Lydgate's Fall of Princes Edited by Dr. Henry Bergen ... presented to The Early English Text Society by The Carnegie Institution of Washington |
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 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. | BOOK IV |
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| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
473
BOOK IV
Incipit prohemium libri quarti.
Frut of writyng set in cronicles olde,
Most delectable of fresshnesse in tastyng,
And most goodli & glorious to beholde,
In cold and heete lengest abidyng,
Chaung of cesouns may doon it non hyndryng;
And wher-so be that men dyne or faste,
The mor men taste, the lenger it wil laste.
Most delectable of fresshnesse in tastyng,
And most goodli & glorious to beholde,
In cold and heete lengest abidyng,
Chaung of cesouns may doon it non hyndryng;
And wher-so be that men dyne or faste,
The mor men taste, the lenger it wil laste.
It doth corages renewe ageyn & glade,
Which may be callid frut of the tre of lyff,
So parmanable that it wil neuer fade.
To the fyue wittis grettest restoratiff,
And to ther plesance most cheef confortatiff;
For of nature whan thei be quik & goode,
Thei of this frut tak ther natural foode.
Which may be callid frut of the tre of lyff,
So parmanable that it wil neuer fade.
To the fyue wittis grettest restoratiff,
And to ther plesance most cheef confortatiff;
For of nature whan thei be quik & goode,
Thei of this frut tak ther natural foode.
Auctours heeron conclude and eek assente,
How that writyng of his kyndeli riht
Doth louid personis & liknessis represente
Of freendis absent, seuered fer from siht;
Dirknesse of absence is clerid with the liht,—
Thus frut of writyng hath his auauntages,
Of folk ferr off to presente the images.
How that writyng of his kyndeli riht
Doth louid personis & liknessis represente
Of freendis absent, seuered fer from siht;
Dirknesse of absence is clerid with the liht,—
Thus frut of writyng hath his auauntages,
Of folk ferr off to presente the images.
Lawe hadde perisshed, nadde be writyng;
Our feith appalled, ner vertu of scripture;
For al religioun and ordre of good lyuyng
Takth ther exaumple be doctryn of lettrure.
For writyng causeth, with helpe of portraiture,
That thynges dirked, of old that wer begonne,
To be remembred with this celestial sonne.
Our feith appalled, ner vertu of scripture;
For al religioun and ordre of good lyuyng
Takth ther exaumple be doctryn of lettrure.
For writyng causeth, with helpe of portraiture,
That thynges dirked, of old that wer begonne,
To be remembred with this celestial sonne.
474
God sette writyng & lettres in sentence,
Ageyn the dulnesse of our infirmyte,
This world tenlumyne be crafft of elloquence;
Canoun, cyuile, philosophie—these thre
Confermed fraunchises of many strong cite,
Couenauntis asselid, trouthis of old assured,
Nadde writyng been, myht nat haue endurid.
Ageyn the dulnesse of our infirmyte,
This world tenlumyne be crafft of elloquence;
Canoun, cyuile, philosophie—these thre
Confermed fraunchises of many strong cite,
Couenauntis asselid, trouthis of old assured,
Nadde writyng been, myht nat haue endurid.
Dilligence, cheef triumphatrice
Of slogardie, necligence & slouthe,
Eek of memorye upholdere and norice
And registreer to suppowaile trouthe,
Hath of old labour (& ellis wer gret routhe)
Brouhte thynges passid, notable in substaunce,
Onli be writyng to newe remembrance.
Of slogardie, necligence & slouthe,
Eek of memorye upholdere and norice
And registreer to suppowaile trouthe,
Hath of old labour (& ellis wer gret routhe)
Brouhte thynges passid, notable in substaunce,
Onli be writyng to newe remembrance.
Writyng is cause that herto is remembrid
Lyf of prophetis & patriarches olde,
How thapostlis and martirs wer dismembrid
For Cristis feith, his baner up to holde.
And writyng sheweth, toforn as I you tolde,
Of confessours the grete stedfastnesse,
And of virgynes the virgynal clennesse.
Lyf of prophetis & patriarches olde,
How thapostlis and martirs wer dismembrid
For Cristis feith, his baner up to holde.
And writyng sheweth, toforn as I you tolde,
Of confessours the grete stedfastnesse,
And of virgynes the virgynal clennesse.
Lik to a tre which euery yeer berth frut,
Shewyng his beute with blosmys & with flours,
Riht so the foode of our inward reffut,
Be dilligence of these olde doctours
And daili frut of ther feithful labours
Han our corages fostred & pasturid
Be writyng onli, which hath so longe endurid.
Shewyng his beute with blosmys & with flours,
Riht so the foode of our inward reffut,
Be dilligence of these olde doctours
And daili frut of ther feithful labours
Han our corages fostred & pasturid
Be writyng onli, which hath so longe endurid.
The Epigrames whilom perisshed hadde
Of prudent Prosper, that was so vertuous,
And of Senec the tragedies sadde,
The Stratagemys of Vigecius,
Rebuk in vicis of noble Percivs,—
Yif in olde writyng hadde be founde a lak,
These said[e] thynges hadde fer be put abak.
Of prudent Prosper, that was so vertuous,
And of Senec the tragedies sadde,
The Stratagemys of Vigecius,
Rebuk in vicis of noble Percivs,—
Yif in olde writyng hadde be founde a lak,
These said[e] thynges hadde fer be put abak.
Writyng caused poetis to recure
A name eternal, the laurer whan thei wan,
In adamaunt graue perpetuelli tendure.
Record I take of Virgile Mantuan,
That wrot the armys & prowesse of the man
Callid Eneas, whan he of hih corage
Cam to Itaill from Dido of Cartage.
A name eternal, the laurer whan thei wan,
In adamaunt graue perpetuelli tendure.
Record I take of Virgile Mantuan,
475
Callid Eneas, whan he of hih corage
Cam to Itaill from Dido of Cartage.
Thre famous bookis this auctour list compile,
Eneidoys first; which that dide excell
In rethorik be souereynte of stile.
He drank swich plente, this poete, as men tell,
Of the stremys that ran doun fro the well
Wrouhte bi tho sustres that be in noumbre nyne,
Prowesse of knihthod most cleerli to termyne.
Eneidoys first; which that dide excell
In rethorik be souereynte of stile.
He drank swich plente, this poete, as men tell,
Of the stremys that ran doun fro the well
Wrouhte bi tho sustres that be in noumbre nyne,
Prowesse of knihthod most cleerli to termyne.
For in that book he cast[e] nat to faill,
With vois mellodious for to descryue ariht
The grete conquest of Rome & of Itaill
Wrouht bi Enee, the manli Troian kniht.
Whos vers notable yif so cleer a liht
Thoruh al the world[e], as in rethorik,
That among poetis was non onto hym lik.
With vois mellodious for to descryue ariht
The grete conquest of Rome & of Itaill
Wrouht bi Enee, the manli Troian kniht.
Whos vers notable yif so cleer a liht
Thoruh al the world[e], as in rethorik,
That among poetis was non onto hym lik.
He wrot also, this poete with his hond
Bi humble stile othir bookis tweyne,
Oon of pasture, the nexte of tilthe of lond,
The vers conveied with feet of metris pleyne.
Bi which thre labours a palme he dide atteyne,
To make his name throuh dites delitable
Aboue poetis to be most comendable.
Bi humble stile othir bookis tweyne,
Oon of pasture, the nexte of tilthe of lond,
The vers conveied with feet of metris pleyne.
Bi which thre labours a palme he dide atteyne,
To make his name throuh dites delitable
Aboue poetis to be most comendable.
Writyng of poetis hath set withynne his cloos
Conquest of knihthod, ther tryumphes & renouns.
Reed of Ouide Methamorphoseos,
The grete wondres, the transmutaciouns,
The moral menyng, [th]vnkouth conclusiouns,
His book de Ponto, & with gret dilligence
Ful many a pistil compleynyng for absence.
Conquest of knihthod, ther tryumphes & renouns.
Reed of Ouide Methamorphoseos,
The grete wondres, the transmutaciouns,
The moral menyng, [th]vnkouth conclusiouns,
His book de Ponto, & with gret dilligence
Ful many a pistil compleynyng for absence.
Of craft of loue a book he hath compiled,
Wheroff Cesar hadde ful gret disdeyn,
Which was cause that he was exilled
Tabide in Ponto, and neuer come ageyn.
And yit he dide his labour in certeyn,
In hope of grace, his wittis to applie
To write a book of louis remedie.
Wheroff Cesar hadde ful gret disdeyn,
Which was cause that he was exilled
Tabide in Ponto, and neuer come ageyn.
And yit he dide his labour in certeyn,
In hope of grace, his wittis to applie
To write a book of louis remedie.
476
Writyng of old, with lettres aureat,
Labour of poetis doth hihli magnefie,
Record on Petrak, in Rome laureat,
Which of too Fortunys wrot the remedie,
Certeyn Ecloogis and his Cosmographie,
And a gret conflict, which men may reede & see,
Of his querellis withynne hymsilff secre.
Labour of poetis doth hihli magnefie,
Record on Petrak, in Rome laureat,
Which of too Fortunys wrot the remedie,
Certeyn Ecloogis and his Cosmographie,
And a gret conflict, which men may reede & see,
Of his querellis withynne hymsilff secre.
He wrot seuene Psalmys of gret repentaunce,
And in his Affrik comendid Scipioun,
And wrot a book of his ignoraunce
Bi a maner of excusacioun,
And sette a notable compilacioun
Vpon the lyff[e] callid solitarye,
To which this world is froward and contrarie.
And in his Affrik comendid Scipioun,
And wrot a book of his ignoraunce
Bi a maner of excusacioun,
And sette a notable compilacioun
Vpon the lyff[e] callid solitarye,
To which this world is froward and contrarie.
And thus be writyng he gat hymsilff a name
Perpetuelli to been in remembraunce,
Set and registred in the Hous of Fame,
And made Epistles of ful hih substaunce
Callid Sine Titulo; & mor hymsilff tauaunce,
Of famous women he wrot thexcellence,
Gresilde preferryng for hir gret pacience.
Perpetuelli to been in remembraunce,
Set and registred in the Hous of Fame,
And made Epistles of ful hih substaunce
Callid Sine Titulo; & mor hymsilff tauaunce,
Of famous women he wrot thexcellence,
Gresilde preferryng for hir gret pacience.
Writyng also remembrid hath how Troye
Destroied was, sith[en] go many a yeer,
The slauhtre of Ector, cheef piler of ther ioie.
And for the parti of Grekis wrot Omer,
Which in his writyng was particuleer;
For Tachille, that wrouhte al be fraude,
Aboue Ector he gaf a synguler laude.
Destroied was, sith[en] go many a yeer,
The slauhtre of Ector, cheef piler of ther ioie.
And for the parti of Grekis wrot Omer,
Which in his writyng was particuleer;
For Tachille, that wrouhte al be fraude,
Aboue Ector he gaf a synguler laude.
Writyng causeth the chaplet to be greene
Bothe of Esope and of Iuuenal;
Dantis labour it doth also meynteene
Bi a report verray celestial,
Sunge among Lumbardis in especial,
Whos thre bookis the grete wondres tell
Of heuene aboue, of purgatorie & hell.
Bothe of Esope and of Iuuenal;
Dantis labour it doth also meynteene
Bi a report verray celestial,
Sunge among Lumbardis in especial,
Whos thre bookis the grete wondres tell
Of heuene aboue, of purgatorie & hell.
Men be writyng knowe the meracles
Of blissid seyntes & of ther hoolynesse,
Medecyne[s], salue & eek obstacles
Geyn mortal woundis and eueri gret seeknesse,
Recreacioun and solace in distresse,
Quiete in labour, in pouert pacience,
And in richesse riht, trouthe and conscience.
Of blissid seyntes & of ther hoolynesse,
Medecyne[s], salue & eek obstacles
Geyn mortal woundis and eueri gret seeknesse,
Recreacioun and solace in distresse,
477
And in richesse riht, trouthe and conscience.
Shortnesse of lyff and foryetilnesse,
The wit of man dul & ay slidyng,
Necligence and froward idilnesse,—
Echon stepmooder to science and konnyng,
That I dar sey[e]n, nadde be writyng
Onli ordeyned for our auauntages,
Ded wer memorie & mynde of passid ages.
The wit of man dul & ay slidyng,
Necligence and froward idilnesse,—
Echon stepmooder to science and konnyng,
That I dar sey[e]n, nadde be writyng
Onli ordeyned for our auauntages,
Ded wer memorie & mynde of passid ages.
And thus in cheef thes causes affor told
Meued the herte of Bochas to writyng,
And to remembre be many story old
Thestat of pryncis, in chaieres hih sittyng,
And for vices ther vnwar fallyng,
Yiuyng exaumple, as I afferme dar,
Of fals Fortune how thei shal be war.
Meued the herte of Bochas to writyng,
And to remembre be many story old
Thestat of pryncis, in chaieres hih sittyng,
And for vices ther vnwar fallyng,
Yiuyng exaumple, as I afferme dar,
Of fals Fortune how thei shal be war.
His firste thre bookis be ful cleer merours,
Fulli acomplisshed, as Bochas vndirtook,
The cause of fallyng of many conquerours,
Onli for trouthe and vertu thei forsook.
For which myn auctour toward his fourte book
Gan sharpe his penne, to his eternal fame,
Onli be writyng to geten hym a name.
Fulli acomplisshed, as Bochas vndirtook,
The cause of fallyng of many conquerours,
Onli for trouthe and vertu thei forsook.
For which myn auctour toward his fourte book
Gan sharpe his penne, to his eternal fame,
Onli be writyng to geten hym a name.
Myn auctour Bochas, that so moche koude,
Begynneth heer to make a processe
Ageyn thoutrage of pryncis that wer proude,
Which wer brouht lowe for ther frowardnesse,
And notabli remembreth how meeknesse,
Which stondeth hool in oon & doth contune,
Is ay fraunchised fro daunger of Fortune.
Begynneth heer to make a processe
Ageyn thoutrage of pryncis that wer proude,
Which wer brouht lowe for ther frowardnesse,
And notabli remembreth how meeknesse,
Which stondeth hool in oon & doth contune,
Is ay fraunchised fro daunger of Fortune.
But he in maner doth recapitle ageyn
The fal of many that sat on hih[e] stages,
How thei for vicis stood ay in noun certeyn,
Cam to myscheef for ther gret outrages.
Remembryng first of Priam the damages,
And how he loste sceptre and regalie
For sustenyng of fals auoutrye.
The fal of many that sat on hih[e] stages,
How thei for vicis stood ay in noun certeyn,
Cam to myscheef for ther gret outrages.
478
And how he loste sceptre and regalie
For sustenyng of fals auoutrye.
The fal rehersyng of Astriages,
That gaf his douhtir whilom in mariage
To oon that was Icallid Cambises,
A poore man bor[e]n of louh lynage,
For he shold[e] ha[ue] non auauntage
In no maner, nouther in riht nor wrong,
Bi rebellioun ageyn hym to be strong.
That gaf his douhtir whilom in mariage
To oon that was Icallid Cambises,
A poore man bor[e]n of louh lynage,
For he shold[e] ha[ue] non auauntage
In no maner, nouther in riht nor wrong,
Bi rebellioun ageyn hym to be strong.
For he tofforn hadde had aveseoun,
How ther shold oon procedyn of his lyne,
Which sholde hym putte out of his regeoun
And cause hym in myscheef for to fyne.
But yit Fortune koude hym vndermyne,
That al his wisdam stood in non auail;
For ageyn God preuaileth no counsail.
How ther shold oon procedyn of his lyne,
Which sholde hym putte out of his regeoun
And cause hym in myscheef for to fyne.
But yit Fortune koude hym vndermyne,
That al his wisdam stood in non auail;
For ageyn God preuaileth no counsail.
It needeth nat his story to reherse,
Nor the maner of his vnhappi chaunce,
Nor the fallyng of Cirus kyng of Perse,
Nor of kyng Tarquyn for his mysgouernaunce,
Thouh Bochas heer put hem in remembraunce.
For as me semeth, it wer a thyng in veyn,
Thyng onys told to telle it newe ageyn.
Nor the maner of his vnhappi chaunce,
Nor the fallyng of Cirus kyng of Perse,
Nor of kyng Tarquyn for his mysgouernaunce,
Thouh Bochas heer put hem in remembraunce.
For as me semeth, it wer a thyng in veyn,
Thyng onys told to telle it newe ageyn.
And he list nat now to be rek[e]les,
Newe ageyn to make rehersaile
Of the kyng callid Artaxerses;
Sithe it is told, what sholde it mor auaile?
But he procedith streiht onto Itaille
To telle ther stories, and begynneth heer
At Marchus Manlius, a Romeyn consuleer.
Newe ageyn to make rehersaile
Of the kyng callid Artaxerses;
Sithe it is told, what sholde it mor auaile?
But he procedith streiht onto Itaille
To telle ther stories, and begynneth heer
At Marchus Manlius, a Romeyn consuleer.
Finis Prologi.
479
Incipit liber quartus.
[Howe marchus manlius wrought and dyd for Rome toune/And at the laste he was by the comons caste into Tibre and there drowned.]
Whilom in Rome ther was a gret lynage
Callid Manliois, of renommed noblesse,
And of that stok, riht fair in his yong age,
Cam this Marchus, his stori berth witnesse.
Which bi processe for his worthynesse
Was thre tymes be iust eleccioun
Maad consuleer of that worthi toun.
Callid Manliois, of renommed noblesse,
And of that stok, riht fair in his yong age,
Cam this Marchus, his stori berth witnesse.
Which bi processe for his worthynesse
Was thre tymes be iust eleccioun
Maad consuleer of that worthi toun.
Which to the comoun ful gretli dide auaile,
He dyuers times for the toun[e]s riht
Fauht in his daies many strong bataile,
And ay preuailede thoruh his grete myht,
And in the feeld[e] bi a synguler fiht
Outraied his enmy, lik as it is told,
And took from hym a riche bie of gold.
He dyuers times for the toun[e]s riht
Fauht in his daies many strong bataile,
And ay preuailede thoruh his grete myht,
And in the feeld[e] bi a synguler fiht
Outraied his enmy, lik as it is told,
And took from hym a riche bie of gold.
Torques in Latin, in Inglissh is a bie,
A cercle of gold, which that Marchus wan.
Brouht[e] it hom thoruh his cheualrie;
And of torques, he was callid than
Marchus Torquatus; & thus the name gan,
He to be callid, the stori tellith vs,
Among Romeyns Torquatus Manlius.
A cercle of gold, which that Marchus wan.
Brouht[e] it hom thoruh his cheualrie;
And of torques, he was callid than
Marchus Torquatus; & thus the name gan,
He to be callid, the stori tellith vs,
Among Romeyns Torquatus Manlius.
And he wolde ofte iuparte good & liff,
For the cite entre the feeld allone,
And ther conquered for a prerogatiff
Sondri crownes, with many riche stone,
Wan tunicles of gold ful many one;
For thilke tyme, for dyuers hih emprises
Wer crownis maad in many sondri wises.
For the cite entre the feeld allone,
And ther conquered for a prerogatiff
Sondri crownes, with many riche stone,
Wan tunicles of gold ful many one;
For thilke tyme, for dyuers hih emprises
Wer crownis maad in many sondri wises.
480
For as Agellius maketh mencioun,
Ther wer in Rome deuised straunge crouns
For such as hadden fouhten for the toun,
And for ther labour resceyued ther guerdouns,
Bi a prerogatiff callid champiouns,
Which sondry tymes of manhood & of myht
Iuparted ther lyff for the toun[e]s riht.
Ther wer in Rome deuised straunge crouns
For such as hadden fouhten for the toun,
And for ther labour resceyued ther guerdouns,
Bi a prerogatiff callid champiouns,
Which sondry tymes of manhood & of myht
Iuparted ther lyff for the toun[e]s riht.
Lik ther desertis thes croun[e]s took ther names;
For summe of them wer callid Tryumphal,
Youe onto knihtes for ther noble fames.
Othir also callid Obsidional
In Romeyn tunge; & summe ther wer Mural,—
Eek other tweyne, Naual and Castrence,
And alle thei wern of ful gret excellence.
For summe of them wer callid Tryumphal,
Youe onto knihtes for ther noble fames.
Othir also callid Obsidional
In Romeyn tunge; & summe ther wer Mural,—
Eek other tweyne, Naual and Castrence,
And alle thei wern of ful gret excellence.
The Tryumphal maked wer of gold,
Offred in tryumphes to worthi emperours,
Set with saphirs and rubies manyfold
Vpon the hedis of myhti conquerours.
And whan that Rome was shynyng in his flours,
That crowne callid, with braunchis boornid faire,
In ther vulgar Thaureat Coronaire.
Offred in tryumphes to worthi emperours,
Set with saphirs and rubies manyfold
Vpon the hedis of myhti conquerours.
And whan that Rome was shynyng in his flours,
That crowne callid, with braunchis boornid faire,
In ther vulgar Thaureat Coronaire.
Thobsydyonal, of which I spak tofforn,
Deuised wern, the book doth specefie,
Croun[e]s notable wrouht lik greyn or corn,
Youe onto princis which thoruh ther cheualrie
Reskewed seeges and saued the partie
Of hem that wer[e] closed streiht withynne,
Thoruh hih prowesse a crowne for to wynne.
Deuised wern, the book doth specefie,
Croun[e]s notable wrouht lik greyn or corn,
Youe onto princis which thoruh ther cheualrie
Reskewed seeges and saued the partie
Of hem that wer[e] closed streiht withynne,
Thoruh hih prowesse a crowne for to wynne.
Another crowne, that callid was Mural,
Was youe and grauntid bi the emperour
To hym that firste wan vpon the wal
At any seege, and ther abood the shour
Fihtyng allone, in hope of sum socour.
And he that myht[e] such a brunt susteene,
Sholde of laurer were a crowne greene.
Was youe and grauntid bi the emperour
To hym that firste wan vpon the wal
At any seege, and ther abood the shour
Fihtyng allone, in hope of sum socour.
And he that myht[e] such a brunt susteene,
Sholde of laurer were a crowne greene.
Naual crownes whilom wer ordeyned
For them that fauht[e] manli on the se,
Whan ther shippis wer togidre cheyned,—
He that of manhod & marcial surete
Vpon his enmyes made first entre
Resceyue sholde, in al the peeplis siht,
Korue lich a rother, a crowne cleer & briht.
For them that fauht[e] manli on the se,
Whan ther shippis wer togidre cheyned,—
He that of manhod & marcial surete
Vpon his enmyes made first entre
481
Korue lich a rother, a crowne cleer & briht.
The nexte crowne, which callid is Castrence,
Was youe of custum to that manli kniht
That list auaunce hym thoruh his magnificence,
Hostes assemblede, iuparte wolde of myht
Tofforn al other [t]entren into fiht,
Sholde eek resseyue, his noblesse for to queeme,
A sterrid crowne maad lik a diadeeme.
Was youe of custum to that manli kniht
That list auaunce hym thoruh his magnificence,
Hostes assemblede, iuparte wolde of myht
Tofforn al other [t]entren into fiht,
Sholde eek resseyue, his noblesse for to queeme,
A sterrid crowne maad lik a diadeeme.
The crowne also which callid was Oual
Took first name of ioie and gladnesse,
Which kynges, princis in actis marcial
Vsid somtyme in ther ioious noblesse
At sodeyn skarmysshes of casuel hastynesse,
As whan thei venquysshed proudli in bataille
Such as ther hihnesse vnwarli wolde assaille.
Took first name of ioie and gladnesse,
Which kynges, princis in actis marcial
Vsid somtyme in ther ioious noblesse
At sodeyn skarmysshes of casuel hastynesse,
As whan thei venquysshed proudli in bataille
Such as ther hihnesse vnwarli wolde assaille.
And for thei wern of poweer invyncible,
Ther noble crownis coriousli wer wrouht
Of mirtis branchis, which been inputrible,
Enduryng euere and corupte nouht.
For this woord Oual, yif it be weel souht,
Is seid of gladnesse, as put is in memorie,
Ordeyned for pryncis after ther victorie.
Ther noble crownis coriousli wer wrouht
Of mirtis branchis, which been inputrible,
Enduryng euere and corupte nouht.
For this woord Oual, yif it be weel souht,
Is seid of gladnesse, as put is in memorie,
Ordeyned for pryncis after ther victorie.
Anothir crowne callid Cyuyca,
Of oken bowes was maad[e] round & pleyn,
Ordeyned for them which pro Re Publica
Koude in bataile reskewe a citeseyn
And slen his enmy that was a foreyn.
Of myhti ok he sholde for manheed
Cleyme to were a crowne upon his hed.
Of oken bowes was maad[e] round & pleyn,
Ordeyned for them which pro Re Publica
Koude in bataile reskewe a citeseyn
And slen his enmy that was a foreyn.
Of myhti ok he sholde for manheed
Cleyme to were a crowne upon his hed.
And lik as knihtis in marcial delites,
For comoun proffit dede hemsilf auaunce,
So for ther noble victorious merites
The Romeyn peeple hadde a gret plesance,
With sundri crownis marcial in substaunce,
For to guerdone ther knihtis most famous,
Myn auctour record callid Agellius.
For comoun proffit dede hemsilf auaunce,
So for ther noble victorious merites
The Romeyn peeple hadde a gret plesance,
With sundri crownis marcial in substaunce,
482
Myn auctour record callid Agellius.
Among other that dede ther besi peyne
Such[e] crownis manli to recure,
Marcus Manlius, in manhod souereyne,
Put ofte his lyff in mortal auenture;
For in his force so moche he dide assure,
That he deserued ful yore agon
Of these said crownes many mo than oon.
Such[e] crownis manli to recure,
Marcus Manlius, in manhod souereyne,
Put ofte his lyff in mortal auenture;
For in his force so moche he dide assure,
That he deserued ful yore agon
Of these said crownes many mo than oon.
And to [the] encres of his noble fame
He dede a thyng bothe manli & dyuyne,
Wherbi that he gat hym a surname
To be callid Marchus Capitolyne,
Which aboue alle his namis dide shyne,—
Whan he allone, wherbi he is comendid,
The Capitoile from enmyes hath defendid.
He dede a thyng bothe manli & dyuyne,
Wherbi that he gat hym a surname
To be callid Marchus Capitolyne,
Which aboue alle his namis dide shyne,—
Whan he allone, wherbi he is comendid,
The Capitoile from enmyes hath defendid.
Whan thei of Fraunce hadde taken the cite,
Put al Rome at myscheef onto fliht,
And leid await[e] with a gret meyne
The Capitoile for to take at niht,
Bi a passage that lay ferr out of siht
Vnder a roche callid Carmentoun,
Ther taue entred into the cheef dongoun.
Put al Rome at myscheef onto fliht,
And leid await[e] with a gret meyne
The Capitoile for to take at niht,
Bi a passage that lay ferr out of siht
Vnder a roche callid Carmentoun,
Ther taue entred into the cheef dongoun.
Thei wer ther shrowdid vndir a dirk[e] vale,
With ordynaunce and myhti violence
Toward mydniyht the wal[le] for to scale,
Most couertli them keepyng in scilence;
Dempte pleynli, for lak of resistence,
That thei sholde, maugre tho withyne,
Ther hour assigned, the Capitoile wynne.
With ordynaunce and myhti violence
Toward mydniyht the wal[le] for to scale,
Most couertli them keepyng in scilence;
Dempte pleynli, for lak of resistence,
That thei sholde, maugre tho withyne,
Ther hour assigned, the Capitoile wynne.
But the ges that wer wit[h]ynne cloos,
The waker foules be noise of ther komyng
Gan bete ther weenges, & up anon aros,
Wherthoruh this Marcus in his bed liggyng
Gan tabraide, & made no tarieng,
Took his harneis, most furious & wroth,
And to the wallis in al haste he goth.
The waker foules be noise of ther komyng
Gan bete ther weenges, & up anon aros,
Wherthoruh this Marcus in his bed liggyng
Gan tabraide, & made no tarieng,
Took his harneis, most furious & wroth,
And to the wallis in al haste he goth.
483
And hym that cam first upon the wall,
Of verray force, withoute mor tarieng,
Doun into Tibre he made hem haue a fall;
And all his felawes bisi in scalyng,
With sheeld or pauys, or ladderes up reisyng,
This manli Mark, shortli to comprehende,
Into the flood he made hem to descende.
Of verray force, withoute mor tarieng,
Doun into Tibre he made hem haue a fall;
And all his felawes bisi in scalyng,
With sheeld or pauys, or ladderes up reisyng,
This manli Mark, shortli to comprehende,
Into the flood he made hem to descende.
Vnto the deth, of hym thei wer abauyd;
For bi his knihthod & his hih renoun,
Maugre them, the Capitoile sauid
And aftirward rescued al the toun.
[And] for the fortune, in conclusioun,
Which that tyme dide vnto hym fall,
Capitolinus men dede hym aftir call.
For bi his knihthod & his hih renoun,
Maugre them, the Capitoile sauid
And aftirward rescued al the toun.
[And] for the fortune, in conclusioun,
Which that tyme dide vnto hym fall,
Capitolinus men dede hym aftir call.
And for he was so victorious,
Hymsilff allone be this hih victorye,
This name he gat to hym & al his hous,
Perpetueli to been in memorye
And registred in the consistorie,
In ther cronicles his name determyned,
With goldene lettres to been enlumyned.
Hymsilff allone be this hih victorye,
This name he gat to hym & al his hous,
Perpetueli to been in memorye
And registred in the consistorie,
In ther cronicles his name determyned,
With goldene lettres to been enlumyned.
And the gees, of whom I spak also,
That so weel kepte wach upon the niht,
Itake wern and offired to Iuno
Solempneli with gret[e] torchis liht,
To whom also it grauntid was of riht,
Whan a famyne maad her stoor to faile,
Thei spared wern & take for no vitaile.
That so weel kepte wach upon the niht,
Itake wern and offired to Iuno
Solempneli with gret[e] torchis liht,
To whom also it grauntid was of riht,
Whan a famyne maad her stoor to faile,
Thei spared wern & take for no vitaile.
And thus was Marcus lik a conquerour
Worsheped in Rome, alle beyng of assent.
But whan summe folk be set in gret honour,
Sumtyme it happeth thei holde hem nat content,
With couetise ther hertis be so blent,
Fro suffisaunce, aboue ther degrees
To surmounte to hier dignites.
Worsheped in Rome, alle beyng of assent.
But whan summe folk be set in gret honour,
Sumtyme it happeth thei holde hem nat content,
With couetise ther hertis be so blent,
Fro suffisaunce, aboue ther degrees
To surmounte to hier dignites.
This Manlius was fret in his corage
To gretter worshepis sodenli tascende,
Deemyng so to haue had auauntage,
And in hymsilff gan frowardli pretende
In that cite al othir to transcende,
Beside tryumphes, which wer to hym reserued,
Hiere to clymbe than he hath disserued.
To gretter worshepis sodenli tascende,
Deemyng so to haue had auauntage,
484
In that cite al othir to transcende,
Beside tryumphes, which wer to hym reserued,
Hiere to clymbe than he hath disserued.
But ther was oon, as maad is mencioun,
Callid Camyllus, a lord of gret substaunce,
Which in the cite & in that myhti toun
Aboue al othir hadde gouernaunce.
And as it is Iput in remembraunce,
To his gretnesse non othir myht atteyne,
At whos noblesse Marchus gan disdeyne.
Callid Camyllus, a lord of gret substaunce,
Which in the cite & in that myhti toun
Aboue al othir hadde gouernaunce.
And as it is Iput in remembraunce,
To his gretnesse non othir myht atteyne,
At whos noblesse Marchus gan disdeyne.
In his herte he hadde a gret envie,
Which caused hym bi outrage for to erre
Ageyn Camyllus, which for his cheualrie
The toun gouerned bothe in pes and werre.
And for Marchus wolde hymsilff preferre
Aboue that prynce in worshepe and honour,
First of the peeple he gat hym gret fauour.
Which caused hym bi outrage for to erre
Ageyn Camyllus, which for his cheualrie
The toun gouerned bothe in pes and werre.
And for Marchus wolde hymsilff preferre
Aboue that prynce in worshepe and honour,
First of the peeple he gat hym gret fauour.
And bi a maner of conspiracie
He gadred hertis of the comounte,
And drouh also onto his partie
Gret multitude thoruhout the cite.
And thus roos first the dreedful enmyte
Withynne Rome, the story tellith thus,
Atween these pryncis, Camyll & Manlius.
He gadred hertis of the comounte,
And drouh also onto his partie
Gret multitude thoruhout the cite.
And thus roos first the dreedful enmyte
Withynne Rome, the story tellith thus,
Atween these pryncis, Camyll & Manlius.
Thus first the venym atween hem two was sowe
Of hasti hatreede bi fals occasiouns,
Which in the cite atween hih & lowe
Caused of newe dyuers discenciouns,
Aftir the[r] vnkouth straunge oppynyons;
For eueri wiht drouh to his partie,
As thei wer meued in ther fantasie.
Of hasti hatreede bi fals occasiouns,
Which in the cite atween hih & lowe
Caused of newe dyuers discenciouns,
Aftir the[r] vnkouth straunge oppynyons;
For eueri wiht drouh to his partie,
As thei wer meued in ther fantasie.
But for to stynte this outragous errour
And thes hasti stryues furious,
Ageyn fro Tuscan kam a dictatour,
That tyme callid Cornelius Cassus,
Which of wisdam blamed Manlius;
For he caused such rumour in the toun,
And for his gilt comaunded hym to prisoun.
And thes hasti stryues furious,
Ageyn fro Tuscan kam a dictatour,
That tyme callid Cornelius Cassus,
Which of wisdam blamed Manlius;
485
And for his gilt comaunded hym to prisoun.
Which was in maner hyndryng to his name,
And appalled in parti his noblesse;
For a tyme gan teclipse his fame,
But aftirward the cloude of that derknesse
Bi comoun fauour was turned to cleernesse:
For as it hadde be riht for the nonys,
In his diffence the comouns roos attonis.
And appalled in parti his noblesse;
For a tyme gan teclipse his fame,
But aftirward the cloude of that derknesse
Bi comoun fauour was turned to cleernesse:
For as it hadde be riht for the nonys,
In his diffence the comouns roos attonis.
First whan thei hadde among ther gret rumours,
Mid of ther fell [&] hatful contencioun
Shortli rebuked the worthi senatours,
Because Marcus was sette in prisoun,
Which hadde been so helplich to the toun.
Whom to delyuere thei dyuers menys souhte,
And, as I fynde, euene thus thei wrouhte:
Mid of ther fell [&] hatful contencioun
Shortli rebuked the worthi senatours,
Because Marcus was sette in prisoun,
Which hadde been so helplich to the toun.
Whom to delyuere thei dyuers menys souhte,
And, as I fynde, euene thus thei wrouhte:
First thei cladde hem in moornyng clothes blake,
Pale of ther facis, pitousli weepyng,
Ther berd vnshaue, ther her to-reende & shake,
Lik furious men up and doun rennyng
Tofor the prisoun, al the niht wakyng.
And on his harmes pleynli to be wreke,
Thei gan manace the prisoun for to breke.
Pale of ther facis, pitousli weepyng,
Ther berd vnshaue, ther her to-reende & shake,
Lik furious men up and doun rennyng
Tofor the prisoun, al the niht wakyng.
And on his harmes pleynli to be wreke,
Thei gan manace the prisoun for to breke.
And for to stynte ther outraious clamour
The senatour[e]s made anon ordeyne
To delyuere hym out of his soiour,
Losne his feteres and to breke his cheyne.
And whan he was delyuered out of peyne,
His list nat stynte, of hasti cruelte
Of proude corage auengid for to be.
The senatour[e]s made anon ordeyne
To delyuere hym out of his soiour,
Losne his feteres and to breke his cheyne.
And whan he was delyuered out of peyne,
His list nat stynte, of hasti cruelte
Of proude corage auengid for to be.
And in his furious fel presumpcioun,
Maugre the senat and tribunys euerichon,
Saide he wolde gouerne Rome toun.
At whos outrage thei gan disdeyne anon;
The peeplis hertis from hym wer agon,
And for his pride thei bauisement
Assigned hym to come to iugement.
Maugre the senat and tribunys euerichon,
Saide he wolde gouerne Rome toun.
At whos outrage thei gan disdeyne anon;
The peeplis hertis from hym wer agon,
And for his pride thei bauisement
Assigned hym to come to iugement.
Forsake he was thoruhout the cite,
Ther cam nat oon with hym of his kynreede,
He fond non helpe in his aduersite,
Sauff a fewe cam with hym in deede
Of the comouns, ful feeble at such a neede.
And thus, alas, he fond no resistence
Was vailable onto his diffence.
Ther cam nat oon with hym of his kynreede,
He fond non helpe in his aduersite,
486
Of the comouns, ful feeble at such a neede.
And thus, alas, he fond no resistence
Was vailable onto his diffence.
But for socour constreyned and in dreede,
Awey he putte his clothyng & vesture,
And naked stood[e], veraili in deede,
Shewyng his woundis, which he dede endure
At many scarmyssh and disconfiture.
And for reskus, to speke in woordes fewe,
The Capitoile to them he dide shewe.
Awey he putte his clothyng & vesture,
And naked stood[e], veraili in deede,
Shewyng his woundis, which he dede endure
At many scarmyssh and disconfiture.
And for reskus, to speke in woordes fewe,
The Capitoile to them he dide shewe.
And in supportyng eek of his quarell,
Meeuyng the peeple to rewe on his compleynt,
First to his goddis loude he dide appell
To preserue hym of that he was atteynt.
The peeple aboute hym with teris al bespreynt,
That the iuges astoned wer in deede,
Wher-as thei sat ageyn hym to proceede.
Meeuyng the peeple to rewe on his compleynt,
First to his goddis loude he dide appell
To preserue hym of that he was atteynt.
The peeple aboute hym with teris al bespreynt,
That the iuges astoned wer in deede,
Wher-as thei sat ageyn hym to proceede.
But secreli he was lad out of pres
To a place callid Frowmentyne,
And ther, alas, thei wer [so] merciles
His doom bi rigour fulli to termyne,
Spared nouther noblesse nor lyne:
Fro the Capitoile, out of the cheef donioun,
Lowe into Tibre for to be cast doun.
To a place callid Frowmentyne,
And ther, alas, thei wer [so] merciles
His doom bi rigour fulli to termyne,
Spared nouther noblesse nor lyne:
Fro the Capitoile, out of the cheef donioun,
Lowe into Tibre for to be cast doun.
This was his eende, void of al fauour,
Which no man wolde redressen nor amende,
Bi cruelte cast out of that tour,
Which he whilom most knihtli gan diffende.
But what man can be writyng comprehende
Thunseur socour founde in necessite
To them that laboure for any comounte?
Which no man wolde redressen nor amende,
Bi cruelte cast out of that tour,
Which he whilom most knihtli gan diffende.
But what man can be writyng comprehende
Thunseur socour founde in necessite
To them that laboure for any comounte?
Lat men beholde, that truste on worldli thynges,
And namli them that be proude and hauteyn,
Opne ther eyen, cast up ther lookynges
To considre & see weel in certeyn,
Who trusteth Fortune, his truste is but in veyn!
And yif ye list a cleer exaumple fynde,
Among remembreth on Marcus in your mynde.
And namli them that be proude and hauteyn,
Opne ther eyen, cast up ther lookynges
To considre & see weel in certeyn,
487
And yif ye list a cleer exaumple fynde,
Among remembreth on Marcus in your mynde.
What myhte auaile his noblesse in bataile?
Bies of gold, crownes of laureer?
His riche platis or his vnkouth maile,
His myhti sheeldis, that shon so briht & cleer?
Or his tryumphes, songe ferr & neer,
Or his victories for the cite wrouht?—
In his gret myscheeff auailed hym riht nouht.
Bies of gold, crownes of laureer?
His riche platis or his vnkouth maile,
His myhti sheeldis, that shon so briht & cleer?
Or his tryumphes, songe ferr & neer,
Or his victories for the cite wrouht?—
In his gret myscheeff auailed hym riht nouht.
[Here Bochas writeth in part ayenst/suche as cannot be content with suffisaunce/but vsurpe to hihe dignitees.]
Heer Iohn Bochas callith to memorye
The straunge salaire [and] þe famous guerdoun
Of them þat gat bi conquest & victorye
Honour of tryumphe withynne Rome toun;
How it was vsid, he maketh mencioun,
Ceriousli reherseth the manere,
Which I shal write, yif ye list to heere.
The straunge salaire [and] þe famous guerdoun
Of them þat gat bi conquest & victorye
Honour of tryumphe withynne Rome toun;
How it was vsid, he maketh mencioun,
Ceriousli reherseth the manere,
Which I shal write, yif ye list to heere.
Auis was take first of estatis thre:
Of men of armys, which that wer present,
That sauh in deede the magnanymyte
Of hym that shal haue it be iugement;
Of the clergie thei muste haue eek assent,
And of the senat and peeple most notable,
Be preef souht out that he wer founde able.
Of men of armys, which that wer present,
That sauh in deede the magnanymyte
Of hym that shal haue it be iugement;
Of the clergie thei muste haue eek assent,
And of the senat and peeple most notable,
Be preef souht out that he wer founde able.
This prynce also, outher the capteyn,
Which shal the tryumphe resceyue of verray riht,
Withyne a chaar, ful richeli beseyn
He shal be set, of gold bornid briht,
Fret with stonis, which shal yiue a liht
As Phebus doth in his midday speere,
That no dirknesse aboute hym shal appeere.
Which shal the tryumphe resceyue of verray riht,
Withyne a chaar, ful richeli beseyn
He shal be set, of gold bornid briht,
Fret with stonis, which shal yiue a liht
488
That no dirknesse aboute hym shal appeere.
This heuenli chaar shal for mor delit,
To shewe thencres of his knihtli glorie,
Be lad and drawe with foure steedis whiht
Thoruh the cite in tokne of his victorie.
And he shal han, for a synguler memorye,
In his riht hand a palme of gold ful sheene,
And on his hed a crowne of laureer greene.
To shewe thencres of his knihtli glorie,
Be lad and drawe with foure steedis whiht
Thoruh the cite in tokne of his victorie.
And he shal han, for a synguler memorye,
In his riht hand a palme of gold ful sheene,
And on his hed a crowne of laureer greene.
He shal eek haue aboue al his armure,
Poudrid with palmys a cote of purpil red,
In his left hand, his quarellis for tassure,
A standard round declaryng his manhed,
And al aboue set upon the hed
The pryncis armys, ful riche of apparaille,
In whos quarell he accomplisshed the bataille.
Poudrid with palmys a cote of purpil red,
In his left hand, his quarellis for tassure,
A standard round declaryng his manhed,
And al aboue set upon the hed
The pryncis armys, ful riche of apparaille,
In whos quarell he accomplisshed the bataille.
And of custum the said[e] standard shall
Be richeli depeynt with red colour.
And so this kniht, this man most marciall,
Shal be conveied lik a conquerour.
And yit for mor encres of his honour,
Vpon ther feet his prisoneres echon,
Take bi his manhod, aboute his chaar shal gon,
Be richeli depeynt with red colour.
And so this kniht, this man most marciall,
Shal be conveied lik a conquerour.
And yit for mor encres of his honour,
Vpon ther feet his prisoneres echon,
Take bi his manhod, aboute his chaar shal gon,
The moste worthi faste bi his side,
Al the remnant aftir on hym lokynge.
Echon the poetes which in the toun abide
Shal on hym waite at his hom komyng,
Dites deuise and of his conquest synge;
And streeng menstrallis, to bern also record,
Ther instrumentis shal touchyn of accord,
Al the remnant aftir on hym lokynge.
Echon the poetes which in the toun abide
Shal on hym waite at his hom komyng,
Dites deuise and of his conquest synge;
And streeng menstrallis, to bern also record,
Ther instrumentis shal touchyn of accord,
Alle of entent to yiue hym mor corage.
To the Capitoile so he shal be brouht,
And list of pride he falle in non outrage,
Nor surquedie withynne his owne thouht,
The moste wrech shal of the toun be souht,
Which of custum shal haue a staf in honde,
And in the chaar behynde his bak up stonde.
To the Capitoile so he shal be brouht,
And list of pride he falle in non outrage,
Nor surquedie withynne his owne thouht,
The moste wrech shal of the toun be souht,
Which of custum shal haue a staf in honde,
And in the chaar behynde his bak up stonde.
489
Gnotos Eolitos in Greek he sholde seyn,
Which in our tunge pleynli doth expresse,
“Knowe thi-silff,” remembryng in certeyn
Vpon Fortunys froward doubilnesse,
On whom to triste may be no sekirnesse.
And who that douteth wher that it be thus,
Lat hym remembre the eende of Manlius.
Which in our tunge pleynli doth expresse,
“Knowe thi-silff,” remembryng in certeyn
Vpon Fortunys froward doubilnesse,
On whom to triste may be no sekirnesse.
And who that douteth wher that it be thus,
Lat hym remembre the eende of Manlius.
What auailed his triumphes or his bies?
Crownys of gold & perlid fressh tunycles?
His hih prowesse, or al his cheualries,
Synguler fihtyng or marcial particules,
Newli remembred or rad in old cronicles?
Peise his merites, & see how at the laste,
How into Tibre ther champioun thei caste!
Crownys of gold & perlid fressh tunycles?
His hih prowesse, or al his cheualries,
Synguler fihtyng or marcial particules,
Newli remembred or rad in old cronicles?
Peise his merites, & see how at the laste,
How into Tibre ther champioun thei caste!
To his excus auailed neueradeel
Fauour of comouns, carectes of his woundis,
Nor to the goddis his lamentable appel,
Nor remembraunce of ther fraunchised boundis,
Teritories, nor wynyng of the groundis,
Which that he wan with spendyng of his blood,—
Al knet in on, to hym no sted thei stood.
Fauour of comouns, carectes of his woundis,
Nor to the goddis his lamentable appel,
Nor remembraunce of ther fraunchised boundis,
Teritories, nor wynyng of the groundis,
Which that he wan with spendyng of his blood,—
Al knet in on, to hym no sted thei stood.
Heer may ye see how Fortune sodenli
Cleernesse of fame can chaunge to dirknesse,
Glorie to reproche, worshepe to velany,
And ioie passid to mortal heuynesse,
Swetnesse of sauour into bittirnesse,
And sobirnesse into furious rage,
And old fraunchise to thraldam & seruage.
Cleernesse of fame can chaunge to dirknesse,
Glorie to reproche, worshepe to velany,
And ioie passid to mortal heuynesse,
Swetnesse of sauour into bittirnesse,
And sobirnesse into furious rage,
And old fraunchise to thraldam & seruage.
For ther was nouther request nor praier
That auailede to his delyueraunce.
In cheynys fetrid, dedli of look & cheer,
Abod the sentence of his fynal greuaunce,—
Pale of face, with tremblyng contenaunce,
Whan he, alas, gan mortalli aproche
Of Tarpeia to the hidous roche.
That auailede to his delyueraunce.
In cheynys fetrid, dedli of look & cheer,
Abod the sentence of his fynal greuaunce,—
Pale of face, with tremblyng contenaunce,
Whan he, alas, gan mortalli aproche
Of Tarpeia to the hidous roche.
490
Of Tarpeia this roche bar the name
Aftir a ladi, as maad is mencioun,
Callid Tarpeia, which fill in gret diffame
Because she was assentid to tresoun,
Taue brouht enmyes into Rome toun.
Wherof convict, hir stori is weel knowe,
Vnder that roche she was Idolue lowe.
Aftir a ladi, as maad is mencioun,
Callid Tarpeia, which fill in gret diffame
Because she was assentid to tresoun,
Taue brouht enmyes into Rome toun.
Wherof convict, hir stori is weel knowe,
Vnder that roche she was Idolue lowe.
This roche also was callid Carmentoun
Afftir a woman of gret auctorite
Callid Carmentis, which thoruh hir hih renoun
The Capitoile made in that cite.
And she fond lettres first of our A. B. C.,
And kunyng hadde, among hir werkes all,
Declare afforn[e] thyng that sholde befall.
Afftir a woman of gret auctorite
Callid Carmentis, which thoruh hir hih renoun
The Capitoile made in that cite.
And she fond lettres first of our A. B. C.,
And kunyng hadde, among hir werkes all,
Declare afforn[e] thyng that sholde befall.
And on this harde sturdi roche of ston,
Fro the Capitoile Marcus was cast doun.
Othir fauour nor frenshepe fond he non,
For alle his batailes fouhten for the toun.
The comouns hertis wer turnid up-so-doun,
Whos loue is lik, preued at assay,
A blase of fyr, now briht & now away.
Fro the Capitoile Marcus was cast doun.
Othir fauour nor frenshepe fond he non,
For alle his batailes fouhten for the toun.
The comouns hertis wer turnid up-so-doun,
Whos loue is lik, preued at assay,
A blase of fyr, now briht & now away.
The comoun peeple may hote and crie faste,
As ther hertis stedfast were & stable;
But at a neede ther promys wil nat laste,
Of ther corages thei be so remevable.
To folwe resoun gerissh and vntretable,
Lihtli declynyng, and that is ful gret routhe,
Aftir oppynyouns, & nothyng aftir trouthe.
As ther hertis stedfast were & stable;
But at a neede ther promys wil nat laste,
Of ther corages thei be so remevable.
To folwe resoun gerissh and vntretable,
Lihtli declynyng, and that is ful gret routhe,
Aftir oppynyouns, & nothyng aftir trouthe.
This Manlius was of his trust deceyued,
Whos lust vnleeful departed was on tweyne,
First whan of pride he wolde ha be resceyued
To hih estat, which he myht nat atteyne,
Wherthoruh the senat gan at hym disdeyne,
And the comouns, ay fals at such a neede,
Lefft hym in myscheeff, & took of hym non heede.
Whos lust vnleeful departed was on tweyne,
First whan of pride he wolde ha be resceyued
To hih estat, which he myht nat atteyne,
Wherthoruh the senat gan at hym disdeyne,
And the comouns, ay fals at such a neede,
Lefft hym in myscheeff, & took of hym non heede.
491
Lenvoye.
In this tragedie men may beholde & see
The pereilous damages of fals ambicioun,
Of them that benat content with þer degre,
But wolde up clymbe, lik ther oppynyoun,
To hih estat be vsurpacioun,—
Which nat considre the sentence of scripture,
In a good mene men lengest may endure.
The pereilous damages of fals ambicioun,
Of them that benat content with þer degre,
But wolde up clymbe, lik ther oppynyoun,
To hih estat be vsurpacioun,—
Which nat considre the sentence of scripture,
In a good mene men lengest may endure.
Who that vsurpeth to hier dignite
Than apperteneth to his condicioun,
In roial chaieres for to make his see,
And hath no title of lyne nor resoun,
Thoruh froward pride ful ofte he is put doun;
For lak he seethnat how eueri creature
In a good mene lengest may endure.
Than apperteneth to his condicioun,
In roial chaieres for to make his see,
And hath no title of lyne nor resoun,
Thoruh froward pride ful ofte he is put doun;
For lak he seethnat how eueri creature
In a good mene lengest may endure.
Whan Dedalus tauhte his sone [to] flee,
He bad hym first, of hih discresioun,
Fro Phebus heete keepe his wynges fre,
And fro Neptunvs cold congellacioun,
Menyng herbi, for short conclusioun,
That who that list with ioie his staat assure,
In a good mene he lengest shal endure.
He bad hym first, of hih discresioun,
Fro Phebus heete keepe his wynges fre,
And fro Neptunvs cold congellacioun,
Menyng herbi, for short conclusioun,
That who that list with ioie his staat assure,
In a good mene he lengest shal endure.
Remembre the manhod & magnanymyte
Of Marcus Manlius, which be presumpcioun
Wolde haue gouerned Rome the cite,
Maugre the senat reulid that myhti toun,
Which turnid aftir to his confusioun,
For he sauh nat, such was his auenture,
In a good mene men lengest may endure.
Of Marcus Manlius, which be presumpcioun
Wolde haue gouerned Rome the cite,
Maugre the senat reulid that myhti toun,
Which turnid aftir to his confusioun,
For he sauh nat, such was his auenture,
In a good mene men lengest may endure.
Sume in ther grettest hih prosperite,
Of froward corage and furious mocioun,
In ther gret wele, bi fals duplicite
Han a maner straunge condicioun,
Nat to be content with plente nor foisoun,
Bi a fals etik, which of ther nature
In a good mene ne cannot long endure.
Of froward corage and furious mocioun,
In ther gret wele, bi fals duplicite
Han a maner straunge condicioun,
Nat to be content with plente nor foisoun,
Bi a fals etik, which of ther nature
In a good mene ne cannot long endure.
But in this erthe grettest felicite
Is hertis ese, richest pocessioun,
With suffisaunce content for to be,
Of worldli trouble teschewe thoccasioun,
Meuyng no quarellis, causyng no discencioun,
Nor cleyme nothyng which hard is to recure,
Sithe in good mene men lengest may endure.
Is hertis ese, richest pocessioun,
492
Of worldli trouble teschewe thoccasioun,
Meuyng no quarellis, causyng no discencioun,
Nor cleyme nothyng which hard is to recure,
Sithe in good mene men lengest may endure.
Pryncis, remembreth in your most mageste,
Envie of clymbyng causith diuisioun.
Beth of accord, trustith no comounte,
Which, at a poynt, is but decepcioun,
And specialli fleeth symulacioun.
Ye may in Marcus seen a pleyn figure,
Which for ambicioun myhte no while endure.
Envie of clymbyng causith diuisioun.
Beth of accord, trustith no comounte,
Which, at a poynt, is but decepcioun,
And specialli fleeth symulacioun.
Ye may in Marcus seen a pleyn figure,
Which for ambicioun myhte no while endure.
[How Neptanabus kyng of Egipt/was by xerses constreyned to fle his kyngdam.]
Afftir the fall of Marcus Manlius,
Bochas anon gan his stile dresse
Breeffli to telle of Neptanabus,
Kyng of Egipt, and of his gret richesse,
Seyng afforn[e], in al his noblesse
Bi vnkouth crafft, how he ne myhte chese,
That in al haste his crowne he sholde lese.
Bochas anon gan his stile dresse
Breeffli to telle of Neptanabus,
Kyng of Egipt, and of his gret richesse,
Seyng afforn[e], in al his noblesse
Bi vnkouth crafft, how he ne myhte chese,
That in al haste his crowne he sholde lese.
For he was kunnyng in especial,
And riht expert, as maad is mencioun,
In alle the sciences callid liberal,
And knew afforn bi calculacioun
How God wolde make a transmygracioun
Of his kyngdam, & pleynli to reporte,
The lond of Perse to Grekis ful transporte.
And riht expert, as maad is mencioun,
In alle the sciences callid liberal,
And knew afforn bi calculacioun
How God wolde make a transmygracioun
Of his kyngdam, & pleynli to reporte,
The lond of Perse to Grekis ful transporte.
For bi kyng Zerses out of his cuntre,
Maugre his tresor, his cunyng & his miht,
This Neptanabus constreyned was to flee,
Durste nat abide to haue of hym a siht.
And into Grece he drouh hym anon riht,
Nat lik a kyng, but aftir old writyngis,
Lik a magicien he wrouhte wonder thynges.
Maugre his tresor, his cunyng & his miht,
This Neptanabus constreyned was to flee,
Durste nat abide to haue of hym a siht.
And into Grece he drouh hym anon riht,
Nat lik a kyng, but aftir old writyngis,
Lik a magicien he wrouhte wonder thynges.
493
Vpon fortune ferther to proceede,
Bi his kunyng he gretli forthered was,
And bi his sleihti werkyng eek in deede
He was aqueynted with queen Olympias,
And so secre, pleynli this the caas,
That upon hir, men seide be deemyng,
Gat Alisaundre, the grete myhti kyng.
Bi his kunyng he gretli forthered was,
And bi his sleihti werkyng eek in deede
He was aqueynted with queen Olympias,
And so secre, pleynli this the caas,
That upon hir, men seide be deemyng,
Gat Alisaundre, the grete myhti kyng.
But how he fledde out of his regioun,
Of his images nor his illusiouns
Bochas mak[e]th no maner mencioun,
Nor how he wrouthe be incantaciouns,
Nor of his sotil operaciouns,
Nor how that he, lik a man, be nihte
Whilom appeered in the queenys sihte.
Of his images nor his illusiouns
Bochas mak[e]th no maner mencioun,
Nor how he wrouthe be incantaciouns,
Nor of his sotil operaciouns,
Nor how that he, lik a man, be nihte
Whilom appeered in the queenys sihte.
Sauf of his deth[e], Bochas writ riht nouht,
Remembryng nouther the tyme nor the date,
How Alisaundre and he togidre han souht
The cours of sterris toward eue late,
And how his sone, lik as was his fate,
Doun from a bregge bi ful mortal wrak
Cast hym bakward, & so his nekke brak.
Remembryng nouther the tyme nor the date,
How Alisaundre and he togidre han souht
The cours of sterris toward eue late,
And how his sone, lik as was his fate,
Doun from a bregge bi ful mortal wrak
Cast hym bakward, & so his nekke brak.
[How Pausonoy Duk of Lacedemoyne was exiled by them of Athenys.]
This was his ende, & aftir this Bochas
Gan in al haste his stile [to] auaunce
Of Pausonyos to tell the pitous caas,
And al the maner of his woful chaunce.
Which was a duk, & hadde in goueraunce
Lacedemoyne, ther foundyng a cite
Which of old tyme was callid Bisante.
Gan in al haste his stile [to] auaunce
Of Pausonyos to tell the pitous caas,
And al the maner of his woful chaunce.
Which was a duk, & hadde in goueraunce
Lacedemoyne, ther foundyng a cite
Which of old tyme was callid Bisante.
Thei of Athenys that cite gat with myht
And it conquered bi ther cheualrie;
And aftirward, wher it wer wrong or riht,
Thei exiled the same Pausanye.
And thus Fortune thoruh hir fals envie
Caused that duk, withoute mor delaies,
In sorwe and pouert for to eende his daies.
And it conquered bi ther cheualrie;
And aftirward, wher it wer wrong or riht,
Thei exiled the same Pausanye.
494
Caused that duk, withoute mor delaies,
In sorwe and pouert for to eende his daies.
[How Heliarchus the tirant for extorcion and oppression, was slayn, by the knight Leonydes.]
Afftir the fal[le] sothli of thes tweyne,
Iohn Bochas was meued of corage
For to reherse with al his bisi peyne
The grete furie & thodious rage
Of Heliarchus, which bi gret outrage,
Thouh he nat was famous in cheualrie,
He noied al Perse with his tirannye.
Iohn Bochas was meued of corage
For to reherse with al his bisi peyne
The grete furie & thodious rage
Of Heliarchus, which bi gret outrage,
Thouh he nat was famous in cheualrie,
He noied al Perse with his tirannye.
Wherfor Bochas gan at hym disdeyne,
Caste he wolde, onli for his sake,
Touche of tirauntes mo than on or tweyne,
And bi writyng geyn hem a werre make.
And in his hande he gan a penne take,
Tolde in ordre the pereilous pestilence
Which thei wrouhte bi mortal violence.
Caste he wolde, onli for his sake,
Touche of tirauntes mo than on or tweyne,
And bi writyng geyn hem a werre make.
And in his hande he gan a penne take,
Tolde in ordre the pereilous pestilence
Which thei wrouhte bi mortal violence.
First he declareth how Fortune of riht,
Ageyn tirantis furious & wood,
Hath ful [good] cause for to shewe hir myht,
Tappalle ther dignites in which thei stood,—
Such as reioysshe for to sheede blood,
Do nat ellis but laboure & deuise
To spoille the peeple in many sondri wise.
Ageyn tirantis furious & wood,
Hath ful [good] cause for to shewe hir myht,
Tappalle ther dignites in which thei stood,—
Such as reioysshe for to sheede blood,
Do nat ellis but laboure & deuise
To spoille the peeple in many sondri wise.
And Heliarchus thoruh his cruelte,
And his contryued fals extorsiouns
Was mortal enmy to a fair cite
Callid Heraclie, & many othir touns.
And bi [his] extort fals oppressiouns,
As the deede concluded, at a preeff,
Al that contre he brouhte to myscheeff.
And his contryued fals extorsiouns
Was mortal enmy to a fair cite
Callid Heraclie, & many othir touns.
And bi [his] extort fals oppressiouns,
As the deede concluded, at a preeff,
Al that contre he brouhte to myscheeff.
495
Turnyng his grace & fauour to hatreede,
Merci & pite onto cruelte,
Fraunchise of peeplis to seruitute & dreede,
Oppressid ther fredam & ther old liberte.
And all ther statutis, bi which thei wer maad fre,
He interupted of force & nat of riht,
Which made hym odious in eueri mannys siht.
Merci & pite onto cruelte,
Fraunchise of peeplis to seruitute & dreede,
Oppressid ther fredam & ther old liberte.
And all ther statutis, bi which thei wer maad fre,
He interupted of force & nat of riht,
Which made hym odious in eueri mannys siht.
But to restreyne his grete extorsiouns
Fortune this while was nat rek[e]les:
For his horrible abhomynaciouns
She gan tauale hym, this goddesse merciles,
Bi a good kniht callid Leonides,
Which with a felawe born of that contre
Cast on this tiraunt auengid for to bee.
Fortune this while was nat rek[e]les:
For his horrible abhomynaciouns
She gan tauale hym, this goddesse merciles,
Bi a good kniht callid Leonides,
Which with a felawe born of that contre
Cast on this tiraunt auengid for to bee.
Thei dempte it was an almesse deede,
To sette ther lond in quiete & in ese,
Of a tirant the furious blood to sheede,
His inportable malis for tappese,
Which to ther cite dede so gret disese.
And of assent, with ther suerdis keene
Thei slouh the tiraunt in ther mortal teene.
To sette ther lond in quiete & in ese,
Of a tirant the furious blood to sheede,
His inportable malis for tappese,
Which to ther cite dede so gret disese.
And of assent, with ther suerdis keene
Thei slouh the tiraunt in ther mortal teene.
Of whos deth many a man was fayn,
And specialli of Heracle the cite,
Dempte it was meedful that he was so slayn,
To sette in quiete al a comounte.
Loo, heer men may the rihtful guerdoun see
Of tirauntis, which bi ther violence
Toppresse the peeple ha[ue] no conscience!
And specialli of Heracle the cite,
Dempte it was meedful that he was so slayn,
To sette in quiete al a comounte.
Loo, heer men may the rihtful guerdoun see
Of tirauntis, which bi ther violence
Toppresse the peeple ha[ue] no conscience!
[How the vicious Denys kyng of Cicile slouh his brethre and kynrede, and aftir exiled deied at mischeff.]
Afftir this tiraunt, with a ful heuy cheere
And contenaunce pitous and lamentable,
Onto Bochas Denys dede appeere,
Which in tirannye was most importable,
Thoruh [al] his land hatful and repreuable.
But, for al that, he gan myn auctour preie
Of his maneres sumwhat to write & seie.
And contenaunce pitous and lamentable,
Onto Bochas Denys dede appeere,
Which in tirannye was most importable,
Thoruh [al] his land hatful and repreuable.
But, for al that, he gan myn auctour preie
Of his maneres sumwhat to write & seie.
496
Bochas list nat rehersen his lynage
Nor make no processe of his geneallogie,
Because he was, with al his gret outrage,
Ful of alle vices, pride and lecherie,
Of auarice, of ire and of envie.
In Cecile he heeld his roial see
At Siracusis, a myhti strong cite.
Nor make no processe of his geneallogie,
Because he was, with al his gret outrage,
Ful of alle vices, pride and lecherie,
Of auarice, of ire and of envie.
In Cecile he heeld his roial see
At Siracusis, a myhti strong cite.
This Denys was cursed of nature,
Most malicious bothe of thouht & deede;
For, as it is remembrid in scripture,
He slouh his brethre, his cosyns & kynreede,
That he allone myhte in pes posseede
Withoute trouble or interupcioun
Of al Cecile the myhti regioun.
Most malicious bothe of thouht & deede;
For, as it is remembrid in scripture,
He slouh his brethre, his cosyns & kynreede,
That he allone myhte in pes posseede
Withoute trouble or interupcioun
Of al Cecile the myhti regioun.
Among his vices, Bochas doth specefie,
He gan drawen onto idilnesse,
Folwede his lustis of foul lecherie,
And ofte of custum he fill in dronkenesse,
And thouhte it was most souereyn blissidnesse,
Lik as he hadde be maister of Fortune,
To folwe his lustis & ay theryn contune.
He gan drawen onto idilnesse,
Folwede his lustis of foul lecherie,
And ofte of custum he fill in dronkenesse,
And thouhte it was most souereyn blissidnesse,
Lik as he hadde be maister of Fortune,
To folwe his lustis & ay theryn contune.
He wex riht fat & wonder corcious,
And his eien gan derken of ther siht,
That vnnethe this man most vicious
Ne miht nat weel beholde the daies liht.
And of malis this tiraunt ageyn riht,
With helpe of robbours & of fals foreyns,
Slouh of his cite nih al the citeseyns.
And his eien gan derken of ther siht,
That vnnethe this man most vicious
Ne miht nat weel beholde the daies liht.
And of malis this tiraunt ageyn riht,
With helpe of robbours & of fals foreyns,
Slouh of his cite nih al the citeseyns.
His vicious lyff in ordre to reherse
Wer contagious to the audience;
His extort pillages wrouhte in Grece & Perse,—
For to write or telle hem in sentence
Wolde infecte the heir with pestilence.
But I wil breefli remembryn & descryue
The sacrileges which he dede his lyue.
Wer contagious to the audience;
His extort pillages wrouhte in Grece & Perse,—
For to write or telle hem in sentence
Wolde infecte the heir with pestilence.
But I wil breefli remembryn & descryue
The sacrileges which he dede his lyue.
In Venus temple beside Citheroun
A gret[e] noumbre of wommen he leet call,
Ful weel beseyn; and be oppressioun
He made his meyne vnwarli on hem fall.
Dispoiled them, so that on and all
Bi his outrage and froward violence,
Thei naked stood echon in his presence.
A gret[e] noumbre of wommen he leet call,
Ful weel beseyn; and be oppressioun
He made his meyne vnwarli on hem fall.
497
Bi his outrage and froward violence,
Thei naked stood echon in his presence.
And whan he sauh ther shap & ther fetures,
And ches such out as wer to his plesaunce,
Robbyng the remnaunt, took from them þer vestures
And leet hem goon withoutyn ordenaunce.
And for this vnkouth abhomynable chaunce
Ther cite Locrois aros with myhti hond,
For his outrage banshyng hym ther lond.
And ches such out as wer to his plesaunce,
Robbyng the remnaunt, took from them þer vestures
And leet hem goon withoutyn ordenaunce.
And for this vnkouth abhomynable chaunce
Ther cite Locrois aros with myhti hond,
For his outrage banshyng hym ther lond.
Another tyme he dide also soiourne
Withyne the temple, lik as it is told,
Of Iubiter, sone onto Saturne.
Ther beholdyng his reliques manyfold,
Sauh among other a mantel large of gold,
Wherupon whan he caste his look,
That riche iewel onto his eus he took.
Withyne the temple, lik as it is told,
Of Iubiter, sone onto Saturne.
Ther beholdyng his reliques manyfold,
Sauh among other a mantel large of gold,
Wherupon whan he caste his look,
That riche iewel onto his eus he took.
And thus he saide, hymseluen to excuse,—
“It was to heuy and to comerous
In somer sesoun that mantel for to vse,
Because it was to large & ponderous.”
And ouermor he aleggid for hym thus:
“Sithe the garnement forgid was of gold,
For wynter sesoun how it was to cold.”
“It was to heuy and to comerous
In somer sesoun that mantel for to vse,
Because it was to large & ponderous.”
And ouermor he aleggid for hym thus:
“Sithe the garnement forgid was of gold,
For wynter sesoun how it was to cold.”
And whan he gan awey the mantel pulle,
Than riht anon this tiraunt deceyuable
Gaff hym another sengle maad of wolle,
Affermede, sothli it was mor couenable,—
To other sesoun mor meete and agreable,
Concludyng thus: “for somer it was liht,
And warm for wyntir to were the frosti niht.”
Than riht anon this tiraunt deceyuable
Gaff hym another sengle maad of wolle,
Affermede, sothli it was mor couenable,—
To other sesoun mor meete and agreable,
Concludyng thus: “for somer it was liht,
And warm for wyntir to were the frosti niht.”
Another tyme, this tiraunt eek also,
Which was of herte most auaricious,
Entrid onys the temple of Appollo
And of his sone Esculapius.
And whan this tiraunt fel & contrarious
Beheld Appollo berdles, that was old,
And Esculapius with a berd of gold,
Which was of herte most auaricious,
Entrid onys the temple of Appollo
And of his sone Esculapius.
And whan this tiraunt fel & contrarious
Beheld Appollo berdles, that was old,
And Esculapius with a berd of gold,
498
Quod Denys thanne, “as seemeth onto me,
Heer is a straunge froward convenyence,
That the fader berdles sholde be,
The sone berdid stonde in his presence.”
Made anon bi sturdi violence
To take awey the berd, which in his siht
Of most fyn gold shon so cleer & briht.
Heer is a straunge froward convenyence,
That the fader berdles sholde be,
The sone berdid stonde in his presence.”
Made anon bi sturdi violence
To take awey the berd, which in his siht
Of most fyn gold shon so cleer & briht.
Thoruh Grece and Perse wher-euer he dede gon,
In al the templis this was his vsaunce:
The statli reliques with many riche ston
And massiff tablis of myhti gret substaunce,
To take them alle that wer to his plesaunce.
He spared non; thus lyuyng lik a theef
Til he be vengaunce was brouht [vn]to myscheeff.
In al the templis this was his vsaunce:
The statli reliques with many riche ston
And massiff tablis of myhti gret substaunce,
To take them alle that wer to his plesaunce.
He spared non; thus lyuyng lik a theef
Til he be vengaunce was brouht [vn]to myscheeff.
Syracusanys, wher he was crowned kyng,
Alle of assent, ther is no mor to seyne,
For his outragis & vicious lyuyng,
Thei ban[y]shed hym neuer to kome ageyn.
And so this tiraunt, vacaunt, wente in veyn
Aboute the world as a fals fugityff;
And so at myscheeff this Denys loste his lyff.
Alle of assent, ther is no mor to seyne,
For his outragis & vicious lyuyng,
Thei ban[y]shed hym neuer to kome ageyn.
And so this tiraunt, vacaunt, wente in veyn
Aboute the world as a fals fugityff;
And so at myscheeff this Denys loste his lyff.
[Lenvoy.]
This tragedie yiueth a warnyng
To all[e] tho that haue domynacioun
Ouer the peeple, prince, duk or kyng,
Teschewe rauyne and fals extorsioun.
Bit them considre, how bi thoccasioun
Of foul pillage & froward tirannye
This said Denys at myscheef muste die.
To all[e] tho that haue domynacioun
Ouer the peeple, prince, duk or kyng,
Teschewe rauyne and fals extorsioun.
Bit them considre, how bi thoccasioun
Of foul pillage & froward tirannye
This said Denys at myscheef muste die.
First he compassed, falsli imagynyng,
To slen the citeseyns of his roial toun,
His brethre, his cosyns, his kynrede nat sparyng,
Brouht al his blood onto destruccioun,
In slauhtre he hadde such delectacioun,
Reioisshyng euere in moordre & robberie,
Which caused hym at myscheef for to die.
To slen the citeseyns of his roial toun,
His brethre, his cosyns, his kynrede nat sparyng,
Brouht al his blood onto destruccioun,
In slauhtre he hadde such delectacioun,
Reioisshyng euere in moordre & robberie,
Which caused hym at myscheef for to die.
499
To spoille templis was most his reioysshyng,
Took al ther tresours to his pocessioun,
Tablis of gold with stonys fressh shynyng;
Eek fro the goddis the reliques he took doun
Wher-euer he rod in any regioun.
Whos sacrilege & compassed felonie
Caused hym vnwarli in myscheeff for to die.
Took al ther tresours to his pocessioun,
Tablis of gold with stonys fressh shynyng;
Eek fro the goddis the reliques he took doun
Wher-euer he rod in any regioun.
Whos sacrilege & compassed felonie
Caused hym vnwarli in myscheeff for to die.
In Venus temple, be record of writyng,
He dede a foul froward abusioun,
Al gentil-women that cam ther to offryng,
Them he dispoiled, as maad is mencioun,
Leet hem go naked, withoute excepcioun.
For which diffame & gret vngent[e]rie
He banshed was & dede in myscheef die.
He dede a foul froward abusioun,
Al gentil-women that cam ther to offryng,
Them he dispoiled, as maad is mencioun,
Leet hem go naked, withoute excepcioun.
For which diffame & gret vngent[e]rie
He banshed was & dede in myscheef die.
Noble Pryncis, remembreth on this thyng:
Compassed malis & fals collusioun
Mut haue euel eende & come to rek[e]nyng,
Fraude ay with fraude resceyueth his guerdoun.
Hath this in mynde, concludyng on resoun,
That all tirauntis, pleynli to specefie,
Hadde heer short lyff or dede at myscheeff die.
Compassed malis & fals collusioun
Mut haue euel eende & come to rek[e]nyng,
Fraude ay with fraude resceyueth his guerdoun.
Hath this in mynde, concludyng on resoun,
That all tirauntis, pleynli to specefie,
Hadde heer short lyff or dede at myscheeff die.
Thauctour ageyn presumpcious [peple and] Princis halding þem-self goddis.
Ye folk that been astonid in your auys
To seen tirauntes þat wer incorrigible
Left from ther sees, þat held hemsilf so wis,
Thouhte ther poweer was verray inuyncible,
Thouh tofor God nothyng is inpossible;
Wherfor remembreth, & doth nothyng meruaile,
With vnwar fallis thouh Fortune hem assaile.
To seen tirauntes þat wer incorrigible
Left from ther sees, þat held hemsilf so wis,
Thouhte ther poweer was verray inuyncible,
Thouh tofor God nothyng is inpossible;
Wherfor remembreth, & doth nothyng meruaile,
With vnwar fallis thouh Fortune hem assaile.
For whan tirauntis been sette on hih[e] stages
Off dignites, regnyng lik wood leouns,
Ful harde it is to wresten ther corages
Outher to tempre ther disposiciouns.
Worldli felicite so blyndeth ther resouns,
As thei to God wer egal of poweer,
And hadde Fortune vnder ther daungeer.
Off dignites, regnyng lik wood leouns,
Ful harde it is to wresten ther corages
Outher to tempre ther disposiciouns.
Worldli felicite so blyndeth ther resouns,
500
And hadde Fortune vnder ther daungeer.
Record of Denys, that ofte was affraied
Bassaut of Fortune, lik as was his fate,
For vicious lyuyng thre tymes disamaied,
As his stori remembreth of old date.
Next on the ryng now kometh Pollicrate
With oon Victurbius, tirauntis of Itaille,
Regnyng lik wolues toppressen the poraille.
Bassaut of Fortune, lik as was his fate,
For vicious lyuyng thre tymes disamaied,
As his stori remembreth of old date.
Next on the ryng now kometh Pollicrate
With oon Victurbius, tirauntis of Itaille,
Regnyng lik wolues toppressen the poraille.
For whan tirauntis in dyuers regiouns
Of surquedie cachche an oppynyoun,
That ther estatis & domynaciouns
Sholde euere endure bi long successioun,
As Godde nor Fortune myhte nat putte hem doun,
But as thei wern in ther estat roiall
This world to reule, to bothe too egall.
Of surquedie cachche an oppynyoun,
That ther estatis & domynaciouns
Sholde euere endure bi long successioun,
As Godde nor Fortune myhte nat putte hem doun,
But as thei wern in ther estat roiall
This world to reule, to bothe too egall.
[First] toward God thei ha[ue] lost shame & dreed
Touchynng his guerdouns outher of ioie or peyne,
Indifferent atween trouthe or falsheed,—
Ther lust Iserued; no fors who lauhhe or pleyne.
God is forgetyn; at Fortune thei disdeyne,
As bothe wern recleymed to ther lure,
Falsli transcendyng the boundis of mesure.
Touchynng his guerdouns outher of ioie or peyne,
Indifferent atween trouthe or falsheed,—
Ther lust Iserued; no fors who lauhhe or pleyne.
God is forgetyn; at Fortune thei disdeyne,
As bothe wern recleymed to ther lure,
Falsli transcendyng the boundis of mesure.
For which sumtyme, as bookes specefie,
God list suffre, as maad is mencioun,
That Fortune bi a maner moquerie
Fauoureth summe folk, lik ther oppynyoun
Tenhaunce ther poweer bi fals decepcioun,
As she wer set, pleynli for to seie,
To serue ther lust & durst nat disobeie.
God list suffre, as maad is mencioun,
That Fortune bi a maner moquerie
Fauoureth summe folk, lik ther oppynyoun
Tenhaunce ther poweer bi fals decepcioun,
As she wer set, pleynli for to seie,
To serue ther lust & durst nat disobeie.
[How kyng Pollicrate for extorcion and tirannye was honged til euery ioynt went from othir.]
Record I take on proude Pollicrate,
Tiraunt of Sammois, beside þe se Egge,
Which sore laboured erli & eek late,
Ageyn conscience, of furious cruelte,
Tabounde in richesse & for to ha[ue] plente
Of worldli tresours, deemyng that Fortune ay
To his desirs ne durste nat sey nay.
Tiraunt of Sammois, beside þe se Egge,
Which sore laboured erli & eek late,
Ageyn conscience, of furious cruelte,
501
Of worldli tresours, deemyng that Fortune ay
To his desirs ne durste nat sey nay.
Fortune to hym bi many dyuers signe
Shewed outward gret toknis of plesaunce,
Was to hym eek riht fauourable & benigne
In al hir port bamaner attendaunce,
As she hadde been vnder his obeissaunce
To stuffe his coffres with tresours lokked faste,
Of fals entent to mokke hym atte laste.
Shewed outward gret toknis of plesaunce,
Was to hym eek riht fauourable & benigne
In al hir port bamaner attendaunce,
As she hadde been vnder his obeissaunce
To stuffe his coffres with tresours lokked faste,
Of fals entent to mokke hym atte laste.
Alle worldli richesse his lustis dede obeie;
And whan he fond she was so fauourable,
For a sesoun, as she that list to pleie,
This blynde goddesse, vnseur & euere vnstable,
Set hym so hih[e] up at Famys table,
Of fals entent, in his estat roiall
Whan he sat hiest to make hym haue a fall.
And whan he fond she was so fauourable,
For a sesoun, as she that list to pleie,
This blynde goddesse, vnseur & euere vnstable,
Set hym so hih[e] up at Famys table,
Of fals entent, in his estat roiall
Whan he sat hiest to make hym haue a fall.
For in hymsilff of pride he gan to deeme
How that he stood most in prosperite
Of them that wered crowne or diadeeme,
Aboue al other in most felicite.
And thus enhaunsed in his roial see,
Thouhte hym egal with goddis in comvne,
Fer from al daunger of Fate or of Fortune.
How that he stood most in prosperite
Of them that wered crowne or diadeeme,
Aboue al other in most felicite.
And thus enhaunsed in his roial see,
Thouhte hym egal with goddis in comvne,
Fer from al daunger of Fate or of Fortune.
And for tatempte of goddis the poweer,
And of Fortune the variaunt doubilnesse,
He took a ryng of gold ful briht & cleer,
Theryn a rubi of excellent richesse,
Sekyng occasioun of sum newe heuynesse,
Which neuer afforn hadde knowe of no such thyng,—
Into the se anon he cast his ryng,
And of Fortune the variaunt doubilnesse,
He took a ryng of gold ful briht & cleer,
Theryn a rubi of excellent richesse,
Sekyng occasioun of sum newe heuynesse,
Which neuer afforn hadde knowe of no such thyng,—
Into the se anon he cast his ryng,
Dise[s]peired ageyn [it] to recure,
For he dempte it was an inpossible.
But rihte anon fissheres of auenture,
Lik a meruaile verray incredible,
Among the wawes hidous & horrible
Caste in ther nettis, yiff it wolde auaile,
Takyng a fissh, the ryng in his entraille.
For he dempte it was an inpossible.
But rihte anon fissheres of auenture,
Lik a meruaile verray incredible,
Among the wawes hidous & horrible
Caste in ther nettis, yiff it wolde auaile,
Takyng a fissh, the ryng in his entraille.
502
Which was presented at a solempnite
To Pollicrate with ful gret reuerence,
Whan he sat crowned in his most dignite
At a feeste of famous excellence.
The fissh vndon anon in his presence,
Mid thentrailles his keruere fond the ryng
Of auenture, & took it to the kyng.
To Pollicrate with ful gret reuerence,
Whan he sat crowned in his most dignite
At a feeste of famous excellence.
The fissh vndon anon in his presence,
Mid thentrailles his keruere fond the ryng
Of auenture, & took it to the kyng.
Which dempte of pride and hih presumpcioun,
That Neptunvs, god of the salte se,
Hadde of his ryng maad restitucioun,
And durste nat offende his mageste.
Wherupon a fantasie kauht he,
Nouther heuenli goddis no[r] Fortune blynde of siht
Wer bothe vnhardy tatempte ageyn his myht.
That Neptunvs, god of the salte se,
Hadde of his ryng maad restitucioun,
And durste nat offende his mageste.
Wherupon a fantasie kauht he,
Nouther heuenli goddis no[r] Fortune blynde of siht
Wer bothe vnhardy tatempte ageyn his myht.
His gret outrage to God was nat vnknowe;
And his presumpcioun Fortune hath weel espied,
For which she maad aduersite been[de] hir bowe,
And of hir wheel the spokes she hath so guyed,
Wheron he sat most richeli magnefied,
That he vnwarli doun from his hih noblesse
Was brouht ful lowe in sorwe & wrechchidnesse.
And his presumpcioun Fortune hath weel espied,
For which she maad aduersite been[de] hir bowe,
And of hir wheel the spokes she hath so guyed,
Wheron he sat most richeli magnefied,
That he vnwarli doun from his hih noblesse
Was brouht ful lowe in sorwe & wrechchidnesse.
In worldly glorie nothyng is mor to dreede,
Than whan Fortune is most blandisshyng,
And that hir flatri is fret with worldli meede,
Hih on hir wheel to make foolis synge;
Than of hir nature sorwe she doth [in] brynge,—
Witnesse of princis, of olde or newe date,
And record also of proude Pollicrate.
Than whan Fortune is most blandisshyng,
And that hir flatri is fret with worldli meede,
Hih on hir wheel to make foolis synge;
Than of hir nature sorwe she doth [in] brynge,—
Witnesse of princis, of olde or newe date,
And record also of proude Pollicrate.
Sumtyme he sat hih on Fortunys wheel,
Of prosperite with bemys cleer shynyng,
Whos temple is maad of glas & nat off steel;
Hir cristal yys vnwarli dissoluyng,
Thouh it be fressh outward in shewyng,
Vnseur to stonde on, & brotil for tabide,
Who trusteth most, most likli is to slide.
Of prosperite with bemys cleer shynyng,
Whos temple is maad of glas & nat off steel;
Hir cristal yys vnwarli dissoluyng,
Thouh it be fressh outward in shewyng,
Vnseur to stonde on, & brotil for tabide,
Who trusteth most, most likli is to slide.
This gerissh queen, of cheer & face double,
Withdrouh hir fauour & began to varie
Fro Pollicrates, sette hym in sorwe & trouble,
Wex ageyn hym maliciousli contrarie,
Causyng Orontes, constable with kyng Darie,
Maugre this tiraunt in his most cruelte,
To gynne a werre on Sammoys his cite.
Withdrouh hir fauour & began to varie
Fro Pollicrates, sette hym in sorwe & trouble,
Wex ageyn hym maliciousli contrarie,
503
Maugre this tiraunt in his most cruelte,
To gynne a werre on Sammoys his cite.
And whan his glorie was most cleer of liht,
And his noblesse shon hiest atte fulle,
Fortune gan thoruh hir chaungable myht
Of his prosperite the fethris for to pull.
And thanne at erst his corage gan to dull,
And alle his pride vnwarli for tappalle,
Whan he was spoilled of his richessis alle.
And his noblesse shon hiest atte fulle,
Fortune gan thoruh hir chaungable myht
Of his prosperite the fethris for to pull.
And thanne at erst his corage gan to dull,
And alle his pride vnwarli for tappalle,
Whan he was spoilled of his richessis alle.
First whan Orontes his contre gan assaill,
This Pollicrate of sodeyn auenture
Outraied was & taken in bataill
Bi a full pereilous mortal disconfiture.
Thus koude Fortune bryngen him to lure
Thoruh hir vnwar, ougli, fals disdeynes,
Lad into prisoun & bounde in stronge cheynis.
This Pollicrate of sodeyn auenture
Outraied was & taken in bataill
Bi a full pereilous mortal disconfiture.
Thus koude Fortune bryngen him to lure
Thoruh hir vnwar, ougli, fals disdeynes,
Lad into prisoun & bounde in stronge cheynis.
The peeple [that] duelte withynne his regeoun
Reioisshed in herte to seen hym suffre peyne.
His tirannye, his fals extorsioun
Caused that thei dede at hym disdeyne;
For of his deth[e] no man list compleyne.
Men thoruh the wor[l]d be glad & ha[ue] plesaunce
To seen a tiraunt brouht onto myschaunce.
Reioisshed in herte to seen hym suffre peyne.
His tirannye, his fals extorsioun
Caused that thei dede at hym disdeyne;
For of his deth[e] no man list compleyne.
Men thoruh the wor[l]d be glad & ha[ue] plesaunce
To seen a tiraunt brouht onto myschaunce.
Foure thynges his tormentes dede aumente:
Sodeyn departyng from his old richesse,
And that he sauh ech man in his entente
Of his myscheef ha[ue] so gret gladnesse;
Hanged he was, myn auctour berth witnesse,
And heeng so long in tempest, reyn & thonder,
Til eueri ioynt from other went assonder.
Sodeyn departyng from his old richesse,
And that he sauh ech man in his entente
Of his myscheef ha[ue] so gret gladnesse;
Hanged he was, myn auctour berth witnesse,
And heeng so long in tempest, reyn & thonder,
Til eueri ioynt from other went assonder.
To beestis wilde & foulis rauynous,
Naked he heeng; such was his auenture:
To alle folk he was so odious,
Had in despiht off euery creature,
At his departyng denied sepulture,—
Guerdoun for tirauntis vengable & rekles,
That kannat suffre the peeple to lyue in pes.
Naked he heeng; such was his auenture:
To alle folk he was so odious,
Had in despiht off euery creature,
At his departyng denied sepulture,—
504
That kannat suffre the peeple to lyue in pes.
Thus may tirauntis excedyn[g] ferr þer boundis
Bi fals outrage, ful weel resembled be
To cruel woluys or to furious houndis,
Fret with an etik of gredi cruelte.
To staunche ther hunger auaileth no plente.
Which for ther surfetis, froward for to reede,
With Pollicrates in helle shal ha[ue] ther meede.
Bi fals outrage, ful weel resembled be
To cruel woluys or to furious houndis,
Fret with an etik of gredi cruelte.
To staunche ther hunger auaileth no plente.
Which for ther surfetis, froward for to reede,
With Pollicrates in helle shal ha[ue] ther meede.
[How the tiraunt Alisaundre/slouh his philosophre Calistenes with othir for seyng trouthe.]
Among alle stories to tell þe pitous caas
Of woful pleyntiffs þat put hemsilf in pres
With weepyng eyen, myn auctour Iohn Bochas
Was meued in herte nat to be rek[e]les
To write the falle of Calistenes,
[The] which, alas, as it is remembred,
Was for his trouthe on pecis al dismembred.
Of woful pleyntiffs þat put hemsilf in pres
With weepyng eyen, myn auctour Iohn Bochas
Was meued in herte nat to be rek[e]les
To write the falle of Calistenes,
[The] which, alas, as it is remembred,
Was for his trouthe on pecis al dismembred.
For whan Bochas his story gan aduerte,
He dempte anon in his fantasie,
No man hadde so harde a stonen herte,
That mihte of riht his eyen keepen drie,
To seen the processe of his tormentrie.
Yit gan myn auctour his woful penne proffre
To write the wrong don to this philisophre.
He dempte anon in his fantasie,
No man hadde so harde a stonen herte,
That mihte of riht his eyen keepen drie,
To seen the processe of his tormentrie.
Yit gan myn auctour his woful penne proffre
To write the wrong don to this philisophre.
This Calistenes, in youthe riht weel thewed,
His greene age promotid to doctryne,
Bi influence of heuenli fate adewed,
Gretli to proffite in moral disciplyne,
Disposid of nature bi grace, which is dyuyne,
To conquere, as bookis specefie,
The noble surname of philosophie.
His greene age promotid to doctryne,
Bi influence of heuenli fate adewed,
Gretli to proffite in moral disciplyne,
Disposid of nature bi grace, which is dyuyne,
To conquere, as bookis specefie,
The noble surname of philosophie.
Of his merites, famous & notable,
Philosophie dede hir besi peyne
To yiue hym souke, because that he was able,
The soote mylk of hir brestis tweyne,
Most precious licour, who myhte therto atteyne:
For bawme is non, the vertu weel declared,
Of worldli richesse may be therto compared.
Philosophie dede hir besi peyne
To yiue hym souke, because that he was able,
The soote mylk of hir brestis tweyne,
Most precious licour, who myhte therto atteyne:
505
Of worldli richesse may be therto compared.
This precious pyment is youe vnto no foolis,
Aboue all licours it doth so ferre excell,
Whos origynal sprang in the hooli scoolis
Of Athenys, as famous bookis tell;
For of philosophie ther sprang out first þe well,
Wher Calistenes, thexperience is kouth,
With fulsum plente was fostred in his youth.
Aboue all licours it doth so ferre excell,
Whos origynal sprang in the hooli scoolis
Of Athenys, as famous bookis tell;
For of philosophie ther sprang out first þe well,
Wher Calistenes, thexperience is kouth,
With fulsum plente was fostred in his youth.
Thouh he was bor[e]n of a good lynage,
Vertu maad hym mor hih up for tascende,
To been enhaunsed for noblesse of corage
Moor than for blood[e], who can comprehende:
For philisophres & clerkis mor commende
The moral vertues entresoured be writyngis,
Than al the tresours of worldli crowned kynges.
Vertu maad hym mor hih up for tascende,
To been enhaunsed for noblesse of corage
Moor than for blood[e], who can comprehende:
For philisophres & clerkis mor commende
The moral vertues entresoured be writyngis,
Than al the tresours of worldli crowned kynges.
Of gentil stokkes rekne out the issues,
That be descendid doun from a roial lyne:
Yif þei be vicious & void of al vertues
And ha[ue] no tarage of vertuous disciplyne,
With temporal tresour thouh thei florshe & shyne,
As for a tyme sittyng on hih[e] stages,
Withoute vertu thei ar but ded images.
That be descendid doun from a roial lyne:
Yif þei be vicious & void of al vertues
And ha[ue] no tarage of vertuous disciplyne,
With temporal tresour thouh thei florshe & shyne,
As for a tyme sittyng on hih[e] stages,
Withoute vertu thei ar but ded images.
For thouh princis ha[ue] conquered be bataille
This world in roundnesse bi ther cheualrie,
What may ther tryumphes or noblesse auaille,
Withoute that vertu be riht ther titles guye,
To be compared vnto philosophie?
For philisophres applie al ther ententis
To knowe heuene & cours of elementis.
This world in roundnesse bi ther cheualrie,
What may ther tryumphes or noblesse auaille,
Withoute that vertu be riht ther titles guye,
To be compared vnto philosophie?
For philisophres applie al ther ententis
To knowe heuene & cours of elementis.
Thei sette no stoor of thynges transitorie,
Nor of Fortunys expert doubilnesse;
To heuenli thynges is set al ther memorie,
How the seuene planetes in ther cours hem dresse,
Meuyng of sterris, sparklyng in ther brihtnesse,
With reuoluciouns of the speeris nyne,
Moodres of musik, as auctours determyne.
Nor of Fortunys expert doubilnesse;
To heuenli thynges is set al ther memorie,
How the seuene planetes in ther cours hem dresse,
Meuyng of sterris, sparklyng in ther brihtnesse,
With reuoluciouns of the speeris nyne,
Moodres of musik, as auctours determyne.
And in the noble tweyne famous housis
Flouryng in Grece, richest of euerichon,
Cald bi old date the faire trewe spousis
Of philisophres, many mo than oon,
In Achademye & in Athenys shon
The briht lanternis of most reuerencis,
This world tenlumyne bi liberall sciences.
Flouryng in Grece, richest of euerichon,
Cald bi old date the faire trewe spousis
506
In Achademye & in Athenys shon
The briht lanternis of most reuerencis,
This world tenlumyne bi liberall sciences.
And among other this Calistenes
Was in his youthe put for to scoleie
In the too scooles of prudent Socrates
And of Plato, which that bar the keie
Of secre mysteries & of dyvyn Ideie.
In which too scooles of gret habilite
Was non proffited halff so moch as he.
Was in his youthe put for to scoleie
In the too scooles of prudent Socrates
And of Plato, which that bar the keie
Of secre mysteries & of dyvyn Ideie.
In which too scooles of gret habilite
Was non proffited halff so moch as he.
These olde clerkis, these too philisophres
Wer in tho daies for doctrine souereyne
Callid in this world the riche precious coffres
And tresoreris, that kepte the chestis tweyne
Amyd ther brestis, wheryn God ded ordeyne,
Most cleer pocessioun put in ther depos,
Of alle sciences vnder a keye cloos.
Wer in tho daies for doctrine souereyne
Callid in this world the riche precious coffres
And tresoreris, that kepte the chestis tweyne
Amyd ther brestis, wheryn God ded ordeyne,
Most cleer pocessioun put in ther depos,
Of alle sciences vnder a keye cloos.
This Calistenes, scoleer & auditour
Of Aristotiles, bi kunnyng conqueryng
The noble gemme & the most precious flour
Of philosophie, al flour[e]s surmountyng,
Wherthoruh he was chose in his lyuyng,
As his maister list for hym prouide,
On Alisandre tawaiten & abide.
Of Aristotiles, bi kunnyng conqueryng
The noble gemme & the most precious flour
Of philosophie, al flour[e]s surmountyng,
Wherthoruh he was chose in his lyuyng,
As his maister list for hym prouide,
On Alisandre tawaiten & abide.
For Alisaundre, of kynges most enteere
And most worthi, to speke of hih prowesse,
Dede Aristotiles humbeli requere,
To prouide & doon his bisynesse
Bi expert knowyng & auysynesse
To sende hym oon, which of philosophie
Mihte bi good counsail his conquest magnefie.
And most worthi, to speke of hih prowesse,
Dede Aristotiles humbeli requere,
To prouide & doon his bisynesse
Bi expert knowyng & auysynesse
To sende hym oon, which of philosophie
Mihte bi good counsail his conquest magnefie.
To write also his tryumphes digne of glorie
And to remembre his actis marciall,
Put his palmys of knihthod in memorie,
And to directen in especiall
His roial noblesse in vertu morall,
That non errour be sey[e]n heer nor there
In hym that sholde al the world conquere.
And to remembre his actis marciall,
Put his palmys of knihthod in memorie,
And to directen in especiall
His roial noblesse in vertu morall,
That non errour be sey[e]n heer nor there
In hym that sholde al the world conquere.
507
But it fill so of knihtli auenture,
That of Fortunis hih promocioun,
That he bi armys proudli gan recure
Of Perse and Mede the myhti regioun,
Brouhte kyng Darie onto subieccioun,
Gat hool his tresour, that no man myhte expresse
Tacounte the noumbre of his gret richesse.
That of Fortunis hih promocioun,
That he bi armys proudli gan recure
Of Perse and Mede the myhti regioun,
Brouhte kyng Darie onto subieccioun,
Gat hool his tresour, that no man myhte expresse
Tacounte the noumbre of his gret richesse.
Which vnseur tresour & slidyng habundaunce,
With wastyng shadwes of godis transitorie,
In surquedous pride gan so his herte auaunce
Bi fals ambicioun & outraious veynglorie,
That made hym lese mynde & eek memorie,
To knowe of nature he was no man mortall,
But lik to goddis that wer celestiall.
With wastyng shadwes of godis transitorie,
In surquedous pride gan so his herte auaunce
Bi fals ambicioun & outraious veynglorie,
That made hym lese mynde & eek memorie,
To knowe of nature he was no man mortall,
But lik to goddis that wer celestiall.
Aboue the palme of old[e] conquerours,
Knihtli tryumphes, conquestis marcial,
He vsurped be title of his labours
To heuenli goddis for to been egal.
And thoruh his merites most imperiall,
He gan presume be lyne he was allied
With the seuene goddis for to be deified.
Knihtli tryumphes, conquestis marcial,
He vsurped be title of his labours
To heuenli goddis for to been egal.
And thoruh his merites most imperiall,
He gan presume be lyne he was allied
With the seuene goddis for to be deified.
Thoruh al his paleis & his roial halle
A lawe he sette, upon peyne of lyff,
That men of custum sholde hym name & calle
This worldis monarke, nat mortal nor passiff,
Sone to Iubiter for a prerogatyff,
Which hadde the erthe, as god most of puissaunce,
Conquered bi swerd onto his obeissaunce.
A lawe he sette, upon peyne of lyff,
That men of custum sholde hym name & calle
This worldis monarke, nat mortal nor passiff,
Sone to Iubiter for a prerogatyff,
Which hadde the erthe, as god most of puissaunce,
Conquered bi swerd onto his obeissaunce.
Bi ful auys purposed for the nonys,
Of pompous outrage & surquedous entente,
Ful gret tresor of gold & precious stonis
Vnto the temple of Iubiter he sente,
That the bisshoppis & preestis sholde assente
Hym to resceyue at his hom komyng
Lik as a god, & lik no mortal kyng.
Of pompous outrage & surquedous entente,
Ful gret tresor of gold & precious stonis
Vnto the temple of Iubiter he sente,
That the bisshoppis & preestis sholde assente
Hym to resceyue at his hom komyng
Lik as a god, & lik no mortal kyng.
Thus bextort dreed & bi vsurpid myht
Was first brouht in foul idolatrie,
Causyng pryncis to resceyue ageyn riht
Godli reuerence of froward maumetrie.
But whan Calistenes this errour dede espie
In Alisaundre, he bisili dide entende
This fals oppynyoun to correcte & amende.
Was first brouht in foul idolatrie,
Causyng pryncis to resceyue ageyn riht
Godli reuerence of froward maumetrie.
But whan Calistenes this errour dede espie
508
This fals oppynyoun to correcte & amende.
Bi fyue causes, notable to reherse,
This Calistenes in especial,
Thouh he was kyng of Egipt, Mede & Perse,
He preued of resoun he was a man mortall,
His berthe eek erthli & nat celestiall,
Fader, mooder as of ther natures
Born for to deie lik other creatures.
This Calistenes in especial,
Thouh he was kyng of Egipt, Mede & Perse,
He preued of resoun he was a man mortall,
His berthe eek erthli & nat celestiall,
Fader, mooder as of ther natures
Born for to deie lik other creatures.
His fader Phelipp, of Macedoyne kyng,
His mooder callid Olympiades,
Worldli folk & heuenli [in] no thyng,
With kyngis, queenis upset bi hih encres.
Yit ageyn deth thei koude ha[ue] no reles,
Lawes of nature maugre ther will tobeie,
Nat lik goddis, but onli born to deie.
His mooder callid Olympiades,
Worldli folk & heuenli [in] no thyng,
With kyngis, queenis upset bi hih encres.
Yit ageyn deth thei koude ha[ue] no reles,
Lawes of nature maugre ther will tobeie,
Nat lik goddis, but onli born to deie.
Kynde made hem subiect to sundri passiouns
And many vnkouth dyuers infirmytes,
Now glad, now heuy of condiciouns,
Folwyng the fourme of ther humanytes.
But of ther false vsurpede dietes,
I can nat seyn, sauff dreed & flat[e]rie
Wrongli in erthe dede hem deifie.
And many vnkouth dyuers infirmytes,
Now glad, now heuy of condiciouns,
Folwyng the fourme of ther humanytes.
But of ther false vsurpede dietes,
I can nat seyn, sauff dreed & flat[e]rie
Wrongli in erthe dede hem deifie.
Eek Alisaundre folwyng euere his lust,
For al his lordshepe & his gret[e] myht,
He suffred passiouns of hunger & of thrust,
Now hool, now sik, now heuy and now liht.
Whos entrechaungyng in euery mannys siht
Cleerli shewed, cleerkis reherse kan,
He was no god, but lik a mortal man.
For al his lordshepe & his gret[e] myht,
He suffred passiouns of hunger & of thrust,
Now hool, now sik, now heuy and now liht.
Whos entrechaungyng in euery mannys siht
Cleerli shewed, cleerkis reherse kan,
He was no god, but lik a mortal man.
It fill onys, myn auctour doth compile,
In a gret heete, long or he was old,
He bathed hymsilff[e] in the flood of Nile,
Wher of fortune he sodenli took cold:
His pooris opnede on parties manyfold,
Lay long aftir, his story berth witnesse,
Or he was curid of that gret seeknesse.
In a gret heete, long or he was old,
He bathed hymsilff[e] in the flood of Nile,
Wher of fortune he sodenli took cold:
His pooris opnede on parties manyfold,
Lay long aftir, his story berth witnesse,
Or he was curid of that gret seeknesse.
But at the laste, bi crafft of medecyne
Delyuered he was of that infirmyte,
Nothyng amendid bi his power dyuyne,
Bi myht of Iuno nor Iubiteres pouste,
Nor bi his owne vsurpid deite:
For bi the passiouns which he dede endure,
It shewed he was a dedli creature.
Delyuered he was of that infirmyte,
Nothyng amendid bi his power dyuyne,
Bi myht of Iuno nor Iubiteres pouste,
509
For bi the passiouns which he dede endure,
It shewed he was a dedli creature.
Off hym also it is maad mencioun,
He hadde in custum to falle in dronkenesse,
Thoruh vinolence loste ofte his resoun;
Than of ire and furious hastynesse
He wolde smyte & hurte in his woodnesse.
Which toknys wern, pleynli to termyne,
In his persone nat heuenli nor dyuyne.
He hadde in custum to falle in dronkenesse,
Thoruh vinolence loste ofte his resoun;
Than of ire and furious hastynesse
He wolde smyte & hurte in his woodnesse.
Which toknys wern, pleynli to termyne,
In his persone nat heuenli nor dyuyne.
Whan the philisophre callid Calistenes
Gan first considre al thes condiciouns
In Alisandre, he put hymsilff in pres,
Void of dissymulyng or long dilaciouns,
For to reffourme such fals ambiciouns
Of godly honours, which men dede on hym feyne,
And from all vices his corage to restreyne.
Gan first considre al thes condiciouns
In Alisandre, he put hymsilff in pres,
Void of dissymulyng or long dilaciouns,
For to reffourme such fals ambiciouns
Of godly honours, which men dede on hym feyne,
And from all vices his corage to restreyne.
In this purpos as eny centre stable,
He cast hym fulli of trewe entencioun
To correcte al that was repreuable
Vsid in his persone or in his regeoun.
Trouthe gaff hym herte lik a champioun,
To telle the kyng in his estat roial,
He was no god, but as a man mortal.
He cast hym fulli of trewe entencioun
To correcte al that was repreuable
Vsid in his persone or in his regeoun.
Trouthe gaff hym herte lik a champioun,
To telle the kyng in his estat roial,
He was no god, but as a man mortal.
For which the kyng of indignacioun
Kauhte a quarel ageyn Calistenes,
Put upon hym vniustli fals tresoun,
Onli to slen his maister causeles.
And for tateynte hym, affor[n] al the pres
Saide how he hadde of his iniquite
Conspired ageyn his roial mageste.
Kauhte a quarel ageyn Calistenes,
Put upon hym vniustli fals tresoun,
Onli to slen his maister causeles.
And for tateynte hym, affor[n] al the pres
Saide how he hadde of his iniquite
Conspired ageyn his roial mageste.
And feyned also, the silue same tyme,
How he had maad a conspiracioun
Ageyn his lord, bi an horrible cryme
Interuptyng the relegioun
Of his dyuyne institucioun;
That in such caas, ther was no bettir reed,
But Calistenes bi lawe mut be ded.
How he had maad a conspiracioun
Ageyn his lord, bi an horrible cryme
Interuptyng the relegioun
Of his dyuyne institucioun;
That in such caas, ther was no bettir reed,
But Calistenes bi lawe mut be ded.
510
And to prolonge of his deth the peyne,
Vpon a boord he was leid along,
His feet smet of & his hondes tweyne,
His eyen rent out: wer nat his peynes strong?
Thus kan tirauntes, whan them list do wrong,
Slen philisophres withoutyn any routhe,
Which spared nat for to seyn hem trouthe.
Vpon a boord he was leid along,
His feet smet of & his hondes tweyne,
His eyen rent out: wer nat his peynes strong?
Thus kan tirauntes, whan them list do wrong,
Slen philisophres withoutyn any routhe,
Which spared nat for to seyn hem trouthe.
This cruel vengaunce mihte nat suffise;
But Alisaundre, mor tencrece his wo,
Dede kutte his lippis in ful cruel wise,
His nose-thrillis, his eres eek also.
And with the bodi he badde men sholde go
Toforn his host[e], as it is remembrid,
To shewe the trunke, how it was dismembrid.
But Alisaundre, mor tencrece his wo,
Dede kutte his lippis in ful cruel wise,
His nose-thrillis, his eres eek also.
And with the bodi he badde men sholde go
Toforn his host[e], as it is remembrid,
To shewe the trunke, how it was dismembrid.
In a caue, deep & wonder lowe,
Solitarie, dirked al the boundis,
Aftir the[s] peynes he made hym to be throwe,
The place stuffid with wood berkyng houndis,
Of fals entent to reende his bloodi woundis.
Til Lisymachus, of gret compassioun,
To shorte his torment gaf [to] hym poisoun.
Solitarie, dirked al the boundis,
Aftir the[s] peynes he made hym to be throwe,
The place stuffid with wood berkyng houndis,
Of fals entent to reende his bloodi woundis.
Til Lisymachus, of gret compassioun,
To shorte his torment gaf [to] hym poisoun.
Who radde euer of tormentis more terrible!
O Alisaundre, thou ouhtest been ashamed
To slen thi clerk with peynes so horrible,
For thi vicis because he hath the blamyd!
Thi roial name therbi is diffamyd.
But euer tirauntes, whan them list be wood,
Of innocentes reioisshe to sheede [the] blood.
O Alisaundre, thou ouhtest been ashamed
To slen thi clerk with peynes so horrible,
For thi vicis because he hath the blamyd!
Thi roial name therbi is diffamyd.
But euer tirauntes, whan them list be wood,
Of innocentes reioisshe to sheede [the] blood.
Ageyn this kniht, gentil Lisymachus,
Because he hadde of hym compassioun,
Kyng Alisaundre was malencolious.
Withoute cause, title or offensioun
Leet shet[e] hym up with a fers leoun,
Void of al helpe for to be socourid,
Of entencioun he sholde be deuoured.
Because he hadde of hym compassioun,
Kyng Alisaundre was malencolious.
Withoute cause, title or offensioun
Leet shet[e] hym up with a fers leoun,
Void of al helpe for to be socourid,
Of entencioun he sholde be deuoured.
But Lysymachus quit hym lik a kniht
Ageyn this leoun in the same place.
Ran fersli on hym, & of his marcial myht
Out of his hed his tunge he dede arace.
Reconciled to the kynges grace,
Because that he so knihtli hath hym born,
Bettir cherisshed than euer he was beforn.
Ageyn this leoun in the same place.
Ran fersli on hym, & of his marcial myht
Out of his hed his tunge he dede arace.
Reconciled to the kynges grace,
511
Bettir cherisshed than euer he was beforn.
Another kniht, that callid was Clitus,
Famous in armys for his cheualrie,
On the grettest of the kyngis hous,
And most comendid of prudent policie,
Most famyler, as bookis specefie,
Aboute the kyng, as it was ofte preued,
To tempre his corage whan he was agreeved,—
Famous in armys for his cheualrie,
On the grettest of the kyngis hous,
And most comendid of prudent policie,
Most famyler, as bookis specefie,
Aboute the kyng, as it was ofte preued,
To tempre his corage whan he was agreeved,—
The kyng & he walkyng hond be hond
Withynne the paleis, beyng in presence
Princis, dukis of many dyuers lond,
Wher thei began be notable elloquence
Remembre of armys the marciall excellence
Of conquerours & worthi knihtis olde;
And eueri man aboute his tale tolde.
Withynne the paleis, beyng in presence
Princis, dukis of many dyuers lond,
Wher thei began be notable elloquence
Remembre of armys the marciall excellence
Of conquerours & worthi knihtis olde;
And eueri man aboute his tale tolde.
Among[e] which Clitus, that gentil kniht,
Gan to comende & gretli magnefie
Phelipp Macedoyne, as hym ouhte of riht,
Bothe of [his] wisdam & his cheualrie.
Til Alisaundre hadde therat envie,
Gan disdeyne of furious cruelte
That any sholde be comendid mor than he.
Gan to comende & gretli magnefie
Phelipp Macedoyne, as hym ouhte of riht,
Bothe of [his] wisdam & his cheualrie.
Til Alisaundre hadde therat envie,
Gan disdeyne of furious cruelte
That any sholde be comendid mor than he.
Cauhte occasioun of ire & fals hatreede
Ageyn [t]his kniht, that was to hym most trewe,
With a sharp swerd vnwarli made hym bleede,
His herte blood, hoot & red of hewe,
Bi his sides raillyng doun of newe,—
Therbi to preue, this stori telle can,
He was no god nor resonable man.
Ageyn [t]his kniht, that was to hym most trewe,
With a sharp swerd vnwarli made hym bleede,
His herte blood, hoot & red of hewe,
Bi his sides raillyng doun of newe,—
Therbi to preue, this stori telle can,
He was no god nor resonable man.
Thus in pryncis furious & cruell
Men may cleerli an euidence see,
How ther lordshipe is nat perpetuell,
But ful of chaung & mutabilite:
Of cheer now freendli, now sodeyn enmyte;
Record on Clitus, most in the kyngis grace,
Vnwarli slayn, & dede no trespace.
Men may cleerli an euidence see,
How ther lordshipe is nat perpetuell,
But ful of chaung & mutabilite:
Of cheer now freendli, now sodeyn enmyte;
Record on Clitus, most in the kyngis grace,
Vnwarli slayn, & dede no trespace.
512
Was he worthi to be deified,
This Alisandre, most double of his corage?
Or was he worthi to be stellefied,
This furious prince for his fel outrage,
That slouh his freendis in his mortal rage?
Thus far[e]n tirauntis whan them list be wood,
To seeke occasioun for to sheede blood.
This Alisandre, most double of his corage?
Or was he worthi to be stellefied,
This furious prince for his fel outrage,
That slouh his freendis in his mortal rage?
Thus far[e]n tirauntis whan them list be wood,
To seeke occasioun for to sheede blood.
Calisten slayn for moral disciplyne,
And Lysymachus for his compassioun!
Eek this tiraunt of fals gredi rauyne
Slouh gentil Clitus ageyn trouthe & resoun,
As ye han herd, for comendacioun
Of kyng Phelipp, this stori weel conceyued,—
Who trusteth tirauntis shal sonnest be deceyued!
And Lysymachus for his compassioun!
Eek this tiraunt of fals gredi rauyne
Slouh gentil Clitus ageyn trouthe & resoun,
As ye han herd, for comendacioun
Of kyng Phelipp, this stori weel conceyued,—
Who trusteth tirauntis shal sonnest be deceyued!
Lenvoye.
This tragedie off Calistenes
Declareth vs be notable remembraunce,
He was with Plato & old Socrates
In his youthe put vnder gouernaunce,
Drank of the mylk bi plenteuous habundaunce
Of ther too scooles, euer deuoid of slouthe,
Last bi Alisaundre dismembrid for his trouthe.
Declareth vs be notable remembraunce,
He was with Plato & old Socrates
In his youthe put vnder gouernaunce,
Drank of the mylk bi plenteuous habundaunce
Of ther too scooles, euer deuoid of slouthe,
Last bi Alisaundre dismembrid for his trouthe.
First he was sent bi Aristotiles
For tawaite bi prudent purueyaunce
On Alisandre, list he wer rek[e]les,
Bi presumpcioun in his roial puissaunce
To take upon hym godly attendaunce,
Which he withstood; alas, it was gret routhe,
To be so slayn because he seide trouthe!
For tawaite bi prudent purueyaunce
On Alisandre, list he wer rek[e]les,
Bi presumpcioun in his roial puissaunce
To take upon hym godly attendaunce,
Which he withstood; alas, it was gret routhe,
To be so slayn because he seide trouthe!
Who with tirauntis list put hymsilff in pres,
To haue ther fauour & stormy aqueyntaunce,
He mut kunne flatre & fage dout[e]les,
Be double of herte, with feyned contenaunce,
With cheer contreued doon his obseruaunce:
For feithful menyng slayn, & þat was routhe,
Is Calistenes because he seide trouthe.
To haue ther fauour & stormy aqueyntaunce,
He mut kunne flatre & fage dout[e]les,
Be double of herte, with feyned contenaunce,
With cheer contreued doon his obseruaunce:
For feithful menyng slayn, & þat was routhe,
Is Calistenes because he seide trouthe.
513
Noble Pryncis, your subiectis keepe in pes,
Beth nat to hasti for to do vengaunce;
For to tirauntes that be merciles
God sent short lyff & sodenli myschaunce.
Who seith [you] trouthe, hath no displesaunce,
Preente in your herte, how it was gret routhe
That Calistenes was slay[e]n for his trouthe.
Beth nat to hasti for to do vengaunce;
For to tirauntes that be merciles
God sent short lyff & sodenli myschaunce.
Who seith [you] trouthe, hath no displesaunce,
Preente in your herte, how it was gret routhe
That Calistenes was slay[e]n for his trouthe.
[How Alisaundre kyng of Pirothe auenturyng to passe the flood of Acheronte, there at his bak/bi his most trusty was dedly wounded.]
Afftir the compleynt of Calistenes,
Slayn tirauntli & dede no trespas,
Cam Alisaundre kyng of Pirothes,
His woundis bleedyng, onto Iohn Bochas,
To hym declaryng how he drowned was
In Acheronte, a ryuer of gret fame,
Beside a toun, Pandosia was the name.
Slayn tirauntli & dede no trespas,
Cam Alisaundre kyng of Pirothes,
His woundis bleedyng, onto Iohn Bochas,
To hym declaryng how he drowned was
In Acheronte, a ryuer of gret fame,
Beside a toun, Pandosia was the name.
And as it is remembred & Itold
Of this notable myhti strong cite,
It was in Grece bilt be daies olde,
And aftir Pirrus callid Pirothe,
Wher-as the kyng heeld his roial see.
And as Bochas also doth determyne,
This Alisaundre cam of the same lyne.
Of this notable myhti strong cite,
It was in Grece bilt be daies olde,
And aftir Pirrus callid Pirothe,
Wher-as the kyng heeld his roial see.
And as Bochas also doth determyne,
This Alisaundre cam of the same lyne.
Of whos kynreede is maad pleyn mencioun,
Sone to Achilles was this knyht Pirrus;
And next in ordre bi successioun,
Fader to Alisaundre was Neptolonius,
Which hadde also, myn auctour tellith thus,
A ful fair douhtir, the story ye may seen,
Olympiades, of Macedoyne queen.
Sone to Achilles was this knyht Pirrus;
And next in ordre bi successioun,
Fader to Alisaundre was Neptolonius,
Which hadde also, myn auctour tellith thus,
A ful fair douhtir, the story ye may seen,
Olympiades, of Macedoyne queen.
And she was weddid to Phelipp Macedo,
Whilom mooder, this queen of most renoun,
To Alisaundre, the stori tellith so,
Which al the world brouht in subieccioun.
Whos fader Phelipp, of gret affeccioun,
Leet crowne the brother of Olympiades,
Callid Alisaundre, to regne in Pirothes.
Whilom mooder, this queen of most renoun,
To Alisaundre, the stori tellith so,
514
Whos fader Phelipp, of gret affeccioun,
Leet crowne the brother of Olympiades,
Callid Alisaundre, to regne in Pirothes.
To whom [kyng] Phelipp, for his gret beute,
Because he was so fair a creature,
Hadde such affeccioun & specialte,
As it is remembred in scripture,
Of fals foul lust ageyn[e]s [al] nature,
As seith Bochas, I can hym nat excuse,
Vnleeffulli he dede his beute vse.
Because he was so fair a creature,
Hadde such affeccioun & specialte,
As it is remembred in scripture,
Of fals foul lust ageyn[e]s [al] nature,
As seith Bochas, I can hym nat excuse,
Vnleeffulli he dede his beute vse.
And bi mene of that horrible deede,
Which to reherse is to foul a thyng,
This said[e] Phelipp, in Bochas thus I reede,
In Epirothes he made hym to be kyng;
And of extorsioun, be record of writyng,
Causeles fro thens he dede enchace
The kyng Arabba, tho regnyng in that place.
Which to reherse is to foul a thyng,
This said[e] Phelipp, in Bochas thus I reede,
In Epirothes he made hym to be kyng;
And of extorsioun, be record of writyng,
Causeles fro thens he dede enchace
The kyng Arabba, tho regnyng in that place.
And it fill aftir, the stori tellith so,
Of this Alisaundre, be cerious rehersaille,
Vpon the deth of Phelipp Macedo,
With a gret host [he] cam into Itaille,
Supposyng gretli for to auaille
To occupie, aftir his proude entent,
Hooli the boundis of al the occident.
Of this Alisaundre, be cerious rehersaille,
Vpon the deth of Phelipp Macedo,
With a gret host [he] cam into Itaille,
Supposyng gretli for to auaille
To occupie, aftir his proude entent,
Hooli the boundis of al the occident.
And thouh so be that Fortune be chaungable,
Double also, bi cours of hir nature,
At his gynnyng he fond hir fauourable:
Made hym twies proudli to recure
Geyn them of Luk, to ther disconfiture
To haue the feeld, & maugre al ther myht
Of verray force to putte hem vnto fliht.
Double also, bi cours of hir nature,
At his gynnyng he fond hir fauourable:
Made hym twies proudli to recure
Geyn them of Luk, to ther disconfiture
To haue the feeld, & maugre al ther myht
Of verray force to putte hem vnto fliht.
Ageyn Itaille whan he gan this werre,
Fulli in purpos the Romeyns to assaille,
Of hih presumpcioun proceede he gan so ferre,
With many prince that was in his bataille,
To knowe afforn bi certeyn dyuynaille,
Of his conquest the boundis for to caste,
And of his lyff how longe it sholde laste.
Fulli in purpos the Romeyns to assaille,
Of hih presumpcioun proceede he gan so ferre,
With many prince that was in his bataille,
To knowe afforn bi certeyn dyuynaille,
Of his conquest the boundis for to caste,
And of his lyff how longe it sholde laste.
515
And in the temple of Iubiter the grete,
Bi dyuynours that wer expert & old,
Seruyng this god withynne the lond of Creete,
This was the ansuere which thei haue hym told,
And it affermyd bi toknis manyfold,
How that he nat sholde eschewe þe dreedful date
Ouer the day assigned to his last fate.
Bi dyuynours that wer expert & old,
Seruyng this god withynne the lond of Creete,
This was the ansuere which thei haue hym told,
And it affermyd bi toknis manyfold,
How that he nat sholde eschewe þe dreedful date
Ouer the day assigned to his last fate.
And thei also assigned[e] a place,
Therbi to haue knowlechyng mor cleer,
Vnder a cite, longe & large of space,
Callid Pandosia; & for to go mor neer,
Bi Acheronte, a famous gret ryueer;
Told hym pleynli, & koude no ferther seie,
Of necessite ther he muste [nedis] deie.
Therbi to haue knowlechyng mor cleer,
Vnder a cite, longe & large of space,
Callid Pandosia; & for to go mor neer,
Bi Acheronte, a famous gret ryueer;
Told hym pleynli, & koude no ferther seie,
Of necessite ther he muste [nedis] deie.
And thouh it wer an ernest & no iape,
Of God ordeyned nat to be set a-side,
He thouhte of wisdam his destyne tescape
And othirwise for hymsilff prouide.
Cast in Grece no lenger to abide,
Wenyng this ryuer nor that fair cite,
Sauf in Grece sholde nowher ellis be.
Of God ordeyned nat to be set a-side,
He thouhte of wisdam his destyne tescape
And othirwise for hymsilff prouide.
Cast in Grece no lenger to abide,
Wenyng this ryuer nor that fair cite,
Sauf in Grece sholde nowher ellis be.
And for to sette hymsilff in assuraunce
Of entent teschewe his destyne,
In-to thre batailes departyng his puissaunce,
Cam to Itaille tofor Luk the cite.
Thei with helpe of Sammoys the contre,
With a gret poweer cam out anon riht,
Slouh al his knihtis & put hym vnto fliht.
Of entent teschewe his destyne,
In-to thre batailes departyng his puissaunce,
Cam to Itaille tofor Luk the cite.
Thei with helpe of Sammoys the contre,
With a gret poweer cam out anon riht,
Slouh al his knihtis & put hym vnto fliht.
At the bak thei pursued hym so neer,
That his enmyes almost wer on hym fall,
Vn-tabregge, broke with the ryuer,
And ouerturnid with his plankis all.
And Acheronte men that ryuer call,
As was told hym bi a certeyn kniht
Which rood beforn hym, the ryuer in his siht.
That his enmyes almost wer on hym fall,
Vn-tabregge, broke with the ryuer,
And ouerturnid with his plankis all.
And Acheronte men that ryuer call,
As was told hym bi a certeyn kniht
Which rood beforn hym, the ryuer in his siht.
516
For bi a reyn that fill that same niht,
The ryuer wex[e] to a dreedful flood,
And nat fer then[ne]s, in the kyngis siht,
Vpon the water a litil toun ther stood,
Which made the kyng chaunge face & blood;
And specialli his pride gan attame,
Whan he wiste Pandosia was the name.
The ryuer wex[e] to a dreedful flood,
And nat fer then[ne]s, in the kyngis siht,
Vpon the water a litil toun ther stood,
Which made the kyng chaunge face & blood;
And specialli his pride gan attame,
Whan he wiste Pandosia was the name.
And thanne he gan most dreedfulli remembre,
Callyng to mynde the preestis dyuynaille,
Which made hym quake in eueri ioynt & membre
For verray feer[e], & his breth to faille.
No man koude hym wisse nor counsaille,
On eueri parti he stood so on the wrak:
The flood toforn hym, his enmyes at his bak.
Callyng to mynde the preestis dyuynaille,
Which made hym quake in eueri ioynt & membre
For verray feer[e], & his breth to faille.
No man koude hym wisse nor counsaille,
On eueri parti he stood so on the wrak:
The flood toforn hym, his enmyes at his bak.
To take the ryuer he stood in mortal dreed;
And yif that he his enmyes dede abide,
He wiste weel that he was but ded,
Passage was non for to turne aside.
Thus desolat he stood withoute guide,
Thouhte it bett to iuparte the ryuer
Than with enmyes that folwed hym so neer.
And yif that he his enmyes dede abide,
He wiste weel that he was but ded,
Passage was non for to turne aside.
Thus desolat he stood withoute guide,
Thouhte it bett to iuparte the ryuer
Than with enmyes that folwed hym so neer.
Thre mortal dreedis his herte gan constreyne;
Dreed of the flood[e] for to ha[ue] passage,
Behynde his enmyes, that gan at hym disdeyne,
List he wer slay[e]n in that mortal rage:
His fate approchyng, he but yong of age,
The toun Pandosia the toknys ded expresse,
With Acheronte that bar therof witnesse.
Dreed of the flood[e] for to ha[ue] passage,
Behynde his enmyes, that gan at hym disdeyne,
List he wer slay[e]n in that mortal rage:
His fate approchyng, he but yong of age,
The toun Pandosia the toknys ded expresse,
With Acheronte that bar therof witnesse.
And whan that he putte in auenture
To passe the flood or ellis to be ded,
Whom he most truste of any creature,
Took a gret spere, squar & sharp the hed,
And at his bak, he quakyng in his dreed,
Traitourli thoruhout[e] plate & maile
Perced his herte; the blood abrod gan raile.
To passe the flood or ellis to be ded,
Whom he most truste of any creature,
Took a gret spere, squar & sharp the hed,
And at his bak, he quakyng in his dreed,
Traitourli thoruhout[e] plate & maile
Perced his herte; the blood abrod gan raile.
And as it is also of hym remembred,
The Lucaynois be vengable violence,
Thei han his careyn on pecis al dismembred,—
Til an old ladi beyng in presence
Requered them of humble pacience,
That she of grace gadre myhte anon
His membris alle & ioyne hem into oon,
The Lucaynois be vengable violence,
Thei han his careyn on pecis al dismembred,—
517
Requered them of humble pacience,
That she of grace gadre myhte anon
His membris alle & ioyne hem into oon,
Afftir to sende hem onto his suster deere,
Olympiades, the statli grete queen;
That of affeccioun & loue most enteere,
Whan it befill that she dede hem seen,
Sholde of nature, as it mut needis been,
Weepe, & prouide in his estat roiall
To burie the bodi with feeste funerall.
Olympiades, the statli grete queen;
That of affeccioun & loue most enteere,
Whan it befill that she dede hem seen,
Sholde of nature, as it mut needis been,
Weepe, & prouide in his estat roiall
To burie the bodi with feeste funerall.
Seeth heer exaumple of this proude kyng
Which wolde ha scaped his fatal destyne;
Chaung of placis auailed hym nothyng:
Parodie of pryncis may nat chaunged be,
The terme sette, fro which thei may nat flee.
For whan heuene of deth hath set a date,
No mortal man eschewe may his fate.
Which wolde ha scaped his fatal destyne;
Chaung of placis auailed hym nothyng:
Parodie of pryncis may nat chaunged be,
The terme sette, fro which thei may nat flee.
For whan heuene of deth hath set a date,
No mortal man eschewe may his fate.
[How Darye kyng of Perce and Mede was outraied by Alisaundre kyng of Macedoyne.]
On Alisaundre callid Epirothes
Me list as now no lenger for to tarye,—
Slayn at myscheef, for he was rek[e]les,
Double of corage, koude chaunge & varie.
For turne I will my penne to kyng Darie,
Which that whilom, who-so list take heede,
Most myhti regned in Perse & Mede.
Me list as now no lenger for to tarye,—
Slayn at myscheef, for he was rek[e]les,
Double of corage, koude chaunge & varie.
For turne I will my penne to kyng Darie,
Which that whilom, who-so list take heede,
Most myhti regned in Perse & Mede.
And among other notable werreiours,
Lik as I deeme, bi heuenli influence,
Onli be title of his predecessours
And thoruh his prudent roial excellence,
To gret encres of his magnificence
He had al Asie, as maad is mencioun,
Vnder his lordshepe & domynacioun.
Lik as I deeme, bi heuenli influence,
Onli be title of his predecessours
And thoruh his prudent roial excellence,
To gret encres of his magnificence
He had al Asie, as maad is mencioun,
Vnder his lordshepe & domynacioun.
And as myn auctour Bochas doth diffyne,
He was descendid fro the imperial blood
Of Artaxerses, & born eek of that lyne.
Passed al princis of tresour & of good;
In Perse & Mede his gret empire stood.
An hundred prouynces, tencrece his puissaunce,
And seuene & thretti he hadde in gouernaunce.
He was descendid fro the imperial blood
Of Artaxerses, & born eek of that lyne.
518
In Perse & Mede his gret empire stood.
An hundred prouynces, tencrece his puissaunce,
And seuene & thretti he hadde in gouernaunce.
Ouer al Asie towar[d] the orient
His lordshipe laste, bookis make mynde,
And [he] hadde toward thoxident,
Ouer Egipt poweer, as I fynde,
The Rede Se was nat left behynde,
Deemyng hymsilff, of al erthli treso[u]r,
Was non but he lord nor gouernour.
His lordshipe laste, bookis make mynde,
And [he] hadde toward thoxident,
Ouer Egipt poweer, as I fynde,
The Rede Se was nat left behynde,
Deemyng hymsilff, of al erthli treso[u]r,
Was non but he lord nor gouernour.
Toward Septemptrion, vnder the mydday speere
His poweer rauhte & his regalie,
Ouer Ynde, in cronicles ye may lere,
And to the boundis of gret Armenye;
Lord of the kyngdam that callid is Parthie.
Worldli folk dempte hym with God egall,
Maister to Fortune, & she nat but his thrall.
His poweer rauhte & his regalie,
Ouer Ynde, in cronicles ye may lere,
And to the boundis of gret Armenye;
Lord of the kyngdam that callid is Parthie.
Worldli folk dempte hym with God egall,
Maister to Fortune, & she nat but his thrall.
But in his hiest exaltacioun
Of worldli glorie, he coude nat preuaille;
For al his richesse & veyn ambicioun,
But Fortune durste hym weel assaille.
In his most riche roial apparaille,
Cast in hir chaungis to yiue hym a sharp shour
Bi Alisaundre, of Grece enheritour.
Of worldli glorie, he coude nat preuaille;
For al his richesse & veyn ambicioun,
But Fortune durste hym weel assaille.
In his most riche roial apparaille,
Cast in hir chaungis to yiue hym a sharp shour
Bi Alisaundre, of Grece enheritour.
Vnto purpos I will my penne dresse
For to declare & make mencioun,
How proud[e] Darie in his most noblesse
Was bi Fortune from his see cast doun.
For anon aftir the coronacioun
Of Alisaundre in Macedoyne kyng,
This was the processe anon of his werkyng:
For to declare & make mencioun,
How proud[e] Darie in his most noblesse
Was bi Fortune from his see cast doun.
For anon aftir the coronacioun
Of Alisaundre in Macedoyne kyng,
This was the processe anon of his werkyng:
He nat delaied nor maad no longe date,
In purpos fulli of ire to proceede
Off Perse & Mede the sceptris to translate,
Al ther richessis to conquere & posseede,
Perpetueli for tabide in deede
Vndir Grekis myhti obeissaunce,
In Macedoyne to haue gouernaunce.
In purpos fulli of ire to proceede
Off Perse & Mede the sceptris to translate,
Al ther richessis to conquere & posseede,
Perpetueli for tabide in deede
Vndir Grekis myhti obeissaunce,
In Macedoyne to haue gouernaunce.
519
And as myn auctour weel reherse kan,
He sette in Grece the myhti strong cite,
Of Corynthe the metropolitan,
Ther testablisshe his imperial see,
In regalibus whan he list crowned bee,
As man whom God list of his myht to marke
The world to conquere, & be therof monarke.
He sette in Grece the myhti strong cite,
Of Corynthe the metropolitan,
Ther testablisshe his imperial see,
In regalibus whan he list crowned bee,
As man whom God list of his myht to marke
The world to conquere, & be therof monarke.
At the gynnyng of his conquest famous,
Throuhout Grece in euery regeoun
First he ches out of his fadres hous
Knihtis that wern most souereyn of renoun,
Notable in armys, & of condicioun
Feithful, trewe, which had of hih prudence
Forsiht in armys of marcial prouidence.
Throuhout Grece in euery regeoun
First he ches out of his fadres hous
Knihtis that wern most souereyn of renoun,
Notable in armys, & of condicioun
Feithful, trewe, which had of hih prudence
Forsiht in armys of marcial prouidence.
To them he dede ful notabli assigne,
As men expert in knihtli apparailles,
To make his stuff with many riche signe,
And forge of steel his plate & his mailles.
Gaff hem the reule to gouerne his batailles;
For prouidence, of yore it hath be told,
Ful myche auaileth of knihtes wis & old.
As men expert in knihtli apparailles,
To make his stuff with many riche signe,
And forge of steel his plate & his mailles.
Gaff hem the reule to gouerne his batailles;
For prouidence, of yore it hath be told,
Ful myche auaileth of knihtes wis & old.
Al this acomplisshed, he list no lenger tarie,
This worthi kyng, but with his ordenaunce
Purposed to begynne on kyng Darie.
And, as it is put in remembraunce,
In most proud wise he gan hymsilff auaunce,
First in his weie to brenne & bete doun
Of hasti ire Thebes the myhti toun.
This worthi kyng, but with his ordenaunce
Purposed to begynne on kyng Darie.
And, as it is put in remembraunce,
In most proud wise he gan hymsilff auaunce,
First in his weie to brenne & bete doun
Of hasti ire Thebes the myhti toun.
Aftir, he gat too mihti regeouns,
The ton of Frige, the tothir callid Lide,—
Set bi old tyme wer ther fundaciouns
Vpon too ryuers rennyng ther beside,
Whos goldene grauell ther brihtnesse may nat hide.
Paceolus & Eryne men them call,
Richest off stremys, thouh men rekne hem all.
The ton of Frige, the tothir callid Lide,—
Set bi old tyme wer ther fundaciouns
Vpon too ryuers rennyng ther beside,
Whos goldene grauell ther brihtnesse may nat hide.
Paceolus & Eryne men them call,
Richest off stremys, thouh men rekne hem all.
520
And of his conquest ferther to termyne,
He wan Isaurea, a prouynce wonder strong,
In Asia oon cheuest off the nyne.
And Pamphile, a kyngdam large and long,
He gat also, wher it wer riht or wrong.
For wher that conquest haue any title of riht,
It passeth my resoun, my kunnyng & my myht.
He wan Isaurea, a prouynce wonder strong,
In Asia oon cheuest off the nyne.
And Pamphile, a kyngdam large and long,
He gat also, wher it wer riht or wrong.
For wher that conquest haue any title of riht,
It passeth my resoun, my kunnyng & my myht.
I took no parti nor me list nat tarie
In this mateer, but for[th] I wil proceede,
How Alisaundre hastid toward Darie
Tacheue his conquest of Perse & eek of Mede.
But first he cam to Frigia, I reede,
Into a cite, the name to specefie,
Thilke daies it callid was Gordie.
In this mateer, but for[th] I wil proceede,
How Alisaundre hastid toward Darie
Tacheue his conquest of Perse & eek of Mede.
But first he cam to Frigia, I reede,
Into a cite, the name to specefie,
Thilke daies it callid was Gordie.
Aftir myn auctour afferme weel I dar,
Ther was a temple in Frigia, thus seith he,
Of Iubiter, in which ther stood a chaar
With ropis bounde, of stonis & perre;
Among[es] which men myhte behold & see
A fatal knotte, be craff[t] maad so sotile,
That no man koude ondon it be no wile.
Ther was a temple in Frigia, thus seith he,
Of Iubiter, in which ther stood a chaar
With ropis bounde, of stonis & perre;
Among[es] which men myhte behold & see
A fatal knotte, be craff[t] maad so sotile,
That no man koude ondon it be no wile.
For who that hadde science or kunnyng
That corious knotte to losne or vntwyne,
Ouer Asie he sholde be crownid kyng.
And Alisaundre, as bookis determyne,
Seyng this char knet with many [a] lyne,
And how it sempte a maner impossible
To seueren it, which was indyuysible,—
That corious knotte to losne or vntwyne,
Ouer Asie he sholde be crownid kyng.
And Alisaundre, as bookis determyne,
Seyng this char knet with many [a] lyne,
And how it sempte a maner impossible
To seueren it, which was indyuysible,—
The chaar with coordis was so enterlacid,
That richeli stood in Iouys tabernacle,
Which be his wit koude nat be vnbracid,
Nother be crafft nor no soleyn myracle:
Til Alisaundre, bi a dyuyn oracle,
Drouh out his suerd, wherof men hadde wonder,
Carf the knotte & cordis alle assonder,
That richeli stood in Iouys tabernacle,
Which be his wit koude nat be vnbracid,
Nother be crafft nor no soleyn myracle:
Til Alisaundre, bi a dyuyn oracle,
Drouh out his suerd, wherof men hadde wonder,
Carf the knotte & cordis alle assonder,
Wherbi he wiste that he was ordeyned
Ouer al Asie to be lord & kyng.
Which to reioisshe (this stori is nat feyned)
He rood lik Mars his batailes conueyeng,
Thoruh Perse & Mede his standardis displaieng,
Toward his conquest, wher I leue hym duelle,
And of this chaar & knottes I wil telle.
Ouer al Asie to be lord & kyng.
Which to reioisshe (this stori is nat feyned)
521
Thoruh Perse & Mede his standardis displaieng,
Toward his conquest, wher I leue hym duelle,
And of this chaar & knottes I wil telle.
Prudent Iustinus, an olde cronicleer,
In his cronicles reherseth this storye:
How [oon] Gordius, a poore laborer,
Beside the cite that callid is Gordie,
Eryng his lond dede his oxis guie,
Al maner foul that hath weengis fliht
Hih in the hair apperede in his siht.
In his cronicles reherseth this storye:
How [oon] Gordius, a poore laborer,
Beside the cite that callid is Gordie,
Eryng his lond dede his oxis guie,
Al maner foul that hath weengis fliht
Hih in the hair apperede in his siht.
Vnknowe to hym the tokne what it mente,
With dyuynour[e]s cast hym to counsaile,
Callid augures, which hooli ther entente,
Knowyng the processe of such dyuynaille,
Wher it shal proffite or disauaille.
And at the gate of Gordie the cite
He mette a maide excellyng of beute,
With dyuynour[e]s cast hym to counsaile,
Callid augures, which hooli ther entente,
Knowyng the processe of such dyuynaille,
Wher it shal proffite or disauaille.
And at the gate of Gordie the cite
He mette a maide excellyng of beute,
Which from aboue, bi heuenli influence,
Hadde of hir birthe a maner know[le]chyng,
In such augurie gret practik and science,—
Which to Gordius expowned eueri thyng,
Saide of Asia he sholde be lord & kyng,
And regne ther duryng al his lyff.
In hope wherof she becam his wyff.
Hadde of hir birthe a maner know[le]chyng,
In such augurie gret practik and science,—
Which to Gordius expowned eueri thyng,
Saide of Asia he sholde be lord & kyng,
And regne ther duryng al his lyff.
In hope wherof she becam his wyff.
Aftir his weddyng he wex fortunat,
The cronicle can ber me weel record:
Ther fill in Frige a sodeyn gret debat
Among the comouns & a mortal discord,
Knowyng no mene to brynge hem at accord,
Til ther goddis bi notable prouidence
Tauht hem a weie tappese ther violence,
The cronicle can ber me weel record:
Ther fill in Frige a sodeyn gret debat
Among the comouns & a mortal discord,
Knowyng no mene to brynge hem at accord,
Til ther goddis bi notable prouidence
Tauht hem a weie tappese ther violence,
How that debat sholde among hem laste
Vnto the tyme thei hadde chose a kyng.
And thei gan crie & preye ther goddis faste,
Bi sum signe or myracle out shewyng,
To yiue to them a maner knowlechyng,
That thei myhte, to ther notable encres,
Chese such on that sholde hem sette in pes.
Vnto the tyme thei hadde chose a kyng.
And thei gan crie & preye ther goddis faste,
Bi sum signe or myracle out shewyng,
To yiue to them a maner knowlechyng,
That thei myhte, to ther notable encres,
Chese such on that sholde hem sette in pes.
522
Thei hadde answere, tawaite & be weel war,
To sette espies bi besi attendaunce,
On whom thei mette ridyng in a chaar
To Iouis temple to doon his obseruaunce,
And hym resceyue, bi goddis ordenaunce,
Vpon his hed, withoute mor tariyng,
To sette a crowne in Frige to regne as kyng.
To sette espies bi besi attendaunce,
On whom thei mette ridyng in a chaar
To Iouis temple to doon his obseruaunce,
And hym resceyue, bi goddis ordenaunce,
Vpon his hed, withoute mor tariyng,
To sette a crowne in Frige to regne as kyng.
And Gordius in his chaar ridyng
Toward þe temple, thei on the weye hym mette;
And awaityng ches hym to ther kyng,
And solempneli hom thei dede hym fette;
Vpon his hed a riche crowne thei sette.
And he to them so egal was & meete,
That [he] hem brouhte in reste & in quiete.
Toward þe temple, thei on the weye hym mette;
And awaityng ches hym to ther kyng,
And solempneli hom thei dede hym fette;
Vpon his hed a riche crowne thei sette.
And he to them so egal was & meete,
That [he] hem brouhte in reste & in quiete.
Thus to the crowne Gordius dede atteyne,
Be toknis shewed onto his gret auaill.
And ther discordes & stryues to restreyne,
He to his lieges gaff notabli counsaill,
That thei sholde with roial apparaill
[Go] take his char, as he dede hem deuise,
And offre it up in most lowli wise
Be toknis shewed onto his gret auaill.
And ther discordes & stryues to restreyne,
He to his lieges gaff notabli counsaill,
That thei sholde with roial apparaill
[Go] take his char, as he dede hem deuise,
And offre it up in most lowli wise
In the temple, that was consecrat
To Iubiter, a ful solempne place.
And mor to make ther offryng fortunat,
Thei sholde it sette, withoute lenger space,
Tofor the goddesse that was callid Grace,
Which bi myracles ther hertis to appese,
Sett al the peeple in quieet & in ese.
To Iubiter, a ful solempne place.
And mor to make ther offryng fortunat,
Thei sholde it sette, withoute lenger space,
Tofor the goddesse that was callid Grace,
Which bi myracles ther hertis to appese,
Sett al the peeple in quieet & in ese.
And whan the kyng Alisaundre hadde
Loosnid the knotte, of which I haue you told,
And of the chaar[e] which Gordius ladde,
The secrees seyn & mysteries manyfold,
Worldli presumpcioun gan make his herte bold,
Withoute title of any rihtwisnesse,
The cite Gordie to spoille of his richesse.
Loosnid the knotte, of which I haue you told,
And of the chaar[e] which Gordius ladde,
The secrees seyn & mysteries manyfold,
Worldli presumpcioun gan make his herte bold,
Withoute title of any rihtwisnesse,
The cite Gordie to spoille of his richesse.
And al Frigie he robbed eek also
Vp to the mountayn that callid was Taurus.
The which[e] hill hath famous names too;
For it is also named Caucasus,
Wher this prynce most victorious
Ordeyned first proudli with spere & sheeld
Ageyn kyng Darie for to holde a feeld.
Vp to the mountayn that callid was Taurus.
The which[e] hill hath famous names too;
For it is also named Caucasus,
523
Ordeyned first proudli with spere & sheeld
Ageyn kyng Darie for to holde a feeld.
Vpon a mounteyn thei togidre mette;
The marcial pleyn [was] named Horestes,
And most proudli ther wardis ther thei sette
Al for the werre & nothyng for the pes.
Wher Alisandre, in knihthod pereles,
Al the Persiens batailed in his siht
On Daries partie put vnto [the] fliht.
The marcial pleyn [was] named Horestes,
And most proudli ther wardis ther thei sette
Al for the werre & nothyng for the pes.
Wher Alisandre, in knihthod pereles,
Al the Persiens batailed in his siht
On Daries partie put vnto [the] fliht.
Kyng Alisaundre, shortli to conclude,
In his most statli roial magnificence,
Set nat his trust in no gret multitude,
But in his knihtis, which longe in his presence
Hadde had in armis longe experience,
Wer weel preued in marcial disciplyne
Tenhaunce his conquest bi ther prudent doctrine.
In his most statli roial magnificence,
Set nat his trust in no gret multitude,
But in his knihtis, which longe in his presence
Hadde had in armis longe experience,
Wer weel preued in marcial disciplyne
Tenhaunce his conquest bi ther prudent doctrine.
Which in that iourne han hem so weel born,
That in ther noblesse founde was no lak:
For sexti thousand of footmen hem beforn
Thei slouh of Perse, & men on hors[e]bak
Other ten thousand, so mortal was the wrak;
And fourti thousand, as maad is mencioun,
Wer prisoneres [take] & put to ther raunsoun.
That in ther noblesse founde was no lak:
For sexti thousand of footmen hem beforn
Thei slouh of Perse, & men on hors[e]bak
Other ten thousand, so mortal was the wrak;
And fourti thousand, as maad is mencioun,
Wer prisoneres [take] & put to ther raunsoun.
On Grekis parti, the stori doth weel shewe,
Macedonoys on Alisandris side,
In comparisoun wer slay[e]n but a fewe;
For of footmen & men that dede ride,
Thoruh the feeldis, that wer so large & wide,
Ther wer that day in al ther mortal stryues
Nat ful thre hundred which that lost ther lyues.
Macedonoys on Alisandris side,
In comparisoun wer slay[e]n but a fewe;
For of footmen & men that dede ride,
Thoruh the feeldis, that wer so large & wide,
Ther wer that day in al ther mortal stryues
Nat ful thre hundred which that lost ther lyues.
Darie koude non other rescus make,
Fledde at myscheeff in ful gret distresse.
His wiff, his douhtre lad awei & take;
His tentis spoilled; his stori berth witnesse.
Grekis made glad with ful gret richesse,
His coffres spoilled, he fond no bet socour,
And he enporisshed of al his hool tresour.
Fledde at myscheeff in ful gret distresse.
His wiff, his douhtre lad awei & take;
His tentis spoilled; his stori berth witnesse.
Grekis made glad with ful gret richesse,
His coffres spoilled, he fond no bet socour,
And he enporisshed of al his hool tresour.
524
Whan Darie sauh his dedli auenture,
Ful pitousli in herte he dede mourne,
And anon aftir this disconfiture
To Babilon in haste he gan retourne,
And whil that he dede ther soiourne,
Knowyng no recure to hym that myhte auayle
With Alisaundre to holde mor bataile.
Ful pitousli in herte he dede mourne,
And anon aftir this disconfiture
To Babilon in haste he gan retourne,
And whil that he dede ther soiourne,
Knowyng no recure to hym that myhte auayle
With Alisaundre to holde mor bataile.
Than of purpos to sette hymsilf in ese
And for talegge his dedli fel greuaunce,
In his entent kyng Alisaundre to plese,
Cast for to sende hym lettres of plesaunce,
Yiue hym giftes in ful gret habundaunce.
But al the sleihtis which Darius hath wrouht,
Kyng Alisaundre set hem echon at nouht.
And for talegge his dedli fel greuaunce,
In his entent kyng Alisaundre to plese,
Cast for to sende hym lettres of plesaunce,
Yiue hym giftes in ful gret habundaunce.
But al the sleihtis which Darius hath wrouht,
Kyng Alisaundre set hem echon at nouht.
This manli kyng kept his conceit cloos,
List nat shewe what he ment in deede,
But caste fulli aftir his purpos
Vpon his conquest ferther to proceede.
Aftir the getyng of Perse & eek of Mede
To wynne Surrie, Egipt & Libie-lond,
Deemyng Fortune reedi to his hond.
List nat shewe what he ment in deede,
But caste fulli aftir his purpos
Vpon his conquest ferther to proceede.
Aftir the getyng of Perse & eek of Mede
To wynne Surrie, Egipt & Libie-lond,
Deemyng Fortune reedi to his hond.
And of his conquest ferther to endite,
Whan his glorie gan most fresshli shyne,
The temple of Iubiter cast hym to vesite,
Which stood in Libie, auctours determyne.
Saide how he was descendid fro the lyne
Of thilke god, bor[e]n to been his hair,
As lord of heuene, fir, water, erthe & hair.
Whan his glorie gan most fresshli shyne,
The temple of Iubiter cast hym to vesite,
Which stood in Libie, auctours determyne.
Saide how he was descendid fro the lyne
Of thilke god, bor[e]n to been his hair,
As lord of heuene, fir, water, erthe & hair.
And that the preestis fulli sholde assente
With heuenli goddis to maken hym egall,
Gret richesse & tresour he hem sente:
Thus dreed and mede made hym celestiall.
Falsli forgete that he was mortall,
And of ambicioun, be marcial apparaille,
Cast with Darie ageyn to ha[ue] bataille.
With heuenli goddis to maken hym egall,
Gret richesse & tresour he hem sente:
Thus dreed and mede made hym celestiall.
Falsli forgete that he was mortall,
And of ambicioun, be marcial apparaille,
Cast with Darie ageyn to ha[ue] bataille.
525
And, as I fynde, how thei dede mete,
The[s] too pryncis with peeple innumerable
In the confrount of the lond of Crete;
And kyng Darye of folkes deffensable
Brouht into feeld a peeple incomparable,
Foure hundred thousand of fotmen fet fro ferre,
With Alisaundre that day to holde werre.
The[s] too pryncis with peeple innumerable
In the confrount of the lond of Crete;
And kyng Darye of folkes deffensable
Brouht into feeld a peeple incomparable,
Foure hundred thousand of fotmen fet fro ferre,
With Alisaundre that day to holde werre.
An hundred thousand ther cam with hym also,
On hors[e]bak in steel[e] armyd briht.
And alle this peeple, whan thei hadde ado,
Al-be that day ful longe laste the fiht,
Wer slayn & take & I put to fliht.
Wher Alisaundre to his encres of glorie
Hadde of kyng Darie that day the victorie.
On hors[e]bak in steel[e] armyd briht.
And alle this peeple, whan thei hadde ado,
Al-be that day ful longe laste the fiht,
Wer slayn & take & I put to fliht.
Wher Alisaundre to his encres of glorie
Hadde of kyng Darie that day the victorie.
And Persiens to ther fynal myscheeff,
Withoute merci or payeng of raunsoun,
With kyng Darie wer put to gret repreeff,
Void of al hope & consolacioun,
Fledde, as I fynde, into the regeoun
Callid Partie, wher, as it is told,
He of that peeple was take & put in hold.
Withoute merci or payeng of raunsoun,
With kyng Darie wer put to gret repreeff,
Void of al hope & consolacioun,
Fledde, as I fynde, into the regeoun
Callid Partie, wher, as it is told,
He of that peeple was take & put in hold.
And thouh his feteres wern of gold maad riche,
He hadde therof, God wot, no plesaunce.
Fortunys gifftis be nat ay iliche,
In hir fals wheel ther is such variaunce.
Dyuers of cheer, straunge of hir contenaunce,
Made Alisaundre with a litil noumbre
The multitude of Darie to encoumbre.
He hadde therof, God wot, no plesaunce.
Fortunys gifftis be nat ay iliche,
In hir fals wheel ther is such variaunce.
Dyuers of cheer, straunge of hir contenaunce,
Made Alisaundre with a litil noumbre
The multitude of Darie to encoumbre.
Withyne a toun [called] Tharsa he was take,
In [a] chariet, with cheynis stronge bounde,
Of al his freendis pitousli forsake,
Lad & thoruh percid with many mortal wounde.
And this moordre contryued was and founde
Bi oon Bessus, a froward rekles knyht,
Which stood afforn most forthred in his siht,
In [a] chariet, with cheynis stronge bounde,
Of al his freendis pitousli forsake,
Lad & thoruh percid with many mortal wounde.
And this moordre contryued was and founde
Bi oon Bessus, a froward rekles knyht,
Which stood afforn most forthred in his siht,
526
And was assured be feith of his legiaunce
To kyng Darie to be trewe in deede.
But this fals traitour (God sende hym a myschaunce!)
Caused his woundis mortalli to bleede.
Yit or he deied he sente in al his dreede
A Percien kniht, sad & off gret age,
To Alisaundre to telle hym his massage:
To kyng Darie to be trewe in deede.
But this fals traitour (God sende hym a myschaunce!)
Caused his woundis mortalli to bleede.
Yit or he deied he sente in al his dreede
A Percien kniht, sad & off gret age,
To Alisaundre to telle hym his massage:
“Go thanke that prince of his hih noblesse,
Which of his grace & merci most habounde,
Hym list to shewe so gret gentilesse
Vnto my wiff & childre, as it is founde.
For which to hym I am so moche bounde,
That he myn enmy, of his benignite,
In ther distresse list haue of them pite.
Which of his grace & merci most habounde,
Hym list to shewe so gret gentilesse
Vnto my wiff & childre, as it is founde.
For which to hym I am so moche bounde,
That he myn enmy, of his benignite,
In ther distresse list haue of them pite.
And sithe I see that needis I mut deie
Thoruh bloodi woundis, which I may nat recure,
Sei Alisaundre, of grace that I preie,
For to ha[ue] routhe on myn auenture,
Next to ordeyne for my sepulture,
And condescende to graunte myn axyng,
For to be buried as longeth to a kyng.
Thoruh bloodi woundis, which I may nat recure,
Sei Alisaundre, of grace that I preie,
For to ha[ue] routhe on myn auenture,
Next to ordeyne for my sepulture,
And condescende to graunte myn axyng,
For to be buried as longeth to a kyng.
Praiyng the goddis which been inmortall,
Whan he hath do to quiten hym his meede,
That of his merci most imperiall
Hym list of grace for to taken heede,
To burie me, kyng of Perse & Mede;
For yif this fauour be in his herte founde,
To his noblesse the fame shal ay rebounde.
Whan he hath do to quiten hym his meede,
That of his merci most imperiall
Hym list of grace for to taken heede,
To burie me, kyng of Perse & Mede;
For yif this fauour be in his herte founde,
To his noblesse the fame shal ay rebounde.
Requeryng hym of his imperial myht
Of myn foul moordre to seen ech circumstaunce;
For moordre alway calleth to God of riht,
Neuer cesyng, but bi contynuaunce,
Vp to the heuene to crie for vengaunce,—
Namli on moordre compassed & forthouht,
Which bi auisement is execut & wrouht.
Of myn foul moordre to seen ech circumstaunce;
For moordre alway calleth to God of riht,
Neuer cesyng, but bi contynuaunce,
Vp to the heuene to crie for vengaunce,—
Namli on moordre compassed & forthouht,
Which bi auisement is execut & wrouht.
And sithe I haue leid on the this bond,
To Alisaundre to do my massage,
And hym coniured heer with my riht hond
Tauenge my deth, wrouht bi gret outrage,
My blood out shad, with pale & ded visage,
Heer bounde in stokkis, to goddis most benigne
With riht hool herte my sperit I resigne.”
To Alisaundre to do my massage,
And hym coniured heer with my riht hond
Tauenge my deth, wrouht bi gret outrage,
527
Heer bounde in stokkis, to goddis most benigne
With riht hool herte my sperit I resigne.”
Thus he lay stark, [for] ther was lefft no blood,
Lik as a-nother mortal creature.
Whan Alisaundre the moordre vndirstood,
As ye han herd remembrid be scripture,
He dede ordeyne for his sepulture
The funeral feeste holde in al[le] thynges
As bi old tyme longed onto kynges.
Lik as a-nother mortal creature.
Whan Alisaundre the moordre vndirstood,
As ye han herd remembrid be scripture,
He dede ordeyne for his sepulture
The funeral feeste holde in al[le] thynges
As bi old tyme longed onto kynges.
Lenvoye.
This tragedie pitous for to heere
Sheweth of Fortune þe chaunges lamentable,
Of roial tronis of gold & stonis cleere,
In worldli princis how thei be euer vnstable.
Hir fatal wheel most dyuers & chaungable,
With vnwar turn list nat hir cours to tarie
To throwe hem doun; record upon kyng Darie.
Sheweth of Fortune þe chaunges lamentable,
Of roial tronis of gold & stonis cleere,
In worldli princis how thei be euer vnstable.
Hir fatal wheel most dyuers & chaungable,
With vnwar turn list nat hir cours to tarie
To throwe hem doun; record upon kyng Darie.
Who can or may be ful assured heere
To make Fortune to be so tretable,
To fynde a weie or serche out the maneere
Bi obligacioun to fynde hir vnmutable?
Hir double face, the world ay deceyuable,
Shewe us ech day how falsli thei can varie
Bi couert fraude; record upon kyng Darie.
To make Fortune to be so tretable,
To fynde a weie or serche out the maneere
Bi obligacioun to fynde hir vnmutable?
Hir double face, the world ay deceyuable,
Shewe us ech day how falsli thei can varie
Bi couert fraude; record upon kyng Darie.
Exaumple how Phebus with his bemys cleer
Sheweth sum morwe his liht most agreable,
But longe or eue dirknesse ther doth appeere
Thoruh cloudi reynes & mystes long durable,
To us declaryng be toknes ful notable,
Worldli dignites, now fressh & now contrarie,
Can chaunge ther tides; record [up]on kyng Darie.
Sheweth sum morwe his liht most agreable,
But longe or eue dirknesse ther doth appeere
Thoruh cloudi reynes & mystes long durable,
To us declaryng be toknes ful notable,
Worldli dignites, now fressh & now contrarie,
Can chaunge ther tides; record [up]on kyng Darie.
Thoruh all Asie, Perse, & Mede ifeere
His lordshipe last, a thyng incomparable.
To Ethiope vnder the mydday speere,
Ful of tresour with gold innumerable,
His boundis rauhte; Fortune eek seruisable
Tobeie his lustis, til she gan falsli varie,
Bi expert fraude to preue hir myht in Darie.
His lordshipe last, a thyng incomparable.
To Ethiope vnder the mydday speere,
Ful of tresour with gold innumerable,
His boundis rauhte; Fortune eek seruisable
528
Bi expert fraude to preue hir myht in Darie.
Noble Princis, with hool hert & enteer
Lefft up your corages, holdeth this no fable:
Thouh ye sit hih, conceyueth with good cheer
No worldli lordshipe in erthe is perdurable;
And sithe ye been of nature resonable,
Among remembreth, as thyng most necessarie,
Al stant on chaung; record upon kyng Darie.
Lefft up your corages, holdeth this no fable:
Thouh ye sit hih, conceyueth with good cheer
No worldli lordshipe in erthe is perdurable;
And sithe ye been of nature resonable,
Among remembreth, as thyng most necessarie,
Al stant on chaung; record upon kyng Darie.
[Here Bochas remembreth the batailes and losse of Rewmys of antiquyte/with the fallyng of diuers nobles.]
Heer gynneth Bochas remembre in certeyn
The grete sorwes, the mortal disauailes,
The losse of reumys, þe blood eek shad in veyn,
Begunne of werris & marcial apparailles.
Cald to mynde of olde the fell batailles
Gunne of antiquite, as maad is mencioun,
First atween Greekis & them of Troie toun.
The grete sorwes, the mortal disauailes,
The losse of reumys, þe blood eek shad in veyn,
Begunne of werris & marcial apparailles.
Cald to mynde of olde the fell batailles
Gunne of antiquite, as maad is mencioun,
First atween Greekis & them of Troie toun.
A pitous herte it wolde make bleede
To haue in memoire the dreedful gret outrage,
As ye han herd[e], wrouht in Perse and Mede
Atween Darie and Alisaundre in ther age.
Eek atween Romeyns & them of Cartage
The woful troublis of werris first begunne,
Cause al the myscheuys that been vnder sonne.
To haue in memoire the dreedful gret outrage,
As ye han herd[e], wrouht in Perse and Mede
Atween Darie and Alisaundre in ther age.
Eek atween Romeyns & them of Cartage
The woful troublis of werris first begunne,
Cause al the myscheuys that been vnder sonne.
On outher parti, who can remembre ariht,
Now losse, now lucre komth of dyuisioun,
Now disencres, now heuy & now liht,
Now lyff, now deth, for short conclusioun;
For Bochas seith, such fals discencioun
Hath many kyngdam, that stood in good estat,
Turnid to ruyne & maad them desolat.
Now losse, now lucre komth of dyuisioun,
Now disencres, now heuy & now liht,
Now lyff, now deth, for short conclusioun;
For Bochas seith, such fals discencioun
Hath many kyngdam, that stood in good estat,
Turnid to ruyne & maad them desolat.
Remembre of Troye the wallis broke doun,
In Grece destroied many strong cite,
In Perse & Mede gret desolacioun,
Rome dispurueied of marcial surete,
Castellis, tours of old antiquite
Maad ruynous in Affrik & Cartage,
Caused be werris & Martis cruel rage.
In Grece destroied many strong cite,
In Perse & Mede gret desolacioun,
Rome dispurueied of marcial surete,
Castellis, tours of old antiquite
529
Caused be werris & Martis cruel rage.
Who list considren, wrouht bi daies olde
The cours of conquest of thes werreiours,
In Alisaundre he cleerli may beholde
Bi remembraunce of his progenitours
And of his blood, how al the successours
Hadde fatalli, or thei dede hen[ne]s wende,
A sodeyn deth or a shamful eende.
The cours of conquest of thes werreiours,
In Alisaundre he cleerli may beholde
Bi remembraunce of his progenitours
And of his blood, how al the successours
Hadde fatalli, or thei dede hen[ne]s wende,
A sodeyn deth or a shamful eende.
Ful many reknid that wer of hys lynage
For to succeede in his pocessiovns,
To sexe & thretti partyng his heritage,
To ech assigned ther roial porciouns.
[And] first, as he made his dyuisiouns,
He gaf of Frige the prefecture off riht
To Leonatus, that was so good a kniht.
For to succeede in his pocessiovns,
To sexe & thretti partyng his heritage,
To ech assigned ther roial porciouns.
[And] first, as he made his dyuisiouns,
He gaf of Frige the prefecture off riht
To Leonatus, that was so good a kniht.
But litil while last his pocessioun;
For the contres list hym nat obeie.
Thei of Athenys hadde indignacioun
With Antipater, for he dede hem werreye;
Yit in that werre, pleynli for to seie,
Leostenes ther duk, ther gouernour
Was slayn that day; he fond no bet socour.
For the contres list hym nat obeie.
Thei of Athenys hadde indignacioun
With Antipater, for he dede hem werreye;
Yit in that werre, pleynli for to seie,
Leostenes ther duk, ther gouernour
Was slayn that day; he fond no bet socour.
And Leonatus, that was his aduersarie,
Of Antipater the parti to susteene,
Fond Fortune that day to hym contrarie;
For in the feeld thouh he rod armed cleene,
With a sharp spere his wound was maad[e] greene,
At myscheef slayn, myn auctour doth compile.
Thus his lordship last nat but a while.
Of Antipater the parti to susteene,
Fond Fortune that day to hym contrarie;
For in the feeld thouh he rod armed cleene,
With a sharp spere his wound was maad[e] greene,
At myscheef slayn, myn auctour doth compile.
Thus his lordship last nat but a while.
Antipater, another successour
Of Alisaundre, as maad is mencioun,
Was be record the same fals traitour
That for his deth[e] tempred the poisoun.
His sone Cassander acomplisshed the tresoun,
Bar the cuppe which that made hym sterue,
With that strong venym whan he dede hym serue.
Of Alisaundre, as maad is mencioun,
Was be record the same fals traitour
That for his deth[e] tempred the poisoun.
His sone Cassander acomplisshed the tresoun,
Bar the cuppe which that made hym sterue,
With that strong venym whan he dede hym serue.
530
Antipater, of this crym coupable,
Gretli desired in his oppenioun
Vpon al tho [for] to be vengable,
That likli wern tespien his tresoun.
Drad hym sore, hauyng suspecioun
List he wer accusid to the statis
Of crym callid Illese magestatis.
Gretli desired in his oppenioun
Vpon al tho [for] to be vengable,
That likli wern tespien his tresoun.
Drad hym sore, hauyng suspecioun
List he wer accusid to the statis
Of crym callid Illese magestatis.
His sone assentid to that horrible deede,
Which to Alisaundre, beyng in Babiloun,
Most traitourli, withoute shame or dreede,
As ye han herd, presentid the poisoun.
And yit the kyng, as maad is mencioun,
Thouh he to hym fals was & contrarie,
He made hym prefect, lord of the lond of Carie.
Which to Alisaundre, beyng in Babiloun,
Most traitourli, withoute shame or dreede,
As ye han herd, presentid the poisoun.
And yit the kyng, as maad is mencioun,
Thouh he to hym fals was & contrarie,
He made hym prefect, lord of the lond of Carie.
And among other notable werreiours,
Ther wer thre mo, ful worthi & famous,
Set in the noumbre of his enheritours,
Policarpus & Neptolonius.
And ech of them to other envious,
Withynne a feeld, the stori doth us lere,
Euerich slouh other as thei mette ifeere.
Ther wer thre mo, ful worthi & famous,
Set in the noumbre of his enheritours,
Policarpus & Neptolonius.
And ech of them to other envious,
Withynne a feeld, the stori doth us lere,
Euerich slouh other as thei mette ifeere.
Of Perdicas what sholde I write or seyn?—
Which amonge alle was oon the beste kniht,
That whan Alisaundre lay deieng in certeyn,
And gan to feeble of his force & myht,
Dempte afforn that it sat weel of riht,
How this Perdicas, for wisdam & manheede,
In Macedoyne sholde aftir hym succede.
Which amonge alle was oon the beste kniht,
That whan Alisaundre lay deieng in certeyn,
And gan to feeble of his force & myht,
Dempte afforn that it sat weel of riht,
How this Perdicas, for wisdam & manheede,
In Macedoyne sholde aftir hym succede.
And onto hym with cheer & look benigne,
Vpon his hed for seeknesse compleynyng,
With ful hool herte for a notable signe,
Of successioun he gaff to hym a ryng,
Afftir his day to be crowned kyng
Of Macedoyne, sithe he myhte most auaile,
Thoruh al his empire to haue the gouernaile.
Vpon his hed for seeknesse compleynyng,
With ful hool herte for a notable signe,
Of successioun he gaff to hym a ryng,
Afftir his day to be crowned kyng
Of Macedoyne, sithe he myhte most auaile,
Thoruh al his empire to haue the gouernaile.
And yit seith Bochas breeffli in sentence,
Thouh he of knihthod & [of] hih prowesse,
Of manli force & also of prudence
Passed al other, the stori berth witnesse,
Bi vicious pride & froward boistousnesse
He was mor hyndred, thoruh his owne outrage,
Than al his enmyes myhte doon to hym damage.
Thouh he of knihthod & [of] hih prowesse,
Of manli force & also of prudence
Passed al other, the stori berth witnesse,
531
He was mor hyndred, thoruh his owne outrage,
Than al his enmyes myhte doon to hym damage.
For thoruh his pride & gret extorsiouns,
Fro Macedoyne the peeple of that contre
Fledde into other straunge regeouns.
And of presumpcioun, the stori seith, how he
Began a werre ageyn kyng Tholome,
Wher he was slayn in alle mennys sihtis,
Nat of his enmyes but of his owne knihtis.
Fro Macedoyne the peeple of that contre
Fledde into other straunge regeouns.
And of presumpcioun, the stori seith, how he
Began a werre ageyn kyng Tholome,
Wher he was slayn in alle mennys sihtis,
Nat of his enmyes but of his owne knihtis.
Eek Anaxarchus of Capadoce kyng,
Which provynce ioyneth to Surrie,
Touchyng the boundis, be record of writyng,
Toward thorient the lond of Armenye,
Hauyng too contres, Scilice & Ysaurie
Toward Cipre, & a gret ryueer
Rennyng amyddes with stremes fressh & cleer.
Which provynce ioyneth to Surrie,
Touchyng the boundis, be record of writyng,
Toward thorient the lond of Armenye,
Hauyng too contres, Scilice & Ysaurie
Toward Cipre, & a gret ryueer
Rennyng amyddes with stremes fressh & cleer.
This Anaxarchus, wher he was loth or fayn,
In daies fewe hath his kyngdam lorn;
For bi Perdicas proudli he was slayn,
Off whom that I haue you told beforn.
Thus worldli princis, thouh thei hadde it sworn,
For al ther lordshipe & domynacioun,
Bi fraude of Fortune vnwarli be put doun.
In daies fewe hath his kyngdam lorn;
For bi Perdicas proudli he was slayn,
Off whom that I haue you told beforn.
Thus worldli princis, thouh thei hadde it sworn,
For al ther lordshipe & domynacioun,
Bi fraude of Fortune vnwarli be put doun.
Amongis othir princis of that age,
Vpon Alisaundre duely abidyng,
Bochas reherseth, Amulchar of Cartage,
Duk of that cite, bi record of writyng,
Aftir the deth[e] of that worthi kyng,
As ye han herd, Imoordred be poisoun,
This saide Amulchar, reparyng to his toun,
Vpon Alisaundre duely abidyng,
Bochas reherseth, Amulchar of Cartage,
Duk of that cite, bi record of writyng,
Aftir the deth[e] of that worthi kyng,
As ye han herd, Imoordred be poisoun,
This saide Amulchar, reparyng to his toun,
Was slayn in Cartage, shortli to conclude,
Of cruel malis & conspiracioun
Withyne that cite, of fals ingratitude,
Whan he of knihthod fraunchised had the toun,—
And natwithstandyng al his hih renoun,
Whan he stood hiest in his felicite,
He bi the comouns was slayn of that cite.
Of cruel malis & conspiracioun
Withyne that cite, of fals ingratitude,
Whan he of knihthod fraunchised had the toun,—
And natwithstandyng al his hih renoun,
Whan he stood hiest in his felicite,
He bi the comouns was slayn of that cite.
532
[How Eumenides was twies outraied by Antigonus/and atte last/deied in prisoun.]
Whan Alisaundre in his roial estat
Hadde al conquered, toforn as ye ha[ue] herd,
He lik a god, most pompous & elat,
As souereyn prince of al this myddelerd,
To take upon hym was nothyng afferd
To cleyme in contres, a thyng that was nat fair,
Of Iubiter to be bothe sone & hair.
Hadde al conquered, toforn as ye ha[ue] herd,
He lik a god, most pompous & elat,
As souereyn prince of al this myddelerd,
To take upon hym was nothyng afferd
To cleyme in contres, a thyng that was nat fair,
Of Iubiter to be bothe sone & hair.
On of the prynciples, who-so taketh heede,
That first brouht in fals ydolatrie,
Was thilke tyme that preestis for fals drede
His name with goddis gan to magnefie,
And so to calle hym of feyned flaterie.
And myd ther temples in Libie on a stage
Of his liknesse thei sette up an image.
That first brouht in fals ydolatrie,
Was thilke tyme that preestis for fals drede
His name with goddis gan to magnefie,
And so to calle hym of feyned flaterie.
And myd ther temples in Libie on a stage
Of his liknesse thei sette up an image.
But lite or nouht to hym it mihte auaile
Ageyn his deth[e] for to doon socour,
Whan the fell poisoun dede his herte assaille,
Which made hym fade as doth a somer flour.
Of whos empire was non enheritour,
Sauf in his deiyng, thus stood the woful caas,
Tween sexe & thretti his lond deuided was.
Ageyn his deth[e] for to doon socour,
Whan the fell poisoun dede his herte assaille,
Which made hym fade as doth a somer flour.
Of whos empire was non enheritour,
Sauf in his deiyng, thus stood the woful caas,
Tween sexe & thretti his lond deuided was.
And in his story ful pleynli it is told,
This departis[i]oun, to make it ferme & stable,
He was leid foorth upon a couch of gold,
To reherse be toknis ful notable
Whom he dempte of verray soth most hable
Of al his princis, pleynli to discerne,
Whan he wer ded his kyngdam to gouerne.
This departis[i]oun, to make it ferme & stable,
He was leid foorth upon a couch of gold,
To reherse be toknis ful notable
Whom he dempte of verray soth most hable
Of al his princis, pleynli to discerne,
Whan he wer ded his kyngdam to gouerne.
First ther was oon amongis al that pres,
Next Alisandre the knihtliest[e] man,
The worthi duc callid Eumenydes,
Whos hih renoun ful weel reherse can
Prudent Iustinus, the grete historian.
Ordeyned afforn to gouerne reumys too,
Al Capadoce & Pafflogonie also.
Next Alisandre the knihtliest[e] man,
The worthi duc callid Eumenydes,
Whos hih renoun ful weel reherse can
Prudent Iustinus, the grete historian.
Ordeyned afforn to gouerne reumys too,
Al Capadoce & Pafflogonie also.
533
His hih noblesse, as maad is mencioun,
In especial mor to magnefie,
Hym lakked nouht of comendacioun
That appartened onto cheualrie,
To hih prudence or noble policie,
Except thre thyngis, myn auctour seiþ the same,
A crowne, a sceptre & a kynges name.
In especial mor to magnefie,
Hym lakked nouht of comendacioun
That appartened onto cheualrie,
To hih prudence or noble policie,
Except thre thyngis, myn auctour seiþ the same,
A crowne, a sceptre & a kynges name.
But for that he al othir dede excell
Bothe of prudence & famous cheualrie,
It is remembrid, as summe bookis tell,
That ther wer summe [that] hadde therat envie;
For whan Fortune list to sette up hie
Any persone alofft upon hir wheel,
Summe ar beside that like it neueradeel.
Bothe of prudence & famous cheualrie,
It is remembrid, as summe bookis tell,
That ther wer summe [that] hadde therat envie;
For whan Fortune list to sette up hie
Any persone alofft upon hir wheel,
Summe ar beside that like it neueradeel.
Who halt hym euer upon hih mounteyns
Fynt gret experience of blastis & of shours,
Offt is troubled with storm & wyndi reyns;
So of Alisaundre the proude successours,
Whan thei sat hiest shynyng in ther flours,
Wynd of envie, Fortune heeld so the rother,
That ech was besi to destroien othir.
Fynt gret experience of blastis & of shours,
Offt is troubled with storm & wyndi reyns;
So of Alisaundre the proude successours,
Whan thei sat hiest shynyng in ther flours,
Wynd of envie, Fortune heeld so the rother,
That ech was besi to destroien othir.
On hillis hih it is an inpossible
A man tabide withoute wynd or reyn;
A thyng expert & verra[il]y visible,
Hih clymbyng up is medlid with disdeyn:
Pres hath envie, as it is ofte seyn,
And thoruh preferryng of Fortune in estatis
Is euer caused gret werre & gret debatis.
A man tabide withoute wynd or reyn;
A thyng expert & verra[il]y visible,
Hih clymbyng up is medlid with disdeyn:
Pres hath envie, as it is ofte seyn,
And thoruh preferryng of Fortune in estatis
Is euer caused gret werre & gret debatis.
This same thyng was weel expert & preevid
Among thes saide roial enheritours
Of Alisandre; for ech of hem was greeuid
To seen his felawe regnen in his flours.
And thus atween these myhti successours,
Of fals envie ther gan so gret a striff,
That ech made other for to lese his lyff.
Among thes saide roial enheritours
Of Alisandre; for ech of hem was greeuid
To seen his felawe regnen in his flours.
And thus atween these myhti successours,
Of fals envie ther gan so gret a striff,
That ech made other for to lese his lyff.
And as it is afforn maad mencioun,
Policarpus & Neptolonius
Bi a maner fals conspiracioun
Ageyn Eumenides wer inli envious.
Of whos falsnesse he was suspecious,
Til on a day, ther is no mor to seyne,
Meetyng in bataille he slouh hem bothe tweyne.
Policarpus & Neptolonius
Bi a maner fals conspiracioun
Ageyn Eumenides wer inli envious.
534
Til on a day, ther is no mor to seyne,
Meetyng in bataille he slouh hem bothe tweyne.
For which[e] slauhtre proude Antigonus,
Of Macedoyne prefect & gouernour,
Wex in his herte so fel & despitous—
And was with-al a noble werreiour—
With his knihtis dede hooli his labour
Ageyn Eumenides bi marcial apparaille,
A feeld assigned, to holde a gret bataille.
Of Macedoyne prefect & gouernour,
Wex in his herte so fel & despitous—
And was with-al a noble werreiour—
With his knihtis dede hooli his labour
Ageyn Eumenides bi marcial apparaille,
A feeld assigned, to holde a gret bataille.
Made upon hym a proud disconfiture
As thei metten armed briht in steel,
And thus Eumenides, of mortal auenture,
Fledde at myscheeff into a strong castel,
Wherof his knihtis liked nothyng weel;
For as the stori pleynli maketh mynde,
That day he fledde & lefft his men behynde.
As thei metten armed briht in steel,
And thus Eumenides, of mortal auenture,
Fledde at myscheeff into a strong castel,
Wherof his knihtis liked nothyng weel;
For as the stori pleynli maketh mynde,
That day he fledde & lefft his men behynde.
In which castel for he stood destitut,
Fro thens he caste in al haste to flee;
In his gret myscheeff to fynde sum refut
That tyme he drouh hym in-tastrong contre
Sum socour gete auengid for to be,
Callid Argire bi Greekis of entent,
The Latyn corupt of this woord Argent.
Fro thens he caste in al haste to flee;
In his gret myscheeff to fynde sum refut
That tyme he drouh hym in-tastrong contre
Sum socour gete auengid for to be,
Callid Argire bi Greekis of entent,
The Latyn corupt of this woord Argent.
Of Archiraspedes, a peeple that ther duelle,
Ther name thei took afftir that regeoun.
The which[e] lond, as olde bookes telle,
Hath of siluer plente & foisoun;
For which[e] cause, bi old descripcioun,
It took his name of nature & of riht,
Because the soil lik syluer shyneth briht.
Ther name thei took afftir that regeoun.
The which[e] lond, as olde bookes telle,
Hath of siluer plente & foisoun;
For which[e] cause, bi old descripcioun,
It took his name of nature & of riht,
Because the soil lik syluer shyneth briht.
And of this ile, which hath so gret a pris,
As myn auctour maketh rehersaile,
How the peeple be prouident & wis,
Prudent in armys & manli in bataille,
Bothe to diffende & proudli to assaille.
Which bi ther wisdam & circumspect counsail
To kyng Alisaundre stood in gret auail.
As myn auctour maketh rehersaile,
How the peeple be prouident & wis,
Prudent in armys & manli in bataille,
Bothe to diffende & proudli to assaille.
Which bi ther wisdam & circumspect counsail
To kyng Alisaundre stood in gret auail.
535
And Eumenides, oon of his successours,
As ye han herd[e], drouh to that contre,
Ther to fynde refut & socours
In his myscheeff & gret aduersite.
And with his woordes of gret auctorite,
His noble langage & his fair eloquence,
The peeple had hym in ful gret reuerence.
As ye han herd[e], drouh to that contre,
Ther to fynde refut & socours
In his myscheeff & gret aduersite.
And with his woordes of gret auctorite,
His noble langage & his fair eloquence,
The peeple had hym in ful gret reuerence.
And for thei wern manli & coraious,
Able tassemble bothe in plate & maile,
He made hem rise ageyn Antigonus,
Bi ther prowesse with hym to ha[ue] bataille.
But of fortune his parti gan to faille,
Wher thilke peeple, the stori tellith thus,
Hadde euer afforn[e] been victorious.
Able tassemble bothe in plate & maile,
He made hem rise ageyn Antigonus,
Bi ther prowesse with hym to ha[ue] bataille.
But of fortune his parti gan to faille,
Wher thilke peeple, the stori tellith thus,
Hadde euer afforn[e] been victorious.
Antigonus hath the feeld recurid,
That day his knihtis fauht lik wood leouns,
In furious teene, of corage assurid,
Brak ther tentis & ther pauelouns,
Spoilled ther castellis, robbed ther dongouns,—
Wher that contre, vnwarli thus affraied,
Hadde neuer afforn in bataile been outraied.
That day his knihtis fauht lik wood leouns,
In furious teene, of corage assurid,
Brak ther tentis & ther pauelouns,
Spoilled ther castellis, robbed ther dongouns,—
Wher that contre, vnwarli thus affraied,
Hadde neuer afforn in bataile been outraied.
And of despiht this peeple rek[e]les,
Cauht in ther herte gret indignacioun
Ageyn ther prince, this said Eumenydes,
Which hadde hem brouht to ther destruccioun.
And al that peeple, of oon oppynioun,
Presentid hym, it was nat aftir longe,
To Antigonus, bounde in cheynys stronge.
Cauht in ther herte gret indignacioun
Ageyn ther prince, this said Eumenydes,
Which hadde hem brouht to ther destruccioun.
And al that peeple, of oon oppynioun,
Presentid hym, it was nat aftir longe,
To Antigonus, bounde in cheynys stronge.
In this processe breefli to proceede,
At gret myscheef he deied in prisoun;
He fond no mercy, pleynli, as I reede,
For al his noblesse nor his hih renoun.
Yit of his manhod it is maad mencioun,
Who that his stori list to looke ariht,
With Alisaundre ther was no bettir kniht.
At gret myscheef he deied in prisoun;
He fond no mercy, pleynli, as I reede,
For al his noblesse nor his hih renoun.
Yit of his manhod it is maad mencioun,
Who that his stori list to looke ariht,
With Alisaundre ther was no bettir kniht.
In his conquest eueri hour & space
He most cherisshed for his hih noblesse;
Aboue al othir stood most in his grace,
To helpe & releue folk in ther distresse,
Al-be that he deied in wrechidnesse:
To vs declaryng the grete variaunces
That al-day falle in Fortunys chauncis.
He most cherisshed for his hih noblesse;
Aboue al othir stood most in his grace,
To helpe & releue folk in ther distresse,
536
To vs declaryng the grete variaunces
That al-day falle in Fortunys chauncis.
[Lenvoye.]
This tragedie of Duk Eumenydes
Sheweth of Fortune þe froward doubilnesse,
How worldli princis þat be rek[e]les,
With vnwar chaungis fallen in distresse;
And ther may been no gretter heuynesse,
Afftir prosperite, nor no gretter peyne,
Than aduersite which that is sodeyne.
Sheweth of Fortune þe froward doubilnesse,
How worldli princis þat be rek[e]les,
With vnwar chaungis fallen in distresse;
And ther may been no gretter heuynesse,
Afftir prosperite, nor no gretter peyne,
Than aduersite which that is sodeyne.
Grettest envie, wher is grettest p[r]es;
Grettest await, wher is most richesse;
And grettest ese wher is rest & pes:
Wher most discord, most is heuynesse.
And of al sorwe, sorwefullest excesse
Is thilke sorwe that doth a man constreyne,
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Grettest await, wher is most richesse;
And grettest ese wher is rest & pes:
Wher most discord, most is heuynesse.
And of al sorwe, sorwefullest excesse
Is thilke sorwe that doth a man constreyne,
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Pryncis in erthe, of power pereles,
Which excelled al other in noblesse,
Hadde in this world bi conquest most encres,
As Alisaundre his stori berth witnesse.
Remembre the fyn of al ther hih prowesse
And the tryumphes to which thei dide atteyne:
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Which excelled al other in noblesse,
Hadde in this world bi conquest most encres,
As Alisaundre his stori berth witnesse.
Remembre the fyn of al ther hih prowesse
And the tryumphes to which thei dide atteyne:
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
The stronge enheritour[s] which þat he out ches,
Sixe & thretti, the noumbre to expresse,
Which hadde pocessioun of kyngdamys dout[e]les,
Ech thyng obeyeng to ther worthynesse,
Til Fortune thoruh hir doubilnesse
Shewed hir myht, vnwarli to ordeyne
Afftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Sixe & thretti, the noumbre to expresse,
Which hadde pocessioun of kyngdamys dout[e]les,
Ech thyng obeyeng to ther worthynesse,
Til Fortune thoruh hir doubilnesse
Shewed hir myht, vnwarli to ordeyne
Afftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Noble Princis, tauoide al disencres,
Among your-silff discordes doth represse.
Beth nat envious nor irous causeles;
Werkith no thyng of hasti wilfulnesse;
Lat discrecioun been your gouerneresse:
For ther mut folwe, iff ye parte on tweyne,
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
Among your-silff discordes doth represse.
Beth nat envious nor irous causeles;
Werkith no thyng of hasti wilfulnesse;
Lat discrecioun been your gouerneresse:
537
Aftir prosperite aduersite sodeyne.
[How queene Olimpiades for she delited in vices moordre and vengeaunce deied atte mischeeff.]
Next in ordre to Bochas dede appeere,
Afftir the myscheef of Eumenides,
The grete queen, with a ful pitous cheer,
Moodir of Alisaundre, Olympiades,
Born of the lyne of Eacides;
Among queenys, hir stori berth witnesse,
Excellid al other of beute & richesse.
Afftir the myscheef of Eumenides,
The grete queen, with a ful pitous cheer,
Moodir of Alisaundre, Olympiades,
Born of the lyne of Eacides;
Among queenys, hir stori berth witnesse,
Excellid al other of beute & richesse.
She was douhtir to Neptolonius,
The myhti kyng of Epirothes,
And hadde suspect how Neptanabus
Bi enchauntement put hymsilff in pres
Of wifli trouthe to make hir rek[e]les.
But Bochas heer, for to saue hir name,
Writ but a litil of hir sclaundrous diffame.
The myhti kyng of Epirothes,
And hadde suspect how Neptanabus
Bi enchauntement put hymsilff in pres
Of wifli trouthe to make hir rek[e]les.
But Bochas heer, for to saue hir name,
Writ but a litil of hir sclaundrous diffame.
This said[e] queen, riht fair of hir visage,
Was firste brouht foorth in thilke regiouns,
Wher all the worthi of blood & of lynage
Heeld ther sceptris & ther riche crouns,
Thoruhout al Grece with ful pocessiouns;
So that this queen that tyme nih & ferre
Was of beute callid the lode-sterre.
Was firste brouht foorth in thilke regiouns,
Wher all the worthi of blood & of lynage
Heeld ther sceptris & ther riche crouns,
Thoruhout al Grece with ful pocessiouns;
So that this queen that tyme nih & ferre
Was of beute callid the lode-sterre.
But among al hir gret prosperite,
Hir youthe flouryng in most souereyn noblesse,
Hir ioie was medlid with gret aduersite,
Whan Phelipp Macedo, to hir gret heuynesse,
Was mortalli woundid in distresse,
In Cithia bacerteyn nacioun
Callid Tribalois, as maad is mencioun.
Hir youthe flouryng in most souereyn noblesse,
Hir ioie was medlid with gret aduersite,
Whan Phelipp Macedo, to hir gret heuynesse,
Was mortalli woundid in distresse,
In Cithia bacerteyn nacioun
Callid Tribalois, as maad is mencioun.
For in that contre upon a certeyn day,
Wher-as he fauht & dede his besi peyne
To gete a cite, & at the siege lay,
And for thassaut dede his stuff ordeyne,
He lost vnwarli oon of his eien tweyne,
That whan the queen beheeld his sodeyn wounde,
She fill for sorwe euene plat to grounde.
Wher-as he fauht & dede his besi peyne
To gete a cite, & at the siege lay,
538
He lost vnwarli oon of his eien tweyne,
That whan the queen beheeld his sodeyn wounde,
She fill for sorwe euene plat to grounde.
Another thyng, bookis specefie,
Troubled hir fame bi gret heuynesse:
The suspect sclaundre of auout[e]rie
Wrouht bi Neptanabus enchauntyng hir fairnesse,
The liht eclipsyng of hir hih noblesse
Be swifft[e] report for to hyndre hir name,—
What fleeth mor swift than doth wikked fame?
Troubled hir fame bi gret heuynesse:
The suspect sclaundre of auout[e]rie
Wrouht bi Neptanabus enchauntyng hir fairnesse,
The liht eclipsyng of hir hih noblesse
Be swifft[e] report for to hyndre hir name,—
What fleeth mor swift than doth wikked fame?
In womanheede, as auctours alle write,
Most thyng comendid is ther chast honeste;
Thyng most sclaundrous ther noblesse tatwite,
Is whan princessis of hasti freelte
Exceede the boundis of wifli chastite:
For what auaileth lynage or roial blood,
Whan of ther lyuyng the report is nat good?
Most thyng comendid is ther chast honeste;
Thyng most sclaundrous ther noblesse tatwite,
Is whan princessis of hasti freelte
Exceede the boundis of wifli chastite:
For what auaileth lynage or roial blood,
Whan of ther lyuyng the report is nat good?
The hooli bed diffouled of mariage,
Or onis soilled may nat recurid be;
The vois goth forth & the froward langage
Bi many rewm & many gret cite.
Sclaundre hath a custum, & that is gret pite,
Trewe outher fals, bi contagious soun
Onis reised [up] it goth nat lihtli doun.
Or onis soilled may nat recurid be;
The vois goth forth & the froward langage
Bi many rewm & many gret cite.
Sclaundre hath a custum, & that is gret pite,
Trewe outher fals, bi contagious soun
Onis reised [up] it goth nat lihtli doun.
And to mor hyndryng of Olympiades,
Phelipp from hir dede awey declyne;
And of the kyng of Epirothes
The wif he took[e] to his concubyne,
Callid Cleopatra, pleynli to termyne.
And thus in myscheeff to encrece hir trouble,
Ther fals auoutry gan to wexe double.
Phelipp from hir dede awey declyne;
And of the kyng of Epirothes
The wif he took[e] to his concubyne,
Callid Cleopatra, pleynli to termyne.
And thus in myscheeff to encrece hir trouble,
Ther fals auoutry gan to wexe double.
539
Off this processe write I will no more,
Cause the mateer is abhomynable;
For kyng Phelipp the bargeyn bouhte sore,
As is remembred be cronicles ful notable,
Slayn on a day sittyng at his table,
Ful sodenli or he took any heede;—
Pausanias dede that cruel deede.
Cause the mateer is abhomynable;
For kyng Phelipp the bargeyn bouhte sore,
As is remembred be cronicles ful notable,
Slayn on a day sittyng at his table,
Ful sodenli or he took any heede;—
Pausanias dede that cruel deede.
Of which[e] slauhtre folwed a straunge cas,
As ye han herd, bi Pausanias wrouht:
Olympiades ful glad & murie was,
Heuy outward, hir herte void of thouht;
Yit feynyngli she hath out weies souht
For hym to holde solempne & roiall
Lik Greekis rihtis a feeste funerall.
As ye han herd, bi Pausanias wrouht:
Olympiades ful glad & murie was,
Heuy outward, hir herte void of thouht;
Yit feynyngli she hath out weies souht
For hym to holde solempne & roiall
Lik Greekis rihtis a feeste funerall.
Aftir whos deth, wrouht of gret cruelte,
Kyng Alisaundre maad no lenger let,
Made Pausanias taken for to bee
And to been hangid upon an hih gibet,
Vpon whos hed ther was a crowne set
Of gold & perle & riche stonis Inde
Be Olympiades, in story as I fynde.
Kyng Alisaundre maad no lenger let,
Made Pausanias taken for to bee
And to been hangid upon an hih gibet,
Vpon whos hed ther was a crowne set
Of gold & perle & riche stonis Inde
Be Olympiades, in story as I fynde.
For he stood gretli in the queenis grace;
And as folke dempte of suspecioun,
Thei mette togidre in many preve place,
Which gretli turned to hir confusioun;
For noise aroos thoruh al that regeoun,
That be thoccasioun of ther misleuyng,
How Pausanias slouh Phelipp the kyng.
And as folke dempte of suspecioun,
Thei mette togidre in many preve place,
Which gretli turned to hir confusioun;
For noise aroos thoruh al that regeoun,
That be thoccasioun of ther misleuyng,
How Pausanias slouh Phelipp the kyng.
But she anon in hir malis feruent
Fro the gebet made hym be take doun,
Made his bodi solempneli be brent,
Kept his exequies with gret oblacioun
Aftir the rihtis of that regeoun,
Nat left behynde in parti nor in all
That appartened to feestis funerall.
Fro the gebet made hym be take doun,
Made his bodi solempneli be brent,
Kept his exequies with gret oblacioun
Aftir the rihtis of that regeoun,
Nat left behynde in parti nor in all
That appartened to feestis funerall.
Vpon kyng Phelipp, as it wer for the nonys
To doon hir lord a shame & [a] despiht,
Solempneli she made brenne the bonis
Of Pausanias, for a fals appetit,—
Vnto no man she hadde so gret delite;
For which this feste was lik in alle thynges
To thexequies of princis & of kynges.
To doon hir lord a shame & [a] despiht,
Solempneli she made brenne the bonis
540
Vnto no man she hadde so gret delite;
For which this feste was lik in alle thynges
To thexequies of princis & of kynges.
She made his suerd[e] also to be take,
With which he slouh Phelipp the grete kyng,
Offrid it up onli for his sake
Toforn Appollo, be record of writyng.
Which to hir was sclaundre & gret hyndryng,
Caused folk deeme in ther entent,
To slen kyng Phelipp how she was of assent.
With which he slouh Phelipp the grete kyng,
Offrid it up onli for his sake
Toforn Appollo, be record of writyng.
Which to hir was sclaundre & gret hyndryng,
Caused folk deeme in ther entent,
To slen kyng Phelipp how she was of assent.
To been cruel was set al hir plesaunce:
For merciles, void of al pite,
On Cleopatre causyng this vengaunce,
That she hirsilff[e] heeng upon a tre;
Moordrid hir douhtir, the stori ye may see.
What malis may, yif it be declared,
Vnto the malis of wommen be compared?
For merciles, void of al pite,
On Cleopatre causyng this vengaunce,
That she hirsilff[e] heeng upon a tre;
Moordrid hir douhtir, the stori ye may see.
What malis may, yif it be declared,
Vnto the malis of wommen be compared?
I speke of them that be malicious
And list of custum for to be vengable:
Among a thousand oon may be vertuous,
And in too thousand sum oon is merciable;
But whan thei been of rancour vntretable,
Ther is no tigre mor cruel dout[e]les,
Record I take off Olympiades.
And list of custum for to be vengable:
Among a thousand oon may be vertuous,
And in too thousand sum oon is merciable;
But whan thei been of rancour vntretable,
Ther is no tigre mor cruel dout[e]les,
Record I take off Olympiades.
And she of malis was mor set affire
Texecute boldli hir vengaunce,
Bi thoccasioun of the gret empire
Of Perse & Mede, ful famous in substaunce,
Which stood be conquest vnder the gouernaunce
Of Alisaundre, wherbi she thouhte hir strong
Tacheve ech thyng, wher it wer riht or wrong.
Texecute boldli hir vengaunce,
Bi thoccasioun of the gret empire
Of Perse & Mede, ful famous in substaunce,
Which stood be conquest vnder the gouernaunce
Of Alisaundre, wherbi she thouhte hir strong
Tacheve ech thyng, wher it wer riht or wrong.
Dempte hir poweer sholde ay contune
Bi the mene of his hih mageste.
God is strenger than the queen Fortune,
Which suffred hir sone in his most dignite
In Babiloyne poisouned for to bee,
As is remembred in many old histories,
Aftir his tryumphes & [al] his gret victories.
Bi the mene of his hih mageste.
God is strenger than the queen Fortune,
Which suffred hir sone in his most dignite
In Babiloyne poisouned for to bee,
As is remembred in many old histories,
Aftir his tryumphes & [al] his gret victories.
541
But for to passe breeffli by writyng,
Touchyng this queen, as maad is mencioun,
Whan ded was Phelipp, the famous myhti kyng,
She hadde off Macedoyne ful pocessioun,
And gouerned that myhti regioun,
Wher lik a woluesse, as auctours of hir write,
To shede blood she gan hirsilff delite.
Touchyng this queen, as maad is mencioun,
Whan ded was Phelipp, the famous myhti kyng,
She hadde off Macedoyne ful pocessioun,
And gouerned that myhti regioun,
Wher lik a woluesse, as auctours of hir write,
To shede blood she gan hirsilff delite.
In hir tirannye most feruent & irous,
Reioisshede in slauhtre & to see men bleede;
For serpent non was mor malicious
Than was this queen, in bookis ye may reede.
Yit afftir al this she resceyued hir meede;
For thouh Fortune fauoured hir a while,
Yit with hir treynes she koude hir weel begile.
Reioisshede in slauhtre & to see men bleede;
For serpent non was mor malicious
Than was this queen, in bookis ye may reede.
Yit afftir al this she resceyued hir meede;
For thouh Fortune fauoured hir a while,
Yit with hir treynes she koude hir weel begile.
The eende of tirauntis & eek of tiraunessis,
And of moordreris, be thei neuer so wood,
Of poisounmongeris & enchaunteressis,
Of fals supplantours, contrarie to all good,
And of conspireres & them that thriste blood,—
Alle thes muste han bi Goddis purueyaunce
Heer short liff or sodenli vengaunce.
And of moordreris, be thei neuer so wood,
Of poisounmongeris & enchaunteressis,
Of fals supplantours, contrarie to all good,
And of conspireres & them that thriste blood,—
Alle thes muste han bi Goddis purueyaunce
Heer short liff or sodenli vengaunce.
In Macedoyne this queen was most behatid
For hir vengable mortal oppressioun;
And Cassander ageyn hir hath debatid
And gunne a werre upon hir regeoun,
Which Talisaundre mynystrid the poisoun,
As ye han herd, afforn of hym deuised,
Bi Antipater most mortalli practised.
For hir vengable mortal oppressioun;
And Cassander ageyn hir hath debatid
And gunne a werre upon hir regeoun,
Which Talisaundre mynystrid the poisoun,
As ye han herd, afforn of hym deuised,
Bi Antipater most mortalli practised.
She fond no reffut, but took hir to the fliht,
This cruel queen, this Olympiades,
Into a mounteyn that stood ferr out of siht;
And of hir kyn ther folwed hir gret pres,
Supposyng talyued ther in pes.
For on that hill stood a gret dongoun,
Strongli walled abouten enviroun,
This cruel queen, this Olympiades,
Into a mounteyn that stood ferr out of siht;
And of hir kyn ther folwed hir gret pres,
Supposyng talyued ther in pes.
For on that hill stood a gret dongoun,
Strongli walled abouten enviroun,
Which that marchid to a gret cite
Callid Epidna, stondyng in gret doute,
Because Cassander of old enmyte
Hadde for hir leide a seege [al] aboute.
And non was hardi for to issen oute,
Til Cassander, of fals compassed tresoun,
Made with them a composicioun.
Callid Epidna, stondyng in gret doute,
Because Cassander of old enmyte
542
And non was hardi for to issen oute,
Til Cassander, of fals compassed tresoun,
Made with them a composicioun.
His feith was leid that tyme for hostage,
Bi oth assurid to Olympiades,
Bi couert fraude vnder fair langage,
To suffren hir with hym to lyue in pes.
But of his promys, he fals & rek[e]les,
For vnder trete, as maad is mencioun,
The queen he took & cast hir in prisoun.
Bi oth assurid to Olympiades,
Bi couert fraude vnder fair langage,
To suffren hir with hym to lyue in pes.
But of his promys, he fals & rek[e]les,
For vnder trete, as maad is mencioun,
The queen he took & cast hir in prisoun.
But wil ye seen a roial hih corage,
How boldeli, delyuered fro prisoun,
She descendid, imperial of visage,
With al hir maidnes aboute hir enviroun,
Hir enmyes present, wodere than leoun,
Seyng hir stonde so statli of hir face,
Whan thei wer proudest tareste hir & manace.
How boldeli, delyuered fro prisoun,
She descendid, imperial of visage,
With al hir maidnes aboute hir enviroun,
Hir enmyes present, wodere than leoun,
Seyng hir stonde so statli of hir face,
Whan thei wer proudest tareste hir & manace.
She was arraied of purpos for the nonys,
As seith Bochas, in most statli wise;
In riche purpil, gold & precious stonis,
Lik an emperesse in the Grekissh guise.
Hir list nat fleen, the stori doth deuise,
With cry nor noise passed nat hir boundis,
Whan that hir blood doun railled from hir woundis.
As seith Bochas, in most statli wise;
In riche purpil, gold & precious stonis,
Lik an emperesse in the Grekissh guise.
Hir list nat fleen, the stori doth deuise,
With cry nor noise passed nat hir boundis,
Whan that hir blood doun railled from hir woundis.
She nat affraied in al hir mortal shour[e]s;
Void of al feer[e] list nat bowe hir chyne,
Make no praieer to hir tormentour[e]s,
Nor no tokne of corage femynyne.
Vpriht she stood[e], list nat doun declyne,
Gaff euidence, as it is comprehendid,
Of what lyne & blood she was descendid.
Void of al feer[e] list nat bowe hir chyne,
Make no praieer to hir tormentour[e]s,
Nor no tokne of corage femynyne.
Vpriht she stood[e], list nat doun declyne,
Gaff euidence, as it is comprehendid,
Of what lyne & blood she was descendid.
For vnto tyme that she gaf up the breth,
Was neuer sey[e]n prince nor princesse
That mor proudli took ther fatal deth.
For as I deeme, hir marcial hardynesse
Cam from Bellona, of armys cheef goddesse;
Outher she hadde it bynfluence of corage
Youe bi the goddis to hire & hir lynage.
Was neuer sey[e]n prince nor princesse
That mor proudli took ther fatal deth.
For as I deeme, hir marcial hardynesse
Cam from Bellona, of armys cheef goddesse;
Outher she hadde it bynfluence of corage
Youe bi the goddis to hire & hir lynage.
543
Force is a vertu, bookis spesefie,
Ageyn al vices to make resistence;
But froward rancour & wood malencolie
Gaff hir a spirit of feyned pacience,
A fals pretence of hih magnificence,
Ascauns she hadde been in vertu strong,
For trouthe to haue endurid eueri wrong.
Ageyn al vices to make resistence;
But froward rancour & wood malencolie
Gaff hir a spirit of feyned pacience,
A fals pretence of hih magnificence,
Ascauns she hadde been in vertu strong,
For trouthe to haue endurid eueri wrong.
Contrarious force made hir despitous,
Strong in hir errour to endure peyne;
Of obstynat herte she was fell & irous,
In dethis constreynt list nat to compleyne.
Countirfet suffraunce made hir for to feyne;
Nothyng of vertu, pleynli to termyne,
Nor of no manerys that be femynyne.
Strong in hir errour to endure peyne;
Of obstynat herte she was fell & irous,
In dethis constreynt list nat to compleyne.
Countirfet suffraunce made hir for to feyne;
Nothyng of vertu, pleynli to termyne,
Nor of no manerys that be femynyne.
In hir entrailles al malis was enclosed
And al contagious venym serpentyne,
Nat lik a woman, but as a feend disposid,
Able to destroie al vertuous disciplyne:
Thus she began; thus she dede fyne.
In vicious moordre she dede hir ay delite,
Wherfor of hire me list no mor tendite.
And al contagious venym serpentyne,
Nat lik a woman, but as a feend disposid,
Able to destroie al vertuous disciplyne:
Thus she began; thus she dede fyne.
In vicious moordre she dede hir ay delite,
Wherfor of hire me list no mor tendite.
Lenvoye.
Alle ye that shal this tragedie see,
Of routhe & merci hath compassioun,
To seen a princesse from hir imperial see
So vnwarli by Fortune throwe doun.
Of whos myscheeff this was thoccasioun,
That in thre thynges was set most hir plesaunce:
In vicious lust, in moordre & in vengaunce.
Of routhe & merci hath compassioun,
To seen a princesse from hir imperial see
So vnwarli by Fortune throwe doun.
Of whos myscheeff this was thoccasioun,
That in thre thynges was set most hir plesaunce:
In vicious lust, in moordre & in vengaunce.
Alas, that euer the mortal cruelte
Of bloodi suerd bi execucioun
Sholde been approprid to femynyte,
Ageyn the nature of ther condicioun!
Causyng the fynal sclaundrous confusioun
Of Olympiades, heer put in remembraunce,
For vicious lust, moordre & fals vengaunce.
Of bloodi suerd bi execucioun
Sholde been approprid to femynyte,
Ageyn the nature of ther condicioun!
Causyng the fynal sclaundrous confusioun
544
For vicious lust, moordre & fals vengaunce.
Vnder fressh flours, riht soote & fair to see,
The serpent dareth with his couert poisoun.
In cristal watres that calm & smothe bee
Arn pereillous pettis ful of decepcioun.
Men seen alday bi cleer inspeccioun
In feynyng facis angelik suffisaunce;
Hid vndir-nethe rancour & gret vengaunce.
The serpent dareth with his couert poisoun.
In cristal watres that calm & smothe bee
Arn pereillous pettis ful of decepcioun.
Men seen alday bi cleer inspeccioun
In feynyng facis angelik suffisaunce;
Hid vndir-nethe rancour & gret vengaunce.
Thouh she excellid of hir natiff beute
Al othir princ[ess]is of that regeoun,
Was neuer sey[e]n feller non than she,
To execute lik hir oppenyoun
The pereilous treynys contreued of tresoun,
And specialli in hir pompous greuaunce,
Wher she hated, for to do vengaunce.
Al othir princ[ess]is of that regeoun,
Was neuer sey[e]n feller non than she,
To execute lik hir oppenyoun
The pereilous treynys contreued of tresoun,
And specialli in hir pompous greuaunce,
Wher she hated, for to do vengaunce.
Noble Princessis, set hih in dignite,
Doth aduertise of discrecioun,
In your most poweer & largest liberte
Beth merciable & doth remyssioun,
Sugreþ with pite your indignacioun,
Lat grace & merci tempre your hih puissaunce,
Of Olympiades eschewyng the vengau[n]ce.
Doth aduertise of discrecioun,
In your most poweer & largest liberte
Beth merciable & doth remyssioun,
Sugreþ with pite your indignacioun,
Lat grace & merci tempre your hih puissaunce,
Of Olympiades eschewyng the vengau[n]ce.
Exilith rigour ferr out of contre,
Yiue hym with you no iurediccioun.
To womanheede longeth nat, parde,
Of cancred rancour newe execucioun.
Wher mercy regneth, of grace ther is foisoun,
Hath this in mynde bi long contynvaunce,
Of Olympiades forgetyng the vengaunce.
Yiue hym with you no iurediccioun.
To womanheede longeth nat, parde,
Of cancred rancour newe execucioun.
Wher mercy regneth, of grace ther is foisoun,
Hath this in mynde bi long contynvaunce,
Of Olympiades forgetyng the vengaunce.
Lat pacience bi vertuous plente
Withynne your hertis purchase a mansioun;
Lat your compassioun attempren equite,
That riht exceede nat the boundis of resoun,
So that your femynyn humble entencioun
Be alway bridled be prouident suffraunce,
Voidyng al excessis of rigour & vengaunce.
Withynne your hertis purchase a mansioun;
Lat your compassioun attempren equite,
That riht exceede nat the boundis of resoun,
So that your femynyn humble entencioun
Be alway bridled be prouident suffraunce,
Voidyng al excessis of rigour & vengaunce.
545
For it is said of old auctorite,
To wommen longeth bi disposicioun
Meeknesse in langage, in port humylite,
In al vertu humble subieccioun,
Void of manacis, striff & contencioun,
So that no man in your attendaunce
Espie no tokne of rancour nor vengaunce.
To wommen longeth bi disposicioun
Meeknesse in langage, in port humylite,
In al vertu humble subieccioun,
Void of manacis, striff & contencioun,
So that no man in your attendaunce
Espie no tokne of rancour nor vengaunce.
The especial mene, the parcialite
Sholde of al merci be descripsioun
Rebounde to women; for of antiquite
The lamb nat vsed to pleie the leoun,
Nor no meek dowue envied the faucoun.
Nor to your sect, bi natural accordaunce,
Sitt nouther rigour nor hasti fel vengaunce.
Sholde of al merci be descripsioun
Rebounde to women; for of antiquite
The lamb nat vsed to pleie the leoun,
Nor no meek dowue envied the faucoun.
Nor to your sect, bi natural accordaunce,
Sitt nouther rigour nor hasti fel vengaunce.
This symple Lenvoie, resceyueth it at gre
And hath therof non indignacioun,
Lowli direct to your benignite
Onli of meeknesse & no presumpcioun,
Knowyng of kynde your inclynacioun
Disposed is bi natural purueiaunce
Vnto al merci, & nothyng onto vengaunce.
And hath therof non indignacioun,
Lowli direct to your benignite
Onli of meeknesse & no presumpcioun,
Knowyng of kynde your inclynacioun
Disposed is bi natural purueiaunce
Vnto al merci, & nothyng onto vengaunce.
[How Agathodes of lowe birthe born atteyned to roial dignite/ended in pouerte and wrecchidnesse.]
I haue herd seid of ful yore agon,
A whirle-wynd[e], blowing nothing softe,
Was in old Inglissh callid a rodion,
That reiseth duste & strauh ful hih alofte.
And in thascendyng (it falleth so ful ofte),
Thouh it be bor[e]n almost to the skie,
Wher it becomth ther can no man espie.
A whirle-wynd[e], blowing nothing softe,
Was in old Inglissh callid a rodion,
That reiseth duste & strauh ful hih alofte.
And in thascendyng (it falleth so ful ofte),
Thouh it be bor[e]n almost to the skie,
Wher it becomth ther can no man espie.
546
Out of forgis bi fire þat smethis make,
Bi cleer experience it is ful ofte seyn,
That thes infernal ougli smokes blake
Transcende the coppe of many gret mounteyn;
But ofte sithe bi a ful sodeyn reyn
Al such ascenciouns, bi rage of wynd up blowe,
With vnwar tourn be reuersed & brouht lowe.
Bi cleer experience it is ful ofte seyn,
That thes infernal ougli smokes blake
Transcende the coppe of many gret mounteyn;
But ofte sithe bi a ful sodeyn reyn
Al such ascenciouns, bi rage of wynd up blowe,
With vnwar tourn be reuersed & brouht lowe.
And semblably to putte it at a preeff
And execute it bi cleer experience,
On the moste contrarious myscheeff
Founde in this erthe, bi notable euidence,
Is onli this: bi fortunat violence
Whan that a wrech[e], cherlissh of nature,
Thestat of princis vnwarli doth recure.
And execute it bi cleer experience,
On the moste contrarious myscheeff
Founde in this erthe, bi notable euidence,
Is onli this: bi fortunat violence
Whan that a wrech[e], cherlissh of nature,
Thestat of princis vnwarli doth recure.
A crowne of gold is nothyng accordyng
For to be set upon a knauis hed;
A foltissh clerk for to were a ryng
Accordeth nothyng, who that kan take heed.
And in this world ther is no gretter dreed
Than poweer youe, yif it be weel souht,
Vnto such on that first roos up of nouht.
For to be set upon a knauis hed;
A foltissh clerk for to were a ryng
Accordeth nothyng, who that kan take heed.
And in this world ther is no gretter dreed
Than poweer youe, yif it be weel souht,
Vnto such on that first roos up of nouht.
Ther is no maner iust convenience,
A roial charboncle, rubie or garnet,
Nor a chast emeraud of vertuous excellence,
Nor ynde saphirs in coper to be set,—
Ther kyndli poweer in foul metal is let;
And so thestat of politik puissaunce
Is lost wher-euer knaues haue gouernaunce.
A roial charboncle, rubie or garnet,
Nor a chast emeraud of vertuous excellence,
Nor ynde saphirs in coper to be set,—
Ther kyndli poweer in foul metal is let;
And so thestat of politik puissaunce
Is lost wher-euer knaues haue gouernaunce.
For a tyme thei may weel up ascende,
Lik wyndi smokes ther boistous fumys spreede.
A crownid asse, pleynli to comprehende,
Void of discrecioun is mor for to dreede
Than is a leoun: for the ton in deede
Of his nature is myhti & roiall;
Void of discrecioun, the tothir bestiall.
Lik wyndi smokes ther boistous fumys spreede.
A crownid asse, pleynli to comprehende,
Void of discrecioun is mor for to dreede
Than is a leoun: for the ton in deede
Of his nature is myhti & roiall;
Void of discrecioun, the tothir bestiall.
The gentil nature of a strong leoun
To prostrat peepl[e] of kynde is merciable;
For vnto all that falle afforn hym doun
His roiall puissaunce cannat be vengable.
But cherlissh wolues, bi rigour vntretable,
And foltissh assis, eek of bestialite,
Failyng resoun, braide euer on cruelte.
To prostrat peepl[e] of kynde is merciable;
For vnto all that falle afforn hym doun
His roiall puissaunce cannat be vengable.
547
And foltissh assis, eek of bestialite,
Failyng resoun, braide euer on cruelte.
Non is so proud as he that can no good,
The leudere hed, the mor presumpcioun,
Most cruelte & vengaunce in louh blood,
Wher malepertnesse, ther indiscrecioun.
Of cherl & gentil make this dyuisioun:
Of outher of them I dar riht weel reporte,
The stok thei cam fro, therto thei wil resorte.
The leudere hed, the mor presumpcioun,
Most cruelte & vengaunce in louh blood,
Wher malepertnesse, ther indiscrecioun.
Of cherl & gentil make this dyuisioun:
Of outher of them I dar riht weel reporte,
The stok thei cam fro, therto thei wil resorte.
The rose knowe be colour & suetnesse,
And violettis for ther fressh tarage,
The netle rouh[e] for his fel sharpnesse,
Thistlis, breeris prikyng bi gret outrage:
And thus considred the rote of ech lynage,
Froward techchis been euer in cherlis founde,
Wher vnto gentilesse ay vertu doth rebounde.
And violettis for ther fressh tarage,
The netle rouh[e] for his fel sharpnesse,
Thistlis, breeris prikyng bi gret outrage:
And thus considred the rote of ech lynage,
Froward techchis been euer in cherlis founde,
Wher vnto gentilesse ay vertu doth rebounde.
Lat men bewar in special of o thyng,
How gret decepcioun is in fals coignage:
The plate may be briht in his shewyng,
The metal fals & shewe a fair visage.
Al is nat gold, to speke in pleyn langage,
That shynith briht; concludyng of resoun,
Vnder fair cheer is ofte hid fals poisoun.
How gret decepcioun is in fals coignage:
The plate may be briht in his shewyng,
The metal fals & shewe a fair visage.
Al is nat gold, to speke in pleyn langage,
That shynith briht; concludyng of resoun,
Vnder fair cheer is ofte hid fals poisoun.
For as a skie or an ougli cloude
Which that ascendith lowe out of the se,
And with his blaknesse doth the sunne shroude,
That men may nat his gret[e] brihtnesse see
Nor haue no counfort of his cleer beute,
So vicious techchis, I do you weel assure,
Difface ful ofte the giftes of nature.
Which that ascendith lowe out of the se,
And with his blaknesse doth the sunne shroude,
That men may nat his gret[e] brihtnesse see
Nor haue no counfort of his cleer beute,
So vicious techchis, I do you weel assure,
Difface ful ofte the giftes of nature.
God onto summe hath youen bi nature
For to excellen another in fairnesse;
Yit in vicis, be record of scripture,
Thei wer disclaundred, Bochas berth witnesse:
Outward sugre, inward bittirnesse.
Bi which exaumple, to purpos I may call
Agathodes, fulfilled of vices all.
For to excellen another in fairnesse;
Yit in vicis, be record of scripture,
Thei wer disclaundred, Bochas berth witnesse:
Outward sugre, inward bittirnesse.
Bi which exaumple, to purpos I may call
Agathodes, fulfilled of vices all.
548
In this stori he kometh now on the ryng,
Which of beute hadde passyng excellence;
But to declare his vicious lyuyng
And to descryue his outraious offence,—
Yif I sholde writen in sentence
Lik his demerites hooli the maneer,
It wolde thoruh perse & blotte my paper.
Which of beute hadde passyng excellence;
But to declare his vicious lyuyng
And to descryue his outraious offence,—
Yif I sholde writen in sentence
Lik his demerites hooli the maneer,
It wolde thoruh perse & blotte my paper.
Touchyng his berthe, of louh[e] bed descendid,
Sone of a pottere, the story ye may see,
In no vertu I fynde hym nat comendid,
Except nature gaff hym gret beute.
Fostrid in myscheeff & in gret pouerte,
Hadde eek disdeyn, I can hym nat excuse,
Of hatful pride his fadris craft to vse.
Sone of a pottere, the story ye may see,
In no vertu I fynde hym nat comendid,
Except nature gaff hym gret beute.
Fostrid in myscheeff & in gret pouerte,
Hadde eek disdeyn, I can hym nat excuse,
Of hatful pride his fadris craft to vse.
Bi the mene of his gret fairnesse
To hih estat he cam fro louh degre;
Yit in a vice which I wil nat expresse
He disusid cursidli his beute
Ageyn nature, that euel mut he the.
And soiled he was, shortli to specefie,
With al the vicis of pride & lecherie.
To hih estat he cam fro louh degre;
Yit in a vice which I wil nat expresse
He disusid cursidli his beute
Ageyn nature, that euel mut he the.
And soiled he was, shortli to specefie,
With al the vicis of pride & lecherie.
Yit natwithstondyng his fals condiciouns,
God suffred hym to come to hih estat,
And to gouerne dyuers naciouns,
I fynde a while how he was fortunat,
In his lecherie ay pompous & elat;
And in a cite callid Ciracuse
The said[e] vices he frowardli gan vse.
God suffred hym to come to hih estat,
And to gouerne dyuers naciouns,
I fynde a while how he was fortunat,
In his lecherie ay pompous & elat;
And in a cite callid Ciracuse
The said[e] vices he frowardli gan vse.
And for he hadde beute & gret myht,
To alle vices his youthe he dede enclyne,
And koude also foorthre hymsilf ariht,
Of elloquence expert in the doctryne.
And, as is said, thouh he cam of low lyne,
Yit, as it is put in remembraunce,
An hundred knihtis he hadde in gouernaunce.
To alle vices his youthe he dede enclyne,
And koude also foorthre hymsilf ariht,
Of elloquence expert in the doctryne.
And, as is said, thouh he cam of low lyne,
Yit, as it is put in remembraunce,
An hundred knihtis he hadde in gouernaunce.
Off centurien he purchacid an offis,
And that tyme he took the ordre of kniht;
Aftir chose a tribun of gret pris,
And gat gret fauour in the peeplis siht.
And in this while, it fill so anon riht,
Of Siracusis he was maad duk & hed
Bi eleccioun, because ther lord was ded.
And that tyme he took the ordre of kniht;
Aftir chose a tribun of gret pris,
And gat gret fauour in the peeplis siht.
549
Of Siracusis he was maad duk & hed
Bi eleccioun, because ther lord was ded.
Which with Siciliens heeld a mortal striff;
But Agathodes made hem victorious,
Took ther duchesse aftir to his wiff,
Bi mene wheroff he wex ful glorious.
And in his glorie he greuh riht despitous,
Forgat hymsilff, thus growyng in estat,
Wherthoruh his cite & he wer at debat.
But Agathodes made hem victorious,
Took ther duchesse aftir to his wiff,
Bi mene wheroff he wex ful glorious.
And in his glorie he greuh riht despitous,
Forgat hymsilff, thus growyng in estat,
Wherthoruh his cite & he wer at debat.
His condicioun whan thei gan espie,
And sauh hym werke al of presumpcioun,
The peeple anon, knowyng his tirannye,
Exilid hym out of ther regioun.
In his exil, as maad is mencioun,
He coude fynde no bettir cheuisaunce,
But cam tacite that callid was Murgaunce.
And sauh hym werke al of presumpcioun,
The peeple anon, knowyng his tirannye,
Exilid hym out of ther regioun.
In his exil, as maad is mencioun,
He coude fynde no bettir cheuisaunce,
But cam tacite that callid was Murgaunce.
Wher bi his sleihti sotil fals auis,
He so demened hym in the peeplis siht,
That of a pretor thei gaff hym an offis,
He meuyng them in al that euer he miht
Geyn Siracusis to make hem stronge & fiht,
Of entent on them tauenged bee,
Cause for his exil out of that cite.
He so demened hym in the peeplis siht,
That of a pretor thei gaff hym an offis,
He meuyng them in al that euer he miht
Geyn Siracusis to make hem stronge & fiht,
Of entent on them tauenged bee,
Cause for his exil out of that cite.
But in [his] exil, the stori seith non othir,
It was so wrouht bi mediacioun
Of duk Amulchar, that was his sworn brother,
Siracusanis off oon entencioun
Callid [him] hom ageyn into ther toun;
And ther he was restored to his place
And reconsiled to the peeplis grace.
It was so wrouht bi mediacioun
Of duk Amulchar, that was his sworn brother,
Siracusanis off oon entencioun
Callid [him] hom ageyn into ther toun;
And ther he was restored to his place
And reconsiled to the peeplis grace.
And vnto hym thei gaf be gret auis,
Bassent of lordis & al the comounte,
Of a pretor newli an offis.
For pretores of custom callid be
Officers that duelle in a cite,
And han ful charge bi doom & iugementis
To putte al gilti to peyne & to tormentis.
Bassent of lordis & al the comounte,
Of a pretor newli an offis.
For pretores of custom callid be
Officers that duelle in a cite,
And han ful charge bi doom & iugementis
To putte al gilti to peyne & to tormentis.
550
Than of newe this Agathodes,
Because he hadde mor auctorite,
Caste for to trouble the quiete & the pes
Of Siracusis; & out of that cite
Alle the senatours grettest of dignite,
Of mortal vengaunce this tiraunt made anon
Withoute excepcioun be slayn euerichon.
Because he hadde mor auctorite,
Caste for to trouble the quiete & the pes
Of Siracusis; & out of that cite
Alle the senatours grettest of dignite,
Of mortal vengaunce this tiraunt made anon
Withoute excepcioun be slayn euerichon.
This hasti slauhtre wrouht bi tirannye
Miht nat assuage nor staunche his fel corage,
Til he ther tresours took bi robberie,
And al Sicile he spoiled be pillage.
Cast of pride upon an hier stage
For tascende bi sleihti fals werkyng,
Of al that regeoun he to be crowned kyng.
Miht nat assuage nor staunche his fel corage,
Til he ther tresours took bi robberie,
And al Sicile he spoiled be pillage.
Cast of pride upon an hier stage
For tascende bi sleihti fals werkyng,
Of al that regeoun he to be crowned kyng.
Made his subgettis, maugre them, hym dreedyng,
To calle hym kyng, and in especiall,
Oon the most worthi prince tho lyuyng
That sat in chaier of mageste roiall,—
Til Fortune shoop he muste haue a fall;
For of Cartage the duk, a worthi kniht,
Fauht with hym twies & put hym to the fliht.
To calle hym kyng, and in especiall,
Oon the most worthi prince tho lyuyng
That sat in chaier of mageste roiall,—
Til Fortune shoop he muste haue a fall;
For of Cartage the duk, a worthi kniht,
Fauht with hym twies & put hym to the fliht.
Wherthoruh he stood in myscheef disespeired,
And of al peeple he was had in disdeyn;
To Siracuse in haste he is repeired
And to his cite retourned hom ageyn,
Ther abidyng in dreed & noun certeyn,—
For whan Fortune gan ageyn hym take,
His freendis olde of newe han hym forsake.
And of al peeple he was had in disdeyn;
To Siracuse in haste he is repeired
And to his cite retourned hom ageyn,
Ther abidyng in dreed & noun certeyn,—
For whan Fortune gan ageyn hym take,
His freendis olde of newe han hym forsake.
In that myscheeff he abood nat long,
As the processe maketh rehersaille,
Gadred peeple & made hymseluen strong,
Onli in purpos al Affrik to assaille,
With them of Cartage hadde a gret bataille,
Them discounfited, as Fortune list ordeyne,
Bi hih prowesse of his sonis tweyne.
As the processe maketh rehersaille,
Gadred peeple & made hymseluen strong,
Onli in purpos al Affrik to assaille,
With them of Cartage hadde a gret bataille,
Them discounfited, as Fortune list ordeyne,
Bi hih prowesse of his sonis tweyne.
Artagathus Icallid was the ton,
Wonder delyuer, a man of gret[e] myht,
The seconde brother, most worthi of echon,
Callid Eraclida, which in that mortal fiht
Preued hymsilff that day a manli kniht;
For bi ther manhod, in which ther was no lak,
Thei of Cartage wer felli put abak.
Wonder delyuer, a man of gret[e] myht,
The seconde brother, most worthi of echon,
551
Preued hymsilff that day a manli kniht;
For bi ther manhod, in which ther was no lak,
Thei of Cartage wer felli put abak.
For thouh so were bi fortune of the werre
Agathodes hadde that day victorie,
Fals couetise made hym for to erre
And eclipsed the liht of his glorie.
For as it is remembred in historie,
Lik as his berth, as it toforn termyned,
To al falsnesse his corage was enclyned.
Agathodes hadde that day victorie,
Fals couetise made hym for to erre
And eclipsed the liht of his glorie.
For as it is remembred in historie,
Lik as his berth, as it toforn termyned,
To al falsnesse his corage was enclyned.
Cruel of custum, of herte merciles,
His will was lawe, wher it were wrong or riht;
Contrarie taccord, frowar[d] vnto pes,
Proud & surquedous in his owne siht
Wher his poweer strechchid & his myht,
Lik a tiraunt natureli disposed
Texecute vengaunce afforn purposed.
His will was lawe, wher it were wrong or riht;
Contrarie taccord, frowar[d] vnto pes,
Proud & surquedous in his owne siht
Wher his poweer strechchid & his myht,
Lik a tiraunt natureli disposed
Texecute vengaunce afforn purposed.
He thouhte he hadde poweer for to bynde
Fortunis wheel for to abide stable,
Which is a thyng contrarie to hir kynde,
Whos propirte is to be variable:
His pride, alas, was to abhomynable;
For mortal prynce is non that may restreyne
Hir vnwar tourn nor hir cours sodeyne.
Fortunis wheel for to abide stable,
Which is a thyng contrarie to hir kynde,
Whos propirte is to be variable:
His pride, alas, was to abhomynable;
For mortal prynce is non that may restreyne
Hir vnwar tourn nor hir cours sodeyne.
Bi influence of the heuenli sterris,
The vnkouth cours aboue celestiall,
Bi Fortune, & fauour of the werris,
This Agothodes, of berthe but rurall,
Promooted was vnto estat roiall.
Til pride, outrage & froward engendrure
Caused in his lordship he myht nat long endure.
The vnkouth cours aboue celestiall,
Bi Fortune, & fauour of the werris,
This Agothodes, of berthe but rurall,
Promooted was vnto estat roiall.
Til pride, outrage & froward engendrure
Caused in his lordship he myht nat long endure.
Fortune of kynde is so flaskisable,
A monstruous beeste departed manyfold,
A slidyng serpent, turnyng & vnstable,
Slepir to gripe; on whom ther is non hold,
As in this book declared is & told,
Hir poweer preeued on princis rek[e]les:
Record with other on Agathodes.
A monstruous beeste departed manyfold,
A slidyng serpent, turnyng & vnstable,
Slepir to gripe; on whom ther is non hold,
552
Hir poweer preeued on princis rek[e]les:
Record with other on Agathodes.
As ye han herd rehersed in sentence,
Symple & bare was his natyuite,
Brouht up & fostred in gret indigence,
Out of a stok spryngyng of pouerte,
Roos to thestat of roial dignite.
The risyng vnkouth, merueilous tatteyne,
The fal mor greuous because it was sodeyne.
Symple & bare was his natyuite,
Brouht up & fostred in gret indigence,
Out of a stok spryngyng of pouerte,
Roos to thestat of roial dignite.
The risyng vnkouth, merueilous tatteyne,
The fal mor greuous because it was sodeyne.
From Siracuse he was exiled twies;
Vengable of herte wher he hadde myht.
Of Affrican[e]s disconfited thries;
Euer in bataile of custum put to fliht.
Hadde an vsaunce to robbe day & niht,
And lik a tiraunt, ageyn conscience,
To spoile his subiectis bi rauynous violence.
Vengable of herte wher he hadde myht.
Of Affrican[e]s disconfited thries;
Euer in bataile of custum put to fliht.
Hadde an vsaunce to robbe day & niht,
And lik a tiraunt, ageyn conscience,
To spoile his subiectis bi rauynous violence.
Hyndred bi Fortune, wherof he was nat fayn,
Hir strook ageyn hym sodeyn & violent:
His sonis two in Affrik were first slayn,
He of his lymys wex feeble & impotent.
With a consumpcioun his entrailles brent,
And bi an agu, contynuel of feruence,
He was supprised bi strook of pestilence.
Hir strook ageyn hym sodeyn & violent:
His sonis two in Affrik were first slayn,
He of his lymys wex feeble & impotent.
With a consumpcioun his entrailles brent,
And bi an agu, contynuel of feruence,
He was supprised bi strook of pestilence.
Al his tresour [Fortune] hath fro hym take,
His proude port & his worldli glorie;
His kyn, his freendis & wif hath hym forsake,
His conquest dirk & put out of memorie:
His name clipsed of al his old victorie.
And as he gan in pouert & distresse,
So he made an eende in wrechidnesse.
His proude port & his worldli glorie;
His kyn, his freendis & wif hath hym forsake,
His conquest dirk & put out of memorie:
His name clipsed of al his old victorie.
And as he gan in pouert & distresse,
So he made an eende in wrechidnesse.
Hasti risyng, & thrifft that is sodeyne,
And surmountyng bi violent rauyne,
And extort poweer, may for a tyme atteyne
In riche chaier of lordshipe for to shyne.
Sodeyn ascendyng doth sodenli declyne;
And bi vntrouthe, wher-euer ther be encres,
Men waite of custum a sodeyn disencres.
And surmountyng bi violent rauyne,
And extort poweer, may for a tyme atteyne
In riche chaier of lordshipe for to shyne.
Sodeyn ascendyng doth sodenli declyne;
And bi vntrouthe, wher-euer ther be encres,
Men waite of custum a sodeyn disencres.
553
Of Agathodes men may exaumple take,
What is the eende of eueri fals tiraunt.
Wrong clymbyng up doþ a foul eende make:
For a sesoun thouh tirauntis be puissant,
Fortune to them yeueth no lenger graunt;
But whan thei sitte on hir wheel most roiall,
Bi vnwar chaung to haue a sodeyn fall.
What is the eende of eueri fals tiraunt.
Wrong clymbyng up doþ a foul eende make:
For a sesoun thouh tirauntis be puissant,
Fortune to them yeueth no lenger graunt;
But whan thei sitte on hir wheel most roiall,
Bi vnwar chaung to haue a sodeyn fall.
Agothodes was firste a symple man,
Brouht forth in myscheeff and in pouerte,
Sone of a pottere, his stori telle can,
Bi vicious lyuyng cam to gret dignite,
Of alle folk hatid for his cruelte,
Clamb fro pouert up to gret richesse,
Maad poore ageyn, deied in wrechidnesse.
Brouht forth in myscheeff and in pouerte,
Sone of a pottere, his stori telle can,
Bi vicious lyuyng cam to gret dignite,
Of alle folk hatid for his cruelte,
Clamb fro pouert up to gret richesse,
Maad poore ageyn, deied in wrechidnesse.
[Lenvoye]
This tragedie sheweth a figure
Bothe bi stori & bi auctorite,
How man and beeste & euery creature
Tarageth the stok of his natyuite:
Herbe of the roote, & ech frut of his tree,
For bothe of vertu & also of outrage
Folweth sum tech or tast of the lynage.
Bothe bi stori & bi auctorite,
How man and beeste & euery creature
Tarageth the stok of his natyuite:
Herbe of the roote, & ech frut of his tree,
For bothe of vertu & also of outrage
Folweth sum tech or tast of the lynage.
Agathodes, bi record of scripture,
Born of louh bed, brouht foorth in pouerte,
Yit Fortune made hym to recure
Vp to hih estat from ful louh degre.
His resoun blent with sensualite,
Forgat hymselff, to speke in pleyn langage,
Thoruh a fals tech that cam from his lynage.
Born of louh bed, brouht foorth in pouerte,
Yit Fortune made hym to recure
Vp to hih estat from ful louh degre.
His resoun blent with sensualite,
Forgat hymselff, to speke in pleyn langage,
Thoruh a fals tech that cam from his lynage.
Ther is a difference of colours in peynture,
On table or wal, as men alday may see;
Tween gold & gold, atween bis & asure:
Al is nat gold that shyneth briht, parde;
Sum noble is fals that hath ful gret beute,—
Lat men bewar of countirfet coignage,
Techchis eschewyng of cherlissh low lynage.
On table or wal, as men alday may see;
Tween gold & gold, atween bis & asure:
Al is nat gold that shyneth briht, parde;
Sum noble is fals that hath ful gret beute,—
Lat men bewar of countirfet coignage,
Techchis eschewyng of cherlissh low lynage.
554
Sum man forthred of sodeyn auenture,
Set in a chaier of roial dignite,
Wenyng his empire euer sholde endure,
Neuer to be troubled with non aduersite:
With roial egles a kite may nat flee,
A iay may chatre in a goldene cage,
Yit euer sum tech mut folwe of his lynage.
Set in a chaier of roial dignite,
Wenyng his empire euer sholde endure,
Neuer to be troubled with non aduersite:
With roial egles a kite may nat flee,
A iay may chatre in a goldene cage,
Yit euer sum tech mut folwe of his lynage.
Gentil blood of his roial nature
Is euer enclyned to merci & pite,
Wher of custum thes vileyns do ther cure,
Bi ther vsurpid & extort fals pouste
To be vengable bi mortal cruelte,
Thoruh hasti fumys of furious corage,
Folwyng the techchis of ther vileyn lynage.
Is euer enclyned to merci & pite,
Wher of custum thes vileyns do ther cure,
Bi ther vsurpid & extort fals pouste
To be vengable bi mortal cruelte,
Thoruh hasti fumys of furious corage,
Folwyng the techchis of ther vileyn lynage.
O myhti Princis, your noblesse doth assure,
Your passiouns resteth with tranquillite,
Seeth how ther is no mene nor mesure,
Wher a tiraunt cachcheth the souereynte!
Let Agathodes your worldli merour bee,
Teschewe the tracis of his froward passage,
As roiall blood requereth of your lynage.
Your passiouns resteth with tranquillite,
Seeth how ther is no mene nor mesure,
Wher a tiraunt cachcheth the souereynte!
Let Agathodes your worldli merour bee,
Teschewe the tracis of his froward passage,
As roiall blood requereth of your lynage.
[How Cassander slouh the wif of Alisaundre & hercules hir sone/and Antipater slouh his moder & of other moordres.]
The grete myschevys of Fortunys miht,
The woful fallis from hir wheel in deede
Of princis, princessis, who-so looke ariht,
Been lamentable & doolful for to reede.
But for al that, Bochas doth proceede
In his rehersaile, remembryng thus hym-selue,
To hym appeered of men & women twelue.
The woful fallis from hir wheel in deede
Of princis, princessis, who-so looke ariht,
Been lamentable & doolful for to reede.
But for al that, Bochas doth proceede
In his rehersaile, remembryng thus hym-selue,
To hym appeered of men & women twelue.
Aftir the deth of kyng Agathodes,
Ther cam toforn hym worthi queenis tweyne:
The firste of them was callid Bersanes,
And of hir myscheef gan to hym compleyne,
Wiff to Alisaundre, the stori list nat feyne,
The myhti kyng, grettest vnder sunne,
Which bi conquest al this world hath wonne.
Ther cam toforn hym worthi queenis tweyne:
The firste of them was callid Bersanes,
And of hir myscheef gan to hym compleyne,
Wiff to Alisaundre, the stori list nat feyne,
555
Which bi conquest al this world hath wonne.
Wiff unto hym was this Bersanes,
Bi his lyue, as maad is mencioun,
Which with hir sone, named Hercules,
Wer bi Cassander brouht to destruccioun.
And of ther deth this was thoccasioun,
Cassander dradde that Bersanes the queen
Wolde with hir sone on hym auengid been
Bi his lyue, as maad is mencioun,
Which with hir sone, named Hercules,
Wer bi Cassander brouht to destruccioun.
And of ther deth this was thoccasioun,
Cassander dradde that Bersanes the queen
Wolde with hir sone on hym auengid been
For his tresouns, which he toforn hath wrouht
On Alisaundre & on his lynage;
And specialli, yiff that she were brouht
To Macedoine for hir auauntage,
With hir sone, that was but yong of age,
Cassander thouhte & dradde, as I haue told,
Thei wolde auenge his tresouns wrouhte of old.
On Alisaundre & on his lynage;
And specialli, yiff that she were brouht
To Macedoine for hir auauntage,
With hir sone, that was but yong of age,
Cassander thouhte & dradde, as I haue told,
Thei wolde auenge his tresouns wrouhte of old.
He caste afforn of malis causeles,
This Cassander, most fals in his werkyng,
That yif this kniht, this yonge Hercules,
Sone of Alisaundre, bi record of writyng,
In Macedoyne wer take & crownid kyng,
How that he wolde of equite & riht
His fadris deth auengen lik a kniht.
This Cassander, most fals in his werkyng,
That yif this kniht, this yonge Hercules,
Sone of Alisaundre, bi record of writyng,
In Macedoyne wer take & crownid kyng,
How that he wolde of equite & riht
His fadris deth auengen lik a kniht.
Which thyng teschewe Cassander gan prouide,
And bi fals fraude was nat rek[e]les;
But on a day (he list nat longe abide)
Slouh first the queen, this said[e] Bersanes,
And thanne hir sone Icallid Hercules.
Thus bi Cassander, of moordre cropp & roote,
Thei moordred wern; ther was non othir boote.
And bi fals fraude was nat rek[e]les;
But on a day (he list nat longe abide)
Slouh first the queen, this said[e] Bersanes,
And thanne hir sone Icallid Hercules.
Thus bi Cassander, of moordre cropp & roote,
Thei moordred wern; ther was non othir boote.
This cruelte myht[e] nat suffise
Vnto Cassander, be record of scripture;
But lik a tiraunt in vengable wise
He dede hem burie, bi froward auenture,
Wher no man sholde knowe ther sepulture.
And thus, alas, which pite is to reede,
He moordred foure out of oon kynreede.
Vnto Cassander, be record of scripture;
But lik a tiraunt in vengable wise
He dede hem burie, bi froward auenture,
Wher no man sholde knowe ther sepulture.
And thus, alas, which pite is to reede,
He moordred foure out of oon kynreede.
556
To Alisaundre he mynistrid the poisoun,
Slouh the queen callid Olympiades,
And of hatreede bi ful fals tresoun,
As I haue tolde, he slouh queen Bersanes,
Wif to Alisaundre, mooder to Hercules,
Which in youthe, bi Bochas rehersyng,
In Macedoyne was lik to haue been kyng.
Slouh the queen callid Olympiades,
And of hatreede bi ful fals tresoun,
As I haue tolde, he slouh queen Bersanes,
Wif to Alisaundre, mooder to Hercules,
Which in youthe, bi Bochas rehersyng,
In Macedoyne was lik to haue been kyng.
Afftir al this he koude nat lyue in pes,
But euer redi sum tresoun for to do,
Slouh eek the queen[e] callid Roxanes
Vpon a day, & hire yonge sone[s] too.
And she was wiff to Alisaundre also,
Cassander dreedyng, in his oppenyoun,
List thei wolde venge [hem] upon his fals tresoun.
But euer redi sum tresoun for to do,
Slouh eek the queen[e] callid Roxanes
Vpon a day, & hire yonge sone[s] too.
And she was wiff to Alisaundre also,
Cassander dreedyng, in his oppenyoun,
List thei wolde venge [hem] upon his fals tresoun.
Thus euer he lyued in moordre, sorwe & striff;
Bi weie of fraude cam al his encres,
And, as I fynde, how he hadde a wiff,
And she was callid Thesalonices.
And as this stori remembreth dout[e]les,
A sone thei hadde born atween hem tweyne,
To slen his mooder which aftir dede his peyne.
Bi weie of fraude cam al his encres,
And, as I fynde, how he hadde a wiff,
And she was callid Thesalonices.
And as this stori remembreth dout[e]les,
A sone thei hadde born atween hem tweyne,
To slen his mooder which aftir dede his peyne.
Shortly [to] passe, myn auctour writ non othir,
Antipater was hir sones name;
And because that she loued his brother
Bettir than hym, he, to his gret diffame,
Compassed hir deth, the stori seith the same,
Natwithstondyng tappese his cruelte
She axed merci knelyng on hir kne.
Antipater was hir sones name;
And because that she loued his brother
Bettir than hym, he, to his gret diffame,
Compassed hir deth, the stori seith the same,
Natwithstondyng tappese his cruelte
She axed merci knelyng on hir kne.
Hir brestes open, white & softe as silk,
Al bedewed with teres hir visage,
Requered meekli at reuerence of the milk
With which he was fostred in yong[e] age,
For taue merci & tappese his rage,
And taccepte goodli hir praieere,
To saue the lyff of his mooder deere.
Al bedewed with teres hir visage,
Requered meekli at reuerence of the milk
With which he was fostred in yong[e] age,
For taue merci & tappese his rage,
And taccepte goodli hir praieere,
To saue the lyff of his mooder deere.
But al for nouht; he herde hir neueradeel:
He was to hire, surmountyng al mesure,
Lik his fadir vengable & cruel.
I trowe it was youe hym of nature;
For bi record of kynde & eek scripture,
Seeld or neuer no braunche that is good
Spryngeth of custum out of cruel blood.
He was to hire, surmountyng al mesure,
Lik his fadir vengable & cruel.
I trowe it was youe hym of nature;
557
Seeld or neuer no braunche that is good
Spryngeth of custum out of cruel blood.
Of hir deth[e] cause ther was non other,
That Antipater slouh his mooder deere,
But for she loued Alisaundre his brother
Bettir than hym, the cronicle doth us lere.
Which Alisaundre, yif ye list to heere,
Hadde in his socour, I fynde be writyng,
Demetrius, that was of Asie kyng.
That Antipater slouh his mooder deere,
But for she loued Alisaundre his brother
Bettir than hym, the cronicle doth us lere.
Which Alisaundre, yif ye list to heere,
Hadde in his socour, I fynde be writyng,
Demetrius, that was of Asie kyng.
Thesalonices was in this while ded
Bi Antipater, [s]he most infortunat,
Bathed in hir blood, hir sides wer maad red,
Withoute compassioun of hir hih estat.
And hir too sonis lyuyng at debat,
Til Lysymachus, that prefect was of Trace,
Them reconsiled ech to othirs grace.
Bi Antipater, [s]he most infortunat,
Bathed in hir blood, hir sides wer maad red,
Withoute compassioun of hir hih estat.
And hir too sonis lyuyng at debat,
Til Lysymachus, that prefect was of Trace,
Them reconsiled ech to othirs grace.
Whan Demetrius knew of ther accord,—
God wot the sothe, he nothyng was fayn;
But bi his fraude, the stori berth record,
That Alisaundre maliciousli was slayn,
This while Antipater stondyng in noun certeyn,
Til he be sleihte of Lysymacus
Was moordred aftir, the stori tellith thus.
God wot the sothe, he nothyng was fayn;
But bi his fraude, the stori berth record,
That Alisaundre maliciousli was slayn,
This while Antipater stondyng in noun certeyn,
Til he be sleihte of Lysymacus
Was moordred aftir, the stori tellith thus.
To write the processe and the maner howh
That Lysimachus bi fraudulent werkyng
His sone in lawe Antipater thus slouh,—
Fals couetise was cause of al this thyng;
And Demetrius took on hym to be kyng
Of Macedoyne, remembrid tyme & date,
Whan bothe brethre wer passed into fate.
That Lysimachus bi fraudulent werkyng
His sone in lawe Antipater thus slouh,—
Fals couetise was cause of al this thyng;
And Demetrius took on hym to be kyng
Of Macedoyne, remembrid tyme & date,
Whan bothe brethre wer passed into fate.
Duryng this moordre & al this mortal striff,
In this processe lik as it is founde,
Of Antipater Erudice the wiff,
Douhtir of Seleuchus, was in cheynys bounde,
Cast in prisoun dirk, hidous & profounde;
And for a while I leue hir ther soiourne,
And to Demetrius I will ageyn retourne.
In this processe lik as it is founde,
Of Antipater Erudice the wiff,
Douhtir of Seleuchus, was in cheynys bounde,
Cast in prisoun dirk, hidous & profounde;
And for a while I leue hir ther soiourne,
And to Demetrius I will ageyn retourne.
558
Which made hymsilf[e] to be crownid kyng
Of Macedoyne, thoruh his gret puissaunce.
But to destroie his purpos in werkyng,
Ther wer thre princis notable in substaunce,
Confederat & of oon alliaunce,
Echon assentid, for short conclusioun,
To brynge Demetrius to destruccioun.
Of Macedoyne, thoruh his gret puissaunce.
But to destroie his purpos in werkyng,
Ther wer thre princis notable in substaunce,
Confederat & of oon alliaunce,
Echon assentid, for short conclusioun,
To brynge Demetrius to destruccioun.
Oon the firste was worthi Tholome,
Kyng of Egipt, in armis ful famous.
Othir tweyne, the stori ye may see,
Callid Seleuchus, & next Lysymachus,
And of Cipre kam the kyng Pirthus,
Lord of [the] prouynce; & as it is eek founde,
Thei made hem strong Demetry to confounde.
Kyng of Egipt, in armis ful famous.
Othir tweyne, the stori ye may see,
Callid Seleuchus, & next Lysymachus,
And of Cipre kam the kyng Pirthus,
Lord of [the] prouynce; & as it is eek founde,
Thei made hem strong Demetry to confounde.
Shortli to telle, with ther apparailles,
Of Macedoyne thei dede hym first depriue;
Cam upon hym with foure strong batailles,
That he was neuer so ouer-set his lyue:
Take of Lisymachus, the stori doth descryue,
Cheyned in prisoun, of his liff in doute,
For I nat fynde that euer he issed oute.
Of Macedoyne thei dede hym first depriue;
Cam upon hym with foure strong batailles,
That he was neuer so ouer-set his lyue:
Take of Lisymachus, the stori doth descryue,
Cheyned in prisoun, of his liff in doute,
For I nat fynde that euer he issed oute.
[Off the too prefectys/Penestes and Amantas.]
Next in ordre Penestes dede appeere,
Whilom prefect of grete Babiloun;
And with hym cam Amyntas eek ifeere,
Another prefect, as maad is mencioun,
Which Bactrie hadde in his possessioun,
A gret prouynce youe hym bi iugement,
Mid of Asia toward the occident.
Whilom prefect of grete Babiloun;
And with hym cam Amyntas eek ifeere,
Another prefect, as maad is mencioun,
Which Bactrie hadde in his possessioun,
A gret prouynce youe hym bi iugement,
Mid of Asia toward the occident.
Thes said[e] tweyne, for ther worthynesse
And for ther manhod in actis marcial,
Assigned wern bi dilligent bisynesse
To waite and keepe in especiall
Vpon the mageste in his estat roiall
Of Alisaundre, for trust as chaumbirleyns,
Ageyn thassaut & dreed of al foreyns.
And for ther manhod in actis marcial,
Assigned wern bi dilligent bisynesse
To waite and keepe in especiall
559
Of Alisaundre, for trust as chaumbirleyns,
Ageyn thassaut & dreed of al foreyns.
Afftir whos deth, for synguler guerdoun
Made prefectis bothe thei wer in deede,
As ye han herd; the ton in Babilon,
The tother of Bactrie, the stori ye may reede.
Yit in quiete thei myhte hem nat posseede,
For Seleuchus gan a werre ageyn [hem] make,
That thei wer fayn ther lordshipis to forsake.
Made prefectis bothe thei wer in deede,
As ye han herd; the ton in Babilon,
The tother of Bactrie, the stori ye may reede.
Yit in quiete thei myhte hem nat posseede,
For Seleuchus gan a werre ageyn [hem] make,
That thei wer fayn ther lordshipis to forsake.
[How Sandrodoctus born of lowe degre cherisshed robbours & theuys.]
Other prefectis ther wern also I fynde,
Which heeld the peeple in ful gret seruage,
In Macedoyne & in outher Ynde,
Til Sandrodoctus, a man of louh lynage,
Caste he wolde redressen ther outrage,
Of entent poore peeple to restore
To ther fraunchises, that pleyned on hem sore.
Which heeld the peeple in ful gret seruage,
In Macedoyne & in outher Ynde,
Til Sandrodoctus, a man of louh lynage,
Caste he wolde redressen ther outrage,
Of entent poore peeple to restore
To ther fraunchises, that pleyned on hem sore.
Sandrodoctus, auctour of this werkyng,
Behihte the peeple thoruhout al contres,
Whan he be sleihte was c[o]rownid kyng,
Them to restore to ther libertes.
But whan he hadde resceyued thes dignites,
Al his behestis, maad with a fair visage,
Turned, as thei fond, to thraldam & seruage.
Behihte the peeple thoruhout al contres,
Whan he be sleihte was c[o]rownid kyng,
Them to restore to ther libertes.
But whan he hadde resceyued thes dignites,
Al his behestis, maad with a fair visage,
Turned, as thei fond, to thraldam & seruage.
Thus whan a wrech is set in hih estat,
Or a begger brouht up to dignite,
Ther is non so proud[e], pompous nor elat,
Non so vengable nor ful of cruelte,
Void of discrecioun, mercy & pite;
For cherlissh blood seelde doth recure
To be gentil be weie of his nature.
Or a begger brouht up to dignite,
Ther is non so proud[e], pompous nor elat,
Non so vengable nor ful of cruelte,
Void of discrecioun, mercy & pite;
For cherlissh blood seelde doth recure
To be gentil be weie of his nature.
560
He may dissymule & for a tyme feyne,
Countirfete with a fair visage,
Out of oon hood[e] shewe facis tweyne,
Contrari of herte, double of his langage,
Stille of his port, smothe of his passage,
Vnder flour[e]s lik a serpent dare,
Til he may stynge; & than he wil nat spare.
Countirfete with a fair visage,
Out of oon hood[e] shewe facis tweyne,
Contrari of herte, double of his langage,
Stille of his port, smothe of his passage,
Vnder flour[e]s lik a serpent dare,
Til he may stynge; & than he wil nat spare.
And euer lik of his condiciouns
Was Sandrodoctus, set up in hih estat;
Vexed peeples, troubled regeouns,
Set cites & touns at gret debat:
Whos gouernaunce was infortunat,
As it was seyn & founde at al[le] preues,
Cherisshed no man but robbours & fals theuys.
Was Sandrodoctus, set up in hih estat;
Vexed peeples, troubled regeouns,
Set cites & touns at gret debat:
Whos gouernaunce was infortunat,
As it was seyn & founde at al[le] preues,
Cherisshed no man but robbours & fals theuys.
And to declare how he cauhte hardynesse
And occasioun peeplis to gouerne,
Bi a pronostik, which I shal expresse,
Riht merueilous & vnkouth to discerne,
Which was this, as I shal telle as yerne,
Riht wonderful & vnkouth for to heere;
And it was this, yif ye list to lere:
And occasioun peeplis to gouerne,
Bi a pronostik, which I shal expresse,
Riht merueilous & vnkouth to discerne,
Which was this, as I shal telle as yerne,
Riht wonderful & vnkouth for to heere;
And it was this, yif ye list to lere:
Ther was a man callid Procatales,
Born in Ynde, which of his lyuyng
Was wonder poore, cam but seelde in pres,
Because he hadde trespacid in o thyng
Ageyn Venandrus, that was that tyme kyng,
Comaundyng to sleen hym anon riht;
But he escaped, the stori seith be fliht.
Born in Ynde, which of his lyuyng
Was wonder poore, cam but seelde in pres,
Because he hadde trespacid in o thyng
Ageyn Venandrus, that was that tyme kyng,
Comaundyng to sleen hym anon riht;
But he escaped, the stori seith be fliht.
God hadde youe hym of [his] feet suyftnesse,
Bi mene wherof he saued hym fro daungeer,
Thoruh long trauaile fill in werynesse,
And [to] refresshe hym, beside a welle cleer
He lay slepyng, that face & al his cheer
Dropped of soot; a leoun cam forbi,
Likked his face, as seith the stori.
Bi mene wherof he saued hym fro daungeer,
Thoruh long trauaile fill in werynesse,
And [to] refresshe hym, beside a welle cleer
He lay slepyng, that face & al his cheer
Dropped of soot; a leoun cam forbi,
Likked his face, as seith the stori.
With which affray the man anon awook,
And sodenli left up his visage;
The leoun ros, sofftli his weie took
Toward the forest, dede hym no damage,
Forgat his felnesse and his cruel rage.
Of which pronostik gan thoccasioun
Wherof Sandrodoctus took an oppynyoun,
And sodenli left up his visage;
The leoun ros, sofftli his weie took
Toward the forest, dede hym no damage,
561
Of which pronostik gan thoccasioun
Wherof Sandrodoctus took an oppynyoun,
Caste and thouhte in his fantasie,
Sithe that the leoun is beeste most roiall,
Which nat disdeyned hymsilff[e] to applie
To likke the face of a man rurall,
In his nature to shewe hym bestiall,—
He dempte as weel that it was sittyng
To take on hym thestat to be a kyng.
Sithe that the leoun is beeste most roiall,
Which nat disdeyned hymsilff[e] to applie
To likke the face of a man rurall,
In his nature to shewe hym bestiall,—
He dempte as weel that it was sittyng
To take on hym thestat to be a kyng.
His oppynyoun of resoun was riht nouht;
For wher the leoun lefft his cruelte,
He in contrary wex proud in hert & thouht,
Void of merci, bareyn of pite.
For whan that he was set in dignite,
Brouht from a wrech to domynacioun,
Ageyn nature he pleyed the leoun.
For wher the leoun lefft his cruelte,
He in contrary wex proud in hert & thouht,
Void of merci, bareyn of pite.
For whan that he was set in dignite,
Brouht from a wrech to domynacioun,
Ageyn nature he pleyed the leoun.
Sumwhile a leoun forgeteth his felnesse,
Wher-as the wolff wil natureli deuoure;
So roial blood hath routhe, of gentilesse,
On poore pleyntiffs to helpe hem & socoure,
Wher-as a tiraunt of nature doth laboure,
Whan he hath poweer, cachchyng auauntage
To robbe [his] subiectis & spoille hem be pillage.
Wher-as the wolff wil natureli deuoure;
So roial blood hath routhe, of gentilesse,
On poore pleyntiffs to helpe hem & socoure,
Wher-as a tiraunt of nature doth laboure,
Whan he hath poweer, cachchyng auauntage
To robbe [his] subiectis & spoille hem be pillage.
Sandrodoctus, thus born of low kynreede,
In hih estat bi Fortune whan he stood,
Gan make hym strong & vengable in deede:
With noumbre of robbours, furious and wood,
Cast hym destroie al the gentil blood
That was in Ynde, & bi his ordynaunce
Slen al ther prefectis that hadde gouernaunce.
In hih estat bi Fortune whan he stood,
Gan make hym strong & vengable in deede:
With noumbre of robbours, furious and wood,
Cast hym destroie al the gentil blood
That was in Ynde, & bi his ordynaunce
Slen al ther prefectis that hadde gouernaunce.
And with the comouns whan he was maad strong,
And gan the maner of ther deth deuise,
Lik a fals tiraunt, al-thouh he dede wrong
Ageyn his lordis whan he gan arise,
An olifaunt cam in ful unkouth wise,
Hym obeiede, which was a gret[e] wonder,
Whan ther batailes wer nat ferre assonder.
And gan the maner of ther deth deuise,
Lik a fals tiraunt, al-thouh he dede wrong
Ageyn his lordis whan he gan arise,
An olifaunt cam in ful unkouth wise,
Hym obeiede, which was a gret[e] wonder,
Whan ther batailes wer nat ferre assonder.
562
Thouh he was wilde, the stori seith the same,
Sandrodoctus leep upon his side,
And on his bak, as on a beeste tame,
Toward the bataile anon he gan to ride,
Was ther capteyn that day & ther guide,
With his robbours, as it is maad[e] mynde,
Slouh al the prefectis & gentil blood of Ynde.
Sandrodoctus leep upon his side,
And on his bak, as on a beeste tame,
Toward the bataile anon he gan to ride,
Was ther capteyn that day & ther guide,
With his robbours, as it is maad[e] mynde,
Slouh al the prefectis & gentil blood of Ynde.
[How Seleuchus the mighty prince was slayn bi the grete Tholome kyng of Egipt.]
Than cam Seleuchus to Bochas compleinyng,
A mihti prince & a ful manli kniht,
Sone of Antiochus, the grete famous kyng.
Which Seleucus, for wisdam & for myht,
Was most fauoured in Alisaundris siht,
Born of a princesse, the cronicle ye may seen,
Cald Laoudice the grete famous queen.
A mihti prince & a ful manli kniht,
Sone of Antiochus, the grete famous kyng.
Which Seleucus, for wisdam & for myht,
Was most fauoured in Alisaundris siht,
Born of a princesse, the cronicle ye may seen,
Cald Laoudice the grete famous queen.
The berthe of hym straunge & merueillous:
For his mooder upon the same niht
That she conceyued drempte & thouhte thus,
As it semed pleynli in hir siht,
Of gret Appollo, the heuenli god most briht,
How she the tyme of hir conceyuyng
Resceyued that niht of gold a riche ryng.
For his mooder upon the same niht
That she conceyued drempte & thouhte thus,
As it semed pleynli in hir siht,
Of gret Appollo, the heuenli god most briht,
How she the tyme of hir conceyuyng
Resceyued that niht of gold a riche ryng.
In which[e] ryng was set a precious stoon,
Youe vnto hir for a gret guerdoun,
Graue with an ankir, hir comaundyng anon,
Afftir the berthe withoute dilacioun,
To yiue the ryng, of hool affeccioun,
To Seleuchus, wherbi in especiall
He sholde excelle in actis marciall.
Youe vnto hir for a gret guerdoun,
Graue with an ankir, hir comaundyng anon,
Afftir the berthe withoute dilacioun,
To yiue the ryng, of hool affeccioun,
To Seleuchus, wherbi in especiall
He sholde excelle in actis marciall.
The same morwe aftir the child was born,
Withynne hir bed was founde a riche ryng,
With al the toknys rehersed heer-toforn,
The anker graue, lik in eueri thyng.
Which that the queen[e] took in hir keepyng,
And of entent[e] for his auauntage,
Kept it secre til he cam to age.
Withynne hir bed was founde a riche ryng,
With al the toknys rehersed heer-toforn,
The anker graue, lik in eueri thyng.
Which that the queen[e] took in hir keepyng,
And of entent[e] for his auauntage,
Kept it secre til he cam to age.
563
Anothir merueile befill also withall:
This [childe] Seleuchus (which was a wonder thyng)
Hadde enpreentid eek in especiall
Vpon his thih an anker & a ryng;
So hadde all, bi record of writyng,
Such carectis, the stori doth termyne,
That aftir hym wer bor[e]n of that lyne.
This [childe] Seleuchus (which was a wonder thyng)
Hadde enpreentid eek in especiall
Vpon his thih an anker & a ryng;
So hadde all, bi record of writyng,
Such carectis, the stori doth termyne,
That aftir hym wer bor[e]n of that lyne.
Whan Seleuchus, as maad is mencioun,
The tendre yeeres hadde of his age ronne,
And cam to yeeris of discrecioun,
He bi this ryng ful many lond hath wonne.
Whos knihtli fame shon sheene as [a] sonne,
He weel auised, hardi [&] of gret myht,
Tyme of Alisandre holde oon the beste kniht.
The tendre yeeres hadde of his age ronne,
And cam to yeeris of discrecioun,
He bi this ryng ful many lond hath wonne.
Whos knihtli fame shon sheene as [a] sonne,
He weel auised, hardi [&] of gret myht,
Tyme of Alisandre holde oon the beste kniht.
In werre and armes he his tyme hath spent;
Brouht al Ynde [on]to subieccioun,
Gat al the kyngdames nih of the orient,
Heeld hem longe in his pocessioun.
But heer, alas, Bochas makth mencioun,
Al his victories, that dede in honour shyne,
With sodeyn chaung wer turned to ruyne.
Brouht al Ynde [on]to subieccioun,
Gat al the kyngdames nih of the orient,
Heeld hem longe in his pocessioun.
But heer, alas, Bochas makth mencioun,
Al his victories, that dede in honour shyne,
With sodeyn chaung wer turned to ruyne.
For whan Seleuchus was most victorious,
Hadde al Inde conquered in substaunce,
Atween hym & kyng Lysymachus,
Of whom toforn is maad[e] remembraunce,
Began a werre & a gret distaunce.
And as thei mette with ther apparailles,
In a gret feeld ordeyned ther batailles,
Hadde al Inde conquered in substaunce,
Atween hym & kyng Lysymachus,
Of whom toforn is maad[e] remembraunce,
Began a werre & a gret distaunce.
And as thei mette with ther apparailles,
In a gret feeld ordeyned ther batailles,
On Lisymachus fill the disconfiture.
Wheroff Seleuchus, glad in especiall,
Dempte his wynnyng cam nat of nature,
But bynfluence verray celestiall,—
Gan wexe proud in his estat roiall,
Nat supposyng in his victorious stall,
Of his myscheeuys that sholde aftir fall.
Wheroff Seleuchus, glad in especiall,
Dempte his wynnyng cam nat of nature,
But bynfluence verray celestiall,—
Gan wexe proud in his estat roiall,
Nat supposyng in his victorious stall,
Of his myscheeuys that sholde aftir fall.
564
For as the processe declareth onto vs,
How of Egipt the grete Tholome,
Brother-in-lawe to Lysymachus,
Fill on Seleuchus bi ful gret cruelte,
Slouh hym at myscheeff, the stori ye may see.
Loste his liff, as maad is mencioun,
In Macedoyne, the myhti regioun.
How of Egipt the grete Tholome,
Brother-in-lawe to Lysymachus,
Fill on Seleuchus bi ful gret cruelte,
Slouh hym at myscheeff, the stori ye may see.
Loste his liff, as maad is mencioun,
In Macedoyne, the myhti regioun.
And it is knowe of antiquite
Bi rehersaile of these olde auctours,
That this forseid gret[e] Tholome
Was Talisaundre oon of thenheritours,
Kyng of Egipt, ther regnyng in his flours.
Afftir whos name, descendyng doun be grees,
Wer alle the kynges callid Tholomes.
Bi rehersaile of these olde auctours,
That this forseid gret[e] Tholome
Was Talisaundre oon of thenheritours,
Kyng of Egipt, ther regnyng in his flours.
Afftir whos name, descendyng doun be grees,
Wer alle the kynges callid Tholomes.
As I fynde, touchyng his lynage,
Bi procreacioun he hadde childre thre:
The firste of hem, to speke in pleyn langage,
Inamed was Ceramyus Tholome,
Next Philadelphus, a douhtir Arcynoe,
That weddid was birfadres consentyng
To Lisymachus of Macedoyne kyng.
Bi procreacioun he hadde childre thre:
The firste of hem, to speke in pleyn langage,
Inamed was Ceramyus Tholome,
Next Philadelphus, a douhtir Arcynoe,
That weddid was birfadres consentyng
To Lisymachus of Macedoyne kyng.
[How the too sonys of queen Arcynoe were bi ther moders brother traitoursly slayn and she exiled.]
And thus remembred in bookes [that been] olde,
Deth of Seleuchus wrouht bi Tholome,
Vnwarli slayn, toforn as I haue told,
Next in ordre cam Arsynoe
To Iohn Bochas bi gret aduersite,
Al with teres bedewed hir visage,
And gan compleyne the constreynt of hir rage.
Deth of Seleuchus wrouht bi Tholome,
Vnwarli slayn, toforn as I haue told,
Next in ordre cam Arsynoe
To Iohn Bochas bi gret aduersite,
Al with teres bedewed hir visage,
And gan compleyne the constreynt of hir rage.
This mihti queen, this said Arsynoe,
Hadde sonis tweyne ful famous of renoun:
The ton Lysymachus, excellyng of beute,
The tothir Phelipp, as maad is mencioun.
And al hir ioie and delectacioun,
Hir worldli blisse—ther is no mor to seyne—
Was hooli set upon thes childre tweyne.
Hadde sonis tweyne ful famous of renoun:
The ton Lysymachus, excellyng of beute,
The tothir Phelipp, as maad is mencioun.
And al hir ioie and delectacioun,
Hir worldli blisse—ther is no mor to seyne—
Was hooli set upon thes childre tweyne.
565
For bi thoccasioun of ther gret fairnesse,
Men delited gretli them to see,
Namli women, the stori doth expresse;
And ther mooder, this queen Arsynoe,
Stood in gret hope that thei sholde bee
Mihti kyngis bi iust successioun,
In Macedoyne the myhti regioun,
Men delited gretli them to see,
Namli women, the stori doth expresse;
And ther mooder, this queen Arsynoe,
Stood in gret hope that thei sholde bee
Mihti kyngis bi iust successioun,
In Macedoyne the myhti regioun,
Onli be title of ther fadres riht.
Which to hir herte gaf ful gret gladnesse,
For she dempte that non other wiht
To succeede sholde ha[ue] non interesse;
But Fortune, the blynde fals goddesse,
Disposed so for thes childre tweyne,
That non of them ther purpos sholde atteyne.
Which to hir herte gaf ful gret gladnesse,
For she dempte that non other wiht
To succeede sholde ha[ue] non interesse;
But Fortune, the blynde fals goddesse,
Disposed so for thes childre tweyne,
That non of them ther purpos sholde atteyne.
For whan ther fader Lisymachus was slayn,
The saide queen callid Arsynoe,
To saue hir lyff koude non othir gayn,
But with hir sonis feerfulli to flee
Into Cassandre, a myhti strong cite,
Onli for dreed of oon Antigonus
Which them pursued, the stori tellith us.
The saide queen callid Arsynoe,
To saue hir lyff koude non othir gayn,
But with hir sonis feerfulli to flee
Into Cassandre, a myhti strong cite,
Onli for dreed of oon Antigonus
Which them pursued, the stori tellith us.
But the brother of queen Arsynoe,
Callid Ceramius rescued hir partie
Geyn Antigonus, ye may the stori see;
Yit in his herte he hadde gret envie,
Al-be that thei wer nih of his allie,
That hire too sonis sholde kyngis bee
Of Macedoyne, & regne in that contre.
Callid Ceramius rescued hir partie
Geyn Antigonus, ye may the stori see;
Yit in his herte he hadde gret envie,
Al-be that thei wer nih of his allie,
That hire too sonis sholde kyngis bee
Of Macedoyne, & regne in that contre.
For he was set onli of couetise
To be crowned in Macedoyne kyng;
And of fals tresoun, the stori doth deuise,
Them to deceyue, this was his werkyng:
First to the queen ful humbeli knelyng
He made promys vnder gret surete,
In Macedoyne she sholde crownid be.
To be crowned in Macedoyne kyng;
And of fals tresoun, the stori doth deuise,
Them to deceyue, this was his werkyng:
First to the queen ful humbeli knelyng
He made promys vnder gret surete,
In Macedoyne she sholde crownid be.
And hir childre, so fair of ther visage,
Sholde be keped vndir gouernaunce
Vnto tyme that thei kam to age.
And for to put hir in mor assuraunce,
Ceramyus swoor (God yiue hym sori chaunce!)
He purposed, for al his fals werkyngis,
To crowne hir queen & make hir sones kynges.
Sholde be keped vndir gouernaunce
Vnto tyme that thei kam to age.
566
Ceramyus swoor (God yiue hym sori chaunce!)
He purposed, for al his fals werkyngis,
To crowne hir queen & make hir sones kynges.
Took alle the goddis ther onto witnesse
And swoor ageyn[e], with a pleyn visage,
Onto the quen, of fraude & doubilnesse,
His purpos was to haue hir in mariage,
Crowne hir queen to hir gret auauntage.
Thus was he sworn, althouh he was hir brother;
Yit in herte God wot he thouhte another.
And swoor ageyn[e], with a pleyn visage,
Onto the quen, of fraude & doubilnesse,
His purpos was to haue hir in mariage,
Crowne hir queen to hir gret auauntage.
Thus was he sworn, althouh he was hir brother;
Yit in herte God wot he thouhte another.
Vnder colour of this assuraunce
She leet hym entre Cassandre the cite,
Cam ageyn hym to doon hym mor plesaunce
With al hir lordis of hih & louh degre,
Made the streetis hangid for to bee
With clothes of gold, & in solempne wise
To alle ther godis dede sacrefise.
She leet hym entre Cassandre the cite,
Cam ageyn hym to doon hym mor plesaunce
With al hir lordis of hih & louh degre,
Made the streetis hangid for to bee
With clothes of gold, & in solempne wise
To alle ther godis dede sacrefise.
And thus he was resceyued solempneli;
The day was halwed & holde festyual:
The queen for ioie ordeyned richeli
Hir too sonis, that were so faire in al,
To be crownid with crownes ful roiall,
Goon afforn hire in the maister streete
Gloriousli ther vnkle for to meete.
The day was halwed & holde festyual:
The queen for ioie ordeyned richeli
Hir too sonis, that were so faire in al,
To be crownid with crownes ful roiall,
Goon afforn hire in the maister streete
Gloriousli ther vnkle for to meete.
With felenous herte vnder a freendli face
This Ceramyus, roote of al tresoun,
Gan his cosyns benigneli enbrace,
Hym purposyng bi fals collusioun
To proceede to ther destruccioun.
And fynali, firste he dide his peyne
The queen texile and slen hir childre tweyne.
This Ceramyus, roote of al tresoun,
Gan his cosyns benigneli enbrace,
Hym purposyng bi fals collusioun
To proceede to ther destruccioun.
And fynali, firste he dide his peyne
The queen texile and slen hir childre tweyne.
But or this tresoun was brouht to a preeff,
Whan the queen apparceyued his falsnesse
And sauh hir sonis brouht to such myscheeff,
She coniured hym in hir mortal distresse
To haue pite of natural gentilesse,
Spare his cosyns, afforn hym wher thei stood,
Of roial merci, so nih born of his blood.
Whan the queen apparceyued his falsnesse
And sauh hir sonis brouht to such myscheeff,
She coniured hym in hir mortal distresse
To haue pite of natural gentilesse,
Spare his cosyns, afforn hym wher thei stood,
Of roial merci, so nih born of his blood.
567
And with a cri passyng lamentable
She fill afforn hym swownyng onto grounde,
Lik as she hadde be verraili coupable,
Seyng hir sonis bleedyng with many wounde.
But al for nouht; ther was no merci founde.
For with ther blood (this stori is nat feyned)
Hir garnement was doolfulli disteyned.
She fill afforn hym swownyng onto grounde,
Lik as she hadde be verraili coupable,
Seyng hir sonis bleedyng with many wounde.
But al for nouht; ther was no merci founde.
For with ther blood (this stori is nat feyned)
Hir garnement was doolfulli disteyned.
Hir faire face was soiled with ordure,
Hir goldene her was al to-torn & rent,
And lik a thrall this woful creature
With mortal weepyng hadde hir sihte blent.
And aftir that, I fynde how she was sent
To burie hir childre, for ther was no space,
Into an ile callid Sammotrace.
Hir goldene her was al to-torn & rent,
And lik a thrall this woful creature
With mortal weepyng hadde hir sihte blent.
And aftir that, I fynde how she was sent
To burie hir childre, for ther was no space,
Into an ile callid Sammotrace.
Is any stori, whiche maketh mencioun
That a princesse of so hih degre
Fond so gret cause of lamentacioun?
She beyng douhtir to gret Tholome,—
Hir childre slayn be vengable cruelte,
And to beholde the deth most dolerous
Of hir husbonde callid Lysymachus.
That a princesse of so hih degre
Fond so gret cause of lamentacioun?
She beyng douhtir to gret Tholome,—
Hir childre slayn be vengable cruelte,
And to beholde the deth most dolerous
Of hir husbonde callid Lysymachus.
She aftir banshed in exil made hir eende,
With sorewful compleynt hir lyff thus drawe along,
Til into fate hir sperit dede weende,
It is no dreed hir peynes wer ful strong.
And yif I sholde rehersen al the wrong
That she suffred, it sholde greeue sore,
Therfor of hir now I write no more.
With sorewful compleynt hir lyff thus drawe along,
Til into fate hir sperit dede weende,
It is no dreed hir peynes wer ful strong.
And yif I sholde rehersen al the wrong
That she suffred, it sholde greeue sore,
Therfor of hir now I write no more.
Lenvoye.
This tragedie sheweth an apparence
And a liknesse of feithful assuravnce,
Texite men to yiue fals credence
Vnto Fortunys froward variaunce.
Which cast hir baitis & anglis of plesaunce,
An hook hid vndir of vengable cruelte,
As this chapitle [hath] put in remembraunce
Of Lysymachus & of Arsynoe.
And a liknesse of feithful assuravnce,
Texite men to yiue fals credence
Vnto Fortunys froward variaunce.
Which cast hir baitis & anglis of plesaunce,
An hook hid vndir of vengable cruelte,
As this chapitle [hath] put in remembraunce
Of Lysymachus & of Arsynoe.
568
Is ther any gretter euidence
Of worldli trouble of worldli constaunce,
Than seen princis from ther magnificence
And from ther myhti roial [hih] puissaunce
Vnwarli brouht bi Fortune to myschaunce,
And ouerwhelmyd from ther tranquillite?
Seeþ heer a merour ful notable in substaunce
Of Lisymachus & queen Arsynoe.
Of worldli trouble of worldli constaunce,
Than seen princis from ther magnificence
And from ther myhti roial [hih] puissaunce
Vnwarli brouht bi Fortune to myschaunce,
And ouerwhelmyd from ther tranquillite?
Seeþ heer a merour ful notable in substaunce
Of Lisymachus & queen Arsynoe.
The ryng, the anker of gret excellence
Youe to Seleuchus for marcial suffisaunce,
Whan Appollo be heuenli influence
List with his mooder make his alliaunce,
Sent hym thes reliques of synguler aqueyntaunce,
To sette his manhod in mor surete;
But in al such quaueryng perseueraunce,
Thynk on Lysymachus & on Arsynoe!
Youe to Seleuchus for marcial suffisaunce,
Whan Appollo be heuenli influence
List with his mooder make his alliaunce,
Sent hym thes reliques of synguler aqueyntaunce,
To sette his manhod in mor surete;
But in al such quaueryng perseueraunce,
Thynk on Lysymachus & on Arsynoe!
The vnkout[h] tresours, the gold nor the dispence
Of hem that han this world in gouernaunce,
Nor al the subiectes, up rekned in sentence,
Nor al the regiouns vnder ther obeissaunce,
Princis, princessis, with al ther attendaunce,
May ageyn Fortune yiue hem no liberte;
Who nat knoweth hir vnseur geri chaunce,
Thynk on Lysymacus & on Arsynoe.
Of hem that han this world in gouernaunce,
Nor al the subiectes, up rekned in sentence,
Nor al the regiouns vnder ther obeissaunce,
Princis, princessis, with al ther attendaunce,
May ageyn Fortune yiue hem no liberte;
Who nat knoweth hir vnseur geri chaunce,
Thynk on Lysymacus & on Arsynoe.
Hir childre and she slayn bi violence
Of Ceramyus (God yiue hym sori chaunce!)
That bi fals colour dide hir reuerence
And pretendid a maner obseruaunce,
The tresoun cloos of venymous purueiaunce,
Purposed afforn toutraie hem all[e] thre:
The childre slayn, which knewe no cheuisaunce,
The mooder exiled, callid Arsynoe.
Of Ceramyus (God yiue hym sori chaunce!)
That bi fals colour dide hir reuerence
And pretendid a maner obseruaunce,
The tresoun cloos of venymous purueiaunce,
Purposed afforn toutraie hem all[e] thre:
The childre slayn, which knewe no cheuisaunce,
The mooder exiled, callid Arsynoe.
Noble Princis, beeth war of hih prudence,
Among your-silf that ther be no distaunce,
Hideth no rancour of hatful violence
Vndir a courtyn of double daliaunce;
Lik your herte shewe out your contenaunce,
Void of dissymulyng & duplicite,
Wisly weieth this chapitle in balaunce,
Off Lisymachus and queen Arsynoe.
Among your-silf that ther be no distaunce,
Hideth no rancour of hatful violence
Vndir a courtyn of double daliaunce;
Lik your herte shewe out your contenaunce,
Void of dissymulyng & duplicite,
569
Off Lisymachus and queen Arsynoe.
Explicit.
[How Ceramius of Macedony kyng that moordred his cosyns was slayn in bataile bi them [of] Fraunce.]
The noble poete Iohn Bochas, in his book
Procedyng foorth, compleyneth of pite,
With quaky[n]g hand whan he his penne took
And gan to write the woful destyne,
As ye han herd, of queen Arsynoe,
And how Ceramius, the stori maketh mynde,
Was to hir fals, traitour & vnkynde.
Procedyng foorth, compleyneth of pite,
With quaky[n]g hand whan he his penne took
And gan to write the woful destyne,
As ye han herd, of queen Arsynoe,
And how Ceramius, the stori maketh mynde,
Was to hir fals, traitour & vnkynde.
Of whos tresoun is maad a gret processe,
And how he aftir was slayn in bataille,
Punshed bi vengaunce for his gret falsnesse,
Lik as his stori maketh rehersaille.
Which to remembre I cast me nat to faille,
Folwyng myn auctour & proceede in writyng,
How Ceramyus was slayn whan he was kyng.
And how he aftir was slayn in bataille,
Punshed bi vengaunce for his gret falsnesse,
Lik as his stori maketh rehersaille.
Which to remembre I cast me nat to faille,
Folwyng myn auctour & proceede in writyng,
How Ceramyus was slayn whan he was kyng.
For whil that he bi his fals werkyng,
In Macedoyne hadde gouernaile,
Thre hundred thousand acountid be reknyng
Wente out of Fraunce to conquere in Itaille;
The hoost, departed in many strong bataille,
Gat bi conquest thoruh ther hih renoun
Ful many prouynce & many regioun.
In Macedoyne hadde gouernaile,
Thre hundred thousand acountid be reknyng
Wente out of Fraunce to conquere in Itaille;
The hoost, departed in many strong bataille,
Gat bi conquest thoruh ther hih renoun
Ful many prouynce & many regioun.
And as thei rood thoruh many gret contre,—
This peeple of Gaule in steel armyd cleen,—
Thei foundid castellis & many strong cite:
Toward Rome thei bilt Milan & Sene,
Vpon T[h]alpies ther armour shon ful sheene;
And sum of them up to Rome wente
Be verray force, and the cite brente.
This peeple of Gaule in steel armyd cleen,—
Thei foundid castellis & many strong cite:
Toward Rome thei bilt Milan & Sene,
Vpon T[h]alpies ther armour shon ful sheene;
And sum of them up to Rome wente
Be verray force, and the cite brente.
570
Summe partid up to the Grekissh Se,
Hadde a custum to chese ther duellyng place
Bi augurie, as briddes dede flee;
Folwyng ther fliht[e], thei gan aftir trace,
Holdyng ther way, withynne a litil space,
With myhti hand, the book doth specefie,
Thei cam tacontre callid Pauonye.
Hadde a custum to chese ther duellyng place
Bi augurie, as briddes dede flee;
Folwyng ther fliht[e], thei gan aftir trace,
Holdyng ther way, withynne a litil space,
With myhti hand, the book doth specefie,
Thei cam tacontre callid Pauonye.
This folk of Gaule, which is callid France,
To conquere londis put hemsilff in pres,
As most notable peeple of puissaunce,
Folwyng thexaumple of ther knihtli encres
In ther ridyng, of worthi Hercules,
Which was worsheped in actis marcial
Lik as a god, and callid inmortal.
To conquere londis put hemsilff in pres,
As most notable peeple of puissaunce,
Folwyng thexaumple of ther knihtli encres
In ther ridyng, of worthi Hercules,
Which was worsheped in actis marcial
Lik as a god, and callid inmortal.
Thoruh grace of Fortune in ther cheualries
Conquered contres, alway foorth ridyng,
Themsilff departyng in dyuers cumpanyes,—
Who them withstood thei consumed be brennyng.
Cam to Macedoyne wher Cerawm was kyng;
Of presumpcioun weenyng it sholde auaile,
Out of ordynaunce he mette hem in bataile.
Conquered contres, alway foorth ridyng,
Themsilff departyng in dyuers cumpanyes,—
Who them withstood thei consumed be brennyng.
Cam to Macedoyne wher Cerawm was kyng;
Of presumpcioun weenyng it sholde auaile,
Out of ordynaunce he mette hem in bataile.
This Ceramius of outrage & of pride
Dempte hym able to meete with hem of France;
But for he was thoruh moordre an homycide,
He lakked grace & poweer in substaunce.
Yit thei off Gaule, bi prudent gouernaunce,
Offred onto hym, thouh he was rek[e]les,
With Macedonoys for to trete of pes.
Dempte hym able to meete with hem of France;
But for he was thoruh moordre an homycide,
He lakked grace & poweer in substaunce.
Yit thei off Gaule, bi prudent gouernaunce,
Offred onto hym, thouh he was rek[e]les,
With Macedonoys for to trete of pes.
But of presumpcioun & malencolie
Ageyn his enmyes he the feeld hath take,
And disconfited anon was his partie:
His men gan fleen, & ha[ue] ther lord forsake;
His hed smet off and set upon a stake.
But al his myscheeff was to lite in deede
To recompense his fraude & his falsheede.
Ageyn his enmyes he the feeld hath take,
And disconfited anon was his partie:
His men gan fleen, & ha[ue] ther lord forsake;
His hed smet off and set upon a stake.
But al his myscheeff was to lite in deede
To recompense his fraude & his falsheede.
Ther is no peyne ageyn so gret offense
Mai be deuised in no book that men reede,
Equiualent moordre to recompence,
Duli to punshe so outraious a deede,
Of hym that made yonge childre bleede,
As dede Ceraum, which of fals couetise
His cosyns slouh, as ye han herd deuise.
Mai be deuised in no book that men reede,
Equiualent moordre to recompence,
571
Of hym that made yonge childre bleede,
As dede Ceraum, which of fals couetise
His cosyns slouh, as ye han herd deuise.
To thynke on moordre, it is to foul a thyng,
To God and man hatful & terrible:
The infernal fraude, the deuelissh compassyng
To ech creature of nature is odible,
Which to redresse is an impossible.
O cursid Ceram, I leue thi stori heere,
Thi name no more shal blotte my papeere!
To God and man hatful & terrible:
The infernal fraude, the deuelissh compassyng
To ech creature of nature is odible,
Which to redresse is an impossible.
O cursid Ceram, I leue thi stori heere,
Thi name no more shal blotte my papeere!
[How the prynce Belgius was disconfited and brouht vnto nought.]
Afftir this tiraunt, as ye ha[ue] herd þe cas,
Slayn in bataile, this traitour odious,
Anon in ordre cam to Iohn Bochas
A myhti prince callid Belgius,
Dedli pale, with face furious,
Which compleynyd, among this woful pres,
His disconfiture doon be duk Sostenes.
Slayn in bataile, this traitour odious,
Anon in ordre cam to Iohn Bochas
A myhti prince callid Belgius,
Dedli pale, with face furious,
Which compleynyd, among this woful pres,
His disconfiture doon be duk Sostenes.
This sodeyn myscheef greued his herte sore;
For al the folk that wer in his bataille
Wer put to fliht[e]. Bochas writ no more
Of his knihthod nor of his apparaille,
Sauf onli this; he maketh rehersaille,
Of the Frensshe host, he tellith in certeyn,
How he was chose for a cheeff capteyn,
For al the folk that wer in his bataille
Wer put to fliht[e]. Bochas writ no more
Of his knihthod nor of his apparaille,
Sauf onli this; he maketh rehersaille,
Of the Frensshe host, he tellith in certeyn,
How he was chose for a cheeff capteyn,
And how he cam into the riche lond
Of Macedoyne with his peeple of Fraunce,
Til Sostenes the duk, with myhti hond,
Discounfited hym, brouht hym to myschaunce.
Of whom I fynde non other remembraunce,
Saue whan he wende ta be most glorious,
He was outraied bi force of Brennyus.
Of Macedoyne with his peeple of Fraunce,
Til Sostenes the duk, with myhti hond,
Discounfited hym, brouht hym to myschaunce.
Of whom I fynde non other remembraunce,
Saue whan he wende ta be most glorious,
He was outraied bi force of Brennyus.
572
[How Duk Brennyus delityng to robbe & spoile ended.]
This Brennyus, ful knihtli in werkyng,
Which bi conquest gat many gret cite,
And, as I reede, of Sens he was kyng,
Dispoilled regiouns & many gret contre,
Robbed peeples of hih & low degre,
Spared no goddis, but be violence
Took ther tresours; dede hem no reuerence.
Which bi conquest gat many gret cite,
And, as I reede, of Sens he was kyng,
Dispoilled regiouns & many gret contre,
Robbed peeples of hih & low degre,
Spared no goddis, but be violence
Took ther tresours; dede hem no reuerence.
Ther was a temple gret and merueilous
Bilt on a roche and on an hill off ston,
Sacred Tappollo callid Delphicus,—
In al Grece so gret a god was non.
And offte sithe the peeple wolde gon
Vp to a theatre which that stood withoute,
To haue ansuere of that thei stood in doute.
Bilt on a roche and on an hill off ston,
Sacred Tappollo callid Delphicus,—
In al Grece so gret a god was non.
And offte sithe the peeple wolde gon
Vp to a theatre which that stood withoute,
To haue ansuere of that thei stood in doute.
Ther trust, ther hope was to that god applied,
Hauyng to hym synguler affeccioun,
As thouh he myhte haue holpe & magnefied
And doon to hem gret consolacioun;
For bi a sperit of fals decepcioun
He gaff answere of sondri questiouns
To folk that cam fro dyuers regiouns.
Hauyng to hym synguler affeccioun,
As thouh he myhte haue holpe & magnefied
And doon to hem gret consolacioun;
For bi a sperit of fals decepcioun
He gaff answere of sondri questiouns
To folk that cam fro dyuers regiouns.
Kyng Brennyus hadde no fantasie,
In ther templis aftir ther paynym guise
Nouther to worshepe nor to magnefie
Ther Grekissh goddis, to doon hem sacrefise;
For in his herte he gan hem to despise,
Cauhte a ioie with al his fals robbours
Them to despoile & robbe of ther tresours.
In ther templis aftir ther paynym guise
Nouther to worshepe nor to magnefie
Ther Grekissh goddis, to doon hem sacrefise;
For in his herte he gan hem to despise,
Cauhte a ioie with al his fals robbours
Them to despoile & robbe of ther tresours.
Behihte his men, & seid in pleyn langage,
That his desir and his entencioun
Was to be boti with them of such pillage
As goddis hadde in ther pocessioun,
And parte with hem for synguler guerdoun
For ther labour & ther gret trauailles
That thei had hadde with hym in his batailles.
That his desir and his entencioun
Was to be boti with them of such pillage
As goddis hadde in ther pocessioun,
And parte with hem for synguler guerdoun
573
That thei had hadde with hym in his batailles.
He gaff his peeple a maner hardynesse,
Made hem truste in gret multitude,
Hauyng despiht of thynnocent symplesse
Of his enmyes, because thei wer but rude.
I meene tho folk, shortli to conclude,
Which hadde in keepyng the ieweles precious
Of gret Appollo callid Delphicus.
Made hem truste in gret multitude,
Hauyng despiht of thynnocent symplesse
Of his enmyes, because thei wer but rude.
I meene tho folk, shortli to conclude,
Which hadde in keepyng the ieweles precious
Of gret Appollo callid Delphicus.
The peeple also which was with Brennyus
Hadde al the day dronke myhti wynes—
To fille ther paunchis thei wer so desirous,—
That thei forgat ther marcial doctrynes.
Tascende the mounteyn feeble wer ther chynes,
Ther hedis toltir & ther brayn gan faille,
The temple aloffte to spoille it or tassaille.
Hadde al the day dronke myhti wynes—
To fille ther paunchis thei wer so desirous,—
That thei forgat ther marcial doctrynes.
Tascende the mounteyn feeble wer ther chynes,
Ther hedis toltir & ther brayn gan faille,
The temple aloffte to spoille it or tassaille.
In ther ascendyng be weies that thei ches,
Vpon the roche thei wer bete doun;
Preestis of the temple put hemsilff in pres—
Oon bar a standard, a-nother a gret penoun—
Clad in chesiples for hih deuocioun,
And with ther other vnkouth apparailles,
Bothe on the roche & lowe in ther batailles.
Vpon the roche thei wer bete doun;
Preestis of the temple put hemsilff in pres—
Oon bar a standard, a-nother a gret penoun—
Clad in chesiples for hih deuocioun,
And with ther other vnkouth apparailles,
Bothe on the roche & lowe in ther batailles.
The peeple of Brennyus was incomparable,
Spradde al the feeldis, the stori berth witnesse;
But it is said of old & is no fable,
That no diffence is [in] dronk[e]nesse.
And wisdam failleth wher is gret excesse;
And in a feeld[e], pleynli to conclude,
Victori alway stant nat in multitude.
Spradde al the feeldis, the stori berth witnesse;
But it is said of old & is no fable,
That no diffence is [in] dronk[e]nesse.
And wisdam failleth wher is gret excesse;
And in a feeld[e], pleynli to conclude,
Victori alway stant nat in multitude.
For thei wer set, Bochas doth deuise,
Nat to knihthod but to fals outrage,
To spoile and robbe be gredi couetise,
And stuffe ther someres with outraious pillage;
Furious rauyne hath brouht hem in a rage,—
And farweel knihthod & marcial noblesse
Wher couetise is ladi & maistresse!
Nat to knihthod but to fals outrage,
To spoile and robbe be gredi couetise,
And stuffe ther someres with outraious pillage;
Furious rauyne hath brouht hem in a rage,—
And farweel knihthod & marcial noblesse
Wher couetise is ladi & maistresse!
574
Too myhti dukis wer with Brennyus,
Which that wer[en] cheeff of his counsail.
Manus the ton, the tothir Thesalorus,
Which, as thei thouhte to ther gret auail,
Began a purpos, and it was disauail,
To robbe the temple, the contre & ech toun,
Which turnid aftir to ther confusioun.
Which that wer[en] cheeff of his counsail.
Manus the ton, the tothir Thesalorus,
Which, as thei thouhte to ther gret auail,
Began a purpos, and it was disauail,
To robbe the temple, the contre & ech toun,
Which turnid aftir to ther confusioun.
Thus auarice with stomak vnstaunchable
Hath stranglid the prowesse of many worthi kniht;
And couetise, hir sustir vntretable,
Hath of hih noblesse ful ofte queynt the liht.
Wher Tantalus regneth, a leoun hath no myht:
This to meene, hunger & couetise
Turneþ al noblesse into cowardise.
Hath stranglid the prowesse of many worthi kniht;
And couetise, hir sustir vntretable,
Hath of hih noblesse ful ofte queynt the liht.
Wher Tantalus regneth, a leoun hath no myht:
This to meene, hunger & couetise
Turneþ al noblesse into cowardise.
For bi the counsail of these dukes tweyne,
Brennyus sette al his oppynyoun;
To spoille & robbe dede his besi peyne,
To pile the cites of al that regeoun.
But in this while, as maad is mencioun,
Mid ther batailles, Bochas doth me lere,
The god Appollo & Pallas dede appeere.
Brennyus sette al his oppynyoun;
To spoille & robbe dede his besi peyne,
To pile the cites of al that regeoun.
But in this while, as maad is mencioun,
Mid ther batailles, Bochas doth me lere,
The god Appollo & Pallas dede appeere.
Appollo first shewed his presence,
Fressh, yong and lusti as any sonne sheene,
Armed al in gold, and with gret violence
Entred the feeld[e], as it was weel seene.
And Diana kam with hir arwes keene,
And Mynerua in a briht haberioun,
Which in ther komyng made a terrible soun.
Fressh, yong and lusti as any sonne sheene,
Armed al in gold, and with gret violence
Entred the feeld[e], as it was weel seene.
And Diana kam with hir arwes keene,
And Mynerua in a briht haberioun,
Which in ther komyng made a terrible soun.
The noise was herd[e] of ther briht armure,
Which made ther enmyes for feer almost to raue,
That thei myht afforn hem nat endure,
Fledde the feeld for dreed, themsilf to saue.
And ther was herd an hidous erthe-quaue;
And fro heuene in this mortal bataille,
Of cold constreynyng gret stonys gan doun haille.
Which made ther enmyes for feer almost to raue,
That thei myht afforn hem nat endure,
Fledde the feeld for dreed, themsilf to saue.
And ther was herd an hidous erthe-quaue;
And fro heuene in this mortal bataille,
Of cold constreynyng gret stonys gan doun haille.
Ther aduersaries bete doun & groundid,
And afforn hem durste nat abide.
And Brennyus so mortalli was woundid,
Bothe brest & hed, & hurt thoruh outher side,—
Loo, heer the eende of couetise & pride:
For Brennyus for constreynt of his smerte
Rooff with a dagger hymseluen to the herte.
And afforn hem durste nat abide.
And Brennyus so mortalli was woundid,
575
Loo, heer the eende of couetise & pride:
For Brennyus for constreynt of his smerte
Rooff with a dagger hymseluen to the herte.
This was his eende, vengable & merueilous;
And his dukis slay[e]n bothe tweyne,
Callid Emanus & Thesalorus,
The Grekissh goddis gan at hym so disdeyne.
Of sacrilege seeth heer the greuous peyne:
For who to goddis list do non obseruaunce,
Shal vnwarli be punshed with vengaunce.
And his dukis slay[e]n bothe tweyne,
Callid Emanus & Thesalorus,
The Grekissh goddis gan at hym so disdeyne.
Of sacrilege seeth heer the greuous peyne:
For who to goddis list do non obseruaunce,
Shal vnwarli be punshed with vengaunce.
It is nat holsum with goddis [for] to pleie,
Nor ther puissaunce presumptuousli tattame;
For wher-as thei be vengaunce list werreie,
Who list assay shal fynde it no game.
For his presumpcioun Brennyus fond the same;
For Appollo, Diane and Mynerue
For his outrage vnwarli made hym sterue.
Nor ther puissaunce presumptuousli tattame;
For wher-as thei be vengaunce list werreie,
Who list assay shal fynde it no game.
For his presumpcioun Brennyus fond the same;
For Appollo, Diane and Mynerue
For his outrage vnwarli made hym sterue.
Lenvoye.
This tragedie declareth, who list heere,
Of duk Brennyus many gret bataile,
His extort conquest, & hooli the maneere
How [he] bi force rood thoruh al Itaille.
Afftir how he the Romeyns dede assaille;
His fall in Grece bi vengable violence,
For he to goddis list do no reuerence.
Of duk Brennyus many gret bataile,
His extort conquest, & hooli the maneere
How [he] bi force rood thoruh al Itaille.
Afftir how he the Romeyns dede assaille;
His fall in Grece bi vengable violence,
For he to goddis list do no reuerence.
Took al the tresours & ieweles most enteere
Out of ther templis, & richest apparaille,
Gold and perle, & al that stuff ifeere,
To his encres which that myhte auaille.
The riche he robbed, oppressid the poraille,
Of verrai pompe & froward insolence,
And list to goddis do no reuerence.
Out of ther templis, & richest apparaille,
Gold and perle, & al that stuff ifeere,
To his encres which that myhte auaille.
The riche he robbed, oppressid the poraille,
Of verrai pompe & froward insolence,
And list to goddis do no reuerence.
This myhti tiraunt most surquedous of cheere,
With couetise brent in his entraille,
Whos gredi fret ther myht no mesure steere,
Til that Fortune at myscheeff dede hym faille;
He lakked myht hir variaunt wheel to naille.
Ageyns whos fall ther was no resistence,
For he [to] goddis list do no reuerence.
With couetise brent in his entraille,
Whos gredi fret ther myht no mesure steere,
Til that Fortune at myscheeff dede hym faille;
He lakked myht hir variaunt wheel to naille.
576
For he [to] goddis list do no reuerence.
Noble Princis, conceyueth & dooth lere
The fall of Brennyus for mysgouernaille,
And prudentli peisyng this mateere,
Vertu is strenger than outher plate or maille.
Afforn considred what Salamon doth counsaille,
Cheef preseruatiff of your magnificence,
Is first to God to do due reuerence.
The fall of Brennyus for mysgouernaille,
And prudentli peisyng this mateere,
Vertu is strenger than outher plate or maille.
Afforn considred what Salamon doth counsaille,
Cheef preseruatiff of your magnificence,
Is first to God to do due reuerence.
[How Pirrus kyng of pirothe listnat lyue in pees but of pride and presumpcioun in werre, cam to myschaunce.]
In Bochas book next folwyng on þe ryng
Cam yong[e] Pirrus, sone of Eacides,
Born be discent to regnen & be kyng
And tenherite the lond of Pirothes.
Yit in his youthe & in his tendre encres,
The froward peeple duellyng in that place,
Withoute his gilt, gan his deth purchace.
Cam yong[e] Pirrus, sone of Eacides,
Born be discent to regnen & be kyng
And tenherite the lond of Pirothes.
Yit in his youthe & in his tendre encres,
The froward peeple duellyng in that place,
Withoute his gilt, gan his deth purchace.
But to preserue hym, as maad is mencioun,
He was commyttid & taken in keepyng
Certeyn yeeris for his sauacioun
To oon Glaucus of Illirie kyng,
Whos wiff was cosyn, be record of writyng,
To the seid[e] famous Eacides,
And she in stori callid Beronices.
He was commyttid & taken in keepyng
Certeyn yeeris for his sauacioun
To oon Glaucus of Illirie kyng,
Whos wiff was cosyn, be record of writyng,
To the seid[e] famous Eacides,
And she in stori callid Beronices.
He nih of blood[e] to this noble queen,
Bothe tweyne born of o lynage,
Wonder gracious to alle that dede hym seen
And weel fauoured of fetures & visage.
And in the while of his tendre age,
Oon Cassander, off Macedoyne kyng,
Compassid his deth bi sotil fals werkyng.
Bothe tweyne born of o lynage,
Wonder gracious to alle that dede hym seen
And weel fauoured of fetures & visage.
And in the while of his tendre age,
Oon Cassander, off Macedoyne kyng,
Compassid his deth bi sotil fals werkyng.
And his purpos for to brynge aboute,
He sente for hym bi fals collusioun,
Puttyng Glauchus pleynli out of doute,
But yiff he cam lich his entencioun,
He wolde werke to his destruccioun,
Gadre peeple bothe nih & ferre
And on Glauchus gynne a mortal werre.
He sente for hym bi fals collusioun,
Puttyng Glauchus pleynli out of doute,
But yiff he cam lich his entencioun,
He wolde werke to his destruccioun,
Gadre peeple bothe nih & ferre
And on Glauchus gynne a mortal werre.
577
But king Glaucus took therof non heede,
Hauyng to Pirrus so gret affeccioun:
Of hym resceyued verraili in deede
To been his sone bi adopcioun,
Purposyng of hool entencioun
To make Pirrus, pleynli yiff he may,
To been his hair & regne aftir his day.
Hauyng to Pirrus so gret affeccioun:
Of hym resceyued verraili in deede
To been his sone bi adopcioun,
Purposyng of hool entencioun
To make Pirrus, pleynli yiff he may,
To been his hair & regne aftir his day.
Pirrus alway up growyng bi encres,
Ful amyable bothe of cheer & face;
And in this while the peeple of Pirothes,
Knowyng that he stood in Glaucus grace,
Chaunged ther hertis, cast hem in short space
For to restore, alle of o corage,
The said[e] Pirrus to his heritage.
Ful amyable bothe of cheer & face;
And in this while the peeple of Pirothes,
Knowyng that he stood in Glaucus grace,
Chaunged ther hertis, cast hem in short space
For to restore, alle of o corage,
The said[e] Pirrus to his heritage.
Thus bi assent he was crowned kyng,
Yong, fressh & lusti, & semli therwithal,
Wonder weel thewed in his upgrowyng,
Lik his lynage of corage wex roiall.
The which was cause in especiall,
He was beloued of freendis al aboute,
And of his enmyes gretli had in doute.
Yong, fressh & lusti, & semli therwithal,
Wonder weel thewed in his upgrowyng,
Lik his lynage of corage wex roiall.
The which was cause in especiall,
He was beloued of freendis al aboute,
And of his enmyes gretli had in doute.
The name of hym gan to spreede ferre
Thoruh al Grece aboute in ech contre.
The lond of Tarente gan in [t]his tyme a werre
Ageyn[es] the Romeyns, as ye may see,
Requeryng Pirrus that he wolde bee
Fauourable & helpyng of entente
To the parti of them of Tharente.
Thoruh al Grece aboute in ech contre.
The lond of Tarente gan in [t]his tyme a werre
Ageyn[es] the Romeyns, as ye may see,
Requeryng Pirrus that he wolde bee
Fauourable & helpyng of entente
To the parti of them of Tharente.
To ther request he gan condescende,
And of purpos cast hym nat to faile,
Yif that Fortune wolde hym grace sende,
With myhti hand & marcial apparaile
For to be lord & conquere al Itaille,
As dide his vncle whilom, dout[e]les,
Callid Alisaundre kyng of Epirothes.
And of purpos cast hym nat to faile,
Yif that Fortune wolde hym grace sende,
With myhti hand & marcial apparaile
For to be lord & conquere al Itaille,
As dide his vncle whilom, dout[e]les,
Callid Alisaundre kyng of Epirothes.
578
First he began his conquest in Itaille
Toward Heraclie, a myhti gret cite,
Wher with Brennyus he hadde a gret bataille,
Consul of Rome & lord of that contre.
And to thencres of his felicite,
As [it] is remembred in historie,
Vpon Romeyns he gat that victorie.
Toward Heraclie, a myhti gret cite,
Wher with Brennyus he hadde a gret bataille,
Consul of Rome & lord of that contre.
And to thencres of his felicite,
As [it] is remembred in historie,
Vpon Romeyns he gat that victorie.
The olifauntis with castelis on ther bak
Caused Pirrus, the yonge manli knyht,
With his wisdam, in which ther was no lak,
To putte his enmyes that day to the fliht.
And in this while it happed foorth riht,
The Secilians, Bochas berth record,
Among hemsilff[e] wer at gret discord.
Caused Pirrus, the yonge manli knyht,
With his wisdam, in which ther was no lak,
To putte his enmyes that day to the fliht.
And in this while it happed foorth riht,
The Secilians, Bochas berth record,
Among hemsilff[e] wer at gret discord.
Ther was atween hem gret dyuisioun,
Ech to other contrarie in werkyng;
But to refourme ther fals discencioun,
Thei preied Pirrus to come & be ther kyng.
To whos request he fulli assentyng,
Bi them maad strong, list nat to differre,
Ageyn the Romeyns to begynne a werre.
Ech to other contrarie in werkyng;
But to refourme ther fals discencioun,
Thei preied Pirrus to come & be ther kyng.
To whos request he fulli assentyng,
Bi them maad strong, list nat to differre,
Ageyn the Romeyns to begynne a werre.
Beside a castell callid Esculus,
Withynne Poile, his baneres he gan splaie.
The same day, nat happi nor vrous,
Contrarious Fortune his power gan affraie,
Wounded to the deth gan gretli hym dismaye,
Be which occasioun this Pirrus anon riht
Leep on his courseer & took hym to the fliht.
Withynne Poile, his baneres he gan splaie.
The same day, nat happi nor vrous,
Contrarious Fortune his power gan affraie,
Wounded to the deth gan gretli hym dismaye,
Be which occasioun this Pirrus anon riht
Leep on his courseer & took hym to the fliht.
A sone he hadde callid Helenus,
Born of the douhtir of kyng Agothodes,
Whom he ordeyned, myn auctour tellith thus,
For to be crowned, to his gret encres,
On Sicilians to regne ther in pes,
Weenyng therbi taue had auauntage.
And in this while cam to hym a massage
Born of the douhtir of kyng Agothodes,
Whom he ordeyned, myn auctour tellith thus,
For to be crowned, to his gret encres,
On Sicilians to regne ther in pes,
Weenyng therbi taue had auauntage.
And in this while cam to hym a massage
579
Out of Tharente, which stood in auenture
For his absence out of that regeoun,—
Yif he nat cam, thei myhte nat endure
Ageyn the poweer of them of Rome toun,
Which of assent wer descendid doun
Ageyn[e]s hem, thei stondyng in dispa[i]re,
Sauff in abidyng upon his repair.
For his absence out of that regeoun,—
Yif he nat cam, thei myhte nat endure
Ageyn the poweer of them of Rome toun,
Which of assent wer descendid doun
Ageyn[e]s hem, thei stondyng in dispa[i]re,
Sauff in abidyng upon his repair.
Pirrus this while stood in ful hard[e] poynt,
Wex abasshed & dul in his corage,
Atwix[e] too hangyng in disioynt:
Werreied of Romeyns, hatid in Cartage;
Hadde a bataille to his fynal damage
Withynne a feeld callid Arusius,
Ther put to fliht bi oon Fabricius.
Wex abasshed & dul in his corage,
Atwix[e] too hangyng in disioynt:
Werreied of Romeyns, hatid in Cartage;
Hadde a bataille to his fynal damage
Withynne a feeld callid Arusius,
Ther put to fliht bi oon Fabricius.
Destitut bi fortune & appeired,
Void of socour, bareyn of richesse,
Lik a man of hope disespeired,
Toward Epire in haste he gan hym dresse,
Wher he was first, his stori doth expresse,
As ye han herd rehersed be writyng,
Bi successioun whilom lord & kyng.
Void of socour, bareyn of richesse,
Lik a man of hope disespeired,
Toward Epire in haste he gan hym dresse,
Wher he was first, his stori doth expresse,
As ye han herd rehersed be writyng,
Bi successioun whilom lord & kyng.
But whan he cam to Epire his cite,
He gan of newe ageyn Antigonus,
Kyng of Macedoyne, a ful strong contre,
Hym to werreie he was so desirous.
And bi conquest, the stori tellith thus,
Withynne a while, ther was no gret lettyng,
Bi helpe of Fortune he was crownid kyng.
He gan of newe ageyn Antigonus,
Kyng of Macedoyne, a ful strong contre,
Hym to werreie he was so desirous.
And bi conquest, the stori tellith thus,
Withynne a while, ther was no gret lettyng,
Bi helpe of Fortune he was crownid kyng.
Nat seuene monethes regnyng in quiete,
Bi Lysymachus, maugre al his myht,
He was put doun & remeued from his seete.
Yit of presumpcioun, thouh ther was no riht,
He took on hym to gynne a newe fiht
Geyn Lacedemoyns, & felli them werreie,
Onli because thei wolde hym nat obeie.
Bi Lysymachus, maugre al his myht,
He was put doun & remeued from his seete.
Yit of presumpcioun, thouh ther was no riht,
He took on hym to gynne a newe fiht
Geyn Lacedemoyns, & felli them werreie,
Onli because thei wolde hym nat obeie.
Whos presumpcioun whan that thei beheeld,
Bothe of prudence & of policie
Women wer armed to make a large feeld,
With multitude toppressen his partie,
For comoun proffit put hem in iupartie;
And fynalli such was ther ordenaunce,
That seid[e] Pirrus was brouht to myschaunce.
Bothe of prudence & of policie
Women wer armed to make a large feeld,
With multitude toppressen his partie,
580
And fynalli such was ther ordenaunce,
That seid[e] Pirrus was brouht to myschaunce.
His sone ther slayn, callid Tholome,
And many other loste ther her lyues;
Yit for al that, of pride and cruelte,
He gan a werre ageyn[e]s the Argyues.
And at the eende of al his mortal striues,
For conclusioun, this was his laste fall,
Slayn with a ston as he cam to ther wall.
And many other loste ther her lyues;
Yit for al that, of pride and cruelte,
He gan a werre ageyn[e]s the Argyues.
And at the eende of al his mortal striues,
For conclusioun, this was his laste fall,
Slayn with a ston as he cam to ther wall.
His hed smet off in the same place,
And therof made an oblacioun
To Antigonus for a gret solace.
Thus list Fortune quite his presumpcioun,
Afftir his werris with many regioun.
Loo, heer the eende of folkis rek[e]les
That folwed werre & list nat lyue in pes!
And therof made an oblacioun
To Antigonus for a gret solace.
Thus list Fortune quite his presumpcioun,
Afftir his werris with many regioun.
Loo, heer the eende of folkis rek[e]les
That folwed werre & list nat lyue in pes!
[How the tiraunt Aristotyn/bi trecherous werkyng sette a-side the right lyne/was crowned kyng of Epirothes & aftir slayn.]
Forth procedyng, folwyng Iohn Bochas
I will reherse in ful pleyn langage
How Aristotyn, a tiraunt, this the cas,
Caste & compassed bi ful gret outrage,
Hauyng no title of riht nor heritage,
Of Epirothes bi trecherous werkyng
Voidyng the lyne, ther to be crowned kyng.
I will reherse in ful pleyn langage
How Aristotyn, a tiraunt, this the cas,
Caste & compassed bi ful gret outrage,
Hauyng no title of riht nor heritage,
Of Epirothes bi trecherous werkyng
Voidyng the lyne, ther to be crowned kyng.
Lyuyng too childre, the stori tellith thus,
Born bi discent to regne in that cite,
Theldest of them callid was Pirrus
And the second named Tholome;
And bothe tweyne bi the cruelte
Of Aristotyn wer falsli set aside,
He maad[e] kyng, this tiraunt, thoruh his pride.
Born bi discent to regne in that cite,
Theldest of them callid was Pirrus
And the second named Tholome;
And bothe tweyne bi the cruelte
Of Aristotyn wer falsli set aside,
He maad[e] kyng, this tiraunt, thoruh his pride.
And whil that he thus gan occupie,
Lik a tiraunt cruel & vengable,
Of fals[e] rancour and malencolie
Slouh al the citeseyns that wer most notable,
And exilid, this stori is no fable,
Onli of malis withynne his herte cloos,
Al that wer contrary vnto his purpos.
Lik a tiraunt cruel & vengable,
Of fals[e] rancour and malencolie
581
And exilid, this stori is no fable,
Onli of malis withynne his herte cloos,
Al that wer contrary vnto his purpos.
Vnto the women bi fraudulent sentence
He made ordeyne, aftir that anon,
Of feyned pite gaff to them licence
To ther freendis freeli for to gon
With ther richessis; but thei wer euerichon
Bi his biddyng & bi his fals tresoun
Take bi the weie & fetrid in prisoun,—
He made ordeyne, aftir that anon,
Of feyned pite gaff to them licence
To ther freendis freeli for to gon
With ther richessis; but thei wer euerichon
Bi his biddyng & bi his fals tresoun
Take bi the weie & fetrid in prisoun,—
Or thei wer war was set on them arest.
And aftir that, of vengable cruelte
The[r] childre slay[e]n, sovkyng at ther brest,
Maidnes oppressid of ther virgynyte.
But in this while, at Epire the cite
Ther was a kniht passyng of gret age,
Which caste of purpos tauenge [t]his outrage.
And aftir that, of vengable cruelte
The[r] childre slay[e]n, sovkyng at ther brest,
Maidnes oppressid of ther virgynyte.
But in this while, at Epire the cite
Ther was a kniht passyng of gret age,
Which caste of purpos tauenge [t]his outrage.
This same kniht, myn auctour tellith thus,
In the stori pleynli as I reede,
Was in Greek tunge callid Bellanicus,
Riht wis & manli bothe in werk & deede.
And thynges tweyne put hym out of dreede
Texecute his purpos in certeyn,
Maugre alle tho that wolde been hym ageyn.
In the stori pleynli as I reede,
Was in Greek tunge callid Bellanicus,
Riht wis & manli bothe in werk & deede.
And thynges tweyne put hym out of dreede
Texecute his purpos in certeyn,
Maugre alle tho that wolde been hym ageyn.
For comoun proffit he drad nat to be ded;
A cause was this: for he was falle in age;
And a-nother, that put hym out of dreed,
For he no childre hadde of his lynage.
His quarell rihtfull gaf hym auauntage,
And heerupon gadred hym of newe
Such as he knew that manli wer & trewe.
A cause was this: for he was falle in age;
And a-nother, that put hym out of dreed,
For he no childre hadde of his lynage.
His quarell rihtfull gaf hym auauntage,
And heerupon gadred hym of newe
Such as he knew that manli wer & trewe.
This purpos holde with circumspect auis,
And theron maad ful prudent ordenaunce,
This Bellanicus, old, hardi & riht wis,
Afforn prouided bi knihtli purueiaunce,
The said[e] tiraunt brouht onto myschaunce
Bi help of them that wer to hym assentid,
Vnwarli slayn, whos deth was nat repentid.
And theron maad ful prudent ordenaunce,
This Bellanicus, old, hardi & riht wis,
Afforn prouided bi knihtli purueiaunce,
The said[e] tiraunt brouht onto myschaunce
Bi help of them that wer to hym assentid,
Vnwarli slayn, whos deth was nat repentid.
582
[How quene Arcynoe for the auoutrie don with Demetrius husbond of hir douhtir Beronices/ended in sorow.]
Afftir this stori Bochas gan applie
To turne his penne, lik as ye shal heere,
To write & tell the froward lecherie
Of Arsynoe, plesaunt of look & cheere,
Which of hir port & eek of hir maneere
Was in hir daies, lik as it is founde,
For crafft & beute callid Venus the secounde.
To turne his penne, lik as ye shal heere,
To write & tell the froward lecherie
Of Arsynoe, plesaunt of look & cheere,
Which of hir port & eek of hir maneere
Was in hir daies, lik as it is founde,
For crafft & beute callid Venus the secounde.
For hir fairnesse youen in mariage
To noble Agas of Cirenes kyng,
And atween hem, whil thei wer yong of age,
Thei hadde a douhtir, bi record of writyng,
Callid Beronices; the kyng at his eendyng
In his testament bad she sholde be
Weddid to the sone of kyng Tholome.
To noble Agas of Cirenes kyng,
And atween hem, whil thei wer yong of age,
Thei hadde a douhtir, bi record of writyng,
Callid Beronices; the kyng at his eendyng
In his testament bad she sholde be
Weddid to the sone of kyng Tholome.
And this was doon of entencioun
To cese the werris, that hadde endured longe
Atween Egipt, as maad is mencioun,
And the Cirenes, bothe rewmys stronge:
Bi this mariage that he myhte vndirfonge
In his deyng to sette a fynal pes
Tween these too rewmys for ther bothe encres.
To cese the werris, that hadde endured longe
Atween Egipt, as maad is mencioun,
And the Cirenes, bothe rewmys stronge:
Bi this mariage that he myhte vndirfonge
In his deyng to sette a fynal pes
Tween these too rewmys for ther bothe encres.
After whos deth[e], thus the mateer stood:
Queen Arsynoe, most subtil in werkyng,
Ageyn this mateer so cruel was & wood,
Maried hir douhtir, withoute mor lettyng,
Callid Beronices, ageyn[e]s the biddyng
Of hir fadir, that callid was Agas,
As heer-toforn rehersid is the caas.
Queen Arsynoe, most subtil in werkyng,
Ageyn this mateer so cruel was & wood,
Maried hir douhtir, withoute mor lettyng,
Callid Beronices, ageyn[e]s the biddyng
Of hir fadir, that callid was Agas,
As heer-toforn rehersid is the caas.
She maried hire to oon Demetrivs
That brother was, bi Bochas rehersyng,
Onto the myhti grete Antigonvs,
Beyng in Grece of Macedoyne kyng.
But infortunat was afftir hir weddyng,
As in this stori suyng ye shal see,
Bi the fals werkyng of queen Arsynoe.
That brother was, bi Bochas rehersyng,
Onto the myhti grete Antigonvs,
Beyng in Grece of Macedoyne kyng.
But infortunat was afftir hir weddyng,
As in this stori suyng ye shal see,
Bi the fals werkyng of queen Arsynoe.
583
And to conclude shortli this mateere,
Whan this queen, this double Arsynoe,
Sauh of Demetrius the visage & the cheere,
His look, his colour, his langage & beute,
His manli port & his liberalite,
She was enamoured, of flesshli fals plesaunce,
Lik hir desir taue his aqueyntaunce.
Whan this queen, this double Arsynoe,
Sauh of Demetrius the visage & the cheere,
His look, his colour, his langage & beute,
His manli port & his liberalite,
She was enamoured, of flesshli fals plesaunce,
Lik hir desir taue his aqueyntaunce.
Of hir nature she was most lecherous;
And of hir froward inclynacioun
She brouhte aboute that Demetrius
Assentid was bi hir suggestioun
For tacomplisshe, lik hir oppynyoun,
Al hir desirs of flesshli appetit:
Thus of accord thei folwed ther delit.
And of hir froward inclynacioun
She brouhte aboute that Demetrius
Assentid was bi hir suggestioun
For tacomplisshe, lik hir oppynyoun,
Al hir desirs of flesshli appetit:
Thus of accord thei folwed ther delit.
Lefft his wiff callid Beronices,
The queenys douhtir, & ageyn al riht
In a place secre, out of pres,
Thei lay togidre almost euery nyht,
Takyng non heed of God nor of no wiht,
Til of fortune the cas is so befall,
That he was hatid of his knihtis all,
The queenys douhtir, & ageyn al riht
In a place secre, out of pres,
Thei lay togidre almost euery nyht,
Takyng non heed of God nor of no wiht,
Til of fortune the cas is so befall,
That he was hatid of his knihtis all,
Despiht thei hadde of Arsynoe,
The deede horrible whan thei dide espie.
His wiff Beronices eek whan she dede see
Hooli the maner of ther ribaudie,
In herte she kauhte a gret malencolie,
Ordeyned knihtis in steel armid briht
In ther auoutry to take hem on a niht.
The deede horrible whan thei dide espie.
His wiff Beronices eek whan she dede see
Hooli the maner of ther ribaudie,
In herte she kauhte a gret malencolie,
Ordeyned knihtis in steel armid briht
In ther auoutry to take hem on a niht.
Liggyng a-bedde, slepte & took no keepe
Afftir fals lustis which thei hadden vsid,
Thei fill upon hem euene whil thei sleepe.
The deede open myht nat been excusid,
To al the world[e] thus thei wern accusid.
With suerdis drawe the knihtis thilke niht
To slen hem bothe wer purposed anon riht.
Afftir fals lustis which thei hadden vsid,
Thei fill upon hem euene whil thei sleepe.
The deede open myht nat been excusid,
To al the world[e] thus thei wern accusid.
With suerdis drawe the knihtis thilke niht
To slen hem bothe wer purposed anon riht.
Out on Beronices! crieth Iohn Bochas,
Because she bad spare Arsynoe,
Ground, roote & gynnyng of this horrible caas,
Seide hir merci was verray cruelte,—
To saue suchon it was a fals pite,
As seith myn auctour, a thyng contrarious,
Hir to preserue & slen Demetrius!
Because she bad spare Arsynoe,
Ground, roote & gynnyng of this horrible caas,
Seide hir merci was verray cruelte,—
584
As seith myn auctour, a thyng contrarious,
Hir to preserue & slen Demetrius!
O Beronices, smal is thi discrecioun,
To saue the queen that hath thi[s] tresoun founde.
First to Demetrius she gaff occasioun,
For which she sholde haue had the firste wounde
Take for them bothe, and in cheynis bounde;
And aftir that, this fals Arsynoe
Texaumple of other sholde haue punshed bee.
To saue the queen that hath thi[s] tresoun founde.
First to Demetrius she gaff occasioun,
For which she sholde haue had the firste wounde
Take for them bothe, and in cheynis bounde;
And aftir that, this fals Arsynoe
Texaumple of other sholde haue punshed bee.
And whil thei wer[e]n thus taken in cloos,
The said Arsynoe made no delay,
But from hir bed anon she up aroos,
Withoute clothes, naked as she lay,
Ran to ther suerdis in al ther gret affray,
Wente atween hem, did hir besi peyne
To bere of strokis with hir armys tweyne.
The said Arsynoe made no delay,
But from hir bed anon she up aroos,
Withoute clothes, naked as she lay,
Ran to ther suerdis in al ther gret affray,
Wente atween hem, did hir besi peyne
To bere of strokis with hir armys tweyne.
To saue Demetrius, naked as she stood,
Void of al dreed[e] dede hir besi cure,
Hir white bodi al bespreynt with blood,
Gan to crien out on eueri creature,—
“Alas,” quod she, “lat me allone endure
Deth be my-silff! ye been to despitous,
To save my lyff and slen Demetrius!”
Void of al dreed[e] dede hir besi cure,
Hir white bodi al bespreynt with blood,
Gan to crien out on eueri creature,—
“Alas,” quod she, “lat me allone endure
Deth be my-silff! ye been to despitous,
To save my lyff and slen Demetrius!”
To the erthe anon she fill adoun,
To stonde upriht she myht[e] nat susteene,
Ded, pale & wan, with many pitous soun
Deth of Demetrius gan wofulli bemeene,
Enbracyng hym with al his woundis greene,
And in hir armys, al-be that he lay ded,
She kissid his mouth, cold, blew & nothyng red.
To stonde upriht she myht[e] nat susteene,
Ded, pale & wan, with many pitous soun
Deth of Demetrius gan wofulli bemeene,
Enbracyng hym with al his woundis greene,
And in hir armys, al-be that he lay ded,
She kissid his mouth, cold, blew & nothyng red.
In sorwe & compleynt thus she made an eende.
I write no mor of this Arsynoe,
But to Beronices ageyn I wil now weende;
For Bochas seith, the stori ye may see,
She aftir was weddid to Tholome,
Lik as it was hir fadris first entent,
Whan he deied & made his testament.
I write no mor of this Arsynoe,
But to Beronices ageyn I wil now weende;
For Bochas seith, the stori ye may see,
She aftir was weddid to Tholome,
Lik as it was hir fadris first entent,
Whan he deied & made his testament.
Finis libri quarti.
| Lydgate's Fall of Princes | |