The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

I. MACCABEES.

[The firste book of Machabeorum [Here bigynneth the first boke of Machabeorum. A. Machabee the first. G. The first boke of Machabeis. H.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] AND it is don, after that Alisaundre of Philip, kyng of Macedo, which regn|ede first in Grece, smote, he gon out of the lond of Sethym, smote Darius, kyng [verse 2] of Persis and Medis, and ordeynyde many bateilis, and gate strengthes of alle; [verse 3] and he [Om. AGH.] slewȝe kyngus of erthe, and passide forth vnto eendis of erthe, and toke spuylis of multitude of folkis; and the erthe was stille in the siȝt of hym. [verse 4] And he gadride vertu, and ful stronge oost, and the herte of hym is enhaunsid and lift up. [verse 5] And he gate cuntrees of folkis, and tyrauntis, or stronge men; and thei ben maad to hym in to tribut.

[verse 6] And after these thingus he felle in to bed, and knewe that he shulde die. [verse 7] And he clepide his noble childre, that weren nurishid with hym fro her ȝouthe, and departide to hem his kyngdam, whanne ȝit he leuede. [verse 8] And Alisaundre regnyde twelue ȝeer, and is dead. [verse 9] And his chil|dren weldiden the rewme, eche in his [verse 10] place, and alle puttiden to hem dyademes after his deth, and sonys [the sonys G pr. m.] of hem after hem, many ȝeeris; and yuelis ben mul|tipled in erthe. [verse 11] And there wente out of hem a root of synne, Antiochus the no|ble, the sone of Antiochi kyng, that was at Rome in seegyng, `or plegge [Om. A.] , and regnede in the hundrid and seuen and thretti ȝeer of the rewme of Greekis. [verse 12] In tho days wickid sonys of Yrael wenten out, and counseiliden many, sayinge, Go we, and ordeyne we a testament with heithen men, that ben aboute us; for sithen we departiden fro hem, many yuels founden us. [verse 13] And the word [Lord K.] is seen good in the eeȝen of hem. [verse 14] And summe of the peple senten, and wenten awey to the kyng; and he ȝaue power to hem for to do riȝtwisnesse of heithen men. [verse 15] And thei beeldiden a scole in Jerusalem, vp [verse 16] the lawis of naciouns; and thei maden to hem prepucyes, or hethen customes, and wenten awey fro the holy testament, and weren ioyned to naciouns, and weren solde for to do yuel. [verse 17] And the rewme hadde prosperite in the siȝt of Antio|chus, and he byganne for to regne in the lond of Egypt, for to regne on two rewmes. [verse 18] And he entride into Egipt in a greuous multitude, in chaaris, and oli|fauntis, and horsmen, and a plenteuous [verse 19] multitude of schippis, and he ordeynede bateil aȝens Tholome, kyng of Egipt; and Ptholome dredde of his face, and fleiȝ; and manye woundid fellen doun. [verse 20] And he toke the stronge citees in the lond of Egypt, and he toke prayes of the

lond of Egypt. [verse 21] And Antiochus turnede, after that he smote Egypt, in the hun|drid and three and fourtithe ȝeer, and styede vp [Om. A.] to Yrael. [verse 22] And he stiede vp to Jerusalem in a greuouse multitude, [verse 23] and entride in to the halewyng with pride; and he toke the golden auter, and the candilstike of liȝt, and alle ves|sels therof, and the bord of proposicioun, and vessels of fleetynge sacrifices, and cruetis, and golden morters, and veil, and crownys, and golden ournement that was in face of the temple; and he brake alle. [verse 24] And he toke gold and syluer, and alle desireable vessels, and he toke the [Om. H.] priuy tresours, whiche he fonde; and alle taken up, he wente in to his lond. [verse 25] And he made slawȝter of men, and spake in [Om. K.] grete pride. [verse 26] And grete weiling is maad [verse 27] in Yrael, and in eche place of hem; and princis sorewiden inwardly, and elder men, and meydenys, and ȝung men, ben maad seeke, and fairnesse of wymen is chaungid. [verse 28] Eche husbond toke weilyng, and thei that saten in the husbondis bed, mourneden. [verse 29] And the lond is moued to gidre on men dwellynge therynne, and al the hous of Jacob clothide confusioun. [verse 30] And after two ȝeeris of days, the kyng sente a prince of tributis in to the citees of Juda, and he cam to Jerusalem with grete cumpaignye. [verse 31] And he spake to hem pesible wordis in gyle, and thei bileeuyden to hym. [verse 32] And sodenly he felle yn on the citee, and smote it with grete wounde, and lost miche peple of Yrael. [verse 33] And he toke prayes of the citee, and brente it with fijr, and distruyede housis therof, and wallis therof in cumpas. [verse 34] And thei ledden wymmen caityf, and children, and weldiden beestis. [verse 35] And thei beeld|iden the cytee of Dauid with grete [a grete G sec. m. H.] wall and sad, and sad toures; and it is maad to hem in to strengthe. [verse 36] And thei put|tiden there a folk of synners, wickid men, and thei weren stronge in it; and

thei puttiden armers, and metis, and [verse 37] gadirden prays of Jerusalem; and put|tiden vp there, and ben maad into a grete gnare. [verse 38] And this thing is maad to aspyingus in yuel of halewyng, and in to yuel gyle in Yrael euermore. [verse 39] And thei shedden out innocent blood, bi cum|pas of the halewyng, and defouliden the halewyng. [verse 40] And dwellers of Jerusalem fledden for hem, and is maad habita|cioun of straungers, and is maad strange, or alien, to his seed, and the sonnys therof forsoken it. [verse 41] The halewyng therof is desolat as wildrenesse; the feestdays therof ben turned in to mournyng, the sabothis therof in to shenship, the hon|ouris therof into nouȝt. [verse 42] Vp the glorie therof the yuel fame therof is multi|plied, and heiȝnesse therof is tourned into mournyng. [verse 43] And kyng Antiochus wrot to al his reume, that al the peple weren oon. And thei forsoken eche man [verse 44] his lawe; and alle folkis consentiden vp [verse 45] the word of kyng Antiochus, and manye of Yrael consentiden to hym, and sacri|fieden to ydolis, and defouliden saboth. [verse 46] And kyng Antiochus sente bokis bi the hond of messangers in to Jerusalem, and in to alle citees of Judee, that thei shul|den [verse 47] sue the lawis of folkis of erthe, and thei shulden forbede burnt sacrifices, and sacrifices, and plesyngis for to be don in [verse 48] the temple of God, and shulden [thei schulden G sec. m. H.] forbede the saboth for to be halewid, and so|lempne days, [verse 49] and holy thingus for to be defoulid, and the holy peple of Yrael. [verse 50] And he comaundide auters for to be beeldid, and templis, and [of A.] ydolis; and swyne fleshe for to be sacrifisid, and [verse 51] commoun, or unclene, beestus; and for to leue her sonys vncircumcidid, and the soulis of hem for to be defoulid in alle vnclennessis and abominaciouns, so that thei shulden forȝete the lawe, and shul|den chaunge alle the iustifiyngis of God.

[verse 52] And who euer diden not the [vp the A.] word of Antiochus, shulden dye. [verse 53] After alle these wordis he wrote to al his rewme, and bifore sette princis to the peple, whiche shulden constreyne these thingis for [Om. G pr. m.] to be don. [verse 54] And thei comaundiden to citees of Juda for to sacrifice. [verse 55] And many of the peple ben gadrid to hem, whiche for|soken lawe [the lawe H.] of the Lord, and diden yuels [verse 56] on erthe; and dryuen out the peple of Yrael of priue places, and in hid places of fugityues, or fleeynge men. [verse 57] In the fyftenthe day of the moneth Casleu, in the hundrid and fyue and fourtithe ȝeere, kyng Antiochus beeldide the abominable ydol of desolacioun, or discomfort, on [vpon A] the auter of God; and bi alle the citees of Jude thei beeldiden auters. [verse 58] And bi|fore ȝatis of housis and in streetis thei [verse 59] brenten encensis, and sacrifieden; and brenten by fijr bokis of the lawe of God, keruynge hem. [verse 60] And anentis whom euer bokis of the [Om. AGH.] testament of the Lord weren founden, and who euer kepte the lawe of the Lord, vp maundement of the kyng thei slewen hym. [verse 61] In her vertu, or power, thei diden these thingus to the peple of Yrael, that was founden in eche moneth in citees. [verse 62] And in the [Om. H.] fyue and twentithe day of the moneth, thei sacri|fisiden on the auter, that was aȝeinus the auter. [verse 63] And wymmen, that circumcid|iden her sonys, weren strangled, vp co|maundement [verse 64] of kyng Antiochus; and thei hangiden children of the haterels, or hyndre part of the nek, by alle housis of hem, and strangliden that circumcid|iden [circumciden G pr. m.] hem. [verse 65] And many of the peple of Yrael determyden, or fully demyden, anentis hem, that thei shulden not ete vnclene thingis, and chesiden more for to dye, than for to be defoulid with vn|clene metis. [verse 66] And thei wolden not breke

the holy lawe of God, and thei weren [verse 67] slayn; and grete [the greet H.] wrath is maad on the peple ful myche.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] In tho days Mathatias roose, the sone of Joon, sone of Symeon, he `a prest [Om. K sec. m.] of the sones of Joazin, of Jerusalem, and sate in the hil Modyn. [verse 2] And he hadde fyue sones; [verse 3] Joon, that was named Gaddis; and Sy|mount, [verse 4] that was namyd Thasi; and Ju|das, [verse 5] that was clepid Machabeus; and Eleazarus, that was namyd Abaron; and Jonathas, that was named Apphus. [verse 6] These sawen the yuelis that weren don in the peple of Juda and Jerusalem. [verse 7] And Mathatias saide, Woo to me! wher|to am I born, for to se contricioun, or distruying [distruccioun A.] , of my peple, and contri|cioun of the holy citee, and for to sitte there, whan it is ȝouen in hondis of en|myes? [verse 8] Holy thingus ben maad in the hond of strangers; the temple therof as [verse 9] a man vnnoble; vessels of glorie therof ben ladde awey caytif. Olde men therof ben slayn in streetis therof, and ȝunge men therof fellen doun in swerd of en|myes. [verse 10] What folk enheritide not the kyngdam therof, and weeldede not prayes therof? [verse 11] Al makyng to gidre, or ourn|yng, therof is born awey; she that was free, is maad hond mayden. [verse 12] And loo! oure holy, and oure fairnesse, and oure cleerte, is desolate, and heithen men de|fouliden it. [verse 13] What therfore ȝit to vs for to lyue? [verse 14] And Mathatias kitte, and his sonys, her clothis, and hilliden hem with hayris, and weiliden gretely. [verse 15] And thei that weren sente of kyng Antiochus, camen thidre, for to constreyne hem that fledden to gydre in to the citee Modyn, for to offre and brenne encensis, and for to departe fro the lawe of God. [verse 16] And many of the peple of Yrael consentynge camen to hem; bot Mathatias and his

sonys stoden stidfastly. [verse 17] And thei an|sweryng, that weren sente of Antiochus, saiden to Mathatias, Thou art prince, and most cleer, and grete in this citee, and ourned with sonys and bretheren. [verse 18] Therfore go to former, and do the maunde|ment of the kyng, as alle folkis han don, and men [the men A.] of Juda, and thei that laften in Jerusalem. And thou shalt be, and thy sonnys, among freendis of the kyng, and made large in siluer and gold, and in many ȝiftis. [verse 19] And Mathatias answeride, and saide with grete voice, And if alle folkis obeien to the [Om. AGH.] kyng Antiochus, that thei go awey eche man fro seruice of the lawe of his fadris, and consente to [verse 20] his maundementis, Y, and my sonnys, and my bretheren shuln obeie to the lawe of oure fadris. [verse 21] God be helpful to us; it is not prophitable to us for to forsake the lawe and riȝtwisnessis of God. [verse 22] We schu|len not heeren the wordis of kyng An|tiochus, nether shuln sacrifice, brekynge the maundementis of oure lawe, that we go another way. [verse 23] And as he ceeside for to speke these wordis, sum Jew wente to in eeȝen of alle men, for to sacrifice to ydolis on the auter, in the cytee Modyn, vp comaundement of the kyng. [verse 24] And Mathatias sauȝ, and sorewide, and his reyns trembliden togidre, and his wod|nesse is kyndled after dom of the lawe; and he lippynge ynne, slewȝ hym on the auter. [verse 25] Bot and he slewȝ in that tyme the man whom kyng Antiochus sente, whiche compellide for to be offrid, and distruyide the auter. [verse 26] And he louede feruently the lawe, as Fynees dide to Zambri, sone of Salomy. [verse 27] And Mathatias criede in grete voice in the cytee, say|inge, Eche man that hath feruent loue of the lawe, ordeynynge testament, go out after me. [verse 28] And he fleiȝ, and his sonnys, in to mounteyns, and leften what euer thingus thei [that thei A.] hadden in the citee. [verse 29] Thanne manye wente doun, seekynge domes and

[verse 30] riȝtwisnesse, in to desert, that thei saten there, thei, and sonys of hem, and wym|men of hem, and beestis of hem, for yuels weren hard on hem. [verse 31] And it is tolde aȝein to men of the kyng, and to the oost, that weren in Jerusalem, in the cytee of Dauid, for sum men wente awey, that distruyeden maundement of the kyng, in to priuy placis of desert; and many hadden gon after hem. [verse 32] And anoon thei wenten to hem, and ordeyniden aȝeins [verse 33] hem bateile, in the day of sabothis; and saiden to hem, Aȝeinstonde ȝe and now ȝit? go ȝe out, and do ȝe vp the word of kyng Antiochus, and ȝe shuln lyue. [verse 34] And thei saiden, We shuln not go out, nethir we shuln do the word of the kyng, that we defoule the day of sabothis. [verse 35] And thei steriden bateile aȝeinus hem. [verse 36] And thei answerden not to hem, nether sente stoon to hem, nether stoppiden preuy [verse 37] places, sayinge, Dye we alle in oure symplenesse, and heuen and erthe shuln be witnessis on vs, that vniustly ȝe leesen us. [verse 38] And thei baren yn to hem bateil in sabothis, and thei ben deade, and the wyues of hem, and sonnys of hem, and beestis of hem, vnto a thou|sand soules of men. [verse 39] And Mathatias knewe, and his freendis; and thei had|den mournyng on hem gretely. [verse 40] And a man saide to his neiȝbore, Ȝif we alle shuln do as oure bretheren diden, and shuln not fiȝte aȝeinus heithen men, for oure soulis, and oure iustifiyngis, sunner thei shuln distruye vs of erthe. [verse 41] And thei thouȝten in that day, sayinge, Eche man who euer shal cum to vs in bateile, in day of sabothis, fiȝte we aȝeinus hym, and dye we not alle, as oure bretheren ben dead in priuy places. [verse 42] Than the synagoge of Jewis, stronge in miȝtis of Yrael, is gadrid to hem, euery wilful [verse 43] man in lawe; and alle that fledden fro yuels, ben addid, or put, to hem. And thei [verse 44] ben maad to hem to stedfastnesse, and

gedryden an oost, and smyten synners in her wrath, and wickid men in her indig|nacioun; and the tother fledden to na|ciouns, for to ascape. [verse 45] And Mathatias enuyrounede, and his freendis, and dis|truyeden [verse 46] auters, and circumcididen chil|dren vncircumcidid, hou manye euer thei founden in coostis of Yrael, in strengthe. [verse 47] And thei pursueden sonys of pride, and the werk hadde prosperite in her hondis. [verse 48] And thei weeldiden the lawe `of hondis [Om. G pr. m.] of heithen men, and of hondis of kyngus, and ȝauen not horn, or strengthe, to the synner. [verse 49] And the days of Mathatias of dying neiȝeden, and he saide to his sonys, Now pride is counfortid, and chastisyng, and tyme of distruccioun, and the wrath of indignacioun. [verse 50] Now therfore, sonys, be ȝe suers, or louers, of the lawe, and ȝeue ȝe ȝoure lyues for the testament of fadris. [verse 51] And bithenke ȝe of the werkis of fadris, that thei diden in her genera|ciouns, and ȝe shuln resceyue grete glorie, and euerlastynge name. [verse 52] Wher Abraham in temptation was not founden feithful, and it is rettid to hym to [in to A.] riȝtwisnesse? [verse 53] Joseph in tyme of his anguyshe kepte the comaundement, and was maad lord of Egypt. [verse 54] Fynees, oure fadir, feruently louynge the feruent loue of God, toke tes|tament of euerlastynge presthode. [verse 55] Jhe|sus, or Josue, whijle he fulfilled the word, is maad duyk in Yrael. [verse 56] Caleph, whijl he witnessith in the chirche, toke heritage. [verse 57] Dauid in his mercy gate the seete of kyngdam, in to worldis. [verse 58] Helye, whijl he feruently loueth the feruent loue of the lawe, is resceyued in to heuen. [verse 59] Ananias, Azarias, Mysael, by leeuynge ben delyuered of flawme. [verse 60] Danyel in his symplenesse is delyuerd of mouth of lyouns. [verse 61] And thus bithenke ȝe bi gene|racioun and generacioun, for alle that hopen in to hym ben not maad vnsted|fast.

[verse 62] And of wordis of the synner ȝe shuln not drede, for the glorie of hym [verse 63] is torde and worme; to day he is en|haunsid, and to morrew he shal not be founden, for he is turned in to his erthe, and his thouȝte shal perishe. [verse 64] Therfore, sonys, be ȝe confortid, and do ȝe manly in the lawe; for whan ȝe shuln do whiche thingus ben bedun to ȝou in the lawe of the Lord ȝour God, in it ȝe shuln be glorious. [verse 65] And loo! Symount, ȝour bro|there; I wote, for he is a man of coun|seile, heere ȝe hym euermore, and he shal be fadir to ȝou. [verse 66] And Judas Macha|beus, stronge in miȝtis fro his ȝouth, be he to ȝou a prince of kniȝthode, and he shal do bateil of the peple. [verse 67] And ȝe shuln brynge to ȝou alle doars of the lawe, and venge ȝe the veniaunce of ȝoure peple. [verse 68] Ȝelde ȝe ȝeeldynge to hei|then men, and take ȝe tent `in to [to AH.] the heest of lawe. [verse 69] And he blesside hem, and is putt to his faders. [verse 70] And he is dead in the hundrid and sixe and fourtie [fourtithe AH.] ȝeere, and is biryed of his sonnys in to the sepulcre of his fadris in Modyn; and alle Yrael weiliden hym with greet weylyng.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] And Judas roose, that was cleepid Ma|chabeus, his sone, for him. [verse 2] And alle his bretheren helpiden hym, and alle that ioyneden hem to his fadir, and thei fouȝten the bateil of Yrael with glad|nesse. [verse 3] And he alargide glorie to his peple, and clothide hym a hawberioun as a ieaunt, and girde hym his [with A.] armeres of bateile in bateilis, and defendide cas|tellis with his swerde. [verse 4] He is maad lijc to a lyoun in his werkis, and as whelp of lyoun rorynge in his huntyng. [verse 5] And he pursuede wickid men, seekynge hem; and he brente hem in flawmes, that to gydre distourbliden his peple. [verse 6] And his enmyes ben putt aȝein for dreed of hym,

and alle wirchers of wickidnesse ben tru|blid to gidre; and helthe is dressid in his hond. [verse 7] And he wraththide many kyngus, and gladide Yrael in his werkis, and in to world his mynde in blessyng. [verse 8] And he wente thoru the citees of Juda, and lost vnpitous men of hem, and turn|yde awey wrath fro Yrael. [verse 9] And he is named vn to the vttermost of erthe, and he gadride the perishynge. [verse 10] And Appo|lonius gadride folkis, and fro Samarie miche vertue, and grete, for to fiȝt aȝeinus Yrael. [verse 11] And Judas knewe, and wente out aȝeinus hym, and smote, and slewȝ hym. And many woundid fellen [verse 12] doun, and the other fledden; and he toke prayes of hem. And Judas toke awey the swerd of Appolonie, and was fiȝtyng therynne in alle days. [verse 13] And Se|ron, prince of the oost of Syrie, herde, that Judas gadride a gaderyng, and the chirche of feithful men with hym. [verse 14] And he saith, Y shal make to me a name, and Y shal be glorified in rewme, and Y shal ouercumme Judas, and hem that ben with hym, whiche dispisiden the kyngus word. [verse 15] And he made hym redy; and the castels of vnpitous men, strong help|ers, stieden vp with hym, for to do ven|iaunce in to the sonys of Yrael. [verse 16] And thei neiȝiden vn to Betheron; and Judas wente out aȝeinus hem, with fewe men. [verse 17] Forsothe as thei sawen the oost cum|mynge to hem in meetyng, thei saiden to Judas, How mown we fewe fiȝte aȝeinus so grete multitude, so stronge; and we ben maad wery by fastyng this day? [verse 18] And Judas saith, It is liȝt, or eisy, many for to be closid to gydre in hond of fewe; and difference is not in the siȝt of God of heuen, for to delyuere in many [verse 19] or in fewe; for not in multitude of oost the victorie of bateil, bot of heuen is strengthe. [verse 20] Thei cummen to us in rebelle multitude, and prid, for to distruye vs, and oure wyues, and oure sonys, and for to

robbe us. [verse 21] Forsothe we shuln fiȝte for [verse 22] oure soulis, and oure lawis, and he the Lord shal breke hem to gydre byfore oure face; forsothe dreede ȝe not hem. [verse 23] Sothely as he ceeside for to speke, he hurlide in in to hem soodeynly; and Seron is broken to gidre, and his oost, in siȝt of hym. [verse 24] And he pursuede hym in the goyng doun of Betheron, til in to the feeld; and eiȝte hundrid men of hem fellen doun, the other forsothe fledden in to the lond of Philistyim. [verse 25] And dreed [the dreed AH.] of Judas, and of his bretheren, and in|ward ferdnesse, felle on alle heithen men [verse 26] in cumpas of hem; and the name of hym came to the kyng, and of the batels of Judas alle folkis telden. [verse 27] Sothely as kyng Antiochus herde these wordis, he was wrothe in inwitt; and he sente, and gadride the oost of al his rewme, ful stronge [grete A.] castels. [verse 28] And he opnyde his tresorie, and ȝaue soudis to the oost, in to oo ȝeer, and comaundide hem, that thei weren redy to alle thingus. [verse 29] And he sawȝ, that monee failide of his tresours, and tributis of the cuntre litil, for dis|cencioun and veniaunce that he dide in to the lond, for to do awey the lawful thingis that weren of the first days. [verse 30] And he dredde, that he shulde not haue and oonys and twies in to costis and ȝiftis, whiche he hadde ȝouen byfore with large hond; and he aboundide ouer kyngus that weren bifore hym. [verse 31] And he was astonyed in ynwitt gretly, and thouȝte for to go in to Persis, and to take tributis of cuntrees, and for to gadre myche syluer. [verse 32] And he laft Ly|sias, a noble man of the kyngis kynne, on the kyngus needis, fro the flood Eu|frates [verse 33] vn to the flood of Egipt; and that he shulde nuriche Antiochus, his sone, til he cam aȝein. [verse 34] And he toke to hym the mydil oost, and olifauntis, and comaundide to hym of alle thingus that he wolde, and of men enhabitynge Jude

[verse 35] and Jerusalem; and that he shulde sende to hem an oost, for to breke to gidre, and to distruye vtterly the vertue of Yrael, and relikis of Jerusalem, and for [Om. A.] to do awey the mynde of hem of place; [verse 36] and for to ordeyne aliens sonys dwellers in alle the coostis of hem, and bi lot for to departe the lond of hem. [verse 37] And the kyng toke to a part of the residue oost, and wente out of Antioche, the citee of his rewme, in the hundrid and seuen and fourtye ȝeer; and passide ouer the flood Eufrates, and wente thoru the heeȝer cuntrees. [verse 38] And Lisias chese Ptholome, sone of Dorim, and Nychanore, and Gor|gie, miȝty men of the kyngus freendus. [verse 39] And he sente with hem fourti thousand of men, and seuen thousand of horsmen, `or knyȝtis [Om. A.] ; and that thei shulden cum in to the lond of Juda, and distruy it, vp word of the kyng. [verse 40] And thei wenten forth, for to go with al her vertue; and thei camen, and applieden, or fellen to, at Ammaum, in the feeldy lond. [verse 41] And marchauntis of cuntrees herden the name of hem, and token syluer and gold ful myche, and children, and camen in to castels, for to take the sonys of Yrael in to seruauntis; and the oostis of Sirie ben added to hem, and londis of aliens. [verse 42] And Judas seeȝ, and his bretheren, for yuels ben multiplied, and the oost ap|pliede, or londide, at the coostis of hem; and thei knewen wordus of the kyng, whiche he comaundide the peple for to do, in to perishyng and eendyng. [verse 43] And thei saiden, eche man to his neiȝbore, Reise we the casting doun of oure peple, and fiȝte we [Om. K.] for oure peple, and oure holy thingus. [verse 44] And cummyng to gidre of oost is gadrid, for to be redy in to bateile, and for to preye, and axe mercy, and mercy doyngus. [verse 45] And Jerusalem was not enha|bitid, bot was as desert; ther was not that entride and wente oute, of the chil|dren therof; and the holy thing was

defoulid, and sonys of aliens weren in the heeȝ rocke, or toure, there was the dwellyng of heithen men; and volupte, or lust, of Jacob is don awey, and pipe and harpe failide there. [verse 46] And thei weren gadrid, and came in to Masphath aȝeinus Jerusalem; for place of preyer was in Masphath, bifore than in Jerusalem. [verse 47] And thei fastiden in that day, and cloth|iden hem with heiris, and puttiden ashe [a sacke A.] in her hed, and renten her clothis. [verse 48] And thei [Om. A.] spradden abrood bokis of the lawe, of whiche heithen men souȝten liknesse [verse 49] of her symulacris; and thei brouȝten to ournementis of prestis, and premyssis, and tithis; and thei reisiden Nazareis, that hadden fulfilliden days. [verse 50] And thei crieden with grete voice in to heuen, sayinge, What shuln we do to these, and whidir shuln we leede hem? [verse 51] And thin holy thingus ben to-troden, and de|foulid, and thi prestis ben maad in to mournyng, and in to meekenesse, or dispite. [verse 52] And lo! naciouns camen togi|dre aȝeinus vs, for to distruye vs; thou woost what thingus thei thenken in to vs. [verse 53] Hou shuln we mown with stonde byfore the face of hem, no bot thou, God, help us? [verse 54] And thei crieden in trum|pis, with [and with K.] grete voice. [verse 55] And after these thingus Judas ordeynyde duykis of the peple, tribunys, that oon ledde a thou|sand, and centoriouns, or ledinge an hun|drid, and pentacontarkes, leders of fyfty, and decuriouns, leders of ten. [verse 56] And he saide to these that bildiden housis, and weddiden wyues, and plantiden vyne ȝerdis, and to dreedful men, that thei turnyden aȝein, eche man in to his hous, vp the lawe. [verse 57] And thei moueden castels, or oostis of armed men, and thei settiden to gidre at the south of Ammaum. [verse 58] And Judas saith, Be ȝe gird, and be ȝe miȝti

sonys, and be ȝe redy in the morewyng, and that ȝe fiȝte aȝeinus these naciouns, that camen to gidre for to distruye vs, and oure holy thingus. [verse 59] For better is vs for to dye in bateile, than for to see yuel of oure folk and holy thingus. [verse 60] Forsothe as wille shal be in heuen, so be it don.

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] And Gorgias toke to fyue thousand of men, and a thousand chosen horsmen; [verse 2] and thei moueden tentis by nyȝt, for to applie to the tentis of Jewis, and for to smyte hem sodeynly; and the sonys that weren on the heeȝ rocke, weren leeders to hem. [verse 3] And Judas herde, and he roose, and miȝty men, for to smyte the vertue of oostis of the kyng, that was in Am|maum; [verse 4] ȝit [and ȝit A.] sothely the oost was scaterid fro tentis. [verse 5] And Gorgias came in to the tentis of Judas bi niȝt, and fonde no man; and thei souȝten hem in hillis, for he saide, These fleen fro vs. [verse 6] And whan day was maad, Judas apperide in the feelde with three thousandis of men oonly, whiche hadden not hilingis and swerdis. [verse 7] And thei sawen the tentis of heithen men stronge, and men hauberi|ounyd, and ridingis in cumpas of hem, and these tauȝt to bateile. [verse 8] And Judas saith to men, that sueden, Dreede ȝe not the multitude of hem, and dreede ȝe not inwardli the feersnesse of hem. [verse 9] And [Om. AGH.] bythenke ȝe, hou oure fadris ben maad saaf in the Rede Se, whan Pharao suede hem with miche oost. [verse 10] And nowe crie we in to heuen, and the Lord shal haue mercy of vs, and shal be myndeful of the testament of oure fadris, and shal breke to gidre this oost bifore oure face to day. [verse 11] And alle folkis shuln wite, for God is, that shal aȝein bye, and delyuere Yrael. [verse 12] And aliens reisiden her eeȝen, and sawen hem cummynge of the contrarie part [Om. A.] , or [verse 13] euen aȝein, and wenten out of tentis in to bateile. And thei that weren with

Judas, songen in trumpe. [verse 14] And thei wenten to gidre, and heithen men ben broken to gidre, and fledden in to the [verse 15] feelde; forsothe the last fellen doun in swerd. And thei pursueden hem vn to Gaseron, and til in to the feeldis of Ydume, and Aȝotus, and Jamny; and ther fellen doun of hem vn to three thou|sandus of men. [verse 16] And Judas turnyde aȝein, and his oost suynge hym. [verse 17] And he saide to the peple, Coueyte ȝe not prayes, for [verse 18] bateil is aȝeinus vs, and Gorgias and his oost in the hil niȝ vs; bot stonde ȝe nowe aȝeinus ȝoure enmyes, and ouer|cumme ȝe hem, and after these thingus ȝe sikir shuln take prayes. [verse 19] And ȝit Ju|das spekynge these thingus, loo! sum part apperide, biholdynge forth of the hill. [verse 20] And Gorgias sawȝ, that his ben to gidre turnyd in to fliȝt, and tentis ben brent; forsothe the smoke that was seen, de|claride that that was don. [verse 21] Whiche thingus biholden, thei dredden greteli, biholdinge to gidre and Judas and the oost in the feeld, redi to bateile. [verse 22] And thei fledden alle in the feeld of aliens, [verse 23] and Judas turnyde aȝein to preyes of the tentis; and thei token myche gold, and syluer, and iacintt, and purpre of the se, and grete ritchessis. [verse 24] And thei conuertid sungen an ympne, or herying, and blessiden God in to heuen; for he is good, for in to the world the mercy of hym. [verse 25] And grete helthe is maad in Yrael in that day. [verse 26] Forsothe who euer of aliens fledden, camen, and teelden to Lisias alle thingus that bifellen. [verse 27] Whiche herd, he, astonyed in ynwitt, failide; for not what maner thingus he wolde, siche bifellen in Yrael, and what manere thingus the kyng comaundide. [verse 28] And the ȝeer suynge, Li|sias gadride of chosen men sixti thou|sandis, and of horsmen fyue thousand, for to ouercumme hem. [verse 29] And thei camen in to Judee, and setten tentis in Bethe|ron; and Judas ran to hem with ten thousand of men. [verse 30] And thei sawen a

stronge oost, and he preyede, and seide, Blessid art thou, saueour of Yrael, that hast broken to gidre the firsnesse of the miȝti in the hond of thi seruaunt Dauid, and bitokist the castels, or tentis, of aliens in to the hondis of Jonathas, sone of Saul, and of his squyer. [verse 31] Close thou [ȝou G pr. m.] to gydre and this [the G pr. m.] oost in the hond of thi peple Yrael, and be thei confoundid in her oost, and horsmen. [verse 32] Ȝeue thou [Om. G pr. m.] to hem inward [inwardli A.] dreed, and make the hardi|nesse of her vertue to faile, and be thei moued to gidre in her [Om. G pr. m.] brekyng to gidre. [verse 33] Caste hem doun in the swerd of men louynge thee, and to gidre preyse thee alle that knewen thi name, in ympnys. [verse 34] And thei sente, or ioyneden, to gidere bateile, and fyue thousand of men fellen doun of the [Om. AG.] oost of Lisias. [verse 35] Lisias for|sothe seeynge the fliȝt of hyse, and the hardynesse of Jewis, and that thei ben redy ether for to lyue, ether for to dye strongly, wente to Antioche, and cheese kniȝtis, that thei multiplied eftsone shul|den cume in to Judee. [verse 36] Forsothe Judas saide, and his bretheren, Loo! oure en|myes ben broken togidre; stye we nowe, for to clense holy thingis, and renewle [renewe A.] , or make newe. [verse 37] And al the oost is ga|drid, and styeden in to the hill of Syon. [verse 38] And thei sawen the halewyng desert, and the auter vnhalewid, and the ȝatis brent, and in the porchis tendre trees sprungen, as in wijlde wode or moun|teyns, and the litil cellis distruyed. [verse 39] And thei renten her clothingus, and weiliden with grete weilynge; and puttiden ashe [verse 40] on her hede, and fellen in to face on the erthe, and crieden in trumpis of signys, and crieden in to heuen. [verse 41] Thanne Judas ordeynyde, for to fiȝte aȝeinus hem that weren in the heeȝ rocke, til thei clens|iden holi thingus. [verse 42] And he chese prestis with outen wemme, hauynge wille in the

[verse 43] lawe of God; and thei clensiden holy thingus, and token awey stoons of defoul|yng in to an vnclene place. [verse 44] And he thouȝte of the auter of brent sacrifices, that was vnhalewid, what he shulde do therof. [verse 45] And a good counseile felle yn to hym, for to distruye it, lest it were to hem in to shenship, for heithen men defouliden it. And thei destruyeden it, [verse 46] and puttiden aȝein, or kepten, stoons in the hill of the hous, in couenable place, til that a prophete came, and answerde [answre G pr. m. schulde answre G sec. m.] of hem. [verse 47] And thei token hool stoons, after the lawe, and beeldiden a newe auter, vp that that was byfore. [verse 48] And thei beeldiden holy thingus, and tho thingus that weren withynne the hous withynn|forth; and thei halewiden the hous and the porchis. [verse 49] And thei maden newe holy vessels, and brouȝten yn a candilstike, and the auter of encensis, and a bord in to the temple. [verse 50] And thei puttiden en|cense on the auter, and tenden lanternys, that weren on the candilstike, and ȝauen liȝt in the temple. [verse 51] And thei puttiden looues on the borde, and hangiden veyles, and eendiden al the [these A.] werkis that thei maden. [verse 52] And bifore morewtid thei risen, in the `fifthe and twenti [fyue and twentithe A. fifthe and twentithe H.] day of the nynth monethe, this is [Om. G pr. m.] the moneth Cas|leu [of Casleu K pr. m.] , of the hundrid and eiȝte and four|tithe ȝeer. [verse 53] And thei offeriden sacrifice after the lawe, on the newe auter of [verse 54] brent sacrifices, whiche thei maden after tyme. And after the day in whiche hei|then men defouliden it, in that it was renulid, in songis, and harpis, and cyna|ris, that ben instrumentis of musike, and cymbalis. [verse 55] And alle the peple felle in to the face, and wirshipiden, and blessiden in to heuen hym that dide prosperite in hem. [verse 56] And thei maden halewing of the auter in eiȝte days, and offreden brent sacri|fices with gladnesse, and helpful thingis of heryingis. [verse 57] And thei ourneden [honoureden A.]

the face of the temple with golden crownys, and smale sheeldis; and halew|iden the ȝatis, and porchis, or smale cellis, and puttiden to hem ȝatis. [verse 58] And ful grete gladnesse is maad in the peple, and the shenship of heithen men is turned awey. [verse 59] And Judas ordeynide, and his bretheren, and al the chirche of Yrael, that the day of halewyng of the auter be don in his tymes, fro ȝeer in to ȝeer, bi eiȝte days, fro the `fifthe and twenty [fyue and twentithe A.] day of the moneth of Casleu, with glad|nesse and ioye. [verse 60] And thei beeldiden in that tyme the hill of Syon, and bi cum|pas heeȝ wallis, and sadde toures, lest eny tyme heithen men camen, and de|fouliden it, as thei diden byfore. [verse 61] And he sette there a cumpanye, for to keepe it; and he wardide it, for to kepe Beth|sura, that the peple shulde haue ward|yng, or strengtheing, aȝein the face of Ydume.

CAP. V.

[verse 1] And it is don, as heithen men herden in cumpas, for the auter is beeldid, and the sayntuarie as bifore, thei weren wroth greteli. [verse 2] And thei thouȝten for to do awey the kynrede of Jacob, that was among hem; and thei bygunne for to slea of the peple, and pursue. [verse 3] And Judas ouercam the sonys of Esau in Ydume, and hem that weren in Arabathane, for thei saten aboute men of Yrael; and he smote hem with a grete wound. [verse 4] And he thouȝte of the malice of sonis [the sonis A.] of Bean, that weren to the peple in to gnare, and in to sclaun|dre, aspyinge it in the waye. [verse 5] And thei ben closid `to gidre [Om. A.] fro hym in toures; and he appliede to hem, and curside hem, and brente with fijr the toures of hem, with alle men that weren in hem. [verse 6] And he passide to the sonys of Amon, and fonde stronge hond, and plenteuouse peple, and Tymothe, the duyk of hem. [verse 7] And he smote many batels with hem,

and thei ben broken to gidre in siȝt of hem. [verse 8] And he smote hem, and he toke the cite Jazar [of Jazar A.] , and the sonys therof; and he turnyde aȝein in to Judee. [verse 9] And hethen men that ben in Galaad, ben ga|drid aȝeinus Israelitis, that weren in the costis of hem, for to do hem awey; and thei fledden into Dathinan strengthinge. [verse 10] And thei senten lettris to Judas, and his bretheren, sayinge, Heithen men ben ga|drid aȝeinus vs bi cumpas, that thei do vs [verse 11] awei; and thei maken redi for to cumme, and occupie the strengthing, in to whom we fledden; and Tymothe is duyk of the oost of hem. [verse 12] Now therfore cum thou, and delyuere vs fro her hondis, for the [verse 13] multitude of vs felle doun; and alle oure bretheren that weren in the placis of Tubyn, euery wher ben slayne; and thei ledden caityf the wyues of hem, and children, and token spuylis, and killiden there almest a thousand men. [verse 14] And ȝit pistles weren rad, and nowe other mes|sangers camen of Galilee, with cootis to|rent, [verse 15] tellynge after these wordus, sayinge, for to have cummen to gidre aȝeins hem fro Ptholomaida, and Tyre, and Sydon, and al Galilee is fulfillid with aliens, for to distruye vs. [verse 16] Sotheli as Judas herde, and the peple, these wordis, a grete chirche came to gidre, for to thenke what thei shulden do to her bretheren, that weren in tribulacioun, and weren ouercummen of hem. [verse 17] And Judas saide to Symount, his brother, Chese to thee men, and go, and deliuere thi bretheren in Galilee; I forsothe and my brother Jonathas shuln go in to Galatithym. [verse 18] And he [Om. A.] lafte Josephus, sone of Zacharie, and Azarie, duykis of the peple, with the residue oost in Jude to keepynge. [verse 19] And he comaundide hem, sayinge, Bi|fore be ȝe to this peple, and nyl ȝe smyte bateil aȝeinus heithen men, til we turnen aȝein. [verse 20] And three thousand men ben ȝouen to Symont, for to go in to Ga|lilee;

to Judas sothely eȝte thousand, in to Galadithym. [verse 21] And Symont wente in to Galilee, and ioynyde many bateils with heithen men. And hethen men ben broken to gydre fro his face, and he pur|suede [verse 22] hem vn to the ȝate of Ptholomaida. And there fellen doun of hethen men al|mest [verse 23] three thousand of men; and he toke the spuilys of hem. And he toke to hem that weren in Galilee, and in Arba|this, with wyues, and children, and alle thingus that weren to hem; and he [Om. G pr. m.] ledde to [Om. G pr. m.] in to Jude with grete gladnesse. [verse 24] And Judas Machabeus, and Jonathas, and his bretheren passiden Jordan, and wenten forth the waye of three days in to desert. [verse 25] And Nabutheis camen aȝeinus hem, and resceyueden hem pesibely, and teelden alle thingus that bifellen to her bretheren [verse 26] in Galadithym; and for many of hem ben cauȝt in Barasa, and Bozor, and Malymys, and Casphor, and Mathet, and Carnaym; alle these stronge citees and greete. [verse 27] Bot `and in [in to A.] other citees of Gala|dithis thei ben holden cauȝt. And on [in A.] the morewe thei ordeyneden for to moue the oost to tho citees, and for to cacche, and take hem awey in oo day. [verse 28] And Judas turnyde, and his oost, the waye in to desert of Bozor soodeynly. And he occu|piede the citee, and slewȝ eche male in mouth of swerd, and toke alle the spuylis therof, and brente it with fijr. [verse 29] And thei rijsen thennus in niȝt, and wenten vn to the strengthinge. [verse 30] And it is maad in spryng of the day, whanne thei reysiden her eeȝen, and loo! myche peple, of whom was no noumbre, beryng laddris and engynes, for to take the strength|yng, and ouer cumme hem. [verse 31] And Judas seeȝ, for bateil byganne, and crye of bateile styede in to heuen, as a [Om. G pr. m.] trumpe, and grete cry of a [Om. G pr. m.] citee. [verse 32] And he saide to his oost, Fiȝte ȝe to day for ȝour bretheren. [verse 33] And he cam in three ordris

after hem, and thei crieden with trumpis, and crieden in preyer. [verse 34] And the tentis of Tymothe knewen, for it is Machabeus, and fledden fro his face. And thei han smyten hem with grete wounde; and there fellen doun of hem in that day almest eiȝt thousand of men. [verse 35] And Judas turnyde awey in to Masphath; and he [Om. G pr. m.] ouercame and toke it, and slewȝ eche male therof, and toke spuylis of it, and brente it in fijr. [verse 36] Fro thennus he wente, and toke Casbon, and Mageth, and Bozor, and other citees of Galadithe. [verse 37] Sotheli after these wordis Thymothe gadride an other oost, and puttide tentis aȝeinus Raphon, ouer the strem of rayn. [verse 38] And Judas sente for to biholde the oost, and thei tolden aȝein to hym, sayinge, For alle heithen men that ben in oure cum|pas camen to gidre to hym, and a ful myche oost. [verse 39] And thei hijriden Arabians in to help to hym, and thei han sette tentis ouer the streme of reyn, redy for to cume to thee in to bateile. And Ju|das wente aȝeinus hem. [verse 40] And Tymothee saide to princis of his oost, Whanne Judas shal neiȝ, and his oost, to the streme of reyn water, ȝif he shal passe former to vs, we shuln not mowen sus|teynen hym, for he miȝti shal mowe aȝeinus vs. [verse 41] Sothely ȝif he shal dreede for to passe, and shal sette tentis bisidis, or with ynne, the flood, passe we ouer to hem, and we shuln mown aȝeinus hym. [verse 42] Forsothe as Judas neiȝide to the streme of watir, he ordeynide scribis [scribis or writers H.] of the peple by sidis the streme, and comaund|ide to hem, sayinge, Leue ȝe noon of men, bot cumme ȝe alle in to bateile. [verse 43] And he the former passide ouer to hem, and alle the peple after hym. And alle these heithen men ben broken to gidre fro the face of hem, and thei castiden awey her armours; and thei fledden to the temple, that was at Carnaym. [verse 44] And

he occupiede thilk citee, and brente the temple with fijr, with alle that weren in it; and Carnaym is oppresid, and miȝte not susteyn aȝeinus the face of Judas. [verse 45] And Judas gadride alle Ysraelitis that weren in Galadithes, fro the leste vn to the most, and the wijues of hem, and children, and a ful grete oost, that thei shulden cume in to the lond of Judee. [verse 46] And thei camen til to Ephron, and this grete citee putt ful stronge in the entree; and ther was not for to bowe awei fro it, in the riȝt half or left, bot by the mydil the waye was. [verse 47] And thei that weren in the citee closiden hem yn, and stoppiden the ȝatis with stoonys. And Judas sente [verse 48] to hem with pesible wordis, sayinge, Passe we by ȝoure lond, for to go into oure lond, and no man schal anoye ȝou, oonly on feet we schulen go. And thei wolde not opne to hem. [verse 49] And Judas comaundide for to preche in tentis, or oost, that eche man shulde applie, in what place he was. [verse 50] And men of vertu applieden hem, and he fauȝte aȝeinus that citee al day and al niȝt, and the citee is bitaken in his hond. [verse 51] And thei slewen eche male in mouth of swerd, and drewȝ it vp by the rootis, and toke the spuylis therof, and passide by al the citee on the slayn men. [verse 52] And thei pass|iden ouer Jordan, in the grete feeld aȝeinus the face of Bethsan. [verse 53] And Judas was gadrynge the last, and monestide the peple bi alle the waye, til thei camen in to the lond of Juda. [verse 54] And thei styeden in to the hill of Syon with gladnesse and ioye, and offriden brent sacrifices, that no man of hem felle doun, or was dead, til thei turnyden aȝein in pese. [verse 55] And in the days in [Om. K.] whiche Judas was, and Jonathas, in the lond of Galaad, and Symont, his brother, in Galilee, aȝeinus [verse 56] the face of Ptholomaida, Josephus, sone of Zacharie, herde, and Azarias, prince

of vertu, the thingis wel done, and bateilis that ben maad. [verse 57] And he saide, Make and we oure self a name to vs, and go we for to fiȝte aȝeinus heithen men, that ben in oure cumpas. [verse 58] And he comaundide to these that weren in his oost, and thei wenten forth nowe the waye. [verse 59] And Gor|gias wente out of the citee, and his men, aȝeinus hem, in to fiȝt. [verse 60] And Josephus and Azarias ben dryuen til into the eendis of Judee; and ther felle doun in that day of the peple of Yrael, men two thousandis. And a grete wound is maad [verse 61] in the peple; for thei herden not Judas and his bretheren, gessynge hem to do|ynge strongly. [verse 62] Forsothe thei weren not of the seed of tho men, by whiche helthe is maad in Yrael. [verse 63] And men of Juda ben magnyfied greteli in siȝt of al Yrael, and of alle heithen men, wher the name of hem was herd. [verse 64] And thei cammen to gidre, cryinge to hem prosperite, or blessid thingus. [verse 65] And Judas wente oute, and his bretheren, and ouer camen the sonnys of Esau, in the lond that is at the south; and he smote Chebron, and the douȝters therof, and wallis therof, and the touris therof brente in fijr in cumpas. [verse 66] And he mouede tentis, for to go in to lond of aliens; and he wente thoru Samarie. [verse 67] In that day prestis fellen doun in bateile, whijl thei wolen do strongly, whijl with outen counseil thei wenten out in to bateil. [verse 68] And Judas bowide aweye in to Azotus, in the lond of aliens, and distruyide the auters of hem, and spuylis of her goddis brente in fijr, and toke prayes of citees; and turn|yde aȝein in to the lond of Juda.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] And kyng Antiochus walkide thoru the heeȝer cuntrees, and he herde a citee for to be, Elymaides, in Persis, the no|blist and plenteuous in syluer and gold; [verse 2] and a temple in it ful riche, and there golden veylis, and hauberiouns, and

sheeldis, whiche Alisaundre of Philip, kyng of Macedo, left, that regnyde first in Grece. [verse 3] And he came, and souȝte for to take the citee, and robbe it; and he miȝte not, for the word was knowen to hem that weren in the citee. [verse 4] And thei risen vp in to bateil, and he fleiȝ thennus, and wente awey with grete heuynesse, and turnyde aȝein to Babiloyne. [verse 5] And ther came, that teelde to hym in Persis, for the oostis that weren in the lond of [verse 6] Juda ben dryuen, and for Lisias wente with stronge vertu in the first, or best men, and he is dryuen fro the face of Jewis, and thei wexiden stronge in ar|mers, and strengthis, and many prayes, whiche thei token of tentis, or oostis, [verse 7] whiche thei slewen; and for thei dis|truyeden the abominacioun, whiche he beeldide on the auter that was in Jeru|salem, and thei enuyrounyden with heeȝ wallis the halewyng, as byfore, bot and Bethsura, his citee. [verse 8] And it is don, as the kyng herde these wordis, he dredde, and was mouyd to gidre gretely, and felle doun in to a bed, and felle in to a langour for heuynesse, for it is not don [Om. A.] as he thouȝte. [verse 9] And he was there many dais, for grete heuynesse is renulid in hym, and he deemyde hym self for to dye. [verse 10] And he clepide alle his freendis, and saide to hem, Sleep passide awey fro myn eeȝen, and Y departide, and felle [verse 11] doun in herte for bysynesse; and saide in my herte, In to hou grete tribula|cioun came Y, and in to what wawis of heuynesse in whiche Y am nowe, that was myri, and biloued in my power? [verse 12] Now forsothe Y bithenke of the yuelis that Y dide to Jerusalem, fro whennus and Y toke alle golden spuylis, and syl|ueren, that weren theryne; and Y sente with outen cause, men dwellynge in Judee for to be don awey. [verse 13] Therfore Y knewe

for these yuelis han founden me; therfore and loo! I perishe bi grete heuynesse in [and in K.] an alien lond. [verse 14] And he clepide Phi|lip, oon of his freendis, and bifore put|tide [verse 15] hym on al his rewme; and he ȝaue to hym the dyademe, and his stoole, and ringe, for to leede to Antiochus, his sone, and to nuryshe hym, and for to regne. [verse 16] And kyng Antiochus dyede there, in the hundrid and nyne and fourty ȝeer. [verse 17] And Lisias knewe, for the kyng is dead, and he ordeynyde Antiochus, the sone of hym, for to regne, whom he nurishide ȝunge; and he clepide his name Eupa|tor. [verse 18] And thei that weren in the heeȝ rocke, closiden to gydre Yrael in cumpas of holy thingis, and souȝten to hem yuels euer more, to strengthing of hethen men. [verse 19] And Judas thouȝte for to distruye hem, and he clepide togidre alle the peple, for to biseege hem. [verse 20] And thei camen to gidre, and biseegiden hem, in the hun|drid and fiftythe [fifti A.] ȝeer; and thei maden balistis, an instrument for to cast shaftis and stoonys, and engynes. [verse 21] And summe of hem that weren biseegid, wenten out; and sum of the vnpitous men of Yrael [verse 22] ioyneden hem to hem, and wenten to the kyng, and saiden, Hou long dost thou not dom, and vengest oure bretheren? [verse 23] And wee deemyden for to serue thi fadir, and for to walke in his heestis, and obeishe to his comaundementis. [verse 24] And the sonys of oure peple for this thing alieneden hem fro vs; and whiche euer were founden of vs, weren slayn, and oure eritagis weren rauyshid awei. [verse 25] And not oonly to vs thei strecchiden out the hond, bot and in to alle oure coostis. [verse 26] And loo! thei applieden to day to the heeȝ rocke in Jerusalem, for to occupie it, and thei strengthide [stretchiden AH.] a strengthing in Bethsura. [verse 27] And ȝif thou shalt not byfore cume hem more swyftly, thei shuln do gretter thingus than these, and thou shalt not mowe weelde hem. [verse 28] And the kyng

was wrothe, as he herde this thing, and cleepide to gidre alle his freendis, and princis of his oost, and hem that weren [verse 29] on horsmen; bot and of other rewmys, and ylis, and of the see coostis camen to hym an hijrid oost. [verse 30] And the noumbre of his oost was an hundred thousand of fote men, and twenti thousand of hors|men, and two and thritty olyfauntis [of olifauntis G sec. m.] tauȝte to bateile. [verse 31] And thei camen by Ydume, and thei applieden to Bethsura, and fouȝten many days; and thei maden engynys, and thei wenten out, and bren|ten hem in fijre, and fouȝten manly. [verse 32] And Judas wente fro the heeȝ rocke, and mouede tentis to Bethsacharam, aȝeinus tentis of the kyng. [verse 33] And the kyng roose bifore the liȝt, and stiride the oost in to feersnesse, aȝeinus the waye of Bethsa|charam; and the oostis maden hem to gidre redy in to bateile, and sungen in trumpis. [verse 34] And to olifantis thei shewiden blood of grape, and morus, or [that ben G sec. m.] mulberie trees, for to whette hem in to bateil. [verse 35] And thei departiden the beestis bi le|giouns; and to eche olifaunt a thousand men stoden niȝ in mailid to gidre haube|riownes, and brasen helmys in her hedis, and fyue hundred chosen horsmen weren ordeynyd to eche beest. [verse 36] These bifore the tyme, wher euer the beest was, weren there; and whider euer it wente, thei wenten, and departiden not therfro. [verse 37] Bot and sad toures of tree on hem, defend|ynge by alle the beestis, and on hem engynes, and on eche bi hem self men of vertu two and thritti, whiche fouȝten fro aboue, and with ynne the maister of the beest. [verse 38] And he ordeynide the residue rijdynge on this half and that half, in to two parties, for to moue to gidre the oost with trumpis, and for to constreyne the armyd men in his legiouns. [verse 39] And as the sunne shynyde aȝein in to golden sheeldis, and brasen, the hillis shynyden aȝein of

hem, as laumpis of fyre. [verse 40] And a part of the kyngus oost is departid bi heeȝ hillis, and other by lowe places; and thei wenten warly, and ordynatly. [verse 41] And alle men dwellynge in the lond weren moued to gidre of the voice of multitude of hem, and in goinge of the compaignye, and hurtlyng of armeris; forsothe the oost was ful grete and stronge. [verse 42] And Judas and his oost neiȝiden yn to bateil; and there fellen doun of the kyngus oost sixe hundrid men. [verse 43] And Eleasar, sone of Saura, seeȝ oon of the beestus hauberi|ownyd with hawberiouns of the kyng, and it was heeȝ stondynge ouere other beestis. And it is seen to hym, that the [verse 44] kyng was in it; and he ȝaue hym self for to delyuere hys peple, and for to gete to hym a name euerlastynge. [verse 45] And he ran therto hardili, in to mydil of the legioun, sleaynge on riȝthalf [the riȝt half AGH.] and left; and thei fellen doun fro hym hidir and thidir. [verse 46] And he wente vndir the feet of the olyfaunt, and vndirputtide hym self therto, and slewȝ hym; and it felle doun in to the erthe on hym, and he is dead there. [verse 47] And thei seeynge the vertue of the kyng, and fersnesse of his oost, turn|yden awey hem self fro hem. [verse 48] Forsothe tentis of the kyng styede vp aȝeinus hem, in to Jerusalem; and tentis of the kyng applieden to Judee, and to the hill of [verse 49] Syon; and he made pees with these that weren in Bethsura. And thei wenten out of the citee, for foodis weren not to hem closid to gidre there, for sabothis of the erthe weren. [verse 50] And the kyng toke Bethsura, and ordeinyde there keepyng, for to keepe it. [verse 51] And he turnyde the tentis to the place of halewyng many days; and ordeynyde there balistis, and engynes, and dartis, or castyngis, of fijr, and tourmentis for to cast stoons and dartis, and scorpiouns for to sende arowis, and slyngis. [verse 52] Forsothe and thei maden

engynes aȝeinus the engynes of hem, and thei fouȝten many days. [verse 53] Forsothe metis weren not in the citee, for that it was the seuenthe ȝeer; and thei that leften of heithen men in Judee, hadden wastid the relikis of hem that weren kept. [verse 54] And fewe men leften in holy thingus, for hun|gre hadde taken hem; and thei ben sca|terid, eche man in to his place. [verse 55] And Lisias herde, that Philipp, whom kyng Antiochus ordeynyde, whan ȝit he leu|yde, that he shulde nuriche Antiochus, [verse 56] his son, that he [Om. G pr. m.] regnide, turnyde aȝein fro Perse and Mede, and the oost that wenten with hym; and for he seekith [verse 57] for to take the causis of the rewme, he [and he A.] hastide for to go, and saye to the kyng, and to duykis of the oost, We failen eche day, and litil mete is to vs, and the place whom we [ȝe A.] biseegen, is stronge, and it fallith to vs for to ordeyne of the rewme [verse 58] And so nowe ȝeue we riȝthondis to these men, and make we pees with hem, and [verse 59] with alle the folk of hem; and ordeyne we to hem, that thei go in lawful thingis [thing A.] as byfore; sothely for the lawful thingus of hem thei ben wrothe, and han don alle these thingus. [verse 60] And the word pleside in siȝt of the kyng, and princis; and he sente to hem for to make pees, and thei resceyuyden it. [verse 61] And the kyng swore to hem, and princis; and thei wenten out of the strengthing. [verse 62] And the kyng en|tride the mount Syon, and he seeȝ the strengthyng of the place; and he brake fulsone the ooth that he swore, and co|maundide for to distruye that [the AGH.] wall in cumpas. [verse 63] And he departide awey hastili, and turnyde aȝein to Antioche, and fonde Philip lordshipynge to the citee; and he fauȝte aȝeinus hym, and occupiede the citee bi strengthe.

CAP. VII.

[verse 1] In the hundrid ȝeer and oon and fifty Demetrie, sone of Seleuci, wente out fro

Rome citee, and stiede with fewe men in to a citee niȝ the see, and regnyde there. [verse 2] And it is don, as he entride in to hous of the rewme of his fadris, the oost cauȝte Antiochus, and Lisias, for to brenge hem to hym. [verse 3] And the thyng was knowen to hym, and he saith, Nyl ȝe shewe to me the face of hem. [verse 4] And the oost slewȝ hem. And Demetrie sate vpon the sete [verse 5] of his rewme; and wickid men and vn|pitous of Yrael camen to hym, and Al|chymus, duyke of hem, that wolde be maad prest. [verse 6] And thei accusiden the pe|ple anentus the kyng, sayinge, Judas and his bretheren han loste thi freendus, and scateride vs fro oure lond. [verse 7] Now ther|fore sende thou a man, to whom thou byleeuyst, that he go, and see all the distruying that he hath don to vs, and [in K.] to cuntrees of the kyng; and he punysh|ith alle his frendis, and the helpers of hem. [verse 8] And the kyng chese of his freendis Bachides, that was lord ouer the grete flood in the rewme, and trewe [trewthe K.] to the [verse 9] kyng, and he sente hym, for to see the distruying that Judas dide; and he or|deynyde vnpytous Alchymus in to prest|hode, and badde hym do veniaunce in to the sonys of Yrael. [verse 10] And thei rysen, and camen with greete oost in to the lond of Juda; and thei senten messangers, and spaken to Judas and his bretheren, with pesible wordis in gyle. [verse 11] And thei ȝauen not tente to her wordis; sothely thei sawen, for thei camen with greet oost. [verse 12] And the congregacioun of scribes camen to gydre to Alchymus and Bachides, for [verse 13] to axe what thingus be iust; and the first Assideys, that weren in the sonys of Yrael, and thei axiden of hem pees. [verse 14] Sothely thei saiden, A man, prest of the seed of Aaron, cummeth, he shal not disceyue vs. [verse 15] And he spac with hem pesible wordis, and swore to hem, say|inge, We shuln not ȝeue to ȝou yuels, nether to ȝoure frendus. [verse 16] And thei bileeu|yden

to hym. And he cauȝte of hem sixti men, and slewȝ hem in oo day, after the [verse 17] word that is wryten, Thei shedden out fleshis of thi sayntis, and blood of hem in cumpas of Jerusalem, and there was not that biryede. [verse 18] And dreed and trem|blyng lay, or felle, in to al the peple, for thei saiden, Ther is not trewthe and dom to hym; sothely thei han broken the statute [statute, or ordynaunce H.] , and the ooth that thei sworen. [verse 19] And Bachides mouede tentis fro Jerusalem, and appliede in to Beth|secha; and sente, and cauȝte many of hem that fledden fro hym; and he killide sum of the peple, and castide in to a grete pitt. [verse 20] And he bitoke the regioun [regioun, or cuntree H.] to Alchimus, and left with hym help, in to helpyng of hym. And Bachides wente [verse 21] to the kyng, and Alchymus dide ynewȝ, for the princehod of his presthod. [verse 22] And alle camen to gidre to hym, whiche dis|tourbliden her peple, and weldiden [weelden A.] the lond of Juda [Judas AG pr. m. K.] ; and thei diden grete ven|iaunce [plage, or vengeaunce H.] in Yrael. [verse 23] And Judas seeȝ alle the yuels, that Alchymus dide, and thei that weren with hym, to the sonnys of Yrael, myche more than heithen men. [verse 24] And he wente out in to alle coostis of Judee in cumpas, and dide veniaunce in to men forsakers, and thei cesiden for to go out ferther in to the cuntree. [verse 25] For|sothe Alchymus seeȝ, for Judas hadde victorie, and thei that weren with hym; and he knewȝ for he may not susteyne hem, and he wente aȝein to the kyng, and accuside hem in many synnys. [verse 26] And the kyng sent Nychanor, oon of his no|bler princis, that was hauntynge enmy|tees aȝeinus Yrael; and he comaundide him [Om. A.] for to distruye the peple. [verse 27] And Nychanor came in to Jerusalem, with grete oost, and he sente to Judas and his bretheren with gyle, by pesible wordis, [verse 28] sayinge, Fiȝt be not bitwixe me and ȝou; I shal cume with fewe men, for to see

ȝoure faces with pees. [verse 29] And he cam to Judas, and thei gretten hem to gidre pesibli; and enmyes weren redy for to rauyshe Judas. [verse 30] And the word was knowen to Judas, for with gyle he came to hym; and he is broken togidre of hym, and he wolde namore see his face. [verse 31] And Nychanor knewe, that his conceile is knowen, and he wente out aȝeinus Judas in to fiȝt, bisidis Capharsalma. [verse 32] And there fellen doun of Nychanoris oost almest fyue thousand men, and thei fledden in to the citee of Dauyd. [verse 33] And after these wordis Nychanore stiede in to the hille of Syon, and there wenten out of prestis of the peple, for to greete hym in pees, and for to shewe to hym brent sacrifices, that thei offriden for the kyng. [verse 34] And he scornynge dispiside hem, [verse 35] and defoulide, and spake proudly, and swore with wrath, sayinge, Ȝif Judas shal not be taken, and his oost, in myn hoondis, anoon whanne Y shal turne aȝein in pees, Y shal brenne this hous. And he wente out with grete wrath. [verse 36] And the prestis entriden, and stoden bifore face of the autir and of the temple, and [verse 37] weepynge saiden, Thou, Lord, hast chosen this hous, for to inclepe thi name in it, that it were an hous of preyer and bi|sechyng [verse 38] to thi peple; do venieaunce in this man, and his oost, and falle thei in swerd; haue mynde of the blasfemyes of hem, and ȝeue not hem that thei abide. [verse 39] And Nychanor wente out fro Jerusalem, and appliede tentis to Betheron; and the oost of Syrie cam to hym. [verse 40] And Judas appliede in Adarsa, with three thousand men. [verse 41] And Judas preyide, and saide, Lord, an aungel wente out, and smote an hundrid fourescore [and fourscoor A.] and fyue thousandis of hem, that weren sent fro kyng [the kyng G pr. m.] Senacherib, for thei blasfemyden [verse 42] thee; so breke thou togidre this oost in oure siȝt to day, and wite other men, for

yuel he spak on thin holy thingus, and deme thou hym vp the malice of hym. [verse 43] And the oostis ioynyden bateil, in the thrittenthe day of the moneth Adar; and the tentis of Nychanor ben broken to gidre, and he felle doun the first in bateil. [verse 44] Sothely as his oost seeȝ, for Ny|chanor felle doun, thei castiden awey her armers, and fledden. [verse 45] And thei pursu|eden hem the way of oo day, fro Adasor vnto me come in to Gazera; and thei sungen in trumpis after hem with signy|fiyngus. [verse 46] And thei wenten out of alle the [Om. G pr. m.] castellis of Judee in cumpas, and wynnewiden hem with hornys, and eft|soone weren conuertid to hem; and thei fellen alle in swerd, and ther is not left of hem nether oon. [verse 47] And thei token the spuylis of hem in to pray; and thei kit|tiden of the hed of Nychanor, and his riȝthond whiche he strechide proudly, and thei brouȝten to, and hangiden aȝeinis Jerusalem. [verse 48] And the peple gladide grete|ly, and diden that day in grete glad|nesse; [verse 59] and ordeynyde this day for to be don in alle ȝeeris, in the thrittynth day of the moneth Adar. [verse 50] And the lond of Juda was stille a fewe dayes.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 1] And Judas herde the name of Romey|nys, for thei ben miȝty in strengthis, and acorden to alle thingis that ben axid of hem; and who euer wente to hem, thei ordeynyden with hem frendshipus; and for thei ben miȝty in strengthis. [verse 2] And thei herden bateyls of hem, and good vertues, that thei don in Galacie, for thei weldiden hem, and ledden vndir [verse 3] tribute; and hou many thingus thei diden in the cuntree of Spayne, and that in to [Om. G pr. m.] power thei dryuen metalis of syl|uer and gold that ben there; and wel|diden eche place with her conseile, and [verse 4] pacient places that weren ful fer fro hem;

and kyngus that camen aboue to hem fro the vttemest places of erthe, thei braken to gydre, and smyten hem with grete plage; forsothe other ȝyuen to hem tribute alle ȝeeris. [verse 5] And thei braken to gidre in bateil Philip, and Persen, kyng of Cetheis, and other that baren armers [verse 6] aȝeinus hem, and thei weldiden hem; and Antiochus, the grete kyng of Asye, that ȝaue bateil to hem, hauynge an hundred and twenti olifauntis, and rydyng, and charys, and ful greet oost, broken togidre [verse 7] of hem; and for thei token hym quyk, and ordeynyden to hym, that he shulde ȝeue grete tribute, and thei that regn|yden after hym; and [Om. K.] shulden ȝeue pleggis [verse 8] and ordenaunce, and the [in the G pr. m.] cuntree of Yn|dis, and men of Mede, and of Lidde, of the best cuntrees of hem, and thei ȝauen [verse 9] hem taken of hem to kyng Eumenij; and for thei that weren anentis Elada, wolden go, and take hem; and the word was [verse 10] knowen to these, and thei senten to hem oo duyk, and thei fouȝten aȝeinus hem; and many of hem fellen, and thei ledden her wijues caitifs, and sonys, and robbiden hem; and weldiden the lond of hem, and distruyeden the wallis of hem, and dryuen hem in to seruage, til in to this day. [verse 11] And thei distruyeden other rewmys and ylis, that sumtyme aȝein stoden hem, and dry|uen hem in to power. [verse 12] Forsothe with her freendis, and that hadden rest in hem, thei kepten frenship, and thei weld|iden rewmys that weren next, and that weren fer; for who euer herden the name of hem, dredden hem. [verse 13] For thei regnyden, to whom thei wolden be in help for to regne; and whom thei wolden, fro rewme thei distourbliden; and thei ben gretely enhaunsid. [verse 14] And in alle these no man bare diademe, nether was clothid in pur|pre, for to be magnyfied therynne. [verse 15] And for thei maden to hem a courte, and eche day thei counseiliden three hundrid and twenti, doynge counseile euermore of

multitude, that thei do what thingus ben worthi. [verse 16] And thei bitakun to oo man her maistrie, or cheef gouernaunce, bi eche ȝeeris, for to be lord to al her lond; and alle obeishen to oon, and enuye is not, nether wrath among hem. [verse 17] And Judas chese Eupolemus, sone of Joon, sone of Jacob, and Jason, sone of Elea|zarus, and he sente hem to Rome, for to ordeyne with hem frendship and felaw|ship; [verse 18] and that thei shulde take awey fro hem the ȝoc of Greekis, for thei sawen that thei oppresiden the rewme of Yrael in to seruage. [verse 19] And thei wenten to Rome, a ful grete way, and thei entriden the [verse 20] courte, and saiden, Judas Machabeus, and his bretheren, and the peple of Jewis senten vs to ȝou, for to ordeyne with ȝou felawship and pees, and for to|gidre write vs ȝoure felawis and freendis. [verse 21] And the word pleside in siȝt of hem. [verse 22] And this aȝein wrytyng is, whiche thei aȝein wryten in brasen tablis, and senten in to Jerusalem, that it were there a memorial, or a thing of mynde, of pees and felawship. [verse 23] Be it wel to Romayns, and to folk of Jewis, in see and lond, in to with outen eende; and swerd and enmye be fer fro hem. [verse 24] That ȝif bateil shal aȝein stonde Romayns former, or to alle felowis of hem in al the lordship of [verse 25] hem, the folc of Jewis shal bere help, as [verse 26] tyme shal axe, with ful herte; `and thei shuln not [ne thei shuln A.] ȝeue, nether priuyli mynystre to the fiȝtyng, whete, armers, monee, shippus, as it pleside to Romayns; and thei shuln keepe the maundementis of hem, no thing takynge of hem. [verse 27] Also forsothe and ȝif bateil shal falle bifore to the folk of Jewis, Romayns shuln helpe of ynwitt, or good herte, as tyme shal [verse 28] suffre hem; and to hem helpynge whete shal not be ȝouen, armers, money, ship|pus, as it pleside to Romayns; and thei shuln keep the maundementis of hem

with outen gyle. [verse 29] After these wordis Romaynes ordeynyden to the peple of Jewis, [verse 30] That ȝif after these wordis, these or thei shuln woln for to putte eny thing to, or do awey, thei shuln do of her pur|posyng; and what euere thingus thei shuln putte to, or do awey, thei shuln be stedfast. [verse 31] Bot and of yuels whiche kyng Demetrie hath don in to hem, we han writen to hym, sayinge, Whi hast thou greeuyd thi ȝock vpon oure freendis and felawis, the Jewis? [verse 32] Therfore ȝif eft soone thei shuln cumme to vs aȝeinus thee, we shuln do dom to hem, and we shuln fiȝte with thee by lond and see.

CAP. IX.

[verse 1] In the mene tyme, wher Demetrie herde that Nychanor felle, and his oost, in bateil, he puttide to eftsoone for to sende Bachides and Alchymus in to Judee, and the riȝt horn with hem. [verse 2] And thei wenten the weye that ledith in to Galgala, and thei settiden tentis in Ma|soloth, that is in Arbellis; and thei occu|pieden it, and slewen manye lyues of men. [verse 3] In the first moneth of an hundrid and two and fifti [fiȝti K.] ȝeer, thei applieden the oost to Jerusalem. [verse 4] And twenti thou|sand of men, and two thousand of hors|men, han risen, and wente in to Berea. [verse 5] And Judas sette tentys in Laysa, and three thousand chosen men with hym. [verse 6] And thei sawen the multitude of oost, for thei ben many, and thei dredden gretely; and manye withdrewen hem fro tentis, and there leften not of hem no bot eiȝte hundrid men. [verse 7] And Judas sawȝ for his oost flette awey, and bateil constreynyde hym, he is broken to gydre in herte, for he hadde not tyme of ga|dryng hem, and he is dissoluyd, or dis|counfortid. [verse 8] And he saide to these that weren residue, Ryse we, and go we to oure aduersaries, ȝif we shuln mowe fiȝt

aȝeinus hem. [verse 9] And thei turnyden hem awey, sayinge, We shuln not mown, bot delyuere we nowe oure lyues, and turne we aȝein to oure bretheren, and thanne we shuln fiȝte aȝeins hem; forsothe we ben fewe. [verse 10] And Judas seith, Fer be it for to do this thing, that we flee fro hem; and ȝif oure tyme hath neiȝid, dye we in vertu of oure bretheren, and ȝeue we not cryme to oure glorie. [verse 11] And the oost moued of tentis, and thei stoden aȝeinus hem. And horsmen ben departid in [in to AGH.] two parties, and slyngers and archers wenten bifore the oost, and the first of [Om. K.] the [Om. H.] bateil al the miȝty. [verse 12] Forsothe Ba|chides was in the riȝt horn, or cornere. And the legioun of two partis came niȝ, and crieden with trumpis. [verse 13] Forsothe and these that weren of the part of Judas, crieden also thei, and the erthe is moued to gidre of the voice of oostis, and bateil is ioyned fro morewe vn to euen. [verse 14] And Judas seeȝ, that the part of Bachides oost is sadder in the riȝt half, and alle stedfast in herte camen to gidre with hym. [verse 15] And the riȝt part is broken to|gydre of hem; and he pursuede hem vn to the hill of Azotus. [verse 16] And thei that weren in the left horn, sawen, that the riȝt horn is broken to gidre, and thei sueden after Judas, and hem that weren with hym at the bac. [verse 17] And the bateil is maad greuouse, and there fellen manye woundid of these and of hem. [verse 18] And Judas felle, and the other fledden. [verse 19] And Jonathas and Symont token her brother Judas, and birieden hym in the sepulcre of his fadris, in the citee Modyn. [verse 20] And al Yrael wepten hym with grete weyl|yng, and thei mourneden manye days, [verse 21] and saiden, Hou felle the miȝty, that maad Yrael saaf? [verse 22] And other wordis of bateilis of Judas, and of vertues that he dide, and his gretenessis, ben not writen;

forsothe thei weren ful manye. [verse 23] And it is don, after the deth of Judas, alle wickid men in alle coostis of Yrael rysen out, and alle that wrouȝten wickidnesse ben born out sprungen. [verse 24] In tho days ful grete hungre is maad, and all the cuntre of hem bitoke hem self to Bachides with hem. [verse 25] And Bachides chese vnpytous men, and ordeynyde hem lordis of the cuntree. [verse 26] And thei axiden out, and souȝten the freendis of Judas, and brouȝten hem to Bachides; and he vengide in to hem, and scornyde. [verse 27] And grete tribulacioun is maad in Yrael, what manere was not fro the day in whiche a prophete is not seen in Yrael. [verse 28] And alle the frendis of Judas ben gadrid, and saiden to Jonathas, [verse 29] Sithen thi brother Judas is dead, ther is no man lijc to hym, that shal go out aȝeinus enmyes, Bachides and hem that ben enmyes of oure folc. [verse 30] And so now we chese thee to day for to be prince to vs and duyk for hym, for to fiȝte oure bateil. [verse 31] And Jonathas resceyuyde in that tyme the princehod, and rose in the place of Judas, his brother. [verse 32] And Bachides knewe, and souȝte for to slea hym. [verse 33] And Jonathas knewe, and Symont, his bro|ther, and alle that weren with hym [hem A.] , and thei fledden in to desert Techue, and saten to gidre at the water of the lake Aphar. [verse 34] And Bachides knewe, and in day of sabothis he came, and alle his oost, over Jordan. [verse 35] And he sente his brother duyk of the peple, and preyede Nabutheis, his frendis, that he shulde bitake to hem his appareil, that was plenteuous. [verse 36] And the sonys of Sambri wenten out of Madaba, and cauȝten Joon, and alle thingus that he hadde, and wenten awey, hauynge hem. [verse 37] After these wordis it is tolde aȝein to Jonathas, and Symont, his brother, for the sonys of Sambry maken grete weddingus, and wedden a wijf of Madaba, the douȝtre of oon of the grete princis of Canaan,

with grete pride. [verse 38] And thei bithouȝten of the blood of Joon, his brother, and stieden vp, and hidden hem self vndir keueryng of the hill. [verse 39] And thei reisiden her eeȝen, and sawen, and loo! noys, and grete appareyl; and a spouse, or husbond, cam forth, and his frendis, and his bretheren aȝeinus hem, with tym|pans, and musykis, and many armers. [verse 40] And thei risen to hem of aspies, and slewen hem, and many woundid fellen doun, and the residues fledden in to the hill, and thei token alle the spuylis of [verse 41] hem; and the weddingus ben conuertid in to mournyng, and the voice of her musikis in to weyling. [verse 42] And thei ven|giden the veniaunce of her brothers blood, and thei turnyden aȝein to the ryuer of Jordan. [verse 43] And Bachides herde, and came in the day of sabothis vn to the vttermost part of Jordan, in grete vertu. [verse 44] And Jonathas saide to hise, Ryse we, and fiȝte aȝeinus oure enmyes; for|sothe it is not to day as ȝisterday and the thrid day gon. [verse 45] Loo! sotheli bateil euen aȝeinus; sotheli water of Jordan on this half and on that half, and ryuers, and mareys, and wijld woodis, and there is not place of turnyng awey. [verse 46] Now therfore crie ȝe in to heuen, that ȝe be delyuered fro hond of ȝour enmyes. And bateil is ioyned. [verse 47] And Jonathas strauȝte out his hond, for to smyte Bachides, and he turnyde awey fro hym byhynde. [verse 48] And Jonathas lippide out, and thei that weren with hym, in to Jordan, and swame over Jordan to hem. [verse 49] And there fellen of Bachides part in that day a thousand men, and thei turnyden aȝein in to Jeru|salem. [verse 50] And thei [Om. A.] beeldiden stronge citees in Judee, the strengthe that was in Je|rico, and in Ammaum, and in Betheron, and Bethel, and Thamathan, and Phara, and Copho, with heeȝ wallis, and ȝatis, and lockis. [verse 51] And he sette keepynge in

hem, that thei shulden haunte ennemi|tees [verse 52] in Irael; and he strengthide the citee Bethsura, and Gazaram, and the heeȝ rocke; and he puttide in hem helpis, and appareil of metis. [verse 53] And he toke sonys of princis of the cuntree in ostage, or plegis, and he [Om. AGH.] putte [puttide H.] hem in the heeȝ rocke in Jerusalem, in keepyng. [verse 54] And in the hundreth ȝeere and three and fif|tithe, in the secounde moneth, Alchymus comaundide the wallis of the holy ynner hous for to be distruyed, and the werkis of prophetus for to be distruyed, and he byganne for to distruye. [verse 55] In that tyme Alchymus is smyten, and the werkis of hym ben lettid. And his mouth is closid, and he is dissolued by [in A.] palasie, nether he miȝte spek overe a word, and comaunde [comaundide K.] of his hous. [verse 56] And Alchymus is dead in that tyme, with grete tourment. [verse 57] And Bachides seeȝ that Alchymus is dead, and he turnyde aȝein to the kyng, and the lond was stille two ȝeer. [verse 58] And alle wickid men thouȝten, saiynge, Loo! Jo|nathas, and thei that ben with hym, dwellen in silence, tristyng; now ther|fore brenge we Bachides, and he shal cacche hem al in oo niȝt. [verse 59] And thei wenten forth, and ȝauen counseil to hym. [verse 60] And he rose, for to cume with miche oost. And he sente epistilis priuely to his felawis, that weren in Judee, that thei shulden cacche Jonathas, and hem that weren with hym; bot thei miȝten not, for her counseil was knowen to hem. [verse 61] And he cauȝte of men of the cuntree, that weren princis of kniȝthode, fifty [and fifty K.] men, and slewȝ hem. [verse 62] And Jonathas and Symont wente, and thei that weren with hym, in to Bethbesse, that is in desert, and beeldiden the distruyed thingus ther|of, and maden it stronge. [verse 63] And Bachi|des knewe, and gadride al his multitude, and denounside to hem that weren of Judee. [verse 64] And he came, and sette tentis

above Bethbesse, and fauȝte aȝeinus it manye days, and made engynes. [verse 65] And Jonathas lafte Symont, his brother, in the citee, and wente oute in to cuntree, [verse 66] and came with noumbre; and smote O|daren, and his bretheren, and the sonys of Phaseron, in the tabernaclis of hem, and he bigan for to smyte, and waxe in vertues. [verse 67] Simont sothely, and they that weren with hym, wenten oute of the citee, and brenten engynes. [verse 68] And thei fouȝten aȝeinus Bachides, and he is to gidre broken of hem; and thei tour|mentiden hym gretely for his counseil, and his goyng to togidre was void. [verse 69] And he wrothe aȝeinus the wickid men, that ȝauen counseile to hym for to cumme in to her cuntree, slewȝ many of hem; for|sothe he thouȝte with other for to go in to his cuntree. [verse 70] And Jonathas knewe, and he sente legatis to hym, for to make pees with hym, and ȝeelde to hym cai|tiftee. [verse 71] And wilfully he toke, and dide after his wordis, and swore hym to do|yng to hym no thing of yuel alle days of his lyf. [verse 72] And he ȝeeldide to hym cai|tiftee, whiche he toke by praye bifore of the lond of Juda. And he turnyd aȝein wente into his lond, and puttide namore for to cume in [Om. A.] to his coostis. [verse 73] And swerd ceeside of Yrael. And Jonathas dwellide in Machinas, and there Jonathas bigane for to deme the peple, and dis|truye [distruyed AG. he distruyid H.] vnpitous men of Yrael.

CAP. X.

[verse 1] And in the hundrid and sixtithe [sixti A.] ȝeer Alisaundre, sone of Antiochus, that is named noble, stiede [stye G pr. m.] vp, and occupiede Ptholomaida; and thei resceyuyden hym, and he regnyde there. [verse 2] And kyng De|metrie herde, and gadride an oost ful copiouse, and wente out aȝeinus hym in to bateil. [verse 3] And Demetrie sente an epistle to Jonathas with pesible wordis, for to

magnyfye hym. [verse 4] Sothely he saide, Bifore take we for to make pees with hym, bifore that he make with Alisaundre [verse 5] aȝeinus vs; sothely he shal haue mynde of alle yuels, that we han don into him, and in to his brother, and in to his folc. [verse 6] And he ȝaue hym power of gadryng oost, and for to make armeris, and hym for to be his felawe. And he comaundide oost|agis, that were in the heeȝ rocke, for to be ȝouen to hym. [verse 7] And Jonathas came in to Jerusalem, and radde the pistlis [epistlis AGH.] , in heerynge of al the peple, and of hem that weren in the heeȝ rocke. [verse 8] And thei dredden with grete dreed, for thei herden, that the kyng ȝaue to hym power of gadryng an oost. [verse 9] And the oostagis [oostis K.] ben bitaken to Jonathas; and he ȝeeldide hem to her fadris and mo|ders. [verse 10] And Jonathas dwellide in Jerusa|lem, and bygan for to beelde and to renule the citee. [verse 11] And he saide to men doynge werkis, that thei shulden make vp [Om. G pr. m.] the wallis, and the hill of Syon in cumpas, with square stoones to strength|ing; and so thei diden. [verse 12] And aliens fledden, that weren in the strengthus, [verse 13] whom Bachides hadde bildide; and eche man lafte his place, and wente in to his lond. [verse 14] Oonly in Bethsura dwelten summe of hem, that forsoken the lawe and the [Om. AGH.] heestis of God; sotheli this was to hem to refute. [verse 15] And kyng Alisaundre herde the biheestis, that kyng Demetrie bi|hiȝte to Jonathas, and thei teelden to him bateilis and vertues whiche he dide, and his bretheren, and the traueils [verse 16] whiche thei traueiliden; and saith, Wher we shuln fynde eny siche man? Also nowe make we hym frend, and oure felawe. [verse 17] And he wrote an epistle, [verse 18] and sente vp these wordis, sayinge, Kyng Alisaundre to Jonathas, brother, helthe. [verse 19] We han herde of thee, that thou art a miȝti man in strengthis, and art able

that thou be oure freend. [verse 20] And nowe or|deyne we [Om. K.] thee to day heeȝist prest of thi folk, and that thou be clepid freend of the kyng. And he sente to hym purpre, and a golden crowne, that thou feele with vs what thingus oure ben, and kepe frenshipis to vs. [verse 21] And Jonathas clothide hym with the holy stoole, in the seuenthe monethe, in the hundrid and sixtithe ȝere, in the solempne day of Senophegie. And he gadride an oost, and made copi|ouse armers. [verse 22] And Demetrie herde these wordis, and is maad ful sorewful, and [verse 23] saith, What han we do this thing, that Alisaundre bifore ocupiede vs, for to cacche the frenshipe of Jewis to his strengthing? [verse 24] And Y shal wryte to hym preying wordis, and of dignitee, and ȝiftis, that he be with me in help. [verse 25] And he wrote to hym in these wordis, Kyng De|metrie to the folk of Jewis, helthe. [verse 26] For ȝe kepten to vs couenaunt, and dwelten in oure frenship, and wenten not to oure enmyes, we herden, and ioyeden. [verse 27] And nowe laste ȝe ȝit for to kepe to vs feith; [verse 28] and we shuln quyte to ȝou good thingus, for these thingus that ȝe diden with [to A.] vs, and we shuln forȝeue to ȝou many ȝeu|yngus of [or GH.] rentis, and we shuln ȝeue ȝiftis to ȝou. [verse 29] And nowe Y assoile [soyle G pr. m.] ȝou, and alle Jewis, of tributis, and I forȝeue to ȝou the pricis of salt, and forȝeue [verse 30] crownys, and the thriddis of seed; and the half part of fruyt of tree, that is of my porcioun, I leue to ȝou fro this day, and with ynne forth, that it be not taken of the lond of Juda, and of three citees that ben addid therto, of Samarie and Galile, fro this day in to al tyme. [verse 31] And Jerusalem be holy, and free, with his coostis; and tithis and tributis be of it. [verse 32] Also Y forȝeue the power of the heeȝ rocke, that is in Jerusalem; and Y ȝeue it to the heeist prest, that he ordeyne

therynne men, whom euere he shal cheese, that shuln kepe it. [verse 33] And eche soule of Jewis, that is caitif of the lond of Juda, in al my rewme, Y leue wilfully with out money; that alle be soiled of her tributis, ȝea, of her beestus. [verse 34] And alle solempne days, and sabothis, and neomenyes, and alle days ordeyned, and three days before the solempne day, and three dais after the solempne day, `be alle dais of [Om. K.] ynmunite, or fraunchise, and of remissioun, to alle Jewis that ben in my rewme. [verse 35] And no man shal haue power for to do eny thing, and moue needis, or causis, aȝeinus eny of hem in al cause. [verse 36] And that there be writen to of Jewis in the kyngus oost, to thritti thousandis of men; and plentees shuln be ȝouen to hem, as it byhoueth to alle oostis of the kyng. [verse 37] And of hem shuln be ordeynyde, that ben in the grete [verse 38] strengthis of the kyng; of hem shuln be ordeyned ouer needis of the rewme, that ben don of feith, and princis be of hem; and walke thei in her lawis, as the kyng comaundide in the lond of Juda. And three citees, that ben addid to Judee of the cuntre of Samarie, be rettid, or dem|yd, with Judee; that thei be vnder oon, and obeye not to other power, no bot to [verse 39] the heeȝest prest; Ptholomayda, and coostis therof, whiche Y haue ȝouen a ȝift to the holy that ben in Jerusalem, to needful costis of sayntis. [verse 40] And I shal ȝeue in eche ȝeris fiftene thousandis of siclis of syluer, of the kyngis reysons, [verse 41] that perteynen to me; and al that shal be residue, whiche thei that weren ouer needis ȝeelden not in former ȝeeris, fro this tyme thei shuln ȝeue in to werkis of the hous. [verse 42] And ouer this fyue thousand siclis of syluer, whiche thei token of re|soun of holy thingus by eche ȝeeris; and these thingus shuln perteyne to prestis, that ben sett in ministerie. [verse 43] And who

euer shuln flee to the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in [Om. G pr. m.] alle coostus therof, gylty to the kyng, in eche cause be dis|mittid, or relesid; and alle thingis that ben to hem in my rewme, be hadde free. [verse 44] And to bilde, or restore, werkis of holy thingus, expensis [costes, or spenses H.] shuln be ȝouen of the [verse 45] kyngus resoun, and for to bilde out the wallis of Jerusalem; and for to make stronge in cumpas, spensis shuln be ȝouen of the kyngus resoun, for to make out wallis in Judee. [verse 46] As Jonathas and the peple herde these wordis, thei bileeuyden not to hem, nether resceyuyden; for thei hadden mynde of the grete malice that he hadde don in Yrael, and trubliden hem gretely. [verse 47] And it pleside to gidre to hem in to Alysaundre, for he was to hem prince of wordis of pees, and to hym thei baren help in alle days. [verse 48] And kyng Alisaundre gadride a grete oost, and mouyde tentis aȝeinus Demetrie. [verse 49] And the kyngis ioynyde bateil, and the oost of Demetrie fledde; and Alisaundre [verse 50] pursuede hym, and lay vpon hym; and the bateil was ful stronge, til the sunne wente doun, and Demetrie fledde in that day. [verse 51] And Alisaundre sente to Ptholome, kyng of Egypt, legatis after these wordis, [verse 52] sayinge, For Y am gon aȝein in to my rewme, and satte in seete of my faders; and Y haue weldide princehode, and haue broken togidre Demetrie, and haue wel|dide [verse 53] oure cuntree; and haue ioynyde with hym fiȝt, and he is broken to gidre and his tentis of vs, and we saten in sete of his rewme. [verse 54] And nowe ordeyne we to gidre frenship, and ȝeue to me thi douȝ|ter wijf, and Y shal be thi douȝter hos|bond; and Y shal ȝeue to thee ȝiftis, and to hir dignitee. [verse 55] And kyng [Om. G pr. m.] Ptolome answerde, saiynge, Blessid the day in whiche thou turnedist aȝein to the lond of thi fadris, and hast sitten in sete of the rewme `of hem [Om. A.] . [verse 56] And nowe Y shal do to thee whiche thingus thou hast

writen; bot come thou aȝeinus me to Ptholomayda, that we see vs togidre, and Y biheete thee [to thee AGH.] , as thou saidist. [verse 57] And Ptholome wente out of Egypt, he, and Cleopatra, his douȝter; and he came to Ptholomaida, in the hundrid and two and sixti ȝeer. [verse 58] And kyng Alisaundre came to hym; and he ȝaue to hym Cleo|patra, his douȝter, and made his wed|dyngus at Ptolomaida, as kyngus in grete glorie. [verse 59] And kyng Alisaundre wrote to Jonathas, that he shulde come aȝeinus hym. [verse 60] And he wente with glorie to Ptholomaida, and came there to two kyngis, and ȝaue to hem miche syluer, and gold, and ȝiftis; and he fonde grace in siȝt [the siȝt A.] of hem. [verse 61] And men of Yrael, ful of venym, camen togidre aȝeinus hym, wickid men, axinge aȝeinus hym, and [verse 62] the kyng toke no tente to hem; and comaundide Jonathas for [Om. G pr. m.] to be maad nakid of his clothis, and hym for to be clothid in purpre; and so thei diden. And the kyng sette hym for to sitte [verse 63] with hym, and saide to his princis, Go ȝe out with hym in to mydil of the citee, and preche, that no man axe aȝeinus hym of eny need, or cause, nether eny man be heuy to hym of eny resoun. [verse 64] And it is don, that thei that axiden, or apeliden hym, sawen his glorie that was prechid, and hym keuerd with purpre, fledden alle. [verse 65] And the kyng magnyfiede hym, and wrote hym amonge the first freendis, and he putte him duyk, and parcener, or felawe, of princehode. [verse 66] And Jonathas turnyde aȝein in to Jerusalem, with pees and gladnesse. [verse 67] In the hundrid ȝeer and fyue and sixtithe, Demetrie, sone of De|metrie, came fro Crete in to the lond of his fadris. [verse 68] And kyng Alisaundre herde, and is maad ful sorewful, and turnide aȝein in to Antioche. [verse 69] And Demetrie ordeynide Appolonye duyk, that was souereyn to Seleserie; and gadride his

grete oost, and came to Jamnyam; and he sente to Jonathas, heeȝist prest, say|inge, Thou aloone aȝeinstodist vs? [verse 70] Y am maad in to scoorn and shenship, ther|fore for [Om. G pr. m.] thou hauntist power in hillis aȝeinus vs. [verse 71] Nowe therfore ȝif thou trist|est in thi vertues, come doun to vs in to the feeld; and there comparysoun we to gidre, for with me is vertu [vertues A.] of bateilis. [verse 72] Axe thou, and lerne who Y am, and other that ben in help to me, and whiche sayn, for ȝour fote may not stonde aȝeinus oure face, for thi [her A.] faders ben conuertid in to fliȝt twyis in to her lond. [verse 73] And now hou shalt thou mowe susteyne ryd|yng, and [Om. AGH.] so grete oost in the feeld, where is no stoon, ne rocke, nether place of fleeȝynge? [verse 74] Sothely as Jonathas herde the wordis of Appolonye, he was moued in ynwitt [inwitt, or herte H.] ; and he chees ten thousand of men, and wente out fro Jerusalem, and Symont, his brother, came to hym in to helpe. [verse 75] And thei applieden tentis in Joppen, and he shitte hym out fro the citee, for Joppen was the keepyng of Appolonye; and he fauȝte aȝeinus it. [verse 76] And thei agast, that weren with ynne the citee, opnyden to hym; and Jona|thas weeldide Joppen. [verse 77] And Appolonye herde, and mouede to three thousand of [verse 78] horsmen, and myche oost; and he wente to Azotum, as makynge the waye. And anoon he wente out in to the feelde, for that he had multitude [a multitude A.] of horsmen, and he [Om. H.] tristnyde in hem; and Jonathas su|ede hym in to Azotum, and thei ioyniden bateil. [verse 79] And Appolonye lefte in the tentis a thousand horsmen after hem priuyly. [verse 80] And Jonatas knewe for aspies ben after hym, and thei enuyrounden his tentis, and castiden dartes in to the peple, fro morew vn to euyn. [verse 81] Forsothe the peple stode, as Jonathas comaundide, and the horsis of hem traueiliden out. [verse 82] And Sy|mount castide out his oost, and ioynide

aȝeinus the legioun; forsothe the hors|men weren maad wery, and ben togidre broken of hym, and fledden. [verse 83] And thei ben scaterd in to the feeld, and fledden in to Azotum; and thei entriden in to Bethdagon, her ydol, that ther thei shul|den delyuere hem self. [verse 84] And Jonathas brent Azotum, and citees that weren in cumpas therof, and toke the spuylis of hem; and he brente in fijr the temple of Dagon, and hem that fledden in to it. [verse 85] And ther weren that fellen by swerd with hem that ben brent, almest eiȝt thousande of men. [verse 86] And fro thennus Jo|nathas mouede tentis, and applieden hem to Ascalon; and thei wenten out of the citee aȝeinus hym in grete glorie. [verse 87] And Jonathas turnyde aȝein in to Jerusalem with his, hauynge many spuylis. [verse 88] And it is don, as kyng Alisaundre herde these wordes, he putte to ȝit for to glorifie Jonathas. [verse 89] And he sente to hym a golden lase, or nouche, as custume is for to be ȝouen to cosyns of kyngus; and he ȝaue to hym Accaron, and alle coostis therof in to possessioun.

CAP. XI.

[verse 1] And the kyng of Egypt gadride an oost, as grauel that is about brynk [the brynke H.] of the se, and many shippus; and souȝte for to weelde the rewme of Alisaundre in gyle, and adde it to his rewme. [verse 2] And he wente out in to Syrie with pesible wordis, and thei opnyden to hym citees, and camen to hym; for kyng Alisaundre comaundide for to go out aȝeinus hym, for he was fader of the kyngus wijf. [verse 3] Sotheli whan Ptolome entride a citee, he putte keepyngus of kniȝtis in eche citees. [verse 4] And as he neiȝide to Azotus, thei shewiden to hym the temple of Da|gon brente in fijre, and Azotus, and other thingus therof distruyed, and bo|dies cast forth, and the biryels of hem that weren slayn in bateil, whiche thei

maden bisidis the wey. [verse 5] And thei teelden to the kyng, for Jonathas dide these thingus, for to make enuye to hym; and the kyng was stille. [verse 6] And Jonathas came to the kyng with glorie in [in to AGH.] Joppen, and thei gretten hem to gidre; and thei slepten there. [verse 7] And Jonathas wente with the kyng `vn to [til to H.] the flood that is clepid Eleutherus, and turnyde aȝein in to Je|rusalem. [verse 8] Sotheli kyng Ptholome weeld|ide the lordship of citees `vn to [til to H.] Sileuce, by the see coost, and thouȝte to Alisaun|dre [verse 9] yuel counseils; and sente legatis to Demetrie, sayinge, Cumme thou, make we bitwix vs couenaunt, and Y shal ȝeue to thee my douȝter, whom Alisaundre hath, and thou shalt regne in rewme of thi fadir. [verse 10] Forsothe it rewith me, for Y ȝaue to hym my douȝter; sotheli he souȝte for to slea me. [verse 11] And he dispiside hym therfore, for he coueitide the rewme of hym. [verse 12] And he toke awey his douȝter, and ȝaue hir to Demetrie, and alienede hym fro Alisaundre; and his enmytees ben maad knowen. [verse 13] And Ptholome en|tride Antioche, and ynputtide two dya|demes to his hed, of Egipt and Asie. [verse 14] Forsothe Alisaundre was in Cilice in tho tymes, for thei rebelliden, that weren in tho placis. [verse 15] And Alisaundre herde, and came to hym in to bateil; and Ptho|lome, kyng, brouȝt forth the [Om. H.] oost, and came to hym in strong hond, and drofe hym. [verse 16] And Alisaundre fleiȝ in to Araby, for to be defendid there; sothely kyng Ptholome is enhaunsid. [verse 17] And Gadiel of Araby toke awey Alisaundre [Alisaundris AH.] hed, and sente to Ptholome. [verse 18] And kyng Ptho|lome is dead in the thrid day; and thei that weren in strengthis perishiden, of hem that weren with ynne the castels. [verse 19] And Demetrie regnyde in the hundrid ȝeer and seuen and sixtithe [sexti A.] . [verse 20] In tho days Jonathas gadride hem that weren in Judee, for to ouercume the heeȝ rocke, that is in Jerusalem; and thei maden

aȝeinus it many engynes. [verse 21] And summe wickid men, that hatiden her folc, wente to kyng [the kyng H.] Demetrie, and tolden to hym, that Jonathas bisegide the heeȝ rocke. [verse 22] And as he herd, he is wrothe, and anoon he came to Ptholomaida, and wrote to Jonathas, that he bisegide not the heeȝ rocke, but he [Om. H.] shulde cume to hym in hast, to speke to gidre. [verse 23] Sotheli as Jo|nathas herde, he comaundide for to bi|seege; and he cheese of the elder men of Yrael, and of prestis, and ȝaue hym to perel. [verse 24] And he [Om. A.] toke gold, and syluer, and cloth, and many other presentis; and wente to the kyng, to Ptholomaida, and fonde grace in siȝt of hym. [verse 25] And sume wickid men of his folc axiden [verse 26] aȝeinus hym; and the kyng dide to hym, as thei that weren bifore hym, diden to hym; and he enhaunside hym [verse 27] in siȝt of alle his frendis, and ordeynide to hym princehod [the princehod GH.] of presthod, and what euer preciouse thingus he hadde before; and made hym prince of frendis. [verse 28] And Jonathas axide of the kyng, that he make Judee free, and three princehodis of three placis, and Samarie, and niȝ coostis ther|of; and he bihiȝte to hym thre hundrid talentis. [verse 29] And the kyng consentide, and wrote to Jonathas epistlis of all these thingus, conteynyng this manere. [verse 30] Kyng Demetrie to Jonathas, brother, helthe, and to folk of Jewis. [verse 31] The ensaumple of the epistle whiche we han wryten to Lascheny, oure fadre, of ȝou, we senten to ȝou, that ȝe shulde wite. [verse 32] Kyng De|metrie to Lascheny, fader, helthe. [verse 33] To the peple of Jewis, oure frendis, and kepynge whiche thingus ben iust anentis vs, we demyden for to wele do, for the [Om. H.] benignytee of hem that thei han anentus vs. [verse 34] Therfore we ordeynen to hem, alle the coostis of Judee, and three citees, Lidea, and Ramatha, that ben addid to Judee, and Samarie, and alle the niȝ coostis of hem, for to be sequestrid, or

departid, to alle doynge sacrifice in Je|rusalem, for these thingus that the kyng toke byfore of hem by alle ȝeeris, and for fruytis of erthe, and of applis. [verse 35] And other thingus that perteyneden to vs, of tithis, and tributis, fro this tyme we for|ȝeuen to hem; and the playn places of salt makyng, and the crownes that weren [verse 36] born to vs, alle thingus we graunten to the peplis; and no thing of these shal be voide, fro this and in to al tyme. [verse 37] Nowe therfore bisie ȝe for to make en|saumple of these thingus, and be it ȝouen to Jonathas, and be putt in the holy mount, and in the holy place. [verse 38] And kyng Demetrie seynge, that the lond was stille in his siȝt, and nothing aȝein stondeth hym, left alle his oost, eche man in to his place, out taken the strange oost, that he drewȝ fro ylis [the ylis A.] of heithen men; and enmyes to it, al the oost of his fadris. [verse 39] Forsothe sum [sum man G sec. m. H.] Trifon was of the [tho H.] partis of Alisaundre bifore, and he seeȝ for al the oost grucchide aȝeinus Demetrie; and he wente to Emacuel Arabyam, that nurishide Antiochus, sone of Alisaundre. [verse 40] And he [Om. H.] sate niȝ to hym, that he shulde bitake hym to hym, for to regne in stede of his fadir; and tolde [he tolde K pr. m.] out to hym, hou grete thingus Demetrie hadde don, and enmytees of his oostis aȝeinus hym; and he dwelte there many days. [verse 41] And Jonathas sente to kyng De|metrie, that he shulde caste hem out, that weren in the [Om. H.] heeȝ rocke in Jeru|salem, and whiche weren in helpis, or strengthis, for thei inpungneden Yrael. [verse 42] And Demetrie sente to Jonathas, say|inge, Not oonli this Y shal do to thee and to thi folc, bot Y shal make thee noble by glorie, and thi folk, whan it shal be couenable. [verse 43] Nowe therfore riȝtly thou shalt do, ȝif thou shalt sende men in to helpe of me, for al myn oost wente awey. [verse 44] And Jonathas sente to hym three thousand of strong men, to Antioche;

and thei camen to the kyng, and the kyng delitide in the cummyng of hem. [verse 45] And there camen to gidre that weren of the citee an hundrid and twenti thou|sand of men, and wolden slea the kyng. And the kyng fledde in to the halle. [verse 46] And thei that weren of the citee ocupieden the wayes of the citee, and bigunne for to fiȝte. [verse 47] And the kyng clepide Jewis in to help, and alle camen togidre to hym; [verse 48] and alle ben scatered by the citee, and slewen in that day an hundrid thousand of men. And thei brenten the citee, and token many spuylis in that day, and delyuerden the kyng. [verse 49] And thei sawen, that weren of the citee, that Jewis had|den taken the citee as thei wolden; and ben maad vnstedefast in her soule, and crieden to the kyng with preyers, say|inge, [verse 50] Ȝeue thou to vs riȝt hondis, and ceese the Jewis for to fiȝte aȝeinus vs and the citee. [verse 51] And thei castiden awey her armers, and maden pees. And Jewis ben glorified in siȝt of the kyng, and in siȝt of alle men that weren in his rewme, and ben named in the rewme. And thei wenten aȝein in to Jerusalem, hauynge many spuylis. [verse 52] And kyng Demetrie sit|tith in sete of his rewme, and the lond was stille in his siȝt. [verse 53] And he leeȝide alle thingus, what euere he saide, and alyenyde hym fro Jonathas, and he [Om. H.] ȝeeldide [ȝelde H.] not to hym vp benyficis, that he hadde ȝouen to hym, and traueilide hym gretely. [verse 54] After these thingus Trifon turnyde aȝein, and Antiochus with hym, a ȝunge chijld; and regnide [he regnede GH.] , and puttide on to hym a diademe. [verse 55] And alle oostis ben gadrid to hym, whiche kyng Deme|trie scatride; and thei fouȝten aȝeinus hym, and he fleiȝ, and turnyde backis. [verse 56] And Trifon toke beestis and weeldide Antioche. [verse 57] And Antiochus the ȝunge wrote to Jonathas, sayinge, I ordeyne to thee presthod, and I ordeyne thee on foure citees, that thou be of the kyngis

frendis. [verse 58] And he sente to hym golden vessels, in to mynysterie, and ȝaue to hym power of drinkyng in gold, and for to be in to purpre, and for to haue a golden nouche [lace, or nouche H.] . [verse 59] And he ordeynyde Symont, his brothere, duyke fro termes of Tire `vn to [til to H.] the [Om. H.] eendis of Egypt. [verse 60] And Jona|thas wente out, and walkide ouere the flood bi citees; and al the oost of Syrie is gadrid to hym in to help. And he came to Ascalon, and thei of the citee camen aȝeins hym wirshipfully. [verse 61] And fro then|nus he wente to Gaza, and thei that weren at Gaza closiden hem to gidre, and he biseegide it. And he brente what thingis weren in cumpas of the citee, and spuylide it by praye. [verse 62] And men of Gaza preyeden Jonathas, and he ȝaue to hem riȝt hond, or pees. And he toke the sonys of hem pleggis, `or in ostage [Om. H.] , and he sente hem in to [Om. G pr. m.] Jerusalem; and he [Om. H.] walkide thorou the cuntree `vn to [til to H.] Da|mask. [verse 63] And Jonathas herde, for princis of Demetrie trespassiden in Cades, that is in Galilee, with miche oost, willynge for to remoue hym fro need of the rewme; and he came aȝeinus hem. [verse 64] Forsothe he lefte Symont, his brother, bisidis the pro|uynce. [verse 65] And Symont appliede to Beth|sura, and fauȝte aȝeinus it many days, and closide hem togidre. [verse 66] And thei ax|iden of hym for to take riȝthondis, and he ȝaue to hem. And he castide hem out fro thennus, and toke the citee, and puttide therinne help, or strengthe. [verse 67] And Jonathas and his tentis, or oost, appli|eden to the water of Genasar, and bifore the liȝt thei walkiden in the feeld of Asor. [verse 68] And loo! the tentis, or oostis, of alyens camen aȝeinus in the feeld, and benten [thei benten AK pr. m.] , or setten, to hym aspies, or disceytis, in the hillis. Sotheli he came

aȝeinus of the contrarie part. [verse 69] Sotheli the aspies, or bushementis, risen vp of her places, and ioyneden bateil. [verse 70] And alle that weren of Jonathas part fledden, and no man of hem is left, no bot Ma|thatias, sone of Absalomy, and Judas, sone of Calphi, prince of the [Om. H.] kniȝthod and oost. [verse 71] And Jonathas kittide his clothis, and puttide erthe in his [Om. G pr. m.] hed, and preyede. [verse 72] And Jonathas turnyde aȝein to hem in to bateil, and to gidre turnyde hem in to fliȝt, and fouȝten. [verse 73] And thei sawen that fledden of [Om. H.] his part, and thei [Om. H.] turneden aȝein to hym, and pursueden with hym `in to [vn to AG. til H.] Cades, to her tentis, and fully thei [Om. H.] camen vn to thider. [verse 74] And there felle doun in that day of aliens three thousand of men, and Jona|thas turnyde aȝein in to Jerusalem.

CAP. XII.

[verse 1] And Jonathas seeȝ for the tyme help|ith hym; and he cheese men, and sente hem to Rome, for to ordeyne and renule frenschip with hem. [verse 2] And to Sparciatis, and to other places [plas A.] , he sente epistlis vp the same fourme. [verse 3] And thei wenten to Rome, and entriden in [in to AGH.] the [Om. H.] courte, and saiden, Jonathas, heeȝest prest, and folc of Jewis, senten vs, for to renule frend|ship and felawship, after [vp H.] the former. [verse 4] And thei ȝauen to hem epistlis to hem by placis, that thei shulden leede hem forth in to the [Om. H.] lond of Juda with pees. [verse 5] And this is the ensaumple of epistlis, whiche Jonathas wrote to Sparciatis. [verse 6] Jonathas, the [Om. H.] heiȝist prest, and elder men of the folc, and prestis, and other peple of Jewis, to Sparciatis, bretheren, helthe. [verse 7] Nowe bifore the [Om. H.] epistlis weren sente to Onye, the heeiȝest prest, fro Da|rius, that regnide anentis ȝou; for ȝe ben oure bretheren as the rescrite, or writing, conteneth, that is vndirput. [verse 8] And Onye resceyuyde the man with honour, that

was sente, and toke the [Om. H.] epistels, in whom [whiche H.] was signified of felawship and frenship. [verse 9] Whan we hadden no need of these, hauynge in solace, or coumfort, holy bokis, that ben in oure hondis, [verse 10] hadden leuere for to sende to ȝou, for to renule bretherhed and frenship, lest per|auenture we ben maad aliens fro ȝou; forsothe many tymes passiden, sithen ȝe senten to vs. [verse 11] We therfore in al tyme with out ceesyng, in solempne days, and other, in whiche it byhoueth, ben mynde|ful of ȝou in sacrifices that we offren, and in obseruances, as leeful is, and bi|semeth, for to haue hadde mynde of bre|theren. [verse 12] And so we ben glad of ȝoure glorie. [verse 13] Forsothe many tribulaciouns en|uyrounden vs, and many bateils; and kyngis, that ben in oure cumpas, en|pugneden, or fouȝten, aȝeinus vs. [verse 14] And [Om. AGH.] therfore we woln not be greuous to ȝou, nether to other felawis, and oure frendis, in these bateilis. [verse 15] Sotheli [Forsothe and A.] we hadden help of heuen, and ben delyuerde, and oure enmyes ben maad lowe. [verse 16] And so we han chosen Numenium of Antiochi, and Antipatre, sone of Jasoun, and sente to Romayns, for to renule with hem and frenship and former felawship. [verse 17] And so we comaundiden to hem, that thei cum also [Om. H.] to ȝou, and grete ȝou, and ȝeelde to ȝou oure pistlis of renulyng of oure bre|therhed. [verse 18] And now ȝe shuln wel do, an|sweryng to vs of [to H.] these thingis. [verse 19] And this is the rescrite, or aȝein wrytyng, of the epistlis, that Onye, kyng of Spar|ciatis, sente. [verse 20] Onye to Jonathas, the grete prest, helthe. [verse 21] It is founden in wrytyng of Sparciatis, and Jewis, for thei ben bretheren, and for thei ben of the [Om. H.] kyn of Abraham. [verse 22] And nowe sithen we knewen these thingus, ȝe don wel, wrytynge to vs of oure pees. [verse 23] Bot and we aȝein writen to ȝou. Our beestis and

oure possessions ben ȝour, and ȝour oure. And so we comaundiden [comaunden H.] , for to telle these thingis to ȝou. [verse 24] And Jona|thas herde, for the [Om. H.] princis of Demetrie wenten out with miche oost, ouer that byfore, for to fiȝte aȝeinus hym. [verse 25] And he wente out fro Jerusalem, and ranne aȝeinus hem in the [Om. H.] cuntree of Amathi|tha; sotheli he ȝaue not space to hem, for to entre in to his cuntree. [verse 26] And he sente aspies in to the [Om. H.] tentus of hem, and thei turnyd aȝein tolden, for thei ordeynyden for to cum ouer [Om. G pr. m.] thidre in niȝt. [verse 27] Whanne the sunne had go doun, Jonathas baad his waake, and be redy in armeres to bateil al niȝt. And he sette [sente A.] keepers bi [verse 28] cumpas of the [Om. H.] tentis; and the [Om. H.] aduer|saries herden, for Jonathas is redy with his in bateil, and thei dredden, and in|wardly weren agast in her herte, and tenden fijrs in her tentis. [verse 29] Forsothe Jo|nathas, and thei that weren with hym, knewen not til morewe; forsothe thei sawen liȝtis brennynge. [verse 30] And Jonathas suede hem, and cauȝte hem not; forsothe thei passiden the flood Eleutherus. [verse 31] And Jonathas turnyde to Arabas, that weren clepid Sabadeis; and he [Om. H.] smote hem, and toke spuylis of hem. [verse 32] And he [Om. H.] ioynyde, and came to Damask, and walkide bi al that cuntree. [verse 33] Forsothe Symont wente out, and came til Asca|lon, and to the next strengthis; and he bowide doun in to Joppen, and occu|piede it. [verse 34] Forsothe he herde, that thei wolden ȝeue help to the parties of De|metrie; and he puttide there keepers, for to keepe it. [verse 35] And Jonathas turnyde aȝein, and clepide togidre the eldre men of the peple, and thouȝte with hem for to beelde [verse 36] strengthis in Judee, and for to beelde wallis in Jerusalem, and for to reyse a grete heiȝt, bitwix the mydil of the heeȝ rocke and the citee, for to departe it fro the citee, that it were aloon, and nether

thei [there A.] bye, ne selle. [verse 37] And thei camen to gidre, for to beelde the citee. And the wal felle togidre, that was on the streme of reyne, fro rysinge of the [Om. H.] sunne; and he repareilide it, that is clepid Caphe|teca. [verse 38] And Symont beeldide [beelde A.] Adiada in Sephela, and he [Om. H.] strengthide it, and put|tide on ȝatis and locks. [verse 39] And whanne Tryfon thouȝte for to regne at Asie, and take to a diademe, and strecche out hond [verse 40] in to kyng Antiochus, dredinge lest per|auenture Jonathas shulde not suffre hym, bot fiȝte aȝeinus hym, he souȝte for to cacche hym, and slea. And he rysyng vp wente in to Bethsan. [verse 41] And Jonathas wente out aȝeinus, with fourty thousand of chosen men in to bateil, and came to Bethsan. [verse 42] And Trifon seeȝ, for Jonathas came with a [Om. H.] myche oost, for to strecche out hondis in to hym. And he dredde, [verse 43] and resceyuede hym with honoure, and comendide him to alle his freendis; and ȝaue to hym ȝiftis, and comaundide to his oostis, for to obeye to hym as to hym self. [verse 44] And he saide to Jonathas, Wherto hast thou traueilide al the peple, whann bateil is not to vs? [verse 45] And nowe sende hem aȝein in to her housis. Sothely chese thou to thee a fewe men, that ben with thee, and cume with me to Ptholo|maida, and Y shal ȝeue it to thee, and other strengthis, and oost, and alle pre|postis, or souereyns, of neede; and Y con|uertid shal go awey. Sothely therfore Y came. [verse 46] And he byleeuyde to hym, and dide as he said, and lefte [he lefte H.] the oost; and thei wenten awey in to the [Om. H.] lond of Juda. [verse 47] Forsothe he withheelde with hym three thousand of men, of whom [whiche H.] he sente aȝein in to Galilee two thousand; sotheli a thousand camen with hym. [verse 48] Forsothe [Sotheli A.] as Jonathas entride [entride into G sec. m. H.] Ptholo|maida, men of Ptholomaida shitten the ȝatis, and cauȝten hym; and alle that entriden with hym [hym, loo! for he repentide to take possessioun H.] thei slewen with

swerd. [verse 49] And Trifon sente an oost and horsmen in to Galilee, and in to the greet feeld, for to leese alle the felawis of Jonathas. [verse 50] And thei, whan thei knewen for Jonathas is taken, and perishide, and alle that weren with hym, monestiden [amonestiden H.] hem self, and wenten out redy in to bateile. [verse 51] And thei seeynge, that pursu|eden, for for [Om. H.] soule [the soule G sec. m. H.] , or lijf, the thing is to hem, turnyden aȝein. [verse 52] Forsothe thei camen alle with pees in to the [Om. H.] lond of Juda. And thei weiliden Jonathas gretely, and alle that weren with hym, and Yrael mournyde with grete mournynge. [verse 53] And alle heithen men that weren in the [Om. H.] cum|pas of hem, souȝten for to breke hem to [verse 54] gidre; forsothe thei saiden, Thei han no prince and helpyng; now therfore ouer cumme we hem, and take awey of men the mynde of hem.

CAP. XIII.

[verse 1] And as Symont herde, that Trifon gadride a grete oost, for to cum in to the lond of Juda, and for to distruye it, [verse 2] seeynge for the peple is in tremblyng and dreed, he stieȝ vp in [Om. H.] to Jerusalem, [verse 3] and gadride the peple; and monestynge saide, Ȝe witen, hou many thingus Y, and my bretheren, and the [Om. H.] hous of my fadir, han don, for lawis [the lawis H.] and for holy thingus, batels, and what maner anguyshis we sawen. [verse 4] For grace, or cause, of these thingus alle my bretheren perishiden for Yrael, and Y aloone am left. [verse 5] And now bifalle it not to me, for to spare my soule, or lijf, in al tyme of tribulacioun; for|sothe Y am not better than my bretheren. [verse 6] And so Y shal venge my folc, and holy thingus, and oure children, and wyues; for alle heithen men ben gadrid, for to distruye vs, bi cause of enmytee. [verse 7] And the spirit of the peple is brent togidre, as it herde these wordis. [verse 8] And thei an|swerden with grete voice, sayinge, Thou

art oure duyk in stede of Judas, and [verse 9] Jonathas, thi brother; fiȝte thou oure bateil, and alle thingus what euere thou shalt saye, we shuln do. [verse 10] And he ga|dryng [gadrede H.] alle men fiȝters hastide for to eende alle the [Om. H.] wallis of Jerusalem, and he [Om. H.] strengthide it in cumpas. [verse 11] And he sente Jonathas, the [Om. H.] sone of Absolomy, and with hym a newe oost, in to Joppen. And these cast out that weren in it, he dwellide there. [verse 12] And Trifon mouede fro Ptholomaida with myche oost, for to cum in to the [Om. H.] lond of Juda, and Jona|thas with hym in keepyng. [verse 13] Forsothe Symont appliede in Addus, aȝeinus the face of the feeld. [verse 14] And as Trifon knewe, for Symont rose in stede of his brother Jonathas, and for he was to ioynyng bateil with hym, he sente to hym le|gatis, [verse 15] sayinge, For syluer, that thi bro|ther Jonathas ouȝte in resun of the kyng, we withhelden hym. [verse 16] And nowe sende thou an hundred talentis of syluer, and his two sonnys pleggis, that he not dis|mitted flee [flee not H.] fro vs, and we shuln aȝein sende hym. [verse 17] And Symont knewȝ, that with gijle he spake with hym. Netheles he comaundide the [Om. H.] syluer to [for to AGH.] be ȝouen, and children, lest he toke grete enmyte [verse 18] to the [Om. H.] peple of Yrael, sayinge, For he sente not to hym the syluer and chil|dren, therfore he perishide. [verse 19] And he sente the children, and an hundred ta|lentis. And he leeȝide, and dismytted [dismytte H.] not Jonathas. [verse 20] And after these thingus Tryfon came with ynne the cuntre, for to distruye it. And thei cumpaseden by the waye that ledith to Ador; and Sy|mont and his oost walkiden in to eche place, whider euere thei wenten. [verse 21] Sothely thei that weren in the heeȝ rocke, senten legatis to Trifon, for to haste for to cume by desert, and sende to hem fodis. [verse 22] And Trifon made redy al the rydyng, for to

cume in that niȝt; sotheli ther was ful myche snowe, and he cam not in to Ga|ladithym. [verse 23] And whanne he neeȝide to Baschama, he slewȝ Jonathas and his sonys there. [verse 24] And Trifon turnyde, and wente in to his lond. [verse 25] And Symont sente, and toke the bonys of Jonathas, his bro|ther, and byryede hym in Modyn, citee of his fadris. [verse 26] And al Yrael weiliden hym with grete weylyng, and thei mourn|eden hym many days [a daye H.] . [verse 27] And Symont beeldide on the [Om. H.] sepulcre of his fadir and bretheren [his bretheren H.] an heeȝe beeldyng, with stoon polishid [polischid, or fair diȝt H.] byhynd and byfore. [verse 28] And he ordeynyde seuen smale bildyngus, broode bynethe and sharp aboue, oon aȝeinus oon, to his [Om. H.] fader, and moder, and foure bretheren. [verse 29] And to these he putte aboute grete pilers, and on the pilers armers, to euerlastynge mynd; and bysidis the [Om. G pr. m. H.] ar|mers [Om. G pr. m.] grauein shippis, whiche shulden be seen of men saylynge the see. [verse 30] This is the sepulcre that he made in Modyn, til in to this day. [verse 31] Forsothe whan Trifon maad waye with Antiochus, the [Om. H.] ȝunge [verse 32] kyng, in gijle he slewȝ hym, and regnyde in his stede; and he puttide on to hym the diademe of Asie, and made grete veniance in the lond. [verse 33] And Symont bild|ide the [Om. H.] strengthis [strengus K.] of Judee, wardynge hem with heeȝ tours, and grete wallis, and ȝatis, and lockis; and he putte fodis in strengthis [strengthingis H.] . [verse 34] And Symont cheese men, and sente to kyng Demetrie, that he shulde do remissioun to the cuntre, for alle the dedis of Trifon weren don by rauyshyng. [verse 35] And to these wordis kyng Demetrie answerde to hym, and wrote siche epistil [an epistle H.] . [verse 36] Kyng Demetrie to Symont, heeȝist prest, and frend of kyngus, and to elder men, and folc of Jewis, helthe. [verse 37] The golden crown, and baheu, whiche ȝe senten, we resceyueden, and ben redy for to make with ȝou grete pees, and for to

write to prepostus of the kyng, for to releese to ȝou what thingus we forȝauen; [verse 38] forsothe what euer thingus we ordeyn to ȝou, ben stable. The strengthis that [verse 39] ȝe bildiden, be to ȝou; and we forȝeue ignoraunces and synnes, til in to this day, and the crown that ȝe ouȝten; and ȝif eny other thing was tributarye, or bounden to tribute, in Jerusalem, nowe be it not tributarie. [verse 40] And ȝif eny of ȝou ben able for to be wryten to gydre amonge oure men, be thei writen togi|dre, and pees be bitwixe vs. [verse 41] In the hundrid ȝeer and seuentithe, the ȝoc of heithen men is taken away fro Yrael. [verse 42] And the peple bigan for to write in ta|blis, and opyn, or comun, doyinges, in the first ȝeer vndre Symont, heeist prest, grete duyk, and prince of Jewis. [verse 43] In thoo days Symont appliede to Gasan, and en|uyrounyde it with tentis, or men of armes, and made engynes, and appliede to the citee, and smote a toure, and toke it. [verse 44] And thei that braken out, weren bitwixe the engyne and in [Om. G sec. m. H.] the citee, and grete stiryng is maad in the citee. [verse 45] And thei steiȝiden vp, that weren in the citee, with her wijues, and sonys, on the walle, with her kotis kitt, and crieden with grete voice, axinge of Symont riȝt|hondis [riȝthoond A.] [verse 46] for to be ȝouen to hem, and saiden, Ȝeelde thou not to vs after oure malices, bot after thi mercyes, and we shuln serue to thee. [verse 47] And Symont bow|ide, or folden [fooldid A.] , fauȝte not aȝeinus hem, or ouercame not hem; netheles he castide hem out of the citee, and clenside out the housis in whom [whiche H.] weren symulacris, and thanne he entride in to it, with ympnus, blessynge the Lord. [verse 48] And alle vnclennesse cast out therof, he sette ther|ynne men, that shulden do the lawe; and he strengthide it [Om. A.] , and made to hym abitacioun. [verse 49] Forsothe thei that weren in

the [Om. H.] heeȝ rocke of Jerusalem, weren for|boden for to go out and go yn [Om. H.] , in to the cuntree, and to bye, and selle; and thei hungriden gretely, and many of hem perishiden for hungre. [verse 50] And thei crieden to Symont, for to take riȝthondis, and he ȝaue to hem; and he cast out hem fro thennus, and clenside the heeȝ rocke fro defoulyngus. [verse 51] And thei entriden in to it in the three and twentithe day of the secounde monethe, in the hundred and oon and seuenti ȝeer, with preisyng [pressyng K. herying H.] , and braunchis of palmes, and instrumentis of musik, and cymbalis, and nablis [nablis, or sautres H.] , and ympnis, and songis, for the grete enmye of Yrael is broken to gidre. [verse 52] And he ordeynede, that in alle ȝeeris these days shulden be don with gladdenesse. [verse 53] And he strengthide the hille of the temple, that was bisidis the heeȝ [greet H.] rocke, and dwelte there, he, and thei that weren with hym. [verse 54] And Symont seeȝ Joon, his sone, that he was a man of bateil, and he putte hym duyk of alle vertues, and he dwelte in Gasaris.

CAP. XIV.

[verse 1] In the hundrid and two and seuentithe ȝeer kyng Demetrie gadride his oost, and wente to Mede, for to drawe togidre helpis to hym, for to ouercume Trifon. [verse 2] And as Arsaces, kyng of Persis and Mede, herde for Demetrie entride his niȝ coostis, he sente oon of his princis, for to take hym quyck, and that he shulde brynge hym to hym self. [verse 3] And he wente, and smote the [Om. H.] tentis [tentis, or oost H.] of Demetrie, and toke hym, and ledde hym to Arsaces, and putt hym in to keepyng. [verse 4] And the lond of Juda was stille, or pesible, alle the days of Symont, and he souȝte good thingus of his folk; and his power ples|ide to hem, and his glorie, in alle days. [verse 5] And with alle his glorie he toke Joppen in to hauen, and maade entre in the [Om. AGH.]

[verse 6] ylis of the see [se K pr. m. hic et alibi.] ; and he [Om. H.] alargide the coostis of his peple, and weeldede the cuntre. [verse 7] And he gadride myche caitiftee, and was lord in Gasara, and Bethsura, and Arcus; and he dide awey the [Om. H.] vn|clennesse of it, and there was not that aȝein stode hym. [verse 8] And eche man tilied his own lond with pees, and the lond of Juda ȝaue his fruytis, and trees of the [Om. H.] feeld [feeldes G sec. m. H.] her fruyte. [verse 9] Alle elder men saten in stretis, and tretiden of goodis of the lond; and ȝunge men clothiden hem in glorie, and stoolis of bateil. [verse 10] And to the citees he ȝaue foodis, and ordeynyde hem, that thei weren vessels of strengthing, til that name [the name H.] of his glorie was named vnto [til to H.] the last of erthe. [verse 11] He made pees on the lond, and Yrael gladide with grete glad|nesse; [verse 12] and eche man sate vnder his vyne, and vnder his fijge tree, nether there was that feride hem. [verse 13] The fiȝtynge man aȝeinus hem feilide on erthe; kyngis ben broken togidre in tho days. [verse 14] And he confermyde alle meke men of his peple, and he souȝte out the lawe, and dide [verse 15] awey al yuel and wickid; and glorifiede holy thingus, and multipliede vessels of holy thingus. [verse 16] And it is herd at Rome, for Jonathas is dead, and til in to Spar|tialis, and thei ben ful sorewful. [verse 17] For|sothe as thei herden, that Symont, his brother, was maad heeist prest in his stede, and weldide the cuntree, and citees [verse 18] in it, thei wryten to hym in [in to H.] brasen ta|blis, for to renule frenship, and felaw|ship, that thei maden with Judas and [verse 19] Jonathas, his bretheren; and thei ben rad in siȝt of the [Om. H.] chirche in Jerusalem. And this ensaumple of pistlis [epistles H.] , that Spar|ciatis senten. [verse 20] Prince and the citees of Sparciatis to Symound, the grete preest, and to eldre men, and preestis, and to [Om. H.] other peple of Jewis, bretheren, helthe. [verse 21] Legatis that ben sente to oure peple,

tolden to vs of ȝour glorie, and ho|noure, and gladnesse, and we ioyeden in the entree of hem. [verse 22] And we han writen what thingus weren saide of hem in counseil [counseiles H.] of peple [the peple G sec. m. H.] , thus. Numenius of Antiochus [Antioke H.] , and Antipatre, sone of Jason, legatis of Jewis, camen to vs, renulyng with vs the former frendship. [verse 23] And it pleside to the peple, for to resceyue the men gloriously, and to putte ensaum|ple of her wordis in [and K.] departid bokis of the peple, that it be to mynde to the peple of Sparciatis; forsothe we han writen ensaumple of these thingus to Symont, the greete prest. [verse 24] Forsothe after these thingus Symont sente Numenye to Rome, hauynge a greete golden sheld, weiȝt of a thousand besauntis, for to ordeyne frenship with hem. Sotheli [verse 25] whan the peple of Rome herde these wordis, thei saiden, What doynge of thankingus shuln we ȝeelde to Symont, and his sonys? [verse 26] Forsothe he restoride his bretheren, and ouer came the enmyes of Yrael fro hem. And thei ordeynyden to him [hem K.] freedam [liberte H.] , and wryten in brasen tablis, and puttiden in tytlis, in to the mount of Syon. [verse 27] And this is the [Om. H.] en|saumple of writyng. In the eiȝtenthe day of the monethe Ebul, in the hundred and two [the two H.] and seuentithe [seuenty H.] ȝeer, the thrid ȝeer vnder Symont, the grete prest, in [verse 28] Asaramel, in the grete cummyng togidre of prestis, peple, and princis, and folc, and `eldre men [senyours, or eldre men H.] of the cuntree, these thingus ben maad knowen; for many tymes bateils ben maad [don H.] in ȝour cuntree. [verse 29] Forsothe Symont, the sone of Mathatias, of the [Om. H.] sonys of Joaryb, and his bre|theren [brethen G.] , ȝauen hem self to perel, and aȝein stoden aduersaries of her folc, that her holy thingus and lawe shulden stonde; and bi grete glorie thei glorifieden her folc. [verse 30] And Jonathas gadride his folc, and is maad to hem a grete prest, and he [Om. H.] is

put to his peple. [verse 31] And the enmyes of hem wolden defoule holy thingus [thingis of hem H.] , and distruye the cuntre of hem, and strecche forth the hond in to holy thingus of hem. [verse 32] Thanne Symont aȝeinstode, and fauȝte for his peple, and ȝaue myche moneys, and armyd men of vertu of his [verse 33] folc, and he ȝaue to hem sowdis; and strengthide the citees of Juda, and Beth|sura, that was in the eendis of Judee, wher bifore weren armers of enmyes, and he puttide there help, or strengthe, men Jewis. [verse 34] And he strengthide Joppe, that was at the see, and Gasara, that was in the [Om. H.] coostis of Azotus, in whom [whiche H.] enmyes dwelten byfore; and he sette there Jewis, and what euere thingus weren able to the amendyng of hem, he putte in hem. [verse 35] And the peple sawȝ the doyng of Symount, and the glorie that he thouȝte for to do to his folc, and thei puttiden hym her duyke, and prince of prestis, for that he hadde don alle thes thingis and [in K.] riȝtwisnesse, and feith, that he kepte to his folk; and he souȝte out in al maner for to reyse his peple. [verse 36] And in his days it hadde prosperitee in his hondis, that heithen men weren taken awey fro the cuntree of hem, whiche weren in the [Om. H.] citee of Dauid in Jerusa|lem, in the heeȝ rocke; of whiche thei camen out, and defouliden alle thingus that weren in the [Om. H.] cumpas of holy thingus, and ȝauen grete wounde to the citee. [verse 37] And he sette therynne men Jewis, to defendyng of the cuntree and the [Om. AGH.] citee, and he reyside the wallis in Jeru|salem. [verse 38] And kyng Demetrie ordeynede [verse 39] to hym the heeȝist presthod; vp this he made hym his frend, and glorifiede hym in grete glorie. [verse 40] Forsothe he herd, that Jewis ben cleepid of Romayns frendis, and felawes, and bretheren, and for thei resceyuyden the [Om. H.] legatis of Sy|mont [verse 41] gloriously; and for Jewis and

prestis of hem consentiden, hym for to be her duyke, and heeȝist prest, in to withouten eende, til there ryse a feithful [verse 42] prophete; and that he be duyk on hem, and cure were to hym for holy thingus; and that he shulde ordeyne prepostus, or gouernours, on [vpon H.] the werkis of hem, and on the cuntree, and on armers, and on [verse 43] strengthus; and cure be to hym of holy thingus; and that he be herd of men, and alle wrytyngis in the cuntree be wryten [verse 44] to gidre vnder name of hym; and that it be not leeful to eny of the peple, and to prestis, for to make eny thing of these voide, and aȝein saye to these thingus that ben said of hym, ether to [for to H.] clepe to|gidre couent in the cuntree withouten hym; and for to be clothid in pur|pre, and for to vse a golden lace, or nouche. [verse 45] Sothely he that shal do with out this, or shal make voide eny of these, shal be gylty. [verse 46] And it pleside to gidre to alle the peple, for to ordeyne Symont, and to do after [vp H.] these wordis. [verse 47] And Sy|mont resceyuede, and it pleside, that he were sett in the [Om. AGH.] heeist presthod, and were duyk and prince of the [Om. H.] folc of Jewis, and prestis, and were bifore to alle men. [verse 48] And thei saiden hem [Om. G pr. m.] for to putte this wrytyng in brasen tablis, and to [Om. H.] putte hem in the walkyng place of [verse 49] holy thingus, in solempne place; forsothe for to putte ensaumple of these in tre|sorie, that Symont haue and his sonys.

CAP. XV.

[verse 1] And the [Om. AGH.] kyng Antiochus, sone of Demetrie, sente epistlis fro ijlys of the see, to Symont, prest, and prince of folc [verse 2] of Jewis, and to al the folc; and thei weren conteynynge this manere. Kyng Antiochus to Symont, the grete prest, and to folc of Jewis, helth. [verse 3] For sothli men berynge pestilence weeldiden the rewme of oure faders, forsothe Y wole

venge the rewme, and restore it, as it was byfore; Y made the [Om. H.] chosen multi|tude of oost, and made shippus of werre. [verse 4] Forsothe Y wole go forth by cuntrees, that Y do veniaunce in to hem that dis|truyede oure cuntree, and that maden many [my G pr. m.] citees desolate in my rewme. [verse 5] Now therfore Y ordeyne [ordeynede, or conferme H.] to thee alle offringus, that alle kyngus byfore me forȝauen to [Om. H.] thee, and what euer other ȝiftis thei for|ȝauen [verse 6] to thee; and Y suffre thee for to make smytyng, or printe, of thin own [verse 7] money, in thi regyoun [regyoun, or cuntre H.] ; sothely Jerusa|lem for to be holy and free, and alle armers that ben maad, and strengthis, that thou hast maad out, and that thou [verse 8] holdist, dwelle to thee; and al dett of the kyng, and tho that ben to cummynge of kyngus thingis, fro this in [and in AGH.] to al tyme ben forȝouen to thee. [verse 9] Sothely whanne we shuln weelde oure rewme, we shuln glorifie thee, and thi folc, and temple [the temple H.] , with grete glorie, so that ȝoure glorie be shewid in al erthe. [verse 10] In the hundrid ȝeer and foure and seuentithe Antiochus wente out in to the lond [londis H.] of his fadris, and alle oostis camen to gydre to hym, so that fewe weren left with Trifon. [verse 11] And kyng Antiochus pursuede hym, and he came [verse 12] to Doram, fleeȝinge by the se coost; for|sothe he wist, that yuels weren gadrid in to hym, and the oost forsoken hym. [verse 13] And Antiochus appliede on Doram, with an hundrid and twenti thousand of fiȝtyng men, and eiȝte thousand of horsmen; [verse 14] and he cumpaside the citee, and shippus fro the se camen to; and thei traueiliden the cite fro lond and se, and suffreden no man for to entre, or go out. [verse 15] Forsothe Numenyus came, and thei that weren with hym, fro Rome, hauynge epistlis wryten to kyngis and cuntrees, in whiche these thingus weren conteyned. [verse 16] Lucius, consul of Romayns, to kyng Ptholome,

helthe. [verse 17] Legatis of Jewis camen to vs, oure freendis, renulynge the former fren|ship and felawship, sent of Symont, prince of prestis, and of the peple of Jewis. [verse 18] Sotheli thei brouȝten to and a golden sheeld of a thousand besauntis. [verse 19] And so it pleside to vs for to wryte to kyngis and cuntrees, that thei do not yuels to hem, nether enpungne [repugne A.] hem, and her cytees, and her cuntrees, and that thei bere not help to men fiȝtynge aȝeinus hem. [verse 20] Forsothe it is seen to vs, for to resceyue of hem the sheeld. [verse 21] Therfore ȝif any men [man H.] of pestilence shuln flee fro the cuntree of hem to ȝou, bytake ȝe hem to Symont, prince of prestis, that he venge in to hem after [vp H.] his lawe. [verse 22] These same thingus ben wryten to kyng Demetrie, and Attalus, and Araba, and [verse 23] Arsaces, and in to alle cuntrees, and Sampsame, and Spartanyes, and Delo, and Myde, and Synone, and Carie, and Samyum, and Pamphiliam, and Lysiam, and Alacarnasum, and Rodum, and Pha|selida, and Reo, and Sydon, and Arado, and Gortynam, and Gnydum, and Cypre, and Cyrenen. [verse 24] Forsothe ensaumple of these thei han wryten to Symont, prince of prestis, and to peple of Jewis. [verse 25] For|sothe Antiochus appliede tentus in Do|ram the secounde tyme, mouynge to it euermore hondis, and makyng engynes; and he closide to gidre Trifon, lest he wente out. [verse 26] And Symont sente to hym two thousand of chosen men, in to help, and syluer, and gold, and plenteuouse vessels; and he wolde not take. [verse 27] Bot he brake alle thingus that he couenantide with hym byfore, and alyenyde hym self fro hym. [verse 28] And he sente to hym Athe|nobius, oon of his freendis, for to treete with hym, sayynge, Ȝe holden Joppen and [in AG pr. m. HK.] Gazaram, and the heeȝ rocke that is in [verse 29] Jerusalem, cytees of my rewme; the coostis of hem ȝe han waastid, and han

don a grete veniaunce in the lond, and ȝe lordshipen by many places in my rewme. [verse 30] Nowe therfore ȝeue ȝe the citees, whom [whiche H.] ȝe occupieden, and tributis of places, `to whom [whiche H.] ȝe lordshipen, out of the eendis of Judee. [verse 31] Or ellis ȝeue ȝe for hem fyfty talentis of syluer, and of distruyyng that ȝe han distruyed, and of tributis of citees, other fifty talentis; or ellis we schuln cumme, and ouercumme ȝou. [verse 32] And Athenobyus, frend of the kyng, came in to Jerusalem, and seeȝ the glorye of Symont, and cleernesse, in gold, and syluer, and plenteuouse apareil, and was astonyed; and he tolde to hym wordis of the kyng. [verse 33] And Symont an|swerde, and seide to hym, Nether we token alyen londis [loond AGH.] , nether with holden other mens thingus, bot eritage of oure fadris, that was weeldid sum tyme vn|iustly of oure enmyes. [verse 34] Sothely we hau|ynge tyme chalengen the heritage of [on K.] oure fadris. [verse 35] For why of Joppe and Ga|zara that thou axist, thei diden grete veniaunce [plage, or veniaunce H.] in the peple, and in [Om. G pr. m.] oure cuntree; of these we ȝeuen an hundrid talentis. [verse 36] And Athenobyus answerde not a word. Sothely he, turned aȝein with wrath to the kyng, tolde aȝein to hym these wordis, and the glorie of Symont, and alle thingus that he seeȝ. And the kyng was wrothe with grete wrath. [verse 37] Forsothe Trifon fleiȝ by ship in to Orto|sayda. [verse 38] And the kyng ordeynyde Cen|debeus, duyk of the se coost, and ȝaue to [verse 39] hym oost of fotmen [the footmen H.] and horsmen; and comaundide hym for to moue tentis aȝeinus the face of Judee. And he co|maundide hym for to bilde Cedron, and to stoppe ȝatis [the ȝatis H.] of the [Om. H.] citee, and ouer|cumme the peple; forsothe the kyng pursuede Trifon. [verse 40] And Cendebeus came to Jamniam, and bigan for to terre the peple to wrath, and for to defoule Judee, and to make the peple caityf, and slea,

and to beelde Cedron. [verse 41] And he sette there horsmen and oost, that thei gon out shulden walke by the [Om. H.] waye of Judee, as the kyng ordeynyde hym.

CAP. XVI.

[verse 1] And Joon styede fro Gazara, and tolde to Symont, his fadir, what thingus Cen|debeus dide in the peple of hem. [verse 2] And Symont clepide his two eldre sonnys, Judas and Joon, and saith to hem, Y, and my bretheren, and the [Om. H.] hous of my fadre, han ouercummen the enmyes of Yrael, fro ȝongthe til in to this day; and it hadde prosperite in oure hondis, for to delyuere Yrael sumtymes. [verse 3] Forsothe nowe I haue oldid, bot be ȝe in my stede, and of my brother, and ȝe gon out, fiȝte for oure folc; forsothe help of heuen be with ȝou. [verse 4] And he cheese of the cuntree twenti thousand of fiȝtynge men, and horsmen; and thei wenten out to Cende|beus, and slepten in Modyn. [verse 5] And thei rysen erly, and wenten in to the feeld, and loo! a copyous oost in to metyng to hem, of fotemen and horsmen; and the flood of reyn water was bitwix the myd|dis of hem. [verse 6] And he mouede to the tentis aȝeinus the [Om. H.] face of hem, he and his pe|ple, and he seeȝ the peple tremblynge to passe ouer the streme of reyn, and he passide ouer the first; and men seeȝen hym, and passiden after hym. [verse 7] And he lefte the peple and horsmen in mydil of fotemen; forsothe the [Om. H.] rydyng of aduer|saries was ful plenteuouse. [verse 8] And thei cryeden an heeȝ with holy trumpis; and Cendebeus is conuertid in to fliȝt, and his oost [tentes H.] , and many of hem felle woundid; sothely the residues fledden in to the [Om. H.] strengthe. [verse 9] Thanne [And H.] Judas, the brother of Joon, is woundid; forsothe Joon pur|suede hem, til he came to Cedrona, whom [whiche H.] he beeldide. [verse 10] And thei fledden `vnto [to H.] toures, that weren in the [Om. H.] feeldis of Azo|tis,

and he brente hem with fijr; and there fellen of hem two thousand of men; and he turnyde aȝein in to Judee in pees. [verse 11] And Ptholome, sone of Aboby, was or|deynyd duyk in the feeld of Jerico, and [verse 12] he hadde myche syluer and gold; for|sothe he weddide the douȝter of the [Om. H.] heeȝist prest. [verse 13] And the hert of hym is reysid, and he wolde weelde the cuntree; and he thouȝte gyle aȝeinus Symont and his sonys, for to do awey hem. [verse 14] For|sothe Symont walkynge by citees that weren in the cuntree of Judee, and ber|ynge the besynesse of hem, came doun in to Jericho, he, and Mathatias, his sone, and Judas, in the hundrid ȝeer and seuen and seuentithe, in the elleuenthe monethe; this is the [Om. AGH.] moneth Sabath. [verse 15] And the sone of Abobi resceyuyde hem in to a litil strengthe, that is clepid Doth, with gijle, whom [whiche H.] he beeldide; and he made to hem a grete feest, and hidde men there. [verse 16] And whan Symont was ful of drinke, and his sonys, Ptholome roose with his, `and token her armers [aspyes H.] , and entriden in to the feest, and slewen hym, and his two sonnys, and sume children of hym. [verse 17] And he did a grete disceyte in Yrael, and ȝeeldide [ȝeelde H.] yuels for goodis. [verse 18] And Ptholome wrote these thingus, and sente to the kyng, for to sende to hym an oost in to help, and he shulde bitake to hym the cuntre and citees of hem, and tributis. [verse 19] And he sente other in to Ga|zara, for to do awey Joon; and the tri|bune sente epistlis, that thei shulden cume to hym, and he shulde ȝeue to hem syluer, and gold, and ȝiftis. [verse 20] And he sente other, for to ocupie Jerusalem, and the mount of the temple. [verse 21] And summan rennynge byfore tolde to Joon in Ga|zara, for his fader perishide, and his bretheren, and for he hath sente and thee for to be slayn. [verse 22] Forsothe as he herde, he dredde greteli; and he cauȝte

the men that came for to leese hym, and slewȝ hem; forsothe he knewe, for [that H.] thei souȝten for to leese hym. [verse 23] And other thingus of Joons wordis, and of his ba|teils, and good vertues, in whiche he dide strongly, and of beeldyng of wallis, whom he fully maade, and of thingus [verse 24] don of hym, loo! theese ben writen in the boke of days of his presthod, sithen he was maad prince of prestis aftir his fadir.

Here endith the book of the firste Judas Machabeus, and bigynneth the book of secunde Judas Machabeus [No final rubric in AGH.] .