Lydgate's Siege of Thebes. Edited from all the known manuscripts and the two oldest editions, with introduction, notes, and a glossary, by Axel Erdmann ...

The Siege of Thebes.

[MS. Mus. Brit. Bibl. Arundel 119.]

Incipit Prologus. [leaf 1]

WHan briȝte phebus / passëd was þe ram [Phebus in ariete.] [1. Whan] Whan that T₂. Ba. briȝte] om. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ra. Ba. T₂. P.] Myd of Aprille / and in-to bolë cam, [In mid-April,] [2. Myd] and myd L₁. and] om. Lb. in-to bole] into the bole T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. in the bole Ra. L₂. Ro. to the foule I.] And Satourn̄ old / with his frosty face [Saturnus in virgine.] [3. old] olde T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. P. E₂. Ap. om. L₂. Ro.] In virgynë / taken had his place, [ 4] [4. In] In þe Ap. virgyne] virgyn M. P. had] hath Ra. S. has Ba. his place] a p. L₁.] Malencolik / and slowgħ of mocioun, [5. Malinkkolik Ad₁. Melyncolik P. slowe M. slow Ad₁. sclough S. Ro. slouth E₁. mocioun] mocions L₁.] And was also / in thoposicioun [1-6 cut away in Bo. (7,8 incomplete, the second half being cut away).] [6. thoposicioun] the opposicioun Ad₁. Ba. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. opposicioun Ad₂. I. the opposicions L₁.] Of lucina / the monë moyst and pale, That many Shour / fro heuene made avale; [ 8] [8. many] many a Du. L₁. Ba. P. Shour] shouris T₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. shours Ad₁. fro heuene made] made fro heuene Lb.] whan Aurora / was in þe morowe red, And Iubiter / in the Crabbës Hed [Iubiter in capite cancri.] [10. Iubiter] Iupyter E₁. Iupiter E₂.] Hath take his paleys / and his mansioun; [11. paleys] place I.] The lusty tyme / and Ioly fressħ Sesoun [ 12] [the jolly fresh season] [12. The] That Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. P. and] that P.] whan that Flora / the noble myghty quene, [13. the noble] that noble P. the lusty Lb. myghty] om. Lb.] The soyl hatħ clad / in newë tendre grene, [14. newe Ad₁. new Bo. M.]

witħ her flourës / craftyly ymeynt, [15. her] his Ba. the L₂. Ro. craftyly] craftly Bo. Ba. Ap. ymeynt] meynt Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. E₁. E₂.] Brauncħ and bougħ / wiþ red and whit depeynt, [ 16] [16. wiþ] om. Ap. [red and whit] white & rede Ro. depeynt] dopeynt miswritten Ar.] Fletinge þe bawme / on hillis and on valys: [17. second on] in Ap. om. Ad₁. I.] The tyme in sotħ / whan Canterbury talys [when the Canter∣bury Tales were told,—] [18. whan] whanne that L₁. Ad₁. T₂. Cauntrebery Bo. Caunterbury M. Kaunterberi Ad₁. In Ad₂. l. 18 and l. 19 are transposed.] Complet and told / at many sondry stage [19. many] many a Lb.] Of estatis // in the pilgrimage, [ 20] [20. estatis] estate S. the statis Lb. there astates P. the] their Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. T₂. P. L₂. here Lb. In Ra. a later hand has altered the into ther by adding an r.] Euericħ man / lik to his degrè, [21. Euerich] euery Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. man] om. L₂. Ro. lik] lyke Bo. M. Ad₁. liche Lb.] Som̄e of desport / som̄e of moralitè, [some moral,] [22. desport some] d. and s. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M.] Som̄e of knyghthode / loue and gentillesse, [23. gentillesse] gentilnesse T₁. L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. L₂. Ro. Ap.] And som̄e also of parfit holynesse, [ 24] And som̄e also in soth / of Ribaudye [some ribald,] [25. And] om. Ra. Ba. E₂. also in soth] eke i. s. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. T₂. P. in soth eeke L₁. in soth] om. L₂. Ro. Ribaudye] ribawdrye Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. E₂. L₂. lewed ribaudrye Ro.] To makë laughter / in þe companye, [26. maken Bo. M. make Ad₁.] (Ecħ admitted / for non̄ wold other greve) [like those of The Cook, the Millere, And the Reve,] [27. Ech] They Ad₂. I. for] om. L₂. Ro. other greve] ooyr eve Lb.] Lich as the Cook / þe millere and the Reve [ 28] [28. as] om. Lb. millere] mylnere Ro.] Aquytte hem-silf / shortly to conclude, [29. Aquytte] Acquit Ra. L₂. Acquite Bo. Du. Lb. Ad₂. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. Ap. Acquiten M. hemsilf] hem wel T₁. shortly] sothly Ra. to] for to P.] Boystously / in her teermës Rude, [30. boystously] boystuously S. 31-40 cut away on back side of the first leaf in Bo (38. unce, 40. Breteyne is left at the end of the line).] whan þei hadde / wel dronken of the bolle, [31. dronken] dronkynge Ap.] And ek also / with his pyllëd nolle [ 32] [32. pylled] piled Ad₁. peled Lb. S. pallid T₁. Du. T₂. ballyd L₁.] The pardowner / beerdlees al his Chyn, [¶ Pardonere, [leaf 1, back] ] [33. The pardowner beerdlees] The berdles pardoner L₁. (taken from the rubric, which in this MS. forms the preceding line of the column). al] of Ro.] Glasy-Eyed / and face of Cherubyn, [34. Glasy-Eyed] Glasyne Eyde Ro. Glasy eyes E₁. Ed₂. Glasy yen P. glasid eyen S. glasy · rede · Du. of] om. Ra.] Tellyng a tale / to angre witħ the frere, [35. a] to G.]

As opynly // the storie kan ȝow lere, [ 36] [36. As opynly] As o. as T₁. Du. Lb. And o. as L₁. Al o. as M.] word for word / witħ euery circumstaunce, [37. for] bi L₁.] Echon ywrite / and put in remembraunce [written by] [38. Echon ywrite] Echon writen T₁. Echone wreton M.] By hym þat was / ȝif I shal not feyne, [¶ Chaucer,] [39. was] om. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. shal] shuld Ra. Ba. L₂.] Floure of Poetës / thorghout al breteyne, [ 40] [the Flower of Poets,] [31-40 cut away on back side of the first leaf in Bo (38. unce, 40. Breteyne is left at the end of the line).] [40. Poetes] poietys Ro. Ap. thorghout] thorough out L₂. throughout E₂. thorugh Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ap. thorough Lb. T₂. thorgh T₁. Ba. P. Ro. through L₁. S. thorugh out of E₁.] Whicħ sothly haddë / most of excellence [41. sothly] shortly P. hadde Ad₁. Ra. T₂. had Bo. M. of] om. L₂. Ro.] In rethorike / and in eloquence [42. In] bothe in Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. T₂. rethorike] retryk T₂. and] and eke Ra (eke added by later hand). second in] om. Ad₂. I.] (Rede his making / who list the trouthë* fynde) [43. Rede] Redeth Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. T₂. P. who] whos Bo. T₁. Du. M. who so Lb. Ba. trouthe M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo. fynde] to finde M. Ra (to added by later hand).] Whicħ neuer shal / appallen in my mynde, [ 44] [44. Which] þat Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S.] But alwey fressħ / ben in my memorye*: [(who will be always fresh in my memory,)] [45. alwey] evir L₂. fressh ben Ad₁. fresshe be Bo. M. be fressh T₂. freyshely bene Ap. my] om. I. Ro. memorye] memoyre Ar. in my memorye] called Geffray Chawcer by name P (written by a later hand, partly on erasure).] To whom* be ȝouë / pris/ honure / and glorye* [46. whom] who Ar. be] ben Ra. Ba. ȝoue] yoven Ba. yeue E₁. Ap. geven S. ioye Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₂. I. glorye] gloyre Ar. Ap (: memory). The scribe of P. wrote honoure glorie and pris, the later hand has erased most of pris and written ffame across it.] Of wel seyinge / first in oure language, [47. seyinge Ad₁. saiyng Bo. seieng M. langage G. Bo.] Chief Registrer / of þis pilgrimage, [ 48] [48. Registrer] regestrier Bo. Registerer T₂. Regester L₁. P. regystere Ad₁. S. Ap. regestire Ro. Registre Ba. regestre Ad₂. I. L₂. of] in E₂. þis] his S.] Al þat was tolde / forȝeting noght at al, [and told his Tales] [49. Al] Of Ro. forȝeting] forgetyn L₁. Ba. P. at] om. L₂. Ro.] Feynëd talis / nor þing Historial, [50. talis] tale I. nor þing] ne thing Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ro. no thing L₂. nor nothynge L₁. Ba. and thing Lb.] With many prouerbe / diuers and vnkoutħ, [51. prouerbe] prouerbes L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. E₂.] Be rehersaile / of his Sugrid moutħ, [ 52] [with his sugard mouth,] [52. Sugrid] sugir L₂.] Of eche thyng / keping in substaunce [53. in] þe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. T₂. P.] The sentence hool / with-outë variance, [54. hool] of Iobe Ad₂. of Iove I.] Voyding the Chaf / sothly for to seyn, [55. Voyding] Wyndyng Ad₂. I. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. sothly] softely Lb. for] om. Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro. for to seyn] fro the seyne L₁.]

Enlumynyng / þe trewë pikëd greyn [ 56] [56. Enlumynyng] Elewmynyng L₂. piked] pyken Bo. Du.] Be crafty writinge / of his sawës swete, [from the Pil∣grims' meeting] Fro the tymë / that thei deden* mete [58. deden Ad₁. I. T₂. ded Ar. dede G.S. diden M. Ad₂. did Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Ba. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. dide T₁. Ra. E₁. Ap.] First the pylgrimes / sothly euerichon̄, [59. sothly] om. P.] At the Tabbard / assembled on be on̄. [ 60] [¶ At þe tabarde in Suthwerk,—] [60. At the] atte Ad₁. T₂. at T₁. M. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₂. on be on] euery one by one Ad₂. I. Between 59 and 60 L₁. has the rubric: At the Tabard in Southwerk first they met; in connexion with this, l. 60 has been altered into And ther they assembled one bi oone.] And fro suthwerk / shortly forto seye, [61. And fro] At G. suthwerk Ar. Southwerk T₁. Du. L₁. M. T₂. L₂. Souþwerk Ad₁. Sowthwerk Ad₂. I. soutwerk Bo. Southewerk Ro. E₁. Southwerke L₁. P. Sothwerk Ra. Sothewerk S. Sothwerke E₂. Suthwarke Lb. Sothwarke Ba. Ap. shortly] sooþli Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] To Canterbury / ridyng on her weie, [on to Canter∣bury,—] [62. on] in Ad₂. I. her] the I.] Tellynge a tale / as I rehercë can, [63. tale] take miswritten Ar. as] liche as Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. lich Ra.] Licħ as the hoste / assignëd euery man. [ 64] [¶ The Hoste.] [64. the hoste] thost T₁. Lb. 65-392. gap in Lb.] None so hardy / his biddyng disobeye. [leaf 2] And this whilë* / that the pilgrymes leye [at this time, while the Pil∣grims were lodgd there,] [66. this] in this Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. T₂. P. while Bo. Ad₁. whil Ar. tyme M. pilgrymes] pylgrimage L₂.] At Canterbury / wel loggëd* on and all, [67. logged] louged Ar. G (cp. 78). logid L₁. S. Ro. looged Ad₂. lodged E₂.] I not in sotħ / what I may it call, [ 68] [68. not] ne wote L₂. Ro. soth] feith Ad₂. I.] Hap / or fortune / in Conclusioun, [I chanst to enter the town,] [69. in] as in Ro.] That me byfil / to entren into toun̄, [70. entren into Ar. enter into G. entre into L₂. Ro. entre into þe Bo. and the rest (see Notes).] The holy seynt / pleynly to visite Aftere siknesse / my vowës to aquyte, [ 72] [72. siknesse my vowes] my sykenesse vowes E₁. E₂. to aquyte] tacquite Ad₁. for to aquyte Ra.] In a Cope of blak / and not of grene, [in a black cope, ¶ Discryving of the Monk.] [73. Cope] Cape G.] On a palfrey / slender / long / and lene, [74. slender Ar. G. T₂. E₂. I. slendre Ra. Ba. sklendre Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. sclendre S. L₂. sclender L₁. E₁. P. sclendire Ro. sklendyre Ap. slender long] longe sklendre Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. T₂. P.] wiþ rusty brydel / mad nat for þe sale, [on a scraggy nag with a rusty bridle.] [75. rusty] a rusty L₁. T₂. lusti Ad₁. mad nat] nat maad Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P.] My man to-forn / with a voidë male; [ 76] [76. voide Bo. M. void Ad₁.] whicħ of Fortunë / took myn Inne anon̄ [77. which] That Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. took] took I Ad₂. I.]

Wher þe pylgrymes / were loggëd euerichōn̄, [78. Wher] Where as Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ther T₂. were logged] loged wern Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. T₂. were] om. L₁. euerichon] echon M. Ad₂. Ar. has a second pause-bar after were.] The samë tyme / Her gouernour, the host, [The Host, the Pilgrims' boss,] [79. Her] the Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. the] here Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. their Ba. S.] Stonding in halle {punctel} ful of wynde and bost, [ 80] [80. halle] þe halle L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P.] Licħ to a man / wonder sterne and fers, [¶ The wordes of the host to the Monk.] [81. Lich to] Liche Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro. sterne] stoor Ra. Ba.] Which spak to me / and seide anon̄, "daun Pers, [82. Which] That Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. om. Ra. Ba. to me] anone P. and seide anon] anon and seid L₁.] Daun Domynyk / Dan Godfrey / or Clement, Ȝe be welcom / newly into kent, [ 84] [welcomd me,] [84. welcom Ad₁. Ra. welcome Bo. T₁. M. into] vnto P.] Thogh ȝoure bridel / haue neiþer boos ne belle; [85. neiþer Ar. G. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Ro. nyther Du. nether L₂. nouthir Ra. T₂. Ap. noþer Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P. E₂. nooþr Ba. boos ne belle] liste nor belle Ad₂. I.] Besechinge ȝou / þat ȝe wil me telle [86. Besechinge G. Ad₁. Ra. besekyng Bo. T₁. Ad₂. I. wil] wolde Ad₁. I. me] om. E₁. E₂.] First ȝoure name / and of what contrè [and asket me who I (so pale and seedy) was, and whence I came.] [87. ȝoure] of youre E₁. E₂. of] om. Bo. T₁. Du. M. E₁. E₂.] With-outë morë* · shorte-ly that ȝe be, [ 88] [88. more] mor Ar. G. Ra. L₂.] That loke so pale / al deuoyde of blood, [89. al] and G.] Vpon ȝoure hede / a wonder thred-bar hood, Wel araiëd / for to ridë late." [91. araied Ad₁. arraied M. arayde Bo. ryden Bo. M. ride Ad₁.] I answerde / 'my namë was Lydgate, [ 92] [I said I was ¶ Lydgate ¶ Monk of Bery, near 50,] [92. Lydgate (Lidgate)] Lidgat Bo. Lydygate Ap.] Monk of Bery / nyȝ fyfty ȝere of age, [93. Bery Ar. G. L₂. Bury Bo. and all the rest (cp. 131). nyȝ] nat Ad₂. I.] Come to this toune / to do my pilgrimage, [and had come on pilgrimage.] As I haue hight / I haue* therof no shame.' [95. haue] ha Ar. alone. I haue therof] therof haue I M.] "Daun Ioħn," quod he / "wel brokë ȝe ȝoure name! [ 96] [¶ The wordes of þe host.] [96. broke] brouke Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₂. ȝe] þee Bo. om. Ad₂. I. ȝe ȝoure] he her T₂.] Thogh ȝe be soul / beth right glad and light! [leaf 2, back] [97. be] om. Ad₂. I. soul Ar. G. Ra. sovl Ad₁. sowl S. sole Bo. Du. M. Ad₂. L₂. E₂. Ap. soole L₁. sool I. E₁. T₂. Ro. ȝe be soul] ye be foull Ba. ye be seke P. it be so T₁. beth] be Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ad₂. I. S. T₂. L₂. Ro. right] om. Ad₂. I.] Preiyng ȝou / soupë with vs to-nyght, [He askt me to sup with his pilgrims,] [98. soupe] to soupe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. E₁. T₂. P. E₂. to nyght] þis nyght Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. E₁. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro (cp. 143).] Ad ȝe shal hauë* / mad at ȝoure devis, [99. haue] han Ar. alone. mad] om. L₂. Ro. ȝoure] youre owne Ro. devis] avyce P.]

A gret puddyng / or a rounde hagys, [ 100] [100. rounde] om. P. hagys] haggis Ra. Ba. P. Agys Ro. Ap. hastyng G.] A Franchëmole* / a tansey / or a froyse. [101. Franchmole Ar. Frangchemole G. frankmole Ap. franche myle Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. fraunchemul Ad₁. Ad₂. fraunchemule T₂. S. Fronchemul I. freunchemule Ba. fraunchmule Ro. fransmule Ra. franchemele L₂. fraunche∣moyle E₁. E₂. fraunche Mayle P.] To ben a Monk / Sclender is ȝoure koyse; [102. ben. Ad₁. be Bo. M. sklendre Bo. T₁. Du. M. sklendyr L₁. Ro. Ap. slendir Ra. L₂. T₂. E₂. Ba. koyse (coise)] choyse Ba.] Ȝe han be seke / I dar myn̄ hede assure, [103. han Ar. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. L₂. haue Bo. and the rest. han] om. M. be] ben L₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. seke Ar. G. I. Ra. Ba. P. Ro. Ap. sek T₂. seek Ad₂. seeke L₁. syke Bo. T₁. Du. M. E₁. S. L₂. sik Ad₁. sicke E₂.] Or latë fed / in a feynt pasture. [ 104] [104. late fed] late I-fedde T₂. lette fede E₁. E₂. latte fede S.] Lift vp ȝoure hed / be glad, tak no sorowe! [105. take Bo. M. Ad₁. tak] and take P.] And ȝe shal hom ridë with vs to-morowe! [and ride home with em to∣morrow.] [106. In Bo. l. 105 and l. 106 have been transposed.] [106. shal] shul Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ra. T₂. shold E₁. should E₂. hom ride] ride hom Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ar. has a pause-bar after ride.] I seyë, whan ȝe rested han ȝour fille. [107. say Bo. M. sey Ad₁. han Ar. G. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. haue T₁. L₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. restid han] haue restid Ad₂. I.; Ar. has a pause-bar after ȝe.] Aftere soper / Slepe wil do non̄ ille. [ 108] [108. Slepe] to slepe Ad₂. I. wil do non] woll do you none P. well & do noun L₂.] Wrappe wel ȝoure hede / with* clothës rounde aboute! [109. wel] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. with] om. Ar. G. Ra. Ba. E₂. Ap.] Strong notty ale / wol makë* ȝou to* route. [He bade me drink nutty ale,] [110. notty] noppy L₂. Ap.; in L₁. notti is by a late hand altered to noppy. mak Ar. make Bo. M. Ad₁. to] om. Ar. G.] Tak a pylow / þat ȝe lye not lowe! [111. þat] and P. lowe] to lowe L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P.] Ȝif nedë be / Sparë* not to blowe! [ 112] [112. ȝif] And iff T₂. Spare] Spar Ar. spaar Ad₁. to] for to L₂. Ro. om. Ra.] To holdë wynde /, be myn̄ opynyoun, Wil engendre / Collikes* passioun [114. Wil] It wil Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. T. T₂. P. engendre] gendyr L₁. Collis Ar. G. Bo. T₁. L₁. Ad₁. Ra (collyke written in margin by late hand). Ba. T₂. Ap. colles P. E₂. collikes M. collykes L₂. collyk Ad₂. I. collica Ro. colica S.] And makë men to greuen / on her roppys, [115. men] om. Bo. to] om. P. greuen] gronyn L₂. on] in Ad₁. Ad₂. I. L₂. Ap. on her] om. S.] whan thei han filled / her mawës and her croppys. [ 116] [116. han Bo. Ad₁. haue M. filled] fylled wele Ro. her mawes and] om. Ro. and her croppys] and croppes Ad₁. Ad₂.; I. Ra. Ba. P. L₂.] But toward nyght / ete some fenel Rede, [eat fennel-seed at night,] [117. fenel] febell T₂. venel L₂. Rede] I rede Ad₁. Ad₂.; L₂. and Ro. have sede, I. has seed, from 118.]

Annys / Comyn / or coriandre sede! [118. omitted in I.] [118. Comyn] comyng G. coriandre] colyaundre G. Ad₂. S. P. collyandir L₂. sede] rede Ro.] And lik as I / pouer haue / and myght, [119. pouer haue] haue p. P.] I Chargë ȝow / rise not at Mydnyght, [ 120] [and not get up at midnight.] [120. rise] to rise Bo. T₁. M. T₂.; in Ad₂. and I. l. 120 is quite altered: I shall be your herberiowr for this nyht.] Thogħ it so be / the moonë sħynë cler. [121. so be] be so L₁. L₂. Ro. be] be that P.] I wol my-silf / be ȝoure Orloger [He'd call me early;] [122. I wol mysilf] myself wil be Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Orloger Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. E₂. Ro. orligere Bo. T₁. L₁. M. T₂. P. orlegere L₂. orlagere Ap. our loggere Ba.] To-morow erly / whan I se my tyme, For we wol forþ / parcel a-forë Pryme, [ 124] [and we'd start before Prime.] [124. For] And for Ra. parcel afore] a parcill affore Ra. parcel bifore Bo. T₁. L₁. M. I. L₂. a parcel bi-fore Ad₁. Ad₂. parcell or Ba. percas before P. parse aftyr Ap.] A company / pardè / Shal do ȝou good. [125. A company] Accompanie E₂. And company Ro. Ap. shal] þat shal Bo. T₁. L₁. M. T₂. P. ȝou] no L₁.] What! look vp, Monk / for, by kokkis blood, [126. by] my G.] Thow shalt be mery / who so þat sey nay. [127. þov shalt Ad₁. M. þou shal Bo. who so] who Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Ba. T₂. P. sey Ad₁. seith Bo. M.] For to-morowe, anoon / as it is day, [ 128] [128. anoon as] as sone as Bo. T₁. L₁. M. T₂. anoon whan Ra. Ba. In Ad₂. and I. the original l. 128, which in I. agrees with Ar. Ad₁., but in Ad₂. is altered to: To-morwe anone as sone as hit is day; a new l. 128 has been composed: Thow shalt ful wel knowe as I the say Ad₂. As thow shalte knowe as I the say I.] And that it gynne / in þe Est to dawe, [leaf 3] [129. gynne] begynneth P. to] om. E₂. in þe Est to dawe] into the Est to drawe Ba.] Thow shalt be boundë* / to a newë lawe, [130. Thow shalt] Ye shalt Ba. bounde Bo. M. Ad₁. bound Ar. to] vnto Ra. P.] Att goyng oute of Canterbury toune, [When we left Canterbury,] [131. Canterbury] Caterbury Ar. Cauntrebery Bo. Caunterbury M. Ad₁.] And leyn a-sidë / thy professioun. [ 132] [132. lay Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. a-side] a-doun G. professioun] proffeschoun L₁.] Thow shalt not chesë / nor þi-silf withdrawe, [133. nor] ne Bo. T₁. L₁. M. S. T₂. P. L₂. Ro.] Ȝif eny myrth / be founden in thy mawe, [I was to tell a merry tale,] [134. myrth Bo. merthe M. Ad₁. founden] founde G. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. E₂. om. L₁.] Lyk the custom / of this Compenye; [135. lik Ad₁. lyke Bo. M. companye G. Bo.] For non so proude / that dar me denye, [ 136] [136. non] noon is Bo. T₁. L₁. M. T₂. P. proude] bold T₂. hardy Ro. that dar] that day T₂. me] om. Ad₂. I.] Knyght nor knauë / Chanon / prest / ne nonne, [137. nor] ne L₁. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. prest] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ne] nor I. Ra. Ba. S. Ap.]

To telle a talë / pleynly as thei konne, [138. pleynly] such Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Whan I assigne / and se tyme opportune. [139. Whan] Whan that Ba. and se] om. Ra. Ba. to se Ad₂. I.] And for that we / our purpoos wil contune, [ 140] [as every one had to, on the home journey.] [139 and 140 omitted in L₂.] [140. And] om. Ra. Ba. that] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. T₂. P. we our purpoos wil] we will o. p. L₁. wil] forth wil M. contune] continen S (: opertune).] We wil homward / the samë custome vse, [141. the same] our Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. In Bo. ll. 141-146, 150, 151 were nearly obliterated and have been filled in again by a later hand, not always correctly (e. g. shat f. shal 142. new f. now 143).] And thow shalt not / platly the excuse. [142. platly] pleinly Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. E₂.] Be now wel war / Stody wel to-nyght! [¶ How oure host spak to Daun Iohn.] [143. to-nyght] this nyght L₂. Ro.] But, for al this ·/ be of hertë liȝt! [ 144] [144. liȝt] right light Bo. T₁. M. T₂. P.] Thy wit shal be / þe Sharper and the bet." And we anon / were to Soper set, [Then we had a good supper,] [146. And] Yf Bo. M. T₂. P. to] vnto Ba. were to soper] to soper wer S.] And seruëd wel / vnto oure plesaunce; [147. vnto] to T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂.] And sone after / be good gouernaunce [ 148] Vnto bed gotħ euery maner wight. [went to bed,] [149. Ar. has a pause-bar after goth.] And touarde morowe / anon̄ as it was light, [and in the morning] [150. auon as] as sone as Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. E₂.] Euery Pilgryme / bothë* bet and wors, [151. bothe T₁. boþe Ad₁. both Ar. Bo.] As had oure hostë / toke a-non̄ his hors, [ 152] [started at sun∣rise,] [152. As] And L₂. Than Ro. oure] þe Bo. T₁. L₁. T₂. P. toke] take L₂. Ro.] Whan the sonnë / roos in the est ful clyere, [1-153 lost in Di.] [153. roos] aroos Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. om. Ba. the est] thest T₁.] Fully in purpoos / to come to dynere [meaning to dine at Ospringe.] [154. Fully] Ful Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. P. to dynere] vnto d. Di. T₂. to oure d. Ro.] Vnto Osspryng / and brekë þer our faste. [155. Osprynge Bo. Ospring G. Ad₁. Hosprenge P.] And whan we weren / from Canterbury paste [ 156] [When out of the town,] [156. wern Ad₁. were Bo. from] fro Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Noght the space / of a bowë draught, Our hoost in hast / haþ my bridel rauht, [158. haast Bo. hast T₁. Ad₁. haste Ra. raught] kauht Ra. laght Ba.] And to me seide // as it were in game, [our Host said] "Come forth, daun Ioħn / be ȝour Cristene name, [ 160] ['let's have some fun.'] [160. cristen Bo. Ad₁.] And lat vs make / some manere myrth or play! [leaf 3, back] [161. manere] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. or] and P.]

Shet ȝoure portoos / a twenty deuelway! [162. Shet] Shet vp Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. P. leve Ad₂. I. portoos] portos G. Bo. Di. Ra. P. portas L₁. portes E₂. porteis L₂. portoys Ba. portewes S. E₂. a] on P. in a Ba.] It* is no disport / so to patere and seie. [163. It is T₁. L₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. l. Ra. Ba. T₂. L₂. Ro. Hit is Bo. P. Is (om. it) Ar. G. E₂. Ap. Is it S. no disport] no sporte L₁. T₂. none sporte Di. a disport S. so] om. P. to] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. l. Ra. Ba. seie] to seye Bo. P. so to seye T₂. In T₂. 163 and 164 are transposed.] It wol make ȝoure lippës / wonder dreye. [ 164] [¶ How oure host bad Daun Iohan telle a tale,] [164. wonder] om. G. dreye] drye Bo. Ap.] Tel some tale / and make ther-of a* Iape! [165. therof] herof L₂. a] no Bo. L₁. Di. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. Ap. om. Ar. G.] For be my Rouncy / thow shalt not eskape. [166. not] it not Bo. L₁. Ra. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ad₁. not it Di. Ba.] But preche not / of non̄ holynesse! [not a holy,] [167. preche Bo. Ad₁. holynesse] hevynesse Di.] Gynne some tale / of myrtħ or of gladnesse, [ 168] [but a merry one.] [168. Gynne] Begynne Di. Ap. Gyf Bo. yeve T₁. Gyff vs L₁. or of] or G. and of Bo. T₁. L₁. Ro. and Di. P.] And noddë not / witħ thyn heuy bekke! [169. nodde I. nod Bo. Ad₁. nodde] om. Ad₂. with] so with Ro. om. Ap. bekke Ar. G. L₁. Ad₁. S. E₂. beck Ba. Ap. bek Bo. T₁. Ra. T₂ P. L₂. beke Di. beeke Ro. necke Ad₂. I.] Telle vs som̄e thyng / that draweþ to effecte [170. vs] om. L₁. some thyng] merithing Di (written by later hand, the original reading being effaced). draweþ] touchiþ Di. to] om. G. til Ad₂. I. effecte Ar. L₁. Ad₂. I. S. P. E₂. Ap. effect Ba. effekke G. Ad₁. effek Bo. T₁. Di. Ra. T₂. L₂. to effecte] of to speke Ro. In Ar. effecte has been altered by a later hand into effekke.] Only of Ioyë / ! make no lenger lette!" [171. make] and make Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. P. L₂. Ro.] And whan I saugħ / it woldë be no bette, [ 172] [172. wolde] woll P.] I obeyëd* / vnto his biddynge, [So I obeyd him,] [173. obeyed T₁. Di. Ra. Ad₂. I. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. obeyde Ar. G. Bo. L₁. S. Ap. obeid Ad₁. Ba. T₂ (cp. 408).] So as the lawë / me bonde in al thinge; [174. So] And L₂. Ro. And so G. (with And underdotted). om. Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. lawe] haue (by later hand) Di. bonde] bounde L₁. S. Ro. allowid Ad₂. I.] And as I coudë / witħ a palë cheere, [175. And] om. Ro. coude] couthe Bo. T₁. Ba. a pale] a ful pale Ro.] My tale I gan / anon̄ / as ȝe shal here. [ 176] [and began my Tale (which is a sad one).] [107-176 gap in E₁.] [172-176 in Di. almost effaced and partly filled in by a later hand.] [176. I gan anon] I began anon Ap. anon I gan S. began P. anon as] so as T₂. shal] shul T₁. T₂. P. may G. om. Ra. here] aftir here P.]

Explicit Prologus.

Incipit Pars Prima. Per &c.

Prima Pars. [leaf 4]

SIrs / quod I {punctel} sitħ of ȝour curtesye* [As I am now one of your company,] [177. I] he Ad₁. curtesye T₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. T₂. Ro. E₂. curteseye Ar. curteysye I. curtasye Bo. Ba. curtesy Ra. P. L₂. cowrtassy L₁.] I entred am / in-to ȝour companye, And admitted / a talë for to telle By hym þat haþ pouer to compelle, [ 180] [180. haþ pouer] power hath Bo. T₁. Di. T₂. Ar. has a pause-bar after pouer.] I mene our hoste, gouernour and guyde [181. Oste Bo. Oost Ad₁. Ost T₁. Di. host Ra.] Of ȝow echon / ridyng her be-side; [182. echon] eueri on Di.] Thogħ that my wit / barayn be and dul, [183. that] om. T₂. L₂. Ro. my] om. S. barayn be] be baryn S.] I wol reherce / a story wonderful, [ 184] [I will tell you a story of the Siege of Thebes,] [184. wonderful] full wonderful L₁. riȝt wonderful Di.] Towchinge the siege / and* destruccioun Of worthy Thebees / the myghty Royal toun, Bylt and begonne / of olde antiquitè, [a city built by] Vpon the tyme / of worthy Iosuè, [ 188] Be dyligence / of kyng Amphioun, [King Amphion.] Chief causë first / of his fundacioun, For whicħ his fame / whicħ neuere shal away, [191. fame] name Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. P. which] þat Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. T₂. om. L₂. P. neuere shal] shal neuer T₂. P. L₂. Ro.] In honure flouretħ / ȝit vnto this day, [ 192] [192. vnto] into Bo. T₁. L₁.] And in story / remembred is and preised. [193. in] om. Ra. preised] preved L₁. Ar. has a second pause-bar after remembred.] But how the wallys / weren on heghte reised, [How he raisd the walls,] [184-194. in Di. are partially effaced and the words filled in, sometimes very incorrectly (e. g. 186, 187, 190), by a later hand. 185. and] of Ar. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] [194. weren on heghte] on height were Bo. T₁. Di. on high were L₁. on heghte] on heigh T₂. S. in hih Ad₂. I. reised] areisid Di. I-reysed Ba.] It is wonder / and merveil forto here. [195. wonder and merveil] merueile and wondre Bo. T₁. L₁ (marvell). Di.]

But if ȝe list / I shal ȝow platly lere [ 196] [196. platly] playnly L₁. S. P.] The maner hool / shortly in sentence, [197. shortly] playnly Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. platly Ad₁. E₁. T₂. E₂. sothely P.] Vnder support / of ȝoure pacience, As writ myn auctour / and bochas both two, [you will find in Boccaccio.] Rede her bookes / and ȝe shal fynde it so, [ 200] [200. ȝe shal] ye shulen T₁. þou shalt Bo. it] right Ad₂. I.] How this kyng / thys prudent Amphyoun, [How kyng Am∣phyoun was þe first þat bilt the Cyte of Thebes be þe swetnesse of his soune.] Witħ the swetnesse / and melodious soun [202. With the] Wit his Ra.] * And armonye / of his swetë song [203. In Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. ll. 203 and 204 are transposed. And] Bi Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] The Cytè bylt / that whilom was so strong, [ 204] [He built the city by the warbles of his harp.] [204. The] This Di. whilom] some tyme Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. P. L₂. Ro.] Be vertue only / of the werbles sharpe [205. the] his Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. om. Ra. Ba.] That he made / in Mercuries harpe, [206. made] had made Ad₂. I.] Of whicħ the strengës / were not touchëd softe, Wherby the wallës / reisëd weren a-lofte, [ 208] [208. wern Ad₁. were Bo. T₁. wer Ra. a-lofte Bo. on loft Ad₁. Ra.] Witħ-outë craft / of eny mannys hond, [leaf 4, back] [209. honde with e underdotted Ar.] Ful ȝoor agon / myd of Grekës lond; [210. ȝoor agon] yere agoo Ba. many a yeere ago P. myd] in mydde Di. amyd P.] which is a þing / of Poetës told, Neuere yseyn / neither of ȝong nor old. [ 212] [212. yseyn] seyn T₁. sene T₂. neither] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. nor] ne T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. S. L₂. Ro. nethir P. old] of old Bo. T₁. L₁. Ad₁. E₁. S. T₂.] ¶ But, as Bochas / list to specifie, [213. Bochas] bookes Ad₂. I.] Cler expownyng / this derkë poysye, [¶ The exposici∣oun of Iohn Bochas vpon þis derk poysie.] [214. Cler] Clerly Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. Clerkely P. this] þe Di. L₂.] ¶ Seitħ* Mercurye / god of Eloquence, [215. Seith] Seth Ar. G. Ap. Sith Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. P. E₂. L₂. Seith þat Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂.] ȝaf, be the myght / of heuenly influence, [ 216] Vnto this kyng / at His natiuitè [217. this] þe Bo. T₁. L₁. Di. T₂. P. G.] Thorgh glade aspectës /, that he shuldë* be [218. shulde Bo. shuld Ar.] Most excellent / be craft of Rethorik, That in this world / was non̄ to hym lik; [ 220] [220. this] the I. P. worlde Bo. world Ad₁. was] þer was Ad₁. Ad₂. I. non] Man P. to] vnto T₂. P. om. Di. S.] Which signyfietħ / to hem that ben prudent,

The Musycal / the lusty instrument, [¶ The significa∣cioun of þe harpe of Mercure.] [147-222 gap in M.] [222. the lusty] þat lusty Bo. T₁. Di. lusty] listi Ad₁.] ¶ I mene the harpë / most melodious, yovë to this kynge / be Mercurius, [ 224] [224. yove Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₂. Ap. youen Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ba. T₂. P. yeve L₂. Ro. geven L₁. S. gone E₁. this] þe Di.] And his song / this auctour can ȝow teche, [Amphion's song] [225. can] gan Ro.] was no thyng / but the crafty speche Of this kyng / ycallëd Amphioun; [227. this] the P. kyng] om. L₂. ycalled] ecallid L₂ called Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ba. S. P. Ro.] Wher-by He made / the contrès envyroun [ 228] To han sucħ lust / in his wordës swete, [was his sweet words,] That were so plesaunt / fauourable, and mete [230. so] om. L₂. Ro. plesaunt] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. plesaunt favourable] favourable plesaunt T₂. P.] ¶ In her Eerys / that shortly ther was noon̄ [231. Eerys] hertis L₁. that] om. P. ther] þat þer Di. ther was] was ther T₁.] Disobeysaunt / with the kyng to goon̄, [ 232] [¶ How kyng Amphion, be mediacion of his soft spech, wan þe loue & þe hertes of the puple.] Wher so euere / that hym list assigne. [233. so] sum L₁. Ra. that] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. S. P. hym] he S. list] om. T₂. assigne] to assigne Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ap.] His cheer / his port / was outward* so benygne, [234. outward] after Ar. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. evar S. efte E₂. om. G. benyngne with the second n underdotted Ar.] [234. om. in Ad₂. I.] That thorgh his styring / and exortacioun [235. That] What T₁. L₁. thorgh] om. P. styring] steringes Ad₁. strength Ad₂. I. strenth crossed through and sterynge written above by old hand Ap. termys Ra. Ba. stermes S.] Witħ hym they went / to byldë* first this toun, [ 236] [whereby he got folk to build him Thebes, of] [236. bylde Bo. bilde M. byld Ar. Ad₁. bigge T₂. bylte P. first] om. P. this] þe Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] And forsook / eccħ man his contrè, Be on assent / to makë this Cytè Royal and riche / that lich was nowher noon. [239. and] om. Ad₂. I. was nowher] nowhere was Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. nowher] nevir L₂. om. E₁. E₂.] And thus the wallis / made of lym̄ and stoon, [ 240] [lime and stone,] Were Reysëd first / be syngyng of this kyng, [leaf 5] [241. Reysed first] first reisid M. Di.] licħ as Poetys / feyne in her writyng, [as poets feign.] Passyng Rich / and Royal of entaille. ¶ Her may ȝe See / how myche may avaylle [ 244] [244. myche may] moche it may Bo. T₁. L₁. M. moche ȝe may Di. may] om. Ba.] The goodlihed / and lownesse of a kyng, [245. goodlihed] goodelihood Ba. and] and the Ba. of þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. lownesse Ar. G. lowlynesse Bo. and all the other MSS.]

And specealy / in cher and in spekyng, [246. And] An Ar.] To his lyeges / and to bern̄ hym fayre [¶ Nota.] In his apport / and shewe hym debonayre, [ 248] [¶ What availeþ to a kyng or to a ¶ prince to ben goodly and be∣nygne of his port to his puple.] [248. apport] porte Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. and] and to Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. to Ro. hym] om. Ra. Ba.] And nat to bene / to straungë ne soleyn̄ [249. And] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. nat] ne Bo. T₁. L₁. nat to bene] to be not T₂. P. to straunge] or stronge Ba. to] om. L₁. ne] nor Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. Ap. no L₂. or Ra. Ba. and L₁. neither T₂.] In con̄tenaunce / outward / be disdeyn̄; Whicħ causeþ ofte /, who that Can aduerte, [251. ofte] of G. that] so Di. om. P.] Grete hatred / in the puples herte, [ 252] [252. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁. puples Ar. G. puplis T₁. peples Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. P. peplis T₂. peeplis Ra. pepils L₂. pepeles S. pepilis Ro. pepyllys Ap. poeples Ad₂. poeplis I. peoples L₁. E₁. E₂.] And ther-vpon ·/ priuely wol rowne, [253. priuely wol] whilom L₁. wol] wil thei M. Di. wollyn P.] Whan a pryncë / dotħ vp-on hem frowne, [A prince's frown] [254. vp-on] on Ad₁. doth vp-on] wol on Ad₂. I.] Shortly deme / for al his excellence, [255. Shortly] And shortly Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P.] Among hem-silf / out of his presence, [ 256] [256. Ar. has a second pause-bar between out and of.] Euerycħ concludë / licħ his fantasye. And thus ful ofte / gendred is Envye [begets Envy in folks' hearts.] [258. ofte gendred] ofte engendrid L₁. Ro.] In folkës hertes / of soleyntè and pryde For swicħ as list / nat onys loke a-syde [ 260] [260. loke] to loke Bo. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. a-syde] on syde Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] To Reward hem / whan they lowë loute. And ageyn kynde / it is out of doute, [262. Ar. has a pause-bar after kynde, a high point after is. And] om. Ro. kynde] om. Ba. out of] withoute M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. withouten Ba. S.] That eny hed / be recorde of the wyse, [263. eny] the Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P.] Shuld the foot / of disdeyn despyse [ 264] [264. shulde Bo. T₁. Di. shuld M. Ad₁. Ra. foot] fete S. stock Ad₂. I.] Whicħ bereþ hym vp /, who so can takë hede, [¶ How þe poor puple supporten and beren vp þe estat of a kyng.] [265. bereþ] beren M. Di. bere P. who so] whos Bo. T₁. M. who L₁. Di.] And Susteneth / in his mostë* nede [266. And] And him Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. Ashuld G. susteneth] hym susteyneth Bo. T₁. L₁. T₂. hym sustenen M. Di. hym susteyne P. susteneth hym Ad₂. I. most Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] As his Pyler / and his sowpowayle. [267. As] And G. As his] As is his Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. And be his P. Pyler] pyllors P. sowpowayle Ar. G. sowpowaylle Ap. sopowayle Ro. suppowaile Bo. M. Ad₁. Ba. suppo∣waille Di. suppouaile Ad₂. suppewaile I. suppoayle E₁. E₂. supporaylle S. supportaile P (rtai is written by a later hand, on erasure).]

For fynaly /, ne werë* the porayle [ 268] [268. For] And Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. were Bo. M. Ad₁. wer Ar.] her berer vp / and Supportacioun, [269. berer] beryng Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P.] Farwel lordshyp / and domynacioun Thorgh-oute the world / of euery hegh estat! [271. Thorgh-oute] Thoruh Ad₂. I. Ra. world] londe E₁. lande E₂. hegh] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Wherfor me semeþ / mor is Fortunat [ 272] [271 and 272 transposed in Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of Mercurye / þe sootë sugred harpe [leaf 5, back] Than Mars / swerd / whetted kene and sharpe, [274. Than] Thanne is T₂. Whan Di. whetted] whet Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. grounde Ro.] Mor accepted / wiþ asspectis goode [Nota.] Than is this god / witħ his lokës woode. [ 276] [¶ What the good∣lihede of a prince avaylleth to wynne the hertes of his puple. Kind words and looks get more love than gold and pride.] For humble speche / wiþ glad contenaunce [277. speche Bo. M. Ad₁. spech Ra.] May a pryncë / sothly mor avaunce Among his puple / Hertës forto wynne Of inward louë / which that* wol not twynne, [ 280] [280. which that T₂. which all the other MSS.] Than gold / rychessë / pride / or tyranye, Outher* disdeyne / daunger / or surquedye. [282. Oyther Ar. G. outher Ro. Other Bo. M. either Ad₁ Ra. disdeyne] this deyne Ra.] For of lordes /, as* Clerkës can reporte, [283. For] Or E₁. S. om. Ro. of] Of his Ro. as] om. Ar. G. E₁. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. can] konne Bo. M. Di. kun T₁.] But that* loue / her crownë do supporte, [ 284] [284. But that Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. L₂. That but Ar. G. Bo. T₁. M. Di. T₂. P. Ro. Ap. That but if L₁ (see Notes). loue] om. Bo. crowne] coroun T₁. do] doth Ba. T₂ Ro. to G. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] The fyn ys noght* / in conclusioun. [285. noght] nat Ar. G. Ap. not E₁. E₂.] I Takë record / of kyng Amphyoun, [¶ Ensample of kyng Amphioun.] That byltë Thebës be his elloquence [287. bilt Bo. G. M. Ad₁.] Mor than of Pride / or of violence, [ 288] Noble and riche / that lik was nowher non̄, And thus the wallës / mad of lym and stoon̄ [290. mad] y made T₂. om. Bo. wer made Ba.] Were reisëd first / be syngyng of this kyng, [291. reised first] first reisid M. Di.] licħ as Poetës / feyn in her wryting. [ 292] ¶ But sothly ȝit / Som̄e expositours, [¶ How aftere the opynyoun of some auctours] [293. sothly] shortly Ra.] Groundyng hem / vpon olde auctours, [294. Groundyng] Groundyn T₂. Grounden Bo. T₁. L₁. M. P 294 om. in Ba.]

Seyn that Cadmvs / the famous olde man, [Cadmus bilt first be Cite of Thebes.] [295. Seyn] Seynge P. Cadmvs] Cadicius Bo. Cadinus Ad₁. I. Tadmus Ra. Cadimius P. the] þat Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ba. T₂. famous] om. Ba. T₂.] Ful longe afor / this Citè first began [ 296] And the ground / of the bieldyng sette, [297. And the] And Ba. of the] of Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂.] And the boundës / be compas out-mette* [298. be compas out Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. Ap. be mette G. In Ar. there is a second pause-bar after compas.] Witħ thong out-korve / of a boolys hyde, [He cut a bull's hide into strips, and enclosed land as the site of Thebes.] [299. thong] a thonge L₁. a whong Ro. out-korve Ar. G. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. Ro. Ap. out-corue Bo. T₁. M. L₂. outkerue E₁. T₂. P. E₂. korve out L₁. boolys Ar. bolys M. Ad₁. bulles Bo. boles L₁. boollys Ro. hyde] side E₁. S. E₂.] [299. omitted in Ba.] Whycħ envyroun / strecchë myghtë* wyde [ 300] [300. myghte Di. Ad₂. myght Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. wyde] ful wyde Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. Euyn envyroun streight met full wyde P.] To get Inne londe / a ful largë space Wher-vp-on to byld / a dwellyng place, [302. Wher-vp-on] There vpon Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. Ap.] And callëd was the Soyle / þus geten Inne, [¶ How þe contre of Boece toke first his name of a bolys skyn, After called Thebes.] [303. Soyle] place Ad₁. Ad₂. I. þus] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. P. geten] goten Bo. M. Di. Ad₂. T₂. P.] ¶ Whylom Boece / of the bolys skynne. [ 304] [304. Boece] Boete Ra. Boyte Ba. Cyte L₂.] The name after / into Thebës turned. [leaf 6] [305. name] names M. Di.] ¶ But Cadmus ther / hath longe not soiourned, [306. But] And Ro. Cadmus] Cadinus Ad₁. Cadymus P. Thadmus Ad₂. Thadinus I. Tadmus Ra. ther hath longe not] hath not there longe Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. E₂. P (om. there). hath not long þere Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. L₁. L₂. hath þere not longe Ro.] lik in Story / as it is compyled; For shortly he from thennys was exiled, [ 308] [¶ How kyng Cadmus was exiled out of Thebes be prow∣esse of kynge Amphyoun.] [308. from] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. thennys Ar. thennes Ad₁. E₁. S. Thebes G. thens Bo. and all the other MSS. he from thennys was] thens he was Di. T₂. he was from thens P. from Thebes he was G. In Ar. the pause-bar is between shortly and he.] Neuer after to dwellen* in this toun, [309. to] for to E₁. E₂. dwellen M. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra (dwellyn). dwelle Ar. Bo. T₁. I. dwell E₁. E₂. In Ar. pause-bar after dwelle. this] the E₁. T₂. E₂.] Be the knyghthode of this Amphioun, [310. the] om. L₁. this] kyng M. Di.] Which vp parformeth / riche for the noonys [311. vp] vpon Ba. riche] richely M. Di. riht Ra. right Ba.] The Citè Thebes / of myghty squarë* stonys, [ 312] [312. square G. Bo. M. Ad₁. squar Ar. In Ro. l. 312 reads: The Cite of Thebes with many square s.] As I ȝow tolde / a litil here to-forn̄; [313. litil] lyte Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. T₂. E₂. a litil here] here a litil Ra. Ba. toforn] beforne G. L₁. S. P. Ap. afforne Ad₂. I.]

And Cadmus þus / hath his kyngdam lorn̄, [314. Cadmus] Cadinus Ad₁. Thadinus I. Thadmus Ad₂.] Sceptre and crowne / and his powere Royal. ¶ Now have I told / vnto ȝou / ground of al, [ 316] [I've now told you all about the building of Thebes,] [316. vnto] to Ad₂. I. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. Ap. om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ba. ground] the ground L₁. M. Di. Ba. T₂. P.] That ȝe wel knowe / be Informacioun Cleerly the pitħ / and exposicioun [318. pith] path L₁. P. pitche T₂. and] & of Ro. exposicioun] thexposicioun M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. E₂.] [318. omitted in Ba.] Of this mater / as clerkës can ȝou telle. It were but veyn / lenger for to dwelle, [ 320] [and won't say more, as my Tale 'll last for 7 miles.] To tary ȝow / as in this matiere, Sith my talë / which that ȝe shal here, [322. Sith] Syn Ra. With L₁. which] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. that] as L₁. om. Ba. shal] shul Bo. T₁. T₂. P.] Vpon oure waie / wil lasten a longe while, [323. oure] youre Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₂. T₂. P. wil] it wil Ad₂. it wol I. lasten Ap. last Bo. laste M. Ad₁.] The space* / as I suppose / of vii. myle. [ 324] [324. The] Into the Ba. space] space in soth Ar. and all the other MSS. except Ba. space for sothe as] om. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. Ap. suppose] deme Ro. vii.] sex Ro. an E₁.] And now ȝe knowë* / first how Amphyoun [325. knowe Bo. M. Ad₁. know Ar.] Bylt and began / this Citè and this toun̄, [326. began] gan L₁. this Cite] his cite Ra. Ba. the Cite P. and] furst and P. this toun] his t. Ra. Ba.] Regnyng ther / long aftere, as I rede. [327. Regnyng] And regned Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. aftere] om. S.] Of hym no morë /; for I wil procede [ 328] To my purpoos / that I first began: [¶ How þe lyne of Amphioun be discent was con∣veied to kyng layus.] Not tellyng here / how the lynë Ran [330. lyne] lyn Ad₁. kyn Ad₂. I.] From kyng to kyng / be successioun, Conveying doun̄ / þe stok of Ampħyoun [ 332] [332. þe] to the G. M. Di. by the E₁. E₂.] Cereously be lyeal* discent; [333. Cereously] Curiously P. Coryously L₂. lyneal] lyne / al Ar. lyne al G. lyne all S. P. lyne all the E₁. E₂. lyne of Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] But leue al this /, pleynly of entent To tellë forth /, in bookës as I rede, [335. To telle forth] Now wole I tele Ro.] ¶ How layus be processe / gan succede [ 336] [336. gan] can G. succede] procede M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] To bere the Croune / in this myghty Lond, [leaf 6, back] [111-337 gap in Du.] holdyng the Sceptre of thebës in his hond, [¶ Kyng Layus and Iocasta hys wiff.] Manly and wys / duryng al his liff.

And Iocasta / callëd was his wyff, [ 340] Ful wommanly / the story seith certeyn̄, For a tymë / thogħ she were bareyn̄, [She is barren.] Tyl Layus / in ful humble wise [Layus does sacrifice to get a child.] [344. did Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. Ro. Ap. he dide Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P.] To haue a child / didë* Sacrifise, [ 344] Fyrst to* apollo / in his char so briȝt, [345. to apollo] tapollo Ar. G. E₂. Ap. so] full T₂. P.] And Iubiter / that haþ so gret a myght, [346. Iubiter] to Iubiter Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. gret a] gret L₁. T₂. Ra. Ba. moche Ro.] Besechyng hem / witħ deuout reuerence, To graunt only / thorgħ her influence, [ 348] That his request / may excecuted be; And specially / to Goddesses thre, [Layus prays 3 Goddesses to help him.] [350. to] vnto T₂. vnto the P. to the Di. Ra. Ba. Ro. Goddesses] goddesse Di. Ro. goddes L₁. Ba. P. goddys G. Ra. I.] He besoughte / Pallas and Iuno And Dyanë / forto helpe also [ 352] [352. And] And eke T₂. And to Di. helpe Bo. Ad₁. helpen M.] That he be not defrauded of His bone. And his preyere / accepted was ful sone, That fynaly / thorgh his ryytys olde, Evene lik / as his hertë wolde, [ 356] [356. herte Bo. hert M. Ad₁. wolde] thinke wolde Ro.] The queene Iocasta / hatħ anon̄ conceyued; [His wife con∣ceives a child.] Whicħ whan the kyng / fully hatħ perceyued* [358. fully] om. Ra. Ba. hath] om. Ap. perceyued] conceyued Ar. G. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ap. consitheryd S.] He made in hast /, hym lyst not to abide, Thorgħ hys kyngdom / Massagerës ryde [ 360] [360. kyngdom] kyngdom his L₁. Ap. Massageres Ar. G. Messagers Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. S. Messageris Di. Messengers L₁. E₁. E₂. Ap. Messingers Ba. Messangers T₂. P. L₂. Ro. Messangeris T₁. Massangers Ra. Massangeers Ad₂. I. ryde] to ryde Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. for to ryde Ra. Ba. S. T₂. Ap.] Fro Coost to Coost / the story can devyse, For dyvynoures / and phylosophres wise, [He sends for diviners to find out the child's fate.] For sucħ as weren / famous physiciens [363. weren Bo. wern M. Ad₁.] And wel expert / Astronomyens, [ 364] To Come* in hast / vnto his presence [365. Come] Corve Ar. G.] To fynden* out / shortly in sentence, [366. fynden M. Di. fynde Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS.]

By Craft only / Of Calculacioun, The Chyldës fate* / and disposicioun; [ 368] [368. fate] face Ar. L₁. Ra. Ap. facte S. disposicioun] his disposicyon Bo. þe disposicioun L₂.] And ther-vpon / to ȝeve / a Iugëment, [leaf 7] [369. And] A Ar. a] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. Ro.] The Root ytaken* / at the ascendent, [¶ How the astro∣nomyens and the phylisophres of Thebes calked out þe fate* of Edyppus.] [370. Root ytake Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. rote taken Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. at the] atte T₁. M. Ra. E₁. S. T₂.] Trewly sought out / be mynut and degrè [371. out] om. G.] The silfë* houre / of his natyvytè, [ 372] [372. silfe Di. P. selfe L₁. Ra. E₁. selffe Ap. sylve Ro. silf Ar. self Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ba. T₂. E₂. L₂. fwll S. first Ad₂. I.] Not forȝete / the heuenly mansiouns [They are to discover it by searching the heavenly mansions, &c.] Clerly Cerched / be smalë fracciouns, First be Secoundës / tiers and ekë quartes, [375. tiers Ar. G. ters Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. T₂. teers Ad₁. E₁. terces E₂. Ro. tercius L₂. tercyes Ap. eke Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. eke] þe L₂. om. Ra. Ro quartes] quaters Bo. T₂. Ra. Ba. quarterces Ro.] On Augrym stoonës / and on white caartes [ 376] [376. white] om. G. Ad₂. I. caartes] coartes Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. T₂. P. coarters Ra. Ba.] ypreuëd out / be diligent labour, In tables correcte / devoyde of al errour Iustly soght* / and founde / out* bothe* twoo, [379. soght] foght miswritten Ar. sought owte P. out] out of Ar. G. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. on I. om. Ad₂. bothe T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. both Ar. Bo.] The ȝeerës collecte* / and expance also, [ 380] [380. In Ar. after ȝeeres is written expans, but crossed out. collecte] correcte Ar. G. L₁. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. carect S. correcte (crossed out) comen Ad₂.] Consydred ek / be good inspeccioun Euery hour* / and constellacioun [382. hour] tour Ar. G. L₂. Ap. and] of Bo.] And eche aspecte / and lookës ek dyuers, Which were good / and whicħ also pervers, [ 384] [384. second which] om. Bo. Du. P. also] om. L₁.] Wher they were touard / or ellys at debat, [¶ Nota.] [385. Wher] Wheþer L₁. P. Whedir Ad₂. om. Ba. they were] Wer they Ba. toward] coward Ba. or] om. L₁. ellys] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. E₂. at debat] at þe bate L₁.] ¶ happy, welful / or infortunat. [¶ The cursed Constellacioun and indisposici∣oun of þe heuene in þe natiuyte of Edyppus.] [386. welful] wylfull Ra. Ba. Ad₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. willfull S. or] other M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S.] And fynaly / in conclusyoun, [387. in] as in Ro.] They founde satourn / in the Scorpioun, [ 388] [388. In the Nota Egyppus for Edyppus; also Egippus in the next Nota; here also face for fate.]

And woodë* Mars / furious and wrotħ, [390. woode L₁. Ba. wode Bo. T₁. Du. M. wood Ar. Ad₁. Ra. and] and eke T₂.] holdyng his Sceptre / in þe Capricorn̄, The samë hourë* / whan this chyld was born̄, [ 392] [65-392. gap in Lb.] [392. houre Bo. hour Ar. M. Ad₁. whan] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. this] the Ra. Ba. I. was] om. Ba. born] Iborn S.] Venus deiecte / and Contrarious [¶ Nota.] [393. deiecte] dyrecte E₁. directe E₂.] And depressëd / in Mercuryes hous; [¶ How the fate* of Edippus dis∣posed that he shulde sleem his owne fadere.] That the dome / and Iugëment fynal [395. and] and þe Bo. Ra. P.] Of thies Clerkes /, to speke in special, [ 396] Be Fatal sort / whicħ may not be wiþdrawe, [397. sort] force L₁. swart L₂. which] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Lb. E₁. T₂. P. E₂. they Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] That with his swerd / his fader shal be slawe; Ther may no man helpe it / nor excuse. [399. helpe it] it helpe G.] On whiche thyng / the kyng gan sorë muse, [ 400] [Thinking on this,] [400. whiche Bo. M. which Ad₁. sore] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Lb. T₂. P. gan sore] sore gan Ro. muse] to muse Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. P.] And cast he wolde / on that other side [leaf 7, back] Agayn her doom / for hym-silf provide, [402. Agayn Ad₁. Ayen Bo. M. Ayenste Lb. and gayn G. provide] to provyde Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. T₂.] Shape a way / and remedy to-forn̄, [403. Shape] To shape L₁. Shapyng Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. remedy] a remedie Di. to-forn] aforn Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. T₂. L₂. Ro. beforne Ra. Ba. P. I. be to forn Lb. final Di.] Biddyng the queenë / whan the chyld were born̄, [ 404] [Layus bìds Jocasta kill her child as soon as it is born.] Witħ-oute Mercy / or moderly pytè [405. moderlys with s underdotted Ar.] That he be ded / : it* may non̄ other be. [406. it] hit Bo. Du. Lb. P. that Ar. þere G.] And in al hast / lik as he hatħ sent, [407. al] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. all the Ad₂. I.] She obeyëd / his comaundëment. [ 408] [408. obeide Bo. obbeied M. obeied Ad₁.] Witħ wooful herte / and a pitous loke [409. a] om. G.] And facë pale / her ȝonge sone she toke, [She gives her boy to men,] [410. her] she hir Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. P. ȝonge] om. M. Di. sone] childe Du. M. Di. she toke] toke Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. P.] Tendre and grenë / both of flessh and bonys, To certeyn men / ordeynëd for þe noonys [ 412] [412. To] And T₁.] From poynt to poynt / in al maner þing [413. þinge Ar. and 414. kynge Ar (both final e underdotted).] To execute / the biddyng of the kyn̄g.

They durste not delay it / nor abide, [415. durst Bo. dorst M. Ad₁.] But to a Forest / that stood fer besyde, [ 416] [who take him to a forest to kill him.] [416. fer] þere Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. In Ra. and Ba. 416 and 417 are missing; in Ra. abide 415 is altered to a bede to rhyme with in deede 418.] They took Her wey and faste gan hem spede [417. Her] the L₂. Ro. faste] fast þei Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. P. gan] gonne M. Di. T₂.] The kyngges wille / to parforme in dede, Havyng therof / passyng hevynesse. But whan that they / beheelden the fairnesse [ 420] [But as he is so beautiful,] [420. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. behelde Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of the Chyld / and excellent beautè, In her hertë / they hadde grete pytè, [422. her] om. Di. herte] hertis Lb. P. they hadde] had they M. Di.] And pleynly cast /, among hem was no stryf, That the child / shuldë* han his lif. [ 424] [424. That] But that L₂. the] thys Ap. om. T₂. shulde Bo. T₁. shuld Ar. M. Ad₁. Ra. shulde han] haue shold M. Di. shulde playnly haue Ro. pleynly shuld haue Ap.] And anon̄ ful hygh / vpon a tre, [425. And anon] Anone thes seruantis Ro. ful] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. fylle L₂. fel Ro. hygh] om. L₂. Ro.] In a placë / that no man myght se, [426. a] om. T₁. Du. T₂. E₂. that] ther L₂. se] it see Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂.] They henge hym vp / the story kan reherce. [they hang him up on a tree, by holes thru his feet.] [427. They henge hym vp] And hynge this childe Ro.] But first his feet / þorgh / they gan to perce, [ 428] [428. þorgh] om. M. Di. Ba. gan] gonne M. T₂. begonne Di. can Ba. to] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. first M (sic). þorgh they gan] þei gan þorugh Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. T₂. P. E₂.] And on bowës tendre / tough, and smale, They knet hym vp / shortly þis is no tale, [430. shortly] om. I. E₁. þis is no] in Ar. these words have been erased, but are still partly legible; on the erasure is written to make a. þis is] þis G. thys Ro. om. Lb. no] the Ad₂. P. in Lb.] Hym to preserue / from bestys wild and Rage. And after that / they* token her viage [ 432] [432. that] om. L₂. they] om. Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. Ap. token] taken E₁.] Toward Thebës / in alle the hast they may. [leaf 8] ¶ But of fortunë / thilke samë day [The same day King Polibon's huntsmen] with her houndës / serchyng vp and doun̄, The huntës went / of kyng poliboun [ 436] [436. went Ar. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. wente Lb. Di. Ra. wenten T₁.] Thorgħ the forest / gamë forto fynde, Some aforn / and somë / cam behynde, [438. and some] and some ther Ra. Ba. cam] came L₁. Ad₂. Ap. camen T₁. com Lb. come Bo. Du. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. E₂.]

And gan sercħ / and sekë wonder sore Among the hillës / and the holtës* hore. [ 440] [440. the hilles] hilles P. holtes] haltes Ar. G.] And as they Reenge / the trenchis by and by, [hear the boy's cry,] [441. they] the Ar. renge Ad₁. rengen Bo. M.] They herde a noyse / and a pitous cry [¶ How the hun∣tys of kyng Poli∣boun fonde the chyld in þe forest / and pre∣sented hym to þe kynge.] Of thys chyld / hangyng on the tre; And ałł at onys / drowë forto se, [ 444] [444. drowe] drowe hem Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. drewe Ro. drow it Ad₁. E₁. S. drowe thedyr Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I.] And lefte not til* they han hym founde; [445. til] to Ar. alone.] And toke hym doune / and his fete vnbounde, [take him down and carry him to King Polibon of Arcady,] And bare hym hom / vnto Polyboun, [447. bare hym hom] hym bare home Du.] Kyng of Archadye / the famous Regioun. [ 448] And whan that he / first þe chyld gan See, [449. that he first þe chyld] þat he þe childe first T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₂. Bo (om. that). þat þe childe he first L₁. that] om. Ap. gan] can Ra. Ba. E₂.] Of his woundës / he hadde grete pytè, [450. Of] On Ba. Of his woundes] Off his sore woundes forsothe P. he hadde] had he M. Di.] To beholde / his tender fete / so blede; [451. so] om. Ro.] And callëd hym / Edippus / as I rede, [ 452] [who calls him 'Edippus' = with bored feet,] whicħ is to seyn /, platly this no phage, [453. this] þis is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. phage] fage Lb. T₂. P. face Ro.] Borëd the feete / as in that langage. And first the kyng in his Royal halle* [455. halle] alle Ar.] Made his men / an norys for-to calle, [ 456] [has him nurst and doctord,] This ȝonge chylde to foster and to kepe With her Milk / that he nat ne wepe; [458. he] hyt Ad₁ (seems to be altered from he). it Ad₂. I. ne] om. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. L₂. Ro. nat ne] ne natt Ap.] And his leches / he chargëd ek also, Til he were Hool / Her deuer forto do: [ 460] [and means to make him his heir.] [460. deuer G. T₁. Ad₁. Ra. devoire Bo. Du. deuoir M. deueir T₂.] Fully in purpoos* / for the child was fair, [461. purpoos] propoos Ar. alone. the] þis Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. T₂. fair] so faire L₁.] After his day / to maken hym his hayr; [462. hayr with h above the line Ar.] For cause only /, who so taketh hede, [463. who so] whos Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. whos so Di.] Sone hadde he noon / be lynë to succede; [ 464]

And Whether* that he had / a wif or noon, [leaf 8, back] [465. Whether] Wher Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. T₂. Ap. om. E₂. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. a] om. Ra. Ba.] I fyndë not / and therfor lat it goon. [466. not] hit not P. and] om. L₂. Ro. Ap. lat] I late Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. Ap. it] om. T₂.] ¶ But by processe / of dayës and of ȝeeris, [467. by] in T₁. of dayes and of ȝeeris] by dayes and by yeres Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di.] This Edyppus / among his pleying feeris [ 468] [Edippus grows up proud and] was in his port / passyng ful of pride, [469. in] of P. his] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro.] That non̄ with hym / myght in pees abide. [470. myght in pees] in pees myght M. Di. L₁. P. L₂. Ro.] In hert he was / so Inly Surquydows, [471. he was] was he M. Di. so] om. S.] Malencolik / and Contrarious, [ 472] [472. and] and eke M. Di. T₂.] Ful of despyt / and of hegħ disdeyn̄, [disdainful.] That no wight durstë* / shortly hym with-seyn̄; [474. durste Di. Ra. durst Ar. dorst Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. shortly hym] him shortli Ad₁. hym] om. Ad₂. I.] Til on a day / he gan with oon debate [One day a] To whoom he haddë / specyaly grete hate, [ 476] [476. specyaly grete] grete and odyous Ro.] Whicħ of Rancour / and of hasty tene, As he that myght / His pridë not sustene, [478. might His pride not] might not his pryde Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. Ap. pride myħt nat (his om.) Ra. Ba. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. myght not his pres P.] Gan vpon hym / cruelly abrayde, [479. cruelly] cruly L₁. truely E₁. abrayde] to abrayde Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. abrayde] obreide Ad₁. chied Ad₂. chide I.] And vnto hym felly / thus he saide: [ 480] [boy asks him why he's so proud:] [480. vnto] to Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. L₂. Ro. yet to Ad₂. I. felly] fully T₂. felly thus] thus felly P.] "wherto," quod he / "artow so proude of port, [481. artow Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ra. ertow Ad₁. art thow Lb. arthow T₂. ar tow Du.] Contrarie also / euer / in oure disport, Froward and felle / lastyng euere in oon, As thow were lord / of vs euericħon̄, [ 484] And presumest fully in wyrchyng, [485. presumest fully] fully presumest Bo. alone. wyrchyng Ar. werching T₂. I. worching Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. werking G. B. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. Ro. Ap. workyng Lb. L₂.] Lik as thow were sone / vnto the kyng, [486. vnto the] vnto oure Bo. Ra. to the I. to a Lb.] And descended / of His Royal blood?

But wher so be / thow be wroth or wood, [ 488] [488. But] om. L₁. wher] whether Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. E₂. wheþer that L₁. T₂. so be] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. so Ad₂. I. E₂. so euer P. thow be] thou Ba. S. L₂.] Thow art no thing /, and thow list takë hede, [He's not the king's son, but was found in a forest, and should be humble.] [489. and] if Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. thow] þe Ad₁. Ba. E₂. take] to take Ra.] Appartenyng / vnto his kynrede, [490. kyngrede Ar (g underdotted). After his, Ar. has a second pause-bar.] But in a Forest / founden and vnknowe, whan thow were ȝonge /. therfor bere the lowe! [ 492] And vttrely* remembre, ȝif the lyst, [493. vttrely] vntrely Ar. wittirly Ra. wittrely Ba. remembre] remembre þee Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. S. T₂. P. E₂. the lyst] þou list L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ro.] Thy byrtħ and blood / ar bothe two vnwist. [494. and] or L₁. ar bothe two] bothe two arn M. Di. ar] om. Lb. two] om. P.] This the fyne / shortly / of my tale. [495. This] This is T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. Ro.] Wherwith Edippus / gan to wexë* pale, [ 496] [496. Edippus] Egippus Ar. wexe Di. Ad₂. I. waxe Bo. M. wex Ar. G. Ad₁.] And chaunge also cheer and contenaunce, [leaf 9] And gan a-point / in his* remembraunce [Edippus is taken aback by this,] [498. gan] gan to Di. T₂. M (tapoynte). a-point] pointe T₂. apeinte E₂. his] her Ar. G.] [498 om. Ba.] Word be word / and forgat* right nouȝt, [499. forgat] foryeteth Lb. feyned Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] And felly / musëd* / in his ownë thouȝt, [ 500] [500. mused] musen Ar. G. Ro. Ap. to muse Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. Ro.] And cast he wold / with-oute more tarying The troutħ enquere / of poliboun the kyng. And whan he saugh / opportunë space, [503. opportune] oportune and L₂. Ro. tyme and oportune Lb. In Ra. l. 503 is perfectly legible (=Ar.), but a later hand has struck through the whole line and written in the margin: and whan yat he had found convenient space.] And the kyng / in a* sycrè place, [ 504] [and asks King Polibon to tell him about his birth and whether he is the king's son.] [504. a] om. Ar. G. Ra. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. secre Bo. M. secreet Ad₁. secrete G.] [504. om. Ba.] He hym bysoghte / lowly on his kne To his request // benignëly* to se, [506. benignely] benignly Ar. G. Du. beningly Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. Ro. Ap.] And that he woldë / pleynly / and not spare Of his byrtħ / the trewë ground* declare, [ 508] [508. trewe Bo. trew M. the trewe ground] the trewe trouþe Ar. G. E₁. þe soth trouthe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S (sothe underdotted by Stow). the treuthe Ro. declare] to declare L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. Ro.] And make hym sure / of this thyng anon̄ ȝif he were / his verrey sone or non̄.

¶ And Polyboun / only of gentilles, whan he beheeld / the gretë hevynesse [ 512] [512. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁. 513-1130 lost in Ro.] Of Edippus / and the wooful peyne, he gan dissimule / and in manere feyne, [514. in manere] a maner Bo. T₁. T₂. in a maner Du. L₁. Di. Lb. E₂. Ap. manar S.] lik as he had be / verrely his heyre. [515. as] om. Ra. Ba. verrely] om. Bo. verry T₂.] But mor and mor / he falleth in dispeir, [ 516] And doune on kneës / eft a-geyn gan falle, [517. doune on knees eft a-geyn] doune ayen efte on his knees P. doun ayen oft on knees T₂. doune ayen on knees E₂. doun on knees after ayen L₂.; dovne eft on knees Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. doun ofte on knees Di. doun on k[n]ees efte he Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. down on knees he eft Ra. Ba. (these last thirteen MSS. om. ageyn). gan] gan Edippus L₁.] Hym coniuring / be the goddës alle To tellë trouth / and no thyng to hide; [He conjures Polibon to hide nothing.] Affermyng ek / he woldë* nat abide [ 520] [520. eke Bo. T₁. M. wolde Lb. Di. Ra. wold Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] Lenger witħ hym / but ryden and enquere, [521. riden Ra. Ad₁. ride Bo. T₁. Lb. M.] Til tyme he may / the verrey sothe lere [522. soth Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. sothe Ra.] In eny part of hap or of fortune. [523. In] And L₁. eny] euery P. Ad₂. I. part] partye Ad₂. I. of hap] or hap Bo. or of] or Ra. Ba. Ad₁. Ad₂.] And for that he / was so inportune [ 524] In his desire, the kyng with-out abood Ceriously / tolde hym* how it stood, [So King Polibon tells Edippus how he was found, but that he'll one day be King of the Realm.] [526. Ceriously] Curteysly P. hym] om. Ar. G. Ra. Ba. E₁. L₂. Ap. how] hov that Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] In a Forest first / how he* was founde [527. first] om. L₁. P. first how he] hou first he Du. how] hou þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. he] it Ar (from l. 526).] Vpon a tre / be the feet ybounde, [ 528] [528. ybounde] bounde Bo. T₁. Du L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂.] And how he caste, in conclusioun, [529. And] An Ar. caste in Ar. first written cast with a very long tag, then e added on the tag.] To make hym kyng / of that regioun Aftere his day / shortly forto telle. [531. his] this S. forto] to Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M.] But Edippus / wil no lenger dwelle, [ 532] [Edippus goes to a Temple of Apollo.] [532. Edippus] Egippus Ar. wil] wolde S. T₂. L₂. E₂. Ap. dwelle] ther dwell L₁.] But took lieve / and in hast gan ryde [533. in hast gan] fast gan to Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To a temple / faste ther be-syde [534. fast Bo. faste M. Lb.]

Of Appollo / in storie as is tolde, [535. is] it is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra (it crossed out by a later hand). Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P.] Whos statue / stood / in a char of golde [ 536] [whose statue is in a chariot of gold,] On* whelës four / boornyd bright and shene; [537. On] Of Ar. G. S. And Lb. and] as golde P.] And with-In a spirit / ful vnclene, [but an unclean spirit is inside it.] [538. with-In] ther with-yn M. Di. T₂. yn hit Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ful] right Lb.] Be fraude only / and fals collusioun, [539. collusioun] conclusion S. illusion Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂.] Answere gaf / to euery questioun, [ 540] Bryngyng the puple in ful gret errour, Sucħ as to hym dyden fals honour [542. dyden Ar. E₁. diden Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. deden Lb. T₂. dydden P. did L₁. S. E₂. L₂. dyd Ap. fals] om. Bo. Ad₂. I. the false P.] Be Rytys vsëd in the oldë dawes Aftere custome / of paganysmes* lawes. [ 544] [544. custome] þe custume Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. T₂. E₂. the customs P. paganysme Ar. G. Ap. (see Notes). paganymes Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. T₂. E₂. paganyes Ra. Pagayns Ba. paganis P. paynemis L₂.] And Edyppus / witħ ful humble chere, [Edippus prays to be told of what kin he is.] To Appollo makëd His preiere, [546. To] Vnto Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. T₂. maked Ar. M. Ad₁. made Bo. Du. maade Ra. maad T₁. maketh G.] Besechyng hym on his kneës lowe, [547. lowe] ful lowe Ra.] Be some signë / that he myghte knowe, [ 548] [548. that] om. Ad₁. might Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra.] Thorg Evidencë Shortly comprehendyd, [549. comprehendit Bo. Du. M. Ad₁.] Of what kynredë / that he was discendyd. [550. kynred Bo. M. Ad₁. kynrede Ra. descendit Bo. Du. M. Ad₁.] ¶ And whan Edyppus be gret deuocioun, Fynysshëd hath / fully his orysoun, [ 552] The fend* anon̄ / witħ-Innen Invisybłe, [The invisible Fiend] [553. The fend] The finde T₂. He fond Ar. S. Ad₁. He founde E₁. Ad₂. I. He herde Ra. Ba. anon] a soun Ra. Ba. with-Innen Ar. Ad₁. S. Ap. withynne Ra. withyn Bo. and the rest, except Ed₁. that has wymmen. anon with-Innen] with-yn anon M. Di.] Witħ a vois dredful and horrible, [554. With vois] That was both Ra. Ba.] Bad hym in hast / taken his viage [bids him go to Thebes and there learn his lineage.] [555. haste Bo. M. Ad₁. taken Ad₁. take Bo. M.] Toward Thebës / wher of his lynage [ 556] He herën shal / and be certefied. And on his way / anon̄ he haþ hym hyed, by hasty Iournè / so his hors constreyned

Day be day / til he haþ atteyned [ 560] [leaf 10] [560. haþ] haue Lb. hath hym Ra.] Vnto* a castel / Pylotës ycalled, [On the road, Edippus stops at the castle Pylotes,] [561. Vnto a] Vnta Ar. ycalled] called T₁. Di. T₂. is called L₂.] Ricħ and strong / and wel aboute walled, [562. aboute walled] aboute I-walled Ba. S. aboue iwalled E₂.] Adiacent / be syyt of the contrè [563. syyt Ar. syet Bo. T₁. M. Di. syght G. sight E₁. T₂. L₂. cyyt Ad₁. ryite Ad₂. right I. side L₁. the] that M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. In Ra. l. 563 reads Wele I-stuffid of al thyng plentye (= Ba.).] And perteynent* to Thebes the Cytè: [ 564] [564. perteynent Ra. E₁. perceynent Ar. G. parteynent S. pertenent Ba. pertinent Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ap. apperteinent E₂. appertenente T₂ P. appertynent L₂. aperteynynge L₁. appar∣teynyng T₁. Lb. Di. appertenyng Bo. Du. M.] ¶ kyng Layvs / beyng ther present, [where his un∣known father, King Layus, is holding a Tour∣nament.] For-to holde a maner tornement Witħ his knyghtës / ȝong and coraious, [567. corageus Bo. corayus M. curious Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And other folkës / that were desyrous [ 568] [568. folkes Ar. G. L₂. Ap. folke or folk the rest.] To preue hem-silf /, shortly for-to telle, [569. preue Lb. L₁. Ad₂. L₂. proue Bo. T₁. Du. Ad₁. Ra. T₂.] Who by force / other* myght excelle, [570. Who] Who that E₂. other] oyther Ar. other myght] might other L₁. Ra. Ba.] Or gete a namë / thorgh his hegħ prouesse. Euericħ of hem / dyd his bysynesse [ 572] [572. Euerich] eche Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. his] here Lb.] On hors-bak / and also ek on foote, [573. also ek] eke also M. also] om. E₂. ek] om. L₁. Lb. Di.] Al be that somë founde ful vnsoote, [574. Al be that] And al be that Ra. Al be hit þat P. Albe though Lb. And by that L₂. founde] founde it L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. (see Notes). ful] al Bo. T₁. Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. sor L₁. sone L₁. sone L₂. om. Lb. M. Di.] Rather a pley of werrë / than of pees; [575. pley] pleyer Ar.] Wher Edyppus put hym-silf in prees, [ 576] As he that was / ay redy to debat, [577. he] om. T₁. ay] om. Di. Ad₂. I. P.] Enforsyng hym / to entren at the gate, [578. entren Bo. Ad₁. entre M.] Maugrè ałł tho / that hym woldë* lette. [¶ How Edippus slogh his fader of ignoraunce at þ^e castel.] [579. all tho] all hem T₂. of tho Bo. of all thoo Ba. wolde Bo. wold Ar. M. hym wolde] wold him Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S.] ¶ And in the pres / of aventure he mette [ 580] Kyng layvs / and cruelly hym slogħ, Thow the story / writ not the maner howħ, [582. þogh Bo. though Du.] Ne no wight can / of alle the companye [583. In Ar. a pause-bar also after wight.]

Be no signë / verrely espye [ 584] [584. verrely] it verreili Ad₁. Ra. Ba. T₂. E₂. P. verily it S. even verily Ad₂. I.] By whos hond / that the kyng was slawe; For Edyppus in hast / gan hym witħ-drawe [Edippus with∣draws in haste.] [586. in hast gan hym] gan hym in hast E₂. L₂. gan in haste P. in hast] om. Du. with-drawe] to withdrawe Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. T₂. S. drawe Ap.] And kept hym Coy / of entencioun. Gret was the noyse / and the pitous soun̄ [ 588] In the Castel / for slaughter of the kyng, [589. slaughter] the slauȝter Di.] Dooel and compleynt / sorowe and wepyng. ¶ But for they segh / hevynesse and thoght [leaf 10, back] Ageynës deth · vayleth lit or noght, [ 592] [592. Ageynes Ar. G. ageynys Ap. ageyns Bo. T₁. ayens M. Ageinst Ad₁. E₁. Ayenst Lb. vayleth] auaileth Du. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. lit Ar. G. lite Bo. E₂. L₂. light Lb. litel T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. Ap.] They ordeyne witħ Ryytys ful Royal [593. rightes Bo.] For the feste / callëd / Funeral. [594. fest Bo. feste Du. Ad₁.] And lik the custom / of the dayës olde, The corps they brent / into asshes colde, [ 596] [King Layus's corpse is burnt, and the ashes put in a vessel of gold.] [596. cors Bo. M. Ad₁. In Ar. is an underdotted p between they and brent.] And in a vessel / rounde, mad as a bal, They closëd hem in gold and in metal. And after that did her bysy Cure [599. after that] aftreward Du.] In Thebës to make a sepulture, [ 600] And richëly, hem list no lenger lette, [King Layus's ashes are put in a shrine.] The asshen didë* they enclose and shette. [601 and 602 om. in Ad₂. I.] [602. diden Ra. dide M. T₁. Du. dede Ad₁. did Ar. Bo.] Of this matere / ther ys* no mor to seyn. [603. ys] nys Ar.] But to Edippus / I wil retourne ageyn̄, [ 604] [604. retourne] turne G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. wil] om. P.] Whicħ hym enhasteþ / ay fro day to day [Edippus jour∣neys in haste towards Thebes.] [605. ay] om. Du.] Towardës Thebes / in al that euere he may, [606. Towardes Ar. G. Toward Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. in al that euere] in al þe hast Ad₁. Ad₂. I. he] om. S. euere he] euereche G.] Brennyng in herte / hoot as eny fire, [607. hert Bo. M. Ad₁.] The fyn to knowe / of his fatal desire. [ 608] ¶ But, for that he failëd / of a Guyde, [609. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂.] Out of his way / he wente fer be-side, [610. went Bo. M. Ad₁.]

Thorgh a wylde / and a waast contrè, [¶ How Edippus passed by the hyll wher the monstre lay that was called Spynx.] By a mounteyn̄ / that stood vpon the see, [ 612] Wher that monstres / of many dyuers kynde Were conuersaunt / in story as I fynde; Amongës* which / sothly ther was on̄, [615. Amonge Lb. E₁. Among Ar. and the rest.] So Inly cruel / that no man durst gon̄, [ 616] For drede of deth / forby that passage. [617. forby] forthby Lb. M. T₂. P. E₂. sothly Di.] This monstre was so mortal in his rage, [¶ The descrip∣cioun of the foule Monstre.] which hadde also /, be descripcioun, [619. Ar. has a pause-bar also between hadde and also.] Body and feet / of a fers lyoun; [ 620] And lik a mayde in soth was hede and face, Fel of his look / and cruel to manace, [leaf 11] [622. Fel] Full P. to] of Di. to his Ad₂. I.] And odyous of countenaunce and sight; [623. odyous] hidious Lb. sight] of sight Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁.] ¶ And as I redë /, Spynx / this monstre hight, [ 624] [624. I] om. G.] Wors than Tygre / dragon / or serpent. And I supposë / by enchauntement [626. by] þat by Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. be somme T₂. that bi some Lb. þat it be Bo. L₁.] He was ordeynëd / on the hyl tabyde, [627. tabyde G. Ad₁. to abyde Bo. M.] To sleen ałł tho / that passëden be-syde, [ 628] [The Sphinx slays all passers∣by who can't solve the Pro∣blem he sets them.] [628. tho] om. T₂. Ap. passeden] passid L₁. T₂. P. L₂. passen Ad₁. Ad₂. I. passeth Lb. be-syde] forthe besyde Lb. T₂. þer beside P. L₂. him beside Ba.] And specially / ałł that diden* fayle [629. diden M. Di. Ad₁. T₂. deden S. dide Du. dede G. did Ar. Bo. Lb.] To expowne / his mysty dyvynaile, His problem ek / in wordës pleyn and bare With-oute avys / opynly to* declare, [ 632] [632. avys] a mysse E₁. opynly] pleinly T₂. P. fully E₂. to] om. Ar. G. E₁. L₂. Ap.] Or with the lif / he myghte not eskape. [633. he] om. G. might Bo. Ad₁. Ra. myghty M.] This verray sotħ platly and no Iape. [634. This] þis is Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. E₁. S. P. E₂. L₂. The Di. soth Bo. Ad₁. sothe M. Ra. soth] sothe is Ad₂. platly] om. L₂. pleynly Ra. Ba. P. E₂. shortly T₂.] [633 and 634 are transposed in Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] ¶ And ȝif that he, be declaracioun, Ȝaf ther-vpon / cleer exposicioun, [ 636] [636. ȝaf ȝif G.] He shuld in hast / there was non̄ oþer mene,

Sleen this monstre / for al his cruel tene. [638. slee Bo. M.] Ther may of mercy / be / non̄ oþer graunte. But of al this Edyppus ignoraunte, [ 640] [640. of] for Du. Lb. Ra. E₁.] This dredful hiłł / stondyng on a roche, Er he was war / gan ful nygħ approche, [642. er Bo. Lb. or M.] More perilous platly / than he wende. And sodeynly / the monster* gan* descende, [ 644] [644. monster] moyster Ar. gan] can Ar.] To stoppen his way / and letten his passage, [Edippus is stopt by the Monster, the Sphinx, and charged to solve the Problem he'll be set.] [645. stoppen. letten Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. stoppyn. letten Lb. stoppyn. lettyn Ra. stoppe. let L₂.] Thus abraydyng · with a fel corage: [646. Thus] This M. Di. abraydyng] obreidinge Ad₁. Ad₂. I. fel] full P. E₂. corage] rage T₂.] ¶ "I haue in herte Inly gret disport [647. I haue] Seide I haue T₂. E₂. And seyde I haue P. in herte] in my herte P. I haue in herte] In hert I haue Bo. in herte Inly] inly in hert Ad₂. I. Inly] om. P.] That fortune / haþ broght the to my sort, [ 648] [648. haþ broght the] hath the broght M. Di. the] om. G. P.] To make a preef* / ȝif thow mayst endure, The fatal ende / of this auenture, Set at a fyn / sothly be daiës olde." [651. sothly] oonly Di.] And by and by / al the caas hym tolde, [ 652] Charging hym to be wel war and wise, [leaf 11, back] [653. wel] om. L₂.] Gete the palme / and bere away the pryse Touchyng this thyng / sette a-twene vs tweyn̄, [655. a-twene vs] at Ad₂. I.] with lyf or deth / whicħ we shal dareyn̄. [ 656] [656. or] and G. Ad₂. I. which] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] ¶ And this Monstre / with a despitous chere his problem gan / thus as ȝe shal here. [658. gan] bigan Lb. thus] om. Lb. T₂. like P. ȝe shal] yee shul Bo. Lb. Di. T₂. P. E₂.] ¶ "Ther is a beest merveilous to se, [659. beest Bo. best M. Ad₁.] The whicħ in sotħ at his natiuyte [ 660] Is of his myght / so tender and so grene, [¶ Of the problem that Spynx putte to Edippus.] [661. Is] As Bo.] That he may hym-siluë* nat sustene ['There's an animal which, at its birth, can't walk.] [662. hymsilue, cf. 710. hymselue Lb. hymselfe L₁. Ra. P. hymsilf Ar. himself Bo. M. Ad₁. hymsilf nat Ar. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. not himself Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. not hymselfe not P.] Vpon his fete / thogh he hadde it sworn̄, But ȝif that he / be / of his moder born̄. [ 664] [664. ȝif] om. M. Di.]

And afterwardës / be processe of age, [665. aftrewardes Bo. afterward M. Ad₁.] On fourë fete / he makeþ his passage; [Then it goes on 4 feet;] After on thre / if I shal not feyne, [then on 3;] And alderlast / he goþ vpright on tweyne; [ 668] [at last on 2.] [668. vpright] vpritht Ar. vp-rygh G.] Dyuers of port / and wonderful of cherys: Til, be length / of many sondry ȝeeres, Naturely / he goth aȝeyn on thre, [Then on 3 again,] [671. Naturely Bo. M. Naturelly Ad₁. namely Ad₂. I.] And sitħ on foure, it may non oþer be, [ 672] [then on 4,] [672. sith] om. Bo. efte P. it] as P.] And Fynaly / this the trouthë* pleyn, [and finally goes back to the matter it came from.] [673. this] þis is Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. trouthe Lb. M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo.] he retourneth / kyndëly ageyn̄ To the matere / whicħ that he kam fro. [675. which] om. P. that] om. G. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. Ap.] ¶ loo / her is al /. my problem is I-do. [ 676] [676. is I-do Ar. G. P. is do Di. Ap. do (om. is) Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. L₂. Lo here my probleme, is all ido E₂. In Ar. a third pause-bar after problem.] Muse her-vpon / with-outë werre or stryff [Solve this,] [677. without Bo. withoute M. Ad₁.] It to declare / or ellis lese thy lyff." [or die.] And whan Edyppus / gan this þing aduerte, [Edippus thought over the puzzle,] [679. gan] can E₂.] Wel assurëd in his manly herte, [ 680] Gan in his wytt cerchen vp and doun̄, [681. his] om. G.] And of prudencë / cast in his resoun, Be grete avis / what thyng this may be; Seyng also / that he may not flee, [ 684] [leaf 12] [684. also] allone Di. may] might T₂. Ap. not] om. Du.] and how ther was / counsel noon ne rede, [685. and] om. G. was] nas Ad₂. counsel] om. L₂. noon] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ne] nor M. Ra. E₁. Ap. oþer L₂. to Bo. Du. and I.] But tellë trouth / or ellys to be dede. [686. telle] to telle Du.] And be ful good / deliberacioun Thus he answerd / in conclusioun, [ 688] [688. Thus] This Lb. answerd Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. answered Lb. answerid Di.] 'Thowe Spynx' quod he / 'fals and fraudulent! [then cald the Sphinx a foul murdering Monster,] Thow foulë* Monstre / thow dragon, thow serpent! [690. foule] vyle Ar. G. L₂. Ap. (see Notes).] whicħ on this hyl / lich as I conceyve, [691. which Ar. Ap. L₂. That Bo. and the rest.] lyst in a-waite / folkës to deceyue, [ 692]

But truste wel / for al thy sleghty wit, Thy falsë* fraudë / shal anon̄ be qwyt. [694. fals Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] Me list not nowe whisper neither rowne, [695. In Ar. the pause-bar, in Bo. the high point is put after whisper.] But thy problem / I shal anon̄ expowne [ 696] [and solvd its Problem.] So opynly / thow shalt not go ther-fro. [¶ How Edippus expounded the problem that Spynx put to hym.] [697 in the rubric Egippus.] loo! this it is /. tak good hede therto! [698. this] thus E₁. it is] is it Ra. Ba. take Bo. M. Ad₁. tak good hede therto] make goode chere too Ba. thou shalt not goo therfro (repeated from 697) Di.] ¶ Thilkë* best thow spak of herto-forn̄, [699. Thilke Bo. Lb. Ad₁. Thilk Ar. M. This Du.] [699 om. Ba. thow] þat thou L₁. herto-forn Ar. G. Lb. E₂. Ap. here beforn Bo. Du. M. Di. Ad₁ (er bifern). Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. P. beforn L₁. to-forn L₂.] Is euery man / in this world yborn̄, [ 700] ['The Animal is every man, who can't walk as a babe, but is carried,] [700. worlde Bo. Du. Lb. M. world Ad₁. T₂. yborn] born Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. P.] Whicħ may not gon̄ / his lymës be so softe, Bot as his moder / bereth hym alofte [702. alofte] vp alofte Ad₁. Ad₂. I. on lofte Ra. Ba. Lb.] In her armes / whan he doth crye or* wepe. [703. or] and Ar. G. Lb. Di.] And after that / he gynnetħ forto crepe [ 704] [then he crawls on 4 feet, his hands and knees,] On fourë* feet in his tendre ȝoutħ, [705. On] On his Ad₁. Ad₂. I. foure Bo. M. Ad₁. four Ar.] Bexperience / as it is oftë koutħ, [706. Pexperience mis∣written Ar. By experience Bo. M. Ad₁. oft Bo. ofte M. Ad₁.] A-forn yrekned / his hondës bothë* two. [707. bothe L₁. M. Ad₁. both Ar. Du. bothe] om. Bo. ben Lb.] And by processe / thow mayst consider also [ 708] With his two fete / for al thy fellë tene, [then on 3, his 2 feet and a stick,] [709. his] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. fel Bo. Du. felle] cruel M. Di.] He hath a staf / hym-seluen to sustene, [710. him-seluen Bo. Ad₁. him-self M. Du.] And than he goth / shortly vpon thre. [711. he goth] goth he M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] And alther-last / as it most nedës be, [ 712] [then on 2 feet only.] [712. as] om. Ra. it] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. most (must)] mot Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Di.] Voyding his staf / he walkeþ vpon tweyn̄: Til it so be / thorgh agë / he atteyn̄, [714. thorgh] to Ra. that Ba. he] þat he Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S.] That lust of ȝouthe wasted be and spent; [leaf 12, back] Than in his hond / he taketħ a potent, [ 716] [When he gets older, he takes a staff again, or goes on three feet;] And on thre feet / thus he goth ageyn, [717. thre] his Ad₁. Ad₂. I. thus] om. P. he goth] goth he M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂.]

I dar afferme / thow maist it not withseyn, [718. dar] dar it Bo. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. maist it] maist Bo. Lb. Ra. it not] not it G. M. Ba.; in P. l. 718 is: I dar seyne hit may not be withseyn. withseyn] withstonde L₁.] And sone aftere / thorgh his vnweldy myght, By influence / of naturys right, [ 720] Bexperience / as euery man may knowe, [721. By experience Bo. M. Ad₁.] Lich a child / on foure he crepetħ lowe. [and at last he crawls on all fours like a child.] [722. lowe] a lowe Du.] And for he may no whylë* here soiourne, [723. while Bo. wile Ad₁. whyl Ar. no whyle here] here no while Bo. Du. M. Ad₁.] To ertħ ageyn / he most in hast retourne, [ 724] [When he dies, he goes back to earth.] [724. in hast] om. Ra. Ba. S. ageyn he most in hast] in hast he must ageyn L₁. in soth he must agein Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ayen he muste ayen P.] Whicħ he kam fro /, he may it not remewe*. [725. renewe Ar. G. Du. L₁. Lb. S. renue Ad₁. E₁. T₂. remewe Di. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. L₂. remue Bo. M. remeue Ap. rewe Ad₂. I.] For in this world / no man may eschewe, [615-726 lost in T₁.] [726. worde Bo. world M. Ad₁.] This verray soth / shortly and no doute, Whan the wheel of kyndë com̄eth aboute, [ 728] And naturely hath his cours y-Ronne [729. y-ronne Bo. Ad₁. ronne Du. M. Di.] Be circuete / as dotħ the shenë sonne, [730. circuite Bo. circuyt M. Ad₁.] That man and chyld / of hegh and lowe estat, It geyneth nat / to makë / mor debat, [ 732] [732. make Bo. mak Ad₁. mor] no G. with him Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] His tymë sette / that he mostë* fyne, [733. sette] ysette P. is sett Ra. Ba. Ad₂. he] om. T₂. moste Lb. Di. most Ar. M. Ad₁. must Bo. T₁.] Whan Autropos / of malice doth vntwyne His lyvës thred / by Cloto first compowned [735. lyves] lyf is Bo. T₁. lyff ys Du. lyffe his L₁. first] om. Ra. Ba.] Loo / her thy problem / fully is expowned, [ 736] [So your Problem is solved,] At oure metynge / as I took on honde, To the lawe / that thow most nedës stonde [738. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] And in al hast / of myn hondës deye, [and I shall at once kill you.'] But of reson / thow can it ought withseye.' [ 740] [740. But] For E₂. om. Ad₂. I. can] canst L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. T₂. E₂. om. P. ought] owt Lb. oute Ra. not Ad₂. I. P. E₂. om. Ba.] And so this Spynx / awapyd and amaat, [741. so] thoo T₂. P. L₂. Ap. om. E₂. amaat] al mat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. awapyd and amaat] dismayed and dissolaat Lb. (cp. 742).]

Stood / disamayëd / and dysconsolaat, [742. disamayed] dismayde Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. P. L₂. Ap. all dismaide T₂. E₂. Ad₂. I. dysconsolaat] dissolaat Lb. desolate P.] With Chier doune-cast / Muët, pale, and ded. [743. Muet] om. G. Muet pale and ded] hevy as any lede T₂. P. E₂. fully dysmaide L₂.] And Edippus anon̄ smote of the hed [ 744] [Edippus cuts the Sphinx's head off,] [744. the] his Bo. L₂. Ba.] Of this fende / stynkyng and vnswete, And the Contrè sette holy in quyete; [leaf 19] [746. sette holy] holy sette M. Di. T₂. holy] onely Ad₂. I.] Wherby he hatħ / such a pris ywonne [747. Wherby] Where Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] That his fame is euery cost yronne [ 748] [748. is euery cost] is in euery cost L₁. M. Di. is in-to e. c. Ad₂. I. euery cost is L₂. Ap. in euery cost is T₂. P. E₂. yronne] ronne T₁. L₁. M. Di. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap.] Thorgh al the londe / that he the monstre hath slawe. [749. Thorgh] In T₂. That thurgh P. al] om. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. that he the monstre hath] þat he hath þe monstre Bo. T₁. þat the monstre was T₂. E₂ (this for the). the monstre was P. þat þe monstre is Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And lynë-right / to Thebës he gan drawe, [is well receivd at Thebes,] [750. And] and as Bo. gan] gan him Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. S. began Ad₂. I. drawe] to drawe Ad₂. I. Ap. he gan drawe] worthynes Ba (the end of 750 and the whole of 751, except the rhyme-word, om.).] Wel receyuëd / for his worthynesse, For his manhode / and his grete* prouesse. [ 752] [752. grete] om. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. E₂. riȝt Ar. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. high T₂. L₂. Ap.] And for they segh / he was a semly knyght, [753. sye Bo. M. Ad₁. a] om. T₂. semly] manful M. Di. manly Ba.] Wel fauourëd / in euery mannys sight, [754. favoured] y-favored P. euery] eche M. Di.] And sawh also Thebës the myghty toun, [and as the Thebaus have only a Queen,] [755. sawe Bo. M. sawh also] also saugh Ad₁. Ad₂. I. se also L₁.] Not only they / but al the Regioun, [ 756] Weren destitut / of a gouernour, [757. weren Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. were L₁. and the rest.] Aȝeynst her foon / hauyng no socour Hem to defendë* / but the quene allon̄; [759. defende Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. defend Ar.] Among hem-self / makyng ful gret mon̄, [ 760] For heire was non̄ / as bookës specifie, [761. heire] there Ad₂. I. E₁. S.] The Sceptre / or crownë forto occupie: [762. or] and T₂. P. E₂. crowne] the crowne Ad₂. L₂. forto] to M. Di. Ad₂. S. P. E₂. L₂.] For which the lordës ałł be on̄ assent with-Inne the toun̄ / set a parlement, [ 764] [764. with-Inne] whiche in Bo.] Shortly concludyng / if it myghte ben̄, [765. might Bo. M. Ad₁.]

Prudently to trete with the quene, [they resolve to ask her to wed Edippus, and make him King.] [766. trete Bo. M. Ad₁.] Namëly they / that helde hem-silf most sage, [767. sage] age G.] To condescende / be way of Mariage, [ 768] She to be Ioynëd to this manly knyght, [769. manly] famous Ad₁. Ad₂. I. om. S.] Passing prudent / and famous ek of myght, Most likly man /, as they can discerne, The worthy Cytè / to kepen and gouerne. [ 772] [772. to] om. Ad₁. kepen Bo. Ad₁. kepe M. gouerne] to gouerne M. L₂.] And thorgh counsayl / of the lordës alle To her desyre / pleynly / she is falle, And accorded / with-oute mor tarying, [775. taryinge Ar (e underdotted). tareyng Bo. M. tariyng Ad₁.] That of Thebës / Edippus shal be kyng, [ 776] By ful assent /, was non̄ that seidë* nay. [leaf 13, back] [777. seide T₁. M. Lb. Ra. seid Ar. Bo. Ad₁.] And tymë set / ageyn a certeyn day Among hem-silf / and finaly devysed, The weddyng was / in Thebës solempnyzed [ 780] Ful ryally, which nedës most vnthryve, [Edippus marries his Mother, not knowing it,] [781. rialy Bo. M. Roialli Ad₁. needis Bo. nedus Ad₁.] Only for he his moder / toke to wyve, [782. he his moder toke] he tok his moder Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Vnwist of bothë* / he was of her blode, [783. bothe T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ap. both Ar. Bo. L₁. Lb. bothyn L₂.] And ignoraunt /, shortly, how it stode, [ 784] [784. how] hou þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] That he to-forn hadde his fadere slawe, [or that he'd slain his Father.] [785. to-forn Ar. tofore Bo. M.] For which this weddyng was ageyn the lawe. [786. For which] Wherfor M. Di. For which thing Ba. this] þe Di. om. Ba.] And to-for god / is neiþer feire ne good, [God will not that blood touch blood.] Nor acceptable / blood to touche blood: [ 788] [785-788 are missing in Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Whicħ cause hath ben of gret confusioun In many londe / and many Regyoun, [790. londe and many] londis and Ad₂. I.] Grounde and roote / of vnhap and meschaunce, The fyn concludyng / alway with vengeaunce, [ 792] [It leads to disaster.] [792. concludyng alway] alway concludyng G Ad₂. I.] As men han seie / by cleer experience; [793. seie Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ap. seyn L₁. Ra. E₂. seyen T₂. seyne L₂. see Ad₂. I. seen M. Di. E₁. S. P.]

And holy writ / recordeth in sentence [794. recordeth] recordeth it Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di.] How herodës / falsly in his lyff [Herod took his brother's wife,] By violencë toke his brother wyf, [ 796] [796. toke] take G. his] om. G. brother Ar. T₁. Di. brothre Du. brotheres Lb. brotheres Bo. brothres Ad₁. Ra. brotheris Ad₂. I. brothers G. L₁. T₂. brothirs L₂.] For she was faire / and plesaunt to his sight, And kepte her stille / be forcë* / þorgh his myght, [798. force Bo. Ra. Ad₁. fors Ar. T₁. þorgh] of M. Di.] Al be to her* / he haddë / title non̄; [799. Al be] All be hit L₁. Al though Lb. E₂. hur Ar. hire Bo. hir M. here Ad₁. hadde Du. Lb. had Bo. Ad₁. he hadde title] title had he M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. T₂. P. E₂. had he title L₁.] And for her sake / the holy man seynt Ioħn [ 800] [thru which John the Baptist lost his head.] For his trouth / in prison lost his hede. Therfor I rede / euery man take hede, [Beware, then,] Wherso he be Pryncë, lorde, or kyng, That he be* war teschewë such weddyng, [ 804] [804. be] om. Ar. G. teschewe Ar. to eschewe Bo. G. and eschewe Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P.] Er that the swerde / of vengeaunce hym manace, [805. Ere Bo. T₁. Or Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. hym] of E₁.] lest he lesë / hap, fortune, and grace; [806. lese Bo. Ad₁. Ra. lose M.] Takyng ensample / in al manere thynge Of Edyppus / in Thebës crownëd kyng; [ 808] [leaf 14] Al be that he wroght of ignoraunce, [by Edippus, who, tho' he sind in ignorance.] Ful derk and blynde / of his woful chaunce. And ȝif vnwist / he of Innocence, [811. ȝif] yit Lb. vnwist he] he wist Ad₂. I. And ȝif vnwist he] And he vnwetyng and Ra.] As ȝe han herde, fil in such offence, [ 812] [812. han Bo. Ad₁. haue M. fil] fall Ad₂. I.] For whicħ he was punishëd* and brought lowe, [was punisht.] [813. punshed Ar. G. Lb. punysshed Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ap.] What ar* they worthy that her errour knowe, [814. omitted in Lb. ar Bo. are T₂. er Ar. G. ere Ad₁. arn M.] And fro the knottë / list not to abstene [815. knotte Du. Lb. Ra. knott Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. abstene] absteyne (: vnclene) Bo. Lb. E₂. (: vncleyne) Ra. S.] Of such spousale / to god and man vnclene? [ 816] [816. spousale Ar. G. M. spousaile Bo. spousail Ad₁. spousales Lb.] I can not seyn / nor mor therof devise. [817. seyn] seen E₁. nor] ne Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. E₂. no Lb. E₁. L₂. ner P.] Demeth ȝour-silf that prudent ben and wise, And Edippus / hath among in mynde, [The wedding of Edippus] [819. hath Ar. G. L₂. Ap. haue Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. hauith T₂. among] om. S.]

Of whom the weddyng, lik as ȝe may fynde, [ 820] Vnhappy was / and passing odious, [was unhappy.] Infortunëd / and vngracious. [1-822 lost in C.] [822. Infortuned] Infortunat Du. Ad₂. S. E₂. and] and eke M. Di. T₂. (in Ra. the later hand has added eke above the line). eke and P.] I am wery mor therof to write. [823. mor therof] therof more M. Di. and therof more E₁.] The hatful processe / also to endyte [ 824] I passe ouer, fully of entent; For ymenëus / was not ther present, [826. ymeneus] Imnus or Innius Ad₂. I.] Nor lucyna / list not ther to shyne, [827. list Bo. M. Ad₁.] Ne ther was none / of the musys nyne [ 828] [None of the Nine Muses was at it,] [828. ther] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. musys] Musas E₂.] By on accord / to makë melodye; [829. omitted in Ba. By on] Of oure E₁. make Bo. M. Ra. maken Ad₁.] For ther song not be heuenly Armonye Neither Clyo / nor Calyopë, On of the sustren / in nombre thriës thre, [ 832] [832. On] Non C. T₂. P. E₂. sustren Ar. Bo. Du. Lb. Ad₁. T₂. sistren T₁. systryn L₂. sustern L₁. sustres M. Di. sostres C. sistres Ra. systers P. in nombre] nombred C.] As they dydë* whan philolegye [as they were at Philology's mar∣riage in Heaven to Mercury:] [833. dide T₁. Du. M. E₁. S. dede Ad₁. T₂. diden C. dyd Ar. Bo. Ra. whan] whan þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. philolegye Ar. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Philologie Di. Ad₂. Philolaie E₂. Philoloy C. T₂. philolis P (:skies).] Ascendid vp hegh aboue the skye [834. vp hegh] hi vp Ad₁. Ad₂. I. vp an high Lb. aboue] abou Ar. the] in the Ad₂. I.] To be weddid / this lady vertuous [835. this] thus Ra. to this Ad₁. L₂. to his Ad₂. I.] Vnto hir lord / þe god mercurius; [ 836] As Marcian ynamëd / de Capelle, [see Martianus de Capella.] [837. As] And as C. P. E₂. L₂. Marcian] Matrician E₂. ynamed] named T₁. de] be Ap. by P. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Capelle] Copelle E₂.] In his book of weddyng can ȝou telle, Ther concludyng in this mariage [leaf 14, back] [839. this] his C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap.] The poete, that whilom was so sage, [ 840] That this lady, callëd sapience, I-wedded was vnto eloquence; As it sat wel, by heuenly purueaunce, hem to be ioyned / be knot of Aliaunce. [ 844] But bothë* two, sothly, of entent [845. bothe Bo. T₁. Ad₁. M. Ra. C. both Ar. G. T₂.]

At the weddyng / in Thebës were absent; [846. At the Ar. G. L₁. S. L₂. Ap. Atte Ad₁. Ra. E₁. At (the om.) Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ba. C. P. E₂. Att Ad₂. I. T₂. Ad Lb.] That causëd after / grete aduersitè. For fynal eende / of that solempnytè [ 848] [Edippus's wed∣ding brought about the ruin of Thebes.] [848. solennite Ad₁.] was sorowe / and woo / and destruccioun, Vtter ruyne / of this Royal toun̄. Ther may no man helpe it nor socoure, [851. it] om. G. P. nor] ne T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂.] For a tyme / in Ioyë / thogħ they floure. [ 852] [849-852 omitted in L₂.] But at this weddyng /, platly forto telle, [¶ The Infortunat ¶ folk þat weren at þe wed∣dynge. ¶ Cerberus ¶ Herebus] [853. at this] atte E₁. at his E₂. platly] plainly S. C. E₂. forto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C.] was Cerberus / Chief porter of helle, [854. was] were Ra. S. Cerberus] Cerebus Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Chief porter] a feend Ad₂. I.] And herebus / Fader to hatrede, [855. to] vnto Ad₁. Ra. Ba. S. of C.; Ad₂. and I. omit And herebus, and have l. 855 ffadir and foundour unto hattred.] was ther present with his hool kynrede, [ 856] [856. hool Du. hole Bo. Ad₁. In the rubric beside l. 858 Nyght] Nygh Ar.] His wiff also / with her browës blake, And her doghtren / sorow forto make, [¶ Nyght & her thre doghtren] hydous-chered / and vggely forto see, Megera / and Thesiphonee, [ 860] [860. Megera] Mergera Ba. and] and eke M. Di. Ra. Ba. T₂. and also C. Thesiphonee] Tysiphone M. Di. Thesiphonie Ba (: see). Thesyphane P. Thesyffene Ap.] Allecto ek / with labour and envie, Drede and fraude / and fals trecherie, [¶ Drede ¶ Fraude ¶ Trecherie ¶ Tresoun ¶ Pouerte ¶ Indygence ¶ Nede ¶ Deth ¶ Cruel Mars] Tresoun · pouerte / Indigence, and nede, [863. pouerte Ar. G. Bo. L₁. E₁. P. pouert T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. S. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. Iindigence Ar.] And cruel detħ / in his Rentë Wede, [ 864] [864. rent Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁.] Wrechednesse / compleynt* / and eke Rage, [865. compleynt] compleyn Ar. G. eke Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. eek Ra.] Fer ful palë / derknesse / crokëd age, [866. Fer ful pale Ar. G. Ba. fereful pale Bo. and all the rest except L₁. and Lb., that have fferdfull pale. derknesse] Dronkenesse E₂. croked] and croked Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. L₂.] Cruel mars / as eny Tygre wood, Brennyng Ire / of vnkyndë blood, [ 868] [868. vnkynde Bo. M. vnkynd Ad₁.] Fraternal hatë / depë sett the rote, [¶ Alle þise folk weren at the wedding of] [869. deep Bo. depe M. Ad₁.] Saue only deth / that ther nas no bote, [leaf 15] [870. only] onelich Du. that] om. G. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. nas] was T₁. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. P. L₂. Ap. no] non oþer L₂.]

Assuryd othës / at the fyn vntrewe: [Edyppus and Iocasta] Ałł thise folk / werën / at this weddyng newe, [ 872] [872. were Bo. Ad₁. this] þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To make the towne / desolat and bare, [873. the] om. G.] As the story / after shal declare. ¶ But ay in Thebës / with his wallës stronge [Edippus reignd long in Thebes,] Edyppus regneth / many day and longe. [ 876] And as myn autour writ / in wordys pleyn̄, By Iocasta he had sonës tweyn̄, [had 2 sons] [878. sonnes Bo. sones M. Ad₁.] Ethyocles and also Polymyte [879. also] om. Bo. Polymyte] Pollymyte Ad₂. P.] And, in bokes / as sondry clerkës write, [ 880] Doghtres two / ful goodly on to se, [and 2 daughters by Jocasta,] [881. ful] om. G.] Of which* the ton hight Antygonë, [882. which Di. C. T₂. E₂. the which Ar. G. Bo. and the rest. the ton] oon Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra (won). Ba. E₁. S. that one Ad₂. I. C. T₂. E₂.] And that other / callëd was ymeyne, [883. called was] was called G.] Of her beautè / Inly souereyn̄. [ 884] Edyppus ay devoyde / of werre and strif, [885. ay] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. devoyde] devoidid L₂. of] of al Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] with Iocasta ladde a mery lyf [and led at first a merry life.] Tyl fortune / of her iniquytè Hadde envie / of his prosperitè. [ 888] For whan he shon / most ricħe in his renoun, [But when Edip∣pus was most famous,] [889. his] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] From her wheel / she plongëd hym a-doun [890. From] Fro Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. T₂. she] he M. plonged] plukkyth L₁.] Out of his Ioye / into sodeyn wo, [Fortune cast him into woe.] [891. his] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. into] into a Di. and to P.] As she is wonte / frowardly to do, [ 892] And namely hem / that setten her affiaunce [893. setten Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ad₁. T₂. set Ra. L₂.] Of erthly trust / in her variaunce. [894. Of] On Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. erthly] hertly T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap.] ¶ For whan this kyng / passing of gret myght, [One night] [895. this] the E₂. passing of gret myght Ar. Bo. and all the rest.] Sat with the quene / vpon a certeyn nyght, [ 896] Casuelly whan his folk echon̄ Out of his* Chambre sodeynly wer gon̄, [898. his] om. Ar. G. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap.]

Or he was war / Iocasta gan byholde [Jocasta sees the marks of old wounds on his feet,] The Carectys of his woundës olde, [ 900] Vpon his fete / enprented wonder depe; [leaf 15, back] Turnyng her facë / brast out forto wepe [902. brast] barst T₁. breste E₂. and brast L₁. forto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] So secrely / he myghtt it not espie. And she anon / fille into a fantasie, [ 904] Ay on thys thyng / musyng mor and more, [905. on] in Lb. thyng] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. mor and] om. Lb.] And in her bed / gan to sighe sore. [and sighs deeply.] And whan the kyng / conceyuetħ her distresse, [907. the kyng] om. Du.] He gan enquere / of her hevynesse [ 908] [He asks why she does so.] [908. gan enquere] her enquerid L₂. enquere Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS. (enquire Ra. enquer S.).] Fully the cause / and ocasioun; For he wil wite / in conclusioun, [910. witte Bo. wete G. Lb. Di. S. P. Ap. wite Ar. M. Ad₁. and the rest.] [910 in Ra. reads: Whi she sorwid and maad lamentacioun.] What her eileþ / and why she ferde so. [911. ferde] ferd G. Bo. Ad₁. fere T₁.] "My lorde," quod she / "withoute wordës mo, [ 912] [She says she] [912. with-oute Bo. M. with-out Ad₁.] Parcel cause / of this sodeyn rage Is for that I in my tender age [914. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] had a lorde / I-named Layus, [bore a son to King Layus,] [915. I-named] named T₁.] kyng of this toune / a man riȝt vertuvs, [ 916] Be whom I hadde / a sonë / wonder fair, [917. sone M. Ad₁. son Bo.] likly tabene / his successour and hair: [918. likly] like S. tabene Ar. G. to ben L₂. P. E₂. to haue Ra. to haue ben Bo. and all the rest.] But by causë / his dyvynours tolde [who was told that the boy] [919. divynours Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra.] At his birthe / sotħly that he sholde, [ 920] [920. birthe M. Ad₁. birth Bo.] Ȝif he haue lyf / be fatal destanyè, [921. destanye Ar. Bo. Du. destenye E₁. destane S. destine Ad₁.] Sleen his fader / it may non oþer be; [should slay his father.] [922. may Ar. G. L₂. Ap. might Bo. and all the rest. shulde P.] For whicħ the king / his fatë to eschewe, Bad me in hast / as hym thoghte dewe, [ 924] [Layus bade Jocasta kill her babe.] [924. þouht Bo. thought M. thoughte Ad₁.] To sle the childe / and haue therof no routħ: And I anon̄ bad with-outë sloutħ [But the men she] [926. Ar. has a pause-bar after bad. with-outen Bo. Ad₁. Ra. withoute M.]

*Certeyn men / vp peyne of Iugëmente, [927. Certeyn] To certeyn all the MSS. (II^o for To in L₂.). men] om. T₂. vp] vpon Ba. E₁. S. T₂. L₂. (in Ra. vp altered to vpon by the later hand). on L₁. Lb.] To* executë / the comaundëmente [ 928] [told to do it,] [928. To execute] Execute Ar. G. Texecute Bo. T₁. To execute[n] all the other MSS. the] the kynges Ba.] Of the king / as I gaf hem in charge. [929. Of the king] In all thing Ba. I] he Ad₁. Ad₂. I. hem] om. Ad₂. I. in] om. Di.] And forth they gon̄ / to a forest large, Adiacent / vnto this contrè, [931. vnto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. this] the G.] Percen his fete / and honge hym on a tre, [ 932] [leaf 16] [932. Percen] Perced L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. T₂. Persyng P. E₂. L₂. Ap. Percen they E₁. honge Ar. Bo. Lb. hange T₁. hangen Ad₂. I. heng M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. E₂. hyng L₁. P. L₂. Ap. hangynge E₁. hym] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. on] vpon Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Nat parfourmyng / thexecucioun. [bored the child a feet, and hung him on a tree.] [933. parfourmyng Bo. parformyng M. Ad₁. the execucion Bo. M. Ad₁.] On hym they haddë / such compassioun. [934. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] lefte hym ther / and hom resort ageyn̄, [935. lefte hym ther] Left ther the child L₂. hom resort] home resorted Bo. L₁. Ra. Ba. resorted home T₂. E₂. hom thei resorte Ad₂. I. restored home P.] Beyng in doute / and in non̄ certeyn̄, [ 936] At theyre repeire / as they tolden alle, [937. theyre Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. S. E₂. L₂. Ap. (M. At heir). ther Ad₂. hir Di. Ra. T₂. here Ad₁. E₁. his Ba. repeire] report Ad₂. tolden Bo. M. tolde Lb. Ad₁. Ra.] Of this childe / what afterward is falle; [938. afterward is falle] aftreward is byfall Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. after was befalle T₂. aftir shulde falle P.] Saue they saidë / huntys han hym founde, [There, hunters found him.] [939. Sauf Bo. Saf. M. Ad₁. saide Bo. M. seide Ad₁.] Which lad hym forth / and his feet vnbounde; [ 940] [940. lad] had Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. P. haue Lb.] But to what coost / they coudë not declare. [941. to] om. G. coude Bo. M. Ad₁.] Which parcel is of myn evel fare, Grounde and cause / of myn hevy chere, Considred ek the woundës that appere [ 944] Vpon ȝoure fete /, and woot not what they mene. And on thyng / ay / is at myn herte grene, [946. on thyng] a nodir Ra. Ba. ay is] is ay Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. at] in G. Ad₂. I. P. hert Bo. M. Ad₁. grene] greve L₁ (: mene).] My lord, allas {punctel} but of newë date: [Of late, Layus was slain] [947. newe Bo. Ad₁. new M.] kyng Layus / slayën* was but late [ 948] [948. layus Ar. slayen] slayn(e) Ar. and all the other MSS. (see Notes).]

At a Castel / nygħ by this contrè, [when Edippus came into the land.] vpon ȝoure com̄yng / into this Citè. Al this yweied / and rekned in̄to on̄, [886-951 lost in C.] Maketh myn hertë / hevy as a ston̄, [ 952] [952. hert Bo. M. Ad₁.] So that I can counsel / non / nor Rede." [953. nor] ne Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. P. E₂. Ap. oþer L₂.] And with that word the kyng lift vp his hede, [954. that] om. G. left Bo.] And abrayd / with sharpë sighës smerte, [Edippus sighs.] [955. sharp Bo. M. sharpe Ad₁.] And al this thing be ordre / gan aduerte, [ 956] Ceriously / be good avisëment; [957. Ceriously] Curiously Du. P. E₂. L₂. good] the P.] And by signës / cleer and evident Conceyueth wel /, and sorë gan repente, [959. Con∣ceyueth] Conceuyd Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] It was hym-silf / that Iocasta mente. [ 960] And whan the Quene / in manere segh hym pleyn̄, [Jocasta asks Edippus why] [961. In Ar. after the is kr, underdotted. pleyn] feyne Ad₂. I.] By her goddes / she gan hym to constreyne To shewën out the cause of his affray, [leaf 16, back] [963. shewen Bo. Ad₁. shewe M.] And it expowne / and makë no delay, [ 964] [964. it expowne] expowne it Bo.] Crop and root / shortly, why that he [he came to Thebes, and whence.] [965. Ccrop Ar.] Entred first / into that contrè, Fro when he kam / and fro what regioun. [967. Fro when] Fro whens Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. I. S. From whense P. E₂. kam] come M. Di. Ba. C. P.] But he hir put / in dilusioun, [ 968] [968. he] om. G.] As he haddë* done it for the nonys. [969. hadde G. Lb. Di. Ad₁. had Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ra.] Til at the* laste / he brak out atonys [970. at the laste] at last Ar. T₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. C. P. E₂. atonys] all attonys Ra. Ba (all at oons: for the noons). S.] Vnto the queene / and gan a processe make [He says he was taken, with his pierst feet,] [971. a] to G.] First how he was / in the forest take, [ 972] wounded the feet / and so forþ euery thyng, Of his Chershing / with Polyboun the kyng, [to King Po∣lybon:] [974. his] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Chershing Ar. G. cherisshyng Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Di. I. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. cherising Ad₁. Ad₂. chersyng M. S. C. chercyng Lb. serchynge E₁. with] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. S. of M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. and of Ra. Ba. how E₁. om G. Polibon Bo. polliboun Ra. Pollibon Ad₁.] And hool the causë / why he hym forsoke,

And in what wisë / he the weyë toke [ 976] [then went to∣wards Thebes by Apollo's bidding,] [976. waye Bo. way M. Ad₁. to ke Ar.] Toward Thebës / as Appollo bad, And of fortunë / how that he was lad [978. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P.] Wher that Spynx / kepte the mounteyn̄, [979. kept Bo. Ad₁. kepte M.] And how that he slough also in certeyn̄ [ 980] [and slew King Layus.] [980. And] An Ar. how] om. Du.] kyng Layus at the castel gate, [981. layus Ar.] Towardës nyght whan it was ful* late, [982. towardes Bo. towardis Du. towardus Ad₁. toward M. ful] fal Ar.] And how to Thebës that he gan hym spede [983. that] þan Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I E₁. S. P. om. G.] To fynden oute / the stok of his kynrede: [ 984] [984. fynden Bo. Ad₁. finde M.] which vnto hym gan to wexë* coutħ; [985. Which] For whiche Lb. (from 986) vnto] to C. to om. in all MSS. except Ar. G. L₂. Ap. wexe] wex Ar. G. Du. L₁. L₂. Ap. wixe Lb. waxe M. Ra. C. T₂. wax Ba. couth] vncouth L₁.] For by processe / of his grenë ȝoutħ [986. grene] gret Ad₂. I.] he fonde out wel, be reknyng of his lif, [He now finds that Jocasta is his mother as well as his wife.] That she was both / his moder and his wif. [ 988] [988. in Ar. a pause∣bar also between was and both.] So that al nyght and sving on þe morow [989. that al] al that G.] A-twene hem* two / gan a newë sorowe: [Both sorrow.] [990. hem Bo. Ad₁. ham Ar. them Ra. newe Bo. new M. Ad₁.] Which vnto me were tedious to telle; For ther-vpon / ȝif I shulde dwelle, [ 992] [992. ȝif I shulde] yff that I shall Ad₂ I. shulde Bo. sholde Ad₁. shold M.] A long space it woldë occupie. [leaf 17] [993. wolde Bo. wold M. woold Ad₁.] But ȝe may reden in a Tragedye [¶ Tragedia Senece de Edippo Rege thebarum.] [994. reden Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of Moral Senyk fully his endynge, His dool, his meschief / and his compleynyng, [ 996] [Seneca's Tragedy of Edippus tells how he lost his wits,] How with sorow / and vnweldy age [997. and] and wel Ad₂. I.] This Edippus / fille into dotage, lost his wit / and his worldly delit, [999. and his] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And how his sonës* / had hym in despit, [ 1000] [1000. how] om. Bo. sonnes Ar. Bo. Du. L₁. Ba. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. sones T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. C. T₂. soones Lb. in] om. G.] And of disdeyn / tok of hym no kepe. And bookës seyn / his eyën out he wepe. [1002. And] And as Du.]

And as myn auctour liketh to devise, As his sones rebuke hym and dispise, [ 1004] [1004. As] and as M. (from 1003). That Di. his] om. M. sonnes Bo. soones Lb. hym] om. Ap.] Vpon a day / in a certeyn place Out of his hede / his eyën he gan race, [and tore his eyes out;] And Cast at hem /, he can non̄ other bote, [1007. can] cowde Ad₂. I.] And of malice / they trad hem vnder fote, [ 1008] Fully devoidë / both of loue and drede. [1009. devoide Bo. Lb. M. devoyd Ad₁. Ra.] And whan Edippus / for meschief was thus dede, [and how his corpse was thrown into a pit by his sons.] [1010. was thus] thus was M. Di. Ra. Ba. P. thus] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] with-Inne a pytte / made in the erthë* lowe, [1011. made] om. Lb. the] om. Di. erthe T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. erth Ar. Bo. Du. Within þe erthe a pitte made full lowe L₁.] Of crueltè / his sonës / han hym throwe, [ 1012] Wers* than serpent / or eny tigre wood. [1013. Wers Ad₁. Ra. L₂. Ap. Wors L₁. Lb. M. Di. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Wars Du. Ba. Werre Ar. G. E₁. Were Bo. Wer T₁. Wer wors Ad₂. I. than] than a Lb. P. than any Ba. or eny] or Ba. S.] Of Cursid stok / com̄eth vnkynde blood, [From cursed stock comes un∣natural child.] [1014. vnkynde Bo M. Ad₁.] As is story / ȝe may rede her to-forn̄; [1015. her] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Al be the Roosë* / grow / out of a thorn̄. [ 1016] [1016. rose M. Ad₁. Roos Ar. Bo. Roose G. a] the G.] Thus of Edippus /, whan he was blynd and old, [1017. of] om. L₁. blynd and] om. Di. S. whan . . . . old] þat was so bolde Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] The wrecched ende / I haue* ȝou pleynly told. [1018. haue Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. ha Ar. ȝou] om. Bo. Di. pleynly] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ap.] For which shortly / to man and child I rede [¶ Nota.] To be wel war / and to taken hede [ 1020] [¶ How euery man oght of dieute to do reuerence to Fader and modere. ¶ Or ellis ther wil folowe vengeaunce] [1017-1020 are very much altered, thus:

Thus I haue rehersid al the caas [ 1017] Off Edippus whens that he was [ 1018] And the wrechid end wherfore that I rede [ 1019] Every (eny Ba.) man and child be war and take hede Ra. [ 1020]

] [1020. wel] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. taken Bo. M. Ad₁. In Ra. and Ba. ll.] ¶ Of kyndely riȝt / and of conscience [1021. and of] and Ad₂. I.] To do honour* // and duë* reuerence [1022. honur] nur (miswritten) Ar. due M. Ad₁ dewe Bo. diwe Lb. dieu Ar. dew G. om. Ra. Ba.] To fader and* moder / of what estat thei be, [1023. and] om. Ar. G Ap. of] om. Ra. Ba. estat] of state G.] Or certeyn / ellis / they shul neuere the. [ 1024] [leaf 17, back] [1024. certeyn] certenly Lb. E₁. G. ellis] om. Ba. certeyn ellis] elles certein Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. shul Ar. Bo. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. shulen T₁. shall L₁. Ad₂. S. P. L₂. shuld G. sholde E₁. the] I-the Lb. Ad₁. Ba. S.]

For who that is not to hem debonayr In specħ, in port / for to trete hem fair, Hem to obeye / in honestè and drede, And to cherissħ* / of what they han nede, [ 1028] [1028. And] And nem P. E₂. cherisshe T₁. Lb. M. cherish Bo. Du. L₁. Ad₂. T₂. cherssh Ar. G. Ad₁. S. of] hem of L₁. nede] drede L₁. (from 1027).] I dar afferme / exceptyng non̄ astat, That he shall first be infortunat In alle his werk / both on see and lond, [1031. werk] werkus Lb. on] on þe G. in Lb.] And of what thyng that he take on hond [ 1032] [They who don't honour parents,] [1032. of] after M. Di. thyng] om. P. that] om. G. Ad₂. I. P. he] om. G. take] taketh G. E₁. P. on] in S.] Fortunë froward / to hym and contrayre*, [1033. Fortune froward] For the tyme forward E₂. to hym and] and to hym E₁. contrayre Lb. E₁. P. E₂. L₂. contrarye Ar. Bo. and the rest, except S., that has congye.] Waast* of his good /, pleynly and appaire, [1034. Waast] Wayst Ar. G. good] godis L₁. E₂. and] om. Bo. pleynly and appaire] plenty and appaye S.] Fyndë plentè / of contek / werre, and striff, [shall end badly.] [1035. fynde Bo. M. Ad₁.] Vnhappy ende / and shortnesse of liff, [ 1036] And gracëlees / of what he hath to* do, [1037. to do] at do Ar. G. a do T₂. a doo Ap. addo P. he hath to do] that he haþe do L₂.] Hatrede of god / and of man also. [1038. Hadrede Ar. Hatered Bo. Hatred M. Ad₁. hated Di.] ¶ Therfor no man / be herof rekkëlees,* [Let no man be reckless; but be you warnd by Edippus's sons.] [1039. Therfor] Ther of G. reklees Ar. G. Bo. L₁. Lb. T₂. reklesse Ra. rekeles T₁. Du. L₂. reccheles M. Di.] But make ȝoure myrour of Ethiocles [ 1040] And his brother / callëd Polymyte, Which in such thyng / gretly* were to wite, [1042. thyng] thinges E₂. caas Lb. gretly] gretlich Ar. were] was Lb. gretly were] wer gretly Ra. Ba. P.] As ȝe shal here / of hem how it fil. [1043. ȝe] he G. here Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. hire Lb. fil Bo. Ad₁. felle Lb. fel M. fell (: helle) Ra.] And whan we ben / descendid doune this hil [ 1044] [1044. And] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. T₂. P. descendid] con∣descended G. this] þe Bo. M. Di. Ad₂. I. G. of this S.] And ypassëd / her / the lowë vale, [When we're out of Blean Vale, I'll go on with my Tale.] [1045. ypassed] epassid L₂. passed T₁. Ad₂. I. the] this M. P. lowe Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra.] I shal begynne the remnant of my tale.

¶ Explicit Prima pars istius Codicilli. ¶

Incipit Secunda Pars Eiusdem. Secunda pars.

Secunda Pars. [leaf 18]

PAssëd the throp / of Bowtoun on þe ble, [When we'd past Boughton] [1047. throp] thorpe L₁. E₁. Boughton Bo. Boughten P. Broughton E₂. Loughton Ba. on þe] of þe T₁. vnder þe L₁. Ad₂. I. vppon P.] By my chilyndre / I gan anon̄ to se, [ 1048] [1048. chilyndre] chelandir Ad₂. I. childern E₁. childryn L₂. chalandre Ra. kalendar Ba. kalender E₂. anon] om. Ra. Ba.] Thorgh þe sonnë / þat ful cler gan shyne, Of þe clok that it drogh to nyne; [it was near 9 a.m.] [1050. clok Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. T₂. P. L₂. clook Lb. clokke G. clocke Du. Di. E₂. that] om. L₂. to] toward Ra.] And saugħ also þe siluer dropës shene [1051. And] An Ar. also] all Ba. þe] of T₂. P. L₂. as E₂. shene] shyne L₁. and T₂ (: grene; see 1049). shynne Ra (: greene).] Of þe dewe / lich peerlys* / on þe grene, [ 1052] [1052. Of] And Lb. lich] like the Lb. perelys Ar. perleys G. pereles P. Ap. peerles Bo. perles Ad₁.] Vapourëd vp in-to the eire* alofte, [1053. eier Bo. ayr Ad₁. heire Ar.] whan zephyrus / with his blowing softe þe wedere madë lusty / smoth / and feir, [1055. lusty smoth] smothe lusti Ad₁. Ad₂.] [1055. om. I.] And right attemprè / was the hoolsom eir*; [ 1056] [1056. attempre] attemperyd Du. attempred E₁. hoolsom] om. Lb. aire Bo. air Ad₁. heir Ar.] The samë hour / ałł the hoolë* Route [All the Pilgrims rode round me when I went on with my tale.] [1057. hoole Bo. hool Ar. Ad₁.] Of the pylgrymes / rydyng round aboute, In my talë / whan I gan procede, Rehercyng forth / as it was in dede, [ 1060] Whan Edippus / buryed was and graue, [After Edippus's death,] [1061-1172 lost in T₁.] Among hem-silf / be ful mortal hate [his sons strove for the Crown.] [1063. be ful Ar. G. L₁. P. by full T₂. E₂. Ap. by fell L₂. by full of E₁. bee ful of Bo. Du. Lb (ben). M (ben). Di (bene). Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.]

For the crownë / gonnë to debate [ 1064] [1064. For] And for Bo. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. gonne Ar. Bo. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. T₂. P. E₂. gan L₁. Ad₂. S. Ap. they gon L₂. to] for to S. P. E₂. om. Bo. Ba. debate] bate Ra.] which of hem / Iustly / shal succede, And the Sceptre / of the toune possede; Advertyng nought / neither to right ne wronge, [1067. Advertyng] Hautyng or Hantyng Ra. Ba. nought Bo. not M. Di. nat Ra. Ba. neither to r. ne Ar. G. Bo. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. S. P. E₂. neither to r. nor Ra. Ad₂. I. neiþre to r. no Du. neither to r. ne to Ba. nother to r. ne E₁. nothyr to r. nor Ap. noþer r. ne L₂. to r. neither to M. Di. to r. nor to T₂.] But eche of hem / to make her partie stronge, [ 1068] [Each lookt to his own interest only.] And his querele / proudely to sustene: [1069. querele Ar. G. quarel Bo. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. quarell Du. T₂.] From whoos hertës / was devoyded* clene [1070. devoyded] devoyden Ar.] Of brotherhode / the faithful alliaunce. Fals Couetise / so made hem at distaunce, [ 1072] Fully worchyng into destruccioun [1073. worchyng Ar. Bo. Lb. M. Ad₁. werchyng E₂. werkyng L₁. Ra. T₂.] And Ruyne / of this noble toun̄. So hootë brente the hatred and envie [1075. hoot Bo.] Of bothe two / thorgħ pompous Surquedye, [ 1076] [Neither of Edippus's sons would give way to the other,] [1076. bothe Bo.] That nowther woldë* / pleynly in a poynt [1077. nowther T₂. neither Bo. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. wolde Bo. Lb. wold Ar. Ad₁. Ra. a] o M. Di. Ra. T₂. noo Ba. L₂.] Other forbern* /, they stod in such disioynte [leaf 18, back] [1078. forbern] forborn (miswritten) Ar. for ber G.] as thow* they hadde / of berthë* be foreyns. [1079. As though Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. Di. how as Ar. G. Bo. Lb. M. E₁. S. Though as L₁. lik as T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. berthe Du. birthe M. Ra. berth Ar. Ad₁. birth Bo. T₂. of berthe be] be of birthe M. Di.] Tyl of the toune / the noble Citezeyns, [ 1080] [so the citizens of Thebes settled that the] [1080. Citezeyns Ar. Bo. Lb. Citefeyns Ad₁. S. Citizens T₂. Cetezens L₁.] knyghtës, Barounes / with many worþi lord, [1081. many Bo. M. many a Ad₁.] Shope a way / to mak hem of accord, [1082. Shope Ar. G. Bo. L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. L₁. shop Ad₁. Ad₂. Shupe Du. Shopen M. Di. Shape Ap. mak hem of accord] make hem at accord Di. Ad₂. I. M (at o corde). make hem a cord Bo. P (accorde).] And to set hem / in quyete / and in pees. But for his part / this Ethiocles [ 1084] [elder, Eteocles,] Aleggë gan that he was first yborn̄; [1085. Alegge gan] Gan alegge L₁. Alegge can S. L₂. first] om. Du. yborn Ar. G. Ad₂. I. L₂. Ap. born Bo. Ad₁. and all the rest.]

For which he oght of resoun go to-forn̄ [1086. For which] Wherfore M. Di. T₂. of resoun] of reȝt Bo. he oght of resoun] of reason he oughte E₁. Ad₂. I. M. Di. Ad₁ (om. he). go] to go G. L₁. S. L₂. Ap. to-forn] be-forn L₁. forn S. L₂. Off which a resoun he aughte go aforn P.] In the Citè / to be crownëd kyng, [should be crownd.] [1087. crowned] crownyng Bo.] Sith be lawë / ther was no lettyng. [ 1088] [¶ The contro∣uercy of the breþeren.] For vnto hym / longeth / the heritage Be discent / and be title of age. [1090. be title] be om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] But polymyte / of ful hegh disdeyn̄, [But the younger, Polyneices,] Al opynly gan replie ageyn̄ [ 1092] [1092. gan] gan to M. Di. T₂. P. L₂.] And for his part / seide, in special, Reson was non / that he shuld haue alle [1094. that om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. he] om. Bo. one Du. shuld Ar. Ad₁. Ra. shulde L₁. Lb. shol Bo. shul Du.] Regaly and domynacioun, [1095. Regaly] Bothe regalye T₂. P. E₂. Te Regayle L₁. Regalite Ad₂. and] and eke M. Di. and the T₂.] And the lordship hooly of the toun, [ 1096] And he right nought /, out of the Cytè But* lyve in exile / and in pouertè, [1098. But] om. Ar. G. E₁. L₂. Ap. lyve] life Ba. second in] om. Ra.] Ful concludyng, with-oute feer and dred, [said he'd sooner die than let his brother have all] [1099. Ful] fully L₁. om. P. E₂. with-oute Bo. and] or P. drede Ar (with final e underdotted).] Rather than suffre that /, he wil be ded. [ 1100] [1100. in Ar. a pause-bar also between suffre and that.] And thus, allas / thorgh her envious strif, At the ende / euerich loste his lif, [In the end, each kild the other.] [1102. At the ende Ar. G. Du. Atte the ende Ra. atte ende Bo. Ad₁. T₂. at thende Lb. att end Ba. at ende M. Di. euerich] eche Bo. eueryche of hem L₁. lost Bo. loost Lb.] At gret mischief / as ȝe shal after here. But thylkë tyme the lordës al yfere [ 1104] [1104. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk M. in feere Bo. in fere G. y-fere M. I-fere Ad₁.] Ful bysily did her dyligence, [1105. besily Bo. T₂. bisili Ad₁. did Ar. Bo. diden M. Di. Ad₂. S. dede T₂. deden Ad₁. I.] By gret avis / and ful high prudence, [1106. and] of E₁. high] om. Bo. Du. L₁.] To setten hem in quyete and in Reste; [1107. setten Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. sett L₁. Lb. T₂. hem] om. Bo. rest Bo (: best).] Conseylyng hem pleynly for the beste, [ 1108] To leve her strif / of wisdam and resoun, [leaf 19] And condescende / to som̄e conclusioun

Whicħ to bothë* / myghte most availe; [1111. bothe Bo. M. Ad₁. both Ar. Du. Lb. Ra. T₂. myght Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. om. G. myghte most] most myght M. Di. T₂.] That fynaly / thorgh her gouernaile, [ 1112] [The Theban lords get them to agree that each brother] [1112. thorg Ar.] The lordës allë / beyng tho present, [1113. alle Bo. M. Ad₁. tho] ther I.] They han hem broght / to be of on assent, Of on hert / as brother vnto brother, Euerich of hem / to regnen* after other, [ 1116] [shall reign for a year;] [1116. regne Ar. Bo. Lb. M. Ra. rangne Ad₁.] ȝeer be ȝeer / as it cam aboute, [1117. ȝeer] There Lb. cam] come M. T₂. cometh Di. Ra. Ba. P. E₂.] So that the ton̄ / shal absent hym oute [and while one reigns, the other shall go away and do warlike deeds.] Fully that ȝeer, and hym-siluen* guye [1119. Fully] Full Lb. hym-siluen cp. 710. hym-silf Ar. Bo. Ad₁. hymsilfe Ra. E₁. guye Ar. Ra. T₂. gye Bo. Ad₁.] Be his manhode / and his chyualrye, [ 1120] [1120. and his] and (his om.) Bo.] haunte hym-self / in Dedys marcyal; [¶ The conuencion of the breþeren.] [1121. Dedye Ar. marcyal] mercial Bo. Du.] whil his brother / in his See Royal [1122. while Bo. M. Ad₁.] Holdeth his sceptre / the Citè to gouerne; And whan the ȝeer / his cours haþ ronnë ȝerne [ 1124] [1124. ȝeer his] yeres T₂. his cours haþ ronne] hath ronne his cours M. Di. ȝerne] om. P (ronne: governe).] And is come out /, he shal haue* repair [1125. is] om. Lb. is come out] is ended Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ha Ar. haue Bo. M. han Ad₁.] To Regne in Thebës / lik as lord and hair, There to receyue / fully his dignytè; whil the tother voideth the Citè, [ 1128] [1128. whil Ar. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whyle that E₁. the tother Ar. T₂. Ap. þat other Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. the other E₁. L₂. his brother L₁. voideth] avoydith P.] Paciently / taking his auenture Til* he ageyn / his honure may recure. [513-1130 lost in Ro.] [1130. Til] To Ar.] Thus entrechaunge euery ȝere they shal: [They shall change yearly.] [1131. Thus] This Lb. entrechaunge all the MSS., except entrechaungiuge Lb. Di. P.] The ton ascendeth* / that other haþ a fal. [ 1132] [1132. the ton Ar. G. P. L₂. Ro. Ap. þat oon Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. ascendeth] descendeth Ar. ascende P. Ro. that other Ar. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. Ap. the other G. the tothir P. L₂. Ro. haþ] hadde Di. haue P.] They most obeye of hert / and take it wel, licħ as the tourn / resorteþ of the whel. For this was hool / the composicioun A-twene the bretheren / and conuencioun, [ 1136] [Both Eteocles] [1136. A-twene Ar. T₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. And twene G. Bitwene Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. and] and þe Du. Ra. L₂. Ro.]

Ful knet vp / be gret avisëment, [and Polyneices swear to this.] [1137. be] with G. gret] full Ad₂. I.] To-for the goddys / be oth of sacrament, Neuer after to grochë* ne to varye, [leaf 19, back] [1139. groch Ar. gruch Lb. grucche Bo. M. gruchche Ad₁. grutche E₁. a pause-bar in Ar. before ne.] But a-com̄plissħen Shortly / and not tarye, [ 1140] [1140. a complisshen Bo. Ra. tacomplisshen M. Ad₁. to complisshen Di. in Lb. a written, complisshen omitted, with blank space left for it. Shortly] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. l.] lich as thaccord / enrollëd in the toune, [1141. as] om. P. Ro. as thaccord] to accorde Ad₂. I. enrolled] envolvid Ad₂.] From poynt to poynt / madë mencioun. [1017-1142 gap in C.] [1142. From Ar. Du. Ad₁. Ra. Fro Bo. Lb. M. made] maked M. Di. as made ys P. Ro. S. (as added above the line).] But alderfirst / be reson of his age, [But Eteocles is to reign first.] Ethyocles / haddë thauauntage [ 1144] [1144. hadde thauauntage Ar. hadde the auauntage Di. T₂. Ro. had thauauntage Bo. M. had the auauntage C. P. had þe vauntage L₁. L₂. had tho the Avauntage Ba (in Ra. the later hand has scrawled some indistinct letters over tho). had tho thauauntage Ad₁. S. had ther to avauntage Ad₂. I.] To regne aforn / and to were a croune, [1145. to were] to bere Lb. Ba. to] om. E₂. a crowne] þe crowne L₁. Lb. M. Di. I. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro.] Polymytë / hym hastyng out of toune [1146. hym hastyng] haastyng him Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. E₁. him] om. S.] Duryng that ȝeer /, it may non̄ other be, Whil his brother /sat in his Royal See [ 1148] [1148. second his] om. G.] Ful richëly vpon fortunës wheel; [1149. richely M. Ad₁. richly Bo.] And rode hym forth / armëd briȝt in stele, [1150. armed briȝt] bright armyd Ad₁. Ad₂. I. in] as G.] This Polymyte / sothly as I rede, [So Polyneices rides out of Thebes,] [1151. This] Thus Ra. So M. Di.] Hym-silf allone / on a Ryal Stede, [ 1152] [1152. allone Du. Ad₁. alloon Bo. rial M. roial Bo. Ad₁.] With-oute guyde / al the longë day, [1153. long Bo. M. Ad₁.] Beyng aferd / to kepe the heghë* way, [1154. hegh Ar. hye Bo. M. Ad₁. hihe Ra.] In his herte / hauyng suspecioun [suspecting Eteocles,] To his brother / of malice and tresoun, [ 1156] lest he pursued / thorgh fals vnkyndë* blood [1157. pursued]. pursue C. E₂. be pursued L₁. þorgh] of C. fals] his fals Bo. Du. L₁. E₁. his M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. fals and E₂. vnkynde Bo. M. Ra. vnkynd Ar. Ad₁. (in Ra., by the later hand, vnkynde is crossed out and vnnaturall written above the line).] To haue hym ded / for couëtise of good, That he allon̄ / myght haue* possessioun [1159. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar.]

Duryng his lif / fully of the toun̄. [ 1160] For which in hast /, havyng no felawe, [1161. haast Bo. hast M. haste Ad₁.] Polymytë a-sidë gan hym drawe [1162. drawe] to drawe M. Di. with∣drawe C. T₂. E₂.] By a forest / Ioynyng to the See, [to a forest by the sea,] knowyng right nought the syyt of the contrè, [ 1164] [1164. syyt Ad₁. cyet Bo. Du. M. the] þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Ful of hillës / and of hegh mounteyns, Craggy Rochës / and but fewë playns, [1166. Craggy] Cracchy Ad₂. I. roches] roges M. Di. fewe Bo. M. Ad₁.] wonder dredful and lothsom of passage, And ther-with-al / ful of beestis rage; [ 1168] [full of wild beasts.] holdyng his way of hertë* no thyng light, [1169. herte Ad₁. Du. hert Ar. Bo. M.] Maat and wery / til* it drowe to nyght. [1170. til] to Ar. G. drowe Bo. Lb. drouh Ra. drew Ad₁. T₂.] And al the day / beholdyng enviroun̄, [leaf 20] [1171. al the day] alway Bo.] He neyther saugħ castel, toure, ne toun; [ 1172] The whiche þing / greuëd hym ful sore. [1173. whiche Bo. Du. M. which T₁. Ad₁. greued] greueth E₂. ful] om. Lb. right Ad₁. T₂.] And sodeynly / the se began to Rore, [A tempest rises;] [1174. began] gan Bo. Ba.] wynde and tempest / hidously tarise. [1175. hidously] sodeinly Di (cp. 1174). tarise Ar. E₂. to arise Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ra. to ryse P. ganne ryse Lb.] The Reyn doune bete / in ful grisly wise, [ 1176] [the rain pours down.] [1176. grisly] grevous Ad₂. I.] That man and beest / therof were adrad, [1177. man and beest] many a beste E₂. were Ar. L₂. Ro. om. T₁. was all the rest. adrad] drad Ra. Ba. C.] And negh for ferë* / gan to wexë mad, [1178. fer Ar. feer Bo. fere M. Ad₁. to] om. M. Di. waxe Bo. M. wex Ad₁. wax Du.] As it semptë / by the wooful sownes [1179. semyd Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of Tygres / berës / boorës / and lyounes, [ 1180] [1180. Of] As Di (cp. 1179).] which for refut / hem-siluë* forto saue, [1181. refut] resku L₁. fortune P. hem-silue Lb. hem-selfe L₁. E₁. Ap. hem-silf Ar. T₁. hem-self Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. forto] to Ra. Ba.] Euerich in hast / drogh vnto his Caue. [1182. haast Bo. hast Du. haste Ad₁.] But Polymyte / in this tempest huge, [1183. P underdotted, before But Ar.] Allas the whilë* / fyndeth no refuge, [ 1184] [1184. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whil Ar.]

Nor hym to schrowde / saugh nowher no socour [1185. Nor] Ne C. P. saugh] safe Ad₂. nowher] nothir Ba. om. Ad₂. no] om. Du. Ad₁. Ba. P. nor Ad₂. I.] Til it was passëd / almost mydnyght hour [Near midnight the clouds clear off.] [1186. was] om. Du. mydnygh Ar.] A largë spacë / that the sterrës clere, The clowdës voyde /, in heuene did appere; [ 1188] [1188. clowdes] cloude Du. voyde Bo. void Ad₁.] So that this knyght / out of the forest large [¶ How Poly∣mytes cam into the lond of Arge.] Gan approchen / to the londe of arge, [1190. approchen Bo. M. Ad₁. the] om. G. londe] long G.] Seyng a palays myghty of beeldyng, [1191. belding Ad₁. byldyng Bo.] Of which Adrastus / callëd was the kyng, [ 1192] [Adrastus is king of Argos,] [1192. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] A manly man / riche and wonder sage, [1193. riche] wis Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And ronnë was / somdel / into age, Born of the Ile / which callëd is Chysoun, [1195. which] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. E₁. S. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. C. om. P. called] I-called P. is] om. P. was I. Chysoun Ar. G. T₂ L₂. Ro. Ap. Chifon C. P. E₂. Clysoun Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. Elisoun I.] And whylom sone / of the kyng Chaloun; [ 1196] [1196. whylom] som tyme C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. om. P. sone] þe son Bo. of] to T₂. P. vnto Ad₂. I. the] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Chaloun] Claloun Ad₂. Thalon Ra. Caloun Ba. called Cholon P.] And for his witt /, in story as is koutħ, [1197. And for his witt] And is writyn Ra. Ba. in story] om. Ad₂. I. is] it is L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. Ap. kouth] couthen Ad₂. I.] he chosen was / in his tendre ȝoutħ, Of alle Argë / to be crownëd kyng, Chief of alle Grece / by record of wryting, [ 1200] [1200. alle] om. G.] Not be dissent / nor successioun, [1201. Not] Nor Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. nothir Ad₂. I. nor] ne Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. P. nother L₁. successioun] by s. Ba. Ad₂. I. P.] But al only / of fre eleccioun [leaf 20, back] To* holde of Arge / the sceptre in his hond, [1203. To holde G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. A₂. I. Be holde Ar. E₁. S. He helde C. T₂ (miswritten helge). P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. Heeld Ra (he added after Heeld above the line). Ba. in his hond] and the Croune P (a different hand has added and Towne with paler ink at the end of 1204).] As most worthy / of alle* grekës lond, [ 1204] [1204. As] And G. of alle] in all (om. the) Ad₂. I. of alle the Ar. of the (om. alle) L₂. Ro.] louëd and drad / for wisdam and Iustice. And as the story / pleynly can devise, This worthy kyng haddë doghtres two, [and has 2 fair daughters,] [1207. had Bo. M. Ad₁.]

Passyng fair / and right good also. [ 1208] It were to longe / her beautè to discryve. And the eldest / callëd was Argyve, Dëyfylë ynamëd the seconde. [¶ Deyphyle (and)] [1211. ynamed] ynamed was G.] And Adrastus, lich as it is founde, [ 1212] [¶ Adrastus] [1212. lich] þe kyng L₂. is] was L₁.] This worthy kyng / haddë sonë non̄, [but no son.] [1213. This worthy kyng] In all his lyf L₂. had son Bo. had sone Ad₁. sone had M. Di. C. T₂. sone hadde G.] To succede / after he be gon̄; [1214. succede Ar. Bo. and all the rest, except succede and regne L₁. after] aftre þat Du. be] is L₁. were Ro.] For which he was duryng al his lyff Trist in hert / and* passingly pensif. [ 1216] [1216. trist] trysty Ad₂. I. and] om. Ar. G. passingly] passyng Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. L₂.] But hool his trust / and his hopë stod, Be Aliaunce / of some worthy blood Brouȝt Inne by mene / of his doghtres tweyn̄, [Adrastus hopes to marry his daughters well.] That he shal be relesëd / of his peyne, [ 1220] Thorgh recomfort / of some hie mariage. [1221. marige Ar. recomfort] comfort Ad₁. Ad₂. I. joynynge P. hie] om. I.] And sothly yet* ful high in his corage [¶ The drem of kyng Adrastus of A bor and A lyoun.] [1222. yet] right Ar. G. Lb. ful] om. Lb. high] hevy Lb. ofte C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. in] of Ad₂. I. his] om. I.] He troubled was be occasion Of a sweuen and a vision̄, [ 1224] [But he dreams] Shewëd to hym / vpon a certeyn nyght. [1225. Shewde Bo. Du.] For as hym thoght / in his inward sight whyl he slept /, by cleer inspeccioun, A wyldë boor / and a fers lyoun [ 1228] [that a wild Boar and a Lion shall wed them.] [1228. wilde Bo. M. Ad₁.] Possedë shal, thise bestës in her Rage, [1229. Possede] Procede L₂. shal] om. Bo. shul M. Di. C. P. E₂. shuld T₂. thise L₂. þees Bo. these Lb. M. thes Ad₁. thies Du the E₁. her] his Ra.] His doghtres two / be bond of mariage [1230. His] And his L₂. doghtren Bo. be bond] by bounde Lb. Ro. be bounde T₂. by way L₁. Ap. by lawe Ad₂. by lond I. hurt L₂. of] and Bo.] In shorte tyme / with-In a certeyn day; which broght his herte / in ful grete affray. [ 1232] But þing in soth / that destinè hath shape, [leaf 21] [1233. destanye Bo. Du. destene M. Ad₁. shaps (miswritten) Ar.]

Her in this world / ful hard is to eskape; [1234. ful] om. Di. hard] herd L₂. Ro. is] it is Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (in Ra. it is added by later hand) E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. to eskape] teschape E₂. to scape P. S. (the scribe of Ar. first wrote eschewe (see 1235), but underdotted this word and added eskape).] Eke merveylous / a man teschewe his faate. [1235. to eschewe Bo. M. teschue Ad₁.] And Polymyte / of whom I spak late, [ 1236] [Polyneices] With the tempest / bete / and al be-reyned [1237. albe reyned Ar.] Be grace only / the Citè hath atteyned, [enters Argos city,] ¶ Wher Adrastus / ful statly of degrè, Thilkë* tymë / helde his Royal see. [ 1240] [1240. Thilke Bo. Ad₁. Thilk Ar. M.] The troubly nyght / myrk, and ful obscure, [1241. troubly] trouble L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. troublid Ra. myrk] merke L₁. P. E₂. mark Lb. derke Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. om. L₂. ful] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₂. obscure] oscure L₂. Ro.] hath brought this knyght / only be auenture [and goes to the palace] [1242. hath] That Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. be] of Ro.] Thorgh the Citè, enclosëd with a wal, Vnto the paleys / chief and principal, [ 1244] Wher as the kynge / in his chambre alofte [where Adrastus] lay in his bed / and slepte wonder softe. [1246. slepte M. slept Bo. Ad₁.] Eke alle his folk / hadde her chambres take, [and all his folk lie asleep.] [1247. had Bo. M. Ad₁. her] om. Bo. the Ro. all her Ad₂. I. chambres] chambre M. Di. S. Ra. caumbre Ba.] lik as Fortune / peraunter haddë shape, [ 1248] [1248. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] The silfë* tyme / be-cause it was so late; [1249. silf Ar. Bo. Lb. M. self Ad₁.] And Casuelly / no porter / at the gate, [The porter is at the gate.] [1250. no] nor G. atte gate Bo. Ad₁.] As it haddë* be right for the nonys. [1251. hadde Di. E₁. had Ar. Bo. M. hade Ad₁. (Ar. has a pause∣bar after right).] And in a porchë* / bilt of squarë stonys, [ 1252] [1252. in] om. G. porche Bo. M. Ad₁. porch Ar. porte Du.] Ful myghtëly enarchëd envyroun, [1253. myghtely] myghti Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] wher the domys / and plees of the toun̄ [1254. wher] There P. and] and þe Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. plees] paleys P.; in C.: the plees and domes.] weren execut / and lawës of the kyng, [1255. execut] executid L₁. Ra. Ba. E₂. and] and þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba.] And ther this knyght / without* mor tarying, [ 1256] [Polyneices ties his horse up in a porch,] [1256. without] with Ar. G. mor] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] Wery and maat / from his stede alight, [1257. fro Bo. Ad₁.]

Hangynge the rene / in al the hast he myght, vppon his arme / surer hym to kepe, [1259. surer] sure C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. þe surer L₁. Lb. M. Di. (in Ra. the added by later hand). to] for to C. T₂. P. E₂.] And leyde hym doune / and gan anon̄ to slepe, [ 1260] [and sleeps there himself.] [1260. leyde] lenyd Ad₂. I.] As hym semptë / that tyme for the beste. [1261. sempte Bo. M. Ad₁.] And whil that he lay thus forto reste, [1262. while Bo. Ad₁. Ra. that] om. M. Di. E₁. he] he þat tyme P. (see 1261). thus] om. P.] Of aventure / ther cam / a knyght ryding, [Then, in rides a manly knight,] The worthiest in this world lyvyng, [ 1264] [leaf 21, back] [1264. The] One the C. P. E₂. On of the T₂. in this] in þe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. of the C. P. E₂.] Curteys, lowly / and right vertuous, As seith myn autour / Callëd Tidyus, [Tideus,] [1266. I-called Ad₁. Tidyus Ar. Bo. Du. Tideus G. L₁. Ad₁. Lb. Di. Ra. C. L₂. Thedeus Ad₂. I. T₂. Tydyus E₁. Tydeus M. S. P. Ro. Tydius T₁.] Eurous in Armes / and manly in werkyng, Of his byrthe / sone vnto the kyng [ 1268] [1268. birth Bo. birthe M. Ad₁. the] a Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of Calydonye / a londe of gret renoun. [1269. Calydonye Ar. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. S. Ap. Calidone Ro. Calidoyne Lb. Callidoyne Ad₂. I. E₂. Calcidonye Bo. Du. M. Di. Ba. T₁ (altered into Calicdonye). Calcidoyne C. T₂. Calcidone L₁. L₂. Calcydoun P. (cp. 1405).] And he, allas / out of that Regioun [who's been banisht from Caledonia] Exilëd was / for he his* brother sclowe, [1271. his] is Ar. L₁. sclowe Ar. (the copyist first wrote slogh, but underdotted this and added sclowe; cp. 1278). slow G. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. sloughe P. slew T₂. scleughe Ro.] As Stace of Thebës / writ the manere howe, [ 1272] [1272. Stace Bo. Lb. Ra. Stas Ad₁. Stage L₂. Ro. þe Stace Di. thestage C. writ] wrote Du.] Al be that he / to hym no malys mente. [1273. that he to hym no malys] that he no malice to hym L₂. to hym that he no malyce Ro. L₁. to] on C. T₂. at P.; in M. Di. 1273 and 1274 are transposed.] For on a day / as they on huntyng wente In a forest / for herte / and for hynde, [1275. and for] and G.] So as he stod vnder a grenë* lynde, [ 1276] [1276. Ar. has a pause-stroke between vnder and a. grene Bo. M. Ad₁. gren Ar.] And Casuelly / lete his Arow Slippe, [for accidentally shooting his brother Mena∣lippus.] he slough his broder / callëd Menalippe, Thorgh mortal sort / his honde was begyled: For which / he was / banishëd* and exiled, [ 1280] [1280. banshed Ar. G. banesshid Bo. banesshed M. Ad₁.] As the lawë / narowe / sette his charge. [1281. As] And Di.]

And for this caas / he cam first to Arge, ¶ Into the porche / wher polymytë slepe, Of auenture / ere he toke eny kepe, [ 1284] The samë nyght hidously beseyn̄ [He, batterd by the storm,] [1285. hidously] hidiously Lb.] With the tempest / of thonder / wynde / and reyn̄; [1286. omitted in Ba. With] of C. of] om. Lb. C. T₂. wynde] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. E₂. and] and of E₂.] And filt also / anony / and gret damage, [1287. filt Bo. T₁. felt Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. also] om. T₂. anoy] noye M. Di. P. noo Ba. and] om. Ba. and a T₂.] Thorgh the Forest holding his passage, [ 1288] As Polymytë haddë* do to-forn̄, [1289. As] And G. hadde Di. E₁. S. had Ar. Bo. T₁. Lb. Ad₁. toforn Ar. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. beforn Bo. and all the rest.] In peryl oftë / likly to be lorn̄, [1290. oft Bo. ofte M. Ad₁.] With beestës ragë / set on euery side, Til of grace with-outen eny guyde [ 1292] [1292. withoute Bo. M. Ad₁. guyde M. gyde Bo. Ad₁.] He rode thorgh Arge / the grete myghty toun̄, [rides thru Argos,] [1293. grete Bo. gret M. grete] strong Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Streght to the paleys / and the chief dongoun, Licħ as I tolde / wher polymytë lay; [leaf 22] And at his com̄yng / made a gret affray, [ 1296] For he was blynde / þorgh derknesse of the nyght, [1297. þorgh] þorugh þe Bo. Du. Ba. for Ro.] And hym to gwyë* / he ne fonde no liȝt [1298. to] for to M. Di. gwye T₁. guye M. Di. Ba. gwy Ar. G. gye Bo. Du. Ad₁. .guyed Ra. ne] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. he ne fond no] fonde he no M. Di. fonde] founde L₁. Ba.] whan he cam Inne / of priket nor of torche, [and into the Porch where Polyneices lies.] [1299. cam] come Du. M. Di. C. nor Ar. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. ne Bo. and all the rest.] Til he vnwarly / entred the porche, [ 1300] [1300 entred] enterid L₁. Ap. entrid in Ra. Ro. entred into Ba. C. T₂. E₂.] [1300. omitted in L₂.] And wold han takë ther / his herbygage. [1301. haue Bo. M. take M. taken Bo. Ad₁. herbygage M. Ad₁. herbergage Bo.] But Polymytë / stert vp in a rage, [Polyneices wakes,] [1302. in] on G.] Sodeynly awakëd / as I rede, with the nyinge / of his proudë stede. [ 1304] [1304. nying Bo. neieng M. neing Ad₁. proude Bo. M. proud Ad₁. proude] om. G.] And first of al / whan that he byhelde [1305. And] But G.] A knyght y-armed / vpon his brest a shelde, [1306. y-armed] armed M. Di. C. vpon in all the MSS., except in P. E₂. that have and on. brest] hors Di.]

And gan the maner / of his aray aduerte, Of verrey Ire / vpon his hors he sterte, [ 1308] [leaps on his horse, and abuses Tideus,] And cruelly gan tydingës enquere [1309. tydinges Ar. G. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. tydynge E₁. tithendes Ra. Ba. Tedius Bo. Tydeus T₁. P. Ap. Tidyus Du. Tideus L₁. Lb. C. E₂. L₂. Thydeus Ro. Thedeus T₂. enquere] tenquere Ad₁. Ra. to enquere Ad₂. I. Ba. S.] Whennys he cam / or what he dedë there, [1310. Whennys Ar. T₁. Ad₁. M. Whens G. Bo. Du. Lb. Ra. C. T₂. cam] come M. Di. Ra. C. T₂. or] and G. L₁. M. Di. S. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. dede Ar. Ra. dide T₁. Du. M. did Bo. Lb. Ba. ded G.] And bad in hast / his answer to devise. [1311. bad] bad hym Du.] And Tydeus, in ful humble wise, [ 1312] [who answers gently,] Answerd ageyn / of verrey gentillesse, [1313. gentillesse] gentilnesse Lb. L₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. L₂. Ro. Ap.] And seid in soth / that of hegh distresse, [and says he was driven in by the tempest,] [1314. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. that he Lb. hegh] full highe T₂. Ro. his Ra. Ba.] Of the tempest / and the derke nyght, [1315. derke Bo. Ad₁. derk M.] he dryven was / lich an erraunt knyght, [ 1316] Of nede only / and of* necessitè [1317. and of] and Ar. G. C. L₂. Ro. Ap. and great E₂.] And higħ constreynt / of his adversitè, [1318. high constreynt] hih constreynyng Ra. high constrened Ba. him constreined C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. hiȝe conuersaunt Di. his] gret C. T₂. P. E₂.] To takë loggyng / wher so that he myght; And in that courte / therfor he alight [ 1320] [1320. in] om. Du. courte] place Ad₂. I. therfor] wherefore Bo. Du. Lb. P. he] om. Du.] With-outë morë*, thenkyng non outrage [and that he means no harm.] [1321. more Bo. M. Ad₁. mor Ar. G. thenkyng Ar. G. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. C. þinkyng L₁. T₂. L₂. Ro. non] of any Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. name Du. non outrage] no damage Ro.; pause-bar in Ar. after thenkyng.] Nor to no wight / noyeng* ne damage. [1322. Nor to] Ne to Lb. P. Ner to do M. Di. no] om. G. noyeng nor Bo. L₁. noyeng ne Du. M. Di. noyeng no T₁. moving ne Ar. mouyng no Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. mevyng no G. meuyng noo L₂. P. Ap. meenyng no Ra. Ba. E₁. C. T₂. E₂ (meaning). no maner Lb. to do no Ro. damage] outrage Ro.] Than Polymyte / of malys / and hegh pride [Polyneices de∣clares he shan't stay there.] Tolde hym shortly / he shuldë* not abide, [ 1324] [1324. shuld Ar. shold M. Ad₁. shulde Bo.] Nor loggë ther / thogh he had it sworn̄. "For I," quod he / "toke it vp to-forn̄ [leaf 22, back] [1326. toforn Ar. G. T₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. beforn Bo. and the rest.] And wil it kepë during al this nyght, [1327. kepe Bo. M. Ad₁.] I seie the platly / maugrè al thy myght." [ 1328] ¶ Quod Tydeus / 'that is no curtesie [Tideus says Polyneices] [1329. curtasye Bo. Du. curtesye M. curteisie Ad₁.]

Me to deuoyde / but rather vileynye, [1330. vilonye Bo. Du. velonye Di. vilenye Ad₁.] ȝif ȝe take hede / that seme a gentil knyght. And I suppose / ȝe han / no title of right [ 1332] [has no more right to the porch than he has,] To this loggyng / be way of heritage, More than haue I, for alle ȝoure fellë rage. [1334. fel Bo. M. Ad₁.] And pardè / ȝit it shal be no desese, [and asks leave to stop.] Til to morowe thogh ȝe do me ese, [ 1336] Of gentillesse / only with ȝoure leve; [1337. with] by Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] To suffre me / it shal litil greue.' [1338. shal] shal you L₂. shal but C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro.] ¶ But ay the morë Tydeus spak faire, [But Polyneices] [1339. more Bo. M. Ad₁.] Polymytë was froward / and contrayre, [ 1340] [1340. contrayre] contrarie Du.] And shortly seide / it geyneth not to stryve; [1341. not] om. I.] That of force he shal devoidë blyve, [1342. of force] of deuorce L₁. shal] shulde P.] Or vttrely / a-twen hem bothe two [says they must fight.] [1343. a-twen] bitwene Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. both Bo. bothe M. Ad₁. om. L₁.] This thyng to Trië / he most haue ado. [ 1344] [1343 and 1344 omitted in Ad₂. and I.] ¶ And Tydeus, seyng / no bettre mene, Ful lik a knyght / in steel y-armëd* clene, [1346. armed Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS. (cp. 1306). clene] brith L₁ (: mene).] With-out abood / faste gan hym spede [1347. faste Ad₁. fast Bo. M.] Wonder lyvely / forto take his stede, [ 1348] [1348. Wonder] Wondirly Ba. lyvely] lifli L₁. C. T₂. lyghtly E₁. forto] to Ba. C. T₂. take] stride E₂. bestride C. T₂. P.] And thus thies knyghtës / pompous and ellat, [They charge one another, break their spears,] For litil causë / fillen at debat. [1350. fillen Bo. Ad₁. fellen M.] And as they ranne to-gider on* horsbak, [1351. ranne] ronne L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. rydden P. on] or Ar.; in Ar. a pause-bar after they and another after ranne.] Euerich on other / first his sperë brak. [ 1352] [¶ How Tydeus and Polymyte strif for her loggyng. and attack with swords.] [1352. Euerich] either C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. first] om. P. his] her Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. spere] speres Ba. Ad₂. P. brak] to brak M. T₂.] And after that / ful surquedous of pride, With sharpë swerdës / they to-gyder ryde [1354. sharpe Bo. Ad₁. sharp M.] Ful yrously / thise myghty champiouns, In her fury / lik Tygres or lyouns. [ 1356]

And* as they hurtle / that all þe paleis shoke, [leaf 23] [1357. And] om. in all the MSS. (see l. 1358 and Notes). hurtle] hurtled L₁. P. L₂. that] om. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. Ro.] kyng* Adrastus / out of his slep awoke, [Adrastus wakes,] [1358. kyng] And kyng all the MSS. out] om. Ra. Ba. his] om. G.] And made in hast his chamberleynës calle, [1359. chamberleyns Bo. M. Ad₁.] And þorgh the courte / his worthy knyghtes alle, [ 1360] [and sends his men to them.] Comaundyng hem to descende and se, And reporte / what it myghte be, [1362. And] And to P. And make Lb. reporte Bo. M. Ad₁. what] what that M. Di. T₂. Ro. mighte Ad₁. might Bo. M.] This wonder noyse / in his courte be nyght. And whan they saugh two straungë knyghtës fight [ 1364] [Adrastus's folk tell him two knights are fighting in his palace.] [1364. They] The Ar. two] tho G.] In platys bright / and in thikkë* maile,* [1365. and in] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. thikke Bo. T₁. Di. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. thik Ar. G. Lb. M. Ba. C. maile] male Ar.] with-outë Iugë /, they hadde grete mervaile*; [1366. mervaile] mervale Ar. T₁.] And disamayëd / of this vnkouth þing, [1367. And] And were E₂. disamayed] dismaied L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] As they fond / toldë* to the kyng. [ 1368] [1368. As] And as L₁. Lb. E₂. Lyke as S. fond Ar. G. Ba. fonde Bo. Du. T₁. Lb. M. Di. Ap. founde L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. tolde G. C. E₂. Ro. Ap. toolde Lb. told Ar. T₂. L₂. tolde þei Bo. Du. E₁. talde thei T₁. tolden they M. Di. tolde alle Ro. þei tolde L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. to] vnto L₁. T₂. om. S. Ro. to the on to Ap. And as they founde hit, tolde hit to þe kynge P. As thei we fonde the told to the kyng Ra.] ¶ And Adrastus / for derknesse of the nyght, From his Chambre / with many torchë* light [1370. with] went with L₁. many] many a Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. om. L₁. torche M. Ad₁. Ra. torch Ar. torches Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. E₁. E₂.] Into the courte / is discended doun, [He comes down,] Ałł his meynè / stondyng en-vyroun, [ 1372] Of thyes knyghtës having ful gret wonder. [1373. ful] om. M. Di. S. C. T₂. P. E₂.] And of manhode / he put hem first a-sonder, [1374. he] om. L₁. P. first] om. Bo. both L₁. put hem first] first putt hem T₂. a-sonder] on sonder L₁. in sonder L₂.] Hem comaundyng / lich a gentil kyng, [bids them stop fighting,] [1375. gentil] getil (miswritten) Ar.] To leuen her strif and sesen of her* fighting; [ 1376] [takes their swords away, and tells em they're great fools.] [1376. leuen Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. Ad₁. E₂. leeue M. Ra. C. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. sesen Ar. Ra. P. cessen Ad₂. T₂. E₂. cese Bo. Du. Lb (seese). L₂ (sese). cesse T₁. M. Ad₁. C. of] om. Ba. her] om. Ar. G. T₂. E₂. fighting] fight Ba.] And entred Inne with a knyghtly loke, And first fro hem / her swerdës both he took, [1378. her swerdes both] both her swerdes M. Di. C. both] om. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. he] om. P.]

Affermyng ek, as to his fantasie, It was a Rage / and a gret folye [ 1380] [1380. and a] and G.] So wilfully / her lyvës / to Iuparte, with-outë Iuge / her querel to departe, [1382. Iuge] a Iuge Ad₂. I.] And specialy / in the derkë* nyght [1383. derke Bo. Ad₁. derk Ar. M.] Whan neither myght of other han no sight, [ 1384] [1384. Whan] And whanne T₂. myght] mygh Ar. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. no Ar. Ap. eny Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. a M. Di. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. no] om. Du. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. C. E₂. myghte of other han] of other myght haue E₁.] Charging* hem vpon peyne of her lif [Tideus] [1385. Charging] Charching Ar. C. vpon] on Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. E₁. Ra. vp Ad₂. I. C. P. E₂. Ap. of Ad₁. Ba. in S. of] on Ra. Ba. her] om. I. C.] To disseuer and styntyn of her strif. [leaf 23, back] ¶ And Tydeus in al the hast he myght, Ful humblely* from his stede alight, [ 1388] [1388. humbly Ar. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. humbely M. Di. T₂. humbyly G. humble Lb. Ra. (cp. 1631, 3746). alight] he light Du.] And right mekely / with cheer and contenance [submits to Adrastus,] [1389. right] righ Ar.] Put hym hooly in the gouernance [and so does Polyneices.] Of Adrastus / in al maner þing. And Polymyte / mad ek no tarying* [ 1392] [1392. tarying] taryng Ar.] To light also / and woldë* not wiþsey [1393. light] ligh Ar. alight Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. E₁. hie C. T₂. P. highe him E₂. wolde G. Bo. Lb. Di. Ad₁. wold Ar. M. Ra. C. woll P. wolde it E₁.] The kyngges biddyng / lowly to obey, So as hym ought / with duë* reuerence. [1395. due Bo. M. Ad₁. diew Ar. dew G.] And as thei stoodë* / both in his presence, [ 1396] [1396. in Ar. a pause-bar also between thei and stood. stode Bo. T₁. M. Ra. stoode Lb. stood Ar. G. Ad₁.] He gan enquerë first / of her estaat, The cause also why they weren at debat, [Adrastus asks them who they are.] [1398. Between also and why in Ar. qui crossed through. weren Ar. G. were Bo. Ad₁.] Of her cuntrees / sothly and her age, [1399. cuntrees] cuntree Ad₁. Ad₂. I. and] and of Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] I-axed ek / touching her lynage, [ 1400] [1400. I-axed Ar. G. He asked Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. And axed C. T₂. P. Ro. Ap. And asked Di. Ba. L₂. And asked hem E₂. ek Ar. eke Bo. also C.] Be discent of what stok þei were born̄. And Tydeus his answer / gaf to-forn̄; [Tideus says] Toldë pleynly / and madë no lesyng, [1403. made Bo. M. mad Ad₁.]

How that he was / sonë to the kyng [ 1404] [he's son to Cale∣donia's king, and is banisht.] [1404. that] om. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. sone Ar. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. T₂. sonne Ro. son Bo. Ap. to] vnto L₁. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. on to Ap.] Of Caledoyn / and riȝtful heir therto; [1405. Caledoyn Ar. Caleoyn G. Calidoyne Lb. S. Calidonye Ad₁. E₁. Calydone Ra. Callidoun Ad₂. I. Calcedoyne Bo. M. Di. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. Calcidoyne Du. Calecdoyne T₁. Calcidonye L₁. Ba. Ro. Calcidon P. riȝtful] right L₁.] And of his exile / the soth he told also, [1406. his] þe L₁. E₁. om. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. S. soth] cause T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] As ȝe han herde / in the storye rad. And Polymyte / with cheer and facë sad, [ 1408] [Polyneices] vnto þe kyng / touching his contrè, Seyde he was born̄ / in thebës þe Citè, [1410. Seyde] Seid þat L₁. þe] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ra. S.] And Iocasta, the gretë famous quene, [says Jocasta was his mother,] [1411. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁.] his moder was / with-outen* eny wene. [ 1412] [1412. withouten Di. E₁. L₂. withoute Ar. Bo. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. T₂. P. without G. T₁. L₁. E₂.] But of his fader / whilom kyng and lord, [but holds his tongue about his father.] For verray shamë he spak not a word, [1414. not] neuer M. Di. T₂. E₂. nat of Ba. a] oo Lb. oon Ba.] Only for he / ȝif I shal not feyne, his fader was / and brother bothë* tweyn̄e: [ 1416] [1416. bothe Bo M. Ad₁. both Ar.] The which, in soth / he was ful loth to telle. And eke the kyng / wold hym not compelle [1418. wolde Bo. wold M. Ad₁.] Of gentillesse / but bad, with-oute blame, Of his birthë* / forto haue no shame; [ 1420] [1420. birth Ar. G. Bo. Ra. birthe T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. forto] to Ra.] For hool the caas / and maner euery dełł, [Still, Adrastus knows all about it.] Touchyng his kynne / he knewe þe ground ful wel, lich as it was, by ful clier report; Enforsyng hym forto do comfort, [ 1424] [1424. Enforsyng] In forthryng Ad₂. I.] with ałł his myght / and his bysy peyne, This manly kyng / to the knyghtes tweyne, [1426. the] these M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. P. E₂. L₂. Ro.] And to hem seide / aforn hym as they stood, [1427. aforn] afon Ar.] He wiste wel / þat of ful worthy blood [ 1428] [1428. wist Bo. M. Ad₁. wele Bo. wil Lb. þat] om. Di. ful] fully Ad₂. om. Du. E₁. S. P. worthy] riall L₁. gentyle Ro.] They were dyscended / touchyng ther kynrede. And made in hast / his officerës* lede [He has the princes] [1430. officeres Lb. officeris Di. officers Ar. G. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra.]

The straungë knyghtës / beyng at debat, Thorgh his paleys / to chambres of estat, [ 1432] [led to state∣rooms.] Eche by hym-silf / forto take his ese. And euery þing, in soth, that myght hem plese, was offred hem / lich to her estates. [1435. hem] to hem Lb. M. haue T₂.] And whan they weren / disarmëd of her platis, [ 1436] [Tideus and Poly∣neices disarm,] Cusshewës / Greuës / and her sabatons, [1437. Cusshewes Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. Cusshews L₁. Cusheus Lb. Cusshwes Ba. Cusshens E₂. and her sabatons] solieres and haberions Ra. Ba.] her harneys voyded / and her habergons, [1438. voyded] voyde L₁. habergons] Iambisons Ra. Ba.] Tweynë* mantels / vnto hem wer broght, [are clad in rich garments] [1439. Tweyne Ra. Tweyn Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Twey Lb. M. Two T₂. mantels Ar. T₁. M. Ad₁. mantles Ra. mantelles Bo. manteles G. Lb. mantelis T₂. vnto Bo. M. to Ad₁. were Ad₁. wern Bo.] Frett with peerle / and richë stonys, wroght [ 1440] [1440. Frett M. Ad₁. E₁. E₂. Freyt Bo. T₁. S. Freight Lb. peerle (perle) in all the MSS. and] and with P.] [1440. omitted in G.] Of cloth of golde / and veluyt cremysyn̄, [1441. veluet cremesyn Bo. velwet crimsin Ad₁.] Ful richëly furrëd with hermyn̄, [and furd wraps,] [1442. Ar. has a pause-bar after furred. ermyn Bo. M. Ad₁.] To wrap hem Inne / ageyn the colde morowe, [1443. colde Bo. M. cold Ad₁.] After the rage / of her nyghtës sorowe, [ 1444] [1444. her] the M. Di.] To take her reste / til* þe sonne* arise. [and then rest.] [1445. rest Bo. M. reste Ad₁. til] to Ar. G. Ba. Ro. sonne Bo. M. Ad₁. sone Ar.] And than þe kyng / in ful prudent wise, [Adrastus makes them friends,] First of alle / was not rekkëles [1447. was] he was E₂. not] nothyng E₁. rekkeles Ar. rekeles P. E₂. rekelesse Ro. rekles T₂. L₂. Ap. reccles L₁. reccheles T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. rechles Bo.] Þe knyghtës hertës / for* to sett in pees, [ 1448] [1448. for to] to Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. so G. set] serue Ra. Ba.] that euer after, I dar afferme it wel, [and each is then true to the other.] Eche was to other trew as eny stele [leaf 24, back] [1450. was to other] to other was P. trew] as trewe Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. T₂. L₂. Ro.] During her lif / both in word and dede, [1451. in] their Ba. word] wordes L₁. worke Bo. T₁. Ap. werk M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. wark Ba. and] and in M.] vnder a knottë / bounde of broþerhede*. [ 1452] [1452. knotte G. Bo. Ad₁. knot M. brotherede Ar. brotherhed G. brothrehede Bo. bretherhed M. Ad₁.] ¶ And Adrastus / þe worthy kyng famous, [Adrastus feasts them,] A feeste madë / riche and plenteuous, [1454. feste Bo. Ad₁. fest M. made Bo. M. Ad₁.]

To thise knyghtës /, hym-silf ther-at present. [1455. To] And G. knynghtes Ar. S. has omitted 1455 second half to 1459 second half, so that 1455 reads: To thes knyghtes come for (sic) so fer.] And after mete / ful goodly he haþ sent, [ 1456] [and sends for his daughters,] This noble kyng / for his doghters dere, Of gentyllessë / forto makë chere [1458. for to] to Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. P. make] make hem Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. make hem bothe Lb.] To the knyghtës / comë fro so ferre. [1459. come Ar. G. S. E₂. comen T₁. T₂. L₂. Ro. com Ap. ycome Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. þat com P. fro] from Lb. Ra. Ro. P. so] om. Ba.] And lik in soth / as lucyfer the sterre [ 1460] [who come in like the glad morning star,] Gladeth the morow / at his vprysing, So thoo ladies / at her In-com̄yng, [1462. thoo] the L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. thilk M. Di. In-comyng] hom coming Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] With the stremës / of her eyën clere, Goodly apport / and wommanly manere, [ 1464] [1464. apport] of porte Du. Lb. Ad₂. I. P. Ap. manere] chere L₁. of manere Ad₂. I.] Contenaunce* / and excellent fayrnesse, [1465. Contenaunce] Con∣tenaunces Ar. G. T₂. E₂.] To alle the court / broghten In gladnesse. For the fresshnesse* / of Her heuenly cheres [heavenly fresh and pleasant to the strangers.] [1467. fresshnesse] frocchnesse Ar.] So agreable was to the straun-gers, [ 1468] [1403 to 1468 lost in C.] At her Entrè / that in especial* [1469. her] the Ro. especial] special Ar. G. Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. Ap. (cp. 2823).] hem thoght it lik a thyng Celestial; [Tideus and Polyneices think the girls celes∣tial beings,] [1470. Ar. has a pause-bar after it.] Enhastyng hem / in ful knyghtly wise ageynës hem / goodly to arise. [ 1472] [1472. ageyns Bo. ayens M. ageinst Ad₁. to arise Bo. M. for tarise Ad₁. for til arrise Ad₂. I.] And as they mette / with humble contenaunce, [1473. humbly G.] Ful konyngly / did her obseruaunce, [1474. konyngly Ad₁. konnyngly Bo. did Bo. dide M. dede Ad₁.] Hem conveying / to her sitting-place. But sothly I haue* leyser non nor space [ 1476] [1476. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar. nor Ar. Ra. T₂. ne Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. L₂.] To reherce / and put in remembraunce, Hooly the maner / of her daliaunce. It were to longe / for ȝou to abide. [1479. for ȝou to abide] to you tabide Ad₁. Ad₂. I.]

But wel I woot / that the god Cupide, [ 1480] [and at once] [1480. wel I woot] y woot wel Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] By influence / of his myghty hond [leaf 25] And the feruence / of his firy brond, [1482. firy Bo. fuyri Ad₁. fury Du.] Her metyng first / fortunëd hath so wel, [1483. fortuned hath] hath fortuned Di.] That his arowes* / of gold, and not of stiel, [ 1484] [1484. arowes G. Bo. M. harowes Ar. arwes Ad₁. gold] om. G (loue added by later hand above the line). steel Bo. T₁. Ad₁. stel M. G.] Ipercëd han / the knyghtës hertës tweyn̄, [fall in love with them.] Thorgh the brest / with sucħ a lusty peyn̄ That ther abood / sharpe / as spere or launce, Depe yfichëd / the poynt of remembraunce, [ 1488] [1488. yfiched] y-fixed E₁. ficchid T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂ (fixhed). I. Ra (fechchid). Ba. C. S. the] to Ad₂. I.] which may not / lightly / racëd ben away. And thus in Ioye / they dryvë forth þe day [They have games and fun all day,] In Play and Reuel / for the knyghtës sake. [1491. and] or Bo. knyghtes] kynges L₁.] And towardes nyght / they her chambres take [ 1492] [1492. towardes Bo. toward Ad₁.] At duë* tyme / as her fader bad, [1493. At] Ad Ar. due Bo. Ad₁. dieu Ar. dewe G.] And on her way / the knyghtës han hem lad [and then take the ladies to] [1495. many] many a Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. Ap.] Reuerently vp be many staire; Takyng lievë / gan anon̄ repaire [ 1496] [1496. Takyng] Taken Ad₂. I. lieve Ar. G. leeue Bo. C. leue T₁. Ad₁. T₂. leef M. here leve Lb. P. gan] gonne M. T₂. and gan Ap.] To her logging / in a ful statly toure, [their tower.] Assignëd hem / be the harberioure. [1498. herbergeoure Bo. herbergour Ad₁. herbeioure M.] And after spicës / pleynly, and the wyn̄ [The 2 lovers drink wine,] In Coppës gretë / wroght of gold ful fyn̄, [ 1500] [1500. cuppes Bo. Ad₁. coupes Ro. grete Bo. M. Ad₁. gold] om. G.] With-oute tarying / to beddë* streght they gon̄. [and go to bed,] [1501. to bed Ar. Bo. and all, except to bedde Lb. E₁. S. Ap. to bedde] om. P. to bedde streght] streight to bed L₁. Ra. Ba. Ro.] Touchyng her reste /, wher thei slepte or non̄, [but of course can't sleep.] [1502. wher Ar. wheþer Bo. whedir Ra. whyther Ro. wer Ad₁.] Demeth ȝe louers / that in such maner thing [1503. ȝe] the P.] Bexperience han fully knowlecchyng; [ 1504] [1504. by experience Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. han Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. fully] ful L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. fwlly such S. knowlecchyng Ar. Bo. Ad₁. knowlachynge L₁. knowliching S. knowledgeynge Ro. knowyng Lb. P. Ap.]

For it is nat declarëd / in my boke. But as I fyndë / the kyng al nyght woke, [Adrastus lies awake,] [1506. alnyght Ar.] Thoghtful in herte / the story specifies, Musing sore / and ful of fantasies; [ 1508] First aduerting / þe gretë worthynesse Of this knyghtës / and the semlynesse, Her lusty ȝouth / her force / and her manhode, [leaf 25, back] And how thei weren y-come of Royal blode. [ 1512] [1512. weren Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. E₁. were (wer) all the rest. ycome Ar. Ap. comen Du. Ra. E₁. C. L₂. come all the rest. thei weren ycome] comen thei were C. Royal Ar. Bo. Ad₁. T₂. ryal C. E₂. full riall L₁. worthy S. Ro. hygh Ap.] Al this he ganne / to reuolue aboute, Ay in his herte / hauyng a maner doute, [doubting whether he shall] A-twenë two / hangyng / in balaunce [1515. A-twene] Bi twene Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. in] in a G. L₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. C. E₂. L₂.] where he shuldë* / maken an aliaunce [ 1516] [wed his girls to Tideus and Polyneices,] [1516. where Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Ad₁. were G. wheþer L₁. M. Di. shulde T₁. Du. L₁. Di. Ad₁. shuld Ar. G. Bo. M. maken A. makyn G. make Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. an] any G. L₁.] A-twene his doghtren / and the knyghtës tweyn̄. [1517. A-twene Bo. M. Ad₁. doghtres Bo. doughtres M. Ad₁.] For on thyng / ay / his hertë gan constreyn̄, The remembrance / of his avisioun, [because of his Dream of the] Of which to-forn / I madë mencioun, [ 1520] [1520. Of] om. P. which] whome Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. to-forn (to fore)] therfore E₁. I made] made I haue M. Di. made is C. P. E₂. makid is T₂. mencioun] a mencion E₂.] Touchyng / þe lyon / and the wilde boor, [Wild Boar and the Lion, p. 52.] It nedeth nat / to reherce it mor, [1522. nedeth] nede L₂. it] om. Lb. Ra. Ba. mor] no more L₁. M. Di. C. T₂. E₂.] Casting alway / in his Fantasie, What it myghte / cleerly signyfie, [ 1524] This dirke dreme /; this was hid and cloos. [1524 and 1525 are transposed in I.] But on the morowe / Adrastus vp aroos, [Next day he] [1526. aroos] rose Ra. Ba. he ros Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And to the temple / the riȝte way he took, [1527. right Bo. M. Ad₁.] And gan preie / deuoutly on his book [ 1528] [1528. preie] to pray Lb. Ad₂. I. on] in Lb.] To the goddes / his dreme to specefie. And they hym bad homward forto hye, [sees these Beasts painted on the knights' shields,] [1530. forto] to G.] And to beholde / in the knyghtës sheldys [1531. beholde Bo. M. Ad₁.]

The fellë beestys / peynted in the feeldys; [ 1532] [1532. beestys peynted] peinted bestes Ad₁. Ad₂. I. in] of Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Which shal to hym /, be cleer inspeccioun, Ful pleynly / makë declaracioun [and they explain his dream,] Of his dreme / which he hadde in the nyght. [1535. which] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. in] on S. C. T₂. P. L₂. Ap.] And Adrastus / enhasted hym ful riȝt [ 1536] [1536. enhasted] hasted M. Di.] In her Sheldës wisly to beholde. [1537. her] the M. wisly] wise L₁. auisely T₂. 1537 second half to 1539 second half is omitted in Du. Di. and E₁., so that 1537 reads: In her Sheldes hangyng vpon hokes Du. Di. E₁.] Wher that he saugh / as the goddës tolde, [1538. that] tha Ar. as L₁. Lb. P. as] þat Bo.] In the Sheldës / hangyng vpon hokys, [1539. vpon] vppe in T₂.] The beestës ragë / with her mortal lokys*. [ 1540] [as Boccaccio says.] [1540. lokes G. Lb. Ra. L₂. Ro. Ap. hokys Ar. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. crokes Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. I. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. (see Notes).] And to purpos, lik as writ Bochas, [leaf 26] [1541. writ] wryteth Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. writh Ra.] Polymytë / ful streght enbracëd was [Polyneices's shield has a lion's hide;] In the hyde / of a feerce lyoun. And Tydeus / abouen his haberioun [ 1544] [and Tideu's gipon is of wild∣boars' bristles.] [1544. abouen Ar. G. Bo. Du. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. aboue T₁. M. habergon Bo. Ad₁. habirgoun T₁] A Gypon haddë / hidous / sharpe and hoor, [1545. gipon Bo. gepon Ad₁. gryphoun Ad₂. I. had Bo. Ad₁. om. Ad₂. I.] wroght of the bristels / of a wylde boor. [1546. bristles Ad₁. brestis Di. wilde Bo. wild Ad₁.] The whichë* beestis / as the story lerys, [1547. whiche Bo. which Ad₁. Ar (in Ar. followed by a pause-bar). lerys] leres (:baners) Bo. Ad₁.] wer wroght / and bete / vpon her banerys, [ 1548] [1548. bete Ar. G. Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. C. T₂. P. E₂. beete Ap. bet Du. bett L₁. Lb. betyn L₂. betten Ro. vpon] on Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Displaiëd broodë* / whan they shulde fight. [1549. Displayed Bo. Displayde Du. brode Bo. Ad₁. brood Ar.] wherof the kyng / whan he hadde a sight Att hys repeir / in herte was ful glad, And witħ a facë / ful demur and sad [ 1552] [Adrastus] witħ his lordes, that he about hym hadde, To the temple / he thys knyghtës ladde. [takes Tideus and Polyneices to the temple,] And whan they haddë / with ałł circumstaunces [1555. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of Rytys oldë / don̄ her obseruaunces, [ 1556] [1556. Of] With M. Di. rytes M. Ad₁. rightes Bo. Lb. L₂. her] his Bo. obseruaunces] observaunce (: cyrconstaunce) L₁.]

Hom to the court / they resort ageyn̄. And in an hallë / riche and wel beseyn̄, [1558. an] om. Bo. Di. Ra. Ba. E₂. beseyn] beseen (:ayen) M. Di.] This worthy kyng of herte lyberal, Made a feeste / solempne and Royal, [ 1560] [then feasts them in his court,] [1560. feest Bo. feste Ad₁. deyntees Bo. Lb. Ad₁. deyntys Ar. deyntes M. C. deynteis L₂. Ba. surly] shortly Ro.] Whicħ in deyntees* / surly dyd excelle. But it were veyn / euery cours to telle, her straungë sewës / and her sotyltees, [1563. and her] and other C. T₂. E₂.] Ne how they sat / lik to her degrees; [ 1564] For lak of tyme I lat it* ouerslyde. [1565. lak] lyt lak Ap. I] they P. lat Ar. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. E₂. lette E₁. let P. L₂. lete Lb. Ro. leet Ad₂. it] om. Ar. G. Bo. T₁. P. E₂. Ap. ouerslyde] slide L₂. Ro.] And after mete / Adrastus toke a-syde The knyghtës two / and lik a prudent man [1567. and] om. M. Di.] In sykrè wisë / thus his tale he gan. [ 1568] [1568. In] and in Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. secre G. Bo. Lb. M. T₂. Ap (cecre). secret Ad₁. Ra. E₁. Ro. secrett S. thus] and thus C. this Lb. he gan] began Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. he began Ra. Ba.] "Sirs," quod he / "I ne doute it nouȝt [and has a talk with them.] [1569. ne] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. it] om. P.] Þat it is fressħ / and grene / ay in ȝour thoȝt [1570. it] om. Bo. Ad₂. P. is] om. Ra. ay] om. T₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. S. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. ȝour] my P. In M. the illuminated capital S of l. 1569 having been cut away, the first letters of 1570 and 1571 are gone, together with the words And after in l. 1572.] How that first / by goddys ordynaunce, [leaf 26, back] [1571. goddys] the goddis Ra.] And after next / thorgh fatys purveaunce, [ 1572] [1572. thorgh] bi Ad₁. Ad₂. I. honde with a dot under e in Ar.] And be workyng / of fortunës hond, How that ȝe werën brouȝt into this lond [1574. How] Whw G.] Bothë* tweyn / But now this lastë* nyght: [1575. Bothe Bo. Ad₁. Both Ar. laste Ad₁. last Ar. Bo.] Of whoos comyng / I am ful glad and light [ 1576] First in my-self /, shortly to expresse, whan I considre / and se the liklynesse [1578. liknesse G.] Of ȝour personys / with the Circumstancys [1579. with] and Di. the] alle Ra. Ba Circumstancys] Circumstaunce (:governaunse) P.] And hool the maner / of ȝour gouernancys; [ 1580] Seyng ful wel /, wherto shuld I feyne, Ȝe likly be her-after to atteyn̄ [1582. likly] lik Ad₁. Ad₂.]

To* grete estat / and* habundaunce of good, [As Tideus and Polyneices are of Royal blood,] [1583. To] The Ar. G. Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. and] of Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. habundaunce Ar. G. Bo. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. abundance C. L₂.] Thorgh ȝoure birth / and ȝour Royal blood; [ 1584] [1584. and ȝour] and Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ra. Ba. C. P.] Ȝe may not faylë / but ȝe hauë wrong, For ȝe are bothë* manly / and right strong. [1586. bothe Ad₁. both Ar. Bo.] And forto sette ȝoure hertës mor at reste [1587. mor at reste] atte mor reste Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] My purpoos is / I hopë for the beste, [ 1588] [Adrastus pro∣poses that] So that in ȝou be no variance, To make a knotte / as be allyaunce, [they shall wed his daughters,] Atwixë* ȝow and my doghtres two, [1591. Atwix Lb. Ra. Atwixt Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Atwixte Ad₁. Atwene M. T₂. Bitwex Ad₂. Bitwixe I.] Ȝif ȝoure hertes / accorde wel therto. [ 1592] [1592. accord Bo. accorden Ad₁. wel] woll Ad₂.] ¶ And for I am fully in dyspeyr To succedë for to han an heir, [1594. for to] to Bo. Ba. an] any Ra.] Therfor ȝe shal han possessioun, [have half his land during his life,] Duryng my lyf / of half this Regioun, [ 1596] [1596. half] haufe S. al Di. this] my C. T₂. P. E₂.] Forthwith* in hond / and hool after my day. [and all after.] [1597. Forth with G. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. C. forwith Ar. Di. Fourth with all T₂.] Ther is no man / that therto shal sey nay. And sothly after / whan that I am graue, [1599. whan] om. C. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. P.] Eche of ȝow / shal his party haue [ 1600] Of this kyngdam, as I haue provided; [leaf 27] This to seyn / it shal be devyded [1602. This] This is G. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. That is M. Di.] A-twen ȝow two, euerich to be crowned, [Each shall have an equal share,] [1603. A-twen Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. Betwene L₁. Lb. Atwix Ba. euerich Bo. euery Ra. eche M. Ad₁.] Ȝoure pourparties / be equytè compowned [ 1604] So egally / in euery mannys sight, That ecħ of ȝow / reioysë shal his ryght. And by ȝour wit / ȝe shul the lond amend, [1607. shul Bo. shal Ad₁. Ra.] And of manhode / knyghtly it diffend [ 1608] [and defend the land against its foes.] Ageyn oure enmyes / and oure mortal fon̄. [1609 oure enmyes] enemyes Bo. your enemyes M. Di. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. and oure] and youre L₁. M. Di. Ba. C. T₂.]

And for the daiës / passëd ben and gon̄ Of my desyrës / and my lusty ȝoutħ, [1611. and my] and of my Ad₂. I.] I am ful set / forto makë koutħ [ 1612] [1612. ful] om. T₂. forto] to Ra. Ba. P. make] make it Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. E₂.] That ȝe shal han / lik myn opynyoun, [1613. han Bo. haue M. Ad₁.] The gouernaunce / of this Regioun. [1614. The] The hool C. hool the T₂. this] þe Bo. this my P. al this E₂.] To this entente / me semetħ for the beste, [They shall reign; Adrastus will abdicate,] Ȝe to gouerne / and I to lyve in reste, [ 1616] [1616. I] me L₁. L₂.; in Ra. a later hand has altered ȝe to gouerne into that ye shold rule.] Fully to folowe / the lust of my desyris, Hunte and hauke / in wodës and Ryvèrys [hunt, and] whan so euer / I hauë* therto plesaunce, [1619. I haue (ha Ar.) therto] ther-to I haue M. D₁.] And for to han / non̄ other attendance [ 1620] Vnto no thing / but vnto myn̄ ese. [take his ease.] [1621. Vnto no] To no M. Di. vnto myn] to myn Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] For which shortly / ȝif it agrè and plese [1622. For which] Wherfore M. Di. T₂. it] ye P.] That I haue seid / to ȝou / that be so wis, And be according / vnto ȝoure avis, [ 1624] [1624. be] it be Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. be it Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. by L₂. vnto] to P.] Delaieth not / but in wordës pleyn̄, [1625. Delaieth] Delayeth it M. Di. Ba. L₂.] What ȝow semeth / gif answere ageyn̄." [1626. What] That L₂. Ro. gif] yeueth M. Di.] And whan Adrastus / hadde his talë fyned, Tydeus / with hed / ful lowe enclyned, [ 1628] [Tideus] [1628. ful] om. Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. with hed ful lowe] ful low with hed M. Di.] As he that was / a verray gentyl knyght, With al his power / and his fullë* myght [1630. and his] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ful Ar. Bo. Ad₁.] Ful humblely / thankëdë* the kyng [leaf 27, back] [1631. humblely Ar. Ap. humbeli L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. P. humbly Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. Ra. Ba. Ad₂. E₁. S. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. thankede] thanked Ar. and all the other MSS. except þankyng Bo. P. (see Notes).] Touchyng his profre of so higħ a thyng. [ 1632] [accepts Adras∣tus's offer,] [1632. his] þe G.] And for his parte / seide he wolde assente [1633. seide he] he seide he G. Ad₂. I. In P. assent has been erased and be content written by a later hand with paler ink.] Fully of hertë /, neuere to repente, To ałł that euer the kyng haþ sayd. [1635. that euer] that euer that S. L₂. Ro. Ap. the] om. S. sayde (e underdotted) Ar. (see Notes).]

And Polymyte / was also wel apayd, [ 1636] [and so does Polyneices,] [1636. apayde (e underdotted) Ar.] In the story / as it is conprehendid. And so they ben / bothë* / condescendyd [1638. bothe Bo. Ad₁. both Ar.] The kynggës willë / to fulfille in dede From poynt to poynt / and ther-vpon procede, [ 1640] wherso euer / that they wynne or lese. [1641. wherso] wher Ad₁. Ad₂. I. that] om. Du.] And Tydeus / made / his brother chese, [who, by Tideus's courtesy,] [1642. chese] to chese M. Di. Ba.] Of gentillesse and of curtesye, [1643. Of] As of Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. gentillesse Ar. G. Bo. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. I. E₁. C. T₂. gentilnesse T₁. L₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] which that was / most / to his fantasye [ 1644] [1644. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. was] ys P. was most] most was C.] Of the sustren / for to han to wive. [1645. sustren Bo. Ad₁. sistren T₁. T₂. systerne P.] And he in soth / chosen hath argyve, [chooses Argeia,] [1646. And] An Ar.] which eldest was / ful wommanly to se. [1647. which] That Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. eldest] oldest L₂. Ro. ful] om. P. wommanly] wounderly L₂. to se] of sight Ro (see 1648).] And Tydeus / tok than* Dëyphylee, [ 1648] [while Tideus takes Deïphyle.] [1648. tok than] than tok Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. tok Ar. G. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. taken hath T₂; in Ro. l. 1648 reads And Tedeus choes Deiphyle ful rigħt. Ar. has a second pause-bar after tok.] Of her beautè / most souereyn excellent. And Adrastus / thorgh-oute his lond hath sent [Adrastus sum∣mons his lords to the wedding of his daughters;] [1650. thorgh-oute] thorgh M. Di.] For his lordës / and his baronage, [1651. For] Of G.] To be present / at the mariage [ 1652] [1652. at the] at her Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of the knyghtës / and make no lettyng. [1653. the] þese Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. Ro. thes two S. knyghtes] knyttes Ar.] And they echon̄ · cam at his bidding, [1654. cam Bo. come M. Ad₁.] In goodly wysë / meke and ful benygne, [1655. ful] om. G.] Ageyn the day / that he dide assigne. [ 1656] And thyder cam ful many lusty knyght, [and they and their ladies come.] [1657. ful] om. G.] Ful wel beseyn / and many lady briȝt, [1657 and 1658. many] many a Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. E₂. L₂. Ro.] From euery Coost / and many frecssħ sqwyer, [1659. many] many a Du. L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. E₂. L₂. Ro.] Þe Story seith / and many comunere, [ 1660] [1660. many] many a Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. many a freshe S. many a gode P. comunere Ar. Ad₁. E₂. Ap. comoner Bo. Du. Ra. Ad₂. comounere I. comyner T₁. L₁. Lb. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. comener M. Di. C.]

To byholde the gretë Ryaltè [leaf 28] [1661. Ryalte Bo. roialte Ad₁.] And the maner / of thys solempnytè. But to telle / ałł the circumstances [But I really can't describe] [1663. telle Ar. Bo. telle or tell all the other MSS. all] of Bo.] Of Iustës / Reuel / and the dyuers daunces, [ 1664] The feestës riche /, and the gyftës grete, [all the feasting and love-making that went on.] The pryvè sighës / and the feruent hete of louys folk / brennyng as the glede, [1667. In Ar. of stands before the column; the copyist had first written The, which is underdotted. loues Bo. M. Ad₁. T₂. louyng G. C. folk] flok Lb.] And devyses / of many sondry wede, [ 1668] The touches stole / and the* amerous lookes, [1669. stole Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS., except scole (sic) L₁. L₂. and sutill Ra. sotill Ba. (cp. 1670). þe amerous Bo. T₁. M. Ra. thamerous Ar. amerous Ad₁. Ad₂. aueryous I. lookes] look (: hook) Ra. Ba.] By sotyl craft / leyd oute* lyne and hokes, [1670. doun Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. (adoun). oute Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. lyne] lines E₂. bi lyne Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] The Ialous folk / to traysshen and begyle [1671. Ialous Ar. Ielous Bo. Ad₁. gelous M.; in Lb. is an empty space between The gelious folke and bigyle; the copyist was unable to decipher his original, or else this original presented a gap in this line.] In their awayt / with many sondry wile: [ 1672] [1669-1672 omitted in P.] [1672. their Bo. Ad₁.] Al this in soth / descryven I ne can. [1673. discryuen Bo. Ad₁. descryve M.] But wel wote I / the newë famë ran, [The news of the marriage] [1674. wote I] I wote M. Di.] This menë whilë* / with ful swift passage [1675. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whil Ar.] Vnto Thebës / of this mariage. [ 1676] [1676. this] this ilke M. thilke Di. the Ad₁. Ad₂. this hie C. Ro. this noble Ra. Ba.] And by report trewe and not yfeyned, [1677. y-feyned Bo. feyned M. Ad₁.; Ar. has a pause-bar after trewe.] The soune therof the eerës hath atteyned, [1678. theres Ad₁. ther Ad₂. I.] Myn auctour writ /, of Ethyocles, [reaches Eteocles in Thebes,] Touchyng thonour / and the gret encres [ 1680] [1680. þe honour Bo. M. thonour Ad₁.] Of Polymytë / heghly magnyfied, And how that he / newly was allyed [1682. how] om. Bo. C. T₂. P. E₂.] With Adrastus / in the londe of Arge. The whiche thyng / he gretly gan to charge, [ 1684] [1684. the] om. C. he gretly gan] he gan gretly G. gretly he gan M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. C.]

Dredyng Inly / that this mariage [1685. Dredyng Inly] Inly dredyng T₂. Inly] oonly Lb. gretly C.] Shal after turne / vnto his damage, [1686. Shal] Shuld L₂. after] after tyme C. P. E₂. afterward T₂. turne Ar. Bo. and all the rest. vnto] into Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. to Ra. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂.] Sorë* musyng / and castyng vp and doun [Eteocles thinks that, backt by Adrastus,] [1687. Sore Bo. M. Ad₁. Sor Ar.] The grete pouer / and the hegh renoun [ 1688] Of Adrastus / the which of grekës land Hadde al the power / soget to his hand: [1690. Hadde al] All had T₂. had of Bo. soget] subiecte L₁. to] vnto M. Di. Ba.] Lest that he / for Polymytës sak [leaf 28, back] wold vpon hym / a newë werrë make, [ 1692] [Polyneices will attack him,] [1692. make] take G.] But ȝif that he, lik the conuencioun, [1693. ȝif] om. M. Di. of L₂. lik] lyk to Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁.] At tymë sette / delyuerëd the toun [unless he resigns his crown at the end of his 1st year.] [1694. deliuert Ad₁.] To his broder / by bond of oth* I-sworn̄*, [1695. bond] boondis Lb. of oth Ba. Ra (of om.). C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. of oþer L₂. of both Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. L₁. Ad₂. S. of bothe M. Di. Ad₁. I. E₁. I-sworn Ra. Ba. E₁. besworn Ar. G. be sworn S. sworn Bo. and the rest.] Be couenauntes* / assurëd her to-forn̄, [ 1696] [1696. couenauntes] couauntes Ar. her] hir Bo. beforn Bo. M. Ad₁.] Ȝif ȝe remembre / late as I ȝou told: which he was nat / in purpos forto hold, But from his heste / Caste forto varye. [1699. heste Bo. Ad₁. cast Bo. caste Ad₁.] And ther-vp-on list no lenger tarye, [ 1700] [1700. tarye] to tarye Bo. T₁. E₁. S.; in Ar. a pause-bar after list.] Lich his desire / to shapë remedyes. And first he sente for his next allies [So he sends for his allies and lords,] In whoom he haddë / most his affiaunce, [1703. he] om. Ra. had Bo. Ad₁. his] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. Ro. most his] his most E₂.] For his lordës / that hadde gouernaunce [ 1704] [1704. had Bo. Ad₁.] Of his kyngdom / to come to hym anon̄. And whan they werën present euerichon̄, [1706. weren Bo (with a pause-bar after weren). were Ad₁ (Ar. and Ad₁. have no pause-bar in this line).] he seidë pleynly /, wenyng for his best, [and tells em he can never rest] [1707. wenyng] om. L₁. his] the Lb. M. Di. E₁. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro.] That his hert / shal neuer lyve in rest, [ 1708] [1708. lyve in] haue Du.] But in sorowe / and in a maner drede, [1709. in a maner Ar. Ad₂. I. and the rest, except a manere in Ad₁.]

Tyl his brother / outrely be dede; [till his brother is dead.] [1710. vtterly be Bo. M. be vtterli Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] That he in Thebës / in his Royal sete Myght allonë / regnën in quiete; [ 1712] [1712. alone Ad₁. alloon Bo. regne Bo. Ad₁.] he mente hym-silf / shortly, and non̄ other, Vnperturbed / of Polymyte his brother. And at this counsayl / diuers of entent, [1715. this] his Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. E₂. at this counsayl] at her comynge P.] ¶ I fyndë writ / thre folkës were present. [ 1716] [But three sorts of men are present.] [1716. written G.] Some in soth / that feithful were and trewe, [1717. were faithful G.] And some also / that can chaunge of newe, [1718. can Bo. conne Ad₁. can chaunge] change konne M. Di.] And other ek / that be-twixë* tweyn̄ [1719. other] some other G. eke Bo. Ad₁. that] om. L₂. Ro. be-twix Ar. Ba. Ro. betwixe Ra. betwixt P. L₂. betwene Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. C. T₂. E₂. between Du. tweyn] þo tweine Ad₁. them both tweyne Ad₂. them tho tweyn I.] Couertly kowde / vnder colour feyn̄. [ 1720] [1720. kowde vnder colour Ar. Bo. Ad₁. vnder colour koude M. Di.] The firste seide, abouen* allë* thyng [leaf 29] [1721. aboue al Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. abouen alle Ra.] Trouthë* shuldë* / longë to a kyng, [¶ Comendacioun of Trouthe.] [1722. Trouthe Bo. M. Ad₁. Trouth Ar. T₁. Lb. Ra. shulde Bo. T₁. Lb. Ad₁. shuld Ar. M. Ra. longe Ar. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. long Ra. to] vnto T₂. E₂. Ro. til Ad₂. I.] Of his word / not be variable, [The first tells Eteocles that a King mustn't lie.] [1723. be] to be L₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. variable] veriable L₁.] But pleyn / and hool / as a Centre stable. [ 1724] [1724. Centre] Countre L₁.] ¶ For trouthë* first / with-outen* eny wene, [1725. trouthe Bo. M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. withoute Ar. Bo. Ad₁. M. withouten Di.] Is Chief Pyler / that may a kyng sustene, In Ioye and honour / for to lede his lyff. [¶ Nota.] For trouth whilom / hadde a prerogatiff, [ 1728] [¶ how trouth is preferred in the book of Esdre / aforn kyngges / wymmen and wyn.] As of Esdre / the book can specyfie, Record I take / of Prudent Neemye, [1730. Neomye Ad₂. I. Ba.] That worthy kyngges / for al her grete pride, [1731. That] What Ad₂. kyngges] kyng Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. her] his L₁.] Wyn / and wymmen / ben ek set a-syde, [ 1732] [1732. and] a Ar. ek] also L₂. Ro.; in Ad₁. E₁. S. 1732 is omitted; Ad₂. and I. instead of wyn and wymmen have haue bene put doun; in Ra. after 1730 the space of one line is left blank, and then follows, making three lines for the two 1731 and 1732: Afforne kyngis wemen and wyn That worthi kyng for al ther grete pride Leid hym doun and put on a side. Ba. has no blank linc; after 1730 follow the same three lines as in Ra., only with wyfe for wyn and on syde for on a side (see Notes).]

With ałł her pouer / and domynacioun, havyng reward / in comparisoun [Truth is above all.] [1734. reward] no reward Ad₂. I. comparisoun Bo. T₁. comparacion Du.] To trouthës myght / and trouthës worthynesse. [1735. To trouthes] To trouth his P. The trouthes E₁. and] om. E₁. and trouthes] and his Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] For as Esdre / pleynly / dotħ expresse, [ 1736] Who taketh hede /, in the samë place, Be* the Influencë / sothly / and the grace [By truth, Nehe∣miah got leave to rebuild the walls of Jeru∣salem.] [1738. Be the] The in all the MSS.] Of trouthe allon̄ / this oldë Neemye Gat hym licencë / to rëedifie [ 1740] The wallys newe / of Ierusalem. Whicħ trouth is tresour / chief of euery rewme, [1742. trouth] om. C. P. E₂. L₂. tresour] om. Ro. chief] om. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. T₂. euery] all the T₂. rewme T₁. reme Bo. Lb. Ad₁. reem M. reame T₂. Ro. realme E₁ (:Ierusalem).] For Salamon writ / how that thyngës tweyne, [¶ Trouth and mercye preseruen a kyng from al aduersyte.] [1743. For] om. Ro. writ] writeth Ba. how] om. Ra. Ba. thynges] kynges L₁. L₂.] Trouth / and mercy / lynkëd in a cheyne, [ 1744] Preserve a kyng / lik to his degrè, From al meschief / and aduersitè. [1681-1746 lost in Ap.] Allas therfor / that eny doublenesse, [¶ Chaunge nor doublenesse shal not be in a kyng.] [1748. vnsikernesse Bo.] Chaunge of word / or mutabilitè*, [1749. mutabilite] mutablite Ar.] fraude / or deceyte / or vnstabiletè*, [1750. or] outher M. Di. vnstabilite C. T₂. L₂. Ro. vnstablete Ar. G. ynstabilitee Bo. and all the other MSS.] Shuld in a kyng / han domynacioun, [leaf 29, back] To causen after / his destruccioun. [ 1752] Of kynggës / redeth the story doune be rowe, [See how many kings have been overthrown by falseness!] [1753. redeth Du. redith Ad₁. rede Bo.] And seth / how many / han ben ouerthrowe [1754. And] om. L₂. seeth M. see Bo. Ad₁.] Thorgh her falshede / fro* fortunes whel*. [1755. Thorgh] For Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. her] his L₂. Ro. fro] for Ar. Ra. Ba. (in S. for is underdotted and the usual abbreviation of and written above it). þorugh Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. whel] wel Ar.] For vnto god / it* pleseth neuer a del, [ 1756] [1756. it] om. Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ap. it pleseth] plesith it M. Di.] A kyng to ben / double of entent; For it may happë / that the world is blent

Ful oftë sith / be sleght of her werkyng. [1759. sith] sight L₁. sleght Bo. Du. sleight Ad₁. sleith T₁. scleghet Ro. be sleght] by cause M. Di. her] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. werking Bo. Ad₁. wyrkynge P. Ro. workyng Ad₂. warking T₂.] But this the trouthë* / god seeþ euery thyng [ 1760] [God sees all.] [1760. this] this is T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. I. trouthe Bo. M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. euery] al M. Di.] Right as it is / for ther may be no cloude To-forn his sight / trouthë* forto shrowde. [1762. trouth Bo. trouþe Ad₁. M.] ¶ It may be clipsed / and derkëd be disceyte, [Tho' Truth may for a time be darkend,] [1763. clipsed] eclipsid Ad₁.] By fals engyn̄e / liggyng in a-weyte, [ 1764] [1764. liggyng] liyng Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P.] As a serpent / forto vndermyne; [1765. trouth is written by the same hand to the right of the line in Du (red ink). and Lb (black ink).] But at the last / it wol clerly shyne, [it will shine clear at last.] [1766. at] a Ar.; to explain it, the copyist of Ar. has written ·|· trouth with black ink to the right of the line.] Who that seith nay /, shew his briȝte bemes. [1767. Who that] Whos Bo. Lb. M. Di. Who so Du. who T₁. L₁. seith] say M. Di. L₂. Ro. Ap. nay] nay nay M. shew] and shewe M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. bright Bo. M. Ad₁.] For it in soth / of kyngdames and of Reawmes [ 1768] [1768. rewmes Bo. remes M. Ad₁.] Is berer vp / and conseruatrice [It is the pre∣server of kingdoms.] [1769. Is] His Ra. P. And his L₁. conseruatrice] conservatiff L₁.] From al Meschief / sothfast mediatrice [1770. Fro Bo. M. Ad₁. For Ad₂. I.] To god abouë / who so list to se, To kepe a kyng / in Prosperitè [ 1772] [1772. Prosperite] gode prosperite M. Di. long prosperite T₂.] On euery side / as I afferme dar. For which ȝe kyngges and lordës beth wel war [Kings should keep their troth.] [1774. ȝe] þe Bo. T₂. I. om. L₁. E₁. P. beth Ar. Du. T₂. be Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. C. wel] om. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P.] Ȝour bihestës / Iustly forto holde! And* thenk how Thebës / with his wallës* olde [ 1776] [But, by Eteo∣cles's falsness, Thebes was destroyd.] [1776. And] I Ar. Ra. Ba. S. thenk] þinke L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. Ro. thenketh C. E₂. thynckyth L₂. T₂. P. walles] wal Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. E₁. S. Ap.] Distroiëd was / platly / this no les, [1776. And] I Ar. Ra. Ba. S. thenk] þinke L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. Ro. thenketh C. E₂. thynckyth L₂. T₂. P. walles] wal Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. E₁. S. Ap.] For doublenesse / of Ethiocles, [1777. this] þis is Du. Lb. Di. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. L₂.] Which his puple / after sore abouht: [1778. For] For the L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. doublenesse] doublenesses T₂. E₂.] Only for he nat by counsełł wroght [ 1780] Of hem that wern / bothe trewe and wis: [leaf 30] [1781. wern Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. C. Ro. weren T₁. Du. Lb. Di. Ra. were E₁. S. T₂. P. L₂. bothe M. Ad₁. both Bo.]

hym lyst nat worchen / after her devys; [1782. worchen Bo. Ad₁. worche M. werke T₂. devys] avise Ad₂. I.] But lefte trouthe / and sette his fantasye [He gave up Truth,] [1783. lefte Bo. Ad₁.] To be gouernëd / by fals flaterye*, [ 1784] [1784. flaterye Bo. Ad₁. flatrye Ar.] ¶ That bad hym thenkë* / how he was a knyght, [¶ the counsayl of Flatareres.] [1785. thenke Bo. M. thenk Ar. Ad₁.] And to holde of forcë /, morë* than of* right, [and followd those who bade him stick to Thebes] [1786. And] om. T₁. to holde] tolde Di. to shelde E₁. more Bo. T₁. M. mor Ar. om. C. than of] than Ar. G. Ap.] Duryng his lyf / lordship of the toun̄, And not to lesë his possessioun [ 1788] For no bond / nor heestës mad toforn̄; [1789. bond] bondes Bo. nor Ar. Ra. ne Bo. M. Ad₁. T₂. heestes] heste Ra. Ba. to forn Lb. aforne M. E₁. beforn Bo. Ad₁. Ra. T₂.] But lete his brother / blowën* in an horn, [and let his brother whistle for it.] [1790. his] youre L₁. blowen G. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. E₁. Ap. blowe Ar. Ad₁. Ra. C. T₂.] Wher that hym lyst / or pypen in a red. This was the counsail / platly and þe Reed [ 1792] Of swicħ as liste nat / to seyn the sotħ, [1793. Swich Ar. Bo. Du. siche T₁. Soche E₂. Suche all the rest. as] þat Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. E₁. S. C. T₂.] But falsly flater / with her wordës smotħ. ¶ And whan they haddë / hool her talë fyned, [1795. hool her tale] holy her tale M. Di. Ba. C. hool the tale Lb. her hole tale P. talle whole S. her tale holy T₂. fyned] Ifynid S. feyned (: enclyned) Ra. Ba.] Ethyocles / fully is enclynyd, [ 1796] [Eteocles decides] Who so euer ther-at / laugh or wepe, lik her counsayl · possessioun to kepe, [to stick to his crown.] who that sey nay / or gruche ther-ageyn̄; hym to contrarye / he thoght was but veyn̄. [ 1800] [¶ How the ȝeer was come out that Ethiocles regnyd.] [1799 and 1800 omitted in Du.] [1800. hym to] Or holdeth the P. contrarye] contraire Ra. Ba. E₂. he] him Ba. E₂. L₂. they Ro. om. Lb. Di. was] it was Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro.] But in this whylë* hath the shenë sonne [1801. while Bo. Ad₁. Ra. whyl Ar. hath] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. shene Ad₁. sheen Bo.] The tweluë signës / round aboutë Ronne [His first year's reign in Thebes] [1802. The] Th Ar. twelve] XII Bo. Ad₁. round] hath Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Sith Ethiocle / be Iust rekenyng*, [1803. Ethiocle Ad₁. Ethiocles Bo. rekenyng Bo. Ad₁. reknyng Ar.] In Thebës was crownëd / lord and kyng, [ 1804] holdyng the sceptre / and the dyademe; [1805. and the] and M. Di.] That be resoun / as it wolde seme, The tymë was ful complet / and the space, [is ended,]

Of couenaunte / he shulde voide his place, [ 1808] [and he ought to give up the crown to Poly∣neices.] [1808. voide] leve Ad₂. I.] And Polymytë ek / his iournè make [1809. Polymyte Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. iourney Bo. iornay M. Ad₁.] Toward Thebës /, pocessioun to take Of duë* title / But he haddë wronge: [leaf 30, back] [1811. due Bo. Ad₁. dieu Ar. G (in the margin due is written by late hand). had Bo. Ad₁.] Which thoght in sotħ / the ȝeer was wonder longe [ 1812] [1812. was] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. Ro. wonder] om. Ra. Ba. S. ouer Lb. passynge Ro.] Of his Exil / er it kam aboute. [1813. er Bo. or M. Ad₁.] And for he hadde / in hert a manere doute [who, doubting his brother,] Lest in his broder / ther wer falshed* found [1815. falshede Bo. Ad₁. falsed Ar.] Taquyte hym-silf / lik as he was bound, [ 1816] [1816. to acquyte Bo. Ad₁.] ¶ To Adrastus / he gan declar his herte, [asks Adrastus] Beseching hym / this mater to aduerte, And ther-vpon / to ȝiue a counsayl sone, [to advise him whether he shall sit still] [1819. The copyist of Ar. has first written counsayl good, then underdotted good and added sone.] Touchyng his right / what was best to done, [ 1820] [1820. was] were Di. Ba. C (where). was best] best was Ra. Ba (wer).] wher it was bet to gon̄ / or to abyde, [1821. wher Ad₁. C. Wheþer Bo. Lb. M. was] were Ad₁. C. abyde] byde C.] Or liche a knyght manfully to Ryde hym-silf allone / and makë no massage, [1823. message Bo. M. Ad₁.] For to Chalaunge / his rightful heritage [ 1824] [or claim Thebes] with-Inne Thebës / outher* be pees or stryf, [1825. oyther Ar. Ap. either Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. E₁. E₂. aythre Ba. outher Ra. C. Ro. other Lb. Ad₁. T₂. L₂. om. P. be] with T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] And ther-vpon / to Iuparte his lif. Thus was he set / for al his fercë brother. [1827. feers Bo. M. Ad₁.] But Adrastus / sothly / thoght a-nother [ 1828] Bet was to sendë / than hym-silf to gon̄ Lest he were trapped among his mortal fon̄; [Adrastus says Polyneices may be trapt] Havyng his brother / suspecte in this cas [1831. this] þe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] That be fraude / or be some fallas, [ 1832] [1832. or be] or M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. P. C (other for or). or ellis Ro.] He woldë* werk / to his destruccioun, [1833. He] How he L₁. wolde Bo. Lb. Ad₁. wold Ar. M. T₂. wolde werk] werke wolde Ad₁. Ad₂. I.]

Ȝif he wer hardye to entren in-to toun. [if he goes to Thebes:] [1834. entren Ar. G. E₁. Ro. Ap. entre Bo. and the rest. into] in G. om. Ra. Ba. toun Ar. Ro. the toun Bo. and the rest.] For which he bad hym / prudently tak hede, Ful concludyng / how it was mor spede [ 1836] [1836. Ful] Fully L₁. P. E₂. was] were M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. mor] moste Lb. was mor] more were Di. spede] nede C.] That some other be / to Thebës sent, [he must send some one else there.] To apparceyvë fully the entent ¶ Of Ethiocle / outward / be some signe, [1839. and 1840 transposed in I.] And wher that he / his crounë* wil resigne [ 1840] [1840. omitted in S. wher] whether Lb. M. Di. P. if Ra. Ba. E₂. his] the P. crowne Bo. M. Ad₁. croun Ar. wil (wol)] wolde L₁. M. Di. L₂. Ro (walde).] For thilke* ȝeer /, lik as he made his ootħ: [leaf 31] [1841. thilke Ad₁. Ra. þilke Bo. thilk Ar. M. C. T₂. L₂. þe ilke L₁. ylke S.] And whan he knewe / how his purpoos goþ Ther-vpon to werken / and procede. [1843. worken Bo. M.] Thus Adrastus / wisely gan hym rede. [ 1844] ¶ And whil they trete / vpon this matere, [Tideus at once undertakes to go.] [1845. trete Ar. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. vpon] of Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Tydeus with a manly chere [¶ Tydeus took vpon hym to don þe massage of Polymyte.] [1846. manly] manful Di. ful manly L₁. T₂.] Saide* vttrely / for his broder sake, [1847. Saide] Sade Ar.] This massagë / he wold vndertake [ 1848] with hool thempris / of thenbassyat, [1849. whith Ar. thempris] emprise M. Di. þe enbassyat Bo. thenbassyat M. Ad₁.] wer it wilful / or infortunat: [1850. wer it] whether it were M. Di. Whether hit be Lb. wilful Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. Ro. Ap. welful Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. or] other C. infortunat] fortunat Di.] He wil not sparë / what so that betide. [1851. what so that] what so Bo. Du. Lb. M. C. T₂. P. L₂. whatsoeuer E₂. what so hym L₁.] ¶ But Adrastus / on the toþer syde, [ 1852] [Adrastus and Polyneices] [1852. þat other Bo. M. Ad₁.] And Polymyte / in conclusioun, [1853. Polymyne Ar.] Weren contrarye / to that opynyoun, And seidë sothly / as hem thoghte right, Sith that he was / so wel / a preuëd knyght [ 1856] [1856. Sith] Syn Ra. that] om. Ro. so wel a preued Ar. G. T₁. L₁. Lb. C. T₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. so wel a proued Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. so wel approved a Ad₂. I. so well a priued E₂. so well a preferred P. so well a prowd S. a gentil Bo (so wel om.).] And discended of so worthy blood,

That they nolde / for non erthly good, [try to stop him but in vain.] For ałł Thebës / with the regalye, Put his body / in such Iupartie. [ 1860] But ałł this thyng / auaylëd hem* riȝt noȝt; [1861. hem Bo. G. M. Ad₁. hym Ar. om. Ra. auayled hem] he sette by Ad₂. I.] For he wol forth / how dere that it be boȝt, [1862. that] om. M. Di. Ra. Ba.] Takyng lievë / first of ałł thestatys, And armëd hym in Mayle / and surë platys, [ 1864] [1864. armed] armeth G. sure] in sure M. Di.] And Shope hym forth / vpon his Iournè. who madë sorowe / but Dëyphylë, [¶ The sorowe of Deyphile whan Tideus went toward Thebes.] [1866. The rubric begins with Who mad sorowe, but these three words have been crossed out with red ink.] with bitter teerës / dewëd al her face, Ful ofte sitħ / swownyng in the place, [ 1868] Trist and mournyng / in her blakë* wede, [1869. blake Bo. blak Ar. M. Ad₁.] Whan she saugh / that he took his stede; So inwardly gan encres* her mone, [leaf 31, back] [1871. So] She M. gan encres(e)] encres gan Ar. G. T₂. E₂. Ap. gan encressen Ba. gan tencresen Ra. gan to in-crease S.] Seyng her lord / so ridë fortħ allone [ 1872] [Tideus rides] [1872. ride] ridyng L₁. M. Di. T₂. E₂.] Vpon his way / this worthy Tydeus. And in al hast, the story telleth vs, He spedde hym so, makyng no delayes, That in space / of a fewe daies [ 1876] [1876. in space] in þe space Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. a fewe] fewe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. E₂.] The hegħe toures of Thebës / he gan se, [1877. gan] gan to G.] And entred is / into the Citè, [to Thebes,] [1878. the] om. Du.] Wisly enqueryng / wher the Paleys stood; And lik a knyght / thidere streght he* rood, [ 1880] [1880. streght he] he streght Ar. G. Bo. Du. T₁. Lb.] Markyd ful wel / in many mannys sight, licħ Mars / hym-silf /, in stiel y-armëd* bright, [1882. y-armed] I-armed Ap. armed Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS. (cp. 1306, 2618).] Til he atteynëd hath the chief dongoun, [1883. Ar. has a pause-bar between atteyned and hath.] wher as the kyng / helde his mancyoun. [ 1884] [goes to the palace,] [1884. Wher as] ther as Bo.] And thorgħ the paleys / with a knyghtly look Into the hałł / the righte way he took, [and into the hall]

From his stedë / whan he lighte doun̄, [1887. whan] whan þat Lb. lighte M. Ad₁. light Bo. a-liȝte Di. T₂. doun] adoun M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. E₂. Ro.] Not afered / but hardy as lyoun, [ 1888] [1888. affered Bo. a ferd Ad₁. as] as a T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. Ro.] Wher as the kyng / with lordës a gret route [where Eteocles sits with his lords,] In the hallë sittyng / rounde aboute, he entred Inne / most manful of corage, To* execute / the fyn of his* massage. [ 1892] [1892. to execute Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Texecute Ar. his] this Ar. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] And as hym thouȝt / conuenient and due Ful konnyngly / he gan the kyng salue [1894. Ful konnyngly] Iful konnyng G.] Requiring hym /, of kyngly excellence, [1895. kyngly] knightly Bo. L₁. T₂. P. kyndely Du.] In goodly wise / to* ȝeve hym audience, [ 1896] [1896. to] om. Ar. Ap.] And not disdeyne / neither in port ne cheer, Sith he was Come / as a massagere [1898. Come Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. T₂. Ar. has a pause-bar also between was and Come. messagere Ad₁. messangere Bo. T₁. M.] From Polymyte / his ownë brodere dere; Gynnyng his talë / thus, as ȝe shal here. [ 1900] [and speaks to them.] [1900. Gynnyng] Begynnyng L₁. S. Ap. his] a P. thus as] as thus Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] "Sir*," quod he, "vnto ȝour worthynesse [leaf 32] [1901. Sir only in P. and Ro. (re-inserted), omitted in all the other MSS. (Q in Ar. is a two-line capital. In Ra. the late corrector has written O king at the beginning of the line.)] My purpoos is breefly to expresse Theffecte only, as in sentement, [¶ how wisly and how knyghtly] [1903. only] hooly T₂. P. E₂. Ro. Ap.] Of the massagë why that I am sent. [ 1904] [Tideus did his massage.] It were in veyn / longe processe forto make. But of my mater / the verrey ground to take, In eschewyng of prolixitè, And voyde away / al superfluytè, [ 1908] [1908. And] to Di.] Sith ȝoure-silf best ought to* vnderstond [1909. to] om. Ar. Ad₁. Ap.] The causë fully / that we han on hond, [Tideus reminds Eteocles] And ek conceyve / þentent of my menynge, [1911. conceyve] to knowe Di. toucheinge P. my] the L₂ Ro. menynge] comyng Di.] Of rightwisnessë / longgyng to a kynge: [ 1912] First considred /, ȝif that ȝe tak hede, [1913. that] om. G. Ad₂. I.]

whan Edippus / the oldë* kyng was dede, [1914. olde Bo. M. Ad₁. old Ar.] how that ȝour-silf / and ȝoure brother blyve [of his agreement] For the croune / contagiously gan stryve [ 1916] [1916. gan Bo. Ad₂. gonne Ad₁. stryve] to striue Ad₁. Ad₂.] As mortal foon / by ful gret hatrede, whicħ of ȝow two / shulde* first succede: [1918. shulde Bo. shuld Ar.] Til that ȝe were / be meenys reconcyled, [1919. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂.] Ȝe to regne / and he to be exiled [ 1920] Out of this towne / for a ȝeerës space, [that he should reign for one year only, and then give place to Poly-neices,] [1921. Out] om. L₁. this] his Lb. ȝeeres] yere Bo. Du.] And than ageyn / resorte to his place, [1858-1922 lost in C.] [1922. ageyn] anoon Di. resorte] resorten P. to resorte Ad₁. Ad₂. I. to] vnto M. Di. into T₂. E₂. his] þis L₂. Ro. Ap.] To regne as kyng, and ȝe to voyden oute, [1923. as] as a Lb. C. P. to voyden] voiden Bo. to voide L₁. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. to be voided T₂.] So as ȝour tourne / be processe kam aboute; [ 1924] Euericħ of ȝow / paciently tendure [1925. to endure Bo. M. Ad₁. tendur G.] Thenterchaungyng / of his Auenture, [1926. þe entrechaungyng Bo. Ad₁. thenterchangyng M.] Who were put out / or stood in his estat, [1927. Who] Whos M. Di. put out] pacient Bo. his] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Ther-vpon to makë no debat, [ 1928] [1928. Ar. has a pause-bar after make.] Lich the Couenaunt / and conuencioun, Enrollëd vp / by lordys of this toun, [1930. this] þe Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. Ba. T₂. P. E₂.] Which of reson may not be denyed. [leaf 82, back] And sitħ ȝe han / a ȝeer / y-occupied, [ 1932] [¶ The request þat Tideus mad in þe name of Polymyt vnder the title of þe Conuencioun.] [1932. y-occupied Bo. M. Ad₁.] ¶ Polimytës / requereþ ȝow of riȝt, [1933. requireth Bo. M. Ad₁.] Taqwite ȝou / lik a trewë knyght, [1934. Taqwite] to acquite Bo. M. Ad₁. and the rest. lik] as S. C. T₂. P. E₂.] In eschewyng of mortal werre and strif; Sith ȝe han had {punctel} a Prerogatif [ 1936] [who now re∣quires him to keep his oath.] As eldest brother / forto regne aforn̄: And thenketh eke / how that ȝe ar sworn̄ ȝour oth to kepe / and make no tarying, Holy aduerting / licħ a prudent kyng, [ 1940] That* trouth is mor / in conparisoun, [Truth should be more] [1941. That] The Ar. G.]

Than ałł the tresour / of ȝour Regyoun, [to a king than treasure.] Mor acceptable / vnto god and man [1943. vnto] both to M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] Than ałł richessë / that ȝe rekne kan. [ 1944] [1944. all Ar. G. E₁. C. T₂. Ap. al þe Bo. and the rest. G has omitted, of l. 1946 the words silf Iustly of your trouthe, and of l. 1947 Unto youre, and reads: Quyteth your brother, etc.] Wherefor in hast / and lat ther be no slouthe, [Eteocles should then quit Thebes,] Quyteth ȝour-silf / Iustly of ȝour trouthe Vnto ȝoure brother / avoyding this Cytè, [1947. avoyding] voidyng L₁. Lb. M. Di. this] the P.] And lat hym regnen / in his Ryaltè, [ 1948] [and let Poly∣neices reign his year.] [1948. regne Bo. M. Ad₁.] ¶ The croune of Thebes / a ȝeer to occupie. Than wol al Grecë / preise and magnyfie ȝoure hegh renoun / and may sey non̄ other But ȝe han quytt ȝou / Iustly to ȝour brother. [ 1952] [1952. ȝe] om. Bo. ȝe han quytt] ye acquite C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. that ye aquyte P. ye haue (om. quytt) Ra. E₁. S. Ap (beginning of line is burnt). that ye haue Ba.] This hool theffecte / of al that I wil seyn̄, [1953. This] This is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. L₂ Ro. hool] om. Ba. Ro. the hole P. of] and Bo. om. P. al] om. Lb. P. I] om. Du.] Answer expectaunt / what ȝe list sende ageyn̄." Whan Tydeus / haddë told his tale, [1955. had Bo. M. Ad₁. hadde told] told had M. Di. Ra. Ba.] Ethiocles, trist / and wonder pale, [ 1956] [Eteocles turns pale] his conceyt first in maner* hath refreyned, [1957. first] om. P. L₂. in maner] in a maner Ar. G. Bo. M. Di. in maner first hath C.] Dyssimulyng / vnder colour feyned, [and dissembles.] [1958. dissymelyng Bo. M. disimeling Ad₁.] Shewyng a cheer / in maner debonayre, [1959. a] om. M. Di.] To his entent / wonderly contrayre, [ 1960] Inward in hertë / wood and furious, [leaf 33] [1961. herte] in h. G.] Turnyng his facë / towarde Tydeus, he gan abraid / and at the last out-brak, [¶ The answer of Ethiocles.] [1963. abraid] to braid G.] And euen thus / vnto hym he spak. [ 1964] [1964. vnto] to Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. he spak] he gan to spake (sic) Ra.] ¶ "I haue* gret mervaile /" quod he, "in my thoght [He wonders] [1965. I ha Ar. I haue Bo. Ad₁. In a G.] Of the massagë / which* that thow hast broght, [1966. woch for which Ar. which] om. S. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. C. P. broght] I-brought E₁.] That my brother / as thow hast expownyd, [that Polyneices wants Thebes,]

Desyreth so / in Thebës to be crownyd, [ 1968] Havynge reward / to the habundance, [seeing that he has so much in Argos.] The grete plentè / and the suffisaunce That he hath nowe / with the kyng of Arge: That me semeth / he shuld lityl charge [ 1972] [1972. That] as Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. that as M. Di. he] þat he Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S.] To han lordship / or domynacioun In the boundis / of this lytyl toun, Sith he regneth / so fresshly in his flours, Surmountyng / ałł his predecessours [ 1976] [Eteocles] Be newe encres / thorgh fortunis myght; [1977. thorgh] of Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. be C. T₂.] wherof in hert / I am right glad and light: [says he hoped Polyneices would have helpt him,] [1978. right] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] Fully trustyng / ȝif I haddë nede [1979. ȝif] if þat L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. though Ro.] To his helpë, that with-outë drede [ 1980] [1979 and 1980 are transposed in Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S.] lik a brother than* I shuld hym fynde [1981. than] that Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. than I shuld] than sholde I Ad₁. shold I (than om.) Ad₂. I.] To meward feithful, trewe, and kynde: [1982. To meward] To me ware Bo. feithful] feith∣fully Bo. T₁. Ad₁. E₁. sothefull Ba. trewe] om. Ra. Ba. S.] Supposing pleynly euermor Of this regne / he set / but lityl stor, [ 1984] Nor cast hym not / for so short a while As for a ȝeer, his brother to exile, [not wanted to banish him into poverty.] [1986. to] forto G. his] me his Ad₂. I.] To lyve in pouertè / and gret distresse. [1987. pouerte Lb. M. pouertee E₂. pouert Bo. and] and in Lb. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ap.] he wol not suffre it / of his high* noblesse. [ 1988] [1988. high] gret Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. (see 1987).] It were no token as of brotherhede*, [1989. brotherede Ar.] But a signë rather of hatrede, To interruptë my possessioun [leaf 33, back] [1991. my] of my Bo. T₁. Du. E₁. S. me of my L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba.] Of this litil porë Regioun." [ 1992] [1992. Of] as Bo. litil] litil and poure M. Di. litil pore] pore litil Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. Of this litil] And put from this Ra. Ba.] Al that he spak /, who that couth aduerte, [1993. second that] om. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Of verrey scorn, Rooted in his herte;

As it sempte /, the story can ȝou teche, [1995. sempte Ar. T₂. sempt C. L₂. semed Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra. semeth E₁.] By the surplus / sothly of his speche: [ 1996] ¶ He myghte nat no lenger hym refreyne [1997. nat] om. C. T₂. E₂. no] om. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. nat no lenger hym] not him no lenger Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. E₁. not hym longer L₁. M (lenger). Di (lenger). him nat lenger than Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba (longer). S. refreyne] restreyn Ba. E₂.] But platly seide / "as a-twene vs tweyne, [And he flatly declares that] I menë thus / Polymytes and me, [1999. I] In G. mene Ad₁. meen Bo.] Ther is* no bonde / nor no surëtè, [ 2000] [2000. is] nys Ar. L₂. no bond] nother bond M. Ad₂. I. Ra. neither bond Ad₁. Ba. S. noon oþer bonde Di. nor no] nor (no om.) Bo. T₁. Du (ner). L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂ and I (nouthir). Ra. Ba. E₁ (nother). S. C. T₂. P. E₂. ne (no om.) Lb. surete L₁. Ra. T₂. suerte Bo. M. Ad₁. E₂. surte T₁.] Nor feith y-made / that may hym avaylle, [2001. y-made Bo. made M. om. Di.] As he cleymeth / to haue* the gouernaylle [2002. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar.] Of this Citè, nowther ȝere nor day. [2003. nowther · nor Ar. Ad₂. Ra. nouther · nee T₂. L₂. neither · ne Bo. T₁. Ad₁. nor · ne M. Di. ȝere] nyght G.] For I shal lette hym, sothly, ȝif I may, [ 2004] [Polyneices shan't have 6 inches of land in Thebes,] [2004. shal] will T₂. lette] om. Bo. sothly] trewly T₂. om. P. ȝif] and Lb.] That he shal not be title of no bond, [2005. be title of no] bi no title of Ad₁. Ra Ba.] Reioysse in Thebës / half a foot of* londe. [2005 and 2006 omitted in Ad₂. I.] [2006. of] om. Ar. Ra. L₂.] ¶ late hym kepe ałł that he hath wonne! [2007. kepe Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ra (keep). C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. all] om. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] For I purpoos / as I haue* begonne, [ 2008] [as he, Eteocles, means to reign there all his life.] To regne in Thebës / enforth al my lyve, [2009. enforth Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. C. T₂. P. Ap. hens forth L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra (henforth). Ba. E₁. S. E₂. L₂. forth Lb. lyve Ar. Ap. E₂. lyf Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. C. P. L₂. life Ba. E₁. S. liff Lb. Ad₂. I. T₂. Du. liffe L₁. Ra.] Maugrè al* hem / that ther-ageynës stryve, [2010. al] of Ar. G. þere ageyns Bo. þer ayen Ad₁. there ayenst Lb. þer ageyne wil L₁. stryve Ar. C. P. E₂. Ap. stryf Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. T₂. stryfe Ba. E₁. striff Lb. Ad₂. I. Du. striffe L₁. S.] And in despit / of his frendës ałł, Or the counsaylle / that hym list to calle. [ 2012] [2012. hym] he G. to] om. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. E₁.] lat hym be sur /, and knowë* this right wel, [2013. knowe Bo. M. know Ar. Ad₁.] his manacyng I dredë* neuer a del. [2013 and 2014 omitted in Ad₂. I.] [2014. manassyng Bo. M. Ad₁. drede Bo. Ad₁. dred Ar. I drede] drede I M. Di.] And sikerly, as to my devis, [As to Tideus,] [2015. as to] as at Bo. vnto M. Di. C. as vnto Ba. my devis] myn avis T₁. E₁.]

It scheweth wel / that thow were not wis, [ 2016] But supprisëd with a manere rage, [Eteocles is sur∣prised at his presumption in bringing Poly∣neices's message.] [2017. supprised] supprisyng Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. suppressed C. P. E₂. supposing Ra. Ba. S.] To take on the / this surquedous massage, And presume / to do so hegh offence, So boldëly / to speke in my presence. [ 2020] [2020. So] And G. boldely M. Ad₁. boldly Bo.] But al yfere / avaylë* shal right noght. [leaf 34] [2021. yfere] in fer Ra. availe Bo. M. avayl Ar. Ad₁.] For the tyding* / that thou hast ybroght, [2021 and 2022 omitted in Ad₂. I.] [2022. dyding Ar. tidyng Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. S. G. tithyng Ra. Ba. tidyngis L₁. (þi for the). E₁. C. T₂. P. L₂. tithynges E₂. (Ap. burnt to that). ybroght Ar. T₂. Ap. broght Bo. G. and the rest.] Shal vnto hym / be but disencrees. [2023. vnto hym be] be vnto hym Du. But alle shal be vnto hym disencrees Ad₂. I. (see 2021).] He better werë* / to ha ben in pees, [ 2024] [2024. were Bo. M. Ad₁. wer Ar. to haue ben T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. to ha be Ra. to habene M. to hauen Bo. E₁.] Than of foly / and presumpcioun [2025. and] and of Ad₂. I.] Ageynës me / to seke occasioun. [2026. ageyns Bo. Ad₁. ayens M.] For whil I lyve / and thereto her myn̄ hond, [While Eteocles lives,] As I seide erst / he wynneth her no lond, [ 2028] [2027 and 2028 omitted in Ad₂. l.] whyl the walles* / of this toune may stond. [2029. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whyl Ar. While that C. walles Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. wallis G. wałł Ar. Lb. L₂. Ap. walle Bo. L₁. M. Di. E₁. P. wal C. E₂.] For Fynaly I do the vnderstond [2029 and 2030 are transposed in T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.] [2030. Fynaly] plainly C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. vnderstond] to vndrestonde Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂.] That they shal first / be betë doune ful lowe, [2031. bete] fylled G.] And alle the tourës / to the ertħ ythrowe, [ 2032] [Polyneices shall have nothing to do with Thebes.] [2032. alle the] alle Du. to the erth Ar. Du. L₁. M. Ad₁. T₂. to therthe T₁. Lb. to the yearth E₂. vnto the erthe Bo. to erthe Ra. Ba. ythrowe] throwe T₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. P.] Er he in Thebës / haue eny thynge ado. [2033. Er Bo. Or T₁. M. C. ado Ar. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. at do G. to do Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] Lo! her is al / . retourne and sey him so!" Whan Tydeus saugh the feruent Ire [Tideus is silent] Of the kyng / with angre set a-fire, [ 2036] Ful of despit / and malencolye; [2037. and] and of L₁. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. E₂.] Conceyuyng eke / the grete felonye [2038. velonye G. M. D.]

In his apport, lik as he wer wood; [2039. appor Ar.] This worthy knyght a lityl whilë* stood, [ 2040] [a while,] [2040. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whil Ar.] Sad and demur / or oght he wolde seyn̄. [2041. or Bo. Ad₁. saien (:ayen) M. seyn (:ageyn) Di.] But at the laste thus he spak ageyn̄. [but then tells Eteocles] [2042. thus] this Lb. he spak] spak he Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. spak] seide C. T₂. P. E₂.] ¶ "Certës," quod he / "I conceyve of newe [2043. of] om. Di.] Aboute the, thy counsel is vntrewe, [ 2044] I dar it seyn and vowën at the best*, [2045. voweu] vowe it C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. avowen L₁. Lb. avowe it S. wele avov Ba. at the best] at the lest Ar. G. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. Ap. at the last (:beheste) Ra.] Nor thow art not feithful of thy behest, [he is unfaithful.] [2046. Nor] Ne Lb. E₂. om. P. not] om. E₁. Nor thow art not] nor thou nert also Ad₁. nor thou art nat also Ad₂. I.] Stable of thy word / that thow hast seid to-forn̄, [The knyghtly answere ageyn of Tydeus.] But deceyveable / and falsly ek forsworn̄, [ 2048] And ek periur / of thyn assurëd ootħ. "But wher so be / that thow be lief or lotħ, [Tideus says] [2050. wher Ar. wheþer Bo. that] om. M. Di.] I seye the shortly / hold it for no fage, [leaf 34, back] [2051. the] it Ad₂. I.] Al shal turn / vnto thy damage, [ 2052] [2052. turn Ar. torne Bo. tourne Ad₁. turne Ra. vnto] to Ra.] Trust it wel / and in ful cruel wyse. Alle Grekës londe / shal vpon the ryse, [the Greeks will rise against Eteocles,] [2054. ryse] arise M. Di. C. T₂. E₂.] To ben avenged / and manly to redresse The gret vntrouth / and the hegh falsnesse [ 2056] [2056. vntrouthe M Ad₁. vntrouth Bo.] Which that thow hast / ageyn thy brother wroght. [2057. ageyn] vnto Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. thy my Ra. Ba.] It shal ful dere / after this be bought. And verrely in dede, as thow shalt lere, kyng Adrastus / wil medle in* this matere, [ 2060] [and King Adras∣tus and his lords] [2060. medle in] medle of Ar. L₂. Ap.] And alle the lordes / about hym envyroun, That boundë ben / to his subieccioun; [2062. bounde Bo. bounden M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. to] vnto Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Prynces / Dukës / and many a noble Knight, [2063. many a] many M. Di.] In sustenyng / of thy brotheres right, [ 2064] Shal on a day / witħ sper and with sheld, [will make war on him,] Ageynës the be gadered in a feld, [2066. Ageyns Bo. Ad₁. ayens M. gadert Bo. M. Ad₁.]

knyghtly to preue / al be on̄ assent, [and prove him false.] [2067. to] it to Ad₁. proue Bo. M. Ad₁.] That thow art fals / and double of entent, [ 2068] Of thy promys / atteynt and ek outrayed. [2068 and 2069 transposed in I.] And leue me wel it shal not be delayed, But in al hast / execute in dede. [2071. al] al the E₁. P. all with second l underdotted Ar. execute] executid Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] lik thi desert / thow shalt haue* thy mede. [ 2072] [2072. haue Bo. Ad₁. ha Ar.] For god aboue / of his rightwisnesse, [God will punish him.] [2073. aboue Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. abouen Ba. of] and C. T₂. P. E₂.] Swicħ open wrong / shal in hast redresse, [2074 omitted in Ad₁. here, inserted at the bottom of the column after 2096; replaced in Ad₂. and I. by quite a new line: This mateer off riht shall redresse. open] opon Ar. vpon Bo.] And of his myght / al sucħ collusioun [2075. conclusioun G.] Reforme ageyn / and al extorsioun. [ 2076] For this the fyn / falshede shal not availe*, [2077. this] þis is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. availe] vaile Ar. G. E₂. L₂. Ap.] Ageynës* trouth / in feeld* to hold batayle*. [2078. Ageyn Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. in feeld] om. Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. Ap. to hold] to haue Bo. to take Ra. Ba. batayle] no batayle Ar. G. Ap. any batail Ra. Ba.] Wrong is croked / bothen halt and lame. [2079. bothen Ar. bothe Bo. both Ad₁.] And here anon̄ / in my brotheres name, [ 2080] [In Polyneices's name, Tideus defies Eteocles.] As I that am next of his* alye [leaf 35] [2081. As] And P. I that] that I L₂. next of his allie Ra. Ba. his next alye Ar. Bo. and all the rest (see Notes)] In his querel / I shortly the deffye, [2082. In] On Ra. Ba. I] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. the] om. I.] Fully avysed / with al myn hool entent. And ȝe* lordës / that ben her* present, [ 2084] [Tideus calls on the Theban lords] [2084. And] All L₁. ye lordes] the lordes Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. her] ther Ar. G. E₁. S.] I ȝow requere / of ȝour worthynesse, To sayë trouth / and to ber wittnesse, [2086. say trouthe Bo.] whan tymë com̄ëþ* / Iustly to recorde [2087. cometh Bo. M. comþ Ar.] How ȝour kyng / falsly can discorde [ 2088] [2088. falsly] iustly M. Di. (see 2087). can] ganne T₂.] From his heest / of fals variaunce. And thenk how ȝe / of* feitħ and lygaunce [2090. thenk] thenkith C. T₂. P. how] on howe P. E₂. of feith] on feith Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. P.; (cp. 2646).] Ar bounde echon̄ / ȝe may not go ther-fro,

Forto obeye / and seruë, bothë* two, [ 2092] [to obey Poly∣neices the next year,] [2092. both Ar. Bo. Ad₁.] This nexte ȝeer / now anon̄ folowyng, [2093. next Bo. Ad₁. folowyng Bo. folwinge Ad₁.] As to ȝour lord / and ȝour trewë kyng, ¶ Polemytes / thogħ he be now absent, By Iust accord / maad in parlement, [ 2096] [as they agreed] At ȝoure devis / which sitten her a-rowe, Engrosëd vp / as it is wel knowe, [2098. vp] was vp E₂. wel] right well E₁. is wel] wele be Di. knowe] I-knowe Ra. S.] And enrollëd / only for witnesse [2099 in T₁. is almost wholly cut away.] In ȝoure regestres / to voyden al falsnesse, [ 2100] [2100. voyden] avoiden Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] That non of ȝou / vary may of newe Fro that I sayë* · / but he be vntrewe. [2102. Fro Ar. T₁. Du. I. P. L₂. Ap. From L₁. Ad₂. E₂. For (see 2103) Bo. G. M. Di. Ad₁. (Ra.) Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. Of Lb. say Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. but] but yf E₁. E₂. om. L₁. (except: Ra.) he be] yee be Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. S. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba.] For which I redë / ȝour-silf to acquyte. [2103. your-self Bo. M. Ad₁. to acquite Bo. acquite Ad₁.] Lat no tymë / lenger / ȝou respit, [ 2104] But at onys / with-oute mor tarying, [and at once fetch him home as their king.] Of manly forcë / fetteth hom ȝour kyng, [2106. fetteth Bo. T₁. Ad₁. fecchith L₁. Lb. M. fetteth hom] (fet home agayn Ra.)] Maugrè his foon /, lik as ȝe ar bounde, And lat in ȝow / slouthë* non̄ be founde, [ 2108] [2108. slouthe T₁. M. C. slouth Ar. Bo. Ad₁. slouthe non] no slouth Bo. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P. E₂. (And lett in you no slothfastnes be founde Ra.)] To put hym Iustly* in pocessioun [2109. Iustly] Iustyly Ar.] This my consayl in conclusioun." [2110. This is Bo. M. Ad₁.] Whan Tydeus / hadde his massagë saide, [leaf 35, back] [2111. Ar. has a second pause-bar after hadde.] lik to the chargë / that was on hym laide: [ 2112] As he that list / no lenger / ther soiourne, [Tideus turns, and goes] [2113. he] him Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. that] om. S. he that list] þat list he Di. ther] om. S. P. no lenger ther] þere no lenger Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. soiourne] to soiourne Ad₁. Ba.] Fro the kyng / he gan his facë tourne, Nat astouned / nor in his hert afferde; [2115. astonyed Bo. M. astoneid Ad₁.] But ful proudly / leyde hond on his swerde, [ 2116] [¶ How manly]

And in despit / who that was lief or lotħ, [Tydeus de∣parte[d] from þe kyng.] [2117. was] were Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] A sternë pas / thorgh the halle he gotħ, [2118. sterne Ad₁. stern Bo. M.] Thorgh-out the courte / and manly took his stede, [2119. Thorgh-out] Thorugh Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. P. E₂. manly] om. Ba.] And out of Thebës / faste gan hym spede, [ 2120] [Tideus rides] [2120. fast Bo. M. faste] manly Ad₁. Ad₂. I (see 2119).] Enhastyng hym / til he was at large, [2121. In G. til he was at large 2121 and And sped hym 2122 are omitted, and the two remaining half lines made into one line.] And sped hym forth / touard the londe of arge. [towards Argos.] ¶ Thus leue I hym / ridë fortħ a while, [2123. ride] ridyng Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. a while Bo. M. Ad₁. awhile Ar.] whilys that I retourne ageyn my style [ 2124] [2124. (and 2131) whilys Ar. whiles M. whils Bo. Du. While Ad₁.] Vnto the kyng which in the hallë stood [Eteocles is furious.] [2125. which Ar. þat Bo. M. Ad₁.] Among his lordës / furious and wood, In his hertë / wroth / and euel apayd [2127. apayed with e underdotted Ar.] Of the wordes that Tydeus had* said; [ 2128] [2128. the] (those same Ra.) wordes] worde L₁. Di. Tydeus] he Ad₁. Ad₂. he he I. had] hath Ar. G. Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. P. L₂.] Specialy / havyng remembraunce [2129. (Ra: Inspeciall hauynge in).] On the proude dispitous diffiaunce [2130. the proude] the proude and M. Di. (Ra. The stout and proude d. d.) dispititous Ar.] Whilys that he sat in his Royal See; Vpon whicħ he wil auengëd be [ 2132] [2132. which] þe which L₁. (Ra.) wil] wolde Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. auenged] venged Bo.] Ful cruelly, what euere that befalle. [2133. what euere that] what that euere M. C. G. what so euere Di. what euere Ad₁. Ad₂. I. euere] euel Du.] And in his Irë / he gan to hym calle [He bids his Chief Constable] Chief constable / of his Chyualrye, Chargyng* hym / fastë* for to hye [ 2136] [2136. Charchyng Ar. faste Lb. M. fast Ar. Bo. Ad₁.] with al the worthy Choys* of his housholde, [2137. al] om. Lb. worthy] om. P. choys (chois, choyse, choise)] Chooce Ar. choose G. chose E₁. C. chosyn L₂.] which as he knewe most manful and most bolde, [2138. which] Such Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. as] þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. om. M. Di. manful] manly S. second most om. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] In al hast Tydeus to swe [pursue Tideus] [2139. al] al the Bo. L₁. Ad₂. I. C. P. to] for to C. T₂. P. E₂.] To-forn or* he out of his lond remwe, [ 2140] [2140. or Bo. M. Ad₁. ar Ar. om. T₁.]

Vp peyn of lyf / and lesyng of her hede, [leaf 36] [2141. Vp] Vpon L₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. Oon Lb. peyn of] om. Ad₂. I. and] om. Ad₁.] With-oute mercy / anon that he be dede. [and slay him.] And of knyghtës / fyfty weren in nombre, [Fifty knights ride to waylay him.] [2143. And] om. P. of] of thes Ba. weren Ar. Lb. (Ra.) E₁. E₂. werne Ap. were Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁.] Myn autour seith /, vnwarly hym tencombre [ 2144] [2144. tencombre M. Ad₁. to encombre Bo.] Armed echon in mayle and thikkë* stiel, [2145. thikke Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ed₂. thik Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. L₂. theke Ap. theffk T₂.] And ther-with-al // yhorsëd wonder wiel. [2146. yhorsed] horsed M. Di. wonder] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] At a Posterne / forth they gan to ryde [¶ How falsly Ethyocles leyue a busshment in the way to haue slayn Tydeus.] [2147. At] And G. And at Ad₂. I. posterne M. Ad₁. postern Bo. gan] gonne M. Di. to] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] By a geynpath / that ley oute a-side, [ 2148] Secrely / that no man hem espie, Only of tresoun / and of felonye. They haste hem forth / al the longë day, Of cruel malys / forto stoppe his way, [ 2152] Thorgh a forest / ałł of on̄ assent, Ful couartly to leyn a busshement [2154. couertly C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. (Ra.) couartly Ar. I. couarly G. cowardly Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. vnwardlye Ba. to] for to M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. leyn] hym G.] Vnder an hiłł / at a streite passage, [2155. at a] of Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To falle on hym at mor auauntage, [ 2156] [2156. falle] fallen E₂.] The samë way / that Tydeus gan drawe, [Tideus rides on] [2157. way] day Di.] At thylke mount / wher that Spynx was slawe. [2158. At] And L₂. thilke Lb. Ad₁. thilk Bo. T₁. þe ilke L₁. þat P. the S. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. was] wer Ba.] He nothing war / in his opynyoun, Of this conpassëd / conspiracioun, [ 2160] But Innocent / and licħ a gentyl knyght, [innocently,] Rood ay forth / til* that it drowe to nyght, [2162. (He rode styll forth Ra.) til that] tyll that I. Ap. (Ra.) to that Ar. G. til Bo. and all the rest.] Sool by hym-silf / with-outë companye, havyng no man / to wisse hym or to* gye. [ 2164] [2164. wisse] wyse E₁. E₂. wisshe S. L₂. wysche Ap. or] ne M. Di. S. nor Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. G. nothir Ap. to gye] gye Ar. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. (hys waye for hym to gyve Ra.)] ¶ But at the laste / liftyng vp his hede, [but at last sees] [2165. at þe laste Lb. Di. atte laste Ad₁. atte last Bo. at last M. liftyng] heuing Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (by lyftynge Ra.)]

Toward Euë / he gan taken hede; [2166. Eue] evyn Ba. heuene Ad₁. Ad₂. I. taken] to take C. T₂. P.] Mid of his way · riȝt as eny lyne, [2167. Mid] In myd Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. Amydde P. In myddes Lb. In mynde E₁. his] þe Bo. way Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. eny] a Ba. L₂.] þoght he saugh / ageyn þe monë shyne [ 2168] Sheldës fressħ / and platës bornëd bright, [armd men.] The whicħ environ / casten a gret lyght; [2170. The which] whiche Lb. casten Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. E₁. casted M. Ad₁. S. caste Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. environ casten] cast environ Lb.] ymagynyng / in his fantasye [leaf 36, back] Ther was treson / and conspiracye [ 2172] [How Tydeus outrayed fifty knyghtes þat lay in a-wayt for hym.] wrought by the kyng / his iournè forto lette. [2173. forto] to M. Di.] And of al that / he no thyng ne sette, [2174. he no thyng] nothing he Ba. L₂. ne Ar. Ap. ne om. G. Bo. and all the rest. (And for all that he nothyng thereof sett Ra.)] But wel assurëd / in his manly herte, list nat onys / a-sydë to dyuerte, [ 2176] But kepte his way /, his sheld vpon his brest, [He puts his spear in rest,] And cast his sperë / manly in the rest. [2178. the] his T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. E₁. S. (ryght manly in þe r. Ra.)] And the firste platly / that he mette, [2179. first Bo. Ad₁.] Thorgh the body / proudely he hym smette, [ 2180] [and kills the Theban leader.] [2180. proudely] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. myghtly L₁. smertly L₂. prudently S.] That he fille ded chief mayster of hem ałł; [2181. fell Bo. M. Ad₁.] And than at onys / they vpon hym falle [The rest attack him.] [2182. than] with þat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. they] þei gan Bo.] On euery part / be compas envyroun. But Tydeus / thorgħ his hegh renoun, [ 2184] [2184. hegh] gret Ad₂. I. om. Lb.] His blody swerde / lete / about hym glyde, Sletħ and kylleth / vpon euery side [He fights all.] [2186. Sleth] Slowe Lb. kylleth] kylled E₁. styketh Ad₂. I. (That he dothe slee and kyll Ra.)] In his Ire and his mortal tene, [2187. and] and in Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. E₁. S.] That mervaile was he myghte so sustene [ 2188] Ageyn hem ałł / in euery half besette. [2189. in Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. on Lb. M. and the rest. half] parte Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S C. T₂. P.] But his swerde was so sharpë whette, [2190. whette Ar. G. T₁. L₁. M. Di. (Ra.) C. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. y-whette Bo. Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. L₂.]

That his foomen fonde ful vnsoote. [2191. foomen] foon E₁. fonde Bo. M. C. G. founde T₁. Ad₁. founden L₁. founde it E₂. Ba. (dyd fynde hyt Ra.) (it not in Ar. G. Bo. or the rest). ful] well Lb. vnsoote] vnswoote Bo. T₁. Du. L₁ (ounswote). vnswhete Lb. vnswette E₁.] But he, allas! / was mad / alight* a-foote, [ 2192] [Tideus is beaten to the ground,] [2192. allas] naþeles L₂. he allas] alas he Lb. mad] om. E₁. alight M. Di. light Ar. Bo. and all the rest. a-foote Ar. G. S. Ap. on foote Bo. and all the rest, except on fete Lb. E₁.] Be forcë grounded in ful gret distresse; [2193. ful] om Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. gret] sore L₂. (Ra.)] But of knyghthod and of gret prouesse [2194. and of] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Vp he roos, maugrè ałł his foon̄, [but gets up,] And as they cam, he slogh hem oon be on̄, [ 2196] lik a lyoun̄ / rampaunt in his rage. And on this hille / he fond a narow passage, [seizes a narrow pass,] [2198. this] the Di. P. narow Ad₁. narowe Bo. narwe Ad₂. streit Ba. (strayght Ra.)] whicħ that he took / of ful high prudence; And liche a boor stondyng at his* diffence, [ 2200] [and defends himself.] [2200. his] om. Ar. G. T₂. P. L₂. Ap. (ystandyng at defence Ra.)] As his foomen / proudly hym assaylle, [leaf 37] vpon the pleyn / he made her blode to Raylle [2202. her] þe Di.] Al enviroun, that the soyl wex rede, [2203. enviroun] newe y-ronne P. wex] waxe Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. E₂. was L₁. (A. e. so that t. s. waxte r. Ra.) rede] al red Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S.] Now her now ther / as they fillë dede, [ 2204] [2204. they] om. Ad₂. I. fille Ar. fillen Bo. Du. Lb. Di. Ad₁. E₁. filn C. fill P. Ap. fellen T₁. M. S. E₂. fallen Ba. T₂. (dyd fallen Ra.) felle one Ad₂. fel oon I.] That her lay on / and ther lay two or thre. [2205. second lay om. Ba.] So mercyles / in his crueltè [2206. in] than in Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. (thus in hys crueltie Ra.) his] his fers E₁. here Lb.] Thilke day he was vpon hem founde. [2207. Thilke Bo. Ad₁. Thilk M. vpon] on Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And attonys / his enemyes to confounde, [ 2208] wher as he stood / this myghty champioun, Be side he saugh / with water turnëd doun, An hugë ston̄ / largë / rounde and squar; [He rolls a huge stone] [2211. An] And Ar.] And sodeynly / er that thei wer war, [ 2212] As it haddë leyn / ther for the nonys, [2213. had Bo. M. Ad₁. leyn Ar. Bo. M. Ad₂. C. ley Ad₁.] Vpon his foon / he rollëd it at onys, [down on his foes, kills ten,] [2214. it] om. Bo.] That ten of hem / wenten vnto wrak, [2215. wenten Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. T₂. went L₁. Ad₂. I. L₂. vnto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. C. T₂. (then wenten vnto Ra.)]

And the remnaunt amasëd drogh a-bak; [ 2216] [2216. drowe Bo. drewe Du. drowen Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] For on / by on / they wente to meschaunce. [2217. In Ar. there is a bar also before the second on, put there to distinguish the numeral on from the preposition.] [2217. wente Ad₁. went Bo. Ad₂. I. wenten M. Di. In Ad₁.] And fynaly / he broghte to outraunce [and then all] Hem euerychon̄ / Tydeus, as blyve, [2220 precedes 2219, but the copyist has observed his mistake, and corrected it by writing a before the latter and b before the former line; in Ad₂. I. the lines are right.] That non but on / was* left of hem* alyue; [ 2220] [the 50 but one.] [2220. was not found in any MS. (see Notes). hem] ham Ar.] hym-silf yhurt / and ywounded kene, [2221. yhurt] hurt M. Di. C. ywounded] wounded C.] Thurgh his harneys / bledyng on the grene. The theban knyghtes / in compas rounde aboute In the vale / lay* slayën* ałł the route, [ 2224] [2224. vale] valey L₁. Lb. E₂. lay] om. Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. slayn(e) all the MSS. all the] all the hole Ba. T₂. E₂.] which pitously / ageyn the monë gape; For non of hem, shortly, myght eskape, But dede echon / as thei han deserued, [2227. han] had Ba. S. it han Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. E₁. it hadde Ad₁. Ad₂. I. had it M. Di.] Saue on̄ excepte / the which was reserued [ 2228] [This one knight Tideus kept,] [2228. the] om. M. Di. which Ad₁. whiche Bo. M.] By Tydeus / of intencioun, [2229. of] of this Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. C. E₂. of his Ba. for this T₂. (of good Ra.)] To the kyng / to make relacioun [to tell Eteocles] [2230. To] Vnto Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba. S. T₂.] how his knyghtes / han on her iournè sped, [leaf 37, back] [2231. spedde with de underdotted Ar.] Euericħ of hem / his lyf left for a wed, [ 2232] [how his fellows had sped.] [2232. Euerich] Eche M. Di. C. T₂. his lyf left] lefte his lyf L₂. (ther lif hathe left Ra.) for a] for Ap. to Ba. (Ra.) L₂.] And at the metyng / how they han hem born̄: To tellen al / he surëd was and sworn̄ [2234. tellen] telle L₁. C. P. L₂. tell hym S. he] howe he P. sured] assured M. Di. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. om. T₁. and om. T₁.] To Tydeus / ful lowly on his kne. By which ensample / ȝe opynly may se [ 2236] [2236. opynly] oonly Lb. om. S. (playnly Ra.) ȝe opynly may] openly ye may M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. C T₂. P. E₂.] Ageynës* trouthë* / falshed hath no myght. [2237. Ageyn Ar. Bo. Ad₁. trouthe Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo.] Fy on querilis / nat grounded vpon riȝt, [¶ Hou trouth with lityl multi∣tude hath euere in the fyn vic∣tory of falshede.] [2238. Fy] Figh E₂. quarels Bo. quarells Ad₁. quarellis Lb. querilis Ar. a quarell S. T₂. P. nat grounded vpon] grounded nat on Ad₁. Ad₂. I. (Ra.) Ba. S.]

with-outë which* / may be no victorye*. [2239. which] woch Ar. whom G. victoyre (:memoyre 2240) Ar.] Therfor ech man / haue* this in memorye*, [ 2240] [2240. ech] euery Lb. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar.] That gret pouer / shortly to conclude, Plentè of good / nor mochë* multitude, [2242. moche Bo. M. Ad₁. moch Ar.] Scleight or engyne / fors / or felonye [2243. Sleight Bo. and all, except Scleight Ar. E₁. fors or] force of Ba. (force eke or Ra.)] Arn to feble / to holden Chanpartye [ 2244] Ageynës* trouthë* / who that list take hede. [2245. Ageyns Ar. Bo. ageinst Ad₁. trouþe Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo.] For at the ende falshede may not spede Tendurë longe / ȝe shul fynde it thus. [2247. To endure Bo. M. Ad₁. longe Bo. M. Ad₁.] Record I take of worthy Tydeus, [ 2248] which with his hand / thorgh trouthës excellence, [The rest of the 50 Tideus slew] Fyfty knyghtës / slogh in his dyffence, [2250. slowe M. Ad₁. slewe Bo.] But on except / as I late* tolde, [2251. late Bo. M. Ad₁. E₁. C. layt Ar. (as I have latly tolde Ra.)] Sworn and assurëd with his honde vpholde, [ 2252] The kyng tenformë / how they wern atteynt. [2253. tenforme Ad₁. to enfourme Bo. to enforme M.] And Tydeus, of bledyng wonder feynt [Tideus, tho' bleeding and weary,] [2254. wonder] was wonder Du.] Maat and wery / and in gret distresse, And ouerleyd / of verray feblenesse; [ 2256] But as he myght / hym-siluë tho sustene, [2257. hym-silue Ar. G. Ap. hymselfe E₁. S. (Ra.) him-self Bo. and the rest. tho] to G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. so Ḷ₁. Di. hym-silue tho] tho hymself C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. (he gan hym-selfe Ra.)] He took his hors / stondyng on the grene, [mounts his horse and rides away.] [2258. Stondyng] (yat stode vppon Ra.).] Worthëd vp / and forth he gan to ryde [2259. Worthed vp] worchid vp (sic) S. (And vpp he lyght Ra.) to] om. Ad₂. I.] An esy pas / with his woundës wyde. [ 2260] And Sothly / ȝit in his opynyoun [leaf 38] he was alway / afferëd of tresoun. [2262. aferde Bo. Ad₁.] But anguysshous / and ful of bysy peyne [2263. anguysshous Bo. M. anguissous Ad₁.] He rode hym forth / til he did atteyne [ 2264] [Tideus rides into the land of King Lycurgus,] Into the boundës / of lygurgus lond, A worthy kyng / and manly of his hond.

And he ful paal / only for lak of blood, Tydeus saugh / wher / a castel stood, [ 2268] [sees a castle,] [in Ad₁. 2268 precedes 2267, but the copyist has marked the lines with b and a; Ad₂. and I. are right.] Strong and myghty / belt vpon a roche, [¶ How Tydeus, al forwounded, cam into ligur∣gus lond.] [2269. bilt Bo. M. Ad₁. bildid L₂. bylde P. (ybylt Ra.) Strong bilt and mighti Ad₁. Ad₂. I. vpon] in L₂.] Touard which / he faste gan approche, [2270. which] whome Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ba. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S (hom). (the whyche Ra.) faste Ad₁. E₁. fast Bo. M. he faste gan] fast he gan M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. he gan fast L₂.] Conveyëd thider / be clernesse of the ston, [2271. Conveyed M. Ad₁. Conveid Bo.] That be nyght ageyn the moonë* shon̄, [ 2272] [2272. ageyn] by M. Di. mone Bo. M. moone Ad₁. moon Ar.] On heghë* toures / with crestës marcyal. [2273. hegh Ar. hye Bo. M. his Lb. S. þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And Ioyneaunt / almost to the wal [2274. Ioyneaunt Ar. L₂. Ap. ioynyng Bo. and all the rest, except Ioyned Ba. (adioynynge Ra.)] was a gardyn / lityl out be syde, [rides into its garden,] [2275. lityl] a litil G. Di. I.] Into which / Tydeus gan ride, [ 2276] [2276. which] whome Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. ye which S. (the whiche tho Ra.) gan] streight gan C. ride] to ride Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂.] Of aventurë / be a gatë smal. And ther he fond / forto rekne al, [2278. rekene Bo. M. Ad₁.] A lusty herbere / vnto his devis, Soote and fressħ / licħ a paradys, [ 2280] [2280. Soote Ar. Lb. Ba. S (Sotte). C. T₂. P. L₂. Ap. (Full soote Ra.) Swote T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Sweet Bo. E₁. E₂. lich a] lich to a Ad₁. lyke to Ad₂. I. (much lyke Ra.)] Verray heuenly / of inspeccioun. And first of al / he alyghte doun, [dismounts,] [(2281 and 2282 omitted in Ra.)] [2282. alyȝt G. alighte M. Di. alight Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. lighte Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. P. lyghted E₁. doun] a-down Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] The goodly placë / whan that he byheld, And fro his nek / he voyded hath his sheld, [ 2284] [2284. he] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. voyded] avoidid Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. hath] had Bo. Di. thanne T₂.] Drogh the brydyl / from his horses hede, [2285. drowe Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. drewe E₂. And drewe P. Drawe E₁. (And gote Ra.) the] his Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. horses Ar. (Ra.) horsys Ap. hors Bo. and all the rest.] let hym goon /, and took no maner hede, [lets his horse loose,] Thorgh the gardyn / that enclosëd was, Hym to pasture / on the grenë* gras. [ 2288] [2288. pasture Bo. M. Ad₁.]

And Tydeus / mor hevie than is led, Vpon the herbës / grenë,* whit, and red, [2288 and 2290. grene M. Ad₁. gren Ar. green Bo.] As hym thoughte / that tyme for the best [leaf 38, back] he leid hym doune / forto tak his rest, [ 2292] [lies on the grass,] Of werynessë / desirous to slepe, [2293. desirous] desiringe P. to] for to Ad₂. I. P. (Ra.)] And non awayt / his body forto kepe; [2099-2294. in Ra. the original four leaves are lost and new ones, with modernizing alterations of the text, supplied by the same hand that has made several alterations in other parts of the poem. Ra. is put within brackets, when quoted in this part of the poem; (2099 in Ra. reads: And eke enrolled for to bear wytnesse).] [2294. forto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And with dremës / grocchëd euer among, [and dreams till the lark sings] [2295. grocched Ar. Du. M. Ap. grucchid Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. Di. Ba. C. T₂. gruchchid Ra (grutched by later hand). grutched E₁. gruggid L₂. grudged E₂. grughynge P. grucche S. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] [2295 is found twice in Ra., first written by the later hand as the last line on the back side of the fourth new leaf (see 2099), then as the first line of the following original leaf.] Ther he lay / til* the larkë song [ 2296] [2296. Ther] grucching þere Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Til] to Ar. G.] with notës newë / hegh vp in the ayr,* [2297. newe] om. Bo. hayr Ar. G.] The gladë morowe / rody and right fayr, Phebus also, casting vp his bemes, [and the sun rises;] The heghë* hyllës / gilte with his stremes, [ 2300] [2300. hegh Ar. hye Bo. Ad₁. gilt Bo. gilted Ad₁. glistred Ad₂. I.] The syluer dewe / vpon the herbës rounde; Ther Tydeus lay vpon the ground, At the vprist / of the shenë svnne, [2303. shene Ad₁. sheen Bo. shene svnne] sune shene S.] And stoundëmele* / his grenë* woundës rvnne [ 2304] [but his wounds bleed.] [2304. stoundemele T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ra. C. T₂. P. stoundemell Ba. E₂. Ap. stoundmele Ar. Bo. L₁. Ad₁. E₁. L₂. in that while Ad₂. I. And swmdell his wondes ron grene S. grene M. Ad₁. gren Ar. green Bo.] Round about / that the soyl was* depeynt [¶ Hou Ligurgus doghter fond Tydeus sleping in the herber, al forwounded.] [2305. that] om. Lb. was] om. Ar. G. E₁. C. T₂. P. L₂. Ap. (E₂.).] Of the grenë / with the redë meynt. [2306. Of] Was of E₂. with the] with Ra. Ba. C. meynt] y-meynt Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. The rubric of Ar. has Barurgus for Ligurgus.] And euery morowe / for hoolsomnesse of eyre*, [2307. heyre Ar. G.] Lygurgus doghter / makëd her repeyr, [ 2308] [To this garden, daily comes Lycurgus's daughter.] [2308. maked Ar. G. C. T₂. Ap. made (maad) Bo. and the other MSS., except did make E₂.] Of custom ay / among the flourës newe In this gardyn / of many dyuerse hwe, Swich Ioyë haddë /, forto taken hede, On her stalkës / forto sen hem sprede, [ 2312] In the Allurës / walking to and fro. And whan she hadde a litil whilë* goo [2314. while Bo. Ad₁. whil Ar.]

her-self allonë* / casting vp her sight, [2315. allone Bo. allon Ar.] She byheld / wher an armëd knyght [ 2316] [She sees a sleeping knight] lay to rest hym / on the herbës colde; And hym besydë / she gan ek byholde his myghty stedë / walkyng her and ther. [his steed,] And she anon / fille in a maner fer, [ 2320] Speceally whan she saugħ the blood [and his blood.] [leaf 39] Sprad al the grene / aboute ther she stood. [2322. al] on Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. ther] where M. Di. L₂. she] he L₁. om. P.] ¶ But at the laste / she kaught hardynesse, And wommanly / gan her forto dresse [ 2324] [2324. gan] she gan Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. her] om. Ba. forto] to S.] Toward this knyght, havyng a manere drede And gret doute lest that he were dede. And of her willë / sothly this was chief, That she thoughte forto mak a prief [ 2328] [2328. forto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. prief Ar. E₂. preef Bo. M. Ad₁. preif L₂. prefe Lb. Ba.; Ar. has aprief.] how that it stood / of this man, ful ofte. [2329. of] with G.] And forth she gooth / and touchëd hym ful softe, [She touches him gently] Ther as he lay / with her hondes smale. [2331. Ther] Wher C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. And þer Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] And with a facë dedly / bleyk, and pale, [ 2332] lich as a man adawëd / in a swogħ, [2333. as] om. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. adawed in] dawed in E₁. adawed of Lb. that dawed of Ad₁. that dawith of Ad₂. I.] Vp he stert / and his swerd he drogħ, [He starts up,] [2334. Vp he stert] He vpsterte C. T₂. E₂. second he] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. drogh] out drowe Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Nat fully out / but put it vp ageyn̄ [2335. but] om. Bo.] Anon̄ as he hath the lady seyn̄, [ 2336] Beseching hir / only of her grace, To han pitè / vpon his trespace, And rewe on hym of her wommanhede. [and begs her to pity him.] For of affray / he was falle in drede [ 2340] [2340. of] om. Ra. Ba. fallen G. M. Di. C. T₂. Ba. falle Ar. Bo. and the rest. in a drede Ar. with a underdotted.] lest he hadde / assaylëd ben of newe [2341. had] om. M. Di. he hadde assayled ben] he hadde be assailed Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. E₂. assayled he hadd be Ba. he assayled hadde be C. of] om. L₂.] Of the thebans / preuëd ful vntrewe; [2342. preued M. proued Bo. Ad₁. proude and I.]

For dred of which he was so rekkëles, [2343. recheles M. Ad₁. rechles Bo.] Ful humblely / hym ȝelding to the pes, [ 2344] [2344. humblely Ar. Ap. humbely Ad₁. Di. T₂. humbly Bo. and the rest. hym ȝelding Ar. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. E₂. Ap. yeldyng him Bo. Du. G. and the rest. the] om. Ba.] Tryst in hym-silf / he passëd hadde his boundes. And whan that she saugħ his mortal woundes, [2346. that] om. Du.] She haddë routh / of verrey gentyllesse Of his desese / and of his distresse, [ 2348] [2348. and of] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. E₂. and for L₁. distresse] grete distresse Lb.] And bad he shulde / no-thing be dismayd, [She bids him not fear;] [2349. shulde Bo. Ad₁. shold M. no thing be Ar. G. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. Ap. be no þing Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. E₂. not be nothing C. dismayd] disamayed Ad₂.] Nor in herte sorouful nor affrayd, [2350. Nor . nor] Nor . ne Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ba. Nor . nother C. Ne . nor Lb. Ne . ne L₁. herte Ad₁. hert Bo. sorouful] ferful Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Disconfort hym in no maner thing. [leaf 39, back] "For I," quod she / "am doghter to the kyng, [ 2352] [she is the King's daughter;] Callyd lygurge / which gretly me delyte [2353. which Ar. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. þat Bo. and the rest.] Euery morowe / this gardyn to visyte; [2354. morowe] mornyng Lb. Ba. morwnyng Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. this] the Ra. Ba. to] forto Ad₁.] It is to me so passingly disport." [¶ How wom∣manly the lady acquyt hir to Tydeus in his desese.] [2355. so] om. P. passingly] passyng L₁. Ad₂. I. P.] "Wherfor," quod she / "beth of good comfort; [ 2356] [2356. beth] byth E₁. C. be S. be ye M. Di.] For no wight her / touchyng ȝour viage, Shal hynder ȝou / nor do ȝow no damage. [no one shall hurt him;] [2358. hynder] nat hynder Ra. Ba. nor] ne Bo. T₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. ȝow no] om. Ra. Ba. no] om. G.] And ȝif ȝe list / of al ȝour auenture The pleynë* trouth / vnto me discure, [ 2360] [2360. pleyne L₁. Ra. Ad₂. I. pleyn Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. vnto Ar. G. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ap. to Bo. and the rest.] I wil in sotħ / do my bysynesse [she will see him righted.] To reforme / ȝoure greuous hevynesse [2362. refourme Bo. reforme M. Ad₁.] with al my myght / and hool my dylygence; [2363. hool my Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. myn hool Bo. and the rest (my whole S.).] That I hope of ȝoure gret offence [ 2364] ȝe shal han helpe in ȝour aduersitè. [2365. shal Ar. Bo. Ra. E₁. shul M. Ad₁. C. aduersite] gret aduersite Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And, as ferforth / as it lith in me,

Trusteth right wel / ȝe shul no fautë fynde." [2367. shul Ar. M. Ad₁. shal Bo.] And whan he saugh / that she was so* kynde, [ 2368] [Tideus trusts her.] [2368. that] om. G. she] om. Du. so G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. om. Ar. Bo. and all the rest. that he was kynge E₁.] So wommanly / so goodly, and benygne [2369. so goodly] goodly Lb. benygne] so benigne Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.] In al her poort / be many dyuers signe, [2370. many] many a Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] He vnto hir / be ordre wold not spare [2371. wold] wol Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] his auenturis / fully to declare, [ 2372] [Tideus tells Lycurgus's daughter all his story.] In Thebës first touching his massage, And at* the hil / of the woodë* Rage, [2374. atte the hil G. L₂. at hill Ba. E₂. al the hil Ar. Bo. and all the rest, except þe hille L₁. all þe wholl S. (see Notes). wode Bo. M. wood Ar. Ad₁. of the woode] of all þe woode L₁. of the woodie E₂. of the worthy P. and the wood Ad₂. I.] Of his woundës / and his hurtës sore [2375. and his] and of his Bo. and E₁.] (It were but veyn / to reherce it mor) [ 2376] By and by he told her euery del, [¶ Hou Tydeus was refresshed in the castel of the lady.] The which in soth / she likëd neuere a del, But haddë routh and compassioun [2379. hadde M. had Bo. Di. Ad₁. routhe M. routh Bo. Ad₁.] Of his meschief / wroght be fals tresoun: [ 2380] Byddyng in hast / that he shuld hir swe, [leaf 40] [2381. Shewe Lb (: dewe).] And wommanly /, as her thoghte dwe, To a chambre / she ladde hym vp alofte, [She takes him to a soft bed,] Ful wel beseyn /, ther-in a bed right softe [ 2384] [2384. Ful wel beseyn] om. Ad₂. I. ther-in] where inne Ad₂. I. bed] bed was Ad₂. I. right] ful Ra. S.] Richëly abouten apparayled [2385. abouten] aboute Bo. L₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. L₂. Ap. Richely abought aparaylid for the nones P. (the last three words added with paler ink by later hand).] With cloth of gold /, al the floor yrayled [2386. of gold] om. C. yrayled Ar. G. C. T₂. E₂. Ap. L₂ (eraylid). arayed Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. S. E₁ (I-rayed). Du (raied). Ba (auarrayhed). trayled Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] [2386 omitted in P; the later hand has written in the margin: With Curtent & hangynge Of Arras golde and stonys.] Of the samë / both in length and brede. And first this lady / of her wommanhede, [ 2388] hir wymmen badde / as goodly as they kan, [2389. they Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. she Bo. and all the rest.] To be attendaunt on this wounded man. And whan he was vnarmëd to his sherte, [unarms him,] [2391. whan] om. Bo.]

She madë first wassh his woundës smerte, [ 2392] [washes and dresses his wounds,] [2392. wassh Bo. wasshe M. Ad₁. In Ar. a pause-bar after wassh.] And serche hem wel / with dyuers instrumentes, And madë* fette / sondry oynëmentes, [2394. made Bo. M. Ad₁. mad Ar. fette M. Ad₁. fett Bo.] And leches ek / the beste she koude fynde, [2395. leches] leche T₂. she] þat she Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C.] Ful craftëly to staunche hem / and to bynde. [ 2396] [2396. Ful] And ful Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. to staunche hem] to staunchen hem Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. did hem staunch Ra. Ba. to bynde] binde Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] [2396 omitted in P., but And caused theym his woundes to bynde written in the margin by later hand.] And euery thing / that may do hym ease Taswage his peyn / or his woo tapese, [2398. Taswage Ar. To aswage Di. L₂. to swage Bo. and the rest. tapese Ar. Bo. and all, except to apese S. P. L₂. to pese Ap. L₁. To swage his wo & peyne to pease L₁.] Was in the courte / and in* the Castel sought, [2399. courte] contre Ad₂. I. in the Castel] in om. Ar. Ba. Ap.] And by her byddyng / to his chambre brought [ 2400] [1987-2400 lost in Ro.] And for his sakë / she hath after sent For swicħ deyntees / as wern conuenyent, [gives him dainties,] Moost nutrityf / be phisikës lore, hem that wern syk / or wounded / to restore, [ 2404] [2404. hem] to hem Ad₁. Ad₂. I. wern Ar. were Bo. and the rest. to restore] sore T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Makyng her wymmen / ek to taken kep [and bids her women watch him.] And wayt on hym / anyghtës whan he slep, And be wel war / that no thing asterte That was or myght be / lusty to his herte. [ 2408] ¶ And with al this / she preiëd hym abyde [Tideus, tho askt to stop at Lycurgus's castle,] [2409. preied Ar. praide Bo. M. Ra. praid Ad₁. abyde] to abide Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.] Til he were strong / and myghty forto ride, In the castel to pley hym / and disporte, [leaf 40, back] And at leysere / hom ageyn resorte [ 2412] whan he myght bywelde hym at his large. [2413. bywelde] biwilde Di. S. beweldy Lb. welde Ba. at his] to his Bo. at Lb.] But al for nought / : he wil hom to Arge, [will go home to Argos.] Toke his lyeve on the nexte day, [2415. nexte Ad₁. nexste Di. next Bo.] With-out abood / to hast hym on his way, [ 2416] lowly thonkyng / vnto her goodnesse [2417. thonkyng] towchyng T₂. vnto] to P. hir of Ad₂. I. goodnesse] greet goodnesse M. Di. goodlynesse T₂. worthynesse Ro.]

Of her fredam / and bountëvous largesse, [2418. and] and of hir Bo. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. and her T₁. L₁. largesse] largenes L₁. and largenesse (sic) T₂.] So wommanly that hir list taken* hede [2419. tak Ar. Ad₁. take G. L₁. and the rest, except to take Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. (cp. 2311).] Hym to refressh in his grete nede, [ 2420] [2420. refressh (refresshe) Ar. and all.] Beheestyng hir / with al his fullë* myght, [2421. Beheestyng Ar. Ra. Behestyng Bo. Ba. Ap. By-hestyng G. Bihotyng T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Be-hetyng L₁. I. Besechyng L₂. Ro. ful (full) Ar. G. Bo. and all, except hol Ad₁. hoole Ad₂. I.] He woldë* be hir seruaunt / and hir knyght, Whyl he leueth, of what she wold hym charge. [2422 and 2423. wolde Bo. M. Ad₁. wold Ar. wyl G. and hir] and Ra. knyght] trew knyght M. Di. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂.] And forth he rood / til he cam to Arge [ 2424] [¶ Hou Tydeus repeyred hym to Arge al for∣woundyd.] In ful gret hast / and woldë nowher dwelle. But what shuld I rehercen owther telle [2426. what] wherto M. Di. owther Ar. Bo. other M. Ad₁. or more Ad₂. I.] Of his repeir / the coostës or the pleyns, [2427. his] þis Bo. or] oþer Ad₁.] The craggy Roches / or the hegh mounteyns, [ 2428] Or al the maner / of his hoom-com̄ynge, Of the metyng / or* the welcom̄ynge, [2430. or] nor Ar. G. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. or the] or of þe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂.] Nor the Ioyë / that Adrastus made, [2431. Nor] For Di. Ba. Ne L₁. Lb.] Nor how his sustre / and his wif were glade? [ 2432] [His wife clasps] [2432. Nor] Ne L₁. Lb. P. and] ne Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. E₁. T₂. P. nor Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. L₂. or Ra. Ba. E₂. were] was T₂. P.] Nor how that they /, wherto* shuld I write, [2433. Wherto] Wherfor Ar. write] it write Ba. In Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. the second halves of 2433 and 2434 are transposed, that of 2434 being tacked on to the former half of 2433 and vice versa.] Enbracëd hym / in her Armës white, [him in her arms.] Nor the gadryng / about hym / and the pres [2435. Nor] Ne Lb. P. hym] om. Bo. and] nor Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. T₂. L₂. ne E₁. P. or E₂. in Ra. Ba.] Nor of the sorowe / that Polymytës [ 2436] [Polyneices grieves to see him wounded.] [2436. of] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. sorowe] gret sorwe C.] Mad in hym-silf / to sen hym so forwounded,* [2437. so] om. S. P. E₂. L₂. forwounded] soor wounded Ar. G. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P. E₂. sor forwoundid L₂.] his greuous hurtes / his soorys / ek vnsounded, His dedly look / and his facë pale? (Of alle this / to gynne a newë tale [ 2440] It were in sotħ / a maner ydylnesse) [leaf 41]

Nor how hym-silf in ordre did expresse First how that he in Thebës hath hym born, Nor how the kyng / falsly was forsworn̄, [ 2444] [2444. Nor] And P. was] is Ad₁. om. Ad₂. I.] Nor of the awayt / nor tresoun that he sette, [2445. the awayt Ar. Bo. M. thawaite C. þe waite Di. await (om. the) Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] whan fyfty knyghtës / on the way hym mette, As ȝe han herd / al the manere howe, With-oute which / my tale is long ynowe. [ 2448] ¶ But Adrastus / madë* men to seche [Adrastus gets doctors] [2449. made Bo. Ad₁. maad Ar.] In euery Coost / for many diuerse leche, To come in hast / and make no tarying, Vpon a peyne / be biddyng of the kyng, [ 2452] To don her craft / that he wer recured And of his force / in euery part assured. And they echon / so her konnyng shewe [2455. konnyng] konnynges Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. E₁.] That, in space / of a daiës fewe, [ 2456] [who soon cure Tideus,] [2456. space] the space C. a daies fewe] dayes fewe T₁. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. (daies ạ fewe). Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. C. P. L₂. Ro.] He was al hool / maad of his siknesse. [2457. al hool] alhool Ar. hole T₁.] Tho was ther Ioye {punctel} and tho was ther gladnesse [to every one's delight.] [2458. and Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. om. Bo. and the rest. ther . ther] her . her . L₂. Ro.] Thorgh-out the courte / and thorgh-out al the toun. [2459. and thorgh-out] and thorgh M. Ad₁.] For euery man / hath swicħ opynyoun [ 2460] In Tydeus / for his gentyllesse, For his manhood and his lowlynesse, [2462. his manhood] manhod of him Ad₁. Ad₂. I. and his] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] That he was holde / the moste famous knyght [2463. moost Bo. most M. Ad₁. moste Du. Di. I.] And best byloued / in euery mannys sight [ 2464] Thorgh-oute grece / in euery Regioun. But now most I / make a digressioun, [But I must now turn to] [2466. Ar. has a second pause-bar after make. digressioun] disgressioun I.] To tellë shortly / as in Sentement, Of thilke knyght / that Tydeus hath sent [ 2468] [the knight whom Tideus sent to Thebes.] [2468. thilk Ad₁. thilke Bo.] Into Thebës / only to declare The grete meschief / and the euel fare [2470. gret Ad₁. grete Bo. 2471 in Ar. begins with In w Vnto, the first two underdotted.]

Vnto the kyng / how it is befalle, [leaf 41, back] [2471 in Ar. begins with In w Vnto, the first two underdotted.] The opyn trouth / of his knyghtës alle, [ 2472] how Tideus hath slayn hem euerychon̄, [Eteocles, on hearing that his 50 knights were slain,] That, sauf hym-silf / ther eskapëd non̄: which was reserued / from sheding* of his blood, [2475. which Ar. G. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. That Bo. and the rest. from (fro)] for Di. Ba. sheding] the sheding Ar. G.] The kyng to tellë pleynly how it stood. [ 2476] And whan he hadde rehersëd euery poynt, Ethiocles stood / in such disioynt [is nearly mad with rage.] [2478. stood] stood thanne Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Of hatful Irë that he wex nye wood. [2479. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₂. wex Ar. G. Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₂. Ro. waxe Bo. M. Du. Ad₁. E₁. S. C. T₂. L₂. wyxe Ap. waxte L₁. was T₁. nye] nere Ba. L₂. Ap.] And in his tene / and his fellë mood, [ 2480] [Eteocles] [2480. and] and in L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₂. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. L₂. Ro. felle Ar. Bo. M. fel Ad₁. ful Ra. felle] om. S.] Of cruel malys / to the knyght he spak, And felly seidë* / that it was for lak [says his knights were cowards,] [2482. seide Ad₁. Bo. seid Ar.] Only of manhood / thorgh her cowardys, That thei wern slayn / in so mortal wyse. [ 2484] [¶ How Ethiocles was asstonyed whan he herd þe deth of his knyghtes.] "And hangëd be he / highë* by the nekke [2485. be he] he be Ba. highe E₂. hye Bo. M. Ad₁. high Ar. highe] om. S. hanged] y-honged Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] That of ȝour deth / or of ȝour slaughter Rekke, [2486. of ȝour deth] your deth Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Or ȝou compleyn / outher* on or ałł, [2487. outhre Bo. other M. Di. othre Du. oythe Ar.] Of the meschief / that is ȝowe befałł. [ 2488] [2488. is ȝowe] is on you M. Di. now is L₁. befall] fall Lb.] I do no force / that non of ȝou asterte. [2489. that] though Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. though þat Ad₁. asterte] astart (: hert) S.] But fye vpon ȝour falsë* couard herte, [2490. fals coward Ar. M. Ad₁. fals cowarde Bo.] That on knyght hath, thorgh his hegh renoun, [to let one man kill 50 of em.] [2491. That] Tha Ar. on] of o with of underdotted Ad₁. of oo Ad₂. I. hath] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. hegh] om. Ra. E₂. renoun] resoun Ra.] Brought ȝow ałł into* confusioun, [ 2492] [2492. Brought] hath brought Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. into T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁ Ad₂. Ra. S. in Ar. G. E₁. P. E₂. Ap. to Bo. Lb. M. Di. I. L₂. Ro. vnto C.] Ful gracëles / and ful vnhappy to." "Nay," quod this knyght, "it is no-thing* so. [The survivor answers that] [2494. nothing] not Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.]

It is thyn vnhappe / pleynly, and not oures, [Eteocles him∣self] [2495. pleynly] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. pleynly and] and pleynly Ra.] That so many worthy werreoures, [ 2496] Which al her lif / neuer haddë shame, [2497. had Bo.] Except this quarel / taken in thy name, That grounded was / and rooted on falssenesse: [2499. on] in Bo. L₁. E₁. L₂. Ap. and rooted on] vpon Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] This was cause / in verray sikernesse, [ 2500] [was the cause of their mishap:] [2500. cause] the cause Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. sikernesse] sewernesse S. sothnesse C. P. E₂.] Of our vnhappe / I woot wel, and non other, [leaf 42] And the vntrouthë* / don vnto thy brother, [2502. vntrouth Ar. Bo.] And that thow were / so opynly forsworn̄: A parcel causë why that we wer lorn̄ [ 2504] [2504. A] And Lb. C. P. E₂. Ro. Ap. parcel] percell E₁. E₂. that] om. M. Di. lorn] forlorn Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. S. E₂. Ap.] was fals brekyng / of thyn assurëd oth." [he broke his oath.] And tho the kyng / almost mad for wroth, In purpoos was forto slee this knyght, Oonly for he seidë to hym right, [ 2508] [2508. to Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. vnto M. and the rest.] The which allas / both at eue and morowe, [This knight, in a fit of sorrow and despair,] [2509. in Ar. above which is written i. miles in smaller letters. both] om. M. Di.] Supprisëd was / with a dedly sorowe, Renewëd ay, in his remembraunce, With the pitous / and vnhappy chaunce [ 2512] [2512. pitous] poyntes G.] Of the meschief / and mysauenture, [2513. and] and the G. I.] Touching the deth / and disconfiture [2514. and] and the Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. E₁. S. P. of the I.] Of his feeres / and of hym-silf also: [2515. his] alle his Ad₁. Ad₂ I. feeres Ar. Bo. feers M. Ad₁. felowes S. second of om. S. Ro. silf] om. Du. Ad₂.] That the shamfast / in-portable wo [ 2516] [2516. importable Bo. M. Ad₁.] So frat on hym / with such a mortal stryf [2517. So] om. Ro. frat] frett L₁. M. Di. S. Sat Ro. was E₂. that L₂. on] om. M. Di. Ad₂. hym] om. Ad₂.] That he was wery / of his ownë lif; Hent a swerd / and a-sidë sterte, [drives a sword into his own heart.] [2519. Heut] He hent G. L₁. Ra. C. Hent he hath E₂. Thurgh the whiche he hent P. Toke he S. a-side] a-sid Ad₁. asiden L₁. om. P. sterte] a-sterte Di. a-start S.] And rove hym-silf euen to the herte, [ 2520] [2520. roue Bo. M. rof Ad₁. And the people nad be ta ryven thoruh (therewith I.) his herte Ad₂. I.]

¶ The kyng hym-silf / beyng tho present; [2521. beying Ar. beyng tho] tho being Ad₁. so beyng Ad₂. I.] That the rumour / and the noys is went [2522. The] om. L₁. rumour] Iniurye I. is] om. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. it L₁. Ra.] Thorgh-outë Thebës / of* the woodë* rage, [2523. Thorgh∣oute] Thorgh C. P. E₂. Thrugh-oute all E₁. of] and Ar. G. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. Ap. wode Bo. M. Ad₁. wood Ar.] Be swich as werën* / Ioynëd by lynage [ 2524] [The friends of the dead knights] [2524. wern Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] To the knyghtës / slayën* at the hille; [2525. slayen] slayn(e) all the MSS.] That ałł atonys / of oon herte and wille, They wold han rysë / thorgh-out the Citè, [want to take vengeance on Eteocles,] [2527. ryse Ar. G. Ap. C. rysen Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. E₁. resen Ra. arisen E₂. thorgh-out] thorugh M. Di. P. thrugh-oute all E₁.] Vpon the kyng / avengëd forto be, [ 2528] [2528. forto] to haue Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Which of her deth / was chief occasioun. But the barouns / and lordës of the toun [but the lords] [2530. lordes] þe lordes Bo. T₁. Lb. M. I. E₁. S. C.] Ful busy wern / this Rumour to dysesse, [leaf 42, back] [2531. besy Bo. M. Ad₁. discese Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of high prudence / to stynten and appese, [ 2532] [quiet them.] In quyete / euery thyng to sette. And after that the bodyes hom they fette [The corpses] [2534. the bodyes hom they] home þe bodies they M. Di.] Of the knyghtës / lik as ȝe han herde, [2535. herde] redde Ad₂. I.] Aforn yslawë / with the blody swerde [ 2536] [2536. yslawe Ar. G. Bo. Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ap. eslaw L₂. slawe T₁. M. Di. slayn C. yslayne P. E₂.] Of Tydeus / ful sharpë whet and grounde. [2537. sharpe Ar. Du. Lb. P. sharp Bo. G. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. C. E₂. L₂. Ro. whet] whittid Ra.; S has I whett full sharp and grounde.] And in the felde / so as they hem founde, [2538. so] om. Lb. Ad₂. I.] Only of loue / and affeccioun, [2539. and] and of L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. C. P. E₂. L₂.] Solem̄pnëly* they broght hem into toun. [ 2540] [are brought to Thebes,] [2540. Solempnely Lb. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. E₁. E₂. L₂. Ap. solennely Ad₂. solempnly G. Bo. Du. M. L₁ (solempnye). Solemply Ar. T₁. S. C. P. Ro. into] into þe Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. S. C. L₂. to the Lb. Ad₂. I. E₁. P. E₂.] And, lik the maner / of her rytis olde, [2541. lik] lik to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. her] the M. Di. C. L₂. rytes M. rightes Bo. right L₂.] They weren first brent / into Asshes colde, [burnt,] [2542. were Bo. M. Ad₁.] Euerich buryed / lich to his degrè. [and buried.] [2543. Euerich] And euerich Ad₁. Ad₂. I. And eche one E₂. Euery man Lb. buryed] I-buryed E₁. E₂.]

Lo her kalendys / of aduersitè, [ 2544] [Ruin is to fall on king and realm,] [2544. kalendys] þe kalendes Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. P. E₂. is þe kalendes L₁.] Sorowe vpon sorowe / and destruccioun, First of the kyng / and ałł the Regyoun; [2546. and] and after Lb. all] om. Bo. of S. Ro. the] his L₁.] For lak oonly / lik as I ȝow tolde, That biheestës / trewly wern not holde: [ 2548] [as troth was not kept.] [2548. were Bo. M. Ad₁.] þe Firste grounde / and Roote of this Ruyne, [2549. þe] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.; in Ar. þe is written before the line. first Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra.] As the story / shal clerly determyne, And my tale / her-after shal ȝow lere, ȝif that ȝow list / the remenaunt for to here. [ 2552] [2552. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. C.]

¶ Explicit Secunda pars

Joħ Lydgate

¶ Incipit pars Tercia

¶ Tercia Pars. [leaf 43]

OCruel Mars / ful of malencolye, [ 2553] [Why, Mars,] And of thy kynde hoot / combust, and drye, [2554. thy] om. Bo. G. C. þe L₁.] (As the sperkles* / shewën fro so ferre, [2555. spercles Bo. T₁. Du. E₁. S. sparkles M. Ad₁. and the rest, except sperkes Ar. G. I. fro so ferre] from the fire Ra.] By the stremës / of þⁱ redë sterre, [ 2556] [2556. þi Ar. G. thy L₂. Ro. Ap. the Bo. and the rest.] In thy spere / as it aboute gotħ) [2557. thy] þe L₁. Ad₁. I. Ra. L₂.] what was causë / that thow were so wrotħ [were you so wroth with men of Thebes,] [2558. cause] þe cause Di. L₂. Ro. that] om. Ra. P. L₂. Ro.] with hem of Thebës? / thorgh whoos feruent Ire The Citè brent and was sette a-fyre, [ 2560] [whose city was] [2560. The] Te Ar. brent and was] was brent and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. brent was and Lb. E₂. a-fyre] on fyre Du. L₁. Lb. Ra. E₂. L₂.] As bookës oldë / wel rehercë konne, Of Cruel hatë / rooted and begvnne, [burnt thru hate,] And engendred /, the story maketh mynde, Oonly of blood / corrupt and vnkynde, [ 2564] Bynfeccioun / callëd Orygynal, [from Original Sin?] [2565. Bynfeccioun] By enfeccion Du. Bo (enfencioun). M. T₁. Ad₁.] Causyng a strif / dredful and mortal, Of which the meschief / thorgh al grecë Ran. And kyng Adrastus / alderfirst began, [ 2568] [King Adrastus resolves to con∣quer Thebes.] which hath hym cast / a conquest for to make [2569. Which] That Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. hath] om. L₁. forto] to M. Di.] vpon Thebës / for polymytës sake, In knyghtly wisë / ther to preve his myght, [2571. his] her Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ther S.] Of ful entent / to recure his right. [ 2572] [2572. recure] rekouere Du.] And first of al he sette a parlement, [He calls a parliament]

And hath his lettres / and massagerës sent Thorgh-outë Grece / to many sondry kyngges, [of kings,] [2575. Thorgh-oute] Thorugh Bo. Di. C. P. E₂. Grece] alle Grece Ad₂. I. to] vnto Ad₁. Ad₂. I. many] many a Ra. kyngges] kyng Ra. kyngges in Ar. was first written kynggs, then e put above the line between g and s, with the usual mark of insertion (two converging strokes) under the line.] hem to enhast / and makë no lettyngges. [ 2576] And rounde about /, as maad is mencioun, he sent also / to many Regyoun [2578. to] into Ad₁. Ad₂. I. many Ar. Bo. T₁. M. E₁. Ro. Ap. many a Du. L₁. Di. and the rest.] For Pryncës / Dukës / lordys, and barouns, [dukes, lords, etc.] To taken vp / in Citees and in touns, [ 2580] [2490-2580 lost in Ba.] And chesen out / the moste liklyest, [2581. chesen Ar. G. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. chese Di. S. L₂. Ro. to chesen C. E₂. to chese P. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. most Ar. G. M. Ad₁. moost Bo. moste Du. Ra. Ba. liklyest] semblyeste Ro.] And swich as werën* / preuëd for the best [2582. swich] which G. weren T₁. Lb. I. wern Ar. G. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. woryn Ra. were Bo. and the rest. preued] proued Bo. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. C.] As of manhode / and sende* hem vp ecħon, [leaf 43, back] [2583. As] And Ad₁. Ad₂. I. sende E₁. S. C. P. E₂. send Ad₂. I. savde Ar (seems to be altered from saide). sande Bo. Du. G. sonde Di. soude T₁. M. sovde Lb. sowde L₂. Ap. sowede Ro. sonded Ad₁. sowdid Ra. Ba. wage L₁. hem] om. Ad₂. I.] And in her honde / receyve her pay anon, [ 2584] [All are to go to Thebes with Adrastus.] with Adrastus to Thebës forto ryde. And tho lordës / that with hym abyde [¶ The grete pur∣ueaunce of kyng Adrastus touard Thebes.] [2586. And] And how L₁. tho Ar. G. C. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. þe Bo. and the rest.] In houshold stillë / han her levë take, To ryden hom / her retenue to make [ 2588] [The court-lords go home for] In ther contrees / as they wern of degrè, [2589. ther Ar. Ro. þeir Bo. their T₁. Du. Ba. E₁. L₂. Ap. the Ra. P. her M. and the rest.] To stuffen hem / and taken vp meynè [2590. stuffen] sustene C. P. E₂. and] and to Ra. Ba. S. C. to L₁. M. Di. E₁. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. taken Ar. Ad₂. I. Ap. make S. take Bo. and the rest. meyne] money Ba.] And make hem stronge / with knyghtës and squyers, [men and arms,] with sperës / bowës / and with ablasters, [ 2592] [2592. second with] om. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. P. E₂. ablasters Ar. Bo. arblasters Ad₁. Ra. Ro. alblastyrs Ap. arblastreres Lb. Ad₂. Ba. arblastres E₁. S. arwblasters M. arowblasters C. Ar has a bar also between with and speres.] In al the hast possible / that they may, And to retourne / in their best aray, [2594. to] om. Di. Ba. retourne Ar. Bo. and all. their Ar. Ba. S. L₂. Ap. Ro (ther). her Bo. and the rest.] At termë sette, ful manly to be seyn, [to muster soon] [2595. At] At the Lb.]

To-forn Argë / mostren in a pleyn. [ 2596] [at Argos.] [2596. mostren Ar. Du. Ad₁. moostre M. moustren E₁. mustren T₁. mustre Ra. monstren Bo. mostren] to mvster L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. L₂. Ro. in] on Ra. Ba. P. L₂. Ro. a] þe L₂. Ro.] ¶ And as I rede / ful worthy of degrè [The kings who come are Pro∣tonolope,] Thider cam first / protonolopë, [2598. protonolope] Prothonolope Bo. Lb. M. Ad₁. C. Ap. Prothonolphe L₁. partonolope P. protholonope I. Protholope Du. drothonolope S.] The which was, be recorde of wryting, [2599. whiche Bo. M. which Ar. Ad₁.] Of Archada / sonë to the kyng. [ 2600] [2600. Archada Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Archadye M. Ad₁. Archedie L₂. Archade Ra. E₂. to] vnto Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. P. E₂.] ¶ And ful prudent found in werre and pees Ther came also / the kyng Cylmythenës. [Cilmithenes,] [2602. Cylmythenes Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. Cylmythenees Ro. Sylmythenes L₂. Clymythines L₁. Cilmychenes C. Ap. Gilmichenes E₂. P. Cilmynthees Lb. Cylmytheus G. Thilmythenes Ra. Thillmethenes Ba.] ¶ And as I fynde / ful famous of renoun Thyder cam ek / the kyng ypemedoun. [ 2604] [Ipomedon,] [2604. ypemedoun Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Ypomedoun Lb. M. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. Ipomodoun Di. Epymedon Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. Epimidoun L₁. Opimodon Ra. Opymodoun Ba. of Epemedoun I.] ¶ And passing ałł / of knyghthode and of name, And excellyng / by worthynesse of fame, The noble kyng / callyd Campaneus, [Capaneus,] [2607. Campaneus] Capaneus Ad₁. of Capaneus Ad₂. I. Camphaneus Ra.] kam ek to Argë / the story telleth vs, [ 2608] [2608. vs] þus G. C.] Prouëd ful wel / and haddë ryden ferre. [2609. Proued Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Preued Ap. Provyn L₂. Provided L₁. and] om. M. had Bo. M. Ad₁. hadde] hath T₁. and hadde ryden ferre] in many a degre Ra. in many agree Ba.] ¶ And thider kam the kyng Melleager, [Meleager, etc.] [2610. And] om. Ra. Ba. kam] come eke M. Di. Ra. Ba. C. Melleager] Melliager Lb. Melleagerre Du. Melliacher P. Mclergerr L₂. Melliagre Ra. Melliogree Ba.] ¶ Kyng Genor ek / that helde his Royal sete, [2611. Genor] tenor Ra. Ba. Gover L₂. Ro. sete] Cite Ra. Ba. se C. E₂.] Myn Autour seiþ / in the lond of Crete; [ 2612] [2612. seiþ] telleth Lb. Crete] grete T₁. Ra. Ba. grece P. E₂.] ¶ Kyng Laëris and the kyng Pyrrus*, [leaf 44] [2613. Laeris Ar. G. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. E₁. L₂. Layerys Bo. Layeres Ro. laerus Ra. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. Laierus Ba. layers Ap. loeris C. E₂. loers P. lacris Lb. Pyrrus] of Pyrrus Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. pernonne P (altered, on erasure).] And ek the kyng / callëd Tortolanus. [¶ The kyngges and princes that cam with Adrastus.] [2614. called] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Tortolanus] Tortalanus Ad₂. Tortolonus E₂. tortolomus C. Tortolonyus Ro. Tortelows L₂. Tartalonne P.] And renomed in many regyoun [2615. renomed] wel renomed M. Di. many] many a Du. L₁. Lb. P. E₂.]

Ther cam the kyng / ynamëd palemoun, [ 2616] [2616. Ther] Thider L₁. Ro. ynamed] named Lb. C. I-callid L₁. ecallid L₂. called M. Di. Ad₂. I. E₂. Ro. palemoun] Palamon Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. L₂. Polemon E₁. Palemeoun G.] Oft assayed / and found a manly knyght, [2617. assayed Ar. T₁. M. Ad₁. E₁. assaid Bo. G. Du. L₁. Ra. Ap. found] I-found E₁.] That with hym broght / in steel y-armëd* bright, [2618. y-armed] armed Ar. Bo. and the rest.] Ful many worthy / out of his cuntrè. ¶ And Tideus / most knyghtly forto se, [ 2620] [Tideus sends] That manly man / that noble werreyour, As he that was / of worthynessë flour, [2622. flour] þe flour Du. I.] Maister and myrour / by prouesse of his hond, hath sent also into the myghty lond [ 2624] [2624. into] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of Calcedoyne / of whicħ he was hayr, [into Chalcedon] [2625. Calcedoyne] Calcydoyne Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. Calcydoun L₂. Calcidonye I. Ro. Calydonye E₁. of which] wherof E₁.] That is a kyngdam / bothë* riche and fayr, [2626. kyngdom Bo. M. Ad₁. bothe Bo. M. C. both Ar. Ra. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Chargyng his counsale / and officers also, [2627. counseile Bo.] In al the hast / that it may be do, [ 2628] [2628. haste Bo. hast M. Ad₁.] To seken out / the beste werreyours, [for its best warriors] [2629. seken] seke S. L₂. beste Lb. Ap. best Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. worthy Di. werriours Bo. werriouris T₁. warreiours Ra.] Of famous knyghtes / and preuëd sawdyours, [2630. preued Ar. T₁. Du. P. Ap. proude Ba. best L₂. Ro. proued Bo. and the rest. sawdyours Ar. E₁. Ap. soudeours Bo. M. Ad₁.] Thorgh al the lond / and layde on hem this charge [2631. al] om. C. this] þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] With-oute aboode / forto come to arge. [ 2632] [to come to Argos.] And they obeye / ful* lowly his biddyng, [2633. obeye Ar. Bo. and the rest, except obeyd L₁. Ra. Ba. P. obeied Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ful] shal Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. E₁. S. all Ra. Ba. om. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. lowly] om. M. Di. E₁. Ar. has a second pause-bar after shal.] Enhastyng hem / and madë* no lettyng, [2634. mad Ar. make M. Di. L₂. made Bo. and the rest.] But spedde hem fast / vppon her iournè. [2635. fast Bo. M. Ad₁.] And fro Thebës / the myghty strong Citè, [ 2636] [From Thebes come many] [2636. myghty strong] stronge and myȝty Di.] kam doune knyghtes / with many another man, Maugrè the kyng / to helpë* what they Can, [2638. helpe M. Ad₁. help Ar. Bo.] Considred first / his falshed and tresoun, Ymeued only / of trouth and of resoun, [ 2640]

¶ Polymytës / as they were sworn̄ of ȝore, [to help Poly∣neices,] [2641. they] om. Bo.] To his Croune / Iustly to restore: [2642. crowne Bo. M. Ad₁. to] hym M. Di. E₂. hym to C.] And whan they weren at large out of the toun̄, [leaf 44, back] Vnto Argë / they be descendid doun̄, [ 2644] [2644. Vnto Ar. G. C. P. E₂. And to L₂. Ro. Into Bo. and the rest.] And, lik her oth* / and her assuraunce, [2645. lik] om. Bo. oth] hoth Ar. and her] and T₁.] As they wern bounde / only of lygeaunce, [as they are bound by oath to do.] [2646. bounde Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. boundyn L₂.] To hym they Cam / in ful lowly wise, [2647. Cam] cause M. Di.] Redy to don̄ / what hym list devise. [ 2648] [2648. Redy] godely C. Lowly E₂. what] that Ra. hym] it M. Di. list] om. S. hym list] he wold L₂. Ro. devise] to devise T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. E₁. S.] And whan he hadde / her trouthë* ful conceyued, [2649. hadde] hath Ad₁. Ad₂. I. trouthe T₁. M. trouth Ar. Bo. Ad₁. ful] wel Bo. L₂. Ro. fully Du. L₁. M. Di. C.] He hath to gracë / goodly hem receyued, [2650. goodly hem] hem goodly Ad₁. Ad₂. I. them godly S.] Assignyng hem / her place mydde the hoste, Assembled ther / from many diuerse coste: [ 2652] That fynaly / in this companye [In Adrastus's army is the flower of the Chivalry of Greece.] [2653. fynaly] fully M. Di. this] his L₂. Ro.] ygadred was / the floure of Chyvalrye [2654. ygadred] Ther gadred L₂. Ro. gaderd C. M.] Ychosen out of al grekës lond [2655. Ychosen] Ichose Lb. Chosen T₁. C. Ichosen was Ra. al] the Lb.] The most knyghtly / and manful of her hond: [ 2656] [2656. manful] manly M. Di.] That I trowë, sith the world began, Ther was not seyn / so many manly man, So wel horsëd / with sper and witħ sheld, [2659. with sper] and with spere Ad₁. Ad₂. I. second with om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba.] To-gydre assembled / sothly, in a feld. [ 2660] Ther men may see many straungë guyses [2661. may] might Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. E₂. mowe Lb. men may] myhte men Ra. Ba. gyses Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of Armyng newe / and vncouth devyses, [2662. of Armyng newe] or armoure new Du.] Euery man / after his fantasye; That ȝif I shuld / in ordre specifie [ 2664] [To tell you all their new and quaint arms] Euery pes / longyng to armure, And ther-vpon / do my bysy cure, It wer in soth / almost a dayës werk; [would be a day's work,]

And the termës also ben to derk, [ 2668] [2668. also ben] ben also Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. E₁. bethe also P. to] so L₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₂. Ro.] To reherce hem clerly and to Ryme: [2669. clerly] pleynly Ro. and to] into Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] I passe ouer / only for lak of tyme. [so I leave it alone.] And telle I wil / forth of her loggyng, How Adrastus / the noble worthy kyng, [ 2672] [Adrastus gives] [2485-2672. lost in T₂.] Hath euery lord / lik to his degrè, [leaf 45] [2673. euery] euery worthi Ra. lik] logged lik Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Receyuëd wel / with-Innen his Cytè: [every one good lodging,] [2674. with-Innen Ar. G. Ap. withynne T₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. T₂. with-in Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. in-to L₁. his] the Ra. C. T₂. P. E₂.] And ther they haddë / lik to her plesaunce, Of what nedeth / fulsom habundaunce, [ 2676] [2676. what] what that Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. what theim Ba. S. fulsom] fwll S.] For man and hors / plentè of Vitaylle; [and food for man and horse.] Comaundyng / that no thyng ne faylle [2678. that] there that Ad₁. Ad₂. I. that ther Ra. Ba. ne] ther S. om. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P.] That alle thise noble worthy werreoures, [2679. noble] om. P. worthy] om. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂.] Both high and lougħ and poorë* soudeoures, [ 2680] [2680. poure M. pore Du. poor Ar. poer Bo. pour Ad₁.] Iseruëd weren of that they haddë nede. [2681. Iserued] Serued M. Di. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] For Adrastus / prudently took hede, [¶ What vayleth a kyng to payen his puple trewly her sowde.] Ful lik a kyng / touching her termë-day, That thei to-forn / wer seruëd of her pay. [ 2684] [2684. wer serued] serued wern M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] He was so free / hym list no thyng restreyn̄; And no man haddë causë to compleyn̄ [No one could complain.] [2686. hadde cause Ar. Ad₁. had cause Bo. cause had M.] For hunger / thrust / nor for Indygence. [2687. thurst Bo. M. Ad₁.] And in a prince / it is ful gret offence, [ 2688] [It's a great reproach to a prince to be full] As clerkës seyn / and a gret repreef, Suffre his puple / lyven at mescheef. [2690. Suffre] To suffer L₁. S. P. E₂. Ro. lyuen] liue E₂. Ro. L₂ (lyf). to lyven L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. to lyue M. Di. S. P. at] in I. L₂. in a S.] It is ful hevy / and greuous in her thoght Ȝif he habound / and they han right noght. [ 2692] [and leave his folk empty.] he may not both / possedë good and herte, He to be riche / and Seen his puple smerte.

He may the body / of power wel constreyne, [2695. power] pore Ad₁. poore Ad₂. I. E₁. poor Ra. poer Ba. the power L₁. povert S. He may wel þe body of pore c. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. He may the poore body well c. Lb. wel] om. Ro.] But her hertë / hath a ful long Reyne, [ 2696] [2696. herte Ad₁. hert Bo. M.] Maugrè his myght / to louen at her large. [2697. louen] lyven Ad₂. I. her] their L₂. there Ro. om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂.] Ther may no kyng / on hertës sette a charge, Nor hem coarten* / from her lybertè. [2699. Nor] Ne Lb. E₂. L₂. Ro. Nere P. coarten Bo (by correction; the a is quite different from the usual form). Ba. C. T₂. E₂. Ap. coarte P. Ro. coart L₂. coharten Ra. coherten Ar. Ad₂. coerten G. cohercen T₁. Du. Lb. Ad₁. I. E₁. coercen M. Di. coverten L₁. to bynd S. from] for L₁.] Men seyn ful oftë / how that thouht is fre. [ 2700] [Thought is free.] For which eche princë / lord / and gouernour, [2701. For which] Wherfore M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. Wher Ad₂. I. eche] eche one S. euery Lb. lord] om. C.] And specialy euery Conquerour, Lat hym be war / for al his hegh noblesse, [leaf 45, back] [2703. hegh Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. om. Bo. and the rest.] That bountè, Fredom / plentè, and largesse, [ 2704] [Let kings be liberal,] Be on accord / that they his brydel lede, [2705. on Ar. oon Bo. M. Ra. one E₁. T₂. Ap. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. in Ar., between his and brydel, is written plei, but this is both crossed through and underdotted.] Lest of his puple / whan he hath most nede, [or his people 'll fail him.] He be defrauded /; whan he is but allone, Than is to latë forto make his mone. [ 2708] [2708. is] is it Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. it is T₁. Ba. T₂. his] om. Ad₂. I.] But in his courte / lat hym first devise [He must banish stinginess;] To exile scarshed and couetise; [2710. scarshed] scarste L₁. Ad₁. scarsete Ad₂. I. scarstye Ro. scarnesse C. and] and eke M. and foule Di. and fals Ra. Ba.] Than is he likly / with fredam ȝif he gynne, [¶ Hou Loue Vayleþ mor a kyng than gold or gret richesse.] [2711. is he] he is Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. is E₂. likly] like Di. gynne] begynne Ad₂. I. S. P.] loue of his puple / euermore to wynne, [ 2712] To regnë long in honure, and contune [then he'll win his people's love,] [2713. and] to P. L₂. Ro. contune] continue Bo. Du. Ra. Ba. T₂. contunew S. contenu Ap.] Ay to encresse / be fauour of fortune, [2714 Ay] As T₁. euer C. of] and Bo. Du. Ad₂. I. Ra. or Lb.] [2714 om. in G.] And his ennemyes manly to oppresse. For loue is mor / than gold or gret richesse; [ 2716] [which is more than gold.] Gold faileth oftë / louë* wol abyde [2717. loue] gold Ar. and loue Du. but love P. E₂.]

For lyf or deth / be a lordys syde; And the tresour / shortly, of a kyng [2719. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Stondeth in loue / abouen* allë* thyng. [ 2720] [2720. aboven alle] aboue al (all, alle) Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS.] Farwel lordshipe / bothë* morowe and Eve [2721. bothe M. Ra. boþe T₁. both Ar. Bo. bothe at Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Specially / whan louë taketh his leve! And who so list / a merour forto make Of kyngly fredam / lat hym ensample take [ 2724] Of Adrastus / the manly kyng famous, [King Adrastus was so generous that his folk lovd him;] So liberal and so bountevous Vnto his puple / at al tymës found: Whicħ mad hym strong / his foomen to confound; [ 2728] And loue only / his enmyes to werreye, Alle grecë made his bidding to obeye, [and all Greece was ready to join him in war against Thebes.] Of oon accord / knyghtly be his side, Al attones / to Thebës forto ryde, [ 2732] For tavengë / sith they were so strong, [leaf 46] [2733. For tavenge Ar. G. Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. C. E₂. For to avenge Du. L₁. Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I. P. L₂. For to venge Ap. For the avenge T₂.] The gret Iniurye / and the inportable wrong [2734. second the om. Di. C. E₂. Ro. Ap.] Don to his sone / and his next allye, [2735. Don to] Vnto C. T₂. P. E₂. sone] sone Polymytes Ap. and] and to Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. allye] om. Ba.] As ȝe to-forn / han herd me specifie. [ 2736] But whilë* Grekës / rest a whil in pees, [2737. But] om. Ro. whil Ar. while Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. E₁. C. T₂. Ro. Ap. whiles L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. P. E₂. L₂. whils Ra. rest a whil] areste a whyle E₁. a while rest T₂. rest a time E₂. in P. 2737, as the bottom line of leaf 44 back, reads But whiles Grekes reste a while in pece; it is inadvertently repeated as top line of leaf 45 front, in a slightly altered shape: But whyle that Grekes reste a whyle in pese.] I will resort / vnto* Ethiocles: [In Thebes, Eteocles] [2738. resort] ayen resorte T₂. me resort Ad₂. I. vnto] to Ar. E₁. L₂. Ap.] which* in Thebës warly hath espied, [2739. which in] with Inne Ar. G. E₁. with in Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. The whiche in Lb.] Be his frendes / as he was certefied, [ 2740] Of the Grekys / hooly the ordinaunce, Her purpoos ek / and her purueaunce, And therof had in herte a manere drede. And first he took his counsayle and his rede [ 2744] [takes counsel of his lords]

Of the lordis / and barons / of the toun, [2745. the] his L₂. lordis Ar. lordes Bo. and the rest. barons] of þe barouns Bo. T₁. Du. M. E₁. þe Barons Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S.] And of the wisest / of his Regioun, [2746. his] þis Bo. the Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ro.] How he myghte maken resistence, [as to his defence.] Manfully / to stonden / at diffence, [ 2748] To be so strong / that ther wer no doute. [2749. so] om. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. wer] be Di. Ap.] And in the contrees / adiacent aboute, [¶ How Ethiocles made hym strong ageyn þe comyng of þe Grekes.] And ek also in foreyn Regiouns, He hath withhold / ałł the Champiouns; [ 2752] [2752. He] om. Ro. withhold Ar. withholde Bo. M. Ad₁.] And ther-vpon / he sent out his espies [He sends to his friends,] [2753. sent] sende Lb. his] om. Bo. espies] spies Ra.] And his frendës and his next allies And alle the worthy / dwellyng enviroun, Ȝong / fressh / and lusty / he gadred into toun; [ 2756] [2756. ȝong fressh and lusty] younge lustie and fresh Ba. into] to Lb. P. E₂. toun] the toun L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ap.] Maskowede his wallys / and his heghë* tours, [masks his walls, and mans em with soldiers.] [2757. Maskowede Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. Ro. Mascewyd I. E₂. Mascawed P. Maskowes Ap. Mannyd L₂. his] om. L₁. hye Bo. M. Ad₁. hegh Ar. heghe] om. E₂.] And stuffëd hem / with manly sowdëours. [2758. manly] many Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. Ap. (cp. 2759).] Round aboute / he settë many Gonnys, Grete and smale / and somë large as tonnys; [ 2760] [Eteocles] [2760. some Ar. som Bo. and some] om. T₁. as] at Bo.] And, in his hasty / passing feruent hete, He spent his tresour / and gaf giftës grete [gives great gifts to knights] Vnto knyghtes / and worthy men of name; [leaf 46, back] And ouermorë* / to encres his fame, [ 2764] [2764. ouermore M. Ad₁. C. T₂. G. ouermor Ar. euer more Bo. and the rest.] he ȝaf to lordes / Iuellis many-fold, [and lords,] [2765. Iuellis Ar. T₁. Lb. iewelis T₂. iowellis L₂. Ro (Iowewelles). Iuels Bo. Du. Ad₁. Iewels M. Iuellis] yeftes C.] Clothës of Veluet / of Damask, and of gold, To gete hym hertës / sothly, as I rede, To helpe hym now in his grete nede. [ 2768] [to help him.] [2768. his] this Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra.] And prudently purveiëd / hym to-forn̄ [He lays in store of flesh and fish,] [2769. hym] om. Bo.] Of flessh and fissħ / and of wyn and corn̄. [2770. and of] and M. Di.]

Sette his Capteyns / erly / and ek late [2771. capiteyns Bo. M. Ad₁. erly and ek] boþe erly and Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] with ful gret stuf strong at euery gate. [ 2772] And mad also be werkmen / that were trewe, [2773. werkmen M. werke men Bo. workmen Ad₁.] Barbykans / and bulwerkës newe, [and builds new bulwarks.] [2774. bulwerkes Bo. bolewerkes M. bolwerkes Ad₁.] Barreris / cheynys / and dichës wonder depe; [2775. Barreris S. Barrers T₁. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. Barreyrs Ro. Berrers T₂. Berrours L₂. Barres Bo. E₁. Barrys Ap.] Makyng his Vouħ the Citè forto kepe [ 2776] [2776. vowe Bo. M. vov Ad₁.] Whil he lyueþ / despit of ałł his foon. [2777. all] om. M. Di.] And by his goddys of metal and of ston̄, Ful ofte he swoor / both of herte and thouht, [He swears that] That it shal first / ful derë* be abouht, [ 2780] [2780. dere M. Ad₁. der Ar. Bo. ful dere be] be full dere Ba. P. be Ra. C. ben Ba. M. Ad₁. abouht Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Ad₁. I. E₁. y-bought Lb. M. Di. T₂. E₂. Ap. bought L₁. and the rest.] And many a man with pollex, swerd, and knyff [many shall die] [2781. pollax Bo. M. Ad₁.] To-for this toune / shal first lese his liff, [2782. lese] leue Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And ther shal ek / many sydës blede, Or his brother pessibly possede [ 2784] [before his brother shall win Thebes.] [2784. Or] Or that C. T₂. P. E₂. For G. pesibly Bo. Ad₁. Ra. peisibly M. pesible G. possibly E₂. Ap. Ba. possede] shal possede L₁.] The toune in pees / licħ as Grekës wene. [2785. Grekes] þe grekes G.] But at the ende / the trouthë* shal be sene, [2786. trouthe M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo.] lat hym be war and wel to-forn provyde! For Adrastus / on that other side, [ 2788] [Adrastus] For his party was not necligent, [2789. party] parte E₁. Ba. necligent] negligent Bo. T₁. Du. M. Ad₂. S. C. T₂. E₂.] But on a day / helde a parlement, [holds a parlia∣ment.] [2790. helde] he held Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. a] his E₂. parlement] parlyamente E₁. P.] Ałł his lordës sittyng enviroun, To dryvë shortly / a pleyn conclusioun [ 2792] And vp tapoynt / the fyn of ther entent. [leaf 47] [2793. vp] vpon S. tapoynt Ar. Bo. M. to appoynte Du. Di. thapoint Ad₁. E₁. the appoynt Ad₂. I. the point Ra. þe poynt S.] But som̄ë thoughte / ful expedient, Or they procede / to wirkë* be thavice [2795. wirke Bo. wirk Ar. werke M. Ad₁. thavys M. Ad₁. þe avice Bo.]

Of on that was ful prudent and right wyce [ 2796] [It is thought best to go by the advice of the wise old bishop,] [2796. ful] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. right S. right] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. ful Ro. wys Bo. M. Ad₁.] And circumspecte / in his werkës alle, A worthy bisshop / into agë falle, And Callëd was, sothly / by his name Amphiorax / of whom the grete fame [ 2800] [Amphiorax.] Thorgh al the londe / bothen est and south, [¶ How the bys∣shope Amphiorax was sent for to come to þe Grekes.] [2801. londe] landes E₂. bothen Ar. Bo. Du. bothe T₁. M. Ad₁. both L₁.] Amongës* Grekës / passingly was koutħ; [2802. Among Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Grekes] the Grekes E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. passingly] passyng L₁. S. P. passingly was] was passingly Ad₁. was passyng L₁. S.; in Ad₂. and I. 2802 reads Most wytty callid / in euery mannys mouth.] A man, in soth / of olde antiquytè And most acceptid of auctoritè, [ 2804] First be resoun of his higħ estat And ek for he was so fortunat [2806. Ar. has a pause-bar after was.] In his werkes, and was also secrè [He knew the secrets of the Gods,] [2807. and] om. C. P. was also] also was C. secre] secret L₂. Ro. P. S.] with the goddys, knowyng her pryvetè: [ 2808] [2808. pryvete] pryvet L₂.] By graunt of whom / as bookës specifye, He hadde a spirit / of trewë prophecye, And cowde aforn ful opynly dyvyne [and could tell how things should end.] Thynggës begonnë / how they shuldë* fyne, [ 2812] [2812. shulde Bo. sholde Ad₁. shuld Ar. shold M.] And eke, be craft / of Calculacioun, Ȝiue* a dome / of euery questioun; [2814. yeue Bo. M. Ad₁. ȝif Ar. ȝef G. dome] iudgment S.] And hadde in magik / grete experience, And fyndë cowde / be heuenly influence [ 2816] [2816. cowde] he coude Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And by mevyng / of þe heghë* sterrys, [2817. mevyng] meanyng E₁. þe] om. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁ S. hegh Ar. hie M. Ad₁. om. Bo.] A fynal doome of Contek and of Werrys; And wistë* wel, as his goddys tolde, [He knew that if the Greeks went to war,] [2819. wist Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. his] om. Bo. þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. here Di.] that, ȝif Grekës / forth her iournè holde, [ 2820] [2820. Grekes] the Grekes G. P. Grekes forth her iourne] the iournay forth by Grekes Ad₁. the iornee forth off the Grekes Ad₂. I.] It turnë* shuldë* platly /, this no fage, [2821. turne Bo. torne M. Ad₁. turn Ar. shulde Bo. sholde Ad₁. shuld Ar. shold M. this Ar. M. þis is Bo. Di.]

To gret meschief / and to gret damage [2822. To gret] In-to Ad₁. I. Vn-to the Ad₂. and to] and Ad₁. Ad₂. of I.] Of hem ychon̄ /; and in especial [leaf 47, back] The moste parte / of the blood Royal [ 2824] [¶ The proph[e]cie of Amphiorax.] [2824. moste M. moost Bo. Ad₁. parte Ar. Bo. Du. M. Ba. E₁. P. Ap. part T₁. L₁. Lb. Ra. S. C. T₂. L₂. Ro. partie Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. blood E₂. of] right of E₂.] Thorgh al Grece, it may not be withdrawe, [most of its Kings would be slain,] In this viagë shortly shal be slawe; And ȝif hym-silf / with the Grekës wente, [2827. ȝif hym-silf with] of him why E₂. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. P.] Who that euer wepte hym / or bymente, [ 2828] [2828. wepte] bewepte P.] This was the fyn / and may nat be socoured, Of the erth / he shuldë* be deuoured, [and he himself devourd alive.] [2830. erth Ar. Bo. erthe M. Ad₁. shulde Bo. sholde Ad₁. shuld Ar. shold M.] Quyk as he was, he knewe it in certeyn̄. And for he saugh ther was non oþer geyn̄ [ 2832] [2832. he saugh] þe soothe Lb.] To saue his lif / nor no* bet diffence, [To save his life, he hides himself,] [2833. saue] haue T₁. no] to Ar. G. bet] better Ra. Ba. S. L₂. Ro.] Than vttrely withdrawën his presence; [2834. vttrely] Covertly P (on erasure, apparently written by the same hand as the text). withdrawen] to withdrawen Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Ra. E₁. to withdrawe T₁. M. Di. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂.] ¶ Preying his wiff / for hym to provide, [and asks his wife to keep him secret.] Ȝif he wer sought / that she wold hym hide, [ 2836] And wommanly / for to kepe hym cloos, And of trouth concelen his purpoos; [2838. concelen Ar. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. conseleyn G. councelen E₁. S. consele L₂. counseilen Bo. conseylyn Ap. conceyle Ro. conceling Ba. C. T₂. councelyng L₁. P. conceiling E₂.] For al his trust / touchyng his greuaunce, was fully sette / in hir purvyance. [ 2840] I hope to god / that he thar not drede [2841. that] om. Bo. he] the Ra. him Ba. om. Du. that] that S. there E₂. ther-of Lb. nede E₁. dar T₁. L₁. M. Di. I. C. L₂. dare T₂. P. Ap.] Of no deceyt / in hir wommanhede. [2842. no] om. Lb.] She was so trewe / as wommen ben ecħon, [2843. echon] euerychon Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁.] And also cloos / and mwët as a ston̄, [ 2844] [2844. mwet altered from muet Ar. mwet Du. mewet Bo. muyt M. Ad₁.] That she ne wold / as the matier stood, [At first, she does so,] [2845. matier] mille E₂.] Discurën hym / for no worldly good. [2846. Discuren] Diskevir L₂. Ro. Disceyven Ad₂. Dyscry S. no worldly] al the wordles Ad₁. alle the worldis Ad₂. I.]

¶ But fynaly / the Grekës, of entent, In al his drede / han* for this bisshop sent; [ 2848] [2848. his] this Ad₂. I. S. Ad₁ (t underdotted). her L₂. han Bo. M. Ad₁. G. hath Ar. this Ar. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. E₂. þe Bo. G. and the rest.] Thogħ it was long / er they myght hym fynde, [2849. was] were Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] For cause his wif / was to hym so kynde, That ful seurly / hath lokkëd vp his cors. But for she hadde a maner of remors [ 2852] In hir-silf / grevyng* her conscience, [leaf 48] [2853. grevyng] gervyng Ar.] Dreding to falle / in ful grete offence, [¶ How the wif of Amphiorax of conscience to saue her hoth discured her husbond.] [2854. falle Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. fal Du.] Lest her soulë / were in peryl lorn̄, whan she be oth* / compellëd was and sworn̄; [ 2856] [2856. oth] hoth Ar.] They requeryng / ȝif she coudë telle [but on being put to her oath,] [2857. They] there E₁. requeryng] required Bo. P. requyryng her L₁. coude] wolde P.] wher her lord the bisshop shuldë* dwelle: [2858. shuld Ar. Bo. shold M. Ad₁.] Which to discure / hir herte was ful lotħ, Til tyme she gan / remembren on her otħ*, [ 2860] [2860. her] the M. Di. hoth Ar.] And coude a trouth / of Custom not denye And hadde also gret conscience to lye, [2862. hadde] om. Bo. she had Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. had sche S. gret] om. M. Di. a grete Ad₂. I. as gret S. to] for to Ro.] Wonder hevy / with a sorowful face, [she sadly tells them where Amphiorax is,] Maugrè hir lust / taught hem* to the place [ 2864] [2864. hem] hym Ar.] wher as he was / shet vp in a toure, [in a tower.] [2865. wher as] Wher þat Di. shet Ra. shitte Bo. M. shut Ad₁.] Al alonë / havyng no socour. [2866. Al] om. Ba.] They falle on hym / or that he was war, [2867. falle] fell L₁. E₁. E₂. They falle on hym] Allas Amphimorax Ro. that] om. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. P. Ro. was] were Ad₂. I.] And sette hym vp / in a ful richë Char. [ 2868] [2868. And sette hym vp] Is take and sett Ro.] A fool he was / to Iupard his lif [Amphiorax was a fool to trust his secret to his wife.] [2869. fool] grete fool E₁. yeoparde E₁. E₂. Iupart Bo. iuparte M. T₂. iubarte P. iuparten Ad₁. C. iupertin S.] Forto discure his counsel to his wif; And ȝit she was ful sory for his sake, [2871. she was] was she M. Di.] Specially / whan she saugh hym take. [ 2872] Bot I hopë / that her hevynesse

Gan asswage ful sonë, by processe, [2874. asswage] taswage M. C. E₂. to aswage Di. to swage T₂. P.] In short tymë / whan that he was gon̄. [2875. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. he] she C. T₂.] Ther is no tempest / may last euere in on̄. [ 2876] [2876. tempest] tempest that T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. P. may last] last may Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. lastith Ra. Ba. euere] ay M.] ¶ But this bisshope / be verrey force and myght, [He was taken to the Greeks,] Vnto Grekes / conveyëd was ful right, [2878. Grekes] the Grekes T₁. Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. L₂. Ro.] This hoorë* gray / in his char syttyng. [2879. hoore Bo. hore Ad₁. hoor Ar. M. char] chair Ba.] And they ful gladë* / wern of his comyng, [ 2880] havyng a trust / and ful opynyoun [who hoped, by his advice,] That, thorgh cause and occasioun [2882. That] om. C. T₂. P. E₂. cause] þe cause L₁. T₂. E₂.] Of his wisdam / and his sapience [leaf 48, back] And by vertue / of his hegh presence, [ 2884] [2884. hegh] om. Ra. Ba. P. presence] prescience C. P. E₂. prudence Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] They shuld eschewe / al aduersitè [to avoid ad∣versity.] [2885. eschewe Ar. Bo. Ad₁. eschu M.] Possible to falle / as in her Iournè. [2886. falle Ar. Bo. Ad₁. fall M. fallen C.] And, as the story / fully hath devised, Ful circumspect / and riht wel avised, [ 2888] [2888. riht wel] a wele G.] he hath pronouncëd / in the Parlement, [But he told em∣plainly] To-forn the lordës / and the president, his Cleer conceyte / in verray sikernesse, Nat entrykëd with no doublenesse, [ 2892] [2892. entryked] entrikled Du.] her dysemol daiës / and her fatal houres, [of their coming disasters,] [2893. dysemol Ar. T₁. Du. disemoll L₁. S. dismoll Lb. dysmol M. Ad₁. dysmole E₁. C. T₂. L₂. dysmele Bo. dysemele Ro. disemale E₂.] Her auenturys / and her sharpë shoures, The froward soort / and the* vnhappy stoundys, [2895. soort] sortes Ap. sette P. and] of L₁. the] om. Ar. G. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. here Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] The compleyntës / of her dedly woundys, [ 2896] The wooful wrath / and the* contrarioustè [2897. the] om. Ar. G. L₂. Ap. contrariouste] contrariocite altered from contrariousites L₂. contrauersite Di. contrauerse E₁.] Of fellë Mars / in his crueltè, And howe, by mene / of his gery mood, [and how] [2899. gery M. Ad₁. gherv Bo.]

Ther shal be shadde / al the worthy blood [ 2900] [all the best blood of Greece would be shed.] [2900. Ther] The Ar.] Of the Grekes / it may not ben eschewed, If her purpoos be execute / and swed. [2902. execute] executed Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. swed] shewid L₁. served P.] "Ther is no morë / this shal be the fyn̄: The hegħ noblesse shal drawë to declyne [ 2904] [2901-2904 omitted in Du.] Of Grekës blood / in meschief, sorowe, and woo: And with al this / I my-silf also, [Amphiorax himself] As my fatë hath a-forn disposyd, Depe in the grounde / I shal be enclosed, [ 2908] And lokkëd vp / in the dirkë* vale [will be kild.] [2909. dirk Ar. derke Bo. Ad₁. derk M.] Of cruel deth." / lo! this was the tale That the bisshope / to Adrastus tolde, [He urges Adrastus not to fight Thebes,] Hym counsayllyng / his purpos to withholde, [ 2912] In eschuyng of mor meschief and sorowe. [leaf 49] For alle his goddis he took vnto borowe, [2914. vnto] to T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro.] Ȝif þe Thebans / and þe grekës mete, The fyn þerof shal be so vnswete [ 2916] [2916. so] ful Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. om. L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. vnswete] vnsette S (: mette).] Þat alle grece after shal it rewe; [for all Greece shall rue it.] warnyng hem / ȝif þei the meschief knewe That shal folowe / which no man may lette, [2919. which Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. om. Lb. þat Bo. and the rest.] Thei wold abstene / a siegë forto sette [ 2920] [2920. Thei] The Ar.] Vnto Thebës / and her purpoos leve. with whos wordes / the lordës gan hem greve, [The Argive lords abuse Amphiorax,] [2922. whos] whiche Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. gan] gonne M. Di. T₂. hem] om. M. Di.] And ther-Inne haddë* / but ful smal delit, [2923. hadde T₂. had Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. om. Di. but] om. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P. ful] om. Lb.] And euerechon̄ / of hertly hegħ despit, [ 2924] [2924. euerechon] eueriche Lb. P.] They abrayde / and seide he was vntrewe, A controover / of propheciës newe, [2926. A] And a G. P. E₂. Ro. And I. Ap. controover Ar. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. C. contreuer Di. T₂. P. E₂. contryver G. T₁. L₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. contrevor Lb. contrarye Ap.] And ek also / for al his longe berde, [2927. omitted in Ad₂. and I.; 2928 in Ad₁. and Ad₂. inserted after 2934, in I. omitted altogether (see Introduction).] [2927. ek also] also eke Ad₁. al] om. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. S. C. T₂. P.]

An olde Dotard / a coward, and aferde; [ 2928] [call him an old dotard,] And of Rancour / gonnë* to diffye [2929. gonne Di. Ad₁. C. P. E₂. Ro. gon M. T₂. gan Ar. Bo. and the rest. to] hym to Ad₂. hym I. diffye Di. T₂. defye Bo. M. Ad₁.] Both his kalkyng / and his astronomye, [2930. his] for his Ad₂. of his I. kalkyng] calkeling written on erasure with blacker ink Ad₁. calcling E₂. calculyng Lb. talkyng Ad₂. I.] And shortly seide / þei took therof non hede, [and say they'll not follow his advice,] Ne wil no-thyng / gouerne hem after his rede. [ 2932] [2932. no-thyng] in no thyng S. after] by C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] This was the clamour / and noyse, in euery cost, [2933. Ar. has coste with the final e crossed out with a vertical stroke.] Of hegh and lougħ / þorgh-out all the hoost, And specialy / of the sowdëours, [specially the] [2935. sowdeours] poure soudeours C. T₂. P. E₂.] And of lordës / regnyng in her flours, [ 2936] [2936. lordes] yong lordes S. regnyng Bo. reynyng M. Lb. her] om. E₁. hygh Ap.] And of thestates / effectuely, I mene, which of agë / were but tendre and grene, [young folk.] That han* not hadde / by martys Influence, [2939. ha Ar. Ap. haue Bo. M. han Ad₁. hathe P. by] of E₂. martys] Mertys L₁. Marces E₂.] Of the werrë / gret experience. [ 2940] [2940. werre] warres T₂. verrey L₁. very P. gret] ful gret Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] ¶ her, ȝif ȝe list / ȝe may considre and Se Of conceytes ful grete diuersytè, [2942. conceytes] coueiting C. T₂. P. E₂. ful] om. Lb. C. T₂. E₂. off P. diuersyte] aduersite Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. E₂. Ap.] How that ȝouth / no peril cast a-forn̄ [But Youth] [2943. How] And hou C. T₂. no] in Ra. cast] castith Ra. Ba. L₂.] [leaf 49, back] Til he by* meschief / sodeynly be lorn̄*, [ 2944] [is rash,] [2944. Til] to Du. he by (G. T₁. L₁. Lb.)] he Ar. by Bo. M. Di. he in C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. hie Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. þe E₁. S. lorn G. Bo. L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. forlorn T₁. born Ar. Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ap. beforn Ba.] Wher as age / provydeth / euery thing [2945. thinge with e underdotted in Ar.] Or he bygynne / to casten the endyng. ¶ ȝouth is gouernyd / be a largë Reyne [¶ How age and ȝouth ben of diuerse opynyons] To rennë forth, and can hym not reffreyn̄, [ 2948] [2948. renne Ar. T₁. M. ren Bo. Du. ronne Ba. S. sterte E₂. hym not] not him Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S.,] But of hede / set on al attonys, [runs its head against stones,] [2949. of hede] on hede Ra. Ba. P. set] settith Ra. Ba.] As he that hurtleth / ageynës hardë stonys [2950. hurtleth] hurtyllyth L₂. ageyne Bo. ayen M. ageyn Ad₁. hard altered to harde in Ar. harde] the harde T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. Ro.]

Broseth hym-silf / vnwarly and parbraketħ. [2951. Brosyth Ro. Bruseth Bo. Ad₁. Brisith M. Breseth P. vnwarly and] and vnwarly C. T₂. P. E₂.] But age experte / no thyng vndertaketħ [ 2952] But he to-forn̄ / be good discrecioun, [2953. be] of Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. as Lb.] Make a due examynacioun [2954. Make] makith Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. makyng S. due] full due T₂. dewe discrete Ro.] How it wil tourne / outher* to badde or good. [2955. oyther Ar. either Bo. M. other Ad₁. ouþer Di.] ¶ But ȝouth, as fast / as sterëd is the blood, [ 2956] [and rushes into enterprises that fail,] Taketh emprises of hasty wilfulnesse, [2957. emprises M. Ad₁. enprises Bo.] Ioye at the gynnyng / the ende is wrechednesse. [2958. at the Ar. at Bo. M. atte Ad₁. gynnyng] begenyng S. Begynnynge P.] ¶ The oldë, prudent / in al his gouernaunce, [while Age looks ahead.] Ful longe a-forn / maketh purueaunce; [ 2960] [2960. maketh] doth make Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] But ȝouth allas be counsail wil not wyrke, [2961. wirke Bo. Ad₁. Ra. werke M. Ad₂. I.] For which ful ofte / he stumbleth in the dyrke. [2962. oft altered to ofte in Ar. dirke Ad₁. derke Bo. M. And that makith him / full ofte to smerte Ad₂. I.] Thus selde is seyne / the trouthë* to termyne, [2963. trouthe M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. Bo. termyne] determyne Lb. P.] That age and ȝouthë* / drawë be o lyne. [ 2964] [2964. youthe Bo. M. Ad₁. ȝouth Ar. drawe Bo. Ad₁. draw M. drawen C.] And wher that foly hath domynacioun, Wisdam is putte / into subieccioun, lik as this bysshop /, with al his hegh prudence, [2967. this] þe L₁. I. S. P. L₂. Ro. his] this M. al his] full P. hegh] om. G. Ra. Ba. C.] For cause he myghte haue* / no audience, [ 2968] [2968. he] þat he Du. Ar. has a pause-bar also between myghte and ha. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar. Ap.] Ałł his wisdam / and his profecye [¶ How that wis∣dam wiþ-oute supportaoioun avayleþ lit or noȝt.] [2969. second his] om. Lb. Ra. Ba. S.] Of the Grekes / was holden* but folye. [2970. Of the Grekes] om. Ra. Ba. halden Ar. holden Bo. M. Ad₁. was holden] holden was Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. Was rekned ther but in (into Ba.) folye Ra. Ba.] For thogh Plato / and wisë Socrates, [2971. wise Ar. wys Bo. M. Ad₁.] Moral Senek / and Diogenes, [ 2972] Albumasar / and prudent Tholomee, [leaf 50] [2973. Albumasar Ar. Bo. M. Albimasar Ad₁. Albemosar P. Albimaser Ro. Albumager Ap. Tholomee] thelome C.] And Tullius / that haddë souereyntè [2974. hadde-Ad₁. had Bo. M.]

whylom in Rome / as of elloquence: Thogh ałł thise /, shortly in sentence, [ 2976] [What's the good of wise men's advice] were a-lyve / most konnyng and experte, And no man list / her counsel to aduerte, [if folk won't follow it?] Nor of her sawës / forto taken hede, [2979. forto] wold Ra. Ba.] What myght availle / and it cam to nede? [ 2980] [2980. What] whan Ra. myght] shuld it Ra. Ba. availle Ar. and all. and] if T₁. M. Di. Ra. whan Ba.] For wher prudence / can fyndë no socour And prouidencë / haueth no favour, [2982. prouidence] previdence Ra. Ba. prudence G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. haueth Ar. G. T₂. Ap. hath Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. L₂. Ro. haue M. Di. Ad₂. I. C. fyndith P.] Farewel wisdam / farwel discrecioun, For lakke only / of supportacioun. [ 2984] For vnsupported / with his lokkës hore, Amphiorax / sighën / gan ful sore [Amphiorax grieves that his advice is not taken.] With hede enclynyd / and many evyl thouht, [2987. and] with P. om. Ba. many] many an Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₂. evyl] heuy M. Di. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] whan that he sauħe his counsayl stood for nought. [ 2988] [2988. that] om. M. Di. P. L₂. Ro. he sauhe] om. Ra. Ba. stood] stonde Bo. Du. E₁. S.] For vttrely / the grekës, as I tolde, han fully cast / her Iournè for to holde, [2990. fully] ful Ad₁. Ad₂. I. for to] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. holde] iholde E₂.] Made hem redy / and gonnen to hosteye [The Argives and their allies start for Thebes] [2991. redy] ostry L₁. gonnen Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. E₁. C. T₂. gonne M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. gan L₁. gonnen hem Ap. gan hem Ad₂. I. goon Ba. to] forto P. E₂. hosteye] hostrye L₁. hastye Ad₂. I. hasty L₂. haste P.] Toward / Thebës / the Cytè to werreye; [ 2992] [2992. to] forto T₂. P. werreye] verreye L₁. werry L₂. werre (: hostee) Lb. waste P.] And in Grecë / wil no lenger tarye, And forth with hem / Amphiorax they carye, [with Amphiorax.] Sette in his Char / with a doolful herte, [2995. char T₁. M. Ad₁. chare Bo. Ra. C. T₂. chair Ba. doolful] dulfull Ra. woful Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba.] Whan he wist / he myghte not asterte [ 2996] Of his fate / the disposicioun. [2997. the] his Bo. Du. Lb. E₁. and T₁. om. P.] And hosteying / into the Regioun Of lygurgus / Grekës gan approcħe A sondy londe / with many Craggy roche. [ 3000] [They go thru a sandy desert,] [3000. many a Bo. M. Ad₁.]

But al the way, sothly, þat þei gon̄, [3001. þat] as M. Di. Ad₁. I.] For hors nor man / water was þer non̄: [3002. nor] om. Bo. ne T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. was þer] fond þei Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] So dryë* weren the valës and the pleynys. [leaf 50, back] [3003. drye Bo. M. Ad₁. dry Ar. vales] valeyes Bo. Ro. valeis C. L₂.] For al þat ȝeere / they hadden had no reynys [ 3004] [3004. had] om. M. Di.] But ful gret drouht / as mad is mencioun; And al the londe / Cerchyng enviroun [and find no water.] They nowther fondë / wellë nor* Ryver [¶ þe grete mes∣chief þat Grekes hadde for watere.] [3007. nowther Ar. neither Bo. Ad₁. Ra. ne M. fonde Ar. Bo. M. founde Ad₁. nor Ra. no Ar. ne Bo. Ad₁. neither M.] hem to refressh / nor water that was cler, [ 3008] [3008. nor Ar. M. ne Bo. Ad₁.] That they allas / no refut ne konne. [3009. That] But Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. refut] refuge L₁. ne konne] konne L₁. they ne konne Lb. fynde konne Ra. can fynd Ba (: son̄).] So inportable / was the shenë sonne, [3010. importable Bo. M. Ad₁.] So hoot on hem / in feldës wher they leye, [3011. in Ar., before leye, is written lay but crossed through.] That for meschief / man and hors gan deye, [ 3012] Gapyng ful drye / vpward into soutħ; [3013. into] into þe L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. in þe Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And som̄ë putten / her swerdës in her moutħ [Men suck their spear heads] [3014. some M. Ad₁. som Bo. om. S. putten Bo. M. Ad₁.] And sperys hedes /, in story as is told, [3015. is] it is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] Taswage her thirst / with the yren cold; [ 3016] [of cold iron.] [3016. thirst M. thurst Bo. Ad₁.; in Ar. colde with e underdotted.] [3016 om. in G.] And of his lif / ful many on̄ dispeyred [3017. ful] om. Bo.] In this meschief / and hom ageyn repeyred: [3018. hom] han Du.] Tyl on a day / worthy Tydeus, [Tideus and Ca∣paneus] And with hym ek the kyng Campaneus, [ 3020] Of purpoos rood / þorgh-oute the contrè [ride out to search for water.] ȝif they myght eny water See, [3022. ȝif] yf that C. miȝte Ad₁. might Bo. M. eny] ony where Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Fro Coost to cost / bothë* fer and ner; [3023. bothe M. Ad₁. both Ar. Bo.] Til of fortune / they entred an herber, [ 3024] [They enter a garden,] [3024. they] he Ad₂. I.] with treës Shadowed for the sonnë Shene, Ful of flourës* / and of herbës grene, [3026. floures Bo. M. Ad₁. flours Ar. floures and of erbes M. Di. E₂. herbes and of floures Ar. Bo. and the rest.] [3026. om. in Ap.]

Wonder hoolsom / both of syyt and ayr*; [3027. syyt Ar. siȝt Di. Ad₁. siht Ra. Ad₂. I. sight Bo. and the rest. ayr] hayr Ar. I. Ra. E₁. P.] Ther-Inne a lady / which passingly was fayr, [ 3028] [3028. which Ar. þat Bo. M. Ad₁. om. Lb. passingly] passyng G. L₁. Ad₂. I. S. passandli Ra. Ba. was] om. Lb. was and L₁. passingly was] was passyng Ad₂. I. S.] Sittyng as tho / vnder a laurer tre; [in which is a lady Ipsiphyle,] [3029. laurer] layry Bo. laury T₁. Du. M. laure Lb. E₁. E₂. laurell L₁. S.] And in her Armes / a litil child hadd she, Ful gracious / of loke and of visage, [with a child,] And was also / wondre tendre of age, [ 3032] Sone of the kyng / born forto succede, [3033. of] to G. L₁. vnto P. forto] to G. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂.] Callëd ligurgus / in story as I rede, [leaf 51] Whoos hertly Ioye / and worldly ek disport, [son of King Ly∣curgus.] [3035. hertly] herty S. hertes E₂. worldly] worthy Ad₂. I. om. Ra. Ba. ek] om. S. P.] Al his myrthë* / plesaunce, and confort [ 3036] [3036. myrth Ar. murthe Bo. merthe M. merth Ad₁.] Was in this child / of excellent fayrnesse. And this lady / Myrour of semlynesse, Al sodeynly as she cast vp her sight [The lady moves away.] And on his stedë / sauh an armëd knyght, [ 3040] Gretely abasshëd / gan anon̄ remwe. [¶ how Tideus compleyned to þe lady in the herber for water.] [3041. abasshed Bo. abaysshed M. baisshed C. anon remwe] renne a-weye faste Ad₂. I.] But Tideus after gan to swe [3042. swe] swe in haste Ad₂. I.] And seydë / "sustir / beth no-thyng dismayed,' [3043. sustre Bo. Ad₁. soster M. syster E₁. Ap. beth Ar. Du. Ad₁. bith Bo. M. C. be Di.] In ȝoure-silf displesëd nor affrayed! [ 3044] For we ar come / only to þis place [3045. ar Bo. M. arn Ad₁. come Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] ȝow to biseche / of mercy and of grace, Vs to socour / in oure grete nede, [3047. socour Ar. Ad₁. socoure Bo. M. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁.] Declaring ȝou how it stont in dede: [ 3048] [3048. ȝou] to you Ba. S. how] om. T₂. stont Ar. Ad₁. stant Bo. M. stondith Ad₂. I. L₂.] her faste by / almost / at the hand, [Tideus tells her what distress the Argives are in] [3049. fast Bo. M. Ad₁.] The worthiest of al Grekës land, [3050. al] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Grekes] grece S.] Kyngges, Prynces / be* loggëd in the feld, [3051. Kyngges Prynces] knyghtes and squyers Lb. be Bo. Ad₁. ben M. beth Ra. both Ba. ly Ar. G. logged] loggyng Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S.]

And many other / with pollex / speer and sheld, [ 3052] [3052. pollax Bo. M. Ad₁. polax L₁. L₂. speer] om. C. T₂. P. E₂. and] and with C. T₂. P. E₂. with pollex speer and sheld] with spere pollax and sheld Ad₁. Ad₂ I.] which in meschief / peryl, and gret dred, For want of water / ar likly to be ded. [for want of water,] [3054. want] faute Lb. ar] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. likly] like L₁. S. P. ar likly] likli been Ra.] For ther was non̄ / of hegh nor lowgh degrè [3055. before hegh in Ar. so is crossed through.] In ałł our host /, now passëd daiës thre, [ 3056] That drank allas / excepting non̄ estat; [3057. excepting Ar. P. L₂. Ap. I excepte E₂. except Bo. and the rest.] Our viage / is so infortunat: [3058. Ar. has a second pause-bar between is and so.] Preying ȝow / of wommanly pytè, Benygnëly* / and graciously to se [ 3060] [3060. Benygnely T₁. L₁. Ad₂. Ra. C. Benygnly Ar. Du. M. benyngly Bo. Benyngnely Ad₁. Benyngenely P. to] for to Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. E₁. S.] how of Grece ałł þe Chyualrye Of her lyuës / stont in Iupartie; [3062. stont] stonden C. stand Ad₂. I.] That ȝe wold / of wommanhedë telle [leaf 51, back] Ȝif ȝe knowë* Ryver / spryng, or welle, [ 3064] [and begs her to tell him where some is.] [3064. knowe] knewe Ar. G. L₁. Ra. S. Ap.] Specially / now in al oure Care, [3065. al] om. C. T₂.] Of gentillesse vnto vs declare. lo {punctel} her is alle / ȝif ȝe list to here, That I wol seyn / myn ownë suster dere." [ 3068] [¶ How the ladye taught Tydeus to the welle.] [3068. That] What Ra. om. Ba. I wol (wold G. L₂.)] we wol T₁. L₁. Ad₂. I. ye wol Bo. Du. Lb. Ad₁. E₁. S (wold). ye wil now M. Di. will ye Ra. Ba. owne] om. Bo.] And whan this lady / Inly vertuous, The conpleynt herde / of worthy Tydeus, [The Lady says] [3070. com∣pleynt Bo. M. Ad₁.] Of verrey pytè / chaungeth cher and hewe. [3071. verrey] womanly P. chaungeth] chaungid G. L₁. cher] hide L₁.] And in her herte / vpon her woo gan rewe, [ 3072] [3072. vpon] on Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. P. her] his P. E₂.] And ful goodly / seyng his distresse, Seyde vnto hym {punctel} in al his hevynesse, "Certës," quod she / "ȝif I were at large [that if it were not for the child] Touching this child / of whicħ I hauë charge, [ 3076] [3076. of which] of whom Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. which C. P. E₂. that T₂. charge] the charge Ap. in charge C. T₂. P. E₂.] I shuld in hast / of al that doth ȝow greve [3077. al] om. Du.]

To my pouer / helpen to releve, Only of routh / and compassioun, [3079. Only of routh] Of routhe only T₂. and] and of T₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. E₂.] And leue / al other / occupacioun, [ 3080] Conveyë* ȝowe / and be ȝoure trewë guyde [she'd guide them to a River near.] [3081. Conveye Bo. M. Ad₁. Convey Ar. trewe Bo. trew M. Ad₁.] To a Ryver / but lityl her be syde. [3082. but] but a Ra. Ba. a L₁. Di. Ad₂. I. P. om. Ad₁. T₂. lityl] om. T₂.] But I dar not / so moche me assure [3083. moche Bo. M. Ad₁. so moche me] me so moche Bo.] This litil child / to put in auenture. [ 3084] I am so ferdful / from it to departe. [3085. ferdful Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ba. L₂. ferful M. Ad₁. and the rest, except aferde P. it] him Ba.] But for ȝoure sakë / yet* I shal iuparte [3086. yet C. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. om. T₂. that Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. now Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. I] om. T₁. shal] om. E₁. I shal] shal I Bo. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. C. I will T₂. woll I Lb. iuparte] in parte E₁. do parte E₂.] My lif, my deth / of trewe affeccioun, To provyde / for ȝour sauacioun." [ 3088] Took the child / and laide it in her lappe, [The Lady lays the child] And richëly in clothës / gan it wrappe, And Couchëd it / among the herbës soote, [in the herbs,] [3091. herbes] leues G.] And leyde aboutë / many hoolsom roote [ 3092] [3092. leyde] om. Lb. aboute] aboute it L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. aboute him Ad₁. Ad₂. I. many Lb. M. Ad₁. Ba. C. T₂. many an Bo. T₁. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. P. E₂. L₂.] And flourës ek / bothë* blewe and rede. [leaf 52] [3093. omitted in P.] [3093. eke Bo. M. Ad₁. bothe Bo. M. Ad₁. both Ar.] And supprisëd / with a maner drede [3094. supprised] supprised it Ra. Ba. she suppressid P. maner] maner of E₂.] with Tideus / forth / anon̄ she wente, [3095. forth] om. S. forth anon] anoon forth Bo. Ad₂. I. Ba. wente] yede P (written on erasure, by later hand, which has also added in the right-hand margin And þ^t w^t a full good Entente, to rhyme with 3096).] As she in trouthë* / that no treson mente, [ 3096] [3096. As] And Ba. trouthe Bo. M. Ad₁. trouth Ar. that] om. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C.] And on hir way / woldë* neuere dwelle [3097. on] in M. Di. E₁. S. C. T₂. way Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. wolde] wold Ar. wolde she Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. dwelle] reste ne dwelle P.] Til she hym brouht / to a right faire welle [and takes Tideus to the River.] [3098. brouht Ar. Bo. M. broughte Ad₁. to] vnto P. right] om. L₁. P. a right faire] right a faire Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. T₂.] And ta Ryvere / of water ful habounde. [3099. ta Ar. to Ra. Ba. a Lb. to a Bo. and the other MSS. of water] om. Bo. ful] right Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C.]

But who was glad / and who was tho Iocounde [ 3100] [3100. But] And L₂. glad] tho glad S. and] om. Ra. was tho] was T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] But Tydeus / Seyng the Ryver! [3101. Seyng] seyng wel Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] which in al hast / sente his messager [He sends to Adrastus,] [3102. hast M. haste Bo. Ad₁.] To Adrastus / and bad hym nat abide, But doune descendë / to the Ryver-syde [ 3104] [3104. omitted in Ba.] with al his host / recur forto haue [and all the host run to the River.] [3105. Ost Ad₁. hoost Bo.] At this Ryver / her lyuës forto saue. [3105 and 3106 are in Ba. contracted into one line: With all his oste recure their lives to save.] And þei enhast hem / makyng non̄ abood, [3107. þei] this E₁. enhast] enhasted C. P. E₂. hasted T₂. in haste Ad₂. I. L₂. hem] om. Di. Ad₂. I. P. þer L₂. makyng] and made Ba. made P.] Ałł attonys / to the Ryver rood* [ 3108] [3108. to] vnto C. rood] bood Ar (the copyist having written abood, erased the a but forgot to alter the b into r).] Forto drynkë* /; þei hadde so gret lust [3109. drynke Bo. M. Ad₁. drynk Ar. lust (:3110. thrust) Ar. Du. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. lust (:thurst) Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. C. Ap. list (:thurst) Ad₁. lyst (:thirst) Ad₂. list (:thrist) I. lust (:fyrste) G.] Of appetit / forto staunche her thrust. [3110. Of] and C. forto] and forto Ra. Ba.] And som̄ë dronk / and fonde it did hem good; [Some drink sensibly;] And som̄ë wern / so feruent and so wood [ 3112] [some too violently,] [3112. Ar. has a pause-bar also between some and wern.] Vppon the water / that in sikernesse, Thorgh vndiscret / and hasty gredynesse, [3114. Thorgh] That throgh Ba.] Out of mesur / the watere so þei drynke That they fille ded / euene vpon the brynke; [ 3116] [and fall dead.] [3116. euene] om. Ra. Ba.] And som̄ë naked / into þe Ryvere ronne, [Some bathe.] Only for hete / of the somer sonne, To bathen hem /, the water was so cold; [3119. bathen hem] bathem for L₁. bathen hem ther Ad₂. I. the] þat Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. water] om. Ad₂. so] om. T₁.] And som̄e also / as I haue* ȝow told, [ 3120] [3120. some] sure Ad₂. I. ha Ar. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. (also 3123). ȝow] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] I menë tho that prudent wern and wise, [3121. mene M. Ad₁. meen Bo.] The water drank / in mesurable wyse, That of þe thrust / they haue* to-forn endured [leaf 52, back] [3123. thurst Bo. M. thrust Du. Di. Ad₁.] They were refresshëd / fully and recured. [ 3124] And Grekës than / of hegh and lowe degrè, [The Argives pitch their tents]

For higħ profit / and gret commoditè, Compas the Ryuere / cristalyn of sighte, [on the river∣bank.] Of oon accorde / they her tentys pyhte [ 3128] [3128. they her] þere her Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. ther S. ther is T₂. pyhte (pight T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. T₂.)] were pight Bo. have they pight S.] To rest hem ther / in relees of her peyne, Only the space / of a day or tweyne. And whylys Grekes / vpon the Ryuer lay, [3131. whiles M. Ad₁. whils Bo. whan Ra. Ba.] This Tydeus / vpon the same day [ 3132] Ful knyghtly / hath don his diligence, This ȝonge lady / with gret reverence, To Adrastus / goodly to presente: [Adrastus] At whoos com̄yng / þe kyng hym-silvë wente [ 3136] [3136. hym-silve Ar. him-silf Bo. him-self M. Ad₁.] Ageynës* hir / she fallyng doun̄ on knees, [3137. Ageyns Ar. Bo. M. Ayeyns Ad₁] Ałł thestatës present and degrees [and his lords] [3138. thestates Bo. M. Ad₁.; Ar. has a pause-bar before present.] Of Grekës lond /, absent was nat on̄; And in his Armës / took hir vp anon̄, [ 3140] Thanking hir / of her bysynesse, [thank the lady, Ipsiphyle,] [3141. of] and of Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. her] her gret M. Di. Ra. Ba.] Of hir labour / and her kyndënesse, [3142. Of hir] And of hir Du. and] and of M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P.] [3142. om. G.] Behotyng hir / lik as he was holde, [3143. Behotyng] Behetyng L₁. Behytyng L₂. Beseching Ba.] If eny thyng pleynly that she wolde [ 3144] That he may don / she shuld it redy fynde. [3145. shuld] shal Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba.] And Grekës ałł /, the story maketh mynde, Of thestatys / beyng tho present, [3147. þestates Bo. M. Ad₁.] Thankëd hir / with al her hool entent, [ 3148] For refresshyng / don to many Grek; [3149. refresshyng Ar. G. C. T₂. P. L₂. Ap. þe refresshing Bo. and the rest (fresshing E₂). many Ar. G. T₂. L₂. Ap. many a Bo. and the rest.] And for her part / they biheght her ek, [and promise that they'll do anything for her she tells them to do.] [3150. part M. Ad₁. Ra. parte Bo. partie Ba. S. behight Bo. M. Ad₁. hiht Ra. they biheght] behightynge P.] With her body / and goodës bothë* two, [3151. bothe M. Ad₁. both Ar. Bo.] What her list / comaunde hem forto do, [ 3152] [3152. comaunde hem] hem comande Ad₁. S. hem] om. Du. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. forto] to Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. om. Ad₁.]

To be redy platly / and nat faille. [leaf 53] And her myn autour / makeþ rehersaille That þis lady / so faire vpon to se, [3155. so faire vpon] full faire on Ba.] Of whom þe namë was Isyphilè, [ 3156] [Ipsiphyle says she had] [3156. Isyphile] Isophilee E₂.] To Adrastus told /, as ȝe may rede, Lynealy / the stok / of her kynrede, Whilom how she / a kyngges doghter was: Rehersyng hym / hooly al the cas, [ 3160] [3160. hym] to him C. T₂. E₂. to her P. hooly al the] al the hole C. T₂. P. E₂. holly þe trew S.] First why þat she / out of her contrè wente, [to leave her land because she wouldn't agree to join other women] [3161. why] how C. T₂. P. E₂. that] om. C. Ba.] Shortly for she woldë* not assente [3162. wolde Bo. wold Ar. M. Ad₁.] To execute / a conspiracioun, Mad by the wymmen / of that Regioun, [ 3164] [3164. the] om. Du.] A thyng contrayr / and ageyn al right, [3165. contrayr Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Lb. M. Di. E₂. Ap. contrarie Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. L₂. and] om. E₂.] That eche of hem / vpon a certeyn nyght, Be on accord / shal warly taken kepe, [3167. on] om. Ra. shal warly] warly shal Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. T₂. warli shuld Ra. Ba. warly] verraly Du. veryly P. taken Ar. takyn Ap. take Bo. G. and the rest.] Fader / brother / and husbond in her slepe, [ 3168] [in killing all the men,] [3168. husbond Ar. S. L₂. husbondes G. Bo. and all the other MSS. in her] while þei Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] With knyvës sharpe / and rasourës* kene [3169. rasours Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. rasoures L₁.] Kytt her throtës / in that mortal tene; [3170. kitte Bo. M. Ad₁. kutte C.] Vnto this fyn /, as bochas tellë can, In al that londe / be not founde a man̄, [ 3172] [3172. al] om. M. Di. founde] lefte T₁.] But slayn echon / to þis conclusioun That wymmen / myght han domynacioun [so that women might rule.] [3174. domynacioun] þe domynacyon Ad₁.] In þat kyngdam / to regne at libertè [3175. in Ar. before In, is A crossed through.] And on no partie / Interrupted be. [ 3176] [3176. on] in Lb. C. partie] parties E₂. parte Ra.] But for þis lady / passing debonayre, [Ipsiphyle] To þis mordre / was froward and contrayre, [3178. mordre] matere E₂. was froward and] frowarde was and M. Di.] Kept her fader / þat he was not slawe [saved her father,] But fro þe deth / preseruëd and wiþdrawe, [ 3180]

For which, allas! / she fleddë þe contrè, [fled,] [3181. fledde Bo. fled M. Ad₁.] And of a pyrat / taken in the see, [was captured,] To kyng lygurgus / brouht In al her drede. [leaf 53, back] And for her trouþ / and her wommanhede [ 3184] [taken to Ly∣curgus, and had charge of his boy.] [3184. trouthe M. Ad₁. trouþ Ar. Bo. and] and for L₁. Ad₂. her] om. Bo. wommanhede T₁. M. Ad₁. wymman∣hede Bo.] To hir he took / his ȝonge child to kepe, [3185. To] T Ar. yong Bo. M. yonge Ad₁. child] sone M. Di.] which in the herber / allon̄ë* she left slepe [3186. Which in] That in T₂. Withynne Ra. Ba. therber T₁. M. C. the herber Bo. Ad₁. Ra. allone Bo. M. Ad₁. allon Ar. she] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. left] lete L₂. allone she left] she left allone C. T₂. P. E₂. slepe] aslepe L₁. Ad₂. I. S. Ap. to slepe G. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂.] whan Tydeus / she broghte to the welle. [3187. brought Bo. Ad₁.] And by Iason / somë bookis telle [ 3188] [¶ Iason.] [3188. som bokes Bo. M. Ad₁.] That this lady / haddë sonës two, whan that he / and hercules also Toward Colchos / by hir contrè Cam For tacomplyssħ / þe conquest of the Ram. [ 3192] [¶ Hercules. ¶ ysyphyle.] [3192. tacomplissh Bo. M. Ad₁.] But who that lyst / by and by to se [If you want to see Ipsiphyle's story,] [3193. to] for to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁.] The story hool / of this* ysyphylè, [3194. of Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. of þis Bo. and the rest.] Hir fadres name / of which also I wante*, [3195. wante] wente Ar. E₁. S. wont T₁. Lb. write E₂.] Thouħ somë seyn / he namëd was Thoante, [ 3196] [3196. som Bo. M. Ad₁. som Men I. P. Thoante] Thorite E₂.] And somë bokës · vermes ek hym* calle: [3197. vermes] Vermos E₂. L₂. Vormes P. Sermes Ad₂. I. hym] hem Ar.] But to knowe / þe auenturës alle Of þis lady · Isyphilè the faire, So seithful ay / and inly debonayre, [ 3200] Lok on the book / that Ioħn Bochas made [look in Boc∣caccio's Book of Illustrious Women.] Whilom of wommen / with rethorikës glade, And directe / be ful souereyn style [3203. ful] om. Ra. Ba.] To fayrë* Ianë / the queen of Cecile. [ 3204] [3204. faire Bo. M. Ad₁. fayr Ar. Iane] Iħan Ba. the] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. Vnto Jane the fayr quene of Cecile T₂.] Rede ther the rubrich / of ysiphylè, [3205. Rede] Redeth P. rubrich Ar. G. S. Ap. Rubrik C. T₂. E₂. Rebrike P. rubrissh Bo. and the rest.]

Of her trouth / and her hegh bountè, [3206. trouthe Bo. and Ar. G. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. L₂. Ap. and of Bo. and the rest. hegh] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. T₂. P. E₂.] Ful craftily conpilëd for her sake. [3207. compiled Bo.] And whan that she haþ her lieuë take [ 3208] [She is taken back to the] [3208. that] om. S. haþ her lieue] her leve hath E₂. P.] Of Adrastus /, homward in her weye Tydeus gan hyr to conveye, [3010-3210 lost in Ro.] [3210. gan] gan godely M. Di.] To* the gardyne / til* she is repeyred. [garden by Tideus,] [3211. To] Til Ar. G. Lb. Ba. gardeyn Bo. M. Ad₁. til] to Ar. G. that Ba.] But now, allas! my mater disespeyred [ 3212] [3212. is despeyred G. is dispayred Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. dispeired Ad₁. S. ys disapayred L₁. disespeyred Ar. Bo. and the rest.] Of alle Ioye / and of alle* welfulnesse, [leaf 54] [3213. second alle] om. Ar. G. L₂. Ro. Ap. welfulnesse Ar. G. T₁. Ad₁. Ra. C. L₂. Ro. Ap. wilfulnesse Bo. and the rest (in P. wilfulnesse has been erased, and replaced by gladnesse by a later hand).] And destitut / of myrth and alle gladnesse, [3214. of myrth] of all myrth L₁. E₂. and alle] and of all Lb. and of M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. C. and Ad₁. L₂. Ro. And restitute of all hevynesse P (the last word written by later hand, on erasure).] For now of woo / gynnë þe sharpë shoures. [3215. gynnen Bo. M. Ad₁. gynneth Di. beginne E₂.] For this lady / fond among the floures [ 3216] [and finds Lycur∣gus's boy dead,] [3216. fond] found L₁. Lb. E₁. T₂. P. L₂. Ro. hath founde E₂.] her litil child / turnëd vp þe face, [¶ How þe child was slayn wiþ the Serpent.] [3217. litil] om. S. þe] his Ba. the fight (sic) T₂.] Slayn of a serpent / in þe seluë place, [3218. þe selue Ar. Ap. the selfe L₁. Di. I. E₁. P. E₂. Ap. the self Bo. G. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. C. T₂. the same Ba. S. L₂. Ro.] hyr tailë* burlyd / with skalis siluer-shene. [poisond by a serpent.] [3219. hyr] hy Ar. His Ro. Ap. taile Bo. M. Ad₁. tail Ar. burlyd] burled vp. P. Curlyde Ro.] The Venym / was so persyng and so kene, [ 3220] So perilous ek / the mortal violence Causëd allas! / thorgh her long absence: She was to slouħ / homward forto hie. But now can she / but wepe, wayle, and crye; [ 3224] [3224. now] nought L₂ can] gane Ro. wepe wayle and crye] waile wepe and crye M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. C. P. wayle] om. L₂.] Now can she nouht / but sighen and compleyn̄ [3225. Now can she nouht] But nov she can nought Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Now can she L₁. Nought can she L₂. Nowe can P. but] om. Ap. sighen] wayle L₂.] And wofully wryng her handys tweyn̄, Dedly of look / pal of face and chere; [3227. face] hir face S.] And gan to rende / her giltë* tresses clere, [ 3228] [Ipsiphyle tears her hair,] [3228. gilt Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. gylty P. clere] of here S.]

And oftë sitħ she gan to seyn, "allas! [3229. sith] sithes Ba. sythis L₂. she] om. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. she gan to] gan she Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] O wooful wrech / vnhappy in this cas, What shal I don / or whider may I tourne? [3231. may Ar. L₂ Ap. shal Bo. and the rest. tourne] gone P (:soiorne).] For þis the fyn / ȝif I her* soiourne, [ 3232] [3232. om. in Ba.] [3232. þis] þis is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. Ra. S. P. L₂. Ro. the] om. Ra. her] ther Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. E₁. ȝif I her] of my S.] I woot right wel / I may it not eskape [3233. right] it M. Di. P. Ro. it] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. not] no Bo.] The pitous fatë / þat is for me shape. Socour is non / nor ther may be non red, [says she must die, as, by her neglect,] [3235. is] is there M. Di. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. nor] ner Bo. Du. Ra. Ba. S. P. ne T₁. M. Di. C. T₂. E₂. nother Lb. for Ro. ther] om. E₂. may be] is T₁. none other E₂. red] drede T₁.; Ar. has rede with the final e underdotted.] lich my desert / but that I mot be ded; [ 3236] [3236. that] om. L₂. Ro. mot] mvtt Ap. most L₁. C. Ro. must Ba. S. P. L₂.] For thorhe my slouth / and my neclygence [3237. slouthe M. Ad₁. slouth Bo. necligence Ra. negligence Bo. M. Ad₁.] I haue, allas! don so gret offence [3238. so] to C. T₂. P. E₂.] That my gilt /, I may it nat excuse, [3239. Ar. has a second pause-bar after it.] Shal to the kyng / of treson me accuse. [ 3240] Thorgh my defaute / and slouthë* bothë* two, [3241. slouthe M. Ad₁. slouth Ar. Bo. bothe M. Ad₁. both Ar. Bo.] His sone is ded / and his heir also, [Lycurgus's heir is kild.] [3242. in Ar. after is is an l. underdotted.] which he louëd mor than al his good: [leaf 54, back] [3243. which] Which that P. loued] loueth E₁.] For tresour non̄ / so nygh his hertë stood, [ 3244] [3244. hert Bo. Ad₁.] Nor was so depë / graue / in his corage: That he is likly to fallen in a Rage [3246. he] om. Lb. fallen Ar. G. L₁. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. E₂. Ap. falle Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P. L₂. Ro. likly to falle] fall lykly P. in a] in such a Ad₁. Ad₂. in such I.] whan it is so, myn odyous offence Reported be vnto his audience; [ 3248] So inportable shal be his hevynesse. And wel woot I / in verrey sothfastnesse, [The Queen too] That, whan the quenë* / hath this þing espied, [3251. quene (queen Bo.)] king Ar. G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. P. E₂. this þing] om. Bo. þing] om. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. hath this þing] this thing hath C. T₂. this hath Lb.] To myn excus / It may nat be denyed, [ 3252]

I doutë it not / ther geyneth no pytè, With-out respit / she wil avengëd be [will be revenged on her,] [3254. she] he Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. wil] shall T₁.] On me, allas! / as I ha deserued; That fro the deth / I may not be preserued [ 3256] Nowther be bille / ne supplicacioun; [3257. Nowther] Neither Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. bille] wille Di. ne] ne by Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. nor Ra. nor bi I. C. T₂. E₂.] For the rage / of my transgressioun Requereth deth / and non̄ other mede." [and demand her death.] And thus, allas! she, quaking in her drede, [ 3260] [3260. she] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. quaking] quakith Ad₂. P. L₂. Ro.] Non other helpe / nor remedyë* kan, [3261. remedy Ar. remedie Bo. M. Ad₁.] But dreynt in sorow / to þe Grekës Ran, [She runs back to the Greeks.] [3262. dreynt] dreynct Lb. drant S. adreynt P. sorow] sorw M. C. teres Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of hertly woo / face and chere disteyned And her chekes with wepyng al bereynyd, [ 3264] In hir affray / distracte and furious. [Ipsiphyle tells Tideus] To-forn alle / she cam to Tydeus, And fille on knees / and gan her compleynt mak, Toldë pleynly / that for grekës sake [ 3268] [3268. Tolde] And tolde E₂. L₂. Ro. grekes] þe grekes Lb. S.] She mot be ded / and shortly in substaunce Rehersing hym the grete of her greuaunce: [3270. hym] om. Bo. the grete] the greef Ra. the chefe Ba. the grounde E₂. the grete cause P (cause of her Grevance written by a later hand, on erasure). of her] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] First how be traynys of a fals serpent [that a serpent has kild Lycur∣gus's boy, and that she is in peril.] [3271. First how] How first Du.] The child was slawë / whil she was absent; [ 3272] [3272. slawe] slayn Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. L₂. Ro (sclayne).] In what disioynte / and peril that she stood. [leaf 55] [3273. disioynte] distresse Ad₂. distreyat I.] And whan that he her meschief vnderstood, [3274. he] Tydeus Ro. Ap. And whan he herd that mischefe and vndrestoode Ba.] Vnto hire ful knyghtly he behiht [Tideus promises to help her,] To help and forther / al that euere he myght, [ 3276] hir pitous woo / to stynten and appese. And forto fynde / vnto hir dissesse [3278. fynde Ar. Bo. and the rest, except fynd S. L₂.] Hasty confort, he went a ful gret pas

To Adrastus / and told hym al the cas [ 3280] [and tells Adrastus,] Of þis vnhappy / wooful aventure, Beseching hym to don his bysy cure, As he was bound / of equytè and riȝt, [3283. he] om. Du.] And aduerten / and to han a siȝt [ 3284] [3284. And] om. P. aduerten] aduert L₂. Ro. to aduerten M. Di. P. T₂. eke aduertise E₂. and to] and T₂.] How she qwit her to Grekës her to-forn̄ whan they wer likly / forto haue* be lorn̄, [3286. whan] That Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. they] om. Lb. P. forto] to M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. elles to Lb. P. ha Ar. C. Ap. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. lorn] forlorne Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. L₂.] The socour voide of her wommanhede: For which he most of knyghthod taken hede [ 3288] [3288. For] Of Bo. Du.] To remedien þis vnhappy thing. And Adrastus / lik a worthy kyng [who resolves to aid Ipsiphyle.] Taquyt hym-silf /, the story makeþ mynd, To thys lady wille nat be found vnkynd, [ 3292] [3292. thys] thy Ar. Ap. Ar. has a pause-bar after wille.] Neither for cost / nor for no travaylle, [3293. Neither . nor Ar. Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Ra. Nother . nor E₁. C. T₂. L₂. Ap. Neither . ne T₁. Ba. S. P. E₂. Nouther . ne Ro. Neither . neither Ad₁. Neithir . nouthir Ad₂. I. Nor . nor M. Di. for] om. Ba. no] om. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. L₂. Ro.] But bysy was / in al þat myght availle To hir socour / considered alle þingges, [3295. his] þeyre Lb. considered] considreth Ad₂. I. considre S. concydere R.] And by thavice / of alle þe worthy kyngges [ 3296] [The Greeks agree to appeal to Lycurgus.] Of Grekës lond / þei be accorded thus, Prynces, Dukës / and worthy Tydeus, [3298. and] and with hem Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ap. worthy] om. Lb. T₂. P. E₂. Ap.] To hold her way / and al at onys ryde [3299. al] om. Du. al at onys] altonys Ar.] To lygurgus / dwelling ther be-syde, [ 3300] Of on entet / ȝif they may purchace In eny wisë / forto getë grace For this lady, Callëd ysiphilè; [leaf 55, back] They wold assayë* ȝif it myghte be. [ 3304] [3304. assaye Bo. Ad₁. assay Ar. M.] And to his paleys ful ryal bylt of ston̄, [3305. his paleys] þis place L₁. ful ryal bylt] full rially bylt Lb. E₂. ryght ryally bild S. for royallie bilt Ba. roiall bylte P. wel bilded Ad₂. I. bilte L₁. of stone] of lyme and stone L₁. P.]

The worthy Grekes / cam ryding euerichon̄, [The Greeks ride to Lycur∣gus's palace.] Euery lord ful fresshly on his stede. And lygurgus / example of manlihede, [ 3308] [3308. example] ensaumple T₁. L₁. of] for Ra. Ba. S. manlihede] manhede L₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. Ro. P (altered to manhode by late hand). manhode Lb.] Anon as he knewe of her com̄yng, [3309. knewe] kneuh Ra. knoweth Ba.] Taquyt hym-silf / licħ a gentil kyng, [3310. Taquyt Bo. Ad₁. To quyte M. To acquyte Ra.] Ageyn hem went / to mete hem on the way, Ful wel byseyn / and in ful good array, [ 3312] [¶ How Adrastus and all thestatis of Grekis praiden lygurgus for þe lif of ysyphile.] [3312. Ful wel] Right wel M. Di. in] in a Bo. Lb. C. T₂. ful] ryght Ap. om. Lb. P. E₂. good] riche Ro. array] ray C. ful good] a gret G.] Receyvyng hem with a ful kyngly chere. [3313. with] in C. T₂. ful] om. G. T₁. kyngly Ar. T₁. M. Ra. E₁. T₂. L₂. Ro. knightly Bo. G. and the rest.] And to Adrastus seid, as ȝe shul here, [3314. Ar. has a pause-bar after Adrastus.] ¶ "Cosyn*," quod he / and gan hym to enbrace, [He welcomes them,] [3315. Cosyn] Cosy Ar. Ra. enbrace Bo. Ad₁. embrace M.] "Ȝe be welcome / to ȝoure ownë place, [ 3316] Thankyng hertly to ȝour hegħ noblesse [3317. hegh] om. Ra. Ba.] That so goodly / of ȝour gentillesse [3318. goodly] om. I. ȝour] your hie Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. your good hih I. your gret C.] Towardës me / ȝe list ȝou to acquite, [3319. Towardes Ar. Bo. and all, except Toward Ba. C. ȝou] now you Bo. nowe Ro. not L₂. om. S. to] so Lb. Ra. Ba. to acquite] taquyte Bo. M. E₁.] Ȝoure-silf þis day / ȝour cosyn to visite, [ 3320] In this castel to takë ȝoure loggyng; That neuer ȝit / I was so glad of thyng [and is delighted that they've come.] [3322. That] For Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. I was] was I T₁. L₁. That I was so glad neuere yet of thing Ad₁. I. Ad₂. (yit nevir).] In* al my lif / and therto her my troutħ. [3323. In] An Ar. And E₁.] And ouermorë* / ther shal be no sloutħ [ 3324] [3324. ouermore T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. I. C. Ro. ouermor Ar. more over L₁. Ad₂. euer more Bo. and the rest.] That the Chambres / and the largë tours [He'll put the lords in rooms,] Shal be delyuered / to ȝour herberiours; That euery lord / as he is of degrè, Vnto his loggyng / shal assignëd be. [ 3328] [3328. shal assigned Ar. G. L₂. Ro. Ap. assigned shal Bo. and the rest.] Ȝoure officerës* / lat hem-silf* devise [3329. officeres Lb. officeres Ra. officers Ar. Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. hemself Bo. Lb. M. Ad₁. them-self L₂. hym-silf Ar.]

Ȝif the howsyng / may largëly suffise [3330. howsyng] hausinge Lb. houshold Ba. may largely] largely may Lb. T₂. P. E₂. Ro. largely] large Ra.] To ȝow and ȝourës / strecchẹn and atteyn̄, [3331. youres M. Ad₁. yours Bo.] That non̄ estaat / haue* causë to compleyn̄. [ 3332] [3332. non] ony Lb. any P. ha Ar. Ap. haue Du. M. Ad₁. Ra. hath Bo.] And alle ȝour hoost / loggëd her be-syde, [leaf 56] [3333. ȝour] his Du. hooste Bo. Ra. Ost Ad₁. logged] om. Ba.] which in Tentys / vpon ȝou abide, [and feed their men in tents.] [3334. which in] Within Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro. in Tentys] ententifly Lb. T₂. P. E₂. C. (intentifly). vpon] om. Ra. Ba. abide] to abide Ra. Ba. S. L₂. Ro.] lat hem fette / be myn̄ auctoritè, Vitayle ynoħ / her in my Citè. [ 3336] [3336. ynogh Bo. ynow M. y-nov Ad₁.] And alle that may socour hem or saue, [3337. socour Ar. socoure Bo. M. Ad₁ (the final e added above the line by the same hand). socour hem Ar. L₂. Ro. Ap. hem socoure Bo. G. and the rest. or] and Di. S P. L₂. Ro.] And, at a word /, al that ȝour I haue [3338. a Ar. o Bo. M. Ad₁.] Is ful and hool / at ȝour comaundëment." [3339. ful] fully Ba.] ¶ Quod Adrastus / "that is nat our entent, [ 3340] [Adrastus says] Nor on no parte / cause of oure com̄yng. [3341. on] in E₁. S. of Ba. om. T₁. Lb. M. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. no] oon Ba. parte Ar. Bo. Du. Di. Ad₁. P. E₂. L₂. part T₁. L₁. Lb. M. S. C. T₂. parti Ra. partye G. Ba. E₁. om. Ad₂. I. on no parte] percele Ro.] For we be come al for anoþer thyng, [they want an∣other gift,] A certeyn gift / of ȝou to requere, Benygnëly / ȝif ȝe list to here, [ 3344] [3344. Benygnely Bo. M. Ad₂. I. beningly Ad₁. ȝe M. Ad₂. I. C. you Bo. Ad₁.] which may Grekës / passyngly availle, [3345. passyngly] passyng G. L₁. Ba.] Of our* request / ȝif* that ȝe nat ne faille, [but daren't name it till he promises to grant it.] [3346. our. ye T₁. Du. Ad₂. I. S (Stowe has written yowr but crossed out y). ȝour. ȝe Ar. G. Bo. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. our. we Lb. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. your L₁ (om. ȝe or we) (see Notes). request Bo. M. Ad₁. ȝif that (in no MS.)] that Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. yf Lb. Ra. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. that yf Ad₂. I. ȝe nat ne] nat ye Ad₁. nat ne faille] not fayle G. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. Ro. not vs fayll S. do not faile E₂. may not fayle L₁.] which we dar not / opynly expresse, with-outë that ȝe wold / of gentillesse, [ 3348] [3348. Ar. has a pause-bar also after with-oute. ȝe] we T₂. wold] wil C. E₂. gentillesse] your gentillesse E₂. gretnesse Ba.] Ȝoure graunt aforn / conferme and ratefye. Than wer we bold / it to specifye." [3350. specifye] especifie Bo. Du.]

Quod lygurgus / "what-euer thyng it be, [Lycurgus says he'll give em anything but his life,] [3351. what-euer thyng Ar. Ap. L₂. Ro. what þing euer Bo. and the rest, except what thynge þat euer P. what þat euer thyng G.] Nouht exceptid / but only þinggës thre: [ 3352] [3352. exceptid] except G. Ad₂. I. Ba. L₂.] ¶ The first is this / it touchë* nat my lif, [3353. is this it] is þat L₂. touche M. Ap. touch Ar. Ra. touchith Bo. Du. Ad₁. E₁. L₂. Ro.] My ȝonge sonë, pleynly, nor my wyf; [his son and his wife.] [3354. yonge Ad₁. yong Bo. M. om. C. nor] ne Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. P. nother C. and Du. L₂. Ro.] Take al my good / or what ȝe list provyde [3355. ye Bo. M. you Ad₁.] Of my tresour / and sette þies thre a-syde, [ 3356] Al the surplus / I count nat at a myte." [3357. surplus] surpluys T₂. surplice Lb. remnont P. count] compte E₂. covyte L₂. at] om. Di. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] Than Adrastus / astounyd was a lyte [3358. astonyed M. astoneied Ad₁. astoned T₂. stunyed Bo. Lb. Ra. Ba. was] not L₂. Ro.] whan lygurgus / in conclusioun, Of his sonë / made excepcioun. [ 3360] And whilis they / entreten þus yfere, [Then a man comes in,] [3361. whilis T₁. whiles Ad₁. while M. whils Bo. whil Ra. om. Du. entreten þus Ar. G. Ro (entrete). Ap. (entrete). þus entreten Bo. Du. entreten Bo. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. entretid thus L₂. thus entretiden T₁. treten thus M. Di. trete thus Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. in feer Bo.] Ther cam forth on / with a wooful chere, [3362. Ther] om. Ro. cam Bo. come M. Ad₁. a] om. Lb. P. wooful] ful woful Ad₁. Ad₂. I. rewful Ba. sorful C. dredful T₂.] Of face and look / pal and no-thing rede, [leaf 56, back] [3363. and look] of loke Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] A-lowdë crieth / "the kyngës* sone is dede, [ 3364] [and says the King's son] [3364. A-lowde] and a-loude Bo. And lowde G. Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. crieth] cried Ra. Ba. C. T₂. kynges M. Ad₁. kynges Bo. kyng Ar.] Allas the whyl! / that whilom was so fayr, After lygurgus / born forto ben hayr; [3366. forto ben Ar. G. T₁. Du. L₁. Ra. E₁. S. Ap. to haue ben Bo. forto have be Ba. to ben M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. to Lb. hayr] his heir Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. E₂.] The which, allas! / hath ȝolden vp the bretħ, [has been stung to death by a serpent.] Of a Serpent / stonge to the detħ [ 3368] [3368. stonge Ap. stong T₂. E₂. L₂. stongyng I. stongen Bo. G. and the rest. to] vnto Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. T₂. E₂. the] om. Di.] And with his woundë* / newë*, fressh and grene, [3369. wounde Bo. Ad₁. wound Ar. M. woundis Ra. Ba. newe T₁. E₁. new Ar. M. Ad₁. now Bo. newe fressh] fresh new Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro.] In therber lith / that pitè is to sene, [3370. lith] om. T₂. that] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. pite] pitous Ra. is] it is S. to] om. Du.] And hath so leyne / almost al this day;" [3371. leyen Bo. layn M. Ad₁. lien Ba.]

That whan lygurgus / herdë* this affray, [ 3372] [Lycurgus weeps for his son's death.] [3372. That] Than Ra. Ba. And Lb. L₂. Ro. But S. E₂. herde Bo. Ad₁. herd Ar. M. harde E₁. T₂. this] al þis Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. of this Ba. affray] om. Ba.] And wist his child was ded and hath no mo, [3373. wist] wist than T₁. hath Ar. Ap. hat G. had Bo. and all the other MSS.] Lytil wonder / thogh that he were wo. [3374. that] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. P. he] his hert S. were] was T₂. E₂. Ap.] For sodeynly / the inportable smerte Ran anon̄ / and hent* hym by the herte [ 3376] [3376. hente Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. rent Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ap.] That, for constreynt / of his dedly peyne, Thorgh-oute he felte koruen euery veyne. [¶ The sorow þat þe kyng ligurgus made for the deth of his child and the lamenta∣cioun of the quene.] [3378. helpe(n)] helpen you M. Di. helpe you E₂. to helpen L₁. to releue] and releue E₂. to my releve Ad₂.] The ragë gan myne in hym so depe [3379. myne] gynne L₂. gyne Ro. in hym] on hym Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. hym Ra.] That he can not but sighë* / sobbe, and wepe. [ 3380] [3380. can] coude E₂. not] om. Ra. sighe M. Ad₁. sigh Ar. Bo. om. T₂. sobbe] om. Ad₂. I. L₂. sighe sobbe and wepe] sobbe sighe and wepe Lb. Ba. P. E₂. sorwe sighe and wepe C.] And with the noyse / and lamentacioun The qwen distrauht / is descendid doun. [His queen] [3382. distrauht] distracte Ro.] And whan she knewe / the* ground of al this sorowe, [3383. And] om. L₂. Ro. the] om. Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. C. T₂. Ap. sorowe] sorw M (:borw).] hit neded* her no teerës / forto borowe [ 3384] [3384. neded Du. Lb. M. Di. P. F₂. Ap. nede Ar. Bo. E₁. nedeth T₁. and the rest. her no] hir nat Ad₁. nat hir Ad₂. I. forto] to S. T₂.] But twenty tymë ny* vpon a rowe [3385. tyme] tymes L₁. Ba. S. om. Ad₂. I. ny Bo. T₁. M. nygh L₁. nyȝe Di. by Ar. G. Ad₁. I. E₁. S. Ap. be Ad₂. bi and bi Ra. Ba. om. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. a rowe] A throwe Ro.] A-swoune she fille / vnto þe grounde lowe; [swoons,] [3386. A-swoune] Aswound E₂. vnto] to Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap. vpon Ba. grounde Bo. M. ground Ad₁. erthe Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. Ap.] And stoundë-melë* / for this hegh meschaunce, [3387. stound-mele Ar. Ad₁. stoundemele Bo. stoundemel M.] Stille as ston / she lyggeth in a Traunce. [ 3388] [and lies in a trance. The boy's corpse is brought in.] [3388. ston] a stoon Di. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. lyggeth Ar. Bo. T₁. Ap. lyeth M. and the rest.] ¶ And whan the child / into the courte was brouht [3389. And] But E₂. the child] it Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. this Ba. into the] into Bo. Du. E₂. the child into the courte was] into the court it was Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. (this). it into the court was I. E₁. into þe court was it S.] To-fore lygurgus / allas! I wite hym nought, Vpon the cors / with a mortal face, [3391. the] þat Lb.] he Fil atonys / and gan it to embrace, [ 3392] [3392. it] om. Ba. to embrace M. to enbrace Bo. Ad₁. tenbrace T₁.]

Soorë* Grype / and ageyn vpsterte; [leaf 57] [3393. Soore Lb. Sore Bo. M. Ad₁. Soor Ar. to gripe Bo. and all, except Grype Ar. G. L₂. Ro. Ap.] That whan Adrastus / gan this thyng aduerte, [3394. That] Than T₁. Ad₂. I. E₂. Ro. thyng] om. Ba. E₁. gan this thyng] this thyng gan Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. (can). aduerte] advart S (:vpstart).] Of kyngly routh / and compassioun [3395. kyngly] kyndly Di. knyghtly L₂. routhe Bo. M. Ad₁. ruthe L₂.] From his eyen / the teerës fillë doun̄ [ 3396] [The Greeks weep too.] [3396. the] there E₁. doun] a-doun Du. Lb. Di. I. C. T₂. E₂.] Ek kyngges / Dukës, that aboutë* stood, [3397. kyngges] princes M. Di. Dukès] and dukes Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. aboute Bo. M. Ad₁. about Ar.] Only of pitè / which is in gentyl blood, [3398. of] for Ra. om. S. which Ar. G. L₂. Ro. Ap. þat Bo. and the rest. in] of Ra. Ba. om. Ap.] No power hadde / the water to restreyn̄ [3399. water] teeres Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. restreyn] constreyne L₂.] That on her chekës / doune bygan to reyn̄. [ 3400] [3400. her] om. Bo. bygan] gan Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. Ra. Ba (can). to] om. Ra. Ba.] But al a day / woldë* not suffise [3401. aday Ar. the day Ra. Ba. wolde Bo. wold Ar. M. Ad₁. wyll L₂.] Alle her sorowes / in ordre to devise, First of the kyng / and of the quene also: [3403. second of] om. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Ap. kyng. quene] quene. kynges Ro.] To tellen ałł / I shuldë* neuer ha do, [ 3404] [I should never have done, if I tried to describe their sorrow.] [3404. tellen] telle Lb. P. S. Ro (tele). shulde Bo. shuld Ar. shold M. Ad₁. ha Ar. Ad₂. I. Ra. haue a Di. haue Bo. and the rest.] Not in the space / almost of an hour. But whan the stormës / and þe sharpë* shour [3406. sharpe Bo. sharp Ar. M. Ad₁. teary E₂. om. Ra. Ba.] Of her wepyng / was somwhat ouergon̄, [3407. in Ar. before ouergon is written fo, underdotted.] The lytil cors / was grauen vnder ston̄. [ 3408] [The boy is buried.] [3408. grauen] om. Ad₂. I. vnderston Ar. ston] a ston Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] ¶ And Adrastus / in þe samë tide [3409. to the end of the poem lost in Ap.] lygurgus took / a litil out aside, [3410. a litil] a lite Bo. Du. M. Di. om. L₁. a litil out] oute a litil C.] And ful wisely / with his prudent specħ, [Adrastus re∣minds Lycurgus and his wife] The qwenë* present / gan hym forto tecħ [ 3412] [3412. qwen Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. gan] thus gan C. forto] to C. om. S.] That so to sorowe / avayllë may right noght, [3413. so] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To mordre hym-silf / with his ownë thought, [3414. in Ad₁. is omitted at its right place and stands at the bottom of col. 2 of leaf 25, front; in the original of Ad₂. and I. it has been replaced by a new line composed to rhyne with 3413, viz. But best remedie / to put it out of thouht.] [3414. hym-silf] them-self S. with] in Ra. S.]

Sith loos of deth / no man may recure [3415. Sith] Sayth L₁. Such Ra. Sith loos of deth] Ayenst dethe Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. no man may] may be no Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. recure] recover P (:endure).] Thogh he in woo / perpetuelly endure; [ 3416] Al helpeth nat / whan the soule is go. [¶ Ageynes deth may be no recur.] "And our lif her, who taketh* hed ther-to, [that our life is but a pil∣grimage;] [3418. who] whos C. who so P. thus E₂. taketh] take Ar. G. T₂. P.] Is but an exile / and a pilgrymage, Ful of torment / and of bitter Rage, [ 3420] Licħ a See rennyng to and fro, [leaf 57, back] Swyng an ebbë / whan the flood is do, [3422. do] go Bo. Du. L₁. Lb. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. C.] Lytil space abidyng at the fulle: [3423. the copyist of Ar. first wrote falle, but underdotted it, and added fulle.] Of whos soiour / the popë ȝeueþ no bulle. [ 3424] [3424. in T₁. pope yeueth no bulle has been erased; the words are, however, still legible.] For* kyng is non, nor* duk, nor Emperour, [that no one can avoid death:] [3425. For Lb. Ad₂. P. E₂. Nor Ar. Bo. and the rest, except ne T₂. is non] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. non] om. M. Ad₁. E₁. nor duk] duk Ar. G. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. ne duk S. no Duk Ra. nor Emperour] ne Emperoure L₁. Lb. E₁. P. E₂. L₂.] That may hym shroude / ageyn þe fatal shour [3426. That] om. Ad₂. I. hym] om. Ad₁. may hym shroude] hym may shroude L₂. May nat shroude Ad₂. I. þe] þat L₁. Di. his Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. om. Ra. Ba. shour] houre L₁. our L₂.] Of cruel deth / whan hym list manace To marke a man with his mortal mace. [ 3428] Than geyneþ nat to his sauacioun [3429. sauacioun] saluacioun Du. E₂.] Neyther Fraunchysë / nor proteccioun, And lit / or noght / may helpen in this caas Sauffecondit / or Supersedyas. [ 3432] [3432. Saufcondit Ad₁. saufconduyt Bo. Saff-condite Lb. Saue-conduyte E₁. either saufconduyt M. Di (saufcondit).] For in this world / who so look a-right, [all must die:] [3433. whos luketh Bo. who lokith M. Ad₁.] Is non̄ so gret / of power nor of myght, Noon so richë / shortly / nor so bold But* he mot dey / outher* ȝong or old. [ 3436] [3436. But L₁. But that Lb. Ad₂. I. S. P. That Ar. Bo. and the rest. he] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. mot] most L₁. Lb. E₁. S. P. E₂. L₂. oyther Ar. eyther Bo. M. other Ad₁. outher C.] And who in ȝouthë* / passeth þis passage, [and those who die young are saved from sorrow.] [3437. ȝouth Ar. Bo.] he is eskapëd / al the woodë* Rage, [3438. wode Bo. M. wood Ar. Ad₁.] Al sorowe and trouble / of this present lyff,

Repleneshëd* with contek / werre and stryff, [ 3440] [3440. Repleneshed] Repleveshed Ar. G. repleuessed Bo. Repleuisshed C. Re∣pleuysshed or Replenysshed M. Di. Ad₁. T₂. Replesshed Ad₂. I. Ra. replenshed T₁. Replenyshed Du. Lb. and the rest.] which seeld or neuere / stont in Suertè. [3441. suerte Bo. M. surte Ad₁.] Wher-for best is, as semeth vnto me, [3442. as] om. Ra. Ba. semeth] it semeth Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. vnto] to M. C. om. Lb. Di. S. T₂. P. E₂.] No man gruchë* / but, of hegħ prudence, [3443. grucche Bo. M. Ad₁. grucch Ar. gruge S. grugge L₂. to grucche T₂. hegh] his S. L₂.] The sonde of goddis / tak in pacience. [ 3444] [So Lycurgus and his wife should take in patience what the Gods send.] [3444. sonde] wyll S. goddis Ar. G. C. T₂. god Bo. and the other MSS. of goddis tak] or god he take E₂. tak] take yt L₂.] And ȝe that ben so wis / and manly to, ȝoure-silf to drowne in torment and in woo [3446. ȝour-silf Ar. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. youre lyf Bo. and the rest. torment] tornament L₁. tournement E₁. your-self to turment in anguysh and in wo L₂.] For loos of thyng / ȝif* that ȝe list to se, [3446 and 3447 om. in Ra. and Ba.; in Ra. 3445 reads: And ye that been so wis and manli to se, and is followed by 3448: Sith in no wise recouered it may be; in Ba., between 3444 and 3450 are three lines, viz.: Sith in noo wise recoverd it may bee And ye that ben so wise and so manlie to see Itt is grete perell foly and one destruccioun.] [3447. ȝif that (in no MS.)] that Ar. G. E₁. S. if Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. C. þat yf Ad₁. Ad₂. I. and Lb. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. om. L₁. to] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] which in no wisë may recurëd be, [ 3448] [3448. which] That C. T₂. P. E₂. recured] recouerid Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. may recured] recured may Ad₁. E₁. S. C. T₂. recouerid may Ad₂. I.] Is gret foly and vndiscreccioun." [3449. Is] It is Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] And thus Adrastus / hath conveyëd doun̄ [Adrastus then begs mercy for Ipsiphyle,] The substaunce hool / of that he wolde seye: Til that he fond / a tymë forto preye [ 3452] Conuenyent / for ysyphilee, [leaf 58] [3453. for] for faire M. Di. T₂. for worthi Ra. Ba.] Bysechyng hym forto han pitè Of þat she hath offended his highnesse, [who has not offended wilfully.] [3455. þat] what Ba. offended] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. E₁. S. his] om. Ra. this S. highnesse] hevenesse S.] Not wilfully / but of reklesnesse: [ 3456] [3456. reklesnesse Bo. M. rekelsnesse Ad₁.] First þat he wold / his doomës so* dyvide, [3457. so] to Ar. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. om. Ra. Ba. dyvide] devoide (: aside) I. Ba. deuoiid Ra.] Mercy preferre / and settë* right a-side, [3458. sette Ad₁. M. set Ar. Bo.] At the* request and preier of hem alle, [3459. At þe Du. L₁. P. L₂. Atte Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. S. C. At Ar. and the rest.] Of this vnhappe / and meschief that is falle [ 3460] [3460. that is] so Ra. Ba. falle] befalle Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. C. T₂.]

By hasty Rigour / nat to do vengeaunce, [3461. nat] and nat Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S vengeaunce] no vengaunce M. Di.] But thynk aforn / in his purvyaunce, who to wrechës / doth mercy / in her drede, [He who does mercy, shall find mercy.] Shal mercy fyndë / whan he hath most nede: [ 3464] And sith he hath power, myght, and space, [3465. sith] syn Ra. he hath] ye haue Ra. Ba. myght] and myght Ra.] Lat hym tak this lady / to his grace, [Let Ipsiphyle be forgiven.] [3466. Lat hym tak] That ye will tak L₁. Receyveth Ra. Ba. to] vnto Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. into E₂. his] youre Ra. Ba. om. L₁. Ad₂. I.] For lak of routhë* / that she nat ne dye. [3467. routhe Bo. M. Ad₁. routh Ar. nat] nov Ad₁. now Ad₂. I. S. nat ne] now nat Ra. ne] om. Bo. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. L₂. she nat ne] ne nat thus E₂.] ¶ But tho the quenë / gan agayn replye [ 3468] [¶ How the quen wil algate han þe serpent dede.] [3468. tho] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And platly seide / as in this matere, Avayleth not requeste / nor preyere, [3470. request Bo. M. Ad₁. nor Ad₁. ne Bo. M.] Pytè, Mercy / nor remyssyoun, [But the Queen says,] [3471. nor M. ne Bo. neither Ad₁.] But ȝif it be / by this condicioun [ 3472] That the serpent, cause of al þis sorowe, [either the ser∣pent or Ipsiphyle must die.] [3473. That] But Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. S. But if E₁. the] this L₂. þis] om. Lb. C. P.] Thorgh her labour / lay his hed to borowe. [3474. Thorgh] For Ad₁. Ad₂. I. her Ar. Ra. L₂. their Ba. his Bo. and the rest. lay] leyde Ad₂. I.] This is fynal / and vtter recompense [3475. fynal] finaly Bo. Du. Ra. the final Di. vtter] the vtter M. Di.] To fyndë gracë / for her gret offence, [ 3476] [3476. her] his Bo. Du.] Or ellis Shortly / sheedë* blood for blood. [3477. ellis] els L₂. om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. Shortly] sothly T₁. sheed Ar. shede Bo. M. Ad₁. shedde P. first bloood Ar.] And whan Grekys her answer vnderstood, [3478. And] om. Ra. Ba. Grekys] þe Grekes Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. her] this Ra. her answer] this Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Al of accord / in her beste wise, [3479. Al] om. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. accord (Ar. G. L₁. L₂.)] oon accorde Bo. and the rest.] Took on hem / this auenturous emprise, [ 3480] [The Greeks hunt for the Serpent.] [3480. auenturous] auentures Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. C. T₂. P. L₂. aventours Ad₂. I.] For loue only / of Ysyphylee; [3481. loue] the loue T₂. of] of this Ra. Ba.] And gan to ryde / envyron þe contrè, [3482. gan Bo. gon M. Ad₁.] By hillës, valës / Rochës, and ek Cauës, [leaf 58, back] [3483. vales] valeys C. vayles T₂. vales Roches] roches vales Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ek] om. E₂.]

In dychis dirk / and in oldë gravis, [ 3484] [3484. dirk Ad₁. derke Bo. derk M.] By euery cooste / cerchyng vp and doun̄: Til at the last / ful famous of renoun, [3486. atte last Bo. Ad₁. at last M.] The worthy knyght / parthonolopè [Parthonolope] [3487. knyght] king Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] was the first / that happëd for* to Se [ 3488] [¶ How partho∣nolope saugh þe Serpent.] [3488. happed] happonde Lb. happenyde P. for to Lb. C. T₂. E₂. to Ar. Bo. and the rest.] This hydous Serpent / by a Ryver-side, [finds it,] Gret and horrible / stern and ful of pride, Vndere a Rocchë / by a banke lowe; [3491. roche Bo. M. Rocch Ar. roch Ad₁. banke Bo. bank M. Ad₁.] And in al hast / he bent a sturdy bowe, [ 3492] [3492. al] al the Ad₂. I. bent] hente Di. Ba. E₁. C. T₂. L₂.] And ther-In sette an arowe* fylëd kene, [3493. a narowe Ar.] And thorgh the body / spotted blew and grene, [shoots it,] Ful myghtily he made it forto Glyde, Hent* out a swerde / hongyng be his syde, [ 3496] [3496. The line begins with And in all the MSS. except Ar. G. L₂. Hent out] Rent out Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. E₁. L₂.] Smoot of his hede / and anon̄ it hent [cuts off its head, gives it to the Queen,] And ther-with-al gan the Quene present, wherthorgh her sorowe parcel gan aswage. [3499. her sorowe] om. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. parcel] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. gan] she gan E₂. aswage] tasswage E₂. to aswage Lb. Ra. P. to swage C. T₂.] And thus, of prowesse / and of hegh corage, [ 3500] [3500. and of] and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. C.] This manly man / parthonolopè [3501. parthonolope] this prothonolope C. this Parthonolope T₁. E₂.] hath reconcilëd faire Isyphilee [and reconciles Ipsiphyle to her.] Vnto gracë / fully of þe Quene, Hir Ire avoided* / and her oldë tene. [ 3504] [3504. avoided Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. L₂. avoiden Ar. G. Ad₁. auoyed E₁. voyded Lb. C. T₂. E₂. voyde P. olde] om. G. Ra. Ba.] [3504 in Ad₁. is omitted at its right place, and stands at the bottom of the second column of the page, after l. 3522; in Ad₂. and I. it has been replaced by a new line, to rhyme with 3503, viz. Off the offence / of hir pardouned to bene.] And by Adrastus mediacioun, [Adrastus par∣dons Ipsiphyle,] Kyng lygurgus / graunted a pardoun To this lady, that from al daunger fre, [3507. that] om. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. daunger] damag S. in Ba. l. 3507, which is the bottom line of leaf 38 back, stops at To this ladie th : after th a few letters seem to be erased, but most of the latter half of 3507 has never been written, the vellum being quite untouched here.] She was restorëd to her libertè, [ 3508]

In his paleys / al her lif to dwelle. [3509. his] hir Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. þis G.] Thogħ Ioħn Bochas / þe contrarie telle: [tho Boccaccio says she never] [3510. Iohn Bochas þe contrarie] the contrarie Iohn Bokas Ba. telle] do telle Ad₂. I.] For this autour affermeþ /, out of dred [3511. a pause-bar in Ar. also before affermed.] That, whan this child / was by the serpent ded, [ 3512] [3512. this] the Lb. Di. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. was by the serpent] bi the serpent was Ad₁. (this serpent Ad₂. I.) Ra. (with the Ba.) S. ded] om. M.] She durste not / for her gret offence [leaf 59] Neuer after com̄en in presence [dared face Ly∣curgus,] [3514. comen Ar. to come M. Di. Ad₁. S. come Bo. and the rest. in] into the Ra. Ba. to the Ad₂ I.] Of lygurgus /, but of intencioun [3515. intencioun] pitous intencioun Ra. Ba.] Fledde anon̄ / out of that Regioun; [ 3516] [but fled from Argos.] Att herte she took / the childës deth so sore. what fille of hir* / I fyndë* can no more [3517 and 3518 transposed in Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] [3518. hur Ar. fynde Bo. M. Ad₁. fynd Ar. fynde can] can tell Ba.] Than ȝe han herd / aforn me specifye. [3519. Than] But that Ra. Ba. herd] hard T₂. aforn me] me aforn Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. P. L₂. me to-fore G. han herd aforn] before haue herd Ra. Ba. specifye] especefie T₁. Du. to specifye S.] And the kyngdam / but ȝif bookys lye, [ 3520] [3520. but] om. P. ȝif] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. lye] do nat lye P.] Of lygurgus / was ycallëd Trace. [¶ Nota de Li∣gurgo Rege traccee.] [3521. ycalled Ar. G. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. L₂. called Bo. and the rest. was ycalled] called was Lb. T₂. E₂. that called was P.] And, as I rede in an other place, He was þe samë myghty Champioun, [Lycurgus came to Athens with Palamon against Arcite. (See Chaucer's Knight's Tale.)] To Athenes / that kam with Palamoun [ 3524] [3524. To Athenes that] þat to Attens S. kam] wente Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C.] Ageyne his brother / that callëd was arcyte, Lad in his chaar / with fourë* boolys whyte, [3526. Lad] I-had Lb. T₂. P. Yled E₂. And Di. I. foure L₁. four Ar.; Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Ad₁. C. P. E₂. have IIII.; T₂. has II.] Vpon his hed / a wreth of gold ful fyn. And I fynd ek / how bachus, god of wyn̄, [ 3528] [¶ Bachus deus vini.] with this kyng / was whilom at debat, [3529. was whilom] whilom was Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. at debat] at bate Lb. at þe bate L₁.] Only for he / pompous and Elat, [As he destroyd Bacchus's vines,] Destruccioun / didë* to his vynys, [3531. dide T₁. M. dede Lb. Ad₁. did Ar. Bo. vnto M. Di. Ad₂. I. T₂. to Ar. Bo. and the rest.]

And for he first / sett allay on wynys, [ 3532] [and put water in wine,] [3532. sett] om. C. allay] alaies Ad₁. Ra. Ba. Alies Ad₂. I. sett allay] allay sette E₁. allayes sett Ra. Ba. on] in Bo. S. L₂. of G.] Meyntë water / whan they were to strong. [3533. Meynte M. Ad₁. Meynt Bo. water] with water E₂. whan Ar. G. Lb (whon). C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂ (when). þere Bo. where T₁. and the rest. to] so L₁. Di. Ra. om. Ba.] And this Bachus / for the grete wrong [the God broke his limbs and drownd him.] [3534. this] thus Lb. S. P. Bachus Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Bacus T₁. bakes Lb. Bochas E₂. the grete] grete Ra. Ba. þat stronge M. Di.] Brak his lymys / and dreynt hym in þe See. [3535. lymys M. lym̄es Bo. limes Ad₁. lemes S. dreynt] drouned C.] Of lygurgus / ȝe gete no more of me. [ 3536] ¶ But the trouth / ȝif ȝe lyst verryfie, [¶ Nota de xii arboribus in libro Bochacii de genealogia deorum.] [3537. verryfie] to verrifie Bo. Du. Ad₁. to specifie Ad₂. I.] Rede of goddës / the Genologye, [3538. Rede Bo. M. redith Ad₁. goddes] the goddes Ad₂. I. of goddes the] the goddes of Ba. genoologye Ad₁. genalogye Bo. Genealogie M. genelagye Di. Genelogie Ad₂. geneologie S.] lynealy / her kynrede be degrees, I-braunchëd out / vpon tweluë trees, [ 3540] [See Boccaccio on the Genealogy of the Gods.] [3540. vpon] on Ra. of Ba. · XII · Bo. twelf Ad₁.] Mad by Bochas / decertaldo called, [3541. decertaldo Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Decertalde Ra. Ba. de cretaldo I.] Among Poetys / in ytaillë stalled, [He was next poet to Petrarch.] [3542. Itaille Bo. Italye M. Ad₁.] Next Fraunceys Petrak / swyng in certeyn̄. Now vnto Grekys / I wil retourne ageyn, [ 3544] [leaf 59, back] To tellë forth shortly, ȝif I konne, [3545. forth shortly] shortly forth Ad₁.] Of her Iournè / that they haue* begonne: how Adrastus / hath his lievë* take [Adrastus takes leave of Ly∣curgus.] [3547. lief Ar. leeue Bo. leue M. Ad₁. G. take] itake Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I.] Of ligurgus / with his browës blake; [ 3548] And departyng, with seynt Ioħn to borowe, [3549. departyng] departed Ra. Ba. Iohn Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Ion C. Iohan E₂. borowe Bo. borw M. Ad₁.] Mad his wardës / on the nexte morowe [3550. omitted in Ba.] So wel beseyn / so myghty, and so strong, [3551. myghty] myȝtely Di.] Wonder erly / whan þe larkë* song, [ 3552] [3552. larke Bo. Ad₁. lark Ar. M.] With a trompet / warnëd euery man [3553. warned] warne Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To be redy / in al the hast they kan, [3554. they] he Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba.] Forto remwe / and no letting make. [3555. remue Bo. M. Ad₁.]

And so they han / the righte way I-take [ 3556] [Adrastus and his Greeks march] [3556. right Bo. M. Ad₁. way Bo. M. Ad₁. weye Di. om. Lb. I-take Ar. Lb. L₂. take Bo. and the other MSS.] Touard Thebës / the grekës euerychon̄, That such a nombre / gadred into on̄, Of worthy knyghtës neuere aforn was seyn̄, whan they in ferë / monstred in a pleyn̄. [ 3560] [3560. in fere] yfere C. T₂. to-gidre Ra. Ba. monstred Bo. mostred M. monstred] mostren L₁. Ad₁. moustren Ad₂. I. E₁. mustren Ra. were moustred E₂. to mustre S. in] on L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P.] And they ne stynt by non occasioun Til they be come euen a-for the toun, [to Thebes,] And pight her tentys / proudly, as I rede, [and pitch their tents.] Vnder the wallys / in a grenë* mede. [ 3564] [3564. a] the M. Di. grene Bo. M. Ad₁. gren Ar. grete Du.] ¶ And whan the* thebans / were besette aboute, [The Thebans] [3565. whan] whan þat Bo. om. L₁. the Thebans] Thebans Ar. L₂. besette] sett all S.] The manly knyghtës / wold han* yssyd oute [3566. han Bo. Ad₁. an Ar. haue M.] And haue* scarmosshëd / in her lusty pride, [3567. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. ha Ar. scarmysshed Bo. Ad₁. scarmesshed M. scyrmysshed Ad₂. L₂. lusty] hasty Lb. C. P. E₂. L₂.] With her foomen / on the toþer side. [ 3568] [3568. þat othre Bo. M. Ad₁.] But be byddyng / of Ethiocles Alle þilkë* nyght / þei kepte hem-silf in pes, [keep quiet,] [3570. þilke Bo. þilk Ar. M. Ad₁.] Be cause only / that it was so late, With gret awayt / set at euery gate, [ 3572] [but watch at the gates,] [3571 and 3572 are transposed in Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Men of Armys / al the nyght wakyng [leaf 60] On the wallys / be byddyng of þe kyng, Lest þer werë / treynys or tresoun. And on the tours / and in the Chief Dongoun [ 3576] [3576. on] in M. Di. Ad₂. I. C. in] on Ba. om. Lb. Ra. S. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. P (om. the).] he sette vp men / to makë mortal sowns [and blow horns] [3577. to] ta Ar.] with brasyn hornys / and loudë Clarions, [3578. brasen Bo.] Of ful entent / þe wacchës forto kepe, [to keep the watchers awake.] In his wardë / that no man ne slepe. [ 3580] [3580. ne] om. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.; in Ad₁. ne is written, but it has been underdotted with black ink and crossed with red ink (= the rubric ink).] And Grekys proudly / al þe longe nyght [3581. long Bo. M. Ad₁.] kyndled* fyrys / and maad ful gret lyght, [The Greeks] [3582. kyndled] kyndle Ar. kyndly E₁. fyrys] fuyre Lb. ful] om. S.]

Sette vp loggyng / vpon euery Syde [3583. loggyng] loggynges Du.] lik as they shuld / euer ther abyde, [ 3584] [3584. shulde Bo. shuld M. Ad₁.] Compas the toune / ther was no voidë space [lie all round Thebes.] [3585. space] place M. Di.] But al besette / her foomen to manace. And whilys they afor þe Citè laye, [3587. whiles M. Ad₁. whils Bo. aforn Bo. M. be∣fore Ad₁. tofore E₂.] On euery cost / they sent out to forraye, [ 3588] [3588. On] In Bo. L₁. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. And C. sent] sett Ra. Ba. S. settyn L₂. out to] out to the E₁. vn-to the P. a S. in Ar. after out is tho. underdotted; to is written above the line, with the usual mark of insertion.] Brente townës / thorpës and vilages, [¶ The Forey þat þe Grekis made in þe contre about Thebes.] [3589. Brent Bo. M. Ad₁. Brynd S. thorpes Bo. M. Ad₁. throppes Du. thruhuppis Ad₂. thruhupys I.] with grete ravyn makyng theyr pillages, [3407 to 3590 lost in Ro.] [3590. ravyn Ar. G. Bo. Du. M. Ad₁. C. raven Lb. raveyn T₁. Di. Ra. T₂. ravyne E₁. raveyne L₁. L₂. ravenne P. rauing E₂. theyr Ar. her Bo. M. Ad₁. om. L₁.] Spoyle / and robbe / and brouȝtë* hom vitaille [3591. first and] om. Ro. Spoyle and robbe] Spoylid and robbed P. Spoyll and robery S. broughte Ad₁. brought Ar. Bo. M. hom] hem Bo. Du. Ad₂. I. them S.] And al maner soortes / of bestaylle, [ 3592] [The Greeks plunder the Theban land,] [3592. soortes Bo. T₁. Ra. sortes Du. M. Ad₁. E₂. stoore Lb. P. bestaylle] bestiall Ba. in P. 3592 reads: And all maner store, to strength þe batayle.] Shep / and neet / and in her cruel rage [3593. Ar. has a bar also between and and neet. her] om. Bo.] with houndës slowe / al that was sauage, [3594. with houndes] Woundes L₁. with woundes Lb. slowen C. slowe Ar. Bo. slow M. Ad₁. slough Du. L₁. scleughe Ro. slayne Lb. T₂. P. E₂.] Hert and hyndë* / bothë buk and doo, [kill all the game,] [3595. hynde] ynde Ar. buk Bo. M. bookke Ad₁.] The blake* beer / and þe wilde Roo, [ 3596] [3596. blake Bo. Ad₁. blak Ar. M. wilde Bo. wild M. Ad₁.] The fatte swyn / and þe tusshy* boor, [3597. fatte Ad₁. fat Bo. M. tusshy Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. L₂. Ro. tussky Ad₂. C. T₂. P. E₂. tuskyd Lb. trusshy Ar. G. tussy I.] Karying al hom / for the grekës stoor, [3598. Karying] Bryngenge Ro. L₂. hom] hem Bo.] whete and wyn / for her auauntage, Hay and Otys / fodder / and forage. [ 3600] [and collect all the fodder.] With þis kalendis / as hem thynkë* dwe, [3601. this Bo. these M. Ad₁. þe L₁. E₂. hem] theim Ba. S. Ro. þey L₁. Lb. Ad₂. P. thynke] thynk Ar. E₁. þinke L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. thenke Bo. T₁. Di. S. thenk Du. M. them G. thought Lb. and the rest.] Grekys gan / the thebans to Salwe, [3602. Grekys Ar. G. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. þe Grekes Bo. Lb. Ad₁. C. T₂. P. E₂. gan] om. Bo. konne M. come Di. the thebans] thebans T₁. to] om. G. Ad₁. I. C. E₂.]

Mynistring hem / occisionës* felle, [leaf 60, back] [3603. Mynistring] Mustrynge Lb. Ad₂. I. P. L₂. occisiones] occasions (occasiouns) Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS. (cf. 4204 and see Notes).] Þe sege settë /, shortly forto telle, [ 3604] [They mean to press the siege] Of ful entent / in their hatful pryde, [3605. her Bo. M. Ad₁.] For lif or deth / ther-vpon tabide, [to the death.] [3606. to abide Bo. M. Ad₁.] who so euer / ther-with be a-greued, [3607. ther-with] herwith Lb. P. theratte E₂.] Til they fully / her purpoos haue acheued; [ 3608] [3608. Ar. has another pause-bar after they.] Ther may therof / be makëd no relees. [3609. maked] made L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. P. E₂. Ro. om. L₂.] And of al* this / ful war / Ethiocles [Eteocles] [3610. al M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. om. Ar. Bo. and the rest. And of al this] Of this and Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Of þis L₁. And all this while Ro. ful war] ful weel war Ra. C. full wele war was Ba. full warre was L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. was ware P.] Gan in party / gretly to* mervaille [3611. Gan] Wheche ganne Lb. P. to Lb. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. om. Ar. Bo. and the rest.] whan that he saugh / þe grete apparaylle [ 3612] [3612. that] om. Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁. grete] om. Du.] Of the Grekes / þe Citè rounde aboute; And in hym-silf hadde a maner doute, [is in doubt what to do.] [3614. in] om. Ra. Ba. hadde] he had Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Now at the poynt / what was best to do. [3615. atte poynt Bo. Ad₁. at poynt M. all the poynt Lb.] For thilkë* tyme / it stood with hym so [ 3616] [3616. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk Ar. M. that S.] That to some abidyng in þe toun [He knows some Thebans favour Polyneices.] [3617. Ar. has a pause-bar after abidyng.] he hadde in hertë / gret suspecioun list toward hym / that they were vnstable, [3619. list Ar. G. lest Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. (see Notes). toward hym] to him ward Ad₁. to hym Ad₂. I. him] om. Lb. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ra. E₁. P.] And to his brother / in party fauorable; [ 3620] [¶ The variaunce in Thebes among hem-silf.] For in the Citè / ther was variance, [3621. the] þis Di. ther] tho Ba. om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] whicħ vnto hym was a gret meschaunce; [3622. which] that C. T₂. P. E₂. vnto] to T₂. a] om. P. Ro.] For in his nedë / shortly / he ne wiste [3623. his] þis Bo. nede] herte Ad₂. I.] Vpon whoom / þat he myghte triste; [ 3624] [Eteocles asks the advice of] [3624. might Bo. M. Ad₁. sholde Ad₂. I. wiste : triste Ar. Ad₁. wist : trist Bo. M. wiste : truste C.] For they wer not / alle of on̄ entent: For whicħ he hath / for his counsale sent, [3626. For which] Wherfore M. Di. T₂. E₂. Ro. he hath] hathe he Ra.]

Al his lordës / and the oldë Quene, [his lords and his mother Jocasta.] which as he demptë / werë* pur and clene, [ 3628] [3628. which] Suche Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. dempte] deemyd Ad₂. I. S. deputed Ra. deputith Ba. were] that were Ar. E₂. pure] true S. were pure] pure were M. Di.; in L₂. and Ro. 3628 is much altered: Which that his hert most wold deme L₂. Which in effect he demyd shulde seme Ro.] Hool of on herte / and not variable, Of old expert / and alway founde stable; [3630. and] in Du.] Requeryng hem / be-causë they were wys, Al openly to tellen · / ther avis [ 3632] [3632. ther Ar. her Bo. M. Ad₁.] Wher it was bet / pleynly, in her sight, [leaf 61] [3633. Wher] Whedre Bo. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. P. was Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. were Lb. and the rest. bet] better L₁. Lb. Ba. S. P. E₂. Ro.] With his brother / to treten or to fight. And somë gaf / a ful blunt sentence, [Some say 'Fight';] [3635. And] om. Ra. ful] om. Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] which hadde / of werrë / non experience: [ 3636] Seyde it was best /, and nat ben afferd, [3637. and nat ben] and noþing be L₁. and nat to be Ra. nat to be Ad₂. I. C. nat be Ad₁.] To trye his right / manly with þe Swerd. [3638. trye] trete Ro. þe Ar. C. E₂. L₂. a G. Lb. Ba. P. his Bo. and the rest.] And som̄e also / that wer moor prudent, [some,] [3639. wer Ar. were Bo. M. Ad₁.] Spak vnto hym / by good avisëment [ 3640] [3640. vnto] to M. Di.] And list nat sparë* / but their conceyte tolde [3641. spare Bo. M. Ad₁. spar Ar. their Ar. Bo. Ad₁. her M.] how hit was best / his couenaunt forto holde, ['Keep your promise to your brother.'] [3642. couenaunt] couenantes M. Di. forto] to M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. S. E₂.] And to parforn / his heeste mad to-forn̄ [3643. to] om. C. parforn Ar. Bo. T₁. parfourne Du. parforme G. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. C. parfourme I. Ra. Ba. L₂. Ro. performe L₁. S. P. perfourme E₁. E₂. heest M. Ad₁. heste Bo.] To his brother / licħ as he was sworn̄; [ 3644] [3644. And to eschewe in all wise to be forsworn Ra. Ba.] So that his word /, the wors to mak hym spede, [3645. to make hym] make hym to E₂. spede] fare Lb. P. And if he purpos trewlie to spede Ba. Ra.] Be nat foundë / variant fro the dede, [3646. the dede] your dede Ra. Ba. noo dede E₁. in P. 3646 reads: Tolde hym full pleynely (so as they dare).] For non hatred / rancour, neyther pryde. And tho / the queenë* / took hym out aside, [ 3648] [¶ Nota ¶ The word of þe qwene Iocasta to Ethiocles.] [3648. queen Ar. Bo. quene M. Ad₁. out aside] vnside Ra. on side Ba.] Tolde hym pleynly / it was ful vnsittyng [3649. ful Ar. G. C. E₂. L₂. Ro. om. Bo. and the rest.] Swicħ doublenesse / to fynden in a kyng, [Jocasta takes Eteocles aside,] [3650. fynde Bo. M. Ad₁.]

And seide hym ek / al-thoħ he were strong, [and reminds him of his wrong. doing.] [3651. al-thoh] þough Bo. L₁.] To his brother / how he didë* wrong, [ 3652] [3652. how] haue Du. dide Bo. M. dede Ad₁. did Ar.] "As al the toune / wil record, in dede, And berë* witnesse / ȝif it kam to nede. [3654. omitted in Lb. P.; in Lb. the line is left blank; in P. 3655 follows immediately on 3653 in the column, while a later hand has written with much paler ink in the right-hand margin: Contrarye to þat was agreid.] [3654. bere Bo. Ad₁. G. ber Ar. M. ȝif] whan Ad₂. I. cam Bo. come M. Ad₁.] Wherfor lat vs shape another mene In this materë / whil that it is grene, [ 3656] [3656. that] om. Ra. Ba. S. it] om. G.] Or this quarel /, gonne of voluntè, [3657. Or] Er T₁. Ra. Ba. E₂. Of S. gonne] begone S. gynne Ra. Ba. gone P. thus gone E₂. goo Lb. of] to Lb. P.] Turne / in the fyn / to mor aduersitè. For ȝif it be / darreynëd be bataylle, who tresteth most / may ful likly faille. [ 3660] [3660. tristeth Bo. M. trustith Ad₁. most] om. Lb. P. ful] om. Lb. E₁. P. likly] lightly L₁. Lb. P. E₂.] And it is foly / be short avisëment, To putte a strif / in martys Iugëment. For hard it is / whan a Iuge is wood, [leaf 61, back] [3663. a] þe P.] To tret aforn hym / with-out loos of blood. [ 3664] [¶ How perilous it is to be go∣vernyd by (short auisement in)* any querel.] And ȝif we put our mater* / hool in Marte, [3665. ȝif] om. M. Di. put our mater Lb. C. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. puter Ar. putte G. put it Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. hool] holy M. Di. Ra. Ba. in] on Ad₁. Marte] Mart Ad₂. I. Ra. L₂. Mars L₁ (:coars); in the rubric, after by, the rest of the line is blank; supplied from Du.] which with the swerd / his lawës doth coarte, [Jocasta tells Eteocles] [3666. which] that Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. the] his Lb. P. Ro. his lawes] his lawe L₁. þe lawe Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Than may hit happe / wher ȝe be glad or lotħ, [3667. loth] wroth M. S. C. E₂. L₂. Ro.] Thow and thy brother / shal repente botħ; [ 3668] And many a-noþer / that is her present, Of ȝoure trespas / that ben Innocent, [3670. Of] That of Ro. that] om. Ro. they S. ben] bethe L₂. beyng S. Innocent] verry Innocent Lb. P. E₂. ful innocent Ro.] And many thousand / in cas shal compłeyn̄ For the debat / only of ȝow tweyn̄, [ 3672] And for ȝour strif / shal fyndë ful vnsoote. [3673. shal] shul Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ra. ye shall P. ful] hit P. om. Ra. Ba.] "And for thow art gynnyng, ground, and Roote [that, as he's the wrong-doer,] [3674. gynnyng] begynnyng Ad₂. I. gynner M. Di. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. begynnere Lb.]

Of this Iniurie / and this gret vnright, To the goddys / that herof han a sight, [ 3676] [he 'll have to account for all who die in the war.] [3676. herof] therof S. theron Ba. a] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Thow shalt accountys / and a reknyng make For alle tho / that persshyn for þi sake. [3678. pershen M. perisshen Bo. Ad₁.] And now the causë / dryven is so ferre, Sodeyn pees / outher* hasty werre [ 3680] [Peace and war,] [3680. Sodeyn] Sodeinly E₂. oyther Ar. outher Ro. other L₂. either Bo. Ad₁. or T₁. M. Lb. or ellys L₁. Di.] Moot folwe anon /; for the fatal chaunce [life and death, hang in the balance.] [3681. Mote Bo. Ad₁. Most M. Di. S. fatal] final Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of lif and deth / dependeth in balaunce. [3682. and] or Di. in] in a T₁. Ad₂. I. S.] And no man may / be no craft restreyne That vpon on* / platly of this tweyne [ 3684] [3684. That] om. I. on] om. Ar. G. platly] playnely P. planly S. this] hem Ad₁. Ad₂. I. you Lb. P. E₂.] The soort mot fallë / lik as it doth tourne, Who so euer lawgh / or ellys mourne. [3686. Who so] Who that M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. Who so þat Di. S. Whos that E₁. euer] euer therof Lb. P. euer ther-at E₂. om. Di. or ellys (Ar. G. Ro.)] other Bo. T₁. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. either M. Di. or Du. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. E₂. L₂.] And thow art dryve / so narowë to þe stake [He's at the stake,] That thow mayst nat / moo delayës make, [ 3688] [3688. nat moo] no mo L₁ nat no Ad₂. P. L₂. Ro. not no more Di. not no mo S.] But fight or tret / this quarel forto fyne; [and must fight or treat.] By non engyn / thow canst / it not declyne. And hasty cas /, as folk seyn that be wys, [3691. And] An M. Di] Redresse / requereth by ful short avys: [ 3692] For trete longe / now avaylleth noght. [leaf 62] [3693. For Ar. G. L₂. To (om. For) Ro. For to Bo. and the rest. long Ad₁. longe Bo. M. avaylleth] avayleth þe Lb.] For to the poynt / sothly thou art brouht, Outher* to kepë thy pocessioun [3695. Oyther Ar. Outher Bo. Eyther M. Ad₁.] Or in al haste / devoyde / out of this toun, [ 3696] [3696. al] om. M. Di.] wher thow therwith / be wroth or wel apayd." [3697. wher Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. whether Lb. Ra. therwith] om. T₁. P. herwith Ra. Ba. wel] euele Di. P. Ro.] "Now notë wel / al that I haue* sayd, [Jocasta tells] [3698. al] om. Ad₂. ha Ar. haue Bo. M. Ad₁. haue the Ad₂. I. Ro. to the have Ra. Ba.] And by my counsayl / wisly condescende Wrong, wrouht of olde / newly to amende. [ 3700]

The tyme is come / it may be non̄ other. wherfor in haste / trete with this brother [Eteocles] [3702. haste . trete Bo. with] well with E₁.] And ageyn hym / make no resistence, But to thy lordys / fully ȝiue* credence: [ 3704] [3704. ȝif Ar. ȝyf G. Du. gyue Bo. yeue M. Ad₁.] By whoos counsayl / sith they be so sage, [to give Poly∣neices his inheritance.] late Polymyte / reioyse his heritage. And that shal turnë / most to thyn avail. loo! her is hool / the fyn of our counsail." [ 3708] [3708. hool] all Ro. hool the fyn] the fyn hol Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. our] my Ro.] ¶ And shortly tho / for verrey Irë wrotħ, [Eteocles is wroth,] [3709. verrey] om. E₂. Ire] ire and S. P. L₂. Ro. wroth] wrath P. wroght Ba.] Thouh he therto / forward was and lotħ, [3710. he] om. Lb. therto] herto E₂. and] or E₁.] Accorded is /, heryng al the prees, ȝif he algate shal trete for a* pes, [ 3712] [but agrees to treat for peace if he may] [3712. he] ȝe Di. algat Bo. he algate shal trete] algate entrete he shal Ad₂. I. he algate trete shal G. a pes Lb. M. Di. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. pes Ar. Bo. and the rest.] It moste be / by this condicioun [3713. most M. Ad₁. muste E₁. mot Bo. Lb. L₂.] That he wol han / the domynacioun First in chief / to hym-silf reserued, As hym thouht / he haddë wel disserued, [ 3716] [3716. wel] it wel Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂.] And saue to hym / hool the souereyntè; [remain King,] [3717. And saue] So sone Lb. And sole P. to] vnto Ra. Ba. hool] holy L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba.] And vnder hym / in Thebës þe Citè [and Polyneices] he to grauntë / with a right good cher, [3719. a right good] riȝt a goode Di.] Polymytës / to regnë for a ȝer, [ 3720] [reign under him for a year.] Than tavoyde* / and not resoort ageyn̄: [3721. tavoide Bo. T₁. M. Ad₁. Ra. E₂. to avoyde Du. L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. P. avoyde Ar. G. E₁. Ro. to voide L₂.] For mor to cleymë / was nat but In veyn̄. [3722. nat] om. M. Di. Ad₂. I. P. nat but] all but E₂. In veyn] Inveyn Ar. veyn Ad₁. S.] This wold he don̄ / only for her sake, [leaf 62, back] [3723. This] Thus Bo. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. L₂. her] his Ra. Ba] And other-wise / he wil non endë make [ 3724] [If not, he'll fight.] with the Grekys / what fortune euere falle. [3725. the] om. Lb. M. Di. P. E₂.] And fynally / among his lordys alle [No Theban lord will propose this:] Ther was not on / of hiħ nor lowgh estat,

That woldë* gon / on this ambassyat [ 3728] [3728. wolde Bo. wold Ar. M. Ad₁. Ra. on] vpon Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. in T₁. L₁. this] his L₁. om. E₁. ambassyat Ar. M. Ad₁. embassiate Bo. embassate Ba. bassate E₁.] Out of the toune / nouther for bet nor wors; [3729. for] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. L₂. nor Ar. ne Bo. M. Ad₁. ne for Ba. wors] wers (: hors) Ra. Ba. Ad₂.] Til Iocasta / madë sadyl her hors, [so Jocasta will.] And cast her-silf / to gon for this tretè, [3731. for] on Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. this] the Ro.] To make an endë / ȝif it woldë be. [ 3732] And this was don / the morowe right be tyme, [Jocasta and her daughters,] Vpon the hourë* / whan it droħ to pryme. [3734. houre Bo. M. hour Ar. Ad₁.] And with hyr went / hyr ȝonge dohtres tweyn̄e, [3735. yong Bo. M. Ad₁.] Antygonè / and the feyr ymeyne, [ 3736] [Antigone and Ismene,] Of hyr meynè / ful many on aboute, [3737. on] her Ro.] At the gate / she was conveyëd oute, [3738. At the Ar. Atte Bo. Ad₁. At M. conveyed M. conveyde Bo. Ad₁.] And of purpos / she madë first hir went On hors-bak / to kyng Adrastus tent, [ 3740] [ride to King Adrastus,] He and his lordys / beyng al yffere. [3741. al] there M. Di.] And they receyve hyr / with a right glad chere, [who welcomes her.] [3742. receyve] resseyvid L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. a] om. E₁. S. right] full L₁. om. M. Di. Ad₂. I. P. a right] right a T₁. Lb. Ad₁. glad] om. Ra. goode Ba.] Shewyng hyr / lik to hir degrè, [3743. Shewyng] Sewyng Bo. Suing E₁.] On euery half / ful gret humanytè, [ 3744] Polymytës / rysyng fro his place, [Polyneices] And humblely / his moder gan enbrace, [3746. humblely Ar. G. humbely L₁. Di. Ad₁. E₁. P. humbly Bo. and the rest.] Kyssede hyr / and than Antigonè, [kisses her and his sisters.] [3747. Antigone] Antigon Lb.] And ek ymeyne / excellyng of bewtè. [ 3748] [3748. ek] om. G. M. Di. E₁. thenne Lb. than P. excellyng of] excellynge in Lb. excellent of G. Ba. E₁. E₂. of excellent P. bewte] beute anon Lb.] And for that they / passyngly were faire, [3749. that] om. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. passyngly were] were passyngly Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. were passyng L₁. were passandli Ra. Ba. wer so passyng S. were so excellent P (so on erasure).] Gret was the pres / concours, and repaire Of the ladyes forto han a sight. [3751. the] þo Bo. T₁. forto] to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] And Iocasta / procedeth anon ryght [ 3752] [Jocasta]

To Adrastus / hir mater to purpose, [leaf 63] And gan to hym / opynly disclose [proposes Eteo∣cles's terms:] [3754. opynly] specially Lb. P. disclose Ar. G. M. Ba. E₁. S. P. L₂. to disclose Bo. and the rest.] Thentent and wiłł of Ethiocles, [3755. Ar. has a pause-bar after Thentent.] And by what menë he desireth pes, [ 3756] To hym reserued /, as she gan specifie, [3757. reseruyd Bo. M. Ad₁. reserue E₂. she] he L₂. gan] can Du. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁.] The honour hool / and the regalye, [that he shall remain King,] [3758. The honour M. thonour Bo. Ad₁. hool] holde Du.] with Sceptre and Crounë fro hym not devyded, [3759. with Sceptre] That Septor P.] But hool to hym / as he hath provided; [ 3760] [3760. hool] holy M. Di. holde Du.] ¶ And Polymyte, be this condicioun, [and Polyneices reign under him.] Vnder hym to regnen / in the toun As a Soget, be suffraunce of his brother. [3763. suffraunce] soveraunce Ba.] But the Grekës / thouhten al another, [ 3764] And Specyaly worthy Tydeus, [Tideus rejects them.] Pleynly affermyng it shuld nat be thus: [¶ The answer of Tydeus.] For he wil hauë / no condiciouns, But sette a-Syde / ałł excepciouns, [ 3768] [3768. in Ar. after all, is ce, underdotted.] Nothyng reservid / as in special, [Tideus says] [3769. special] especiall Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] But hool the lordship, Regalye, and al, Polymytës it fully to possede, [Polyneices must be crownd King in Thebes.] [3771. in Ar. it is added above the line with the usual mark.] In Thebës Crownëd / verrayly in dede, [ 3772] As Rightful kyng / putte in pocessioun, [3773. As] And T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. E₂. Rightful] rihtfulli Ra. putte] putte hym T₁.] lich the Couenauntys and conuencioun Imad of olde / assuryd, and asselyd, [3775. Imad] Maad T₁. asselyd] enseled Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₂. I-selid Ra. Ba. S. Ro. essealed E₁.] "which shall not now of nwë be repelyd, [ 3776] [3776. newe Bo. new M. Ad₁.] But stable and hool / in his strengthë* stonde. [3777. strengthe M. Ad₁. strength Ar. Bo. trouth Ba.] And lat hym so platly vndyrstonde! [and Polyneiees must leave the town.] [3778. so platly] platly soo Lb. P. E₂. so pleynly Bo. S.] And first that he devoyde hym out of toun, [3779. first that he] hastli Ra. hastelie Ba. hym] om. L₁. P. Ro. toun Ar. G. Bo. Lb. Ad₁. E₂. L₂. the toun T₁. and the rest of the MSS.]

And delyuere the Sceptre / and the Croun [ 3780] [3780. delyuere] deliuere vp Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] To his brother / and mak therof no more. And shortly ellys It shal be bouht ful sore [3782. shortly ellys] ellis shortly M. Di.] Or this mater brought be to an ende. [leaf 63, back] For Grek is non̄ / that shal hennys wende [ 3784] [No Greek will depart till this is done.] [3784. Grek is non Ar. G. Ro. Grek is þer noon Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. M. Di. P. Grekis is þer non L₁. E₁. Grekes be ther none E₂. Grekys non ther L₂. Grek is here noon Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. that] om. L₂. shal] shull E₂. hennes Bo. hens M. Ad₁.] Or that our right / which is vs denyed, [3785. which] that P. E₂. vs] so Ad₁. Ad₂. I. om. Du. denyed] deveyd Ba (: treid).] with lif or deth / darreynëd be and tryed: we wil not arst fro this towne remewe. [3787. wil not Ar. ne wol Bo. M. Ad₁. erst Bo. M. Ad₁.] "And ȝif hym lyst / al this thyng eschwe [ 3788] [If Eteocles] [3788. this thyng eschwe Ar. G. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. this to eschue Bo. and the rest.] And al meschief / styntyn and appese, To either part / he may do gret ese: [3790. part M. Ad₁. parte Bo.] Thus I menë / for his auauntage, [3791. mene M. Ad₁. meen Bo.] Delyuer vp hool / the trewë herytage [ 3792] [will give up Thebes for a year,] [3792. true Bo. trew M. Ad₁.] To his brother / for a ȝeer tendure. [3793. aȝeer Ar. to endure Bo. M. Ad₁.] And Grekys shal fully hym assure, [the Greeks will guarantee him] [3794. shal] shul Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. om. L₁.] By what bonde that hym list devise, The ȝeer complet /, in our beste wise [ 3796] [3796. best Bo. M. Ad₁.] To hym delyuer / ageyn pocessioun [possession of it again.] [3797. pocessioun] in possessioun Ra. Ba.] with-outë strif / or contradiccioun. And to this fyn / Iustly hold* vs to. [3799. holde Bo. M. hold Ad₁. hald Ar.] "And ȝif it fallë / that he wil nat so, [ 3800] [If not, he must fight.] Lat hym not wayte / but only after werre. The hour is come / we wil it not differre. [3802. it] om. M. Di. wil] shal Ba.] ¶ lo! her is al / and thus ȝe may reporte To hym ageyn / whan that ȝe resorte; [ 3804] Fro which apoynt / we cast vs not to varye." [3805. Fro] For G. Di. Ba. apoynt Ar. T₁. Lb. M. Di. E₁. Ro. a poynt Bo (with a middle point after a). Du. Ra. o point Ad₁ (with the usual point on each side of o, to mark the numeral). oon poynt Ba. on poynt S. poynt L₁. Ad₂. I. P. L₂. appointment E₂. (see Notes). Ar. has a pause-bar also after which.]

And ȝit to hym / Amphiorax contrarye [Amphiorax] [3806. Amphiorax] Amphorax Bo.] Ful pleynly saide, in conclusioun, [says war 'll be death to every one;] [3807. Ar. has a pause-bar after pleynly.] This fyn shal cause a destruccioun [ 3808] [3808. cause Bo. M. Ad₁. Ar. has a pause-bar between fyn and shal.] Of hem echon / ȝif it forth procede To be parfourmed / and execute in dede. [3810. parfourmed Bo. parformed Ad₁.] But thilke tyme for al his elloquence [but few listen to him.] [3811. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk M.] He had in soth / but lytyl audience. [ 3812] For wherso euer / he ment / good or ille, [leaf 64] [3813. For] om. L₁. wherso] wheþer so L₁. Lb. E₂. what so M. he] it Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. ment] mene Ad₁. Ad₂. I. or ille] evele Ro (: style).] kyng Adrastus / bad hym to be stille. ¶ And tho Iocasta / as wisdom did hyr tecħ, [Jocasta tries] [3815. did hyr] om. Ra. can her Ba.] humble of her port / with ful softe specħ, [ 3816] [3816. her] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. softe Bo. soft M. Ad₁.] Gan sekë menys / in hyr fantasye ȝif she myght the Irë modefye [to modify the Greeks' anger.] Of the Grekes / to make· hem to enclyne In eny wise / hyr rancour forto fyne. [ 3820] She dyd hyr dever / and hir bysy cure. [3821. deuoir Bo. M. devour Ad₁.] But tho byfel a wonder aventure, [But a wonderful event happens.] Cause and ground / of gret confusioun, Grekys perturbyng / and also ek the toun, [ 3824] [3824. par∣turbyng Bo. Ad₁. perturbling M. pertourbing E₂. also Ar. G. S. L₂. Ro. om. Bo. and the rest.] And it to tellë / may me not asterte. [3825. it] yit Ad₂. I. to] om. E₁. may] it may Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Ro. I may E₂. L₂. me] om. Ad₂. I. E₂. L₂. may me not] may not me M. Di. Ad₁. Ba. E₁. S. may not he Ra.] For which a whil / my styełł I mot dyuerte, [3826. while Bo. M. Ad₁. stile Bo. M. Ad₁.] And shortly tellë /, by descripcioun, Of a Tigre dwellyng in the toun, [ 3828] [A tiger was sent from Egypt to Thebes.] which fro a kyngdam / besyden adiacent, [3829. besyden Ar. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S. Ro. besidyn L₂. besident E₂. by syen G. beside L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. besides Lb. P.] Out of Egipte / was to Thebës sent: the* whichë* beest by record of scripture [3831. whiche Bo. M. which Ar. Ad₁. (see Notes).]

Is most swift / as of his nature, [ 3832] [The tiger is savage,] [3832. of] to Ba. his] his oune Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And of kynd also most sauage, [3833. of] of his M. Di. E₁. also] om. M. Di.] And most cruel / whan he is in his rage, And, as Clerkys makë mencioun, He of body / resembleth the lyoun, [ 3836] [with a lion's body,] [3836. the Ar. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. a M. Di. to a Bo. and the rest.] And lik a greyhound / the mosel and the hed, [a greyhound's head,] [3837. greyhounde Bo. grehond M. grehound Ad₁. mosel M. Ad₁. musel Bo. mozell P.] And of Eyen / as eny fyret red, [red eyes,] [3838. of] the M. Di. eien M. Ad₁. yen Bo. as eny] lyke A Ro. fyret Ar. G. feret L₂. ferete Ro. fyre Bo. and all the rest (see Notes).] Ek of his Skyn /, wryten as I fynde, licħ a panter / conuersant in ynde, [ 3840] [and spotted skin.] with al maner hwys and colours; [3841. hewes Bo. Ad₁. hues M.] And is ful oft / disceyued with merours By fraude of huntys / and fals apparence [leaf 64, back] Shewyd in glas / with-outen existence, [ 3844] whan his kyndles / arn be sleight ytake*, [3845. arn Ar. E₁. L₂. aron Lb. ar Bo. and the rest. sleight Bo. M. Ad₁. sleightes E₂. take] y-take Bo. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. S.] And he deceyuëd / may no rescus make. [3846. deceyued] destreined E₂. rescus Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. reskewe Ad₂. I. no rescus] no recours Lb. nat receute Ba.] And lik a lombe / was this Tygre tame, [This tiger at Thebes was tame,] Ageynys kynde /, myn autour writ the same. [ 3848] [3848. ayens Bo. Ad₁.] ¶ And this beest, mervaillous to se, was sent to* ymeyne and antigonè: [3850. to] om. Ar. G. (Lb.) P. L₂. Ro. and] vnto Lb.] whicħ vnto hem / didë* gret confort, [3851. did Ar. Bo. M. dede Ad₁.] And Cowdë playe / and makë good* disport, [ 3852] [3852. good Lb. M. Di. P. E₂. gret Ar. Bo. and the rest (cf. 3851).] lik a whelp / that is but ȝong of age; And to no wight didë* no damage, [never did any damage,] [3854. did Ar. Bo. dide M. dede Ad₁.] No mor in soth / þan doth a litil hound; And it was worth many hundred pound [ 3856] [3856. was] om. Du. many] many an Du. Lb. Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I. S. E₂. L₂. many a L₁. E₁. hondred M. hundreth Bo. hondert Ad₁.] Vnto the kyng /, for ay in his greuaunce [and used to amuse Eteocles.] [3857. in Ar. before for, an crossed through.]

Ther was no þing / did hym mor plesaunce, [3858. did] þat did Lb. Ra. Ba. P. E₂. L₂. Ro.] That for no tresour / it myght not be bought. [3859. it] he Bo. myght] may Ra. Ba. not] om. Ra. Ba. be] ha be M. Di.] For whan that he was pensif or in thought, [ 3860] [3860. whan that] om. Ra. that] om. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S.] It putt hym out of his hevynesse. [3861. putt] putted Ad₁.] And thilkë* tyme /, the story doth expresse, [3862. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk Ar. M.] That Iocasta treted* for a pes, [3863. tretid Bo. M. Ad₁. treded Ar.] This tamë Tygre / in party rekkëles, [ 3864] [Now it runs out of the gates.] [3864. rekles Bo. M. Ad₁.] Out at the gates / in sight of many a man, [3865. Out at] Out of Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. Ro. gates] gate M. Di.] Into the felde / wildëly* out ran, [3866. wildely Bo. M. Ad₁. wildly Ar.] And Casuelly rennyng to and fro, [3867. rennyng Bo. Ad₁. rynnyng Du. ronnyng S.] In and oute, as doth a tamë Roo; [ 3868] Grekys wenyng that wer ȝong of age, [The Greeks, thinking it wild,] That this Tygre / haddë be sauage, [3870. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] And Cruelly besettyng al the place Round aboutë / gan hym to enchace [ 3872] [hunt it and kill it.] Til he was ded / and slayën* in the feld. [leaf 65] [3873. slayen] slayn Ar. Bo. and all. ded and slayen] slayn and ded M. Di.] The slauhter of whom whan þat they byheld, [3874. slauhter] deth E₁. þat] om. M. Di. Ra. Ba.] The proude Thebans / which on the wallys stood, [3875. which] that M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Ro.] They ronnë doune ful furious and wood, [ 3876] [The Thebans] [3876. ronne] rann Ba. E₂. renne Ad₂. I. ronne doune] began to wexe P. ful] om. Bo. Lb. P.] wenyng he had / be slayën* of despit. [3877. had] om. E₂. slayen] slayn Ar. Bo. and all. of] in Lb. Ar. has a second pause-bar after be.] Takyng her hors / with-outë mor respit, Fully in purpos / with Grekys forto fighte, [3879. in purpos] purposed Lb. P. E₂. Grekys] the grekes M. Di. S. forto] to M. Di. Ba. S.] The Tigres deth / tavengen ȝif they myghte. [ 3880] [3880. tavengen M. Ad₁. to avengen Du. to vengen Bo.] And out they rood / with-outë gouernaylle, [sally out] And ful proudly / Grekës gan assaylle, [3882. Grekes] the Grekes Ro. gan] gon M. Di. E₂. om. L₁. assayle] thei saile Ra.] And of hatred / and ful hegh desdayne

Fyl vpon hem / that han the tygre slayne, [ 3884] [and slay the] And cruelly qwitten hem her mede, [3885. quitten Bo. Ad₁. quyt M. quyten I. Ad₂. gan quiten Ra.] That many Greke / in the grenë mede, [Greeks who kild the tiger.] [3886. many Bo. M. many a Ad₁.] By the force / and the grete myght [3887. grete Bo. Ad₁. gret M.] Of her Foomen, lay slayën̄* in þis fight. [ 3888] [3888. slayen] slayn A. and all, except dede Ro. þis Ar. G. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. om. L₁. the Bo. and the rest.] The Tigres deth / so derë they aboughte, So mortally the* Thebans* on hem wroughte [3890. the Thebans] Thebanys Ar. Thebans Lb. P. E₂. L₂. Ro.] That al the host, in the feld liggyng, [3891. Ar. has alle, with le underdotted.] was astounyd / of this sodeyn thyng. [ 3892] [3892. a-stonyed Bo. a-stoned M. Ad₁.] And in this whil, of Rancour rekkëles. [With them are Eteocles] [3893. whil] wise E₂. rekles Bo. M. Ad₁. rechelese Lb.] Out of Thebës rood Ethiocles, And with hym ek / the worthy kyng Tremour, [and King Tremor.] [3895. ek] om. Lb. E₁. P. with hym ek] eke with hym L₁. kyng] om. L₁. Tremour] Treuour or Trenour Bo.] Of his hond a noble werreour, [ 3896] [3896. honde in Ar., with e underdotted. hondis Lb.] That madë Grekës to forsak her place, [3897. That made] To make Di. made] make Bo.] And to her tentys / gan hem to enchace. [3898. to enchace] enchace Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S.] And myd the feld / as þei to-gyder mette On hors-bak / with sperës sharpë* whette [ 3900] [3900. sharpe Bo. sharp Ar. M. Ad₁. sharpely E₂ whette] ywhette P (but ywh written by later hand, on erasure).] Of verray hate / and of* envious pryde, [Many on both sides are slain.] [3901. and of] and Ar. Bo. and all.] Ful many on was ded on outher syde. [3902. Ful] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] ¶ The whichë* thyng / whan Tideus espieth*, [leaf 65, back] [3903. whiche Bo. M. which Ar. Ad₁. espieth] espeth Ar.] wood as lyoun / to hors-bak he hietħ, [ 3904] [¶ The manhod of Tydeus.] [3904. lyoun] a leon L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. P. E₂. L₂. to] on Ro. he] om. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. E₁. S. hieth] hyede Ro.] As he that was neuer a del afferd; But ran on hem / and met hem in the berd, And Maugrè hem / in his crueltè, [Tideus drives the Thebans back to their city.] he made hem fleen / hom to her Citè, [ 3908] hem pursuyng / of ful dedly hate,

That many on̄ / lay slayën* at the gate, [3910. slaien Ad₁. slayn Ar. and all the rest. at the Ar. atte Bo. Ad₁. at M.] Gapyng vprightys / with her woundys wyde; [3911. vprightys Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. I. E₁. Ro. vpright L₁. and the rest.] That vttrely / they durste not abyde [ 3912] To-for the swerd of this Tydeus. [3913. To-for] Ther for E₁. S. this] om. Lb. Ad₂. I. worthy P.] he was on hem so passing furius, So many theban / he roof vnto the herte [3915. many M. Ad₁. many a Bo. theban] Thebans Lb. Ra. P. E₂. roof] rood Ad₂. I. vnto] to G. Lb. M. Di. E₁. P. E₂.] That whan Iocasta / the slauhtre gan aduerte, [ 3916] [Jocasta begs Polyneices to recall the Greeks.] ¶ Polymytës / she gan prey ful fayre [3917. she gan prey] she preie gan P. E₂. L₂. Ro. to pray she gan Lb. ful] right Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] To makë Grekis / hom ageyn repayre, And that they wolden styntyn to assaylle [3919. wolde G. Bo. Ad₁. wil M. wolden styntyn] stynten wolde Ad₂. I.] For thilkë* day / and cessen her bataylle. [ 3920] [3920. þilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk Ar. M. that S. P. day] tyme Lb. P. E₂. cessen M. Ad₁. cesen Bo. ceassen E₂. cheson Lb. P. her] of M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] At whoos requeste / pleynly and preyere, [3921. preyeire Ar.] And at Reuerence / of his moder dere, [3922. at Ar. M. atte Bo. Ad₁. at þe Lb. Di. P.] Polymytës, her herte to conforte, [He does so.] Grekës madë / hom ageyn resorte [ 3924] [3924. hom] hem G. Bo. Du. I. he Ad₂. made hom] made he hom Lb. P. resorte] to resorte G. M. Ad₂. I.] And Tydeus to stynten of his chas. [3925. to] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. stynten] styntith Ad₂. styntyng I.] And they of Thebës hasting a gret pas, [3926. hasting] enhasting M. Di.] Ful trist and hevy / ben entred into toun. [3927. into toun Ar. G. L₂. Ro. þe toun Ad₁. Ad₂. I. vnto the toun S. in-to þe toun Bo. and the rest.] And for the Tygre, in conclusioun, [ 3928] [This tiger-busi∣ness begins the war.] As ȝe han herd / first began this stryff, [3929. herd] herd me Ad₁. Ad₂. I. began] gan Ad₁. Ad₂. I. this] the T₁. L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. P. E₂.] That many theban / that day lost his lyff [3930. That] But E₂.] And recurlees / hath ȝolden vp the bretħ, [3931. recurlees] reklesli Ra. Ba. S. ȝolden] yeuen E₂▪] In thavengyng / of the tygres detħ. [ 3932] [3932. In] Of E₂. thavengyng] the avengyng L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. P. L₂. Ro.] And al this while / duëly as she ought, [leaf 66] þe quene Iocasta / humblely besought [Jocasta prays Adrastus] [3934. humblely Ar. humbely L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. P. humbly Bo. and the rest.]

Kyng Adrastus / only of his grace, [3935 to 4116 lost in I.] Some menë way / wisly to purchace [ 3936] [3936. wisly Ar. M. Ad₁. wisely Bo. Ra. onely Ad₂.] To make a pees / atwene the bretheren tweyn̄, [to make peace;] And the tretè / so prudently ordeyne, [3938. trete] tretye Du. tretise L₁. so] om. Ad₁. Ad₂.] On eiþer party / that no blood be shad. [3939. in Ar. between On and eiþer, is an underdotted A.] And this Adrastus / avisè and riȝt sad, [ 3940] [but he will] [3940. this] thus Ra. P. E₂. avise Ar. G. Avised Lb. P. E₂. Ro. full wyse L₂. wise Bo. and the rest (wis Ad₁. Ra.).] For Grekis party / answer gaf anon̄ [3941. anon] he none Du.] That other endë / shortly gete* she non̄, [do it only on Tideus's terms.] [3942. gete Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. L₂. getys Ar. G. gate Lb. Ra. Ba. S. P. E₂. Ro.] lich as the lordis / fully ben avisyd, [3943. fully] om. Ad₁. Ad₂.] Than Tydeus hath aforn devisyd. [ 3944] [3944 is omitted in Ba.] [3944. Than Ar. G. Du. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. L₂. Ro. As Lb. P. þat Bo. and the rest. hath aforn] aforne hath G. Ro.] ¶ And whan she saugh it may non oþer be, She lievë tok / and hom to the Cytè [Jocasta goes back to Thebes.] She is repeirëd /, hauyng to hyr Guyde Polymytës Rydyng be her syde. [ 3948] And Tideus ladde Antigonè, And of Archadye / prothonolopè, The worthy kyng, did his bysy peyne [King Protho∣nolope rides with Ismene,] To ben attendaunt / vpon fair ymeyne, [ 3952] Whos hert she hath / to her servisë luryd: [3953. to] in P. servise] hert S.] And he ageyn hath purtraied and fyguryd Myd of his brest /, which lightly may not passe, [3955. which Ar. G. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. Ro. þat Bo. and the rest. lightly may] likly many G.] Hooly the feturis / of her fresshly face. [ 3956] [3956. of her] and the P. her] his L₁. fresshly] fressh L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. P.] Hym thouht she was so faire a creature; And though that he durst hym not discure, [3958. durst hym not Ar. G. Lb. Ra. E₂. L₂. Ro. dorst not him Bo. and the rest, except P.; in P. 3958 is erased, and on the erasure a later hand has written with paler ink: So plesaunt and so comely of fayture.] Ȝit in his hert / as ferforth as he kan, [3959. ȝit] And yit Ad₂. That P.] He hath avowed / to ben̄ her trwë man, [ 3960] [and in his heart pledges his troth to her.] [3960. trewe Bo. trew M. Ad₁.] vnwist to hir / pleynly and vnknowe

How he was markëd with Cupidës bowe, with his Arwë / sodeynly werreyed. [leaf 66, back] And to the ȝatë / the ladyes conueyed [ 3964] [Jocasta and her daughters enter Thebes.] Ben entred In / for it drow* to eve, [3965. Ben] And bethe P. drowe Bo. droweth Ar. drow M. L₂. drough Ad₁. G. drewe E₁. E₂. it] to Ro. drow to eve] drewe night to eve Lb. drew nye Eve P. drewe to night Ro.] Grekys of hem taking tho her leve; [The Greeks take leave.] [3966. taking tho] tho takyng Ra. P. tho taken Ba. taken han L₁. taking tho her leve] ther leve toke right Ro.] Thogh som̄e of hem wer sory to departe, ȝit of wisdam / they durste not iuparte [ 3968] Vnder a conduit / to entren into toun, [3969. conduit Ar. G. Bo. M. condit Ad₁. conduct L₁. entren Bo. M. entre Lb. entere Ro. entyr L₂. into toun Ar. G. Ro. in the toun L₂. vnto the toun S. in-to þe toun Bo. and the rest.] lest it turned to her confusion. [3970. turned] turne Ra. Ba. to] vnto M. Di.] Thouħ somë bookës / the contrarye seyn̄: But myn Autour / is platly ther-ageyn̄, [ 3972] [My author is clear,] [3972. platly] pleynly Lb. S. P. playne L₁. E₂.] And affermeth / in his opynyoun, That Tydeus / of hegh discrecioun, [that Tideus] [3973 and 3974 omitted in Du.] Of wilfulnessë / nor of no folye, [3975. wilfulnesse] wofullnes L₁. nor of no] or of no Ra. Ba. neither of M. Di. nere off P. nor of high Ro. more of G.] Ne wold as tho put in Iupartie [ 3976] [would not risk lives by entering Thebes.] [3975 and 3976 transposed in Du.] [3976. as tho] as then S.] Nowther hym-silf / nor non̄ of his ferys. [3977. nor] ner Bo. Du. ne M. Ad₁.] And the ladyes / with her heuenly cherys, [3978. the] tho Bo. her] om. Ad₂. E₁. heuenly] hevy S.] Angelik / of look / and contenance, Licħ as it is / put in remembrance, [ 3980] At her entryng from Grekys into toun, [3981. Grekys] þe Grekes Du. Lb. P. into toun Ar. G. L₂. Ro. into þe toun Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. P. E₂. vnto þe town S.] Polymytës / of gret affeccioun, [Polyneices begs Jocasta] [3982 in Ad₁. and Ad₂. begins with fro Grekes, which is left out of 3981.] [3982. Polymytes] Pollimite besouȝte Di.] The quen bysouthe / thilkë* nyght not fyne [3983. bysouhte] besought þat E₂. om. Di. þilke Bo. Ad₁. this Ar. that M. Di. S. om. P. nyght] om. Lb. P. not fyne] ne fyne M. not to fyne S. not for to fyne P. þat she ne fyne Di. nat feine Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba.] For tasseyë ȝif she myght enclyne [ 3984] [to try and make Eteocles keep his word.] [3984. tasseye Ar. to assay Bo. E₁. to assaie M. Ad₁. tassaie E₂.] Ethiocles, of conscience and ryght,

To kepë couenaunt / as he hath behight Ful ȝore agon / with the surplusage, List the contrarie* / tournë to damage, [ 3988] [3988. List Ar. G. lest Bo. M. Ad₁. Ra. contrarie G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. E₁. S. P. L₂. Ro. contrayre Ar. E₂. tourne] come E₂.] First of hym-silf / and many an oþer mo. [3989. of] on Bo. Du. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. and] and sith of M. Di. and syth on E₁. an] om. Ba. E₁. mo] Man P (: agoo). many an oþer mo] many mo M. Di.] And thus fro Thebës / grekys ben ago [The Greeks go back to their tents.] [3990. thus] om. L₁. grekys Ar. L₁. L₂. þe grekes Bo. and the rest. ben ago] be go Ad₁. Ad₂. gan goo Ba.] To her Tentys / and rest hem al that nyght. [3991. rest] om. Ra. that] þe L₁. Di. Ra. Ba. E₁.] And Lucyna / the monë shon ful bright [ 3992] with-Innë Thebës / on the chief dongoun, [leaf 67] whan Iocasta made relacioun [Jocasta tells Eteocles that] Vnto the kyng / and told hym al the Guyse, How that Grekys vttrely despyse [ 3996] [they despise his offer,] [3996. Grekys] þe Grekes Du. E₁.] his profre made be fals collusioun; [3997. his] A L₁. collusioun] conclusion L₁.] Only excepte / the conuencioun, Of old engrocyd by gret purvyance, [3999. engroced Bo. engrosed M. Ad₁.] which is enrollyd / and put in remembrance, [ 4000] [and hold to his old agreement.] Vpon which they fynaly wil reste: [4001. they fynaly wil Ar. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. fynaly þei wil Bo. and the rest (wold Ad₂.), except þei will fynally G.] hym counsaillinge /, hir thouhte for the beste, [She advises him to keep it.] [4002. counsaillinge Ar. M. counceilling Ad₁. conselyng Bo. þought Bo. M. þouȝte Ad₁.] To conforme hym / to that he was bounde, [4003. conforme] confourme T₁. conferme Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. confyrme S. hym] om. Ba.] lyst in the fyn / falsnesse hym confounde. [ 4004] [4004. lyst Ar. lest Bo. M. Ad₁. the] om. Du.] But al hir counsayl / he set it at no prys, [But he is] [4005. it] Ar. G. T₁. Lb. Ra. E₂. L₂. om. Bo. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. P. at no prys] att nouht Ra. Ba.] he dempt hym-silf / so prudent and so wys; [4006. and so wys] in thouht Ra. Ba.] For he was wilful / and he was indurat, [4007. and he was] and Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. S. P.] And in his hert / of malyce obstynat, [ 4008] [4008. Ant Ar.] And outtrely / avisëd in his þouht, [resolvd not to.] [4009. vtterly Bo. M. Ad₁.] with-Innë Thebes / his brother get right nouht. [4010. with-in Bo. M. Ad₁.]

And in his Errour / þus I lete* him* dwelle. [4011. his] hir Bo. lete Bo. M. Ad₁. lote Ar. late Du. him] hem Ar.] And of Grekis / forth I wil ȝou telle, [ 4012] [4012. Grekis] þe Grekes Du. E₂. I] om. Bo. ȝou] om. Ra. Ba.] which al that nyght kepte hem-siluë cloos. [4013. kepte M. kept Bo. Ad₁. hem-silue Ar. hem-self Bo. M. Ad₁.] And on the morow / whan Tytan vp aroos, [Next morning] [4014. Tytan] tiban Lb. þey L₁. vp aroos] vp he rose Bo. vp ros L₁. Ba. L₂.] They armyd hem / and gan hem redy make, [the Greeks take the field.] And of assent / han the felde I-take, [ 4016] [4016. of] of oon L₂. of assent han] han of assent Ra. Ba. I-take Ar. G. Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. P. E₂. L₂. take Du. M. Ra.] With the Thebans / that day, out of doute, Forto fighten / ȝif they yssen oute. [4018. yssen Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. issue Ba. E₁. E₂.] ¶ And Adrastus / in ful thrifty wise, In the feld / his wardys / gan devise, [ 4020] As he that was / of ałł deceytës war And richëly I-armyd* / in his char [4022. And] Full Ba. I-armyd] armyd Ar. Bo. and all the other MSS. in his] him in Bo. char] chaire E₂. cheare S.] Amphiorax cam with his meynè, [Amphiorax comes out in] Ful renomyd of antiquitè, [ 4024] [leaf 67, back] [4024. Ful] Full richelie Ba. renomyd Ar. Bo. renomed M. Ad₁. renoumed E₂. of] of old Ra. Ba.] And wel expert / be-causë he was old. [his chariot,] And whil that Grekys, as I haue ȝou told, [4026. Grekys] þe Grekes Du.] wer bysiest her wardys to ordeyne, Myd of the feld / bifyl a cas sodeyne, [ 4028] [4028. bifyl Ar. befel Bo. M. ther fel Ad₁. Ad₂. fill Ra. Ba.] Ful vnhappy / lothsom, and odyble; [¶ How Amphio∣rax fil doune into hell.] For liche a thing / þat wer invisible, This oldë* bisshop / with char and hors certeyn [4031. olde Bo. Ad₁. old Ar. M.] Disaperyd / and no mor was seyne. [ 4032] [but the earth opens;] Only of fate / which no man can repelle, þe ertħ opnede / and he fille doun* to helle, [he falls into Hell;] [4034. opnede Ar. opned M. Ad₁. openyd Bo. openeth E₁. fille] went P. L₂. doun] om. Ar. G. L₂.] with ałł his folk / þat vpon hym abood. And sodeynly / the grounde on which he stood [ 4036] [and the earth closes.] [4036. on which he stood Ar. L₂. that they on stode Lb. P. that he on rode E₂. þat he on stode Bo. and the rest (vpon L₁. Ad₂).] Closyd ageyn / and to-gydre shette,

þat neuer after Grekis with hym mette. [4038. Grekis] þe Grekes Du.] And thus the devel / for his old outrages, [The Devil paid him his wages,] licħ his decert, paiëd hym his wages. [ 4040] [4040. paied Ar. Bo. Lb. paid Ad₁. quyt M. Di.] For he ful lowe / is discendid doun Into the dirk and blakë* Regyoun [4042. dirk Ar. derke Bo. M. Ad₁. blake Bo. blak Ar. M. Ad₁.] wher that Pluto* / is crownyd and ystallyd [4043. wher] whor Ar. wher that] Where as T₁. Di. Pluto T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. P. Plyto Ar. Lb. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂. Plito G. L₁. Plato Bo. Du. L₂. ystallyd] stalled T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S.] with his quene / proserpina I-callyd. [ 4044] with whom this bisshop / haþ made his* mansioun [4045. his] is Ar. Ad₁.] Perpetuelly / as for his guerdoun. ¶ lo here the mede / of ydolatrie, [for his idolatry,] Of Rytys old / and of* fals mawmetrye. [ 4048] [4048. and of] and Ar. Lb. P. E₂. L₂. of Ad₂. mawmetrye] mawmatrie Bo. mawmentrie Ra. Ba.] lo {punctel} what auayllen Incantaciouns [leaf 68] Of exorsismës / and coniurisouns; [4050. and] and of Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. S. coniurisouns] coniuracions S. congurasons L₂.] what stood hym stede his Nigromancye, [necromancy and astronomy.] [4051. stood hym stede Ar. G. Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ra. E₁. S. L₂. stode in stede Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. P. E₂. stode hym in stede Du. L₁. Ba. Nigromancye] nygramancye Bo. Ba. E₁. nigrimansies Lb.] Calculacioun / or astronomye; [ 4052] what vayllëd hym / the heuenly manciouns, [4053. vailed Bo. M. availed Ad₁.] Diuerse aspectis / or constellaciouns? [4054. or] or the Ra. Ba. and T₁. of Di.] The ende / is nat / bot sorowe and meschaunce, [4055. not Bo. nat Du. noght Ad₁.] Of hem þat setten / her outre affiaunce [ 4056] [4056. outtre G. vttre Bo. vtter M. Ad₁. affiaunce] assurance S.] In swichë* werkës supersticious, [4057. suche Bo. M. swich Ar. such Ad₁. which G.] Or trist on hem / : he is vngracious. [4058. trist Ar. Bo. M. trust Du. Ad₁. treste Lb. on] of L₂.] Record I takë, shortly forto telle, [Amphiorax's sinking into Hell] Of this bysshop / sonken doun to helle, [ 4060] [3668-4060 gap in C.] whos wooful ende / about in euery cost [4061. about] don Lb. doun C. done P (altered to down by later hand, but done perfectly legible under it).] Swich a Rumour / hath makëd in the host [4062. hath maked] maked hath M. Di. hath maad T₁. Lb. Ba. E₁. S. C. E₂.]

That the noys / of this vnkouth thyng [4063. vncouth Bo. Ad₁. vncouthe M.] Is yronne / and comë to the kyng, [ 4064] [4064. Is] hath Ba. yronne] ronne T₁. C. yronne and] om. S. come] ycome Bo. Du. Ra. Ba. E₁. to] vnto Lb. S. C. E₂.; in Ar. thekyng, but the words separated by a vertical stroke.] how this vengeaunce / is vnwarly falle. [4065. this] the Ba. veniance C. vnwarly] vnwardly E₁. sodenly C.] And he anon̄ / made a trumpet calle Alle his puple / out of the feld ageyn̄; And euerychon / assembled on a pleyn̄ [ 4068] [4068. on Ar. Bo. Du. L₁. E₁. in T₁. L₂. vpon Lb. and the rest. a] om. P.] To-fore the kyng / and also rounde aboute. Euery man / of his lyf in doute, [makes all the Greeks fear for their own lives.] [4070. Euery] Eueryche Lb. C. P. E₂. in] stoode in Ba. tho stood in Ra.] Ful pitously / gan to frowne and loure, [4071. Ful] And ful Ra. Ba. gan] gonne M. Di. to] om. S. frowne] sorowe Lb. C. P. E₂.] list that the grounde hem alle wil deuoure [ 4072] [4072. list Ar. lest Bo. M. Ad₁. that] om. Ra. alle Ar. al Bo. M. om. Ad₁. wil] wold M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. E₂.] And Swalowen hem / in his dirkë* kave; [4073. swalowen Bo. swoluen M. Ad₁. swelwen E₂. swolowe Lb. P. in] in-to Ad₂. C. derke Bo. Ad₁. dirk Ar. derk M.] And they ne can / no recur hem to save. [4074. ne] om. Ba. can] konne M. Di. C. E₂. to] forto Ba.] For nouther force / nor manhode may availle [4075. force nor manhode] manhod ne fors L₁. may Ar. G. Lb. Ba. C. P. L₂. hem may Bo. T₁. Du. may hem L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. E₁. S. doeth E₂.] In swiche meschief / the valewe of a maylle. [ 4076] For he that was wisest / and koudë most [As their wisest man] To serche and sekë / thorgh-out al the host, Amphiorax / whan that he lest wende, [4079. whan that Ar. G. L₂. whan (om. that) Bo. and the rest. he] hym Di.] To helle is sonken / and coude hym not diffende, [ 4080] [has gone to Hell so suddenly,] [4080. coude] can Ad₁. Ad₂. E₁. not] om. Du.] (To hym the tyme vnknowen and vnwist) [4081. vnknowen Ar. G. M. Ad₁. vnknowe Bo.] In whom whilom was al þe Grekis trist, [4082. al] om. Du.] her hoolë* confort / and her affiaunce. [leaf 68, back] [4083. hole Bo. hool Ar. Ad₁. M. affiaunce] assurance S.] But ałł attonys / for this sodeyn chaunce [ 4084] [4084. this] his Ba. om. Du. Ad₂. chaunce] myschaunce Ba.] And this meschief / they gan hem to dispeire, [the others despair,] [4085. gan] gonne M. Di. hem] om. Lb. P. to Ar. G. Lb. C. E₂. L₂. om. P. al Bo. and the rest. in Ra. Ba. the second half of 4085 reads: seide in wordes fair.]

Hom to Grecë / that they wil repeyre. [and want to go home.] [4086. wil] wold M. Di. Ra. Ba.] This was the purpoos / of hem euerichon̄. And on the wallys / of Thebës lay her fon̄, [ 4088] Reioysing hem / of this vnhappy eure, [4089. Reioysing] Reioisshinge Di. eure] eur Lb. M. Ra. vre L₁. Ad₂. P. E₂. vr L₂. cure Ba. owre S.] wenyng therby / gretly to recure. [4090. wenyng] Sownyng E₂. gretly] om. Ad₂. recure] to haue recure M. Di.] And on her tourës* / as they loken oute, [4091. toures Bo. M. Ad₁. tours Ar.] They on Grekys / enviously gan shoute, [ 4092] [The Thebans chaff the Greeks,] [4092. Grekys] the Grekes Du. L₁. gan] gon T₁. Lb. M. Di. C. shoute] to shoute Ad₁. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. C. E₂. L₂.] And, of despit / and gret enmytè, [4093. despit and gret] gret dispit and Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. S. gret despit and of Ra. enmyte Ar. Ad₁. ennemyte Bo. enemyte M. envite L₁. L₂.] Bad hem foolys / gon̄ hom to her contrè, Sith they han lost / her confort and socour*, [4095. lost] om. Ba. socour Du. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. Ba. C. P. E₂. L₂. her socour Ar. G. Bo. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ra. E₁. S.] her false* prophete / and her dyvynour: [ 4096] [4096. fals Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁.] wherthorgh / her partie / gretly is apeyryd. And in this wisë / Grekys disespeyryd, [4098. Grekys] þe Grekes Du. E₂. disespeyred] dispeired Ad₁. S. E₂.] Demptë pleynly / be tokens evidente, [who think that witchcraft works against them.] [4099. tokens Bo. M. toknes Ad₁.] This cas was falle / by som̄ enchauntëment, [ 4100] By wichëcraft* / or by* fals sorcerye, [4101. wicchecraft M. Ad₁. wichcraft Ar. wycche-crafte Bo. or] and E₂. by] om. Ar. Bo. T₁. Du. Ra. Ba. S. L₂. fals] om. Lb. S. C. P. E₂. in Ar. before wichcraft is wh, underdotted.] Ageynës* which may be no remedye, [4102. Ageyns Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. may be] be may Ba.] Tristy diffencë / helpë*, nor socour. [4103. helpe Bo. help Ar. M. Ad₁.] And whan Adrastus herde* this clamour, [ 4104] [Adrastus sum∣mons his Council] [4104. herde Bo. Ad₁. herd Ar. M.] he bysy was ageyn this perturbaunce [4105. this] the Ad₁.] To provyde / some maner chevysaunce. [4106. chevysaunce Ad₁. chevisshaunce Bo.] And to hym calleth / such counsayl as he wiste, [4107. such counsayl] om. C. he] om. Lb. P. him Ad₁. wiste] list Ad₁.] For lyf or deth / that he myghte tryste, [ 4108] [to devise] [4108. myght Bo. M. Ad₁.] Requeryng hem / but in wordys fewe, [4109. but in] bouten Bo.] In this meschief / her mocioun to shewe,

And declare by good avisëment What to Grekys / was most expedient, [ 4112] [the best remedy for this trouble.] [4112. was Ar. G. L₂. were Bo. and the rest. most] more Ba.] To remedyen /, and makë* no delay, [leaf 69] [4113. make Bo. M. Ad₁. mak Ar.; Ar. has delaye with the final e underdotted.] The vncouth noyse / and the gret affray [4114. vncouth Bo. Ad₁. vncouthe M.] That Grekys made / with clamour inportune, [4115. clamour] labour M. Di. inportune Bo. Ad₁. im∣portune M.] And newe / and newe / euere in on̄ contune. [ 4116] [4116. And newe and newe Ar. Lb. P. and now and now Bo. and the rest, except now and S. euere in on] neuer in on Ba. in euer P. contune] contynue Bo. Du. Lb. S.] ¶ And they that wern / most manly and most wise, [They say it would be cow∣ardice to give up their enter∣prise:] [4117. first most] more Ba.; before most is an under∣dotted w in Ar. second most] om. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ba. S. C. P. E₂.] Shortly saide / it wer a cowardyse, [4118. wer] was Ad₁. I. a cowardyse Ar. G. Lb. C. P. E₂. L₂. a grete cowardise Bo. and the rest.] The hegh emprise / that they han vndirtake [4119. The hegh emprise Ar. G. Lb. C. P. E₂. L₂. The emprise Bo. and the rest. that] om. P.] For dred of deth / so sodeynly forsake. [ 4120] [4120. so] om. Ra. forsake] to forsake Lb. C. P. E₂.] [4119 and 4120 are transposed in I.] It wer to hem / a perpetuel shame And outre hyndryng / vnto grekys name; [4122. And] An L₁. at Bo. Du. T₁. outre Ar. G. vtter L₁. Lb. C. P. L₂. our Bo. Du. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. after E₂. in I. grete Ra. Ba. vnto] to þe Lb. C. P. E₂.] And better it wer / to euery werreyour [soldiers had better die] [4123. better] bet C. to] vnto Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. S. for P. om. Lb.] Manly to deye / with worship and honour, [ 4124] Than lik a coward / with the lyf endure. [than live as cowards.] [4125. endure] to endure Di. I. S. tendure Ad₁. Ra. Ba.] For onys shamyd / hard is to recure his name ageyn / of what estat he be. And sith Grekes / of old antiquytè, [ 4128] [Adrastus's Council say that as Greeks of old were so famd] [4128. sith] sith that E₂. Grekes] þe Grekes Du. old] so old Ad₁. I.] As of knyghthode /, who so list tak hed, [4129. who so] whos M. C. take Bo. M. Ad₁. tak Ar.] Ben so famous / and so renomëd, [4130. renomed Ar. Bo. renomede M. Ad₁. (in P. a later hand has altered renomed to renomyd, but the original spelling is perfectly legible). renomed] worthi of deede E₂.] Ȝif now of newe / the shyning of her Fame Eclipsid were / with eny spotte of blame, [ 4132] [4132. eny spotte of blame] spot of ony shame M. Di.] It were a thyng vncouth forto here,

Of whoes renoun / the bemës ȝit ben clere Thorgh al the world / wher as they han passyd, And ben not ȝit / dyrkyd nor diffacyd, [ 4136] [4136. ȝit] om. Lb. Ra. Ba. P. derked Bo. M. derket Ad₁. dirket Du. diffased Bo. defaced M. Ad₁. to faced Lb.] By no report / nouther on se ne londe [4137. nouther] om. M. Di. on se] in see Lb. P. by see Ba. ne] ne on Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. E₁. nor L₁. Ad₁. I. Ra. S. C. E₂.] thyng to forsakë / that they tok on honde. "And by exam̄ple / of our progenitours, [4139. example M. ensample Bo. Ad₁.] Þat whilom wern / so manly conquerours, [ 4140] [as conquerors,] To-forn that we into Grecë wende, Of thyng bygon / lat vs make an ende, [4142. begon M. begonne Bo. bygonne Ad₁.] And parte nat / nor Seuere from this toun [leaf 69, back] [4143. parte nat] nat departe Ad₁. I.] Til it be brouht to destruccioun, [ 4144] [they now will not leave Thebes] [4144. to] vnto Bo. T₁. Du. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. S. into L₁.] wallys / tourrës / Crestyd and batailled [4145. Crestyd] crestes Lb. crestes P. and crestes E₂. and batailled] Enbatayled P. E₂.] And for werrë strongly apparaylled, [4146 omitted in Ba.] Be first doune betë / that no thyng be seyn, [4147. that] and Ad₁. I.] But al to-gyder / with the erthë* pleyn [ 4148] [till it's laid low,] [4148. erthe Bo. M. Ad₁. erth Ar.] Be lowë* leyde / or that we resorte: [4149. lowe Bo. low Ar. M. Ad₁.] [4149 omitted in G.] That afterward / men may of vs reporte, [so that folk may say "what they began, they achievd."] That we bygan / we knyghtly han achieuyd [4151. knyghtly] kyndely Du.] Vpon our foon /, with worship vnrepreuyd." [ 4152] This was the counsaylle / shortly, and thavis Of the Grekys that manly wern and wys, [To this, all the Greeks agree.] [4154. the] om. Ra. Ba.] That neuere aforn wer markyd with no blame, [4155. wer markyd] marked were Lb. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. E₂. no] om. Ad₁. I. E₂.] And specialy / swich as dredë* Shame, [ 4156] [4156. specialiche Du. M. Di. drede Ad₁. dred Ar. Bo. drad M. dredde Di.] And fully caste / what fortune euer tyde, [4157. tyde] betyde Du.] On her purpoos / to the ende abyde, [4094 to 4158 lost in Ad₂.] That on no part / her honure not apalle. [4159. part M. Ad₁. parte Bo. her] om. Lb. not] ne L₁. doith P. apalle Ar. appalle Bo. Ad₁. enpalle Lb. P. her honure not apalle] to the e M (here M. stops short, leaving the line unfinished; cp. the preceding line). what so euere falle Di.]

And to this counsaille / Grekys, on̄ and alle, [ 4160] Ben condescendyd / and, for mor happy sped, [4161. for] om. M. Di. E₁. mor] om. Lb. P. happy] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. for mor happy sped] after beste redde E₂.] In sted of hym / that was so latë ded, Amphiorax / buryed / depe in helle, That koudë whilom / to the Grekys telle [ 4164] [4164. koude whilom to the Grekys] whilom to Grekes coude Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of thynggës hid / how it shal falle, aforn̄: [4165. shal falle aforn] sholde be beforn Ad₂. I.] In stede of whom / now they han hym lorn̄, [4166. In stede of whom] In whos stede C.] They casten hem / wisly to purchace [¶ How Grekes chosen hem / a new dyvynour in stede of Am∣phiorax.] Some prudent man / to occupye his place, [ 4168] That in swich thyng / myght hem most availle [4169. hem] om. Ra. Ba.] Thorgh mystery of his dyvynaylle, [4170. mystery M. mysterie Bo. Ad₁.] By craft of sorte / or of profecye, ȝif eny swich they couden out espye. [ 4172] [4172. espye Bo. Ad₁. aspye M.] And among al /, her purpoos to atteyn̄e, [leaf 70] As I fyndë / they han chosyn tweyne, [Of the two candi∣dates proposed, Melanippus and Terdimus, the latter, who was Amphiorax's pupil, is chosen by the Greeks in his place.] Most renomed / of hem euerychon̄. And Menolippus / callyd was the ton̄, [ 4176] [4176. Menolippus Ar. Bo. Menalippus M. Ad₁. Menelappus P. þat oon Bo. M. Ad₁. one Du.] And Terdymus / ek the tother highte. [4177. Terdymus Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Therdymus G. Tredimus Lb. C. P. E₂. Terdinus Ad₂. Tardynyus E₁. þat othre Bo. M. Ad₁.] And for he hadde most fauour in her sighte, This Terdymus / was chosen and preferryd. [4179. was chosen] chose was Ad₁. Ad₂. I. chosen was Ra. Ba.] And in* her choys / Grekys han not erryd; [ 4180] [4180. in] om. Ar. G. E₁. choys] chose Ba. Grekys] the Grekes M. Di. S.] For whilom he / lernyd / his emprise [4181. his] this Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Of his maister / Amphiorax the wyse, And was disciple / vndyr his doctrine. And of entent / that he shal termyne [ 4184] [4184. termyne] determyne P.] [4184. om. in G.] Vnto Grekys / thyngës that shal falle, *As a bisshop mytred in his stalle, [Terdimus is made a Bishop.] [4186. As Lb. C. P. E₂. And as Ar. Bo. and all the rest. a] om. E₁. S. mytred M. Ad₁. myterd Bo.]

They* don for him* / in many vncouth wyse [4187. They doon for hym Lb. C. P. E₂. Don þei for him Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Don for him Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba (fro). E₁. S. Don for hem Ar. G. L₂. vncouth Ar. Bo. Ad₁. I. vneouthe M. sondry Ad₂. wise] guyse Ba.] In the temple / to goddys sacrifise; [ 4188] [4188. to] to do Ad₂. I. goddys] the goddes M. Di. C.] And thus confermed* / and stallyd in his Se, [4189. confermed] conformed Ar. confirmed Ba. E₂. stallyd] stabled E₂.] A fewë dayës / stood / in his degrè, [4190. A fewe] And few L₁. by fele Bo. T₁. Du. And fele Ad₁. Ra. Ba. And fell E₁. S. And many Ad₂. I.] After his mayster / with ful gret honour, Of Grekys chosë / to be successour. [ 4192] [4192. chose Bo. M. chosen Ad₁.] And al this tyme /, in story as is told, [The Thebans suffer;] Ful gret meschief / of hungre, thrust, and cold; [4194. thrust Ar. thurst Bo. thorst M. þirst Ad₁.] And of Thebans / as they issen oute, lay many on̄ / slayën* in the route [ 4196] [some are slain.] [4196. slayn Ar. Bo. and all the rest. the route] the grete route Ra.] On outher part /, of fortune as they mette: [4197. outher Ar. either Bo. M. Ad₁.] her mortal swerdys / wer so sharpë whette. [4198. sharp Bo. M. Ad₁.] ¶ And Tydeus among hem of the toun Fro day to day / pleyeth þe lyoun [ 4200] [Tideus] [4200. pleyeth] he pleyeth Ad₂. I.] So cruelly, wher so that he rood, [4201. wher so that] that where so Ad₁. Ad₂. I. where so euer P. where so euer þat Lb.] That Theban non̄ / aforn his face abood. He made of hem, thorgh his higħ renown̄, [leaf 70, back] So gret slaughter / and occisioun* [ 4204] [slays many Thebans,] [4204. occisioun Ba. Ad₂. I. S. E₂. occasioun Ar. Bo. and the rest (in P. altered to occisioun by a later hand); in T₁. occasioun is underlined, and occisioun written in the right margin by a later hand; cf. 3603.] That as the deth / fro his swerd they fledde, [4205. fro] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] And who cam nexte / leid his lyf to wedde. [4206. who] who þat S. nexte] nyghe S. leid] left S. lyf] hede Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S.] He qwitte hym-sylf / so lik a manly knyght [4207. so] om. Ad₂. I. so lik a manly] lik so manly a Ad₁.] That wher he went / he putte hem to the flight, [ 4208] [4208. the] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. P.] And maugrè hem, in his crueltè [and drives others back into the city.] [3633-4209 gap in T₂.] He droff hem hom / into her Citè, [4210. droff T₂. drofe Bo. drof M. Ad₁. droue E₂.] hem purswyng / proudly to the gate: [4211. hem] And Bo.]

That vnto hym / they bar so dedly hate [ 4212] That they hem caste / by sleyht or som̄e engyn̄, [4213. sleyht] sum sleight S. crafte L₁. or some] or by some Bo. T₁. or S. of L₁. P.] To bryngyn hym / vnwarly to hys fyn̄; [4214. bryngen Bo. M. bring Ad₁. vnwarly] warly Bo. Du. to] vnto Ba. E₂.] And leyde awayt / for hym day and nyght. But O. allas! / this noble manly knyght, [ 4216] [But one day] [4216. But] That Ad₂. I.; the low point after O is in Ar. O] om. Lb. Ad₂. I. P.] Vpon a day / as he gan hem enchace, [¶ How pitously Tydeus was slayn with a quarell.] And mortally / made hem lese her place And sued hem / almost to the toun, That causë was of his destruccioun. [ 4220] For on, allas! / that on the wallys stood, which al that day / vpon hym abood, [a The ban cross bow-man] [4222. that] the M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] With a quarel / sharpe heded for his sake, Markede hym with a bowe of brake, [ 4224] So cruelly, makynge non arest, Tyl it was passyd bothë* bak and brest. [shot and kild him.] [4226. bothe Bo. Ad₁. M. both Ar.] Wherthorgh, allas! / ther was non oþer red Nor lechë-craft* / but* that he mot be ded, [ 4228] [4228. Nor] ne Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₂. leche-craft Bo. M. lech-craft Ar. Ad₁. but that he L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. P. L₂. but he C. T₂. that he Ar. G. Bo. Du. M. Di. E₁. S. E₂. that he ne T₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. mot] must Ra. Ba. S. P.] Ther may therof be makëd non delayes. [4229. maked Ar. Lb. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. made Bo. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. P. maad T₁. Ad₁. I. Ra. Ther may be mad ther-of Ad₁. Therof may be maade Ad₂. I.] And ȝit was he / holdyn / in his dayes [Tho' he was the best of the Greeks,] [4230. he] om. T₂. ȝit was he] yet he was Lb. P. E₂.] The beste knyght / and most manly man, [4231. best Bo. M. Ad₁.] As myn Autour / wel rehercë kan. [ 4232] But for al that was ther no dyffence [leaf 71] Ageyn the strok / of dethys violence. [he couldn't with∣stand Death.] And Bochas writ / er he was fully ded, he was by Grekys / presentyd with þe hed [ 4236] Of hym that gaf / his laste fatal wounde: [4237. gaf] gaf hym L₁. was Lb. last Bo. M. laste Ad₁.] And he was callyd /, lik as it is founde, [4238. callyd] y-called Ad₁. S. is] was Bo. (in L₂. is written above was, which is crossed out).] Menolippus /, I can non other telle.

¶ But thilkë* day / Thebans wex so felle [ 4240] [4240. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk Ar. M. Thebans] Thebanx Bo. Du. waxe Bo. M. Ad₁.] Vpon Grekys / that vnder her Cytè [¶ He that slogh Tydeus was callyd Meno∣lippus.] [4241. her] the Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] The manly kyng Parthanolopè Islayën* was / euene afor the gatys; [King Parthono∣lope was also slain,] [4243. Islayen] Islayn Ar. G. Bo. Du. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. T₂. P. E₂. slayn T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. C. L₂.] And ther also, Armyd bright in platys, [ 4244] [4244. ther also] also þere Du.] The famous kyng / callyd ypomedoun, [and Ypomedon.] The samë day /, as mad is mencioun, On hors-bak / manly as he faught, At the briggë / euene vpon the draught, [ 4248] [4248. At the Ar. Atte Bo. Ad₁. At M. brigge Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. bregge Ad₂. brugge L₂. bridge E₂. At the brigge euene] Att briggis eend Ra. Ba. euene] om. Ra. Ba. vpon] above P.] Besette with pres / casuelly was drownyd. And thus fortunë / hath on Grekys frownyd [Fortune frownd on the Greeks.] [4250. frowned] froned Bo.] On euery sydë / thilk vnhappy day. [4251. thilk] thik Ar.] But al the maner / tellen I ne may [ 4252] Of her fightyng / nor her slaughter in sotħ, [4253. nor] ne L₁. M. her] of her Lb. M. Di. P. of S.] Mor to declarë / than myn Autour dotħ. But thilkë* day / I fynde / as ȝe may sen, [4255. thilke Bo. Ad₁. thilk Ar. M.] whan Phebus / passyd was* merydyen [ 4256] [4256. whan] Whanne that T₂. passyd was] was passyd Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. Lb. C. E₂. L₂. was] om. P. merydyen] the meridien Ra. Ba. S.] And fro the south / westward gan hym drawe, [4257. gan] can E₂. hym] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] his gylte tressys / to bathen in the wawe, [4258. gilt Bo. M. Ad₁.] ¶ The Theban kyng / felle Ethyocles, [Eteocles] Rote of vnreste / and causer of vnpes, [ 4260] [4260. causer] cause Lb. P. vnpes] vnhappes E₁. In Du. the second half of 4260 (and causer of vnpes) and the first two words of 4261 (The slauhter) are omitted, and the remnants of the two lines joined into one line.] The slauhter of Grekys / whan that he beheld, [4261. Grekys] the Grekis Lb. P. peple Di. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Armyd in steel / he kam out in-to feld, [rides forth] [4262. out] om. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. in-to] in Ba. of P. feld Ar. G. þe felde Bo. and all the rest.] Ful desirous / in that sodeyn hete [leaf 71, back] [4263. sodeyn Bo. M. Ad₁. sodeyne Di.] Polymytës / at good leyser to mete, [ 4264] [to fight Poly∣neices,]

Syngulerly / with hym to han ado. [4265. to] forto Ra. Ba. ado] at do Ba. to do Lb. do C.] For in this world / he hatede no man so; [4266. worlde Bo.] he sat so nygh / emprented in his herte. [4267. emprented Bo. M. enprented Ad₁. enprintid Di. In G. the second half of 4267 and the first half of 4268 are omitted: He sat so nygh out his brother gan aduerte.] whoos com̄yng out / his brother gan aduerte [ 4268] Vpon his stede / in the opposit, [who is ready to meet him.] [4269. stede M. Ad₁. steed Bo.] And hadde ageyn ward / also gret delyt [4270. hadde] om. Bo.] To meten hym / ȝif fortune assente. [4271. Ar. has tometen, with a vertical stroke between the two words. assente] will assente E₂.] Thenvious fyr / so her hertys brente [ 4272] [Eteocles and Polyneices attack one an∣other.] [4272. Thenvious Bo. M. Ad₁.] with haate Cankered / of vnkyndë blood. [4273. with] Whiche T₂. E₂. Whiche of P. haate Ar. hete Bo. hate M. Ad₁. and the rest. cankred Bo. M. Ad₁. Cankered] was cancred E₂. om. P. of] and of P.] And lik two Tygres / in her ragë wood, with speerys sharpë / groundë for the nonys, [4275. sharpe Bo. sharp M. Ad₁. grounde Bo. ground M. Ad₁. grounden Ra. Ba. speerys sharpe] sharpe sperys Ba. T₂.] So as they ranne / and mettë both attonys, [ 4276] [4276. ranne] ronne M. Di. renne T₂. rood Ad₂. I. and] om. Ra. Ba. and ne T₂. mette Bo. M. Ad₁. mete Lb. mette both] boþe mette Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba.] Polymytës / thorgh platys, mayle, and sheeld [¶ How euerich of the Theban breth∣eren slogh other to-forn þe Cyte.] [4277. thorgh] with Ra. Ba. platys] plate T₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. C. T₂. P. platys mayle] mayle plate P.] Roof hym thorgh-out / and smette hym in-to feld. [4278. Roof Ar. G. Bo. Rof M. Ad₁. thorgh-out] thoroh Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. T₂. smette Ar. G. Di. smete Bo. Du. bar Ad₁. Ad₂. I. smote T₁. and the rest. hym] om. Ra. Ba. in∣to] in T₂. feld Ar. G. C. þe feld Bo. and the rest.] But whan he sauħ / the stremys of his blood [Polyneices runs Eteocles thru,] Raylle about / in maner of a flood, [ 4280] [4280. raile Bo. M. Ad₁. of] as Ad₂. I.] Al sodeynly / of compassioun, [4281. Al] And Ba. Ra (And written above Al, which is crossed out). sodeynly] sodenliche M. Di. of] meeued of Ra. Ba.] From his coursere / he alighte doun, [and then dis∣mounts] [4282. coursere Ar. G. M. Ad₁. coursour Bo. coursar L₂. alighte] light G. Du. Lb. M. Ra. Ba. S. P. L₂. doun Ar. L₁. E₁. C. a-doun Bo. G. and the rest.] And brotherly, with a pitous face, To saue his lyf / gan hym to vnbrace*, [ 4284] [4284. unbrace T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. E₁. S. C. E₂. umbrace Bo. embrace Ar. enbrace G. L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I. T₂. P. L₂.] And from his wounde / of newe affeccioun, [to pull his spear out of his brother.] Ful bysy was / to pulle out* the trunchoun, [4286. out] om. Ar. G. Ra. Ba. L₂.]

Of loue only / handlyng hym ryght softe. [4287. handlyng] handeled M. handlid Di. holding Ba. S. ryght] ful G. Lb. M. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] But O / allas! whil he lay alofte, [ 4288] [On which Eteocles] [4288. O] om. Ad₂. I. one E₂. alofte] on loft Ra. Ba. P.] Ful yrously / Ethiocles the felle, Of al this sorowe / verraye sours and welle, [4289 and 4290 omitted in Ad₂. and I.; in Ad₁. these two lines are omitted in their right place, but written in the bottom margin of the page a little bit below the column.] with a dagger / in al his peynys smerte, [stabs Polyneices to the heart;] [4291. smert Bo. M. Ad₁. smarte E₂.] his brother smoot vnwarly to the herte: [ 4292] [4292. smoot] roff Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. vnwarly] vnwardly E₁. hert Bo. M. Ad₁. harte E₂.] which al her lyf / haddë be so wrothe. [leaf 72] [4293. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] And thus the Thebans / were yslawë* botħe [so both die.] [4294 omitted in Ba.] [4294. Ar. has a bar also between the and Thebans. the] these P. om. Ra. Thebans] Thebanx Bo. T₁. yslawe Bo. E₂. G. yslowe Ar. slawe T₁ (weren s.). Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. C. yslayn T₂ (y. were). L₂. slayn L₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. P.] At the entrè / euene aforn the toun. But Grekys / tho / ben availled doun [ 4296] [4296. tho] thus S. availed M. Ad₁.] Out of the feld / the worthy knyghtys alle. And in Thebës / loud* / as eny shalle, [4298. And] om. E₂. in] in-to Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Thebes] Thebans Ra. Ba. loude T₁. M. Di. C. T₂. P. lowde Ad₂. I. L₂. londe E₁. lond Ba. S. lande Bo. Lb. E₂. land Ar. G. L₁. Ad₁. om. Ra. as eny] as in eny L₁. as euere it Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. as soche thing E₂. shalle] shralle T₂. shall fall Ra. Ba.] The Cry aroos / whan her kyng was ded. [The Thebans mourn their king's death.] [4299. Cry] Cytee E₁. whan] þat L₁.] And to the gatys / armyd foot and hed, [ 4300] Out of the toun / cam many proud Theban. And som̄e of hem / vpon the wallys ran And gan to shoute / that pitè was to here. [4303. gan] gon M. Di. C.] And they with-out / of her lyf in were, [ 4304] [4304. omitted in Ra.] [4304. wiþ-oute Bo. M. lyf in altered in P. by a later hand to lyfes. in were] in weer Ad₂. in wyre Lb. in werre L₁. E₂. in where Ad₁. E₁. T₂. in fer L₂.] with-oute confort // or consolacioun, Disespeyrëd / ronne* hom to the toun [4306. Disespeyred] Dispeired L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₂. Ra. Ba. C. P. E₂. L₂. Dessapeyryd S. Disepeired T₂. ronne Bo. T₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ra. E₁. C. T₂. E₂. runne L₁. ran Lb. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. P. L₂. room Ar. roone G. to] into Ra. Ba. C. vnto S.] And Grekys folowen after at the bak, [4307. after] om. Bo. T₂. at the Ar. atte Bo. M. Ad₁. at E₂. L₂. atte her Ra.] That many on / that day / goth to wrak. [ 4308]

And as her foomen / proudely hem assaylle [4309. And] Ans Ar.] Ful many Grek* / thorgh platys and thorgh maylle [Many Greeks were shot.] [4310. Grek Ra. Ba. C. T₂. Grekys Ar. Bo. and the rest. thorgh] thorgh-oute M. Di. platys] plate M. Di. Ad₂. I. Ba. C. T₂. P. E₂. second thorgh] om. L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. E₂.] was shette thorgh-out, pressyng at the wallys, [4311. was] were Lb. M. Di. P. shette Ar. shet G. Bo. T₁. Lb. E₁. C. T₂. E₂. shot L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. P. L₂. shoten Ra. Ba. þorugh-oute Bo. M. þorhout Ad₁.; in Ar. (also in Bo.) there is a pause-bar dividing thorgh and out. thorgh-out] thoruh Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. at the Ar. atte Bo. Ad₁. at M. to the Ba.] And betyn of / with grete roundë ballys, [ 4312] [4312. grete Bo. Ad₁. gret M. rounde Bo. round Ad₁. M.] That her lay on ·/ and another ȝonder. [4313. her] ther Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S.] And the noysë, hydouser* than thonder, [The noise of the guns was hideous.] [4314. hydowser L₂. hydousher Ar. G. more hidous Bo. and the rest. thonder] þe thonder Bo. G. T₁. Ba.] Of gonnë-shot and of* Arblastys ek, [4315. Of gonne-shot] Of gret strokes S. and of L₁. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. and Ar. Bo. and the rest. Arblastys Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. Arblastres Lb. Arowblasters L₁. arowblastes C.] So loude out-ronge / that many worthy grek [ 4316] Ther lost his lyf /; they wern on hem so felle. And at the gatys /, shortly forto telle, [At the gates] As Grekys prees / to entren þe Cytè, [4319. As] Atte Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. E₁. S. prees] pressen M. Di. presen E₁. T₂. E₂. to entren Ar. Bo. Ad₁. to entre M. to entyrn L₂. to enter in S. in entryng to Ra. Ba (into).] They of Thebës / in her Crueltè [ 4320] [the Thebans fight the Greeks] [4320. Cruelte] fel cruelte M. Di. T₂.] with hem mette / ful furious and wood, And mortally / as they ageyn hem* stood, [leaf 72, back] [4322. ham Ar. hem Bo. M. Ad₁.] Men myghte sen / sperys Shyuere a-sonder, [4323. miȝte Ad₁. might Bo. M. a-sonder] in-sovndre Ba.] That to byhold / it was a verray wonder [ 4324] [4324. was] were L₁. a] om. G. Bo. L₁. Ad₂. I. verray] grete T₂.] how they foyne / with daggers and with swerdys, [with dagger, sword] [4325. foyne Ar. M. Ad₁. fuyne Bo. foyned Lb. feyne E₁. fyn S. second with] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. L₂.] Thorgh the vyser / amyng* at the berdys, [4326. Torgh Ar. vyser Bo. Ad₁. vysour M. hamyng Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Ad₁. Ra. amyng M. aymeng C. awmynge Di. E₂. armyng T₂. aryvinge Lb. hauing L₁. Ad₂. Ba. E₁. S. hangyng I. L₂. at the Ar. atte Bo. M. Ad₁. at E₁. E₂. L₂. at] om. Lb.] Percyng also / thorgh the rownde Maylles, Rent out peces / of ther aventaylles, [ 4328] [4328. aventaylles] ventaylis L₂. entailes Ad₂. I.] That nouht availleth / the myghty Geseran, [4329. Geseran Ar. gesseran M. Ad₁. gesseron Bo. gesseroun L₂. gestran L₁. E₁.]

Thorgh brest / and nekkë / that the sperys Ran̄. [and spear.] [4330. nek Bo. brest and nekke] nekke and brest Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. C. T₂. P (corrected from brest and nek). that] so L₁. sperys] myghty speres E₁. Ran Ar. M. Ad₁. ron Bo.] her wepnys wern / so sharpë grounde and whet, [4331. wepenes Bo. wepens M. wepons L₂. sharp Bo. M. Ad₁. grounde and whet] whet and ground M. grounde and] om. Lb. P. grounde] y-grounde (om. and whet) Di.] In ther armurë / that ther was no let. [ 4332] [4332. ther was no let] no let was found M. Di. they were nat lette C. T₂.] For ther laye on / troden vnder foote₁ [Men are trodden underfoot.] [4333. vnder foote] vnder þe foote Ad₁. I.] And ȝonder* / on / percyd to the herte roote. [4334. ȝonde Ar. G. yondre (yonder) Bo. and the rest. on] a-nothir S. P. percyd] pressid Ad₂. I. peresed Ba. herte Ad₁. hert Bo. M. vnto the rote (om. herte) T₂.] Her lith on ded / and ther another lame. This was / the play / and the mortal game [ 4336] Atwenë* Thebans / and the Grekys proude, [4337. A-twene Ad₁. M. Atwen Ar. Bo. Atwix Ra. Betwix Ba. Bitwene L₂. Thebans] Thebanx Bo. T₁. Ad₁. the Thebans S.] That the swowys / and the cryës loude [The cries of the dying are loud.] [4338. That] om. Bo. swowys] swoughtes Lb. P. E₂. swoes M. swounes E₁. showghtes L₁. showes L₂. sowtes S. swerdes Bo.] Of hem that lay / and ȝolden vp the goost, was herd ful fer / aboute in many cost. [ 4340] [3989 to 4340 gap in Ro.] [4340. many Ar. many a Bo.] ¶ And at the gatys / and sayllyng of þe wal [How al the gentyl blood of grece and Thebes was distroyed on / o · / day.] [4341. at the Ar. atte Bo. Ad₁. at M. and] om. Lb. of L₂. sayllyng] assailing Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. saylynges L₂. soyliuge Lb. sawtyng L₁. om. P. of þe] atte Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. on the G. L₂. before the P.] Islayën* was / al the blood Royal, [4342. Islayen] Islayn Ar. Bo. and all, except Slayn L₁. M. Di. Ra. Ba. S. C.] Both of the toun / and of Grekys lond, [4343. Grekys] þe Grekes L₁. Di. Ra. Ba. S. E₂. Ro.] And ałł the worthy knyghtys of her hond. [ 4344] And of lordys /, ȝif I shal not feyne, [Of the Greek lords, only Adrastus and Capaneus live.] [4345. ȝif] om. Ro. in Ra. 4345 reads: And of the sothe if I shall nat feyne; in Ba: If I shall nat in sothe feyn.] On Grekys syde / alyvë wer but tweyne, Kyng Adrastus / and Campaneus. That day to hem / was so vngracius. [ 4348] [4348. vngracius] gracious Di.] And for Titan / westryd was so lowe [4349. westryd] westward Bo. Ra. Ba. westryd was] was westrid Ad₂. I.] That no man myght vnnethys other knowe, [The Thebans bar their gates,] Tho of the toun / shet her gatys faste [4351. Tho of the toun] Thei of the toun Bo. L₂. These of þe toun L₁. Of the toun thei Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. her] þe S. P. shet her gatys] shotte her gonnys Ra. Ba (govnes).]

with barrys rounde / makëd forto laste, [ 4352] [4352. barrys] ballis Ra. Ba. round Bo. M. Ad₁. made Bo. M. Ad₁.] In which no wight kervë may nor hewe. [leaf 73] [4353. may] might M. Di.] And Adrastus / with a grekys fewe [4354. a grekys fewe] Grekes a fewe L₁. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. Grekes fewe Lb. P. a knightis fewe T₂.] Repeyrëd is hom vnto his Tent, And al that nyght / he wastyd hath and spent [ 4356] [4356. that] þe L₁. he] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. wastyd hath] hasted E₁. Ro.] For his vnhappe / in sorowe compleynyng. [4357. in sorowe] and sorw Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Du.] And they in Thebes / the nexte day swyng [and next day bury Eteocles.] [4358. nexte Ad₁. next Bo. M.] her devoyre did / and her bysy cure, [4359. dide M. dede Bo. Ad₁.] To ordeyne and make / a sepulture [ 4360] For her kyng / yslayën* in the feeld; [4361. yslayen] yslayn Ar. G. E₁. Ro. slayn Bo. and the other MSS.] And offred vp his baner and his sheld, [4362. and] an Ar.] His helme / his swerd, and also his penoun, [4363. His helme his swerd] His swerd his helme M. Di.] Ther-Inne of gold / I-betyn a dragoun, [ 4364] [4364. Ther-Inne of gold] ther in golde Bo. I-betyn] beten Bo. Du. M. Di. S. C. P. y-bete L₂. a] om. Ba.] high in the temple / that men myghte sen̄. [4365. might Bo. M. Ad₁.] And Iocasta / that infortunyd quene, [His mother and sisters mourn him.] [4366. that] the Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. infortunyd Ar. G. L₂. infortunat Bo. and the rest.] her sonës deth / soorë* gan compleyne; [4367. sore Bo. M. Ad₁. soor Ar.] And also ek / her ȝonge doghtres tweyne, [ 4368] [4368. also ek] eke also M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. yong Bo. M. Ad₁. om. Du.] Both ymeyne / and Antigonee, [4369. Antigonee] fair Antigone Ra. Ba. antygon Lb.] Cryden and wepte / that pytè was to se. [4370. to se] to se on Lb.] But to her sorowes / that was non refut. [4371. sorowes] sorownesse Lb. that] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. ther L₁. Di. Ba. E₂.] And thus the Citè / bar / and destitut, [ 4372] havyng no wight to gouern hem ne* guye: [No one is left to rule in Thebes.] [4373. to gouern hem] hem to gouerne Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Ro. ne] nor Ar. and G. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra.] For ded and slayn / was al the Chyualrye, [4374. and] an Ar. Ad₁.] And no wight left almost in þe toun [4375. left] om. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Ro. left almost] almost left T₂. in þe toun] in al þe toun Ad₁. Ad₂. I.]

To regne vpon* hem / by successioun. [ 4376] [4376. vpon] on Ar. G. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. vp Ro. hem] om. Ro.] ¶ But for they saugh / and tokyn also hed, [4377. tokyn also] toke also M. Di. C. also toke P. takyn also Ra. also taken Ba.] with-outë þis / that* they hadde an hed [4378. that] om. Ar. G. hadde] han Ra. Ba. haue Ad₂. I. C.] In the Cytè / þei may not durë longe: [4379. dure] endure Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. Ro.] For though so be Comownerys be stronge [ 4380] [4380. so be] hit so be Lb. C. E₂. comoners Ad₁. cominers M. communes L₁. comouns Ra. Ba. Ad₂. I. commynis S. Comownerys (Ar. G. C. P. L₂.)] þat comonus Lb. E₂ (commons). þe comoners (etc.) Bo. and the rest. stronge] so strong Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ra. Ba. S. Ro.] with multitude / and have no gouernaylle Of an hed /, ful lytyl may avaylle: [4382. lytyl] lite Lb. M. Ad₁. C. T₂. E₂. may] it may Lb. M. Di. Ba. S. C. T₂. E₂. Ro.] Therfor they han vnto her socour [leaf 73, back] [4383. Therfor] Ther Du. L₁. han] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. (cf. 4384).] ychosyn hem a newë gouernour, [ 4384] [4384. ychosen Ar. Bo. Ad₁. chosen M. hem] han Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. anewe Ar. a newe Bo. a new M. Ad₁.] An olde Tyraunt / þat callyd was Creon, [¶ How creaunt þe olde Tyraunt was chosen kyng of Thebes.] Ful acceptable / to hem euerichon̄, And crownyd hym / with-oute mor lettyng, To regne in Thebës / and to ben her kyng, [ 4388] [Creon is elected King by Parlia∣ment.] Al-thogh* he hadde no title by discent [4389. Al they Ar. L₂. As þough Bo. And al though M. Di. And thouh I. Al though Ad₁. G. and the rest.] But by* fre choys* / made in parlement. [4390. by] om. Ar. G. Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. Ad₁. S. Ro. choys] Ioys Ar. made] emade L₂. in] a E₂.] And ther to hym, lik as it is founde, By her lygeaunce / of newë they wer bounde, [ 4392] [The Thebans swear allegiance to him.] [4392. her] high Ba.] For to be trewë / whyl the Citè stood, To hym only / with body and with good. Thus they wer sworn / and suryd euerichon̄; And he ageynward / to saue hem from her foon̄, [ 4396] And hem dyffende / with al his fullë* myght, [4397. al] om. Ad₁. fulle] ful Ar. Bo. and all.] And meynten hem / in al manere ryght. [4398. maynten T₁. Du. L₁. mayntene Bo. M. Ad₁. al manere] al manere of L₁. S. all their Ba.] This was thacord / as in sentement. And in this whilë* hath Adrastus sent [ 4400] [Adrastus sends] [4400. while Bo. M. Ad₁. whil Ar.]

From the Siege of Thebës the Cytè [home to Greece the news of the] [4401. in Siege the first e is written above the line, with the usual mark of insertion Ar.] A woundyd knyght hom to his contrè, [4402. to] into L₁. Ra. Ba.] Thorgh al Grecë / pleynly to declare Al þe slaughter and the evyl fare [ 4404] Of worthy Grekys, ryght as it is falle, [4405. worthy] þe worthi Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ba. S. T₂. Ro. whiche E₂. om. Ra. Grekys] knightes M. Di.] And how that he hath lost his lordys alle [slaughter of his lords.] Att mor meschief / þan eny man can moutħ. [4407. Att] And Ra. eny] om. Ba. mouth] tell S.] And whan this thyng / was in grecë coutħ, [ 4408] [4408. whan] whan that T₂. thyng] om. Ba. was in grece] in grece was Ad₁. Ad₂. I. T₂. couth] knowne well S.] Fyrst to Argyve / and Deyphylee, [The Grecian ladies] [4409. and] and to Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. T₂. E₂.] And to the ladies / ek in the contrè [4410. to] om. Du.] And of provynces / aboute hem adiacent, [4411. provynces in Ar. corrected from provinces.] They comë doun /, al be on̄ assent, [ 4412] [4412. come M. Ad₁. cam Bo. al be on] by oonlie Ba.] Worthy queenys / and with hem ek duchessys, [leaf 74] [4413. ek] om. L₁. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. P. E₂.] And other ek / that callyd were contessys, And alle the ladyes / and wymmen of degrè [4415. wymmen Bo. M. wommen Ad₁.] Ben assembled / in Argë the Cytè, [ 4416] [¶ How alle þe ladyes of Grece Arayde hem toward Thebes.] lik as I rede /, and alle in clothës blake; [4417. in the rubric Ar. has Grce.] That to byhold / the sorowe that they make, [mourn.] [4363 to 4418 gap in E₁., one leaf (l 1) being lost.] It were a deth / to eny man alyve. [4419. a] om. Ad₂. I. eny] many Ba. alyve] on lyve L₁. Lb. Ra. Ba. P. Ad₂. I.] And ȝif I shuldë* / by and by descryve [ 4420] [4420. ȝif] om. Du. shulde Lb. shuld Ar. Bo. sholde Ad₁. shold M. descryve] bescryue Bo.] Ther tendre wepyng and ther wooful sownys, [4421. Ther . ther Ar. Their . þer Bo. Their . her Du. Ther . her M. Her . her Ad₁. sownys] swowns Bo. bale E₁. Ro.] her complayntys / and lamentacions, [4422. and] and her Bo. T₁. Du. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S. T₂. and her lamentacions] om. E₁. Ro.] her ofte swounyng / with facys ded and pale, [4423. ofte Bo. M. Ad₁. her ofte] With ofte Lb. P. Of her L₁. swounyng] sownyng L₂. swounynges Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. sownes L₁. her ofte swounyng] om. E₁. Ro., which two MSS. thus make one line out of the former half of 4422 and the latter half of 4423. facys] her faces T₁. face Lb. P.] Ther-of I myghte make a newë tale, [ 4424] [4424. might Bo. M. Ad₁.]

Almost a day / ȝow to occupye. And as myn Autour / doth clerly certifie, [They gather] [4426. doth clerly] clerely doth Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ro. certifie] specifye Bo. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. Ba. S.] Thurgh-outë Grece / from ałł þe Rigiouns [4427. Grece] all Grece Lb. P. from] in L₁. þe] om. Lb. Ra. Ba. T₂. P. E₂.] Out of Cities / and of Royal touns [ 4428] [4428. Citees Bo. M. Ad₁. the citees Ad₂. I. T₂. second of (Ar. S. E₂. L₂.)] othre Du. om. Bo. and the rest.] Cam alle the ladies / and wymmen of estat, [4429. Came Bo. Come M. Ad₁. Comen Ba. the] om. Ro.] Ful hevy-cheryd / and disconsolat, To this assemblè /, aforn as I ȝou tolde, [4431. To] In Ba.] In purpoos fully / her Iournè forto holde [ 4432] [to journey to Thebes,] [4432 to the end lost in Ba.] [4432. In] I E₁. Ro. om. Bo. T₁. M. Di. purpoos] Purposed T₁. M. Di.] Toward Thebës / thys sorwful creaturys, [4433. Toward Bo. M. Towardes Ad₁.] Ther to bywaylle / her wooful auenturys, [to bewail their dead lords.] Taquyte hem-silf / of trouth in wommanhede [4435. of trouth in Ar. Bo. M. Ra. E₁. S. P. in trouþe of Ad₁. Ad₂. I. of trouth and E₂.] To her lordys / which in the feld lay dede. [ 4436] And as the story / liketh to declare, Al this Iournè / they went on foote bare, [They travel barefoot,] [4438. Iourne] meyne S. on foote Bo. T₁. Ra. T₂. L₂. on foot M. Ad₁. on fete Lb. they went on foote bare] the women went foot bare Ad₂. I (wenten).] lik as they haddë / gon on pylgrymage, [4439. had Bo. M. Ad₁.] In tokyn of mournyng / barbyd þe visage, [ 4440] [4440. barbyd þe visage] barfote the vyage Lb.] Wympled echon̄ / and in burnet weedys. [in dark gar∣ments,] [4441. in] with Ad₂. burnet] moornyng Ad₂. I.] Nat in charys / drawën forth with stedys, [4442. in] with Ad₂. I. charys] Chaires E₂. with] nor with Ad₂. I.] Nor on palfreys blakë nowther white, [leaf 74, back] [4443. nowther Ar. neithre Bo. Ad₁. nor M.] The Sely wymmen koude hem not delite [ 4444] To hold her way / but barfote forth they wente, [4445. To hold her way] Her way to hold in ese Ad₁. Ad₂. I. forth] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. E₁. Ro.] So feithfully / euerichon they ment, Thorgh hevynesse* / diffacyd of her hwe. [and are all true.] [4447. Ar. has hevnesse.] And as I fyndë, they weryn alle trwe. [ 4448] [4448. weren Ad₁. wern Bo. M. alle M. al Bo. they weryn alle] euerychon were G.] ¶ Now was not / a wonder forto se [4449. þat] þis Bo. a] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. a wonder] a wondyr thynge Lb. P. forto] to T₂. P.]

So many trewe / out of a cuntrè, [4450. trewe Bo. Ad₁. trew M. trew women Ra. out] om. Ra. a Ar. o Bo. M. Ad₁. oon Lb. Ra.] Attonys gadryd / in a companye, [4451. gadred Bo. gadert M. Ad₁. a Ar. Bo. M. o Ad₁.] And feithful allë /, bookys can not lye, [ 4452] [4452. alle M. Ad₁. al Bo. can Bo. konne M.] Both in her port / and inward in menyng? [4453. her] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. S. T₂. port] thoght G. menyng] her mening G. Ad₁. Ra. S. her meevyng I. her moornyng Ad₂.] Vnto my doom / it was an vncouth thyng, [It's a strange thing that in 1000 or 2000 women, none was a sham.] Among a thowsand wymen outher tweyne [4455. outher Bo. or M. Ad₁.] To fynden noon / that kowde in hertë feyne. [ 4456] [4456. To fynden Ar. T₁. Du. Lb. E₁. Not to finde E₂. To fynde L₁. and the rest. noon Ar. Ra. L₂. nat one Ad₁. Ad₂. I. in on S. oon T₁. and the rest. hert T₁. M. Ad₁. kowde in herte] coude not in herte Di. P. cowde in hert nat Ra.] It was a mervaylle / nat ofte seyn aforn̄. [4457. ofte T₁. Ad₁. oft M. seyn Ar. T₁. M. Di. T₂. L₂. sen L₁. and the rest; in Ar. the y of seyn is added over the word with the usual mark of insertion.] For seelde / in feldys / groweth eny corn̄ But ȝif som̄e wede / spryng vp þer-among. Men allaye* wynys / whan they be to strong [ 4460] [4460. allaye (alaye)] laye Ar. G. may allaye T₂. to Ar. M. Di. om. G. T₁. and the rest.] But her trouth was meynte wiþ non̄ allayes, [4461. non] om. Ra.] They were so trewë / founde at alle assayes. [4462. trewe Ra. trew M. Ad₁.] And they ne stynt / vpon her iournè [The Grecian ladies reach Adrastus's tent.] [4463. stynte L₁. M. Ad₁.] Tyl that they cam þer as* they wolde be, [ 4464] [4464. Tyl] Alle Ad₂. that] om. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. cam Ar. come M. Ad₁. þer as] þer Ar. G. Di. E₂. L₂. where Lb. P. wolde Ar. wolde Ad₁. wold M. wol Lb. Ar. has a pause-bar between they and cam.] wher Adrastus /, wrytyn as I fynde, lay in his Tent / al of colour ynde; Gretly mervaylyd* / whan that he biheld [4467. Gretly] And gretely Lb. P. E₂. mervaylyd] amervaylyd Ar. G. T₁. T₂. L₂. biheld] behilde (: felde) Lb. Di.] The nombre of hem / sprad thorgh al þe feld [ 4468] [4468. sprad] ysprad L₂. thorgh] in Ad₁. Ad₂. I. om. L₁. Lb. P. al] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S.] Clad ałł in blak / and barfoot euerychon̄. [4469. all] om. Di. Ra.] Out of his Tent / he dressyd hym anon̄, Vpon his hand / the kyng Campaneus*; [He and Cam∣paneus meet them.] [4471. The] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. Companeus Ar. Campaneus G. M. Ad₂. Capaneus Ad₁.] Ful trist in herte / and facë right pitous, [ 4472] [4472. trist] tristi Ra. face] of face M. Di. right] ful Lb. P. pitous] pituous Lb. pyteous E₁.]

Ageyn the wommen / forth they went yfere. [leaf 75] [4473. forth] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. forth they went] went forth P. yfere] in feere L₁. Lb. Di. Ra. S. E₂.] And to byhold / the wooful hevy chere, The wooful cryës / also, whan they mette, [They sigh and swoon] The sorful sighys / in her brestys shette, [ 4476] [4476. sorful Ar. M. sorghful Ad₁. sorowful L₁. woful Lb. P. ferful S. sighes] sightes Lb. S. brestys] brest Di. hertis L₁. shette] shent S (: mett).] The teerys newe / distillyng on her facys, And the swownyng / in many sondry placys, [4478. the] so E₂. sondry] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. placys] place (: face) Ad₂. I.] whan they her lordys / alyvë not ne founde, [when they see their dead lords,] [4479. her lordys alyve] on lyve her lordis L₁. not] om. S. ne] om. Lb. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. P. L₂.] But in the feeld / thorgh-girt with many wounde, [ 4480] [4480. in] on L₂. thurgh P. thorgh-girt] thorgh-gert M. gyrte P. many] om. Di. many a L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. E₂. L₂.] lay stark vpriȝtës* /, pleynly to endite, [face upwards.] [4481. stark] straught E₂. vpriȝt Ar. T₁. Ad₁. M. and all.] with dedly eyën / tournyd vp the white, who madë sorowe / or felt her hertë Ryve [4483. herte] om. Ad₂. I.] For hir lorde / but the faire Argyve? [ 4484] [4484. the] om. Ad₂. I.] who can now wepë / But Deyphylee▪ [Deiphile weeps for Tideus.] [4485. who] And who Ad₁. Ad₂. I. But who Ra. S. can] ganne M. T₂. now] om. Ad₁. Ad₂. I.] Tydeus / for she ne myghte se? [4486. Tydeus for] For Tideus þat L₁. ne myghte] myght nat M. Di. P. se] fele E₁. Ro (both the copyists pronounced: Déyphýle).] whoos constreyntys* were so fel and kene [4487. constreyntys] constretys Ar. G. T₁. S. constreytes L₂. compleyntis Ad₂. fel and] om. E₁. Ro.] That Adrastus myghte not sustene [ 4488] [4488. myghte not] ne myght nat M. Di. myght it not Ra. S. myght not hym G.] To byholde the ladyes so compleyne, [¶ How creon wil not suffre the bodies nowther to be buryed nor brent.] wisshing* his herte / parted wer on tweyne. [4490. whisshing Ar. his] her Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ro. hert T₁. M. hertes Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. S. parted] coruen Lb. T₂. P. E₂. corvid L₂. wer] om. L₁. Ad₂. I. S. on tweyne] atweyne Lb. S. T₂. P. in tweyne L₁. Ad₁. Ra. E₂. L₂.] ¶ And ȝit, allas! / bothen* eve and morowe, [4491. And] But T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. P. L₂. Ro. both Ar. Ad₁. bothe T₁. M (cp. 2801). eve] even L₁. Lb. Ad₂. I. S. E₂.] O thyng ther was / that doubled al her sorowe, [ 4492] [4492. al] om. Ad₂. I.] That Old Creon / fader of fellonye, [Creon leaves] [4493. Old Ar. olde M. Ad₁.] Ne woldë* suffre, thorgh his Tyrannye, [4494. wolde Ad₁. wold Ar. M.] The dedë* bodies / be buryed nowther brente, [4495. The] Tho Ra. ded Ar. M. Ad₁. dede Lb. Ra. be buryed] to buried be Ad₁. to be buried Ad₂. I. brente] y-brente Lb. E₁. Ro.]

But with beestis and houndys to be rente. [ 4496] [the corpses to be torn by dogs.] he made hem ałł / vpon an hepe be leyde. wherof the wymmen trist and evyl apeyde, [4498. wherof] Ther-of M. Di. Wherfore S. wymmen Ad₁. wommen M. trist] were trist Ad₁. Ad₂. I. trist and] om. Lb. P. evyl] well L₁. ben evel Lb. were evell P.] For verray dool, as it was no wonder, [4999. as] om. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ro.] her hertys felt almost ryve a-sonder. [ 4500] [4500. felt T₁. M. Ad₁. þei felte Di. ryve] reyue E₁. Ro. almost ryve] riue almost Ad₁. Ad₂. I. a-sonder] on sounder L₁. in sonder Ro.; Ar. has a pause-bar after almost.] ¶ And as my mayster Chaucer list endite, [As Chaucer says,] [4501. my mayster] myn auctour M. Di. Chaucer] om. T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. Ad₂. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ro. endite Ar. G. L₂. to endyte T₁. and the rest, except forto endite Ad₂. I.] Al clad in blak / with her wymples whyte, With gret honour / and duë* reuerence, [leaf 75, back] [4503. due] dieu Ar.] In the temple / of the goddesse Clemence [ 4504] [the ladies stay in the Temple] [4504 to the end lost in Ad₂.] They abood the space / of fourtënyght [4505. abood] bode E₂. fourtenyght Ar. Lb. P. fourten night M. Di. Ad₁. fortynyght T₁. E₁. Ro. fortyn nyght S. fortnyght Ra. L₂. a fortenyȝt L₁. E₂. fourtene nightes T₂.] Tyl Theseus / the noble worthy knyght, [till Theseus comes with] Duk of Athenys / with his Chyvalrye Repeyrëd hom / out of Femynye, [ 4508] [4508. hom] hem E₂. Femynye] Femenye P. femeny L₁. L₂. femyne T₂. femene S.] And with hym ladde / ful feir vpon to sene, Thorgh his manhod / ypolita the queue, [Hippolita and Emily.] And her suster / callyd Emelye. and whan thies wommen / gonnë first espye [ 4512] [4512. these M. þise Di. Ad₁. wymmen M. Ad₁. gon M. gan Ad₁. gonne first] first gan E₂.] This worthy Duk / as he cam rydynge, Kyng Adrastus /, hem alle conveyinge, [4514. alle] om. Ad₁. I.] The wommen brouht vnto his presence, [4515. vnto Ar. T₂. P. E₂. into Lb. to T₁. and the rest.] which hym bysought /.to ȝive hem audience. [ 4516] [They pray Theseus] And ałł attonys swownyng in the place, Ful humblely / preiden* hym of grace [to redress their grievance.] [4518. humbly M. Ad₁. humbely Di. preide Ar. and all.] To rewe on hem / her harmys to redresse. But ȝif ȝe list / to se the gentyllesse [ 4520] Of Theseus / how he hath hym born̄,

Ȝif ȝe remembre / ȝe han herde it to forn̄ [4522. ȝe] as ye E₂. haue T₁. M. Ad₁. herde] hard Ra. T₂. Ro.] wel rehersyd / at Depforth in the vale, [4523. Depford M. Ad₁. Depworth P.] In the bygynnyng / of the knyghtys tale: [ 4524] [4524. bygynnyng] gynnyng Di.] ¶ First how that he / whan he herd hem speke, [¶ How the fynal destruccioun of Thebes is com∣pendeously re∣hersyd in þe knyghtes tale.] [4525. that] om. Ad₁. I. he] om. I.] For verray routhë* felt his hertë / breke; [4526. routh Ar. Ad₁. pite I.] And her sorowys / whan he gan aduerte, From his courser / doun anon̄ he sterte, [ 4528] [Theseus, as Chaucer says, comforts the Grecian widows.] [4528. he sterte Ar.] Hem confortyng in ful good entente, And in his Armys he hem ałł vp hente. [4530. he] he gan Ra.] The knyghtys tale / reherseth euery del Fro poynt to poynt / ȝif ȝe lookë* wel, [ 4532] [4532. loke T₁. M. Ad₁. look Ar. loke hit Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂.] And how this Duk / with-oute more abood, [leaf 76] The samë day / toward Thebës rood, [He goes to Thebes,] Ful lik in soth / a worthy conquerour, And in his hoost / of Chyualrye the flour. [ 4536] And fynally, to spekyn of thys thing, with old Creon / that was of Thebës kyng, [slays Creon,] how that he faught / and slough hym lik a knyght, And ałł his host / putte vnto the flyght. [ 4540] [and puts his host to flight.] [4540. the] om. Ad₁. I. E₁. S.] ¶ ȝit, as some auctours makë mencioun, [(Some say the] [4541. ȝit] And C. make] maken T₁. Ad₁.] Or Theseus entred into toun, [4542. into] vnto S. toun Ar. G. L₂. þe toun T₁. and the rest.] The women first with pikkeys and with mallys, [women beat down the walls of Thebes,] [4543. pykoys M. Ad₁. pekois E₂. pikes S.] with gret labour / betë doun the wallys. [ 4544] [4544. bete M. beten Ad₁.] And in her writyng also as they sayn, Campaneus / was on the wallys slayn̄, with cast of ston / he was so ouerlade; [4547. ston] stoones Lb. E₂. over-ladde L₁. S. ouerlayde Lb. T₂. over-throwe P. ouerlade Ar. T₁. M. Ad₁. and the rest.] For whom Adrastus / such a sorowe made [ 4548] [4548. such a] such T₁. L₁. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. E₁. S. Ro. made] brayde Lb. made such a sorwe P.] That no man myght reles hym of his peyne. [and that Jo∣casta and her daughters] [4549. That] Tat Ar. no man] no þing Ad₁. I. myght] may Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. reles hym] hym reles E₁. T₂. Ro. hym of] om. S.] And Iocasta /, with her doghtres tweyne,

Ful woofully oppressyd of her cherys, To Athenës wer sent as prysonerys. [ 4552] [were sent to Athens.)] What fil of hem more / can I not seyn. [4553. of] vpon P. more Ar. G. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. om. T₁. and the rest. can I] I can T₁. I. P. (see Notes).] But Theseus /, myn Autour writ certeyn̄, [Theseus levels Thebes with the ground.] Out of the feld / or he fro Thebës wente, He bete it downe / and the howsys brente, [ 4556] The puple slough / for al her crying loude, Maad her wallys / and her towrys proude [4558. second her] om. Ad₁. I.] Rounde aboute /, euene vpon a rowe, [4559. aboute M. Ad₁.] with the Soyle / to be laide* ful lowe [ 4560] [4560. lade Ar.] That nouȝt was left / but the soyle al bare. And to the wommen / in reles of her care, The bonys of her lordys / that were slayn̄ [leaf 76, back] [4563. bonys] bodyes Lb. M. Di. C. T₂. P. E₂. (see Notes). her] the C. P.] This worthy duk / restoryd hath agayn̄. [ 4564] [¶ How Duk The∣seus delyuered to the ladies the bodyes of her lordys.] ¶ But what shuld I / any lenger dwelle [4565. what] om. L₂. any lenger Ar. G. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. þan lenger L₁. M. Ad₁. I. E₁. S. Ro. lenger thanne T₁. Ra. lenger now Di.] The oldë* Ryytys / by and by to telle, [4566. olde M. Ad₁. old Ar.] Nor thobsequies / in ordre to devise; [4567. Nor] For Di. the obsequies M. Ad₁.] Nor to declare / the manere and the Guyse [ 4568] [I shan't describe the burning of the bodies,] [4568. Nor] Ner Lb. nethir P. to] om. G. Lb. E₂. and] nor T₂. ne Lb. gyse M. Ad₁.] how the bodyes / wer to Asshes brent, Nor of the gommës / in the flaumbë spent, [4570. Nor] Ne Lb. Di. P. in] of Di. flaume T₁. M. Ad₁. E₂. flamme G. E₁. T₂. flame S. flawmes Ra.] To make the ayre* / swetter of relees, [4571. ayr M. Ad₁. hayre Ar.] As fraunc encence / Mirre and Aloës; [ 4572] [4459 to 4572 lost in Du.] [4572. frank encense M. Ad₁. and] om. Ad₁.] Nor how the wommen / round aboutë stood, Somë with mylk / and some also with blood, [4574. and] om. Ad₁. I.] And some of hem with vrnës made of gold, [or the gold urns that the ashes of some were put in,] whan the asshes fully weren made cold, [ 4576] [4576. were M. Ad₁.] Tenclosyn hem of gret affeccioun [4577. To enclosen Ad₁. To enclose M. gret] ful gret C.] And bern hem hom / into her Regioun; [4578. bern Ar. bere Ad₁. borne M. Di.]

And how that other / ful dedly of her loke, For loue only / of the bonys tooke, [ 4580] Hem to kepë / for a remembraunce: That to reherce / euery obseruaunce [4582. reherce Ar. and all.] That was don / in the fyrës bright, The wakë-playës / duryng al the nyght, [ 4584] [or the games,] Nor of the wrastlyng / to telle poynt be poynt, [or wrestling,] [4585. Nor] Ne Lb. P. of] for G. the] om. Ro. wrastlyng] wrestlyng Ro. wrostelyng L₂. wraxling S. to] om. C. to telle] telling T₂. E₂ L₂. om. Lb. P.] Of hem that werën* / nakyd and enoynt, [4456 to 4586 lost in Bo.] [4586. wern Ar. M. weren Di. were Ad₁.] how eueriche other luggë gan and shake; Nor how the wommen han her levë take [ 4588] [or the taking leave of Theseus.] [4588. han M. haue Bo. Ad₁.] Of Theseus / with ful gret humblesse, [4589. ful] om. Ad₁. Ra. P.] Thankyng hym of his worthynesse That hym lyst vpon her woo to rewe; And how that he, his fredam to renewe, [ 4592] [4592. that] om. Ra. to Ar. G. Lb. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. gan Bo. and the rest.] with the wommen, of his hegh largesse, [leaf 77] ypartyd hath / ek of his Richesse; [4594. yparted] And parted Di. Parted T₁. C.] ¶ And how this Duk Thebës ek forsoke [Theseus goes to Athens.] And to Athenys / the righte wayë* tooke, [ 4596] [4596. right Bo. M. Ad₁. weye T₁. Ra. E₁. E₂. way Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. righte waye] way right he Ad₁. right wey he P.] with laurer crownyd / in signe of victorye, And the palme of conquest and of glorye, [4598. second ot] om. Ra. E₁. Ro.] Did his honur / duëly to marte; And how the wymmen wepte whan they departe* [ 4600] [4600. wepte M. wept Bo. Ad₁. they] he L₂. departe] parte Ar. G. T₂. P. E₂.] with kyng Adrastus / hom ageyn to Arge: [4601. Arge] Arche L₂.] To tellyn al, it* wer to gret a charge, [Kyng Adrastus with the ladyes repeyred hom ageyn to Arge.] [4602. it] om. Ar. G. L₂. a] om. T₁. T₂.] ¶ And ek also, as ȝe shal vnderstonde, [4603. shal Ar. Ad₁. shul Bo. M. sholde E₁. Ro.] At the gynnyng I took no mor on honde [ 4604] [4604. At the Ar. Atte Ad₁. At Bo. M. gynnyng] Bygynnynge P. L₂. took] take Bo. Du. Ra. P.] Be my promys, in conclusioun, But to rehercë the destruccioun

Of myghty Thebës / shortly, and no more. And thus Adrastus, with his lokkys hore, [ 4608] [Adrastus stays in Argos,] [4608. his] om. Bo.] Stille abood in Argë his Cytè [4609. his] the G.] Vnto his ende / : ȝe gete no more of me, Sauf, as myn auctour / liketh to compyle, After that he lyuëd but a while; [ 4612] For he was old er the siegë gan, [4613. gan Ar. G. C. T₂. L₂. began Bo. and the rest.] And thought and sorowe so vpon hym ran; [but the trouble of the Siege shortens his life.] [4614. sorowe Bo. sorw M. Ad₁.] The which in soth shortyd hath his dayes. And, tymë sette, deth makeþ no delayes, [ 4616] [He dies,] [4616. And tyme] atte tyme Ad₁. deth] om. P.] And al his Ioyë / passid was and gon̄, [4617. al] om. Du. passid was] is passed Ad₁.] For of his lordys / alyvë was not on But slayn at Thebes /, ȝe knowën al the cas. [4619. slayn at Thebes] atte Thebes slayn Ad₁. al] om. Ad₁.] and whan this kyng / in Argë buryed was [ 4620] [and is buried.] [4620. in Arge] om. Ad₁.] Ful Ryaly / with gret solempnytè, [4621. ryally Bo. M. royally Ad₁.] It was acountyd /, in bookys ȝe may Se, [4622. acountyd Ar. Ad₁. accountyd Bo. acomptid L₁. counted M. ȝe may] as ye may L₁. Ad₁.] ¶ Four hundred ȝeer /, as mad is mencioun, [leaf 77, back] [4623. hundred Ad₁. hundreth Bo. hondred M. CCCC yere C.] To-foor the beelding / and fundacioun [ 4624] [CCCC ȝere to-fore þe fundacioun of Rome was Thebes destroyed.] [4624. belding Bo. Ad₁. bildyng M.] Of gret Rome / so Ryal and so large, [4625. grete Bo. gret M. Ad₁. the grete P. ryal Bo. M. roial Ad₁. hye P. Royally E₁. Ro. second so] om. Ad₁.] whan the ladies / departyden* from Arge [4626. departyden] partyd Ar. G. departyd Bo. and all the other MSS. (see Notes).] To her contrès / ful trest and desolat. [4627. tryst Bo. Ad₁.] lo {punctel} her the fyn / of contek and debat. [ 4628] [4628. contek] contecte L₁. and] of Di.] Lo {punctel} her the myght of Mars the froward sterre. [4629. second the] þat L₁. froward Ar. G. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂. mighti Bo. and all the rest.] Lo {punctel} what it is {punctel} for-to gynne a werre. [4630. forto Ar. G. M. Di. Ra. to Bo. and the rest. gynne] begynne L₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] ¶ How it concludeth / ensample ȝe may se First of Grekys / and next of the Cytè: [ 4632] [Thebes.] [4632. Grekys] þe Grekes Bo. L₁. E₂. next] sith G. Ad₁. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. sithen Ra. the] this Ad₁. the Cyte] Thebes þe Cyte L₁. P. the Thebans cite E₂.]

For owther parte / hath matere to conpleyn̄e. [4633. owther Ar. eyther Bo. M. Ad₁. parte] partie Di. hath] om. Di. hath matere] mater hath M.] And in her strif / ȝe may se thynggës tweyne: [¶ The worthy blood of Grece was distroyed at the siege and the Cyte fynaly brouht to nought.] ¶ The worthy blood of al grecë spilt, [4635. grece] grekes S.] And Thebës ek /, of Amphion first bylt, [ 4636] [4636. first] om. Ad₁.] With-oute Recur / brouht vnto Ruyne And with the soyle made pleyn as a lyne, [4638. soyle Bo. M. soil Ad₁. a] ony C. T₂. P. E₂.] To wyldernessë turnyd / and desert, [4639. wydernesse Ar. wildernesse Bo.] And Grekys ek / falle into pouert, [ 4640] [4640. ek] om. M. Di. falle Ar. Bo. M. Ad₁. fallen Ra. S. P. L₂. full L₁. brouȝte Di. into] in Ad₁. to Ra.] Both of her men / and also of her good; [4641. also] om. Ad₁.] For fynaly / al the gentyl blood was shad out ther /, her woundys wer so wyde, To los fynal vnto outher syde. [ 4644] [4644. To los fynal vnto] vn-to gret los of Ad₁. outher Ar. eyther Bo. M. Ad₁. þe tother G. every S. P.] For in the werre is non̄ excepcioun [In war,] Of hegh estat / nor lowħ condicioun, [high and low, both suffer.] But as fortune / and fatë, both yffere, List to disposë / with her double chere, [ 4648] And Bellona* / the goddes in hir char [¶ Bellona is god∣desse of bataill.] [4649. Bellona] Belliona Ar. G.] Aforn provydeth /; wherfor ech man be war [4649 and 4650 are transposed in M. Di.] [4650. wherfor Ar. G. T₂. E₂. L₂. þer-fore Bo. and the rest. ech] euery C. T₂. P. E₂.] Vnavysed / a werrë to bygynne. For no man woot who shal lese or wynne. [ 4652] [4652. woot] om. Ra. lese M. Ad₁. lees Bo.] And hard it is whan eyther party leseth. [leaf 78] [4653. And hard it is] Ne wot and hard is Ra. whan] where P. eyther Ar. Bo. M. euery P. party Bo. part M. eyther party leseth] boþe parties leseth Ad₁. Ra. S.] And doutëles / nowther of hem cheseth [Both sides are damaged by war.] [4654. nowther Ar. Bo. Ad₁. neither M. nowther of hem] neþer party P.] That they most / in al swich mortal rage, [4655. swich] sewyth G. rage] rache M.] Maugrè her lust /, felyn gret damage. [ 4656] [4656. lust M. Ad₁. list Bo. felyn Ar. C. T₂. E₂. L₂. fallyn in G. fall to P. folowe Bo. and the rest.] It may nat be by mannys myght restreyned. And werre in soth / was neuer first ordeyned [4597 to 4658 lost in Lb.]

But for synne folkis to chastyse. [4659. for synne Ar. G. Ra. E₁. S. L₂. Ro. for synful Bo. T₁. L₁. Lb. M. Di. (Ad₁.) C. T₂. P. E₂. folkis] folke L₁. Lb. C. T₂. P. sinful folkes for to Ad₁.] And as the byble / trewly kan devyse, [ 4660] [¶ How that werre byganne in heuene by the pride and sur∣quedye of Lu∣cyfer.] Hegh in heuene / of Pryde and Surquedye, [4661. in the rubric Ar. has pde and suuquedye.] Lucyfer, fader of Envie, [4662. om. in P (a later hand has written in the margin: ffirste ye shall vndirstonde and se).] [4662. fader] the fader C. that fader T₂. Envie] al enuye C. cursed envie Ad₁.] The olde Serpent /, he levyathan, [4663. olde Bo. he] the Ra.] Was the first / that euer werrë gan: [ 4664] [4664. the] þo Bo. euer] om. S. werre] syn M. Di. gan Ar. began G. Bo. and the rest] Whan Michael /, the heuenly Champioun, with his Feerys / venqwisshyd the Dragoun, [4666. venquisshed Bo. M. Ad₁. Feerys] felowes S.] And to hellë / cast hym downe ful lowe. The whiche serpent hath the Cokkyl sowe [ 4668] [¶ lollium] [4668. whiche Bo. M. which Ad₁. Cokkyl Ar. kokkel Bo. Ad₁. kocle M. cockal Ra. in Ar. before serpent is ko, underdotted.] Thorgh al erth / of envye and debat, [Envy rules now.] [4669. Torgh Ar. al erth] al the erthe Ad₁. S. E₂.] That vnnethys / is ther non̄ estat, [4670. vnnethys] vnnethe Lb. vnneth P. non] ony T₁. Lb. M. Di. eny Ad₁. any P. estat] stat M. Di. astate Lb. P.] with-outë stryf / can lyve in Charitè. For euery man / of hegh and lough degrè, [ 4672] Envyeth now / that other shulde thryve. [4673. shold M. shal Bo.] And ground and causë / why that men so stryve, [Covetousness and Ambition] [4674. that] om. Ra. S. stryve] scryue E₁. Ro.] Is coveytise / and fals Ambicioun, [4675. Ambicioun] abusion Ad₁.] That euerich wold han domynacioun [ 4676] [4582 to 4676 lost in I.] [4676. haue Bo. M. Ad₁.] Ouer other, and trede hym̄ vndyr foote: [4677. Ouer] Of G.] which of al sorowe / gynnyng is and Roote. [are the roots of all evil.] [4678. sorowe Bo. sorw M. Ad₁. gynnyng] gynner M. Di.] And Crist recordyth /—red luk* and ȝe may se— [4679. Crist Bo. M. Ad₁. Christ E₂. luke G. C. P. L₂. luce T₂ loke Lb. looke E₂. bok Ar. þe boke Bo. and the rest.] For lak of love / what meschief þer shal be. [ 4680] [¶ Surget gens contra gentem, Luce xxi^o.] [4680. what] om. Ad₁. I. þer shal] shal þer Bo. T₁. Ad₁. I. S.] For .O. puple / as he doth devyse, [4681. puple Ar. G. peple Bo. M▪ people E₁. E₂. Ro.] Agayn anoþer / of hatë shal aryse. And after tellith what dyvisions [leaf 78, back]

Ther shal be / atwixë* regyouns, [ 4684] [4684. be] om. L₁. atwix Ar. Ra. a twene Bo. M. Ad₁. betwyxt L₂. betwene Lb.] Eueriche bysy / other to oppresse. And al swicħ strif /, as he berth wytnesse, [Strife starts] [4686. berth Ar. bereth Bo. berith M. Ad₁.] Kalendys ben /, I take his word to borowe, [4687. ben] thei ben C. borowe Bo. borw M. Ad₁.] And a gynnyng / of meschief and of sorowe: [ 4688] [sorrow.] Men haue it foundë / be experience. [4689. haue Bo. han M. Ad₁. it] om. Bo.] But the venym / and the violence [But War] [4690. venym] venom M. Ad₁.] Of strif, of werre / of contek, and debat, [4691. of werre of contek] of contek of werre Ad₁. I. S. contek werre Ra (both of om.). and] and of E₂.] That makeþ londys bare and desolat, [ 4692] Shal be proscript and voyded out of place, [shall cease;] [4693. be] om. Ra. S. proscripte Ar (with e underdotted). be proscript] proscript be Ad₁. I. voyded] voide L₁. Lb. P. voiden Ra.] And Martys swerd / shal no more manace, [4694. Martys] mars S. swerd] swerdes E₂.] Nor his sperë* / greuous to sustene, [4695. spere Bo. M. Ad₁. sper Ar.] Shal now no morë* / whettyd* be so kene, [ 4696] [4696. now] om. T₁. Di. Ra. C. T₂. more Bo. M. mor Ar. Ad₁. whettyd] whtyd Ar.] Nor he no morë* / shal his hauberk shake. But loue and pees / in hertys shal awake, [Love shall] And charitè /, both in length and brede, Of newë shal her bryghte beemys sprede [ 4700] [spread.] [4700. bright Bo. M. Ad₁.] Thorgh grace / only {punctel} in dyuers naciouns, Forto reforme / a-twixë* Regyouns [4702. reforme M. Ad₁. refourme Bo. a-twix Ar. G. a-twene Bo. M. Ad₁. Lb. atween Ra. bytwene L₂.] Pees and quyet / concord and vnytè. [4703. first and] om. Ad₁. I.] And he that is / both on / and two / and thre, [ 4704] [Christ, who is God] [4704. he] om. Bo. S. is] om. I. both] om. Lb. L₂. both on] on both S. second and] om. L₁. Lb. M. Di. Ad₁. I. Ra. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. L₂.] Ek thre in on̄ / and souereyn lord of pes, Which in this exil / for our sakë ches, [4706. sake] loue C. ches] these E₁. Ro.] For loue only / our troubles to termyne, [4707. For] om. I. loue] om. Ad₁. I. troubles] trouble∣nesse Ad₁. trouble I. to] for to do I.] For to be born / of a pur virgyne: [ 4708] [and man,] [4708. pur] clene G.] ¶ And lat vs prey / to hym that is most good, [let us pray Him,] [4709. to] om. Ad₁. I.]

Which for mankynde shadde his hertë blood, [4710. Which Ar. G. L₁. Ra. L₂. Ro. þat Bo. and the rest. mankynd Ar. L₂. mankend G. mankinde M. Ad₁. and the rest, except man-kyn Bo. T₁. shadde Ar. shad Bo. M. Ad₁. shed E₁. S. Ro. herte T₁. hert Bo. M. Ad₁. precious S.] Thorgh byseching / of that heuenly quene, [thru his Mother,] [4711. byseching] þe besechyng Bo. L₁. Lb. Di P. that] the P.] Wyff and moder and a Maydë clene, [ 4712] [4712. first and] om. P. a] om. Lb. M. Ad₁. I. Ra. S. C. T₂. P. E₂. Mayde Ar. Bo. T₁. Ra. E₁. L₂. Ro. mayden G. L₁. and the rest.] To sende vs pes / her in this lyf present, [leaf 79] And of oure synnys / parfit amendëment, [to send us peace here] [4714. amedement Ar.] And Ioye eternal / whan we hennës* wende. [and joy here∣after.] [4715. hennes Bo. Ad₁. hennys L₂. hens Ar. M.] Of my talë / thus I make an ende.

Explicit. [ 4716] [4716. Of] And of Lb. Ad₁. I. C. T₂. P. E₂. G (the whole line supplied by a late hand, see Introduction). M. and T₂. add Deo gracias.]

Here endeth the destruccioun of Thebes.