The .xxix. Chapter.
❧ Howe Demetrius the seconde lost at the last his head.
BVt I wyll returne to De∣metrius
That called was Demetrius the seconde,
Which by discent came fro Antiochus,
And by his manhode as it is well founde
Dyd the pride of kyng Ballas confounde
Called Alysander which by great out rage,
Had put his father fro his herytage.
This Demetrius famous and notable
Vpon Parthoys had many great victory,
Tyll kyng Arsacides double and deceyuable
Him selfe delytyng greatly in vaynglory,
By hys sleyghty fraudes deceptory
Vnder a shadow of faynyng and false chere,
Toke Demetrius vnwarely prisonere.
And to great hindring & sclaūder of his name
Arsacides by a maner mockery,
Made Demetrius for dispite and shame
Poorly arayed of hate and great enuy
For to be led through all Jury:
Made hym after by great auisement,
To wed hys doughter agayne hys owne en∣tent,
This Demetrius was kepte out of prees
That but fewe had of hym syght,
Vnto tyme that Arsacydes
Was deed and passed for all his great might,
Than he cast to escape away by flyght,
And secretly to accomplishe his entent
He gate hym coūsayle that was of his assent.
Gallymandrus a lorde of that countre
Which that was of hys assent in dede,
In their flight to kepe them more secre
Made Demetrius for to chaunge his wede,
And preuy wayes forth he dyd him lede:
But all for nought his flight was in vayne,
For by strong pursute he was taken agayne.
After by constraynt presented to the kyng,
That he gan wexe wery of his life,
Kept more straytly folke on him waytyng,
And maugre him presented to hys wife
With her to abide full heuy and pensyfe:
But whē they had childrē atwene thē twaine
To go more at large losed was his chayne.
And thus he had space and fre lycence
To go and come at his auauntage,
For whyle his wife helde with him resydence