'To chaunge for hir choisly the cheuyst of vs here;
Or all so myght Aunter to atter for euer.
To seke þis, in certayn, hit semys not euyn;
And put vs all in perell for pyne for hir one,
Line 2288
Þat long sythen was laght & out of lond broght,
And mey be drepit with dethe in yeres a few;
And all the ȝomeryng for yeten in yeres A lyte.
Now hoope ye not, hynde fader, ne in hert thinke,
Line 2292
That I carpe thus for cowardys, & be course ferde,
Or for the sake of my selfe in sauyng alone;
But I doute it for destany, and drede at þe ende,
ffor lure and for losse of the londe hole;
Line 2296
Bothe of soile & of Septor, soueraynly of you;—
That we falle into forfet with our fre wille,
And chese vs a chaunse þat cheuys to noght.
While we may stithly absteyne, & stond at our ese,
Line 2300
Hit is leifull to leue syche lykynges in hele;
And put of a purpos of a proude sute,
Þat harmes at þe hynder ende & heuy to beire."
When Ector hade answaret & endet his tale,
Line 2304
He enclynet the Kyng & closit his mowthe.
THE COUNSELL OF PARIS ALEXAUNDER. [folio 38a]
Than parys aprochyt And put hym to say,
And come with his counsell declaret his wit.
"Now fader ful faithfull, and our fre Kyng!
Line 2308
Will you suffer your son to say at this tyme,
And tent to my tale, it turnys to the best?
I shall put you to purpos and plesauns at ende.
Who might faithfully be ferde, or fortune to dred?
Line 2312
Syne we are put in prosperite & pepull so fele,
And Riches so Rife, and Reames beside;
With a Cite full sure, and set for the werre;
With Armure, and all things abill to fight.
Line 2316
