The wars of Alexander: an alliterative romance translated chiefly from the Historia Alexandri Magni de preliis. Re-edited from ms. Ashmole 44, in the Bodleian library, Oxford, and ms. D.4.12, in the library of Trinity college, Dublin: by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat.

Page 78

Septimus passus Alexandri.

Ashmole

                    
                      Als hastily as þai herd of · in þe haly cite,
                    
                      And bodword to þe bischop · broȝt of his come,
                    
                      For Alexander aȝe · almast he euen deis,
                      Line 1459 
                    
                      For he had nite him a nerand · noȝt bot o new time.
                    
                      And now him þinke in his þoȝt · him thurt noȝt haue carid
                    
                      In all his mast mystir · nad he þat man faylid,
                    
                      When he for socure to þe cite · sent him his lettir; [folio 25b] 
                    
                      And he soyned him be his sorement · þat sare him for|thinkis.

                      Line 1464

Page 80

                    
                      Line 1464 
                    
                      "For me had leuer," quod þe lede · "be lethirely for|sworn
                    
                      On as many halidoms · as opens [MS. open; altered to opens in later hand.]  & speris,
                    
                      Þan anys haue greuyd þat gome · or warned him his erand!
                      Line 1467 
                    
                      Þat euer I warned him his will · wa is me þat stonde!"
                    
                      Þus was Iaudes of ioy · & iolite depryued;
                    
                      And all þe iewis of ierusalem · he Ioyntly a-sembles.
                    
                      He said, "Alexander is at hand · & will vs all cumbre,
                    
                      And we ere dredles vndone · bot driȝten vs help."
                      Line 1472 
                    
                      Þan bedis þe bischop all þe burȝe · barnes & othire,
                    
                      Athils of all age · eldire & ȝongire,
                    
                      Comandis to ilka creatour · to crie þurȝe þe stretis,
                    
                      To thre dais on a thrawe · be threpild to-gedire,
                      Line 1476 
                    
                      Ilk a frek & ilka fante · to fast & to pray,
                    
                      To ocupy þar oures & orisons · & offire in þar temple,
                    
                      And call vp with a clene voice · to þe kyng of heuyn,
                    
                      To kepe þam, at þis conquiroure · encumbrid þaim neuir.
                      Line 1480 
                    
                      Now seȝen þai to þar Sinagogis · all þe cite ouire,
                    
                      Ilka bodi þar bedis · þat in þe burȝe lengis,
                    
                      Putt þam to prayris · & penaunce enduris,
                    
                      Þe vengance of þis victoure · to voide if þai miȝt.
                      Line 1484 
                    
                      Þe niȝt eftir þe note · as [MS. &.]  tellis me þe writtis,
                    
                      Quen all þe cite was on-slepe · & sacrifis endid,
                    
                      In ane abite of þe aire · ane Aungell aperis
                    
                      To Iaudas of ierusalem · & him with ioy gretis:
                      Line 1488 
                    
                      "I bringe þe bodword of blis · ser bischop," he said,
                    
                      "With salutis of solas · I am sent fra þe trone,
                    
                      Fra þe maister of man · þe miȝtfull fadere,
                    
                      Þat bedis þe noȝt be [Added in the margin.]  a-baist · he has þi bone herd;
                      Line 1492 
                    
                      And I amonest þe to-morne · as I am enIoyned,
                    
                      Þat þou as radly as þou rise · aray all þe cite, [folio 26a] 
                    
                      Þe stretis & in all stedis · stoutly & faire,

Page 82

                    
                      Þat it be onest all ouire · & open vp þe ȝatis.
                      Line 1496 
                    
                      Lett þan þe pupill ilka poll · apareld be clene,
                    
                      And al manere of men · in mylk-quyte clathis.
                    
                      And pas, þou & þi prelatis · & prestis of þe temple,
                    
                      Raueste all on a raw · as ȝoure rewill askis.
                      Line 1500 
                    
                      And quen þis conquirour comes · caire him agaynes;
                    
                      For he mon ride þus & regne · ouire all þe ronde werde
                    
                      Be lordschip in ilka lede · in-to his laste days,
                    
                      And þen be [MS. he.]  diȝt to þe deth · of driȝtins ire."
                      Line 1504 
                    
                      ¶ Sone þe derke ouire-drafe · & þe day springis,
                    
                      Oure bischop bounes him of bed · & buskis on his wedis,
                    
                      And þen iogis all þe iewis · & generall callis,
                    
                      A-vaies þaim his vision · how þe voice bedis;
                      Line 1508 
                    
                      Þan consals him þe clergy · clene all-to-gedire,
                    
                      And all þe cite asentis · sarazens & oþir,
                    
                      To buwne furth with all þe burȝe · & buske þam belyue,
                    
                      As him was said in his slepe · þis souerayn to mete.
                      Line 1512 
                    
                      Þan rynnes he furth in a rase · & arais all þe cite,
                    
                      Braidis ouire with bawdkyns · all þe brade stretis,
                    
                      With tars & with tafeta · þar he trede sulde,
                      Line 1515 
                    
                      For þe erth to slike ane Emperoure · ware ouire feble.
                    
                      He plyes ouire þe pauement · with [Added above the line.]  pallen webis,
                    
                      Mas on hiȝt ouire his hede · for hete of þe sone,
                    
                      Sylours of sendale · to sele ouire þe gatis,
                      Line 1519 
                    
                      And sammes þaim on aithire side · with silken rapis,
                    
                      And þen he caggis vp on cordis · as curteyns it were,
                    
                      Euen as þe esyngis ȝede · ouire be þe costes,
                    
                      All þe wawis with-oute · in webis of ynde,
                    
                      Of briȝt blasand blewe · browden with sternes. [folio 26b] 
                      Line 1524 
                    
                      Þus atired he þe toune · & titely þar-eftir
                    
                      On ilka way wid open · werped he þe ȝatis;
                    
                      And qua so lukis fra with-out · & with-in haldis,
                    
                      It semyd as þe cite to se · ane of þe seuyn [MS. seuyns; with final s expuncted.]  heuyns.

                      Line 1528

Page 84

                    
                      Line 1528 
                    
                      Now passis furth þis prelate · with prestis of þe temple,
                    
                      Reueschid him rially · & þat in riche wedis,
                    
                      With erst & [Read an.]  abite vndire all · as I am in-fourmede,
                    
                      Fulle of bridis & of bestis · of bise & of purpre;
                      Line 1532 
                    
                      And þat was garnest full gay · with golden skirtis,
                    
                      Store starand stanes · strekilland all ouire,
                    
                      Saudid full of safirs · & oþire sere gemmes,
                    
                      And poudird with perry · was perrour & othire.
                      Line 1536 
                    
                      And sithen he castis on a Cape · of kastand hewes,
                    
                      With riche rabies of gold · railed bi þe [Added in the margin.]  hemmes,
                    
                      A vestoure to vise on · of violet floures,
                    
                      Wroȝt full of wodwose · & oþer wild bestis;
                      Line 1540 
                    
                      And þan him hiȝtild his hede · & had on a Mitre,
                    
                      Was forgid all of fyne gold · & fret full of perrils,
                    
                      Stiȝt staffull of stanes · þat straȝt out bemes,
                    
                      As it ware shemerand shaftis · of þe shire son.
                      Line 1544 
                    
                      Doctours & diuinours · & othire dere maistris,
                    
                      Iustis of iewry · & iogis of þe lawe,
                    
                      Ware tired all in tonacles · of tarrayn webbis;
                    
                      Þai were bret-full of bees · all þe body ouire,
                      Line 1548 
                    
                      And oþer clientis & clerkis · as to þe kirke fallis,
                    
                      Ware all samen of a soyte · in surples of raynes,
                    
                      Þat slike a siȝt, I supose · was neuer sene eftire,
                    
                      So parailed a procession · a person a-gaynes.
                      Line 1552 
                    
                      Now bowis furth þe bischop · at þe burȝe ȝatis,
                    
                      With prestis & with prelatis · a pake out of nombre; [folio 27a] 
                    
                      And all þe cite in sorte · felowis him eftir,
                    
                      Quirris furth all in quite · of qualite as aungels;
                      Line 1556 
                    
                      Maistirs, marchands, & Maire · mynistris & othire,
                    
                      Worthi wedous & wenchis · & wyues of þe cite;
                    
                      Be ilka barne in þe burgh · as blaȝt ere þaire wedis
                    
                      As any snyppand snawe · þat in þe snape liȝtis.
                      Line 1560 
                    
                      þar passis þe procession · a piple be-forne,
                    
                      Of childire all in chalk [MS. shalk.]  quyte · chosen out a hundreth,
                    
                      With bellis & with baners · & blasand torchis,

Page 86

                    
                      Instrumentis & ymagis · with-in of þe Mynstire;
                      Line 1564 
                    
                      Sum with sensours & so[m] · with silueryn cheynes,
                    
                      Quare-of þe reke aromatike · rase to þe welken;
                    
                      Sum with of þe saynt-ware · many sere thingis,
                    
                      With tablis & topoures · & tretice of þe lawe;
                      Line 1568 
                    
                      Sum bolstirs of burnet · en-brouden with perill,
                    
                      Bare before þe bischop · his buke on to lig;
                    
                      Sum candilstickis of clere gold · & of clene siluer,
                    
                      With releckis full rially · þe richest on þe auutere.
                      Line 1572 
                    
                      Þus seyis all þe semle · þe cite with-oute,
                    
                      Vn-to a stonen stede · streȝt on þe temple,
                    
                      Scopulus, by sum skill · þe scripture it callis,
                    
                      And þare þe come of þe kynge · þis couent abidis.
                      Line 1576 
                    
                      Sone Alexander with ane ost · of [Added in the margin.]  many athille dukis,
                    
                      Come prekand toward þe place · with princes & erlis,
                    
                      Sees slike a multitude of men · in milke-quite clathis,
                    
                      And ilk seg in a soyte · at selly him thinkis.
                      Line 1580 
                    
                      Þan fyndis he in þis oþire flote · fanons and stolis,
                    
                      Practisirs & prematis · & prestis of þe lawe,
                    
                      Of dialiticus & decre · doctours of aythir,
                      Line 1583 
                    
                      Bathe chambirlayn & chaplayne · in chalk-quite wedis.
                    
                      And as he waytis in a wra · þan was he ware sone [folio 27b] 
                    
                      Of þe maister of þat meneyhe · in-myddis þe puple,
                    
                      Þat was þe bald bischop · a-bofe alle þ[e] [MS. þ.]  iewis,
                    
                      Was graþid in a garment · of gold & of pu[r]pree.
                      Line 1588 
                    
                      And þan he heues vp his eȝe · be-haldis on his myter,
                    
                      Be-fore he saȝe of [Here forgid is inserted, but is underlined.]  fyne gold · forgid a plate,
                    
                      Þar-in grauen þe grettest · of all gods names,
                    
                      Þis title, Tetragramaton · for so þe text tellis.
                      Line 1592 
                    
                      With þat comandis þe kyng · his knyȝtis ouire [Read euire.]  ilkane,
                    
                      Bathe beron & bachelere · & bald men of armes,
                    
                      Na nere þat place to aproche · a payn of þar lyuys,
                    
                      Bot all to hald þam be-hynd · heraud & othire.
                      Line 1596 
                    
                      Þan airis he furth all him ane · to þis athill meneȝe,

Page 88

                    
                      Bowis him doun of his blonke · þe bischop be-forne,
                    
                      And kneland on þe cald erth · he knockis on his brest,
                    
                      And reuerencez þis haly name · at he seis wreten.
                      Line 1600 
                    
                      Þan þe iewis of ierusalem · Iustis & othire,
                    
                      Lordis & ladis · & be þe litill childere,
                    
                      Enclynes þam to þe conquirour · & him on [Inserted in the margin.]  kneis gretis,
                    
                      Kest vp a kene crie · & carpis þir wordis.
                      Line 1604 
                    
                      "Ay moȝt he lefe, ay moȝt he lefe" · quod ilka man twyse,
                    
                      "Alexander, þe athill aire · vndire þe heuyn,
                    
                      Ay moȝt he lefe, ay moȝt he lefe [Here the MS. wrongly inserts quod.]  · þe lege Emperoure,
                    
                      Þe wildire of all þe werde · & worthist on erthe,
                      Line 1608 
                    
                      Ay moȝt he lef, ay moȝt he [Inserted in the margin.]  leue [Inserted in the margin.] " · quod loude all at anys,
                    
                      "Ouircomere clene of ilka coste · & ouircomyn neuir,
                    
                      Þe gretest & þe gloriosest · þat euir god formed,
                    
                      Erle or Emperoure · & any erdly prince."
                      Line 1612 
                    
                      Þare was comen with him kyngis · as þe clause tellis,
                    
                      Seneiours out of Sireland [land is above the line in MS.]  · was to him-selfe ȝolden,
                    
                      And þai meruailed þam mekill · as þe buke tellis,
                      Line 1615 
                    
                      When þai it herd so be-heryd · & held it in wondire. [folio 28a] 
                    
                      Þan Permeon, a proude kniȝt · a prince of his oste,
                    
                      Aires to sir Alexander · & askis at him swythe,
                    
                      Syn him adoured all men · eldire & ȝongir,
                      Line 1619 
                    
                      Qui he obeschid so lawe & bende · þe bischop of iewis?
                    
                      "Nay," quod þe comly kynge · & þe knyȝt swaris,
                    
                      "Nouthire haylsid I him · ne hildid him nouthire,
                    
                      Bot it was gode at I grete · þe gouernoure of all,
                      Line 1623 
                    
                      Of quam in þe abite & þe armes · he was all clethid.
                    
                      For in þe marche of Messedone · me mynes on a tyme,
                    
                      Þat slike a segg in my slepe · me sodanly aperid,
                    
                      Euyn in slike a similitude · & þis same wedis,
                    
                      For all þe werd as þis wee · wendis now atired.

                      Line 1628

Page 90

                    
                      Line 1628 
                    
                      And þen I mused [The d is above the line in MS.]  in my mynde · how at I myȝt wyn
                    
                      Anothire anell of þe erth [MS. werd erth; but werd is struck out.]  · þat Aysy we call it,
                    
                      And me thret to be thra [MS. repeats to be thra; partly underlined.]  · & for na þing turne,
                    
                      Bot tire me titely þarto · & tristly to wende.
                      Line 1632 
                    
                      And syne saȝe I na segg · þat sa was arayd;
                    
                      . . . . .
                    
                      And sekirly yone semys · þe same to se [MS. þe in same to to w; altered to þe same to se.]  to within,
                    
                      Þe same gode at I in my slepe · saȝe in my days;
                      Line 1635 
                    
                      And now I hope me, þurȝe þe helpe [Inserted in the margin.]  · of þe haly fadire,
                    
                      Of quam þe hered haly name · is ȝondire on hiȝe wreten,
                    
                      To do with Darius or I dyi · how so me dere thinke,
                    
                      And þe pride of all þe Persens · purely distroy.
                    
                      And ȝit I sothely supose · quat so my sale hopis,
                      Line 1640 
                    
                      Þat sall fall apon fold · slik fyaunce I haue
                    
                      In þe grace of grete god · at gyes all þe sternes,
                    
                      Þat it sall be in my will · & on na way faile."
                      Line 1643 
                    
                      Now tas þe bischop þe berne · & to þe burȝe wendis, [folio 28b] 
                    
                      With sange & solempnite · him to þe cite ledis,
                    
                      He was resayued, as I rede · with reuerence & Ioye,
                    
                      As he ware duke of ilk douth · & dreuyn doun fra heuen.
                      Line 1647 
                    
                      Þan gas he furth with his gingis · to godis awen temple,
                    
                      Þat of sir Salamon þe sage · sett was & foundid,
                    
                      And þare he lythis of þare lare · as þe law wald;
                    
                      He offird in þat oratori · & honourd oure lorde.
                    
                      And Iaudas of ierusalem · & all þe iewis eftir
                      Line 1652 
                    
                      Bringis out a brade buke · & to þe berne reches,
                    
                      Was plant full of prophasys · playnely all ouire,
                    
                      Of þe doctrine of Daniell · & of his dere sawis.
                    
                      Þe lord [Inserted in the margin.]  lokis on þe lyne · & on a lefe fyndis
                      Line 1656 
                    
                      How þe gomes out of grece · suld with þaire grete miȝtis

Page 92

                    
                      Þe pupill out of Persye · purely distroy;
                    
                      And þat he hopis sall be he · & hertly he ioyes.
                    
                      Þan partis he to þa prelatis · many proude giftis,
                      Line 1660 
                    
                      Was nane sa pore in þat place · bot he his purse fillis,
                    
                      Geues þam garsons of gold · & of gud stanes,
                    
                      Rife riches enoȝe · robies & perles,
                    
                      Besands to þe bischop · he bed out of nounbre,
                      Line 1664 
                    
                      Reches him of rede gold · ransons many,
                    
                      Tas him to his tresory · talent him to shewe,
                    
                      Bad him wale quat he wald · & wild him þe toþir.
                    
                      Ȝit bedis he him, þe bald kyng · as þe buke tellis:
                      Line 1668 
                    
                      "Sire, quat þou will in þis werd · to wild & to haue,
                    
                      Noȝt bot aske it at [MS. at it.]  Alexander · quat þou will apon reson,
                    
                      And I sall grant, or I ga · with a gud will."
                    
                      Þan bowis doun þe bischop · & him a bone askis,
                      Line 1672 
                    
                      "Sire, þis I depely disire · durst I it neuyn, [folio 29a] 
                    
                      Þat it be leuefull vs oure lare · & oure law vse,
                    
                      As oure fadirs has folowid · forwith þis tyme;
                    
                      As of ȝoure grete gudnes · at ȝe grant wald
                      Line 1676 
                    
                      To lat vs sitt be safe · bot for þis seuyn wyntir,
                    
                      But tribute or trouag · quils þe terme lastis,
                    
                      Þan were we halden all þe hepe · to hiȝe þe for euir.
                    
                      And ȝit I will, be ȝoure leue · a worde & na mare,
                      Line 1680 
                    
                      Þat þe men of Medi · man, be ȝoure leue,
                    
                      Lang all in oure lawe · lely to-gedire,
                    
                      And þai of Babilon bathe · & bede I na nothire."
                    
                      Quod Alexander belyue · "all þis I graunt,
                      Line 1684 
                    
                      And els any othire thing · aske & be serued."
                    
                      "Nay, now na mare," quod þe man · & mekly him thankid,
                    
                      "Bot ay þi lordschip & þi loue · quils my lyfe dures."
                    
                      Now kastis þis conquirour · to caire fra þe cite,
                      Line 1688 
                    
                      And mas to bide in þe burȝe · a berne of his awyn,
                    
                      A messagere to myn · on quat men of him said,

Page 94

                    
                      Ane Ardromacius, a gome · as [Inserted in the margin.]  þe buke tellis.
                    
                      Þan bowis to þe bischop · his benyson to fang,
                      Line 1692 
                    
                      Takis lufly his leue · & lendis on forthere.
                    
                      To Sere cites þar be-syde · he soȝt with his hostis,
                    
                      And þai frendly & faire · frely resayued him.
                    
                      Þan of þe Siriens summe · in þe same tyme
                      Line 1696 
                    
                      Folow fra þe fell kyng · as fals men suld,
                    
                      Did þam to sir Darius · & depely þam playnt,
                    
                      Quat erroure of þis Emperoure · & euill þai suffird.
                      Line 1699 
                    
                      And he [Inserted in the margin.]  þam faire vndir-fong · & fraynes þam ȝerne,
                    
                      Askis þam of sir Alexander · all at he cuthe, [folio 29b] 
                    
                      Bathe of his statoure & his strenth · if he [MS. repeats if he.]  ware store ben,
                    
                      His qualite, his quantite · he quirys all-to-gedire;
                    
                      And þai in parchement him payntid · his person him shewid,
                      Line 1704 
                    
                      Ane amlaȝe, ane asaleny · ane ape of all othire,
                    
                      A wirling, a wayryngle · a wawil-eȝid shrewe,
                    
                      Þe cait[if]este creatour · þat cried was euire.
                    
                      And þan, as he lenes · & lokis on his fourme,
                      Line 1708 
                    
                      His litillaike & his licknes · he laythly dispiced,
                    
                      And thre thingis of his thede · he þoȝt him sa feble,
                    
                      He dressis to him in dedeyne · & in dispite sendis:
                    
                      First a ball, says þe buke · þe barne with to play,
                      Line 1712 
                    
                      A herne-pan es of a berne · of brend gold yeuen,
                    
                      For hottre & for hething · a Hatt made of twyggis;
                    
                      Sayd þat was benere him to bere · þan a briȝt helme.
                    
                      Slike presandis out of Persy · he to þe prince sendis,
                      Line 1716 
                    
                      His brefe with a brade sele · & biddis hum [Read him.]  ga swythe.
                    
                      And qua sa will has to wete · howe it worthis eftir,
                    
                      Now sall I neuen vs here next · þe note of his lettir.

Page 79

Dublin

                    
                      Als hastely as þai herd of · in haly cite,
                      Line 1457 
                    
                      And Bodword to þe bischop · was broght of hys come,
                    
                      For alexander aw · almost he dyes,
                      Line 1459 
                    
                      And for he hed nekyd hym with nay · in a new tyme.
                    
                      And now he þenkez in his thought · he turht [Read thurt.]  noght haue cared
                    
                      In all hys maste mister · made he hym faylez, [Read nad he þe man fayled.] 
                    
                      When he for socour to þe cite · send hym hys lettre;
                    
                      And he soned hym by þis case · þat nowe hym for|thynkez.

                      Line 1464

Page 81

                    
                      Line 1464 
                    
                      "For me hed leuer," quod þe lede · "bene letherly forsworne [folio 13b] 
                    
                      On all þe halydoms · as opyn are to nevyn,
                    
                      Than onys haue greved þis gome · or groched with hys erand!
                      Line 1467 
                    
                      Þat euer I warned hym hys wille · wa is me bestound!"
                    
                      Thus was Iaudes of ioy · & iolyte depreuett;
                    
                      And all þe Iewes of Ierusalem · he iontly assemblez.
                    
                      And [Read Said.] , "alexander is at hand · & wille vs all combred, [Read combre.] 
                    
                      And we er vtterly vndone · bot dryghten vs shelde."
                      Line 1472 
                    
                      Than biddez þe bischop all þe burgh · bernes & oþer,
                    
                      Athelles of all age · bath elder & yonger,
                    
                      Comand iche creature · & cryed þorow þe stretes,
                    
                      Till thre days on a thraw · wer threpelytt to-geder,
                      Line 1476 
                    
                      And ilke freke & euery faunt · to fast & to pray,
                    
                      To occupy in þair orisons · & offers [Read offer.]  in þe temple,
                    
                      And calle vp with kene cry · vnto þe kyng of heuen,
                    
                      And kepe þaim with þis conquerour · he comber þaim neuer.
                      Line 1480 
                    
                      Thai soght to þair sinagoge · all þe cite ouer;
                    
                      Iche body to þair bedes · at in þe burgh lendes
                    
                      Putten þaim to prayers · & pennance indurett,
                    
                      Þe vengance of þis victor · to voyde if þai might.
                      Line 1484 
                    
                      The thred nyght after þis note · as neuen me þe text,
                    
                      When all þe cite was slepe · & sacrifese endytt, [apparieio angeli episcopo Ieromo|solitano.] 
                    
                      In ane habett of þe ayre · an angell apperes
                    
                      To Iaudes of Ierusalem · and hym with ioy gretes:
                      Line 1488 
                    
                      "I brynge þe bodworde of [blis] · sir bischop," he sayd,
                    
                      "With salutez of solace · am send fro þe trone,
                    
                      Fro þe hye maister of mageste · & þat mightfull fadre,
                    
                      A byddes þe noght be abaysed · he hase þi bone herd;
                    
                      And I amonesh þe to-morne · als me was amoved,
                      Line 1493 
                    
                      Þat þou als radly as þou ryses · aray all þi cite,
                    
                      The stretes & all stedes · stoutly & faire,

Page 83

                    
                      Þat it be honest all ouer · & opyn vp þe ȝates.
                      Line 1496 
                    
                      Lett þen þi peple euerilke polle · aparaeld [MS. aparaerld; see l. 1552.]  be clene,
                    
                      And all maner of men · in milke-whitte clathez.
                    
                      Bott passe, þou & þi pristez · & prelatez of þe temple,
                    
                      Reuest all on rawe · as your rewle askez.
                      Line 1500 
                    
                      And when þis conquerour comez · carez hym agayns; [folio 14a] 
                    
                      For he must ryde & reyne · ouer all þe brede of þe werlde,
                    
                      And be Lord of ilke lede · vnto hys last dayes,
                    
                      And þen be dight vnto þe deth · of drightenez ayre."
                      Line 1504 
                    
                      Sone þe dyrke ouer-drafe · & þe day springez,
                    
                      Oure Bishop bownes hym of bede · & buskes hys wedes,
                    
                      And þen þat Iew of all Iewes · in generall he clepys,
                    
                      Says þaim hys vision · & as þe voyce biddes;
                      Line 1508 
                    
                      Than councellys hym þe Clerge · clene all-to-geder,
                    
                      And all þe cety be assent · sariauntez & other,
                    
                      To bowne hym forth with all þe burgh · & buske hym beliue,
                    
                      As hym was sayd in hys slepe · þis souerand to mete.
                    
                      Than rynnes forth in a rese · arayes all þe cyte,
                      Line 1513 
                    
                      Spredes ouer with bawdkens · all þe brode stretes,
                    
                      With riche clothez of taffata · qwer he trede suld,
                    
                      For þe erth to siche ane emperour · wer all to feble.
                      Line 1516 
                    
                      He plyes ouer þe payment · pallen webbes,
                    
                      Makez on hight ouer þe heued · for het [The t is written above the line.]  of þe son,
                    
                      Silours of sendale · to syle ouer þe gatez,
                      Line 1519 
                    
                      And sampnez þaime on aþer [side] · with sylkyn rapez,
                    
                      And þan he cachez vp on cordez · als curtaynez it were.
                    
                      Euen als þe esynges ȝode · ouer be þe costez,
                    
                      All þe wallez withowte · in webbez of Inde,
                    
                      Of bright blysnand blew · browden with sternes.
                      Line 1524 
                    
                      Thus attyred he þis toune · & titely þar-after
                    
                      Of ilke way wide hopyn · warpyd he þe ȝatez;
                    
                      Att who so wates fro withowte · & within hedes,
                    
                      It semyd as to se to · on of þe seuen heuens.

                      Line 1528

Page 85

                    
                      Line 1528 
                    
                      Now passes þis prelate · with prestez of þe temple,
                    
                      Reuest fully rially · & with ryche wedes,
                    
                      First ane habett vnder all · as I am enformed.
                    
                      Full of birdes & of bestes · of byse & of purpurre;
                      Line 1532 
                    
                      And þat was garneshed full gay · with gold skirtez,
                    
                      Store starand stanes · strenklett all ouer,
                    
                      Sawdett with saphirez · and oþer sere gemmys,
                    
                      And pouuderet vith perre · was purer þar [Read þan.]  oþer.
                      Line 1536 
                    
                      Bot syne he kest on a Cape · of castans hewe,
                    
                      With riche rybans of gold · raythely þe hem,
                    
                      A vesture of vyce · of vyolet flourez, [folio 14b] 
                    
                      Wroght full [of] wodwose · & oþer wylde bestes;
                      Line 1540 
                    
                      And þen he heghtlet on hys heued · a hoge fair myter,
                    
                      Was forgett all [of] fyne gold · & frett full of perlez,
                    
                      Stight staffull of stanes · þat straughten owt bemes,
                    
                      Als it wer shemerand shaftez · shott fro þe son.
                      Line 1544 
                    
                      Doctours & deuynours · & oþer dere maistres,
                    
                      Iustes of Iewry · & Iewes of þe lawe,
                    
                      Wer tyrett all in tonacles · of tartaren webbys;
                    
                      And þai wer brightfull of bleez · all þe body ouer,
                      Line 1548 
                    
                      And oþer clerkez & colettes · at to þe kirke longen,
                    
                      Wer all sampnen in a sott · with surples of reynes,
                    
                      That suche a sight, I suppose · was neuer sene aftir,
                    
                      So paraeld a procession · ane person agayns.
                      Line 1552 
                    
                      Now bownes furth þe bischop · at þe brode ȝates,
                    
                      With pristes & with prelatez · a pake owt of nowmbre;
                    
                      And all þe cite of sorte · sylez hym after,
                    
                      Whirrez forth all in white · of qualite of angels;
                      Line 1556 
                    
                      Marchaundez, maister mair · mynister and oþer,
                    
                      Worthy wedous and wifes · & whenches of þe cite;
                    
                      Be ilke a barne in þe burgh · all blaught is hys wedes
                    
                      Als any snappand snaw · þat in þe snape lightes.
                      Line 1560 
                    
                      Than passys þe procession · a peple beforne,
                    
                      Of childer all in chalke white · chosyn a hundreth,
                    
                      With bellys & with banners [MS. barners.]  · & blesand torchez,

Page 87

                    
                      Instrumentes & ymagez · within of þe temple;
                      Line 1564 
                    
                      Som with censours & som [MS. so, alt. to set; but read sō = som.]  · with syluer chynes,
                    
                      Whar-of þe reke of aromatyke · rase to þe welken;
                    
                      And of þe sanctuary · mony sere þingez,
                    
                      With tabels & tapers · & tretes of þe law;
                      Line 1568 
                    
                      Som bolsters of burnett · enbrowden with perle,
                    
                      Borne byfore þe bishop · hys boke on to lig;
                    
                      Som candelstyke of clene gold · & of good syluer,
                    
                      With relikkez fully rially · þe richest of þe werld.
                      Line 1572 
                    
                      Thus seȝes all þis semble · þe cite withowte,
                    
                      Vnto a stonon stede · streȝt on þe temple,
                    
                      Scopulus, be some skely · þe scriptur it calles,
                    
                      And þar þe come of þe kyng · þis Couent abydez.
                      Line 1576 
                    
                      Sone [MS. Some.]  Alexander with an hoste · of many athell dukez, [folio 15a] 
                    
                      Come prekand to þe palace · with princez & Erelez,
                    
                      Saugh suche a multitude of men · [in] mylke-white wedes,
                    
                      And ilke a sege in a sote · þat selly hym thynkez.
                      Line 1580 
                    
                      Than fyndez he in a nother flete · of fanons & stoles,
                    
                      Practyf men in prevatez · & prestez of þe lawe,
                    
                      Of Dialeticus and decre · doctours of ather,
                    
                      Bath chamerlayn [MS. chamernlayn.]  & chapelayn · in chalke-white wedes.
                    
                      And als he wates in a wray · þen was he war sone
                      Line 1585 
                    
                      Off þe maister of þat meynȝe · in-myddez of þe peple,
                    
                      That was þe bald bischop · abowne all þe Iewes,
                    
                      Was grathed in a garment · of gold & of siluer.
                      Line 1588 
                    
                      Than he heldes vp on hegh · beheld on hys myter,
                    
                      Before he se of fyne gold · forgett a playte,
                    
                      An þar-on grauen on þe grethest · of all godez namez,
                    
                      This title, tetragramaton · for so þe text wittnesse.
                      Line 1592 
                    
                      With þat Comand þe kynge · hys knyghtez all,
                    
                      Bath barouns & bachelers · bald men of armez,
                    
                      No nere þe place [to aproche] · vpon payn of þair lyfez,
                    
                      Bot all to hald þaim byhynde · þe lesse & þe more.
                      Line 1596 
                    
                      Than ayres he forth all hym one · to þis athell meynȝe,

Page 89

                    
                      Bowes hym downe of hys blonke · þe bischopp before,
                    
                      Kneland on [MS. of.]  þe cald erth · & knokez on hys briste,
                    
                      And hersouns þat haly name · þat he byheld written.
                    
                      Þan all þe Iewes of Ierusalem · Iustice & oþer, [Processio versus alex|andrum apud Ierusalem.] 
                      Line 1601 
                    
                      Lordez & lades · be þe lityll sottez,
                    
                      Inclines þaim to þis conquerour · & hym on knees gretes,
                    
                      Kest vp a kene crye · & carpyd þees wordes:
                      Line 1604 
                    
                      "Ay mott he leue, ay mot he leue" · quod ilke a lede twyse,
                    
                      "Alexander, þe athelfullest · hayr vnder heven,
                      Line 1606 
                    
                      Ay mot he leue, ay mott he leue · þis lege Emperour,
                    
                      The welder of all þe werld · & worthiest vnder wylde,
                    
                      Ay mott he leue," quod þe Land · [loude all] at anes,
                    
                      "Ouercommer clene of ilke coste · & ouercommyn neuer,
                    
                      The grettest & þe gloriest · þat euer god formed,
                    
                      Erell or ony Emperour · or erthlich prince!"
                      Line 1612 
                    
                      Þan Wer þair common whit hym kyngez · als þe clause telles, [folio 15b] 
                    
                      Senyours owt of Surry · wer to hym-selue ȝolden,
                    
                      And þai amervale þaime mekyll · as menys me þe writtes,
                    
                      When þai saw hym so heret · & heldyn it a wondre.
                      Line 1616 
                    
                      Than Permeon, a proude knyȝt · a prince of hys hoste,
                    
                      Ayres to sir alexander · and askys hym swith,
                    
                      Sen hym adouret all men · alder & yonger,
                    
                      Why he obeyd & bowed so · to þe bischop of Iewes?
                    
                      "Nay," quod þe comly kyng [MS. knyge.]  · & þe knyȝt swerez,
                      Line 1621 
                    
                      "Noþer haylsed I hym · ne heldit hym noþer,
                    
                      Bod it was god at I gret · þe gouernour of all,
                    
                      Of whome in þe habett & þe armez · he was all clethyd.
                    
                      For in þe marche of masydon · me menys on a tyme,
                    
                      Suche a segh in my slepe · me sodenly appered,
                      Line 1626 
                    
                      Euen in suche a sembland · & in þe same wedes,
                    
                      For all þis werld as þis wy · wendes now attyred.

                      Line 1628

Page 91

                    
                      Line 1628 
                    
                      And þan 1 musyd in my mynde · how þat I might wynne,
                    
                      Ane oþer angle of þe erth · þat asy we calle,
                    
                      And he me thrett to be tra [Read thra.]  · & for no thyng turne,
                    
                      Bot tyre me titely þarto · & tristly to wend.
                      Line 1632 
                    
                      And syne saw I no segh · þat so was atired;
                      Line 1633 
                    
                      And he [Read I; twice.]  hoppyd þe helder þat þis was he · at he [Read I; twice.]  saw þen,
                      Line 1633* 
                    
                      For sekerly he semys so · to se withowte,
                      Line 1634 
                    
                      The [MS. Thame.]  same god þat in my slepe · I sawe in þo days;
                    
                      And now I hope, þorow help · of þe hye fadre,
                      Line 1636 
                    
                      On whom þe holy name is ȝond · on hye written,
                    
                      To do with Darius, or I dye · how I some dere thynke,
                    
                      And þe pride of all þe persens · purely distroy.
                    
                      Bot ȝitte I sothly suppose · qwat so my saule þinkez,
                      Line 1640 
                    
                      That sall be-falle vppon falde · slyke fiance I haue
                    
                      In þe grace of þe grett god · þat gydez all sternes,
                    
                      That it sall in my will be · & in no ways faille."
                    
                      Now takys þis Bishop þe berne · & to burgh ledes,
                      Line 1644 
                    
                      With sange & solempnite · with hym to cite wendes,
                    
                      He was resaued, as I rede · with reuerence & Ioy,
                    
                      As he wer duke of iche dochre · & drevyn owt of heuen.
                    
                      Þan gays he forth with hys gyng · to goddes awne temple, [folio 16a] 
                    
                      That of sir salamon þe sage · sett was & fondyn,
                      Line 1649 
                    
                      And þar he lightez of þar lare · &, als þe lawe wald,
                    
                      He offers in þat oratory · & honours owr Lorde.
                    
                      And Iaudes of Ierusalem · þe Iewes fadir,
                      Line 1652 
                    
                      Bringes forth a brade buke · & to þe berne reches,
                    
                      Was plantyd full of prophecyes · playnly all ouer,
                    
                      Of þe doctryne of daniell · & of hys dere sawes.
                    
                      The lede lokys on a lefe · & in a lyne fyndes [prophecia] 
                      Line 1656 
                    
                      How þat þe gomez owt of grece · suld with þair grett mightez

Page 93

                    
                      The peple owt of perse · purely distroy;
                    
                      And [þat] he hopys suld be he · & heterly he ioyes.
                    
                      Than he partes to þe prelates · mony prouude gyftes,
                      Line 1660 
                    
                      Was non so pure in þe place · bot he hys purse fillez,
                    
                      Gyfez þaim garisons of gold · & of god stanez,
                    
                      Riche giftez enogh · bath rubies & perelez,
                    
                      Besaundez to þe bischopp · he badde owt of nowmbre,
                    
                      Rechez hym of rede gold · raunsons mony,
                      Line 1665 
                    
                      Takez hym to hys tresory · talentes hym shewys,
                    
                      Bade hym wale qwat he walde · & wyld hym þaes oþer.
                    
                      Ȝit biddez hym þe bald kyng · als þe boke tellez:
                      Line 1668 
                    
                      "Sir, qwat þou will in þis werld · to weld or to haue,
                    
                      Noȝt bot aske at alexander · any thyng of reson,
                    
                      And I sall graunte, or I gay · with a goode wille."
                    
                      Than bowes downe our bischop · & hym a bone askez,
                    
                      "Sir, þis I depely desirre · durst I it neuen,
                      Line 1673 
                    
                      Þat ȝe wald latte vs oure lare · & owre lawez vse,
                    
                      Als owr faders hase foloued · forewith þis tyme;
                    
                      And of your grett goodnesse · if ȝe þis graunte wald
                      Line 1676 
                    
                      To latt vs sitte & be safe · bot for þis seuen wynter,
                    
                      Withowte tribute or truage · whils þe terme lastes,
                    
                      Þen wer we halden all þe hepe · to pray for you for euer.
                    
                      And ȝitt I wille, be your leue · a worde & no more,
                      Line 1680 
                    
                      Þat þe men of mede · may, be your leue,
                    
                      Lenge all in your [Read our.]  lawe · lely to-geder,
                    
                      And þai of babilon bath · þan bid I none othre."
                    
                      Quod alexander als belyue · "all þis I graunt,
                      Line 1684 
                    
                      And ellys ony oþer thyng · aske & be serued." [folio 16b] 
                    
                      "Nay, nowe no more," quod þis man · & mekely hym thankez,
                    
                      "Bot your lordship and youre loue · whille my lyve lastes."
                    
                      Now kyst hym þis conquerour · to care fro þe cite,
                      Line 1688 
                    
                      And made to byde in þe burgh · a berne of hir awne,
                    
                      A messynger to meyn on · qwat men of hym sayd,

Page 95

                    
                      And [Read Ane.]  andromacius, a man · as I am enformed.
                    
                      Þan bowys he to þe Bishop · hys benyson to fange,
                      Line 1692 
                    
                      Keches lufly hys leue · & lendez on ferther.
                    
                      To setez þar bysyde · he soght with hys hostez,
                    
                      And þai frendly & faire · & frely resaued hym.
                    
                      Bot þen of surriens a soume · in þe same tyme
                      Line 1696 
                    
                      Flowen from þis fell kyng · as fals men suldyn,
                    
                      Did þaim to sir Darius · & depely þaim plenyd,
                    
                      What errour of þis emperour · & ille þat þai suffred.
                    
                      And he þaim faire vnderfangez · & franez þaim ȝarne,
                    
                      Askez þaim of sir alexander · all þat he couth,
                      Line 1701 
                    
                      Bath of hys stature & hys strenth · if he wer sture-baned,
                    
                      Hys qualite, hys quantite · enquirez all-to-gedyr;
                    
                      And þai in perchemyn depayntyd · hys person hym sweyd,
                    
                      Ane amlaugh, ane aslyn · ane ape of all other,
                      Line 1705 
                    
                      A wirlyng, a warlow · a waugle-eghed shrewe,
                    
                      The catyfest creatur · þat credylytt was euer.
                    
                      And þen þe Lord, as he lenytt · & lokett on hys forme,
                    
                      Hys litilayke & hys liknes · he loudly dispysez,
                      Line 1709 
                    
                      And thro [Read thre.]  thyngez of hys thede · hym thoght so feble,
                    
                      He dressyd to hym in dysdene · & dispite sendes:
                    
                      Frist to [to above the line in MS.]  þe barne, says þe buke · a balle with to play,
                    
                      A brayn-pan of a berne · of brent gold þen,
                      Line 1713 
                    
                      For hocour & for hethyng · a hat made of wiggez [Read twiggez.] ;
                    
                      Sayd, þat was bener hym to bring · þen a bright helme.
                    
                      Suche presandez owt of perse · he to þe prince wayfez,
                    
                      Hys brefe with a brade seale · & byddes þaim go swithe.
                      Line 1717 
                    
                      And who sa wete wald · how it worthed aftir,
                    
                      Now sall I neuen vs on next · þe note of hys lettre.

About this Item

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Septimus passus Alexandri.

Ashmole

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Dublin

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The wars of Alexander: an alliterative romance translated chiefly from the Historia Alexandri Magni de preliis. Re-edited from ms. Ashmole 44, in the Bodleian library, Oxford, and ms. D.4.12, in the library of Trinity college, Dublin: by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat.

About this Item

Pages

description Page 78

Septimus passus Alexandri.

Ashmole

description Page 80

description Page 82

description Page 84

description Page 86

description Page 88

description Page 90

description Page 92

description Page 94

description Page 79

Dublin

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description Page 95

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