And þan̛ aƚƚ þe Oste schane
riȝte as it had̛ bene sternes, for sum of þaire
armours ware of golde, sum̛ of siluer, and sum̛ of precious
stanes. And when̛ Alexander saw þe araye of his Oste, and
þaire baners bi-fore þam̛ Schynande so faire, he was
riȝte gladde. Neuer-þe-les grete disese he hadd̛,
þat nowþer he, ne his men̛, myȝte fynde na
water.
So it feƚƚe þat a knyghte of Macedoyne þat
hyȝte ȝephilus fand̛ water standynge in an holle stane,
þat was gadird̛ þare of þe dewe of þe
heuen̛, the whilke þis forsaide knyghte putt in his
Bacenett, & broȝthe it till Alexander for to drynke. And
Alexander saide un-tiƚƚ hym, 'I suppose,' quoþ he,
'þat I drynke þis water, saƚƚ þe Macedoynes &
þe persyenes be any thynge refreschede þareby, or I
saƚƚ hafe aƚƚ þe refreschyng be my selfe.' And he
ansuerd, & saide, 'Þou aƚƚ ane lorde,' quoþ he,
'saƚƚ be comforthed þareby.' Quoþ Alexander
þan̛, 'And̛ if ȝe saƚƚ aƚƚ perische
trowes þou þat it solde be lykand̛ to mee, for to
lyfe in sorowe & disese seynge þe dedd̛ of þe
Macedoynes & þe persyenes ?' And be-lyue he garte heƚƚe
downn̛ þe water on þe erthe be-fore aƚƚ his
men̛. And when̛ his knyghtis saw that, þay were
hugely comforthede þare-by riȝte als Ilkan̛ of
þam̛ hadd̛ dronken̛ a grete draughte of water,
and þan̛ went furthe þaire waye. And on̛
þe morne, þay come tiƚƚ a reuere whase bankes was
growand̛ fuƚƚ of grete redys & þay ware als hye as
pyne-treese; ȝa, for þe maste partie of xƚ fote lange.
Than badd̛ [he] that þay drawe of þe water and brynge
to þe Oste. Bot aƚƚ þat dranke þare-offe it
keste þam̛ in-tiƚƚ a flux, and slewe a grete hepe of
þam. For þat water was wonder scharpe, and als bittire
als any mekiƚƚ gyrse. Bot þan̛ was Alexander gretly
disessedd̛ & aƚƚ his Oste noȝte allanly of
þam̛-selfe, bot also for þaire horseȝ &
þaire besteȝ þat þay ledd̛ wit
þam̛ þe whilke bi-gan̛ for to faile for thryste.
Alexander hadd̛ wit hym a thowsande Olypℏanteȝ
þat bare his golde, And foure hundreth cartes of werre and jm &
cc wayneȝ. He hadd̛ also in his Oste cccm horse men̛
and muyles & camelles witowten̛ nowmer, þat bare
þaire vetails, and oþer thyngeȝ þat was
necessarye to þe Oste; also oxen̛ and kye, schepe and
swyne, wit-owten̛ nowmer, þe whilke perischt for defaute of
drynke. Sum̛ of Alexander knyghtes lykked̛ Iren̛,
Sum̛ dranke oyle, & sum ware at so grete meschefe þat
þay dranke þaire awen̛ stalynge. And thare was so
grete habundance of nedders & oþer venymous besteeȝ,
þat þam byhoued̛ nedeȝ traueƚƚe armed, and
þat was a grete nuy to þam & an̛ heghe disese.
Þan̛ was Alexander wonder sorye & namely for þe
disese þat his Oste suffrede.
And̛ as þay went endlande þis reuere, abowte
þe viii houre of þe day, þay come tiƚƚ a
casteƚƚ þat stode in a littiƚƚ Ile in þis
forsaid̛ ryuere; Aud this casteƚƚ was made of þe
forsaid̛ redeȝ. Þe brede of this ryuer was foure
furlange lentℏ. And in þat casteƚƚ þay sawe a
few men̛. And þan̛ Alexander bad his men̛ spirre
þam̛ þat ware in þe casteƚƚ in þe
langage of Inde whare þay myghte fynde any swete watir able for
to drynke. And also son̛ als þay spake to þam̛
þay with-drewe þam̛ & hidd̛. And Alexander
gerte schotte arowes in-to þe casteƚƚ and þan̛
þay hidd̛ þam̛ wele þe mare. And when
Alexander saw that þay walde one na wyse speke wit hym, he
hadd̛ a certane of his knyghtes nakne þam & swyme ouer
þe water to þe casteƚƚ. And þan̛ xxxvii
balde knyghtis & hardy of Macedoyne nakned̛ þam̛, and
tuke ilkan̛ of þam̛ a swerde in his hande & went in-to
þe water & swame it to þay were passede þe fertbe
parte þare-offe. And sodeynly thare rase oute of þe water
a grete multitude of besteȝ, þat ere called̛
ypotaynes, grettere of body than̛ an̛ olypℏant, and
deuored̛ thir knyghtis euer-ilkanne. And þan̛ was
Alexander riȝte sare greuede, and be-lyfe garte take þe
forsaid̛ guydeȝ cl & caste þam̛ in-to þe
water. And onane þe ypotaynes deuored̛ þem.
And Alexander thoghte it was noȝte spedfuƚƚ langare to
stryffe wit thase monstres, and garte tromppe vp and remowed̛ his
Oste fra þeine, and went so aƚƚ þat day wondere wery
for thriste. And also þay hadd̛ grete disese & nuye of
wilde Beste þat come apon̛ þam̛, þat es to
say, of lyones, beres, vnycornes, tygres, and pardeȝ, wit
þe whilke þay faughte & grete traueƚƚ hade.
And as þay went on̛ þis wyse wit grete angere &
disese aboute þe elleued̛ houre þay saw a
littiƚƚ bate in þe riuere made of rede and men̛
rowande þare-in. And Alexander gert spirre þam̛ in
þe langage of Inde, whare þay myȝte fynde any fresche
water. And þay talde whare & schewed̛ þam̛ a
place a littiƚƚ þeine whare-in þay saide þay
scholde fynde a grete staunke of swete water and gude. And
þan̛ Alexander & hys Oste went aƚƚ aboute þat
ryuere, & come tiƚƚ þis forsaid̛ stanke and
luged̛ þam̛ aboute it. And Alexander comanded̛
þat þay sulde feƚƚe
a wodd̛ þat growed̛ faste þare-by three myle on
lenthe, & aƚƚs mekiƚƚ on brede. Þat wodde was
aƚƚ of þe redeȝ þat I spak of bi-fore, and
þe stanke was a myle on̛ lentℏ. Þan̛
Alexander comanded̛ þat þay sulde make many fires in
þe Oste, and gerte trompe to þe mete. Ald alson̛
þe mone be-gan̛ to schynne þare come a grete
multitude of scorpyons to-warde þe stanke for to take
þam̛ a drynke. And þan̛ þare come
oþer manere of nedders, and dragones wonder grete of dyuerse
colours. And aƚƚ þat cuntree resounned̛ of þe
noyse & þe hissȝingeȝ þat þay made.
Þir dragones come dounne fra þe hye mountaynes for to
drynke of þe stanke, and þay hadd̛ crestis one
þaire heddeȝ & þaire bresteȝ ware bryghte lyk
golde, & þaire mowthes open̛. Þaire aande slewe any
qwikk thynge þat it smate apon̛, and oute of þaire
eghne þare come flammes of fyre. And when̛ Alexander & his
Oste saw þam̛ þay ware riȝt fered̛ for þam̛. For þay wende þay schulde hafe
weried̛ þam̛ ilkan̛. And þan̛
Alexander comforthed̛ þam̛ and saide vn-to
þam̛: 'Mi wirchipfuƚƚ knyghtes,' quoþ he, 'bees
noȝte agaste of þam̛, bot does ilkane as ȝe see
me do.' And þan̛ he tuk a nett & sett it bi-twixe hym &
þam̛ and tuke his schelde & his spere & faughte wit
þam̛ manfully. And when̛ his knyghtes saw þat
þay ware gretly comforthed̛ & be-lyfe tuke þaire
wapynneȝ & didd̛ als þay sawe Alexander doo, and slewe
of þam̛ a grete multitude, whatt thurgℏ dyuerse
wapynneȝ, what in þaire fyres. And of Alexander knyghtes
þe dragones slewe xxti & xxxti fotemen̛. After
þam̛, þare come owte of þe forsaide wodde of
redeȝ, Crabbes of a wonderfuƚƚ greteness; and þaire
bakkes ware harder þan̛ cocadrilleȝ. And when̛
þe knyghtis smate þam̛ one þe bakkes wit
þaire speres, þay myȝte noȝte perche
þam̛, ne na harme do þam̛. Neuer-þe-lesse
þay slewe many of þam̛ in þaire Fires and
þe remenant of þam̛ gatt in-to þe staunke. And
aboute þe sexte houre of þe nyghte þare come
apon̛ þam̛ whytt lyones grettere þan̛
Bulles, and þay schoke þaire heuedeȝ at
þam̛ & grete manace made in þaire manere.
Þan̛ þe knyghtes keped̛ þam̛ in
þaire nettis and slew þam. After this þare
com̛ apon̛ þam̛ þan̛ a grete multitude
of swynne þat ware aƚƚ of a wonderfuƚƚ mekilness, wit
tuskes of a cubett lenthe. And wit þam̛ þare come
wilde men̛ & women̛ of þe whilke ilkan̛
hadd̛ sex hende. Bot Alexander & his knyghtes keped
þam̛ in þaire
nettis & slewe many of þam̛. And on þis wyse
Alexander & his Oste was gretly disesed. Þan̛
comanded̛ Alexander þat þay schuld̛ make many
fyres wit-owtten̛ þe Oste abonte þe stanke. After
this þare come apon̛ þam̛ a wondere grete beste,
grettere & strangere þan̛ an̛ Olyphaunt, and he hadde
in his frunte three lange hornes. And he was schapen̛ lyke a
horse & he was aƚƚ blakke. And þis beste was called̛
in þe langage of Inde 'Anddontrucion̛'. And or he went to
þe water at drynke, he assailled̛ þe Oste. Bot
Alexander went here & þare amangeȝ þe oste &
comforthed̛ þam̛. This ilke beste slewe of his
knyghtes xxviij and bare donne lij and at þe laste it feƚƚe
in þe nettis and was slayne. After þis þare come
oute of þe redeȝ a grete multi-tude of mysȝ als grete
als foxes, and ete up þe dede bodys. Þare was na qwike
thyngeȝ, þat þay bate þat ne also son̛ it
dyed̛. Bot harme did̛ þay nane to þe oste.
Þan̛ come þare flyande amangeȝ þam̛
bakkes, grettere þam̛ wilde dowfes, and þaire tethe
ware lyke men̛-tethe. And þay didd̛ men̛
mekiƚƚ disese and hurte many men̛. Of sum̛ þay
bate offe þe nese; of sum þe eres. In þe mornenynge
arely þare come many fewlis als grete as wlturs, reed̛ of
colour, and þaire fete & þaire bekes aƚƚ blakke. Bot
þay didd̛ na disese to þe oste, bot went to þe
stanke-syde & drewe fisches & eleȝ oute of þe water, & ete
þam̛.
Þhan̛ lefte Alexander þir perilous placeȝ,
and come wit his Oste, in-to þe cuntree of Bactricen̛,
þe whilke was fuƚƚ of golde & oþer reches. And
þe men̛ of þe cuntree resayfed̛ hym benyngly &
wirchipfully and gaffe hym and his Oste grete giftes. And þare
he habade xxti dayes. In þat cuntree þay sawe trees
þat, in-stedde of leues, bare woƚƚe; þe whilke
folkeȝ of þe cuntree gaderd̛ & made clathe
þare-offe. Þe knyghtes of Alexander wex wonder balde &
strange of hert because of þe victoryes þay hadd̛
wonnen̛ of þe wilde besteȝ before neuenned.
Fra thethyn, Alexander remowed̛ his Oste and come to þe
place whare Porus lay wit þe folke þat he hadd̛
assembled̛. And one þe morne bathe Alexander and Porus
tuke þaire grounde & arayed̛ þaire bateƚƚs for
to feghte. And than̛
Alexander lepped apon̛ his horse Buktiphalas and went bifore his
Oste & þan̛ þay trumpede up & þe bateƚƚs
joyned̛ samen̛, & faghte to-gedir riȝte sare. Bot
þe Indienes feƚƚ thikfalde in þe bateƚƚ as corne
dose in þe felde be-fore þe sythe. And when̛ Porus
saw that, he went and stode bi-fore aƚƚ his men̛, and
cryed̛ vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, & saide on this wyse: 'It
sitteȝ noȝte tiƚƚ an emperour,' quoþ he, 'to lose
his men̛ þus in vayne. Bot it sitteȝ tiƚƚ hym
for to determyne his cause with his awenn̛ handeȝ. And
þarefore late thi folke stand stiƚƚ on þe ta syde, &
myn̛ on þe toþer & late the & me feghte to gedir
hand̛ for hand̛. And if it happen̛ þat þou
ouer-come me, my folke & I saƚƚ be subiecteȝ vn-to þe.
And if I ouer come the, than̛ thou & thi folkeȝ be
subiecteȝ vn-to me.' Thir wordeȝ said Porus dispysand̛
Alexander, bi-cause þat he was a man̛ of littiƚƚ
stature. For he was bot three cubites hye, & Porus was fyfe cubetes
hye & mare. And þarefore he traysted̛ hym aƚƚ in
strenghe of his body, noȝte knawande þe vertu & þe
hardnes þat was hidd̛ in Alexander. And than bathe þe ostes stode stiƚƚ ant lete þe twa kyngeȝ
feghte samen̛, Porus gaffe Alexander a grete str[a]ke on̛
þe hede, & was in poynte to hafe felled̛ hym̛. And
then̛ Porus knyghtes sett vp a grete Schowte. And Porus
tourned̛ hym to þam̛-warde for to reproue
þam̛ for þaire schowttyng. And Alexandsr went
tiƚƚ hym manfully & tuke his swerd̛ in bathe his handeȝ
& lete flye at hym & hitt hym fullbott one þe heued̛ & slew
hym. And when̛ þe Indienes saw that þay bi-gan
scharply for to fighte wit Alexander & his oste. Vnto whayme
Alexander spake & sayde: 'Wrechis,' quoþ he, 'wharto feghte
ȝe sen̛ ȝour kynge es dede. Wate ȝe noȝte
wele that thare na gouernour es þe folke are sparpled̛
be-lyfe als schepe þat ere wit-owtten̛ ane hirde.'
Þe Indienes ansuerd̛ & saide: 'Vs es leuer,' quoþ
þay, 'fighte manfully, and dye in the felde, þan̛ for
to see þe dissolacion̛ of oure folke, and oure lande be
distroyed̛ & wasted̛.' 'Leues ȝour feghtynge,'
quoþ Alexander, '& wendeȝ hame to ȝour howseȝ
pesaybly & seurely. For I swere ȝow bi oure goddeȝ, if
ȝee wiƚƚ do so, ȝe saƚƚ hafe no harme, ne
ȝour lande saƚƚ noȝte be distroyed̛ ne
spoyled̛, bicause þat ȝe hafe foghten so manfully for
ȝour kynge.' And when̛ þe Indienes
herde thir wordes þay keste fra þam̛ þaire
wapyneȝ & thanked̛ Alexander and wirchiped̛ him riȝte
als he hadd̛ bene a godd̛. Than kyng Alexander luged̛
hym þare & his Oste wit hym, & he command̛ to bery þe
dede corseȝ þat ware slayne in þe Bateƚƚ, and
offred̛ sacrafice tiƚƚ his goddeȝ. Also he garte
Entere Porus þe kynge of Inde wirchipfully.
Fra thethyn̛ Alexander remowed̛ his Oste & come tiƚƚ
a cuntree þat was called̛ Oxidraces. The folkes of
þat cuntree are wonder Symple men̛, and noȝte prowde,
& þay are called̛ Gumnosophiste. Þay feghte neuer
mare ne stryfes. Þay ga alway naked̛ & citez ne townnez
hafe þay nane, Bot duellez in lugeȝ & in caues. When̛
þe kyng of þis folke herd̛ teƚƚ of þe
commyng of Alexander he wrate a lettre, & sent vn-tiƚƚ hym whare-
offe this was the tenour.
'The coruptible Gumnosophist vn-tiƚƚ Alexander a man̛ wee
wryte. We here teƚƚ þat þou commeȝ to werre
apon̛ vs, whare of we merueylle vs gretly. For wit vs saƚƚ
þou fynd nathyng þat þou may spoyle vs offe. For we
hafe na thyng elles amangeȝ vs, bot allanly whare with we may
sustene oure wafuƚƚ bodys. What may þou þan̛
take fra vs. Bot if þou come for to feght wit vs, feghte
on̛. For I late the wele witt, þat oure symplenes
wiƚƚ we on na wyse lefe.'
When̛
Alexander had radd̛ this lettre he sent ane ansuere agayne
on̛ this wyse. 'Paisably,' quoþ he, 'wiƚƚ we
com̛ to ȝow and no violence do ȝow.' And
þan̛ he wente in-to þe cuntree whare þay
duelled̛. And he saw þam̛ ga naked̛ & duelle in
luges & in caues, & þaire wyfes & þaire childre away fra
þam̛, walkand̛ wit wilde besteȝ. And he
hadd̛ grete marueyƚƚe, & asked̛ þam̛ if
þay hadd̛ any oþer howseȝ. And þay
ansuerde & said̛, 'Nay. Bot in thir holetteȝ dueƚƚe we
alwaye & in þir caues.' And Alexander commendid̛ gretely
þaire symplenesse, and bad þam̛ aske hym̛
whate-so þay walde. And þay ansuerd̛ & sayde, 'Gyffe
vs,' quoþ þay, 'vndedlynesse, so þat we mow
noȝte dye; for oþer reches couet we nane.' Quoþ
Alexander, 'I am dedely my selfe, how þan̛ may I giffe
ȝou vndedlyness ?' And when̛ þay herd̛ hym say
soo þan̛ þay ansuerd̛ & sayde on̛ this
wyse. 'A, A, wreched̛ man̛,' quoþ þay, 'whare
to wendeȝ þou þus
aboute, & quelleȝ so many men̛, & soo many ilke dediȝ
dooes sen þou wate wele þat þou saƚƚ dye.'
'For sothe,' quoþ he, 'þe cause whi I do it es of þe
prouydence of godd̛. For hys mynystre I am̛, doand̛
þe commandement of hym. ȝee wate wele þat þe
see es noȝte trubbled̛ of hym selfe. Bot when̛
þe wynde entres in-tiƚƚ hym, þan̛ it
stirreȝ hym & trubleȝ hym. I walde hafe ristedd̛ and
lefte aƚƚ werre. Bot þare es anoþer spyryte &
suffres it noȝte be in reste.' And when̛ Alexander hadde
said̛ thir wordeȝ he lefte þam̛ & went tiƚƚ
anoþer cuntree.
Anoþer day, he come wit his Oste tiƚƚ a place wharee twa
ymageȝ ware, þe whilke Ercules gart make & sett in
þat place. And þe tane of þam̛ was of fyne
golde and þe toþer of fyne Siluere, & the lenthe of aythir
of þam̛ was twa cubettis. When̛ Alexander saw
þir ymageȝ, he gert perche þam̛ for to witt,
wheþer þay ware holle or massy. And he fand̛
þat þay were a party hoƚƚe. And he garte stoppe
þe hole agayne and putt in þam̛ a thowsande nobles, &
fyve hundreth. And fra þeine he remowed his Oste, and entrede
in-tiƚƚ a wildirnesse calde & myrk, so þat þay myghte
vnnethes an̛ knawe anoþer or see anoþer. And fra
thythin̛ þay went seuen̛ daye iournee and entred̛
in-tiƚƚ a wildirnesse, and come tiƚƚ a grete reuere. And
bi-ȝonde þat riuere þay saw wonder faire & wele
vesaged̛ women̛ cledd̛ in foule clethyng & horrible;
and þay hadd̛ in þaire handeȝ wapne made
aƚƚ of siluere, bicause þay hadd̛ noþer
Iren̛ ne stele. And þay rade one horse. And men saw
þay nane amangeȝ þam̛. And when̛ þe
Oste walde hafe passede ouer this ryuere, þay myȝte
noȝte be cause it was riȝte brade and fuƚƚ of dragones
and oþer monstres.
Fra thethin þay went aboute towardeȝ þe lefte
party of Inde and come till a dry Marras fuƚƚ of gret redeȝ.
And as þay passed thurgh þat Marras, be-lyue þare
come owte of þe redeȝ a beste lyke ane ypotayne, whase
breste was lyke to þe cocadriƚƚe, and his bakke lyk a sawe,
and his tethe wonder grete, & als scharpe as a suerde; bot in his
gangyng he was
als slaw als a snyle. And, in his oute - come, he slew twa knyghtis
of Alexander. This ilke beste myȝte þay on na wyse perche
wit þaire speres. Bot wit mellis of yren̛ þay slew
it.
And fra þeine þay trauelde thritty day iourneȝ and
come to þe vttermaste iles of Inde, & þare þay
luged̛ þam̛ besideȝ a ryuere þat es callede
in þat langage of Inde Hemmahurer. And aboute þe
Eleuend̛ houre þar come owte of þe woddeȝ a
grete multitude of Olyphanteȝ & come apon̛ þam̛
wit a gret birre & þaire groynes opyn̛. And onane
Alexander lepe apon̛ his horse Buktiphalas and busked̛ hym
agaynes þam̛ and badd̛ þe macedoynes þat
þay solde tak þaire horse and ilk a man̛ a swyne in a
bande, & wende agaynes þe olyphantis. And when̛ þe
oliphantes saw þam̛, þay come gapande wit
þaire groyneȝ redy te tak þam̛. And when̛
þe Macedoynes saw þat þay ware fered̛ and
durste noȝte go to þam̛. And Alexander saide vn-to
þam, 'My wirchipfuƚƚ knyghtes,' quoþ he, 'bese of gud
comforthe and dredeȝ ȝow na-thynge. For, and ȝe
wiƚƚ gare ȝoure swyne crye faste ȝe schall see aƚƚ
þir Olyphantes flee anon̛.' And alsone als þe
Olyphantes herde þe crye of þe swyne, and þe noyse
of þaire trompes, þay fledd̛ and durste noȝte
habyde. And Alexander & his men̛ pursued̛ tham̛, and
what wit nettis, whatt wit swerdes & speres, þay slewe of
þam̛ a grete multitude, and come agayne to thaire tentis.
Anoþer day þay removed̛ þeine, and trauelde
thurgℏ the same woddeȝ of Inde. And þay fande
þare women̛ with berdis rechande downn̛ to þaire
pappes, & þaire heuedeȝ playne abownne, and þay ware
cledd̛ aƚƚ in skynnes. Þay chasede thir women̛
and sum of þam̛ þay tuke & broghte þam̛
tiƚƚ Alexander. And he gart spirre þam in the langage of
Inde, how þay liffed in thase woddes, whare na duellyng was of
men̛. And þay ansuered̛ & said, 'We lyffe aƚƚ,'
quoþ þay, 'wit venyson̛ þat we take in thir
woddes thurgℏ huntynge.'
When̛ þay ware passed̛ oute of thir woddeȝ
þay come in-tiƚƚ a faire felde vn-tiƚƚ a place whare
this forsaid̛ riuere ran̛. And þare þay fande
bath men̛ & women̛ aƚƚ naked. And þay ware
als rugℏe of hare as þay hade bene bestes. Whase kynde &
custom̛ it was als wele to be in þe water, als on̛
þe lande. And als sone als þay saw Alexander Oste onane
þay fledd̛ to þe water, and dowked in-till it. Fra
þeine þay traueld̛ xv day iournee, and entred̛
in-tiƚƚ woddes þat ware fuƚƚ of cynocephals, þe
whilke als son̛ als þay saw Alexander & his oste onane
þay assaillede þam. Bot Alexander & his men̛, what
wit arowes whate wit speres & nettes slew a grete multitude of
þam̛, and þe remenaunt of þam̛ fledd̛
here and thare in þe woddeȝ.
Fra thethyn̛ þay went fourty dayes & come in-tiƚƚ a
champaynne cuntree, þat was aƚƚ Barayne, and na hye place
ne na hilles myghte be sene on na syde. And as it ware aboute
þe xj houre of þe day, þare bigan̛ so grete a
wynde to blawe oute of þe Este þat it blew doune to
þe erthe aƚƚ thaire tentis & þaire luges. And
þare was grete disese ymang þe oste. For þe wynde
tuk fire-brandes oute of fyres þat þay hadd̛ made,
and smate dyuerse men̛ & brynte þam̛. And
þan̛ Alexander knyghtes mournurede gretly & said
amangeȝ þam, 'Þe wrethe & þe wreke of oure
goddeȝ,' quoþ þay, 'falleȝ apon̛ vs,
Bicause we seke to ferre towarde þe son̛ rysynge.' 'My
wirchipfuƚƚ knyghteȝ,' quoþ Alexander, 'bese of gud
comforthe and no thyng ferde for this tempeste es noȝtee
fallen̛ thurgℏ wrethe of oure goddes bot be-cause of equinox
of heruest.' When̛ þe wynde was cessed̛ þay
gadirde te-gedir þat þe wynd̛ hadd̛
sparpled̛.
Fra þeine þay went xxv days and come in-tiƚƚ a
grene valay, and þare þay luged̛ þam̛.
Than commanded̛ Alexander þat þay schuld make many
fyres. For it began̛ for to be vnsufferable calde. And thare
be-gan for to falle grete flawghtis of snawe, as þay had bene
grete lokkes of woƚƚe. When̛ Alexander saw that, he was
ferde þat it schuld̛ noȝte hafe cessed̛ sone, aud
bad his men̛ þat þay suld tred doun̛ þe
snawe & fuƚƚ it wit þaire fete. And þaire fyres also
helpe þam̛ gretly. Neuer-þe-lesse þare ware
fyve hundrethe of þe Oste dedd̛ thurghþat snawe,
þe whilk Alexander gart bery. Þan̛ þare felle
a passand̛ grete rayne, and þe snaw cessed. Wit þe
rayne, also, þare come so thikke a myste, þat contenually
three days to gedir þay
saw na sonn̛. And oute of þe clude þat hange
abown̛ þam̛ þer feƚƚ as it hadd̛ bene
grete fyrebrandeȝ þe whilk brynt many of thaire tenttis and
of þaire luges. And onane Alexander offred̛ sacrafice
tiƚƚ his goddeȝ and bad his knyghtis put alde ryuen̛
clatheȝ wate bi-fore þe fire, and he made his prayere. And
also son̛ the whedir wexe clere & faire.
Fra thethin, þay remowed̛ and come tiƚƚ a grete
ryuere þat es called̛ Ganges & þare þay luged
þam̛. And as þay luked̛ ouer on the toþer
syde, þay saw twa or thre men̛ walke up & downn̛
þare. And Alexander badd̛ his men̛ spirre
þam̛ in þe langage of Inde what þey ware. And
þay ansuered̛ & said̛. 'We are Bragmayns,' quoþ
þay. Alexander hadd̛ grete desyre to speke wit þe
Bragmayns. Bot he myȝte noȝte wynn̛ ouer þe
water; it was so depe & so brade Bot if it had bene in þe
monethe of July and Auguste. And also it was fuƚƚ of ypotaynes &
scorpyones and cocadrilles, out taken̛ in þe forsaid̛
monethes And when̛ he saw þat he myghte on na wyse
wynn̛ ouer he was reȝte heuy. And belyfe he garte make a
lyttiƚƚ bate of redis, & couerde it wit nowtte hydis & gerte pykk
it wele bathe wit-in & wit-owtten̛. And when̛ þe bate
was made, he gert a knyght of his gang in-to it, and gaffe hym a
lettre wit hym for to bere to Dindimus, þat was kyng of þe
Bragmayns, of whilk lettre þis was þe tenour.
' Kyng of kynges and lorde of lordeȝ, Alexander þe
son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ & of þe quene Olympias, vn-to
Dindimus kyng of Bragmayns, ioy. Euer sen̛ we were comen̛
to þat age þat we couthe discerne by-twix gud & iƚƚ
we hafe desyred̛ soueraynly for to hafe wysdomme & konnyng, & for
to putt away fra vs ignorance & vnconnynge. For as þe wise
techynge of oure philosopℏres declares opynly, Eloquence wit
owtten̛ witt & wisdom̛ dose ofte-sythes mare skathe
þan̛ gude. Þarefore we hafe wele vnderstanden̛
by relacion̛ of dyuerse men̛, þat ȝour lyfe &
ȝour maners are diuised̛ and diuerse fra aƚƚ oþer
men̛; so þat noþer on̛ þe See ne on
þe lande ȝe seke na helpe and þat ȝe ȝeme
anoþer manere of doctryne þan̛ we hafe lerende of
oure doctours. Whare-fore we pray ȝow þat ȝe
wiƚƚ certyfye vs bi ȝour lettres of ȝour lyffe and
ȝour maners and ȝour doctryne. For
perauenture we may take þare of sum̛ gud Ensample, and
ȝour wysdome & ȝour gudnesse neuer be þe lesse. For it
es na harme tiƚƚ a man̛ thurgℏ his gudnes to make
anoþer man̛ gude as he es. The whilk I may proue bi this
simylitud̛�I supposse a man̛ hadd̛ in his hand̛ a
lyght candiƚƚ, many oþer candiƚƚs may be lyghted̛
þare at, it lose na-thynge of his lyghte. And riȝte so it
es of þe gudnesse of a man̛. For many men̛ may take
gude ensample of hym & his gudnesse be na thynge enmenuste
þareby. Where-fore ȝitt eft-sons we pray ȝow
þat wit-owtten̛ any taryinge or delay, ȝe schowe vs
þe maners of ȝour lyffyng.'
Than kyng
Dindimus resaffed̛ þis lettre wirchipfully and wrate
anoþer agayne of this tenour.
' Dyndimus maister of þe Bragmayns vn-to kyng Alexander ioy &
gretynge. We hafe wele vndirstanden̛ by þe tenour of thi
lettres, þat þou desyres gretly for to hafe verray
connynge and perfitt wysdom̛; þe whilke are mekiƚƚ
better þan̛ any kyngdom̛; for þay may neuer be
boghte wit na pryce, whare-fore I comend̛ þe gretly,
knawyng þat þou arte a wyse man̛. For ane Emperour
wit-owtten̛ wisdom̛, es noghte lorde of his subiectis, Bot
his sugettis ere lordes of hym. ȝe wrate vntiƚƚ vs, praying
vs for to schewe ȝowe oure maners of lyffynge, ilke a poynte
efter oþer, þe whilke we halde inpossible for to doo. For
oure maner of lyffynge es fuƚƚ ferre dyuerse fra ȝours. For
noþer we wirchipe þe goddes þat ȝe wirchipe, ne
ledis þe lyfe þat ȝe lede. And if I writte ȝowe
oughte of oure maner of lyffyng, ȝe may hafe na sauoure
þare in, be-cause ȝe are besily ocupied̛ wit dedis of
armes. Neuer-þe-lesse þat ȝe say noȝte
þat I layne oure lyfe fra ȝow for envy, Als mekiƚƚ as
comeȝ to my mynde at þis tyme I saƚƚ writt vnto
ȝow of oure maners.
' We Bragmayns ledeȝ a symple lyfe & a clene and þe
wirchipyng of many goddes we eschu. We do na synnes ne we wiƚƚ
hafe na mare þan̛ reson̛ of kynde asches. Aƚƚ
thyngeȝ we suffer & þat, say we, es necessary &
ynogℏe, þat es noȝte ouermekiƚƚ. We tiƚƚe na
lande, ne eryes, ne sawes, ne ȝokes noþer ox ne horse in
plughe ne in carte. Ne nett caste we nane in þe see, for to
take fysche; Ne hunttynge ne fewlynge vse we
nanne. Mete & drynke hafe we ynoghe, and oþer mete seke we
nane, bot þat þe erthe oure allere moder wit-owtten̛
mannes labour brynges furthe. Wit swilke metis we fiƚƚ oure
wambes, whilke nuȝes vs noȝte, ne na harme dose. And
ȝit of swilke metis we fiƚƚ noȝte oure bodis to
fuƚƚ. For amangeȝ vs it es an vn-semely thynge & an
vn-leefuƚƚ to see a grete-belyed̛ man̛. And
þare-for ere we aƚƚ oure lyfe tym̛ wit-owtten̛
sekenesse & lyffeȝ lang & alwaye are in gude hele tiƚƚ oure
lyffes ende. We vse neuer-mare na medcyns ne sekes na helpe for
þe hele of oure bodys. At a terme of deede endes oure lyfes,
for ane of vs leues na langere þan̛ an̛-oþer,
Bot efter þe order of þe birthe of man̛, þe
terme of deede comes tiƚƚ ilke a man̛. Thare comeȝ
nane of vs at na fire for na calde, ne clatheȝ comeȝ
þare nane apon̛ vs, Bot alway we ga naked̛. We
fulfiƚƚ neuer þe desyres of oure bodys. Thurgℏ
pacyence we suffree aƚƚ thyngeȝ. Aƚƚ oure inwarde
enemys we slaa, So þat we drede nane enemys wit-owtten̛.
For lightlyer es a citee or a casteƚƚe taken̛ þat es
ensegged̛ bathe wit inwarde enemys & wit-owtten̛,
þan̛ þat þat es ensegged̛ allanly wit
owtwarde enemys. Bot þou, emperour, feghtes agaynes
owtwardeȝ enemys for [to] foster & nuresche thyn̛
inwardeȝ enemys, þe whilke ere fendes of heƚƚe. We
Bragmayns has slayne aƚƚ oure inwardeȝ enemys and
þarefore we drede nane owtwarde enemys ne nane helpe sekes for
to hafe agayneȝ þam̛ noþer be see ne be land̛. Bot we ere always sewre ynoghe, and lyffeȝ
wit-owtten̛ any drede. Oure bodys we hiƚƚ wit þe
leues of trees and þe fruyte of þam̛ we ete. We ete
mylke also and drynkes water of a gude ryuere or of swete welles. We
wirchippe a godd̛, and tiƚƚ hym alwaye we ȝelde
lonyngeȝ. We desire þe life of þe werlde þat
es to come, and vs liste noȝte here þe þyng þat
turneȝ to na profett. We spekke noȝte mekiƚƚ, Bot
when̛ we ere artede for to speke we say noȝte bot þe
sothe, and onane we halde vs stiƚƚ. Reches luffe we noȝte.
Couetise es a thynge þat may noȝte be filled̛,
þe whilke oftesytheȝ bryngeȝ a man̛ tiƚƚ a
mescheuous ende. Wrethe ne envie es þare nane amangeȝ vs,
ne nane of vs es strangere þan̛ anoþer. Of the
pouert þat we hafe we ere riche, for we hafe it in comon̛.
We strife neuer mare, ne beres neuer wapen̛. We bere peesse
ilkan̛ tiƚƚ oþer of custom̛, noȝte
thurgℏ vertu. Domes hafe we nane amanges vs, for we do nane
iƚƚ, whare-fore
we schulde be called̛ vn-to dome. A law þare es þat
es contrary til oure kynde. For we do na mercy, bi-cause we do no
thyng whare-fore we sulde aske mercy. We do na labour þat
perteneȝ to couetise or auarice. We giffe noȝte oure bodyse
to lechorye, we do nane advowtrye, ne we do na synn̛ whare-fore
vs sulde nede to do penance. We fynde na fawte in na thynge, For we
aƚƚ does that þat righte es. We dye na sodeyne dede, For
thurgℏ foule dedis we corupte noȝte þe ayere. We vse
na clathes þat are littede of dyuerse coloures. Oure wiffes ne
are noȝte gayly arayed̛ for to plese vs. Ne wit
þam̛ we comon̛ noȝte bi-cause of luste of
lecherye, bot bi-cause of childre getynge. Our wyffes sekes na
noþer clethynge, þan̛ þe forluke of godd̛
hase granted̛ þam̛. And whaa dare take apon̛ hym
for to chaunge his wirkynge, an heghe syn̛ vs thynke it ware till
any man̛ for to presume to do it. Baththis vse we nane, ne warme
water to wasche oure bodys wit aƚƚ. Þe Son̛ mynistres
vs hete, and þe dewe of þe ayer ministreȝ vs moyster
& wete. We hafe na thoghte of na thynge, ne we schewe na lordechipe
abownn̛ oþer men̛ þat ere lyke vn-tiƚƚ us.
For a grete crueltee we halde it to constreyne a man̛ to serue
vs, whayme kynde & þe forluke of godd̛ hase made oure
broþer als fre als we are. We brynne na stanes for to make lyme
off and þare-wit to make vs howses at dueƚƚe in, and
curiouse palaseȝ: ne vessell make we nane. In caues or
creuyceȝ of cragges we duelle, whare thare comeȝ na noyse of
wyndes ne whare vs thare drede na rayne. On þe erthe we slepe
wit-owtten̛ any besynesse. Swilk howses we hafe; in þe
whilke, whils we lyffe, we dueƚƚe, and when̛ we dye,
þay ere oure graues. We sayle noȝte in þe see aboute
na merchandyse, in þe whilke þay suffre many perills
þat sayles þarein & many meruaylles can̛ teƚƚ
offe. The crafte of Eloquence & faire speche, lere we noȝte for
to polishe oure wordes; Bot thurgh þe sympilnesse þat we
hafe þat suffres vs noȝte to lye, aƚƚ oure speche we
speke. Scoles of philosophres haunt wee noȝte, whase
techechyngeȝ es alway discordand & na thynge certayne, ne
stabiƚƚ diffines, bot for þe mare partye lyes. Bot
þa scoles we haunte in þe whilke we lere to lyffe
vertuosly and also thynges þat teches vs for to do no wrange to
no man̛. Bot after verray rightwisnesse to helpe ilk man̛
at oure powere. Plays lufe we nane.
Bot if vs liste hafe any disporte we take & redeȝ þe lyfes
& þe dedis of oure Auncestres, and oure predicessours. And if
we fynde any thynge in þam̛ þat es cause of laughtre
þar-at we wepe & makes dole. Neuer-þe-lesse we behalde
oþer thynges of þe whilke oure hertis ere gladdide and
grete lykyng has, þat es at say, heuen̛-schyne wit sternes
wit-owt nowmer; þe son̛ faire & bryghte, of whase
bryghtnesse aƚƚ þe werlde takes lyghte and hete. The see
we se alwaye of purpour coloure, and when̛ tempesteȝ
ryseȝ þare-in̛ it distruyes noȝte þe
land̛ þat es nere it, as it does in ȝoure partes. Bot
he embraceȝ it as his sister and gase abuoute it. And in
þe se we see many dyuerse kyndeȝ of Fisches, Delphines &
porpaseȝ layke þam̛. We hafe lykyng also for to
bihalde faire feldes alouer floresched̛ wit flores of þe
whilke a swete reflaire enters in-tiƚƚ oure noseȝ, in
þe whilke a sensible saule hase maste delite. Also we delit vs
in faire placeȝ of woddeȝ & of swete welles whare we here
swete sangeȝ of fewles. This customs hafe we al-way, þe
whilke, & þou walde halde noȝte bot a while, we trowe
þou suld thynke þam̛ riȝte hard̛. Blame
noȝte me, for aƚƚ þat þou requerede me be
þi lettres I send þe wretyn̛. Neuer-þe-less,
and it sulde noȝt displese the, I walde teƚƚ þe a
littiƚƚ of oure doctryne þe whilke makes oure lyfe to seme
harde vn-to þe. Ȝee hafe wit-in a schorte while
conquered̛ & made sugete vn-to ȝour empire aƚƚ Asy,
Europe, & Affryke. As ȝour selfe hase sayde ȝe make þe lighte of þe son̛ to faile, when̛ ȝe
seke þe termes of his course thurgℏ werre. Ȝe ete
aƚƚ manere of thynges þat corneȝ tiƚƚ hande, And
ȝour vesages semeȝ as ȝe ware fastande & hungry.
Ȝe slaa ȝour childre makande sacrafice of þam̛ to
Mawmetes. Ȝe sawe discorde bi-twix kynges and thase þat
schulde be meke ȝe stirre for to be prowde. Ȝe make
men̛ to thynke þat grete space of landes suficeȝ
þam̛ noȝte And so þay seke duellynge placeȝ
of heuen̛.
'Also thurgℏ ȝour goddes ȝe do many iƚƚ dedis,
as þay didd̛ þam̛ selfe, Ensample of Iubiter
ȝour godd̛ & of Proserpyna þat ȝe wirchipe as a
goddesse. For Iubiter defouled̛ many mens
wyfes, and Proserpyna made many men̛ to do advowtry wit hir.
Fuƚƚ wreched̛ & fuƚƚ hye fules þay ere, þat
swilke goddes wirchipes. Ȝee wiƚƚ noȝte suffer
men̛ lyfe in þaire awenn̛ libertee bot makes
þam̛ ȝour thralles & ȝour sugetes. Ȝe deme
noȝte riȝtwisly, ȝe gerre ȝour iugeȝ change
ȝour lawes as ȝow liste. Ȝe say many thyngeȝ
þat sulde be donne, bot ȝe do þam̛ noȝte.
Ȝe halde na man̛ wysse bot hym þat hase Eloquence of
speche. Ȝe hafe aƚƚ ȝour witt in ȝour
tungeȝ, and aƚƚ ȝour wysdome es in ȝour mouthe.
ȝe lufe golde & siluer & gaders þam to-gedir and
desyreȝ to hafe grete howseȝ & hye, and grete multitude of
seruandeȝ. Ȝe ete & drynk to mekiƚƚ, so þat
oftymes ȝour stomake thurgh grete repleccion̛ es
greued̛ & many sekenesse þare-thurgℏ ȝe faƚƚ
in, & so ofte sythes dyes before ȝour tyme. Ȝe wolde
euer-mare halde ȝour reches and aƚƚ thyngeȝ þat
ȝe may gete. Bot aƚƚ thyngeȝ at þe laste leues
ȝow. Þe wysdom̛ allanly of þe Bragmayns
passeȝ as ȝour witt & ȝour wysdom̛. For, & we
wele consedere, þe me moder þat broghte forthe stanes &
trees, of þe same was bathe oure bygynnyng & ȝours.
Ȝe honowre ȝour Sepultours curyousely wit golde & syluer,
and in vesseƚƚe made of precyouse stanes ȝe putt þe
asse of ȝour bodys, when̛ þay ere brynned̛. And
what may be werre þan̛ for tiƚƚ take þe banes,
þat þe erthe sulde hafe, for to ga bryn̛
þam̛, and noȝte suffere þe erthe resayffe his
element þe whilke he broghte forthe.
'We sla na besteȝ in þe wirchipe of goddeȝ. Nee
temples make we nane, for to sett in ymageȝ of golde or of
siluere in þe name of false goddeȝ, as ȝe do; ne
awters of golde and of precious stanes. Ȝe hafe swilke a lawe
for to honoure ȝour goddeȝ wit ȝour gudes for þat
þay saƚƚ here ȝour prayers. Bot we vndirstande & wate
wele þat noþer for golde ne siluer; ne for þe blode
of calues nor gayte ne schepe Godd̛ heres any man̛. Bot for
gude werkes þe whilke Godd̛ lufes, and thurgℏ þe
wordes of deuote prayere. Godd̛ wiƚƚ here a man̛ for
þe worde. For thurgℏ worde we ere lyke to Godd̛. For
Godd̛ es worde, and þat worde made aƚƚ þe werlde
aud thurgℏ þat worde aƚƚ thyngeȝ hase beyng,
Mouyng & lyfe. That worde wirchipe wee and luffes & honowres.
Godd̛ es a spirite. And he lufes na-thyng bot þat that es
clene. Whare-fore we halde ȝow fuƚƚ grete foles, that
weneȝ ȝour kynde be heuenly, and þat ȝe hafe
communicacion̛ with Godd̛, And neuer-þe-less files
ȝour kynde wit advowtries & fornicacions & seruyce of Mawmettis &
false goddis, and many oþer wikkede dedis: ilke a day þis
ȝe do. Þis ȝe luffe, and þarefore when̛
ȝe ere dede ye saƚƚ suffere tourmentis wit-owtten̛
nowmer. Ȝe wene þat Godd̛ wiƚƚ be mercyable vn-to
ȝow bi-cause þat ȝe offre hym blode & flesse of
dyuerse besteȝ. Bot we on þe contrarye wyse luffeȝ
clennesse bathe of Body & of saule, so þat we mowe ℏafe
after þis lyfe ioy þat neuer saƚƚ ℏafe ende.
'Ȝee serue noȝte a Godd̛ þat regneȝ in
heuen̛, Bot ȝe do seruyce to many false goddis. For als so
many membris, als ȝe ℏafe on̛ ȝour bodys, als many
goddis ȝe wircℏipe & serues. For ȝe caƚƚe a
man̛ þe lesse werlde, and riȝte as a man̛
here hase many lymmes, so ȝe say þare are many
goddes in heuen̛. Ȝe say Iuno es godd̛ of þe
hert, bi-cause he was wonder angry; and Mars ȝe say es godd̛
of þe breste, bi-cause he was prynce of Bateƚƚs. Mercury
ȝe caƚƚe godd̛ of þe tung, bicause he was wonder
euloquent in spekyng. Hercules ȝe trowe be godd̛ of þe
armes, Bi-cause he did̛ twelfe passande dedes of armes. Ȝee
trowe Bacus be godd̛ of þe tℏrotte, for he fande
firste drounkynnesse. Couetise, ȝe sauy, es godd̛ of
þe lyuer, for he was þe firste lechoure þat euer
was. And ȝe say þat he ℏase in his hande a byrnand
fyrebrande whare-wit he styrres þe luste of lechery. Cereris
ȝe caƚƚe godd̛ of þe wambe, bi-cause scℏo
was þe firste Fynder of wheete. And Venus, be-cause scho was
moder of lecℏery, ȝe say scho es godd̛ of þe
preuee membres of man̛ & woman̛. Mynerua, bi-cause scho was
fynder of many werkes, ȝe say wisdome risteȝ in her, and
þare-fore ȝe caƚƚ hir godd̛ of þe
heued̛. And on̛ þis wyse aƚƚ þe body of
man̛ ȝe deuyde in goddes, & na party þareoffe ȝe
lefe in ȝour awen̛ powere. Ne ȝe trowe noȝte that
a godd̛ þat es in heuen̛ made ȝour bodys of
noghte. False goddes ȝe wirchipe þat saƚƚ brynge
ȝow to thralledome & schame & schenchipe, and to thaym̛
ȝe make sacrafice & tribute payes. Vn-to Mars ȝe offere a
Bare. To Bacus ȝe offere a gayte ; To Iune a pacoke; To Iubiter
a Bulle; To Appollo a swane; To Venus a doufe; To Mynerua ane owle; To
Cereris floure; To Mercury hony. And Hercules ȝe onowren̛
wit floures & grene braunches of treesseȝ. Þe temple
of Couetyse ȝe enourne wit roseȝ. Aƚƚe ȝour
myghte & ȝoure triste ȝe putt in þam þat may
ȝow na-thyng helpe at nede. Now sothely ȝe pray
þam̛ noȝte to be ȝour helpers, Bot ȝoure
tourmentours. For it byhoues nedis be þat, als many goddes als
ȝe wirchipe & gyffeȝ þam̛ powere of ȝour
lymmes, als many tourmenteȝ ȝe suffere. Ane of ȝour
goddes stirres ȝow to fornycacion. Ane oþer to ete &
drynke to mekiƚƚ, and anoþer to feghte & stryffe. Aƚƚ
ere þay ȝour lordes, and to þam̛ ȝe obey &
serues and wirchippes. So þat wonder it es þat ȝour
wrechid̛ bodys fayles noȝte for þe many seruyceȝ
þat ȝe do to so many goddes. And gud riȝte it es
þat ȝe serue swilke goddes bi-cause of þe many
wikkede dedis þat ȝe do. And for ȝe wiƚƚ
noȝte cesse of ȝour iƚƚ dedis, þarefore ȝe
serue swilke goddes tiƚƚ ȝour awenn̛ harme, For
euermare þay desyre þat ȝe do iƚƚ. If ȝour
goddes here ȝow when̛ ȝe pray to þam, þay
do ȝow harme in ȝour conscience. For þat that ȝe
pray fore es iƚƚ. And if þay here ȝow noghte,
þan̛ ere þay contrarye to ȝour desyres.
Whare-fore whethir þay here ȝow, or þay here ȝow
noghte, euer-mare þay do ȝow disesse. Þise ere
þa tourmenteȝ þat oure doctours talde vs offe,
þat here in this werlde tourmenteȝ ȝow as ȝe ware
dede. For, and ȝe consyder wele, þare may no man suffere
wers tourment þan̛ ȝe doo. For aƚƚ þe
takens þat oure doctours telleȝ vs ere in heƚƚe, and
we see þam̛ in ȝowe. Þare are many paynes in
heƚƚe, ȝe suffre paynes when ȝe wake for to do
advowtres, fornycacions, & thiftes, man̛-slawghters. And
namely, þat ȝe bee filled̛ of werldly reches ȝa,
& of worldly rechesse. For oure doctours says, þare es in helle
so mekiƚƚ thriste, þat it may neuer be slokend̛; and
ȝe haue so grete Couetyse of worldely reches þat ȝe
may neuer be fuƚƚ. Þay say also þat in helle
þare es a hunde þat es callede Cerberus þe whilke
hase thre heuedes; And if ȝee conseder ryȝte, ȝour
wambes are lyke Cerberus. For mekiƚƚ etyng & drynkkynge,
þay say also, þare es in heƚƚe a maner of nedder
þat es called̛ Idra. And ȝe for þe many
viceȝ, þat ȝe hafe bicause of ȝour fuƚƚ
wambeȝ may be callede Idra. Whare-fore & we bi-helde wele
aƚƚ þe illes þat
are in heƚƚe, þay dueƚƚe in ȝow. Waa es
ȝow, wreches, þat swilke a mysbileue haldes; whare-fore
after þis lyfe, ȝe mon̛ suffere paynes
wit-owtten̛ nowmer.'
When̛ Alexander
hadd̛ redd̛ þis lettre, he was wonder wrathe, be-cause
of iniury of his goddeȝ. Neuer-þe-less, be-lyfe he gart
write anoþer agayne of this tenour.
'Kyng of kynges, and lorde of lordeȝ, Alexander þe
son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ and of þe quene Olympias, to
Dindimus, kyng of þe Bragmayns, gretyng. If aƚƚ be
fun̛ trew amanges ȝow þat þou hase sent
wretyn̛ in thy lettres, þan̛ allanly ȝe are gude
men̛ in þis werlde; for as þou says ȝe do
nan̛ iƚƚ. Bot wit þou wele for certayne, þat
þis maner of lyffyng commeȝ noȝte of vertu bot of
custom̛. Aƚƚ thyngeȝ þat we do, ȝe saye es
synn̛. And aƚƚ þe crafteȝ, þat ere
amangeȝ vs on þe same wyse, ȝe say, þay ere
synnes. Ȝe wiƚƚ distroye aƚƚ þe customs
þat man̛-kynde hedir-towarde hase hadd̛ & vsed̛.
Owther ȝe schew bi ȝour wordeȝ, þat ȝe are
goddeȝ, or eƚƚs tiƚƚ goddes ȝe hafe envy. And
þare-fore ȝe say, as ȝe say, I may noȝt write to
ȝow aƚƚ þe order of ȝour lyffyng. Bot als
mekiƚƚ þare-offe als I may vnderstande at this tyme, I
saƚƚ writte vn-to ȝow. Ȝee say ȝe vse noȝte
for to tiƚƚ þe erthe, ne sawe na corne, ne plante na vynes,
ne sett na trees, na to make na faire howseȝ. And þe cause
here-of as it wele semes es for ȝe hafe na Iren̛, whare-of
ȝe myghte make ȝow tuyles for to wirke with-aƚƚe. And
þare-fore ȝow by-houes nedes ett herbes & lede an harde
lyfe, ryȝte as besteȝ. For ȝe may nowþer gette
brede ne flesche ne fysche. Does noȝt wolfes on̛ þe
same wyse, þe whilke, when̛ þay may noȝte gete
þaire fiƚƚ of flesche, þay fiƚƚ þaire
belys of þe erthe ? And it ware lefuƚƚ or lykande to
ȝow to come tiƚƚ oure cuntree, we sulde lere na wisdom̛
of ȝoure nede. And þare-fore late ȝour hunger habyde
at hame in ȝour awenn̛ cuntree. Þat man̛ es
noȝte mekills at commend̛ þat alwayes lyffes in
disesse. Bot he es gretly to commend̛, þat in reches
lyffeȝ attemperally. Bot and men̛ schulde be
commendid̛ þat are oppressed̛ wit disesse,
þan̛ sulde blynd men̛, leprouse men̛, &
oþer swilke ouer aƚƚ oþer be commendid̛; þe
blynde, for he sees noȝt at desyre; þe pouer, for he hase
noȝte at do. And we walde make oure duellynge in ȝour
cuntree we sulde suffere
pouert & wrechidnes riȝte as ȝe do. Ȝe say also
þat ȝour wyfes vseȝ na prowde aray for to plese
þaire husbandeȝ, and þe cause es for þay hafe
na noþer thyng for tiƚƚ araye þam̛ wit. Also
ȝe say ȝe do nane advowtries ne fornycacions. And þat
es na meruaile! For-whi, how sulde þay hafe luste to lechery
þat etes noȝte. Luste of lechery es noȝte comonly,
bot yf it come of hete of þe leuer or eƚƚs of habudance of
mete & drynke. Bot ȝe ete na-thynge hot herbes & roteȝ, as
ȝe ware swyne, & drynkes water & vnnethes may ȝe
sloken̛ ȝour hunger and þarefore ȝe hafe
nan̛ appitite to women̛.
'Ȝe hafe na liste to studie aboute lerynge, ne ȝe seke na
mercy ne dees nane tiƚƚ oþer. And aƚƚ this ȝe
hafe in comon̛ wit besteȝ. For riȝte as besteȝ
hase nowþer reson̛ ne discrecion̛, ne hase na felynge
of gude, riȝte so þay hafe na delite in gode. Bot
tiƚƚ vs resonable men̛ þat has free wiƚƚ of kynde
ere many lykynges & blandeschyngeȝ granted̛. For it es
im-possible þat þis werlde wyde & brade sulde noȝte
hafe sum̛ chaungynge of gouernance; So þat ne after
heuyness & sorowe, Ioy & myrthe sulde noȝte folowe. For-why manes
wiƚƚ es variable & chaungeable þat chaungeȝ wit
þe heuen̛ abownn̛. On þe same wyse manes hert
es dyuerse. For when̛ þe day es clere, manes hert es
gladde & blythe. And when̛ þe day es derke, manes wittis
are derke & duƚƚe & heuy. Also men̛ chaungeȝ
thurgℏ dyuerse ages. For barnehed̛ reioyse it in
sympilnesse, ȝouthede in presumptuosnes, And grete elde in
stabilnes. For wha wiƚƚ luke efter wysdome in a childe, In a
ȝunge man̛ stabiƚƚnes, or in an alde man̛ wildenes
? Many delitable thynges comeȝ tiƚƚ oure mynde. For
sum̛ we See wit oure eghne; Sum̛ we hafe thurgh herynge;
Sum̛ we fele thurgℏ smellyng; Sum̛ thurgℏ
tastynge; and Sum̛ thurgh towchynge. Sumtyme we hafe delite in
salutacions & swete sangeȝ & melodys of dyuerse
Instrumenteȝ. Of þe erthe we hafe al maner of gud
fruyteȝ; of þe see we hafe habundance of fysche, and of
þe ayere delyte of fewles of dyuerse kyndis. If þou
abstene þe fra aƚƚ thies owthir it es for pride or for
envy. For pride, þat þou dispyseȝ swilke precyouse
gifteȝ. For envy bi-cause þay ere noȝte gyffen̛
ȝow, as þat þay ere to vs. Bot efter myn̛
opynyon̛ I deme þat
ȝour lyffyng and ȝour maners commes mare of foundnesse
þan̛ of wysdom̛. For sen̛ ȝe are men̛
ȝe schulde hafe þe vertuȝ of a resonable creature, and
þat hafe ȝe noȝhte.'
When
Dindimus hadd̛ redd̛ þis lettre, onane he wrate
anoþer to kyng Alexander of þis tenour.
'Dyndimus, þe mayster of þe Bragmayns, vn-tiƚƚ
Alexander, gretyng. We hafe vndirstand þe tenour of þi
lettres & þus we ansuere. We er noȝte lordeȝ of this werlde, as we sulde euermare lyffe þare in. But we ere
pilgrymes in þis werlde, and when̛ dede commeȝ we
wende tiƚƚ oþer habytacions. Oure Synneȝ greueȝ
vs noȝte, ne we duelle noȝte in þe tabernacles of
synners. We do na thyfte. And for þe conscyence þat we
haue, we gaa noȝte furthe in open̛. We say noȝte
þat we ere goddes, ne nane envy hase vn-to þam̛.
Godd̛ þat made aƚƚ þat es in þis werlde,
he ordeyned̛ many diuerse thyngeȝ. For warne dyuersitees
ware of thyngeȝ þe werld myȝte noghte stande.
Godd̛ gaffe man̛ fre wiƚƚ, for to discerne of aƚƚ
thyngeȝ þat ere in þe werld̛, and chese whilke
hym lyste. Whare-fore he þat leues þe iƚƚ &
cheseȝ þe gude, noȝte godd̛, but goddes frende he
may be called̛. Be-cause þat we lyffe contenently, and in
quiete & reste, ȝe say þat we ere goddeȝ, or elles
þat we hafe envy to goddeȝ. But this suspeccion̛
þat ȝe hafe of vs, perteneȝ to ȝow. For ȝe
þat ere blawen̛ fuƚƚ of þe wynde of pride
ȝe aray ȝour bodys wit gloryous clethyng, and on ȝour
fyngers, ȝe putt ioweƚƚs of golde & precyous stanes.
'Bot I pray ȝow, what profit does þis ȝow: Golde
and siluer saues noȝte a manes saule, ne susteneȝ noȝte
mens bodys. Bot we þat knawes þe verray profitt of golde,
and þe kynd̛ þareoffe, when vs thristeȝ, & gase
to þe ryuere for to take vs a drynke, if we fynde golde in
þe way, we trede apon̛ it wit oure fete. For golde
noþer filleȝ vs when̛ we hunger, ne slokens oure
thriste, ne it heleȝ noȝte a man̛ þat es seke.
If a man̛ thriste & drynke water, it putteȝ away his
thriste. Also if a man̛ hunger & ete mete, it does away his
hunger. Bot and golde ware of þe same kynde, als son̛ als
a man̛ hadd̛ it, þe vice of Couetyse suld be slokynde
in hym. Be þis cause es golde iƚƚ.
For ay þe mare þat a man̛ hase þare-offe,
þe mare he couetes. Wikkede men̛ are wyrchippede
amangeȝ ȝow. For comonly a man̛ luffes hym þat
es lyke tiƚƚ hym selfen̛. Ȝe say þat godd̛
takes nane hede tiƚƚ dedly thynges. And neuer-þe-lesse
ȝe bygge temples, and makes autres in þam̛, and settis
vp mawmettes abownn̛ þam̛, and grete delyte hase
when̛ bestes ere offerde, & in þam, and at ȝour name
es noysede, þis was done to þi fader, to thyn̛
Eldfader, & tiƚƚ aƚƚ thi progenytours. And þe same
also es highte on-to þe. Wit swilke wirchipes þay ere
rewarded̛, þat knawes noȝte þam̛ selfe
dedly.'
When Alexander hadd̛ redd̛
þis lettre onane he sente anoþer agayne and that was of
this tenour þe whilk þat folowes.
' Alexander, þe son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ & of
þe quene Olympias, kyng of kyngeȝ & lorde of lordeȝ,
vn-to Dyndymus kynge of þe Bragmayns we sende. For als
mekiƚƚ als ȝour duellynge es in þat partye of þe
werlde fra þe begynynge, whare na strangers may com̛ to
ȝow, bot if it be riȝte fewe, ne ȝe may noȝte
passe forthe of ȝour cuntree, but als swa say ȝe, are
parred̛ in, and na ferrere may passe; þarefore ȝe
magnyfye ȝour manere of lyffynge and supposeȝ þat
ȝe are blyssed̛ be-cause þat ȝe er so
spered̛ in, þat if ȝe walde neuer so gladly passe
furthe for to lere þe customes þat oþer men̛
vseȝ, ȝe may noȝte; and nyƚƚ-ȝe
wiƚƚ-ȝe, ȝow by-houeȝ nedis suffere þat
caytefftee þat ȝe lyffe in. Whare-fore it semeȝ bi
ȝour techynge, that þay þat liggeȝ in
presonn̛, are als mekiƚƚ at comend̛ als ȝe,
þe whilke vn-to þaire lyues ende suffres sorowe and
nede. And as me thynke, þe gudnesse þat ȝe ruse
ȝow offe, may wele be lykkened̛ to þe paynes of
þaim þat ere in presonn̛. And so þat that oure
lawe demes to be done t[i]ll wikked̛ men̛, ȝe suffere
kyndely. And þare-fore hym þat we halde wyse, ȝe
halde an Ebbere fule . Sothely me thynk ȝour lyffynge es
noȝte blyssed̛ bot wrechid̛ and as it ware a chastying
to ȝowe. I swere ȝow by oure goddeȝ of myghte,
þat, & I myghte come to ȝow with an oste, I sulde gare
ȝow leue ȝour wrechid̛ lyfe, and by-come men̛ of
armes, als many of ȝow als ware able.'
When Alexander had̛ sent this lettre tiƚƚ Dyndimus he gart
rayse vp a pelare of Marble a wonder grete, & an heghe, and gart writt
þare-apon this title wit lettres of grewe, of latyne, and of
þe langage of Inde. 'I Alexander, Philipp̛ son of
Macedoyne, after þe discomfytour & þe dedd̛ of Darius
& Porus come on werre vn-to this place.'
Fra þeine kyng Alexander & his Oste remowed̛ & come in-tiƚƚ a felde,
þat was called̛ Actea & þare þay luged̛.
Abowte þat felde was a thikke wodd̛ of treesse berand̛
fruyte; of þe whilke wilde men̛ þat duelt in þe
Same wodd̛ vsede for tiƚƚ hafe þaire fude, whase
bodyes ware grete as geaunteȝ, and þaire clethynge ware
made of skynnes of dyuerse besteȝ. And when̛ þay saw
Alexander Oste luge þare, onane þare come oute of þe
wodd̛, a grete multitude of þam̛ wit lange roddes in
þaire handȝ & bi-gan̛ for to feghte wit þe
oste. And þan Alexander commanded̛ þat aƚƚ
[þe] oste schulde sette vp a schowte at anes. And also sone als
þe wylde men̛ herde þat noyse, þay were wondere fered̛ be-cause þay had neuer be-fore herde swilke a noyse. And than̛ þay be-gan̛ to flee hedir & thedir in
þe wodd̛. And Alexander & his men̛ persued̛
þam̛ and slewe of þam̛ vic xxx iiij.
And þay slew of Alexander knyghtes xxvij. In þat felde
Alexander & his oste leuged̛ iij dayes and vetailed̛
þam of þat fruyte þat growed̛ in þe
wodd̛.
Fra þeine pay remowed̛ and come tiƚƚ a grete ryuer,
& luged̛ þam þare. And as it ware abowte none,
þare come apon̛ þam a wilde man̛, als
mekiƚƚ als a geaunte. And he was rughe of hare aƚƚ ouer,
and his hede was lyke tiƚƚ a swyne, And̛ his voyce also.
And when̛ Alexander saw hym, he bad his knyghtis tak hym̛ &
bryng hym bi-for hym̛. And when̛ þay come abowte hym,
he was na thynge fered, ne fledd̛ noȝte, bot stodd̛
baldly bi-fore þam̛. And when Alexander saw that, he
comanded̛ þat þay sulde take a ȝonge
dameseƚƚ & nakken̛ hir & sett hir bi-fore hym. And
þay did̛ soo. And onane, he ranne apon̛ ℏir
romyandd̛ as he hadd̛ bene wodd̛. Bot þe knyghtes
wit grete deficcultee refte hyr fra hym. And ay he romyed̛ &
made grete mane. And efte þay broghte hym tiƚƚ Alexander
and sett hym bi-fore hym. And Alexander wonderd̛ gretly of his
figure. And þan̛ he
gerte bynd̛ hym tiƚƚ a tree & make a fyre abowte hym &
brynne hym. And so þay didd̛. Fra þeine þay
remowed̛ & come tiƚƚ anoþer felde in þe whilke
þare ware growand̛ treesse, of a wonderfuƚƚ heghte,
and þay bigan̛ for to sprynge vp at þe son̛
rysynge; And̛ bi þe son̛ settynge þay
wyted̛ a-way in-to þe erthe agayne. At þe firste
houre of þe day þay bi-gan̛ to sprynge oute of
þe erthe, & so þay wex ay to myddaye, and þan̛
þay bi-gan̛ to decresse. And by þe son̛
settynge þay ware in þe erthe agayne, And was na thyng of
þam̛ sene bi-fore on̛ þe morne. Þir
treesse bare a fruyte wonder swete of reflayre bot þay [ware]
bitter of taste. When Alexander saw þat fruyte he bade a
knyghte bryng hym þareoffe. And he went & tuk þare-offe,
and onane a wikked̛ spirit smate hym, and be-lyfe he was
dede. And þan̛ þay herd̛ a voyce in þe
ayer þat said̛ on þis wyse: 'What man̛ so neghes
þir treesse he saƚƚ dye onane.' Þare was also in
þat felde fewles wonder meke & tame. Bot what man̛ so
layde nande on any of þam, onane þare come fire oute of
þam̛, & brynt hym riȝte greuosly.
Than þay remowed̛ fra þeine, And come tiƚƚ a
Mountayne, þat was so hye, þat þay ware viij dayes
in gangyng ar þay myȝte wyne to þe heghte
þare-offe. And when̛ þay come to þe heghte of
it, þare come agaynes þam̛ a grete multitude of
dragones, Serpentes, and lyones þe whilke turmentid̛
Alexander & his men̛ reghte gretely. And at þe laste,
þay askaped̛ þaire daungere, and went doune of
þe mountayne and come in-tiƚƚ a vaylay þat was so
myrke þat vnnethes myghte ane of þam̛ See
anoþer. In þat depe valay ware treesse growand̛ of
whilke þe fruyte & þe lefes ware wonder sauory in þe
tastynge, and reueƚƚs of water faire & clere. Aghte dayes
contenuelly þay saw na son̛. And at þe viij days
end̛ þay come to þe fote of a mountayne whare
aƚƚ þe Oste thurgℏ a wikked thikk ayer ware so gretley
disessed̛ þat þay ware in poynte to hafe bene
choked̛ þare-offe. And when̛ þay come
a-bown̛ on þe mountayne, þay fande þe ayer mare
soteƚƚ, and þe lighte of þe day mare clere. And
þus þay ware wendand̛ vpwarde, on̛ þis
Mountayne Elleuen̛, xj, days wit grete trauaile. And when̛
þay come to þe
hegheste of þis Mountayne, þay saw on þe toþer
syde faire weder & bryghte. And þan̛ þay went
down̛ of þis Mountayne, and come in tiƚƚ a grete
playne of whilke þe erthe was wonder rede. And in þis
playne þare ware growande treesse wit-owtten̛ nowmer; and
þay passed noȝte a cubit in heghte, & þaire fruyte &
þaire lefes ware passandly swete as þay had bene
fyges. And þay fande þare reueƚƚs riȝte many, of
clere water as cristaƚƚe. And it was als nureschand̛ to
manes body, as it hadd̛ bene mylke wit-outen̛ eny oþer
mete. Thurgh þat ilk playne þay went fourty .xl. days and
þan̛ þay com tiƚƚ wonder heghe Mountaynes; and it
semed as þe toppes had towched þe firmament. And
þir Mountaynes ware als brant vp-riȝte as þay had
bene walles. So þat þare was na clymbyng vpon̛
þam. And at þe laste þay fande twa passageȝ
be-twix þase Mountaynes, of whilke, þe tane streched̛
to-warde þe west, and þe toþer towarde þe
Este. Than Alexander demed̛ þat that dyuyson̛ be-twix
þase Mountaynes was made thurgℏ Noye flode. And
þan̛ þay went by þat passage þat streched
to warde þe Este Seuen̛ days. And on̛ þe
heghten̛ .viij. day þay fande a Basilisc þat
men̛ calleȝ a Cocatrys, a grete & ane horrible. And bicause
of his grete elde he was fouƚƚ stynkand̛. Þis ilke Basilisc was so venymous, þat noȝte aƚƚ anely
thurgℏ his stynke, bot also thurgℏ his sighte allane,
whaym̛ so he luked̛ on̛, he sulde dy onane; þan̛ þe Macedoynes and þe persyenes, as þay passede thurgℏ þe strayt way dyed̛ thikk-falde thurgh þe sighte of þat Basilisc. And
when̛ Alexander knyghtis saw that periƚƚ, þay durste
passe na forther bot said̛ amangeȝ þam̛:
'Þe vertue of oure goddes,' quoth þay, 'es bifore vs,
þat schewes vs þat we schulde ga na forthir.' Bot
Alexander went bi hym ane vppon̛ an heghe cragge, where he myghte
see on ferrome fra hym. And þan̛ he saw this pestellencius
beste þe Basilisc lygg slepande in myddes of þe passage.
Þe kynde of hym was þat, als so sone als he felid̛ a
man̛ or a beste com̛ nere hym, for to open̛ his eghne &
stare appon̛ þam̛, and als many als he luked on̛,
solde sudaynly faƚƚe doun̛ & dye. When Alexander had sen
hym, Be lyfe he went dounne of þe cragge, and gart sett a merke
þat na man̛ sulde passe. And
þan̛ he gart a pavysse be made seuen̛ cubites of
lenghte & foure on̛ brede; and on̛ þe vtter syde
þare-offe he gart sett a grete Mirroure, And a large. And at
þe nethir ende of þe pavisse he gart nayle a burde
þe lenthe of a cubit for to couere wit his legges, and his fete,
so þat na party of hym myȝte be sene. And þan
Alexander tuk þis pavisse in his handis, and went towarde this
Basilisc, and warned his men̛ þat nan̛ of
þam̛ sulde passe his termes. And when̛ he come nere
þe basillsc, þe basilisc opynde his eghne. And wit a
grete ire he bi-belde þe Mirroure and saw hym-selfe
þare-in. And of þe refleccion̛ of þe bemes of
his sighte strykande appon̛ hym-selfe Sudanly he was dede. And
when̛ Alexander knewe wele þat he was dede, he called̛
tiƚƚ his knyghtis; And bad þam̛ come see hym̛
þat slewe þaire felawes. And when̛ þay come
tiƚƚ hym̛, þay saw þe Basilisc dede. And
þan̛ þay comended̛ & prayssed̛ gretly his
hardynesse and his hye witt, And went & brynede þe Basilisc at
þe commandement of Alexander.
Fra þeine þay went tiƚƚ þey come to þe
ferreste of þat waye ; and ferrere myȝte þay
noȝte wynn̛. For þare ware so hye Mountaynes agaynes
þam̛ and cragges like walles þat þay myȝte
passe no forþer. And þan̛ þay turned̛
agayne, and come to þe forsaide playne; and went by þat
way þat streched̛ to-warde þe weste fyvftene
.xv. days. And þan̛ þay lefte þat way, And
turnede on̛ þe lefte hande. And so þay went foure
score iiij In printed text, "xx" inserted superscript above "iiij" days, and at þe laste þay come tiƚƚ a
Mountayne of adamande; and at þe fute þare-offe þare
hange chynes of golde. Þis Mountayne hadd̛ made of saphyres twa thowsande greeȝ & a halfe, by þe whilke
men̛ ascendid̛ to þe summit of þe Mountayne.
And þare Alexander & his Oste luged þam̛.
And on þe morne Alexander Offerd̛ sacrafice tiƚƚ
his goddes, And þan̛ he tuk with hym xij twelue
prynceȝ of þe wyrchip-fulleste þat he hade, and went
vp bi þe forsaid̛ greeȝ till he come aboun̛
on̛ þe Mountayne. And þare he fande a palace wonder
faire and curiously wroghte; and it hade twelve ȝates and thre
score & ten̛ wyndows. And þe lyntaƚƚs bathe of
þe durs and of þe wyndows ware of fyn̛ golde, wele
burnescht, and þat Palace was called̛ þe howse of
þe son̛. Þare was also
a temple aƚƚ of golde & of precious stanes, And bi-fore þe
dores þare-offe þare was a vyne of golde, berande grapes
of charbuncles, of Rubyes, Dyamandeȝ, and many oþer maneres
of precyous stanes. Þan̛ kyng Alexander & his princeȝ
went in-to þe palace; and fande þare a man̛
liggand̛ in a bedd̛ of golde, and couerd̛ wit a riche
clathe of golde. And he was riȝte a mekiƚƚ man̛ and a
faire, And his berde & his heued̛ ware als whitt als any
woƚƚe; and hym semed̛ lyke a Bischoppe. Als son̛ als
Alexander & his prynceȝ saw þis alde man̛ þay
knelid̛ dounne on þaire kneesse and saluste hym̛. And
he ansuerd̛ & saide: 'Welcom̛ Alexander,' quoþ he, 'I
teƚƚe the þou saƚƚ see, þat neuer flescly
man̛ bi-fore this tyme sawe; And þou saƚƚ here
þat neuer erthly man̛ herde are.' And Alexander
ansuerd̛ & sayd̛: Maste blyssed̛ alde man̛,' quoth
he, 'how hase þou knawyng of me ?' 'For sothe,' quoth he,
'bi-fore Noy flode couerde aƚƚ þe erthe, knewe I bathe the,
& thi dedis. I wate wele þou desyres for to See þe haly
treeȝ of þe Son̛ And þe Mone þe whilke
telleȝ thyngeȝ þat ere to come.' 'Ȝaa for
sothe,' quoþ Alexander, 'þer es na-thynge þat I
desyre mare, þan̛ for to see þam̛.' And he was
riȝt gladd̛. Þan̛ saide þe alde man̛
tiƚƚ hym: 'And ȝe be clene of flescly dede wit women̛,
þan̛ es it leefuƚƚ to ȝow to see þam̛
and to entir in-to þat haly place þat es a sette of
godd̛. And if ȝe be noȝte clene, it es noȝte
leefuƚƚ to ȝow.' 'Ȝis, sir, sothely,' quoþ
Alexander, 'we ere clene.' Þan̛ raise þe alde
man̛ vp of þe bedd̛ þat he lay in, and
said̛ vn-to þam̛: 'Putteȝ offe ȝour
ryngeȝ,' quoþ he, 'and ȝoure clathes, & ȝour
schone, and folowes me.' And þay dyd̛ so. And
þan̛ Alexander tuk wit hym tholomeus and Antiochus, &
folowed̛ þe alde man̛, and went thurgℏ þe
wodd̛ þat was aboun̛ on̛ þe Mountayne
closed̛ with mannes handeȝ. Þe treesse of þat wodd̛ ware an hundreth .c. fote lange & hye, and þay ware
lyke lorers or Olyue treesse; And out of þam̛ þare
ran̛ rykyles & fynne bawme. And as þay went thurgℏ
þat wodd̛ þay saw a tree wondere hye, in þe
whilke þare satt a mekiƚƚ fewle. Þat tree hadd̛
noþer þare-on̛ lefes ne fruyte. Þe fewle
þat satt þare-on̛ hadd̛ on̛ his hedd a
creste lyk tiƚƚ a pacokke, & his beeke also crested̛.
Abowte his nekke, he hadd̛ fethirs lyke golde. Þe hynder of
hym was lyk purpure;
and þe tayle was ownnded̛ ouerthwert, wit a colour reede as
rose & wit blewe. And his fethers ware riȝte faire
schynand̛. When̛ Alexander saw þis fewle he was
gretely meruailled̛ of þe faired̛ of hym;
þan̛ saide þe Alde man̛: 'Alexander,' quoþ
he, 'þis ilke fewle þat þou here seese es a fenix.' And
þan̛ þay went forþer thurgℏ þe
forsaid̛ wodd̛, And come to thiese haly treeȝ of
þe son̛ & þe mone þat growed̛ in
myddeȝ of þe wodde. And þan̛ þe alde
man̛ saide tiƚƚ Alexander: 'Luke vp,' quoþ he, 'to
ȝone haly treeȝ, and thynke in thi hert what preuatee so
þe liste, and þou saƚƚ hafe a trewe ansuere. Bot
luke þat þou speke na worde in opyn̛. And
þare-by saƚƚ þou witt þat it es a gude spiritt,
þat knawes thi thoghte.' Thir twa treeȝ were wonder hye.
And þe tree of þe Son̛ had̛ leues lyk fyne
golde, reed & faire schynande. And þe tree of þe mone had
lefes whitt als syluer & faire schynande. And þan̛ walde
Alexander hafe Offrede Sacrafyce to þir treeȝ. Bot
þe alde man̛ walde noȝte suffre hym̛, bot
said̛: 'It es noȝte leuefuƚƚ,' quoþ he, 'in þis
haly place, nowþer to offre encense, ne to slaa na besteȝ,
Bot to knele doun̛ to þe boles of þir treeȝ &
kysse þam̛ & pray þe son̛ & þe mone to
giffe trew ansuers.' And þan Alexander spirred̛ þe
alde man̛, in what langage þe treeȝ sulde giffe
þaire answers. And þe alde man̛ ansuerd̛ &
said̛: 'The tree of þe Son,' quoþ he, 'answers
owþer aƚƚ in þe langage of Inde or eƚƚs of
grewe. And þe tree of þe Mone begynneȝ wit þe
langage of grewe & endeȝ wit þe langage of Inde.'
And as þay stode þus spekande, Sudaynly þare come
a bryghte beme fra þe weste þat schane ouer aƚƚ
þe wodde. And þan̛ Alexander kneled̛
doun̛, and kyssede þe treeȝ an thoght þus in his
hert: 'Saƚƚ I conquere aƚƚ þe werlde, and
efterwardeȝ wit þe victorye wende hame to Macedoyne
tiƚƚ my moder Olympias, and my sisters? And þan̛ þe tree of þe son̛ ansuerd̛ softly in þe
langage of Inde, And said þir verseȝ:
'Tu dominatorum orbis dominus simul et pater extas,
Set patrum rignum per tempora nulla videbis;'
þat es at say, 'þou ert bathe lorde & fader of aƚƚe
þe werlde, Bot þe Rewme of thy Fadyrs saƚƚ þou
neuer see wit thyn̛ eghne.' Þan̛ bygan̛
Alexander to thynke how lange he sulde lyffe,
and whate dedd̛ he sulde dye. And þe tree of þe Mone
ansuerd̛ by þir twa verseȝ:
'Anno
completo viues & mensibus octo,
De quo confidis tibi mortis
pocula dabit.'
Þat es at saye, 'A twluemonthe & aughte
monethes saƚƚ þou lyffe. And þan̛ he þat
þou traisteȝ on̛, saƚƚ giffe þee a drynke
of dedd̛.' Þan̛ bi-gan̛ Alexander to thynke in
his hert on̛ þis wyse,
'Tell me now,
haly tree,
Wha he es þat sall slaa mee.'
And
þan̛ þe tree of þe son̛ ansuerd̛ by
þir twa verseȝ:
'Si tibi pandatur vir
qui tua facta resoluet,
Illum confrynges & sic mea carmina
fallent.'
Þat es at say: 'And I schew the þe manes
name, þat saƚƚ vndo thi dedis, þou wiƚƚ slaa
hym̛, and so saƚƚ my prophycye fayle.' And þan̛
þe forsaide ald man̛ sayd̛ tiƚƚ Alexander:
'Disese na mare þir trees,' quoþ he, 'wit thyne askynges.
Bot tourne we agayne, as we come hedir.' And þan̛
Alexander & his twa prynceȝ wit hym tourned̛ agayne wit
þe alde man̛. And ay as he went, he weped̛ bitterly,
bi-cause of his schorte tyme; and his prynceȝ also weped
riȝte sare. Bot he commanded̛ þam̛ þat
þay schulde noȝte teƚƚe to na man̛ of his Oste
þat that þay hadd̛ herde & sene. And when̛
þay ware comen̛ to þe forsaide Palace þe alde
[man] said̛ vn-tiƚƚ Alexander: ' Torne bakke agayne,' quoth
he, 'for it es noȝte leefuƚƚ to na man̛ to passe
forthire. If þe liste wende toward̛ þe weste,
þou saƚƚ noȝte traueƚƚe fuƚƚ lange are
þou come to þe place, whare þe liste to bee.' Aud
when̛ þe alde man̛ had said̛ þir
wordeȝ, he went in-to þe palace and Alexander and his twa
prynceȝ went doun̛ by þe forsaide greeȝ & come to
þe Oste.
Apon þe morne Alexander & his Oste remowed̛ þeine
& went agayneward̛ fyftene days, And come agayne to þe
forsaid̛ playne & þare þay luged þam̛.
And þare at þe entree of þa twa forsaid̛ ways,
Alexander gart rayse vp twa pelers of Marble, and by-twixe
þam̛ he haude a table of golde, on þe whilke was
wretyn in þe langage of grewe, hebrew, of latyne, and of Inde,
one this wyse: 'I, Alexander, Phillipp̛ son̛ of Macedoyne,
sett thir pelers here, after þe dedd̛ of Darius kyng of
Perse and of Porus kynge of Inde. What man̛ so wiƚƚ passe
forþer late hym̛ tourne one þe lefte hand. For wha so tourneȝ one þe riȝte hande he saƚƚ fynde many obstacleȝ & greuanceȝ þat saƚƚ perauenture lett
his agayne-commynge.
Fra þeine þay remowed̛ thurgℏ þat
playne and lefte þase strayte wayes, takand̛ þe way
westeward̛ þe gayneste towarde Macedoyne. And at þe
laste þay come tiƚƚ a cuntree þat highte Prasiac, And
þare þay luged̛ þam̛. And when̛
men̛ of þat cuntree herd̛ of þe commynge of
Alexander, wit grete wirchipe þay broghte hym grete
presanteȝ of swilk thyngeȝ as þay hadd̛ in
þaire lande, þat es at say, skynnes of fischez lyke vn-to
þe skynnes of pardes, or of lyouns also, and lawmpray skynnes of
sex cubites lange. In þat cuntree was a noble citee aƚƚ of
precyous stanes made wit-owtten̛ ƚyme or sande, sett
apon̛ an hiƚƚ. Of þe whilke citee, a wirchipfuƚƚ
lady and a faire hadd̛ þe lordechipe. Þis lady was
wedowe and scho hadd̛ three sones. The firste of þam̛
highte Candeolus, þe secand̛ Marcipius, And þe thirde
hight Carator. To þis lady Alexander sent a lettre of þis
tenour:
'Alexander þe son̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ & of
þe quene Olympias, kyng of kynges & lorde of lordes vn-to quene
Candace of Meron̛ ioy & gretyng. We sende ȝow ane ymage of
godd̛ Amon̛ aƚƚ of fyne golde; And þarefore
comeȝ tiƚƚ vs þat we may wende togeder to þe
Mountayne for to make sacrafyce þare to godd̛ Amon.'
When̛ þe Qwene Candace hadd̛ redd̛ þis
lettre, Scho sent hir embassatours tiƚƚ kyng Alexander wit grete
presanteȝ and with a lettre of this tenour:
'Candace, quene of Meron̛, vn-tiƚƚ Alexander, kyng of
kyngeȝ, ioy. Wele we knawe þat ȝe hafe by
reuelacion̛ of godd̛ Amon̛ þat ȝe schulde
couquere Perse, Inde and Egipte, and subiecte vn-to ȝow aƚƚ
oþer nacions. And aƚƚ þat ȝe hafe done,
noȝte allanly was graunted̛ bot also of aƚƚ oþer
goddeȝ. Tiƚƚ vs þat hase faire saules & bryghte it
nedeȝ noghte to make sacrafyce to godd̛ Amon̛ in
þe Mountaynes. Neuer-þe-lesse bicause we wiƚƚ
noȝte offende ȝowere maiestatee, we sende tiƚƚ
Amon̛ ȝoure godd̛ a Coron̛ of golde and precyouse
stanes, And ten̛ chynes of golde sett fuƚƚ of precious
stanes. And vn-to ȝow we sende a hundrethe Besaunteȝ of
golde; And twa hundreth papeiayes closed̛ in cageȝ of golde,
c childer of Ethipes, cc apes, cccc Olyphantis, xxxiiii In printed text, "xx" inserted superscript above "xxxiiii," i.e., thirty-four score. vnycornes, iij A tilde appears above "iij" in printed text, i.e., three hundred?panters skynneȝ, of pardeȝ & lyounes cccc, and we beseke
ȝowre hye maieste þat ȝe wiƚƚ notyfye
vn-tiƚƚ vs bi ȝour wirchipfuƚƚ lettres, wheder ȝe
haue conquered̛ aƚƚe þe werlde and made it subiecte
vn-to ȝow or noȝte.'
Amangeȝ her
embassatours þat scho sent tiƚƚ Alexander þare was a
wonder crafty & a suteƚƚ payntoure. And hym scho charged̛
þet he schulde besely by-halde Alexander & purtray his fygure in
a parchemyn̛ skynn̛ and brynge it to hir. And so he
did̛. Alexander ressayued̛ þe forsaid̛ gyftes
reuerently and sent hir noble gyftes agayne wit hir embassatours. And
when̛ þay come hame þe payntour tuke hir þe
fegure of Alexander purtrayed̛ as I saide be-fore. And
when̛ þe quene saw it, Scho was riȝte gladde, for scho
desyred̛ gretly for to see his fygure.
After þis ane of þe quene sonnes þat hight
Candeolus went furthe of þe Citee wit his wyfe and a fewe of his
menȝee for to take þe sporte. And onane þe kyng of
þe Bebrikes, knawyng þe fairehed̛ of Candeolus wyfe,
come appon̛ þam̛ with a grete multitude of men̛,
and slew many of Candeolus menȝee and refte hym his wyfe & went
his way. And þan̛ Candeolus and his men̛ þat
ware lefte on lyfe went tiƚƚ Alexander Oste for to be-seke hym of
helpe agaynes þe kynge of Bebrikes. And þe waches of
þe oste tuke Candeolus & broghte hym bi-fore Tholomeus,
þat was þe secund̛ person̛ after Alexander. And
Tholomeus spirred̛ hym what he was, & what he did̛
þare. 'I am,' quoþ he, 'quene Candace son̛ and
þis day als I went wit my wyfe & a preuee menȝee for to
take þe sporte, þe kynge of þe Bebrikes come
apon̛ vs wit a grete multitude of men̛ uand hase slayne many
of my menȝee & refte me my wyfe. And þare-fore I am
comen̛ heder for to beseke my lord̛, þe Emrerour, of
helpe & socoure.' When Tholomeus had herd̛ þis onane he
garte take kepe of Candeolus & went tiƚƚ Alexander tentis and
wakkned̛ Alexander & talde hym & talde ilk a dele þat
Candeolus had talde hym. And when̛ Alexander hadd̛ herde
his tale he badd̛ hym gange agayne tiƚƚ his tent and do a
coroun̛ on̛ his hede and putt apon̛ hym̛ þe
kyngeȝ clothynge, and sett hym in the kyngeȝ trone & say
Vn-to Candeolus þat he was kyng Alexander. 'And bidd̛ an
of thi men̛,' quoþ he, 'feche vn-to þe Antyochus,
And̛ late hym bryng me to þe insteedd̛ of Antyochus,
and when̛ I come bi-for thee telle me bi-fore Candeolus aƚƚ
þat he talde the. And̛ aske me conseƚƚ, als I ware
Antyochus, what es beste to do in þat mater.' Tholomeus went
and didd̛ aƚƚ als Alexander badd̛ hym. And̛ he
asched̛ Alexander in stedd̛ of Antyochus be-fore Candeolus
what was beste to do. And Alexander ansuerd̛ & sayde on
herand̛ Candeolus: 'Wirchipfuƚƚ Emperour,' quoþ he,
'if it be plesynge to ȝour maiestee I wiƚƚ go wit Candeolus
þis same nyghte to þe kynge of þe Bebrikes, and
comande hym one ȝour byhalue þat he ȝelde Candeolus
his wyfe agayne. And if he wiƚƚ noȝte do soo, I saƚƚ
late hym witt þat ȝe saƚƚ sende a grete powere to his
Citee & bryne it vp stikke & stourre.' When Candeolus hadd̛
herde hym say þus, he knelyd̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym &
said̛: 'A a, wirchipfuƚƚ Antyochus,' quoþ he, ' wele
walde it seme þe for to be a kyng for þe hye witt
and̛ þe manhede þat es in the.' Than̛ kyng
Alexander tuke wit hym a grete powere and went apon̛ þe
same nyghte wit Candeolus vn-to þe Citee, whare þe kyng of
þe Bebrikes lay. And̛ whan̛ þay come to
þe citee, þe waytes cryed̛ apon̛
þam̛, and askede what þay ware. And Alexander
ansuerd̛ & sayd̛: 'Candeolus,' quoþ he, 'es here wit
ane Oste of men̛, and þe cause of his commynge es to be
restorede agayne of his wyfe þe whilke ȝour kynge raueste
away fro hym̛ þis same day. And my lord̛ kyng
Alexander commandeȝ ȝow þat ȝe delyuer hir anone,
or sewrely we saƚƚ brynne this citee & ȝour selfe are we
passe hethyn̛.' And when̛ þe men̛ of þe
citee herde this, þay ware ferde ynoghe and onane went to
þe kyngeȝ palace & brakke vp þe ȝates, & tuke
Candeolus wyfe & delyuerd̛ hir tiƚƚ hir
lorde. Þan̛ Candeolus kneled̛ doun̛ tiƚƚ
Alexander & saide vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'A a, my dere frende,' quoþ
he, 'wirchipfuƚƚ Antyochus, Blyssed mot þou be for
þis grete gudnes þat þou hase schewed̛ mee. And
I beseke the nowe þat
þou wiƚƚ vouche-saffe for to wende with me vn-to my moder
quene Candace, þat scho may rewarde þe for þis
þat þou hase done for me.' And when̛ Alexander herde
this he was riȝte gladde. For he had gretely desyrede for to see
quene Candace & hir citee also. And þan he sayd̛: 'Goo
we,' quoþ he, 'to þe emperour and asche hym leue.' And
þay did̛ soo; and when̛ he had leue, he went wit
Candeolus. And as þay went to-gedir þay come tiƚƚ
heghe mountaynes þat reched vpto þe clowdes and apon̛
þam þare growed̛ trees of a wonderfuƚƚ heghte
lyke vn-to cedres þat bare appiƚƚs of Inde riȝte
grete, Of þe whilk Alexander wonnderde hym gretly. Þay
saw also þare vynes growe wit wondere grete bobbis of grapes;
for a man̛ myȝte vnnetheȝ bere an̛ of
þam̛. Þare ware also trees þat bare
nutteȝ als grete als gourddeȝ. And þare ware also
many apes. Fra þeine þay went & come to þe citee of
quene Candace.
And when̛ Candace herd teƚƚ þat hir son̛
Candeolus and his wyfe ware comande and ware safe & sounde, And̛
at a messangere of kyng Alexander come wit þaim̛, scho was
wonder gladde; and onane scho arayed̛ hir ryally as a quene suld
be, and sett apon̛ hir hedde a croun̛ fuƚƚ ryche
aƚƚ of golde sett fuƚƚ of precyouse stanes, and̛ went
furthe wit hir lordes to þe ȝates of hir palace, for to
mete hir son̛ Candeolus and̛ Alexander messanger. This
quene was a wondere faire lady & a semely; And when̛ Alexander
saw hir, hym thogℏte als he hade sene his moder Olympias. Hir
palace was wonder ryaƚƚe & precyouse and̛ aƚƚ þe
ruffe þare-of schane wit golde & precyouse stanes. Than̛
quene Candace tuke Alexander bi þe hande, And ledd̛ hym vp
tiƚƚ hir chambir, whare þare ware beddes arayed̛ wit
þe fyneste clathes of golde þat myghte be getyn̛; And
þat chambir was of golde & precyous stanes, þe whilke are
called̛ Onychyns & þe burdeȝ & þe bynkes of
euour & Smaragdeȝ & Amatistes. Þe Pelers of þe
Palace ware aƚƚ of Marble, And̛ þar ware grauen̛
in þam̛ cartes of werre, þat semed̛ to mannes
sighte as þay hadd̛ bene rynnand̛; And Olyphanntes
tredand̛ men̛ vnder þaire fete. Vndernethe þat
Palace rane a water wonder swete, & clere as any cristaƚƚe.
Þat day Alexander ete wit quene Candace & hir childire.
Apon̛ þe morne quene Candace tuk Alexander by þe
right hande & ledd̛ hym in-tiƚƚ hir bedd̛-chambir, and
nane wit þam̛, Bot þay twa allan̛. Þis
chambir was couerde aƚƚ ouer wit-in wit golde & precious stanes.
And it schane wit-in, as it had bene þe sonne. And oute of
þis chambir scho ledd̛ hym in-tiƚƚ a wit-drawyng
chambir made of cypresse. Þis chambir was sett apon̛ foure
wheles by crafte of clergy; And twenty xxti Olyphauntis drewe
it whedir as scho wolde hafe it. And when̛ Alexander & þe
quene ware entrede in-to þat chambir, onane it stirredd̛ &
by-gan for to remowe. And þan̛ Alexander was astonayde &
meruaylled̛ hym̛ gretly & said vn-to þe quene : For
sothe,' quoþ he, ' & þir meruaiƚƚs ware in oure
cuntree þay ware riȝte commendable & mekiƚƚ worthy to be praysede.' The quene answerde: 'Þou saise sothe, Alexander,'
quoþ scho, 'þay ware mare commendable amangeȝ
þe Grekeȝ, þan̛ amangeȝ vs. And also sone
als Alexander herde hys name be neuenede, he was gretly trubblede, and
his vesage bi-gan̛ to waxe pale, and his chere to change. And
than the quene said efte vn-to hym: 'Alexander,' quoþ she, 'for
to schewe þe mare verrayly þat þou ert Alexander,
com̛ with me.' And þan̛ scho tuk hym̛ by
þe hande & leedde hym in-tiƚƚ anoþer chambir, and
schewed̛ hym þare his awenn̛ Fygure purtrayed̛ in
a parchemyn̛ skyne. And when̛ Alexander saw þat, he
wex pale & wanne & biganne to tremblee. And þan̛ þe
quene said vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Alexander,' quoþ scho,' where-fore
ert þou ferde, & why chaungeȝ þou chere. Thou
þat hase distroyed̛ aƚƚ þe werlde; conquerour of
Perse, of Inde, of Mede, and many oþer rewmes & landeȝ, Now
arte þou witowtten̛ scheddynge of blode fallen̛ in
þe dawngere & in þe handeȝ of quene Candace
vnauysyli. And þare-by may þou wele knawe þat a
manes hert sulde on na wyse be enhanced̛ in pride. For if
aƚƚ it bee þat ofte tymmes grete prosperitee faƚƚ to
man̛, Sodaynly falleȝ adversitee tiƚƚ hym when̛ he
leste wenes.' When̛ Alexander herde þis he bigan̛ to
grayste wit þe teethe and to torne his hede hedir & thedir, And
quene Candace saide vn-tiƚƚ hym̛: 'Whare to angers þou
þe,' quoþ scho, '& trubleȝ thi selfe? What may now
thi grete Imperiaƚƚ glory, thi witt & thi mighte serue
the offe?' Alexander ansuerde & said̛: Forsothe,' quoþ
Alexander, 'resonably I am angry at my selfe bi-cause I hafe na swerde
here.' Quoþ þe quene: 'I suppose þou hadd a swerde,
nowe, what walde do þare-wit?' 'Sothely,' quoþ he,
'bi-cause I hafe wilfully betrayed̛ my-selfe vn-to þe.
First I solde sla þe and þan̛, I dowte it noȝt,
I sulde be slayne for þe.' 'Now for sothe,' quoþ scho,
'þis was wisely & man̛fully sayde. Neuer-þe-less be
nathynge heuy. For as þou delyuerde my son̛ wyfe Candeolus
oute of þe daungere of þe kyng of Bebrikes Swaa saƚƚ
I delyuer the oute of þe daungere of thyn̛ enemys þat
þou hase here. For I say þe in certayne, and it ware
knawen̛ þat þou ware here vn-to my menȝee, onane
þay walde slaa þe by-cause þou slewe Porus þe
kynge of Inde. For my son̛ wyfe Carator was his doughter.' And
when̛ scho had said þis, Scho tuk Alexander bi þe
hande & ledd̛ hym forthe in-tiƚƚ hir forchambire and
said̛ vntiƚƚ hir sones: 'My dere sonnes,' quoþ scho,
'I pray ȝow late vs make þis knyghte of Alexander gude
chere, and schew hym̛ aƚƚ þe humanytee þat we
can̛. For Alexander has schewed̛ vs grete frendchipe and
grete gudnesse.' And þan̛ hir ȝongeste ansuerde &
said̛: 'Moder,' quoþ he, 'sothe it es þat he es a
messangere of Alexanders, & a knyghte of his, and þat he
delyuerde my broþer wyfe of þe handeȝ of þe
kynge of þe Bebrikes and broghte hym & hir hame
vn-tiƚƚ vs bathe safe & sownde. Neuer-þe-lesse my wyfe
constreyneȝ me for to do Antyochus to dede bi-cause of þe
dede of hir Fadir Porus, whilke Alexander slewe, So þat
Alexander may hafe sorow for his knyghte. Quoþ quene Candace
þan̛: 'Lefe son̛, what wirchip̛ may we get
þare-offe if we slaa this knyghte þus traytourusly.' And
þan̛ Candeolus sayde wit a grete Ire, 'Þis knyghte,'
quoþ he, 'saued̛ me & my wyfe & broghte vs hedir safe &
sonde; And als saffe saƚƚ I hafe hym, agayne tiƚƚ his lorde,
or I saƚƚ be dede þarefore.' And Carator ansuerde & saide:
'Broþer,' quoþ he, 'what says þou? wiƚƚ
þou þat aythere of vs here slaa oþer?' 'In gud
faythe broþer,' quoþ he, 'it es noȝte my wiƚƚ,
ne my liste. Neuer-þe-lesse if it be thi liste, I am redy,
rather þan̛ þis knyghte be dedde.' And when̛
þe quene saw þat hir sonnes walde ayther of
þam̛ slaa oþer, scho was wonder sary, and tuk
Alexander on̛ syde, and saide vn-tiƚƚ hym preualy: 'A, a,
kyng Alexander,'
quoþ scho, 'whi wiƚƚ þou noȝte schewe thi witt,
and helpe thurgℏ thi wisdom̛ þat my sonnes slaa
noȝt ayther of þam̛ oþer ?' And Alexander
answerde and said̛: 'Late me goo speke wit þam,' quoþ
he. And scho lete hym goo. And he went to þam̛ and sayde
vn-to Carator: 'For sothe, Carator,' quoþ he, 'I late þe
wite þat if þou slaa me, þou saƚƚ wynne bot
lyttiƚƚ wirchipe þareoffe. For I say þe, kyng
Alexander hase many worthyer knyghtis wit hym þan̛ I
am̛; And þare-fore he wiƚƚ hafe littiƚƚ sorowe for
my dede. Trowes þou þat and Alexander hadd̛ lufed me
wele þat he walde hafe sent me hyder to be killed̛
amangeȝ ȝowe. Bot if þou wiƚƚ þat I
beken̛ the Alexander þe slaere of þi wyfe fader &
bryng hym bi-for the, Swere me þat what so I asche þe,
þou saƚƚ graunte mee it, And I sure þe bi þe
faythe of my body, I saƚƚ bryng Alexander in-to þis palace
be-fore þe.' And when̛ Carator herde this, he was
riȝte glade, and trowed þat that Alexander said̛.
And so ware þe twa breþer pesede, And highte Alexander
þat his askynge sulde be fulfilled̛ als ferforthe als
þaire powere reched, if so ware þat he helde
couenant. Þan̛ quene Candace leedd Alexander on syde &
sayd̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym in preuatee: 'Wele ware me,' quoþ
scho, 'myghte I ilke day hafe þe present be-fore myn̛ eghne
as I hafe myn̛ awenn̛ childere. For thurgh the sulde I
ouercome aƚƚ myn̛ Enemys.' And þan̛ [scho] gaffe
Alexander a coroun̛ of golde sett fuƚƚ of precyous
dyamandeȝ, and a mantiƚƚ Imperiaƚƚ of a clathe of golde
wit sternes wofen þare-in̛, and sett fuƚƚ of precyouse
stanes. And þan̛ scho kyssed̛ hym & oþer preuee
thyngeȝ didd̛ tiƚƚ hym, And badde hym goo in hir
blyssynge.
Than kyng Alexander and Candeolus went furthe aƚƚ that daye,
And come tiƚƚ a grete spelunc, and þare þay herberde
þam̛. And Candeolus saidetiƚƚ Alexander: 'In this
spelunc,' quoþ hee, 'þat you here seeȝ aƚƚ
goddeȝ ere wount for to ete and halde þaire consaiƚƚ.'
And þan̛ onane Alexander made sacrafyceȝ tiƚƚ
his goddeȝ and enterde in-to þe caue by hym ane. And
þare he sawe a myrke clowde, & in þat myrknesse, he sawe
as it ware bryghte sternes, and amangeȝ þase sternes he saw
a grete godd̛ sitt, And his eghne lyke twa lanternes. And
when̛ Alexander saw hym̛ he was so fered̛ þat he
was as it hadd̛ bene
in a transynge. And þan̛ þe godd̛ said vn-to
hym̛: 'Haile, Alexander,' quoþ he. And Alexander ansuerde &
said̛: 'Lorde,' quoþ he, 'what art þou ?' 'I am,'
quoþ he, 'Senson̛chosis þat gouerneȝ þe
kyngdom̛ of þe werlde and þat hase made men̛
sugettes vn-to the. And þou hase bigged̛ þiselfe
many ryaƚƚe citeeȝ. Bot temple walde þou nane make in
þe wirchippe of me.' And Alexander ansuerd̛ & said̛:
'Lorde,' quoþ he, '& þou wiƚƚ graunt me þat I
saƚƚ wit prosperitee come in-to Macedoyne I saƚƚ ordeyne the
a temple þare saƚƚ noȝte be swilke anoþer in
aƚƚ þe werlde.' And he ansuerd̛ agayne & saide: 'For
sothe,' quoþ hee, 'Macedoyne saƚƚ þou neuer see wit
thyn̛ eghne. Neuer-þe-lesse walke Innermare & luke what
þou seeȝ.' Alexander þan̛ went forthirmare &
saw anoþer myrke clowde and saw a godd̛ sitt in a trone
lyke a kynge, and Alexander said vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Lorde,' quoþ
he, 'what art þou ?' 'I am,' quoþ he, 'þe begynnynge
of aƚƚ goddeȝ and Serapis es my name. I sawe the in
þe lande of liby & nowe I see þe here.' 'Serapis,'
quoþ Alexander, 'I beseke þe teƚƚe me wha it es
þat sall sla me.' Quod Serapis: 'I talde þe bi-fore,
þat and þe cause of a manes dede ware knawen̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym, he solde dy for sorowe. Þou hase bygged a
glorious citee agaynes þe whilke many emperours saƚƚ
fighte. Þare-in saƚƚ thi graue be made and þare-in
saƚƚ þou be beried̛.' And þan̛ Alexander
come oute of þe caue, and tuke his leue at Candeolus and went
tiƚƚ his Oste.
One þe morne he remowed̛ his Oste And come tiƚƚ a
valay þat was fuƚƚ of grete serpentes þe whilk hade
in þaire heuedis Grete smaragdeȝ. Thir serpenteȝ
lyffede aƚƚ wit gyngere and pepir þat growede in þe
valaye. And ilke a ȝere þay feghte to-gedir and many of
þam̛ slaeȝ oþer. Off þe forsaid Smaragdes
tuk Alexander sum̛ wit hym of þe gretteste þat he
couthe gett.
Fra þeine þay remowed̛ & come in-tiƚƚ a place
in þe whilke þare ware besteȝ þat hade one ilke
a fote twa clees as swyne hase, and þase clees ware three fote
brade wit þe whilke þay smate Alexander knyghtes.
Þay had also heuedes lyke swyne & tayles lyke lyouns. Þare
ware also amangeȝ þam̛ grypes þe
whilke smate knyghteskynghtes in þe vesageȝ reghte felly. Þay ware so strange þat ane of þam̛ wolde bere away an armed̛ knyghte & his horse also. Þan̛ kynge
Alexander rade hedir & þedir amangeȝ his men̛ and
comforthed̛ þam̛ and badd̛ þam̛ feghte
manly agaynes þam̛ wit speres and wit arowes. And so
þay did̛. Bot þare was slayne of Alexander knyghtes
ccviii.
And fra þeine þay remowed̛ and come tiƚƚ a
grete ryuer þe whilke was twenty furlange on brede fra þe
ta banke to þe toþer. And on þase bankes þare
growed̛ redis wonder grete and hye. Of þase redes garte
Alexander mak bates & anoynte þam̛ wit terre & talgℏ
of besteȝ, And badd̛ his knyghtis row ouer þe water in
þase bates. And þay did̛ soo. And when̛
þe [pople] of þe cunntree herde teƚƚ of þe
commynge of Alexander & his Oste, þay sent hym gyftes of swylk
thyngeȝ als was in þaire cuntree, þat es at say Grete
spoungeȝ bathe whitte & purpure & schelles of þe see so
grete þat an of þam̛ walde halde twa pekkes or three.
Þay sent hym also wormes þat þay drew owte of
þat ryuer grettere þan̛ a manes thee, and þay
ware swetter of taste þan̛ any fysche. Þay gaffe hym
Cukstoles aƚƚ rede þat ware of a wonderfuƚƚ gretnesse.
In þat ryuer ware womans þat ware wonder faire & þay
hade on̛ þam̛ mekiƚƚ here þat rechedd̛
doun̛ to thaire fete. Þir women̛, when þay saw
any straunge men̛ swymme in þat riuer, owþer
þay drownned̛ þam̛ in þe water, or
eƚƚs þay walde lede þam̛ to þe redeȝ
þat growed̛ on̛ þe water bankes and garre
þam̛ lye by þam̛ ay tiƚƚ any lyfe was in
þam̛. Þe Macedoynes persued þam̛ & tuke
twa of þam̛ and broghte þam̛ tiƚƚ
Alexander, and þay ware als white as any snawe, and þay
ware ten fote lange and þaire teethe ware lyke dogge teethe.
Efter this Alexander went and closed̛ in a maner of folkee
þat are called̛ Gog & Magog, with-in þe hilleȝ
of Caspy. Þis folkeȝ were of þe ten kyndeȝ of
Israel, and þay ware leedd̛ owte of þaire awenn̛
land̛ bi a kyng of Perse be-cause of þaire synneȝ and
halden in thralledom̛. And þay asched̛ Alexander leue
for to wende furtℏ of þat cuntree. And Alexander gert
spirre þe cause of þaire thraldom̛, and he was
encensed̛ þat be-cause þay
hadd̛ forsaken̛ þaire goddeȝ lawe, þat es
at say, godd̛ of Isrƚ, and wirchiped̛ Calues &
oþer Mawmettes, þare-fore þay ware ledd̛ oute
of þaire awenn̛ lande & halden̛ in thralldom̛,
and þat prophetes had prophiced̛ be-fore þat
þay sulde neuer come oute of thraldom̛ bi-fore agayne
þe day of dome. And þan̛ Alexander ansuerde & said
þat he sulde sperre þam̛ In̛ mare seurely. And
þan̛ he garte close aƚƚ þe entreeȝ wit
stane & lyme & sand̛, Bot aƚƚ þat he garte make on
þe day was fordone on̛ þe nyghte. And when̛
Alexander saw þat mannes laboure myghte noȝte stande in
stede, he bi-soghte godd̛ of Isrƚ þat if it ware his
liste þat þay habade þare, þat he walde close
þam̛ in. And þe nexte nyghte aftir ilk a cragge
feƚƚe tiƚƚ oþer, and so þare may nathynge passe
in nor owte. And þare-by it semeȝ þat it es
noȝte goddeȝ wiƚƚ þat þay come oute.
Neuer-þe-lesse abowte þe Ende of þe werlde þay
saƚƚ breke oute and do mekiƚƚ schathe & slaa many men̛.
Fra þeine þay remowed̛ & come to þe grete
See Occeane. In þat See þay sawe ane Ile a littiƚƚ
fra þe lande. And in þat Ile þay herde men̛
speke grewe. And þan̛ Alexander commanded̛ þat
sum̛ of his knyghts sulde do off þaire clathes and swyme
ouer to þe ile. And þay did̛ soo. And als sone als
þay come in þe See þare come gret crabbes vp oute of
þe water & pullede þam̛ downne to þe grounde &
drownned̛ þam̛.
Thanne remowed̛ þay fra thethyn̛ and went ay
endlande þe See syde to-warde þe solstice of wynter
trauellande xƚ days; and at þe laste þay come to a
reede See, and þare þay lugede þam̛.
Þare was faste by a Mountayne wonder hye, One þe whilke
Alexander went vp. And when̛ he was abown̛ on̛
þe heghte þare-offe, hym thoghte þat he was nerre
þe Firmament þan þe erthe; þan̛ he
ymagned̛ in his hert swilk a gynn̛ how he myghte make
grippes bere hym vp in-to þe ayere. And onane he come doune of
þe Mountayne and garte come bi-fore hym̛ his Maistre
wrightes and comandid̛ þam̛ þat þay sulde
make hym a chayer and trelesse it wit barreȝ of Iren̛ one
ilk a syde so þat he myȝte sauely sitt þare-in. And
þan̛ he gart brynge foure gripes and tye þam̛
faste wit Iren̛ cheynes vn-to þe chayere, and in þe
ouermare party of þe chayere he gart putt
mete for þe grippes. And pan̛ he wente and sett hym̛
in þe chayere. And onane þe grippes bare hym vp in
þe ayer so hye þat Alexander thoghte aƚƚ þe
erthe na mare þan̛ a flure þare men̛
thresscheȝ corne, and þe See lyke a dragon̛ abowte
þe erthe. Þan̛ sodaynly a specyaƚƚ vertu of
godd̛ vmbilapped þe grippes þat gart þam̛
discende douue to þe erthe in a felde: ten .x. day iournee fra
þe Oste, and he hadd̛ na hurt ne na schathe in þe
chayere. Bot wit grete disesse at þe laste he come tiƚƚ
his Oste.
After þis Alexander ymagened in his hert þat he walde
knaw þe preuates þat are in þe see. And onane he
gart come bifore hym̛ aƚƚ þe Maister glasyers
þat ware in þe Oste, And comandede þam̛ to make
hym a grete tounne of passandly clere glasse þat he myghte
thurgℏ it clerely see aƚƚ maner of thynge þat ware
wit-owtten̛ it. And when̛ it was made he gart trelesse it
al abowte witowtten̛ wit barres of yren̛ and feste
þare-to lang cheynes of yren̛, and gart a certane of
þe strangeste & maste tristy knyghtes þat langed̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym halde þir cheynes. And þan̛ he went
in-to þe tounne & gart pykke wele þe entree whare he went
in, and þan̛ late it doun̛ into þe See. And
þare he sawe dyuerse schappes of fisches of dyuerse colours; and
sum̛ he sawe hafe þe schappe of dyuerse besteȝ here
one þe lande, gangande on fete as besteȝ dose here & etande
fruyte of treesse þat groweȝ on þe See grunde.
Þir besteȝ come tiƚƚ hym. Bot onane as þay saw
hym thorow þe glasse þay fledde fra hym. He sawe
þare also many oþer meruaylous thyngeȝ, þe
whilke he walde teƚƚ na man̛ bi-cause men̛ walde noghte
hafe trowed̛ þam̛ if he had talde þam̛, and
at a certayne houre þase þat he hadd̛ assyngned
be-fore, his knyghtes drewe hym vp oute of þe See.
Fra þeine þay Remowed̛ Folowande þe bankes
of þe Rede See, and luged þam̛ in a place, whare
þare ware wylde Besteȝ that hade on̛ þaire
heuedis hornes lyke vn-to sawes, and þay ware als scharpe als
swerdeȝ. And with thire hornes þay slewe & hurte many
knyghtis of Alexanders & cloue þaire cheldes in sonder.
Neuer-þe-lesse Alexander knyghtis slew of þam̛
ccccli.
And fra beine þay remowed̛ and come in-tiƚƚ wilderness
bitwex þe reed̛ See and Araby, whare grete multitude of
Pepir growed̛; And þare ware many grete nedders wit hornnes
on þaire hedes lyke tuppe hornes, wit þe whilke þay
smate Alexander knyghtis riȝt felly. Off þase nedderes slew
þe Macedoynes a grete party.
Þeine þay remowed̛ and luged̛ in a place
whare many Rynosephales ware, þe whilke hade heuedes & manes
lyke horseȝ. And þay hade grete bodys, and wonder grete
teethe and lange, and oute of þaire mouthes þay schotte
flawmeȝ of fyre. And when̛ þay saw þe Oste luge
þare þay come & assaylled̛ þam̛. And
Alexander ran̛ hyder and thedir amangeȝ þe oste and
comforthed̛ his knyghtes and bad þam̛ feghte manly wit
þase monstres. And so þay didd̛. Neuer-þe-lesse þare ware a grete multitude of his knyghtis slayne of þase besteȝ. Bot of þe Rynocephales þare was
slayne an hugge multitude.
Þan̛ þay remowed̛ fra þeine and come
in-tiƚƚ a champayne cuntree and luged̛ þam̛
þare, And lay þare a certane days, Bi-cause of his horse
Buktyphalas þat feƚƚ seke þare; of þe whilke
sekenesse he dyed̛. And when̛ Alexander saw hym dedd̛
he made grete dole for hym and weped̛ for hym riȝt sare.
For he hadd̛ borne hym in many a Bateƚƚe, and broghte [hym]
oute of many pereƚƚs. And þare-fore when̛ he was dede
Alexander gart doo aboute hym grete exequyes and gart make hym a
fuƚƚ riche toumbe & a hye and did̛ hym þare-in and
made a grete citee þare, þe whilke in mynde of his horse
he gart caƚƚ Buktyphalas.
Fra þeine þay remowed̛ and come tiƚƚ a ryuere
þat was called̛ Cytan or Deciracy whare men̛ of
þe cuntree broghte hym̛ ṽ Olyphantes and ṽ
cartes of werre. And fra þeine þay remowed̛ & come
tiƚƚ kynge ȝerses palace. And in þat Palace þay
fande beddeȝ of clene golde many a thowsande. Þare ware
also grete fewles white als doufes, þe whilke had knawyng
be-fore of a seke man̛ wheder he schulde lyffe or dye. For if
þay by-helde þe seke man̛ in þe vesage, he
schulde mende & fare wele. And if þay tourned̛ þam
awaywarde witowtten̛
doute he schulde dye, and if þay tourned hym þe bakke wit owtten̛ dowte he sulde dye.
FRa þeine þay remowed̛ and come to þe grete
Citee of Babiloyne and wanne it oo werre and slew þe kynge
þare-offe & þe Captayne also. And pare he duelled̛
vn-tiƚƚ his lyffes end̛, and pat was Bot vij seuen̛
Monethes. In þat mene tyme Alexander sent a lettre tiƚƚ
Olympias his Moder and tiƚƚ his Mayster Arestotle, latand̛
þam̛ witte of þe Bateƚƚs and þe dyssese
þat þay suffred̛ bathe wynters and Somers in Inde and
oþer cuntreeȝ, and also of þe Bateƚƚs þat
þay had̛ hadd̛ wit dyuerse Monstres. And
þan̛ Arestotle wrate anoþer lettre tiƚƚ
Alexander agayne þe whilke was of this tenour:
'Un-tiƚƚ Alexandere þe grete kynge of kyngeȝ
Arestotle sendeȝ ioy and seruyce. When̛ I hade redde
ȝour wyrchipfuƚƚ lettres I was gretly astonayd̛. For
whilke cause I desyre with aƚƚ myn̛ hert for to fynde
lonynge þat I myghte ȝelde vn-to þe. I take witnesse
at oure goddeȝ þat for þe passande hardenesse of
þi ℏert & þe grete auentours þat þou hase
put þe in, þou erte wele worthy for to be loued̛ &
praysede. For þou hase sene & assayed̛ thyngeȝ
þat neuer man̛ or þis durste assaye. Whare-for
thankynge & lonynge I ȝelde to þe makere of aƚƚ
þis wyde werlde þat swylke victoryes hase grantede vn-to
þe. For þou hase ouercommen̛ aƚƚ & nane hase
ouercomen̛ þe. Fuƚƚ blyssede are aƚƚ thy
prynceȝ þat hase bene obeyande vnto þe, and
helped̛ þe in aƚƚ thi
disesseȝ.'
Afftir þis Alexander gart make in Babyloyne a wonder curious
trone of golde, þare was noȝte swilke anoþer in
þe werlde. For þe grekeȝ broghte so mekiƚƚ golde
oute of perse & oute of Inde, þat it ware wonder for to telle.
Þis ilke toure was twlue cubyteȝ hye and by twelue
greceȝ men̛ ascended̛ þare-too, and þase
greeȝ ware aƚƚ of golde. Þis trone was wonderfully
wroghte and sett apon̛ twelue ymageȝ of golde, þe
whilke trone þe forsaid̛ ymageȝ helde vp wit
þaire hende. And on þase twelue ymageȝ ware
wretyn̛ þe names of þe twelue prynceȝ of
Macedoyne. Þe seet of þe trone was of a Smaragde,
& þe sydeȝ þare off ware of Topaȝes & in
ilkan̛ of þe greeȝ ware sett dyuerse maneres of
precyouse stanes. In þe summyt of þis trone þare
wassett a ruby þat schane on þe nyghte as it hade bene
þe Mone. In þis trone also was þare sett on̛
ilke a syde dyuerse ymageȝ on þe whilke ware wretyn̛
bathe in latyne & in grew verseȝ þat contened̛
aƚƚ þe nammes of þe rewmes & cuntreeȝ þat
Alexandere had conquered̛ and ware sugetes vn-tiƚƚ hym.
After þis Alexander gert make a coron̛ of golde sett
fuƚƚ of aƚƚ maner of precyouse stanes, and gert wryte
apon̛ it a tytle in grew & in latyn̛: 'Ortus & occasus,
Aquilo michi seruit & Auster.' Þat es at saye: 'Est & weste,
Northe & southe dose seruyce vn-to me.' In the mene tyme whils
Alexander was in babyloyne, a woman̛ was delyuer of a knaue
childe þe whilke fra þe heuede to þe nauyƚƚ
hadd̛ schappe of man̛, & was borne dedd̛. And fra
þe nauyƚƚ downwardeȝ it had lyknesse of dyuerse
besteȝ and was qwykke. Þis Monstre was taken̛ &
broghte tiƚƚ Alexander; and als son̛ als he saw it he
meruaylled̛ gretly þare-off, and gart come bi-fore
hym̛ a philosopher þat couthe of wiche-crafte, & aschede
hym what it sygnyfyed̛. And when̛ þe philosopher saw
it, he syghede, & saye wepand̛ sayde vn-to hym: 'Sothely
wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,' quoþ he, 'þe tyme commeȝ
nere that þou saƚƚ passe oute of this werlde.' 'Telle me,'
quoþ Alexander, 'whareby þou knawes þat.' And
þe philosophre ansuerde & sayde: 'My lorde,' quoþ he,
'þe halfe of þis Monstre þat hase þe schappe
of man̛ & es dedd̛, betakens þat þou saƚƚ
passe out of þis werlde in haste. And þe toþer
party þat hase þe lyknes of dyuerse besteȝ & es on
lyfe, betakynges þe kynges þat saƚƚ come after
þe. Bot þare saƚƚ nane of þam̛ be lyke
vn-to þe, na mare þan̛ a beste es lyke vn-tiƚƚ a
man̛.' When̛ Alexander herde þis he was wonder heuy,
and sare wepand̛ he sayde on þis wyse: 'O Aƚƚmyghty
Iubiter,' quoþ he, 'what meneȝ it þat my dayes
saƚƚ be so schortte ? Me thynke þat it had bene semely
þat I had leffed̛ langere for tiƚƚ haf endid̛
thyngeȝ þat are in my thoghte. Bot for als mekiƚƚ als
it es noȝte plesande vn-to þe, I beseke the þat
þou resayffe me when̛ I saƚƚ passe hethen̛ als
thyn̛ awen̛ seruante.'
In this mene tyme þare was in Macedoyne a lorde þat
highte
Antipater, þe whilke of langetyme be-fore hadd̛ casten for
þe dedde of Alexander; And wit many oþer þat he
hadd̛ confedred̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym̛ he conspyred̛
for to brynge it tyƚƚ ende, bot he myghte neuer come aboute
þer-with. For Olympias, Alexander moder, wrate vn-tiƚƚ hym
ofte-sythes and warned̛ hym þat he scholde be warre wit
Antipater & his childre, and here-fore was Antypater wonder sary. So
apon̛ a tyme he vmbythoghte hym þat he myghte neuer come
aboute wit his purpose for to slaa Alexander, bot if it ware
thurgℏ enpuysonynge. And so apon̛ a daye he went tiƚƚ
a Soteƚƚ leche, and boghte of hym̛ a maner of drynke made of
puyson̛ that was so feƚƚe & se ranke þat þare
myghte no vesseƚƚe halde it Bot a vesseƚƚ made of
Iren̛; and þare-in he putt it. And þan̛ he
gaffe it his son̛ Cassandre, and bad̛ hym bere it tiƚƚ
his broþer Iobas and byd̛ hym, quoþ he, gyffe it to
kyng Alexander in his drynke, when̛ he seeȝ his tyme. This
ilk Iobas was a faire ȝong man̛ & was duellyng with
Alexander, and gretly by-luffede & cheriste of hym. Bot so it
be-feƚƚe apon̛ a tyme þat Alexander smate Iobas on
þe heued̛ wit a warderere for na trespasse. Whare-fore
Iobas was gretly angred̛ and greued̛ at Alexander and
consented̛ tiƚƚ his dede, and tuke þe puyson̛ of
his broþer þat was ordeyned̛ for Alexander dede
þat luffed̛ hym̛ so mekiƚƚ.
And apon̛ a daye Alexander gart ordeyne a grete reueƚƚe
in Babyloyne and called̛ þare too aƚƚ his prynceȝ
on̛ ilke a syde. And as he satt at þe mete Imange his
prynceȝ he was wonder mery & gladde & iocund̛, and
reheted̛ his lordeȝ & prayed̛ þam̛ þat
þay schulde be mery. Þan̛ Iobas þat
serued̛ þe kyng of his coupe tuke of þe puyson̛
a porcyon̛, and putt it vnder þe nayle of his thowme, and
broghte þe coppe to þe kynge fuƚƚ of wyne. And as he
gaffe it to þe kynge, he lete þe puyson̛ faƚƚe
in þe wyne priualy. And als sone als þe kyng hadd̛
dronken̛ þe puyson̛, Sudaynly he gaffe a grete scryke,
and lened̛ hym downn̛ towarde þe riȝte syde. For
hym thoghte reghte als a man̛ hadd̛ smyten̛ hym in-to
þe lyuere wit a suerde. Neuer-þe-lesse he feyned̛ &
forbare a while & suffred̛ a grete penance, and when̛ he
myȝte na langere habyde, he rase vp fra þe burde and saide
tiƚƚ his lordeȝ & his knyghtes: 'Lordyngis,' quoþ he,
'I pray ȝow sitt ȝe stiƚƚ & eteȝ & drynkeȝ &
beeȝ mery.' Bot þay ware gretly troubbled̛ and rase
vp fra þe burdeȝ and stode witowtten̛ for to see
þe ende. And Alexander went in-tiƚƚ his chambir gretly
tourmentid̛ and soghte a fethir for to putt in his throtte for to
garre hym hafe a vomet of þe puyson̛ þat he
hadd̛ resayffed̛. And Iobas, þat was cheffe of
aƚƚ this hye treson̛, gatt a fethir & enoynt it wit þe
same puyson̛ & broghte it tiƚƚ Alexander; and he tuk it &
putt it in his throtte, and belyfe þe puyson̛ vexed̛
hym ay mare & mare. And þan̛ Alexander bade ane gange &
open̛ þe palace ȝates þat ware on Eufrates
banke. And aƚƚe þat nyȝte he woke in grete
payneȝ & tourment. And aboute mydnyȝthte he rase oute of
þe bedde þat he lay in and putt oute þe lyghte
þat brynt by-fore hym, and for he myghte noghte ga
vprighteȝ, he creped̛ one hende & one fete doune to-warde
Eufrateȝ for tiƚƚ hafe drownned̛ hym selfe, þat
þe strenth of þe water myȝth hafe borne hym away
whare neuer man̛ solde hafe fun̛ hym.
And Rosan̛ his wyfe folowed̛ as faste as scho myghte. And
when̛ scho come to hym scho feƚƚe vpon̛ hym &
enbraced̛ hym in hir armes & said̛ vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Allas,
my lorde Alexander,' quoþ scho, 'wiƚƚ þou now leue me
& gaa slaa thi-selfe.' And scho wepe þat it was dole to see;
and Alexander ansuerde & sayde: 'I beseke þe Rosan̛,'
quoþ he, 'þat ert so dere to me & so swete, late nane wit
of myn̛ Endynge, if aƚƚ it be þat we may na langare
hafe ioy togedir.' And þan̛ Rosan̛ ledd̛
Alexander agayne to his bedd̛, and layde her armes aboute his
nekke and kyssede hym many a tyme, and sare wepand̛ said̛
vn-tiƚƚ hym̛: 'A, A, my swete lorde,' quoþ scho, 'if
þine ende be nowe commen̛, ordayne firste for vs or ȝe
passe heþine.' And onane he callede vn-tiƚƚ hym Iobas &
bade hym feche vn-tiƚƚ hym Semyon̛ his notary. And
when̛ he was comen̛ he garte bere hym down̛ in-to
þe hauƚƚe, and he garte come by-fore hym aƚƚ his
prynceȝ & bade his notary wryte his testament bi-fore
þam̛ aƚƚ on̛ þis wyse.
' ARestotle oure dere Maister, we comande the & prayse the,
þat of oure awen̛ tresour þou sende to þe
presteȝ of Egipt þat ministreȝ in þe temple,
whare-in oure body saƚƚ be beryed
& entered̛, j̃ besandeȝ of golde. Also I wiƚƚ
that Tholomeus þat es kepare of oure body be ȝour
Gouernour, And forgetis noghte my laste wiƚƚ, Bot lateȝ my
testament be alway bi-fore ȝour eghne so þat it be
fulfilled̛ & noghte forgetyn̛. My wiƚƚ es also
þat if Rosan̛ my wyfe be delyuer of a knafe childe
þat he be ȝour Emperour and gyffeȝ hym what name so
ȝow liste, and if scho be delyuer of a mayden childe,
þan̛ es it my wiƚƚ þat the Macedoynes chese
þam̛ a kynge, and þat my wyfe be lady of aƚƚ my
mobles. Also I wiƚƚ þat Tholomeus be kyng of Egipt, and
þat he tak tiƚƚ his wyfe Cleopatra, þat my Fader
wedded̛ sum-tyme here bi-fore, and þat he be lorde & prynce
ouer aƚƚ þe lordeȝ of þe Este euen̛ vn-to
Bactrian̛. Also I wiƚƚ þat my broþer Arrideus
be kynge of þe Pelopones, also þat Cleopater be kyng of
Perse, Mellagere kyng of Ethopy, And Anthiochus be kyng vn-to þe
landeȝ of Gog & magoge, Aresteȝ kynge of Inde, Lissymacus
lorde of Seleuce, Lythamon̛ kyng of hungary, Caulus kyng of
Ermony, Illicus kyng of Dalmace. Symeon̛ my Notary, wiƚƚ I,
be Kyng of Capadoce & Pamphily, Cassander & Iobas be lordeȝ vn-to
þe Ryuer þat es called̛ Soƚƚ, Antipater
þaire Fader be kyng of Cicile.' When̛ this testament was
in wrytynge bi-fore Alexander Sodeynly þare come a thonnere & a
leuennynge & ane erthedoun̛ riȝte a hedous, so þat
aƚƚ babyloyne qwoke þare-wit. And than thorowte aƚƚ
Babyloyne þe noyse rase þat Alexander was dede. And
þan̛ aƚƚ þe Macedoynes rasse hallely and come
armed̛ to þe Palace, and cryed̛ on þe
prynceȝ & said̛ vn-to þam̛ : 'Sothely,'
quoþ þay, 'but if ȝe onane schewe vs oure Emperour we
saƚƚ slaa ȝow ilk ane.' And when̛ kyng Alexander herde
swilke noyse he askede whate it ment, and þe prynceȝ
ansuerde & sayde: 'Þe Macedoynes,' quoþ þay, 'are
comen̛ armede hedir before þe ȝates, & says sekerly
bot if þay see ȝow þay saƚƚ slaa vs aƚƚe
are þay passe heþine.' And when̛ Alexander herde
þis, he badd̛ his knyghtis þat þay scholde take
hym vp, and bere hym in-to þe consistorye. And þay did
soo. And þan̛ he garte open̛ þe Palace
ȝates þat þe Macedoynes myȝte come by-fore hym.
And þan̛ kyng Alexander be-gan̛ to comend̛
þam̛ of þaire strenth & þaire grete doghtynes,
and charged þam̛ þat þay scholde be in pesse &
reste ilkane wit oþer. Þan̛ þe Macedoynes,
sare wepande, sayde vn-tiƚƚ Alexander: 'A, A, wirchipfuƚƚ,'
quoþ þay, 'ordayne & teƚƚe vs are ȝe passe
heyne wham̛ ȝe wiƚƚ þat be oure emperour efter
ȝow.' And Alexander ansuerd̛ & sayde, ' A, A, my dere
knyghtis,' quoþ he, ' when̛ I am dede whaym̛ so
ȝe wiƚƚ chese, be ȝour emperour efter mee.' And
þay ansuerde, ' Lord,' quoþ þay, ' we beseke
ȝowe þat ȝe wiƚƚ graunt vs Perdic to be oure
Emperour.' 'I vouche wele saffe,' quoþ Alexander, 'þat
Perdic be ȝour Emperour. Gers hym come be-fore mee.' And
when̛ he was comen̛ by-fore hym he gaffe hym þe
kyngdome of Macedoyne wit þe Emperourchipe. And he gaffe hym
also Rosan̛ for to be his wyffe, and prayed̛ hym þat
he walde be gude & gentiƚƚ tiƚƚ hir. And þan he
kyssede aƚƚ þe lordeȝ & þe knyghtis of Macedoyne
ilkane after oþer, and sighed and weped̛ wonder sare.
Þare was þan̛ so grete dole & wepynge, þat it
was lyke a thonere. For men̛ Supposeȝ þat noȝte
allanly men̛ made Sorow for þe dede of so worthy ane
Emperour, Bot also þe son̛ and aƚƚ þe oþer
planetis and elementes ware troubled.
A prynce of Macedoyne stode nere Alexander bedd̛ þat
highte Seleucus, & wit grete dole & wepynge he sayd̛: 'A, A,
þou wirchipfuƚƚ emperour,' quoþ he, 'what saƚƚ
we do when̛ þou ert dede. Philippe þi fader
gouerned̛ vs wele & aƚƚe oure rewme, Bot þe gentilnes
& þe largesse of the na tunge may teƚƚ.' And
þan̛ Alexander sett hym vp in his bedd̛ and gaffe
hym̛ selfe a grete flappe on þe cheke and by-gan̛ for
to wepe riȝte bitterly, and in þe langage of Macedoyne, he
sayde on þis wyse:
'Fuƚƚ waa es me vnhappy wreche,' quoþ he, 'þat
euer I was borne to man̛. For now Alexander dyes and Macedoyne
saƚƚ waxe ay lesse & lesse and emenische day bi day.' Than̛
aƚƚ þe Macedoynes wit an hye voyce and bitter wepynge sayd
vn-tiƚƚ hym: 'Better it ware tiƚƚ vs,' quoþ þay,
' for to dy wit þe þan̛ for to se þe dy in oure
presence. For wele we wate þat, efter þe dede of the,
þe kyngdom̛ of Macedoyne es vndone for euere. Allas oure
wirchipfuƚƚ Alexander, why lefes þou vs here and
wendeȝ away be thyn̛ ane, withowten̛ thi Macedoynes ?'
Than̛ kyng Alexander alway sighand̛ & wepand̛ said
vn-to þam: 'A, A, my dere Macedoynes,' quoþ he, 'fra this
tym̛ forwarde saƚƚ neuer ȝour name hafe lordchipe ouer
þe Barbarenes.' And ban̛ þe Macedoynes cryed̛
and sayde: 'O wirchipfuƚƚ lorde,' quoþ
þay, 'þou ledd̛ vs in-to Perse, Arraby, and Inde, and
vn-to the werldeȝ ende, and in-to what cuntree þat þe
liste wende; why, lorde, fleeȝ þou now fra vs ? Lede vs wit
the whedir so þou gase.' Þan̛ kyng Alexander sent to
þe templee of Appollo in̛ Athenes many riche iowels, and on
þe same wyse tiƚƚ aƚƚ oþer temples. And
þan̛ he commanded̛ þat when̛ he ware dede,
þay schulde enoynte his body and embawme it wit riche
oynementes, þe whilke kepis menes bodys in graues
wit-owtten̛ corupcioun̛. Þan̛ he badde Tholomeus
þat he scholde [take] a c̃ besantes of golde, &
þare-off gere make hym a tombe in Alexander. And onane as he had̛ commanded̛ hym þus, one-seeand̛
þam̛ aƚƚ, he swelt. And þan̛ his
prynceȝ lifte vp his body, and did̛ apon̛ his clethyng
of astate and putt a riche coron̛ on̛ his heued, and sett
hym in þe emperours chayer, þe whilke twelue prynceȝ
drewe wit þaire bresteȝ fra Babiloyne tiƚƚ Alexander.
Tholomeus went alway bi-fore þe chayere wepande & sayande one
þis wyse: 'Fuƚƚ waa es me, My lord̛ Alexander, waa es
me. For in aƚƚ thi lyfe slew þou neuer so many men̛ as
þou dose nowe after þi dede.' Aƚƚ Alexanders
knyghtis also weped̛ & made grete dole & sayde on̛ þis
wyse: 'Waa es vs weches ! whatt schaƚƚ wee now do after þe
dede of oure lorde Alexander ? Whedir saƚƚ we now gaa or whate
partye may we now chese? Whare schaƚƚ we now get any helpe
tiƚƚ oure lyfelade?' One þis wyse þay went
wepand̛ after Alexander, tiƚƚ þay come tiƚƚ
þe citee of Alexander. And þare þay beryed̛
hym in a toumbe þat was riȝte hye and wonder curyouslye
wroghte. Þis tombe was aƚƚ of fyne golde sett fuƚƚ of
precyous stanes, and on̛ þat toumbe þer was sett xxx
ymages of golde wonder craftily made.
Alexander was a man̛ bot of a comon̛ stature, wit a lange
nekke, Faire eghne & glad̛, his chekes ruddy, and aƚƚ
þe remenant of his lymmes ware faire & semely & lyke
vn-tiƚƚ a lorde. He ouercome aƚƚ men̛ & neuer was
ouercomen̛. The lenthe of his lyffe was xxxij ȝere, twa &
thritty ȝere & seuen̛ monethes. Fra þe twentyd̛
ȝere of his birthe he gaffe hym to werre, and in twelue ȝere
he conquered̛ aƚƚ þe werlde, and made subiect
un-tiƚƚ hym alkyn̛ nacyonns. Seuen̛ monethes he ristede
hym. He was borne on þe vij kƚ of January, and dyed̛
on̛ þe vij kƚ of August.
He byggid̛ also in his lyfe xij grete citeeȝ þat
hider-to-wardeȝ bene enhabyt, and þis are þaire
names. Firste Alexander þat es called̛ yprysilicas,
þe secund Alexander es called̛ Bepyporum, þe
thrid̛ Alexander es callede Sithia, þe ferthe Alexander es
called̛ Bicontristi, þe fifte Alexander es called
Þeraucton̛, þe sext Alexander es called̛
Buctiphalon̛, þe seuent es called̛ vnder þe
ryuer of Tygre, þe aghtend̛ New Babiloyne, þe
nyend̛ Aptreadam̛, þe tend̛ Messagetes, þe
elleuend̛ Ypsyacon̛, þe twelfed̛ es called Egipt.
Explicit vita Alexandry magni conquestoris.
Here endeȝ þe lyf of gret Alexander conquerour of
aƚƚ þe worlde.