Lydgate's Fall of Princes Edited by Dr. Henry Bergen ... presented to The Early English Text Society by The Carnegie Institution of Washington |
 |
|
| I. |
|
| II. |
| III. |
|
| IV. |
|
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
|
| IX. |
|
|
 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
[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.
| Lydgate's Fall of Princes | |