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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| VIII. | BOOK VIII |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
823
BOOK VIII
Incipit Prologus libri octaui.
Bochas makth heer an exclamacioun:
Ageyn the Iewes gret vnkyndenesse
Rouht be the Romeyns, þer cite & þer toun,
Lich as the stori did heer-toforn expresse,—
Thei disparpiled to lyue in wrechchidnesse,
Bi Goddes hand punshed for ther outrage,
For euere [to] lyue in tribut & seruage.
Ageyn the Iewes gret vnkyndenesse
Rouht be the Romeyns, þer cite & þer toun,
Lich as the stori did heer-toforn expresse,—
Thei disparpiled to lyue in wrechchidnesse,
Bi Goddes hand punshed for ther outrage,
For euere [to] lyue in tribut & seruage.
Folwyng myn auctour, I caste for to touche
So as I can, rehersyng the maneere
How Iohn Bochas liggyng on his couche
Spak to hymsilff & saide as ye shal heere,
“Whi artow now so dul of look & cheere,
Lik a man, thi face berth witnesse,
That hym disposeth to lyue in idilnesse?”
So as I can, rehersyng the maneere
How Iohn Bochas liggyng on his couche
Spak to hymsilff & saide as ye shal heere,
“Whi artow now so dul of look & cheere,
Lik a man, thi face berth witnesse,
That hym disposeth to lyue in idilnesse?”
“Certis,” quod Iohn, “I tak[e] riht good keep,
Of myche trauaile that the outrage
Hath be long slombre cast me in a sleep,
My lymys feeble, crokid & feynt for age,
Cast in a dreed, for dulnesse of corage,
For to presume vpon me to take
Of the eihte book an eende for to make.”
Of myche trauaile that the outrage
Hath be long slombre cast me in a sleep,
My lymys feeble, crokid & feynt for age,
Cast in a dreed, for dulnesse of corage,
For to presume vpon me to take
Of the eihte book an eende for to make.”
“Thow wenist parauntir in thyn oppynyoun
Bi this labour to gete the a name,
For to reherse the sodeyn fallyng doun,
And be sum newe processe for to attame,
Of princes sittyng hih in the Hous of Fame,
In dyuers bookis, wher thou maist hem fynde,
Perpetuelly to putte thi name in mynde.
Bi this labour to gete the a name,
For to reherse the sodeyn fallyng doun,
And be sum newe processe for to attame,
Of princes sittyng hih in the Hous of Fame,
In dyuers bookis, wher thou maist hem fynde,
Perpetuelly to putte thi name in mynde.
824
Thi daies shorte putte the in gret[e] dreed
Of swich a labour to take the passage,
The mor feeble the slowere is thi speed,
Thi sihte dirkid; & thou art falle in age;
Among remembryng, thynk on this langage:
Whan men be buried lowe in the erthe doun,
Sauf of good lyuyng, farweel al guerdoun.
Of swich a labour to take the passage,
The mor feeble the slowere is thi speed,
Thi sihte dirkid; & thou art falle in age;
Among remembryng, thynk on this langage:
Whan men be buried lowe in the erthe doun,
Sauf of good lyuyng, farweel al guerdoun.
Worldli goodis shal passe, & that riht soone,
Tresour, kun[n]yng and al shal out of mynde;
Frenshep chaungeth as doth the cloudi moone;
At a streiht neede fewe freendis men do fynde.
But a good name whan it is lefft behynde
Passeth al richesse, yif it be weel disserued,
And al gold in coffre lokkid & conseruyd.
Tresour, kun[n]yng and al shal out of mynde;
Frenshep chaungeth as doth the cloudi moone;
At a streiht neede fewe freendis men do fynde.
But a good name whan it is lefft behynde
Passeth al richesse, yif it be weel disserued,
And al gold in coffre lokkid & conseruyd.
Of thi labour, the same shal wexe derk;
Bewar Bochas, & heerof tak good heed.”
“Slouthe spak to me, and bad me leue werk:
For a smal reward thou shalt haue for þi meede,
As be exaumple thou maist othir reede.”
This was the langage, I hadde therof routhe,
Atween Iohn Bochas and this ladi Slouthe.
Bewar Bochas, & heerof tak good heed.”
“Slouthe spak to me, and bad me leue werk:
For a smal reward thou shalt haue for þi meede,
As be exaumple thou maist othir reede.”
This was the langage, I hadde therof routhe,
Atween Iohn Bochas and this ladi Slouthe.
Bochas astoned, gan doun his hed enclyne,
Vpon his pilwe lay hangyng in a traunce,
Stoode in gret doute, koude nat determyne,
Lik a man hangyng in ballaunce,
To what parti he sholde his penne auaunce
To proceede as he vndirtook,
Or leue the labour of his eihte book.
Vpon his pilwe lay hangyng in a traunce,
Stoode in gret doute, koude nat determyne,
Lik a man hangyng in ballaunce,
To what parti he sholde his penne auaunce
To proceede as he vndirtook,
Or leue the labour of his eihte book.
Atwix[e] tweyne abidyng thus a while,
What was to doone in doute he gan fleete,
Halff withynne & half ouer the stile,
Koude nat discerne to hym what was most meete,
Til Fraunceis Petrak, the laureat poete,
Crownid with laurer, grace was his gide,
Cam and set hym doun bi his beddis side.
What was to doone in doute he gan fleete,
Halff withynne & half ouer the stile,
Koude nat discerne to hym what was most meete,
Til Fraunceis Petrak, the laureat poete,
Crownid with laurer, grace was his gide,
Cam and set hym doun bi his beddis side.
825
And as Bochas out of his slombre abraide
And gan adawen sumwhat of his cheere,
And sauh Petrak, lowli to hym he saide:
“Wolkome maister, crownid with laureer,
Which han Itaille lik a sunne cleer
With poetrie, pleynli to descryue,
Most soueraynli enlumyned bi your lyue,—
And gan adawen sumwhat of his cheere,
And sauh Petrak, lowli to hym he saide:
“Wolkome maister, crownid with laureer,
Which han Itaille lik a sunne cleer
With poetrie, pleynli to descryue,
Most soueraynli enlumyned bi your lyue,—
I haue desired, as it is weel kouth,
Of riht hool herte be humble attendaunce,
To doon you worshep fro my tendre youth,
And so shal euere, void of al variaunce,
Duryng my lyff; for treuli in substaunce
Ye haue been lanterne, liht and direccioun
Ay to supporte myn ocupacioun,
Of riht hool herte be humble attendaunce,
To doon you worshep fro my tendre youth,
And so shal euere, void of al variaunce,
Duryng my lyff; for treuli in substaunce
Ye haue been lanterne, liht and direccioun
Ay to supporte myn ocupacioun,
As in writyng bookis to compile,
Cheeff exaumplaire to my gret auauntage,
To refourme the rudnesse of my stile
With aureat colours of your fressh langage.
But now fordullid be impotence of age,
Of decrepitus markid with many a signe,
My labour up of writyng I resigne.
Cheeff exaumplaire to my gret auauntage,
To refourme the rudnesse of my stile
With aureat colours of your fressh langage.
But now fordullid be impotence of age,
Of decrepitus markid with many a signe,
My labour up of writyng I resigne.
I cast[e] me nat ferther to proceede,
Stonde at abay fordryue with werynesse.”
Quod Franseis Petrak, “leese nat thus thi meede:
Yif men no cause to reporte nor expresse,
In thi laste age thou hast founde a maistresse
Which hath the bridled in sooth (& þat is routhe)
And halt thi rene, and she is callid Slouthe.
Stonde at abay fordryue with werynesse.”
Quod Franseis Petrak, “leese nat thus thi meede:
Yif men no cause to reporte nor expresse,
In thi laste age thou hast founde a maistresse
Which hath the bridled in sooth (& þat is routhe)
And halt thi rene, and she is callid Slouthe.
An euident tokne of froward slogardie,
Vpon thi bed thi lymes so to dresse.
Ris up! for shame! for I can weel espie,
Folk that can grone & feele no seeknesse,
Ther chaumbirleyn is callid Idilnesse,
Which leith thi pilwe at euen & at morwe,—
Void hir fro the, and let hir go with sorwe!
Vpon thi bed thi lymes so to dresse.
Ris up! for shame! for I can weel espie,
Folk that can grone & feele no seeknesse,
Ther chaumbirleyn is callid Idilnesse,
Which leith thi pilwe at euen & at morwe,—
Void hir fro the, and let hir go with sorwe!
826
To al vertu most froward & contrarye
Is Idilnesse heer in this present lyff,
Which hath the drawe awey fro thi librarie,
Wil the nat suffre to be contemplatiff;
For hir condicioun is to holde striff
With euery vertuous occupacioun,
Which men sholde voide of wisdam & resoun.
Is Idilnesse heer in this present lyff,
Which hath the drawe awey fro thi librarie,
Wil the nat suffre to be contemplatiff;
For hir condicioun is to holde striff
With euery vertuous occupacioun,
Which men sholde voide of wisdam & resoun.
In this mateer what sholde I longe tarye?—
Leff thi slombre and up thyn eyen dresse!
The book I-maad of lyff[e] solitarye,
Remembre theron, the which in sekirnesse
Techeth the weie of vertuous besynesse,
Bi and bi, who list reede eueri lyne,
Of contemplacioun moral and dyuyne.
Leff thi slombre and up thyn eyen dresse!
The book I-maad of lyff[e] solitarye,
Remembre theron, the which in sekirnesse
Techeth the weie of vertuous besynesse,
Bi and bi, who list reede eueri lyne,
Of contemplacioun moral and dyuyne.
As I seide erst, yit lefft[e] up thi look,
Forsak thi bed, rys up anon, for shame!
Woldestow reste now on thyn seuent book,
And leue the eihte? in sooth thou art to blame!
Proceede forth and gete thi-silf a name.
And with o thyng do thi-silf conforte:
As thou disseruest, men aftir shal reporte.
Forsak thi bed, rys up anon, for shame!
Woldestow reste now on thyn seuent book,
And leue the eihte? in sooth thou art to blame!
Proceede forth and gete thi-silf a name.
And with o thyng do thi-silf conforte:
As thou disseruest, men aftir shal reporte.
Maak a comparisou[n] tween dirknesse & liht,
Tween Idilnesse and Occupacioun,
Tween faire daies and the cloudi niht,
Tween a coward prowesse and hih renoun,
Tween vertuous spech and fals detraccioun;
And to conclude, all vices to represse,
Contrarye to slouthe is vertuous besynesse.
Tween Idilnesse and Occupacioun,
Tween faire daies and the cloudi niht,
Tween a coward prowesse and hih renoun,
Tween vertuous spech and fals detraccioun;
And to conclude, all vices to represse,
Contrarye to slouthe is vertuous besynesse.
Vertuous besynesse, O Bochas, tak good heed,
Renveth alle thynges off old antiquite,
Maketh men to lyuen aftir thei be ded,
Remembreth the noblesse of many gret cite;
And ne wer writers, al wer goon, parde.
Wherfor, Bochas, sith thou art nih the lond,
Suffre nat thi ship to stumble on no sond.
Renveth alle thynges off old antiquite,
Maketh men to lyuen aftir thei be ded,
Remembreth the noblesse of many gret cite;
And ne wer writers, al wer goon, parde.
Wherfor, Bochas, sith thou art nih the lond,
Suffre nat thi ship to stumble on no sond.
827
I meene as thus: the shipp of thi trauaille,
Which hath passid the se of bookis seuene.
Cast nat anker til thou ha good ryuaille!
Lat no tempest of thundir, reyn nor leuene,
Nor no wyndis of the cloudi heuene,
Nor no fals ianglyng of demeres that wil blyue
Depraue thi labour, let thi shipp taryue.
Which hath passid the se of bookis seuene.
Cast nat anker til thou ha good ryuaille!
Lat no tempest of thundir, reyn nor leuene,
Nor no wyndis of the cloudi heuene,
Nor no fals ianglyng of demeres that wil blyue
Depraue thi labour, let thi shipp taryue.
Haste on thi way, lat Grace crosse þi saille,
Fall on no sond of wilful necligence,
Lat good[e] will be cheef of thi counsaille,
To guye thi rother set enteer dilligence;
Yif vitaille faille & wyn to thi dispense,
Yit at the laste, thynk, for thi socour
Sum roial prince shal quyte thi labour.
Fall on no sond of wilful necligence,
Lat good[e] will be cheef of thi counsaille,
To guye thi rother set enteer dilligence;
Yif vitaille faille & wyn to thi dispense,
Yit at the laste, thynk, for thi socour
Sum roial prince shal quyte thi labour.
Thynk, be writyng auctours did þer peyne
To yiue princis ther komendaciouns,
To Remus, Romulus callid foundours tweyne
Of Rome toun; & of too Scipiouns
Thei wrot the knihthod, prudence of too Catouns,
Of Iulius, Pompeye & Hanybal eek also,
Bexaumple of whom looke that thou so do.
To yiue princis ther komendaciouns,
To Remus, Romulus callid foundours tweyne
Of Rome toun; & of too Scipiouns
Thei wrot the knihthod, prudence of too Catouns,
Of Iulius, Pompeye & Hanybal eek also,
Bexaumple of whom looke that thou so do.
Of prophetis thei wrot the prophecies
And the noblesse of olde Moises,
Of poetis the laureat poesies,
The force of Samson, the strengthe of Hercules;
Of two Grekis, Pirrus and Achilles,
Bi ther writyng—bookis sey the same—
Into this day endureth yit the name.
And the noblesse of olde Moises,
Of poetis the laureat poesies,
The force of Samson, the strengthe of Hercules;
Of two Grekis, Pirrus and Achilles,
Bi ther writyng—bookis sey the same—
Into this day endureth yit the name.
And he that can and ceseth for to write
Notable exaumples of our predecessours,
Of envie men wil hym atwite,
That he in gardyns leet pershe þe holsum flours
In sondry caas that myhte do gret socours.
Laboure for othir, & spare nat thi trauaille;
For vertuous labour geyn slouthe mai most auaille.
Notable exaumples of our predecessours,
Of envie men wil hym atwite,
That he in gardyns leet pershe þe holsum flours
In sondry caas that myhte do gret socours.
Laboure for othir, & spare nat thi trauaille;
For vertuous labour geyn slouthe mai most auaille.
828
A thyng remembrid of antiquite,
Is whan ther is set a fair image
Of a prince of hih or louh degre;
Or of a persone a preent of his visage
Gladeth his freend, quyketh his corage;
And semblabli bexaumple men may fynde
Thynges forgetyn be writyng come to mynde.
Is whan ther is set a fair image
Of a prince of hih or louh degre;
Or of a persone a preent of his visage
Gladeth his freend, quyketh his corage;
And semblabli bexaumple men may fynde
Thynges forgetyn be writyng come to mynde.
And for to make our names perdurable,
And our merites to putten in memorie,
Vices teschewe, in vertu to be stable,
That laboure may of slouthe haue the victorie,
To cleyme a see in the heuenli consistorie—
Despiht of idilnesse & foorthryng of vertu—
Fyn of our labour be youe to Crist Iesu.”
And our merites to putten in memorie,
Vices teschewe, in vertu to be stable,
That laboure may of slouthe haue the victorie,
To cleyme a see in the heuenli consistorie—
Despiht of idilnesse & foorthryng of vertu—
Fyn of our labour be youe to Crist Iesu.”
Whan Petrak hadde rehersid this lessoun
In rebukyng of vicious idilnesse,
Bochas supprised and meued of resoun,
Roos from his couche, gan his penne dresse.
Will ouercam thympotent feeblesse
Of crokid age, that Bochas vndirtook
For tacomplisshe up his eihte book.
In rebukyng of vicious idilnesse,
Bochas supprised and meued of resoun,
Roos from his couche, gan his penne dresse.
Will ouercam thympotent feeblesse
Of crokid age, that Bochas vndirtook
For tacomplisshe up his eihte book.
I folwyng aftir, fordullid with rudnesse,
Mor than thre score yeeris set my date,
Lust of youthe passid [with] his fresshnesse;
Colours of rethorik to helpe me translate
Wer fadid awey: I was born in Lidgate,
Wher Bachus licour doth ful scarsli fleete,
My drie soule for to dewe & weete.
Mor than thre score yeeris set my date,
Lust of youthe passid [with] his fresshnesse;
Colours of rethorik to helpe me translate
Wer fadid awey: I was born in Lidgate,
Wher Bachus licour doth ful scarsli fleete,
My drie soule for to dewe & weete.
Thouh pallid age hath fordullid me,
Tremblyng ioyntes let myn hand to write,
And fro me take al the subtilite
Of corious makyng in Inglissh to endite,—
Yit in this labour treuli me taquite
I shal proceede, as it is to me dewe,
In thes too bookis Bochas for to sewe.
Tremblyng ioyntes let myn hand to write,
And fro me take al the subtilite
Of corious makyng in Inglissh to endite,—
Yit in this labour treuli me taquite
I shal proceede, as it is to me dewe,
In thes too bookis Bochas for to sewe.
Explicit prologus libri Octaui.
829
Incipit liber octauus.
[How the proude tiraunt Domytyan Emperour of Rome, and many other Emperours & nobles for ther outrages & wrecchidnesse mischeuesly ended.]
Brother to Titus, sone of Vespasian,
Cam next in ordre, as writ myn auctour,
The proude ambicious callid Domycian,
And was in Roome crownid emperour;—
An extorsioneer and a fals pillour,
Proudli comaundid, in his estat up stallid,
Of al the world he sholde a god be callid.
Cam next in ordre, as writ myn auctour,
The proude ambicious callid Domycian,
And was in Roome crownid emperour;—
An extorsioneer and a fals pillour,
Proudli comaundid, in his estat up stallid,
Of al the world he sholde a god be callid.
Thoruh hih presumpcioun, of hym it is eek told,
Nouther of tymber koruen nor of ston,
Set up images of siluer and of gold,
In tokne ther was no god but he allon.
Into Pathmos he exiled eek Seynt Ihon,
And ageyn Cristene the seconde next Neroun,
That began first the persecucioun.
Nouther of tymber koruen nor of ston,
Set up images of siluer and of gold,
In tokne ther was no god but he allon.
Into Pathmos he exiled eek Seynt Ihon,
And ageyn Cristene the seconde next Neroun,
That began first the persecucioun.
This same tiraunt, regnyng in his estat,
To alle the cite was passyng odious;
Best & most worthi he slouh of the Senat,
And onto all that wer[e] vertuous
Mortal enmy, and most malicious.
And for slauhtre of senatours in the toun
Axed the tryumphe, as maad is mencioun.
To alle the cite was passyng odious;
Best & most worthi he slouh of the Senat,
And onto all that wer[e] vertuous
Mortal enmy, and most malicious.
And for slauhtre of senatours in the toun
Axed the tryumphe, as maad is mencioun.
Made among Iewes be ful gret outrage,
Wher-as he hadde grettest suspecioun,
To slen all tho that wer of the lynage
Off Dauid kynreede or kyng Salamoun,
List he wer put out off domynacioun
Among[es] Iewes; this was his meenyng,—
Slouh all tho that wer born to be kyng.
Wher-as he hadde grettest suspecioun,
To slen all tho that wer of the lynage
Off Dauid kynreede or kyng Salamoun,
List he wer put out off domynacioun
Among[es] Iewes; this was his meenyng,—
Slouh all tho that wer born to be kyng.
830
Amyd his paleis, as God wolde of riht
Punshe a tiraunt & quiten hym his meede,
This Domycian was slayn vpon a niht,
His kareyn aftir vnburied, as I reed.
And Comodus doth aftir hym succeede,
Which was al youe be flesshli appetit
To leue al vertu & folwe his fals delit.
Punshe a tiraunt & quiten hym his meede,
This Domycian was slayn vpon a niht,
His kareyn aftir vnburied, as I reed.
And Comodus doth aftir hym succeede,
Which was al youe be flesshli appetit
To leue al vertu & folwe his fals delit.
Theatre pleyes of custum he did vse,
As was the custum ther & the vsage;
His liff in vices he falsli did abuse,
In lecherous lustis dispente al his young age,
To the Romeyns did ful gret damage:
For of the Senat that wer most vertuous,
Wer falsli slay[e]n bi this Comodus.
As was the custum ther & the vsage;
His liff in vices he falsli did abuse,
In lecherous lustis dispente al his young age,
To the Romeyns did ful gret damage:
For of the Senat that wer most vertuous,
Wer falsli slay[e]n bi this Comodus.
In his tyme be strook of thundirdent
And firy lihtnyng that cam doun from heuene,
The comoun librarye was of the cite brent,
With roial bookis of al the craftis seuene,
Bookis of poetis mo than I can neuene.
And Comodus, breefli to termyne,
Was slayn and stranglid bi his concubyne.
And firy lihtnyng that cam doun from heuene,
The comoun librarye was of the cite brent,
With roial bookis of al the craftis seuene,
Bookis of poetis mo than I can neuene.
And Comodus, breefli to termyne,
Was slayn and stranglid bi his concubyne.
Helmus Pertynax cam next on the ryng,
Ordeyned aftir emperour of that toun,
Old & vnweeldi, slayn in his gynnyng.
Afftir whom, the book makth mencioun,
Be no title of successioun,
But an intrusour, oon callid Iulian,
Thestat vsurpyng to regne ther began.
Ordeyned aftir emperour of that toun,
Old & vnweeldi, slayn in his gynnyng.
Afftir whom, the book makth mencioun,
Be no title of successioun,
But an intrusour, oon callid Iulian,
Thestat vsurpyng to regne ther began.
But of the noble lynage Affrican,
Born in Tripolis, a myhti gret cite,
Oon Seuerus, that was a knihtli man,
Gadred of Romeyns a wonder gret meyne.
Bothe maad strong, Iulian mette & he
At Pount Melyn, a cite of Itaille,
And ther was Iulyan slay[e]n in bataille.
Born in Tripolis, a myhti gret cite,
Oon Seuerus, that was a knihtli man,
Gadred of Romeyns a wonder gret meyne.
Bothe maad strong, Iulian mette & he
At Pount Melyn, a cite of Itaille,
And ther was Iulyan slay[e]n in bataille.
Seuerus aftir entrid the empire
And took upon hym the domynacioun,
Vpon Cristene, of malis sette affire,
Began ageyn hem a persecucioun
Of tirannye and fals ambicioun;
But oon of Egipt callid Poscennyus
Ageyn Seuerus began to werke thus:
And took upon hym the domynacioun,
Vpon Cristene, of malis sette affire,
Began ageyn hem a persecucioun
831
But oon of Egipt callid Poscennyus
Ageyn Seuerus began to werke thus:
Gadred meyne Seuerus for tassaile,
In purpos fulli, & theron dide his peyne,
First with hym to haue a gret bataille,
Next of thempire the crowne for tatteyne.
But ye shal heere what fill of thes tweyne:
On Poscennyus fill the disconfiture,
And Seuerus thempire doth recure.
In purpos fulli, & theron dide his peyne,
First with hym to haue a gret bataille,
Next of thempire the crowne for tatteyne.
But ye shal heere what fill of thes tweyne:
On Poscennyus fill the disconfiture,
And Seuerus thempire doth recure.
In his purpos or he myht auaille,
With oon Albynus, that was a manli kniht,
He hadde [in] Gaule a ful gret bataille;
Ful gret[e] blood shad in that mortal fiht,
Albynus slayn of verray force & myht.
Seuervs aftir entrid in Breteyne,
Kauht[e] seeknesse & deide of the peyne.
With oon Albynus, that was a manli kniht,
He hadde [in] Gaule a ful gret bataille;
Ful gret[e] blood shad in that mortal fiht,
Albynus slayn of verray force & myht.
Seuervs aftir entrid in Breteyne,
Kauht[e] seeknesse & deide of the peyne.
Aftir Seuerus next cam Antonyne,
Of whom the froward disposicioun,
As alle auctours of hym determyne,—
His besynesse and occupacioun
Set hool in flesshli delectacioun,
So fals a lust his corage did assaille,—
Among[es] Parthois slay[e]n in bataille.
Of whom the froward disposicioun,
As alle auctours of hym determyne,—
His besynesse and occupacioun
Set hool in flesshli delectacioun,
So fals a lust his corage did assaille,—
Among[es] Parthois slay[e]n in bataille.
Macrinvs aftir tofor Bochas cam doun,
Whilom a prefect in Roome the cite,
Of the Pretoire, and be invacioun
Cam to the imperial famous dignite,
Ocupied a yeer, sat in his roial see,
Til Fortune list hym to disgrade,
Among his knihtis slayn at Archelade.
Whilom a prefect in Roome the cite,
Of the Pretoire, and be invacioun
Cam to the imperial famous dignite,
Ocupied a yeer, sat in his roial see,
Til Fortune list hym to disgrade,
Among his knihtis slayn at Archelade.
Next cam Aurelius surnamyd Antonyne,
A gret ribaud & passyng lecherous,
Yit was he bisshop, as auctours determyne,
In the temple of Aliogobolus.
And in his tyme was oon Sabellius,
A fals heretik, of whom gan the names
Of a sect callid Sebellianes.
A gret ribaud & passyng lecherous,
Yit was he bisshop, as auctours determyne,
In the temple of Aliogobolus.
And in his tyme was oon Sabellius,
A fals heretik, of whom gan the names
Of a sect callid Sebellianes.
832
This said Aurelius, ageyn[e]s al norture,
Of fals presumpcioun, in bookis it is told,
Wolde nat pourge his womb bi nature,
But in vessellis that wer maad of gold;
And in despiht[e], whan that he wex old,
Slayn off his knihtis, & nat aftir longe
His careyn was throwen in a gonge.
Of fals presumpcioun, in bookis it is told,
Wolde nat pourge his womb bi nature,
But in vessellis that wer maad of gold;
And in despiht[e], whan that he wex old,
Slayn off his knihtis, & nat aftir longe
His careyn was throwen in a gonge.
Aftir this proude forseid Antonyne,
Into thempire be iust eleccioun
Of senatours, as bookis determyne,
Cam Aurelivs, & for his hih renoun
Surnamyd Alisaundre, as maad is mencioun.
Fauht with Persiens lik a manli kniht,
And ther kyng Xerses he put vnto þe fliht.
Into thempire be iust eleccioun
Of senatours, as bookis determyne,
Cam Aurelivs, & for his hih renoun
Surnamyd Alisaundre, as maad is mencioun.
Fauht with Persiens lik a manli kniht,
And ther kyng Xerses he put vnto þe fliht.
This Aurelius, this prudent knihtli man,
Whan he sat iuge in the consistorie,
Ther sat oon with hym callid Vlpian,
A gret cyuylien notable of memorie,
Of whom it is to his encres of glorie
Reported thus, be gret auctorite
He of Digestis made bookis thre.
Whan he sat iuge in the consistorie,
Ther sat oon with hym callid Vlpian,
A gret cyuylien notable of memorie,
Of whom it is to his encres of glorie
Reported thus, be gret auctorite
He of Digestis made bookis thre.
Ful pitousli this emperour lost his lyff,
Casueli, as maad is mencioun,
Among his knihtes bi a sodeyn stryff,
Wher he was slayn in that discencioun.
Aftir whos eende, for short conclusioun,
Tofor Bochas, the book weel telle can,
Cam Maxymynus & with hym Gordian.
Casueli, as maad is mencioun,
Among his knihtes bi a sodeyn stryff,
Wher he was slayn in that discencioun.
Aftir whos eende, for short conclusioun,
Tofor Bochas, the book weel telle can,
Cam Maxymynus & with hym Gordian.
Maxymynus, the cronicle doth expresse,
Chose of his knihtis & his soudiours
For his victorious marcial hih prowesse
Doon in Almaigne, & among emperours
Set up in Roome, maugre the senatours.
Afftir strong enmy, as myn auctour seith,
With al his poweer onto Cristes feith.
Chose of his knihtis & his soudiours
For his victorious marcial hih prowesse
Doon in Almaigne, & among emperours
Set up in Roome, maugre the senatours.
Afftir strong enmy, as myn auctour seith,
With al his poweer onto Cristes feith.
833
He was [eek] enmy, his lyff who list to seen,
To cristen clerkis of gret auctorite,
And specialli to olde Origen.
But in his moste furious cruelte,
In Aquileia, a myhti strong contre,
Of a prefect callid Puppien he was slayn;
Of whos deth [al] Cristen men wer fayn.
To cristen clerkis of gret auctorite,
And specialli to olde Origen.
But in his moste furious cruelte,
In Aquileia, a myhti strong contre,
Of a prefect callid Puppien he was slayn;
Of whos deth [al] Cristen men wer fayn.
Next bi the Senat chose was Gordian.
First ageyn Parthois he cast hym to werreie;
Of Ianvs temple whan the werre gan
He made the gatis been opnid with the keye,
Which was a tokne, as olde bookis seye,—
Tho gatis opnyd, to folkis nih & ferre,
That with ther foon the Romeyns wolde haue werre.
First ageyn Parthois he cast hym to werreie;
Of Ianvs temple whan the werre gan
He made the gatis been opnid with the keye,
Which was a tokne, as olde bookis seye,—
Tho gatis opnyd, to folkis nih & ferre,
That with ther foon the Romeyns wolde haue werre.
With Parthois first this saide Gordian
To holde werre faste he gan hym speede;
And upon hem alwey the feeld he wan.
Afftir he spedde hym into Perse & Meede,
Alwey victorious in bataille, as I reede;
Vpon Eufrates slay[e]n, as I fynde,
Be fals tresoun, the cronicle maketh mynde.
To holde werre faste he gan hym speede;
And upon hem alwey the feeld he wan.
Afftir he spedde hym into Perse & Meede,
Alwey victorious in bataille, as I reede;
Vpon Eufrates slay[e]n, as I fynde,
Be fals tresoun, the cronicle maketh mynde.
Next in ordre cam Phelipp be his name,
His sone eek Phelipp cam with hym also,
Myn auctour Bochas reherseth eek the same,
The fadir, the sone baptised bothe too,
Riht sad & wis in what thei hadde to doo,
And wer the firste Cristene of echon
Emperours reknid; for ther toforn was non.
His sone eek Phelipp cam with hym also,
Myn auctour Bochas reherseth eek the same,
The fadir, the sone baptised bothe too,
Riht sad & wis in what thei hadde to doo,
And wer the firste Cristene of echon
Emperours reknid; for ther toforn was non.
Be Poncivs the martir, as I reede,
In Nicea, a famous gret cite,
Thei wer baptised, and aftir that in deede
Slayn in bataille, for thei list nat flee.
Tofor ther deth, both of assent, parde,
Ther tresours hool, that wer imperiall,
To Cristis cherch, I fynde, thei gaff it all.
In Nicea, a famous gret cite,
Thei wer baptised, and aftir that in deede
Slayn in bataille, for thei list nat flee.
Tofor ther deth, both of assent, parde,
Ther tresours hool, that wer imperiall,
To Cristis cherch, I fynde, thei gaff it all.
834
The bisshop Sixtus took pocessioun,
Vertuousli assigned it to Laurence
Therof to make distribucioun
To poore folk in ther indigence;
For which[e] deede be cruel violence
The tiraunt Decius ageyn hym took a striff,
Made hooli Laurence be bren[n]yng lese his lyf.
Vertuousli assigned it to Laurence
Therof to make distribucioun
To poore folk in ther indigence;
For which[e] deede be cruel violence
The tiraunt Decius ageyn hym took a striff,
Made hooli Laurence be bren[n]yng lese his lyf.
This same Decius, cursid & cruell,
Caused the slauhtre of thes Philippis tweyne;
And for he was sotil, fals & fell,
Be sleihte and falsheed he dide his besi peyne
To thempire be force for to atteyne,
The seuente tiraunt be persecucioun
Which ageyn Cristene took first occasioun.
Caused the slauhtre of thes Philippis tweyne;
And for he was sotil, fals & fell,
Be sleihte and falsheed he dide his besi peyne
To thempire be force for to atteyne,
The seuente tiraunt be persecucioun
Which ageyn Cristene took first occasioun.
Myn auctour writ, tyme of this Decivs,
The hooli hermyte, exaumple of parfitnesse,
Be daies olde callid Antonivs,
Lyued in desert ferr out in wildirnesse,
As an hermyte despisyng al richesse,—
Lyued be frut & rootis, as men tell,
And of perfeccioun drank watir of þe well.
The hooli hermyte, exaumple of parfitnesse,
Be daies olde callid Antonivs,
Lyued in desert ferr out in wildirnesse,
As an hermyte despisyng al richesse,—
Lyued be frut & rootis, as men tell,
And of perfeccioun drank watir of þe well.
Vpon Decius for his cursidnesse,
Ageyn Cristene which gaf so hard sentence,
Thoruh Roome and Itaille, myn auctour berþ witnesse,
In eueri cite was so gret pestilence,
That be the sodeyn dedli violence,
The hertis of men, dependyng in a traunce,
To saue ther lyues coude no cheuisaunce.
Ageyn Cristene which gaf so hard sentence,
Thoruh Roome and Itaille, myn auctour berþ witnesse,
In eueri cite was so gret pestilence,
That be the sodeyn dedli violence,
The hertis of men, dependyng in a traunce,
To saue ther lyues coude no cheuisaunce.
Of this mateer write no mor I can;
To this emperour I nil resorte ageyn.
Speke of Gallus and Volusian,
That besi wern, ther labour was in veyn,
Ther tyme but short, as summe bookis seyn;
For Martyn writ, an old[e] cronicleer,
In thempire thei regned but too yeer.
To this emperour I nil resorte ageyn.
Speke of Gallus and Volusian,
That besi wern, ther labour was in veyn,
Ther tyme but short, as summe bookis seyn;
For Martyn writ, an old[e] cronicleer,
In thempire thei regned but too yeer.
835
Bothe wer slay[e]n bi the procuryng
And bi the purchace of oon Emylian,
A Romeyn kniht, [the] which be slih werkyng
To occupie thempire tho began.
Be tirannye the lordshipe ther he wan,
Whos lordship, for lak of happ & grace,
No lenger laste than too monethes space.
And bi the purchace of oon Emylian,
A Romeyn kniht, [the] which be slih werkyng
To occupie thempire tho began.
Be tirannye the lordshipe ther he wan,
Whos lordship, for lak of happ & grace,
No lenger laste than too monethes space.
This litil chapitle, as toforn is seene,
Rehersid hath & toold in woordis pleyn
Of emperour[e]s almost ful fourteene;
And of alle wer good[e] non but tweyne.
Which to reherse I haue do my peyne,
And to proceede ferther, as I gan,
I mvt now write of oon Valerian.
Rehersid hath & toold in woordis pleyn
Of emperour[e]s almost ful fourteene;
And of alle wer good[e] non but tweyne.
Which to reherse I haue do my peyne,
And to proceede ferther, as I gan,
I mvt now write of oon Valerian.
His sone and he, callid Gallien,
To al Cristene bar gret enmyte,
Slouh all tho, ther legende men may seen,
That seruede Crist in trouthe & equite.
Whos persecucioun & hatful cruelte
Abatid was, as I can weel reherse,
Bi oon Sapor that was kyng of Perse.
To al Cristene bar gret enmyte,
Slouh all tho, ther legende men may seen,
That seruede Crist in trouthe & equite.
Whos persecucioun & hatful cruelte
Abatid was, as I can weel reherse,
Bi oon Sapor that was kyng of Perse.
Bi force of armys Sapor, this myhti kyng,
Gan in Asia, & with his host cam doun
Be Tigre, Eufrates, &, knihtli so ridyng
Toward the parties of Septemptrioun,
To Kaukasus nat ferr, fro Babiloun;
And al Surrye he proudli did assaille,
And Capadoce he wan eek be bataille.
Gan in Asia, & with his host cam doun
Be Tigre, Eufrates, &, knihtli so ridyng
Toward the parties of Septemptrioun,
To Kaukasus nat ferr, fro Babiloun;
And al Surrye he proudli did assaille,
And Capadoce he wan eek be bataille.
Whom for to meete cam doun Valerian
To Mesopotayn with many legiouns.
The werre was strong; but this knihtli man,
This hardi Sapor, with his champiouns
The feeld hath wonne with al the regiouns
Affor rehersid; & thoruh Perse he ladde
Valerian bounde with che[y]nys round & sadde.
To Mesopotayn with many legiouns.
The werre was strong; but this knihtli man,
This hardi Sapor, with his champiouns
The feeld hath wonne with al the regiouns
Affor rehersid; & thoruh Perse he ladde
Valerian bounde with che[y]nys round & sadde.
He was be Sapor, maugre his visage,
This Valerian, so streihtli brouht to wrak,
Lik a prisoneer bounde to this seruage
Be obeissaunce, that founde wer no lak,
To knele on foure & to profre his bak
Vnto Sapor whan hym list to ride,
Therbi to mounte, for al his gret[e] pride.
This Valerian, so streihtli brouht to wrak,
Lik a prisoneer bounde to this seruage
Be obeissaunce, that founde wer no lak,
836
Vnto Sapor whan hym list to ride,
Therbi to mounte, for al his gret[e] pride.
This was thoffise of Valerian,
Be seruytute duryng many [a] yeer;
Wherfor he was callid of many man
Thassendyng stok into the sadil neer,
Which is in Frensh callid a mountweer.
This was his offis, to bowe doun his corps
Whan that kyng Sapor sholde worþe upon his hors.
Be seruytute duryng many [a] yeer;
Wherfor he was callid of many man
Thassendyng stok into the sadil neer,
Which is in Frensh callid a mountweer.
This was his offis, to bowe doun his corps
Whan that kyng Sapor sholde worþe upon his hors.
This is the guerdoun & fauour of Fortune,
Hir olde maneer to princis & to kyngis,
Hir double custum vsid in comune
Be sodeyn chaung[e] of al worldli thynges.
Aftir tryumphes and ther uprisinges,
What folwith aftir, hir wheel [weel] telle can,
I take record of Valeryan:
Hir olde maneer to princis & to kyngis,
Hir double custum vsid in comune
Be sodeyn chaung[e] of al worldli thynges.
Aftir tryumphes and ther uprisinges,
What folwith aftir, hir wheel [weel] telle can,
I take record of Valeryan:
This ladi Fortune, þe blynde fell goddesse,
To Valerian shewed hirsilf vnstable,
Tauhte hym a lessoun of hir doubilnesse;
To kyng Sapor she was fauourable.
But yit he was to cruelli vengable,
With his feet, deuoid of al fauour,
To soille the bak of an emperour.
To Valerian shewed hirsilf vnstable,
Tauhte hym a lessoun of hir doubilnesse;
To kyng Sapor she was fauourable.
But yit he was to cruelli vengable,
With his feet, deuoid of al fauour,
To soille the bak of an emperour.
Of olde it hath be songe & cried loude,—
Record on Cirus & many othir mo,—
Kynges of Perse of custum ha[ue] be proude,
Aftir punshid an[d] chastised eek also.
Princis of merci sholde tak heed herto,
Aftir victorie in ther estat notable
To ther prisoneres for to be merciable.
Record on Cirus & many othir mo,—
Kynges of Perse of custum ha[ue] be proude,
Aftir punshid an[d] chastised eek also.
Princis of merci sholde tak heed herto,
Aftir victorie in ther estat notable
To ther prisoneres for to be merciable.
Myn auctour Bochas in this mateer weel can
Rebuke tirauntes, that wer be daies olde;
Turneth his stile, speketh to Valerian:
“Wher be the rubies & saphirs set in golde,
The riche perle & rynges manyfolde
That thou were wont [to] were upon thyn hondis?
Now as a wrech art bounde in foreyn bondis.
Rebuke tirauntes, that wer be daies olde;
Turneth his stile, speketh to Valerian:
“Wher be the rubies & saphirs set in golde,
The riche perle & rynges manyfolde
837
Now as a wrech art bounde in foreyn bondis.
Wher thou wer wont of furious cruelte,
Clad in purple withynne Roome toun,
To Crist contrayre in thyn imperial see,
Yaff doom on martirs to suffre passioun,—
Now listow bounde [&] fetrid in prisoun,
To kyng Sapor constreyned to enclyne,
Whan he list ride, bowe nek & chyne.
Clad in purple withynne Roome toun,
To Crist contrayre in thyn imperial see,
Yaff doom on martirs to suffre passioun,—
Now listow bounde [&] fetrid in prisoun,
To kyng Sapor constreyned to enclyne,
Whan he list ride, bowe nek & chyne.
Thus artow falle from thyn imperial stage!
Think on Fortune and haue hir in memorie:
She hath the cast in thraldam & seruage
And eclipsed al thyn olde glorie.
Wher thou sat whilom in the consistorie
As an emperour & a myhti iuge,
List bounde in cheynys and knowest no refuge.
Think on Fortune and haue hir in memorie:
She hath the cast in thraldam & seruage
And eclipsed al thyn olde glorie.
Wher thou sat whilom in the consistorie
As an emperour & a myhti iuge,
List bounde in cheynys and knowest no refuge.
It is ful ferr fall out of thi mynde
The knihtli deede of worthi Publius,
Of Roome a capteyn, ordeyned, as I fynde,
To fihte ageyn[es] Aristomochus,
Kyng of Asie; of fortune it fill thus:
Whan the Romeyns dide the feeld forsake,
This Publius among his foon was take.
The knihtli deede of worthi Publius,
Of Roome a capteyn, ordeyned, as I fynde,
To fihte ageyn[es] Aristomochus,
Kyng of Asie; of fortune it fill thus:
Whan the Romeyns dide the feeld forsake,
This Publius among his foon was take.
This noble prince stondyng in dreedful caas,
His lyf, his worshep dependyng atwen tweyne,
In his hond holdyng a sturdi maas,
Smet out oon of his eyen tweyne
Of hym that ladde hym; the tothir for þe peyne
That he felte and the gret[e] smerte
Took a dagger, rooff Publius to the herte.
His lyf, his worshep dependyng atwen tweyne,
In his hond holdyng a sturdi maas,
Smet out oon of his eyen tweyne
Of hym that ladde hym; the tothir for þe peyne
That he felte and the gret[e] smerte
Took a dagger, rooff Publius to the herte.
Which loued more his worshep than his lyff,
Ches rather deie than lyuen in seruage;
This conceit hadde in his imagynatyff,
And considred, sith he was in age,
To saue his honour it was moor auauntage
So to be slayn, his worshep to conserue,
Than lich a beeste in prisoun for to sterue.
Ches rather deie than lyuen in seruage;
This conceit hadde in his imagynatyff,
And considred, sith he was in age,
To saue his honour it was moor auauntage
So to be slayn, his worshep to conserue,
Than lich a beeste in prisoun for to sterue.
838
Fortunis chapitle of hym ne was nat rad;
Of which Valerius maketh mencioun,
Aftir whos conceit, no man in vertu sad
Sholde nat longe langwissh in prisoun,
But rather cheese, lik his oppynyoun,
Of manli force & knihtli excellence
The deth endure of long abstynence,
Of which Valerius maketh mencioun,
Aftir whos conceit, no man in vertu sad
Sholde nat longe langwissh in prisoun,
But rather cheese, lik his oppynyoun,
Of manli force & knihtli excellence
The deth endure of long abstynence,
As whilom dide the princesse Aggripyne,
Whan she in prisoun lay fetrid and Ibounde;
Of hir fre chois she felte so gret pyne
Of hungir, thrust, in stori it is founde,
That she lay pale & gruff upon the grounde,
Maugre Tiberye, & leet hir gost so weende
Out of hir bodi; this was hir fatal eende.
Whan she in prisoun lay fetrid and Ibounde;
Of hir fre chois she felte so gret pyne
Of hungir, thrust, in stori it is founde,
That she lay pale & gruff upon the grounde,
Maugre Tiberye, & leet hir gost so weende
Out of hir bodi; this was hir fatal eende.
Thou stood ferr of of al such fantasie,
I speke to the, o thou Valeryan!
Thi cruel herte of fals malencolie
Made whilom deie many Cristen man;
And [many] martir, sith Cristis feith began,
Which for mankynde starff upon the rood,—
Thei for taquite hym list to sheede her blood.
I speke to the, o thou Valeryan!
Thi cruel herte of fals malencolie
Made whilom deie many Cristen man;
And [many] martir, sith Cristis feith began,
Which for mankynde starff upon the rood,—
Thei for taquite hym list to sheede her blood.
Ageyn his lawe thou wer impacient
And importune be persecucioun;
Thou dist fauoure & suffre in thyn entent
That Egipciens dide ther oblacioun,
Ther sacrefises & rihtes up-so-doun
Vnto Isis, of froward wilfulnesse,
That was of Egipt callid cheef goddesse.
And importune be persecucioun;
Thou dist fauoure & suffre in thyn entent
That Egipciens dide ther oblacioun,
Ther sacrefises & rihtes up-so-doun
Vnto Isis, of froward wilfulnesse,
That was of Egipt callid cheef goddesse.
Fauourable thou wer in thi desir
To suffre Iewes ther Sabat to obserue,
And Caldeis to worshepe[n] the fyr,
And folk of Crete Saturn for to serue.
And Cristene men thou madist falsli sterue,
Of whos lawe for thou dist nat rechche,
Thou dei[d]est in prisoun at myscheef lik a wrechche.”
To suffre Iewes ther Sabat to obserue,
And Caldeis to worshepe[n] the fyr,
And folk of Crete Saturn for to serue.
And Cristene men thou madist falsli sterue,
Of whos lawe for thou dist nat rechche,
Thou dei[d]est in prisoun at myscheef lik a wrechche.”
839
[How Gallien sone of valerian was slayn]
Next in ordre to Bochas tho cam doun
Sone of Valerian, oon callid Gallien.
But for the grete horrible effusioun
Of Cristen blood[e], that men myhte seen
Shadde be Valerian, God wolde it sholde been
Shewed openli to Romeyns be vengaunce
Of many a contre sodeyn disobeissaunce.
Sone of Valerian, oon callid Gallien.
But for the grete horrible effusioun
Of Cristen blood[e], that men myhte seen
Shadde be Valerian, God wolde it sholde been
Shewed openli to Romeyns be vengaunce
Of many a contre sodeyn disobeissaunce.
Thei of Almeyne the Alpies dide passe
Vnto Rauenne, a cite of Itaille;
Gothis also, proud of cheer & face,
Hadde ageyn Grekis many gret bataille;
And thei of Hungry, armyd in plate & maille,
With them of Denmark, furious & cruell,
Ageyn Romeyns wex of assent rebell.
Vnto Rauenne, a cite of Itaille;
Gothis also, proud of cheer & face,
Hadde ageyn Grekis many gret bataille;
And thei of Hungry, armyd in plate & maille,
With them of Denmark, furious & cruell,
Ageyn Romeyns wex of assent rebell.
To whos damage in this mene while
Among Romeyns it is befalle thus:
Woful werris which called been civile
Gan in the cite, cruel and despitous.
First whan thei mette was slay[e]n Gemyvs,
Which first took on hym, in bookis as I reede,
Of hih corage to were purpil weede.
Among Romeyns it is befalle thus:
Woful werris which called been civile
Gan in the cite, cruel and despitous.
First whan thei mette was slay[e]n Gemyvs,
Which first took on hym, in bookis as I reede,
Of hih corage to were purpil weede.
Oon Postumyvs, a myhti strong Romeyn,
Kept al Gaule vndir subieccioun;
To ther auail vnwarli aftir slayn
Among his knihtes, for al his hih renoun,
Be a sodeyn vnkouth discencioun.
Next Victoryn, hauyng the gouernaunce
Of al Gaule, was aftir slayn in Fraunce.
Kept al Gaule vndir subieccioun;
To ther auail vnwarli aftir slayn
Among his knihtes, for al his hih renoun,
Be a sodeyn vnkouth discencioun.
Next Victoryn, hauyng the gouernaunce
Of al Gaule, was aftir slayn in Fraunce.
But Gallien, of whom I spak toforn,
Sone and heir to Valerian,
His domynacioun off purpos he hath lorn,
In Republica [anoon] whan he began,
Lich a contrarious & a froward man
Wex lecherous and vicious of lyuyng,
At myscheeff slay[e]n; this was his eendyng.
Sone and heir to Valerian,
His domynacioun off purpos he hath lorn,
In Republica [anoon] whan he began,
Lich a contrarious & a froward man
Wex lecherous and vicious of lyuyng,
At myscheeff slay[e]n; this was his eendyng.
840
[How Quyntylyus was moordred by women.]
Next Gallien cam oon Quyntilius,
A man remembred of gret attemp[e]raunce,
Brother of berthe to gret[e] Claudius,
Wis & discreet in all his gouernaunce.
Who may of Fortune eschewe the [sodeyn] chaunce?—
To write his eende shortly in a clause,
Of women moordred; I cannat seyn the cause.
A man remembred of gret attemp[e]raunce,
Brother of berthe to gret[e] Claudius,
Wis & discreet in all his gouernaunce.
Who may of Fortune eschewe the [sodeyn] chaunce?—
To write his eende shortly in a clause,
Of women moordred; I cannat seyn the cause.
[Off Aurelian in Denmark born.]
Of Denmark born next cam Aurelian,
A worthi kniht his enmyes for tassaille.
Ageyn Gothes a gret werre he began,
Gat victorie in many strong bataile,
Whos noble conquest gretli did auaille
To comoun proffit; for al his werk, parde,
Was to thencres of Roome the cite.
A worthi kniht his enmyes for tassaille.
Ageyn Gothes a gret werre he began,
Gat victorie in many strong bataile,
Whos noble conquest gretli did auaille
To comoun proffit; for al his werk, parde,
Was to thencres of Roome the cite.
He recurid al Septemptrion,
And westward had many gret victorie.
Among othir, I fynde [that] he was oon
Axed the tryumphe to be put in memorie.
But ther was o thing eclipsed al his glorie,
Which hath the liht of his knihthod withdrawe,
For he was enmy to Crist & to his lawe.
And westward had many gret victorie.
Among othir, I fynde [that] he was oon
Axed the tryumphe to be put in memorie.
But ther was o thing eclipsed al his glorie,
Which hath the liht of his knihthod withdrawe,
For he was enmy to Crist & to his lawe.
Of whom Bochas list no mor now write,
But in his book goth foorth as he began,
Of oon remembryng þat callid was Tacite,
Which was successour to Aurelyan;
And aftir hym succeded Floryan,
Of which[e] tweyne no remembraunce I fynde
That is notable to be put in mynde.
But in his book goth foorth as he began,
Of oon remembryng þat callid was Tacite,
Which was successour to Aurelyan;
And aftir hym succeded Floryan,
Of which[e] tweyne no remembraunce I fynde
That is notable to be put in mynde.
[How Probus disconfited Romayns and aftir was slayn.]
Probus aftir regned ful seuene yeer
And foure moneth, which thoruh his hih renoun
Geyn Saturnynvs, with a [ful] knihtli cheer,
And brouht hym proudli to subieccioun;
Natwithstondyng that he in Roome toun
Took upon hym of wilful tirannye
Hooli thempire he for to reule & guie.
And foure moneth, which thoruh his hih renoun
Geyn Saturnynvs, with a [ful] knihtli cheer,
841
Natwithstondyng that he in Roome toun
Took upon hym of wilful tirannye
Hooli thempire he for to reule & guie.
Beside the cite callid Agripyne
This seid[e] Probus geyn many proud Romeyn
A bataille hadde, list[e] nat declyne,
Mette Proculus, a myhti strong capteyn,
With oon Bonosus; & bothe ther wer slayn,
And al ther meyne of verray force & myht
Slayn in the feeld; the remnaunt put to fliht.
This seid[e] Probus geyn many proud Romeyn
A bataille hadde, list[e] nat declyne,
Mette Proculus, a myhti strong capteyn,
With oon Bonosus; & bothe ther wer slayn,
And al ther meyne of verray force & myht
Slayn in the feeld; the remnaunt put to fliht.
Aftir this bataille & this disconfiture
Probus was loggid in Smyrme, a gret cite,
And ther vnwarli of sodeyn auenture
Slayn in a tour that callid was Ferre.
But a smal sesoun last his prosperite:
Swich is Fortune; lat no man in hir truste;
Al wordli thynges she chaungeth as she liste!
Probus was loggid in Smyrme, a gret cite,
And ther vnwarli of sodeyn auenture
Slayn in a tour that callid was Ferre.
But a smal sesoun last his prosperite:
Swich is Fortune; lat no man in hir truste;
Al wordli thynges she chaungeth as she liste!
[How Clarus and his ij. sones were myscheuyd.]
Tofor Bochas Clarus next cam doun
With his too sonys, Numerian & Caryne.
And, as I fynde, he was born in Narbon
And descendid of a noble lyne.
But whan that he most cleerli dide shyne
In his empire, he gat cites tweyne,
Chose & Thelifount, in Partois with gret peyne.
With his too sonys, Numerian & Caryne.
And, as I fynde, he was born in Narbon
And descendid of a noble lyne.
But whan that he most cleerli dide shyne
In his empire, he gat cites tweyne,
Chose & Thelifount, in Partois with gret peyne.
Beside Tigre, a famous swift ryueer,
He pihte his tentis, & cast hym þer tabide.
A sodeyn lihtnyng his face cam so neer,
Smet al to pouder, for al his gret[e] pride;
And Numerian that stood be his side
Hadde a mark[e] that was sent from heuene:
Loste bothe his eyen with the fyry leu[en]e.
He pihte his tentis, & cast hym þer tabide.
A sodeyn lihtnyng his face cam so neer,
Smet al to pouder, for al his gret[e] pride;
And Numerian that stood be his side
Hadde a mark[e] that was sent from heuene:
Loste bothe his eyen with the fyry leu[en]e.
842
His othir sone Carynus, a good kniht,
In Dalmacia hadde al the gouernaunce;
But for that he gouerned nat ariht,
He was cast doun & lost al his puissaunce:
Vicious lyff kometh alwey to myschaunce.
Sepcivs chose Dalmacia for to guye,
Among his knihtis moordrid of envie.
In Dalmacia hadde al the gouernaunce;
But for that he gouerned nat ariht,
He was cast doun & lost al his puissaunce:
Vicious lyff kometh alwey to myschaunce.
Sepcivs chose Dalmacia for to guye,
Among his knihtis moordrid of envie.
[How the hardy quene Zenobia fauȝt with Aurelian and was take.]
Myn auctour heer no lenger list s[o]iourne
Of these emperours the fallis for to write,
But in al haste he doth his stile tourne
To Zenobia hir stori for to endite.
But for Chauceer dide hym so weel aquite
In his tragedies hir pitous fall tentrete,
I will passe ouer, rehersyng but the grete.
Of these emperours the fallis for to write,
But in al haste he doth his stile tourne
To Zenobia hir stori for to endite.
But for Chauceer dide hym so weel aquite
In his tragedies hir pitous fall tentrete,
I will passe ouer, rehersyng but the grete.
In his book of Cauntirbury Talis
This souereyn poete of Brutis Albioun,
Thoruh pilgrymys told be hillis & be valis,
Wher of Zenobia is maad mencioun,
Of hir noblesse and of hir hih renoun,
In a tragedie compendiousli told all,
Hir marcial prowesse & hir pitous fall.
This souereyn poete of Brutis Albioun,
Thoruh pilgrymys told be hillis & be valis,
Wher of Zenobia is maad mencioun,
Of hir noblesse and of hir hih renoun,
In a tragedie compendiousli told all,
Hir marcial prowesse & hir pitous fall.
Myn auctour first affermeth how that she
Descendid was, to telle of hir lynage,
Born of the stok of worthi Tholome
Kyng of Egipt, ful notable in that age.
And this Zenobia, expert in al langage,
Wis of counsail & of gret prouidence,
Passed al othir in fame of elloquence.
Descendid was, to telle of hir lynage,
Born of the stok of worthi Tholome
Kyng of Egipt, ful notable in that age.
And this Zenobia, expert in al langage,
Wis of counsail & of gret prouidence,
Passed al othir in fame of elloquence.
Among she was armyd in plate & maille,
Of Palmerencys weddid to the kyng
Callid Odenatus, prudent in bataille
She was also, be record of writyng,
Hardi, strong, hir lordship defendyng,
Maugre all tho, with hir cheualrie,
Ageyn[e]s hire that wrongli took partie.
Of Palmerencys weddid to the kyng
Callid Odenatus, prudent in bataille
She was also, be record of writyng,
Hardi, strong, hir lordship defendyng,
843
Ageyn[e]s hire that wrongli took partie.
Be Odenatus she hadde sonis tweyne,
Heremanvs callid was the ton,
And Thymolaus, of beute souereyne.
Aftir whos berthe ther fadir gan anon
To occupie the prouynces euerichon
Of Perse and Mede; bi processe made hem fleen,
Of Zenobia, the hardi wise queen.
Heremanvs callid was the ton,
And Thymolaus, of beute souereyne.
Aftir whos berthe ther fadir gan anon
To occupie the prouynces euerichon
Of Perse and Mede; bi processe made hem fleen,
Of Zenobia, the hardi wise queen.
Whil Odenatus wex most glorious
In his conquest thoruhout Perse & Meede,
Slayn he was be oon Meonyus,
Which to the kyng was cosyn, as I reede;
But for because of this horrible deede
And for the moordre of kyng Odenate,
Deide at myscheeff & passed into fate.
In his conquest thoruhout Perse & Meede,
Slayn he was be oon Meonyus,
Which to the kyng was cosyn, as I reede;
But for because of this horrible deede
And for the moordre of kyng Odenate,
Deide at myscheeff & passed into fate.
Be processe aftir, Zenobia the queen
Took hir too sonis and proudli did hem leede
Tofor hir chaar[e], that men myhte hem seen,
How thei wer born as princis to succeede.
Made hem lik kynges be clad in purpil weede;
Them to diffende this myhti creature,
Hardi as leoun, took on hir hir armure.
Took hir too sonis and proudli did hem leede
Tofor hir chaar[e], that men myhte hem seen,
How thei wer born as princis to succeede.
Made hem lik kynges be clad in purpil weede;
Them to diffende this myhti creature,
Hardi as leoun, took on hir hir armure.
For al hir lordis & knihtis she hath sent,
Maugre the Romeyns proudli gan hir speede,
Al the parties of the orient
To occupie & hir host to leede.
Of themperour she stood nothing in dreede,
Callid Aurelian, mette hym in bataille,
With hir meyne hym proudli did assaille.
Maugre the Romeyns proudli gan hir speede,
Al the parties of the orient
To occupie & hir host to leede.
Of themperour she stood nothing in dreede,
Callid Aurelian, mette hym in bataille,
With hir meyne hym proudli did assaille.
On outher side that day gret blood was shad;
The strook of Fortune withstant no creature:
The queen Zenobia was taken & forth lad;
Fauht first as longe as she myht endure;
With riche stonis frett was hir armvre,
With whom themperour, so entryng Roome toun,
Of tryumphe requeryng the guerdoun.
The strook of Fortune withstant no creature:
The queen Zenobia was taken & forth lad;
Fauht first as longe as she myht endure;
With riche stonis frett was hir armvre,
With whom themperour, so entryng Roome toun,
Of tryumphe requeryng the guerdoun.
He dempte it was couenable & sittyng,
This emperour, this proude Aurelian,
Taxe the tryumphe; it was so gret a thyng
To take Zenobia [that] such a werre gan
Ageyn Romeyns, this marcial woman.
For I suppose of no woman born
Was neuer queen so hardi seyn afforn.
This emperour, this proude Aurelian,
844
To take Zenobia [that] such a werre gan
Ageyn Romeyns, this marcial woman.
For I suppose of no woman born
Was neuer queen so hardi seyn afforn.
This hardi princesse, for al hir roialte,
Whos hih renoun thoruh al the world was knowe,
With stokkis of gold was brouht to the cite,
From hih estat in pouert plongid lowe.
A wynde contrarye of Fortune hath so blowe,
That she, alas, hath pitousli made fall
Hir that in prowesse passed women all.
Whos hih renoun thoruh al the world was knowe,
With stokkis of gold was brouht to the cite,
From hih estat in pouert plongid lowe.
A wynde contrarye of Fortune hath so blowe,
That she, alas, hath pitousli made fall
Hir that in prowesse passed women all.
The triumphe youe [un]to Aurelian
For þe conquest he hadde upon þis queen
Callid Zenobia, cam Dioclesian,
Born in Dalmacia, his stori who list seen.
Out of his contre first he dide fleen,
Of garlec lekis, as seith the cronycleer,
Because that he was but a gardener.
For þe conquest he hadde upon þis queen
Callid Zenobia, cam Dioclesian,
Born in Dalmacia, his stori who list seen.
Out of his contre first he dide fleen,
Of garlec lekis, as seith the cronycleer,
Because that he was but a gardener.
Other mencioun is non of his lynage.
Of his berthe forsook the regioun,
Lefft his craff[t] of deluyng and cortilage,
Gaff hym to armys, & be eleccioun
Chose to been emperour & regne in Roome toun.
First into Gaule he sente a gret poweer,
And Maxymyan he made ther his vikeer.
Of his berthe forsook the regioun,
Lefft his craff[t] of deluyng and cortilage,
Gaff hym to armys, & be eleccioun
Chose to been emperour & regne in Roome toun.
First into Gaule he sente a gret poweer,
And Maxymyan he made ther his vikeer.
His viker ther hadde many gret bataille
Vpon swich peeple that be rebellioun
Gan frowardli contrarye & assaille
Tobeye his lordship withynne that regioun,
Til Caransynus be commyssioun,
An hardi kniht vndir Maxymyan,
Them to chastise took on hym lik a man.
Vpon swich peeple that be rebellioun
Gan frowardli contrarye & assaille
Tobeye his lordship withynne that regioun,
Til Caransynus be commyssioun,
An hardi kniht vndir Maxymyan,
Them to chastise took on hym lik a man.
But be processe, the stori doth deuise,
His lordship ther dide gret damage
To comoun proffit; for he be couetise
The contre robbed be ful gret outrage,
And to hymsilff he took al the pillage,
And of presumpcioun wered the colour
Of riche purpil lik an emperour.
His lordship ther dide gret damage
To comoun proffit; for he be couetise
845
And to hymsilff he took al the pillage,
And of presumpcioun wered the colour
Of riche purpil lik an emperour.
This Karansynvs of Breteynys tweyne,
Proudli vsurped to be ther gouernour,
Lik a rebel geyn Roome dide his peyne
And besied hym be marcial labour,
With many a straunge foreyn soudiour;
Hauyng no title nor commyssioun,
Contynued longe in his rebellioun.
Proudli vsurped to be ther gouernour,
Lik a rebel geyn Roome dide his peyne
And besied hym be marcial labour,
With many a straunge foreyn soudiour;
Hauyng no title nor commyssioun,
Contynued longe in his rebellioun.
Wherof astonyd was Dioclesian;
Seyng this myscheef dreedful & pereilous,
Ordeyned in haste that Maxymyan
Was surnamyd & callid Herculius;
Made hym emperour, namyd [hym] Augustus,
Which hadde afforn[e] no mor gouernaunce
But of Gaule, which now is callid France.
Seyng this myscheef dreedful & pereilous,
Ordeyned in haste that Maxymyan
Was surnamyd & callid Herculius;
Made hym emperour, namyd [hym] Augustus,
Which hadde afforn[e] no mor gouernaunce
But of Gaule, which now is callid France.
Also mor-ouer this Dioclesian
Made in this while gouernour[e]s tweyne,
Constancius & oon Maxymyan
Surnamyd Galerius. Constancius in certeyne,
In this while to wedde dide his peyne
Douhtir of Maxymyan callid Herculius,
Named Theodora, myn auctour writeth thus.
Made in this while gouernour[e]s tweyne,
Constancius & oon Maxymyan
Surnamyd Galerius. Constancius in certeyne,
In this while to wedde dide his peyne
Douhtir of Maxymyan callid Herculius,
Named Theodora, myn auctour writeth thus.
Be Theodora this Constancius
Hadde sexe childre in trewe mariage,
Brethre to Constantyn, the story tellith þus,
Which aftirward, whan he cam to age,
For his manhod and marcial corage,
Was chose & maad[e] lord & gouernour
Of al the world, and crownid emperour.
Hadde sexe childre in trewe mariage,
Brethre to Constantyn, the story tellith þus,
Which aftirward, whan he cam to age,
For his manhod and marcial corage,
Was chose & maad[e] lord & gouernour
Of al the world, and crownid emperour.
Caransynvs, which hadde ful seuene yeer,
Lich as I tolde, rebellid in Breteyne
Ageyn the Romeyns, a gret extorsioneer,—
A kniht Alletus that dede at hym disdeyne
Moordrid hym, & aftir ded his peyne
Be force onli and extort tirannye
Fulli thre yeer his place to occupie.
Lich as I tolde, rebellid in Breteyne
Ageyn the Romeyns, a gret extorsioneer,—
846
Moordrid hym, & aftir ded his peyne
Be force onli and extort tirannye
Fulli thre yeer his place to occupie.
Til Asclepio was sent fro Roome doun,
Slouh this Alletus, maugre al his myht,
Brouht al Breteyne to subieccioun
Of the Romeyns, lik as it was riht.
And in this while, lik a manli kniht—
For Italliens gan Romeyns disobeye—
Constancius gan proudli hem werreie.
Slouh this Alletus, maugre al his myht,
Brouht al Breteyne to subieccioun
Of the Romeyns, lik as it was riht.
And in this while, lik a manli kniht—
For Italliens gan Romeyns disobeye—
Constancius gan proudli hem werreie.
He firste with hem had a strong bataille,
His meyne slayn & he put to the fliht.
Trustyng on Fortune, he gan hem eft assaille,
And sexti thousand wer slay[e]n in þat fiht;
The feeld was his thoruh Fortunis myht,
As she that koude dissymule for a while,
And aftirward falsli hym begile.
His meyne slayn & he put to the fliht.
Trustyng on Fortune, he gan hem eft assaille,
And sexti thousand wer slay[e]n in þat fiht;
The feeld was his thoruh Fortunis myht,
As she that koude dissymule for a while,
And aftirward falsli hym begile.
I will passe ouer as breeffli as I can,
Set aside al foreyn incidentis,
Resorte ageyn to Dioclesian,
Which at Alisaundre proudli pihte his tentes,
The capteyn slouh, gaff in comaundementes
To his knihtis to do ther auauntage
Withynne the cite be robbyng & pillage.
Set aside al foreyn incidentis,
Resorte ageyn to Dioclesian,
Which at Alisaundre proudli pihte his tentes,
The capteyn slouh, gaff in comaundementes
To his knihtis to do ther auauntage
Withynne the cite be robbyng & pillage.
Gan ageyn Cristene gret persecucioun,
Vsed his tirannye in the orient;
Bi his biddyng Maxymyan cam doun
Toward the parties of the occident.
Bothe these tirauntis wrouhte be assent,
Vndir whos swerd many [a] martire deies,
Slayn in Octodorun the legeoun of Thebeies.
Vsed his tirannye in the orient;
Bi his biddyng Maxymyan cam doun
Toward the parties of the occident.
Bothe these tirauntis wrouhte be assent,
Vndir whos swerd many [a] martire deies,
Slayn in Octodorun the legeoun of Thebeies.
At Verolamye, a famous old cite,
Seynt Albon slayn; his legende doth so telle.
And in Roome be furious cruelte
The pope slayn, which callid was Marcelle.
Be ther statutis & be ther doomys felle
Cherches wer brent, & tounes & citees
Loste ther franchise & al ther libertees.
Seynt Albon slayn; his legende doth so telle.
And in Roome be furious cruelte
The pope slayn, which callid was Marcelle.
Be ther statutis & be ther doomys felle
847
Loste ther franchise & al ther libertees.
Froward enmy he was to Cristis lawe,
Made many a martir deie for his sake,
Wex feeble & old & gan hym [to] withdrawe
From occupacioun, his reste for to take;
His atturne Maxymyan he doth make.
In his laste age, it is rehersid thus,
Stood in gret dreed[e] of Constancivs,—
Made many a martir deie for his sake,
Wex feeble & old & gan hym [to] withdrawe
From occupacioun, his reste for to take;
His atturne Maxymyan he doth make.
In his laste age, it is rehersid thus,
Stood in gret dreed[e] of Constancivs,—
The dreed[e] of hym sat so nih his herte,—
And therupon took swich a fantasie,
Imagynyng he myht[e] nat asterte,
Be fraude of hym but that he sholde deie.
Almost for feer fill in a frenesie,
And of swich dreed, the book makth mencioun,
He slouh hymsilff be drynkyng of poisoun.
And therupon took swich a fantasie,
Imagynyng he myht[e] nat asterte,
Be fraude of hym but that he sholde deie.
Almost for feer fill in a frenesie,
And of swich dreed, the book makth mencioun,
He slouh hymsilff be drynkyng of poisoun.
As I told erst, in the occident
Maxymyan, callid Herculius,
Regned as emperour; & euere in his entent
To pursue martirs he did ay his labours.
Of whos berthe Bochas fond non auctours;
This to seyne, he coude neuer reede
Wher he was bor[e]n, nor of what kynreede.
Maxymyan, callid Herculius,
Regned as emperour; & euere in his entent
To pursue martirs he did ay his labours.
Of whos berthe Bochas fond non auctours;
This to seyne, he coude neuer reede
Wher he was bor[e]n, nor of what kynreede.
He fynt no mor of this Maxymyan,
Of his uprisyng in especiall,
But that he was bi Dioclesian
Set in dignite callid imperial,
Famous in armys, prudent & marciall,
Daunted all tho that dide ageyn hym stryue,
Slouh Geneyans callid, in noumbre fyue.
Of his uprisyng in especiall,
But that he was bi Dioclesian
Set in dignite callid imperial,
Famous in armys, prudent & marciall,
Daunted all tho that dide ageyn hym stryue,
Slouh Geneyans callid, in noumbre fyue.
Rood in Affrik lik a conquerour,
Brouht to subieccioun thre sturdi naciouns—
Fortune that tyme did hym such fauour—
Gat Sarmatois with othir regiouns,
Many cites & many riche touns
Bi his conquest of newe that he hath wonne;
Thoruh the world his name shon lik a sunne.
Brouht to subieccioun thre sturdi naciouns—
Fortune that tyme did hym such fauour—
Gat Sarmatois with othir regiouns,
Many cites & many riche touns
Bi his conquest of newe that he hath wonne;
Thoruh the world his name shon lik a sunne.
848
He was cherisshed in armys from his youthe,
Dide gret emprises for Roome the cite;
Yit Dioclesian, as it is weel kouthe,
Counsailled hym resigne his dignite.
But he was loth to forsake his see,
Sith he was lord & gouerned all,
For to renounce his stat imperiall.
Dide gret emprises for Roome the cite;
Yit Dioclesian, as it is weel kouthe,
Counsailled hym resigne his dignite.
But he was loth to forsake his see,
Sith he was lord & gouerned all,
For to renounce his stat imperiall.
But be assent of Dioclesian,
As he hymsilff had left al gouernaunce,
So eeuene lik this Maxymyan
Dischargid hymsilf of his roial puissaunce.
But aftirward he fill in repentaunce
And besi was, as dyuers bookis seyn,
Thestat of emperour to recure ageyn,
As he hymsilff had left al gouernaunce,
So eeuene lik this Maxymyan
Dischargid hymsilf of his roial puissaunce.
But aftirward he fill in repentaunce
And besi was, as dyuers bookis seyn,
Thestat of emperour to recure ageyn,
Which for to acheue he dede his dilligence.
He was distourbid be Galerius,
For his sone, that callid was Maxence,
Put in pocessioun, myn auctour writeth þus;
To which[e] thyng he gan wex envious
And gan ordeyne menys in his thouht
To trouble hym; but it auailled nouht.
He was distourbid be Galerius,
For his sone, that callid was Maxence,
Put in pocessioun, myn auctour writeth þus;
To which[e] thyng he gan wex envious
And gan ordeyne menys in his thouht
To trouble hym; but it auailled nouht.
Whan his purpos myhte take non auail
Ageyn Maxence, as Bochas doth descryue,
His douhtir Fausta, þat knew al his counsail,
Discurid his purpos; for which he fled[de] blyue
Into Gaule & durste no lenger stryue;
And bi Co[n]stancius in Marcile the cite
Slayn sodeynli, lost al his dignite.
Ageyn Maxence, as Bochas doth descryue,
His douhtir Fausta, þat knew al his counsail,
Discurid his purpos; for which he fled[de] blyue
Into Gaule & durste no lenger stryue;
And bi Co[n]stancius in Marcile the cite
Slayn sodeynli, lost al his dignite.
[How Galeryus oppressid martirs & cristys feith and mischeuesly ended.]
Next tofor Bochas cam Galerivs,
A man disposid to riot & outrage,
Euele entechchid, froward, vicious.
Ther is no stori speketh of his lynage,
Yit was he set ful hih upon the stage
Of worldli dignite, roos up to hih estat;
Yit in his gyn[n]yng he was nat fortunat.
A man disposid to riot & outrage,
Euele entechchid, froward, vicious.
Ther is no stori speketh of his lynage,
Yit was he set ful hih upon the stage
Of worldli dignite, roos up to hih estat;
Yit in his gyn[n]yng he was nat fortunat.
849
He was sent out bi Dioclisian,
And maad emperour bi his auctorite,
Ageyn Narseus, the proude knihtli man,
Regnyng in Perse & lord of that contre,
Which heeld[e] werre with Roome the cite,—
For which Galerius took on hym this emprise,
With mihti hand his pride to chastise.
And maad emperour bi his auctorite,
Ageyn Narseus, the proude knihtli man,
Regnyng in Perse & lord of that contre,
Which heeld[e] werre with Roome the cite,—
For which Galerius took on hym this emprise,
With mihti hand his pride to chastise.
Galerius entred into Perse-lond;
Kyng Narseus mette hym of auenture;
Hadde a strong bataille, fauht þer hond of hond;
On Galerius fill the discomfiture,
His fortune suich he myht[e] nat endure.
Clad in purpre, as maad is mencioun,
Of Dioclisian resceyued this guerdoun:
Kyng Narseus mette hym of auenture;
Hadde a strong bataille, fauht þer hond of hond;
On Galerius fill the discomfiture,
His fortune suich he myht[e] nat endure.
Clad in purpre, as maad is mencioun,
Of Dioclisian resceyued this guerdoun:
At ther meetyng, anon or he was war,
Dioclisian made hym for tabide,
To his confusioun, sittyng in his chaar,
To walke on foote be the charis side.
With many rebuk abatid was his pride,
That Galerius for the gret[e] shame
Gan seeke a mene ageyn to gete his name.
Dioclisian made hym for tabide,
To his confusioun, sittyng in his chaar,
To walke on foote be the charis side.
With many rebuk abatid was his pride,
That Galerius for the gret[e] shame
Gan seeke a mene ageyn to gete his name.
Gan for tassemble his olde soudiours,
Made his ordenaunce be dilligent werking,
Ches out the beste preeuid werreyours;
With a gret host to Perse he cam ridyng
And efft ageyn fauht ther with the kyng,
That the Persiens, maugre al ther myht,
Wer be Galerius that day put to fliht.
Made his ordenaunce be dilligent werking,
Ches out the beste preeuid werreyours;
With a gret host to Perse he cam ridyng
And efft ageyn fauht ther with the kyng,
That the Persiens, maugre al ther myht,
Wer be Galerius that day put to fliht.
The feeld was his, gat ther gret richesse,
Robbed ther tentis, wan ther gret pillage.
In his resort resceyued in sothnesse
With gret noblesse, because of that viage—
Thus can Fortune chaungen hir visage!—
Of Dioclisian, wher he stood in disdeyn,
With newe triumphe resortid is ageyn.
Robbed ther tentis, wan ther gret pillage.
In his resort resceyued in sothnesse
With gret noblesse, because of that viage—
Thus can Fortune chaungen hir visage!—
Of Dioclisian, wher he stood in disdeyn,
With newe triumphe resortid is ageyn.
This cloudi queen stant euer in noun certeyn,
Whos double wheel quauereth euer in doute,
Of whos fauour no man hath be certeyn:
Ther oon hath grace, anoþer is put oute.
Lat eueryman as it cometh aboute
Take his tourn & neuere in hir assure;
Faillyng in armys is but an auenture!
Whos double wheel quauereth euer in doute,
Of whos fauour no man hath be certeyn:
850
Lat eueryman as it cometh aboute
Take his tourn & neuere in hir assure;
Faillyng in armys is but an auenture!
Thus Galerius aftir his bataill
On Persiens gan wexen glorious,
Gouernid Affrik & lordshipp of Itaille,
Thoruh al thorient wex victorious,
Til he for age gan wexen tedious,
His laste daies maligned, as men seith,
Of fals hatreede ageyn[es] Cristis feith.
On Persiens gan wexen glorious,
Gouernid Affrik & lordshipp of Itaille,
Thoruh al thorient wex victorious,
Til he for age gan wexen tedious,
His laste daies maligned, as men seith,
Of fals hatreede ageyn[es] Cristis feith.
And hym to helpen in thes fals mateeris,
It is remembrid to his confusioun,
In his empire he sette too vikeris,
The lawe of Crist toppresse & put doun.
Gaff hem poweer in euery regioun
To punshe martirs & putte hem to þe deþ;
And in this while ful many on he sleth.
It is remembrid to his confusioun,
In his empire he sette too vikeris,
The lawe of Crist toppresse & put doun.
Gaff hem poweer in euery regioun
To punshe martirs & putte hem to þe deþ;
And in this while ful many on he sleth.
Bi this saide cruel Galerivs,
Which of thempire had al the gouernaunce,
Of cursid herte & corage despitous,
Be his vsurpid imperial puissaunce
Gaf auctorite for to do vengaunce
Vnto tweyne, Seuerus & Maxence,
On al Cristen bi mortal violence.
Which of thempire had al the gouernaunce,
Of cursid herte & corage despitous,
Be his vsurpid imperial puissaunce
Gaf auctorite for to do vengaunce
Vnto tweyne, Seuerus & Maxence,
On al Cristen bi mortal violence.
A certeyn space, bothe of oon accord,
Thestat of emperour chose was Maxence,
Til Seuerus & he fill at discord.
Anon aftir bi vengable pestilence,
Withynne a cite of notable premynence
Callid Rauenne, Seuerus ther was slayn,
Of which Galerius, God wot, was nothyng fayn.
Thestat of emperour chose was Maxence,
Til Seuerus & he fill at discord.
Anon aftir bi vengable pestilence,
Withynne a cite of notable premynence
Callid Rauenne, Seuerus ther was slayn,
Of which Galerius, God wot, was nothyng fayn.
For which in haste this Galerivs,
Hym to supporte & stonde in his defense,
Ches out of Denmark a kniht Licinius
To been emperour, thoruh knihtli excellence
For to withstonde & fihte ageyn Maxence.
But Maxence, of Romeyn knihtis all,
Was chose emperour & set up in his stall.
Hym to supporte & stonde in his defense,
Ches out of Denmark a kniht Licinius
To been emperour, thoruh knihtli excellence
For to withstonde & fihte ageyn Maxence.
851
Was chose emperour & set up in his stall.
With which eleccioun Gallerius wex wood,
Fill in a maner froward frenesie,
His entrailles brent[e], corupt wex his blood,
And of his froward vengable malladie
In euery membre gan rote & putrefie,
That al the hair aboute hym enviroun
To all that felte it was venym & poisoun.
Fill in a maner froward frenesie,
His entrailles brent[e], corupt wex his blood,
And of his froward vengable malladie
In euery membre gan rote & putrefie,
That al the hair aboute hym enviroun
To all that felte it was venym & poisoun.
Lik a lazeer, coorbid bak & chyne,
In this while on Cristen most vengable,
To hym auailed no maner medecyne.
But ther was oon in Cristes feith ful stable
That spak to hym with langage ful notable,
In woordes fewe concludyng in substaunce,
“The grete Iub[i]ter hath take on the vengaunce.”
In this while on Cristen most vengable,
To hym auailed no maner medecyne.
But ther was oon in Cristes feith ful stable
That spak to hym with langage ful notable,
In woordes fewe concludyng in substaunce,
“The grete Iub[i]ter hath take on the vengaunce.”
And ouermor, for short conclusioun,
With a bolde spirit to hym began abraide:
“It is nat Iubiter worsheped in this toun,
In the Capitoile set,” sothli as he saide,—
“But Iubiter that was born of a maide,
Which wil nat suffre, of that thou dost endure,
That ony medicyne sholde the recure.
With a bolde spirit to hym began abraide:
“It is nat Iubiter worsheped in this toun,
In the Capitoile set,” sothli as he saide,—
“But Iubiter that was born of a maide,
Which wil nat suffre, of that thou dost endure,
That ony medicyne sholde the recure.
Lik a tiraunt be vengaunce furious,
At myscheef deieth, as olde bookis telle,
Perpetueli with cruel Cerberus
Vpon the wheel of Ixion to duell.”—
For his demerites with Tantalus in hell,
Ther to resceyue his fynal last guerdoun
Which coude on martirs haue no compassioun.
At myscheef deieth, as olde bookis telle,
Perpetueli with cruel Cerberus
Vpon the wheel of Ixion to duell.”—
For his demerites with Tantalus in hell,
Ther to resceyue his fynal last guerdoun
Which coude on martirs haue no compassioun.
It was his ioye for to sheede her blood,
Sent out [his] lettres to dyuers regiouns,
Lik a slih wolff, rauynous & wood,
To slen martirs be dyuers passiouns.
Lik his desert resceyued his guerdouns;
Horrible deth first dide hym heer confounde,
With Furies infernal lith now in hell[e] bounde.
Sent out [his] lettres to dyuers regiouns,
Lik a slih wolff, rauynous & wood,
To slen martirs be dyuers passiouns.
Lik his desert resceyued his guerdouns;
Horrible deth first dide hym heer confounde,
With Furies infernal lith now in hell[e] bounde.
852
[How maxence the Emperour enmy to cristys feith myscheuesly ended.]
Afftir Galerius cruel violence
Geyn Cristene blood, as Bochas heer haþ told,
With pitous cheer themperour Maxence
Cam tofor Bochas, of age nat ful old,
Famous in armys, sturdi, fressh & bold,
Al-be he entrid nat as enheritour,
Took upon hym to regne as emperour.
Geyn Cristene blood, as Bochas heer haþ told,
With pitous cheer themperour Maxence
Cam tofor Bochas, of age nat ful old,
Famous in armys, sturdi, fressh & bold,
Al-be he entrid nat as enheritour,
Took upon hym to regne as emperour.
To Cristes feith he was also enmy;
Aftir soone he loste his gouernaunce,
Of infortunye slay[e]n sodenly,—
God on tirauntes vn-warly takith vengaunce.
Of whos buryyng was maad non ordenaunce,
For he was nat resceyued of the ground,
But caste in Tibre lik a roten hounde.
Aftir soone he loste his gouernaunce,
Of infortunye slay[e]n sodenly,—
God on tirauntes vn-warly takith vengaunce.
Of whos buryyng was maad non ordenaunce,
For he was nat resceyued of the ground,
But caste in Tibre lik a roten hounde.
[How Lucynyus enmy to cristes feith was slayn.]
Next tofor Bochas cam Lycynyvs,
A kniht of Denmark, born of riht good lyne,
Which had an enmy, the book reherseth þus,
An hardi kniht callyd Maxymyne,
Chose a capteyn with themperour Constantyne;
To Cristes feith he bar gret enmyte,
Slayn anon aftir in Tarce the cite.
A kniht of Denmark, born of riht good lyne,
Which had an enmy, the book reherseth þus,
An hardi kniht callyd Maxymyne,
Chose a capteyn with themperour Constantyne;
To Cristes feith he bar gret enmyte,
Slayn anon aftir in Tarce the cite.
Of whos deth Lycynyvs was glad,
Gan ageyn Cristene gret persecucioun,
In his proceedyng sodenli wex mad.
Which comaundid of fals presumpcioun
Whan he began doon execucioun,
That no Cristene nowher hym beside
Bi no condicioun sholde in his hous abide.
Gan ageyn Cristene gret persecucioun,
In his proceedyng sodenli wex mad.
Which comaundid of fals presumpcioun
Whan he began doon execucioun,
That no Cristene nowher hym beside
Bi no condicioun sholde in his hous abide.
This Licynyvs, which falsli dide erre
Ageyn our feith Cristen men tassaille,
Geyn Constantyn of newe he gan a werre;
But of his purpos in sooth he dede faille:
For he was twies discounfited in bataille
Be Constantyn; onys in Hungrye,
Next in Grece, beside Ebalie.
Ageyn our feith Cristen men tassaille,
Geyn Constantyn of newe he gan a werre;
853
For he was twies discounfited in bataille
Be Constantyn; onys in Hungrye,
Next in Grece, beside Ebalie.
Thus Constantyn thoruh his hih renoun
Gat nih al Grece & eueri gret cite,
Al-be Lycynyvs stood in rebellioun
Geyn Constantyn, both on lond & se.
But whan he sauh it wolde non oþer be,
He myht[e] nat escapen in no place,
Put hool hymsilff in Constantynes grace.
Gat nih al Grece & eueri gret cite,
Al-be Lycynyvs stood in rebellioun
Geyn Constantyn, both on lond & se.
But whan he sauh it wolde non oþer be,
He myht[e] nat escapen in no place,
Put hool hymsilff in Constantynes grace.
But Constantyn, for his rebellioun,
Gaff iugement in haste that he be ded,
Lest in the cite wer maad dyuisioun
Be Lycinyvs, wherof he stood in dreed.
This same while, as Bochas took [good] heed,
Ther cam toforn hym, with cheeris ful pitous,
Brethre tweyne, Constantyn & Crispus.
Gaff iugement in haste that he be ded,
Lest in the cite wer maad dyuisioun
Be Lycinyvs, wherof he stood in dreed.
This same while, as Bochas took [good] heed,
Ther cam toforn hym, with cheeris ful pitous,
Brethre tweyne, Constantyn & Crispus.
[Off Constantyne and Crispus & how Dalmacyus was slayn.]
To Constantyn, of whom I spak toforn,
Thei wer sonys, Constantyn & Crispus.
The same tweyne, of o mooder born,
Cam tofor Bochas; his book reherseth thus.
With hem cam eek oon Lycynyvs,
Sone to Licynyus which in Roome toun
Afforn was slayn for his rebellioun.
Thei wer sonys, Constantyn & Crispus.
The same tweyne, of o mooder born,
Cam tofor Bochas; his book reherseth thus.
With hem cam eek oon Lycynyvs,
Sone to Licynyus which in Roome toun
Afforn was slayn for his rebellioun.
Constantyn his werris to gouerne
Made hem vikeres, the silue same thre.
Echon riht wis, & koude weel discerne
What myhte auaille most to ther cite,
Tencrece the proffit of the comounte.
Ther namys tolde, Constantyn & Crispus,
Tofor remembrid, with hem Licynyvs.
Made hem vikeres, the silue same thre.
Echon riht wis, & koude weel discerne
What myhte auaille most to ther cite,
Tencrece the proffit of the comounte.
Ther namys tolde, Constantyn & Crispus,
Tofor remembrid, with hem Licynyvs.
Whil these thre vikeris vndir themperour
Gouernid Roome, as knihtis riht famous,
In Alisaundre roos up a gret errour
Bi a fals preest Icallid Arryus,
To our beleue a thyng contraryous.
And for he dide ageyn our feith so werche,
Bi a decre he was put out of cherche.
Gouernid Roome, as knihtis riht famous,
In Alisaundre roos up a gret errour
854
To our beleue a thyng contraryous.
And for he dide ageyn our feith so werche,
Bi a decre he was put out of cherche.
Bi a scen at Bithynye ful notable,
In Nicea, a famous gret cite,
This errour was preuid ful dampnable:
Thre hundred bisshopis wer present ther, parde,
And eihtene, the cronicle who list see.
And alle thes clerkis of o sentence ilik
Preeuyd Arryvs a fals[e] heretik.
In Nicea, a famous gret cite,
This errour was preuid ful dampnable:
Thre hundred bisshopis wer present ther, parde,
And eihtene, the cronicle who list see.
And alle thes clerkis of o sentence ilik
Preeuyd Arryvs a fals[e] heretik.
This same tyme, bookis specefie
How Constantyn of hasti cruelte,
The saide vikeres, nih of his allie,
Feyned a cause to slen hem all[e] thre.
No cause rehersid nor told of equite,
Saf onli this, in which he gan proceede,
To make his cosyn Dalmacivs to succeede.
How Constantyn of hasti cruelte,
The saide vikeres, nih of his allie,
Feyned a cause to slen hem all[e] thre.
No cause rehersid nor told of equite,
Saf onli this, in which he gan proceede,
To make his cosyn Dalmacivs to succeede.
But his fauour was nat fortunat
Toward Dalmacius, nor gracious in sentence,
Among whos knihtes fill a sodeyn debat,
Constantyn ther beyng in presence.
Dalmacius, withoute reuerence,
With sharpe suerdis, to speke in woordes fewe,
Vnto the deth was woundid & Ihewe.
Toward Dalmacius, nor gracious in sentence,
Among whos knihtes fill a sodeyn debat,
Constantyn ther beyng in presence.
Dalmacius, withoute reuerence,
With sharpe suerdis, to speke in woordes fewe,
Vnto the deth was woundid & Ihewe.
[Off the brethre Constaunce & Constancyus & how Magnencyus & decyus moordred hem self.]
Than cam Constans and Constancius,
Yonge brethre, thus writ myn auctour,
To Constantyn in tyme of Arryvs.
And ech of hem be ful gret labour
Dide his peyne to regne as emperour,
Til at the laste, breefli for to seie,
Euerich of hem gan othir to werreye.
Yonge brethre, thus writ myn auctour,
To Constantyn in tyme of Arryvs.
And ech of hem be ful gret labour
Dide his peyne to regne as emperour,
Til at the laste, breefli for to seie,
Euerich of hem gan othir to werreye.
This saide Constans is entrid Perse-lond;
Nyne tymes he fauht ageyn Sapore,
The same kyng, as ye shal vndirstond,
That with Romeyns hadde fouht affore.
But fynalli Constans hath hym so bore,
To holde the feelde he myhte nat endure;
For upon hym fill the disconfiture.
Nyne tymes he fauht ageyn Sapore,
The same kyng, as ye shal vndirstond,
855
But fynalli Constans hath hym so bore,
To holde the feelde he myhte nat endure;
For upon hym fill the disconfiture.
His fortune gan to chaungen anon riht,
Whan that he lefte to be vertuous;
He was in Spaigne slay[e]n be a kniht,
In Castel Tunge, callid Magnencius.
Than was non lefft but Constancivs;
The Romeyn kni[h]tis, destitut echon,
Ches hem an emperour callid Vetramon.
Whan that he lefte to be vertuous;
He was in Spaigne slay[e]n be a kniht,
In Castel Tunge, callid Magnencius.
Than was non lefft but Constancivs;
The Romeyn kni[h]tis, destitut echon,
Ches hem an emperour callid Vetramon.
This Vetramon was ferr [i]ronne in age,
Bareyn of witt, koude non lettrure,
Nor in knihthod had no gret corage,
Nor was nat hable to studien in scripture,
Nor lik an emperour no while to endure;
For Constancius, of whom I spak now late,
With this Vetremon cast hym to debate.
Bareyn of witt, koude non lettrure,
Nor in knihthod had no gret corage,
Nor was nat hable to studien in scripture,
Nor lik an emperour no while to endure;
For Constancius, of whom I spak now late,
With this Vetremon cast hym to debate.
This Vetremon hath lefft his estat,
List nat werreye ageyn Constancius,
Forsook the feeld[e], loued no debat.
But of Spaigne, myn auctour writeth þus,
As I wrot late, how that Magnencius
Geyn Constancivs with suerd[e], spere & sheeld
Presumed proudli for to holde a feeld.
List nat werreye ageyn Constancius,
Forsook the feeld[e], loued no debat.
But of Spaigne, myn auctour writeth þus,
As I wrot late, how that Magnencius
Geyn Constancivs with suerd[e], spere & sheeld
Presumed proudli for to holde a feeld.
To gret damage & hyndryng of the toun,
For many Romeyn thilke day was ded,
Beside a cite which callid was Leoun;
Til at the laste, of verray coward dreed,
Magnencivs, which capteyn was & hed
Ageyn Constancius, hath the feeld forsake.
Loo, how Fortune can hir chaunges make!
For many Romeyn thilke day was ded,
Beside a cite which callid was Leoun;
Til at the laste, of verray coward dreed,
Magnencivs, which capteyn was & hed
Ageyn Constancius, hath the feeld forsake.
Loo, how Fortune can hir chaunges make!
Magnencivs for verray sorwe & shame
Bood no lenger, but gat hym a sharp kniff,
Sool be hymsilff, wher[of] he was to blame,
Roof thoruh his herte & loste [so] his lyff.
His brothir Dencivs, partable of the stryff,
Aboute his necke cast a myhti corde
And heeng hymsilf[e], bookis so recorde.
Bood no lenger, but gat hym a sharp kniff,
Sool be hymsilff, wher[of] he was to blame,
Roof thoruh his herte & loste [so] his lyff.
His brothir Dencivs, partable of the stryff,
856
And heeng hymsilf[e], bookis so recorde.
Constancius ches aftir hym Gallus,
His vncles brothir, to gouerne Fraunce;
Was a fals tiraunt, cruel [and] outraious,
Soone aftir slayn for his mysgouernaunce.
Another viker for his disobeissaunce,
Callid Siluanvs, be iugement was slayn;
For which in France ful many a man was fayn.
His vncles brothir, to gouerne Fraunce;
Was a fals tiraunt, cruel [and] outraious,
Soone aftir slayn for his mysgouernaunce.
Another viker for his disobeissaunce,
Callid Siluanvs, be iugement was slayn;
For which in France ful many a man was fayn.
[How Constantyne baptized bi Siluester was cured of his lepre.]
Off this mateer stynte I wil awhile
And folwe myn owne strange oppynyoun,
Fro Constancius turne awey my stile,
To his fadir make a digressioun,
Cause Bochas maketh but short mencioun
Of Constantyn, which be record of clerkis,
Was so notable founde in al his werkis.
And folwe myn owne strange oppynyoun,
Fro Constancius turne awey my stile,
To his fadir make a digressioun,
Cause Bochas maketh but short mencioun
Of Constantyn, which be record of clerkis,
Was so notable founde in al his werkis.
This myhti prince was born in Breteyne,
So as the Brut pleynli doth vs lere;
His hooli moodir callid was Heleyne,
He in his daies most knihtli & enteere.
Of marcial actis he knew al the maneere,
Chosen emperour for his hih noblesse,
Fill to [be] lepre, cronicles expresse.
So as the Brut pleynli doth vs lere;
His hooli moodir callid was Heleyne,
He in his daies most knihtli & enteere.
Of marcial actis he knew al the maneere,
Chosen emperour for his hih noblesse,
Fill to [be] lepre, cronicles expresse.
His soor so greuous that no medecyne
Mihte auaile his seeknesse to recure;
He [was] counsailled to make a gret piscyne,
With innocent blood of childre that wer pure
Make hym cleene of that he did endure.
Thoruh al Itaille childre anon wer souht,
And to his paleis be ther moodris brouht.
Mihte auaile his seeknesse to recure;
He [was] counsailled to make a gret piscyne,
With innocent blood of childre that wer pure
Make hym cleene of that he did endure.
Thoruh al Itaille childre anon wer souht,
And to his paleis be ther moodris brouht.
It was gret routhe to beholde & see,
Of tendre moodres to heere the sobbyng,
Be furious constreynt of ther aduersite,
Hir clothes to-rent, bedewed with weepyng.
The straunge noise of ther hidous criyng
Ascendid up, that ther pitous clamour
Kam to the eris of themperour,
Of tendre moodres to heere the sobbyng,
Be furious constreynt of ther aduersite,
857
The straunge noise of ther hidous criyng
Ascendid up, that ther pitous clamour
Kam to the eris of themperour,
Of which[e] noise themperour was agrised.
Whan that he knew ground & occasioun
Of this mateer, afforn told & deuysed,
This noble prince gan haue compassioun;
And for to stynte the lamentacioun
Of all the women ther beyng in presence,
Of merciful pite hath chaungid his sentence.
Whan that he knew ground & occasioun
Of this mateer, afforn told & deuysed,
This noble prince gan haue compassioun;
And for to stynte the lamentacioun
Of all the women ther beyng in presence,
Of merciful pite hath chaungid his sentence.
This glorious, this gracious emperour
Is clomb of merci so hih vpon the staire,
Spared nouther vitaille nor his tresour,
Nor his langour that dide hym so appaire.
With ful glad cheer[e] maad hem to repaire;
Where thei cam sori to Roome the cite,
Thei hom returned glad to ther contre.
Is clomb of merci so hih vpon the staire,
Spared nouther vitaille nor his tresour,
Nor his langour that dide hym so appaire.
With ful glad cheer[e] maad hem to repaire;
Where thei cam sori to Roome the cite,
Thei hom returned glad to ther contre.
Roial compassioun dide in his herte myne;
Ches to be sik rather than blood to sheede,
His brest enlumyned with grace which is dyuyne,
Which fro the heuene dide vpon hym spreede.
He wolde nat suffre innocentis bleede,
Preferryng pite & merci mor than riht;
He was visitid vpon the next[e] niht.
Ches to be sik rather than blood to sheede,
His brest enlumyned with grace which is dyuyne,
Which fro the heuene dide vpon hym spreede.
He wolde nat suffre innocentis bleede,
Preferryng pite & merci mor than riht;
He was visitid vpon the next[e] niht.
Petir and Poule to hym dede appere,
Sent fro the Lord as heuenli massagers,
Bad Constantyn been of riht good cheere,
“For he that sit aboue the nyne speeris,
The Lord of Lordis, Lord of lengest yeeris,
Wil that thou wete,—haue it weel in mynde,—
In mount Serapti thou shalt thi leche fynde.
Sent fro the Lord as heuenli massagers,
Bad Constantyn been of riht good cheere,
“For he that sit aboue the nyne speeris,
The Lord of Lordis, Lord of lengest yeeris,
Wil that thou wete,—haue it weel in mynde,—
In mount Serapti thou shalt thi leche fynde.
God of his grace list the to visite,
To sheede blood because that thou dost spare;
He hath vs sent thi labour for to quyte;
Tidyngis brouht of helthe & thi weelfare
Pope Siluester to the shal declare,
As we haue told[e], be riht weel assured,
Of thi seeknesse how thou shalt be recurid,
To sheede blood because that thou dost spare;
He hath vs sent thi labour for to quyte;
Tidyngis brouht of helthe & thi weelfare
Pope Siluester to the shal declare,
858
Of thi seeknesse how thou shalt be recurid,
To mount Serapti in al hast that thou seende,
Suffre Siluester come to thi presence.”
Souht & founde, breefli to make an eende,
Resceyued aftir with deu reuerence,
Dide his deueer of enteer dilligence,
Lik as the lyff of Siluester hath deuised,
Be grace maad hool, whan he was baptised.
Suffre Siluester come to thi presence.”
Souht & founde, breefli to make an eende,
Resceyued aftir with deu reuerence,
Dide his deueer of enteer dilligence,
Lik as the lyff of Siluester hath deuised,
Be grace maad hool, whan he was baptised.
His flessh renewed and sodenly maad whiht
Be thries wasshyng in the fressh piscyne
Of holi baptem, welle of most deliht,
Wher the Hooli Gost did[e] hym enlumyne.
Enfourmyd aftir be teching & doctryne
Of Siluester, lik as myn auctour seith,
Of alle articles that longe onto our feith.
Be thries wasshyng in the fressh piscyne
Of holi baptem, welle of most deliht,
Wher the Hooli Gost did[e] hym enlumyne.
Enfourmyd aftir be teching & doctryne
Of Siluester, lik as myn auctour seith,
Of alle articles that longe onto our feith.
The font was maad[e] of porfirie stoon,
Which was aftir be cost of Constantyn
With a round bie, that dide aboute gon,
Of gold & perle & stonis that wer fyn;
Myd of the font, riht up as a lyn,
Vpon a piler of gold a laumpe briht,
Ful of fyn bawme, that brente day & niht.
Which was aftir be cost of Constantyn
With a round bie, that dide aboute gon,
Of gold & perle & stonis that wer fyn;
Myd of the font, riht up as a lyn,
Vpon a piler of gold a laumpe briht,
Ful of fyn bawme, that brente day & niht.
A lamb of gold he did also prouyde,
Set on this font vpon a smal pileer,
Which lik a conduit vpon eueri side
Shad out water as eny cristal cleer,
On whos riht side an ymage most enteer
Was richeli forgid of our Saueour,
Al of pure gold, that coste gret tresour.
Set on this font vpon a smal pileer,
Which lik a conduit vpon eueri side
Shad out water as eny cristal cleer,
On whos riht side an ymage most enteer
Was richeli forgid of our Saueour,
Al of pure gold, that coste gret tresour.
And of this lamb vpon the tothir side,
An image set longe to endure
Of Baptist Iohn, with lettres for tabide
Graue coriousli, & this was the scripture:
“Ecce Agnus Dei, that did for man endure,
On goode Friday offrid up his blood,
To saue mankynde starf upon the rood.”
An image set longe to endure
Of Baptist Iohn, with lettres for tabide
Graue coriousli, & this was the scripture:
“Ecce Agnus Dei, that did for man endure,
On goode Friday offrid up his blood,
To saue mankynde starf upon the rood.”
859
He leet also make a gret censeer
Al of gold, fret with perles fyne,
Which be nyhte as Phebus in his speer
Thoruh al the cherch most fresshli did[e] shyne;
Ther wer fourti stonis iacynctyne.
Appollos temple, myn auctour writ the same,
Was halwid newe in Seynt Petris name.
Al of gold, fret with perles fyne,
Which be nyhte as Phebus in his speer
Thoruh al the cherch most fresshli did[e] shyne;
Ther wer fourti stonis iacynctyne.
Appollos temple, myn auctour writ the same,
Was halwid newe in Seynt Petris name.
The Romeyn templis, that wer bilt of old,
He hath fordoon with al ther maumetrie;
Ther false goddis of siluer & of gold
He hath tobroke vpon ech partie.
This goodli prince, of goostli policie,
Set of newe statutis of gret vertu
To been obseruid in name of Crist Iesu.
He hath fordoon with al ther maumetrie;
Ther false goddis of siluer & of gold
He hath tobroke vpon ech partie.
This goodli prince, of goostli policie,
Set of newe statutis of gret vertu
To been obseruid in name of Crist Iesu.
The firste lawe, as I reherse can,
In ordre set with ful gret reuerence,
That Crist Iesu was sothfast god & man,
Lord of Lordis, Lord of most excellence,
“Which hath this day, of his benyuolence,
Cured my lepre, as ye haue herd deuysed,
Be blissid Siluester whan I was baptised.
In ordre set with ful gret reuerence,
That Crist Iesu was sothfast god & man,
Lord of Lordis, Lord of most excellence,
“Which hath this day, of his benyuolence,
Cured my lepre, as ye haue herd deuysed,
Be blissid Siluester whan I was baptised.
This gracious Lord, my souereyn Lord Ihesu,
From hen[ne]s-foorth, for short conclusioun,
I wil that he, as Lord of most vertu,
Of feithful herte & hool affeccioun
Be worsheped in euery regioun;—
No man so hardi my biddeng to disdeyne,
List he incurre of deth the greuous peyne.”
From hen[ne]s-foorth, for short conclusioun,
I wil that he, as Lord of most vertu,
Of feithful herte & hool affeccioun
Be worsheped in euery regioun;—
No man so hardi my biddeng to disdeyne,
List he incurre of deth the greuous peyne.”
Folwyng the day callid the secounde,
This Constantyn ordeyned a decre,
That who that euere in [the] toun wer founde
Or ellis-wher aboute in the contre,—
What-euer he were, of hih or louh degre,
That blasffemed the name of Crist Iesu,
Be doom sholde haue of deth a pleyn issu.
This Constantyn ordeyned a decre,
That who that euere in [the] toun wer founde
Or ellis-wher aboute in the contre,—
What-euer he were, of hih or louh degre,
That blasffemed the name of Crist Iesu,
Be doom sholde haue of deth a pleyn issu.
The thridde day, in euery mannys siht,
Bi a decre confermed & maad strong,
To any Cristene who that dide vnriht
Be oppressioun or [be] collateral wrong,
It should[e] nat be taried ouer long,
Who wer convict or gilti shal nat chese
Be lawe ordeyned halff his good to lese.
Bi a decre confermed & maad strong,
To any Cristene who that dide vnriht
860
It should[e] nat be taried ouer long,
Who wer convict or gilti shal nat chese
Be lawe ordeyned halff his good to lese.
The fourthe day, among[es] Romeyns all
This pryuylege pronouncid in the toun,
Youe to the pope sittyng in Petris stall,
As souereyn hed in euery regioun
To haue the reule and iurediccioun
Of preestis alle, allone in alle thyng,
Of temporal lordis lich as hath the kyng.
This pryuylege pronouncid in the toun,
Youe to the pope sittyng in Petris stall,
As souereyn hed in euery regioun
To haue the reule and iurediccioun
Of preestis alle, allone in alle thyng,
Of temporal lordis lich as hath the kyng.
To the cherche he granted gret franchise
The fifte day & special liberte:
Yif a feloun in any maner wise
To fynde socour thidir dide flee,
Withynne the boundis fro daunger to go fre,
To been assurid & haue ther ful refuge
From execucioun of any temporal iuge.
The fifte day & special liberte:
Yif a feloun in any maner wise
To fynde socour thidir dide flee,
Withynne the boundis fro daunger to go fre,
To been assurid & haue ther ful refuge
From execucioun of any temporal iuge.
No man presume withynne no cite,—
The sixte day, he gaff this sentence,—
No man so hardi, of hih nor louh degre,
To beelde no cherche, but he haue licence,
Of the bisshop beyng in presence;
This to seyne, that he in his estat
Bi the pope afforn be approbat.
The sixte day, he gaff this sentence,—
No man so hardi, of hih nor louh degre,
To beelde no cherche, but he haue licence,
Of the bisshop beyng in presence;
This to seyne, that he in his estat
Bi the pope afforn be approbat.
The seuenthe day, this lawe he did eek make:
Of all pocessiouns which that be roiall,
The tenthe part [y]eerli shal be take
Be iugis handis, in parti & in all,
Which[e] tresour thei delyuere shall,
As the statut doth pleynli specefie,
Hool & enteer cherchis to edefie.
Of all pocessiouns which that be roiall,
The tenthe part [y]eerli shal be take
Be iugis handis, in parti & in all,
Which[e] tresour thei delyuere shall,
As the statut doth pleynli specefie,
Hool & enteer cherchis to edefie.
The eihte day meekli he ded hym quite,
With gret reuerence & humble affeccioun,
Whan he did of al his clothes white
And cam hymsilf on pilgrymage doun
Tofor Seynt Petir of gret deuocioun;
Natwithstondyng his roial excellence,
Made his confessioun in open audience.
With gret reuerence & humble affeccioun,
Whan he did of al his clothes white
And cam hymsilf on pilgrymage doun
Tofor Seynt Petir of gret deuocioun;
Natwithstondyng his roial excellence,
Made his confessioun in open audience.
861
His crowne take of, knelyng thus he saide
With weepyng eyen & vois most lamentable,
And for sobbyng as he myht abraide:
“O blissid Iesu, o Lord most merciable,
Lat my teres to the be acceptable;
Resseyue my prayer; my request nat refuse,
As man most synful, I may me nat excuse.
With weepyng eyen & vois most lamentable,
And for sobbyng as he myht abraide:
“O blissid Iesu, o Lord most merciable,
Lat my teres to the be acceptable;
Resseyue my prayer; my request nat refuse,
As man most synful, I may me nat excuse.
I occupied thestat of the emperour;
Of thi martirs I shadde the hooli blood,
Spared no seyntes in my cruel errour,
The to pursue fell, furious & wood.
Now blissid Iesu, most gracious & most good,
Peised & considered myn importable offense,
I am nat worthi to come in thi presence,
Of thi martirs I shadde the hooli blood,
Spared no seyntes in my cruel errour,
The to pursue fell, furious & wood.
Now blissid Iesu, most gracious & most good,
Peised & considered myn importable offense,
I am nat worthi to come in thi presence,
Nor for to entre into this hooli place,
Vpon this ground vnhable for to duell,
To opnen myn eyen or to left up my face;
But of thi merci so thou me nat repell,
As man most synful, I come vnto thi well,
Thi welle of grace and merciful pite
For to be wasshe of myn iniquite.”
Vpon this ground vnhable for to duell,
To opnen myn eyen or to left up my face;
But of thi merci so thou me nat repell,
As man most synful, I come vnto thi well,
Thi welle of grace and merciful pite
For to be wasshe of myn iniquite.”
This exaumple in open he hath shewed,
His staat imperial of meeknesse leid aside,
His purpil garnement with teres al bedewed;
Suerd nor sceptre nor hors upon to ride
Ther was non seyn, nor baners splaied wide;
Of marcial tryumphes ther was no tokne founde,
But criyng merci, themperour lay plat to grounde.
His staat imperial of meeknesse leid aside,
His purpil garnement with teres al bedewed;
Suerd nor sceptre nor hors upon to ride
Ther was non seyn, nor baners splaied wide;
Of marcial tryumphes ther was no tokne founde,
But criyng merci, themperour lay plat to grounde.
The peeplis gladnesse was medlid with wepyng,
And ther weepyng was medlid with gladnesse,
To seen an emperour and so notable a kyng
Of his free chois shewe so gret meeknesse.
Thus entirmedlid was ioie & heuynesse:
Heuynesse for passid old vengaunce,
With newe reioisshyng of gostli repentaunce.
And ther weepyng was medlid with gladnesse,
To seen an emperour and so notable a kyng
Of his free chois shewe so gret meeknesse.
Thus entirmedlid was ioie & heuynesse:
Heuynesse for passid old vengaunce,
With newe reioisshyng of gostli repentaunce.
This ioye was lik a feeste funerall,
In folk of custum that doon ther besi cure
To brynge a corps, which of custum shall
Haue al the rihtis of his sepulture,
And in this tyme, of sodeyn auenture
To lyf ageyn restored be his bonys,
Causyng his freendis to lauhe & weepe attonis.
In folk of custum that doon ther besi cure
To brynge a corps, which of custum shall
862
And in this tyme, of sodeyn auenture
To lyf ageyn restored be his bonys,
Causyng his freendis to lauhe & weepe attonis.
Semblabli dependyng atween tweyne,
The peeple wepte, & therwith reioisshyng
To seen ther emperour so pitousli compleyne,
For his trespacis merci requeryng:
Of ioie and sorwe a gracious medlyng.
That day was sey[e]n gladnesse meynt with moone,
With weepyng lauhtre, & al in o persone.
The peeple wepte, & therwith reioisshyng
To seen ther emperour so pitousli compleyne,
For his trespacis merci requeryng:
Of ioie and sorwe a gracious medlyng.
That day was sey[e]n gladnesse meynt with moone,
With weepyng lauhtre, & al in o persone.
Aftir al this he digged up hymselue
Stones twelue, wher he lay knelyng,
[And] putte hem in cofynes tuelue,
On the tuelue postlis deuoutli remembryng,
Compassed a ground large for beeldyng,
Beside his paleys caste theron to werche
In Cristes name to sette up ther a cherche.
Stones twelue, wher he lay knelyng,
[And] putte hem in cofynes tuelue,
On the tuelue postlis deuoutli remembryng,
Compassed a ground large for beeldyng,
Beside his paleys caste theron to werche
In Cristes name to sette up ther a cherche.
The place of olde callid Lateranence,
Bilt and edefied in thapostlis name.
Constantynvs bar al the dispense,
Ordeyned a lawe, myn auctour seith the same,
Yif any poore, nakid, halt or lame
Resceyue wolde the feith of Crist Iesu,
He sholde be statut be take to this issu:
Bilt and edefied in thapostlis name.
Constantynvs bar al the dispense,
Ordeyned a lawe, myn auctour seith the same,
Yif any poore, nakid, halt or lame
Resceyue wolde the feith of Crist Iesu,
He sholde be statut be take to this issu:
In his promys yif he wer founde trewe,
That he wer nat be feynyng no faitour,
He sholde first be spoiled & clad newe
Be the costage off the emperour,
Tuenti shillyng resceyue to his socour,
Of which resseit nothyng was withdrawe,
Be statut kept & holde as for a lawe.
That he wer nat be feynyng no faitour,
He sholde first be spoiled & clad newe
Be the costage off the emperour,
Tuenti shillyng resceyue to his socour,
Of which resseit nothyng was withdrawe,
Be statut kept & holde as for a lawe.
It wer to longe to putte [al] in memorie,
His hih prowesse & his notable deedis,
And to reherse[n] euery gret victorie
Which that he hadde with hostis that he ledis;
And to remembre al his gracious speedis,
The surplusage, who list [to] comprehende,
Lat hym of Siluestre reede the legende.
His hih prowesse & his notable deedis,
And to reherse[n] euery gret victorie
Which that he hadde with hostis that he ledis;
And to remembre al his gracious speedis,
863
Lat hym of Siluestre reede the legende.
And among othir, touchyng his visioun,
Which that he hadde, in cronicles men may lere,
Whan that he slepte in his roial dongoun,
How Crist to hym did graciousli appeere,
Shewed hym a cros, & seide as ye shal heere:
“Be nat afferd upon thi foon to falle,
For in this signe thou shalt ouercome hem alle.”
Which that he hadde, in cronicles men may lere,
Whan that he slepte in his roial dongoun,
How Crist to hym did graciousli appeere,
Shewed hym a cros, & seide as ye shal heere:
“Be nat afferd upon thi foon to falle,
For in this signe thou shalt ouercome hem alle.”
Be which auyseoun he was maad glad & liht
Thoruh Goddis grace & heuenli influence.
First in his baneer, that shon so cleer & briht,
The cros was bete, cheef tokne of his diffence.
Slouh the tiraunt that callid was Maxence,
Aftir whos deth[e], thoruh his hih renoun
Of al thempire he took pocessioun.
Thoruh Goddis grace & heuenli influence.
First in his baneer, that shon so cleer & briht,
The cros was bete, cheef tokne of his diffence.
Slouh the tiraunt that callid was Maxence,
Aftir whos deth[e], thoruh his hih renoun
Of al thempire he took pocessioun.
In which estat he meyntened trouthe & riht,
Vpon al poore hauyng compassioun,
Duryng his tyme holde the beste kniht
That owher was in any regioun,
Of Cristes feith thymperial champioun,
Thoruh his noble knihtli magnificence
To alle Cristene protectour & diffence.
Vpon al poore hauyng compassioun,
Duryng his tyme holde the beste kniht
That owher was in any regioun,
Of Cristes feith thymperial champioun,
Thoruh his noble knihtli magnificence
To alle Cristene protectour & diffence.
Aftir his name, which neuer shal appall,
Chaunged in Grece the name of Bizante;
Constantynople he did it aftir call,
And on a steede of bras, as men may see,
Manacyng of Turkis the contre,
He sit armyd, a gret suerd in his hond
Them to chastise that rebelle in that lond.
Chaunged in Grece the name of Bizante;
Constantynople he did it aftir call,
And on a steede of bras, as men may see,
Manacyng of Turkis the contre,
He sit armyd, a gret suerd in his hond
Them to chastise that rebelle in that lond.
Reioisshe ye folkis that born been in Breteyne,
Callid othirwise Brutis Albioun,
That hadde a prince so notabli souereyne
Brouht forth & fostrid in your regioun,
That whilom hadde the domynacioun,
As cheef monarche, prince & president,
Ouer al the world, from est til occident.
Callid othirwise Brutis Albioun,
That hadde a prince so notabli souereyne
Brouht forth & fostrid in your regioun,
That whilom hadde the domynacioun,
As cheef monarche, prince & president,
Ouer al the world, from est til occident.
864
Tyme of his deth, that moneth of þe yeer
Phebus nat seyn, withdrouh his feruent heete;
And longe afforn[e] large, brod & cleer,
Toward Affrik shewed a gret comete,
Alway encresyng, drouh toward the sete
Of Nichomedie, shon erli & eek late,
Wher in his paleis he passed into fate.
Phebus nat seyn, withdrouh his feruent heete;
And longe afforn[e] large, brod & cleer,
Toward Affrik shewed a gret comete,
Alway encresyng, drouh toward the sete
Of Nichomedie, shon erli & eek late,
Wher in his paleis he passed into fate.
[How Iulian Apostata enmy to cristys bi fals Illusions was chose Emperour and aftir slayn.]
Afftir the deth of this marcial man,—
I meene this noble worthi Constantyn,—
Kometh Thapostata, cursid Iulian,
Which be discent to Constantyn was cosyn.
His gynyng cursid, hadde a cursid fyn,
Entred religioun, as bookis specefie,
Vnder a colour of fals ipocrisie.
I meene this noble worthi Constantyn,—
Kometh Thapostata, cursid Iulian,
Which be discent to Constantyn was cosyn.
His gynyng cursid, hadde a cursid fyn,
Entred religioun, as bookis specefie,
Vnder a colour of fals ipocrisie.
It hath be seid[e] of antiquite,
Wher that ther is dissymuled hoolynesse,
It is icallid double iniquite,—
Fih on al suich feyned parfitnesse!
For symulacioun curid with doubilnesse
And fals[e] semblaunt with a sobre face,
Of alle [fals] sectes stonde ferthest out of grace.
Wher that ther is dissymuled hoolynesse,
It is icallid double iniquite,—
Fih on al suich feyned parfitnesse!
For symulacioun curid with doubilnesse
And fals[e] semblaunt with a sobre face,
Of alle [fals] sectes stonde ferthest out of grace.
A certeyn space, as maad is mencioun,
To al perfeccioun he did hymsilf applie,
Til he wex weri of his professioun,
Forsook his ordre bi apostacie.
And first he gaff hym to nigromancye,
Double Apostata, as myn auctour seith,
First to his ordre & aftir to our feith.
To al perfeccioun he did hymsilf applie,
Til he wex weri of his professioun,
Forsook his ordre bi apostacie.
And first he gaff hym to nigromancye,
Double Apostata, as myn auctour seith,
First to his ordre & aftir to our feith.
Bi ordynaunce of Constancivs,
This said Iulian, roote of ipocresie,
Of gouernaunce froward & vicious,
Was sent to Gaule with gret cheualrie
As viker chose the contre for to guye.
Gat hym fauour & falsli gan conspire
To haue pocessioun of al the hool empire.
This said Iulian, roote of ipocresie,
Of gouernaunce froward & vicious,
Was sent to Gaule with gret cheualrie
As viker chose the contre for to guye.
865
To haue pocessioun of al the hool empire.
And for he was nat likli to atteyne
To that estat, he did his hert applie
Another mene pleynli to ordeyne,
Wikked spiritis to make of his allie,
Becam a prentys to lerne sorcerye,
To haue experience be invocaciouns
To calle spirites with his coniurisouns.
To that estat, he did his hert applie
Another mene pleynli to ordeyne,
Wikked spiritis to make of his allie,
Becam a prentys to lerne sorcerye,
To haue experience be invocaciouns
To calle spirites with his coniurisouns.
Be fals illusioun in the peeplis sihte,
Of wikked spiritis had so gret fauour,—
A crowne of laurer upon his hed aliht,—
Made folk to deeme, bi ful fals errour,
It cam be myracle, to chese hym emperour.
Which of trouthe as in existence
Was but collusioun & feyned apparence.
Of wikked spiritis had so gret fauour,—
A crowne of laurer upon his hed aliht,—
Made folk to deeme, bi ful fals errour,
It cam be myracle, to chese hym emperour.
Which of trouthe as in existence
Was but collusioun & feyned apparence.
With hem he hadde his conuersacioun,
Spared nat to doon hem sacrefise
With cerymonyes & fals oblacioun,
And to thempire he roos up in this wise.
Thestat resceyuyd, first he gan deuyse
Ageyn Grekis, out of his contre ferre,
To make hym strong with hem to haue a werre.
Spared nat to doon hem sacrefise
With cerymonyes & fals oblacioun,
And to thempire he roos up in this wise.
Thestat resceyuyd, first he gan deuyse
Ageyn Grekis, out of his contre ferre,
To make hym strong with hem to haue a werre.
The Feend a while was to hym fauourable,
Gaf hym entre and pocessioun,
And made hym promys for tabide stable
In his lordship and domynacioun,
To haue this world vndir subieccioun;
Of which beheste he stood in pereilous cas,
Folwyng thoppynyoun of Pigtagoras.
Gaf hym entre and pocessioun,
And made hym promys for tabide stable
In his lordship and domynacioun,
To haue this world vndir subieccioun;
Of which beheste he stood in pereilous cas,
Folwyng thoppynyoun of Pigtagoras.
Pigtagoras hadde this oppinyoun:
Whan men deide, anon aftir than
Ther was maad[e] a translacioun
Of his speryt in-tanothir man,
A maner liknesse; the Bible telle can,
The double speryt of grace & prophecie
To Heliseus was grantid be Helye.
Whan men deide, anon aftir than
Ther was maad[e] a translacioun
Of his speryt in-tanothir man,
A maner liknesse; the Bible telle can,
The double speryt of grace & prophecie
To Heliseus was grantid be Helye.
866
Heeron concludyng, lik his oppynyoun,
As Pictagoras affermed in sentence,
He that hadde ful pocessioun
Of suich a speryt, in verray existence
Sholde haue the same wisdam & science,
The disposicioun aftir hym as blyue,
Which hadde that speryt whil he was heer alyue,—
As Pictagoras affermed in sentence,
He that hadde ful pocessioun
Of suich a speryt, in verray existence
Sholde haue the same wisdam & science,
The disposicioun aftir hym as blyue,
Which hadde that speryt whil he was heer alyue,—
Of gouernaunce and also of nature
Resemblyn hym, of maneres & lyuyng.
And thus be fraude Pluto did his cure
To make Iulian to truste in eueri thyng,
He hadde be berth the sperit of the kyng
Callid Alisaundre, be which he sholde wynne
This world be conquest, whan-euer hym list begynne.
Resemblyn hym, of maneres & lyuyng.
And thus be fraude Pluto did his cure
To make Iulian to truste in eueri thyng,
He hadde be berth the sperit of the kyng
Callid Alisaundre, be which he sholde wynne
This world be conquest, whan-euer hym list begynne.
Thus gan he fonne & falle in fantasie
To truste on Pluto & goddis infernal,
Thei sholde enhaunce hym bi his cheualrie
For to posseede and reioysshe al,—
Suerd, sceptre, crowne and staat imperial,
Passe Alisaundre in honour & in glorie
And hym excelle in tryumphal victorie.
To truste on Pluto & goddis infernal,
Thei sholde enhaunce hym bi his cheualrie
For to posseede and reioysshe al,—
Suerd, sceptre, crowne and staat imperial,
Passe Alisaundre in honour & in glorie
And hym excelle in tryumphal victorie.
He trusted Sathan, be whom he was desceyuid,
To Cristes lawe becam mortal enmy;
Wher that euere that he hath parceyued
Cros or crucifix, he brak hem vengabli.
Be fals language he callid traitourly,
Crist Iesu he callid Gallile,
And of despiht sumtyme Nazare.
To Cristes lawe becam mortal enmy;
Wher that euere that he hath parceyued
Cros or crucifix, he brak hem vengabli.
Be fals language he callid traitourly,
Crist Iesu he callid Gallile,
And of despiht sumtyme Nazare.
Ageyn our feith this tirant wex so wood,
[And] ageyn Crist hadde so gret hatreede;
Slouh many martir & falsli shadde hir blood,
An idolatre & renegat in deede.
Heeld mortal werre with hem of Perse & Meede;
Comyng to Perse, first he gan debate
Geyn Sapor kyng, of whom I spak but late.
[And] ageyn Crist hadde so gret hatreede;
Slouh many martir & falsli shadde hir blood,
An idolatre & renegat in deede.
Heeld mortal werre with hem of Perse & Meede;
Comyng to Perse, first he gan debate
Geyn Sapor kyng, of whom I spak but late.
Of Parthois also he entrid thoruh the rewm,
Wher he fond no maneer resistence.
And as he cam forbi Iherusalem,
To the Iewes of newe he gaf licence
To beelde the temple with gret dilligence,
In despiht, of purpos to do shame
To Cristene cherchis, bilt newe in Cristes name.
Wher he fond no maneer resistence.
And as he cam forbi Iherusalem,
867
To beelde the temple with gret dilligence,
In despiht, of purpos to do shame
To Cristene cherchis, bilt newe in Cristes name.
In this while he kauht a gret corage,
In a theatre maad brood in that toun,
Too wilde beestis cruel and sauage
Of seyntis blood to make oblacioun,
Thei to deuoure men of religioun.
And alle Cristene of purpos to destroye,
His lust was set & al his worldly ioie.
In a theatre maad brood in that toun,
Too wilde beestis cruel and sauage
Of seyntis blood to make oblacioun,
Thei to deuoure men of religioun.
And alle Cristene of purpos to destroye,
His lust was set & al his worldly ioie.
Bi an heraud that dide his host conveye,
Of verray purpos to brynge hym in treyne,
Bi straunge desertis fond out a froward weye.
The heete importable did hym so constreyne,
Brente thoruh the harneys, felte so gret peyne;—
The drye sondis, the heir infect with heete
Made many a man ther lyff in hast to lete.
Of verray purpos to brynge hym in treyne,
Bi straunge desertis fond out a froward weye.
The heete importable did hym so constreyne,
Brente thoruh the harneys, felte so gret peyne;—
The drye sondis, the heir infect with heete
Made many a man ther lyff in hast to lete.
This froward tiraunt, knowyng no remedie,
Of cursid herte gan Crist Iesu blasffeme,
And of malicious hatreed & envie,
Wood & furious, as it dide seeme,
Gan curse the Lord, that al this world shal deeme,
Crist Iesus, which of long pacience
List nat be vengaunce his malis recompence.
Of cursid herte gan Crist Iesu blasffeme,
And of malicious hatreed & envie,
Wood & furious, as it dide seeme,
Gan curse the Lord, that al this world shal deeme,
Crist Iesus, which of long pacience
List nat be vengaunce his malis recompence.
A mor cruel was ther neuer non,
Nor mor vengable: nat Cerbervs in hell,
Mortal enmy to goode men euerichon,
Whos blasfemys and rebukis fell,
Be rehersaile yif I sholde hem tell,—
I am afferd the venymous violence
Sholde infecte the heir with pestilence.
Nor mor vengable: nat Cerbervs in hell,
Mortal enmy to goode men euerichon,
Whos blasfemys and rebukis fell,
Be rehersaile yif I sholde hem tell,—
I am afferd the venymous violence
Sholde infecte the heir with pestilence.
He cast out dartis mor bittir than is gall
Of blasfemye & infernal langage;
And in this while among his princis all
A kniht vnknowe, angelik of visage,
Fresshly armyd, to punshen his outrage,
With a sharp spere, thoruh euery synwe & veyne,
Of this tiraunt roof the herte on tweyne.
Of blasfemye & infernal langage;
And in this while among his princis all
A kniht vnknowe, angelik of visage,
Fresshly armyd, to punshen his outrage,
868
Of this tiraunt roof the herte on tweyne.
Bathid in his blood, this tiraunt fill doun lowe,
To God & man froward & odious.
Thouh for that tyme the kniht ne was nat knowe,
Yit summe men seyn it was Mercurivs,
Which bi the praieer of Basilius
This tiraunt slouh, as cronicles don us lere,
Bi a myracle of Cristes mooder deere.
To God & man froward & odious.
Thouh for that tyme the kniht ne was nat knowe,
Yit summe men seyn it was Mercurivs,
Which bi the praieer of Basilius
This tiraunt slouh, as cronicles don us lere,
Bi a myracle of Cristes mooder deere.
This Mercurius, as bookes determyne,
In Cesaria, a myhti strong cite,
Withynne the contre callid Palestyne,
Buried afforn, roos up at this iourne
Out of his graue, a straunge thyng to see;
An hors brouht to hym, arraied in his armure,
Which heeng toforn beside his sepulture.
In Cesaria, a myhti strong cite,
Withynne the contre callid Palestyne,
Buried afforn, roos up at this iourne
Out of his graue, a straunge thyng to see;
An hors brouht to hym, arraied in his armure,
Which heeng toforn beside his sepulture.
The same armvre was nat seyn that niht
Nor on the morwe at his graue founde
Til mydday hour, that Phebus shon ful briht,
Whan Mercury gaf hym his fatal wounde,
His blasfemye for euer to confounde.
Which thyng accomplisshed, this myracle for to preue,
He and his armure wer ther ageyn at eue.
Nor on the morwe at his graue founde
Til mydday hour, that Phebus shon ful briht,
Whan Mercury gaf hym his fatal wounde,
His blasfemye for euer to confounde.
Which thyng accomplisshed, this myracle for to preue,
He and his armure wer ther ageyn at eue.
Of his blasfemye this was the sodeyn wrak
Which the tiraunt resceyuid for his mede.
The laste woord I fynde that he spak:
“Thou Gallile hast ouercome in deede!”
Took the blood[e] that he did[e] bleede,
This deuelissh man, deying in despeir,
Despiht of Iesu cast up in the heir.
Which the tiraunt resceyuid for his mede.
The laste woord I fynde that he spak:
“Thou Gallile hast ouercome in deede!”
Took the blood[e] that he did[e] bleede,
This deuelissh man, deying in despeir,
Despiht of Iesu cast up in the heir.
His bodi flay[e]n & his skyn was take,
Tawed aftir be presept and biddyng
Souple and tendre as thei coude it make,—
Sapor bad so, that was of Perse kyng,
That men myht haue therof knowlechyng
Erli on morwe & at eue late,
He did it naille upon his paleis gate.
Tawed aftir be presept and biddyng
Souple and tendre as thei coude it make,—
Sapor bad so, that was of Perse kyng,
That men myht haue therof knowlechyng
Erli on morwe & at eue late,
He did it naille upon his paleis gate.
869
And to a cite that was callid Kaire,
As cronicles make rehersaille,
This Apostata wolde ofte a-day repaire
To a woman, which hadde in hir entraille
Spiritis closid, to make his dyuynaille.
In whos wombe, bareyn & out of grace,
Of wikkid feendis was the restyng place.
As cronicles make rehersaille,
This Apostata wolde ofte a-day repaire
To a woman, which hadde in hir entraille
Spiritis closid, to make his dyuynaille.
In whos wombe, bareyn & out of grace,
Of wikkid feendis was the restyng place.
This said[e] woman was a creature,
The which afforn be cursid Iulian,
Be his lyue his purpos to recure,
In sacrifise was offrid to Sathan.
And so as he with cursidnesse began,
Swich was his eende, as all bookis tell,
Whos soule with Pluto is buried deepe in hell.
The which afforn be cursid Iulian,
Be his lyue his purpos to recure,
In sacrifise was offrid to Sathan.
And so as he with cursidnesse began,
Swich was his eende, as all bookis tell,
Whos soule with Pluto is buried deepe in hell.
With this tiraunt Bochas gan wex[e] wroth
For his most odious [hatful] fel outrage,
And to reherse in parti he was loth
The blasfemyes of his fell langage;
For nouther furye nor infernal rage
May be comparid, with poisoun fret withynne,
To the fals venym of this horrible synne.
For his most odious [hatful] fel outrage,
And to reherse in parti he was loth
The blasfemyes of his fell langage;
For nouther furye nor infernal rage
May be comparid, with poisoun fret withynne,
To the fals venym of this horrible synne.
It is contrarie to alle goode thewes,
And tofor God most abhomynable;
Hatful to alle sauff to cursid shrewes:
For of alle vices verray incomparable,
Most contagious & most detestable,
The mouth infect of suich infernal houndis
Which eueri day sle Crist with newe woundis.
And tofor God most abhomynable;
Hatful to alle sauff to cursid shrewes:
For of alle vices verray incomparable,
Most contagious & most detestable,
The mouth infect of suich infernal houndis
Which eueri day sle Crist with newe woundis.
Folk obstynat of purpos for the nonys,
Of disposicioun furious & wood,
Nat afferd to suere [by] Goddis bonys,
With horrible othes of bodi, flessh & blood,
The Lord dismembryng, most gracious, most good,
His feet, his handis, armys, face & hed,
Reende hym of newe, as thei wolde haue hym ded.
Of disposicioun furious & wood,
Nat afferd to suere [by] Goddis bonys,
With horrible othes of bodi, flessh & blood,
The Lord dismembryng, most gracious, most good,
His feet, his handis, armys, face & hed,
Reende hym of newe, as thei wolde haue hym ded.
The blissid Lord, which is inmortall,
Thouh thei be dedli, thei wolde hym sle ageyn.
Thei be erthli; he is celestiall;
In froward wise thei be ouerseyn;
Discrecioun faileth; ther resoun is in veyn:
Al suich bla[s]ffemye, for short conclusioun,
Proceedith of pride & fals ambicioun.
Thouh thei be dedli, thei wolde hym sle ageyn.
Thei be erthli; he is celestiall;
870
Discrecioun faileth; ther resoun is in veyn:
Al suich bla[s]ffemye, for short conclusioun,
Proceedith of pride & fals ambicioun.
It seemeth to me, thei haue foule failed
Of kynd[e]nesse to doon hym reuerence,
Which for ther loue upon a cros was nailed
To paie the raunsoun for mannys gret offence,
Suffred deth with humble pacience,
Fals rebukyng, spittyng in his visage,
To brynge mankynde onto his heritage.
Of kynd[e]nesse to doon hym reuerence,
Which for ther loue upon a cros was nailed
To paie the raunsoun for mannys gret offence,
Suffred deth with humble pacience,
Fals rebukyng, spittyng in his visage,
To brynge mankynde onto his heritage.
Fals surquedie that doth the hertis reise
Of suich blasfemours, as was this Iulian,
Whos gret empire myht nat countirpeise
Ageyn that Lord which is bothe God & man.
Thorigynal ground of pride was Sathan;
Prince vndir hym most infortunat
Was this Apostata, regnyng in his estat.
Of suich blasfemours, as was this Iulian,
Whos gret empire myht nat countirpeise
Ageyn that Lord which is bothe God & man.
Thorigynal ground of pride was Sathan;
Prince vndir hym most infortunat
Was this Apostata, regnyng in his estat.
What was the eende of this tiraunt horrible,
This cruel feloun, hatful to eueri wiht?
Be sodeyn myracle to al his host visible,
Ther did appeere a verray heuenli kniht,
Most fresshli armyd & angelik of siht.
With a sharp spere, sittyng on his steede,
Made the tiraunt his herte blood to bleede.
This cruel feloun, hatful to eueri wiht?
Be sodeyn myracle to al his host visible,
Ther did appeere a verray heuenli kniht,
Most fresshli armyd & angelik of siht.
With a sharp spere, sittyng on his steede,
Made the tiraunt his herte blood to bleede.
His false goddis myhte hym nat auaile,
His froward offryng doon to maumetrie,
Nor al his proude imperial apparaille,
His inuocaciouns nor hatful sorcerye:
For this Apostata, that did his feith denye,
Among his knihtis slayn be deth sodeyne;
His soule dampned with Sathan depe in peyne.
His froward offryng doon to maumetrie,
Nor al his proude imperial apparaille,
His inuocaciouns nor hatful sorcerye:
For this Apostata, that did his feith denye,
Among his knihtis slayn be deth sodeyne;
His soule dampned with Sathan depe in peyne.
[How the Emperour Valence / slouh heremytes shad cristen blood destroied chirches & after was brent.]
Bochas in hast[e] doth his stile dresse
Next to themperour þat callid was Valence,
Rehersing first the parfit hoolynesse
Of hermytis, that dide ther dilligence
To lyue in penaunce & in abstynence;
Forsook the world[e], & for Cristes sake
Into desert thei haue the weye take.
Next to themperour þat callid was Valence,
Rehersing first the parfit hoolynesse
871
To lyue in penaunce & in abstynence;
Forsook the world[e], & for Cristes sake
Into desert thei haue the weye take.
In this world heer thei list no lenger tarye,
Dyuers & double, of trust noun certeyn;
Ferr in Egipt to lyue solitarye,
Deepe in desertis, of folk nat to be seyn.
The soil was drye; of vitaille ful bareyn;
The frutles treen up sered to the roote:
For Cristes loue thei thouhte that lyff most soote.
Dyuers & double, of trust noun certeyn;
Ferr in Egipt to lyue solitarye,
Deepe in desertis, of folk nat to be seyn.
The soil was drye; of vitaille ful bareyn;
The frutles treen up sered to the roote:
For Cristes loue thei thouhte that lyff most soote.
This said Valence, of malis frowardli
To thes hermytes, that lyued in gret penaunce,
Causeles [to hem] was gret enmy,
Troubled hem & did hem gret greuaunce.
Lik a tiraunt set al on vengaunce,
Destroied cherchis with peeple that he ladde;
And wher he rood Cristen blood he shadde.
To thes hermytes, that lyued in gret penaunce,
Causeles [to hem] was gret enmy,
Troubled hem & did hem gret greuaunce.
Lik a tiraunt set al on vengaunce,
Destroied cherchis with peeple that he ladde;
And wher he rood Cristen blood he shadde.
This mene while be robbyng & rauyne
In Mauritayne, which is a gret contre,
Ther was a prince that callid was Fyryne;
And in Cesarea, a famous gret cite,
For his extorsioun & his cruelte
He took upon hym, proudli ther regnyng,
Maugre [the] Romeyns to be crownid kyng.
In Mauritayne, which is a gret contre,
Ther was a prince that callid was Fyryne;
And in Cesarea, a famous gret cite,
For his extorsioun & his cruelte
He took upon hym, proudli ther regnyng,
Maugre [the] Romeyns to be crownid kyng.
Theodose the Firste, a manli man,
Was sent out his malys to withstonde
Be the biddyng of Valentynyan,
Which that tyme thempire hadde on honde,
Bothe attonys; but ye shal vndirstonde,
Theodose was sent out to assaile
The saide Feryn, and slouh hym in bataille.
Was sent out his malys to withstonde
Be the biddyng of Valentynyan,
Which that tyme thempire hadde on honde,
Bothe attonys; but ye shal vndirstonde,
Theodose was sent out to assaile
The saide Feryn, and slouh hym in bataille.
Of which Feryn, be ful cruel hate,
In that contre presumptuousli regnyng,
Smet of his hed & set [it] on the gate
Of Cesaria; this was his eendyng,
Which be intrusioun afforn was crownid king
In Mauritayne, oppressing them be dreed,
As ye haue herd, for which he loste his hed.
In that contre presumptuousli regnyng,
Smet of his hed & set [it] on the gate
Of Cesaria; this was his eendyng,
Which be intrusioun afforn was crownid king
872
As ye haue herd, for which he loste his hed.
In this mateer Bochas doth nat soiourne
Be non attendaunce nor no long dilligence,
But of purpos doth ageyn retourne
To themperour that callid was Valence,
Which, as I tolde, dide so gret offence
To hooli cherch of froward cursidnesse,
Slouh al hermytes that bood in wildirnesse.
Be non attendaunce nor no long dilligence,
But of purpos doth ageyn retourne
To themperour that callid was Valence,
Which, as I tolde, dide so gret offence
To hooli cherch of froward cursidnesse,
Slouh al hermytes that bood in wildirnesse.
God wold nat suffre he sholde long endure,
Graunteth no tiraunt to haue heer no long lyff;
For be sum myscheef or sodeyn auenture
Thei deien be moordre, with dagger, suerd or kniff.
The Gothois whilom ageyn hym gan a stryff,—
For his outrage & gret oppressioun
Thei ageyn Romeyns fill in rebellioun.
Graunteth no tiraunt to haue heer no long lyff;
For be sum myscheef or sodeyn auenture
Thei deien be moordre, with dagger, suerd or kniff.
The Gothois whilom ageyn hym gan a stryff,—
For his outrage & gret oppressioun
Thei ageyn Romeyns fill in rebellioun.
A prince off his callid Maxymvs
Distressed hem bi so gret tiranye,
Was vpon hem so contrarious,
That thei gadred al ther cheualrie
And wex so strong vpon ther partie,
That bi ther manhod, it fill of auenture,
Thei on Valence made a disconfiture.
Distressed hem bi so gret tiranye,
Was vpon hem so contrarious,
That thei gadred al ther cheualrie
And wex so strong vpon ther partie,
That bi ther manhod, it fill of auenture,
Thei on Valence made a disconfiture.
Spared nat bi robbyng and pillage,
Slouh & brente many statli place,
Cites, touns & many smal village,
That wer famous withynne the lond of Trace.
But al this while Valence gan enchace,
And causeles, of malis voluntarie,
Pursued hermytes that lyued solitarye.
Slouh & brente many statli place,
Cites, touns & many smal village,
That wer famous withynne the lond of Trace.
But al this while Valence gan enchace,
And causeles, of malis voluntarie,
Pursued hermytes that lyued solitarye.
And of newe this Valence gan ageyn
Gret multitude of Romeyns to purchace,
And with his host[e] proudli be disdeyn
Ageyn[es] Gothes cam doun in-to Trace.
But furiousli thei mette hym in the face,
Wher lik a coward he turned his visage,
To saue his lyff lay hid in a cotage.
Gret multitude of Romeyns to purchace,
And with his host[e] proudli be disdeyn
Ageyn[es] Gothes cam doun in-to Trace.
But furiousli thei mette hym in the face,
Wher lik a coward he turned his visage,
To saue his lyff lay hid in a cotage.
873
Thus fynalli this emperour Valence,
As ye haue herd, failled of his entent.
The Gothes folwed be cruel violence,
As wilde woluys, alle of oon assent,
The hous & hym to asshis thei haue brent.
Loo, heer the fyn, ye pryncis taketh heede,
Of tirauntis that seyntes blood do sheede!
As ye haue herd, failled of his entent.
The Gothes folwed be cruel violence,
As wilde woluys, alle of oon assent,
The hous & hym to asshis thei haue brent.
Loo, heer the fyn, ye pryncis taketh heede,
Of tirauntis that seyntes blood do sheede!
[Off kyng Amarycyus / and how Gracyan and Theodosie destroied temples of fals goddis / & how gracyan was put to flight.]
Aftir Valence, to God contrarious,
In al his werkis most froward of lyuyng,
Tofor Bochas cam Amaricus,
Which of Gothes was whilom lord & kyng,
Of his gret age pitousli pleynyng,
Inflat and bolle, list make no delaies,
Slouh hymsilf to shorte his greuous daies.
In al his werkis most froward of lyuyng,
Tofor Bochas cam Amaricus,
Which of Gothes was whilom lord & kyng,
Of his gret age pitousli pleynyng,
Inflat and bolle, list make no delaies,
Slouh hymsilf to shorte his greuous daies.
Than cam to Bochas the brother of Valence,
The myhti emperour callid Gracian,
Which hadde afforn[e] had experience
First with his vncle Valentynyan
In thempire, as bookis telle can;
And aftirward Theodosie & he
Hadde gouernaunce of Roome the cite.
The myhti emperour callid Gracian,
Which hadde afforn[e] had experience
First with his vncle Valentynyan
In thempire, as bookis telle can;
And aftirward Theodosie & he
Hadde gouernaunce of Roome the cite.
Theodosie and Gracian of assent
Destroied templis as in that partie
Of false goddis; thei haue also doun rent
The grete idoles & al suich maumetrye,
And ful deuoutli gan chirchis edefye.
And in this while, as Fortune list ordeyne,
On Maxymvs was vikeer in Breteyne.
Destroied templis as in that partie
Of false goddis; thei haue also doun rent
The grete idoles & al suich maumetrye,
And ful deuoutli gan chirchis edefye.
And in this while, as Fortune list ordeyne,
On Maxymvs was vikeer in Breteyne.
An hardi kniht, al-be he did[e] varie
From his promys maad be sacrement;
In Breteyne list no lenger tarie,
But into Gaule of hert & hool entent
Geyn Gracian he sodenli is went.
And as it fill, set be ther bothe auys,
Thei hadde a bataille nat ferr out of Parys.
From his promys maad be sacrement;
In Breteyne list no lenger tarie,
874
Geyn Gracian he sodenli is went.
And as it fill, set be ther bothe auys,
Thei hadde a bataille nat ferr out of Parys.
This Gracian was ther put to fliht
Bi the prowesse of a proud capteyn
Callid Merobandus, was an hardi kniht,
Which with his poweer hath so ouerleyn,
That Gracian was constreyned in certeyn,
Whan his poweer myhte nat availe
Geyn Maxymvs, to fleen out of Itaille.
Bi the prowesse of a proud capteyn
Callid Merobandus, was an hardi kniht,
Which with his poweer hath so ouerleyn,
That Gracian was constreyned in certeyn,
Whan his poweer myhte nat availe
Geyn Maxymvs, to fleen out of Itaille.
This Maxymvs of pride gan desire
In his herte be fals ambicioun
To regne allone, & of the hool empire
In his handis to haue pocessioun.
But in what wise Fortune threw hym doun
With suich othir, that be in nou[m]bre fyue,
In this chapitle Bochas doth descryue.
In his herte be fals ambicioun
To regne allone, & of the hool empire
In his handis to haue pocessioun.
But in what wise Fortune threw hym doun
With suich othir, that be in nou[m]bre fyue,
In this chapitle Bochas doth descryue.
Ageyn this same tiraunt Maxymvs,
Whan that he hadde slay[e]n Gracian,
The noble emperour Theodosius
To venge his deth a werre in hast began,
Because also that Valentynyan
Was wrongli banshed thoruh the cruelte
Of Gracian ful ferr from his contre.
Whan that he hadde slay[e]n Gracian,
The noble emperour Theodosius
To venge his deth a werre in hast began,
Because also that Valentynyan
Was wrongli banshed thoruh the cruelte
Of Gracian ful ferr from his contre.
With Maxymvs to holde up his partie
Was Andragracian, a ful notable kniht,
Which was maad prince of his cheualrie,
That took upon hym of verray force & myht
To keepe the mounteyns, that no maner wiht
With Theodose, armyd in plate & maile,—
No man sholde ouer the Alpies of Itaile.
Was Andragracian, a ful notable kniht,
Which was maad prince of his cheualrie,
That took upon hym of verray force & myht
To keepe the mounteyns, that no maner wiht
With Theodose, armyd in plate & maile,—
No man sholde ouer the Alpies of Itaile.
Theodose maad a gret arme,
Be grace of God and marcial corage
Leide a seege to Aigle, a gret cite,
And wan the toun, maugre his visage;
Took the tiraunt, and for his gret outrage
Berafft hym first his roial garnement
And slouh hym aftir be rihtful iugement.
Be grace of God and marcial corage
Leide a seege to Aigle, a gret cite,
And wan the toun, maugre his visage;
Took the tiraunt, and for his gret outrage
875
And slouh hym aftir be rihtful iugement.
Whan Andragracian knew that Maximus,
That was his lord, was slay[e]n in swich wise,
Anon for sorwe, the stori tellith thus,
He drowned hymsilf, as Bochas doth deuise.
Thus can Fortune make folk arise
To thestat of emperours atteyne,
With vnwar strok yiue hym a fal sodeyne.
That was his lord, was slay[e]n in swich wise,
Anon for sorwe, the stori tellith thus,
He drowned hymsilf, as Bochas doth deuise.
Thus can Fortune make folk arise
To thestat of emperours atteyne,
With vnwar strok yiue hym a fal sodeyne.
This Maximvs, of whom I spak tofor,
Tofore his deth[e] made an ordynaunce,
That his sone, which callid was Victor,
Sholde aftir hym gouerne Gaule & Fraunce,
Whom Arbogastes hadde in gouernaunce—
A gret constable with Valentynyan—
Slouh this Victor to regne whan he began.
Tofore his deth[e] made an ordynaunce,
That his sone, which callid was Victor,
Sholde aftir hym gouerne Gaule & Fraunce,
Whom Arbogastes hadde in gouernaunce—
A gret constable with Valentynyan—
Slouh this Victor to regne whan he began.
[A good processe how Theodosie with praiere and smal noumbre gat the victory.]
Than Valentynyan with gret apparaile
Bi Arbogastes took pocessioun
Of Lumbardie & of al Itaile,
Brouht al that lond to subieccioun.
Than with his poweer he cam to Gaule doun,
Ther resceyuyd with gret solempnite
At Vyenne, a famous old cite.
Bi Arbogastes took pocessioun
Of Lumbardie & of al Itaile,
Brouht al that lond to subieccioun.
Than with his poweer he cam to Gaule doun,
Ther resceyuyd with gret solempnite
At Vyenne, a famous old cite.
Arbogastes, of whom I spak now late,
His cheef constable, as ye haue herd deuise,
Of his lord[e] be ful cruel hate
The deth conspired of fals couetise,
Therbi supposyng that he shold arise
Vnto thestat to be chose emperour,
Whan he wer ded[e], lik a fals tretour.
His cheef constable, as ye haue herd deuise,
Of his lord[e] be ful cruel hate
The deth conspired of fals couetise,
Therbi supposyng that he shold arise
Vnto thestat to be chose emperour,
Whan he wer ded[e], lik a fals tretour.
Vp in a tour he heeng hym traitourli,
[And] to mor sclaundre & hyndryng of his name,
Reportid outward and seide cursidli,
This Arbogaste, to hide his owne shame,—
His souereyn lord to putte in mor diffame,—
Stefli affermed, a thyng that was ful fals,
How he hymsilf[e] heng up bi the hals.
[And] to mor sclaundre & hyndryng of his name,
Reportid outward and seide cursidli,
This Arbogaste, to hide his owne shame,—
His souereyn lord to putte in mor diffame,—
876
How he hymsilf[e] heng up bi the hals.
Thus lik a moordrer and a fals tretour,
And of condicioun hatful and odious,
Laboured sore to be maad emperour,
That he allone with Eugenivs
Mihte exclude Theodosyus,
First to lette hym, he sholde on no partie
Passe thoruh Itaille nor thoruh Lumbardie.
And of condicioun hatful and odious,
Laboured sore to be maad emperour,
That he allone with Eugenivs
Mihte exclude Theodosyus,
First to lette hym, he sholde on no partie
Passe thoruh Itaille nor thoruh Lumbardie.
Sette espies to brynge hym in a treyne,
Which that tyme, as thei vndirstood,
Lik a iust prynce did his besy peyne,
As he that thouhte nothyng but on good,
In the hilles of Lumbardie abood,
Whom Arbogast, of furious corage,
Cast hym to trouble & stoppen his passage,
Which that tyme, as thei vndirstood,
Lik a iust prynce did his besy peyne,
As he that thouhte nothyng but on good,
In the hilles of Lumbardie abood,
Whom Arbogast, of furious corage,
Cast hym to trouble & stoppen his passage,
He and Eugenius beyng of assent
Theodosie mortalli tassaile.
Which whan he knew ther meenyng fraudulent,
Al-be that he had but scars vitaille,
On eueri cost besette with a bataille,
And of his knihtis forsaken in maneere,
He lefte all thyng & took hym to praiere.
Theodosie mortalli tassaile.
Which whan he knew ther meenyng fraudulent,
Al-be that he had but scars vitaille,
On eueri cost besette with a bataille,
And of his knihtis forsaken in maneere,
He lefte all thyng & took hym to praiere.
With hym was left[e] but a smal meyne,
Trewe & feithful in ther affeccioun.
And first of alle he fill doun on his kne
And to Iesus gan make his orisoun:
“O Lord,” quod he, “thyn eres enclyne doun,
And of thi merciful gracious [hih] goodnesse
Delyuere me out of my mortal distresse.
Trewe & feithful in ther affeccioun.
And first of alle he fill doun on his kne
And to Iesus gan make his orisoun:
“O Lord,” quod he, “thyn eres enclyne doun,
And of thi merciful gracious [hih] goodnesse
Delyuere me out of my mortal distresse.
Considre & see how that I am thi kniht,
Which ofte sithe thoruh my fragilite,
With flesshli lustis bleendid in my siht,
A thousand tymes haue trespasid onto the;
But, gracious Iesu, of merci & pite
To my requestis benigneli tak heed
Me to socoure in this gret[e] need.
Which ofte sithe thoruh my fragilite,
With flesshli lustis bleendid in my siht,
A thousand tymes haue trespasid onto the;
But, gracious Iesu, of merci & pite
To my requestis benigneli tak heed
Me to socoure in this gret[e] need.
877
My trust is hool, pleynli to conclude,
Thou shalt foorthre & fortune my viage,
With litil folk ageyn gret multitude
To make me haue gracious passage,
Aftir the prouerbe of newe & old langage,
How that thou maist & kanst thi poweer shewe
Geyn multitude victorie with a fewe.
Thou shalt foorthre & fortune my viage,
With litil folk ageyn gret multitude
To make me haue gracious passage,
Aftir the prouerbe of newe & old langage,
How that thou maist & kanst thi poweer shewe
Geyn multitude victorie with a fewe.
And as thou sauedest whilom Israel
Geyn Phar[a]os myhti strong puissaunce,
And fro the leouns delyueredest Danyel,
And saueddest Susanne in hir mortal greuaunce,
Saue me this day fro sorwe & myschaunce,
In this myscheef to grante me this issu,
Tescape fro daunger be grace of the, Iesu!
Geyn Phar[a]os myhti strong puissaunce,
And fro the leouns delyueredest Danyel,
And saueddest Susanne in hir mortal greuaunce,
Saue me this day fro sorwe & myschaunce,
In this myscheef to grante me this issu,
Tescape fro daunger be grace of the, Iesu!
Thi blissid name be interpretacioun
Is to seyne most myhti Saueour;
Ther is no dreed nor dubitacioun
That Iesus is in al worldli labour
To al that trust hym victorious protectour.
Now, blissid Iesu, pauys of my diffence,
Make me escape myn enmyes violence!
Is to seyne most myhti Saueour;
Ther is no dreed nor dubitacioun
That Iesus is in al worldli labour
To al that trust hym victorious protectour.
Now, blissid Iesu, pauys of my diffence,
Make me escape myn enmyes violence!
Lat myn enmyes, that so gret bost do blowe,
Thouh ther poweer be dreedful & terrible,
That thei may bexperience knowe
Ther is to the nothyng impossible,—
Thou too and thre & oon indiuysible,
Thouh I with me haue but fewe men,
Saue me, Iesu, this day fro deth; Amen.”
Thouh ther poweer be dreedful & terrible,
That thei may bexperience knowe
Ther is to the nothyng impossible,—
Thou too and thre & oon indiuysible,
Thouh I with me haue but fewe men,
Saue me, Iesu, this day fro deth; Amen.”
The day gan cleere, the sunne gan shewe briht,
Whan Theodosie deuoutli lay knelyng,
And be grace adawen gan his siht
Fro cloudi wawes of long pitous weeping,
His souereyn hope set in the heuenli kyng,
Iesus his capteyn, in whos hooli name
That day escapid fro myscheef & shame.
Whan Theodosie deuoutli lay knelyng,
And be grace adawen gan his siht
Fro cloudi wawes of long pitous weeping,
His souereyn hope set in the heuenli kyng,
Iesus his capteyn, in whos hooli name
That day escapid fro myscheef & shame.
The hooli crosse bete in his armure,
Born as cheef standard toforn in his bataile;
God made hym strong[e] in the feeld tendure,
Hardi as leoun his enmyes to assaile;
Iesus his champioun, his plate & eek his maile,—
Iesus allone, set fix in his memorie,
Be whom that day he hadde the victorie.
Born as cheef standard toforn in his bataile;
God made hym strong[e] in the feeld tendure,
878
Iesus his champioun, his plate & eek his maile,—
Iesus allone, set fix in his memorie,
Be whom that day he hadde the victorie.
Ther was a kniht, prince of the cheualrie
Of Arbogast and [of] Eugenivs,
Which gouerned al hool[i] ther partie,
Arbicio callid, manli and vertuous,
Which goodli cam to Theodosius,
Did hym reuerence, & with riht glad cheer
Saued hym that day fro myscheef & daungeer.
Of Arbogast and [of] Eugenivs,
Which gouerned al hool[i] ther partie,
Arbicio callid, manli and vertuous,
Which goodli cam to Theodosius,
Did hym reuerence, & with riht glad cheer
Saued hym that day fro myscheef & daungeer.
Whan Theodosie upon his foon gan sette,
Lik a kniht nat turnyng his visage,
And bothe batailes togidre whan thei mette,
Of Theodosie texpleite the passage
Fill a myracle to his auauntage:
Be sodeyn tempest of wyndis, hail & reyn
Troubled all tho that seeged the mounteyn.
Lik a kniht nat turnyng his visage,
And bothe batailes togidre whan thei mette,
Of Theodosie texpleite the passage
Fill a myracle to his auauntage:
Be sodeyn tempest of wyndis, hail & reyn
Troubled all tho that seeged the mounteyn.
Vlcanvs, which is cheef smyth of heuene,
Geyn Arbogastes gan hym reedi make
To beende his gunnys with thonder & with leuene,
And Eolus his wyndis gan awake
Out of the[r] kauernys, hidous, broun & blake;
Alle of assent be sturdi violence
With Theodosius stooden at diffence
Geyn Arbogastes gan hym reedi make
To beende his gunnys with thonder & with leuene,
And Eolus his wyndis gan awake
Out of the[r] kauernys, hidous, broun & blake;
Alle of assent be sturdi violence
With Theodosius stooden at diffence
Ageyn Eugenivs & Arbogast his brothir,
Ther peeple and thei departed heer & yonder
With wynd and myst, that non of hem sauh oþer,
Be vnwar vengaunce of tempest & of thundir,
Ther speres tobrak, ther sheeldes roff assonder.
Eugenivs take, aftir lost his hed,
[And] Arbogastes slouh hymsilf for dreed.
Ther peeple and thei departed heer & yonder
With wynd and myst, that non of hem sauh oþer,
Be vnwar vengaunce of tempest & of thundir,
Ther speres tobrak, ther sheeldes roff assonder.
Eugenivs take, aftir lost his hed,
[And] Arbogastes slouh hymsilf for dreed.
879
Thus can the Lord of his eternal myht
Chastise tirauntis & ther malis represse;
Saued Theodose, his owne chose kniht:
Who trustith hym of parfit stabilnesse,
Goth free fro daungeer, escapeth fro distresse.
Bookis recorde how Theodosius
Was in his tyme callid Catholicus.
Chastise tirauntis & ther malis represse;
Saued Theodose, his owne chose kniht:
Who trustith hym of parfit stabilnesse,
Goth free fro daungeer, escapeth fro distresse.
Bookis recorde how Theodosius
Was in his tyme callid Catholicus.
This myracle God list for hym werche,
Made hym victor for his gret meeknesse.
[Afforn and] afftir founde onto the cherche
As Cristis kniht; I take onto witnesse
His submyssioun & his deuout humblesse;
Of hastynesse whan he was vengable,
He to the cherch[e] yald hymsilf coupable.
Made hym victor for his gret meeknesse.
[Afforn and] afftir founde onto the cherche
As Cristis kniht; I take onto witnesse
His submyssioun & his deuout humblesse;
Of hastynesse whan he was vengable,
He to the cherch[e] yald hymsilf coupable.
The caas was this, as I reherse can:
In Thesalonica, a famous old cite,
Beyng bisshop Seynt Ambrose in Melan,
Certeyn iuges for to doon equite
And sitte in doom hauyng auctorite,
Natwithstondyng ther commyssioun
Wer slayn be comouns entryng in the toun.
In Thesalonica, a famous old cite,
Beyng bisshop Seynt Ambrose in Melan,
Certeyn iuges for to doon equite
And sitte in doom hauyng auctorite,
Natwithstondyng ther commyssioun
Wer slayn be comouns entryng in the toun.
Wherof themperour was nothyng glad nor fayn,
But comaunded of hasti wilfulnesse,
Whan he knew his iuges wer so slayn,
That his knihtis sholde hem thidir dresse,
Entre the cite be cruel sturdynesse,
With suerd & pollex & daggeres sharpe whette,
Indifferentli slen al tho þat thei mette.
But comaunded of hasti wilfulnesse,
Whan he knew his iuges wer so slayn,
That his knihtis sholde hem thidir dresse,
Entre the cite be cruel sturdynesse,
With suerd & pollex & daggeres sharpe whette,
Indifferentli slen al tho þat thei mette.
Bi whos biddyng the cite to encoumbre,
That day was slayn many an innocent:
Fyue thousand ded remembrid in that noumbre,
Moordrid in hast withoute iugement
Bi them that wern vnto the cite sent.
But whan Ambrose herde of this cruel deede,
Lik a iust prelat thus he gan proceede:
That day was slayn many an innocent:
Fyue thousand ded remembrid in that noumbre,
Moordrid in hast withoute iugement
Bi them that wern vnto the cite sent.
But whan Ambrose herde of this cruel deede,
Lik a iust prelat thus he gan proceede:
As ye haue herd[e] how this vengaunce gan,
Be Theodosie to chastise the cite,
The same emperour cam aftir to Melan,
Wolde haue entrid at a solempnite
The cathedral cherch in his most rialte;
Bisshop Ambrose at the porche hym mette,
And of purpos manli hym withsette.
Be Theodosie to chastise the cite,
The same emperour cam aftir to Melan,
880
The cathedral cherch in his most rialte;
Bisshop Ambrose at the porche hym mette,
And of purpos manli hym withsette.
Quod the bisshop, “I counseil the withdrawe,
Into this cherch thou shalt haue non entre.
Thou hast offendid God and eek his lawe.
Be nat so hardi nor bold, I charge the,
To sette thi foot nor entre in no degre;
Because thou art a cruel homycide,
Maugre thi myht thou shalt a while abide.
Into this cherch thou shalt haue non entre.
Thou hast offendid God and eek his lawe.
Be nat so hardi nor bold, I charge the,
To sette thi foot nor entre in no degre;
Because thou art a cruel homycide,
Maugre thi myht thou shalt a while abide.
Vnto thi paleis hom ageyn retourne,
This eihte monethes looke thou be nat seyn;
Passe nat thi boundis, doo meekli ther soiourne:
For, trust me weel and be riht weel certeyne,
Al suich moordrers God hath hem in disdeyne.
Blood falsli shad, haue this in remembrance,
Callith day and niht to hym to do vengaunce.
This eihte monethes looke thou be nat seyn;
Passe nat thi boundis, doo meekli ther soiourne:
For, trust me weel and be riht weel certeyne,
Al suich moordrers God hath hem in disdeyne.
Blood falsli shad, haue this in remembrance,
Callith day and niht to hym to do vengaunce.
Ageyn[e]s the, for this gret offence
Of innocent blood shad ageyn[e]s riht,
Be iust auctorite I yiue this sentence:
This eihte monethes acountid day & niht
To entre the cherch thou shalt nat come in siht,
Resoun shal holde so iustli the ballaunce
Til thou haue fulli acomplisshid thi penaunce.
Of innocent blood shad ageyn[e]s riht,
Be iust auctorite I yiue this sentence:
This eihte monethes acountid day & niht
To entre the cherch thou shalt nat come in siht,
Resoun shal holde so iustli the ballaunce
Til thou haue fulli acomplisshid thi penaunce.
What I haue seid[e] tak [t]heerof good heede,
For this tyme thou gest no mor of me.
Withdrawe thyn hand innocent blood to sheede
For any rancour or hasti cruelte.”
That to behold the gret humylite
Of themperour, considred euerideel,
It wolde haue perced an herte maad of steel.
For this tyme thou gest no mor of me.
Withdrawe thyn hand innocent blood to sheede
For any rancour or hasti cruelte.”
That to behold the gret humylite
Of themperour, considred euerideel,
It wolde haue perced an herte maad of steel.
With hed enclyned he spak no woord ageyn,
Brast on weepyng with sobbyng vnstaunchable,
His purpil weede bedewed as with reyn,
Returnyng hom with cheer most lamentable,
So contynued in his purpos stable,
With al the toknys of feithful repentaunce
In lowli wise acomplisshed his penaunce.
Brast on weepyng with sobbyng vnstaunchable,
His purpil weede bedewed as with reyn,
Returnyng hom with cheer most lamentable,
So contynued in his purpos stable,
With al the toknys of feithful repentaunce
In lowli wise acomplisshed his penaunce.
881
Gaf exaumple to princis euerichon
In caas semblable, that werke of wilfulnesse
To execucioun for to proceede anon,
Meynteene ther errour & froward cursidnesse,
Diffende ther trespas, meynteene ther woodnesse,
Ferr out of ioynt, yif it shal be declarid,
To Theodosie for to be comparid.
In caas semblable, that werke of wilfulnesse
To execucioun for to proceede anon,
Meynteene ther errour & froward cursidnesse,
Diffende ther trespas, meynteene ther woodnesse,
Ferr out of ioynt, yif it shal be declarid,
To Theodosie for to be comparid.
To the cherche he meekli did obeye,
[Lik] Goddis kniht did lowli his penaunce,
Wher ther be summe that wrongli it werreye,
Holde therageyn be froward meyntenaunce.
Touchyng this mateer set heer in remembrance,
As men disserue,—lat euery wiht tak heede—
He that seeth al quiteth hem ther meede.
[Lik] Goddis kniht did lowli his penaunce,
Wher ther be summe that wrongli it werreye,
Holde therageyn be froward meyntenaunce.
Touchyng this mateer set heer in remembrance,
As men disserue,—lat euery wiht tak heede—
He that seeth al quiteth hem ther meede.
Theodosivs list nothyng abregge
To shorte the yerde of his correccioun;
Forsook the platte, of rigour took the egge,
Meekli to suffre his castigacioun;
To bowe his chyne was no rebellioun,
Bi meek confessioun knowyng his trespace,
Be Seynt Ambrose restored ageyn to grace.
To shorte the yerde of his correccioun;
Forsook the platte, of rigour took the egge,
Meekli to suffre his castigacioun;
To bowe his chyne was no rebellioun,
Bi meek confessioun knowyng his trespace,
Be Seynt Ambrose restored ageyn to grace.
Vertuous princis may exaumple take
Of Theodose, how thei the Lord shal queeme,
He nat froward amendis for to make,
His sceptre, his suerd, his purpre, his diadeeme
Soget to Ambrose, what hym list to deeme,
Obeied al thyng; & for his gret offence
To hooli cherch to make recompence.
Of Theodose, how thei the Lord shal queeme,
He nat froward amendis for to make,
His sceptre, his suerd, his purpre, his diadeeme
Soget to Ambrose, what hym list to deeme,
Obeied al thyng; & for his gret offence
To hooli cherch to make recompence.
He knew[e] that God was his souereyn Lord,
To hooli cherch how gretli he was bounde,
Gruchched neuer in thouht, will nor woord,
Hooli on Crist his empire for to founde.
Wher vertu regneth, vertu wil ay rebounde;
And for this prince obeied tal vertu,
Hath now his guerdoun aboue with Crist Iesu.
To hooli cherch how gretli he was bounde,
Gruchched neuer in thouht, will nor woord,
Hooli on Crist his empire for to founde.
Wher vertu regneth, vertu wil ay rebounde;
And for this prince obeied tal vertu,
Hath now his guerdoun aboue with Crist Iesu.
882
[How knightys and gentylmen chese Aleryk kyng / and comouns chese Radagasus whiche ended in myschef.]
It is remembrid of antiquite,
In the Bible, aftir Noes flood,
How bi dissent[e] of his sonis thre,
Of ther lynage pleynli and ther blood
Al kynreedis dilatid been abrod;
And [in] myn auctour, as it is maad[e] mynde,
Of Iaphet cam seuene naciouns, as I fynde.
In the Bible, aftir Noes flood,
How bi dissent[e] of his sonis thre,
Of ther lynage pleynli and ther blood
Al kynreedis dilatid been abrod;
And [in] myn auctour, as it is maad[e] mynde,
Of Iaphet cam seuene naciouns, as I fynde.
The peeple first of Gaule & Galathe,
Of Magoth Gothes & folkis of Itaile,
Tire, Sithia, with many gret contre
Stondyng in Asia, as be rehersaile;
But in Europe stant Trace, it is no faile.
Gothes, Sithiens of purpos did ordeyne
Among hemsilff[e] gouernour[e]s tweyne:
Of Magoth Gothes & folkis of Itaile,
Tire, Sithia, with many gret contre
Stondyng in Asia, as be rehersaile;
But in Europe stant Trace, it is no faile.
Gothes, Sithiens of purpos did ordeyne
Among hemsilff[e] gouernour[e]s tweyne:
Knihtis, gentilmen chose Alericus
To be ther prince and haue the souereynte,
Wher the comouns chose Radagasus.
The Gothes first, for grettest surete,
With kyng Alerik been entred þe cite,
Into Roome to fynde ther socour,
That tyme Honorius beyng emperour.
To be ther prince and haue the souereynte,
Wher the comouns chose Radagasus.
The Gothes first, for grettest surete,
With kyng Alerik been entred þe cite,
Into Roome to fynde ther socour,
That tyme Honorius beyng emperour.
Be graunt of whom, al the hool contre
Youe to Alerik, of Gaule, Spaigne & France,
Ther for tabide & holde ther his see,
Gothes, Spay[g]nolffs vndir his obeissaunce,
Takyng on hym al the gouernaunce,
Til Stillicon out of the occident
To meete with them was doun fro Roome sent,
Youe to Alerik, of Gaule, Spaigne & France,
Ther for tabide & holde ther his see,
Gothes, Spay[g]nolffs vndir his obeissaunce,
Takyng on hym al the gouernaunce,
Til Stillicon out of the occident
To meete with them was doun fro Roome sent,
That tyme Honorie beyng emperour.
Stillicon gan Allerik enchace
With many a proud[e] sturdi soudeour,
For to fihte thei chose haue ther place;
But Allerik stood so in the grace
Of Fortune, that be verray myht
Stillicon he putte vnto the fliht.
Stillicon gan Allerik enchace
With many a proud[e] sturdi soudeour,
For to fihte thei chose haue ther place;
883
Of Fortune, that be verray myht
Stillicon he putte vnto the fliht.
Radagasus and Alerik of assent
Haue concludid and ful accordid be
Thoruh Itaille for to make her went
Toward Roome, and entre that cite,
Maugre Romeyns to haue the souereynte.
Tofor ther entring gan the toun manace,
The name of Rome to chaungen & difface.
Haue concludid and ful accordid be
Thoruh Itaille for to make her went
Toward Roome, and entre that cite,
Maugre Romeyns to haue the souereynte.
Tofor ther entring gan the toun manace,
The name of Rome to chaungen & difface.
For euermor the toun to doon a shame
Ther purpos was, as ye haue herd deuise;
First of alle to chaungen the touns name,
Dempt themsilff hable to that emprise.
But Fortune thouhte al othirwise,
Lik hir maneeres to do most damage,
Whan she to men sheweth fresshest hir visage.
Ther purpos was, as ye haue herd deuise;
First of alle to chaungen the touns name,
Dempt themsilff hable to that emprise.
But Fortune thouhte al othirwise,
Lik hir maneeres to do most damage,
Whan she to men sheweth fresshest hir visage.
Hir condiciouns be nat alwey oon;
Stoundemeel of custum she can varie;
For she was first froward to Stillicon,
And to Radagasus eft ageyn contrarie:
In o poynt, she list[e] neuer tarie,
To Radagasus hir fauour did faille,
Be Stillicon he venquisshid in bataille.
Stoundemeel of custum she can varie;
For she was first froward to Stillicon,
And to Radagasus eft ageyn contrarie:
In o poynt, she list[e] neuer tarie,
To Radagasus hir fauour did faille,
Be Stillicon he venquisshid in bataille.
Al his pride myht nat make hym speede;
Fortune list[e] so for hym ordeyne,
That he was fayn, at so streiht a neede,
To flee for socour to an hih mounteyne,
Of al vitaille nakid & bareyne,
Wher for hunger he felte so gret greef,
Nih al his peeple deide at myscheeff.
Fortune list[e] so for hym ordeyne,
That he was fayn, at so streiht a neede,
To flee for socour to an hih mounteyne,
Of al vitaille nakid & bareyne,
Wher for hunger he felte so gret greef,
Nih al his peeple deide at myscheeff.
Of al socour destitut and bareyn,
Sauh no remedie, took hym to þe fliht;
Be the Romeyns he was so ouerleyn,
Take at myscheef, & maugre al his myht
In cheynis bounde & dampned anon riht
For to be ded; his peeple, as it is told,
Many on slayn, summe take & summe wer sold.
Sauh no remedie, took hym to þe fliht;
Be the Romeyns he was so ouerleyn,
Take at myscheef, & maugre al his myht
In cheynis bounde & dampned anon riht
For to be ded; his peeple, as it is told,
Many on slayn, summe take & summe wer sold.
884
Ther was no[n] proudere nor mor surquedous
In thilke dayes, pleynli to descryue,
Than was this said[e] kyng Radagasus,
Which took on hym with Romeyns for to stryue.
His poweer short, was ouertourned blyue;
For Fortune of malys hadde a lust
To slen this tiraunt with hunger & with thrust.
In thilke dayes, pleynli to descryue,
Than was this said[e] kyng Radagasus,
Which took on hym with Romeyns for to stryue.
His poweer short, was ouertourned blyue;
For Fortune of malys hadde a lust
To slen this tiraunt with hunger & with thrust.
Among[es] othir proud[e] princis alle
Reioysshed hymsilf bamaner [of] veynglorie,
Because that men in contres ded hym calle
Kyng of Gothes; short is the memorie
Of hym rehersid or writyn in historie,—
To yiue exaumple, in deede men may fynde
The name of tirauntes is soone put out of mynde.
Reioysshed hymsilf bamaner [of] veynglorie,
Because that men in contres ded hym calle
Kyng of Gothes; short is the memorie
Of hym rehersid or writyn in historie,—
To yiue exaumple, in deede men may fynde
The name of tirauntes is soone put out of mynde.
[How Ruffyne chamberleyn with Theodosie vsurped to be Emperour and therfore by honoryus dampned & his heed smet of.]
Hih clymbyng vp haþ ofte an vnwar fall
And specialli whan it is sodeyne,
Fro lowh degre testat imperiall,
Whan fals ambicioun the ladder doth ordeyne,
Be vsurpacioun presumptuousli tatteyne
Aboue the skies with his hed to perse;
Fro whens he cam wer shame to reherse.
And specialli whan it is sodeyne,
Fro lowh degre testat imperiall,
Whan fals ambicioun the ladder doth ordeyne,
Be vsurpacioun presumptuousli tatteyne
Aboue the skies with his hed to perse;
Fro whens he cam wer shame to reherse.
I meene as thus; al suich hasti clymbyng
Of them that list nat hemsilf for to knowe
And haue forgete the ground of þer gynnyng,
Be froward fame with worldli wyndis blowe,
To reise ther name boue Sagittaries bowe,—
Record on Ruffyn, which proudli gan desire
Be fals intrusioun to occupie thempire.
Of them that list nat hemsilf for to knowe
And haue forgete the ground of þer gynnyng,
Be froward fame with worldli wyndis blowe,
To reise ther name boue Sagittaries bowe,—
Record on Ruffyn, which proudli gan desire
Be fals intrusioun to occupie thempire.
The which Ruffyn was whilom chaumbirleyn
With Theodosie, and holde a manli kniht;
Yit in o thyng he was foul ouerseyn,
Be couetise bleendid in his siht
To spende his labour, & hadde no ground of riht.
Be themperour Honorius he was sent
For to gouerne al the orient.
With Theodosie, and holde a manli kniht;
Yit in o thyng he was foul ouerseyn,
885
To spende his labour, & hadde no ground of riht.
Be themperour Honorius he was sent
For to gouerne al the orient.
Bi processe Ruffyn was maad vikeer,
Callid aftir vikeer Imperial,
Took upon hym hooli and enteer
Be auctorite, [as] cheef and princepal,
Hymsilf allone to gouernen al,
As most hable; thus he dede deeme,
Beforn all othir to were a diadeeme;
Callid aftir vikeer Imperial,
Took upon hym hooli and enteer
Be auctorite, [as] cheef and princepal,
Hymsilf allone to gouernen al,
As most hable; thus he dede deeme,
Beforn all othir to were a diadeeme;
Of hymsilff so moche he ded[e] make,
In port and cheere [the] most ambicious.
At Constantynople vnwarli he was take,
First bounde in cheynys and aftir seruid thus:
Be trewe iugement of Honorivs,
His hed smet of and his riht hand in deede;
This was his eende; of hym no mor I reede.
In port and cheere [the] most ambicious.
At Constantynople vnwarli he was take,
First bounde in cheynys and aftir seruid thus:
Be trewe iugement of Honorivs,
His hed smet of and his riht hand in deede;
This was his eende; of hym no mor I reede.
[How Stillicon and othir of lik condicion ended in myscheff.]
Afftir whos deth to Bochas ther cam oon,
Swich another lik of condicioun,
Afforn remembrid, callid Stellicon,
Whos sone Euterius, as maad is mencioun,
Purposed hym to haue pocessioun
Of thempire hool; pleynli thus he thouhte,
And bi what mene the weie his fadir souhte.
Swich another lik of condicioun,
Afforn remembrid, callid Stellicon,
Whos sone Euterius, as maad is mencioun,
Purposed hym to haue pocessioun
Of thempire hool; pleynli thus he thouhte,
And bi what mene the weie his fadir souhte.
Compendiousli to tellyn of thes tueyne,
Fro dyuers contres toward Septemptrioun
To gadre peeple, thei dide her besi peyne,
Of many dyuers straunge nacioun.
Ageyn Honorivs thei cam togidre doun,
[And] as thei mette, Fortune made hem faille,
Bothe attonys slay[e]n in bataille.
Fro dyuers contres toward Septemptrioun
To gadre peeple, thei dide her besi peyne,
Of many dyuers straunge nacioun.
Ageyn Honorivs thei cam togidre doun,
[And] as thei mette, Fortune made hem faille,
Bothe attonys slay[e]n in bataille.
886
Ther gynnyng cursid hadde a wengable fyn;
Aftir whos deth I reede of othir tweyne:
Of oon Constans, his fadir Constantyn,
Which Constantyn took on hym in certeyne
To regne in Gaule, and aftir that ordeyne,
In that contre to be gouernour,
Ther to contynve as lord and emperour.
Aftir whos deth I reede of othir tweyne:
Of oon Constans, his fadir Constantyn,
Which Constantyn took on hym in certeyne
To regne in Gaule, and aftir that ordeyne,
In that contre to be gouernour,
Ther to contynve as lord and emperour.
His sone Constans kaute a deuocioun
Of conscience, and forthwith anon riht
Was shaue a monk, & made his professioun.
His fadir aftir of verray force & myht
Leet take hym out, gaf hym the ordre of kniht;
Both of assent gan make hemsiluen strong
Toppresse the contre & do the peeple wrong.
Of conscience, and forthwith anon riht
Was shaue a monk, & made his professioun.
His fadir aftir of verray force & myht
Leet take hym out, gaf hym the ordre of kniht;
Both of assent gan make hemsiluen strong
Toppresse the contre & do the peeple wrong.
This said[e] Constans, as myn auctour seith,
Was confederat, of hatful cruelte,
With oon Herencivs, assuraunce maad & feith,
As brethre suorn for mor auctorite.
And for to make the noumbre up of thre,
Constantyn was sworrn with hem also
To been al oon in what thei hadde ado.
Was confederat, of hatful cruelte,
With oon Herencivs, assuraunce maad & feith,
As brethre suorn for mor auctorite.
And for to make the noumbre up of thre,
Constantyn was sworrn with hem also
To been al oon in what thei hadde ado.
Thes said[e] thre sworn and Iioyned thus,
Conquered in Spaigne many gret cite;
But in this while this seid Herencivs,
Traitour and fals, ful of duplicite,
His fellawe slouh ageyn his oth, parde.
Thus was Constans thoruh fals collusioun
Of Herencivs moordred be tresoun.
Conquered in Spaigne many gret cite;
But in this while this seid Herencivs,
Traitour and fals, ful of duplicite,
His fellawe slouh ageyn his oth, parde.
Thus was Constans thoruh fals collusioun
Of Herencivs moordred be tresoun.
Herencivs aftir lyued but a while;
Be his owne knihtis he slay[e]n was also.
Fraude for fraude; deceit is quit with gile;
It folweth euer & gladli cometh therto:
Men resceyue ther guerdouns as thei doo.
Lat men alwey haue this in remembraunce,
Moordre of custum wil eende with myschaunce.
Be his owne knihtis he slay[e]n was also.
Fraude for fraude; deceit is quit with gile;
It folweth euer & gladli cometh therto:
Men resceyue ther guerdouns as thei doo.
Lat men alwey haue this in remembraunce,
Moordre of custum wil eende with myschaunce.
Among suich othir, thus eending in myscheef,
Cam Attalus and oon Eraclyan;
For no prowesse, but to ther gret repreeff
Remembrid heer; ther stori telle can,
Ageyn Romeyns whan thei rebell[e] gan,
Be Honorivs afforn maad officeeres
And of thempire callid cheef vikeres.
Cam Attalus and oon Eraclyan;
For no prowesse, but to ther gret repreeff
887
Ageyn Romeyns whan thei rebell[e] gan,
Be Honorivs afforn maad officeeres
And of thempire callid cheef vikeres.
First Attalus for his tirannye,
Whan he in Gaule was maad [a] gouernour,
Went into Spaigne with a gret companye,
Did his peyne and fraudulent labour
Be fals sleihte to be maad emperour.
Take and bounde, exilid for falsnesse,
His hand smet of, eendid in wrechidnesse.
Whan he in Gaule was maad [a] gouernour,
Went into Spaigne with a gret companye,
Did his peyne and fraudulent labour
Be fals sleihte to be maad emperour.
Take and bounde, exilid for falsnesse,
His hand smet of, eendid in wrechidnesse.
Off Eraclyan the ende was almost lik,
Yit was he promoot to gret prosperite,
Maad gouernour & lord of [al] Affrik,
Of consuleer roos to the dignite,
Rood thoruh Libie and many gret contre,
With thre thousand shippes gan to saille
And with seuene hundrid taryue [vp] in Itaille.
Yit was he promoot to gret prosperite,
Maad gouernour & lord of [al] Affrik,
Of consuleer roos to the dignite,
Rood thoruh Libie and many gret contre,
With thre thousand shippes gan to saille
And with seuene hundrid taryue [vp] in Itaille.
Swich noumbre of shippis neuer afforn was seyn,
Lik as it is acountid be writyng;
His naue passed the naue in certeyne
Of myhti Xerses, that was of Perse kyng,
Or Alisaundre; but yit in his comyng,
Toward Itaille whan he sholde aryve,
The se and Fortune gan ageyn hym stryve.
Lik as it is acountid be writyng;
His naue passed the naue in certeyne
Of myhti Xerses, that was of Perse kyng,
Or Alisaundre; but yit in his comyng,
Toward Itaille whan he sholde aryve,
The se and Fortune gan ageyn hym stryve.
At his arryuaile he hadde a sodeyn dreed,
Cause Honorius had sent doun a capteyn,
Constancivs callid, gouernour and hed
Of al the Romeyns, to meete hym on the pleyn;
For which Eraclyan tournid is ageyn,
As I fynde, gan take his passage
Toward the cite that callid is Cartage.
Cause Honorius had sent doun a capteyn,
Constancivs callid, gouernour and hed
Of al the Romeyns, to meete hym on the pleyn;
For which Eraclyan tournid is ageyn,
As I fynde, gan take his passage
Toward the cite that callid is Cartage.
Thus Fortune list hir poweer shewe:
Or he cam fulli to that noble toun,
With sharp[e] suerdis he was al to-hewe
Among his knihtis thoruh fals occasioun
As thei fill at a discencioun.
Of intrusioun began first this quarell,
Ageyn Romeyns whan that he gan rebell.
Or he cam fulli to that noble toun,
With sharp[e] suerdis he was al to-hewe
Among his knihtis thoruh fals occasioun
As thei fill at a discencioun.
888
Ageyn Romeyns whan that he gan rebell.
Bochas rehersith here be vhom Rome cam to nouȝte.
Off many myscheuys heer afforn rehersid,
Summe drawe along & summe shortli told,
And hou Fortune hath hir wheel reuersid,
Be tragedies remembrid manyfold
Toforn be Bochas, of princis yong & old,
In the eihte book rehersid the processe,
Echon almost eendid in wrechidnesse.
Summe drawe along & summe shortli told,
And hou Fortune hath hir wheel reuersid,
Be tragedies remembrid manyfold
Toforn be Bochas, of princis yong & old,
In the eihte book rehersid the processe,
Echon almost eendid in wrechidnesse.
Namli all tho that dide most desire
Be wrong title themsilff to magnefie,
To haue lordshipe & gouerne the empire,
Thestat imperial proudli to occupie.
Which estat, pleynli to specefie,
As ferr as Pheebus doth in his speere shyne
Among al lordshipe is drawe onto ruyne.
Be wrong title themsilff to magnefie,
To haue lordshipe & gouerne the empire,
Thestat imperial proudli to occupie.
Which estat, pleynli to specefie,
As ferr as Pheebus doth in his speere shyne
Among al lordshipe is drawe onto ruyne.
Fro myn auctour me list[e] nat discorde
To telle the ground whi Roome is com to nouht;
Be an exaumple I cast me to recorde
What was cheef cause, yiff it be weel souht,
Be a stori that cam onto the thouht
Of Iohn Bochas, which, as ye shal lere,
Ful notabli is rehersed heer.
To telle the ground whi Roome is com to nouht;
Be an exaumple I cast me to recorde
What was cheef cause, yiff it be weel souht,
Be a stori that cam onto the thouht
Of Iohn Bochas, which, as ye shal lere,
Ful notabli is rehersed heer.
Which exaumple and stori rehersyng,
Ceriousli folwyng myn auctour,
Odoacer, whilom a famous kyng,—
A kyng be name & a gret gouernour,
But of his lyuyng a rauynous robbour,
Out of whos court wer merci & pite
Banshed for euere with trouthe & equite.
Ceriousli folwyng myn auctour,
Odoacer, whilom a famous kyng,—
A kyng be name & a gret gouernour,
But of his lyuyng a rauynous robbour,
Out of whos court wer merci & pite
Banshed for euere with trouthe & equite.
889
In that regioun wher merci is nat vsid,
And trouthe oppressid is with tirannye,
And rihtwisnesse be poweer is refusid,
Fals extorsioun supporteth robberie,
And sensualite can haue the maistrie
Aboff resoun, be toknes at a preeff,
Which many a lond haue brouht onto myscheeff.
And trouthe oppressid is with tirannye,
And rihtwisnesse be poweer is refusid,
Fals extorsioun supporteth robberie,
And sensualite can haue the maistrie
Aboff resoun, be toknes at a preeff,
Which many a lond haue brouht onto myscheeff.
Ther is no rewm may stond in surete,
Ferme nor stable in verray existence,
Nor contune in long prosperite,
But yif the throne of kyngli excellence
Be supportid with iustise and clemence
In hym that shal as egal iuge stonde
Tween riche & poore, with sceptre & suerd in honde.
Ferme nor stable in verray existence,
Nor contune in long prosperite,
But yif the throne of kyngli excellence
Be supportid with iustise and clemence
In hym that shal as egal iuge stonde
Tween riche & poore, with sceptre & suerd in honde.
A cleer exaumple, this mateer for to grounde,—
So as a fadir that is naturall,
Or lik a moodir which kynd[e]li is bounde
To fostre ther childre in especial,
Riht so a kyng in his estat roiall
Sholde of his offis dilligentli entende
His trewe leeges to cherisshe [hem] & diffende.
So as a fadir that is naturall,
Or lik a moodir which kynd[e]li is bounde
To fostre ther childre in especial,
Riht so a kyng in his estat roiall
Sholde of his offis dilligentli entende
His trewe leeges to cherisshe [hem] & diffende.
Be good exaumple his sogettis tenlumyne;
For temporal rewmys sholde, as in figure,
Resemble the kyngdam which [that] is dyuyne,
Be lawe of God & lawe eek of nature,
That res publica long tyme may endure,
Void of discord and fals duplicite,
As o bodi in long prosperite.
For temporal rewmys sholde, as in figure,
Resemble the kyngdam which [that] is dyuyne,
Be lawe of God & lawe eek of nature,
That res publica long tyme may endure,
Void of discord and fals duplicite,
As o bodi in long prosperite.
Nouther ther regne nor domynacioun
Haue of themsilff non other assuraunce;
Thestat of kynges gan be permyssioun
Of Goddis grace & of his purueyaunce,
Be vertuous lyff and moral gouernaunce,
Long to contune bothe in pes and werre
Lik her desertis, & punshe hem whan thei erre.
Haue of themsilff non other assuraunce;
Thestat of kynges gan be permyssioun
Of Goddis grace & of his purueyaunce,
Be vertuous lyff and moral gouernaunce,
Long to contune bothe in pes and werre
Lik her desertis, & punshe hem whan thei erre.
Thei sholde be the merour and the liht,
Transcende al othir be vertuous excellence,
As exaumplaires of equite and riht,
So be discrecioun of natural prouidence
To tempre ther rigour with merci & clemence;
What shal falle afforn[e] caste al thynges,
As apparteneth to princis & to kynges.
Transcende al othir be vertuous excellence,
As exaumplaires of equite and riht,
890
To tempre ther rigour with merci & clemence;
What shal falle afforn[e] caste al thynges,
As apparteneth to princis & to kynges.
Thynges passed to haue in remembrance,
Conserue wisli thynges in presence,
For thynges to come afforn mak ordenaunce,
Folwe the tracis of vertuous contynence,
Ageyn all vices to make resistence
Be the vertu of magnanymyte,
Which is approprid to imperial mageste,
Conserue wisli thynges in presence,
For thynges to come afforn mak ordenaunce,
Folwe the tracis of vertuous contynence,
Ageyn all vices to make resistence
Be the vertu of magnanymyte,
Which is approprid to imperial mageste,
Brothir to force, auctours seyn echon,
Which conserueth the roial dignite
In suich a mene stable as eny ston,—
Nat ouer glad for no prosperite,
Nor ouer sad for non aduersite;
For lyff nor deth his corage nat remewe
To God and man to yeld hem that is dewe.
Which conserueth the roial dignite
In suich a mene stable as eny ston,—
Nat ouer glad for no prosperite,
Nor ouer sad for non aduersite;
For lyff nor deth his corage nat remewe
To God and man to yeld hem that is dewe.
Geyn flesshli lustis arme hym in sobirnesse,
Voide al surfetis of froward glotonye,
Gredi appetites be mesure to represse,
Out of his hous auoide al ribaudie,
Rowners, flaterers and such folk as kan lie,
War in his doomys he be nat parciall,
To poore doon almesse, to vertuous liberall.
Voide al surfetis of froward glotonye,
Gredi appetites be mesure to represse,
Out of his hous auoide al ribaudie,
Rowners, flaterers and such folk as kan lie,
War in his doomys he be nat parciall,
To poore doon almesse, to vertuous liberall.
In his array shewe hym lik a kyng
From other princis bamaner difference,
So that men preise his vertuous lyuyng
Mor than his clothing, ferr from his presence;
And let hym thynken in his aduertence,
Truste theron, verraily certeyn,
As he governeth men wil reporte & seyn.
From other princis bamaner difference,
So that men preise his vertuous lyuyng
Mor than his clothing, ferr from his presence;
And let hym thynken in his aduertence,
Truste theron, verraily certeyn,
As he governeth men wil reporte & seyn.
Lat hym also for his gret avail
Haue such aboute hym to be in presence,
Notable princis to be of counsail,
Swich as toforn haue had experience
Tueen good and euel to knowe the difference.
And sixe thynges, hatful of newe & old,
To banshe hem out in hast from his houshold.
Haue such aboute hym to be in presence,
Notable princis to be of counsail,
Swich as toforn haue had experience
Tueen good and euel to knowe the difference.
891
To banshe hem out in hast from his houshold.
First them that loue to lyue in idilnesse,
As such as nouther loue God nor dreede,
Coueitous peeple that poore folk oppresse,
And them also that doon al thyng for meede,
And symulacioun, clad in a double weede,
And suich as can for ther auauntages
Out of oon hood[e] shewe too visages.
As such as nouther loue God nor dreede,
Coueitous peeple that poore folk oppresse,
And them also that doon al thyng for meede,
And symulacioun, clad in a double weede,
And suich as can for ther auauntages
Out of oon hood[e] shewe too visages.
Lat hym also uoid out at his gate
Riotous peeple that loue to wachche al niht,
And them also that vse to drynke late,
Ly longe abedde til ther dyner be diht,
And such as list nat of God to haue a siht,
And rekles folk that list nat heere masse,
Tauoide his court, & let hem lihtli passe.
Riotous peeple that loue to wachche al niht,
And them also that vse to drynke late,
Ly longe abedde til ther dyner be diht,
And such as list nat of God to haue a siht,
And rekles folk that list nat heere masse,
Tauoide his court, & let hem lihtli passe.
For suich defautis, rehersed heer toforn,
Nat onli Roome, but many gret contre
Hath be destroied & many kyndam lorn,
In olde cronicles as ye may reed & see.
Fals ambicioun, froward duplicite
Hath many a rewm & many a lond encloied,
And been in cause whi thei haue be destroied.
Nat onli Roome, but many gret contre
Hath be destroied & many kyndam lorn,
In olde cronicles as ye may reed & see.
Fals ambicioun, froward duplicite
Hath many a rewm & many a lond encloied,
And been in cause whi thei haue be destroied.
Iherusalem was whilom transmygrat,
Ther trewe prophetis for thei hadde in despiht;
And Baltazar was eek infortunat,
For he in Babiloun folwed al his deliht.
Darye in Perse had but smal respiht,
Sodenly slayn and moordred be tresoun,
The same of Alisaundre whan he drank poisoun.
Ther trewe prophetis for thei hadde in despiht;
And Baltazar was eek infortunat,
For he in Babiloun folwed al his deliht.
Darye in Perse had but smal respiht,
Sodenly slayn and moordred be tresoun,
The same of Alisaundre whan he drank poisoun.
Discord in Troye groundid on couetise,
Whan be fals tresoun sold was Palladioun;
Roome and Cartage in the same wise
Destroied wern, for short conclusioun,
Among hemsilff for ther dyuisioun.
Rekne othir rewmys that been of latter date,
As of dyuisiouns in France that fill but late.
Whan be fals tresoun sold was Palladioun;
Roome and Cartage in the same wise
Destroied wern, for short conclusioun,
Among hemsilff for ther dyuisioun.
Rekne othir rewmys that been of latter date,
As of dyuisiouns in France that fill but late.
892
Al thes defautis rehersid heer breeffli,
Outsouht the roote & weied in balaunce,
Cheeff occasioun, to telle bi and bi,
Hath been in princis that haue had gouernaunce.
And specialli to putte in remembraunce,
For an exaumple telle as kometh to mynde
Of Odoacer the stori, as I fynde.
Outsouht the roote & weied in balaunce,
Cheeff occasioun, to telle bi and bi,
Hath been in princis that haue had gouernaunce.
And specialli to putte in remembraunce,
For an exaumple telle as kometh to mynde
Of Odoacer the stori, as I fynde.
Born in Prevs and hardi of corage,
At his begynyng hymsilf to magnefie,
Thouh no mencioun be maad of [his] lynage,
Hauyng no title of blood nor auncetrie,
His conquest gan of theffte and robberye,
Gadred peeple of sondri regiouns,
Entred Itaille with many naciouns.
At his begynyng hymsilf to magnefie,
Thouh no mencioun be maad of [his] lynage,
Hauyng no title of blood nor auncetrie,
His conquest gan of theffte and robberye,
Gadred peeple of sondri regiouns,
Entred Itaille with many naciouns.
With his soudiours first he gan assaille,
With multitude entryng anon riht,
Kyndames of Hungry & contres of Itaille;
Mette in his passage with a Romeyn kniht
Callid Horestes, in steel armyd briht:
The feeld was take and put in iupartie;
Horestes fledde for socour to Pauye.
With multitude entryng anon riht,
Kyndames of Hungry & contres of Itaille;
Mette in his passage with a Romeyn kniht
Callid Horestes, in steel armyd briht:
The feeld was take and put in iupartie;
Horestes fledde for socour to Pauye.
Streihtli beseged and the toun Iwonne,
Fond for the tyme non othir cheuisaunce,
The nexte morwe at risyng of the sunne,
Bounde in cheynis tencres of his greuaunce,
Sent to a cite that callid was Plesaunce,
Ageyn[e]s whom Odoacer was so fell,
Leet hym be slayn be iugement ful cruel.
Fond for the tyme non othir cheuisaunce,
The nexte morwe at risyng of the sunne,
Bounde in cheynis tencres of his greuaunce,
Sent to a cite that callid was Plesaunce,
Ageyn[e]s whom Odoacer was so fell,
Leet hym be slayn be iugement ful cruel.
Aftir whos deth, be sodeyn violence
Odoacer is passid thoruh Itaille,
Entred Roome, fond no resistence;
For ther was non to yiue hym bataille.
Zeno themperour durste hym nat assaille,
So that be force and rauynous werkyng
Of al Itaille he was crownid kyng.
Odoacer is passid thoruh Itaille,
Entred Roome, fond no resistence;
For ther was non to yiue hym bataille.
Zeno themperour durste hym nat assaille,
So that be force and rauynous werkyng
Of al Itaille he was crownid kyng.
893
Hadde al Roome vndir subieccioun,
Fortune a while list [hym] nat [to] faille,
Zeno therof hadde indignacioun,
Gan werke ageyn hym, in hope it sholde [a]uaile.
And therupon the lordship of Itaille
He gaf of purpos, his poweer committyng,
To Theodorik, that was of Gothes kyng.
Fortune a while list [hym] nat [to] faille,
Zeno therof hadde indignacioun,
Gan werke ageyn hym, in hope it sholde [a]uaile.
And therupon the lordship of Itaille
He gaf of purpos, his poweer committyng,
To Theodorik, that was of Gothes kyng.
So that Theodorik in hope to haue victorie,
Ageyn Odoacer gan make resistence;
And his name to putte[n] in memorie,
Took vpon hym be knihtli excellence
For the Romeyns to stonde[n] in diffence.
Mette hym proudli with his cheualrie
Beside a ryueer that callid was Sowcye.
Ageyn Odoacer gan make resistence;
And his name to putte[n] in memorie,
Took vpon hym be knihtli excellence
For the Romeyns to stonde[n] in diffence.
Mette hym proudli with his cheualrie
Beside a ryueer that callid was Sowcye.
With ther batailles togidre whan thei mette,
Beside Leglere that stant in Lumbardie,
With round[e] speres & sharp swerdis whette,
Odoacer, for al his tirannye,
Was put to fliht, discounfited his partie.
And Fortune than, [which] can best chaunge & varie,
At vnset hour was to hym contrarie.
Beside Leglere that stant in Lumbardie,
With round[e] speres & sharp swerdis whette,
Odoacer, for al his tirannye,
Was put to fliht, discounfited his partie.
And Fortune than, [which] can best chaunge & varie,
At vnset hour was to hym contrarie.
Hym & his poweer the Romeyns haue defied;
He brente her vynes and tour[e]s enviroun,
Because the entre was to hym denyed,
And to Rauenne he is descendid doun.
But maugre hym he was take in that toun
Be Theodorik; lat ech tiraunt tak heed,
Odoacer comaundid to be ded.
He brente her vynes and tour[e]s enviroun,
Because the entre was to hym denyed,
And to Rauenne he is descendid doun.
But maugre hym he was take in that toun
Be Theodorik; lat ech tiraunt tak heed,
Odoacer comaundid to be ded.
Myn auctour Bochas of entencioun,
For the tyme, as kam to remembraunce,
Toward Romeyns maketh a digressioun,
To them recordyng the gret[e] variaunce,
The vnwar chaunges, the gery contenaunce
Of Fortunis fals transmutacioun,
Thes same woordis rehersyng to the toun.
For the tyme, as kam to remembraunce,
Toward Romeyns maketh a digressioun,
To them recordyng the gret[e] variaunce,
The vnwar chaunges, the gery contenaunce
Of Fortunis fals transmutacioun,
Thes same woordis rehersyng to the toun.
894
The wordes of Bochas a-geyne Rome.
Remembre o Roome & calle ageyn to mynde
The daies passid of thi felicite,
Þi marcial conquest, þi triumphes left behynde,
Thi grete victories most of auctorite,
Thi famous laudes songe in ech contre,
Which like a sonne thoruh al þe world did shyne,
Now al attonis is turnid to ruyne!
The daies passid of thi felicite,
Þi marcial conquest, þi triumphes left behynde,
Thi grete victories most of auctorite,
Thi famous laudes songe in ech contre,
Which like a sonne thoruh al þe world did shyne,
Now al attonis is turnid to ruyne!
From est to west thi lordship did atteyne,
Aboue al poweers most excellent & roiall;
But now fro Roome doun into Almayne
Thestat translatid which is imperial;
Name of thi senatours, name in especial,
The golden lettres dirkid & diffacid,
And from remembrance almost out araced.
Aboue al poweers most excellent & roiall;
But now fro Roome doun into Almayne
Thestat translatid which is imperial;
Name of thi senatours, name in especial,
The golden lettres dirkid & diffacid,
And from remembrance almost out araced.
Cite of cites, whilom most glorious,
And most fresshli flouryng in cheualrie,
To which the Alpies & mounteyns most famous
Wer lowli soget of al Lumbardie,
Til that discord, dyuisioun and envie
Among yoursilf hath clipsed the brihtnesse,
Bi a fals serpent brouht in bi doubilnesse.
And most fresshli flouryng in cheualrie,
To which the Alpies & mounteyns most famous
Wer lowli soget of al Lumbardie,
Til that discord, dyuisioun and envie
Among yoursilf hath clipsed the brihtnesse,
Bi a fals serpent brouht in bi doubilnesse.
Kynges, princis wer to the tributarye,
Of al prosperite so fulsum was the flood,
Among yoursilf til ye began to varie,
The world[e] thoruhout soget to you stood,
Til ye gan shewe too facis in o hood:
What folwed aftir, Fortune hath so prouided,
Ye cam to nouht whan ye gan be deuyded.
Of al prosperite so fulsum was the flood,
Among yoursilf til ye began to varie,
The world[e] thoruhout soget to you stood,
Til ye gan shewe too facis in o hood:
What folwed aftir, Fortune hath so prouided,
Ye cam to nouht whan ye gan be deuyded.
Vnpurueied of prudent senatours,
Thi marchaundise turnid to pouerte,
Of knihthod bareyn, nakid of soudiours,
Disconsolat stant al thi comounte,
Tour[e]s, wallis broke of thi cite,
That whilom wer a paradis of deliht,—
Now al the world hath the but in despiht.
Thi marchaundise turnid to pouerte,
Of knihthod bareyn, nakid of soudiours,
Disconsolat stant al thi comounte,
Tour[e]s, wallis broke of thi cite,
895
Now al the world hath the but in despiht.
Cause, to conclude, of al thi wrechidnesse,—
Fals ambicioun, pride and lecherie,
Dyuysioun, malicious doubilnesse,
Rancour, hatreed, couetise [&] envie,
Which set aside al good[e] policie;
In breef rehersed, for short conclusioun,
Haue be cheeff ground of thi destruccioun.
Fals ambicioun, pride and lecherie,
Dyuysioun, malicious doubilnesse,
Rancour, hatreed, couetise [&] envie,
Which set aside al good[e] policie;
In breef rehersed, for short conclusioun,
Haue be cheeff ground of thi destruccioun.
[How the kynges Trabstila and Busarus were brouht to subieccioun and made tributaryes to Theoderyk.]
Afftir thes myscheuys told of Rome toun,
Cam Trabstila kyng of Gepidois
With other tweyne, as maad is mencioun:
Busar that was kyng of Bulgarois,
With Pheletevs, regnyng in Ragois.
Alle thes thre, breeffli for to seyne,
Cam attonys to Bochas to compleyne,
Cam Trabstila kyng of Gepidois
With other tweyne, as maad is mencioun:
Busar that was kyng of Bulgarois,
With Pheletevs, regnyng in Ragois.
Alle thes thre, breeffli for to seyne,
Cam attonys to Bochas to compleyne,
Ther rewmys stondyng toward Septemtrioun.
And to remembre of the firste tweyne,
Wer brouht attonis to subieccioun
Bi Theodorik, that did his besi peyne
Them to conquere, & proudli did ordeyne
That thei wer neuer hardi to rebell
Ageyn Romeyns nor take no quarell.
And to remembre of the firste tweyne,
Wer brouht attonis to subieccioun
Bi Theodorik, that did his besi peyne
Them to conquere, & proudli did ordeyne
That thei wer neuer hardi to rebell
Ageyn Romeyns nor take no quarell.
To Theodorik thei wer maad tributarye,
Most wrechchidli bounde[n] in seruage,
Neuer so hardi aftir for to varie
In peyne of deth duryng al ther age.
Of seruitute, loo, heer the surplusage,—
Of all wrechchis most wrechchid thei be founde,
Thei that to thraldam constreyned been & bounde.
Most wrechchidli bounde[n] in seruage,
Neuer so hardi aftir for to varie
In peyne of deth duryng al ther age.
Of seruitute, loo, heer the surplusage,—
Of all wrechchis most wrechchid thei be founde,
Thei that to thraldam constreyned been & bounde.
896
Tresour of tresours, yif it be weel souht,
Is vertuous fredam with large liberte;
With worldli goodis it may nat be bouht,
With roial rubies, gold, stonis nor perre;
For it transcendith and hath the souereynte
Aboue al richessis that been in erthe founde,
A man at large freeli to stonde vnbounde.
Is vertuous fredam with large liberte;
With worldli goodis it may nat be bouht,
With roial rubies, gold, stonis nor perre;
For it transcendith and hath the souereynte
Aboue al richessis that been in erthe founde,
A man at large freeli to stonde vnbounde.
[How Philitee lost his kyngdom.]
Next thes too kynges, in ordre as ye may see,
To Iohn Bochas gan shewe his presence
The thridde kyng, callid Phelete,
Which bi Fortunys sodeyn violence
Loste his kyngdam, and be cruel sentence
Of Odoacer, the tiraunt merciles,
Loste his liff and cam no mor in pres.
To Iohn Bochas gan shewe his presence
The thridde kyng, callid Phelete,
Which bi Fortunys sodeyn violence
Loste his kyngdam, and be cruel sentence
Of Odoacer, the tiraunt merciles,
Loste his liff and cam no mor in pres.
Thes sodeyn chaunges to reede whan I gan,
Sauh so ofte the wheel turne up & doun
Of Fortune; ther cam oon Marcian,
Of whom is maad non othir mencioun,
Sauff be a sodeyn coniuraceoun
He moordred was, [he] beyng innocent,
Among his knihtis, which slouh hym of assent.
Sauh so ofte the wheel turne up & doun
Of Fortune; ther cam oon Marcian,
Of whom is maad non othir mencioun,
Sauff be a sodeyn coniuraceoun
He moordred was, [he] beyng innocent,
Among his knihtis, which slouh hym of assent.
Than tofor Bochas to shewe[n] his presence
Ther cam oon that callid was Leoun,
Which kauht a title be no violence,
But made his cleym be iust successioun
Afftir his fadir, and took pocessioun,
Which of a Leoun, myn auctour seith the same,
Beyng emperour, bar the same name.
Ther cam oon that callid was Leoun,
Which kauht a title be no violence,
But made his cleym be iust successioun
Afftir his fadir, and took pocessioun,
Which of a Leoun, myn auctour seith the same,
Beyng emperour, bar the same name.
This yonger Leoun, ageyn al trouthe & riht,
Be tirannye, as maad is mencioun,
Thoruh cruel Zeno, that was an hardi kniht,
Was put out of his pocessioun,
Constreyned to lyue in religioun;
But to what ordre that he did[e] weende,
I fynde nat; but ther he made an eende.
Be tirannye, as maad is mencioun,
Thoruh cruel Zeno, that was an hardi kniht,
Was put out of his pocessioun,
Constreyned to lyue in religioun;
But to what ordre that he did[e] weende,
I fynde nat; but ther he made an eende.
897
[How Symak and Boys his son in lawe were banysshed and aftir Iuged to die.]
Afftir thes myscheuys Symak gan hym drawe
Toward Bochas with a ful pitous face;
Bois cam with hym, that was his sone in lawe,
Which among Romeyns gretli stood in grace.
But in this mateer breefli for[th] to pace,
The said[e] Bois, only for his trouthe
Exilid was; alas, it was gret routhe!
Toward Bochas with a ful pitous face;
Bois cam with hym, that was his sone in lawe,
Which among Romeyns gretli stood in grace.
But in this mateer breefli for[th] to pace,
The said[e] Bois, only for his trouthe
Exilid was; alas, it was gret routhe!
For comoun proffit he was onto the toun
In mateeres that groundid wer on riht
Verray protectour and stedfast champioun
Ageyn too tirauntis, which of force & myht
Hadde in the poraille oppressid many a wiht
Be exacciouns and pillages gunne of newe
Vpon the comouns, ful fals & riht vntrewe.
In mateeres that groundid wer on riht
Verray protectour and stedfast champioun
Ageyn too tirauntis, which of force & myht
Hadde in the poraille oppressid many a wiht
Be exacciouns and pillages gunne of newe
Vpon the comouns, ful fals & riht vntrewe.
Whan Theodorik, of Gothes lord & kyng,
Took upon hym be fals intrusioun
To regne in Roome, the peeple oppressyng
Bi his too prouostis, as maad is mencioun,—
Did in the cite gret oppressioun,
Confederat as brothir onto brothir:
Coniugast, and Trigwill was the tothir.
Took upon hym be fals intrusioun
To regne in Roome, the peeple oppressyng
Bi his too prouostis, as maad is mencioun,—
Did in the cite gret oppressioun,
Confederat as brothir onto brothir:
Coniugast, and Trigwill was the tothir.
Compendiousli this mateer to declare,
To saue the comoun Bois stood in diffence;
For lyff nor deth he list nat for to spare
To withstonde of tirauntes the sentence.
Kyng Theodorik of cruel violence
Banshed hym bi hatful tirannye,
He and his fadir tabide in Pauye.
To saue the comoun Bois stood in diffence;
For lyff nor deth he list nat for to spare
To withstonde of tirauntes the sentence.
Kyng Theodorik of cruel violence
Banshed hym bi hatful tirannye,
He and his fadir tabide in Pauye.
Aftirward Theodorik of hatreede,
Lik a fals tiraunt, of malis & envie
Yaf iugement that bothe too wer dede.
Bot touchyng Boys, as bookis specefie,
Wrot dyuers bookis of philosophie,
Of the Trynite mateeres þat wer dyuyne,
Martird for Crist & callid Seueryne.
Lik a fals tiraunt, of malis & envie
Yaf iugement that bothe too wer dede.
Bot touchyng Boys, as bookis specefie,
Wrot dyuers bookis of philosophie,
Of the Trynite mateeres þat wer dyuyne,
Martird for Crist & callid Seueryne.
898
[Off kyng Arthure and his conquestes / of the commoditees of Englond / and he was destroied by his Cosyn Mordrede.]
Was euer prince [that] mihte hymsilf assure
Of Fortune the fauour to restreyne?—
Lik his desir hir grace to recure
Tabide stable & stonde[n] at certeyne?
Among alle rekne Arthour of Breteyne,
Which in his tyme was holde of euery wiht
The wisest prince and the beste kniht.
Of Fortune the fauour to restreyne?—
Lik his desir hir grace to recure
Tabide stable & stonde[n] at certeyne?
Among alle rekne Arthour of Breteyne,
Which in his tyme was holde of euery wiht
The wisest prince and the beste kniht.
To whom Bochas gan his stile dresse,
In this chapitle to remembre blyue
His grete conquest & his hih noblesse,
With synguler deedis that he wrouhte his lyue.
And first he gynneth breefli to descryue
The siht of Breteyne & of that contre,
Which is enclosed with a large se,
In this chapitle to remembre blyue
His grete conquest & his hih noblesse,
With synguler deedis that he wrouhte his lyue.
And first he gynneth breefli to descryue
The siht of Breteyne & of that contre,
Which is enclosed with a large se,
Set ferr westward, as ye shal vndirstond,
Hauyng Spaigne set in the opposit,
Of a smal angle callid Ing[e]lond,
Fraunce aboute hym, descryuyng thus his siht,—
With many a ryueer plesaunt of deliht,
Hote bathes [&] wellis ther be founde,
Dyuers myneres, of metallis ful habounde.
Hauyng Spaigne set in the opposit,
Of a smal angle callid Ing[e]lond,
Fraunce aboute hym, descryuyng thus his siht,—
With many a ryueer plesaunt of deliht,
Hote bathes [&] wellis ther be founde,
Dyuers myneres, of metallis ful habounde.
Aboute which renneth the occian,
Riht plenteuous of al maner vitaille,
The name of which at Brutis first began.
Londene hath shippis be the se to saille,
Bachus at Wynchestre gretli doth auaille,
Worcetre with frutis haboundeth at the fulle,
Herford with beestis, Cotiswold with wolle,
Riht plenteuous of al maner vitaille,
The name of which at Brutis first began.
Londene hath shippis be the se to saille,
Bachus at Wynchestre gretli doth auaille,
Worcetre with frutis haboundeth at the fulle,
Herford with beestis, Cotiswold with wolle,
Bathe hote bathes, holsum for medecyne,
York mihti tymber for gret auauntage,
Cornewaile myneres in to myne,
Salisburie beestis ful sauage,
Whete, melk & honi, plente for eueri age,
Kent and Cauntirburi hath gret commodite
Of sondri fishes ther taken in the se.
York mihti tymber for gret auauntage,
Cornewaile myneres in to myne,
899
Whete, melk & honi, plente for eueri age,
Kent and Cauntirburi hath gret commodite
Of sondri fishes ther taken in the se.
Bochas reherseth, ther is eek in Breteyne
Found of geet a ful precious stoon,
Blak of colour & vertuous in certeyne
For siknessis many mo than oon,
Poudir of which wil discure anon,
Yif it be dronke (thouh it be secre),
Of maydenhod the broke chastite.
Found of geet a ful precious stoon,
Blak of colour & vertuous in certeyne
For siknessis many mo than oon,
Poudir of which wil discure anon,
Yif it be dronke (thouh it be secre),
Of maydenhod the broke chastite.
Ther been eke perlis founde in muskel shelles;
And thei [be] beste that haue most whitnesse.
And, as the book of Brutus also telles,
How kyng Arthour, to speke of worthynesse,
Passed al kynges in marcial prowesse;
Touchyng his lyne & his roial kynreede,
Who that list see, in Brutus he may reede.
And thei [be] beste that haue most whitnesse.
And, as the book of Brutus also telles,
How kyng Arthour, to speke of worthynesse,
Passed al kynges in marcial prowesse;
Touchyng his lyne & his roial kynreede,
Who that list see, in Brutus he may reede.
His fadir callid Vter Pendragoun,
A manli kniht and famous of corage,
Of fals envie moordrid be poisoun;
His sone Arthour, but yong & tendre of age,
Be ful assent of al his baronage
Be successioun crownid anon riht,
Callid of Europe the moste famous kniht.
A manli kniht and famous of corage,
Of fals envie moordrid be poisoun;
His sone Arthour, but yong & tendre of age,
Be ful assent of al his baronage
Be successioun crownid anon riht,
Callid of Europe the moste famous kniht.
Curteis, large and manly of dispence,
Merour callid off liberalite,
Hardi, strong and of gret prouidence.
And of his knihtli magnanymyte
He droof Saxones out of his contre,
Conquered bi prowesse of his myhti hond
Orcadois, Denmark and Houlond,
Merour callid off liberalite,
Hardi, strong and of gret prouidence.
And of his knihtli magnanymyte
He droof Saxones out of his contre,
Conquered bi prowesse of his myhti hond
Orcadois, Denmark and Houlond,
Hirelond, Norway, Gaule, Scotlond & France.
As Martis sone to the werris meete,
Wrouht bi counsail, and bi the ordynaunce
Of prudent Merlyn, callid his prophete.
And, as I fynde, he leet make a seete,
Amon[g] his Bretouns most famous & notable,
Thoruh al the world callid the Round[e] Table.
As Martis sone to the werris meete,
Wrouht bi counsail, and bi the ordynaunce
Of prudent Merlyn, callid his prophete.
And, as I fynde, he leet make a seete,
900
Thoruh al the world callid the Round[e] Table.
Most worthi knihtis, preeued of ther hond,
Chose out be Arthour this ordre haue begunne;
Ther famous noblesse thoruh euery Cristen lond
Shon be report as doth the mydday sonne;
To Famys paleis the renoun is vp ronne,
Statutis set be vertuous ordenaunce,
Vndir proffessioun of marcial gouernaunce.
Chose out be Arthour this ordre haue begunne;
Ther famous noblesse thoruh euery Cristen lond
Shon be report as doth the mydday sonne;
To Famys paleis the renoun is vp ronne,
Statutis set be vertuous ordenaunce,
Vndir proffessioun of marcial gouernaunce.
The firste statut in the[r] registre founde,
Fro which thei sholde nat declyne of riht,
Be ful assuraunce of oth and custum bounde,
Ay to be armyd in platis forgid briht,
Except a space to reste hem on the niht,
Seeke auentures, & ther tyme spende
Rihtful quarellis to susteene & diffende.
Fro which thei sholde nat declyne of riht,
Be ful assuraunce of oth and custum bounde,
Ay to be armyd in platis forgid briht,
Except a space to reste hem on the niht,
Seeke auentures, & ther tyme spende
Rihtful quarellis to susteene & diffende.
The feebler parti, yif he hadde riht,
To ther poweer manli to supporte,
Yif that thei wern requered of any wiht
Folk disconsolat to bern vp & conforte,
At alle tymes men may of hem reporte,
No maner wise thei do no violence
And ageyn tirauntes make knihtli resistence,
To ther poweer manli to supporte,
Yif that thei wern requered of any wiht
Folk disconsolat to bern vp & conforte,
At alle tymes men may of hem reporte,
No maner wise thei do no violence
And ageyn tirauntes make knihtli resistence,
That widwes, maidnes suffre no damage
Be fals oppressioun of hatful cruelte,
Restoren childre to ther trewe heritage,
Wrongli exiled folk to ther contre,
And for hooli chirchis liberte
Reedi euere to make hemsilue strong,
Rather to deie than suffre hem [to] haue wrong.
Be fals oppressioun of hatful cruelte,
Restoren childre to ther trewe heritage,
Wrongli exiled folk to ther contre,
And for hooli chirchis liberte
Reedi euere to make hemsilue strong,
Rather to deie than suffre hem [to] haue wrong.
For comoun proffit, as chose champiouns,
Pro republica defendyng ther contre,
Shewe ay themsilff[e] hardi as leouns,
Honoure tencrece, chastise dishoneste,
Releue al them that suffre aduersite,
Religious folk, haue hem in reuerence,
Pilgrymes resceyue that faille of þer dispence.
Pro republica defendyng ther contre,
Shewe ay themsilff[e] hardi as leouns,
Honoure tencrece, chastise dishoneste,
Releue al them that suffre aduersite,
Religious folk, haue hem in reuerence,
Pilgrymes resceyue that faille of þer dispence.
Callid in armys seuene deedis of mercy,
Burie soudiours that faile sepulture,
Folk in prisoun delyuere hem graciousli,
Swich as be poore, ther raunsoun to recure.
Woundid peeple that languisshe & endure,
Which pro republica manli spent her blood,—
The statut bond to do suich folkis good.
Burie soudiours that faile sepulture,
901
Swich as be poore, ther raunsoun to recure.
Woundid peeple that languisshe & endure,
Which pro republica manli spent her blood,—
The statut bond to do suich folkis good.
To putte hemsilff neuer in auenture
But for mateeres that wer iust & trewe,
Afforn prouided that thei stood[e] sure,
The ground weel knowe, wer it of old or newe.
And aftir that the mateer whan thei knewe,
To proceede knihtli & nat feyne,
As riht requereth, ther quarelis to darreyne.
But for mateeres that wer iust & trewe,
Afforn prouided that thei stood[e] sure,
The ground weel knowe, wer it of old or newe.
And aftir that the mateer whan thei knewe,
To proceede knihtli & nat feyne,
As riht requereth, ther quarelis to darreyne.
A clerk ther was to cronicle al ther deedis,
Bi pursyuauntis maad to hym report
Of ther expleit and ther goode speedis,
Rad & songe, to folk gaff gret confort.
Thes famous knihtis makyng ther resort
At hih[e] feestis, euerich took his seete
Lik ther estat, as was to them meete.
Bi pursyuauntis maad to hym report
Of ther expleit and ther goode speedis,
Rad & songe, to folk gaff gret confort.
Thes famous knihtis makyng ther resort
At hih[e] feestis, euerich took his seete
Lik ther estat, as was to them meete.
Oon was voide callid the se pereilous,
As Sang Real doth pleynli determyne,
Noon to entre but the most vertuous,
Of God prouided to been a pure virgyne,
Born bi discent tacomplisshe & to fyne,
He allone, as cheeff and souereyne,
Al auentures of Walis & Breteyne.
As Sang Real doth pleynli determyne,
Noon to entre but the most vertuous,
Of God prouided to been a pure virgyne,
Born bi discent tacomplisshe & to fyne,
He allone, as cheeff and souereyne,
Al auentures of Walis & Breteyne.
Among al kynges renommed & famous,
As a briht sonne set amyd the sterris,
So stood Arthour notable & glorious,
Lik fresh[e] Phebus castyng his liht aferris.
In pes lik Argus; most marcial in þe werris;
As Ector hardi, lik Vlixes tretable,
Callid among Cristene, kyng most honourable.
As a briht sonne set amyd the sterris,
So stood Arthour notable & glorious,
Lik fresh[e] Phebus castyng his liht aferris.
In pes lik Argus; most marcial in þe werris;
As Ector hardi, lik Vlixes tretable,
Callid among Cristene, kyng most honourable.
His roial court he did[e] so ordeyne,
Thoruh ech contre so ferr sprad out þe liht,
Who that euer thidir cam to pleyne,
Be wrong oppressid, & requered of riht,
In his diffence he sholde fynde a kniht
To hym assigned, fynalli tatende
Be marcial doom his quarel to diffende.
Thoruh ech contre so ferr sprad out þe liht,
Who that euer thidir cam to pleyne,
902
In his diffence he sholde fynde a kniht
To hym assigned, fynalli tatende
Be marcial doom his quarel to diffende.
Yif it fill soo that any straunge kniht
Souht auentures, and thidir cam fro ferre
To doon armys, his request maad of riht,
His chalenge seyn, wer it of pes or werre,
Was accepted, to the court cam nerre,
Lik as he cam with many or allone,
Thei wer delyuered; forsake was neuer one.
Souht auentures, and thidir cam fro ferre
To doon armys, his request maad of riht,
His chalenge seyn, wer it of pes or werre,
Was accepted, to the court cam nerre,
Lik as he cam with many or allone,
Thei wer delyuered; forsake was neuer one.
Ther was the scoole of marcial doctrine
For yonge knihtes to lernen al the guise,
In tendre age to haue ful disciplyne
On hors or foote be notable excersise;
Thyng take in youthe doth help in many wise,
And Idilnesse in greene yeeris gonne
Of al vertu clipseth the sheene sonne.
For yonge knihtes to lernen al the guise,
In tendre age to haue ful disciplyne
On hors or foote be notable excersise;
Thyng take in youthe doth help in many wise,
And Idilnesse in greene yeeris gonne
Of al vertu clipseth the sheene sonne.
Widwes, maidnes, oppressid folk also,
Of extort wronges wrouht be tirannye,
In that court, what nacioun cam therto,
Resceyuid wer; ther list no man denie.
Of ther compleyntis fond reedy remedie,
Maad no delay, but foorth anon[e] riht
Them to diffende asigned was a kniht.
Of extort wronges wrouht be tirannye,
In that court, what nacioun cam therto,
Resceyuid wer; ther list no man denie.
Of ther compleyntis fond reedy remedie,
Maad no delay, but foorth anon[e] riht
Them to diffende asigned was a kniht.
Eek bi ther ordre thei bounde wer of trouthe,
Be assuraunce & be oth Isworn,
In ther emprises, and lette for no slouthe,
Pleynli to telle how thei haue hem born,
Ther auentures of thynges do beforn,
Riht as it fill, spare in no maneere
To telle ech thyng onto ther registreer.
Be assuraunce & be oth Isworn,
In ther emprises, and lette for no slouthe,
Pleynli to telle how thei haue hem born,
Ther auentures of thynges do beforn,
Riht as it fill, spare in no maneere
To telle ech thyng onto ther registreer.
Thyng openli doon or thyng that was secre,
Of auentures as betwixe tweyne,
Or any quarel take of volunte
Treuly reporte, and platli nat to feyne,
Them to be sworn, the statut did ordeyne,
No[uh]t conselid of worshep nor of shame,
To be registred reporte the silue same.
Of auentures as betwixe tweyne,
Or any quarel take of volunte
Treuly reporte, and platli nat to feyne,
Them to be sworn, the statut did ordeyne,
No[uh]t conselid of worshep nor of shame,
To be registred reporte the silue same.
903
And to conclude, the statutis han vs lered,
Eueri quarel groundid on honeste,
In that court what kniht was requerid,
In the diffence of trouthe and equite,
Falshod excludid and duplicite,
Shal ay be reedi to susteene that partie,
His lyff, his bodi to putte in iupartie.
Eueri quarel groundid on honeste,
In that court what kniht was requerid,
In the diffence of trouthe and equite,
Falshod excludid and duplicite,
Shal ay be reedi to susteene that partie,
His lyff, his bodi to putte in iupartie.
Thus in Breteyne shon the cleer[e] liht
Of cheualrye and of hih prowesse,
Which thoruh the world[e] shadde his bemys briht,
Welle of worshep, conduit of al noblesse,
Imperial court al wrongis to redresse,
Hedspryng of honour, of largesse cheef cisterne,
Merour of manhod, of noblesse the lanterne.
Of cheualrye and of hih prowesse,
Which thoruh the world[e] shadde his bemys briht,
Welle of worshep, conduit of al noblesse,
Imperial court al wrongis to redresse,
Hedspryng of honour, of largesse cheef cisterne,
Merour of manhod, of noblesse the lanterne.
Yit was ther neuer seyn so briht a sonne,
The someres day in the mydday speere
So fress[h]li shyne, but sum skies donne
Mihte percas courtyne his bemys cleere;
Oft it fallith, whan Fortune makth best cheere
And falsli smylith in hir double weede,
Folk seyn expert, than is she most to dreede.
The someres day in the mydday speere
So fress[h]li shyne, but sum skies donne
Mihte percas courtyne his bemys cleere;
Oft it fallith, whan Fortune makth best cheere
And falsli smylith in hir double weede,
Folk seyn expert, than is she most to dreede.
Thus whan the name of this worthi kyng
Was ferthest sprad be report & memorye,
In eueri rewm his noblesse most shynyng,
Al his emprises concludyng with victorie,
This double goddesse envied at his glorie
And caste menys be sum maner treyne
To clipse the liht of knihthod in Breteyne.
Was ferthest sprad be report & memorye,
In eueri rewm his noblesse most shynyng,
Al his emprises concludyng with victorie,
This double goddesse envied at his glorie
And caste menys be sum maner treyne
To clipse the liht of knihthod in Breteyne.
Thus whil Arthour stood most honourable
In his estat, flouryng in lusti age,
Among his knihtis of the round[e] table,
Hiest of princis on Fortunis stage,
The Romeyns sente to hym for truage,
Gan make a cleym froward & outraious,
Takyng ther title of Cesar Iulivs.
In his estat, flouryng in lusti age,
Among his knihtis of the round[e] table,
Hiest of princis on Fortunis stage,
The Romeyns sente to hym for truage,
Gan make a cleym froward & outraious,
Takyng ther title of Cesar Iulivs.
The same tyme, this myhti kyng Arthour
Conquered hadde Gaule & also Fraunce,
Outraied Frolle, and lik a conquerour
Brouhte Parys vndir obeissaunce,
Took hem to grace, & with his ordenaunce
Gat al Aungoie, Aungerys & Gascoyne,
Peitow, Nauerne, Berry & Burgoyne.
Conquered hadde Gaule & also Fraunce,
904
Brouhte Parys vndir obeissaunce,
Took hem to grace, & with his ordenaunce
Gat al Aungoie, Aungerys & Gascoyne,
Peitow, Nauerne, Berry & Burgoyne.
Cessed nat, but ded his besi peyne,
Most lik a kniht heeld forth his passage,
Gat al the lond of Peiteres & Towreyne,
Ther cites yolde, to hym thei did homage;
To be rebell thei fond non auauntage,
Soiourned in France, as seith the cronicleer,
Heeld pocessioun the space of nyne yeer.
Most lik a kniht heeld forth his passage,
Gat al the lond of Peiteres & Towreyne,
Ther cites yolde, to hym thei did homage;
To be rebell thei fond non auauntage,
Soiourned in France, as seith the cronicleer,
Heeld pocessioun the space of nyne yeer.
Heeld a feeste ful solempne at Parys,—
Al the contres which he gat in Fraunce,
Lik a prince ful prouident & wis,
Which hadde of fredam most roial suffisaunce,
Of al his conquest the contres in substaunce,
For his princis and barouns so prouided,
Lik ther desertis he hath hem deuided.
Al the contres which he gat in Fraunce,
Lik a prince ful prouident & wis,
Which hadde of fredam most roial suffisaunce,
Of al his conquest the contres in substaunce,
For his princis and barouns so prouided,
Lik ther desertis he hath hem deuided.
To his senescall that was callid Kay
Aungoye & Meyn he gaff al that partie;
To his botleer, was maad[e] no delay,
Callid Bedewar, he gaf Normandie;
To a baroun, nih cosyn of allie,
A manli kniht which namyd was Berell,
Gaff the duchie of Burgoyne euerydeell.
Aungoye & Meyn he gaff al that partie;
To his botleer, was maad[e] no delay,
Callid Bedewar, he gaf Normandie;
To a baroun, nih cosyn of allie,
A manli kniht which namyd was Berell,
Gaff the duchie of Burgoyne euerydeell.
Thus he departid lordships of that lond,
Wher he thouhte was most expedient;
Summe he reserued in his owne hond,
Ageyn to Breteyne retournid of entent,
Sent out writtes, heeld a gret parlement,
Afftir which he made a feeste anon
In the contre Icallid Gloumorgon,
Wher he thouhte was most expedient;
Summe he reserued in his owne hond,
Ageyn to Breteyne retournid of entent,
Sent out writtes, heeld a gret parlement,
Afftir which he made a feeste anon
In the contre Icallid Gloumorgon,
At a gret cite namyd Carlioun,
As [it] is remembrid be writyngis,
Cam many prince and many fressh baroun,
In noumbre, I fynde, that ther wer ten kynges,
Reedi tobeie Arthour in alle thynges;
Present also, as it was weel seene,
Ther wer of erlis reknid ful thretteene.
As [it] is remembrid be writyngis,
Cam many prince and many fressh baroun,
In noumbre, I fynde, that ther wer ten kynges,
Reedi tobeie Arthour in alle thynges;
905
Ther wer of erlis reknid ful thretteene.
Al the knihtes of the rounde table,
Feste of Pentecost, a feeste princepal,
Many estatis famous & honourable
Of princis, barouns born of the blood roial
Wer ther present, and in especial
Al tho that wern be oth & promys bounde
To brothirhede of the table rounde.
Feste of Pentecost, a feeste princepal,
Many estatis famous & honourable
Of princis, barouns born of the blood roial
Wer ther present, and in especial
Al tho that wern be oth & promys bounde
To brothirhede of the table rounde.
And it fill so, whil that kyng Arthour
As appartened sat in his estat,
Ther cam tuelue sent doun be gret labour
Of olde mene chose [out] of the Senat,
Sad of ther port, demvre & temporat,
Richeli clad, of look and off visage,
Greihored [echon], sempte of riht gret age.
As appartened sat in his estat,
Ther cam tuelue sent doun be gret labour
Of olde mene chose [out] of the Senat,
Sad of ther port, demvre & temporat,
Richeli clad, of look and off visage,
Greihored [echon], sempte of riht gret age.
First cunnyngli, as thei thouht it due,
Cause of ther comyng & pleynli what thei mente,—
First of assent the kyng thei gan salue,
Next aftir that thei tolde who them sente,
And ther lettres meekli thei presente,
Concludyng thus, to speke in breef langage,
How the Romeyns axe of hym truage.
Cause of ther comyng & pleynli what thei mente,—
First of assent the kyng thei gan salue,
Next aftir that thei tolde who them sente,
And ther lettres meekli thei presente,
Concludyng thus, to speke in breef langage,
How the Romeyns axe of hym truage.
Custumyd of old sith go many [a] day,
Whan that Cesar conquered first Breteyne,
The kyng requeryng to make hem no delay.
Arthour abood, list nothyng to seyne;
But al the court gan at hem disdeyne;
The proude Bretouns of cruel hasti blood
Wolde hem haue slay[e]n euene ther thei stood.
Whan that Cesar conquered first Breteyne,
The kyng requeryng to make hem no delay.
Arthour abood, list nothyng to seyne;
But al the court gan at hem disdeyne;
The proude Bretouns of cruel hasti blood
Wolde hem haue slay[e]n euene ther thei stood.
“Nay,” quod Arthour to al his officeeres,
“Withynne our court thei shal haue no damage;
Thei entred been and kome as massageris,
And men also gretli falle in age.
Let make hem cheer[e] with a glad visage.”
Took his counsail of suich as wer most wise,
With this ansuere seid in curteis wise:
“Withynne our court thei shal haue no damage;
Thei entred been and kome as massageris,
And men also gretli falle in age.
Let make hem cheer[e] with a glad visage.”
Took his counsail of suich as wer most wise,
With this ansuere seid in curteis wise:
906
“Your lettres rad and pleynli vndirstonde,
The teneur hool rehersid in this place,
Touching the charge which ye haue tak on honde,
To yiue ansuere rehersid in short space,
Be woord & writyng ye gretli me manace,
How ye purpose with many strong bataille
Passe the mounteyns me felli for tassaille.
The teneur hool rehersid in this place,
Touching the charge which ye haue tak on honde,
To yiue ansuere rehersid in short space,
Be woord & writyng ye gretli me manace,
How ye purpose with many strong bataille
Passe the mounteyns me felli for tassaille.
It nedeth nat suich conquest to a-legge
Ageyn[es] Bretouns of non old truage,
Of comyng doun your weie I shal abregge,
With Goddis grace shorte your passage.
Mak no delay, but with my barounage
Passe the se withoute long tarieng
To meete Romeyns at ther doun komyng.”
Ageyn[es] Bretouns of non old truage,
Of comyng doun your weie I shal abregge,
With Goddis grace shorte your passage.
Mak no delay, but with my barounage
Passe the se withoute long tarieng
To meete Romeyns at ther doun komyng.”
This was the ansuere youe to the massagers.
At ther departy[n]g bar with hem gret richesse,
The kyng bad so vnto his officeeres.
Ageyn to Roome in haste thei gan hem dresse,
Pleynli reportyng the bounteuous largesse
Of worthi Arthour, considred all[e] thynges,
Of Cristendom he passed all othir kynges.
At ther departy[n]g bar with hem gret richesse,
The kyng bad so vnto his officeeres.
Ageyn to Roome in haste thei gan hem dresse,
Pleynli reportyng the bounteuous largesse
Of worthi Arthour, considred all[e] thynges,
Of Cristendom he passed all othir kynges.
Arthuris court was the sours and well
Of marcial power, to Lucyvs thei tolde,
And how that he all othir did excell
In chuialrie, with whom ther wer withholde
The chose knihtis, bothe yong & olde,
In al Europe, who can considre ariht,
Of al noblesse the torchis be ther liht.
Of marcial power, to Lucyvs thei tolde,
And how that he all othir did excell
In chuialrie, with whom ther wer withholde
The chose knihtis, bothe yong & olde,
In al Europe, who can considre ariht,
Of al noblesse the torchis be ther liht.
He cast hym nat to paien no truage,
Seide of the Romeyns [how] he heeld no lond,
Which to diffende he wil make his passage,
“Of your cleymys to breke atoo the bond;”
And knihtli preeue [it] with his [owne] hond,
“Ye haue no title, ye nor your cite,
Ageyn the Bretouns, which euer haue stonde free.”
Seide of the Romeyns [how] he heeld no lond,
Which to diffende he wil make his passage,
“Of your cleymys to breke atoo the bond;”
And knihtli preeue [it] with his [owne] hond,
“Ye haue no title, ye nor your cite,
Ageyn the Bretouns, which euer haue stonde free.”
907
With al the kyngdames soget to Rome toun,
Kynges, princis aboff the hih mounteyns,
With Lucyus thei be descendid doun
To meete Bretouns upon the large pleyns.
Arthour[i]s comyng gretli he disdeyns,
Because he hadde, pleynli to descryue,
In multitude of peeple swich[e] fyue.
Kynges, princis aboff the hih mounteyns,
With Lucyus thei be descendid doun
To meete Bretouns upon the large pleyns.
Arthour[i]s comyng gretli he disdeyns,
Because he hadde, pleynli to descryue,
In multitude of peeple swich[e] fyue.
At Southhamptoun Arthour took the se
With al his knihtis of the Rounde Table,
Behynde he leffte to gouerne the contre
His cosyn Modred, vntrusti & vnstable,
And, at a preef, fals & deceyuable,
To whom Arthour of trust took al the lond,
The crowne except, which he kept in his hond.
With al his knihtis of the Rounde Table,
Behynde he leffte to gouerne the contre
His cosyn Modred, vntrusti & vnstable,
And, at a preef, fals & deceyuable,
To whom Arthour of trust took al the lond,
The crowne except, which he kept in his hond.
Fro Southhamptoun Arthour gan to saile
With al the worthi lordis of Breteyne,
At Barbeflu fond good arryuaile;
He and his princis ther passage did ordeyne
Thoruh Normandie, France & eek Burgeyne
Vp to a cite callid Augustence,
Wher he first fond of Lucyus the presence.
With al the worthi lordis of Breteyne,
At Barbeflu fond good arryuaile;
He and his princis ther passage did ordeyne
Thoruh Normandie, France & eek Burgeyne
Vp to a cite callid Augustence,
Wher he first fond of Lucyus the presence.
So large a feeld nor suich a multitude
Of men of armys assemblid on a pleyn
Vpon a day, shortli to conclude,
Togidre assemblid afforn wer neuer seyn.
Lucivs hadde on his partie certeyn
Estward the world[e] al the cheualrie
Brouht be the mounteyns doun toward Germanye.
Of men of armys assemblid on a pleyn
Vpon a day, shortli to conclude,
Togidre assemblid afforn wer neuer seyn.
Lucivs hadde on his partie certeyn
Estward the world[e] al the cheualrie
Brouht be the mounteyns doun toward Germanye.
Ther wardis sett, in ech a gret bataile,
With ther capteyns to gouerne hem & guye,
Arture with Bretouns the Romeins gan assaile,
Fond many Sarsyns vpon that partie.
The Bretoun Gaufride doth pleynli specefie,
As he of Arthure þe prowesse doth descryue,
He slouh that day of Sarsyns kynges fyue.
With ther capteyns to gouerne hem & guye,
Arture with Bretouns the Romeins gan assaile,
Fond many Sarsyns vpon that partie.
The Bretoun Gaufride doth pleynli specefie,
As he of Arthure þe prowesse doth descryue,
He slouh that day of Sarsyns kynges fyue.
908
The grete slauhtre, theffusioun of blood
That was that day vpon outher side,
Ech ageyn othir so furious was & wood,
Lik for the feeld as Fortune list prouide,
That yiff I sholde theron longe abide
To write the deth, the slauhtre & the maneere,
Touchyng the feeld wer tedious for to heere.
That was that day vpon outher side,
Ech ageyn othir so furious was & wood,
Lik for the feeld as Fortune list prouide,
That yiff I sholde theron longe abide
To write the deth, the slauhtre & the maneere,
Touchyng the feeld wer tedious for to heere.
To conclude & leue the surplusage,
In that bataile ded was many a kniht,
The consul Lucyus slay[e]n in that rage,
The proude Romeyns be force put to fliht.
Of gentilesse Arthour anon riht
Leet the bodi of Lucyus be caried
Ageyn to Roome; it was no lenger taried.
In that bataile ded was many a kniht,
The consul Lucyus slay[e]n in that rage,
The proude Romeyns be force put to fliht.
Of gentilesse Arthour anon riht
Leet the bodi of Lucyus be caried
Ageyn to Roome; it was no lenger taried.
The worthi princis and lordes that wer dede,
And manli knihtis abidyng with Arthour,
Lik a kyng solempneli took heed
That thei wer buried be dilligent labour.
And in this while, lik a fals tretour,
His cosyn Modred did his besi peyne
To take fro hym the kyngdam of Breteyne.
And manli knihtis abidyng with Arthour,
Lik a kyng solempneli took heed
That thei wer buried be dilligent labour.
And in this while, lik a fals tretour,
His cosyn Modred did his besi peyne
To take fro hym the kyngdam of Breteyne.
So as the stori pleynli maketh mynde,
Modred falsli, to his auauntage,
Entreted hem that wer lefft behynde,
Vnder colour of fraudulent langage,
Gaff hem gret fredam; & þei did hym homage,
That be his fals[e] conspiracioun
Brouht al Breteyne into rebellioun.
Modred falsli, to his auauntage,
Entreted hem that wer lefft behynde,
Vnder colour of fraudulent langage,
Gaff hem gret fredam; & þei did hym homage,
That be his fals[e] conspiracioun
Brouht al Breteyne into rebellioun.
Be faire behestis & many freendli signe
Drouh the peeple to hym in sondri wise,
Shewed hym outward goodli & benigne,
Gaf libertes & graunted gret fraunchise
To make Bretouns ther souereyn lord despise.
And purueyaunce he gan ordeyne blyue
To keepe the portes, he shold[e] nat aryue.
Drouh the peeple to hym in sondri wise,
Shewed hym outward goodli & benigne,
Gaf libertes & graunted gret fraunchise
To make Bretouns ther souereyn lord despise.
And purueyaunce he gan ordeyne blyue
To keepe the portes, he shold[e] nat aryue.
Whan kyng Arthour hadde knouleching
Of this fals tresoun and al the purueiaunce
That Modred made, he, lik a manli kyng,
Lefte Burgoyne & al the lond of France,
Cast on Modred for to do vengaunce;
Took the se, [&] with gret apparaile
Cast at Sandwich to make his arrivaile.
Of this fals tresoun and al the purueiaunce
That Modred made, he, lik a manli kyng,
909
Cast on Modred for to do vengaunce;
Took the se, [&] with gret apparaile
Cast at Sandwich to make his arrivaile.
Modred was reedi with knihtis a gret noumbre,
Made a strong feeld to meete hym on the pleyn,
In purpos fulli Arthour to encoumbre,
At which aryuaile slay[e]n was Gawayn,
Cosyn to Arthour, a noble kniht certayn;
Eek Aunguisel was slay[e]n on the stronde,
Kyng of Scottes, or he myhte londe.
Made a strong feeld to meete hym on the pleyn,
In purpos fulli Arthour to encoumbre,
At which aryuaile slay[e]n was Gawayn,
Cosyn to Arthour, a noble kniht certayn;
Eek Aunguisel was slay[e]n on the stronde,
Kyng of Scottes, or he myhte londe.
Maugre Modred Arthour did aryue,
The ground recurid lik a manli kniht
(For feer of whom, anon aftir blyue
The seid[e] Modred took hym to the fliht),
Toward Londene took his weie riht,
The gatis shet, & kept was the cite
Ageyn Modred; he myhte haue non entre.
The ground recurid lik a manli kniht
(For feer of whom, anon aftir blyue
The seid[e] Modred took hym to the fliht),
Toward Londene took his weie riht,
The gatis shet, & kept was the cite
Ageyn Modred; he myhte haue non entre.
In al haste to Cornewaile he fledde,
The suerd of Arthure he durste nat abide,
List he shold[e] leyn his lyff to wedde;
Yit for hymsilff[e] thus he gan prouide,
With multitude gadrid on his side
Put lyf and deth that day in auenture,
That day to deie or the feeld recure.
The suerd of Arthure he durste nat abide,
List he shold[e] leyn his lyff to wedde;
Yit for hymsilff[e] thus he gan prouide,
With multitude gadrid on his side
Put lyf and deth that day in auenture,
That day to deie or the feeld recure.
In Fortune ther may be no certayn,
Vpon whos wheel al brotilnesse is foundid:
Moodred that day in the feeld was slayn
And noble Arthour to the deth was woundid.
Be which the feeld of Bretouns was confoundid,
Of so gret slauhtre & goode knihtis lorn
Vpon oo day, men haue nat herde toforn.
Vpon whos wheel al brotilnesse is foundid:
Moodred that day in the feeld was slayn
And noble Arthour to the deth was woundid.
Be which the feeld of Bretouns was confoundid,
Of so gret slauhtre & goode knihtis lorn
Vpon oo day, men haue nat herde toforn.
Afftir the bataile Arthour for a while
To staunche his woundis & hurtis to recure,
Bor[n] in a liteer cam into an Ile
Callid Aualoun; and ther of auenture,
As seid Gaufrid recordeth be scripture,
How kyng Arthour, flour of cheualrie,
Rit with his knihtis & lyueth in Fairye.
To staunche his woundis & hurtis to recure,
Bor[n] in a liteer cam into an Ile
Callid Aualoun; and ther of auenture,
As seid Gaufrid recordeth be scripture,
How kyng Arthour, flour of cheualrie,
Rit with his knihtis & lyueth in Fairye.
910
Thus of Breteyne translatid was þe sunne
Vp to the riche sterri briht dongoun,—
Astronomeeres weel reherse kunne,—
Callid Arthuris constellacioun,
Wher he sit crownid in the heuenl[y] mansioun
Amyd the paleis of stonis cristallyne,
Told among Cristen first of þe worthi nyne.
Vp to the riche sterri briht dongoun,—
Astronomeeres weel reherse kunne,—
Callid Arthuris constellacioun,
Wher he sit crownid in the heuenl[y] mansioun
Amyd the paleis of stonis cristallyne,
Told among Cristen first of þe worthi nyne.
This errour yit abit among Bretouns,
Which foundid is vpon the prophecie
Of olde Merlyn, lik ther oppynyouns:
He as a kyng is crownid in Fairie,
With sceptre and suerd, & with his regalie
Shal resorte as lord and souereyne
Out of Fairye & regne in Breteyne,
Which foundid is vpon the prophecie
Of olde Merlyn, lik ther oppynyouns:
He as a kyng is crownid in Fairie,
With sceptre and suerd, & with his regalie
Shal resorte as lord and souereyne
Out of Fairye & regne in Breteyne,
And repaire ageyn the Rounde Table;
Be prophecie Merlyn set the date,
Among[es] princis kyng incomparable,
His seete ageyn to Carlioun translate.
The Parchas sustren sponne so his fate;
His epitaphie recordeth so certeyn:
Heer lith kyng Arthour, which shal regne ageyn.
Be prophecie Merlyn set the date,
Among[es] princis kyng incomparable,
His seete ageyn to Carlioun translate.
The Parchas sustren sponne so his fate;
His epitaphie recordeth so certeyn:
Heer lith kyng Arthour, which shal regne ageyn.
Vnto Bochas I wil ageyn retourne,
Afforn rehersid parcel of his prowesse,
Theron tabide me list no mor soiourne,
But to remembre the gret vnkynd[e]nesse,
The conspiracioun, þe tresoun, the falsnesse
Doon to kyng Arthour be his cosyn Modrede,
Make a Lenvoye, that al men may it reede.
Afforn rehersid parcel of his prowesse,
Theron tabide me list no mor soiourne,
But to remembre the gret vnkynd[e]nesse,
The conspiracioun, þe tresoun, the falsnesse
Doon to kyng Arthour be his cosyn Modrede,
Make a Lenvoye, that al men may it reede.
[Lenvoy.]
This tragedie of Arthour heer folwyng
Bit princis all bewar of fals tresoun;
For in al erthe is non mor pereilous thing
Than trust of feith, wher is decepcioun
Hid vndir courtyn of fals collusioun.
For which men sholde—I holde þe counsail good—
Bewar afforn euere of vnkynde blood.
Bit princis all bewar of fals tresoun;
For in al erthe is non mor pereilous thing
Than trust of feith, wher is decepcioun
Hid vndir courtyn of fals collusioun.
For which men sholde—I holde þe counsail good—
Bewar afforn euere of vnkynde blood.
911
The world [is] dyuers, Fortune ay chaungyng,
In euery contre & eueri regioun;
At a streiht neede fewe freendis abidyng;
Long abscence causeth deuisioun:
And yif princis be fals ambicioun,
Nih of allie, shewe too facis in oon hood,
Lat men bewar euere of vnkynde blood.
In euery contre & eueri regioun;
At a streiht neede fewe freendis abidyng;
Long abscence causeth deuisioun:
And yif princis be fals ambicioun,
Nih of allie, shewe too facis in oon hood,
Lat men bewar euere of vnkynde blood.
Who was mor hardi of princis heer regnyng
Or mor famous of marcial renoun
Than whilom was, him enmyes outraieng,
Arthur, cheef sonne of Brutis Albioun?
But, for al that, the disposicioun
Of Fate and Fortune, most furious & wood,
Caused his destruccioun be vnkynde blood.
Or mor famous of marcial renoun
Than whilom was, him enmyes outraieng,
Arthur, cheef sonne of Brutis Albioun?
But, for al that, the disposicioun
Of Fate and Fortune, most furious & wood,
Caused his destruccioun be vnkynde blood.
What mor contrarious to nature in shewing
Than fair pretence, double of entencioun,
Gret alliaunces frowardli werkyng?
Hid vndir flours, a serpent cast poisoun,
Briht siluir scaled, damageth the dragoun;
Ech werm sum parti tarageth of his brood.
And what mor pereilous than vnkynde blood?
Than fair pretence, double of entencioun,
Gret alliaunces frowardli werkyng?
Hid vndir flours, a serpent cast poisoun,
Briht siluir scaled, damageth the dragoun;
Ech werm sum parti tarageth of his brood.
And what mor pereilous than vnkynde blood?
Noble Princis, on Arthour remembryng,
Deemeth the day of Phebus goyng doun:
Al is nat gold that is cleer shynyng,
Afforn prouided in your inward resoun,
Fals vndirmynyng & supplantacioun,
Remembryng ay with Arthour how it stood,
Be conspiracioun of vnkynde blood.
Deemeth the day of Phebus goyng doun:
Al is nat gold that is cleer shynyng,
Afforn prouided in your inward resoun,
Fals vndirmynyng & supplantacioun,
Remembryng ay with Arthour how it stood,
Be conspiracioun of vnkynde blood.
An exclamacion a-geyn men þat been vnkynde to þeir kynrede.
Ageyn kynreedis & vnkynde alliaunces,
Bochas makth heer an exclamacioun
Vpon Modred, which with his ordenaunces
Caused of Arthour fynal destruccioun,
The sunne eclipsyng of Brutis Albioun,
Natwithstondyng, pleynli to descryue,
He trusted hym abof al men on lyue.
Bochas makth heer an exclamacioun
Vpon Modred, which with his ordenaunces
Caused of Arthour fynal destruccioun,
The sunne eclipsyng of Brutis Albioun,
912
He trusted hym abof al men on lyue.
It is a merueile & vnkouth to deuise,
Be what occasioun or be what corage,
That a man sholde in any maner wise
Be founde vnkynde vnto his lynage.
Hatful to God, that in any age
Blood ageyn blood born of o kynreede
Conspire sholde of malis or hatreede.
Be what occasioun or be what corage,
That a man sholde in any maner wise
Be founde vnkynde vnto his lynage.
Hatful to God, that in any age
Blood ageyn blood born of o kynreede
Conspire sholde of malis or hatreede.
In this mateer it wer but veyn to tarie,
The stori knowe of Arthour & Modrede,
Be blood allied, in werkyng most contrarie,
Which made many Bretoun kniht to bleede;
For be vsurping, conspiryng and falsheede
Of seide Modred, most infortunat,
Caused al Breteyne to stond[e] desolat.
The stori knowe of Arthour & Modrede,
Be blood allied, in werkyng most contrarie,
Which made many Bretoun kniht to bleede;
For be vsurping, conspiryng and falsheede
Of seide Modred, most infortunat,
Caused al Breteyne to stond[e] desolat.
First desolat be absence of ther kyng,
Callid in his tyme of kynges most notable,
The desolacioun of knihtis abidyng,
Whilom in Breteyne famous & honourable,
Brethre echon of the Rounde Table,
The which be Moodred, the false forswor kniht,
Stod longe eclipsed & dirked of his lyht.
Callid in his tyme of kynges most notable,
The desolacioun of knihtis abidyng,
Whilom in Breteyne famous & honourable,
Brethre echon of the Rounde Table,
The which be Moodred, the false forswor kniht,
Stod longe eclipsed & dirked of his lyht.
The liht of noblesse þat shon thoruh al Breteyne
Be fals Modred was dirkid off his bemys;
The monarchie departid was on tweyne,
That stood first oon with his marcial stremys.
But aftirward the brihtnesse of his lemys
Drouh to declyn be fals deuisioun,
Which hath destroied ful many a regioun.
Be fals Modred was dirkid off his bemys;
The monarchie departid was on tweyne,
That stood first oon with his marcial stremys.
But aftirward the brihtnesse of his lemys
Drouh to declyn be fals deuisioun,
Which hath destroied ful many a regioun.
Al this processe vpon duplicite
Pleynli concludeth, & blood that is vnkynde.
A-dieu weelfare and al prosperite,
Wher pes & concord been Ilefft behynde:
Trees may nat thryue departid fro þe rynde,—
A pleyn exaumple in Arthure & Modrede,
Who can conceyue, & list ther stori reede.
Pleynli concludeth, & blood that is vnkynde.
A-dieu weelfare and al prosperite,
Wher pes & concord been Ilefft behynde:
Trees may nat thryue departid fro þe rynde,—
913
Who can conceyue, & list ther stori reede.
[Off Gesevye kyng of venandre and of iij. othre kynges / and how they were destroyed.]
Afftir al these vnkouth straunge thingis,
Tofor Iohn Bochas, as made is mencioun,
Ther cam toforn hym fyue myhti kinges
For to compleyne ther desolacioun.
First Giseli[n]e, kyng off the regioun
Callid Venandre, in werris ful contraire
Vnto a prince callid Balisaire.
Tofor Iohn Bochas, as made is mencioun,
Ther cam toforn hym fyue myhti kinges
For to compleyne ther desolacioun.
First Giseli[n]e, kyng off the regioun
Callid Venandre, in werris ful contraire
Vnto a prince callid Balisaire.
And to this saide noble Balisaire,
Ful rennomed that tyme in cheualrie,
The kyng of Gothes was also aduersaire;
And bothe attonis of hatrede & envie
Assentid fulli to hoolde chaumpartie
Geyn Balisair, which thoruh his hih renoun
Took hem bothe and cast hem in prisoun.
Ful rennomed that tyme in cheualrie,
The kyng of Gothes was also aduersaire;
And bothe attonis of hatrede & envie
Assentid fulli to hoolde chaumpartie
Geyn Balisair, which thoruh his hih renoun
Took hem bothe and cast hem in prisoun.
Ther is no mor of them in Bochas founde.
But aftir them, in ordre be writyng,
Cam Amarales, with many bloodi wounde,
Which in his tyme was of Maures kyng.
Withoute cause or title of any thyng
Vpon Ian Sangwyn gan werreye ageyn riht,
Which thoruh al Affrik was oon the best[e] kniht.
But aftir them, in ordre be writyng,
Cam Amarales, with many bloodi wounde,
Which in his tyme was of Maures kyng.
Withoute cause or title of any thyng
Vpon Ian Sangwyn gan werreye ageyn riht,
Which thoruh al Affrik was oon the best[e] kniht.
The saide Ian, armyd in plate and maile,
Mette Amarales in Affrik on a sond,
And heeld with hym a myhti strong bataile,
And lik a kniht slouh hym with his hond,
Droof al his peeple proudli fro þat lond.
And in my book ther is non othir mynde
To be remembrid of hym that I can fynde.
Mette Amarales in Affrik on a sond,
And heeld with hym a myhti strong bataile,
And lik a kniht slouh hym with his hond,
Droof al his peeple proudli fro þat lond.
And in my book ther is non othir mynde
To be remembrid of hym that I can fynde.
Than Syndual, of Brentois lord & kyng,
Tofor Bochas put hymsilf in pres,
Gan shewe his myscheef, pitousli pleynyng,
Whan he heeld werre, wilful & rek[e]les,
Ageyn a prince callid Narsates,
A Romeyn kniht, fers, hardi & riht strong
In his diffence whan men wold doon hym wrong.
Tofor Bochas put hymsilf in pres,
Gan shewe his myscheef, pitousli pleynyng,
914
Ageyn a prince callid Narsates,
A Romeyn kniht, fers, hardi & riht strong
In his diffence whan men wold doon hym wrong.
This Narsates, of cas or auenture,
Thouh he in deede was a manli kniht,
He failled membres in soth of engendrure.
His aduersaires he put echon to fliht,
Took ther kyng, & foortwith anon riht,
As the cronicle pleynli doth recorde,
On hih[e] galwes he heng hym with a corde.
Thouh he in deede was a manli kniht,
He failled membres in soth of engendrure.
His aduersaires he put echon to fliht,
Took ther kyng, & foortwith anon riht,
As the cronicle pleynli doth recorde,
On hih[e] galwes he heng hym with a corde.
Of Narsetis aftir this victorie,
Kyng Totila hadde ful gret disdeyn;
With a gret host, most pompous in his glorie,
Kam upon hym & mette hym on a pleyn.
With multitude thow he wer ouerleyn,
Kyng Totila, which many man beheeld,
Of Narsates was slay[e]n in the feeld.
Kyng Totila hadde ful gret disdeyn;
With a gret host, most pompous in his glorie,
Kam upon hym & mette hym on a pleyn.
With multitude thow he wer ouerleyn,
Kyng Totila, which many man beheeld,
Of Narsates was slay[e]n in the feeld.
[Trusimond kyng of Gepedois.]
In ordre nexte Bochas doth [so] write,
Of Gepidois how king Trusimounde
Requered hym that he wolde endite
The grete aduersites in which he did habounde,
And of his douhtir callid Rosymounde
The vnhappi chaunce to marken & descryue,
To whom Fortune was contrarye al hir lyue.
Of Gepidois how king Trusimounde
Requered hym that he wolde endite
The grete aduersites in which he did habounde,
And of his douhtir callid Rosymounde
The vnhappi chaunce to marken & descryue,
To whom Fortune was contrarye al hir lyue.
Alboinvs kyng of Lumbardie,
Which many lond heeld in subieccioun,
Conquered Beeme, Pragve & Hungrie,
The lond of Gepidois, with many regioun,
Fauht with ther kyng, as maad is mencioun,
Slouh in bataille the said[e] Trusimounde,
Weddid aftir his douhtir Rosamounde.
Which many lond heeld in subieccioun,
Conquered Beeme, Pragve & Hungrie,
The lond of Gepidois, with many regioun,
Fauht with ther kyng, as maad is mencioun,
Slouh in bataille the said[e] Trusimounde,
Weddid aftir his douhtir Rosamounde.
915
Myn auctour gretli comendeth hir beute
And writ also she was but yong of age,
Whos stori first, whan I dide see
How vngracious was also hir mariage,
I gan wexe pale in my visage,
Gretli astoned, confus of verray shame
To write this stori in hyndryng of hir name.
And writ also she was but yong of age,
Whos stori first, whan I dide see
How vngracious was also hir mariage,
I gan wexe pale in my visage,
Gretli astoned, confus of verray shame
To write this stori in hyndryng of hir name.
I wil forbern and breefli passen heere,
The surplusage lihtli ouerpasse;
For bi and bi to telle al the maneere
Of fellonies that did hir herte enbrace,
It sholde blotte this book & eek difface.
For which I caste treuli & nat faille
Touching hir stori to make rehersaille.
The surplusage lihtli ouerpasse;
For bi and bi to telle al the maneere
Of fellonies that did hir herte enbrace,
It sholde blotte this book & eek difface.
For which I caste treuli & nat faille
Touching hir stori to make rehersaille.
[How Albonyus was moordred by his wif / and how she aftir most vicious was moordred also.]
Kyng Alboinus, as ye shal vndirstonde,
Afftir many conquest & victorie,
Which he hadde [had] both on se & londe,
To putte his name & triumphes in memorie,
Leet crie a feeste to his encres of glorie;
At which[e] feeste, solempne & princepall,
So as he sat in his estat roiall,
Afftir many conquest & victorie,
Which he hadde [had] both on se & londe,
To putte his name & triumphes in memorie,
Leet crie a feeste to his encres of glorie;
At which[e] feeste, solempne & princepall,
So as he sat in his estat roiall,
Parcel for pride, parcel for gladnesse,
The queen present, the said[e] Rosamounde,
Take and supprised he was with dronk[e]nesse,
Of myhti wynes which þat day did habounde,
Sent a goblet of gold, as it is founde,
Vnto the queen, with licour ful plesaunt,
Bad to hir fadir [she] sholde drynke a taunt.
The queen present, the said[e] Rosamounde,
Take and supprised he was with dronk[e]nesse,
Of myhti wynes which þat day did habounde,
Sent a goblet of gold, as it is founde,
Vnto the queen, with licour ful plesaunt,
Bad to hir fadir [she] sholde drynke a taunt.
She dempte it was a maner moquerie,
First hir name and worshep to confounde,
To bidde hir drynke a taunt for hir partie
To hir fadir, the said[e] Trusymounde,
Slay[e]n afforn with many bloodi wounde
Be Albonius, thoruh his vnhappi chaunce,—
Of which rebuk she cast to do vengaunce.
First hir name and worshep to confounde,
To bidde hir drynke a taunt for hir partie
To hir fadir, the said[e] Trusymounde,
Slay[e]n afforn with many bloodi wounde
916
Of which rebuk she cast to do vengaunce.
She bar the rancour ful long in hir entent,
Which day be day gan renewe & encrece.
A certeyn squieer she made of hir assent,
Which tacomplisshe she wolde neuer cese.
And on another squieer she gan prese,
Callid Peredeus, accorded al in oon,
This false moordre texecute anon.
Which day be day gan renewe & encrece.
A certeyn squieer she made of hir assent,
Which tacomplisshe she wolde neuer cese.
And on another squieer she gan prese,
Callid Peredeus, accorded al in oon,
This false moordre texecute anon.
The day was set; whil he lay & sleepe
Fill upon hym with sharp suerdis grounde:
Hir lord was slayn, alas, he took no keepe!
Or he deide of Fortune he hath founde
A speris hed[e] to a tronchoun bounde,
Hymsilf defendyng in that mortal striff;
But slayn he was be tresoun of his wiff.
Fill upon hym with sharp suerdis grounde:
Hir lord was slayn, alas, he took no keepe!
Or he deide of Fortune he hath founde
A speris hed[e] to a tronchoun bounde,
Hymsilf defendyng in that mortal striff;
But slayn he was be tresoun of his wiff.
Aftir this moordre tescape fro daungeer,
This Rosamounde fledde awei be niht.
With hir went[e] Melchis hir squieer;
Took a ship, sailed be sterre-liht,
To Rauenne thei took the weie riht,
Lad with hem for refut & socour
Of kyng Alboyne al the hool tresour.
This Rosamounde fledde awei be niht.
With hir went[e] Melchis hir squieer;
Took a ship, sailed be sterre-liht,
To Rauenne thei took the weie riht,
Lad with hem for refut & socour
Of kyng Alboyne al the hool tresour.
Aftir she was [I]weddid to Melchis,
Man of this world[e] stood most in hir grace.
Hir loue appallid, set of him no pris;
For she nat koude be content in o place.
Hir ioie was euere newe thing to purchace,
Tassaie manye, plesid neuer with oon,
Til bexperience she preuid hadde echon.
Man of this world[e] stood most in hir grace.
Hir loue appallid, set of him no pris;
For she nat koude be content in o place.
Hir ioie was euere newe thing to purchace,
Tassaie manye, plesid neuer with oon,
Til bexperience she preuid hadde echon.
Prouost of Rauenne & cheef gouernour,
For thexcellence of hir gret beute
Aboue al women loued hir paramour,
Whan she entred first in that cite.
And thoruh hir fraude and duplicite
She caste moordre in hir froward auys
Hir newe husbonde that callid was Melchis.
For thexcellence of hir gret beute
Aboue al women loued hir paramour,
Whan she entred first in that cite.
And thoruh hir fraude and duplicite
917
Hir newe husbonde that callid was Melchis.
The hote somer in lusti fressh[e] May,
The same Melchis for heete & weerynesse
Hymsilff to bathe wente a certeyn day,
Kauht a gret thrust of feyntise in sothnesse.
And Rosamounde, of infernal falsnesse,
Took a goblet, with licour gret foisoun,
Gaf hym drynke wyn medlid with poisoun.
The same Melchis for heete & weerynesse
Hymsilff to bathe wente a certeyn day,
Kauht a gret thrust of feyntise in sothnesse.
And Rosamounde, of infernal falsnesse,
Took a goblet, with licour gret foisoun,
Gaf hym drynke wyn medlid with poisoun.
He drank up half, & therwithal he gan
Brest and beli to suelle & arise,
Intoxicat, wex dedli pale & wan;
And whan he dide hir tresoun aduertise,
He made hir drynke in the same wise,
Maugre hir wil, she myht it nat restreyne,—
Guerdoun for moordre,—thei deide bothe tweyne.
Brest and beli to suelle & arise,
Intoxicat, wex dedli pale & wan;
And whan he dide hir tresoun aduertise,
He made hir drynke in the same wise,
Maugre hir wil, she myht it nat restreyne,—
Guerdoun for moordre,—thei deide bothe tweyne.
In this chapitle but litil frut I fynde,
Sauf onli this, to putte in remembraunce,
That men sholde calle ageyn to mynde,
Moordre affor God requereth ay vengaunce.
This funeral stori weied in ballaunce,
Wrouht be Melchis, compassid first & founde
Be fals tresoun of cursid Rosamounde.
Sauf onli this, to putte in remembraunce,
That men sholde calle ageyn to mynde,
Moordre affor God requereth ay vengaunce.
This funeral stori weied in ballaunce,
Wrouht be Melchis, compassid first & founde
Be fals tresoun of cursid Rosamounde.
Slouh first hir lord Albonivs, as I seide,
Tueyne of hir squieres did execusioun,
Out of his slepe whan he did abraide.
Lat countirpeise what was ther guerdoun:
Ech moordrid othir be drynkyng of poisoun;
Melchis drank first, & next drank Rosamounde;
At them it gan; to them it did rebounde.
Tueyne of hir squieres did execusioun,
Out of his slepe whan he did abraide.
Lat countirpeise what was ther guerdoun:
Ech moordrid othir be drynkyng of poisoun;
Melchis drank first, & next drank Rosamounde;
At them it gan; to them it did rebounde.
Countirpeised o moordre for another:
Albonivs slayn be Rosamounde his wiff
Bassent of Melchis, & aftir ech to other
The poisoun partid; ther gan a fatal striff.
Moordre quit for moordre, thei bothe lost her lyff.
Who vseth falsnesse, ful weel afferme I dar,
Shal with falsnesse be quit or he be war.
Albonivs slayn be Rosamounde his wiff
Bassent of Melchis, & aftir ech to other
The poisoun partid; ther gan a fatal striff.
Moordre quit for moordre, thei bothe lost her lyff.
Who vseth falsnesse, ful weel afferme I dar,
Shal with falsnesse be quit or he be war.
918
As thei departed, suich part ageyn þei took;
As men disserue, suich shal be ther meede.
This froward story, eende of the Eihte Book,
Of Rosamounde & Melchis wrought in deede,
For short conclusioun biddith men take heede,
Thei shal resceyue ageynward suich mesour
As thei mesure vnto ther neih[e]bour.
As men disserue, suich shal be ther meede.
This froward story, eende of the Eihte Book,
Of Rosamounde & Melchis wrought in deede,
For short conclusioun biddith men take heede,
Thei shal resceyue ageynward suich mesour
As thei mesure vnto ther neih[e]bour.
Finis libri octaui.
Incipit IXus liber Bochasii.
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